Journey

Happy Day – June 11th!

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I started this blog almost a year ago to document changes when on the Clean program for 21 days – to see if I could find my X factor. Although I learned a lot during the process – it just didn’t work for me. The blog has morphed into both my personal journey and self-discovery as well as random fun and observations in general.

I’m hopefully that I’ve found my X factor – almost a year after I started this journey.  During the Spring Transformation at Bootcamp there was seminar with a Nutrionist that I went to see (and was encouraged by my trainer to attend).  I listened, took notes and even made changes starting the next day – moving from small meals throughout the day to 3 meals per day.  I promised myself I would make an appointment to go see the Nutrionist.  It probably took me a month to finally make the call and he is in high demand so it took a few weeks to get an appointment.  My first appointment was May 7th.  I weighed in at my heaviest ever (maybe someday I’ll share).  He gave me simple things to focus on:  Hydration, 3 meals a day (and make them things I enjoyed – ‘no dirt and grass’ – things to chew), have at each meal – protein, carbs (30 mg) and veggies and no fruit (he was treating me as a diabetic) and if I was hungry between meals go for protein first.  He also wanted me to find an exercise I enjoyed.  That was easy – I had bootcamp.

The first two weeks I did pretty well – well balanced for all three meals, getting at least 2 bootcamps in a week.  I even got a workout in while traveling (historically I take my workout clothes and sneakers and never use them – the workout is the lugging of the suitcase in the airport 🙂 ).  Then I had a challenge – weekend leadership conference – I did pretty well with my food selections and still enjoyed some libations with friends in Happy Valley.  I was hit with a stomach bug that derailed me for a few days and took me awhile to get back on track.  I started noticing major fatigue in the afternoon that I just couldn’t explain – that was really starting to worry me.

Fastforward to yesterday – my appointment and review of the past month.  We talked about how I was feeling – especially the fatigue.  We discussed what I had changed in my diet – I had added bread back to my diet as I love a sandwich for lunch – think that is what is driving my fatigue.  For the next month, I’m going to experiment – either selecting lower carb bread or bread type items for lunch or swap my lunch / dinner options – dinner for lunch and lunch for dinner.  We’ll see how it goes.  The end of the appointment is the weigh-in – I’m pleased to announce that I dropped 6 lbs!!  We were both very pleased with the results.  I will never see that ugly unnamed number from above.  I’m still on a HIGH from it.  I’ve tried many things in the past (JC, WW, SB, Clean, NS, etc – it may have worked for the short-term – but always felt I was missing something).  I can honestly say I didn’t feel that this passed month.  I went out to dinner, I shared dessert, had cocktails, enjoyed a BBQ over Memorial Day, had a hot dog and beer at a Phillies game.  I enjoyed life and I’m enjoying this lifestyle change that seems to be working for me.

I go back for my next follow-up mid-July – stay tuned for updates.

Have a fabulous day!!

The Weight of The Nation – HBO Documentary

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Have you heard of The Weight of The Nation?  Have you had a chance to watch it on HBO?  If you haven’t, I highly recommend it whether you are struggling with your weight, have kids or know someone who is struggling and you want to support them.  I personally think it is a wake-up call for all of us.  Here is the link:  http://tiny.cc/kajffw.

I remember seeing something on Facebook about a week or so ago, but brushed past it.  Then last Monday one of my teammates from our SprintGetFit challenge mentioned the series to me and suggested that I watch it.  She said it was eye opening.  She said it changed her view on things that while exercise is important – what we eat is really the key to weight loss.  Then a couple hours later one of my trainers posted a link on FB to all to watch it.  I had already decided to start watching it last Monday night.  There are four episodes – a little over an hour each.  I figured I would watch an episode a night.  I’m happy to say I watched all four episodes last Monday night.

I can tell you I experienced a lot of emotions while watching – anger at watching the kids who had to play in a parking lot as they didn’t have any parks near them (and sadness), sadness as I listened to some of the stories, jealousy – over the bravery of all the people in the documentary – I don’t think I could’ve been that open while being interviewed.

I learned that it is never too late to make a change (which I’ve been working on) and making even the slightest changes can help reduce my risk for so many chronic diseases.

If you’ve watched it what are your thoughts?  If not, watch it and come back to the page and share your observations.

Couch to …

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1/2 Marathon or ???

Over the weekend I received a text from one of my BFF’s from college (TBG) that said the following, “What would you say if I thought we should do the Disney Princess Half Marathon next February??  We could make it a girls weekend!!”  My first reaction was to laugh and it took me awhile to even respond so guess I was a bit speechless too (and special note:  girls weekend <> running).  I finally responded with a “Who are you?  And what have you done with Tracy?”  I never responded No at any point though (which is important as I dislike, loathe, hate running – you get the picture).  At some point in the afternoon we spoke – and I agreed to do it with a couple of caveats – I have a knee injury and need to lose some weight (which I believe is also contributing to my knee injury) before I could completely commit.  I also found out the TBG shared with her husband that the two of us were doing the 1/2 Marathon – he wanted to know if I knew it yet – which I didn’t 🙂  This still makes me laugh!

So then reality started to set in – will my knee be able to handle, will I lose some of the extra weight that I’m carrying around before I start training (which I believe is part of the knee problem), what would my time per mile be? – then I did the math – 2 hours + probably running for me – I’m just not mentally there yet – nor do I truly believe Couch to 1/2 Marathon is a smart thing to do from a training perspective.

Today, TBG and I agreed to the following:

  • Complete the Disney Princess 5K next year with a girls trip (either weekend / maybe week)!
  • Complete the Disney 1/2 Marathon the year we turn 45!

I’m looking forward to the challenges of completing each goal!

6 Week Spring Transformation – Week 1

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Last Sunday started the BP (www.bodyprojectfitness.com) 6 week Spring Transformation.  I just love the transformations as they really help me re-focus.  The theme for this transformation is BE the transformation.  There are many things the same and some new things.  My biggest challenge is continuing to maintain the focus and commitment post-transformation.  Each week we are being given new goals (which are additive) to focus on and monitor ourselves as it takes 21 days to change a habit.  My long term goal is to learn from this transformation and carry it forward to the post 6 week transformation.

So how did I do week one?  I give myself a B+.  We had 19 daily goals to achieve and I achieved 17 of them – an 89.4%.  What was I proud of most this week?  Giving it my all the 3 days at bootcamp.  Particularly on Friday’s challenge.  I have a knee injury which hinders my ability to do high impact cardio.  Friday’s challenge which included all out running (I can power walk).  I kept my focus and continued through the challenge even though everyone else was finished.  My final time 21:21.

We also had a goal of drinking 70 ozs of water a day.  I achieved that each and every day.  I have a pitcher that I fill up with water each day that holds 80 ozs of water.

I’m ready to tackle week 2 – bring it on!

What I’m reading…on my Kindle

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I bought my Kindle last May. I love it. I decided on the Kindle because I only wanted an e-reader.  It has a great little cover with light.  I’ve read over 30 books since then – most over my 2 week beach vacation (I bought a great case to seal it to keep the sand and water out so it was so easy reading outside).

I haven’t really been reading much lately. However, I do have a few books downloaded that I’m actively reading (I have a total of 26 that I haven’t started or are in progress).  I was on a reading kick awhile back and downloaded quite a few (and the Amazon gift card didn’t hurt).  I try to have a max on what I will spend on an e-book (try to stay $9.99 or lower)…however I’ve made some exceptions…all three of the ones below (good thing I do have some that I downloaded that were FREE of $2.00 or less).

Here they are:

  • The Petite Advantage Diet by Jim Carras ($12.99).  I saw him get Diane Sawyer in shape many years ago.  I’ve been working out and making good food choices (most of the time) and just can’t seem to get the weight off.  I’m going to see what this book says to see if it will work.  I don’t like the word diet though.  The one thing I like about Jim is he also has a book called the Cardio Free diet…so I know the work outs are probably similar to what I’m doing with my boot camp.
  • The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove ($12.59).  I’m about 40% through the book (love that it is calculated for you on the Kindle).  I love that it stresses strength training and pushing the limits for women to go to heavier weights.
  • Explosive Eighteen – A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich ($12.99).  I’m not very far on this one.  I’m traveling for work over the next couple of weeks so I’m saving this read for the plane ride / hotel.  It will get me ready for One for the Money movie which comes out on January 27th.

What are you reading?

Tears of Joy…

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As you know from reading my blog that I started a 6 week Fall Transformation…my true transformation has been evolving long before this Fall program (I promise to explain the tears).

To give you a little background…I’ve been making changes in my life over the past few years.  It all started when I was looking through one of the local CNJ weekly newspapers…I spied an advertisement for Body Project Fitness.  I’m not sure what exactly it was that triggered me to try it…maybe the free week or maybe it was just different from a gym.  I know I was back and forth with BodyProject a couple times before it really stuck for me.  I tried the holiday program and they did a special for kettlebell training (if you’ve never tried it…AWESOME…great cardio/strength workout)!  I have probably been a HardBody (what we call ourselves who go to bootcamp every month – not the special programs).

What is Body Project Fitness and how did it change my life?  It isn’t just a work-out, it is a fitness program.  Yes, I work-out 3 days a week at 6 am (and yes there are days when I pop right out of bed at 5:10 am, times when it is really tough to get up and others when I let negative self-talk get the better of me and go back to sleep (doesn’t happen as often as it used to) for 45 minutes with a mixture of cardio and strength training – lots of times circuits.  A different workout every day.  It sounds like many other programs right?  No, it isn’t because the FitPros at Body Project are there for you for the full body workout – including the mind (food journals-including reviewing, our own FB for BodyProject, available for 1:1 consultations – including goal setting, etc)

How have things changes (credit to BodyProject and helping re-think a few things)?

  1. Check out my freezer…not one WW or Lean Cuisine meal.  here are frozen veggies, fruit, chicken, filets and salmon.  Ok..there is some ice cream – but it isn’t light…full blown…I know what is in it – cream, sugar, pecans.  3 years ago my freezer was filled with whatever was on sale for WW or Lean Cuisine (and prior to that JC meals)
  2. Sweetner:  I used to use 2 (yes 2) Sweet n Low packets in my coffee, then I moved to 1 packet and now I’m using 1/2 of SweetLeaf (stevia).  And if I forget my Stevia and I’m out I use sugar…would rather put the real mccoy in vs. a chemical.
  3. Reading Food Labels:  I’ve been on 2 Grocery Store Tours as part of the Body Project program.  I’ve been a label reader for a long time..this has made me look at the labels differently.  I look at the sugars, fiber and actual contents…I still look at the calorie and fat content but I weigh them differently than before.
  4. I eat more whole foods and try to stay away from things with a long shelf life (ie. bread)…oh I still eat bread – either Eizekel Sprout bread (from the freezer) or fresh made delivered from the bakery rye bread.
  5. I have ‘new’ go to items:  hummus, avocados, guacomole, cannellini beans, black beans, ricotta cheese, nuts (almonds and pecans), honey (for the ricotta cheese), greek yogurt, homemade granola, string cheese, apples, dark chocolate.
  6. I’m taking a yogalates class on Thursday nights through December in addition to Bootcamp
  7. I really try not to ignore the scale in my bathroom
  8. And I’m not on a DIET – and I correct anyone around me who asks how my diet is going! 🙂
  9. And I’m sure there are more I just can’t remember

So back to the Tears of Joy…as part of our program our measurements and body fat are measured.  When I first stared we held a machine in our hands.  Now we use BodyMetrix.  What is BodyMetrix?  They still take our measurements, but the add in is an ultrasound of the back of our triceps, waist and hips to measure the layer of body fat / muscle.  Since April 2010, my bodyfat has DROPPED 7% and I’ve moved into an ACCEPTABLE range for BodyFat!!!  I knew my numbers a week ago, but I didn’t get my report (to show the ranges) until the other night…I cried TEARS of JOY!  It clearly shows the progress I’ve made and what I can do when I put my mind to it.  I’m very pleased!  And I’m ready for the next 6 weeks!

PS:  A special SHOUT OUT to Lindsay Vastola and the BodyProject FitPros…THANK YOU!!

Hurricane Irene and Comfort Food

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Why is it that everytime we have a major snowstorm or in this case a hurricane in NJ that I crave / want…maybe even need comfort food?  I know this past winter when people we stocking up on essentials during one of our 5 major snowstorms, I was stocking up on some version of ice cream (even if it was made with coconut milk), Herr’s Reduced Fat Kettle Cooked Chips, Diet Soda, etc.  When I was stocking on one of those trips last winter I thought this is crazy…in the past those types of snowstorms were few and far between…it was a regular occurance this past winter.

Onto Irene and comfort food.  I was in BJ’s Thursday night and saw some of the things people had in their shopping cart.  I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was a little jealous.  I stayed my course and purchased my pecans and almonds.  I spoke to one of my fellow bootcampers Friday morning about the same thing…comfort foods…why do we do it?  So it is now Saturday night, I’m completing week 2 of my 3 week program and I can tell you I’m jealous I don’t have any of my favorite comfort foods in the house (and grateful that I didn’t cave when at the grocery store).  I do have the fixins for a cocktail or beer, but I’ve gotten this far and I’m not going to cave.  I’m staying the course.

I’ve handled my craving for comfort food by making the Cinnamon Roll Smoothie for dinner and added a TBSP of raw cocoa! 🙂

So for all of my friends and readers who are on the East Coast…be safe as our unwelcomed guest, Irene, makes herself known and hopefully leaves quickly.

 

The journey has begun…

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Day 1

Yesterday, I sat down and finally read Clean by Alejandro Junger, MD. Previously, I had reviewed information online: the manuals, the recipes, the elimination foods (that I can and can not eat), even some of the posts by others who had already started the program. However, I didn’t really understand the ‘WHY’ the program had started and what it could mean to me.

I know I’ve written previously that my ‘fitness guru’ and I had discussed trying this program to find my ‘X’ factor and I agreed…I was all in.  However, I needed a definition for the ‘X’ factor and by reading the book (finally), I understand what she meant.  The whole premise of the program is to remove toxins from your body that have built up over years and give your intestine back its flora.  You do this by eating two liquid meals (breakfast and dinner) a day and one larger meal at lunch from the elimination food list (the foods you can eat).  And your first meal of the day must be 12 hours after your last meal of the day.

There are many examples or ideas in the book that I can get my head around.  This first thing I read (and it wasn’t until this morning…thankfully a very rainy day here in NJ allowed me to read up to chapter 8 (which is post clean) that grabbed my attention was the following, “There is a bloating around the body, and sometimes there are extra pounds that won’t budge, even if the person counts calories and exercises.”  I read this and instantly connected…this is ME! (whenever I look at myself I’ve often wondered if I look bloated) I’ve been working out and eating whole foods (most of the time) on a pretty regular basis with no real weight loss.  I think the most I’ve ever lost was six pounds (and this is a knat’s eyelash in the whole scheme of things for me).  This ‘bloating’ is caused by mucus (gross I know) throughout your body and as you detox your body, the mucus is released and expelled from your body (yes, I wrote that and yes that is what it means…you get the picture without me specifically putting it out there).  And once finished with clean and you add foods back to your diet, you can figure out what the causes were and adjust accordingly.

So I guess you are wondering how I’m doing today?  I feel good.  I had an awesome shake for breakfast and a great salad for lunch (all posted on my week 1 food journal post).  I did have a slight headache this afternoon and took a 30 minute nap with a cold herbal pack on my head (and had a cup of goji berry green tea prior) and it seems to have subsided mostly (they advise not taking any OTCs for headaches; although if I get a migraine during this journey I will be taking my proper medication) (this was a headache not a migraine).  Around 4:15, I was quite hungry and I had a handful of almonds.  I’ll be eating my dinner shortly.  And by reading the book, I discovered that soups are a good option for dinner and highly suggested if you plan on working out during the program.   Dinner will be soup and a small spinach salad.

There are lots of optional support activities that are suggested as part of the program.  I plan on trying many of them and will share them with you once I’ve tried them.  One of the activities suggests taking a picture of yourself every day so you can judge your progress.  I’m altering it a bit.  I plan on taking a picture at the beginning of each week and at the end of the 3 week journey.  Attached is a self-portrait (taken by a HTC View) from last night before I went out with some friends…I need longer arms. 🙂  I’m looking forward to the positive changes!

Until next time…enjoy the rest of your Sunday!