I'll Be Fat For Christmas Redeux

Well, it's almost over. I've been following this eating and exercise program for almost 31 days, and I'm just about done. Here's the gist of what I've learned.

If you travel, be sure to pack the laptop and the DVDs. No, it's not quite a magic bullet, but having a place to write down everything you eat and the exercise you do is vital to weight loss success. My forgetting the DVD's at home resulted in a disastrous few days, where I had no options and nothing else to do but walk on a treadmill while watching some crappy cable shows. It sucked.

In addition, not having my laptop available meant I guessed at how many calories I was consuming and guess what? That meant I could fudge (read: cheat, BIG-TIME) on my diet. In the past week since leaving my home, I've been winging it, which is a nice way of saying, I've totally blown it for the last week. It's sucked.

My one saving grace this holiday was an impulse Christmas Eve purchase of another 10-Minute Solution DVD, the Hip Hop Dance one, which I've been doing for the past few days, and it's helped me feel like I'm doing something, although not much.

Don't ask about eating, it's been bad. Lots of lovely white sauce, pasta, goodies, and wine. Yummy, but not so good for the waistline.

We are heading home tomorrow, thank God! And I'll be back on track for the New Year. I'm training for Iron Girl 2010 as of January 1st, and I'm hoping it will be great fun. I'll be posting what I've learned from 30 days of exercise DVD's in the next few days. Hope you are all enjoying the holidays.

Day 21 -- How Many Chips Does it Take to Get To Charlotte?

As I've been telling you, today was all about the drive from Baltimore, MD to Charlotte, NC. With three kids, a packed van, and an aching back, I made the trek to Charlotte in 8 1/2 hours. I don't think I've EVER been so happy to get anywhere in my entire life.

Of course, I had decided I was going to "eat right" on this trip, but Grandma Utz's Potato Chips were calling my name, so I had half a bag -- a small 99 cent bag -- and some kind of weird chicken burrito thingy from the Wa-Wa. The fact that I opted for water by that time was kind of a moot point, but I did opt for water.

By the time I was in the State of North Carolina, I was bored, which necessitated a stop at Cracker Barrel for food and a book on tape. The book on tape sucked, which did not help the boredom. The six or seven fries I had with a chicken salad sandwich helped a little.

For the most part, the girls got along, I'd say fighting 40% of the time, which is good for three sisters locked in a car for 8 1/2 hours. We all made it safe and sound to my sister's house, and when my Mom saw me, she uttered the three most beautiful words a daughter can hear: "You look GREAT!" Oh, thanks Mom. "You're losing your stomach finally!" Thanks, you can stop yourself now.

I had a small bite to eat and a couple of glasses of wine, then went and collapsed on the hotel couch (sorry, honey). I am up today and realized that not only did I forget to pack my two pair of pants I own (good ones) that my husband picked up from the dry cleaner, I forgot exercise DVD's!!! Yikes! I did bring some Blockbuster DVD's that I can turn in for an exercise DVD, so I'll go there this morning and try to find something I can hack for the next few days until we go to Danville. Have a good one, I'm going to try to track my eating today. Good luck, huh?

Day 20, Somebody Please, Get Me Outta Here!

Well, it was quite a day. Today was all about drop-down, drag-out fighting between me and another Mom and snow removal. How those two things ended up in one day, I have no idea, but there's my day for you. Nobody went to the hospital, let's put it that way.

As I've stated previously, I am a Mama Bear, and I process things that upset me s-l-ooooowlyyyyy. So if you get in my face before all of the processing has taken place, all that raw stuff is going to come out, and it's a free-for-all. It wasn't pretty.

THANK GOD I am going to Charlotte tomorrow. I shoveled so much snow today that I did not consider working out to a DVD. I am, however, taking a number of them with me, so I have a lot to choose from. Eating was not as bad today, thankfully. I did not keep track again, but I figure with all of this stress and shoveling, I MUST be burning major calories!

The good news is, a few positive interactions happened between me and that other Mom afterwards, so I think if we agree to stay in our respective corners, all will be fine. I have been sporting a major headache ever since, however, which has made the rest of the day difficult to get through. I think we're about all packed up and the house is ready so we can come back to things in order, which is helpful when we return from vacation. Stephen is already down there, relaxing and sleeping well. My back hurts.

Thankfully, Nancy and her beau, Marc, helped me shovel my van out, which was so sweet of them, I really appreciated it. The kids helped some, probably not as much as they should have. My back is seriously hurting now.

I hope you are enjoying the snow WAY more than me and having less drama than me and that everybody is happy and healthy in your household. I think my motto for this holiday is, "Take care of yourself." Don't go overboard on alcohol, crappy food, or family therapy during Christmas dinner. Enjoy all you can, remember what's important, and try to make somebody else's Christmas better.

Tomorrow, I go from workout warrior to road warrior.

Days 18 and 19 -- Mama Bear Needs Some Honey!

Oh, Lord, help me. If you've been paying attention lately, unless you live in Mesotopamia or under a rock somewhere in the United States, we have SNOW, people! This means a couple of things: one, it's too cold to go outside; two, because the kids now have no friends in our courtyard, they are stuck inside with each other and are fighting like crazy; and three, I now know why bears are fat -- because when they hibernate, they EAT everything in sight.

Take yesterday (please, somebody, take yesterday!). I just finally gave up counting calories. Let's just say that in the prior two days, I've probably eaten at least 2,500 calories each day, possibly 3,000. Stress, upset and snow -- the three Horses of the Apocalypse -- have resulted in me reaching for the three Dietary Demons -- sugar, salt and fat. It's not pretty, people, trust me.

So today, I am deciding that I am BACK. I walked in the snow and went sled-riding yesterday, so that counts as a home DVD. We'll call it "I'll Be Fat for Christmas." I resembled Yogi Bear hunting for goodies in the forest, the "forest" being my pantry and refrigerator. It made for some really weird combinations of foods, too.

At any rate, I am getting ready to go shovel, and if I can get the hell out of Dodge today, I'm leaving for my Southern Christmas break (my hubby is already there, lucky!) this afternoon. We'll see. Pray for me. I need it.

Day 17 -- Back Pain and Eating Out and Pilates, Oh My!

Today began with dealing with the bully issues at school, which is no fun. This also means two of three girls are home today, one because she is upset and the other because she doesn't feel well.

We went to the bagel shop this morning, because what's a better way to handle stress than carbs? I was already planning to go out with Nancy to Red Lobster, so I am still looking forward to that, although I will go online to their nutrition information beforehand, so I am armed with information and can make her feel guilty to boot, which is an added bonus.

Because of the stress and time constraints of today, I did Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Workout, which is actually almost 22 minutes, but who's counting? I am having back pain today, a lot of muscles feel scrunched up and like they're in spasm, so that's no fun. In addition to the workout, I stretched a few minutes so that my poor hamstrings could get a little looser. I'm wondering if tight hams are what's causing this back pain. Gotta go get ready to go to Michaels so we can finish a school project before tomorrow, then out to lunch. Be back later.
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Okay, I pretty much blew it today, calorie-wise. I added up everything, and it's a little over 1,770, but I think that's probably not right. Nancy & I had a fabulous time catching up and eating, BUT I ate so much, I felt almost sick when we were finished. Our local Mexican restaurant (La Fiesta, I highly recommend it) has excellent food but no nutritional info available, so I'm guessing.

The rest of the afternoon/evening was spent trying to process this whole school incident yesterday. I am a mama bear when it comes to my kids, and I don't do well when someone hurts or insults my children. It was a rough day. If you have any words of wisdom for handling eating during highly stressful days, please post and share.

I ended the day with a couple of beers (am I officially off the wagon?) and a grilled cheese sandwich, yummy! I'm totally beat now, so it's off to bed. Have a good one.
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Eating journal:

Thursday, 12-17-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee w/1 tsp sugar & 3 tbsp organic creamer – 62
Subtotal: 62

8:30 a.m. – at bagel shop with girls
1 chocolate chip bagel – 160
1 tbsp butter – 100
2 eggs scrambled – 140
1 diet coke – 00
Subtotal: 400

12:00 p.m. – La Fiesta with Nancy
1 chicken burrito w/salsa – 800
2 tbsp sour cream – 50
Tortilla chips (I didn’t count) – 140
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 990

8:00 p.m. – after horrible day & 4 hours working with Skye on project
2 Bud Light beers – 220
1 homemade grilled cheese – 200
Subtotal: 420

Total Daily Calories: 1,772 (give or take a few hundred)

Day 16 -- Core Rhythms and Decadent Christmas Party

Can I just say, it's WONDERFUL to have a few glasses of wine!? It truly is "the most wonderful time of the year" when I get to kick back, eat crap, and slam back a few glasses of red wine. Thanks, Dennis, for the bottle -- I shared it with the group, and all had a merry old time.

Today started off way colder than anticipated, and as usual, I could not drag my big butt out of bed in time, so . . . I waited until the little one was off to school, and then I schlepped out my Core Rhythms Full Workout DVD and sweated like a banshee. I think the last time I tried to do this, the DVD skipped, but not today. I swung my hips, crunched, danced, and had a fabulous time doing it.

I got a TON of stuff done today, including sending my article off to Oxygen - hooray! and making real estate calls. The day was going beautifully, until my middle schooler came home sobbing because some girls had shoved her and called her names.

So after a few parental confrontations -- one which went well, one not so much -- my blood was boiling and I needed to RELAX, which came in the form of a Bible study Christmas party. As you'll see below, this meant copious amounts of wine and a few dips, a piece of Pecan pie, and tortilla chips (the food of the gods). It was so enjoyable, and I didn't focus too much on the fact that I'm the heaviest or oldest woman there. Never mind, it was a good time. Eating journal is below. If you have any good clean eating holiday recipes, please post them so we can all enjoy.

My back is starting to talk to me, so I'm thinking maybe a stretching routine tomorrow. We'll see. I'm going to try to get up early and get it out of the way. Like I said, we'll see. Night.

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Wednesday 12-16-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee w/3 tbsp light cool whip – 42
Subtotal: 42

8:15 a.m.
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
2 nutrigrain waffles – 140
1 tsp butter – 50
1 tbsp jelly – 50
2 eggs poached – 140
Subtotal: 380

9:45 a.m.
1 glass water -- 00

11:30 a.m.
10 ritz crackers – 160
1 tbsp regular peanut butter – 105
1 tbsp jelly – 50
1 iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 315

1:00 p.m. – out McDonald’s
1 barbeque grilled chicken wrap – 260
1 small diet coke – 00
Subtotal: 260

5:00 p.m.
16 wheat thins – 140
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 70
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 220

6:30 p.m.
1 bite pecan bite (literally a bite) – 50
Subtotal: 50

6:45 p.m.
1 ½ piece chicken tender – 140
2 tbsp barbeque sauce – 50
½ cup boiled broccoli – 50
1 iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 240

7:15 – 9:15 p.m. – party at Bible study group
2-3 glasses of wine, dip, shrimp, one slice pecan pie, crackers, few meatballs, taco dip, tortilla chips – 900

Total Daily Calories: 2,347

Day 15 -- We Interrupt this DVD for . . .

What a day it's been! Started out getting up a little late, but I figured I'd get all the housework done first, then move on to Core Rhythms full workout after the little one had gone to school.

Alas, the little one had a tummy ache, headache, and was generally not looking so hot. So today has been about "Mooooommm . . ." and a lot of "I wants," INCLUDING (but not limited to) Papa John's pizza for lunch! This happened when I had finally gotten ready to do Core Rhythms Quick Workout. Please can I just lay down and take a nap and forget that I committed to working out six days a week at home until Dec 31st?! At any rate, I'm getting ready to go pick up the contraband pizza. I'll let you know how it goes.
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As it turns out, not well. As soon as I opened up that box, a glorious smell wafted up into the air, and I HAD to have a 290-calorie slice of cheese pizza. YUM-YUM. Visual cues turn out to be a huge part of eating right and keeping on top of calories. You can be full and not even thinking about food, but the sight or smell of deliciosity can just do you in. Never mind, I ate the *#%@ pizza, and it was REALLY GOOD. I've added it to my calories today, and I'll change my day accordingly, if necessary.

I'm starting to think I'm PMS'ing, because in the last week, soda and sugar are calling my name. I LOVE a little sweet treat, and last weekend's visit to Bonaparte Breads has me craving chocolate filled croissant.

Eating on a budget is also getting dicey; we have maybe two fruits left in the house, a drawer of semi-okay veggies that I think can hold up if I run them under really cold water, lots of beans and pasta sauce, hot dogs and ham. There's also frozen tilapia and frozen chicken tenders in the freezer, so that's a good option, but nothing that makes a really yummy, "Mmmmmm, I want to have that" kind of meal. If you have any good ideas for nutritious meals on a budget, please post and let me know.

Off to do Core Rhythms Quick Workout -- wish me luck!
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Well, it's 21 minutes and 44 sweaty seconds later, and I DID IT! I know I shouldn't feel like I deserve an award, but it's been one of those days where it feels like everything else is conspiring to keep me from working out, so I feel great. I got the feeling from the Quick Workout that Jaana and Julia felt like they had to pound it out and get it all in there, so I actually got a really good workout this time.

My only complaint, again, is that the stretching at the end is cursory at best. I think I'm going to go stretch some more while I'm warm, now that I'm thinking about it. Later.
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The day continued pretty uneventful, except for the fact that by dinnertime, I had only consumed 1,250 calories, and I became light-headed and weak until I ate. As you can see, dinner was a LOT of calories, way more than usual, but I truly felt I needed all of those at that time. I felt way better after eating. Core Rhythms full workout tomorrow.

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Eating Journal:
Tuesday, 12-15-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
1 tsp sugar in the raw -- 15
3 tbsp. organic creamer – 52
Subtotal: 67

8:30 a.m.
2 eggs – 140
1 sandwich thin – 100
2 tbsp ketchup – 30
1 thin slice ham – 50
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 320

9:00 a.m.
1 glass water – 00

11:15 a.m.
1 ½ hot dogs – 180
2 small pieces of phyllo dough – 60
2 tbsp ketchup – 30
¼ coke zero – 00
Subtotal: 270

1:00 p.m.
1 piece Papa John’s large cheese pizza – 290
Glass water – 00
Subtotal: 290

2:15 p.m.
1 glass water – 00

3:00 p.m.
16 wheat thins crackers – 140
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 70
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 290

7:00 p.m.
2 nutrigrain waffles – 140
1 tbsp butter – 100
2 tbsp jelly – 100
2 ½ eggs scrambled – 175
1 cup sweet potatoes w/onions pan fried in nonfat spray – 100
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 625

8:00 p.m.
1 sugar free popsicle – 15
Subtotal: 15

Total Daily Calories: 1,877

Day 14 -- Gunnar Peterson's 25 Minute Full Body & 10 Minute Abs Solution

Well, I'm almost halfway through this experiment, and it's going -- let's say okay. It really is difficult to get up out of bed six mornings a week and exercise, and I'm finding that I'm giving myself shortcuts a lot of the time. I do feel a little lighter, however, and keeping track of calories is really, really good for me.

Today I got up late again -- alarm clock failed to go off this time -- and I had to wait until everybody was at school to work out. Because it was a late morning, I opted for Gunnar Peterson's Core Secrets 25 Minute Full Body Workout and added a 10 Minute Ab Solution Flat Belly Workout, for a grand total of 35 minutes. I didn't feel winded at all or all that sweaty, but my abs and back have been feeling it for the rest of the day.

Mondays for me are recovery days -- not from exercise, but from everybody being home all weekend and destroying the house, so I am typically doing a lot of cleanup and pickup at home. It wasn't too bad today, but I got it all done and got some real estate work in to boot.

I've really, REALLY been struggling with soda drinking -- if you're looking, I have backslid some and had some diet sodas in the last week -- and alcohol. A glass of wine is a truly enjoyable experience for me, and it makes the evenings just so much more enjoyable. But I promised the hubby I would abstain until year end so that he could have a buddy with him; we are both hoping that weight loss will be the end result. You know what they say about misery . . . . If anybody has some good strategies for nixing soda and/or alcohol from your diet, please do me a favor and post. I am considering offering money to the first person to make a comment on here, since no one is, but that may be against the rules.

Calorie count was fairly low today, but I intended to do that. We are leaving in a week for our Southern Christmas, and I'm trying to conserve money so we have a lot available to spend then; thus, grocery shopping is not on the list this week, unless it's an absolute HAVE to have.

For some reason, my left side is hurting badly tonight. Not sure if it's back pain from swinging with my oldest daughter (we are both popsicles now) or diet coke intake. At any rate, here's my eating journal. Have a great evening. I'm thinking tomorrow is Core Rhythms, because I've been in a dancing kind of a mood, but we'll see.
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Monday 12-14-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
2 tbsp organic creamer – 28
1 tsp sugar in the raw – 15
Subtotal: 43

8:30 a.m.
1 sandwich thin – 100
1 egg – 70
1 egg white – 35
1 tbsp light mayo – 35
1 thin slice ham – 40
4 oz. coke zero – 00
Subtotal: 280

9:00 a.m.
1 iced tea w/sweet & low – 00

10:00 a.m.
1 glass water – 00

1:00 p.m.
4 melba toast crackers – 100
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 70
1 cup potates w/onions – 100
2 tbsp ketchup – 30
1 iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 300

2:00 p.m.
8 pieces California roll sushi – 200
Wasabi – 50
¾ diet coke bottle – 00
Subtotal: 250

3:00 p.m.
1 cup coffee w/sweet & low & 3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tbsp light cool whip – 13
Subtotal: 65

4:30 p.m.
4 pieces sushi – 100
Rest of diet coke – 00
Subtotal: 100

7:00 p.m.
1 hot dog bun – 130
1 chicken hot dog – 120
2 tbsp ketchup – 30
1 cup northern beans – 160
Additions – honey, agave nectar, ketchup – 30
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Subtotal: 550

Total Daily Calories: 1,688

Day 13 -- Rest, Pizza, Potato Chips, Oh My!

Well, it's Sunday again, hooray for a day off! We are getting in a bad habit of sleeping in and missing church. Gotta get back to that next week.

I had decided yesterday that today would be a high calorie day, and as you'll see below, it ended up being about 1,800 calories, which isn't too high over the mark. I averaged out the last 6 days, and I've been averaging 1,780 calories a day, which is right around the mark for me, and should be good enough to lose a pound a week.

Speaking of weight loss, I saw a commercial today for "Smart Cookies," which sounds really dumb to me. You eat cookies for breakfast and lunch and then a "sensible" dinner, and you lose TONS of weight! Well, DUH! If all I ate was one food until dinnertime, I would lose tons of weight, but I imagine I would never keep it off, because as soon as life started up again, I'd gain it all back. UGH, some of these dieting programs make me nuts.

As for me, I am trying to get this thing down again for life, so I have a program and a plan that is workable for good, and I don't gain back what I've lost. As you'll see below, today included pizza out at Ledo's -- the best pizza in the world, as far as I'm concerned -- and a tiny bag of 105-calorie potato chips. If I can incorporate these things I really enjoy into my life without gaining weight or keeping at an uncomfortable weight for me, that will be success. Ledo's is working on getting its nutrition list together, but I found out that a piece of cheese pizza is 110 calories per slice, so I added from there. WOW!

I encourage you to do the math from yesterday's post and figure out your calorie needs, then start tracking your eating. It is eye-opening and will keep you on the right path, as long as you're not over-obsessive about it or too strict on your calories. That's a sure way to fail.

I am struggling again with my old soda addiction, and I've gone from 3-5 diet sodas a day to 2 regular sodas a day down to 1/2 a diet soda every few days. Soda is just empty calories and chemicals, not a good part of a healthy plan. But I am craving it lately, so in order not to obsess on it, I'm allowing myself a half a soda until I'm over it.

Here's my eating journal for today. I am beat, going to bed early. Be back tomorrow, with Core Secrets 25-minute Full Body Workout and 10-Minute Solution abs workout. See ya' then.
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Eating Journal:

Sunday, 12-13-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee w/sweet & low & 2 tbsp organic creamer – 34
Subtotal: 34

10:00 a.m.
2 nutrigrain waffles – 140
1 tbsp butter – 50
1 tbsp jelly – 50
1 egg scrambled – 70
1 cup potatoes w/onions fried in nonfat spray – 100
Ice tea w/sweet & low -- 00
Subtotal:420

11:30 a.m. – Ledo’s Pizza with Galen & Sarah
1 glass water – 00
1 side salad – 50
2 tbsp light ranch – 120
4 pieces Ledo’s pizza mushroom & pepperoni – 540 (ouch!)
Subtotal: 710

4:00 p.m.
½ serving 100-cal popcorn – 50
1 glass water – 00
Subtotal: 50

6:30 p.m.
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
1 sugar free popsicle – 15
1 glass water – 00
1 serving shrimp – 110
4 tbsp shredded coconut – 140
2 tbsp barbeque sauce – 50
1 tbsp light mayo – 50
½ boiled yam – 50
Subtotal: 495

8:00 p.m. watching movie with girls
½ coke zero – 00
1 small packet utz potato chips – 105
Subtotal: 105

Total Daily Calories: 1,814

Day 12 -- Winsor Pilates and Tricking your Metabolism

Okay, people, please post your questions/comments! Some of you are sending me fabulous emails with questions and comments, and it would be so great to have them here so we can all join in.

A few of you have asked me about "tricking" your metabolism while dieting so that your body doesn't go into starvation mode. Basically, here's how it works: figure out how many calories you need in order to get to the size you want. There are online calorie calculators which can help you do that. In my opinion, however, many of them are way too low, which was confirmed when I interviewed the nutritionist on Tuesday, who said she would feel uncomfortable telling anybody -- exercising or not -- to eat less than 1,700 calories a day. That's just for your brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, etc., to function; that doesn't give you energy for cardio or weightlifting.

Most of the calculators I've used tell me to get anywhere from 1,400 to 1,800 calories per day to reach my ideal weight (135). Because I work out so much and usually am lifting weights 3-4 days a week, however, I add calories to that to make it 1,750. Currently, I am purposely cycling my calories, so one day I'll have 1,300 calories, the next day I'll have 2,200 calories, etc. This allows you to control your calorie intake without your body kicking into calorie conservation mode. When you consistently eat too few calories, your body then holds onto every single calorie you eat in order to ensure its own survival. It's primal.

Okay, I found a formula online on how to calculate your calorie needs to lose weight. You can go here to find it yourself, but I'll spell it out for you to make it (relatively) easy.

Step 1 - Calculate your basal metabolic rate (BMR):

655 + (4.3 X weight in pounds) + (4.7 X height in inches) - (4.7 X age in years)

Step 2 - Calculate your activity level:

•If you are sedentary : BMR x 20 percent
•If you are lightly active: BMR x 30 percent
•If you are moderately active (You exercise most days a week.): BMR x 40 percent
•If you are very active (You exercise intensely on a daily basis or for prolonged periods.): BMR x 50 percent
•If you are extra active (You do hard labor or are in athletic training.): BMR x 60 percent

Step 3 - Add this number to your BMR.

The result is how many calories you can eat to maintain your current weight. If I eat 2,072.28 calories a day, I'll stay where I am. So 1,750 is a good number for weight loss for me.

Another way to do this is, cycle your carbs between high-, medium- and low-carb days. It's the same principle, because carbs tend to make us gain weight (especially the wrong kind, i.e., white bread and flour products). You can search Oxygen magazine online and find that article, which tells you specifically how to do this.

At any rate, it's almost 11:00 a.m., and I haven't eaten or exercised yet. I didn't get up until 9:00 a.m., which I rarely do, so everything is in slo-mo right now. Gotta go eat, then get to the rest of our Saturday. Have a good one, I'll be back later.
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Can you say "pretzel," anyone? Because that's what I feel like after doing Winsor Pilates full workout. I believe Pilates is a great workout, BUT it's only for people who have a decent baseline of fitness. If I hadn't been doing all the other workouts I'm doing, this would be very frustrating. She has you doing balancing and what is supposed to be curling over, but is for me tipping over. It did fly by, however, and I did not check the clock as much as I usually do.

Have done well with eating so far, have enough left over at 6:30 for dinner and a snack. I'm slightly hungry, getting hungrier, so I'm thinking chicken sounds good. I ate out twice today, once at Burger King -- and can you believe that a flippin' veggie burger is 400 calories?! We also took the kids to our favorite local French bakery, Bonaparte Breads, which is an amazing, decadent treat. I had a tiny little sliver of the most delicate Opera pastry, and enjoyed every morsel. Because their desserts are so creamy and full fat, you only need a little bit to feel satisfied. Maybe this is why French women are thin?

We are doing Family Movie Night tonight, but I still need to find a decent movie and make dinner. Will be back to post the rest of my eating journal. Pretty low calorie day. The day started out kind of late, so I don't feel like it's too off. Will have a higher calorie day tomorrow.

Night.

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Eating journal:

Saturday, 12-12-09:

10:00 a.m. – slept late
1 cup coffee w/1 sweet & low & 3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
Subtotal: 52

11:30 a.m.
2 eggs scrambled – 140
1 cup mashed potatoes fried in nonfat spray – 100
3 tbsp ketchup – 45
1 whole wheat sandwich thin – 100
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 385

2:30 p.m. – Burger King while waiting for Jiffy Lube
1 veggie burger – 400
1 coke zero – 00
Subtotal: 400

3:45 p.m. – at Bonaparte Breads with family
1 small sliver of Opera pastry – 200
1 cup coffee w/3 tbsp full fat creamer – 100
Subtotal: 300

6:00 p.m.
1 glass water – 00



7:00 p.m.
1 piece baked chicken – 130
1 ½ servings shrimp – 165
Coconut shaved 4 tbsp – 140
1 tbsp light mayo – 35
2 tbsp barbeque sauce – 50
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 520

7:30 p.m.
1 no sugar added fudgecicle – 40
Subtotal: 40

Total Daily Calories: 1,697

Day 11 -- Billy Blanks Tae Bo Amped! Fat Accelerator

Well, I am having issues getting out of bed early when it's cold. The early part doesn't bother me; the cold part, I could live without. At any rate, I did get up this morning a little late, early enough to get in 10 minutes of Billy Blanks Tae Bo Amped! workout in -- the 52-minute one -- before I had to take the girls to school.

On Fridays, the little one and I go out for bagels in the morning, kind of our special time, so working out had to be chopped up, but I got back to it after I returned from taking her back to school. I really like Billy Blanks, and this is a longer version of the last Amped! workout I did, with four sets instead of two. Some of these really burn your legs and arms, and if I had done all 52 minutes at one time, I would have worked up a good sweat.

As usual, the best part of Billy's DVD's are the end, where he gets a good, encouraging word in. I cannot watch him when I am PMS'ing, because it makes me cry. Go figure. He is as much a coach and motivator as he is a fitness instructor, and having read his personal story, which I recommend, makes it all the more meaningful to hear him say "Don't give up." He really comes across as caring about his program, his team, and you, the viewer who has bought his program.

On another note, Gunnar Peterson is a pain in my BUTT. Literally. For some reason, every time I do his workouts, my gluteus hurts to the maximus the next day. I am sore in my rear today, and I blame Gunnar.

I cleaned most of today, so I was active. The whole house is clean, and I intend to enjoy the next 20 minutes before they all come home and mess it up. I know it won't last through the weekend, but it feels really good right now. I've got a fire in the fireplace, my husband is coming home from a business trip, and we are going to a Christmas party tonight. Doesn't get much better than that.

Because of the Christmas party, I've gone a little light on food thus far today. That gives me a little leeway for munching. I am still on the wagon alcohol-wise, so that should make it a little easier. It's going to be interesting after the New Year when I'm officially off the wagon to see how that affects my weight.

I had a horrible realization yesterday: in 10 days, we are leaving for our Southern Christmas vacation. This means one awful thing: PICTURES. Ugh, can I just hide until next year? I am hoping to be down a few pounds (maybe 10?) by the time I go down there, but just knowing that I'm on a program and following it makes me feel better.

I'll be back to post my eating journal after the party. Cross your fingers for me, say prayers, think happy thoughts; maybe I can restrain myself. Should be interesting.
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Well, I did fine at the party, save for one mini eclair and some peanut sauce for a grilled chicken skewer. I was pleasantly surprised to see a salad of all things at the buffet, so that's the first thing I got, along with a tablespoon of light Italian dressing. It seemed great, until I bit into the most pungent red onion I've EVER had in my entire life. Thus, the mini eclair was not because I wanted it, but because Stephen warned me that I reeked and needed something sweet so I could talk to people and not have them pass out. So I'm very close to 1,750 calories, which is my daily goal.

Today was a decent calorie day, ending with hubby time, which I am enjoying until he's off again Sunday. Here's my eating log. Night.
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Friday, 12-11-09:

8:45 a.m. at bagel shop
½ chocolate chip bagel – 100
1 tbsp butter – 100
2 eggs scrambled – 140
1 coffee w/splenda & 2 tbsp half & half – 60
Subtotal: 400

10:00 a.m.
2 glasses water – 00

1:30 p.m.
1 English muffin high fiber – 100
1 tbsp natural peanut butter – 90
1 tbsp grape jelly – 50
1 ½ serving homemade tomato soup – 150
1 glass iced tea with/sweet & low – 00
16 wheat thins crackers -- 140
Subtotal: 430

4:00 p.m.
1 sandwich thins whole wheat – 100
1 tbsp. light mayo – 35
2 slices ham – 60
Lettuce & sweet peppers – 15
Iced tea w/sweetener – 00
1 no sugar added fudgecicle – 40
Subtotal: 250

5:30 p.m.
1 ½ pieces baked chicken – 190
2 tbsp barbeque sauce – 60
1 cup mashed potatoes fried in pan with nonfat spray – 100
3 tbsp ketchup – 45
1 glass iced tea w/sweetener – 00
Subtotal: 395

7:30 p.m. – out at corporate Christmas party
2 bottles water – 00
1 chicken skewer – 130
1 tbsp peanut sauce – 100
1 small side salad – 30
1 tbsp light Italian dressing – 45
1 mini éclair – 100
Subtotal: 405

Total Daily Calories: 1,880

Hooray for a High Calorie Day! -- Core Secrets Give Me 20

Well, I've finished my article "Back on the Wagon" for submission to Oxygen magazine. I realized when interviewing the nutritionist on Tuesday that I need to cycle my calories so I can diet and still fool my body into thinking I'm not dieting, thus keeping my metabolism going and still watching my calorie intake. I encourage you to keep a food log of everything you eat and drink. It makes you get food religion!

Today I woke up early but got up late (again). The pattern I'm seeing is, get up early and get it done, or it doesn't happen -- a la yesterday. This morning, I was ready to work out at 7:00 a.m., which is a little late for me, so I opted for Gunnar Peterson's Give Me 20 DVD, a 20-minute full body workout. He is a good instructor, and I'm liking him more and more, HOWEVER he lifts weights so quickly sometimes that it's like weightlifting on steroids for me. I have a hard time lifting weights that fast. I'm already down to 10 pounders (weenie weights) because of the lightning speed, and I don't want to go any lower. Oh, well.

This program uses the ball and weights -- no jump rope this time -- and includes upper and lower body moves and abdominal moves at the beginning and end. I was sweating after a few minutes, and felt like I got a decent but quick workout in.

Peterson does mention at some point "I hope you don't think this is your main exercise program," and reminds viewers that this is a quick fix for days when you're short on time. I know that already, but it's a good reminder. I think I've watched too much "Biggest Loser," because I swear I can hear Jillian Michaels on my shoulder going, "Is that IT?!!" Yes, Jill, that's it for today, so I can get this ungodly dirty house cleaned!

My nutritional goal for today is between 2,000 and 2,200 calories, which sounds yummy and decadent to me. I went with Sarah and her son to Macaroni Grill and had their delicious formaggio melts with a side salad and water. Shame on Macaroni Grill for not having a full nutritional listing of their menu! I couldn't find it online, nor did they have it at the restaurant. This should be a LAW. So I'm guessting it was 900 calories, looking at the rest of the menu. This really brings it home that eating out can kill your waistline.

You should try this next time you go out, ask for a nutritional list of all their items. You'll be floored by the items that are high calorie that you would not think were high calorie. Actually, it's kind of amazing that they got 240 calories into a SIDE SALAD. Do you know how small a side salad is? Must be killer dressing.

At any rate, I am feeling happy today because I get a little dietary break, and I know I can go back to food religion tomorrow. I made fudge last night for the neighbors for Christmas, and it's not setting, so I have to figure that one out.

Okay, gotta go finish cleaning up the house before the girls are home. Happy day, I'll be back later!
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Well, I did okay for the rest of the day. For some reason, I had a mean sweet tooth all day, which I ended up satisfying in two ways, one healthy, one unhealthy; I had a couple of bites of the yummy, delicious fudge I made for "the neighbors," and then when that didn't do the trick, I had a 60-calorie pack of pineapple with a handful of nuts. That gave me the sweet, chewy sensation with few calories and some nutrients to boot.

I almost got the entire house cleaned, minus the stairs, which I'm going to make the kids do tonight. That leaves me in good shape for tomorrow, when hubby gets home.

I must say, I was worried I'd overdo the calorie count today, but I'm pretty much at the mark. It's 6:20 now, and I'm feeling more full than usual. I'm actually looking forward to a lighter eating day tomorrow. Hopefully, today won't set me up to binge but will keep cravings at bay.

Soreness has begun to set in from this morning's short workout, so an Epsom salt bath is awaiting. Homework, a few TV shows, and bed awaits. What an exciting life I lead! I'm done eating except for water tonight, so I'm going to go ahead and post today's eating journal. Trying to remember to post hunger/full levels on eating journal, but it keeps slipping my mind. Oh, well. I think keeping track of the food itself is the most important thing.

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Thursday, 12-10-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee w/sweetener & 3 tbsp. organic creamer – 52
1 English muffin high fiber – 100
½ cup mashed potatoes pan fried in nonfat spray – 100
2 eggs scrambled – 140
2 tbsp ketchup – 30
Subtotal: 422

10:00 a.m.
2 glasses water – 00

12:00 p.m. – out with Sarah at Macaroni Grill
Formaggio melts (2) – 900
Side garden salad – 240
Water – 00
Subtotal: 1,140


4:30 p.m.
16 wheat thins crackers – 140
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 70
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 210

6:00 p.m.
1 ½ cups homemade butternut squash soup with ginger – 150
1 large bowl salad with various veggies – 60
3 tbsp. Newman’s Own low fat Italian dressing – 67
Glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
1 big glob fudge – 200
1 serving pineapple cup – 60
1 handful walnuts – 50
Subtotal: 587

Total Daily Calories: 2,359

Oops, I Didn't Again

Well, crap. It's Wednesday, and I missed another workout. My back has been hurting me, but let's just be honest. I was too lazy and too cold to get out of bed this morning and get the workout done. By the time I got into my day, I realized I had to get out and finish Christmas shopping, or I might not get it done this week. It was simply too late to work out and get everything else done.

In addition to shopping, I wrote an article today based on yesterday's interview with the U of MD nutritionist, Jane. I am going to submit it to "Oxygen" magazine, my favorite fitness magazine, and see if they'll publish it.

So I missed today, and I felt really bad and kind of humiliated having to write about it, but Stephen encouraged me that "That's real!" and would be helpful to admit to other people who also struggle with staying on plan. I am realizing I'm a morning workout person; if I don't get it done first thing, chances are it won't happen. Working out after dinner should be against the law, as far as I'm concerned.

I ate okay today, but not enough calories. I am beginning to seriously consider cycling my calories, so I have high, low, and medium calorie days. I believe that's a good way to trick your body into a high metabolism, while trying to lose weight. It makes a lot of sense to me, especially after writing this article. If I get rejected, I may just post it here.

May I just take a moment to say -- Go Danny! I'm so very glad you won "Biggest Loser" last night!! That made me very happy. "Top Chef" finale is tonight, which is almost as fun.

Speaking of favorite shows, one point Jane made yesterday that made a huge impression on me was, she has clients coming in complaining about losing six pounds in a month, because they're used to "Biggest Loser" double-digit weekly weight loss. In reality, one to two pounds a week weight loss is considered healthy and, more importantly, sustainable. It's the keeping it off part that bites you, doesn't it?

If you've lost weight and kept it off successfully, please post and tell the rest of us how you lost it and how you continue to keep it off. That's the rub. I'll never forget seeing Eric, one of the Biggest Loser winners, after he had gained all of the weight back. How heartbreaking to go through such an amazing experience and put all of that time and effort and heart into it, only to end up where you started. I haven't gone back to a size 16, but I'm not kidding myself: if I don't rein this in now, I will go back to exactly where I started size-wise. It's the hardest part.

Okay, I'm beat, and I have a kid waiting for me to put her to bed. Here's my eating journal for today, a little short of the 1,750 mark, but I'm going to make up for it by eating about 2,000 calories tomorrow. Hooray for high calorie days!
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Eating Journal:

Wednesday 12-9-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee w/stevia & 2 tbsp organic creamer – 52
Subtotal: 52

8:45 a.m.
1 cup coffee w/stevia & 2 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 McDonald’s pancake – 100
2 scrambled eggs – 140
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low -- 00
Subtotal: 292

11:30 a.m.
1 packet tuna in water – 90
1 tbsp light mayo – 35
1 corn tortilla – 55
Squirt of mustard – 5
Onions, celery & sweet peppers – 10
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 230

4:00 p.m.
1 packet salted peanuts – 260
Few sips Diet Mountain Dew – 00
Subtotal: 260

6:30 p.m.
2 small slices pizza – 350
4 pieces melba toast crackers – 50
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 70
Water – 0
Subtotal: 470

7:00 p.m. making fudge
8 dark chocolate chips – 40
Couple of licks of fudge – 40
Subtotal: 80

9:45 p.m.
Glass water – 00
Another lick of fudge – 40
Subtotal: 40

Subtotal: 1,422

Core Dys-Rhythmea

Life doesn't always go according to plan, does it? Take this morning, for instance. I woke up at 5:45, but rolled out of bed at 6:45. It was frigid, and the covers just felt so good. So I laid in bed thinking about my sore muscles and Core Rhythms, which I was scheduled to do this morning.

The good news is, I woke up, took out the dog, got the older kids up for school, and went downstairs to do the workout. It was going really, really well; then, the stupid DVD player started skipping. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to be working out at 7:00 in the morning to a Russian dance instructor who starts and stops? Extremely frustrating, I'll tell you!

I popped the *@%@# thing out and back in twice, and by the time I got to the cool down part, it was time to drive the girls to school. So technically, I got the workout in. I am starting to like Core Rhythms, except for the weirdo mouth moves by Julia Powers, which are getting on my nerves the longer I watch her. There is one particular place where I just CANNOT figure out the steps, either, so I totally fake it and pray that nobody pops their head in to catch me.

One thing different about the Core Rhythms program: you can change your view on the DVD from front to back to side in order to get a better look, which would totally work, IF they kept the camera on a full body shot at all times. They don't. When they do close-ups on the lovely instructors, I lose the rhythm and the footing. I so wish they wouldn't do that. For the most part, however, I keep up and enjoy it. My muscles are feeling much better today, too, after warming up with this program.

Again, I was showered and ready to go at 9:00 a.m. when I take the little one to school. I interviewed a University of MD nutritionist today, which was fascinating. I am writing an article for submission to "Oxygen" magazine on falling off the wagon and how to get back on. Not to give the article away, but a key point she made is that instant gratification -- eating the brownie in front of you because it tastes good now -- is the number one culprit in overeating or over-consumption of calories, even more than emotional eating is. That surprised me.

Today was an okay day calorie-wise. I went to Terri's house after the interview, and she fed me homemade chicken soup, a grilled cheese sandwich (with jelly, yummy) and one Reese's peanut butter cup, the food of the gods. It was heavenly, but I was very sleepy shortly afterward, so I think she overloaded me with carbs. Yes, I blame Terri for this. (love ya, Terri-sita!)

Tonight was our elementary school's night at McDonald's, so of course we were obligated to go. I opted for a grilled chicken wrap, which is STILL 520 calories! WOW. Even the "healthy" menu at fast food is not good for you. Good lesson.

Tonight is "Biggest Loser" finale! Hooray! Go Danny! Gotta go out and get our Charlie Brown tree, which we'll enjoy for 12 days before leaving for our Southern Christmas, then watch the finale. I have no leeway (maybe 40 calories) left in my day, so I'm going to go ahead and post my eating journal now. Tomorrow is more Gunnar Peterson or the full Billy Blanks Amped! workout. We'll see how I feel in the morning.

Night, all.

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Tuesday, 12-8-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
1 packet Stevia – 00
3 tbsp. organic creamer – 52
Subtotal: 52

9:00 a.m.
1 pancake from McDonald’s -- 100
2 poached eggs – 140
1 tbsp natural maple syrup -- 50
Subtotal: 290

10:30 a.m.
1 glass iced tea w/sweetener – 00

12:30 p.m. – Terri’s house
Homemade chicken soup – 250
Homemade grilled cheese – 210
Glass water – 00
½ reese’s cup – 105
Subtotal: 565




3:00 p.m.
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Handful walnuts – 70
Glass iced tea w/stevia – 0
Subtotal: 150

4:00 p.m.
1 cup coffee w/stevia – 0
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
2 tbsp light cool whip – 25
Subtotal: 77

5:30 p.m. School night at McDonald’s
2 barbeque grilled chicken snack wraps – 520
1 ½ small diet coke – 0
Subtotal: 520

Total Daily Calories: 1,714

Make that Two Days Off

Okay, I'm kind of backsliding here. Let me make my case before you judge me, however, as not being committed to this project. I am SORE, terribly, awfully, can't-make-it-up-the-stairs-or-bend-over-without-grunting SORE. I feel like Nathan Lang in that one movie where he looked up to the sky and cried: "Why do you hate me, God?!"

I had every good intention of doing Core Rhythms today, but all of my muscles are tight and bunched up, and I'm worried that I truly may hurt myself by working out again. So I took off one more day. Let's call that a "rest day," that way it's part of my workout routine and not cheating. Yeah, I'm justifying. It makes me feel better.

I did a lot of laundry and cleaned up the house today, so I wasn't totally inactive, just not as much as usual. Stephen was home until about 10:30 a.m. when he left for this week's business trip, so my morning was kind of off. I did go to the bagel shop, but hey, I wrote it all down.

Last night the 2,200 calories I consumed yesterday were bugging me, but then I remembered an article in Oxygen magazine about cycling your calories, and how if you deprive yourself without any break, your body goes into starvation mode; if you "trick" your body by cycling low and high calorie days -- or low, moderate and then high carb days -- you will continue to lose weight and stay on track.

If you have any tricks for helping sore muscles, please post. Tonight is homework and kids and laundry, oh my! See eating journal below. I am off to soak in Epsom salt. This is one night I miss merlot.
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Eating Journal:

Monday 12-7-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
Subtotal: 68

9:30 a.m. out at bagel shop
½ chocolate chip bagel – 60
½ tbsp butter – 50
2 eggs – 140
3 packets ketchup – 45
Glass water – 00
Subtotal: 295

11:00 a.m.
4 nilla wafers – 85
1 sugar free pudding – 60
1 tbsp light cool whip – 15
½ banana – 60
Subtotal: 220

12:00 p.m.
1 oz. ham – 60
1 flat bread – 100
1 tbsp light mayo – 35
Lettuce & sweet peppers – 15
1 serving tomato soup – 90
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 300

12:05 p.m.
8 dark chocolate chips – 40
Subtotal: 40

3:00 p.m.
2 pieces celery – 15
1 tbsp natural peanut butter – 85
Subtotal: 100

6:00 p.m.
18 medium shrimp baked in breadcrumbs – 150
Homemade tartar sauce:
1 tbsp light mayo – 35
1 tbsp horseradish – 15
1 small squirt hot mustard – 5
½ cup boiled broccoli – 50
½ cup potatoes boiled & mashed in their own water – 100
Iced tea w/sweetener – 00
Subtotal: 355

7:00 p.m.
½ apple – 50
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Subtotal: 130

9:00 p.m.
1 glass water -- 00

Total Daily Calories: 1,508

Even God Took a Day Off

Well, it's Sunday! Hooray, I am off! I was hoping today would be a day to rest and relax, but it's almost Christmastime, and I had tons of shopping to do.

We had "church" here this morning with the kids, which is always interesting. Then I piddled around the house for a few hours before my middle daughter & I were off for a shopping extravaganza.

Other than spending four hours shopping today, the biggest thing about today was, I was SORE -- WAY SORE, far more sore than I've been before. I think Gunnar Peterson's squats got the best of me, because my butt and legs are KILLING me, and getting up and down stairs has been painful all day. If you have any good tricks for how to recover from muscular strains or muscle soreness, please post it and let me know.

Not only that, but because I spent most of my day outside the house, it meant I ate out twice, and as you'll see from my eating journal, WOW-ZIE!! I ate a ton of calories today, over 2,000, and my only condolence is that I was on my feet for hours straight, so at least I got some walking in. Who knew that a serving of YAMS at Chicken Out is 423 calories?!! Chinese food I knew was bad, but I was tired and didn't feel like cooking.

My beloved Redskins ALMOST won, but we know where that counts, and it ain't in football! So another loss, poor Jim Zorn. It's almost 8 p.m., and I am off to dye my oldest daughter's hair shocking red, get a body massage from my husband, probably take another soak in Epsom salt, watch "Desperate Housewives," and I'm off to bed.

Here, unfortunately, is my eating journal. I can't look at it anymore, it makes me want to cry. Night all.
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8:00 a.m.
1 packet low sugar apple & cinnamon oatmeal – 110
Water – 00
½ apple – 30
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
Subtotal: 208

10:00 a.m.
8 wheat thins – 80
8 melba toast crackers – 100
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 50
Water – 00
Subtotal: 230

12:00 p.m.
2 celery stalks – 60
1 tbsp natural peanut butter – 95
1 box yogurt covered raisins – 120
Subtotal: 275

2:00 p.m. – out at Chicken Out
1/3 white chicken with skin – 371
1 serving yams – 423
Iced tea with sweetener – 00
Subtotal: 794

7:00 p.m. – Chinese takeout
½ cup fried rice – 180
½ serving cashew chicken (icky) – 300
2 vegetarian spring rolls – 230
1 cup diet mountain dew – 00
Subtotal: 710

Total Daily Calories: 2,217 (OUCH!)

Day 5 -- Core Secrets

Well, it's 8:41 a.m., and I just don't wanna! I fell asleep on the couch, with my head propped up uncomfortably, and my neck is sore every time I turn it just so. UGH. I'm thinking maybe this is the day for me to skip.

But it's raining outside and cold, and nobody else is awake but me. I've had breakfast, and I have no clean clothes to speak of, so I can't get dressed and go out until laundry is done. This is what happens when I work all day Friday out of the house. Oh, well. I am off to do Core Secrets. I'll let you know how it goes.

It's almost 10:00, and I'm done. It took me at least 45 minutes to get myself motivated enough to do it, but I just finished Gunnar Peterson's Core Secrets Cardio-Strength Interval Mix. Can anyone say "jump rope"? Peterson is obviously an experienced teacher, and he moves and instructs with ease, including reminders not to "squinch up your toes," or hold tension in your shoulders.

This particular routine is part of the larger Core Secrets program, which I ordered and was happy with until I realized, to my dismay, that one, the ball I got was much smaller than the ones they use, and two, this was at that time an opt-out program, meaning when you buy it, they continue to charge you monthly and send you additional DVD's until you call them and tell them not to. It pissed me off.

I just went to connect to the Core Secrets website, and I am shocked to find it is no longer available. Maybe that opt-out thing bit them in the butt? At any rate, the link above takes you to ebay, where you can get it fast and cheap for a one-time payment.

This almost 30-minute program got my blood pumping and included weight lifting, jump roping for cardio, and core work on the floor. It's an efficient, full-body routine and a good one to do if you're short on time. I enjoyed it, except for the part where I was grunting on the floor, because as I said yesterday, my abs are sore. OUCH. One of the best things about Peterson is, he really makes you stretch. It's not a "Stretch-it-out-okay-you're-done" like the usual, you actually HOLD the stretch. I am grateful for this especially today, and I'm hoping by Monday my soreness will not be as bad.

Tomorrow is a bye day for me, so I will be eating right and probably stretching some, hopefully playing in the gobs of snow I am praying we get, or watching my beloved Redskins lose -- I mean, play -- football.

Now I'm off to do laundry so I have a decent outfit for the day, and possibly Christmas shopping. I haven't even started. Have a good one. Will be back later to post my eating journal.
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Well, it snowed all day, which I LOVE! That meant we stayed indoors, so it was a very relaxing, lazy Saturday. Ended up eating about 1,500 calories today. I am trying to figure out exactly how much I should eat daily in order to lose weight. If you have any easy way to determine that, please post and let me know.

Good news: Stephen (my husband) said to me yesterday: "Hey, you're losing weight. Yay!" I could have done without the "Yay!" part, but nevermind, this stuff is working.

Eating log for today:


Saturday, 12-5-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
2 tbsp light cool whip -- 25
Subtotal: 94

9:00 a.m.
2 eggs -- 140
Pinch of part skim mozzarella – 30
1 small piece bread toasted – 100
1 tsp butter – 50
1 tbsp jelly – 50
1 glass iced tea w/sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 380

10:00 a.m.
2 glasses water – 00

11:30 a.m.
Leftovers from Mexican restaurant – 450 (used light sour cream)
2 tbsp salsa -- 10
1 glass water – 00
Subtotal: 460
12:00 p.m.
1 cup homemade cocoa with sucanat & sweet & low – 50
1 sugar free popsicle – 15
Subtotal: 65

2:19 p.m.
20 pistachios – 85
1 glass water -- 00
Subtotal: 85

4 p.m.
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Subtotal: 80

4:45 p.m.
Quesadilla made out of:
2 corn tortillas – 110
½ cup fat free refried beans – 80
2 tbsp light sour cream – 40
2 tbsp salsa – 10
Cut up lettuce – 5
Subtotal: 235

6:00 p.m.
Few bites of apple – 25
4 dark chocolate chips – 20
2 mini home made corn muffins – 60
2 glasses water – 00
Subtotal: 105

Total Daily Calories: 1,504

Day 4 -- Body Band

Well, I got up at 6 again, so I'm on a roll. Today is Gaiam Pilates Body Band Workout with Ana Caban. I put it in and am irritated that it's a full four minutes of instructions ABOUT Body Band before the workout begins. I fast forward until they start. Patience is a virtue, it's just not one of mine.

If you've never done Pilates, google it beforehand so you know what a Pilates stance is for your feet. They assume everybody knows this terminology, and I only know it from the Windsor Pilates series (another DVD program I bought). If I didn't, I'd be lost, because they don't specifically show you what that means.

This particular program is kind of bland, with instructions coming from Ana Caban's voiceover. The three ladies remind me of balletic robots, stoically obeying the instructor's directions without cracking a smile. Geez, if Pilates makes you that happy, I'm not so sure about this. But I am committed, so I plow on.

Ana Caban is easy enough to follow, and although I wouldn't call this a rousing routine, at the end of it, I feel warm. Considering how sore I've been in my core the last couple of days, I think that's a good thing. It's also 7:45, and I'm ready to shower and start my day.

If you're into hard core workouts, this probably isn't for you. If you are sore, however, or suffering an injury, you'll feel stretched out and warmed up, but not sweaty when you're done. Gotta wake up the little one, and I'm off for the day.

It turned out to be a high calorie day for me, almost 1,800 calories. I ate out for breakfast and lunch, then had a higher calorie dinner than usual -- Friday is Family movie Night for us -- and also a sweet treat. Keeping track of my calories has me looking even closer at nutrition labels, and I was shocked to discover that Weight Watchers of all things has an extremely high sugar content for its ice cream line -- 20 grams of sugar -- versus 10 grams of sugar for my Slim a Bear ice cream cookie. The good thing about it is, knowing I have to write it down somewhere (and share it with people -- horror!) has me thinking twice about what I am eating and drinking.

The night finished with "Catch Me If You Can," which is an excellent Leonardo Dicaprio movie, and if you haven't seen it yet, rent it. It's great, and based on a true story.

Tomorrow, onto Core Secrets. Eating journal is below. Night.

Friday, 12-4-09:

6:45 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
Subtotal: 68

8:45 a.m. bagel shop
¼ chocolate chip bagel – 80
1 tsp butter – 50
2 eggs – 140
2 cups water – 00
2 packets ketchup – 30

Subtotal: 300

12:00 p.m. – Mexican restaurant
10 tortilla chips with salsa – 160
½ spicy chicken fajita wrap with guacamole & sour cream – 500
Subtotal: 660

6:00 p.m.
1 slice cheese pizza – 250 (home-made, small slices)
1 slice pepperoni pizza – 250
1 salad w ½ oz. Havarti cheese & handful of walnuts – 80
1 bowl salad w/3 tbsp low fat vinaigrette dressing – 60
1 slim-a-bear – 100
Subtotal: 540

8:00 p.m.
8 melba toast crackers – 100
2 tbsp red pepper hummus – 70
Water – 00
Subtotal: 170

Total Daily Calories: 1,748

Day 3 -- 10-Minute Solution Six Pack Abs

Okay, I kind of cheated. Not exactly, but sort of. I woke up at 6 but didn't get out of bed until 7. So sue me. It was too late to exercise, so I decided I'd do it later. I really meant to do the Body Band DVD today, but after I had gotten everybody off to school, I met my friend, Kelly, at the lake and walked for 35 minutes at a brisk pace. By the time I got home and ready to hit it, it was almost 11:30. I blame Kelly. (sorry, Kell.)

So I gave myself a pass on Body Band and did 10 Minute Solution Six Pack Abs instead. That's not really cheating, is it?

The best thing about the 10 Minute Solution DVD is obviously that it's fast. That means, however, you get about 15 seconds of stretching, and you start. It seems that every fitness DVD feels obligated to throw in stretching, however cursory it might be; I wish they would just say, "Go jump rope for 5 minutes before starting" or tell you to run around the block first, so you can really warm up.

At any rate, I was warmed up from the walk, so I didn't have a problem getting right into it. The Six Pack Abs section is devoted to abs, and it's all done on the floor, so you need some kind of mat or rug to be on.

I start out with the 15-second stretch, and then she has me on my back, pulling toward the ceiling, and the pain hits immediately. I am sore in my core, let me tell you. This makes me happy, because it means all this stuff is working, but I am also panting like it's Lamaze class by the time we get five minutes into it. Because it's so short, you would think it should fly by, but when you're sore, nothing flies by. 10 long and painful minutes later, I am finished.

If you have any short fitness DVD's, please post and let me know about them. I am always looking for a shortcut on days when I have little time.

It's 11:30 a.m. now, and I am done working out for today. Yay! I have a list a mile long to get done, so it's off to shower & get some lunch, then I can tackle the tasks.

It ended up being an extremely busy, long day. I made a bunch of real estate-related calls (I'm taking a class), then had an early dinner, took the girls out to 5 Below as a reward for A's on quizzes, then Food Lion, then we all did homework until 9:10 p.m. When 8:30 hit, I was so hungry, I couldn't take it, so I had a small sandwich while supervising homework and watching "Survivor". Russell is an evil genius, don't you think?

By the way, here's a little secret your skinny friends who eat 1,200 or 1,300 calories a day won't tell you: They're HUNGRY. Don't hate them, feel sorry for them.

I'm off to bed now, and up for Body Band in the morning. Here's my eating journal for today.

Thursday, 12-8-09:

8:00 a.m.
2 glasses water – 00
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
Subtotal: 68

9:30 a.m.
1 egg – 70
1 honey wheat English muffin – 120
14 grapes – 50
1 packet yogurt raisins – 120
Subtotal: 360

11:00 a.m.
1 glass water – 00

12:00 p.m.
1 glass water – 00
3 pieces corn bread – 300
1 bowl salad w/2 tbsp low fat vinaigrette dressing – 45
1 bowl home-made butternut squash soup – 80
1 tbsp light sour cream – 40
Subtotal: 465

3:00 p.m.
1 glass iced tea with lemon & sweet & low – 00
Quesadilla made out of:
2 corn tortillas – 110
½ cup fat free refried beans – 80
2 tbsp light sour cream – 40
2 tbsp salsa – 10
Cut up lettuce – 5
16 dark chocolate chips – 80
Subtotal: 325

5:15 p.m.
Small piece ham – 80
½ cup stuffing – 160
½ cup corn – 80
1 piece corn bread – 100
1 glass iced tea with sweet & low – 00
Subtotal: 420

8:30 p.m.
1 slice sourdough bread – 140
2 small slices turkey – 120
Dab hot mustard and horseradish – 10
Lettuce, sweet peppers – 5
2 glasses of water – 00
Subtotal: 275

Total Daily Calories: 1,913

Day 2 -- Core Rhythms Dance Exercise Program

Well, day 2 is upon me, and I'm up early, 6:30, so I am ready to work out by 7. I really wanted to do the Quick Start workout to make it easy on myself, but I decide that is not a fair trial, so I do the full-length, 39-minute workout. Today I'm using the Core Rhythms Dance Exercise Program, led by Jaana Kunitz and Julia Powers.

The first thing I realize as I'm warming up is, I'm sore from yesterday's Billy Blanks workout. Not only is my core sore, my back is sore. I'm not sure this is a good thing, but obviously some new muscles got worked yesterday.

If you decide to buy this DVD, do the Kick Start first, or you're going to be lost.
As for me, I'm sweating three minutes into this workout, so I know it's working. There are a few times I get lost -- thank God no one can see me -- and I'm boosted by my teenage daughter poking her head in and saying, "That's creepy." Thanks, baby.

I realize one mistake I made pretty early on: I forgot to bring water. I regret this throughout the entire workout. Note to self: Don't forget the water! I basically enjoyed this workout, although I must say that Julia Powers makes some whack-a-doodle gestures with her mouth. She also reminds me ever so slightly of Natasha on "Rocky & Bullwinkle," with her accent. But never mind, this was a decent workout, and it definitely focuses on the core, which is where I need to lose weight. Best of all, it's not even 8 a.m., and I have finished my workout without leaving home.

Tonight is Bunco night, with me, 11 other ladies, and a spread of food and drinks fit for an army. I am hoping our host is not an overachiever, who has to have every bad-for-you food known to man. I am determined to eat well throughout the day, so maybe I can have a little leeway tonight.

Okay, so I'm home, and I survived Bunco! -- which I'm renaming "Butt-grow," because there's so much bad-for-you food served, although tonight was kind of lighter on food than usual. I consumed a little more than I should today (slightly over 1,800 calories), but I'm not too worried about it. I feel okay, although my back is hurting, and I'm pleasantly tired. If you have any good tips on how to curb overeating at social gatherings, please post and let me know.

Here's my eating journal for today. Bed now, then Body Band workout in the morning.

Wednesday, 12-2-09:

8:00 a.m.
1 glass water – 00
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
Subtotal: 68

9:45 a.m.
1 glass water – 00
1 honey wheat English muffin – 120
2 poached eggs – 140
14 red seedless grapes -- 60
Subtotal: 300

10:00 a.m.
1 cup coffee – 00
3 tbsp organic creamer – 52
1 tsp sucanat – 16
Subtotal: 68

12:00 p.m.
1 packet tuna in water – 90
1 tbsp light mayo – 35
1 thins bread – 100
Mustard, veggies – 15
Iced tea with sweet & low – 00
Pack of yogurt raisins – 120
Subtotal: 360

3:15 p.m.
½ oz pistachios (25) – 85
1 single serving cottage cheese w/pineapple – 130
Iced tea w/sweet & low -- 00
Subtotal: 215
5:50 p.m.
1 glass water – 00
3 pieces corn bread – 300
1 bowl salad w/2 tbsp low fat vinaigrette dressing – 45
1 bowl home-made butternut squash soup – 80
1 tbsp light sour cream – 40
1 sugar free popsicle -- 15
Subtotal: 480

7-9 p.m. Bunco night
1 glass Riesling wine – 140
4 tbsp queso –
12 tortilla chips – 140
Small bite brownie – 60
2 meatballs – 60
1 bottle water – 00
Subtotal: 400

Total Daily Calories: 1,827

Day 1 -- Billy Blanks Jump Start Cardio

Well, it's the end of Day 1, and I survived, although certainly not perfectly (see my eating log below).

The day began with no alarm clock, so everybody got up late, including me, at 7 a.m. That is not enough time for me to get the older girls off to school and do a workout, so I decided to wait until the little one goes to school.

Stephen informs me he's working from home today, which means an inevitable trip to McDonald's. Ugh. I am standing there staring blankly at the breakfast menu, wondering how in the world this can fit into my diet. I've just (yesterday!) started an article about how much the dollar menu actually costs you in terms of waistline expenditures, and I'm dreading having to write down somewhere that I went to a fast food joint.

At any rate, I choose the lesser of many evils, and opt for the Egg McMuffin without cheese. That costs me 280 calories, which isn't bad for McDonald's. Probably the worst thing I did was drink half a Diet Coke. If you haven't drank diet soda for awhile, it tastes like I would imagine battery acid tasting. Yuck. One of the best things I've done diet-wise in the last few weeks is stop drinking regular soda, but I get a hankering for a soda now and again, so I'm choosing diet when I must.

I get home and don't want to hit the workout with my McMuffin still digesting, so I clean the older girls' room (think "The Day After") for 90 minutes, and then finally bite the bullet. I'm a wuss, so I put in Billy Blanks' Tae Bo Amped DVD -- it comes with four of them -- the easiest one, "Jump Start Cardio." Billy is extremely likeable, and I'm fairly familiar with this workout, so I'm taking it easy on myself to start out (thus, the wuss).

It's been about a month since I've done the Tae Bo Amped workout, and someone has been playing with my amplifier. The amplifier is a 3-lb. bar that comes with the workout package, and it has three settings on it. A month ago, it worked perfectly. Today, it does not.

The amplifier keeps opening and closing on me, and I find this extremely distracting. I nickname it "the irritator." My new tennis shoes are no help, either, and I just cleaned the fake wood floor yesterday, so I'm sliding all over the place, trying to keep the bar in the correct position and not knock myself out with it.

At any rate, I survived and actually got a pretty good workout. I just love Billy Blanks, because he screws up and just keeps going anyway. That's endearing to me, because I am screwing up right along with him, and he's smiling, so it must be okay.

I felt pretty good the rest of the day, and I wonder if I'll be sore tomorrow. Since I'm also trying to stick to a good diet, see my eating log below.

Thanks for tuning in. If you have any good home DVD's you use that you could recommend, please let me know. I'm off, but I'll be back here tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel. And don't forget, "Biggest Loser" is on tonight! Go Danny!
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Eating Journal:

Tuesday, 12-1-09:

9:30 a.m.
Egg McMuffin without cheese – 280
½ small diet coke – 00
Subtotal: 280

11:00 a.m.
2 small pretzels – 20
1 glass water – 00
Subtotal: 20

12 p.m.
1 bowl salad – 50
2 tbsp low fat vinaigrette dressing – 45
8 melba toast crackers – 100
2 tbsp garlic
Subtotal: 265


4:15 p.m.

BBQ chicken wrap from McDonald’s (UGH) – 260
Bottle water – 0
hummus – 70
Subtotal: 260

6:30 p.m.

Quesadilla made out of:
2 corn tortillas – 110
½ cup fat free refried beans – 80
2 tbsp light sour cream – 40
2 tbsp salsa – 10
Cut up lettuce – 5
2 glasses water – 0
Subtotal: 230

6:45 p.m.
Yogurt raisins (small box) – 120
Few strawberries – 30
Subtotal: 150

9:30 p.m.
2 sugar-free popsicles (while watching Biggest Loser) -- 30

Total Daily Calories: 1,235

Do Exercise DVD's Really Work? 30 Days to See

Well, I've officially fallen off the wagon. The wagon isn't anywhere in sight, and I am tired of being overweight.

I was thinking of this the other day when I was going through our DVD collection trying desperately to find the Wii Sports DVD that the kids had misplaced (again), when I came across a multitude of exercise DVD's that I've bought over the years: Tae Bo Amped!; Windsor Pilates; Core Secrets; Core Rhythms (abs are an issue for me, can you tell?); 10-Minute Abs; and I'm not sure if that covers all of them.

It occurred to me, I've spent a ton of money on these things, and I'm still overweight. What's the deal? Are they full of crap? Do they work? Are they boring? They all promise skinny-heaven, and I haven't reached it yet.

So here's the deal. I'm going to do 5-6 days of home exercise DVD's for 30 days and report back to you as to which ones work, which ones are boring, which ones are worth the money. I'd love to hear from you about your favorites, should anyone other than my Mom read this, and how you keep fit. I may not get there by the New Year, but hopefully by Christmas, I'll be back on track to my skinny pants.

Wish me luck!