Workin with the Big Boys

Day 265,

Tonight I worked out with Skully and Larry. I'm pretty sure that simple tasks like washing my hair, brushing my teeth or typing will be quite painful tomorrow. These guys don't mess around and that's exactly why I worked out with them.

I had a wardrobe malfunction that could have easily precipitated a trip home after work before hitting the gym. I called Tony to tell him that I was going to the YMCA near our house instead of working out with him. But, deep down I knew that if I came home first, I would skip it. I turned my car around for the second time and called my husband back to tell him that YES I was coming to work out with him and Larry. This is exactly what I needed too. I knew that I would exercise harder with them and, of course, it would keep me from skipping.

Ordinarily, I stay away from the Bench Press when I'm by myself since I don't have a spotter. That was not the case tonight. So, I gave it a shot. My max weight was 95 lbs on the flat bench and 85lbs on the incline. Not too shabby for a girl. Just don't ask me to wave at you tomorrow. I don't think I'll have it in me. I did sissy out on the pushups though. :)

Tomorrow is legs. I'm going to try and workout with them again. I should probably have a walker or some crutches handy for Wednesday. Wish me luck!

Cheers!
Margaret

Breakfast Burgers??

Day 264,

My Husband cracks me up

Titan's Football tailgating is not the most figure friendly event. Today was no exception. 1800 calories per day adds up with the quickness. By the time, we left the stadium I had consumed exactly 50% of my calories for the day. Given that it was 4 pm, this is not so bad.

But, I was hungry when I got home. Decisions.... Decisions... Yummy Chocolate cake that I made last night at roughly 300 of the 900 calories I have left for the day or a can of Progresso Soup and an Apple at less than 200 calories? I chose the latter and I'm better off for it. Not only was this a more satisfying meal and a good calorie value, but it also contained about a 1/4 of the fat. I've had plenty of fat today.

It must be noted that I avoided the Fried chicken, oatmeal raisin cookies and jello shots that were available during today's tailgating festivities. I just kept thinking "If you eat it, you have to count the calories. Is it worth it?"

I'll be hungry again by 7 pm and that is fine. Tonight's dinner will be leftover chili from last night. My chili is delicious and made with 93% Extra Lean Ground Beef. This will still leave me with a few hundred calories to play with should I decide that popcorn is in order for the True Blood season finale tonight.

Good Way to end the week. I might even sneak in an evening walk for good measure.

Cheers!
Margaret

Grumpy Grumperson

Day 263,

I'm in a pissy mood. I've had the most negative attitude lately. It hit me today that the reason I'm so grumpy is because of my inconsistency. I'll have a great week and then I'll have a crap week. I have not lost a pound in over a month. Actually, I've gained and lost the same three pounds over and over again.

I had a fantastic week the week before Labor Day. But, we went to Ohio for the holiday weekend and I just fell apart. I was at the mercy of other people's food choices. Friday night - Pizza. Saturday: Hot Dogs, Sausages and Birthday cake. Sunday: Oh My God --- More Pizza and wings and chips and queso. Let's not forget the beer. I call it the "lost" weekend. It will be a LONG time before I can eat pizza again. A very VERY LONG time.

We arrived home Monday night. During our long trip home we received a call that our upstairs bathroom was flooding into our downstairs bathroom. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as we thought. But, it meant that we had no water when we got home. The up-side is that I got up Tuesday morning and went to the YMCA for a workout and shower.

I skipped Wednesday and Thursday due to back pain. Our mattress is absolutely killing my back. This fact became painfully evident after we got back from Ohio. By Wednesday, I could barely move. Today, we bought a new mattress and I just have to suffer until Thursday. I may not make it.

Last night, I tried my hand at Yoga. I thought it might help my back. It did a little. But, it was an awkward sight to behold at best. Thank goodness I was home alone. :) I thought I would do it at home before I tried it out at the YMCA. I'm glad I did. My yoga skills are not ready for the viewing public. I think I"ll stick to weights and the elliptical at the Y.

Cheers!
Margaret

Four-peat

Day 254,

Yesterday I hit the exercise Trifecta. Today, I managed a Four-Peat. I'm so sore, I may need copious amounts of ibuprohen, a tube of Ben Gay, a few Icy Hot patches, and a cane just to get around tomorrow. But, I'm content.

I've been working my way back into the game for weeks... possibly months now. And, I finally feel like I'm there. I've been seeking motivation from others like Sean Anderson who has a blog called The Daily Diary of a Winning Loser. His story is so inspirational. He started out at 505 pounds a little over two years ago and today, at 239 lbs, he is just a few pounds from his goal.

I am particularly fond of his "Calorie Bank and Trust". I've created one for myself. My bank has 1800 calories per day in it. I can choose whatever I want, so long as I stay at or below 1800 calories. I'm not exactly sure what to do with the leftovers yet. 

I've stayed well within the 1800 this week. But, I missed breakfast yesterday and today and that is just not acceptable. The very nature of the term Breakfast is to Break the fast that your body goes through during sleep. Eating breakfast jump starts your metabolic furnace. I had snacks at the office to eat and forgot them too because I got busy. I know better. I will do better.

Today I ate:
Burrito Bowl from Chipotle with steak, rice, beans, salsa and cheese
Which Wich Sub and House Chips
Small Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream from Marble Slab Creamery

1521 Calories Total
38% Carbs
39% Fat
23% Protein 

Tomorrow, we migrate north to Newton Falls, Ohio for the long holiday weekend. I'm excited to see my friends and can't wait to enjoy some down time.

Cheers!
Margaret

Weeds!

First let's recap since my last post.

Day 241, 242, 243 - Race Weekend. Good Times. Suspect Behavior.
Day 243 - Back at work. Tired and feeling every bit my age. 
Day 244 - 248 - Sick with a Sinus infection. Training new temporary employee. Exhausted.
Day 249 - Feeling Better
Day 250 - Music City BBQ Festival - A blast, but not my finest nutritional moment.

Day 251 - Back to reality again. Workout - check. Good eating - check.
Day 252 - Workout - Check. Good eating - Check.

And..... we're back.

Day 253,

Have you ever noticed how bad habits are like weeds -- easy to develop, spread like wild fire and are hard as hell to get rid of? I constantly find myself reverting back to old behaviors simply out of habit. I've backslid into drinking a lot of Diet Coke at the office instead of water. This has been partially enabled by the fact that our water filter at the office has been broken all week and tap water is all that's available. (Sue me.. I'm a water snob). But, we all know that's just an excuse. My lack of "hydration" is showing up on my skin too. My neck looks like I'm 14 and not in a good way!

Apart from my struggle with water intake and pre-pubescent acne, this week has been great so far. My at work stressor is out of the country. I have a new temporary employee who is helping me and is eager to do a good job. She asks a lot of questions, but that goes with the territory when you're training someone new. It's a four day work week for me, which will be followed by another four day week thanks to the holiday. AND .. I've managed two workouts in a row and plan to make it a trifecta after work today.

Yesterday I ate:
Bacon and Biscuit
Chicken Salad Sandwich on Toasted Wheat
Taco Ring (Pampered Chef Recipe)
Chocolate Molten Lava cake (a frozen dessert which BLEW!)

1489 Calories; 33% Carbohydrates; 49% fat; 18% Protein
Too few calories, too much fat, not enough protein.

Cheers!
Margaret
232+ lbs.