Weekly Review

Hello My Lovelies!

This week seemed to go by very quickly... probably because it was a holiday last Monday in Canada. I had more days off than usual this week but didn't do too much really. I mostly just cleaned my apartment and packed for the move. I also had a birthday party for my best friend at a karaoke bar.

Eating was ok for the most part this week. Saturday was a nightmare though- I ate fried chicken, fries, and goodies at work. I don't know what it is about work that just makes me want to shove all kinds of sweets in my yap. I can't stand it. There is always more crap food around here than healthy food. You would think in helping people live drug-free lives we could encourage a healthy diet too! Nope- it is all chocolate and cheese here.

I went to the gum this week. I'm glad that I will no longer be attending. I used the arc trainer, the rower, and the circuits. I like the circuits a lot, but none of the cardio machines make me work and sweat as hard as running does. All other workouts are nothing compared to running. I feel like I am barely working when I am on the arc trainer now. But, a year ago- the arc was God.

As for Non-Scale Victories? There are few!
1) When I stand on my tip toes and look at my calves- I can see the muscles and they are amazingly defined. I love it!
2) Trying on clothes this week in smaller sizes
3) Catching a glimpse of my butt in the gym mirror and thinking- Wow, what a cute tush! haha! I can't believe I am admitting to checking out my own butt!

Last Week's Goals Recap:
1) Track Calories Everyday- not quite. I tracked for 3 days so far and will be tracking today as well. So, 4 days. Not bad. Getting back into it.

2) Get to the gym and cancel membership- DONE. I have until mid June to utilize the gym before my membership runs out.

3) Use home gym twice- nope. Not yet anyways. I packed my television away in its' box, so no DVDs for me. Maybe I will jump on the elliptical tonight before I take it apart for the move.

Next Week's Goals:
1) Track Calories Everyday
2) Get out for a run- even if you have to walk part way
3) Have Elliptical put together and set up by Saturday

Seems like I am starting a trend of being on time for my review- let's not jinx it!

Have a great week kids!

Weigh-In #18

Weight: 199.8
Body Fat %:  39.8
Hydration %: 43.9

Difference: +1.4 lbs from last week
                  +0.2% BF from last week

Isn't it funny how it takes awhile for pounds to accumulate and creep up on you? I knew I wasn't doing well with eating and exercising, but it wasn't really affecting the scale much- then once I finally decide to get back on track- BAM! Hello 1.4 lbs!

The thing is, I know the things that I'm doing wrong to gain. I am aware of them. Years ago, I may not have really understood so many calories and no exercise = pounds. I do now and that is a good thing!

See you on Sunday for the Review!

Shopping Stop

I don't know if anyone else does this, but I tend to not trust mirrors in change rooms. You think some pants or blouse make you look awesome, but you get home and you just don't get the same feeling. It could be the lighting or the shopping rush- but you just hate it.

I have taken to photographing myself with my phone to check out outfits that I am not sure if I like or not...

Here is one I tried today- the top

Think I should get it?

I tried on a few things today, but I felt like this top actually made it look like I have lost weight and I could tell. Even though it is not a tight top, it is more flowy- I still felt like I could see the loss, especially in my shoulders/collar bone area for some reason!

I also tried on some short and jeans. Wanted to see what I could fit into. I am just shy of a size 10 jean/short. The 12s will be too big soon (if I even get back on track). At my heaviest I was wearing size 16s. I wore my size 16s this weekend and they were just falling off of me! It looked awful, but they were the only things I had to wear.

Also need a new bra with an underwire. My band size has decreased in this process and now I am either wearing a bra that is too big for me or a sport bra- both of which do not give you the most flattering shape.

Weekly Review

I'm writing this weekly review from work. I have been at work since last Saturday- this is my 9th day in a row of a ten day stretch. However, I still have 3 shifts to go before I'm in the clear with a day off. Doubles today and tomorrow. 

Here we go... 

This week has obviously been full of work and house cleaning/packing. I am moving at the end of the month and feeling some anxiety surrounding it all. I am moving back in with my Mister after a 10 month hiatus. I'm excited to be living with him again, but also worried that this time it just won't work and it will be splitsville for us. Then I will be back to living alone in a bachelor apartment endlessly surfing the Internet and sleeping on a futon. 

Eating hasn't been great, but not overly awful either. Haven't been tracking much this week though. I know I ate too much cheesecake at work this week. 

No real exercise to note besides my regular walking. 

Let's see how last week's goals stacked up...

1) A loss- nope. Basically a maintain. 

2) get my water- Nope. 

3) be active outdoors- I went for a hike with my sweetie. We probably ended up doing 5k. 

This week's goals:
1) track calories everyday
2) get to the gym one more time  & cancel the membership
3) use home gym twice 

Wish me luck as I attempt to get back on track! 

Weigh-In #17

Weight: 198.4
Body Fat %: 39.6
Hydration %: 44

Difference: +0.2 lbs from last week
                  -0.3% BF from last week

Total = -20 lbs

I'd like to say that I am happy with what appears to be a maintain, but if I said that I would be lying. However, I have no right to say that I am surprised or confused by no loss this week.

I have really been losing momentum in the last month or so. I'm starting to slide with eating and really slide with the exercise. I can see if happening and I still don't do anything about it. I just let it slide. I'm not sure how to get myself back into the habit of regular exercise and eating well.

To top it all off, life gets in the way. Too much work, studying, moving, a death in the family, and it just sends me through loop after loop while I look to take care of everyone around me and neglect myself.

I need another jolt to my system. A kick in the behind. A leap to get me off my plateau!

Let's hope I find it soon.

Have a great weekend my dears!

My Home Gym

I've been struggling with whether or not to resign as a member of the paid gym. I'm leaning towards canceling the membership since I just can't motivate myself to go. I'm paying $50 a month for nothing really. I may go 2-3 a month at this point. Not justified.

I thought I would show you the reason I am contemplating canceling- my home gym.

Home gyms are so convenient. However, you need a variety of equipment to keep you interested. There is an initial investment in the larger items, but most of these things I have been collecting over a period of years.

Here we go...

 

Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown- $0 (won a blog giveaway Amazon Giftcard)

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred- $0 (won a blog giveaway Amazon Giftcard)

Biggest Loser Cardio- $6

Kettlebell Solution- $0 (purchased with a giftcard at Christmas time)

Carmen Electra Aerobic Striptease- $0. (got for Christmas)

Pilates Yoga Workout, came with 3 resistance bands and a ball- $14? I think. Bought this a few years ago.

 I keep the workout cards that various equipment comes with. I also read magazines like SHAPE or SELF and photocopy the workouts I like to keep and try later. - $0

Multicolor bands and small blue ball- came in the Pilates/Yoga workout set
3lbs Orange Dumbbells- $6
3lbs & 5lbs Kettlebells- came in the set with video & exercise card
Black and Red Resistance Band- $7 and came with an exercise card
Yoga Mat- $12
Yoga Block- $8

The Big Piece!
Elliptical- $120- on sale and purchased with a giftcard!

Don't forget my runners! I purchased them with a giftcard around Christmas time as well- I ended up paying about $9 for them! I use them for running and the elliptical.

I also have a bike that I use in the summer months! 

 

I think I will be okay with no gym membership. What do you think I should add to my home gym that I may be missing?

(Very Late) Weekly Review

Don't Panic!! I'm okay! Really. I'm fine.

My weeks have been filled with too much lately that I hardly get a chance to check out everyone's blogs, let alone write a post for mine!

Too much work make Lizzy angry. I'm going on to a 10 day stretch with 2 doubles thrown in there for good measure. >:(

Plus! I am moving at the end of the month- that should make things even more timely! haha

Onto the review...

I have a confession. I have been eating out too much lately. Just too much. Not entirely terrible for me restaurants or food, just too much. I must stop.

Last Week's Goals
------------------------
1) A loss- done! I lost 1.4 lbs last weigh in. Yeah! I hope to keep it  up.

2) Yoga 3-4x  - nope. I did yoga once this week. But, it was Jillian's Yoga Meltdown. I made it through Level 1 but my shoulders were sore the next day.

3) Run outside- I didn't run outside, but I did run on the treadmill, which was a NSV this week!

Non-Scale Victory of the Week
--------------------------------------
I decided to do 5K on the treadmill no matter what. I said to myself- it is okay if you have to walk a bit or take a break, just don't stop. I wanted to see what my time would be so that I can improve on it and maybe run a race in the future.

I ran most of it and ended up walking for 0.3 miles. I went slower so that I could finish the whole thing without getting too tired- I finished with a time of around 40 minutes. Not great, but now I know.

I was happy to just run. I kept thinking while I ran- "you could never have done this a year ago." It felt great to think about how much stronger I am. I can really feel it in my body. My legs are much more sturdy. My calves have definition. I can feel my waist just being smaller.

This Week's Goals
----------------------
1) A Loss
2) Get 64oz of water for at least 5/7 days
3) Something active outside- because it is beautiful!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

Weigh-In #16

Weight: 198.2
Body Fat %: 39.9
Hydration %: 43.8

Difference: -1.4 lbs from last week
                  +0.1% BF from last week

Total: 20.2 lbs

I've had a busy week filled with mostly work and sleep- it's not even over yet! Hope Will to get to the gym today.

Have a great weekend and I will be posting more next week!

Weekly Review

Late reviews are becoming a habit! I must get back on track with posting.

I had a busy Sunday- I worked a double shift. Got up at 6am, didn't get to bed til 12am. Not good! I like to be well rested, but can function on only a few hours if I need to.

Let's talk about last week's goals.

1) Loss on the scale- didn't happen. But it's ok. I'm staying under 200 and that really makes me happy! I will make sure next week I have a loss.

2) Drink 64 oz of water everyday- this happened about 5/7 days. Once the weekend hit, I forgot to drink my water.

3) Exercise 4x- done!
Tuesday- 1 hour at the gym- various machine, running, weights
Wednesday- yoga & 30 mins elliptical
Thursday- same as Wednesday
Friday- ran 2 miles outside, yoga, 20 mins elliptical

Also did my regular walking- clocked 4 hours last week.

Now for the NSVs of the week!

1) I ran outside and it was great! I went alone and did not over-exert myself. I felt like I was going really slow, but I did a mile in and around my regular time.

2) I made a new personal record for my mile time on the treadmill! My new PR is 11:28. I shaved 24 seconds off my old time. Not sure HOW that happened!

Goals for this week:
1) A loss on the scale- even a tiny one!
2) Yoga 3-4x this week
3) Run outside again!

Cheers to a great week!






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weigh-In #15

Weight: 199.6
Body Fat %: 39.8
Hydration %: 43.9

Difference: +1.2 lbs since April 21
                  No change in BF % since April 21

Measurements:
Bicep: 13" (-0.25")
Bust: 36" (-0.5")
Hips: 42.5" (-0.75")
Waist: 40.5" (-1.75")
Thigh: 23" (-1")

- 4.25" since March 11, 2011

- 16" since January 14, 2011

Well, I had a gain... Boo. It's ok. I know what I need to do and what I need to not do! I've been doing well this week and I hope all of you are too!

Have a great weekend, lovelies! You are all amazing people!

Stylish Blogger Award

I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by the ever lovely Thunder Thighs. Thank you so much, Lady!

To accept the award:

1. Post a link back to the person who gave it to me - Check.

2. Give it to 5 blogs that I love and stop by their blogs to let them know. 

 

Here are the blogs I love; in no particular order of course...

1. Fat Girls Can Run Too- yes we can!

2. Girl Stuck in a Rut - love the food pics

3. Leah: The Kind Weight Watcher - one I've followed from the beginning

4. Need to Get Me Back - writes like a girlfriend you are having coffee with ;)

5. ...Diet Chic on a Mission - check out her amazing 'after' belt photos

Hurray!

Supermarket Secrets

I found this video today and thought I would share. I love Michael Pollan's writing and ideology- even though he may use some scare tactics at times. He makes a lot of sense and I have always agreed with his eating philosophy.

Enjoy!

Green (Monster) Smoothies

In the morning, you would typically see the color orange, black or white in your glass or cup. But, have you ever thought of having something green in your glass when you wake up? Me neither! Until this past week that is!

I have recently joined the Green Monster Movement after much reluctance. Now I am hooked!

What's in a green monster? Well, there is always some type of green- most people use spinach, but you can also use kale. Add some fruit- whatever type you like! Then, some milk- cow's, almond, soy, rice, hemp. Anything you please- it is your monster. Then, blend it all up and voila! Your own personalized monster!

I've seen a lot of bloggers talk about and picture their green smoothies for their readers to see along with the recipes. I always thought "that can't taste good". It is green and kinda chunky! Bleck! But then, I started thinking- it is a really good source of fruits and veggies for the day. Also, it is very low in calories and fat. A great breakfast for lasting energy or after workout snack.

I decided to psych my taste buds up to take one on. If I had too, I would plug my nose and down it as fast as possible while reminding myself that it was really good for me!

I went out and bought my regular giant bag of spinach, frozen fruit, and milk- all things that I just happened to be out of.

I laid out my tools- the Magic Bullet- which is perfect because it already comes with smoothie cups. I added 2 huge handfuls of raw spinach (stems and all), a mix of frozen strawberries, mangoes, and peaches, and a cup of skim milk.

Before

Blend, blend, blend, blend! And you get this...

After

 

And now you are ready to enjoy!

Canadian GM Pride!

To my surprise, I am in love with them! It has a very fresh quality to it. You can taste the green- like fresh cut grass almost. But it is also sweet from the fruit. It is a perfect summer breakfast- cold, light, and refreshing.

If you like fruits and veg then this is a definite must try for you. But, if you are a person who needs to choke them down because you know they are good for you... you may want to skip this (I'm looking at you Mister).

Give it a try, let me know what you think and we can swap recipes! 

Rating: 

Weekly Review

Good evening. Or morning to most since I am writing this late and you won't see it until tomorrow at best!

I had another busy week- lots of work. Also, caught up on a little sleep and chats with good friends.I am satisfied with how I divided my time, although, exercise could use a bigger piece of my time.

My eating this week was not too bad at all. This weekend at work I was able to limit my intake of bad stuff. I didn't chow down on a lot of cheese, cakes, or other goodies. I brought my lunch half the time and was very satisfied with what I brought- vegan Indian stew that I made myself. Very yummy and filling. I went out a couple of times, but tracked all the calories.

I have just recently become infatuated with green smoothies! I plan to do a post on them this week!

I met my exercise goals this week- 2x on the elliptical and a running date with my Mr. Along with some biking, yoga, and my regular walking that I always do. I am starting to step it up a bit. Hopefully, I can do a little extra this coming week.

There was no weigh-in this week because Friday I was rushed and late, Saturday I was not home, and Sunday... no excuse really :( Sorry!

This week's goals:
1) A weigh-in this Friday with a loss!
2) Drink 64oz of water everyday
3) Exercise (home or gym) 4x this week

<3 you!