New Plan

And again, I have fallen off. It seems once something comes into my life that gets me the slightest bit off my normal schedule, it takes me a week or so to get motivated again and back into my schedule. Two weekends ago I went to New Orleans with my mom and grandmother, and why I must say I am proud of myself for not over-eating all weekend, I just am having problems getting back into the working out/ cooking again.

So, its a new week. I did make it to the gym last night, even though the workout was less than what I would have liked. I didn't plan right yesterday, and by the time I made it to the gym at 7:45 all I had eaten all day was oatmeal, turkey sandwich, and some goldfish. Needless to say I had no energy by the time I got to the gym. I need to pay more attention to what I pack on Monday and Wednesday to make sure I have a good snack before my last class starts at 5:45.

Now today I'm doing alright. I have my plan for this evening, what to cook, work to get done, and when I'm going to work out. Now the goal is just to not let something keep me from my plan. Also, why this might get annoying to those reading this, I am going to start writing my daily plan down on here everyday, and then letting you all know if I meet it or not. Between that and getting back to tracking my calories I should start to see the results I want. Knowing the holidays are just around the corner, I need to get in the right mind-set before all those goodies come my way.

Today's goal: over 1 hour bike riding while watching the Biggest Loser.

Here's to healthy choices!

Guilty

So, last night I had the pleasure of going to dinner with a great friend. However, I did not think ahead about our dinner plans. She happened to be over by me last night when we both got off work, so we figured we would stay close to where we were to avoid traffic. We ended up at Carrabbas. I know I know, amazing food, but I couldn't handle looking at the menu and picking out something healthy. I had to have this ravioli's stuffed with chicken rocotta cheese and spanish. Yes, they were so good, but not so good for me. Needless to say when I got home last night and was feeling guilty, I couldn't even find anywhere online what their calorie take was on them. The sad thing was, it didn't stop there. I know that whenever you go somewhere and they bring you a bread basket you should just either (a) ask them to take it away or (b) have one piece and then have the basket removed... we didn't do either. However I did only have 2 pieces so I will count that as a small win. Then, of course, since we were having a good dinner, I had to have a glass of wine to go with in. And now, the worst part of it all, I was on my way home, already mad at myself for eating so much and knowing I wasn't going to go home and sit on the bike to watch the Biggest Loser like I told myself I would, so I decided to stop and get ice cream. The entire time I was getting it I felt guilty, but that didn't stop me from eating every last bit of it.

It was just a different feeling last night, knowing what I was suppose to be eating, but yet feeling so guilty for doing so. I guess that just goes to show me that I am finally getting into the right mind set about all of this, because before I would just eat what I wanted, be mad when I got on the scale, but it really never would sink in.

Okay, enough of me feeling bad for what I did last night. Today is a new day, with a new calorie goal to stay within and a workout to get done. I have a feeling it will be a much better day. After all, it is hump day :)

Amazed

Okay, so I have to admit I was scared going into this weekend, because that is always my downfall when it comes to food. But knowing that I would have to get on and track my calories did help out a little bit. I did eat food that wasn't the best for me, drank more than I should have, but I didn't over eat for once. When I was full, I stopped, and I tried not to eat things just because they were there. It must have paid off. I was so scared to get on the scale this morning, but I was still down 3 pounds last week! Now just to keep it up and see if I can lose another few this week.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Motivation

So, after excuse after excuse, I am forcing myself to get a hold of everything and take control. Starting on Monday I have started tracking my calories again. Before, I would track all day, while I was good, and then I would "forget" to track what I ate at night. Umm, I wonder why I wasn't losing the weight I wanted to. Well now, I have my The Daily Plate (which I highly recommend for anyone wanting to track calories) my home page. Now, every day when I get onto my internet, it is the first page I see. That way it reminds me to make sure everything in there is current and I can't cheat myself anymore.

Also, seeing Nolen's progress has been a real downer for me lately. He has been doing so good, and while the scale is not showing the progress as much as he would like, how strong he is getting and the muscle he now has is amazing. It just makes me mad to know that we both started this together earlier this year, and while I have not held up my part of it, he has and can see the results.

I have also tried to think of why I feel this need to lose weight and get in shape. I know it has to be more than just wanting to look good, because if that is all it is then I will just continue to fail myself. So, I sat down and came up with some other reasons, hoping these will be more of a motivating factor. (1) Knowing we live in a country where obesity is running wild, I know I need to get a hold of my eating habits and learn to make better decisions. I am afraid that too many wrong decisions can lead me in that direction. (2) While this is still a good few years down the line, I want to ensure that when the time comes for Nolen and I to start our family, I am as healthy as I can be, for both myself and our future baby. (3) Along those same lines, I want to go though the hard time of making the life style changes now while it is just me and Nolen before our life gets more complicated and busy.

So, lets see how it goes. I hoping this is going to give myself a big kick in the arse and help me get it back in gear. I'll keep you all updated more often on my progress. Until then, healthy choices and good workouts!

Keeping it Up

Hey guys. So, again as usual the weekend is my downfall. Nolen's brother and girlfriend were in town this weekend, so we ate well. Not well in the healthy way, well as in a lot of good good food. But I know me, and if I kept myself from eating the things I love, then there would be a higher chance that I would eat a big bowl of ice cream or something like that later. So, while I didn't get the workouts in over the weekend and didn't eat as well as I should have, I still seem to have lost weight! Looks like that working out thing is working.

Nolen and I did get back in the gym last night and it felt great. Yesterday was the last free session we had with the trainer at the gym :( I have really enjoyed working out with him this past week or so. If nothing else I learned some new exercises and how many reps/ sets I need to be doing of each in order to really work my muscles out. He told me that so many people just do 3 sets of 12 at one set weight. I've learned that by doing that you are only working your surface muscles and not getting down deep to the core of your muscles. He said you should be doing about 5 sets of each exercise. The first two sets should be of your normal weight, about 12 reps. The next two sets should be of increased weight, pretty hard for you do accomplish, and about 8 reps. The last set should be lighter weight then what you started with, but do about 20 reps. By doing this, he said you are truly pushing your muscles to their limit, getting a better workout, which in turn will create more muscle and increase your ability to burn fat.

Sorry, just thought I'd pass along my newly found info. I've heard this, but never really applied it because I wasn't sure how to personally. But now that I've done it, and been in so much pain from it for the past week, I'm a believer that it works. Nolen can agree as well. He is sore in places he never thought he would be, and is surprising himself with how strong he really is :)

So I guess that's all for now. 10 days for me and I'm on my way to beach #1! I know I wont be anywhere near my goal, but at least I'm getting to the point where I feel more comfortable because I know I am actively doing something to make it better :) Oh, and shopping tonight with Jen for the beach, cannot wait!!!!

Getting There

So I love having a gym to go to. We join last Wednesday, and since then I've been 4 other times. Didn't make it Friday or Saturday due to people being over, etc, but otherwise I've been every day! It just amazes me how much better I feel already and how great I sleep at night.

Less than 4 weeks to the beach, so let's see how much progress I can really make! I know nothing major will change in that amount of time, but some minor changes would be nice :)

Not to much else to report. Another busy week as usual, but hopefully I'll keep getting the workouts in because I know this weekend will be difficult again.

Have a great week :)

Why Haven't I Been Working Out

Okay, so we broke down last night and joined a gym. I don't think Nolen is excited about it as I am, but then again he hasn't been having any problems working out every day like I have. I really like the gym, its smaller than most, but still has all the machines that we both need/ want. Also it has some awesome workout classes that I am looking forward to trying out and it came with 3 free trainer sessions, so we will see how that goes.

Just doing cardio for 35 mins last night and I feel so much better today. I slept amazing, had the energy to get up this morning, get fully ready, and even clean up the house a little bit. Such a good feeling. Now, just to keep it going. I brought my workout clothes with me to work today, so I will go straight to the gym on my way home so I can't come up with an excuse not to!

Also, the scale this morning was the lowest it has been in 6 weeks. Now, I know part of it is water weight, but it still makes me so happy to see :)

Thought I would just share my good news. 4 weeks from today we leave for Cancun! Let's see if I can workout and eat right enough between now and then to see any difference :)