Tuesday, September 30, 2008
September 30, 2008
Today's Workouts: today I did the Biggest Loser Workout Volume 2, there is so much to choose from its not even funny! I did the warm up, low intensity cardio, women's high intensity cardio, Bob's Boot Camp, Functional Flexibility, and the cool down for a total of 60 minutes. Women's high intensity was really tough, but was only 10 minutes long. I liked this workout because no segment is longer than 15 minutes, then the scenery changes and the trainer changes so its easier to get through.
Add to that 2 miles, Dad and I walked the 2 Mile Express today. That tops off STEPtember's miles at 142!!
Breakfast: 1 little apple and one banana before workout. After workout, 1 whole wheat pita pizza: cherry tomatoes, chopped pieces of chicken breast, olive tomato sauce, lightly drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with mozzarella cheese and oregano. 1 cup skim milk.
Lunch: 1 homemade taco: whole wheat and flax seed tortilla, 1.5 tbs ground beef, 1.5 tbs black beans, salsa, sprinkle of cheese, onions, tomatoes.
Dinner: 1 vegetarian southwestern sandwich (brown rice, corn, peppers, beans... 270 calories)
Dessert/snacks: 1 Kashi TLC Oatmeal Dark Chocolate cookie (130 calories, NO partially hydrogenated ANYTHING, whoohoo, and 3g fiber!)... this was dessert after lunch
- two Hershey's funsize Dark Chocolate squares (rectangles?), one 150-cal pack Cinnamon Teddy Grahams after lunch and before dinner (4pm)
- 1 tbs or slightly more Natural peanut butter before bed
Water: doing well
Daily Vitamins: check
Nightly Vitamins: check
Monday, September 29, 2008
September 29, 2008
I was able to put on a pair of cute little shorts in a size 6 from Old Navy today that I have not been able to wear in almost two years! And when I was able to wear them, they were very tight. And a month ago, I could NOT wear them. I am building so much muscle and firming up so quickly and I know I could not count on myself to do this by myself at the gym. Fitness DVDs are so cheap and I just never get bored! Being able to get, err, SWEAT through these tough ones has shown me that I CAN DO IT. I love that I'm by myself, doing it alone, with no one looking at me. I liked classes at the gym, but would often feel judged by other exercisers and would feel embarrassed if I sweat too much or pushed myself or wore crappy clothes. At home I don't worry about any of that. And the best part is, I don't have to DRIVE anywhere! I can go right to the shower, even strip down in the living room if I want to. What a time and money saver.
I am looking SO FORWARD to blasting the rest of this excess weight off. This GAME, you know, the one I've been playing with myself these past few years where I half-ass it, see a bit of results, then slack off only to gain it all back in the end? Yeah, that game... IT IS OVER.
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Two new DVDs I have ordered are:
Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred
- Got it for $10.31 (free shipping) at DeepDiscount.com
- Just look at the reviews on this one and you will see why I ordered it instead of waiting for it on Netflix (Netflix indicates a "long wait").
Billy Blanks Ultimate Tae Bo
- Got it for $9.85 including shipping from a seller on Amazon.
- A 90-minute workout that also has fabulous reviews, and is NOT available on Netflix...
Review of Yesterday: I ate dinner at like 3pm and one tiny piece of chocolate for dessert, and I was full until bed time. I wasn't VERY hungry when I ate dinner, but I figured eating it then was better than later and vowed not to eat another large meal. I succeeded. I think I'm going to try and get through the day today without eating a cheeseburger, lol... I am sure they have more calories than I need and, whenever I eat one I feel SO STUFFED. I might cut the patty in half, chop it up, and make a wrap out of it... just an idea.
Also... I hate taking "easy days" its so hard to sit around all day with the idea that I should be giving myself a rest, but I am so tired and BLAH because I just want to DO something. My muscles are sore this morning though, so something from yesterday must have been working...
Today's Workouts: 3.2 (to be exact) usual route around the neighborhood with Mom... BUT I decided to kick it up a notch. I swiveled my upper body on the first half of the walk to get a burn in my abs and squeezed my glutes. On the second half, I did intervals. I skipped for ca. 45 seconds or so, jogged, REALLY high knee jumps, more skips, threw in a sprint, more jogging, backwards walking, and regular walking on the last leg. Then, I cranked it up some more at home with the Biggest Loser Power Sculpt workout, 45 minutes! I used 5 lb and 8 lb weights and let. it. buuuurn!!!!
+ 1 mile Express walk with stretchie before lunch! I walked with my dad!!!!
Breakfast: 1 banana before workout, after workout 1 apple and 1 slice mestamacher fitness bread with havarti cheese and chive and onion cream cheese. yum!
Lunch: a serving leftovers from the Penne Spinach and Tomato bake... YUM. with 1 slice garlic bread.
Dinner: one 100% whole wheat bagel square (150 calories), 1 wedge Laughing Cow spreadable cheese (35 calories), 1 slice Gouda cheese (70 calories), 1 slice turkey (30 calories) (Note: this was a sandwich, and it was delicious!)
Dessert/snacks: 1 Skinny Cow Vanilla ice cream sandwich, sooooo stinkin' good I just can't stand it. What a treat!!!. 1 60-cal piece of reduced-fat Colby Jack cheese
Water: doing well so far
Daily Vitamins: check
Nightly Vitamins: check
Sunday, September 28, 2008
September 28, 2008
First half: 56 miles
Second half: 71 miles (if you count today, 73!)
And the total, 127 (with today 129!) big, sweaty miles...
Since I'm participating in the weight challenge along with the mileage challenge, I weighed in this morning on a very empty stomach. I'm a flat 139.0, baby!!!!! I hope this past week was the last time for a long time that I will see the 140's!!!
This means that since the beginning of September I have lost 4.8 lbs. and THAT IS AWESOME.
Since I started back on the workout wagon on August 15, I have lost 9 lbs, and that is HALF WAY to my goal of 18 lbs. That means there are 9 lbs left to lose before December 1! CAN I DO IT?
YES, I CAN!!!!
It is so fantastic to notice the changes in my body as a result of this hard work, not just the fact that I am starting to see ACTUAL definition in my abs, but the fact that I feel better, sleep better, get less stressed and depressed, and have a lot less risk of getting tons of diseases. I feel strong and happy and I thank the Lord! He has been there every step of the way and I pray He continues to bless my efforts to get healthy and fit for life and for Him.
Review of Yesterday: it was good. I got up and worked my butt off as usual. Food portions were great. Still need to work on getting more veggies in.
Today's Workouts: Jillian Michaels' 25 minute Cardio Kickbox, it is UNBELIEVABLE how much you can sweat in 25 minutes and how hard you can work!! This is my "break": I don't work out as long, but I still work hard!
Breakfast: 1 banana before workout, 1 Omega 3 Bagel (8g of fiber!!) with chive and onion cream cheese
Lunch: 1 cheeseburger on a 100% whole wheat bun, low fat mayo, ketchup, sliced onion and dill pickle, 1.5 cups romaine lettuce with low cal Italian dressing.
Dinner: 1 serving (1.5 cups) of my very own homemade food: Penne Spinach & Tomato bake. SO YUMMY. I got the recipe from my Cooking Light cookbook. Also, another salad with low-cal Italian and 1 slice garlic bread, which could have been left out but hey, its Sunday, and I'm allowed a little slack, right? Because it's back to business tomorrow!! 9 lbs to go...
Dessert/snacks: one small piece of a dark, DARK chocolate candy bar. it was so bitter and I actually liked it lol
Water: doing well today!
Daily Vitamins: check
Nightly Vitamins: check
Saturday, September 27, 2008
WebMD: I LOVE this website
7 Diet Mistakes and Fast Fixes
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I also read another tip on there:
Strive for the 3 Cs in maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Commitment, convenience, and consistency "the three Cs". Having all three will lead to a successful fitness program.
- Commitment: don't let time get in your way. Everyone has a busy life. PLAN your exercise.
- Convenience: choose a gym that's close by, or an activity you can do at home, or a time when you're not likely to be interrupted.
- Consistency: it is better to work out for 10 minutes every day than a whole hour every two weeks or so.
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Here is an awesome slideshow with great "why didn't I think of that!?" tips.
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Q&A:
Q Does exercising on an empty stomach burn more fat?
A Yes, but you might not be able to work out as hard as you would if you’d eaten first. Researchers at the University of Ottawa in Canada asked two groups of people to hit the treadmill in the morning until they’d blasted 400 calories. The joggers who skipped breakfast burned 58 percent more fat than those who had eaten a meal before their run.
But pre-workout fasting won’t necessarily translate into weight loss. “People incorrectly assume that if you’re using fat for fuel, it equates to losing body fat,” says Nancy Clark, R.D., a sports nutritionist in West Newton, Massachusetts. “But what affects weight loss most is how many calories you’ve depleted during your workout and if you’ve sustained a deficit by the day’s end.”
It may sound counterintuitive, but having a 150- to 200-calorie snack at least 30 minutes before your sweat session could help you get slimmer in the long run. A study from Pennsylvania State University found that women who had a mini-meal before their workout were able to exercise up to 16 percent longer than those who drank only water beforehand. Plus, says Clark, women who exercise on empty become so ravenous after they finish that they often end up making poor food choices. Eating a banana or a granola bar before lacing up your sneakers can give you the energy you need to crank up the intensity.
--------------------------------- Simple Strategies
1. Snack before you sweat
"Exercising on an empty stomach lowers blood sugar, which can increase your appetite and set you up to overeat afterward," says Bonci. To ward off postexercise hunger, have a light (about 100 calories), carbohydrate-rich snack, such as 4 ounces of yogurt or a banana, 20 to 30 minutes before you work out.
2. Write before you eat
Keeping a food diary is a proven weight loss tool, but don't wait until after your meal. "When my clients record what they're going to eat, it puts their dietary habits on pause long enough to decide if their food choices are really worth it," says Bonci.
3. Time your meals
If possible, schedule your workouts before a meal. In studies where meals were served 15 to 30 minutes after exercise, participants ate less than those who had to wait an hour or more to eat.
4. Sip often
People who drink water regularly eat nearly 200 fewer calories daily than those who only consume tea, coffee, or soda, reports a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study. Bonus: Make it ice-cold water. German researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day raised metabolism by about 50 calories daily--possibly because of the work it takes to warm the fluid up to body temperature. And every little bit helps!
---------------------------------And lastly, here is a link for a free issue of Prevention Magazine and a free copy of Prevention's DVD "Ultimate Walking Workout" with Chris Freytag. Her stuff is usually too complicated for me so I will probably Ebay it. Make sure you click BILL ME LATER and wait for your issue and DVD to come before you cancel should you choose to do so.
September 27, 2008
The scale moved again! I am at 140.0!!
Today's Workouts: Billy Blanks' Tae Bo Cardio (40 minutes) + the 2 fast miles and the Firm Band mile from the 5 Mile Advanced DVD... and I washed my car
Breakfast: 1 small banana, two 60-calorie slices of reduced-fat Colby Jack cheese, 1 apple
Lunch: pita pizza: 1 whole wheat pita flatbread with olive tomato sauce, sliced grape tomatoes, a few chunks of grilled chicken, lightly drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with oregano, garlic, and shredded mozzarella, 8oz. white wine Sangría
Dinner: 1 toasted 100% whole wheat hamburger bun, 1 beef patty with 1 slice American cheese, pickles, low fat mayo, dill pickles, ketchup, onion.
Dessert/snacks: well, my mom decided to get sh*tfaced today, so I have been trying to keep it as not bad as possible by sipping her tequila every now and then... if that counts. Lord help this family, lol... + 1 sugar free Jello Pudding cup, 1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella before bed *HUNGRY*
Water: check
Daily Vitamins: check
Nightly Vitamins: check
Friday, September 26, 2008
September 26, 2008
Today's Workouts: 3 Mile outdoor walk with Mom (at 5 freaking thirty, lol) + 2-mile Walk Strong with EIGHT lb dumbbells! That is new for me and i am so proud I could do it!
Breakfast: 1 FiberOne bar (bananas are still green :-() before workout, afterworkout 1 bagel, 1 scrambled egg, one slice reduced-fat salami, sprinkled with cheddar cheese (I made this into a sandwich, lol...) and 8 oz. skim milk
Lunch: went out to eat with Jeremy today... INDIAN FOOD! My second favorite only to Mexican, lol... i took almost half of the food home, and gave a chicken leg to Jeremy. So I had 1.25 pieces of Tandoori chicken, ca. 3/4 cups very fragrant and tasty Basmati rice, and 1/4 loaf of Naan. and 1 cup of yummy soup.
Dinner: leftovers... 1/4 loaf of Naan, ca. 2/3 cup rice, 1 small chicken thigh.
Dessert/snacks: none
Water: well, could have done better...
Daily Vitamins: check
Nightly Vitamins: check
Thursday, September 25, 2008
September 25, 2008
Today's Workouts: 3-Mile Weight Loss Walk with 3 lb weights in miles 1 and 3, 1 lb weights during the speed walking Mile 2... then Walk & Jog (2.5 mi) with 1 lb weights and the Speed Walk mile from the 5 Day Slim Down DVD... and the cool down from that.
Breakfast: 1 banana before workout, after workout 3 chunks of watermelon and two slices of french toast (double fiber, 50-cal per slice whole wheat bread, 1 egg, 1/2 cup skim milk, cinnamon) with sugar-free syrup
Lunch: a pita pizza: one 100% whole-wheat pita, olive & tomato sauce, sliced cherry tomatoes, a few chopped up pieces of grilled chicken, sprinkled with mozzarella, lightly drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic and oregano... and my headache is GONE!
Dinner: 1 SmartOnes frozen entrée... chicken enchiladas. 260 calories added extra salsa for a serving of veggies, yum! After class, I was hungry so I had one slice of toasted fitness bread (this stuff is heavy-duty whole wheat, lol) and one 35-calorie wedge of Laughing Cow Spreadable cheese.
Dessert/snacks: 1 90-calorie peanut butter granola bar, 1 SkinnyCow ice cream sandwich (130 calories) which was so incredibly good and it felt SINFUL!!!!
Water: working on it!
Daily Vitamins: check
Nightly Vitamins: check
