Summer Challenge -- Week 13

This is the last week of the Summer Challenge.  Today the scale reads 212.6, up 3 from last week.  Am I mad? No.  Monday I was at 216, so I am pleased that things are coming back to normal.  I am really working hard to get back to that 209 and eventually get out of the 200's. If I stick to my guns, I can do this by Oct. and work from there.  I am getting my Back to School challenge details sorted out stay tuned!

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Thank You + Summer Challenge Week 12

First of all, thank you so much for all your well wishes on my birthday. I guess I never really thought of myself as special for travelling to all those places I listed, but in reading your comments I realize that I am truly blessed to have seen and experienced places in the world that many will only see through the eyes of others.

 Yesterday was a great day!  I got a massage, had breakfast with a friend and dinner with the family. When I got home I was greeted by this:

An Edible Arrangement!

Sent to me by one of my best friends!  I was so surprised!  I have only tried these at school when a parent has purchased one for the staff.  There were chocolate covered strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple and melon.  Can you see the 30 cut out of pineapple on the top?  So creative.

A touching note was also included:

Dear Haneefa,

Just a little something to brighten your special birthday!  Hope you enjoy your day.  You are such a kind person and really deserve all that you dream of.  Your friendship means alot to me and I am grateful to have you in my life.

Love, A

I could not thank her enough for this fantastic gift.  I am so blessed to have wonderful friends.

Yesterday, I weighted myself, because I knew that I was going to be celebrating my bday, so this number is YESTERDAY'S weight, is that cheating?  Maybe, but it makes me feel better and that is what counts right?

209.6

Wow!  A new low!  What a wonderful birthday present.  This puts me at an total loss of 62.2!  EXCELLENT!

Can I just add that restaurants are trying to keep us fat?  We went out to eat yesterday to this ribs restaurant and the ribs come with either french fries, baked potato or mashed potatoes.  I ask for vegetables, waiter says it will be 2$ more.  My mom asks for a salad instead of a soup, waited says 5$ more, but I can give it to you for 2$.  WHY??????

I am heading to a bachelorette party tomorrow, for the wedding that I am going to at the beginning of Sept.  We are going to be doing pole dancing lessons!  Woooohoooo!

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Summer Challenge -- Week 11

This week I am at 214.6 up 2 from last Friday.  This sucks, but I have to remind myself that I was away and not eating/working out the way I am used to.  My birthday is in less than a week and alas I will not make my goal of 200 pounds, but I did put up a damn good fight.  This week, I am going to try my best to stick to plan and not indulge.  I am also on my period so that does not help at all.

The race is on Sunday and I really hope that I can beat my last race time of 37:37.  I am aiming for 35 minutes.  I am going for the 8 K run today, yesterday I did a 5 K and I must admit that I felt really tired at times.

I have received a few blog awards and I will touch on those this weekend.

Have a great day.

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Summer Challenge--Week 10

This is quick, cause I am typing this while I am at the hotel.  Weigh in today 212.6, that is up 1.6 from last week , but I have to admit that my eating has been weak.  I am going to try my best while I am away.  You know when you know that you have lost alot of weight , yet you still look at yourself and realize that there is SO much more to work on?  That is how I feel today.*SIGH*  Nothing that I can do, but be the best me that I can be (I just reread that and it sounds uber cheesy)

Have a great weekend.

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Summer Challenge-- Week 9

Sorry, I have been MIA, internet difficulties.  I do not have a pic of the scale this week.  I weighed in at 211.  Down 0.8. Good stuff.

I haven't posted any new workout songs in a few weeks, so this week I have TWO for you.  The first one is by Shakira and was part of the World Cup.



Great beat and very catchy.  The second is a song I overheard online, I LOVE THIS SONG, even though it is not typically what I would listen to, I know a good song when I hear one! It is called Like A G6 by Far East Movement.

 

My friend picked up the Caribana costumes and said that they do not leave much to the imagination,YIKES!

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Summer Challenge -- Week 8

Week 8, wow.

Yeah!  Down 1.2! What more can I ask for?  I think that I need to eat a bit more food, I am going to try that this week and see if I get better results, as for my goals:

1.Lose 25 pounds (193.8) CHECK! Down this week, for a total of 7 pounds lost. I made it to 211, now let's get to 210 and out of the teens. This is VERY exciting.

2. Try a new physical activity each week CHECK! I went to Aqua Fitness yesterday and let me tell you that it is not a joke.  When you are doing bicep curls in the water, you REALLY feel it. I was sweating in the pool!  I didn't even think that was possible.  I really enjoyed it, so I signed up for the rest of the 7 weeks ( it was only 20$)  I can also take the class on Tuesdays, but that is for beginners (I figure I can push myself)

3. Make a new healthy recipe each week CHECK! Had my BBQ tofu.

A truly great week.

Fat girls are at the butt of all jokes, I realized this at the comedy show last night.  No matter what you race, they always have to throw in something about the "fat friend".  Can you hook me up with one of your hot friends?  Not the fat one.  I guess it can be funny, but, it hits a nerve, because in many circles, I am the fat friend.

This weekend, I am heading to the spa with some girlfriends for one girl's 30th.  Yeah!  The meals are all included, so I hope that they will have some healthy choices, I will bring along alot of healthy snacks (almonds, dried cranberries, I will even bring some cherries)

Have a great weekend!

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Summer Challenge --Week 7

Yeah!  I am down 1.2! I swear it is because of the heat, I am melting away.  I am very happy with these results and hopefully, next week I will continue the trend an see 212 or even 211.  When I am at 211.8 that will mean I have lost 60 pounds, can you believe that? It has been 2 years and 3 months that I have been working at this and it is paying off. 60 pounds; that is alot of weight.  Yet, I still feel like the same ol' me.

This week's goals, let us review:

1.Lose 25 pounds (193.8) CHECK! Down this week, don't think I am going to lose 25 pounds on this challenge, since we only have 6 weeks left. Just by the math, I will probably loss another 5, for a loss of 10 which is not bad.  I am not going to give up though.  I wanted to be at 212 THIS week, I am 213, close, so close.

2. Try a new physical activity each week FAIL! This wasn't really my fault, I went to the Aquafitness class yesterday and guess what; it starts NEXT Thursday, groan.

3. Make a new healthy recipe each week FAIL!  I tried to make some muffins, they came out tasting more like scones, so I will not even tell you about that, it doesn't count.

All in all I am happy with how this week turned out.  I have a few BBQs on the weekend and I will stick to bringing fruit (watermelon is the best) and I usually have my burgers without the buns.  Carbs and I don't really go well together, so I save them for things I REALLY like (sushi).

Have a great weekend!

 

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Summer Challenge--Week 6

Week 6? Already!  Well after all I have been through this week, this is what the scale said

Yeah!  Down only 0.4, but at least it was not a gain.  Next week I need to go down further 212 is really what I want to see.

Let's review how I did with this weeks goals:

1.Lose 25 pounds (193.8) CHECK! Down this week, barely. Last week I wanted to be at 212 THIS week, so i will have to hope for that for NEXT WEEK.

2. Try a new physical activity each week CHECK! 5K is tomorrow, picked up my number and I am ready!  Didn't make it to Aqua Fitness this week, but I will try for next week.  Might also be in the mood for some Hot Yoga.

3. Make a new healthy recipe each week CHECK! I made Carrot Oatmeal muffins for our breakfast party at work, yummy!

Scale is going in the right direction, but I want to have less fluctuations during the week.  Tonight I am going to a vegetarian Thai restaurant for a friend's birthday and Monday I have a sushi lunch date with a friend.  The rest will be clean.  Remember when I was taking about eating raw for a day, my local health food store puts out a monthly magazine and in this issue they have a whole section on raw food!  I think I will try one next week and I will let you know.

Have a great weekend and to all my American bloggers, HAPPY 4th of JULY!

30 Day Shred is coming along nicely, I cannot believe that Level 2 is almost done!

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Summer Challenge--Week 5

Down 2 from last week, good stuff. This is a new low! Yeah!

Let's review how I did with this weeks goals:

1.Lose 25 pounds (193.8) CHECK! Down this week!  Woot Woot! Goal is to be down next week also, if I can do this I will be ecstatic--212 or lower next week that is the goal

2. Try a new physical activity each week CHECK! Did the 5K walk and I am going to a Zumba class tomorrow, I haven't done Zumba in so long and the class is with my favorite teacher.  Next week, I am going to try some Aqua Fitness classes, will keep you posted.

3. Make a new healthy recipe each week CHECK! I made these banana, cranberry, almond muffins and they were delicious.  Here is the recipe:

 Banana Cranberry Almond Muffins

2 cups whole wheat four

2 tbsp sugar (I did one sugar, one stevia--natural sweetener)

3 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 egg beaten

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup milk

3 bananas (they were going bad) but in reality you only need about 1 cup

Handful of almonds ground

Handful of dried cranberries

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  Stir together.  Make a wheel at the centre.  In a medium sized bowl, beat egg until frothy.  Mix in butter, milk, bananas, cranberries and almonds.  Pour into wheel.  Stir only to moisten.  Batter will be lumpy.  Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400F oven for 20-25 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  remove from pan.  Serve warm, makes about 12-16 muffins.

For the first time since I started this challenge I have complete all the goals that I have set for myself.  I am happy about the weight loss, but I feel as if it could have been more.  I woke up this morning feeling very bloated and I am sure that it is from the Lebanese food that I had for dinner last night.  I am delighted that I am so close to my 211 goal and I hope that I can reach that by next week.
 
Summer is here and this means that I will need to revisit my summer resolutions.  Jazz Festival starts today so I will have to go downtown and check out a few of the free shows.
 
Started Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred and everything was going well until those damn front raises and chair sits.  I have come to the conclusion that my shoulders are very weak.  We then had to do plank jumping jacks which I had to stop and side twists that were a biatch.  Wow, Level 2 is not a joke,wish me luck.

Have a great weekend!

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Summer Challenge--Week 4

Boo, up 1.4 from last week, I think I need to start going back to the gym, Jillian is just not enough for me.  I am still down from the beginning of this challenge,  but 2 pounds in four weeks is kind of sad.  I really need to step up my game for next week's weigh in.  I am so close to my mini goal of 211 and I want to get there ASAP!  I need another 4 pound week!

Let's review how I did with this weeks goals:

1.Lose 25 pounds (193.8) FAIL!  Up this week (can there ever be two weeks that I am down in a row?That will be the goal for the next two weigh in's)
2. Try a new physical activity each week CHECK! Sort of.  I signed up for the 5K!  There is no turning back now! Another teacher at work who has signed up for a half marathon in the fall might do it with me, so that will be great to have someone by my side. Also signing up for some aqua fit classes that will start in 2 weeks!  So excited!
3. Make a new healthy recipe each week FAIL!

One out of three not so hot.  I feel really good though, I am not going to let this get me down, I am going to keep pushing.  I am really also really close to 200, which I have never seen before (203 is the smallest number I have seen on a scale). This weekend I have to finish correcting my exams and get the report cards together, so I will be working all weekend. I can make this happen!

30 Day Shred will have to be done later today.  Keep a look out for notes on that!

 Have a great weekend!

P.S.  THANK YOU all for all your wonderful comments on the Prom Night pics!  It is just the drive I need to keep going! Compliments always put a big smile on my face!

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Summer Challenge--Week 3

Yeah!  Down 4!  I am so happy!

Let's review how I did with this weeks goals:

1. Lose 25 pounds (193.8) CHECK! Lost 4, so I am on my way!


2. Try a new physical activity each week FAIL!  Boxing gym idea did not work out, aqua fitness is in the cards in a few weeks, but until then I will have to find something.


3. Make a new healthy recipe each week CHECK! I made some delicious sweet potato fries and homemade ice tea with fresh ginger and fresh mint.

Two out of three not bad.  Tomorrow is my Mom's bday, so we will be going out to eat, I will have to be very good.  I want this momentum to keep going!

Have a great weekend!

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Summer Challenge -- Week 2

Boo, up 3.4.  But that is what end of year parties with cakes and chocolates will do to you.  Time to get back on track!  Next week I am down, down , down , down ,down!

Let's review how I did with this weeks goals:

1. Lose 25 pounds (193.8) FAIL! Since I am up this isn't going so hot...

2. Try a new physical activity each week CHECK! Joined the running clinic, for next week there is a new boxing gym that opened and I got a free one week pass in the mail. EXCITING!

3. Make a new healthy recipe each week FAIL!  Cut some out but didn't make them

I have signed up for not 1 but 2 activities with the running clinic and I am very excited:

1. 5K Walk on June 23

2. 20 Minute Challenge July 21

In other news, I went to the surgeon today and I will definitely have to have my thyroid removed.  The good news (I guess) is that due to the summer schedules I will not have a date for the surgery but it should be in about 8 weeks.  At least I can enjoy some of the summer without worrying.

Take Care!

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Summer Challenge Week 1 and Wearing All Black

See what happens when you follow what you are suppose to do?!?  Down 3!  I am so happy about this.   I do have a few challenges this weekend that I am afraid of:

1.  Tomorrow is a Girl's Night Out at a Chinese restaurant (sodium!) and then Sex and The City 2.

2.  Sunday, I am going to an event called Taste of the Caribbean.  I went  last year at it was phenomenal.  Chefs from various islands in the West Indies are brought to showcase their food as well as various Caribbean restaurants in the area.  There will also be music and performances.  All you can eat for 50$.

I have been hitting the gym extra hard and have been pumping the weights with a new routine which I will try and post later.

On a side note can I just say that 4 people commented on my weigh today at work and I think that it is because I was wearing all black.  I really feel that when I wear all black people notice more than other times.

Have a great weekend!  To all my American bloggers Happy Memorial Day!

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Summer Challenge: Let's Do This!

Due to some computer problems, I could only get this up today

Weighed in Tuesday morning:

218.8.  I have no idea why the pic is rotated.

New Goals:

1. Lose 25 pounds (193.8)

2. Try a new physical activity each week

3.  Make a new healthy recipe each week

Wish me luck!

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Summer Challenge

Desperately Seeking Thin is having a Summer Challenge and I am so down!  If you want to join click on the link and check it out.  The challenge runs from May 24- Aug 23.  I count 13 weeks.  I have lost 20 pounds in 17 weeks so let's shoot for the moon and try and lose 20 pounds.

Challenge Goals:

1. Lose 20 pounds
2. Take a picture of the scale each Friday (weigh in) and post

When I get my weight next Monday I will start a ticker!  Yeah Challenge! (Let's say I am still at 218, I will be 198, damn, I have never in ONEderland!)


Got to go watch Celebrity Apprentice!

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