Six Month Progress and Ham Breakfast Cups

When I started this blog in September of 2008, I really thought that by showing what I ate, what I did for exercise, would motivate, er, guilt me into making the right choices because I wouldn’t be able to hide anything.  I remember Biggest Loser was starting up, and I thought – “I will just take it slow and steady and be at my goal weight by my birthday next March!”  Well, long time readers will know that didn’t happen.  And every subsequent New Years I declared it:  “2009 is Mine!”  “2010 is When” I’ll lose weight, etc.

But you know what turned on my Switch?  One damn picture.

That was a fun day on Lake Travis in May with Tony, my step-son Joe and daughter-in-law Lizz.  When I first saw that picture on Facebook I couldn’t believe I had let myself go so much.  I knew it, but I didn’t at the same time, does that make any sense?  And when Joe told me he had Insanity and could make me a copy, I was all in.   When we got back, June 1 was when I decided to start Insanity and I had to step on the scale and face the music.

While that isn’t my highest of all time (which was 211 pounds in 1999), this was my heaviest weight in years.  I always seemed to hover around the high 160s.   The only thing I did differently this time?  I had no actual goal, other than to do the Insanity program every day.  I had no goal date, no goal weight, I just made this my lifestyle.  I didn’t deprive myself anything.  I still had burgers, pizza, wine, etc., but I was in control of when I had those things, and I didn’t say “shit I just ate four pieces of pizza – I can’t do this!” and then eat like shit for days/weeks/months.  I just moved on.  No guilt!

Well, and I also worked out a lot!

And after I finished 110 days of Insanity, I moved onto strength training – this week I begin Week 11 already!   I actually think it’s the strength that has done the most in reshaping my body.  Sadly, I meant to have Tony take a picture of me where I am at, and by the time I thought of it again, it was dark.  I will post a picture next week though!

So I went from 175.8 to 155.4!  I lost 20.4 pounds in six months.

But the best part are the measurements!

• Thighs went from 24.5 to 22.5 – loss of 2 inches
• Hips went from 40.5 to 38.5 – loss of 2 inches
• Waist went from 38 to 36.5 – lost of 1.5 inches
• Chest went from 38 to 37.5 – loss of .5 inches
• Bicep went from 14 to 11.75 – loss of 2.25 inches!!

So I lost 8.25 inches if my math is right.  When we went on vacation in May I could barely fit into my size 14s, now my size 12s are getting loose.   I am just so proud of myself.  Tony always tells me that he loves me no matter what I weigh.  I was 139 pounds when I met him and he’s seen me at my highest since we’ve been together.  He loves me unconditionally and I am a lucky woman for that!

Thanks to everyone who cheered me on along the way, and I know you’ll continue to cheer me on – you guys are the best!

So as I go into week 11 of this strength training program, I realized I’ve never really paid any attention to the diet portion of this program.  So this week I am going to try to follow it – basically you carb cycle by alternating between high and lower carbs.  Today’s workout is legs, so that’s a high carb day – according to their chart – 211 grams.  On low carb days, that number drops to 80, but for me that’s too low so I’ve decided to make my low carb days 125.  My diabetes RN friend Nicole suggests that no one, even diabetics, should ever eat below 125 carbs.

Yesterday was a low carb day because it was a rest day.  Tony asked what I wanted for breakfast and I said I didn’t know.  He said “do we have ham?”  Yep!  He asked me to find the muffin tin, because with my brain, it could have been in one of ten places!  Once I got his mise en place, I let him do his magic.

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I know it’s so simple, but these were so good!  I think the tang of the goat cheese made it for me.  The eggs were light and fluffy and I loved the crispy edges of the ham.  Thanks Tony!!

I have to be to work 30 minutes early today, but luckily my leg workout is one that I can do from home.  We are onto high reps!   Only 5 workouts, but 30 sets of each that you have to do continually for 150 reps, then rest a few minutes and do it 2 more times.  “As a result, the weights you use should be pretty light. You won’t be able to go heavy with this style of training. But your muscles will be taxed because of the time under tension.”  I am using 10 pound weights at home.

Alright, gotta get this how on the road.  Make it a great day!!