Dub Dub Weigh In

{Week Twenty Two}

+2.2 lbs

Change since week one: +1.2 lbs

Change since 2006: -28.8 lbs

WW changed their website to automatically update your weight when you weigh in, which I'm not too happy about because I like seeing the pop up that tells you how much you lost or gained and says "You've lost this week!" or "You gained a bit this week". So this means that the tracking on here will change visually :(

Well I finally went back to Weight Watchers after a month long hiatus.

The first week I skipped, if you remember, because I just needed a break from the scale and the pressure and the stress that I was putting on myself to perform and lose. The next week I was at Lawrence Welk. The third week I was exhausted and I had to get ready for Blog Sugar so I skipped because I didn't want to drive all the way out there (Long Beach) only to drive back home to get ready, then drive in the same direction again to attend Blog Sugar.

For being gone for three weigh ins, going out of town twice in those three weeks (and if you've been reading my WW journey you'll know how difficult going out of town is for me when it comes to tracking and staying on program and I always gain a stupid amount of weight no matter how great I think I did), and for not really tracking much at all in those three weeks I'd say I didn't do too bad. I could have gone crazy and gained 5-10 lbs. It has happened before, unfortunately. But I didn't, which is awesome. 

I went to weigh in last Sunday really dreading it, convinced that I had gained at least five pounds and feeling so anxious to just get it over with and try to get back on track so I can lose this weight I keep gaining. I stepped on the scale and the lady gave me a look of pity (I really hate when they do that, or when they seem judgement, which they're not supposed to and they usually don't), and that's when I knew it. I knew I was right. I knew that I had gained a stupid amount of weight and not only do I have to start all over again, I have to take a bunch of steps backwards...

But then she said, "You're up 2.2 lbs" and I nearly cheered. Instead I just said, "Wow, that's better than I thought!"

I don't think I've ever been so okay with gaining 2.2 lbs. EVER. I mean, I was gone for three weeks, didn't track my points, didn't really exercise much, ate out more than usual and I only gained 2 pounds. I realize that in those three weeks I could have lost up to 6 pounds, but I'm not going to stress out about it because that will only keep me where I am right now and won't help me lose the weight.

I'm still really disappointed in myself that it's been over a year and I keep yo-yoing these 10 pounds, but I can't let myself get discouraged or I'll just give up.

I have some pretty big weight loss goals and it's just about time that I get them accomplished. I started a combination of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and Banish Fat Boost Metabolism. I'm not going to go crazy and do it every single day like I did the Shred in August/September, but I'm going to do it at least 4 times a week, I'm getting back on tracking and I'm just ready to finally lose this weight. I realize that the holidays are swiftly approaching and this coming season is my favorite of all in terms of weather, food, holidays, clothes, etc., but I've lost weight during the holidays before and I think I can do it again... or at least maintain, which is always better than gaining. 

I'll be on a women's retreat with my church this weekend, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to weigh in. I'd like to find a WW location where we will be so that no matter what I eat while we're at the retreat (we're not allowed to bring our own food so I have no idea what I'm going to be dealing with... awesome, right? I hate not being in control, food wise... or other wise, haha) I'll still be able to be accountable. We'll see how it works out.

So wish me luck for this week which might be a struggle and for this journey that it can get back on track for good. Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. It really means a lot to me and helps me feel like I can do it and I'm not alone <3

i did it.

Today was my last day of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.

I skipped the last two Sundays because both of those days were just way too busy to even think about SHREDDING, so instead I added an extra two days to the 30 days just to make sure I completed it.

I was a little disappointed in myself that I didn't do it straight through, but the feeling of accomplishment in finishing this grueling workout regiment far outweighs that little disappointment.

I've never felt stronger. 

I can do things now I never imagined I could.

My legs have never been stronger, my abs have never felt like this before, my arms can carry my weight, I can now do "full on Rocky-style sit ups", lunges are now ridiculously easy, my calves have never been so defined in my life, my shoulders are taking shape.

And I never thought that I'd be more proud of the fact that I'm stronger, with weight loss being just a bonus rather than the main goal.

I mean, I'm not gonna lie, weight loss has always been the focus, but now that I see what I'm made of and what I'm capable of, it has shifted my point of view a little.

I may not have lost anything according to Dub Dub, but I know that I have because my clothes either fit me now or are getting too big for me.

I'm going to keep exercising. I'm starting Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat Boost Metabolism this week, so I'm not quitting, but I'm just so proud of the fact that I stuck with this thing and saw it through.

I did it.

SHRED

So today was my fourth day of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.

I could barely walk for the last few days. Today was the easiest since we began and I wasn't as sore, but man  is my body shocked. I've had some crazy hard workouts before, but this one is so killer.

David is doing it with me and I hope we both stick to it. I know I'm in for the long term, but I can see that I-want-to-give-up-and-die look in his eyes and I worry.

Last night we went to dinner at Sue, my mentor/director of The Hiding Place/former professor's, house and David didn't have time to SHRED (from now on I shall place "shred" in caps and italics because it is that hardcore) before we left, so today was his hardest day.

There is just something about the third day that makes it the worst. Yesterday I wanted to collapse and die, but today I was right there, in it, keeping up and I'm actually looking forward to more. I hope that's what it's like for Dave tomorrow (his birthday!), if he decides to keep SHREDDING.

(see how affective the caps and italics are?)

Speaking of Dave's birthday, it's tomorrow. He's going to be 25. From now until January I'll only be two years older than him instead of three (yes!). Today I made Pâte Brisée, a fancy French term for pie dough, so that I could make David's favorite dessert, apple pie, from scratch. I also prepped the custard for homemade vanilla bean ice cream (his favorite flavor) and will be making that tomorrow as well. 

He's stoked.

We'll be going to Famous Dave's for dinner. He loves BBQ so that's where he wanted to go. I have no idea what I'm going to get, but that doesn't matter, it's his day and he can have whatever he wants.

So back to Jillian and how she's out for blood, particularly mine and Dave's. 

We decided to start this thing because I mention to Dave how I've seen a lot of before and after photos of people floating around who have done it and he decided he wanted to try it so I jumped all over that. 

The thing about this workout that's so effective is that, although it's only 20 minutes (the longest 20 minutes of your life), it combines strength, cardio and abs. There's a warm up, then 3 circuits of 3 minutes strength training, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs, then a cool down/stretch.

Example:

Circuit One, Strength: two different strength building exercises alternating for 3 mintues

Circuit One, Cardio: 30 seconds jumping jacks, 30 seconds jump rope, alternate for 2 minutes

Circuit One, Abs: 30 seconds crunches, 30 seconds reverse crunches

Circuit Two and Three are pretty much the same with different strength building exercises, different cardio and different abs. Oh, and did I mention there are absolutely no breaks? You jump right into the next move over and over again. I have almost zero seconds to sip water during the workout or wipe the pools of sweat from my eyes.

But when it's done I feel like a champion... well, maybe not, but someone on her way to becoming a champ running up steps in her sweats.

{Have you done the 30 Day Shred? If so, I'd love to hear all about your experience!}

So today I looked up motivational quotes and photos on Pinterest and this is what I found:

this is the move in circuit 3 that kills me. KILLS me!

I am rapidly falling head over heels for the woman.