weigh in and challenge results for Stephanie

CONGRATS TRISHA!!! We both accomplished our challenge and it ROCKED!  I have your prize already so I just have to get it to you!  :) 

This challenge was tough.  I didn't think I had enough energy to do it but I did!  I barely have enough energy to do what I do everyday with the little sleep I get, actually the interruptions in sleep that I get! :)  But I did it and I loved it!  It makes me want to do this at least once a month too!  I can't wait for the weather to cool off a bit so I can make more of my lunch hour exercise.  Right now, I get dizzy and too hot to do too much.  Don't want heat stroke! LOL! 

Weigh in results:
Last week: 186
This week: 185.5

1/2 lb loss...not the best but I will take it.  I think that we are gaining a bit more muscle which maybe is slowing down the number on the scales????  Or is that just a justification and we really just need to work harder?  But really we need to remember to live life too and be happy.  We are healthier than we ever have been and I am so proud of us!!!  We need to be able to have a little slice of cake and some ice cream or pasta salad or a small candy bar every so often. They don't consume our lives anymore they are actually just treats now! ;)   

Recap of the last few days and what the scale said this morning!

--Trisha
To see exactly how I did on this week's challenge, check out my other blog!! I am super happy with the results of this weekend!! This was the recharge I needed, as I was feeling like the motivation flame was fanning a little :) And, I am proud of both of us for mastering our weekend challenge. Now, I am excited to find the perfect reward to give to Stephanie :))))

Now for the weigh-in...not so good news.
Last week: 223
This week: 224 Gain of +1 pound. This is my first gain :(

But, oddly enough, I am not all broken-hearted about it. It could be TOM (that's never regular, but if it were, it would be coming right now), and I know that I didn't make the best choices eating this last week. I thoroughly enjoyed my homemade pasta salad (my mama's recipe), and more of it than I knew I should. I also ate some yummy cherry chocolate cupcakes at the cheer sleepover. Truly, I am not sweating the small stuff. I know next week will be better!

As well, just yesterday I saw a co-worker who I have not seen since the last day of school, and she commented on my loss! YEAH, first person to do so :))) That was a major pick-me-up!!

I am working hard on my plan for this week--first week back to school. I will blog about it later. I am excited for school to start, and I know I will be successful with my health goals.

P.S. My calves hurt the most today...they feel like they are hard as a rock and not moving, LOL! But, I would totally do they exact same workout again. As a matter of fact, I think I might do it once a month, and see if my times change.

Check it out!

I kicked the physical challenge's butt this week! I am SOOOO glad we had it, or I would have never done what I did!!!! I feel so awesome :))

Check it out right here!!!

I know today doesn't count towards the challenge, but HOLY smokes, I rocked the OK Hill today. I admit it was a bit scary coming down. I was AlMoSt tempted to walk around on the road and back down, LOL!

It did make me want to hike more. Not just my normal walk up and down the HUGE Robinson Canyon road, but actually hike up in the mountains, like I used to all the time in Leavenworth  :)) That's something I am going to have to add to my activity list of things to do.

Love the hour intense exercise for both days...and, that it can be busted up into 30 minutes segments. Yahoo, on the water!!

I also love the idea of doing a $5 healthy gift for one another for making our challenges!! I like it being something besides coffee (though, I think we should go for coffee on our two month anniversary of our challenge!!). Let's find out a little about one another, and figure out something that we get...

Please let me know the following (and, I will share my answers, too):  Stephanie's answers in red!!! ;)
Favorite color: purple Red :)
Favorite season: summer  fall
Favorite fruit: watermelon strawberry
Favorite symbol: nautical star, American flag, horseshoe, infinity sign Texas Star, horeshoe, my family brand :)
What do you collect? water bottles, coffee cups, postcards, magnets, candles, ummmmm and a few more things, LOL! Probably why I have too much clutter! I don't really collect anything anymore, recipe books maybe! :) I do like stars tho and have a bunch of those.
Favorite domesticated animal: horse, though I LOVE MELVIN our fish :) horse, dogs, cats
Favorite wild animal: meerkat or dolphin coyotes so i can hunt them! ;)
Favorite coffehouse: UGH...couldn't say. Just wrote a blog on this!! I don't spluge on coffee very much anymore but if I go to get one I would say the Country Cabin has never done me wrong.
Favorite thing on your work desk BESIDES pictures: A New York City coffee mug that a special person gave me :) my water bottle! LOL! and my sharpie pen (not the marker)...ohhhh that could be something i collect!!!  I LOVE the sharpie pens!!! 
Favorite hobby(ies): writing, reading, riding the motorcycle crafts!!! i Love to do craft swaps on my favorite website and I love to make my lariat rope baskets.  Cooking and baking, reading and writing, riding horses, going to rodeos and horse sales, going shooting and hunting coyotes!!! 

that was fun!!!  :) 

An interesting article

This article totally got me thinking and this made sense to me.  I do see all my friends who are at a healthy weight just living life, happily, not stressing about diets.  They automatically make good choices. 

I think Trisha and I are getting there!  :)

I'll take that challenge!

Game on Trisha!!  Good idea!  Something to mix it up!!  Something intense!!! 

What about if we do an hour a day of intense exercise???  It doesn't have to be at one time but at least a 1/2 hour at a time?? 

And yes WATER!!!  125 oz sounds good to me! 

A cleansing of the soul...I need this badly!  So much is going on and about to go on that is stressful and sad and I need some good endorphins running through my body!  I feel good when I exercise and I need to remember that and stick to it.  Perfect timing for this idea Trisha!!! 

As for the prize...what about our favorite "the coffee card"!!!  :)  Or what about we spend 5-10 bucks on each other in anyway we want as long as we keep it healthy?? 

I think we need...

A WEEKEND CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!!!

When I go back and read the posts (all 47 of them), I see a difference in motivation, perhaps it's just a perception, but...

What say you Miss Stephanie?

125 ounces of water for Saturday AND Sunday
Some sort of intense exercise??? How long?

Shall we have a reward? If we both do it, we both get the reward, if not, then only one of us gets the reward from the other one?

Thanks, Stephanie!!

--Trisha
With Stephanie's lead, I decided to measure again. It's funny because just last night I was all motivated to try on other pants and shorts and even a couple of shirts that I couldn't wear at the beginning of summer that I can now wear comfortably!! YEAH :)))

Drumroll, dadadadadaadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
July 15th:                            August 24th:
Hips- 52 inches                  Hips- 50 inches
Waist- 46 inches                Waist- 43.5
Chest- 49 inches                Chest- 46.5
Thighs-24 inches               Thighs- 23.5
                                          Arms- 13 *Wish I woulda done this one back in July!

Good-bye, so long, ADIOS...I won't miss you!

So, I am in a pants size smaller, and my bra is moved all the way over (it used to be on the last possible hook).

WHOOP WHOOP!!!  good job!!!  feels good huh?!  :)  Here's a high five for ya!

Tooting my own horn!!!

TOOOT TOOOOT!!! 

So yesterday I was all bummed about the number on the scale, but I totally had forgotten about the numbers I wrote down on the 18th!!! 

Check it out here!!! 

Give me some knuckles!!! 

WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Considered yourself  knuckled :)) Good job!! That's so funny because last night I was trying on pants and shorts that I couldn't wear at the beginning of the summer, and totally thinking that I needed to update the measurements! THIS is exactly what I was saying about trusting and having faith in that your hard work is changing things :))))

Yes I am here.

So I couldn't bring myself to write yesterday.  I was soooo totally bummed.  I had no loss and no gain.  Still at 186.  But then I realized.  TOM.  Why or why does it have to get in the way??? 

I exercised and exercised and I am feeling good!  I did bleachers and did interval walk/jog on the treadmill.  I made sure to get it in even though I needed a nap.  I made good choices on food at the wedding I attended and watched my portions.  But at least this will pass... and it is a new week. 

So my goal is once again to lose those two pounds.  And I need to watch my water intake and make sure I am getting plenty, so I need to get back to basics and focus on that as well. 

A NSV is that I am wearing pre-pregnancy pants! :)  They are a little tight but I am wearing them proudly!

Good job Trisha!  :) 

Hey, Stephanie! I tried to leave this comment on your other blog, but it says that my accounts (including our battleofthe bulges) don't have access...so, here it is here instead!

Yeah for the CSA!! Are you doing the local 8th Street Greens CSA? Awesome!! So, you can join part way through the year then? That's cool! You should blog about the details :)
OK, so as far as the no loss (and, good job on the no gain!!), remember what my friend said that REALLY is true...you have to faith that all of your good choices are making a difference on the inside that just isn't showing on the outside yet :))))

I know I can't leave comments either...don't know what the deal is.  Yep, 8th St. Greens!  You can join anytime I believe.  Shannon (the owner) just broke down the difference and that I am just paying for what is left in the season.  I believe there is 8 weeks left and I get my first box tomorrow!!!  I will definitely share my experience!!! 

I just posted about my measurements.  That made the number on the scale seem not so important!!!  thanks Trisha!

I survived!!!!

--Trisha

Boy, howdy, what a day today has been!!! You know the old adage of needing a vacation from your vacation?? Well, I was feeling that way today, but today was CRAZY busy!!! I had a union meeting at 6:30 a.m. (who planned that for the day after a weeklong motorcycle vacation?!?!). Then cheer practice (which I worked my booty off along with the kids!) for three hours. Quick trip home for lunch with Ricky, and then down for a massage (needed that!!!!), and then off to get a cool down snack for Rick, and then to the store (absolutely no groceries since we had been gone a week), and then home. SIGH.

OK, drumroll please...I am BLOWN away and proud of myself!!! I lost 2 pounds on vacay!! That's right!!! I was so excited I was dancing around the bathroom (yes, at 5:45 a.m.!!).

Last week 225.
This week 223.
Percentage= .88%

I ate mostly healthy the entire trip, though I had a couple of yummy extras in that I ate two--not one--s'mores, some French fries during one meal, and I had a beer!! LOL!! I really just focused on portions and making the best choices possible. We ate tons of fruit :) I did have a hard time drinking all my water on the days that we had LONG rides.

I did exercise...jogging, walking, hiking, and, of course, LOTS of motorcycle riding!!

My goal this week is another two pounds. If I do that...and, then do it again the next week, I will be out of the 220s by Labor Day!!! How cool would that be?!

I am soooo proud of you Trisha!!!  GOOD JOB!!!

THANK you so much, Stephanie :))) It was really a challenge being on vacay, well, a mental challenge. In the end, it was easier than I thought.

Weigh in Monday!

Stephanie here with my weigh in.

Last week: 187.5
This week: 186.0
Loss of : 1.5  (.53%)

Not too shabby but could be tons better.  So this week I have a goal of a 2 lb loss.  I plan on more exercise and continuing on the healthy fuels for the body. 
I love seeing the scale go down!  So and steady wins the race! :)  But I have to say when I step on the scale at the end of the day, you know "just to see", and it is hardly a gain from the morning, that is something great!  LOL!  I don't do it often but I love seeing the scale stay out of the 190's!  And I can't wait to see a 179!  It's not too far away!!! 

Check out my other blog for the latest updates....

Trisha, I think this weeks challenges is to just set personal goals and go for it!  Yours is staying healthy on your vacation and mine is a 2 lb loss.  Ampin it up!!!  I know you can do it!!!  Have fun on vacation! 

Trisha's Weigh-in

Last week: 227.2
Today (a day early): 225 - down 2.2!!! Yeah, met my goal!!
Loss percentage: .9%

See ya next Monday!

Been a good week! Let's see how next week goes...

--Trisha

We are headed out on our week-long motorcycle vacation tomorrow morning BRIGHT and early, so I will post my weight, but that will be about it for the week. I am a little nervous about eating and exercising on this vacation, but I have the tools and skills to make the right choices :) I will journal everything and then come back and blog about it when we return.

I am not proposing a challenge for this week, as for me, being away for eight days and trying to keep to the program will potentially be a HUGE challenge.

You can see how this past week has been over at my other blog.

An interesting site.

Bountiful Baskets

I found this site while looking up some information about living a low-glycemic lifestyle and what it is all about.  This site send baskets of fresh produce and grains (5 loaves of bread) to a site each week and you prepay for the baskets and pick them up.  There are even different combinations of produce so you can try new things! It seemed pretty cost effective and then there is a website with recipes to use with your baskets. 

Now, I was interesting in starting a site in our area but I know that I am not always available on Saturday's.  But this would be such a good thing for our area!  Wenatchee is the closest site. 

Take a peek at this and give your two bits!  I would love to hear what you have to say!

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) ROCKS!!!! When I lived in Leavenworth, I belonged to one, as well as a separate food co-op. I saved so much money on food and really had the best of the best! Did you know we have a local CSA here in Okanogan??!!! How cool is that?! I have considered joining it, and I just haven't done it  :(  Can't say why, really. Anyhoot, local veggies, and you can add local bread, local cheese, and even local coffee. I don't think we can get into it right now...though I am not sure?? I think it's like a 23 week program, and they are like on week 13 right now. I know you can buy a half-share, or a full share. I have even talked about buying a full share, but splitting it with my mother-in-law.  So, even if it's too late to join this year, I think they allow you to come and pick at that farm by appt, maybe? I believe one of the drop-offs for our local CSA boxes is our health food store. Check them out RIGHT HERE!!  They have an additional site where you can see some more specifics regarding what they offer RIGHT HERE :) It's basically like getting Farmers Market delivered to you weekly, even when there is not a Farmers Market! I really like the idea of trying new things, and supporting our local farmers. I haven't read about the Bountiful Baskets yet, so I don't know if they are comparable in price.

What about??

I think it would be really fun, depending on our fitness levels, to have a physical challenge that we both do together at the same time. Maybe it's 10 sets of bleachers or hiking up a huge hill (like up at the Loup Loup), or...

We could set a date when we are going to do it, and then have some time to train, and then do it! It's kinda like a Biggest Loser challenge.

Any ideas? What do you think?

Stephanie here...

I think that is a terrific idea! But for some reason I am a bit hesitant and I think it is only because so far my exercise has only been done with just me! And because today I am functioning on about 3 hours sleep (baby issues) and 10 sets of bleachers or a huge hill seems very challenging and unachievable right now. LOL  But I know on a day that I get more sleep, it will seem more appealing.  Definitely would need training time! Which would be more challenging to you?  For me, because I know how hard it is already, 10 sets of bleachers at one time would be super duper hard!  A hill would be hard but for some reason I don't think as challenging. 

--Trisha
I can completely understand your hesitation, especially with your sleep-deprivation going on!!! I think the bleachers would be more challenging for me, but even a hill is tough, considering I am packing so many EXTRA pounds. I just watch the Biggest Loser, and I am always fascinated by how much they endure that they think they can't. That really pushing themselves to the limit bit. When you are ready, let me know. There is something about that having someone to go against that you can find that little extra motivation, that push that we sometimes need!

I think a fun winter challenge...to hike up the sledding hill at the Loup 10 times!! We would hike up and sled down, and then back up, etc. I have always thought it would be a fun competition to have like 10 people total compete, and they could each pay $10, with the winner taking home the total prize money.

I agree!!

Well, Stephanie, your insight resonates with me! First, I am NOT trying to offend the person who made the comment about the necessity of you losing a lot of weight quickly. BUT, I am here to say from experience...IT DOES NOT WORK. Maybe it has for some people. Maybe they have been able to maintain. But, I know that it does not work for me and for most of the people I know.

I did HCG last year, and I lost 40 pounds in six weeks. It was fast. It was easy. BUT, I also almost gained it all back this past year. I have yo-yo'd up and down with every diet imaginable. Though, I have not ever truly committed, and I mean LONG-TERM committed, to a healthy lifestyle change: Eating right and exercising regularly. I have tried to be healthy, with no gimmick diet, but I have never stayed at it past maybe 6 weeks.

I decided this summer that I would make good choices, and that I would FIGHT through the times where I want to quit. My goal is to see myself do this for a year. I am hoping that a SOLID year will allow me to really make these habits part of my life, and natural. As well, the slow loss for me is a commitment to keeping it off. My hope is an average of 2 pounds a week. It may take me more than 6 months to reach my goal, but I think that means that I will have the tools and skills to maintain. Sure, I can lose it fast, and i have done so, but I want this to be permanent. And, I feel good about his process.

The bottom line, Stephanie, is that we have to do what works for us. I see this a lot like the half-marathon I am training for. I could right now go walk the race. But, by training, I am slowly gaining the ability to jog it. In the end, I will have reached my goal by the hard work I put in for months. Then, I will be able to jog another one and another one, if I want. Nobody can take that health away from me. And, since it's not a quickie get, it's more lasting.

A little insight...

So I wanted to share some thoughts. 

I have had a lot of comments made to me, about how I am doing and they go from the good side to the bad side.  Some people say "great job! I can see your hard work is paying off!" to "I think you should find a way to get the weight off fast and then it will be easier.  In the past, this slow and steady pace didn't work for you." REALLY? Maybe the truth hurts...I don't know.  I have taken those comments and made the most of them and I really want to show them what I am made of!

I have been doing a lot of research on diets and gimmicks and such and if you look at them all in a nutshell, they all have you eating the same things...fruits, veggies, lean protein.  All in different amounts so the diets are unique, but really they are all the same.  Some diets have you eating so few calories that you can't exercise or you would pass out or feel very fatigued.  Some diets have you exercise ALL THE TIME!  Most diets want you to buy some sort of membership or merchandise.  So my common sense tells me that if you keep to a realistic calorie intake and exercise regularly, weight loss is attainable.  Do what Trisha and I are doing, stay away from processed foods, added unnatural sugars and exercise, you will win the race, maybe slow, maybe fast...all depending on your body.  I don't think that living a healthy lifestyle should make you feel like you can't participate in family functions because you can't eat what is being served.  That is where moderation comes in.  Don't eat a ton of birthday cake or a ton of spaghetti or pizza.  Maybe make some changes and eat a big salad and just a small amount of the other stuff.  Use common sense!  Make healthy choices. Pay attention to others around you that you find inspirational.  (I have noticed that people who don't have weight issues, don't eat a ton of food.  Imagine that!)  How are they eating, how are they maintaining in keeping active.  I think that sometimes with me needing to lose weight first before maintaining, I need to exercise a bit harder and eat just a bit more salad than everyone else!  I don't really have any articles to link to because I don't really want to lead anyone in the wrong direction.  My common sense may be different than others, but this is just my two bits and what I have learned so far in my journey. I am listening to my body and paying attention to what I eat and exercises I do and how it makes me feel.  It doesn't happen overnight...(how many times have I heard that?! LOL)

So Trisha, I truly believe we are doing this the right way.  :) 

Stephanie's weigh in and Review

So the scale only went to 187.5 that is down 1.3 from last week. (.69%) I wasn't really expecting too much but a little is better than none!

My water intake is great!  I haven't had to use chapstick in a long time, so I think that is a good sign!  Doing the challenge last week was hard.  I think accepting that I was feeling icky and allowing myself to rest was good for me and not something I tend to do.  Still no processed foods, well I did have a glass of wine but it was made locally??? 

I mentioned over at my other blog that I am glad for a new slate.  A fresh start.  Weigh in Mondays are great because then the rest of the week is new and exciting!  We can learn from our mistakes or our milestones reached and continue on.  Today I am taking care of me...

Trisha's Weigh-In and Review

Wahoo! I am happy with today's scale reading at 227.2. That's 1.2 down or .53%. Running total from this challenge down 8.2 pounds :))) I didn't expect a big loss or even one at all since it was the lovely extra-water-retention-time. Here's how I have been doing for the summer!

I had a really busy weekend, shocking, I know! LOL But, I have really simplified things in my life, and it makes me feel so much more lighter!

So, updates on all the challenges:
1) I ate fast food?!?! I ate Friday night at Dairy Queen. I had a hamburger and french fries and water, and I felt totally GROSS!       :(   PROCESSED and ICKY
2) I had a fabulously yummy steak salad at Corner Bistro for dinner on Saturday night.
3) I did not run or intentionally exercise all weekend, though I know all the work I did for the yard sale (going through all of storage, and then moving storage from one unit to another, loading and hauling four pick-up truck loads of stuff, you get the drift).
4) I was good for water over the weekend!
5) Did I eat fruit this weekend? I did have veggies. Oh, and does an Orange Julius count for fruit? Yeah, I had one of those yesterday.  (only 330 calories, said with sarcastic tone of voice).

In the end, I didn't overeat, and if my calories were all counted, I was still down. BUT, what I did put in my body wasn't necessarily what it needed and truly wanted. It is still somewhat surprising to me that I lost weight considering. But, I wasn't out of control.

Last week was a weird one all around.  I am curious to see if it is like this each month (if that is even regular for me)...at least now I am aware of the changes in my mood  and motivation based on what's happening hormonally.

I feel all focused and ready to go this week! We are headed down to the store to stock up. I have my meals and exercise planned for  the week. I hope this next week is a BIG loss! I am hoping for two pounds, that's the goal!! I will have to weigh-in on Sunday morning (short a day) because we are headed off on vacation on Sunday. That could be a challenge...though I am working on the plan for that right now!!

The other big challenge I am feeling is when I get back to work. I am not so worried about eating, but I am concerned with the time for exercising, though I am working on a plan for that, too.

Sweaty and good!!

--Trisha
It was a sweaty day, and a day that I am working on making my life as simple as I can! I feel tired, but a really good accomplished tired!

Sharing

--Trisha
For me today: ZUMBA!!! I had so much fun!!! I survived the challenge this past week, and what I realized more than anything is that it's not really hard to take care of myself and I am able to do good things me, and not feel guilty :)

OK, so lately I have been interested in two topics related to health. One is about rest and recovery, and the risk of over training. And, interestingly enough, today after Zumba, Lydia (the instructor) talked to me about my current program and how ABSOLUTELY important it is to have rest and recovery time, especially with my running program. I have read a TON about rest and recovery in an exercise program, be it running, weightlifting, or whatever. So, here is an article I particularly liked.

I also found this article timely given the fact that both Stephanie and I recently blogged about feeling ZAPPED of energy!

You can read about what else I am learning about regarding heart rate monitoring and exercising on my other blog!

Oh what can the matter be...

I have a summer cold. 

I totally understand your motivation post Trisha, I am having a hard time too.  Maybe we need to switch it up a little??  Or maybe we need to keep it to the basics for a week until we regroup?  Keep it to chuggin water and 30 minutes of exercise? 

I do want to say, cause for some reason I can't leave a comment on your post, your doing a fantastic job!  You are looking so good!!  All of your hard work is paying off!!! THANKS!!!! And, yeah for fitting into those pre-pregnancy pants!!!!! GOOD JOB :)))

I have an idea...what about if we spend the next couple days looking for a good article, either be Internet or magazine, to share with each other regarding diet, exercise, and/or healthy living?  Something that we might not know, or just something that means a  lot to us that we want to share.  I know that I find motivation in others with their stories of accomplishments and with articles that relate to my struggles.  I need to remember to learn as I go cause there is always something new out there!!!


So, this is not in response to your idea there, as I will definitely share a different and new article (want to find something new for me, too!), but I am wondering about your cold...I know that last year when I cut out processed foods and sugar, I got REALLY sick and my doctor told me that it was sugar withdrawal which can act like a cold or the flu and start or last anywhere from 1 week to 3 weeks! So, this time around, I made sure to eat LOTS of fruit for the natural sugar, so no withdrawal! Here's an article I found that does talk a little about SUGAR WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. I don't know how you are doing on the fruits, as I do know you mentioned strawberries, but if your body thinks it's not getting enough sugar it can act cranky! Just a thought...or, it could just be a stinky summer cold :(

Hey, that is interesting!  I would have never thought about that!  I do a lot of fruit but maybe I need more???  I think this is an actual cold tho...baby boy has it too. :(

Trisha's 'TUDE

This week--all of two days,I know, but feels like a week already--I have been doing everything I am supposed to do (eating clean, water,exercise), but I definitely don't feel as motivated...kinda have the blahs, not the blues, just the I-don't-want-to-do-much-of-anything-and-just-want-to-be-a-bum attitude. My best friend said that it's because I have been so busy and so on the go for the entire summer that I need a mellow slow down time.

Exercise has been fun this week, but I have not, for the first time this summer, been exercising super early in the morning, like I normally do...maybe that's it?!

OK, for the challenge:
Yesterday = Massage (ahhhhhh) and Zumba class, which was a blast, even though I felt completely uncoordinated!

Today = Slept in :) And,finished reading another book because I carved out time today to read!

Hopefully tomorrow brings a reset to my get-up-and-go!

Weigh-In!!

--Trisha

Last week, 230.4, this week 228.4 down 2 = .86%    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo long 230s!

Running total down 7 pounds!! Yahoo :)


Let me tell you...considering the last four days...I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE LOST A SINGLE POUND. I did have healthy eating and exercising, but my goodness, this could have easily been a few days to derail me!

The bottom line is that by conquering these days and not feeling like I was missing anything, I KNOW I can do anything!! And, that more importantly I deserve and want this :)

OK, so now for some confessions:
1) I did not intentionally exercise on Saturday. I did miss it :( I drove my motorcycle up to Winthrop and back, and the calorie calculator says that a person who weighs as much as me burns 274 calories an hour. But, seriously that doesn't count as the same to me as my walking/jogging.
2) I did not intentionally exercise on Sunday. We did lots of walking from the parking lot to the stadium and up and down stairs, but... as well, the same calorie calculator says that you burn calories if you are driving (not riding) in a car. I drove most of the way over, and all of the way back. BUT, again...
3) I am going to double dose exercise today and Wednesday at least, since I am going to ZUMBA!!
4) I did eat some processed foods this weekend. Though, I chose SMALL portions and healthier options. The processed foods were very limited.

Things for me...our challenge. Saturday, this seems silly but if you read my other blog, you will understand...but a frozen banana. I felt like that was such a HUGE treat. Tee hee. Also, I had the choice of riding my motorcycle and going with my family to Winthrop or staying home and exercising...so, I feel like I made the choice I wanted, which was hard, because I felt guilty for not going for my walk/jog. Sunday, I bought some new running shoes!! They are Saucony brand, my favorite. I did buy them out of town, sorry Rawsons, but Rawsons doesn't carry that brand, which is perfect for how my feet are!! And, they were $80 cheaper than what I was going to buy at Rawsons.

My treats today: a MUCH needed massage, and ZUMBA class :) Can't wait!!

Stephanie's Monday Weigh In...

This morning as I rolled out of bed and headed to the scale...stepped on and it read...188.8 (.63%) that is a 1.2 loss from last Monday!

I was shocked!  It is TOM for me and I expected a gain cause I feel so bloated!!!  But I was happy freaking jumping up and down with my small loss!!  I am steadily climbing down the ladder!!!  So since the challenge has started that is a total of 5.2 pounds!  Not too shabby! :) 

This weekend the small things I did for myself was take a nap when my baby boy (who is 5 months today!) napped.  He was up most of the night Saturday night so I was extrememly tired Sunday.  I so badly wanted to snack too.  So obviously loss of sleep is a major food obstacle for me.  Also, I found out some medical issues are arising in my family that is going to be extrememly stressful and emotional for me.  I wanted to snack then too...so I see that I am a total emotional eater as well!  So seeing this happening makes me want to figure out ways to cope otherwise.  Exercise isn't always an option for relief, so I need some other coping mechanisms...any ideas? 

This morning, I did my "do something for myself".  I bought myself some fresh strawberries for the day and a desk calendar!!  I love calendars!  :)

Other coping ideas when exercise isn't an option...can you write? When I am able to write I can feel an incredible purge! Or, if you are going to snack ONLY allow yourself carrots or celery or whatever like that. And, what REALLY works for me is drinking enough water to feel like I am going to drown. SERIOUSLY, then I am so full and bloated that I can't even think about eating. I get this, Stephanie! I am such an emotional eater myself.
Feeling your pain...
--Trisha