Extreme Makeover: Update

I've lowered my standards :) Welcome to EMME. Don't know what I'm talking about? Go check out Amber, you'll get the whole scoop there.

A few weeks ago I announced that I had reached my goal weight. After further consideration, I think I need a new goal. I'm not sure this is where I think I should be, after all. I have quite the "mommy pouch" and it's really starting to bug me. I don't really want to say I should lose more weight, because my "weight" is fine for my height. So is my BMI. Technically so is my bodyfat %, although it's at the highest possible number for my statistics.

Long story short...I'm still a work in progress. I have really loved following everyone's stories about getting healthier and all the tips everyone's shared through our wonderful host, Ms. Amber!!

This week's question is:

What's your favorite thing to drink while you're losing weight? We all know how important it is to get that water intake up, especially with summer almost here. What's your favorite way to spice it up?

My answer: Crystal Light! I consider it the same as water.

I also love to mix it with seltzer water...just for a little fizz :)

xoxo

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition - Update

Welcome to another edition of Extreme makeover. Join us at Amber's for tips, support and lively entertainment as a bunch of ladies try to fit in a healthier lifestyle amongst everything else we do!

I've been trying to work on my running game and have transitioned to running outside. Man, that is way tougher than being on the treadmill! I can do it, but it's more difficult, and I find myself needing to stop every once in awhile to catch my breath. Today I got back on the treadmill and ran for 2.5 miles, no stopping. For now, I'll probably stick with the treadmill :)

My weight is back to slightly fluctuating, which I will just resign myself to. I'm at my goal weight now, and will focus more on getting in shape. My game plan is to be using weights and running to go from flab to fab!!

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition Update

Whaaattt?! It's Wednesday? Seriously, I thought it was Tuesday. Uh, I wasn't really ready to do this. Check out all the other people who are ready to do this over at Amber's.

The question this week:

"Name your guilty pleasure. Think of a healthier choice you could use as a substitute"

Honestly, I'm bad at this!! I'd rather give myself some of what I crave than try and find something different. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has come up with!

Here's a list of my weakness':

Chocolate............I'll at least eat Dark Chocolate

Peanut Butter {Honestly, I think I have an addiction}.............I try to limit myself to 4 spoonfuls a day..eek, that's a lot of calories!

Desserts {brownies, cookies, cake, ice cream, etc...}.................yeah, pretty much cave on these. I just try to use really small portions

Rich food {creamy mashed potatoes, pasta sauces, etc...}............Have given these up completely. At least for awhile.

The only thing I can crave and eat healthy is mexican food. I just eliminate the shell, tortilla and rice. I just love the flavors...and those are just fillers, so it's not so hard for me.

As far as my week went. I did all my workouts and really watched what I ate {ok, except the Peanut butter} so I feel really good about that. Was surprised to find myself up a pound this week. I'm sure it's water weight, so I'm not too worried. Still it's just a bummer to see that number. It totally psyches you out, doesn't it?! I feel like my work didn't do anything.

I know that's ridiculous, but that's why the scale is EVIL!! I may throw mine away ;)

xoxo

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition Update

Well, Hellloooooo there!! How are you this morning?! It's time to join the fantabulous group of ladies that are working to get healthier over at Amber's. If you haven't been by yet, I highly suggest you run, not walk, on over! These ladies are the best!! I mean it! The best ever!! I've made wonderful friends and learned a lot of tips on getting healthy and staying motivated to continue what is sometimes a difficult journey :)

I've done pretty well this week. Stuck to my workout routine, and watched what I ate. I am down a 1/2 a lb. Hey, I'll take it!! I was more worried I might gain what I lost last week, back!! This is usually the case for me! You can read about that here.

This weeks question is to show a motivational picture that you use. I don't have any out in the house. Honestly, at my age...nope, not tellin ya!...and after carrying 4 punks around in my belly for 9 months each...my body has strectched it's way into a whole 'nother realm. So I try to stay a little realistic. I'm focusing more on getting my bodyfat down. Not to say I wouldn't mind lookin like fitness model Elizabeth Anderson:

Hope you all had great weeks!!! Can't wait to see how everyone is doing!

xoxo

Extreme Makeover: Me edition - week 4 update

Well, I didn't think I had blown it too bad this week. Considering my Easter dinner got canceled at the last minute. So we ended up having the traditional..."mom wasn't planning on cooking so eat what's in the fridge!" Easter dinner.

I did indulge in some chocolate, 'cause I wanted too. I should've worked out more, but despite all that I actually lost 2 lbs. Which makes a total of 3 lbs. in 4 weeks. Yay!!! As some of you may recall, the best part was that I actually broke a weight loss plateau, thanks to all of you!!!

For Amber's question this week...To get back on track I will:

Do ALL my workouts!
Eat better
limit my chocolate :)

Extreme makeover: me edition - week 3 update

Well, it's weigh in day and I've never been more scared. Well, I have been, just not recently :)

Soooo, it's been Spring Break which means more eating and hanging with the family than usual. By more eating I really mean more "fun" food eating. So even though I gained last week and I was really good for most of this week...I'm going with my weight from yesterday. This means I'm back to where I started. That means a little weight loss and still saying that I broke my plateau.

I did do all my workouts except for 2 days due to back injury. Thanks for all your comments. The warm bath's helped and so did my Uncle Ben...my Uncle Bengay, that is.

So I hope everyone is having a good week!

To address Amber's question of How do I reward myself? I really don't. I actually try to reward myself throughout the whole process. If I feel I've been really good on workouts, I'll take a day off and not feel so bad. If I feel I've been really good with the eating, I let myself have a "cheat" meal and not worry about it. I try and not put too much pressure on myself, so I don't feel like a failure if something comes along and I don't meet a specific goal. So I guess what I'm saying is I don't give rewards to myself, 'cause I don't make real achievements ;) Hahaha.

Can't wait to see how everyone is doing!!

Extreme Makover: Me edition - week 2 update

I gained 2 lbs. Alas, that is about what I expected. After reading my previous post you'll see that I usually sabotage myself after accomplishing a weight goal by eating everything in sight. But, I will not beat myself up about it. There will always be times when you just have to give in a little. Don't let yourself get too down about it. Readjust and just move forward. We all make mistakes, the challenge is to pick yourself up and go on. So that's what I'm gonna do. Next week I will be back to where I was!!

My question: How often do you weigh yourself? And when?

Me...about an hour after I work out. Although on Wednesday weigh in day it's always first thing in the morning :)

P.S. Plus, I am a little {bloated}, kwim?! So that in itself is always an issue ;)
P.P.S. Oh, how I wish this were a big April Fool's joke!

Extreme Makeover - Week 1 update

Hallelujiah!!! Oops, not supposed to say that during Lent, but I really can't help myself. I have broken my plateau!!! I have you all to thank! Just getting a new wind in my sails, and following along with all you ladies that are on this personal health journey have done wonders for me. This is when I pray that I don't gain it back and my 1.4 lb. loss isn't some weird fluke, but the result of stepping up my cardio. I've just been jogging and walking on the treadmill. Waiting for some real spring weather to get outside to do it.

I've been really watching what I eat. I do keep a food journal, but alow myself pizza and a couple cookies on the weekend. I find this the best time to have a "cheat" meal, since I have 3 days to "work it all off" ;0

Hopefully you all had a great week!!

Favorite low calorie snack food is pretzels right now. That's for when I need something salty. For my sweet tooth {which I seem to have all the time} I love the fiber one chocolate and oat bars. Only 140 cals and 2 points I believe because they are high in fiber. It's the best replacement for a candy bar IMO.

Seriously, nothing new

Uh. Yeah. Nothing new to report. I'm feeling a little down about the whole darn thing. my weight is actually at a good place for my height. It's just that I'm so flabby. The bra spillage, jiggling thighs, puffy tummy...all of it. Yuck!

So, now that my monthly friend is visiting, I'm just going to go with my chocolate cravings and work extra hard next week! Am I wrong? No, don't answer that. Myabe I'll go with these yummy little guys :)

Healthy update...again.

Basically my update is nothing. I've gotten nowhere this month. Am I still working out? YES! Am I still watching what I eat? YES! I think my body quickly adapted to my "new" program. So the next few weeks I will try to mix it up a little bit. Will continue to update when I start making progress again.

Update on Healthy lifestyle challenge

Well now that it's been a couple of weeks, I can tell you that I've lost a few #'s and lowered my body fat to 24%. Disclaimer: results not typical. My understanding is you don't generally lose 1% body fat per week. So we will see what this week brings. Not to mention that it should be that time of the month soon. Uck!!

Can I just tell you how sore my ass is?! Lunges and squats...whoa!! You don't really realize how little you use some muscles until you actually start working them.

My cardio has been HIIT {High Intensity Interval Training} for about 30 mins. a day {6x a week}. For those that think that is extreme for a beginner, I do it often so I will stick with it. Otherwise a day off turns into a week off, then a month off, then I stop altogether.

Weight training with dumbells 3x a week. I want to build up my lean muscle and burn the fat baby!! Will keep updating {when I only have good news ;)}

xoxo ~ Onegirliegirl

Just a little body fat percentage, fyi

Just so you know what I'm up against. My husband who is the same age as me {43}, eats a bowl full of brownie {I make this for him every week} and icecream EVERY night {Really. Truly. Really. I wish I were exagerrating} and does not excercise. But does have a ton of energy {think bunny} and does do 50 sit-ups and push-ups every day {just to stay in shape}. This man, this wonderful hunk of a man has 13% body fat. Seriously, this puts him in the category of Olympic Runner, I believe.

I ask you, how do I deal with that? Hmmmmm.....

*the caveat to this is that he's got the body of a cosmo guy. Seriously, I've looked!

Time to get Healthy

First off, let's get something straight. This is not my weight, this is just the picture off the box. Thank you for your attention.

If you've been reading along you will remember that I had those resolutions for the New Year. Having always had difficulty staying motivated, at least when it comes to exerting some kind of energy, I bought this scale to keep me going.

I admit I was nervous to see all the calculations this fantastic, futuristic wizard of a scale was going to show me.

Do I really want to know my body fat percentage*?....uh, no, not really. Mine is starting out at 26%...WHOA. Does that really mean that a quarter of my body weight is fat?!?! Seriously? Feel free to run screaming from the room now, I totally understand.

My hydration level? {diet coke addict, here}. That number is around 55%. I think that's ok.

My bmi...uh, well, ummmm, 22. That's on the verge of overweight. Technically it's in the normal range, but it's right on the edge.

So this is where I'm starting. My goal is to get my body fat down to 20%. I don't know how many pounds this will equate to. Evidently the real measure of healthy weight is all about body fat. Damn, does it really have to be? Because I'm thinking to get all this fat off my body is going to be a lot of work over a long period of time. Will I look better in time for the dreaded swim suit season, a.k.a. summer? Is this going to even be possible? I know this, I'm going to do my best. I've started using the treadmill again, and will eventually work my way up to running. I am determined to do it.

My mother died at 62 from cardiovascular problems. Her father had his leg amputated for the same reasons. Let's just say, I view this as life and death. Not that I worry I'll die anytime soon, my lifestyle isn't quite like my mothers was. I quit smoking 15 years ago, I have normal blood pressure and cholesterol. But I did develop gestational diabetes with 2 pregnancies {one brother is a diabetic} and all these things add up to genetics. So I'll be doing my best to keep this heart healthy!

I don't mind working hard, it makes me feel good. Working out, that is. It's not supposed to be easy. Or else everyone would have the perfect body shape and size {for them}.

I'll be posting regularly on my progress {just another way to keep me motivated}.

xoxo ~onegirliegirl

*I'd like to say that judging from the huge jiggly area in my mid-section and backside {sorry too much info} that I do not consider myself in the "healthy" range for bodyfat.