Weigh In Weds. - Insanity completed!

Yes, you read that correctly, I completed the Beach Body workout program called, Insanity. I'll bet you thought I quit since I hadn't posted in so long but just the opposite, I've been focused on fitness, life, some quilting and then there's that always present work taking up 8+ hours of my Mon. - Friday. :)

When asked about the program I find 2 things pop to mind right away.
1) It is aptly named. It's insane, and
2) I took a leisurely tour through Insanity.

Shaun T, Insanity's creator and coach on the DVD has taken to calling those who've graduated the program and still want more hard core workouts, "Insaniacs." My friends, I'm now an Insaniac.  One day, I'll start my Dear Jane Quilt and I'll be an Insaniac Janiac! LOL

Back to the program, though. If you've never heard of it, feel free to check out this You Tube video. It's a condensed version of the infomercial.  If you've heard of it, let me explain why I say I took a leisurely tour.

It is a 2 month (60 day) program that offers a year's results in that time frame.  I took just about 3 months to complete it.  I repeated a couple weeks to ensure I was feeling okay about and strong enough to progress to the next step and there were the weeks I stepped back to start back up with a friend who took a break. I also took a week off. When I decided enough was enough, I dug in and finished the program.  So, instead of 2 months, it took 3.

There were a couple times where family members joined me. Okay I got everyone but teenage daughter to join. Either she's brilliant to stay away or super lazy. -wink- She'll say she's brilliant! LOL

Before I get into the show and tell, I should also add that there is a nutrition plan with the workout. Highly recommended, of course, but not required.  I chose to skim it then not pick it up again until the end of month 1. At that time, I skimmed it again, set it down and I still haven't picked it up. Here's why.  I wanted to learn to take my own diet habits, likes and dislikes, and find a way to make those work along with better choices.

Let me restate that. I wanted to learn how to eat properly on my own with the amount of exercise I was putting my body through. To choose better foods and meals but not lose out on what I love. The glass of wine, the steak, the ice cream, maybe. :) In other words, I wanted to make better choices but I wanted to live with what I choice I made, right or wrong. I wanted a lifestyle change in eating and exercise that I could/would maintain.  That was my goal and no matter what the numbers say, I met that goal and I'm thrilled. Could I have had better results, I think yes. I also think, however, that this was the beginning of a life long change for me and I needed to do it this way and that is why I'm not short changing the effort or results I did achieve.

I'm also still accountable for every bite I eat using the MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone.

I have a daily caloric intake I should be achieve. After month 1, I saw NO results. Zero.  Wait, that's not quite true. I did feel stronger and I could do a lot more of the workout after 4 weeks than I could in the beginning but I started wondering, where's all this weight that's supposed to come off? Why haven't my measurements changed? I thought about my food.  I was eating a lot healthier and making better choices but then, something clicked.  I was eating a light breakfast, working out, grabbing a snack and eating a decent sized lunch and dinner.  I needed to eat 4-5 (preferably 5 for my body, I found out) balanced meals a day. That was hard.  I think figuring out meals and making sure I get them all in and with generally correct calorie intake  took me a full month of really close attention. I chose healthier meals out, and tried to cook better foods than ever that I could eat in smaller portions but would have a great impact on my needs.

I'm glad I did. Within a week, I dropped 2 lbs and it seemed like clothes were starting to fit better. People were telling me they could see a change even if I couldn't. I didn't weigh myself or measure myself until the end b/c well, if they were just being polite, I didn't want to be discouraged, I wanted to see this through. With the new eating habit, though, I remembered what I knew before and had forgotten. Smaller and more frequent meals help keep your metabolism moving.  Aside from the weight and inches coming off (which, remember, I was still not seeing at the time), I was feeling stronger and had more energy and I found I could work out with efficiency at any time of the day instead of the previous scenario where I was sluggish if I tried for an afternoon workout.

One additional note, when I didn't lose, I asked a lot of questions on my fitness board and found a lot of people had little to no results, like me, when they started their 1st program ever.  Turns out, there's this thing call a cortizol response to the stress where you reatin water like a crazy person & as a response to the stress, water is trapped around the muscles.  After about 4-6 weeks, it starts dropping off. That could have contributed to my lack of seen results in month 1.

Now, onto the fun photos.  These were the first couple of days.

 Remember this one?

There was a lot more sweat and I started to feel better.

 Note: my jumps didn't look like Tanya's I thought they did until I took the video. hehe But I'm getting there.

And there was #sweatnsew! A super fun distraction.  One day Amy over at Amy Lou Who Sews was chatting with Kelly from Kelbysews on Instagram (which is a great little app & a nice daily distraction to see what everyone is up to.  Who needs Facebook? lol)  They mentioned there should be a hashag for quilters who are also exercising. I think Kelly coined "sweatnsew".  The way it works, post your pic and type in the hashtag and name. Then your pic is tagged in a group, of sorts. The hashtag becomes a hyper link and anyone who searches under that hashtag or clicks on the hyperlink is taken to the group page of photos with the same tag.

Anyway, I was looking for some daily motivation and accountability and got the idea to make it a challenge. I offered up 10 FQs, 5 each to 2 winners.  I invited anyone who wanted to get a healthier lifestyle to join. Better eating habits, exercise, whatever.  Deal was, take a pic. describe how it relates to yoru healthier lifestyle and hashtag it.  1 entry per day.  After 2 weeks, I choose winners at random from those who participated.  It grew like crazy and a we developed a nice little community of support! Not everyone is exercising. Some exercise only 3 days a week, some are doing the same programs like Jillian Michael's Shred and some no programs at all. There's been a lot of discussion about better food choices and some folks have started paleo eating or WeightWatchers. Recipes occasionally get shared and we are all at different fitness levels. It's awesome.  So much so that if you are on Instagram, maybe you want to join in? I'm going to be starting a new challenge real soon. :-)

Additionally, I was checking in and participating more regularly with my Coach's challenge/support group. (Beach Body will assign you a coach or if you know one you can sign up with a coach when doing a Beach Body program for support, questions, assistance).  I happened to meet this coach at just about the same time I was starting Insanity and she invited me in.  Oddly, we met through Instagram photos tagged for vizsla. We both have vizsla pups. :)  Anyway, she invited me in and it worked for me. They are wacky and nutty, I dare say "crazy silly." Committed to being fitter and healthier but they know how to laugh. They can empathize, motivate and offer support.  I would not be half as energized today as I am if I didn't have these people "in my corner" so to speak.  It's actually making me consider being a coach myself but that's a conversation for another day. For all of them, and especially my coach who welcomed me and has been a great supporter, thank you, I am so lucky to have landed with you.

Finally, the day came and I took my final fit test (you take fit tests throughout the program so you can track how much stronger you are and how much more you can accomplish as time goes on. It's really a great idea.) I was surprised at the change in my numbers. It really is easy not to see progress when you are in the day to day but when you see side by side numbers and/or pictures and measurements. My friends, you can't help but be proud of yourself and know it was worth it.

So how did the #s look?
First, fit test #s  (day 1/last day):
Switch Kicks - 59/ 96                         Power Jacks - 25/ 56                     Power Knees - 50/ 82
Power Jumps - 15/ 35                        Globe Jumps - 2.75/ 8                    Suicide Jumps (Burpees) - 7/ 15
Push-up Jacks - 5/ 16                         Low Plank Oblique - 10/ 33

Weight Loss: 12 lbs.   Total Inches lost (all msmts): 16.5"

My before and after photos!

What's next?
I just started Insanity the Assylum on Monday.  After the 25 min. fit test alone, I was dripping in sweat. Insanity was hard and insane but this... this one, I think, is going to be so intense that being committed to the Assylum is about the only way to describe those of use doing it.  With this one, it's 30 days so while I'm not following the nutrition guide fully, I am trying 2 things different. 1) to incorporate a good portion of the nutrition guide into my daily routine and 2) to drink a Shakeology shake every day. I have started the second part of this already and the first will be started this weekend when I can prep meals for next week. After I'm done, I'll let you know how it all went & give you my honest 2 cents.

Whle this program may not be for everyone, health and fitness is.  If you want to get healthier, no more excuses. Make a decision and step into it. Find a way to be accountable to yourself, to family, and/or to me, even. I'll help where I can. I am being honest when I say that even if I'm not at my goal weight, I feel good. I feel fitter and healthy and energized.  I want you to feel that way, too.  I hope you enjoyed the photos and forgive the long post. I'm just trying to keep it real!

Cheers!
Beck

Weigh In Weds. - Insanity

Did you know I stopped exercising and paying attention to my eating somewhere a few months ago? Probably, since I haven't posted a weigh in wednesday since about that same time.

It's one thing to acknowledge you have all these excuses for not eating right or exercising. It's another tohot acknowledge and realize why. It's even more to make a real decision to change and move forward.  To get motivated and to figure out what you need to stay motivated.

I spent a number of weeks (yes, weeks) thinking about starting to exercise but I did manage to start eating healthier during this time.  I started using an app called "My Fitness Pal" to start tracking calories. This was helpful.

Eventually, my friend came and told me she bought the Insanity workout program and when I confessed I had been thinking about doing that program, a plan was hatched to do it together so we had someone to be accountable to.

About the same time, I found a new friend on Instagram (btw, I'm all over posting on Instagram... it's crazy) who turned out to be a coach with Beach Body.  She's been a treasure and good as gold, she's now my coach and I've joined her facebook page where there is also a virtual group of new friends to be accountable to.  It's been extremely helpful.

So, I started. I finished week 1 of the Insanity and I'm staying good about keeping in the right calorie range as well as eating foods that will fuel me instead of helping me.  I also joined a December challenge on Instagram to plank once per day to improve my core strength. Let me tell you, planking is not easy.

So, for your enjoyment, a pic of me when I'm done with an Insanity workout.  I feel good, even through the first week's soreness, I'm at a good place with energy level and hunger (meaning I'm not all that hungry outside of normal range so I know I'm doing right with my eating).

So, weigh in when I started?  172.5  A reminder of my height? 5'2"   Insanity program length? 60 days.

Wish me luck!

Beck

Weigh In Wednesday

I'm not posting my weight, it's sad... okay, I am posting it b/c the whole point of these posts is honesty.  I have gained. I'm hovering between 168 and 164.

AHH!!!!

My brother said it best when we were chatting yesterday.  He commented how when we were in our teens and twenties, if we gained 10 pounds, we could lose it in a month or two  but as we've hit 30s and closer to (and in 40s), it takes 4-6 months to lose it and how we always start out with great intentions and motivations but somewhere in the 3rd month, we say, "screw it, I don't care anymore."

I couldn't have agreed more. That's the wheel I've been on the last two years. Truly.

Great intentions, crappy long term follow through. 

I've broken a few spokes off the wheel these last 6 months, though. I've really changed how I eat although I do need to stay diligent regarding that.  To that end, I caved and spent a lot more money than I needed to and bought a Vitamix. I have been eyeing it for over a year and I have been trying very hard to get teens and myself on the path of natural vs processed choices. I learned that for us, a big part of hte problem was convenience and speed.  We want to do something quick and easy when we are hungry.  Soups and smoothies, dips, sorbets, ice cream and even some doughs can be made in a snap in this machine. Especially useful b/c it came with a recipe book. PLUS, it can be cleaned in 1 minute.   Super great.

See? Homemade Caprese Soup on Day 1.

Today I started the day with a Green Smoothie. Awesome!

As for exercise, I've started swimming laps.  My goal by the end of July is to have 3 days in the pool for an hour and 3 days on the elliptical for 30 min.  On the elliptical days, I also want to have finished a series of reps for sit ups and push ups and tricep work. To help me along with this, I have a waterproof case and earphones so I can listent to music and keep myself going. It rocks.  (Sorry, but the photo is from H2OAudio.com.)

I've decided to break my workout goals up into weeks and months. I am hoping that by removing the vagueness of saying "I want to exercise 3x per week," I can find more motivation to be committed to it.  I'm also trying to really focus on how much energy I tend to have and how good my mood is after exercising regularly.

How do you get yourself motivated to move and how do you keep your motivation?

Have a good week!

Becky

Weigh-In Weds. - Natural vs. Processed

For today's weigh in post, I will tell you I'm still at about 160lbs.  I'm an ass, waiting to exercise, the day is done... not doing it. I've asked hubs last night to wake me early when he leaves for work and not let me go back to sleep.  I told him he was allowed to use whatever nasty words were necessary to get me on the elliptical before he's out of the house.   For being a retired Command Sergeant Major in the Army, he is unable to do this.

Well, let me clarify. He can't do it to me, his wife.  I love he respects me so much he doesn't want to try to, um, motivate me like he might have some soldiers but I need someone to motivate me like that! lol

So, do me a favor, if you leave a comment, will you please remind me as nicely or as harshly as your hormones will allow (I can take it) that I have to get my rear up and exercising int he morning because this procrastination crap just ain't cutting it?!  Thank you in advance.  I can take it, I promise. :-)

On another note, I've spoke a bit about it before, natural foods vs. processed foods.  Everyone talks about how fast food is bad, junk food is bad, etc. It's only recently that you've started hearing about why (or at least, I've started hearing about why) but I've caught myself wondering why I, who I think is averagely smart (okay maybe not if I create a word "averagely" but you understood what I was trying to say so I think it works), didn't connect the dots in the first place.

Processed food = chemicals.  Natural food = no chemicals.

right?  You knew that but have you yet put 2 and 2 together and realized your body is natural. Nature created us and nature created how we process energy and waste.

What do chemicals do in your body? They change the way it works or trick it's natural process into working inefficiently or differently.

I came across this video the other day, linked from one of the blogs I read, and I sat down and listened. It's a bit lengthy and wordy but it echoed how I've been thinking and feeling about food for quite some time.  I do not (and likely won't) subscribe to the program and I'm not saying I endorse what they do or don't do. I'm just linking the video because it's easier than typing out my thoughts. lol

Beyond Diet

That said, I want to challenge you this week.
First, sit down for few minutes and think about what your typical dinners look like at home.  Is it meatloaf, instant potatoes and canned green beans? Is it frozen shrimp, pasta and jarred alfredo sauce? Is it salad, steak and baked potato? Is it carry out, order in, or fast food?  All of the above?

Second, ask yourself what you can change to make it healthier.  Chances are, you will see a lot if you are thinking processed vs. natural. Get rid of instant potatoes and mash fresh potatoes, for example.  Get rid of carry out, order in and fast food due to the high salt and fat contents, for example.  Make your own alfredo instead of using a jarred one.

Third, now that you've taken a look at you typical diet and the areas you are sabatouging yourself without realizing it. Take a deep breath and ask this next question, is it realistic for me to make these changes all at once?

I'm betting that answer is "no". It was for me, at least. I can't cut out the order in AND get rid of my convenience meals in the same week, b/c I haven't gotten into the groove for cooking every night.

Figure out what you can change THIS week and keep doing next week. Then what can you add as a change next week?

For instance, can you get frozen veggies instead of canned if fresh veggies are not available?  If you have a farmer's market, make it a family outing and get some fresh veggies.   Roast them or steam them or use them in a casserole, whatever.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Even the labels of low fat, natural, organic... you have to be careful. Read the ingredient list.  How natural is it, really?

In today's society, not everyone has access to or the ability to eat a 100% natural diet without a lot of effort but there are things you and I can do to put us in the land of our diets being a majority natural.  Eventually. It's a slow process and you will need to have patience with it, you will FEEL better, you will TEACH your tastes to change.  Start putting flavorful herbs in your foods (I bought lemon thyme and am growing it, surprisingly, and add it to my seafood dishes now to help cut on the need for salt, etc.)

I come back again to saying, if you don't have handy access to growing herbs, veggies, etc. Plan your menu for the week and head out to market. Get only those foods/ingredients.  The staples you keep in your home should not be Twinkies for snacks. It should be dried banana chips. lol Is that realistic?  Maybe for me, but hubs hates it. We compromise with Sun Chips for him and the kids. I don't like them so I'm less likely to steal them and munch.  

That reminds me tell the family what you are doing, enlist their help!  How to enlist? tell them they can help and have say about what the menu is or you choose and they just have to deal. You'd be surprised at how willing they are to help and you will be teaching them and yourself about natural vs processed, how bad is it, etc. when looking at whether it's the right message to send your child in purchasing the Pop-Tarts for breakfast.

Okay, I know it's starting to sound a little preachy, I don't mean that. I'm just throwing out the thoughts that have rattled in my head a lot lately and what I've done with my family.  My teens now just eat whatever (the benefit of being a teenager, hungry means eat, period) so they don't get involved unless they have a craving for something.  My husband was harder to bring around until I told him I found it discouraging to try to make a healthy and like-able family meal and his first comments were negative without even trying it.  I also pointed out it didn't matter that when he did try it he liked it, it just made it hard to stay encouraged to do the right thing.  :) That worked! Now he just comes home and tries it. Mostly likes it but even if he doesn't, he just eats it. He's started putting in requests now. steak, chicken, tilapia and I've added mine to him... wild boar, elk, bass.  I tell him to go get the truly organic stuff!  lol

And that, my friends, is what I'll leave you with today.  Have a great hump day!

Cheers!
Beck

Now, if you've read this far, the new Burger King commercials with David Beckham and the smoothies just make me laugh. Here's a couple to view that will hopefully make you laugh,t oo:
http://youtu.be/0f8qz2Ssr6c
http://youtu.be/phF5MEP6k-g  (This one is my favorite.)

Upcoming events! (& Weigh In Weds.)

Let's start with the last half of that title, shall we? Do you remember Weigh-in Wednesday? I do, every Weds. I mean to post and then, oops, the day is over. I've not been doing much on the exercise front so really, what do I have to post?  Start, be lazy, start, be lazy... a bad pattern. I'm going to break that this time around. I started Monday.  I told the family they were in this with me and no complaints to anything I make for dinner. Most will be things they like, some won't.  So far so good. I've had salads and served good stuff like a zucchini caprese sandwich with tomato basil soup. 

Wish me luck and to you, if you want to lose some weight and get healthy, jump back in with me. It's spring, it's a good time to get moving again!

As for the first part of that title, on Friday, Amy's Creative Side will be hosting the bi-annual Blogger's Quilt Festival. 

On May 21, Sew Mama Sew is hosting the bi-annual giveaway day. 

I'll be participating in both. Maybe you'd like to also?  Take a look at the links.

Cheers!

Beck 

Weigh In Weds.

I've lost some weight again! I haven't exercised much, again. Today's weight: 160.

I tell you this because I want to highlight that change in diet DOES matter, even if you don't exercise.  I still believe and know I need to exercise, I just want to point out that food is part of the battle.  I'm rarely hungry and I'm rarely not satisfied with what I'm eating because frankly, I have splurged and had junk.  What I have done is limit quantity (this is very important) to a normal portion. I've also tried to go less pre-made (processed) and more make it myself or purchase organic or organic-like products.

I've become convinced the processed foods are a big part of my (a lot of our) problems. Aside from the lack of nutritional value, the amount of sodium is insane.  Even on the low sodium stuff!  I buy chunk albacore tuna in water, b/c it's slightly better than the regular dark meat in a can and in oil. The other day, I saw that they had the same tuna but in a pkg which said, "lower sodium". So I compared the two and was surprised to see there was a significant difference.

Now, that said, I bought the low sodium,  brought it home and can taste NO difference. I am on a massive task to reduce the salt/sodium that my family uses. I don't like salt. Let me rephrase, I rarely like salt. If chips aren't salted or no salt on pretzels, I'm a happy person.  My husband would resalt pretzels! Oh, no he wouldn't, I'm exaggerating but he loves his salt.  He's got high blood pressure, too. You'd think that would scare him into being better but his idea of better is no where near my idea of acceptable. I wonder if Dr. Oz can help him or I see reason...

Anyway, the ex hubs liked salt, too and between the two of them, I've seen our kids adding salt to food.  I know this is their example plus the developed taste from high sodium processed or fast food.  I have to change their taste buds. I've made a rule, EAT it first before you add salt.  They take one bite and add salt. So, I am making a new rule. 5 bites before you add salt.

I've changed out the table salt for sea salt grinders.  A little healthier and the work in grinding slows them down a little, I hope.  We will see but I'm determined to at least keep them aware of their choices.

I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, I'm only speaking from my own experience and feelings. Take a look at the processed food you eat and look at the sodium content. Then think about how much salt you add to it after you've prepared it. Does it seem over the top? Take that into account along with the salt you use/ add throughout the day. How's that looking?  While writing this post, I though I should let you all know what the daily recommended sodium intake was so I went to an easy source, "Dr. Oz Show".  Turns out, he has a short and simple article on this. Take a look, you will be surprised.
Think Your Salt Intake is in Control? Think Again.

Since I've referenced Dr. Oz twice now, I should probably mention I rarely see his show but when I do, he makes as much sense to me as Jamie Oliver does through his Food Revolution.  I think that for my life, I can't do everything they suggest and realistically, I don't want to. Some days I want the McDonald's burger.

But here's the thing. There ARE things I can do, in baby steps and incementally. Such as changing out the tuna we eat when fresh isn't possible. Adding more good fish to our diet and reduce the amount of red meat. Vary the red meat so that we are eating leaner (elk, deer) meat where possible. Oh, and since we (I) love read meat, when we are eating cow, grind my own hamburger/sausage. Mix with ground turkey & chicken (that I ground).  I asked for and received from Santa the grinding attachment to my kitchen aid so I could do this.

Eventually, when I stop being fearful of the pressure cooker, I'll start canning.  In the meantime, I'm trying to use fresh or fozen veggies over store cans, if possible (again the sodium thing).

What about you? What do you think you can do this week (over at Annies Ruby Slipperz On My Weigh post this past Sat. she talked about setting mini goals to help you achieve the larger goals) to help you get healthier?

Let me know how you are doing in your journey.  Set a mini-goal this week and come back next to tell me how you've done. My mini-goal with Annie was to get on the elliptical 6x this week. I've already blown that but I am getting on the rest of the week to get as close to it as possible. My point, don't quit if you miss your goal, just keep working at it to feel proud of yourself.

Cheers!
Beck

Weigh In Weds. - Back on track, sort of

I did not track my foods as I ought to which led to some questionable decisions. Those decisions usually resulted in this type of conversation, "oh, it's just this one time, you've been pretty good elsewhere."

Then, when I tried to reconstruct what I ate over the week before this post, I realized it was more like the good stuff was just the one time and I'd been pretty bad elsewhere. 

That said, at least I DID get on the elliptical a couple of times.  I DID reduce my picking (thank goodness).

End result, 162.5.  Back to where I was before Christmas.  Now it's on, people. I'm tired of my sausage arms and my jiggly butt.  I realized I have a 20 year highschool reunion this Spring and I want to look like a trim and fit mama! (Come on, is there anything wrong with wanting those old HS insecurities to be kicked to the curb by showing up full of confidence and eliciting those, "wow, she birthed kids" comments?)

Okay, if there is something wrong with that completely superficial mentality I always tell my kids not to have, then I will say this.  That mentality is second to wanting to feel better and healthier. I'm still having up and down days like that but I have to remind myself, it took days, weeks, months and years to get like I am. 

It will take days, weeks, months and even years to get to and maintain where I want to be. It sounds daunting but if I focus only on the days and weeks with my goals, I know it is do-able.

I'm on Pinterest now and I have taken to pinning photos for fitness inspiration. I've already used it a couple of times when on the elliptical (I can set my iPhone on the machine to play music). I pull up my pins and look at where I want to be or read some inspirational message.

For instance, here's a motivation one and here's another.

And these two, these are "fun" ones to me.  Run for It.  Walk Away.
It helps me. What do you do to help yourself when you are hitting the wall and trying to push yourself through?

Cheers!
Beck

"Don't Call me Shirley." (Weigh In Wednesday)

It's time to report in, everyone. You got a pass (as did I) last week because of my birthday but frankly, it's time to step back on the scale or simply to step back into the light of honesty and report in on your progress. I will tell you, for all my tips posted, I did follow the correct portions. I just didn't follow the whole, "don't pick" or "pick honestly approach."  I can also be honest in telling you that I was feeling it. I felt like I was back sliding. I actually woke up on Monday eager to exercise and start eating healthier again.

I have decided I'm going to celebrate that little victory. It means I've changed my eating habits enough that when I get off track, my body notices and craves otherwise.

I have to celebrate this because my scale, apparently, hates me. I know, it's a scale, it has no personality but MINE DOES! It talked to me today, my friends, and it wasn't pretty.  No, I'm not kidding. It went something like this.

-----------
I step on the scale and wait while the scale cycles through to decide how much I weigh. How bad I've been, measured in numbers.  The scale doesn't show the numbers.  I step off, and step on again. I wait for the numbers. They don't come. At this point I mutter something like, "come on, what's going on? I know I'm standing on it correctly for the sensors."
And then, I get an answer. "You are standing right. I'm just not telling you the numbers. Don't make me."

"But I want to know."

"I'm not telling you. All I will tell you is you are lucky you ran out of peanut butter cookies when you did because you would really be in a bad place otherwise."

"Okay, I didn't do well, I get it.  Just give me the number so I know what I have to work with."

"Peanut butter cookies, that's all I've got to say."

"Clearly, you have more to say."

"Alright, yes, I do. Peanut butter cookies and ham and bread. At least you ate your vegetables becuase if you didn't, you wouldn't have gone #2 regularly and the number would be even higher."

"I can't believe you just talked about my bowel movements.  Just show me the numbers!"

"I'll tell you this. Do you remember what you started at?"

"Yes."

"You aren't above that number."

"okay..."

"You are at that number."

sigh - "I suppose it's better than being above it."

"True, chubby."

"Seriously?"

"What?"

"You called me chubby."

"No, you made that up. I would never do any such thing. I know how big you are... I mean little you are. You step on me every Wednesday, remember? I'd never call you chubby.  I might liken you to Chunk from the Goonies but I'd never say 'Chubby'. "

"I can't believe this, you are way out of line."

In a raised voice, "You asked me, don't get all upset because I'm telling you what you repeatedly stated you want to hear. Some people just can't take the truth and it never fails. I'm always the messenger they want to shoot."

"Goodness, something is surely this morning. Did I hurt your feelings?"

"Humph, no. And don't call me Shirley. I'm your scale and that's all I'll ever be."

-------

And that, my friends, is the Weigh In Wednesday that hase left me traumatized.  At least I've started exercising again (30 min on the elliptical Monday and Tuesday with plans to continue 6 out of 7 days this week).

How did you manage your goals over the holidays?

Cheers!
Beck

Weigh-In Wednesday. Keep it up!

We can do this over the next week, ladies (and gents).  We can continue to eat right over the holidays and here's my theory on this.  Do not deny yourself some goodies, just eat small bites. Slow down and chew them, eat less portions.  Put food on smaller plates for the portion control or if a small plate is not available, check out this trick! 

Put the napkin on the plate and hold your silverware with it while portioning your food. Even at the table, if you hold the silverware, you are less likely to move the napkin off the plate to make room for food. If you want a little of everything and it doesn't fit, plan to go back for the stuff that didn't fit, using the same trick, a second time. You are tricking yourself into eating less this way plus because you are slowing down on your eating (have to go back for seconds, etc.) you give your belly time to recognize it is full instead of hungry.

Oh, that's the other tip, stop eating when you are full. I realize we may continue to pick for taste but if you do, be honest about it and keep track of it. If you are doing that, you will find yourself picking more wisely. "I want a cookie but I'll break it in half and eat half now then half later after I have some fruit salad."

I've not exercised all week but employing the techniques above while cooking goodies and eating those meals out at parties, etc., I have lost another pound (and it's the beginning of my cycle, too so you know I'm bloated! lol).

I'm at 160.5.  A loss is a loss, no matter how small!

So are you with me? You up for good choices during the Christmas feasts? Set your goal today and stick with it but make it a realistic goal so you feel good about working toward it.

My goal over the week is to eat in moderation and for every "junk" item I pick at, have a "good" item. Keep it even.  My second goal? Start my evening drinking with water. I've learned that I don't drink as much (horror!) if I'm at a function if the first drink of the night I have is a glass of water. Then I switch to wine or the libation du jour and I find I'm more likely to nurse it than drink it expediently and get a prompt refill.  Hey, sometimes (in those 8 hour gatherings) it's the difference between 3 glasses of wine and 6. LOL (but, if I choose to get loopy, well, I will balance that with healthier foods and not the sweets)

For me, these are reasonable goals and I think I can stick with them. It's not as good as Jillian Michaels would have me do (who I think would turn over at my warped method of weight loss) but I can do it.  So what are your goals?

Cheers!
Beck

(ps - did you notice I did not have a goal about maintaining or losing this week? It's all about staying choice conscious.)

Weigh-In Wednesday

I was all set to pop on here and tell you that last week I've been bad.  I mean B. A. D. Bad.

I ate fast food 3x last week (and not small quantities) and I had a large cheeseburger 2x in 2 days (with mayo)! Now that I think about it, however, I suppose I couldn't have been that bad b/c when I did have those things, my other meals were very small and light (yogurt & fruit, etc.).

Exercise did not enter into my vocabulary.  Oh, but I RARELY picked at food and sweets...  Maybe that's the secret!

I weighed in today at 161.5  A loss of 2 lbs since I started.  Wonder what will happen if I put some effort into this?

How are you doing with getting some exercise or better yet, thinking more about your food choices?

Weigh-In Weds 12/7

Alright, so I disappeared for a bit. I've been a busy little beaver and I promise to provide you updates on that soon (like tomorrow) but for now, let me catch up on some of the mundane I last left you with.

Sasha's surgery went really well. So well, in fact, she came home and acted like she never even had surgery!  Pain meds had her feeling better than she did pre-surgery, I think, which is sad if you think about how much pain she must have been living wtih but good if you think about whether the surgery was worth it.  It was. We have a follow up on the 28th (my birthday) and if she's doing well, she will be allowed to take small walks and work on walking on "small hills".  We will slowly be able to introduce her to stairs sometime after that. Her (and our) big challenge is keeping her chilled out but man, baby girl is feeling good and wants to run. lol

Onto other items, I'm almost done Christmas shopping for all our kids and for the hubs. Next week I'm off work and will be baking Christmas goodies for the holidays and gifts and if I'm really good, I'll wrap everything.  I also plan to finish the small details (like hanging pictures) that are left from our move.  Kids put up the holiday decorations this past weekend so life is just plugging away.

As for the weightloss, I'm not doing bad but not great, either. Thanksgiving week was great in taht I did not over indulge at all. I was super conscious of what I ate and even though Mom and I enjoyed 2 wonderful lunches with nothing good for us but the appetizer salads, I managed to balance the other meals to account for it. As a result (and hours of Black Friday and Sat. shopping), I didn't gain a pound. The following week (last week) I didn't exercise at all but paid close attention to food. All remained status quo.

I decided to pay a little closer attention to the details so today, I'm going to post my weight as well as my measurements (ACK!).   While I normally weigh myself in the nude, today I weighed myself with jeans and sweatshirt on and I weighed in at 163.5 (my starting weight).  Now, I don't know how you look at things but normally I'd say I hadn't lost a thing.  Today, however, because I took my measurements, I'm telling myself it means I lost at least 1 pound because a sweatshirt and jeans add weight! -wink-

Ahh, let me live with it... I need to laugh at myself.

Okay so you have my weight, here's my measurements in inches:
Bust - 38 (band size 37)
Waist - 34
Hips - 43
Thigh - 27
28" inseam (meaning I'm short... 5'2")

Ladies and gents... when I start showing progress in my weight loss, I will start taking monthly measurements. We will watch these numbers decrease together. LOL

Lastly, we got a new elliptical machine which was delivered yesterday. Hubs and I will be putting it together soon and I can't wait to try it.

So, what's up with you? Are you checking the food choices you make? If you have an indulgent meal (think rich cream sauces, pasta, beef, etc.) are you balancing the remainder of the day's choices with lighter meals (salads or wraps, yogurt or fruit and veggies)?  Have you started exercising or how about stretching? Here's a big tip from me to you.  Before you go to bed, take the time to do some simple stretching. Stretch the arms, the neck, the back, the legs, all of you. Go slow, breath deep, think about the stretch and NOT the day you just had or the one you are going to have tomorrow. Think about the position you are in and what you are trying to stretch. Think about elongating your muscle into the stretch (like cats do) instead of stretching so there is pain.   You don't want that. Again, slow and calm breathing are key.

I promise that after a few times of this, you will find it's helped settle your body and your mind for the night.  For me, it also helped me to start feeling better and that lead to wanting to start working out more.  (I don't know if htat will work for you or not but hey, it's good to stretch no matter what.)

There you have it. Check in, tell me how you are doing.

Cheers!
Beck

Weigh In Weds. clarification

Um, if any of you saw the comment by Quilting in My Pyjamas on my last post, you will probbaly understand why I'm posting this additional clarification to that same post.
Shay was commenting (if I know here only partially) about her gluttony as shew as reading my post and it made me realize, I have to explain my intent a little more clearly and maybe some of you might be more inclined to at least consider joining me (or at least not consdider me an epic fail when I tell you of certain splurges later on.)  hehe

That said, I re-joined WW online since I'm on the computer or phone all the time, with the iPhone App, it's easy for me to use it to track my points and weight. It allows me to get credit for my exercize, which I love.

When I started Monday, I found I was super motivated, ate really well and come evening (even after my husband made beef tips and a glass of wine), I had 7 daily points left which I was supposed to eat. I also had my 2 activity points on top of that which I could use if I wished. But I wasn't hungry and it was 7pm and I didn't want to force feed myself just because I had points. I decided a glass of Chocolate Silk would be a good way to get a couple points down but add protein b/c of my exercise. I chose that over the slice of chocolate cake sitting in the refrigerator. 

Now, before you think me all goodie, goodie, I knew I was going out with a friend the following day and I had NO intention of eating well and I didn't. Wait, I started well, a fruit cup and non-fat latte at Panera. Then for lunch, after shopping at Hobby Lobby, I did eat cruddy and it was WELL WORTH IT!! I ate at Firehouse Subs, an 8" beef brisket & cheddar sub w/ barbecue sauce and mayo.  A small bag of sour cream and cheddar ruffles and a large seltzer water flavored with raspberry syrup. (That was my nod to a healthy choice. LOL) This meal alone left me 1 point away from reaching my daily total. Clearly, with breakfast and dinner, I'd be over my points.   

Last stop of Tues., still with my friend, McDonald's.  I had a side salad w/ ranch and 4 piece nugget.  At least I had a hot tea instead of soda, right?  That put me over my points for the day and into the "courtesy extra" points, as I call them. I was not going to stress over it. 

Wednesday, I did fine. Decent breakfast, big salad for lunch with about 1 oz of leftover steak (I'm trying hard to be sure we eat all leftovers these days) and for dinner, a sandwich since I wasn't all that hungry (and hubs didn't want to wait for pot pie). Plus I worked out.

I am not starving from the workouts and I'm not over doing the stress about eating. I'm just trying to re-think about my eating and make sure I'm balancing the choices a little more evenly and regularly. I don't want to give up all my good stuff at once or I'll fail. First step is to better balance and start exercising regularly again. Second step, increase the exercise. Third step, as I'm feeling better and looking better (and i'm anticipating this to be right around spring time... slow and steady is my motto to be sure it's a lifestyle change) I know my body will crave the healthier foods more often, so I will be revamping recipe index and shopping lists further. :)

So, Ms. Pyjamas, no problem with your dinner. I'd ask, what's for lunch tomorrow? -wink-

Weigh-In Wednesday is back. Join me?

I've talked about it.
You've talked about it.

Occasionally we pay attention to it and do something about it like choose a salad over a burger but have we really changed our lifestyle and made it important?

I, for one, have not. I wanted to for a while, I still want to but I let life get in the way. I won't bore you with details but sometimes, it's enough to fight the emotional battles while maintaining an existing lifestyle as opposed to trying to add weightloss and diet change in the mix. (And there was/is nothing to worry about with me. Just life weighing me down.)

Anyway, I have decided it's time to settle back in and start changing the lifestyle. I started on Monday. No Jillian, yet but I will.

No, I am so badly out of shape that I noticed taking a flight of stairs quickly left me slightly winded. I started with 20 min. elliptical on Mon., today, and Fri.  Sat. I will start some sort of strength/stretching and next week hope to be able to do 20 min. elliptical M-F with Strenght/stretching every other day. 

After that, if it goes well, I'll reacquaint myself with Jillian Michaels.  In the meantime, I follow her on Facebook and will find her on Twitter as a constant reminder she's always out there waiting for me. :)

Anyway, I started on Monday at 163.5lbs. and today weighed in at 162 (although I am not taking much stock in the lost because I fluctuate 1-2 lbs on any given day). 

So is anyone with me? Ready to step back into the get healthy lifestyle mentality? I hope you do. It will be nice to share our successes and rough patches.

For tonight's dinner, individual chicken pot pies on this chilly, rainy and gray day.

By the way, take a look at these two videos with Rachael Ray and Jillian. See the one with Rachael exercising first and then Jillian in the kitchen. It was great fun to watch.

Cheers!
Becky

Weigh-in Wed - Chicken Tortilla

Stats first. 160 lbs.
JM Shred video: still currently at Level 1

So, I'm a teensy bit frustrated but not quite frustrated. Let me explain. I gained 1 lb and that's frustrating because I've actually worked Jillian's shred 6 out of 7 days this week PLUS took a 3 mile, brisk walk 2 of the days.  I feel good, I'm not as starving as when I started exercising so I am keeping the food intake way down. Snacking rarely exists and if it does, I'm good about a yogurt, maybe a fig newton or two is the worse I've had. But when I say way down, I mean... almost non-existent.

I'm not frustrated because I feel good. I'm tired, in a good way, but I feel more fit. Not that my clothes can tell or that the scale tells, but I can do the whole Jillian Level 1 without it threatening my life, now. Today's workout was significantly easier than ever before and if tomorrow is the same (meaning this is not a fluke), then I will move up to Level 2 on Friday.  We will see.

So, my weight is up 1 lb. My snacking is way down and food choices are good but they can be better. I was WAY sick of salads and then ended up with crappy working hours so I slacked a lot on the veggie front. I didn't eat much but meat and carbs does not lend to weight loss. Even if you are exercising a bit.

So, this week, I am planning the weekly menu. The hubs messed it up yesterday but I'm going to be firm on our diet and see what happens. I'm calling it an experiment. I have to feed him, me,  and the kids so that means tasty plus protein enough to fill us all (he's doing P90X work outs so needs more filling calories).
The plan: Salmon, Elk burgers, Chicken breast, Pasta salad - maybe with tuna, Veggie Pizza, Steak, Cod. A boatload of veggies with all. BIG switch, mostly fresh veggies and little carb... That's the goal, people.

Today's recipe I don't have a picture of but it's super simple.

CHICKEN TORTILLA
1    4 or 6 inch corn tortilla (I bought a bag from the store)
1 Tbsp Sweet Potato Butter (pumpkin butter or apple butter work well here also)
1.5 oz. chopped, cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup shredded green cabbage

Heat tortilla as instructed on the package
Spread butter on the tortilla, add chicken and cabbage
Eat.

This is a simple little recipe and one that is completely adaptable. The reason I posted it is you can use this for any meat and veggie combination you want. Use a hummus spread in stead of the butters if you like that sort of thing.  It just helps you portion your meals. If I am not hungry, 1 of these with yogurt or fruit work. If I'm hungry, 2 aren't bad because it's onl y 3oz of chicken.

The other thing I like about this, super quick to do!

So, how is everyone else doing? I tell you, knowing I'm posting here has helped me keep honest and with it. I am looking forward to the day I can start posting a significant change.  I am thinking wtih better nutrition and my exercise, it will come soon.  (At least that's what I hope.)

Oh, and one more thing. I'm going to try this Bloat Stopping Green Smoothie this week. I'll let you know if it's good like they said or if I've learned my wine loving sisters, Hoda and Kathie Lee are liars! lol

Cheers! Beck

Weigh-In Weds. -- I got nothing

Looking for the giveaway, it's the next post down or GO HERE.

So, no weight gained or lost this week for all the same lame arse reasons previously listed. That's the good and bad of it.   I saw the Biggest Loser Winner on the Today show this morning and have to say, I felt like crap because she said all the right things about it being an internal change in your mentality and recognizing your body and it's needs. I just wanted to punch her.  Then she said, "it takes time, it took a long time to get on and takes a long time to get off."  Okay, I didn't want to punch her anymore and can honestly say, well done her!  lol

I don't have a new recipe for you either so I'm going to link you to an old standby. This chicken sandwich is a favorite for the summer.

Cheers! Beck

ps - good food

I meant to show this yesterday but I forgot. I think the good food is screwing with my brain cells.

Anyway, this is what I mean when I say I made good food choices. I wanted what hubs had... steak, eggs, potatoes and sausage from the diner.

I chose a salad with salmon and citrus dressing.  (spinach, carrots, mango, strawberries, pecans, craisins) It was NOT satisfying at all and the citrus dressing was too bitter. I think it could have been better except for that and the scent of steak wafting across the table.

If it weren't for Jillian's constant question in my head about what kind of abs I want (I totally gave up on my ass - lol) I might have caved!

Warm Spinach & Elk Salad and Weigh-In Weds.

Warm Spinach and Elk Salad, a photo by Sarcastic Quilter on Flickr.

Yum. The recipe for the salad is below. Of course beef can be substituted.

So, onto some good news, I was wrong about my initial weight. I didn’t start this journey (this time) weighing in at 168. I actually started it weighing in at 161. I just realized today that my scale is not calibrated correctly and instead of starting at 0, it actually sits at 7 when there is nothing on it.

So, I was 161 to start, lost 1 lb last week and this week, ta da…. 1 more pound.

But really, it’s SWEET because I lost 7 lbs, just like that, this week. I did what any self-respecting dieter would do to celebrate. I went to McDonald’s and ordered a Big Mac meal! Okay, no I didn’t but I did have a bologna and cheese sandwich on white bread. If Jillian Michaels was a friend of mine, she’d have thrown her hands up in disgust but hey, sometimes you just want a little comfort food!  Overall, my eating habits and choices were pretty good this week.

My 1 lb loss this week is, again, due to lack of movement, I fear. I am not working out as I had planned. I should be more disciplined and work out first thing in the morning but I’ve tried that and if I don’t have something to eat first off, I can barely make it 5 minutes into the work out. Of course, something to eat needs to digest a little so that means I have to have my coffee or I don’t want to move. Really, I AM the couch potato without these things. So, a yogurt, or banana or whatever, digest and while I wait, I start working.

So I work and get sucked in… my morning disappears and then it’s 10am and I have meetings and calls, contracts to review and a shower to get in. Plus I’m hungry because I didn’t eat anything filling in the morning. –sigh- I get sucked back into work. 2pm rolls around and I’ve determined the idea of working out at lunch time has come and gone and maybe I better eat some lunch!

5pm, 6pm… get up, make dinner (if I’m lucky and work permits). Or get up and yell at teenager (cause really, that’s all the enjoyment in my life these days…kidding). Or get up and pee. (not kidding.)

Shut down the computer. I could work out now but that interferes with my daily constitutional at this time… the wine. There are some things I’ll do for better health but giving up my daily glass of wine isn’t one of them. I spend some time with hubs/kids, eat, watch some Jeopardy. This week, browse blogs from the blogger festival but last week, I tried to get some sewing in during the “prime time” of television time. 9/10pm roll around and I could exercise but then I want to go to bed and I wonder if exercising after having wine earlier is a bright idea.

Alas, the day is over and I lay down planning to get up in the am and do better.

So now you know. I have decided this week I’m going to try something different and that is to work out before bed. I can sleep anytime so I am not worried about not being able to sleep after exercising. I think if I’m only having 1 glass of wine around 5pm, I should be fine to exercise at 9pm. If I’m wrong, please do not enlighten me. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Warm Elk & Spinach Salad
fresh baby spinach
3 - 6 oz elk steak (a tender cut)
pine nuts
kernal corn
vidalia onion
dried cranberries (craisins)
(NOTE: Use whatever quantities you need to make this for yourself and/or others. If I were making a salad for only me, I'd use up to 3 oz steak and maybe 1/8 cup sliced onion. A small palmful of nuts, craisins and corn and a cup of spinach.)

1. Grill steak (or broil) until medium rare (or just to medium) and let rest while making the salad. 
2. Lightly toast pine nuts in a sautee in dry pan for a minute or two over medium heat.  Take nuts out of pan and set aside.
3. Chop onion and sautee on medium high heat in a bit of olive oil until tender.
4. Add kernal corn and baby spinach and toss with onions until it is wilted slightly.
5. Place mixture on a plate, top with craisins and pine nuts. Arrange elk over the salad.
6. Optional:  add a light amount of an italian style vinagrette.

Cheers! Beck

Filet w/Mushroom Sauce recipe & Weigh-In Weds.

Okay, I decided that when I do Weigh-In Weds., I should also post a recipe that I liked and tried during the week. Something on the healthier side.  I figured you should be "rewarded" for my "confessions."

First off, 1 lb. lost. It'd probably be more but, well, I suck. lol
1) I worked Jillian's Shred 3x in the last week, walked one day, slacked the rest.  I was very tired from Jillian this time around, not sore. Just exhausted.
2) I won't give you a complete run-down of my eating but I will say a couple fast food meals made their way in as well as some soft serve ice cream with sprinkles a couple times last week.  This was tempered, however, with my eating better at least 50% of the week.
3) I know that if I eat better 100% of the time and actually exercise everyday, (one day, Sunday, I will not workout with Jillian but I will walk in my fields), I will post a higher loss next week. 
4) I also know that I'm okay with last week's results. All things considered, I feel better already and I was able to work with Jillian this morning and not want to collapse. Most importantly, I only cursed her one time the whole 20 minutes! THAT is CHANGE, people.

Overall, go me. A slow start and I can do better so I will.

Second up, the recipe.  I was planning on having this for mother's day but the hubs made his version. I do not want to know what was in his, it was too good, too rich, too lovely for me to ask or worry. However, I have made this before and it's quite good and lovely all on it's own (especially if you can use fresh instead of canned mushrooms).

FILET WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE
NOTE: This recipe was adapted from a recipe on Weight Watchers.com from kitchen of ABOOMGAARDEN

1 clove garlic, minched
black pepper
salt
1/8 cup shallot (I used 1/3 of medium vidalia onion), diced
2 Tbsp cornstarch (I was out & had to use flour)
2 Tbsp water
16 oz canned mushrooms, drained & sliced (originally called for fresh but canned worked fine)
1/2 cup dry white wine (originally called for sherry - red wine might work better, I just didn't feel like opening any)
8 oz sodium free beef broth
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
4 oz filet tenderloin, trimmed

Directions:
- Melt 1/2 butter in large skillet, season both sides of filet with salt and pepper.
- Add filets to skillet and cook 3.5 minutes on each side (or to the desired level of done). Remove from pan but keep warm.
- In same pan, melt remaining butter. Saute onion, mushrooms, and garlic for approximately 3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add wine and beef broth, and a touch more salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, mix together water and cornstarch until smooth. Increase heat and add to the pan, stirring constantly to a boil. Once the mixture thickens, serve over the heated filets.
 
Serve with fresh steamed vegetables and enjoy!
 
Cheers!
Beck

Weigh-In Weds. & Jillian Michaels. Again

Well folks, as I came to realize, I've been letting all my life upheavals interfere with taking care of myself. As a consequence I gained back the weight I lost (again) because I didn't stay committend.  This time, I'm relying on all of you. I went down a pants size and back up the first time around. NOT AGAIN.

Here's why.
1) I recognize I am eating out of boredom and depression and stress.  That's a deadly combination folks.  I'm also being lazy for the same reasons.
--DUH!! Old athlete in me, the smart person in me and my dietician SIL (and nurse mom) all understand this is a vicious cycle that just lends to re-inforcing those same behaviors.

2) I have been looking in the mirror lately and thinking how bad I look. I realized I get into a habit of not looking but that has stopped working, I'm forcing myself to look again. Be honest with myself. Be accountible.

3) I feel like crap. I'm always tired. I get winded too easily, I don't want to move... again, a cycle of behavior that will change when I make myself stronger agian.

4) Summer is here and I love fresh vegetables and fruits and cooking fresh. It will be easier to tailor my diet and by fall/winter, my goal is to have a good handle on bringing all those good veggies into my winter diet (I plan to can this summer to ensure I get what I love year round.)

5) I've realized I can't keep waiting for my life to be organized and settle before I pay attention to this because I can't control some of these external stressors and I'm only creating my own internal ones (feeling like crap, tired, etc.) by NOT doing this.

Excuses are over. Not wanting it is over. I want it, I want to treat myself to things I don't (like a new skirt or shirt) beacuse I don't want to buy a bigger size. I want to feel good about my fitness level and about how I look. I want to naturally fight the stressors in my life by creating those damn endorphins.  I want this, this time.

All that said, here's the accountibility.

Today, I weigh 168 pounds. I am 5'2" tall.
Today, I started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video (again). Also again, I put the sailors to shame with my langauge. (This post said it all.)
Today, I ate a small bowl of cereal and 1% (sorry, just can't get to skim) milk for breakfast. I'm eating an interesting little pasta bowl for lunch.(about 1/2 cup bow-tie pasta -cleaned out last of white and from here on out all whole-wheat - with about 3 ounces cooked kale, 2 cloves of minced, sauteed garlic, 1/8 cup diced, sauteed onion and 1 tsp sweet potato butter. cook all and mix. It's interesting, alright.) and a homemade sorbet for dessert (I love me my ice cream in the summer so I am determined to make fruit sorbets as a great alternative). Finally, I'm going to have 1/2 a yogurt for snack and dinner is still up in the air. I am thinking fish, probably salmon with an island marinade I made the other day.

I am not paying for Weight Watchers any longer but I will keep a daily log of what I'm eating and how I am exercising. I am thinking that if I post this on Weigh-In Wednesdays, I will be accounting for myself publically so please bear with me on this quilter's blog, this once per week post.

And there you have it. I'm off to A Ditchin Time Quilts blog to update those posting on weight loss on my own regression and renewed intent.

Thank you my friends.
Becky

Jillian Michaels and Weigh-in Wednesday)

First, a note, if you are here for the giveaway, please follow this link.  If you haven't entered, you still have time, it runs until the 15th.

Today is weird, why? Jillian Michaels.  She's turned me into an awful, mean, foul-mouthed person. Okay, I've always ben that way, she just brings it out in me.  Do you remember this post about losing weight? I did very little but check my eating after that post. No real exercise, then eventually the good eating slid too, I'd think, "so what? I'm okay like this."  Well, I hit another "stop it and get healthy again you jerk," moment and am starting anew. I WILL keep it going this time and I've started by getting the exercise train going in with the eating healthier train.   I bought 2 DVDs, both by Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser. The first one is "30 Day Shred" and I started on Sunday the other is a Yoga one that I hope to start in a week or so.  Below is a description of how it is going.

Here's the deal, if you don't like posts full of curse words, STOP reading as soon as this paragraph ends.  Skim until you see the next portion of this post where I've written, "SAFE TO READ" and read from that portion to the end of the blog.  I thought about sugar-coating but frankly, it just won't do it justice.

Paraphrasing (and it's still long, be warned):
JM: Hi I'm Jillian Michaels and I'm going to walk you through a 4 part, 20 minute routine. 2 minutes to warm up, 3, 6-minute sessions which incorporate both strength and cardio training.
Me: Cool. Got it and ready to go.
-warm-up commences, I'm starting to feel a little winded- (Sad, isn't it?)
JM: let's start with jumping jacks.
Me: no problem
JM: If you are looking for a modified version of jumping jacks, look elsewhere you can handle it. I have 400 lb people who can do jumping jacks, so can you.
Me: -huff- clever, laying on the guilt right off but I wasn't looking for a modified version so there.

JM: pushups. keep back straight. Keep your core tight.
Me: alright, I'm okay. a little hard but not too bad.
JM: Squat and press
Me: Yeah, I've got it.  Tired but still good. This isn't so bad.  Tight abs, breath... yeah, I'm good.
JM: repeat back to push-ups
Me: shit, that hurts, dang, my arms are shaking
JM: I want every single second of this workout to count. You don't get to do a 20 minute workout with taking a break, I really want you to push
Me: okay, fine
JM: Back into squat and press
Me (thinking): Breath in, breath out.
JM: If you need to take no more than a 5 second rest.
Me: good
JM: The reason we don't want you to rest is we want your body to change as quickly as possible and in order to do that we put stress on it. That's how things change, by putting stress on your body, it will adapt.
Me: fine, fine. no rest.

JM: 2 min. of cardio, jumping jacks
Me: groan
JM: I designed it this way to get as lean as possible in shortest amount of time.
Me: whatever
JM: jump rope. Keep core tight, arms at 90 degrees
Me: shut up.
JM: jumping jacks
Me: bitch
JM: It might be hard now but you will find if you are diligent with thisyour body will change, jump rope.
Me: I hate you.
JM: babbles about body change
Me: (contemplating if I passed out, could I get back up in 5 seconds.)

JM: to the floor, basic crunch
Me: few, cardio sucks
JM: good, breath in and out
Me: I got this.
JM: reverse cardio for transverse abs (baby pouch)
Me: cool, alright... shit! Fuck, that's hard
JM: get up, dumbell roll
Me: thank god, yes, this I can do...squeeze shoulders. What? back flat? form?
JM: lunge and bicep curl, have to do both b/c not enough stress just to work biceps.  Not an efficient workout.
Me: yeah, I get that, still hate you.
JM: keep at it.
Me: my leg hurts, fuck off
JM: no resting right back into dumbell rows 2 things I want to show you...
Me: really, stop fussing about my form, it's easier when my form sucks.
JM: almost there, finish with more lunge and curls.
Me: ARGH, who are you? Okay, breath
JM: I know it's hard, I get it, it's not easy but if we are going to make big promises to you, we have to deliver and if you want those results, you have to fight for it.
Me: okay, fight... can do, not done yet.
JM: Good. when it hurst the most, push through. that's when change is going to happen. now, 2 minute cardio, butt kicks.

Me: hmm, nope, can't kick my own ass but is that a goal I want to work toward?
JM: sink low and punches
Me: fuck, my legs
JM: butt kicks we aren't done yet. 
Me: you are a bitch, look at you, you aren't that toned, who are you to tell me. Why did I buy this DVD?
JM: This is going to replace hours in the gym.
Me: stop answering my questions and thoughts, fucker. I don't care how many you've trained back into shape.
JM: 20 min. If you think you are going to die, stay with Anita (who's showing the modified moves but she's still butt kicking)
Me: yeah, don't think I didn't notice you acknowledged I thought I was going to die and basically just told me to keep going, I'm on to you. I hate you.
JM: 30 second, punches. Let's go. Don't stand up,
ME: I want to
JM: The deeper you can get with those legs, the better off.
Me: Fine, I'll quit bitching
JM: Hang in there, are you feeling it? I know I am.
Me: Great, just crush my belief that once I'm in shape this won't hurt so much.  Fuck
JM: back to the mat
Me: yes, sit-ups were relaxing all things considered.

JM: cross crunches.
Me: breath, breath, correct form...
Me: this hurts more than last time.  I'm really tired. Ow, ow, ow, breath,ow.
JM: Over to Anita, look at these abs. Aren't these amazing abs?
Me: yes
JM: Don't you want these Abs?
Me: Yes
JM: I know I want them and I'd do just about anything to get them
Me: ugh
JM: This doesn't come for free and you have to fight for this, I don't want you to stop. Push through this.
Me: Bitch... (said as I'm breathing out with each curl) I'm... pushing... through... I... hate... you.
JM: Chest flies with the weights.
Me: Oh thank God. the one exercise I've always been good at thanks to my swim days. Push yourself, squeeze, Beck.
JM: Stand up. Arm raises with side lunge.
Me: interesting, okay...
Me: DAMN, what the hell?  How do I make my leg bend when it's refusing to?
JM: to the floor and chest flies. This is your recovery, the weight is going down but still controlling those muscles.
Me: got it. clever.
JM: Back up, side lunges. 
Me: Got it, I know what to expect, I can do this.  Good form, HOLY HELL.
JM: Almost done for strength and then this is going to be it for work out one
Me: Phew, I can do that
JM: Hang in there
Me: shut up, I said I can do that. and now 2 min. of cardio?

JM: jumping jacks
Me: argh
JM: I know you are tired and just want to stop right now and shut off this DVD, don't even think about it.
Me: I didn't, I swear, I didn't want you to know I felt that way so I didn't think it but now, I really hate you.
JM: Keep pushing we don't quit at the end, this is when we finish strong. Isn't that right?
Me: Yes, drill sergeant!
Me: (the hubs would love that)
JM: butt kicks, work a little harder.
Me: SHUT UP
JM: you can do it. bet you see a huge change in your endurance from day one a week into it.
Me: fuck off, I can barely do this now
JM: boxing, breathing. tight abs. give it everyhting you got.
Me: fucker
JM: 3, 2, 1, no resting jumprope
Me: Bitch
JM: stay strong, this is easy for you, nothing you cant' do. We are doing it with you, in the same boat together, almost done. Hang in there.
Me: pant, pant, pant  - don't stop
JM: beautiful, 1 minute bicycle crunches
Me: got it.  okay
JM: look at pace, slow, controlled
Me: fuck slow, just need to be done
JM: this works all part of abs, don't get them for free, keep with it...
Me: count down faster you!
JM: time to stretch
Me: Oh praise God.
JM: deep breath into the stretch
Me: What? I'm huffing too hard to take a deep breath.
JM: good job everyone.
Me: whatever, it's over. Time to die... but only for 5 seconds.

SAFE TO READ
For the last 2 days (and I suspect today) I don't know what it means NOT to be sore. I'm convinced that's why I've got such hard words for Ms. Jillian Michaels. The thing is, I need to be yelling back, so I stay home, let everyone not see what a mean person I can be. I can't hire a personal trainer because frankly, I need to be able to express myself if I'm working that hard.

Okay, so I've combined the workout from h e double hockey stick with my points watching through Weight Watchers.  That means, fresh ingredients so I have to cook, so I know what I'm eating, etc.

Last night: Parsely crusted cod  and wild and long grain brown rice w/broccoli (adapted a recipe I found, let me know if you want me to post it here)

lunch today:

A grilled roast beef sandwich and the same rice mixture. Only 4 points total! woo-hoo
The sandwich had 2 superthin roast beef slices, a little pineapple mustard, sauteed onions, and, cucumber.  Different but it worked. I think dill pickles will be best next time.

Personally, I think it's weird I'm having conversations with the Jillian Michaels on the DVD but it makes me wonder, if I ever met her one day, would I let her know I ever wrote this post?

So, my weigh in today is 5'2", 157lbs., and barely making it through Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred Workout.  Anyone want to join me?

Cheers! Beck