15 December 2009

Winter Shape Up: Week 8 Reflections

Brieann: “I can’t believe the challenge is almost over!  It has really kept me focused and given me a way to get back on track when I didn’t do so great.”

Tara: “Overall, I have lost more weight than I probably would have without this challenge - and I’m still in that lower jean size!!”

Ariel: “I did well this week!  I made my 3 weight lifting and cardio sessions.”

Kendyl: “I lost another 2 lbs this week. I was able to get in a couple of runs, and a couple of stationary bike rides. I was careful about the sweets I indulged in without going overboard.”

Mariel: “I FINISHED MY VERY FIRST RACE!  Not only did I finish, but I did the 4 miles in a little under 48 minutes, which was about 12 minute miles (my best pace!) for the longest distance I have ever run in one go.”

Claire: “I’m only 1.2lbs away from my goal of 15 for the challenge! I’m going to meet that this week!”

Kelly: “I forgive myself for not losing 2 pounds this week.  It’s the holiday season, and I will indulge in a cookie and some popcorn, and then hop back on the treadmill and laugh it off.  B A L A N C E…that word to me, equals peace.”

Nathalie: “Vegan Thursday: success!!”

Daphne: “One more [pound] lost. Yay. Small victories, small victories, small victories. That’s what I keep telling myself.”

14 December 2009

Winter Shape Up: Down to the Wire!

I can’t believe we only have two more weeks of the Winter Shape Up Challenge! How did you do on Week 8? Remember to send me an email with your progress for Week 8 and new goals for Week 9 by 11:59 EST TONIGHT (12/14). For Week 10, I’m going to have you do something a little different, but for now you can stick to what you’ve been doing.

As for me, here’s how I did on Week 8:

• Work out five days this week (doesn’t matter what I do). I made it four times. I’m a little disappointed that I couldn’t squeeze in one more time, but I consider this progress.
• Only ONE sweet treat per day. This worked out really well until the weekend! I realized that while I can’t live my life WITHOUT sweet treats, I CAN successfully limit them. And when I give myself permission to have one per day, I can really enjoy it without guilt. On Saturday and Sunday, I got a little loose with this goal and ate multiple sweets per day.
• Stay gluten-free, for now. I was gluten-free (except for a bite of real pizza crust) all week! The problem is, I’m not sure if it’s helping my stomach. I thought it was until last night, when I had what seemed like one of my infamous stomachaches. I’m not sure for how long I should continue to be gluten-free. Hmm…

New goals for Week 9:

I’m keeping all my goals, since I wasn’t 100% successful with two of them.

Alright, people, only two more weeks. We can do this!

7 December 2009

Winter Shape Up Week 8: My Goals, and a Confession

I have something to confess. I totally fell off the WSU bandwagon. Yup, while you all have been going strong, meeting your goals week after week (or if you don’t, persisting until you do!), I stopped setting goals a few weeks back. I was frustrated that I wasn’t meeting many of my goals and figured it’d be better not to set any at all.

Someone recently emailed me to say that she was happy for the people that had lost weight and had other successes as part of the challenge, but that she hadn’t been very successful and was contemplating if there was even a reason to continue.

I wrote her back and honestly told her that I’d been struggling with the challenge, too. And now let me be even more honest: I’m up three pounds from when this challenge began. Is three pounds life changing? Absolutely not. To the outsider, I’m sure I look absolutely the same. But I’m short with a pretty small frame, so three to five pounds on me is edging on “my clothes are starting to get tight” territory.

All this to say, for the last three weeks of the WSU, I’m rededicating myself to the challenge. I’m going to write about my goals and progress again, just like I’ve required all the WSUppers to do every single week in an email to me. Without further ado, my goals for Week 8:

• Work out five days this week (doesn’t matter what I do). I’ve only managed to work out two or three days a week these past few weeks, and I feel like it’s starting to take a toll on my health and well-being.
• Only ONE sweet treat per day. I’m going to count anything with refined sugar (or other sweetener) as a sweet treat. This will be a big challenge for me, since this is the time of year when coworkers regularly bring in goodies and friends host holiday parties with the sole purpose of serving delicious grub. I don’t want to cut myself off completely, but every meal of the day does not need its own dessert.
• Stay gluten-free, for now. Even though I’m not sure it’s the cause of my stomach woes, I haven’t had any problems since I cut gluten out of my life on Dec. 1 (I’ve definitely had a few slip-ups, though). I’d like to stay gluten-free until at least Christmas Eve. I’m sorry, I just can’t commit to being gluten-free at my boyfriend’s family’s annual Christmas Eve party… not going to happen. If my stomach acts up before then, gluten gets to come back into my life!

I hope this might inspire any other WSUppers who are struggling with the challenge (it’s a long challenge, I admit!) to rededicate themselves these last few weeks. A lot can happen in three weeks, and what better way to end the year than to celebrate your health?

6 December 2009

Dinner by Dad: Thai Chicken with Basil, Sauteed Green Beans, Spicy Mango-Green Apple Salad

I was over at my parents’ casa for dinner, and my dad cooked up an inspired Thai meal. Very easy, very healthy, very yummy.

• The chicken dish was a recipe from Cooks Illustrated. It was served with brown rice. Here’s a similar-looking recipe. I love anything Thai basil, so of course this was a winner in my book.
• The green beans were simply sauteed in sesame oil with garlic and fish sauce (plus salt/pepper). If you have sesame seeds, I’d recommend lightly toasting them and throwing those on as well.
• The salad was made with strips of ripe mango and tart green apple mixed with lime juice, fresh cilantro, crushed red pepper (or you could use chili pepper for a spicier salad), and crushed peanuts. This take on Thai papaya salad is a MUST MAKE. So delicious!

Winter Shape Uppers: Week 8 (wow, can you believe it?) starts tomorrow, so send me your updates by 11:59 PM tomorrow night! I’m so proud of all of you, for the progress you’ve made, but also your drive to stick to this challenge week after week after week — even if you fail some weeks! There’s really no other secret to health and fitness than that kind of tenacity and consistency.

29 November 2009

Ready for Week 7?

Tomorrow marks Week 7 of the Winter Shape Up. You know what that means… By 11:59 EST tomorrow, send me your:

• progress for Week 6
• new goals for Week 7

Let’s do this!