Recommitting...

Well I am officially in the wellness phase. The past month I have managed to stay between 129-131 using the tools medi has given me. Slowly increasing my calorie intake and carbs. The largest wake up call was last week when I was asked to start separating dairy from my protein count. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!???? Dairy made up at least half of my protein count. Are you people insane. After leaving my appointment last week I was flipping out. I had to really rethink my habitual meal plan and start from scratch. I had to eat 700 calories of just straight meat/ real protein and ONLY 2 servings (80 cals) of dairy. WHAT???? Well, of course after re-evaluating things in my mind, Medi was doing something right again. By changing things up just a bit, I have and had to totally re-think about what is going in my mouth. I had to refocus and recommit to this new phase in my journey. Previously I had the acute/lose weight phase down pat, I had a routine and was at the point where I didn't need to think about what I was doing... and that my friends is where you can start getting into trouble. When you don't think! So with me having to redo my daily meal plan and actually write things down again, I feel like I have recommitted to what I am putting in my mouth and am re-focused. Its Great!!

In recommitting or refocusing if you will, as I was already committed but just need to hone in my mind... I decided to get back to a thing Derek and I had been doing the first few months I began the program. At the first week of each month we both would measure arms, legs, chest, waist, hips, and neck, AND take photos of us in our swim suits. My swim suit being a suit he bought me for my birthday last year that was WAY TO SMALL and he must of been on drugs to think I would fit in it. Well NOW I DO FIT IN IT. Actually the bottoms are even a little to big! Thats right! I reluctantly have decided to post the pics to inspire those reading this. Yes they are incredibly embarrassing and No I really don't want to show the world BUT it is a great accomplishment and all those on their own journey need to see what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it! So Here are the results:

               
                         January 1st 2009                    June 1st 2010

Arms:                       13"                                           10 1/4"
Neck:                      14.5"                                           13"
Thigh:                        23"                                          20 1/4"
Calve:                     14 1/2"                                          15"
Hips:                         43"                                          36 1/2"
Waist:                     36 1/2"                                        27"
Chest:                     41 1/4"                                        35"                                  

Food Spot Light:

If you know me I probably have already mentioned this to a few of you but every morning I have a Vega Vitamin Shake. You have to get used to the taste but now I actually look forward to this in the morning. It covers my daily vitamin (as I hate taking pills), it also includes omega 3's, fiber, protein, probiotics, and a few other things. It really is a great addition to my meals and is VERY filling!! You can find it at GNC or you can get it off amazon for like 20 dollars cheaper. There are three flavors and I usually do the Chocolate kind. SO delicious! I even have Derek eating it every morning with me! Here are a few Recipes. I count the calories toward my protein calories as it does have a decent amount of protein in it! 1/2 of one batch = 130 cal!

Focused.

So I weighed in on Wed. morning. I really wasn't too worried about it or stressing like I occasionally do. I know I DID indulge this past saturday (aka a lot of Champagne and beer, yes this is a picture of me OVER INDULGING! hahaahah sometimes you need to let loose) but worked hard the rest of the week and stuck to the plan. I have so much energy and feel sooo great! Well I weighed in at 130 yes sad face for a second. So I gained a pound BUT I lost a pound of fat annnnd my water was up along with my fat free mass aka more muscles :) And for once with gaining a pound, which is mainly due to water, I don't feel defeated and am VERY happy. Many times before this weighing in at Medi, I would get down on myself for being up a pound even if it was due to water weight. But today I am ok with it! I know I am doing what I need to do, my body is looking fantastic, and I am very focused and HAPPY.  I am currently 130 pounds with 30 pounds of fat on me and 100 pounds of Fat free mass.. ummm that is pretty darn good! woo hoo. It almost looks like I know what I am doing when I go to the gym hahah.

Being on short term maintenance and adding (now) two starches during the day it has definitely up-ed my energy and I can perform much better when it comes to my workouts. I feel more driven and feel like I can do a lot more. Yesterday in Spin I pushed it very hard and to another level, and never have sweat so much! It was a great feeling. My new goal really is to tone up. (Arms and stomach mainly). I will continue to focus and keep my eye on the prize. I KNOW I am doing everything I possibly can and am so proud! Nothing is standing in my way. I am making a commitment for June to workout 4-5 times a week and vary the works out as to keep muscle confusion going.


Food Spotlight

For those of you adding starches back in or who are on a regular diet and looking for a VERY healthy grain/starch to eat. I recommend Ezekial bread products. They contain no gluten or flour. The english muffins are especially tasty. Per serving they are 80 calories which is exactly what my medi short term plan calls for. They give me incredible energy and I love it! Currently I have a 1/2 of a whole wheat english muffin from ezekial and for lunch I have one slice of the whole wheat bread 4:9 Ezekial. Ezekial products can definitely be found at Harris Teeter in the frozen section, and most likely at any whole foods store in the frozen section.

MIRROR.


I look in the mirror these days and wonder who the heck is staring back at me. This friday I was at the gym lifting weights (please say that in your head like arnold swarz. would say, I love Arnold impressions) and I am looking in the mirror to make sure I have correct form. During these reps you really have to focus and reflect. After the third rep, I look around and then really take a look at myself and think WHO IS THIS>???? I would have never imagined I could come so far. If you would have asked me in January or even February to "lift weights" at the Dowd YMCA with all the people who look good and "know" what they are doing, I would of laughed at you and said YEA RIGHT. I definitely hardly recognize my body. With the commitments I have made to Medi Weightloss and going to YMCA classes 4-5 days a week I have transformed my figure, mind, confidence, you name it, its blossomed.

So this week I weighed in on thursday, as I wanted to move the weigh-in later into the week, after having a large memorial day party and knowing I over indulged. So I step on the scale expecting to be up a pound. BUT I get on the scale and ..... 129. REALLY 129! I can't believe it. Never in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine to be in the 120's. I am 5'2 so its fitting but still I thought it was just "not for me." You know the usual excuses "I'm big boned" "I have more muscle than most" if you have struggled with weight you know the sayings to make yourself believe there is a reason you aren't a certain weight. Well I am here to tell you you can do it. I set my goal at 130 thinking that was ridiculous but I broke into the 120's. Its just another amazing surprise and accomplishment I thought was NEVER possible.

I think what has helped me most is truly believing in the process. Being confident that it is going to work and not stressing or worrying that for some reason it isn't going to work. I really think we all have self-fufilling prophecies. If you are worried or think you aren't going to do well then there is a good chance you won't do as well as you should have. But if you truly believe, even visualize the process you will achieve what you want. Clearly not saying this works all the time. I have my weeks where I am negative nelly but I do think the more positive you stay and focus on all the great things you have achieved you will / can expedite your results.


Food Spotlight
OK so I am going to start having tips that get me through the week. This week I will suggest greek yogurt. Google it, whatever you want. It has great benefits. Double the protein. Just a really good thing to eat. Very filling. I love it. I have either Chobani vanilla or Oikos by Stoneyfield vanilla 110 calories.  I eat one of these every day and it is a GREAT source of protein.