OMG What have I done?!?!?!

Recently I uploaded some pictures from my birthday party in March.  My first thought was, "I really like my new shirt!" Which was followed by a more 'surprising' thought, "but man do I look fat!"  Omg I did not just think that, but unfortunately as I peered at the photo a little more, I realized that it was true.  I had gained weight yet again.

Who's fault is this weight gain, well none other than yours truly, I mean I can't really blame anyone else, I ate the food, I stopped the exercise program, I did all that, no one else, so I am the one who is to blame.  Yup that was me.

I haven't stepped on a scale to see how much I weigh I really don't need the scale to be taunting me as well, I do a good enough job at that as it is already.  But it has definitely lit a fire under my ass, I mean I don't want to be the fat mom, I want to be the healthy has lot's of energy, and hey my mom looks good mom.  I don't expect to have changes over night, I know this is an arduous battle, I have been in this spot before, about 18 months ago actually, and I am here again, so now I know I need to make a change.

I am going to talk to my doctor about it at my next appointment, I mean the weight gain is a little surprising I didn't feel I was being that negligent on my eating habits, maybe a little, but not to this extreme.  So I want to rule out any medical reason for the weight gain, then I am going to "diet".  But not really diet, I am going to track my food intake and I will post weekly results here, to keep me on track.  I don't know who all reads this but I don't want to be eating crap and having you all judge me for it.  And I am going to exercise every day, so when I post my weekly food log, you will also see my weekly exercise log.  And my total earnings that I am going to reward myself with.

So the plan is this, for every day I am within 200 calories +/- my daily caloric intake of 1400 I get $2.  For every day that do at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise I get $1 and for every day that I do 30 minutes of strength toning exercises I get $1.  So I can potentially earn $4 a day.  This will go for 6 weeks.  At the end of 6 weeks we will check our progress and go from there.  This will start tomorrow so tomorrow I will measure and weigh myself then post the results here.  Not the weight, I will just post my % lost after on each weeks update.

Ok here we go 6 weeks to a new me!!!!

Morning Workouts, or Daily Workouts

I find it so difficult to get out of bed on mornings when I don't work, but I know I should, I know I should get up do  quick exercise circuit, but I don't.  I usually laze in bed and then get up, then eat, then play on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest for an hour, then I clean the house, and then I do anything but exercising.  ANYTHING!!  I know this is so bad for me, especially because I am considering saving myself some money by quitting the gym and just getting a family pass at the Collicut for the year.  It's cheaper because Hubby works for the city, so then we can both go.  I know, absolutely KNOW that, hubby would not have half the aches and pains he did if he began working out regularly.  So for 1/2 the price of my gym membership a month, I could take my whole family to one of the City Centers, (Collicut, Rec Center, Dawe) and work out there.  We would also get to go swimming as a family or do lane swimming with other friends.  So the thought of quitting the gym, though it pains me to say it, means that I have to become more motivated at home to stay active and in shape.

The gym has given me some great tools and I am very happy with them.  I am not quitting the gym because I am not happy with my trainer, in fact I would offer my trainer money to come train my hubby and I for one hour a week just to make sure I stay on track.  I am quitting the gym because my family cannot afford the cost anymore, especially if we begin looking into moving away from the city. 

So this is what I have begun in December that I am going to push on my entire house.  (Yes I am that pushy, my 2 y/o will even get involved)  I typed up 14 different quick workouts for us to do in the morning. Some will take 15 minutes others closer to 45.  I am going to print them off and put them onto some Scrapbooking paper then we will put them in a little container.  Each day we will pick one of them to do the next morning, and Hubby and I will for sure do them at some point during the day, then we will pick another one.  We will both get one veto day, or day of rest, but it doesn't have to be the same day.  But when we are working out it has to be the same workout.  If the kids are up they will join us.

Also the days I usually go to the gym we will still go to the gym to workout and we will add another day to that schedule so that we are going to the gym 4 times a week.  I think we will work on cardio mostly, but we will definitely do some strength training too. 

Much to my family's dismay we are going to go be changing some eating habits as well.  Especially my hubby, who still snacks out on chips and goodies all the time.  He is going to be put on my diet and I will be making his lunch and snacks and breakfasts for him and he will eat them..... because I said so with love of course.

I will update my workout cards when I have them done, I need to get pictures for them too, so that we know what we have to do.  But it's going to be so worth it.  I heard awhile ago that a family who works out together stays together.

New Diet Planning

I have been doing a lot of reading lately on dieting and planning an appropriate diet, where you get all your nutrients and all your vitamins but where it still tastes good. 

I believe that processed sugar is not great for you, but I believe if you practice portion control and serving sizes, you will do fine with eating a balance of sweets and nutritious foods.  That being said, I do not believe that you can live or subsist on a diet of treats alone, nor if you are entering a competition where they are going to evaluate your body, do I think you should indulge in these treats.  However, if you are only trying to maintain a healthy diet then these habits or portion control and serving sizes will be very beneficial.

I read, in a book, I believe it was Eat, Pray, Love, that the Italians never eat anything, they taste everything but eat nothing.  It's a habit to sample all the food in front of you but to not eat everything.  I don't believe in wasting food, but I believe in second and third helpings if you need them.  That would be the way to truly be able to manage your weight.

So that is my goal for the next 21 days.  I am going to manage my portions and take second helpings if I am hungry but all my meals will be manageable and won't leave me stuffed.  I will use my hand as my guide for what size of portions I should be eating.  Maybe even my plate division, but I am going limit my treat intake to just weekends and during the weeks I will stick to the 4 food groups to maintain my diet and we will see how that goes.

Also as I am on a weight loss cycle right now and not onto maintaining my weight yet, I will be having two protein shakes a day as a meal replacement, one at breakfast and one for a bed time snack, I will post some more recipes that I try in the future in case anyone else wants to join me. 

The next 21 day plan will be exercising, getting back on that stupid Wii fit and making those programs work for me, and doing my Jillian Michaels DVDs.  Bikini Body 2012 is going to be smoking!!!

What I've learned in the past 6 months

I am literally amazed with myself.  I have stuck it out with One to 1 Fitness and have been on a diet and exercise regime that has not only shown me physical results but has also made me fell better about myself as well.  


There are a few things I have learned and come to appreciate in the past 6 months that I think should be shared with everyone.  


1) The number on the scale means less than what it is valued at by most people.  Muscle takes up less space than fat but a smaller area of muscle could weigh more than a larger area of fat.  It's not that muscle weighs more than fat, but it's more compact and won't take up as much space, but the number on the scale does not know that.
2) Energy levels are more important than the number on the scales, it doesn't matter what the scale says, it's what your body allows you to do, and how well you can function throughout the day.
3) Diet is very important to maintaining and losing weight, it's more important than exercise.  This I didn't believe in the beginning but I am finding that it is more true than I would like to give it credit for.
4) Clothing size is different for all designers and in some clothes I may be a size 12 and in others I may be a size 8, all that really matters is how I feel with the clothes on.
5) No one's opinion matters except my own when it comes to my own body.  Not everyone is going to like what they see, but as long as I like what I see, then I should take my happiness from that.


Those are the top five things I have learned, but I have learned more things as well.
6) Squats with one leg on a step with your foot pointed at an angle hurt your inner thighs.
7) running suicides SUCKS!!  Especially when you go full out, I need to work on my fast endurance because it is horrible right now.
8) I can do a real push up it's hard work, but I can do them, but a modified push up allows me to do more repetitions.
9) I have more strength then I am aware of, I must push myself to get more results and to push myself I can't be afraid to try heavier weights.
10) A sports bra is a necessity when working out, a regular bra does not keep the sisters in place.

diet where have you gone?

Diet oh diet where have you gone?  I was looking for you the other day and I couldn't find you so I snacked on half a Reese's peanut butter egg... I looked a couple days before that I couldn't find you either so I tried out a mini blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Today I am baking and baking, bread and cookies and then fixing Fettuccine Alfredo for supper... diet I am still missing you? 

I have come to a conclusion, in regards to my diet.  Thought I have taken a few liberties with my diet I don't feel as if I am cheating. And in actual fact I almost feel as if my diet has become my regular eating habit!!!  I know shocking right.  I no longer feel like I am on a diet, when I am feeling snacky I often go for a bit of fruit or some veggies or some kind of healthy carb, like whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter.  I sometimes give into temptation but I am ok with it, I know that one treat here and there is not going to ruin me and put me back on the fat gaining train.

I fit comfortably into a smaller sized jean now, my shirts are fitting better and I have much more energy.  All in all I think I am being successful on my journey to my wedding day.  Just gotta keep going until I feel like I need to maintain my weight and not lose anymore. 

So diet oh diet thanks for becoming my regular diet and not something I do because I am dieting!!!

Last week!!

OMG I can hardly believe it, I have one week left in my six weeks to a new you. Do I feel like a new me, well I feel more like the old me then I have in a very long time.  There are definitely some changes that I still have to work on but some of the changes have come very easily and I am enjoying incorporating them into my life and into my families healthy living.

So next Monday I go for my final weigh in and measurements, so that is when I will post my final results and then I will hopefully have some links to send you to see my video interview or some first time pictures with last week pictures.  It's going to be exciting.

I can give you these results though. I am definitely feeling a change in my body at this point.  I have more energy, I am not as tired as I was.  I still like my sleep and can still go to bed early but if I stay up an extra hour or two I am not a walking zombie the next day.  I feel healthier and I am not getting sick even though everyone around me is catching every cold and virus that is floating in this environment.  My clothes are fitting better, I even wore a pair of guess jeans I bought back when my dad was still alive in the hospital yesterday that I hadn't been able to put on since I bought them because I had gained weight after he passed away and I gained more weight because then I got pregnant.  Now two years later I am getting back down.  Next stop is to get back into the pants I bought when my dad was in making his big mistake 8 months prior to his death. 

I hope you are all looking forward to my results as much as I am.  Soon maybe I will be comfortable posting bikini pictures too!!! lol

UPDATE!!!

As many of you have read (I think it's only two or three people but hey it's a start I guess) I had begun a six week workout session with a personal trainer at One to 1 fitness.  This six week program is designed to help you loss weight by changing eating habits and doing some amazing workouts.  I know if my trainer reads this it may go to his head, but I vowed to be honest in my blogs and the workouts are hard, but I am able to push myself through them and I am seeing results.

When I had my initial consultation I was asked to give a short intreview in a camera to tell everyone why I signed up and what my goals were for the six week program.  I told everyone that I had signed up because I wanted to lead a healthier life and I wanted to have a healthier body and lifestyle.  My goal for the six week program was to lose 20 pounds.  It seems like a lot of weight, and I will admit that it is but it was half of all the weight I essentially want to lose by June.  By June I hope to be down to my ideal weight and then I will spend June to August and further on maintaining that weight.  They also asked me to identify my biggest obstacle in my weightloss journey.  That was easy, it's my eating habits, the snacking and junk food that I would eat. 

I have had quite the wake up call to the food I am ingesting.  I enjoyed those Fibre One bars, and cereal bars and those things, but they are not that healthy for you.  I have survived kicking sugar out of my diet, and I haven't had many cravings for sugar,  there have been a few, but I have been able to distract myself from eating anything that is high in sugar.  I thought it would be hard, especially with two children at home and a husband, or soon to be husband that was not necessarily interested in changing his diet plans. He still likes junk food, chocolate milk and his beer.   I have not been drinking anything since this started, and I may have a night or two where I drink and stuff, but I am going to be very conscious of my decisions.  Everything in moderation and really some things should be limited.

I really thought I would struggle more with eating, and there are a few times when I do struggle, but the biggest change that has happened, well the two big changes that have happened have made things easier than I expected.  The first change was cutting the processed sugar from my diet, that's all those corn syrups, fructose, glucose sugars that are manufactured and not really healthy for you.  I have supplemented in Splenda for those times when I have to have a sweetener on a product to be able to ingest it.  I tried to eat oatmeal a few times without sugar and I thought I was going to choke on it, I could barely swallow it, it just did not taste good.  But they have brown sugar splenda now so that makes things much better.  The other change has been the cutting back of prepackaged food.  I don't eat very many frozen meals or frozen meat products anymore.  We eat more fresh prepared food that is homemade.  It's been a big change because we were completely a family of convenience.  The funny thing is, when we make a meal from scratch it really only takes an average of 20 minutes longer to prepare and then we have so many leftovers afterwards for lunches and stuff that it is very much worth those extra 20 minutes. 

So now here is the update on my results at the half way mark of my six week journey.  I am down 9 pounds from when I first weighed in at One to 1.  I have lost 6+ inches since starting with them.  Those inches have come from my chest (2), waist (3) and glutes (1).  So there have been some definite gains from this program. 

Last night I didn't want to go, I wasn't feeling well, but I dragged my butt down there and I did my work out, it was worth it! I am glad I did it and I felt better when I got home, so now for the next 3 weeks I am making a goal to be more diligent to my meal plans and to actually work out more then the 3 times a week with the group class.  I will let you know more results as I find them!!!