Exercise and Weight-Loss Update

It's been a while, so I thought it was time for a weight loss/exercise update. I'm pretty proud that I've kept up with the gym since the fall. Generally I lose interest in that pretty quickly. The KEY has been joining the gym at work because I can get my workouts in over lunch (with friends!), take classes, and then not have to worry about it at home at night. Then, any walks or "extras" we do at night are just bonuses!

I haven't really lost any more significant weight since Thanksgiving despite a 3-4 days per week intense class schedule at the gym. My nutritionist says that's super common when your body gets in the routine of the same class, SO in the last week, I've decided to switch things up and make Tuesdays and Thursdays cardio days to kick it up a little. Since the weekend, I've now lost another pound. Gotta watch that diet, too! :) 

The one thing I have noticed is lost inches. My arms are hands-down the area I notice it the most. Last I checked, I think they were down 1.5 inches (each) or slightly more. I'll have to get an officially measurement tonight. My legs are also much more muscular than they were and the fat that is by the armpit is basically GONE! WOO HOO! Still working on that darn stomach area. Grrrrr.

I definitely feel stronger and more confident in many ways and just today, on my new cardio day, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and then got borerd out of my mind (that's why classes are better for me!!). I decided to jump on the treadmill and see if I could run a mile without stopping. I haven't done that in years (though can't say I've tried too many times). I DID IT. And, most importantly, I lived to tell about it. I didn't even WANT to pass out. It felt so good to be able to do that again. It goes to show that even though I haven't been doing super cardio-heavy workouts the exercise is still working. 

I'm so excited for spring when we can get the bonus walks in at night, play outside, go hiking, etc. (Sidenote: the kids can't either; they're about to lose their minds from the winter stir-crazies!!!) :) 

Eight.

Well, if I'm being honest, I wish that number was more like twenty. Eight is the number of pounds I've lost since I began my quest to go to the gym regularly and track what I eat. I actually thought I would lose faster, but I have been meeting with a registered dietician/nutritionist through my health insurance and she says that this is just perfect. Slow and steady wins the race!

I am on a calorie-intake plan that should allow me to lose 1-1.5 pounds per week, and so far, it's been just about spot on. I began my healthier lifestyle approximately seven weeks ago. This is not a post to pat myself on the back, but I'm going to be frank with you. I generally HATE working out. I get wickedly jealous of the people who love it. BUT--for the first time in a long time--I can say that I am enjoying it. Joining the gym at my job has been the ticket. One, I do not go out for lunch or shop on my lunch break like I used to (and our credit card bill shows it, too!). I blocked my work calendar every day from noon-1:30 p.m. so that people cannot put meetings on my schedule. Two, and probably most importantly, I do not feel guilty when I sit down and watch TV after the kids go to bed because I've already worked out.

I literally feel an obsessive desire to go to the gym right now--just makes me feel so much better. Plus, I go with a friend so that helps. AND, I almost exclusively take classes. See, here's the thing. When left to my own devices, I don't push myself. I just don't. If my legs are tired, I stop. But the classes are intense, there are mirrored walls so everyone is watching you, and there's someone giving you encouragement/telling you what to do--and that's exactly what I need!
SO--there are nine weeks to the day until Christmas and, by then, I really hope to be reporting a 17 pound weight loss (at least).

Let's do this.

An unexpected (delicious) breakfast!

I set out to make a "protein pancake" this morning as I've seen so many of my instagram friends do lately, and let me tell you, it did not go well.

The recipe I was using called for 4 egg whites, 1/2 a cup of oatmeal, cinnamon, vanilla, and blueberries.

When I mixed it all up, it was SUPER runny, so I let it sit for awhile, which did help.

I put it in the skillet like pancakes, where it prompty spread out all over the pan, making a hot mess. I attempted to shape them back into pancakes but when I flipped it, it separated and created a new mess.

So....skillet baked oatmeal was born. HAHA!

I ended up just using a spatula and moving it all around til it was cooked and hot.

And it was DELICIOUS. (And Weight Watchers friendly!)

Here's my "recipe" (more than enough for 2 people!)
4 egg whites
1/2 cup oatmeal
Few sprinkles of cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp brown sugar (I added this when I realized the pancake wasn't going to happen)
Handful of bluberries

WW breakdown (1 serving):
2 egg whites - 1 p+
1/4 cup oatmeal - 2 p+
Cinnamon, vanilla, blueberries - all 0 p+
1 Tbsp brown sugar - 1 p+
1/2 cup of skim - 1 p+ (maybe less, because I didn't drink the milk after I was done)
TOTAL - 5 p+

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I'm down 1.4 pounds from what I was last week at my WW meeting, so I'm happy! I tracked better this week which makes all the difference. I was down even almost another 2 pounds from THIS at one point during this week, but it must have been water weight or something. Shoot! ha! :)

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I forgot to do last week's. Whoops! Bad news is I've been plateaued for about 3 weeks now. Bummer. But, admittedly, I haven't been counting points like I was and I haven't been exercising nearly enough. Time to kick it up.

I am planning to participate in Weight Watchers "Walk-It Challenge," which is a walking plan that ends with walking a 5K on May 22nd. You can either find a registered event or just do 3.1 miles on your own, which is what I'm planning to do (and making Seth come along). :)

This week, I really, really want to be mindful to track everyday (it really is the only way WW works!) and do the walking plan that was given to us.

Hopefully I'll have a loss to report next week.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I'm down another 1.2 pounds! I swear, it is by the shear grace of God the past few weeks that I am still losing weight because I have been HORRIBLE at tracking what I eat (a major essential on WW) and not so good at the treadmill either. We have, however, been taking advantage of the nice days and doing outdoor walks. Plus, my child is 27 pounds so it's sort of like I lift weights all day. :) I haven't taken my measurements in a few weeks because they weren't changing a ton, but I think I'll try to resume that next week to get an update.

Down 12 pounds in as many weeks. YAY!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I didn't get to do the measurements AGAIN....shoot! I wasn't going to weigh in at the meeting today because I didn't feel like I really lost weight (as always, some days during the week I'm down, then some back up - it goes back to that whole don't-weigh-yourself-everyday thing). But I sucked it up and weighed in anyway...and I lost 1.8 pounds this week!! I didn't get the official poundage on the home scale (which is the one I normally use for my "official" blog post weight ins), but it is almost always better than at WW, so I'm pumped! In all, I'm at 11 lost pounds since mid-January!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

It's still Wednesday, right?! I feel like I almost lost track. :)

Ok, so...technically, I didn't lose any weight this week. Darn it. But, I didn't necessarily expect to, either. Aside from the sickness that has taken ahold of this household and the obvious lack of exercise on my part due to the "on-death's-doorstep" feeling, I am also on two antibiotics - both which say right on the package "watch your diet closely while on this antibiotic due to weight gain" and "may cause you to retain water."

Um, bummer. Because all of those things combined? Not so good.

However, I didn't GAIN, which is fab. I stayed exactly the same to the point at home. I wasn't going to weigh in at the meeting to avoid the dread of a plus weight, but I thought ah, what the heck, and jumped on...and on their scale, I lost .2.

In all, I've lost 10 pounds so far and a bunch of inches all over (no details this week). My bridesmaid dress for one of my best friend's wedding came today, and oh my word, it is huge. And I mean huge. Good for my self-esteem. Not so good for the altering bill. Oh well, I'LL TAKE IT!

Weight Watchers Wednesday & An Ear Infection

I feel like I should be reciting the Serenity Prayer right now. While crawling into the fetal position. Sucking my thumb. You know, if that gives you a good idea of how the last week has gone.

Sick, fussy, teething baby pulling on his ears and refusing to sleep. Up to my eyeballs with projects and deadlines at work. Arguing over stupid stuff with the husband due to aforementioned drama.

In Weight Watchers news (and there isn't much of it), I lost another .6 pounds. Which is by the shear grace of God because I didn't do a lick of tracking this week and I only worked out half-heartedly one day. So, I consider another .6 to be victory. I did not take my measurements. I did make one new recipe to meet one of my goals from last week. It was banana muffins with chocolate chips (WW-friendly, of course), and they were yummy. When my head stops spinning, I'll try to post a recipe.

In baby-land, Carter has an ear infection, which helps explain the madness that is the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. We took him in to the doctor last Thursday for a check of his ears, but embarassingly enough, he had some wax which prevented them from fully seeing his eardrums (what's a mom to do?! They say no q-tips!). The doctor didn't give a whole lot of effort to getting it out but wanted to adopt a wait-and-see approach, telling me that if he developed a fever to bring him back because it is probably an ear infection. Lovely.

Enter Tuesday. Call from daycare that Carter has a fever. We returned to the doctor's office where we were assigned a lovely, wonderful doctor who perfectly cleaned out his ears in no time flat and declared that yes, he had an ear infection. We amoxicillin'd it up and had a splendid sleep-through-the-night kind of night. Ahhhh...but, no daycare today, so daddy is home with him.

Oh, and a tooth popped through overnight. With another about to.

Back to the fetal position.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

So, last week I said it was time to kick it up a notch. I did, in fact. I tracked (wrote down everything I ate and its points plus value so that I always knew where I stood and how much I had left in any given day) all but 1 day, exercised frequently, and enjoyed my weekly allowance points for fun splurges like Italian dinner out complete with a split dessert with Seth.

I weighed myself every day which I know you shouldn't do. At one point, I was down 4 pounds from what I was last Wednesday. But today is the day that counts. All in all, I lost 2.6 pounds this week. As far as measurements, some went up which I don't understand??? Seth thought it was maybe his measuring this time. My favorite measurement was a 1 inch loss in my bust.

This makes my total weight loss 9 pounds.

My goals for this week are to track at least 6 days again, make 1 new recipe, and work out at least 4 days again. We bought a new medicine ball this week for increased upper body tonage.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I didn't do this last week because I was in FL, and now today I have been crazed so this will be quick. :)

I lost 1/4 inch in my bust and left thigh, and lost .6 pounds (YES, those pesky .6 lbs again!). However, on the WW meeting scale, I was down 2.2 since my last weigh-in. I'm down a total of 6.4 right now. A few days ago, I was down a total of 8, but weighing yourself every day is bad because you seriously change up and down all the time - it can change so easily.

I'm happy to far (especially with this past week because I was at a conference in which they fed us well and when I didn't get a chance to exercise), but am ready to kick it up a notch.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Well, I'm going to be honest. I found this week to be much tougher than any other week. I can pinpoint exactly why, too. For starters, I was out of my normal routine several times this week. We went out for dinner Friday night to a place where there weren't too many healthy options (though I think I did okay with grilled shrimp, a baked potato and a side salad). Oh shoot, I just remembered we ordered a piece of pie to split for dessert. So I did okay until that point. :)

Also, I was at my parent's house Saturday and was much more lax about what I ate. Sunday, we had lunch at my grandma's (some serious home cooking), and then a Superbowl gathering on Sunday night. Yikes. A Weight Watchers nightmare.

On top of it all, I didn't track (write down everything that goes in my mouth and its points+ value) this week which I now know is bad, bad, bad for me. I had no idea how much I was eating and how much I was still allotted to the rest of the day. I need to have that gentle reminder that "hey, you only have 12 points+ left for the day, so chill out." When you don't track, it is extremely easy to get off plan.

I worked out alright, but I'm still bored. And it is still not remotely fun. Any ideas for winter working out that is FUN???

When all was said and done, I gained .6 pounds this week (yep, the exact .6 I lost last week). HOWEVER, I had a really good week measurement-wise. I lost 1/2 inch in my waist, 1/2 inch in my hips, 3/4 inch in my right thigh, 1/2 inch in my left thigh, and 1/4 inch in my left biceps.

The total inches lost so far:
Bust: 3/4
Waist: 2 1/2
Hips: 1 1/2
Right Thigh: 1 1/4
Left Thigh: 1 3/4
Right Biceps: 3/4
Left Biceps: 1 1/4
TOTAL INCHES: 9 3/4 inches

This gave me some much-needed motivation to track every day this week (including the airport food, and any food I consume while at the conference in FL).

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Well, I just wrapped up week three of Weight Watchers. The novelty has definitely worn off, but I am now consciously thinking about what I eat. I won't lie...I am hungry some days and just want to go out for fries and burgers. And I have had a KILLER ulcer in my mouth from all the fruit.

Last week's meeting was about activity, and how any activity is better than no activity. I've been continuing to strive for my 4-5 times a week, but this time was more like 3 or 4 (I can't remember because I didn't track my food or exercise all week. Boo.). Exercise was already getting slightly boring for me. Seriously. Week three. This is my worst fear. SO, drastic times call for drastic measures. We dipped into our fun money and bought a nice TV for the "home gym." I work out so much better (and less grudgingly) when I have some form of entertainment. I'm looking forward to spring and summer when we can play frisbee golf, go for nice walks and hikes, go swimming, etc.

Anywho, when all was said and done, I lost slighly over 1/2 a pound this week (1 1/2 on the WW scale at my meeting this morning, but as always, I keep track on the blog with my home scale since that one is never moved and I weigh myself every week without clothing), which isn't exactly what I was hoping for (though should still be happy about since we had Seth's work party and we weren't quite the best with food choices). As far as measurements, I lost the following this week: 1 inch in my waist, 1/4 inch in my right thigh, and 1/4 inch in my left biceps (a little fact if you didn't know: the singular and plural form of "biceps" is the same).

I'm sooooo close to being back into my favorite pair of jeans (though I hope those will be history before real long), and I'm hoping I manage to lose a few more pounds before my work trip to Florida in 2 weeks.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Well, week two has wrapped up. I'm getting a better feel of what portions are like and what makes me full and what so absolutely does not. In our meeting this past week, the leader emphasized (and then emphasized some more) that our weekly allowance points are built into the plan for a reason - to keep you from craving things most diets say you "can't have." Weight Watchers is about flexible restriction - meaning moderation and good choices. It is not about dietary restriction, which is what most diets are. How many times do you hear someone say "Oh, I can't have cake. I'm on a diet."? All. the. time. That's the super nice thing about WW - you really can have anything you want.

Let's back up since most people probably don't know what weekly allowance points are. Weight Watchers gives each enrollee 49 weekly points to use however you want. You can use them all, you can use none, and you can use some. Basically, these are points above and beyond your daily totals. These points make it very easy to stay "on plan" since you will almost always have some points available if you want a piece of cake, a donut, etc.

So...I tried something risky this week. Since I hadn't used any of those 49 points last week, I decided to test the limits and try half of them this week to see if I still lose. I obviously didn't use them on pure junk, because that would defeat my purpose. But I did have a piece of cake for a friend's birthday and didn't feel the least bit guilty. I will not always do this, not by any means. But she encouraged us to see if our bodies allow us to have some extra treats each week and still make it work for us.

When all was said and done, I lost another 1.4 pounds for a total of about 6 (not worrying about the decimals)!!! Plus, this week, I lost an additional 1/2 inch in bust, 1/2 inch in my waist, 1 inch in my hips, nothing in my right thigh and 1/4 inch in my left, and 1/4 inch in each biceps.

OH, and in fun news, a few nights ago, we were driving home from the grocery story. As we passed a house down our street, Seth told me to stop!! The guy was putting out a really nice exercise bike to the trash. We pulled over and Seth asked if it still worked, and the guy said yes! They had just gotten a new one, and didn't need this one anymore. It was in PERFECT condition, so Seth drove Carter and I home and went back for it. We are now the proud new owners of an exercise bike, which just happens to be the same brand as our new treadmill!

Working Out Woes

I've said it before: working out is not really fun for me. Well, let me clarify. Playing sports and doing things that don't really feel like exercise are fun. But the basic gym things are just sort of blah. Our gym didn't offer classes, plus we didn't really have time to go since we had Carter, so we dropped our membership a few months ago.

Then we got a treadmill, which is nice and helps save us some money each month that was going into gym memberships. Well, that wasn't really quite enough. So, we've added a few things - the 30 Day Shred (the torture work-out by Jillian Michaels), some free weights, and one of those nice inflatable balls (which Seth so kindly purchased and then surprised me).

Ever since we've gotten the ball, I've never quite been able to use it super well. Something always just seemed off about it. I've tried following the pictures in magazines (you know the ones I'm referring to - a woman who is 5' 10", 110 pounds, in a sports bra and spandex pants, with immaculate make-up and hair) but it definitely wasn't playing out so nicely for me.

A few nights ago, I was doing some ab work on the ball with hand weights. All of a sudden, I lost my balance, and the ball started rolling (with me laying on top). Next thing I know, I crashed into the wall, fell over onto Carter's exersaucer, and dropped both weights as I toppled to the floor.

Because I cracked up laughing, so did Seth. We laughed HARD. It was quite the sight, I'm sure.

And then I looked at the box that the ball came in. For those 5'11" and taller.

Um, yeah. That explains some things.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I have officially wrapped up week one of Weight Watchers at Work! The first day, we got weighed in and received our materials. I purchased a few extra things like a calculator for on-the-go point calculations at the grocery store, etc. I also purchased the Complete Food Companion that has thousands of foods in it, broken down by category and brand.

I've begun exercising more regularly and currently plan to work out 4-5 times a week. I'm doing well on this plan so far, but I'm starting off reasonable since 1) I hate exercising unless it is something like playing volleyball, etc. and 2) I haven't exercised regularly for quite some time. For the next few weeks, my plan is walking/jogging intermittently on the treadmill for 25-30 minutes but no less than 20. I then do free weights and use an exercise ball.

AND, drumroll please.....

...I've already lost 5 pounds. Plus, I lost 1/2 inch in my waist, 1/4 in bust, 1/4 inch in my right thigh, about an inch in my left thigh (though we think this might have been a measuring error from last week to this week) :) and 1/2 inch in each of my biceps.

I'm super proud of this since, really, I have only been watching what I eat/exercising (very modestly) for 2 weeks. I hope to keep this up!!!

I will say, in just the short time since the program started, I have learned A LOT (and I do mean a lot) about portion distortion in America. I mean, a serving of pasta is 1 cup. ONE. CUP. That is equivalent to a tennis ball size of pasta. Not a dinner plate. Not even a salad plate. So yeah, we're watching portions more than anything, since that is really what WW is about anyway. You truly can eat anything you want on the plan (and we do)...you just have to count for it accordingly. If you want a piece of cake, go for it. You just can't go nuts the rest of the day.

I'll share more about WW over the next few weeks, but in the meantime, eat those fruits and veggies...they're free on WW. :)

Weight Watchers Wednesday

So...I've still got baby weight. 15 lbs, to be exact. And Carter is 8 months old. Oh, and I have that not-from-Carter extra weight too.

To combat this, I've joined Weight Watchers at Work with my friend and I'm very excited about it!! Losing weight with an accountability partner is always so much more fun. Plus, we can stay on track better at lunch because we eat together most days.

It "started" last Wednesday, January 5, but when we got there, found out it was just to pay and register and that today was the official start day. Since we were already in the mindset of starting last week, I decided to still eat much healthier, eat smaller portions, and exercise. I, of course, couldn't follow the point values because we didn't receive our materials yet, but I don't have time to waste a full week. Heck, I've got to be in a swimming suit this summer, and I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding in June. It's go-time, people.

WELL, without even following the points and just eating healthier and walking/jogging on the treadmill (and some hand weight exercises), I've already lost 3.5 pounds, which I'm thrilled about!!! My goal is to lose 20 pounds by June, preferrably 25. My overall goal looks more like 40, but I know this is going to take some SERIOUS work. I took my measurements (bust, waist, hips, biceps, thighs) and intend to keep track of not only the number on the scale but those numbers as well - this will be kept private, of course. I'm not THAT forthcoming. :)

So, for the next 16 weeks of the program, I will recap my progress in a weekly post (on Wednesdays, because that is weigh-in/meeting day).

Annnnnnnd......we're off.

Oh, the irony.

What are the chances that the very same week you begin your office weight loss challenge, the office supple of these would be delivered?

I feel like I should be reciting the Serenity prayer right now. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..."

Biggest Loser

That's it! I've had enough of the laxadasical eating and lack of exercise. In the fall of 2007, I went to the gym 4 times a week and saw carbs and starches as the exception, not the rule. Well, the stress of life has taken its toll and has been getting me a bit down in the dumps; today, two of my co-workers and I had enough of how lax we've all become with watching what we eat and how much we exercise.

We've devised our very own Biggest Loser, and it officially begins March 1. Of course, we are able to prepare leading up to that--get back into shape, begin to adjust eating habits, etc.--but the official "weigh ins" do not begin until March.

We will keep track of our weight ourselves and use the honor system, because you know how girls are. We don't like to share that information.

We're still figuring out the rules of how it will all work (should we go with percentage of body weight lost? total pounds lost?), but we are all throwing $20 into the pot. Winner gets the moo-lah. Final weigh in is around Memorial Day. We may even pull some more people into it to increase the winnings.

You can keep me accountable now. In total, I'd like to lose about 30 pounds. It sounds like a lot--and it is--so I'll have to start with small goals first. Like....lose 5 pounds. Then, when I get there, lose 5 more. I don't necessarily have a time frame set up yet, but I'm working on it.

So far since we've come up with the idea, I've gone to the gym, gone on two long walks with Bentley, done lunges around the house, and eaten healthier, balanced meals.

Let me know any secrets that have helped you lose weight!

My Not-So-Resolution Resolution

Oh it is so on. And by "on" I mean getting back to the healthier eating, going to the gym multiple times a week, and all around trying to be...better. The holidays were bad, bad, bad, but my co-workers and I decided as a group we would not sabatage each other anymore and would work together to make it happen.

We wanted to start a Biggest Loser competition in the marketing and PR department like HR did, but we know we'd be the only 4 to participate anyway, so we'll do it as a side challenge for ourselves.

I don't make new year's resolutions because I think they're silly, but let's just say if I did, I would totally be cliche and say "my new year's resolution is to lose weight and be healthier this year."

Seth already sort of jumped on the high fructose corn syrup train--ahem, Ran boys :)--so tonight I bought organic ketchup as the first step. I guess someone told Seth that if you want to eliminate HFCS, the biggest culprit is ketchup, and turns out, we needed ketchup. Little steps, people, little steps.

And apparently, everyone in central Pennsylvania also thinks it is a good time to join the gym and work out. I could hardly get a machine at the gym it was so insane. Not to worry, the regulars say they'll quit by February.

I haven't been to the gym in a few days weeks, so it was especially hard tonight. In the words of one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Big Mama, "I spent the first 10 minutes on the elliptical thinking I was going to die, and the last 10 wishing I would."

Amen, sister! Here's to eating fruit and carrots and needing your husband to help you into your pants because you can't move your lower body!