Sunday Weigh In

Well...I am not saying it works, but...I have lost every week since I have been doing this daily fast.  I am down 1.4 pounds this week to 241.6.  And I was not perfect.  I was ok.  I am only 1.7 pounds from my Kentucky goal!  I leave on Wednesday.

Funny Friday

30 day challenge - update

I'm still doing pretty well.  But I would like to make this more consistent so I think I am going to come up with a 30 WEEK plan.  Each week will equal one day on the calendar.  The 30 day challenges just up the ante so quickly.  I think I would get more out of it if I was doing something a long term and consistently.

I'll share as soon as I get it together.

Tomatoes are done.

I just used the last of my friend's tomatoes from his garden.  :(  I had plates full of tomato and avo this week, but the veggies will be changing soon.  Boo!

This is a logistics problem. Ideas welcome.

I am trying to walk home from work 3 times a week.  This should be doable.  I have worked out all of the things that made it difficult.

1 - Having clothes to walk home.
I have been bringing my big backpack of clothes to meetings.  Are clients not going to give me work if I have a backpack?  No.  I need to put my health first.

2 - My purse and shoes are very heavy.
I have been keeping my purse at work and just bringing my money and keys home.  If I have another meeting, I have other purses.  I need to think about my fashion boots as the weather gets cooler.

Maybe keep a pair of fashion boots at work?

The weather was divine this week but it will turn to winter shortly.  That is ok - I've got winter workout clothes.

Monday Motivation

10 days until I leave!  Next week I will try the dress on and post.  Here is the motivational question... How many workouts will I do while on holiday to ensure I can still fit into the dress?

Sunday Weigh In

Down another .8.  Unfortunately, this is the fourth time this year I have gotten to this place.  I need to keep it going!  The fasting seems to be keeping me on track.  It hasn't been 100% but pretty consistent.

Funny Friday

Firstly, I wish I could do this hang.  Just hanging is impossible for these arm muscles!  Second, it is Friday and very excited to get some more healthy living in!

We eat with our eyes

I spend a lot of time in cafes.  My job is to take as many clients for a coffee that I possibly can.
I see treats everywhere.
Every gas station
Every cafe
Every check out aisle

Goodies are everywhere.  I am usually pretty good with ignoring the treats but when you get tired, angry, emotional...the treats are soooo good.   WebMD gives the following advice:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/13-ways-to-fight-sugar-cravings#1

• Give in a little. Eat a bit of what you’re craving, maybe a small cookie or a fun-size candy bar, suggests Kerry Neville, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and ADA spokeswoman. Enjoying a little of what you love can help you steer clear of feeling denied. Try to stick to a 150-calorie threshold, Neville says.
• Combine foods. If the idea of stopping at a cookie or a baby candy bar seems impossible, you can still fill yourself up and satisfy a sugar craving, too. "I like combining the craving food with a healthful one," Neville says. "I love chocolate, for example, so sometimes I’ll dip a banana in chocolate sauce and that gives me what I’m craving, or I mix some almonds with chocolate chips." As a beneficial bonus, you'll satisfy a craving and get healthy nutrients from those good-for-you foods.
• Go cold turkey. Cutting out all simple sugars works for some people, although "the initial 48 to 72 hours are tough," Gerbstadt says. Some people find that going cold turkey helps their cravings diminish after a few days; others find they may still crave sugar but over time are able to train their taste buds to be satisfied with less.
• Grab some gum. If you want to avoid giving in to a sugar craving completely, try chewing a stick of gum, says nutrition advisor Dave Grotto, RD, LDN. "Research has shown that chewing gum can reduce food cravings," Grotto says.
• Reach for fruit. Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You'll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, says certified addiction specialist Judy Chambers, LCSW, CAS. "Have them handy so you reach for them instead of reaching for the old [sugary] something."
• Get up and go. When a sugar craving hits, walk away. "Take a walk around the block or [do] something to change the scenery," to take your mind off the food you’re craving, Neville suggests.
• Choose quality over quantity. "If you need a sugar splurge, pick a wonderful, decadent sugary food," Moores says. But keep it small. For example, choose a perfect dark chocolate truffle instead of a king-sized candy bar, then "savor every bite -- slowly," Moores says. Grotto agrees. "Don’t swear off favorites -- you’ll only come back for greater portions. Learn to incorporate small amounts in the diet but concentrate on filling your stomach with less sugary and [healthier] options."
• Eat regularly. Waiting too long between meals may set you up to choose sugary, fatty foods that cut your hunger, Moores says. Instead, eating every three to five hours can help keep blood sugar stable and help you "avoid irrational eating behavior," Grotto says. Your best bets? "Choose protein, fiber-rich foods like whole grains and produce," Moores says.

My strategy is all of these things.  I'm not a binger, but I can't have sugar everyday so I think I need to spend more time not have any than a little bit.  I already good at having a little bit. :)

This came up on my Facebook

My mouth watered.  Why am I still craving McDonalds?
I just googled "why is McDonalds made from" and this article from a few years ago came up:

Dec 6, 2015 - Widespread claims that McDonald's uses "pink slime" in its meat are a myth. The company says it removed the substance from its meat three years ago. "Lean finely textured beeftreated with ammonia, what some individuals call 'pink slime' or select lean beef trimmings, is not used in our burgers.

Its not that the pink slime didn't exist, they just don't use it anymore!!!!!  AMMONIA!!!  We were EATING AMMONIA!!!!

Then read another article (see link) http://www.thankyourbody.com/mcdonalds-hamburger/

that again reiterates the chemicals in processing.  This is for the bun:

Lets look at just a few of the above ingredients:

• Ammonium chloride… sounds tasty right? Did you know it is also an ingredient in fireworks, safety matches and contact explosives? Eat up.
• Ammonium sulfate is used most commonly as an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils. It’s also in flame retardant materials. Ammonium sulfate activates yeast, so it helps to get industrially produced bread to rise.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY need to do some hypnothearapy so that when I see anything with the golden arches, it makes me sick.  The AWESOME news....haven't had any of this crap in my body for YEARS!!!!! :)

Monday Motivation

The little yellow dress may be the picture of the week every week until I leave on my vacation!  It is my main motivation at the moment.

The weekend is almost done.  Today's goals are a walk, strength workout with trainer and Hot Yin class.  This afternoon I am planning on doing some listening to some motivation downloads and do some goal setting.  Long weekend done.

But...we have next Tuesday off.  What will I do for that (kindof) long weekend????  Planning this afternoon!!!!

Sunday Weigh In

Half way through the Easter weekend and down over two pounds this week!  Weighed in a 243.2.
I have had a great Friday and Saturday.  I have stayed to my schedule with some calculated changes.  I have seen my friends and don't feel I have deprived myself.  And the fasting is going ok.  I think I need to track exactly how many hours I am fasting every day.  I think it is pretty consistent with 16/8 but tracking will be the best way to ensure I am staying to the fast.

Happy Easter humor -

Successful start

I got everything in for my workouts today. It was a great day!

I started off with the Pookeys and Lisa joining me for my morning walk. Great morning for it!
After a peppermint tea, the Pookeys and I went to Hot Yin yoga.
The best news is that they both enjoyed it so hopefully they will continue to go with me.

I had a lovely brekkie of poached eggs and avocado.

And then, I met all the boys for a dance party.  What a great way to get my cardio in!  When was the last time I needed a stamp for a party!!!!

Funny Friday

To all those that celebrate Easter...

Day 1

Because I could, I started my 16/8 fast today instead of tomorrow.
I'm hungry.

I think I didn't eat enough food and I actually did a 14/6.
It will be interesting to see how I am feeling tomorrow.

The pookeys are doing my first two things with me tomorrow.  YEA!  We are walking around the park at 8:00am and then all going to Hot Yin at 9:30.  And....the boys have talked me into going to a big dance party tomorrow in lieu of my afternoon cardio. :)  It is a fun way to burn calories.  Of course, everyone will be drinking and I'll just be having water but that is ok.  Keep burning calories and drinking water and it will all come good.

If I am at the dance party, not sure how I'll get my 6pm dinner in?  Maybe I'll leave at 6?

Another friend tells me to fast

I have been intrigued with Scab's daily fast routine since he started and I have blogged about this before.  There is so much online about both the 5/2 diet and daily fasting.

My friend Greg has recently lost an enormous amount of weight on 5/2 and he genuinely does not find it difficult.

My friend Anna told me she has done very well on the daily fast and she has talked me into giving it a go for a few weeks.  I have seen the results that Scab has had over the years so it is another person who has been successful.  I want to look good in this yellow dress and I am still battling this up and down weight loss.  If daily fasting will help me, then I am all for it.

For the next three weeks, I am going to try and fit all of my meals into a window between 12-8pm.   I will be skipping breakfast and not eating until lunch.  This will allow my body to reset for 16 hours every day.

The research is all over the place on this but lets give it a go.  I'll start on my big fat loss weekend and see if it kickstarts anything.  It will be interesting to see what the scale says on Sunday.

Schedule request sent

I have sent out the following schedule to some of my regular workout friends.  This is my weekend and I am PSYCHED to do an at home fat camp.

Hello!

If I haven’t already spewed my Easter plans at you…I am planning on spending my four days off to get some weight off or as I’m now calling it…getting sunny.

I am doing my own fat camp. I am assuming that NO ONE is going to want to do this with me, but… several of you have said you would do one class or walk, etc with me. :)

Or, at the end of each night, there is time to see friends, watch a movie, or whatever.  You can volunteer for that as well.

So, here is the schedule.  It can be changed so if you are interested in doing something but need another time, let me know.  I am flexible.

Looking forward to being sunny!

FRIDAY

8:00 - WALK (location TBD)

9:30 - Hot Yin in Prahran (stretch class that is in a heated room)

11:00 - John Assraf class

12:00 - lunch

1:00 - strength with Anita (582 gym)

2:00 - cardio TREADING class (582 gym)

3:00 - swim (optional) (582 gym) or apartment zumba or 30 day challenge

4:00 - spa/massage (TBD)

5:30 - dinner

6:00 - meet friends or movie/relax

Monday Motivation

Sunday Weigh In

Another bad weigh in.  245.8.
I am looking forward to this week and my special long weekend of activity.
Next week's weigh in I am expecting a great number!

Bring on the Qantas lounge!

I FINALLY did it.  My goals of:
1 - no cookies from the Qantas lounge and
2 - one workout while I was on business in Sydney... were realised!
I did it!

On Thursday morning in the lounge, I only had bircher for brekkie which was my plan.  I did not have anything else on the plane except tea.  So my plan worked!  Lunch was a chicken wrap.  But as expected, it was finger food for dinner.  I did NOT drink and had mineral water.  But I did have all the little snacks.  I was hungry and the event went from 6pm to 10pm.

Friday, I made some pretty good choices.
But, after I got home Friday night I was exhausted.  I had a glass of wine and nachos.
It was Friday night!!!!!!

Funny Friday

Don't we all expect results right away?  I am on two years of trying to do a boy push up and one day, I will get there.

June is three years

There is no time limit on it, but I have been slowly working my way to a boy push up.  Honestly, I did not think it would take me this long.  I am almost at the three year point and am much closer, but still a fair way off.  I think I am about 16-20" from doing a proper boy push up.  Remember I started with absolutely no upper body strength.  I was standing against a wall and have slowly made my way down.  This video is not my lowest.  I can do one push up if it is lowered to the next bar.  Maybe every Wednesday I will post my progress.  Or at least once a month.  It would be some awesome if I could do one by June.  Or maybe June next year! :)

Hilton gym is beautiful

I'm planning for my business trip for the next two days.   I don't know the people I am going to be with and I am fine to not drink with them.  I can just have water.  I am meeting a friend for a drink.  He will expect me to be drinking so that may be a bit more difficult.  The lunches and dinners should be ok - it is usually chicken or protein with veg.  If there is cocktails with appetisers - that is a bit more difficult.  There is no such thing as a healthy appetiser at a cocktail party!

The two things I can plan and control:

1 - Sweets in the Qantas club are strictly off limits!  No cookies from the cookie jar next to the tea.  I can have as much fruit as I want.  The bircher is delicious.

2 - I will work out at least once over the two days.  If I do I can go to the beautiful spa at the hotel.

EVERYDAY!

This is what everyone stuggles with in the real world.  Don and I go to lunch at the pub.

Don gets the chicken snitzel, fries and a gin and tonic.
I get the quinoa salad and a water.
It is not easy to make healthy choices all the time.
Things that make it easier are less socialising.  Less eating out.  Fewer bars.  Less time with people who are not supportive.

Monday Motivation

My motivation for the month is looking good in my dress for Kentucky.  Here is my motivation!!! :)

Sunday Weigh In

Today I feel that weight is just a number.  I am not the number on the scale.  But it is so good to check in and realise that I need to be more true to my health.  April will be good.