Week #6: Beginning of Week Recap and a Big Night for Mom and Dad!!!

Monday:  Arms with Lauren
Tuesday: 40 minutes on the treadmill and got to an incline at the 3.5 setting
Wednesday:  This is leg day - tomorrow!  I better get to bed.  I'm exhausted!!!

I've been eating well but it may because of the fact that my metabolism has kicked it up a notch or that I haven't had my patch on in awhile, but I am STARVED!!!  It's quite annoying.

As a side Mommy note....today is a BIG day!!!  Our daughter, Hailey, peed on the potty with her pull up on!!  We told her she just needs to sit on the potty for 10 seconds last week, then we started adding counts. Tonight, Brent got up to 100 and she was still there.  When I took her in right before bedtime, she sat on the potty with her pull up and asked me, "If I make a pee on the potty, will I get the gift on top of the refridgerator???  (a game I purchased 6 months ago."   I said, of course she would - not thinking that she would indeed pee.

Well, she peed on the potty!!! Then she smiled sweetly and said..."Now, can I get that game on top of the refridgerator??"  I said, "Absolutely!!!"  And she said, "Are you happy or sad?" because I think she saw I was about to cry (of happiness of course!!) and I said - "I'm so happy, sweety!  I am so proud of you!"

So, it was a big night of putting the batteries in her game and letting her play with it. She was even tracing the letters by herself with the game!!!  For most kids, this is a big "so what!"  For our kid who has struggled with self-esteem issues and has been in therapy for over 3 months now for sensory integration...it's a HUGE deal.  I'm just overcome with happiness and joy for her. And what's most important is that she is proud of herself!!

Week #5: Workout & Eating Recap

Monday:  Arms with Lauren
Tuesday: Cardio for 30 minutes on the bike
Wednesday: Legs with Lauren
Thursday: No Work Out
Friday: Chest and Back with Lauren
Saturday: No Work Out
Sunday: No Work out

I was bad with my cardio, I admit.  I missed 1 cardio day as I did Sunday and Tuesday.  I ate pretty well but did do a cheat night on Friday night where I had Mexican food and a beer.  Lauren told me she would measure me on Monday. This comes after 2 frustrating weeks of not losing anything! Last week, I actually GAINED 2 pounds and had a major tear fest in the bathroom by myself.   On this Friday, the week of Week #5, I weighed 154.5, so no more weight loss.  So, Lauren told me not to get discouraged because she could "see it" in me. I also feel like my pants are fitting better, and I can fit into pants I wasn't able to before.

Week #4: Recap on workout

Seeing that I haven't blogged in forever, I'm trying to recap my workouts at least. so, to finish Week #4:

Thursday:  No work out
Friday:  Back and Chest with Lauren
Saturday: I jumped on the trampoline about 20 minutes total with Hailey and took a long walk (about 2 miles) to see the St. Patty Day parade
Sunday: P90X Kempo

Week #4: Wednesday

Workout:  Legs and Abs with Lauren (truly, I know tomorrow I will not be able to walk! Lots of lunges, did leg presses today, calves, leg extensions and leg curls - oh the burn!! )

Eating:
Breakfast: Same as I always do but threw it in a blender; and of course - my cafe!
Snack:  1/2 cup cottage cheese
Lunch:  Salad with chicken and light dressing; apple
Snack:  3/4 cup cottage cheese and apple
Dinner:  Salmon, Asparagus, Sweet Potato, small glass of wine
Snack:  Apple, 1 tablespoon Almond Butter

Night!  My early morning meeting is bright and early.  I'm tired!!

Week #4: Monday and Tuesday

Monday:

My eating was ok but I did skip a snack.  My major pitfall I believe is I ate a chicken and brocolli dish from our local Chinese restaurant.  I'm thinking the oils in the sauce were bad!  Also, the sodium. Darn me!!

Work out:  Arms and Abs with Lauren

Tuesday:

Work Out:  35 minutes Cardio on the bike

This is today and seeing that I'm caught up with my posts, this is what  I ate:

Breakfast: 3 egg whites, 1 egg, 1 banana, 10 almonds, 1/2 cup cooked oates, coffee
Snack: Skipped as I had no groceries!
Lunch:  Large veggie salad with chicken at Whole Foods with red raspberry vinagerette and oil
Snack:  1/2 cup cottage cheese
Dinner:  2 whole wheat tortillas for 40 carbs, buffalo burger and veggies and 2 tsps of low fat sour cream, carrots
Late Night Snack:  I'm pretty full, so don't think I'll eat before bed

Had a really bad day today at work - hoping tomorrow is better.

Week #3: Saturday and Sunday

Saturday:

Work Out:  50 minutes of  P90X2 Plyocide - Brutal!  My lungs were burning for two hours after. 

Eating:  I ate pretty well, but I did eat some of the "Steamers" with Brocolli and cheese.  The bag says 45 calories and 0 fat, but since it had the "faux cheese" I'm guessing it wasn't the best thing to eat.  Perhaps too many carbs and I ate a bit serving.

Sunday:

Work Out:  I didn't work out - skipped day #3 of working out.  Stupid me, but we were so busy I couldn't get it in.
Eating:  I ate pretty well, but missed my snack in the am.  I went to a movie with my family and had a good handful of Reeces Pieces.  Ugh!  I know.  Major cheat and my downfall. 

Did I tell you on Friday I was not down any LBs??  Same as last week:  154.5 pounds.  Seriously???  I worked so hard!  Lauren says she can see it in my arms.  I hope so, as I'm not seeing so much yet.

Week #3: Thursday and Friday recap

I can't believe I forgot to post since LAST Wednesday!  Almost a week. So bad of me. I just have so much going on and had to take off a couple days from work to take my Mom to an appointment and my Daughter to an appointment. Such is life of a busy working Mom, right?

So, Thursday, I didn't work out - DAY OFF.  My eating was pretty regular and spot on

Friday Workout:  Chest and Back and Abs with lauren
Frieday eating:  I ate pretty well thruoghout the day, but I took Friday as my 'Cheat Meal' at night since Brent and I were able to get away for a few hours. 

For my cheat meal, I ate:  wings, a bison burrito with light cheese (not so bad!) and shared a bread pudding for dessert.  Oh, and not to mention those 2 Heifewezens at the Brewery!  Yum!!  We went to a movie and my husband got popcorn.  I just had a diet soda.

Week #3: Tuesday & Wednesday Recap

Cardio Day!!

So, I kind of messed up on Tuesday!  I asked Lauren if she could meet me at the gym at 8am on Tuesday vs Wednesday at our normal time.  Ummmm...hello??  What was I smoking?  I meant Tuesday at our NORMAL time of 5:30am.  That just goes to show you how "out of it" I am and how my 5:30am is becoming a norm for me and my new "8am".   Ha!  Anyway, needless to say I showed up at 5:30 and she wasn't there.  I think she would rightfully agree that I'm an idiot!  Ha ha

So, for Tuesday:

Work out:  30 Minutes Treadmill - alternating grades; 15 minutes bike

Breakfast:  Normal breakfast as usual but in the blender

Snack:  Cottage cheese and apple

Lunch:  Whole Foods Salad with chicken and mixed greens, oil and rasperry vinagerette

Snack:  Forgot!  Oops

Dinner:  2 large shrimp, one cooked small carrot, 1 salad with dressing, 1/2 cup red wine (I went to an awards banquet and I didn't eat the steak, mashed potatos or cheesecake)

Late Night Snack:  Frozen Strawberries, 1 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup soy milk - blended

Wednesday: 

Workout:  Legs, Legs, Legs and Abs!!  Wow!  I'm hoping I'll be able to walk tomorrow!  Lauren had me do lunges around the entire peremeter of the gym, lots of leg extensions (LOTS  of leg extensions) and LOTS of leg curls.  If I'm crawling tomorrow, you will know why!

Breakfast:  Ditto as the days before but I cooked each one separately, of course my cup of coffee with a couple tablespoons of nonfat/sugarfree Hazlenut creamer

Snack:  None - got a late start and had to take my Mom to the Doctor

Lunch:  Salad with chicken, pears, pecans and a bit of goat cheese; one bite of whole grain roll; 4 cups of spicey tea from Adams Cafe in Manitou!  Yum!

Snack:  2 ounces buffalo jerky, 1 apple

Dinner: 1 sweet potato, about 4 ounces of meatloaf, greenbeans

Snack:  Strawberries, 1 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup soy milk - blended

Tomorrow is Thursday.  I have an early morning meeting so I have the day off. Plus, I've worked out 6 days in a row.  I am so proud of me!!

Week #3: The Start of another challenge

It's week #3 and I'm hopeful I see big changes this week!  Yesterday was Sunday and here's my recap:

Work out:  30 minutes on the mini exercise trampoline - jogging and jumping (worked up a good sweat)

What I ate:
Breakfast:  3 egg whites, 1 egg, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 banana, 10 almonds, coffee
Snack:  4 egg whites, 1/4 cup soy milk, strawberries - in a blender
Lunch:  Large Green salad with veggies, turkey lunch meat (that's all I had) and raspberry vinagerette
Snack:  Skipped
Dinner:  1 whole wheat tortilla, 3 egg whites, 1 egg (scrambled), light mexican cheese, 1/4 cup no fat refried black beans and tomatos (made a burrito of sorts - it was not good!)
Snack:  4 ounce Greek Yogurt

Today is Monday!

Work Out:  5:30am Arms and Abs with Lauren
What I ate:
Breakfast:  Ditto as above but I put it all in a blender.  Voila!  Quick and easy!
Snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese and an apple
Lunch: Large green salad with blackened chicken at Whole Foods, Oil and Vinegar
Snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese
Dinner:  Salmon, Asparagus, 1 sweet potato with spray butter
Snack: 4 egg whites, strawberries, 1/4 cup soy milk - blended

Tomorrow I'm working out with Lauren as I have appointments Wednesday am.

Week #2: Family First



Hailey, Age 9 Months, First Day with her in China



Hailey this Summer, Age 2 years and 9 months

While posting on this blog, I don't only plan on posting about what I eat and my workouts.  Afterall, that can get pretty boring seeing that it's the same day after day, week after week.  Right?  One of my intentions about this blog is also to write about the realities of raising a family.  Attached is a photo of my daughter, Hailey.  She is the love of my life and my ray of sunshine!  She makes me laugh and smile each and every day.  She also makes me want to pull my hair out each and every day!  Ha!  This morning, I was trying to get some work done on the computer, and she just wouldn't leave me alone...climbing on my lap, touching the computer, not listening to the word "no!"  There are days, admittedly, that I just want some peace and quiet, however terrible that seems. So, hubby took her for a drive to the mountains in his jeep while I get things done here.  One one side, I'm feeling thankful for the peace and quiet and solitude.  On the other, I'm feeling quite guilty that I let her frustrate me so this morning.

We are also dealing with potty training issues.  The girl will hold it and ask for her pull up, which she then immediately "goes!"  But, to put her on the potty and asking her to do her business is like asking for a complete and utter miracle to happen. For the past year, I've done the song and dance countless times, waiting for the "magic" to happen - JUST ONCE!  She just won't do it and I'm about done with it.  It's quite the frustrating thing and often, I must say, I resign myself to thinking she is going to be in pull ups until she's in high school. At age 3 years and 4 months, no matter what I try, there is no end to this madness!  I tried it again this morning after she asked for her pull up.  It had been at least 2 months since I tried to put her on the pot. All she does is sit, and sit and sit.  But NOTHING!  It's about to turn a sane woman crazy!! I just don't know what to do.  So, I guess it's best that she and Daddy took off today to do their thing.  I need to shake off my frustration before she comes back home to challenge me yet again.  They say there terrible 2s, but I can tell you the terrible 3s are where it's at...for sure!

So, yesterday I ate:

Breakfast:  Shake with 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 10 almonds, a banana, 1/4 cup soy milk

Snack:  A Greek Yogurt - 4 ounces

Lunch:  Chicken Satay with veggies at Champs

No afternoon Snack

Dinner:  1 1/2 glasses of wine with hors d'oeurvres at Yvonne and Don's house in place of dinner (this was my cheat meal for the entire week).  I had some cheeses, crackers, and a couple olives.  That's about it.

Work out:  45 minutes of P90x Kempo

I'll post my work out and food later today....

Week #2: Down 4.5 pounds!!

Yay!!!  I'm so happy this morning!  I woke up and weighed myself!  I'm down 4.5 pounds after 2 full weeks of working out!  I couldn't be more excited or encouraged!



Lauren Rocks Leg Day!!!!

Yesterday was "Leg Day!"  I met Lauren, as usual, at the gym at 5:30am.  Lots of leg curls, leg extensions, squats, lunges.  Lauren has a way of having me do sets until I"m exhausted and can't go any more.  When I think it's all over and feel a bit of relief, she'll tell me to rest about "5 seconds" and "do another 3" or "another 5!!"  Wowzers! The "little pumps" on the last sets are the ones that really burn!  But, I'm glad she pushes me because certainly I wouldn't do that on my own! :)

I met Lauren Shaw about 4 years ago when I worked out with she and Rick at their little studio.  I was the fittest I had ever been then!  I believe I was down to 142 pounds and at 19% body fat.  Today, my starting weight at 159 and body fat at 24% (yikes!).  Lauren, on contract, is a tiny little thing who recently told me she's at 12% body fat.  Unreal, especially given she just had a baby 11 months ago.  She is really fun to work out with and I enjoy my early mornings.  She truly inspires me and give me hope that my pesky cellulite will soon be gone (I just thought I'd have to deal with it and it comes with being over 40!  I hope I'm wrong!)  So, I reconnected with Lauren on Facebook recently and she and I love to share photos and stories of our kiddos.  It's so nice having common ground with another Mom out there, and my early morning work outs with Lauren is just what I needed.

Lauren also runs Baby Boot Camp in Colorado Springs.  If you are a Mom here in Colorado Springs and want to connect with Lauren and learn more about her Baby Boot Camp, go to http://www.facebook.com/#!/BabyBootCampColoradoSprings.  It's a fun way for Moms to get back in shape after having a baby!

Weight Today: 154.5 pounds So for yesterday's eating:

Breakfast:  3 eggs whites, 1 egg, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 banana, 10 almonds, coffee

Snack: 1/2 cottage cheese and apple

Lunch:  Oooops!  I couldn't get out of the office and didn't eat anything!

Snack:  Apple (double oops - forgot my cottage cheese)

Dinner:  Bison burrito with black beans, light cheese and salsa; side salad with rasperbby vinagerette, and one Heifeweizen!  YUM!!  Yes, I know...Lauren would kill me and I am sure she is right now reading this, but I do have my vices that I have and am limiting them!  I promise!!  (it's a far cry from the 3 I'd have at a sitting! :) 

Late Snack:  3/4 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup soy milk, strawberries - blended

This weekend I am to do cardio both Saturday and Sunday.  Tonight, Daddy, Hailey and I are going to friends house for Don's birthday and a "wine party" with lots of  hors d'oeuvres.  I am going to do my one cheat meal tonight, but I promise not to over indulge!  The kiddos are going to play together.  Don and Yvonne's daughter, Amelia, was in Hailey's same orphanage in China.  We like to get together as often as we can.

Week #2: Some Days are Like That

Well, today started out like any other day, but after feeling relieved a very terrible February was over and looking forward to a fresh start at Spring, I arrived at my Nail Tech's salong at 8:15am after an early morning meeting.  I told her about my Mom's car accident last week and while she was talking to me, she wasn't looking and literally chomped down on my hand with her clippers (small pinky by the quik).  Of course I wasn't expecting this, so I jerked my hand back.  The clippers, blood, and tears immediately went flying  I was in so much pain!  She tried to stop the blood and it took awhile to stop.  By now, my pinky was throbbing and I was litterally sobbing.  Only, I couldn't STOP sobbing.  After a frustrating month, I had so much on my mind...it all just came out at that very moment.  I sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed and I couldn't stop.  Yeah, really...and picture me with a box full of tissue taking them out, blowing my nose, and piling up on my lap.  I was thinking about work, about my Mom, about my daughter, about my husband, about work...everything.  It was just the finger chomping incident that put me over the edge.

She quietly said she was sorry and lead me back to the make up where I could put my face back on.  But when I was done, she handed me the $60 bill for my full set of nails!  I've been going to the same woman for the last 10 years and NEVER has she given me a break, but this time, I was shocked and appauled that even my blood, tears and sobbing wouldn't allow her to do the ethical thing but to AT LEAST discount her services or pay for them altogether.  After all, it was she that nearly took the tip of my finger off!! (ok, that's an exageration...but it was extremely painful!).  Angry, I mubled under my breath "interesting."  The whole shope was quiet as I'm sure they were all wondering why I was sobbing as a nut job in front of everyone!

Alas, I went back to work and finished my day.  The good news is our Sleep Number bed was delivered today and I'm oh so excited to sleep on it.  I did not work out today as I'm taking it as my day off. I have worked out 5 days in a row this past week.  I'll do cardio Saturday and Sunday. Tomorrow at 5am bright and early:  legs!  Ouch!

My eating was not spot on today. I had a 7am meeting and I forgot to take food so I didn't have my mid morning snack and was late on my afternoon snack.

Thursday March 1, 2012 Work Out:  None - Day off!
Breakfast:  1/2 cup of oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries, pecans, and a small amount of milk and brown sugar for taste
Snack:  None.  Oops. Forgot my food!
Lunch:  Child's size whole wheat sandwich from Subway with extra turkey, avocado, tomatos, jalapenos, spinach and apples.  I had a large diet soda - again, my vice I just can't kick
Late Snack:  1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/2 cup blueberries
Dinner:  1 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup soy milk, 4 almonds, 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup strawberries - blended as a shake and then followed by 1 1/2 cups brocolli.
Late Night Snack:  Not yet, but on my way now to have an apple with a tablespoon of Almond Butter as I' starved!!

I sure hope I lost some weight this week!  I feel I've done very well with keeping on top of my work outs and eating.  A small secret:  Two nights I had less than 1/4 cup of red wine.  Sorry, Lauren!  But it just sounded delicious and I'm not wonderful at being perfect.  However, it's way better than the 2 glasses I'd have at a sitting, or the 2 to 3 beers I would enjoy with my hubby.

Brent, on the other hand, enjoyed a cold Tecate and Pizza Hut delivery!

Tomorrow is Friday, and it's March 2nd. I think I will go into tomorrow with a fresh attitude and a renewal knowing that Spring is just around the corner.  Ready for new beginnings and a new me!