I was unable to post last week’s blog 4/1 due to the flu, so below is a combination of l ast week and this week.

Week of March 25 – April 1

Well it’s another good week. I’m down 1.2 lbs this week but I have to admit I was not happy. I expected the same weight loss as last week (three pounds) or at least two pounds. I realize I did some things differently this week, but you know what, I could have done everything the same this week as last week and still may have only lost 1.2lbs. So, long story short after that I said “I will take the 1.2 lbs thank you very much I worked hard for it.” This is a marathon not a sprint. This week was much different than the first week as it took everything not to reward myself, yes I said it reward myself for losing 3lbs last week. You know what I am talking about, you lose weight and now you think you got the magic formula. I can eat this and that and still lose weight, or all of sudden you think you have got super metabolism. For example when I got off the scale last Thursday morning instead of having a half of bagel thin, which I had been having for the last six mornings, I had an entire one. I had to laugh at myself because it was too funny. I said “There you go again rewarding yourself”. Last week, I also had a bad Charlie horse which I thought it was going to mess up my workout routine. I was determined not to let it do so, I decided to do my treadmill workout in fat burning mode 10 minutes longer than my usually workout. Fat burning mode allows you to work out at a slower pace while keep your heart rate in the fat burning zone. Warning, everything I have read says you burn fat in the fat burning zone and calories, but you burn more calories and fat in the anaerobic/cardio zone. Still fat burning is great for people who are trying to becoming accustomed to working out or you have had injuries in the past.

So what were my accomplishments this week?

1. Did take before photos boy, I was like” Is that me OMG”.
2. Also took my measurements those of which I was like “ok where is the 36 22 39 not on me that’s for sure.”

Tools and just plain old good information to know:
My dear friend referred me to this great website called hungrygirl.com. It is awesome. It wasn’t until I starting writing this week’s blog did I think “wow I need to pass this along”. Now wait it’s not a diet, it not attacking you cause your over weight, or the fact you enjoy a good meal. It’s more of an informational web site it tells you about great low calorie alternatives to the foods you love. Have you ever eaten something low cal that tried to impersonate some food item that you enjoyed? I say impersonate because it promises its tastes just like that food item but doesn’t quite deliver. You bite into the imposter and you’re like “What is this”? Thus far I have not had that problem with anything that hungrygirl.com has recommended. Here are some things that I picked up in the last two weeks, almond milk unsweetened or vanilla 30 calories less than skim milk and taste great, and guess what it is lactose free. Thank you oh great one! Yes, I am one of the unlucky lactose intolerance people. Thomas bagel thins, since one regular bagel has over 300 calories. Sure, if you’re a native New Yorker you could take the dough out from the middle to cut the calories. But why do so if bagel thins are only 110 calories, and they come in wheat, plain and everything, everything, of course, being my favorite. So, I have a half bagel most mornings that’s only 55 calories with coffee. I either spread some I can’t believe it not butter light or the light Laughing Cow original Swiss cheese which taste just like cream cheese, another hungrygirl.com tip. Best of all I can now enjoy bagel Tuesday’s in the office like everyone else for less calories. So go check this web site out I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed. Another, reason I love hungrygirl.com, all of their items that they recommend can be found in your local supermarkets and, since a lot these items are new to the public they are often on sale. You know the buy two for this price sale.

Fitnessmagazine.com I cannot tell you how much I love, love, love this web site all you have to do is subscribe to it, don’t order the magazine. It’s got workout playlist suggestions for your iPod. You can create your own video workouts. It’s got exercise video work out from top trainers. It’s even got a bridal boot camp workout with the trainer from Bulging Brides! I like most of us in the struggle knew about fitness magazine but, had no idea how resourceful the web site was, so when I decided I wanted to add toning to my workout and needed something that would allow me to use my dumbbells at home I found great workouts on this website.

I also love, love to read inspirational stories, and found a guy who basically has lost over 141lbs the same way I am trying to, by counting calories down and still enjoying the food that he loves without over indulging. Once, I read this sentence on his blog I was like we click. “You can’t tell someone that been eating cheeseburgers their entire life, as of today you must stop. It just does not work for some of people” So true. Check him out at www.344pounds.com.

Week of April 1 – April 8 Well it another good week down 1lb so that 5lbs in three weeks, hope I can keep this up, man I keep thinking really and truly how hard this is, and I hope I can stick with it. We’re talking about 7- 8 months of my life. Well this week despite having the flu and missing two days of working out I forced myself to go to the gym on Saturday. I have also stuck with my promise of not leaving the gym until I burn a minimum of 400 calories. Thus far, I have been sticking with it. The next couple of weeks will be difficult as I am having surgery and cannot do anything physical for two weeks, and even then I have been advised to ease my way back into a normal flow.

So what were my accomplishments this week?

1. Energy, that’s right folks I got more energy than ever before.
2. Guilt, I actually feel guilty now if I don’t workout at least 5 days a week. It’s like a second job.

Tools and just plain old good information to know:

I am fortunate. I can say without stuttering that I live comfortably. No, I am not rich by any means but I can afford a treadmill, Wii Fit, exercise videos, and a gym membership to a very nice athletic club. But, there are people out there that can’t and to them I say there are so many things you can do to get yourself active that does not cost a dime.

Stairs: Stairs are a great form of exercise and the best thing is that they are everywhere from your home, the mall, the movie theater and office buildings.

Walking: I remember this song from some silly show my brother and I use to watch when we were kids “Put one foot in front of the other and soon you will be walking out the door.” And that is all you have to do is step right outside your door and go for a walk. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise.

Make that walk to the mall entrance or store entrance a little longer. That’s right stop praying for the parking fairy. Give your HEART some exercise it will love you for it