Tuesday, January 19, 2010

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

Monday, December 28, 2009

PSA: Don't be a Slasher!

This Public Service Announcement is brought to you by a Jillian Michaels quote: "When you get one flat tire do you then get out of the car and slash the other three?"

While we do our best to maintain our weight loss journey or even to minimize the impact of holiday treats, sometimes the season can get the best of us... or maybe it's just me.

I stayed on track until December 23 and then it unraveled into a stress-induced feeding frenzy. From working longer than expected hours to being yelled at by a physician, I began my holiday time in a holly jolly way :) Add to that missed workouts (although I did go on a couple of great, brisk walks with my hubby) and I didn't enter the Christmas weekend on the right track.

That's the flat tire.

I certainly thought about letting it all go for the rest of the week and start fresh in January. After all, it's the holidays, right?

Then I remembered Jillian Michaels' sage analogy. Bingeing and foregoing my workout plan would be akin to slashing the rest of the tires. And that, doesn't make sense with tires or with my weight loss journey.

So back on track today. . . well, on the outer lanes. Working my way back into the inner lanes.

As we work our way into 2010, don't be a slasher! Just fix the flat and keep moving forward!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Motivation and a Health Check

Last week was crazy at work so blogging fell to the wayside. I used the time to get in my ChaLEAN Extreme workouts but I still didn't make it bed any earlier. My calories and water intake were closer to goal this week. That's progress!

I did keep up with tracking my food on Sparkpeople. If you haven't joined, you should (http://www.sparkpeople.com)! It's free and you allows you to track your calories and fitness minutes. I am trying to keep with the pictorial blog but truthfully, it requires more time than I anticipated. If you're interested in what I'm eating and my workouts, friend me (carobchip) on Sparkpeople.

If you are following me there, the foods that I select in the Nutrition Tracker are the closest match to what I actually ate. When I list McDonald's Egg McMuffin, it's a sandwich from where I work that is likely less calories but definitely not more.

In other news, the weight is not falling off. Week 8 weigh-in was disappointing as was Week 7. I have to focus on the changes I have seen: my clothes are fitting looser, I can complete at least 12 "real" push-ups, I look forward to sumo squat burpees and my husband has noticed my improved posture and increased self-confidence. I know I repeat these accomplishments and others often. Remembering where I started and the strides I have made in two months keeps me motivated!

The weight can take its time coming off but it will; there's no alternative! I remain motivated because I will reach my goal. It may take six months, one year or even two years but I will get there.

My metabolism has certainly slowed. Is my age showing or is it something else? I'm tweaking my fitness plan this week and I've also made an appointment with my doctor to ensure that all my systems are go.

This past June, my physician in California noted that my thyroid gland was enlarged. I took a blood test but didn't follow-up on the results as I moved to Arizona shortly after that visit. Not good, I know. I figured if something was wrong, they would contact me but I need to take charge of my health. If it's not a thyroid issue, that's good; at least I will know.

It's a journey. Detours are expected but I won't be derailed!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD

Week 7 & 8 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 (4/3/2010) 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!)

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!!)

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

- Kareen, RD