Day 14, First Weigh-In

I had a really roller-coaster day today. I was stuck at the eye doctor for most of the morning doing nothing. I feel like I'm a slave to his schedule because I'm the patient and he's the specialist that is overbooked because he leads the field in my condition. Ughhhhh... On a high note, I don't have to go back for 3 months!
Anyway, I had to vent...Now to the good stuff.

Wyatt had a half day for conferences today. We had time to play games and do some things together before I left to workout. I like those kind of days. We made his hair into a mohawk, he killed me in WAR, we jogged a bit around the neighborhood (he said he is my running coach, haha) and we laughed at an old 1950s episode of Dennis the Menace...It's awesome and on Netflix streaming. Then he had a friend over and I had some time to myself:)

My first official weigh-in showed great results. I've lost 12.5 pounds and was truly cheering for myself! There were people all over the place with weigh loss (and gain) but everyone cheered no matter what and it was a really positive experience. It was funny to see my trainer's face...I think he was a little surprised. As most of you know, I can be a little shy, so maybe he was surprised that I cheered so loud or maybe that I had actually lost that much. Whatever...I did it!

Now, I need to stay motivated for the long haul!

Day 13, Last Chance Workout

I’ve been watching The Biggest Loser on Netflix streaming. I watch the first and last episodes of a season. (‘Cause who really has the time to watch ALL of those episodes?) It is surprisingly motivating to see those people transform their lives in six months. They talk a lot about the LAST CHANCE WORKOUT, or the workout before their weigh-in. Today I had my version with my trainer, J.C. Here he is, ladies! And yes, you can train with him, too, just ask me how! :)

He worked me SO hard today I thought I would die. In fact, it is hard for me to even type this, my arms are so tired. But I’m happy that he pushes me and he does it in a really non-Jillian way. He cheers me on but doesn’t let me get away with doing anything half-way. In fact, if I do a rep half-way, he makes me do it over, so I usually do if right the first time.

On Saturday we had a team workout with all the people J.C. trains that are doing the contest. It was fun to see all my different teammates, all different ages, shapes, sizes and levels of fitness. All I have to say is that I’m glad there is no camera following me around for these workouts.

I have one more workout on my own tomorrow before the first weigh-in. I’m excited to see my results.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Yesterday was one of those days I hope to duplicate through this process. My trainer was tough, but I got through the session really strong and didn't feel like I wanted to throw up once! (Well, maybe at the very end...) I got on the scale and saw that I had lost 6 pounds. I was pleasantly surprised. I want to lose 10-12 for the first two week weigh-in so that puts me right on target.

I also volunteered in Wyatt's classroom which is always a boost to the mood. His teacher is so positive and energetic it is just contagious. And she had me do a fun science experiment with the kids involving ice and blubber...so fun!

My sister-in-law gave me a tip about occasionally adding some things to my shakes to have a little variety. After such a great day, I decided my dinner treat would be a chocolate YOLI shake with 1 T Adam's peanut butter blended in. The result was so yummy I could not stop talking about it. Paul and Wyatt think I'm a little kooky but I don't care.


I'm so motivated for week TWO!

Week One

Week One: Challenges and Successes

The view from our bedroom window on Snow Day One

As most of you probably experienced Snowmageddon 2012 last week I don't have to tell you that getting out of the house was a bit of a challenge. I was very motivated to exercise and met my goals in that department using what we have in the house, some trips to the sledding hill, and finally to the gym when the roads cleared up. I enjoy exercise for the most part so I am usually pretty motivated to get it done.

The diet has proven more of a challenge. I am currently eating & drinking a high-protein, low carb plan from Yoli called the Better Body System. The first week is the fast track plan and is really heavy on the meal replacement shakes and healthy protein snacks. I like the shakes and was never hungry, but found some difficulty with severe nausea I was not expecting. It is frustrating to be doing this and to feel sick. I read some things online and realized that it would likely pass and today I felt great all day. I have followed the plan for almost a week and am expecting to see some weight loss at the gym tomorrow. (We "officially" weigh in every two weeks, but I will check in with my trainer tomorrow.) It does help me to stick to the plan knowing it has an end date and knowing I'll be writing about it.:) I'm trying not to obsess about the scale.

I've also been having some issues with my eyes this week...pain and headaches. This is often, but not always a precursor to a flare-up of the scleritis, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. I see my specialist next week so we'll see how that goes. It's out of my control!
Today was fairly easy as it was a regular work/gym/family day and I was happily busy all day. I would be grateful if the snow incidents were a thing of the past for 2012 and I could remain on schedule.

I truly appreciate the wonderful emails and comments from you. I read and re-read them when I am feeling discouraged and it gives me such a lift. Thank you.

8 days until weigh-in #1.

Day One, Biggest Loser

Background, the short version:

I started gaining a lot of weight after college and had a hard time keeping it off for almost 20 years. I’ve been up and down thanks in part to Jenny Craig, fertility issues & surgery, Weight Watchers, having a baby & gestational diabetes, battling depression and anxiety, migraines, chronic scleritis in both eyes (basically inflammation and agonizing pain in my eyes) and a bout of optic neuritis, and IgA deficiency (which basically means I get more sick than other people) and lots of lots of eating and sitting on the couch. I was my own worst enemy.

About 18 months ago, we figured out the eye thing somewhat and I got on meds to help with that and I found out about the IgA which helps me be more diligent about washing hands, surfaces, and keeping away from sick people (and, yes, I am a preschool teacher).

Also, around that time I got a not great blood sugar test which put me in a pre-diabetic stage. That was the last straw! That next week I visited my parents and read an article in Good Housekeeping by Dr. Oz about losing 10 pounds in a month.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-plans/dr-oz-one-day-diet

I figured I could do it for a week and I ended up doing it for the month and felt really great. We had plans to visit Europe in spring of 2011 so I worked hard on my eating, walking, and using the recumbent bike regularly and lost 40 pounds. I kept it off through the spring and lost 5 more before our trip to Croatia in July.

In September 2011, I decided to take the leap and join a spinning class at the local community center. I’ve always wanted to try it, but felt too embarrassed to go to a gym, so the 30 minute beginner class was just what I needed. I loved it so much (even though it was hard at first) I moved up to the 55 minute class after about a month, and now I take spinning classes 2 times a week. It has been a revolution!

In November I heard about a local gym, Vision Quest in Canyon Park, and decided to check it out. As those things usually go, they enticed me with freebies and such and I joined. I met with a trainer, J.C., who helped me get a program going. The resistance training is really hard, really, really hard…I’m not going to lie. While J.C. does not yell at me, he does push me to exhaustion. I also discovered the elliptical machine…WOW! I love the feeling of jogging without the impact on the knees. It is a fun workout for me! Soooooo much better than the treadmill…boring! J

In December, J.C. talked to me about the Biggest Loser contest they were starting in Jan and I declined politely, never thinking I would be able to be so public. Then, I started to think about it. 1) This gym is super friendly and not intimidating. There are old, young, fat, skinny…all types and levels; 2) I’m kind of at a plateau and need some motivation; 3) I like to win.

The Biggest Loser:

That brings me to last night. We had the big weigh-in, state-your-goal, before pictures, rah-rah-rah thing and it was pretty fun, not as embarrassing as I’d once thought. One thing they encouraged us to do is share our goals with as many people as possible so here they are:

1) Lose 50 pounds in 91 days

2) Use the Yoli Better Body System daily for 91 days  www.yoli.com I will be talking about this more in future days!

3) Take Yoli and dotFit supplements for 91 days

4) Train with J.C. once a week and do resistance one more time each week on my own or with a partner and 2 boot camps twice a month...YIKES!

5) Do 180 minutes of cardio per week

6) Stretch and meditate daily for 91 days

The reward for winning the club-wide contest (1,000+ participants) is $5,000. The reward for my local club (100ish participants) is $500. My reward to myself would be a fabulous finale dress and a sassy new haircut! Plus, I’d need to go shopping, right?J

The rewards would honestly be much more than the material things...I want to be healthy, more consistently confident and happy, have more energy for my family, friends and career, and enjoy life more fully.
How can you help? Just cheer me on! Ask me how it's going or comment on the blog. Stay away from me if you're sick...I know that sounds harsh, but look up IgA deficiency if you need info:) Don't bring me treats or ask me to go out...for 91 days, at least! Consider coming with me to the finale on the evening of April 17th (or watching Wy so Paul can go.) It's super loud and annoyingly crowded, but it would be awesome to have some peeps with me! Most of all, just think happy thoughts my way...I need all the help I can get!

Today is Day One. I just worked out and had a Y.E.S. Shake. I feel awesome. I know every day will be different, but I am taking them as they come. As the CEO of Vision Quest said last night, “Anyone can do anything for 90 days…” Here I go!