Working Out Wednesdays! #WLS

I hit a big milestone with Couch 2 5K (C25K) this past weekend, I ran for 20 minutes straight!!!  Me, this lady, I did it.  I can’t believe it.  I seriously can’t.  I still wouldnt call myself a runner, let’s face it, I go really slow, but I still did it and it felt AMAZING.  I kept on thinking I’d do Days 1 and 2 of Week 5 over and over again a few times, but when I woke up Sunday morning, I said I’M DOING IT, BRING ON THE MILL (aka treadmill!)

The 5 minute warm up walk went faster than I could have imagined, next thing you know, the sweet yet encouraging British Lady on my i-Phone ap said it was time to start running.  After the first 5 minutes, she updated me to tell me that I was a quarter of the way there.  The first 5 minutes were the roughest of the entire 20 minutes.  After that I got in a really good pace and looked forward to hearing the next 5 minute update.  Next thing you knew, it was 20 minutes, and Simone, the sweet British lady, said “YOU DID IT!  You can officially call yourself a runner!”  Awww, thanks, Simone.  Doing so well at the 20 minute run encouraged me to not re-do Week 5 and progress directly to Week 6.  Week 6 starts back with intervals and ends with a 25 minute run.  I am giving myself full permission to re-do Week 6 if required.

I’m pretty proud of myself for getting in all of the activity that I did last week, considering that I also worked about 70 hours.  I was worn out, but I did it!  I got a bit thrown off on my schedule and took a rest day where I normally don’t but that’s ok, I ran for 20 minutes!  Just might be my excuse for everything this week, ha!

Last Weeks Recap

  • 1/25/12 Wednesday: 30 DS Level 2.
  • 1/26/12 Thursday: Couch 2 5k Week 5 Day 2
  • 1/27/12 Friday: 30 DS Level 2
  • 1/28/12 Saturday: Off
  • 1/29/12 Sunday: Couch 2 5k Week 5 Day 3…ran for 20 minutes and over a mile straight for the first time since High School!
  • 1/30/12 Monday: 30 DS Level 2
  • 1/31/12 Tuesday: Couch 2 5k Week 6 Day 1
My schedule for next week:
  • Wednesday: 30 DS (Level 3)
  • Thursday: C25k (Week 6)
  • Friday: 30 DS (Level 3)
  • Saturday: Off
  • Sunday: C25k (Week 6)
  • Monday: 30 DS (Level 3)
  • Tuesday: C25k (Week 6….maybe 7 if I think I can pull it off)

I’m bumping it up to Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred this week…OMG am I crazy?  I still do the modified movements, but I can make my way through Level 2, so I figure it’s time to move on.  I’m excited for this week of working out!  New C25k longer run AND new workouts with the 30 Day Shred!

Tata for now,
Scale Warfare

Quit TOUCHING Me!! #WLS

First a rant.  I HATE the term “normal” section, it makes me feel like “women’s” sizes aren’t for “normal” people, when in fact that majority of the population probably wears “women’s” sizes or has at some point.  Side rant…why the hell do they always put the “women’s” sizes next to the petite section?

I figured that it would be late spring before I was able to shop in the “normal” section of the department stores for clothes, but that step happened much faster than I realized it would.  It sort of snuck up on me.  At first I was finding everything in size 1X in the Womens Department to be too large.  Well almost everything, some designers cut things pretty small.  Then I ordered things from Old Navy in the smallest Womens sizes that they sell, and everything except the tank tops that I wear to sleep in had to go back.  I gave up on Old Navy.  I thought they would be a good inexpensive choice as my size changes so quickly.

Last week I was in Macy’s with a co-worker during lunch, and tried on several things in the women’s department, but they just weren’t fitting me properly.  Since the store was fairly empty, me and my imposter ass headed over to the “normal” section and started looking around.  No one warned me how blasted overwhelming that section is.  It goes on forever and ever.  It doesn’t end.  The Women’s department is easy.  They segregate you off to a small area, you have your own dressing room, heck you’re often on a completely different floor than the “normal” section.

I then ordered a bunch of things from my favorite go to store, Talbots, and found that many of the items that I had ordered were to big.  Could it be?  Was I ready to move into the “normal” section?  Talbots can be confusing though.  Their “normal” section sometimes goes up to a 20, mainly 16′s though.  Their women’s section starts at a 14W.  This is when I learned that a 14W does not really equal a regular 16.  Women’s sizes are cut a bit softer, more round if you will, so there isn’t really a direct conversion.  I went against my gut and ordered a lot (12+ items) from the Talbots outlet/sale section in “normal” sizes.

I kept on thinking it was a fluke, that one item after another was cut large for the size, with vanity sizing being what it is, that is easy to believe.  I went into Old Navy this weekend, and since they only carry “normal” sizes, I was scared.  I felt like I didn’t belong, like I was invading a strange world, and that the inhabitants were assuming I was lost.  I filled up my arms with clothes to try on and off to the dressing room I headed.  There wasn’t a single thing that I tried on that was too tight, and I wasnt .  I actually had to go back and pick up XL’s, instead of XXL’s for all of the items.  I just assumed that I needed an XXL.  The pajama pants that I bought were just Larges, not even an extra in front of them.

When I got home from my adventure at Old Navy, where I bought a TON of things, I was surprised by the box of “normal” sized items from Talbots.  My gut was telling me that I had so much success at Old Navy that there was NO WAY that the Talbots items were going to fit.  As I was unpacking the perfectly wrapped items, as Talbots is known to do, and tried each item on, they fit.  Every blasted item fit.

So besides this new world of unlimited clothing options, seriously it’s over whelming and scary, I also came to find something new.  I wasnt focused on finding clothes that didnt touch my body.  I was finding that even if clothes touched my body or didnt drape away from my body, that I was OK with it.  Hence the title.  I am learning to let the clothes touch me and actually fit.

I still have a long way to go to reach goal weight.  I still have a pretty big fat tire around my mid section.  I could open my own airline with the bat wings that my arms are sporting, but damn it, I am able to fit into normal sizes.  My credit cards need to watch out!

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

Working Out Wednesdays! #WLS

Week 9 is done, now onto Week 10!  My body really responded to changing up my workouts this week.  I stopped doing The 30 Day Shred (30 DS) everyday, continued to progress through Couch 2 5k (C25K) and even added a rest day each week.  I think my body really wanted me to quit over doing it.  I will increase my activity as things become easier, but for now I am feeling great!

This week say me moving onto Week 5 of C25K, and I also continued to work through Level 2 of 30DS.  I am still following Anita (the one who does modified moves) for most of 30DS, but I am getting through it and loving it!

I mentioned in my 5 Month Surgiversary post that I am signed up for a 5k in April with one of my girlfriends as well as a half marathon (walking) in June for a charity event that another one of my girlfriends is a part of.  The tricky part is going to be to figure out how to work through training for both.  Luckily the walking will be the easiest for me.  I don’t think I’ll need the full 3-6 months that they recommend for training.  Once I get through the 30 Day Shred I am going to start adding in the half marathon training sessions…I still wonder how this is me now sometimes!

Last Weeks Recap

  • 1/18/12 Wednesday: Week 4(2) Day 2 C25k.  320 Calories burned; 2.2 miles completed.
  • 1/19/12 Thursday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned.  
  • 1/20/12 Friday: Week 4(2) Day 2 C25k.  320 Calories burned; 2.2 miles completed.
  • 1/21/12 Saturday: Off
  • 1/22/12 Sunday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned.
  • 1/23/12 Monday: Week 5(1) Day 1 C25k.  XX Calories burned; XX miles completed.
  • 1/24/12 Tuesday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned
My schedule for next week:
  • Wednesday: C25K (Week 5)
  • Thursday: 30DS (Level 2)
  • Friday: C25K (Week 5)
  • Saturday: 30DS (Level 2)
  • Sunday: Off
  • Monday: C25K (Week 5)
  • Tuesday: 30 DS (Level 2)

Getting through C25k week 5 wasn’t/isn’t pretty, but I am doing it.  I can’t believe that I am doing it, but I am.  I don’t necessarily enjoy every session, but I feel so amazing once it is over.  I have also found that once I get through the 3 minute mark of jogging, getting through to minute 5 isn’t that bad.  It’s those first few minutes that are tough for me!

Tata for now,
Scale Warfare

Photo Food Journal Thursdays #WLS

I was a little hit or miss with taking food pictures this week, the ones I got are below!

Lunch Box 1.12.12

Coffee+ 1/2 & 1/2+Egg + Egg White + Cheese for Breakfast; Cheese Stick for Snack; Chili for Lunch; Protein Shake for Snack; Protein Bar if needed.

Lunch box 1.12.12

Dinner 1.12.12

Cod and Sautéed Yellow Pepper.  Salad Plate.

Dinner 1.12.12

Breakfast 1.13.12

Egg+1 Slice Bacon+Cheddar

Breakfast 1.13.12

Lunch 1.13.12

Morning Star Farms California Burger w/ Slice of Cheddar

Lunch 1.13.12

Dinner 1.15.12

Bacon wrapped filet w/ horseradish sauce.  This is an appetizer find from Costco, I love it!

Dinner 1.15.12

Lunch Box 1.16.12

Breakfast Egg+Egg White+Cheddar+coffee+1/2 & 1/2; Snack Babybel Lights; Protein Shake Lunch; Protein Shake Snack.

1.16.12 Lunch Box

Snack 1.16.12

Weak moment at Costco, but a delicious find.  These make an appearance almost daily from here on out.  A sweet treat with whole grains!

Snack 1.16.12

Dinner 1.16.12

I was JONESING for BBQ Chicken Pizza, but wanted to figure out a healthy way.  I used a half of a Whole Grain Roll Up, a Tbsp of BBQ Sauce, 1/3 of a roasted chicken breast, and 2 Tbsp of Cheese.  Seriously filling, I only ate 75% of it.

Dinner 1.16.12

Lunch Box 1.17.12

I have spent a lot of this week at a client site that has no microwave, so I’ve been doing shakes for breakfast.  Protein Shake Breakfast; Babybel Lights Snack; Chicken Salad and 1/4 Whole Grain Roll Out Lunch; Protein Shake+Granola Thin Snack (about 2 hours apart.)

Lunch box 1.17.12

Dinner 1.17.12

Another healthified pizza, this time with marinara and shrimp.  I wound up only being able to eat half of my serving.  This is my serving vs that husbands serving.

Dinner 1.17.12

Lunch Box 1.18.12

Breakfast Protein Shake+Coffee+1/2 and 1/2; Snack 2 Babybel Lights; Lunch Chicken Salad and 1/4 Whole Grain Roll Out; Snack Granola Thin and about two hours later another protein shake.

Lunch box 1.18.12

Working Out Wednesdays! #WLS

Week 8 is done, now onto Week 9!  I learned this week about taking a rest and not over doing it.  In high school I completely tore my ACL in my left knee.  In college I partially tore it again playing soccer.  Last week my left knee was giving me a lot of problems, particularly on the days that I was doing both Couch 2 5k (C25K) and 30 Day Shred (30DS.)  Because of the pain I was in, I decided to do absolutely nothing on Friday and Saturday with the exception of walking.  On Friday I did my normal 30 minute walk with my dog and then on Saturday I walked about 5 miles with one of my girlfriends at a reasonable walking pace.  When I completed the 30DS on Sunday I felt SO much better afterwards that I had been feeling.  I guess my body did need a bit of a break.

I’ve therefore decided that I am only going to do one workout a day for now.  M,W, and F will still be dedicated to C25K, but only to C25K. T, Th, and S (Saturday or Sunday) will solely be dedicated to 30 DS for now.  There’s no reason for me to over due it and wind up needing to have surgery on me knee or injuring myself so badly that I can’t proceed with either program.

Last Weeks Recap

  • 1/11/12 Wednesday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned.  Week 4(1) Day 2 C25k.  320 Calories burned; 2.2 miles completed.
  • 1/5/12 Thursday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned.  Week 4(1) Day 3 C25k.  320 Calories burned; 2.2 miles completed.
  • 1/6/12 Friday: Off.
  • 1/7/12 Saturday: 5 Mile Walk, but no C25K or 30DS.
  • 1/8/12 Sunday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned.
  • 1/9/12 Monday: Week 4(2) Day 1 C25k.  318 Calories burned; 2.2 miles completed.
  • 1/10/12 Tuesday: 30 DS Level 2.  220 Calories burned
My schedule for next week:
  • Wednesday: C25K (Week 4)
  • Thursday: 30DS (Level 2)
  • Friday: C25K (Week 4)
  • Saturday: 30DS (Level 2)
  • Sunday: Long Walk or entire day cleaning out garage
  • Monday: C25K (Week 5)
  • Tuesday: 30 DS (Level 2)

Right now the schedule is to start C25K Week 5 next week, I might decide to do Week 4 for a third time, but I have not decided which way I am going yet.  I am working through the program at my own pace, and feel no need to rush myself!

Tata for now,
Scale Warfare

Random Pictures from the Week

We had a freak snow squall on Tuesday.  Enough to stick and cause traffic (the DC area so doesnt do snow well.)  It was beautiful and snow globe like though!  It’s probably hard to tell but the snow flakes were massive!

Freak snow squall
Every evening when I go to lay down my yoga mat to start the 30 Day Shred, my dog decides it’s time for me to pay extra attention to him.  He’s taken to laying down directly on the mat while I do the warm up, and I have to kick him off when it’s time for the first round of pushups.  During the sit ups he seems to think it’s his personal snuggle with Mama time.  I might need to shut the door to the basement and keep him upstairs during Level 2!

Downward dog

Photo Food Journal Thursdays! #WLS

Something I should point out about my meals is that I only eat off of standard sized dinner plates if I am eating out.  Most of the time I either eat on an appetizer plate, or on a salad plate.  It helps me to make my portions feel more “normal.”

Friday Breakfast

I stopped at a Deli by my client site since I arrived early to a meeting.  I ate about 3/4 of the egg with cheese, and one slice of the Turkey Sausage.

Breakfast at the deli

Snack Friday

Friday is one of my double workout days, so I was a bit hungry before dinner.  2 Tbsp Whole Foods Treasure Hunt Trail Mix.

1.6.12 post workout snack

Friday Dinner

While I normally don’t eat pasta, my Dad made us a few frozen meals, and this was one of them.  Super yum!  3 oz of Lasagna. (Appetizer Plate)

Dinner 1.6.12

Saturday Breakfast

1 egg, 2 Tbsp sharp cheddar, 1 Turkey Sausage, 1 glass Emergen-C Lite (was feeling a cold coming on.)  I drank the Emergen-C before I ate breakfast.  I always follow the do not drink for 30 minutes after rule, but I rarely follow the do not drink for 30 minutes before eating rule. (Salad Plate)

Breakfast 1.7.12

Hiking Snack Saturday

I needed some sustenance during our 7 mile hike.  2 Tbsp Treasure Hunt Trail Mix, yum!

Snack on the trail

Saturday Night Dinner

I only ate the gyro meat, approximately 2oz. (Salad Plate)

Dinner 1.7.12

Snack Saturday Night

After doing the 30 Day Shred, walking the dog, and doing a 7 mile hike, I knew I needed to get more than 700 calories in for the day, so I had a Brownie Quest bar.  It hit the desire for dessert head on!

Snack 1.7.12Sunday Breakfast

1 egg, 2 slices of lean bacon, 2 Tbsp sharp cheddar.

Breakfast 1.8.12Sunday Dinner

2 hard boiled eggs, mayo, 1 slice bacon, mustard.  Started off being deviled eggs, but the whites fell apart and it turned into egg salad.

Dinner 1.8.12Monday Lunch Box

Coffee w/ Splenda  & 1/2 and 1/2, Egg, Turkey Sausage, 2 Tbsp Cheddar, 2 Deviled Eggs, 2 Babybel lights, 1 Premier Nutrition protein shake.

1.9.12 lunch boxMonday Dinner

3 Scallops and 1/4 cup zucchini slices sauteed in Olive Oil.

Dinner 1.9.12Tuesdays Breakfast

One egg, one turkey sausage, 2 Tbsp sharp cheddar.  This is the breakfast I make at work almost every single morning in the microwave.

Breakfast 1.10.12

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

Working Out Wednesdays! #WLS

Week 7 is done, now onto Week 8!  I did really well this past week with the exception of Sunday where I gave myself a rest day.  I was starting to get sick, so after about 4 hours of cleaning the house I decided to call the day quits and rested for the remainder of the day.

Last Weeks Recap

So here is what I’ve done so far this year:

  • 1/4/12 Wednesday: 30 DS Level 1.  223 Calories burned.  Week 3(3) Day 2 C25k.  270 Calories burned; 2.01 miles completed.
  • 1/5/12 Thursday: 30 DS Level 1.  220 Calories burned.
  • 1/6/12 Friday: 30 DS Level 1. 224 Calories burned.  Week 3(3) Day 3 C25k.  270 Calories burned; 2.1 miles completed.  I ran 6 minutes straight just to see if I was going to be able to proceed to Week 4!
  • 1/7/12 Saturday: 30 DS Level 1.  220 Calories burned.  7 Mile Hike.  955 Calories burned.
  • 1/8/12 Sunday: Rest Day
  • 1/9/12 Monday: 30 DS Level 1.  220 Calories burned.  Week 4(1) Day 1 C25k.  318 Calories burned; 2.12 miles completed.
  • 1/10/12 Tuesday: 30 DS Level 1. 220 Calories burned.
My schedule for next week:
  • Wednesday: 30DS (Level 2) & C25K (Week 4)
  • Thursday: 30DS (Level 2) & C25K (Week 4) *Leaving to go out of town Friday afternoon, so don’t want to miss my third run of the week!
  • Friday: 30DS (Level 2)
  • Saturday: 30DS (Level 2) & a long walk.
  • Sunday: 30DS (Level 2)
  • Monday: 30DS (Level 2) & C25K (Week 4)
  • Tuesday: 30 DS (Level 2)

I was 100% convinced that I was going to have to do Week 3 of C25K for a fourth time.  When I did the 6 minute run on 1/6, it wasn’t pretty, and I had to talk myself out of quitting, about oh, every minute or so, but I did it.  Doing that 6 minute run pushed me to know it was OK to move onto Week 4.  Scary!  I made it through Monday, which was the first day of Week 4.  You walk 5, jog 3, walk 1.5, jog 5, walk 2.5, job 3, walk 1.5, jog 5, walk 5.  That’s a total of 16 of the 31 minutes jogging!

I start Level 2 of the 30DS tonight and cant even begin to tell you how nervous I am for it!

Tata for now,
Scale Warfare

Beautiful January Day #WLS

We’ve had really strange weather this winter.  Overall it’s been much warmer than usual, 40′s and 50′s for highs which is 10-20 above normal.  This past week, it was 11 when I woke up one morning, then on Friday it was 68.  Saturday was a beautiful day, with highs in the low 60′s, so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather as well as some of the amazing hiking trails that we have near by.  We headed over to the Manassas Battlefields.  For those of you not familiar with Civil War history, Manassas is the site of numerous Civil War battles, but best known for the first major battle in the Civil War.

There are several loops that you can take, as well as numerous off sets of those loops.  We started off on the 5.2 mile loop, but we took several of the little extra loops and wound up going for just over 7 miles.  We ran into a guy who was doing 17 miles of trails for the day, talk about inspiration!  There are some somewhat steep hills to go up and down, but over all it was a very enjoyable hike along the sometimes muddy trails.  We had a great time, and were wiped out from all of the fresh air!  One of us might have taken a cat nap at about 6PM for two hours (guilty as charged!)  Below are some pictures that I took along the way.

Hiking Pictures

Hike
HikeHike
Hike
Hike
Hike
Hike
Hike

It was a beautiful day to spend our Saturday! Granted our Christmas tree is still up because of the hike, but I did burn over 900 calories, so it was worth it!

Tata for now,
Scale Warfare

Photo Food Journal Thursdays! #WLS

Since one of my 2012 goals is to post my photo food journal once per week, AND I got a new iPhone which makes snapping photos on the go much easier than with my previous phone, I am not going to limit myself to one day per week.  Instead, if you look up towards the right side of the page you will see pictures that I post to Flickr throughout the week.  On Thursday I will consolidate them here with a bit more information about what is in the pictures.  So it wont necessarily be complete days of photo food journals, but you’ll get a pretty good idea of what I eat throughout the week.  Please excuse me while I play with different photography Aps on the iPhone!

One of the pitfalls that I’ve always had with doing a photo food journal is that one meal a day I forget to capture pictures…now, no excuse!  Some-days I’ll grab more meals than others, it’s more free form.

Here are some eats from so far this week:

Lunch at Home Monday:

1/2 oz of Proscuitto; 3/4 oz of Swiss; 1.4 oz Deli Turkey
1.2.12 lunch, yum!

Lunch Box Tuesday:

1 Egg; 1 Turkey Sausage; 2 Tbsp Cheese; 1 Veggie Burger; 2 Babybel Light cheeses; 1 Premier Nutrition Protein Shake
Photo

Dinner Tuesday

1/2 Cup Chili, 2 Tbsp Sour Cream, 2 Tbsp Cheddar
Dinner

Snack at the Bar (Shared with the Table) Tuesday Night

I had two pieces of pita spread with hummus, yum!  WLS Friendly at a bar :)
Snacks for the table

Lunch Box Wednesday

I know this probably looks like a lot, but it’s a double workout day.  Protein Shake; 1/2 Cup Chili, 2 Tbsp Sour Cream, 2 Tbsp Cheddar, 1 Egg, 1 Turkey Sausage, 2 Babybel Lights, Coffee w/ 1/2 & 1/2, Quest Bar (Only to eat if I needed it, and I didn’t.)
1.4.12 Lunch Box

Dinner 1.4.12

2  oz Filet Mignon w/ horseradish sauce; 1/4 Cup Asparagus sauteed in Olive Oil.  For perspective purposes I also did a side by side of my plate and my husbands plate.  It was a “normal” aka reasonable portion for him, he’s 6’5″.

Dinner 1.4.12
Serving size perspective

As you can see, even post op (4 months) I am eating completely normal foods, and a good variety of them at that.  I just eat super small portions compared to what I used to eat.

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare