Sequin Dresses and Such

Have you ever watched Dancing with the Starts while you were at the gym? I have. Talk about motivation! Those girls have some rocking hard bodies.  The whole time I just kept thinking, I'm not getting off this machine until I look like her.

I may have given up. 

But only on that! The battle to beach bod continues. The only problem is that it's getting a bit cold and I probably won't be going to the beach anytime soon. So in that case, I'll change it to vacation bod. Meaning, I'm going home for the holidays and will be seeing old friends and family and I am expecting them to be talking about how great I look and not about how funny my brothers are.

I'm a bit insecure about this. As you can tell. 

Ok. As for the workout routine:

1 hour on the elliptical

25 sit-ups

40 crunches

20 leg lifts (both legs)

Food for the day:

1 c Apple Jacks (I ran out of Special K and the roomies only had Apple Jacks...)

1 c milk

1 slice wheat  bread

2 tbs peanut butter

1 sweet potato w/ 2 tbs whipped butter

3 small slices HOMEMADE buffalo chicken pizza

And as always, lots and lots and lots of water. 

Yes oh yes. And if you'd like the recipe: http://pinchofyum.com/light-bbq-chicken-pizza

Ok, now I have to go do a chemical peel on my face and read a book about serial killers in Italy. Are you all jealous of my life? 

I've Gone Pro

Right?

For today's workout, I played football... with men.  Can I explain to you all that this is not easy. Luckily they were patient with me, but seriously, this is why girls don't play football. I mean I hate to take the non-feminist approach, but I'm just not built to do it. Not possible. But, in the end it was good cardio and I learned a few techniques. Well, I learned how someone might perform them. Just not me.

At least I didn't stop and pray periodically throughout the game. (cough. cough. Tim. cough.)

So "they" say that you're supposed to write down what you eat throughout the day.  Apparently writing it down will help you lose weight. I think I might try it so ya'll will also have to read what I eat. I might skip some days if I'm too embarassed. 

Here's the psychology behind it:

 

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

What if just by making one change in your habits, you could double your weight loss? It may sound too good to be true, but many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories -- and thus lose weight.

Several studies have shown that people who keep food journals are more likely to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off. In fact, a researcher from one recent study says that people keeping a food diary six days a week lost about twice as much weight as those who kept food records one day a week or less. For the six-month study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, dieters kept food diaries, attended weekly group support meetings, and were encouraged to eat a healthy diet and be active.
How does writing down what you eat and drink in a food journal work this kind of magic?

For one thing, keeping a food diary instantly increases your awareness of what, how much, and why you are eating. This helps you cut down on mindless munching, says Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, executive director of The Center for Mindful Eating.

Food diaries also help people identify areas where they can make changes that will help them lose weight, says Victoria Catenacci, MD, assistant professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  For example, she says, "people don’t realize how many calories they are obtaining from caloric beverages and snacks, and these can be easy interventions … that can help reduce calories."

Sherrie Delinsky, PhD, a staff psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says food diaries can unveil patterns of overeating. They can also reveal identify triggers to avoid, such as not eating enough throughout the day and then overeating at night, or overeating when drinking alcohol.

For some people, the very fact that they have to record every bite helps deter overeating, Delinsky says. Her clients "often reconsider eating something because of not wanting to write it down," she says.

This could be dangerous territory....

Vision Boards

It's like the whole "secret" thing. If you think it enough, it will come true. I believe it, honestly.  I don't believe simply thinking something will make it happen, but I do believe that when you have a goal on your mind long enough you start to take the actions necessary to accomplish that goal.  I also think it helps to have some sort of visual representation to help you remember that goal as you move along in your day.

So I'm going to put a life size picture of 2003 Britney Spears' abs up in my bedroom. Trust me, it's going to work.

Helloooooo Britney. I feel skinnier already.
(I could use that hair too...)

Today's workout:
45 minutes on the eliptical
25 push-ups
15 oblique crunches
30 second plank
aaaaand then I gave up.

As it turns out, I'm not good at push-ups.  I remember doing tons of them in elementary school when we had to pass our fitness tests.  We ran, did push-ups and sit-ups.  We did them over and over and over until we gave up, and you know what, I was good. All that has changed now and I need to get those sculped arms. Like all those celebrities no longer in their 20's and have something to prove. Like Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Madonna arms. I mean, or their abs and legs and face. But we're talking about arms here people. Focus.

Craving Dr. Pepper

My weakness has, and always will be, Dr. Pepper.  For awhile there in high school I decided to not drink soda. Not worth it.  I'm sure we all know that it's drinking garbage and all that, but seriously, I'm not willing to give it up.  Limit, sure, but I will not remove Dr. Pepper from my life. I honestly believe it makes me feel better under most circumstances.  Is this what addiction feels like? All this put aside...I haven't had one in awhile.  I just can't justify drinking my calories.  Maybe as a reward like once a week?  I can't decide.

SO in order to curve the crave, I like to try new drinks.  Here are some that I have found and have tried and some I'm planning to try. Of course, I got them from pinterest. Here's the link if you'd like!

http://www.zainsaraswatijamal.com/site/recipes/zains-signature-vitamin-water-five-flavours/

Recovery

Ingredients:

1/2 Pomegranate Seeds

1/2 Cup Blackberries

1 Cup Cherries (pitted)

5ml Glutamine Powder

Pinch Himalayan Crystal Salt

750ml – 1 litre Filtered Alkaline Water (or Purified water + 1 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice)

Directions: 

1. Muddle blackberries, cherries and pomegranate in a small bowl and add to a large 1 litre glass or mason jar, add remaining ingredients and stir

2. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours

 

C-Power

Ingredients:

1/2 Grapefruit + 1/2 Freshly squeezed Grapefruit Juice

1/2 Lemon (thinly)

1/2 Lime (thinly sliced)

1/2 Valencia Orange (thinly sliced)

5-7 Kumquats (halved)

2g Camu Camu Powder

Pinch Himalayan Crystal Salt

750ml – 1 litre Filtered Alkaline Water (or Purified water + 1 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice)

Directions: 

1. Juice grapefruit and add to a large 1 litre glass or mason jar, add remaining ingredients and stir

2. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours

 

Stressless

Ingredients:

1/2 Grapefruit + 1/2 Freshly squeezed Grapefruit Juice

1/2 Lemon (thinly)

1/2 Lime (thinly sliced)

1/2 Valencia Orange (thinly sliced)

5-7 Kumquats (halved)

2g Camu Camu Powder

Pinch Himalayan Crystal Salt

750ml – 1 litre Filtered Alkaline Water (or Purified water + 1 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice)

Directions: 

1. Juice grapefruit and add to a large 1 litre glass or mason jar, add remaining ingredients and stir

2. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours

 

 

Digestive

Ingredients:

1 Cup Pineapple (sliced or cubed)

5-7 Sprigs Fresh Mint

3″ Ginger (sliced or cubed)

2-4 Lychees (pitted, sliced)

1″ Fresh or 1 Tbsp Dried Lemongrass

1g Scoop Probiotics, or 1 Tbsp Kefir (optional)

Pinch Himalayan Crystal Salt

750ml – 1 litre Filtered Alkaline Water (or Purified water + 1 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice)

Directions: 

1. Muddle lychees, ginger and mint in a small bowl and add to a large 1 litre glass or mason jar, add remaining ingredients and stir

2. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours

 

Workout for today: 50 minutes on the eliptical. Yeah...That's all I did. 

 

Also, I forgot to blog yesterday, but it was less impressive.  45 minutes on the bicycle while chatting with Lance on the machine next to me. Yeah, we all have down days.

 

Please don't judge.

I Hate [love] Carbs

And just to start the blog off today: The Top 100 Workout Songs from the 90's

http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=the_100_best_workout_songs_from_the_90s

You're welcome.

So it's hard for me sometimes to want to go to the gym in the morning because I haven't gotten ready for the day yet. It's not really my thing to go out of the house without a shower and makeup and so I turn into the chick that semi gets ready before going to workout.  I don't know why...it's a place full of sweaty people. Like...sweaty. Which means I'm giving myself permission to look like a fool. So if anyone sees me there, I actually would appreciate it if you just pretend like you don't know me.  It's best for everyone.







The routine:
90 jumping jacks
15 sit-ups
30 bird dogs (yeah, I had to look it up on YouTube)
40 second plank
35 squats
15 incline push-ups
40 crunches
10 oblique crunches (both sides)
20 standing calf raises
30 minutes on the eliptical

I'll have you all know that yesterday for dinner, there were these delicious rolls. As in, so good I can eat all of them kind of rolls. But, I didn't.

I deserve a medal.

...or at least a roll...

Water Weight

I'm just going to go ahead and say that the only reason people initally lose all that "water weight" is because they are constantly moving... for fear of having an accident. I get that 8 glasses a day is ideal, but is it really practical? How do people work and still have time to go to use the restroom every 10 minutes?

I drank a lot of water yesterday...

BUT, it was a good first day. I ate super healthy and weighed out all my food. I mean I feel that small children eat more cereal for breakfast than I had in my bowl this morning, but hey, it's worth it? (That question mark wasn't a typo). 

Today's hour and a half of fun:
110 jumping jacks
50 vertical leg crunches
20 sit-ups
20 squats
10 side lunges (each leg)
20 leg lifts (each leg)
60 bicycles
15 push-ups
40 russian twists
walk/run 2.5 miles

I only picked 2.5 miles because that's the distance it takes to make the loop on a road in my neighborhood. There's nothing significant about that number. Also, if you've ever heard the saying that walking burns as many calories as running... I have a link for you.

Spoiler alert: it doesn't.

However, walking burns more calories than not walking so if that's what you're in to, I say go for it.

But if you're curious:  http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304-311-8402-0,00.html

And incase any of you were wondering, the answer is no. I STILL have not lost 30 lbs. Can you believe it!? After all that work yesterday...sheesh.

Day one

It happened. I got fat. Not like, holy cow she's obese fat, but definately...chubby. To be honest, I'm not sure how I got here.  I remember once I was swimming with my friends in Las Vegas and someone said, "It's not fair that your stomach is just flat". Uhhh, flat!? Those were the days...

That being said, let's not dwell on it, ok? Thanks.

So I decided that I would embarass myself into submission. Maybe you don't care about reading this blog or my overall health, but if you could do me a favor and make up a mean name that references the previously mentioned weight gain, and then randomly insult me throughout the day, I should be able to get myself into shape based off of pure humiliation alone.  I thought about posting my weight, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet.  Or like, ever.

And so I named it Project Skinny, mainly because I was just watching a billion episodes of Project Runway (so good, right!?).  The goal is 30 pounds. Yep...30.  I too, am beyond belief people.

So follow me, make fun of me, and by all means, PLEASE tell me any good ideas you've got.

Today's workout:
100 jumping jacks
50 crunches
15 squats
20 lunges (each leg)
80 russian twists
20 standing calf raises
5 push-ups
30 second plank
10 lunge split jumps

uhhhhh..ever done lunge split jumps? They're hella difficult. Youtube it. For real. And don't be fooled by those people who make it look easy. They're bad people.

Until tomorrow.