My "super awesome final weight"

According to me, that is what the final weigh in is supposed to yield, a super awesome final weight. That super awesome final weight for me is 123 pounds! Not quite losing 10% of my weight in 14 weeks BUT it is 9.3%.

I gained (no pun intended) a lot in the past 14 weeks - I discovered Cardio Barre and Bar Method. I've rejoined Bikram and found a happy medium with Tissu class. I've tried new things like pole dancing & jump roping (hard!!). I've become a morning person waking up to go to 6am Spin.

I've re-strengthened my feet to be able to dance on pointe for at least 2.5 hours of my classes. I've developed healthy eating habits. (Can you believe a YEAR ago I was eating McDonald's 3 times a week?!?!?!?!)

The best part is these are now part of my lifestyle. 14 weeks developed HABITS - good habits. Unlike, fad diets, that you can't do forever - the challenge has really dug deep into me and rewired my lifestyle.

This is priceless and I can't wait to continue on. Thanks to, Sister #3 for sending my this link: http://www.mycalorienumber.com/mynumber I am going to focus even more on healthier eating habits.

I read somewhere (forgive me for not remembering but it was a legitimate health journal) that eating healthy should be priority over working out (I guess if you HAD to choose between the two). I think I have done vice versa.

Anyways, that is it for now. Thank you SOOOOO much for supporting me through the challenge. Hopefully, when the time is right for you, you will start one yourself. My "ah-ha" I must do something about it moment was when I was so embarrassed to see my reflection in the mirror while I was changing... I knew then that I had to take control of the situation.

Also, my giveaway winner is Sister #3. She stuck with me through the whole Challenge from week #1 and is going to continue her challenge since she was ill week #13 and fell off the bandwagon. She emailed me every week with goals and her plan.

She gets her choice of (2) Snuggie from Bed, Bath & Beyond, a Lulumelon headband, &/or a Scentbug from Bath & Body Works (with Holiday Scents!). CONGRATS!!!!! Also, I am talking to the California Health and Longevity Center to schedule Bod Pods for us!

Weigh In #13 - One more week!

Weight: 122 pounds
Measurements: unchanged

Wow! I can't believe I'm almost done with the 14 week challenge. This morning in spin I was well...pedaling and thinking how much easier (less hard?) spin is. I also am able to drive by the golden arches without salivating and veering right into the drive way.

I have one more week of this initial challenge, losing 10% of my body weight. I think I might fall short at least 5 pounds, we'll see if I could push it this week.

Things that have really worked for me:

1) Committing to working out as if it were an appointment or meeting.
2) Paying to workout. If you pay $200 a month for a membership somewhere and go twice a month you are paying $100 to workout. If you go 5 times a week you are paying$10 to workout.
3) Planning meals and not planning meals. Confused? Let me clarify. Having staples in the kitchen is important but not over shopping because cravings come and go. For examples, I always have chicken, brown, rice and veggies BUT if I have a craving for scallops I go and get scallops.
4) Not weighing myself everyday and just waiting until Monday. Every day weighing can drive a girl mad.
5) Working out in the morning and the evening. It keeps me amp'd throughout the work day and then through the evening to get things done around the house.

Some Big 10 Challenge Fails:
1) The Master Cleanse. It felt great (aside from crapping myself) but I gained EVERY pound lost as soon as I got off it, despite the fact that I workout every day and ate healthy. It's water weight. Don't get too excited. I finally did lose the weight "for real" though not cutting corners.
2) "Working out at home". All the times I swore to do 10 minutes of abs at home or run from home did not happen. I'm lame. I need to actually go and workout to workout.
3) Vegetarian Tuesdays/Thursdays: Great idea that was going strong in the beginning but is hard to keep up when there are celebratory meals that have meat as its main course.
4) Keeping the readers going. I'm pretty sure most of the people that signed up fell off the wagon. I'm not fretting though. Whenever is right for you, you will do it. I know you will and can.

It's like quitting smoking, you will do it when you want to. I'm not want to force anything on anyone.

Here's to seven more days! This week Bikram is on pause until the weekend and spin/running will replace it. :)

Before Big 10 (July 28th, 2009) and after 13 weeks (October 24th, 2009)

weigh in #12

Those last 5 pounds...

So I'm at 122 pounds. I feel great. I might be slightly addicted to working out considering I workout twice a day at least. Last week I worked out for 18 hours and not a single minute was cardio. SO guess what my goal is? That's right AT LEAST 2 hours of cardio. I clearly don't like cardio. All my activities are barefoot and they feel natural. Cardio hurts me but I got to do it.

Every Friday before the weekend, I write out a workout schedule (which also includes making reservations for certain of them).

This week I run out of Bikram sessions on the 22nd which I will renew over the weekend but until then I'll plug in that cardio.

I think my problem area (lower stomach) and those last 5 pounds have to be "shocked" out of my body with stricter meals (I've kind of let go on Thursdays/Fridays) and by running (gasp!).

Hopefully this works!

My inspiration this week is my boyfriend, Tony. He has inspired me to be the best "me" I could be. It's really been a bonus to date someone that is healthy. In the past, I'd always felt guilty working out instead of hanging out. I love his support and well...his killer bod. I'm not going to include a shirtless picture because I think that would totally embarrass the heck out of him but I have the picture in my dome. I often think of him when I feel like I'm about to pass out and think to myself, "He deserves a healthy partner to play hard with him." So here's to you, Babe. Thanks for inspiring me.

Let me know how you are doing. I've decided to have a big "end of the challenge" giveaway instead of a midpoint. It's been quiet on your end...I have no problems double rewarding myself. :D

Weigh - in #11

Weigh-in #11

Weight: 124 lbs.

BMI: 22.7

Ewwww. 2 weekends up in San Francisco have paid their toll on me and my fitness regime.

Missing ballet two weekends in a row and eating probably 5 times more than I should’ve. I even did the McDonald’s drive thru after missing my flight on Friday night.

The good part? I caught up on sleep. The bad part...I feel really discouraged BUT it doesn’t take away from the fact that I still weigh 7-8 pounds lighter than I did and there are no more weekends like this in the upcoming future...so I have time to get back into it.

Bar Method is unlimited until November and I have Bikram until October 22. I think in mid November – mid December I’m going to do both unlimited as well.

My goal is going to be to remember to drink at least 4 of my 16 oz cups at work and also to take advantage of “vegetable hour” here.

My inspiration for this week is Jennifer Aniston. A former smoker & a naturally "thicker" body she has shared how discipline she has had to be to stay on track. I appreciate that and hope that when I'm in my late 30s/early 40s I'm as fit as she is.

Weigh - in #10

123 pounds

After a busy wedding weekend I feel absolutely sluggish and gross. I ate more than I have in a very long time. I drank excessively and I haven't worked out since Thursday morning.

Sooo...I am trying to get back into the swing of things. Unfortunately and fortunately, I'll be headed BACK to San Francisco on a last minute trip because my mother wants me to do her a HUGE favor and perform a solo. Not too thrilled about it.

In the meantime I have a ridiculously rigorous workout schedule ahead of me for the next 2 weeks ranging from Bar Method/Cardio Barre, Spin, and Bikram.

MY GOAL: I plan on simplifying my eating and perhaps doing a raw food diet to help detox from this past weekend.

Most importantly, I need to get back on a better sleeping schedule. I am ridiculously exhausted.

My fitness inspiration is Kate Hudson. She looks like she works hard to keep fit but also seems like she still plays hard. So many times (and I predict this week will be hard), I want to just stay at home in bed or even stay at work and finish something up. One of the hardest parts about working out is going to actually go work out. This picture reminds me that in order to be where I want to be physically, it's not going to be easy and it isn't easy for anyone.

Death to the Master Cleanse & Weigh In #9

So after crapping myself & missing the strength I have to do my extracurriculars (& reminding myself of ketosis). I slowly took myself off the "cleanse" - introducing soup & then fruits/veggies & then sushi. Now I'm back to my normal healthy eating habits & vigorous workout regime.

At first I really didn't want to come off it. I felt like a quitter but there was a louder voice in my head that was telling me that it wasn't right for ME. I'm not saying my experience was bad at all. If anything it did work. I didn't just run to a drive-thru for fries and I've become more conscious about what I put into my body. I just couldn't do all 10 days without going crazy from not being able to dance or workout as hard as I'd want to.

I'm sorry if I let anyone down. The thing is - you can "cleanse" in shorter periods of time & this specific cleanse isn't the only way to. Your body is always naturally "cleansing" itself so even a day here or there with just raw foods every now in then can help you "scrub, scrub, scrub".

This past weekend I had dance on Saturday & then Cardio Barre Sunday morning and Bikram in the afternoon.

This week before I go & see my ridiculously svelte Boyfriend and squeeze into my dress I plan (& already started) this workout schedule.

Monday: Spin 6am, Bikram 6:15pm
Tuesday: Spin 6am, Bikram 6:15pm
Wednesday: Spin 6am, Ballet 5:30-6:50pm, Ballet 7:00-10pm
Thursday: Bar Method 7:15am-8:15am

Then I'm OFF to SF.

This morning I weighed in at 122 pounds.

My measurements have decreased as well.

Chest: 33 cm
Waist: 26 cm
Hips: 36 cm

My goal this week is to complete the above workout schedule & to NOT fall off the bandwagon just because I'm going out of town. Cheers!

In celebration of the start of a new season of 1 of 2 prime time shows I watch I've chosen Eva Longoria-Parker as my photo inspiration. She's very petite but obviously works out. She makes being in your 30s not so scary. Bonus points: I also love how in love she is with her husband. Super cute.

Holy Crap! Master Cleanse - Day 2 cont.

WARNING: THERE IS TMI IN THIS ENTRY INVOLVING NUMBER TWO. PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE EASILY GROSSED OUT OR OFFENDED BY SUCH TALK. THANKS!




So after leaving work I was feeling pretty damn fab. Besides the cakey tongue I just felt light & clean. I didn't even have an afternoon slump! I packed up my water, towel, mat and clothes for bikram. I got there a little bit early so I can lay in savasana for 15 minutes meditating (or napping...shhh!) The class started & it felt great, I purchased 10 classes & plan to substitute my higher impact workouts (boot camp) for Bikram while I'm cleansing.

After class I wanted my wheat grass dinner & of course Jamba was closed so I scooted over to Lassen's, where they had frozen wheat grass in little "McNugget" like containers. I was going green in so many ways - mostly $$$ since a double shot is about $3 at Jamba and these are about $1.50 each, oh crap, I took 2 anyways...so it's about the same. OOPS! (again) Well at least I have them in my fridge and can take them to work without driving & waiting in line - right??

So far, so good. Then I went home & made my batch of lemonade for Day 3 while warming water for my "sea salt flush". I upped the salt to 1.5 tablespoons instead of 1/2 teaspoon. I chugged it...almost upchucking. I managed to keep it down. I tidied up, watched ANTM (go short girls!) and then took a shower. In the shower I felt the rumbles. Uh oh. Then I felt really faint so I cut it short. Then like clock work (an hour after I drank the flush) it started & it kept going NONSTOP until 11pm (1.5 hours). I don't even know WHAT was coming out. It wasn't poop! (Sorry, but I warned you!)

Anyways, I thought it was over and went to bed. Only to wake up at 1am to go again. When I stood up I felt kind of well, wet. OHMYGOSH. ohmygosh. I touched the back of my pants - WET. I lift up my comforter and realize - I JUST SHAT MYSELF. I run to the toilet to avoid another incident and cry & call Tony. He wake up (4am east coast time) & comforts me and tells me if I start to feel PAIN to wake Rachel up or if I'm starting to feel FAINT. We also made an executive decision to possibly start SLOWLY coming out of the cleanse after a week (september 29) and introduce liquids (juice/soup) on the 30th, then raw foods (fruits/veggies) on the 1st and then one simple meal on the 2nd. That way also, on the 3rd (Angie's wedding), I will be able to run efficiently without any mishaps or pains from getting used to food. What do you think?

This whole conversations calms me down & I clean up after myself and my bed. Exhausted and completely wiped out from calorie deficiency, I finally get myself to bed.

Good news? This morning my sphincter did not let me down & I was fine although the toxins are still making their way out - rather quietly might I add. So here we are Day 3. We have pool tonight at one of my favorite bar food places. I will RESIST the mini corn dogs, their wonderful crinkly fries and the blueberry donuts at the donut shop on the corner.... *sigh*