Sickness and Movies - Guess that's one way to lose weight...

Seems as if I just cannot get through the Shred dvd.... I got to day through day 4 when life caught up to me. I skipped the weekend and haven't been able to find the motivation to start back on the workouts. I have, however, been sick for the past couple of weeks.

While being couped up in bed, I was fortunate enough to have Netflix deliver one of my all time favorite movies, You've Got Mail. After looking up some quotes to put on my facebook, I discovered this gem of a blog: http://youvegotmailchallenge.blogspot.com/  It's a reading group! I love the  movie, I love books! What a great fit! You should totally go sneak a peak ;o)   Well, I'm off to start reading now!

Laters

Shred Day 3 - I made it to day 3!!!

First off, I'd like to say a big WOOOOOOOHOOOOO to myself for making it to day 3 of the shred and not dieing. I can definitely tell an improvement from day one - not a significant one mind you (I still can't get through all of level 1 without a break here and there for some water) but I am better than I was on day one for sure. I found that tonight was the first night that I could make it through the cardio portions without feeling like I was going to throw up. Yay!

I'm very sore though. Not quite as sore as the first time I tried this dvd, but more sore than comfortable, I can tell you that much. My arms aren't really too bad - I'm thinking I may need to increase my weights soon. However, my thighs are killing me. I swear, if you need a workout dvd to tone your legs, thighs, and butt, this is it! My room is on the second level of the house and climbing those stairs after working out KILLS me. So sore, so sore.

But anyway, just thought I'd leave a quick update. More to come later.

Night peeps!

30 Day Shred - Take 2

Ok, so yesterday I officially started the 30 Day Shred again. I had to do something, after being off phentermine for about 2 months, I've gained 10lbs (up to 173)! 10 POUNDS!!! (and 2 inches around my waist. I'm now 43" at my bellybutton) That's insane! And I swear it's mental. I know that if I were given a placebo (without knowing it was a placebo) and told that it was phentermine I'd be shedding pounds like before. I've just managed to find myself in this 'I'm not on phentermine, I can't lose weight anymore' mindset and frankly, it SUCKS!

I sporadically tried running with a friend of mine, but we're both pretty weak willed and easily talked each other into eating out  out of exercise days.

I finally just had to suck it up and go back to the DVD. It kicks my butt, but I know it works. I may not lose that much weight with it, but I'll be damned if I have to wear those size 14s again! In fact, as soon as I got into a 12 I consignment shopped all my 'fat pants' just so I wouldn't have an excuse to gain weight. Now, if I don't fit in my clothes, I don't have ANYTHING to wear. More motivation to get this added weight back off!

So, here I am. Day 2 of the Shred. weak. tired. and sore. I probably won't be able to move tomorrow, but at least I'll know I'm doing my best.

(Now if I could only get back onto the smaller portions thing....stupid nighttime snacking. Oh how I hate you.)

Stay tuned. Shred Updates to follow. Wish me luck! I'm going to try my best to make it through the 30 days this time. (Hey, at least if I can get past day 3 that'll be better than last time :o)  I can do that....I hope.)

Goodnight Blogworld! Maybe I'll be able to get out of bed tomorrow without too much pain....



....................... yeah right.

I want to be a ballerina

You know how all little girls want to be princesses? Not me. I wanted to be a ballerina. I loved the shoes. I still want a pair of ballet shoes - real ballet shoes, the kind you lace up your leg and then stand on your toes to dance in. A bright red pair would be awesome. I've always had this love for ballet. Ever since I was a small child I've looked forward to Christmas so I could go see the Nutcracker. I've probably seen 20 different versions. Sadly, when I was growing up, ballet classes weren't offered. If you wanted to take dance, you took tap or jazz. So, instead, I took art lessons. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVED taking art, and I wouldn't change that for the world. It's just, every now and then, I really regret not being able to take ballet too. Ballet dancers have such a muscularly graceful body without looking like a body builder. They are lean, and beautiful in their movements - and have such poise!

Anyway, I recently found an adult ballet class in the town where I work. I'm seriously contemplating joining this summer. I would join now, but it's on Monday nights and I currently have graduate classes on Monday nights so that won't work. Now, I don't have any desires to be a professional ballet dancer, there's no way at my age that that's even possible. The absolute LATEST you could start taking ballet classes to be able to build the skill and strength to professionally dance is 12. By 18, if you're not signed to a company, your career is pretty much over before it starts. Professional dancers then retire at the latest by around 30. So, starting ballet at 23 is not going to lead to a professional career - it's just not possible. However, I do want to dance for me. I want to build the strength for me and develop that lean dancers body. My utmost aspiration would be able to build my way up to be able to do ballet on pointe - the type of ballet that you immediately think of when you think of a ballerina - on the tip of you toes.

A few years ago, in one of my strong yearning moods to be a ballerina, I purchased a ballet workout dvd from the New York City Ballet Company. I LOVE IT. I get it out any time I'm really missing ballet. It not only is an intense workout for strength and flexibility, it helps me remember that ballet is not as easy as they make it look. I am by no means coordinated enough to be a professional dancer, and, my feet are pretty flat - a curse in the ballet world. However, doing the dvd makes me feel like I'm in a ballet class - like I'm working my way there. So, until I work up the courage to take the adult class - that will probably be filled with 12yr olds.... I'll continue my dvd.

Broad Confessions....

Hello......Hello......Anybody there?

Can't say I really expected you to be, it's been a month since my last post. What can I say? I'm not a daily update kinda girl. Anyway, I thought it was about time to bring you all up to speed on my current weight-loss progress, well more like lack of... So, here you go. My confessions for the past month.

1. I'm currently back up to my weight b/4 the holidays. At my lightest, I've weighed 163. Tonight I weighed in at 171. Ever since the holidays I've had a hard time getting back on the weight-loss track.

2. I've been eating REALLY badly. I'm talking taco bell, pizza hut, Ruby Tuesday's badly. Lots of salty, fatty foods.... which leads me to think that a good portion of my weight gain is water weight.

3. I've been avoiding exercise. Avoiding like the plague. After the first two days of the shred, I really didn't want to exercise anymore. Then, the show I exercise to, Glee (the best workout show EVER) went on winter hiatus and won't be back till April. I lost my motivation. That is until I saw the scale creep back up. I started my exercise back up yesterday. I'm sore tonight, but totally worth it.

4. I've quit taking phentermine and I can tell it's out of my system... I still have a few pills left, but I am trying to make it to my goal without them. I need to be able to maintain my weight-loss w/out pharmaceuticals.

5. I'm an emotional eater w/little will power. My will power has increased slightly since my weight-loss began, but I still catch myself eating when I get stressed.

6. Over Christmas, and New Year's, I discovered the awesomness of blended coffee drinks. THIS IS A BAD THING. I do not like coffee, but I LOVE blended coffee drinks. Problem here, one mocha java chiller from Sonic is 538 calories! That's a MEAL! Except, i drink it WITH A MEAL. not good, not good... but they're sooooo tasty!

Well, there you have it, my confessions for the month. I've officially hit a snag in my regime. Yet, yesterday I started to correct myself. I'm trying to be more aware of my food again and I've begun to exercise daily. I'm working to be at my goal by my birthday in mid April. That's a very reasonable goal. It's 20lbs in 3ish months. Hopefully, by this summer, I can actually wear a swim suit that is cute and i'm not ashamed of.

I'll try to keep you updated. If not, I'm sure I'll post in another month ;o)

Laters blog world!

I CAN'T MOVE - Day 2 & 3

Ok, so I woke up Yesterday morning and could definitely tell I'd been through a serious workout. My thighs and arms were sore, but it wasn't unbearable. I made it through work then came home quilted a bit and got ready for Day 2.

I did much better with the routines last night - almost made it through all of them without breaks...of course it helps that I went to Walmart and got some 2lb weights instead of using my 5lb ones. (Something I'm working on building up to) - but anyway, after last night's workout I could totally feel the burn.

Then, I awake this morning to my legs and arms screaming at me! I can barely move let alone walk! I've decided  to give my muscles a night or two off. I know the dvd is designed for everyday use, but I honestly don't think I can handle it - especially since tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I've got to be able to move for my family :o)

I'm not giving up on the dvd, I can definitely tell it's working, I just can't be this intense yet - I'll have to work toward that.

I'll let you all know how it goes, but until then: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

Shakey Noodle Arms - Day 1

Ok, so I tried my 30 Day Shred dvd for the first time tonight and I literately feel sick. My arms are as shakey as noodles! I'm hoping it gets better, but I know I'm in for a TON of pain tomorrow. I'll keep you updated as I progress through the three levels.

Yet, for now, I'm going to lie down and try not to be sick from the workout...

starting weight: 164lbs.

starting measurements*:
waist: 37"
hips: 43"
@ bellybutton: 41"
thigh: 23"
arm: 13"
chest: 43"
neck: 13"

*will update weekly