Plateau . .

I'm not crying but I am getting frustrated. I track my weight daily.  I put it in my fitbit app (which syncs to myfitnesspal I think?).  But I write it down also.  Call me old school.  

I ended the cleanse at 181.6.  I did it 181.2.  Keep in mind 181 is 30 lbs down.  I'be been hovering within a few lbs for too long!  184 was my highest, not sure what happened there.  That might have been when I pigged out on McD's and all kinds of other crap.  But all in all I've been consistent on the scale and it's frustrating!!!!

It's beautiful up here on this plateau, but seriously I'm done hanging out.  I like how I look, but I have goals.  Staying here is not part of the plan.  I've been eating really well the last 2 days. . . trying to bust through by being perfectly perfect!   It's definitely the biggest challenge I've had so far this year.  I'm determined to stay the course and get off the plateau.  I'm being patient. . . . 

Memorial Day Weekend cheats. . .

I'm still on this plateau of 182-183.  I need to hit 181 to get to 30 pounds. I never imagined I'd still be playing yo-yo with the scale at this point.  I really really wanted to hit that goal before yesterday when we went to a Cardinals baseball game.  I had that planned as my cheat "meal" and I decided I was doing it no matter what the scale said.  Since I'm kind of a cardio junkie I ran every day Thurs - Mon hoping to make some progress. I also really wanted to get some miles on my legs.  On Sunday morning I got in 5 miles and I can't tell you how long it's been since I've done that route.  My legs were beat and I knew I wasn't in shape enough to run it.  I walked twice for a total of 1 mile, so I was happy with that.  I really want to get to a point where I do 5 miles once a week consistently.

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So what did I eat at the ballgame?  I did not eat clean, that's for sure.

My husband and I shared nachos with pulled pork BBQ sauce, cheese, salsa and toppings.

I had two Shock Top beers.

I had one mudslide.  My cousin was drinking them and I had forgotten my love of the mudslide.  So I got one.  Funny how they put a lid on it.  It almost looks like chocolate milk for a kid.  I said I got mine in a sippy cup! :)

The game went to 11 innings and we won!  Whoop!  We got home much later than expected.  Then I topped off the day by having an oreo McFlurry from McD's.  Yes I really cheated. I prefer to just cheat one meal and not most of the day like this.  But at the same time I kind of needed to get this out of my system.  I'm ready for a good week and hopefully to get to my goal of 181 by the weekend.  Then it's on to to the 170's!  I think I'm going to take measurements and some updated pics on Sat.

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Speaking of pics. . .

I downloaded a new app on my phone so that I can make collages for instagram :) 

I know any before and after is legit, but I haven't been as heavy as I was in 2008-2009 since then. . . I have gone up and down.  I really want to get together some before and after from my Advocare journey.  However, I do think there is value in these photos.  I don't even identify with the 2009 version of me.  In the full body shot. . . gosh I knew I was big. . . I've seen that photo before. . . I just didn't realize how chunky my legs were.  I remember those pants. . . I loved them.  I was sad when they were too big on me, which is silly.  But it's hard to find pants in long lengths that I love.  I loved those pants!   But I never want to fit into them again.  I hope I gave them away, but I need to go through some clothes again and just purge. 

From my perspective these photos motivate me and keep me dedicated.  But I hope they motivate others too.  Sometimes it just takes the right photo to encourage people.  For me I've seen many before and afters, but then one clicks.  I'm like if she can do it I can do it.  I've seen some crazy before and afters - where the after is like bikini competition ready.  That is likely not realistic for me.  That is not my goal and I know that I don't have that kind of dedication.  I'm just the average girl looking to be more confident and hopefully have a better time shopping for clothes.  Though I've started to wonder if that's ever really easy as a woman?  I'm not sure it is, no matter the size you wear!

Hope you all had a good holiday weekend.  Summer is here and while I'm more active in the summer, I'm also in positions to eat more food.  So summer is always a challenge. I'm determined to make this one the healthiest summer yet!

I love a good run

I don't really *love* running.  Are you shocked?  :)   It's weird because I love when I'm done.  If I don't run I get a strong urge to go for a run.  Which is why I'm still running.  But while I'm doing it?  OMG just kill me now.  WHY am I doing this?  I'd rather be watching TV, reading a book, crocheting, cuddling with my kitties . . . but no, I'm out here step after step trying to reach some goal I have in my head, trying to breath, trying to get rid of a side stitch, trying not to think of how far I have left, trying not to let myself walk. . . .

But. . . then there is a good run.  The one where I'm really consistent in my pace, where my body feels like a machine, where I get in this zone and I don't struggle.   Part of my run last night was that!

I hate running after work.  But I've noticed that I drag my feet in the morning.  I use to get up, get dressed and get my butt out the door.  Now I drag my feet.   I've been trying to run at least one weekday in the evening (I run Sat and Sun in the AM).  I've also been trying to get over the 3 mile hump.  I ran 4 miles on Sat.  And yesterday was drop dead gorgeous.  Sunny.  Slight chill to the wind.  Gorgeous clouds.  So I went home and changed into my running clothes. . .  and I was going to enjoy the run - not look at my Garmin and just run 4 miles however I did it.  Then I looked.  *gasp* Am I really running that fast.  I don't feel like I'm going that fast.  So I stuck with it. Mile 2 was just as fast.  So I was determined to crank out three miles at a sub-11:00 pace.

But I'm not in shape enough for 4 miles at that pace.  And even mile 3 was pushing it.  I got a side stitch. . .and well um I felt like I had to poo!  I have never had runners trots and I was not about to start now.  When my Garmin dinged for mile 3 I made myself slow down.  I'm not going to like.  I wanted to walk.  I wouldn't let myself.  I wanted 4 miles of running on my legs.

LOOK at the splits for the first three miles.  SO consistent.  It really was a good run because at least through 2.5 miles I was like a robot.  Steady pace, step after step, nice breathing. . .  I love that zone.  I'm not going to lie I had high hopes that my average pace was going to be sub-11:00 but no such luck.  I was so close!  I'm still really proud of myself for cranking that out in the late afternoon.  I felt fantastic!

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I stumbled across this quote online this past weekend.  So true.  Honestly I try not to compare myself to others.  And the mindset in the eating game is all YOU.  All ME!  I choose what goes in my mouth.  I choose how and when I workout and the effort I put into it.  I'm my own competition.  I'm my own enemy.  I'm my own supporter.  It's me!  And you know what?  I'm going to win!  Every day the food game is a battle.  I'm not going to lie - I want Taco Bell. :)  I want pizza.  I choose not to but I struggle at times.  

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I got a new bottle last night.  This was a limited edition bottle as part of Advocare's All-In Challenge in January.  I participated in that. That was my first 24 day challenge and my true commitment to Advocare.  But due to some confusion when I ordered I didn't get the All In Challenge which came with the bracelet and water bottle.  In recent weeks I've found both on eBay.  :)   

I love the "All In" mantra.   It really hits home to me this year.  If you are going to do it - go All In!  Give it your all.  Don't half ass it.  If you want the maximize results and get the most out of what you are doing (anything that you are doing) go ALL IN!!!!!!!

Binge

Oh man.  I had a crappy day yesterday.  I ate chocolate at work.  I ate a small bag of chips. . . the little tiny bags you can get at Dollar General. They used to be like 4/$1 but I don't think they are anymore.  Legitimately they are one serving.  Then after having a dispute with my husband, he went to work the fields and I went to McD's. 

I got a cheeseburger happy meal with a large soda.  There were not enough fries in the happy meal.  Wow.  They are tiny servings.  I should got a regular value meal. lol!   I then proceeded to stuff my face with all kinds of chocolate at home after I ate this.   I also ate some icing when I decorated a cake that I made.  I had a pounding headache from the sugar on top of some crappy sinus headache that I had behind my eye all day.  It was fantastic.  I was up 0.8 lbs this morning.  183.0   I guess I should be thankful it wasn't any more.  But to be honest I could still go up tomorrow.  I need to be super good today and I'm really in a mood that isn't conducive to eating well.  I pretty much want to eat crap.  And I'm not sure why.  I don't know what's going on with me.  I generally don't really binge like I did yesterday.  And I have a goal to reach before Monday.  So I'm highly disappointed with myself.  I knew I was doing it and I kept shoving food in my face.  I have no excuses.  I just did it. 

So today will be better.  I will make it better.   That's my goal.  I'm not perfect.  I never claimed to be.  But I've been rocking this lifestyle this year and I don't know what is happening right now.  Maybe the stall in my weight loss?  Even though I'm really happy with my progress, how I look, how my clothes fit.  . . how I feel!  I will get back on track.  My personal life has been rough and disappointing so maybe that's why.  Moving onward and back on track!

Stuck

I ended my 10 day cleanse at 181.6.  Today I weigh 182.2.  I've been bouncing around with my lowest being 181.2 and my highest being 182.6.  Ugh!  I don't know why I'm stuck other than the 181-183 is an old weight point.  My eating has been pretty on track.  I've been running.  I'm trying to be patient and push through this without really screwing up. 

We went to the ballgame on Sat. I didn't have a beer.  I had a smoked turkey leg and shared some fries with my husband.  No soda.  No sugar.  I brought some fruit with me.  I was so good.  I ran 4 miles that morning. . . and still no loss. 

Here's my big huge turkey leg.  I couldn't even eat it all. 

I finally got over the three mile hump and *ran* 4 miles.  In the rain.  I got rained on all weekend - on both morning runs and during an hour and a half rain delay at the game.  I'm over the rain. 

My pace was much better than I expected! :)  I want to get to where I am doing a 5 mile run regularly on the weekends.  I don't know if I'm stuck at the 3 mile mark due to fitness or if it's just mental. 

We are going to the game on Memorial Day.  I *really* want to hit 30 lbs lost (181.0) before then cause I want a beer and I am not eating another turkey leg.  It was good.  But it was *so* big I kept imagining what kind of turkey that came from. . . and those thoughts can make me be vegetarian really easily.   So I tried not to think of that and just eat.  :)

I'm trying to figure out what I can do to get to the 170's.  I'm hoping it'll just take time cause I want to keep losing and have a balance in my eating.  And I know that when I allow myself other foods that I just maintain and I don't lose.   I'm going to push through this week and hopefully hit 181.0 or even see the 170's before Monday.  Fingers crossed!

Results of the Advocare Herbal Cleanse take 2

Saturday morning was the completion of my second Advocare Herbal Cleanse.  Whoop!  I cannot tell you how much I love being excited to get on the scale.  During the cleanse my weight never goes up.  It does stay the same - *exactly* the same, but in 2 rounds it has never gone up during the cleanse.   I love that.  I love not looking at the scale with dread.  

(drum roll). . . .  I lost 9.8 lbs!  I lost an inch off of each: waist, hip, thighs.  

My starting weight was 191.4.  I will admit that I wanted to kick the scale for not giving me that extra 0.2 for a grand total of 10 lbs.  But that's just my anal self wanting to see 10 lbs in 10 days.

I don't have a starting fat percent cause I don't always remember to use my fat monitor. But on the 3rd day of the cleanse I did use it and I was 32.2 % fat.  So about 1% down in fat %.  I will take that!

In a weird twist of scale freakiness, my husband lost exactly 9.8 lbs too. :)  He didn't take measurements much to my dismay.  Men! Hmph.  I can visibly see he's smaller, but I sure wish I knew my how much.

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This weekend was a bit tough.  I had a planned lunch with my friend on Saturday.  No big deal.  We went to a deli and I got a bowl of soup (very low calorie vegetable soup) and half a sandwich (not cheese - just chicken and a chipolte sausce).  I drank water.  But then we were at my husband's mom's house that evening for Mother's Day.  We were leaving to go home for dinner when she said "I'd take you out to dinner but you don't eat anything".   UGH!!  Did I want to scream.  My husband and I said at the same time "we eat".  I hate being judged on what I eat.  I hate it.  It's a huge pet peeve of mine and I think it's rooted in jealousy.  We eat.  We eat a lot.  We just don't eat crap food.  So off we went to dinner and we bought her dinner for Mom's day.  The choices where we live were limited and we wanted to go fairly close.  So I ended up with a chicken wrap which was ok.  I left some of the tortilla and I got some fries.  I admit I kind of ate the fries to show her I ate.  Which doesn't make me any better.  I left half the fries on my plate though.   And I left feeling full but not overly full.  I was up on the scale Sunday morning. . . . 

So Sunday we went to Ballpark Village in StL to get a free pink hat!  They do giveaways during Cardinals away game to generate more business when the boys aren't in town.  This is the hat - it has bling!!!  Pretty sweet for a free hat. 

 I ran 3.25 miles that morning.  Skipped breakfast and we at the Budweiser Brewhouse at the village.  Unless I wanted a dinner size breakfast of steak or chicken the healthy choices were limited.  But I got this salad. 

I used less than one of the little cups of dressing.  I gotta say that was a kick ass salad.  I always end up with a lot of toppings on my plate cause I need lettuce in every bite and the ratio is always off. But this salad rocked - there's bacon, chicken, apples, some kind of candied nuts and dried cranberries I think.  It was so good.  Not totally clean, but acceptable given that I ran I think.  I ate every single bite of this baby.  All the toppings were so good I didn't care if there lettuce in my bites or not.   My hubby and I had one beer at the bar before leaving.  I gotta admit I felt bloated after the beer.  And I was a bit sad that I poisoned my body with it after cleansing for 10 day.  Yes that's the anal part of me coming out.  

I was worried about the scale this morning.  Not going to lie.  But I was 181.8.  So just 0.2 up from Saturday.  I consider that acceptable.  My next goal is (well 181 will be 30 lbs so I guess that's next) 175 - that's the dream weight I wanted to hit when I started this in Jan.  But once I get there I think I will set a new goal.  That's still considered a high BMI for me according to the charts.  So I'd like to lose a bit more, but if I hang at 175 for a while that will be a-okay with me. :)

One more day. . .

Today is Day 10 of the Advocare Herbal Cleanse.   Tomorrow I will have final weight and measurements.  I feel really good!  I'm getting so close to my goal of 175.   I need to consider how I'm going to get there sooner rather than later.  I'm a bit worried about this weekend.  I might have lunch with a friend and Mom's Day is Sunday so not sure what our plans with our mom's are, or what I will be tempted to eat.  I do not want to gain weight over the weekend.  Been there, done that.  Takes all week (M-F) to get it off.  Great way to maintain, bad way to lose. 


I hopped on the scale this morning.  183 is rocking!  181 will be 30 lbs.  I can taste it.  I want it!  I want to be there!   

I did notice something. . . I think I said in a blog that I was finally in a "normal" BMI.  I was wrong.  The last bar on the BMI flashes.  I guess I didn't pay attention in real life and just looked at pics.  Well depending on when you take the pic, that bar might not be visible.  So now I will make sure I get the correct timing and get every bar visible.  So. .. high BMI again.

If this monitor calculates that based on the BMI chart, then 24 is "normal" for me. And for that I'm going to have to weigh 170.  Not sure how long that will take.  I suspect my body will fight me getting below 175.  And once I get in the 170's I really want to add in strength training so it's possible my freaking weight will go up.  I was bummed when I realized my mistake.  

Have a great weekend everyone and Happy Mother's Day to any mom's that read this. :)