We are the champions!

Yesterday, I felt truly victorious and it didn't entail my winning bid on ebay.

After thinking about getting back on the bull, I did manage to seat myself upright. I am *thinking* about my meal plan for the next week. That's a start.  And, I've made a mental note of what's in the fridge and still edible! I've even thought about what to make for dinner tonight = Mango and black bean salad topped with salmon.

On the workout front, I've challenged myself to have 1 80-minute workout this week.  I'm still lacking 5 minutes on that challenge.  My usual workouts consist of a class (Zumba or Turbo) and if the class is only scheduled for 45 minutes, I will arrive at the gym at least 20minutes prior and get on the treadmill. No wonder I've plateaued.

A FB friend posts her workouts and times. I noticed that she works out for 80minutes at a time, usually doing interval training on the elliptical. Hmmm.... I hate the elliptical. Actually, I don't hate inanimate objects, I'm just not coordinated enough to use that machine. So I stick with the treadmill or bike. I found my inner Macho Man Savage (that's the new nickname for the voice(s) in my head) and decided that if this woman (who I don't even know) can last 80 minutes in the gym, so can I. CHALLENGE!!!!

I tried Monday and lasted 60 minutes (15 treadmill/45 Turbo).  I tried again yesterday. 75mins (getting close). 15min walk to the gym carrying a 6-8lb bag (freaking bag was heavy, next week I will carry my backpack), 35 min Turbo, 30 min Strength. I will try again on Saturday for 40 min strength and 60 min Turbo. Next week, I plan to have 2 80-min workout days.

There is conflicting information about the amount of time spent working out, high vs. low intensity, full-body vs. target part strength training, how many days to workout, etc. But it all boils down to putting in your best effort for each workout. Some days it may be 30mins of high intensity and some days may be something different. My thinking is that if I allot 80 mins to a workout at least 1-2 days per week, I can get in cardio AND strength training (which has been a goal for a hot minute).

Do you set a time limit to your workouts?  Do you combine strength and cardio on the same day?

Struggle Channel Wk 6

As usual, I'm behind on this challenge post. But that's ok (I hope).

Last week was an ok week.

1. I did get in my workouts - yeah baby.
2. My books came in the mail (more about these shortly). Let the reading begin.
3. My weight didn't fluctuate too much - but weighed in at 161.something.


This week is better (so far) so I'm looking forward to posting Friday (maybe I will actually post this on-time).

Now on to the books...

I ordered The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged by Tosca Reno. For almost 50, she is so ab-fab! I also ordered Jackie Warner's This is Why You're Fat. Who wouldn't be enthralled to read a book with such a title? Just think...all the mysteries of why I'm fat are within these bounds pages.

Actually, I'm still reading Tosca's book. It's knowledge most of us know. Eat less, Workout, Weigh less. Tosca breaks down the well-known program of clean eating, provides you with a shopping list and workout plan. I haven't made it to the workout or meal plans yet. I haven't made the leap of throwing out my triscuts, wheat thins, tortilla chips, or cheese (this is what Jackie will tell me is the reason why I'm fat, I'm sure). I've never been one to throw food away, so I may just have a party and use up the last of the "anti-food" as Tosca would call it. The best tip I have picked up so far is eating a complex carb AND a protein at every meal (including snacks). Unfortunately, it takes me almost 2 hours to get through breakfast (I ate breakfast at work) now with the added protein to my oatmeal. Luckily, a friend sent me a recipe for egg-white oatmeal pancakes. I'll try my hand at these over the weekend.

So in keeping with my Eat-Clean goal, I've done ok. I'm trying for those 5-6 small meals daily. As usual, I'm good during the week - it's the weekends that get me.

I am also doing better with my weight training. Last week was 2 days (my triceps sure did scream at me for waking them up) and this week, I've started (Monday was day 1) doing it in my office. It's said that if you do something 10 times straight it becomes a habit.

I'm hoping the clean eating and strength training habits stick.

Struggle Wk 5

Oh yeah!!! I'm going to milk this today for all it's worth.  I've crossed into the 150s. 159.8 to be exact!

The rest is unremarkable. No workouts this week because I've needed to water the lawn and check on a friend who hurt her back. Oh and Cinco de Mayo = sangria and seafood enchiladas without the cream sauce.

So on weeks I don't workout or don't put too much effort into my workouts, I will continue to make better food choices!

How are you other ladies doing?

Struggle Challenge Wk 4 Update

So this post has been rolling around in my brain for a few days and I thought it best that I put it down on PC screen before the thoughts exit stage left.

Yes, I'm late posting this since it was supposed to be posted on Friday.  The good thing is I weighed in at 160.2 Friday morning. Woo Hoo, right? Wrong!!!

I weighed in a 162.2 this morning and that sucks.

How the heck did I put on 2 lbs in 2-3 days?  I know how - it's called potato chips, naan, green eggs (at least these were made with egg whites) and applewood chicken sausage (not all in one sitting thank goodness) and only 1 workout (that did not include strength training). 

What happened to the 80/20 clean eating rule, LaShaune?  Umm, yeah. Good question. What happened to added 2 days of strength training to your workout schedule, LaShaune. Umm, yeah...Not really sure, but Larry kicked my butt on Saturday so I just didn't feel up to lifting my arms.

I'm not going to beat myself up over a 2lb weight gain.  I am going to work harder at avoiding this yo-yo issue I seem to have. I eat well during the week and then don't over the weekends.  This wasn't a problem in the past because I spent my weekends shopping.  Well, I'm not going back to shopping, so there needs to be another outlet.

I'm still reading The Secret and this morning the author said the most absurb thing ever - Think yourself thin! She feels that if you concentrate on what sidelines your diets, those are considered fat thoughts and attracting fat thoughts continues to make you fat. Ummm....Yeah - BULLSHIT. I've always been a hefty girl but I've always THOUGHT of myself as a thinner girl (even while wearing size 16s to 18s) - I never saw myself they way I should have until 2005 or 2006 at a friend's wedding. Woozers! Oprah is right, however, there is such a thing as a skinny camera which I don't own. From that point forward it has been a struggle but an effort to make changes.

Yes, I've done weight loss studies through the med school where I work (the popular shake diet was the worse) and have found success with the last one. It's not so much as learning what to do and not do, it's implementing the tools we all know - eat proper portions and exercise. 

So on top of last week's goals - I am adding one more (one I learned from the last study):  No more sofa eating. From this point forward, all meals eaten at home will be at my dining table. It's always set, so now's the time to take advantage.