Weddingbee Blog

I haven’t done a Flab to Fab post in a month. Yikes.

I didn’t fall off the wagon completely, but I have had a bit of a bender. I’ll save you the excuses. Suffice it to say, it’s been a while. But all is not lost - I’m reinvigorated. Now that the pre-wedding festivities are on a a 45-day hiatus, it’s time to grab those handlebars and go for the giggity gold. Slim, straight and strong - here I come!

THE (new, improved) PLAN:

Workin’ on my fitness:

• Workouts with Tiger, my personal trainer, 3x/week
• Shredding it with Jilian 3x/week
• 1 day of rest. And by ’rest’, I mean taking a healthy walk with Paco

Eat yo’ salad, no dessert:

• Go back to 6 mini-meals a day
• Exclude refined carbs as much as possible
• Make protein the focus of each meal
• Take daily prenatal vitamins and EFA supplements
• Limit Diet Coke to 2 per day, maximum
• Drink water like it’s Diet Coke
• Get my fiber on

I got some new reward stickers for my calendar, and have hung a few motivational notes around my house. I even resurrected an old favorite as a personal Flab to Fab Redux theme song. (Go ahead, try not to be motivated to move by that jam!)

To kick things back off, a brand new recipe!
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I’ve just completed weeks 2 & 3 of the brown dress plan. I have to say, week 1 was much easier, but 2 & 3 weren’t bad. I learned a few things that I hope will get me through weeks 5, 6, and 100.

My goals were:

1. Spin class twice a week
2. Eating breakfast every morning
3. Weights and abs an hour a week
4. Additional hour of cardio

How’d I do?

1. Spin class twice a week - week 2: 1 spin class, week 3: no spin classes
2. Eating breakfast every morning : check
3. Weights and abs an hour a week : check
4. Additional hour of cardio : week 2: 2 hours, week 3: 3.5 hours

I also managed to get in 2 yoga classes both weeks and a little extra walking in during week 3, since spring has finally come to Seattle. I wasn’t as good with the walking to the grocery store part of the plan, but it did teach me some lessons.

My first lesson learned was all about planning.
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I’ve noticed that in a lot of places I’ve lived, eating healthy costs a lot more than eating unhealthy. Poultry and lean pork always costs more than fattier beef and pork cuts. Fresh vegetables cost more than instant mashed potatoes or boxes of mac and cheese. I know there are exceptions like tofu (always cheap and yummy) and frozen vegetables (the price has gone up), but on the whole, making low-cal meal can cost more than just buying junk.

Since I’m trying to get back to being healthy and feeling good about my body, I’ve been trying to eat healthy and exercise more. I’m finding that’s easier said than done on a budget. I think I’m lucky because I live near a really great produce stand where I can get fresh fruit and vegetables really cheaply, but I know others out there aren’t so lucky. It’s hard to justify the $3 tomato when you are living paycheck to paycheck or cutting corners on your wedding because of the budget. OK, that may be a little dramatic, but you get the picture.

image

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I was tested this week. I’m hanging in there, but it’s been a rough go.

My job situation has devolved into a very unfair and uncomfortable situation, which put a major strain on my emotions and sapped my energy last weekend. Basically, they hired me on for a low-skill and equally low-pay job, and immediately shepherded me into a higher skill position at the same hourly rate. It feels a lot like a bait and switch. I stood up for myself, but there’s not much I can do. I can’t quit, as I can’t afford it. It’s a catch 22.

The moment things got stressful, I immediately started to feel the old patterns creep in. I spent 2 nights overeating. It started out innocently - a little sugary cereal here, a low-fat brownie there, but it quickly spiraled into an unhealthy, frantic, “binge-y” feeling that I know all too well.

The timing corresponded with Tiger being out of town, so I had a 4-day lag between workouts. I should have picked myself up and Shredded or something, but instead I stewed in my juices, ate, and felt lazy, helpless and frustrated.

The good news is, this time I realized early on how destructive it was. How it wasn’t comforting or cozy. Not even a little. It made me feel bloated and uncomfortable, and embarrassed and tired - but it also strengthened my resolve to fight.
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I’ve received a few comments/emails about how much people are enjoying my healthy recipes (aww, shucks) and requesting more, and who am I to deny the people what they want, nay, deserve?

So, today I’m going to share a few of my recent favorites for the budget bride with a yen to whittle her waistline. And away we go!

Mushroom Stroganoff (and keep it off!)

• 1 package fettucini-style Shirataki noodles, drained
• 1 can condensed, reduced-sodium light cream of mushroom soup
• 1 package mushrooms, sliced (I like crimini or portobello style best)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 diced chicken breasts, or 1 package faux chicken strips (unbreaded).
• Salt, pepper, red pepper to taste
• A few splashes skim milk or unsweetened soy milk
• 1 splash soy sauce

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For the past couple of months I have been taking better care of myself and have been trying to prioritize my health and skincare (e.g. cutting out nasty habits like eating junk food and falling asleep with make-up on, increasing my workouts to every other day, and finally starting to take vitamins daily). I have been so busy worrying about myself (how vain!) that I forgot about poor, little ol’ Mr. G!

Mr. G is an accountant, and as every accountant out there knows, it is currently “busy season”. (That wonderful time of year from late January to May when Mr. G works ridiculous hours and I’m lucky if I see him at all during the week.) The high work stress, wedding worries, and everything else, has taken its toll on Mr. G. He has less motivation to work out and has gained about 5 pounds (darn those company provided meals!). His skin has paid a price and he has been suffering from mini-breakouts and stress zits. The list goes on.

Now that we are about 4 months from the big day, I want Mr. G to feel healthy and look his best, too. Plus, I feel bad that he is working SO hard and his health pays the price. We have had a few conversations about how he can make some improvements. His main issue is weight loss, and he wants to lose 15 pounds by June. Here is the plan we’ve come up with thus far.

Diet
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Ahhh, the 2-month mark. And as I write this, I am exactly 3 months from the wedding - eeeep!

This week has been a breeze. I actually feel kind of guilty about how easy it’s been. I’m in a great routine of working out 3 times a week, looking forward to it, and feeling amazing afterward. I’ve been feeling so much strength in the diet department - and even when I slip up, I forgive and move on, making sure to even it out by eating lighter the next day, or toss in some extra cardio. I’ve been giving myself a bit more leeway on the weekends, which keeps me from feeling deprived, but honestly, I’m pulled more toward healthy options and have less interest in the naughty stuff. Best of all? I’m slimmer, straighter, and stronger than I’ve been since grad school!

I gots ta keep it real, though. If it weren’t for my personal trainer, I wouldn’t be nearly as successful. I might even be heavier, due to the stress I’m under lately. I simply lack the motivation, skill, knowledge and tools to keep myself going, make my workouts pack as much punch, and keep variety involved so I’m not bored. Plus, she’s the ultimate accountability buddy. If I don’t show, if I don’t push myself, I’m wasting her time as well as mine.

I know trainers are a huge expense… but there are lots of ways to work one into your life, regardless of your budget.
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I haven’t updated you guys much lately on my progress with my diet/fitness plan. I got down to 247 lbs. last Thursday, bringing my weight loss to 18 lbs. However, I decided since last weekend was Valentine’s weekend, I wouldn’t sweat the calories so much and just enjoy it! After the Mexican food Friday night and the Beef Wellington that I made for V-day night, I gained two lbs back and am sitting at 249. Did I mention my lazy booty didn’t see the gym from last Wednesday to this Wednesday? I’m not bummed about this. I told myself to enjoy the weekend and I did! I can still stare at my paper clip chain holding 16 paper clips. (The one at work is spanning across my bulletin board! It feels awesome!!)

Now, this weekend is Mardi Gras weekend, and as you know, that stands for Fat Tuesday. This will be me over the weekend!!

Note: I wasn’t engaged at this point…the ring on my right hand is a $7 piece of costume jewelry that I would switch on my left finger in the rare event some weirdo hit on me.

Ok, ok. Just kidding you guys!!
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Holy moly, y’all I lost 6 pounds! HooodeyHoooo!

I couldn’t believe it. Yes, I’ve been kicking it up a couple notches since I got back on the horse after being away from working out for a couple of weeks. Yes, I’ve been absolutely killin’ it on the healthy eating tip. But one is never quite prepared for success, is one?

I’m also quite pleased to report that my dress fitting was MAGICAL. When I tried on the sample last May, it was like squeezing a sausage into a casing. I was spilling out all over the place. No bueno. But Saturday, it went on like a glove! I was so thrilled, because it’s very difficult to keep perspective of my body from one week to the next, let alone from May 2008 to February 09! I still love my dress beyond expression, and can’t quite believe that it’s being built as I type!

While I looked much better in the dress, seeing my bare areas really helped kick in my “now or never” instinct about getting SSS (slim, straight and strong) before May. It was just the added pressure I needed, and when mixed with the confidence boost I got from trying on the sample again, I’ve been really feeling in charge of my body and loving it.

The Workouts:

Tues, Thurs, Mon - sessions with Tiger, my fitness goddess.

Saturday - danced my ass off at a funk party, and walked a mile home.

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Ever since Mr. Dragon and I began planning our wedding, I have been using our wedding as an excuse, er, kick-in-the-pants to lose weight and get in shape. I have been doing this the healthy way, using Weight Watchers and exercising about four times a week. Generally, this method has been working pretty well for me. I like Weight Watchers because it is simple, easy to follow, and it’s not a diet (even though the name might lead you to think otherwise!). When I follow Weight Watchers, I get all of my daily recommended servings of dairy, fruits, veggies, and water. I also lose weight - bonus!! Today, I looked at my Weight Watchers progress chart, and I have lost thirteen pounds since August. That might not seem like a lot… but I am proud of myself!

My goal is to lose ten more pounds by my first dress fitting, but my weight loss has stalled out - it’s The Dreaded Plateau, friends! Dun, dun, dun.

I AM thirty, so I knew losing weight at all was going to be tougher than if I were younger, but…. I just know I can get it off. I am not the fastest runner among my friends, so I know I can do better in that department. I still make a number of poor food choices, so I know I can do better there, too. I have about eleven weeks until my first fitting, so that weight needs to start droppin’!

So far, these are the things that have helped me the most in my weight loss:
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I know, I know. You’re all, “What the eff? Where’s weeks 4 and 5? Wha’ happen?”*

Well, I will tell ya. Not a lot of exercise, that’s what. But not without cause, my lovelies.

First, I was out of town for MaPo’s wedding. In week 3, I mentioned hoping to exercise a bit over the vaca, but no dice, mostly because I was running around like crazy in Maid-of-Honor mode. I did, however, get a few really long walks and one crazy night of dancing in, which made me feel less like of a lump. But, the breakthrough was: I managed to control myself with the foods! I ate what I wanted, stopped when I felt full (rather than when my plate, and maybe a 2nd, were clean), and I was gentle with myself about it! Holla.

Second, I got the aforementioned black death at the end of the trip, which disabled me for all of last week, and whoa, I hope you all are taking your vitamins and eating your veggies, because that’s one nasty-ass bug going around. The good news is that being sick is a natural appetite suppressant, so I think I might have lost any gained weight from the trip. Gotta love nature, eh?

So, today I’m back on the horse with a game plan.
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In the interest of looking my best for the wedding, as well as for everyday health in general, I’ve been more conscious of my daily routine. There are a few things that I would like to concentrate on in the spirit of staying healthy and toning up.

The #1 area I am toning? Arms. I was a competitive swimmer, and looking back at pictures from then? WOW. My arms were sculpted. Not bulky, as I have very long arms, but seriously toned. While my gym has a 50m pool, chlorine does NOT agree with my dry skin in these bitter Chicago winters. The 100 Push-Up Challenge seems to be pretty popular around here (and is great for those who don’t belong to a gym). I, however, can only do 6 “real” push-ups. I’ve been doing a minimum of 40 “girlie” push-ups after every cardio workout (30 minutes on the elliptical), so am readying myself for the real challenge. I have another easy triceps toning exercise that doesn’t require going to the gym. I use 5-pound weights, but if you don’t have these, pick up a bottle of wine! No, not to drink your sorrows away—it’s the perfect shape to fit in your hand and is a great weight for toning!

After having trouble trying to explain the steps, I found these great instructions:
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I feel fat today, and I want to sob.

I guess I should have knocked some wood, because right after my last post on the Flab to Fab series, I was tested and I failed. Sorry to be less than inspiring, but I just have to be honest.

Let’s start with the bad news.

The Food:
It all started last Tuesday, at buffet #1. Buffets are an overeater’s biggest enemy. Being a broke overeater makes it even harder to resist. I mean, c’mon, a seemingly endless sea of gourmet goodies… for free? I ate way too much. Worse, as I was eating, I knew it was wrong. “You don’t need that cake,” I’d say to myself, “you’re not even hungry!” But still I ate it, with shame in my heart. It was the most powerless I’ve felt in the 3 weeks since making this wed-solution. I really let myself down.

So, you’d think I’d learn from it, right? Hold on, as I take you on my downward spiral of diet despair.

Next came my birthday last Friday.
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I realized in reading comments from my last post, that I haven’t really discussed with y’all how I am changing my life towards a healthier lifestyle.

I am taking very small steps here, because cold turkey just never works for me. I haven’t had an ounce of soda since October, so that was something that I didn’t have to really give up. Trust me soda drinkers; it’s not that bad to give it up and you actually begin to CRAVE water. The thought of those burpy bubbles going in my system isn’t so appealing anymore.

Here are some things I’ve changed:

Image source (Aren’t these just the cutest??)

* 64 oz. of water everyday. I bought a Sigg bottle to be more eco-friendly, so we don’t buy water bottles as much! (I’m way less tired and hungry doing this!!)
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I gained a lot of weight over the past month with all the holiday festivities and my trip to New Orleans (the food there is just too delicious!).  I only took one pair of jeans to New Orleans (I’m a light packer), and I quickly realized that they didn’t fit after my first big meal.  I had to use a trick that Mrs. Butterfly taught me when she was pregnant – you loop a hair elastic through the buttonhole and wrap it around the button.  That gives you at least an extra inch of breathing room!

With the new year and new resolutions, I’ve drastically changed my diet and am trying to lose weight the healthy way.  I’m eating lots of chicken, fish, and veggies, drinking obscene amounts of room temperature lemon water (I’ve heard that room temperature water is somehow better for you), and I’ve completely cut out alcohol (my biggest vice).  I’ve already lost 4 pounds!  I’ve been exercising 3-4 times a week for the past 7 months, but I didn’t drop a single pound until I finally changed my diet.

There has been one positive benefit from gaining weight however — my boobs got bigger!  But now that I’m on this healthy path to losing weight, is there any way to lose the weight but keep the boobs?!  Is it truly the first place to go, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?!