Just Heather
3
Mamavation Monday: Constant Snacking Edition
Jul 25, 2011 | Filed Under: Living Large

I can’t believe we have less than two weeks left in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge—what a journey it has been! I feel like I’ve hit a plateau lately, with just half a pound lost this week, but I’ve got some ideas to change things up. For starters, I need to be better about my meal plan. I prepare healthy meals all day long and use my George Foreman grill every evening, but my snacking has gotten a little off track.

I’ve snacked on chips a bit this week, and I finished off the candy I bought last week. In my defense, those kind of cravigns only come up once a month. Still, if I plan my snacks out a little more, it will go a little better. Now that we have the whole family on an exchange meal plan, this should get easier.

If I’m already helping the girls plot out healthy snacks, it should be pretty simple to fill in my own. We’re working with Stacia’s doctor to up her calorie intake, in an effort to put some meat on those bones! When she came home with meal charts similar to mine, the little girls wanted one too.

I put some time & research into the right calorie balance for their ages and learned that Stacia’s introductory meal plan was perfect for both Brenia & Lorelai. My hope was a specific plan would curb the nonstop eating & constant “when is dinner?” that we deal with every day.

They were quick to catch on, and I think I’m even learning a thing or two from the three of them. Stacia is focusing on the vegetables she does like (so, uh, salads. And V8 juice.), rather than not eating everything else. Brenia is really excited about swapping things for treats now & then—being able to have lemonade or apple juice, in place of a carb or fruit has been her favorite.

Lorelai mostly likes that she gets to eat all day long—which she’s pretty much know for. The meals were too much for them to get through so we’ve worked in several snacks to get the appropriate foods in throughout the day. The frequent snacking is good for them—and for me—but, I tend to focus just on the meals. This week I’m going to put more emphasis on planning my snacks, too.

It will not only curb the insane hunger my workouts cause, but it should also cut down on the unhealthy snacking. Not that I’ll ever give up my nightly chocolate, but maybe I could give up the morning chocolate. And, the afternoon chips. This 30 Day Shred is just making me so hungry! I’ve kept up on it, finally hitting level 3 (yowzers!) on Friday.

I have about a week left in the series, and I’ll be posting updated measurements when I finish. The Couch to 5K is also going pretty well. I started week 4 the other night and will be running it again tonight, after spending 2 weeks on week 3. This is definitely going to take me longer than 9 weeks, but I’m hoping to run a full 5K on October 1st.

I did sign up for the BlogHer 5K in a couple weeks, but I’ll be WALK-running that one. I don’t know if I can keep up with the Mamavation crew (Leah, Lori and Shelley are also registered!), but I’m going to give it a shot. And, at the very least, it will keep me moving in the middle of a crazy, chaotic conference. But, that is next week!

For this week, my focus is continuing the exercise programs I’ve been doing all month, better snacking and more healthy cooking the indoor grill (check out my George Foreman grill review below). Because who wants to go outside in this weather?

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 176 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: .5 pounds
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 19 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 12 pounds
BMI: 25.22

Sistahood Question: What nutrition lessons have you learned from your kids?

This post is sponsored by Organ Wise & Fiber Choice, and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!

Read the comments.
9
Mamavation Monday: When Gaining Is Good
Jul 18, 2011 | Filed Under: Living Large

The only surprising thing about gaining a pound this week is that it was only one! I have been doing really well with my menu plan and stayed consistent with working out & running. However, I still cave for special occasions—and last week was full of them! With my middle child at Girl Scout camp and the other girls at my parents’ house, we really made the most of our kid free week.

I think I only really ate well a couple days last week. There was a margarita night (complete with nachos!), a girls’ night movie (compete with buttery popcorn), a blogging conference (complete with social hours—and sangria!) and a leisurely trip back home with my roommates (complete with a stop at the candy factory & dairy farm).

So, how did I keep my weight gain to a single pound with all of that?

It was partly due to keeping up with running and 30 Day Shred, and partly due to making good choices in between all the junk! After years and years of not eating breakfast at all, I am giving each day a healthy start with whole grains, fruit & milk. It’s typically waffles or toast with peanut butter & banana, with the occasional homemade smoothie with granola or a bowl of rice cereal.

I also made healthy meal choices, for the most party. You know, when I wasn’t downing a plate of nachos with my margarita! It was all the extras that did me in—drinks with friends, indulgent snacks and, uh, more drinks. Still, a pound isn’t so bad and I totally earned it! So, since I don’t have weight loss to cheer this week, I’m going to focus on the other things I’ve gained through the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge:

  • Energy: Eating right, staying active? Yeah, it actually produces more energy! I am more active, more involved with my kids and enjoying things I never thought I would. While I used to just watch the girls play Just Dance 2, now I pretty much rock it out right along with them.
  • Time: This pretty much goes right along with energy because it’s all about sleeping less! Yes, I’m spending more time working out and planning meals, but I still find myself with additional time on my hands that used to be spent on naps.
  • New Recipes: All the amazing recipes from Inspired RD and George Foreman have really gotten us out of a long standing rut. Plus, a good, healthy menu plan has given me more food choices as well. I know the hubby is extremely grateful! He’s a much more adventurous eater than I.
  • More Shopping Options: Now that I’m down a size (and a half!), there seem to be a lot more choices. I’ve made the shift out of misses, which opens up a world of opportunity. Plus, I no longer have to order my bras online. They sell my size in normal stores!
  • Self-Confidence: It’s hard to feel self-conscious when everyone you see is telling you how awesome you look, but I feel it even without that ego boost! Still, there’s nothing quite like running into people you haven’t seen in a year and hearing their reactions.
  • Hobbies: Who knew I would actually enjoy working out & running?! Not only do I feel good after, but I kinda like some of the exercises (Psst…planks! Not you.) And, while I can’t yet say I like running, I do like the festival atmosphere of a 5K. I already have another one on the books for fall—planning to run this one and so excited about it!
  • Muscles: Oh, yes, I have muscles! Real ones. In places I never realized could have muscles! Abs? Not so much, but I’m rocking the Grunt Style Ab Crusher as often as my body can handle it. One day, I will add Abs to the list of things I’ve gained on this journey.
  • Closer Relationships: Running with friends, cheering one another on through our weight loss and forming an organized 30 Day Shred group has brought me closer to some of local blog friends. It’s just plain lovely. I am also feeling closer to the hubby, as we get on this healthy path together.

When this whole process started, I just thought Id lose some weight and move on. I had no idea my whole life would change. I’m truly a completely different person than I was 4 months ago.

And, I’m never going back.

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 176.5 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: 1 pound gain
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 18.5 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 11 pounds
BMI: 25.25

Sistahood Question: What has been your favorite Grunt Style workout? If you aren’t doing his workouts what has been your strength training routine?

This post is sponsored by Grunt Style, and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation, sponsored by Grunt Style.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!

Read the comments.
1
Mamavation Monday: Earning My Rest Day
Jul 11, 2011 | Filed Under: Living Large

So, I’m not super confident with last week’s weight in. It was two days late, due to travel & Wii Fit issues. Regardless, the .5 gain wasn’t too bad, considering the way I ate on Monday & Tuesday. That said, it makes me not 100% confident with this week’s weigh-in. Still, a pound in 5 days is pretty good, I think!

George Foreman grilled ham & cheese

My meal plan is going well, and I’ve been working out like a fiend. I am hitting it hard with my 30 Day Shred group. I’m also progressing nicely with the Couch to 5K program—I’m up to week 3 now! I really didn’t think yesterday’s run would go well. Three minutes was going to be my longest interval ever! (Yes, seriously. Hush—I’m new at this running thing.)

But, I did it! I’m so glad I mentioned my breathing issues to my doc so we can get it under control. The inhaler is really helping me through my cardio workouts. I’m excited to be making so much progress with my fitness programs, now that I can breathe a little better. This weekend, I also progressed to Level 2 on the 30 Day Shred DVD.

It’s pretty much killer! True story. I’m taking today off, because my legs are dying after 6 straight days of the shred and 3 runs in a row. I didn’t mean for that to happen, but it was necessary for scheduling purposes. So, today is a day of rest, and tomorrow I start again—putting a little more space between my runs.

I’m losing inches again, too. That helps a lot, when the scale isn’t moving much. We have just 4 weeks left in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge, but I don’t plan to stop until I reach my ultimate goal. I’m almost halfway there now, and I’ll be posting measurements & pics in another month.

I can’t wait to see the changes!

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 175.5 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: 1 pound
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 19.5 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 12 pounds
BMI: 25.15 (So close to normal!!)

Sistahood Question: There will be no Mamavation Mondays TV show this week so that we can focus on the party. Follow Mamavation on Twitter from 8-10 PM EST on Monday 11 July 2011 for the Grunt Style sponsored party.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!

Read the comments.
6
Mamavation Monday: Hunger Edition
Jul 04, 2011 | Filed Under: 40x40, Living Large

We have just finished Week 8 of the George Foreman Knockout the Fat Weight Loss Challenge, and it has been a pretty busy one! Last week, I kicked off the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred program with a few of my Twitter & real life friends. (They are one and the same here in Indiana! Indy geek girls stick together.)

I’m also restarting the Couch to 5K program—shredder by day, runner by night! I’m excited to be able to physically handle it all, without too much difficulty. I finally got into my doctor, since I’ve been having trouble with cardio. I get short of breath, really quickly. She ordered a prescription, a chest x-ray and some pulmonary function tests.

I don’t have the results of everything yet, but I did take a run that night after a few puffs on my new inhaler. Best. Run. Ever. True story. I think this is really going to make a difference, and finally get me past week 1 in the Couch to 5K. I want to be able to run the entire Wine at the Line 5K I just registered for. Between the 30 Day Shred and the running, I think I’ll be in pretty good shape by then.

George Foreman Turkey BLT

Keeping up with both exercise programs is kicking my metabolism into high gear, though. It’s a lot of work, and I’m obviously burning a lot more calories these days because I. Am. Starving. Alysa and I are going to tweak my meal plan, since I don’t always make the best choices when I just grab a snack to curb the incessant hunger.

I need to build more healthy calories into my meals, maybe add a 3rd snack. Possibly both. When I find myself hungry, between meals or snacks on my plan, I just grab whatever is around. Or, find myself craving not so healthy foods. And, indulging in them. Of course, this is a holiday weekend, and I allow myself to indulge a bit.

I decided months ago that if I’m going to be able to stick with this program, there has to be room for treats & special occasions. I don’t want to be the person turning down birthday cake, for a diet. I don’t want to miss out on holiday favorites because I’m too focused on weight. On the other hand, I don’t want to totally let myself go over an extended holiday, like this one! We’ve been at the lake since Saturday, and I’ve done pretty well.

I focused on healthy meals and brought plenty of fruit to snack on in between. This keeps me out of the chips but doesn’t quite keep me away from the cookies. I’m trying to keep a good balance—somewhere in between no treats and half a batch of cookies! We’ll have my annual 4th of July dessert later today, and that one will be hard to stay away from, since I don’t make it very often. I am making the flag with strawberries & blueberries instead of sugar crystals. That’s progress, at least, but it’s still a tasty, chocolatey dessert.

And, it’s only for the weekend. If I’m eating healthy meals and focusing on good snacks on a daily basis, a few days out of a month are going to be okay. Maybe it will halt my weight loss this week (we’ll get to see the final results next Monday!), but it won’t make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. Because it’s about way more than losing weight for a little while.

It’s about making permanent changes.

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 176.5 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: .5 pound gain
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 18.5 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 11 pounds
BMI: 25.25

Sistahood Question: How did well did you manage to eat healthy over the holiday weekend? Any tips for the rest of the summer?

This post is sponsored by Eco-Foil Pans, and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway for Eco-Foil prize pack, hosted by Mamavation.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!

Read the comments.
1
M Is for Kid-Free Weekend
Jul 01, 2011 | Filed Under: Alphabet Dating

After our super fun letter C date, we had a plan for letter M—a whole day of hitting Indy museums. We are members at both the State Museum and the Children’s Museum, plus the art museum is always free. It was supposed to be a fun, inexpensive day. We only needed a whole Saturday when someone could watch the girls.

Then, my mom volunteered to watch them for my birthday weekend—score! Sure, we could have still gone to the museum, but with an entire weekend alone, we changed the plan. Kid-Free Weekend, brought to you by the Letter M. After dinner with my family (both to celebrate my birthday and hand off the girls), we rented a few movies for Saturday.

Technically, movies are against the Alphabet Dating rules, but as part of a larger weekend, it is acceptable. Besides, we make the rules and are free to change them at will. So there. We went with both mindless action (Game of Action) & uber cheese (G.I. Joe)—neither of which I recommend.

Saturday morning featured mimosas & breakfast in bed, followed by a lazy movie marathon, curled up in bed, with a quiet house, and enjoying being together. We eventually got dressed and went to a new movie in an actual theater before dinner at Maggiano’s. When we do succumb to a simple dinner & a move date, we always see the movie first.

That way, we have something to talk about at dinner and don’t get sucked into the everyday work & kids chats. Dinner was awesome—it’s a cozy, romantic restaurant with delicious Italian food. I don’t like pasta at all, but there are plenty of other yummy options to choose.

I had hit up Twitter for a sexy dessert idea for letter M and came up with mousse, which we made together Saturday night but never got around to eating once they had chilled. And, so it became Sunday morning’s breakfast—yum! It definitely met the challenge.

We finished up the day with Macho Nachos for lunch and a few flea markets, before meeting my parents for gluten free pizza at Monical’s, to get the girls back. It was just a really laid back weekend, enjoying the quiet (and one another!). Before kids, we used to hit flea markets almost every weekend.

I think, sometimes, we forget about the simple things we used to enjoy. We get caught up in the game, planning our dates & doing things we’ve always wanted to do—which is awesome, but kinda misses the point. It’s all about being together, no matter what we’re doing.

Big, elaborate dates are obviously a lot of fun, but the simple ones are important too.

Read the comments.