What an awesome week!!! Things almost couldn't have gone better. I feel so blessed right now. Thank you Lord, for all that you have given me! First and foremost, the picture says it all. I have officially lost my first 15 lbs with Sparkpeople and just hit my one month SparkVersary on March 26th. That is....in a word, hugely successful.
Speaking of success......I also got back my two most challenging midterms this week. One for my Legal Research and Writing I class and the other for my Professional Responsibility class. I obtained a grade of 100.8% on my Legal Research and Writing exam, setting the curve while tied with one of my closest friends in the program, Stephanie. Then, I received a 98.8% on my Professional Responsibility exam. Stefy beat me on that one and set the curve, but I was still incredibly proud of my success.
As if all of that were not enough, while I missed them desperately, my kids were with Grandma and Grandpa for the week, so for the first time, I was able to take my hubby to the gym with me and have him see how hard I really work 6 days a week. He tried his best to compete with me and beat me at every opportunity, but in the end, most of his efforts were futile. :) I almost feel bad kicking his butt around the gym but I think he was truly proud of me.
More hard work ahead in the coming weeks and months, but I am grinning from ear to ear this week.
So....I have been religious about going to the gym and exercising since
beginning with Sparkpeople almost a month ago. I have watched and tracked every
item that I put into my mouth, drank water like I was preparing for a month tour
of the Sahara and been eating healthy as can be. Having lost 10 pounds I had
been feeling like a million bucks....and then came this weekend.
It was my
self-proclaimed "weigh-in" day and I hopped on the scale with a wink and
smile....which was quickly turned upside down into a frown!! I had gained 3
lbs!!! How was this possible? I fought back the tears and disappointment as my
husband asked, "well?" and I had to say....." I gained. How could that be? I
have done everything right! I want to throw this scale through a plate glass
window!!!"
The tears started to well in my eyes and he held me tight.
"Suzi.....I watch you everyday. I know that you are doing everything right. Just
keep doing what you are doing and it is going to come." Then it hit me!! When
one hits the gym religiously,....especially hitting the weight machines.....what
happens? Muscle builds! That is the only answer.
I put my shoes on and
headed to the gym, determined not to let the disappointment frustrate me into
quitting and did my two hour daily workout. I came home and felt great and felt
like I had moved past it.
Then, my girl Kelly came online and I found myself
telling her how disappointed that I was. She said, Suzi....are you lifting at
the gym? I said, yep....everyday! She said...you'll gain muscle for a little
while and then one day BOOM! It will come off like gangbusters. So with that
confirmation from a dear friend...I did not allow myself to become more
frustrated. On that note, goodnight my darling readers and off to the gym I
go!!! Goodbye butt and gut!
Hello HOT paralegal!
So....here we are! Spring Break has arrived and you would think that would mean it was time to relax.....but alas, no.
As it stands, I have 3 midterms within the first week after returning from spring break.
So, with that in mind, this week has been about studying, studying and more studying. And what does one want more than anything when they are studying??? SWEETS!!
Since my decision to join Sparkpeople a couple of weeks ago, things have been going great. I have never been more confident in my life that this is really going to be a permanent change for the better. In week one, I lost 5 lbs!! I was so proud. I knew it wasn't water weight either because I had begun the healthy lifestyle change back over a month ago when I began training for the Disney Princess 5k race, but I had never stepped on the scale. The truth is, I have no idea how many pounds I may have lost before I began tracking everything.
Alas, as I have sat studying, sweets have been calling my name. Suzi....Suzi....you really want to come to the cupcakery and buy me!! Damn Cupcakes! NO I DON'T WANT YOU! I would just keep screaming that out in my head. So what do you do??
I took to the fridge knowing I needed to find something to stiffle the screams. And FRESH FRUIT became the answer. It's healthy and yet contains that sugar for which my cravings were calling. Also, I went out to the store this week and obtained some low calorie alternatives to the traditional sweet "pig-out". There are so many options out there from portion controlled 100 calorie packs to Weight Watchers Smart One Desserts that are delicious and under 200 calories. Skinny cow has the ice cream arena covered as well. If you are willing to look, there is very little that a person wanting to lose weight can't find to help cut calories.
For those in need of a salty savior.....check out the "Baked" line by Frito Lay. They have baked Lays (even flavors & Ruffles), baked tostitos, baked cheetos and doritos. They make the impossible for a dieter, possible. With the help of all the available low cal, healthy products out there, I have successfully managed to stick to my diet regardless of the stress hanging over my head.
Another way great way I have found to deal with the stress of midterms is exercise. Spending a couple of days a week at the gym as well as taking some long walks has done wonders for both my waistline and my stress level. So remember, "sparkpeople" or people losing weight and staying healthy....exercise works two-fold.
For those interested in a career as a paralegal, let me tell you that it is not for the faint of heart or the weak in ambition, but it is totally worth the hard work when you get those good grades on your papers and exams. It is the reason I work so hard.
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| My friend Becky and me! |
I feel the need to begin this blog by saying that I had an amazingly successful week. I worked out pretty consistently and was careful about what I was eating and drinking. However, I am not sure how successful it would have been without my friends. Kelly, whom I have mentioned before, is always there to make sure that I am accountable and to let me know that she is right there with me.....right down to identical HDL's. :)
Then there is my friend Becky....we met through church a couple of years ago and have very similar lives,...two children, one husband and school. She also works full time (props to her), but she recently went back to watching her food intake and adding more exercise. She has a black card membership to Planet Fitness, a fitness club chain, and she kindly offered to let me come with her whenever she goes for free. Something which is huge for me at the moment since I am not working. And working out with a friend, whether it be in person or in spirit (like my Kelly) makes a huge difference.
And then we have Andrea, who I became friends with through our children. Our sons are friends and she started teaching me how to cook more healthy meals and it has been awesome. Becky and I went to the farmers market after working out on Saturday morning and then Andrea taught me some easy ways to cook healthy meals even when time is limited or cooking needs to be done on the run.
Thanks to her....dinner tonight was cornish hen made with nothing but some spices thrown into the crock pot (no water or anything) and 8 hours later.....chicken literally falling off the bone it was so tender....on the side, I made a combination of zucchini and summer squash which I sauteed with just enough EVOO to keep it from sticking and some more seasonings. It was delicious and believe it or not.....ready for this folks.....less than 300 calories!!
That is why I am so grateful to God for my friends who are there to support me all the way!! Thanks to them, I definitely believe this road will be easier than it would have been without them!
