Back in a Groove!

I kept trying to kick start myself again and again. I'd have some success and then get derailed. Last year I got back down to 149 lbs. and then ballooned back up to 165 lbs. before my husband deployed. Anyway, I've been really sticking with it this time and now I'm down to 154 lbs. again. I'm working out 4+ times a week, watching what I'm eating and the hard work is paying off. What I've noticed with my weight-loss this time is that I'll lose 3 lbs. and then gain 1 lb. back. Then it'll happen again so it's been slowly yo-yo-ing down in the right direction. My eating habits are a bit different than they were 5 years ago. I'm now mostly a pescatarian but I will eat meat occasionally. Also, since I'm not nursing a baby right now, I can only find success when I'm eating close to 1200 calories/day. It's a little tougher, but it is working and success keeps me motivated. To add some accountability, I re-upped my Beach Body membership and joined a support group. I figure the more support I have, the better. I can't wait to see what my measurements are a month from now! :)
Weight: 154 lbs.
Chest: 39 in
Waist: 31.5 in
Hips: 31.75 in
Wish me luck!

Climbing to Better Heights! Round 2 1/2 week 2

I've rediscovered my love for the stair climber. Yesterday I hiked to the top of the Eiffel Tower, well at least according to the stair climber at the gym I did. It's fun to have silly motivations, but using landmarks as goals works for me. I also did a full round of weights and hopped on the elliptical for 35 minutes. Best part of all, my baby didn't cry the entire time she was in the childcare area playing with other babies! I was able to get a good nights sleep last night, so today I feel refreshed.

Weight: 157 lbs.

Back on Board! :) Round 2 1/2

AAAHHHHHHH!!! This summer has NOT gone the way I wanted it to. A 2 week house renovation turned into 6 weeks of sometimes guys showing up to work or not showing and having to wait around to see if they were coming because they wouldn't answer their phones. Anyway, some days people would be here from 730am until 7 pm. Needless to say, I ended up not getting my time to exercise and I've gotten soft again. GRRRR!!
Today I finally dragged myself and my kids back to the gym and managed to get a workout in inspite of my 1 1/2 year old crying on and off for the entire 2 hours. I'm just glad that they didn't come find me after 20 minutes like they have in the past. I plan on going 4 times a week and she WILL get used to it eventually.
Weight: 158
At least I didn't really gain weight, so I guess that's a small win! :)

Wednesday's Weigh-in: Week 11 Stepping it up a notch!

Summer has really taken a toll on my attempts of exercising outside. Today it hit 92 degrees Fahrenheit, and although the humidity is only 60%, it's still kind of sticky. Needless to say, unless I'm riding my bike or my elliptical downstairs, I'm not getting as good a workout as usual. Today I decided to change that, so I joined the YMCA. I got a solid 2hr butt-kicking (going to hurt like heck tomorrow) kind of workout in while my kids enjoyed playing in the childcare. I AM SOOOO happy with the hard workout I got in, I could jump for joy, but I'm a little tired…lol. Anyway, when the weather's nice, I still plan on doing my 2 miles early in the morning with AJ and the girls, but for now, hitting the gym works! :) Besides it's nice to have 2 hours kid-free.
Today I weigh 157 lbs. My inches are the same, except my waist is now 31 inches. I'll take what I can get!

Wednesday's Weigh-in: Week 7: A Habit is formed

Well, I've officially gotten back into the habit of exercising regularly. I feel as though my day is incomplete without it, and even on the days that I REALLY don't want to exercise, I still feel as though I HAVE to do it, so onward I trudge. :) Since I haven't seen as much progress as I'd like so far, I've decided to add more exercise into the evening on some days. Starting last night, if I feel like watching a show or a movie after the kids are in bed, I make sure to hop on my elliptical or spin bike for at least 30 minutes of the show before I settle down and stretch out for the night. (I do shower too, in case you're concerned…lol).
Cheers to good habits!

Here's my breakdown:
Weight: 157 lbs.
Chest: 40 in.
Waist: 31 1/2 in. (down 3/4 inch)
Hips: 38 in. (down 1 inch)
Thighs: 22 in. (down 1 inch)


So, although my weight is about the same, if not a little heavier, I am down almost 3 inches in 2 weeks, which makes me smile!

Wednesday's Weigh-in: Week 5 (How to be happy) :)

Well, first things first… I didn't lose any weight, the scale still says 156 lbs., but that doesn't bother me too much because I feel myself slowly changing physically and it's great. :) I am more flexible- I can finally touch my toes again. I am stronger- I picked up my 4 year old (37lbs.) without thinking about it the other day and it didn't hurt. I have better endurance- I pushed my double-jogger up and down 2.5 miles of hilly terrain and still felt energized. More than that though, I'm feeling my body firm up, and my muscles are starting to tone. Best of all, I am feeling HAPPY most of the time, so I thought I'd share my basic recipe for happiness.
How BJ feels Happy
1. Rain or Shine - Exercise (Jog with the stroller, use my spin bike, run up and down my stairs 100 times, follow an exercise video, or just go for a walk on days that I'm sick,).
2. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. (When I get a good workout in before noon, I don't run into the insomnia problems I used to suffer from).
3. Drink LOTS of water (I don't drink my calories unless they're part of a smoothie which I make using whole fruits, vegetables and water).
4. Choose to eat healthy, but if I have to cheat with a treat, I only do so after I exercise. (This works great because after having put effort into burning calories, I don't normally want to ruin any hard work with something sugary.
5. Strive to eat just enough to feel satisfied, and not more. (I make a concerted effort to serve myself the portion I know I should eat, then thoroughly chew each bite, drink some water, wait 10 extra minutes, and I am good most of the time).
6. Spend time at the end of each evening reading something uplifting and reflecting on what I'm thankful for.

What makes YOU happy?

Wednesday's Weigh-in: Week 4 (So good to be Sore) :)

I am SORE!!! I worked out 5 times this week, and yesterday I added in 2 hours of yard work + Hula dancing. :) I also did really well with portion control this week. I'm going to figure out my measurements and I figure that even if my pounds aren't melting off, I can see some progress in inches. Today I weigh 156.0 I didn't quite make my goal of 155.8, but I'll take what I can get. I guess that means my goal for next week is 155.0. Wish me luck!

Wednesday's Weigh-in Week 3: Meh

I got sick and didn't exercise as faithfully as I have been, only 2 times this week. Also, I was not as diligent with watching what I ate, because I didn't feel well and I really didn't care….lol. Anyway, the scale reflected my lack of effort… 157 lbs. Back to the grindstone this week. I think I want my goal to be 155.8. Here goes nothing! :)

Wednesday's Weigh-in: Week 2

I'm happy to say that I did really well this week with my exercise. I exercised 4 times doing different things, and I made sure each time to include some basic strength training like planks, crunches, lunges, leg lifts and squats. I also made a conscious effort to not only watch the kind of food I was eating, but to watch the amount I was eating. The AMOUNT can be what's trickiest for some people. Let's say you're used to eating 2500 calories a day and then you suddenly try to drop down to 1600 calories, your body is definitely going to protest and you'll find it difficult to stick to fewer calories. Headaches, hunger pains, and fatigue will fight you until you can't take it anymore. To combat this, try keeping a food journal and calculating how many calories you're eating on a regular basis. Then slowly decrease the amount each week. I have been eating about 2300 calories, but from past experience I know that in order to be the size I like, I have to eat no more than 1600 calories a day and exercise on a regular basis. So, this week I focused on eating no more than 2100 calories, and I didn't suffer from the yucky side-effects mentioned above. When I stepped on the scale today, I was pleased to see that I've lost 2 pounds, and I currently weigh 156.6 lbs. Slow and steady baby, slow and steady. :)

Wednesday's Weigh-in: Another Journey Begins

I worked really hard last year after giving birth to my daughter Diana, and December 2013, I was 144 lbs. and I could wear my favorite 4-6 size clothes again although my middle was still a little bit soft. HOWEVER, Christmas, New Years, buying a new house and moving to another state, and weaning my baby were NOT so good for my figure. I got on the scale today and sighed LOUDLY because over the past 4 months I have gained 14.6 lbs. I knew people in Hawaii who always said it wasn't fair that I was as skinny as I was, and that some people are born with amazing metabolisms. I am NOT one of those people. Even trying to mostly watch what I've been eating and doing some basic exercise, I have STILL gained weight and I am NOT happy about it. SOOOOOO, I'm making myself accountable to all of you once again, and beginning my new journey. This time, it'll be Goodbye Holiday, Moving, & Stress Blubber.
Starting weight: 158.6 lbs.
Size 8 clothes.

Sunday's Sweets: Lowfat Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread or Muffins :)

Here's a yummy treat that you can feel good about enjoying. It's full of whole-grains and vegetables, but best of all, it's delicious without being overpowering in sweetness.

Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread

3 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs
4- 4 1/2 cups grated zucchini (tightly packed)
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup oil
3 teaspoon vanilla

optional: 1/2 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Combine. Pour into greased pans. Bake two bread pans 40-45 min. (30 muffins= 25-30 min) Approximately 125 calories per serving. :)

Tuesday's Tips: 23

Try and make small adjustments to your day to get a little extra exercise in. For instance: -If you live close enough to walk to the store and you have the time, then go for it. I love to either stick my kids in the double jogger or in the bike trailer and head out to get what I need. If I need to get a lot of stuff, then I'll go ahead and drive, but I'll park as far away from the door as I can. -If I'm not in a huge hurry, I'll take the stairs instead of the elevator when the opportunity presents itself. -If the weather is nice and your car needs a good wash down then throw on some get-wet clothes and start scrubbing. My kids LOVE helping me wash our cars, and we all get a little exercise in too. :) I'd love to hear any other examples that occur to you too. Feel free to pass them along!

Agave Nectar: Good or Bad?

I've mentioned my thoughts about Agave Nectar before but my friend just shared this article and I really like the way it is written. If you have a few minutes, take time to read this article. Agave Nectar: Good or Bad?

Tuesday's Tips: 22

Today's tip is: Try Something New!

I don't use a lot of Cow's Milk because the men in my life have big issues digesting it. I use a lot of alternatives, and honestly, when I haven't used Cow's Milk for myself for a few days, I notice that I'm less congested, and other things work better.

I use a lot of Milk alternatives like: Coconut Milk, Rice Milk, Oat Milk, Soy Milk (sparingly), Hazelnut Milk, and Almond Milk.

My friend Melissa introduced me to a recipe for making your own Almond Milk, and I can't wait to try it out!

Here's the link: How To Make Almond Milk

I think Almond Milk is delicious. Do you have something healthy and new that you're willing to try?

Tuesday's Tips: 21

I don't eat much sugar (besides fruit), but lately, due to Valentines and other celebrations, I've eaten a LOT more than I normally would. Anyway, today I ate one of the chocolates that my husband gave me for Valentines and I immediately noticed a shift in my mood; I got angry for almost no reason, and 20 minutes later I felt extremely depressed. That's when it hit me, it's true when they say that sugar can really have an effect on your attitude.

Tip: If you're prone to feeling down, avoid sugar.

(Other things that might help include: Going to sleep at the same time every night, Getting up at the same time every morning, Incorporating regular exercise, and Making healthier food choices.)

Saturday's Suggestion: Find alternatives to Fructose

The health trends in society come and go. RIght now it's all about something's 'glycemic index' levels. Since fructose has the lowest glycemic index levels, people think that that's how they should sweeten stuff. However, if you're trying to lose weight you might consider the following:

‎"The medical profession thinks fructose is better for diabetics than sugar," says Meira Field, PhD, a research chemist at United States Department of Agriculture, "but every cell in the body can metabolize glucose. However, all fructose must be metabolized in the liver. The livers of the rats on the high-fructose diet looked like the livers of alcoholics, plugged with fat and cirrhotic."[59] While a few other tissues (e.g., sperm cells[60] and some intestinal cells) do use fructose directly, fructose is almost entirely metabolized in the liver.[59]
"When fructose reaches the liver," says Dr. William J. Whelan, a biochemist at the University of Miami School of Medicine, "the liver goes bananas and stops everything else to metabolize the fructose." Eating fructose instead of glucose results in lower circulating insulin and leptin levels, and higher ghrelin levels after the meal.[61] Since leptin and insulin decrease appetite and ghrelin increases appetite, some researchers suspect that eating large amounts of fructose increases the likelihood of weight gain.[62]
"Excessive fructose consumption is also believed to contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose

I think it's important that people increase their education. Never stop learning, always question what you hear. I believe that fructose in moderation as it comes naturally as part of fruit is a good thing. However, if you want to bake something sweet, and feel full and satisfied afterward, you might want to consider using something with a higher glycemic index, like old-fashioned corn syrup which contains no fructose.

Thoughts for Thursday 6

Some days it's really hard to make yourself get some exercise in. On those days I put my exercise clothes on and refuse to change out of them until I've gotten at least some sort of workout in. Since I'm not a big fan of running around in spandex, it's a great motivation. :)

Sunday Sweets: Chocolate Healthy Smoothie

I drink a lot of smoothies. It's a good way to get fresh fruits and veggies into my diet, but sometimes I want them to taste especially yummy. Today, I decided I wanted to make one chocolate-y so here's what I came up with and it's delicious!

1/2 cup Vanilla Rice Milk
1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 cup Fresh Baby Spinach
1/4 cup diced Cucumber
1/4 cup Frozen Strawberries
1/4 cup Frozen Blueberries
1 Tbsp. Light Organic Agave Nectar
2 Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Blend all of the ingredients in a blender on High until smooth. Enjoy!

(Optional: This smoothie is also tasty without the Agave and Cocoa Powder if you just want the berry flavor.)

P.S. I use a Vitamix, it's an amazing blender although it's pricy. Since I use it everyday and multiple times a day, it's one of my favorite kitchen investments. I also use it to grind my own whole-grain flours.

Tuesday's Tips: 20

When choosing which color of dinner plates to buy, go for white. According to 'The Doctors', some studies show that people who eat off of white plates eat less than people who eat off of plates that have color. The contrast tricks the eye into thinking you've eaten more than you have. :)

Thoughts for Thursday 5

I've been in a funk lately. The kids have been bothering me more than usual and my patience has been missing. It's really been keeping me down. However, today, I dragged myself out of bed extra early this morning and did a P90x workout called Yoga X. The difference is amazing. I realize now that because I haven't been exercising as regularly as usual my mood has been negatively affected. In order to find joy in life, I need to start my day off with the endorphins I get from a good workout. I'm recommitting to my active morning routine, and I'm working on figuring out more ways to spend quality time with my kids outside.

The thought: Starting your day off with a good workout can help you think more clearly and keep a more positive outlook!