Wednesday, February 6, 2013

February 6, 2013 - Training HARD!

Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed the always entertaining Super Bowl (Go Ravens!)

Well like my title says today I’m training hard. Kelly has me training 6 days a week now. I work out with her in the morning Monday thru Friday and I power walk on Saturday in my neighborhood. This week alone I’ve done two a day’s both on Monday and Tuesday. I bought the Polar FT4 this past weekend. It monitors your heart rate and will tell you how many calories you are burning. It lets me know if I’m working in my target heart range, if I drop below it starts to beep at me. Kelly wants me to burn 500 calories during my workout, so if I don’t reach that number with her then I have to work out at night too, hence why I’ve had two a days this week. I like being able to see while I’m working out what my heart rate is and how many calories I’ve already burned J It’s a great motivator!
 
I love getting gold stars from Kelly! :)
 
Last week at weight-in I lost 3 pounds! I’m now at 289. From those of you that have been keeping up I’ve put on some weight since November. But no fear I am back on track after getting through the holidays. I can’t wait to see what Friday’s weight-in has in store! Between eating right and training really hard I’m hoping to see some good results! If not well then I know I just have to stick with it and next week will really show the progress that I’m making.

I’m still running 3 days a week and weight lifting the other two. I’m up to running 2 miles and it’s starting to get a little easier. And by little I mean little ;) I’ve come to realize that weight loss is mainly mental. You have to make the right decisions to eat right and not cave when you have bad food around you. I have to keep pushing myself to keep running even thou my legs are screaming at me to stop! That I know as long as I focus on my breathing and stride the burning will eventually stop. It’s just me and the road no one else, I have to push myself to keep going. I look at these other people and see how many miles they run and I think ugh how you can do that. They make it look so easy! But I have to remain positive and know that I will eventually get there. It’s not always easy to be positive with your legs are burning and your head is pounding, but if you stick with it you feel so much better in the end. Now don’t get me wrong when Kelly asks me at the end of my run don’t I feel great, at that exact point no I don’t, I’m tired and I hurt but after I cool off I do feel better! I’m proud of myself that I even ran as far as I did. I never thought that one day I’d be a runner and look at me now! J It really goes to show that if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything and this year I’m going to lose 120lbs! ;)

So until next time remember to stay focused and stay motivated!

-The Dish

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

January 30, 2013 - I'M BACK!


I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted and I’m sorry. I had a few post written I just didn’t get around to posting them so let me share them with you now J Then we can catch up…

October 17, 2012 – Plateau, oh how I don’t like you! :p

So to set the stage here is the definition of Plateau:

World English Dictionary

plateau  (ˈplætəʊ)
n  , pl -eaus , -eaux
1.
a wide mainly level area of elevated land
2.
a relatively long period of stability; levelling off: the rising prices reached a plateau
vb
3.
to remain at a stable level for a relatively long period
[C18: from French, from Old French platel  something flat, from plat  flat; see plate ]

Well as you can guess I’ve reached a plateau. Last Saturday at weight-in I was the same weight 285. I was beyond frustrated. All last week I was on a strict no carbs or red meat diet. Needless to say I ate A LOT of salads last week under 600 calories J I was very disappointed to see all the hard work that I’ve done and I didn’t lose a pound! But Kelly encouraged me and told me that I’m right on track that I just need to keep up the good work this week and I’ll have a big drop at weight-in.  So fingers crossed that when I see Kelly again and have weight-in that I’ll have a big drop in weight, I’m hoping to hit the 5 pound mark that would mean that I would have lost a total of 51 pounds! There’s just one small tiny problem…Kelly had to have surgery yesterday so she’s out for a week at least. That means that I have to be strict on myself and keep myself motivated. Which has been going ok so far… ;)

November 28, 2012 – I’ve overcome the Plateau!!!

Hi everyone, first off let me wish everyone a Happy Holiday, and I hope you all didn’t get too stuffed on Turkey day. I know I didn’t. Also I want to apologize for not posting lately. (Thanks TB for asking if I was still blogging the other day, it’s nice to know that you all like to keep up with my journey) It’s been very hectic with vacation, getting a cold and Thanksgiving also I was really bummed out while I was going through the plateau. 

So this plateau thing really sucked for lack of a better word! I did NOT like it!! I was getting so frustrated; I’d be great with my diet, working out twice as hard and not shedding a pound! Kelly kept me motivated and we changed my diet around a little bit to two small meals a day and one shake. Well then I went out of town to the big City. This time New York and I had a love/love relationship. I came back with NO blisters or strained Achilles heels. I did however catch a cold  :-/ But I loved it! I walked a lot too! Found my way around the subway and bus system; almost felt like a local ;) My friend KSM told me when I got back that looking at my pictures I looked like I belong in the City. I told her hum maybe one day I’ll live there. They always say if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere ;) Oh and the leaves in Central Park, so beautiful! I also had a great visit with my sister J And this time walking around I was able to keep up with her and not feel like a grandma slowing her down haha
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Sissy and I in Central Park
Then a week later Turkey day rolled around. I went to visit family for a few days so I was eating out more often and trying to make conscience decisions about what I chose to eat. For the most part I didn’t do too bad. ;) I did have a few glasses of wine on Turkey day and a couple of beers during the last game of the season. So when I got on the scale yesterday I was pleasantly surprised!

I knew what I’ve eaten (with going on vacation, having a cold and not working out for a week, then having Turkey day and only working out two days last week) so in my mind I had a feeling that the scale might not be what I’d like to see. I was worried to say the least. :-/ Kelly had me get on three times like she always does, then asks what was I before when we weight the last time. I told her I was at 285, she said well you lost 5 pounds you are exactly at 280! :D I couldn’t believe it!! I quickly calculated that with my new weight I have lost a total of 51 pounds! I can’t believe that I am FINALLY over the 50 mark! :D I won’t be near my goal of 250 by December 2nd but that’s ok. I plan on redoing my goals for the next month and Kelly would like me to get down to 270 by New Years. So I’ve started the week out right with working out with Kelly in the morning and having more protein and vegetables and less carbs J Here’s to a new goal of 270 by New Years!

Well that’s all for now! Remember to stay focused and stay motivated! Even if I have to remind myself too on a daily basis ;)

-The Dish

And now to the present! So I took a week off from work over Christmas and New Years, don’t worry I still got up every day and worked out with Kelly. I even had my sister who was in town join us J It was nice to be able to spend so much time with her, I miss having her around. I will say that my diet was not too great. I enjoyed the occasional drink and probably too much fried food.  Kelly made sure that after New Years that we’d get back on point and we did. Until I got an upper repertory infection that I didn’t get to work out for two weeks! Infection is now gone and I’m feeling great! I’m a little sore but great. Kelly and I worked out last Wednesday for the first time in two weeks. She took it easy on me since I still wasn’t done with my antibiotics but she said you better be ready come Monday we’re going to get down to business. Well let me tell you she wasn’t kidding! She has me taking pictures and texting what I eat! I’ll tell you this it keeps me on point that’s for sure! ;) You can’t lie what you’re eating with a picture. And to add to that, we are now running! Yes you read correct I said RUNNING! I ran for the first time on Monday with Kelly, we did a mile and a half! Our new workout routine will be running three days a week and lifting weights two days a week. Yesterday we did some light upper body, still trying to get back with it after being gone for two weeks. And this morning….drum roll please…I ran for 2 MILES!!!! I couldn’t believe that I did that or that I had it in me! By the end of the mile and a half I was ready to quit, but Kelly pushed me and I finished running the remaining half and completed two miles! Trust me the last half wasn’t without some tears ;) I really had to focus on my breathing and just reminding myself left right, left right, left right. I could see the end but I really felt like I couldn’t get there. Kelly was beyond ecstatic that I did 2 miles today! She asks me how I feel. I said I hurt, she’s like no, doesn’t your body feel great?! I looked at her and said no my body hates me right now and its hurting. She goes that’s just in your head Tiff, your body right now is saying oh yeah, it’s about time!!! Well that’s what she thinks my body is saying I however beg to differ :p So of course she’s on a roll and supper happy that I ran for two miles, she says we need to sign you up for a 5k! I look at her still trying to catch my breath with the you’ve got to be kidding me eyes, she goes we’ll sign you up next month. Still staring at her, she’s like ok ok after spring break then, I tell her I’m already signing up for the Color Run in May! She goes that’s fine you can do one after spring break, it’s only one more mile Tiff you can do it! Then to add to that she says by December I want you to run a half! I stare at her with the deer in the head lights look like this woman has got to be kidding me. I just finished running 2 miles for the first time and she’s ready for me to take off, I’m just trying to focus on catching my breath. For those of you that don’t know how many miles a half marathon is its 13.1! Needless to say I had a lot to take in after my 2 mile run.
Before dropping Sissy off at the airport...
 
Running 2 miles and after!
Sometimes I need to look at a side by side to realize how far I've come!
Did I mention that she wants me to lose 120lbs this year, to get down to 160!? Yeah so this year we mean business, I’m going to continue to work on the new me in the New Year! Wish me luck on this journey that I am continuing on ;) Kelly and I have big goals to accomplish and a lot of hard work ahead of us, but I know if I can come this far then I can surly finish till the end J

So until next time remember to stay focused and stay motivated!

-The Dish

 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

October 3, 2012 - What is it about new jeans?


Hi everyone! Happy Hump Day! :) We've made it half way through the week and now we are on the downward slop. Hope everyone is doing good this week.

So last week at weight in I lost one pound! I was very happy with that result because now I am down a total of 45 pounds from 331 to 286! Like I posted on Facebook one pound is still a pound in the right direction.

I'm sure you're curious about my title this week. Well like I said in last weeks post I went down two pants size from a 22 to a 18 and ordered a new pair. On Friday they finally arrived! I had to wash them because of the dark die, so I finally got to wear them on Monday. And let me ask you, what is it about new jeans, AND new boots? Makes you feel sexy ;) Well I sure was strutting myself around the office that's for sure! The jeans looked amazing and I was wearing some new boots that I got for a trip to NYC next month! I wanted to break the boots in now and not be dealing with blisters when I'm in the City. :) The last time I went to the Big Apple I was not in the shape I am now and I paid dearly for it. Beginners mistake, wearing high heels to Time Square. I will not do that again. I ended up with blisters on the bottom of both my feet and felt like I was walking on fire for the rest of the trip. Needlessly to say NYC kicked my butt and I came back hurting. But this time NYC look out, I'm in the best shape and ready to take you on! If my readers have any suggestions of places to see let me know. :)

I haven't been able to get two a days in this week due to the weather. Its been storming here since Monday. I finally was able to see the Sun today. :) I've been watching what I eat and making smart choices. I even went to a baby shower on Saturday night, (yes I said night) they had an open bar and it was during the FSU/USF game, I was VERY good and drank only water ;) My Mom on the other hand was introduced to a drink called "Baby Guinness" (AB made me think of you, miss you from across the pond) she had two ;) I did taste it and it was very smooth. I mean you can never go wrong with Patron Cafe. ;) (Thank you CA for introducing that to me one Thanksgiving many moons ago) I hope to have some good results on Friday for weight in so I'll let you know how it goes.

Well that's all for now, hope everyone has a good rest of the week and weekend.  :)

Until next time remember to stay focused and stay motivated.

- The Dish

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

September 26, 2012 - What a successful week!


Whoo Hoo we’ve made it to Hump Day!! Hope all my followers out there are doing well J So this past week was very productive for The Dish. Let me share with you….

This past Thursday Kelly almost killed me, ok maybe not for real but she did for the first time make me cry and I couldn’t breathe. She pushed me to my limits. She kept chanting there’s the athlete in you I see her she’s coming out, keep pushing yourself. As I’m standing there crying saying I can’t breathe she says to go stand in front of the fan then she says there it is, that’s what I was wanting to see. I’m standing there thinking she wanted me to cry?! I’m sure she can read the expression on my face; she replies I wanted to push you to your breaking point so you know how far you can go. Well let me tell you I reached it and it was very instance getting there. Kelly informs me that we will be working out this hard three days a week. Can I tell you I wanted to slap her at that point thinking she’s insane! Ok maybe not really insane or slap her for that matter, but in that moment working out that hard was the farthest thing from my mind. Kelly kept telling me the rest of the day and the next morning that I kicked ass in that workout. That she was very proud of me!

Bicep Curls

Bicep Raises

I’ve been keeping up with the two a days. SR and I worked out twice on Saturday. I even made sure I got my workout in before the ‘Noles 8pm kick off against Clemson. Boy what a game that was to watch and to not be able to drink anything was very hard. Kelly suggested that I have water with lemon, I reply that I need something stronger she says ice tea with lemon, I tell her oh sure I’ll have Dragonfly Ice Tea with Lemon no problem. You see Kelly didn’t know what Dragonfly Ice Tea is. (For those of you wondering just the same it’s a brand of Sweet Tea Vodka) I tell her not to worry I’ll just stick to the water instead. Needlessly to say I ended up going to bed by 10:30pm when Clemson scored on us again, so when I woke up and saw that we won I was glad my Mom had DVR the game so I could to watch us kick Clemson’s butt! The next day on Sunday SR and I went shopping. I had tried on some old pair of pants in my closet the day before and I fit into some slacks that I use to wear in college. I was soo happy one for fitting into the pants and two for not having to buy any work slacks right now. All of my old jeans where too big so I knew going shopping on Sunday with SR I would have to buy some jeans. SR and I make our way into Lane Bryant; we head straight to the jeans. I go ahead and grab a 20. I was wearing a 22 before and I knew that I could put my arm down the inside of my pants like I do to my work slacks. SR and I go back to the changing rooms. I am able to slide the pants on with no problem, I walk out of the dressing room and SR says that those look great! I say yes they do but look, and I show her that I’m still able to put my arm down the inside of my pants. The clerk is standing there asking how everything fits and she says those look ok but I should try a smaller size, I nervously ask her to pull an 18 for me. She brings me back the 18 and I’m able to pull them up and over my butt (which many of you know is very large) and button them with no problem. I check to see if I can fit my arm inside my pants and no go. I step out for SR to see and her mouth drops! SR’s like those look so good on you, even your butt looks smaller! I’m jumping for joy I’m so happy to fit into the size 18 pants. I have to give a very proud shot out to SR who tried on pants with me; she was able to get into a size 16!!!!!!!!!! :D Way to go SR!! We’re doing it one step at a time ;)

Trying on and then buying my size 18 jeans :)

On Monday after my workout with Kelly I tell her that I need to take my measurements to add to the Isabody challenge. She says let’s take pictures since you have on the same outfit from the first set. Kelly takes the front side to side and back. I couldn’t believe the difference from the first pictures we took until now. It’s hard for me to see the 44 pounds that I lost until I look at pictures like these. I see myself every day and I still see my rolls, but after seeing the difference it just motivates me more to continue to reach my goals! Here are some side by side pictures to see the difference.
Front

Back

Right Side

Left Side
Well I hope everyone has a great rest of the week. And remember to stay focused and stay motivated!
-The Dish

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 20, 2012 - Gaining Momentum


Hi everyone! We are over the hump and have made it half way through the week. It started out a little rough but its shaping up nicely now. J Ok so I’m sure you all want to know what I did on the scales last week…

Drum roll please! I lost another 5 pounds for a total of 42 pounds! I am down from 331 to 289! I cannot believe that I am under the 290 mark! I am 5 pounds closer to my goal of 250 by December 2nd.  I know I can make it as long as I stay focused and keep my eye on the prize. For those of you that are friends with me on Facebook, thanks for all the love on Friday for my post about losing the 5 pounds. J Its nice to know I have so many people supporting me on this journey!

This past weekend I hosted a nutritional cleanse tasting party. Thank you for those of you that attended. It was nice to see Kelly outside of the gym dressed up with her hair and makeup done. We usually see each other at 6:00am looking like we both rolled out of bed.  I know it’s not usually my best look ;) I think everyone had a nice time and learned a lot of the program that I have been on since Memorial Day. If you have questions about it please let me know J

Like my friends and I say it’s not a diet it’s a life style change. I have changed the way I eat and look at food. I know on Sunday for dinner we had Carolina BBQ and some fried chicken strips from KFC. I had the BBQ and just one small strip from KFC. Halfway through my stomach was hurting and I was thinking why did I eat that?! One it didn’t taste good and two now I don’t feel good. Today for instance at work my coworker offers me a cheese Danish. I look at her like are you serious, and she says no I can’t let you have any. I say thank you, now can you please hide those before I come up here. She says yes no problem. I come to her desk and what is out, the cheese Danish. I go are you trying to kill me. She says no and puts them in the cabinet. I tell her I saw where you put them, but its ok I’ll sit here and enjoy my dark chocolate and 6 organic almonds. She laughs, but says she’s proud of me for sticking to my program. Let me just say that the chocolate and almonds tasted so good ;)

So my girl SR got on me yesterday about my pants. I was wearing jeans that I can fit my whole arm down the side like my work slacks. She said you look like you have a well I won’t say it but you know what I mean between your legs. I go I know all my pants do that. “/ SR said girl its time, you need to buy at least one pair of pants. So I made her a deal, I said if you go shopping with me this weekend I’ll buy one pair of jeans and one pair of slacks. So I’ll let you know how the shopping experience goes next week. I also saw that I have smaller jeans in my closet. I’ll have to get up my nerves to try them on and let you know how they fit. Maybe I will only have to buy one pair of slacks. ;)


Pre-workout picture! This is before we did Cardio and left glistening. ;)

How we looked after our workout.
Kelly has been kicking my workouts up a notch, doing intense circuit training. I also am trying to do 45 minutes of power walking at night, even on the weekends. I know from the squats, lunges, and sumo squats we did this morning I’m aching. But I know in the end it will all pay off. I will look and feel fantastic! I can’t be overwhelmed by the big picture of reaching 180 pounds, I have to focus on the small goals and take one step at a time. I know I will reach 180 and eventually get down to 150. It is hard for me though to picture myself at that weight but I know I can do it. :D

Taken this morning before Kelly pushed me to my limits.
I'm all smiles now but afterwards I wanted to die.
So until next time stay focused and stay motivated.

- The Dish

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

September 12, 2012 - 90 Day Challenge going Strong!

Hi Everyone! Hope everyone’s week is going good. I’ve been going strong with the 90 Day Challenge. I was able to get two 2 a days in last week.  J The other nights SR has boot camp so I can’t workout with her at her gym and it was thunder storming when I tried to get a workout done outside.

So Kelly and I are back on the schedule of weighting in on Fridays. I was a little nervous to see if there was any change since she had just weighted me on Tuesday. Well I’m glad she did. From Tuesday I was down 1 pound! J  I was good on Saturday and didn’t cheat. But on Sunday that was another story. It was my one cheat day and I made the most of it. It also was my Dad’s birthday so we went out to celebrate. I won’t bore you with what all I ate ;)
This week I’ve been going strong with my workouts in the morning. I’ve been too tired to try and workout in the evening, but tonight I will work out with SR at her gym J I’ve been sticking with the cleansing and watching what I eat. This morning Kelly asked how I’ve been doing so far this week and I’ve said well. She got the bright idea that she wanted to weight me. She told me not to worry that she wouldn’t tell me the number to just look forward and step on the scale.  So I did, 4 times! When I got off she had a look on her face that I couldn’t read. I asked her what that face was for, was it good or bad? She said it was good, VERY GOOD! She said she won’t tell me but she can’t wait for me to get on the scale on Friday. That she was surprised at the number! She didn’t tell me what my number was so I can’t wait to see what it is on Friday. Not to worry I will let you know what it is ;) Fingers crossed that it will be good news, but at the same time I don’t want to get my hopes up too much.

Sorry no photos or videos this week. I will try to take some and post them next time. Hope everyone had a great rest of the week.

So until next time remember to stay focused and stay motivated.

-The Dish

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

September 5, 2012 - 90 Day Challenge


Hi everyone! Hope you all had a fun and safe Labor Day Holiday. I sure know I did ;) On Saturday for TD birthday party I felt like a college kid again, playing beer pong and doing jello shots. No worries I walked/jogged a mile that morning so I could enjoy myself during the party.  I was able to complete a mile in less than 30 minutes. I felt really proud of myself. I was going to go longer but the heat was really bad. I found out later that where I was staying was under a heat advisory of 105 degrees. No wonder I was dying out in the sun.

For my trip this past weekend while I was packing I was deciding on what FSU shirt to bring for Game Day on Saturday. I went to get my TRUE Seminole Shirt and saw my old Alumni shirt that I haven’t been able to fit into since I moved in January 2011. I thought hum I’ve lost over 30 pounds let me see if it will fit. So I tried it on and I was able to get back into it, it’s an XL! I was so happy! I packed the shirt and wore it with pride on Saturday! J

Here is a picture of me in my Alumni shirt. Go 'Noles!
 
Even with all of my drinking on Saturday I still managed to lose weight! I got on the scale on Tuesday with Kelly and I had lost 3 pounds! That’s a total of 36 pounds now. My current weight is 295. I felt so good after she told me that! I was jumping up and down so excited to have lost weight and not gain after the shenanigans on Saturday. 

Starting yesterday (Tuesday 9/4/2012) I am on a 90 Day Challenge to lose weight! I know you’re thinking what do you mean, isn’t that what you’ve been doing all along? Well for the past two months I’ve been lax with the diet. Not being as strict as I could be. So starting yesterday Kelly and I gave myself a 90 Day Challenge to get down to 250 by the holidays. That’s 45 pounds. 90 Days from yesterday takes me to December 2nd.  I’m going to work hard and stay focused and keep my eye on the prize as they say. I’m planning on doing two a days during the week. I will work out with Kelly in the morning and do cardio in the evening with SR on the days that she doesn’t have boot camp. The rest of the week I will walk/jog in my neighborhood weather permitting. I’m going to stick with the nutritional cleanse and follow the program strictly.
Quick shot out to SR for signing up for boot camp! I’m so proud of you! Keep up the good work! J

Sorry no videos this post. I will try and film some and put them up next week.

Hope everyone has a fabulous week! So until next time, stay focused and stay motivated!

-The Dish