Going Strong

Well, I haven't posted in awhile but have no fear! I have actually been doing really well on the program. I just haven't felt like writing in here - I've been busy with spring cleaning and gardening and just haven't felt like blogging much.

While I haven't been writing in here, I have following the program diligently, especially this past week and I feel like I have snapped back into it again. It took awhile, but finally I am there. I am still following the same calorie plan as usual - 1400, 1400, 1500, 1500, 2000, 2000, 3000 and working out about 5 days/week. This week alone I have dropped 4 pounds and I can feel my clothes fitting a little more loosely.

I still find the low cal days to be a challenge. 1400 and 1500 calories just aren't enough for me and evenings are particularly difficult. But whenever I feel really challenged I just remind myself that doing the 1400's and 1500's allows me to have those 3 higher cal days and still lose weight. So it's worth it. It's just hard.

The stress of school is now behind me and that has helped me to regain some focus on this program, but a new stress has entered my life - we are seriously considering selling our house and relocating to a more affordable area. That opens up a whole 'nother can of stress worms but I am trying not to get myself too psychologically worked up over it.

Sickly Sunday

Well, I've been a bit under the weather the last couple of days and as a result, I have not been up for exercising or calorie counting. The good news is, I haven't really been off the wagon that badly (i.e. going haywire)...I simply have not had the energy or wherewithall to be diligent on the program.

Today I was feeling a little better so I did manage to track my calories. I didn't do a formal workout, but I was very active today...I did a LOT of housework - decluttering and reorganizing. Major spring cleaning.

Today's Calorie Goal: 1400

Breakfast: Protein shake (300)

Lunch: Vegetarian pizza "burger" with fried onions and mozzarella cheese on whole wheat bread (452)

Junk: Ice Cream Cone (348), Doritos (300)

No calories left for dinner.

Total Calories: 1400

Thursday

Still going strong, although I must say it really is challenging this week. On top of everything else I've already mentioned, I have been a little under the weather all week fighting off some minor cold. It started with a sore throat earlier in the week and has progressed to a head cold. Thankfully it seems to be staying on the mild side, but it's just enough to zap my energy reserves.

As a result, I felt pretty run down yesterday and didn't do a workout. I just didn't feel up for it.

My calorie goal was 1400 and I stayed pretty close to goal.

Breakfast: granola bar (150), grapes and strawberries (150)

Lunch: vegetarian "pizzasteak" with fried onions (455) and some Doritos (140)

Dinner: Pita pizza topped with red peppers, onion and veggie "chicken" (535)

Total Calories: 1430

Workin' Hard

It's been really hard getting back into the program but I have been good with it so far. There are several reasons it is particularly challenging this week.

1. After eating so much on the cruise for 7 days straight, not to mentioned having been off the wagon prior to that for some time, my body still thinks it's in feeding frenzy mode is wants to eat, eat, eat!

2. Coming back to work has been nothing short of a pile of stress. I am backlogged with e-mails, voice mails and a foot-high pile of mail to get through...all of which generate more work.

3. I got my period on Monday so I have been PMS-ing.

4. I am a little under the weather (probably brought on my the aforementioned stress).

Despite all this, however, I am DETERMINED to stay on the ball because I am so disgusted with how far backward I have slid.

My workout goal for Wednesday was cardio. Because a beautiful weather forecast was planned, I decided to save my workout for lunchtime and at lunch I took a nice 50 minute power walk wearing my IPod.

My calorie goal was 2000 and it wasn't the healthiest eating day, but I did stay on track.

Breakfast: shake (300)

Lunch: breaded tilapia on Tuscan Pane bread with cheese and mustard and a small side of Doritos (720)

Dinner: junk! I had a big bowl of lite ice cream with malt and whipped cream and a pile of Oreos (don't ask. Just needed it). (1000)

Total Calories: 2020

Good to be back!

Yesterday was a real challenge but I did it! For my workout, I did Tom Holland's Total Body Workout and today I can really feel it in my thighs and butt - SORE!

My calorie goal was 1400 and MAN, talk about a challenge after having grown accustomed to the nonstop feeding frenzy cruise lifestyle.

Breakfast: protein shake (300)
Lunch: Breaded fish fillet sandwich in a tortilla wrap with cheese and mustard (530)
Dinner: Breaded tilapia, white rice and roasted green beans and peppers (502)
Treat: 10 small jelly beans (70)

Total Calories: 1402

Long Time No See

Well, I've REALLY been off the wagon since you last heard from me, I am sorry to say. I just wasn't able to get totally back on board until every aspect of school was completely over and right after that, we headed off for a 7 day cruise, which is essentially a 7-day feeding frenzy. I have really backtracked on my weight loss and have gained a bit back which I am a bit disgusted about. But would I take back the fun I had getting to this point? Nope. When it's all said and done, it was worth it. But now I am definitely paying the price.

We got back from the cruise 2 days ago. Yesterday I spent the day doing laundry, grocery shopping, downloading photos and generally getting things back in order and today is my first day back to work and back on the program. I decided I really need to get back into blogging regularly to keep myself accountable, so here I am.

So here are my goals for this week (my week is going to run Tues - Mon).

Tuesday, May 13: strength & 1400

Wed., May 14: cardio, 2000

Thurs, May 15: strenth & 1400

Fri., May 16: cardio & 1400

Sat., May 17: gym (strength, yoga and swim) & 3000

Sun., May 18: rest & 2000

Mon., May 19: strength & 1400

And now some happy news to report...all my hard work with school paid off. I am graduating with straight A's and my master thesis was approved "with distinction"! So I guess that makes my backward slide worth it.

Oh, and I should point out that I exercised every day on the cruise. On the 3 sea days I went to the gym and did a full strength and cardio workout. On the other days I swam every day and one day in port, we walked about 3 miles. So there was no shortage of exercise, but sadly exercise is not enough to control weight.

P.S. The photo above is me on the cruise dressed up for the first formal night.