Tuesday

Tuesday's Exercise Goal: Cardio

I was going to go ice skating on Tuesday, but just wasn't in the mood for it. So instead, I did a cardio workout at home - The Firm: Ultimate Calorie Blaster. As usual, I rebounded through a lot of it.

My diet was right on track today, calorie-wise, although not the healthiest eating day.

Tuesday's Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast:

Shake (320)

Lunch:

A bunch of candy (I know, not healthy but at least I counted the calories!) (880)

Dinner:

2 slices of pizza (skipped the soda since I had so much sugar at lunch) (800)

Total Calories: 2000

First Day Back

Monday's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

I did really well on my first day back on the wagon. For my workout, I did Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit - always a goodie (and a toughie!).

Monday's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:
Chocolate protein shake with malt (320)
Lunch:
Vegetarian "chicken" sandwich on bagel with cheese and salsa (460)
Dinner:
Breaded tilapia and pasta with brussel sprouts and walnuts and 2 tbs of grated cheese (650)

Calorie Total: 1430

It was a little tough being a 1400 calorie day, but I did it!

Making another effort!

I've been feeling so depressed over tossing the calorie counting aside, I am going to try to make another go of it and get myself back on track this week, despite my previous post about not being able to handle the calorie counting. I spent some time today getting the house more organized and getting the fridge cleaned out...things to reduce the feeling of chaos in my life that is adding to my sense of internal chaos. So I've made out a plan for this week:

Monday: strength training & 1400
Tuesday: Cardio (Ice skating) & 2000
Wednesday: Cardio & 1400
Thursday: Strength training & 2000
Friday: Cardio & 1400
Saturday: Strength training & 3000
Sunday: rest & 1400

I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've been making great progress on my thesis and would estimate it's about 70% written at this point. I just have a couple more major sections to write and I anticipate getting that completed next weekend. Then I have to hand it in for my advisor to review and he will suggest revisions, etc. (please God don't let there be many) and then when that project is finished, I can start on the other paper for my class. That one won't be anywhere near as involved as the thesis...I can probably knock it out over a couple weekends.

By the end of April I'll be done with all of this!

Throwing in the towel (sort of...)

Well, I think the time has come to be completely honest with myself. I just don't think I can manage doing this program in a disciplined way right now. I've been fighting against it and trying to keep plodding along and I've been doing fine with my exercise, but the diet is just completely untenable right now.

The thing that's going on is that I am knee deep in my masters thesis and also taking my last masters class and it's stressing me the hell out. It's consuming every bit of my mental energy and focus and I just can't seem to divert any of that focus to this program. I am trying to be conscious about the quantity of what I am eating...I start every day writing down my calories, and every day my goal is to be on track, but I just can't seem to keep on track - the stress and mental distraction is fouling me up big time.

So here is my commitment. I am going to continue to exercise every day and continue to be conscious of the general quantity of what I am eating and really try not to go off the deep end with the diet. I am also going to weigh myself a couple times a week as a monitoring system to prevent myself from going too far off the deep end. But I just cannot mentally handle the calorie counting, weighing, measuring, obsessive food preparation right now. It's just too much.

Okay, so there. I've admitted my temporary defeat. My other commitment to you is that I will try to get onto this blog regularly and report what's going on, so I am still somewhat on the program. But I just can't do the calorie stuff right now.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that I expect to have the draft of my masters thesis done within the next week to two and once that is done, I am immediately going to plow into the big paper/project I have to do for my class. I am not going to procrastinate like I usually do because I need to get these projects done so I can get my focus back onto this program.

Thanks for listening...

Munchie Monday

Today's Calorie Goal: 1500

Changed to: 2000

I had a major chocolate breakdown today, so I decided to swap today's calorie allotment for tomorrow's.

Breakfast:

The usual chocolate protein shake (320)

Snack:

Dove chocolates (420)

Lunch:

Shrimp and black bean burrito with cheese and salsa (445)

Snack:

More chocolates! (420)

"Dinner"

Granola bars (300)

2 cookies (130)

Total Calories: 2035

Not the healthiest eating day, but with the calorie switch I didn't go off the wagon too much.

Today's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

Today I did Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit - such a great workout!!!

Plan for the rest of the month

Here is my plan for the rest of February:

Monday, 2/18: strength training, 1500 calories
Tuesday, 2/19: Cardio, 2000 calories
Wednesday, 2/20: Strength Training, 1400 calories
Thursday, 2/21: Cardio (ice skating), 1500 calories
Friday, 2/22: Strength training, 1400 calories
Saturday, 2/23: Yoga & Swimming, 3000 calories
Sunday, 2/24: Rest, 1500 calories
Monday, 2/25: Strength training, 1400 calories
Tuesday, 2/26: Cardio, 2000 calories
Wednesday, 2/27: Strength training, 1400 calories
Thursday, 2/28: Cardio, 1500 calories
Friday, 2/29: Strength training, 1400 calories

Back from the dead

Well, as you can probably guess, I have been off the program the last few days. I've been completely consumed with school work and have just had the hardest time staying focused on this program. It's never out of my mind completely and always in the back of my mind is that nagging voice asking me "what the heck are you doing!!???"

Today I managed to get back on track for the most part, although I didn't exercise. I set my calorie goal low today to make up for the past few days.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:
The usual protein shake (350)
Lunch:
Veggie burger with fried oninons on whole wheat bread with cheese and salsa (522)
Dinner:
Veggie, shrimp & black bean tacos with cheese and salsa (576)

Today's Calorie Total: 1448

Terrific Tuesday

Today's Exercise Goal: Cardio

This morning I did The Firm's Ultimate Calorie Blaster. I rebounded through about 75% of it. I'm not big into step aerobics so I'd do a little step and then when I got tired of it (or aggravated by it), I'd jump on the rebounder. I also tacked on some ab work at the end.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

Chocolate banana PB protein shake with malt (350)

Lunch:

Pita Pizza (460)

Dinner:

Vegetarian "cheesesteak" (2 vegetarian burgers sliced up and fried with onions, with cheese in a wrap with ketchup (570)

Treat:

A couple gumballs (20)

Total Calories: 1400

Mahvelous Monday

Today's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

I was a little short on time this morning, so I did a 45-minute workout - Cathe's Push Pull. I'm not a big Cathe fan (I usually find her workouts a little boring with too much rep overkill), but this is a very efficient total body strength workout for the short time, so I like having it handy for days when I don't have a full hour.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

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

Lunch:

Vegetarian "chicken" patty sandwich on a bagel with cheese and salsa (530)

Dinner:

Scambled eggs and vegetarian "bacon" on wheat bread with cheese (500)

Treat:

A couple gumballs (20)

Total Calories: 1400

An Inspiring Story

Here is a spot that was on theToday Show this morning that is very inspiring about a family who teamed up together and lost 500 pounds! Inspired by the show, The Biggest Loser, this family decided to create their own weight loss program (called F.A.S.T. "Families Always Succeed Together") in which they followed these simple rules:

1. Log everything you eat.
2. Meet and weigh in once per week.
3. Exercise every day.
4. Report to each other when you are tempted to cheat.

The thing that really made for their success was having the support system of each other - having people to be accountable to and people who are encouraging and supporting each other.

I realized in watching this that essentially this is what dlvblueyed (my sister-in-law) and me have been doing through these blogs. We've been logging everything we eat, we "meet" regularly on-line through comments on each others' blogs and we weigh in regularly and post our results. We exercise almost every day. The only step that we haven't been doing is reporting when we are tempted to cheat, but I can see how that would be a useful technique to stay on track.

Fantastic Friday

Today's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

I decided to do my new favorite workout again today, Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit.

Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:
The usual shake (350)
Lunch:
Veggie burger with fried onions on a bagel with cheddar, mustard and ketchup (492)
Treats:
Peppermint Patties (93)
2 jelly beans (20)
Dinner:
Pita pizza (460)

Total Calories: 1415

This morning I decided to try on some clothes just to see how things are fitting me. First, I tried on the black beaded cocktail dress I wore to the gala back in November. I was very pleased to see that it now fits me VERY comfortably (hangs a tiny bit loose off my body) whereas back in November when I wore it to the gala it was very tight (I even wore a "girdle" to help myself squeeze into it). So that seems to indicate progress.

I also tried on that red satin dress that I bought a few months ago just to see how that's fitting now and it also fits comfortably now. It's not too tight at all.

And then I tried on my wedding dress. Still nowhere NEAR fitting. Actually, I have to say it's kinda shocking how far I am from fitting into that gown. But I don't let it get to me.

So overall, I am happy with the way things are going and still feeling really positive and committed, even though I had that slip up yesterday.

Thump on the head Thursday

Today's Exercise Goal: Cardio

I decided that since the weather wasn't too cold, I would do my workout outdoors. I took a 40 minute power walk alternating with some jogging.

Today's Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast:

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

1 Quaker "Oatmeal to Go" bar (220)

Lunch:

Pizza bagel (420)

Treat:

Peppermint Patties (420)

Dinner:

Tortilla chips sprinkled with cheddar and heated (590)

So as of this point, I was right on target with my calories and had used up my allotment. Unfortunately I had a moment of weakness after dinner and plowed into a bunch of homemade chocolate chip cookies that I had in the freezer. I just NEEDED them really badly (that's my only explanation)....I don't even know how many calories they were.

Unfortunately, I can't rectify this by switching days because I already have a special occasion planned for my high-cal day that can't be switched. Oh well. I'll have to accept the slip-up and just move forward.

Cruisin...

Today's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

I decided to do Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit again. Love this workout! In fact, I would say it is close to perfection as far as workouts go. Fun, challenging, decent music, strength + cardio, about an hour long, lots of variety, no rep overkill. I feel totally worked out after this one.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:
The usual shake (350)
Lunch:
A Quaker "Oatmeal to Go" bar (220)
Pretzels (80)
Treats:
Peppermint Patties (187)
Jelly Beans (150)
Dinner:
Bean and vegetable burrito with salsa and cheddar (412)

Total Calories for Today: 1399

I think being back on the wagon fully is starting to pay off because I've noticed in the last week the compliments have been starting up again. I must have dropped some weight this past week. 3 times over the past week I have received comments on looking "skinny" (which always makes me smile 'cause I am far from "skinny", but still!)

I feel completely motivated now and on the ball with my program. I think I am finally over the stress about my masters thesis because I really am making good progress on it now and have a clear plan for getting it done, plus now that we have that cruise coming up in May, I have a really tangible goal. I'd LOVE to look smashing, trim and fit for that trip. I might just have to buy myself a sexy cocktail dress for formal night and hmmmm....maybe a new sexy bathing suit! We shall see.

Skating Away...

Today's Exercise Goal: Cardio

Today I took a break from the home workouts and went ice skating at lunchtime. It felt so good to be back at the rink. I was going every week for awhile but fell out of it before the holidays and then my schedule just never seemed to be able to accommodate a skating session. Anyway, I skated for over an hour and it was FUN FUN FUN!

Today's Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast:

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

Lunch:

Vegetarian "bacon" "cheeseburger" on a bagel with fried onions, cheddar, mustard and ketchup (437)

Dinner:

2 slices of pizza and a can of Coke (1000)

Treat:

Quaker "Oatmeal to Go" bar (220)

Total Calories: 2007

Monday

Today's Exercise Goal: Strength Training


I tried another new workout this morning: The Firm's Aerobic Body Shaping from the Transfirmer series. I really like this one! It is almost an hour long and just the right level of intensity. I also like that it has cardio and strength training together which is always my favorite. I am also happy with the music in the Transfirmer series, although the modern/industrial set leaves something to be desired.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

Chocolate peanut butter banana protein shake with malt (350)

Lunch:

Bean and veggie burrito with cheddar and salsa (412)

Treats:

3 small Peppermint Patties (140)

"Dinner":

Chai tea with whipped cream (200)

Rice cakes (120)

Quaker "Oatmeal on the Go" bar (220)

Total Calories: 1442

Sleepy Sunday

Today was a pretty low-keyed day. As I mentioned, I slept late which was nice (and much needed!) It was a rest day, so no exercise today.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast (which I ate at lunch time):
Scambled egg sandwich on Tuscan Pane bread with vegetarian "bacon" and cheese (590)

Treats:
Peppermint Patties (140) & Jelly Beans (170)

Dinner:
Kashi Go-Lean Crunch cereal with skim milk (500)

Total Calories: 1400

Skating Saturday

Saturday was my "splurge day" which is always a welcomed relief after calorie counting all week. I ate a lot of good stuff and didn't weigh, measure or write down a damned thing!!!

For my workout, I went to the gym and took the yoga class. I was going to do some cardio and swim too, but decided against it because I was feeling a bit tired. I hadn't gotten a full night's sleep the night before so I just wasn't feeling that energetic.

We went out with some friends later in the evening and after dinner went ice skating together, so that was some more activity. It felt good to be on the ice. I haven't had a chance to go ice skating in over a month and a half (just how things have worked out) but I have been meaning to get back into it again. In fact, this Tuesday and I going back to the usual rink I skate at once every week or two.

I had a strange sensation of deja vu at the ice rink. It was loaded with teenagers and there was a DJ playing the music. I felt like I was back at the roller skating rink of my youth which was my favorite haunt every weekend back then.

Today shouldn't be too difficult because it's a rest day, but also, I just woke up and it's 11:30 a.m. (we were out LATE last night) so I really only need to eat 2 meals today - lunch and dinner.

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Monday: Strength training, 1400

Tuesday: Cardio (ice skating), 2000

Wednesday: Strength, 1400

Thursday: Cardio, 2000

Friday: Strength, 1400

Saturday: Yoga & Swimming, 3000

Sunday: Rest, 1400

Oh, and here is something that is SURE to keep me motivated. Hubby and me just planned a cruise in May to celebrate our anniversary and my impending graduation from graduate school. So if anything can keep me on the wagon, the incentive of looking (and feeling) smashing in my bathing suits and cocktail gowns should do it.

TGIF!

Today's Exercise Goal: strength training

I did another Firm workout this morning - Super Charged Sculpting - also from the Transfirmer system. It was a good workout, even though it was only 35 minutes long. I really prefer longer workouts - at least 45 minutes or preferably an hour. At any rate, it was a pretty challenging workout considering its short length, and I enjoyed it. This will be a good workout to have on hand when I need to do strength training but am short on time (like on mornings when I oversleep).

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

Chocolate banana protein shake with added malt and PB2 (350)

Lunch:

Whole wheat pita pizza topped with vegetarian "sausage" and onions (516)

Treat:

3 small Peppermint Patties (140)

Dinner:

Black bean and veggie burrito with cheese and salsa (412)

Total Calories: 1418