Week 7

Weight-

224 lbs.

-2

Exercise-

Still not doing much but I have it on my calender to renew our Y membership this week.

Eating habits-

I have found Quacker Oats weight control instant oatmeal and I am in love. I start my day with a package and sometimes for lunch. Keeps me full for hours!

Week 6

Weight:

226

+2 lbs.

ExtraCise (as my daughter calls it):

Had a break in the 100+ weather so I did bike 2x this week. Not much else beyond the normal stretching and at home workout. I have gotten my husband on board to renew our Y membership.  I know I could give my foot a break if I could swim.  I have also ordered an aircast for my PF, hopefully it will arrive this week.

Eating Habits:

Mother nature disrupted my life again with her lovely cravings and water retention. I also enjoyed my son's birthday party and ate at the ML house a few times.

Measurements after 1 month

No change on the first 3 measurements

36.5 waist

15.5 calf 

 14 upper arm 

 47 hips  -1"

13.5 neck  -.5"

26.5 thigh  -1"

Week 5

Weight: 224.4

no loss or gain

Exercise:

Made a mistake early last week.  My foot felt the best it had in weeks and in my mind that meant to go out for a nice long walk at the track, run stairs, and then go for a bike ride.. Very Very Very bad idea.  My foot rebelled and I could barely walk the next day, or the day after that.  I have since stayed off it as much as possible. I did have my feet scanned and bought some expensive insoles, which feel like walking on a cloud.

Eating habits:

I have stayed within my calorie guidelines on most days, so I could eat my mother-in-laws fabulous home cooked meals and desserts, don't ever forget her desserts!

Overall I am happy that there was no gain, but I am getting very frustrated with the lack of exercise I can do.  I know that to lose the weight I have to do cardio and I need to find a way to do that. 

Week 4

Weight:

224.6

-2.2 lbs.

Exercise:

Basic stretching and simple exercises mon-wed

 (again no real cardio)

                  Thur. I did this----->Fri. I cried out in pain!!    

                                                   

                                          Sat. I had to crawl out of bed!!                                               

        Sun. I'm still hurting in places I didn't know I had!!

       Eating Habits:

   This week was a good week. I stayed within my calorie budget everyday but one (my cheat day).

 I have been having a very large green salad at least once a day.

  Still having a smoothie for breakfast.

   Adding in vegetables when ever possible and trying to avoid flours and sugars.

  I also removed diet sodas from my diet and replaced them with green tea and lemon.

Protein Shake Powder review

This is what their website says-

Protein Energizer™ Creamy Vanilla is a convenient, great-tasting source of protein and energy support. This high-protein, low-fat, low-carbohydrate shake provides 14 g of brown rice protein, targeted superfoods, botanicals, fiber - along with digestion-supporting enzymes - for comprehensive energy and stamina support.* Rainbow Light's formula is 100% natural and free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and additives. Protein Energizer™ Vanilla is gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free and a great choice for people with allergy concerns. It is free of most common allergens, including soy, yeast, milk, eggs, nuts fish and shellfish. It is vegan, vegetarian and free of animal products. Protein Energizer™ Vanilla can be mixed with your favorite beverage for a healthy, delicious, immediate protein boost!

What they don't say is that it is gritty and tastes a little like vanilla playdough (or what playdough smells like).  I tried to mix it with multiple things to see if it works better with different fruits.  I found the taste gets a little more mild with banana, but with strawberries, blueberries, coffee, spinach, pineapple, and coconut the taste is almost unbearable.

The small bag (10.7 oz) cost me $13 at a organic grocery so it is not a cheap alternative.  I was looking for something plant based as most protein powders are whey based. 

I also needed something nut free.

 I will not be purchasing this again and will be on the look out for a different plant based powder mix.  I also need to figure out what to do with 12 more servings!! 

Grocery list must haves

A few of the must haves in my fridge/pantry so far:

Greek Yogurt- this goes in everything, smoothies, fruit, and even veggies.

(it is fat free and loaded with protein)

Rice cakes- great with laughing cow cheese or peanut butter

Fruits- learning to like cantaloupe, watermelon, blueberries, frozen strawberries (I'm allergic to fresh), and mangoes. Along with my favorites apples, bananas, grapes, pineapple, and mandarin oranges.

Veggies- cucumber, squash, green beans, lettuce, baby spinach, broccoli, carrots, celery, and cauliflower.

Coconut milk- low fat and low calorie brand from health food store

Green Goddess Juice

Bolthouse Mocha Cappuccino with protein.

skim milk

hummus

cheese sticks

turkey breast

tuna

pretzel chips

Pinterest Fail

To boost weight loss - 2L water, 1 medium cucumber, 1 lemon, 10-12 mint leaves. steep overnight in fridge and drink every day.

Sounds easy and so so on the possibility of taste, but YUCK is how it turns out.  I even gave it a second try and couldn't choke down 4 oz.

Week 3

Weight:

226.8

-1.4 lbs

Exercise:

Still very little cardio but continuing with my strength training and stretches.

My foot continues to hurt even with the exercises. I go back to work tomorrow after having 5 days off and I am wondering how much my foot will hurt standing on it all day. The weather has changed drastically from 100 (110 with heat index) to mid to high 80s. I need to get out and take advantage of this change but can't find the motivation or drive.

Eating Habits:

This week has been very rough on the fat girl who wants to eat all her favorites. My sister in law and kids are in town which means wonderful home cooked meals at my in-laws. Top that off with the funeral of my husband's grandma and all the wonderful food that goes along with it. I have been trying to eat 2 servings of veggies at lunch and supper before eating my meat or starch. I have also been taken cues from my stick thin sister in law when spooning on the servings. I have allowed myself dessert at these meals. Although normally I would have a huge piece of cake or brownie, I have cut that serving in half and no seconds. Fortunately for me my mother in law has not made her amazing cheesecake yet!

Damn you plantar fasciitis

For the last week and a half I have been trying to alleviate the heel pain I have.  I have tried stretches, ice, wearing a splint at night, taking it easy with walking, and no running. The pain is much better when waking, at first I couldn't put my foot flat on the ground for the first 10 minutes of the day without extreme pain. Now only the first couple steps hurt.  I have noticed that my calf muscle is sore and cramping a lot more than normal.  With my ruptured disc I always have calf pain but this is more often than normal. Since I am on my feet standing on the hard floor at work all day I also bought some new arch support inserts for my shoes. I am trying to keep from going to the dr. but if this lasts much longer or gets worse I think I will have to bite the bullet and go. I will be off work for the next 3 days so I am hoping that will give my foot some time to heal.

Chocolate Banana Pudding Smoothie

1 banana (frozen)

1/2 cup greek non fat plain yogurt

1 tablespoon fat free sugar free banana pudding powder

1 tbs. coconut oil

protein powder (I used chocolate, but vanilla would be good too)

1/4 cup skim milk

32 g protein

3 g fiber

21 g sugar

330 calories

Week 2

weight 228.2
+2 lbs.

I know I need to do cardio to lose weight, but this foot pain has put a halt to that.  I have been doing mostly strength training and stretching. I would like to think that it is muscle that I gained but I'm not too sure about that.  I have done fairly good with sticking to 1200-1400 calories, with 2 days that I went 50-100 calories over.

Sun- 30 minute walk (even at 9pm the humidity and heat about did me in)
Mon- 50 minute walk  (felt great except aching rt. heel and numb lt. toes)
also cleaned out the basement
Tues- strength training
Wed-nothing
Thu-strength training & 30 bike ride
Fri-strength training
Sat-nothing

My foot and lower rt. leg has been very painful so I decided to take some time off from walking/running for a few weeks.

Dreaming of tropical locations

I don't like fruit!

I never have, but hopefully I am training my taste buds. My mornings are starting out with a protein/fruit loaded smoothie. This drink fills me up all through the morning and into the afternoon.

1/2 banana

1/2 cup mandarin oranges

2 tsp. coconut oil

1/4 cup mango

1/2 cup greek non fat yogurt

skim milk added to smooth it out a bit

2 cubes secret ingredient

My secret ingredient is Bacardi Pina Colada Mix.  I made up the can of frozen concentrate, 1 can of water ,1/2 can skim milk, and 1/2 can orange juice. I then froze that in ice cube trays.

This mornings smoothie looks a little iffy but tasted yummy.
pear slices
frozen blueberries
frozen strawberries
green goddess
greek yogurt
pineapple
 frozen banana
coconut oil

Week One

Progress: 226.4 lbs.
-6 lbs
I had a fairly productive week with only a few mess-ups, but I'll blame mother nature on those.  Just like every month I had my normal cravings for chocolate and sugar.  I tried to substitute fruit but it  never seems to satisfy. My cheat day was horrible and I know it.  We went out as a family to see Brave 3d (great movie by the way, love the redheaded heroines), ate Taco Bell for supper, and Cold Stone afterwards.  I did fairly well at Taco Bell eating only 350 calories, with a well rounded meal.  Cold Stone was another story!  I thought I would be good and have the lowfat cheesecake yogurt, the sign states "starts at only 34 calories".  I ended up with over 200 calories. That doesn't sound too bad when some of their ice creams are almost 350 calories not counting mix-ins. I try to stay between 1200-1400 a day but that day sent me way over.

I'm only 4 lbs. from meeting my first goal!!
Even though I have already ruined my reward system I had set up.  First I had to get new shoes to help with my foot pain.  Those and inserts seem to be doing the trick.  I also bought a used Ipod from a friend. My husband wants me to not use the Ipod until I hit my goal, but I was bad and took it out with me last night on my walk.  So do I come up with new rewards or suffer through? 

My body hates me

I've been working up to running this last week.

Mon- walked 2 miles

Tues- strength training

Wed- day off

Thu- walked 2 miles

Fri- walked 2 blocks ran 2 blocks for 1 1/2 miles

Sat- today will be a day off, my foot is really bothering me

I think my body has grown attached to all the extra luggage I am carrying around.  Just when I start getting into a groove my body says "WTF you think we are going to work, just you wait!" Then bam I end up with an injury.  Four years ago it was a ruptured disc, which has reared its evil head 3-4 times a year ever since.  Now I am dealing with what I think is plantar fasciitis.  I wake up in the morning with shooting pains as soon as my foot hits the ground. I'm trying some of the exercises found on the internet and icing it 2-3 times a day.

Rewards

I admit that I have a very hard time sticking with this healthy eating exercise thing.  With that knowledge I thought it would be fun to put a motivational reward system into place.

10 lbs- New Sports Bras (need these badly)

15 lbs.- Ipod   New songs for Ipod

25 lbs.- New Running Shoes  May need a new pair anyway
40 lbs.- New Workout Outfit

50 lbs.- Hair Colored/ Highlights
60lbs.- Photo shoot with my husband

70lbs.- New Tattoo

Namaste

 I have been bouncing around on the dieting yoyo long enough. It's time for a change!

Since my 35th birthday a few weeks ago I have lost vision in my right eye (thankfully I have regained sight) and gained almost 10 pounds. I have felt miserable, tired and achy with no energy. 

Here are my stats (6/21/12)

232.4 lbs

5'11"

32.4 BMI (obese)

size 18-20 pants

xl-xxl shirts

                                                                    *waist         36.5

                                                                        hips         48

                                                                       neck         14

                                                                      thigh         27.5

                                                                        calf         15.5

                                                              upper arm         14

*measurements will be taken monthly

My goals:

160 lbs

22.3 BMI (normal weight limit)

1. Not have my thighs rub together

 2 .No fat rolls

3. See my collar bones

4. Ease my back pain

5. Wear a swimsuit (without a cover up)

6. Not be out of breath when climbing stairs at ballgames

7. Run a mile without walking (at least)

8. No more double digit clothing

9. Reduce risk for heart and diabetes

10. Wear cute clothes