New Year, New Me!

Wow, is it just me or has 2007 FLEW by?! I must say this has been an interesting year for me, to say the least. As I get all my party plans in order for tomorrow night (WOO HOO!!!), I thought I'd stop and reflect. I want to share with you guys my New Year's Resolutions.

• Become a Healthier Me: This means a lot of things for me. As you can tell by this blog, I have a struggle with weight. And although I would like to lose about 50 pounds, I really just want to learn how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I want to make it a habit to make healthy choices so I can be at my best FOR LIFE! I also want to manage my stress better. I tend to let things get to me. And for me, with stress comes more food-----and obviously, that has not worked out well!

• Stop Being Afraid to Live Life: I want to do what makes me happy. I want to stop doubting myself, stop living to please other people, and not be afraid to change. (And for a more specific goal, I want to move out of my DEPRESSING home city by the middle of the year)

• Take Control of My Career: I want to learn more, take on more responsibility, enjoy my work more. But, most importantly, always remember that what I'm doing now is not the END. Take what I'm doing now as a learning experience for future endeavors. Sure the 10-15 hour workdays, 6 days a week can get stressful, but it's not forever. Stick in there, it will pay off in the long run.

• Manage My Debt: Man, I can start a whole other blog on that!!

That's pretty much it for me. Clearly, none of this will happen overnight. And these are things that I want to accomplish in 2008, 2009, 2020, 2030 and on. These are changes that I want to keep with me for life! What are your New Year's Resolutions?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! (Have Fun and Be Safe!)

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!....

....or the most fattening...depending on how you look at it!

The holiday season has always been a highlight of my year....from childhood, up until now. The gifts (receiving AND giving), the family gatherings, the decorations, the TV specials, the music, the food!!........Oh man, the food!

If your family is like mine, then right now there is a dining room FILLED with EVERY delight known to man! Soul food, cookies, cakes, candies, and more. Normally I would give myself a "pass" and say "Oh, it's Christmas!! I can eat whatever I want to!"....and although I do not want to deprive myself of all my favorite treats (I kill for chocolate covered marshmallow snowman and cordial cherries!), I just won't eat the whole pack! The key is MODERATION!

So this holiday, I will practice self control, but I will have a great time. I hope you all have a very Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Please join me in 2008 for a year of changes. NO MORE EXCUSES! There is no better time than now!

Oh No! I do not want to sweat my hair out!!!....

.....My trusty excuse!! Okay, so as you can see I have been MIA for some time...no daily logs, no Wednesday inspiration, etc. I've had a set back....an early set back at that!!!! But after seeing the AMAZING before and afters on the Biggest Loser Finale while eating Sour Cream and Onion Chips (I don't even LIKE Sour Cream and Onion Chips like that!), I immediately felt ashamed....when will I EVER get serious!!! What is stopping me??!!.....well, it's ME!!!!!

So, I'll be honest with you guys...the real reason why I have slipped this past week....well I got my hair done!! (Funny and sad all at the same time)

Here I go in all my weaved up glory:


Don't I look like a COW?! (A cute cow....but still a cow, nonetheless!)

This has been a MAJOR roadblock in my weight loss success....me and my not wanting to sweat my hair out!!

But I must realize that sure my hair may get a little sweaty, matted, unruly, etc....but I think that's a fair exchange for a life free of clothes that don't fit, hypertension, diabetes, etc

Does anyone have any helpful hints on how to try to salvage your hair while exercising?!

Weekly Weigh In

189 Pounds....down 2 pounds from last week! WOO HOO! I'm happy. I'm going at a good pace. More importantly I'm just glad that I'm back at the gym and I'm actually paying attention to what I eat!

Daily Food and Fitness Diary - 12/6/2007

Breakfast:

Quaker Simple Harvest Apples with Cinnamon (150 Calories, 1.5g Fat)

Snack:

Small Orange (45 Calories, .1g Fat)
Nature Valley Oats N Honey (180 Calories, 6g Fat) Not too keen on the fat content and the fact that sugar is the second ingredient listed...maybe I can find another alternative.

Lunch:
Lean Cuisine (320 Calories, 7g Fat) I HEART Lean Cuisine Paninis! I will never stop eating them! But, I should of paired it with some yogurt or something. Just a panini doesn't seen sufficient enough.

Snack:

Bachman Single Serve Pretzel Sticks (100 Calories, 1g Fat)

Dinner:
Chicken Sausage-Garlic and Spinach (80 Calories)

Green Giant Healthy Weight Veggie Mix (180 Calories, 2.5g Fat) I am hooked on this! It is so good. It's full of Carrots, Snap Peas, Black Beans, Edamame in a delicious light sauce. Plus, it's in one of those new steam packs so it's super fast. Just 4 minutes in the microwave. Sure, nothing can compare to fresh veggies, but this is a nice substitute. I have like six in my freezer now! LOL

5 Ginger Snaps (140 Calories).......I know, I know....

TOTAL CALORIES: Aprx. 1115 Calories......not bad...I want to shoot for 1250-1300.

So, I'm realizing how dull my menu is. I will resolve to go the supermarket this weekend and get a variety of healthy foods and snacks. I'm sure I'll get completely bored of essentially the same things everyday. And I don't want to feel like I'm on a "DIET"...I want to learn how to make healthy choices everyday that will keep me interested, provide energy, and fill me up. I MAY even venture into one of those whole foods stores.......MAY....LOL


FITNESS:

Today was a GREAT cardio day for me.

Treadmill: 40 minutes. I mixed it up a bit. I varied the incline, speeds, I even RAN for a few minutes....just a few, but it's a start!

Elliptical: 20 Minutes. I SO wanted to stay on longer...but I started seeing static and felt it best that I get off......lol

Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! That start of the weekend! That means it's easier to stray off on the bad path. I must stay strong and make HEALTHY CHOICES!

Fighting the Urge.......

UUUUGGGGHHHH! It's a slow point at work today and I am SERIOUSLY fighting the urge to raid that vending machine aka The Enemy. It would be just out of sheer boredom as I'm not hungry....but, those Twin Pack Oreo Cakesters are calling me! Seriously, have you had an Oreo Cakester? DON'T! It's cakey crack! And highly fattening! Sigh...I'll save my dollar and opt for the "complimentary" Green Tea. Altough, the green tea is kind of sketchy. It's from one of those Flavia Machines and it's this wierd neon green color....fishy. Oh well, it has to be better than an Oreo Cakester!

Daily Food and Fitness Diary - 12/5/2007

So, studies have shown that if you keep a food diary of what you eat throughout the day, you are more conscious of what you take in. I know for myself it makes me guilty in way. I don't want to have to write that I ate a half a pack of Oreos (Double Stuff), so I don't eat a half a pack of Oreos. Everyday I will write down what I had to eat. (I'm a calorie counter, so I'll list the calorie content). Some days I'm sure I'll have GREAT food days, some days not so great. Like today.......

Breakfast:

Quaker Simple Harvest Apples w/ Cinnamon Oatmeal (150 Calories, 1.5g of Fat): I love this stuff because usually I have to add honey to my oatmeal to get it even remotely palatable (which adds extra calories), but not this one. Wonderful Apple Taste.


Snack:

Trail Mix (240 Calories): Not too happy with this snack, it's pretty caloric for a snack. But, trust me, it was the healthiest choice in the vending machine.

Golden Delicious Apple (aprx. 72 Calories-per www.thecaloriecounter.com-great tool)

Lunch:

A Lousy Salad (aprx. 100 Calories): BORING! The salad dressing (Kraft Free Ranch) added about 50 calories. The rest was romaine lettuce, 6 cherry tomatoes, and about 5 slices of Cucumber. I need to figure out how to make my salads more interesting. Maybe I can add some peppers and onions, mushrooms, chicken breast, SOMETHING!

Snack:

Bachman Single Serve Pretzel Sticks (100 Calories, 1g Fat) Two Words: Portion Control!

Dinner:

Turkey and Cheese Sandwich on 100% Whole Wheat Bread (aprx. 230 Calories)
5 Gingerbread Cookies (140 Calories, 4g Fat)
Minute Maid Mango Twist Juice (150 Calories, Og of Fat)--Juice is the hidden devil!

Okay, this is where the night gets bad.....I have a real problem with self control. It's crazy...I can't stop myself....It started with one Cordial Cherry ('tis the season, right?) and somehow it ended with like 6 assorted Pepperidge Farm cookies.....sigh....and I was doing so well.

I won't do what I usually do, and say "Well, I've already screwed up, let me keep going." NO! Not this time. I will just work out HARDER tomorrow!


Fitness:
Today was my day off....my body is ACHING...it's my first week back to the gym in MONTHS! Last night, I went and did 55 minutes of Cardio! WOO HOO! 40 minutes on the treadmill (Random Inclines, 3.5-4.0 mph) and 15 minutes of Elliptical (Aerobic Mode)---what's up with people who don't wipe the machines down after they use it?! DISGUSTING! And it's usually the sweatiest dude in the gym. I mean really, it takes all but 10 seconds to spray and wipe! LOL

Wednesday's Body Inspiration

Hey All!

In Wednesday's Body Inspirations I want to just highlight some FAB, FIT figures that keep me motivated and will hopefully do the same for you! So, with that said our first Wednesday Body Inspiration is................

DUH! BEYONCE! Some love her, some don't (Clearly, I LOVE her), but no one can deny this girl's body!

Her "Ab Game" is on point!!

You think she does crunches? ;)

She looks absolutely fabulous! Curvy, Sexy, Toned, Flawless!

I want to do some Jumping Jacks just looking at the pics!

Hope you get a little added incentive to put down that cookie and go to the gym tonight from our girl Bey! Let me know who you would like to see for future Wednesday Body Inspirations!

191 Lbs....

....I stepped on the scale this morning and I was MORTIFIED! How did I get so big?! How did I eat away at my 40 pound weight loss that I worked so hard for just 6 months ago?! Why am I only about 30 lbs less than my boyfriend?! Sigh....Me and My Weight.

I've never been a skinny girl. I remember waaay back in the day wanting to DESPERATELY wear this floral print short set (yes, I said short set), it was full of lovely shades of pink, and it tied at the waist....yummy! I would sport it with my best pair of skippies, and matching barrettes...HOT!! My mother advised me otherwise...."ummmm, about that....that little pudge will NOT be cute!"

Since then I've encountered countless weight highs and lows.....all of which I plan on sharing with you. I'm 23 years old now. I graduated from college a little over a year ago, I have an "excellent" job in corporate America, I drive a decent car, etc. Seemingly, my life is in great shape. Unfortunately, my body is NOT! My weight has seen an all time high this past year. I've seriously lost, then gained the same 40 pounds TWICE in the last year....Recently, 've gained it all back again and then some!

So, this leads me here. I'm tired of being a slave to my weight. I'm tired of being a label whore, with the funds to indulge in my passion, only to not be able to fit anything! I'm tired of people asking me if I'm pregnant. It's getting cold in the Northeast, why can I not button gorgeous coats that I could easily fit into just last year?!

We all know that sometimes weight isn't as simple as "eat healthy and exercise". Yes, that is the only HEALTHY way to lose weight. But, sometimes there are underlying issues. I think I may be an emotional eater, I think I'm stressed, overworked, maybe some self-esteem issues---who knows?! But, we'll figure it out---or try. What I want to come out of this is not "fast, easy fixes" but "long term, healthy lifestyle changes". I encourage any and everyone out there who is struggling with their weight, be it 5 lbs, 20 lbs, or 100 lbs, to join me. I promise to be as honest as possible (and if you feel like I'm not, then I want you to call me out). I will give you the good, the bad, and the ugly! So, is there anyone out there with me?! :)

P.S...I will figure out a way to post pics up so we can track my weight loss (or forbid, gains) AND I know my blog looks way crappy right now, so if anyone out there (or if you know of anyone) who can help me spruce up my page, PLEASE let me know!

I look forward to this journey!