Thursday, May 21, 2015

Weeks 2 & 3

What a crazy few weeks it's been! I've attended 3 births, taught a childbirth class, started a new certification for birth workers, and spent more time at the soccer fields than anyone should ever need to. Keeping up with 8 Weeks to Wellness has been hard at times--but I'm doing it!! 

At the two week mark, I was down 9 pounds. At the three week mark, I was down 9 pounds. I attribute this to a crazy birth week where I wasn't able to sleep overnight. This is pretty hard on my body, and I tend to overeat during those times just to stay awake. This time I made sure to have two servings of UltraMeal with me and my blender bottle. Instead of filling my water bottle with Iced Tea (or diet soda--gasp!), I stuck to crushed ice water. I had to really plan ahead to be sure I had lots of veggies with me. I also packed some turkey sticks and cheese sticks in case I didn't get a chance to eat. 

I went back in this blog's archives to find that I didn't lose any weight after the third week either. That was helpful to know. I checked in with my mom and she reported the same thing--staying steady at Week 3. 

What I've Been Eating

  • Cottage Cheese with sunflower seeds
  • Large tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes--so many tomatoes. 
  • Rockin' Moroccan Chicken from Everyday Paleo--quick, easy, and a balanced meal in one pan! 
  • Salads from Palmer's Deli: Small Spinner with veggies, grilled chicken, and fat free dressing. 
  • Chipotle: Bowl with Grilled Chicken, a few beans, salsa, lettuce, cheese
This is the one I did this week.
How I've Been Exercising
  • Running 30 seconds, sprinting 20 seconds, walking 30 seconds (or any variable of time using these three activities)
  • My parents' elliptical: Interval Program + Muscle Endurance Booster = Good workout!
  • Crossfit at Home: Search for 20 Minute AMRAP. I add a rest break between each set so that my heart rate has variability during the workout. 
New Goals
  • Meditate, Meditate, Meditate. I LOVE this and still don't get it in every day. Ugh! 
  • Increase water and more LOW GI veggies during each meal. I think these are the key to my weight loss. 
  • Stay awake for an entire massage. Hold on--I'm fine with snoozing on the table! 

Monday, May 4, 2015

8 Weeks to Wellness--PART 2!

It's been a few years since I've completed 8 Weeks to Wellness and I'm back to it again! After my mom and I were complaining in frustration to each other about winter weight a few weeks ago, we decided the only time we've ever been really successful at losing weight and body fat was doing 8 Weeks to Wellness. We signed up for the next Orientation and got started right away! This time around, I'll probably only be posting once a week but thought it might be valuable to some people. 

My Goals: Lose 15lbs and 5% body fat. Overall, I'd like to be healthier to keep up with the kids this summer and knock out some bad eating habits/create new habits.  

Week One Highlights

  • I lost 6 pounds this week and my mom lost 5 pounds. The first time around I lost 7, but I'm still pretty happy with 6! 
  • My massage with Kendra!!
  • UltraMeal is so much better when mixed in the Vitamix with Ice! 
  • Exercising with our trainer, Pete, has been great! Last week's workouts were probably two of the best ones I've had in a long time. It's so nice to work with a trainer that understands injuries (mine is a rotator cuff issue) and programs workouts specific to my body. 
  • I think the only thing I missed doing the entire week was one meditation session. I even got Wes to meditate with me most nights! 
  • The new 8WW manuals and cookbooks have some great recipes in them!
Week One Lowlights
  • I had a MAJOR meltdown and headache on Day 3. I felt nauseous and super sore. I'm pretty sure I was sick that day, plus not having carbs, made for a really bad night. I was MUCH better the next morning though! 
  • Saying no to good foods! Last night I turned down Lasagne, Bread, Brownies, and Ice Cream at our church group. Ugh! 
  • So. Much. Lettuce. (This is not required but I seemed to eat a lot of salads last week.) I'm used to drinking my greens with some fruit, and fruit is not allowed in Week 1. 
  • No Fruit. 
What I Ate
  • A lot of cottage cheese and fresh tomatoes. 
  • Tuna, avocado, dill pickles, celery stirred together
  • Buffalo Chicken Dip: 
    • Grilled Chicken Breast, chopped
    • 3T Plain, non-fat greek yogurt
    • 1 T Frank's Buffalo Sauce
    • Stir Ingredients and eat with celery! I sprinkle some shredded cheese (very little) in with it too. 
  • Salads with Annie's Organic Lite Honey Mustard Dressing
  • Trader Joe's Light Cheese Sticks
  • Chicken Fingers:
    • Chicken Tenderloins
    • Dip them in Olive Oil
    • Dredge them in Coconut Flour mixed with Seasoning (Lawry's)--DON'T USE REAL FLOUR!
    • Bake in Oven (I think I did 20 minutes at 350 degrees)
  • 96% Lean Hamburgers with a slice of HyVee Ultra Thin Colby Jack Cheese 
Here we go again!