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 Update

Well, it's that time again. The wonderful and delicious Amber has put together a support group for women who are trying to get healthier, eat right, and excercise. Go over and hook up with lots of nice gals who are trying their best and need support, too! Time to own it!!

I was a little worried about stepping on the scale today :) As most of you know, I've been fighting with Doris and she has been making me miserable. She's unreliable...I never know when she'll show up, or when she'll just disappear for days and days.

I checked this morning and she's GONE!!! {She took 3 lbs. with her} So I looked out the window to make sure she had really left!?! I didn't see her...until off in the distance...there she was carrying her huge saddlebags {the ones she always makes me carry}. I think the load may be too much for her this time. I know how heavy those things are!!

I'm going to do my darndest to make sure she doesn't even want to come back. She likes ice cream...I haven't had any around! She likes popcorn with lots of butter... I haven't had any around!! She likes chocolate...a lot {she's been known to actually bring her own...witch}!!! I haven't had any!!!

I was soooo good this week. I needed to show myself that I could get over this Doris hump, and I think I have. As Amber was talking about the other day, you need a plan!

My plan has been:

Excercise a min. 5 x a week......done

Go really low carb to get the monkey, I mean Doris, off my back...done

{I tend to be carb sensitive...right around my middle}

Drink more water....done

Plan for this week...more of the same!! Just to keep Doris away. I just hope she hasn't landed on any of your doorsteps, especially with those enourmous saddle bags she likes to carry ;)

The question of the week is to share one thing that we absolutely love about ourselves. Oh, it's always so difficult for me to be introspective!!!

The one thing I love about myself is I always give 100%. To the point of obsession. This is not always a good thing. I can become so passionate about one thing I will neglect other things. Just know that I will never neglect you!!

xoxo

P.S. Still lots of time to enter the giveaway, if you're interested!

Extreme Makeover Me Edition Update

Time for another update on the Extreme Makeover Me Edition. Well I won't bore you with the details of how to stop this yo-yoing I have going on with 2lbs {I think I'll call her Doris} So Doris and I keep having this spat...I want her gone..she wants to stick around. So I told Doris you try and get in my way, you won't know what hit you!

Well, she's hitting back! I just can't ditch her! Oh, well...I'm going to stay on track and keep moving forward. Eventually Doris will get bored and go away...I hope :)

Amber's question this week was to post a Healthy recipe. I love making my own version of a Chipotle Salad.

You can get the full recipe and how to make it here.

It really is one of my favorites. You can keep all the components seperate to make it easy to whip together quickly, when you just don't know what to eat!

Extreme makeover: me edition update

Well, I didn't do so well on the food front, but did do my workouts everyday. I don't mind so much on the food, because staying motivated to workout has always been my biggest challenge. As a result I actually gained back the weight I lost. Some of you may think..."How can you stay motivated if your weight is constantly up and down?"

Well, it's really the healthy challenge. For me the healthiest part of this is the excercise. I've always been a couch potato! I need to stay moving...everyday!!

Amber's question this week is all about the music. I agree!!! I listen to the classics from my youth. It makes me feel younger ;) and stronger..hahaha! So I listen to:

Huey Lewis,

John Mellencamp,

Bruce Springsteen,

The BoDeans,

.38 Special (oh, yeah...southern rock, baby)

Squeeze

Bryan Adams

I look forward to reading what everyone listens to, so I can get a little more with it!!

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.