Rebooting

Red sunflowers from Trader Joe's

Well this was my weekend to reboot my journey! I went back to Weight Watchers and I was down 3.8 pounds since mid-January. I will take it because once upon a time missing Weight Watchers for even a week would mean a weight gain. I think that is the idea behind WW its a lifestyle not a diet so even if you miss a few meetings you are learning how to live a healthier life and so you may need to come in ever so often for a tune up or as we say about my WW leader "to get the Word" and you can go back and live your life. I always get mixed reactions when I tell people I do Weight Watchers. People either love it or hate it. I have always loved it even when I was yo-yoing up an down because I knew that was about me, not about the program. The only hard part is get a room full of foodies size 0 to 30/ 97 pounds to 397 pounds and food is all we talk about lol That can be good and bad. Foodies always know the best places to get food and that's how I learned about Trader Joe's from my Weight Watcher meetings!

Trader Joe's makes me smile! I love that place! I wanted to do a post about food again because I do get a lot of questions about what I eat, what do I like, and how do I keep make menu vary.

Well I eat out a lot because of my social life but when I go out I now try and get seafood even if its fried its still lower in calorie than beef or some chicken dishes. I try to have a soup or salad first and eat only half of my meal. I hate leftovers so I usually never eat it unless its something reallllyy good like Saturday I went to Mo's Seafood in Baltimore and had their jumbo lump crab cake...O.M.G! SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOODDDDD AND HUGE! But its broiled so not so bad!

This week in the WW meeting we discussed portions and the fact of the matter is when you eat out you usually get 2-4 servings of food so even if what you are eating is only 200 calories by the time you finish that meal you have had 400-800 calories in one sitting! So planning to eat half before you get there is key. I know some people who ask for a to-go box as soon as the food hits the table! All the above are Weight Watcher tips I've learned over the years. I know people don't like to count points or journal or whatever but in the end you do what works for you and keep it moving.

Well I am counting down to my 35th birthday and I want to lose 35 pounds by then! So I am getting back on the weight loss track. So Saturday I went to my Weight Watchers meeting. Anytime I get back on track with WW, Trader Joe's usually is a part of picture! So here's what I got

Trader Joe's Harvest Hodgepodge veggies. In the frozen section I use them to make my 0 point WW soup & pre-cut butternut squash perfect for my soup as well plus all the prep work is already done!

Seafood crab cake appetizers size. 6 small crab cakes is a servings low in points and very tasty!

My fave-crab stuffed flounder!!!! Soooooooooooooo goood!!! Great source of protein and very filling I add a lil Old Bay to it and it is good to go! This is about 7 points which sounds a little high but it has healthy fats and is very filling. I usually have it with a baked potato.

Frozen shrimp: Very versatile I make Stir fry shrimp, curry shrimp, jerk shrimp, shrimp salad (lol)

Roasted Garlic Hummus 2 tbsp = 60 calories I learned to love Hummus and now its one fo my fave snacks!




Trader Joe Multi grain crackers= 3 points for 14 crackers! These are great tasting crackers and you get a lot plus it has 3 grams of fiber.





I also got some lite cheddar cheese, skim milk, Cliff bars , protein shakes, Fuze drinks(the 10 calories or less per serving ones) and a few fruits and fresh veggies! I am good for the week!

I also got a new pair of Brooks! I was long over due!I also got a new bike for my Iron Girl Triathlon ! It was the funniest thing kids in the store were in awe of me! Like "WOW she got a new bikeeee! WOW" Kids are amusing I refrained from sticking my tongue out and saying nah nah na nah nah...this time!

I was so excited I tried to go for a ride but my suburban street was too wild and the side walks..well you are punk if you ride a bike on the sidewalk! But trusty old facebook came through and several people recommended the NCR trail! So I am on it! I even have company! Two of my fellow Junior Leaguers said they'd go with me for a ride! Score! Speaking of good workout / fit company I met a woman at my WW meeting and she may be my new workout buddy! I was wearing my "13.1 miles...been there..ran than" Large tshirt from the 2006 Baltimore half marathon and FYI after 3.5 years it finally fit me *big cheesy grin* and she asked if I did a half marathon I told her yes but 3 years ago but the shirt just finally fit me but I am doing the Columbia Iron Girl this August. She told me she did the Disney half last year and I told her the Disney marathon is soooo on my list of marathons after the New York Marathon! Anyhow we got to talking and exchanged info and I invited her to Chizel-It and she said she was so happy to meet me because her workout buddy fizzled on her and she really wants someone as a workout buddy. As my old Pastor would say "God is in every plan" because I typically go to the 6:30am meeting but I was meeting my trainer at 11 so I went later so I didn't have to go home in between my errands. So we'll see how it goes!

What else?? I also got a new 32 oz water bottle! I went for a massage last week and he said he could tell I worked out but that I am not getting enough water in! Not good b/c I love water I just forget at work or refill the small 16 oz bottle and lose track of how much I am having so I am back on it with my new bottle! I also bought a new WW food journal and I am tracking my food and already I see the difference! For example on Saturday I had cream of crab soup and forgot all about it until Sunday night at like 10pm it popped into my head! That's why journaling is so important! That was a good bit of points and next week I'd be wondering what happened?! I also got the new WW magazine and one of the tips was to use your camera phone to take pictures of what you are eating (with your cell phone) if you can't write it down t that moment. Genius!

This is a crazy week my sorority's regional convention is this week. its kinda local but too far to commute.

But here's my workout plan:
Sunday-Ride bike-Done
Monday -Spinning
Tuesday- Chizel it class & Personal Trainer (I am working Monday so I changed my PT to Tuesday evening I have to get it in b/c I am away Saturday)
Wednesday-Spinning
Thursday- Sunday -Alpha Kappa Alpha North Atlantic Regional Conference



I am staying at the Gaylord National Harbor if you have never been to or visited a Gaylord Hotel/mega structure you are missing out on life! This one over looks the Potomac it is simply gorgeous!


They have a fitness center so I will go at least 1 day while I am there. Ok now for the speech about black women and their hair....or more specifically Alpha Kappa Alpha women and their hair, style, presence and over all beauty...especially when we come together lol



Well let's just say I am glad I can do my hair rather effortlessly but it takes away time from the tight schedule we'll already be on. I sweat a lot I need to look into botox for real! The point is if I workout I MUST wash and blow dry my hair even if I use a sweatband and bandanna. I found out on WebMD it is actually a good thing http://forums.webmd.com/.eef342e & http://www.brighthub.com/health/fitness/articles/40920.aspx but anyway there's no such thing as a quick workout for me and my hair and I don't do braids which is what the normal advice is. Worst case I go with the "wet look" my hair is versatile so I never use it as an excuse.




I am kinda known at our conventions from working out early in the morning. There is actually a crew of us (I don't even know their names) that will hit the gym at least 1 or 2 days earlyyyy and we see each other every year while our sisters are asleep in their beds lol its kinda cool. And our roommates or Soror who catch us on the way back from the gym are always kind enough to say "Better you than me Soror" or "Soror do a few sit ups for me" lol

When I was in Detroit for our national convention a few years ago a sorority sister stopped me and said "I remember you from the lasttt Boule! I don't know how you do it!" lol I can't lie I like working out. I like the sense of accomplishment it brings me when I am finish. I know Oprah says she hates it but does it anyway and I guess that's the second best attitude to have about working out lol whatever gets you moving! I guess what I have learned is it is not about perfection *big gulp* like last week I had the best intentions to workout while visiting with my Mom in DC but it just didn't happen! That was ok I went home Friday went to a great dinner party stayed till midnight kindly said good night I got my gym in the morning left and Saturday morning got up and went to Weight Watchers, did socarobics, and the 1 hour with my personal trainer.

Froward movement that's all that is required!

My sorority actually began offering early morning exercise classes free of charge but I am up way before that so I tend to hit the gym. But I was excited when they started that. Maybe I'll try it this year and see.

Anyway I have gone up and down and all around in this post lol thanks for coming along! :-)

Come fly with me...

Whew it is MARCH 2010!!!! WTH?!?! How did that happen? I am not mad about it though! I am looking forward to spring and then summer!!



Well I finally only 18.5 pounds away from my goal! That's a bit surreal. I really didn't focus on my weight in this blog I wanted to focus on my workouts but ultimately weight loss is my goal so naturally I began to add things about weight loss here and there. I can be honest and say I really don't see it in the mirror. Its funny I went to my old gym yesterday and a few people saw me who haven't seen me in over a year and their eyes bugged out of their heads I was looking like What?!? Finally I walked by and one of the trainers said "Wow you look great you aren't on any drugs are you?" I laughed out loud for real! But she didn't she was dead serious. I told her "No no drugs I've been working out with Charles Harris twice a week since last summer and Weight Watchers." She said "Okay I want to make sure!" I mean really? Would drug use be the first thought there? I, again, don't see it. When I take pictures and do a side by side I do see it but otherwise I don't and maybe its because of how slow it is 80 pounds divided by 14 months is a little over 5 pounds a months that slow so I guess if I went from a size 26 to a size 14 in 3 months I'd notice more? I dont know. The real reason may just be I didn't know how overweight I was so my mind and eyes just didn't connect the true dots.


Anyway I am getting back into my fall groove where I have 2 Personal Training sessions a week and 3 other workouts a week at a minimum. Of course my journey includes finding time to workout, being of service to all mankind, enjoy an active social life with my friends, and dating...whew what a task!

Saturday- No Personal trainer b/c I had 9am health committee meeting then a 10am chapter meeting then dinner with my line sisters

Sunday- No gym b/c I had brunch with my sorors, a membership meeting, then drinks and appetizers with my other sorors

Monday- I went hard did my personal trainer for 1 hour then went to my other gym and did 45 minutes on the elliptical and then 1 hour spinning. It felt good

Tuesday- I found a great massage guy...hummmm he looks like the younger cuter brother of the singer Joe...hummmm yummmmyyy....ok anyway I had a lot of knots in my back last week so I went to Massage Envy and happened upon this young man! He was great! I mentioned Message Envy before I think its like having a gym membership for massages you can bank them and I had 4 saved so I am going again tonight. }:-)

Weds-Spinning

Thursday- Socarobics & 1/2 Chizel It class b/c I have a 7pm Conference call & 9pm con call

Friday- A dinner party

Saturday- Socarobic & Personal training

Sunday- I may take 2 or 3 classes at the gym and maybe get some swimming in!



As a reminder I am doing the Iron Girl this summer and I am asking everyone I know to donate $10 to cancer research by Team in Training!!! Thanks so much for your support!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/irongcol10/cloweo

79.5

Well today I can claim to be officially down 79.5 pounds. Needless to say the weight loss has slowwweeddd down since the holidays but I am not mad I am just refocused at this point and looking forward to reaching my other goals. I am back into a workout routine again but trying to balance my other commitments like Alpha Kappa Alpha, Junior League, and now I am more active in 2 Bar Associations. On top of that I do have an active social life with other friends and they are in the mix too.

So much to do, so little time! Then we had the nerve to lose a fraction of a second with the last earthquake! Is God trying to get the world to slow down or what?!

On top of that dating is still a part of the social scene although I have taken a break of sorts to regroup (lol) but I am open to the possibilities. "Timing & chemistry" that's one of my mottos for 2010 oh that and "Boys are like buses miss one next 15 one coming..." yeah thanks Gucci Mang! :-)

Workout plan this week

Monday-1 hour trainer-Done

Tuesday-Chizel It class

Weds-JLB meeting*

Thursday-AKA Night in Annapolis*

Friday-TBA

Saturday-AKA Chapter meeting @ 10am

I need to utilize my work time hours like the fall maybe doing the stairs on lunch or something to off set the busy week I have coming up.

Weight loss looking to lose last 20 by June 17th that is really dragging it out but 100 by 35th birthday is wayyyy doable!

Staying healthy on vacay Part 1

Well I am back from my trip to Panama, Trinidad & Tobago! I had an amazing time! I must say I am so grateful for parents who love to travel and taught my sister and I to love it too! It is amazing to see the world and I am blessed to be able to do it! All in all it was a great trip! I lost 6 pounds, 3 of which I have regained in less than a week but oh well! I came back Sunday at 12 midnight but still went to my workout session with my personal trainer on Monday!

Me at the Panama Canal@ lunch!

My sister Jessica & me at Jourvet in Trinidad the kick of to Carnival! Full of mud, paint & beer! Oh and dancing & palancing down the roaddddd!

The beer in question! Carib is Trinidadian beer taste like a Corona

WARNING....FOODPORN BELOW!

If its one thing Island people can do it is cook! And really South American and Caribbean food is healthy mostly meats, veggies, and good carbs!

The spread from Jemma's Tree house in Tobago. Lightly fried King fish, Curry fish, veggies, mac pie (ok that's a lot of butter & cheese but in moderation its all good!)


This is a Trini staple called Doubles it has chickpeas and a great sauce and it on a pita bread type thing that is soft and a little sweet! Yummm ok the can is carbonated apple juice... I tried it but....YUCK!

This is chicken roti its almost like a curry type sauce and the same soft bread like thingie

This is chicken soup Panama style. It was deeeee-lish! It had a huge piece of seasoned chicken, celery, cilantro, and other herbs and spices oh my gosh! I was talking about it lovingly on the elevator at work and someone on our floor overheard me and jumped in and said where you in Panama because that's how we cook our soup! I told her yes and i need the recipe!! lol Score!

Candies from Trinidad

Breakfast in Panama eggs, fried green plantain, local cheese, and chicken tamale
Ok moving on!!!

Traveling is not a leisurely activity. Well I guess it can be but when you think about it catching planes, hauling bags, going up and down steps, etc. and that's just getting to the airport you can burn some serious calories! But I stayed at the Panama City Marriott and they had a great gym! I worked out before heading to the Panama canal and it was great!

I've done that for years now even when I have AKA conventions I stay in a hotel with a gym so there is no excuse! Although kudos to my sorority we have an aerobic class most morning before the conference starts so there are options while on travel.

I had an extra boost because of all the snow we had see below! I shoveled myself out twice in 3 days over 30 plus inches madness! Well it had me in tip top shape I guess!

Snowtorious 2K10 couldn't hold me back!

On Vaycay

Well I am on the road...again! I finally planned a visit to my sister who is at school in Trinidad and I always said when I went I would do a two for trip since Trinidad was so close to South America. So I went to Panama! It was a layover so I just asked if it could be a day layover instead of just a few hours and the airline said sure! It turns out it is going to be a layover going and coming which is fine by me since there is so much to do and see in Panama! I went to see the Panama Canal and I had an awesome time! On the way home I will visit the Old Panama City!

Working out...I always stay at the Marriott Hotels when I can because they have a standard that I like including a state of the art gym in all of their hotels! In an effort to lose some weight while I am away I made sure I worked out. I did 45 minutes on the elliptical machine the day I was going to fly out to Trinidad. It is so easy to make excuses and fall out of a routine but I made up my mind to workout in the gym. I am glad I did it! I also enjoyed a lot of walking! We'll see what the scales say when I get back but having a great time! Before the trip Maryland/DC area got hit twice with horrible snow storms but I did use my treadmill and I felt the difference when I had to shovel lol I really didn't get sore or that tired considering all of the snow I had to move to get outta town! So all good things!

I am in Carnival central and I should be taking nap considering we went out partying from 11pm to 9am this morning..Yes you read that right! The event is called Insomnia..Ha! Real cute right? Well we have another event tonight but my body is a machine it doesn't matter what time I go to sleep at 7am its time to get on with life so while everyone else crashed for a few good hours I killed time on line because I couldn't sleep a wink lol well we'll see how it goes tonight! Looking forward to it that's for sure!

Food wise I am doing well. I tried shark last night...yes I said Shark! As the locals say shark is just another fish lol it was ok taste like chicken to me! I am planning to get some authentic Panamanian food and Trini food and the funny thing is its not unhealthy but I will watch my portions! And I will post pictures :-)

Snow-torious 2010

Snow + Notorious = Snowtorious!

Well its been called a lot of things but the snow storm to end all snow storms has hit the DMV (DC/Maryland/Va area) WHAT A DAMN MESS!!! I have been in the house since Thursday evening! I finally made it out this morning after shoveling yesterday for like 1.5 hours and the darn car would not budge! I went out again this morning around 8am did a little more digging and finally Justice (my car) was free! I was free! I went to the store and got some crap...yeah crap... cookies, ice cream, chips, and even soda! I don't even drink soda anymore lol I did get some soup, fish, and juice.

I actually lost like 3 pounds putting me at an all time low so yes I buy junk to celebrate no logic to it but on the up side I am not feigning for any of it like that anyway lol but I will be logging in on Weight Watchers to stay on point!

I did get some nice text messages from my Personal Trainer Charles telling me to "Do 5 miles" on Saturday, "Watch the snacking," & "Remember the weigh in comes after the storm" (lol) my all time favorite.

I did do 1 hour on the treadmill Saturday, 1.5 hours of shoveling on Monday, 1 hour shoveling today! Good news I am not sore! I should be using the treadmill tomorrow! Will be!

I will be home tomorrow I am sure. But I am praying to go to work on Thursday to wrap up somethings before my trip to Panama and Trinidad & Tobago! I am sooo excited to get outta here and sit in the sun!

Tomorrow is another day! Hope you are all well & not snacking too much! Try and get some form of exercise in!

Did you do some shoveling? How many calories did you burn? Click here & See!

My Return

Well I went back to my old gym Lynne Bricks last night. My fave spinning teacher has a great class on Weds. at 5:30pm and I would often break my neck to get there when I worked closer to home. After I changed jobs that became really hard to catch but I figured it was time to go back and get my spin on seeing as how my triathlon is coming up!

*****Speaking of which here is my fundraising website! Please make a donation its for a good cause! I am only asking for $10! Thanks for your support!!!! http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/irongcol10/cloweo

Anyway back to spinning class! For those that don't know what a spin class is, its basically indoor biking to (hopefully) good music! Its a great calorie burner and with the right music and energy its a great way to spend 60 minutes of your life in the same place lol but its funny the energy in the class makes all the difference! You can really get competitive in there! Hence my lil cartoon hee hee!

Anyway I am not in as much pain as I thought I would be considering I have not taken a spin class in eeekkk maybe over a year now?! At one point in time I would spin 2 days a week every week. Spinning and lifting weights are two very good secret weapons. The biking trims your lower body down quickly! Same thing with weights because the muscle you build takes up less space and helps to burn fat even when you are at rest. I know people who weight less than I do but I can wear a smaller dress size than they do because of how much exercise I am doing! Win/Win! Here's an article on the Pros & Cons of Spinning & one on the Benefits of Lifting Weights for Women

Both have been very helpful to me so if you've never tried them! Try it this week!! So far I only made it to the gym for my trainer on Monday and then for Spinning last night. Tonight I have a Bar Association meeting and dinner plans and we are back to Friday! They are calling for all kinds of snow like 24 inches was the last thing I heard so we will see about my workout Saturday but my treadmill is my back up. I need to hit up Weight Watchers this week to see if I am down I think my home scale has a pound and I'll take it. I am journaling on line again but I am so a paper and pen girl! Anyway happy hunting!

C~