Weight loss update

As you all know, about a month ago I was told to lose some weight.  I've been working my butt off for the last 3.5 weeks.  I've lost 5 lbs.  I was hoping for more, but I'm not sure that was realistic.  I set my goal as 10 lbs in 6 weeks, but I'm guessing it will take about 8 weeks to this at the rate I'm going.  It's requiring A LOT of work for very slow results.  A friend gave me a great analogy though about weight loss being like trying to get a heavy rock rolling. 

I've worked out 6 days a week (almost an hour or more a day), and I've really cut back on my calories: 1 soda in this entire time, very few, small desserts (but I have splurged to keep from insanity), mostly water to drink, and major portion control. 

I'm trying to not be discouraged by how slow it's going w/how much work I'm doing.  Metabolism evidently hates me. 

But 5 lbs of the 15-25 I need to lose is gone.  I'm giving myself a pretty big window to be happy in.  I'll be happy when I lose the 15, but will keep working for that last 10 to be at my optimum weight.

Sweaty bands knock off

So, as you know I've  been working out.  I've exercised every day for over a week.  I've been at it hard core.  I have been running, riding my bike, doing plyos, walking the dogs, lifting weights: lots of stuff.  It is making me more motivated to do things--like finish projects.  See this post.

To help motivate myself I got some new workout clothes for the summer/fall time.  I scored a big sale at the local running store, where I got some nice Saucony and Nike stuff.  I also hit up Dick's Sporting Goods and got a couple other things.  It was a bit of a bummer that I had to buy a bigger size than I like to think myself, but I made sure I didn't buy anything that would be too big once I lose a little weight. 

In an effort to spruce up my workout attire, and keep the sweat off my face, I made some knock-off Sweaty Bands.  I love the real Sweaty Bands.  But they are pricey for what they are.  I was able to make 10 of these (some to share) for less than the price I paid for 1 Sweaty Band.  The ribbon at Hobby Lobby last week was half off.  If anyone wants one, let me know.  I've been using them, and they work almost as well as the real ones (that's the awesome thing about the Sweaty Bands--they REALLY stay put).  The elastic I found isn't as hight quality, so they might not last as long, but I can afford to replace them easily this way.

Here are my little beauties. 

I followed this tutorial on Holy Craft  It was really easy.  They take 10 min--maybe--to make.

I want one in every color!

Get Your Fit On

So here we go again!  Scott and I are on a mission to lose some weight.  Me more so than him.  He's only a couple pounds out of his zone, but feels like he's redistributed himself in an undesirable way.  Me, I've got a rack of ribs I need to cut out of my stomach/arse area to get to where I need to go. 

New plan: P90X was way too intense for me, so I'm going to try a mix of his workouts (we did plyos today) w/ a mix of bike riding and running (usually my go-to way to lose weight).  So we shall see.  I'm super hyper from my first 2 workouts--and continually hot. 

How do you get your fit on?

P90X update

Yes, I'm still doing this 90 days of torture.  Have I messed up a couple (a few thousand-due to vacation) times?  Yes!  I'm approximately 5 weeks or 33 days into it.  It's been hard--really hard.  Vacation definitely threw me for a loop--too much alcohol and good food w/o much working out.  I don't think a 15-20 min run on the resort and 4 hours of beach volleyball count for intense cardio or yoga (especially if you've seen me play volleyball).  I've made up most of the workouts I've missed (b/c I was so tired Mon & Tues--like a zombie), but I still have 1.5 workouts to make up (see 15 min run above to see why I need a half of a cardio workout).  Let me just say right now I apologize for the parenthesis...I love detail. 

Here's what I think about the ol' P90X.  I think it's really good but hard.  I'm not seeing the results I hoped for which is discouraging when I put in over 6 hours a week on lifting, cardio, or yoga.  Needless to say, I'm sticking with it.  Prior to vacation I had lost 7-8 lbs in 3.5 weeks.  After vacation I've lost 4-5 lbs--complete bummer.  I hate you margaritas, banana mamas, pina coladas, miami vices, beer, wine, and gin/tonic.  I don't really hate you, but why did you have to taste so good in the pool, while eating, while playing volleyball, while sitting around waiting for buses.  Why oh why? 

So, I'm a little off target of my original 25 lbs goal.  I'm still hoping I make it.  I have 8.5 weeks to go, so theoretically I can still safely lose 16 more pounds.  This would be darn close to my goal if I can shave off a couple more pounds somewhere.  I'm thinking I might have to go to the doubles workouts if I don't see some dramatic results soon.  I do not want to go there!

P90X

So all my future blogs regarding this subject will be denoted w/the P90x so you don't have to bore yourself reading them.  I'm just blogging about it as one more way to keep myself motivated.  I asked for this system for Vday.  If you don't know, it's an intense workout system intended to last 90 days which provides better than average results using muscle confusion to avoid plateaus  I really wanted it until I got it in the mail.  I was so overwhelmed by all the materials.  You are supposed to follow the diet, but it gives you three ways to do it, and it essentially comes down to calories anyway--but using good foods to fuel you.  They do have a specific stand on the protein/carb ration that will be difficult.  The really limit your carbs, but pump your protein the first month, but then ease up to more normal standards for the following 2 months. I was so overwhelmed Saturday when I got it I couldn't make heads or tails of the nutrition program.  With a cooler head this morning it all made sense.  You can choose to follow their menu or learn portion controls (based on their recommendations).  I'm opting on the portion control.  Getting enough calories and good protein is going to be hard for me.  They have you figure up how many calories you need based on the workout activities plus your added activities/lifestyle.  I didn't make it to my ideal calories today or my ideal proteins.  I need to go to the store to get some stuff.   I did pretty well on water today, but feel really thirsty--I guess from the workout.  I'm opting to do the lean course of the 90 days, and will see how it goes. I plan to modify a bit b/w the lean and the classic, so I can get in plyos.  The first workout was good.  I like how he gives levels, but it's definitely challenging.  Day 1 of 90 complete!