Saturday, January 30, 2010

Pick Me Up!

I'm learning that sometimes it's okay to do something special for yourself when you're feeling down. As you know, I have been fighting that overwhelming feeling of despair as the scale stays stubbornly fixed at my starting weight.

So, I'm moving forward and while I haven't lost weight I have worked hard and watched my diet consistently for 4 months. Hey, I even have a SparkPeople Consistency Award to prove it! So I'm going to reward that effort. Just thinking about it has lifted my spirits already!

Due to my weight gain, my beautiful wedding ring set doesn't fit anymore. I've been at points where I can squeeze either the band or the ring on but not both and at the moment neither fit. And no, I don't need a ring to know that I'm married but it's nice to have! So, I'm looking for a temporary replacement. Nothing expensive; something pretty that I can look forward to wearing without my ring finger turning blue.

When I find one, I'll post a picture.

Don't forget to recognize and reward your effort! Keep moving forward and success will follow. I have to believe!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD

Week 4 of "YELLING AT MY FAT" Plan

SUNDAY:
7:00 - 7:45am: ChaLEAN Extreme Day 77 - Fat Burn Challenge
7:00 - 8:00pm: Walk w Hubby

MONDAY:
4:00 - 4:45am: ChaLEAN Extreme Day 78 - Lean Circuit 1
4:45 - 5:30am: TaeBo
5:30 - 6:30pm: Couch 2 5K (modified)


TUESDAY:
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 79 - Active Rest
4:00 – 4:30am: ChaLEAN Extreme Burn it Off!
4:30 - 5:00am: TaeBo
5:30 - 6:30pm: Couch 2 5K (modified)

WEDNESDAY:
4:00 – 4:40am: ChaLEAN Extreme Day 80 - Lean Circuit 2
4:40 - 5:10am: TaeBo
5:30 - 6:30pm: Couch 2 5K (modified)

THURSDAY:
4:00 – 4:45am: ChaLEAN Extreme Day 81 - Get Lean Intervals
5:30 - 6:30pm: Couch 2 5K (modified)

FRIDAY:
4:00 – 4:40am: ChaLEAN Extreme Day 82 - Lean Circuit 3

SATURDAY:
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 83 - Rest Day
Enjoy a walk or two with hubby

SUNDAY:
LAST DAY OF THE PROGRAM - wOOt!! wOOt!!
7:00 - 7:45am: ChaLEAN Extreme Day 84 - Fat Burn Challenge
7:00 - 8:00pm: Walk w Hubby

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Down the Rabbit Hole

Weight loss is an all consuming process: that extra minute of cardio, extra rep, one less calorie all matter in when you're battling the bulge. But on weigh-in day, the effort is worth it! If you've stayed at least 80% on plan, you can expect to see a loss. Even a 1/2 lb loss results in a swell of pride and motivates you to move forward.

Weight loss. . . it's a game of math. This past weigh-in I finally accepted that my body math is off and my motivation is waning.

According to Sparkpeople, I burned 2477 fitness calories. I averaged 1537 calories for a net calorie loss of 2340. While I may not have expected to lose a pound I certainly did not expect to gain the exact amount that I lost the prior week: 1.8 lbs.

I cried. The positive attitude seeped out of me and I cried.

The weight loss from the previous week had buoyed me. If I just worked harder, I would see results. Even if that meant 60+ minutes daily. Well that's just not the case and I was so angry. I've lost a net of 2 lbs since October.

I wanted to give up. For a minute I did.

Then I hopped on the internet and called several doctors in my area trying to establish a primary care physician (I've been trying since December). I finally found one and had the appointment this morning. That's a whole other story but I can say I was surprised when my physician offered me a prescription grade appetite suppressant without taking a diet or exercise history first. I asked if perhaps we could run some tests to determine if anything is okay before moving to drugs. Fortunately, this was a fill-in doc. I'm heading in tomorrow morning for blood tests.

The past few days have been painful and it's embarrassing to publish yet another weight gain but it's a learning process. I'm still down the rabbit hole but I'm starting to climb back up.

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Week 2 of "YELLING AT MY FAT" Plan

Week 2 of "YELLING AT MY FAT" Plan



My family is still visiting and I'm enjoying the time with them so much! I've adjusted my goals from last week to include a later workout while they're here. Running will have to wait for another week until I can get outdoors in the early evenings.

SUNDAY:
8:00 - 8:45am [DONE]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 61 (catch-up) - Lean Circuit 3 (40 mins)
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 63 - Fat Burn Challenge [DEFERRED to TUESDAY]

MONDAY:
9:30 - 11:00am [DONE]
Walk with mom and hubby
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 64 - Lean Circuit 1 [DEFERRED to TUESDAY]

TUESDAY:
4:00 – 5:45am [DONE]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 65 - Active Rest
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 63 (catch-up) - Fat Burn Challenge
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 64 (catch-up) - Lean Circuit 1
9:00 - 10:00p
P90X KenpoX (60 mins)

WEDNESDAY:
4:00 – 5:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 66 - Lean Circuit 2 (40 mins)
ChaLEAN Extreme Burn it Off (30 mins)
9:00 - 10:00pm
P90X PlyoX (60 mins)

THURSDAY:
4:30 – 6:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 67 - Get Lean Intervals (42 mins)
P90X CardioX (60 mins)
9:00 - 10:00pm
TaeBo (60 mins)

FRIDAY:
4:30 – 6:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 68 - Lean Circuit 3 (40 mins)
P90X CardioX (60 mins)
Comments:

SATURDAY: REST DAY (Day 69)
Enjoy a walk or two with hubby

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD

UPDATE - Week 1 of "YELLING AT MY FAT" Plan

Week 1 of "YELLING AT MY FAT" Plan

*Special thanks to SMURFETTE0725 for the format*

SUNDAY:
8:45 - 9:30am [DONE!]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 53 (catch-up) - Burn Intervals (45 mins)
7:00 - 7:30pm [DEFERRED to MONDAY MORNING]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 56 - Burn it Off (35 mins)

MONDAY:
3:30 – 4:45am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 57 - Lean Circuit 1 (45 mins) [DONE]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 56 (catch-up) - Burn it Off (35 mins) [DONE]
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program) [NOT DONE]

TUESDAY:
4:30 – 5:30am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 58 - Active Rest
P90X PlyoX (60 mins) [NOT DONE]
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program) [NOT DONE]

WEDNESDAY:
4:30 – 6:00am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 59 - Lean Circuit 2 (40 mins) [DONE]
Taebo (45 mins) [60 MIN WALK INSTEAD]
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program) [NOT DONE]

THURSDAY:
4:30 – 6:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 60 - Get Lean Intervals (42 mins) [DONE]
P90X KenpoX (60 mins) [NOT DONE]
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program) [NOT DONE]
Comments:

FRIDAY:
4:30 – 6:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 61 - Lean Circuit 3 (40 mins) [DEFERRED TO SUNDAY]
P90X CardioX (60 mins) [NOT DONE]
Comments:

SATURDAY: REST DAY
Enjoy a walk or two with hubby [DONE]

Weekly Weigh-in

The GOAL and PROGRESS

Height: 5'1-1/2" (that 1/2" counts!)

Starting Weight: 159.4 (10/23/09)
Goal Weight: A STRONG 115 (5/16/2010) for our 5 year wedding anniversary in May!

W1: 157.4 (10/30/09) -2 yay!
W2: 156.4 (11/6/09) -1 yay!
W3: 158.0 (11/13/09) +1.6 boo!
W4: 157.0 (11/20/09) -1 yay!
W5: 156.8 (11/25/09) -0.2 yay!

W6: 156.4 (12/4/09) -0.4 yay! (Glad I didn't gain from Thanksgiving. Hoping to maintain so any loss makes me happy!)
W7: 156.4 (12/11/09) -0 Sigh.
W8: 156.2 (12/18/09) -0.2 yay! (although I would like to see bigger numbers!)
W9: scale not working due to battery failure
W10: still no battery

W11: 158.8 (01/02/10) +2.6 boo! (yowsers. . . holiday feasting)
W12: 156.4 (01/09/10) -2.4 yay!
W13: 154.6 (01/14/10) -1.8 yay!

The REWARDS

It's a living document. I'm open to suggestions on ways to splurge!

- 05 lb = Mani & Pedi!
- 10 lb = Thinksport water bottle!
- 15 lb = Lululemon workout outfit!
- 20 lb = Shoes!
- 25 lb =
- 30 lb = 1 hour massage!
- 35 lb = Bikini!
- 40 lb = New hairstyle!
- 44 lb = Anniversary outfit (dress, purse, shoes, accessories. . . all of it!!)

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD

Sunday, January 10, 2010

YELLING AT MY FAT - Wanna yell at yours?

While I am proud of the changes in my fitness level and strength, I'm ready to see the weight come off. That means taking it to the next level.

My husband wisely suggested that I think back to times of previous successes in weight loss. Unfortunately for me, those times saw me working out two hours daily. I fought it; I mean, other people drop weight doing one hour and adjusting their food intake. I whined that I have been following the same plan and that my body should respond in a similar fashion. Again, my husband (he's the voice of reason in these matters) reminded me that life is not fair. And with that I got my mind right.

Gotta hit this weight with all the arsenal in my tool kit: Shock and awe!

My family is in town for the next two weeks so I will have to be disciplined with my workout time and nutrition but I know I can do it. If we let it, life will always get in the way. I've decided. Now to commit and eventually succeed.

Join me as I yell at my fat!

- Kareen, RD

Week 1 of "YELLING AT MY FAT" Plan

*Special thanks to SMURFETTE0725 for the format*

SUNDAY:
8:45 - 9:30am [DONE!]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 53 (catch-up) - Burn Intervals (45 mins)
7:00 - 7:30pm [DEFERRED to MONDAY MORNING]
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 56 - Burn it Off (35 mins)

MONDAY:
3:30 – 4:45am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 57 - Lean Circuit 1 (45 mins)
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 56 (catch-up) - Burn it Off (35 mins)
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program)
Comments:

TUESDAY:
4:30 – 5:30am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 58 - Active Rest
P90X PlyoX (60 mins)
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program)
Comments:

WEDNESDAY:
4:30 – 6:00am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 59 - Lean Circuit 2 (40 mins)
Taebo (45 mins)
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program)
Comments:

THURSDAY:
4:30 – 6:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 60 - Get Lean Intervals (42 mins)
P90X KenpoX (60 mins)
5:00 - 6:00pm
Couch 2 5K (modified program)
Comments:

FRIDAY:
4:30 – 6:15am
ChaLEAN Extreme Day 61 - Lean Circuit 3 (40 mins)
P90X CardioX (60 mins)
Comments:

SATURDAY: REST DAY
Enjoy a walk or two with hubby

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Week 11& 12 Weigh-in

Wow, it's been a while! I've adjusted my goal date based on my progress thus far which will still be in time for our anniversary.

So, it's back to regular posts, training and eating with focus. Starting 2010 on the right track!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD
-------------------------------------------------------------

The GOAL and PROGRESS

Height: 5'1-1/2" (that 1/2" counts!)

Starting Weight: 159.4 (10/23/09)
Goal Weight: A STRONG 115 (5/16/2010) for our 5 year wedding anniversary in May!

W1: 157.4 (10/30/09) -2 yay!
W2: 156.4 (11/6/09) -1 yay!
W3: 158.0 (11/13/09) +1.6 boo!
W4: 157.0 (11/20/09) -1 yay!
W5: 156.8 (11/25/09) -0.2 yay!

W6: 156.4 (12/4/09) -0.4 yay! (Glad I didn't gain from Thanksgiving. Hoping to maintain so any loss makes me happy!)
W7: 156.4 (12/11/09) -0 Sigh.
W8: 156.2 (12/18/09) -0.2 yay! (although I would like to see bigger numbers!)
W9: scale not working due to battery failure
W10: still no battery

W11: 158.8 (01/02/10) +2.6 boo! (yowsers. . . holiday feasting)
W12: 156.4 (01/09/10) -2.4 yay!

The REWARDS

It's a living document. I'm open to suggestions on ways to splurge!

-5 lb = Mani & Pedi!
- 10 lb = Thinksport water bottle!
- 15 lb = Lululemon workout outfit!
- 20 lb = Shoes!
- 25 lb =
- 30 lb = 1 hour massage!
- 35 lb = Bikini!
- 40 lb = New hairstyle!
- 44 lb = Anniversary outfit (dress, purse, shoes, accessories. . . all of it!!)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Battery is Dead. Long Live the Battery

So my scale has been warning me that the battery is low for at least a month. I ignored the repeated "Lo" messages and, as expectes, the battery died a couple of weeks ago. Well, I have revelled in the freedom from weekly weigh-ins.

During those two weeks, however, I noticed that I wasn't as focused with eating
and exercise. I was beginning to slip off the wagon. Not falling off but holding on by my fingernails with one hand (refusing to be a slasher. . . see previous blog post). At first I felt perhaps my motivation needed a kickstart but no amount of pep talks have been able to get me back into the right headspace.

One day this week as I was getting ready for work, I happened to glance in the direction of the scale and it hit me. It was the scale! With its power was gone, literally and figuratively, I wasn't worried about results because "hey, I don't have to weigh-in; the scale isn't working!" As if the extra food and lack of exercise would have no effect during the hiatus from the scale (I wish!).

Although often maligned, the scale is an important part of the weight loss journey. If nothing else, it helps to track trends and encourages accountability. There are certainly other methods to track progress and the scale is part of that arsenal. A research study of individuals who had lost and kept off the weight revealed that weekly weigh-ins were part of their maintenance strategy.

I'm not advocating daily weigh-ins and not even weekly. I have also studied eating disorders and understand that individuals battling these disorders should avoid the scale and other tracking methods. For those not under immediate physician care or in a treatment program, try establishing a regular schedule where you know you have a date with the scale to see how you're doing.

So, after receiving a new battery this week, the scale is working. Just this morning, it confirmed that I revelled a little too much over the holidays but I'm glad I stopped the upward trend where I did.

Here's to scales ... although I'm not so much loving mine right now :)

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD