I've gotten off those pesky pounds I picked up during our Washington adventure. I'm down to that blasted 162 that always wants to hang on for life. I'm hoping that by next Sunday, the weight will have shifted again...I hope, for the lower and better.

The new for me? Being consistent. I have a tendency to change things up too soon, so now I'm trying to do the regular schedule, for at least a few weeks, and see where that gets me. Last Friday, I tried a H.I.I.T session on the elliptical trainer. I warmed up for five minutes, performed a rest and H.I.I.T for thirty seconds each, four times. Next week, I'll move up to five and the week after, six. Every other day, I'm being consistent about my weight training. It also means I'm sore most of the week. My inner thighs are talking to me right now. Yesterday, my abs were singing. The day before, my thighs.

I tried the Firm Classic #5 for the first time, yesterday. I'm familiar with the instructor because of the Firm Parts - Standing Legs video I have. She is one of the instructors. I think #5 is a great toning video, but I'm not sure it will be one I use in my heavy rotation. The weight emphasis isn't as prevalent in this as it is in other videos I have.

Since our trip to Washington, I can't seem to get my act together. Part of it is the cooking. I have to get back into the swing of cooking on a regular basis. The way to do that is to get more sleep (we seem to be getting to bed later and later, which means less sleep at night, which means a lot more tired in the mornings). Hubby has been bringing Isagen.ix home and I've decided to really take a look at the material and, perhaps, give it a go as a cleanser. Maybe my plumbing is gunky and needs some help. Maybe I can "Jump start My Heart" into action again.

Last night, we did the "quick fix" and picked up Wendy's for dinner. Although I didn't go incredibly over board, we ate much later than usual (around 8:30pm). We've been eating later and that definitely will thwart any kind of progress. The weight is creeping back on and I'm not happy about it. To try and help myself from last nights damage, I worked out on the elliptical for 74 minutes which totaled 1000 calories burned. I was thinking I might go at it again (if time permits) but, we'll have to see. The babe has dance class tonight so my time is sort of all over the place.

Meanwhile, I still have my goal insight. As I said, I'm going to research Isageni.x and then I'm going to work hard at getting my eating back under control, along with my sleep. I'm going to restrict my alcohol intake to the weekends too (nightly cocktails are not helpful to the process). It's all about eating clean again. Fish, chicken, oatmeal, egg whites...bring it on!

I'm always very aware of when my cravings start before TOM (approximately two weeks), but I still cave into them. Yesterday, anything I could get into my mouth was my mode for the day...let me qualify this - anything salty or sweet. Of course, I paid for the damage with the unfriendly number on the scale, but I'm doing much better today. I have to remember to use my *help* on those days to help stave off cravings. My workouts haven't stopped (thank goodness, because this is also the time when I say, "I need a rest day," or some such garbage). I've kept it up. I almost didn't this morning, until I remembered that I wouldn't get a work out in tomorrow.

I mentioned a few posts ago that I wanted to keep track of my dietary stuff on here again too, but that hasn't been consistent. I'm going to continue to try. I look back on posts and it's good to see what I was eating and doing and what worked the best. So far, I can say that eating buckets of salt and sugar does not work. Working out consistently and eating "clean" works very well. I haven't been cooking as much and I can definitely tell the difference in my weight loss. It has slowed down and I know it won't pick again until I'm grilling chicken, steaming brown rice and veggies, and drinking my water and tea regularly again.

I am excited about my trip this weekend. I know there will be lots of splurging, but I will temper the splurging with wisdom. It's supposed to be quite cold there and I know that automatically makes me want to scarf down the comfort foods.

Well, for an anniversary day present, the 159.2 on the scale was probably the best gift I've gotten in a long time. So, I'm officially in the 150's and approaching the college weight. I can't believe it! Hubby and I spent yesterday splurging, so I'm sure the 150's are a distant memory today, but I hope that I'll have them back in a couple of days (at least by the next weigh day). I will order my perfume though (it's a goal weight, after all).

My hope is to be a couple pounds down for my trip to Washington, next week. I don't know if I can do it but I'm sure going to put my best foot forward. I'm also planning on watching the figure video whenever I need some motivation (I finally got that sucker burned to disc...next, I'll add it to YouTube).

To read more about my anniversary adventures yesterday, check out the other blog.

Yesterday, my nifty 20% coupon arrived from Bed, Bath and Beyond and I was thrilled. I could buy my scale and begin my tracking again. Hubby was training away from the office, yesterday and ended up at one of his favorite bargain-basement stores. He purchased a Thinner scale (like the one shown here) for $18, they normally retail for about forty. Talk about irony! It's the exact same scale I would have purchased and even with my coupon, I wouldn't have gotten it for the price he did (he wins again).

So, this morning, I set up my profile and weighed myself...dreading the worse. When the scale flashed 160.8 and then scrolled through the many other numbers it calculates, I couldn't believe it! After all the splurging and craziness I've been through, I've managed to maintain my weight. Of course, I have been keeping up with my workouts and I have to believe that's what's made the difference. I just wonder if now that I'm back on track, I'll begin to see losses again. I sure hope so. I changed my computation on The Daily Plate to record me as a mildly active person, rather than sedentary. I don't think I qualify as a sedentary person anymore.

So, here's what I got for today:

50 minute workout on elliptical trainer
1 L-Carnitine (& help)
1 pancake (no butter)
1/8 cup serving of Country kitchen syrup
Tofu
1 cup of decaffeinated tea

Yesterday's dinner consisted of 1/2 mesquite grilled chicken breast
hash browns with light ketchup
2 slices of whole wheat toast with light jelly (these were leftovers from Sunday breakfast)
the last 1/3 of my small, choco cherry blizzard

Hubby and I went up to Park City with the girls this past weekend. I ate a very good breakfast (Jimmy Dean Delight sandwhich and small bowl of Fiber One cereal) and then we traveled up the canyon to the ski resort town for shopping. We were on the hunt for gymnastics and dance gear for the oldest. We found it and a whole lot more.

By the time lunch rolled around (2 ish or so), we were all starving! Not a good thing to be when you're surrounded by fast food joints. I had a Wendy's stack and some fries (along with a light Minute Maid lemonade). Then, because I was still so famished, I had another stack. Damage done, right? Wrong!! When dinner time came around? Where did we go? Dairy Queen! I had two double cheeseburgers and a small blizzard (which I did not finish, thank God). I keep thinking that if my scale were functioning, I could see the damage and do something about it.

Since the weekend, thankfully, I have been better. Today I'm pretty hungry, but I'm not letting it rule me. I figure I'll do a weight training workout this afternoon and then eat a good, solid protein-filled dinner. That ought to take care of things (I did work out this morning, btw; 50minutes on the elliptical). I burned around 650 calories. I definitely need more weight training, as I've said before. It's the muscle that's going to do me the most good.

Here's to hoping that 20% off coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond is in the mail today. Yeesh!!

So, I'm going to try and keep up with what I'm doing on this site as well as my calorie site. I don't know how successful I'll be, but I'd like to have an additional record of what I'm doing, just in case one site dies/crashes/disappears.

I'll try to keep it simple. I'm not sure how many other people are viewing this site, so the simplicity is for me. Retracing my steps is a lot easier when there's not a lot of muck to step through.

Workout - 50 minutes (661 calories) Elliptical trainer

Breakfast - Fiber One Caramel Delight cereal with fat free coffee mate. A second bowl of Fiber One Honey Clusters with fat free coffee mate (I was starving this morning. I should have found a protein source, but I wasn't in the mood for fish...which was the only quick source available).

Lunch - haven't prepared it, but will have tofu and brown rice. I'm looking for a vegetable (most likely dry coleslaw mix.

I didn't weigh this week because my scale is deceased. I hope to buy another one soon. I have no idea where I am or what's happening with my weight...I'm wishing for 150s, but I think that's in vain after last weekend's splurging.

So, after hubby's show this weekend, I have more motivation to try and tackle the whole figure physique. I think if I lost thirty pounds (Phew! That seems like a whole, heck of a lot) and had the muscle I'm carrying now, I could do pretty well. My weight training will have to pick up. As I mentioned before, I've been doing crazy cardio as of late (burning somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-800 calories per session). I've also been eating more because of this, but not always the best items. I've got to get back into the Oats-eggs-tuna regime. It's so boring, though!!

I didn't weigh last week because TOM showed up. Then, a couple of days later, hubby stepped on the scale and it responded with a flashing "CAL" which normally means it's calibrating; however, this usually goes away after a few seconds. Not so that time. It flashed like a disco ball for nearly a minute and a half. Not a good sign. Now, the screen is dark. You try to step on it and no response. I tried replacing the battery and...nothing. The scale is officially dead. When I get another one of those 20% off coupons (that we all get) for BedBathandBeyond again, I'll be purchasing a new scale. I don't feel that I'm a slave to it anymore, I just like to gauge what's happening. I also need the numbers for my goal rewards (haven't had one of those in a while...sigh). The next one is perfume. (Que A Chorus Line..."God, I hope I get it...I hope I get it!")

My legs are like rocks, did I mention this? Seriously. They are hard where the muscles are. The flabby part isn't as flabby, but I'm thinking I'd like the flabby part to be taut as well. The arms need serious help! I can tell I've lost fat in them, but it looks like the air has been let out and they are swinging. Yikes! My triceps are beautiful when I flex, but I want them to look like that even when I don't. I've seriously got to get to work. As I looked at the women at the show I thought, "You know, I could do this." The only draw back is that I don't have a gym membership. Perhaps my goal will be to see if you can compete without a gym membership. Can a person place in a show who only has her free weights, her cardio equipment and her videos? I wonder...

It will probably be a year before I can even attempt as much and that's if I can keep myself going without interruptions like sickness, work weirdness and kid drama. I guess it's a wait-and-see game.

At least, that's what I'm hoping about the 160's this week. Today's number, a happy 160.5 has me wishing and praying and hoping that the 150's will soon be here. I'm still working out, but not doing the weight training as much as I'd like. I plan on popping in a Firm disc tomorrow for arms. Friday and Saturday will be monopolized with preparing for hubby's bodybuilding show. I suspect that our weekend will have a splurge or two...but I'll try to pace myself.

Well, of course the health folks tell us that you really can't have too much fiber (at least, we Americans never get enough so, we really don't have to worry about over doing it, right?). There used to be a commercial for a fiber supplement that showed a lady getting in her recommended grams of fiber by eating all day. She would turn off her alarm in the morning, roll over and grab an apple. She would eat her regular meals, but then you'd see her pumping away on an Exercycle while eating a huge stalk of raw broccoli. The idea, of course, is that you'd literally have to eat all day to get in the recommended value and we just can't do that.

So, I've been getting in my extra fiber whenever I can. The newest trend for me is eating the Fiber One brand of goodies. The chocolate chip bars are wonderful and so is the cereal (Caramel Delight!)l but, buyer beware. You may just want to make sure you eat these things when you're already home or will be within the hour of eating. The breakdown happens pretty fast and you may experience other symptoms before you find yourself visiting the throne. Seriously! Can one person produce so much gas? Yikes! It makes me wonder about the folks who are taking Xen.ical or it's OTC brother, A.LLI. Not that Fiber One recommends that you bring extra clothes to work, but it's pretty darn close.

Meanwhile, the weight was the same this week and that's because I indulged in a few too many Easter treats. Cadbury eggs, M&Ms, Strawberry Milkshake Whoppers and the best yet, Dove Chocolate Walnut Rendezvous ...

OMG! These are the best "dry" cookies I've ever eaten! The best part is that the girls don't like them, so they could be all mine and hubby's. So, it's no surprise to me that there was no change. The workouts have been good, steady and consistent. Today is weight training day, so I'd better hop to it. Hopefully, all the gas I have will be expelled by the end of the workout. Really, is it worth it?

It seems to be my mood, as of late. I'm now feeling encouraged and happy about the prospects of my hubby not moving out. Normally (as I've said before, I'm all backwards), I would eat in celebration of this happiness but I resist. I've worked hard to get to these blasted 160s and am encouraged that I am on my way to the 150s (maybe). Will it happen? God, let's hope so.

Today, I was going to have a rest day. Everything in me says, "Work out! Work out! Work out!" but I really do need a day of recharge. Tomorrow, I can work out and feel good that I've worked out everyday this week accept Friday. Can it be? I'm actually missing the workout? (Cue Twilight Zone music here).

Easter is coming and hubby bought me a snazzy new dress not too long ago. I haven't worn it yet, so it is now dubbed the Easter dress of 2008. Is anybody else not "feeling" Easter? It's too early this year. I can't believe it's nearly time to dye eggs and such. Dye eggs? For real? (Here's the dress. Too bad I don't have those "Mary Janes" from my goal list. They would rock with this dress!)

Well, with all my personal troubles, I haven't had much of an appetite (see New Dawn site). I'm not advocating this way of "dieting" or "eating right" because it really isn't "eating right"; however, the scale was kind this morning at 160.5 and I'm certainly not complaining. As it stands, I'm officially smaller than I was in June of 2004 (my smallest since starting this blog in 2003). It's truly a milestone! The last time I was this close to being in the 150s, I had just gotten married.

Now, I'm getting nostalgic and feeling sad. Ten years ago, I was probably this weight and ten years ago, the only place my hubby wanted to be was near me. Currently, he's in a race to get clear so that we can "think" and "work things out". I'm just so afraid of what this will lead to! In the meantime, I can't think straight and I'm not eating properly, so I'm hitting these awesome numbers that, yeah I'm sort of happy about, but I'd much rather have my hubby. The wild thing is that he's been going on and on for the past few days about how much he loves me and wants everything to work out. I want the same things, but I want him here, too. Sleeping alone has been incredibly difficult for me and I feel sort of weak saying this.

Meanwhile, (and on a happier note) I'm sort of hard, I guess is the best word to describe it. I went to scratch my upper thigh the other day and it felt like rock or a rod had been inserted into my leg. It was sort of weird and unsettling at first. I asked my hubby what it could be (this was a few days ago when we were still playing "house" and all was well) and he said, "Uh, that's muscle honey." Yeah, well I guess I already knew that but just needed some sort of confirmation of the fact. It was weird and still is. I'll grab my legs to walk up the steps and, wow! Steel! I just can't see the definition like I'd like to or maybe it's there and I'm having body issues. Who knows.

For the first time in nearly a year, I changed my imood display. I have a feeling it will be "sad and pitiful" for a while.

I've started a new Firm video it's the one you see here with the lovely Pam. Pam is a butt kicker through and through. I mean, I was like, "Is it over yet? Is it over yet?" half-way through the workout. Lots of concentration on all the body parts and several aerobic segments had the sweat dripping from everywhere! This Firm is a bit more updated then the ones I normally use, but it still has all the Anna Benson touches I like (without the bad 80's make-up and gold jewelry).

My Wednesday weigh-ins are still happening but I don't always post the number. It really hadn't changed much, until today: 162. I hope this sticks...I truly do. It's like when I was in the 170s approaching the 160s. It seems to take forever to break into the new weight bracket. Hubby is dropping weight like his dirty shirts all over our bedroom. He's preparing for a show and, honestly, he looks damn hot. I know he's working harder than I ever have to get this weight off, but it's for the purpose of winning. For me, it's life-long. I don't need to drop it fast just to have it come back again. Further more, I don't want to do what I did last time...working out like crazy and feeling like I'd have to for the rest of my life, in order to stay fit and trim. I can have my life, enjoy my kids and my hubby as well as work out. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

Another change to the workout plan is that I sometimes extend my elliptical training sessions to 45 or 50 minutes. I received the first season of Charlie's Angles for Christmas and it's a great way to pass the time while I ellipticize. Soon, I'll break out the Wonder Woman and Hulk episodes. They're about 50 minutes per episode, too.

I haven't posted in a bit, but trust that I have been keeping up with my new, nutritional plan. The cardio workouts are consistent. The weight training was consistent, until I began weight training with hubby. Some days, he just doesn't have the energy to train after working all day. I can't blame him (and I certainly don't complain). I need to insert my Firm workouts again on the weekends, just to be sure I'm getting in some weight training. There are weeks when we only manage one workout (typically Tuesdays).

Friday, I weighed in at 163.5 and I was thrilled! This new plan is pushing me down the slope again and I'm thrilled. I was around this weight when all things came to a halt, so I'm motivated to keep this up. I notice that things regress when we splurge and, unfortunately, we just came off a splurge weekend. Hell, it was worth it. I don't think gorging on Oatmeal cookies is as bad as things could have been. We did eat at Wendy's one of those days and I didn't order my standard "be good" meal (Jr. Hamburger, small chili) and it was tasty! I noticed that I was full for the evening after that junk. I was also feeling crappy the next day (clean systems don't like sludge mucking up the works). I know tomorrow's weigh day probably won't be as kind, but at least I know that being consistent is taking the weight off again. I was stuck for many weeks with no way out.

A little prematurely, I ordered a couple of things from Newport News. I'm not a shopper but they were having a sale that I just couldn't pass up (and a sweater I've been wanting for a couple of years was at an unbeatable price!) I don't want to infringe on my goal items and I hope I'll have funds to do those when the time comes. I'm really excited about potentially being a "hottie" when we go to the Northwest for my hubby's competition. Is it possible that I could arrive the same weight I was in college? How lovely would that be?!

Last week, hubby and I trained together for the first time in a couple of years. It went well (even though I wanted to cuss him out afterwards). I'm doing most of the weight lifting on a stationary balance ball (can't remember what it's called) so that you're engaging your abs while you lift. Craziness! The ab portion of the workout was the toughest. He says that today we'll do legs and that I probably will be sore for a few days afterward.

In terms of the eating schedule, I'm getting used to it and find myself getting hungry around the time I'm supposed to eat my next meal. There's a great deal of protein (I'm usually 100% over the daily recommended amount) and fiber. The fat was a bit high (by my standards) at first, but hubby tweaked the items on the menu and now that is under control. The calories are well below and the sodium is very good. I have a bit of trouble maintaining the carb level he's requesting, but all in all I'm doing okay.

So, I don't really know what to expect in terms of weight. I did well in my training with him the last time and my weight was still in the 160's (low 160's, but still 160's). I really want to get out of this category and hope that his training will help me do so. With the new eating plan, it should. I have my "cheats" on Sunday...but you know, the cheats aren't really cheats. It's getting to eat the things I ate on my last plan. How nutty is that?

Things are going much better than expected, in terms of my plan. Normally, I pack on fiver or more pounds over the break. This year? Two pounds and those suckers are already gone. Woohoo! Hubby, just yesterday, put me on my new eating plan and boy is it interesting. I'm doing the oatmeal, salmon, brown rice, egg white deal I discussed late last year. I'm not bored yet, but I have a feeling that it's coming. He's changing it up and that should help.

Here's what I had yesterday:

Breakfast - Albertson's Quick oats (with a sprinkle of brown sugar), 1 Colby Jack cheese stick
Second meal -Half serving baked salmon, one serving brown rice
third meal - four egg whites
Fifth meal - 12 almonds and 1 Colby Jack cheese stick
Sixth meal - Cheerios and Raisin bran

After the second meal, I was so full! That protein really makes a difference, but I was ravenous by dinner time. It was late and I didn't want to cook (neither did hubby). That was the only reason we had cereal. I'm sure on most evenings will have chicken, fish or some other dead animal and vegetables.

The workouts will be altered too, but he hasn't shown me my schedule yet. I was on the elliptical most of the break and for longer periods of time. I can only assume that is why I didn't turn into a moo-cow. Thank goodness for workout equipment at home.

The scale smiled with a 165.5 this morning. No workout because I'm making up time for a holiday lunch I'm taking with my coworkers today (how does that work?). Tonight, more work in the basement and tomorrow? Leg day. Tough stuff! I've discovered that, even though I'm given back calories for the workouts I put in, if I don't use them, the weight comes off. It's hard because I want to eat more. I'm convinced I've got to eat better, not more. Do I detect a goal for the new year? Yeah, I think it's been brewing for a while. I'll get it down here soon I'm sure.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying this number and hope that it creeps on down a little further over the coming days. Could it be that I might actually lose weight rather than gain it this holiday season? Hmm. I'll believe it when I see it.

Salt is definitely my enemy. I have seen no change in two weeks, but I've been inhaling the stuff like crack! It seems I want it and sugar more than anything on the planet when TOM is set to appear (which it did last night). When I use some self-control, I'm able to prevent the cramps from hell and the stave off the bitch inside; however, most of the time, I cave into my cravings. Then, what happens? Why, the cramps from hell and the bitch inside come to the party. Water is truly the trick. I've got to get my water-schedule back under wraps. I've also been slacking on my food entry. So, for the past two days, I've made sure every morsel has been logged.

An observation: when I work out, I'm hungrier through the day. This doesn't surprise me, but I tend to just make my limit when I'm eating (my limit also changes as soon as I enter workout time). For example, my standard max of calories for the day may be 1, 315 (that's not it, but this is for the example). When I enter my workout time, say 30 minutes on the elliptical, that 1315 suddenly becomes 1515. Well, I'll just about make that 1515 before the day's end. The observation I made is that when I workout, if I keep it at the standard max, the weight disappears. It's so hard, though. The body is in need of more food because of the workout, so I feed it. Then, I deal with no movement on the scale. It could be that I'm not taking into account that my water is less than ideal and the Salt Monster is every present.

So, what do I do? First, I'm going to try and practice some self-control next month. The goal will be not to cave into my cravings. Try as I might, I always have a lot of trouble, so it will need to become a mantra of sorts. This week, I've also been going for my water again and the process of getting back to 2 liters has begun. This one is tough, but I've done it before. I can do it again. Finally, I will need to see about changing what I'm eating for lunch. The frozen meals are wonderful and convenient, but they're full of salt. I guess they have to be or they wouldn't taste like much. Healthy Choi.ce does a pretty good job of not going too nuts with the salt they add, but it's still quite a bit (typically 600 mg). If I make my lunches at home (like my hubby) I'll probably be better off. This also means more cooking (and more work).

I've got a lot to try and figure out, but I'm not discouraged. No change is better than a gain and I'm grateful. I would, however, like to see those numbers dropping again. I gotta be bathing suit ready in a just a few short months! Eye on the prize...

The numbers have been around the same, so no change for last week. I've been working out and doing the 30 or more minutes on my elliptical trainer. On days I don't, I've been firming it up with The Firm - Standing Legs, The Firm-Upper Body and The Firm-Tough Tape 2. All leave me dripping wet and exhausted, but I'm pleased with the results. The weight isn't changing, but my body sure is.

I think once TOM comes and goes, I'll let go of a lot of this excess water. It's the same story every month. I just wish I knew how to combat this without taking diuretics. Playing patient is not an easy thing to do...especially when it comes to weight. Ugh!

For me, I'm happy if I don't add extra poundage in the next few weeks. I've been dipping into the Halloween candy and that's got to stop. I threw away the cupcakes I made because no one was eating them but me, and they were just sitting there anyway. I was having maybe one every couple of days. The recipe made twenty-four. I brought 8 to work and the girls each had one. I've probably had four or five. They were just getting moist and going to waste.
For Christmas, I will definitely make my rum cake, but I know I won't be eating that alone. It's a family favorite and shouldn't last too long in the house. That will probably the sweetest thing I eat in the next few weeks. My most immediate goal is to stay strong and not touch any of the treats my neighbors try to push on me. Oh, the holidays!

Today's weigh-day number, 167.5, is probably the result of skimpy eating yesterday and furious cleaning this morning. We had a sort of gathering and meal at work yesterday morning and I did my eating there. By lunch, not only was I too busy to get lunch but I was still full from the morning meal. I didn't eat again until close to 7:00pm and it wasn't much; white rice and pot stickers. I then allowed myself a few of my hubby's Salt and Vinegar Lays (which were divine) and a glass of South African Shiraz. It was divine, too. I love the after-taste or the flavors that linger on your palate after drinking Shiraz. I think it's my favorite red.

For the next few days, I'll be home and I'm thrilled! This morning, I've been cleaning like a mad woman. My house was, to put it frankly, disgusting. So, I vacuumed, mopped, polished, dusted and scrubbed. My house now has that lovely pine smell and my feet no longer stick to the kitchen floor. I've got a candle burning, so soon it will smell like spice and pumpkin pie. Tomorrow, I'll take it easy...expending my energy only on the dessert I will make and take to my mother's. Friends are supposed to be coming, so it should be nice; however, I'm worried about the state-of-mind my sister is in. She could destroy the day for everyone with just a word.

Finally, we'll be getting our tree today (probably from Home Depot) but I'm going to run to Tai Pan Trading to see if they have any worth looking at. I can't spend any money today (Unfortunately...fortunately). I just took a look at my account and it is beyond scary. If someone tries to cash a check, they're going to be in for one rude awakening. I hope our pay checks post tonight otherwise, I'm going to have to rob from my savings to save my butt from bounce heaven. Oh, the holiday shopping!