Holding myself accountable

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I recently bought a jump rope.  I also recently started running. I was then told my my physio that my back wasn’t strong enough to be running. I’m really confused because my surgeon told me I should do anything and everything to gain strength. He said there’s really nothing I shouldn’t be doing. Clealry I need a 3rd opinion. As of now, I think i’m going to start jumping rope  anyway. I need something that I can do in my apartment when I need a break from working.

My goal is to jump rope for 30 minutes for at least 4 days this week (up until my weigh in on wednesday). There’s really no reason why I can’t do that. I can find 30 minutes a day. I would also like to try to fit in 20 minutes of pilates. I used to do Winsor pilates and found that it really helped my core strength. I need to improve the condition of my back so that i can try running again. I’d like to start in the summer.

Apart from that, I need to do better when it comes to tracking. I used to be PERFECT at following the program. I need to get back to that place. Not really sure what happened, but i’m disappointed in myself for yo-yoing since i’ve been back, and I’m certain it’s been a result of my failure to track. I’m just SO close to my 10%, I NEED to get there before I go home for Christmas. 2.2 Lbs. This should not be this difficult.

Day 10 Measurements

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The time has come!!

Current weight: 181 (0.6 down from start)

Waist: 39  ( -0.3)

Thighs: both 25.5 (same as before)

Arms: L: 12.75 (-.25) and R: 12.1 (same as before)

Hips: 42.8 (-0.9)

Bust: 39.5 (-2.0)- Why does it always come off here first!?! Go figure…

Neck: 14.5 (+1.0)- how did I gain an INCH in my neck!? I think maybe I made a mistake when I did my initial measurements…

Overall, I’ve lost 2.45 inches since starting the shred, and 5.85 inches since starting Weight Watchers!  That’s almost an inch per pound. I’ll take it!

By the way, I was so excited to get everyone’s comments today- I love reading them!! Please feel free to comment anytime :)

I just got home from my second sushi dinner out in a row.  I feel a bit sick.  I didn’t over-eat, but I definitely want to eat at home for the rest of the week! I’m glad, however, that I had sushi again instead of something greasy.

Did anyone see the Biggest Loser this week? I love how they put this irrational pressure on poor Mike…as if it is entirely his responsibility to make a certain loss this week and save the team- nevermind that the others could have lost more!  I think that kid is amazing. He works SO hard.  I’m not going to lie…I got a little teary when he gave his free groceries for a year to Aubrey. And I’m not even a fan of the yellow team! Mike’s a good kid.  Ron, his dad, reminds me of an extremely overweight version of my own step-father (the sweetest man in the world)- similar voice and similar face, and I think that’s why I love him.  I’m rooting for the Brown team.  I often forget that this is a competition for money- it’s just so encouraging to see these people losing weight and making their lives better.

I think that’s all for now- I’ll report back after trying Level 2 of the 30DS tomorrow!

Day 3 of The 30-Day Shred

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Well…It’s not getting any easier! And that’s a good thing.  Jillian is kicking my ass into shape, and call me crazy, but I can already feel my body changing shape. It’s probably just that the muscle gain is making me stand up straighter, but I’ll take it.  I can’t wait to finish the 30 days and see if I lose any inches.  I honestly don’t know how I’m going to manage an increase in difficulty, though- It’ll be a serious challenge to my body!

I bailed on my Upper Body Pilates workout today.  My arms are SO sore from 30-Day Shred!  I am going out for dinner and a movie with my BF tonight, and so I’ll see how I feel when I get home.  I’m not going to lie- there were more than a few times that I did my workout at 1am during my last 30-Day Challenge.  Better to do it then than not at all!

I fear that I might gain weight this week, or stay the same. I’ve been reading a lot lately about how when you work out really hard, your muscles retain water to repair the tears that the exercise causes.  I am REALLY hoping to see a loss this week, since I stayed the same last week.  I had been on holiday, and the general consensus is that I should be happy that I didn’t gain.  I am happy about that, but when you’re paying for Weight Watchers and following the plan to a T, you want to be seeing results. I’m not really sure what went wrong, but oh well- fingers crossed for this week! My body likes to fight me every step of the way.

In other news, Last night I invented  a delicious pad thai recipe.  Here it is, in case anyone is interested:

- Cook 1 Package of Rice Noodles according to directions on package

- In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp Chunky Peanut Butter (all natural), 1/4 c. Ketchup, 1 Tbsp low-sodium Soy Sauce, and 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

- In a large saucepan, sautee 2 Garlic Cloves, Fresh Ginger (to taste), 1 cup of low-sodium Chicken Broth, 1 cup of Shrimp, and 2 cups of Frozen Vegetables. When the broth cooks down, add 1/2 of the Peanut butter mixture to the pan and stir.  Then add the noodles and the rest of the Peanut Butter mixture.  Serve with lime wedges.

It worked out to be about 7 points per serving with this preparation.  I know the Ketchup sounds sketchy, but it’s often used in Pad Thai.  It was really good!  Definitely didn’t taste like diet food, and my BF approved, too.

I’m off to treat my poor abused body to dinner! Mmmm….Vietnamese…..

Dear Jillian: Ow!

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So, I’m going to go ahead and say that the 30-Day Shred is a good way to whip yourself into shape, because I woke up today and could barely move! I plan to do it all again today….I had better see a loss this week!

I thought I’d take a minute to blog about my next goal: my 5%.  I’m really loving weight watchers because it’s helped me set realistic goals for myself. I’m not big on the “I will reach this goal by this date” idea, becasue I find that my body does not consistently lose the same amount. By setting small goals like 5 lbs, 5%, etc, I won’t get discouraged and fall off the wagon if I don’t meet it by the set date. My one calendar goal is my birthday- I’d like to lose 25 lbs by then. I have lost 5.6 so far, and I have 20 weeks to lose the last 20.  I think it’s do-able. Either way, I’ll sure feel a lot better having tried and fallen a bit short of my goal than I would if I didn’t try at all.

I’ve been trying to set up rewards for myself when I reach goals, but I’m having a hard time thinking of things.  I didn’t do anything for my first 5 lbs- the 5 lb sticker at WW was enough for me! Amazing how good that makes you feel.  I think my first reward will be a new jar of Dr. Brant’s microdermabrasion in a Jar. If you haven’t tried it, get yourself to Sephora and pick some up. It’s expensive ($75), but it is THE BEST exfoliant ever. It makes my skin so smooth- people ask me if I’ve had a facial when I use it. I bought my first jar at Henri Bendel in NYC a few years ago when the salesgirl seduced me with a demo, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I’m hoping that by the time I reach my 5% (that will be 9 lbs down from my starting weight) that I will be able to ditch the fat jeans I bought over Christmas.  I have a few cute pairs that used to fit me, and I’d like to get into them again.  I’ve also resolved that I’m not going to buy any more expensive jeans until I reach my goal- $40 Bluenotes all the way! Actually, my current fat jeans are from Bluenotes, and I love them. I’d buy them again because they’re so comfortable.  But my goal jeans are Fidelity- beautiful, and so comfortable.

It’s been so long since I felt good about my body, I can’t imagine what I’ll feel like when I reach my goal (125).  My dear friend and WW buddy (who is not nearly as big as me but has also been struggling with her weight) recently said something that stuck with me: “We are too young to be feeling this bad about our bodies”.  It’s so true.  I can’t remember a time when I felt good about my body. I had a tough childhood and started gaining weight like a freight train when I was about 13.  I think I somehow went from 115lbs to 180lbs overnight (major emotional eating).  I’m now 24, almost 25, and I’m sick of this shit.  This is the year I change my life, and FOR GOOD this time.

Operation: 170s

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Since starting weight watchers, I have lost a total of 5.6 lbs in about 4 weeks.  I met my first goal (5lbs) on February 11th, and am now working towards my 5% goal (178 lbs).

I remember a time when 178 was my absolute highest weight- how times change! Now I can’t wait to get back there.  I’m hoping to get to my goal within the next 2-3 weeks. Only 3.4 lbs to go!

The day I started WW I decided to do a 30-day pilates challenge. I’ve long been a fan of Winsor Pilates, but had let my dvds get dusty.  The exercises have been very effective for me, in combination with cardio.  On Valentine’s day I finished my 30th day, and feel pretty damn proud of myself! I had done a bit of cardio here and there, but unfortunately just as I was getting my running chops back, the treadmill in my building’s gym had some issues and has been out of service for about 3 weeks.  Along with the pilates, I did a 30-day weight training program (from the book “Smart Girls Do Dumbbells”).  I actually really liked the program, and learned some new moves that I will file away for future use!

This month’s challenge:  Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred, combined with Winsor Pilates Upper Body Workout

I love Jillian. For anyone who doesn’t know, she is one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser.  She’s awesome. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and I find her really motivating.  Let me tell you- I did the first level of the dvd today, and WOW- she means business! I’m in decent aerobic shape, and I was DYING by the end. She claims that you can lose up to 20 lbs in a month, so we’ll see what happens!

For the record, here are my stats as of Day 1:

Weight: 181.4

Waist: 39.3 (but I wear 32′ jeans…someone explain that one to me)

Thighs: 25.5

Arms: 13 (Left), 12.1 (Right)

Hips: 43.7

Bust: 41.5

Neck: 13.5

As much as I don’t like the look of these measurements, I am happy to report that I am down 3.4 inches overall since starting WW.

That’s all for now…Thanks for reading!