Thursday, January 31, 2008

Thursday

This morning I tried a new workout - The Firm: Ultimate Calorie Blaster (part of the Body Scuplting System 4 "Transfirmer" series). It was mostly floor and step aerobics which, as I have told you, are not my favorite, so I rebounded through a lot of it.

Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast:
The usual chocolate peanut butter banana protein shake with malt (350)

Lunch:
We had a catered luncheon at work today so I enjoyed a large meal (calorie values are an estimate): mozzarella and roasted pepper sandwich on a roll with lettuce, tomato and mustard (700), side salad with a couple tablespoons of dressing (200), 4 medium cookies and a small brownie (500), 1 cup Coke (120)

Dinner:
1 large apple (100)

Total Calories: 1970

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Sleepy Wednesday

Today was a tough day because I was tired and unmotivated. I had class last night and whenever I have class, I have a hard time getting to sleep afterwards because my mind is so revved up. I try to sleep later the next morning, but I am one of these people whose body has an internal alarm clock which wakes me up automatically at the same time each morning, regardless of how late I went to sleep the night before. I never use an alarm clock - that's how reliable my internal alarm is.

So anyway, despite the sleep deficit, I dragged my sorry butt into my workout room and did a tough workout this morning - The Firm: Super Sculpting. Don't ask me why I chose a tough workout like this instead of an easy one - I guess now that I am back on the wagon, I really felt like challenging myself.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:
The usual chocolate-peanut butter - banana protein shake with add-ins: malt and PB2 (350)

Snacks:
I needed sweets today so I didn't eat a normal lunch. I indulged on Peppermint Patties, jelly beans and mini caramel rice cakes (645). Sounds like a lot, but believe me 645 calories of goodies doesn't amount to that much, volume-wise.

Dinner:
bean & vegetable burrito (I pretty much used this recipe but left out the shrimp and added sauteed veggies instead) (412).

Today's Calorie Total: 1407

Monday, January 28, 2008

Totally Tuesday

Well, I made it through my first day back on the wagon and today, my second day, went well too. This morning I did a rebounding workout - GForce 2 which I always enjoy. It's about 45 minutes of rebounding with a little ab work thrown in at the end. I did well with my calories today too:

Today's Calorie Goal: 2000
Breakfast:
Chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake with malt! (350)
Lunch:
Veggie "burger" with fried onions, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, mustard and ketchup on a sesame bagel (470)
Treats:
2 small York Peppermint Patties (94) and a piece of birthday cake (500). (We had a celebration of January birthdays at work today).
Dinner:
Pasta with marinara sauce (with sauteed veggies), topped with grated cheese (590)

Total Calories: 2004

Good to be Back!

I must say – it felt really good to be back on the wagon again. I realized that a much as I enjoy eating with abandon and not counting calories, there is most certainly a price to pay for it – namely weight gain and anxiety over weight gain. While I haven’t gotten on the scale, I know I have gained some weight back because I can feel it in the way my clothes fit and also the way my face looks (the double chin coming back :0). So I am just going to forget about the scale and tape measure right now and just focus on BEING FOCUSED on what I am supposed to be doing. Most importantly, I am not going to let the stress over school and my aggravating job derail me.

How will I accomplish this? The main thing is...I am going to try to get my school work done EARLY…yes, there is a concept…so that the days of it looming over me like a big, black cloud are shortened. My original goal was to get my masters thesis finished by May and today I decided I am not going to wait that long. At this point, about 80% of my research is done so I am going to work diligently to finish up the research over the next 2 weeks and then I am going to spend a week or two writing my paper. And then, I will have my advisor review it and I am sure there will be revisions to make, but in any event….I am hoping by the end of March to have it finished.

Then, I can direct the rest of my school focus to the class I am taking and get the work done for that class (we have a big paper to write, plus weekly reading and writing assignments).

Today I did one of my new favorite workouts – Michelle Dozois’ Your Best Body Circuit. I got this workout for Christmas and I think I’ve done it 3 times so far and I really like it a lot – in fact, I like it more and more each time I do it. It’s fun like the old Firms in that it moves quickly from exercise to exercise (i.e. not a lot of rep overkill which gets on my nerves), the music is good and I like that it has cardio intervals interspersed with strength - I feel really worked out afterwards. I also like that it’s at a higher level of intensity – probably most suitable for solid intermediate exercisers and higher. I wouldn’t recommend it to a beginner – it’s a bit intense. Definitely a keeper.

My calorie allotment was 1400 today. I had a shake for breakfast with some PB2 and malt added in – extra yummy! (350). For lunch I had a vegetarian “chicken” sandwich on a bagel with a little cheddar, yellow mustard, lettuce and tomato (480). Afterwards, I had a small York Peppermint Patty (47). For dinner I had a large apple (100) followed by tortilla chips heated with a little cheddar (430). Total calories today: 1407. Pretty good!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

I'm BAAAAACK

Yep, I've been off the wagon again the past few days, I am ashamed to admit. I just have not been able to focus on the program at all, although it is in the back of my mind at all times. Now I just have to get it in the FRONT of my mind and get back on the ball again.

I did work out a few days this week, so it wasn't a total disaster.

Anyway, I am determined that I must get back on track so here is my plan for the week:

Monday: 1400, Strength
Tuesday: 2000, Cardio
Wednesday: 1400, Strength
Thursday: 2000, Cardio
Friday: 1400, Strength
Saturday: 3000, Skating
Sunday: 1400, Rest

(Notice I changed my calorie values from 1400, 1400, 1500, 1500, 1800, 2000, 3000 to the above. Same weekly total - just allocated them a little differently so I can have more enjoyable high-cal days).

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Tuesday

Tuesday's Goals
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 1800

Tuesday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 1807

Today was a good day on the program and since it was an 1800 calorie day, it wasn't that challenging, diet-wise.

For my workout, I rebounded while watching TLT's Core Cardio workout. They do floor aerobics in this workout, but I prefer rebounding instead (more fun!). Watching workout videos while rebounding makes the rebounding workout more fun and makes the time fly by - especially when the music is good.
For breakfast I had 1 small banana oatmeal muffin (92) and 2 delicious, ripe Bosc pears (150) - my new favorite fruit. Since this breakfast was primarily carbs it didn't hold me over that long so I had 2 small crackers for a snack (35). For lunch I made a vegetarian "cheesesteak" with fried onions. It came out really well. What I did was I sliced up 2 veggie burgers into strips and fried them with sliced onions in a little oil, just like a Philly cheeseteak. I had it on flatbread with a little cheddar and ketchup (550). For dinner I treated myself to 2 small slices of pizza and a coke (750) and had a Milky Way Dark bar for a treat (230). Pretty tasty eatins' today.

Monday

Monday's Goals
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 1200

Monday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 1200

Well, it was a tough day but I did it!

For my strength workout I did Cathe Friedrich's Push Pull, which is a challenging 50-minute workout.

For breakfast I had a shake (320) followed by a small banana oatmeal muffin (I baked yesterday) (75). I made a pita pizza for lunch, topped with mushrooms, onion, lite feta and lite mozzarella (415). That left 390 for dinner and all I felt like having was corn chips, so I had 390 calories worth (I know, not healthy and not that satisfying either).

Monday, January 21, 2008

Back in the Ring

Sunday's Goals
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1500

Sunday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1497


Sunday was a rest day but I did do one activity - hubby and me went bowling in the evening. I wouldn't really count that as substantial exercise, but it was something.

I am happy to report I was firmly back on the wagon with my diet. I had a shake for breakfast and I added a little bit of malt to it to make it a chocolate malt (320) - it was extra tasty that way. We had a christening to go to and afterwards there was a luncheon at my friend's house, but after looking at the food and realizing the only thing I could eat was potato salad and potato chips, I decided to have a box of Juicy Juice (100) and wait until I got home to eat lunch. For lunch I had 2 vegetarian chili dogs with cheddar cheese on whole wheat bread (505). After lunch I treated myself to some frozen yogurt sprinkled with malt and topped with a little whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles (282). For dinner I had a slice of whole wheat bread topped with 2 scrambled eggs and a sprinkling of cheese (290).

It was a little challenging to be eating low-cal again after my week of decadence but I did okay. One thing that helps me a lot is that I usually retire early so that cuts out a lot of potential eating time.

Now today is going to be a real challenge at 1200 calories. Oh my.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Plan of Action

Okay, I am psychologically and physically BACK beginning today.

Yesterday I couldn't really diet - as I mentioned my family had a birthday party for me so it wasn't feasible. I did go to the gym yesterday and did about 35-40 minutes of cardio (walking and jogging around the track alternated with the elliptical machine) followed by a 1-hour yoga class. I contemplated swimming afterwards but decided to head over to the library to get more research done (I am working on my masters thesis).

Including today, there are 12 days left in January so I have mapped out a plan for what's left of this month. I've lowered calorie values for most days to compensate for the damage I have done this past week (I normally would never go as low as 1200 calories). I don't expect to end up with any positive results in January, but if I am able to follow this plan, there is a chance I can undo the damage I have done, plus POSSIBLY make progress, so we shall see. I am not banking on it, but I am going to see what I can do. I am not going to get worked up over it. So here's my plan for today through the end of the month:

1/20 - Rest & 1500
1/21 - Strength & 1200
1/22 - Cardio & 1800
1/23 - Strength & 1200
1/24 - Cardio & 1500
1/25 - Strength & 1200
1/26 - Cardio & 3000
1/27 - Rest & 1200
1/28 - Strength & 1200
1/29 - Cardio & 1200
1/30 - Strength & 1200
1/31 - Cardio & 1200

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Confession Time

Well, I am hiding my face and am ashamed to say I have seriously fallen off the diet wagon this past week. I tried and tried to get back on, but I just couldn't do it.

You're probably wondering why. Well, I've been home on vacation all week working on my masters project and there is something about this endeavor that just psychologically messes with me. I don't know if it is anxiety or stress over worrying whether I can actually do it well, or get it done (I've been procrastinating with this project for a long time) or WHAT. My eating has been total crap this past week and I am sure I have gained some weight back.

That's the bad news. There are a couple good things to report.

First, I have NOT stopped exercising. I have worked out pretty consistently all week, maybe missing 1 or 2 days max. I've been to the gym and I've done some workouts at home too. So I haven't be a TOTAL screw-up.

The other good thing to report is that I am ready to get fully back on the wagon. I actually feel psychologically excited about it and I am tired of being out of control and off the wagon. It will have to wait until tomorrow, though, because today is my birthday celebration with my family and because it's a pizza and cake affair, it's not feasible for this to be the day I get back on the wagon.

So tomorrow, Sunday - I will officially be back on the wagon. Mark my words. Hold me to it. You will see me here regularly again starting tomorrow.

Oh, and I decided I am not even going to do a February 1st weigh in an measurements. I just can't deal with it because I know it won't be good. So I am going to take that pressure off myself and shoot for a really positive weigh-in and measurement on March 1.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Checking In...

Checking in...

I've been a little off the wagon the last couple days...mostly with diet. I am not sure what the problem is...I just felt the NEED and didn't seem to have the willpower for self-control.

Anyway, I did go to the gym on Sunday and did a really good workout - 30 minutes of cardio (walking/jogging around the track, rebounding and eliptical machine) followed by a serious strength workout on the Nautilus equipment and free weights (about 40 minutes). I intended to end my workout session with a swim but once again, the pool was too cold. So I soaked in the jacuzzi.

I am determined to be back on the wagon from this day forward through the rest of the month. I really want to end January with SOME positive result!!!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Scrumptious Saturday

Saturday Goals
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1400

Saturday Accomplishments
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1410

Another successful day on the program. It wasn't too hard, even though it was a low-cal day. No exercise - it was a much-needed rest day.

For breakfast I used my new panini grill and made a delicious breakfast sandwich - scrambled eggs, vegetarian "bacon" and cheese on TJ's Tuscan Pane bread, grilled (600). That was a late breakfast and I really didn't get too hungry in the afternoon so I pretty much skipped lunch, except that I had a navel orange (60). That left a good number of calories for dinner and although I had planned to cook, I changed my mind because all I could think about was ice cream. I didn't want a little spoonful either. I wanted a nice bowl of it! So I made myself a nice-sized sundae with Turkey Hill Chocolatty Moose Tracks (lite) Ice Cream (my fave!), malt, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles (750). HIT THE SPOT!
(Not the healthiest eating day but hey - I stayed within my calories without feeling deprived!)

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Fun Friday

Friday's Goals
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 3000 (splurge day)

Friday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Strength & Cardio
Calories: 3000 (estimate)

Ah, splurge day! The best day of the week.

I did Jari's Ripped 1000 workout in the morning which is an advanced strength & cardio interval workout. Always a good one.

Since it was a splurge day, I didn't track calories and I enjoyed every minute of it! We had a pizza party at work on Friday and we had a pot luck dinner at friends' in the evening, so it was an enjoyable eating day. Back t0 low-cal today (boo hoo).

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Thursday

Thursday's Goals
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 1400

Thursday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 1407

Today was a good day on the program, despite it being a low-cal day. I did WHFN's Fast Cheetah for my workout and rebounded through many of the floor aerobic segments.

I had steel cut oatmeal for breakfast again today with the same mix-ins as yesterday (walnuts, raisins, banana, PB2, cinnamon, butter) (475). For lunch I had a pita pizza topped with veggies (mushrooms, peppers & onions) (442). I was dying for chocolate today so I had 10 mini Dove chocolates (420). I tried to stop at 5 but it was impossible - damn those things are sooooo good. That didn't leave many calories, so I had an orange for dinner (70).


Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Wonderful Wednesday

Wednesday's Goals
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 2000

Wednesday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 1975

For my workout today I did FitPrime's From the Ground Up. I forgot how much I like this one! I was proud of myself for working out today because I was feeling pretty sore this morning. Actually, I've been feeling a little sore the last couple days - I think it was the Tom Holland workout on Monday that did it. My inner thighs have been screaming. I am not sure why I sometimes get sore. At this point, with all the exercising I do, you wouldn't think I would have sore days, but I still do from time to time.

Today was a 2000 calorie day, so it wasn't too difficult to stay within my allotment. For breakfast I made steel cut oatmeal with walnuts, banana, cinnamon, raisins, Whey Low, a little brown sugar and a tiny bit of butter (475). For lunch I went out and had 2 slices of pizza and a can of Coke (1000). Afterwards I treated myself to some chocolate. I had 2 fun size bags of M&Ms (160) and a tiny piece of Dove chocolate (40). For dinner I had a shake (300).

Get out the shorts


Tuesday's Goals
Exercise: Cardio (skating)
Calories: 1400

Tuesday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Cardio (walking/running)
Calories: 1412

Well, given that the weather was spring-like yesterday, I decided to forego the skating and exercise outdoors instead. I know - I don't like walking, but I do on January days that are in the 60's!

So I strapped on my IPod and spent my lunch hour doing alternating walking and jogging for about an hour. I walked/ran all over the U. Penn campus. I am getting to know that campus by heart at this point. The great news is that my fitness level has really shot up. Running is almost effortless for me now. I could probably run the entire time (or close to it) but I don't want to beat up my body that much (I know running is bad for the joints and feet) so I figure alternating running and walking will give my heart a nice workout.

My calories were just about on track too. I couldn't handle the 1200 level (although I intended t0) but I did stay just about to the original 1400 allotment. I had a shake for breakfast (300). For lunch I had a pita pizza which I topped with veggies (peppers, onions & mushrooms) (442). For dinner I had a breakfast sandwich - 2 scrambled eggs on Tuscan Pane bread with 1 slice of vegetarian "bacon" and a little cheddar (460). That would have been 1200, but I was DYING for something sweet so I had 5 miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (210).
A good day!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Checking in...

Sunday was a rest day and a splurge day, so no need to report everything that day except that I rested, and I splurged!

Yesterday (Monday) I did Tom Holland's Total Body Workout (such a great workout for when I am a little short on time...it's only 40 or 45 minutes long, but challenging, quick-moving and thorough). I fell off the wagon on my diet yesterday because I was just HUNGRY. I think part of the problem was that I went out to lunch with a coworker and we had Thai food. The problem with Thai (like most Asian cuisines) is that I am hungry 3 hours after I eat. So when I got home from work I was so hungry, my stomach was growling. I am not even sure how many calories I went over because I really couldn't count the Thai lunch accurately.

At any rate, my weeks are actually running Tuesday - Monday for this program for January (because January 1 was a Tuesday) so here is my plan for this week:

Tues: Cardio (skating) and 1400
Wed: Strength & 2000
Thurs: Cardio & 1400
Fri: Strength & 3000
Sat: Rest & 1400
Sun: Strength & 2000
Mon: Cardio & 1400

I am going to try to do 1200 calories on the 1400 calorie days (whenever possible) this week to make up for the couple days this week I was off the wagon with my diet. We'll see! 1200 is really difficult for me but really, I need to pay the piper.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Satisfactory Saturday

Saturday's Goals
Exercise: Yoga & Swimming
Calories: 1400
Saturday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Yoga & Swimming
Calories: 1400

I had a very successful day on the program. Mama Leone and me met at the gym (something we haven't done in awhile) and did the usual yoga class followed by swimming and then a soak in the jacuzzi. The pool was perfect yesterday, however, the pool room was chilly which made us feel a little chilly in pool with the cool air blowing on our heads. We swam for about a half hour. It was great to do the yoga class again. The last time I had gone it was a different instructor. Mama Leone and me really love our regular instructor and feel so good after that class.

I had a shake for breakfast (300). For lunch we went out for pizza and I had 2 slices (800). I only had 300 calories left for dinner so I had a slice of Tuscan Pane bread, toasted, with 1 1/2 tbs of peanut butter and a little jelly (300).

All in all, a very good day.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Fit (but Falling off the Wagon) Friday


Friday's Goals
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 1400

Friday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Strength
Calories: ???

I had an "off the wagon" day on Friday with my diet. I was good with my exercise...I did Cathe's Supersets in the morning (one I haven't done in awhile). I did fine with my diet until after lunch. I just really needed to eat candy for some reason and then it spiralled out of control for the rest of the day. This happens to me from time to time. The good news is, it doesn't happen that frequently anymore so when I get into this sense of desperation I just roll with it.

Unfortunately, my calendar won't permit me to move calorie days around this week as I have some social outings planned, but to be honest, I don't think 1 "off" day this month will derail me that much - I usually do end up with at least a couple "off" days (above and beyond my planned splurge days) each month. Look at December - I was off for about 9 days and I still got a good result, so I am not going to beat myself up too much. To be completely honest, it was worth it!

I did get 2 compliments yesterday. Friday is casual day at work and we usually wear jeans, so I was wearing one of my new pairs of (size 12) jeans. In the morning, hubby (in the funny Mr. T. voice that we sometimes tease each other with) said "lookin' mahhhhty fine in them jeans!" Then, at work, our receptionist (who was walking behind me down the hall) said, "you are really getting thin! Wow...it's really noticable when you wear jeans!" Love those kinds of comments!

Actually, before any of these compliments, when I was getting dressed on Friday I have to admit I was feeling really good about how those new jeans fit me. It's hard to describe, but I was having these flashback feelings to when I was a teenager and would slip into my designer jeans (I know I'm showing my age here) and how they just hugged my butt (and I was happy about it because my butt looked good). I am okay now with clothes hugging my butt because my butt doesn't feel huge to me anymore. In fact, all the working out has really done wonders for it! It sits high and is nice and firm and round (I know, I'm venturing into gross territory now). Anyway, I thought to myself, "all this work is really paying off." It is such a great feeling and worth every workout and every calorie calculation!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Thursday on the Ball

Thursday's Goals
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 2000

Thursday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 2000

This morning I did my usual cardio workout of choice - a rebounding workout - GForce2. Actually, it's not the greatest workout (although I love rebounding) but I don't have many cardio workouts as I am not a big cardio lover. I do love to rebound, though!

My calories were right on target today, which wasn't difficult since it was a higher calorie day. I had a shake for breakfast (300). For lunch I went out for pizza and soda (1000). After lunch I had some jelly beans (200) and (gasp!) for dinner I had my favorite ice cream: Turkey Hill Chocolatty Moose Tracks with some whipped cream (500).

Not the healthiest diet today, but at least I stayed within my calorie allotment!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Wednesday

Wednesday's Goals
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 1400

Wednesday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 1436

I had a really good day on the program today and ate a lot healthier than I have been recently.

For my workout, I did a new one - Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit. I really like this one! It's a mixture of cardio and strength intervals and for some of the strength exercises she uses a band (which is kinda fun). I'd rate this as an upper intermediate/advanced workout. Definitely for someone who's been working out for awhile.

For breakfast I had steel cut oatmeal. I mixed in a chopped banana, 1 tbs of PB2, cinnamon, brown sugar and a pat of butter (345). For lunch I had a pita pizza topped mushrooms, onions and tomatoes (419). I had a small amount of jelly beans after lunch to take the edge off my sweet tooth (70). For dinner I made breaded tilapia along with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables (brussel sprouts, carrots and cauliflower) (552). Afterwards I had a small biscotti (50).

I changed my calorie values a little. Instead of doing 1400, 1400, 1500, 1500, 1800, 2000, 3000, I decided to change it to 1400, 1400, 1400, 1400, 2000, 2000, 3000. Of course, I will mix them up for the zig-zag effect as much as I can. I just figured I can tolerate the 1400 calorie days to get another 2000 day in there. The total weekly calories are the same as before (12,600). We'll see how it goes.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Year Napping

Tuesday's Goals
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1400

Tuesday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1413

I deliberately scheduled my rest day for today knowing that I would be wiped out from all the New Year's Eve festivities. Today was a lost day of of basically napping on and off all day.

My diet was very odd too...I had a shake for breakfast (300) and ate the rest of my calories snacking all day on stuff like crackers and peanut butter, cookies, etc. I did keep track of the calories, though and wrote everything down. Not the healthiest diet today.

I am hoping to get back to some healthier eating choices tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Monday's Goals
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 3000
Monday's Accomplishments
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 3000 (estimate)

Well, I celebrated my hard-earned success on New Years Eve! It was splurge day and what a perfect day for it. We had a New Year's Eve Dance Party at our house and lots of good food - baked brie in pastry, roasted eggplant dip with crackers, homemade pizza and cookies. YUM!

For my execise I danced the night away. We had our dining room decked out as a full-blown disco (disco lights and all) - I must have danced for about 2-3 hours straight to 70's disco and 80's new wave (and of course hubby threw some rock into the mix as well). Lots of fun but boy am I feeling it today!

I was thinking about it today and I realized that over the past year, on months I have been fairly compliant on the program, my average weight loss has been 5-8 pounds. So continuing on with the program, if I really focus on being that compliant, I should be to goal by summer! Wow - how great it will be this year to enjoy putting on that bathing suit! And no more full-coverage suits. Once I reach goal, I am tossing those all away.