I AM SPARTACUS...

So the weight I gained has been coming off again- yippee! This morning I weighed in at 171.6.
Not as fast as I wanted it to, but to tell the truth I haven't been as diligent as I was at the very beginning. That's is going to change- I want and need to get back on track again- not that I was very far off, maybe just dipping my toes into the 'not so great at eating' pool.

I just signed up for a crazy 5K for August. It's called the Spartan Race and apparently I am going to feel like I'm dying as I do it? Thats what my brother says anyways (He is getting back into shape and doing it with me, or I'm doing it with him since he signed up first and told me about it)
It consists of obstacle courses and running and guys dressed up like spartans pummelling you with those giant foam gladiator Q-tip things. I'm a little worried.
But I'm signed up so either I will rock it or I will die trying :)

So because of my little cheating moments I think it is making it harder for me to run. I'm on week 4 of the 'Ease into 5K' running app and it goes like this:
5 minute warm up
4 min run
2 min walk
6 min run
3 min walk
4 min run
2 min walk
5 min cool down

Now this isn't much different from the week 3 routine which is run3, walk 2, run 90 sec, walk 2
which I could do fairly well, and not be totally dead after it, but since I started week 4 I haven't been able to finish a single one- and I've tried 3 times so far. That six minutes kills me every time and I can't do it no matter how hard I push myself. There is usually 3 runs a week, but I think I am going to be stuck here for a while, at least until I feel comfortable running 6 minutes. I hope its sooner than later. Though the runs just get harder and longer from here. By day 3 of week 5 it has me running for 9 minute stretches-yikes!

Maybe it's been hard since I have't been sleeping well, Owen doesn't sleep through the night and I've decided that when he gets up I'm not going to him anymore- but, since he is sleeping in my closet (its a big walk in don't worry) I have to head down to the couch which isn't great, and I am not sleeping great. Lets hope he learns to sleep through the night, I can get back into my bed and I'll be able to run better!

fail...

This weekend was not good. I am quite disappointed in myself.

On Thursday morning I weighed 169.8, I was so happy to be in the 160's even if it was only.2 lbs into it and I was really hoping not to get back up into the 170's. I went down south with my kids and on Thursday and Friday I was really good, I walked on the treadmill (I tried running but the treadmill was too hard or didn't have enough give or something because it hurt my knees so I walked instead.)

Then came Saturday- the day of the wedding. In the morning (breakfast) I was good, of course, but as the day went on and I was running around snapping photos and didn't eat when I should've and then when it was time for the reception they were serving soups (creamy ones and one vegetable pasta kind) and croissants with chicken salad on it. I decided I would have some of the vegetable soup and a croissandwich. It tasted so good- remember I have been craving bread!
Within an hour or so I started to feel gassy again. And then I ate some sweet stuff- fruit dipped in chocolate to be precise. I was tired and my defenses were down so I gave in.
Well, it didn't stop there, I ate more junk. I tried again to be good on Sunday and for most of the day I did really good. But then Monday came around and I blew it big time. My girls and I went to brunch and I had a sandwich and sweet potato fries and for dinner I had a Dairy Queen burger meal.






Can I just say first off, it didn't taste nearly as good as I remember them tasting, and secondly, for the rest of the day & night I felt like I was going to puke and had this heavy lump feeling in my stomach that just felt disgusting. Totally NOT worth it!
Plus, when I weighed myself yesterday morning I was back up to 175.0 lbs! SO not worth it!

Well, I went in for my weekly weigh in and here were my disappointing results.

I am back up to 180.5 (remember our scales are totally different) BOO!

My Fat Mass went up to 62.6- which is really only up 1.4 lbs, but I had worked hard to get rid of those 1.4 lobs, and I don't like losing the same weight again and again... I did that before Christmas- the same 6 pounds over and over- and I am done with that.

And look at my Phase Angle- 6.3 not cool!

But what I have learned from this is that now that my body is used to eating healthy it doesn't want to have all that junk in it. I felt sleepy and cranky and heavy and bloated and gassy and gross and.... well I think you get the idea.
Now I at least have that out of my system. I don't think I will be thinking about, craving, or wanting any burgers or junk food anymore. At least not for a loooong time. It just isn't worth it.
I like feeling good. I hate, hate, hate when I'm bloated and gassy.

Next weeks weight check will be better. Hopefully I can get those numbers back on track and I will be feeling thin and awesome again!

It's wednesday....

This is what my week has been filled with.
His sister hasn't been much better!

I just got back from Dr. Morgan's office. I was totally prepared to hear that I wasn't doing so good again this week- because, let's face it, I wasn't doing so good this week.

I have been stressed.

Owen is teething-which turns him into a little clingy monster- and Melia hasn't been sleeping which turns her into a bit of a monster too, resulting in me not getting to the gym until yesterday (Tuesday). During these stressful moments, there have been a few times where I forgot to eat when I should have and I even had *gulp* 2 ju-jubes on Monday. Otherwise I really tried hard to eat right and not let myself give into the stress addictions that would be Mcdonalds and chocolate and candy!

I was surprised when I got my printout, the work I did do definitely paid off!

(look at me! I actually scanned it in!!)

So here is my BIA for this week.

Phase angle is still about the same- last week was 6.7, this week 6.6
I'm working on it.

Fat Mass - it's going down!! I love seeing that number drop.
Last week I had 64.1 lbs of fat in my body, this week I have 61.2 lbs of fat- goodbye 2.9 lbs of pure FAT!

Oh and my weight... (according to Dr. Morgan's scale) is at 178.0 down from 180.5 last week totaling a 2.5 lb weight loss.
Which means I have gained a little bit of muscle... Check out Lean Body mass, it is up by .4 lbs not tons but still, I'm going to bench pressing my kids soon!


Lately, I have been in a rut with what to eat as well, I felt like my life was salad after salad after salad... I was getting bored. And who wouldn't. BUt I know it's because I don't enjoy cooking (I really want to, but I am a baker at heart) and so thinking up meals and all that just doesn't jive with my brain.

Anyways, last night I decided to make a stir fry. I haven't been a big stir fry fan, but I do like going to Open Sesame and they are a mongolian grill type stir fry restaurant so I thought, might as well try it. It was delicious! 
I used whatever veggies I had on hand (broccoli, red, green and yellow peppers and celery), and for the sauce I sautéed some garlic cloves and shallots that were minced up in some oil. Added some soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Then I added in some sesame seeds at the end, and I forgot to top with cilantro which I had planned on doing.




I think that you will be proud- I know I am- Valentines day came and went and not one piece of candy or chocolate went into my mouth... I was tempted but I held on strong! :)
I talked to Dr. Morgan about my cravings though, and he said I can chew gum. I haven't always been a gum chewer, unless I have some stinky breath or something and can't get to my toothbrush. Yet, I think this will help curb those times I just want something sweet. I bought one of those dessert gums. The creamsicle one. I really want the mint chocolate chip ice cream one though. I think they will do the trick. I'll let you know.

170.4 lbs...

...According to my scale! Which means that I've lost 10.1 lbs since starting this new eating and lifestyle regime with Dr. Morgan. (And if I count from the time I got my gym membership and started trying to lose weight then the grand total is........17.4 lbs)

I've gone to the gym (or the treadmill) everyday this week except yesterday- Man it was such a jam packed day and I just couldn't get there.

I've also noticed that when I am rushing around and don't, at least a little, plan what I am going to eat- like thaw some chicken or salmon, or make sure I have some easy to grab fruit or veggies for snacks, then I make not great eating decisions. Or sometimes if I'm dealing with my crazy kids and stressed out then I forget to eat all together- not good. So I have been setting an alarm on my phone that will ring about every two hours to remind me to eat.

I've also noticed that for the past week or so I've been going to bed later than usual and not getting as much sleep as I would like. I'm talking like 11:30, 12, 1 am. This is definitely causing me to lack the energy I should be having from working out and eating right.

My goal this week is to get to bed early again, between 9:30 and 10 pm. I just may have to post my Up band sleep stats each day so that I can be accountable!

This Saturday I am shooting a wedding (I'm a photographer) so I will have to figure out how I will be able to eat, drink lots of water (without having to miss special moments by being in the bathroom) and making it through the day without a coke. Weddings are looooong days and but the time the reception hits I am bee lining it for the drinks and getting a coke, or two, or three. It helped me make it through the night and stay alert for the rest of the evening. So this weekend I will just have to drink water because I can do this. I don't need that, right??!!

Plus, I will be spending the weekend at a relatives house and so I will definitely have to be very aware of what I am eating and everything.

Shoeless Joe...

...or should I say Tanis.

I got to the gym today and realized I didn't have my running shoes. I thought about going home, but since I had already packed up Owen and lugged him all the way to the gym, signed him in and gotten into my workout gear, I figured 'oh well' I'll just take a ride on a stationary bike. My calf has been cramping up a bit lately anyways so I wasn't too keen on running today anyways so it kind of worked out. So I did just over 30 minutes on the bike and then about 30 minutes weights.

No excuses right! Oh and my pants are definitely starting to feel looser! woot woot! I wonder how long until I am in a size 12...then 10....then 8!

Weekly update...

This week was rough in the workout department but I did get in as much as I could considering the sick/teething children hurdle. 

So here is my print out from this weeks BIA test. (Sorry it's a bit grainy this time- I really should just start using my scanner, but....my iPhone is just so handy)

As you can see I am now 180.5 lbs! Thats a total of 8 pounds lost in 3 weeks! 

Lets compare:

Fat Mass Day 1: 70.9 lbs

Fat Mass Day 21: 64.1 lbs

So I know thats technically a 6.8 lb fat loss, but still. that's almost 7 lbs of fat gone! Isn't that gross- I have 64 pounds of fat in my body-  35.5% of me is fat! Yuck!

Intracellular Water Day 1: 52.5%

Intracellular Water Day 21: 53.1%

That's up .6% getting closer to that 57% goal and farther away from my cells being like a senior everyday!

Phase Angle Day 1: 6.6

Phase Angle Day 21: 6.7

So not the best, improvement wise, considering I did go up to a 7.0 and then back down but improvement is improvement right.

BMI Day 1: 32.3

BMI Day 21: 31.0

Can't wait until I am not in the 'obese' category for that one!!

So these numbers definitely helped me to see that when I am stressed to my max (as I was this week) and have not gone to Mcdonalds or to get chocolate, that it is worth it. 

Isn't this a creepy picture - It's from Supersize Me

I don't know if I've explained before that Mcdonalds was my go to food when I was stressed. I didn't really want it. I knew it was bad for me and actually taking me farther away from where I wanted to be and was probably keeping me depressed and stressed. 

Yet, somehow I would find myself in the drive-thru ordering a Big Mac meal with Coke. There were even days that I am ashamed to say I went more than once, and some weeks where I would go pretty much every day- switching up which ones I went to so that the employees wouldn't recognize me. Such a thing an addict would do! I would also hide the fact that I ate it. I was embarrassed to be eating it, let alone eating it as often as I was.

So as you can see, me not having any Mcdonalds (or any fast food for that matter) is a BIG thing. Especially this week! 

GO ME! 

Well, since my roommate isn't home and the kids have just gone to bed, I am heading downstairs to show my treadmill a little love. 

urgh...

Waking up to two sicks (again!) is putting a cramp in my style.

I had planned to take Owen to the gym with me while Melia was in school and get back before my supportive roommate meeting at 11, then shower while Melia's aide was here and Owen napped.

My day has gone more like this...

I wake up to a little girl with a horrible hacking cough and green stuff pouring out her nose.
Followed by crying, whining kids who just want to be held and yet don't at the same time. I am still in my pjs at 3 in the afternoon- and those pjs are covered in all sorts of fun stuff from my children- boogers, food, drool...
I didn't get to the gym,obviously I can't take my sick kids to the daycare. Owen fell asleep a little before 11 and Melia conked out within the first half hour her aide was here and I was in my meeting (yes, in my pjs) from 11-1. When they left I was going to go on the treadmill and then possibly shower but noooooo Owen decides to wake up. Then Melia wakes up around 2.

So here I am at 3pm, wondering how in the world I am going to be able to get on the treadmill- or even eat what I need to since my kids won't leave me alone (in case you are wondering how I am writing this, I have strapped both kids into their respective high chairs with zippy cups full of chocolate milk- and yes I understand this will probably make their phlem worse but I am willing to risk that for a few minutes of unattached sanity!)
I just ate lunch too- it's definitely been a bad day for this program. I'm trying, I really am. Hopefully a miracle will happen and they will both be healthy tomorrow?!! I can only pray right!

Lets hope I can get on the treadmill after the kids go to bed and that I am not too wiped out at that point to do it.

Well, as the chocolate is emptied from their cups, chaos is starting up again... wish me luck!

update on the week...

Alright, so I took Dr. Morgans directions seriously. I went to the gym on wednesday after our meeting and did my couch to 5k program.

Then again on Thursday I made it to the gym- yay me! Couch to 5k walk/run program followed by some weight work in a circuit program.

Friday I didn't :(  
I know- but I am planning to go on a nice brisk walk today in the sunshine so I guess instead of taking Sunday off, I took Friday off.

Saturday I went again, but my calf cramped up pretty badly about 22 minutes into my walk/run session so I took it easy and spent a good amount of time stretching. It's still a little sore, but a lot better. This will not turn into an excuse to not exercise - NO EXCUSES!!

So I've also been doing really good with my eating. Actually getting some fruit into me - those who know me, know I am not a fruit person, it is not my snack of choice. I do like pineapple and grapes and I will eat fruit but its hard. I am not a berry fan (inset gasp here) I just don't like them. never have. probably never will. too many seedy bits and they all taste sour... anyways, but i have been eating grapes and apples and cherries.

I'm also on the lookout for a really good eggplant lasagna recipe. minimal cheese, most likely vegetarian since the cheese will take up a protein serving... anyone?? I may just have to experiment on my own if my google abilities fail me.

This picture came from a possible recipe I may try (with a few modifications)- so far it seems like a good one... Dr. M, what do you think of the recipe?




My scale this morning read 174.0- Another pound!! I love seeing the numbers going down knowing that I am not starving or depriving my body of nutrients it really needs.

On Thursday night I went out with three of my best friends. I've known these girls since 6th grade (except for one I've known my whole life). We went to Chilli's and before I went I looked up their menu so I would prepared and not have those delicious Southwest Egg Rolls staring me in the face as I tried to figure out what to eat. It was hard to not order them, but I was strong!

I ordered the Quesadilla Explosion Salad- with modifications of course. No cheese, dressing on the side, no tortilla strips. I let them bring me the cheese quesadillas that come with it just so I could take them home for my kids for lunch the next day. I also had them put some black beans on it since I needed my daily legume still. I had the citrus vinaigrette with it but I think next time I am going to ask for salsa instead- my friend did that with hers and it looked scrumptious!

It was yummy- definitely worth the money (unlike the other salad!) It was filling, delicious, and I will order that again if/when I go back.


I have had a lot of compliments on how good I am looking lately. I think part is because of the weight loss, part is because I am off my anti-depressants (yay me!) and the other part is I am just feeling really good and happy that I'm sure people notice that!

Wow, this post is a little bit all over the place, sorry. I just want to share one last thing.

On Friday night I went to a church function where they served us dinner. I wasn't sure what to expect but usually these are pretty healthy meals... It was, we started out with a spinach salad with apples pumpkin seeds and feta, with some raspberry vinaigrette. I ate it, knowing that the vinaigrette may have a bit of sugar in it and also knowing I hadn't had any protein yet that day so I could have a little bit of cheese and the chicken for the main course and be okay.

The main course was chicken (lightly breaded with panko I think) cooke carrots and peas and baby potatoes. I had three baby potatoes, as my category 2 vegetables (and a few carrot slices), and I scraped a bit of the breading off, but I couldn't get it all so I ate it. It was all mighty tasty, yet within about an hour I was feeling bloated and gassy. I hadn't really thought about it until then, that for these last few weeks I haven't been bloated and gassy like I usually was. Also, and this is probably TMI- but I have had regular bowel movements since starting eating this way too.

Okay maybe just one more thing...

People keep saying how hard it must be not to have carbs and sugar and chocolate - and it is sometimes, but I am loving the way I feel so it's not that hard. I do miss bread!  In church we have the sacrament where we get bread and water, and let me tell you I savoured that little chunk of bread for as long as I possibly could!!
But while I was nursing Owen he was pretty lactose intolerant so I stayed away from dairy and cheese for about 8 months and was fine. Chocolate, I miss that too, I like sweet things, but right now I would choose bread over chocolate, no doubt about it!

I got caught...

Alright, so I went in for my weekly BIA test and lets just say that right away Dr. Morgan could tell that I had not been as adamant about my walking. I am supposed to walk briskly for at least 30 minutes a day- and that is the bare minimum - and well, last week, I can honestly say I don't know how many times I walked but it wasn't very many. Though if I'm counting wednesday to wednesday since thats when I meet with Dr. M, then I guess I know for sure of 1- Monday. Yikes. I am almost ashamed to put my BIA on here. Not because it's horrible- it's not, I even lost 2 pounds (woot woot), but because I know I can do better and I didn't and it reflected in my results.

But in full disclosure here is my BIA results.... (sorry about the crumple- my son got to it!)

As you can see, my Phase Angle went down again.

My Fat Mass went up a little bit.

And my ICW percent went down.
               
                      :(

Dang ME and my not walking~

The good thing is the 2 pounds lost- which brings me to 183.0 on Dr. Morgan's scale (and 175.0 on mine- I definitely feel better about my scale!)

That is a total of...... 5.5 lbs
(though on my scale it's 5.6 lbs- but then again, I weigh myself first thing in the morning, after I go to the bathroom, before I eat anything and without any clothes so it will always probably be a little more)


So I went to the gym on Monday and walk/ran for about a half hour and did some weights.
Yesterday I didn't do anything :(
Today I went to the gym and walk/ran again on the treadmill but I was short on time so I didn't get any weights in. I will try to do some free weights at home tonight after the kids go to bed.

I really shouldn't have any excuses, I own a treadmill and the weather hasn't been all that bad, I should be taking the kids out for a ride in the stroller.

Anyways, I promised Dr. Morgan that I would at least walk everyday (except Sunday) in this wed-wed block. So even if I just blog 'I walked today' or 'I ran at the gym' then I will be holding myself accountable and next week my numbers will be closer to where they should be!!