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I woke up this morning and got on the scale, and I was floored, shocked, amazed and disappointed. I saw a number that I haven’t seen in a really long time. I started praying to God to help me. This weight loss thing can be so hard sometimes. I know that I have a gift of helping people with their journey, but its so frustrating that my progress made a U-turn and is running in the wrong direction. I started panicking, telling myself; I’ll never be able to make my fitness DVD, will my blog readers and runners start to think I’m a fraud? And then I had to catch myself. That downward spiral only goes down and nothing good comes from it. I prayed God just help me with today. I started remembering what my weight watcher leader and my Hollywood Aunt always say, just take it ONE DAY AT TIME. I realized, that no, Running Into Shape is not a disaster because I gained a couple pounds and yes, they will still read your blog and yes your family still loves you because you’re human, and we make mistakes. I prayed again “Okay God, I’m serious, help a sista out, I can’t do it by myself.” Instead of hitting up the deli shop at my job for a quick muffin, I took a vitamuffin top (100 cal) and a weightwatcher yogurt….(amaretto flavor, so delicious)…. Then I told my co-worker first thing, I’m eating a salad & water for lunch, nothing else, not negotiable. She’s working on her weight too, and she signed up Lyle’s Boot Camp class with me! I am so excited to have another workout buddy. You know I live for a plan, so I found my next 5K. It’s called the Sista Strut to help bring awareness to the startling number of women of color with breast cancer in my area. It’s a walk, but it’s not until October, so I hope to run the whole thing.
After work, I came home to let Nyah out and get dressed for class. I picked up my co-worker friend and we were on our way. We were just about 3 minutes late and already missed 3 exercises. Lyle is serious about his class. We joined in the jumping jacks and squat thrusts. Then, he had us lay the mats on an incline and do sit ups and pushups and repeat. That little hill made it that much harder. But thank GOD, for a cool day, it was only in the 80′s with a cool breeze. I’ll take that over ridiculously hot days we’ve been having. Class was so nice to do with a friend, and have that extra encouragement during the suicide runs and planks. I guess God was listening this morning, because I had a Gold Star day!
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B-Vita Muffin Top, WW Amaretto Yogurt (actually quite filling combo), Green Tea w/ Splenda
L- Fried Chicken Salad w/Fat Free Italian Dressing, Small breadstick & Water
D- Subway Sandwich & 13 animal crackers (I counted a serving)
This morning I woke up and saw an article about former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s bucket list. You know what a bucket list is, just like that cute little movie “The Bucket List
“ with Morgan Freeman. It’s a list of all the stuff you want to do before you die or in other words, “Kick the Bucket.” I have a list of short term goals like, make my 5K to 10K podcast, make my Fitness DVD, pay off a credit card etc, etc. But I’ve never made a list of cool stuff I want to experience. So I started one….here are a few…
Experience Zero Gravity
Run a Marathon (Hopefully sooner rather than later)
Go to Egypt and see the Pyramids and ride a camel…(any of my runners in Egypt? I’m coming to visit!)
Break a Guinness Book World Record (Doing what? Who knows?)
Write a Book
Get Married
Shake hands with President Obama
Go to culinary school (I love cooking)
Be on a National Talk Show (Not Maury LOL!)
Tons more, but too much to list here.
Anyway, writing out my bucket list gave me a whole list of reasons to keep living life to the fullest, because there’s so many things I haven’t experienced yet. Today was a good day to make my list, because in my weight watcher meeting yesterday, we talked about setting attainable goals so that you have something to look forward to. I told the leader about my recent frustrations, and she told me the simplest phrase that everyone has heard a million times. “Take it one day at a time.” I’ve always been a Big picture person (Egypt? Guinness Book?) But, with this whole weight loss thing, I can’t just say, I want to lose 100 lbs. I have to make smaller goals like, I want to track my points/calories TODAY, I want to work out TODAY. And that’s just what I did. I followed the weight watcher motto “Bite it, Write it.” I wrote down everything that went in my mouth. AND I went to boot camp class. It was so hot and humid, just being outside breathing in the thick muggy air was workout. Feeling a cool breeze was just a silly thought and far from reality. We started out the class with Lyle’s favorite, the suicide runs. Then jumping jacks, and push-ups and planks. Then he asked, “are you ready for the workout the start?” right before he told us to run a lap around the field. Let me tell y’all out of all the times I’ve worked out, I’ve never sweated this much…ever. There was literally sweat on my eyelashes, that’s how much was pouring down my face. I kept swatting at my shoulders, at what I thought was a gnat or a mosquito, but was really just sweat beads rolling down. It was so gross, I mean my hair looked like I just got out the shower…. The running lap was followed by all kinds of leg lifts and ab exercises and at least 3 more laps. I’m pretty sure I rolled my eyes at him a couple times. I didn’t care if I was the last around the track today, my main goal was not to pass to out. Well, I finally finished my “victory lap” which was more like a crawl, and came home feeling like a champ!
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B- Oatmeal, yogurt, half of an apple
L-Turkey Sandwich and side salad
S- Weight Watcher Multi-grain Ranch Chips (delicious) & 2 twizzlers from a co-worker
D-Turkey Leg, Cream Style Corn, and Green Beans that Mama made & left over Birthday cake
Today was supposed to be my day for an easy workout between boot camp classes. My friend and I have been taking our Weekly stroll in the park for about a month. However, today she invited her co-worker to join us. My girl warned me that her co-worker was a “real walker.” And she said it was okay for us to walk ahead of her since she’s a newbie. It turned out to be much more than a lesuire stroll in the park. Her co-worker was indeed a real walker, this lady didn’t even slow down for the big hills, she kept the same quick pace the whole time. She walks much faster than I ever walk by myself. Several times I had to jog just to keep up with her. It was good though. I welcomed the challenge. After the 3 mile journey, my Big Little Sister called and asked me to join her at the gym. I totally didn’t feel like it, but I was going to go to support her. Then she had to leave to go pick up my niece. Whew, thank God. I know I’ve done 2 workouts in one day on several occasions, but I was so glad that today wasn’t one of them….Don’t forget that today is the last day to leave a comment and enter My Biggest Loser give away. I’ve already got some awesome quotes and tips. Check it out!
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B- Vita Muffin Top and Low-fat yogurt
L- Mexican burritos, rice and beans, the fresh salsa was so good!
S- Pack of Peanut butter snack crackers
D- Left overs from lunch
* I Only drank water all day, Yay!
I was so tired after work today, I just didn’t know if I would make it boot camp class tonight. Then, on my way home, my Shopping Cousin called me and asked if I wanted to go to the free summer concert series in the park. Tonight was all about Michael Jackson
! I wanted to go so bad! I love MJ. Y’all know I even threw a costume party to celebrate his life and career. However, I had to make a sacrifice for my blog and for my health. If I didn’t go to work out tonight, then I wouldn’t have anything to blog about besides my fabulous Mother’s Day strawberry shortcake platter.
Wasn’t it pretty?…. Anyway, I hauled my tired self to boot camp class. The theme for the night was running. We did so much running around the track. We had to run lap after lap. My legs were burning, and my calves felt like they were on fire. We spaced out the laps around the track with resistance band training and bleacher runs. I kept wondering, since when is running up and down the bleachers considered a “break”???? It’s was so funny, one the girls jokingly told Lyle, she wasn’t speaking to him anymore after what he put us through. But, of course by the end of class, we all thanked him and limped back to our cars. My t-shirt was soaked with sweat; like I’m sure I could have taken it off and ringed out the moisture. It was so gross. But it was a for sure sign that calories were burned. Which, I needed after my hefty lunch today….Before I sign off; I wanted to remind you to enter my Biggest Loser Giveaway for a chance to win a cool prize.
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B- Fiber One Muffin, low-fat yogurt
S- Pretzels
L- Appetizer (2 chicken party wings & a roll) Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Side Salad
D- Huge serving of delicious fresh stir-fry veggies (I had to make up for my Calorie laden Lunch)
- I only drank water all day long! Yay me.
Actually that title is pretty ironic, because I didn’t really eat the best lunch. However, I had a fantastic lunch break. The partner at my job gave us tickets to the St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball game. Of course we couldn’t stay and watch the whole game, but it was the best lunch break ever. The Cardinals got 3 runs in the first inning! It was such a nice get away from the office. After work I went to boot camp class. Lyle kicked our butts! I thought it was just me, but everyone agreed that class was really tough tonight. I couldn’t figure out why it was so hard, I walked 3 miles with my friend yesterday and didn’t miss class on Tuesday, but I still felt so out of shape. That was until I realized the level of difficulty of the stuff that I was actually doing; like holding a push up plank for who knows how long and continuous ab intervals followed by sprints. I was able to keep up, but it was difficult. I thought about it and realized, I don’t suck, it was supposed to be hard, and it was supposed to hurt. Somewhere, between the leg lifts and the jumping jacks I said to myself, I pay this man to torture me. And I do recall one time I told him that I thought he was trying to kill me, and he reminded me that it was just the opposite; he was trying to make me better. I guess why I keep going back….I know I haven’t mentioned it, but I had 2 good weeks on the scale at my Weight Watcher weigh-in. But the crazy part is that I don’t really feel that I can celebrate it, I didn’t even tell y’all that I lost weight since my bold declaration that I was sick and tired of not losing weight. I don’t discount it, or feel like I don’t deserve it, I just don’t feel like I’m where I want to be yet. I know, you’re supposed to take victory in all of your accomplishments, but honestly I can’t until I know for sure that I am back on the right track. I need to lose at least 4 weeks straight to be satisfied, otherwise, I just feel like I’m still maintaining. I realize that I’m being really tough on myself, but I have to if I want to see a change….. Well it’s pretty late, so I’m going to get some sleep, but I’ll leave you this, my silly “brother from another mother” got in my car with me, right after I left boot camp and told me I smelled like “spoiled baby milk!” Can you believe that?! Who says something like that? I explained to him that if he done all the strenuous exercise that I had just finished, he too might be sweaty and not smell fresh!
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B- Apple and Granola Bar
L- Cheeseburger and Pretzel at the Baseball game (could I fit in anymore carbs? )
D- Pasta con Brocolli (I guess I did find a way to squeeze more carbs in)
S- Strawberries, lo-fat cool whip, a small shortcake.
This morning started off with an all you can eat Fried Chicken and Waffle breakfast at church. I was so apprehensive about it. I’ve done a really good job of keeping my points these past few days, and I was so scared I might go overboard and eat too much. My Big Little sister was hosting it, otherwise, I would have skipped it all together. I took my time in the buffet line and tried to make good choices. I ate 2 wings, turkey bacon, eggs and one waffle. I skipped the grits, pancakes, sausage, croissants and orange juice. The weight watcher program works if you work it. You can eat everything, just in moderation. It felt so good to feel in control, especially in a setting like that. The rest of the day was super busy and I ate at the closest fast food place, Jack in the Box. I didn’t have time to look up points, so I relied on the menu and the healthy dining symbol. I got the steak teriyaki bowl. I figured anything is better than a burger and fries, right?….. WRONG! When I finally got a chance to look it up, I discovered that it was almost 800 calories!!!! I was so mad. In what world is 800 calories “healthy dining”??? It tasted good but it wasn’t worth all those points. I only had 3 points left for dinner. I drank a lot of water and ate a Healthy Choice frozen meal. Which ironically enough is actually a ”healthy choice” I ended up only using 2 of my weekly overage points. Not so bad considering I was bamboozled by Jack in the Box. Lesson learned, look up the points BEFORE you eat it.
For some time I’ve been meaning to try out the Weight Watcher e-tools and see what it was all about. However, having done weight watchers in the past, I just couldn’t imagine how useful it could really be. I thought to myself, why would I want to type up my food when I could just write it on the weekly paper tracker. But, boy oh boy was I sooooo wrong. The e-tools are great! It’s so much more than just keeping electronic points. There are so many different aspects of it. For example, you can type in what food you ate and it automatically pulls up the points value. And you can even select different restaurants and see the points values. You can track not only your daily points balance, but your activity and your body measurements. I’m such a nerd; I had so much fun playing around on the site. I checked out Jennifer Hudson’s 
WW blog and read about how good she feels after losing weight with weight watchers. I even went to the mobile e-tools from my phone. I’m so glad that I decided to give it a try. It was perfect timing for my new ”sick of just maintaining” attitude. I tracked everything I ate today (even the mayonnaise on my lunch sandwich). …I worked out too. My friend came over after work, I picked up the little sister and we all went to the gym. Even though it was raining, my friend wanted to put on ponchos and walk outside in the rain with an umbrella. Now y’all know I wasn’t going for that! Once we made it to the gym, I started out walking around the track with her, but I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. Then me and the little sis went down to the weight room. I got on the elliptical and cranked it up a few levels. After 20 minutes I was really sweating like boot camp class “sweat in your eyes” sweating. Then I got on the Fitness Ball
and did sit ups and pushups. Then me and the little sister finished up with some free weights
. It was fun to mix up the routine like that. Then we went back up to the track and walked the final 3 laps of my friends 3 mile walk with her. I feel great! I like feeling like I’m on the right track and in control.
What Did Carli Eat Today? Yea I had a donut, so what…I didn’t go over my points allowance
I promised myself and y’all that today would be a healthy food day. Mission accomplished!
What Did Carli Eat Today?
Before I left home I had a cup of water and 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to get things moving in the right direction. For Breakfast I had a protein shake, then mid morning I had a cup of Lemon Lift tea with Splenda. I was hungry and went to lunch early at 11:30. I walked and got a salad. Breadstick? The chef asked. No thanks, just fat-free Italian dressing. I was proud of myself, 2 healthy meals and just taking it one bite at a time. It was hard to order a salad when they’re known for their fried chicken wings, but I did. This afternoon, I ate an apple. Then…one of the vendors brought in Gus’ pretzel sticks. I ate one, just one. I could have eaten 4 of them, but I only ate one. I was so proud of myself for not over indulging. When I got off work my friend and I went walking in Park. I ate a hand full of almonds to hold me over until dinner. My friend is building up to 3 miles, so we walked at slower pace than I normally walk. I’m so proud of her for making a commitment to walk. We like to eat and shop together, so maybe now, we can work out together too. At one point I jogged for a bit, and then jogged back to where she was. That got my heart pumping. Then she asked me for the 2nd time if I wanted the free Maggie Moo’s ice cream they were giving away for Tax Day. I told her no again. She said I want you to go with me…what if I bring you back some? Haven’t we burned off the calories walking? I said “friend I need you to help me, I can’t have that, my pants are too tight, and I need to stay focused.” She understood and didn’t offer anymore. We fought through the excessive amount of gnats near the pond, (I’m pretty sure I accidently swallowed one) and finished the 3 mile journey. I had dinner planned in my mind before I even left for work this morning. My motto is “Failing to plan is planning to Fail.” … I cooked chicken breast in water, and sautéed veggies. I opened the fridge and cut up every fresh veggie I saw. I cut up zucchini, broccoli, red pepper, yellow pepper and spinach. I sautéed it all in the same skillet with a little Olive oil and Weber Veggie Grill seasoning. It was delicious! I feel good mentally and physically.
Lunch Salad
Delicious Veggie Mania!
Dinner Prep
