P90X anybody?

So I gave Jillian a try for a week, and it just isn't enough for myself. It may be great for people just starting out, or who need something simple, or quick, but I'm ready for a bigger challenge! I have also been running a couple of times, which I have actually enjoyed, and I think I will keep up, but need to start hitting the weights again, so I can start putting muscle on. So, tomorrow, I am starting P90X! I know it's been around for a while, and their new program, I believe, is Insanity - which is supposed to be just that - insane, but I need to start somewhere, and I had easy access to P90X.

From my understanding P90X is a 12 week DVD program, that incorporates weight lifting, cardio, yoga, and plyometrics... sounds right up my alley! I haven't seen the videos before, so this could be a train wreck waiting to happen, but I figure if I did 18 weeks of BFL, I can do this. Plus, I like how p90x cycles their program - 3 building weeks then a recovery week, repeat. BFL was just push push push - no recovery. Should be interesting. As far as nutrition goes, I'm not sure if there is a program, if not, I will be testing out my program - I've already got my tracking sheets printed out. Right now, I really am not to concerned with weight - but just like everyone else, I do like to see the scale go down... more importantly though, I am focusing on BF % - as long as that goes down, I will be happy. And I am also going for a certain 'look'. I'll know it when I see it. So I do plan on doing pics every 4 weeks. My hcg pics are my starting pics, since its only been a week, and I have maintained.

My main motivation for this is our trip to Hawaii in September. I feel and look a lot better in clothes, but everything is still jiggly and lumpy in a swim suit. And I would love to get below a size 10 - currently a 10/12. Hopefully this will finally be good bye thunder thighs! I welcome anyone to join me (I'm gong to see if I can actually get my hubby to join this time), or just follow and cheer me on! I probably won't blog everyday, but am shooting for 2-3x a week. Good luck me!

Help needed... anyone up to try something new?

Like many of you, I'm finding that I am having a difficult time not having a plan. Free will tends to lead to lack of will power... but at the same time, I am tired of being on a "diet." I've been reading several programs, and concepts, and want to try piecing some things together to develope my own program. This is a work in progress, and I will probably change things as I go. I'm inviting anyone to try it out with me, and would love any input, suggestions, ideas, and feedback.

Here's what I am thinking

* 4-5 meals a day - 3 of those actual meals, 1-2 can be a snack.
* Each meal should consist of a lean protein, veggies, and a fruit, and some form of healthy fat. Try to avoid high glycemic fruit for breakfast though.
* You can eat as many veggies as you want, but try to stick to 1 piece of fruit per meal, since it is high in sugar, and favor lower glycemic fruits.
* 1 carb/grain a day - must be whole grain, and just 1 regular serving size. This can be brown rice, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, sweet potato, oatmeal, legumes, fiber cereals, etc.
* Avoid proccessed foods. "If it's white, it ain't right." And try to avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup where possible. Avoid saturated fats.
* Stevia, and agave are ok to use. Dairy is allowed, but low fat, and no more than 3 servings a day. Raw nuts are ok, but no more than 1 serving a day.
* Eat every 3-4 hours, and lots of water in between.
* I recommend fish oil, a green tea supplement, and a multi-vitamin
* You get 2 "cheats" per week - meaning, if you want a serving of ice cream, you can have one! But they can't be in the same day, and stick to the serving size - it doesn't mean a whole pint - and you must have worked out that day!
* Once a month, you can have a "free day", but you give up yor 2 "cheats" for that week. So if there is a bbq coming up, or a favorite restaurant you are craving - plan accordingly!
* Try and shoot for the minimum exercise recommendation of 150 minutes a week - Thats only 30 minutes a day - 5 days a week! Walk, ride a bike, hike, heavy yard or house work, weight lifting - just move and be active!

K - I think that covers it! Like I said, I will probably change, or add things as I go. I'm open to any ideas, suggestions, and feedback! Good Luck!!!

Not satisfied....

So, today I thought I would have my hubby take some after photos so I could have a better idea of my results. While I can tell I've lost, I am still not satisfied! I'm starting to see more definition in my neck, chest, arms, calves, but its not good enough... I want the whole thing! I'm maintaining my 165 easy enough, but I still look and feel soft. I want the soft all gone! This is driving me to keep pushing. If you are doing something, take a photo, and study it - are you happy with what you see? If yes, great! If not, don't give up! Use it to motivate you and drive you! Say to your self - "I can do better!" Because you can! I know I can! So to keep me motivated I am posting my photos again! Don't laugh too hard :)

167.2, 167.7, 166.4, 164.8!!! DONE!

Whahoo! So, on day 32, I finally reached my goal of 165lbs! And surprisingly, I only gained .5lbs after my night at Carver's! I attribute that to working out in the yard all day before we went, and drinking lots of water, and having just an apple for lunch. Totally worth it! I have stopped taking the drops and am on my second day of no drops - 500 calories. Thursday, I can start eating again! So here are my before and after measurements:

Shoulders - d1 - 44 - d32 - 44 (same)
Chest - d1 - 38 - d32 - 37 (-1)
Bicep - d1 - 13.5 - d32 - 12.75 (-.75)
waist - d1 - 32.5 - d32 - 30.5 (-2)
abdomen - d1 - 38.5 - d32 - 36.5 (-2)
hips - d1 - 43 - d32 - 40.5 (-2.5)
thigh - d1 - 26 - d32 - 24 (-2)
calve - d1 - 15.25 - d32 - 14.75 (-.5)
BIA - 27.8% - 23.5% (-4.3%)
Weight - 184(preload) - 165 (-19lbs)

So in 32 days time, I managed to lose 11.75 inches! It took me 3 months to lose that on BFL, but keep in mind, BFL is all about losing fat, and building muscle. While I definitely lost fat on HCG, I know I have lost muscle. According to my handheld BIA, I only lost 4.3% BF, which = only 8 lbs fat, and 11 lbs muscle... again, I don't put much faith in the BIA, but that is all I have to measure, until I can have someone else measure by calipers. The key now is stabilization, then maintenance. I'm curious to see what my body will do in the next couple of weeks. Will I put weight back on, by increasing muscle mass again - which I am sure I will, but will I be able to still continue to lose fat? We'll see. I'll definitely keep you all posted! For the next 30 days, I think I am going to try a cross between Jillian Michael's - 30 day shred - runnig outside, and the South Beach Diet. Still researching that though. And then I plan on giving p90x a try.

HCG has definitely been an adventure. It was awesome seeing the scale drops so fast, which is great for an impatient person such as myself :) But at the same time, I'm a little nervous as to the long term results... But I plan on continuing to eat smart and exercising, which shouldn't be a problem. I also plan on going to a gym in Ogden and having my RMR tested. This is an important number to know in case it is too slow, or very high. I'm hoping it errors on the side of high. :) Keep the feed back and questions coming, and know that I am here to help anyone that is in need! Best wishes!

170.2, 169.4, 167.7(apple day), ?, 166.8, 167.2... Day 29

Crazy week, this week... Zoee had to get ear tubes, and have a vein removed from her forehead, so I ended up going down to my mom's Monday afternoon, and stayed through Tuesday. One thing that is nice about HCG, is you don't have to worry about eating all the time like BFL. And to make things even easier, I figured I would try an apple day or two, to see what it was like. Apple days are good for when you stall - you eat 6 apples through out the day - simple as that. I went from 169.4 - 167.7! I wasn't able to weigh myself Tuesday, since I was at my moms, and had to be at the hospital early, but was down again on Wednesday. The first apple day was no prob... wasn't hungry or anything. The second day was a little harder, and I found by Wednesday, I was pretty hungry! So back to the normal grind, a little raise this morning, but I think that was because I had too big of a steak, and a client gave me some fresh homegrown asparagus... yum... couldn't eat enough!!!

Last week I talked about BIA Body fat - well I was able to have my brother do my bf with the calipers... I've gone from 25.8% to 22.8% - now he is untrained, and it was only a 3 site, but enough to tell me I have definitely lost muscle, but that was expected since I had been lifting so heavily before. But on the plus side, most of my fat loss has come right off of my stomach :) can't complain about that!


Measurements:

shoulders - 43.5 - 43.5
Chest - 37 - 37
bicep - 13 - 12.75
waist - 31 - 30.5
abdomen - 37 - 36.5
hips - 41.5 - 41.5
thigh - 25 - 24.5
calve - 15 - 15
weight - 167.2
BIA - 24.7%
caliper - 22.8%

So not as great of loss in inches, but still moving along :)

Today is going to be tricky... we have a gift card to a steak house in Sandy that expires Friday... So we are planning on going down tonight to use it. So either I eat super clean, or enjoy, and do another apple day or two... I looked through their menu online, and it looks like I will be ok, depending on what they cook their meet and veggies in... And hopefully Niel won't want an appetizer or desert... AH! I'm so close to the 165, I don't want to screw it up, but at the same time, I want to be able to enjoy this... Guess we'll have to see when we get there. No food through out the day though... just lots and lots of water! I'm definitely ready to be done though. I think I will go through next Thursday, which will put me at 36 days/4 weeks. If I'm at my goal, I'll be done, if close, maybe another day or two... I'm ready to eat again!!! Hope all are well!

172.2, 171.7, 170.6, 171.1!, 170.5, 170.2... Day 24

So I've made it past the 23 day mark! That means I can quit at any time, but I think I am going to go until the drops are gone. There are a couple of times where I increased the drop amount due to hunger, so it will probably last for another week, give or take. This week has been a little frusterating - I had 2 days where I gained! So it's been a battle just trying to get that off, and I'm soooo close to breaking 170, it's driving me nuts! If I don't break it tomorrow, Im going to start doing a couple of apple days - my goal was to hit 165 ,or 20% bf - I started out at 27.7% with a hand held BIA, I am currently at 24.7% and 170.2... that means I have only lost 5.5lbs fat... the rest, muscle...? but the hand held BIA's aren't as reliable as calipers. When I last measured with calipers at the end of BFL, I was about 24%? Ill have to look it up and get back to ya, and I'll do the calipers at the end... Either way, as soon as this is over, I am looking forward to working out again, and toning everything up! I'm even thinking of doing a 5k or something towards the middle/end of the summer...? We'll see! As far as hunger goes, it is still present, but still manageable... as long as I stay on top of the water, and sometimes have my fruit as a snack, or a little more protein, it helps. Measurements to come on Monday - will see ya again then! Hope all are well!

173.3, 173.6, 172.7, 172.2... Day 19 and measurements

I DO NOT recommend going to Costco while on a diet! lol We went Friday night, and it was torturous sitting there watching Quin and Niel eat a hot dog, and I love their pizza... I sat and ate my chicken salad with no dressing... bu I did give in and have a diet coke... either way - I gained! So I'm not risking it again for a DC, although that sounds so good right now... lol My drops haven't been as good as last week, but I was also very active last week with the garden and all... I almost think I may try and workout a little bit to see if that makes a difference? I know they say you aren't supposed to, but a little bit wouldn't hurt? I guess we'll see...
as far as measurements, those are still going good

week 2 - week 3
shoulders - 44 - 43.5
Chest - 38 - 37
bicep - 13.25 - 13
waist - 32 - 31
abdomen - 38 - 37 (for every 5lbs loss = 1inch loss on stomach, which is holding)
hips - 42.5 - 41.5
thigh - 25.5 - 25
lower thigh - 21.75 - 21
calve - 15 - 15

Can't complain there! Over all, in 3 weeks, down 19.8 lbs from my load, and 11.8 from previous weight. This is definitely a more time efficient way to lose weight, but I'm starting to play the head games, and wanting to just eat - I may consider an apple day if I don't start dropping more in a couple of days.... If I go the 43 days I'm not even 1/2 way... This diet works, but definitely a commitment!

177.6, 176.2, 176.0, 174.9, 173.3... Day 16!

So, still losing, even after a crazy day yesterday! We've been putting up a swing set for the kids, and I desperately needed to get my garden in, so we were outside all day yesterday. After 5 hours of tilling and moving dirt, laying edging, raking, pulling grass, and planting, I'm sure I burned over 2000 calories! And as I have stated before, you aren't supposed to work out... I was a little nervous, and starving, and wasn't sure what to do, so I consulted my supplier, and recommended eating more protein. So as soon as I was done, I threw down a protein shake, and probably 64 ounces of water. Now shakes aren't on the list, so this too made me a little nervous, but I lost 1.6lbs either way! Due to hydration and other issues, it will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings. I'm now at 173.3... I have never been below 175 that I can remember! The lightest that I ever remember weighing was 170 - when I was 13!!! Now that's a victory! The key is to keep losing, and once I am where I want to be, to keep it off forever! Hope all are well!

179.7 - 179.4 - 178.7 - 177.6...! Day 12

Then 177.8? Say whaaa? So I was enjoying a loss everyday, and then today I stepped on the scale and was up a little bit, so I went through my food log, and was ok there, then got thinking... I shaved my legs yesterday, and then coated my arms and legs with bath & body works, body cream... checked the label - TONS of different types of oils in it! Geez! Definitely check your labels, even on body care! I also may be starting girl time, which I have read can effect loss, but its hard for me to tell, since I have an IUD, and am very irregular...(sorry if TMI:) The hunger has been a little better... I try to just drink a big glass of water, and they say you can use your fruit as a snack instead of with your meal, which I have been trying, and seems to have helped.

Starting to get compliments, and am noticing my own changes in the mirror. Our stake is having a clothing drive, and so I started going through my closet trying stuff on - almost none of my old pants fit! And on Friday, we went to the Park City Outlet mall, and I found some Nike yoga pants in a Large for $15, and a sweet new swim suit for $25 in a 10-12! Good day! Can't wait to see what 3-4 weeks and another round of working out will bring :) I definitely plan on working out again after this is over with - I sure miss it! Not sure what I will do... thinking p90x, or have heard the new one 'insanity', I'm open to any suggestions if any one has something they are curious about, I also think I may try the Mediterranean, or South Beach diet... again - open to suggestions :) I am planning on doing the full 43 days, or till I get to 165lbs, which ever comes first (I'm hoping 165!. So, 13 more lbs, and a little wiggle room wouldn't hurt. I just know that I plan on having at least 1 more kid, and do not EVER want to get back up to my 235-245 pregnancy weight, nor EVER see 200 again! NEVER AGAIN! :) I also measured my self, and had a decrease every where...

pre measurements - week 1

shoulders - 44 - 44
Chest - 38 - 37.5
Bicep - 13.5 - 13.25
Waist - 32.5 - 32
Abdomen - 38.5 - 38
Hips - 43 - 42.5
Upper Thigh - 26 - 25.5
Lower Thigh - 22.5 - 21.75 - I have this dimple in my lower thigh that I want gone!
Calve - 15.25 - 15

Weight - 184/192 - 177.6
Body Fat - 27.7% - 26.1%

Hopin for a better day tomorrow :) Keep the questions coming - you can email me at Iluvtnf@aol.com, or find me on facebook :)