Challenge 2 Day 5

My UBWO was brutal today. I am definitely working harder than I did in Challenge 1.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

chicken wrap w/ mustard & cheese
coffee w/ cream

walnuts

venison
sweet potato

Calories - 1537
Carbs - 82 (18 fiber)
Protein - 146
Fat - 70
C/P/F Ratio - 21.3/37.8/40.9

Challenge 2 Day 4

Okay, I realized that I'm doing back extensions as part of my UBWO and my Ab Boot Camp, so I'm going to substitute SparkPeople's Boxer for the extensions in my UBWO. I've also decided to do my one true HIIT session on the elliptical every Saturday, and my two regular BFL cardio sessions will be on the treadmill during the week.

apple
cottage cheese
coffee w/ cream

chicken breast
low carb/low fat tortilla

whole wheat spaghetti
chicken breast w/ Caesar dressing

homemade shrimp fried rice (I estimated the quantities when I added them to my nutrition tracker)

walnuts

Calories - 1886
Carbs - 155 (20 fiber)
Protein - 157
Fat - 72
C/P/F Ratio - 32.7/33.1/34.1

Challenge 2 Day 3

The Butt-Busting workout really kicked my butt!!!! I loved it. I can totally feel it.

cottage cheese
apple

homemade breakfast burrito
coffee w/ cream
peanut butter

chicken breast w/ skin
carrots

yogurt
coffee w/ cream

Calories - 1127
Carbs - 100 (15 fiber)
Protein - 96
Fat - 40
C/P/F Ratio - 35/33.5/31.5

Challenge 2 Day 2

Cardio kicked my butt today!!! I didn't think I was going to make it. I could definitely tell I'd taken some time off from exercising. I did the Ab Boot Camp, and it was hard. I only did one set today. I'll stick with one set for the rest of this week, and move up to two next week, three the week after that.

fortified french toast (made with 2 whole eggs, rather than egg substitute - I still haven't been grocery shopping)
coffee (black - I still haven't been grocery shopping!!!)

red beans
American cheese

red beans
onions, sour cream
ground bear (it was really good!!!!)

Calories - 1322
Carbs - 126 (67 fiber) [I really think the carb/fiber count on my beans is wrong - it doesn't add up mathematically]
Protein - 135
Fat - 60
C/P/F Ratio - 31.7/34/34.3

Vacation Summary & Challenge 2 Notes

I was a really good girl until the day before Thanksgiving, when I started helping bake the pies and breads. I really wasn't horrible at all in terms of eating, but I did enjoy myself. I did not drink, though I had planned to. I also did not exercise, though I'd planned on it. The weather was too crappy to go running and the house was too full of people to find anywhere to do calisthenics/resistance bands. So I read two Stephen King books, and I enjoyed myself immensely.

I've changed my mind about buying a heart rate monitor. Aside from my husband spending the money I had set aide for one, I realized that it's not going to change the way I work out. I'm going to keep doing exactly what I'm doing now. The only reason I wanted the monitor was to see my numbers. I don't need to see them. I'm trying to stop living my life according to statistics. It's going to be hard enough to not obsess over calories and carbs and fat and protein. I don't need another parameter.

I'm also not going to bother with specific goals this challenge. I just want to keep losing weight. I'm not officially entering at the BFL site. I'm just doing this for me now, because I enjoy it.

Challenge 2 Before Stats

For the record, I'm 5'1.75" and weighed in yesterday at 158.5 pounds, but was down to 156 today. All measurements are in inches.

Neck - 14.5
Bust - 41.5
Rib Circumference - 36.25
Waist - 38
Belly - 42.75
Hips - 39.75
Thighs - 23.75 (R&L)
Calves - 15 (R&L)
Biceps (flexed) - 12 (R) 12.25 (L)
Triceps - 14 (R&L)
Forearms - 10.5 (R&L)
Wrists - 6 (R) 6.25 (L)
Body Fat - 37% (probably inaccurate, using a Tanita scale)
Lean Body Mass - 101 pounds
BMI - 28.9

Challenge 2 Day 1

Let me just say, it is good to be home and in control. I ate pretty badly the second half of my vacation. I'm up 7.5 pounds from the day I left, but I suspect most of that is water from the gobs of fresh beef jerky from Hirsch's Meats in Pennsylvania. If you ever get to Shippenville, stop by Hirsch's!

I did my measurements and took pics. I'll post my stats tomorrow. I've been dealing with the usual post-vacation crap, so I'm short on time right now. I just wanted to post my menu and make a note about my UBWO - I had to change my lateral raises from 10 pounds to 7.5 pounds. Everything else was good. It was a hard workout, though. My arms were shaking like never before. I think that's good. I was really feeling it!!

I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow. I have none of my staples :(

cottage cheese (it was nasty, so I only ate a few bites)

"fried" eggs
toast w/ spray butter
coffee w/ 2% milk

tuna wrap w/ light mayo

homemade beef jerky

steamed shrimp w/ cauliflower

Calories - 1136
Carbs - 63 (20 fiber)
Protein - 118
Fat - 47
C/P/F Ratio - 22/41/37

Exercise for Challenge 2

I'm heading home from vacation this weekend. It has really sucked, and I will blog all about it when I get home and have some time Monday. The only positive thing I've done this week (meaning, just now!!!) is put together my next routine. I am changing things up just a bit. On cardio days, I'm adding Muscle Media's Ab Boot Camp. To make up for not doing abs on LBWO day, I'm adding SparkPeople's 6-Minute Butt Blasting Workout. Cardio is going to be 2 regular BFL sessions and 1 true HIIT session.

UBWO

Bench Press - 20, 25, 30, 35, 30
Modified Pushups

Lying Triceps Press w/ Dumbbells - 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 10
Bench Dips

Dumbbell Press - 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 12.5
Lateral Raise - 10

Incline Dumbbell Row - 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 17.5
Back Extension w/ Ball

Dumbbell Concentration Curl - 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 12.5
Barbell Curl - 15

LBWO

Leg Extension - 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 30
Squat

Lying Leg Curl - 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 22.5
Dumbbell Lunge - 10

Calf Raise w/ Dumbbell - 5, 10, 15, 20, 15
Single Leg Calf Raise

Bridge w/ Ball
Butt Blaster

Still no heart rate monitor. Long story, which I will get to.

Post Challenge Day 10

This will be my last post for a while, as we're hitting the road tomorrow. I've packed good food for the 12 hour drive, and I'm taking some of my staples with me so I won't be so tempted by the junk my mother-in-law keeps around.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

egg mates w/ onion & green pepper
toast w/ butter
venison
coffee w/ cream

sweet potato
chicken breast

Calories - 1132
Carbs - 112 (21 fiber)
Protein - 104
Fat - 38
C/P/F Ratio - 37.2/34.5/28.3

Post Challenge Day 9

I knew it! I was underestimating myself, and not working nearly hard enough during my first challenge. We finally got around to determining my max for bench presses last night, and it's 70-75 pounds, plus whatever the bar weighs. So much for my "working up" to 20 pounds during the challenge. So, when I get back from New York, I'll be starting with 3x6 30# and work up from there. I might mess around tomorrow or Wednesday to determine my max for a few other exercises.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

venison
toast w/ butter

venison
carrots

ground turkey w/ onion & green pepper

toast w/ butter

Calories - 1706
Carbs - 117 (30 fiber)
Protein - 181
Fat - 73
C/P/F Ratio - 25.3/39.1/35.6

Post Challenge Day 8

Crazy day, because I had to drive 90 minutes to take my son to the dentist, then 90 minutes back, another hour in the other direction, then finally home. I did get up and do my cardio this morning. I think I'll bump my starting pace when I get home.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

McDonald's bacon ranch salad w/ ranch dressing

toast w/ butter
cottage cheese

pinto beans
ground turkey

Calories - 1776
Carbs - 149 (36)
Protein - 156
Fat - 73
C/P/F Ratio - 31.9/33.3/34.8

Post Challenge Day 7

Good strength day - I increased a few of my weights, just to see if I could. So when I get back from vacation, I'll start off with those numbers.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

pinto beans
ground turkey
coffee w/ cream

candy
hard boiled egg whites

shrimp
pasta w /EVOO

Calories - 1754
Carbs - 153 (25 fiber)
Protein - 139
Fat - 66
C/P/F Ratio - 34.8/31.5/33.7

Post Challenge Day 6

I need to eat more fibrous vegetables.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

ground beef
sweet potato
coffee w/ cream

hard boiled egg white
cottage cheese

chicken breast
brown rice
pinto beans

Calories - 1651
Carbs - 138 (20 fiber)
Protein - 152
Fat - 54
C/P/F Ratio - 33.5/36.9/29.6

Post Challenge Day 5

Lots of disconnected rambling today...

I sent in my BFL Challenge paperwork. So there - I officially entered the challenge. And I just realized I haven't posted my essay and questions yet. I will, before I leave for vacation.

For some reason, I've had it in my head that I have to complete all my workouts for next week, even though I'm going to be on the road Thursday night and Friday. So I had to move 2 days worth of exercise to the beginning of the week. I ended up doing a full body workout today, to make up for missing next Friday's LBWO, and I'll do cardio Sunday to make up for missing next Saturday's session. Jeez. I could have skipped, especially since I've been so good about keeping on schedule for 14 weeks (counting next week!). I can justify taking one week off (which I'll do the week of Thanksgiving) but I couldn't justify the two extra days. I'm a dork. I'm striving for maintenance while I'm gone. I might take walks, depending on the weather. They have an exercise bike, and I'm giving my mother-in-law my Gazelle Edge. I am well versed in calisthenics. There's no excuse for me not to exercise. But shoot, I deserve a break.

I used to smoke. A lot. Until I was bout 5 months pregnant. I think the only reason I am able to exercise now is because I quit (cold turkey, may I add!!). The only thing keeping me from starting smoking again is the exercise. If I weren't so fitness obsessed, I would smoke, unfortunately.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

hard boiled egg whites

baked eggs w/ onion & green pepper
toast w/ butter
coffee w/ cream

coffee w/ cream

ground beef
broccoli
coffee w/ cream

nonfat yogurt

Calories - 1479
Carbs -114 (21 fiber)
Protein - 125
Fat - 68
C/P/F Ratio - 29.1/31.9/39

Current Strength Training Routine

Here's what I'm currently doing, between challenges. I'm not 100% sure I'll go back to strict BFL format when Challenge 2 starts. I really like doing heavier weights/fewer reps. Cardio is the same, though I was going to do true HIIT, but I'm not ready for that yet.

Upper Body Workout

skull crushers 3x8 @ 12.5 lbs
triceps dips 2x8

dumbbell shrugs 3x8 @ 12.5 lbs
front raise 3x8 @ 7.5 lbs

barbell bench press 3x8 @ 20 lbs
modified pushups 2x8

lying dumbbell rows 3x8 @ 15 lbs
barbell rows 2x8 @ 20 lbs

barbell curls 3x8 @ 15 lbs
hammer curls 2x8 @ 7.5 lbs

Lower Body Workout

bridge ups 3x12
jackknife w/ ball 2x12

standing calf raise 3x8 @ 20 lbs
reverse calf raise 2x12

lying leg curl 3x8 @ 22.5 lbs
dead lift 2x8 @ 20 lbs

leg extensions 3x8 @ 30 lbs
squats 2x12

wrist curls 3x8 @ 3 lbs
reverse wrist curls 2x8 @ 3 lbs
(I know these aren't lower body but I like having an even number of exercises per day)

Post Challenge Day 4

My legs hurt!! It must have been the squats. I did real, honest body squats yesterday, not the weenie ones I'd been doing with my stability ball. Or, it might have been the leg extensions. Regardless, I feel it.

I also changed up my menu a bit today. I had my normal breakfast for lunch, and my lunch for breakfast. I'm a rebel.

My calories have been rather high this week. I doubt I'll lose anything. I may not even weigh in on Sunday, and do it instead the morning I leave for vacation.

fortified french toast
coffee w/ cream

apples (warmed w/ cinnamon and Splenda)
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

soup (chicken breast, broth, lentils, brown rice)

Calories - 1658
Carbs - 155 (34 fiber)
Protein - 191
Fat - 38
C/P/F Ratio - 36/44.4/19.6

Post Challenge Day 3

Its so much harder to get my water in during the winter. It's too cold to want it now. I'm getting my 80 ounces, but barely. I might cut back to 64. When I'm not drinking water, I'm drinking coffee.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

scrambled eggs w/ onion, green pepper, cheese, sour cream

lentils
hard boiled egg
cucumber

stuffed peppers (ground beef, rice, beans, lentils, onion)

Calories - 1507
Carbs - 127 (22 fiber)
Protein - 117
Fat - 60
C/P/F Ratio - 33.5/30.9/35.6

Post Challenge Day 2

Not much to say now, other than providing my menu. It's business as usual while I stress over how I'll eat during my travels. For once, I would like to be on plan the whole time, or at least all days except Thanksgiving. Tell me I can do this!!! Protein is always a problem when I travel.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

fortified french toast

chicken breast
carrots
coffee w/ cream
hard boiled egg

venison
pinto beans

Calories - 1552
Carbs - 138 (35 fiber)
Protein - 178
Fat - 37
C/P/F Ratio - 34.5/44.6/20.9

After Stats

I really think I messed up my initial measurements, and probably some along the way. Next time, I'll have my husband do the measuring, twice each time we do it.

Neck - 14.5 -------------- 14
Bust - 43.25 -------------- 42.5
Rib Circ - 36.5 -------------- 36
Waist - 39.25 -------------- 37.5
Belly - 43.75 -------------- 41.25
Hips - 43 -------------- 39.25
Thighs - (R) 24 -------------- 23.75 (L) 23.75 -------------- 23.5
Calves - (R) 14.75 -------------- 14.5 (L) 14.75 -------------- 14.5
(Flexed) Biceps - (R) 12.5 -------------- 12 (L) 12.75 -------------- 12.5
Batwings - (R) 14 -------------- 13.5 (L) 14 -------------- 14
Forearms - (R) 11 -------------- 10.5 (L) 11 -------------- 10.25
Wrists - (R) 6.25 -------------- 6 (L) 6.25 -------------- 6.25
Weight - 165.5 lbs -------------- 154.5 lbs
Body Fat - 39% -------------- 36%
Lean Body Mass - 101 lbs -------------- 98.9 (Yikes! A loss of LBM )
BMI - 30.2 -------------- 28.1

Post Challenge Day 1

Still eating BFL/BFFM style and experimenting with various exercise routines. I am fairly certain I'll be doing a second BFL challenge when I get back from New York at the end of the month. I've been back and forth about it a lot, but I didn't like not doing it today.

I promise to have my stats up tomorrow, along with my essay and answers to the BFL questions.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg
coffee w/ cream

fortified french toast

chicken breast
carrots
coffee w/ cream

sweet potato
venison roast

Calories - 1309
Carbs - 147 (28 fiber)
Protein - 133
Fat - 29
C/P/F Ratio - 42.5/38.5/19

Week 12

It's Free Day. We all know what that means - binge. I finally found my way to my son's Halloween bucket.

I don't really have much to say about the conclusion of my BFL challenge. I need to redo my measurements in the morning because I was in a hurry today and I think (hope) I measured wrong. I did take my pictures and fill out all my paperwork. If I follow through (which I think I will), I will mail out my entry packet tomorrow. I haven't decided whether I'm going to post my pictures. They certainly aren't pretty. Fully clothed with a bag over my head, I don't look too bad. Unfortunately, one must be half naked for the contest pics. I suppose wearing shorts rather than a bikini was a blessing for viewers' eyes, should I ever post the pictures.

I lost 11 pounds, officially, during the 12 week challenge. Tomorrow, I'm going back to BFFM and different exercise routine. But watch this space for my final stats, my contest essay, and many other things. I'll be blogging regularly as I continue 12 week blocks of sweaty fun.

Now, I'm going to make spaghetti.

Challenge 1 Day 83

Today was pretty good. I have had plenty of opportunities over the last few days to eat candy, and I have resisted. As much as I want it, I'm afraid I won't stop if I start. I may allow myself one reasonable serving tomorrow, on my free day, depending on how well I eat the rest of the day. I'm already planning on spaghetti, and that's kind of on the iffy side of acceptable. Well, it's acceptable, but I have no portion control when it comes to spaghetti. I have switched to whole wheat, and I also like the Barilla Plus pasta.

I'm really upset that I wasted 3 cups of beans on a black bean brownie recipe. It tasted horrible. Good thing beans are cheap.

My husband shot a buck today, so we will have lots of venison in the future. Add that to the 100 pounds of bluetail shrimp he caught last month and we shouldn't have to buy meat for a while. Of course, I will need my chicken.

Cardio was interesting this morning. I almost wiped out because I was trying to get the cord for my headphones out of the way, and my foot slipped to the side, then my toe go caught in the belt. Of course, I was on RPE 9 when it happened, so I almost went flying.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

scrambled eggs w/ onion, green pepper, garlic
toast w/ butter

tuna w/ mayo
carrots

chicken breast
broccoli

toast w/ butter
230 g cottage cheese

Calories - 1558
Carbs - 148 (37 fiber)
Protein - 156
Fat - 54
C/P/F Ratio - 34.7/36.7/28.6

Challenge 1 Day 82

I am very pleased to say that I made it through last night's investigation without eating anything bad, even though other team members brought candy and chips. I ate my vegetables, unsalted cashews, and sliced venison without giving the junk a second thought.

My last LBWO almost didn't happen. I was exhausted this morning, but 3 year olds don't really understand "Give Mommy 15 more minutes." I wanted to skip and just be a slug on the couch, stealing a nap where I could, but I didn't. I couldn't come all this way just to blow off my last strength training session.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

scrambled eggs w/ green pepper & onion
coffee w/ cream

carrots
hard boiled egg

McDonald's Bacon Ranch (grilled) Chicken salad
Newman's Own Ranch dressing
coffee w/ cream

black beans

Calories - 1424
Carbs - 123 (27 fiber)
Protein - 112
Fat - 57
C/P/F Ratio - 33.9/30.9/35.3

Challenge 1 Day 81

It's going to be a weird day. I won't have numbers to post because I have an overnight investigation (I'm in a paranormal group) and I won't have access to my scale or any adequate cooling, so I'll just be doing the best I can. The plan is to take some carrot sticks and nuts to snack on. I'm going to need energy because I will have endless flights of stairs to climb several times tonight. Nuts would be good, but I don't really want that much salt this close to my final weigh in. Cheese sticks may work. I'm not sure yet. I can't go to the store until I head out and I don't really have anything in the house that would work. I could cook up a batch of beans and take those, but seriously, the last thing I need is to be caught farting on the audio and video recorders.

apple
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg

chicken
black beans
coffee w/ cream

chicken breast
carrots

Food I'm taking with me on the investigation:

sliced venison
carrots & cucumbers
unsalted cashews