oh, knee problems, of course.

Thanks, knee. I get it. I'm fat and gained far too much weight in a short amount of time for you to handle it. Add in the recent cardio and higher impact late night workouts, and I'm sure you're just over it. But did you have to remind me so painfully?

Yesterday, while doing something SO mundane as squatting while rolling up the hose, my knee snap-crackle-popped when I stood up. Nothing completely new to these overworked joints of mine, but this time was different. I felt some serious shifting in my knee, and EXTREME pain, so much that I yelled out and started crying in my front yard. I hobbled inside, and put some ice on it. The pain was not sharp anymore, but an unstable soreness in the back/outside of my knee.

A few hours later, after some killer spaghetti and a walk around the grocery store, I was again squatting to put away groceries. And, again with the snap-crackle-pop pain scenario.

Today it's been sore ALL day, and not feeling very secure at all. After a google search of "common knee injuries" I came away confused and queasy. No idea what might have happened, but pukey at the idea of torn meniscuses.

This whole knee thing is a serious wake up call. in the past ten years my grandma has had both her knees replaced, a result of arthritis, body weight, and inactivity. My body is built very similar to hers, but I refuse to have it fall apart in the same way. While drum corps kept me active, it also beat my body up... where's the tin man with his can of oil?

Today's calories: 1548
Today's weight: 217.8

Disgusting.

Yesterday I ate a Teriyaki Burger from Carl's Jr.

Don't get me wrong...I might be a fat kid, but I hardly EVER eat a fast food burger. The last time I did was during my third trimest, my mom unwillingly bought me an animal-style cheese burger from In n' Out. She harrassed me about it, and I haven't been able to look at one since.

But Friday coming home from work, I called Trevor to ask him what he wants for lunch (a daily routine) and somehow I ended up justifying a disgusting cheeseburger as "healthy" because it had a pineapple slice on it.

I opened up the wrapped once I got home, and was disgusted. But I ate it anyway. Bleh. Where has my mind gone? That cheeseburger + medium fries combo cost me 1070 calories, on a 2000 calorie day. I KNOW that shit isn't healthy, and I normally opt for a chicken option... but after tracking the last two days of eating, I clearly have a problem.

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a fat squishy place. I don't want to eat less, as I'm still holding onto my last days of nursing. I've given up nursing part time, and have formula supplementing while I'm at work, but I'm not ready to completely give up boobie feedings, and neither is Laney. But anytime I cut down my calories and workout a lot, my milk flow decreases drastically, and we're both cranky. But, I know the baby can't be my enabler, allowing me to sit in this oversized body any longer.

I took a first step in returning to my previous self (both mentally and physically): I took my glasses off. I've worn them nonstop since I first became pregnant, over a year ago. Once contacts became the norm, I used to only wear my glasses when I was sick or depressed, as a shield to protect me from the world. Glasses, darker hair, and fat...I mean I've regressed to those coping mechanisms from high school full time, instead of just on a bad day.

I've also signed up for DailyBurn, a diet and exercise tracker similar to those I've used in the past. The best part is that I can easily maneuver through the program on my iPhone, so no meals or snacks or cheats will ever be missed.

I also started Couch to 5K two weeks ago, and have done the same number of runs. I enjoy the 20min jaunts, and Delaney rides along in the stroller. I have a goal of 6K by Sept 25th, in time for Napa Rock and Stroll, a fun-run benefiting COPE and abused kids.

I spend FAR too much time sitting on my ass in the afternoons, using the baby to justify my laziness. I don't want her to see a therapist when she's older, lamenting her mother eating and watching TV all day long. I have far too much to get done that is just forgotten about by the end of the night...I can't control everything, but I can control myself. I HAVE controlled myself. It's time to do it again.

Yesterday weight: 222
Yesterday calorie total: 1928

Today weight: 219.2
Total calorie total: 1565

New figure, go figure

So today I didn't wear my full body Spanx for the first time in about a month, and have had two people say I look slimmer and healthier. Go figure!

Stay tuned for a summer of health :)

Back in the game

How do new moms do this? Seriously. I was reading a craft blog thing, where the lady JUST had a baby, showing off her 8-day postpartum belly, and it seriously looked like she could go do a bikini photo shoot.

Shoot ME, while she's at it.

I mean, to each their own, but girlfriend said she still had 30lbs to lose. I have 30lbs to lose, and I'm still 30lbs overweight. Oh, and stretch marks? Yeah, I'll never be doing a bikini photo shoot really.

Bah. I got a perfectly mellow and happy baby out of my ordeal, so I still win.

I made a decision to eat less a few days ago, and since have dropped 3lbs. I occasionally have late night dates with Jillian Michaels OnDemand, and this weekend is chock full of yard work. (well, as chock full as it can be with a sicky baby). Let me tell you, yanking out 5ft tall weeds is a full body workout. And I've got a nice little summer glow started at the same time. Nothing like being physical and sweating under some hot sun!

We're headed to Florida over July 4th weekend, which means I have 5wks to lose 15lbs, and get back under 200. It can be done!

Gettin' my jog on.

My Mother's Day present from my mom was a fancy jogging stroller, something I've been dying for.

Now, after my first run in over a year, I am dying from it.

Wow. Despite losing over half the baby weight, I'm still 50lbs over my "prime", and ridiculously out of shape. We went out at about 7:50, came back by 8:15, were chased by a loose pit, yelled at by ghetto boys ("run fatty run" was their choice phrase), ran about half the time we were out, and I was dripping in sweat.

BUT I feel great. The air was cool and breezy, baby didn't cry, and I took the first steps... even if I was gasping for air while doing it.

Yeah, how about that.

Well, I INTENDED on posting a new picture every day, but the rain knocked out my internet, my Minnesota family is in town, and Trevor ended up in the ER from food poisoning. (I'm convinced he felt so guilty for eating amazing food at Bottega the other night, he faked food poisoning to lose a quick 10lbs) Fun week, hmm?

Actually, Bottega WAS a blast. My uncle is a bartender/server there, and reserved a table for the 12 of us. When we got there, we ended up at the Chef's Table, with comped appetizers (Himachi and English peas on a slab of natural salt, savory donuts with proscuitto and mango, and bruschetta with fresh mozzarella and artichoke hearts), 3 rounds of wine (presecco, white and red), minestrone soup, a whole Dungeness crab with spicy bruscetta, finished with coffee and chocolate souffle with hazelnut glaze to share.


Anyway, here's my latest picture. Good news! only 19lbs to go until I'm at pre-baby weight. Once the cousins go home, it's back on the 10 day Wave 1.

Mirrors lie, take a picture!

But what if I use a mirror to take a picture, Cher? Either way, I'm taking a fashion tip from Clueless, and taking a picture of myself each day for a while. First of all, I look super cute getting ready for my new job. Second, the mirror (and camera) don't lie, and it will help keep me honest.

Today's:

That's "the rub".

As of today, I've officially passed the "seven day" mark at my new job, and even got my first paycheck. The difference between this and my previous position is a complete 180: dream hours, understanding employer, and confidence renewed.

The last is really a result of the previous two. I was hired in a position they WEREN'T hiring for, in an industry I've only known for a year and a half, without any recommendation from my previous employer (um, kinda "duh" on that one.) I got the job on my own, because I know what I'm talking about (and WHO I'm talking about)....something I had started to doubt in the last 6 months before maternity leave. I didn't feel appreciated, or respected. When you spend more awake time at a workplace than home, those things start to weigh on you and mess with your head.

But now, after incredible success with Pilates Napa Valley and the Sonoma Diet, and this new position, my faith in myself as a woman and participating member of society has flourished. I feel like ME again, albeit a bit larger, and definitely more "mommy" me than I was two years ago. I'm happy with who I see in the mirror, the progress I've made physically, and my ability to quickly turn a terrible situation into a great one.

The subject line mentioned "the rub" and here it is: Since going back to work this past week, baby D has had FAR more formula than she's used to... typically 3 bottles (or 12oz) in the morning, then the rest of her day on breast milk. This is messing with her tummy, and by the end of the night, she's cranky and crampy and crying in the most pathetic way possible. So even though I'm this SuperWoman by day, in the evenings I'm a stress-ball. I know going to work is good for me (and her, and Trevor, and our bank accounts) it's just so hard to see her suffer, and know if I was home, she wouldn't be AS gassy. She eats every two hours, so I'm just not able to pump that extra 12oz she needs.

This is a weight-loss blog, so here's the connection: I haven't done much in the sense of health this past week or so, and I forgive myself for it. As you can see, it's been a bit chaotic. But, that doesn't make my body feel any better. I have NO time or energy to make it up to the studio, I've gained 2lbs back, and am DEFINITELY not following Sonoma right now. With disability ending, I don't have the cash, and with work starting, I don't have the time to cook our meals like I was. Man, good thing I don't have a SERIOUS addiction, because I'm the queen of excuses.

That's fine. You On A Diet has this great anecdote comparing a weight-loss journey to a car drive with GPS... when you mess up, the nice lady tells you calmly, but firmly "take the next available U-turn". There's no chastising, no guilt, just a plain and simple message to fix it, and move on. I'm resolved to make that U-turn, but how? How do other new/working moms find the time to run the household, feed the baby, manage a career AND stay in shape?

New Found Body Awareness

You know, I beat myself up about one day of craptacular eating, but I'm ignoring the big picture:

I look pretty damn good.

Really. For the better part of the last year, I watched everything on my grow. Boobs, belly, arms, butt. Everything ballooned (as is normal and natural in a pregnancy.) Combine that with my thankless job, and my self esteem absolutely plummeted. Questioning my attractiveness, my intelligence, my life choices.

But this past month has been amazing to getting me back where I should be. While my body weight is still a good 50lbs heavier than my end-of-year goal, the SHAPE of it is getting back to normal. I mean, I did drum corps for 5 years, but my legs have never looked better. Throw on some heels, and fake tanner, and these short legs look like they should be insured.

Okay, maybe not that good, but definitely the best I've ever seen them.

I truly mean it when I say it's the pilates that's doing this to me. I haven't been doing any cardio, or other muscle building...changing the diet would make me smaller, but not change the shape of things. My lower tummy is getting flatter, the muffin top is shrinking, and the back fat is almost gone. And like I said, I still have 50lbs to go!

Now I have a new job in sales, which reassured my confidence in my field. I have to be out and about selling printing, so personal appearance is priority, versus the super casual dress code of my previous position.

Tomorrow is my first day, and I have so many outfits that look fabulous, I don't know what to chose! The blue LC Lauren Conrad dress with pockets and pleats($12)? The purple and grey Elle flower empire waist dress with ruffles? The green BCBG dress with embroidery? Perhaps some grey slacks with a flowy top and my cropped biker jacket? Oh, the options are endless.

I NEED to add in cardio...I'm thinking about sucking it up, putting the dog on a leash, strapping a can of mace to my waist, and go running in the morning. It's just soooo dark out at 6:30am right now, and I don't live in the best of neighborhoods. But, the gangsters are in bed by dawn, right?

Who needs a solid milk-chocolate egg, anyway?

Ew. I ate FAR too much yesterday, as I always do at the in-law's for holidays. We stopped at SBUX on the way in, and split a breakfast sandwich, hoping that would curb my appetite....but no. Arrived to the usual spread of stuffed mushrooms, chicken-artichoke dip, and shrimp cocktail. Grazed, then ate dinner of ham, new potatoes, brussel sprouts and mashed turnip. Then strawberry-rhubarb crumble.

Oh, did I mention I made seven dozen oatmeal-chocolate cookies each the night before? Yeah...

How am I doing?

I woke up this morning feeling TERRIBLE. Dehydrated with heartburn worse than pregnancy, and my stretchy pants were suffocating me. But, it being the baby's first Easter (and my boyfriend's birthday) we were overloaded with candy. After a quick sort through the bounty, we threw most of it away:



Buh bye. We only kept a few pieces of Scottish candy that we only get once a year, and started eating fresh again this morning with Panera salads for brunch. I'm now sipping black coffee to kill the sugar racing through my blood stream, and am considering my diet for the next week or so. I'm thinking about going back on Wave 1 of the Sonoma Diet to get everything back on track. Who's with me?


crossposted on Pilates Napa Valley

Forgiving myself, in time for Easter.

So, I lost a bunch of weight, and Trevor won the Biggest Loser*** contest at work. He didn't take home $100K from Jello, but he grabbed $245 in winnings. Not too shabby!

However, since then I've kinda slipped. Just a tiny bit. KFC grilled chicken on Thursday for lunch, two macaron cookies from Bouchon Bakery on Thursday night, Panda Express for lunch yesterday (even tho I got the smaller "eat in" plate, and substituted veggies for chow mein), and then too much pasta last night for dinner. See? If I'm not careful, boom, right into old habits.

The good news is (and Trevor concurs) that after all this eating correctly, and smaller portions, when I have a little bit of crap, I feel like crap. When I eat a LOT of crap? Well. You can imagine.

So today I woke up and started fresh. Melon and cottage cheese for breakfast, Madras Lentils and chicken for lunch, strawberries as a snack. Dinner is undecided, but I'll be at my mom's, so the healthy option is always available. Now the sun is out, and the house is relatively clean, so I'm a happy girl.

Tomorrow is Easter dinner at the in-laws, which is always trouble for me. Snacks and good food galore. The good news is we haven't bought any candy yet...Peeps are my downfall. What Easter treat can't you resist?


****BIG NEWS! Pilates Napa Valley had a celebrity today, Cheryl Forberg of the Biggest Loser! This is HUGE for PNV, hopefully we'll be lifelong friends.

I can do this in my sleep!

Well I haven't posted recently, and mostly because I don't feel like I'm doing anything spectacular, and worth writing about.

But, apparently simply changing my diet and Pilates is working for me, because today I weighed myself....

211 lbs!

Oh yeah. That would be..mmmmm 15lbs lost since March 1? Chyeah dude. KILLING it. I didn't think I had lost that much, until after 4 shots of espresso this morning, and I magically lost 5lbs more. Oops. That makes a grand total of 35lbs since the baby was born.

Honestly, too: No cardio...I was going to, but then I came down with the sickness last week, and hardly had energy to nurse. Still had my appetite of course! I do try and make it to the dog park every week, with pumpkinhead in tow. But besides that, I mean, I really haven't been doing that much.

I start work next week, 4 hours in the morning. I need to reschedule my Pilates now, and I fear my only time will be 7-8am. Bah. Soooo early. But I'm sure as long as I continue my healthy eating habits, the weight will continue to slide off, especially as I exert myself more and more. I'm in sales, so I won't be sitting at my desk all day. And, the baby is getting more and more mobile every day. Soon I'll be chasing after her all day long!

But, I do need to add in some sort of sweaty cardio. Soon the baby will be big enough for a jogging stroller, so I can attempt to jog (or at least walk) around the block without having to navigate the cracks in the sidewalk. Any suggestion of the best brand to buy?


PS. I'm still blogging over on PilatesNapaValley.com. It's pretty cool! I met some people today who read the blog, THEN came into the studio. Check me out!

Damn you, Girl Scouts

I thought I had missed the Girl Scouts this year. My neighborhood is too shady for them to walk around, and I haven't been at work where parents can ambush the fat girl with cookie temptations.

But no. Trevor brought home not one, but FIVE boxes of cookies on Friday night. I stayed the night at my mom's on Saturday while he was gone almost solely to get myself away from the cookies. But, since I've been home today, I've easily had 12 cookies, splitting it up between the different flavors. At an average of 65 calories PER COOKIE, I took in 780 extra calories in sugar and carbohydrate. This coming from just a few days ago, eating bell peppers for my sweetness.

Blah. This is my problem, it is SO hard for me to maintain these new healthy eating habits. As much as I LOVE the food on Sonoma Diet, it's ingrained in me to just eat eat eat. While I've suppressed it so far this month, today was a cranky day: Trevor was gone twice this week...overnight in Hollywood last night, and back to work tonight. AND I read The Time Traveler's Wife, and absorbed her mood. Add all that on to my cabin fever, with only Delaney or the pets to talk to most of the time, and I've been in a serious funk today. It's a cut and dry case of using food to fix my loneliness.

Why do I sabotage myself like this? Days like this are when I nag and deliberately antagonize my boyfriend too. I should be taking my aggression and frustration out in a workout, but the TV's on, and Kirstie Alley weighs 12lbs more than me, so I'm just depressed and lackluster about everything. (Altho, here's an interesting article about why your weight fluctuates so much during the day.)

The good news is I've figured out how to get the baby to sleep thru most of the night...I woke up this morning with ridiculous energy...maybe the same this will happen tomorrow and I'll get up and jog. Wow, wouldn't that be productive. I have been regular with pilates, and did the dog park on Saturday. Today is just a anomaly. Back to the grind tomorrow.

Wave 1: One day left!

Oh my god. I would KILL for some Light Phish Food. Not even the full-fat one, just the lighter version. Or maybe even just a piece of dark chocolate. But I won't cave! Not until Tuesday, at least. These combined Pilates/Sonoma results are too good to cheat before the initial Wave is over.

This is not to say I feel deprived in any sort of way, I'm full off of less food, and its been SO tasty. Salmon, chicken, pork, steak. Spinach, bell pepper, garlic, broccoli. Pretty much all I've been eating, and I couldn't be happier. We went to SF the other day, and we ordered some fried zucchini with our chowder, but I was SO not into the breading. It's as if my taste buds have changed, which is most certainly not a bad thing. I feel sick even thinking about my "usual" from Jack in the Box.

But. I still want some damn Phish Food.

Measurements (compared to this entry on 2/21)
Weight: 218 (from 226 on 3/1)
Waist: 35.5 (from 37)
Arms: 15.5 (from 16)
Legs: 29.5 (from 30)
Hips: 48 (from 48.5)

Sonoma Diet: Halfway mark

So, I'm pretty sure the reason I'm losing weight on the Sonoma Diet is because of the amount of time spent preparing meals, and washing the dishes afterwords. That's my workout, really: burn enough calories before and after the meal to counter act what I actually eat.

Kidding aside, the meals and recipes provided are SO tasty, I don't feel the littlest bit deprived. I find myself feeling fuller before my smaller plate is even cleared, a huge step forward from my loaded plate+seconds habit. Tonight I ate out for the first time on the diet (shoutout to Norman Rose in Napa), and it was actually pretty easy! I got a chicken breast chop with white beans and wilted greens, and when it arrived, there was actually much less greens than I expected. No worry tho, I had the small chicken breast, picked out the greens from the beans, ate a few bites of beans for fiber, and stole a couple asparagus from my sister's plate. I left a huge bowl of beans left on the table and was 100% satisfied.

Full disclosure: I DID have 2 crostinis w/ crab artichoke dip on them. Two bites each. And then I DID have two bites of my [asparagus] sister's coconut creme pie. This, more of a "cheat" than the crab artichoke dip, since I'm in no sugar mode right now. I did have a Diet Coke too, which is maybe why I couldn't resist those couple sweet bites.

Again, this is leaps and bounds better than I would have been two weeks ago.

I had pilates again today, and I can already tell my abs are going to be sore tomorrow and the next day. After my first session, my inner thighs didn't start killing me until 3 days afterwards. So, I'm counteracting that by going 3x/wk, Mon, Weds, Fri. Then I don't give my body a chance to get sore and retensed. Yeah, I just made that word up. But you get the point.

Today I was 220, very exciting! We still have 6 days left on Wave 1, and I'm really looking forward to the results. I was 226 on March 1, so in a week I've lost 6 lbs. Not to shabby, hmm? Best progress I've made in the last two months, in the last year even!

Tomorrow is Trevor's day off, and I think we're going into San Francisco for some touristy fun with baby. Hills, while pushing a stroller? Couldn't hurt :)

Guest blogging, and more!

Okay guys, I know it's been a little quiet over here. Lets update, shall we?

- First, I really weigh 223. Well, I did 2 days ago, when I started the Sonoma Diet, and Pilates Napa Valley's 10-in-30 program. 10lbs, or 10in, in 30 days.

- I did pilates on Wednesday, and will continue to do it 3 days a week for the next month, and then the next 6 months. If I'm still into it 6 months down the road, my mom is going to train me to be an instructor!

- I haven't been as diligent with Jillian Michaels and my Last Chance Workout DVD. :(

- Sonoma Diet food is REALLY tasty! The black bean chicken wrap is DELISH, and is easily going to be one of my favorite things on this menu. Trevor even liked it!

- Speaking of Trevor, he did Jay Robb's 3-day Fruit Flush, and KILLED it. I did it last year, and was a total wimp. He didn't cheat, or whine even. He has a really healthy and manageable weight loss goal for himself, actually. It makes mine look far fetched and ridiculous. Once he's into it, he's actually a great inspiration on how to go about this weight loss thing. He doesn't even get on the scale every day!

-Finally, as you could have guessed from the title, I'm now guest blogging! To bring some attention to PNV's 10-in-30 program, I'll be blogging over there weekly, or more. While this blog keeps me mostly accountable, I really can't fake it over on that one. Too many people will see me in class, and those yoga pants don't leave much to the imagination. Check it out! www.pilatesnapavalley.com/blog

D-Day Approaches

March 1.

A normal day, nothing special. (Except it's the anniversary of when Yellowstone became the first National Park, the first FM radio station transmitted, Watergate scumbags were indicted, and Ke$ha was born.) Soon, however, Wikipedia will have an addition to their March 1events list:

Chelsea and Trevor's Weight Loss Adventure and Forever Lifestyle Change!

Okay, well it's a little wordy. But, so many things are coming together the week of March 1 to help CATWLAFLC that it deserves some fanfare.

1. OAK jetBlue employees start their own version of "Biggest Loser." This is the first thing that has really motivated Trevor to get back in shape, and with a $20 entry fee, and $5 penalties if you gain weight at the weekly weigh-ins, I don't blame him! I told him I'll gladly pay into some sort of "fat kid fund" at home if I ever gain weight too.

2. Pilates Napa Valley kicks off the March Madness promotion! For existing clients, 4 weeks UNLIMITED sessions for less than a month of 3x/wk. For new clients (or a certain lazy daughter of the owner), a lose 10lbs in 30days program. 3 days/wk for a month PLUS a free copy of the Sonoma Diet book. This too will be less than the standard 3x/wk month-long package. Details are coming, so don't quote me yet (but feel free to say I referred you when you call to book an appointment!) Mom and I are still ironing out the specifics, but I'll be starting my 10-in-30 regime on Wednesday, complete with the Sonoma diet.

Okay, now I know you're saying, "Wait a minute homeslice. How can it be a lifestyle change if you're going on a 'diet'?" Well, homeskillet, I have a very good answer for that. The Sonoma Diet is not so much a "only eat lettuce for 6 months" diet. It does start out with a 10day Phase One, where you're not to eat ANY sugar (including fruits) to rid yourself of a sweet tooth. After that, it just focuses on fresh foods. My mom lost 6lbs in her first 10 days! The meals are really tasty, and don't feel like "diet" food, because they're not really. It just teaches you to eat for health and flavor, all at the same time.

In addition to this renewed effort in health, I'm working on discovering happiness in my career choice. I'm starting some behind the scenes work for PNV, to start flexing my marketing muscles. It's the first step to ensuring my mental health is on the same level as my physical health, both of which I've been neglecting recently.

March 1, it is


Oh, PS? That Biggest Loser DVD is no joke. I sweat more this evening than I have in a year and a half. And I'm going on 40hrs of ZERO sleep at this point. Oh, motherhood.

Workout: Biggest Loser - Last Chance Workout

Well, I did it. I finally bought a fitness DVD. I almost didn't, because Trevor decided to make some jerk comment of "No, you won't actually do it." But I told him to shove it, and I put it in the cart. I'll admit, I have had some commitment problems to exercise in the last year. Big plans without follow through. But that's no excuse for him to be a douche about it. Anyway, if anything it angered and motivated me.

The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout DVD is really amazing, actually. I mean, today was my first time doing it, and I had to take a break between the warm up, and the main workout to nurse, but it quickly got my heartrate up, and sweat dripping.

Jillian leads the workout, with fan favorite contestants from 2009 and 2008 season. It has a warm up, cool down, and then three middle sections to alternate between. The "Last Chance Workout" (which has a different version every two weeks), a lower-body and a upper body focus section. It totals out to about 30min per day.

I only did the "Last Chance Workout" today, Week 1-2, and it kicked my ass. Using only hand weights and weight resistance, Jillian takes you thru 30 second intervals, trading off between cardio with muscle training, and muscle training with cardio. I really didn't expect my dinky 3lbs weights to do much, but I was definitely ready to put them down by the time the interval was over.

It's something I absolutely recommend. As I sit here and type, I can already feel the soreness kick in, which is the sign of a job well done.

I think I'm going to start Pilates at my mom's studio next week. She and I have some big plans, so stay tuned for those!

Little successes

Hmph. No weight loss, but I do have some shrinkage!

Waist : 2/11 = 38in, 2/21 = 37in
Bust : 2/11 = 44in, 2/21 = 42in
Arms : 2/11 = 16.5in, 2/21 = 16in
Hips : 2/11 = 49in, 2/21 = 48.5
Legs : 2/11 = 30.5in, 2/21 = 30

Its about 4.5 inches total. Not too bad considering I've done more toning exercises than get sweaty. Thats changing tomorrow morning tho, I have to satiate these running dreams, and release some tension.

Tomorrow, I will jog for 15min, then promptly die a slow and agonizing death on my front steps. Fun!

Tips and Tricks: Cutting Calories

There's a lot of books and articles out there about how to cut calories, and they range from valid and informational to completely insane. This is a short list of what I've found works for me:

I'm a classic overeater, and since living on my own, it's gotten worse. Trevor doesn't eat leftovers, and I feel like I'm wasting money if we don't eat the entire pot. So, I have two ways to combat this instinct.

Cut recipes in half. Most recipes are written for 4, so before you know it, the pan is empty and even a healthy recipe's calories have doubled.

Dish up leftovers first. If I make my lunch plate for the next day, and get it in the fridge before I even sit down to eat dinner, there won't be any food leftover for tempting seconds.

Another super easy thing to do is to use smaller plates. This works best with my nemesis, carbs. Cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes. All are easily overserved, and then overeaten. I know there are tips to eat almonds, or thing like FullBars before a meal to dissuade hunger, but I find I still eat the same amout of food regardless, ignoring my "full" feeling. It's best to use these mental tricks, personally.

I also frequently confuse boredom and thirst for hunger. This likely stems from afternoons alone after school, and trying to fill voids with food. So, I drink lots of water, in the form of coffee, tea, EmergenC, or Crystal Light. I also try to keep easy snacks like chips, and crackers (more carby goodness) out of the house, and actually make real meals when I think I'm hungry. Work for my food. If it seems like it's going to take too long, I'm not really hungry.

That said, I am a new mom, and sometimes even sauteeing chicken takes too long. So, I'm a big fan of bagged, one pot meals. Birds Eye Garlic Chicken is my favorite. But, again, my financial sense takes over, and I'll make the entire bag for myself, totalling close to 1000 calories for one meal. So, I only make half the bag. Again, then I'm eliminating any temptation to have additional portions, and as long as I wrap the remainder up tight, it's good in the freezer for a couple more days.

Finally, I can't get hungry during the day, or I ignore all these smart tips to avoid over consuming. So, small snacks that are full fiber, filling, and not calorie-dense help me immensely. FiberOne bars, and apples top the list.

Of course, the best trick is to actually make a lifestyle of implementing these, something that is clearly a challenge for me as I continue this lifelong battle over my inner fat kid. But as long as I never feel deprived, it's easy to do.



Also, here's a bonus fashion tidbit: my sister's breakdown of legwear definitions. Since I've been pregant, and actually since my mom opened Napa Valley Pilates, I've been a constant stretchy
-pants offender. I'm sure I'm not the only mommy who needs a reminder of what's socially acceptable.