Kill the A.N.T.S.

Next time you find yourself being hard on... well yourself... Kill the A.N.T.S.  (Automatic necative thoughts)

- Change Your Brain Change Your Body by Dr. Daniel G. Amen

Talk to yourself the way you talk to your best friend.

Weekly Goal

I was reading my Shape mag and I found an interesting article about being a vegetarian "The Right Way" It said that vegetarians have a tendency to fill in their daily calorie intake with refined sugars.

It got me thinking...... because I'm counting points there are some days were I have a meal say a portobello burger, in comparison to a regular hamburger its about 4 points less. I just thought that opened up a lot of snacking opportunities for me.

In the article it says that a vegetarian diet "Done Right" would be at least 50% fruits and veggies. Needless to say.... that is not what I have been doing.

So I've resolved to make yet another small goal for big change!

Check out the article:

A Skinny Mini has found divinity in Tony Horton

I had the time and I conquered! I can see some definite muscle toning since I started the program but I have been eating like a wild mongoose!..... Okay I'm not really sure of the eating habits of wild mongeese.... or if mongeese is a word... but I have been living in a world of plenty for the last couple of days. Figures that I would see such a monstrous success on the scale and immediately self sabotage. I've got to do some serious thinking into what I am afraid of about finally getting to goal.

But I have continued with my workouts. Yesterday was day 10 and I decided

that I would make some minor changes to the program and start for another 10 days.

Tony Horton may actually be a weight loss butt busting saint! I will praise the muscle god by doing my 1o minutes all over again tomorrow. Join me my fellow flab fighters!

10 Minutes! It will change your life! 10 Minutes!

I've had this catchy theme song stuck in my head for 7 days now! I've started Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer. I heard about it from my weekend infomercial routine. I was sitting on my couch enjoying the hot bodies when it hit me.... I have to do this!

I have recently decided to back off my hardcore attempts to loosing weight. It was making me crazy and getting me nowhere. I was weighing myself about 2 to 3 times a day. I was working out twice a day as intensely as I could manage. I wouldn't eat anything that was off my healthy eating plan, even in a small quantity all week and then just go crazy on the weekends. I was burned out, frustrated, and ready to quite WW.

And so a new goal was born! This goal was simple, short, and straight to the point..... STOP BEING CRAZY!! If I'm making lifestyle changes I have to be able to maintain them and enjoy life! So I had been searching for a new exercise plan. I've seen about a million commercials for P90X and I think it looks really cool and the results look amazing but I don't want to through myself into another training program that will make me..... What? Yes, CRAZY! I want something to help me loose my last 9.6 pounds, easy to accomplish, effective, and help me tone up a little in the process. So I started 10 Minute Trainer.

Its done but the same guy as the P90X but like the title says, its only 10 minutes. Now I am trying out his Lean Jean plan which is two 10 minute work outs in a day but seriously 10 minutes is nothing and I can fit it in anytime. 20 minutes is still very obtainable.

Today is day 7 and I've finally broken the 136 barrier on the scale and weighed in at WW at 134.6! That's a total of 39 pounds! I also took my measurements at the beginning of the Lean Jean program and I'll let you know how it works out in 3 more days. I'm loving it so far. Its challenging, yet there are modifications for easier workouts or harder workouts. Its a sweat-fest and I am seeing results.

All I have to say (and I'll sing it to you next time I see you, by request only) 10 Minutes! It will change your life! 10 Minutes!

For your viewing pleasure I present you with the infomercial that inspired me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgj9c9naZho

And the website www.10minutetrainer.com

Yoga Teaching Program

I've applied for Yoga Teacher Training at the UofU for this coming September!!!!!! I am so excited and a little nervous while I wait to hear if I get into the program. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.

The Closet Overhaul!

I've held on to all my old clothes and I am ready to bust out everything drop off my old baggage at the nearest DI. This was an occasion that I needed a little help on so I asked Ivy to come over to assist with the closet overhaul.

It was hilarious to try on my old clothes! This is a dress that Ivy gave me last Christmas. I also wore a the same dress in Black on Anya's baby blessing. Needless to say... it didn't make the cut!

Next we went after the pants drawer! It was amazing to see all the sizes that I've gone through in the last year all lined up. Wow!

I did decide that I would keep a few things so when I want to look back when this is all over I have a reminder of what I will never go back to and feel the sense of accomplishments whenever I put these babies on!

It was also AWESOME to put on things that I bought when I was 15 again! I haven't worn this belt since I worked at Target and that was almost 8 years ago!

I ran out of garbage bags so these clothes are still lingering in my house but I'll make sure its not for long! This has completely pumped me up! With only 10 pounds to go until I'm at my goal weight I am going to stay focused without getting all crazy. No weighing myself more then one time a day, no killing myself with hour and a half work outs, and no crazy binges on the weekends because I've deprived myself all week. Losing weight is easy and my body wants to naturally be at a healthy weight so with a little assistance I'll make it an enjoy the journey.

You'll be seeing less of me next time! Woohoo!!

Ps. Don't know if anyone is interested but I have a lot of clothes that I'll be giving away in the very near future...... If you want a look let me know. They are as you have seen in varying sizes.

The next project to tackle!

So I've finally broken down and I'm going to clean out the closet. Saturday is the day! Don't worry it will be thoroughly documented. I need a change... again. This should be interesting. Its also going to be a little sad to let go of some of those things. I held onto them because its nice to see them in the closet and think, well I can't wear that because its too big! But out with the old and in with the new!!

As a side note.... There is only a month and a half until I start Yoga Instructing School! Ahhhh!!! I did yoga this morning for the first time in a few months and I am so sore! I need to step it up before classes start! I just bought two new Workout DVDs tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.

Lastly but not least.... I lost 1.2 pounds last week :) Oh happy day!

I must be a little crazy!

Good weigh in this week! I lost 2.6 lbs! Woohoo!! I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things now that I'm home. Sometimes I have severe sugar urges from all the chocolate I ate but I'm coping.

I registered to run a 10K this weekend!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!! So I've been running like crazy to get ready for the race. Only 4 days to go and counting. This will be my 3rd race and I have plans for 2 more to finish out the summer.

What can I say about running 10 Kilometers.... Its hard, it takes a long time and I'm excited! Because I was a slacker on my vacation and I didn't work on running a 10K at all I've had to crunch in some serious running time. The only snag I've hit is because I had Osgood-Schlatters diseaseI might be getting some tendinitis in my knees. I have to be careful and really listen to my body because I don't want to over stress and hurt myself. I talked to the Chiropractor and he told me to wrap them for a long run and it has been helping.

If you want to come down and do a 5 or 10K this weekend! just go to Sandycity.com and search the site for races. If you want to come down and hang out with Ivy and I at the race its at Sandy City Hall at 7:15am!

What A Race!!

Wow!  What an amazing experience!  When they said to take Trax.... They were right!!!  I've never seen so many people in once place before!  Not so much a run as a shuffle through the crowds!  

When we got to the race the traffic was backed up from the free way all the way to the parking spot that you might find about 10 blocks from the race.  When Ivy and I finally got the start line and found Cozy I had to go to the bathroom!  They had a bunch of Porta-Potty's with huge lines so I started to wait.  I probably moved 3 feet before I heard someone on a megaphone say "On your mark!  Get set!  GO!!!"  So I ran to where Ivy and Cozy where waiting and we started the shuffle!  

At this point I really had to go!  I thought that maybe I could ignore it for the next 30 to 40 minutes.... but it wasn't likely.  So when I saw a guy that worked at a Mexican restaurant hanging out outside looking at all the commotion I asked if I they had a bathroom.  I guess I wasn't the only person who had the same idea because I had to wait in another, shorter, line.  Then we were off.  

I would say about half way through we got our stride and we started to jog.  Ivy had been pushing the stroller with a mesmerized Anya in it and she had been pushing it up hill and through the swarms of people and I knew it must have been harder then it looked.  So I asked if I could push it and she handed over the stroller.  Believe it or not, it was MUCH harder!  Kudos to Ivy because wow!  

When we were about 3 blocks from the finish we passed Sam, Mom, Mike, Greg, and Roz cheering us on!  At the finish line the crowd came to a dead stop and it was like being at the start line again!  We finally found an uncrowded spot to meet everyone and we celebrated the race and the cause!  It was amazing!  I refused to take my "Race For The Cure" shirt off for the rest of the day!  That was an incredible experience that I'm so happy I was able to be a part of.  Thanks again to every one's support and love and don't worry if you couldn't make it because Mike took some amazing pictures for us and I can't wait to see them!  

The Final Countdown!!!!

Exactly one month to go until my trip to England!!!  Its time to get focused for the final leg of the race!  I've accomplished so much and I love the new body I'm in but I'm not finished yet.  I want to be at my WW goal by the time I leave and that is 7.6lbs away!  When I weighed in last week I lost another .8 for a grand total of 35lbs!  

I think I have also finally moved past the plateau that was plaguing me over the last month or so........ Ahh the agony of the dreaded plateau!!  I had to make a change and at first I thought MORE EXERCISE!!!  I was killing myself!  I was running 8K 3 times a week and doing the Biggest Loser Cardio Max, Power Sculpt, and Yoga video's 3 times a week.  It was to much and my body knew it.  So I've relaxed and taken a step back and instantly noticed better results on the scale.  

The other change I made was giving up meat.  I know what its like to be a vegetarian because my mom is and we grew up that way.  I read some interesting things in the book "Skinny Bitch"  (which by the way is a very education book but be prepared to feel bad about yourself..... they really are bitches....) It was just a reminder of things I already knew but this time I felt more prepared and capable of maintaining a diet that didn't involve meat.  Its been little over a week and I feel good about my decision.  

So like always I have to remind myself of my goal and then make a plan (which involves lists because I just love to make a good list of things to do)  and put it in action!  Let the final countdown begin!

TGIF! Wish me luck!

Sam and I are going to St. George tonight for the weekend.  This is also the weekend that I have vowed to keep my act together and not get all crazy.  I've been thinking about the game plan to get through this without even an ounce of a gain!  Here's what I've come up with.

• I've got to pack my own food.   I can't just arrive with nothing to eat because for me that is the surest way of letting loose.
• Bring my exercises clothes!  There is no reason I can't squeeze in a run in the beautiful weather and I finally found a swim suit..... don't ask because the shopping trips are still haunting me with anger as well as other emotions.....  So I could take a few laps around the pool as well!
• Mentally prepare myself for going out to eat.  I'm sure it will happen at least once but I've got to stay strong and plan ahead and not let myself get to hungry before we go.  
• Keep busy and have fun!  The more I'm doing the less likely I'll eat because I'm bored.  I think I may have trained myself to think I'm hungry when I am sitting around.  I'll even get the growling stomach.  This is just a rouse that I've come up with to give myself an excuse to grab a snack.  But it wont work on me this time!

I've been doing amazing all week and have seen a difference on the scale.  I was getting all caught up in the exercises that I was neglecting the eating right part.  I've eased up on how much I'm working out and really paid attention to the choice I was making about what I was putting into my body and I've seen great results and I feel even better then when I kill myself with exercises.  I'm excited to prove to myself that I can keep up my healthy lifestyle even when on vacation and a weekend.  So have a good weekend!  I know I will!

Thoughts From A Skinny Mini +17lbs

I've been watching past seasons of Biggest Loser while I'm working out.  In season 3 the contestants pull out their "Dream Wardrobe".  It was really cool to see what they had!  One guy had the suit he wore at his wedding and one girl had lingerie from her best friends store that she could never fit into.  It inspired me to start a Dream Wardrobe for my after bod which is swiftly approaching.  So I bought a size 4 pair of shorts!  I put them on when I bought them..... They were pretty snug and I wont even get started on the muffin top...... But I pulled them on and even buttoned them up! After 17 lbs they are going to fit like a dream.  So the picture above is the difference between last summer when I was wearing the white shorts which are a size 14 and this summer because I'll be wearing the black shorts in a 4!  

Skinni Mini: Hardcore Edition! Day 2

Jillian Michaels might be a close relative to the DEVIL!!!  She knows what she's doing but I think she likes to make you suffer.    Well bring it on Jillian! 

I also took a closer look at the food plan that she has in her book and the amount of calories was very very similar to the points that I would already be eating so I'm going to stick to my points but included more of the healthy foods that I try to avoid so I can save my points for things like cake, chocolate in any of its many forms, and ice cream.  

I'll be watching Jillian Michaels on the tube tonight to help inspire me.  I don't think I've every appreciate what the people on Biggest Loser have to go through more.  I only do about 45 minutes to an hour of Jillian's stuff and I've only got 20 lbs to loss.  Those people have hundreds and they suffer through every day all day!  Makes me wonder how I would do for a week on the ranch....... Ohh I just got the chills. 

Here is the Transformation Gallery for the newest season of Biggest Loser!  It includes the heaviest man and the heaviest woman that have ever been on the show!  Its amazing.

http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/contestants/transformation_gallery/season_7/daniel.shtml

This Skinny Mini Is Going Hardcore! Jillian Michaels Style!

I bought this book a few weeks ago because I'm always inspired after watching the Biggest Loser and because Jillian Michaels has a super hot bod!  Did you know that when Jillian was 13 she weighed 175 pounds!  That fact and the results that the Biggest Loser Contestants get was enough for me to pick up this book and want to do her program!

With only 19 pounds to loss until I am at 125 lbs and around 3 and a half months left till my trip I'm ready to step it up again to the next level!  Jillian starts her book out by saying "For the next 30 days you are mine!"  I don't know about you but that is one of the scariest sentences I've ever heard in my life! 

I usually steer away from books like this because it doesn't teach you about how to live your life its a quick fix and they can be very difficult to follow.  I feel more comfortable now because when I'm finished I know that I can come off the program with a plan to maintain and continue my healthy eating and exercise habits that I've already established.  

Now for the fun part!  The before tests and pictures.  In the book she has you do some fitness tests and what she calls "Goodbye Pictures", and take your measurements  to start off.  Some of my own results were very surprising!  The heart rate test for example...... I've just finished the 5K running program...... I still had a very poor heart rate after a 3 minute step test!  I was not expecting that but I'm excited to improve!  The other tests that she has you do are; push-ups, sit-ups, and a wall sit. It was really interesting and it made me really pumped to get going.  

This will be the most aggressive program that I have tried in the last 7 months but it will be worth it!  I've already decided that I will be sticking with it and I'm not going to quite!  Quiting is not an option! Its all about not standing still!  Keep pushing and you can get what you want!  

Sam and I will be starting on Presidents Day and we look forward to showing off our improved bods in 30 days! 

Wowza! I Think I Might Be A Runner!

I finished the 5K training!!!  I can run a 5K in 35 minutes!!!  I don't need any breaks either!  I'm running straight through!  That is crazy!  I'm averaging at 15 miles a week!  A week!!!  Before I started this that would have been more then I ran in 5 years!  

The only thing that I can think to say about this is that, seriously, if I can do it anybody can do it!  Its amazing how the only thing that was holding me back was myself.  I was looking at the program and saying "Yeah Right!"  But every time I tried a new intensity I did it!  EVERY TIME! Its hard don't get me wrong.  There are a lot of times that I think I need to take a break but I just think about my muscles and my body and ask myself a few questions.  Do I really need to stop?  Am I going to go flying off the treadmill from exhaustion if I don't stop right now?  The answer is always NO!  So I keep going.  

Something that I've learned about myself is that when I start to feel like I need to eat something right now or I have to stop whatever physical activity I'm doing what I really need to do is get in control of my thoughts!  Stop being a drama queen, let go of the panic and really think!   

I read in a book that a quick meditation before eating can really help you stick to the right kinds of foods.  Also to set an intention every day.  So when your first waking up and your thinking about your day set a goal.  Today I'm not going to have an ice cream at 10pm or Today I'm going to run a 5k!  And just do it! 

If you want a copy of the running program let me know!  If you start today in 12 weeks you could be running a 5k just in time for the Race For The Cure on May 10th!   I want to start a team but I need at least 5 people to start.  Let me know if you want to be on the team!  Here is a link for registration fees and forms.  LETS DO IT PEOPLE!

http://www.komenslc.org/RaceForTheCure/Registration/tabid/81/Default.aspx

Skinny Mini In Training!

Because of my obvious lack of motivation over the holidays I've kicked things into high gear!  Here are some of my new years resolutions to help me get my WW goal!

• I must track what I'm eating!  Its not enough to keep track of my points in my head because you are not as accountable as when you write them down.  
• I've pumped myself up to get my butt back to the gym by picking up some new gym clothes! 
• I picked a 5K and stared the registration process.  I'm going to do the Race for the Cure in May.  Here is the URL so anyone that wants to join can sign up!http://ww5.komen.org/FindAnEvent.aspx?id=4069
• I'm ready to up my workout program with more time and challenge.  I'll be searching for a new program.  If anyone has one that they liked let me know.

I will be ready for my vacation in June!  I'll be at goal!   

The Skinny Mini In Training Has Provailed!

I rocked it this Thanksgiving!! I feel awesome! I didn't over eat and I managed an almost 2 pound loss for my weigh-in. I'm also wearing a size 8 right now!!! You heard me right! If I thought a 10 was awesome an 8 is about a hundred times better!! I am in the 140's now too! I've lost 23.8 pounds! I'm using way to many exclamation points! I'm just so excited!

It really helped me to make the commitment in writing, over the world wide web not to over eat and blow my weigh-in this week. I didn't feel deprived because I did try everything we had and I saved a few things that I really wanted to eat until I had enough points to eat it. It was just as good, if not better to wait and eat them when I didn't have to feel guilty about the excess pointage. Oh yeah and did I mention that I'm wearing a size 8? Well I am! Did I also mention that I can run for 2 miles non stop? I didn't? Well I can! I also shaved off 2 minutes on my mile! I can now run a 10 minute mile! (The goal is 8 min.)

I'm going to England in June so I'm going to say, right now, aloud that I am going to be at my goal by that time! I have 7 months which I feel is more than enough time since I'm over half way there and its been 5 months. So if you are as excited as I am give me a shout out or let me know what your goal is going to be by June so we can work together! Trust me, saying it to others only helps you get more pumped to make it a reality! So come on my journeying peeps! We can do this!

Weigh-In: -1.8 lbs

Total: 23.8 lbs

Measurements: -2 5/8"

BFP: 35

Its been 10 pounds since my last full bod picture so I took another one for your viewing pleasure! I sure enjoyed it. By the way, I'm wearing my size 8 pants in the picture.

Prep For A Thanksgiving Feast

As we all know I lost it for Halloween..... I've been struggling ever since.  So for Thanksgiving I'm making the commitment know to not over eat and to track my points all day!  Also I'm going to go running in the morning so I can have a few extra points to work with.  This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever!  I'm not going to feel like I'm going to puke because I'm so full!  And I'll be the best little taste tester ever!  I'll sample everything!  SAMPLE!  I wanted to know how many points my Thanksgiving dinner would be so here is what I found out.

Turkey (1 slice) 2pts

Gravy (1 cup) 1pt

Cranberry Sauce (1/2 cup) 4pts

Mashed Potatoes (1 cup) 5pts (These are homemade with real butter and whole milk)

Stuffing (1/2 cup) 4pts

Pecan Pie (1 slice) 12 pts

Pumpkin Pie (1 slice) 8 pts

Apple Pie (1 slice) 10 pts

That means that on an average Thanksgiving I was using over 53 points!  That is insane!  And who doesn't go back for seconds the second your stomach will allow?  Well that is not going to be me this year!  I'm going to keep it under control and take responsibility for every bite I take!  I'm not going to loose it!  If you want to know the points on anything else that you usually eat on Thanksgiving let me know.  You might be surprised!  Here was my weigh in this week.

Weigh-In: +0.2 lbs

Total Weight Loss: 22 lbs

I'm not going to gain this week!  I'm going to make sure of that!  Who's with me?

The Fall Off The Wagon Rocked My World!

Well I am not being a very good WW member recently....... It started out with not counting any points on Saturday because I would get 35 extra for the week and I would burn through them in one day and then it became 2 days.... Saturday and Sunday!  There is no such thing as a points free day in WW if you want to be successful!  I've got to pony up and count my points EVERYDAY!  Since I've already surpassed all reasonable pointage in the last two days I have a new resolve!  Its Monday and I'm going to be good!  I swear!   

So I tried to make it easier for myself this week by dividing up my fruits and veggies as well as dips and crackers, cereal, and soups up into portion sizes yesterday.  It took about an hour but now when I get hungry and want to grab at an entire tub of guac, it is already divided into a one point serving size.  I'm also going to religiously pack all my good health  guidelines for lunch this week.  This one is hard because in my infinite wisdom I want to have enough points to have my goodies and its less important to have a healthy food.  If I pack my lunch to fulfill all good health guidelines I can't change my mind and grab for something else in the snack cupboard because alas the snack cupboard is miles away!

I think I may have pinpointed a blunder that made my weigh ins slow down a few weeks ago.  I was very into having a healthy oil with a mini bag of popcorn for awhile..... Unfortunately I thought that one serving size was a Tablespoon, and that it was 1 point..... Well I found out that it is a teaspoon and that a Tablespoon of an oil is in fact 4 points! I had been greasing up my popcorn with 4 points of oil daily!  When I figured that out I had to laugh. 

As you can tell I am in need of a slap on on wrist!  Halloween is this weekend and I have to be very good because I am a pinch and a squeeze away from a gain next week!  Here is my weigh in info from Saturday:

Weigh In: -0.2 pounds

Total: 20.2 pounds lost!

BFP: 36%

Its not a gain!  But its too close for comfort!  I'm not sure how I'll do this weekend because I'm not going to get on the scale during the week, I can tell you that I went out to eat twice this weekend and the only vegetable I had was one spear of asparagus.  I did make room for cake, candy, and cookies!  I feel skinny today!  I'm just going to try and hold onto that...... 

Wish me lucky!

Skinny Mini In Training

I watched a TV program last night called "Super Skinny Me".   It is about 2 journalists that take a challenge to be a size 00.  They are both UK size 12 (which I was told is a US size 8)  They are given 5 weeks of crash diets and grueling excises regimes.  They did everything from all soup diets, lemonade diets, protein shake diets, detox centers, fitness trainers, and swimming in below zero water in hopes of speeding up their metabolism.  At points they restricted themselves down to only 200 calories per day.  It had alarming effects on their mental and physical health.  One girl even became so obsessed with losing weight that she became bulimic in only a few weeks of crash dieting.  She was asked to stop the experiment early.  The other woman who had never been on a diet before was feeling emotional and hated every minute of the 5 weeks. Her relationship with her boyfriend suffered, she felt angry because she felt deprived of the things that she wanted, and was driven by the urge to be thin.  One part of the program showed her crying because all she wanted was a piece of cake. She completed the experiment and fit into a size 00.  It was a frightening transformation for 2 normal healthy girls full of life to dissolve into emotionally unstable women that were consumed by the drive to lose weight.

When the experiment was over the woman that had to end the experiment early said "I think the only think I've proved is dieting makes you mental" and the other woman that reached a size 00 said "I love life to much too live like that"

WW always says that this is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change.  I don't have to cry because I want a piece of cake and I don't have to restrict myself to 200 calories per day.  I can eat those things if I really wanted to and just knowing that helps me to avoid those feelings of deprivation.  I want to enjoy my weight loss journey!  I want to enjoy the fact that I have lost 20 pounds and stop dwelling on the 22 pounds that I have left to go.  To help me do that I am going to stop weighing myself during the week.  I get on the scale every morning and every night.  It is very frustrating because you weigh something different everyday!  When I weigh in and lose 2.4 pounds I am not feeling happy because I saw the scale lower earlier that week.  No matter how you slice it I still lost 2.4 pounds!   That is a good week!  

I'm happy with the way that I look and feel!  I'm excited for what the future has in store for me but I am going to focus more on the present!  The way my clothes fit today!  The fact that I have more energy and I feel good!!  So bring it on!  No more pity parties for me! I'm going to enjoy what I have achieved because 3 1/2 months ago I didn't think I could do it.

Here's the link to the program.  Its on YouTube so its broken up into segments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY9LLMTCjwg

(This is one pound of fat... Get the picture?)