Week Four!

Week 4 of Healthiest Loser started yesterday, but I was too busy enjoying The Fighter to blog...

Percentage lost this week: 1.1%
In Pounds: 1.4
Money Stashed: $25

This is crazy, I will be half way there by next Tuesday (I've completed 3 whole weeks so far) and I am already half way to my goal! I attribute this success to many things:
1. My roomies recommendation of Jackie's Extreme Crunchless Ab Workouts
2. Livestrong.com
3. Some difficult but healthy eating choices

Even though I am more than on track to reach my weight goal I am worried about my "abs goal" unfortunately, these things don't happen over night but I figure if I am not there when I get to week 8, I will still have a motivation to keep up the healthy eating and exercise.

As far as diabetes goes, I set an appointment today to discuss my risk factors and whether to get a blood glucose test. I'm not sure what's going on with my medical insurance right now so I might have to wait but if I can at least get in a productive conversation with the doctor it'll be very proactive.

I don't know if I mentioned before but, the healthiest loser challenge is supposed to be completed in a team (of 5) and since no one really seemed interested, I have been doing it myself. This weeks challenge was for the team as a whole to walk 25 miles over the course of the week or to beat that goal if possible.

Hard as I may try, no way will I be getting in that much gym time! So my goal is to walk 5 miles.

If you are taking on this task as well you should know:
Everything Counts!
- taking the stairs
- from the parking lot to the door
- on the treadmill
- through the grocery store

So it's important to just keep moving!

Happy trails!

Holy Toledo! Healthiest Loser Week 3 Begins

Week 2 was an awesome success, considering it was Easter this weekend and all...
Percentage lost: 2.5%
In Pounds: 3.5
Money Stashed: $17.50

I don't want to give the flu too much credit but I assume it was a factor unfortunately. However, I choose to give the majority of credit to the Week 3 Challenge which I started last week.

Become a member of Livestrong.com - they help you track your exercise, tell you how much work you're doing with each activity, let you build work-outs, they even have "kissing" as a form of calorie loss! They compare it with the food you report in so you get a net weight gain every day.

Best part is, you tell them your goal, for me I wanted to lose 1.5% body weight per week til I reach my goal and they told me how many calories a day I can have to achieve it. Awesomely enough, they recognize so many foods that you not only track your calories for the day but your sodium and nutrient and protein intakes. This way you should see where you waste calories on unhealthy foods and can enjoy more throughout the day if you are eating a balanced diet. It's pretty freakin sweet!

As I mentioned, you report your exercise too so they subtract from your calorie intake based on how much movin and shakin you're doing - turns out I get to eat lots more goodies on the days I chase Aiden around :)

If you're following along or not, I highly recommend you check it out. If nothing else, it is really cool to see the nutrition values of what you eat regularly and to see the trending for particular foods. Also, if you're in a work-out slump, they have a million and one ideas, just click "Fitness."

Healthiest Loser Week 2

I feel like a slacker! I have about 4 blog drafts saved right now with everything (pictures, funny stories, etc) that I know some certain Grandparents are dying to see!! Unfortunately, I seem to have trouble uploading videos at work so I am hoping to resolve the issue today and if not maybe tonight after school...

In the meantime - yesterday was the beginning of week 2 (out of 8) for my healthiest loser challenge. I didn't do as well as I had hoped the first week, I met my goals only half way, yikes. On the positive side though, I was constantly thinking about them. Having my goals written down, near by, wearing a reminder bracelet and tracking my success makes me feel a little bit accomplished.

I have started each morning with a full glass of water, hoping to work up to 3 by the end of the 8 weeks because this helps jump start your system, makes you feel fuller and contributes to your 8 glasses a day in a big way. Also, tons of water is good for your skin and it is almost the ditch the make up time of year (I wore make up 3 days total last summer!)

This weeks challenge is to maintain your goals, keep focused, and find out what your strengths are, literally.

Sit Ups Test - How many (legit) sit ups can you do in 60 seconds?
Record the number for retest at the end of the 8 weeks:
_____30_____

1 Minute Sit Up Test (Women)
Age 18-25
Excellent >43
Good 37-43
Above average 33-36
Average 29-32
Below Average 25-28
Poor 18-24
Very Poor <18

Push Ups Test - How many (LEGIT) push ups can you do in 60 seconds?
Record the number for retest at the end of the 8 weeks
____20_____
Ratings for Women (Modified Pushups), based on Age *this allows us girls to use our knees if we want
Age 20-29
Excellent >48
Good 34-48
Average 17-33
Poor 6-16
Very Poor < 6

12 minute walk or run
How much distance can you cover in this time, warm up for 5 minutes before starting
Walking is fine but will lower your score significantly
____1600 m (walking)______
Female - Cooper 12 Minute Test Results
Age 20-29
Excellent >2700m
Above average 2200-2700m
Average 1800-2199m
Below Average 1500-1799m
Poor <1500m

As you will notice all my scores are blank, I'm hoping to get these scores all plugged in by Thursday night, if you all promise not to laugh!
I just didn't want anyone who was following along to miss out or be held up with their own healthiest loser program.

Anyway, since I am reporting in - the inevitable begins...my progress after week one:
Weight Loss Percentage: .075%
In Pounds: 1 lb
Money Stashed Away: $5

I am happy with my week one results but to achieve my goals in 7 more weeks I need to really get focused and aim for 1.5% a week.

Happy crunching everyone!

Oh by the way, I got a jumpstart on Week 3 - it is really cool! Can't wait to share it next week :)

Something new for me

I have been, what's the word...inspired? Enticed? Coerced? Into a new challenge.

Steve's mom is participating in "The Healthiest Loser" challenge through work, and she is so excited about it that she is expanding it as far as she can, which is awesome. I feel if you're going to have success you need support, so this is really cool to hear. While we were out to (a low cal) lunch today, she started telling me about it. I got really intrigued by all the focus the program puts on life balance and goal setting. So when she asked if I wanted to do it to, I asked if she would send it to me for me to look at. Next thing I know, I have 2 weeks worth of challenges and goals to set. I guess I'm doin it!

Week 1 begins tomorrow for me - but I had to go through some major paperwork today and important pointers.

For Goal Setting-
1. It is important to make sure your goal is something you really want, not just something that sounds good.
2. My goal can't contradict any of my other goals.
3. You should write your goals in the positive, not the negative.
4. Write your goals in complete details.
5. Most important is to simply write your goals.

There is also a lot of focus, as I mentioned, on life balance:
Build small breaks into your day.
Be willing to ask for help.
Use all of your vacation days.
Seek out time-stretching options.
Practice saying "no."


Ok, here we go....
Goal Setting/Life Balance Worksheet
My Goals for the healthiest loser program:
1. Lose 10 lbs - weigh 125lbs -- I will achieve this goal by June 7, 2011
Steps I will take to achieve this goal: a. eat better, b. exercise 3 times a week
2. Re-shape my abs -- I will achieve this goal by June 7, 2011
Steps I will take to achieve this goal: a. doing crunches 4xs a week x100 each time, b. doing reverse crunches 4xs a week x100 each time
3. Reduce my risk of diabetes -- I will achieve this goal by June 7, 2011
Steps I will take to achieve this goal: a. Only one Starbucks a week/drink more water, b. Cut sugar intake significantly

Life Balance:
Level of Satisfaction Desired Level In 8 Weeks

Exercise 4 8
Nutrition 6 8
Sleep 6 8
Mind/Body 8 10

I want to achieve these goals because : I've been complacent about my "fitness" and weight and I want to see a change. Diabetes has recently become a concern for me so I want to eliminate it as quick as I can
I will increase my satisfaction levels by : making more time for myself by giving and allowing small breaks for myself throughout the day. I will also say "no" when I can't handle other people problems and I will expect others to shoulder as much responsibility as I do. I will prioritize the things that I want and need to get done.

My mental health worksheet feels pretty private as I fill it out, so I will just say that support, relaxation, lifestyle, and personal interests are important. As is loving yourself from the inside out.

6 Weight loss tips:
1. Scan and plan - know what your food plan is and when to expect temptation
2. Tweak your sleep schedule - your diet doesn't take a break on the weekends
3. Invent incentives - put aside money for every pound you use and save it for a reward when you reach your goal
4. Remind yourself - wear a bracelet or carry an inspirational quote in your wallet that is significant of your goals
5. Find Support
6. Commit

5 Food habits to kick:
1. Rushing through your meal
2. Eating as multitasking
3. Eating because you are bored or stressed
4. Cleaning your plate
5. Always having meat as your main course

If anyone wants to participate let me know and I'll pass along the paperwork and share the websites with you -- Looking forward to swimsuit season :)