Leah's Lifting Log

[DanceDiva]

Welcome home. Of course you go to Portland after I leave Glad you had a good time.

[GinnyLou]

Yay! You're back. Glad you had a nice vacation and I have to say that I find it super cool that your Dad and you can lift together.

[beesknees]

Your progress is amazing! Just getting caught up...I agree that is so cool you can lift with your Dad. My Dad is one of those tough guys who thinks he can do everything. He always says he is stronger then my 21 year old brother because he has "old man strength" as he calls it. I laugh, but there might be something to it. Until he pulls something!

[stingo]

Welcome back Leah - nice to see you posting again.

[Amblus]

Great progress! Your pictures look amazing.

Also, if you love Rachael Ray recipes I have a few by her that are my tried-and-true favorites. Let me know if you want 'em!

[Bytsi]

Welcome back!

About the stripe test - I say go for it! If they're asking you to test, it's probably because you're ready, ya know? Our Sensei never asks anyone to test unless he thinks they have a good chance to do well...

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by LWilson212

I cut the pasta from a pound to 8 oz for four servings, but didn't change anything else. The next recipe I'm going to try is crab stuffed shells.

Glad that you had a good vacation. You mentioned something here that I've discovered myself. I don't need a big plate of pasta to enjoy the meal. If I need more bulk I can add a side of veggies, but I can enjoy a small plate of pasta pretty much the same as a big plate of pasta. I'm kind of in the mood for mac 'n cheese. If the mood doesn't pass I'll probably end up making it as a side dish to a turkey sausage and some veggies one night.

[LWilson212]

Originally Posted by DanceDiva

Welcome home. Of course you go to Portland after I leave Glad you had a good time.

I thought I saw Portland mentioned in your log.

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

Yay! You're back. Glad you had a nice vacation and I have to say that I find it super cool that your Dad and you can lift together.

My dad got into lifting a few years ago. Lately he started doing kettlebells - he has about 10. He was showing me some of the stuff he's been doing and its pretty cool.

Originally Posted by beesknees

Your progress is amazing! Just getting caught up...I agree that is so cool you can lift with your Dad. My Dad is one of those tough guys who thinks he can do everything. He always says he is stronger then my 21 year old brother because he has "old man strength" as he calls it. I laugh, but there might be something to it. Until he pulls something!

Thanks Bree! "Old man strength" he he that's funny!

Originally Posted by stingo

Welcome back Leah - nice to see you posting again.

Hi Tom - I'm glad to be posting again, but it takes time away from reading other people's logs.

Originally Posted by Amblus

Great progress! Your pictures look amazing.

Also, if you love Rachael Ray recipes I have a few by her that are my tried-and-true favorites. Let me know if you want 'em!

Ooh, I'd love to know your favorites! So far I think mine is seared scallops with corn.

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Welcome back!

About the stripe test - I say go for it! If they're asking you to test, it's probably because you're ready, ya know? Our Sensei never asks anyone to test unless he thinks they have a good chance to do well...

Thanks Bytsi! That's what I was thinking too, what the hell, go for it. But Shawn gets really stressed out about tests and he wants to make sure he's really ready. So last night we told them we will test next month.

Originally Posted by realcdn

Glad that you had a good vacation. You mentioned something here that I've discovered myself. I don't need a big plate of pasta to enjoy the meal. If I need more bulk I can add a side of veggies, but I can enjoy a small plate of pasta pretty much the same as a big plate of pasta. I'm kind of in the mood for mac 'n cheese. If the mood doesn't pass I'll probably end up making it as a side dish to a turkey sausage and some veggies one night.

Hey Anne-
I agree with you, I realized I don't need to overeat comfort foods to enjoy them the same. Mac n cheese sounds yummy!

I am so glad this week is almost over! Going back to work after vacation sucks! I have lost almost everything I gained in my refeed, so if I have a good weigh-in tomorrow, hopefully I don't have to watch the sodium as closely next week. Tonight we are going to the RibFest and the Clarks are playing. This is something we've done together every year since we've met and we both love bbq ribs, but I am only having half a rack and I barely get anything else to eat all day to save the calories for that! I figure since I am just coming off a refeed and not horribly hungry, hopefully I will not regret it.

This weekend's weather is supposed to be fantastic and we are taking our motorcycles to Pocohontas County, WV. It is supposed to be very beautiful there with tons of awesome riding. Its so weird how even years after you are out of school it feels like summer is ending and you start thinking about fall when Labor Day rolls around. I figured this is our last three day weekend so we should take advantage of it.

[GinnyLou]

Have a good weekend, Leah. We have the ribfest here in July and I saeved all my stinkin' calories from the day, to go and let me just say, it was worth every bite. LOL
Have a good ride!

[LWilson212]

Thanks Ginger! The ribfest did turn out to be worth every bite!

Our motorcycle trip turned out absolutely wonderful. We covered around 600 miles in the three days and it was just gorgeous - tons of breathtaking overlooks in the mountains and tiny charming towns. The weather was good and it was extremely relaxing. I honestly don't think I've felt better or had that much fun in a long time. It was like as soon as we headed south, all the bs of everyday life just disappeared.

Coming back was a rude shock! That first week I just felt totally burnt out on dieting and like I don't want to do this anymore and I'm just spinning my wheels.

This week was better. I started to get my fire back - I guess I just had a moment where I thought, the only way you are getting out of this is to push on through to the end, so you might as well put your all into it. I am so close and its so easy for me to just say, that's good enough. Back when I went to Weight Watchers, my goal weight was 155 and for almost 6 months I went and weighed in most every week around 156. Looking back I suppose I just did not want it bad enough. Eventually I decided I should train for a half marathon, which I feel helped me lose the last pound. But I am definitely not being that way again!

I had bought a bottle of Hox Rox (not the extreme, the original) and I thought I would talk about it here a bit in case anyone has considered using it. I tried it a couple times when I first bought it and I took one pill on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. It made me feel nasty - nauseous and headachy, so I pretty much gave up on it. The directions say to take it when you first get up, then six hours later. This week I took two pills around 10:30 or 11 each morning whenever those pre-lunch rumbles started to kick in. I think they definitely helped with appetite control and mood and energy throughout the afternoon and evening. I would not say they are some miracle pill, but I think if you feel you are giving everything you have and still losing the battle, they might help tip the scales in your favor.

I am really psyched about what I can accomplish this coming week. My schedule is lifting Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri and going to Martial Arts Tues/Wed/Thurs. I am thinking if I push hard I can get where I want in just a couple more weeks, then move to maintenance!

[LWilson212]

Thanks Ginger! The ribfest did turn out to be worth every bite!

Our motorcycle trip turned out absolutely wonderful. We covered around 600 miles in the three days and it was just gorgeous - tons of breathtaking overlooks in the mountains and tiny charming towns. The weather was good and it was extremely relaxing. I honestly don't think I've felt better or had that much fun in a long time. It was like as soon as we headed south, all the bs of everyday life just disappeared.

Coming back was a rude shock! That first week I just felt totally burnt out on dieting and like I don't want to do this anymore and I'm just spinning my wheels.

This week was better. I started to get my fire back - I guess I just had a moment where I thought, the only way you are getting out of this is to push on through to the end, so you might as well put your all into it. I am so close and its so easy for me to just say, that's good enough. Back when I went to Weight Watchers, my goal weight was 155 and for almost 6 months I went and weighed in most every week around 156. Looking back I suppose I just did not want it bad enough. Eventually I decided I should train for a half marathon, which I feel helped me lose the last pound. But I am definitely not being that way again!

I had bought a bottle of Hox Rox (not the extreme, the original) and I thought I would talk about it here a bit in case anyone has considered using it. I tried it a couple times when I first bought it and I took one pill on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. It made me feel nasty - nauseous and headachy, so I pretty much gave up on it. The directions say to take it when you first get up, then six hours later. This week I took two pills around 10:30 or 11 each morning whenever those pre-lunch rumbles started to kick in. I think they definitely helped with appetite control and mood and energy throughout the afternoon and evening. I would not say they are some miracle pill, but I think if you feel you are giving everything you have and still losing the battle, they might help tip the scales in your favor.

I am really psyched about what I can accomplish this coming week. My schedule is lifting Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri and going to Martial Arts Tues/Wed/Thurs. I am thinking if I push hard I can get where I want in just a couple more weeks, then move to maintenance!

[Bytsi]

Welcome back!

Those pills (any of the fat burners, etc) have always scared me... plus, honestly, I'm afraid that if I need them to lose, I'll just gain it back once I stop taking them, so I haven't tried 'em... interesting to hear about how you felt with them though - that appetite control sure sounds tempting...

[foodfromafar]

I'm glad you had a great trip, Leah! I know what you mean about hitting a slump or feeling like your spinning your wheels. I have to talk to myself and talk to myself to get out of that mindset. I am determined to not go back to where I don't want to be!

[Karen411]

Leah, I hope this last week went better. How are you feeling now?

[LWilson212]

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Welcome back!

Those pills (any of the fat burners, etc) have always scared me... plus, honestly, I'm afraid that if I need them to lose, I'll just gain it back once I stop taking them, so I haven't tried 'em... interesting to hear about how you felt with them though - that appetite control sure sounds tempting...

Hey Bytsi - I was nervous about fat burners too, especially after the ephedra stuff a few years back. I never tried anything like it before, but I felt more comfortable after I talked to Leigh and she felt Hot Rox can't hurt you.

Originally Posted by foodfromafar

I'm glad you had a great trip, Leah! I know what you mean about hitting a slump or feeling like your spinning your wheels. I have to talk to myself and talk to myself to get out of that mindset. I am determined to not go back to where I don't want to be!

Hi Pauline - I hope you are getting back in your good place. I'm headed over to check out your log.

Originally Posted by Karen411

Leah, I hope this last week went better. How are you feeling now?

Hi Karen- Honestly some crummy stuff has happened that really threatened to derail my interest in fat loss and training. I talked to Leigh about it and I really can say she is the kindest, most understanding person and an awesome motivator. I have been feeling really positive about pushing on towards my goals.

Well the owner of our martial arts school recently got certified for crossfit and he did a kettlebell seminar on Monday night where we learned the turkish get-up. It was really fun and Leigh has incorporated some kettlebell stuff into my new program.

I just came back from a quick run and I'm going to end up making myself late for work again ...