Day 30

"I'm down 1.3% bodyfat in 4 weeks. Not crazy loss, but I'm not disappointed. That equates to roughly 2 lbs of bodyfat lost while keeping my muscle the same. My goal is to lose 5% in 12 weeks, which is .4% per week, so I'm running about a week behind. I had a rough week during week 3 so wasn't expecting any progress, but that's actually when I lost the 2 lbs!

I'm also doing a challenge through my local supplement shop. It's a 2 month challenge, and there's money on the line! Prizes for the top 3 winners! You get a point per fat lb lost and muscle lb gained. We've already had the initial weigh in, and this week is the first weigh in for points. Like I said, I lost 2 lbs of fat but no muscle, so I'm a solid 2.2 points. That puts me in 16th place so far this week. I know I can do better. I've been fairly consistent for a month already so I feel like that gives me a leg up on some of the other participants. I'm gonna do this healthy, slow but steady. I'm gonna do my best and hit the exercise hard. I need to get better about eating back my exercise calories.

The leader right now has 6.5 points. That's a lot. While I want them to succeed, I also want to win. It's a double-sided coin. I feel bad for some of the participants. One of them already has -6.8 points. That's gotta be discouraging and hard to come back from.

Like I said, I want everyone to succeed and meet their goals, but I also want to win, or at least place! I'll keep you updated!"

Day 29

"Did legs and cardio today.

130g of protein. Little low."

I'm trying to catch up on my exercise goals for the week. It's super warm in my apartment. We're having a heat wave and it's a challenge to work out. 

Managed to complete Killer Body Lower Body, and do half of one of the Zumba Country Heat workout. 

It's been a while since I did pure cardio. So much easier than Jillian Michaels. I think I need to start doubling up some days to jumpstart my loss again.

Ran a bunch of errands in the morning so had to get a smoothie out for breakfast because I forgot to eat breakfast. Not too much of a calorie bomb, but not high protein.

The only reason I even got that much protein was because I ate back my exercise calories, but I want to try not to do that unless it's to drink a protein shake. 

My goal is to do arms and cardio tomorrow, and legs and abs on Friday. Then, if I just do arms on Saturday, I'll have exceeded my exercise goals for the week. Wish me luck!

Day 28

"Ate pretty well but did not exercise because... well... it was mid nineties today and I live in the third floor."

Day 27

"Did half my exercise routine this morning. It was rough going back to our after three days off. 140 grams of protein. 130 calories over count."

Skipped the workout two days last week and then still took my rest day. I had trouble pushing myself to complete the workout. But Jillian Michaels Killer Body is treating me well. I like that all the modifications (beginner, intermediate, advanced) are in one video so I can mix and match per circuit based on my ability. I want to write a review for this at some point once I've gotten farther into my program.

Day 26

"Day 26! Another weekend over! Did everyone survive?"

"Behaved myself at the barbecue I went to and I'm having one cider. Haven't checked my protein intake yet but I'm sure it's pretty abysmal. Back to exercise tomorrow."

Day 25

"Day 25! 5 days and we'll be one month in! What's your goal for the weekend?"

"Totally ate an entire pizza. I do well resisting the pizza gods, usually. But Saturday was not one of those days."

Day 24

"Day 24! TGIF! Anyone celebrating Friday? What are your plans to stay on track for the weekend, or are you taking a cheat day?"

"Had sushi for lunch. Gotta be good the rest of the day. But yum."

"Only got 50 grams of protein, skipped the exercise, and was 150 over my calorie goal. Could have been worse? Spent the day with my boyfriend, had fun, and was really productive."

Day 23

"Doing good so far today. Didn't midnight snack! Having some coffee, then exercising, cleaning, and working!

"Did well! 161g protein. 33 calories over counter goal. Half hour of abs. Woowoot!"

Day 22

"Ran around crazy all day but managed to get in the arms workout and eat a lot of protein. Could have been worse."

Day 21

"Day 21! End of Week 3! 9 more to go! Check in?"

"Weighed in at the supplement shop today. I'm down 2.6% body fat in three weeks. My weight has stayed the same, but I'm down 5 lbs body fat. I'm proud of myself. I did all six of my exercises last week, two ab workouts, two lower body, and two upper body. I didn't do any legit cardio days, but Killer Body has cardio intervals in each workout. They make my heartrate go crazy, though, so I phone them in a little bit. I am not in shape, yet.

I've only been wearing my fitbit during my workouts to track my exercise calorie burn. I burn between 200 and 300 calories per 30 minute workout.

I hit my calorie goal everyday last week, with one cheat day on my rest day on Sunday (went way over). I only averaged 108 grams of protein per day (my goal is 185). My average daily calorie intake for the week was 1,606. That's two really good weeks in a row! Woot!"

Day 20

"Monday! Day 20! Hopefully the weekend didn't do too much damage!"

"Did 10 minutes of my ab workout this morning. Was overheating (and I might be a tad hungover... Cheat day repercussions). Under calorie count at this point but holding my breath for the rest of the night. Will try to do both legs and full abs tomorrow."

Day 19

"Day 19! Enjoy your Sunday! What's the one good choice you're gonna make today?"

"Rest and cheat day for me."

"Went way over calorie but enjoyed some good cheat foods!"

Day 18

"It's gotten awfully quiet in here! Day 18! Let's have a strong weekend. Come on, regulars!

Doesn't matter if you fell off the wagon or had a few bad days. It's always time to start making healthy decisions!"

The group got kind of quiet so I challenged people to get back to it, and it worked!

"Met my calorie goal, worked arms, and got 114 grams of protein."

Day 17

"I'm so sore today. My workout soreness usually has a two day delay so I'm still feeling my legs today and my arms just started in. It's leg day, so we'll see how this goes..."

"Hit the workout harder than last time so burned more calories.

Getting better at doing the moves. Made an apple spinach smoothie today with pumpkin seeds, ginger, cinnamon and unflavored protein powder! Yum!"

"Had a good day. Indulged in sushi and was under calorie count but only got 100 grams of protein. Oh well." 

Day 16

" Got up for once and did my workout before work.

Ab day. Goals for the day, calorie and protein goals, aims not drink way too much water!"

"Oy. It's only 1:30 and I've already met my hydration goal for the day...."

"Met my protein goal for one. 190 grams. But had 150 ounces of liquid. Way over."

I drink way too much water.......... 

Day 15

"Got 36 grams of protein in breakfast.  Woot! Good start to day.  Woke up late so didn't exercise before work, so will have to do it after..."

"Only got a hundred grams of protein today.  Ate a lot of bulky food (veggies and fruit) around dinner time, so, even though I had calories left, I was over full and just didn't want to eat anymore.  Did a half hour of arms."

Day 14

Day 14! Two week check in!

"I'm down 1 pound this week.  Did pretty well with my calorie and protein goal.  Weighed in at the supplement shop and I'm down .4% body fat. Exercised yesterday and didn't die and planning on exercising after work. This blender I got its revolutionizing my breakfast routine."

"Only a hundred grams of protein today,  but met my calorie goal and worked legs."

Day 13

"Already did my exercise for the day,  30 minutes of abs. Wanna get my calorie and water goal for rest of day."

"Hit my calorie goal and got 161 grams of protein.

Did some research and I think I drink too much water.  Gonna try to cut back tomorrow."

The recommended water intake for women is about 84 ounces.  I drink more like 140 to 160. I think I need to cut back...

Day 12

"I was good at weekly breakfast out (didn't have homefries and only had one piece of toast). It was still a little high calorie, though, so I have to watch myself for the rest of the day....

No exercise today, probably.  Have to do laundry and work. Will try to be better about it this week...!"

"Last time I went to the supplement shop, they said, if I wanted to lose fat and gain muscle, I should be eating almost a gram of protein per pound of body weight.  That seems like a lot, but hey,  I'll try it.

Did okay today. Ate well, except for breakfast,  and even that wasn't too bad. Got 154 grams of protein out of 184, but had to go over calorie budget by 166 calories.

This week for exercise.  I'm gonna try.  I'm starting Jillian Michaels Killer Body.  It's an ab, an arm, and a leg routine that you rotate twice weekly each.  I'm gonna try.

144 ounces of liquid."

Day 11

"Fried from my show last night. Very tired.  Getting ready to go to work. Goals,  get calorie and protein goals.  104 ounces of liquids."

"Met protein goal 151 grams (goal was 133). Got 92 ounces of fluids, so almost made it. And was 246 calories over my goal.  So was still in a deficit. The yogurt in my smoothie put me over...!"

Day 10

"Day 10! Friday Funday!"

"Not gonna exercise today.  Gotta save my energy for an all night show. Gonna eat right and try to get my 133 grams of protein and hydrate!"

"Only had 78 grams of protein.  Met my calorie goal but indulged in beer a little bit (within the confines of my calorie goal). Had a good time anyway at my show."

Day 9

"Met my calorie goal for the day. Got 97 grams of protein, which, considering my food choices, isn't bad!"

Woke up in the middle of the night and had ravioli.  I'm a horrible early morning snackers. Watched what I ate for the rest of the day, had a lot of carbs, unfortunately, but only came in about 50 calories over.

Didn't drink enough water.

But I'm gonna call today a win!

Day 8

"My biggest goal for today is just to eat right. I have so many errands...."

Got half the errands done. The important ones anyway.

Did not meet calorie goal but got a lot of protein and ate healthy foods.  Cheat day.

Day 7

"Day 7. Week 1 of 12 done. What was your biggest success? What's your goal for next week? What are you worried about so we can help you feel better?"

"I'm down 2.2lbs, have been drinking far less alcohol, averaged 128 grams of protein per day for the week (my goal is 133 grams per day), and did my legs once, arms once, one day of cardio, and stretched once. 

This is the best health week I've had in months. I've been stuck in a plateau for 6 months so to lose 2lbs is amazing. I would have been happy with .5.

I found a new workout dvd plan in my dvd collection that is exactly what I wanted (I bought it months ago but hadn't previewed it). My goal for the week is to continue to eat my protein goal, and work abs, arms and legs once each, do one day of cardio, and try to stretch at least once. I want to stretch more, especially on days I do strength, if I can, because I think it will help with my recovery...

My fear is that I will stall out again or start putting weight back on. Some of the medications I'm on cause me to gain weight, and I'm trying to figure out if one of them is still covered by insurance. Will find out today. If I have to switch, it could trigger not only mental instability, but weight gain. Wish me luck with the insurance company...."

Turns out my meds are covered. Woowoot!

Day 6

Goal

"Trying to get my apartment to cool down first, but then ab video, eat right, and meet my protein goal."

Actuality.

"Got slammed at work so didn't have time to make something healthy. Had to eat pizza. :(

And it was too hot to work out this afternoon..."

Day 5

Goals.

"Laundry, not gorge myself at weekly breakfast out, and exercise."

How the day went.

"Did laundry, did arms, worked, was over calories, but met my protein goal. Gonna try to stretch a bit before I go to bed."

Did not.

Day 4

Goal for the day.

"Exercise and not eat pizza while at work."

"Did some active recovery today and stretched since I did legs yesterday."

"Exercised, did not eat pizza, was over calorie budget."

So, I didn't ready pizza, but I succumbed to caramel filled donut holes... Whoops....

Day 3

I slept in and someone else started the Day 3 thread. I'm so happy to have this support. I hope everyone sticks with it!

"Only had a protein bar in the middle of the night. Better than last night. Still need to exercise today."

I'm a notorious midnight snacker. Don't know if I should curb that or not as long as I'm sticking to my calorie goal...

"Went to the supplement shop to use their fancy scale. The last time I went was September. I've lost 23.8 fat pounds since then, just a few muscle pounds, and 6.1% bodyfat. They set me up with a goal to lose 5% bodyfat in 12 weeks, which is .4% per week. Gonna weigh in with them every 2 weeks."

"I got my exercise in. Did Jillian Michaels Killer Butt & Thighs Level 1. Drenched in sweat. Got through it. Almost overheated. Took breaks. But did it."

Day 2

"Day 2! What's everyone's goal for the day?"

I'm really happy I started the Facebook group. Lots of great people jumping in and supporting each other.

"I didn't wake up on time to exercise before work and I snacked in the middle of the night on top of it, so watching food all day and exercising after work."

I didn't eat the best today, but I also didn't binge. Win.

"I didn't end up exercising but I cooked three batch meals, divided them into Tupperware, and put the crockpot on after working all day."

I prepped 18 meals and was only 277 calories over my goal, which, considering I ate half a small pizza, isn't bad. I cooked for about three hours. Cooked or froze all the mat I bought at the grocery store yesterday, so I feel successful. Wanted to exercise afterwards but was afraid of making my neighbors mad by jumping around on their ceiling because it was 10pm....

Small goals.

So much more energy now that I'm not in a stressful job!

Day 1

Goal stated below.

"I'm already down 48lbs from my starting weight. It took me two years, but hey. I did it. I have at least another 30 to go and I've been stalled out for 6 months. Hence the challenge. Time to kickstart the journey again.

My goal is to start exercising again. I want to hit each upper body, lower body, and abs once a week, cardio twice a week, and full body stretch once a week. One rest day. I will be drinking whey protein powder after workouts.

As far as weight loss goes for the challenge, I don't have a goal. I'll just see what happens. Exercise is the most important thing to me right now."

Day 1 comments.

"I was so good with my calories today that I'm way under. I went grocery shopping later than planned and didn't have it in me to cook tonight.

I did restock on protein powder today, though, and got a BCAA powder. It has less calories per serving than crystal light, and actually has a purpose, so win.

I did a cardio video, Crunch Kickbox Party. Ran out of steam near the end, but my fitbit says I ended up burning 398 calories.

Tomorrow's gonna be hard. I have to get up before work to do my strength training, and anyone who knows me knows I am NOT a morning person..."

90 Day Challenge

I've started a 90 Day Health Challenge on Facebook. I'm going to cross part here to keep a record.

"A friendly challenge to give everyone done support in their goals, whether it's weight loss, self care, exercise, or eating right! Post where you are now, what your goal is, and check in daily. We all have successes each day, so focus on what you're doing right! Let's form some habits and make some changes!"

We'll see how many people join in with me. Have one already. Hopefully more will follow!

Two Month Logging Streak

I've been logging my food again for two months. My goal was maintenance. Sometimes I was under, sometimes I was over. My weight stayed steady.

It's time to crack down again. I lowered my calorie goal to 1500 calories, a 1 lb per week deficit. I'm eating between 1.4 and 1.5 grams of protein per kg of body weight, about 130 grams per day.

I haven't been exercising, but my steps are at a reasonable level, between 5,000 and 7,000 steps per day.

I weighed in at 190 lbs today.

My two year weight loss journey commencement anniversary is May 30. If I can lose 5 lbs in May, I will have lost 50 lbs in two years.

This makes me realize how far I have come, and encourages me to continue.

One day at a time.

Maintenance

I've been hitting the diet thing pretty hard since August 2016, and I've been hitting it out of the ballpark if I do say so myself.

It was the end of a sedentary year in office work, and the beginning of a mind-warping period of awake overnight work.

I'm glad both of those jobs are gone.

And then I re-entered the wonderful world of waitressing. For a month. January was a time of sore feet and 10 to 12 hour days. I made my calorie goals on my fitness tracker, but wasn't tracking my food. Not in the slightest. Few restaurants have very diet friendly foods.

Don't get me wrong, the restaurant's food was delicious, but most of it was calorie bombs. I found myself eating a lot of children's meals, protein with a veggie. Or skipping meals entirely.

I was always dehydrated, and I was always tired and stressed.

Good riddance.

So, since January, I have been stalled out. I'm up about 5 to 10 lbs from where I was (185) and hovering around 190 to 194.

Not the worst. I'll get that back off.

But with the stress of job searching and sitting in coffee shops to do it, I've been eating a lot of carbs and binging.

Not my proudest moments.

So, to ease the stress and transition into a new job, I'm setting my calorie goal back to maintenance for now, to give myself some successes to bolster my confidence, and instead I'm going to start focusing on exercising again, and hitting my protein goals.

What maintenance looks like for me....

About 2000 calories. It's been a long time since I counted for 2000 calories. I've been at about a 1500 calorie intake goal for the better part of a year, up from the 1300 calorie goal I had before I realized I was just cranky if I ate that way.

I bought a plethora of workout DVDs with my coveted Xmas money, including Jillian Michaels Killer Buns and Thighs, Killer Arms and back, and Killer Abs.

I know you're supposed to do each program for 30 days, but I'm gonna give rotating them a try, and see if I can build my own program out of them.

I also got Get Bent, a circus style flexibility training video. Parts of me are really limber, but my legs are really tight, so I don't know if it will be too advanced for me, but we'll see. Watch out video, here comes me and my trusty yoga blocks! I will get this split once and for all! Really I'm just excited for the back bends, because I hope they open up my back muscles and ease some of my back pain.

The goals....

2x a week each for arms, legs, and abs, 2x a week for cardio, and 3x a week for full body stretch.

What this might look like....

Monday: Cardio/Stretch
Tuesday: Rest Day
Wednesday: Stretch
Thursday: Arms/Abs
Friday: Legs/Stretch
Saturday: Arms/Cardio
Sunday: Legs/Abs

I meal prepped last week for the first time in 2 months, so I have a freezer full of meals again, instead of just living off of ramen and canned soup. The healthiest, right? If I can stay under calorie goal and lose some weight slowly, great, but I'm happy to hover for now and get used to counting again.

I've lost a whopping 30 lbs in a bout 8 months! Most months I lost about 5 lbs, with the trend slowing down at the end. I'm down a total of 40 lbs from my heaviest. I hope to lose about another 45, pending muscle definition and health. I don't want to starve myself, and I want to be muscular, so I'll evaluate as I go.

My boyfriend is in the same boat as me. We're both aiming for about 140 as an end goal, with muscle definition and strength (it's so weird dating a guy that's the same height as me). He's a little lighter than me, right now, but he's having a lot more trouble getting the weight to come off. He never got as heavy as I did, either.

It's nice having some one to commiserate with, and work towards a goal with, even if we don't work out together, and rarely eat together, though he does like my cooking, and because I love sharing food with people, I'm hoping to feed him more often in the future!