Banana Smoothie

I'm usually a chocolate girl, but today, made a banana smoothie for breakfast.  All I can say is YUM!

2 Scoops Vanilla Shake Powder
1 Tablespoon Protein Powder
1/2 Banana
1 Cap of Banana Extract (Imitation)
1 Packet of Splenda
1 Cup Skim Milk
8oz Ice Cubes

I put the milk in the blender first and then add all the rest aside from ice - blend it and then blend it with the ice.  It's delicious!

Despite feeling crappy yesterday from that AWFUL pic (reminding myself that I have had awful pics while skinny too...), I did feel great at the AWC event - it was a wine tasting and yes, I probably should have passed on the wine, but I didn't - we also didn't have but a drink of each wine so I only had maybe a glass and a 1/2 (MAYBE).  Everyone was  so wonderfully encouraging - and complimentary about my skinny jeans I wore - which really helped re-motivate me.  Can wait until I'm back in my REALLY skinny jeans!!! LOL

I weighed in on the home scale this morning, and here's my stats:
HOME SCALE
Prepregnancy Weight:  128
Highest Pregnancy Weight:   165 (although I don't know - it might have been higher!)
Weight Gained:  37lbs
Current Weight:  141lbs
Weight Lost:  24lbs
Pounds to go:  13lbs!

DOWN 2!?

I can't believe it, but I'm down 2 more lbs!!! Putting the total for the weight loss challenge at 4.2 lbs lost.  I weighed in at 147.6 and am super thrilled.  I also bought some protein powder while I was there to add to my shakes.

That puts me at 2.8% lost!

Weight UNKNOWN?!

It's MONDAY - official challenge weigh in day and I have no idea what I weigh - every morning (except today) I have jumped on the scale.  But, after 2 all day graduation celebrations and Hubby making me shrimp scampi and buttered artichoke hearts on Saturday night (I love him AND I hate him!!!), I'm really nervous.  Since there's nothing I can do at this point but face the music, I'm going in blind and crossing my fingers.

I WAS down a pound earlier in the week... let's hope it holds and I don't gain!

That said, it has been super hard this weekend and I know I'm going to have to do a lot more to master the parties because in the summer, they are like every weekend -- and usually there are swimsuits (GASP!) involved.  I didn't feel like I overate yesterday, but I have the "I ate too much sodium puffy face" today.  Yuck!  The odd thing is that I DID drink water, but just not enough to compensate for all the grab and go quick foods (potato chips, deli meats...).

I'll update my progress after I weigh in.

Yesterday's success + today's commitment = tomorrow's victory

I was pretty pumped after yesterday's weigh in... and even though it's counter productive, I did splurge a tad to celebrate - I bought the chili and lime flavored almonds (I know... not really splurging), ate an extra taco at dinner and enjoyed the last of the Daddy Cakes (which we really took too long to eat - they were getting tad stale).

I THINK I might even be able to win - last time the prize was $900 for first and the winner lost 15 % of his bodyweight.  I've lost 1.4% in the first week.  If I lose 20 lbs, I'll be at 13.2% lost - and that's in contention.  If I lose just 2 lbs more, it boosts me to 14.5%.  Even if I don't win and only lose 12 lbs, I'll still be happy I'm on my way, but in my mind, I'm already at a shopping trip at Dillards!!!

I'm positive, focused and motivated -- and on my way to returning to my pre-pregnancy physique!

OH... Ya...

143 POUNDS! I can't believe I'm so excited about that number, but after sitting in the same spot (and even creeping up a bit to 146), I'm ecstatic to see progress at last!  Maybe this program (of which I have modified after all to allow MORE calories for breastfeeding) will help keep me in line!  It's definitely steered my choices into making the better option.  And, it's paid off by nearly 3 lbs.

I think I actually go into the challenge and weigh tonight, but I'm not sure and the weather is downright scary.  I will call and see what they want me to do.  If the challenge requires me to weigh in, I won't if there is a threat of tornadoes (severe weather seems imminent tonight). 

Now, I DO need to get back with my exercise - and I will.  I love running (and I hate it too), but it can wait if I'm actually losing.

The other question is - do I think the Herbalife Shakes are helping me lose weight - I'd have to say both Yes and No.  Yes, because I invested dollars into them and therefor committed myself.  No, because I know I could do it still without them, but I was lacking motivation and commitment and Yes because I'm competitive, a sucker for a good challenge and deal and because being kept accountable does help.  It helps a GREAT DEAL.  I've been on the other end of the accountability before - at Jenny Craig I weighed in others.  But, now that I'm on this end, I do feel added pressure do get results.  The last thing I want is to go into the center and NOT lose weight (and have to pay a dollar - only a dollar, but it's the whole fact you are getting penalized).


My Current Stats (Home Scale):
Preprego Weight:  128
Prego Weight:  165
Current Weight:  143
Pounds Lost:  22
Pounds to go:  15 (I would like to add that IDEALLY, I would like to get back to 122... so, if the weight loss goes well, the pounds to go might change)

One half of a pound... maybe

Maybe it was a fluke or I couldn't quite see straight... but the scale was KIND this morning!  It showed me down a 1/2 pound, which is damn good because I'm friggin ravenous!! LOL.  I'm still not getting my exercise in - I am SO exhausted with Hubby traveling.  Between that and just keeping up on things, I wonder if it's not impossible without a bit extra help.  He comes home sometime this afternoon (hallelujah!).  I will likely throw the baby at him as he walks in the door and crash right where I'm at.  Seriously, I'm THAT tired.  After the joys of the night before (only up at 1:50 am), last night was horrendous and I was up I think every single hour.  I'm also aging by three times as fast as a direct result.  Ugh!

The best news is that it's Friday, but along with Friday comes the weekend and with the weekend are a few unique challenges.


First Friday - tonight is the art walk and I really want to get this little guy out and stroll for some social time.  First Friday means lots of appetizers (and wine).  So, if I go, I'm going to have to be extra careful.

Lil Q's Birthday - Party is Saturday at the Skating Rink and I'm picking up Daddy Cakes (the best damn bakery in Topeka) for the celebration -- and yes, I ordered  them long before I started this program.

Mother's Day - It's Sunday and there is a Mother's Day brunch Hubby and all the kids and I are going to on Sunday - I think I'll be having Quiche or a Breakfast Casserole.  I'll have to be on my best behavior because I think Monday is weigh in day.  If I'm not down, I'll be paying a buck.

Tuesday Weigh In

I weighed in and wasn't happy.  Still at 145 - as my sister-in-law would type in her blog, "What.the.Fuck?"  I'm not going to freak out or worse yet, falter.  My weight may remain unchanged week over week, but I've lot serious inches, and I'm not going to be upset about that.  My plan is simple - stay on course, and be cautious of what I eat.  If, however, next week also nets no results, I will begin a more strict plan for my food intake -- probably around 1800 a day.  As I wean the nursing, I know my calorie requirements will also drop.  BB is preferring the bottle more and more.  It makes me a little sad, but really, it's much less stressful and I love him all the same.

No more mommy guilt for me!!!

I felt great after my jog yesterday.  I went 30 minutes - started with a 2 minute warm up and then alternated jogging 2 minutes at 5.5 miles per hour followed by a brisk walk for 1 minute at 4.0 mph.  After 21 minutes, I jogged straight (dropping down to 5.0 for a few minutes) until I hit the 26 minute mark and felt incredibly empowered.  I will soon be going for 2 and then 3 miles straight!  What an amazing accomplishment at only three weeks postpartum.  

Today is a XTraining day, and I'm up to 35 minutes cross training now.  My mom is actually coming to help me out today, which is wonderful considering Hubby is out of town for the day in Manhattan for a demo.  My exercise plan is the Mat Pilates portion of my Denise Austin tape and 15 minutes power walking.  I will do this after mom leaves and hopefully before the kiddos get home. Eventually, I'll build up to doing some actual calorie busting cardio on these days, but I'm not in the business of burning out early.  My plan is a real lifestyle change.

Onto another note - my eldest daughter, Koko, 11, has been busy participating in intramurals over the past 2 1/2 weeks.  Every morning, she has gotten up early for track practice and Hubby has driven her in the early AM.  Yesterday was her track meet marking the end of intramurals (yay!).

I was so thrilled to have her get involved in athletics.  She hadn't shown much interest in the past, and to be honest, she lacks the ability and drive -- raw talent that just can't be taught.  My daughter is one of the sweetest, most beautiful young women I know, and I'm not speaking ill of her - it's just not her niche.  And, that's ok.  But, it brought back tough memories of my own - watching her come in almost last and then last for two races (200 meter dash and 100 meter dash).  Much like her, I wasn't a sprinter.  In fact, I didn't have much athletic ability until about 8th grade (and then chasing boys took priority).  But, I did have some skill and hand eye coordination... it was hard to watch her just like I'm sure it was hard for her to compete knowing she wouldn't and couldn't win.


She was brave for sticking with it and I'm proud of her.  Maybe one day, she'll find a love of running (not sprinting!) like her mom has...

But, I can't close out without commenting on the extraordinarily high percentage of FAT MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS I saw! It was ridiculous! They really are getting fatter and fatter -- and it's sickening to see so many pretty girls setting themselves up for bad health.  Our nation really is in an epidemic, and I hope I can instill good habits in my kids before it's too late for them.