Day 7A

Monday...oh, LORD it's a Monday! 

Monday is normally my "off" day for workouts, and it seems to fit - at least for me.  Whereas most people in the states are starting a new diet today, I'm giving myself rest after working my butt off all weekend - both literally and figuratively!  (Weekends are my best workout days!) :-)

As for the food choices for today, I've been doing really well.  I'm just struggling (still) with finding the time to track it all!  But breakfast has been 1/2 cup oats with a 1/2 scoop of Whey Protein and a 1/2 cup of fruit (it's been strawberries & blueberries lately).  YUM!  Today for lunch...lunch?!?!  I need to start taking my Shakeology for lunch!  I didn't get a lunch (due to job #3 sneaking in there...lucky me!), and we had leftovers for dinner tonight. So my eating is still on track.

We didn't get the kids much candy (only a hollow chocolate bunny) for Easter, so there's no Easter treat temptations in the house - yay!  Which is good, because I think the PMS cravings are starting to call my name again.  Gee, it's so great being a woman sometimes!  *sarcasm*  But I don't know about OTHER women, but right after I start my period, my cravings for CRAP food subside, and I really start craving REAL food - fruits, veggies and everything else that I wish I would crave the other 29-30 days of the month.  For the most part, I don't ever have a problem EATING those foods, but for those 2-3 days I really CRAVE them.  (sorry guys, for the female insight...) But it's like since my body is purging of all that old "stuff" for those days, I need to refuel/refill my body with PURE fuel/food & ingredients.  Even moreso than I normally do - NO artificial stuff whatsoever! Look past the cravings and look forward to those upcoming days...

Here's a shot of my family and I yesterday at Easter.  What you can't see (very well, anyway) is that I'm rocking a SIZE 12 DRESS! (I was a 16 - and a TIGHT 16 - at the beginning of the year! WAHOO! ;-)  And yes, hubby's liking the difference too...

Day 4A, 5A & 6A

Ok...here I am, back in the saddle again.  Honest. Here we go...

Workouts:

FRIDAY:
Treadmill - 1 hr, 36 min, 927 calories

SATURDAY:
Treadmill - 1 hr., 14 min., 629calories (before work!)

EASTER SUNDAY:
Treadmill - 49 min., 410 calories (before church!)

Honestly, I haven't been tracking my food - I am just not finding the time to get on the computer and do it!  But I know I'm making good choices - I weighed in today at 188 lbs still, but 39% body fat (down 2 percent)!  AND - for Easter Sunday I fit into a size 12 dress!  (I was pushing a size 16 dress at the beginning of the year.)  I still think it's mis-sized, but I had the size 14 at first, and had to take it back! 

AND - NO Easter candy!  The kids got 1 chocolate bunny each, and it left me with no temptations!  Yay!  Overall, a GREAT end to my spring break!

The past 3 days...

Tuesday and Wednesday (the past two days ) have been my only "spring break."

For the most part, I just had a good time with my hubby and family.  We had really nice weather on Tuesday, and so-so weather on Wednesday, so we took advantage of it!  That's why I was hardly inside - much less on the computer.

Tuesday was mainly outside.  We gardened - put in our 5 blueberry plants, planted seeds, etc.  We had fun in the partially-cloudy weather, and then ended our day at the park where hubby and I took a 2.63 leisurely stroll.  (Yes, I did end up mapping it on Sparkpeople - I wanted to know how far we went!)  But it was LEISURELY!  Hubby has taken "walks" with his ex-wife in the past, and she's left him in the dust so she can get a workout.  I'm sorry, I know that some people like to work out with their spouses, and that's GREAT!  But my husband doesn't want to workout with me, so I wanted him to understand when we take a WALK together, the purpose is to spend time together, walking, talking, etc.  So we did.  It was GREAT!

Yesterday, however, the rains returned and (oh crap), we found a hole in the roof of the garage.  Oh crap...did I say that already?  I really would like to say something stronger...

I had just made a resolve to NOT have 3 jobs this summer. I ENJOY having a day off - much less WITH my husband and family.  I can't keep killing myself, especially for money, and it's my lack of faith that God will provide.  So I'm feeling TESTED.  I need to keep the faith that we'll have the $500-$600 to fix the roof of the garage, and that I don't need to continue with 3 jobs to do it.

So at the end of the day, the SK back to their mom's house, my two kids at friends' houses, it's just my hubby and me.  He asks..."wanna go out for dinner?"  I coulda throttled him!  I told him: "AFTER we pay for the roof."  I think our lunches and dinners out - and date nights as well - are on hold until AFTER the roof is fixed.  *sigh*

However, I didn't track my food, but I know I did ok.  No snacking, 3 small meals each day...and a walk thrown in there for good measure.  Back on the saddle tomorrow!

Day 3A

As per normal Monday (even though it's spring break), it's my off workout day.  That's good - leg muscles are a bit sore from JM's workout yesterday.

Today has been a bit tense around the house.....

The SK (step kids) are at the house Mon-Wed per normal, even though it's Spring Break.  But I was seriously bummed because I had to go and be at work (Job #3) to fix lunch (cover for a staff person that was off today).  Well, I got off at 2, and headed home.  But the family had already had a great day, and then they were having lunch when I arrived.

And not only that, but because they had all worked so hard this morning on the garden (MY garden?!?!) hubby wants to reward them with root beer floats and a movie.  That not only do not get to do because of my staff meeting tonight, but don't deserve to do.  *jealousy monster*

I admit.  I was a grump.  I hate that I'm in a bad mood and have that mind set.  I hate that I am JEALOUS that they got to stay home and do yard work, and I had to go work-work.  So I bit off my husband's head about something DUMB (STUPID, STUPID ME!) and knew that I would just be a grump if I stuck around, so I headed back to work.  I probably wouldn't have, but not only was my attitude crappy, but I had work to do at the computer (didn't matter at home vs. at work computer) and I have a staff meeting later tonight anyway so I knew I would have to come back.

I just know that as of right now it's 5pm, staff meeting is at 6:30.  I'll try to make it quick (yeah, right), and then go home and eat humble pie. :-/

Today's food includes:
bfast: 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 scoop of whey protein
lunch: Shakeology - 1/2 chocolate, 1/2 tropical with Almond milk  (sorry, Deb, not a fave combo for me)

So instead of looking backwards (other than knowing I need to apologize), I will look forward.  What will tomorrow look like? What will be different?  Hopefully I will not get any phone calls from job #3, and I'll at least have 2 days of my spring break to enjoy with the family, even with the SK there as well.  I still have to work a LOT this week (job #2), but we have a coupon going, so I'm hoping that the time will just FLY on by!

Day 2A (Day 2 Again)

Workouts:
Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred: 36 minutes, 328 calories
Treadmill walk: 2.1 miles in 35 min.  40 min total (with cooldown and stretching), 366 calories

I think it's really interesting that the treadmill "walk" and JM 30DS workouts were almost the same, calorie vs. calorie.  However, I like the 30 DS because it's 3 min. of strength training, 2 min cardio and 1 min of abs all in 3 circuits.  So although it's not as INTENSE with cardio, I know (espeically as a runner) I need to amp up my core and ST workouts.  This is one way to do it.  And my upper body is SO WEAK! Oi!  Oh my gosh!  I think I need to sneak in some push ups here and there during the day! Although I WILL say that I can NOW do 3 "regular" push ups (ie not on my knees) whereas I couldn't do ANY before!  Yay me!


Nutrition:
Goal: 1,200 - 1,550
Calories consumed: ??

Still having a hard time FINDING the time to track.... Will try to do better tomorrow...

Starting Again...Numbers

Just because I'm a numbers-kind-of-girl, I want to show why I'm not starting "over," but since I'm starting "AGAIN," it's still good to take a look at ALL the numbers, not just the number on the scale (which is an all-time bummer number usually).

90 Days ago:                               Day 1 of "Starting Again":

Weight: 194.4                             Weight:  187.6
% body fat: 42%                         % of body fat: 41.4
BMI: 33.4                                    BMI: 32.2 (next goal: 29. Gets me out of the "obese" classification)

Measurements:                              Measurements:
Neck: 13.5                                  Neck: 13.5
Chest: 41.5                                 Chest: 40.75
Waist: 38                                    Waist: 37
Hips: 46                                      Hips: 45.5
Thigh (L): 27                              Thigh (L): 26
Thigh (R): 27.5                           Thigh (R): 26.75
Calf (L): 16.5                              Calf (L): 16.25
Calf (R): 17                                Calf (R): 17
Arm (L): 14.5                             Arm (L): 14.5
Arm (R): 14.5                            Arm (R): 14

In the past 90-ish days, I've lost (more than) 6.8 lbs. (The reason why I've lost "more" is because at one point in time, I was up to 198 lbs.!)  And I've lost 4.75 inches.

My endurance (primarily jogging/running) is much better!  I've been able to make "the right choice" 80 % of the time, and my portion sizes are MUCH SMALLER.  I'm thinking about what I'm eating. 

I've also had soda only ONCE this calendar year (2012), and I stay away from artificial flavors, sweetners, etc.  I drink a TON of water, and pee a TON.  (What goes in, must come out after all!)

90 days ago (January 2012):                                                                                       Today - April 2012:

90 days ago (January 2012):                                                              Today - April 2012:

I don't see much in the way of changes here, but then again, I'm my worst critic.  Next 90 days, though...WATCH OUT!  I'm on fire! :)

Starting AGAIN - Day 1

Why "Starting AGAIN" vs. "Starting OVER?"  Because I'm NOT starting OVER.  I'm not where I was 86+ days ago.  I'm not where I wanted to be at day 86, but I'm not where I was at Day 1 either. 

...so I'm starting AGAIN....

And so far, it's a good start.  Why not start tomorrow?  Why not start on Monday? 

My question is.... Why NOT today?

Every time I start "tomorrow" or "Monday," that gives me time to binge, not work out, etc.  I oftentimes wonder what new contestants do once they find out they've been selected for the show: do they start on their journey that minute?  Or do they pig out and wait for that first weigh in to be a doozy?  Well, not only is this not the Biggest Loser (which I DO love), but this is real life and I'm constantly on this journey.  So I choose to "start again" daily, choice by choice, minute by minute.

However, today marks "Day 1" for a reason.  I am putting my priorities back into place.  I started today with my devotionals - as I should.  I worked out already this morning - as I should.  And later, I'm going to spend time with my children after work.  Granted, it's going to be while grocery shopping, but WHY NOT?  (And yes, hubby fits in there too, but he's working late tonight.)

Workout:
Treadmill - 48 minutes, 428 calories

I expected this workout to be "eh."  After all, it's been over a week since I've done anything resembling a "workout."  But for the first part, it was ok!  Not stellar, but not bad either.  Actually felt really good to get back into things again. 

I would have liked to gone OUT for a run, but I needed to fit in what I could - I still have a house to take care of and 6 hours at work today.  So my goal with "starting AGAIN" is to aim for at least 10 minutes a day.  More, if I can.  Why 10 minutes?  Because it sounds so SMALL (ie "reasonable") and it works with my Tony Horton 10-Minute Trainers.

Nutrition:
Goal: 1,200 - 1,550
Calories consumed: 1801

Ouch not a very good start to day one (calorie-wise).  And no excuses; I was craving Taco Bell.  I should have just eaten what I had packed. 

On a brighter note, I got to try the new Tropical Shakeology.  Oh my gosh!  My favorite yet!  I love it!

On another bright note, at work today I met another SparkPeople person, Sheree.  It's nice to meet a local that has similar health goals.  She's an RN in the area, and we have kids the same age (and a Christian)!  So maybe we can get together, encourage each other on and work towards our goals together.  I bet she'd LOVE shakeology... hmmm....