Power 90 Day 37 - 9 – Swiss Chard from the Garden

A wonderful day when it comes to eating healthy and working out.  This morning I once again worked out with my brother and it is always nice to have the company when working out.  My abs are feeling much better; which I am happy about because I was worried about a stretched or torn muscle - so happy to be feeling better.  Despite feeling better, I did want to take it a little easier just in case and worked out with 10 pound weights instead of the usual 15-20. 

Today, I completed Power 90 Sculpt 1-2 with it being day 37 I am only about 8 days away from the switch to Sculpt 3-4, which I am sure will kick my butt all over again.  But I am looking forward to the kicking.  Hopefully the exercise will spurn additional weight loss.  As I have basically been at a plateau for a month now. 

I’d also like to thank my friend Meghan Slade who I haven’t seen in person since high school but has been wonderful at watching my food journal.  I have a tendency to move towards a diet of meat and processed proteins, but every time my vegetable count drops to low, she sends me a reminder and I try to bring back the food pyramid. 

This time it was timed perfectly as just as she mentioned my lack of, the garden started to bring in the vegetables and I was able to pick the first round of Swiss Chard.  I’m kind of impressed with the Swiss Chard, usually when it comes to the garden it’s all Jen, but this year she wasn’t feeling well so I planted a couple rows, and I love Swiss Chard. 

Tonight, I chopped up chicken sausage and bell peppers and sautéed them in a little olive oil, and then put it over a bed of Swiss Chard, it was very good, and low in calories and fat.  I’ve taken a picture, but I do tend to cook for taste and not often for presentation. 

Here’s a look at my food journal for Tuesday:

Breakfast: Met-Rx Protein Plus Bar (Chocolate, Roast Peanut, Carmel) (320 Calories)

Lunch:  Salad (Mixed Greens, 2 hardboiled eggs, croutons, bacon bits, three cheese ranch) (434 Calories)

Afternoon Snack:  String Cheese (60 Calories)

Dinner: 6 oz. Smoked Chicken Sausage, Red Bell Pepper, Swiss Chard (407 Calories)

                        Evening Snack:  Frosted Mini Wheat’s, Skim Milk (280 Calories)

Well glad to be back on track, looking forward to a great week, till then…

Power 90 Day 36 - 8 – Back to the Grindstone

The first thing I do each morning is get up and step on the scale even though I knew it might mean the end of beard, I was really hopping to see a drop down under 299.8.  Alas this was not the case despite trying 4 times and even breathing out before getting on the scale I couldn’t change the 300.2 number.  I’ll be honest, I know with my size this is something as simple as a little too much salt yesterday or just a lot of toenail growth, but I found it to be devastating.  I think my favorite part of the biggest loser is when those big guys drop under 300 and they say “never again, I’ll never see 300 again” I want that to be me. 

On top of the lack of weight loss, I work up sore, real sore.  I can’t laugh, breathe deeply or turn without a lot of pain through the mid section.  I’m not sure what I did to my Abs Sunday night but things weren’t feeling good Monday morning.  So in the end, I decided to move my workout until later and head out to work. 

This is where my problem today started, because if you remember last week, I talked about the excessive heat we had been experiencing.  Well Jen’s grandma heard our pleas and decided to give us a couple window air conditioners.  So Monday after I finished work we went over to my in-laws to see my wife’s side of the family.  (On a side note everyone dined on casserole full of cream soup, hash browns and burger.   But you will notice I had a chicken salad) Well the mini reunion lasted until about 9:30, but then someone needed to take Jen’s brother home and I was the most obvious choice.  So after a drive back and forth to Adrian it was 11:30 and I was too tired and to sore to make it through a workout. 

I’ll move my workout to Sunday again, but I am going to have to get back on track at some point.  Here is a look at my food journal for 7/9/2012

Breakfast: Met-Rx Protein Plus Bar (Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker) (370 Calories)

Lunch:  Crab Wraps (Mock Crab, Bell Pepper, Mixed Greens, Light 3 Cheese Ranch (508 Calories)

Afternoon Snack:  Frosted Mini Wheat’s in Milk (280 Calories)

Dinner: Chicken Salad (Mixed Greens, Chicken, Croutons, Cheddar Cheese, 3 Cheese Ranch (498 Calories)

On the plus side of things my Abs are feeling a little better, and I have plans to work out with my brother in the morning so I’ll tell you about it then…

Power 90 Day 35 - 7 – Goal Reached I’m Done!

OK, just kidding I have no intention of stopping.  However for a long time now I have been driven with a goal of getting under 300.  This morning I was there it was a razor thin margin and I weighed myself 4 times to make sure it was right, but this morning when I weighed myself while getting ready for church the scale read 299.8.  I know it’s silly, but I was thrilled to see it. 

There is also a downside to this weight-loss.  A little over a year ago, I promised my wife that I would shave my beard.  I have had my beard for about 7 years.  It seemed to be the best option to hide the extra weight I was carrying in my face.  (I know had I only decided to lose it then, I wouldn’t have the problems I do know.  But a beard seemed so much easier).  At least I don’t have to shave immediately and will wait to see if I keep under, with it being so close, if I take a deep breath I will pop back up to 300. 

Today I also got to experience my first Sunday workout.  You may remember I missed my workout out on the fourth, so I made it up today.  It was my 4^th straight workout with Sweat 1-2 and the hardest of the 4.  After preaching twice, I was mentally exhausted and after 3 straight days of Ab Ripper 100, I was physically exhausted before I even started.   But I hit the basement and pushed through.  Perhaps I shouldn’t have pushed as hard as I did.

When I finished Ab Ripper the normal pain did not pass as it always did, by the time I got home I couldn’t even bend in the mid section without searing pain.  I’m not sure what I did, but it wasn’t good.  No food journal today as I still took the day off from keeping up with my food journal. 

Tomorrow will be an interesting day, will I still be under 300 and will I be able to bend over?  I will let you know then…

Power 90 Day 34 - 6 – The Power of Cake

Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t attribute it all to the cake. Its true, I worked out hard yesterday and most of what I ate was healthy.  But I had my biggest weight drop in sometime this morning at .8 pounds, and I am under 301 with a new weight of 300.4  I am now really closing in on 300, and am going to give it all I have (not that I haven’t been for the past 6 weeks) to try to push under the 300 mark. 

I know that the weight didn’t come off because I dined on some sugary sweets, and maybe I would have lost even more if I hadn’t.  But there may be some truth to the higher calories and the daily cardio.  I am thinking about trying to add cardio into my daily routine.  Perhaps some walking and eventually jogging on my sculpting days.  Also on the list of possibilities is additional stretching/yoga workout, as I picked my wife up the Biggest Loser: Weight Loss Yoga.  Right now, the hardest part of Sweat 1-2 is the 5 minutes of Power Yoga, so the additional help couldn’t hurt.  That being said, I don’t know if I have the heart to do that many Downward Dogs.

I am also on my third straight day of Cardio/Abs which is starting to take a toll on my Abs.  I am sore and more physically exhausted then I am when I go back and forth.  However, I am enjoying the weight loss so I won’t complain too much.  I do think my biggest problem with Power 90 though is the lack of variety.  If they added another workout or two to this program I think it would do wonders for my psyche just having a little more variety.

Here’s a look at my food journal for Saturday:

                        Post Workout: Met-Rx Protein Plus Bar (Peanut Butter Crisp) (310 Calories)

Breakfast: Whole Wheat Bagel, Cream Cheese, 1 slice Colby Jack Cheese (360 Calories)

Lunch:  1 cup Kellogg’s low fat granola, skim milk (470 Calories)

Afternoon Snack:  String Cheese (60 Calories)

Dinner: 2 Boca Burgers, 1 slimwich, Banana Smoothie (Banana Smoothie Mix, 1 ½ banana, 1 cup skim milk, ½ scoop whey protein)  (584 Calories)

Evening Snack:  String Cheese (60 Calories)

Well that has been my day, thrilled about actual weight loss, and hoping tomorrow is the day I finally break the 300 barrier.  Till Then…

Power 90 Day 33 - 5 – A Birthday Party Adventure

One could say it is always easier to say no when the bad food is not presented to you.  This was my dilemma on Friday night.  The day started off as normal.  Yep no weight loss again, but holding steady at 301.2.  And I was able to get in another high intensity workout again continuing with just Sweat 1-2 and Ab Ripper.  I am missing the Sculpt days as the Cardio really wears me out.  I did however make it, and with the extra Ab Rippers I am sure I am building an amazing 6-pack under all the fat. 

As the afternoon got under way however I had a birthday party to attend, my sister-in-law who shares a name with my wife (I know, weird right?) was being thrown a surprise 34^th party.  It’s not that I don’t love getting together with a group of friends and family members, I do, but I know at an event like this I lose some control over just what goes into my body.

This party the spread consisted of BBQ chicken and Ribs, Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Rolls, fruit salad, and cake and ice cream.  I started off well, went with the chicken and the fruit salad.  BBQ sauce isn’t the best thing for you but I tried to shake off the extra.  I tried 2 ribs as well (single bone) because ribs are one of my all time favorites and not something I will give up completely.  But something I have and will continue to cut way back on. 

So I was doing well up to this point even figured I may have the strength to avoid the cake and ice cream.  Until I started helping my brother serve it.  I said when I started I always want to be 100% honest with you here.  I ate a half piece of cake and a single scoop of ice cream.  And it tasted great.  At first, I was pretty disappointed with myself for having fallen into temptations like that.  But the more I thought about it, I was ok.  I cut my portions way down from what I would usually eat at a time like that, and enjoyed myself so I didn’t spend the next 3 days thinking about cake.  Here is a look at my food journal for Friday.  ( BTW Not actual cake and ice cream)

Post Workout: Grilled Chicken Breast (140 Calories)

                        Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Whole Wheat Bagel, Cream Cheese (545 Calories)

Lunch:  Chocolate Chip Cliff Bar (230 Calories)

Afternoon Snack:  Weight Watchers- Cherry Cheesecake Ice-cream sandwich (90 Calories)                    

Dinner: BBQ Chicken and Ribs, Fruit Salad, cake, ice cream (1264 Calories)

Well as you can tell today was my highest calorie day I have had since I started 2269 Calories.  So yes, although I am over my desired 1800-2000, I am still under the 2350 that My Fitness Pal recommends I take in each day.  I guess we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.  Till Then…

Power 90 Day 32 - 4 – Another .2 pounds down

Well apparently a lack of workout on the fourth didn’t kill me as I had the second weight drop this week.  Sure the drop is small, .2 pounds doesn’t seem like a lot, but if you round up that gives me ½ a pound this week.  I now stand at 301.2.  It is the smallest I have been in a long, long time and seems so close to dropping under 300.  It’s about all I can think about it. 

I worked out at my in-laws again today.  Today is the hottest day we have had yet with temps in the low 100s and a heat index over 110.  I tried going into my gym and it felt like I was hit with a wall of heat.  Sure the basement can be a slightly depressing place to work out, that being said, it is cool and air conditioned.  It’s a wonderful thing when the temps are up outside to head down in a cool basement - it almost makes work out time exciting.  I will say the only drawback is no one can find the remote for the DVD player down there, so I have to do Sweat 1-2 every time until I get to the store and pick up a Universal Remote. 

Here’s a look at my food for the day.  I have been doing a much better job with keeping my food above 1800 which is strange because its more than the contestants on the Biggest Loser, but it seems to be where I need to be at to lose anything. 

Post Workout: Peanut Butter Power Bar (240 Calories)

                        Breakfast: Whole Wheat Bagel, Cream Cheese (260 Calories)

Lunch:  Kellogg’s low fat granola, skim milk and 2 hot dogs without bun (500 Calories)

Afternoon Snack:  Banana (90 Calories)

                        Dinner: Grilled Chicken sweet Potato, Side Salad,  Fruit Salad (673 Calories)

                        Evening Snack:  Sherbet (1/2 cup) (110 Calories)

Tomorrow will be another day, hoping to lose another .2 pounds, but I guess we will see how it goes.  I am also looking forward to having things cool off.  I haven’t been able to sleep much this week as the house doesn’t cool off until about 4:00 am.  Until Then…

Power 90 Day 31 - 3 – 4th of July

The fourth of July, a day to hit the grill with hamburgers and hot dogs, along with pasta salad potato salad, jello salad, chips, pop, and so much more.  This smorgasbord of fattening food had me a little worried about the holidays.  However the heat wave came to the rescue and kept us away from the more traditional picnics at the lake.

The day got up around 100 for the second day in a row, and because it’s not cooling off at night, I hadn’t slept well.  I didn’t fall asleep until around 4:00 AM and slept in until around noon.  When I woke up I decided to walk over to my in-laws in order to work out.  (Still too hot to work out in my usual gym).  However when I got there, my wife was ready to head out to my brother-in-laws. 

Well there could be no better place to spend, as we took the day easy, enjoying air conditioning and conversation.  At dinner time, we avoided much of the bad food, and went and purchased whole wheat sandwich rolls, and an assortment of deli meats and cheeses.  I also found apple chips to replace the Cool Ranch Doritos everyone else was eating.  Here is a look at my food intake for the day.  Not a great day for the vegetables, but considering the holidays I am pleased.  Here is a look at my food journal for the day. 

Breakfast: 3 Scrambled Eggs, Whole Wheat Bagel, Cream Cheese (545 Calories)

Lunch:  Met RX Protein Bar (320 Calories)

Afternoon Snack:  Kashi cereal, milk, (275 Calories)

Dinner: Hogie on Wheat with Apple Chips (Whole Wheat Bun, Colby Cheese, Roast Beef, Turkey, Turkey Pastrami (960 Calories)

Evening Snack:  Weight Watchers- Cherry Cheesecake Ice-cream sandwich (90 Calories)

There was a downside to the day however.  We arrived home after 10:00.  My in-laws were asleep so I couldn’t work out in there basement, and the gym was up around 110.  In the end I had to decide to make this Wednesday my free day this week.  I will work out Sunday in its place then return to normal next week.  It’s not ideal, but I have to be OK with it, as there is little other choice.   I will say missing this workout killed me a little inside.