Weighing in and Excitement

I weighed in at 183.0lbs last night (+0.6 lbs) from last week. I must say that I am accepting the gain and moving on. After the amount of pizza I ate in the past week (1 small pie or 6 slices- not all in one sitting!) it's a wonder that I didn't gain more.

So far this week, I have managed to make exercise a priority again, even with my busy work schedule; I did 45 minutes (Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism) on Sunday, and the Shred Level 3 on Monday. It's been really difficult to fit anything into my weeknights. I can't remember the last time (must have been 3 or 4 weeks ago) I did something on a weeknight that wasn't cooking dinner, eating, exercising, or reading. Tonight- I'm going to the mall and I'm really excited! I am literally quivering with excitement to go to the mall tonight, because it is a weeknight- wow, what a sad little life!

Review: Banish Fat Boost Metabolism

I really love Jillian Michaels. She really has a handle on what it means to be a healthy but balanced woman. I love every DVD of her's that I have purchased, and the Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism DVD delivers again.The video is structured in her signature circuit style. There are 7 circuits, a warm up, and cool down. Each circuit is 5 minutes long: 5 exercises, each for 30 seconds, and then repeats the same 5 exercises.

The moves can best be described as a mix of kick-boxing, classic cardio moves (butt-kicks, high knees running, burpees, etc), and power/jump moves. I did a few kick-boxing classes back in the day, and I loved them. This video definitely satisfies when I have a craving to punch, kick, and sweat out my crappy day at work. Its also great for getting in a great cardio sessions and a total body workout.

I don't think it has the same toning benefits as "No More Trouble Zones" or the "30 Day Shred" because it does not use hand weights or incorporate other strength moves. I certainly break into an all over sweat in the second circuit and I am dripping with sweat but the end of the video. My fiance always comments that it looks like a really tough workout, as he leisurely turns the page of his latest book, that skinny bastard.

Catch a glimpse of some of the workout in this montage video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy3m3uyUZ7E&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3D%2522banish%2520fat%2520boost%2520metabolism%2522%26oe%3Dutf-8%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26client%3Dfir&feature=player_embedded#t=83

Gaima Yoga

I've been dying to get yoga into my life. I love stretching! I always have. I guess the love of it comes from religiously stretching as a dancer, gymnast, and cheerleader for so many years. The best I had been able to muster were some poses here and there that I knew by heart. So, I figured I'd start out easy with a Yoga DVD and take it from there.
I picked up a Gaima Yoga DVD with 5 different 20 minute routines. I chose this DVD because I know I have seen this yoga dude (Rodney Yee) that was on the cover before; he looks so legit.


I did it last night before bed and it felt great. Now, I realize it says A.M yoga, but I'm a bit of a rebel. It relaxed me and stretched my tight legs. I am really paying for the increased running this week, but I'll just combat the tendon tightness with yoga. In fact, I think I'll go do some right now ;-)

Mind, Body & Soul?

My Mind is fed up with the 180's. She feels like Body will never dip below 184lbs. It is becoming very apparent that Body likes it here and finds it easy to maintain. Mind, however, is not satisfied.......

I don't like it at 185lbs, Body, so get over it! Sure, you're looking pretty good, but we can do better. I'm thinking a size 8 sounds perfect, what do you say? Do you think we can get it together and push through the 180lbs mark?

Soul doesn't really care about anything. She just wants to throw away the cell phone and laptop, sail around the world, and live off the sea. But everybody knows that Soul is a hippy-freak, and nobody trusts hippies.

So, how does Mind plan to whip Body into shape?

Last week Mind made Body do the following:
Sunday- 1 hour step class
Tuesday- 45 minute walk
Wednesday- 2.5 mile run, 30 Day Shred
Thursday- 30 Day Shred
Saturday- 2.5 mile run
Sunday- Rest

This week, Mind is thinking this should be the plan:
Monday- 2.5 mile run, Pilates
Tuesday- Rest
Wednesday- 2.5 mile run, 30 Day Shred
Thursday- 30 Day Shred
Friday- 2.75 mile run, Pilates
Saturday- 30 Day Shred
Sunday- 2.75 mile run

Hopefully this week Mind, Body & Soul can get on the same page.

Progress Report

Firstly, thanks to my readers for their support and encouragement!

A little update on my progress this week since my binging weekend....

My exercise has continued to be stellar. I ran 2.5 miles yesterday after work, then I made dinner with my fiances, ate, and then I did the 30 Day Shred DVD with my new exercise partner Nikki, my fiance's cousin's girlfriend.

I am also happy to report that with a little extra effort, I have been able to improve my eating this week.

I prepared some egg white sandwiches: 3 egg whites, 1 slice Kraft Free Cheddar, 1 Thomas' light mini bagel (~215 calories each), wrapped them up and threw them in the refrigerator for the week. They are extremely filling, quick to make, and reheat in the microwave in 30 seconds.

I also have been bringing my lunch more often, which allows me to pre-portion how much I am going to eat for lunch, while I am not hungry. This significantly cuts down on the portions I would eat when I buy lunch at the cafeteria at work.

Bringing food to work is not a novel concept for me, but I have certainly allowed myself to get more lazy lately.

Sweating with the Oldies

I went to a step aerobics/kickboxing class Sunday morning with a friend that works at Lucille Roberts (a women's only gym, in case you didn't know).

The class instructor was a perky little thing at about 5'2", 105lbs. The class was 95% women 40-50 who have been doing aerobics since before I was born. Ya know, those 1980's aerobics queens with the sweatbands and two-piece midriff baring outfits. The other 5% of class was a smattering of girls in their 20's, 30's and a few little old bitties collecting social security (but, they sure kept up with the workout!).

The class instructor warmed up the class with a "joke" about how she left her three kids at home with her husband and one of them has a dirty diaper. The moms all laughed in unison.

The class itself was pretty challenging- not because of the moves, but because of the pace of the class. The instructor kept speeding up the music to a torturous pace. Regardless, I was able to complete the class, but it sure gave me a good workout.

I jest a little, but I'll definitely be going again.

Emotional Wreckage

This week has been emotionally challenging...

I'm really starting to miss my fiance. I mean, we have been glued at the hip for the past 5 1/2 years, and as stupid and trite as it sounds he is my best friend.

It really hit me when I got the terrible news that a friend from college was found dead over the weekend in a river. Homicide or suicide (most likely the latter) ended her life. She was a petite adorable Filipino who always smiled, asked how you were, and listened sympathetically if something was not right in your world. She will be missed.

I really could have inflicted some bodily damage by overeating to fill the emotional void, but I've been eating surprisingly healthy, and I haven't missed a day of exercise this week. I think when I'm truly shaken to the core, I feel glad to be alive, healthy, and able to exercise.

My body feels really strong this week- good thing, because it has to haul around tons of emotional wreckage....

Birds of a feather?

So this weekend culminated my move from my and my fiance's spacious 2 bedroom apartment to my future in-laws tiny home in Long Island, NY. The worst part, however, is that my fiance has not yet joined me here. His commute is much shorter from our apartment, so until someone is found to rent the place, he'll probably be staying there.

Why would I put myself through this kind of torture? The decision can be summed up in one symbol: $. That's right boys and girls, I am living rent free. That means I get to stash away my cash for an exotic honeymoon and a first home.

Until there is enough money for a down payment, however, I get to live under the watchful eye of the dieting nazi herself: my future mother-in-law. This women lives to be thin (and push this ideal on others). She eats the same thing everyday: cereal, yogurt, turkey sandwich, apple, grilled chicken, salad, and diet ice cream, sleep, and repeat. Needless to say our ideas of a healthy and fulfilled lifestyle greatly differ. She does, however, have a very balanced take on exercise: cardio 7 days a week, pilates and weights 3 days a week, and yoga 3 days a week.

On Sunday, I finally got back into the Shred. Then, I followed it up with a 5pm pilates session with the future mother-in-law. Today, I did the Shred again. Tomorrow, Shred again and another session of pilates. While I doubt I'll be restricting myself to the same foods everyday of my life, I'll definitely try to allow this positive influence on my exercise routine.

I guess birds of a feather really do flock together....

Shredding Sisters!

That is what I like to call my fellow ladies that Shred with me. I have been specifically following another girl, Kate, on the WW boards and we keep each other updated with our progress and promise to complete the Shred everyday. It really helps keep me accountable to know that someone else's motivation is reliant upon me. Hopefully I can convince my blog followers to join me in the Shredding Sisterhood.
I took measurements of my bust, waist, hips, thigh, and arm before starting the Shred, so I am really excited to actually measure my results. I'll be sure to post about it on Monday because that will be one full week on the Shred.