From a Tough Time... to.... Making it Work!

Prior to starting this blog I was having a tough time with my food control, and staying accountable to my actions - eating and fitness routines. I had gotten on a slump and figured oh I don't have to track my food anymore; I don't have to hit the elliptical or treadmill 'that' hard, I am maintaining and its OK!

Slowly but surely over those 6 months of not in full 'control' of myself I ended up gaining at the highest 20lbs! It was unbelievably stressful; what had I done how could I have let myself go so far? My actual goal weight was 16lbs below the top of the BMI chart so I was thankful that my Weight Watchers does allow you to change your 'goal' weight. They knew I was in a slump and I would be back on my two feet again soon enough.

So now lets fast forward January I am feeling more in control and stay on track of my weight...
Why?

• I joined Run Your A$$ Off game to get back on track
• Signed up for numerous 5K's - and still train-in-progress!
• Started tracking my WW Points Plus
• Started tracking my WW Activity Points, and using Nike+ with my running bestie!
• This Blog! Being accountable as best as I can.

What finally been working for me??

Workouts
5-6 Days a Week I am in the Gym --
20-30 minutes of weight training
30-45 minutes of cardio

Easy of Food selections for Breakfast and Lunch









Breakfast/Post Workout Smoothie - Based on Protein Powder 4-6 Points Plus
(My favorite!)











Lunch - easy, quick to prepare and filling!

• Veggie Burger with light Swiss Cheese
• Handful of grape tomatoes
• 1 Serving Popped Edamame Chips _ found them at Costco!

Points Plus for this meal - 8

Midday snack for me is Freshly made vegetable juice - 0 Points Plus!


This then allows me a crazy amount of - 17 Points Plus for dinner and possible light dessert. I can not tell you how this makes Family dinners less stressful and keeps me sane to decide 'what' can I or should I not have. I try to make sure to have 4 ounces of protein, vegetable and whole wheat carb, as a balanced meal.

Not everyone could handle eating the same Breakfast or Lunch but its what helps me greatly in my success in my past weight loss journey and again continues towards success so far in these last few weeks.

I am excited to say I am 10lbs away from my original goal weight and I feel awesome.

This week I have my final weigh in, now as of last Thursday I hit my 4% goal for the Run Your A$$ Off  challenge, I just need to maintain it OR beat it! :)


What challenges you or makes your challenges 'easier' to accomplish??

Week in Review & Accountablity

Since going back to work and all other kids after school functions in full swing, my scheduling is allowing me the best opportunity to write will be during the evening hours.


Tomorrow night I am planning on getting shut eyed early
for my first group 5K race is Saturday morning!.



So tonight I provide you my quick work out week in review... I've gotten in 10.31 miles in,and tally in January is 31 miles.

Tomorrow as I mentioned I might be taking it a tad slower at the gym, maybe working on my arms in the weight training area, and no or very light cardio (e gad!). I think it is for the best, I am not an expert at this but there is usually a rest day right be fore your next 'big' race?

#plankaday!

Tonight marked my first Weight Watchers meeting of the year, and I am proud to say that I was with in my current goal weight. Tonight's topic was about fruits and vegetables and how to incorporate more in your eating habits. It got me thinking that since the begin of this year I actually "was" subconsciously eating more fruits and vegetables to my food selections. I started juicing again (I had quit this practice about 6 months ago), and then incorporating a vegetable or fruit with every meal or snack. How or why?? Maybe I just felt the give my body the appropriate nutrients for such stressful conditions like running? If you take a gander at my About Me page, you'll see and as I've mentioned before I have NEVER been a runner; and now ha, I am training and I am excited about pushing myself. So sure I have been getting in the cardio and strengthen in but by eating correctly, I know I did everything I could to fuel my body to tackle my running goals. Now to only get back on Tracking my food, I feel off the bandwagon hard on this one, (Not a great Lifetime member role model at the moment) and it has been a mental block for me that I have to break though. I have the 'time' to take a photo of what I have in front of me, or write it down - to then count out the Points Plus maybe later to show me my remaining balance for my day, I just 'have' to get back in the groove and be accountable to me and what I am placing in my mouth.

 

 

What keeps you accountable towards your goals? Do you track your exercise routines or daily food intake? If so what are your favorite programs or tools you use to help you in your journey?

 

Planning on taking photos of course on Saturday, which I'll be posting and you can follow on my FB Page hope you'll come check them out.