supaTHICK

Ok, today has been a pretty good day, so far. I was off today and much like weekends, off days mean no work and no DIET! But so far it has been great. With Alli there are two main  reason why I am sure there are no off days for my diet.

• Alli doesn’t accept off days. 
•  I am leaving the country in 30 days and I want to be smokin’ in my swimsuit!

I know, that sounds…well, superficial but as I think I deserve it! A little anyway. Yes, I want to look nice in my suit when I go to the beach next month. Yes, I want to be smaller and look nicer in my clothes. Yes, I want to have more options for shopping besides the 2 or 3 main plus size shops where I live. But I also want to prepare healthier meal for my family, I want to reduce my chances for the health concerns that I see down the road if I can’t make these changes. I also, want to be around to see my children do the things that my husband and I are sacrificing for. But make no mistake: I want to look better also!!

I plan to keep up my efforts after my 4 days off for my trip but for now they are in overdrive. I just wanted to jump start my weightloss efforts which is what lead to my decision to try Alli. My doctor gave me a prescription for Zenacal and I decided that $200 plus was too much for the pills.

Anyway, today has been ok. I had a dentist appointment so instead of eating my cup of cereal & rice milk on  my drive to work, I had a banana and a cup of water for breakfast. After a mad dash through the grocery store I picked up more cereal, something for lunch and dinner as well. For lunch I had a tuna salad on a spinach wrap with spirng mix salad greens, sliced apples and some Kettle backed Aged White Cheddar chips. I was gone from home a long time and I was worried that I would eat a FRIED chicken sandwhich from Chik-fi-la….but I did just fine.

I  weighed today and I have “misplaced” TWO POUNDS! I was on my way home from grocery shopping and I stopped at a gym and saw the great news. I am really looking forward to losing at least 10 pounds over the next 4 weeks. I spoke with a personal trainer on yesterday and I am looking to start working out with him a few days a week starting next week. From my research and my talk with the trainer this is a realistic goal. Basically, 2-3 pounds per week with exercise, modified diet, staying well hydrated and in my case the use of Alli.

I am officaially loooking for a swimsuit…a tankini to be exact. If you have been reading these posts all this is propbably starting to sound familiar. I know last year I said the same thing. I’d actually have to read the post myself to remember exactloy what happened but I I recall that I never bought that tankini. My current plan is to by a SIZE 16 two piece swimsuit that I fully intend to wear in exactly 30days. I have been browsing my favorite websites (and by favorite I mean the only one that sell clothes that I can actually wear) in search of the perfect and most flattering suit.

Major Accomplishment:Just being able to stick to my program and also keeping my promise and commitment to myself. Drinking more water, saying NO to sugar, making healthier food choices and more physical activity. Well, so far I have secured a slot with a personal trainer.

This is day 6 of taking Alli and it has been PERFECT! I haven’t had any “Treatment Effects” except when I put that olive oil on my salad and then on day 2 I decided to conduct a test to see what would happen if I was a bad dieter…..needless to say, I have not revisited that behavior.

I feel like Fred Flintstone on the episode where he joined an over eaters anonymous type of group and they would secretly follow him around and take away any foods that were not on the diet plan. It was hilarious but that is how I feel. I refrain from eating anything that I am not supposed to have for fear of the “unthinkable” happening.I have discovered…ok, re-discovered that I have a slight portion control issue.  For example: I would normally eat an entire mock chicken salad wrap from whole foods with chips and now I eat only half of the wrap with some mashed sweet potatoes or some other side item. I eat the other half for lunch the next day.

Major Accomplishment: I don’t like the taste of coffee but my lifestyle demands the jolt that I get from the caffeine.  My usual fix is a grande Caramel Frappucino w/whipped cream and a shot of espresso from Starbucks.First, I eliminated the whipped cream and the n I stopped drinking it all together. But I was still drinking coffee at work with half coffee and half the cup filled with dairy creamer and sugar. I would be buzzing ’til lunch. Second, I cut out the HALF CUP of sugar and then the cream as well. If I drink more than one cup I will do a pump of cream but for the most part I drink black coffee or an espresso shot.  I have stopped having sugar or honey in my tea as well; I started using an agave sweeter. One day my mom (a diabetic) tried it and STOLE it because you only need a little and it taste great. Anyway, I never got anymore and I just started drinking my teas sans sweetener……..this really is huge for me since I am a lifelong sugar addict.

A little background info: I was hyper active as a child and I used to talk very fast. As an adult I’m a very high strung and I have to actually focus to slow my speech down because peopled used to always say, “You sure talk fast!” Somehow, my lifestyle matches that. Work, 3 kids, my husband, and my passion party business I started this year, caring for an aging parent…. I have a lot on my plate and sleep is rarely an option so I over indulge in products that help me keep up with this hamster wheel I can’t seem to get off of. So for me to say no to sugar is indeed a major accomplishment!  

There is officially trouble in paradise. First the Good News: I am actually able to wear some 16’s; which is truely awesome. Bad News: My belly is a true 18….but it gets worse! I have had an aversion to floor exercise of any kind my entire life and now that my body is shrinking my tummy has started a major protest!

There has to be some way that I can get my stomach into a size 16 along with the rest of my body. I really don’t want to buy yet another piece of equiptment. So far I have the following items and they are all covered in dust:

• Stability Ball
• Hula Hoop
• Jump Rope
• Sationary Bike  
• Numerous work-out DVD/VHS

I just feel that I should be able to target this area without getting on the floor. My current exercise program includes a pole aerobics class once a week. This is week two. I also dance around the house for about 20 minutes a few times a week. I actually love the hula hoop but its the weighted one and you can only take so much of that in one sitting. I’m usually done after about 5-10 minutes tops. I got bored with it pretty quickly so I don’t even touch it; if I could find a regular one for my size that woudl be PERFECT!!  

I have FOUR WEEKS left until I have to wear a swim suit…..Can someone please help!? I am not looking for magic but a little tummy shrinkage would please me.

Abt my day… (6/17) Uneventful, I went for a 15 minute walk after dinner with a girlfriend.

Abt my day… (6/18) I have thought a lot abt my  progress and the lack thereof.  I have been off from work for a few weeks now and I have only worked out a handful of times at best.  My kids go to camp at our gym so I am at the gym twice a day 5 days a week. But some how I never workout,  hmmmm…….

The Plan… Now I am trying to slow down and re-group: exercise, watch what I put in my mouth and drink more water.  I have been toying with the idea of adding Alli to my weight loss effort. 

Day 1

I had scrumptious Waldorf salad that I added a can of Albacore Tuna to. I love the sweet fruit and the salty seasoned Tuna. Generally, that wld be a Snickers bar and some Doritos. Crunchy, sweet and salty foods are my all times fav’s. Second in line is “Cheesy Fried!” You have to say it like the little man from the Little Ceasers pizza commercials…..”PizzaPizza!” I discovered this yearning while pregnant with my now 21 month old son.

@ 11:55am I have not had any water and I have been up since abt 7am. This is my    real battle. During my first pregnancy I learned that the couple of Mountain Dew’s a day habit that I started nursing around age 8 had to end. Imagine my surprise to learn that my favorite carbonated bev contain more caffeine than all the others. So I drank little to no soda during pregnancy and the year I nursed. Sprite took the place of Dew. Recently, I have started drinking Dew again…. In the place of my Grande Caramel Frappucino I now have a double shot of Expresso.

Let us re-cap…. I don’t drink water. I am addicted to caffeine. My favorites include crunchy, sweet and salty foods and cheesy fried!!  But I can and will do better.             

Abt the last week or so…  My lastwork out was  Friday May 2nd. I really enjoyed it.  I rode my stationary bike at  home while I listend to  music.  Since that time I have had pizza, chips and lots of other yummy treats.

My temp assignment was extended and I quickly  became the lady  with many excuses. I get off at 6pm, come home cook and get the  kids ready for bath and bedtime. When do I workout? I planned to look for a few new blouses after work but I’m gonna try to squeaze in at least 30 minutes. 

 In others news… I have managed to drink a lot more water so perhaps that will somehow help me the next time I am brave enough to get on the scale.                

I tried to  make it at least 14 days but I only made it 12 days. I am not sure when I will start the process over…..just know that I will.  I don’t have any new commitments or goals. I hope to try to  make healthier choices.  I hope to have good news  soon!                               

Abt My Day…. I’m on a temp assignment this week and next week which translates into… NO WORK OUT!! I skipped yesterday in preparation for today (my first day at work) so today was a mandatory workout day.

Some how I felt that all my work would be in danger if I didn’t workout today. I did my usual treadmill; gosh I was bored. My music just didn’t do it for me. My music was boring also. I guess I lose interest quickly.

I’m on my …..weight?  Ok, I already confessed that I am impatient and a little compulsive and I have to pass the scale to get to the treadmill. I got on and ….. drums please….. I am happy down right giddy to report a 2 pound loss!! The gym was browded so I did a mental happy dance.

My Personal Challenge… I have been eating a little less and avoiding pizza; I’ll continue to do that.

My committment for 5/2… at least 50 minutes of cardio (PLZ, NOT THE TEADMILL) and drink plenty of  h20.

5/1 Workout Summary   

• 50 min treadmill    
• 2.96 mile     
• 407 cal  

Abt My Day…. I have decided that I cannot possibly weigh in once a week. I am far to impatient for that. I need to weigh in whenever I am at the gym. I weighed in today and it was teetering between 257 and 258!! I had to get a gym staffer to assist of course. I told him that I should just put it on 257 and see what happends. It wldn’t level out, curses!

BabyPhat… My size 18 jeans kept falling down today. I was able to take the waist band and flip it over to make them fit like they are supposed to. I started thinking… I knew that scale was evil, nah, nanny boo-boo!! This is very encouraging! I didn’t take the time to measure at the start of this massive weight loss effort because I am “somewhat” focused on the scale.

Treadmill Goddess… This was my first day working out with my music and it really made a difference. My new headset came yesterday and today when I got set up on the treadmill I was in the zone. Last night I danced around singing the Weather Girls, “It’s Raining Men,” Donna Summers, “Bad Girls” and a few songs from this millenium  for what seemed like forever. Even when I cooked dinner tonight danced and sand along with Jill Scott.

Anyway, at first it was hard not to dance…yes on the treadmill! Yes, I am a strange gal. But I found my inner skinny girl and went to work, HARD!! I walked farther but didn’t burn more to many more calories than my last treadmill use. Is that weird? I walked nearly THREE MILES! I am a Treadmill Goddess!

My Personal Challenge… To find a plan to help me with what I eat. I’m clueless! Anyone have any ideas?

My committment for 4/30… at least 45 minutes of cardio and drink plenty of  h20.

4/29 Workout Summary

• 50 min treadmill
• 2.98 mile
• 423 cal

Abt My Day… I am starting to question myself. Why am I doing this when I know how delicious  jalapeno Cheetos are?  I’m sorry, I got lost in a memory. Anyway, my day went from 0 to  60 in 1 second  flat. I had to  get the baby to  the sitter then pick up my daughter so that we cld both  go to the dentist. Iwas beat and my mouth was hurting for some reason.  I really hate going to the dentist. I put my workout off til the last minute when I know the daycare at the gym closes @ 8pm. Needless to say I had an off day. 

Abs & Glutes… is a 30 min walk thru h3ll! Side crunches, leg lift crunches, OMG! I can’t wait to go back, wink, wink!

My Personal Challenge… 2 DO BETTER!!

My committment for 4/30… 45 minutes of cardio and drink plenty of  h20.

4/28 Workout Summary…30 abs & glutes class (BRUTAL)

Abt my day…I skipped out on church and went to the gym. I did a 50 minute beginers Pilates class; actually it was abt 45 minutes becuase I was circling the parking lot looking for a parking spot for what seemed like forever. As soon as I left the house a monsoon struck and I really, really, really wanted to stay home. This is my 2nd time taking the class….THIS YEAR!! It was more difficult than I remember and the instructor looked the same but her attitude was out there. I think it is good to be a little rough and push us but she said things like, “I hope it was in English when I said do…” I laughed a lot during the class.

The weigh in… I have NOT lost a single pound. I was a little down at first but I know that I must do more than eat what I want and  exercise for 4 days.  My husband thinks I need to work on what comes out of my mouth but the scale says I need to work on what I put in my mouth!!

Life is funny; HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA!!!!

Funny thing is… that while I haven’t lost a pound I have made some real changes. I have made working out a part of my day. I actually jogged.  I am NOT a jogger. I am a (nearly) 6 foot tall 258 pound woman with “rather” large mammary glands. I never jog or do things that cause them to move or bounce unnecessarily for any reason.   I was walking the inside track because of the monsoon whipped up Mother Nature whipped up. Anyway,  I had walked around abt 11 times  (17 times around is a mile) when I saw a nother walker break into a jog.  I thought I could  do that. So I  proceeded to  jog  3/walk 3/jog   3/walk 3.  Then I left.    The Accidental Workout… None to speak of.

My Personal Challenge… To find a plan to help me with what I eat. I’m clueless! Anyone have any ideas?

My committment for 4/28… at least 45 minutes of cardio, try to do some type of toning exercise and drink plenty of  h20.

4/27   Workout Summary

• 45 min  pilates                 
• 30 min  walk/JOG   (you heard  right: I JOGGED.)                                                                                                   

Abt My Day… Let’s see, I watched the Ant Bully, AGAIN. I did some house work. I did my daughters hair and also had a client. I watched Shark Tale, AGAIN. I generally watch kiddie movies whenever I am braiding the children’s hair. I would love to tell you I met my goal but today was much like every other Saturday…. basically, I chilled.

The funny thing abt today is that I’m not an emotional wreck considering I didn’t get in my 45 minutes of cardio. At some point I started to wonder where is the: hyper critical, over obsessive, self doubting, own worse enemy chick that is always running around raining on my parade? Is it quite possible that the inner critic has been slain? I don’t know but I like this feeling! CRY FREEDOM!

I have a plan…really! I will go to the gym and go really hard at one of my 1 pound exercises. I’m talking a double platinum effort and then I will get on the scale. And if that doesn’t work, I will just REMIND myself that the scale isn’t the boss of me. I have been working hard all week and I rested on Saturday that doesn’t make me a quitter, just human.

B-Day… I am still on my journey for Beyonce’s body; well, my version of course. I am aware that I have a few years on what she is “telling us” her age is and also I have nursed two children so some things will not happen without surgery. But for everything that can be changed by my own efforts…The race is still on! Sunday is weigh in and I can’t can’t wait to see what that demon scale has to report.

The Accidental Workout… None to speak of so far.

My Personal Challenge… To get up on that scale and show it  who’s boss!

My committment for 4/27… at least 45 minutes of cardio, try to do some type of toning exercise and drink plenty of  h20.