Setting Goals and Following Through

Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight or get healthy can tell you that the hardest part of starting something new isn't found when setting the goal, rather it is in the follow through.  Admittedly this is where I tend to do most of my failing, but not this time.  It is much harder for me to fail this time around because I have a trainer and a doctor watching my back and I feel like I am changing my life for the better.  It has been slow going for the last few weeks, but I am still making progress.  I am now down 18 pounds from when I first began keeping track and I hope to continue.  It isn't so much the decrease in weight that has me excited, but the increase in muscle that my doctor is measuring.  I can't believe how much different I feel and how I want to make better choices.  This doesn't mean that I don't occasionally treat myself, but now when I have a piece of pizza I exercise a little longer, or I eat a smaller dinner and I appreciate the give and take of a healthier diet. 

This week we fine tuned my caloric intake and workout routine and according to the math I might be able to ring in the new year by hitting my weight loss goal!!  This will require hard work and determination, but I am confident that I can keep on keeping on.  Also, I teamed up with my mom in her Biggest Loser contest at work and I really want us to win.  So, keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we can all hit our healthy goals this year together. 
Best Food of the Week:
Brussels Sprouts!! I got 4 recipe ideas from Cooking Light and I have devoured two of them this week already.  Hit me up if you want the recipes!
Worst Food of the Week:
Boca Southwest "burgers" I think there was actual fiberfill in the center and it marked the first time I had spit something out rather than swallow it.  This really says a lot seeing as I swallowed that curdled protein shake a few months ago!
Best Exercise of the Week:
While I am awaiting the grand opening of my new gym I have written a few cardio workouts for myself and they have kicked my butt!  I even did one with my friend Peggy last weekend and she loved it.  I guess I am becoming a novice personal trainer too.  Ha ha.
Best Workout Jam of the Week:
This week I have been shaking my groove thang to The Reality Bites Soundtrack....brings back memories
Becky This Week:  Here is some lovely photo action of me on the boat last weekend

MIA

Hello Faithful Blog Readers,
I am sorry that I have been MIA for a few weeks now, but I promise next week I will be back with a BANG!
I hope you are all experiencing fitness success.
The last few weeks have been very busy with work and travels that took me out of town as well as my fantastic high school reunion.
The last two weeks of weigh in's have offered some small setbacks, due largely in part to beer, wine and cheese it consumption, coupled with my gym relocating and being closed for renovation, but I am back on track.  I hope to have excellent news for you next week.  In the meantime here are some picks for you:
Best Food of the Week:
watermelon..I just can't get enough of it.  Also, cherries bring up a close second, yum!
Worst Food of the Week:
Trader Joe's pre marinated chicken pieces.  Peggy warned me, but I didn't listen!  Skip these for sure.
Best Exercise of the Week:
This week I had a great old school workout with my friend Mary.  I just did some treadmill on an incline, tossed in a bit of elliptical and topped it off with some weights.
Best Workout Jam of the Week:
Lately I have been on this huge George Michael/WHAM! fix.  Good stuff!
Becky This Week:

The Devil and the Wii Fit Board

I learned two VERY important things this week:

Mauri Windsor is the devil
AND
The Wii Fit board gets really slippery in 90 degree weather

But....allow me to start at the beginning.  Late last week I found out that my gym will be relocating to Blaine and in the meantime they will be closed to get everything ready for the grand reopening.  Since I couldn't live without my gym, I don't want to join a new one for the next 4 weeks so I must come up with a game plan to keep my workouts going. So loyal readers, I am making a pledge to myself to keep working out in the meantime.  How will I do this you ask?  By dusting off the unused exercise equipment and mountains of exercise videos that I have amassed over the years.  This week I have made two attempts that lead to the two very important things I learned this week. 
Mauri Windsor is the devil.  A few years ago I was home sick one day and got sucked in by the Windsor Pilates infomercial. When I first got it I did it with regularity, but it has been years since I cleared the dust on the cover.  Tuesday night I decided to slap it in and do some Pilates.  The first exercise is the 300 where your body is in a pike position and you wave your arms up and down.  Despite the fact that I was suffocating with my body in that awkward position  it felt good to wave my arms around like a human powered fan.  The next few exercises went on without incident until I got to the seal.  What was supposed to feel like a massage to my spine when I rolled up to clap my feet together actually felt like an amazing combination of muscle pulls throughout my torso and into my legs.  Perhaps I need a softer mat?  Dripping in sweat and utterly defeated I only made it through 25 minutes of the 40 minute video.  I might go back this weekend, but I think I need a breather. Let's just say it was WAY better than the Denise Austin Pilates where she talks like she is pinching her nostrils together, but still a challenge. 
The Wii Fit board gets really slippery in 90 degree weather. I have been continuing my use of the Wii Fit as there are many great exercises disguised as games that can be done.  I will admit that I have to resist the urge to punch the TV when the little scale thing makes the UUMPH sound, but I try not to let it get to me.  Frankly, that little animated scale could lose a few pounds itself!  Bastard! On Wednesday night (Admittedly after dinner and a Budweiser Tall Boy at the Larson's)  I was getting up some really good momentum with the Wii Fit Golds Gym game that I rented.  After about 15 minutes in my 90 degree apartment I had worked up a really good sweat doing some cardio boxing when I clumsily stepped back on the board and then slid sideways.  I eventually caught myself, but not before smashing into my coffee table and spilling a GIANT glass of water all over my couch.  I may have also yelled something to the effect of "Dammit Gold's Gym guy...look what you made me do!"  My neighbors are currently trying to get out of their leases. 
All and all I am still making progress.  Next week I am going to try to do a makeshift Bikram yoga session in my apartment which just means I am going to do a Yoga video with the air conditioning off.  I also have this Biggest Loser video workout that I bought a few months ago because it was only $5, but I have never taken the plastic off.  Stay tuned for my recap. 

Best Food of the Week:
turkey tenderloin wrapped in bacon courtesy of my mom
Worst Food of the Week:
I have honestly not eaten anything bad this week, but I ate a bunch of bad for me Cheese Its when I was camping. 
Best Exercise of the Week:
I really like the Wii Fit Gold's Gym Cardio Boxing, so I think I might try to find a used copy on Amazon.  Best Workout Jam of the Week:
This week I have been enjoying some Florence + The Machine to get me going
Becky This Week:

 Here I am with all of my new tricks! 

Iron Chef Minneapolis

Hello readers!  I know that I am late AGAIN with this posting, but I was dealing with a little sickness setback and didn't have anything good to share...until yesterday!!
On Tuesday I got up and made myself a cup of tea which was about the only thing I could swallow.  After the kettle began to whistle I turned the knob on the stove, but the flame did not turn off.  For about a minute I just stared at the burner with my mouth agape, but then my senses kicked in.  Since my parents didn't raise a sissy I got out my tools (pink handled OF COURSE) and tried to get the knob to turn.  After a good 5 minutes it was evident that something beyond my capabilities was wrong and I called it in.  After the lady told me that she had never, in all of her years, heard of that happening (yes because that is helpful) she dispatched someone to fix it.  I would also like to point out for all of you who have never seen it that my oven is a 30 year old grease bomb and occasional fire hazard.  Just my luck---they couldn't fix it, so on Thursday they brought me a shiny new oven!!  It is a thing of beauty and I can't wait to cook up a storm when the temperature dips below 100 degrees again!  So, in honor of that, here is one of the first things I am going to cook courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine:
Broiled Tenderloin Steaks with Ginger-Hoisin Glaze:
1 1/2 TBSP hoisin sauce
1 1/2 TSP grated peeled ginger
1 1/2 TSP honey
1 1/2 teaspoons lower-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon chili garlic sauce ( I like the one with the rooster on it from the Asian aisle of the grocery store)
4 beef tenderloin steaks about 1 inch thick
1/8 tsp salt

Directions:
1. Preheat broiler (or if you are fancy you can grill these too)
2. Combine hoisin sauce, ginger, honey, soy sauce and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl and stir with a whisk or fork.
3. Place the steaks on a foil lined broiler pan coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt. Broil steaks 5 inches from heat for 2 minutes and turn over. Broil 2 minutes, turn steaks over. Brush steaks with half of hoisin mixture and broil for 1 minute.  Turn steaks over and brush with remaining sauce.  Broil 2 more minutes or until your desired degree of doneness. 
Calories 194
Fat 7.8 g ,but only 2.7 of saturated fat
Sodium 278mg

So far I am down 15 pounds and I just can't believe it!! 

Send me some of your favorite recipes so I can keep my new oven in business!!
Best Food of the Week:
See the above Steaks...YUM
Worst Food of the Week:
Archer Farms Red Pepper Humus.  Stick with the kind that has the Greek Name...way better
Best Exercise of the Week:
I find that laughing hysterically has been a great ab workout this week, but due to the congestion I haven't been working out very hard.  I tried to do some planks last night, but I gave up after a few minutes. 
Best Workout Jam of the Week:
I have been having kind of a country week this week, so let me recommend Gunpowder and Lead by Miranda Lambert!  Great tough girl song.
I am awfully sweaty and unattractive this week, so let me instead show you my new beautiful oven:

Good Luck my friends and keep on keepin' on!  Make sure to add t a little fruit to that giant plate of meat and beans you will consume on this great holiday weekend and you'll be in good shape. 

Here, Try This

I know I am late with my usual posting, but in case you haven't heard George Clooney is back on the market and I had A LOT of web stalking to do.....or something like that.  :)  If only that is what kept me from all of you!

Luckily I waited until today to update because I have the best story to entertain you.  On Monday when I went to visit my nutritionist she encouraged me to try some of the supplements that they have for sale.  Because we are finding that I have a lot of trouble staying hydrated despite the fact that I feel like I am always doing one of two things:
A. drinking tons of water and
B. going to the bathroom
she suggested that I try an electrolyte powder that I can mix with water and drink daily.  In case anyone cares it is called Rehydrate and it is made by Advocare.  I chose the fruit punch flavor over the gag worthy citrus flavor and began drinking it on Monday.  I won't know until next week if it is working, but I'll give you an update.  Overall it tastes like watered down, sugar-free Kool Aid, but it is refreshing enough.  The only downside is the inevitable settling on the bottom of the bottle or glass that makes the last sip pretty sketchy.

The second suggestion they made was for something else made by Advocare called Spark.  After I gave up coffee (for the most part) and processed carbohydrates I found that I have much less energy than usual.  I am told that this will go away, but my body just has to get used to it.  In order to assist me with both of my issues (coffee withdrawal and fatigue) they gave me a sample packet of Spark in a "the first one is free" manner.  I felt I had to voice my concerns before I committed to it completely.  I am a very "excitable" person, so an excess of caffeine is not generally something that the people who have to put up with me encourage me to participate in.  Both the doc and her husband assured me that this would give me a great push to help with my work out, so I believed them.  Below is the account of my experience with Spark:
3pm fill up water bottle and add fancy packet of magic powder a.k.a. Spark
3-3:15 commence drinking of said beverage
3:16 insist to everyone around me that it isn't working
3:22 insides are going crazy and frankly only staying inside because of thick coating of skin
4pm arrival at gym/change/wrap hands/put gloves on/tell instructor that you may need an ambulance shortly because you took something that makes you feel "funny."
4:30 begin warm up
4:35 feeling like Rocky with my lightening fast combinations
4:45 almost hyperventilate whilst trying to do alternating punching and running sprints
4:50 contemplate laying flat on the floor in front of the fan while begging one of the 16 year old hockey players to give me "hits" from my inhaler, but power through
5:10 ARE YOU KIDDING ME
5:11spark has completely worn off and I am struggling to function
5:20 doing some kind of sit up type exercise and subsequently wishing I'd just pass out
5:30 workout is over...that was great
5:31 anyone got another packet of that Spark???

So, thus ends my experiment with the exercise crack.  I think I'll just stick to regular water.
On to the good stuff:
Best Food of the Week:
Sushi---all kinds.  I love it when I can indulge in a food that is delicious and I don't even have to feel bad because it is completely within the rules!
Worst Food of the Week:
Vanilla Greek Yogurt--I had to employ a method of getting the spoon so far back in my mouth that I could just swallow without it touching my tongue just to get it down.  Had I not needed the protein, and had it not cost 1.50, I would have tossed it. 
Best Exercise of the Week:
Since standing as still as you can in front of a fan is not technically an exercise (I learned that one tonight) might I recommend Zumba for the Wii Fit.  It is super fun and you don't have to be embarrassed if you don't have very good dancing skills because you are all alone in your living room. Or, if you don't have a Wii Fit you should channel Circa 1984 David Lee Roth in the "Jump" video and do a series of awesomely 80's high kicks.  If it isn't enough of a challenge try doing it while holding a bottle of Captain Morgan.
Best Workout Jam of the Week:
This week I am paying homage to Blink 182....most specifically the song "Rock Show" because it always makes me want to jump up and down.  I must also give special props to the band Blur and Song 2 as it has been gracing my iPod a lot lately.
Becky Today (on Spark):

When It All Goes Wrong

The older I get the more I learn about myself, and the more I learn the more I realize that I am a stress eater. When everything goes wrong all I want to do is order some take out from Big Bowl, close the blinds and watch a 30 Rock marathon on Netflix. For the last few weeks I have been going along on a straight trajectory and then on Friday, BAM, stress tornado. Between some unfortunate car issues and a really busy job I wanted to stop at every restaurant from work to my apartment and then wash it all down with one of those Hostess cupcakes that has the little white swirlies on the top. But in weight loss THIS is where the heavy lifting comes in. I have to work to retrain myself to avoid what I have always done—thus the reason I am trying to lose weight—and do something different. I’d like to tell you that I am the kind of person who could funnel it all into cooking a brilliant and healthy meal for myself, but that would be a lie. When the busyness sets in the best way to stay on the up and up is to be prepared. Here are some of the things in my food survival kit:

Packets of Lemon Pepper tuna—I eat these straight out of the bag and they are tasty and filling. It gives you some great (although not necessarily great smelling) protein to keep you going.

Trident Bubble Gum—very useful on the days where you eat Lemon Pepper Tuna for lunch!

Luna Bars—I only eat these on workout days because they are kind of a treat AND a lifesaver when you need some protein, but they aren’t necessarily super nutritious. My favorites are the Nuts Over Chocolate and the Peanut Butter Cookie.

String Cheese—I eat this snack once a day to keep me going and it also helps distract me because it is like a game and a snack!

Pistachios---I like to buy the Wonderful brand ones in the black and green bag to support my cousin Addy (he sells them), but sometimes I cheat and buy the Roundy’s ones if they are on sale-- which they are this week. They are kind of expensive, but when you need a good, filling snack they do the trick. They also distract you much like the string cheese because it takes a while to get them open. (I think this is my second pistachio mention, so I must really love them.) As a side note don’t try to open the barely cracked ones with your teeth because it only ends in a bloody tongue or a chipped tooth. Take it from someone who knows.

Protein Powder—Mix with milk and I have a breakfast on the go for those days that I can’t seem to drag myself out of bed. If I have a little extra time I’ll add it to the Magic bullet with some banana, strawberries, blueberries and ice and make something that I call Steroid Ice Cream.

As of today I am down 10.5 pounds and feeling good! I hope I can keep it up and I hope all of you who are trying hard can keep it up to! On to the good stuff:

Best Food of the Week:
It isn’t so much a food, but a lifesaver. Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea is so delicious!! I also saw an advertisement for Crystal Light Margaritas, but I have yet to see them.

Worst Food of the Week:
Kohlrabi—perhaps it is just a matter of knowing how to cook it, but the German turnip did me wrong.

Best Exercise of the Week:
Mule kicks. Get down on all 4’s with your palms flat. Press one leg up into the air as high as you can with your foot flat and then bring it down to parallel, but don’t touch the ground. Do this 10 times and on the tenth time hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side. (Don’t hate me)

Best Workout Jam of the Week:
Maybe I am just systematically working my way through the catalogs of all of the judges on The Voice, but I have been listening to Cee Lo Green’s newest CD and it is great!

Becky Today:
BUMMER!! I can’t find the cord that connects my camera to my computer, so this week I don’t have a photo.  I will do a mini weekend update with a photo. 

In the meantime….what is in YOUR food survival kit?

Midnight Snacking and the Art of Distraction

If any of you are anything like me then not eating everything in your fridge/cupboards/trash (okay it was just the one time and it was way on the top not touching anything) before bedtime is a terrible challenge.  I don't know what comes over me between 8 and 11 at night,  but my body has me convinced that I am starving.  Most nights at 9pm I can be found standing in front of my refrigerator staring vacantly into the tiny light bulb thinking of what I can snack on.  While a bit of snacking on healthy foods is great for keeping yourself full, this is more about boredom than hunger.  So, my challenge for the week was to nip this late night snacking in the bud.  Easy right?  Not so much.  First I tried eating supper later so that I would be full longer.  Then I tried going to bed at 8. (Well, this was more about me falling asleep on the couch while watching The Office, but it kept me out of the fridge.) But, on Tuesday night I finally found the ticket.  I had heard someone say that they used to brush their teeth a few hours before bed so that they wouldn't be tempted to eat, so I tried it and IT WORKED....for about 45 minutes.  To further distract myself I decided to tidy up my bathroom and behind a bunch of expired self tanner in my cupboard I found an unopened box of Crest White Strips!  Now that I have given up coffee and Diet Coke it is the perfect time to whiten my choppers.  Once I completed the 30 minute process, AND brushed my teeth I found that I really didn't want to wreck it by eating anything.  Also, the strange gel on the strips kind of seeps into your tongue and makes it oddly numb and impairs chewing.  I know that this won't work forever, but it has helped me think of things I can do to keep my mind off the hunger.  Here are my 5 favorites:
5. Dance around my living room to The "If You Wanna Be My Lover" song by the Spice Girls whilst singing in a very tone deaf manner.
4. Vacuum
3. Play Scrabble Blast on my phone.  I downloaded this a few months ago and I am addicted!!
2. Watch many, many reruns of The Voice on NBC.
1. Crest White Strips!!
 Feel free to send me your good hunger distraction ideas so I can try them out.  I am always looking for more and my neighbors are probably going to revolt if I listen to the Spice Girls every night!

As of this week I have successfully lost 6 pounds!!!  I am so excited to keep on keeping on....I hope you are too.
Best Food of the Week:
Watermelon--it is on sale at Rainbow right now too.
Worst Food of the Week:
Roundy's Cottage Cheese---I had to check the expiration date twice to make sure I wasn't poisoning myself, but I just couldn't finish it.  Keep with the Old Home brand with Sea Salt because it is scrumptious.
Best Exercise of the Week:
Good old fashioned crunches.  They get the job done!
Best Workout Jam of the Week:
You might think I am going to say Spice Girls, but I'm not!!  This week I have been jamming out to the catchy stylings of Maroon 5.  I'd like to pick just one song, but I can't.  They are all great for getting the rump shaking!
Becky Today:
Here I am holding my two secret weapons