Weigh-In (Week 10) & New Finds!

Well, I lost 0.6 lbs this week giving me a 10 week total of exactly 10 lbs.  I'm pleased that I am continuing to average at least 1 lb per week BUT SHEESH....next week has to be better!!!  My short term goal is to have lost 25 lbs total by June 21st (the first day of summer) and to achieve this I only have to continue to average 1 lb per week.  I can't wait until I change decades and get into the 150's!

I did relatively well last week, although I did have that one bad day on Sunday.  My workouts were much more intense than I had been doing and even a little longer - but I didn't do as many days as I normally do.  I finally fulfilled my water intake goal!!!!  Thank you LORD!  So I wasn't perfect last week, but I doubt that perfection exists as far as me and this weight loss journey is concerned.  I am proud that I've made so many positive changes in my lifestyle and just need to work on consistency.

I know I've mentioned this before but my skin is sooooo much clearer!  I've suffered with teenage cystic acne since I was 10 years old and as I've aged it never "went away" like other teenagers, but morphed into adult acne.  There was a time that I hated to be outside without some coverage on my face - at least powder, but usually full liquid foundation.  Now, most days I only wear tinted moisturizer and powder.  While my skin still has many flaws and imperfections, I still love it - because it is such an improvement from last year this time!  Can't wait til my momma sees it!  My dad is coming for a visit this weekend (spring break) and its his first visit to me without my entire family - so we will spend some awesome quality time together, and I already have a guest pass for him to the gym!

I tried 2 new items this week - Hood Calorie Countdown Fat Free Dairy Beverage and Flat Out Light Italian Bread/Wraps.   I use the dairy beverage in my smoothies.  I've taken to having a smoothie EVERYDAY, sometimes twice per day.  While I don't use a lot of extra additives I did want to make sure each drink was around 150 calories and this helped me to do so.  Also, my aunt bought me a Magic Bullet (which I am in love with thus far - despite the many mixed reviews on this product) and mixing a smoothie and cleanup has become a breeze!  Smoothies have become my indulgent treat and with just fruit, ice and the dairy beverage they are around 70 calories.  Sometimes I add fat free yogurt, sometimes not.  And the wraps - oh em gee! - I've had tuna wraps, breakfast wraps, grilled chicken wraps and egg salad wraps.  I love those things!!!  Even more than my beloved pita pockets!

Has anyone else tried the Hood dairy beverage?  What do you think of it?  I was curious what you ladies, especially those that are more ingredient conscious thinks of the product.  While in the grocery store and examining the nutrition info, I actually wished I could call each one of you and ask - HEY, DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD BUY?!  lol.  So if you are familiar with it, let me know your thoughts - thanks! :-)

Sorry such a long post...but I am full of things to say today!  Have a blessed day!

Today was GORGEOUS!

I hadn't planned on blogging today, but I had an awesome day - so I thought I'd share.  It was sunny all day and in the mid to upper 60's.  I came in & changed into my workout clothes and just stood out on my balcony and felt the sunshine.  No way could I take myself into the gym.  Absolutely no way!  Last week (I was wearing workout clothes and had just come from the gym) I sauntered into a clothing boutique to browse and got into friendly conversation with one of the sales women.  She ended up telling me about a beautiful, well kept and safe park only about 1-2 miles from the store (which would be about 2-3 miles from my apartment).  I was really excited because today was the perfect day to go take a look!  It is GORGEOUS!  Well populated but not crowded and has an awesome walking trail.  Part of it is by a stream!  When I got to the part by the stream - I actually slowed and stared!  I wished I had my camera so I could show you how pretty this place is!  I walked for about 35 minutes, then did step ups (using the bleachers), tricep dips, squats and lunges.  Altogether I worked out for about 45-50 minutes and I was so UN bored!  I will definitely be revisiting that park - SOON if weather permits. Another reason to look forward to warm weather!

Church Sabbotage!!!

That's right....the place you'd not expect to have any trouble with food!!!  CHURCH!  This weekend my church had their 147th Anniversary celebration.  With every service and program, food was served.  Originally from NJ, I now live in the south - and it was good ole down home cooking!  Fried chicken, hot water cornbread, sweet potatoes (with tons of sugar), macaroni & cheese, tons of cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, sweet tea, lemonade - AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! 

I did well the first day...even the second day....but SUNDAY got me!  I was hit & miss - one good decision followed by a not-so-smart decision.  I opted for the baked (not fried) chicken (with a ton of salt) but instead of taking the skin off as I should've, I ate it....and SAVORED IT!  I had a drop of mac n' cheese (not much about 1/4 c), but passed on the cornbread, had green beans (with a ton of salt), but had some sweet potatoes (OMG, they were good!), chose water, but had a piece of chocolate chocolate cake. 

The only thing I wish I hadn't done was had the cake.  The other choices, I can live with - after all I am human and they weren't terrible choices.  I didn't have huge portions either.  But that cake....it was calling me.  I originally did not take a piece, but then, as I was sitting at my table, person after person sat next to me with desert!  And I was feeling good because my belt was 2 slots further than it was before Christmas!  So, I figured, okay, I will indulge.  I'm not devastated or anything by my choices, but definitely reflecting on them.  Dang that chocolate cake!!!

Working out. & Epiphany

I've been following Julie (visit "The Accidental Fat Chick" here - awesome blog!) as she competes in her gym's "Around the World" challenge.  I am not sure of all the competition details but I am assuming you travel enough to go around the world.  Anywho, I have been reading all about her amazing workouts and it made me think about my own workouts.  I still am struggling to go beyond 30 minutes per day.  Not because I am incapable, but because for as long as I can remember I've only done gym workouts in 30 minute sessions, unless I was taking a class or was participating in sports.  I remember the days of the 80s and 90s when exercising 20 minutes 3x per week was standard!  Friday was the first day I went beyond 30 minutes.  And I felt great!  I began to think about my life beyond reaching my goal weight.  I know I will reach it, I've proven that before and my personality is an OCD one (lol), but what is going to ensure that this is forever?  I thought it was forever LAST time!  So I really am more concerned about maintaining my weight as opposed to reaching it.  I'm still young, marriages and pregnancies are going to happen, Lord willing - and those are obstacles that cause many women to gain weight.  I realized as I followed Julie's workouts that the thing I enjoy most about exercising isn't exercising!  It's competition.  I wondered, what would motivate me to workout that hard?  I'm sorry to say but it isn't losing weight alone that will do it for me.  Anything where I have to play someone or beat someone will motivate me to continue.  So that is my plan!  I will still workout at the gym, but I will join a tennis league, eventually run marathons, play raquetball....anything of that sort feels FUN to me.  With this in mind I googled for tennis leagues in my city & I found an upcoming adult tennis league that actually fits into my schedule!!!!!  And registration is only $10!  I couldn't believe it!  The deadline is next weekend....how lucky am I?!  I really enjoy playing tennis, but in the black community there are not a whole lot of people who play, and that is something that I know I will push very hard to do.  I hate to lose...although I am not a sore loser, and I hate to not be good competition for the other person.  So I know that I will get a much better cardio workout in than I would do in a gym relying on my own mind to push me.

Anyone else have these worries?  I read some of your blogs and you say "I felt awful because I didn't go to the gym" or "I used to hate exercising, but now it is my therapy, stress reliever, etc."  I doubt that I will feel that way (I hope so, but am just being realistic) but I know how much I enjoy sports!  What motivates you to continue to workout, especially after you've reached your goal weight?  Is it enough to know you are doing it so that you won't gain it back?

Weigh-In (Week 9)

164.0 ~ down 0.6 lbs.  9 weeks & total weight lost = 9.4.

For once I am not questioning what happened, what I am not doing, or what I could be doing more or better...because after the weekend I had...I expected to GAIN!  So I will take my 0.6 lbs and RUN!  lol.

Since I fell off quite a bit over the weekend, my mini goals from last week will still apply.  Today was a training session and my PT had an awesome workout planned - circuit style as usual, but with a tire!  I was jumping on and off, doing push-ups, and even was flipping the thing!!!  I really have pushed myself the last couple of days so I am already looking forward to next week's weigh in!  Thanks for your awesome comments on my last post, I will be proving next Wednesday that one bad week won't break me!!!  You guys really helped me feel better and motivated me at the same time.  It was like okay, they understand how I'm feeling and are waiting for me to just brush it off and believe me, I'm going full force ahead!!!  Week 10 is gonna be a BEAST!  *does the Rocky dance*

Fell off Track!!!

This is the first time that I can honestly say...I've fallen off!!!  I have had several meals out, not really eaten on schedule, haven't been sticking to my "allowed" list, and haven't tracked!  ARGHHH!  And on top of that, I've not worked out for 3 days in a row!

I am going to be accountable for my actions.  I have simply been lazy.  It all started Thursday, which is "Match Day" for 4th year medical students...meaning they find out where they will begin their residency.  It is a huge celebration and with it comes lots of partying.  While this isn't my 4th year...you celebrate with your friends!!!  Now, I don't drink - at all, ever - so that doesn't enter into my "partying" equation....THANK GOD!  But, going out to eat with friends, and I went on another date...and I had hella studying to do.  But the thing that disappoints me about this is that - all of that will always be there, you know?  I will ALWAYS have to study, I will be going on more dates (soon, hopefully, lol), I will always have a reason to celebrate something with friends, so why didn't I get it together?  And for the first time, my actions had a domino effect!  One bad decision led to another.  This morning I had hot chocolate AND an Egg McMuffin!  WHY?!?!?!  I'm not sure why I allowed myself to get SO off track, but I know one thing...my ass isn't staying there!


This blog is my journal.  If I don't lose the weight this week, I have no one to blame but myself, but the journey doesn't end with this week.  I am not going to continue my downwards spiral, but get it back together and work double time to get back on track.  WHEW....its amazing how much better writing it out made me feel.  There really is something to this blogging thing, huh???  Maybe I should do the same with other areas of my life!

Comparison Blues!

I was on YouTube and came across a woman who was on a weight loss journey.  She started at about 178 (I think) and is currently 163...right about where I am.  The thing is - she loses 3 or more pounds PER WEEK!  I haven't read her regimen in its entirety yet, and the reason I couldn't stay on her channel and find out more information is because after seeing that video I was immediately discouraged!!!  So I clicked the "x" in the top corner with more force than necessary as if the woman in question was responsible for my frustration.  And I sat and stared at me (my picture is the background on my desktop) and thought to myself "WHY CAN'T I LOSE MORE THAN 1 POUND PER WEEK?!?!?!"  I am happy with the changes I am making BUT I constantly have to talk positivity into my results because I want to lose a little more per week.  Not every week...but I'd like to have SOME knock out weeks!  As we all have said at some point on our blogs - a loss is a loss...but we only say that when the loss isn't as much as we wanted, right?  So...I sat and thought a little longer...and really started to get myself worked up!
 Then I went to the bathroom - as I washed my hands I stared at my reflection and immediately felt better.  My skin is so much clearer I thought to myself.  As I rinsed the soap from my hands I thought my nails are so much stronger, and I already need to clip them again!  Then as I dried my hands I said wow, your hair is really starting to grow and it looks so gorgeous!  It really helped calm me down that I have tangible, visible non-scale related results.  So I've just learned that although at times it is difficult not to compare yourself to others, it really does no good to think your own progress isn't enough because someone else is losing faster or more.