Monday, April 12, 2010

Team Kirstie Challenge - Week Three

Last Week’s Workouts:
Monday – 15 min treadmill, 25 min elliptical, 10 min stair stepper
Tuesday – 1 hour spin class
Wednesday – 1 hour Zumba class
Thursday – Rest
Friday – 15 min treadmill, 15 min elliptical, 10 min stair stepper
Saturday – 4 mile walk with Dixie & Bauer
Sunday - Rest

So begins week three of my “Team Kirstie Challenge” – and I must admit, I’m surviving. It isn’t always easy. There are days that my mouth begins to water at the mere mention of chocolate. I haven’t exactly enjoyed waking up at 6:15 when my schedule would allow me to sleep until 7:45 and still make it to work on time. And I would *much* rather be eating some salt and vinegar chips with my sandwich than the carrot sticks I’m snacking on right now – but a chubby girl has to do what a chubby girl has to do.

I’ve certainly learned a lot over the past two weeks in my attempt to get in shape and eat healthy. So I figure, why not share the wealth with my fabulous readers? Because eating right and working out can be frustrating, expensive & exhausting – so I might as well share what I have learned for any girls out there trying to make a change like me.

Don’t buy Jello Sugar Free Dulce De Leche pudding cups. Umm….GROSS. I love dulce de leche cheesecake – so I jumped at the chance to try Jello’s sugar free version of this treat. At only 60 calories, a pudding cup is only 1 WW point – now that’s a snack I can learn to love. If it wasn’t incredibly slimy that is. That dark tan layer of – well I’m not really sure what that is – we’ll call it “jello” at the top is horrid. I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be the caramel flavoring, but it’s gross. Save your $3 for 6 cups and just buy yogurt.

Find a low calorie veggie that you love – something you can “indulge” on. Sometimes I just want to eat because I need something to do with my mouth. I get bored – there’s no one to talk to – it’s almost quitting time and I just need something to pass the next thirty minutes. I have started snacking on carrots and pickles like it’s my job. Zero WW points and I still satisfy my craving to snack. Granted, it’s no chocolate – but I’m learning to live.

The feelings of hunger will subside – I promise. The first week on WW I thought I was starving myself. Honestly. All I could think about was food. My stomach would literally growl non-stop. I wasn’t starving myself – but my stomach wasn’t used to eating so little. My tummy was a little spoiled. Tummy and I have had some pretty rough moments over the past two weeks. Slowly but surely, she’s starting to get the hint – I’m not going to stuff you. I’m not going to eat until I can’t walk anymore. You can growl all you want, but all you’re getting is carrots. SO GET OVER IT! I wouldn’t exactly say we are on good terms just yet, but I know we will get there soon. I’m starting to feel satisfied with smaller meals – finally. My stomach is shrinking!

So now I have a few questions for you – my readers who maybe have the hang of the “healthy lifestyle” crap idea.

What are some genuinely satisfying low calorie snacks? If I need a sugar/chocolate fix – where can I turn?

Any good music for my workout mix? I’m in serious need of a revamp – suggestions to get my workout groove on early in the morning?

Thoughts on 30 Day Shred? I’m considering going all out and doing the 30 Day Shred each morning before my 7am workout. I need something to kick it into high gear and really get me burning calories for an upcoming beach trip. Does the video really work? Anyone think this might be too much – I need to be able to walk each day!

Thanks for all the encouragement! As always – you rock!

21 comments:

Same Sweet Girl: Memoir of a Southern Belle said...

Oh oh oh!! I'm so excited that you asked!! I have been on a weight loss challenge myself for the past 3 months. I have lost 12 pounds and I'm beyond ecstatic! Low calorie snacks that I love are Kashi granola bars (my favorite is dark chocolate coconut and it only has 120 calories...yum!), peanut butter and raisins on a plain rice cake (it doesn't sound that good but trust me, you will be addicted), and whole wheat low fat triscuits or veggies with garlic hummus. I love me some hummus! Good luck girlie!! :)

~*~Lilly~*~ said...

Something that i have used to get me by on a day i might be craving "dessert"....the make it yourself little box of fat-free jello pudding (choc fudge or plain ole choc) it's super easy! Just dump the little box into a bowl add 2 cups of fat free milk or i use Lactaid fat free milk & wisk it for like 2 minutes - let stand 5 minutes (in frig).

Then your all ready to enjoy! if you want to divide out serving..pour before you let it stand into desired containers then let stand. It's yummy & you can start mixing favors and make layered desserts for you & hubs. :o)

Aly @ Analyze This said...

Dang, girl! Look at you go!! You're so inspiring! :)

I'm big on SlimFast shakes right now...I know that some people don't like the chalky taste...but they fill me up! I also love munching on carrots and snow peas!

melslatt said...

Good for you! Two low cal sweet snacks that I like are 1) Yoplait Whips frozen - I like the texture better than regular yogurt and it takes longer to eat when they are frozen, thus extending your snack time. 2) If I really want chocolate, I keep regular old Hershey's bars in the fridge. 1/4 of the bar is something like 40 calories and something about the crunch of biting into it when its cold is extra satisfying

Jessica said...

A friend just introduced me to this snack the other day and it's delicious.

Get a pack of the full sized chocolate rice cakes. Spread some fat free cool whip on top and add some cut strawberries on the cool whip. It's very tasty!

Also, Yoplait that just came out with Parfait Bites I think they are called. They are in the freezer section, has a layer of strawberry filling, frozen yogurt around that and covered with granola - 150 cals per pack.. very good!

The new Special K fruit crisp bars are amazing too!

Good luck.. sounds like you are doing great!

Mrs. Pick said...

Congrats lady! You are so inspiring! I've been trying to get into the healthy eating habit since the beginning of the new year. I am down about 8-9lbs which is better than nothing. Reading your post has given me the motivation to re-dedicate myself to counting points with WW and keep hitting the gym even though my vaca is over and done with!

agalandherdog said...

They make lots of 100 calorie snacks that are chocolate and taste pretty good (good enough for 100 calories anyway). I like the chocolate covered pretzels.

The 30-day shred is hard -- like REALLY hard. I did it before my wedding, and it works, but you definitely won't feel like doing much more after you do it for the first couple of weeks. I would do the video and then 20 minutes on the elliptical and that would wipe me out for the evening.

It sounds like you are doing a great job. Good luck and keep up the momentum!

Karah said...

I love the 30 day shred. I do it just about every day. It really works. I can tell a big difference in my arms. Its hard, im not going to lie. I thought I was going to die at first but its well worth it. I love it.

Laura@The Oily Cupboard said...

i like the fun size peanut m&m's for a quick fix.

Alissa said...

Go you! Wow you're on a kick my friend. Keep it up girly!

Tess said...

Hummus, Hummus, Hummus! It is super easy to make your own (do you read Bellicious Kitchen? She posted a great recipe today) and Trader Joe's has a great garlic hummus that is not overpowering and is cheaper than any other place I've priced. We dip pretzels into it!

Taylor-Made Wife said...

I love the Shred, the first workout on there was a little too easy, so I usually do level 1 and lever 2 together. The music gets old and sometimes Jillian's voice perturbs me, but once you get used to the workout you can always mute and listen to your own music like I do. She has a really great cardio/strength mix.

Anonymous said...

I don't exercise as much as I should, at all, but when I run, I like to listen to tobymac... it's high energy mix of pop, rock, and hip hop and easy to keep moving to. Some of my favorite songs are "Tonight," "Showstopper," "Funky Jesus Music," "Hey Now," "Catchafire," and "Ignition."

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Ah, I'm at that stage where my stomach is convinced I'm starving it. I just keep trudging on.

As for good snacks...
I LOVE the skinny cow ice cream bars, at just under 150 calories. Also The Chocolate Mint Metro water, zero calories, and it is SO good. :D

Unknown said...

I just did the 30 day shred back in January. I am already pretty tiny, so I didn't lose any weight, but I was toned like crazy! Some of my friends did it and lost as much as 20 lbs...we all loved it!

jenn said...

i love skinny cow cheese, and veggies with cream cheese. be careful with carrots. i used to overdo it with the carrots & there is a lot of sugar in them. although they are healthier than most snacks, they turn to sugar in your body & are harder to digest than other veggies! :) because i'm pre-diabetic, i'm super aware of foods that do that, so if you ever have questions about foods with low carbs, low sugars & a low glycemic index, i'm your girl! :)

Annie said...

gosh, i wish i was on the eating healthy and weight loss wagon.
i know i have no one to blame except myself.
i need to use peeps like you as inspiration.
i have such a food obsession, boo.
okay, enough whining ;)

hopefully i can take responsibility for my own self and hop back on the healthy train!

have a great week my beautiful friend!! hugs!! :)

Kristin said...

Sounds like you're doing great! At the moment, I love Yoplait Delights Yogurt. Have you tried them? Comes in berry, lemon, caramel, and choc.rasp. Good stuff! Rich, creamy, and indulgent tasting. My favs. are the lemon and the berry.

Anonymous said...

I need your motivation girl! I have the day shred and I was told by many people who have done it not to try to do that and work out....they said it would be way too much! If you try them together let me know how it goes! Good luck! xoxo

Brittany said...

I see nothing wrong with putting the shred and another workout together. The shred only burns about 205 calories. Not to be nosey but how come you aren't incorporating weights in your workouts? When you do cardio and weights, you see results a lot faster.

As for snacks, sugar free chocolate pudding or any 100 calorie pack. I love those.

Tori Bella said...

Two words: Chocolate Cheerios. Don't walk - run to the cereal aisle and get some. They're a lifesaver.



Young, Fabulous, Newlywed





Button Love

My Blogger BFF

Designed By:

Munchkin Land Designs
Elements by Karen Funk