Day 30 Tuesday

Today is the final day of the challenge. And it may have taken until the last minute, but I did it.
I LOST 10 POUNDS!!!

I stepped on the scale this morning and saw that I lost 10 lbs in 30 days!!!! WOW! I'm shocked, even with a few OOPSIES sort of days.

Calories Consumed - 1457
Calories Burned - 462

On this last day of my Challenge, I went outside and "ran". I did my little walk/jog thing. But I only walked at the beginning of each mile instead of each half mile. I feel great about myself. I feel like I accomplished something. I was able to put on my headphones, turn on my (crappy - says my husband) music, and block out the world. On of the best parts of working out, it's ME time.

I made the most AMAZING dinner last night. I am doing a recipe exchange with some fellow preg.org members and yesterday was a Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken. HELLO!!! I'm going to have to make it again. It really was a perfect healthy meal.

Day 29 Monday A

Calories Consumed - 1280
Calories Burned - 442

Oh WOW, yesterday's Yoga was very intense!! The A/C was not working so it was extremely hot in the room. I was sweating buckets. It was an intense workout and I LOVE that!! I wish that Yoga worked out my core more. Since having a trainer after my 2nd knee surgery, I've always been very strong in my core (even if it's covered with a flat tire) so I've had to do my own exercises for that area. Oh well, Maybe I'm doing something a little wrong too. You never really know.

As for eating. I couldn't have done better. The only snacks I had was just after I worked out, I had a handful of trail mix. I know it's late, but I feel that it's important to eat after exercising, and DARN IT I was hungry!!!

Day 28 Sunday A

Calories Consumed - 1392
Calories Burned 0

Today was a non-workout day, But after such a late night last night the kids pretty much slept most of the afternoon. They will also be going to bed early (soon). So we didn't get outside or to the pool. I seem to keep finding excuses in order to NOT get them to the pool. Kind of sad isn't it? I'm going to have to do much better with that.

Today I did great with eating. No snacking. NICE!!!

Day 27 Saturday F

Calories Consumed - Not even going to try to figure it out
Calories Burned - 450

I got to Zumba on Saturday morning. I love that class. The instructor was the cute x-cheerleader. Her facial expressions throughout the class make it so much fun. I love going to her class.

We had a club meeting last night and I had EVERY intention to NOT eat. But I did. It is so horrible. I have such crappy will power and self control. The only thing I'm holding on today is that I snacked a lot on broccoli and veggie dip, and I made these roll ups made with fat free cream cheese, ham, and a dill pickle, they were really good too. But there were some sweet potato chips that I couldn't get enough of, and a few other things. UGH. I know it could have been worse, but not much worse.

Day 26 Friday - F

Calories Consumed - 1819
Calories Burned - 450

See what I man by snacking. I just HAD to snack on popcorn, and I just HAD to have sunflower seeds. UGH!! I also had a few drinks that I didn't find the calorie count for. I just can't be snacking!!! I can't seem to get out of the groove. I think I need a sponsor or something. When I want to eat, I call them and they can talk me out of it. I'm so unhappy with myselfbecause I know better, and I have been doing so great. I can't start snacking and undoing all that I have done.

Day 25 Thursday - B

Calories Consumed - 1600
Calories Burned - 461

You know I haven't been doing so great in the last couple of days. The whole snacking attitude has come back stronger than ever. Thursday wasn't so bad, but I had a very late night on Thursday and my husband helped take some edge off by bring home dinner. He brought home some Chinese. I LOVE Chinese, and I didn't stuff myself, but I'm thinking I went over 1600 calories even though that's what I counted out. It was nice not having to do any dinner though.

I did get Zumba in during my morning. YAY!! I love Zumba, it's so much fun, and so hard. I don't sweat as much as when I go to Zumba. I'm still fat, and still suck at it, but I'm doing better.

Day 24 - Wednesday B

Calories Consumed -1228
Calories Burned - 450

Well, Wednesday was one of those days. The kind that nothing seems to be put together properly. Wednesday is usually Yoga day but the husband had some plans. I decided to head to the gym earlier in the day but got a call from my friend/partner to get some things done with the business. There was no way I could even say no. So I had absolutely no intention what so ever to get my work out in. As the kiddo's were eating dinner I popped in a P90X Kempo dvd. I didn't intend to do it all, but before I knew it, I was over half way done. I was so happy with myself. What a great day. Oh but I had soda earlier in the day and a small drink after the kids went to bed. So I guess I could have done better there.

Day 23 - Tuesday A

Calories Consumed - 1301
Calories Burned - 396

You know, Tuesday wasn't a bad day, but nothing happened that made it TOO memorable. I do have to say that this week has been very hard because I WANT to snack. Literally WANT to snack. I'm not hungry, but I have this endless craving to just stuff my face. It's been very hard to keep me away from snacking too much. I'm happy that I don't have much in the cupboards to randomly snack on. It sure takes me to think a lot in order to snack around here, so that takes my snacking drive out of me.

I was able to get out of the house and go for a run outside again today.And people, when I say "run"; it's more like a funny looking jog barely faster than a decent walking pace. But once again I was able to put on my headphones and block out the world. BTW - Why do people have a problem with giving a quick "hello" while passing someone on the trail? Small smile, or quick wave. SHEESH!!! Talk about stuck up. It might just be me though. HA!!

Day 22

Calories Consumed - 1373
Calories Burned - 444

Not much to say for this Monday day. I haven't been too great about not drinking my Soda as is in my rules, but I've cut WAY down. Eating has been easy though. I eat a Lean Cuisine for Lunch, and make a very sensible dinner. I made encrusted baked chicken breast with some homemade fried rice. The rice was simply some brown ride with veggies and an egg in it. So it wasn't bad at all.

I went to Yoga, and remembering how "easy" but tiring it was last Wednesday? Well, I was sweating so hard, and working so hard that I was dripping sweat all over my yoga mat. I had to wipe it down when I got home. I was so happy last week that the mini push-up they call a "chaturanga" was getting easier for me. Well, not last night at yoga. It was so hard I was basically falling to my face every time. UGH. But as usual, it's getting MUCH better.

Days 18,19,20,21

OOPS, I got into a VERY busy weekend.

Thursday - I did great!
Calories Consumed - I only counted 850, but I'm not hungry, so I know I ate more.
Calories Burned - 450
I went to Zumba in the morning and had a great work out. I had a very busy day trying to make sure that we got the shopping done. By the time I got home from Shopping, I needed to eat. A 3 pm Lunch makes for a small dinner. So I did some healthy snacking later in the evening.

Friday  - Not so great
Calories Consumed - UGH, I have no idea!!!
Calories Burned - 450
It was such a beautiful day that I decided to get out!!! One of my favorite things to do is put on my music go out doors and block out the world. I went for a 3 mile run/walk. My time wasn't great, but getting out was GREAT!! After that I did a few things in the house like crunches, and weight bearing legs and arms. BUT, I had a few surprise friends stop by. Then they stole me and we had a few drinks. and some pizza. It was a fun night.

Saturday - Nice
Calories Consumed - WAY TOO MANY
Calories Burned - 0
Ok, so I was a little hung over and didn't feel like eating so much. So I had some great steak and fruit in the morning. For lunch my friends and I went out to Applebee's, and I had a roll up. I know it's not the best decision, but it felt good in my belly. I didn't get home until about 8pm, and the husband wasn't home, so I just took it easy. Or should we say, LAZY!

Sunday - GREAT
Calories Consumed - 1500
Calories Burned - 0
I didn't get to work out, but today was a riding day. We went with our UMF brothers for their Bi-Polar ride. It seems we either eat constantly, or not at all when we ride. I HAD to make the guys stop to eat toward the end of the day, and had an INCREDIBLE grilled chicken sandwich. I'm talking so stinking great that I haven't any chicken sandwich as good. LOVED IT!!! But that was at 5pm. YEAH, so that's all I ate all day long. Ok, so I shared a couple of beers with my husband.  It really was a great day. Love getting out on the bike.

Day 17 - A

Calories Consumed: 1177
Calories Burned: 371

Today was a great day. I didn't really do that on purpose either. I went grocery shopping in the afternoon before I ate lunch, and by the time I got home, it was so close to dinner time that I just didn't eat. I went with a friend to a small church dinner. They served Salad, Fruit skewers, and a bbq pork sandwich. It was actually pretty healthy. For desert they served simple vanilla ice cream with a macadamia nut cookie. I ate only a third of the cookie and a couple small bites of the ice cream. NOT BAD HU? I was pretty proud of myself.

After dinner it was time to get to Yoga. I was thinking after Yoga how nothing was hurting. Usually there was one muscle group that was burning after the session, but not this time. So I thought that I didn't work out hard enough. BUT, I was so sore about an hour later that it was difficult to sleep. My whole body was aching. So All in all, it was a great day.

Day 16 - B

Calories Consumed - 1498
Calories Burned - 400

So, today wasn't so bad. I followed my diet, got into the gym. But, then I had a small snack. I had some chips and cheese. Can you believe that the serving size for the chips is only 9 pieces? WOW. That's ridiculous. Oh well. I had some. I'm most definitely regretting it though. I didn't need it. But I wanted it. And that's been part of this whole process I'm going through. I can't eat everything I WANT, obviously. I need to keep that under control. So Back to some getting some will power.

I did make it to the gym last night. I spent 35 min on the elliptical, and then concentrated on Arms Strength. It was great. I worked out hard. Had to make up a little for Monday.

I'm still only down 6 lbs. but I've been at this weight since AJ was born, so this is my hard part. I only have 5 lbs more to loose to be the lightest I've been since AJ. I did have a month or so when I was just a bit lighter last summer when I was running. So I'll be back there soon.

Day 15 - D

Calories Consumed - Estimated just under 2000
Calories Burned - 0

We had a surprise today. My parents called about noon and asked to stay the night on their way home. YAY!!! So we took them to a great pizza joint and had a couple of drinks. I didn't do SO bad with my calories, but definitely didn't keep it under my cap of 1500/day. If I had a little more time I would have made it to the gym before they arrived. I was planning on Yoga at 8pm, but decided to visit with my parents since I rarely get to see them. So I had an "D" day. It most definitely could have been a lot worse.

Day 14 - B

Calories Consumed - 1286
Calories Burned - 0

WOW, two weeks!!!! I've been doing this for two weeks!!! I'm so happy!!

So, today was ok. I had Apple Bee's for lunch and had a Half Oriental GRILLED Chicken Salad. I probably should have had the dressing on the side since that's where most of the calories are from. But it was VERY good!!!! The reason it was a B day was because I had a beer while I was cleaning out the car. AND, for dinner I had some popcorn with some slight seasoning. Not bad, but  not the best. Oh and I had a Girl Scout Cookie!!!

Unfortunately we didn't get to the gym today. I really wanted to take the girls swimming. Hopefully soon!!!!

Day 13 - F

Calories Consumed - OVER
Calories Burned - 416

I'm so happy. I decided to go to another ZUMBA class Saturday morning. I'm so happy that I decided to go! I had a great time. The instructor was goofy cute. I LOVED HER!! I say goofy cute because she reminded me of the stereotypical cheerleader with her pony tail flying back and forth and a lot of dramatic facial expressions. She made it a lot of fun.

I didn't do too bad on my calories, but I really don't want to figure them out. I ate just fine throughout the day, but I did have a couple of drinks, and the husband REALLY wanted some cheesy popcorn (my specialty and biggest trigger food). I could not let him eat alone!!! Then I decided that I really wanted to have a little of the 5-layer dip in the fridge. So I pulled out the chips, tasted some of the dip, and then tossed them both. They SO didn't taste good at all!!! I know I went over my caloric restriction, but I don't think it was THAT bad.

Day 12 - B

Calories Consumed - 1250
Calories Burned - 400

Today I was with a sick kiddo, so my plans got rearranged. I wasn't able to head to the gym as I thought I'd do, but instead I went out for a little jog. My neighbor watched Ki, and she was feeling pretty good then, but once she got home, she started the whole "poor pitiful baby" thing. She's got a full on cold. I'm really happy that I did get a short run in.

I REALLY wanted a chicken salad sandwich, and I counted up the calories. I was pretty happy that I could make it with very little light Miracle Whip, mustard, a couple of finely crushed cashews and a  few finely chopped dried cherries. All this put on reduced calorie bread. The total came out to only 360 calories. Keeping the calories down meant that I had to keep the Miracle Whip to a minimum, and I'd rather have it more moist, but you gotta give up some things.

The reason today is a B day is because my wonderful husband came home with some Diet Pepsi. I had a glass. Yes I did. It is very good. I only had one glass, and I cherished it slowly. Sorry I cheated, but it had no calories, and for a Friday night, it was a great treat.

Also, according to my exercise tracker, I'm surprised that my 2 mile jog was 416 calories. It might have been lower, so I wanted to keep my calories down today.

Day 11 - A (Thanx to my Hubby)

Calories Consumed - 1260
Calories Burned - 450

I learned something today. People say that you must learn one thing every day. Today I learned that I can't dance like I used to. I went to the gym this morning with my neighbor and as I walked in the Zumba class was starting. My neighbor (being very pregnant) was heading to the water aerobics, so I decided Why Not? HELLO!!! Another something I LOVE. Boy did I stink up the room (figuratively) The steps were difficult and fast. By the time I got the steps, the instructor moved on to the next sequence. Oh well.

I stepped on the scale today. I'm down 6 lbs!!! WAHOO!!!! I'm loving it!!! I even got a compliment from my friend Lisa that my face looked thinner already. Also, I had a decently rough afternoon with my daughter getting car sick, so I asked my husband if he'd get me a beer. He said "Yes" and sat down. I asked why he wouldn't get me a beer, and he stated that it wasn't part of my challenge and I'd have to just drink water. Thanks Hun. Really, Thanks for not letting me cheat. I feel much better that I didn't have it.

Day 10 - A

Calories Consumed - 1475
Calories Burned - 450

STARVING!! I went through this entire day SO HUNGRY!!! I'm not sure why, but even though I really really wanted to cheat and have a soda, I didn't! I stuck to my guns!!! I'm actually very proud of myself. I had yoga last night, and it was the hardest yet. After doing legs with weights the day before, I walk into class with the instructor stating that we were going to focus on glutes and thighs. UGH! It was so hard. But I did it!

As for eating, I had my usual Special K bar about 10 am, a lean cuisine pennini for lunch. For dinner, I made some great turkey meatballs with made with applesauce, whole wheat pasta, and some marinara with onions and mushrooms. It was a fabulous meal. Since the husband and I have been working out, I haven't actually cooked for us, and  he really enjoyed it. For snack, I spent the last four days making banana chips. I LOVE them, but I'm surprised how many calories are in a banana. A few sure do make a great snack though.

Day 9 - A

Wow, No comments after over a week. Feeling a bit left out here people. I was really hoping for some encouragement. In fact, I did the blog because I need motivation. Seriously.

Calories Consumed - 1465
Calories Burned - 450

So, today with eating, I pretty much followed my regular schedule. I had a Special K bar about 10am, Lean Cuisine about noon. After that I worked out. And that's when things went off my regular schedule. I ended up working out for about an hour and a half. I was on the elliptical for 35 min, Lifted weights in my legs for about 30 min, did core exercises for about 10 min, and ended up on the elliptical lightly running while I waited for my ride. It was long and hard. But very well needed!!

As for my dinner, I splurged. I at a half of a large sweet potato, chicken, and steamed veggies. I HAD to have that potato. I went from living off of carbs (obviously) to eating no carbs (basically). So, I'm under my max for cals, and after a long hard workout, it was a perfect day for a potato. YAY

Day 8 - A

Calories Consumed -1100
Calories Burned - 350

The first week is over and I lost 2.5 lbs. I LOVE it!!! It doesn't seem very much right now, but it will add up. Part of me wanted to see more, but 2.5 lbs in one week is perfect.

We had a nasty snow storm yesterday that started about 5pm, and lasted past 10pm. My Yoga class started at 8pm, and I STILL WENT. I figured that there wouldn't be many people there, and the roads would be pretty much quiet. I don't have far to travel, so WHY NOT? Well, there were a lot of people on the roads, but only 5 in class. I LOVED that, but I really sucked it up!! I had no balance. I kept falling over, and with so few people, every was laughing at me. Also, everyone was very advanced except for me. OH WELL.

For dinner, I made salads, steamed veggies, and tilapia. I read this great sauce recipe online for the tilapia, but I didn't have half the ingredients. So I made up my own. I used some fat free honey dijon dressing, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and just about a tsp of Mayo. I baked it covered in tinfoil for 15 min at 350 degrees. The veggies were just a steamer packet from Green Giant. I LOVE THOSE!!!! So easy, healthy, and are pretty inexpensive.

Day 7 - B

Calories Consumed - 1364
Calories Burned - 0

So, after yesterday and Friday, I got right back on the horse. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. Usually when I drift off a diet, it takes a lot for me to get back on track, if I actually do get back on track. We had some left over cupcakes (which are the BEST) and I really wanted one. But I told myself that I could have one AFTER my 30 day challenge. And the desire was gone. I think it's because that cupcake is a NO NO for now, but not forever.

I was planning on taking the kids swimming yesterday, but it didn't happen. After having such a busy day Friday and Saturday, the girls were already exhausted, and so was I. So we ended up all taking naps. If we would have tried to go swimming, it would have been a lot of fighting. So a nap is what we needed, and that's what we did.

The first week is down, and overall it was OK. Here's to an A week next week.

Day 6 - F

Calories Consumed - WAY TOO MANY
Calories Burned - 365

So today was an incredible day! However, my challenge took a huge hit. I got up in the morning and went to the gym. I was so proud of myself. I knew that later, I'd fail on my Challenge. We went for a nice long ride on the motorcycles. It was great to be back on the bike. After we got home from the ride, a few friends came over to have a little party for my birthday. We had some great food here, and we had some healthy snacks too. I did  munch on meatballs, wanton strips, and I had a cupcake. More than that, I had a few beers. It was nice to relax, hang out with some friends, and have a couple of beers.  But, I had to give myself an F for the day. I FAILED at my challenge today.

Day 5 - C

Calories Consumed - NOT CALCULATED
Calories Burned - Wedding day,

So this day was one of my non-structured work out days because we had a wedding to decorate. I average walking about 10 miles in a day when we decorate weddings. It's a lot of work. So I did not even try to head to the gym.

As for the reason I'm putting "not calculated" for my calories consumed: March 4th, (Challenge Day 5) is my birthday. Between setting up the wedding and taking it down, my wonderful husband took me out to dinner and a movie. We went to Texas Roadhouse, and I did semi-well. I ate a small steak, fresh veggies, and a salad. But, we also shared a Baby Blooming Onion. I know it's on a NO NO list because it's fried, but we rarely go out, and it was my birthday, and it was small. However, I did make better choices than I usually do because I did not eat their delicious bread, and I did not eat my usual steak fries. Oh yes, and I had a beer. Alcohol is also a No No. But this was a special occasion. At the movies I had a treat of Junior Mints. And looking back I wish I hadn't. I didn't need it.

Day 4 -A

Calories Consumed - 1475
Calories Burned - Strength Training - Arms

After my crappy day yesterday, I had every intention to cheat a little. THANK YOU to my dear friend Lisa who kept me on track. I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to get to they gym to work out. I have no car, and my neighbor who was going to help me get to the gym has been feeling ill. Anyway, Lisa came over, let me vent about how bad I was feeling about myself and she took me out to lunch. But at lunch, when I was about to order my usual, she helped me change my mind and keep me on track with my Challenge. Then she ordered the same thing, even skipping her diet soda. Because of her today, I made it. AND, I even got my work out in. I wasn't able to get to the gym, but I did an hour of strength with a video of arms and shoulders. I'm so happy. Today is definitely an A day. I feel very good. I wish I had gotten some cardio in but an hour of strength is exactly what I needed.

Day 3 - B

Progress
Calories Consumed- 1365
Calories Burned - 400

AM (or more like afternoon) - Oh yes, today has been hard. I am so stinking hungry. Part of that is due to the fact that I have been ironing and getting ready for a wedding on Friday so I basically skipped eating until 1pm. But I made a Lean Cuisine Pizza. Only because that's all I have left, I need to get some different kinds. I also decided to make a Green Giant Steamer Broccoli and Cheese. That seriously filled me up. I'm so stuffed now. But I feel great about my choices. I've got to get to the store so that I can get some salad makings, and some whole wheat products so I can have a few substance items too.

Yesterday's Yoga was great! Different instructor and MUCH harder. I'm so sore this morning. I had a little bit of a break down last night. I am the fat one. I'm huge. WTH was I thinking that I'm not that big. I was trying to do stretches at Yoga, and I wasn't getting a very good stretch because my damn fat rolls were getting in the way. I am horrible, and disgusting. It just makes me wanna eat. UGH. But I'm not going to. Dammit. I can do this!!!

So I gave myself a B for today because of my crappy attitude.

Day 2 - A

Current Progress
Calories Consumed- 1381
Calories burned - 450

AM - I am sore today! I'm exhausted too. But I feel good. I'm a little hungry, but I should be picking up some good food at the store that will help with that too. YAY for shopping day!!!
PM - My husband and I went to the gym after work. It was a decent time, but any later I wouldn't have had any work out equipment. I did a cross trainer program on the elliptical machine. I figure I would keep doing light impact training until I loose a few pounds. My joints hurt enough as it is. After the elliptical, I did a few strength training until the husband was ready to leave. It was a decent 60 min work out.

As for eating. I think I'm doing great. I need to make sure I eat something at breakfast. It's such a habit not to eat anything until lunch. I'm starving at 10am. I need just a simple granola bar. I'm going to work on that during the next few days.

I would LOVE to start cooking low fat, low cal, high protein meals. I can't believe I need to re-learn how to cook. Well, here's to learning something new!!!