MILESTONE!!!

Another milestone I have to share...I'm at 60.8 pounds lost...48.7 pounds to go! I'm finally at 60!! Yay!

GUILT

I have been thinking about this post for a couple days.  It's related to feeling guilty taking the time to workout.  Let me tell you how I came upon this train of thought.

If you have ever done a Turbo Fire workout, or any other of Chalene Johnson's workouts, sometime during the workout or cooldown she'll say that you need to put your workout on your schedule just like any other appointment.  If it's important to you, you will schedule it into your daily routine.  Then when something comes up, you're supposed to treat that as a standing appointment, just as you would a Dr appointment or anything else.  Here's the thing though with those of us who care for spouses and/or kids, pets, homes, spiritual responsibilities...we view exercise as a luxury...as a secondary thing that's not important.  JUST LIKE WE VIEW OURSELVES!!  I used to feel guilty for taking that 45-60 minutes per day to exercise.  It was time I was taking away from my family...how dare I? But here's what I came to realize...do my kids get upset now that Mommy can play outside with them and not get too tired?  Are my kids upset that I have more energy and can take them to the park more often? Is that taking away from them????  The answer is no.  My kids know that the time I take to exercise, whether it's early in the morning or in the middle of the day, or afternoon or evening...that's time Mommy gets better...FOR THEM!!  So I no longer feel guilty.  Yes, while working out I still have to stop arguments...spell words,  pause and make cocoa,fix boo-boos, etc but they understand that I need that time.

My point is, so do you.  If you have committed to getting healthy and you need to exercise, don't feel guilty.  The time you use is something that makes you better for those you care for.  They can spare the hour a day of your time to have you live years longer.

Okay...sorry that has been on my mind and I just felt like I needed to share.
Love and hugs,
Dee

Calling all challengers...

Hi friends. So I'm still psyched from the 90 day challenge and I had an idea this morning. To those who would like to...I'd like to invite you all to do another one with me...my style!!

For 90 days you would commit to the following:
1) follow an exercise program for 90 days. It could be whatever you choose...walking, a program like Turbo Fire, Hip Hop Abs, P90X, running...whatever.
2) Every 30 days do measurements and weigh. Pics would be great too. You don't have to share your numbers, but it'll help you see the progress you've made.
3) Commit to a new eating plan. Whether it's a set calorie limit for the day, or a specific diet you want to follow...just commit to eat that way for 90 days.
4) Encourage and support others challengers. We do so well when others encourage us...it gives us accountability and motivation. For Facebookers we have the Friends Getting Healthy 90-day challenge page we can also post to.

I hope you will join me. I'll be sharing things I learned from the challenge we just finished.

Starts Monday April 22nd. That will give everyone time to prepare themselves. 

I'm excited to do this again!! I'm hoping for bigger and better results this time around!!

Love and hugs,
Dee

90 day challenge results!

I'm so happy that I stuck to the challenge for 90 days!! My results aren't astronomical, but I'm proud. I lost 12.2 pounds and 28 total inches. I've dropped a pant size. This is despite stomach problems and other obstacles. I'm motivated to get the rest of my weight off. My body seems resistant, but I have learned consistency, dedication and self-worth. I'll take that.

Today I embarked on my own 90-day challenge.  I'm basically starting all over...with renewed gusto!! I will continue planning my week's workouts and cheat day on Sundays. Anyone that wants to join me...let me know... We'll motivate each other. I like doing it in increments of 30 days, in batches of 90 and that keeps me focused on the short term instead of the long road of 52 more pounds to lose. I will measure and take photos every 30 days. It's so encouraging to see inches lost when it seems like all else is not going right.

So...I'm gonna go ahead and post a before and after pic. The results aren't super noticeable... But I'm happy and this is a good catalyst to keep going!

Love and hugs,
Dee

Consistency

Have you ever heard something over and over again and maybe even told it to someone else...but then one day you just get it? That's how I feel about consistency. In our challenge group one of our challengers is super close to her goal and our coach said something to the effect of "consistency is key"...and it hit me like a slap in the face. Well applying that has gotten me down to 57 pounds lost!! I'm so excited to get to 60 lost. This weekend I missed a couple workouts because of happenings but yesterday I got right back on schedule. I burned (insert drumroll here) 3673 calories!! I think that's an all-time high!! I did Turbo Fire 30 and Upper 20, cleaned house, mowed for 4 hours, took kids to the park, fixed picnic table and had an awesome picnic lunch in the sunshine. I went to bed exhausted but happy.

So in have decided not to post my daily numbers on here as I am sure they're wicked boring. I will just keep you guys updated on milestones, epiphanies, tips, etc.

Love and hugs,
Dee

Tuesday, March 19

The post that posted earlier was about Monday.  I thought it posted but the post had failed.  Yesterday I did well with clean eating.  I need to work on my water intake...I just get busy and forget to drink as much as I should.

Ok...numbers time!! :)

Burned: 2565/2550
Eaten: 1378/1550
Deficit: 1187/1000
Workout: Stretch 40
Water: 53oz/100oz

Food:
Breakfast:
Coffee
4oz Orange juice
Oatmeal

Snack:
Toast
Banana

Lunch:
Shakeology w/coconut milk

Snack:
1 oz swiss cheese

Dinner:
Taco salad (ground turkey and refried beans with tomato sauce, 2 cups of romaine, 1 cup spinach, 1 bell pepper)

Snack:
1 cup grapes

A rocky start

***FROM MONDAY***

 

So yesterday was going to be super clean eating and for the most part I did good. But then there was the mishap that happened last night. My subconscious brain took over, the brain who wants comfort food hijacked my hand and mouth and ate a slice of pizza. I'm not gonna beat myself up about it,I mean I stayed under my calories for the day but that wasn't the point.

Here are the numbers:
Burned: 2622/2550
Eaten: 1514/1550
Deficit: 1108/1000
Workout: Turbo Kick round 42
Water: 40/100 oz

It was made up of:
Breakfast-
Coffee w/1oz half n half & 1 TBS sugar
Banana
Oatmeal

Lunch:
Kashi GoLean crunch cereal
4oz 2% milk

Dinner:
Shakeology w/8 oz coconut milk

Snack:
1 cup pineapple
That evil, evil slice of pizza

Doing well so far today. Hope you are too!
Love and hugs,
Dee

Plateau

I have been stuck at one weight for about a month. I'm working on eating super-clean and maybe that'll help. Tomorrow I will post numbers again and post everything I eat. That'll keep me accountable for what I decide to put into my body.

See ya tomorrow!

Busy few weeks

Wow this month and the end of February sure have been busy!!  But it's been a good kind of busy, the kind of busy that leaves you feeling happy and satisfied that you are doing what you're supposed to be doing. 

As far as the weight loss, I've been accomplishing my workouts daily, eating under my calories except on my cheat day.  Andy and I started the Couch 2 5 K program yesterday and it was really fun.  I'll tell ya though, as much as I thought I was more in shape, that running still left me winded. 

I have been debating whether or not I'd post my numbers again and I've decided that I really do need that accountability.  I hope it's not too boring for you, my readers, but you can always ask me to take you off the direct mail list and I won't be offended -- promise!! :) 

I'm just gonna start with Sunday instead of catching you up with the whole week.
Sunday:
Burned: 3087/2500
Eaten: 1148/1500
Deficit: 1939/1000
Water: 100oz
Workout: Fire 45 and C25K

Hope everyone is doing well.  This week is our 60 day deadline for photos and measurements so I will post those results as soon as I get it all done.

Love and hugs,
Dee

MILESTONE!!!!!

I'm so excited! I'm halfway there!! I have lost 55.3 pounds and have 52.4 to lose!! It has taken 3 long years with lots of obstacles but I'm confident that the rest won't take that long.

Sorry so short was so excited just wanted to share!!
Have a great day!!

MIA

Sorry about the lack of posts.  I have been trying to get my head in the right place since being sick and trying to get back on track.  Since I have been able to eat real foods again, I have been having a hard time controlling myself.  But I'm back and ready to go!

I'm gonna start with yesterday's numbers, because quite frankly one day's numbers are boring enough, much less a week's worth!

Saturday:
Burned: 3086/2500
Eaten: 1693/1500
Deficit: 1393/1000
Workout: Hiit 20 and Tone 30
Water: 80 oz

Hope everyone has a great week!
Love and hugs,
Dee

Sickness is not fun!

Duh right? But I really feel sorry for my kids especially now that I'm dealing with it!! All week it's been getting worse and yesterday afternoon was just my breaking point.  I had to take a Nyquil to sleep so I've got that in my system today making me super sluggish.  OY!

Wednesday:
Burned: 3215/2500
Eaten: 1435/1500
Deficit: 1780/1000
Water: 100oz
Workout: Fire 45ez Stretch 10

Thursday:
Burned: 2513/2500
Eaten: 1494/1500
Deficit: 1019/1000
Water: 40oz (my bad we were gone a lot of the day and I didn't get my water in)
Workout: Core 20 Stretch 40

I'm a little frustrated because I've hit yet another plateau.  I will lose some weight, then stay still for a long time beofre I lose again.  Working on eating every 2-3 hours to see if that helps. Also gotta get better at water consumption.  Today I've down 60oz already...let's go for 120!

Shorter today

Okay so the last post was super long...so I'm gonna make this one short.  Kids are still sick...my stomach feels better but I'm super congested. YUCK..

Monday:
Burned: 2366/2500
Eaten: 1075/1500
Deficit: 1291/1000 (for any new readers, my goal is 1000 calories so if I go over or under calories eaten or burned, that's what I'm shooting for)
Workout: Fire 45ez
Water: 100oz

Tuesday:
Burned: 2784/2500
Eaten: 1776/1500
Deficit: 1008/1000
Workout: Fire 30 Stretch 10
Water: 80oz

Hoping we get over this cold soon...it's no fun. 
Love and hugs,
Dee

Vacation Time...

Hi everybody! I hope today's post finds everyone happy and healthy and having had a great weekend! We went on vacation Thursday to Atlanta.  Sydney had a concert to go to and so we decided to stay over and make it a vacation.  We had a really good time. I packed for success and brought my Shakeology and coconut milk, my blender and my Turbo Fire DVD's.  I even brought a small DVD player. Although we had fun, it wasn't without a fair share of hangups.  I'll give you the deets down here with the numbers.

Thursday:
Burned:  2447/2500
Eaten: 1492/1500
Deficit: 955/1000
Workout: Core 20
Water: 40 oz
Water was a big hangup on the trip.  I didn't pack any drinking water, figuring we'd go to a store and pick up a gallon or two.  Big mistake. Didn't see any grocery stores near our hotel and we got busy and didn't have a chance to stop afterward.

Friday:
Burned: 3144/2500
Eaten: 2695/1500
Deficit: 449/1000
Workout: Fire 45ez
Water: 40oz
Friday the hotel had a HUGE continental breakfast, I mean it had everything: danishes, muffins, waffles, omlettes, cereals, bacon, etc.  But I stuck to my oatmeal and mixed in some slivered almonds and dried cranberries.  Had a glass of water to go with it and I felt good.  Did my workout, went and swam with the kids in the pool, walked around IKEA for a couple hours and while there could just feel my blood pressure plummet.  By the end I couldn't hold my own head up.  We came back to the hotel and I took like a 3 hour nap.  Friday, eating was my nemisis.  First we went to IKEA and had lunch before shopping.  Well, we got the cinammon rolls and I looked on the box and it said 170 calories...not too bad.  It was only after eating it that I re-read the box and the serving size is HALF a roll.  OOPS! Okay...not tragic or anything....the tragedy happens when we go to dinner.  Bailey is begging for pizza and we found a Mellow Mushroom.  Wow their pizzas are top-notch.  We got a medium, and well, pizza IS my weakness.  As you can see I really overdid it. 

Saturday:
Burned: 2005/2500
Eaten: 1035/1500
Deficit: 970/1000
Water: 20 oz
Workout: NONE
Okay...so I get up have my healthy breakfast downstairs again.  We come up and get packed and leave the hotel...go to the mall for some shopping.  I'm in Claire's with the girls and I start feeling this BURNING in my chest...wow it was really bad.  I took the little kids to Daddy and left Sydney in Claire's because I had to go sit down on the bench.  We get to the car and I'm scrambling around for a plastic bag to hurl in.  I'm throwing up on the way home.  It's bad.  By the time I get home I'm done for.  The crappy thing is the kids are all sick too and I don't know if the problem I had was related to my stomach illness and the pizza or what they have. 

Sunday:
Burned: 1759/2500
Eaten: 1502/1500
Deficit: 257/1000
Workout: REST DAY
Water: 40oz
I felt like crap all day.  I got up and took some generic Thera Flu because of sore throat and body aches and man that stuff knocked me out.  I went back to bed and slept until 1:30! That deep dead person sleep.  Not fun.  I was out of it the rest of the day.

So...as this very long post shows...yes I mess up.  I guess the only good thing is that it has been a while since I've messed up this bad.  I used to do this quite often then wonder why I wasn't losing weight.  I put on 2 lbs of water weight this weekend...my rings are super tight.  Oh well.  Today I'm back on track...got my workout schedule all rearranged to make up for lost days and am drinking water like it's my job.  I'm feeling better today other than some congestion. All I can do is get up, dust off and keep on going.

Love and hugs,
Dee

Monday - Wednesday

It's funny, last week I was super hyped, energetic but this week I have been kinda grouchy.  Maybe my happy pills stopped working.  I stopped taking the ulcer medication from the Dr because it made me feel so much worse.  Yesterday I ate real food and was okay...no pain.  I did wake up with some reflux in the middle of the night but so far so good.  Maybe I'm getting better.

On an even happier note...Tuesday was time to turn in our 30 days photos and measurements for the 90 day challenge I am in.  Although I'm not sharing photos just yet...I'm SUPER HAPPY to report that in 30 days I lost 8.1 pounds and 17 1/4 inches!!!! YAY!!  If you are working to lose weight I HIGHLY recommend pics and measurements.  I have a link to a video that will help you take accurate measurements every time.  If you don't see too much movement on the scale...the pics and measurements will make you feel better!! TRUST ME!!  I was hoping to lose 10 pounds the first 30 days...but I am happy because I can see the results of all my hard work.

On to the numbers:
Monday:
Burned: 2836/2500
Eaten: 1507/1500
Deficit: 1329/1300
Workout: Fire 30 Tone 30
Water: 100 oz

Tuesday:
Burned: 2922/2500
Eaten: 1351/1500
Defict: 1571/1000
Workout: Fire 55ez
Water: 40 oz

Wednesday:
Burned: 2842/2500
Eaten: 1712/1500
Deficit: 1130/1000
Workout: Fire 45
Water: 80 oz

Love and hugs...
Dee

Always having to catch up from the weekend...

I really should be more regular about posting but it's been a busy weekend.  When are they not?  Anywho...today was a weigh-in Monday and I'm at 181.1.  I was hoping to hit that 180 or even 170's but not yet.  Soon I hope.

Friday:
Burned: 2920/2500
Eaten: 1427/1000
Deficit: 1493/1000
Water: don't remember
Workout: Fire 60

Saturday:
Burned: 2631/2500
Eaten: 1511/1500
Deficit: 1120/1000
Water: again no idea
Workout: Fire 30 Sculpt 30

Sunday:
Burned: 2047/2500
Eaten: 1680/1500
Deficit: 367/1000
Water: 50 oz
Workout: REST DAY
As you can see, Sunday I did pretty bad in my calories, intake and output.  Very nauseous yesterday...felt sick most of the day.  It was my cheat day and since I usually shoot for 300-500 over my 1500 goal that was fine but because I felt so bad I wasn't as active as I usually am.

This week ends our first 30 days of the 90 day challenge and so I have to take measurements and pictures again.  I was thinking maybe at the end of the 90 days I'll post my pics here...we'll see how much I've changed and decide then.

Love and hugs,
Dee

Out of the downy dumps...

Ok everybody, sorry for the Debbie Downer post yesterday.  Better today!! Still in pain but hey...gotta focus on the positive.  Like...I finally beat my lowest weight since I had Bryson!! WHOO HOOO!!  I actually beat it yesterday by .2.  On 9/7/11 I was 182.4.  Yesterday 182.2 and today 181.8.  YAY!! So who can be grouchy with that going on?  I've devised a new strategy.  Most of my nutrition is coming from Kefir, vitamins, instant breakfast, oatmeal, cream of wheat...you know...my baby mush diet.  Today hopefully I'll get my Shakeology!! YAY!!  But I'm trying to just have more snacks to stay closer to my 1500 calorie target.  Back a few weeks ago when I was only getting 900 or so calories I wasn't losing weight.  Even when I'm at about 1200 I'm not losing.  But now I'm trying to let my body relax and know that "Hey, you're gonna get fed so chill!"  Seems like it's working.  I'm also drinking water like it's my job.  The happy music helps too with the mood...who can be sad when you've got "Don't stop till ya get enough" by Michael Jackson playing?? (click and see!!)

Okay...numbers time...
Thursday, Feb 7, 2012
Burned:  2557/2500
Eaten: 1566/1500
Deficit: 991/1000
Water: 80oz...short of my 100 still!!
Workout: Core 20 Stretch 40 -- I used to hate these 2 workouts but I'm beginning to enjoy them more.

Okay friends...keep on keepin' on!
Love and hugs,
Dee

Anger and pain...

Weird subject, yeah?  Well that's kinda how I'm feeling.  Been throwing down the feel good music lately to get myself to feel better but deep down I'm angry at my body because I'm in so much pain.  Yesterday I did my workout, same as I did Tuesday, same as I will today but in pain.  I'm so exhausted from the pain that I feel dead afterwards.  I feel good while I'm working out except for sometimes my stomach hurts and sometimes that punched in the stomach feeling. But it makes me happy to workout.  So I'll continue.  Plus I made a 90-day commitment and I plan to stick to it...come what may.

Numbers:
Burned: 2925/2500
Eaten: 1257/1500
Deficit: 1668/1000
Water: 80oz
Workout: Fire 45 and walking around the track at the park

Sorry this post isn't uplifting or upbuilding...I just don't have it in me right now.
Love and hugs,
Dee

Tuesday

Yesterday was so busy! I had so much housework to catch up on since I was unable to do it on Monday.  I also had to go grocery shopping and run some errands...squeeze a workout in, study for meeting, and go to meeting.  Busy!!  But I managed to get it all done.  Because we ran out of time I picked up frozen pizzas for dinner and overindulged.  I burned off the calories but my stomach really hurt and hurts today.  Stupid me...You know, part of me thinks I'm angry and was just trying to punish my body for making me have to live with this stomach illness. I have been trying to keep positive but yesterday I failed.  I know I gotta take care of my stomach if I want to get better, but it's just tough. Today...happy thoughts...happy, happy, happy!

Burned: 2962/2500
Eaten: 1889/1500
Deficit: 1073/1000
Water: 80oz
Workout: Fire 55ez

Love and hugs,
Dee

Catching up again

I've been really busy and not had time to post.  Friday I went to the doctor and he scheduled an endoscopy for yesterday.  It went well...I guess, didn't really find a whole lot out except that I have inflammation in my stomach and some polyps.  My esophagus muscles were constricted so they stretched it out.  Creepy sounding.  Cassi took me and drove me home and I am so thankful!(Thanks friend!)  I was a lot more awake afterward than I thought I'd be (and giggly).  I have a follow up appt in 4 weeks so we'll see what they say then.

Okay...on to my numbers.  First of all yesterday was a weigh-in Monday and I gotta say I wasn't too happy to see 184.4 on that scale.  Today though I'm back to 182.8 and so I'm cool with that. I was hoping to be 181 by yesterday but maybe it'll catch up this week.  I'm back to my mush diet with occasional real food until either the pain goes away or the Dr tells me what's up with my stomach. He's got me on some DOG PILL medicine I have to take an hour before I eat.  That pill is nasty.  I also have to take Nexium.  I hate taking pills.  I'm up to 5 regular daily pills now...annoying.

Thursday:
Burned: 2830/2500
Eaten: 1238/1500
Deficit: 1592/1000
Workout: Core 20 Stretch 40
Water: ?? don't remember...my phone reset so all my info from my Water Your Body program got erased. 

Friday:
Burned: 2564/2500
Eaten: 1358/1500
Deficit: 1206/1000
Workout: Fire 55ez

Saturday:
Burned: 2692/2500
Eaten: 1023/1500
Deficit: 1669/1000
Workout: Fire 30 Sculpt 30

Sunday: (normally my rest day but I did Monday's workout because of the procedure)
Burned: 2632/2500
Eaten: 1735/1500 (my planned cheat day)
Deficit: 897/1000
Workout: Fire 45ez

Monday:
Burned: 2161/2500
Eaten: 962/1000
Deficit: 1199/1000
Water: 40oz -- wasn't allowed to drink anything before procedure