Start of a New Year

Hello peeps. Long time no see.
Well. I failed in this journey over the holidays. I GAINED a bit more than I anticipated in the end third of the year.
I blame a) my trip to Vegas in September b) doing a theater production where we enjoy going out to eat afterwards and c) my lack of willpower during the holidays, especially during get-togethers.
When I hopped on the scale Saturday (last week) after totally forgetting to get on the scale over Xmas week nor on my usual Wed. weigh in that week, I about died. Wow. I really let things go bad.
So, new starting total on January 3rd, 2015 is 178 lbs. *shudder* I don't think I've been that high since I was in my big weight loss plan back in 2011-2012 (where I started at 212 lbs- which I REFUSE to get that high again). My hubs hopped on the scale hoping to outdo me in not gaining as much and also about fell over from the number.
So the two of us vowed to have one last bad day on Sunday (in order to get rid of the leftovers from New Years) and start Monday as a fresh start to the new year of weight loss/fitness.

Monday went well- I stuck to my healthy food plan all day (Bringing back my Weight Watchers Points Plus plan, since it worked wonders when I actually followed it), we cooked up a light dinner of rice and chicken and then decided to try something new for exercise (since it was FREEZING outside and we hate gyms).
My parents were getting rid of their Kinect/Xbox and had a few games we didn't have, so I swiped them over the holiday break and we decided to give some a try for our fitness exercises.

First up- Your Shape: Fitness Evolved

This game is actually quite good. Once we got it all calibrated with the Xbox Kinect we went straight to the Gym games (as this is what caught my eye on the packaging). We did the punch out blocks game (Hubs vs. myself)- this quickly became a favorite and will surely be a part of our daily Kinect workout. Think punching/kick boxing but in a fun game format.
I then tried out some of the Personal Trainer portions of the game. Wow- kicked my butt (which I need though).
Hubs and I alternated using the games and trainer sessions to let our newbie tired muscles rest between reps.
At the end of the workout I burned plenty of calories and already could feel the burn of the exercises. We ended the evening with homemade fruit smoothies!
When I woke up Tuesday- my thigh, arms and sides were sore. Guess I'm more out of shape than I thought!
Here's the deets on the Weight Watchers Points Plus I consumed Monday...

Tuesday I did good also. I packed my breakfast, snacks and lunch so I could stay healthy at work (one of the hardest things to do at my job- where there is ALWAYS unhealthy food to be had). When my hubs got home, he said he was sore and didn't want to do the Kinect games. Even though I was sore, I was determined to get some arm workouts in and did some more of the Kinect games. I then decided to try the Just Dance 3 kinect game, to mix things up a bit.

I quickly found out the controls were a little wonky when trying to pick the difficulty- it constantly would just auto choose, or when I tried to change the difficulty, it would just start at whatever the closest place my hand was nearby. I enjoyed the Black Eyed Peas song during the "sweat" mix, though I had to laugh at some of the dance instructors- their facial expressions were wonderful. I had to wonder if these were actual people they just motion captured or videotaped and put funky color filters over top. I think the "Forget You" by CeLow's dancer on the screen reminded me of a crazy mime. lol.
I toughed through about 5 songs, with the hubs joining my last dance combo. Some were just my pace and others were just down right difficult (and I've even had formal dance training since I was 3, just haven't done much in the past few years). After working up a sweat and my muscles could handle no more, I crashed on the couch exhausted. We started talking about our current setup of our living room and how our Kinect doesn't like how close we are to it and tried to figure out ways we could rearrange our living room to better utilize the open spaces.
Once we figured out what dinner was going to be, I cooked up the dinner while the hubs rearranged the furniture in the living room /dining room. Now things look TOTALLY different, but are much better for exercising as well as entertaining. Hubs also jerry-rigged my current computer setup to help me have better posture while at the computer, since I like to sit quite close to my computer and the way our computers are set up- it isn't possible. He added a piece of wood on top of the cubed bookcase things and it works perfect! My hope is to paint it and officially attach it to the cases, so it doesn't just look like a piece of plywood stuck under my computer. haha.
After rearranging all that furniture and cleaning the two rooms (this is after I did some Kinect workout exercises and cooked dinner), I was pooped. I just so happened to have 4 points plus leftfor the day after having a low point dinner, so I treated myself to a hard cider and frozen mangoes for dessert. *phew* what a day!
Tuesday's points plus breakdown:

Today, I've been continuing to do well. When I hopped on the scale this morning to get back into my Wednesday weigh ins, I was at 177. So already I'm down a pound since Saturday- not bad! My packed breakfast, lunch and snacks has kept me going well. When I got home from work, I did some more of the Just Dance 3 and worked on finishing up my choreography for our upcoming auditions for Shrek the Musical (which hubs and I are directing). This worked up a sweat, so I was glad to get to dinner. Luckily with such a light lunch, I had enough points to enjoy tacos for dinner. Hubs picked up small taco shells, so we could eat smaller portions. I finished off the night with 1 oz of jelly beans ( I was craving sugar). Sadly 1 oz of jelly beans is 3 points plus! ugh. But, as long as I don't consume anymore points tonight, I'm golden for the day.
Here's today's points plus breakdown:

Tomorrow I am meeting up with a friend at Starbucks, so I already started researching what Starbucks drinks I could have within my points plus range. Basically, I need to say "skinny" before any of the drinks I plan on ordering. haha
Friday we are planning on taking a co-worker out to dinner for his retirement, so that's another place I"ll have to figure out what to order. Time to go stalking their menu online. ;)

Luckily, January I have very little plans, other than that co-worker's retirement dinner and a co-worker's bday bash later in the month, so I think sticking to this exercise and eating healthy plan will be a little easier. (Doesn't hurt that the hubs is doing it too for once!)
*fingers crossed* I lose some of the holiday gained weight and feel much better leading up to this summer. We shall see...
-M

Weight loss is slow- so I hope that means I'm gaining muscle

Well I hopped on the scale this morning, as I do every Wednesday morning, and my weight loss was only 0.6 lbs. Boo. I know, I should be happy to have lost something at all, but I was hoping for a little bigger loss. My hope is that because I've been starting to run more, that I'm gaining muscle- and that's why the weight hasn't gone down as fast as before.
I was super good on the diet train every single day this past week except Saturday (I'm allowing myself 1 bad day).
Also, this week I have officially stopped hurting muscle-wise the next day (or hours later) after my run- I find that to be a success in itself.

My new running shoes are starting to get their work cut out for them.

I also, this past run (Monday), was able to only walk 3 times total during the run (once for my 5 minute warm-up in the beginning, once at the halfway point, and once for my 5 minute cool down). I was most proud of THAT achievement. Now granted, my pace is super slow, but its more running and less walking.

from Monday's run.

My newest turn around point- the faithful bench.

the home stretch of my run- going under Route 1 with my home only a few blocks away.

 Here's some other highlights of my diet and exercise for the week:

Last Thursday's run stats and an awkward moment on the run...

Saturday's run was beautiful with all the flowers...

... and the bridge looking cool

Saturday's stats- however, I would like to note- the mileage I think got a little off- since the gps went all wonky- I actually ran further on Monday than this Saturday's run, but for some reason the stats came up as Saturday was further. I blame faulty GPS- getting my hopes up that I went super far. lol.

pretty flowers on the run

I want this home owner's garden (I pass their beautiful flowers every run)

Saturday's lunch- I split this with the hubs.

Saturday's lunch- I also split this with the hubs.

Sunday's dinner at TGI Friday's (we used a gift card)- sadly this was one of the best Weight Watchers pointed meals, other than just a salad and/or soup. I know- it's kind of pitiful looking. Poor tiny steak.

 *fingers crossed* I start to notice the losses and gaining of muscle more and/or next week is a bigger loss. We shall see.
-M

Feeling the burn

So today I managed to extend my run past previous distances and was able to run/walk 3 miles (on the dot). That means I'm getting closer to the 5k mark. Once I reach that, I just have to run more and walk less of that trek, and then I'll be set to run a 5k fun run. haha

This was the lovely view from my path today...

My stats for today...

As far as diet wise- well- Friday and Saturday were a little tough, however I did a BOATLOAD of yardwork on Saturday (I felt the muscles burn all Saturday afternoon/evening, more on Sunday, and a little bit this morning), so I think I had enough exercise points to work with for the weekend. haha. 
You'd be surprised how strenuous de-weeding flower beds can be when they haven't been done all season!
My goal is to keep up with exercise at least 3 times a week and the weight watchers points plus on 6 out of 7 days a week (as much as I can)- I think I was pretty close on Saturday, but I know I went way over on Friday- but that just means I had to use some weekly points just for that day.

You should have seen how horribly weed-ridden
and grass-filled this flower bed was a few hours beforehand.

The running motivation is getting easier- especially on the days I work later (like a 3-11 or 2-10 shift), as I can sleep a decent amount, then run, then have enough time to shower and have lunch before work. The hardest motivation is the days I work earlier. For example, we shall see how motivated I am on Wednesday to run. lol
The hardest part of my current diet and exercise plan is getting my vegetables in- I've been struggling the past 2 weeks to get enough of them, since my hubs doesn't really eat veggies, so I have to find meals that include them for me to have it- as I'm all out of my mini Just-for-one vegetables. Hopefully I can get to the store soon to stock up on some veggies!
So far I've been pretty good at avoiding Easter candy- I just have been avoiding shopping all-together (the hubs has been grocery shopping and such recently). As much as it makes me sad to not have some jelly beans, I'm sure my waistline isn't complaining about the lack of sugary goodness.
I did get a lot done around the house over the weekend- lots of hard-labor and cleaning- so plenty of exercise, right?

Like finishing up the deck for friends to come hang out on Saturday.
That took plenty of work to make look pretty.

Anyways, *fingers crossed* for a good week of exercise and diet- I'm hoping I can keep it up to reach my goal soon. We shall see how I do. ;)
-M

Day 2 of exercise, Day 3 of tracking

So I've been trucking along with tracking this week and trying to stick to my weight watchers points plus for my height/weight/age. I also ACTUALLY woke up early enough today to go running/walking this morning before work. I don't think I have EVER done that. lol.

These guys were along my path both days this week of exercise. There was a lot of people on the treck on day 1, this time though (being a lot colder), it was just the ducks and I. 

It was Day 2, Week 1 of my Couch-to-5K program, so I trucked along and got my exercise in.

I used to weigh in on Wednesdays (and basically have made that day my weigh in days always- I have tracked my weight for the past few years with weigh ins only on Wednesdays). That being said, I weighed in today and I'm happy to report- I am down 2.4 lbs from last week! Woo!

day 2 of couch-to-5k

Now I didn't REALLY start my new regime till Monday, so all things considered- that's awesome!
This time I'm trying to not use my exercise points if I can help it, and extremely limit how many weekly points I consume on my 'bad days.'
Check out my stats from my exercise today along the canal towpath by my house (Thanks to my new MapMyRun app):

I know the stats are that great, but hey, we all gotta start somewhere.

I've been using these three apps during my excerise (took to the second day to figure out the best combo):

• RockMyRun
• MapMyRun
• 5KRunner free (basically couch-to-5k)

I download a few mixes from the RockMyRun, turn on my Map with MayMyRun, then switch over to the specific day in the training for 5kRunner. tada! I have my treck tracked, time and calories and milage tracked, tunes to get me pumped and a little voice trainer to tell me when to walk and run. ;)

My mini tracking journal

As far as food goes, I am back on the Weight Watchers points plus- since that I have found to be the most successful way to lose weight and both my hubs and I know the points breakdown by now.
I've been trying to ramp up my fruits too- since fruit is a great thing (plus granola/cereal) to have before a run. I've been having a banana and a cereal bar before my runs.

simple breakfast

For lunch I tend to have a lean cuisine, healthy choice or (one the other day) a cup of easy mac (but I made up for it with other healthy stuff), along with snacks to keep me going through the day at work, leading up to dinner.

lunch

another day's packed lunch

For dinner we base it around whatever points I have left. Tonight is chicken and rice, with an ice cream bar for dessert. Yesterday, we were on the road, so I got a Jr. Roast beef sandwich, a value fries and apple slices at Arby's.

looking up the points for Arby's

 Dinner these days is always based off of how well I do during the day. I know that's not suggested, but that's just what usually ends up happening.
So, cheers to another exercise day down and another good day of tracking done. *fingers crossed* I can actually keep it up and someday get to the point where I can run a 5k again. ;)
-M

Getting back into things

Holy hell, has it really been almost a year since I last posted? Wow. But then again, I guess that makes sense, due to where I'm at currently.
So I went lax on my weight loss/exercise for a decent bit, starting roughly around October and progressing through to now. I would "get back on the horse" for a few weeks, then some major event or party happened, and I was right back at being unhealthy. A few nights ago, we super splurged and got a pepperoni and chicken pizza. I woke up that morning at 5 am with some of the worst heartburn known to man. It was so painful, it pretty much made me cry. I vowed that I had to get better.
So, I'm trying to change the unhealthy habits I started going back to. Today I started doing Couch to 5k. I have a few friends that are doing it and a few friends that actually exercise regularly, so I'm trying to do it too.
Luckily along my exercise path I figure out, was the borough building (where we drop off our water bills and such) so I dropped off a bill on the way. ;)
I also am restarting weight watchers (on my own from the few years I've done it) today. I'm hoping that with exercise and eatting right, I can get to my goal weight by August/September, as we are *hoping* to go on a trip or cruise to celebrate our 10 years together (and 6 years married) anniversary.
Here goes nothing!
*fingers crossed* I can keep up with it.
-M

My highs and lows in trying to Maintain my weight Loss

So, I'm in "maintainance mode" when it comes to my weight loss. Can I just say that this is the absolute HARDEST thing to do?!! I found that losing weight wasn't bad once you got going, but maintaining is so difficult, because you walk that fine line of having bad days, and just not caring- which in turn makes you gain- so you quick be healthy to lose it, then go back to bad days again. It's hard to be healthy ALL the time, so I find being at my low weight just doesn't stay that way unless I keep trying. I allow myself to gain 3 lbs, then I have to get back in check. But it just feels like a constant back and forth. blah.
Anyways, here is a recap of the past few months:

June:

 Popcorn- my favorite thing to eat at the movies...

 Dried Cranberries with vanilla yogurt...

 A tasty new Lean Cuisine I tried...

 One of the pretty drinks I had at my co-workers wedding...

 Amazing dessert at their wedding (instead of a cake)...

 Memorial Day Weekend S'mores...

 I love this place, though my diet does not!

 Banana cake my hubs made for my friend's Tony Awards Party...

 Only half the spread at my friend's Tony Awards Party...

 I managed to wear my old prom dress for the Tony Awards party of Fairy Tale theme.

 Awesome Panini and Sweet Potato fries at King George II Inn, out to lunch with my mom and hubs.

 Sushi!!! Tried new roll this time around.

 Went to see concert with mom...

 I love that the hotel gave us cookies! They were warm...

 We had tasty hummus after the concert...

 And I had this great Mac & Cheese (besides a beer) at the Perch Pub after the concert.

 I discovered this awesome beverage...

 And this tasty yogurt...

 Red Robin however will be the death of me. Most amazing milkshake ever!

 Being able to wear the same dress, but fits so much better now...

 A typical lunch at work...

 Dressing up for the show I was in...

 Having lunch at the Corner Bakery

 Indulging in Applebee's Brownie Bite.

 This WAS pasta at Applebee's. I was hungry, and my diet sure knew about it.

 Me in the middle, playing one of the Pigeon Sisters in "The Odd Couple" in June.

July

 Trying a top my mom gave me, being girly!

 4th of July cake! (before it melted)

 Hubs made homemade Calzone...

 Kid's sized Starburst Ritas- my weakness.

 Red Robin Turkey Burger, steak fries, and 10 cal peach lemonade- probably the meal this week that made me gain. lol

My outfit yesterday.

When I hopped on the scale, I was up this week, meaning this coming week is "lose it time!"
Hopefully I can find a happy medium for it all. Any tips from my Maintainers out there?
-M