Checking in with the latest... + 1500 cals a day isn't that bad!

[summergirl]

So it's a typical Tuesday. Sitting here at work answering calls...drilling out sw quotes...etc. blah. Work continues to be a source of stress due to new customer database implementations, hiring, firings, and half of the staff out on vacation. Everyone is schmoozing reps that share their territories to save their own ass... and I'm so NOT in the mood for any of this. Funny how people sabotage you at work day in and day out... and suddenly at the last week/days of the month they suddenly expect you to save the day because they can't make their own quota. Ok... enough work stuff... vent OVER. :)

So training AND nutrition (my personal missing link) are going really well. Having big events to prep for is a GREAT way of 'me keeping ME on track'. I'm now at the 15wks until my first full marathon mark... I'm in a moderate mode of panic...lol. And I am NOT carrying any extra weight that I don't have to during the Nov. event. I still have to officially choose a training plan, but what I'm doing as of right now is good base training early on.

... results time!
I've lost 3 inches from my waist in the past 3 wks!!! hooray

This loss is due in part to good nutrition (only). I haven't been exercising much more than 3x's a week so... I don't credit exercise for this particular loss... only good eating and good discipline. I had a few meal cheats over the past few wks, but the cheats haven't been the "old HORRENDUS cheats". It's been like... oops I had an extra helping of beans... or veggies..., etc. Not... oi I ate 3 cupcakes...lol. I've luckily been able to keep AWAY from cake, cookies... aka my personal pitfalls. I haven't stepped onto the scales in a while... unfortunately a negative scale read could wreck me and my hardwork. My personal pattern with weight loss...and the scales... is like this. If the the number isn't good I might get bummed out... give up...eat garbage that I shouldn't eat...and cause a setback of a week or more... and have to start ALL OVER again. Like many other women, the scales tend to dictate my mood. Not enough of a loss.. and "i suck!"... no loss.. "OMG I've done all of this for nothing! I'm a freak of nature what's going on w/ my body!?!"....etc. I can't do that right now.... SO... having said ALL of that... I'm just going to go by how clothing feels and the visual in the mirror for awhile... until a day comes that I have to know what the scale number is...etc.. Another positive... I actually posed in some of the party photos with my son for his 3rd birthday last week. I have been dodging the camera since shortly after his birth... like... as if someone was waving a loaded gun arnd kind of dodging the camera. lol. I have hated doing this as I don't want my son to look back and wonder why I was never in his early childhood pics... but then I didn't want to be the super fat mom in the photos for years 1 and 2 either... urgh. So... progress!!! :)
Training wise, I've stepped it up to include Prevention Magazine's BellyFat reduction plan... except I'm doubling up on the sets+ you do 2min cardio segments between each of the 5 core exercises. I alternate mock speedskating, stepups on the fireplace, and marching arnd the house. All exercises are core related and are done with a fitball also they have an everyother day cardio session + a general good nutrition plan with lots of MUFA's, but I'm already doing this w/ my nutritionist's plan. I'm also doing an hr of 'hardcore' cardio daily (hardcore = I'm covered in sweat by the end and exhausted... not shiny... dripping... high hr level). Yesterday was cycling at the gym (the course I chose was pretty much 80% uphill! ouch) and belly plan in the pm. I'm sore today, but that's a good thing.

Went out to cheer on participants of the Triangle Triathlon on Sunday. Memories! This was my first tri ever (in 2007)... except the temps were off the charts on my day... these folks had MUCH better weather conditions. My son had a good time playing in the misting tent and near the lakeshore... but I wouldn't let him get IN Lake Crabtree... it's totally polluted from an old battery processing plant which dumped chemicals w/o gov. regulation for years. The only time of year the allow swimming in it is only for this triathlon. Ick. For example...the stains from the lake water would NOT wash out of my clothing or towels last year...even with some bleach kind of ICK. I had to throw them away. So instead of any swimming or wading options... my son had his kite out... but the wind wasn't there to help him out. :( poor little guy.

We made our first ever batch of Desiree Ficker's Pumpkin Muffins Sunday aftn... to have throughout the week. They're virtually fat free...and low on gluten, but I had to use (i know i know the big bad) white flour because I forgot to buy the whole grain flour. Delicious! I also subbed honey in for the molasses, because mine was like over 4 yrs old.. lol. ick! I didn't want to be rushed to the ER over this matter. :) So.. the muffins provide the "pumpkin bread fix" we all love from holiday time, without all the fat and high cal's etc. I'll post the recipe later. And for those that don't know Desiree Ficker is a rather young, but superb professional triathlete.

Oh ... and a super kind male tri-participant gave me the best compliment at the race... which has kept me going this week--Thank you whomever you were, cute and very nice guy who's name I forgot to get! durrrr! I LOVE it when a complete stranger gives you a compliment, that is totally unexpected,... and makes your week. So here's the deal: I was holding my 3 yr old on my shoulders while wlkg arnd the race site... and at one of the vendor booths... they had a giveaway for a VERY sweet and expensive Tri-bike. While holding my son on my shoulders, I leaned over part way while writing my contact info in the registration (aka we are going to spam you with our advertising stuff) book. 'Cute guy' came up to me and told me that it was just amazing that I could manage to lean and write while holding my son on my shoulders. :) I replied that it was no biggie... I was simply used to just doing things like this.. be he was truly blown away by it. Go figure! I almost told him... "yeah...and i'm training for an IM next yr too.. and I can cook eggs while talking on the phone and pour soymilk in a sippy cup at the same time too ... come watch my daily feats of strength... 'i am extraordinary if you'd only get to know me' ". :D heheeh So maybe I'll run into him again sometime.

On tap for tonight => strength training the arms and upper body with weights and resistance bands, an hour of cardio with some dvd I have in the collection, and pushups... many many pushups so I can continue to work on achieving my goal of a nice flat --striated muscle chest and upper back... like a ballerina sort of looks... or a marathoner. And no I don't want my boobs to totally vanish or anything wacky. lol

Well.. back to the grind and to watch my fat melt away..... Have a great "tight-ass tuesday!" :)

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

You made me laugh, keep up the good work. And don't let the turkeys get you down.

[Lisa Newton]

Wow, thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you didn't get on the scale. Just like you, I've been there, done that. You know what you need to know; you're doin' it, and it shows, both physically and mentally.

Congratulations on the compliment. I think people underestimate the power a compliment can have. So much negativity out there, and not enough positive stuff.

I did my 75 squats, and oh, that reminds me, I need to do my push-ups. Thanks, and tomorrow, have a great Wordless Wednesday.....................:)