I warned you that this was going to be a bad week since I was getting sick. It wasn't my worst case scenario, but I did gain 1.2 pounds. A lot of that is due to Germaine throwing a party on Sunday and she always has the best dishes!
If you watch The Biggest Loser, you will know that Sunshine lost six pounds and is now at 202. I know I won't be able to keep up with her weight-loss, but I am certainly going to keep at my own personal goal.
My bridesmaid dress comes in on April 17th, and I am hoping to fit into the dress by then. I will have to lose at least 10 pounds in order for the top to fit, and I think I can manage that. Lauren let me borrow her Kim Kardashian workout DVD, so hopefully Kim can work me into a Bridesmaid dress by the 17th!
On that note, I have to finally say that I do not recommend Jenny McCarthy's Wii workout. I gave her a chance and she isn't doing it for me. She does basically all the same movements day after day, no matter what part of the body you chose to work out. Plus, after her yelling at me for not doing the exercise properly, I got kudos after I walked out to grab water, "That's it! You are doing great!" I figure that was her way of saying that I was better off not doing her DVD.
Weight: 209.2 lbs.
Reason for Weight-Loss: John agreed to give me $500 towards a new wardrobe if I lost 50 pounds! Don't worry, he isn't a total d-bag ... this was my suggestion to him so that I could motivate myself to lose weight. This deal has been going on since July 2009. Since our agreement, I have lost a whopping 3.8 pounds (John and I made the agreement when I was at 213 pounds. I should've thought of it when I was 230!).
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Stuff I Love
First, let me share with you a wonderful new blogger - my bestie, Germaine! When I first started my blog, I suggested that she start one herself because she is just a funny gal. So I am super excited that she actually decided to start one! She has some posts up and it is already looking to be very promising!
Next subject: SHOPPING!
If any of you know about this new find of mine and never told me about it, then I am not sure that we can be friends anymore. I had to hear about from TMZ (she says as she drops her head down in shame). If you haven't met yet, let me introduce you to Mod Cloth. Sadly, I am still livin' too large to fit in their clothing, but their shoes and accessories will work just fine!
I have been told that I am only allowed to wear bows for another two years (oh! the pain of turning 30!), so I am pretty sure I need this:
Next subject: SHOPPING!
If any of you know about this new find of mine and never told me about it, then I am not sure that we can be friends anymore. I had to hear about from TMZ (she says as she drops her head down in shame). If you haven't met yet, let me introduce you to Mod Cloth. Sadly, I am still livin' too large to fit in their clothing, but their shoes and accessories will work just fine!
I have been told that I am only allowed to wear bows for another two years (oh! the pain of turning 30!), so I am pretty sure I need this:
And I am positive that I absolutely NEED this beauty!
Now if only I could convince the money fairy that I need an extra $129.99 for Rainbow Bright shoes. Does anyone have her number?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Weigh-In ... Thursday???
Yes, I missed my Weigh-In Wednesday yesterday. No, not because I was avoiding the scale. I have a very legitimate excuse - I woke up with 20 minutes to get ready for work. Weighing myself was the last thing I thought about when I ripped the covers off and flew out of bed.
Even though I didn't weigh myself yesterday, I kind of knew how much I weighed. See, I have a pair of pants that fit me - for the most part. Like most people, I fluctuate within five pounds of my current weight. For some reason, when I wear these pants, they fit just that much snugger in certain areas when I gain 3-5 pounds, and they fit just that much looser when I lose 3-5 pounds. Yesterday, I went on a walk during my lunch and I noticed that my pants were a little loser. One pound. That is what I told my buddy, Lauren. She laughed at me, but didn't distrust the accuracy of my magic pants.
Lo and behold, I step on the scale today and whaddya know, I lost exactly one point zero pounds. Thank you magic pants.
Weight: 208 lbs.
Reason for Weight-Loss: I am the same weight as Sunshine from The Biggest Loser. I am hoping to keep up with her weight-loss from now on. I am getting sick, so maybe it is a bad plan this week.
Even though I didn't weigh myself yesterday, I kind of knew how much I weighed. See, I have a pair of pants that fit me - for the most part. Like most people, I fluctuate within five pounds of my current weight. For some reason, when I wear these pants, they fit just that much snugger in certain areas when I gain 3-5 pounds, and they fit just that much looser when I lose 3-5 pounds. Yesterday, I went on a walk during my lunch and I noticed that my pants were a little loser. One pound. That is what I told my buddy, Lauren. She laughed at me, but didn't distrust the accuracy of my magic pants.
Lo and behold, I step on the scale today and whaddya know, I lost exactly one point zero pounds. Thank you magic pants.
Weight: 208 lbs.
Reason for Weight-Loss: I am the same weight as Sunshine from The Biggest Loser. I am hoping to keep up with her weight-loss from now on. I am getting sick, so maybe it is a bad plan this week.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Behind the Times
I have never done Pilates (which my mom pronounces as "Pie-laits" - she is so cute!) so don't know much about it. I tried the DVD for the first time last week.
First off, I think I would be better suited for a boot camp type of regime where I am constantly yelled at. Because this lady's soothing, soft way of speaking just about put me to sleep. However, I did learn one thing from attempting to do these exercises: I am severely uncoordinated. Severly. To the point that I may qualify for disability. No joke. It is physically impossible for me to breathe according to the Pilates way. And during the introduction, they emphasized how important the breathing and posture is. Basically, if you can't breathe properly and align your body correctly, this whole workout will be useless.
I tried. Really, I tried. And I failed. The ball will again be used as a seat or for my daughter to kick around the house.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Are You Wearing Your Green?
Well, just a note to say Happy Guinness - ahem - I mean, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
When dropping my daughter off at daycare, there was a boy that was not wearing any green. One of the girls looks at him and says, "You're supposed to wear green today. If you're not wearing green, you will get punched!"
My how the rules have changed since I was in elementary school.
Weigh-In Wednesday #10
No change this week. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Better than gaining, right?
I actually worked out really hard to the point that my body was sore this entire week. And let's not forget AIRobics! So, if I really worked out that hard, why didn't I lose any weight? Let me introduce you to Brooklyn Brothers Pizza. Now, let me clarify that I like pizza, but it wouldn't be in my top ten foods to eat before I die. But goodness gracious, Brooklyn Brothers really knows how to make a pizza! And their pizza would certainly be on that list.
Knowing that I was going to eat pizza for lunch, I went to the gym on Sunday morning and worked out for a little over two hours. Throughout the day on Sunday, I managed to eat six slices of their Bowery pizza. SIX SLICES. Normally, after I eat poorly, I regret it and say that it wasn't worth it. Sorry, fellow dieters, it was totally worth every pound not lost.
Weight: 209 lbs.
Reason for weight-loss: Kicking your own stomach while on the stationary bike is so not sexy.
I actually worked out really hard to the point that my body was sore this entire week. And let's not forget AIRobics! So, if I really worked out that hard, why didn't I lose any weight? Let me introduce you to Brooklyn Brothers Pizza. Now, let me clarify that I like pizza, but it wouldn't be in my top ten foods to eat before I die. But goodness gracious, Brooklyn Brothers really knows how to make a pizza! And their pizza would certainly be on that list.
Knowing that I was going to eat pizza for lunch, I went to the gym on Sunday morning and worked out for a little over two hours. Throughout the day on Sunday, I managed to eat six slices of their Bowery pizza. SIX SLICES. Normally, after I eat poorly, I regret it and say that it wasn't worth it. Sorry, fellow dieters, it was totally worth every pound not lost.
Weight: 209 lbs.
Reason for weight-loss: Kicking your own stomach while on the stationary bike is so not sexy.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Trampoline Fiend!
Dull workout routine? Try something outside the box.
We have found the funnest workout EVER! Trampoline AIRobics! Sky High Sports in Bellevue is a trampoline arena. You need to seriously check out the gallery on their website and you might understand how much fun I had last night. It was an hour long class of sweat, laughter, some pain, and pure childhood fun.
I haven't been on a trampoline for at least the last fifteen years. I am a scaredy cat, which is why I have never done any sports or ever been athletic. I am afraid of basketballs, baseballs, footballs, soccer balls ... you get the picture: No team sports for me.
But OMG, this was such a fun time and anyone can do it! Well, at least anyone 10-years-old or older. But you don't have to be an athlete in any way, shape, or form. The moment that I stepped onto the trampoline, I was stiff and scared. I couldn't do the simple jump, land on your bottom, push up with your hands, then land on your feet. I watched my two friends, Lauren and Germaine, have no issues with this routine. I paused and watched them to see how I could emulate their movements. The major difference I noticed was that they were relaxed and not stiff. The second difference I noticed was that they were full on landing on their bottoms. I was too scared to land on my bum that I would angle forward instead of back, causing me to land first with my heels, then legs, then finally bottom. By the time I had landed, there wasn't any momentum left to land back up on my feet. So I wiggled out the stiffness and I went for it, and I did it! It was a small feat at the time, but it really helped me for the duration of the class. The key was really to relax and just jump with abandon!
There were two breaks during the class. By the time the first break came around, I had sweat dripping down my face! That hasn't happened in forever either. On the days that I go to the gym, I always end up doing an hour of the elliptical, the cross-trainer, or a bike/treadmill combination. Since no one is pushing me to go! go! go!, I tend to do just enough to keep my heart rate up. Plus, let's face it, an hour of the same machine is monotonous and B-O-R-I-N-G. But AIRobics was awesome because I was working out harder than I do at the gym without even noticing it. My mentality was that I was playing, not doing cardio.
Hopefully you can find something like this in your area, because it is really worth it!
We have found the funnest workout EVER! Trampoline AIRobics! Sky High Sports in Bellevue is a trampoline arena. You need to seriously check out the gallery on their website and you might understand how much fun I had last night. It was an hour long class of sweat, laughter, some pain, and pure childhood fun.
I haven't been on a trampoline for at least the last fifteen years. I am a scaredy cat, which is why I have never done any sports or ever been athletic. I am afraid of basketballs, baseballs, footballs, soccer balls ... you get the picture: No team sports for me.
But OMG, this was such a fun time and anyone can do it! Well, at least anyone 10-years-old or older. But you don't have to be an athlete in any way, shape, or form. The moment that I stepped onto the trampoline, I was stiff and scared. I couldn't do the simple jump, land on your bottom, push up with your hands, then land on your feet. I watched my two friends, Lauren and Germaine, have no issues with this routine. I paused and watched them to see how I could emulate their movements. The major difference I noticed was that they were relaxed and not stiff. The second difference I noticed was that they were full on landing on their bottoms. I was too scared to land on my bum that I would angle forward instead of back, causing me to land first with my heels, then legs, then finally bottom. By the time I had landed, there wasn't any momentum left to land back up on my feet. So I wiggled out the stiffness and I went for it, and I did it! It was a small feat at the time, but it really helped me for the duration of the class. The key was really to relax and just jump with abandon!
There were two breaks during the class. By the time the first break came around, I had sweat dripping down my face! That hasn't happened in forever either. On the days that I go to the gym, I always end up doing an hour of the elliptical, the cross-trainer, or a bike/treadmill combination. Since no one is pushing me to go! go! go!, I tend to do just enough to keep my heart rate up. Plus, let's face it, an hour of the same machine is monotonous and B-O-R-I-N-G. But AIRobics was awesome because I was working out harder than I do at the gym without even noticing it. My mentality was that I was playing, not doing cardio.
Hopefully you can find something like this in your area, because it is really worth it!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Weigh-In Wednesday #9
Oy vey. One week on, one week off - I gained 1.4 pounds. The working out four days a week has been a bit of a problem for me. I am barely doing two days a week. But I finally ripped open Jenny McCarthy's Your Shape for the Wii and tried it at 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning. Thanks to virtual Jenny, my quads were sore all day yesterday.
For those of you that don't know, Your Shape uses a camera instead of a board like the Wii Fit. Your image is displayed on the TV right next to virtual Jenny. Actually, it is a virtual image of Jenny, but it definitely isn't her voice. I am still brand new to this, so bear with my vague description. When you first start your personal profile, your body is scanned from the front and then on your side. A sillhouette of your body is created and then you can choose problem areas to either burn, strengthen, or tone. Not all of the areas allow you to tone, which was a little weird. After you have completed your profile, you can start your workout or put in workout goals for the future. You have the option to choose the length of your workout (15 minute increments), and which problem area you want to work on that day or go with virtual Jenny's suggestion. The good thing about this game is that you can incorporate your own free weights, stepper, or balance ball.
The down side is that the scene is really plain; like a blue background with Jenny to the left and you on the right. Come on now, give me at least some kind of outdoorsy scene, something nice to look at other than myself bouncing unattractively.
Weight: 209 lbs.
Reason for Weight-Loss: I bought my bridesmaid dress this past Saturday. I ordered it one size smaller than what I wear now. Dun, dun, dun!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Spur Gastropub
*Disclosure!!! By no means am I a culinary expert. I enjoy what I enjoy and I like to put in my two cents for, well, basically everything. So take this "review" with a grain of salt!
This past weekend, I went to a new restaurant. I love trying new places and love it even more when the restaurant is amazingly awesome. Trust me, Spur Gastropub was amazingly awesome.
Their menu is available on their blog and it changes each month, but it seems they have a few staples that stay on the menu. I went with two girlfriends and we split these four dishes from Spur's February menu:
Parmesan Gnocchi
parsnip. hedgehog mushroom. brussel sprout.
I didn't think to take pictures until I took my first bite. Or maybe the food was just that good that I knew I had to blog about it! So the picture is the Gnocchi dish three bites in. Oh holy deliciousness. My mouth was engulfed in yummy happiness! The gnocchi was a wonderful texture and size, it looked to be pan seared before being bathed in their lusciously light cream sauce. I could have eaten two bowls of this to myself and still not had enough. It was that good.
Steamed Mussels
Funny moment: we were so excited with how good our food was that when we saw a dish walk by we would check it out, you know, to see if it was taste-test worthy. Germaine spots a dish with a substantial amount of food on it and when the waitress walks by us, Germaine asks with unabashed excitement, "Excuse me, what was that?"
The waitress responds, "A side of fries."
Aah, yes, with all these delectable and intricate dishes before us, we covet the ultimate dish: a side of french fries.
This past weekend, I went to a new restaurant. I love trying new places and love it even more when the restaurant is amazingly awesome. Trust me, Spur Gastropub was amazingly awesome.
Their menu is available on their blog and it changes each month, but it seems they have a few staples that stay on the menu. I went with two girlfriends and we split these four dishes from Spur's February menu:
Parmesan Gnocchi
parsnip. hedgehog mushroom. brussel sprout.
I didn't think to take pictures until I took my first bite. Or maybe the food was just that good that I knew I had to blog about it! So the picture is the Gnocchi dish three bites in. Oh holy deliciousness. My mouth was engulfed in yummy happiness! The gnocchi was a wonderful texture and size, it looked to be pan seared before being bathed in their lusciously light cream sauce. I could have eaten two bowls of this to myself and still not had enough. It was that good.
Steamed Mussels
potato. leek. bacon.
This dish was good, but it was my least favorite of the four. My judgement, however, was compromised from their outstanding gnocchi. The sauce served with the mussels was good, if a bit salty. Definitely scrumptious enough for me to have left no shell unturned though.
Pork Belly Sliders
celery root. apple. mustard.
Oh. Good. God. The name really says it all. Who wouldn't like a crunchy square of pork belly sandwiched between two toasted mini buns? Top it off with a fruity glaze, and I am your love slave for eternity. Being Filipino, I know the combination of savory pork and sweet sauce is a match made in heaven, but I still was shocked at how yummy this dish really was when combining all the ingredients. Aah, that's amoré!
Sockeye Salmon Crostini
mascarpone. caper. pickled shallot.
Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the Salmon Crostini, which was as beautiful to the eye as it was to my tastebuds! It probably had something to do with the glass of wine I had finished. I am such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol - oh why can't that statement be true in relation to my weight? (says the girl blogging about food). Despite the generous amount of mascarpone, this dish was very light and almost summery feeling. My friend, Germaine, put it best when she said that she enjoyed this as our last dish because it was so fresh tasting. It cleaned up the palate from the meal." A perfect ending.
Funny moment: we were so excited with how good our food was that when we saw a dish walk by we would check it out, you know, to see if it was taste-test worthy. Germaine spots a dish with a substantial amount of food on it and when the waitress walks by us, Germaine asks with unabashed excitement, "Excuse me, what was that?"
The waitress responds, "A side of fries."
Aah, yes, with all these delectable and intricate dishes before us, we covet the ultimate dish: a side of french fries.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Weigh-In Wednesday #8
Slow and steady wins the race! I have dropped a very satisfying 3.2 pounds this week! My weight loss is surprising considering the Red Lobster biscuit excitement on Friday, the drinking and pork belly sandwiches on Saturday, the Costco pizza on Saturday (AND some leftovers on Sunday!), and the 800 calorie salad on Monday. How the heck did I lose any weight?
Thanks for asking, I would love to answer! First, I low-carbed it on Monday and Tuesday. I meant to do carb-free, but I just can't eat dinner without some kind of carb!
Second, I worked out really hard last Thursday and then yesterday too. I mean hardcore stuff. And I am not talking about just working out my body. My patience was tested for an hour last night at the gym.
I hopped on one of the elliptical machines located at the front of the gym, right in front of a wall of glass. Everything started out fine. Ten minutes into my workout, there was man at the machine behind me that starts breathing heavily. Twelve minutes into the workout, he starts doing this barking/honking/hacking/sneezing sound.
Every.
Two.
Minutes.
That man was either sick (thanks for exposing the entire gym to your illness), he was about to pass out from elliptical exertion (get off the machine and do a brisk walk on the treadmill please), or he had Tourrettes. The Tourrettes would be forgivable because he couldn't help that. But if it was any of the other two reasons, I am banishing him to gym hell! Good for you for working out Honking Man, but please save the rest of us our sanity and buy yourself an elliptical so that you can bark in the privacy of your own home.
Gosh that is obnoxious, right? Well, it doesn't end there.
At the 24 minute mark, a girl walked by me, set her stuff down in front of the windows, and got onto an elliptical, two machines down from me. I was surprised anyone would want to be in my area because of Honking Man, but whatever. Twenty-four minutes and 52 seconds later, an offensive smell enters my olfactory epithelium. I instintively blow it out of my nose. Then nature calls for me to inhale again. There it was again. The smell. It was the distinctive scent of a woman who showers but only once a week. I believe I caught her on day six of her showering cycle.
So there I am, with Smelly Lady to my right and Honking Man directly behind me. Honk, wheeze. Stench. Honk, wheeze. Stench....
Why didn't I move machines? Well, because I am the type of person that has to keep going, otherwise I don't get that feeling of gratification for doing the elliptical for an hour straight.
Because I was being stubborn about moving, I had to do something else. To save my nose hairs from burning off, I started breathing through my mouth. Then I concentrated on the swish-swishing of the elliptical to drown out the sound of Honking Man. I was Yoda. Peaceful and zen.
Bullshit.
It was 40 minutes of pure torture. But overall, a torture I imposed on myself by not moving machines. Thank goodness I lost weight, otherwise last night would have been for nothing. This was a good week. We are back on track! (I hope!)
Weight: 207.6 lbs.
Total Weight Loss: 22.4 lbs.
Thanks for asking, I would love to answer! First, I low-carbed it on Monday and Tuesday. I meant to do carb-free, but I just can't eat dinner without some kind of carb!
Second, I worked out really hard last Thursday and then yesterday too. I mean hardcore stuff. And I am not talking about just working out my body. My patience was tested for an hour last night at the gym.
I hopped on one of the elliptical machines located at the front of the gym, right in front of a wall of glass. Everything started out fine. Ten minutes into my workout, there was man at the machine behind me that starts breathing heavily. Twelve minutes into the workout, he starts doing this barking/honking/hacking/sneezing sound.
Every.
Two.
Minutes.
That man was either sick (thanks for exposing the entire gym to your illness), he was about to pass out from elliptical exertion (get off the machine and do a brisk walk on the treadmill please), or he had Tourrettes. The Tourrettes would be forgivable because he couldn't help that. But if it was any of the other two reasons, I am banishing him to gym hell! Good for you for working out Honking Man, but please save the rest of us our sanity and buy yourself an elliptical so that you can bark in the privacy of your own home.
At the 24 minute mark, a girl walked by me, set her stuff down in front of the windows, and got onto an elliptical, two machines down from me. I was surprised anyone would want to be in my area because of Honking Man, but whatever. Twenty-four minutes and 52 seconds later, an offensive smell enters my olfactory epithelium. I instintively blow it out of my nose. Then nature calls for me to inhale again. There it was again. The smell. It was the distinctive scent of a woman who showers but only once a week. I believe I caught her on day six of her showering cycle.
So there I am, with Smelly Lady to my right and Honking Man directly behind me. Honk, wheeze. Stench. Honk, wheeze. Stench....
Why didn't I move machines? Well, because I am the type of person that has to keep going, otherwise I don't get that feeling of gratification for doing the elliptical for an hour straight.
Because I was being stubborn about moving, I had to do something else. To save my nose hairs from burning off, I started breathing through my mouth. Then I concentrated on the swish-swishing of the elliptical to drown out the sound of Honking Man. I was Yoda. Peaceful and zen.
Bullshit.
It was 40 minutes of pure torture. But overall, a torture I imposed on myself by not moving machines. Thank goodness I lost weight, otherwise last night would have been for nothing. This was a good week. We are back on track! (I hope!)
Weight: 207.6 lbs.
Total Weight Loss: 22.4 lbs.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Omigod! Omigod You Guys!
Welcome back to work everyone! Hope your weekend was fabulous because mine was! My weekend included trying a new yummy restaurant that I will blog about later on. I also went to see Legally Blonde The Musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre last night and seriously, to take a quote from the soundtrack: Omigod! Omigod you guys!
This musical was effing awesome! Super cute and hysterical! Ok, enough with the exclamation points.The main reason that we bought season tickets to the theatre was because of Legally Blonde. I have been so looking forward to this play because I love the movie so much. But with such high expectations, I was worried that I would be let down. I couldn't have been farther from the truth!
It was funny (maybe even funnier than the movie!) and had really great songs and the actors were great singers. We had a whole list of understudies for our show, but after it started I didn't care. One of the regular cast members, Rhiannon Hansen (who managed to make it to our show last night), was actually a contestant on MTV's Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods. Sadly, she was one of the low points of the musical because I couldn't understand half the things she was singing/saying/blurting out.
One of the cool things about the play was that they used actual animals to play Bruiser and Paulette's dog. They were too cute! One of the other highlights was Paulette and her UPS loverrrr. The actor who portrayed the UPS guy played the part perfectly and nearly had me in tears. A must see in my book!
Ok, I am back to exclamation points. Time to end post here.
It was funny (maybe even funnier than the movie!) and had really great songs and the actors were great singers. We had a whole list of understudies for our show, but after it started I didn't care. One of the regular cast members, Rhiannon Hansen (who managed to make it to our show last night), was actually a contestant on MTV's Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods. Sadly, she was one of the low points of the musical because I couldn't understand half the things she was singing/saying/blurting out.
One of the cool things about the play was that they used actual animals to play Bruiser and Paulette's dog. They were too cute! One of the other highlights was Paulette and her UPS loverrrr. The actor who portrayed the UPS guy played the part perfectly and nearly had me in tears. A must see in my book!
Ok, I am back to exclamation points. Time to end post here.
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