Week 2, Day 7

What I’ve learned:

I really am not good at keeping a journal, blog, or diary. I even have a section on my menu sheets that I made to write in daily and I don't even write there. So here is what I've been up to...I've found it's really easy to eat right when I prepare my food in advance. Every Wednesday I've been going to the grocery store and picking up my food. When I come home I cook my meat, rice’s, and cut my veggies. Then I portion everything out into little 1 cup containers (the best purchase I've ever made!). So now in the morning after I make my breakfast I pack 2 snacks and my lunch into a little cooler and away I go. Sometimes I have to pack my lunch, 1 snack, and dinner, but either way as long as everything is portioned out and ready to go I have a successful eating day.

This past weekend I learned how to make healthy choices while not at home. It's really easy, read Jackie's book it gives you great portioning tips. I found that when I order a salad at a restaurant I typically have ask for it without all of the yummy tasting stuff they put on salads like cheese, bacon, and croutons. But then I get more lettuce and veggies. I usually try to order a salad that has meat or other proteins on it…a cob salad with no blue cheese is probably my most favorite salad ever! Another reason I feel it’s easy to eat right when out of the house is because my stomach has gotten used to the small portions. I found that even when I wanted to indulge and eat a bit more of a treat meal, my body had other plans. For example I had eaten clean for 10 out of 11 days (last Wednesday I had dinner at Famous Daves…my treat meal…yummy) so I decided to have another treat. I had a root beer float with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and A&W root beer. It was so good at the time, but later that day I was not feeling so great. I’ve learned my lesson…dairy is not always my friend!

I also have learned that some foot that I thought I really liked I don’t actually like at all. I thought I loved feta cheese especially on Greek salads and Greek styled foods, well I was wrong. I love Greek dressing all over feta cheese! Well since starting Jackie’s diet I’ve also had to cut the dressing which is a hidden source of a lot of fat and tons of sugar.

What I’ve been eating:

Lots of eggs, chicken, veggies, salads, whole-grains, and fruits. My favorite way to prepare chicken other than grilling is baking the chicken with sea salt and pepper all over, in the oven for 35 minutes on 400 degrees. It’s delicious! If I’m not eating my veggies raw I like them steamed. Zucchini is awesome steamed! I hear about whole-grains a lot from people who are dieting or looking to change their lifestyle. I mostly hear that the bread is not the same as white bread…well it’s not going to be! I tried to get as far away from white bread as I could by finding a very hearty nutty bread that I couldn’t compare to white bread. I love Pepperidge Farms 100% Whole-Wheat bread…it’s so good toasted, plain, and as part of a sandwich!

All I have to say about the food I’ve been eating is read Jackie’s book with an open mind and you will be surprised how you’re relationship to food changes. I love eating clean it makes me feel so good. Read the book, follow the diet, do the workouts, and see the results!

How I’ve been working out:

Actually I haven’t been. I’ve been skating once a week for about an hour, but I’ve never looked at skating as a workout. The very first week I did Jackie’s video’s every day. I need to get back to a schedule where I would work a video each day and then run outside or at the gym. I’ve always been an all or nothing girl, but I’ve definitely changed my outlook. If I can change my diet and be successful at eating I have it all! If I can get to the gym or work a video every day I’m also successful and I have even more!

I love how I feel! I really recommend following Jackie’s plan. If you want to see the results of people who’ve worked her diet tune in to Bravo on Monday, October 25 at 10pm for the finale of Thintervention!

Week 1, Day 5 (although the day isn't over)

What I've learned:
Remember how I said it was hard to resist temptation when the people around you can eat and are eating whatever they want?! Well it's even harder when you come home from a long a stressful day at work and you're favorite doughnuts are sitting on the kitchen counter. This is sooooo not fair. However, I think I can manage one more day, because if you eat clean for 5 day's straight you are allowed 2 cheat meals. I'm saving 1 for Wednesday when my boyfriend and I go to Famous Daves for some BBQ. The other cheat meal will have to be used for breakfast tomorrow morning! I'll let you know how it goes!

What I ate (or plan to eat):
Breakfast-1/2 grapefruit and 1 slice whole-grain toast with butter.
Midmorning snack- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese.
Lunch-Shrimp salad.
Afternoon snack-1 large peach.
Dinner- 4 ounces chicken and 1 cup squash.

How I feel:
REALLY upset that I can't have a doughnut and it's being flaunted in my face!

Week 1, Day 4

What I've learned:
The pita's a bought didn't really work how pita's should, they fell apart. So my lunch was more of a salad with pita bread. Also I leaned that I do not like oil and vinegar dressing, I would rather eat my lettuce plain! Organic cottage cheese tastes sour to me, but I know it's better for me.

What I ate:
Breakfast-2 hard-boiled eggs, 1 slice whole-grain toast with butter, and 1/2 grapefruit.
Midmorning Snack-1 cup low-fat cottage cheese.
Lunch-Pita sandwich-2 ounces feta cheese, 2 cups romaine lettuce, 1 small tomato sliced, 1 tablespoon olive oil & vinegar dressing.
Midafternoon snack-apple.
Dinner- 4 ounces chicken, 1 sweet potato, and 1 cup steamed veggies.

How I feel:
I feel good. I'm starting to get the hang of the meal plan and how to make it work best in my schedule.

Week 1, Day 3

What I've learned:
It's very tempting to cheat when the people around you can eat whatever they want. I just have to keep telling myself that eating right will pay off big time in the end! Also breakfast today was way tooooooo much. I'm going to have to remember on day's like this to have the oatmeal for snack.

What I ate:
Breakfast- Whey protein shake and 1 cup oatmeal.
Midmorning Snack-2 table spoons almonds.
Lunch-salad with veggies and 4 ounces chicken.
Midafternoon Snack-apple and mozzarella cheese stick.
Dinner-4 ounces chicken, 1 cup steamed broccoli, and 1 baked potato.

How I feel:
I feel good. My muscles are sore from working out daily, but I know that will change from a bad thing to a good thing.

Week1, Day 2 (posted the morning after!)

What I've learned:
The whey protein shake is okay. I can really taste the protein powder and when you blend the shake it gets frothy which isn't all that yummy. Also it's large amount to drink and that's fine on days that I'm only drinking the shake for breakfast or snack, but on day 3 the menu calls for the shake and oatmeal for breakfast. I'll let you know how it turns out!
It's really easy to cheat! I was offered pizza for lunch today and even though I had packed my carefully measured meal I still gave in to the temptation. I must have will power!

What I ate:
Breakfast-Whey protein shake with spinach and mixed berries.
Midmorning snack-1 cup oatmeal and 1 ounce almonds.
Lunch-2 slices of veggie pizza (it was really good at the time!)
Dinner-Tuna salad on lettuce with tomatoes and 1 cup raspberries.

How I feel:
I feel alright. I'm really upset at my self for cheating right out of the gate. Jackie say's you should eat clean for 5 days and allow your self a cheat meal on the weekends. The way I look at it is I just gave up one of my weekend cheat meals on the second day.
My body is sore from my workout today. I did one of Jackie's time saving DVDs. Trust me when I say it was the quickest and toughest 30 minutes of the day. Tomorrow I'm going to try her circuit's DVD. I'm actually looking forward to it!

What to look forward to:
I'm going to re-read the metaphysiques chapter of Jackie's book. I'm having trouble buying into the whole idea of positive thinking when my stomach is grumbling and my arms are hurting. I need a refresher course.
Also I went to Jackie's website and they are running a special on on-line personal training. I have to see what it will cost me, but I am seriously considering getting some added support!

Week 1, Day 1

What I've learned:
I learned today that eating every 3 hours does not work for me when I work a closing shift. I feel like I have to eat my breakfast, midmorning snack, and lunch all in a very short period of time. Then I spread my afternoon snack and dinner out. I at breakfast at 8:30am, midmorning snack at 11am, lunch at 1pm, afternoon snack at 4pm, and dinner at 6:15pm. I also found that when I came home from work at 10:30pm I was starving because I am used to eating dinner when I come home form work. So that's where my "post dinner" meal comes into play. I added 1 cup of fruit, like Jackie suggests when craving something sweet after dinner. Also the 1 slice of bread was supposed to be for lunch, but I forgot to eat it...which is a good thing because it gave me an option. I can say with great certainty that when I am hungry is when I make the most bad food choices. Honestly, I was craving raw chocolate chip cookie dough before I at my post dinner snack, now I can say I feel full and satisfied.

What I ate:
Breakfast: 2 whole-wheat tortilla's with 1 scrambled egg and 1 tablespoon salsa each.
Midmorning snack-1 cup cottage cheese and a pear.
Lunch-salad with tomatoes and 2 tablespoons dressing and 4 ounces baked chicken.
Afternoon snack-1 banana.
Dinner-4 ounces grilled chicken, 1 sweet potato, and 1 cup steamed broccoli.
*Post dinner snack-1 slice whole-wheat bread and 1 cup raspberries.

How I feel:
I felt like I was eating too much until after dinner. I feel motivated to be successful at the plan.

What to look forward to:
Tomorrow is Week 1, Day 2 and I will be adding circuit training to my daily routine!

It's A Plan

Today I started making my plan. I’ve updated my goals and I’m more motivated than ever before. To start I made a week of menus and food journals and printed them. I’ve made an exercise journal too that I can take to the gym with me to record my cardio and my circuit exercise.  After putting together a simple 3 ring binder with dated tabs to keep track of my menus and journals, I typed up my new goals.

Here’s the update: I’m going to lose 35 lbs by December 25, 2010. That’s Christmas and what greater gift to me than a healthier more fit more trim body! In losing the weight I will also be closer to a normal/healthy BMI and will fit into the clothing that I already own much better. Heck, I might even have to go out and shop for new clothes which is probably one of my most favorite things to do! I also feel like achieving this weight loss goal will improve my overall health and with any luck it will cure some of my back and joint problems. Once I printed my goals I put them in a sheet protector at the front of my binder so I’ll see them every time I open the binder! I’m thinking of putting inspirational quotes on the front…chase the burn!

 I also typed out and printed my body stats and left spaces for a half-way measurement and measurements when I reach my deadline. Here they are: Chest 41.5 inches, waist 35, and hips 45.5. I also included my current weight and BMI on the sheet. Then I made spaces for a halfway weigh in and measurements as well as weight and measurements at my deadline. Ewww, I hate that word “deadline”. I really think it’s a negative word. Let’s a different word…..like goal line….I like that! It’s definitely more positive. December 25, 2010 is my goal line. I will lose 35lbs by Christmas! Part of Jackie’s plan is called “metaphysiques” which is based on the principle the “like attracts like”. Positive thoughts will help get me through this change. I will be happy, I will be healthy. I feel good after working out, I feel good when I eat right. I can do this!

Some may ask “Why did you change your goal?” Well its simple really…baby steps. My original goal that I really didn’t say out loud is 63 pounds (that will put me at my lowest adult weight as well as a normal/healthy BMI). And don’t get me wrong I totally think that is achievable on Jackie’s plan, but I’m nervous. I’m horribly afraid of failing at something that is so important to me.  My back injury in late September really drove my fears home. Therefore, I’ve cut my goal in half as well as my goal line. Instead of 6 months I reduced my goal line to 3 months.  I know that I can do this and stick to the plan. I will see short team results of my long term goals.  Once I have reached my first goal it will be simple to ramp up my workout intensity and continue to eat clean to achieve the remainder of my goal.

Also I think when you tell people you want to lose 35 lbs they are more supportive and easily get on board with your plans. If you tell them you want to lose 63 lbs they are skeptical. I am looking for and need all the support I can get. I’m very fortunate to have a very loving boyfriend who doesn’t need me to change, but will support my efforts. During the jump start he helped me cut fruits and veggies up and put them into proper portions as well as not tempting me with my vise foods like pizza and Mac’ & cheese!

On the other hand when I tell people I’ve lost 35 lbs they’ll be happy for me, but when I get to tell them I’ve lost 63 lbs they’ll be impressed and excited. I mean 63 lbs is a child! How impressive is that?! I’m motivated to be successful, I’m motivated to make the change, and I’m motivated to be thin and trim!

Time to make my grocery list and head over to Whole Foods!