Bearbelly to bare belly - a journey

[bearbelly]

Read a good article on the forum about exercise and why it is best to do cardio in the morning to burn fat - I certainly feel best when I get it done first thing and glad to know it is working well for me then. Apparently should be doing weight training after a bit of a meal, so it may work better during the day - still lots to learn.

Elliptical this morning and it is going well - may have to figure out the programs to increase resistance some time. The baseline is enough for now, but will soon want to add a bit I think. I try to push it a bit on speed, but don't want to damage knees - if my arms get ahead of me, I can get unbalanced and jar my knees. Has been a good investment so far though.

Our squad leader is away this week appearently, so another member took on setting up the challenges and stats - felt kind of lost without the goals yesterday - coming to rely on this boot camp to give me something to work for. Journal is a goal this week, which will be a challenge near the end of the week - off Friday afternoon to visit family, so will be without a computer til late Sunday or early Monday.

for today - Tuesday March 21
Elliptical - 33 minutes, 5 min stretches
B- 2 eggs spinach, v8
S - unexpected off site meeting - no food with me so skipped it
L - salmon, bean salad, celery and carrot sticks and 3 prunes - have to get some fruit in and figure I should use up some of the dried fruit I have
S - cheese strings
D - plan is chicken stir fry in wraps, but we have shopping to do tonight so hope we don't get caught again with being too tired to prep something when we get home -- will have to resolve to stick to plan.

Affirmation for today - I am committed enough to make this work!!


til tomorrow,


BB

[bearbelly]

Stayed on track last night - DH had the chicken breasts thawed when I got home and our shopping trip was quick - then home to make dinner - but even with a snack of almonds before shopping I was starving by the time we ate. I had two wraps - not much stuff inside, and a plate of raw veggies as well as some coleslaw - and then all evening I was craving sweets. We skipped dessert last night - didn't have anything made - should make more ricotta cremes but want to save that for when I get home on the weekend. Today is not as bad - but I am afraid to have fruit - think that may have been the reason yesterday.

Was weight day today - always a challenge - I find my neck is so tight during the day after - even with stretching. I have lower body and abs to do tonight - will try and get it done while supper is cooking -

Wednesday March 22
Exercise - upper body weights 45 minutes, stretching 15 minutes - will do lower body and abs tonight 35 minutes
B - 2 eggs, spinach and V8
S - 10 almonds
L - tuna steak, bean salad, V8, still debating the prunes
S - will have cheese string
D - meat loaf, spagetti squash with tomato sauce, tossed salad and an ice cream bar - feed the craving with some low fat and splenda treat.

Affirmation for me today - I really am not jealous that DH is losing so much more weight than I am - two new notches in his belt - it is really showing on him - and I am stuck in a stall! But I resolve to be happy for him -

til tomorrow,


BB

[bearbelly]

Tackled lower body weights last night even though I was tired - went fine and I am feeling I can handle this now. I may shift my schedule so that I do all my cardio first thing in the morning and do the weights after work on the cardio days - may just be that doing weights first thing in the morning is what I find discouraging.

We had a decent meal last night - tried spagetti squash with a bit of tomato sauce and it was great. Will definitely have that on the menu more often. Made a meat loaf too and it turned out well - but I sure am feeling cravings these days - just a need for pancakes, waffles, cinnamon buns or donuts - have to try and keep from thinking about them --

A co-worker mentioned today that the changes are visible - I think my face looks quite a bit thinner now and I certainly seem to have more energy much of the time, though my legs might be tired walking up the stairs, I am not winded any more when I get to the top.

For today - Thursday, March 23
Elliptical - 35 minutes 10 Km, and 5 min stretches
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 10 almonds
L - turkey slices, tossed salad and the final bit of bean salad, V8
S - cheese string
D - tonight is going to be roasted chicken breast with coleslaw and some veggie - undecided as yet. tried to talk DH into going out for greek food, but he is my conscience now and he said we would be better to eat in. We will have a sf fudge bar for dessert.


BB

[bearbelly]

Quick post before heading out - weigh in today in advance of tomorrow because I wanted it to be on my own scale and down to 179 lbs - below the 180 barrier!! Body fat was 38.8% - should actually do it at night, but figured I would at least get a reading this morning.

Friday March 24
Treadmill - 30 minutes with four complete intensity cycles - and felt good!! I was so tired on Monday when I tried this that I had to cut back but could do the whole four sets today - and felt great.
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 5 almonds and a cheese stick
L - ww bagel with turkey, lettuce tomato and coleslaw
S - cheese string
D - don't know - will be at parents, so hope I can keep it close to on plan. At least this trip they know I am on a diet and will not have tons of baking around.

til monday,

BB

[bearbelly]

Trip home didn't go too badly this time - few minor cheats, but stayed on plan most of the time.

Dinner Friday night was chicken breasts, peas, cauliflower and I drank all my water that day. Meant I was desparate for a bathroom after the 2.5 hour drive, but needed to stick with it for Boot camp challenge.

Saturday was tougher - we were out the whole day and I gave in to some cheats
B - 2 poached eggs, ww toast, V8
S - wasa with lf cream cheese
L - ham and cheese on rye, small square of chocolate bar, fresh veggies
S - almonds and V8 and had a few french fries from a shared basket
D - 4 perogies, chicken breast, cauliflower again
didn't get all my water in, but did drink two full 28 oz containers during the day and a few glasses in addition to that.

All in all, not a bad day for food
Sunday, March 26
B - 2 poached eggs with ww toast, V8
S - V8 and 10 almonds
L - V8, mixed veggies, 2 cheese strings
S - tea, Wasa cracker
D - veggie lasagna, sf ff ice cream treat
and did 55 minutes of elliptical while watching TV last night.

Today, Monday March 27
Treadmill - 35 minutes, 4 interval cycles at 3% incline - was tired when I got up after working out so late last night, but forced myself and it actually went well this morning
B - 2 scrambled eggs with spinach, V8
S - 5 almonds
L - left over veggie lasagna, wasa cracker, small apple
S - cheese string
D - plan is black bean chili

Affirmation for today - I am looking better - someone at work mentioned that I will have to be buying a whole new wardrobe soon because my clothes are so loose now - she said she could really tell my pants are looser - was nice to have someone notice.

til tomorrow,


BB

[bearbelly]

Have been considering that my journal is more like a food log and less contemplative than I originally thought it would be - seems I don't have time to think about things much these days. It does occur to me though, that this WOE is really becoming a Way of Life - it has been a couple months now - started Jan 28 and it is almost the end of March - two months and much of the eating and certainly the exercise is a habit now. I think it will take more time to become ingrained, but the things I thought would be so hard at the beginning are not so bad now.

For Tuesday March 28
Exercise - Elliptical 30 minutes and I pushed myself this morning - tried to keep the RPM over 50 and make more than 10 km in my 30 minutes. I find I sweat a lot and my knees get quite tired, but overall it feels great. I do think there is an increase in my metabolism through the day too - I feel energized.
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 5 almonds
L - ham slices, lettuce salad, carrot sticks, small apple, V8
S- 1/2 cup sf, ff yogurt with fruit - getting more milk in daily
D - not planned yet, likely a small steak with veggies and salad

Affirmation for today - good habits will be a really big help for me - when being and acting healthy will be second nature.

til tomorrow,


BB

[bearbelly]

Long day and busy so trying to get journal done now on a quick break. Seems like not enough time to think these days - has been so hectic and frustrating at work today - people not doing what they are supposed to be and so much falling through the cracks. But tomorrow is another day!! just have to stay on track for today.

I am really struggling with doing weights in the morning - may consider switching to doing them during afternoon sessions and doing some cardio first thing in the day.

Today, Wednesday March 29
Upper body 45 minutes, stretching 15 minutes this morning, lower body scheduled for tonight
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 9 almonds
L - ham slices, small lettuce salad, carrots, small apple
S - 1/2 cup fruit yogurt - ff, no sugar
D - stir fried beef strips with brown rice and veggies

May splurge on dessert tonight ff, sf fudgecicle.


BB

[Sachinda]

Hi bb!!

Thought I'd pop in and say hi. You seem to keep really good track of what you eat and stay on track. Good Work!

[bearbelly]

Hi Sachinda - great to see a post from someone else here - thanks for the good wishes. I find this diet - woops WOE - has made me almost compuslive about recording things!!

I am working out a new plan for exercise this weekend - talked it over with DH last night and I am convinced that I will do better with my weights if I do them later in the day rather than trying first thing in the morning. He is getting many more sessions of cardio than I am - and I am just a bit competitive, so I think I will switch Wednesday from a full day of weights to cardio in the morning and split my weights between Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Have to work it out so I have time after dinner, but think it will work. I found doing lower body weights after dinner last night worked very well compared with trying upper body first thing in the morning.

I am not sure if it is the elliptical workouts or the weights, but I am finding my treadmill workouts are getting easier. I am doing the intervals two days a week now, with 4 full 5 minute cycles per 30 minute workout, and finding I can handle it with no problem. I sweat like crazy and really feel worked out, but my top speed is now a slow run, and it feels like I am much quicker in adapting to the recent increases than I was in the past. My impression is that it is working together to get better results. I really enjoy the interval workout on treadmill.

Pretty productive day today, so am feeling good. We go grocery shopping tonight - need some herbal tea - I have given up the real thing - hate having to drink a compensatory glass of water for every cup of real tea or coffee.

So - today Thursday March 30
Exercise - 30 minutes, 4 cycles of intensity on treadmill
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 5 almonds
L - ham slices, carrots, small salad with raspberry dressing (Yummm), small apple
S - 1/2 cup lf, sf, fruit yogurt
D - veggie soup with mixed salad is the plan, but we are going grocery shopping so that may change.

affirmation - I really am getting thinner - even my 'non-loose' pants are almost falling off now. I may have to buy some new ones! The toning is helping!



BB

[Sachinda]

Nothing better to make you keep at it than the thought of new clothes!! Shopping!!!!! How exciting!

You are really keeping at it with the workouts, of course the treadmill is getting easier! Keep using your competitive spirit to fuel your fire (I'm the same way with my DH). You gotta find the right time for you to work out, it's different for everybody. It's great that you're trying afternoon's instead of mornings, you may get a better workout as result

[bearbelly]

Hi Sachinda - shopping would be great - just hate to buy too much in case it doesn't last long - still have so much to loose!

Today has gone very well, but last night was a bit of a slip - I am not counting it as off plan because it really isn't that bad, but bought some mushroom burgers thinking they would be healthier than meat, and got caught up in some other stuff reading labels - didn't check closely enough and these have 70 more calories per burger than lean beef - and saturated fat too. No sugars though, so didn't bring on any cravings. I will hold off on using them - work them into the plan occasionally, but will stick with real meat from now on.

We did have fun getting groceries and are well stocked up now. Was a treat to grill zucchini for dinner last night - turned out great. Today was scheduled day off exercise - day to recover and I am enjoying the extra sleep! I did miss getting one bottle of water done before breakfast though - part of my routine with exercise before breakfast.

For Friday, March 31
Exercise - none - day off
B- 2 eggs, spinach and a bit of ham, V8
S - 5 almonds
L - salad, ham slices, mixed raw veggies, V8
S - 1/2 cup fruit sf, ff yogurt
D - veggie burger - not the bad kind - these are bean based and SB friendly, salad and grilled veggies

May splurge with a glass of wine later this evening. It will be a busy weekend, lots of chores, so will relax tonight.

Affirmation - I am looking and feeling stronger and fitter...... really feels great.


BB

[bearbelly]

Didn't get into the journal yesterday and it was kind of an over-indulgent day food-wise. Did the french fries for dinner - thought I could resist, but they were really good. DH has lost a ton - well 38 lbs since we started and he wanted to have fries with steak for dinner. We had been splitting small steaks to get the right portion size, but decided to have a whole one each - about 8 oz - I didn't finish mine but still too much. And I was going to just have grilled mushrooms - but ended up giving in and cooking a portion of fries for myself too. Will take a while to give up all the bad habits I guess.

It really had been a good day - down another 2.5 lbs from last weekend and was pretty encouraged by that. Did my measurements for the beginning of the month too and dropped quite a bit there too - but as usual, I went for the food reward!! Just get back on track though - and today has been good - no cheating and am getting my water in too!

Saturday
Treadmill 60 minutes with 6.5% inclince, upper body done at 4 pm - much better time for weight workout - 45 minutes and 15 min stretching
B - 2 eggs, spinach, ham and V8
S - veggie strips
L - beef hot dog on whole grain bun - just one!, mixed salad, half apple
S - cheese string
D - steak, fries, grilled mushrooms - yeah I had those too! tossed salad. 2 glassed red wine.
Dessert - 2 servings strawberries

Sunday
Elliptical - 55 minutes, lower body done at 4 pm - again much better than in morning - 35 minutes and 15 minute stretch
B - 2 eggs, spinach, ham, V8
S - skipped
L - left over steak and tossed salad, half apple, V8
S - 2 cheese strings
D - roast beef, squash, mixed veggies and will have strawberries for dessert tonight too.

I am pleased with doing weights later in the day. I had been doing my cardio at night on weekends - esp Sunday when watching TV, but better to get it done first thing. I am adding cardio on Wednesday morning this week and will do my upper body workout Wed night, and my lower body on Thursday night - should be able to work that into the schedule and hope it will help me feel better.

have to run - dinner to finish - despite the cheats, am feeling pretty good about myself - cleared my closet of all the clothes that don't fit me any more - there is no going back now - saved one pair of pants for the 'after' picture - already a major loss in belly weight!!

Affirmation - I can be generous - will pass on the clothes I no longer need - including two pairs of almost new jeans, to someone who can use them - I am not going back there!!


til tomorrow,


BB

[bearbelly]

Day is going well - on track for food and exercise and starting off a great week. The weights in afternoon schedule seems to be working well, and I am glad I did my cardio first thing yesterday instead of last night - easier to get up this morning. With the intervals I am amazed at how much better I am now thn I was when I started. Really feel like I am making progress.

Today April 3, 2006
Exercise - treadmill 30 minutes with 4 cycles of intensity, increased to 1.5 minutes for the last session of 4.5 mph - and managed to do it - feeling great.
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - strawberry lf,sf yogurt
L - roast beef, mixed raw veggies, small apple
S - cheese strings - 2
D - plan is bean burger, grilled zucchini and mushrooms, strawberries for dessert.

Hope for a relaxing evening tonight - not to much work to do and we can just crash and watch some TV.

Friend commented the other day that I am sort of obsessive about this WOE and exercise - I am afraid it is becoming something I think about a lot - but all the learning here is helping me stay focused. I didn't explain the potty squats or he would have really thought I was crazy.

Affirmation for today - I am doing so well - I am proud of all I have accomplished so far.

til tomorrow,

BB

[bearbelly]

Another day - and not even feeling any temptations. Feeling a bit lonely as so many of the people that I started with are drifting away - there are only three of us posting on the original group now and it has become pretty inermittant. Even the bootcamp group has shrunk considerably - a bit demoralizing that there doesn't seem to be a strong group to be a part of. I don't feel like I am struggling enough to need a lot of support - but sort of feel almost guilty for meeting challenges and continuing to lose weight - as if I am bragging or something - almost makes it easier to cheat, so I won't be out of place in the group. Don't want to be a keener, but really want to step up and try hard rather than just getting by. We are working pretty hard to keep this way of life and I am starting to wonder if I should put out a call for people who want to celebrate this instead of being concerned about going off plan.

Anyway - enough of my whining - today is going fine - eat on plan and talking about expanding DH meal plans to include a ww bagel instead of the pumpernickle he has been having for breakfast. It would be nicer for him but harder for me to smell the toasty smell every day. When he finishes this batch, we will make the switch. I may add half a bagel to my breakfast instead of a grain at dinner too.

Today - Tuesday April 4
Exercise - 30 minutes elliptical and 5 minutes stretch - just a regular elliptical but my legs hurt a bit after. I am going to figure out the programs soon and start adding resistance - cannot really go faster on one of those -
B - 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 6 almonds
L - roast beef, coleslaw, carrot sticks, celery, V8
S - yogurt - the lf, sf stuff with fruit
D - chicken fajitas in ww wrap, guacamole - love it!! Last of the strawberries for dessert

Affirmation - I must be getting smaller -my rings are really loose! I am still a nice person even if I am loosing weight and making a success of this program - I will not let my desire to not hurt people's feelings or show them up, get in the way of staying on plan and succeeding.


til tomorrow,

BB

[bearbelly]

Update so I stay on top of things - busy night last night with DH getting more tattoo work done and it always takes longer than expected - so I went shopping for new fish to add to the small tank - got some really pretty black skirt tetras and a few neons. Will start a tank for the mollies soon - have to sell one more snake to get another tank freed up.

Despite the shopping and not getting home til after 7, we still ate on plan - and weren't hungry ahead of time - both had eaten well for lunch and had a late afternoon snack. I had cheese strings in case I got hungry, but didn't need them.

Today is going well - shifted weights to tonight for upper body, so got up this morning and was going to do 15 min cardio, 15 min stretchs. I worked on elliptical and split the time 5 min forward, 5 min backwards, 5 min forward. I am going to try increasing the backwards - really works the legs in a different way and will shake things up a bit. I got in my abs today too - so will just have the 25 crunches for AON in boot camp for tomorrow and Friday. Hope I will have energy for the upper body workout tonight.

Wednesday, April 5
Elliptical 15 minutes, stretching 15 minutes, strength 10 minutes
B- 2 eggs, spinach, V8
S - 10 almonds
L - cabbage and turkey soup, left over guacamole, carrot sticks, celery, small apple
S - ff, sf yogurt with fruit
D - spagetti squash with tomato sauce, fudgecicle for dessert


Affirmation - I like shaking things up - even if it makes my legs hurt!!

til tomorrow,

BB