Day 70, Fifth Weigh-in

Well, I've hit a plateau...sort of. Interesting results this weigh-in due to some factors going on in my life. I lost one pound. 29 total in the contest and I dropped down to 13th place. I'm not really upset or surprised.

I felt a lot of stress the last two weeks, mostly due to two factors....INSOMNIA and Joint Pain; both wicked and playing against each other as a perfect storm. I can't sleep because my joints hurt and my joints hurt because I can't sleep. So, I back off my workouts and I eat a little more to ease my stress. Then, guess what? The scale does not cooperate! Interesting how that works. So, what to do?

Today I had a true free day with no exercise other than lava monster and balloon volleyball with the young Plank. Also, no counting portions, grams of anything, or reading labels. I just needed it. Then, tomorrow, back to the grind for the final push. I've been looking through old photos and am really feeling happy and proud of how far I've come. One thing I've noticed lately...and this will sound weird to some of you...is how easily I can sit criss-cross-applesauce at preschool and that I can get up and down from the floor with ease, even if there's a bit of strain in the knees. It is really miraculous to realize this change and something I've struggled with and looked forward to for a while.

Now, I just need to get my pain relief figured out and I will be golden! I'd like to finish this thing on April 17th in the top 10.

Shout Out

I wanted to give a shout out to Paul, my silent partner through this transformation process. He’s been really supportive of this tired Mama. Whether he is fixing dinner for himself and Wyatt, finding weekend activities to do while I go to yet another boot camp, feeling my muscles and reacting like he cares or notices that they are bigger/stronger, or keeping those yummy treats out of the house, he does it all with his characteristic quiet support. I couldn’t do it without you, babe! He’s also been working out a lot more, so I know I’m rubbing off a little bit. Maybe I can talk him into spinning classes this summer! OK, probably not, but we will be using that forest pass to hike, hike, hike!

We will be celebrating our 20^th anniversary in December. Maybe I will wear my wedding dress to dinner. Just kidding…it will probably be too big…:)

Day 56, Fourth Weigh-In

I want to say thanks to those of you who have supported me so much through this process...your comments and emails mean a lot to me. It's really fun seeing people I haven't seen for a few months and don't know what I'm up to. They go through this mental process of "I want to say something, but I don't know what to say...", or just look really confused. It's pretty fun!

On Tuesday night we had a group (as in all the people weighing in, so over 100) workout. We had a competition to see who could finish 100 jumping jacks, 75 squats, 50 crunches, and 25 push-ups first. That would be the team to weigh-in first. Our team finished 4th out of 10, so that was pretty good. While the other teams were weighing in, we alternated doing burpees (see pic below), mountain climbers and standing knees to elbows. I believe burpees are created by the devil and should be called "crappies". It was not an easy night, especially considering all these sweaty, stinky bodies were packed together, but I did it, if modified at some point, and had good results at the weigh-on. Overall, a good night.

I lost 6.5 pounds at since last time bringing my grand total to 28 pounds for the contest and 67 pounds from my highest weight. I am currently 8th on the rankings list for my gym. I'm very proud of myself. I have 22 pounds left to lose to make my goal. I'm confident that I will get there by summer! Then I will have only 20 left to my desired weight for life...amazing that it is in reach!

Eating Low-Carb

Here is some unsolicited advice for those struggling to lose weight and/or get off sugar.  I am a self-diagnosed carb-addict from years of abusing it. I went off the white stuff (mostly) a few years ago, but it was not until this challenge that I really went full-board off sugar and most carbohydrates. I first week was killer, but it has gotten easier and I am amazed by what I eat and crave now.  Week four of very little whole grain carbs, plus vegetable and a few fruits, here are some things I find absolutely delicious!

Thanks to my sister-in-law ‘s suggestion I gave Greek yogurt another try. I’m talking fat-free, plain 22g protein/7carbs per cup of pure delight. I started with adding about 2 teaspoons of organic stevia (I found a brand at PCC that does not have the aftertaste or else I’ve gotten used to the aftertaste) and ¼ cup berries. To the low-carb for 6-weeks me this tastes like heaven. I eat it every day and have decreased the stevia to 1 teaspoon. I enjoy the Trader Joe’s brand of Greek yogurt.

If I feel like chocolate and I can’t talk myself out of it, I will sometimes have a Sugar-Free Jello pudding snack in dark chocolate or a few squares of Trader Joe’s Simply Lite Sugar Free dark chocolate. To my taste buds the dark chocolate does not have an aftertaste but the milk chocolate has a mild one.  I try to limit these kind of treats as they can send me into a craving frenzy.

When I feel like a salty treat, I will sometimes eat a Lundberg brown rice cake with 1 T. Adams peanut butter. Soooo satisfying.

I never ever thought I would say this, but I am now able to eat and love unsalted nuts as a snack. TJ, PCC, and Whole Foods all sell pistachios, almonds, cashews, etc, in unsalted varieties. It is so amazing to me that I have adjusted to not craving the salted variety.

Lettuce wraps…yum. Jimmy John’s has an unwich wrapped in lettuce that is OK, but I prefer making them at home to control the ingredients. A little messy, but really a really good way to fit a “sandwich“ into my diet.

Marie’s yogurt based Ranch, Thousand, and Blue Cheese dressings are fabulous, low-carb options for creamy salads. 2 T is 1-2 g of carb, but I usually try to eat 1 T.

Jalapeno-stuffed green olives…who knew? Actually eating spicy food revs up the metabolism and tastes so good when eating low-carb.

Quinoa…a grain, but also a complete protein. There are so many ways to prepare it and enjoy it. I have to limit my serving size and the ingredients, but I really enjoy it as a side to salmon or other meat. I enjoy the red quinoa from Trader Joe’s. I’m sensing a pattern here…Luckliy TJ’s is just down the street and the prices are excellent.

Some people cannot tolerate the taste of a protein drink at first, but I promise if you stick with low-carbs your body will change and start to enjoy the flavor. The Yoli YES shakes have tasted good to me from the beginning, and now I look forward to them. They are sweetened with stevia and I mix mine with 6 ounces of Non-fat milk for added protein and 6 ounces of unsweetened almond milk for it’s yumminess. I prefer the taste of Silk PureAlmond unsweetened (35 Calories) and have gotten so used to this that I can drink it plain. Another thing I never thought I’d say.

My biggest advice is to clear out the freezer, cupboards and fridge. If I don’t have access to it, I don’t go out and buy it. I have occasionally indulged in something because it was there…some chocolate from Wyatt’s Valentine's bag, some treats Paul brought home from school, etc. For the most part, they have been great about either hiding it or not having it around, so I’m not tempted.

I miss popcorn, cereal, garlic bread, pizza, Magnum bars, and mashed potatoes. I will eventually add some limited things back and have some free meals, but for now it’s best for me to not have it. Ironically, I think I’ve lost maybe 1 pound since the last weigh-in, but I’m feeling great and want to stick to the plan, even if I don’t reach my goal until the summer.

Getting Stronger...

I have the theme song from Rocky running through my head. I worked out with my trainer today and "just for fun" he said we would try some moves that we tried together when I first started with him and couldn't do, or at least couldn't do well or for long. One is a side plank crunch as demonstrated here by Jillian Michaels.

I'm sure I look just like this, ha ha! But, back in December, I wasn't even able to get into the side plank, much less do the crunches...today I did two sets on each side!

This is a typical plank. Look at the serene look on her face...my face does not look like this is plank position and I am grateful every day that I do not have a camera following me around. Surprisingly (or not), I had never done one before working out with JC. I was able to hold one in December for about 5 seconds. Today I did four sets of 30 seconds each followed by side knee raises in the plank position. Killer!

We also upped the weight on squat/curl/presses and tricep/bicep curls. I also surprised him with my form and reps with push-ups. He said, "How long have you been able to do that?"

It was fun to see JC's enthusiasm and made me feel strong and happy. Maybe, someday I can look like the women in these pics, or at least a little closer. I'll practice my serene plank face...

Wyatt is SEVEN!

My baby turned seven on Saturday and had such a fun day. It is great seeing him grow into such a smart, nice boy who enjoys life so much. We had his party at the local bowling alley and it was really great...loud and wild, but loads of fun. Happy birthday, Wyatt!