Boot Camp - 2 weeks in

First of all, I've learned that my weekend slothfullness affects my Monday weight results because as of today I've only lost 1 pound as opposed to the two as of Thursday. (I'll check again later this week and let you know). Although I relaxed a bit on my eating again this weekend it was not nearly as bad as last weekend. Seriously, resist the brownies I made for a baby shower I hosted? Then I scarfed down another one today because they were sitting on the counter, they went in the freezer.
I also checked my measurements and the only place there's been a change is on my hips - down 1 inch. At least that's something, but I was hoping for more.
I've got one week to go before holidays and unless I starve myself for the next 7 days I don't think I'm going to make my 5 pound loss. I'll be okay with 3 at this point which will be 1 pound a week which is what they say is healthy. I'm trying to remember that I'm not just trying to loose weight but trying to achieve a consistently healthy lifestyle and that takes time. I have a friend who began running this spring and said it took about a month to notice any physical changes. If I think back to my other attempts at weight loss I remember that it took me about four weeks before I noticed much too. I'm still hopeful.

Boot Camp - the morning of Day 10

I just got on the scale and I am down 2 pounds!
Progress is very exciting and extremely motivating.
I've pretty much stuck to eating well so far this week. Yesterday we had taco salad for supper. I have this great recipe that doesn't have chips in it but do you think I could really eat a taco salad without taco chips?
I missed working out yesterday because I had a really bad Sawyer night and desperately needed a nap when the kids napped. I had golf in the evening so no chance to exercise, but between walking the 9 holes and walking with the kids in the morning I did get some activity in.
This weekend shouldn't contain nearly as many bad food temptations as last weekend. I believe Trevor and I are going out for dinner on Friday - so choose something healthy - and we're invited to a wiener roast on Saturday - that will be tricky, there's nothing healthy about a hotdog!

Boot Camp - Day 7

So I totally fell of the wagon this weekend. I shouldn't be surprised that when I got on the scale this morning I discovered nothing had changed. Sigh.
Well, this is the start of a new week with new resolve and
NO MORE EXCUSES OR FALLING OFF UNTIL HOLIDAYS!!!!

I'm not going to blog everything I eat anymore, after the first week I think you get the picture. I am going to be a bit more strict and see if I can't get some results.

Clothes and Days 5 & 6

I was at a baby shower for a girl the other evening and ooed and awed at all the cute girl clothes. They just don't make as cute clothes for boys - it's not fair! So I promptly went out and bought Sierra some new stylin' outfits. I figure if she's my only girl I'm going to have fun with her girliness where I can. She won't let me do more than curl her hair so I have to go with clothes. Children's Place had an awesome sale so I don't even feel bad about it!

Day 5 & 6 Bootcamp:
With the exception of a piece of pie for dessert after supper yesterday I stuck to my diet and got in a 45 minute run.
Today....well, the MCC Sale was going on and withj all that Mennonite food - forget trying to abstain from that! MCC stands for Mennonite Central Committee and it is a non-profit organization that helps out those in need all over the world in many different ways. I'm of Mennonite heritage and love the food. Perogies, farmer's sausage, pies, deep fried fritters, homemade baking and tonight we're ordering pizza for supper! I intend to get in a workout yet to trty and offset it a little but I'll get fully back on the healthy path tomorrow.

Boot Camp - Day 4

I have this friend who went on this new diet where you take hormone drops of some sort for three weeks and only eat a very restricted 500 calories a day in food. The drops are meant to suppress one's appetite and she says hunger is not an issue. For a second three weeks one quits the drops and can eat anything as long as it's not starches or sugars. After that one is apparently able to eat normally and not gain back the weight because the whole process supposedly raises one's metabolism.
My friend is in her third week and has lost 11 pounds and 9 inches - how can one not on so few calories per day? Obviously the first stage works and she is very curious to see if the rest goes as it is supposed to. She's hopeful bought not entirely convinced. I'm curious, and skeptical myself but a lot of people swear by it.

The one thing this diet doesn't seem to include is exercise. Not carrying excess weight is definitely healthier but I believe that activity is also a vital part in one's health. I've been a fairly active person regularly for years but my most recent pregnancy totally took it out of me. It was harder just to do daily chores and chase after my kids than it ever was. I can't imagine feeling that weak all the time. In my short time of vigorous, daily exercise I notice my strength is coming back.

Day 4 menu and exercise:
Breakfast: 2 slices of whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter, jam and 1 cup milk.
Lunch: 2 eggs scrambled with green onion, 1 spinach cube (it has no taste and a great way to add vegges) 4 sliced mushrooms and a bit of grated cheddar cheese, 1 slice of homemade whole grain bread with margarine, 1 cup milk
Exercise: 30 minutes lower body weights, 25 minutes ab DVD
Snack: 1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt, 1cup sliced strawberries.
Supper: Whole wheat quesadilla with chicken, cheese, and a bit of corn. A large salad.
Snack: fruit and a few small goodies at a baby shower, 10 Triscuit Thins crackers, milk.

Boot Camp - Day 3

I pushed my muscles pretty hard yesterday and today I hurt. It's a good kind of hurt, if that makes any sense but I hope it's not always like this.
Some details on my diet. Because I'm breast feeding I have to make sure I have enough calories each day or Sawyer will be miserable! So I aim for about 1500-1600 calories per day but if I'm truly still hungry will eat more. This includes (per day):
5-6 portions of carbs
3 servings veggies minimum
3 fruit
4-5oz protein
3 milk products per day
4-5 fats (butter, chocolate, bacon etc)

Technically I can eat whatever I want as long as it fits into one of these categories and I don't exceed the daily allotment. If I want to use up a carb on cookies or chips or wine than I can. F0r these 3.5 weeks I have chosen to avoid unhealthy food as much as possible. It shouldn't amaze me, but it does, that after only 3 days of healthy eating and exercise I already feel more energetic and have a more positive mood.

Menu and exercise:
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with brown sugar (I just can't eat it plain) and cinnamon, 1 cup milk
Snack: apple and almonds
Lunch: 2oz leftover steak sandwich on 1 slice of whole grain bread, carrots, 1 cup milk
40 minute interval run (about 5km or 3 miles) I drank 1/2 cup coffee beforehand to boost my energy beyond my stiff muscles - it worked.
Snack: 1cup lowfat, low sugar yogurt, 1 cup sliced strawberries, a few of Sierra's Teddy Grahams
Supper: 4 oz salmon, roasted potatoes, cooked carrots, steamed cauliflower and broccoli. Cake and strawberries for dessert (hey, we were at my mom's and dessert fit into my carb allowance.)
Snack: 15 or so Wheat Thin Crackers

Boot Camp - Day 2

Menu of the day:
Breakfast: 2 slices of whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter and jam, and 1 cup of milk
Snack: apple with five almonds
Lunch: 2 oz leftover pork with 3 cups salad
Snack: 2 slices of cheese with 11 wheat thin crackers and 1 cup of milk
Supper: Steak sandwich - 3oz steak, 1 slice of homemade multi-grain bread, raw carrots and steamed broccoli.
Snack: 3 cups popcorn, milk.

In order to increase my level of activity I consciously suggested playing outside with Sierra this morning which we did for an hour. While not being overly vigorous activity it was still more than if we sat and played inside. Later I got in another 20 minute walk with a friend.way I can add movement to my days will help. My workout today consisted of a 20 minute TaeBo ab DVD (any muscles I once had in that area are completely gone, I nearly died doing this) and 40 minutes of upper body weights.

I feel good.

The motivation is on!

Boot Camp - Day 1

Despite all my moaning lately there is one positive in my life - I have officially reached my pre-pregnancy weight. My body still needs some work though as my clothes don't quite fit right. Who can blame it, though, after what pregnancy did to it?

There's a TV show called "The Last 10 Pounds Boot Camp" where a personal trainer and nutrition coach help people loose around 10 pounds in four weeks. It includes intense work outs and a fairly restricted diet. I find it amazing what these people accomplish.
I have decided to attempt my own version of it. It is three and half weeks until our vacation out west to visit Trevor's family and friends and I'd love to be down another five pounds and a few more inches by then. Since this will be self directed the diet and exercise won't be as hard core which is why I'm aiming for five pounds instead of ten.

I'm going to bore you all by blogging extensively about my process.

My measurements (ugh!)
Weight: 133
Bust: 37
Waist (at belly button): 35
Hips:41

My target area is my waist which is still stretched and poofy from pregnancy. Getting rid of white starches and upping my activity will help tone that.

My food intake for today:
Breakfast: 1/3 up oatmeal with brown sugar and 1 cup of milk
Lunch: 1 whole wheat tortilla with deli meat, cheese and lettuce, 1 cup carrots
Snack: 10 almonds and half a pear, a few Bits n Bites and chocolate chips.
Workout: 40 minute interval run
Supper: 4 oz pork tenderloin, 3 cup salad
Snack: 3 cups popcorn with a little butter, 10 triscuit thin crackers 1 cup of milk

As I look at that I see overall not bad. I ate too much in the evening. I was hungry and likely from not enough carbs earlier in the day. Veggies and fruit were lacking a bit which also help curb appetite.. We'll see how this impacts tomorrows choices!

Going Crazy!

It's been a long week.
All regular programs and activities have ceased for the summer so now I'm stuck at home with two kids and nothing to do. My highlights this week were grocery shopping (which I hate at the best of times) and going to Superstore. Sadly, this is just the beginning of summer which I generally love.

Sierra refuses to do anything on her own these days so to try and go anywhere for activities is a huge challenge I don't wish to face most of the time. How do I play at the park with her and hold Sawyer? Swimming pools sound just plain scary - if I tried that on my own my kids are likely to drown! Sierra loves riding her bike but again not something I can do while holding Sawyer. Sawyer is a fairly laid back baby but hates to be alone. Walks are doable - occasionally. Play dates have been few and far between and when something does happen they involve an activity I can't do with two kids or are at an inappropriate time. For example, I was unable to join two friends for a hike this past week because Sierra is just too little yet. I look forward to weekends when Trevor is home but there is so much yard work to do that he isn't really around on Saturday. Sunday is never long enough.

I'm a bit lonely, bored and at this moment somewhat dreading the next three months.

I've decided that for me and with my kid's personalities having two children are three times more work than one.

*I love my kids and my life, this just happens to be one of my 'moments'. I'll be fine in an hour or two but this is how I feel right now.

A Day....

The house is clean (as clean as it can get with two kids!), diapers clean (I use cloth), laundry going (only one load needed) I've worked out, showered, and both kids are still napping. We'll see how long the peace and quiet lasts...any bets?
Once again it has been over a week since I've last posted. I have lots I want to say but no time. I feel like all I do lately is keep this household running with no time to myself. My one reprieve is Wednesday night golf when I have three blissful hours of not being on call as a mom. As much as I love being a mom at home with my kids there are times when I would give my right arm for a day to myself.
A day to sleep in!
A day to drink my coffee and eat breakfast in silence.
A day where I can shower and use the bathroom in peace and alone.
A day where I can finish my many little projects.
A day where I can let myself fully and completely relax and focus on me!

Ah yes, keep dreaming Carla.
All too soon this dream will be reality, my kids will be grown and I'll miss these times.
In the mean time I'll cherish the brief moments of solitude I have - like now.

P.S. The kids are still sleeping!