I Did It and I’m……..

Still ALIVE!!!! I ran my 1^st 5K in 40 mins on the dot. I know! I know! I need to improve but, that was my goal, to run it in 40mins. Oh, and to not come in last. I am definitely going to run another one in July. I am going to start the C25K program on Tuesday starting from Week 1. Thank you Ro, Haneefa and Josie for the feedback, I took your advice and made it through. So, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you sooooo Much! For real!!!

So, let me tell you the details….1^st thing, I tried to get in bed early last night, which I did (at 7pm) can you say “Too Dang on Early?” I was up reading Blogs & watching Vlogs (Thanks Ro for the entertainment you are so Funny, had me cracking up). I fell back to sleep at 1:15am. Got up at 5am & was out the door at 5:45pm. The race was in Jersey about a 2 hr drive. I make it way ahead of time and had to use the bathroom baaaad! The school was locked. So, I drove over to the park and thank goodness the bathroom was unlocked. After taking care of business guess who comes peeking his Ugly ol head? Um Humm….T.O.M. Just great, my 1^st 5K, shin pains and now T.O.M.

T.O.M. was here but, he didn’t stop my flow. I did my thing anyways. But wait here’s the Best part of T.O.M. being here. I weighed in and hadn’t gained any weight and my stomach wasn’t bloated. I actually look good around the middle. (Still have a long way to go but, getting there) So, I can’t wait until he’s gone so I can weigh in….I hear a loss coming on. Well at least I hope.

After the race I went to Whole Foods. Mind you, I’m not a regular shopper at Whole Foods because, I don’t have one near by. But, being that I was in Jersey I stopped in. Can I ask you all what do you buy in there? Like what are things to buy in Whole Foods that you don’t get in other stores? Please share because, I was in there looking at stuff with the “WTF” look on my face and it didn’t help that that ish is so expensive. So, I didn’t want to be picking up stuff just because. I ended up getting some green tea, Jasmine Rice, sweet potato fries and some fresh baked bread. I don’t know why because, I rarely eat bread…. I guess because that was the only thing on sale. Ya’ll Holla at me because. I really wanna hear your feed back.

I hope you all are having a great weekend. Keep on Pushing!

P.S. I want to thank my new readers for joining me on this crazy weight loss journey of mine. I see you!! 

1ST 5K and...................

I'm a Nervous Wreck!

I have my 1^st 5K this Sunday and I am going bananaz over it. I am losing sleep over this mess, which is crazy. I think I’m feeling this way because, I know I haven’t completed the C25K due to me being sick, weather delays and my foot injury but, most of all because, I know in my heart I won’t be able to run the whole thing. Is that bad if I can’t run the whole thing? Will others look at me with the side eye for walking when I’m tired? Is it against the 5K rules?

I am very competitive and I’m not sure I feel this way because, my friend who’s a runner is doing it with me and I know she is going to whup my tail and leave me in the dust. She runs 3 miles almost every day for the past year. She should leave me in the dust with the training she has, right?

For anyone who ran their 1^st 5K or did anything that terrified the mess out of you, how did you get through it? For 1^st 5Kers did any of you have to walk? What did you think about to keep your mind off of being out of breath and from dropping down and almost dying?

As you all know I am catching up on everyone’s Blog and came across Alexia's post over at dimplesnatcher. It was very informative and it was comforting to know she felt the exact same way I am feeling right now. She mentioned or maybe it was a comment someone left for her about my brain is going to tell me to stop way before my body wants to. How do I get past that? How do I push my body through that notion of wanting to stop because, my brain is telling it to? Any suggestions or feed back on this is greatly appreciated.

Today’s Workout:

-          30 Day Shred Level 1

-          35mins of Spin. ( I would have ran but, of course it’s raining Cats and Dogs over here) SMH!!!

Have a great evening and Keep on Pushing!!!

M.I.A.

Hey Blog Fam, 

I know I have been Missing in Action and I really do apologize for leaving my Blog Fam. without any rhyme or reason as to why. With my weight loss journey, all of the workouts, clean food shopping, preparing meals, handling things on the home front, working my J.O.B (Just over broke), keeping up with my Blog became like another job for me. I just felt overwhelmed with everything. So, I decided to stick with my workouts and stop Blogging about it. I hope you all can forgive me, I thought about you guys so often and hoped that all was going well on your Weight Loss Journey!

I have been still sticking to eating right and working out, I even stepped things up a notch with my workouts. I reevaluated things after the New Year rolled around and with all of the ups in downs in my weight, I’ve ONLY LOST 23lbs! To me that is horrible, 23lbs in a whole year?!?!?!?

So, I adjusted my weight loss to the correct number and have been struggling to keep the number moving down.

So, check this….my job started a Biggest Loser Contest, so around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday’s I decided not to really worry about working out and watching what I ate because, I wanted to gain weight for the contest. BIG MISTAKE!!! Wrong thing to do!!!! Yes, I gained some weight maybe 6lbs over the 2 months. Not that bad right? Well, when the contest started in Jan I was losing my already gained pounds and it was steady week after week until I hit a plateau. I readjusted my workouts and eating habits and that number has kept going up. The last time I weighed in I was at 186lbs and that was on Jan 22, 2011. It is now May 16, 2011 and I am still up.

I started training for my first 5K run which is on Sunday the 22^nd. I started the C25K program which was working out for me but, with all the snow we had in March and April really messed me up with my training. I had to resort to other workouts. I then got strep throat and was out for a week. I finally got over being sick and was back at it and then over did it one day and hurt my foot. I tried everything to get my foot right, I stopped running and rode the bike, I iced it, massaged it, I did NO RUNNING at all..after a week I tried running and reset my progress. So, 3 weeks later I started running again and my foot hurts a little after the run but, icing it always seems to help. But I was out of commission for 5 of the 9 weeks. So, now the 5K is here this Sunday and I am only on Week 6 starting tomorrow. L I went running with my girl on Sat and the park is only 2.5miles. I was struggling badly. It seems as if I ran better last summer without the training. I just might have to walk some of the race when I can’t run anymore.

I definitely will be doing the C25K training again because, I really enjoyed it and it wasn’t boring. I actually looked forward to doing it. How are my other runners out there doing? I was really hoping to shed some of this fat by running but, I will have to try again.

Workout:
P90X- Chest/Triceps/Shoulders

30 Day Shred- Level 1.

Beginning Weight May 16^th = 191.6lbs

Goal Weight by July 16^th= 179lbs

I know I have to push really hard but, I am taking no prisoners. This has gone on for too long! It’s time I buckle down and get a hold of this weight loss thing!

I have so much catching up to do and thank you guys for checking in on me during my hiatus! I hope all of you are doing well and will definitely catch up on your Blogs! Take care and Much Love!

~Leelee~

I Feel Real Good!!!!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I am so happy the weekend is almost here. I am ready to take some pix in my new skinny jeans that in the waist are too big but, I won’t return them because, I want to wear them on Saturday night. Crazy right? I know! I will wear a belt! Saturday night Hubby and I are going into the city to celebrate our friend’s birthday and then I am taking him to a comedy show that he has no idea about! I have been doing everything right and though I haven’t been jumping on the scale to see my work, I just know it’s all good because…… I feel real good! I feel lighter, look thinner and my clothes are fitting really good!

I am finally focused. I’ve been sticking to eating clean, getting my water in and working out. I’ve finally taken my workouts to the next level. Meaning, I no longer am satisfied with a 30-45min workout burning 400 calories. I want to see 60mins + and that I have accomplished all this week but, yesterday. I did my first workout on my lunch break and was supposed to get one more in after but, had to go food shopping. To me that was more important because, without my eat goods in the house I am setting myself up for failure. 

Workouts:

Wednesday: JM’S No More Trouble Zones

Time: 49

Calorie Burn: 400

Thursaday: P90X Arms & Shoulders, Spin & Insanity Cardio Abs

Time: 97 mins (1hr 37mins)

Calorie Burn: 840

Question to those of you that use a Heart Rate Monitor while working out, Do you find yourself being obsessive with your calorie burn oppose to the type of workout you had?

I’m speaking with my girl about this and I was ranting on and on about how my Wednesday workout was crap because, I didn’t have a high calorie burn. Now, I felt every move during that 49 min workout and my arms, shoulders and abs were on FIAHHHH!!! (Wendy Williams) She also made a great point about us not even worrying about how many calories we burnt before, when we used to work out. We just worked out and knew it was a good one. So, with that said I will no longer stress over my calorie burn. If I feel my workout was a good one then I am completely satisfied!

Tomorrow, if it doesn’t rain, my two friends and I are going running! I get so excited when I am going to run, I have no idea why because, I literally feel as if I’m going to die. So, I’m crossing my fingers for nice weather tomorrow. You guys have a great evening and I will be Blogging with you soon!

Much Love!
~Leelee~

Shred It Or Dread It!!!!

Hey! Hey! Hey! I hope everyone is having a Fabulous day start of the week thus far! I am back with a review of Jillian Michael’s “Shred-It with Weights”. I tried this workout yesterday and was highly disappointed. It’s nothing and I mean nothing like her regular Shred DVD. That’s what I was expecting…. Only with weights! The only thing this DVD is shredding is my pockets. I so wish we could take it back! Actually I think I’m going to look into returning it.

I am definitely not doing this workout for 30 Days so I am back to the drawing board with a 30 Day workout plan.

Workouts:

Monday: Shred it with Weights + Spin

Time: 60mins

Calorie Burn: 500

(In the 25 min workout with JM I only burnt 185 calories…Pathetic I know!)

Tuesday: P90X Chest/Back + Jog/Walk

Time: 79 mins

Calorie Burn: 740

(I did okay with the run. I did a lot of walking up the hills but, was happy that I just got up and did it!)

Wednesday: Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones + Insanity Cardio Abs

(Details will follow)

I think I’m going to do cardio with a mix between Yoga and Abs on Mon/Weds/Fri and P90X Strength Training on Tues/Thurs with a run. P90X has the best Weight lifting DVD’s and I can rotate them each week.

Saturday I will do what ever I am in the mood for and hopefully it’s something! J

I am happy to say that my eating has been on point. No slip ups, no bad decisions, using proportions and getting in my veggies and fruits!

I am up on my water game averaging 15 cups per day.

This weekend is a friend’s birthday and we are going to BBQ’s for dinner and then I’m surprising my Hubby with a comedy show after. I am going to do a high cardio something and will eat clean as a whistle for breakfast and lunch in case I am bad with my ordering. I don’t think there is anything healthy at BBQ’s but, I will look up a menu before I go.

Sunday I am going to the Farmers Market with my friend who I go running with on Friday’s! Speaking of which, we have a date this Friday evening to go running, I am looking forward to this much, I may switch up my Friday cardio workout for a P90X one and the running will be my cardio!! I’ll let you know how that goes!!!

I hope everyone had a great day and no matter how hard things are going just Keep on Pushing!

Much Love!
~Leelee~

Weekend News…..

 Happy Monday!!!! I am so ready to start this new week. Forgetting about my last weeks mishaps and focusing on making smarter choices. I feel my mojo coming back…. And I’m loving it!!!! I’m still working on losing the 7lbs that I gained and am happy to see the scale going in the right direction. TOM is peeking his ugly head so I can’t help to wonder if my loss today would have been greater if he weren’t. Either way I’m not dwelling on it, I am just going to keep on moving forward.

This weekend I was so happy it was raining. It gave me the perfect excuse to lay up in bed and catch up on Criminal Minds, The Vampire Diaries and some great Blogs!!! I also learned that I am definitely not alone during this journey. I read that many of my Blog buddies fell off with eating clean and struggled with getting workouts in just as I did but, what’s different from them is that they made themselves accountable by still Blogging about it. Me, I just stop everything as if it’s going to make things right by me not making myself accountable for my short comings in this weight loss life style! That’s something I’m going to change. I will still Blog even if it’s not something positive about my journey. Shoot, we all know we don’t stick to eating healthy, working out and dropping weight everyday/week. So, it’s time for me to get focused.

(Off topic) Has anyone tried the Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin flavored hot coffee? O.M.G. it’s so delicious. I drink a Medium with 3 pumps of Pumpkin and cream!! It takes me to another world of goodness. I swear to you that I’m an addict. I’ve been drinking those suckers twice a day!! My Goodness!!!

Ok back on track…. My workout’s this weekend:

Saturday- Rest

Sunday- JM’s Burn Fat Boost Metabolism

Time: 50 Mins

Calorie Burn: 525

Eating was a hot mess that I could have stood working out on both days for an hour plus. What!!!

So, my goals for this week are:

1.      Start Shred it with Weights

2.     work out for an hour a day

3.     Burn 500 + calories

4.     Fight the crave of DD’s Pumpkin Coffee (Tues-Fri)

I think these are doable. I am going to take my measurements tomorrow because I forgot to this morning. I did weigh in which was 182lbs!

Question for you ladies, when measuring your stomach and bust area where and how do you do it? For stomach to you suck in or relax it? For Bust is it right above the bust (meaning chest area) or do you measure from the nipples around? Your feedback is appreciated greatly, thanks!

Have a great Day my Loves!!!

Back on Track!!

Hey Everyone,

I hope you all are doing and feeling FABULOUS!!!

I am HAPPY to admit that I am finally getting back in the swing of things, sticking to eating clean and staying under my calorie count. Yesterday, I had to go into the office for training and as soon as I hit the first aisle, I was greeted with DD’s Pumpkin muffins, an assortment of bagels and donuts. I picked up my note pad and headed straight for class with my 32oz cup of water and my DD Pumpkin coffee in hand.

We had our first break and I stayed in the classroom and ate my peach. I had a salad for lunch and my homemade parfait for snack. I went to say hello to some of my friends and BAM!!!! Chips and Spinach dip! Now, I did take some chips and dips and by the end of the day consumed 2 servings of each! Bad…but could have been worse. Now, check this out. After training there was cake and ice cream. The cake looked scrumdeliumptious and I wanted to dig in but, kept on walking. For this being my 1^st week on top of my eating clean game I think I did great.

Now for my workout report:

Tuesday: 30 Day Shred Level 2 and Level 3

Time: 50 mins

Calorie Burn: 450

Weds: Shred Level 1 & Burn Fat Boost Metabolism

Time: 77mins

Calorie Burn: 760

Thursday: Spin Bike

Time: 40mins

Calories: 410

Friday: Treadmill Walk/Run (I did 3.25 miles on speed 4.0-5.0, my cool down was 4.3 I'm super proud of myself since I haven't ran since July)

Time: 45mins

Calorie Burn: 510

So, I fell short of my goal to working out an hour a day and burning 500 calories! I am going to aim for this goal again but, this time I will reach it. Monday I will be starting the 30 Day Shred with Weights and will be doing a 30 min workout along with it!! I really love the No More Trouble Zones DVD but, I may not do that one being that the SWW will be working my arms out already, I will ride the bike, do P90X Kenpo X or BFBM one of the three. So, here’s to sticking to plan and pushing ourselves to our limit! Have a great weekend!!!