21-Day Challenge Wrap Up

Yesterday was the last day of the challenge. I exercised 18 out of 21 days. Not bad. One of the three days it was a conscious choice. The other two days I was just plain lazy. My area of opportunity continues to be lack of sleep. I really need to work on my sleep schedule. I’m even thinking about doing this again and challenging myself to go to bed at a certain time. I may sign up again on December 1. We’ll see. What did I learn? I learned that 45 minutes isn’t as long as I thought. In fact, most of my workouts were at least an hour long. Yesterday I also noticed that I am beginning to feel changes in my body. I'm usually wiped out. I felt more energetic after my workout yesterday. I do think this has more to do with my food plan rather than the exercise. I have to keep in mind how much these two work in conjunction. This is good because now my focus is on tweaking my food plan. I still need to have a conversation with my OA sponsor but I need to have a clear plan in mind. I’ve been reading and researching. My plan is to have it in place by December 1.

No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Bars

Here's another attempt at a new recipe.

2 cups quick oatmeal
1/2 crunchy peanut butter (I used chunky almond butter)
4 scoops protein powder
1 tbs. flax seeds (I think I'll grind them next time)
1/2 water

Freeze for 45 minutes and then cut into squares.

According to the recipe maker I used on My Fitness Pal, each bar contains:

202 calories, 16 g. carbs, 10 g. fat, 13 g. protein
 

While very quick and easy to prepare, I was a bit disappointed in them.  They're pretty bland.  It could be because I used almond butter instead of peanut butter.  I think they could use some chocolate chips...but that doesn't fit into my OA food plan right now.  I do think I'm going to try them again with chocolate protein powder and/or craisins.

April Update - Treadmill 5K

I joined My Fitness Pal last month after meeting with a dietician.  I was very frustrated with the fact that I was not losing any weight.  It turns out I wasn't eating enough.  The dietician says I should be eating between 1700 - 1800 calories a day.  I've been hesitate to keep a food journal or count calories since I began this journey.  I have to admit I absolutely love this site!

We figured I was averaging about 1100 - 1200 a day.  Factoring in my workouts, this was too low. 

This has been a balancing act for me because I'm still active in Overeater's Anonymous.  In fact, I earned my 6-month coin last week.  I cannot believe I haven't had any sweets or chips in six months.  My sponsor is trying to encourage me to try to have a serving of one of my trigger foods.  I'm not interested in trying that right now.  Plus, I think it may make me sick.  I had a burger about two weeks ago and felt awful for three days.

Anyhow, there are some days I feel like I'm eating way too much food and my calorie total  is barely 1300.  I don't want to eat just to meet the minimum calories but I'm afraid it will trigger overeating.  Some days I just feel like I've had enough food, despite what the numbers say.  So, I'm not worrying about getting up to 1700 each day. For the most part, I'm averaging 1500 - 1600.  Guess what?  The scale is moving.  I'm back down to 237. 

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I've decided to do a 5K on the treadmill the first Sunday of every month to monitor my progress.  Today I completed it in 54.5 minutes. 

I also decided to hold off on starting my Couch to 5K running plan until I drop 20 more pounds.  I've been playing around with the intensity of my cardio workouts.  I'll walk for 5 minutes and then jog for 1 minute.  Other days, I've been increasing the incline.  When I'm on the Elliptical or bike, I punch it for a minute or two every 5 minutes.  I also play around with the resistance.  I'm really doing my best to keep my body guessing.  I remember when I was working out with a trainer she said it was important not to let your workouts get stale.

I order a heart rate monitor, Polar FT7, on Saturday.  I can't wait for it to get here.  I'm anxious to use it.

Oh, I'm beginning to see my abs.  I'm not brave enough to post pics but they're coming along quite nicely.

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I had my blood work done on Friday so I'm looking forward to seeing my results.

Here's to a great month!

Think Spring!

It's March 1st and I'm ready for another month of fitness!  I had to reduce my workouts back to 30 minutes due to awful headaches due to caffeine withdrawls.  I'm feeling better and going back to 45 minute cardio workouts beginning today. 

My weight loss is at a stand still.  I'm working with a dietician and trusting the process. 

Things are great with OA.  Today I have been abstinent, no recreational sugar, for 151 days.  At this point, I'm afraid if I do eat something sweet it will make me sick.  This is funny because last night I had a dream that I ate a whole plate of cupcakes.  My sponsor thinks I should try to eat a serving of one of my trigger foods but I'm not feeling it at all.  Although there are times I feel deprived from indulging in certain treats, it's just not worth it to me to try to eat a serving of potato chips or something. 

Anyhow, I'm very excited to be a part of Healthy Loser Gal's Spring Challenge.  It's always fun to check in with others to keep motivated.

My Spring goal is to be able to jog a mile without walking by June 20th.  Wish me luck!

January Update

Well, I hopped on the scale today and I'm down another two pounds!  Yay!

I've been tweeting my daily workouts.  I can't believe the progress I've made in less than 30 days.  I'm focusing on cardio and building my endurance.

I'm doing well in OA.  If all goes well, I will be abstinent four months on January 30th.

Happy New Year!

I’m feeling very good about my fitness goals for the year.


-Continue losing weight (this will happen on its own as I continue living a health lifestyle and working on OA program)

-Get plenty of rest (I realize I do not get enough sleep)

-Workout every day (I was really inspired by Kat last year to try this)

-Eat healthy

I’m doing really well in OA. I have over 90 days of abstinence. I can’t believe it. I was sharing with my sister tonight how I cannot believe I have not had sweets or junk food -- a slice of cake, a cookie, a bag of chips, a box of Crunch and Munch, Jelly Bellys, Sour Patch Kids, Mike and Ikes, a slice of cheesecake, or a cupcake in over 90 days. Wow! Listing my favorite binge foods right now gives me a bellyache. I think at this point if I ate any of that stuff I would get ill.

Today’s Workout

30 mins. Elliptical

Two sets, 25 reps, one arm row, 5 lb

Two sets, 20 reps, tricep kickbacks, 5 lb

Two sets, 25 reps, bicep curls, 5 lb

Attitude of Gratitude

Very grateful today.  I've been walking on a regular basis for the past week.  Yay!  My knee is much better.  I'm doing my best to be consistent about the stretches the doctor gave me.  I haven't done more than a mile because I don't want to push it. 

I'm also very grateful that I have been following my OA food plan for 54 days now!  While it's not about weight loss with OA, I am at the lowest weight I've been in about five years. 

I am so grateful for all the friends I've made while blogging and tweeting.  Thank you all for your encouragement.  Thank you for sharing your stories.  I am blessed to be on this incredile journey with such incredible people.  Thank you!

November Update

I really need to make a commitment to update my blog more regularly.

I'm doing okay. My knee is still giving me trouble. I haven't been doing much exercise. I have been attending OA meetings and working on my eating. This is going tremendously well. I'm done another three pounds. Even though OA is not a weight loss program, it is enforcing to see some physical results from working the program.

I went in for my four-month check up last week. I haven't received my labs yet.

Once I'm moved into my bachelorette pad, I will be able to get back into a regular routine. I'm really torn about getting rid of some of my equipment. I'm moving from a four bedroom house into a two bedroom apartment. I just won't have room for everything. There's a fitness center in the complex so I think it's going to work out okay. I just have a lot of sentimental attachment to the items. They are symbolic of a new chapter in my life.

Hopefully, I can make it back later on this week and catch up with my followers. I've missed following everyone's journey and pray you've been doing well.

October Report

This has been a rough week. Things are finally settling down with the break up. I'm sleeping much better.

I've been having a problem with my lower back and right knee. I went to the doctor on Friday. He said it's being caused by rotation in my pelvis. I've had this issue before. He gave me some stretches to do.

I'm supposed to be doing a 5K next week. I can barely walk a mile. Today I thought my knee was going to give out on me.

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I'm still attending OA meetings. Today I've been abstinent, following my food plan for 30 days. I'm working Step Four. OA is not about weight loss. It's a spiritual program. It's been great to deal with the emotional aspect of my eating and weight problem. I've loss 5 pounds.

Now that I know it's nothing too serious with my knee, my plan for November is to start exercising more often. Since I really can't do that much walking. I'm going to do the Last Chance Workout DVD. It's something I enjoy doing.

October Update

I haven't been exercising on a regular basis. Actually, I haven't been exercising like I would like to. I've been nursing my knee and back. I can walk about a mile every other day. I do spend some time stretching and working on yoga poses. However, I would love to work up a sweat.

I've been doing great with my food. As I mentioned a month or so ago, I'd been thinking about Overeater's Anonymous. Well, I joined. I've been attending meetings and have a sponsor. It's just the extra support I need. It's really helping deal with the emotional aspects behind my food choices. I love the spiritual aspect of the program. At first I thought it was a bit cultist but I've been keeping an open mind and doing as they say 'taking what I need and leaving the rest.'

Right now my food plan is as follows:

No sweets
No potato chips
Portion control
No second helpings
No eating after 9 pm

My goal is to follow this for 90 days. I'm currently on day 18. After I have followed this plan for 90 consecutive days, I will "tighten up" my plan with the support of my sponsor.