YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY

I'm excited, if you couldn't tell.

This morning, on a whim, I decided to take my measurements. I know, I know, you shouldn't measure every week because you might get discouraged if you don't see what you want. Well, I did and I am SO glad that I did. Boot camp is kicking my butt, but it's working!! Overall (and I keep measurements of 8 areas) I lost a total of 13.5 inches!!!!! I am thrilled. I haven't weighed yet, will do that tomorrow!! It is good to know that all I am doing is paying off!

Also, I was looking through the fridge this morning and I realized that right in front of me were not one, not two, but three packages of cookie dough that I bought around Christmas and I had so many already I didn't use them. One of them is chocolate chunk, my favorite. I have seen them and just ignored them all week long. Normally that would have been a late night snack of four squares of cookie dough. But I have resisted. All week. I have definitely turned a corner!

I celebrated by buying 3 pound dumb bells, movin' up from 2 pounders!!

Daydreaming!!

Years ago Hubby told me that when I took off all the weight I wanted he would buy me a completely new wardrobe. Well, he'll have too otherwise I'll be naked. See he wants to buy me expensive clothes, clothes I don't normally buy for myself (I shop Cato, he's talking Ann Taylor and Talbots). I could never shop those stores because I am too big. So today I have been browsing sites looking at the clothes I might, no WILL be wearing someday soon. I told him to start saving his pennies, because 2010 is my year to get fit and healthy and shop, shop, shop!

I have been creating my wardrobe, you know the essential pieces. I'll need this for sure. This looks too comfy not to have in my closet. I want this too. I love this and this and this. Next fall, this will be in my closet next to this and this (purple only!)!! He better save quarters instead of pennies!! Ha!

And we haven't touched on accessories! I love purses and shoes and in this area my tastes tend to run toward the expensive. I love Nine West, it's my favorite! This is just too cute!! And there is a hobo version, which is normally how big of a purse I carry! There are too many cute purses to even keep looking. If I could just run out and buy what shoes I want I would grab these and these and these and so many more!! Make that saving his dollars!! Ha!

Okay, that's enough daydreaming for now. I am still doing really well. I was a little off yesterday, just so tired. So I didn't work out yesterday (my bootcamp video) but I stayed within calorie range and did a lot of heavy cleaning (burns calories too ya know). But today, I am back up to full speed and have done two boot camp workouts, yesterdays and the one for today. I am also back up on water intake too. I drank it yesterday, just not my usual 90 ounces. I am on day 12 of no regular soda!! Woo Hoo!!

I can truly say I have had a successful week. The weekend is usually where I lose it, so I am hoping to keep all things in check this weekend!!

Two Snacks and a Success

I am off to a great start this year and I plan on keeping this momentum!! I am ever searching for little snacks that will help keep my metabolism going, get me within but not over my calorie range and that are yummy! The other night I decided that I wanted an apple. So I sliced the apple and then I sprinkled the top with just a little cinnamon and then on the side I put 1 tablespoon of peanut butter (1 TBSP is half the serving size!). YUM-MY!! So good. Then today after my morning workout I needed a little snack and REALLY wanted a chicken wrap, but I didn't want a lot of calories for a snack. So here is it:

Mini Chicken Wrap:

1/2 of a whole wheat tortilla
1 tsp. of miracle whip
A pinch of shredded cabbage
Shaved chicken
About 10 matchstick carrots

Spread on the miracle whip. Then put on your cabbage, enough to make a little trail about 2 inches wide in the middle of the wrap. Then top the cabbage with the chicken and carrots. Fold the sides in and enjoy! Sprinkle with black pepper or cayenne pepper for a little kick! This little snack is a combined total of only 144 calories, 17 carbs, 3g fat and 13 g of protein! Most importantly, I was satisfied and won't eat now until lunch.

I had a major woo hoo moment yesterday. It didn't start out that way though. Yesterday for whatever reason possessed this crazy head I bought a Zero bar. In the checkout line at the grocery store, my eye caught it and I wanted it. On impulse I picked it up and bought it. It was a King size bar. I don't know why I wanted it, I haven't had a Zero bar in years, I mean years! Normal vices are Reese's or Hersey Bar, not Zero. I got in the van to come home, opened it up and broke off about one third. I ate it. I didn't enjoy it. I thought, "why did you do that, you didn't need or want that". The rest of the bar went into the trash. Why is this a Woo Hoo moment you ask. Because I didn't finish it. The old Joy would have considered the day a loss and finished the bar whether she liked it or not. Progress, slow but sure progress!! And even with the momentary insanity, I still kept within calorie range yesterday!!!

When I started this year I made a commitment to myself and my family that I would get healthy. But I also committed my efforts to God and He is helping me, daily, to meet my goals. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.~~Philippians 4:13 GWT

This year I am doing it right~~through Christ and one day at a time.

I Am Making Progress!!

Just a quick update because I am going to do some more cardio work!  I am on my way and doing really well.  I am staying within my calorie range, working out everyday, and drinking lots of water.  I am also finding lots of yummy recipes that are healthy.  So not only in mama losing weight but the family is getting some new menu choices!

Ran across this video today in my twitter feed and thought I'd post it.  It's really interesting.  I have the first You-The Owners Manuel and I love it!!  Dr. Oz is really great and I love hearing what he has to say.  I hope you enjoy the video and I'll be back in a couple of days for another update.  Still no regular soda, this is day 10!  I am doing it and I am finding that my need for soda is dwindling.  I have some diet in there now and I am not even drinking it.  Woo Hoo!!!

I'm Doing This Thing!

Well, so far things are going well. I can't say I've done everything just perfectly yet, but I am getting there! I have had several woo hoo moments in the last couple of days! One, I am still regular soda free!! I have had a couple of diet soda's, but I am slowly weaning myself down. No regular soda is a really BIG deal. Also, I bought a package of Oreo's for the kiddos and I did not eat one! Another woo hoo moment was last night when we went out to eat and I pre-decided I was going to have a salad. Usually I do this and then get the menu, see all the lovely food and change my mind. Not last night, I decided I was going to have salad and I did! And it was really good. Then this morning I decided to see if I could find the calories for it online, I did and it was way less than I thought it would be!! YAY!!!

In my last post I told you all about Spark People. It's a really great website and today I found out that they are having a boot camp for the month of January. There are some really great giveaways, the exercise videos are all online and of course the support of a team. If you are looking for something to do in your home that will help you get started, this is it.

Well, I'm off to workout and then clean out some closets. Have a healthy day!

Burning calories,
Joy