Tone. It. Up!
So one of my goals for 2012 was to work on my weight training. I love the cardio, but am frightened of the weight floor at the gym. I just think people are looking at me (which I know isn’t really true) and judging my lack of upper body strength.
I also wanted to work on tonining up some of the excess skin I now have around my stomach after dropping the significant amount of weight.
Thankfully my friend Melissa is a personal trainer. She owns her own company Bodified By Melissa here in Chicago and makes house calls. So she came over to my house on Saturday morning and set me up with a greating “toning” workout that I can do in the comfort of my own home, which put me more at ease.
She came up with nine different exercises (three times each) that I can do at home with just a FitBall and a set of weights (for me 3 lbs & 10 lbs). Thankfully I had all these things at home so I already felt ahead of the game. 
I ran through the set once - took a water break – ran through it again – took another water break – then did the set one last time. It definitely gave me a workout in both my arms and in my midsection. Especially since I am not a crunches type of person. This was a great way to use my own body weight and avoid the machines.
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I wanted to share a couple of the exercises she thought of…
1) Rows on FitBall - 10 lb weights – 15 per rep … one knee leaning into the FitBall, same side hand on top of the FitBall, other leg back, keeping your back flat and weight down to the side – pull the weight back squeezing your shoulder blades together.
2) Twisting Shoulder Press- 3 lb weights – 20 per rep … sitting on the ball, feet together, back straight, stomach in tight, hold the weights in front of your shoulders palms facing in - twist and press the weights up.
3) Lunge Twists- 20 per side per rep … have one foot back, the other with the knee bent, hold the FitBall in front of your chest, keeping your posture – lunge and twist over the bent leg.
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Hope you enjoyed a sneak peak into what Melissa is having me work on to help tone me up. 
I am excited to get to Boston and start knocking this program out three times a week. Check out her twitter or website if you are interested in setting up a meeting with her…
Truth Tuesday – No Weigh-In
So I completely slept through my weigh-in this morning. I think the stress from moving/going away parties/Half Marathon on Saturday/etc caught up with me and I snoozed right through this morning’s weigh-in.
I started to freak out that it would affect by path for Lifetime, but thankfully you don’t have to weigh in each of the six weeks – you just have to weigh in twice during the six week period – within two pounds of goal. Phew! So basically I need to get myself back on track when I hit Boston January 31 and be ready for the February 21 weigh-in to make Lifetime. I will get back to regularly weighing in when I get to Boston anyway. I like weighing in once a week. The accountability is huge for me … plus it keeps me in check.
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I am also looking into a new Weigh-In outfit. The one I have been wearing is a simple white sleeveless shirt and a skirt. Well the skirt is a size 14 … which is slightly big. Okay, huge! I can slip it on and off without unzipping it. I think I will kick off Boston weigh-ins in a brand new weigh-in outfit.
Do you all have something you wear each week to weigh-in or do you switch it up?
3rd #30daychip
This was technically a 46 day chip. I was able to do the following four things for 46-consecutive days…
1) #plankaday
2) hit all 6 Weight Watchers healthy checks
3) tracked everything I ate
4) exercised for at least 30 minutes
#7DayChip, #back2basics, #plankaday, Motivation, Weight Watchers
Hi Ho Hi Ho It’s Off To Fitbloggin I Go…
I am beyond excited to be attending Fitbloggin this year – September 20-23, 2012 in Baltimore!! I know I only started blogging in May, but the community is so inviting, engaging and encouraging that I feel like I have been a part of it for years.
For those of you who don’t know, I am leaving my current job in Chicago and moving to Boston on January 29. In my current job, I wouldn’t have been able to attend Fitbloggin so I am super excited that with the big life change I can attend.
I remember seeing everyone’s pictures, tweets and blog posts from last year’s event that I knew I wanted to attend. There are so many fit bloggers that I interact with on a daily basis that I would love to meet in person … and now I have the chance!
I also am looking forward to learning from these people. There are some amazing bloggers out there that I know will make me a better blogger – and person – as well. Big props to Roni who puts this whole conference on.
I’m pretty stoked to be hitching a ride from Boston to Baltimore with Tara and Meegan – two of my favorite twitter friends – and rooming with the only and only Jan - who has been a motivator of mine for awhile.
I am pumped and thank my wife for letting me spend the $$$ to go. 
Additionally, I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and attending an event!! I technically will not have met any of these people in person before and that can be scary. But, the information we have shared together through tweets, blog, Facebook and e-mail, make me more comfortable with them than some people in my everyday life!
Oh … there is also a 5k where I believe people where some kick ass outfits. I will need to start planning mine now…
Will anyone else be attending Fitbloggin ’12? I cannot wait to meet and connect with all of you!
Joining the WW Family…
I cannot even begin to tell you all how excited I am to say that when I get to Boston I will begin working for Weight Watchers. For the past couple years, I have dreamed of saying that and now it is real!
I had done a call to possibly be a WW receptionist in Chicago, but hadn’t heard anything after that initial call so I thought maybe they weren’t interested. But, then I decided to move to Boston so I went back to the WW website and submitted my info again. I quickly got an email back from their territory manager last week and had a phone interview with Elaine on Friday.
It was awesome. I am definitely a WW dork as she can tell you. At one point I definitely said “well members who go to meetings lose 50% more than ones that do online only” and may have dropped Suzi’s name from Twitter/New WW commercial. I just was so excited to talk about how WW has changed my life.
Elaine had already checked out my blog, blog’s Facebook and my Twitter account so I felt she already had a pretty good handle on who I was. The conversation was great and then she said the magic words “We would love to have you on our team.” Ahhh!! I was elated. She added that I was the first person in WW Boston history to be hired over the phone without an in-person interview … wow! What. An. Honor.
Of course, I made sure I could share on Twitter and Facebook right away, but I was so busy with work that I wasn’t able to blog about it until now.
Well, I think you can all tell I am psyched. I will be starting as a receptionist, learning the ropes and continuing to work towards Lifetime status so I may one day be a WW leader myself. THAT is the ultimate goal.
I cannot wait to share my journey (loss of 63.2 lbs) with others and help new and returning WW members in the future…
I owe a big thank you to Elaine for taking a chance on me. I promise to work hard and exceed all your expectations!
Now, can we get to Boston already so I can start…
Truth Tuesday – 0.4 lb Gain
Since 2008, this last week is always the toughest in January for me. I am out of my comfort zone and in a hotel for almost the entire time. I had my weigh-in and hit goal Tuesday morning, that night I moved into the Hilton Chicago and I was there through Sunday afternoon. I tried to prepare myself as best as possible and brought snacks, my workout clothes and my blender with me.
During this week I normally gain between 1-2 lbs since I end up imbibing too much wine which then results in eating too much food … and hangovers. Which lead to basically another day of eating horribly. So Thursday-Sunday for me this week were horrendous. Just ugly foodwise.
I am proud of myself because I kept my workout streak alive and made it to the hotel gym each day for at least 30 min of activity. (small victory)
Since I wasn’t home and used Monday as a get back on track and stay in the gym for an hour, I didn’t weigh-in. I had NO idea what to expect. I just wanted to be under 157 (to stay on track for Lifetime). My home scale showed a 0.3 lb gain. Whhaaaa??? I went to my WW weigh-in and I gained just 0.4 lbs! Wow! I will take it…
Today: Gain 0.4
Starting Weight: 217.4
Today’s Weight: 154.2
Total Lost: 63.2
I am still under my goal weight (155) by 0.8 lbs heading into Week Two of maintenance!
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I am upset with myself for not having better control of my snacking and drinking, but I accepted what happened and have moved on.
These next five weeks are crucial in my journey to Lifetime. I am ready to get back on the horse – which I did yesterday. It felt wicked good to eat on plan and hit all my healthy checks. I just felt normal – even after one day.
The really tough stretch is the next two weeks as we prepare to move to Boston. This week alone we are going to a Blackhawks game and two Going Away parties. I am going to devise and plan and stick to it. I am going to increase my activity, as well as, bring snacks whenever possible.
But, the main thing is – I will not beat myself up over anything. This is the last time I will see many of these people for awhile and I want to enjoy the time we spend together.
I will make sure to really keep the wine and beer in check. I don’t like the hungover feeling – I mean who does (but this week I had two hangovers in three days - my first since early October). But it really messes up my eating schedule the next day, as well as, my workout schedule. And frankly, it’s not worth it. Time to reign that in.
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Today was also our final WW at work meeting. It was extremely emotional for me. I didn’t outwardly cry, especially we had such a good time laughing during the meeting. But, inside I was sad to see the time end. Not just for me, but also my coworkers. They have all done so well. As a group since April, we lost 325 lbs. Woo! How freakin’ great is that!!
I really hope they can get 20 interested people in order to restart the group in April. I am keeping everything crossed for them…
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I am so proud of all my participants in the #100ozchallenge. I cannot believe over 35 people have joined in to my challenge. I am even thinking of maybe having a prize or something down the road. That would be cool right?
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Did anyone else face the scale for Truth Tuesday today?
#100ozchallenge, #back2basics, Motivation, Truth Tuesday, Weight Watchers, Working Out
Wordless Wednesday
Two of my many Weight Watchers crew, but two of my main supporters
Ellie (running budy) & Tori (the wife)
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Another Weight Watchers buddy and friend … Jim (who has also shed over 50 lbs)
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<3
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Happy Wednesday!
Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Wordless Wednesday, Working Out
Truth Tuesday – 4.2 lb Loss & GOAL!!
Well folks, I was really hoping for at least a 0.6 lb weight loss this week since I was at 59.4 lbs gone last week and I wanted to hit that lovely round # of 60 gone. I tracked everything this week – even when I let my guard down Friday and just enjoyed my goodbye dinner with my friend, I still wrote down everything I had – so I was hoping for a good loss. Also, despite being sick, I worked out at least 60 min every day.
I liked the # I saw on the home scale this morning so I was hoping the Weight Watchers scale would be as nice, but you know what? It was EVEN better!! I lost 4.2 lbs this week for a total of 63.6 lbs gone … and that means I passed my goal weight by 1.2 lbs!!
Today: Lost 4.2
Starting Weight: 217.4
Today’s Weight: 153.8
Total Lost: 63.6
Pounds From New Goal: NONE!!
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It is absolutely crazy to actually be at goal – like real goal not the fake goal I set before. Haha. I will not be changing the goal weight again … for now Haha.
It is surreal to see that I am at goal. I mean it is time to transition the brain from losing weight to maintaining. That starts by changing my daily allotment of points from 27 to 32. What will I do with those extra points? I told my Leader an extra glass of wine each night.
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Since getting back from my honeymoon and starting my Dynamic December and Jammin’ January challenges, which includes #back2basics, #30for60 and my #30daychip, I have lost 14.4 lbs!! Wow!
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I really want to thank each and every one of you that has traveled on this journey with me. Many times a day I just stop and think how truly lucky I am.
I really am proud of myself for sticking with this process. So many times I wanted to just stop and just eat everything in sight, but I knew I didn’t need to do that. I didn’t need to turn to food in emotional times. I could, and would, heading out for a run instead or putting in some time at the gym. Those endorphins can really do wonders.
I think I am still in so much shock that I can’t even put into words what I am feeling. I am excited. I am thrilled. I am proud. I am nervous. I am anxious. I am fearful. But really? I am happy.
Isn’t that all that matters?
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#100ozchallenge, #back2basics, Motivation, Running, Truth Tuesday, Weight Watchers, Working Out
East Lakeview, Chicago Apartment for Rent
3 Bedroom Apartment located in the East Lakeview / Boystown Area of Chicago
We are moving to Boston and need to sublet our apartment. Lease would run through August which would then be renewable. Available Feb 1st. $1795 per month.
This is a fantastic 3 bedroom apartment in a vintage farmhouse. Building is a two flat and apartment is on lower level. The landlord is super dog friendly. (sorry, no cats)
- Free Laundry in Basement
- Huge back deck – great for entertaining.
- Updated Kitchen w/ Full Size Dishwasher, Ceramic Tile and Large 42″ Cabinets
- Updated Bathroom with Jacuzzi style tub and “rain” style shower head.
- Ceiling Fans in every room.
- Brand new furnace – you control the heat.
- Hardwood Floors throughout the front of the house
- Formal Living and Dining rooms with built in Hutch
- Parking Available – Please Inquire
- Small fenced in front yard for pets
Drum Roll Please…
I mentioned on Twitter yesterday that I “Bit the bullet and made the biggest decision of her life to date…” and many have been wondering what the big news is. Well it is finally time to reveal it…
The wife and I are moving to Boston January 29.
I know this may be a big shock to many of you, but it has been something we have been thinking about for awhile.
There isn’t an immediate game plan besides safely getting ourselves and the pups from Chicago to Boston in one piece.
Yesterday, January 4, marked my 4-year anniversary in Chicago. I am appreciative for all the memories, people and good times I have had in Chicago, but I think it is time for me to move back home to be closer to family and friends.
The wife and I are looking forward to this next chapter of our lives…