They don't call it a challenge for nothing

Ok, it's official - I am totally off of oatmeal. I cannot stand the smell, sight or taste of it now. A couple of weeks ago I felt the monotony coming on and I tried to brace myself but it didn't work.

A couple of days ago while at work I was eating my usual, OATMEAL, and then all of a sudden I felt like I was going to throw up and I had to go the ladies room. So I figured well maybe it's because I took too long to eat? But when I put it to my mouth again I couldn't even bear the smell of it.

That was enough for me to put a hold on instant oatmeal but then I tried oatmeal bars the next day. I figured if I can't eat oatmeal I could at least eat the bars. That didn't prove to be good either. I guess when you have been eating oatmeal nonstop for the last 4 months something has to give.

Now I have to replace the oatmeal and find an alternative morning meal that's healthy and helps lower cholesterol. Cheerios is a good option but I can see that becoming a problem also but I'll try anything at this point other than oatmeal. The funny thing about this situation is that I used to love oatmeal unlike the normal population.

WebMD Fitness Challenge is appropriately titled because it is indeed a challenge. Today was a stressful day at work and I ended up grabbing something to eat almost two hours after I normally eat lunch and I had a soda to top it off to stay alert for the rest of the afternoon. This week I am going to be pulling a lot of late hours and I am already behind in my workout because my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this weekend.

Now, I need to try to coordinate picking up our son and trying to work out and eat sensibly on a tight schedule. I will get it in somehow though - that's the challenge!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that I lost 3 pounds last weigh-in. Whoopee!

Related Topics: Healthy 'Briefcase Breakfasts', Hoodia: Lots of Hoopla, Little Science

Technorati Tags: fitness rx challenge, oatmeal, breakfast

Spousal Support System!

I am so grateful to my husband for putting up with my schedule. I feel like I am never home sometimes. He watches our son while I am at the gym and while I run errands. Yesterday I was sick and didn't get to the gym and he took over then also. I don't know what I would do without him!

Last weigh in I didn't lose but I didn't gain either. This week, I am hoping since I was sick yesterday and didn't eat much that maybe, just maybe I shed some extra pounds at the same time but we'll see.

Lately, I have been getting more out of my workouts it seems because I feel the difference the next morning. I believe it is because my form is becoming better as I do the exercise more often. The trainer also mentioned that as they fine-tune my routine I should become almost perfect as far as form is concerned. I've learned that it is better to do less repetitions with the form being correct than a whole lot of sloppy repetitions just to meet numbers.

My eating is about the same. Although during the week, it is a lot better than the weekends. On the weekends, I tend to splurge more than I should but I try to make up for that during the week. I am a little scared with the holidays approaching that my eating will go downhill but I am going to try to stay on top of that also.

Related Topics: Picking Jeans that Fit, Holiday Nutrition: Naughty and Nice Holiday Foods

Technorati Tags: fitness rx challenge, holiday eating

Off the plateau and losing again!

At my last weigh in I lost 4 pounds! That's a record. When I stepped on the scale, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had to step on the scale a couple of times to make sure the scale was balanced. I have not lost that much since the challenge started. Granted it was over a 2-week period but still that's the most weight lost to date. If I can somehow continue at this rate, I can reach my goal in no time.

My routine changed again. I am always excited for some reason when my routine is changed. I am not sure if it's the challenge itself of doing something new or just the fact it is something new and it's a change from what I have been doing for the last month. The way my routine is structured now I will actually get out the gym a few minutes earlier. Each workout will be more focused instead of working the entire body. I look forward to the upcoming workouts although the last workout I did something to my neck. I hope it heals soon!

Technorati Tags: fitness rx challenge, weight loss, nutrition, exercise

Finally Results!!!

Finally starting to see some results! Just this week I started to notice that my pants feel a little looser, shirts hang just a tad bit longer and I am able to walk in heels a lot better!

I bought a pair of blue jeans about a month and a half ago - size 16. As I slid each pant leg on I didn't feel the usual closeness of the material to my skin that I am used to feeling when I put on pants. I thought maybe it's because I haven't pulled them up yet. Then I pulled them up and tried to button them they were not even close to my waist. I was like wait a minute here. Maybe I stretched them out of shape or something. As I was walking with them on I realized I would have to wear a belt if I planned to wear them outside the house. I got a little excited but thought this is my mind playing tricks on me.

Next episode: I was going to a wedding and decided I was going to wear a suit because of the weather. I had a brand new suit hanging in the closet that was a size 14, that I had never worn before. Last time I tried it on I couldn't button it because of my stomach. I decided to try it on just for the sake of trying it - gave me something to do while I stood in my closet trying to figure out another outfit to wear. To my surprise when I tried on the bottoms to the suit I could magically zip them with no problem. And, get this-- the jacket was too big? My jaw dropped.

I have been wearing heels more comfortably lately also. I assume this is because there is less weight to bear on my knees and on my feet. Not to mention, my knees have gotten a little stronger since starting the challenge when I could only wear flats!

I am so excited but I am trying to contain myself so I can continue on this journey of health and fitness without going backwards.

Related Topics: Flab to Fab: Fitness 101, Protein Triggers Weight Loss Hormone

Technorati Tags: fitness rx challenge, weight loss, nutrition, diet, exercise

Spirits Up! Cholesterol Down!

I got my results back - I lowered my cholesterol by over 40 points!! I am so excited!

I was a bit scared awaiting the results. I wasn't sure if what I had been doing was enough. It has been approximately 3 months since I had my cholesterol checked last. The doctor didn't put me on any medication when I first had the test done because she wanted to see how the WebMD Fitness Challenge would go with me exercising and changing my diet.

The nutritionist, Kathleen Zelman, gave me some pointers for helping me reduce my cholesterol by eating such things as Cheerios, Oatmeal and Orange Juice that contain plant stanols. I have been eating oatmeal so much that it has become a chore. I used to love oatmeal but not anymore. I just eat it now as part of a routine.

I am so happy that I will not have to get on medication. I will do anything to stay away from medication. I just have to keep it up and not allow my diet or lack of exercise raise my cholesterol level again.

Now I want to spread the word to everyone I know who has high cholesterol. Starting with my Father and Grandmother. Now that I have made a difference in my cholesterol levels maybe it will prove to them that they can make a change also. It may not work for everyone but it's worth a try.

Related Topics: Busting Your High Cholesterol? Get the Right Workout (WebMD Video), Cholesterol Management Center


(Here's my current stats.)

Technorati Tags: fitness rx challenge, cholesterol, lower cholesterol