Up, Down, and Up again...

This week took me places. There were some emotional ups and downs! There was too much negativity! I know that only I can control that.

I am experimenting as well. I am working out at a new time to change my sleep and eating patterns. Working out later in the day seems to boost my energy a bit more for the evening, then I don't feel like a slug by 8pm. I have also tried a new recipe from Larissa Reis IFBB figure pro.

http://www.larissareis.net/index.php

I find her physique inspiring and the recipe was quite good.

x lean ground turkey, applesauce, egg whites, Mr. Dash ;) , and flax seed sprinkled on top.

Bake 350, 20-25 min

Viola Turkey Cake!!!

I find it very motivating to watch footage of strong women working out or read their blogs or facebook posts. I need all the little motivations I can get. I plan to finish this contest STRONG!!!

I am about a week away from the 1/2 way weigh in. I have no idea what the scale at the gym will say. I have hopes as to what it will say. Every week I have cleaned up my eating a bit more and I think this has become possible because of my taste changing, less cravings for carbs, and I get fuller on less.

I also find I am worrying a bit about post-contest. What will motivate me then? I will need new goals and I will continue to improve my physique over the summer. I will not invest 4 months and then quit!!!

Nearly Half Way!!!

Today, Feb. 18 is about 2 1/2 weeks from the midpoint weigh in and measure. I feel really good about it. Starting a new program 5 weeks in was a great wake up! As I see more results in changes in my physique and the fit of my clothes I am more motivated. I stumble off of my eating plan less as well. I am going to get weighed in a few days to see where I am as the 1/2 way point approaches and set a goal for that weigh in.

I made today count!!!

Monday

Just had a great workout and a lovely lady at the gym remarked that my program must be working because it was showing! Sometimes, that's all you need to push a little harder, a compliment!

New Program, New Motivation

Today was the first day of my new 5 week program. Totally different approach. This program is a circuit: two supersetted weight exercises then 2 minutes of hard cardio (treadmill, skipping, butt kicks, jumping jacks etc.). It was challenging and I was dripping with sweat. I am also approaching my eating more strictly, I am tracking my calories and keeping under 1600. If I keep this up consistently I should see some change.

THE SCALE

I have decided that I will weigh in and check my weight in 8 days. Monday the 21st. It has been a few weeks and I really want to know where I stand. I still have a goal to lose 20lbs and my pace was 1lb a week. I am hoping to double this rate. I have heard other women at the gym talk about issues with the scale and unrealistic expectations. Jim Wendler of EliteFitness talks about people wanting fast results and thinking about 8weeks or 12 weeks to a new physique, but really as far as fitness goes you need to focus on your goals for the next 52 weeks and longer.

The main reason I joined this contest was the hope that is would be a catalyst for change and a commitment that would be long enough to form some new habits in both diet and exercise.

Week 5 is winding up, here's to week 6!

*SIGH*

I have been feeling rather discouraged lately. We are done 1/3 of the competition and have now changed programs. I met with Craig Sorenson today for my new program. It's totally different and that is somewhat daunting. I have heard the odd whisper about some clients that are doing well, and it's not that I am not one of them, I just haven't lost big numbers on the scale. I plan to weigh in on Monday, Feb. 14. I must require quite a bit more of myself as far as my eating, or rather overeating. My meals are perfect, my snacks are too many and too big. Too many little pieces of chocolate and bits and bites here and there. The weight loss that I want to achieve is going to require more of me. I am tracking my calories and aiming for 15-1600. I will also need to drink a lot more h20. This process is just so slow.

Make The Most Awesome Choice!

Here is a link from elite fitness... my husband reads these blogs all the time and Jim Wendler in particular is hilarious....anyhow the advice here on goals is perfect...

1. HAVE A GOAL

2.SET THE GOAL IN MOTION IN THE MOST CONCISE METHOD AVAILABLE

3.DON'T POLLUTE IT

4.TRAIN HARD BUT DON'T LEAVE EVERYTHING AT THE GYM, DO LEAVE IT ON THE FIELD OR IN THE OFFICE, OR WHATEVER YOUR LIFE COMPETITION IS

5. WHEN GIVEN A CHOICE, CHOOSE WHICHEVER IS THE MOST AWESOME!!!

there is a little more at the link below...

http://asp.elitefts.com/qa/training-logs.asp?qid=138565&tid=

Starting Week 5

It is Sunday, week 5 of the local "biggest loser" competition...and I am ready to ROCK!

Last week had some really up and down days, a couple of times I really went off the clean eating path, but the difference now is I pick myself back up sooner. One overindulgent meal doesn't spell total devastation to healthy eating for the following 3 days. I also know an off day won't undo the incredible amount of work that I have put in so far. I start this week with a challenge to myself to do even better than the best i've done so far. People are starting to say "have you lost weight?" that feels great!!! I had a brief discussion today with Bret (a trainer at the gym) about the "mental" challenge of fitness/athletics. This challenge is so much a mental one. I have to learn new habits, break old ones, replace food rewards with something else, and since not all the success is showing on the scale, I need other markers of success to spur myself forward. I keep detailed records of my workouts so that I can gage my progress, maybe it's lifting 5lbs more or just one more rep than last time, but there must be a reward more than just numbers on the scale. The beastly "Jacob's Ladder" is a great example, as in week one I could last 55 seconds, I am up to a personal best of 3:15. My cardio has improved greatly. I like evidence!!! My clothes continue to fit more loosely as well and I can see a different shape to my body. I have a very specific idea of the results I hope to see in the summer and how active I plan to be. I also know I feel differently about food and it isn't creating the emotional turmoil it did only weeks ago.

Almost A Month

It is Friday, Feb. 4 and it has been almost a month since the beginning of the "biggest loser" competition. We have an opportunity to weigh in again on Monday, but at least for the time being I'm going to skip weighing in. I can see how much that affects my attitude and since I am seeing great changes in strength, cardio, and the fit of my clothes, the shapes of my body even, I am going to hold out until the next weigh in. This contest is at least 15 weeks long so my first competitive strategy is just to last the whole time with my plan...consistency will pay off. I also had a real roller coaster of a week, somewhere between hormones and a hard place, Tuesday I worked out the best I could, but felt like a 90 year old, I was sore from head to toe and just feelin' like crap!!! Two days and a trip to the chiropractor later I was gung ho again. Another piece of evidence was my work on the Jacob's Ladder....at the beginning of the competition I could do 55 seconds and I was gassed out!!! Yesterday I managed 3:15 and felt great. Yesterday was also Chinese New Year and I enjoyed a lunch out with my family and friends, I ate well but not in the "binge, cause tomorrow you need to start starving" kind of way...a reasonable portion with lots of veg. Being consistent 90% of the time allows me to enjoy a good treat.."once in a while"..without mental stress.

I am really proud of the work I've put in the last 4 weeks.