I'm your pusher...

That was the song, along with White Horse, playing thru my head as I left the nutritionist office yesterday.  I decided that surely there must be an issue since I've gained 10lbs since moving to Sacramento, and only seem to be loosing the same 3lbs (totally sucks).  Of course, reading Jilian Michael's Master Your Metabolism feed my brain with "I must certainly have a hormone imbalance since I can't seem to evict these nagging pounds".  I made an appointment with a local nutritionist, thinking I would have my hormone levels tested.

Our session went more along the lines of "tell me a little about yourself". And I did...but just a little. I know there is a root cause for this weight gain. I can't continue to blame my fibroid, or hormone imbalance (caused by the fibroid).  It's caused because I am attempting self medicate (along with prescribed happy pills) mild depression.  I can get through my work days ok, but the weekends are difficult. So therefore, I eat.  She took 1 look at my food diary (I kept it for 3 days, 3 of the wrong days) and said I am eating too much - DUH!  But she's right. I am eating the "right" things, but too much of the right things. My portion sizes need work, but not as much as I thought.  It's just too many items on my plates (especially at work). She also suggested that I cut out dairy.  Um, hell no!  I like LOVE cheese. So I am making a small concession. Swapping real milk for soy and almond. Dropping the greek yogurt and cottage cheese. But I will continue to have feta on my salads, swiss on my sandwiches.

But the glaring issue is the depression.  She hit home with the fact that I need to branch out.  As a solitary person, that is the most difficult thing to do in a new city. I can continue to whine about this place not being Houston or I can learn to make the best of it. Hence, the "Things that don't suck" issues. I plan to make a better effort of branching out, using Meetup.com and actually making it to so of the events.

At the end of the session, of course she tried to sell me a $300 6 session package along with supplements of serotonin and dopamine. I bought the supplements, not the additional sessions. Some days I think holistic medicine is just a game to get your money and not provide results. However, I can say, upon reflecting on my meeting yesterday, it felt good to release some issues that have been troubling me. I know it's up to me to work through this and get my ass out of the funk I'm in. It's all about choices and I choose to not be unhappy.

So the journey continues.

Small changes...baby steps

It’s broken and the only way to fix it is to ignore it.  At least that’s how I feel about my diet.  Well, not ignore the diet, per se, but to ignore the food journal.  I found a wonderful journal at the big box bookstore on the clearance table. It beckoned me, softly whispering my name.  And I gave in, bought it and it sat unused for a few weeks. My plan was to start on a Monday.

I finally pulled it out from under a stack of Tosca Reno books and began to use it for 3 weeks straight.  You know what I figured out? I ate more when I had to write down my food. I got anxious over my caloric intake. I set my bar at 1700 and successfully overate.

Then I went to Bar Harbor last week for work.  I also finally read my last 2 issues of Self, including the Drop 10 articles. And it must have been the cold weather, the deer roaming the streets or the fresh air, but it kinda clicked...  I’m eating too many meals and eating too early.  Since moving to the West Coast, my new job starts at 630am. Man, that’s freaking early for me. Although I try to remind myself that it’s 7am Central time, the fact remains that I’m up at 5am. So I’ve been eating breakfast as soon as I get in the office (or between 630 and 700am). While keeping the journal, I actually made notes on some of my entries that I would eat around 130 or 200p out of boredom (duh) and then and found myself ravenous at 4 or 5pm and snack on crap at home (usually chips), go workout and come home to dinner without monitoring how much was going on my plate. My weight went up to 171.8 lbs. For those counting, that’s an 8.4 lb gain since moving to California Feb. 28.

Um, that’s all kinda ass backwards.

So I tossed the journal in my backpack and haven’t picked it up since. I looked at the meal plans in Self and noticed the recommendation was for 1 snack. I’ve been having 3 (yup – 3 snacks). So I’m cutting back to 1 snack. I’m also not eating breakfast until 745-815am. For the past few days that seems to be working because I’m not trying to eat the fridge door when I get home. I also remembered the best advice from the Eat Clean books – each meal should include a complex carb AND a protein. I’ve been slacking on my protein at breakfast and only eating oatmeal. This week, a boiled egg sits alongside my Best Oats (these are so darn yummy for instant oatmeal) in the morning. The last tweak I’ve made is ditched the flavored creamer in my coffee.  I know - another duh! But I thought “hey, I’m not using THAT much creamer”. Well, not only does each calorie counts but it’s the TYPE of calories that matter. So soy milk is not taking place of the creamer.

I probably will use the journal to track my fitness (maybe), but as for the food diary – that just doesn’t work for me. I will not obsess over the amount of calories I eat, but I will be more mindful of what goes on my plate and in my mouth.

So as of today, the scale is down to 167.8. I’m not thrilled with that, but I am happy to see it going back in the right direction.

I still have not found a good substitute for chips and other salty snacks.

What small changes have you made to get you back on track?

Let's play the blame game...

Or not.

There's a 3-part series happening over on The Root that has me a bit miffed because it's just full of BS excuses as to why more Black women are overweight vs. the rest of the population and that they can't figure out how to combat it.

It's been about 2 hours since I wrote this first sentence which gave me time to mull it over (and finish reading the series).  I guess what set me off on a tangent is that the author doesn't want to hear that this obesity issue is attributed to "eating too much and moving too little"; that weight gain/loss is directly tied to our emotion states.

Ok, let's say LaShaune's been a size 14 girl ever since I can remember. The lowest weight for me was 135 my freshman year in college (way back in the day) and that was only because I had to meet weight in order to maintain my ROTC scholarship (I never made the 132 weight requirement). LaShaune was an active girl throughout HS and college, playing tennis, faking the run for ROTC, etc. I suffered a traumatic event in college and moved back home with family. I still played tennis after working through my crap in 1991-1992. Woo hoo, got a call to move to NYC in 1997. Moved back to Houston in 2001, finally stepped on a scale - 191 (I think).  Joined a gym, got a trainer, got down to 173 (or somewhere close). More crap happened compounded by back issues and finally surgery in 2005 - moved to 203 (my highest weight). Entered a weight loss study, dropped to 165 at the end of the study (learned diet and exercise and emotional support/control).  Now, I'm working towards getting to 150 (the magic number).

Yes, I've suffered abuse. Yes, I've been depressed (did I mentioned I moved back to Houston from NYC - who the heck moves FROM the best place in the US?). Yes, I've seen a therapist. Yes, I've talked with girlfriends.  Yes, I've been on medication for my depression. Yes, I've done diet pills, weight watchers, joined and dropped gyms. Yes, I'm Black and female.

Let's face it - losing weight is hard as hell! Staying motivated, eating the right things, not overeating when stuff goes to pot or just hanging out friends.  It's not easy...

We ladies, regardless of melanin content, deal with stress, abuse, depression, daily life in various manners. And to say that Black women have it worse than others just continues to compound the issue that we're somehow wired differently from the rest of the human race. I think it's a total crock of crap and that Black women need to wake up and realize that if we don't start taking care of ourselves, that being "thick" really isn't healthy, we will end up 6 feet under. I think we've bought into the Vogue idea of beauty and lost sight of what's really important - not being diabetic with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

I'm not here to be a size 8 squeezing into a pair of Calvin's like Oprah did way back when diet pills hit the scene. I'm here to learn how to be healthy and hopefully impose that healthy attitude on others.

Huge...

Reminds me of a Judy Blume novel. Did anyone else watch it?  Where you thinking "This one time at fat band camp?".

When it first started, I was appalled that there was show dedicated to kids going to fat camp. As I continued to get wrapped up in the story line (which isn't the best), I thought...why not have a show about kids going to fat camp. It hit all the scenarios that women phase in and out of (regardless of dating age) and issues with our bodies, eating disorders, acceptance, friendships, etc. I'm just glad that I never went to camp, girl scout, fat, band or otherwise.

I doubt this show will be on my regular rotation but the concept is interesting.

Oh and in case you've been wondering just where the hell I've been. I've been here lurking reading blogs. I haven't had much to say about anything lately. I haven't been spending  money (that's a good thing). I'm still urging The Fella to apply for work and sending him gobs of job postings. I've finally recovered from the toll of boot camp-deep tissue massage induced sickness.  That last bit really set my workouts back a notch (haven't lifted weights since the boot camp and have yet to incorporate spinning into my schedule) and I'm just finally beginning to feel somewhat normal.

By the way, I hope ya'll aren't offended by the use of the word fat. I guess being a chunky kid and now a round woman, I use the term (just not a lot and not in a derogatory manner).

Losing it...

for me and me alone.

There was a question posed somewhere in the nether regions of the Internet (where I'm not really sure any longer cuz I'm old and my memory is really foggy) if you would put in your 2-cents with co-worker about their attempts to lose weight. Uh...Yes! Since I have major opinions that I will gladly share with anyone, of course I chimed in that I would.

So it comes to no surprise when I put in my 34-cents yesterday about weight loss.  First off, I'm no expert. If I was, I would be making a bazillion dollars, have my own super sexy gym in NYC, writing self-help books, and training movie stars.  Hmmm - now there's a life. Anyhoo - I'm not. I'm just a girl who shed a few lbs and still trying to shed some more and I read waaaay too much.

Now back to yesterday. 

A buddy of mine went through some turmoil over the weekend.  Some dude she was seeing said the unthinkable...."we're physically incompatible".  WTH????  Yeah, yeah everyone is entitled to their own attractions, desires, etc. But I immediately go into defense mode. My reaction to this is: Man, F* him! Oh Wendy Brandes' swear rings would have been apropos for this occasion.

OK, so my skin is a hell of a lot thicker than most women, I know (did I mention I'm old, cantankerous, and generally just don't care?).

But what set me off more than that is her reaction - to make an appointment to discuss lap band. Really?  WTH???? Over what some dude said? Really?  Yes, I'm still shocked. I had to call my mom and vent. *Note: My mom has had lap band so I needed an ally or at least someone else who's had to deal with weight issues and losing it for their own sake not someone else's.  

My major gripe with this reaction is that she is taking the lazy way out and doing it to please some dude.  Really?!?!?!  My friend's words exactly "I'm tired of putting in the effort and not seeing the results" (OK, maybe not an exact quote - but that's the gist). So why the hell do you shell out $20+ every month for a gym membership, ask me to workout with you (and rarely show-up), and ask my advice on what to eat/when to eat, what calories to count, etc?

Yeah - I put in my 34-cents, you can best believe.  In her case, surgery is the lazy way to approach weight loss.  IMHO, lap band or gastric is for folks who can hardly move, who are in the seriously obese regions and if they don't do something drastic ASAP they will cease to breathe.  This is not her case. And added to that weight loss is something you do for YOU.  Not to please some dude or fit someone's ideal of beauty. Unless it's your thought/goal/game plan, you can tell whomever to jump off a short bridge if they're beefing about your weight (been there, done that).

So I gave her my Eat-Clean book and suggested she give it, along with working out 5 days a week, a good 6-week effort.  Make the appointment and stick with it - no excuses (she's really good with excuses).  If she didn't see any changes after 6 weeks then consider speaking with her MD.  In a nutshell, I said in my best faux-Jillian voice - buck up, put up or shut up (at least that's the convo in my head).

Those of us working to shed it know it didn't come on overnight (well maybe Taco Bell does glue fat to my ass in my sleep) and it sure as heck ain't coming off overnight (especially since I'm too poor to pay for the quickie solution).

Would you give your 2-cents?

Cables and Pullies and Weights...

Oh my!

Today was an eye opener to say the least at the gym.  As a reward for being a 24 Hour Fitness member (and to sell training sessions), I received a freebie session which was scheduled for today!  And yes, I'm that type of client who reads a lot, have had previous trainers, and I know everything - just need to put it into practice.  Well, okay maybe I don't know everything. But I know I can't afford 3-6 monthly sessions with a personal trainer.  So, I used my freebie to learn about the one machine that scares me...the FreeMotion machine.

But before we get to the exercises, let's just say that the taping, calipers, and % of body fat was not good news. But numbers don't lie.  36.75% body fat. YIKES!!!!

So LaShaune what's your game plan to get that number below 30 and moving into the 25% range?  Enter FreeMotion machine aka the cable machine.

Ariel was a doll to walk me through overhead press, standing row, bicep curls, tricep throws, chest fly,  and a tricep press (or the imaginary table top tricep move).  Oh yeah, she made me do abs too (plank, crunches, and an oblique move). I get to lay off the lateral and front raises for a while.

Now the game plan is to work in 2 days/week of strength training (those 10 min toning sessions at work are just the tip of the iceberg) and keep up the clean-eating.  There isn't a date set, but I'm thinking of re-doing the taping and calipers within 6-8 weeks.

Do you strength train?  Do you prefer machines, free weights, bands, cables or do you rotate them all?

What do you mean, it's not fun?

I don't understand when folks say that exercise is not fun. WTH?  Granted, I go through phases when I love to workout at home (yea for TurboJam), outside or at the gym. Right now, I'm in the gym-rat phase. I get a high from my current schedule of Kickboxing (Mon, Thurs & Sat), Walking w/ The Fella (Tue), Zumba (Wed). Just this week, I've conned gotten a co-worker into10 minute toning sessions. 1 day was upper body using reams of copy paper and 1 day was squats and walking lunges.  I got a huge smile from her this morning as she said she felt a little burn going down her stairs!

I have a friend who continues to say she needs to "get back on track". She's always asking me to workout with her, to train her (note: I am not a personal trainer). But the issue there is that she rarely shows up. She gets upset when I tell her that working out will help ease the stress in her life because the endorphins released during exercise creates a happy effect. So each day she comes up with a new excuse reason as to why can't won't workout. I've long since stopped expecting her to show up. I've suggested that she find something that she absolutely loves and schedule it immediately after work. That has yet to manifest. I will pass along a new recipe every now and again or a new workout move, but I no longer go out of my way.

I weighed in this morning and am glad to report that the 159.6 lbs is starting to stick. Hot Damn!!!  It's only been a week that I'm actually focusing on my meals, making sure to have a complex carb AND protein with each meal (including those snacks). Big HELL YEAH for the Eat-Clean book!

There are so many varied activities that constitute exercise. I don't run because I don't like it. I walk because I LOVE it. I don't take MMA classes, but love kickboxing. I've taken belly dancing and miss it desperately and have set a goal for the fall to start with flamenco dance classes and I love shaking my booty in Zumba. So for those who say exercise isn't fun, maybe they should rethink what they consider to be exercise. Workouts don't have to take place in a gym. It can be dancing around the house, walking for miles along the beach, lifting grocery bags several times before putting them away. It's just a matter of finding things you enjoy and doing them.

What's your fav exercise?

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.

Struggle Challenge Wk 3

And a struggle it has been.  This week has been rough at work and personally. I flake off my workout on Monday, walked Tuesday with The Fella, roamed the mall Wednesday (not a workout at all), went to the GYN (see yesterday's post).  She swears I will be ok to workout by Saturday but I'm not so sure.

Food intake has been a bit better. I've been making oatmeal the night before using quick oats, 2% milk, dates, cranberries and walnuts.  The only day that really sucked was yesterday when I tired it with Greek yogurt - not a good combo. If you want more quick oats ideas, check out Kath Eats Real Food. She has an homage to Oatmeal! I did give in to my craving and had bean burrito and a taco salad one night (yes, in one sitting). I also downed 2 glasses of wine last night at the encouragement of my MD (well, maybe she didn't say 2 glasses, but she did encourage a glass).

Since I've slacked all week, I woke up promising myself that I would use the hand weights in my office today during my lunch break.

Weight: 162.4 - 2lb gain :((

Upcoming Game Plan
1. Keep up the menu planning and quick oats overnight
2. Go back to regular weekly workouts
3. Strength train 2 x Week - this is still an issue and I need to figure a way to get over it.  I think I will haul my weights  and balance ball downstairs and set them next to the sofa. I can do them while watching TV!

I'm hoping the other ladies doing this challenge are doing better than I am.  How do you deal with crappy work weeks and staying motivated to workout?

Skinny Pants Struggle: Wk 2

I am typing this as I eat Smokehouse BBQ potato chips...so the quest for clean eating is still a quest. I have to make a trip to the supermarket for more fruit, cottage cheese and other necessities this weekend. Hmmm, maybe I will treat myself and go to Whole Foods or Central Market :)

Measurements - still none.  But I weighed this morning and I'm up 1 lb.  161.0. That's ok because I know it's just water.  I tend to really fret when it fluctuates 3-5 lbs.

Workouts: I did one thing right. I added a strength class.  It's only 30 mins, but it's a start. I am hoping we don't have to do those damn walking planks tomorrow since my traps hurt like a small monkey is stratteling my shoulders from that odd tortoure machince that is the recumbent ellipitcal. This is probably the easiest part for me because I love my workouts and finally have a schedule that works for me.

Game plan for this coming week:
1. add a second day of strength training
2. start (restart) a food journal
3. less junk, more good food in my diet - damn those chips!!!!

If you're thinking of getting in the game, check out Erin's progress. She's also linked the others who have manned up! Good luck Ladies!

That which makes you stronger...

totally makes your butt hurt. Or at least your hamstrings.

So in order to incorporate strength training into my workout schedule, I told myself during REM sleep Friday night that I would take the toning class following my Saturday butt-kicking kickboxing class.  I could see the evil gleam in my instructor's eye as she bubbly told me I would thoroughly enjoy it. Ha! Ha!

I wasn't going to jump in head first and use the 8-10lbs. I planned to start out slow and light.  Please hand me the 3-4lbs dumbbells. Thank you.

The sets were seamless and easy - nothing fancy, no sumo squats or cherry pickers or dead-lifting your neighbor and her weights. It all seemed like a normal strength class.  Until....

Crazy move, enter stage right. We did a walking plank. WTF? Moving from walking plank to tricep push up on the bench.  Who-da-hell?!??!?  Let's just say, I did 1 set of walking planks and stretched for the kamikaze tricep push-ups. I still have grooves indented in my palms from the bench.

Note to self...remember to not only pack weight gloves, but wear them next time!

I was expecting my upper body to be sore,  but alas, it is my hamstrings that are crying to be let loose.  So folks, I will spend most of today (Monday) stretching and sucking down Aleeve and water.


Workout plan for Monday:  Zumba!  At least some butt shaking and gyrating will help.

What's your workout plan for today? How do you psych yourself up for your workouts? What's your favorite strength move?

Fat Bottomed Girls

The lovely and ever-so-hip Erin has invited us to a slim down challenge. Today is kick-off day and I'm already off to a half-assed start: I haven't taken my measurements.  I did, however, weigh-in this morning and I'm pretty damn happy with the number: 160.4!!! Whoop Whoop. That's a 1 lb loss this week, and 3 lbs down over the past 2 weeks - oh yeah!!!!

My goal:  Reach 150 lbs - no date set in stone (especially since that been my goal for over two years now).

My eating plan: Eat clean 80%, eat what I want 20% everyday.  This means packing my breakfast, lunch and snacks (oh heck, better menu planning). Cutting back on those "hint o lime" Doritos that I love (damn-it) and wings with The Fella on game night - argh!!!!

My workout plan:

Monday: Kickboxing or Zumba
Tuesday: Walk with The Fella
Wednesday: Zumba
Thursday: Kickboxing
Saturday: Kickboxing

I need to get some strength training and yoga in this plan. 

Are you entering the challenge? What's your game plan?

It's all about the baby steps...

So last week I was worried about how I was going to cover my 2 largest monthly bills because of my overspending. I had to borrow the money from my folks so that repayment will cut into my tax refund (but at least there's no interest charge). My Uncle also came through and made another payment on the car! My saving grace was that I didn't have any other high bills to pay so I was able to take $100 to cover my lights & gas. I even had $100 for groceries and gas.  But I'm not out of the woods yet - still playing catch up.

I am happy about the weekend. I was able to walk into thrift stores and not buy anything frivolous. I actually took items for consignment, didn't browse. I did spend $2 on books, $2 on belts (I need to keep my britches up), $2 on a lamp for my bedroom - desperately needed.  I know what you're thinking: You borrowed money from your folks so in order to pay bills, but yet you still shopped!!!  It's baby steps for me. I can't do it all cold turkey. So hopefully next weekend if I do go near a store I wont buy anything at all unless totally necessary (the belts were necessary).

Another good thing about this weekend I realized that I need to cut back on some negative folks in my life.  I'm sure this person contributes to my overspending. I noticed when I went alone, I didn't browse every single rack and I didn't blow a lot of money. Plus, I don't have the urge to go out to eat when I'm with this person.  There was a time I was used to hanging solo, but as of late I've felt this need for company. This need is also contributing to my overspending.  So I am working on this one too. Weaning myself off.

Good item #3 about the weekend is that my weight is back down to pre-stress levels. That's a good thing especially since the temps here dropped to the 20s in the evening which made it very difficult to get to the gym (no real excuse not to workout, however, since I have all the gym items at home as well) but I didn't workout past Tuesday - boo!  But I did do housework, so that accounts for expending some energy, right?

So action plan for this week:

1. Start going to places solo or with BF. He's off this weekend so hopefully we will get a chance to spend some time together. This will also help me wean off little Miss Negative.

2. Keep my gym appointments. I have them set in my calendar and the BF knows my schedule, so he's less liekly to tempt me with other options.

3. Continue recording in my food journal, but this time adding why and when I eat. Great tip from Merry.

The baby steps continue.

This is a fine mess you've gotten us in...

I'm not really sure who I'm fooling - obviously no one but myself. I need to come to grips with reality and develop a plan of action to fix the mess I've created.

Mess # 1 - overspending and now I'm behind on major bills.

Mess # 2 - overeating and now my weight is up to 170lbs.

How did I get into mess # 1? I can give all the excuses under the sun: Christmas shopping, needing items for self, etc. etc. But honestly, it is pure and simple - poor budgeting & counting on money I didn't have in had (promised cash). Yeah, I've said it before but now I have no choice - I CAN NOT SHOP unless it's a total necessity and right now, the only necessary object I need is....NOTHING! I use restraint not visit with exBF, exFriends, not to drive too far over the speed limit. So why can't I use that same restraint not to shop? The better question is why am I shopping? Boredom, the desire to acquire crap, not very happy personally. These may be all valid reasons - but now I have to correct/overcome these issues and the only way to do that is DO WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY.

Plan of action for Mess # 1:

1. Do more reading. I'm actually reading Bob Harper's book, Are You Ready? which will work hand-in-hand with Mess # 2
2. Hang out at the museums, art galleries, and other artsy/fartsy events - I love attending gallery openings, even add them to my calendar but find an excuse not to go. I'm too young to act like a fuddy-duddy, so I'm going!
3. Learn. It's time to take the GRE. Not being in school, I have WAAAAAAY too much time on my hands - hence all the damn shopping. So it's time to take some CEU courses, online courses through MIT or even a grant writing course through work.
4. Pull out my budget and beginning in Feb return to using my envelope method. Why the late start you ask - because I have to play catch up on 2 major bills and it's going to take both paychecks this month to get back on track. This is actually # 1, but I don't feel like cutting and pasting to re-order.

Mess # 2 has come about because of Mess # 1. All my overspending has cause stress which equals stress eating. Yeah, so 8 lbs may not be a big deal to some but to me - it is. I went from 203 to 163 (give or take 2 lbs) and now I'm up to 170. I dont have any size 16s any longer and since I can't shop, I REFUSE to buy anything that goes up a size. I can't continue to comment on fitness blogs if my eating habits are out of whack. There's no point in working out if I'm gonna return home to a pint of cookies-n-cream. ARGH!!!!

Plan of Action for Mess # 2

1. Start my food journal (acutally I had this journal entry written on Sunday - it's now Tuesday and I've started my journal).
2. Plan/Pack my breakfast, lunch, snacks - measure/weigh each item and nothing goes in my mouth that's larger than my fist (1 serving only). No that doesn't mean I can cut up 1/2 a chicken so it's palm size and eat the entire thing!
3. Revamp my workout schedule. I've been hooked on Zumba for about 2 months now - haven't really seen any change in body - but the class is fun. Well guess what, Zumba is cut back to 2 days a week. TurboKick is back on the schedule for 3 days (man, my upper body is sore!), and I've pulled out some old weight training schedules I've used in the past - those are back in rotation. I've attempted that blasted Hundred Push-Up challenge twice - not gonna happen. However, I have incorporated push-ups (2 sets each) into my circuit training which is on Sunday.

Yes, I know it's only day 2 of my action plans, but I've already seen a 2 lb decrease and I've earned $20 toward my bills! Baby steps, baby steps.

So if I can get over these two messes (and I know I will), I can concentrate on my next round of goals: Save $300 and apply to graduate school. I just need to learn accountability. I've said it before but I'm trying it again - with the help of online journaling, my BF and my offline friends I should be able to dig myself out of this.

So the process begins (again).

Normalcy

Whew - the scale is back where it has been for the past few months, a number I can get with. Again, this does not mean I am giving up those AM workouts, I believe those are helping me with those digits on the scale.

This morning's DVD: TurboJam Fat Blaster - dropped 1 lb of water in 30 min!!!!

Granted water weight is not the goal. The goal is fat loss, but it was still exhilerating seeing the scale numbers back in range this morning.

Tomorrow's workout: TubroJam 3-T - time for some strength training.

Image courtesy of www.fitsugar.com

Can't possibly be 5 lbs of H2O

Ok, ok...my co-worker claimed that my weight gain woes were simply based on some water weight. That just can't be possible. I know what I put in my mouth over the past two weeks and I know I haven't been as dedicated to my workouts as I should be...so is it possible, that I retained almost 5 lbs (not the 1st reported 3.5 - hey, I had to come to grips with the gain) in water?

Regardless if the water gods saw fit to strike me down with the extra poundage, I know that it's gone. I am back to what I am used to the scale revealing. Granted it's still 10 lbs more than my goal which was set almost 6 months ago - but this is a work in progress.

This return to "normalacy" does not mean that I am dropping my 5 am workouts and skipping my off evening committments. In the short two days, I have found them slightly exhilarating and I am hoping that by next week, I wont be dragging my arse around by 4:30pm. Plus, I just ordered a new DVD and I can't wait to put this one into rotation.

Granted, it's only been 4 days (I'm counting Saturday's workout) and I know for me it takes 2 weeks to form a new habit, but I am optimistic that this will work. Yes, I need to keep my food journal - I still have issues writing that down - but I am mindful about what I pack for lunch during the work-week.

Here's the rest of the week's line-up:
Tonight is a 3-mile walk with The Fella, if the rain stops.
Friday - dancing
Saturday - Turbo Jam 3-T workout or actually making it to the gym for a kickboxing class
Sunday - hopefully I can find a yoga class at the gym

Woo hoo - accountability!!!!

Diet coke does not cancel calories

Contrary to popular belief, a diet coke or pepsi doesn't cancel out any calories. Granted there is some theory behind the exothermic qualities of diet coke, but it's not enough to burn all the calories consumed in one day. So what's a girl to do? Why exercise, of course.

I am posting early as a way to keep myself accountable since today is my evening workout day.

Yesterday's meal, on a scale of "right-on" vs. "whatchutalkingbout willis", I would have to say it was in the middle with Mrs. Garret screaming Tootie!. Because I know better. I did slack and tried to curb my sweet craving with bread pudding at lunch and a skinny chai latte during my 7pm class. I honestly think it has been these Starbucks drinks, skinny or not, that have added these extra pounds. So yesterday was the final day for anything delicious. Just kidding. I can't say that my eating plan is back on track since I had a whole wheat blueberry pancake for breakfast this morning - not over the calorie count and I know I have to watch the rest of the day. Thank goodness for packing my lunch.

So the saga continues...the woes and joys of eating and working out. But I know Chalene has something in store for me this evening and I am actually looking forward to slipping in the Turbo Jam Cardio Party DVD this evening.

Thanks for letting me stay accountable to me and for the mindless ramble!

Where the hell did those extra pounds come from?

Ok…it’s confession time yet again. No, I did not buy another pair of shoes. I simply picked up the pair I committed to buying and paid for prior to the shopping hiatus.

I have, however, gained 3.5 lbs in the last few days. I can only attribute this weight gain to the evils that is Starbucks. Damn those venti green tea lattes and pumpkin loaf! Or it could be possibly due to the staple of pasta I’ve had as leftovers this past week (mmmm, sautéed shrimp and asparagus in pesto over bow tie). Ok, I better stop before my apple/cinnamon oatmeal never sees the pit of my stomach.

Since I returned to school, my evening workouts have suffered tremendously. The kickboxing classes I looked forward to in the evening fall on the days of my current course schedule and I find other things to do on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

So on top of the self-imposed shopping ban, I am now instituting 5 am workouts on Mondays/Wednesdays and evening workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All I have to say is that 5:00am came super early this morning but I am thankful to The Fella for sending me two text messages urging me to get my arse out of bed. And I am also grateful to the TurboJam DVDs I ordered two years ago – Chalene Johnson is a complete nut and her personality keeps your coming back to those DVDs for more punishment.

And in an effort to save some money, I am freezing my gym membership for the next 3 months (reminder to log on to www.24hourfitness.com). I know some of ya’ll are saying with the DVDs (note profile, complete exercise DVD junkie) why have a gym membership? I can add even more lighter fluid to the fire. I also have a treadmill, free weights, and a weight bench. The gym membership is a way to get my butt out of the house and not go to the mall. But it is all coming to an end for the next 3 months.

I will also add to your sheer boredom in an effort to keep myself accountable, I will return to keeping my online food diary as well as workout diary, probably through the blog since I am terrible about logging in to www.calorie-count.com.

Today is kick-off day:

5:00am workout: TurboJam – Lower Body Jam

8:00am breakfast: apple/cinnamon oatmeal (130 cal)

Photo courtesy of Associated Content