Need some online buds to keep me on track

I think I did so well on my weight-loss group because of the accountability. There was a group. There was a weekly weigh-in. There were some scary photos at the beginning, and I knew there would be some more photos at the end. I paid real money for the group. Under that sort of pressure, I realized that I couldn't cheat that much and actually had to follow the program.

I don't want to force my husband to nag me - that can't be good for a marriage. I do, however, appreciate working out together with him. He's been on call this week, so that was an issue. Otherwise, the Shred DVD is actually fun with him. I'm so used to him being Mr. Super Athlete that when I can do certain moves just as well (like abs and some of the strength), it's a boost.

Clearly, I need a built-in tuchus-kick and reward system. Some thoughts:

1. Really use the PC Law to keep track of dockets, billings AND tasks. I'm compulsive about the computer anyway, so this should be a source of boosting, rather than something to avoid.

2. Build in gym rewards - maybe buy a magazine to read on the stair climber, or just consider it "me" time.

3. Reduce the number of nights that I take home my laptop, and make sure that I just bring home focused tasks on specific files.

4. Do a super-prep this Sunday, so that everything is more organized in the kitchen, and I have my healthier go-to treats. This will include making up muffin mixes, pancake mixes and brownie mixes. Hmmm....maybe I'll add to that fruit crisp mixes, since I remembered that I constantly seem to have bruised apples. Maybe some fruit crisp with oats, xylitol, cinamon and maple syrup, with a bit of strained yogurt, would be good?

5. Ask my kids to show me how to download the songs I like onto the iPod, for workouts, time in the kitchen and cleaning. If I had a specific playlist, maybe it would be easier to get into a routine (as in "Pink's on, so it's time to make a hummus wrap".

Anyone with suggestions?

Rebooting

This is a good news/bad news post.

Good news - I did indeed make progress in the fall, so I felt good on our beach vacation last week.

Bad news - I spent a good chunk of the vacation eating, and none of it in a gym.

This is supposed to be a long-term lifestyle, not a sprint, so I need to kick my tuchus again and get back into a disciplined schedule.

Of course, the kids are perpetually sick. We had the lice marathon in December, then kid#2 was sick early last week, and kid#3 has the flu this week. I'm glad I have a laptop and can do some work from home, but this is seriously cutting into my ability to do things.

I've realized that these are my top tasks and priorities to get straightened out:

1. Make a master schedule for myself.

I'm putting EVERYTHING on it, because I clearly need it and don't function well without clear direction. Yes, it has a stupid amount of detail on it for now. As I follow the routines, my hope is that it will become automatic. That's what happened with other tasks like grocery shopping and getting ready for Shabbat (big Friday night meal plus enough food for lunch the next day). Once everything is on, I also hope that I can sit back and relax, secure in the knowledge that if I follow it and just focus on what I'm supposed to be doing at that particular time, I don't need to worry about everything else.

2. Put the menu on the schedule, make sure the menu is updated everything week and get started on the prep on Sunday.

Sundays seem to be key. I find that if I don't get Sunday right, the week quickly falls apart.

3. Use the PCLaw program and schedule to get through work tasks and billings.

Unfinished work tasks = stress. To put a more positive spin on it, doing everything on my To Do list will = a sense of calm and order, plus a sense of accomplishment (not to mention some financial security). If I can focus on that goal and picture my time at the computer resulting in accomplishment and order, then I'll be less tempted to deal with stress by wasting time.

4. Sticking to diet and exercise and sleep, in order to get back energy.

I've done this yoyo before, so I should know it by now. If I don't plan healthy meals and snacks, my blood sugar goes crazy and I get cravings, then have an energy crash. If I can avoid that cycle, I will have more than enough energy and focus to do everything that I need to do.

BONUS TASK:

Try to focus on keeping everyone healthy!

Finally down to a healthier BMI!

The new electronic scale told me this morning that I was down to 140 lbs - even with some light clothing - and therefore my BMI is finally under 25.

Total lbs fat is now 40.

This was somewhat unexpected, so I was thrilled, and it gave me a boost of motivation. I'm aiming for 137 lbs by the time we go on vacation in 2 weeks.

I already see and feel a difference from the way I was 6 months ago, when I honestly thought that I was looking slightly pregnant. I don't miss the belly fat and bloating.

I'm still aiming to be 125 lbs by this time next year, plus having a better level of overall fitness. I want to be able to run 5 km or comfortably do a class at the gym, and have plenty of energy each day.

My new "fast food"

Since time is always an issue, here are some of my new fast foods:

1. Eggs and egg whites

Cheap, lots of protein, and less than 5 min. to make. I like to make mine with salsa from a jar, for lots of flavor and some extra veggies, and virtually no effort.

2. Smoothies

Frozen fruit stays in the freezer so it's ready to use any time and doesn't rot. A bit of juice, a bit of protein powder, a bit of plain yogurt, and I have an awesome breakfast to go in 2 min.

3. Thai curry chicken breast/thighs

I buy a package of boneless skinless thighs or breasts, rub them with green Thai curry paste, and bake them. Then, I put them individually in freezer bags. Instant lunch to go.

4. Pre-washed greens

Instant salad. Goes well with the chicken.

5. Pre-washed and trimmed green beans

Love green beans but hate the work involved. I just found a perfect bag of green beans that was literally ready to cook with no prep.

6. Toppits/Dorot frozen herbs

Flash frozen cubes of garlic, ginger, chili peppers, basil or dill make it easy to add lots of flavor with no fat and no effort. If I drop a cube of garlic into strained yogurt in the morning, it's tzatziki by lunch.

7. Baby carrots

Instant veggies.

8. Pacific or Imagine boxed soups

Butternut squash or black bean soup in a cup, 1.5 min in the microwave and I've got a hot, nutritious snack/appetizer as soon as I get home from work.

Weekly weigh-in

Down another pound, despite some lapses during the week.

I'm also noticing that when I do have a lapse, I feel it much more. My body seems to violently reject sugar now, and really doesn't cope well with it.

Mixed progress

I'm getting better at portion control. My meals still aren't perfect, but I've developed better awareness. We were out for dinner on the weekend, and I was able to pass up some of the things that I would have grabbed before. This time, I was able to say yes to a Meditteranean salad and tuna, and no to Caesar salad, bread basket, bruschetta, deep-fried appetizer and dessert.

Exercise-wise: I did get a nice long walk in on Sat. afternoon, but other than that, the week has been a write-off. Making time is a serious issue. My husband was out of town and things came up at work. The DVD is still in its plastic. Tonight I need to do it, no excuses.

Progress report

My weight was down 1 lb this week, with a slight reduction in percentage of body fat.

Of course, I've also noticed that every scale seems to be a bit different. From now on, I'm only going on the readings from THIS scale, since we use the same one each week at the weigh-in.

My realistic goal is 1-2 lbs/week, since that it was will realistically be fat loss.

The theme of the week at today's group meeting was exercise. Bottom line: It's not just about spending more time at the gym, but about doing a serious weight training routine with high-intensity cardio intervals. If I can do it in 30-40 min. a day, that would be awesome!