Jenny's New Foods

Jenny Craig came out w/ some new foods this week. They are, of course, totally delicious. My two personal favorites are the "soupitizers". These are small bowls of soup that have very low calories (45/50). They actually are supposed to count as 2 servings of your "limited free foods". (On Jenny's plan you get 3 servings of limited free foods a day.) They are made to be eaten before a meal. Studies show that when a person eats a small bowl of soup before a meal they will actually consume less calories than they would have w/o the soup. I guess that is b/c the soup helps to fill them up and they don't go back for seconds, etc. (This was quoted to me by my consultant. I don't have the study source. But, I am just realizing as I type this that, this isn't a research paper so I guess I don't' need a source! Whoa- felt like I was in college again for a minute.) Anyway- I love the delicious soupitizers and I do feel more full. The flavors are Chicken Rosemary and Tomato Florentine. I have been eating them before dinner every night. They have really helped to get rid of my late-night cravings. And- have I mentioned that they are delicious? Jenny Craig has the BEST food. It is so funny that you can eat it every day and still lose weight!

Pass the ham

I am down -1.8 pounds today!!!!!!!! And after all that food I ate earlier this week.... crazy! I should add ham, mashed potatoes, sticky buns, and 350 calorie cheesecake to my regular diet. I feel like my body just gives in and lets me have the loss b/c I get so worked up about it. It is like: "Oh, I better lose weight this week or Sarah will be hysterical." I am a little over 5 pounds from my goal now. I am so close I can taste it. Or is that the ham I am tasting?

It's not you. It's me.

If you have tried to call me in the past few days and not got a hold of me.... I apologize. Things have been a little crazy around here. Jack has been gone 13 weeks. I am feeling a little overwhelmed to say the least. Lisa had a CT Scan Tuesday. Baby Jack had surgery Thursday. I've had physical therapy. The sheer volume of doctor's appointments alone could drive someone over the edge. We've also had our normal appointments- ballet, swim, school, etc. And some that we have just missed- gym class and holy hour. Things have been hectic. I will be calling you all back. Promise.

In weight-loss news.... I am extremely nervous about my weigh in tomorrow. As I mentioned in a previous post or two, I indulged myself earlier in the week. I've been drinking a lot of water and sticking to my diet this last part of the week. But alas, I know how this works. The scale should be up tomorrow. I just don't know how much. However, I am prepared to deal w/ it. My Mother's ham was delicious. I ate it. I am moving on.

I'll be in touch! Peace and good night!

Appetite Control

Well, I am doing good today. It is 7:45 and I have consumed 1260 calories.... that is all I can have. I have run my 1 mile allotted by my physical therapist. I am about to lift weights for 45 minutes. However, I am still extremely hungry. I know this is my mind playing tricks on me. I am not going to eat another thing tonight. The past three days have been difficult. I am ready to put my recent struggles w/ cravings behind me. (See previous posts.) So- What is a surefire way to lose your appetite? Watch America's Next Top Model while lifting weights and doing an ab workout! I have not been watching this cycle b/c I gave up TV for Lent. But now that Lent is over I think I can jump right back into the high-fashion, self-absorbed, super-skinny drama of it all!! The show is highly entertaining. Tyra Banks is extremely personable and fun to watch. And the girls on it are so tall and beautiful and, of course, rail-thin. Oh- it is just starting the opening song. I think my cravings are gone already! Peace!

Food, food everywhere

On Easter I let myself eat normal food. I had mashed potatoes, ham (oh the glorious ham), a dinner roll, dessert, etc. That is now looking like it was a mistake. I am having the hardest time reigning in my taste buds again. I am not going full-out binging but I am having difficulties getting back on my Jenny Craig food. Oh- I should have left well enough alone. I am going to spend the next few days trying to tame my appetite and crush all cravings! I am increasing my water intake to 2 gallons a day until the end of the week. And I need to re-motivate. Here are 3 reasons to not eat any more ham:
1. Have almost finished what I started- 7.6 pounds left to go.
2. Will be getting new wardrobe at goal.
3. I feel so much better when my portions are controlled.

Back in the Saddle

My therapist gave me the okay to start running today. I was so excited to run! He said only to run between a half mile and a mile-- at a very slow pace. He instructed me to stop immediately if my leg started to hurt. So I hopped on the treadmill at 2:30 this afternoon. It was great to be back in the saddle again. I had my ipod on, my running shorts on, my lift in my shoe, and a smile on my face! I ran at an embarrassingly slow pace and felt great. My leg felt great. It did start to hurt a few hours later but the therapist said he thought it would be sore afterwards. I am so happy to be running. I can run the same distance again on Wednesday. And then I will have therapy again on Thursday. I am really hopeful that this is the beginning of the end of my injury. Peace out!

Happy Easter

He is risen!

Another loss!!

At my weigh in today I was down -1.4 pounds!! I cannot believe it! I was so worried about not losing this week. Between still not running and my splurge the other night I thought for sure I was a goner. However, the rest of the week I did stick to my 1200 calories exactly. I guess it paid off. I am just so happy. I haven't weighed this since the summer after I graduated college! I love Jenny Craig!

Hunger Emergency Plan Activated

I had this really nice post planned for today. But then the cravings started. I am FAMISHED!
Things I have eaten in the last 15 minutes that are not on the Jenny Craig plan:

- several chicken nuggets
- a stick of string cheese
- a chocolate malt ball out of Lisa's Easter candy I have hidden!!!

Okay, when you start eating the kids Easter candy (before Easter) it is time to hit the hay!!! I am a firm believer that if you are hungry at night you should go to bed. You can't eat and sleep. So simple. Good night everyone! I will post something intelligent on another day when I am not so hungry. Peace.

A little PT

I've been a little down the past few days. I miss my hubby and wish he could be here for Easter. It is a special time for us b/c Jack became Catholic 5 years ago at the Easter Vigil. In workout news-- I had my first physical therapy appointment yesterday and my therapist wants me to hold off on running at least one more week. I am so afraid of weight gain this week b/c of no running. Anyway, my therapist gave me a great set of exercises to strengthen my right hip abductor.... which seems to be the culprit in all of this. I am to do them 3 times a day, everyday. And I am meeting w/ him twice a week for 4 weeks. My next appointment is tomorrow morning. I am still doing my weight workouts every other night. On weight nights I do basic a basic ab workout. And on the off nights I do Billy Blanks Abs. Billy says his workouts will make my abs like a rubber band! I am not sure how that is possible but I am all for it!

Ouch!

Cortisone shot today!

My 5K

My 5k went well today. My Dad couldn't come so I went alone. It was kind of cold but not unbearable. The atmosphere was great. Lots of fun St. Patrick's day themed clothes, etc. Everyone at the race was really happy to be there and the energy was super high. I started my ipod before the race even began. I always do this b/c I can't stand the sound of the gun. I start in the middle-back of the pack. This way I pass people and people don't pass me. It makes me feel better that way. The first 2 miles I felt SO GOOD! I did them really fast-- in about 8 minutes each. The last mile I was dragging. I can never keep up my initial pace. During this time 2 girls and one guy passed me. I did manage to sprint the last 1oth of the 3.1. And whenever I can do that I feel as if I could have ran faster beforehand. But I was able to sprint passed the guy who had passed me earlier so I was happy. Chariots of Fire was just beginning as I ran the last 10th and it was moving to finish to that song. Finish time 28:42. Or somewhere around there-- the results are not posted yet. I wanted to finish in 27 minutes but I am honestly happy to be under 30 minutes. I almost didn't run today... I am so VERY GLAD that I did. Peace!

EDIT TO ADD: actual time 28:40

A New Approach

I am seeing a new doctor for my IT Band injury. Dr. Mindy is a sports medicine specialist. She said my injury is for sure my IT Band and that it is pretty inflamed. We talked about how my legs appear to be different lengths b/c my right hip pulls my right leg up. But they are not "anatomically" different lengths. My chiropractor has been adjusting me for months, one to three times a week, to bring them to the same length. My right leg just will not stay put. This is what is causing my IT Band injury. Dr. Mindy says we need to treat my legs like they are anatomically different lengths b/c they are uneven 95% of the time. So she immediately measured me and fitted me w/ a lift for my right shoe. I walked out of the office w/ it and I feel like a new woman! I could tell a difference in the first 10 feet I walked. (I am tripping a little more than usual but that is normal... I guess.) I ran 4 miles w/ it yesterday and could tell my gait was adjusting. My treatment also includes a cortisone injection in my hip on Monday and 4 weeks of Physical Therapy. (I am embarrassed to say the shot is in my hip. What am I, like 80?) Hopefully, after all of that, I can put this mess behind me where it belongs!

In other, non-IT Band, news. I weighed in today. A day early this week. And guess what... I am down another 1.2 pounds!! Woot-woot! I would tell you what I weigh... but I scarcely believe it myself! I have exactly 9 pound to lose to reach my goal! I am so excited to be so close! Peace out!

Losing It w/ Valerie!

Just finished Valerie Bertinelli's book. It was great. I highly recommend it to any woman who is struggling to lose weight. What I like best about it is she really deals w/ the emotional side of being heavy, dieting, weight loss, etc. I also love that she lost her weight on Jenny Craig. I can really relate to that. What I liked least about it would have to be that she does share some of her personal views and opinions... and she is much to liberal for me. But I figured that she would be when I first picked the book, up so I took it w/ a grain of salt. All in all- It is a great book! Way to go Val! And thanks to my Dad for such a thoughtful gift!

Don't Worry. Be Happy.

I had this whole depressing blog planned b/c I feel bad for myself b/c I can't run. But I decided not to post it. You know why? B/c I should be happy. You know why? B/c I have lost 59.8 pounds! That is something to be happy about.

I am also super happy for my good friend Tonya. She has started losing weight and blogging about it too! Check her out here. She is already well on her way. I am so proud of you Tonya!

I weigh in on Friday instead of Saturday this week b/c I have a 5k w/ my Dad on Saturday. I am so excited for it. It is a St. Patrick's day race sponsored by a local Irish bar called "Harrigan's Tavern". I really wanted to run in it b/c I'll bet the T-Shirts will be cool-Irish-tavern-St. Patrick's-like T-Shirts.

This blog is about happy things!

Snowed In

This is what I found when I looked outside this morning. We had a small blizzard or something. I got up at 6:30 and put Lisa in front of cartoons w/ a bowl of Cheerios. Then I went outside to shovel. I had a 9:10 Jenny Craig appointment. I had to go. I had no food to eat in the house. Anyway, I realized while I was shoveling that, I have never.... ever in my entire life.... shoveled snow! How weird. Here is a picture of me after I had the driveway cleared. Please excuse the lack of makeup. I bundled the kids up and headed out to Jenny Craig. The weather got much worse while I was at the JC Center as another storm was moving in. So I weighed in, got my food, and got out of there w/o the usual consultation. I drove straight to my parent's house which is a lot closer than mine. I am snowed in here now. Lisa has been playing in the snow and is having a blast. We will stay here until the roads are better. (BTW- I was down 1.6 pounds!)

My Friend Billy

I have recently realized that even though I am a size 7- I don't look the same as I did the last time I wore a size 7. It is a phenomenon called pregnancy. Things just aren't the same. I guess I figured when I was this size again I would look the same as I did in college or (gasp) high school. Well, I don't. But, I honestly do think that it will be possible. It is just going to take a little bit more work.

Enter Billy Blanks.
I've found that when things get rough in life you can always call on Billy. He has some kind of martial art, bootcamp, super-crunch, exercise band, near-death experience way of fixing most problems. Pictured here is his "Ab BootCamp". I have owned his BootCamp trilogy for some time but never used this workout. I am going to start doing it tomorrow. (The only reason I am not doing it tonight is b/c I just located it and it is 10:20.) My only concern is that it is 35 minutes long. But that may include warm up, cool down, etc. I think this DVD may hold the secret to the reversal of the effects of pregnancy. I am really counting on you Billy. No pressure. I am excited to try it out. I will let you know how it goes.

Tastes of the good life!

Today I was smiling while I opened a fresh container of fat free cottage cheese. I was so happy about that first scoop. When a person is dieting they deny themselves so much of the old food they really loved (read=the food that made them big). I realized, while smiling at my fresh container of fat free cottage cheese, my mind has created new foods that I really love.

Former Favorite Foods:

pretzels

Chipotle

saltine crackers

Goldfish/Cheezits

french fries

New Favorite Foods:

fat free cottage cheese

salad

salsa in salad

Granny Smith Apples

Oatmeal

turkey burgers

These are the foods I crave now. Okay, I still have the occasional desire for Chipotle or pretzels (I've had neither since August). Now that I want these healthy foods I just have one of them if I get a craving for anything. They aren't the same but they do the trick!

Spinning Again

A new session started at the YMCA this week. I really wanted to continue w/ my Boot Camp class but for several reasons I couldn't. So I have decided to head back to spinning. I was spinning last September and October, when I started blogging but kept my blog private. (Check it out here.)

Anyway- I really enjoyed my spinning class today. My instructor is really good and he was super nice and helpful. Boy- was he tough! The class had 7 people in it and the rest of them had all been spinning for years. I think I did okay keeping up. I also had a non-scale victory. The receptionist I used to talk to, when I was spinning last fall, did not recognize me! Someone else had to tell her who I was! Yay! It is so fun looking good!

Upgrade?

I switched from 8 pound weights to 10 pound weights today. It was time. I really felt pushed tonight when lifting and enjoyed the challenge. My only complaint is the look of my new weights. I mean... please. While at the store this afternoon to purchase new weights I didn't notice the 10 pounders at first. I saw 2's, 3's, 5's, and 8's. They were all purple, blue, pink, aqua, etc. And in the above nice bubble shape and coated in that rubber-plastic. So nice.
I called over an associate.

Me: Excuse me Mam. Do you have any 10 pound hand weights?
Mam: Ummmm yes. Over here. See. Here they are. (She is pointing to a pile of metal that I did not notice before. There are 10, 15, 20 pound weights and more. All metal.)
Me: Oh. I see. Ummmm. Do you have any pretty 10 pound hand weights?
Mam: What? No. I guess we don't.

Well, I obviously bought them but I am not happy about having them hanging around looking all ugly. So- is this what happens now? Are the manufacturers assuming that people lifting 10 pound hand weights want mannish, metal weights?! The injustice.

Weighing In Today

I was down another 2.4 pounds! Yay me! Yay Jenny Craig! We were made for each other. I am actually surprised w/ my results this week. I didn't expect to be losing big numbers at this point in the game. Also, I have not been exercising as much w/ the children being sick and my IT band issues. But I am NOT complaining! Just pleasantly surprised. Very surprised and very happy! I am going to try my hardest to maintain that loss and lose a little more next week. I have 11.8 pounds left to go! So close!