Night Out

Well last night I had a fabulous time out. A friend of mine is was having a moving party/wine tasting. We tried 8 bottles of wine, yes 8 and I would say I had about 3oz from each bottle so a whopping 585 calories... What can I say was it worth it yes, should one do this often, no... It was like my trip to Parksville and all the goodies you can do it once in a while but too often will just back petal your progress. So I'm off this week with my calories. I've got today to eat lightly and then I need to stay in my goals next week to see any weight loss. I'm thinking this week if I lose 1/2 a pound it will be a miracle;) I won't gain but I'm not going to have the 1.5 pound drop I'd like to see. Day by Day!

Losing weight: Some simple ideas for big changes

I thought I would write a post about the things that are working well for me and that anyone can do to start losing the weight. I calorie count. It is as simple and as challenging as that and no it is not always easy but it can be done and will become more habitual in time.

Figure out your unique BMI (I have a widget on the bottom of this page) these kinds of widgets are great because it does the math for you. Otherwise go to this website for the full formula:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calorie_calculation101.asp

Once you have this you will know what your goals are and how many calories you need to be consuming to lose your fat. For instance I am 159 pounds and 5'4 or 72 kilograms and 1.63 meters. So my calorie range for weight loss is 1146-1496 calories a day. That being said it is safest to not go below 1200 calories a day for women and 1500 calories a day for men. With this info you can set up your diet. I try to stay around the 1200-1300 calorie area and I do this using these tools.

-Digital food scale (this is invaluable as you can't really know how many calories you are eating unless you weigh EVERYTHING first.

-A good set of measuring cups and spoons (again you need to measure out ALL of your food)

-A food diary/calorie diary online or in a book ( I use medhelp and sparkpeople )

-Buying Fat Free Dairy and egg whites staying away from rich foods.

-Cutting out the processed sugar all together (you will get use to it) stick to fruits and sugar free substitutes.

-Cutting out or way down processed foods

-Cook at home (you'll save money and it is impossible to really know how many calories you are eating when you eat out. You can eat out you just have to plan for it and make the calorie space so you can enjoy yourself)

-Allow calorie room for things you really enjoy to eat/drink, once in awhile. If you deprive yourself this lifestyle change won't work.

-Invest in a good digital body scale. (because when you lose 1/2 a pound or even a 1/4 pound it's very motivating) Try and weigh yourself on the same day after you get up in the morning.

-Chew Sugarfree Gum (If you need to snack and you have used up your calories for the day)

-If you do fall off the diet one day don't get all downcast, it's ok. Just enter in everything you ate and work hard for the rest of the week to try to bring your average calorie intake down. Weekly averages are key:)

-Be creative, make it work for you, work at it one day at a time and you will get there!

These Pictures are my weekly averages so far for this week through medhelp.org I like that I can see how many calories, protiens, fats, etc... I am eating it really helps me to stay on track.

Getting better everyday!

So have you ever had an experience where someone tells you not to do something and you listen to them. Then you finally try whatever that things was and realized you like it. Well today I had one of those experiences. Some months back I took my first ever pilates class and loved it. The teacher was/is amazing, strong, beautiful, fit, I want to be her! At the end of this amazing class she said to everyone go try other teachers but avoid this person's class, it's way to hard and crazy he's like a drill sergeant you'll hurt! Now fair enough I was scared off I didn't want to be in pain and screamed at that's not my style. So the months passed and then there came today. I had initially signed up for a hot yoga class but then realized that I wouldn't make it on time. I was stuck, would I just do a sauna or would I go and try the dreaded pilates class....

Well I did both, after a nice relaxing sauna I got up the nerve and went into the class. It was great:) It kicked my ass! I will be sore tomorrow but it was soo worth it! It was the kind of class that if I could do that everyday or every other day I would be in amazing shape in no time! I will be going back. And you know what, I do have to say that not carrying around that extra 40 pounds makes working out a hell of a lot easier. I sure love this new me that's emerging.