Nancy’s Weight loss Journey 5 Yrs & Counting

ANJ AND KAMA!  Chris, the Ab and Boot camp instructor, is FIRED!!!  Ahhh, so mad he did not show up to teach class.

I got to the gym 1/2 an hour early and got a nice warm up done on the elliptical for 20 minutes.  Went and waited for class to start………10 freakin’ minutes later he’s not there.  I guess everything happens for a reason.

During the wait I chatted it up with 4 ladies - first timers.  I told them it’s a fun class.  One girl a beautiful Chek girl is a runner.  She wanted to take the class to get a different workout in.  During our conversation I asked her why she runs and how does she do it.  I told her about my hesitation to run because of shin pain.  She told me I have to do a rolling motion with my feet and that I need good running shoes for support.  I’m so glad I met her.  I will take this into consideration.  I will look into running in the new year.

So after 10 minutes the manager came and said they call him. BS.  I decided to just set up my own bootcamp station and went at it.  45 minutes into my own routine I was sweating and just happy I did it.  I couldn’t stop and go home!  No way!  I was there to workout and I did.  I spent about 15 minutes practicing yoga and I was done.

Like some of my fellow buddies - I went shopping for groceries.  I decided to really use my Chinese steamer.  Got some veggies, yams and fish to steam.  Whoo hoo!

I love soup in the cold season but what they sell in the store has too much sodium in it.  SO I made my own.  NO additional salt, sugar or anything added other than the soup base mix I used.

I decided on a seafood soup with a ton of goodies - including squid, shrimp, crab meat and TOFU!   It’s a clear broth soup and delicious!!  My favorite Korean grocery store carries this soup base that is so good but hard on my BF’s nose.  My own creation and so happy it worked.  For about $4.00 I made a 1 1/2 gallon soup that has about 350 calories total if that at all. Even if I have the whole thing, the only damage is to my bladder as I’ll be running to pee it off!

One step and a time guys!  We can do it!

I’m still on my no grazing streak!  My honey is helping me with it.   I have to retrace my blogs and figure out what day I’m on.

Tomorrow is KICKBOXING!! WHOOO HOOO and Yoga!  I’m doing my own routine at home.

Just one thought for my friends who counts calories and worries about staying within’ limit - everything in moderation and the calories - it’s ok to vary it.  I used to restrict my calories to about 1200 and it did not work for me.  Now I just eat in moderation.

Today I had some chips, regular chips and I don’t feel bad about them at all.  In fact, been eating chips and about 2 cookies the last 3 days - but my portion is nothin like it used to be.  Just one handful and I’m good.   Ok so it’s about 200 calories - 200 calories I certainly enjoyed.

 I don’t know about you, but me, I LOVE WATCHIN’ THE FOOD CHANNELS! 

I love watching the Food Network - Yes Paula’s Party, At home with the Neilly’s, Sara’s Semi homemade, Both the Japanese and American version of Kitchen - I’m better then you cook in an hour with my special ingredient, all the Food Challenges to win $10,000, Mr. Baldy’s cake shop in Baltimore, MD, you name it I know the show, oh and Guy - he makes me drool as he goes to all these Deli’s, diners and off the wall places and eat fatty yummy, artery clogging food….what?  Did you say foood….still dreaming about that burger. 

 Oh oh oh……luv me some ANTHONY BOURDAIN AND ANDREW ZIMMERMAN ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL and don’t forget Hell’s Kitchen, Top Chef and Sara Snow on FIT TV!

I love it sooooo much that my BF asked me last night, WHAT’S YOUR OBSESSION WITH FOOD? This is as I sat and watched Guy eat a big piece of steak and I just finished with dinner.

It took me a few minutes to think about it.   IT’S COMFORT!! Food comforts me.  It’s my best friend - yes, Rod, you come AFTER MY FOOD LOVE!  hehe just kidding (really).  There is a satisfaction that comes with eating that I don’t get with anything else. 

On a different subject - There is a reason why they say switch up your routine!  For me I am sore in places I don’t normally get sore - like my hiney, my hamstrings, my chests….even though I work out almost daily - the switch to a different routine worked me!!!

 I am very tempted to go to a Zumba class tonight…but I may chill and just relax at home with some green tea, a nice movie and my honey.

Tomorrow is my return to Bootcamp #2 with Chris and a visit with Ms. Elliptical as we are long lost friends.

I am so back in the game guys!  I’m giving PMS one more day for her visit and out the door she goes.  My cold is nearly gone…just a few sniffles here and there.

My honey is the best - it’s nice to have a hot cutie who can shop and not be ashamed to be in the ladies section.  We got me a pair of jeans - Ms Beyonces “House of Dereon” Skinny Jeans in a SIZE 5! I thought it wouldn’t fit but took that, a 7 and 9 in to try.  They fit!

We tried some knee high boots - no go, calves are still too big.  I ended up getting some cute ankle boots.

After a few taxing hours we left; I have to go back and get a top and a coat.  He started gettin on my nerves after a while. :)  BUT I adore him for hanging with me.  I did repay the favor last night.  *snicker*

SO tonight I am back on my A game!  I took a new class!  That was one of my mini goals from last week - 1 new class a week.  It was called Athletic Training.  It’s bootcamp and School PE like - It will be a nice break from my regular routine.  It was a ton of fun.  Different from my routine.  We did a lot of football drills and basketball drills.  I felt like I was in PE class again but this time I want to be there!.  Then I took an advance Step class.  As I’m not a Step veteran I modified out all the advanced moves and just did what I needed.  I left 1 hr of the first class and 45 min. of Step - enough for me.

Friday morning - I’m going to my 5:45am kickboxing class to my cardio in for the day then do some weights in the afternoon.

IM’ BACK AND FEELING 10000% BETTER

Better go now - honey is waiting for me.

BTW, THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH GREAT BUDDIES!!

It’s raining-which I love - thanks for the reminder Catrina! , cold - yes I know big wuss, still sick, lethargic and I ache all over.  Called the honey and we scrapped my exercise for the day.  Hah, I do want to work out but just mentally exhausted.

Instead we’re going clothes shopping for me.  This is the first shopping trip since I can’t remember when.  I don’t like to shop, never have and never will.

I got upset with him because he makes fun of me quite a bit.  See, he’s the one with the fashion sense, dresses in style…then there’s me.  Give me a comfortable shirt and jeans and I’m good.

He keeps telling me I don’t know how to coordinate my outfits.  Nothing matches.  I blew up this morning at him for being a butthead.   He thought he was being funny and didn’t understand why I was so emotional.  There is nothing funny about  how I dress when the money I make goes to bills, food and other things.  Clothes shopping is the last thing on my mind.

So, he is my stylist. Gonna see what he comes up with.

I don’t like shopping…gonna repeat this…I don’t like shopping especially for me.

Problem with shopping, I still don’t feel comfortable in my own skin like, 100%.  A part of me wants to stick to the style I know that works well; but from my bf’s point of view it’s time to change up.  When I shop, I still see the old me and that just makes me sad…see tears - that’s PMS for ya.  Then in a few minutes I’m going to laugh my head off like a mad woman.

As he’s an artist, he likes to give me his 5 cents about what works and what doesn’t work on me.  Surprisingly, he likes the conservative look more so then me.  Tells me, well I know your body then you know…?  Never thought of it like that.  He studied lines and contrast…yada yada yada…so he’s practicing his art on me.  Have to admit, everything he bought as a surprise fits to a tee.  Last time he bought shoes for me, he went to 5 stores and found the perfect one - all without me there. 

So, I’m his - go put the clothes on and ring it up.  sad face

Hahhhhh - ok going now.

Thanks for the love ladies.  I notice not one guy commented on the evil blog.  Go figure right?  I guess it’s something only the ladies can understand.

Shan, you are the boss - I loved your comment.

I’ve been working out 2 hours consistantly mixing different formats - cardio plus weights, yoga plus cardio, cardio only.  I love it all.  I have to say I am getting used to doing 2 hours straight.  So tonight, I just finished my Step and Yoga combo.  I ate - YES KAMA AND ANJ!!!!! Seaweed “beef” jerky,  goji berries and fresh mango for energy.  Boy did I get it!  I had a lot of energy.  From Step I moved on to yoga.

Guess who subbed the yoga class?  My girl Nygel!!!! Did the bootie bounce for that one!

I was banking on an easy super easy yoga class and ended up with Miss Military show me your push-ups NOW - I loved it.  So my poor shoulders, handled the push-ups and yes - got my form right.  I also focused more on breathing - oh, hence, the Wildcat breathing post I did earlier.  I certainly feel that connection between mind, body and soul. hehehe

Then I finish off my 1.5 liter of water I filled up for both classes - to wash out all the toxins released during yoga.

BUT the moment I got home….I was hungry- nah, that’s not the right word - ravenous and ready to inhale food.  I don’t quite understand why as I ate adequately - enough carbs to sustain a high cardio class and an intensive yoga class.  I found myself wanting to eat everything that’s cooked and uncooked - if I could.  But I did limit myself to 1 bowl of rice, some Asian curry my mom made for me and bake chicken.

The old me would not stop at that point.  I would continue to gorge and feast….but I thought of you guys and how we are all struggling with food issues, drank 24 oz of water, read some blogs and I’m ok.

I’m going to eat my last meal - looking forward to it (sometimes I look forward to my next meal more then I do sex - just don’t tell my honey).  

It’s true though, if you work out, the hungrier you get…but it’s how you deal with it will make it or break it! :)  Me, I want to continue on my road so Helll  Nahhhh I’m not eating till 9!

AND THROW in the sin of my original mom EVE - I am hungrier when I exercise and PMS!

Day 46 is good - made it

Day 47 - looking forward to it.

So tomorrow I have a kickboxing class and my ballet/pilates fusion class to get antsy for.  Whooo hooo!

I ASKED MY BOYFRIEND, WHY DO YOU THINK WE, THE WOMEN POPULATION, HAVE TO SUFFER MONTHLY AS OPPOSE TO MEN.

HIS ANSWER

“EVE ATE THE APPLE”

MY ANSWER “FOOT UP YOUR A$$!”  So not right!!

I hope I can read back on this in a few days and laugh at myself. hehe

The other WOMAN:

And Debbie-I don’t like her!!!!!!  I am so PMSing like no tomorrow.  Today I had about 10 outburst and all of it pointed right at my honey… :(  Hey, I gave him a verbal disclaimer yesterday that it’s on the way.  Poor guy, he’s dealing with it as best as he could.  Can I call myself evil - yes, I can.  It’s like a switch goes off and another personality comes out.  She’s not nice and I don’t like her but for a few days she is me. 

It was date night Monday night as we missed our traditional Friday date night.  We went to see The Day the Earth Stood Still…..yawner - boring, not worth it - nice computer animation but that’s about it.  The footrub I got from my honey made up for the boring movie…(can you tell PMS is here - bad attitude!!).  On a normal day I would say, ahhhh, it was a nice movie but not my taste.

The great thing about being sick is the nursing and attention I got from the family aka Rod.  Yes Anj, I am so milking it 100%.  It’s not everyday I reap the benefit of TLC, tender loving care with no questions ask, and this time I’m not the caregiver. :)  I’ve been eating garlic like crazy.  Feel a whole lot better.

Tomorrow I have a Step Class and yoga class to go to.  This is the easiest yoga class offered so I’m taking despite my shoulder soreness.  Nygel is teaching the Step class so I’m all over it.  Yoga is by Tami; can do this format in my sleep.

I had so much fun Sunday!!!!!

Knotts Berry Farm, a neighbor to Disneyland did their annual Christmas Toys for Tots drive.  My whole family went.  Not a bad drive as it’s about 10 minutes away.  Although it was a late start, we got there and the park was packed.  Not as pack as it would be in the summer time but packed and very cold - for Californians, anything under 60 is cold. J/K

We got on a few rides; but the 5 hr walk was totally needed.  I didn’t eat all that great earlier as money is short and food is food; payday isn’t until tomorrow.  But I’m glad I stocked up on carb fuel as we needed it for all the walking we did  in the park.

My 1 yr old nephew is  trooper and went on all the rides accessible by him.  My mom even went - her first amusement park ever.

My honey was great!  He kept me warm. hehehe.

I’m glad it’s finally over.  I scream so much I would be surprise if I can talk tomorrow.

What I didn’t like about the park - FOOOOOOOD!!!!! Funnel cakes, pizza, crap….and it was so tempting. But I stayed strong and away from it all.

My sister, bought a ton of food from Jack in the Crack; kept asking if I want any…NO!

I’m having some eggs and rice instead.

Sunday morning’s kickboxing class was great although we had some tech issues with the stero system.  Going back today for 1.40 hrs of cardio - 40 min of step and 1 hr kickboxing.  I can’t do yoga for a few more days - on account of my shoulders still be a tad sore.

Day 44 - I’m doing it - no night time grazing.

Day 45 - I can do, no problem!

Per Sparkspeople Bustin’ Plateau part III, I need to change up my routine.  My goal a few weeks ago was to try out different classes.  I returned to Steps, loved it and will add it to my magic bag.  I tried Ballet/Pilates Fusion…loved it and added to my bag.

Saturday I had no intention of trying a “NEW” class.  Just thought I would get a Step class in or my baby Kickboxing.  God, intervened of course, and let me sleep in to sleep off my cold.  I woke up in time for the last good class in the area.  BOOTCAMP with my Abs instructor Chris.  I got ready, bought an energy bar for breakfast because I have to eat before working out and went to class.

It was different and a lot of fun.  It was truly a Bootcamp class but with yoga add in that I was pleasantly surprise by.  He worked us and with such a small class we utilize the whole Group X room.

One thing I learned……hand placements for my regular push-ups.  I have no problems with wide arm push-ups, split-ups or yoga push-ups; it’s the regular push-ups.  Rod tried to show it to me in the past but I knew something was off.

Well, instructor Chris - said the magic words.  In high plank -prep work for the push-up, he said turn your arms out in a 45 degree angle.  THAT IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I looked at my form in the mirror and it’s perfect.  So I came home and told Rod that the instructor helped my form with just a tiny tweak, he of course agreed.  Hmmmm, could have told me that before.

Anyhow, I am so happy I have the perfect form for all of my push-ups.  Look, I’m not trying to knock the girl ones…it’s just I am always pushing myself to go further and do more.  My instructors inspire me to always go for the harder forms.  As hard as they are at the beginning….. It only gets easier if you stay with it and continue to push through the pain and learning process.

I have an 8am kickboxing class I can’t wait to get to.  My cold is much better.  The garlic plus exercise really knocked most of it out of my system.

Day 43 of no night time grazing is on.  I was so close to eating at midnight - but reading Holly’s blog made it easier to put the food away.  Thanks HON!

Day 44 here I come.

It’s certainly cold and flu season.  I was trying to slide by the cold and flu bug but it got me.  One of my co-worker is sick; I think that’s where I got it from.  Been fighting it the last couple of nights.  But today it really got me.

My boss is a raw food enthusiast.  He told me the best way to combat it is with raw garlic.  So I got out a piece of toast and two garlic cloves, chopped it up and just ate it - GROSS.  Boy, is it hard to eat and strong!

Eat raw, freshly-crushed garlic.  Garlic (Allium sativum) is not only a culinary mainstay, but also an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal tonic.  It also tends to kill parasites in the intestines.

To help prevent or lessen the severity and symptoms of a cold, eat two cloves of raw garlic at the onset of symptoms.
Chopping or mashing garlic releases the herb’s full potential as the active component, allicin, forms only on contact with air.”

Rod is a sweetheart; even though I stink he still kisses me but staying as far away as possible at the same time. Yikes don’t blame him. hehehe

In the early stages of a cold I can still work out.  It helps kick start my immune system and I usually feel a lot better. I’m going to an 8:30 Step class - see if I can get through it.  If I don’t like it I have an optional kickboxing class at 10am at a different gym.   Any way it goes I’m getting an hour in somewhere.

And you thought a tiny thing called a cold would keep me from the gym…..no way!

PMS is so on her way to my house.  Deb, she finished at yours yet?  Please, do not turn me evil this month.

Day 42 went well.  I did over eat just a bit during the evening but I’m ok with it.  But no night time eating.  I even enjoyed 1/2 a Jack in the crack extreme sasauge and a few fries.  Everything in moderation.

Day 43 of no night time grazing - it’s  much easier then ever to resist food.  Still have issues with day time for now, but one day at a time.

Anyone knows the words to T.I’s song – BIG THINGS POPPIN’ Yep that’s me!!!! Doin’ it Doin’ it….

You all know I can’t dance but today I’m doin’ my bootie bounce, poppin’ my collar, shakin’ my tailfeather and just dancing to a successful two weeks!!!!

YES WENT FROM 148 TO 146!!

I worked by a$$$ off to lose 7000 calories. It wasn’t easy…many days I wonder why I’m even doing this but it all paid off! Yah, whatever right to two lbs but for someone like me who already lost 70 lbs, these last last 10 lbs have been sheer torture. I never gave up. Never faltered one day! I kept at it. Beatin’ that scale once and for all!!!!!!!!! Whoo hoo!

Can’t get me off this PARTY train any time soon. WILDCATS! Captain KITTY, mama has a loss for you!

It started Thanksgiving Day! I knew I couldn’t go into this holiday season eating like crazy and gaining weight just because….so I did the opposite and KILLED IT!

What I learned this is not for everyone, this is what worked for me:

1. Must INCREASE calorie intake if you are super active as I am. 2000 calories was perfect. Although I only made it close to that number 1950, I knew that I need to really EAT to lose weight.

2. NO GRAZING! I’ve been at it for 41 days, it can be done…I started small with night time grazing, with a goal of 100 days! Since resisting night time grazing I am more mindful of what I actually eat. It’s easier to say no to food and just drink water if I really want to eat

3. Be ON YOUR GAME! Everyday. I’m sorry to tell you this, but this battle, is one you have to fight everyday to win. If you don’t you will fall into the stereotype – Americans are great at taking weight off but not KEEPING it OFF!

4. Switch up your routine! And have fun in the process. Ok, so you’ve been doing your thing for a few weeks now…switch it! Add something new! It will help rev up your metabolism!!!!!

5. EAT YOUR PRE-EXERCISE FOOD!!!! AND IT MATTERS WHAT YOU EAT! One day I ate some banana, another fruit and drank my water at 4am for my 5:45am class – I was on fire. Another day I ate rice and fried eggs – didn’t cut it, no energy. BOTTOM LINE – eat eat eat carbs for your cardio workouts….yes eat!

6. LAST BUT NOT LEAST – LOVE YOU!!!!! Don’t forget you are important!

Ooops, time for bed, I have to be up at 4 to eat for my 5:45am kickboxing class.