Munchie Monday

Today was a cardio day so I did Steamin' Cardio, although I rebounded through most of it. A lot of times I prefer rebounding to other forms of cardio, but I still like to go along with the video...it's more entertaining then just bouncing without the distraction of the video. Plus they usually do ab work at the end and when it gets to that part, I will get off the rebounder and go along with the video.

Today was a 1400 calorie day and it was a bit of a struggle for me but I did well with calories, although I will admit it was not the healthiest diet today. Not a vegetable to be found, although I guess we can say the banana in the protein shake is healthy and so are the peanuts in the peanut butter (I know, I am stretching).

Breakfast: chocolate banana protein shake with malt (300)

Lunch: Egg noodles with a little butter and grated cheese (526)

Treat: 2 palm fulls of jelly beans (300 - estimate)

Dinner: Toasted English muffin with 1 1/2 tbs peanut butter (270)

Total Calories: 1396

Successful Sunday

Well, today was a 2000 calorie day so it was fairly bearable as far as the diet goes.

For my workout, I decided to go to the gym again. I just didn't feel like doing a workout video. So I went to the gym and did 40 minutes of cardio (alternating walking/running, rebounding and elliptical) followed by about 35 minutes of strength training.

Breakfast: English muffin topped with 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of vegetarian "bacon", and some cheddar, plus 1 cup of orange juice. (585)

Lunch: 2 bowls of Golden Grahams cereal with skim milk (700) (For some reason I was craving Golden Grahams today - my favorite junk cereal).

Treat: 4 Oreos (260)

Dinner: My favorite salad (spring greens, walnuts, pears, low-fat feta cheese and oil and vinegar dressing) (515)

Total Calories: 2060

A Good Start

I had a really good start back on the program and I really am going to seriously try to stay on track.

I went to the gym today and did 40 minutes of cardio (alternating the elliptical machine with walking and running around the track), followed by yoga class (1 hour) and then 15 minutes of swimming. After that, I took a nice soak in the jacuzzi. It felt great, but wasn't as hot as I like it. I really like it at around 104 degrees and it was about 100 today (those 4 degrees make a big difference in how great it feels and how well it relaxes me and works the kinks out). The jets are really strong in this jacuzzi and there is NOTHING better than sliding down into that jacuzzi and putting my shoulders and neck right up against those jets. Oh man, paradise!!!

My calorie goal today was 1400 and I was right on track (which is always hard on these super low-cal days).

Breakfast: the usual chocolate banana protein shake (300)

Lunch: baked red bliss potatoes topped with sauteed onions and poblano peppers and cheddar cheese (578)

Dinner: Breaded tilapia, roasted green beans, egg noodles with a little butter and parmesan (522)

Total Calories: 1400

By the way, this is the first time I prepared green beans this way and MAN! DEEEEEEELICIOUS!!!! I don't think I've ever tasted green beans this delicious. They get all brown and carmelized and yummy. Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try:

ROASTED GREEN BEANS

Trim the tips off some fresh green beans

Toss them in a bowl with a tiny bit of olive oil (just enough to give them a light sheen)

Sprinkle some kosher (coarse) salt on them and toss.

Spread them out in a single layer on a cookie shake

Bake at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes, turning the beans with a spatula every 10 minutes or so to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.

When the beans are nicely browned, tender and carmelized, remove from oven and serve. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Goals for the next 7 days

Saturday March 29
Exercise: Gym: Cardio, Yoga & Swimming
Calories: 1400

Sunday, March 30
Exercise: Strength (a.m.) and walk (afternoon)
Calories: 2000

Monday, March 31
Exercise: Cardio
Calories: 1400

Tuesday, April 1
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 2000

Wednesday, April 2
Exercise: 1 hour walk (afternoon)
Calories: 1400

Thursday, April 3
Exercise: Strength
Calories: 3000

Friday, April 4
Exercise: Rest
Calories: 1400

Back again...

Well, as you can probably guess, it's not been a good couple weeks for me on the program, hence my absence from this blog. I've been totally preoccupied with school and all the related stress. I thought most of it would die down, and a large part of it did when I finished the draft of my masters, but there is still some lingering stuff. First of all, I've had some back-and-forths with my advisor about my thesis and that is requiring a little more attention to that project (although for the most part it is done), and then, I had to move on to the paper for the class I am taking. Even though that's not a huge paper like the masters thesis, still....it's enough to stress me out and make me feel overwhelmed. Whenever I feel that way, it's very hard for me to concentrate on the everyday stuff, especially diet. As usual, I have been pretty good with the exercise...I've only missed a couple scheduled days of exercise. But the diet has pretty much been out the window the last couple weeks and I am starting to feel the results of that.

I will say it again, though...there really IS a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what happens, I am completely done with school at the end of April (and I do mean completely, since I graduate!) so there will be no more school stress. Even better, I finished the paper for my class yesterday and I am not going to drive myself crazy any more with it. So really, most of the heavy school stress is behind me now and I am trying to transition myself psychologically back to being gung-ho about the program. It's really important right now because spring is coming, our cruise is coming in early May and I really want to make some serious progress before I go on that feeding frenzy of a vacation, not to mention it would be nice to feel extra good in my bathing suits and cruisewear.

Today I did Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit and I also took a 30-40 minute power walk at lunch time. I decided I am going to try to squeeze in extra exercise during the week at lunch time by taking a walk, whenever the weather permits. That'll help me reach my goals faster and undo some of the results of the slacking over the past month.

I took a couple days off from work this week (mostly to do school work) and I made it to the gym on Wednesday. It was really nice because the pool was the PERFECT temperature (i.e. not cold at all) and the jacuzzi was nice and HOT HOT HOT. I really needed that jacuzzi on Wednesday. Those hot jets felt so good on my neck and shoulders (that's where I hold tension). I felt like melted butter when I got out of there.



As for the diet, I am doing low cal today and so far, so good. I am going to make up a schedule for the next 10 days or so so I can really do my best to get back on the wagon.

Anyway, it does feel good to be back.

Tuesday

I'm sorry to say I've been a little off the wagon the last couple days, but not super bad. I have been sticking to the workouts every day, though.

Tuesday's Exercise Goal: Cardio

This morning I did GForce 2 (rebounder workout). I was proud of myself because I was completely and totally NOT in the mood to work out this morning and I literally dragged myself into the workout room to do my workout.

I also wanted to comment that recently, I've really noticed an impressive change in a part of my physique - my shoulders are really looking pretty darned good (if I do say so myself). They have really become defined and have a toned, broad look to them which I think looks so great. All those shoulder presses are paying off, I guess. I can't wait to wear my tank tops this summer.

Tuesday's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

The usual chocolate banana protein shake with malt (no PB2) 300

Lunch:

A big bowl of Turkey Hill lite ice cream topped with whipped cream (I know, not a healthy lunch but it's what I wanted!) (614)

Dinner:

Bean, veggie and shrimp burrito with cheese (486)

Total Calories: 1400

Scumptious Saturday

Saturday's Exercise Goal: Yoga

I decided I felt like going to the gym on Saturday so I went to Bally's and took the yoga class - something I haven't done in awhile. Prior to that, I did 40 minutes of cardio, alternating running/walking with elliptical machine and rebounding. What I did was, I was listening to my IPod and I would do one activity for an entire song and then move to the next activity. Kept things interesting.

Saturday's Calorie Goal: Splurge Day

I had a great splurge day! The highlights were pizza for lunch and for dinner we went out for Thai (my favorite). I always order pad thai, even though I am always tempted to try other things. I just love pad thai so much.

An interesting thing about the gym....I weighed myself on the scale there and it says I am about 7 pounds lighter than my scale at home. Both scales are digital, although the one at the gym is a large, stand-up scale, whereas my scale at home is a small floor model. I am not sure which one is accurate but there is a huge difference between them. (I hope the gym scale is the accurate one!)

I also have an exciting announcement. I finished my masters thesis this weekend. Or, I should say, I finished the revisions (I had already finished the draft a couple weeks ago). I have already decided that this is it...I am not changing it further, so I hope my advisor will be happy with it (he already said it was very good but suggested a couple changes which I made). So that's a big load of stress off my shoulder. I still have another paper to write for the class I am taking so now I really have to turn my attention to that, but I hope to have that done in the next couple of weeks.

Fantastic Friday

Friday's Exercise Goal: Strength

I did a LOT of exercise today. First of all, I decided I felt like doing strength and yoga, so I did a short Firm workout - Super Charged Sculpting - followed by Crunch Candlelight Yoga. Both together were about an hour and 10 minutes.

Later, at work, the colleague who got me into figure skating invited me to go to the rink with her. Since it was a light day work-wise and I had my skates with me, I decided to go. I skated for a full hour. It was great to be back at the rink. I really haven't been going much lately, mostly because my work schedule is crazy with me working a late shift 2 days a week.

Friday's Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast:
Protein shake sans malt (300)
Lunch (I was RAVENOUS today):
3 moderate/small slices of pizza (1050), 2 magic cookie bars (estimate 400), 1 small piece of single-layer birthday cake (estimate 250), 1/2 cup ice cream (150).
No Dinner

Total Calories: 2150

Well, I went over on the calories, but I figure, since I did an extra workout today, I can probably afford a little extra calories. I think an hour of figure skating burns off at LEAST 15o calories, don't you think?

We had a farewell party at work today for 2 employees, hence the big lunch and goodies. One of my evil coworkers brought in magic cookie bars! OMG these are the most deadly delicious things on the planet!!! It took every ounce of control I had to limit myself to a couple small squares. I literally could have eaten the entire plate.
I also am happy to report that I got on the scale this morning and I am down about 3 pounds in the past couple weeks, so my being back on the wagon appears to be paying off.

Thumbelina Thursday

Thought you'd like to see a clip of my new favorite workout!!! Watch it and you'll get motivated (probably to throw up your lunch ;)

Thursday's Exercise Goal: Cardio

This morning I did The Firm: Ultimate Calorie Blaster and I rebounded through through about half of it.

Thursday's Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast: My usual shake, sans the PB2 (300)
Lunch: Bean and veggie burrito with cheese, fresh cilantro and salsa (490)
Dinner: A big bowl of my favorite ice cream (Turkey Hill Chocolate Nutty Moose Tracks) topped with whipped cream and homemade oatmeal cookies! (I know, what a "meal"!!! I had a serious sugar craving today). (1210)

Thursday's Total Calories: 2000

Wild Wednesday

Wednesday Exercise Goal: Strength


I did my favorite today: Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit. Damn, that is a great workout!!! I love it more and more each time I do it.


Wednesday's Calorie Goal: 1400


1400 calorie days are rough, but I did really well today.

Breakfast:
The Usual Shake (sans PB2 today) (300)
Lunch:
Pizza bagel (433)
Dinner:
Bean, cheese and veggie burrito with fresh cilantro and salsa (460)
Treat:
4 Nestle Treasures Chocolates (213)


Total Calories: 1406


I am particularly proud of myself for having some serious self-control last night. I had my dinner fairly early (5:00 p.m.) because I have class on Tuesdays and I have to eat dinner before I leave the office. By the time I got home from school (9:00 p.m.) I was really hungry AND I had a headache and was feeling upset from a documentary we watched in class (Holocaust). I had already used up my calories for the day and I don't really have a lot of latitude the rest of this month to move calorie values around, so I maintained self control and didn't eat anything. That was tough but I did it.

Tempting Tuesday

I am calling today "Tempting Tuesday" because it was tempting to throw in the towel today. School issues are driving me crazy again, but I am trying to keep my cool.

Tuesday's Exercise Goal: Cardio

Unfortunately, I overslept today (due to the clocks changing on Sunday and I don't use an alarm clock) and I couldn't exercise at lunch today because I had school work to do, so I missed my workout.

Tuesday's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

Shake (320)

Lunch:

Pasta with marinara sauce and grated cheese (645)

Dinner:

Veggie burger on whole wheat with fried onions and mushrooms, cheese and ketchup (452)

Total Calories: 1417

So despite not having a workout today, I did well with the diet so all is not lost.

Monday Monday

Monday's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

Today I did Tom Holland's Total Body Workout. Always a goodie when I am a little short on time (it's only 45 minutes).

Monday's Calorie Goal: Splurge Day

I had a dinner out with my brother today so it had to be a splurge day. We had a delicious meal at an Indian restaurant. Very, very tasty!!!

Sunday

Sunday's Exercise Goal: Rest

No exercise today. It was good to have a break, especially since we were out late last night AND the clocks moved ahead. My sleep is all screwed up.

Sunday's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

1 slice of toasted whole wheat bread with 1 tbs. of peanut butter and 1 tbs. jam (235)

Lunch:

Ravioli with marinara sauce and grated parmesan (554)

Dinner:

Baked red bliss potatoes topped with sauteed onions, butter and cheese (646)

Total Calories: 1435

Saturday Splurgin'

Saturday's Exercise Goal: Strength

I decided to do FitPrime's Strong Bear, which I haven't done in awhile. I forgot how great this workout is. It's really one of my all-time favorites.

Calorie Goal: 3000 (splurge day)

No calorie counting today - hurray! Cookies for breakfast (oh yeah!), and a big cheese hoagie for lunch/dinner with chips and a soda. In the evening we went out with friends and I didn't eat anything (the hoagie held me over) but I did have a couple cocktails.

Fabulous Friday

Friday's Exercise Goal: Cardio

I decided to do GForce (rebounding workout) on Friday. It's probably one of my favorite cardio workouts (and you know I am not a fan of cardio).

Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast: The usual protein shake (320)

Lunch: Veggie burger on whole wheat with sauteed onions & mushrooms, cheese and ketchup (500)

Treat: Sour patch kids (candy) 300

Dinner: Vegetarian "bacon" and cheese omelet (280)

Total Calories: 1400

Thursday Success

Thursday's Exercise Goal: Strength Training

Today I did two workouts. First I did The Firm: Supercharged Sculpting which was about 30 minutes. Then I did Yoga Mind and Body which, I think, was about 40 minutes. I was really craving yoga this morning but didn't want to sacrifice my strength training, so voila! I did both.

It's been a LONG time since I did Yoga Mind & Body. It's one of the videos I've owned the longest...probably 10 years. This is probably the most beautifully produced workout video ever produced. It was filmed at White Sands National Park and it is visually stunning. It has this surreal, mesmerizing quality to it and the music is very cool. It's not a beginner's yoga workout, though. There are some challenging postures in this workout.

Thursday's Calorie Goal: 1400

14o0 days are tough, but I did it!

Breakfast:

Shake (320)

Lunch:

Quinoa with peppers, onions, garlic and basil, topped with 2 tbs. grated cheese (490)

Dinner:

Pita pizza topped with onion, mushroom and vegetarian "sausage" and extra cheese (590)

Total Calories: 1400

Today I bit the bullet and got on the scale, something I haven't done in probably a month or so. The bad news is (not surpringly) I've gained some weight back over the past month or so of being on and off the diet wagon (mostly off). The good news is, it's not THAT much - about 4 pounds - which I can easily drop fairly quickly now that I am back on track. My goal is to lose those 4 pounds plus a little more by April 1st. That's put me back to moving forward with my progress.

Well-Done Wednesday

Wednesday's Exercise Goal: Cardio


I decided to do housework today instead of my cardio workout. The house was in dire need of attention, so I cleaned for a couple hours... vacuuming, putting laundry away, cleaning the kitchen, dusting, etc. Not sure if it amounted to a regular workout, but I definitely wasn't a slug.


Wednesday's Calorie Goal: 2000


Breakfast:
Chocolate protein shake (320)
Lunch:
1 slice of Tuscan Pane bread topped with 2 scrambled eggs, 1 vegetarian "sausage" patty and a little cheese (420)
Treat:
Candy (600)
Dinner:
Quinoa with sauteed peppers, onions & garlic, fresh basil and topped with 2 tbs parmesan cheese (660)

Total Calories: 2000

Terrific Tuesday

Exercise Goal: Strength

Today I decided to do Jari Love's Ripped 1000. Haven't done that one in awhile! Great (and tough) workout.

Calorie Goal: 2000

Breakfast:
Protein Shake (320)
Lunch:
Pasta with brussel sprouts and walnuts (640)
Dinner:
2 slices of pizza (850)
Treat:
handful of jelly beans (140)

Total Calories: 1950

Back on the Wagon (again!)

Well, I'm back again and I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?

Let's start with the bad news. You guessed it. I haven't been really sticking to the diet the past week, even though I told you I was back on the wagon. I did make a good start and really was making a gung-ho effort, but again, I was derailed by the stress I have been under with school and I blew it.

Now, the good news. I finished the first draft of my masters thesis this past weekend and sent it off to my advisor. So I am just awaiting his feedback. Hopefully he will not want me to make major revisions - keep your fingers crossed. So the masters is pretty much done.

Now I just have one more paper to write for the class I am taking, but that is just a regular paper, not a huge monstrocity like the masters. I can probably knock it out within a couple weekends at the library. I intend to get right on it and get it over with so I can really put this stress behind me.

The other bit of good news is that although I haven't been great with the diet, I have been right on the ball with my exercise. I think I worked out 5 days last week. So really, I've been only half off the ball. But let's face it, while exercise is essential and very effective for toning and supporting weight loss, the diet is critical for weight loss. I've always been an avid exerciser, even at my highest weight, but never lost anything (in fact I gained!) until I incorporated diet.

So yesterday I started in earnest again.

Exercise Goal: Cardio

I did The Firm's Ultimate Calorie Blaster. Still rebounded through some of it, but I actually did the step aerobics for more of it this time. I think the thing with step aerobics that repels me at times is that sometimes the choreography gets too complex and I get confused about what step I am supposed to be doing. But I have noticed that the more I do this video, the more I remember and now it's becoming more fun and I am getting lost less frequently. I also realize that it's probably good to do step once in awhile because it's keeping my brain on its toes and is mentally challenging (which they say is good as you age). I still maintain, though, that rebounding is the best cardio workout. It's fun, fun, fun, it really gets my heartrate up, it's easy on the joints, it's great for the endocrine system and jumping is also good for the bones.

Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast:

The usual chocolate protein shake with malt (320)

Lunch:

Breaded tilapia sandwich on whole wheat bread with a little cheddar cheese and mustard (430)

Dinner:

My favorite salad (greens, feta cheese, chopped pear, walnuts with oil & vinegar dressing) (650)

Total Calories: 1400