A testament to good friends, workout buddies, bland food, weird side effects and the elliptical machine. By Jj.

So this week has been an up and down one for me. I felt like I wasn't really accomplishing anything because of how much I've still been babying my ankle. My runs have slowed down and I haven't been able to push as hard because it still hasn't healed. So I was pretty convinced that I wouldn't see any results this week. However, it would appear that I was wrong. I don't know if it's the hour I spent on the elliptical on Monday or if it's the diuretic side effects of my new medication but I lost 2 1/2 pounds this week (even though I accidentally when over my calories one day - minus $.50 - and I went three days this week without any workouts at all - but not in a row)! I was doing a little jig on the scale this morning. It was a good time.

Anyway, with that weight loss it puts me at a total of 4 lbs since we started so that gets me over another milestone (one that I'll hopefully continue hitting). I also lost my first 1/2" around my hips and another 1/2" around my thighs. So that give me 1" on my thighs total and another milestone for that too. So, with my workouts, milestones and fruits and veggies I'll be depositing $10.50.

MJ: Signing In!

Marion, Janis, Rachel, Maria 11-05-2005

Hip Hip Hooray! I have met my first milestone!!! My H2O for 2 weeks!

I have been really working on my water intake. I mentioned this last week but I'll say it again. I have so much more energy!! Now, I love water, but it has not replaced Mountain Dew as my drink of choice. Honestly, I love the stuff. So, I have a rule that if I'm craving a soda, I drink a glass of water first. A lot of times the craving will go away after that. I don't beat myself up if I happen to still crave the soda. But I am sure to underline the carbs in my food journal since soda carbs are empty carbs. (Yes, girls, my food journal is still a notebook. I haven't taken the time to get one of the online options that are available. I hope to do that soon.)

I am loving my workouts. Having great women to walk with makes a huge difference. I'm also doing some ball workouts with another good friend of mine, Gunnar Peterson.
I like these workouts because they don't hurt my hip and you can use weights with them. I am so proud of you ladies and all of the fantastic workouts you talk about. I wish I had more options. We all know I'm like the lady on the lowest level of those 1980's and 90's aerobics videos thanks to my bad hip. Sometimes I get envious of the runners that I see in the morning. There's a group of three women who run and carry on a conversation at the same time. I would love that! But I keep reminding myself that I need to do what is right for my body and learn to be happy with myself. So, I'll keep on walking and I'll see you on vacation in a year!

I am going to remove my H2O milestone from the list and replace it with taking my multivitamin everyday for 3 weeks. I can't believe how often I forget to take it. And I will be depositing $10.

My Discovery

Today a bunch of my co-workers decided to go to Red Lobster for the all you can eat shrimp fest. I was invited to go and I think I've mentioned once or twice that I work with some of the coolest and funniest people on the planet so I hate to pass up an opportunity to hang out with them.
What to do? It is only day 1 in my week - do I use my free day today? And what if something should come up later in the week? Saturday is a birthday party - what if I want cake or icecream - or BOTH?
I was fortunate in that I knew ahead of time where we were going to eat lunch today. I was also fortunate in that a few days ago I found this amazing website that has the nutritional information on hundreds of menu items from hundreds of restaurants (www.thedailyplate.com). I went to this website and started looking at the nutritional information for several items on the menu at Red Lobster.
I am sure we are all starting to discover what a wonderful tool a food journal is for us. Not only does it allow us to track how many calories, carbs, or fat grams we're consuming and how much water we are or (in my case aren't) drinking, but it also makes us so much more aware of what we are ACTUALLY putting in our bodies - good or bad.
Today could have been an easy day to blow my diet - whether intentionally (just deciding I am going to eat as much cocnut shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes, and cheddar bay biscuits as my tummy can hold) or unintentionally (by ordering something that I think is a healthier alternative only to find out later that it was very high in calories, carbs, etc.) Janis inspired me to start looking more closely at the nutritional information in restaurant foods when she discovered that her Quiznos SALAD was NOT the healthy alternative she originally believed it to be. It is because of her that I decided to check out the nutrional information of my potential Red Lobster options beforehand.
I took a few mintues this morning to map out what I could order today and still stay within my alotted calories and carbohydrates. Because of the food journal, because I knew how many calories and carbs I had consumed for breakfast and would be consuming for dinner and because I did a little research online I was able to make a very informed and smart decision regarding what I could eat for lunch. And I didn't blow my diet today! YAY!
I remember being taught in YW to decide beforehand what I am going to do or not do in certain situations. Then when you are faced with what could be a difficult decision - it won't be difficult at all because you have already made that decision. I am going to apply this to my food choices.
I know that it isn't always going to be possible to plan ahead, especially with regards to eating out. My plan is to chose 6 or 7 restaurants and fast food joints where I am the most likely to eat "on the go" and I am going to research their menus. I am going to select the most healthy options available from those menus. Then if I am ever in a tight spot and have to grab something fast I can be sure I am making an informed decision and won't be surprised later to find out that I just consumed 800 calories or 50 carbs for lunch and completely blew my diet.
I am also going to plan out my own menus ahead of time. That way if I get asked to lunch again, having a good idea what my dinner plans are, I can make better decisions regarding lunch options.
Sorry to be so long winded ladies. But you guys know me well enough to know that I love to talk, chat, write, express, and share. I love you guys! I am so glad that we are doing this together!

YES!!!! for Rachel

I lost 2 pounds this week! So now I need to decide if my milestone is 3 pounds in one week or cumulative. I did always like the cumulative property in Algebra. Anywho...I will be depositing $8-$10 this week! and $5 for last week. All the running around has paid off!!!

My Second Semi-productive week . .

I don't think I've ever been as accident prone in my entire life as I have been the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it's because I'm trying to be more active and in actuality, I've always been a klutz or if it's God's way of telling me that I should just be happy the way I am and sit around all day and get fat. First, there is my famous and unattractive sprained ankle (in all my years of gymnastics, dance and cheerleading I've NEVER sprained anything and then I do it simply running). And then last night I was running with Chuck and it was dark by the time I got home. Anyway, long story short . . he cut in front of me and I tripped (maybe I'll tell the whole story on my own blog). So now I'm all scrapped up and bruised etc etc etc. But, just like my sprained ankle, it won't stop me. Probably not the smartest, but whatever.

Okay, now for my progress. I'm still not quite where I want to be on my carbs. Some days are better than others so I've been researching different low carb recipes to help keep that down. I've been tracking all of my food and everything on SparkPeople.com but I think I'm going to try using fitday.com too for a couple of weeks to see which one I like better and then I'll continue with that. I'll be depositing the maximum of $10 for this weeks progress. Also, I've lost another 1/2 inch on my ribs, a 1/2 inch on my waist, a 1/2 inch off my lower thigh, and I've lost one pound since our last weigh in. I know, it's not much but it's better than nothing. Just another pound and a half to reach a milestone. When I put it that way it seems a little daunting, doesn't it?

Got a question on measurements . . when we way a milestone is every 2" lost (or whatever) is that 2" overall - like do you add them up? Or 2" lost on one body part? I've got it as a milestone which most of us do but I didn't actually think about it until today when I was trying to calculate. Cuz I've lost 4" total all over, but obviously not all of that in one place. Hhmm . . guess I could follow Maria and do it 1" off hips, waist etc. What is everyone else doing??

Over and out.

Maria's Week 2

Hello Ladies! Interesting week for me. I've been much more careful with what I'm eating. I've created an on-line food journal (which I've only actually utlized the past three days) that tells me exactly how many calories, carbs, etc I'm eating. And I can also enter my workouts and it will tell me how many calories I've burned. I'm really liking it. I just need to decide WHICH on-line journal I'm going to use - right now I'm trying to decide between three.
www.sparkpeople.com
www.fitday.com
www.dailyplate.com
Anyway ...I lost 1 lb since last week. And I am extremely happy with that one little pound since I am also menstrating this week and we all know what that can do to our bodies! ARGH! I feel like I've gained 10! I didn't measure myself this week because 1) I'm only going to measure like once a month and 2) ... well... as I said, I'm menstrating and well know what that can do to our bodies.
I'll be depositing the max $10 this week.
My goal for the week is to keep my new on-line journal completely up to date and as accurate as possible - which means I need to pay closer attention to how much time I spend at the gym. And to drink more water!

MJ: Is it Wednesday Already?

Hi, girls! Just wanted to sign in quickly and let you know how I'm doing on the challenge. Thanks for your help on my $ calculating issue. I decided that the morning walks will only be 1/2 of a full workout because they are not strenuous. Thanks for that idea, Janis.

So, let's get down to business...I measured this morning and am happy to say that the inch I lost last week has not resurfaced! Hooray! I'm losing a little bit on my legs but that is where I always lose inches first. I hope to see some more progress in my abs soon. When it comes to apples and pears, I'm an apple shape:)

I didn't do so well on my food journal last week. I took notice of everything that I was eating, I just missed a couple of days writing it down. So, I'll be starting over with the journal this week. Wish me luck! I want to reach that milestone by the end of this month.

I placed a lot of my focus on water intake last week and I have so much more energy! It's amazing how much better I feel. Maybe I've been walking around in a dehydrated stupor for the last couple of years.

This week I'll focus on ab workouts, bigger breakfasts and H2O.

I will be depositing $13 (A combination of this week and last week.)

P.S. I went to the grocery store this morning and bought more yogurt, a multivitamin, wheat bread and HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!!! I couldn't control the impulse. Maybe I better put my food journal right next to the candy bag in my pantry!