Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Law of Attraction




Thoughts become things. My thoughts dictate the events in my life not only consciously and subconsciously.

The other day I was talking to someone who gave me clarity and she asked me how my weight loss was going because as I described to her, I had been struggling with my weight. She said, "Stop. Stop saying you are struggling because you are putting all your energies into the struggle and not telling yourself you are losing weight!"

How many times have I told myself I am struggling with my eating, struggling with going to the gym or even struggling with things in my life?! Too many times to count on my hands.

Her advice to me was to focus on my success and positive energies. My weight is the baggage I hold with me to protect me and when I release some of the negativity and self doubt then the weight will be released.

Quite a few people who have recently entered my life are energetic, dynamic etc. and have suggested the book The Law of Attraction. I've been reading it over the last couple of days and it refers to the positive vibration that we as individuals send out into the universe.

Right now, I'm vibrating like a huge tuning fork! What vibration are you sending out into the world?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Non Scale Victory!

I went for my weigh in and lost nothing. Yep, I maintained.

Today I got measurements done and since Jan. 22 I have lost four inches off my waist and 3 inches off my abs!

I've switched up the routines and have increased weights and reps.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Weigh In.

I had my official WW weigh on Wed. (today is Sunday) and I was down 4.4 pounds!

Sorry for the delay in putting the results out there. I was on a course for the last five days and I am finishing up today. I did four workouts this week with the course and eating was good. I found it especially hard when you are limited to menus in a hotel. More on that later..

I'm out the door for now..

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Week In Review

My goal this week up to the weight in on Wed. is to stay within my points each day, not dip into my activity or flex points, exercise, drink water and no grains or cheese.

I'm checking in today which is Monday and I have not eaten cheese or grains. I have to admit, eating popcorn in front of the TV is habit forming and what about homemade cheese nachos with olives, cheese, shallots. corn chip.. I did not eat any! I repeat! I craved the cheese and crunch at night but opted for more water and substituted it with celery, carrots and home made hummus.

Here are some of the things on my menu this week:

Spanish Omelet no cheese
Stir fry with greens, veggies and chicken
Baked Sweet Potatoes
MIxed Green Salads
Salmon
Sprout
Oranges
Blueberries
Steak
Baked Potatoes
Green Beans
Bok Choy
Kale
Swiss Chard
Daahl
Lentil Soup
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Carrots
Hummus


Water, still struggling but I will do it!

Exercise, damn schedule gets in the way but I have committed to going tonight which I did and tomorrow. Then, while I am on course, I have found a Spa Lady nearby that I will go to!

Today while exercising I wondered about a couple of things:

How can people read and exercise?

How can people talk to other people while exercising?

If they can do either then intensity isn't there..

Tired but still movin'

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I love Weights but Cardio, not so much!


Weights rock and cardio, not so much...

I love the pressure and the resistance in weights but cardio makes me feel 'uncomfortable' because of my asthma. When my heart rate increases, my breathing does as well and I don't enjoy triggering a asthma attack.

I just realized this today when I talked to one of the trainers. She watched me do my cardio and felt I wasn't huffing and puffing enough or sweating. She knew I could do the weights and have increased the pounds. So, I've increased weights and reps. but didn't move the needle when it came to cardio.

Oh, I sweat on weights so for me its finding the balance.

Every time I go to the gym I do 20-30 mins. cardio and then do the weight circuit. Then, if I have time or I plan to do so I do the abs bench. I do 50 on the abs. bench and I do it to the point I end up having a horrible muscle spasm on the muscle over my rib cage. If that makes sense...

My plan is to now start with cardio, flip to weights and then back to cardio. My new routine starts on Tuesday which is exciting for me because I have been doing everything on my own for the last ..six months. What I did on my own was work up from 10-20 pounds and am now at 30-40 pounds.

I still have an incredibly hard time on the bicep curl using their machine. Maybe I will work with dumbbells instead.

The fantastic news is that I have lost 3.5 inches off my abs. and 1 inch off my hip. Hey, that's amazing to me considering I was a couch potato for MANY years.

Get your body moving.

OSC

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I felt like the Biggest Loser!


Today was my first official weigh in and I was excited because I had been exercising, using the Wii Fit and moving my body by doing squats. The person in front of me lost 4.6 pounds and a sudden wave of anxiety came over me.

Crap.

That's quite a bit.

I thought I had lost.. oh, two pounds.

I stepped on the scale and the leader's quiet voice spoke.. actually you've gained weight.

WTF!?

Its ok, I've got my big girl pants on today and I am not going to cry!

I was pissed off and it was a hard pill to swallow when EVERY single person in the room lost weight except me! Our team lost more weight then the other team this week. All of us were awarded prizes and I felt silly receiving mine.

I had to clap and smile when everyone did their whoo whoo's, high fives and I wanted to hang my head in shame. I felt I let everyone down and was continually asked, "How did you do!??

People were shocked because they commented I had been exercising and eating well. I then heard comments like, "Maybe you're exercising too hard and are getting muscular!" or "Maybe you should stop exercising"

At the end of the meeting it was time for the Bravos and Five Pound stickers. This is the time you talk about your week, etc.

My mouth opened, "I want to share with everyone that I am the only person who didn't lose weight. I have started exercising regularly and stayed on plan with my points. I'm disappointed but I am not going to give up"

Bravo. I received a Bravo sticker.

I gained .4 pounds.

Sometimes when something happens you begin to ask yourself things like.. what did I do? and you start to replay things in your mind. I wish I had a do over right now.

I've pinned some of the things I will change this week and I will not stop exercising.

In fact, I'm off to the gym tomorrow.

Week One of Weight Watchers

Its been three years since I joined Weight Watchers for the .. second time. This time I am much more smarter about food, eating, my body and exercise. I've been doing a lot of reading in the form of books, the internet and have made friends with people who are in the fitness, nutrition and life coaching professions. I have all the tools I need and a body that can move so I'm now I am armed to be the Fat Warrior I intend to be!

Here is my action plan:

  • Gym workouts 2-3 times a week which will include cardio, weights and stretching.
  • Staying within my points allowance as per Weight Watchers guidelines
  • Other activities will include Wii Fitt, 100 Squats 3 x a week Challenge and walking.
  • Drinking 2 Liters of water each day.
  • No dairy (effective today I have chosen to fully commit to this and stop eating cheese for 30 days. In the past year I have eliminated all dairy except for cheese)
  • Going grain free for one week. Starting today for one week. This will be a challenge for me: I love all grains! Quinoa, Rice, etc.. I want to see what results this will bring.
Things I've noticed about people who are new to Weight Watchers:

  • Getting bored quickly of eating the same foods day in and day out. Oh, I ate this today and lost weight this week so I will eat it again. Me, variety is the spice of life so I like to experiment. Hence, the grains and cheese challenges. If a person gets bored, are they likely to continue on the path? Switch it up before poor habits return.

  • Weight Watchers the brand. Go to the supermarket and you have Weight Watchers meals including desserts! Go to the meetings and you can buy everything from cookbooks to measuring spoons! I will buy the tracker book, the free trackers are too tiny. Getting hooked on their low point bars. I got to hooked I wouldn't eat just one or two. I'd eat the box by the end of the day but counted the point. Not a good choice for healthy eating.

  • They are not eating all their points. Eat. I spoke to one friend and her diet was coffee, chocolate, yogurt and one cup of water. She asked me what I recommended. Eat your points. Choose from proteins, vegetables, grains, oils, etc.. Your body needs fuel. I've eaten all my points. I think its hard for people who are suddenly drinking more water then they ever have and have the full feeling due to water consumption.

  • Drink your water. Most people don't drink enough water. Its hard if you aren't used to it and now there are lineups to the restroom. :-) Don't worry, your body will soon adjust itself and washroom breaks will be less frequent.

  • Eating more vegetables. Many are 0 or low points. You can eat more food and not eat many points so chew away! One person's spouse commented this is the most vegetables he has seen in their house!


Weight Watchers tips for the week and eating healthy:



Take one medium baked potato. Wash and prick with holes, cut in half and wrap in tin foil. Bake in oven for 1 hour at 450 degrees. When done, peel skin off and ready to eat. You can sprinkle herbs and lightly season with oil to cook. I choose, 1 tsp. of Udo's Oil and pepper. 3 points. Serve with veggies and salad.


When making recipes, watch your portion. Measure amounts and put into containers for meals later on. One friend went through her pantry and labeled everything with a felt tip marker. Ie, Can of Tuna 1/2 cup 3 points

Try new veggies that are 0 or low points. Ie, Kale, Swiss Chard, Bok Chewy.


Drink your water. Add lemon, lime or apple cider vinegar.


Today is my first weigh in and I suspect some weight loss. I will post the results. Stay tuned!

OSC