Weekly Weigh-In and Progess to Date

I'm a little late aren't I?

Anyway, last week I had a gain of 0.8 lbs.  My first thought was water retention but I didn't dwell on it too long as I'd had many weeks of losses prior.  However, I am 2 days away from my next weigh-in and things aren't looking too good on the scale.  I've peeked for a few days and things look wonky.

Am I worried?

No.  You know why?  Because I switched up my exercise routine and it took me a few days to figure things out.  Also, this past week I was house sitting, attending birthday parties (yes multiple), and planning my first of many vacations coming up.  And with all that going on, I'm pretty sure I missed some food in my log, therefore my calorie count is probably not as accurate as it has been in the past.  And when that happens, things can go awry.  Again, I'm not worried.  I need to be more diligent counting and I will be.  And who knows, Friday could get here and things could be fine.

I leave for Vegas Saturday morning for our annual trip.  The casino I'm staying at has a gym and I have all intentions of using it as there are buffets in my future.  I'm not planning to stress this too much as this is my first get away in over a year and I really want to relax and enjoy myself.  I will admit that I'm a little nervous too.  I mean, a whole weekend in Sin City could really do some damage!


On the exercise front:  I've been biking and swimming, swimming and biking, and occasionally rowing.  I hurt my foot! Yeah, have NO IDEA what's going on with it but it's out of commission for any weight bearing exercises.  Here's the thing, this happened to me in June of 2010 and I let it completely shut me down.  I'm trying very, very hard not to let that happen this time.  So, I've been biking, swimming and rowing.  And it's BORING and it takes a LONG TIME to burn a decent amount of calories but I'm still doing it.  How's the elbow you ask?  Definitely getting better but it screams at me horribly if I use my arm too much.  So, I have to really watch anything with my arms.

I'm a mess.  I really am.  But I'm persevering.

Anyway, here's my progress since July 6:

There is a n/a for my legs because I forgot to measure them!!  

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Day	1	8	30	60	90	150	TOTAL LOST
Waist	41	38.5	36.5	35.25	36	34.5	5.5
Chest	43	43	42	41.5	42	42	1
Left Arm	14	13.5	13.5	13	13.5	13	1
Neck	n/a	13.5	13	13	13	13	0.5
Rib	n/a	35	34.5	35	34	34	1
Belly Button	n/a	42.5	40	37.25	38	37	5.5
Hip	n/a	46	45	43	46	43	3
Left Leg-Knee	n/a	19	18.5	19	18.75	n/a	0.25
Left Leg-Upper	n/a	26.25	25.75	25.75	26	n/a	0.25
							18

And my weight loss:

July 13: -3.8
July 20:  -0.6
July 27:  -1.2
August 3:  -1.2
August 10: -1.2
August 17:  +0.8
August 24: 

Today's Menu:
B:  2 eggs + 1 piece toast + Coffee/Cream
L:  Chicken Enchiladas + Rice Pilaf
D:  

p90x - Weekly Weigh In

I didn't get all of my workouts this week, but I've been so busy that I've been moving and shaking like it's my job so I think it all balanced out.  I got in 4 of my workouts.  3 were strictly cardio and the 4th was what I call my Super Saturday Workout.  Which is odd because I do it on Sunday.  I honestly don't know how that name came about.  In any case, it's a full upper body, lower body AND cardio workout so it usually lasts a couple of hours and burns some really insane calories.  I really, really wanted to get another day of strength training in but I'm happy nonetheless.

I lost another 1.2 pounds.  YEAH!!!  Apparently my body is just stuck on that number because that's 3 weeks in a row but you'll get no complaints from me.

As for inches, as of this morning another inch is gone from my waist and a half inch from my ribs.  I only got in those 2 quick measurements because I was running late for work.  I'm hoping to do another chart soon because the visual reminder is a great motivator.  I'll try to make that a weekend project.

I'm telling you, calories are the KEY.  I've been hitting my target EVERY WEEK and I'm finally having success.  The hard part is just finding your own individual calorie target!

Here's to another great week!


Today's Menu:

B:  Breakfast Burrito
S:  Apple
L:  Wild Salmon + Mint/Yogurt Sauce + Orzo
D:  I'm unfortunately out of food but I'm hoping for a salad of some sort.  It's too hot out to cook!!!

Continued p90x Weight Loss Results

I've had 2 weigh-ins since last I posted so lets get to that first.  My first weigh-in, I was down 1.2 pounds and my second weigh-in, I was down 1.2 pounds!

Words cannot explain how happy I am with these results.  If you've been following my p90x saga, you'll notice that I didn't do too well with any weight loss.  It seems the secret is simply counting calories and eating less.  I have been pretty strict with my caloric intake and extremely strict with my exercise.  I'm working out 6 days a week with double workouts occasionally.  I did start back with my strength training 2 weeks ago and so far so good.  Both upper and lower body did well.  I am NOT doing push-ups because I don't think I'm ready for that stress on my elbow yet.

I'm still on board with p90x but with a few tweaks.  Simply put, when the p90x schedule has me doing cardiox, kenpox, or core conditioning, I do some sort of cardio:  biking, running, swimming, walking, or one of the aforementioned videos.  And when p90x has me doing legs and back, I do ... well, legs and back cause it's an amazing workout.  And when they have me do an upper body workout I do an upper body workout of my own or one from p90x.  It all just depends if I feel like being indoors or not.

I've realized that p90x isn't some magic weight loss/get in shape system.  p90x is just one of many really great workout schedules/systems.  The magic happens when you actually put in the time and effort AND count your calories (eat less).  The working out is incredibly important but what really seals the deal is figuring out how many calories it takes to lose weight and I, hopefully, have figured that part out.

I still need to take some measurements so I will TRY to get to that tonight.

Today's menu:

B:  Rostini with Egg + Coffee + Creamer
L:  Cod + Ratatouille + Wild Rice
S:  Apple
D:  maybe a burrito?  I really have no idea.

I'm a Machine: Strength Training and Weight Loss

It's been a little more than 2 weeks since I've posted.  My ribs are still sore so I've been working out around them.  After the doctor's office, I got one good workout in and it sent me straight back to resting.  So I took the following 4 days off and adjusted what I could do workout wise.

Since then, I have worked out every single day.  I have no idea what's gotten in to me but it's awesome.  That's 9 days in a row of some pretty grueling workouts.  For instance, this past Saturday I did a 90 minute workout.  What is that?!?

I have found that my ribs can handle 4 activities:  running, the elliptical, biking and of course walking.  So I've been concentrating on that.  I REALLY want to go back to strength training but I'm apprehensive only because I'm a little scared I'm going to seriously hurt myself.  I've laid off of my upper body for over 6 weeks now due to my elbow and I'm starting to think I need to start wading back into the water.

Again, it's a little scary because re-injuring injuries just plain old sucks.

But this week seems to be the week.  I'm going to try to do an upper body tonight.  Shoulders and Arms from p90x to be more specific.  However, I'm going for some light girly weights to see how my elbow reacts.  I'm thinking 5 pounders will be good.  It's kind of deflating because back before I hurt my elbow I was lifting pretty decent weight.  Anyway, if there is pain, I'll immediately stop, of course. If there is no pain, FINGERS CROSSED, then I'll finish it out and wait and see what tomorrow brings in terms of soreness.  Then, on Friday, I'm going to do lower body.  Yup, legs and back.  This one will be testing my ribs more.  My doctor told me that the lower body workouts will be what affects my ribs most.  But it's the same deal for the lower body.  As long as it doesn't hurt while I'm doing the moves, I'll finish and then see what the morning brings in terms of soreness.

Hopefully, all will go well and if it does, then I'm excited to start lifting again.

I last wrote about trying to be in a calorie deficit.  Well, I've been exercising like a mad man and apparently I've developed the restraint of a God.  I've been doing SO WELL with my calories!!

For instance, for the past 2 weeks I've been running over a 500 calorie deficit PER DAY.  And yes, it's really, really hard.  But totally doable.

I haven't measured myself (that's coming this Friday) but since I last posted I am down 4.4 pounds.  I haven't done any lifting in those 2 weeks, just cardio, so I'm a little afraid of muscle loss but only a little.  Honestly, I'm just too excited about having 2 weeks in a row where I LOST weight.

I don't want to toot my horn too much because maybe it was a fluke?  My weigh-in is on Friday and I have high hopes for yet another loss. 


As for my menus, I ended up doing 2 weeks of Vegetarian.  It was kind of hard to get enough protein but I REALLY enjoyed it.  This week, I added some meat back into the menu but only because I was seriously craving a hamburger :)

Also, an update on the Shakeology.  The first week was pretty good but I started getting sick the second week.  It tastes GREAT but I started getting an upset stomach and so I quit taking it.  I talked to my BB coach and she had some suggestions.  I still haven't tried her suggestions because I really don't want to get sick again.  If I do try it out I'll let you know how it works out.

But it seems important to note that that first week (the one where I was fine), the Shakeology would hold me from breakfast until lunch w/ NO HUNGER.  AND it gave me LOTS of energy.  AND at the end of the week I lost 3 of the 4.4 pounds that I mentioned above.  I'm not saying that was ALL the Shakeology because I've obviously been doing something right w/ my calories and working out.  I think the Shakeology just helped me keep my calories down which is what essentially caused the weight loss.  The second week (the one without Shakeology) I lost 1.4 pounds.  So there, success either way.

Today's Menu:

B:  Coffee + Creamer + Kashi Go Lean + Almond Milk
S:  Buffalo Jerky
L:  Salmon + Orzo + Veggies
D:  Hamburger + Lettuce/Tomato + Lite Mayo/Ketchup + 2% Amer. Cheese + Baby Carrots

Trying to Work Out

Just wanted to give an update on my progress.  I am still working out but am dealing with another injury.  I just got back from the doctor's office and I have torn some muscles around my ribs.  And trust me, it is as unpleasant as it sounds.

I got the go ahead to continue to exercise but not to do anything that causes any pain.  So no twisting, turning, jarring movements.  I think I'm pretty safe with walking, running, biking, and the elliptical (the one with no arms).  I can't do any lifting with my upper body (no problem because the elbow is still out of commission) and the lower body needs to be done with caution as squatting and lunging requires the particular muscles that I've torn.

My body is broken.

The key is to keep moving.  Within reason.  The good part is that the more I move the better I feel.  When I sit for too long then the pain sets in.

As for progress.  I'm still making gains in the lean mass category.  I have had very minimal fat loss.  Since I ended round 1 I have gained 3 pounds of muscle and lost 0.1 pounds of fat.  Unfortunately, I do not want any more muscle gain.  I have plenty and I'm starting to look bulky.  I need fat loss.  That means only one thing.  Calorie deficit.  And apparently I'm not in one.

Calorie restriction is not my friend.  I'm really good at working out but really bad at staying within my calories.  I have no choice though.  If I want the fat to come off I have to watch how much goes in my mouth.

So diet now needs to become my focus more so than it is.  In fact, due to a friend's request, I have decided to go vegetarian for one week.  I have a friend who had to change her diet for health reasons.  She started out as vegetarian and moved to vegan recently to help out a condition she has.  She is loving it so far and honestly, looks great.  So I told her I'd give the vegetarian a try.  Well, Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian.  I honestly have no fear about doing this because little known fact, I really don't like meat at all!  I know I need my protein to keep my muscles strong so I eat it.  However, when I made my menu for this week I had to be creative to keep the protein content up.  I'm pretty happy with what I came up with and will let you know how it goes!

Today's Menu:

B:  Oatmeal + Coffee
L:  WW noodles mixed with Greek Yogurt and Cottage Cheese topped with Chunky Vegetable Tomato Sauce and RF Cheddar Cheese (1/2 serving)
S:  1/2 serving of above
D:  Roasted Ratatouille with Baked Eggs

p90x End of Round 1 Measurements

Sunday marked the last day of my Round 1.  I'll be honest, it ended with a fizzle.  The workout wasn't a fizzle.  I did legs and back and it was an AMAZING workout.  I just feel like I didn't do as well as I should or could have during the last 30 days.  I know I got injured but I feel like I should/could have done more.

In any case here are the final results:

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Day	1	8	30	60	90	TOTAL LOST
Waist	41	38.5	36.5	35.25	36	5
Chest	43	43	42	41.5	42	1
Left Arm	14	13.5	13.5	13	13.5	0.5
Neck	n/a	13.5	13	13	13	0.5
Rib	n/a	35	34.5	35	34	1
Belly Button	n/a	42.5	40	37.25	38	4.5
Hip	n/a	46	45	43	46	0
Left Leg-Knee	n/a	19	18.5	19	18.75	0.25
Left Leg-Upper	n/a	26.25	25.75	25.75	26	0.25
						13

I'm overall pleased.  There's no denying that I got some results.  I'm not sure what happened to my hips between days 60 and 90.  Measuring is a little hard when you're doing it by yourself but maybe it was also just a fluke.


I ordered a new measuring tape that looks like this: 

It's supposed to help out when you're measuring by yourself.  I'm going to retake my measurements tonight (if it gets here in time) and use those numbers for round 2.   Hopefully it will be a little easier.  We'll see.

As for weight, according to the scale I gained 4.2 pounds.

According to my body fat % numbers:  I gained 4.5 pounds of lean mass and lost 0.3 pounds of fat. Not exactly what I wanted but it's better than gaining 4.2 pounds of fat!!

But please keep in mind those numbers were taken with a handheld body fat analyzer so while they're probably not crazy accurate at least I was getting a downward trend.

I start Round 2 today.  I'm having to modify it due to my arm but that just involves the strength training days.  I'm also switching back to the lean schedule (4 days cardio/2 days strength) for this round to make things easier on the old elbow.

This is Phase 1 of the lean schedule:

Weeks 1-3:

Day 1 – Core Synergistics
Day 2 – Cardio X
Day 3 – Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 - Yoga X
Day 5 – Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

Week 4:

Day 1 – Yoga X
Day 2 – Core Synergistics
Day 3 – Kenpo X
Day 4 – X Stretch
Day 5 – Cardio X
Day 6 – Yoga X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch


As for my modifications, so far I know I'll have to switch out Shoulders and Arms (obviously) most likely with another lower body strength workout (I have tons at home) or just do Legs and Back twice.  I'll also have to modify any move that doesn't look so good for my elbow (ie push-ups, planks, body bearing exercising using my arms) by substituting walking in place or jumping jacks etc.

I'm hoping by the end of this phase, I'll have some sort of progress on my elbow.  If I don't, I'm REALLY going to have to suck it up and go to the doctor.
Also, today I ordered Shakeology.  I've been debating doing this since I started the last round.  I keep reading reviews and I figured I might as well try it for myself.  It's a bit on the pricey side but I figure if it helps get me healthier then really it's worth the price.

Today's Menu:
B:  egg + ww english muffin + ham + goat cheese
S:  protein bar
L:  chicken and apple sausage + ww bun + kale salad + red peppers + cucumbers + dressing
D:  ??

p90x Week 12

I'm on week 12.  It doesn't feel like it.  I started it off yesterday with a great day of eating and a great workout.  I had to modify my workout greatly due to my injury BUT I managed to get in a few pushups.  I was so happy that I hadn't lost all my strength.

I also made a discovery last week.  Trying to do Insanity and p90x at the same time just wasn't happening.  It's too much.  So, I'm just replacing my p90x cardio with Insanity workouts this week.  Easy fix.

And my knees are ever so thankful.

Speaking of broken body parts.  I think I have self diagnosed myself.  I am pretty sure my elbow pain is tricep tendonitis.  No, I am not a doctor but I've read a lot about it and I have the symptoms.  I've also read up on the other 5 things it could be.  I'm not too worried about misdiagnosing myself because they all have the same treatment.  I was pretty excited to narrow it down.  Now, if the stupid thing would just hurry up and magically get better.  I have no patience.  It's a fact.  It IS getting ever so slightly better so that's good.

Since it's my last week of round #1 I'm going to level with you about this entire program.  Honestly, it was awesome.  I do not regret a single moment of any of it.  I finished workouts that I never thought I could do.  I gained strength, I gained confidence, and I gained some muscle.  Did I lose all the weight I wanted?  Nope.  In fact, I lost not a single scale pound (so far).  I did lose inches.  And just watching those measurements change over the weeks was extremely encouraging.  The last 30 days were rough and I didn't get out of it what I had intended but that was due to the twists and turns of life.  However, I managed to see the light at the end of the tunnel and keep up the fight.  I've always known strength training was important.  I've read the research on paper, but this is the first time I saw the results first hand.  In fact, I've never been a big fan of strength training.  I was always a cardio girl.  Now, I'm waiting with baited breath for my arm to get completely better so I can get right back into it hard core.  In fact, as soon as this week ends, I'm just going to keep on keeping on.

So, I guess that means Round #2 starts next Monday. 


Today's Menu:
B:  2 eggs + 1 slice ww toast + chicken and apple sausage +
S:  1/2 Protein Bar + Coffee
L:  Cottage Cheese + Apple
S:  1/2 Bagel + Almond Butter + 1/2 Protein Bar
D:  Zucchini + Eggplant + Tomato/Ground Turkey Sauce + WW Angel Hair