Will power is when you decide you are important enough to make your dreams a reality

I posted this title as my status earlier and decided to make it my blog.  On the way home I had actually been thinking about my will power and I found it ironic to get home and find one of my friends had posted this.

Today was the day before my weigh day which means it was a shake day.  This was my third week doing this on Thursdays.  I have to tell you, when Nikki first recommended this to me, I really didn't think that I was going to be able to do it.  In the past if I hadn't eaten enough (what I thought was enough) I would feel weak, shakey, and would start sweating.  I saw a doctor to see if I had blood sugar issues and he said that I had nothing wrong.  That I just had to learn to work through it.  I haven't really considered that I had worked through it. 

Shake days consist of:

• A protein shake (powder with 6 oz of water or 8 oz of milk) and a piece of fruit for breakfast
• Same for lunch
• 2 pieces of fruit for an afternoon snack
• Then something higher in protein for dinner.  And I try to stay low sodium.

I have not done the shake days once where I felt weak, shakey, or sweaty (that wasn't caused by a workout).  I have survived the whole day without even thinking about having a regular meal.  I think this is mostly because I knew I was going to have a regular meal for dinner. 

I feel really good about my one day (or sometimes two days) a week that I do the shake days.

Some other things I do to exercise my will power is set times that I can eat.  In this case I may or may not be making the healthiest choice, but I'm not allowing myself to eat anything until the designated time.  It might be a specific time or I may say that something has to happen before I can eat it.  A lot of times it is my workout before I can eat dinner. 

And on another note....I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 2.5 pounds this week.

Who Is This Person?!?

Seriously!  I hardly recognize myself!  Not to look at, but the things I'll agree to! 

Today my friend Naomi sent me an event invite to start Building Steam next Wednesday.  For those of you reading this that are not from the Peoria Area, Building Steam is the training program that gets runners (beginning and experienced) ready for the Steamboat Classic Race.  The Steamboat Classic web site describes the race as:

"Regarded as the „World's Fastest Four Miles“, „Illinois Toughest 15K“ and “Peoria Easiest 4K”, these running events are open to runners and walkers of all ability levels."

"The Steamboat Classic Four Mile Race is famous as the world’s fastest course. All of the recognized world records for four miles have been set at the Steamboat Classic.The race starts in Downtown Peoria,makes its way to lower Glen Oak Park, returns to Downtown, and finishes with a downhill stretch to the Peoria RiverFront.  Steamboat is for more than just elite runners, we have created a new challenge, the “4-in-1”. The goal is to finish the Steamboat 4 miles in less than one hour – run, jog or walk, it can be done!"

So, what do I do?  I say yes.  I would like to say that it was with a great deal of arm twisting, but it wasn't.  I was feeling pretty good today.  Accomplished.  So, it just felt like an additional way to meet my goal.  And something with a definite start/stop time, which is exactly the way I like to go about this lifestyle change.  That's what I think of Friday/Thursday.  The start/stop of my weigh week.  So, April 6 will be the start of this new project and June 18 with be the stop time.

In the excitement of this new project, I decided to go attempt Day 1 of Couch to 5K again.  I've tried it before and it didn't stick.  But, it was at the very beginning of my lifestyle change and I was extremely out of shape.  I've come along way since September.  So, I made the attempt....and I succeeded.  Finished Day 1!  Very exciting!  Here is a before and somewhere in the middle picture in case you missed it on facebook  ;o)

My Mind Set

I thought I would blog about my mind set right now in regards to losing weight.

Like everyone, I've tried and tried to lose weight.  Used several different methods and as a result failed at them all.  It has been in the last several years since I quit calling it a diet and starting calling it a life style change.  I did this for 2 reasons.  Being on a diet has such a bad connotation.  And, in my own mind, using the term basically set me up for failure.  Not only does "life style change" take away any ideas of a time frame, it really helps to set us up for the frame of mind that we need to be in for it to be successful.

This is why I like Weight Watchers.  It really does let me create a new life style and not just diet.  I think some people still tend to use it as a diet and if that's what works for them, that's great.  But for me, I know that I'm not always going to say no to potatoes and pasta.  I know that sometimes I'm going to go out to eat and I'm going to want both an appetizer and a dessert.  I know that I'm not going to go the rest of my life without having another margarita (or two or three in one night).

So, what I'm doing now is learning what I need to do in order to occassionally allow myself these things.  I'm getting active.  I have not been as active as I am now since high school pom pon.  Right now I'm no where near the point where I can eat anything I want whenever I want because I exercise.  But I am at a point where I know what I'm eating and I know what activity I'm doing.  So, I know what I can do to still have my exercise over power my food intake. 

Sometimes I feel bad when I plan on splurging or when I do it spur of the moment.  But, that's a mind set I'm trying to get over.  Basically because I feel like people are watching me thinking, "She is supposed to be dieting."  When really what I'm supposed to be doing is living.  Eventually I'll feel good that people are seeing me splurge and will think, "That's okay, she'll definitely work it off later."

I thought I would include a video of the type of workout I do 4 times a week.  This is NOT my class, but I thought was a fun video to show the types of things we do, as well as how enthusiastic everyone can get.  Maybe sometime soon I'll get a video of one of the classes I actually participate in.

"Middle of the Week"

My weigh week starts on Friday. Sunday is nearing the middle of my week, and Monday is definitely the middle.

I do tend to allow myself to go over my Weight Watchers points early in the week (Friday and Saturday...sometimes Sunday). I do ALOT of activity during the week. I have ALOT of time to make up for any indescretions I make through the weekend.

I had planned on being semi-good on Sunday. But I was going out to eat.

On Saturday night, I went on Applebees' web site, looked up the nutritional facts of the things that I like to eat there, and figured points. I LOVE the Chicken Fajita Roll-up, but it is 28 points. I wasn't really wanting to spend 28 points on one thing. I finally decided that I was going to have the Cowboy Burger (not great but 22 points) and instead of the fries that came with it, I was going to get a side salad (with the ranch dressing I was going to use would be 6 points).

But then I got to Applebees and opened the menu. I shouldn't have even looked. I knew I liked the Cowboy Burger; I had had it the last time I was there (before I was doing WWs). And I should have told myself I wasn't really there for the food, I was there to visit with my friend.

I saw the battered fish and chips and talked myself into and out of the idea several times. Settling on eating it.

And we got an appetizer ***she admits in a whisper***

But, although my lunch was high in points, I didn't do as bad when you compare how that meal would have gone in the past. I would have eaten my share of the appetizer, all of my fish, all of my french fries, and all of my coleslaw.

Here is what I did eat: my share of the appetizer, 1 1/2 of the pieces of fish, and half of the colesalw. So, I left a little bit of everything on my plate. Actually ALL my fries. I didn't even think of them. That is really surprising.

Today I'm making an attempt to repair the damage. My menu for the day:

Breafast: banana and a 100% Whey Protein Banana Shake
Lunch: apple and a 100% Whey Protein Cookies and Cream Shake
Afternoon Snack: apple and banana
Dinner: Left over Chicken Scaloppini, mashed potatoes and green beans.
Evening Snack: banana boat made with PB2

Can't wait to see what it did for me today. I plan on doing this again on Thursday to prepare for my Friday weigh day.

Oh, and I also did TurboFire in my garage ;o)

Back to It

The truth about Jenn. I am a homebody. Prior to October, I pretty much had to be forced to leave my house. I love my little house. And I love my hobbies of crochetting and reading. Love them, love them, love them.

But, now I've found another hobby that I love just as much. Turbo and fitness! And Turbo takes me out of my house AT LEAST 4 times a week, normally. And, since I've met some really great people, it has also gotten me out of the house to spend time with them. And then the energy to try new things.

I need down time though. For my body and my mind. So, last week I took it. I had a project I was working on that had a deadline and so I stayed home on Tuesday and Wednesday and did them. NO TURBO or exercise of any kind took place on those days (or Sunday and Monday). I also ate horrible most of the week. A whole box of girl scout cookies vanished (not in one sitting). I ate more than one serving of everything! And I know I didn't track very well. And if I don't track....I don't lose. Simple as that. So, I gained 1.4 pounds last week.

I jumped back in though. I went to Turbo and RIPPED on Thursday night with Nikki. Tried my first shake day that day to try to repair some of the damage I had done.

Then I re-entered the world of Riverplex yesterday. Had an insane hour of Turbo Extreme 3, a mix specially made by Amanda. I believe there were 8 or 9 Turbo session in it. That is EXTREME!!! And I am feeling it today!!!! Oh goodness! But it feels great!

Last night I tried a new recipe from one of my Weight Watchers cookbooks. It was fabulous!!!!

Chicken Scaloppini

Scaloppini are cuts of meat that are pounded thin and then cooked to perfection in about 6 minutes. For a beautifully browned crust, make sure the pan and oil are hot - the chicken should hiss as it hits the pan.

4 (6 oz) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 large egg white (I used egg white substitute)

2 teaspoons water

1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons olive oil, divided

1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth (I didn't use this and I'll explain why later)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (I also didn't use this and I'll explain why later)

1. Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/2 inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet.

2. Combine egg white and water in a shallow dish, stirring with a whisk. Place breadcrumbs in another shoallow dish. Dip each chicken breast half in egg mixture; dredge in breadcrumbs.

3. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of chicken to pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Transfer to a plate; cover and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and chicken.

4. Add broth and lemon juice to pan, stirring to loosen browned bits. Cook, uncovered, over high heat 2 to 3 minutes or until reduced to 1/3 cup. Drizzle sauce over chicken.

Yields 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and about 1 tablespoon of sauce).

Cookbook says that it is 6 pointsplus, but when I put in the brand of ingredients I used, it was 8.

I made a couple of observations. I am kind of new at cooking things like this, so if you have a tip for me or others reading this blog, please feel free to comment. The first thing I notice is that when I tried to heat my skillet with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, the oil evaperated almost immediately. And I couldn't see that 1 teaspoon was going to be enough. After the first 2 pieces cooked, I started putting a new drop (about a quarter size) of oil in my pan before I put the new piece of chicken in the pan. This is when I started getting the sizzling sound.

My second observation was that even though I was adding the new drop of olive oil to the pan, I did not have anything left in my pan to use for the sauce. And that is why I did not use the lemon or the chicken broth. This would not have changed my points at all, as both of those ingredients are worth zero points.

But, regardless of the observations I made, the chicken was delicious!!! And very filling. We had it with mashed potatoes and corn. Josh said I can definitely make it again. ;o)

If you try the recipe please be sure to let me know what you thought!!

Night before weigh in

One of the best ideas I've heard in a long time is Nikki, Philicia, and Claudia talking me into Thursday night Turbo and RIPPED. Mostly because it is the night before weigh in. Prior to last week, I would find myself going from living room to kitchen, living room to kitchen, and back again. Trying to find something to eat. Some times giving in, sometimes not. But it seemed that every Thursday I struggled. I don't know if it was because I'd been good for a week and I'd just had enough. Maybe. But I just knew that it sucked!

Having something to do these past 2 Thursdays has been a huge help. I did better this week too. I guess RIPPED is like Turbo and each week you know it a little better and feel more comfortable.

I think that I've had a GREAT week. I have decided that maybe for one week a month I will eat 8 can soup for lunch. I guess I should wait till tomorrow when I find out just how good of a plan it was.

Today's (Day Before Weigh In) Menu
Breakfast: Egg Substitute with 1 serving of cheese
Lunch: 2 WW Mini Cheeseburgers and an Apple
Afternoon Snack: Banana
2nd Afternoon Snack: Banana
Pre-Workout Snack: Cookies and Cream Protein Shake
Dinner: Strawberry Slimmer Smoothie and a bottle of water.

My workouts this week
Saturday: Turbo Kick, Walked 2 1/2 miles (1/2 mile was up and down a steep hill)
Sunday: Walked 2 miles, Biked 1 1/2 miles
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Turbo Kick
Wednesday: Turbo Fire, Turbo Kick
Thursday: Turbo Kick, RIPPED

Fire and Kick

Boy oh boy!!!!!! What have I been thinking ;o)

Got up this morning and met Isaura in the upstairs classroom at the gym. I brought my laptop and Fire 45 EZ and we got our Turbo Fire on at 5:15 in the morning. Best morning workout we've gotten since we started. Much better than our walk/run routine. And more fun!

I don't know if it was the hour or Turbo in the am, but I seriously had trouble staying awake today. It was horrible. I don't that I've really ever felt like I could lie down on the floor and go to sleep before. I almost considered coming straight home to bed.

But alas, I made it to Turbo Kick. Isaura and I both said it was a hard day and class was harder than usual. But we both made it through. I earned 25 activity points just today. When I got home from TK, I weighed myself and I weighed 1.2 pounds less than I did when I got up this morning.

I know I'm weighing myself too much right now, but I've had a couple of splurges and I'm doing a different workout schedule so I'm really trying to analyze what it does to my body and weight.

My menu today:

Breakfast: Egg substitutes and 3 Jimmy Dean Lean Sausage Links
Lunch: 8 can soup and carrots
Afternoon Snack: Banana
2nd Afternoon Snack: Apple
Dinner: Stouffers Chicken Quesadilla
Evening Snack: 100% Whey Protein Banana Shake

Tomorrow is the day before weigh day. Hoping to be able to make it through 3 workouts. I have an old friend who is going to be doing the worst thing she will ever have to do in her life. If she can do this...I can do all my workouts.