Before and Afters

Before and after pictures are one of my favorite part of my weight loss journey. It helps to remind me why I'm doing this, and how far I've come so far. And the Patriots game is a blowout, which can be kind of boring (especially with all that hype!), so I found myself going through old pictures and making this:

not too shabby, huh?

And of course, I showed Matt, and he goes "oh cool, make me one". So Ladies and gents, get ready to have your mind blown. By the by, he lost 50 pounds from October 2010 to now, all through diet and exercise. I wish I was a boy, he would eat Chinese and lose two pounds the next day. I eat Chinese and retain water for 3 days, but whatever. Here is Matt's before and after shot:

(ignore the mad face in the after shot, he insisted on using unattractive pictures)

crazy huh? I will be honest, my weight loss journey took a new life when he decided to get serious about it, and now I know that part of the strength of our relationship is the fact that he is so committed to getting healthy, whether it's trying new recipes, or taking a long walk on a lazy Saturday, it makes all the difference and really adds another element to everything.

It's funny, because 4 years ago when we started dating I would never have considered a commitment to being healthy to be something of importance to me. And I would hardly consider myself a "health nut", but at the same time living a healthy lifestyle has become a huge goal for me in my life, and having a partner who shares that goal is so important, and has really helped to shape our life and goals together. I'm very grateful to have that element in my life, because I feel like I wouldn't be able to truly life a healthy lifestyle if  Matt wasn't interested in achieving it as well. I would have to make concessions and sacrifices that would ultimately hurt it, but Matt is so great about making healthy and exercising a priority, I rarely feel like I'm inconvienencing anyone with my efforts. Which is great.

But enough sappiness, haha.

How important is healthy living in your relationships? 

Photo Shoot

 Matt "Gronking"

Matt Tebowing

Saturday night in with an exciting game, I mean, what would you do at halftime?

Busy Busy Busy

So I made all those big plans to post more frequently, and I obviously haven't followed through. To be fair, my home computer was MIA (read: viruses), and work has been super busy lately, and honestly? I haven't been great with my weight loss lately, so posting about it hasn't been something I've wanted to do. Plus I've felt like all my posts lately have been all "wah, I can't lose weight, where's my motivation?" or  "yay everyone I'm recommitting", and I just couldn't bring myself to post yet another one, you know?

And that's not to say I haven't had some positives. I worked out 5 days last week, and 5 this week (4 >300 calorie workouts, and one 20 minute yoga video), and pretracked most of my meals. And tracked everything, even when I didn't want to. Which is an accomplishment. Plus, I did lose a pound last week, which is sure better than the gains I've been having.

The thing is, I've been at this for almost 2 years now. And since June, I've flopped around the 190s like crazy, only to end the year on the higher end of that decade. Which isn't cool, like at all.

So I've done a lot of thinking this week, and examined my diet, and my habits. I'm bored eating, and giving into every single bit of temptation I face. Someone sends cookies to our desk? Why of course I'll munch my way through three of them. I've just been lax, something for whatever it's worth I rarely was during that first year and a half. I treated indulgences as treats, not daily (or bi daily) parts of my diet. I had a routine, and I stuck to it. I ate when I planned to, and felt good about my diet. I've gotten content, I like parts of my body now. I got lazy, and would take a bigger portion, or eat something only to go over my calories, but it was okay, because it was only 200 calories, or something like that.

I've said this all numerous times before, but I finally realized what I need. I need that structure that weight watchers provided, which my fitness pal doesn't. The structure that I thought I had mastered, but obviously don't. My Fitness Pal is awesome, and I know when I hit lifetime I can easily use it to track and maintain successfully. But I think I need the structure of weight watchers, and points, to help me lose successfully. So I am giving my fitness pal till the end of the January,  and then most likely making the switch back. It's worth the money, and hopefully will help me hit my goal in 2012!

Life has been pretty boring lately. Lots of babysitting, working, and exercising. Tomorrow night is my friends birthday, so we are doing a night out. I plan on driving home at the end, and getting a couple of good beers to sip, and dance a bit as well :-)

I hope to get a workout in Saturday, Sunday and Monday (since it's a holiday). My weekend besides Friday should be pretty low key. Saturday Matt and I are going to make strombolis and mozzarella sticks. I plan to take pictures and hopefully do a recipe review (my first of hopefully many!), and then watch the Patriots game with a couple of beers :-) 

Sunday my plan is to babysit, go to the gym, and then spend some time with my family. Monday is a holiday, and our plan is to finish getting the apartment organized (we still have a few things to bring over, if you can believe it. It's only been 2.5 months), and just enjoy my day off :-)

Happy (almost) Friday Everyone!

January Goals

Happy New Year Blog! New Years was great, I got properly drunk, and spent most of Sunday hungover. Once I was somewhat functional Matt and I went out for tapas and more drinks to celebrate our 4 year anniversary :-)  Lots of fun, followed by a lazy movie day yesterday, and just like that the holidays are over and it's time to get back on track.

To start:
-I've reset my Goals/Lists so that "week 1" is this week. I think it'll just help me visualize this whole fresh slate thing. Plus It was less painful to list that I am at 199 this week than to show I gained AGAIN last week. We're not going to talk about it. I have no idea what happened :-/ Either way, welcome to week 1 of 2012!
-I didn't meet any of my December 2011 goals, blech. I think I set my sights too high. Here are my January 2012 goals

By January 30
Goal 1	Burn 6000 Calories
Goal 2	Lose 3 Pounds
Goal 3	Work out 4X a week (20 times in the month
Goal 4	Try to hit GHGs (adapted to MFP) daily

Very similar, except I lowered my calorie goal to 6000 a month. I think that's more achievable.

GHG(good health guidelines) are such for those of you who don't follow Weight Watchers (Taken from the WW website):
-1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day
-2.Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible.
-3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day
-4. Have 2 teaspoons of healthy oils (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed) each day.
-5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of lean meats, skinless poultry, fish, beans, soy products, and lentils.


Most of these I do really well with, but the one part of MFP that makes it harder is that there is no reminder. So here is my reminder! :-)



-Meal Plan for the rest of the week:
I was up on and off all night last night, and feeling pretty crappy today. Plus I'm a tid bit congested, and freaking tired! I think I may take today as a rest day (Hey, I've done well so far this week, ), and make it my mission to get a good workout in tomorrow night, and a morning workout on Thursday. And Maybe some yoga tomorrow morning, if I feel so inclined :-) I'd rather take tonight off and not get sick, and get a good nights sleep

Plan for week
	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	workout
Monday	n/a	chicken salad/ pita pockets	chicken rollatini with zucchini and cheese	power sculpt
Tuesday	waffles	cheddar brocolli soup	cheesy taco pasta with veggies	gym
Wednesday	waffles	cheddar brocolli soup	veggie korma/ rice	gym
Thursday	waffles	cheddar brocolli soup	Chicken Provelone and arugula panini, Sweet Potato fries	AM yoga
Friday	egg sandwich	left overs	out	AM video
Saturday	egg sandwich	out	salmon veggies and rice	walking

10 Things For 2012

To start, I have to share my news: I fixed my laptop! I googled "Privacy Protection" and realized that that was the virus that was on my computer. So Happy,  because I do not have the cash to get a new computer right now :-) You will start seeing more regular posts in the new year thanks to all this as well. And now, my 10 resolutions for 2012:

1. Hit My Goal Weight

First rule of successful weight loss is don't set a time limit on your goal. But I think it actually helps me to do so.  Plus a year is a long time to lose weight, it's not like It's unrealistic either. In my first year (March 10- March 11) I lost 47 pounds. I am at 197.4 now, and my goal weight is 160 (and probably 155 after that), so I have 37.4 to go. Totally doable in a year. And even if I end the year 10 pounds away, I'll be happy :-) I just need to make my weight loss a priority (and I've been getting better about that lately.) I also think I may do a sugar fast next week. 5 days try and not consume anything that can be considered sugary : candy, cookies, chocolate, chips etc. I think it will help me stay on track, and not crave as much, for a little while anyways :-)

2. Run At Least One (if not two) Races

I haven't ran a race since March, thanks to the weird stomach cramps. The last few times I've ran I've done okay, and not had any cramps, so I am really going to make a push to get back into running again. I'm realizing as well that I don't have to run the whole thing. I just don't,ever. I am going to set a goal to run 7-9 minutes walk 1-2 and repeat until I finish. It will keep me from getting exhausted, and hopefully from cramping as well. If I do that, I think my running adventure will be a lot more successful, and I'll be able to race again. Tentatively, I'd like to do a race in either May or September, and in October for my birthday.

3. Make "Me" a Priority

If this year taught me anything, it's that I'm a people pleaser. I tend to do things that others want to do, instead of standing up for what I want to do, even if it means doing something I don't really wanna do. And I need to stop it, especially when it concerns people who walk all over me, and make big stinks/scenes when it comes to something I want, you know? I need to feel less insecure sometimes, and (to be honest) stop giving a shit what others think. Basically, I need to do me :-)

4. Better Myself

 In that same regard, I want to work at myself this year. I want to work at being more confident and sure of myself. I want to be more "cultured", if you will. Go to Art galleries when I want to, see more plays, go to readings that interest me, concerts I want to see, and maybe even play a sport or two. I need to work on myself, and I feel like the confidence will come along with that.

5. Gossip Less

This one is self explanatory. I realized this year that I base a lot of my conversations talking about others, which to be honest, isn't all that healthy. I want to get away from that. Obviously everyone gossips a little, but I think a good goal for 2012 is to try to talk about others less, and be less malicious at times as a resul.

6. Get Involved with a Charity

I've already kind of started this, but I want to continue- I went to orientation for the Red Cross earlier this month, and plan to help out there every month, at least once. Right now it's the food pantry, I would like to get involved in the blood drives though, as time goes on. It's a great scenario, because it is on a as needed basis, and right now, I need to ease into it, and make more time for it as time goes on. So mini check on this one already

7. Live off a Cash Budget

You've heard the concept I'm sure. Every week I'll take X amount of the bank, and that will be all I spend. It's honestly how Matt got really good with his money, and saving, and I know it will help me. I'm great with planning, but when I have my credit/debit card handy, I spend way too much. And I know I can get away from that. So this weekend I am coming up with a plan, and my goal is by June/July to have weaned myself completely onto a cash budget (besides gas and bills).

8. Take One Big Trip

Besides little weekends away, I haven't really gone away somewhere since Florida 2 years ago. Matt and I plan to go to California next Fall for a wedding, so that is my goal. To save/scrunge/do whatver is possible to make sure that I get to go!

9. Try 25 New Recipies

And hopefully I will exceed this. I really want to work on my cooking skills in 2012, hone them in, and try new things. 25 = 2 a month and 3 in one month, totally doable!

10. Try at Least One New Thing Each Month

 It can literally be anything (besides a recipie because thats cheating). Go somewhere I haven't been before on a day trip, try a new walking path, go to a new bar or restaurant, a new exercise class, etc. I am a self proclaimed creature of habit, and really want to try and get out of my shell and do more different things. So this is my final goal for 2012

I think all of these things are very achievable, and I'm actually really excited to work at it! I am making one change though- instead of every three months, I'm going to update every month, when I updated on my monthly goals that I do :-)

Crockpot chili for lunch

That was made on a whim last night and is amazing? Win!

Christmas Recap!

So firstly I am going all out on my New Year's resolutions guys. Like all out. I am coming up with a list of 10 things I hope to accomplish in 2012. And every 3 months (So March, June, September, and finally December) I am going to check in on them, and see how I'm doing so far. It could be terrible, and I could compeltely forget. But I think it will help me focus on bettering myself throughout the year, and help me feel accomplished by the end of next year.

Because looking back on 2011, I could have done better, especially in the second half.

End of Year 2010: 223
End of Year 2011 (unless I have a large loss this Friday) 197.4: net loss 25.6 pounds

Which is like a half a pound a week, which is a lot better than what I figured that number would be!I feel so much lighter than I did this time last year, but my motivation has been so low,I don't feel nearly as focused. Lately though, this has been getting better. Running has been easier (no pesky cramps lately), and thanks to getting into morning workouts, I'm no longer coming up with reasons not to work out all the time. So Hopefulyl this is enough to get me back on track, and help me lose these last 40 pounds!

Anyways, Christmas was great, really nice to be with my family all day, and I did pretty well with controlling my eating/drinking as well! I got a great workout in on Saturday,which helped a lot. Matt and I did presents on Christmas Eve (Which I spend with his family). I got him two beer books, two beer kits (see a theme?), a travel mug,  some tops (which he needs, the boy has so little that actually fits him!) and two movies- blades of glory and Talladega nights.

He got me: Tickets to see the Kaiser Chiefs in March (soo excited), a pretty red sweater which I'm wearing today:

Pretty right? :-)

Mad Men Season 2, It's Always Sunny Season 4, and a Biggest Loser Food Scale! Which I so wanted and am so excited to use :-)

So we did gifts, and drank and ate throughout the night, and eventually I headed home and went to midnight mass. I always love going to the Midnight Mass, but this year I was not a fan. For starters, they normally just have a few people singing a capella, which is partially what is so nice about it. But this year, they had the whole choir and band going. And the mass itself was extremely long (1:15), and elaborate. I've always loved the midnight mass because it's so quiet and serene, and more in tune with the Christmas spirit. It wasn't really like that this year :-/ In addition, I had awful heart burn from all the food I ate that night, so needless to say I was glad to go home at the end and just go to sleep.

The next day was filled with presents and family time. I got a Kindle Fire from my family!! I was so surprised and excited. I had a weird feeling that they were getting me a kindle (my mom had asked me about them) but I didn't expect a fire at all, so it was an awesome surprise.And I love it :-) I bought a book already (Bossypants) and have my google reader/ news sites uploaded to it, and plan to go to the library over the weekend to get a card (Boston Public library that is)so I can rent some books :-) I'm so excited! I also love it because even though it is like a computer screen, you can change the color of the page to off white, which makes it less harsh on your eyes :-)

After we got our act in gear, Matt came over to my place to say hi to my family, and exchange gifts, and then my mom, sisters and I went to my uncles house to visit for a bit before dinner. Dinner was prime rib, mashed potatoes, carrots and parsnip, green beans, and some of the most amazing scalloped potatoes ever.

After dinner we had some drinks, played some games, and then I headed back to my apartment with Matt around 10. It was an awesome Christmas and I was in high spirits... until I went into the bathroom.

I won't go into details, but basically someone had been putting dental floss down the toilet, which caused it to block the pipes, and when our neighbor would plunger our toilet would overflow and the water would come up in the tub. To call it gross was a massive understatement.

But the management company was great about getting someone out the next morning (it was Christmas night, after all. Apparently they did send someone out that night, but gave them the wrong apartment number and phone number. Like really?), and then a cleaning crew to take care cleaning the carpet (because it got soaked) and bleaching down the bathroom.

Matt's parents gave us a ton of bathroom stuff for Christmas, which is great considering it was all ruined :-( but at least it was a relatively easy fix, and I'm glad we have a management company that is so on top of everything. The lack of sleep and stress put both of us into a bit of a funk yesterday, so we had a lazy day and finished off Friday Night Lights (Great show btw), and organized our apartment.

I won't post a menu till Friday, just because with so much going on this week (babysitting tomorrow, friend's birthday on Thursday) Our meals will be quick and easy! Eating at home tonight and making soup for the week's lunches, taco pasta on Wednesday, and  lettuce wraps on Thursday.  We are having a New Years party on Saturday night, which I'm super excited for, but also looking at it as an opportunity to resist temptation. I'm going to make a low calorie drink for myself, and try and control eating as much as possible, and hopefully get a great workout in!