Week 31!

9 more weeks to go! Or less, I am hoping for a little less. So over pregnancy, I just want to get to the end result!

Here are a few week 31 stats:

• The baby is around 16 inches long
• Weight is on average 3.3 lbs (about the weight of 3 navel oranges), I am thinking it is actually more because I have consistently measured a few ounces ahead. I haven’t had an ultrasound in a few so who knows.
• He is about to hit a growth spurt
• He is very active, they say the head now can move side to side but I think there is a Cirque du Soleil going on in my uterus.
• I have half of my hospital bag packed (just my clothes so far) I will finish after the shower and registry completion.
• We picked the name Ian for Male Fetus. Sorry Kurt at Lost it Big no Kurt or MFer.

Yesterday I did a huge grocery shopping trip! Tons of great stuff on the menu for the next week. Pretty much everything is pretty healthy minus the calzone Emma requested I make. I was lazy and bought dough mix instead of just doing it myself. But all in all this will be my first complete week back to clean eating. I am just going to pretend the calzone is clean, or maybe I will make a salad for myself. Tonight Bulgogi, edamame and rice is on the menu. I need to get that started 5 minutes ago but I decided breakfast and blogging would come first, then dinner, then making cookie dough (not cookies for the house)

I am really looking forward to the baby shower this coming Sunday. Everything is set minus the fact that I need to grab gifts for the hostesses and the first place prize for the diaper raffle. Pat and I decided to host the diaper raffle in lieu of having a diaper party. I never know how I will feel day-to-day or if the baby is going to come early so we figured it would just be easier. I am all for throwing a party but I don’t want to clean my house to have a bunch of men and a keg in it then have to clean more when I am at the end of my pregnancy. i do have Emma’s gift, a locket necklace that I will take her in and let her choose how it is engraved and what picture she would like to put inside. She has been wanting a “real gold or sterling” as she says locket and that is quite the big girl gift so it is perfect for her. One of her grandmothers and great-grandmother and going to have gifts to present to her at the shower too. I love how thoughtful some people are. It is really nice! I have an activity bag for after the baby comes but I decided to give it to her when she goes to the hospital to meet her brother for the first time.

I should hear from the doctor’s office about the yoga I found, hoping I get a yes so I can do something. Been missing working out and I am itching to be a bit more active, even if it is only yoga.

I have my 31 week bump pick to post but I will have to do that later. I left my phone upstairs and it needs to be charged so look out for that later today!

Tuesday Weigh In

Today is day 30 of my 30 day Les Mills Pump Ultimate Cross Training and Day 130 since I started Les MIlls Pump. this past 30 days so far have not been as heavy on results as I would have wished. But there was a little progress.

Here are this weeks results:

• Chest: 31.5 inches (-0 inches)
• R Arm: 12 inches (-0 inches)
• L  Arm: 12 inches (-0 inches)
• Waist: 32 inches (-0 inches)
• Hips: 41 inches (-0 inches)
• R Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0 inches)
• L Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0 inches)
• Weight: 165 pounds (-1 pound)
• Pant Size: 12
• BMI: 29.4% (-0 %)

Not a ton of change but I will take what I can get!!

This is where I started the 30 days at:

• Chest: 32 inches
• R Arm: 12 inches
• L  Arm: 12 inches
• Waist: 32 inches
• Hips: 41 inches
• R Thigh: 23.5 inches
• L Thigh: 23.5 inches
• Weight: 168 pounds
• Pant Size: 12
• BMI: 29.5%

So the over all change for the past 30 days is:

• Chest: – 0.5 inches
• R Arm: -0 inches
• L  Arm: -0 inches
• Waist: -0 inches
• Hips: -0 inches
• R Thigh: -0 inches
• L Thigh: -0 inches
• Weight: -3 pounds
• Pant Size: -0 sizes
• BMI: -0.1%

Since I have started Les Mills Pump results:

• Chest: -6.5 inches
• R Arm: -0 inches
• L  Arm: -0 inches
• Waist: -11 inches
• Hips: -4 inches
• R Thigh: -5.5 inches
• L Thigh: -6 inches
• Weight: -15 pounds
• Pant Size: -2 sizes
• BMI: -22.6%

Tomorrow I start Round Two of Les Mills Pump. I hope it goes much better than these past 30 days.

Apple Chips

Well I made the apple chips and my house still smalls amazing. I think making these is worth doing daily just to have the smell of baking apples and cinnamon in the house. Emma did not care for them, but I love them. So worth a try. Once again I got the recipe at Delighted Mama’s blog.

What you will need:

• 2 apples
• Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Remove apple core.
2. Thinly slice the entire apple.
3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place apple slices on it.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
5. Bake at 275 degrees for two hours. At the end of hour one flip them over so they bake evenly.

I used green apples for mine and mine did not come out as pretty as her’s did. I would recommend them though Super easy, two ingredients, healthy and they  make your house smell heavenly. what is not to like about this?!

My apple chips

Working Through My Plateau..

 

At least I am trying too. I did shave those 200 calories off my diet and replace more calories with protein. I also have added another workout into my daily schedule. So now I do Pump/UCT in the afternoons and additional cardio or a gym session (yesterday both) at night. I am excited to see if this brings on any changes my next weigh in.  My running has not been doing as well as I would like. Already are keeping me so congested I can not breathe so I am just doing what I can and being happy that I tried. The farm fields around my house are blooming so the allergies should pass shortly. Every end of June this happens so I am not shocked at all.

I have been looking up plateau busters online and found a great article on the subject on www.oprah.com. 

1. Hang in there.
You may feel stuck, but you’re probably still losing weight—just not enough to register on the scale. But even dropping a third of a pound per week means that in a year, you’ll be down a whole 17 pounds.

2. Avoid fuzzy math.
It’s common to overestimate calories burned and underestimate calories eaten. Look for places where calories may hide—dressings, spreads, sauces, croutons, and condiments. Are you tasting a lot while cooking? Finishing what the kids leave on their plates? Absentmindedly grabbing handfuls of nuts, chips, or candy? You might try keeping a detailed food diary. Remember that for each pound you want to lose, you need to cut at least 3,500 calories—and if you don’t want to eat less, to lose the same pound you’ll have to add about ten extra hours of brisk walking or the equivalent.

3. Put up some resistance.
Increasing physical activity is particularly useful for moving beyond a plateau because exercise both uses calories and builds muscle. The more muscle you have, the higher your BMR, which is why working out with light weights or doing some kind of resistance training can be especially helpful. In fact, increasing your muscle mass as you lose body fat can compensate for the decline in BMR induced by weight loss.

4. Up your protein quotient.
There is some evidence that shifting fat and carbohydrate calories to protein calories may help preserve BMR during weight loss. But don’t overdo it—20 percent of daily calories from protein is as high as you should go.

5. Shake it up.
Many fitness gurus claim that surprising your body with a change in diet, workout, or both can jostle you out of a weight loss rut. The science is pretty thin here, but the advice is reasonable because variety can keep you interested. Instead of constant dieting, you might try alternating calorie-cutting days, for example, with less-restrictive maintenance days. Switch to a new type of exercise. Alternate aerobic workouts with light weight training. A change may be just what you need to get the progress rolling again.

6. Recharge your drive:
If your motivation is flagging, write down all the reasons you originally wanted, and still want, to lose weight. Look at the list every day. Also let friends and family know what you’re up to, and ask for their support.

7. Reconsider the skin you’re in:
A plateau is an opportunity to reassess whether further weight loss is worth all the work it will take—and to reconsider whether you may, in truth, now be at a perfectly healthy weight and don’t need to go any lower. If you do choose to stop where you are, turn your focus toward maintaining what you’ve achieved and keeping your body in good shape. Remember, eating well and being physically active are good for you. Do a little of both every day, and you will be a total success.

Weigh in..

I lost my glasses so I could not post yesterday, due to me being blind as a bat. So I am going to quickly post them today. I am definitely in a plateau. No changes so far this past three weeks really so I think I am going to knock 200 calories of my daily 1700 and replace more of the calories with lean protein and see how things add up next week.

So here are my stats. Absolutely no change this week. But it is better than gaining so it could be worse!

• Chest: 31.5 inches (-0 inches)
• R Arm: 12 inches (-0 inches)
• L  Arm: 12 inches (-0 inches)
• Waist: 32 inches (-0 inches)
• Hips: 41 inches (-0 inches)
• R Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0 inches)
• L Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0 inches)
• Weight: 166 pounds (-0 pound)
• Pant Size: 12
• BMI: 29.4% (-0 %)

Whew, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

 

This marks the end of my second week doing Les Mills Pump Ultimate Cross Training and the beginning of week three. With as many mishaps, a back injury, missed workouts, some ultra-modified workouts (due to my back) and questionable food choices I was considering starting the week over but given my weigh and measure-in not being as terrible as I thought it would be I will let it slide and just keep moving along with the programs schedule.

Yesterday I missed my LMP (I did run, so it is better than nothing) because I went and spent the afternoon and early evening with a friend at the hospital, and that was far more important than my workout. After she stayed here and I made homemade chicken noodle soup and made sure she was okay. Her husband and parents are out-of-state so it was better for her not to be alone. Emma was also under the weather last night and this morning so I have the munchkin home from school. She is feeling better now, but it is the last week of school, no point in sending her in for the remainder of the day. She had a rough couple of days. My food intake was at par for the day though, could have used more water intake but eh, o well.

This week there should be nothing that can keep me from getting at it and  rocking this. I definitely am in far better spirits over my sub-par fitness week. I took some encouragement to get over the fact that things just happen and it is okay and that I can just get back on the horse and fix it. The circle of bloggers I have developed blog-friendships with here on WordPress are awesome.

So here are this weeks results:

• Chest: 31.5 inches (-0.5 inches)
• R Arm: 12 inches (-0 inches)
• L  Arm: 12 inches (-0 inches)
• Waist: 32 inches (-0 inches)
• Hips: 41 inches (-0 inches)
• R Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0 inches)
• L Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0 inches)
• Weight: 166 pounds (-1 pound)
• Pant Size: 12
• BMI: 29.4% (-0.1 %)

So yeah, not so bad! I was pleasantly surprised that there was no weight gain and made any progress at all. Yay!

I was also nominated for a Sunshine Award by Lose it Big, I will post about that shortly.

Also, I saw this today and it had me in stitches.

I love this!

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Back on the Wagon

That is where I am, after a good portion of this week leaving me feeling guilty (and fat) I am digging out my sneakers and hopping back on the fitness train. All my meals were to par and today’s workout I made sure I pushed hard. I plan on hitting it once more to make up for not working out yesterday. The entire day and night I spent at a friends Bachelorette party, so I didn’t make time. Tisk, Tisk. Anyhow, no more of that. The house is coming back together, school and sports are ending so I am looking forward to upping my workouts and getting ready for The Color Run. My tulle came yesterday so I can start with the tutu’s and I am starting C25K over (well, in the middle) so I can do my best for the race. Even if I can’t run the entire 3.1 I plan on running as much of it if I can. But am hoping I can run it.

Now, I must be off to put together a book shelf, get the kid ready for bed and do some Les Mills Pump Revolution. See you tomorrow after my morning activities are finished!

Add more fiber?

Adding more fiber to your diet is definitely a good thing. Fiber helps fill you up, it keeps you fuller longer and even aids in digestion. This in turn can add to weight loss. So now fiber is all of a sudden the answer to the reason why I have only lost 11 pounds in 90 days (losing fat and gaining muscle seems to be the actual reason). Everyone has an opinion and I hear I should be thinner because I could have lost more pounds if I ate more fiber. Fiber is not something I am lacking in the least bit, I am usually between 35 and 45 grams a day, so major fiber consumption here. I appreciate the advice but also it irks me that someone who is sedimentary, eats fast food daily and is overweight (I am too but at least I try) has an opinion on my diet and how I should be losing. Opinions are like… I won’t finish because I don’t tend to swear here on my blog. I agree 100% that fiber is important so I can’t argue with that point one bit.

So here is a few real facts on fiber:

• It controls hunger
• It helps you feel fuller longer
• Fibrous foods take more chewing to eat so it slows down your eating and gives the brain time to signal that you are full
• Women need about 25 grams of fiber a day, men need about 38
• Dietary fiber is the fiber that is naturally found in the foods we eat
• Functional fibers are manufactured (I avoid these fibers)
• Soluble fiber dissolves in water, insoluble does not, both are found naturally in fruit, vegetable, nuts, beans and grains
• Studies show that fiber reduces your risk of heart disease,, obesity, diabetes, constipation and diverticulitis
• Eating fiber will not make you thin but it will help you in your journey to

Easy ways to get fiber:

• Eat more beans
• Snack on fruits and vegetables
• High fiber cereal for breakfast can boost your fiber intake
• Switch to whole grains
• Add seeds and nuts to your daily diet
• Add unsweetened cocoa powder to your smoothie
• Sprinkle wheat germ onto your salads

 

 

 

I’m doing it and so can you!

Tuesday Morning Weigh in is Postponed

Meet Max I blame this 20 lb behemoth cat for my scale issues.

Last night I got on the scale (it was around Midnight so it technically was not cheating and weighing in early), it said 164! So excited, then this morning it said 164, then 189, then 200, then 169, then 172. So yeah, I have no idea what I weigh. I did go grab my old scale that was weighing me heavier and it said 168. So I think I am going to go buy a new scale today and weigh back in after. I swear my huge cat sleeping on it all the time messed it up. I flipped it over and noticed that the legs on it were jamming up, so there is the issue. I wish I still had the box and receipt so I can just exchange it. I haven’t had it that long. But oh well. It is what it is and it is a jacked up scale. All I know is that there is no way in hell I gained 29 pounds in a week! I really don’t think there is any way I gained an ounce really. But I will get a new scale and we will see. So I will more than likely weigh tonight and post my results tomorrow morning. I am just hoping those lower numbers last night and this morning don’t leave me disappointed.

I really do think my big cat constantly sleeping on the  scale, jumping on the scale along with his other cat like shenanigans is what has messed the darn thing up. I am so annoyed right now because the stupid scale got me all excited and now I am sure that the numbers are totally wrong, even if I did get them twice (last night and this morning) UGH!!! Anyhow, enough ranting, whining and complaining. All I know is I think I look visibly smaller this week and I want the stupid scale to reflect it. And I am being a big baby right now because I don’t actually know.

I have a super busy day today and company tonight to watch Smash, New Girl and Glee so this will be today’s only post. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!