Progress Pics?/ My Regime/ Last Chance Workout

Progress Pics?  That is the Question

So I have been praying about whether or not to show progress pics.  But what is a weight loss blog without pictures of my ever shrinking mid section?  Soooo...starting tomorrow and every final weigh in of the month, I will give you a body shot in the same outfit.  I really want something to look back on and feel good about how much I was able to accomplish.  Especially during plateaus.  Sorry no pics of me on Jan. 1, but there's plenty of those on Facebook. 

My Weight Loss Regime

It is very hard to watch someone else live out your weight loss dreams.  I'm literally tired of talking about not being able to get it together.  Queue the swan song.  A manager at my job, along with her husband have lost over 100 pounds each through Weight Watchers.  This all happened right before my eyes.  They are doing things they've always dreamed of doing when they were overweight.  Forever seeking wisdom, I sought her help to try to get a plan together for the new year and here is what I do:

Food

I use this Biggest Loser scale to weigh meats, chips, etc.

1. Plan Ahead- I picked 3 meals and a dessert that I loved or wouldn't mind trying.  I found the recipes (healthy versions only) and Sunday, Jan. 1,  I went to work in the kitchen.  When I finished, I put everything in portion controlled Tupperware and I had lunch and dinner ready for the week.
2. Track- I bought the cutest journal I could find in hopes that I would want to write in it often =).  I challenge myself to write down every thing I eat with their WW Points Plus value, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  My point is to be accountable for my behavior even when I'm not perfect.   No more mindless eating.  No more giving up just because I splurged.
3. Measure- Purchase a food scale and measuring cups to determine the proper portion sizes for EVERYTHING!  You'll soon be able to "eye" the correct portion, but in the beginning be precise.  
4. Get rid of the junk- Remove all the trigger foods from the cabinets and fridge.  I'm telling you, in a moment of weakness you will rip through that house looking for a chocolate chip!  Keep these safe go to foods at hand:

• Fruits and Veggies
• Milk, yogurt, and low fat cheese
• Brown rice, wheat pasta, and popcorn
• Olive oil, Canola oil

    5. WATER- Now this is the most important step, so I saved it for last.  Drink half your 

        body weight in ounces of water.  I try to drink 14 glasses of water each day. 

Fitness

 I workout M-W-F at home with my Walk Away the Pounds DVD.  This is an older edition, but it still packs a punch.  On T-TH, I work out in the gym at my job with workout buddy #1.
I just acquired workout buddy #2 earlier this week and we will re-enter Victory Lady on M-W-F.  The gym we have been paying good money to each month.   

The schedule stays the same, but every week I do try to increase my miles, weights, etc so that my body doesn't get comfortable and stall my efforts.



That's it folks.  My plan in a nutshell.  The President and CEO of Weight Watchers said that your plan for the new year should be specific, should be attainable, should have measurable milestones, some of which should occur within weeks or a month.  I do these things every week to try to get 2 Pounds Down each Friday morning! 



Last Chance Workout


Tomorrow is Friday, which means Week 4 Weigh In and the final weigh in of the month.  As motivated as I have to be for my myself and my team, I still get scared on Thursday nights and we kick our workouts up a notch.  My thoughts that night: Should I drink all my water today? Is the scale going to show my hard work?  How much do these jeans weigh?  If I don't lose 2 pounds will I experience and emotional setback? 
 The fun part about being the team captain is that I have to always have my head in the game, so there's no room for old habits to form and derail my progress.  But sometimes I need a boost too.  Luckily the scale has been my friend these last three weeks, but I know there will be times when the scale is not going to budge.
In Weight Watchers, we rely on non-scale victories to get us past the slow weeks.  A NSV can be anything you accomplished that week or month.  Did you drink all your water?  Did you make it to the gym at least three days?  Did you park further away from the building?  This journey is LONG, so make sure to set mini goals for yourself so you can pat yourself on the back often.

Motivational Song of the Day

This song is on my workout playlist.  No matter what your goals are this year, you are going to have haters, very kind people who mean well, but have so many opinions about your journey.  Jennifer Hudson has found herself defending her journey after comments on how she lost too much weight, she lost weight too fast, she's trying to be someone she's not, she had gastric, etc...  Although we appreciate their concern,  don't let anyone steer you off the path to good health and a long life.  That's what we are really trying to accomplish.  Getting into that dress is just icing on the cake!  So tell those haters to shut up! LOL

Ledisi- "Shut Up" from the Pieces of Me CD