A New Beginning

Wow. July 12, 2010 was my previous Day 1 of P90X. Well, that didn't last. I did it for about three or four weeks and quit right about when I started seeing the tiniest of results.

How typical of me. I liked it - I just had trouble getting up at 5 in the morning long-term at that point. Not to mention my motivation faded away.

But . . .

I started P90X again this past January.

I'm now on WEEK 10, DAY 59

Can you believe it? I've actually stuck with something.

And I'm seeing results.

Typically, my alarm goes off at 4:30 a.m., and I'm in my damp, dark, cold basement by 5a.m. I work out with Tony Horton on my TV until 6 or 6:15, and then I shower, get get the kids up and dressed and go to work.

I am also following the Body for Life eating plan, so usually during this morning routine (or if I'm really efficient, the night before), I pack my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day to take to work.

Back to my results. Maybe I'll get up enough guts when I'm done the 90 days to post some before and after pictures. I'll think about it, in the meantime, you'll have to trust me when I tell you it's working.

As of this morning, I've lost 8 pounds. Now, that's not a big number. But I'm OK with it. I see results more so in the mirror and in the way my clothes fit than on the scale. A pair of black dress pants I bought in November, size 14, now will completely fall down unless I belt them.

And I haven't worn a belt with anything in YEARS. It's great to actually tuck stuff in!

And I am now able to wear a pair of long black boots that I haven't been able to wear the past couple of years because I couldn't zip them up over my calves. Yay!

So yes, I'm seeing results. Building muscle does (somewhat) cancel out weight loss.

Also - I'm not perfect. We do have a cheat day once a week (we usually do Saturday or Sunday), but I've cheated more than that. It happens.

And have I done the P90X videos EVERY SINGLE DAY? No. But when I don't, I try to adequately substitute with workouts or classes at my gym. And most weeks, in ADDITION TO the P90X videos, I've gone to Zumba, Kickboxing, or Core Fusion classes at the gym.

I still like to go to the classes as I feel the P90X doesn't have a lot of cardio. (The cardio it has is not very high intensity). And I like the classes - I see friends there and it's a nice break in the work day.

I think part of the reason for my successes so far is that Mr. is on the wagon too. He is working with a trainer at the gym and following the eating plan too. He is doing the Body for Life Challenge at the gym, and he is heck-bent on winning. His weight loss is more dramatic: 25 pounds so far, which is awesome. He doesn't think he looks any different, but I think he does.

The reason he helps: I'm not the only one eating healthy while he sits there and has a bowl of ice cream, or orders cheese fries at a restaurant. We are helping each other make better choices.

Example: we went to a Philadelphia 76ers game last night. No healthy food in sight, but we were hungry and needed to eat, but didn't want to blow it. We wound up sharing a roast beef sandwich. And it was enough for both of us. Previously, we would have gotten nachos, popcorn, cheesesteaks, soda or a few beers. A big difference.

So what else are we eating?

Whatever the plan tells us to. Mr. gets the plan each week from his trainer, and we hit the grocery store. Meats, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Bread/Pasta, Fruit and Vegetables. Yes our trips to the grocery store are expensive, about $200 per week.

But we save big time by not spending $5-15 each per day in our cafeterias at work. And we were typically spending almost that much per week on crap food.

The kids are eating it too, when I think they'll like it. Sometimes I'll make something else for them, which is a pain in the butt, but whatever.

Sometimes I want to quit it all. But something I read in a Buddhist book sticks with me (and I'm going from memory here, hopefully I'll get it right):

"It's easy to start something, and it's easy to quit. But the real challenge is to stick with what you started."

I want to lose about 30 pounds total, so I have a ways to go.

So I'm sticking with it. If I falter or fall off the wagon, all is not lost, I get back on track as soon as I can.

Tomorrow is always a new day!

P90X (Day 1) Ouch. Already!

So we got the P90X videos in the mail. With all the accompaniments: fitness guide, nutritional guide, calendars, etc.

We spent the better part of yesterday clearing out a room in the basement.

We dusted off old weights, exercise bands, yoga mats and bought a chin up bar at Dick's.

We took our TV/DVD out of the kitchen, much to our childrens' discontent, and put it in said basement room.

We put up a bulletin board in order to track our progress on the calendar, and to post before and after pictures.

As of last night: all set. We are trying to come up with a clever name for our home gym. And when the walls are painted and less dingy, I'll post a picture. Not til then.

The alarm went off at 4:45 this morning: Time for Day 1. I dutifully got up and dressed, and headed down for the Day 1 workout. (Mr. remained snoring, as I fully expected. He's a night person.)

Day 1: Chest/Back (60 minutes) and Ab Ripper X (16 minutes)

I did it. I survived. It was very hard, and I had to modify many exercises, but I finished. I was dripping sweat. Guzzling water. I felt great afterwards. Now, OUCH. I'm starting to feel it already . . . everywhere.

I then showered/dressed, fed & let out dog, woke up kids, got everyone breakfast, made lunches, got everyone's stuff together for camps, Mr. took 2 kids to camp & day care, while I took the third to yet another camp (our summer is even crazier than our school year). And then I went to work.

All before 9 a.m.

I'm still guzzling water - and the hardest part of it all isn't even getting up at 4:45, or the exercise (which totally kicked my butt!). For me, it's the eating.

While I haven't gotten through the nutritional guide for P90X yet, I've already started: No SODA. No PROCESSED stuff. No CRAP. That's the hard part for me.

So far today, just water. Some eggs for breakfast. Salad for lunch.

Hopefully I can keep this up.

So here goes with the posting of weight again. While I may post more throughout the week, I'm just going to post weight 1x week as I'm trying not to be too obsessive about it.

Here goes:

Mrs:
Starting weight 7/12/10: 167.8 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Lbs left to lose: 37.8 pounds

Mr. promises to do the Day 1 videos tonight. I think doing them at night will work better for him . . again he is not a morning person. I would much rather do them in the morning . . I am much more of a morning person, and as the day goes on, so do my excuses!

Up tomorrow, Day 2: Plyometrics. I watched it yesterday, and boy, am I in for it. It looks even harder than what I did today. My goal . . is to finish in one piece!

Sigh.

Well, needless to say I fell off the wagon. Not the exercise wagon - I've kept up with that fairly consistently, and even did a 5k this month. I fell hard off the eating healthy wagon.

My weight has started the creep up again - I had gotten down to 162 pounds, now back up to 167. Still less than earlier this year, but I'm frustrated. My clothes don't fit, don't look good, and I don't feel good when I look in the mirror.

It's been a whirlwind of a spring & summer. Several trips (Florida, Michigan, South Carolina) and the perfect storm of kids' activities. I've never been busier. I can't remember when I've actually gone HOME for the night after work and not have to go to a baseball game, softball game, karate class, dance class, or some other activity.

But I'm not spouting off excuses. I've just been stuck in a rut I can't seem to get out of.

I don't WANT to eat crap and drink soda, but somehow I do anyway. I guess it's just easier.

And I'm eating too much. Sometimes I think I do so because if I'm eating, I get to sit down - which means the longer I eat, the longer I get to sit and relax. That's messed up, isn't it?

Every once in a while I cook or order something healthy. But it's not enough.

Mr. is in the same boat. At least we're stuck in it together.

So what are we going to do about it? Hmmmm.........

After much discussion we have ordered P90X and are anxiously awaiting its' arrival.

P90X is a set of workout dvd's and nutrition guides, for, as they say, extreme home fitness.

Several of our good friends have done it with phenomenal results. We are ready for some phenomenal results, and need a plan to get there.

We hope this plan is it.

Stay tuned . . . I anxiously check the mail every day and hope it comes soon!

Weigh in #3 Results - yay!

Mrs.

Starting weight: 171 pounds

Goal weight: 130 pounds

Current weight: 165.5

Pounds lost (gained) this week: 5.2!!

Total pounds lost (gained): 5.2!

Pounds left to lose: 35.5

Workouts: Classes: (3) Zumba classes, (1) Kickboxing. Runs: (2) 2.5-mile runs

Mr.

Starting weight: 240 pounds

Goal weight: 180 pounds

Current weight: 233

Pounds lost (gained) this week: 7!

Total pounds lost (gained): 7

Pounds left to lose: 53

Workouts: 2, at the gym (primarily 45 min on elliptical)

OK, so the Sugar Solution diet is working for us. And it's yummy - I've liked everything on it so far. It is enough food and is satisfying. And it is nice to bring everything to work, so I'm not milling around our cafeteria at lunchtime making bad choices.

The down side: it's expensive - all these fruits and vegetables don't come cheap this time of year, and for example, a block of light Jarlsburg cheese is not exactly buy 1 get 1 free at our supermarket. The prep is also a lot of work. I find myself coming home from work, cooking dinner, cleaning up dinner, and then cooking whatever I need for lunch (and sometimes dinner the next day) and then cleaning that up. Phew - that's a lot to do after a long day of work.

Also, the kids are fairly averse to much of this food - so I have to make other things for them. I'd love to have them adopt this way of eating too, but I'm starting to slowly incorporate them into it based on things I already know they like.

So, with results like these, we will soldier on, learning as we go. I am also going to order The Sugar Solution Cookbook, which has even more recipes.

Hopefully more results next week!

Weigh In #3: Snowmageddeon Over, Back to the Real World!

Mrs.

Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 171 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (2)
Total pounds lost (gained): (3)
Pounds left to lose: 41
Workouts: Classes: Step-N-Pump. 2.5 mile runs: (2)

Mr.
Starting weight: 240 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 240
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (first weigh in)
Total pounds lost (gained): (first weigh in)
Pounds left to lose: 60
Workouts: working the snowblower/shoveling snow for hours every day

Yup, we got 3+ feet of snow last week here, which pretty much shut the place down. No gym. No fitness classes. I did manage to eke out enough time to run on the treadmill at home, twice. But it wasn't enough. Snowed in, we ate all day long. Lots of cookies and comfort food.

But that's all over now.

Yesterday, Mr. and I started a low glycemic index diet. It is from the book The Sugar Solution by Sari Harrar. It has a 30 day makeover plan, which we are attempting to follow to a tee.

So far, so good. The food is yummy, and it's certainly enough food - three meals and three snacks. The tough part is planning and prepping/cooking ahead of time . . but hopefully this will get easier with practice. I made a HUGE grocery store run, which should take care of essentials for the month, and produce/dairy for the first ten days or so.

Here's what we had yesterday:

Breakfast: Multi grain oatmeal (recipe in book) with 1 tbsp chopped walnuts
Morning Snack: 1 pear, 8 baby carrots
Lunch: Lentil Soup (recipe in book), salad with crumbled feta cheese and 2 tbsp light dressing of your choice
Snack: 1 apple
Dinner: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce, and 1 tbsp Parmesan or Romano cheese, 1 cup broccoli sauteed in 1 tsp olive oil with onions and garlic (this was easy & delicious!)
Snack: Fat-free pudding cup

It was all yummy, and I wound up not even getting to the apple in the afternoon - the lentil soup really filled me up. Here's what we are having today:

Breakfast: Smoothie with 1 banana, 1/2 c frozen strawberries, 1 cup 1% milk, and 1 tbsp ground flax seed
Morning Snack: Raw vegetables and 1 ounce string cheese
Lunch: Chicken Salad Roll-Up (recipe in book) and 1c cantaloupe
Snack: 3 tbsp hummus (it doesn't sound like a lot, but it actually is) and raw vegetables
Dinner: 1 veggie burger on a whole grain roll with 1 tsp relish and 1 tbsp ketchup with lettuce, tomato, and onion if desired, 2 cups tossed salad with 1/4 avocado and 2 tbsp low-fat dressing, and 1 cup 1% milk
Snack: 1/2 cup low fat frozen dessert (i.e. sorbet, ice cream, etc)

After 1 day, I weighted myself and I had lost two pounds. So I'm cautiously optimistic that if we can keep this up, we can actually lose weight.

I attended a Zumba class on Monday, ran on the treadmill yesterday, and did Kickboxing today. Up for the rest of the week: Zumba again Thursday, and Body Blast on Friday. And whatever I can fit in over the weekend - either gym, or videos/treadmill at home. I'm committed to doing something every day.

Also, they are starting up a team "Biggest Loser" type contest at the gym at work - I'm trying to round up folks to form a team.

What's my big incentive, you may ask? I'm going to Florida on May 6 with girlfriends who are tall and skinny. That's it right there. All this effort won't make me taller, but at least I can try to look like less of a pumpkin standing next to them!

Have a great week!

Weigh In #2 Rollercoaster week, literally

Mrs.
Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 169 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (1)
Total pounds lost (gained): (1)
Pounds left to lose: 39
Workouts: Classes: Zumba (2), Body Blast

Well, I got the dreaded stomach virus last week. I was the third in my house to get it after my son and youngest daughter. Through my 2 days of intestinal hell, I had lost about five pounds, but after a weekend of normal eating -- it's back. Plus one. I did no exercise over the weekend, and ate a bunch.

What's good: Other than the two days I was sick, I did exercise during the other days of the work week (Monday, Thursday, Friday), even trying a new class - Body Blast. It's intervals of weights and cardio, and I liked it. (Even though I had to leave 15 minutes early due to a meeting - bummer)

Also, when out to dinner last night, I ate half my dinner and boxed up the rest, which I just ate now for a yummy lunch at work. That's something I always think about, but never do. Last night I did it.

What needs work: Eating better, of course. And drinking less soda. I'm definitely drinking less, but I'm still drinking it. I can't seem to stop altogether. I don't have it in my house, which helps. While I'm faithful to the fitness classes, I've slacked off on my daily running. I started back up today though, running 2 miles after my lunchtime Zumba class. It felt really good. Now if I can just get my butt out of bed at 5am tomorrow to do a run before work! I might have to put off watching Jack Bauer tonight to be able to do that!

Miscellaneous: At the gym, I read an interview in Women's Health magazine with Alicia Silverstone about her new book, The Kind Diet. She of course is a vegan. She said when she switched to this style of eating, she stopped dieting and the weight fell off and she didn't feel deprived, because the food she was eating was so good.

The magazine also included a recipe for vegan peanut butter chocolate cups that looked yummy. Now, I'm not interested in going vegan (meat I could live without, but other stuff - esp. seafood - no way) but her book looks interesting and probably has some great recipes in it. She even says the book is targeted toward people that don't necessarily want to be vegans, but want to move toward a more plant-based diet. I'm going to consider buying it if I see it on sale or a used copy or something.

Have a great week. I still have high hopes that at some point I will start losing weight.

Some old-school inspiration

Yes, one of these women is me.
I'm on the right, in the pink and white swimsuit.
The other two fabulous women are my dear friends C and H.

This was taken around 1990-1991,
when I was around 20-21 and in college.
We lived during the summers in Dewey Beach, Delaware -
we shared a house with 16 girls,
worked at a restaurant during the evenings,
and pretty much did what you us doing here -
all day long, every day.
Good times. Great times.
In fact, of what I can remember,
those days are some of my most favorite memories.
(You don't think it's water in those cups, do you?)

I posted this picture because: LOOK HOW SKINNY I AM!

Can I be that skinny ever again?

I think yes.
(That's a little more confident than
I really feel, but I'm trying to be positive here)

I didn't post a weigh in this week for the usual reasons -
I didn't lose weight.
After 5 exercise classes, 4 thirty minute runs,
drinking 80 ounces of water a day,
only having 2 sodas after the course of the week,
eating weight control oatmeal every day
and packing my lunch for work,
I GAINED TWO POUNDS.

Frustrating? Absolutely. Discouraging? No.

I know it isn't going to happen overnight
I have to remain consistent.

So, I will weigh in this Monday and post the truth -
no matter how frustrated I may be.

Have a wonderful weekend!