Support System

Have you got a support system?  I've tried for many years unsuccessfully to lose weight without a success system in place.  I wanted friends and family to "notice" that I had lost weight instead of me asking them for help.  I have since realized that I need a success system in place. 

What kind of success system?
1. You need someone you trust that will give you good feedback (not someone trying to sabotage your weight loss efforts).
2. Who do you have that you can call or text quickly before you put that piece of chocolate cake or eat that yummy ice cream?
3. Who do you have that can workout with you?
4. Who can you learn from - nutritionists, personal trainers, body builders, gym instructors?

I have someone I have never met except for online and we are "texting" buddies.  I know she will be there for me and I will be there for her.  I have a wonderful husband who will workout with me and I'm making new friends in my Turbo Kick class. I have learned alot from people in the industry (see above) so that I can make smart decisions when it comes to food and workouts and I still have much to learn.

Today will be a rest day from workouts and my meals have been right on target.

Today's foods:
Meal 1 - 4 egg whites, 1 yolk, spinach, tomato, onion, 1 whole wheat tortilla, salsa, Organo Gold Black Coffee, 1 c hot water with juice of 1 lemon.
Meal 2 - tuna canned in water, 1/4 avocado (squeeze lemon juice on remaining to use for another day), tomato, onion, jalapeno, 1 c black beans
Meal 3 - 1 c lowfat cottage cheese (store was out of fat free), 1 orange, 1 T chia seeds - if you haven't tried these you must!
Meal 4 - Chocolate Protein Powder Shake with 1/2 banana, 1/2 c oatmeal with cinnamon, 2 T ground flaxseed
Meal 5 - Chicken cooked in low sodium 100% fat free chicken broth, Spaghetti squash, salad with balsamic vinegar.
Over one gallon of water with lemon!!

LOVE Clean Eating

I stopped "dieting" and started what is called eating clean off and on (more off than on) in the last three years and managed to lose 20 lbs from my highest weight ever of 272 lbs. Not great results but like I said it was more off than on.  As of Monday of this week I got serious about eating clean.  Normally on day three I would be craving mexican food (my favorite) but today I have had no cravings and really haven't been that hungry.  I did eat because I know I need to. 

I went to my Turbo Kick class again this evening and thankfully my husband fixed dinner for me so that I could eat after my shower tonight.  It was tough eating because I simply wasn't hungry but I managed to eat it - I know my body would greatly appreciate it after all I put it through at the gym. 

Today's meals were relatively simple:
M1 - My Standby breakfast - 4 egg whites with 1 yolk, spinach, tomato, onion, 1/2 jalapeno,1T fat free cottage cheese,  few drops of Tabasco, 1/2 c oatmeal with 1 very small apple, cinnamon, 2 T ground flaxseed, and 1 c.of my Organo Gold Black Coffee.  I also started today drinking 1 c hot water with juice of 1 lemon before anything else. Quite a filling breakfast!
M2 - Baked chicken, steamed asparagus, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 jalapeno, 1c black beans
M3 - 1 c Greek Yogurt (Plain), raw veggies, 1 small orange
M4 - Protein Powder shake (my fav is Chocolate), 1/2 banana, 1T chia seeds (love these!!) This was pre-workout meal
M5 - Chicken cooked in tiny bit of EVOO, and cabbage.  I had intended to have steamed snow peas and cherry tomatoes but that didn't fit in the grocery budget this week. 

I've also managed a gallon of water and still drinking some.  It seems the more water I drink the more I want.

The better I get at blogging then I will be able to add pics for you!! 
Have a Restful Evening!!

Counting today as Day One

I have tried for many years to lose weight.  I know how to do it - eat clean, workout, drink water but the knowledge requires action and consistency.  I went to my very first bodybuilding and fitness competition on Saturday and met an amazing woman who also was over 200 lbs just a little over a year ago and she took 3rd place in her category.  The more I talked to this woman, her husband and her Dad the more I told myself I too could do this!  Right now I don't have any dreams of competing but I want to look like I can. Her name is Jennifer.

Jennifer told me she taught Turbo Kick Classes at a local gym which I don't belong to.  I do have a gym membership that has gone mostly unused.  I decided if I wanted to look like her then I needed to be in her classes and learn from her, so I joined her gym.   Keep in mind I'm not a morning person so I really wasn't sure about the 8:30am class that she was teaching but I was determined to be there praying I could make it through the class.  I did!!  It was the most amazing feeling in the world - I'm now hooked on Turbo Kick!!

I'm also eating clean and will posts my meals everyday.  Here is today's:
Pre-workout Meal 1: Chocolate Protein Powder shake with 1/2 banana, 4 strawberries
Post workout Meal 2: 4 egg whites with 1 yolk, spinach, onion, 1/2 c. oatmeal with cinnamon and 2 T ground flaxseed
Meal 3 will be: canned tuna in water, steamed broccoli and spinach, 1/2 c brown rice
Meal 4 will be: 4 oz baked chicken breast, salad with balsamic vinegar
Meal 5 will be: Tilapia, steamed veggies with 1 T olive oil

This gives me 5 proteins, 5-6 servings veggies, 2 fruits, 2 starchy but good for you carbs, 2 servings essential fats. Plus I will be drinking a minimum of a gallon of water each day sometimes with lemon added.  I actually crave water.

I know I'm off to a great start!!  Thanks Jennifer for inspiring me!!