Yes I Realize it was Suppose to be Weekly

I guess I been having so much fun losing weight I forgot to blog about it. But really, I have been doing quite well. So far I'm down a total of 12lbs. That means I'm only 18lbs away from my goal.

Even better than that, I'm going further and further each time I exercise. I started going 2K on the eliptical and 1mile on the treadmill. Now I'm up to 5K on the eliptical and 2 miles on the treadmill. I even added some upper body weight lifting today. I left the gym feeling like a rock star!

My goal for next week is to find some new recipes to try. I feel like I'm stuck in a food rut. I'm sticking to the same foods all the time. Perhaps Pintrest will help me.

The Wagon Didn't Break When I got Back On!

I jumped back on the wagon ready to go this past week. With the help of the "My Fitness Pal" app, I tracked all my calories and exercise for 7 days straight now. It really just helps me to keep tabs on myself. Who knew you could burn 373 calories in 90 minutes of bowling or 871 calories in 90 minutes of roller skating. I was so pumped to find out that my recreational activities are really quite good for me.

I also rediscovered of my favorite snacks, pita chips and hummus. My mother taught me how to make my own pita chips and they are amazing and better yet simple to make. So, take 1 whole pita pocket and cut it into 1" wedges and place in a bowl. Lightly drizzle 1 TBS of olive oil and season with fresh ground pepper and garlic salt, then toss in the bowl to evenly coat the pita. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. Turn off oven and flip the pita chips and place back in oven for an additional 3 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite hummus. I am partial to roasted red pepper.

I've been wanting to set goals for myself every week. This week I simply want to maintain my progress. I'm down 6lbs, exercising regularly and most importantly feeling really good about myself.

Falling Off The Diet Wagon

Well let's just say my birthday meal was extended into a 36 hour food extravaganza. After starting off so strong, I let my guard down and made some bad decisions. Needless to say my body paid for it and I have learned my lesson.

Today I started off with a homemade banana nut muffin with a tsp of margarine, cup of coffee with 2 tbsp flavored creamer and an 8oz cup of chocolate soy milk. It was an excellent start to my day and definitely satisfying. I have even made dinner plans with my derby wife, Natty J, to go to Applebee's for one of their less than 550cal meals. We shall see what I think of that later.

I did go to the gym today. Yay me! It felt amazing. I always feel so much better about myself after a good workout. It makes me wonder why it can be so hard to find the motivation to go when I know how good I'm gonna feel afterwards. I already can't wait till tomorrows workout.

One Week Down

I was going to start this week off by weighing myself to share my progress, but I haven't even gotten out the scale. "Why" you ask, simple, I feel great. I maintained 1400 calories or less per day, ate zero fried foods, strictly limited my alcohol consumption and ate mostly vegetarian. I can already tell a huge difference in my digestion, energy and most of all confidence for sticking with it.

During my first week I was introduced to the new love of my life, black bean burgers. Oddly enough I found this gem at the Allegiance Health cafeteria. Paired with a tablespoon each of salsa and sour cream and the soup of the day, it truly makes my perfect lunch.Perhaps this week I will attempt to enjoy my arch enemy, fish, baked not fried.

The one thing I meant to do this week, but didn't, was start utilizing my gym membership. I'll admit it, it was pure laziness on my part. I have decided this is totally unacceptable. Unfortunately, my work schedule is not conducive to exercise this week. The most I'll get in is 3 days including my first roller derby practice of the year. Something will have to be better than nothing. 

In the beginning...

So, it's officially 2012 and I weigh the most I've ever weighed, 186.3lbs. I struggle to squeeze myself into my size 14 jeans because I refuse to wear size 16. My bra size has blossomed to a 34 H. Who even knew they made an "H". I feel as though my naturally rosy cheeks are becoming bigger by the minute.

"How did I get to this weight", I ask myself. Well, it's simple. I eat like a 25 year old boy. Nachos, yes please. Beer, sure I'll have another. Pizza, why not. Sometimes I pretend to be classy and have a glass of wine with a homemade meal, a high fat, high calorie meal.

In the past 3 years I've gained 30lbs. I feel the worst physically I've ever felt. I have tried to change here and there. It usually last about 2 weeks then I stop for fast food after an agonizing day at work and give up entirely. I even joined a roller derby team and got a gym membership, but I frequently find reasons not to skate or not to get dressed to go walk on a treadmill.

It all stops here. Over the next 30lbs I will share with whomever is willing to read this my journey to a healthier me. I will post weekly about my progress, share recipes I have tried and tips I have learned.

Here's to a new year!