Slimmer This Summer - Week Two Completed

Well, we have come to the end of our second week in the Slimmer This Summer Challenge. Yesterday I weighed in at 188, which is a loss of 1lb. for the week.

However, I succumbed to a piece of The Man's birthday cake last night as well as a 1/2 bowl of his noodles and when I stepped on the scale this morning, it said I gained 3 lbs since yesterday. Obviously the white stuff has got me again in the form of water weight gain. I hate that my body is so susceptible to flour, salt, etc. I have noticed, though, that fruit and whole grains do not affect me in that way at all. For example.. I ate a small bowl of spaghetti earlier in the week. Within an hour I had fallen into a practical coma. This happens whenever I eat refined sugar or white flour. But, I can eat fruit, even bananas, which are loaded with natural sugar and do not feel any adverse effects. I eat a bowl of quick cooking oats every evening and it does not affect me at all except that it keeps me from having Restless. (Don't know why, but it works!)

So, this week, I am going to stay away from all white foods. No potatoes or pasta or anything with refined sugar. I will continue to eat fruits and vegetables regardless of their carb count. And, we will see what happens.

I also haven't worked out in a few days. And I can feel that I need to get back on track with that. I don't feel all that bad about taking a few days off as I did so because my body was just not feeling capable of performing anything strenuous for those days. Old injuries acting up, etc. I did reach my goal of 210 minutes of exercise per week, though.

I am off to visit everyone's blog and check on our group's progress now! Let's kick some serious butt this week!


View my complete Food Diary HERE.

Slimmer This Summer - Day 6 & 7

Whew. Yesterday was a tough one for me. I was pretty down about my slow progress as I had gained two pounds during the week since starting this challenge. However as you can see from THIS POST, things turned around pretty well!

So, here is my progress report.

My beginning stats were:

Weight: 191 lbs.

Measurements:
Waist: 35", Hips: 42.25", Chest: 35", Thigh: 27", Upper Arm: 13.5".

After one week my weight is: 189 lbs.

And my measurements are:
Waist: 34.5" , Hips: 41", Chest: 34", Thigh: 27", Upper Arm: 13"

For a total of 2 lbs. and 3.25" for the week !


View my complete Food Diary HERE.

Slimmer This Summer - Day 5

I did not intentionally skip breakfast and lunch today. I got up at 7:30am and had my coffee, but by 11am I was so tired I went back to bed till 2pm! Then we had to do some errands and by the time we came home it was time to cook dinner.

Needless to say, I ended up being awake till after 2am, but I didn't do too bad calorie-wise. I did 60 minutes at 10mph on Bertha as well. I swear, she needs a new seat because MY seat is feeling pretty bruised this morning. Even with putting pillows under my arse !

View my complete Food Diary HERE.

Slimmer This Summer - Day 4

I'm feeling really good about today. I made lots of good food choices, which was much easier since I went grocery shopping yesterday. I spread out my meals throughout the day and didn't let myself get ravenous. So, food-wise, I think I did pretty well.

I also did 60 minutes on Bertha, my new (old) exercise bike. 45 minutes at 5mph and the last 15 minutes at 10 mph. Then I did Day 9, Level 1 of The 30 Day Shred. I did not raise my arm above my head and I think that by not being in so much pain from doing that, I was able to handle the rest of it much better. I'm a little sore in the shoulder, but I'm headed off to take a hot shower and rub it down with Icy Hot.

I'm praying that I can actually sleep tonight.

Your Food Diary For:

Thursday June 9, 2011

Breakfast	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Coffee-Mate ( French Vanilla) Sugar Free - Coffee Creamer Liquid, 2 tbsp	30	4	2	0	10	0
Coffee - Brewed from grounds, 2 cup (8 fl oz)	5	0	0	1	9	0
Kellogg's - Special K - Red Berries Cereal, 1 cup	110	27	0	2	190	9
Skim - Milk, 8 oz	80	11	0	8	120	11
Add Food Quick Tools Quick add calories Remember meal Copy yesterday Copy from date Copy to date Copy from which date? Wednesday, June 8 Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6 Sunday, June 5 Saturday, June 4 Friday, June 3 Thursday, June 2 Copy to which date? Sunday, June 12 Saturday, June 11 Tomorrow Today Yesterday Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6	225	42	2	11	329	20
Lunch
Hellman's Light Mayonnaise - Mayonaise, 2 Tbsp	80	0	9	0	230	0
Buddig - Deli Cuts Honey Roasted Turkey Breast, 6 slices	70	3	2	9	460	3
Healthy Life - 100% Whole Grain Wheat Bread. Sugar Free 40 Calories, 2 slice	80	16	1	4	150	0
Generic - Cracker Chips Special K Sea Salt, 7.5 chips	28	0	0	0	0	0
Add Food Quick Tools Quick add calories Remember meal Copy yesterday Copy from date Copy to date Copy from which date? Wednesday, June 8 Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6 Sunday, June 5 Saturday, June 4 Friday, June 3 Thursday, June 2 Copy to which date? Sunday, June 12 Saturday, June 11 Tomorrow Today Yesterday Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6	258	19	12	13	840	3
Dinner
Hellman's Light Mayonnaise - Mayonaise, 2 Tbsp	80	0	9	0	230	0
Generic - Onion Raw Chopped 1/2 Cup, 0.25 cup	16	4	0	0	1	2
80/20 Ground Chuck - Hamburger, 3 oz.(112g)	203	0	16	15	56	0
General - Iceburg Lettuce, 1.5 cup (72g)	15	3	0	2	11	2
Add Food Quick Tools Quick add calories Remember meal Copy yesterday Copy from date Copy to date Copy from which date? Wednesday, June 8 Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6 Sunday, June 5 Saturday, June 4 Friday, June 3 Thursday, June 2 Copy to which date? Sunday, June 12 Saturday, June 11 Tomorrow Today Yesterday Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6	314	7	25	17	298	4
Snacks
Dannon Light & Fit 4oz (113g) - Nonfat Yogurt - Raspberry, 1 container - 4 oz.	60	10	0	3	50	7
Krogers - Low Sodium Rice Cakes, 1 cake	30	7	0	1	20	0
Kellog's Special K - Raspberry Cheesecake Cereal Bar, 1 bar	90	17	2	1	75	7
Kroger - 100% Whole Grain Oats (Quick Cooking), 1/2 cup uncooked	150	27	3	6	0	1
Smart Balance - Light Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 tbsp (14g)	50	0	5	0	70	0
Maple Grove Farms - Sugar Free Low Calorie Butter Flavored Syrup, 1/4 cup	30	11	0	0	100	0
Add Food Quick Tools Quick add calories Remember meal Copy yesterday Copy from date Copy to date Copy from which date? Wednesday, June 8 Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6 Sunday, June 5 Saturday, June 4 Friday, June 3 Thursday, June 2 Copy to which date? Sunday, June 12 Saturday, June 11 Tomorrow Today Yesterday Tuesday, June 7 Monday, June 6	410	72	10	11	315	15
Totals	1,207	140	49	52	1,782	42
Your Daily Goal	2,160	297	72	81	2,500	43
Remaining	953	157	23	29	718	1
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 960 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today... You'd weigh 175.8 lbs in 5 weeks

Water Consumption 11

Today's Food Notes

If every day were like today... You'd weigh 175.8 lbs in 5 weeks

View my complete Food Diary HERE.

30 Day Shred Day 9 Level 1

I am one day behind in the 30 Day Shred. But, only because I was so busy yesterday with the family and I did get a lot of movement in with the hiking and fishing, etc. I burned just as many calories as I would have with the Shred, so I'm not sweating it at all. I will just continue on today with Day 9 on Level 1.

I have to admit, this workout is HARD for me. Even now, after more than a week into it. Not all of it, just the jumping and raising my right arm above my head. I've done a lot of modifying it to accommodate for my injuries. In the beginning, I really tried not do do that, but you know what? I need to do what is best for my own body and the pain that I was in and am in if I push those injuries too hard is just wrong for me.

The modifications that I have made are that I do wall pushups instead of floor pushups now because my shoulder just cannot handle that much stress at this point. I only do the arm raises above my head until I feel 'that you are pushing too hard' feeling that I know will lead to severe pain that is not a good 'burn', then I do other arm exercises with the weights during the strength training circuits. And no matter what Jillian says about jumping jacks, I have a leg with a steel rod from knee to ankle and after the first 30 or so it lets me know that it is not what it used to be pre-accident, so I run in place during the rest of the jumping jacks. I don't slow down, nor do I take breaks. I just have to modify for my body's abilities. No excuses.

I had a couple days of not 'over eating', but eating over my initial calorie goal of 1200. This is due to bad planning on my part and I am sitting down today and planning out the rest of this week's meals in advance. I find that on days when I am very busy running around instead of being at home, I go too long between meals and snacks and then eat more in one meal than I should because I am ravenous! No more. Planning, planning, planning. Something to work on.

I am extremely over-tired this week as I've been dealing with a lack of sleep due to Restless Leg Syndrome. Or in my case, Restless Body Syndrome. I've been trying to find ways to help it, such as taking Melatonin, Potassium and Magnesium, even doing half an hour of stretching exercises before going to bed. However, so far.... no luck. It's been every night for over a week now and it's really catching up to me. Lack of sleep tends to cause me to be overly emotional, cranky, sad and just plain miserable. I hope that I figure out a way to get some needed rest soon. The Melatonin worked for the first week and I got so much rest, I felt awesome. The second week, it quit working. So now I've upped my dose to 6mg and it's still not working. *sigh* More experiments on that to come.

I also just want to say a group "Great Job, Ladies" to everyone who is in this challenge with me! You are all doing wonderfully and I'll be stopping by your blogs soon to leave my mark!



View my complete Food Diary HERE.

Slimmer This Summer - Day 3

Today was such a full day. Grocery shopping, which takes HOURS if The Man goes - and he always does. Then home for lunch and off to the Creek to hiking / fishing / swimming. I'm exhausted. And all I caught were a million sunnies and blue-gills not even worth keeping. I swear, I'm going to give up on fishing in this state!

When I did eat today, I had huge meals. Basically, because I let myself go for so long between meals. I definitely have to start planning better. Definitely.

It was also my youngest daughter's 15th birthday. However, I skipped the cake. And the ice cream. *sigh* I really wanted a piece too. Oh well, there are four more birthdays coming up before the end of July.

I did something today that made my family laugh at me.... I bought a stationery bike. Now, you may wonder why this would be so amusing to my family. I got it for a measly $5 ! How could I pass up a deal like that? I mean, I can't afford to buy a new one, or even a used one that they advertise in the paper for close to full asking price. And I've been wanting one forever.. since I hate JUMPING so much and would love to be able to get some cardio in without my knees feeling like they are going to snap.... So, I did it! What do you think?

OK, so it's a little bit old. Probably my age, he he. But, she still works! Just needs a little bit of oil in her joints!

Any-whooooo... that's about it for today. I did not get to do my 30 Day Shred with Jillian today. So, tomorrow will have to be my Day 9. I just couldn't fit it in, even if it is only 30 minutes. And now it's almost tomorrow anyway, so. Pfffft. I was out in the sun for five hours today. Havin' fun with the family. NOT gonna sweat it.

Here's what I ate today:

View my complete Food Diary HERE.

Slimmer This Summer - Day 2

Day 2 is almost complete for the Slimmer This Summer Challenge! I got up and did my 30 Day Shred early today instead of after 9pm like usual. I have to admit, that it did help with my energy level all day. I actually didn't have access to a DVD player, so since I already have level 1 memorized, I just locked myself in a room and went at it hard. It went so much better! I timed my circuits and counted my reps and ended up working out longer and harder than I would have listening to the DVD. Of course, I start level 2 in two days, so I will be back to watching the DVD till I have that level memorized. I am also going to do 20 minutes of stretching exercises before bed. I'm hoping that will help with my Restless Leg (BODY!) Syndrome. On that note, I've begun taking Potassium and Magnesium every day as well as taking 6mg of Melatonin at bedtime.

Today was errand day.. well... one of them. And we ate out at the Chinese Restaurant. I still managed to stay within my calorie range, so I'm pretty happy about that. I think there may have been extra salt in what is listed though, because I feel awfully 'puffy' tonight.

Tomorrow will be another busy day. Grocery shopping - I'm trying to plan the next week or two's meals and snacks to better stay within my ranges. Fishing / Swimming / Hiking with the family and The Man wants to go night fishing after that, just me and him. Dear Lord, give me energy and strength!

Starting Weigh In: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties!

My starting weight for this challenge is 191. I was right about the water weight yesterday as this morning I was back down from 193. That was after drinking like 16 8-oz. glasses of water yesterday and getting up four times during the night to pee!

So, anyway... I found yet another challenge. Nothing like keeping my motivation and accountability up, right? Besides, it gives me even more people to encourage, which is what I so totally enjoy !

The goal for this challenge is to lose 15 pounds in 12 weeks. Totally doable, right? Sheesh, the way my weight fluctuates, who knows at this point, right? But, I'm in. That would make my goal weight for this challenge, which ends on August 29th, 176 lbs.

Off we go!