Happy to Fail

 

these notes are stuck on my mirror to see ever day 

Sometimes it does a body good to fail....I know that doesn't sound like my usual peppy, motivating, excitable self but never fear....failing sometimes propels you to a place you want to be.  Not the chocolate section of Walgreens........back on track, back to what you know works, back to happiness and all things great!!!
What am I talking about?  I am not sure but this morning I went to weigh in at Weight Watchers (who btw had moved their location since I had been there a month ago....that was annoying....) anyhooooo, last day of the month - I have to weight in monthly to maintain my lifetime status - and that last day would be TODAY!
I knew I was going to be over.  I knew it because I had been to the Silverton Buffet and gorged myself on crepes, drowned in berry sauce and melted chocolate (just gained 2 lbs typing that...lol...jk) we've had company, i don't wanna cook at home, I can't stop eating bread and its the season of chocolate eggs and such - grrrrrr.
I didn't expect to be up 4 lbs.  Dang it!  I always weigh in in the morning so I hadn't even eaten.  The receptionist said "ok, you're up 4 but you're still 3 less than your goal weight, so you're ok"
That was nice of her, because inside I was ticked - ticked at myself.  No one else to blame (other than the crepe guy at the Silverton)!  Immediately I remembered feeling this way another time at Weight Watchers.  I had been .2 YES point 2 over my max weight and FAILED!!!  I know that sounds ridiculous, really I didn't fail because if you know anything about Weight Watchers, if you have a bad week no one ridicules you or calls you a looser, they encourage you to do better next week.  I was mad at myself though.  I came home and stuck my weigh in on my bathroom mirror.  I seriously didn't want to feel that way again.......
I kinda felt like that today.  I guess its accountability and that's why I continue to check in monthly.  I know all heck might break loose if I didn't have that scale waiting for me monthly.  With that being said.....tomorrow is a new month (you know how I am about new starts....) so I will turn this "failure" into a MOTIVATOR to be a more moderate with my choices in April.
The pitfall for me is telling myself I work out so much that I can eat what I want.  This is a myth.....umm unless you have magical metabolism (which you may have) but for the majority of us, even if we work off our crappy food, the sugary/greasy grossness lingers somewhere between the head and toes....I hate that feeling! 
I don't even know if anyone reads this blog.....hahahaha but if you do and you've ever felt this way, don't feel alone.  I know many people struggle with eating habits, motivation to workout, wanting to be a certain weight or feel a certain way in their clothes and body.....IT IS ACHIEVABLE, I know it is. I will tell you IT IS NOT EASY....but is definitely worth it.
Lets go get 'em.....tomorrow!

Weight Loss

1) Calculate how many calories you body needs to consume to maintain your existing weight. This is called you maintenance calories.(Search Google with "calorie needs" and you will find a few different calculators to help you with this)
2) Initially deduct 10%(to a maximum of 500 calories) off the total maintenance calories. Drastically reducing your calories will result in muscle and water loss - not fat loss.
3)Divide you calories over 5 or 6 meals rather then 2 or 3. You should aim to eat every 3-4 hours.
4)Cut out all simple carbohydrates (except straight after exercise, eat whole grain, high fiber foods.)
5) Exercise at least 3 times a week, doing 30 minutes of cardio to a reasonable level of intensity. This will help to create the calorie deficit and encourage your body to lose fat.
6)Make simple replacements in your diet, Sweetener in place of sugar, diet drinks in place of full sugar drinks, use leaner cuts of meat etc. At first these changes may be difficult but you will get used to them and make vital calorie savings every day.
7) Drink plenty of water - at least 8 glasses of water every day - if you are dehydrated your body will be less efficient and will make fat loss more difficult.
8) Try to eat low carb (complex only!), low fat and moderate protein.
9)Keep a food diary to monitor how many calories you are consuming - it is very easy to over eat.  This is one of the best things that keep me on track :)
10) Supplementing you diet can make fat loss easier. A diet high in protein can help preserve muscle (more muscle means an increase in metabolism).
Always consult a doctor before starting a new fitness or weight loss regimen.

Read the Label Please

You know that moment when you're just about to put something in your mouth but a little voice says, "don't do it, it's not worth it?"  I'm there quite often!  As many of you know, I have a problem with sweets, I LOVE them and over indulge almost every time we encounter each other.
The other day I picked up a cookie from Fresh N Easy, against my better judgement, because I had been doing good (in the sweets department) all week prior to this.  That nudge to put it back came and....I ignored it, bought the cookie and devoured it in my van in the parking lot.  Mind you, I justified this by tell myself it was OK because I had taught two classes that day....  I didn't check the label or calorie count or WW points prior to stuffing the monster, chocolate filled yummy down my throat.
Later on I thought I would be accountable and calculate the points for my decision.

12 points....WHAT?????  

ok people so whether or not you are familiar with Weight Watchers, 12 points is HALF of MY daily allowance....HALF!!!!  Whyyyyyyy???  480 calories worth of cookie!
The moral of the story....read your labels, calculate your points, ask if it's worth it (if you decide it is, then own it and enjoy), if you decide its not, put it back.  Listen to your inner compass and be strong my friends.

Photo Shoot

My sweet friend and LVAC member, Marissa, offered to take some head shots of me for my Zumba.com profile and my blog. She is a very talented and beautiful photographer, model and dancer. Her smile is contagious!
To be honest, I am not the most comfortable in front of the camera.  I'm usually behind it taking pictures of my cute kids..... so I felt a bit awkward.  She made me feel relaxed as we chatted and laughed about our lives.  Here are some of my favorite ones.  Thank you so much Marissa!
If you'd like to check out her website click HERE