A GOOD Week

So it's been awhile since I've blogged. Sorry. I just haven't felt the need to say anything. That, and I've been spending a lot of time at the pool. =)

So we weighed in for the 3rd time today and after gaining back everything I lost plus some last week, I took it all back off plus some losing 5.2 lbs. I was really happy that I got the result I did because I really worked hard and stuck to my diet. I didn't starve myself, and I consciously made decisions not to eat junk food or fast food when I wanted to. I kept telling myself NO. This was really unusual to me because this was the week before my monthly mother nature visit and I'm usually ravenous in this week and eat everything I can get my hands on. So I guess I controlled my cravings with eating right and working out. A welcomed surprise since I always hated how I felt after gorging myself!!

So the challenge this week is to stay on track and continue eating right and working out. However, I have basketball camp that I run this week during the time when I was going to different classes last week, so we'll see if I can motivate myself to do some of the work myself at other times. Also, mother nature will be visiting this week, so let's hope she is kind to me and the weight loss!

Side note: I made two more really good recipes this past week. Vegetable fried rice and linguine with fresh tomatoes. Both were absolutely delicious and low cal! I love this cookbook and think it was an excellent investment!! If you ever come across the Taste of Home cookbook called Everyday Light Meals, I highly recommend it!!

Here's to another good week!!
Jenn

Out with School, In with Summer

Well it has finally arrived! The end of the school year which means the end of lunches in the teachers' lounge and all of the different temptations that come with it. While I'll miss my lunchtime company (we were a pretty fun group), I won't missing having to stare down the different treats my mouth is watering for or having the angel on one shoulder and devil on the other having a heated debate over what to eat or not eat. I am looking forward to starting my new workout routine and doing it at the time I want, not when I have to.

So here's to summer and the freedom it brings to do what I want when I want to and to feeling more in control of my life!

I've also made a deal with myself that I can't go to the pool unless I have worked out that morning. So hopefully, I'll be getting as thin as I do tan this summer!!

Jenn

A 3 day weekend filled with food...

Even though this was a weekend filled with family and food, I did do a pretty good job of staying on track overall. I did have a few breakdowns and gave into some of the good food that surrounded me, but I also managed to get in 3 workouts...1 at the gym and 2 5-6 miles walks.

Tomorrow is our first official weigh in day so we'll see where we all stand and and how much more I need to step it up!!

Shout out to all my hot service men out there...and I guess the women too!!! Thank you for all you do!

Jenn

The Seduction of Temptation...

Well after telling myself over and over how I wouldn't give into the temptation at lunch and succeeding, I eventually was seduced by all of the wonderful foods at the American Idol party I went to last night. I decided to just start with a small piece of cake (as I had been craving it after seeing so many cakes all week) and some popcorn as I figured that was the best choice. Then I got offered a beverage and decided what the hell and went for the tall boy beer. After finishing my first plate, I couldn't resist the salsa con queso dip and chips and loaded up on those. I felt guilty after eating it all, and felt the need to confess to 2 of my good friends. They were supportive and decided to confess in their own failings. None of us did terribly bad and we all agreed that we needed to forget it in the morning and pick right back off where we left off and get back on track. So this morning, I drug myself out of bed and did Jillian's killer 20 min workout and planned my meals for the day. I am also going to force myself to have a really good workout at the gym today no matter how much I don't want to be there.

As for all the goodies once again in the lounge today for yet another birthday...that would be 5 this week....I am not even going to look twice at them as I know I can stay away!! This is one temptation I cannot be seduced by!

Jenn

How much temptation can a girl take?

So today at work not only was there another birthday...there was 2 of them. So that means double the goodies in the lounge. Ugh...could this be anymore tempting. Especially since I consider myself somewhat of a cake connoisseur and there was the most delicious looking white cake (which is my favorite) with homemade icing sitting just to my left. I wanted to taste it soooo badly, but...I refrained. Today was probably the hardest to say no to, but after doing it 2 days in a row, I feel stronger like I can continue to do it. I also found out that someone will be celebrating their birthday again tomorrow...at least I can somewhat prepare myself before tomorrow.

Again I struggled to make it to the gym, but I did. For some reason, I am having a really hard time getting the motivation to go there. All I wanna do is take fun classes, but they are redoing the floors until the 1st so that option is out. Bad news though, I think I have pulled a muscle in my side like just below my ribs. It is really uncomfortable to take deep breaths or move certain ways, so needless to say, running was not much fun!

For dinner, I made another new recipe that was absolutely fabulous. Turkey Tomato Pizza. SOOOOOO good!!!

Going to an American Idol party to night at a co-worker's house...the plan is to avoid the treats and stick to what is making me a better person inside and out!! Hopefully I won't give into the temptations!

Jenn

The Curse of the Reeses PB Cup Cookie

So today didn't start out as well as I had planned. I set my alarm to wake up to do my 20 min workout, but I was soooo exhausted because this damn bird was chirping outside my window at 4:30 am. When my alarm finally went off at 5:30, I reset it so I could sleep longer, so no workout this morning.

Then there was another freaking birthday at work which meant more birthday goodies in the lounge. And right in front of my seat was a large bowl of BBQ chips, which I love. So I made one of the other teachers move them so I wouldn't eat any. Then sitting next to me was the most wonderful smelling treat I had smelled in days. It was this moist, soft looking peanut butter cookie with a Reeses peanut butter cup inside. I toyed with the idea of eating just one. But then I kept arguing that it never stops at just one. After going back and forth in my head for what seemed like hours, I eventually left the lounge without eating a single one!! If that's not a success, then I don't know what is!

While I made it to the gym after work, I really struggled with getting there. I wished I had another Zumba class to go to. After working out, I felt good that I had done it. I then came home and made a really great meal. I used a new recipe from my new cookbook and it was awesome. Bowtie pasta BLT salad. I mean who doesn't like Bacon!! And you get a big portion for very few calories which is always a plus!!

On a side note, I did something today that I had been wanting to do for years. I built up enough guts and I finally told a special someone how I really felt. Looking forward to tomorrow and will attempt waking up early to get in my 20 minute workout.

Jenn

Nothing to lose but weight!

So I've never written on a blog before, so I'm gonna do the best I can. I guess I'll start out telling you a little about my background and how I've gotten to this point.

My whole life I have struggled with weight, always feeling like the biggest one in the group. I played multiple sports and took dance during my childhood and adolescence, so I was able to stay in pretty good shape even though I didn't think so. During high school, my mom decided to lose weight and joined Weight Watchers and I did it with her, losing a maximum of 15 pounds. However, soon after that I failed Weight Watchers and dropped out. This was the first of many attempts and dropouts.

Then college hit, and not only did I gain the freshmen 15, but I took it to a new level and gained the freshmen 40. I loved my social life and all the beer that came with it. I didn't workout at all except for intramurals here and there.

After college I moved in with a good friend for a year and in one summer gained another 15 pounds due to my partying and unhealthy late night stops....but damn, was that a fun summer!! So I moved away for 2 years for a job and was at my heaviest ever. In the last year away, my work decided to hold a Biggest Loser competition right after the New Year. It was for 10 weeks with weekly weigh-ins and you paid $50. If you lost 10% of your body weight, you got your money back, but if not, your money went to the Biggest Loser. I was reluctant to join because I didn't think I would be able to do it considering I had never lost more than 15 pounds before, but I figured, what the heck...I have nothing to lose...so I did it.

While I wasn't able to lose the 10%, I did lose 8.5% and was able to start changing my life. I lost 18 pounds during the competition and went on to lose another 17 or so after it for 35 total. I've kept it off for a year or so, but have plateaued big time. I'd do great one week, then not see results fast enough and blow it the following week. This was my reason for wanting to start this competition with my friends as we are all pretty competitive and all complain about our weight. I would like to lose another 20-30 pounds, and I feel like this is the kick in the butt I need and I always like to have company on my journey.

Today was a great start as I stuck to my calories for the day, and I even avoided all of the goodies that were in the lounge at work as it was a co-workers birthday. I woke up 20 minutes nearly and did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and I decided to change up my workouts and went to a Zumba class tonight which I loved.

Hopefully the good days keep coming!!! I have nothing to lose but weight!!