What's Up?

So...this is a hard post to write. I just finished week 6 and tested my body fat % again this a.m. It went up to 29.7...that is a huge bummer for me. I'm trying to figure out what's up. I'd like to just pass it off as a junky tester, but I don't know that the tester is the real problem. This is what I think the problem is...

1. Last weekend I had my first "real" free day. It was all out too. Starting with a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie at 11:00 a.m. moving on to R.S type salads, and coffee cake, and more cookies, etc. etc.
2. This weekend I had two smallish (but still 2) slices of pie, 2 pieces of fudge, approximately 5 serving of black licorice (nearly 700 calories by itself), and then a 3 scoop cup of rocky road with milk.
3. I've started to feel like I've got a good grasp on things in general and basically stopped planning my meals/workouts. I'm sure it's not helping either. It's all about awareness and I'm just doing it automatically. That will be good when I'm maintaining, but not during the challenge.

So, what do I do about it? Here's what I think...

1. Learn from this little set back. No more "free days" I will choose something - one thing - to treat myself to on free day.
2. I will plan everything. My meals, my workouts, my sleep...that's another thing I forgot to mention, just plain still not getting enough sleep.
3. As much as I despise it, I will be a calorie counter for no other reason than that it is a huge eye opener. It's amazing how fast a little here, a little there adds up.

Speaking of "a little here, a little there" did I ever tell you what B has to say about that? I was telling him how Ali Edwards says that things are easily done in baby steps, "a little here and a little there" he started using that against me. If I'm drooling over something or trying to talk myself into eating something questionable by saying it's just a little, he'll say, "a little here (pointing at his waist) and a little there (pointing at his rear)." He's really been great you know. Super supportive and not condescending. Definitely a cheerleader. I get into trouble when I project the feeling I'm having onto him. Then I start to think he's looking down his nose at me and I want to rebel. I'm doing it all to myself. I'm looking down my nose!

So, little set back. It's not going to stop me though. I've still got 6 more weeks of this and they'll be better than the first 6.

Enjoy the journey!

Five Weeks Down

Can you believe it? It really is going by pretty fast and in all truth, I'm getting pretty used to it. I had an all out free day on Sunday. The first all out so far. I was really worried about how Monday would go after that, but it was okay. Still trying to keep my calories down. I can tell I'm getting stronger. Today I did my 6 rep level bench press with 30 lbs dumbells...that's 60 stinkin lbs! Tomorrow I have to kick it into gear on the cardio. I'm still waiting/working towards the 8 week miracle. Everyday when I read on the BFL tracker I see another lady touting the 8 week miracle. I sure hope this all pays off. (Literally too!) Man, wouldn't that be awesome? Oh, by the by, I have reached the end of my sentence as Bruce puts it. So any of you who were still wondering if I might be prego and just not testing positive (again...as you may recall that happened with Isaac) I am bleeding profusely. Not to worry! Enjoy the Journey!

Ninjee's

Today as I was chatting on the phone I glanced out a crack in the blinds and saw a little guy streaking past with next to nothing on. When I opened the door to get him inside/insist he put his clothes back on he was gone. I tried to track him as he ran around the side of the house... then he burst in through the back door. I hollered for him to put his clothes back on, "we don't run around outside naked!" That, by the way, is my broken record phrase... Anyways, he opted to get into the bathtub. I went in there to inquire as to why he was running naked outside (this is my older 5 yr old guy we're talking about...the usual streaker is merely three and doesn't know any better). He said, "I was playing Ninjee Turtles." Oh, of course you were! Um, "Ninja Turtles aren't naked...they have shells." "I know, I was using my back pack for a shell!" And there you have it. It makes perfect sense! I tried really hard not to crack a smile! So, I just checked and word No. 6 is "Automatic" any thoughts on this? I'm wondering if I'm not having so much trouble with these newer words because I haven't thought them out/brainstormed them like I did the first couple. Maybe this is the one to use the recycle sign on... Some cycle that perpetuates with no thought...automatically. What do you think? enjoy the journey!

No. 5 {simplicity}

There was nothing "simple" about this word. Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on myself. Who knows. Anyhow. I skipped No. 4 {new}...it just wasn't clicking for me. The layout idea came from junk mail & I figured it was perfect for {simplicity} so I got moving on it. All I have to say about it is that it's done. I think that says enought itself!

Oh yes, if you can't read the quote (lower left corner) let me know...it's actually a really good one. I think if you click on the image it will enlarge it for you.

Enjoy the Journey!

The Test is In

So, I've finished week four...This morning I retested my body fat and tonight Bruce will take my picture and re-measure everything. Do you want a sneak preview? I am so excited! The previous fat test was 31.7% this morning (under the same conditions) it was...27.5! Yeah for me! Check back tomorrow for updated photos and measurements. I have been doing a lot of reading and found that I may be eating too many calories. I need to implement more Sugar Solution and lean more heavily on the protein side for better fat burning. Enjoying the Journey!

Efficiency

Well, it's day 26 and I feel great! I have found a few things that I can change...areas of improvement, things I was doing in ignorance, etc. but over all I'm feeling really good about what's going on with me. A couple of changes to make:

1. In the BFL book Bill says to mix low-fat cottage cheese w/yogurt. Specifically mentioning Yoplait light. I noticed just yesterday that Yoplait light has 14 g sugar and the 2nd ingredient on the list is high fructose corn syrup. I understand that this book was written lots of years ago. I need to remember that and not take anything at face value. I need to optimize my performance and high fructose corn syrup is NOT the way to do it. Thankfully I still have 8 weeks to go!
2. As efficient as I feel by speeding up my weight routine I can't do it. I keep reading that I will see optimum results by doing the weights just as Bill says, because if there's one thing Bill knows, it's weight training for optimum results. So...I will follow the plan and take the 1 min. rests between sets and do the whole set before moving on to the next lift/muscle group.
3. A great quote from FLOW by: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi..."Getting control of life is never easy, and sometimes it can be definitely painful. But in the long run optimal experiences add up to a sense of mastery--or perhaps better, a sense of participation in determining the content of life--that comes as close to what is usually meant by happiness as anything else we can conceivable imagine."

So Ladies...Take control. Participate in determining the content of your life.

Enjoy the Journey.

23 Gold Stars

Yeah for me! The past two weeks have been really hard for me. I've been craving something...not sure what. Thankfully, I've only been craving and not caving. Still loving my baja tuna... I eat it with 2 Wasa crackers...

• 1 chopped tomato
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 or 1/8 tsp minced garlic
• 2 chopped green onions
• Tbsp lime juice
• 1 can tuna
• 1 tsp mayo (or more if you must!)
• 1/2 chopped avocado (optional)

Started making mini pizzas on pita bread. I cut the pita in half so I have 2 pizzas. I tried topping it with a Tbsp of pesto but have found that it isn't necessary. Better, but not necessary. Slice a tomato thinly, lay on top of the bread. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried chives all ground up together. Grate a light mozzerella cheese stick on top then sprinkle with parmesan. Toast in oven until cheese is golden like you like it. Good Stuff! Just like my grilled cheese/tomato sandwiches.

Enjoy the Journey!