Day 24 - Gotta a new Salsa!

Today was a good day. Had an awesome workout with Stefanie. She wants me to wear just my sports bra on Friday. I said "I will if you will". We'll see. Don't know that I'm ready to reveal that much to the world yet!

Spoke w/Maria S. who gave me a new salsa to make. It was SO good! Tomatoes, Garlic, Jalepeno and Cilantro, roast all then blend. It was really good! And I finally got my veggies roasted perfectly! So I was a happy camper at dinner tonight!

I ate a little extra peanut butter as I was still hungry after dinner and had the fat and calories to spare.

I'm hanging in there!

Tomorrow should be interesting, as I'm taking Mom to the hospital for her surgery and expect to be there most of the day, so I'll be taking lots of food with me.

Day 23 - Wanting tasty food!

Today I took completely off from working out. I seem to do that every 3 weeks or so. Just didn't feel like it and I could without guilt.

I was really craving some regular food, like potato chips or something else salty.

Johnny keeps talking about how much he's noticing the difference in my arms, which is so encouraging. I can't wait until I see it. It definitely gives me the motivation to go another day.

I haven't had this willpower since doing the injection shots from Dr. Bernstein. But this is much better what I'm doing and I have a focused goal to achieve.

Day 22 - First time "cheating"

Yesterday was a good day. I really didn't want to exercise AT ALL. It was one of those rare days for me. It was rainy so I wasn't going to run, and I just didn't feel like getting dressed to go out to the gym. But I had already taken two cardio days off for the week so I knew I needed to do SOMETHING! So I pulled out a Beachbody DVD, which had so much dust on it, hadn't been used in almost 2 years. It was the Shaun T's Rockin Body. I remembered that there was a cardio/strength workout on it, so I decided to do it. It was a 45 minute routine, and BOY WAS IT HARD! I only had 2 lb and 10 lb weights and I couldn't use the 10lb ones for hardly any of the exercises because they were moving so fast and doing so many reps. But I got through the entire workout, including doing 6 sets of 10 push ups followed by 3 sets of planks! It was awesome and I felt great about the workout!

Today, I was so sore in my lats, shoulders, butt and abs! So I decided I'd go to the gym and work out my biceps and triceps since I didn't do too much with them yesterday. And did a little cardio.

Then tonight we had our Remembrance of Yahshua's death and had the bread and wine. Well after it was all over, we sat around and had more bread and wine. This is my 4th week and I haven't cheat once other than my allowed cheat meal, so while I did cheat, I'm not going to beat myself up. I did really good today being away from home most of the day and still eating right.

So I'm sure I'll pay for tonight, but I'll get back on track tomorrow. Oh, and I have to mention that both Grace and Mom said they can now see some definition in my arms! All the more motivation to stick with this!!!

Day 20 - Cheat Meal Day

Got a little concerned cause my weight was down about 3 lbs this morning (134.7), but by the end of the night I'm over 138! I used today as my day off from all workouts and it was my cheat day. Don't know that I'll do it like that again.

But I did learn something about my cheat meal. I really don't have to treat it like it's the last meal I'll ever eat. Because when I do, I eat too much and don't feel good afterward. I just want to go out and run 5 miles, but I'm too stuffed to do it! Not a feeling I like. I think in the future, I'll just have something I want, but not too much of it, and I'll work out that day.

My cheat meal tonight was from a mexican restaurant called Cantina Laredo. I had really wanted Nachos, haven't had them in well over a year, so I even researched to see who had the best nachos in the area. No one has them like Cali, but Cantina Laredo's were good. They weren't piled high like I wanted but they had everything on them I liked so it was fine. Then I got two enchiladas, one cheese and one beef, and I had two margaritas as well as chips and salsa. My eyes even wanted the dessert but there was nowhere to put it thankfully! Whoa!! Too much for me! Learned my lesson!

It's a learning process. I'm sore from yesterday's workout and looking forward to my workout tomorrow. I spent most of the morning preparing veggies and meats for the week and made some more Pico De Gallo.

I think that's it for today!

Day 19 - Going Strong

I'm almost through my 3rd week and it definitely went faster than last week. I'm enjoying my meals now and have gotten more organized with preparing food in advance so I don't feel like I'm always chopping, slicing, shopping, cooking, etc. I can tell that my trainer Stefanie is pushing me more with each workout.

I ran 5 miles yesterday, longest run since my marathon almost a month ago and felt great. I was just concerned about doing too much cardio. I'm doing a 15k in two weeks so I'll run 6 miles next week, then the 15k the week after, then I'll do no more than 5k's until after the competition.

I took bikini pics two weeks ago, so I need to take some again today and my plan is to take them each Friday. I don't expect to see much difference, but maybe in June, as I look back I'll be able to see small differences.

Looking forward to my cheat meal tomorrow! I think I want Nachos, but not just any Nachos, I've been researching to see who has the best ones in the area! If I'm going to cheat, it's gotta be a good one!!!

Just enjoying the process!

Day 17 - Two Week Results are In!

My trainer Stefanie did all my measuring two weeks ago today, and we measured again today. Here's the results:

3/10 3/24
Weight: 135.7 lbs 137.6 lbs
Body Fat: 29.6% 26.4%
Shoulders: 42 in 40.75 in
Chest: 35 in 34.5 in
Waist: 29.5 in 27 in
Hips: 39 in 38 in
Thigh: 21 in 20 in
Arm (bicep): 11.75 in 10.75 in
Calf: 13 in 12.75 in

What can I say? I WAS SO EXCITED! These results are better than anything I could have ever expected! For my weight to go up, but everything to go down - wow!

I haven't cheated once on the diet, other than the allowed cheat meal. And now I have even more motivation to keep going!

My workout was brutal today, all upper body, but I got through it. I'm getting more excited!

Day 16 - Getting used to Blogging! :-)

So I've missed a few days! I really want to blog each day, but have to remember to do it, since I'm not used to it.

Anyway, into my 3rd week and it's going well. I'm used to the diet, Pico De Gallo is my best friend and I make it every 2-3 days so it's fresh. It's good with just about everything.

My strength training is also going well. I'm getting stronger each time. I did upper body on Sunday, then lower on Monday so I'm sore all over now!

Went for a run today for my cardio and loved it!

Can't wait until I can see some visible results. Getting measured tomorrow and will post results. Hopefully they'll show some improvement even if just a little.

Scale today: 137.6 Body Fat: 25.3%

Day 13 - Cheat Meal Day

Oops, I missed blogging yesterday, but only because I got the chance to have my nephew spend the night, which hadn't happened in over a year, so I wasn't caring about much else other than spending time with him!

But yesterday was a good day. Workout was awesome, did Skull-crushers with 35 lb barbell. Also, was able to do 20 UN-assisted pull ups. So I felt good during the workout, though I was ready to die afterward!

I even watched my nephew eat some pizza and I had no desire to take a bite. That's a big deal for me!

Stefanie told me to cut out fruit at night, which is understandable. She said she can see some changes, though I don't. I could really see changes in her, especially her arms and butt, much more defined. Can't wait to have that!!!

So today was my cheat meal day, and I won't lie, I was thinking about it ALL day! It was so bad, that I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat! It went from steak to Nachos to Indian food to Creole! We ended up going to Carrabba's and I really enjoyed it. Had their mussels for the first time and they were really good, though not as good as Bally Hoo's. Really enjoyed my two glasses of wine!!! I savored every bite. One thing that was interesting though was that I felt like my food was over seasoned, and I think it was because I've gotten used to so little seasoning. Amazing how we adapt! I felt like my blood pressure was going up as I was eating the food! :-) So cheat meal is done, back to my food with Pico De Gallo. Johnny actually had one of my meals with me today and liked it. Pico De Gallo is my food savior!

I didn't work out today. I only have to do 5 days of cardio, and even with 5, I feel lazy, since I had gotten so used to doing so much cardio while preparing for the marathon. I have such a desire to run for an hour or two, but I'm fighting it for the great good of my training!

Ok, enough for today. That's what I get for missing a day!

Day 11 - Was Starving Today

For some reason, I felt ravenously hungry during most of the day. I couldn't wait the 3 hours to eat again. So I made sure I ate. I burned over 700 calories doing cardio today, so that may have something to do with it, I'm not sure. But the good thing is, I got through they day eating all my food, but not going over, and by the end of the night (now), I'm satisfied.

I'm a little surprised I wasn't more sore today from my workout yesterday since I did a double workout and even raised the weights on some. Am I not doing enough? Well I meet with Stefanie tomorrow so we'll see what's going on. She's learned some things from her friend in Chicago who competes so I can't wait to hear about it!

Day 10 Getting Stronger

Today was a really good exercise and food day. I did a double workout today and was able to increase the weight on two different exercises - Woo Hoo! I'm now used to the eating schedule, I just have to start eating earlier in the day so my last meal isn't at 10pm. Will try to make it no later than 9:30am. It's just so hard to get out of bed before 8am! Grace tasted my food today and actually said it was good. Still haven't gotten over 1700 calories. I've had a headache for a while today, not sure why though. I'm not going to take anything for it, will just hope it will go away when I go to bed.

Maria called me today, she's really going to do this too! Yay! It will be nice to have someone to share meal plans with and talk about how bland our food is. And she's hating giving up her wine just as much as I am. What we do to reach goals! :-)

I think that's it for today. Feeling better every day! Gotta set my Countdown Clock!

Day 9 - I can't eat any more!

Here I am feeling bored and looking for a new challenge to keep me busy during the day, but I feel like between preparing, heating, cutting, chopping, cleaning and EATING all this food, I wouldn't have time for anything else!!! I feel like all I do is eat! But this is Day 9 and I'm doing well. Finding new ways every day to season my food. Pico De Gallo is definitely a fave! Grace is going to make some Guacamole, so I know that will be great too! Loving my Chocolate Protein Shake at night with fresh fruit in it! Starting weight was 135.7 lbs and 29.5 body fat. Will weigh in each Wednesday and report. Feeling strong. Did a double workout yesterday, but strangely enough I'm not that sore today. I thought I'd barely be able to lift my fork to eat all this food! Not sure what that means, but I'll keep doing it. Onward and upward!

Day 8

I figured with all the emotions I'm going through, I should blog about this journey, as it will be my most challenging yet. It's making training for a marathon like a walk in the park.

Mainly because I have to limit my cardio, which is tough after being used to running for at least an hour at least 3x a week for so many weeks. While my knees are excited about the break, I'm limited to 30 minutes of cardio a day and sometimes I want to do more.

The strength training is pretty intense, but I can handle that easier. I'm happy to get back into it.

The toughest part of all this is the eating. I never realized how much food and even wine were so much a part of the little social life I have. Little things like Johnny and I going to the local outdoor bar for a glass of wine and we just talk. Even though I've been eating pretty healthy while losing my weight, I was used to food with a LOT of flavor. But I made it the first 7 days and when I was thinking about giving up, my husband told me I had to continue because we don't quit. I needed to hear that so much. In return, he was thinking he'd have to wait until 2012 to qualify for the Boston Marathon, so I told him he couldn't give up going after 2011. We make a great team.

I think around dinner time, I feel most hungry. I just finished dinner, and I'm still hungry, or I still want some food, I'm not sure which. But I'll wait about an hour, then have my last meal of the evening.

I just have to keep focusing on the results! My dream body! I can do this! Ok, I'm down from the ledge for today...