Rewards

Is it wrong to reward yourself for losing weight? What are exceptable rewards for weight lose? How much do you have to lose to reward yourself?

I have read up on this topic and found several fun rewards. But for me I need visual rewards. Something I can look at and I say "thanks that's my 10 pound reward." Here are some of those fun rewards I found:

• 10 toes of success. Get a pedicure and paint your toes bright as a reminder that one you lose 10 pounds - a pound a toe and two you can see your feet. :)

• A new bra - anyone who has lost weight can can - those girls need lifting and adjusting. So why not buy a new bra. Spoil yourself and look on the regular shelves not clearance.
• Do something scary. This not only would be a great reward for myself but also mark off an item on my 30 in 30's bucket list. Zipline. Scares me to death.

As you can see I need some more ideas. I am coming up on a 10 pound loss (since Jan. 1st) and I really want to do something. Because our vacation is coming up. I am thinking a new hair cut and color. What do you think? I have my big goals and rewards. New outfit,  new swimsuit, and boots. This may sound silly but I want to be able to wear boots. I have such big legs that boots have never been an option. I have also always wanted to get a small tatoo or my belly button pierced but now that I am over 30 not sure that is proper. How about sexy things. Like sex with the lights on. Okay maybe not, but a bikini wax would be nice. I have always been ashamed of how nasty my legs looks. I am thinking that at 120 pounds I shouldn't feel that way anymore.

With 50 more pounds to lose do I reward myself along the way?

Boosted

Just did a great 4 out of 5 mile cardio/walk and feeling pretty good.

Okay I lie. My feet hurt, my arms are sore, and my legs are like jello. But at the end of the day I got off the couch and worked out for me. My way, my terms, my results.

Panormous Confession

I have a confession.. Last night was rough and I did not do myself any favors. I picked up a Panormous Pizza last night for dinner.

Pizza and chips are my two weaknesses. So what did I do when I saw it on the table - I ate it. 1 slice down the hatch and it tasted so good, I thought why not one more and then I will stop. Now there are 2 pieces sitting in my gut. An hour passes and I get up from my studies and walk into the kitchen where you guessed it the pizza was still sitting out and I picked up a 3rd slice and ate it. Before the kids went to bed I picked up another slice and took a couple bites before I said stop it and go workout. 

I got off the couch, put in my dvd and walked 2 miles. Not the 7 miles I did the night before but it was something. I didn't even want to know the damage this morning so I avoided the scale all together. Hoping to work off everything before Tuesday. I lack willpower. Why do I do these things to myself?

Pumpkin Brownie Muffins

Made the best muffins ever. Pumpkin, brownie mix, and mini chocolate chips. No eggs, no oil, no added water... 3 Simple ingredients.

15 oz Libby's pumpkin
1 box fat free brownie mix
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix brownie mix and pumpkin together. Fold in mini chocolate chips. Bake in mini muffin pan at 350 for 18 mins. 67 calories each and only 2 WW PP points.

Weather-or-Not Workout

Weight Watchers posted this great article called Weather-or-Not Workout and I loved the article but think it's missing a few key points. So here is my version.

There are three major weather types that prevent us from going outside to workout; heat, rain, snow. No matter the forecast working at home is the same, but with a couple possible outdoor twist.

If you usually walk…

• do an indoor walking DVD. Choose the mileage—from 1- to 5-mile routines—and set your own pace. Their are dozens of options available. I currently have 5 videos, all of which are from the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home collection.
• go mall walking. Walk, window shop, or lap it before the shops open up. Many malls open early so you can do laps before shoppers arrive. You may even find that some malls have groups that gather to walk before shops open up. I refer to them at "Mall Walkers". If your mall doesn't have a group, look into forming one.
• strap on snowshoes and head to a trail or golf course or even your backyard. I have heard snowshoeing is easy enough to learn but an amazing workout. It gets your heart rate up so you won’t mind the cold, and exploring the great outdoors can boost your mood.

If you usually run…

• try water running. Why not jump in a pool and run laps in the shallow end or use a flotation vest or belt to log miles in the deep end. Added toning benefit: Water provides 800 times more resistance than running on land.
• take an indoor cycling class. Indoor cycling can give you an equally intense lower body workout, says Shea, co-author of Run Like a Mother. The non-impact workout will also give your joints a break, and a competitive class setting might motivate you to push yourself harder. Try taking a spinning class. I have always wanted to try one.
• do intervals on a treadmill. Alternate short bouts—30 to 60 seconds—of fast or uphill running with slightly shorter recovery intervals at a slower pace and no incline.My husband is currently doing the Couch-to-5K program and is loving it.

If you usually ride a bike…

• get a trainer. Not a person; the metal kind of trainer that easily transforms an outdoor bike into a stationary cycle. Basic models start at about $100. To really simulate an outdoor ride, set up a fan to blow on you and pop in a Virtual Active DVD ($19.95 or $7.95 to download, vafitness.com). The stunning footage of some of North America’s most scenic roads will inspire you.
• lift weights. Cycling is a lower-body workout, and many cyclists don’t train their arms, shoulders, chest, and back as often as they should. Rainy days are a perfect opportunity to mix up your routine. Grab a set of dumbbells and do some upper body moves such as front and side arm raises, curls, and kickbacks.

If you usually take a boot camp class...

• pop in a boot camp DVD. You can find a variety at collagevideo.com, including 10 Minute Solution: Ultimate Bootcamp, featuring Smith. Each “boot camp” is only 10 minutes, so if you’re short on time or just tired, you can do just one or two of the five routines.
• create a home version and recruit trainees. Mimic the moves from your regular class and use exercise equipment, chairs, and steps in your home to create stations. Then invite a classmate, your spouse, or kids to join you.

If you usually play tennis…

• have a virtual match. Whether you have Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii, you can practice your backhand and serve right in your family room. Invite your tennis partner over to join you for more fun.

If you usually swim…

• do Pilates. It, too, is a total-body toning workout and it gives you a similar elongating feeling. Search online to find a variety of DVDs, such as Element: Total Body Pilates, which is shot poolside.

If you usually play golf…

• do yoga. The poses build strength and flexibility especially in your abs, back, and hips—key muscles used to swing a golf club. Practice it regularly and you could improve your game.

If you usually lift weights at the gym…

• shovel snow. Bend your knees like you’re squatting as you scoop up snow. Combined with lifting and throwing, you can get a total body workout while you clear your sidewalk.

If you usually go to exercise classes…

• turn on Exercise TV. Available on demand or online, you can choose from up to 150 free workouts, including yoga, Pilates, and routines from Freytag, creator of the 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme System.

If you usually take Zumba…

• just dance. Crank up your favorite tunes and groove around the house. I am a 90's gal, so for me I put in a few oldies but goodies like some Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It or some Quad City DJ's C'mon N Ride It (the train), and you can't forget some B-52's Love Shack.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=166571&sc=3045&cid=sm_fb#sf3117489

Taco Chili

Burritos, Chips, Cheese, Salsa, Football!!!!

I ate, and ate, and ate.. so how did my weigh in go; well wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be but wasn't as good as I need it to be. This morning I weighed in at 176.6 which is only a 0.4 lose. I feel like a broken record but I am going to say it again, and again until I believe it - at least I didn't gain. Now we only have 5 1/2 weeks until vacation and I really wanted to be down to 169 by than. I made up a batch of some 1 point soup and plan on really sticking to the diet and exercise this week. Shooting for 2 pounds this week. Not only will 2 pounds give me a boost but it will also make 10 pounds down since the first of the year and 37 pounds down from all time high weight. I only have one rough week ahead of me, and that is finals week. If I can make it through that week we might be okay.

I made up a pot of something we will call Taco Chili. I took the following ingredients and slow cooked for 6 hours.

1 green pepper

1 onion

2 small Zucchinis

2 cups squash

1 can corn

1 can black beans

1 can diced tomatoes with chilies

1 pack of Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix

1 pack taco seasoning

I haven't tried it yet but Jasmine ate a huge bowl last night and loved it. I brought some for lunch today. Hoping it taste good or I will be one hungry woman by the end of the day.

Resting my poor feet!

I cardio walked my feet off tonight. I am really stressing my weigh in tomorrow. I ate a ton over the weekend, now just trying to work it off. I did 1 1/2 hours or 7 miles tonight. My feet are sore but man does it feel good. Hoping the scale treats me good tomorrow. See you tomorrow.

Bouncing Back

Hi I'm Melody and I am a Binge Eater. What is a girl like me suppose to do when the weekend, party, vacation, holiday has gone terribly bad, and you have eaten everything in sight? Bounce back of course. What is the best way to bounce back after a couple diet mishaps? Here is a simple 5 step plan to regain control of your diet.

1. Hydrate - Beer and salty foods will leave your body dehydrated. The first thing you should do when you wake up is drink at least 8 ounces of water to get your body flowing. Keep hydrated and aim to get at least 64 ounces of water throughout the day. You will feel much better and less bloated if you make sure to keep hydrated.
2. Eat - Sounds counter-intuitive, right? But starving yourself the day after a long night of eating will only set yourself up for a binge. Eat a refreshing breakfast of fruit, especially bananas as they are rich in potassium. If you can manage to eat a larger meal, try to eat something with eggs. Eggs help flush toxins out of your body.
3. Move - While you may be dead tired, drag yourself out of bed and do something active. Yoga, a light jog, it does not matter, just get moving. Once your heart starts to pump and you sweat out those nasty toxins, you will feel lighter and more energized.
4. Sleep - Go to bed an hour earlier until you're feeling like yourself again. Getting enough sleep is a necessity for good health, not a luxury.
5. Relax - Take a warm bath. Get a message. Treat yourself to a facial. Read for pleasure before bed.

It’s easy to beat yourself up for falling off the diet-wagon. But, instead of feeling guilty, be proactive! Feeling sorry for yourself won’t erase the calories so why torture yourself. Focus on the positive and get moving…

Surviving The Super Bowl

The big game. We have Giants vs Patriots or Fat vs Healthy.. Who is going to win? I am so worried; you might even say I am stressing out over drinking and eating unneeded and unwanted calories. I took some time and research some healthy alternatives for the big game party.

Veggies: Were all dippers right? Okay I know I am. Traditionally I would dip all those veggies into a nice fatty sour cream ranch dip or straight ranch dressing. Switch it up and try mixing a dry ranch packet with some Greek plain yogurt instead. Can save you 100-120 calories.

Wings: Simple step - bake not fry.. Avoid the dip

Chip: Chips are my weakness; my kryptonite. Instead of picking up the lays and dipping them why not try pop chips or homemade baked tortilla chips.

Pizza: Yummy! It's all about changing little things and saving big calories. Instead of hand tossed crust try whole grain thin. Ask for them to go light on the cheese. Two simple steps can cut your calories by 50-70 percent.

Taco Bar: Taco bars are one of my favorite food options at parties. How do you save calories. Swap items; that's how. Try swapping ground beef with salmon, chicken or beans. Go with light cheddar cheese rather than regular. Whole grain tortillas rather than flour.

Go Nuts: try Wasabi peas instead of peanuts. They are lower in fat and sodium and higher in protein. Go with un-shelled, unsalted pistachios and almonds.

Chips, soda, candy, hot dogs, burgers, and beer. These items will be waiting for you at the next super bowl party you attend. There are 6 basic steps you can use to help you survive the big game party.

1. Use a plate instead of grazing. Don't eat from the bag or graze around the table.


2. Eat before you go. fill up on fruits and veggies, and lean meats.


3. Opt for water. Don't drink your calories. Simply pass on the beer and soda.


4. Eat pretzels instead of chips


5. Don't completely restrict yourself. You will create this huge desire.


6. Use the force. Just use it.

With a little will power we will all avoid those extra calories and still fill full and satisfied. Plus guilt free.

Motivation Please

I have found every excuse possible this week to half ass my workouts or not do them at all.. I need some motivation. So I went and dug some up. This is me taken summer of 2009. I was my heaviest this summer and felt huge - partly because I was (am).

So what do I need to do.. get off the couch and start working off this fat. It is time to stop feeling sorry for myself and workout. Put down the junk and get moving.

Okay that might be enough of a pep talk to get me going.

(update: I did it. I got up and did a 2 mile cardio workout.)

Joys of Womanhood

Womanhood; can't change the fact that I am a woman and thankfully every month like clockwork my monthly visit comes leaving behind a path of emotional and physical destruction. I woke up this morning feeling "pregnant". That tired, bloated, sick tummy and plugged head feeling. I knew right away my dear aunt flow was going to be paying me a visit real soon. Stepped on the scale this morning and sure enough +2.4 pounds.. Yikes!!!! With a shopping trip planned this weekend, why? I am not going to want to try on new jeans feeling this way. There has to be something I can do to get some relief?

Good ole' Google to the rescue. I searched for menstrual bloat relief and came across several sites all showing the same answers; so here they are:

1. Reduce your salt intake. When trying to lose weight we tend to switch to can soup and low calorie prepackaged foods that are high in sodium. Read your labels.



2. Flush, Flush, Flush - your system that is. Drink your water.



3. Watch what you eat. Avoid gassy foods like beans and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Some dairy foods can cause gas as well.



4. Get moving. Even a small 10 minute walk can help. Exercise helps gas pass through the digestive track.

These all seem like normal commonsense ideas for combating PMS bloat. Most of which I am already doing; so why do I still feel this way? I decided to dig a little deeper. I across a home remedy that might be worth a shot; peppermint capsules like CharcoCaps. Before popping pills I think I will try some peppermint tea and see if that helps.