The First 43: My Life Now

I'm DONE! Whoooo!  Keep reading for how this week went plus my overall thoughts on this exercise program.   Inches Lost though Days 26 - 30  Hips: 1 inch  (total lost: 2 inchs) Waist: 1 inch (total lost: 2 inchs ) Bust: no change  (total lost: 1.25 inchs ) Bicep: no change (total lost: 1 inch ) Thigh: 1 inch (total lost: 3 inches )  ...Level 3 Continues and I finish the program... Day 26: I am bored. Yup, it took 26 days but I am bored. I'm almost done though. I push myself during the workout and I don't slack off but, I don't look forward to the workout anymore.  Oh and the sit ups are starting to hurt my neck a bit (they always have..) so, I did half sit ups, half crunches during that ab circuit tonight. My neck feels 100x better. Day 27: Today was a struggle. My energy levels aren't where they usually are today and it really really effects doing the shred. Each move feels like death when you have no energy.  I...

Oops! Awhile ago I started doing side profile progress photos and update every so often and then I stopped.  Then while getting dressed this morning, feeling a little more thin than normal, I decided I should upload a progress photo. Little fact, when you have a gut there is a tendency to "suck it in" when you are around other people.  I'm guilty of it, I wanted to hide as much as I could just how bad it had gotten.  I'm noticing now I can't really "suck it in" much... or at least it really doesn't look any different.  I can in fact thank Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred for getting my core to where it is now over the last month. My core/stomach area is not perfect but it is definitely the strongest and most toned it has been my entire life.  It's probably the one place I see the most change and progress over the last 7 months. Hoping to start posting more often in the coming weeks, I've just been so busy that cooking new things and trying ne...

Inches Lost through Days 21 -25 Hips: 0.5 inch (total lost: 1 inch) Waist: no change (total lost: 1 inch ) Bust: 0.25 inch (total lost: 1.25 inchs ) Bicep: no change (total lost: 1 inch ) Thigh: no change (total lost: 2 inches )  ...Level 3 Begins... Day 21: Seriously Level 3 is no joke. OMG. The only thing I found easy about this level was the abs. I got through all of those at the advanced level. Otherwise, thank goodness for Anita and her beginner moves at times when it just got too hard.  I have absolutely no doubt I will wake up sore from this one! **Missed two days, going out of town will do that to you!** Day 22:   Nothing major to report other than the fact I cannot do the rock star jumps. Way way way too hard on my knees. Maybe I'll be able to when I lose some more weight but for right now, too much pain.  Since there is no "beginner" alternative for this I'm subbed in the jump rope move to keep my cardio up and still get the...

Let's start today's blog posting on a positive note, I've always wanted a red jacket.  There was a sale on at Old Navy this weekend and I got this jacket for next to nothing.  The positive news is I have gone down two jacket sizes which is great. Jacket shopping was a much more depressing shopping experience for me in the past than jean or bathing suit shopping because nothing fit right or was remotely flattering. Full disclosure, I have been debating taking a break from this strict dieting.  My biggest fear however is that I will put weight back on. Even as it is with eating 3500 calories less per week (plus being an additional 1500ish calories under that every week) there are weeks where I lose nothing at all.  I also know that getting into a place where I can maintain is a journey in itself where you slowly add calories back in so your body and metabolism is used to the extra energy again. These last 12 pounds are not going to be easy to lose, nor has...

Hot Caprese Dip! Such a good appetizer, it goes a long way. Ingredients: 2 Medium/Large Tomatoes, diced 1/2 Cup Basil Leaves, chopped 250g Light Mozzarella Directions: Dice tomatoes. Make sure as much juice as possible is squeezed out (this will stop it from becoming watery when cooked.) In a oven safe dish, combine the cheese, tomato and basil.  Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes if you want the cheese to bubble/brown on top. Serve with crackers, baked pitas or toasted baguette. Calorie Count: 152 per 1/4 of the recipe.  Most of those calories come from the cheese obviously so you could use less cheese to reduce calories further if you'd like. Original recipe can be found at: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/12/hot-caprese-dip/

Inches Lost through Days 16-20 Hips: No Change (total lost: 0.5 inch) Waist: No Change (total lost: 1 inch ) Bust:  No Change (total lost: 1 inch ) Bicep: No Change (total lost: 1 inch ) Thigh: 0.5 Inch (total lost: 2 inches ) ** I have noticed that my whole body is much firmer from doing this shred and fat is disappearing ** ...Level 2 continues... Day 16:  I decided that I would kick off the second half of level 2 with the complete advanced workout.  Death. When she says "I want you to feel like your dying" she is not kidding.  You feel like dying.  I'm going to do my best to stick to only the advanced program for the remainder of the week. *Halloween got in the way.  Took a break.  Just being totally honest!* Day 17: After having a day of rest, I came back to this recharged tonight and made it though the entire advanced work out again.  It doesn't get easier though and Jillian says herself "I'm not joking...

  I finally did it!  The 20s felt like they were going on forever but this morning was weigh in day and with a 1.5 lb loss this week I've made it into the 30s. I was practically begging my scale to give me good results. 31 lbs lost 12 lbs to go! I had to put an extra hole in my belt this morning because the last hole didn't quite do the job.  That was fun, never in my life have I had to add a hole because a belt got too big. Here's to hoping that the 30s don't seem as epically long as the 20s did.  I am aware though that the closer I get to the finish line, the harder it will probably be to get it off.  I'm pretty dedicated to the cause however so hopefully by the end of January I will be in to the maintain my weight mode!

The first time I read that some e-card I just about died laughing.  Wouldn't it be nice if you could open up the fridge and find things like perfect abs? Unfortunately it doesn't work that way! This post is mainly about how even when your body changes, it doesn't necessarily mean mental you're adjusting at the same rate.  It's interesting how self conscious I've become recently.  Something I really don't think I've felt since swim units in high school phys ed.  I was almost always able to handle being overweight. I had a tough skin and I tried my best to not let it get to me when attention was brought to it.  With this weight loss people are constantly telling me how great I look and what a huge change it is. I know it's all coming from a good place and I appreciate the compliments but it's ended up making me really self conscious, just like grade 9. It's almost like I'm going through that awkward stage all over again. The weight lo...

Chocolate Banana Parfaits! Delicious Low Calorie Dessert. It's a winner! Chocolate, banana and whipped cream, how can you go wrong?  Ingredients: 1 pkg.  Jell-O Chocolate Fat Free Instant Pudding 2 cups cold 1% milk  2 bananas, sliced (half a banana per parfait)  8 tbsp Gay Lea Light Whipped Cream (2 tbsp/parfait)  Directions: This makes 4 Parfaits.  Make pudding (beat powder and milk, 2 minutes) Divide half the pudding into four glasses. Slice half a banana into each glass on top of the putting.  Top with the remaining pudding.  Finish it off with two tablespoons of whipped cream on top if serving right away. If not, hold off on the whipped cream until you serve them and cover the glasses and put them in the fridge to keep cool.  **Note: The first time I made them (and the way it is featured in the ...