Dance, Dance

I went to hip-hop with Shannon B ( think it's C now.. but I'm not sure) yesterday afternoon, and I just had so much fun.  I loved the choreography.  A little hood, a little sexy. and a lot of fun!

I'm really happy I found a workout that I love so much!

I'm also so happy to know that we're all working on this together.  We can do this, girls!

-Anne

Week 1: Day 2

I struggled getting today's run done mainly because I have just felt tired all afternoon.

But I did it.

I stopped twice during the walking intervals, once to tie my left shoe tighter and the second time to stretch out my calves.  They felt very tight during the entire run and finally loosened up halfway through my cool-down walk.

I am going to stretch now, and will take it easy on my legs the next couple days.  I have scheduled to go to yoga tomorrow evening and then Thursday I may do weights or take it easy on the elliptical.  Friday morning is my last run for the first week!!!!!

Here we are again...

2.5 years later...here I am again.  

It seems like this is a constant conversation between us (and many other people).  That we are not happy with the way our bodies look or feel.  We seem to always have a better image of what we want.  

It's a lot of work.  Gaining weight and picking up bad habits is so easy.  But losing weight and ditching the bad habits is so difficult.  

I've never wanted this more than before.  And I actually feel pretty positive about it.  When I'm telling myself I should workout or eat better, I actually picture myself in my head.  It's the future me, looking healthy and happy.  I have to keep this mental image and keep working towards it.  

I started the "Couch to 5K" program again today.  This will be like the 4th time I've started it.  I hope to stick to it by going slow and repeating weeks if my body needs more time before moving on to the next week's challenge/assignments.  I've always thought it'd be nice to be able to run.  I feel like it's the ultimate fit test.  So here I am, hoping to get a run practice in 3 days a week.  During today's run, I thought it would be a good idea to "journal" about my running.  And I remembered the blogger and thought I'd see if it was still here! 

I may be pushing myself, but I've always done better at working out when I pushed myself.  With my obsessive personality, I like having the constant thought of working out in my head because I feel like it keeps me on track better.  But I bought Beachbody's Cize and Piyo.  Anne and I decided to try to do Cize 30 days but we're both going off track and doing our own thing when we want.  But basically, just so we're moving and sweating for 30 days is the biggest challenge.  I tried P90 from the beachbody on demand thing  yesterday which I enjoyed.  I am now sore from it (which is good) but it was good.  Today, I did Country Heat which was a little less impact but it got me moving.  I look forward to trying some more P90 and other ones.  

I'll be planning on taking a before and after picture this time too.  I'll post it on the blog later, if I can figure out how to do that from my phone.  

But for now, I am making pork chops and baked sweet potato fries for dinner :) 

(This blog was originally created for Sash and Les - hence the website name sashandles - but I invited Anne to this so she can read it if she'd like to keep me accountable).

Temptations

I came across endless temptations today.  First of all, I was running late in the morning so I didn't grab much of a breakfast. Luckily, I had a portioned baggie of strawberries and bluberries which I had on my way to work. I munched on some seeded flatbread crackers.  I didn't grab a lunch either, and I was temped with cheese puffs, popcorn, and pepsi for snack at a funeral service...and I was temped seeing as how I didn't know what else I'd grab for lunch...knowing I had a meeting in a few minutes. I skipped it anyway and decided I'd rather be hungry than have those. After the meeting, I was offered subway or burger king for lunch. My heart was saying burger king, but my brain said subway. I was given a free cookie and I had an iced tea (not soda).  After work, I went to the bar for a going away party and they had 2 for 1's. I shared a deal with a friend so I ended up only having one beer. I almost got another round for myself...but I didn't. And I was going to get bar food...but I didn't.   I went to chipotle and got a burrito bowl instead. It may not be better calorie wise...but I feel like the ingredients are better options than fried bar food. 

I went to MOA to meet a friend and run some errands. I walked at a fast pace for the entire time I was there, and I was tempted by all things that were chocolate. Yes, I'm PMS-ing, and all I want is chocolate. I bought a couple chocolate treats from rocky mountain (1 for today and 1 for tomorrow in case I get a craving again), and I got a small 1/2 cup of chocolate ice cream from cold stone.

It may not seem like a lot of temptations, but it sure felt like it. Especially during the first half of the day with lunch and happy hour. 

I didn't mention this on my goals list from yesterdays post, but I'm also going to stop drinking soda again.  Its such a terrible substance. But addicting. SI've done it before, so I know I can do it again.  I'm proud that I thought of having soda at LEAST 4 times today, but I didn't. Which is weird because I don't drink soda everyday anyway. 

So here goes to fighting temptations, especially during the beginning stage of my battle.

Broken Record

Wanting to lose weight is like a broken record.  I'll feel motivated to workout, eat well, lose weight and just be healthy...and I'm successful for a few weeks.  And then for whatever reason, I stop.  Then SEVERAL months down the road, I feel that motivation again.  Well, it's happened again...

but this time, it's different.

Rather than feeling motivated to lose weight to be healthy...I'm feeling SCARED.  I've been plateaued at 190-195 lbs for awhile now.  That was always my heaviest weight, and I knew it was getting REAL close to 200, which nobody wants, unless you're a male professional athlete who NEEDS to have that weight (which is probably muscle for them anyway).  

With my newest promotion at work, I thought it would put a stop to my frequent visits to fast food places.  I didn't think I'd be on the run as frequently as I was during my last position.  And I thought I'd have packed lunches at my desk most of the week.  Well, I've been eating fast food like it's my job, for the past couple months.  I could start feeling my pants getting tighter, my muffin top getting bigger, my face getting rounder...

I went to the doctor's office yesterday and got weighed in and I weighed 208.  gross.  That's all I have to say.  I usually weigh myself in the mornings, naked, before I jump in the shower...so that's me on an empty stomach.  So 208 MIGHT be a couple pounds higher than if I weighed myself at home that morning.  But either way...NOT HEALTHY.  

I've never felt so afraid before, regarding my weight and my health.  

Last night, Sasha and I went to the gym, and we rode the bike and it was tougher than I thought.  I rode the bike on "random" for 20 minutes, then I did the basic elliptical for 10 minutes.  It was really tiring, seeing as how I haven't worked out in such a long time...and I've gained weight...but I kept going because I knew that I was sweating a lot, which means I'm working out...and I NEED to get it done.  

So cheers, to me, for a successful sweaty workout.  

Today, I am making a promise...I will lose weight.  I'm not promising how many pounds I'll lose or any specific goals about my weight...just that I will lose some weight.  I need to make a lifestyle change. 

Here are some things I will work on starting immediately: 

 * cut out fast food (healthier salad choices are okay)

 * workout (gym, outdoor activities/sports, exercise apps on my phone for quick workouts, etc)

 * be more mindful when picking foods (not so much junk food, picking better options at restaurants, etc)

 * BLOG the truth about my progress

It's also important for me to know that if I make a bad decision one day - my life is not over...I just have to know what I did, and move on from that mistake, rather than give up.  

Today, I slept in, and I had a protein shake for breakfast with a lot of water.  For lunch, which I'm about to eat, I will have grilled chicken and baked sweet potato wedges made from home, and blueberries. 

trying to succeed with Sasha away...

So...Sasha is on vacation laying around on beaches :)

Meanwhile...I'm trying to do my best while she's away.  Last week, I didn't get to the gym at all.  Oh well.  I did do well on eating though.  I DID go to fast food once.  But I DID get a salad.  no fries.  But I DID get a soda.  Ugh.  So I failed but I also didn't fail too much.  At least, that's how I see it.  For the first full week, and for the first time at a fast food place, I think I handled it okay.

Anyways, I was sick for the second half of last week which made going to the gym tough.  And today I was going to go, but the windchill was -50 and I didn't want to go.  So I came home after work and I ran on the treadmill in the basement.

I started my new job at the regional office on the 16th, so since then, I've been able to eat better for lunch.  Especially since I'm not as busy running around from house to house...it's been nice to pack a lunch.  I've had a few trainings during the lunch hour in which they've provided lunches, which is fine.  But the other days, I just ate whatever I had brought in my bag (protein bars, V8 juice, etc).  The past few days I was at work I packed just a large dish of raw veggies (I used to do this when I worked at the University) which lasts awhile because I can just eat it as I work or walk around.  I don't use dip or dressings - I prefer it plain.  Today, I finally brought my big container of lightly salted nuts which I also like to munch on with my fruit to add some protein to my lunch.

And as far as dinner goes, I've been able to eat dinners at home more, now that I work normal business hours.  When I eat at home, it's almost guaranteed that I have a healthy meal because now that I'm back at my parents' house...my mom makes Korean food every night.  And Korean food is pretty healthy - very high in veggies, some protein, and over the years my mom has created a "rice mix" rather than using plain white starchy rice.  It contains brown rice, white rice, barley, quinoa, lentils, sometimes big beans I don't know the name of, maybe wild rice, and whatever else she puts in there.  It's very filling, and it has made me extra regular!

I went out to dinner last Tuesday with Katie at Snuffy's for the first time - GREAT!  But I won't be doing that frequently.  We've decided to pack dinners when we meet Tue nights to save money and our health.

Overall - I could've done better probably.  And I knew it.  But earlier today when I told myself I didn't want to run....I thought of how I'd be a disappointment to Sasha, when she came back from vacation and realized I didn't do anything.  So Sasha...here's to you...

Working pays off

I'm so proud of us Lesley!!! We have been to the gym more this week than we have in the last 3 months. And it has paid off. I'm so glad for your support and it has been so helpful to have you to vent to and also provide encouragement and support. Despite your hectic week at work starting a new position and putting in a lot of hours you still have managed to avoid stress eating and you've been to the gym this week twice. We are gonna do it! I'm so inspired by what we have already done. It's the Little things that add up to big things. I've already lost 2 pounds this week. Which is really shocking to me considering I still could be better in my diet choices but it is 2 pounds closer to where I want to be. 

1/17/14

3 eggs with black pepper and cayenne pepper for breakfast.

Proud of her...she's doing it!

1/14/14 breakfast

Gym? What's that????

Sasha and I met this morning to discuss our goals for weightloss and better health.  We both came up with several goals, some long term, some short term.  We discussed action plans so we can make sure we can succeed this time. 

Neither of us has been to the gym in several months.  We decided to kick It off right, and met at the gym tonight.  It was a late night, but it was worth it.  We both did a c25k workout, and we both finished.  My legs are sore already, but its because I have been inactive for way too long.  I'm excited to go back on wednesday night, even though I know I won't be excited when wednesday night comes around. 

I'm proud of us for completing the workout. But I'm more proud of myself for actually getting to the gym. 

Dinner 1/13/14

Chickpea arugula spinach salad and Marsala chicken. 

1/13/14 dinner

Rice & grain mixture, sauteed baby anchovies, hot peppers, pickled cucumber kimchi.

1/13/14 lunch

Blueberry almond cheesecake smoothie and hot lemon tea

Plank challenge

http://rawrebecca.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/raw-rebeccas-30-day-squat-and-plank-challenge/ 

Vicki found this challenge on pinterest, and we both decided to give it a try.  I just completed day 5 today.  I'm excited to see if it works because this will be gregreat for my core. 

FALL INTO HEALTH

I started my Fall detoxing today. I felt really good about myself today. I didn't give into any cravings and stuck to my daily food plan. I started the day off with an awesome morning elixir (lemon juice, water and apple cider vinegar) and an awesome veggie, fruit smoothie with hemp protein powder and flax seed, sounds gross but it was pretty amazing. I have 4 days of pre-detoxing which I will be trying to eliminate eggs, dairy, wheat/grains, nuts and soy. I'm slowly trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies that are low on the glycemic index. This is the first detox I've done where I'm not hungry, a lot of detoxes out there don't allow you to eat real food, which is why I was really attracted to this detox. Also the instructor really encourages you to go at your own pace, its definitely not too extreme and it feels like something I will keep up with it.

http://www.vibrantologyhealth.com/

 Rawkin' Love Smoothie

1 cup coconut milk, rice, almond or hemp milk
1 banana
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed
1 cup spinach or kale
1 cup frozen berries
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 splash pure vanilla extract
Ice (optional)
Combine all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth

Morning Elixir

8-12 oz. warm water

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

It's good to drink throughout the day and it really flushes your system

Power swim

I went to the gym tonight after work and running errands.  I had menstrual aches, back pain, and i was real tired and knew I had stuff to do when I got home.  But I still went to the gym because I know I won't be able to go all weekend due to being out of town.  And also because I ate fast food today. 

I did a power swim for 30 minutes and pushed myself in speed and strength.  I was physically tired afterwards (still am!).  But either way, I'm proud of myself for going to the gym. I couldve had so many excuses today. But this is my first step I need to work on: no excuses. 

Long time no see...

I've been to the gym here and there for the past several months, however, I've usually stuck to weights and swimming.  I've been actually craving to use the cardio machines for the past month but haven't done it due to back pain.  I finally did it today! My favorite cardio machine is the elliptical-like one, where the tracks incline and decline. It works different muscles with each level.  And I find that its a tougher workout than the regular elliptical machines.  I also like the fat burn/weightloss program on the machine because it does the intervals for you!

My workout today was okay...the inclined intervals were tough but I haven't been on it in awhile, so its reasonable.  I'm excited for my next visit to the "precor" machine.  I have no idea what its called, but it says that on the side of the machine.

Gotta do it.

When sasha and I discussed our weightloss challenges, last Thursday.... one of the biggest reasons we fail is because we are just simply lazy.  Many times, we find dumb excuses why we "can't" make it to the gym that day...when really...we could. 

So today, after working a very busy 11.5 hr shift at work, I'd have an hour at the gym before they closed.  I wasn't super tired but I still didn't want to go to the gym...just because I could go home and do other things.  I knew I'd be going to the gym in the morning as I planned with another friend so I "really didn't have to" was whag I told myself. However, I drove to the gym anyway. Funny thing, how as soon as I step into the gym I start feeling more tired than I felt all day.  But I got myself there and already walled in...so i just had to do it.  I swam hard for 30 minutes tonight.  Overall, I feel good about it.

I have to make myself go more often. 

I told a friend last week, that maybe i should put $1 in a jar everytime i actually workout.  Then after a certain point, whether its monthly, quarterly, or anually...i could treat myself to something nice with that money.  It could be as little as a nice meal or massage.  It could be to buy myself something i need or have wanted but never bought.  Or if it collects a lot for a longer period of time...maybe id have enough to cover part of a trip to visit my non-mn friends!  I really like this idea even more now.  I think i may try to collect for the first 6 months this first time around.  I willet you know when i start the jar (it may wait until i move).

Let's Do This!

Sasha and I just discussed how we fail at losing weight.  We must bring this blog back to life.