Day 64 - October 30, 2009

So...I didn't work out last night. But...

I lost 2 pounds this week!

Woohoo! I'm so glad, considering I've had 2 days of no exercise, and had pizza for dinner two nights this week.

This weekend ought to be interesting when it comes to my diet: I have a birthday party tonight (one of my friends, not my kid's), so there will be lots of food and drink not conducive to a diet. Saturday morning I have a "work day" for the local theater that's putting on the production that my daughter is in, Saturday night is Halloween, so it'll be lots of candy in my face and snack foods at a party I'll be attending. Then, of course, there's Sunday, which is always crazy.

8:45 AM hard boiled egg

9:30 AM raisin bagel with light cream cheese

10:30 AM "fun size" bag of M&Ms

11:15 AM slice of pepperoni pizza, small cup of diet coke

1:20 PM Eating Right roasted turkey with carrots and cornbread stuffing

8:45 PM random party food: pizza, cheese, devilled eggs, pepperoni, alcohol, candy

Day 63 - October 29, 2009

9:15 AM large hard-boiled egg
12:50 PM Eating Right cheese ravioli
4:15 PM Yoplait light key lime pie yogurt

7:00 PM salmon and white rice, Halloween cookie and small glass of 2% milk

I didn't work out at work today; I carved a pumpkin instead! Not much a workout, especially since I didn't gut it, I just shaved it. Maybe I'll be able to convince Mom to walk around the neighborhood with me tonight. ;)

Day 62 - October 28, 2009

My day got off to a fantastic start; except that I forgot to plan breakfast time. "Breakfast" happened at lunchtime.

11:35 AM Eating Right cheese ravioli
2:20 PM Quaker chewy oatmeal raisin granola bar
5:20 PM 6-piece Carl's Jr chicken stars
7:30 PM Costco pepperoni pizza (2 slices)
10:30 PM Fudge bar (40 calories!)

Didn't get to work out today, I had a lot on my plate and I wasn't even in the office until 1:00 PM

Day 61 - October 27, 2009

Got more walking in last night at Disney's California Adventure, however I wore non-supporting shoes, so my ankles were hurting by the end of the evening.

9:00 AM large hard-boiled egg
10:50 AM Yoplait light cherry cobbler yogurt
12:50 PM Eating Right roasted turkey
3:30 PM granny smith apple
7:45 PM roasted chicken, wild and long grain rice, garlic bread

30 minutes on the elliptical at varying intensity levels; walked backwards during higher intensities

Day 60 - October 26, 2009

I may have to work extra hard this week: I had 4 slices of sausage pizza last night! Yikes! A quick look at my schedule today at work suggests that I should be able to get in my 3 workouts, plus I'll be walking around in the Disneyland Resort area tonight, so that'll add to it (though not by much; I'll just be walking at a leisurely pace).

9:00 AM hard-boiled egg
10:40 AM Yoplait light cinnamon roll yogurt
12:25 PM Eating Right sesame chicken
4:15 PM 8 oz of fresh pineapple chunk
6:45 PM 3 Del Taco chicken soft tacos w/ no lettuce (doesn't stay crisp enough), french fries

60 oz of water

Total of 45 minutes on the elliptical at varying intensity levels; walked backwards during higher intensities

Day 59 - October 25, 2009

In for a world of hurt today: Halloween party at the church with the kids and youth. There's rarely anything healthy at Halloween parties...

8:30 AM Honey Bunches of Oats and fat-free skim milk

12:00 PM Bertolli garlic shrimp and pasta with tomatoes and asparagus (blech!), fat-free skim milk

6:00 PM sausage pizza, popcorn, cookies, lemonade

11:00 PM cashews

Day 58 - October 24, 2009

I had a demonstration for my second job scheduled for today, but my client is not feeling well; postponed it for another 2 weeks. On the plus side (if you can count it as that), I get to do my laundry and dishes today! Woo!

Actually, I will get to hang out with my daughter and my boyfriend today, so it works out just fine. :)

12:20 PM large hard-boiled egg

3:00 PM Starbucks refrigerated mocha frappucino

7:30 PM two Halloween chocolate chip cookies, fat-free skim milk

9:15 PM Bird's Eye Steamfresh chicken marinara, fat-free skim milk

Day 57 - October 23, 2009

1.5 pounds lost this week!

All I can say is I'm very glad I changed the 1lb wrist weights to 5lb ankle weights. With only 10 exercises this past week (instead of 15), I don't think I would have lost as much as I did. I do know that my hot dog/pasta salad/cheese/pasta intake this week didn't help either. I know that it is very hard (and not cheap) to eat healthy all the time. This weekend could prove to be difficult to watch what I eat; I've got a demonstration for my second job and we're making wontons (steamed, at least, and not fried) and a chocolate and banana trifle. I'll have to make sure to pack an egg and apple to make sure I don't gorge myself on the yummy food.

I should be able to get all three of my workouts in today at work; I don't have anything on my schedule that should/could affect my day.

9:00 AM large hard boiled egg
11:00 AM Yoplait light strawberry yogurt
12:30 PM Eating Right spaghetti with meat sauce

6:45 PM edamame and philadelphia roll and miso soup (sushi!)

15 minutes on the elliptical with varying speeds and intensities - walked backwards during high intensity level

I didn't get any more workouts in today; left work early to be with my daughter. And knowing myself, won't get much in this weekend, either.

Day 56 - October 22, 2009

Not very optimistic about my "photo session" today, or my weigh-in tomorrow. My weight has been up and down all week, while my food intake goes up and my exercise time goes down. I want to work out, but if I've not done anything at work, then when I get home all of my motivation and energy is gone. The past week, I've only exercised 8 times; usually it's 15 times. I would be very surprised if I lost more than a half-pound this week.

I am also disappointed that I did not meet my personal goal of losing 10 pounds in 30 days; I only lost 6. Granted, I was sick for 4 days of that, but still, not working out as much at work (due to work being quite busy) has definitely taken a toll on my progress.

9:00 AM Yoplait Light peaches and cream yogurt
12:30 PM Eating Right sweet & sour chicken
6:30 PM 4 large eggs and 2 oz of goat cheese

9:00 PM homemade raspberry birthday cake

10:45 PM diet orange soda

18 minutes on the elliptical at 2.5mph on a high-intensity level

15 minutes on the elliptical at varying speeds and intensities

So, here is my new picture: 8 weeks

Day 55 - October 21, 2009

Might not have a lot of time to exercise at work today; I've got a meeting during my normal break time and an off-site meeting during lunch.

9:00 AM Yoplait light cherry cobbler yogurt

11:00 AM 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese

1:00 PM cantaloupe pieces, salad with hard boiled egg, penne pasta with ham, chicken and artichokes in a blush sauce, bananas foster dessert

7:15 PM leftover pork roast, rice-a-roni

9:45 PM mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

No exercise today. I really want to make sure I get some in tomorrow since my picture is tomorrow night and my weigh-in is Friday.

Day 54 - October 20, 2009

9:00 AM Yoplait light key lime pie yogurt
11:00 AM Quaker light raisin and oatmeal granola bar
12:40 PM Eating Right roasted turkey, carrots, stuffing
7:00 PM leftover spaghetti and meatballs, carrots, cheese

30 minutes on the elliptical at 3.5 mph

Day 53 - October 19, 2009

Another "off" day today: I'm leaving work early, before my usual 3rd break. I worked through my first break, so I'll just do 30 minutes of exercise at lunch. Maybe I'll use the weights before the elliptical.

9:00 AM Yoplait light peaches 'n cream yogurt
12:15 PM Eating Right cheese ravioli
2:00 PM granny smith apple
4:30 PM pasta, chicken, tomato salad
7:00 PM hotdog, grapes, cheeses
8:45 PM mocha and cinnamon pull-apart bread

30 oz of water

15 minutes on the elliptical at 3.5 mph
15 minute weight circuit of leg extensions, leg curls, butterflys, bench presses, lat pulls, and shoulder pulls

Day 52 - October 18, 2009

Busy day today; Sundays always are

8:30 AM honey bunches of oats and 2% milk

12:00 PM turkey & grilled cheese sandwich, chicken and pasta salad

5:45 PM spaghetti with meatballs, carrots, grapes, garlic bread, lemonade

8:30 PM 1 Halloween "peep", 1 piece of candy corn, 4 starbursts

Day 51 - October 17, 2009

Today I should get to make up for my lack of exercise yesterday; I'm attending a regional function for my church and one of the activities is a walk. A 3.5 mile walk! Yay!

8:30 AM YoPlus+ honey vanilla yogurt
9:00 AM chocolate bar donut
12:30 PM mini eggrolls, low mien

8:00 PM chicken fusilli, apples, carrots, fat-free milk

9:00 PM gingerbread cookie

21 minutes of walking at 3 mph

7 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph
21 minutes of walking at 2.7 mph

Day 50 - October 16, 2009

2 pounds lost this week!

I can't believe I actually lost 2 pounds this week; I've just not felt like I've done enough to warrant a loss.

I had set a small goal of losing 10 pounds in 30 days, starting on 9/21. With that date getting ever nearer, I don't think I'll hit it; I've got another 3.5 to go. I shouldn't be too hard on myself, considering I lost 4 days of activity when I was sick. I won't get as much exercise today, either, since I've got a funeral to attend. But tomorrow I have a church event that will include a walk as a group, so maybe that will make up for today's loss.

I'm going to check in with my challenge buddy today to see how much she's lost this week. I think each Friday I'll put the score:

This week:

Me: 2 pounds lost

CB: ??

Total (since start of challenge):

Me: 2 pounds

CB: ??

2:00 PM Chipotle Carnitas Bowl

7:00 PM Pork roast, salad, rice, stuffed mushroom, bread, milk

9:45 PM slice of Chocolate Lover's cake

Late "breakfast" and no walking today; I attended a funeral of a co-worker in the late morning.

Day 49 - October 15, 2009

9:30 AM YoPlus+ Light Honey Vanilla yogurt
11:00 AM medium granny smith apple
1:00 PM Eating Right cheese ravioli
4:20 PM Quaker Chewy Low Fat oatmeal raisin granola bar

7:00 PM Grilled turkey & cheese sandwich, small chocolate pudding

10:30 PM Air-popped popcorn with butter and salt

15 minutes on the elliptical at 3.5mph
15 minutes on the elliptical at 3.5mph
15 minutes on the elliptical at 3.5mph

I'm not optimistic about tomorrow or next week's weigh-in: I don't think I've lost anything since last Friday. And next week's weigh-in is my second 4-week milestone. I'm still going to post my picture, but I just don't think there will be as noticeable of a difference from the last time. The first 4 weeks, I lost 10 pounds; approximately 2.5 pounds per week. Now it's the third week of my second set of 4 weeks and I've only lost 4 pounds, if that; approximately 1.3 pounds per week. I know that when I was sick I didn't exercise (really, who does?), but I also didn't eat that much either. Who knows what next week will show, or tomorrow for that matter. It's been a weird week when it came to emotions and energy. Between a death in the work-family, my crazy schedule and the weather, I've been up and down more than the Tower of Terror. I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

Day 48 - October 14, 2009

9:00 AM hard-boiled egg
10:45 AM Quaker low fat chewy raisin oatmeal granola bar
12:00 PM Eating Right Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
4:00 PM YoPlus+ Light Honey Vanilla Yogurt
8:00 PM Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco, red wine
10:30 PM Roasted chicken and tortellini, orange soda

In general: 30 oz of water

15 minutes on the elliptical at 4mph
Lifted and moved 12 boxes weighing 45 lbs each

Wow, what an eventful day. Probably didn't even need to blog about it.

Day 47 - October 13, 2009

More "fun" weather today; I'll continue to use the elliptical machine next door at work. I think I'll try it with the weights around my ankles. I loaned out my 1lb (each) wrist weights to the co-worker I am competing against; figured I'd give her something to make it easier to keep up with me. ;)

8:45 AM hard-boiled egg
10:30 AM Quaker chewy low fat oatmeal raisin granola bar
12:30 PM leftover Chipotle bowl
4:25 PM YoPlus low fat honey vanilla yogurt
7:30 PM Whole grain spaghetti with marinara sauce and shrimp, salad, fat free skim milk
10:45 PM Healthy Pop popcorn

In general: 60 oz of water

15 minutes on the elliptical at 4mph
15 minutes on the elliptical at 4mph
15 minutes on the elliptical at 4mph

Day 46 - October 12, 2009

I'm going to try to use the machines at work today for two reasons:

1. Have you seen the sky outside?
2. The parking lots were re-asphalted over the weekend. I can't imagine power walking through all of those fumes would be healthy

9:00 AM large hard-boiled egg
11:00 AM 2 oz TreeTop apple slices
12:45 PM Eating Right spaghetti with meat sauce, diet orange soda
4:25 PM Dannon Light & Fit blueberry yogurt
6:00 PM Lasagna, salad, bread, pumpkin pie
8:15 PM Tootsie Roll
11:00 PM peanut butter cup mini brownie

In general: 60 oz of water

15 minutes on the elliptical at 4mph
18 minutes on the stationary bike for 4.5ML (whatever that is)
15 minutes on the stationary bike for 3.8ML

So today I went into the workout room my company provides for our location; it's totally changed! They added an elliptical machine and changed out the two old non-functioning stationary bicycles for brand new ones. I'm going to try the elliptical for the next few days, especially since the weather is changing. And with the elliptical and stationary bikes, I can burn more calories than just walking. Woohoo!

I broke a serious sweat on the elliptical trying to keep my heart rate at 150. The bike didn't challenge me enough (ok, at ALL) on the heart rate workout. My second workout on the bike at "intervals" did make me sweat. It'll probably make me sore tomorrow, too.

Day 45 - October 11, 2009

Sundays are always hard on my diet; just too much going on.

11:30 AM "fun size" Milky Way
1:45 PM 1/3 Chipotle bowl: carnitas, rice, pinto beans, sour cream, cheese
4:00 PM diet orange soda
5:45 PM fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes, salad, peach cobbler

I did stand a lot today, and lifted boxes, but probably not enough to burn many calories.

Looking forward to walking tomorrow. Might break out the new 2.5lb wrist weights.

Day 44 - October 10, 2009

Another laid-back weekend.

12:30 PM leftover pork ribs
8:30 PM various sashimi and lots of tea

Yup. That's it.

Day 43 - October 9, 2009

I lost 1 pound this week. I'm actually surprised I lost that much, considering I was sick (sedentary) for 4 days out of the week. I'm hoping to go back to normal next week.

8:35 AM large hard-boiled egg
12:50 PM Eating Right Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
3:45 PM Dannon Light & Fit strawberry yogurt
6:45 PM Pulled pork and mashed potatoes, peanuts
8:30 PM Apple Spice cake

No walking today: got weight-lifting in today moving heavy boxes of supplies around the office

A co-worker of mine wanted more motivation to lose weight, so we made a bet: whoever doesn't lose 30 pounds by April 2 will take the other out to dinner at Maggiano's. That's a litle less than 6 months away, but the closer to my goal I get, the harder it will be to reach it. I've lost 15 pounds in the last 6 weeks, so I should be able to lose twice that in 3 times the amount of time. I hope. I need to lose a little more than a pound a week to hit that goal.

Day 42 - October 8, 2009

Went back to work today. Still a bit tired, but fever and sore throat are gone.

9:00 AM 1/2 cup cottage cheese

12:30 PM Chopped Arugula with Fresh Mango & Berries in a Sweet & Tangy Vinaigrette, Boneless Breast of Chicken Stuffed with Spinach, Mushrooms and Boursin Cheese in a Herb Garlic Lemon Sauce, Served with Italian Risotto and Vegetable Ragout, Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream Garnished with Fresh Strawberry and Whip Cream

6:50 PM pork ribs, salad, rice

9:30 PM chocolate chip cookie

In general: 60oz+ of water

13 minute walk at 3.5mph

Only got to walk once today; had a lunch meeting and then had computer problems that ran through my second break.

My next "picture day" is in 2 weeks; I wonder if this week's setback (being sick/not walking) is going to make a major difference in the change I see, or don't see.

Day 41 - October 7, 2009

Still sick. No more fever, but sore throat and still fatigue.

banana

roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, fat-free skim milk

Caramel deLites (Samoas)

no exercise today, lots of water, lots of rest

Day 40 - October 6, 2009

Stayed home from work today; fever and fatigue. I don't remember what time I ate my food, so I'll just list it:

hard-boiled egg

handful of Kirkland trail mix

Progresso soup of some kind. I really don't remember. Vegetables, noodles and chicken.

No exercise, lots of water, lots of sleep

Day 39 - October 5, 2009

Feeling quite a bit tired after playing nurse yesterday. Didn't get to the grocery store, so I'm out of frozen lunches for today.

9:00 AM unidentified type of bagel and light plain cream cheese
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM 3 slices of granny smith apple

sometime around 2:00 PM Eating Right Roasted Turkey with stuffing

14 minute walk at 3.3mph

Went home at lunch time, not feeling well. Daughter has flu-like symptoms. Guess being her nurse made me catch it, too.

Day 38 - October 4, 2009

Today my daughter is sick with a fever; not much exercise today except back and forth between the medicine cabinet and her bed.

8:45 AM Quaker Oats Low Sugar Brown Sugar oatmeal
12:00 PM large hard-boiled egg
1:30 PM Leftover whole wheat spaghetti with mushrooms, meatballs and marinara sauce
5:00 PM orange soda
7:30 PM 2 slices of alfredo pizza (alfredo sauce, sausage, onions)

Not much water, no measurable exercise

Day 37 - October 3, 2009

Disneyland day! I packed apples, granola bars and popcorn so the only thing I should be buying is lunch and dinner.



8:30 AM 1/2 granny smith apple
10:20 AM 1/2 cup popcorn
Sometime around lunchtime: Kid's Fuscilli and carrots, fat free milk
Sometime around 3:30 PM: handful of store-brand cheese-its and 1/2 granny smith apple
6:30 PM 1/2 a medium sausage, mushroom and olive pizza

10 minute walk at 3.3mph

Lots of water: lost count after emptying a 16oz bottle of water multiple times throughout the day

Day 36 - October 2, 2009

Whoamygosh! 3 pounds lost this week!

I can't believe it! The only other time I lost 3 pounds was my very first week, and I had decided that 1/2 a pound of that was water weight! I think my weight-loss this week was from being very good with what I ate last weekend; I was camping with my folks, so I packed my cottage cheese and yogurt and fruit and hard-boiled egg and oatmeal, etc.

This weekend should be okay, too, though I am going to Disneyland with friends on Saturday; Disneyland is a hard place for me to watch my diet because I love their food, but it's really not all that good for you (my favorite is the Countdown Chicken Fusilli, but it's sooo much food). But tonight will be hard: we're going to my favorite Chinese restaurant. Can we say overload on sauce and fried things!?!

As weird as it sounds, I'm actually looking forward to my picture-posting day in 3 weeks. Seeing the difference from Day 1 to Day 28, I can't WAIT to see Day 56!

I added an extra "step" to my walks: walking on the concrete parking bumpers. I can get two steps on each one, so I'm going up and down (steps), plus it's adding balance.

And, I can now tighten my belt to the next notch. Woohoo!

8:50 AM 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
12:45 PM Lean Cuisine Fettucini Alfredo
4:00 PM Dannon Light & Fit raspberry yogurt
8:00 PM broccoli beef, almond chicken, crystal shrimp, garlic chicken, steamed rice, green tea

14 minute walk at 3.5mph
14 minute walk at 3.5mph
14 minute walk at 3.4mph

Day 35 - October 1, 2009

Today marks 30 days of no smoking for me. I've had to substitute with my e-cigarette and nicotine gum, but I haven't used either one in 2 weeks!

I'm excited about my weigh-in tomorrow; I'm fairly certain I'll either match or beat my weight-loss for the last 3 weeks!

I have a short-sleeved blazer/jacket that pretty much goes with anything. For the last year or so, it's been a requirement to have another person around to help me get the sleeves down my biceps when I'm ready to take the jacket off. Well, I can now take it off all by myself! Woohoo! It's the little things, right?

8:45 AM large hard-boiled egg
10:30 AM 1/2 granny smith apple
12:30 PM Lean Cuisine Chicken Fettucini
4:10 PM Dannon Light & Fit raspberry yogurt
6:50 PM leftover spaghetti and meatballs
9:45 PM microwaved chicken breast

In general: 50oz of water

14 minute walk at 3.5mph
14 minute walk at 3.3mph
14 minute walk at 3.3mph