Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Water Wednesdays

I want to first say, it has been unusually cold.  Brrr!
Well today overall was a good day.  I had some sweet cravings earlier in the day and indulged in some Girl Scout Cookies. 

Breakfast
     White Chocolate Latte

Mid AM Snack
     Grapefruit

Lunch
     Chicken
     Cabbage Salad

Mid Afternoon Indulgence
     1 can of coke
     Girl Scout shortbread cookies

Dinner
   Chicken & Spinach

Excercise
     1 hour of water aerobics
I want to say that I love the class!  I also want to say I was extremely nervous before class!  I was seriously flooded with negative thoughts right before the classs! I had thoughts that I would drown, that I wouldn't be able to do it, that I would slip and fall.  I was really scared!  One good thing that came out of class, is that I remember how much I loved being in the water.  When I was little I loved swimming at the beach, and I remember a house that we had had a pool in the backyard and I loved being in that pool!  I love affair with water has been re-kindled!

The One and Only Way You Can Tell if a Food is GMO-Free, By Dr. Mercola

This was in my email this morning when I woke up!  I am so excited for the state of  Vermont, I hope they get the bill passed!   It will be a huge step for consumers!

Please check out the article from Dr. Mercola's website!  Informative and hopeful!
One and Only Way You Can Tell if a Food is GMO-Free

It's Wednesday Already!

Wow! 
Is it me or is this week flying by?  It is already Wednesday, so I have missed 2 days of blogging already!  Oh my!  I honestly don't have anything exciting to report. Same old stuff, just a different day!

I am excited for water aerobics tonight.  Got my gear together!  I am looking forward to it. 

Since 2012 is moving quickly ahead with or without me, I was thinking man, It's already March and I have not touched anything on my Undertakings List!  I need to get to work.  One thing I am looking forward to is the upcoming time change.  I don't know the exact weekend its happening, but I am looking forward to extra daylight hours once I get off of work.  Once that time changes, I know the weather will be changing also, and that mean, more outside time for me!  Yah!  I am getting all excited again! 

In case anyone is wondering, me and the Kindle are doing very well!  That is all for now!  Tata!

Kyra
Monday, February 27, 2012

Indoor Rowing...A little Knowledge

Well I have been actively trying to recruit people to join me on my rowing class adventure.  The one question I get is, What is rowing and what does it do for you excervise wise?  So I never really know what to say, because I really have no idea myself.  I just know I got the machine and did what the instructor told me to do years ago.

So after my class on this past Saturday, out of my excitement I tried to tell a friend about hte class.  I did a really terrible job at explaining it.  But I got on the internet this morning and did some research! 

Rowing really is a full body workout..I can attest to that.  But here are some benefits of rowing, brought to you from the folks at Concept 2 Rowing, who makes the machines I row on.

Benefits of Rowing

Whether you already row or are considering rowing to keep in shape, lose weight, cross-train for another sport, compete on the water or rehabilitate from injury or surgery, rowing is the complete exercise for you. Arms, legs, chest, back, abs—even your mind. Your whole body gets a complete workout from the efficient, rhythmic motion of rowing. Rowing is such a great exercise in so many different ways.
  • Low-impact (easy on the knees and ankles)
  • High calorie burner (because it uses so many muscle groups)
  • Great for joint health (joints move through a wide range of motion)
  • Upper body (completes the stroke)
  • Lower body (the legs initiate the drive)
  • Works the back and abs too!
  • Superb aerobic fitness (great for cardiovascular fitness)
  • Relieves Stress (for overall health and well-being)
This is different from the rowing you may have done as a kid in a rowboat. The difference lies in the sliding seat. Your legs compress and extend with every stroke—in addition to the more obvious work being done by the back and arms.
Legs: You begin each stroke with your legs compressed and your shins vertical. You initiate the drive with the powerful muscles of your legs, and finish with your legs fully extended. Rowing promotes both strength and flexibility through this wide range of leg motion.
Arms: At the catch, your arms are outstretched; at the finish of the stroke, they have pulled the handle into your abdomen. As with the legs, this range of motion promotes both strength and flexibility.
Core: chest, back, abs: At the start of the stroke, the power of the legs is connected to the handle by means of the arms and the core muscles of the body. Then the back is more fully involved as it swings open through the middle of the stroke. Finally, the body is stabilized at the finish by the abdominal muscles.
For a detailed description of the muscle groups involved,
see Muscles Used.

Be sure to click the Link..Muscles Used!  You will be amazed!

I am not gonna lie the class is very challenging for me, especially since I am out of shape.  But I always get a great workout on Saturday Mornings! 

So if anyone in the Los Angeles Metro Area happens to stumble upon this post!  Check out iRow Fitness Studio on La Cienaga!

Links:
Concept 2 Rowing:  http://www.concept2.com/us/indoorrowers/benefits.asp
Irow Fitness Studio:  http://www.irowfitness.com/

Scale Whisperer...Oops

Well It's Monday, and since I have not really been blogging all week, I figure I should start the week off, with my weigh in!  It has been a rough week.  It was PMS week, and oh the pain and oh the cravings.  I had wingstop about 3 times during the week, Taco Bell, Rice Bowls, Panda Express...and by now you got the drift!  Lot of eating...and 1 hour of work out for the entire week!  No es bueno!

So here we go:

2/27/2012 317.1
2/13/2012 314.9
1/30/2012 317.4
1/23/2012 321.4
1/10/2012 332.4
10/10/2011 319.0
10/3/2011: 326.6
9/27/2011: 326.7
9/19/2011: 325.6
9/12/2011: 329.9
9/5/2011: Skipped (out of town)
8/29/2011: 333.3 (Can you see my jaw on the floor?)
8/22/2011: 328.8
8/15/2011: 331.8
8/8/2011: 336.7
7/25/2011: 337.7
7/18/2011: 343.0
7/11/2011: 342.2
7/5/2011: 349.8
6/27/2011: 352.8
6/20/2011: 363.5
6/13/2011: 368.7
6/8/2011: 371
Weekly Weight GAIN:  2.2 lbs
Total Weight Loss: 53.9 lbs
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Distracted, Yet Again

Man it has been almost a week since I have been on here to post anything. So I just wanted to post a quick blurb as to why I have not been posting.

I bought a new toy last week, and it is now consumming all of my time.  I bought a Kindle Fire and I am in awe, I am completely mezmorized!  I really do love my kindle!  I downloaded 2 books so far.  I am able to watch TV shoes and movies with my 30-day free trail of Amazon Prime.  I can get on the internet, check email, Facebook & even continue playing my wonderful word game Word With Friends!  I love it darely! 

So if anyone out there has been thinking about getting a Kindle Fire...it really is worth it.  I highly recommend it! 

So on a weightloss note, I have been plugging along on this journey. I had a rough few days.  Did a lot of PMS eating...wing stop, ice cream, even had soda! Oh My Oh My!  Spend a couple days sick, nauseated, just had to lay still.  But fret not, I am back on task after my detour.  My Water aerobics class started last night.  It was one of the longest hours of my life!  But it is something new for me to try! 
Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Falling on Valentine's Day

Man.  What a day!  I had no idea I would get so caught up in Valentine's Day!  This was a first for me.  I was sending emails, texts, facebook comments about valentine's day.  I wished just about everyone I saw Valentine's Day, which seriously is so out of character for me.  Whats happening to me!  AHHHHHHHH!

Well I took lots of eating liberties on Valentines Day!  I hope they don't cost me too much.  Instead of me breaking down my meals, I will just list the smorgasbord of food I ate through the day.

White Chocolate Latte, 3 hard boiled eggs w/ pico de galla, 1/2 cucumber, tomato, (2) apples, Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger, sweet potato french fries, lots of pickles, and assortment of valentine's day candy. 

I had to get some type of physical activity in and I said you know, tonight would be a great night to go to the gym.  There should not be very many people in there.  And guess what?  There wasn't, I could find parking at 24 Hour Fitness @ 7:30pm what a miracle!  I could actually walk in and get right onto a treadmill...another miracle!

Workout
     30 Minutes Treadmill (intervals)
     400 calories burned, 1.82 miles completed
     Average heart rate 155

Now I know that little 30 minute stint on the treadmill doesn't do much for the thousands of calories I consummed, but I had to do something.  I am so happy to see progress like this.  Every time I get on the treadmill, I am able to complete a greater distance in the same amount of time!  I am excited to see when I will be able to complete 2 miles in the 30 minutes!  Stay tuned!

Kyra
Monday, February 13, 2012

Scale Whisperer...

Ah...another Weigh in Monday

2/13/2011 314.9
1/30/2012 317.4
1/23/2012 321.4
1/10/2012 332.4
10/10/2011 319.0
10/3/2011: 326.6
9/27/2011: 326.7
9/19/2011: 325.6
9/12/2011: 329.9
9/5/2011: Skipped (out of town)
8/29/2011: 333.3 (Can you see my jaw on the floor?)
8/22/2011: 328.8
8/15/2011: 331.8
8/8/2011: 336.7
7/25/2011: 337.7
7/18/2011: 343.0
7/11/2011: 342.2
7/5/2011: 349.8
6/27/2011: 352.8
6/20/2011: 363.5
6/13/2011: 368.7
6/8/2011: 371
Weekly Weight Loss: 2.5 lbs
Total Weight Loss: 56.1 lbs
Sunday, February 12, 2012

Saturday Shmatterday

I know its unusual for me to post on the weekend.  But Yesterday was a different day for me.  Not too different but I had a truly amazing time rowing!  I wrote down the meters I rowed at Saturdays class and I rowed a half mile more than I did back in August 2012.  Not bad for not taking class for 6 months! I really do enjoy those rowing classes!

So here is the eats for the day.  My eating schedule was way off.  I didn't get to put anything but an apple into my mouth until about 8am.  Then loaded up on protein after rowing that morning...but none the less, not a bad eating day.

Breakfast
     7-11 Coffee
     Apple

Mid AM Snack/Post Workout Eats
     Grilled Chicken

Lunch
    Halibut
    Brussel Sprouts

Dinner
     Chicken
     Salad
     2 teaspoons of a 7 layer bean dip.  THat was some good dip!

Saturday night was also singles night at church.  I went to the event they had a taco bar.  I limited myself to the chicken and used hte lettuce & tomatos to make myself a salad.  Loaded up on the salsa (I heart Salsa) and then dabble in the bean dip.  It was a good night. I like when I am able to go out and enjoy myself and still eat semi-healthy.  Yah to me for making a decent food choice.

Workout:
     1 hour of rowing
     Completed 6837 meters which is about 4.24 miles!
      (August 2011 my meters rowed was 3.8 miles)
Saturday, February 11, 2012

Friday....recap

It's finally Friday!  I waited all week for this day!  I had such plans for the day, but they quickly changed once I got my phone call from Volvo South Bay.  I am finally making the step of faith and going to see what I can do about my car.  I spent part of the evening getting all the junk out of my car.  there is still some junk in there, but not as bad as it looked. 

I pull out my mini-skillet at work today and got to making some eggs.  Its has been a long time since I used it.  But I have fallen in love with all over again!  It is the best $10 I have ever spent!

Breakfast
     Scrambled Eggs
     White Chocolate Latte

Mid AM Snack
    Grapefruit
Lunch
     Scrambled Eggs

Dinner
     Mahi Mahi

After Dinner Snack
     Apple

Workout
     Overhead Chest Press 30lbs 3 sets of 10
     Vertical Chest Press 50lbs 3 sets of 10
     Hip Adduction 70lbs 3 sets of 50
     Hip Abduction 90lbs 4 sets of 25

Workout amusement...below
Thursday, February 9, 2012

Feeling Kinda Fishy...

Today was the most slowest moving day!  Oh my goodness!  I felt like I was at work for 30 hours!  Today mother nature surprised me with fantastic weather.  I was completely overjoyed!  I really do love California weather! 

Today AMC is doing an midnight release of Safe House.  I really would like to go, but I doubt I will be able to stay up.  I tried to take a nap when I got home, but I was not able too.  If by some miracle I am still up at midnight.....I will be at the movies.

Mahi Mahi & Steamed Cabbage

Today I had 2 wierd cravings/desires.  I had a bad craving for some fish and I had the desire to cook!  I have gotten so used to my bulk cooking that I only cook once a week.  But since I had a taste for fish, I was time for a dinner creation!  I made some Mahi Mahi and some steamed red cabbage.  It was very tasty and very filling!








So here is the eats for the day:

Breakfast
     Eggs, sausage, salsa

Mid AM Snack
     Apple

Lunch
     Special Tuna Salad (its not your typical tuna salad)

Mid Afternoon Snack
     White Chocolate Latte
     Apple

Dinner
     Mahi Mahi
     Steamed Red Cabbage

So my special tuna salad.  Trade Joes carries a product called Egg white Salad.  Very taste, very low in calories, high in protien!  My special tuna salad consists of an entire container of the Egg White Salad (100 cal, for the entire container) and 1 can of Albacore tuna.  Mixed together with a splash of salt, pepper and a tad of lemon juice! 

I love the egg White Salad from TJs and I will be doing a product recommendation on it momentarily.

Workout
     33 mins Treadmill (RYBO Stage 3) 
     Lat Pull Downs 3 sets of 10, 80lbs
     Back Extensions 3 sets of 12
     Tricep Extensions 3 sets of 12
     Leg Press 3 sets of 15; 180 lbs

Back in the Row of things...

Today a pretty decent day.  I know I say this so many times, I am even sick of hearing it, but after yesterday, I see the need for dedication and commitment to the cause. 

Breakfast
     White Chocolate Latte

Mid Am Snack
     1/2 cucumber w/ 1 lemon

Lunch
     Tuna Salad

Mid Afternoon Snack
     Egg White Salad from Trader Joes

Dinner
     Halibut
     Brussel Sprouts

Workout:
     1 hour of rowing
Wednesday, February 8, 2012

15: The Defeated Number

Yesterday I had a check-in with my Weight Loss Coach.  Reality hit me as I was talking to her.  As I told her my current weight, which was 314.7...my mind kinda wondered off...I am 15 pounds away from getting under 300 pounds!  I'm oh so close!  I can see the victory, I can taste the victory, I want the victory.

I got up this morning and looked and my weight loss history on here and the last time I was this close to getting under 300 was in October 2011 and I was at about 319 according to my blog.  But I also remember Life between October - December was HELL!  The cares of life and my personal situation sidetracked me from staying focus.  I stopped excercising and I was eating crazy!

Here I am again...Round 2..standing on the brink of a break through!  I'm ready to go no holds barred...It's time to defeat those 15!  Are you with me?

Monday, February 6, 2012

Weekend in Review...

Super Bowl Weekend has passed us!  Hope everyone enjoyed it!
Los Angeles weather was fantastic!  It was almost summer all over again!  Saturday for me was domestic day.  Laundry, dishes, cleaning the house and then complete and utter laziness!  I did nothing else, stayed home all day.

Sunday was definately more the social day for me.  Went out to Lucille's BBQ for lunch, hung out with some girl friends cracked up all night it was good!  I even made it out to get some excercie in!  Amazing!  I am trying to work on having balance.  Have my fun and splurges, but still do what I need to do to attain my goals.


Workout:
Weight Training
  1. Leg Press 180lbs 3 sets of 15
  2. Lat Pull Downs 60lbs 3 sets of 20
  3. Tricep Extensions 60lbs 3 sets of 20
Cardio
     30 minutes on Treadmill
     1.61 miles completed; 345 calories burned
Saturday, February 4, 2012

Finally Friday!!!!

Friday has finally made it.  The day started off a bit rocky, but it was a lot better than the previous days in the week.  Still struggling over these security certificates at work, no progress has been made all week!  Crazy.

Breakfast:  White chocolate Latte
Mid Am Snack:   Cucumber
Lunch:  Salad (lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, chicken, lemon juice)

Afternoon Snack:  Fiji Apple

Dinner:  Mahi Mahi w/ Sauted Spinach

Workout:
I attempted to do Stage 3 of the RYBO program.  I got on the treadmill got through one walk/jog cycle and I had to quit!  My shin splints on my left leg kicked up a pain so wicked.  So I just walked on the treadmill. 
  • 20 minutes Cybex ArcTrainer (325 calories burned)
  • 26 minutes Treadmill (280 calories burned)
Friday, February 3, 2012

And the Craziness Continues...

Wednesday a crazy day..Thursday another crazy day.  I hope Friday is much better.  This is truly been a roller coaster of a week for me.  Not much to report today, but I will put this out there.  I had been contemplating about doing water aerobics and I have decided to do it.  Talking to Linga helped me just go for it.  I have started looking for a swim suit, and I will call the instructor to see if a swim suit is required. 

So here is the eats for the day:

Breakfast: White Chocolate Latte


Mid Am Snack: Grapefruit

Lunch: Made my tomato & egg concoction and it was oh so good

Dinner:  Chicken Breast & Apple




Grapefruit..cut & chilled

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Review of Hump Day...

Well gang not much to report for Wednesday.  It was sort of a crazy day at work. I got home and got to trying to do some repairs on my friends laptop.  That laptop needs lots of work and it took up much of my evening. 

I am happy to report though, I didn't have much of an appetite yesterday.  I went through must of the day not hungry and I truly did not eat much.

Breakfast
     White Chocolate Latte


                                          Mid AM Snack
3 Egg Whites w/ salsa
I took a picture, I have not taken pictures of my food in a while.  I ran out of salsa so I had 2 empty egg whites!

Lunch
Fiji Apple

Mid Afternoon Snack
Fiji Apple
Cup of Yogi Peach Detox Tea

Dinner
Chicken Breast

Again no excercising today.  Sometimes I wonder why I even bother making a workout schedule.  Rarely do I ever stick to it!  The weather should be nice today, it supposed to be in the high 70's so maybe a nice stroll after work will be in order.

That's all folks!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The 15 Grosses Foods You're Eating

Well Well...you know how I love to read about our food and the things they put in them!

Have you consumed any flame retardants, Titanium, Maggots, or Roundup Killer recently?  Find out... http://www.rodale.com/gross-food