No Videos Challenge - Week 1 - Thursday

No run again for me today. The wind and rain and dark kept me from doing that. I also didn't do any cardio in the morning. I have, however, spent the last two afternoons unloading pumpkins for our school's pumpkin fair. I'm not taking activity points for it but it's tiring. My Gymboss came today and I am looking forward to running Saturday. I'm skipping right to week 3, which is 6 rounds of 3 minute walk, 2 minute run.

Food:
hard boiled eggs
apple & cottage cheese, chocolate milk [2 pts]
red pepper slices
bean soup w/ whole wheat crackers [1 pt]
apple & cottage cheese - Again.

20 ounces of water, one coffee and lots of tea. 26 weekly points remaining. I'm missing my oils.

I was really busy today and I resisted the corn dog nuggets at work. If it weren't for today being a meatless day for me, I may have had some. I'm glad I didn't.

I have a busy 3 days coming up, too. Tomorrow will be pretty normal in terms of food, but Saturday is the pumpkin fair and I'll be surrounded by baked goods. I'll have to put some fruit and hard boiled eggs in my bag. On Sunday, I have  to deliver pumpkins and straw bales and mums and gourds and cornstalks to about 25 businesses & homes. I'll pack the cooler but I did promise Sebastian McDonald's - the poor kid has to ride in the truck all day while we make our way down the beach dropping this stuff off.

Days Binge Free: 4

No Videos Challenge - Week 1 - Wednesday

squat 5x5x90 lbs

push up 3x12

conventional dead lift 5x5x10 lbs

hanging leg raise 3x12

2 points for this. I loved it, especially the hanging leg raise. I need to wear pants when I dead lift, though. My legs are scraped up from the barbell.

Food:

hard boiled eggs w/ avocado on toasted Sandwich Thin [1 pt]

plum & hard-boiled eggs

apple & cottage cheese
ice cream [4 pts] - After unloading thousands of pumpkins, I took my very cooperative son for a treat. He wanted to split a Flurry, but at 15 points, I said no freaking way.

steak & baked potato
yogurt w/ honey [1 pt]

80 ounces of water, one tea and two coffees. 29 weekly points remaining, and I used both of my activity points.

I'm a bit peeved because my Gymboss didn't arrive today and it's supposed to be rainy again in the morning, so it will be too dark to run using my watch as a timer. That means I have to figure out what to do in the house.

I'm really proud of myself. At work, I didn't nibble on any chicken nuggets or bread sticks. I wanted to! But I ate my hard boiled eggs and plum instead.

Days Binge Free: 3

No Videos Challenge - Week 1 - Tuesday

I had a banana and some more cottage cheese after I posted last night.

I didn't get my walk/run in this morning. When I woke up, it was pitch dark because of the heavy cloud cover. It's too hard to do intervals and try to keep an eye on my watch [excuse] and I couldn't quickly think of an alternate workout [excuse]. My Gymboss should be here tomorrow, so I can't use not knowing the time as an excuse after that. It was pouring rain - I might have run in that but probably not.

Food:
oatmeal & banana
salad w/ fat free dressing
quinoa, plum
apple & cottage cheese
crumb coated [1 pt] mahi mahi w/ mixed vegetables
milk & red pepper slices - I needed to get in that last serving of dairy.

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 33 weekly points remaining.

I feel better today than I did yesterday and over the weekend. I was a bit grumpy because I missed my workout. I didn't get to run much during Go Far because I was too busy keeping the disruptive kids in line, then blocking puddles of water on the gym floor when people couldn't listen and not run with their water. I alternated a lot between being hungry and not able to get to food and not being hungry but eating anyway :(

Days Binge Free: 2

No Videos Challenge - Week 1 - Monday

As much as I hated to, I weighed in today. 137.5 - that's up 5.5 pounds from my last weigh in. I know a lot of it is water. I'm ridiculously bloated and can't even wear my rings. It sucks. But I think I can get it back off quickly. Once I get back down to the 132 that I was on Labor Day, my goal is to lose 5 pounds by the end of this challenge. That will bring me back to where I was before Christmas last year.

squat 5x5x80 lbs

db push press 5x5x20 lbs

chin up 3x12 - all assisted today

prone jackknife 3x12

Two activity points. It took about 30 minutes. I have no idea what my rest periods were. They weren't terribly long.

Food:

eggs w/ tomato & avocado, Sandwich Thin w/ sugar free jelly [1 pt]

quinoa w/ garlic & carrots, plum
apple & cottage cheese
hard boiled egg, cheese [1 pt] & tomato on light English muffin [1 pt]

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 34 weekly points remaining, and I used both of my activity points. I'm missing 1 serving of oil.

I had a really hard time today. I wanted to not eat much, to "make up" for my bad eating the last few days but rational thought took over. That would have just made things worse. Then, I just wanted to say "screw it" to my Meatless Monday and my WW. I was upset about my son's interim report from school and it made me feel like a lousy mom. Then there was the stress of my job interview. I've been subbing in the cafeteria since March, and daily since May. It's more of a formality but I still got nervous and did a horrible job answering their questions during the interview. So between that and my son's report, I just wanted ice cream. Then, when I ate my last meal, I messed up and added cheese (to get the rest of my dairy) to my muffin (that I was using to use my other AP) without realizing that I would be pulling from my weeklies, something I try not to do on a Monday. I know that is why they are there, but really, I try to stick to APs unless it's a special occasion or I just can't help it. I guess stupidity counts as a special occasion.

Days Binge Free: 1 - It really sucks starting over. Twice. In the same month.

No Videos, No Problem (NVNP) Challenge Overview

I've decided that I'm going to try to go 12 weeks without doing a workout dvd. That means no Turbo Jam for 3 months!! I don't know if I can do it, but I'm going to try. With the weather getting cooler, I can move my cardio outside.

For cardio, I'm training for a 5K, at least until mid-November. I'm going to run three days a week until then. After that, I will probably just do other bodyweight intervals. I just ordered a Gymboss Interval Timer. I'm very excited about that.

My original plan was to lift 4 days a week but since I want to really train for the 5K, I'm changing my plan to lift 3 times a week. Thank goodness I had 3 different plans lined up. This is the one I put together myself. A 3 times a week, full body workout. I would do this workout for 6 weeks, then change out some of the exercises (to the ones in parentheses) for another 6 weeks.

Monday:

squat 5x5 (lunge)

db push press 5x5 (db shoulder press)

chin up 3x12 (assisted pull up)

prone jackknife 3x12 (cross body mountain climber)

Wednesday:

squat 5x5 (barbell step up)

push up 3x12 (chin up)

conventional dead lift 5x5 (Romanian dead lift)

hanging leg raise 3x12 (plank, max time)

Friday:

squat 5x5 (squat)

db bench press 5x5 (one arm db row)

assisted pull up 3x12 (push up)

3-minute plank test (spin crunch, 3x60 s)

There is also a 5-minute plank test 

I'm also going to try to squeeze in some yoga/stretching/foam rolling when I can.

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Weekend - Spark to 5K (W2)

I got up Saturday morning and just did not want to go do my walk/run. I just didn't. Friday's candy corn disaster put me in a funk. Then I remembered that I cannot let what I do or eat affect how I eat or what I do. Make sense? So I got up and did my walk/run - 30 minutes, 219 calories.

Food was horrible this weekend though. It was my wedding anniversary, we were traveling. I ate myself sick. I am not looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow. I am so bloated from the carb and sodium fest. Ugh.

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Friday - Spark to 5K (W2)

Today I did my first session of Sparkpeople.com's Spark Your Way to a 5K, starting with Week 2 - 3 minutes of walking, 2 minutes of running for 5 cycles. It went well, except for not being able to see my watch in the dark. I think I might get a Gym Boss timer. I also need better earbuds - mine fall out when I run. Anyway, I burned 182 calories in 25 minutes (2 activity points). I don't know how far I went. I will go down to the high school track in weeks 7 and 8 to start getting some times for the 3.1 miles.

Food:
apple & yogurt
chicken breast w/ breadstick [2 pts]
Canadian bacon and cheese [4 pts] on English muffins [6 pts]
banana & cheese [2 pts]
candy corn [all my points] - Damn it.

80 ounces of water and two coffees. No points remaining. I should not have gone to work hungry, but I had tons of crap to do before work and I didn't get back home to make my lunch or eat a better breakfast. So the chicken, breadstick & muffin things were at work. I should not have bought candy corn. I'm really mad about it, too. I was freaking starving today, too.

Tomorrow's workout - same as today.

Days Binge Free: 0

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Thursday - Turbo Jam Cardio Party Remix

I got in 30 minutes of Turbo Jam. The whole time I kept thinking about how much fun the kids at school would have doing Turbo. I need to become a Turbo Kick instructor. I burned 220 calories (2 activity points).

After school, we did our 5k training. We did 4 cycles of 5 minute walk, 2 minute run, but at this point, most of the kids are still walking the whole time and it's pretty chaotic. We have a crappy area to run - around the playground (a big distraction) with the after school kids outside (also a distraction) and big holes and poles and it's just terrible. I can't wait until we get organized and can split into smaller groups and go out onto the road or maybe some of the trails that are away from the school.

Food:
oatmeal & banana & cereal [1 pt]
apple & cottage cheese
quinoa w/ tomato, plum
raw vegetables w/ yogurt dip
eggs w/ avocado & tomato, Sandwich Thin w/ sugar free jelly [1 pt]

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 29 weekly points remaining and I used both activity points.

Tomorrow's workout - run. I'm going to do the Spark Your Way to a 5K and start with Week 2 next week. Tomorrow I'll probably do the Week 2 format, as well. This will bring me to our Go Far Club's 5K. I am not sure whether or not I can officially race that, being a coach, but I'll have to ask. I'm going to train, though, just twice a week on non-lifting days. Maybe.

Days Binge Free: 11

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Wednesday - Rest Day

I had every intention of working out this morning, even though I had nothing scheduled. But I was up late watching The Biggest Loser and I overslept. Thank goodness my friend sent me a text!!! I would have really overslept and my son would have been late for school.

Food:
plum & cottage cheese
baked potato w/ coleslaw [1 pt for mayonnaise]
ice cream [5 pts]
quinoa w/ chicken - I tried a new quinoa recipe, with garlic, onions, and carrots. It was pretty good.

80 ounces of water and one coffee. 29 weekly points remaining. I hate not having any activity points. I am also missing a dairy serving.

Tomorrow's workout - Turbo Jam Cardio Party Remix

Days Binge Free: 10

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Tuesday - Workout 6

Stage 7-6

barbell dead lift 2x8x100 lbs
90 s rest

dumbbell squat, heels raised on plates 4x20x15 lbs
dumbbell shoulder press 4x20x15 lbs
step up 4x20x15 lbs
underhand-grip lat pull down (inverted row) 4x15-20
30 s rest

I'm taking 3 activity points for this bad boy. Since it was the last of the lifting for Stage 7, I pushed super hard. I will take a rest day tomorrow and finish out the week with some low intensity cardio/active recovery. On Monday, I start a new routine that will hopefully improve my strength and, if I eat right, help me gain some muscle.

Today we started our Go Far Club at school. We have 8 weeks until our 5K. We didn't do a lot of running today. Most of our time was spent going over expectations and goals and such, but we did get a few rounds of 5 minutes of walking, 2 minutes of running. I don't like running.

Food:
banana
eggs w/ tomato & avocado, toasted Sandwich Thin w/ sugar free jelly [1 pt]
apple & cottage cheese
grilled chicken breast, Tex Mex bean & corn salad, roasted vegetables w/ homemade honey mustard dressing
yogurt & cereal

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 35 weekly points remaining. 2 activity points unused.

Tomorrow's workout - nothing! I have to work early then finish making my Green Team/Pumpkin Fair scarecrows.

Days Binge Free: 9

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Monday - Turbo Jam Fat Blaster

I wasn't really in the mood to exercise. I woke up tired and lacking energy. I pushed through anyway. I felt a lot better. I burned 207 calories - 2 activity points.

Food:
eggs w/ tomato & avocado, toasted Sandwich Thin w/ sugar free jelly [1 pt]
Tex Mex bean & corn salsa w/ spaghetti squash
plum
yogurt & banana
vegetarian brown rice sushi

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 35 weekly points remaining and I used 1 of my activity points. I'm missing my oils and half a dairy serving.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 7-6!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The LAST one!!!

Days Binge Free: 8

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Sunday - Workout 5

Stage 7-5

barbell incline bench press 2x8x65 lbs

seated row (lying dumbbell row) 2x8x30 lbs

90 s rest

(barbell) static lunge, rear foot elevated 4x20x45 lbs

push up 4x20

barbell Romanian dead lift 4x20x65 lbs

dumbbell bent-over row 4x20x20 lbs

30 s rest

2 activity points. One more workout to go.

Food:
plum, eggs & toasted Sandwich Thin [1 pt] w/ Smart Balance [1 pt]
grapes & pretzels [2 pts]
yogurt w/ apple
raw vegetables w/ homemade honey mustard dressing, lasagna [6 pts]
waffles w/ syrup [5 pts]
frozen banana treat w/ almonds [4 pts]

20 ounces of water and one coffee - I was more in the mood for diet Pepsi today. 3 weekly points unused, and I used all of the activity points I earned.

Tomorrow's workout - Turbo Jam Fat Blaster

Days Binge Free: 7

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Saturday - Turbo Jam Cardio Party 2

It's been a while since I've done this one and I was really looking forward to it. It's not as intense (for me) as Cardio Party 3 (which I love) but I didn't want to do CP3 because most times I do it, I twist my knee wrong. I didn't want to take any chances being so close to the end of NROL4W. I'm getting ready to do a *gulp* NO VIDEO challenge so this is probably going to be the last Turbo I do until next year. Next week, I start training for a 5K. Yes, you heard me. I'm going to run. Not for me. I volunteered to help out with our school's GO FAR program. I thought we were just doing some general fitness stuff - I had no idea the kids would be running a 5K in November!!! I know I've said I hate running (and I do!!) but it's on my Bucket List.

Anyway, I did CP2 and burned 403 calories. I rocked it hard! 4 activity points!

Food:
apple & cottage cheese
eggs w/ turkey bacon [8 pts] & Sandwich Thin w/ sugar free jelly [1 pt]
pickles & carrots - I desperately need to get to the produce stand!!!
plum
Hawaiian turkey meatballs [1 pt for bread] w/ whole wheat pasta

40 ounces of water and four coffees. 20 weekly points remaining, and I used all my activity points.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 7-5

Days Binge Free: 6

Weight lifting opinions needed!!!

I'm making a separate post to ask this. I've been thinking about what I want to do next and I know, without any doubt, that I do NOT want to follow dvd or book program with any kind of certain schedule. I also don't want crazy-long workout sessions. So I did some research and pieced together two different programs that look good (to me). Then I found another program already written out so I am throwing that option into the mix.

To recap, I've been lifting for 3 years and fairly confident in my abilities. I can do chin ups and assisted pull ups. I have a home gym with adjustable dumbbells, free weights with about 200 pounds of plates (standard, not Oly), resistance bands, barbell with rack, weight bench, pull up bar, stability ball, jump ropes, suspension trainer, mini trampoline and I think that's it. I've done ChaLean Extreme, Body For Life, New Rules of Lifting (original), New Rules of Lifting for Women, and P90X.

I am going to post the three options here and if anyone is reading, please tell me which you would go with. I have a 12-week stretch between finishing NROL4W and ending the year on vacation in New York.

OPTION 1 - A 3 times a week, full body workout. I would do this workout for 6 weeks, then change out some of the exercises (to the ones in parentheses) for another 6 weeks.

Monday:

squat 5x5 (lunge)

db push press 5x5 (db shoulder press)

chin up 3x12 (assisted pull up)

prone jackknife 3x12 (cross body mountain climber)

Wednesday:

squat 5x5 (barbell step up)

push up 3x12 (chin up)

conventional dead lift 5x5 (Romanian dead lift)

hanging leg raise 3x12 (plank, max time)

Friday:

squat 5x5 (squat)

db bench press 5x5 (one arm db row)

assisted pull up 3x12 (push up)

3-minute plank test (spin crunch, 3x60 s)

There is also a 5-minute plank test

OPTION 2 - A 4 day split based on Built's Baby Got Back routine, which I love!!! I would do this for the full 12 weeks, adding weight when possible.

Monday:

bench press 5x5

one arm db row 5x5

push up 3x8

lateral raise 3x8

Tuesday:

squat 5x5

bicep curl 5x5

lunge 3x8

barbell good morning 3x8

Thursday:

chin up 5x5

military press 5x5

front raise 3x8

dip 3x8

Friday:

dead lift 5x5

lying tricep extension (skullcrusher!!!) 5x5

glute ham raise 3x8

step up 3x8

OPTION 3 - This is directly from Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength Wiki - I believe it's part of the Practical Programming book, which I have not read. I'm not even sure that's Mark's wiki. It is at least based on his book. I would do this for the full 12 weeks, adding weight when possible.

Monday:

bench press 5x5

push press 1x5 (alternate with standing db press 2x8)

chin/pull up 3x12

Tuesday:

squat 5x5

power clean 5x3 (alternate with bent over barbell row 3x8)

glute ham raise 5x10

Thursday:

standing barbell press 5x5

db bench press 3x6-12 (add weight after 12 reps and start over)

chin/pull up

Friday:

front squat 5x3 [Yuck, I hate these!!] (see the wiki for the alternate here -it's complicated written out)

bench press 1x1 (only when doing front squats, eliminate Thursday bench press)

dead lift 1x5

I love all of these. I will probably do all of them. I just don't know which one to do first.

Also, what can I do with my blog to make it more interesting for those of you who read? It's basically become just a record of what I do, for my own selfish purposes. I want to gain muscle, so I'm going to be hitting the weights hard.

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Friday - Workout 4

Stage 7-4

barbell squat 2x6x90 lbs

90 s rest

dumbbell squat, heels raised on plates 4x15x15 lbs

dumbbell shoulder press 4x15x15 lbs

step up 4x15x15 lbs

underhand-grip lat pull down (inverted row) 4x15

30 s rest

I worked to the lower end of the rep range again, so only 2 activity points. OMG, just two more of these bitches.

Food:
eggs w/ mini bagel & Smart Balance [2 pts]
turkey salad w/ fat free honey dijon dressing [4 pts for cheese]
venison tenderloin w/ baked potato
plum & cottage cheese

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 26 weekly points remaining, and I used both of my activity points.

Tomorrow's workout - Turbo Jam Cardio Party 2 - I haven't done this one in a while.

Days Binge Free: 5

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Thursday - Hell Day at Work!

I had planned on getting in a walk between getting out of work and my son getting out of school but work was insane. It was my turn in the dish room and I swear every kid in school ordered lunch today. I'm taking an activity point for that chaos. It took me an extra 45 minutes to get caught up with everything.

Food:
apple & cottage cheese
Tex Mex bean & corn salsa
spaghetti squash w/ onions, tomato sauce & cheese [1 pt]
Core granola [3 pts for extra oils]

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 30 weekly points remaining and I used the activity point I earned.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 7-4

Days Binge Free: 4

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Wednesday - Workout 3

Stage 7-3

barbell deadlift 2x6x100 lbs

90 s rest

static lunge, rear foot elevated 4x15xbodyweight

push up 4x15

barbell Romanian dead lift 4x15x65 lbs

dumbbell bent-over row 4x15x20 lbs

30 s rest

2 points for this mess. I am only taking two because I went to the lower end of the rep range and I used bodyweight only for the split squats. I focused more on depth and a slower tempo with those and still got a killer workout.

Food:

banana, eggs w/ tomato & mini bagel w/ Smart Balance [2 pts]
salad w/ turkey meatballs
cottage cheese

pepper slices w/ honey mustard dressing - I also planned on eating some smoked mahi mahi but I took one bite and didn't like it.
yogurt & Core granola [2 pts for extra oil]

80 ounces of water and one coffee. 33 weekly points remaining, both activity points used.

Tomorrow's workout - nothing. I need to clean my house. I ordered a Kindle and it will be here Friday. I expect to be a lazy slug all weekend.

Days Binge Free: 3

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Tuesday - 2 Mile Walk

I didn't feel like doing Turbo Jam when I got up, so I took a 30 minute walk between work and picking my son up from school. I didn't wear my heart rate monitor but I'm sure I only earned 1 activity point.

Food:
oatmeal & banana
apple & cottage cheese
mixed fresh fruit - I was thrilled to walk into a work meeting to see fresh fruit! Yay for Simpy Filling Technique!!
mini bagel [1 pt], tomato & eggs w/ homemade honey mustard dressing
Core granola w/ skim milk

96 ounces of water and two coffees. 35 weekly points remaining, and I used my activity point.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 7-3

Days Binge Free: 2

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Monday - Workout 2

Stage 7-2

barbell incline bench press 2x8x65 lbs

seated row (lying dumbbell row) 2x8x30 lbs

90 s rest

dumbbell squat, heels raised on plates 4x20x15 lbs

dumbbell shoulder press 4x20x15 lbs

step up 4x20 - bodyweight only, my legs were so sore

underhand-grip lat pull down (inverted row) 4x20

30 s rest

3 activity points for this. It wasn't as bad as the first workout but still incredibly challenging. My body still aches though.

Food:

banana & chocolate milk [1 pt]

apple & cottage cheese, baked potato

Tex Mex black bean & corn w/ Sandwich Thin [1 pt]
yogurt & cereal w/ honey [1 pt]

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 35 weekly points remaining. I used all my activity points but I am missing my oils for the day. It felt good to be (pretty much) on plan today, and recuperate from the totally disgusting feeling lingering from yesterday. 

Tomorrow's workout - Turbo Jam Fat Blaster

Days Binge Free: 1

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Sunday - Rest Day

My body is stiff. Not sore, just a little tight. It was raining so I couldn't bike and I had too much other stuff to do to clean an area big enough to do Turbo Jam. So I rested. Well, I made bread and kneaded by hand for 20 minutes and cut and painted paper bag scarecrows and cut fabric and did just about anything to avoid the sitting and standing movements that made my legs cry.

I ate badly today. Not necessarily a binge, but I am resetting my binge count because I'm totally disappointed in myself. I know why I did it. I let not having any points mess with my head. This won't happen again. There are 100 days until I leave for Christmas vacation in New York. I am going to stay on plan for 100 days (at least) - that means being accountable for everything that goes into my mouth, and not letting myself run out of points early in the week so that it doesn't but me in a position where I "can't" have something on the weekend.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 7-2

Days Binge Free: 0

NROL4W - Stage 7 - Saturday - Workout 1

Stage 7-1

barbell squat 2x8x90 lbs
90 s rest

(barbell) static lunge, rear foot elevated 4x20x45 lbs
push up 4x20
barbell Romanian dead lift 4x20x65 lbs
dumbbell bent-over row 4x20x20 lbs
30 s rest

3 activity points for this - it took about 45 minutes and was ass kicking. The rep scheme is supposed to be 6-8 for the squat and 15-20 for the rest. I insisted on doing 20 reps per set. It sucked balls. I ended up having to take mid-set mini breaks for just about everything. The only thing I could do without pausing was the dead lift. This workout is just brutal. I hated it. Thankfully, I don't have to do it again. I do, however, have to do static lunges again, and I hate those. HATE THEM!!! I hate them. I really freaking hate them. To say I hate them is an understatement.

Food:
oatmeal & banana
salad
apple & cottage cheese
chocolate milk [1 pt]
chicken w/ mixed vegetables & pasta
avocado & tomato on Sandwich Thin [1 pt] w/ chipotle mayonnaise [1 pt]

80 ounces of water and two coffees. I gladly used all of my activity points.

Tomorrow's workout - a bike ride, if my legs haven't rebelled and run away.

Days Binge Free: 76

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Friday - Rest Day

I decided to take a rest day because I'm planning cardio tomorrow OR jumping right in to Stage 7, rather than waiting until Monday.

Food:
banana
whole wheat pasta & meatballs, plum
apple & cottage cheese
omelet w/ onion, peppers, avocado & tomato
yogurt & cereal

80 ounces of water and one coffee. Still no weekly points remaining and I didn't earn any activity points - it sucks!

Tomorrow's workout - Turbo Jam Cardio Party 3 or Stage 7-1

Days Binge Free: 75

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Thursday - Workouts A&B5

Since 6A was so weird for this workout (some max reps), I decided to combine both workouts.

underhand lat pull down (assisted chin up) 1xAMRAP - I did 5 unassisted, with regrips between reps

60 s rest

slow negative chin up 3x1 - each was 20 seconds
barbell split squat 2x10x90 lbs
60 s rest

back extension 2x10

incline reverse crunch 2x10

push up 2xAMRAP - I managed 13 in the first set and 14 in the second. I need to work on push ups.
60 s rest

reverse lunge, one dumbbell on shoulder 2x10x25 lbs
dumbbell two-point row 2x10x35 lbs
dumbbell push press 2x10x30 lbs
60 s rest

I will take 3 points for it.

Food:
hard boiled egg w/ avocado & tomato on mini bagel [1 pt]
whole wheat pasta w/ hard boiled egg & plum
yogurt & cereal
spaghetti squash w/ onions & peppers in marinara sauce & cheese [2 pts]
ice cream [10 pts] - Yeah, 10 points worth of ice cream. It was a crappy day. I probably shouldn't have medicated with food but screw it. At least I counted it. Now if I want something, I have to earn the points for it because I'm out of weeklies until Monday.

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 0 weekly points remaining. I used all 3 of my activity points.

Tomorrow's workout - Turbo Jam Fat Blaster

Days Binge Free: 74

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Wednesday - 2 Mile Walk

I ended up not having time before work, and then a crazy afternoon followed, but I managed to squeeze in a 2-mile walk between getting out of work and picking Sebastian up from school. I didn't wear my heart rate monitor but I doubt I burned much more than 100 calories, so 1 activity point for it.

Food:
oatmeal & banana
bulgur w/ pepper slices
apple & cottage cheese
pan-seared pork loin & salad w/ croutons [1 pt] & homemade honey mustard dressing
cereal & yogurt

60 ounces of water and two coffees. 10 weekly points remaining. I used my activity point.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 6A & B (doubling up because Workout A is weird)

Days Binge Free: 73

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Tuesday - Workout B4

Stage 6B

reverse lunge, one dumbbell on shoulder 4x4x35 lbs

dumbbell two-point row 4x4x40lbs

dumbbell push press 4x4x35 lbs

60 s rest

back extension 3x4

incline reverse crunch 3x4

60 s rest

2 activity points for this.

Food:
hard boiled egg w/ tomato & avocado on toasted Sandwich Thin [1 pt], grapes
hard boiled egg & pepper slices
plum & cottage cheese
Mexican beef & bulgur skillet

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 10 weekly points remaining. 1 activity point unused today. I'm short 3/4 of a dairy serving.

Tomorrow's workout - I don't know yet. Maybe Fat Blaster.

Days Binge Free: 72

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Monday - Intervals

I did 20 minutes of intervals today (bench jumps, high knees, butt kicks, jogs) and burned 170 calories. I'll take 1.5 activity points for that.

Food:
cottage cheese
hard boiled egg slices w/ avocado, tomato & chipotle mayonnaise [0.5 pt] on toasted Sandwich Thin [1 pt], grapes - See how those 1.5 APs worked out ;)
pasta w/ olive oil & raw vegetables & Core ranch dressing (dressing powder (0 pts) mixed with skim milk & plain nonfat yogurt)

We went out for dinner with my father in law. I had to either stay meatless or be Core. I chose to stick to meatless and I used up most of my points for the week already. I'm only estimating here, but I am giving up 25 points. I didn't gorge, but I did eat quite a bit of stuff I don't normally. I'm not worried about having so few points for the rest of the week. It is getting easier and easier to eat from the Filling Foods list.

80 ounces of water and two coffees. 10 weekly points remaining. I was short a dairy serving.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 6B

Days Binge Free: 71

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Sunday - Workout A4

Stage 6A

slow negative chin up 3x1 - 20 sec, 18 sec, 17 sec

60 s rest

underhand lat pull down (assisted chin up) 10x2 - All of these were unassisted, but I did need to regrip between each pair of reps.

60 s rest

barbell split squat 3x4x90 lbs

push up 3x4

60 s rest

2 points for this workout.

Today was our off shore fishing trip. I ate before we left (normal stuff, for me) and packed good foods (and some not so good foods). I was so freaking sea sick I couldn't really eat anything. Normally, boats don't bother me, but this was my first time out on the ocean (we were about 50 miles out). I was fine if I was lying down with my eyes closed or reeling in fish (we caught about 50 between the 5 of us). I couldn't sit up with my eyes open or closed and I couldn't lie down with my eyes open. So I didn't eat all that much of anything. I told myself that if I made it through the trip without tossing my cookies, I'd treat myself to a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. So that is what I did when I got home. I ate a pint of ice cream, and it may have put me in the red slightly with my points, but I am absolutely unconcerned about it! It's not a binge, either. A binge would have been two pints of ice cream, a couple of candy bars, and the rest of the homemade ice cream that has been in the freezer all week. This was an indulgence, sure, but I was in control and it wasn't overly excessive.

Tomorrow's workout - intervals

Days Binge Free: 70

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Saturday - Rest Day

I didn't get any Turbo in today. I cleaned up the yard from Hurricane Earl's visit and got ready for tomorrow's offshore fishing trip. I am taking a book and not fishing. After the last time my husband had my son out in the sun and first forgot to take the sunscreen then did a terrible job applying the sunscreen he bought, I have to be there just to make sure my son is protected.

I am taking part in a Labor Day challenge on one of my weight loss boards. My goal was to get to 132 pounds. I hit that today. I'm glad. This is coming off so slowly and most of the time I don't care if I lose any more. I have a lot of loose skin that's just not going to snap back into place so I think I look as "good" as I'm ever going to. I would never have a tummy tuck, even if I did have the money for one. I remember being scared to go under anesthesia when I got my tubes tied - no way I'd do it for elective cosmetic surgery.

Food:
eggs w/ avocado & tomato on Sandwich Thin [1 pt]
chicken breast w/ cheese [3 pts], lettuce, salsa & yogurt
grapes & rice cake [1 pt]
hard boiled egg & homemade honey wheat bread [4 pts]
yogurt & apple

40 ounces of water and one coffee. 21 weekly points remaining. It was a messed up day. I thought we were going out for dinner so I put off eating a bit and we ended up not going out. I was starving and cranky and had nothing that was a satisfying protein for dinner. So many times today, I wanted to throw in the towel. I was seriously in a place of not caring. I am not sure if I'm still there.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 6A

Days Binge Free: 69

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Friday - Workout B3

Stage 6B

reverse lunge, one dumbbell on shoulder 3x6x30 lbs

dumbbell two-point row 3x6x35 lbs

dumbbell push press 3x6x30 lbs - I left this at the same weight I'd been using. I just can't get that form right.

60 s rest

back extension 3x6

incline reverse crunch 3x6

60 s rest

2 points for this.

Food:
oatmeal w/ banana
eggs, plum, mini bagel w/ Smart Balance [2 pts]
pinto beans w/ chicken
apple & cottage cheese
steak & salad w/ homemade honey mustard dressing.

No water and three coffees. 30 weekly points remaining. I used both activity points I earned. I was not feeling well most of the morning. It was rainy and windy and I was exhausted from so little sleep in two days. I was in a horrible, cranky mood all day. I wanted to binge but I was too damn bloated. I think I need to lay off the beans.

Tomorrow's workout - hopefully some Turbo.

Days Binge Free: 68

NROL4W - Stage 6 - Thursday - Mark's WoW

I did another of Mark Sisson's Workout of the Week. This is the third one, but I couldn't do the second because I didn't have a good area to crawl around. Anyway, this one is 20 minutes of bodyweight exercises: 1 pull up, 2 push ups, 3 squats, 1 chin up, 2 push ups, 3 squats, repeat. I actually only did 10 minutes because I was running short on time, with all the hurricane prep I needed to take care of. 1 activity point for it.

Food:
banana
eggs, Sandwich Thin w/ sugar free jelly [1 pt]
brown rice w/ beans, pepper slices w/ avocado hummus
Tex Mex bean & corn salsa w/ avocado
yogurt & apple

20 ounces of water and four coffees. 30 weekly points remaining. I used the activity point I earned. I didn't do all that great with the water but I got my fluids in. I almost lost it a few times, when I was making chocolate chip ice cream. It's 4.5 points per 80 grams!!! That's a lot of points for a tiny bit of ice cream, but I didn't try to make it low fat. It is HFCS and all that other yucky stuff free, though! I have raging PMS and I'm tired from lack of sleep and when I walked by Walgreens, I desperately wanted to stop in. But I didn't, because I knew I'd buy junk food if I did. So overall, I'm proud of myself today.

Tomorrow's workout - Stage 6B, depending on whether or not we have power. I don't need power to work out, but I do need it to take a shower after. The storm looks like it's not going to be as bad as they were first saying, so that is good!

Days Binge Free: 67

NROL4W Stage 6 - Wednesday - Workout A3

Stage 6A

slow negative chin up 3x1- 16 sec, 19 sec, 16 sec

60 s rest

underhand lat pull down (assisted chin up) 10x2 - 5 sets of these were unassisted

60 s rest

barbell split squat 3x6x90 lbs

push up 3x6

60 s rest

I am loving the chin ups! 2 activity points.

Food:
eggs w/ mini bagel [1 pt] & avocado hummus
cucumber slices w/ avocado hummus
yogurt & cereal w/ apple
chicken breast, raw vegetables w/ avocado hummus, crash hot potatoes [1 pt for extra oil]
plum

80 ounces of water and three coffees. 30 weekly points remaining. I used both activity points I earned.

I don't know what the next couple days will bring. Hurricane Earl will be arriving tomorrow. I'm on the northern Outer Banks. Hopefully I don't use any lack of power (because I'm pretty sure we will lose it) as an excuse to go off plan. I have alternate means of cooking, and plenty of non-perishables. Still, I'm stressed.

Tomorrow's workout - I might take a rest day so I have time to clean my house before my father-in-law gets here, or I might do Mark Sisson's Workout of the Week.

Days Binge Free: 66