Saturday, January 31, 2009

Spinning My Wheels......

In about an hour I will be heading towards my weekly spin class and I couldn't be more excited. I had to miss Wednesday's class (boo-hoo) so I am excited that I can partake in class this week.

I can't believe how defined my calf muscles look now, it's amazing! The spin class really tells me how hard I'm working, just when I think I can't handle any more I feel the adrenline rush to work harder, RAWRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Well, must get ready ~ have a GREAT day!

Amy

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Journey Continues.....

I am now determined more than ever to run the 5K here at Whiteman next month. I am working on getting the appropriate gear together, and will start running back here in our neighborhood to challenge myself more than what a treadmill can provide.

I'm on the lookout for good gear that won't cost too much but will aide in my run, it's so exciting to think I will be doing this. Talked to Mom again and it looks like she and Dad will take the kids for me so I can attend the run, then I will head towards St. Louis to be with them for a long weekend.

I want this soooooo bad, even if I can't run the whole thing I want to say that I did it good or bad!

Amy

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Seriously, Darkly Delish!!!!

Ran my 2 miles this morning at the base gym, that was a chore b/c I had to watch the kiddos and run at the same time, OMG! Only had to stop 1 time though and then it was off to the Commissary and such.

I bought some Zone Perfect Dark Chocolate Nutrition Bars and OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG they are soooooo good! I typically don't care for protein/nutrition bars b/c they either have the carboard factor or the protein tastes icky but let me tell you these ROCK!

I love that they have 12g of protein, how awesome is that?!? I am a dark chocolate HOUND, I could eat it everyday (and just might start), in my book they are HIGHLY recommended, really!

Even if you haven't had WLS but are trying to watch your intake, these are seriously the way to go, let me break it down for ya!

Zone Perfect Dark Chocolate Nutrition Bars http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/zone-perfect/zone-perfect-dark-chocolate-bar
Calories 190
Cal from fat 54
Total fat 6g
Potassium 180mg
Total Carbs 22g
Sugars 14g
Protein 12g

Enjoy and have a WONDERFUL day!

Amy

Friday, January 23, 2009

Drumroll Please.......................................................

Today I received a few packages from my Mom, she sent me some incentive capri's for next summer that were size eight and to my surprise they FIT!!!!!!!

Not only do they fit but I have wiggle room. Oh my GOSH, I never thought this was going to be possible!

I've been down and out lately about gaining weight but it's muscle mass weight, things are transitioning in my body ~ it has been messing with me to see the scale going in the wrong direction but as they say, "The proof is in the pudding!"

I will have Hubby take some pics (which are well overdue) and post later, I am sooo
excited about this milestone, thanks for coming on this journey with me!

Amy

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Feeling It!

Went to spin class last night, WOW that was an amazing class!!!! I love it when sweat drenches my shirt :)

Frankie was there last night and after class I ran 1/2 a mile which about killed me after spinning but it was fun.

I had planned on going to the gym tonight when Colin goes to basketball but we woke up to no cable or internet so I figured now was a good time as any, LOL!

Dropped off the kids at the daycare (they were so excited to be there) and started at a 4.2 place. 1st mile took 14:20 and 2nd mile was completed at 28:40, wow!!!! It's hard to think that it was taking me 34 minutes 2 weeks ago to run 2 miles and I have shaved off 6 minutes off that time, yay!

Today is a NICE day outside, the kids are currently laying down for a nap but I can't wait to get outside and enjoy the 60 degrees and sunshine, woot!!!!

I also found a protein bar that I LOVE! It's a dark chocolate bar with 15g of protein and was soooo yummy too. I found several great items last night at Walmart chock filled with protein so I hope to see the scale moving again although I am gaining muscle mass.

Have a wonderful day, I know I am!

Amy

Friday, January 16, 2009

Another 2 miles!

What a day it has been! I didn't get a good night's sleep and felt very tired this morning ~ wasn't sure if I was even going to make it to the gym or not.

After my cup of coffee this morning I "felt it". I love this feeling I get in the morning that I get that says MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I become obsessed with making everything fall into place so I can make it to the gym.

So after a struggle to the get the kids fed and dressed (and a harrowing drive in the snow) we arrived! Kids happily went into daycare and I happily headed towards the dressing room.

I can't begin to tell you how DEFEATING it is to get there and find that all the machines are being used. :( I only have 90 minutes of childcare so I have to use it wisely. I signed up to use the treadmill and went to work on some weights when to my surprise a treadmill came open!!!!

I started out with a 3.9 pace and increased to 4.0 after 3 minutes and started to focus on my breathing and running. I was able complete my 2 mile run in 29.13 which is an improvement since last week it took me 33:50 to run 2 miles. So, I have decreased my running time by 4 minutes, yay!

My goals this month are to steadily work my running time down to 25:00 and increase my pace to 4.5mph. I felt sooo great after my run, I love this feeling...wish I could bottle it up without the work, LOL!

Amy

Thursday, January 15, 2009

15 Miles?!?

Can you believe that the average spinning class travels an average of 15 miles in an one hour class?!? That must be why I am soooooooo exhausted at the end, but it's a good thing!

Last night I was running late to class but was able to dig my heels in and catch up to everyone ~ Frankie and Sydney were there too!

Tonight I am looking forward to running again, I hope to increase my pace to 4.0 MPH and hopefully hit those 2 miles in under 30 minutes, woot!

One thing that has been bothering me is that I have put on some weight (3 pounds) but after some research and advice from good friends it appears that this gain is actually muscle mass gained. I think some of the best advice I got today from a friend was to start taping myself daily when the scale isn't moving, the tape will show the changes my body is making ~ what a GREAT idea!

On the protein front, I've already hit 60 grams of protein today, woot!!!! I am planning on having a protein shake before I hit the gym so my body will use it constructively.

Okay, well the babies are beckoning! Lots of love to everyone and just remember....if you are struggling with losing weight keep your spirits up and try *try* again, repetition and change lead towards success and I came across a motto today that I love:

Falling down is not failure....Failure is staying down.

Amy

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Making Progress!

Did my run again today, what a GREAT feeling it is to say that. Dropped off the kiddos and to my relief Edward was a happy camper, yay!

My goal at this moment is to continue with 2 miles each day but to decrease my time it takes to run those 2 miles.

Today I increased my speed from 3.8 MPH to 3.9 MPH. Okay, that doesn't sound like much but let me you that I felt it the whole time! The last 10 minutes were the easiest but whew!

So, I decreased my run time from 33:10 to 30:59 today which shaved 3:11 off my previous time, wow! I double covered my blister which was a lifesaver, I was sooooo worried about it hurting.

So, you may be asking yourself: How does she feel? Well, I feel GREAT! I had so much more energy yesterday and today is the same but I also don't feel as hungry ~ not that I did before but I have caught myself snacking during the day when I shouldn't be....it's not totally off limits but can lead to problems in the longrun.

I'm glad that I am now able to identify these areas whereas before it was mindless, I often had my blinders on when it came to food....that's how I got up to 275 pounds in the blink of an eye.

So yeah, I've come a long way in a short amount of time. If 6 months ago you would have told me that I was going to be running 2 miles on a treadmill I would have laughed out loud in your face.........and I think to myself.....what will I be capable of 6 months from now?!?

Amy

Monday, January 12, 2009

2 Miles This Morning!!!!

I can't believe it, really I can't! Hit the gym this morning after I dropped off the kids at daycare although Edward wasn't happy to be there, poor baby!

It was CRAZY busy with NYR'ers (New Year Resolutioners) but I was able to find a treadmill and start. I started with a 1 minute brisk warm-up walk and then began my run.

I kept a consistent pace of 3.8 mph and after the "I'm gonna die" feeling wore off (which was around 7 minutes in) I began to feel very focused. Hit 1 mile in 16:05, 1.5 miles in 24:50 and 2 miles at 33:10 ~ all of this WITHOUT stopping!

I found my MP3 player and charged it today which really made a difference in my motivation and ability to wash out my thoughts and focus on my pace and rythym.

After I finished I went and cleaned myself off (I was covered in sweat). I had another 30 minutes left before I had to return to daycare ad just as I was approaching the machines one of the daycare workers came to get me b/c Edward was inconsolable, poor kid!

I feel so good right now except for the little blister I have on my right foot which I hope heals ASAP and I plan to go back to the gym tonight with Laura, I can't wait!!!!!!!

Amy

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Miracle Mile!

This has been a week of firsts for sure! Today I ran (without stopping) for a WHOLE mile!!!!!! Took 17:50 and I feel GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know that I could have gone longer but Colin was ready to move onto another area. My friend Laura has been giving me tips on running and I figured out a HUGE factor that helps me ~ no exercise before running, it tires me out!

Starting tomorrow, I am going to work on light stretching and then a 5 minute warm up walk and go gung-ho, what a GREAT feeling it is to run! I never thought in my lifetime this was possible, even a month ago it didn't seem possible yet here I am doing it.

I've noticed how people lately seem more willing to talk to me than before my surgery ~ this is kinda hard to talk about but it's true. I guess I was always constantly judging myself, thinking I wasn't worthy of conversation with anyone who was thinner than I was....always feeling like an outcast, seeing myself as the largest/fattest person in the room. I no longer compare myself to others but what a waste of time it was to do so!

For those of my readers (and thanks for always encouraging me!) if you are struggling like I was say no more and TAKE CONTROL. Even 1 minute of exercise is enough to change your life forever, take that first step of commitment, no matter how hard it seems and go with it, don't let excuses get in your way ~ I know before I always did and now it is NOT an option!

Okay, done for now. XOXOXO

Amy

Saturday, January 10, 2009

New To Me....

Went to the gym this morning and ran 1/2 of a mile and then walked 1.5 miles thereafter. Also did the weight machines but while I was working out a machine caught my eye ~ the rowing machine!!!!!!!!!

I saw a woman working it like a well oiled machine, I want to be like that!!!!!!!!!!!!! When she finally got off it (must have been around 10-15 minutes) i got on and found it easy to use to dialed it up to the highest level (level 10) and went to work.

I found that the rowing machine incorporated EVERY muscle in my body, I was able to complete 5 minutes on the machine (which felt like a lifetime) and boy oh boy am I feeling it but in the RIGHT WAY!

Today I can see new definintion in my arms, they are the slowly becoming ripped, WOW!!!!

I love trying new things, you never know where they make take you!

Amy

Thursday, January 8, 2009

I Can't Believe It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Today it has been exactly 6 months since my surgery!!!! It felt like that times I was never going to hit the 100 pound mark but I can proudly say that I have lost 101 POUNDS!!!!!!

I worked out this morning and came home to be blessed by a wonderful scale which sometimes I feel hates me, LOL! Thanks so much to everyone who has been my support, listen to me yack on and on about the surgery and what I've gone through to get here.

I have to lose another pound (173) to be a normal BMI but that is the highest end of normal and I plan to lose another 30 pounds after that, my goal is close and I know that I will not FAIL, it is not an option for me.

My new life is soooo wonderful, not like it wasn't before, but now it is filled with more love to give and more life to live. I love how I feel, love working out and will never return to my old habits, that part of me is gone forever!!!!

Love to everyone that reads this blog, you are MY inspiration to do right by myself!

Amy

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Hell YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, a MAJOR wow moment for me tonight. Went to my first cycle class tonight, I was a little intimiated when the instructor said that if it was a our first class we should only do the first 30 minutes due to the intensity.

I did the WHOLE 60 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was challenging and fun, we did leans, jumps and runs and oh yeah I had sweat running all over my body tonight and now I feel like I could break a 2x4 over my knee while tap dancing, LOL!

This is what it is all about, the right here and right now.....looking forward to sweating and working hard ~ something I was NEVER able to accomplish before surgery.

Amy

Something NEW!

Tonight I start a cycling class! I've never cycled in a class before and if it's anything like water aerobics was I am in for a TREAT! Am I crazy or what????

I want to be challenged to my core, feel the burn that I desire each and every day. I feel a new person emerging from her shell. I called to check on the class this morning and was told that the class was for those that were moderely active, it felt so good to say that I WAS!!!!!

I have had so many WOW moments already this year. I am wearing size medium tops and size 10 jeans. SIZE 10!!!! When I was washing clothes this morning I was admiring the tags in my clothes and thinking of how little space they take up now to wash a load, superb!

I am still desperately trying to hit the 100 pound mark, holding steady at 99 pounds....my body is a tease but I know it's right around the corner!

Amy

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Living Up To My Expectations!!!

Hit the gym this morning with my friend Frankie, it was GREAT! Did 30 minutes on the treadmill with about 1/4 of that running, yay!

I feel re-energized again. We have plans to work outside today since it's sooo warm. We hope to put up the kids swingset and take down the remaining Christmas decor outside.

I love, love LOVE this feeling of energy I have ~ glad to have it again! My camera broke on all days, Christmas morning, right in the middle of taking pictures so I currently have no way to add pics but hope to post them soon.

Amy

Friday, January 2, 2009

It's Going to Happen SOON!

Arrrrrg! Well, I said previously I was going to hold my 100th post for 100 pounds lost but that seems to be taking longer than I thought.

I am currently hovering at 177.8 as of this morning, but my new years resolution I hope helps with this process.

My resolution is to up my protein count 100 FOLD! I finally found a protein powder I LOVE! I have been adding a scoop of Max Protein to my coffee in the mornings which is a heart helping of 22g of protein, yay!

Some mornings I am able to drink 2 cups worth which nets 44g but I am gradually trying to work myself towards 2 cups a day. I am now carrying the powder with me where ever I go, when I'm out I order a cofee and add it....I can't believe how good this stuff is. It is pricey but I'm willing to fork $$$ over for results.

I am into a size 10 now, amazing! I can't believe that my 6 month anniversary is coming up soooo fast. I want more than anything to be down 100 pounds but I'm not holding my breath, the more I seem to want something the harder it is to achieve these days, LOL!

Glad the holidays are over, I am focus on maxing out my cardio routine at the gym, since the move and the holidays I am all out of sync but NO MORE! I want to focus on losing the remaining 30 pounds I have to lose and enjoy 2009 with vigor and zest that I've never felt before.

Oh yeah....Made a new recipe this morning.

Baked Egg and Sausage Biscuit Cups

Preheat oven to 400 degees
Spray 6 ramekin cups with Pam

1 1/2 cups of Heartsmart Bisquik mix
1/2 cup of skim milk (I added a little more to help with mixing)

Knead dough until smooth, then press into ramekins (6)
Add meat (any kind will do, make sure it's cooked though)
Add 1 egg (I cracked and poured but you can scramble the egg too)
Sprinkle with salt and pepper
Sprinkle with parmesean cheese (any kind will do)

Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until done. Enjoy!

I got the idea from Eggface but wanted to add a bread component for the kids, who LOVED it! I am taking the leftovers and putting them in the fridge for breakfast tomorrow morning, I think they are going to be wonderful!

Well, I'm off!

Amy