Weigh-In Wednesday

Weight-Loss Goal for the Week: 1.5 pounds
Actual Weight Lost: 1.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss to Date: 17 pounds

thoughts: I was really happy, I was only .6 pounds away from getting back to where I was before the weight gain from graduation week, so I thought shooting for a 1.5 loss would be great because it would put me back on track plus a little extra.  And I lost it!!  So now I'm completely back on track and looking forward.  I'm feeling so great and have regained my confidence in myself.  I  can't wait for next week!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Weight-Loss Goal for the Week: 1 pound
Actual Weight Lost: 2.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss to Date: 15.4 pounds

thoughts: I'm very pleased with this, because last week I had unfortunately GAINED 3.2 pounds...talk about frustrating!  But now I am back on track and only .6 pounds away from being where I was 2 weeks ago.  With that being said, my weight loss goal is going to be 1.5 pounds so that I can totally surpass that hurdle!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Weight-Loss Goal for the Week: 1 pound
Actual Weight Lost: 3.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss to Date: 16 pounds

thoughts:  I was SUPER HAPPY to see this!  Last week I hadn't lost any weight, and the week before that I had only lost half a pound.  So needless to say I was feeling kinda down and discouraged, but this totally put be right back on top!  I just have to remember that weight loss is called a journey for a reason, it's not easy and it probably never will be.  I just need to remind myself of that every single day and when times get tough I have to dust myself off and try to do better.  Can't wait to see what next week brings!

Hungry Like The Wolf...

This post is not about the popular 80s song by Duran Duran, sorry to disappoint all of you hopefuls out there.  No, this post is dedicated to the genius that is known as Hungry Girl.  What is Hungry Girl, you ask?  Well there's a website (which you can access at the side on my list of sites to visit...or just click here if you don't feel like scrolling) and you can sign up for the free newsletter where you'll receive tips, tricks and advice for healthier eating.  But she also has a line of cookbooks!  I recently picked up her 300 Under 300 cookbook after borrowing her 200 under 200 book from a friend.  I fell in love with the recipes I made from the borrowed book and the recipes in the book I have look absolutely WONDERFUL.  I've already made one and it was delicious! This woman is seriously a genius in the kitchen, she makes eating healthy delicious and fun.  I will be doing posts in the coming days on the recipes I've made along with links to her books.  I highly suggest you check out the site and see what she's all about, you won't be sorry!

And because I feel a little bad for misleading you with my title.....enjoy :)

No, it's not an official music video but I can't always find one for every song I post....don't judge!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Goal for the Week: 2 pounds
Actual Weight Loss:  1.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss So Far: 11.8 pounds

Thoughts:  I'm pretty darn happy with it!  Yeah, I would have liked it to be more I'm not gonna lie.  But the most important thing to me is that I am staying consistent with the weight loss.  The last time I lost 3.4 pounds (my first weigh in) I lost 1.5 pounds the following week, so it looks like I'm developing a pattern.  If I'm right in assuming that, I should be looking at a loss of somewhere around exactly two pounds next week.  I guess we'll see how it goes!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Goal for the Week: 2 Pounds
Actual Weight Loss: 3.4 Pounds
Total Weight Loss So Far: 10.2 pounds

Thoughts: I was ecstatic to see that today!  Last week I got my special 5 pound loss sticker and this week I got my special 10 pound loss ribbon.  Weight Watchers has been incredible and now that I'm feeling better, I'm going to go back to exercising regularly and hopefully watching even more weight drop off!  Look out for another update next week!

Down with the sickness

Okay, so I apologize for my lack of posts lately.  I know, I know, you've really missed me.  But I couldn't help it!  I had school stuff to do and then on Friday I got sick!  I was feeling pretty crummy until Sunday, all I did was lay in bed and watch TV while taking Dayquil and drinking OJ and water while just trying to feel better.  Thankfully, it worked and I am feeling much better!  I don't really have anything else to say at the moment, except sorry for the lack of action.  I will of course be doing the Weigh-In Wednesday post tomorrow and I will probably have another entry or two up my sleeve.  Keep your eyes peeled!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Goal for the Week: 2 pounds
Actual Weight Lost: 2 pounds
Total Weight Loss So far: 6.8 pounds

Thoughts:  Clearly, I'm happy because I met my goal of 2 pounds.  I also got a special sticker for making it to 5 pounds lost, so I felt kinda special hahaha.  I can't say enough good things about Weight Watchers and I already spoke a lot about it in my previous Weigh-In Wednesday post.  As for this next week, I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on and hope for the best!  I'll update you guys next week! :)

(Belated) Weigh-In Wednesday

Before I begin, let me say that I am very much aware that today is not Wednesday.  I do know my days of the week, I'm not the type of person who is still wearing my "Wednesday" underwear on Sunday...actually, I don't have day of the week underwear at all.  As I've said throughout this whole past week, it was a busy one for me.  So the post that I had planned to do for this past Wednesday is going to be posted now.  But, from here on out it's going to be an official post for Wednesdays.

Now for those who don't know, my mother and I recently decided to join Weight Watchers.  The funny thing is, is that before we decided to officially join, I had been thinking about asking her.  Meanwhile she had also been thinking about talking to me about it!  So, we decided to give it a try.  And boy, am I glad we did!  Last summer, I had gone on a diet where I limited myself to 2,000 calories a day.  And I did pretty well, but I was also hard on myself and I deprived myself.  It got to the point where I felt like I was pigging out when I'd have 1,800 calories a day.  Clearly, that was not healthy.  Needless to say I ended up dropping that style of dieting and I gained back the 20 pounds I had lost.  Now, enter Weight Watchers.  For those who don't know, with Weight Watchers foods are assigned a PointsPlus Value (this is their new system, the old one being the POINTS Value) and you have a certain number of PointsPlus allowed to you each day, along with 49 weekly points to use however you like.  You can even earn points for exercising!

I like this because counting points is A LOT less stressful than counting calories.  And I'm not hard on myself when I eat to my maximum amount of points for the day (mainly because they encourage you to do so).  We started on March 2 and since then I have lost 4.8 pounds.  Would I like that number to be a bit bigger?  Sure, but I'm also okay with the weight coming off slowly.  Weight Watchers has been teaching me a lot, things such as proper portion control, better food choices and it has also helped me learn to eat more slowly and enjoy my food (I'd gotten into the habit of inhaling my food pretty darn fast!).  And by the weight coming off more slowly, it's allowing me time to make all of these tools a part of my life forever.  This is not a diet, nor is it a quick-fix to losing weight.  This is a complete and total lifestyle change, one that I am embracing rather enthusiastically.  Just the other day when I went out to lunch and I chose one of the menu's Weight Watcher meals which came with a salad.  A year and a half ago, I never would've touched that salad.  But this time, I ate half!  (I would've had more but it had a REALLY spicy salsa on it for a dressing).  If anybody out there is looking for a weight loss program, I highly recommend Weight Watchers.  If you've been a member in the past and you're thinking about going back, I say go for it!  If you've been thinking about joining it as a new member, I say do it!  Trust me, it will be one of the best things you could ever do for yourself.  Click here to go to their website and learn more (there's also a link on the side of my blog) and see for yourself!

So, to wrap this up I'd like to state once again that I have lost 4.8 pounds since starting.  The remainder of the Weigh-In posts won't be this long, but I just wanted to share a bit of my story.  Look for the next update this Wednesday, I'm already looking forward to it!

Product Review: Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30

DISCLAIMER: Before I begin writing about this I would just like for it to be known that I am not being compensated for this review in any way, shape or form.  I simply plan to review things that I enjoy and would like to pass along to people.  I am not gaining anything from this at all.  I also would like to add that I like Amazon because it's easy and convenient (and usually only a few cents more expensive than Wal-Mart) which is why I'll be linking to the reviewed product's Amazon page, not because they are paying me to do so.  Well, now that I have that out of the way....

the most insane workout ever

I am a big fan of Jillian Michaels and her line of DVDs. I own all of them.  They're all challenging, but they provide a great workout and after I'm done I always feel accomplished.  This latest release, however, has immediately made it's way to the top of my list.  This is the most difficult, challenging and yet rewarding workout that I have ever done.  No doubt about it.  I finished my third day of it today and as I write this my arms, chest and back are absolutely KILLING me.  But it's definitely in a good way.  There are 4 levels, and you're encouraged to spend a week on each one (I'll be spending 10 days on each level, working out 5 days a week) and then move on when you feel ready.  In each level there are 3 circuits using her "3-2-1" method, combining 3 minutes of strength with 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs.  For the strength, you do 3 moves for 30 seconds each, then repeat for a total of 3 minutes.  You then move on to cardio, where you do 2 moves for 30 seconds each and again repeat for a total of 2 minutes.  Then you move on to abs, doing 2 moves for 30 seconds each for a total of 1 minute.  You do different moves in each circuit (and apparently, no moves are repeated EVER throughout the DVD) so it keeps things fresh, allowing us to stay focused and not get bored.  There is also a warm up at the beginning and a cool down at the end for a total of 37 minutes per level.  At the end you'll be pouring with sweat and most likely very sore, but you'll also be feeling accomplished.  And it's cheap too!  Much cheaper than a gym membership, and you can do it in the comfort of your own home!  And really, who doesn't have roughly half an hour a day to workout?  This is something that could be fit into even the tightest of schedules and I highly recommend it.  Click here to check out the Amazon page, look at the price and read the reviews and decide for yourself.  But trust me, if you decide to check it out, you won't regret it. 

Happy exercising!

Check and follow!

I'll be doing a normal post at some point today (most likely later this evening/night) but for now I just want to direct you here.  This is the blog of my friend Angel and she is sharing her experience with heart disease and how she's using that experience to make a difference.  It's a very informative read, one that everyone should take a look at.  Click the link, read her posts and follow her to learn more!