Weigh In #12

Well, it's slightly smaller than I would have liked but can I really complain with a loss of 2.4 lbs? I'm finally over the 25lb mark and I'm so painfully close to the 10% mark. I've been trying to lose these last few pounds for 3 weeks now! But I feel like I'm over the hump and will blow by that 10% mark next week very easily. Quite honestly it's a little depressing to think that I only lost 3.2 lbs in the last 4 weeks but my measurements have changed quite a bit.

Difference since March 3
Bust: -2
Waist: -4
Hips: -1.5
Total: 7" gone!!

Difference since Oct. 07
Bust: -3.5
Waist: -7.5 (!!!)
Hips: -3.5
Total: That's 14.5 inches gone!!

Doesn't that put it all back into perspective?? And the good news is that my shape is becoming less of the awful block shape. Who knows, by the time I'm at goal, I may have a bit of an hourglass figure going on afterall! LOL

I also had my final fitness test from the Y challenge this morning. While I don't have all of my results on hand, I improved dramatically on everything and I was pleased with my results, especially of my laps around the track. They count in half laps and I had 22 last time and 29 this time and the main thing was that I ran the entire ten minutes.

Anyways, adios March... here's to a great April!

I'm going to run a 5K!

My experience on Thursday made me realize that it's not just a pipedream... it is something I could actually do! With a little help from google, I found the Mother's Day Run and really, could there possibly be a better day to do this on? To celebrate being a mom and setting a good and healthy example to my girls, to celebrate being a strong woman, to inspire and be inspired... I've decided that I really want to make this an annual tradition in my family. I've even talked my parents into joining in! I'm so excited about this!!! Any other Calgarians going to enter this race???

So, I'm officially in training. I dragged myself to the Y this afternoon... I was so tired that my eyes were just burning and wanting to nap but I knew I'd feel better once I got going. I'm on the third session of week 4 and on my first two intervals, I honestly thought I wouldn't make it. I was thinking wow, this sucks... it all really was a fluke! I can't actually run! But then, I got over the hump and felt better, running a total of 20 min on the treadmill and then did 20 laps of the track without stopping. Yep, that's 2K right there (in about 15 min though.. I'm not very fast). But there was no stopping and that's the important part.

Anyways, food-wise this weekend has not been ideal. I'm so bad about not tracking on weekends! But choices have not been too bad all in all so I'm not stressing about it.

Oh and NSV!! I bought some new workout capris from Walmart.. just some cheapies to get me through for a while because my others ones are sort of falling down as I run and they were size XL from the regular section! And get this, they are kind of loose! But they'll be great for sleeping in once they get too loose for running in. Hurray!

Me? In Good Shape???

I just got home from the Y and I can't quite decide if I want to have a silly grin plastered on my face or sob uncontrollably. So, I've been alternating between the two. I had the best workout that I've ever had in my life. I did week 4 session 2 of C25K and really played with the incline and the speed that I was running at. I really pushed myself and ran an extra 9 minutes (for a total of 25!), the last 3 minutes being at a speed of 6 mph instead of my normal range of 4.5-4.8.

After the treadmill, I typically go on the elliptical but today I still felt like running (something must have been in the air??). All of the treadmills were in use, so I decided to tackle the track. Let me just say that I hate the track. You run past every cardio machine in the place so everyone gets a good view of you as you go by. But, I decided I would just get over it and give it a shot because I have my final fitness test for the Y Challenge next Monday, which involves running/walking the track for 10 minutes. Let me also add that I have NEVER ran more than two and a half laps in a row. My original goal today was to run 5 laps. Well, I smashed that and kept going, 6, 7, 8, 9.... 10 laps! I slowed and walked for two and then ran five more. By the end of the 5th lap, I was already fighting back the tears, in complete disbelief at what I had accomplished. Then, as I was doing a cool down lap, a lady jogged by me and said "You are in really good shape!". HUH?!? What?!? Me? 240 pound me in good shape?? I must have had a look of disbelief on my face as I mumbled "Thanks" and she said "No, really. I've been watching you today and you've inspired me."

Wow. I'm still in awe that someone would say that to me. That someone would notice! I have spent so much of my life being the fat girl... thinking that everyone must think awful and untrue things about me and being intimidated away from the weight room... I am absolutely amazed what my body has acheived in a few short weeks of the C25K program.

So today, my 6 word sentence absolutely remains true:

I am stronger than I thought.

I hate thinking of titles!

I can never think of anything witty or funny... I like the idea of using a line from a song like Krissie does but I don't want to a copy-cat. And I'm overthinking this because titles really aren't that important are they? LOL On to other things...

Several blog friends have been doing the six word thingie (a 6 word sentence that sums up your life so far is what it is supposed to be I believe).Cammy posted hers yesterday("I learned in time to live") and I just love it! So after some thought, I came up with mine:

I am stronger than I thought.

That sums me up in so many different areas of my life both now and in the past. I've done things that I never imagined possible and survived through some bad stuff... and I'm stronger for it all.

Today has been a rest day exercise-wise and overall, it's been a great day. I took the girls to Coffee and Scream this morning, where we met with my cousin and her girls. Then we came home for lunch and naps and walked to the park this afternoon to play. It was really nice to have a whole day with them to do stuff seeing as T had no school due to Spring Break.

Food-wise... well, I'm over in points today by a few. I just couldn't resist eating the rest of the yogurt covered raisins from Easter. But I tracked them all and this is the first of any flex points I've used this week so it's all good. Sooooooooo yummy!

Lastly, I wanted to post the recipe for my spinach and feta omelet. I make this a few times a week, usually after a workout and have finally gotten the points down to a very reasonable amount. And it is really really delicious!! Even if you think you don't like spinach, you'll like this omelet!



Spinach and Feta Omelet

• 100 grams Omega 3 Break Free Eggs (or two large eggs if you prefer)
• 60 grams fresh spinach (could also use the frozen stuff, thawed)
• 4-5 small mushrooms (depends if you like mushrooms or not)
• 35 grams fat free ham, cut up into small pieces
• 30 grams feta cheese (I really like feta.. you could half this if you want to reduce points)
  
• pinch oregano
• 1 tsp. oil
  
• couple tablespoons water
  

1. Sautee sliced mushrooms in oil over medium heat in frying pan. Once they have started to cook, add in ham, spinach and water.
   
2. Cover so the spinach can steam and reduce heat a little bit. After a couple of minutes, remove the lid so excess water can evaporate.
3. Mix oregano into eggs and then add mixture into the frying pan. Sprinkle feta on top.
4. Let cook for about two minutes, then place in preheated oven under broiler. Remove when egg is fully cooked and top is slightly browned.

Total points: 5.5 (or 7.5 if you use real eggs)

Variations: Sometimes (when I have it on hand), I throw in some shredded frozen potato a bit before the mushrooms. This is really delicious and bulks up the omelet even more. I think 2/3 cup of the potato adds 1.5-2 points.

Healthy You Check In

There's nothing like a bright and sunny day to make me feel motivated and energetic! Our brief dusting of snow that we got yesterday morning is all gone and the sun is shining brightly. I'm thankful for this extra burst of energy today because it was my first day of doing C25K Week 4 (run 3 min, walk 90 sec, run 5 min, walk 3 min and repeat). There were a few moments where I didn't think I could quite do it but I managed... and then decided to run for an extra 4 minutes at the end to make my total an even 20 minutes. Then I went on to do 35 min on the elliptical..... Yes, my legs still feel like jello. But it was worth it cuz *I* actually ran for a total of 20 minutes today and I'm super proud of that. Tomorrow will be a rest day, which is good because I'm sure I'll be sore.

Well, I had a late start to my day so I'm going to cut this short so I can get some work done...

Today's menu: (I'll edit this later with any changes)
Breakfast: 1/4 grapefruit, 1 Fiber One Bar (They were on sale at Safeway yesterday and they are YUMMY!) - 3.5 points
Lunch: Spinach and Feta Omelet (I'll post the recipe for this tomorrow), 1/2 grapefruit - 5 points
Snack: Apple, crackers and cheese 5 points
Supper: Chicken quesadilla with salsa and sour cream 7 points
Snack: London Fog, 1 point popcorn, grapefruit - 4 points

Weigh in #11

Blah... well, I knew it would happen but that doesn't make me any happier about it. Yep, I gained this week. I'm up 1.2lbs. I don't need to wonder why it happened (too many slices of pizza, too many chocolate easter eggs, creamy scalloped potatoes, angel food cake with whipped cream and lets not forget the chocolate covered raisins, sick kids, the cold I'm just not kicking and not drinking enough water... it's a miracle 1.2 that I'm up quite honestly). I'm owning it and moving forward. In fact, I've been feeling a little down about my weight loss for the last two weeks and just not super motivated so maybe this gain is the motivation I need to get going again?

So, maybe it's time for the No Cheat Challenge again? Anyone else in? I'm going to plan out my menus and post them in my blog and also make sure that I track every morsel that enters my mouth (that's a biggy for me). It really was amazing to feel how just a couple days off track made me feel so crappy. I felt bloated and really fat... I didn't even want to wear my new jeans that actually fit and instead wore the baggy, falling off pair that look like crap on me now.

Anyways, I'm off to a good start for the week.. I just got home from the Y and did my last day of week 3 in the C25K. I'll start week 4 tomorrow! I got in a good 70 minutes of cardio so that should help me sweat out some of that dang Easter chocolate ;).

Today's Menu: (edited)

Breakfast: Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal, 4oz strawberries, 1/3 cup skim (2.5 points)
Lunch: Smart Ones Santa Fe Rice and Beans, grapefruit (7 points)
Snack: Thinsations 100 cal pack, Fiber One Bar (5 points)
Supper: Chicken Kabob, spinach & strawberry salad, potato wedges (7.5 points)
Snacks: London Fog (2)

24/29 (Edited: It's almost 8pm now and I feel stuffed cuz my spinach salad was huge but I'll probably add a little something in there to use up a few more points)

Happy Spring!

At long last, it is finally spring... and hopefully spring really will come now cuz I'm sick of snow! We are forcasted to have pleasant here this Easter weekend and I hope that is the case for you as well.

Seriously now, I feel like I'm in trouble. I cannot stop eating today... not sure why, I just want to munch! And with a big family Easter dinner coming up, I cannot afford to use all my flex points just yet. I was going to have salmon (with yummy feta and oregano) for dinner but there is no way I can spare 9 points for a 7oz piece! But maybe if I cut it in half....

Anyways, exercise-wise I'm doing good. I earned another 8 APs today - session 2 of Week 3 C25K + a some extra jogging, followed by 35 min on the elliptical. Maybe that's why I'm so freaking hungry today?? It could also be the week before TOM so that could also be a contributing factor. Regardless, it sucks and I just wish it would stop. Any tips on how to get rid of the munchies????