So, it's April 1st and as I checked myself out in the mirror this morning I saw some general improvements. The funny thing is - and what I want to post about - is that instead of leaving it at that my little mind took out the photoshop brush and started to erase here and there, lifting this and smoothing out that. Made me think about real acceptance of self. I mean, we tend to care for what we hold dear and ignore the rest...so the balance seems to be being happy with what is in the mirror and doing the necessary for reasons of enjoyment or challenge, but not with a view of 'fixing'. Because it may never be 'fixed' enough. I thought back to all of the times I've seen other women in the gym/lockers/shower area. I can remember, really, only a couple who I thought looked great, like p e r f e c t. The rest all have had some lump/bump/roundness/skinnyness, etc.

So my focus for April is to seek out what makes me feel happy, strong and loved and let everything else fall into place. And I hope April falls into good place for us all

Revelations are grand aren't they! Thanks for attempting to look at the vid. I saw Dr. Fuhrman on pbs and took a brief look at his website a while ago. When I did calorie count before I became obsessed with it. That fell off then exercise fell off and then eating healthy fell off. I think I'm getting back to that mindset again which was why I found that commentary interesting. I think knowing about calories has its place, but like Brenda (the commentator of that youtube episode) said you don't need to count cucumbers, carrots, etc. I think when you don't know about what healthy foods are that calorie counting surely helps because you will see how much fat, carbs you are actually eating. I think that people should also be mindful of portion size which she didn't touch on in that episode.

I agree that portion size is a main issue w/intake. I used to think that people who scooped out bagels, etc. were a bit extreme, but it all does count. I think that to count the calories/check portions of protein items and then allot 100 calories for the veggie/fruit prep would be a good idea. I know that when I do something like that I do well both number wise and feeling wise. I also know that when most of my carbs come from non-starch I do better, as well. I would really like to do ETL, but I find that I feel better when I eat some meat. I went through an ETL phase and ate some red meat for dinner one night. The next morning I felt energized. The same thing happened a couple of times later. Enough for me to believe it was not a coincidence. I'm hoping that I will be able to shift over to beans and legumes if I stick with it, though. But it is nice to feel energized. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

P.S. today's hour devoted to wellness was cleaning out my nasty fridge and sink and cooking up dinner: portabellas with black beans, garlic, tomato paste and whole wheat pasta shells sprinkled with some grated cheese. It was OK. tomorrow's back to Pilates

Oh yeah April 1st!!

February was off to a shaky start, March was the beginning of calorie counting (thanks to myfitnesspal - life saver!) and exercise that eventually turned into 6 days a week. I lost major inches! April is going to be turned up a notch to level 2 and then on to level 3 before May. After seeing the obvious difference in clothes last night I'm more motivated than ever!

Jillian tonight even though I'm dead tired from being out last night. See everyone tomorrow.

Has anyone ever tried shirataki noodles? I told my sister when she comes over next weekend we would try them. I've been looking at youtube videos of people that tried them. I want to like them because it would be an awesome low-cal pasta replacement that is actually pasta like.

Confession, I had some chips this afternoon and my body revolted. I feel ill. I keep testing the waters with these foods and it always ends in the same result. sigh!

Happy April group!


Today I did Chalean Extreme Lower Body Extreme Zone and Extreme Intervals. I'm not sure what's gonna happen tomorrow, possibly step aerobics.


As for calories - I also didn't watch the video, but honestly I don't have a "normal" relationship with food and I understand that. I think for many people simply eating healthy foods and using moderation is perfect, but for me I need to see the numbers. I'm not uber-precise though, and I don't measure non-starchy veggies, just guess at about how many cups I'm having. I know that I can do fine with only portion moderation (since I have taken counting breaks and maintained before) but it's so much easier for me when I know the calories.

Never personally tried them Philly but I try to avoid any kind of pasta it's my #1 weight gainer. I'm italian but only eat spaghetti once or twice a year. Foods that are high carbs are my enemy...I recently decided no more sides of fries or flour wraps either except for maybe a few times a year. Won't miss em.

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY MONDAY!

shirataki noodles are tofu based and are extremely low calorie. I will let you know this weekend how my experiment turns out.

I am on my way out the door for work. I have my food prepped for the day and I'm feeling kinda good this morning.

Workout will be after work. My head is back in the game.

Have a great day everybody!

Morning all
Yeah April.

Another hour of Pilates done. Don't know what's up, but I'm really feeling it today. On a great note, despite eating badly for a few days I'm up only 0.4lbs. so I'm 1.4 pounds away from that coveted 10%. I'm psyched. I'd like to see myself 4 pounds lighter by the end of the month.

Jillian is done. Got her out of the way early today since I had the day off work. See everyone tomorrow.

Workout 1 is done! Bonus lunchtime walk and google maps says my walk was 1.3 miles. It didn't feel like my friend and I walked that far. Off to find dinner.

Just got through 20 minutes of step aerobics, TurboFire 30, and wrapped it up with some ab work.

Hope you all have a good evening!

Today will be extra exercise. Me and my BF are gonna go for a long walk outside after lunch, it's supposed to be nice today, and then Jillian tonight.

Just finished about half an hour digging and pulling up sod in the garden bed (we have a 3rd acre yard and are planning for a huuuuge garden). I have a blister forming on my hand even though I wear gloves. =/

Now I'm going to change and do P90x Shoulders and Arms!

Hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

Bunneh, are there lots of push ups in that p90 workout?

Novangel, its nice here too. I was indoors all day and wasn't aware.

I am getting ready to do my workout. If I still have energy maybe some zumba too.

I hope everybody is doing well. I'm off to my meeting with Jillian.