Its been a while...

since I posted but I have been crazy busy lately.   However, I have been eating right and exercising.  As you all can tell by my FB post I took a hip hop dance class.   I've been walking past that class at the gym for over a year now but never got the nerve to go in.  Last night I was just like take your butt in there.   I REALLY enjoyed it!   Definately a great workout and I switched up the routine.  I needed something different.  I am going to make that class a priority on Tuesday nights.  My birthday came and went but I felt good about turning 39.  I'm in a different place right now with my weight.  I feel much better about myself.  I'm getting a lot of compliments at work but I know I have a few haters out there too but I'm not even worrying about them.  Even though I had cake, cupcakes and a lot of other "bad" things the past two weeks celebrating I only gained .02 at WW.  Not bad for someone who was stuffing buttercream icing down their throat- LOL   Just wanted to say hello to my ladies....I'm doing okay...and hope all is well with you all.   I can tell by your FB posts that everyone is getting the exercise in.   Let's try to get together and do lunch or something SOON!    Smooches!  Freda

HAPPY MONDAY

Happy Valentines Day everyone.  I know some get caught up and will be eating chocolates and crap because it's Valentines Day.  I will be working out tonight and eating a PLANNED dinner of baked chicken with asparagus on the side. 

Libby and I hung out this weekend and came up with a bet to spark things up and keep us MOTIVATED!!  Libby has been using this GREAT tool at www.myfitnesspal.com.  I'm LOVE this site because it's EASY and a TON of food is already logged in the site.  So whomever loses the highest percentage of weight wins the challenge which is a $100.  We both are competitive so let the GAMES BEGIN!!

I'm so PROUD of ALL of US for staying in the game.  You know it's not even about our successes I think it's often talking about the failures and the bumps along the way - they WILL HAPPEN it's called life.  I'm sticking to the motto of when I slip up to NOT throw in the TOWEL and go back to my OLD HORRIBLE EATING HABITS but DUST myself off and the NEXT TIME I eat make a BETTER CHOICE and not wait a FULL WEEK or a FULL DAY of BINGE EATING!!

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY outside so I plan on walking with my new IPOD.  Tomorrow I'm at the gym - keeping FOCUSED with my head in the game. 

CHEERS SISTA's . . . to OUR GOOD HEALTH!!

Hey Ladies

Hey Ladies!  I'm sorry I have not posted but I have not been to the gym in a week.  I have NO Excuses.  My trainer had a procedure done and she is out for a week.  I really need to get back with her.  I miss her.  I feel the affects of NOT going to gym.

It's really HARD to do this all by myself.    I have to keep myself motivated!  I am in the process of trying to find a nutrionist in my health plan. 

All I ask is for you to say a PRAYER for me to get myself back in the groove.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP NOW!! I'VE COME THIS FAR....

Terry

New Week, New Day - Libby

Are you guys still committed?  Haven't heard a peep from our "founder"???

I had my very FIRST trainer session last week and I tell you that put me in my place. I thought Momma was looking good until I got all the stats from the trainer.  Anyway, I've got plenty of work to do and according to him, right now my "diet" is killing my success so I have to tighten the reins a bit more. The other BIG thing he talked about was FORM, control, and doing exercises correctly to get the maximum results. An example was to do a squat so that your butt dips lower than your knees and while making sure you are not leaning forward and all your weight is on your heals -- it works out MORE than your leg muscles.  Sounds simple, but it definitely kicks your butt -- literally!  During Bootcamp, we do lots of squats and I really focused on doing them correctly and I could hardly walk yesterday!

Check this out:  Someone else confirming how great squats are!

I'm slowly getting myself back on track with my eating.  Last week, I ate out A LOT which was not good.  This week's goal is to have a more controlled food environment (basically eating at home) and absolutely NO alcohol until FRIDAY.

It will be warm BEFORE we know it!  Hang in there and stay focused!

Hey ladies! Where you at?

You guys better not be munching on wings, nachos, pizza, beer...LOL!!!  What would the Super Bowl be without the necessities right?   Just checking in making sure we are all FOCUSED!    I had a good workout at the gym with my trainer yesterday.  He took me through all the weight machines at LifeTime and gave me a routine.  Seeing all those machines really intimidated me so I rarely lifted weights or anything like that.  Now I can incorporate that into my regular workout twice a week.  A bit of good news....I FINALLY hit my 10% goal weight at WW.  I'm a little over it so I was able to drop 3 lbs last week.  18 total lbs lost.  I guess my body had to adjust to all that exercise and everything else I was starting to do before I saw a difference.  I just want to say thanks for the encouragement the past two weeks and keeping me grounded because I was very upset and was about to jump ship on this weight loss thing.  I just have to remember that I will plateau at times and that's to be expected but I'll work through it and be stronger next time.  Let me get back to eating some of these nachos.  Just kidding....I did have some and walked away.  Everyone have a good week !  - Freda

Re-committing from Libby

After floating around from gym to gym the past month, I joined Fitness First.  Now, I'm RE-committing myself to my workouts and moving things to the next level. I'm taking a page out of your book, Terry -- the membership came with a fitness evaluation and 3 training sessions with a trainer! I can't wait to see what the trainer has in store for me.  I'm up for the challenge.

My lunch today...

I hoping to get back on track!!! For some reason, when I workout hard consistently eating well follows and is A LOT easier cuz the pain is right there in the present.  When I don't workout, I cheat a lot more cuz I'm in the mindset that I'll deal with "it" later.  Sucks, but its the truth for me.

Terry, you can get the wrap thing from Wal-Mart for $5.  know I'm crazy, but I use 2 of them at the same time to make sure the ENTIRE area from my boobs to my cat is covered!  I hold my tummy in as tight as I can and then I put THEM on.

Stay focused ladies... looks like Spring will be here sooner than later!!!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12167842&findingMethod=rr

IT'S SO HARRDDD TO SAY GOOODBYE.....

to this weight.  I know it's a process and I can't rush things.  I also know that it's not good to loose weight fast, but why can't there be a miracle something that we can blink our eyes and take the weight off.

I went to the gym yesterday and it FELT great to workout for an hour.  I made sure I wasn't putting any strain on my knee. 

My eating habits are improving.  I am eating small meals 5 - 6 times a day (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and sometimes a snack an hour or two before bed and sometimes not).  My water intake has been tremendous.  I am proud of myself for that.  I have limited my diet coke to either 1 - 3 a week.  I still LOVE my margaritas though ;-).

Alfreda, I must confess I got on the scale and I went down 4 pounds.  I am HAPPY!  I have to keep it going. 

You guys are MORE INSPIRATION to me than you know.  I'm feeling good and my knees are always hurting.  I may not can see the weight coming off but I can feel the relief in my knees.

I have to reconnect with my trainer..I MISS HER!!

Love you all and I'm glad YOU are MY FAMILY!

Terry

There is a silver lining

The past week has been very trying and frustrating.   Saturday was weigh-in day since I missed Wednesday night and low and behold no change.  Same weight.  No up, no down, no nothing.  After that I headed to Richmond to get my hair done so I had a two hour drive to think about the past week.  Where did I go wrong?  What could I do differently this week?  Well, one thing I didn't fully complete this week was tracking in my journal.  I kept the numbers in my head and didn't think I was going over my daily points.  I had precooked for the week so I had counted out my points.  Two - I only exercised one day.  Three - my monthly friend came to visit.   Honestly, looking back I was not so discipline this week which seemed to be the common theme for all of us.  Last night I had to make 3 dozen cupcakes for a co-worker so you know I had to "test" them to make sure they were okay.  Off today and intentions of going to the gym but started off the morning taking Christopher to the dentist, housecleaning and cooking dinner and before I knew it I had to go pick up Christopher from daycare.  Strike 1 for not going to the gym today but here is my silver lining.  I know all of you have told me to stop obsessing over the number on the scale and I swear I am now going to stop making it my focus because I tried on a size 12 pants and they fit !!!  When's the last time I wore a size12 ?  College.   So I'll take that small victory because I know I'll get to the bigger one in time.   Love you all !  - Freda

Food . . . FOOD. . . FOOD . . . Food

I swear I ate so much food yesterday it was SHAMEFUL.  I had little kids over all day playing in the snow so I did get some good excercise in and I can FEEL it today in my LEGS - WOW!!  When Eli asked if we were going sledding and having another neighborhood snow fight today - I think my face gave him the answer - HELL NO!  Shoot, I can barely MOVE today!!

Today back on track!  The boys are at school so I've kept on track with my eating shoot I'm still full from what I ate yesterday!:-)

Here is to HEALTHY DAY!!!

Feeling a Bit Frustrated - Libby

First, Terry I hope your knee is better?  I also I hope everyone's week is going well and you are holding tight to eating right and getting in some exercise.

As for me, its been a challenge because Fletcher's been out of school and my good knee has been bothering me since Friday so I've been trying to "nurse" it back to normal which sucks. And, for some reason, when the weather's bad, I want to eat like a hibernating bear.  I'm serious.  Right now, all I can think about is sloppy joes and tater tots.  THANK GOD, I don't have them in the house!  So, I'm trying my darnest to fight this feeling...

With my knee acting up, I haven't been working out as hard because I'm listening to my body and I don't want to make it worse. What I've been learning over and OVER, I MUST stretch after working out no matter how big or small the workout, I MUST dedicate the time to stretching.  Every single time I don't, I end up with a problem.  I didn't stretch on Friday and my knee's been bothering me sense... I'll learn...

Since my workouts haven't been that intense, I've been wearing my waistband faithfully -- makes me feel like I am widdling my mid-section down (whether I am or not) and it also keeps my weight in the forefront cuz I can feel it -- makes me think twice before eating something I shouldn't be.  Although they don't burn as many calories, I've been making sure I do exercises focusing on my core, arms, and butt and doing stuff around the house -- basicially, just trying to stay mobile.

My knee hurts, I'm off schedule cuz Fletcher's out of school, and I'm also between gyms -- feeling very unfocused!!!

Be safe over the next few days!!!  I know I'll be shoveling snow tomorrow!

Monday . . . Monday . . .

Yesterday I had a good day of eating.  I had peanut butter on a slice of whole grain toast with coffee, 2%chedder cheese and a granny smith apple for my mid morning snack. Lunch I had a veggie wrap which was actually yummy with some feta cheese wrapped in spinach wrap drizzled with some zesty Italian dressing. Dinner I had Tuna Steak - first time I made it but it was yummy.  The marinade was for the tuna was:

¼ cup of orange juice

¼ of low sodium soy sauce

Dash of pepper

2 tablespoons of Olive oil

1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice

1 tablespoon of Fresh Parsley

Mince Garlic

Oregano

I ate it with sauted spinach and a salad.  I kept all my portions small. 
That's what I ate yesterday and I excercised for 45 minutes on the Elliptical in our company gym before I came home - got a good sweat on. I did one of the courses that were set on the system for fat burning.  Lets just say I'm glad I made it to the car - YIKES! I can feel it in my legs today.

Same breakfast and snack this morning - it's easy and it works!  Im having a working lunch so not sure what they will serve but I will keep it in perspective.  Always salad and sandwiches.

Tonight I'm baking chicken which is marinading in the fridge now. I will have it with fresh steamed broccoli.  I love vegetable so I try to bulk up on veggies at dinner time.  Trying to stay away from starches.  I will serve jasmine rice tonight for the boys and JD but I will not have any.  It doesn't bother me - not a big rice person so it's not tempting. 

Here is to another GREAT WEEK!!!

This Week's Goal - Stay ULTRA Focused on my Diet!!! - Libby

Since last week was NOT a good eat week for me, my goal this week is to stay ultra focused and eat really CLEAN.  I know I can do it!  I've gone shopping and have all the right stuff in the house.  There are no excuses!

When I exercise like crazy and take in too much its like climbing a big ole hill and never getting to the top, but the only person I have to blame is me!

So, fruits, veggies, lean meat -- here I come!

Staying Focused can be tough . . .

If only losing weight could be as easy as gaining:-)  Freda I give you MAD PROPS for your planning. I find if I don't have a PLAN I can easily get SUCKED into eating.  Yesterday I ate BEFORE we went to the mall to get Elijah's haircut.  I didn't want to get sucked into eating a pretzel one of my favorites.  I had a cup of coffee and called it a day. I didn't eat any "outside food" yesterday and did 1.5 hours of working out.  My legs felt like RUBBER!

One thing Libby showed yesterday in her post was the tummy band.  This is something she turned me onto that I use now religiously when I work out.  I have had back issues before where I've had to go to the Doctor because the PAIN has been so severe.  By wearing the band it does two things for me - it allows me to keep my CORE SUPPORTED and it also makes my middle SWEAT - both win - wins.  Libby gave me my first one and then I picked up two more at Marshals' for a little of nothing.  I know you can buy them at Dick's but they are more expensive there. 

The other motivation which may be silly for you but I like to look half way decent when I work out.  It makes me feel "legite" so when I go to the gym I dress the part (for me)!  I don't wear the skimpy outfits but I like wearing cute sport tops and pants.  I buy all my gear from Marshal's - cheaper.  Freda gave me gift certificate to Marshal's for my birthday and I can't wait to use it but I'm waiting to TREAT MYSELF after I lose 5% of my weight at my Weight Watchers meeting I'm going to Marshal's and buying me something:-)

If you know me the one thing I love is Coke Zero!  Well I'm NOT going to stop drinking it but what I'm trying to focus on is drinking MORE WATER and stop sipping on so much soda.  John has promised me teeth whitening in August if I lose some pounds.  I love having a motivation and some gift - I know such a damn kid:-)  I had my teeth whitened about two years ago but the coffee and soda has put them back to square one. 

One last thing I will share is I carry a small notebook in my purse.  I have a rule - If I eat it or drink it I write it.  I do this for while to BE HONEST about my food intake.  I'm a SNACKER so I have to PLAN because if I have to write it somehow keeps me HONEST!

THANKS for all the SUPPORT it means more than you know. I have my size 10 jeans hanging on the door of my closest.  I'm getting back into those bad boys! :-)

NOT IN THE MOOD...

Hey ladies, I wanted to first say "Thank You" Libby for calling us out.

I am dealing with this cough that I have and I have been feeling sluggish.  I have not been to the gym since Wednesday and I'm feeling it.  I'm starting my Sunday morning with the trainer at 11:00 am and I am going to do some cardio after that. I think I need to sit in the sauna for about 15 - 20 min to see if I can sweat more of this cold out of me.   I am going to write my shopping list down for the week and go grocery shopping as well.  I have to get the eating nailed down because these workouts are pointless..MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

I will get back on track with my workouts this week.  I will have to work on doing the workouts I can at home.

I am NOT GIVING UP ON THIS!!

-Terry

Saturday night dinner at Red Lobster

HA HA...so laughing at Libby calling us out about no posts to the blog.   I do have a few things to share.  Tonight Sultan and I decided to go out to dinner because we haven't been out in a while so we decided on Red Lobster.   I knew this morning that we were going so I had plenty of time today to go on their website and see what would be my best options for dinner.  Normally Sultan and I would go all out and order the lobster and spinach artichoke dip but after seeing all the calories, sodium, and fat I immediately knew that I couldn't do it. Sultan has been very supportive during this whole weight loss thing and said you know what let's just get the chilled shrimp.  He even went as far as moving the bread basket away from me so I couldn't see it but you know what I didn't crave it or even want it.  I had a salad with salmon and the Walt's Shrimp and brocolli.  I didn't think I could have the shrimp but after reviewing the nutritional facts it was fine to have.  No dessert and no alcohol.  And I was not full.  Satisfied.  I even bought some of my food home.  I'm learning.  I was busy today with meetings at church but I packed food so I could eat so I wouldn't want to stop somewhere and be tempted.   It takes extra time to plan but I know now its worth it.  No gym in the past two days but I gotta get in there tomorrow after church.   Hope everyone is well and we are doing this.  DIVA POWER !!!!

The Weekend! - Libby

No gym today, but I MUST get something in -- some push ups, some jumping jacks, something!   The weekend is ALWAYS the most challenging time for me since I've got the bad influence of my husband... And, I definitely don't want to feel bad when Monday rolls around!  I don't expect to lose over the weekend, but hang steady... 

I'm a HUGE fan of these compression wraps!! 

When I don't go to the gym,  I go to DVDs or iPhone apps for exercise ideas and I do some "focused" work on my legs or core. I also like the Jillian Michael's "Shred It" DVD.  Its a 25 min workout, I can do it with Fletcher around -- he loves telling me if I'm doing the moves right.

Keep your eyes on the prize over the weekend!!

I'm a Work in Progress - Libby

before

Fighting the battle of the bulge is something I never really thought I’d do, but over the past 10 years, I keep putting on and taking off the SAME 20lbs.  Crazy, right?  After turning 40, my body turned to mush and I felt bloated, flabby, out of shape and on top of that, it  is harder to lose weight as we age. 

No amount of Spanx was going to pull in my enlarging ass or belly so I had to start exercising ASAP even with the challenge of recovering from chemotherapy and knee surgery.  So, I committed to doing SOMETHING every day (even if it was a house chore).  I bought a pedometer and started slow with walking, biking and then added in weights.  When I started doing the weights, I really started to see a difference across the board – my knee felt better and I was much stronger and of course the flab started to firm up….

Libby - Jan '11

In the past, I’ve had success with South Beach diet and generally I like the concept of the diet, but I found the early phases too restrictive.  So, this time around, I came up with a “diet plan” that I could LIVE with.  I loosely follow clean eating principles.  I really limit my processed food intake; I eat frequent smaller meals, use portion control AND try to ALWAYS leave a bite of food on my plate. 

My BIG thing is I LOVE things that taste good.  So, I’d rather eat something that is savory (like ribs or wings) and just not a lot of them (and not that frequent). I have NOT given up real butter, regular salad dressing or my wine.  Again, moderation. This way I’m more satisfied and I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself of the things I really enjoy and this in turn has stop the binging that would happen on other diets.  When I did strict diets, that was MY vicious cycle – diet, get HUNGRY, binge, fall off the wagon, get back on track and REPEAT the cycle. 

Today, but not done!

I CAN live with my new diet plan and since June ’10, I’ve lost 24lbs, lots of inches and gained a ton of muscle mass. When I started I was in a tight size 12 and now I'm in a size 8.  My goal is for another 10lbs so that I’ll have flex weight built in.

I typically workout 6 days a week -- 45-60 mins of cardio and weights. Of course, the weight would come off faster if I had a really strict diet, but that has not worked for me in the long-term.

I am a work in progress!

MY DAY TODAY....

Ladies, it was a good day today. I worked a 10 hour day and by the end of the day  I was feeling like, I DO NOT feel like working out today.  When I got home, I started to think about the PRIZE and I got my but up and went to the gym. 

I have to do 5 minutes on a cardio machine before my workout with the trainer.  I went down stairs and it all began....Crunches on the exercise ball...2 minutes worth.  Then we went on around the corner and she grabbed that 6 lb. weight ball...whew!!!  HIGH kicks holding out the weight ball walking the length of the floor...it was tough one, but I got through it. 

Man, I didn't know how hard it was to walk backwards with a weight ball.  I was loosing my balance.  I tell you she worked my core and arms today.  I even worked on some bicep..triceps curls...it was GREAT! My trainer, Michelle, works me to the core for 30 minutes.

I am going to take it easy tomorrow....I may go out tomorrow (provided how the weather is) and go out and walk outside. 

I just want to say "THANK YOU" for doing this Jeana because I need all the motivation and support I can get.

-Terry

Houston we have a problem

Very disappointed with tonight's weigh-in.   I was totally thrown for a loop.  I didn't lose at all what I thought I should have lost.  These last two lbs to reach my 10% goal are really messing with my head.  I am sitting here trying to think about what I did wrong and can't think because I'm so pissed.  I even exercised four times this week.  Normally, I would exercise like once.  I have to regroup and make next week count.  However, on another note I wore a pantsuit today that I had not worn in two years.  That was my HORRAY moment for the day .   I guess I need to savor that for now and just move on from this little issue. 

THE BEFORE . . .

It's a New Day!!

Today is the big weigh in here at work for WW.  My scales says 4 pounds but quite honestly I don't feel like I've lost a pound.  I'm having turkey rolled with cheese today - two of them and will eat with some mustard, green beans because I love them and bag of sun chips - I need some crunch.  I had oatmeal for breakfast and have an apple sitting here on my desk staring at me.  Tonight we are having grilled salmon and wilted spinach for dinner.  I will make rice for JD and the boys but I will not eat any. I probably will have green beans instead.  Tonight at 7:30 I have jazzercise.  I already have my clothes packed.  As crazy as it sounds I change into my gym clothes BEFORE I leave work so I go home cook, eat, get boys stuff done, and when I come back home I clean up the kitchen. I always have alot of energy when I get back from a workout. 

Here is to a good day Chickas!! 

Rough day but made it....

Okay I get ready to go to the gym at work and realize not all of my things were in the bag....main thing being my sportsbra.  So I had to say to myself when you get home finish dinner, get the lunches ready for tomorrow and then you have to go to the gym.  I went to LifeTime and did 45 minutes of cardio and ab crunches tonight.   I have got to lose this muffin top.  The elliptical is my enemy but I will tame that beast yet.   Tomorrow night is WW weigh-in.  Nervous but we shall see.. .