Lunch Date

Cole and I looooove Costco. There is nothing better than walking around, holding hands, trying all the yummy samples, and being facinated by the enormous packaged items. And ya can't beat the price of a $1.50 hot dog and drink for lunch. Cole and I have gone there many a time for a little lunch date. Ohh how romantic it is. :)

i can't wait...

...for the next season of GLEE!!!

I just finished watching the season finale and just can't believe everything. I loved it!!

Oh GLEE-- from the song lines of the last episode--"My life would suck with out you." Not really, but I get really excited to watch it on my laptop every Thursday night.

holidays without junk in the trunk

I read a really good article from my SHAPE magazine that included tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining weight. The reason why I like this so much is because they don't say to deprive yourself of your favorite holiday treats, but they give you some really good ideas on how to eat what you want without packing on the poundage. (These tips were taken from the December issue of SHAPE and the article was written by Sharon Liao):)

1. Spoil your supper: You may think it a good idea to skip lunch or breakfast to save on those extra calories, but this could backfire on you. Make sure you eat throughout the day and most importantly, when you're headed to a party, eat a snack before (like an apple and string cheese) you go so that you are not ravenous when you get there.

2. Chew while you chop: When you are preparing food for your parties it is easy to rack up the calories just by tasting as you cook. So pop in a piece of mint gum to chew on so you are not tempted to graze as you cook.

3. Be a picky eater: When your faced with a decadent buffet, survey your options. Instead of tasting everything only choose what you really want - the holiday dishes that you love, that you only get once a year for example. And because it takes 20 minutes to get full wait that long to go back for seconds.

4. Take dainty bites: People who take big bites usually eat more, so take small bites. Also try to go with a small plate.

5. Think before you eat: People think that they have to get as much holiday food in them as possible because it comes once a year. But before you reach for a treat stop and ask yourself how hungry you really are. Also remind yourself that you can take that yummy chocolate fudge home to eat later. You could even freeze it and have it a month after the holidays.

6. Stay on the move: Gym attendance goes down in November and December. But working up a sweat is especially important in these months. Exercise burns extra calories and also helps boost the mood to help maintain stress.

7. Start skinny sipping: Juices and sodas carry alot of excess calories and sugar so why not just sip on a glass of water unless you are dying to have some hot cocoa or cider.

8. Keep your focus: When you are meeting up with old family and friends, it is easy to get caught up in your conversations which can distract you into not paying attention to what and how much you're eating so keep your focus and know what you are putting in your mouth.

9. Seize some ZZZ's: The holiday season is a busy time, but skimping on sleep is not a good idea. Not getting enough sleep lowers your leptin levels which are harmones that control how full you feel. When your exhausted, you feel hungrier, so get at least 8 hours of sleep this season.

And that is it! I am really going to try to implement these tips this holiday season. I don't want to deprive myself of holiday goodness, but I am going to try to really be smart about what I'm eating. And most importantly, I'm going to exercise!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!

Tree Hugger

We got our tree last night. $22.99 at our friendly neighborhood Fred Meyers. The branches had not fallen out yet so it was perfect hugging width. I love Christmas trees! For some reason it just doesn't feel like Christmas until we get our tree put up.

BEFORE

AFTER

I'm so excited for Christmas break! I have exactly 9 days of school left and then I am done with ISU classes forever!!! Yay! On to my student teaching at Century.

Body For Life Challenge 3

Well Thanksgiving break has begun and I am ready for a little R and R.

I got home from class and this is what I saw on my dry erase board.

BFL Challenge number 3 is under my belt. I got up this morning excited for Cole to take my after pictures. After Cole took my pictures I must say that I was a little disappointed. They don't look nearly as good as my first challenge especially since I didn't go tanning so I am very white. I worked really hard so I feel really frustrated, but looking back I know a could've done better. I took a whole week off when I got a little stressed with school and that probably didn't help. I also had a "free day" once a week and my first challenge I only allowed myself a "free meal" and a "free dessert" once a week. Overall, I think I am moving in the right direction which is very important. Here are some things that I learned:

1. If I don't eat enough throughout the day, then I am more likely to over indulge later during dinner or before I got to bed.

2. If I don't keep the shelves stocked wit healthy food then I'm more likely to eat unhealthy.

3. If I fail to plan then I plan to fail (I know...so cliche, but its true!)

4. When its that time of the month, harmones are released that make you crave food so it is ESPECIALLY important to exercise because exercise releases endorphins that helps sustain those cravings. I learned this the hard way.

5. Not everyone's body types are the same so we SHOULD not compare ourselves to others.

6. I learned an awesome way to make oatmeal...now I'm going to make it everyday.

7. Don't have food in the house that will tempt you. This is very hard since Cole loves to have sweets. Cookies kill me!!

8. THROW AWAY THE SCALE. It shouldn't matter how much you weigh as long as you feel good and you like the way you look in the mirror and your clothes fit. I don't know how many times I stepped on the scale and been depressed! But your weight can change so much from day to day depending on your water weight or if its that time of the month.

9. Don't give up. Even though one tire has a hole in it doesn't mean you should drive around making holes in all the other tires. If you cheat don't throw it all away by just giving up for the rest of the day.

10. There's always a healthier choice. If there are cookies sitting out and you want one sooo bad try a healthier alternative like apples dipped in peanut butter.

Those are just some of the things that I learned. Now to the AFTER MATH:

My Stats - Beginning / End

Body fat - lowered 3%

Weight - lost 11 lbs.

Size - lost 2 sizes

So as you can see I did have results. They weren't the results that I set out for, but at least I did improve! I wanted to get down to 140 and to a size 6, but hey... I'm moving in the right direction!! And that is what is most important. I am not going backward, I am moving forward.

I don't feel comfortable posting my pics online. So Molly, I'll e-mail them to you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

P.S. Happy Birthday Lee!!

last but not least

Today is my last day of my Body-for-Life challenge numero tres!!

I can't believe it! Time has just flown. Even though my challenge will be over, I've tried to have the mentality that being healthy isn't over. Healthy 4 life is my motto! It will be especially hard to be healthy since the holidays are creeping up on us. I am going to take a few weeks off of heavy lifting, but still do exercise like running and yoga. There is a 5k on Thanksgiving Day called the Turkey Trot that I think I'm going to do. I gotta burn some MAJOR calories that day so I may run like a 5 miler instead. ANywho... I will be posting my stats, thoughts, ways I can improve next challenge, and maybe pictures. I dunno I feel really weird posting my before and after pics up for the world to see. eh. I will give you a link to my BFL tracker page so that you may see it there.... How bout that Molly?

Can ya'll guess what I'm having for din din tonight? Malaysian Pizza!! Ohh yeah baby. Gotta keep it small portioned for my after pictures tomorrow though.

I'm off for my last workout of CHALLENGE 3 - its a nice day for a little run.

See ya tomorrow!!

I've gone over to the...

dark side.

I decided to dye my hair dark for the winter. It's pretty dark. Sometimes I forget and then look in the mirror and go "whoa! who's dat?". I know I have been really MIA when it comes to BFL. But don't worry I've been eating healthy and working out. I just got done with an UBWO and my biceps are like jell-o. I've just been super busy with school. THIS IS MY LAST WEEK OF BFL!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I CAN'T...

Have a good week!

Cicily :0

This is why.....

I LOVE THE PRIMARY!!

I came home after a busy day and I found this cute, giant, homemade kiss on my doorstep that said "Thank you for teaching us - Tyson" Ohhhh.... Thanks Tyson! You made my day!!

Hi yaw!

Hi yaw! That is what I was saying today in my self defense class. We learned how to block punches and give punches. My favorite punch is the open-fist punch where you punch that sucker with the palm of your hand right up in their nose so their eyes water. Yeeeah. ha. Well remember yesterday when I said I was frustrated about buying pants? Well I went to the mall again today and I tried on a ton of jeans and I found a really great pair that I love!! Best part...they came with a price tag of 29 buckaroos. I was also happy because my size has gone down since I first started BFL. Yay yay!

UBWO - 8:00am

DB Chest Flies 12, 10, 8, 6, 12

Push-ups 12

DB Back Flies 12, 10, 8, 6, 12

DB Rows 12

Shoulder Press 12, 10, 8, 6, 12

Shoulder Raises 12

Cable Bicep Curls 12, 10, 8, 12

DB Decline Bicep Curls 12

Cable Tricep pulldowns 12, 10, 8, 6, 12

Tricep Dips 12

Abs 6 x 20

MEAL ONE - 9:30 am

Whole Wheat Protein Pancakes topped with strawberries. Tasty tasty.

I used this whole wheat pancake mix, but added protein powder to the mix

I heated some frozen strawberries on the stove and got this finished product.

MEAL TWO - 12:15 pm

Chicken Salad on toasted sandwich thins topped with spinach. mmm

MEAL THREE - 2:30 pm

Left over protein pancake at work and light raspberry yogurt. I'm glad no one saw me chomping on a cold pancake at 2:30 in the afternoon. But it was pretty tasty.

MEAL FOUR - 5:15 pm

Rice cake and a spoon full of PB to tide me over til din din was ready.

MEAL FIVE - 6:30 pm

Tacos topped with lettuce, avocado, salsa, and fat free sour cream wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. pure mexican goodness. you also get a good view of my mail in the background.

MEAL SIX - 9:15 pm

Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie

And we're headed on a downslope to the weekend. Can't wait. I finished up a paper tonight which brings me one step closer to being done with this semester. Feels good.

So long, farewell, alf vedersein, goodnight!

Cicily :)

busy bee

Hey all. Today has been great, busy, but great. I promised myself that I would blog everyday this week because it really helps me stay on track. So here it goes.

HIIT - 8:30 am

I went to Alameda Park and ran. Decided to switch up my run from the usual - Reed's Gym and back. Its getting cold outside.

Stats:

Time - 21:16

Distance - 2.08

Calories - 252

Best Pace - 7:49

Average Pace - 10:13

Ouch! My legs are so sore from leg day yesterday. I guess that is what I get for taking a week off.

MEAL ONE - 9:15 am

Protein Oats - Oatmeal, water, protein powder, bananas, cranberries, cinnamon, and a dollup of Peanut Butter

MEAL TWO - 12:15 pm

Left over Malaysian Pizza in between classes.

MEAL THREE - 5:15 pm

Left over Malaysian Pizza. Overload... i know, but its even better left over.

Slice of Life - We decided to go to the temple tonight with our friends. It was really nice. We went to the mall because I really need pants, but I ended up buying two shirts instead. ugh. I hate shopping for pants. I can never find a perfect fit. Then we went to Red Robin. It was not very good. Disappointed....

There was a beautiful sunset on the way there. I can't believe how dark it gets now! It was only like 5:45 pm in this pic

Some handsome guy outside the I.F. Temple

RED ROBIN

MEAL FOUR - 8:00 pm

Red Robin - Harvest Apple Chicken Salad. The goat cheese was delicious, but the chicken was a little to processed. eh. I will confess I did eat a few of their steak fries and those were tasty.

MEAL FIVE - 10:15 pm

Pumpkin Protein Shake - Water, ice, canned pumpkin, cinnamon, protein powder, and a little honey to sweeten it up.

Today was very busy, but it felt really good to get a lot of stuff done and go to the temple. It was a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!

Chow!

Cicily :)