After my interview, which turned out to be less of an interview and more of a 5 minute chat, (but it went well!) I stopped by work to drop something off and started talking to a women who also works in the campus food court area. She mentioned previously that she was on the G.I diet with her fiance and we started talking about food and exercise, what I eat and how I work out etc. She seemed very open but the biggest thing I noticed was how limited her options were with the G.I diet. For example, I mentioned how I like to add banana to my oatmeal in the morning, but apparently they are not allowed because they are too high in sugar. I understand that to some degree, but I just can’t get behind a diet plan that restricts REAL food. This focus on restriction instead of moderation really gets to me, because banana’s are awesome for you. They are high in soluble fiber and potassium and lots of other great stuff.

This is similar to my beef with weight watchers and processed foods. I really believe that if you eat REAL, unprocessed good quality food in moderation it will do amazing things for you in the long run. Weight loss is really just a part of it, think of cancer prevention, stronger bones, eyesight, digestion, energy levels, mental and physical strength and overall, LIVING a longer life.

Believe me, I am not a saint by any means, I crave chicken nuggets, fries, chips and refined sugars as much as the next fat chick. Eating real food is hard because we live in a society where fast and cheap are the norm and everyday foods we eat are full of preservatives and chemicals. Just the other day I searched the grocery store for a loaf of whole grain bread that didn’t have preservatives in it and came up short. The alternative: 5 bucks for a loaf of multi-grain bread from an organic bakery in town, it may be twice as much and I’ll have to freeze it so it doesn’t go bad but at least when I read the ingredients list, I can pronounce and recognize every item. Now that’s real.

• Monday: Personal training session
• Tuesday: 1 hour cardio (split between bike/elliptical)
• Wednesday: 1 hour cardio (same) and abs
• Thursday: Break
• Friday: Personal Training session
• Saturday: Bike Ride? Walk/Run outside?
• Sunday: 45 mins cardio and abs

Despite my insane schedule for school, I am determined to get 6 days of exercise in this week. I think it will help keep me focused and less stressed out about all the work I need to finish.

I am also going to set my alarm for 6:00am each day and see if I can get going to the gym early. It’s pretty much the only spare time I have, and as long as I go to bed early enough, why waste it sleeping?

I’ve been having a really off few days and I feel like I’m starting to loose the drive I had from going to the gym 5 times last week and breaking through my plateau. I haven’t worked out since Saturday and before then it had also been a few days so I wonder if I’m going through endorphin withdrawal? Is that even possible? I’ve been too tired to work out, yet without it I have less energy, it’s a total vicious cycle.

To be honest, pouring over the negative details never did me any good, in fact that’s what caused my anxiety to spiral out of control last term. SO, this is me being positive by forgetting the not so healthy things I’ve eaten and the lack of working out in the past few days and looking forward. I think the success of my school work (ie: paper due on Thursday) and happiness depends on this.

Hooray! I tried on my favorite cords today and they fit! Two weeks ago they were too small to do up, now they are perfect. life is good.

Had a tasty mango/strawberry smoothie for breakfast, will have tasty chicken and quinoa for lunch (dinner is undecided) and I feel like my cravings are slowly going away and being replaced by a need for good tasting healthy food.

Today is my second non gym day of the week, I normally don’t like to have two break days in a row but I have a lot of school work to get done and I’m alright with workinf out fri, sat, sun.

Have you had any non scale victories lately?

I’m procrastinating school work and I wanted to update you on my gym success this past week!

My tentative schedule was:

Monday - break

Tues - Training: check

Weds - 40 mins cardio + abs (didn’t go, boo)

Thurs - Break (Went this day instead! yay!)

Fri - Training (Worked my ass off, yes!)

Saturday - 1 hr cardio (Danced at the bar for hours instead, although the alcohol prob. canceled that out)

Sunday - 30 mins cardio + abs (I was DETERMINED to work out yesterday so after work at 11pm I did the Yoga Booty Ballet Cardio vid, and yes its as cheesy as it sounds but still pretty awesome. And some pilates for lower body)

Soooo, if you count Saturday’s dancing, that’s 5 days! Not too shabby!

This morning was rough, doing an intense workout right before bed probably wasn’t the best idea even though it felt awesome at the time. My neck and lower back are quite sore but I still think I’ll go to the gym today. Maybe aquacize?

Workout Schedule for March 8 -14

Monday: Core circuit followed by aquaftiness

Tuesday: Training

Weds: 8am yoga?? (hah, unlikely but I will try)

Thursday: break

Friday: Training

Saturday: 45 mins Cardio

Sunday Break.

Also, I lost another 2.5 inches! Screw you unchanging weight, I got muscle now!

So I’m now at:

Waist: 41.5’ (First measurement was 48.5, what!?)

Belly: 50’ (First time I’ve measured this, gah its horrid but oh well)

Hips: 46’ (Still the same and fine with me, I have a flat ass, TBH I wouldn’t mind if it was bigger! haha)

Wish me luck this week. I’m going to have 7 days of being perfect even if it kills me! (Well maybe just near perfect…)

So I made it to the gym today. Didn’t go for as long as I wanted but it was either that or miss my 2:30 class which I don’t like doing. I opted for a quick 20 mins on the treadmill at my regular gym instead of an intense hour at 9pm at the school gym I dislike so much. Which I suppose is better than nothing.

Also, I’ve been doing very well food wise the past few days. I need to get more protein in for sure, but blogging on a regular basis has helped me with the junk cravings!

This was my supper between classes. Filled me up nicely, but I was hungry by the time my class was over. (It’s 3 hours long) I need to get the protein/veg/carb ratios down so I don’t feel starved when I get home at 10.

Tomorrow I have the day off from school, I’m going to see my trainer, get my netbook fixed and pick up my eShakti order (woo!) then clean the house and make homemade pasta with Ryan for the Outside the Box challenge. I’ll definitely post pictures.

TTFN

I am slowly starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, good news is: I have a waist! Holy bajaysus it’s true! I’ve been struggling to see what my 2 months of gym time has gotten me, simply because my weight has stayed the same plus or minus 3-5 lbs. It’s been SO frustrating! But the other day I was getting dressed and noticed a distinct curve inward which wasn’t there before. Even when I lost 40lbs a few years ago, I wasn’t working out so I was still boxy, just smaller. I’m pretty pumped.

My Boobs are getting smaller, and not to overuse religious exclamations but Hallelujah! Maybe eventually I won’t have to spent 180 bucks on a bra.

Oh, and remember when I said I would update on sunday about sticking to my gym schedule? Sure didn’t (update or stick to it) I’m really struggling with going to the gym on days I dont have training scheduled. All I need to do is get my ass there 3 extra days on my own and I’m good for the week. I’ll keep writing my tentative schedule here to keep me somewhat accountable.

Monday - break

Tues - Training:  done

Weds - 40 mins cardio + abs

Thurs - Break

Fri - Training

Saturday - 1 hr cardio

Sunday - 30 mins cardio + abs

Sticking to this and staying on my food plan will be my goal for this week. Wish me luck!!

Seriously, what’s with oatmeal? It sucks. Why do we end up choking it down in the morning instead of some tastier breakfast alternatives? Here’s a small list of those alternatives so that when you’re reaching for pasty greyish stuff you can do better!

1. Quinoa with milk, cinnamon and almond or vanilla extract. (I posted the recipe awhile back) 1/2 cup =  3 points

2. Half an avocado, mashed up with some lemon juice and salt/pepper and spread on  multigrain toast. (If you like avocados this is tasty and different!) = 4 points

3. 1 cup of Edamame cooked with a little sea salt and a hard boiled egg on the side = 5 points

4. Fruit Smoothie with ground flax seed. Any fruit you’d like, nonfat milk or yogurt and a touch of honey if you want. add a few spoonfuls of the flax for fiber and wizz in the blender. (Also if you use soy milk instead you get a nice dose of protein to keep you full)  = 3-5 points depending on serving size

That’s all I can think of for now, but do you notice a common theme? Protein!  All of these options are sure to keep you fuller for longer! Quinoa is a super food, the only grain that’s a complete protein and it full of fiber and good stuff that keeps your body going. Edamame has 9 grams of fiber per serving, 11 grams of protein and it’s a  source of iron, vitamins A and C. Avocado, which has tons of healthy fats/antioxidants etc but only a few grams of protein is still filling and is full of potassium.

Sure, oatmeal has tons of good stuff in it too, soluble fiber and vitamins etc, but to be honest it just unpleasant to eat and I’d much rather have something flavorful AVD healthy. Breakfast doesn’t not have to be boring people! Mornings are bad enough as it is!

Do you have any oatmeal alternatives?

I started tracking points again today, it seems like it’s the only way I don’t over eat. Today is a long day of classes so hopefully I don’t slip up.

Last night I used the fancy scale at the gym after my workout and I weighed in at 231lbs which isn’t terrible but it isn’t awesome either. I started at the beginning of January at 237 and have been fluctuating between 235-229 since then. What I should have done is measured myself, I bet the inches reflect my hard(ish) work more than the scale.

So as of today:

Waist: 48.5’

Hips - 46’

Unfortunately my trainer had to cancel today so I’m sitting at my desk drinking coffee instead of being at the gym. I feel guilty but strength training on my own terrifies me and I did a whole bunch of wall pushups and crunches last night in my aerobics class. (I know, excuses, excuses)

So my tentative gym schedule for the week will look like this:

Monday - Low impact class + 15 mins on treadmill (done)

Tues - Break

Weds - 30 mins cardio + Free weights/Squats etc

Thurs - 8am Aquafit? (soo early, gah!)

Friday - Training Session

Saturday - Break

Sunday - 40 mins cardio

I’ll update you on Sunday whether or not I actually stayed on track.