Progress and Update

October 26, 2009

Yes, that's an ugly bruise from lifting....I banged a weight into myself....and that's what happens!
I must say that I'm not proud of my results this last month...I've maintained! I did really well the week of my brother's wedding, but the 2nd week of my husband's homecoming....I cheated...a LOT. Once I started, I didn't stop. I tried all the good food in Chicago and was a really, really bad student at that point. My trainer would be and probably is disappointed. As soon as I got home, I got back on track from day 1 and I have maintained my weight loss, but obviously the progress I could have made....I didn't. It was a waste of a month because I'm still maintaining. You can see if you compare my progress pic with the last few that it's pretty similar.

I'm also struggling with my back still. It got worse than it's ever been last week, but then it got better. I think being in the car on my business trip all week did the most harm, so I think that's why I'm feeling better now that I'm home. I'm not sure. I did well last week on my business trip and stuck to my diet but missed 2 cardio workouts due to the amount of hours I was working. So, again, back on track this week. I'm not being too hard on myself for the past, but am using it as a reason NOT to cheat at all and NOT to make any excuses TODAY....or TOMORROW. I can excuse last week, but I can't excuse today.

I have an MRI scheduled today. Hopefully I'll get some answers, but the best thing is that I'm starting to feel better, finally...so let's hope that progress in the right direction (healing) continues!

A peak at our Chicago trips...



A peak at my brother's wedding.....

Progress

* Thursday, September 24, 2009 *
Yes, my hair is straight-ish! Thought I'd change it up a bit w/ the Chi ceramic flat iron!

Progress is going to my brother's wedding, with all of my family there, eating out every meal and sticking to my pre-cooked meals and workouts!!!! I am really proud of myself for sticking to it and doing so well! Everytime throughout this process that I have done something I never thought I could do, it has been great! I'm learning so much about what I'm capable of and it's awesome!

I also felt awesome at the wedding. I didn't feel bloated or controlled by food. I didn't feel pissed that my clothes wouldn't fit. I didn't have to dress around the possibility that I might eat carbs and get so bloated that I'd have to cover up. I felt great. I didn't have to wear Spanx to the wedding and I felt comfortable in my own skin at the alter and in all of the pictures. It was a great experience AND I know that I only have further to go in my leaning out and will only feel BETTER in the coming months. What a cool place to be??!!!

I did discover that when I'm tired, it's like being drunk and I lose my ability or ease to control what I eat! I was drunk dialing Domino's when I got home! I'm trying not to beat myself up but good grief it was like an out of body experience and when I woke up the next day I couldn't believe what I'd done. Moving on.....

The only pic I have so far of the wedding week - at the rehearsal dinner with my brother!

Take your lunch in style

I am so excited about this lunch tote/cooler bag I found in the latest Crate and Barrel catalog! I just ordered mine and I can't wait. Now, i won't stand out quite as much when I'm always carrying my cooler around!! Genius!!! I never leave the house without food and I always take an extra meal beyond what I think I'll need and I usually need it!!

I might have to get a second one. I got the teal to go with my blue Coach bag, though I maybe should have gotten the black....but I thought it might be a wee bit boring! :) Trying to add a little color to my life!

Order yours here

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UPDATE
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I asked Shawna of styleberryPHOTO to take this photo for me to show how small this bag is. It works for a lunch, or a few meals but not much more than that. It's pretty small. We both thought that this was a shoulder bag almost, but it's pretty small. The bag I take now has room for food, 2 cooler packs and a huge water bottle. This is still more stylish for around town, or one errand, but I'll stick to my huge backpack for all day road trips. Just thought I'd update you after I received my purchase!!!

Traveling

I am here to tell you that I totally understand how tough it is to travel and stick with a workout and nutrition routine. I just got to my hotel that I will be staying for the whole week. I checked out the fitness center and almost cried...2 treadmills, an elliptical and a bike!!! Ugh! Not even a cheap set of weights! Not even a cheap BowFlex imitation!

Also, thought there was a microwave...there is only a mini-fridge in my room. So, the front desk staff will be burdened by warming up my yams, oatmeal, and greens this week. Sorry
I chose this hotel because when I stayed in the one in Phoenix it had a micro/fridge in the room and a complimentary membership to a local fitness center. Evidently all over the country, they are not all the same. I guess I have a little more research to do on this city to find another hotel with a better fitness center or a membership with a local gym. Mind you, I am staying at a $200/night hotel and it still has a sad fitness center and no microwave!

BUT, people, don't settle!!! I think that should be my motto for life.
I tend to find a way around and toward anything that I want....determination! I am still here for the week and I am not going back to the drawing board for this trip. I will do that for the next one. For now, I am here and I need to lift for the week....SO I called the fitness center I saw down the street and asked about a "free trial membership." I got 3 days for free at a REAL FITNESS CENTER! There are many ways to do this in another area. It's a GREAT way to get to use a real gym. If you're like me, you need the "clanking" of the plates in order to get "in the zone."

The picture at the top is of Jamie Eason.....she now has a contract with Bodybuilding.com. I think she has one of the best bodies on the planet. The last picture is of my favorite (and everyone else's) fiture pro...Monica Brant. I also included a picture that is pretty close to the look of hte gym at this hotel! Yuck!