Week 11 & 12 - Weigh-In And Results Of SparkPeople New YOU Boot Camp

Hi everyone!!! Well, I once again forgot to post a week's weigh-in. I weighed in, but I just forgot to come here and update everyone in a post. For Week 11, I weighed in and lost 0.6 pounds. That's not much, but it was a loss. I think I had been dealing with a temporary plateau for a couple of weeks.

Now...for the Week 12 weigh-in and results of the SparkPeople New YOU Boot Camp!!! I weighed in this morning and I'm happy to say that I lost another 1.2 pounds!!! Yippee!!! That's a total of 13.6 pounds lost, since starting my health and fitness journey. I'm 2.4 pounds away from my next weight loss goal of 16 pounds.

SO...HOW DID I DO WITH THE BOOT CAMP?

I DID GREAT!!! The end results of the SparkPeople New YOU Boot Camp were weight and inches lost!!! I lost a total of 5.2 pounds over the 4 weeks of the boot camp and 2 inches from my waist and hips. AWESOME!!! I am totally satisfied with the results!!! I AM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BOOT CAMP BECAUSE IT KEPT ME MOTIVATED AND BUILT UP MY ENDURANCE TREMENDOUSLY!!!

I AM NOW TRAINING FOR THE 2009 CLIMB CHICAGO...A CLIMB INVOLVING 45 FLOORS, 90 FLIGHTS, AND 585 STEPS TO THE TOP OF ONE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TOWERS IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO ON MARCH 8, 2009...TO HELP FIGHT AND RAISE MONEY FOR LUNG DISEASE! WISH ME LUCK!!!

Week 10 - Weigh-In

Hello!!! Well, I'm back to give you a report on Week 10 and get started with Week 11 of my health and fitness journey. Week 2 of the SparkPeople New YOU boot camp was wonderful!!! I've been working up a sweat with cardio and the boot camp videos.

I stepped on the scale this morning and I only lost 0.2 lbs. this past week. But, I lost 1/2 inch from my waist and hips!!! So, I'm still making progress!!! As long as I'm seeing some results each week, I am happy!!! Well...Week 11 is here and I'm looking forward to more calories burned and more weight lost this week. Wish me luck!!!

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (1/14/09)

OVERCOMING YOUR PERSONAL "STOP SIGNS"

Know your limits...but never stop trying to exceed them.

- Anonymous

Many of us use our "limitations" as a stop sign for reaching our goals. While knowing our limits can safeguard us against injury and embarrassment, too often we use them as avoidance methods in our lives. What is holding you back from reaching your goals? How can you push beyond your comfort zone in a healthy way? Many dieters experience such limitations in on their weight loss journeys. Our bodies and minds are capable of overcoming much more than we could ever imagine if we just try. Today set new goals that may push you a little. Overcoming your personal hang-ups and fears may be one of the most rewarding choices you'll ever make!

Week 9 - Weigh-In

Hello everyone!!! I just finished Week 9 and today starts Week 10 of my health and fitness journey. Also, today starts Week 2 of the SparkPeople New YOU Boot Camp. Today, I weighed in and I'm happy to report that I lost 3 pounds...YESSSS!!! I'm so proud of myself! This makes a total of 11.4 pounds lost so far, since I started this journey back in November. I just keep telling myself to keep up the good work.

I've met my second weight loss goal...an 11 pound weight loss. To reward myself, I am going to order some AVON smell goods (perfume fragrances). WOW...I'm just ecstatic right now...and so determined to make it to my final weight loss of 41 pounds!!! The boot camp has been going great!!! This first week was awesome...I did the 10-minute boot camp videos along with 45 minutes of cardio. I'm so energized right now...Week 10 here I come!!!

Week 8 - Weigh In & First Day Of Sparkpeople New YOU Bootcamp!!!

FIRST DAY OF SPARKPEOPLE'S NEW YOU BOOTCAMP

Hi there!!! Well, I'm back with my Week 8 weigh in. You may be wondering why I'm weighing in a day early when I usually weigh in on Mondays. Well, I've decided to try out Sparkpeople's New YOU Bootcamp which starts today 1/4/09 and goes to 1/31/09. Therefore, I'm switching to Sunday weigh-in's from now on...making Sunday the start of a new week.

I weighed in this morning, along with taking several other measurements: BMI, Body Fat Percentage, and Waist/Hip Measurements. I am excited to say that I lost 2.8 pounds in Week 8....WooHoo!!! That's a total weight loss of 8.4 pounds so far!!! I'm so proud of myself!!! I'm 2.6 pounds away from rewarding myself for reaching an 11 pound weight loss goal...although I still have to reach my FINAL 41 pound weight loss goal. I know this bootcamp will be challenging, but I'm ready!!! I hope to accomplish, from this bootcamp, a greater appreciation for working hard and pressing on when it comes to workouts. Where there is effort, there are results!!! I hope to end this bootcamp with some sort of progress in weight loss, endurance, and confidence! Wish me luck!!!!

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (1/1/09)...Happy New Year!!!

AWARENESS THROUGH DOWNSHIFTING

Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.

- Lion from Wizard of Oz


Often our first reaction to a stressful situation is to overcompensate and overwork to overcome whatever it is. Sometimes though, the best thing you can do it step away, take a breath, and come back to tackle the problem with a clear head. Replacing important things in your life with work only causes anxiety to build up--not to mention that it takes the joy out of life. Vacation does not have to mean physically leaving your everyday life and jet setting to the beach. Whatever relaxes you, brings more clarity, or calms your mind during times of stress can certainly be enough to rejuvenate! When logic tells you to quicken your pace and pile on the extra work, yet your heart is reminding you of the meaningful time you are neglecting with family, friends, and yourself, it's time to slow down. Often letting off on the gas for a period of time can compose and refocus your mind.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (12/16/08)

BLAZING YOUR OWN TRAIL

There are two kinds of man: the ones who make history and the ones who endure it.

- Camilo Jose Cela, Spanish novelist

History is written all around you every day. It may not be history that makes the college textbooks, but it's your history just the same. Do you make your own history? Or do you endure the life that others make for you? When you choose a direction and dedicate yourself to it, you make history. When you listen to naysayers who convince you that it can't be done, you endure history. When you set your priorities and stick to them, you make history. When you get distracted by things that you find useless, you endure it. When you decide to have a good day, you create a life you want. When you allow outside forces to dictate your mood, you get the life that's given to you. There are an infinite number of possible histories out there, waiting to be lived. Whatever your life has been up to this point doesn't matter. What counts is the history that awaits you in the future. Which do you choose?

Week 5 - Weigh-In

I am so ecstatic today!!! Week 5 was the best week so far in this health and fitness journey. I hopped on the scale this morning and drum roll please....I've lost 3.4 pounds this past week!!! I've reach my first weight loss goal...a 6 pound weight loss (actually...it's a 6.4 pound loss)!!! I am so proud of myself!!! The only thing I did differently this week was to cut down a little on my carbohydrate intake. I also ate more fruits, vegetables, and salmon. This is awesome!!! My reward for reaching a 6 pound weight loss is dumbbells...which I've already purchased! I'm now on to Week 6...trying to reach that 11 pound weight loss goal!!!

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (12/12/08)

REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES, LEARNING FROM THE BAD

Shut out all of your past except that which will help you weather your tomorrows.

- William Osler, Canadian physician

Memory can be used for good or for evil. If you use your past as a source of learning, it's worth remembering. If, however, all you do is mull over your mistakes and punish yourself for your failures, it's a waste of time. Rehashing failure can paralyze you in mortal fear of making another mistake, which, of course, just makes the feeling worse and practically guarantees future letdowns. The key to making meaningful changes is to pay more attention to the future than to the past. Have you ever noticed that the best athletes also have the shortest and most selective memories? Instead of dwelling on a missed shot or a flawed dive, they concentrate on making corrections and getting the next one right. It's as if the failed attempt never happened. It's forgotten and they don't fear trying again. If you mess up, even in an epic, life-altering way, work hard to leave it behind and concentrate on the possibilities yet to come. Tomorrow is much brighter when it's not smeared with a fixation on yesterday.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (12/10/08)

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF?

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily.

- Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker

Makes sense doesn't it? The secret to staying consistent with your goals is to stay motivated. That means finding ways to fire yourself up on a daily basis. Being inspired at a seminar, by reading a book, or while talking to a dynamic speaker is easy. But what happens when you're on your own? To follow through on that burst of motivation and reach the finish line, you need regular booster shots. Give yourself those little positive reminders that you have an important job to do and a good reason for doing it. What's pushing you? Surround yourself with visual, verbal, and physical "pep talks" that trigger that motive. It doesn't take long for dust to gather on your momentum, making your goals turn stale. A daily dose of motivation kicks off the dust before it can settle and gives you a fresh, clean start.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (12/3/08)

BECOMING THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE

To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

- EE Cummings, poet

Take a look at your priorities and your goals. Where did they come from? Are they the products of soul-searching, self-analysis, and careful planning? Or are they a reaction to pressures from other people? Did you find them within yourself or within the pages of a magazine? The answers to these questions are important because they tell you if the person you're becoming is someone you want to be. Here's another way to look at a goal: do you want it, or do you just think you should want it? It's not easy to follow your own direction in life. But it's more possible than you may think. Question everything. Every priority in your life needs to justify why it's there. If you can't come up with a good reason that actually comes from YOU, maybe it doesn't belong.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (12/2/08)

DO YOU SEE POSSIBILITIES OR PROBLEMS?

A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse.

- Stephen Dolley Jr

It's been said that some of the smartest people around would make lousy entrepreneurs. How can that be? The fact is, some people are so smart they can easily see all of the problems, roadblocks, and snafus that they'll need to overcome to succeed. They can think of all kinds of reasons why their idea won't work. This knowledge can overwhelm any thoughts of possibilities or dreams. When you think of your goals, do you focus on the positives of making it happen, or the negatives of potential barriers? To reach your goals, you gotta really want them. More importantly, you gotta really believe that you can do it. Think more about why you CAN make it happen instead of why you can't. No more excuses.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (11/28/08)

FACING YOUR WORST FEARS

All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly and its spines crumble.

- William S. Halsey, WWII U.S. Admiral

Your worst fears are usually the ones that never happen. Unfortunately, they're also the ones that keep you from trusting yourself and your abilities. Doesn't it seem silly to give up in the face of an anxiety that may be no more real than the fairy tale troll that lives under the bridge? If you approach a possible roadblock with hesitation, it might resist and break your resolve. But if you step forward with confidence, you can climb that wall, even one inch at a time, and pull yourself over the top. It's all about confidence, which you build by facing problems. Then you know that you can take on anything that comes along. The unknown monster under the bed is always scarier than the dust bunny reality.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (11/24/08)

THE KEY TO HAPPINESS

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

- James Oppenheim, short-story writer, novelist, poet

The secret to happiness is not to get what you want, but to want what you already have. If you think about it, most discontent grows from want. We want more stuff, more excitement, more pleasure. When we don't get those things, we're resentful and unsatisfied. Take away the want, and you take away the unhappiness. When your quality of life is tied to your desires, fulfillment is a shadow that escapes your view. Like trying to imagine a new color, the harder you look, the harder it is to see. Does this mean you stop setting goals and striving for a healthy lifestyle and better life? No. It means you can appreciate life regardless of the outcome. It means you can relish the pursuit while accepting the possibility of failure. It means you can still enjoy the ride. Happiness is not a destination--it's a way of life.

One Of My Favorite Healthy Reflections From SparkPeople (11/21/08)

ARE YOU CREATING YOUR OWN LIFE?

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.

- George Bernard Shaw, playwright


Take a moment to look at the circumstances of your world. Is it what you want to see? What could you do differently to take one step closer to your ideal vision? We're all dealt different hands in life. That's how things are. To change things, you have to first accept that fact, then figure out where to go from here. We should all be able to count on each other for help, but in the end, we can't expect anyone to change our lives except ourselves. Nor should we want it that way. It's natural to feel powerless and give up in the face of hardships, but complaining and blaming do nothing except prevent action. Without positive action, you're giving up your power and asking for more of the same--a world you did not create. Where you start may not be your fault, but the course you run is still your choosing.

I Love SparkPeople!!!

It has only been a little over a week since joining SparkPeople, but I am so glad I found and joined the website. I didn't know that such a site existed that can assist you in so many areas of your life. I underestimated SparkPeople at first...thinking it was just a site for information, tools, and support on health and fitness. Boy...was I wrong!!!! SparkPeople, not only aids in health and fitness, but it aids a person mentally, spiritually, and emotionally also. Plus...after reviewing the site, I've found that SparkPeople is also a family-oriented site. And, not to leave out, the SparkPeople members I've met so far have been the greatest, most supportive people I've ever had a pleasure of meeting in any health and fitness arena. Kudos to the founder of SparkPeople!!! I am so glad you thought of such a site and I truly appreciate what SparkPeople offers me on a daily basis. Thank you!!!

Check In - Day 6 Of My Health & Fitness Journey

Hi everyone!!! I just wanted to stop in and let everyone know how my health and fitness journey has been coming along. Well, today, is the 6th day of my journey and things have been going great!!! I found an awesome online health and fitness website, SparkPeople, on Tuesday. I've been solely using it ever since to track both my nutrition and fitness. I still use the demandFitness website for workout videos. I have not logged into the Weight Watchers website since finding the SparkPeople website. I'm strongly considering canceling my subscription with Weight Watchers. The SparkPeople website is awesome (did I already say that...LOL) and it's FREE!!! The site is packed with a wealth of information, tools, and people to keep you on track with your health and fitness regimen. I love it...and the members I've met on there are awesome!!! If anyone is interested, check it out at www.sparkpeople.com!

Here's briefly what my health and fitness regimen consists of:

-Goal: To lose 41 pounds by 8-25-09

-Cardio: 4 times a week

-Strength Training: 3 times a week

-Yoga or Pilates once a week

-Multi-vitamin a day

-Biotin pill a day

-1390 to 1740 calories a day

-184 to 266 grams of carbohydrates a day

-36 to 64 grams of fat a day

-60 to 144 grams of protein a day

-Try to get more sleep at night

-Drink at least 8 glasses (64 ounces) of water a day

Today, I found a recipe on SparkPeople, from one of the members, and I cooked it for dinner. The recipe was for Creamy Mushroom Chicken. I added asparagus as a side dish. Not only did I enjoy dinner, but so did my husband and son. Here's a picture of dinner tonight:



Dinner was mmmmm...mmmmmm good!!!

Well, that's it for now!!! I will be back on Monday to give you an update on my weigh-in. I will be measuring my weight every week on Monday. Wish me luck...I sure hope I've lost some pounds...even if it's just 1 pound...LOL!!!!