Last Week

Since updating my other blog I've noticed that I've felt a greater sense of responsibility towards losing weight. It's Monday so I figure I need to set some goals for this week.

1. Stay away from sweets and sugar! I would love to totally eliminate white sugar from my diet. It really is so bad for you, but it is everywhere and in everything. I tried a new recipe using succanat and the cookies turned out really good. I've also been using honey in place of the white stuff when I cook. The hardest part is the drinks. I love sweet tea, and drink on Sonic's menu and coke. Since I'm allergic to artificial sweetners this means I have to find my own alternatives at home or do without.

2. Work out 5 times this week. I've been consistent with 4 workouts so now it's time to step up my game a bit. I worked out this morning with my friend Melanie. That was a good accountability b/c I did not want to get out of bed. Tomorrow I'm planning a longer run to keep preparing for the peachtree.

3. Stop eating by 8PM. I've heard that this one practice alone will help with weightloss so I'm working hard at keeping that one again this week.

4. Water, water and more water.

Two-A-Days: Week 1 Progress

Well I completed my first week of two-a-days and I must say it wasn't easy, but overall I feel good about challenging myself.

So the report, I worked out a total of 8 of 12 possible workouts and I actually gained .5 pounds. Not the results I was hoping for, but I am not going to give up. This is a new week so there are new challenges to accomplish. In addition to the workouts I am going to increase my water intake. I am drinking about 64 ounces a day but want to up that to 80 ounces. I am also going to take my measurements, muscles weighs more than fat, right?

Joy

Wheat

So I added a new element of health to our family. I have started to buy wheat and then grind it at home to make bread. I started making bread back near Christmas but was recently informed about the HUGE benefits of making bread for our family. The long term goal is to eliminate white flour which will mean lots of home cooking....phew. For now, I have not bought any store bought sandwich bread and I've kept up with that (2 weeks). I'm off to make some more bread now....

Two-A-Days

My dear friend Zoe is getting married in 11 weeks. I know that it is 11 weeks because I am in the wedding and I have a bridesmaid's dress to fit into.

So, in the spirit of not wanting to be completely embarrassed as I walk down the aisle I have up'd my game to two-a-days. The morning workouts have been easy, the evening not so much. I am doing the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred as the evening workout. It is 20 minutes of circuit training, but it is a serious workout for me. I am feeling good. I will have to update this more often just for a little more accountability.

So far, so good. (It has only been two days.)

Joy

So where have I been...

I gotta admit the past 2 weeks have been a total bust for me for diet and weight loss. Between my daughter not sleeping for over a week now and a conference at work with triple the number of hours it's been bad! Honestly, I've had moments of wondering if I really want to do this. So for starters I will try to focus on the positives instead of beating myself up again over my setbacks...

Over these weeks I've done some research. It's been mainly about lifestyle changes instead of dieting. I'm destined to fail with a diet because at some point a diet has to end. So....here are my goals for improved eating this week.

1. Stop eating by 8PM.
2. Drink at least 50oz. of water each day.
3. Eat natural snacks instead of processed foods.

Now for working out. This week will be tough because of sleep deprivation and my husband's work schedule. Here is a plan. I'm hoping to be able to stick to it.....
M- AM Running/Weights workout.
T- AM Workout video at home.
W- AM Running/Weights workout.
T- Workout at home.
F- Rest/Zumba
S- YMCA Zumba!!

That's all for this week. I will be posting as each day progresses to celebrate the victories.

Praying for you Joy! Thanks for pushing me forward.

B

Confession is Good for the Soul

So, this week started strong, but finished so badly. Trust me it was not good. I could go into the details, but as "they" say don't focus on the bad decisions, forgive yourself and move on.

In that spirit we approach a new week. This week I am going to work my run plan, track my food, and drink 64 ounces of water everyday. I will let you know how things go next week.

Joy

One Down, Two to Go

I ran today, for the first time in months, seriously months and it was HARD. Marcel and I met at the gym. It is always encouraging to go with someone, especially him. I am following John Bingham's run plan. He has great books about running. One of my favorite quotes from his book is, "the miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." Let's face it, it does take courage to get on the treadmill at the gym, where you feel like you are on display to everyone.

Today I ran 3 minutes, walked 2 minutes for 40 minutes. It wasn't easy, but I made it. I have to get in at least 2 more runs this week.

The Peachtree is in 8 weeks. There is no time like the present.

Joy

No He Didn't

So week 2...well, I did great last week, losing 2 pounds, this week I am down one, and of course I want to throw in the towel, but I won't.

I had a doctor's appointment this week. One thing that the doctor told me was, I needed to lose weight. Well, duh! I know that. I think what gave me an attitude about his announcement was that he was tubby. (I know, I know, don't shoot the messenger!) Nonetheless, thank you Captain Obvious.

So as I approach week 3 I am going to run 3 times this week. The Peachtree will be here soon and I want to be ready.

Joy

Tomorrow is a New Day!

Some days you just know...this is not going to be a good one. Today, was not a good one for me in the health category. I had a marathon days of meetings, which started at 6:30am. I did not intend on being bad, but with all the constant running I didn't make time for myself. As they say if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It is so true.

I didn't track my calories, but it could not be good. I ended the day with a juicy burger from the new hot burger joint in Atlanta http://www.flipburgerboutique.com/. To make myself feel better about eating it, I didn't eat the top bun and only hate half my onion rings, but still that was no consolation, especially since this morning I had a chicken biscuit minus the top bun. I guess I thought I would rationalize the calories away.

Thanks for grace,
Joy

OOC!

Out of control...that is me. Why am I so ruled by my emotions? UGH! So today I had a hard conversation with Rose which led me to want to eat, a lot. I thought I was doing good when I went to Chick-fil-A and got a sweet tea instead of candy...WRONG! Do you know that thing has 220 calories? Geez!

Lord, please help me to not be ruled by emotions and not food.

Joy

This is Hard...

So, there is a reason that I have managed to let nearly all of the weight that I've lost creep back on. It's HARD to keep it off. I've had to face the fact that I love to eat. I eat when I'm happy, sad...etc. As with any bad habit if there is no accountability the odds of failure greatly increase. Enter this blog....

Joy and I are working together to try and get and keep some unwanted weight off. We invite you to be a part of our journey. Each Sunday we will be having a E2L meeting where we will review the week and make goals for the next week. Join us on the journey and give us tips!! Goodness knows we need them.

And We're Off...

This is it. For Real. It is On.

Beth and I had our first E2L (Eat to Live) Meeting today. For now we are working on establishing discipline surrounding our healthy living lifestyle.

My goals for this week are:
- Eat 1200-1500 calories every day and track on sparkpeople.com
- Workout at least 4 times this week
- Drink a gallon, yes, one whole gallon of water a day

The challenges that I am facing this week are working out and mindless eat. Lately, it is so challenging for me to get my body in motion. I also am pretty stressed with work which typically leads to mindless eating.

Lord, help me. And Beth, help me too.