Thursday, August 27, 2009

EA Sports Active Challenge

So I'm getting ready to start another month of the 30 Day Challenge. This time I'm doing it with friends from http://www.shrinkingjeans.net/. They just posted my guest blog (my weightloss story) on their website - which is exciting. Here's my profile below....

30 Day Challenge Profile

Name: Jennette Everett
Age: 31
Hometown: Houston, TX (I live in Austin, TX currently)
Family: Mom, Dad & 2 amazing sisters

1) Complete the following sentence – “When I look in the mirror I see…
A person who is ready to make serious changes in their life.

2) What exercise do you take? What’s your current level of fitness?
I've gotten pretty good at the Wii games. I've recently started running outside at least 2 days a week.

3) How do you relax?
Hanging with friends and watching TV/movies. I'm currently watching the Season 3 DVDs of "24".

4) Do you watch your weight?
I have been for the last 7 months. Lost 85 lbs so far.

5) What’s your favorite body part?
Oddly enough, I dont think I've ever been asked that. I would probably have to say my eyes.

6) What’s your least favorite body part?
My flabby upper arms

7) What’s your favorite way to workout?
Using the Wii. I love Wii Fit, Gold's Gym Cardio Workout & EA Active Sports.

8) Its time to work out, we’re most likely to find you decked out in?
Shorts & a workout top.

9) You’re due to workout, but it’s pouring rain. What do you do?
No excuses when I have a Wii. I workout in my living room 5 days a week.

10) What’s the one item you wouldn’t be without when working out?
Bottle of water

11) What do you hope to get from the 30 Day Challenge?
Focus. The 30 Day Challenge keeps me motivated and accountable for my actions.

12) What are you apprehensive about going in?
I've got a wedding to go to in Denver for 4 days over Labor Day Weekend. I'm taking my Wii with me --- but it will be a true testament if I can stay on task while I'm out of town on a "vacation"

13) How will you reward yourself after the challenge?
Probably a night out with the girls....

14) Complete the following sentence – “I’m Active for …”
a lot of reasons. The main reason is that I want to be healthy enough to have a baby within the next 2 years.

So there you go.....Challenge starts Monday.....

Current Weight: 198lbs (down 4 lbs from yesterday)

Food Today:
Cleanse Day (no food)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Confessions from the Weekend - 3rd Week

Well, it's Monday again. Here goes my weekend confessions.

1. After having leftover fajitas for lunch (as my "one" meal of the day) - I should have had a shake on Friday night. But my 2 best friends decided on a last minute girls night which meant Pizza and Salad. So much for a shake.

2. Running errands with my roommate all day on Saturday --- I knew we would end up eating lunch out. I tried to make a healthy choice with fajitas as we ended up at a diner --- and that actually looked like the healthiest thing on the menu....lol.

3. Sunday started out being a good day with a shake for breakfast but plans changed and I ended up having lunch with my friend Suzana at Red Lobster. I had fish --- but it was parmesan crusted. I did have a salad and rice (instead of potatoes) ---- but I also had 2 of their rolls too.

4. Sunday Afternoon I ended up spending time with my best friend and her boyfriend watching a bunch of movies and by the end of it (9pm) when I hadn't eaten dinner ---- I ended up eating the leftover pizza from Friday night --- I had a major case of the munchies.

Not a good weekend. I gained back all of the weight that I had lost during the last week of cleansing.

However, I've completely started over again and today I was very good. It's all about not getting frustrated enough to let go completely ---- but more about rededication so that you can get back on track. Yes I splurged --- but I'm back on track.

I'm determined to hit my goal for my aunt's wedding of losing 80 lbs. It's going to be tough as I still have a few pounds to go with not a lot of time --- but I'm determined.

Weight: 208 lbs (up 3 lbs from yesterday)

Food Today:
Breakfast - Isagenix Shake
Lunch - Seafood Cobb Salad (with my friend Kasie at McCormick & Schmidts)
Dinner - Isagenix Shake

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Absolute Torture....why?

Today is a Wednesday which means it's the first of my double cleanse days this week. I was very tired in general today so much so that I took a nap during my lunch break....in my car....

My roommate's mom and 2 aunt's are in town visiting (they arrived today) and my roommate wanted me to socialize with them at dinner. I told her I couldn't eat as it was a cleanse day but unfortunately with me most likely going out of town this weekend --- my only choice was tonight or tomorrow. I figured tonight would be the lesser of two evils if I had to sit in a restaurant and not eat....trying to do that at the end of my 2nd cleanse day would be more than I could bare.

So I arrived home tonight and I had tried to build myself up for the challenge that I knew was going to be ahead. Where does she pick for a restaurant? Chuy's. Damn. Mexican Food. My favorite. Plus there are chips and salsa on the table from the start of the meal. Not easy to pass up. So we went....and I knew it was going to be difficult right from the beginning....but I went anyways because I try to be a good roommate. My roommate's family doesnt come into town very often and I didn't want to be rude.

We sat down and as soon as the chips were on the table I knew I was in for pure hell. It was torture to sit there while they ate chips and salsa ---- and then it got worse when my roommate ordered the creamy jalapeno dip. It's my favorite. Ugh.

I somehow made it through the meal without killing anyone at my table. Or the waitress who asked me at three different times if I wanted to order anything....NO. I dont need mexican food. Geez....how hard is that to understand? I know it's her job to make sure that we spend money in the restaurant but I said no. I wasn't rude. I may sound rude here....but I was actually overly pleasant in my responses to her. lol.

Finally my roommate was complaining about how full she was and she was going to get up and go for a walk and wait for everyone outside. This was my cue to be able to leave the chips & salsa behind and get outside.

It was pure hell and I'm sure I didn't make for good company as I didnt say much....because naturally all you want to talk about at a restaurant is "how good is your meal" --- and that wasn't a conversation I wanted to have. I know their food was delicious --- it's Chuy's. I spent most of the dinner on my blackberry chatting with my ex-roommate Steph who was trying to distract me from the smell of the chips & salsa.

Mental Note to self: do not ever agree to go to a mexican restaurant on a cleanse day. For any reason. Period.

Food Today:
None - Cleanse Day

Weight Today: 205 lbs (same as yesterday)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Confessions from the Weekend - 2nd Week

Well, I have to admit that I actually feel like I had a really good weekend. I do have a couple of confessions in keeping with the theme for my "Monday" blog, but in general, I was much better than I was last weekend....Ok, here goes.

1. On Saturday, I went to a party with my "brother-in-law's" family....His mom made a coconut creme cake that was delicious. I had 1 bite on Saturday night (and 2 bites on Sunday). Not pieces....just 1-2 bites. I didn't allow myself a whole piece.

2. On Sunday, instead of making myself a salad, I went to Chili's and bought their boneless buffalo chicken salad. I'm sure it's got way more calories than I need with the blue cheese & fried chicken.

3. Sunday night I had a friend in town from Houston and we had the munchies and went for mexican food. I did order a Taco Salad ---- which I think is the first time i've ever ordered a salad in a mexican place (like ever, in life). I also had chips & queso ---- I had the munchies bad.

That's it. A few of my successes from the weekend should also be noted as I dont want to always be negative towards myself.

*I found time on Saturday not only to work out but also to go for an "interval" run for 30 mins around my parent's neighborhood. (Walk 1-2 mins, Run 1-2 mins, Walk, Run, etc).

*Other than the 1 bite of cake at the party on Saturday, I didn't snack --- they had chips and salsa...and jello shots....amongst other calories....none of which I ate.

*My sister was honored at church on Sunday and they had a reception to honor her with all sorts of food and I didn't eat anything. I enjoyed the reception separate from the food.

I had a great weekend. I got to spend time with a lot of old friends on Friday night as I went to a reunion for my old job --- 25 "ex" employees (and 1 current employee) all got together to enjoy a night of fun. It was a lot of fun. It was hosted at a mexican restaurant --- but I had my shake before I went and I wasn't tempted at all to eat. It just showed me that i can socialize even in a restaurant and still not be tempted for food.

My friend IB is in Austin for a couple of days to hang with me. She told me that our other mutual friend (her roommate) told her that he almost didn't recognize me and that I must be "on crack" to have lost the weight.....I thought it was funny ---- and a high compliment coming from Chris. :) It's always nice to have people notice....it keeps me on track and focused on the end goal. My health and well being but also an appearance that will get me noticed. :)

Food Yesterday/Today:
Breakfast: Shake (plain vanilla)
Lunch: Shake (blackberry)
Dinner: Fajitas with trimmings

Weight: 204.0 lbs (up 3.5 lbs from yesterday) --- The munchies last night --- killed my success.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Best Salad ---- Is it really that good for you?

Coming off double cleanse days (every Wed/Thurs) is always hard. I always want to eat everything in sight ---- and of course I can't otherwise why did I just cleanse for 2 days. I always start off my days with a regular vanilla shake (no fruit - too much sugar after a cleanse).

For lunch yesterday I made myself a salad that was so good I literally tried to duplicate it again today (with success!). It was simple --- and probably not as healthy as most salads, but it was delicious. A mix of lettuce, spinach & mixed greens with chopped cucumbers and carrots as well as crumbled fat free feta cheese with a greek dressing (olive oil, feta, celery, etc). The salad was absolutely mouth-watering. I literally was moaning by the end and was bummed when there was none left. Hence, why I recreated the salad today.

My view or opinions on salad is that even if the dressing isn't that great for you or you add an item that you know isn't good for you (cheese, egg, bacon, etc)....as long as you dont go overboard --- it has to be better than eating junk food from a fast food restaurant. Small changes can make all the difference in the world. Start small.

Food Yesterday/Today:
Breakfast: Shake
Lunch: Salad (with chopped chicken) (today i had a little bit of guacamole with my salad too)
Dinner: Shake with blueberries & banana.

Weight: 200.5lbs (up 1 lb from yesterday) --- I always gain a little bit of weight after a cleanse even if I do everything right.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Cleanse Days

So Wednesday & Thursday of each week are my cleanse days. No food - just cleanse drinks. No, I'm not starving myself. The cleanse drinks are packed with all the nutrients that my body needs to function.

So no food yesterday or today. I'm in Houston visiting the family. It never fails that I end up having to be around food on cleanse days --- which is hard. Today I went and visited my mom's office during the lunch hour and sat with her and her co-workers while they had lunch. Maybe i'm trying to torture myself ---- or maybe i'm trying to prove to myself that I have the will power to do this.

The cleanse days always make me feel better. I have more energy and I love the way I feel after a double cleanse.

Food Today:
None. 3-4 cleanse drinks. 6 chocolate wafers (to keep blood sugar good).

Weight: 202 lbs (down 2lbs from yesterday)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Distractions

There are always distractions when it comes to being on a diet. There is always something going on.....it's someone's birthday - let's have cake or a friend is visiting from out of town and wants to take you to lunch. There is always an excuse. Life is full of excuses.

Today I have the excuse that a friend was in town that I haven't seen in over 6 months and he wanted to take me to lunch --- who am I to say no to a friend? So I didn't. Good thing I'm cleansing tomorrow and Thursday as I'm going to need it to even think about staying even this week.....

On the brighter side, it was really good visiting with Chris and catching up with him. I know him through work but we have a lot of mutual friends so the conversation never stops. :) He makes me smile and I really enjoy his company when we do hang out. Even if it is over mexican food.

I keep reminding myself that there's always tomorrow. Don't get mad at yourself for a few days of bad behavior --- just remind yourself that you need to be better tomorrow.

Food Today:
Breakfast - Shake with blackberries
Lunch - Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas with Guacamole & Ceviche.
Dinner - None - still full from lunch (not that i recommend skipping a meal)

Weight: 204.5 (exact same as yesterday)

Monday, August 10, 2009

Confessions from the Weekend

So I got this idea that if on Monday's I forced myself to "confess" my sins from the weekend that maybe it would help me not be so bad on the weekends when it comes to my diet. So here's my first edition of my weekend confessions.

1. Friday Night when I went out to eat with my friend Leia, I was good and ordered the Tuna Steak which was one of the healthier items on the menu at the mexican restaurant --- problem was I ordered Queso as an appetizer and ate more than my share of it.

2. As if Friday night wasn't bad enough, I then went to the movies with my friend Leia on Saturday at the Draft House and ordered Chips & Queso as my lunch on Saturday because I hate the salad dressings at the Draft House. I used that as an excuse to get Chips & Queso.

3. We went grocery shopping to host a dinner party and while I got fixings to make a salad & healthy spaghetti with soy meat, I also bought garlic bread and brownies.....and ice cream.

4. Saturday was a throw away day for me when it came to my diet and while I did exercise and have a shake for breakfast ---- I definitely didn't stick to the plan and on Sunday morning paid for it with a 3.5 pound gain.

5. I was actually semi-good on Sunday with exercise (both Wii & going for a run) and had 2 shakes for meals....but I ate out with Suzana at Red Robin and while I did get a Salad ---- it was covered with bacon, blue cheese and blue cheese dressing. I gained .5 lbs for this.

As I reread this post, it's a wonder that I was able to lose the 80 lbs that I've lost so far. If I had weekends like this every weekend I never would have done it. Next weekend I will be better. I promise. I seriously want to crawl under a rock right now as I'm that embarassed of my eating habits from the weekend. If nothing else, it will definitely make me do better if I'm planning on "confessing" every Monday. Geez.

And if to make matters worse, when I woke up this morning - I started off my week by skipping exercising ---- granted, my Wii told me it was a rest day but after the weekend that I had, I should have kicked my butt straight to the curb to exercise. Tomorrow morning - Tough workout ahead.

Food Today:
Breakfast - Isagenix Shake with fruit
Lunch - Jenny Craig Frozen Turkey Panini
Dinner - Isagenix Shake with fruit
Snack - Jenny Craig Cookies & Cream Cheesecake

Current Weight: 204.5 (up .5 lbs from yesterday)

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Food is everywhere....even in movies.....

Today I woke up with good intentions. After the dinner party that I threw for my friends last night, I knew that I needed to get focused and not waste the entire weekend. I had plans to go to the movies with my friend Suzana to see "Julie & Julia". Knowing that I was going to watch a movie that was all about food, I wanted to be sure and start my day right.

I worked out on the Wii and had an Isagenix shake for breakfast. I still wanted to go for a walk/run outside. My apartment complex has a great hiking trail within the complex. It's part paved and part gravel. I usually try to run in the gravel and walk on the pavement. It gives me a good "interval" to alternate walking and running. At some point I hope to have built up enough endurance to be able to run completely. I've definitely built up more endurance from before. I used to not be able to run more than 2-3 times during the 20 minute loop. Now I run about 8-10 times during the loop. I always feel like I've accomplished so much when I come back off my run.

Suzana picked me up for the movie about 10:45am as the movie started at 11:20am. The movie was quite enjoyable despite all the food references and looking at delicious food for the entire movie. It left Suzana and I wanting to host a dinner party for our friends where we cooked everything from scratch out of the cookbook. I dont think Julia Child's had a section for "diet" or "low calorie" foods, therefore, I may enjoy cooking, but I might not eat a lot of the food we prepare. I do love to cook though, and would thoroughly enjoy the challenge of cooking something new from a recipe.

Suzana and I went to lunch at Red Robin. While I wanted a cheeseburger, what I chose was the Cobb Salad with no tomatos/black olives. I got a side of bleu cheese dressing and a side of balsamic vinagrette. When I order salads at restaurants I always order dressing on side and i dip my fork in so that i use less dressing (and can still enjoy my favorite dressings without a ton of extra calories).

We proceeded to go shopping the rest of the afternoon which used to be an activity that I dreaded and therefore rarely did, but these days I find myself enjoying it more and more. I spoiled myself with 3 new pairs of shoes!

It's always good to reward yourself with things that aren't food.

Since I had eaten out at lunch, I had an isagenix shake for dinner (with blueberries & 1/2 banana).

Overall, I feel like it was a semi-successful way to end my weekend.

Food for Today:
Breakfast - Isagenix shake with 1/2 banana
Lunch - Cobb Salad at Red Robin
Dinner - Isagenix shake with 1/2 banana and blueberries

Current Weight: 204 (up 3 lbs from yesterday)

My journey thus far....

I started this journey on December 29, 2008. I was so excited about my new year's resolution that I couldn't wait to start. I started by making goals and rewards for myself....rewarding myself with non-food things for doing well. For example, I promised myself that if I was still sticking to the diet and losing weight in 2 months, that I would go out and buy myself the Wii Fit (which of course would involve buying a Wii as well).

I'm 7.5 months into this journey - almost 8 months and I've lost 83.5 pounds. Now it's getting difficult. Now I'm way past losing water weight at this point but to be honest, I never thought I'd get here. When I started this journey, as much as I wanted to be a size 10, I never even thought a size 18 was possible. I was a size 26, going on a 28. Currently I am a size 16. I'm not one to worry about what size my clothes are as long as I feel great and healthy - that's all that matters to me....so I'm not looking to get to a specific size by the end of this journey....I have a feeling that if I reach my goal, I will be right around a size 10 --- which will make me very happy.

You may ask how I am having such success. I attribute it to a few things....

1. My Diet - I've been doing Isagenix (Go to: http://fanclublady.isagenix.com/ for more information).

2. Exercise - I added in exercise on a regular basis after I had lost the initial 30-40 lbs. Once I got the Wii, exercising became a game for me --- and I LOVE GAMES. I currently use Wii EA Active Sports and the Wii Fit to keep track of my weight. I also love Wii Gold's Gym Cardio Workout as well as the Wii Fit games. I also have Wii Dance Dance Revolution --- which is fun and a good workout. For the last few months though --- I'm all about the EA Active Sports.

These last 50 lbs that I want to lose are going to be hard. My friends keep telling me that i'm on the downhill side of this battle and that I'm more than halfway done with it and I am in theory --- but it's only going to get harder. I've watched my mother battle to break into the 170's for the last 2 years. I'm trying to break through and keep going in 4 months. My overall goal was to lose 130 lbs in 1 year. To go from 282 lbs to 152 lbs. I'm currently sitting on the border tinkering between 201 and 199. I want to get into the 100's and stay there ---- and then my future goal will be to never hit 200 again.

There are a few things that I've realized in this journey --- that I wish someone had told me before I started it ---- and if they did - I guess I just didn't hear them.

1. There will be plateau's. You will gain when you do everything right --- and you will lose weight when you cheat.....it's just your body's natural way of being funny.

2. Cheating is the key to sticking to a diet. Every once in awhile I give in to whatever i'm craving. I try not to do this too often as it gets me going in the wrong direction.

3. Make simple goals. Small goals. Multiple goals at the same time. Be excited about the process and the small goals. Don't just set the 1 overall goal ---- set small goals to accomplish.

4. My one daily goal: Never to weigh as much as I weighed yesterday. If I say that every day, every day I will have a daily goal which will keep me going in the right direction.

Now that i've learned all of these things in my journey, I'm putting them to use.

My current/overall goals:
1. Hit 90 lbs lost before I leave to go to Denver for my Aunt's wedding over Labor Day. I have 4 weeks to go. I think I will easily accomplish this.
2. Lose 10 lbs a month - this is what I have to do in order to stay on task of finishing by Dec. 29.
3. Exercise outside (walk/run) at least 2 times a week (i work out on my wii 5 days a week).
4. Lose 100 lbs by end of October. At 100 lbs, we have a celebration planned which will involve Betsy quitting smoking and Melisa coming for a visit to TX. These are my rewards....:)
5. Lose 130 lbs by December 29. WHEN I hit my goal, I will be throwing the BIGGEST new years eve party for all of my friends & family to celebrate with me. We will be burning my outfit that I wore to my new years eve party with my friends last year.

So here's to not weighing more than I did yesterday.....and hitting my goal by December 29, 2009. 2009 was my year about change. This change is not easy and it's a daily struggle.

This blog will just be about my thoughts about this journey.....the ups & downs.....the cheating and the sticking to it.....and everything in between. It may not be pretty or fun but losing weight is neither of those things.

And so the journey continues....