No More Plateau!

Yeah!!!!! I did my weigh-in at the gym tonight and lost 3.8 pounds. Finally! I was getting a bit discouraged. My weight loss on the program is now 21 pounds, with total weight loss of 26 pounds. Only 2 more weigh-ins till the program ends.

Slump!

I am in a bit of slump and have plateaued in my weight loss for the last few weeks, although my body seems to still be shrinking. This morning I got on the scale and my weight was finally down a pound, but we will see what happens in the next few days. Hopefully the plateau is over for a bit.

I switched from Homestead gym to Bellingham Athletic Club. BAC is further away, but that is where my friends go and they are a great incentive and support team. I also signed up to play in a raquetball league. YIKES! I haven't played in over 20 years and even back then I was a beginner. I went and bought a cheap $40 raquest to get started with. Should be fun and another activity to keep me on track and not bored with exercise.

Ouch!

Today I went to a power pump class, and something called "Butt's and Guts", for 1 1/2 hours and then did another 20 minutes on the elliptical. I am already in some pain, so I am sure getting out of bed tomorrow will be quite challenging.

Two of my coworkers were supposed to be at this 8:30 am class, but neither showed up. This was my first time at this Saturday class and instructor and it was obvious it was a tight group of people. I held my own though and made it through. This was the first instructor that didn't go up to obviously new people at the start of class and introduce herself and make you feel welcome.

I learned you have to get to class about 30 minutes early and stake out spot on the floor. I was 15 minutes early and had to squeeze my equipment between 2 guys and they seemed a bit put out. People get a little weird and territoral in those classes. Get over it people, you don't own that spot on the floor.

Chunky Monkey ice cream

Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey is one of my favorite. I made a smoothie today that tasted just like the banana ice cream in CM. It was soooo yummy. Here the recipe and approx calories.

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk-----40 calories
1/2 a small packet of white choc. instant pudding mix (sugar-free)----50 calories
2 heaping TBPS Cool Whip free----- 30 calories
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 a very ripe banana sliced----40 calories
4 ice cubes

whirl in blender and enjoy a yummy thick shake.
This is about 160 calories but whips up into 16 ounces that is very filling.
Would be enough for 2 servings really.

It's been a long time

Haven't posted in quite a while. I do have a trip to England and Scotland planned for the end of April, first 2 weeks in May. The first part of the trip will be 4 of us and then we split up and my friend Catherine and I will be in northern England and the other 2 will be in London. We will all meet up again at the airport. No Palm Springs this year :-( . Will go next year for sure.

I am going to start blogging on my weight loss journey. I was hesitant to write anything on that for fear of failure. I have started so many diets and failed, usually at around 6 weeeks after losing 8-10 pounds, then just gain it back. This time is a little different. I have been on the program for going on 9 weeks and have lost 18 pounds. I lost 5 before I started the program, so I have lost a total of 23 pounds. It is like something has just clicked in my brain.

I started a program through a local health club January 12, 2010. It cost $150 for 3 months. This includes using the club facilities, meeting with a trainer once a week in small team groups of 6, keeping a food diary and weighing in once a week. There are about 8 teams and the person who wins the largest percentage of weight at the end wins $1000.

I go to the gym or get some form of exercise 6 days a week for 1 to 1 1/2 hours and I SWEAT....a lot. I walk outside, on a treadmill, use the rowing machine, bike, Zumba, weights, eliptical and plan on starting playing raquetball. I haven't played raquetball since the early 80's. I am loving the exercise!

My diet is pretty simple....low carb, low sugar, low fat, no artificial sweetners...you know, the way you're SUPPOSED to eat. I do allow myself one cheat meal a week, which usually includes desert. I don't waste my cheat meal on junky stuff. If I eat ice cream, it is GOOD ice cream. If it is a hamburger, it is NOT from fast food places, it's more gourmet type.

Several months ago I cleaned out my closet and got rid of a ton of stuff that I hadn't worn in years because it no longer fit or was totally out of style. Fortunately I kept some things, because now I can just go shopping in my closet. This morning I tried on 3 pairs of pants that did not fit a month ago and now are perfect. Same with tops. Every week it is like I have new clothes to wear. I have put 4 extra notches in my belt. I have 2 pairs of jeans that I wore last week for the last time. I had them belted to keep them up and the waist was gathered under the belt they were so big. Feels GREAT!!!!

Now, I still have a ways to go to reach a healthy weight for me, but I feel this time I really am on the right track and will reach it. I have another 44 pounds to lose to reach my goal.

I am going to blog every day as my food and exercise diary. This is for myself, but if anyone wants to comment or give me pointers please do.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!