Losin' the weight....Leigh Peele Style!

[GinnyLou]

Welcome back, Stephanie. I was thinking about you and wondering where you were. Sounds like you have some solid plans in place. Keep your chin up, Chica.

[Bytsi]

Do I feel better. Yes, I do. I think this is what I needed to get refocused and to realize that I can't just quit. I need to get the dream I never had and I'm worth it to keep going.

Great post Steph - I knew you wouldn't be gone forever... glad you're back! Sometimes we need to step back for a few days and reassess... I'm glad Leigh is so helpful for you too.

[foodfromafar]

Do I feel better. Yes, I do. I think this is what I needed to get refocused and to realize that I can't just quit. I need to get the dream I never had and I'm worth it to keep going.

Stephanie, I'm so glad you are back! I've been wondering where you were!! I had the same epiphany this time around - that I'm doing this for me and for no other reason. Sure I want to enjoy my kids and look good to my husband but the real reason is I want to be healthy, I want to feel good, I want to be able to do the things that I want to do for a long time. I am worth it to keep going and so are you! Way to go on establishing goals to help you focus! Looking forward to cheering you on!

[LWilson212]

Hey Steph-

I'm glad you're back, but sorry that you've been struggling. I know exactly what you mean when you say as you hate the way you look less, the motivation lessens.
Sometimes to keep myself on track I have to think about a lot of painful stuff I don't like to think about, things people said to me that hurt me in the past about being heavy, or times I felt self-conscious and didn't do something I wanted to do. I have some pictures in my desk drawer at work of me at my heaviest and when I look at them, I am reminded how unhappy I was, despite getting to eat all the treats I wanted.
We are doing this because we have wanted to look fantastic for a long, long time, right? You are gorgeous now, but you deserve to look and feel the way you want.

[Celestialmom]

Stephanie,
I want to echo what's been said above. We all go through hard times (in fact, it seems to be a theme in the last week or so), for lots of reasons, PMS, fights w/family, unmotivation, whatever. But the important thing is that you have thought it through and made some new achievable goals. What Leigh said about you not hating what you see so much hit a similar spot with me: I think I may be opposite of a lot of women in that I seem to think I look better than I do. Maybe that's not so far off since I know a lot of us "wake up" one day and realize how much weight we've gained. But I seem to forget how far I have to go. I've lost about 20 lbs since January plus changed my body comp somewhat, and sometimes that makes me fee like I can take it easy! Maybe I'll post my progress pics in my log so the ugly truth can keep me accountable...

Anyway, good luck, and keep on keepin' on!
Celeste

[UConnJulie]

Steph, know that you are not alone ... and summer-time is particularly hard, especially for teachers I think because your whole routine is turned upside-down. Re-focus, re-energize and you will get there.

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by stephanie932

Finally, we talked about weight trending. Basically, she wants me to start weighing daily..........BUT.........I can't attatch any emotion to the good days, or the bad days. I'm not weighing for gratification.....I'm weighing for the science of losing weight. She made me realize that I can't possibly gain 2 pounds of fat from what I ate the previous day, nor can I lose it. What she does want me to do is really think about why it happened. Am I feeling bloated because of hormones or did I eat something high in sodium or did I do a hard workout, etc. I should be attaching these kinds of things to that number on the scale, never emotions of happiness or sadness for hitting a certain number. If I am emotional about a number, I'm to send her an email immediately so we can get it hammered out.

I actually like the daily weighing just for that reason. I know I can't go up or down two pounds in a 24-hour period so I know it's more to do with water retention, muscle soreness, (tmi) bowel issues. I like looking at the 9-week trend in FitDay (two months). And don't look at the averages over to the right since they'll change daily as the weights roll past. Just look at the trend.

Oh, and if you're looking for a reasonable, low-fat dessert, I was playing around with a chocolate zucchini cake last weekend. If you can live without the chocolate chip frosting a 2"x2" piece is 88 calories. Okay, that means you can maybe just cut a bigger piece.

A Recipe for Weight Loss: Chocolate Zucchini Cake

[stephanie932]

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

Welcome back, Stephanie. I was thinking about you and wondering where you were. Sounds like you have some solid plans in place. Keep your chin up, Chica.

Thanks for your support, Ginny!

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Great post Steph - I knew you wouldn't be gone forever... glad you're back! Sometimes we need to step back for a few days and reassess... I'm glad Leigh is so helpful for you too.

I wish I could say I was reassessing........lol........ It was more like I was "just not caring". I basically ate what I wanted to and didn't count a thing. Not good.......but, I'm back on track again.

Originally Posted by foodfromafar

Stephanie, I'm so glad you are back! I've been wondering where you were!! I had the same epiphany this time around - that I'm doing this for me and for no other reason. Sure I want to enjoy my kids and look good to my husband but the real reason is I want to be healthy, I want to feel good, I want to be able to do the things that I want to do for a long time. I am worth it to keep going and so are you! Way to go on establishing goals to help you focus! Looking forward to cheering you on!

Thanks, Pauline! I think my problem is that I do feel good.....even though I still have 30+ pounds to go. Since I was over 200 pounds when I started (over 3 years ago), I almost feel like I'm done.......that's where Leigh said I have got to turn my attitude around. I still have to feel like I did when I was at my highest so that I can "get the job done".

Originally Posted by LWilson212

Hey Steph-

I'm glad you're back, but sorry that you've been struggling. I know exactly what you mean when you say as you hate the way you look less, the motivation lessens.
Sometimes to keep myself on track I have to think about a lot of painful stuff I don't like to think about, things people said to me that hurt me in the past about being heavy, or times I felt self-conscious and didn't do something I wanted to do. I have some pictures in my desk drawer at work of me at my heaviest and when I look at them, I am reminded how unhappy I was, despite getting to eat all the treats I wanted.
We are doing this because we have wanted to look fantastic for a long, long time, right? You are gorgeous now, but you deserve to look and feel the way you want.

These are great ideas, Leah!!!! I really don't have many pictures of myself because I hated the camera......but, I'm going to try to find a few of them to see if that will help.

Originally Posted by Celestialmom

Stephanie,
I want to echo what's been said above. We all go through hard times (in fact, it seems to be a theme in the last week or so), for lots of reasons, PMS, fights w/family, unmotivation, whatever. But the important thing is that you have thought it through and made some new achievable goals. What Leigh said about you not hating what you see so much hit a similar spot with me: I think I may be opposite of a lot of women in that I seem to think I look better than I do. Maybe that's not so far off since I know a lot of us "wake up" one day and realize how much weight we've gained. But I seem to forget how far I have to go. I've lost about 20 lbs since January plus changed my body comp somewhat, and sometimes that makes me fee like I can take it easy! Maybe I'll post my progress pics in my log so the ugly truth can keep me accountable...

Anyway, good luck, and keep on keepin' on!
Celeste

Celeste........I think like you do.......I don't think I look bad at all, then I go out with friends and I'm the heaviest one in the group.....and, well, there goes my positiveness.......lol Great job on being down 20lbs. that's awesome.......but, like you said.....it makes you feel like you can back off a bit. We'll get it together......I know we will.

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Steph, know that you are not alone ... and summer-time is particularly hard, especially for teachers I think because your whole routine is turned upside-down. Re-focus, re-energize and you will get there.

Julie.........I said this exact thing to Leigh. I wish school were year round because I'm so out of my routine that it makes it even more difficult. Throw in all these darned social gatherings and it's a mixture for disaster for me. Luckily, Leigh gave me some great ideas for these obstacles so that I can come out ahead.

Originally Posted by realcdn

I actually like the daily weighing just for that reason. I know I can't go up or down two pounds in a 24-hour period so I know it's more to do with water retention, muscle soreness, (tmi) bowel issues. I like looking at the 9-week trend in FitDay (two months). And don't look at the averages over to the right since they'll change daily as the weights roll past. Just look at the trend.

Oh, and if you're looking for a reasonable, low-fat dessert, I was playing around with a chocolate zucchini cake last weekend. If you can live without the chocolate chip frosting a 2"x2" piece is 88 calories. Okay, that means you can maybe just cut a bigger piece.

A Recipe for Weight Loss: Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Anne.........Your recipe looks easy and delicious!!! I'll be trying it, for sure, but only when I start getting zucchini from friends and family. I've decided to make a Diet Soda Cake in dark chocolate. These are always so good and so low in calories that I will definitely won't be feeling like I'm missing out.

BTW.........You have got to go look at the Weight-By-Date program. I mentioned it in Leah's log instead of FitDay. I love FitDay, but this does so much more. I couldn't get something working yesterday and called customer service........they actually answered AND told me about a few other things. I'm loving this 15-day free trial and know that I'll be buying it.

I just mention it because you like FitDay, too and this is very similar and the learning curve was minimal since it's set up basically the same.





Well..........Good news..........I'm back to my pre-camping weight (if it sticks, that is) so I'm a happy girl. Leigh told me that I would drop that weight pretty quickly if I stayed on plan........AND........as usual, she was right! Now........next steps.........to lose that 10 pounds by August 22nd. I can do this.......I just have to keep fighting the good fight.

[dillytl]

Nice job getting back on track, Steph! I KNEW you would!

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by stephanie932

BTW.........You have got to go look at the Weight-By-Date program. I mentioned it in Leah's log instead of FitDay. I love FitDay, but this does so much more. I couldn't get something working yesterday and called customer service........they actually answered AND told me about a few other things. I'm loving this 15-day free trial and know that I'll be buying it.

I just mention it because you like FitDay, too and this is very similar and the learning curve was minimal since it's set up basically the same.

I did download it, but haven't played enough with it. The thing is that if I did switch over I'd want to put all my history in as well. I think that's what keeps me with FitDay even though it's not perfect. I like the tracking bodyfat as well with the measurements. Right now I'm tracking the bodyfat numbers from the scale separately (a bit of a pain). I do plan on looking at it again a few more times before the 15 days are up.

[foodfromafar]

Great, Stephanie! It's amazing how quickly our bodies will bounce back when we treat them right!!

[UConnJulie]

Awesome Stephanie!!

[stephanie932]

Originally Posted by dillytl

Nice job getting back on track, Steph! I KNEW you would!

Thanks, Tracey! Hey..........We miss you, ya know!!!

Originally Posted by realcdn

I did download it, but haven't played enough with it. The thing is that if I did switch over I'd want to put all my history in as well. I think that's what keeps me with FitDay even though it's not perfect. I like the tracking bodyfat as well with the measurements. Right now I'm tracking the bodyfat numbers from the scale separately (a bit of a pain). I do plan on looking at it again a few more times before the 15 days are up.

That's what's cool, Anne........It does your body fat %ages, too! It's really nice to see that chart moving, too. It also does BMI........so, I put in things like all my weights, measurements, etc. from the time I started with Leigh so the graphs really have a great look. I didn't do all my menus.......but that's okay.

Originally Posted by foodfromafar

Great, Stephanie! It's amazing how quickly our bodies will bounce back when we treat them right!!

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Awesome Stephanie!!

Thanks so much Pauline and Julie!




I'm really excited! I got my program today from Leigh. I still get to pick my cardio as I seem to be making good choices with it but she gave me a strength rotation to do, too. Yayyyyyy!!! I haven't had a strength rotation in some time. Lots of moves that I've never done, so it should be pretty cool. I'll be posting my workout here after it's finished!

[stephanie932]

I'm going to be feeling this workout tomorrow! That's for sure! Once again, what looks like it will be good workout turns out to be a surprisingly "Kick Steph's Ass" workout.


Today's Workout:
4 straight sets of 14 reps before moving to next exercise w/ no more than 90 secs. between movements and no less than 90 secs. between exercises.

Warm-Up - Cathe's Low Max w/o the step (8 mins.)

Foam Lunge/Slide - 4 X 14 reps
Swiss Ball Rear Delt Flys - 4 X 5lbs.(e)/14
T-Ups - 4 X 14 reps
Band Adductions on Bowflex - 4 X 10bs./14
Reverse Ball Extensions - 4 X 14 reps
Swiss Jackknife - 4 X 14 reps
Band Crunches - 4 X 14 reps

I followed this up with my Flexibility/Repair work.



#1.......I never thought that those foam lunges would have me shaking like a leaf after the 2nd set. I'm going to have to ask Leigh if I'm doing them correctly. The static leg that I have between my hands was trembling like crazy.

#2.......I'm not sure if I am to do 14 T-Ups as a set or each side counts as 1 rep and I need to do 28.

#3.......I can't believe that I burned 405 calories during a strength workout. Even though my HR averaged about 66%, those lunges at the beginning really had my HR up there and I was really pushing it to get all of them done.


It felt good to do a nice solid workout instead of cardio!!!