Weight loss is mighty hard... mighty hard!

Warning: A bunch of complaining to follow for a few sentences

I have tried every darn diet and every darn carb blocker pill Dr. Oz has suggested.  I can't stay on the diets (including that 21 detox, I lasted 1 week) and I forget to take those pills and don't think they were working for me anyway..... I just get so frustrated sometimes!! ugh!!!

But.... I did it to myself. I ate and ate and ate and didn't work out and I am catching it in time, so I shouldn't complain. Just tired of not making progress, it's very slow and challenging, but when you age, I guess that is what happens.

End complaining!

I am doing weight watchers (not officially) just on my own by writing down what I eat and checking weight watcher points for things including my exercise.

Week 1, I lost 3 pounds
Week 2, I lost 1 pound

Total of 4 pounds. I am pretty much plateauing the past 3 weeks, but that is only because I have gone way over my points and anytime points and not working out enough. But at least I didn't gain.

I would love to loose 5 more pounds and my goal is by the end of March.  I am working out 3-6 days a week and I'm sticking to my points.

So I think I'll be on track! Summer is quickly coming and I don't want to be covered up all summer long.

Day 3 of my detox

So far so good! I haven't had anything on the 'no no' list. I feel great and don't let me start on my bowel movements (TMI, I know).

For me, I needed to do lots of prep work so I can have great food available. If the food was going to be boring, I would slip and cheat.  I took my blood pressure yesterday and it went down to 137/91 so that is a lot better than 158/110.  Watching my sodium intake, no more than 1500mg per day.

Here is my diet for today:

For the am snack: I am doing a post smoothie worked out. I made the smoothie with 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon, 7 frozen strawberries, 1 banana, 1 tsp of chia seeds, 1/2 tsp of protein powder.

I like to do early prep but be careful with smoothies, they loose nutrients if you wait, but if you use lemon juice it helps keep the nutrients (google it).

My work out will include:
A warm up of:
Power jacks
Knee lifts
Leg kicks with arm crossover

Work out includes:
Bosu ball squats (for balance)
Wall ball squats with a bicep curl
Lunges on Bosu ball
A back exercise (can't figure out what it is called)
Sumo squats

21 Day Detox...Starting Sunday, January 12, 2014

Includes:
No white sugar
No white starch
No Alcohol
No Pork
No Beef
No Caffeine
No Dairy
No Salt

The first week give up all starches.  2nd week onward, only brown starches such as brown rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta... and just one serving per day.

You can eat, fruits, veggies, chicken, fish, turkey, beans, eggs (not dairy, animal byproduct). And you can drink, decaf tea and coffee.

If you need a sweetener for your decaf hot beverage, try honey or agave nectar... neither of which I enjoy, but we'll see how I feel after 21 days.

I am working on a 7 day meal plan but it's taking me awhile, for now I am posting what I ate/will eat today and tomorrow.

Since my blood pressure is so high, I'm not going to run til Thursday. I want to bring it down a bit before increasing my heart rate with a high powered run.

Note: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or any medical professional.  This is just what I am doing under my own personal advice.  Any medical questions or issues you may have, you should consult a professional.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014! Here's to a bigger, badder (not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good), healthier, and wealthier New Year!

I have to say last year and my fitness was very half-ass! very!  I'm ready to get back on point.

I went to the Doctor today and he said my blood pressure was 150/100 and he was super concerned, as was I.  So he said to either come back in in a day or two to take it again or monitor it myself and email him the numbers.

He suggested it may be due to the fact that I gained 21 pounds in one year.  And I agree. I need to take off at least 10 pounds for my health because I do not want to take blood pressure pills for the rest of my life. Plus I want to fit into this bathing suit.

So..how am I going to do it....

Liposuction of course!!! Ha ha..just kidding. I WISH I could afford lipo, but I can't! So I have to get my 21 pounds of extra lovin in the gym!  And eat right!  But the key is to stick with it.

I'm starting a 21 day 'cleanse' with a good friend and I will post my meal plan in a couple of days.  The basic premise is to eat only fish, poultry and fruits and veggies. No sugar, flour, dairy...and by flour that means no fried or breaded foods! If you eat any carb, it is in week 2 and it has to be a brown carb, so brown rice or sweet potatoes or whole wheat bread or pasta and just one serving per day.

Note: eggs are not dairy it is an animal by product, so that is okay on the diet. Oatmeal is considered a starch so you cannot eat that til week 2.

There is no alcohol on this diet, but if you met my son, you would understand the need..ha ha..just kidding. But I will eliminate alcohol the first week only.  The rest of the time I'll do my typical few glasses per week.

So stay tuned for the 21 day plan including recipes and my work outs!

Happy Happy!

Fat Free

Hey everyone!

The holidays are upon us and this may be the worst time to change my diet with all the temptations that surround me; holiday feasts with friends and family, co-workers bringing in all sorts of cookies, pies etc... it's tough.

But I must remain strong because I really want to loose at least 10lbs by the end of the year (aiming high, I know). I cannot fit into my clothes and I'm just tired of it and I'm tired of complaining.

I've decided to kick start things off by doing a fat free/low fat diet (I know there are people out there that are saying, this is not a good way to go, but this is just the jump start..not the complete diet).

For this week, I'm adopting a low fat diet. My intent was to do 5 grams of fat of day one and then increase it each day by 5 additional grams. I didn't quite make that goal, but I am doing okay.  Here is my total intake for this week so far.

I'm not going to go hardcore with my workout this week since my fat and calorie intake is low.  When this week is complete, I plan to just do 55 grams of fat per day.

btw...I'm doing good fats and as little processed foods as possible.  Click link below for zero fat/low fat ideas.
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20313653,00.html

New Diet

I'm changing my eating and starting off with a fat free fast (cleanse)...stay tuned for the details!

New Read...

With so many people dealing with health issues this year, I wanted to check out Dr. Oz's book You: You Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty.

I'm only just started reading it, so I'll let you know...if you have any comments, please post.

Working out at home

I put my gym membership on a temporary hold, so I'm not paying the membership for 3 months; my membership resumes in January.  In the meantime, I'm using the 'gym' at work. I see at more as a fitness room than a gym, but it works.  I like to do the squat machines at the gym, and we don't have that type of equipment at work so I thought, maybe I should improvise at home.

• I jump rope
• I run laps while my son is at the park
• And I'm using my 8 year old as a weight...he is pretty heavy and I can get 3 sets of 5 for squat using my son's body weight....

What do you do at home?

Looking Ahead: My week in working out

I have a outside meeting on Monday and Tuesday so I cannot work out at lunch since I'll be forgoing lunch in order to attend the meetings.  My work out will resume Wednesday-Friday as follows:

Sunday: Run 2 miles
Monday: Stretch and Abs (at home)
Tuesday: Stretch and Abs (at home)
Wednesday: Run 2 miles
Thursday: Weights/Elliptical
Friday: Run 2 miles

My diet so far is just trying to eat right and less processed foods. I'm reducing the 'bad carbs' including sugar. I bought wheat bread instead of white bread; although bread isn't my weakness, just in case I decide to munch on a slice.  I am not eating my obligatory pasta at night and instead doing a yogurt or citric fruit or sunflower seeds.

Motivated!!!

I'm feeling motivated...going to walk downtown with my son (about 1.5 miles) and run some errands.  While 1.5 miles isn't that far, but I usually drive, so I'm happy to utilize every chance I get to work out.

This morning, I had 2 eggs (with cheese) and 2 turkey sausage patties and coffee. I'm trying to slowly decrease my sugar... one tsp and it was fine.  Have a great day!!!!


Oh, I did take the before pic and I can't even post it! OMG....I'll get the courage soon.

Was on a hiatus... but I'm back!

I have to admit... I was on a hiatus, eating and not exercising but I am back on track.

Why?
1) I just don't like what I see in the mirror
2) I'm tired of complaining every day about my mid section
3) I want to have a healthier diet (less process food)

I have heard of two people this past year that worked out like crazy all their lives and are in bad health. I'm no doctor, but I want to try and change my eating habits and extend my life.

I did manage to go hiking today :) There is a great trail right across the street from my house.

Stay tuned for my transformation (and my new before pic...so not looking forward to posting that!)

Haven't quite hit my stride yet, but...

In approximately 21 days I need to run 6 miles and so far I'm tiring out at 1.25 miles. I seem to can't break down the wall and I loose steam and just end up walking.

This week my goal is 2 miles. My plan to attain that goal is to run at least 3 times this week and work on my pace.  I need to really get my pace started and regulated and then I'll be fine. My playlist needs a tune up as well.

I'm not worried, I KNOW I CAN DO IT!

In the meantime, I haven't been doing too much weight training but have that scheduled as well.

As far as food, I have to admit, I've been eating quite a bit of pasta and rice but not much junk food, just lots of grains. So I'm not doing too bad. I plan to update with a new photo next week.

Set your DVRs...The Biggest Loser returns Oct. 8th

Hi my name is Cabluebunny and I am Reality TV Show-aholic... The one show I am excited to see is The Biggest Loser.

I am looking forward to this show. I love everything about it. The trainers, the transformations, the back story, the competition...Yay!!

We fall down, but get back up!

I have to admit this weekend I fell off the wagon...actually I jumped off to the tune of a pizza, pasta and cheeseburgers.  But that is the past and I'm back aboard!... besides a cheat day now and then is fine!

This weekend, I did Lower body at the gym:

Elliptical 10 minutes

Leg Press

Hack Squats

Plie Squats

Smith Machine Lunges

Stiff legged dead lifts

(all 3 sets and increase of 5-10lbs per exercise)

Today, I did my short run 1.25 miles in 10 minutes outside.  I'm proud of myself.  Tomorrow I will run 2 miles outside, take a break all week and pick up with a long run on Friday of 4 miles.  I may do a full body work out with weights on Wednesday.  I don't really work out my upper body that much because if I lift a barbell my arms turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger really quick!

Let's Get Physical

Isn't it fun when you listen to a song as an adult that you heard as a child and realize the content was.... ahem... not at all what you thought.

I have had that experience, where I hear a song, that I haven't heard in years and I'm like "saayyy... that is a bad bad song...lol"

There is the obvious, Physical by Oliva Newton John .  This was out when I was about 10..I truly thought they were talking about exercise. I realized later in life, of course that was not the case. I only thought of this first because I was singing it this morning in the shower thinking about my work out at the gym.

Then there is: She Bob by Cyndi Lauper, Dancing with myself by Billy Idol. I just found out about that one...duh. LOL. Love come down by Evelyn Champagne King.  And who can forget, Donna Summer's (my twin, so people say... the young Donna Summer, not the old one) Bad Girls.  While it is spelled out in the title, at age 8, who knew it was about street walkers...lol.

I just keep thinking, wow, my mother let me run around and sing all these songs? Ha ha, just joking mom.  Toot Toot..heeyy...beep beep.

Sorry to deviate from fitness and food, but there are other things in life too ;)

30 days to my 10K and 2nd day of workout

I only had a short amount of time this morning to work out so here is what I did:

Warm up: Elliptical 8 min
Leg Press: 3 sets with 35lbs plates x 2
Plie squats: 3 sets with 25lb plate
Smith Squat lunges: 3 sets with 25lb plates x 2
alternate with regular squat 3 sets each with 25lb plates x 2
Stiff legged deadlift: with 60 lb bar

Not sure what I will do tomorrow, I may just do the elliptical for 30 minutes. I ran yesterday and did weights today so not going to do either tomorrow.

My first day back working out!

I ran 1.25 miles today on the treadmill.  For my first day back, I probably did more than I should have considering I haven't worked out in months and months, but that's okay.  I have my 10K in 30 days, so I am happy to get started. I felt great running too, it was a great stress relief. I think I'll hit the gym tomorrow with the following start up routine:

Warm up: 15 min elliptical

Leg Press: 3 sets

Hack Squat: 3 sets

Smith Machine Squat: 3 sets

Bosu ball alternate lounges: 3 sets

Watch me go!

My September Work Out Routine

I am training for the bridge to bridge run on October 5, 2013; I will be running 10K.  The run pictured above is the Mermaid Run, which I did in 2011.  

Monday: weights

Tuesday: short run

Wednesday: weights

Thursday: long run

Friday/Saturday: free fitness choice (yoga, stretch, cardio, whatever....)

Sunday: REST

When will I find the time you ask?  I will work out either before I go into work or during my lunch hour. I will NOT work out after work because I am tired and I just don't want to do it.  I prefer first thing in the morning or lunch time.

I have some killer weight training routines that I use to do which I will post at a later date.  I'm no stranger to fitness, but it's been a long time since I really worked out and I want to listen to my body and start slow.

Spaghetti Substitution ~ Spaghetti Style Zucchini Marinara

As I mentioned I love pasta and I can eat bowls and bowls, especially at night.  I also love Zucchini and found a way to satisfy my pasta cravings. Here is my recipe for Zucchini Marinara:

Easy Zucchini Marinara

Ingredients:

(3) cloves of crushed garlic (more or less depending on your taste...you can tell I love garlic)

Marinara sauce (trader joe's has a good one)

(2) Zucchini squash

Low fat Italian blend or Mozzarella shredded cheese (optional)

Olive oil

Tsp Crushed red pepper

Tsp Garlic powder

Instructions:

Sautee garlic in a 2 tbl of olive oil with crushed red pepper and garlic powder

Add spiral zucchini

Add marinara sauce

Continue to cook to warm

Put in bowl and sprinkle cheese on top

Serve

Very easy as you can see and very basic... feel free to amend and add whatever seasoning you like.

If you don't have a spiral slicer, just slice length or width wise and cook under tender

Self Proclaimed Foodie

I love good food and and good wine.  I don't want to give up good food and good wine.  Hence the problem...there is not an easy road ahead of me to this whole 'weight loss' thing.  I have decided I don't want to give up the things that taste soooo good to me, so I decided to trick my brain.

You've heard of 'eat this..not that'.  Well, I plan to do that, in my own way...stay tuned to my favorites substituted throughout this blog.

While I am on the subject of favorites...let me name a few of my favorites (in no particular order):

• Trader Joe Bolognese sauce and pasta (I could drink this out of the jar)
• Thin crust pizza (Cheese, Margherita, Pepperoni, Mushroom..doesn't even matter...love it all)
• Wine (Merlot and Malbec)
• Lays Classic Potato chips (but I have successfully weened myself off of potato chips and can't remember the last time I had any)
• Lasagna
• Pasta, pasta, and more pasta!