day 162 (day 1 / week 24)

I can't believe how fast this week has gone by...

I found myself today wishing I hadn't committed to the 30 Day Shred (that commitment phobia kicking in lol) and I desperately wanted to do something different. I had a mini tantrum, in my head and procrastinated for a good 2 hours before doing something.

I did the 30 Day Shred, level THREE (day 11) and loved it! I love the traveling pushups, although I liked the walking ones too from Level 2. Not sure why, but I was able to hang with Jillian this time, instead of following along with Anita. It seemed easier, but I bet it's just a fluke lol. I think it's just cause it's new. It went by faster for me than the other 2 levels also, but I think it's because I didn't know what was going to happen next. What's going to happen now that I know what's in all 3 levels? *cry* I'm totally screwed now. Now I have to find something to trick my mind with, in order to keep this going. The sad part is that it's only day ELEVEN! *cry* I'll figure it out, cause there are worser things (like punking out all together). I can do this! I am a star!

Yesterday I said that I was going to give you guys the formula and do mine again, to make sure I'm eating enough, so this is going to be a long post. I learned this formula in school, but found it on sparkpeople.com again, so I am just going to copy/paste from there, since it's easier that way (for me lol). Thinking about this lately made me realize that I am doing something, that makes me crazy, and I said I wasn't going to do it. It's the whole reason why this is probably even an issue. I started weighing myself often again. I hid my scale, but I pull it out of the drawer to use it, and then put it back (great hiding space, and my hubby won't hide it for me! Grrrr). There is something comforting about standing on the scale for me. Knowing if I gained weight, or lost weight w/in a day's time doesn't make me feel like I have to work harder or less, or make me have a "fat" day and tell me what I can or can't wear or anything...I think I'm just more curious and fascinated with weight fluctuation, now that I track and write down everything that I put in my mouth very strictly. It makes me laugh when I see that I weighed 3 lbs less than yesterday morning, and drank the same amount of water, and ate pretty much the same foods (creature of habbit). Regardless, I need to stop! *looks in the mirror and points a finger* Stop it! Do you hear me?!?" *shakes shoulders.* OK...I'm not a crazy person. I promise.

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL. Please keep this in mind when you do your calculations. However, the fitness professional on sparkpeople.com Becky Hand, a registered dietitian, is the person that made this formula available (I am not putting any blame on her either--I think it's a BLESSING that this info is available for us to use!)

Here is that formula. I am going to use myself as an example, you can just plug your own numbers in to find out your numbers:

Age: 31
HT: 5'3 (63 inches/160 centimeters/1.6 meters)
Current weight: 194 lbs (88 KG)
Goal weight: 135 lbs (61 KG)
Fitness plan: 30-60 minute cardio sessions, 7 times per week

Because these formulas use height in both centimeters and meters, here’s how to calculate it: Multiply height in inches by 2.54 to convert inches to centimeters. So, my height conversion would look like: 63 x 2.54 = 160 centimeters, or 1.6 meters Because these formulas use weight in kilograms, here’s how to calculate it: Divide weight in pounds by 2.2 to convert pounds into kilograms. So, my weight conversion looks like this: 194 ÷ 2.2 = 88 kilograms

STEP 1: DETERMINE YOUR BODY MASS INDEX:

BMI: 34

BMI = weight (in kilograms) divided by height squared (in meters). My BMI = 88 kilograms ÷ (1.6 meters x 1.6 meters) = 34.

STEP 2: SET YOUR WEIGHT LOSS GOAL

I want to weigh 135 by December 31, 2009 (which probably wont happen) so I will settle for 2 lbs a week.

	Because I wants to lose another 59 pounds total, hopefully by the end of the year. That is 29 weeks away. I am setting a goal of 2 pounds a week, to try to get there, which adds up almost perfectly.

STEP 3: PLAN FOR FITNESS

I burn a
minimum: 2,597 calories/week
maximum: 6,069 calories/week

	According to sparkpeople, when I do 30 minutes of "circuit training" (my minimum) at 194 lbs I burn 371 calories/day, a minimum of 2597 calories weekly. On the days that I walk the most (80 minute 4.25 miles=496 calories) and do 30 minutes of circuit training, I burn 867 calories/day, a maximum of 6069 calories weekly. My fitness plan on sparkpeople reflects this with a weekly goal, advising me to burn 1620 calories through cardio, a week (which I ALWAYS go over).

STEP 4: MEETING YOUR BASAL METABOLIC NEEDS

My basal metabolic rate: 1,642 calories

Female BMR = 655 + (9.6 x weight in kg.) + (1.8 x height in cm.) – (4.7 x age in years) Male BMR = 66 + (13.7 x weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm.) - (6.8 x age in years) My BMR = 655 + (9.6 x 88 kg.) + (1.8 x 160 cm) – (4.7 x 31 years) = 1,642 calories

STEP 5: SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE ASSUMPTION

Sparkpeople assumes that outside of exercise, most people live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle:

SparkPeople makes the assumption that everyone is fairly sedentary throughout most of the day, except for the planned fitness activities they do. This sedentary lifestyle includes light walking on the job, light housekeeping, deskwork, running errands, etc. To determine the additional calorie needs of a relatively sedentary lifestyle, multiple your BMR by 1.2 to get the number of calories you need for both basal metabolic functions and light activity.

	Sedentary lifestyle needs: BMR x 1.2 My sedentary lifestyle needs: 1,642 calories x 1.2 = 1,970 calories.

STEP 6: TOTAL DAILY CALORIE NEED

I am exercising everyday, so I need to factor that into the equation:
I burn a minimum: 2,597 calories/week and a maximum: 6,069 calories/week

	My minimum daily calorie burn = 2597 calories weekly ÷ 7 days = 371 additional calories per day. My maximum daily calorie burn = 6069 calories weekly ÷ 7 days = 867 additional calories per day. Minimum: 1970 sedentary calories + 371 fitness calories = 2,341 total calories daily. Maximum: 1970 sedentary calories + 867 fitness calories = 2,837 total calories daily.

STEP 7: ACCOUNT FOR RATE OF WEIGHT LOSS

1 pound of body fat = 3500 calories. I want to lose 2 pounds a week which means that I want to lose 7000 calories a week.

Total Calorie Needs – weight loss rate (in calories per day) = Your Calorie Goal for Weight Loss Since I wants to lose 2 pounds per week, I need to cut 1000 calories per day. So, my minimum weight loss calorie target (2,341 calories – 1000 calories) is 1,341 calories per day, and my maximum weight loss calorie target (2,837 calories – 1000 calories) is 1,837 calories per day.

This makes so much sense to me! A few weeks ago, I realized that if I was eating 1300-1400 calories a day, I was losing weight. If I ate 1200, like sparkpeople has me eating, I go NO WHERE. I am appalled at the amount of calories I need to eat on maximum days, but I guess it makes sense.

Sparkpeople subtracts 250 calories from your weight loss goal (step 7) for the low end of the range, and adds 100 calories, to get the high end of the range. So for me:

on a 30 minute day:
1200 (1091*) calories -- 1441 calories (1200-1450, rounded to the nearest 10)
*The SparkPeople program will NOT allow any female to eat less than 1,200 calories daily or any male to eat less than 1,500 calories daily.

on a 110 minute day:
1587 calories -- 1937 calories (1590-1940, rounded to the nearest 10).

There you have it! I haven't been eating enough, but a part of me feels strange eating more, because the media and "common sense" (clearly not a smart statement at all) says "eat more, gain more, eat less, gain less." It's all about calories in and calories out. To tell you the truth, I'm afraid to eat more than 1500 calories a day because I am afraid I will gain weight. The math says that I wont, though, so I just need to trust that. If I start gaining weight, then we'll see, but for now, I'm still losing :).

Step #10: For Your Health and Safety

The SparkPeople program will NOT allow any female to eat less than 1,200 calories daily or any male to eat less than 1,500 calories daily.

When calories drop too low (usually below 1,200 calories for women and 1,500 calories for men), your body’s protection mechanism switches on because the body thinks it is starving. In order to conserve energy, the body lowers your metabolism and you will not burn calories as quickly. This results in a slower weight loss rate, or sometimes prohibits any weight loss from occurring.

At SparkPeople we call this “Starvation Mode”. When your caloric intake falls below these levels, it is also extremely difficult to obtain all the nutrients that your body needs for health and survival. These very low calorie intakes can also lead to other health problems such as eating disorders, gout, gallstones, and heart complications.

*deep breath* feels much better now. I did this before, but I didn't account for the days that I was doing more than 30 minutes. I would say that 3-4 days a week I am doing more than 30 minutes...

Sorry for the long blog. If you haven't joined sparkpeople yet, you should. It's free, and it's a PERSONALIZED plan. Fit just for you! You don't even need to have gym equipment or a gym membership! You don't even need to have videos! There are free videos on the site, from their Personal Fitness Trainer Nicole. This equation is calculated automatically into your nutrition plan, when you tell it how much exercise you do. It's been such a blessing, and I have regained knowledge that fell out of my head (mommy brain) years ago, and I have a better sense of how to make lasting lifestyle changes. SUCH A BLESSING!

Those of you that introduced sparkpeople to me, I don't have enough gratitude to express to you....thank you! thank you! thank you!

Make today count! Knowledge is power! Make it happen!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 161 (day 7 / week 23)

I don't know why I can't count, but for some reason I got my day's confused and thought that yesterday was day 8 into the 30 day shred. I have been doing it everyday since the 1st of the month, so I should just not use my brain, and just look at the date. yesterday was day 9, today is day 10 (it's june 10th lol).

You guys blessed me so much with your comments. I am SO blessed to have you guys there to lift me up when I am feeling discouraged. I had tears in my eyes yesterday, reading what you guys had to say, knowing that you care enough to help me. Thank you :).

Today I did Day 10 (really? not day 9? or day 11?) of the 30 day shred, level 2. I have no idea what was up with my deltoid yesterday. Today it was as if the pain never existed. Probably a good thing that I didn't push it.

Tomorrow I am going to post the math that I did to make sure I am eating enough with my exercise. The only thing that I am a little confused with, is that the formula asks you to estimate the number of minutes/week that you do. My numbers change almost weekly. It depends on if I am walking, or not, or if I am scrubbing grills and such. I just said that I was exercising 30 mins a day/7 days a week, and used that as my base information. Do you guys think that I should be using the maximum number of estimated minutes that I do in a week, instead of the minimum? I'll go pull out some of my info from school and see what it says. I ask this, becuase if I am going over 30 minutes a day, and my calories are set for only 30 and not more, I wonder if I am getting the proper amount of nutrients that my body needs? When I calculated it the first time, I didn't think that it made much of a difference, but maybe it does? Right now I have it set at 30 minutes (I think). I also plugged the numbers in to lose 2lbs a week, and that obviously isn't working, so something is wrong somewhere (human error).

I'll post everything tomorrow, and the formula so that you can follow along, and plug in your numbers (if you would like) to see where you should be at, if you are trying to lose weight, or maintain your weight. It's simple math, and it's nice to see the numbers customised for you, and you alone (we are all in the same boat but everyone is different!). There is also a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you can adjust these numbers yourself. This is the info that a lot of people pay for! I enjoy having this info and look forward to sharing it with you tomorrow.

Thank you again!

Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 160 (day 6 / week 23)

Today I remembered why I get up early to exercise. Exercising when the Monkey Boy is awake is fun, but I don't get much accomplished. I procrastinated for almost TWO hours today before doing anything. *sigh* I did level 1 of the 30 day shred. At some point later in the day I want to do level 2 as well, but we will see.

I am going to call today a (non)rest day for 2 reasons:

1) I can't get much done with my 2 year old son crawling through my legs when I am trying to do squats and lunges. When I do push ups he crawls up on my back, and with crunches, he sits on my stomach and bounces.

2) I think I hurt my shoulder muscle as it REALLY hurts to do push ups and the pectoral flies (laying on my back). I really want to take it easy.

Even though I will most likely do the 30 day shred twice today, I am going to call it an easy day, just because I don't want to push it too hard. I have no idea why this part of my shoulder hurts so I don't want to make it worse. It could be all of the plank positions in Level 2. I have been working on my form with those lately and maybe that could be the reason *shrugs*.

I want to walk today with Logan, but it's pretty humid out and might rain (I think yesterday they said it was a 50% chance lol). I don't want to walk for another 80-90 minutes with the chances of getting rained on. Vegas weather is strange anyway, so we'll see how things end up.

Thank you for your responses to yesterday's blog. I know that 1lb a week is good, and that I shouldn't focus on the numbers, but it just stinks when I let myself think about it. I know that I eat the right about of calories (I count fat carb and protein grams also!...well sparkpeople does) and that I am active, so don't I deserve to lose more weight like a lot of other people out there, that aren't doing as much? Erin made a good point though...I'm in this for the long haul, and the faster I take the weight off, the chances of putting them back on again are greater. I don't want that and am pretty positive that it won't happen, just becuase for me, this has been a lifestyle change. Not just about exercise. I feel better now. Thank you guys! ((Hugs))

Make today count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 159 (day 5 / week 23)

Today I felt kind of defeated (but NOT discouraged--nothing at this point will make me stop or slow down my mission). I'm only losing on average about a pound a week. It's not bad, but it sucks when I hear about people losing 2-5 lbs a week when I know I am probably eating better than they are and exercising more. Oh well, I am doing my best so I guess that's life and I just have to accept it.

I did level 2 of the 30 day shred (day 7) and because I want to step it up a notch, I power walked 4.25 miles! It took me 80 minutes to walk that, so I guess it wasn't really a power walk, but it's all good. At least I did it. I had Logan with me, so I can't really walk any faster with the stroller (it's not a jogging stroller) and he enjoyed the time away from home.

Hope you guys have a great Monday! If you are working today and you are thinking that you want to be more active, but don't know how to fit it in with work, here is an article called 100 Tips and Tricks to Sneak in a Work Out at Work. Someone named Amber Johnson emailed it to me and thought you guys might find it appealing (I did!).

Make today count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 158 (day 4 / week 23)

Today I thought I was going to do more than I did, but I didn't (boring day).

I did Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred this morning (day 7). I really like the "plank jacks" and the "Oblique twist" things (I can't remember what she calls them). I'm getting much better at the walking push ups--I can feel myself getting stronger. I'm beginning to be more aware of my form, and can correct it now, but still need to take an occasional few second rest. She says to rest for no more than 5 seconds, but I have counted that out, and that seems like an awful long time because the entire segment is over before you know it (and I feel I will get left behind! lol).

That's it! Short and sweet today.

Hope you guys have a great day! Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 157 (day 3 / week 23)

Today was a late day for exercise. It usually is on the weekends (for the most part) because I procrastinate. My husband is here and for some reason that makes me procrastinate muy mucho. I woke up early, and was ready by 7:30 (still pretty late for me) and then I fell asleep on the couch lol. *shrugs.* I think the sandman must camp out on my couch when we aren't here, because that couch ALWAYS makes me fall asleep. During the weekday's I never sit in it. I only sit in it to sit next to my hubby, and I always fall asleep.

After I shook myself out of the slumber, I got up and didn't want to exercise. again. Surprise, surprise! So I did level 2. again. of the 30 day shred. *whew* I feel awake now. The chair squats are difficult, but I will work at them. My favorites so far are the pendilum lunges and the plank jacks (?). I like the stationary lunge/row as well. I really feel the burn and it motivates me. day 6, level 2, done!

Yesterday I finished scrubbing/scraping the grill. The day before I used oven cleaner, but it never foamed, and dried almost immediately with the sun (it was 90 degrees out). Yesterday the same thing pretty much happened, except for I went through 2 bottles of oven cleaner, and they didn't even make a dent with the grill. It did help with the racks though. Surprisingly, I dumped some 409 in the grill and that helped break up the grime/rust at the bottom so that I could chizzle it away. I'm glad that is done, especially considering that I burned. I can also rest now.

I was out there for almost 3 hours and didn't realize it. I had 50 proof on (I never go outside w/out sunblock on), but I was out there for so long that I guess it just stopped working. I am never in the sun for that long and I didn't realize how fast the time really flew by or I would have put more on. Oh well. There are 2 good things to come from my burn: 1) I didn't get sick (I have a sun allergy) which leads to #2) my allergy must be going away. The MD said it was a matter of getting used to the sun, which I never let myself do. Walking/jogging in the mornings must have really helped me, and I did notice last week that I didn't feel queezy when I was out in the sun walking either. Yaay! This is big for me :) But no more burns. Burns are bad. Very, very bad. BUT, my hubby's father's day grill is done! *happy dance*

Off to take a shower. Have a great weekend and make it count!

I can do this. I am a burned star.

day 156 (day 2 / week 23)

"I want you guys to feel like you're going to die!"
--Jillian Michaels, The 30 Day Shred

I woke up this morning exhausted. Yesterday I spent 2.5 hours STRAIGHT (no joke!) scrubbing and scraping that grill. It was filthy and caked with grease and grime. It has (according to my mom) 15 years worth of build up on it (should have taken a before picture). I have to go back today to finish, because it was just not possible to do it all in one day. The steel wool ripped through my gloves and so I gave up with those, but now my nails and fingers are all...nasty. They look worse than man hand lol. I scrubbed so hard that I don't know if there was originally a protective coating of paint at the bottom of the build up, or if it was just straight aluminum (like it is now lol).

So I really didn't want to do The 30 day shred today because I know that I am just going to be scraping and scrubbing again today. I really didn't want to exercised. Then I remembered that I made a commitment with the group members in a sparkteam (on sparkpeople.com) fittingly called "The 30 Day Shred," to do the shred for the entire month of June. Arg! (yes I'ma pirate today).

What do you do when you don't want to do something? You take it to another level! Today I did the 30 day shred, but instead of doing level 1, I did level 2! This method is quite motivating for me. Jump in head first and just get it done with. I had only done level 2 once before (I think--I don't really remember) so I couldn't expect anything and wuss out of anything. I am really proud of myself and glad that I pushed through it. I feel great now, and KNOW that I can tackle that grill. With better gloves. And more oven cleaner. *vera de milo muscle flex*

Off to wake the boy up (wow I'm waking him up super late today!).

Make today count! Take it to the next level and push through it! You'll be glad you did :)

I can do this. I am a star.

day 155 (day 1 / week 23)

There is something about how Jillian Michaels structures the 30 day shred, that makes it go by so fast when you are doing it. I have done quite a few 30 minute workouts, and this one seems to go by the fastest. I think it's because we are constantly moving onto something else, and you can kind of count the segments or phases (I forget what she calls them).

She has a 3-2-1 system: 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs. This really makes the time go by fast, let me tell you! There's nothing worse than going to exercise (especially when you really don't want to!) and the time just drags on. This workout is definitely a higher intensity than Slim in 6 or Turbo Jam, but you can't really compare them all. They are all just different, and it isn't fair to do that. They are all awesome in their own right!

Anyway, I just finished Day 4, Level 1 of the 30 day shred. I can already go lower in the 2 types of lunges we do and the squats, and I can feel my body getting stronger (ha! ya right, it's only been 4 days--must be totally psychological--but it sounds good, right? lol). My legs were a little bit sore yesterday later in the day, and they were a little sore this morning, but they feel fine now (not a bad sore). It reminds me of High School, playing sports and working through the beginning training part, after the summer break. I used to hurt so bad after volleyball and softball, but it eventually went away the more I practiced.

Ok off to get some stuff done. Hope some of you guys are out there doing the shred with me. I know some of you have it! We can do this together! Well, whatever you're doing, make today count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 154 (day 7 / week 22)

Today I did day 3 of the 30 Day Shred (lvl 1). My shoulders are still sore, but they are feeling better. It's only been 3 days since I started, but I feel like I have more stamina--I don't feel like I want to die (or stop) during the butt kick/jumping jack/jump rope parts (not my favorites). I really hope that I stick to this. I know I can do it now, but I don't know how things will be in 20 days. God gives us the the strength to do what we gotta do (Phil 4:13).

I'm a little annoyed with the recipe calculator on sparkpeople right now. I just spent a good 40+ minutes entering the recipe, and it didn't save :(. I will have to update this blog later to add the recipe then.

I have to get ready for a job prospect and have to leave in an hour. I'll be back with that recipe for you guys again. Sorry. :( (be sure to check back in a few hours if you want the recipe).

I can do this. I am a star.

UPDATE: Here is the recipe:

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=653829

please excuse the pic. I am not a food photographer! (obviously! lol)

Chicken Tetrazzini

Poultry Dinner Poultry Dinner

Submitted by HEYNOWBNICE

This is my modified / healthier version of Giada De Laurentiis' chicken tetrazzini (from the food network)
60 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

2-3 chicken breasts (I used 2 7oz breasts--Simmons, 99% FF Chicken Breast Fillets from Costco) 3 Tbsp Imperial Stick Margarine 1/8 C Italian Style Bread Crumbs (Great Value) 1/8 C Flour A Pinch of Nutmeg, ground 1/2 Tbsp Thyme (I used ground) 1 Tbsp olive oil (I used Pampa Extra Virgin Olive Oil) a dash of Salt and pepper 1/2 C Fresh Mushrooms (chopped) 1/2 (med) Onion (I used yellow--red is good too) 3 garlic cloves or 3 tsp Christopher Ranch Chopped Garlic in oil (more would be good too) 1/4 C dry White Wine (this makes the flavoring so make sure you like the wine!) 1/2 C Whole Milk (instead of heavy whipping cream) 2 C Milk, Fat Free (instead of whole milk) 1/2 C Swanson Chicken Broth 99% Fat Free 1/2# Ronzoni Healthy Harvest whole wheat blend Linguine (1/2 of the 1lb box) 1-1/2 C Peas, frozen For the topping: 1/2 C Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese (grated) 1/8 C Italian Style Bread Crumbs (Great Value) Cooking spray

Directions

makes 12 3x3 servings (about 1/2 cup)


Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.


Spray a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.


In a deep large nonstick frying pan, cook chicken over medium-high heat (optional: Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper). Cook until pale golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side (my larger breasts took 6-8 minutes on each side).


Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly. Coarsely shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and into a large bowl.


Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to the same pan. Add the mushrooms and saute over medium-high heat until the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates and the mushrooms become pale golden, about 12 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.


Add the wine and simmer until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. Transfer this mushroom mixture to the bowl with the chicken.


Melt 2 more tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, broth, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Increase the heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes.


Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 9 minutes. Drain. Add the linguine, sauce, peas, and parsley to the chicken mixture. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta and the mixture is well blended.


Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish.


Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the pasta. Lightly spray with cooking spray (from a distance and gently!).


Bake, uncovered, until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 25 minutes.


It's not as creamy as the original version, but that's where all of the calories are!


My family really enjoys it. It's my 2 year old son's favorite dinner!


Recipe modified from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-tetrazzini-recipe/index.html

Number of Servings: 12

Nutritional Info

• Servings Per Recipe: 12
• Amount Per Serving about 1/2 C
  
• Calories: 212.3

• Total Fat: 7.0 g
• Cholesterol: 30.0 mg
• Sodium: 371.1 mg
• Total Carbs: 25.1 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2.9 g
• Protein: 14.1 g

day 153 (day 6 / week 22)

I just finished day 2 of the 30 Day Shred (lvl 1). Man, that's tough. My body is in shock.

I find it funny that when I am in a workout and do something that makes me think, "man, I'm gonna feel that tomorrow" and then I don't but feel something completely different. I really thought that my shins were going to be sore today. They were sore yesterday, so of course I would feel it today, right? Nope! My shoulders are sore though! (good sore of course). I didn't expect that. at all. lol.

I deserve a gold star for doing the 30 day shred TWICE yesterday, AND then doing it again today! I mentioned yesterday that I have developed a commitment phobia to my workout DVDs and doing it 3 times in 2 days is really something to me...

Yesterday on sparkpeople.com I joined a 30 Day Shred group, and they are having a June challenge--to do the 30 day shred, everyday in June. I accepted the challenge and now I HAVE to do it. People know that I joined the challenge--I even had to send in my measurements to compare at the end of the month. There are a ton of people in this group doing this challenge, so it feels kind of neat to know that everyone else in this group, is going through the EXACT same thing that I am. I find motivation and inspiration in that. Maybe I'll ditch the commitment phobia for this month, just for this challenge. I shouldn't call it a phobia, because I am not afraid of it--I just don't want to be tied down at the moment. Can't we just see each other off an on Workout DVD's? I can't handle everyday. Workout DVD's, you're smothering me! (lol j/k).

Ok off to get the Monkey Boy up! I am going to bake that carrot cake today for my F-I-L and make the frosting...I believe the frosting is built into the calories! I need to double check though.

I have a new recipe for you guys! It's my healthy version of this Giada De Laurentiis recipe (I love her!), Chicken Tetrazzini...she's from the Food Network for anyone that doesn't know! So pretty and talented! If you want to eat full fat and the creamy clog-your-arteries yummy goodness, make it from this link (I'm sure it's not that bad, but mine is MUCH better for you). I was just able to make it healthier, and it's still got great flavor. My hubby has had both versions, hers (that I used to make all the time a few years ago) and my new and improved version, with wheat linguini. He says the new one is good and took some for lunch today :).

So yummy! So yummy! There's a party in my tummy!

I entered my version into sparkpeople yesterday and it only has 211.4 calories per serving (about 1/2 c). I ate 2 svgs for dinner last night and was FULL. This is one of my son's favorite dinners. He's been kind of a picky so it's awesome when he actually eat's something that I've cooked. I'll post the recipe tomorrow, so be sure to come back!

Ok really off this time. Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 152 (day 5 / week 22)

Today is the first of the month...measurement day. I would like to say that I am excited about my results, but I'm not. It could be worse though, so I should just be happy that I didn't have a big fat zero instead of something close to it (still disappointing though!).

Today I did Day 1, Level 1 of the 30 Shred. 28 minutes. I used my 3 lb weights. I think I am going to do it a second time today just because I want to have more minutes to enter into sparkpeople, to get more sparkpoints (oye, I've become one of those lol). I may or may not go for a walk with the Monkey Boy also. It just depends on his mood. We will probably go back to that water park though :).

I feel like today I got really sweaty and got a good workout. I don't remember getting like this before, but I remember it being a good workout, it being tough and that I was an Anita groupie. I was again today, but I don't think I relied on her as much as I did the last time I did this workout. I was able to do the jumping jacks without any pain. I think wearing shoes really makes a difference with this workout. Yaay for sneakers! I could also do ALL of the modified push ups. The only thing my knees didn't like was the side lunges with the lateral shoulder raise thingies. If I focused on what Jillian was saying and stuck my bottom out and back, it helped, but I could feel a strain or like a pull in my shin (strange). Maybe I just need to stretch out a little better before I do it again. :)

Onto the good stuff...well not so good because it could have been better...but it could have been worse too!

My measurements:

Measurements: (day 152 / 121 / day 10) (- "/# lost in current month)

Wt: 194.6 / 200.0 / 215 (-5.4#) (total lost 20.4#)
Chest: 39" / 39.5" / 43.75"(-.50") (total lost -4.75")
Waist: 34.75" / 35" / 41.5" (-.25") (total lost -6.75")
Hips: 44" / 44" / 47.75" (-0") (total lost -3.75")
Neck: 13" / 13.25" / 14.25" (-0.25") (total lost -1.25")
Under bust: 33" / 33" / 36.75" (-0") (total lost -3.75")
1" below belly button: 40.75" / 41.25" / 47.5" (-0.50") (total lost -6.75")
below my bottom (above my thigh): 39.5" / 40.25" / 44" (-0.75") (total lost -4.50")
R Thigh: 19.5" / 19.75" / 27" (-0.25") (total lost -7.50")
L Thigh: 19.5" / 19.75" / 27.5" (-0.25") (total lost -8")
R Calf: 13.25" / 13.75" / 14.5" (-0.50") (total lost -1.25")
L Calf: 14" / 14" / 15.5" (-0") (total lost -1.5")
R upper Arm: 10.75" / 10.75" / 14" (-0") (total lost -3.25")
L upper Arm: 11" / 11" / 13.5" (-0") (total lost -2.5")
R wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")
L wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")

Jan 2009

Feb 2009

March 2009

April 1, 2009

May 1, 2009
June 1, 2009

I lost only 3.25" overall in May 2009 :( but I lost 5.4 lbs :) (my bipolar sentence).

Not so excited about the inches sticking around (actually quite disappointing), but I'm glad I lost 5 lbs! My theory is that I didn't stick to a plan this month, like I have in the previous months with Slim in 6 or Turbo Jam, but did my own thing, and switched it up a lot (boredom). Maybe this month, I will stick to a plan, like Slim in 6 again or something to see if I can confirm this theory. *shrugs*. I did the 30 day Shred today, but I don't know if I want to continue to do it for the rest of the month. I think I have developed a commitment phobia with my workout DVDs (lol).

This month we had to use a new camera, because last month at this time, our old camera died *tear*. My hair looks lighter and I look darker, but I don't think that part is the camera (maybe the hair), but I have gotten darker, which is totally strange, cause even when I lived here in Vegas before, I NEVER got any color. Pasty white baby--all year round. 50 proof in the house! I even have a "tan line" on my wrist from my watch/HR monitor, just from my walks in the morning AND a farmers tan! I finally look apart of this family lol.

As a reward for being so great with my eating--counting every calorie and no refined sugar (and cutting back on the sugar free stuff) I am going to bake a Sugar Free Carrot Cake w/out frosting that I found on sparkpeople. I'll include the recipe for the Sugar Free Cream Cheese frosting, in case any of you want it, but I don't keep artificial sweeteners in the house, so I won't be making it (no frosting for me!).

Sugar Free Carrot Cake with Sugar Free Cream Cheese Frosting



Moist carrot cake with the added advantage of being SUGAR FREE!



4 egg whites
2 whole eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesause
1 cup apple juice concentrate
1/4 cup water
3 cups whole grain flour
1 tbsp baking power
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup raisins
2-1/2 cups shredded carrots (4 medium)
Frosting:
1 1/2 cup fat free cream cheese (room temp)
1 1/2 teaspoons butter (room temp)
16 Equal packets or Splenda packets (to taste)
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Stir together eggs, apple juice concentrate, oil, applesauce and water. Set aside.
Sift together dry ingredients: flour, baking power, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Put raisins in warm water to plump.
Grate carotts and spray 2 round 9" cake pans with non-stick cooking spray (I'm using a bundt pan to cut the calories per serving and get more servings in this recipe).
Gently stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened. Drain raisins. Fold in carrots and raisins.
Pour equal amounts into cake pans and bake at 350 F for about 25 - 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 F for 8 - 12 minutes more. (I think I will lower it to 325 and bake it longer--what do you think Erin?)
Cool cake completely and frost with blended cream cheese frosting.
Keep in fridge.

Number of Servings: 12 (24 with my bundt pan--I cut the big slices in 1/2 also)

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user DARCYMAC.

Nutrition Facts Sugar Free Carrot Cake with Sugar Free Cream Cheese Frosting
Serving Size: 1 serving (out of 12)
Amount Per Serving
Calories		270.7
Total Fat		8.9 g
	Saturated Fat	1.4 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	2.4 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	4.5 g
	Trans Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		39.3 mg
Sodium		559.3 mg
Potassium		376.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate		39.7 g
	Dietary Fiber	5.0 g
	Sugars	2.1 g
Protein		10.4 g

Vitamin A	61.8 %
Vitamin B-12	3.7 %
Vitamin B-6	10.0 %
Vitamin C	3.4 %
Vitamin D	1.2 %
Vitamin E	10.2 %
Calcium	13.4 %
Copper	9.4 %
Folate	7.9 %
Iron	10.4 %
Magnesium	13.6 %
Manganese	63.1 %
Niacin	11.6 %
Pantothenic Acid	5.5 %
Phosphorus	27.2 %
Riboflavin	10.7 %
Selenium	36.0 %
Thiamin	12.9 %
Zinc	8.6 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Enjoy! If you use a bundt pan like me, cut the nutritional info in half!

Hope you guys have a great June. I can't believe it's June. I am so proud of myself for doing something this time, because I know that right now I would be saying, "what if I had started exercising in Jan? How would I look?" Now all I have to do is look at the above picture to answer my own question :).

Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

UPDATE: 4:13pm (PST) I just got finished doing the 30 Day Shred levell 1, AGAIN, for the 2nd time today! Yaay!