AmyT's Journal (Comments Definitely Welcome!)

[lovinaz]

I survived!!! I only gained 1 lb from when I left, but it is still a very high weight (still in the 130's, but barely ). I think I should be able to drop a lb or two tomorrow just by eating healthy and drinking lots of water today. Who knows, PMS week is next week so I might be fighting a losing battle with the scale...

The Blue Man Group was GREAT!! We had seats 10 rows back, dead center. Couldn't have asked for better seats. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a chance to see it. THEhotel at Mandalay Bay is the nicest hotel I've ever stayed at. I felt underdressed walking around in jeans. It is all suites and the bathtub was SO enormous! I could sit straight up in it and the water would come up almost to my neck. I could also completely stretch out. VERY nice place! I lost my pre-determined amount of $$ on gambling, but it was fun! We also went to the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana. I bought a couple things at the Forum shops. I am glad to be back since I was sick of paying $10.75 for an omelette...

I am all set and motivated to start BFL on Monday! This weekend I will plan out at least a couple days of meals and make sure I have everything I need to get started. The key is to STAY motivated, which is my problem. I am sick of failing. I joined WISH in June and I have not lost any weight (and kept it off) since that time! It is pathetic! I am definitely in better shape since I have started consistently working out, but I HAVE to get the eating under control. This time I'll do it!
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Jane, sounds like you are ready!! I read in your journal that you got the book. I am assuming that answered your questions about the meals? You just pick a protein, pick a carb and add a veggie to at least 2 meals a day. Eat 6 meals per day and anything you want on Sunday. Sounds easy enough, huh? We are going to be in awesome shape when we are done! But I am going to have to stop short of the 12 weeks since our Disney cruise is 3/11... But I will kick butt until that time!

 

[Jane E.]

Welcome back, Amy! Sounds like you had a great time in Vegas. I'd love to see the Blue Man Group. Isn't Mandalay Bay the one with the huge pool? I think they had a wave pool or lazy river pool or both. When we were there we walked thru most of the bigger casinos. They were amazing to see, but I'd hate to have to live there. I see you're about as good at gambling as I am!

I've read some of the BFL journals too. I found Nicole's very encouraging. She broke down the workouts into manageable sections:
18 upper body
18 lower body
36 cardio

12 weeks sounds like a long time but when you break it down it doesn't seem that bad.

Have a great NYE!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Happy New Year, and wishes for success in 2006!

Amy, sounds like you had a great time on your trip. My parents are headed to Las Vegas in about 10 days, they're celebrating their 50th anniversary.
DH loves Blue Man Group, but we don't think my parents would quite enjoy that show. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Kate

 

[lovinaz]

Well, I forgot that we had a party to go to last night, so I totally blew it. I have just been on a weeklong binge and my weight has sky-rocketed! I didn't even weigh myself this morning, it was that bad... I did great until we got to the party. I actually didn't drink too much - I just had a small glass of Bailey's and that was it. But I ate too many cookies and bacon-wrapped shrimp... Today was off to a better start. I had 2 bowls of Corn Pops with skim milk and I haven't been hungry since. I should be able to behave today and tomorrow and hopefully I will be able to start the BFL challenge at 137 or less.

Here are some goals I have for the beginning of this year:
1) STICK TO MY BFL EATING PLAN 6 days a week (most important)
2) Work out at the gym at least 3x a week
3) Do a Pilates DVD at least 2x a week
4) Stop obsessing about my weight

I have not worked out since Dec 24th! But I figured I needed a break. Not to mention I had an unfotunate accident with DS's new pogo stick on Christmas Day that left my left butt cheek sore... I thought I had balance from doing Pilates all the time. Apparently Pilates balance is a whole different animal than pogo stick balance...

My goal for today is NO JUNK and at least 100oz of water. I will do it!
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Jane, I am so glad you are going to be on this BFL journey with me! We are going to kick some butt starting Monday!

Kate, Blue Man Group was so fun. I don't know what else your parents could do - there are tons of cool shows that are available.

 

[karynnix]

FINALLY, I made it back! You weren't the only one to go crazy eating over the holidays. I'm back to 136! It makes me so mad to think that just a month ago, I was under 130! Oh well, we live and learn...at least we're SUPPOSED to learn!!

I'm glad that your trip went well and that you are ready to start 2006 healthy! I've got to make some changes. We'll do better this year!!

 

[lovinaz]

At least I did well enough that I can post everything I ate yesterday! That is a pleasant change... I didn't eat a bunch of junk, but I only got in 60oz of water, so I didn't quite make my daily goal. Today's goal is to drink at least 100oz of water, do my Pilates Sculpt DVD and no snacking other than my 2 planned (healthy!) snacks. Tomorrow starts BFL eating! I am going to stick with it and kick some butt!!! The key for me will be to take it one day (and sometimes one hour) at a time. Yesterday's damage (60oz water; 1 glass wine; DC):

B-Corn Pops (2c); Skim Milk (1c)
L-Turkey-n-Provolone Sandwich; Doritos (1 serving); Pecans Halves (15)
S#1-Tropical Fruit Salad (1c)
S#2-Pretzels (15 waffles) and Hummus (less than 1/4c)
D-Schwans Chicken Marco Polo; Rice (1/2c); Corn (1/2c); Ice Cream (1c)
WORKOUT-None
RESISTED-Hershey's Kisses; Graham Frosting Sandwiches
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Karyn, I'm glad you are back! That holiday weight will come off in no time, never fear!

 

[gradtchr]

Hershey kisses are a tough item to resist. Congratulations!!

Happy New Year-it sounds like you have a plan. My husband and I follow the BFL diet and man does it work. It has now become our way of life and we can't go back (we've tried the past few weeks and been miserable) We're starting tomorrow with the workouts again and spent the money at the store to get our weeks worth of groceries.

 

[Jane E.]

You get into the weirdest accidents! Your knee finally heals and then you break your butt! I'm sure it sounds more humorous than it felt.

What type of a scale do you have? Is it accurate? About 5 years ago I looked for a scale but couldn't find any I liked. In the store whenever I'd stand on them they'd have a different reading each time. That said, I'm sick of doing weigh ins at the grocery store, especially since my regular store's scales haven't been working.

We are going to do this!!!!

 

[lovinaz]

I did decent yesterday. I went a little heavy on the sweets since I knew I would not be getting any until next Sunday... I accomplished all my daily goals (100oz water, working out, no snacking)! Today is the first day of the Body-for-Life eating plan. I am super motivated to stick to it! I'm sure the first couple weeks will be rough, but one day at a time I will succeed! I am starting the challenge at an embarrassing 139lbs. I can't believe I gained that much this past week! Tomorrow I go back to work (we get 7 paid days off during the holidays) so I can get back into some kind of routine. TODAY'S GOALS: Stick 100% to BFL eating, drink 100oz of water, work out. Yesterday's totals (100oz water, 2 glasses wine, DC):

B-Corn Pops (2c); Skim Milk (1c); Mini Powdered Sugar Donut
L-Grilled Ham-n-Provolone Sandwich; Cheetos (1 serving)
S#1-Almonds (10); Creme Savers (2)
S#2-Pretzels (10 waffles); PB (2 tbsp)
D-Grilled Chicken; Mashed Potatoes; Broccoli; Pudding; Ice Cream (1c)
WORKOUT-Pilates Sculpt DVD (55min)
RESISTED-Hershey's Kisses, more ice cream
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Beth, that is great to know that the BFL eating plan actually works! I can't wait to see results.

Jane, I don't know what the heck takes over my brain sometimes. I just remembered playing on pogo sticks when I was little and DS made it look so easy... It hurt doing squats while working out yesterday and it has been over a week! My scale is a Health-o-Meter Model HDR900. It is a digital readout. I have put my weights on there and it reads 10lbs, so I am assuming it is reasonably accurate. You're right, we are going to kick some butt!

 

[Jane E.]

I hope you heal quickly. Its no fun working out when you have to deal with pain. You're braver than I am. I couldn't do those darn pogo sticks even as a kid. I'd be lucky to jump 4X in a row.

Its after 5:30 and I can't believe that I'm not starving while waiting for dinner. I think having protein with each meal helps. I've just got to plan my meals better to make sure I get all 6 in tomorrow.

Thanks for the info on the scales. I'll check out the internet and see what I can come up with. I'm just tired of doing my weigh - in at a public place. Everyone walking by can see the darn scale. Its not so bad when you're 125 but at 159 - ugh!

Great job resisting those Hershey's chocolates. Dh offered to take me out for dinner to Chili's tonight but I told him we'd better wait for Sunday. I don't want to be tempted by those Long Islands on my first day of BFL.

 

[lovinaz]

I DID IT!!! I successfully completed my first day of BFL eating without cheating! I did only get in 5 meals, but I was not hungry all day. I will hopefully be able to get in all 6 today since I am back at work and woke up a lot earlier... Yesterday's totals (100oz water; Fresca):

8:30am: Egg Beaters (3/4c); Oatmeal
11:00am: Cottage Cheese (3/4c); Apple w/Cinnamon
1:15pm: Grilled Chicken (3oz); Sweet Potato w/Butter Buds & Cinnamon; Broccoli
4:00pm: Balance Bar
6:15pm: Ground Turkey (1/2c); Wheat Tortilla; Tomato
WORKOUT: The Firm Body Sculpt (50min)
RESISTED: Ice cream, Creme Savers
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Jane, I hope you can get a scale you like. Just don't get obsessed with it like I am! Weigh yourself once a day in the morning and NO MORE! That is great that you resisted Chili's and suggested waiting until Sunday!!! What a major accomplishment! Day 1 went a lot smoother than I thought. I will have to remember that on days where it is tough to stay on track...

 

[gradtchr]

Congratulations on finishing your first day so successfully!! It does take time to get used to eating the 6 meals but it's also so nice to know that you're not going to be hungry. all day. That's the trouble I was having with WW before I found BFL I was so scared of using my points before dinner that I wouldn't eat then I'd binge at dinner which blew it.

Have you gotten the BFL cookbook? I love that cookbook!!

 

[Jane E.]

Way to go, Amy!!!! You're off to a great start! You did better than I did with the eating. I only managed to get in 3 meals, forgot to eat my veggies at dinner, and didn't eat any fruit. On the positive side, I didn't have any cravings for peanut M&Ms!

I'm going to have to try those Butter Buds - I threw out 1/2 of my sweet potato - without butter & sugar its just not worth eating. The cinnamon and nutmeg just don't do it for me.

 

[karynnix]

That's a lot of food!! It's so hard to believe that you can actually eat MORE and lose weight. I like having a guideline to go by. I could do well with a personal chef! Good luck with it today!!

 

[lovinaz]

Another day without cheating! I do need to watch my portion control though. I know I ate too much at dinner, which is why I didn't get in my last snack. I might only be able to get in 5 meals per day. Today's weigh-in was 138. The scale was at 137 then flipped over at the last second, so I will hopefully see 137 tomorrow. I still can't believe I have ballooned back up to this weight. It is the week of pre-TOM weight gain, so I guess I should be happy as long as I am not gaining anything! Yesterday's totals (100oz water, 2 cups green tea, DC):

6:10am: Egg Beaters (3/4c); Oatmeal
8:35am: Balance Bar
11:40am: Chicken (3oz); Sweet Potato (1/2); Carrots (10 baby)
2:30pm: Cottage Cheese (1/2c); Apple
6:45pm: Turkey (3/4c); Wheat Spaghetti (1c); Zucchini (1c)
WORKOUT: Fat Burning Pilates DVD (45min); Walking (40min)
RESISTED: Every junk item in the pantry - I waited too long between my 2:30 snack and 6:45 dinner!
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Beth, I will have to check out the BFL cookbook. Right now I am sticking to pretty plain stuff until I get used to it. I'm sure after the first couple weeks I will get bored and want a change!

Jane, that is great that you were not craving junk! Isn't it amazing how eating the right stuff helps? You need to get those veggies in! By the end of this week we will be old pros at all this eating!

Karyn, it does seem like a lot of food, but really there are only 3 "big" meals and 3 snacks. I am going to put all my stuff on FitDay one of these days to see how many calories are in one day. I bet it is between 1200-1500.

 

[Jane E.]

You're doing a great job staying on program. The jalapeno crackers got to me last night. I finally had to dump them in the garbage so I'd quit eating them. I think having the protein at regular intervals during the day really helps to fight those sugar cravings. Keep up the good work - that scale will go down next week.

 

[lovinaz]

Another great day! I will most likely do OK until the weekend hits. Then it will be hard to stay on track. But I WILL do it! I finally got back to the gym yesterday. It felt nice to work out with weights again! I like the workout DVDs, but there is no substitute for the gym… I think my portions were much better this time. I actually got in 6 meals! My portions for dinner were small and I was hungry enough to eat that 8:30pm snack. Of course I felt guilty about it, but hey, you are SUPPOSED to eat it according to the book. And my weight was 137 this morning, so it didn’t do any damage! So far I have lost 2 lbs. Only 12 more to go… Yesterday I drank 100oz water, 2 cups green tea and a DC:

6:00am: Egg Beaters (1/2c); Oatmeal
8:30am: Balance Bar
11:30am: Chicken (3oz); Sweet Potato (1/2); Zucchini (1c)
2:30pm: Cottage Cheese (1/2c); Apple
6:30pm: Turkey Cutlet; Brown Rice (1/2c); Cauliflower
8:30pm: Cottage Cheese (1/2c); FF Yogurt
WORKOUT: Walking (40min); Weights (25min); Elliptical (30min)
RESISTED: Cookies and Chocolates in the breakroom
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Jane, at least you threw out the crackers! The old Jane would have eaten them until they were gone! I think I am getting used to this eating plan - I don't feel hungry except between the 2:30 snack and 6:30 dinner. There is no way I can space those closer together. But I haven't snacked, so it is tolerable!

 

[karynnix]

Great job yesterday! Keep it up!!!

 

[Jane E.]

Congrats on fitting all 6 meals in yesterday! Its funny how that four hour gap between meals can get to you. It definately helps to keep those meals 2 to 3 hours apart. I've noticed a big difference in how I feel if I skip (or should I say WHEN I skip) meals. I have the same problem with eating an 8pm snack that you have. It makes me feel . I'm so used to the 'no eating after 7pm' rule that its hard to get used to being allowed to have something to eat.

How are you feeling overall? I've got more energy now that my body's not processing all that sugar!

 

[lovinaz]

My friend that just moved here from NY begged me to go apartment hunting with her last night, so NO GYM! I feel really guilty about it because I can’t go today either. I will have to do a workout DVD tonight and get back to the gym tomorrow… Yesterday DS9 wanted Corn Pops for breakfast. The bean pole usually eats 2-3 huge bowls and the box was almost gone. I thought “NO, don’t eat those, I want them for breakfast on my free day!” but of course I didn’t say anything. He must have heard my mental plea because he only ate one bowl and then chose a different cereal for bowl #2… I ordered some 3oz individually wrapped chicken breasts and turkey medallions from Schwans. They are the perfect portion size and the turkey is just thaw and eat. Hopefully they are good – they won’t be delivered until the 14th so I will have to continue to cook extra meat until then. I’m going to have DH grill up a bunch of chicken again this weekend. That worked out really well. I had 100oz of water, 2 cups green tea, a DC:

6:00am: Egg Beaters (1/2c); Oatmeal
8:30am: Balance Bar
11:30am: Turkey Cutlet (3oz); Wheat Spaghetti (3/4c); Zucchini (1c)
2:30pm: Egg Whites (4); Apple
6:30pm: Shrimp (3oz); Brown Rice (1/2c); Peas (1/2c)
8:30pm: Cottage Cheese (1/2c); FF Yogurt
WORKOUT: Walking (40min)
RESISTED: Chocolate in the breakroom (come on people, the holidays are over!)
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Karyn, thanks! I need all the cheerleaders I can get!

Jane, I got in 6 meals again yesterday! And my weight was 136 this morning!!! I have a lot of energy and the only time I am hungry is around 5:30-6pm. Since I am not going to the gym today, I will try to eat my snack closer to 3-3:30 so there isn't such a huge gap... I love those Balance Bars (caramel nut blast and chocolate peanut butter). They have the same nutrition as the BFL bars (they actually have about 1/2 the sodium). They were on sale 2 for $8 at Target (and it is usually a 6pk but they had 2 free bars included). I will have to go back and get a couple more boxes!