Tired and have a headache, but, I had a 100% on plan day - woo hoo!

In other business, I set up a couple of other external influences for myself today.

I joined not one, but two challenges over at Weight Loss Wars.  One of them I created myself and is really just to keep myself accountable, but the other cost money AND has a monetary reward if you 'win'.

I also took some starting photos last night - NOT pleasant

And I found out today that I'm going to have to take them again when I start the challenge on Jan 8th.

I kind of need to anyway because the quality sucks - trying to take photos in the mirror - not good.

Oh my god - look at that wheat belly.  I can see all the crap food I've been eating.  I'm looking just like my mom and grandmother - this HAS to stop!

New pictures at the end of every month.

And last, but not least - I'm working on my race schedule and training plan for the year.  Things are going to be slowly ramping up for me, and I'mreally excited about it.

Almost forgot!

Hit the gym this morning and got my workouts in.  It was at the Mil-Gym.  It was nice and quiet, just the way I like it.  I'm really dreading next week and all the resolutioners!  Maybe I should have planned a rest week that week - heh

Anyway - I got my Shoulder/Triceps workout in:

Dumbbell Front Raises: 6 x 15, 6 x 17.5, 6 x 17.5
Seated Dumbbell Press: 6 x 40 x 3
Side Lateral Raise: 6 x 25 x 2
Triceps Press-Down: 6 x 60 x 3
Lying Triceps Extension: 6 x 50 x 2
Seated Dumbbell Extension: 6 x 60

Then I jumped on the treadmill and did week 2 of my 5K program.  Still doing 5MPR on the runs and 3.5 MPR on the walking all at 1.5% incline.

Kept the 12 Min per Mile pace up for all of the 90 second intervals so I'm still hanging with that goal - hooray!

I'm trying to get back into the habit of logging/blogging...

The good news is, unlike other times when a laps in my blogging meant a laps in my focus - I've actually been doing very well.  Well, on workouts at least.

Wednesday was a back workout:

Lat Pull-down: 6 x 125, 6 x 125, 6 x 130
V Bar Pull-down: 6 x 130, 6 x 130
Cable Row: 6 x 130, 6 x 130
Kneeling One-Arm Row: 6 x 50

Followed by an interval run/walk following the Podrunner series.  I'm following the program using 5 MPR (12 min mile) for the running portion and 3.5 MPR for the walking.  I'm hoping that'll allow me to do a 5K at a 12 Min per mile pace.  We'll see - I managed to keep up the pace for the whole 60 seconds of each interval, so that's good.

Thursday was a Back and Traps at my 'other gym' in Sacramento:

Incline Dumbbell Press: 6 x 45 x 3
Dumbbell Bench Press: 6 x 50 x 2
Decline Dumbbell Press: 6 x 45 x 2

Dumbbell Shoulder Shrug: 10 x 70 x 2

Friday was a holiday but I hit the gym anyway - it was Arms and Abs day:

Barbell Curl - 6 x 55 x 2
Hammer Curl - 6 x 25
Close Grip Ez-Curl Bar - 6 x 60 x 2
Hanging Leg Lifts - 6 x 2sets
Cable Kneeling Crunch - 10 x 100 x 2

Weirdest thing happened at the gym though.  I was standing, doing my workout when this guy walked passed.  He was staring, so I did what I normally do, I smiled (a little) and nodded.  The guy started laughing!  He looked me up and and down and then laughed so more before walking away.  I still have NO IDEA what that was about - but oh well.  I shrugged it off and went back to my workout.

I was supposed to get one more run in over the weekend - but that didn't happen.  I didn't feel like running on Christmas Day, I was too busy enjoying having all my kids over, and Sunday we spent all day walking around Six Flags so I feel like I at least got a workout in.

As for nutrition.  Well, it's sucked.  Let's just say I've enjoyed the holiday and leave it at that.

But, I do want to talk about my plan for a minute.

Remember, back at the beginning of this blog when I mentioned ADHD?  Well, I'm sure what I'm going to say here is going to seem very much in line with that.

First thing is:  I joined Weight Watchers.  I know, I know, by now you've counted three different nutritional plans that I've mentioned, and I've only been blogging for about a week!  But, hear me out.

I know that I do best when there's some sort of external pressure associated with a goal, or task.  Weight Watchers has a public weigh-in/forum as part of their program and THAT is the portion of their system that I am using.  I'm also playing with the online site and smart phone ap.  The new WW program places emphasis on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and I'm thinking I can use the points system to do a fairly simple weighed and measured Paleo Plan.

And what about Medi-fast?  That's not very peleo, and frankly I have always felt a little guilty while on the program.  Yes, I see results and I see them quickly, but I've always wondered at what cost.  So, I'm going to spend this week 100% on Medi-fast and any left over food I have will be emergency food for those days I forget or get too lazy to pack a lunch.  No excuse to head down to the Burger King when I've got a high protein tomato soup sitting in my lunch drawer that I can eat instead.

To that end I've got 6 dinners per week planned on a calendar along with recipes and shopping lists.

One other thing I would like to note - the more exercise I do, the more I want to do!  lol!  I've found myself wanting to add more work on my 'weight lifting only' days.  I've noticed that I have access to a gym with a pool at least two days a week (once at my Sac gym on Thursdays and then either day on the weekend).  Maybe it's time to add a little aqua cardio to my program?

Ooooooor - maybe I'll reign my ADHD self in and finish my running program instead! lol  I've got plenty of time after this 5K in Feb to roll back into some swimming and biking.   Let's just say that Tri's are starting to call my name again.  And it's a nice feeling.

It's Tuesday, and workout wise, everything has been going well.

Sunday before bed I made sure that I had my phone charged, my podcasts loaded and my headphones working.  I also loaded up a yoga session (just in case) and threw my heart monitor and garmin watch inside my bag so that I was all ready to start back into the cardio training.  The next morning I hit the gym nice and early only to discover to my ultimate frustration that I had left my phone at home along with my headphones, watch and heart rate strap! So, basically my entire workout was over 40 miles away :(  I headed in anyway and did a workout from my head.  When I checked back later, it wasn't that far off from what I had planned.

Front Lat Raises:  6 x 15, 6 x 15, 6 x 20
Dumbbell Shoulder Presses:  6 x 40 x 2
Side Lat Raises:  6 x 25, 6 x 27.5
Lying Triceps Presses: 50 x 6, 55 x 6
Seated Triceps overhead press:  50 x 6

Then I went over to the Treadmill, warmed up for 5 minutes, pushed the incline up to 1.5% and did intervals - 2 minutes running, 3 minutes walking for 25 minutes.  After 30 minutes I had gone 1.8 miles.  Not too bad for a first day back.

This morning I hit the gym bright and early once again.  It was leg day - that always makes me happy.

Squat:  6 x 205 x 4
Leg Press:  6 x 560, 6 x 580
Stiff Leg Deadlift:  6 x 175 x 3

Felt tired but GREAT after all of that.

The food front hasn't been as great.  I got my new shipment of Medifast meals on Friday and I was really excited about all the new stuff like pancakes!

Friday night I went shopping and got a big load of meat and veg for my one 'lean and green' meal per day and I felt ready.

However, Friday night also started the great bake off.  Rum Balls, Oatmeal Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Biscotti etc all went into my oven - and portions of each also went into my mouth!

Saturday started well with Medifast pancakes, and a bar early in the day, but I folded when we went to the Dicken's Faire and bought a bag of cinnamon and sugar roasted almonds.  Later in the day I topped all that off with more baking and more 'tasting'

Sunday started with a brunch for a friend's birthday and ended with more baking and more tasting.  By the time I woke up on Monday morning, I had a terrible stomach ache weighed 220 lbs!  up almost 3 lbs from a week ago - DARN HOLIDAYS!

Yesterday, my lunch(s) were at home (along with my phone) but I had a bunch of meals stashed in a drawer at work so I figured I would be ok.  And I was.  I even got my husband to fix dinner so that it was ready and waiting for me when I got home.  But, then there was more baking and more cookies and more batter testing and bleh!

Of course there's the chance that going heavy at the gym is putting some of this weight on me, but certainly not all of it.  I just know I'll be glad when the holidays and all the partying and cooking is done! Cause apparently my will power isn't enough to overcome the magnetic pull of sugar cookie batter!

I would hate to think what I would weigh if I wasn't 'dieting' while eating all this cookie dough! lol!

My goal right now is not to beat myself up over my less then perfect start and keep working to make each day a bit better then the day before.  I'm in this for the long haul and that means learning to live life - and sometimes living means enjoying a fresh baked cookie (or three)

Happy Holidays All!

Hi, and welcome to my blog.

Despite the fact that this is my first post here, this is hardly my first blog, so, on the off chance that you’re interested in a little history, I’ll point you to those old posts.

In Dec 2002 I decided to start a Body-for-Life challenge and to chronicle my progress through the 12 week contest.  Little did I know that that little blog would turn into a 8 year chronicling of the ups and downs of weight loss. 

My highest weight in that time:  240lbs

My lowest weight:  170

I also had a lot of posts about weight lifting and what I was doing at the gym.

But through all those years, no ‘ultimate success’.

In Oct 2008, I joined Team and Training and signed up to do a triathlon (at 240lbs).  I started a blog to chronicle my training as a way for folks to track me and (hopefully) donate money to the cause I was supporting, the leukemia lymphoma society.  When I finished the training and did the race I found I had been bitten by the triathlon bug, and the blog stayed up as I chronicled my races and struggles.

I struggled with keeping both blogs going and keeping relevant information on the appropriate blog.  Then, 2010 hit and I fell into a big giant slump.  Both blogs went ‘dark’.

And, so, here we are, on the edge of 2011 and I’m finding myself on a journey again.  I’ve been hitting the gym regularly ala my ‘Body for Life’ days, I’ve started a regimented diet, and I’ve signed up for a 5k race in Feb.  It just seemed to be a good time to pull all my thoughts into one place and start the new year with a bright shiny new blog.  And this, my friends, is it.

So, what is this blog about then?

It’s about a lot of things.  It’s about my getting to my goal weight – and staying there.  It’s about getting strong and getting fit, and getting my head in a good place.  And it’s about laughing a little along the way.

Who am i?

Well I’m a wife to a wonderful, amazing, and supportive husband, a mom to three great kids.  (22, 19, 17) and I work full time as an IT Project Manager.

Where am I at?

I weighed in on Monday at 217.2 lbs.  I’m going to the gym 5 days a week and using a training program called Max-OT.  I’m on a diet program called “Medifast”, because it’s simple and works for me, but I believe long term that the Paleo/Primal lifestyle is the way to go and it’s where I plan to live my ‘maintenance life’.   I’m currently signed up for a 5K in February and I’ll be starting a couch to 5K program next week.  As I’ve worked/struggled with my weight over the years, it’s become apparent to me that I’m a food addict, there will be portions of this blog that is related to that.  I’ve also recently come to suspect that I have ADHD.  So, as I learn more and get skills to deal with that, I’ll post here as it relates to my fitness and weight loss journey.

Where do I want to be?

Weight wise I want to get to 130 lbs.  2011 is the year I reach that number.  While I do that, I’m going to maintain, if not improve my overall strength (muscle mass).   Later in the year I’m going to return to training for and competing in triathlons.  I want to go back to some of the old tris I did and beat my time.  As I drop the weight, that should get easier and easier to do.

Please, feel free to post questions, comments, encouragement or… whatever… but realize that my blog is really a journal for me.  A way for me to take stock, record my journey and explore my own thoughts and feelings.  Although I might entertain/enlighten someone along the way, it’s not my primary focus, and if you don’t like the way or content that I post, I’m OK with that.  Don’t expect me to change.

2010 - kicked my ***

So here's the deal...

2010 wasn't so great a year for me.  I lost focus, stopped training and gained back some of the weight I had lost in 2009.

On the flip side I did get some things accomplished.  I moved, I got a new less stressful, better jobs AND in the past few months I've started going back to the gym.

I feel like I've regained focus and that I'm on track to get back to being an athlete again!

That being said, I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with this blog.  It started as a way to chronicle my training as I went through Team in Training for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.   Then, as I found I liked doing Tris, and wanted to continue doing them, I kept posting to this blog about my Tri tribulations.

However, this was only a small window of the 'big picture' of my 'athletic life' and I actually had an older blog that I was maintaining that had years and years of my weight/training struggles posted to it. I found myself struggling to decide what to post to that blog and what to post to this one.  I didn't want them to be mirrors of each other, and was trying to keep information that was related to the 'subject' of the blog on each blog.

As you might guess, with two subjects so closely intertwined, it got difficult and as my motivation fell, so did my posts.

Now I'm left with a quandary.  As I start to ramp back up in both endeavorers, getting fit and losing weight what do I do with these blogs?  Do I continue them, but keep them separate?  Do I retire one or the other of them?  Or, do I close them both and start a third blog with the focus being my entire 'fitness' journey.

Given that my posting has been so sporatic that neither of these blogs get much of a 'visit' I think the third option might just be a good idea and a great 'clean slate' for 2011.

Goals for tomorrow

1 - Take my vitamins

2 - Take my fish oil

3 - No grain no sugar

4 - Take it just one day at a time

I wanted to say something about #4

A few years ago I read "Rational Recovery". Knowing that my weight issue was related to a food addiction I thought this was an important program to read and understand. Weirdly enough, I think that it might have caused a problem for me. You see, this program drills on the idea that you make a commitment (to a diet - or recovery program) for life. That if you are going to do it, you do it forever - and there's an implied "or not at all".

But today I decided to go back to an old adage of mine - "just get through today" -- because honestly, sometimes all I have is enough strength for today - and I've found that if I string enough 'todays' together, soon it's weeks and then months and in that time I've made progress and frankly, in weight loss progress is the key.

And, on another note - I was rather inspired on Friday night when while out drinking with friends, one of my best (male) friends mentioned how amazing I looked when I had dieted down for my wedding. Honestly I didn't know anyone had really noticed. That made me feel really good and I would really like to look and feel that amazing again.

To that end - the plan is week is to string together 7 'one day at a time's - hit the weights 4 days this week and do at least 3 days of cardio.

The good news is, I'm no longer at the job I hate and my stress levels have gone down by 80% - If I could just figure out the money situation - I would have no stress at all :D