A Bomb Pop Face-Off

Day 10 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: 2 pounds in ten days

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

Today's challenge: Keeping on-calorie, I may be doing some snacking

Planned fitness: 60 bicep and back workout, speed run-1 mile warm-up, 2 miles of run faster one block, slower the next...ect, with a 1 mile cool-down, my abdominal work-out twice.

Note on picture: This is a Schwan's Bomb Pop that is currently rivaling my Blue Bunny Favorite Bomb pops. These are 45 calories.

A Bomb Pop Face Off













Ok...so I know I already wrote a post about bomb pops yesterday, and how Blue Bunny has the best bomb pop, right?

Well, wouldn't you know it, the very same day that I posted that post, the Schwan's guy knocks on my door.

You all surely know who the Schwan's guy is don't you? They're known for their ice cream. That's pretty much all they sold when they first started out. Now, they sell all this frozen food as well. The Schwan's man came to our house when we were kids, and my mom bought ice cream and frozen food from them.

Well, we've been having the Schwan's guy stop by for a few years now. They have some really good stuff. Especially their Rocky Road ice cream. I could eat a whole container of it in two days...which is why I haven't ordered any of that during this diet.

Now, they're vanilla light ice cream...not so impressed. Blue Bunny was better. In fact, Blue Bunny has pretty much outranked Schwan's ice cream on a lot of things. But Schwan's does have good biscuits and corn.

So....anyway, here is the Schwan's guy and here I just wrote a post on Bomb pops. So, I say,

"Do you have any Bomb Pops?"

"Yes, they're our top selling ice cream treat."

oohh, those are fighting words, can we say "let's have a Bomb pop face-off."

You mean to tell me that people buy more Schwan's Bomb Pops than Rocky Road Ice cream?

This I must taste.

So, for $5 and something cents, I ordered 18 bomb pops that he handed me in a plain, unimpressive box. Each bomb pop has 45 calories instead of 40.

Hmmm....a different recipe perhaps? Could it be creamier than Blue Bunny's Bomb Pop?

So, I had one.

And I must say, I was rather impressed. It was thick, solidly textured, perhaps slightly less creamy than Blue Bunny's, but the flavors of each color tasted vibrant and distinct. Maybe more so than Blue Bunny's flavors. It definitely did not have a Popsicle taste whatsoever.

Hmm...this one is really close. In fact, so close that I think I may need a week or so of taste testing to reallllyyy make sure I know for sure which one is better.

But I think I can manage that, after all they're only 40 ish calories each.

Battle Of The Bomb Pops

Day 9 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: 2 pound in eight days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder cream with coffee:30
total:195

Today's challenge: It's cold and not sunny and may rain. Just staying motivated.

Planned fitness: 60 minute leg workout, four mile run, my abdominal routine twice.

Note on picture: Very low calorie snack. 4 oz of sliced strawberries:36 with 1 tsp of sugar:15, I piece of lefse:30 with 1 slice of Laughing Cow French Onion light spreadable cheese:35. Total:116.

Battle Of The Bomb Pops

Not that bomb pops are that big of a deal in the whole scheme of things. Of life. Actually I didn't really even pay that much attention to them until my husband began bringing them home here and there when we got married.

But then, what really got me noticing the little red, white and blue pops was when I went on this diet.

Did you know they are only 40 calories?!?

40 calories. That's like the equivalent of a few licks of chocolate cake frosting, but you get way more licks out of this.

So, the first bomb pop that he brought home were Blue Bunny Bomb pops, which have this almost creamy taste to to it. The flavors are separated with cherry on top, then vanilla and then blue raspberry on the bottom.

I think Blue Bunny makes the greatest ice cream products around anyway, so I shouldn't really be surprised that their Bomb Pops are also the bomb.

Well, then one day, my husband brings home Kemps Bomb Pop. You would think, that the bomb pop recipe can't be that different. Think again.

This bomb pop did not have that richer creamy taste at all. It had more of an ice pop taste. Like they had just blended their ice-pop flavors together.

What a total let down.

I am not even getting paid to promote Blue Bunny here, but their bomb pops taste way better than Kemps. I know people who read this come from different parts of the country and may not have even heard of Blue Bunny, which comes from Iowa and maybe not even Kemps, which I think is made in Minnesota.

So, I'm curious. Does anyone have a favorite bomb pop brand that I need to be aware of?
Maybe we could have bomb pop face off.

"My bomb pop is better than your bomb pop!"

"No, way! Prove it!"

Spoken as bomb pops clash together... with America the Beautiful playing in the background.

Honest Scrap Award

Day 8 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: 2 pounds in eight days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

2 oz banana:50
vanilla protein shake:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:200
-------------------
running total:395

1 large eggs: 140
1 lefse:30
3 1/2 oz of sliced strawberries:31
with 1 tsp of sugar:15
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:80
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 326
-----------------
running total: 721

2 oz banana:50
vanilla protein shake:110
1 Laughing cow bite:5
1 Ritz cracker:16
total:181
--------------
running total:902

1/2 graham cracker sheet: 35
4 1/2 oz baked potato: 99
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
3 1/2 oz chicken breast:123
with 1 tsp of Bacon Ranch dressing:23
total:296
--------------
running total:1198

1 slice of Rotello Italian toast:50
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
with 2 tsp of peanut butter:66
total:146
----------------
running total:1344

Blue Bunny Bomb Pop:40

total:1384
vanilla protein powder:110
2 oz banana:50
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:200
-------------------
running total: 395

Today's challenge: Keeping on-calorie, hydration

Actual fitness: 5 mile run

Note on picture: oh, yeah, I got the Honest Scrap Award, see?


Honest Scrap Award

After thinking wayyy too hard about this honest scrap award from Dawn, I finally came up with some things I can share with you guys.

1.) When I was ten, I wanted to race horses when I grew up, even though lived in the city. I read all these Black Stallion books and was convinced that that's what I wanted to do. I can probably count on my hands the number of times I've actually ridden a horse. Now I just read romance and suspense books and dream about looking good and killing the bad guys.

2.) I was a tomboy as kid and wished I could be a boy. Now I'm very glad I'm a girl.

3.) On that same note, I got along better with boys growing up than with girls. This may be due to the fact that I grew up between two brothers, rough housing, getting beaten up...the same thing that I see happening to my daughter with her brothers. Now, I feel I get along well with both men and women, however, I'm competitive... as hard as I try to deny it.

4.) My favorite color as a kid was green because I had a green bike with a green banana seat. Now it's blue. And not because I had a blue bike...It matches my eyes?

5.) I used to eat cat food as a kid. No, I don't eat cat food anymore.

6.) When I was a kid, I wanted to be a career woman and couldn't figure out why anyone would stay at home raising a bunch of kids...Well, I have had a career, but now I have five kids and I love staying at home with them. Funny how things change.

7.) After high school, I traveled around the country selling magazines door to door. I should have just went to college. Now when kids come to my door selling magazines, I recite back their spiel to them before they can spit it out. And, no, I don't even buy any magazines. I know, I'm heartless. And cheap?

8.) I started a diary at the age of nine and wrote in it everyday for three years straight. I've kept numerous journals and still write in a diary. Now, I have a blog. I just don't spill my guts to you all like I do in my diary. Actually, I'm thinking I just might need to burn my diaries before I die. Maybe I'll write that in my will.

9.) I bought my very first camera at the age of nine by saving up Bazooka Bubble Gum wrappers, sending those into the company with a couple bucks and receiving a cheap plastic camera that used 110 speed film. I still have those very first pictures that I took. Hey, not much has changed, I still have a camera that I got for a "good deal". Oh, I think I might take better pictures than when I was a kid.

10.) I wrote my very first poem at the age of ten. I still write poetry. Diet Desperado was my first parody. I've got another parody I'm cooking up in my head.

Well, I see this turned into a "before" and "now" truth telling. So, actually I just told you all 20 things about me. Hmm...no I don't want the award twice. I think I've been awarded this before...So, who could I pick on to give this to, who doesn't already have it...

First, is Sunshine Meg...who's totally honest.
Second, is Lindsey who gives great advice.
Third, is Hadley, who is awesome with caloric numbers
Fourth is Jo who I love.
Fifth is Fitcetera who is very honest and is a great encourager.
Sixth is Me who just started her diet and is doing great
Seventh is Lynn who makes great food.
Eighth is Tricia who takes great pictures.
Ninth is Little Ms Blogger who is very clever and just had a birthday.

Tenth is my husband, Daddy Rainmaker, who makes me laugh. Ok, so he doesn't have a blog, but he shares My Darling Kids blog with me, so can I award us?

Wow. That took some time.

The Race Story: Two Versions

Day 7 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: two pounds in six days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

4 oz of strawberries:36
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 lefse:30
with 1 Laughing Cow French onion cheese spread:35
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:146
---------------------
running total:341

1 piece of toast:50
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
1 tsp of peanut butter: 66
total: 141
-------------------------
running total:482

Salad at Old Country Buffet: It had peas, broccoli, cauliflower, sesame seeds, croutons, cantaloupe, honey dew, jello wedge, fat free french dressing:170

2 oz turkey:70
1 cinnamon roll:250 (est)
ice cream:75
apple crisp:75
mousse:75
total:740
-----------------------
running total: 1222

1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee: 30
1 slice of toast:50
1/2 tsp of Smart balance light butter: 7
1 tsp of peanut butter: 33
total:120
---------------
running total: 1342



Today's challenge: hydration, keeping on-calorie, getting my sit-ups in.

Planned fitness: My abdominal routine.

Note on picture: My husband grills up the best chicken. He puts together this season that contains flour, salt and paprika and then works his magic on the grill. I de-boned this and it melted in my mouth last night: 4oz of de-boned chicken breast:200 (est). 1 1/2 oz of corn:30 with 1/2 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:7 total:237

The Race Story: Two Versions

I decided to go with giving you all the two-version race story option depending on how much time you have to read.

First there's the meet-you-in-the-street-quick version of how my half-marathon went...

Me... upon seeing Sunshine Meg as I'm taking a walk downtown, "Hey, Sunshine Meg, how are you doing?"

"Great," she says as she stops and we both embrace for a quick hug.

"It's so nice to see you! You must be out shopping for stuff for your wedding!"

"Yah, ya know only 48 days left! Hey, how did your half-marathon go? Did you break two hours?"

"Yeah, it was great. I felt great starting out. I found my brother and we both ran the first mile in 8:13, then after I pulled away, I got to the half-way point at 56 minutes, 40 seconds. Then, I finished in hour and 44 minutes and 31 seconds."

"Wow, so that means you beat your old record by..."

"By thirteen minutes. I ran a minute faster per mile this year, than I did last year at an average pace of 8:45."

"Do you think losing the weight helped?"

"Totally, I felt lighter, faster, my knees didn't hurt at the nine mile mark. You should try doing one."

"Yeah, I'd like to...maybe after the wedding."

"Well, let me know maybe we can run together... We'll be Team Sunshine (Thanks for the name, Amanda)."
------------------------------------------------------------------
Then, there's the long, sordid version. I thought maybe this would be a version I'd share with my female blogger buddies during say... a girl's night out.

Upon arriving at our local pub, I immediately see from my friend Jo.

She calls out, "Hey everyone! Sunshine Mama is here! Let's PARRRTTy!!"

"Hi, folks, friends, compadres... Hey, what's up! Anybody leave me any Mexican to eat? Ha, just kidding."

Jo, " Yeah, don't remind me, So,....how'd you do? did you break two hours?"

"Yes, but it wasn't an hour and 97 minutes like you guessed."

Jo rolls her eyes and smiles, "Is that what I wrote? Well, you know what I meant."

"Close. Actually it was an hour and 54 minutes and 31 seconds."

Sunshine Meg who had been listening pipes in, "You Rock!!! You Go Girl. I knew you'd break two hours."

Dawn adds, "Yah, I knew you'd do well too. If you can lose 20 pounds in 10 weeks, then you can definitely break two hours. I was thinking about you."

"Thank guys. I was totally thinking about you during the race too. In fact, where's Lindsey....I think her advice might have helped me PR."

Lindsey moves forward, "Hey, Sunshine Mama, How's it going? So you made it under two hours? That's great!"

"Yeah after I read your comment about not running with my running pack and water, I decided not to wear it."

"Really."

"Yay. I wore these shorts that had zipper pockets to carry my energy gels with. Then as I got near each water station, I ate my energy gel...and then stopped for about fifteen seconds to chase it down with water cause I can't drink water from a cup and run at the same time. I'll gag."

"Yah, I know what you mean. So, how many energy gels did you have?"

"Well, five total. At the three mile, five mile, half-way point, eight mile and ten mile marks. Two of the five gels were Roctane while the others were regular GU gels with some caffeine. It's way more energy gels than you usually eat...but that's just me. Hey, it looks like you've been doing your abs. You're looking good."

"Thanks, yah. I've been trying to get them in after my runs. It's tough sometimes."

"Yah, you have a busy schedule. I don't even know how you can work all those hours and then train for a marathon."

Then, I look over and see Hadley. "Hey, how are you doing?"

"Great, I can't wait till I can run a half -marathon! How did all the preparations for you go?"

"Good! I was SOOO nervous. We only live like two miles from the start of the race. And since I knew there'd be this long line for the bathroom I stayed at my house using the bathroom till the very last minute. Then, my husband dropped me off at ten minutes to 7:00, I got my chip, which is what we attach to our ankle for the timer's to keep time. And then at like five minutes before the start of the race, I realize I have to pee."

"No way!"

"Way! So, I was scoping the area and actually thinking about using these bushes, but then there were way too many people in the area plus there were cops. And I was just like...uhh...I don't want to run with a full bladder for six and a half miles."

"So, what'd you do?"

"Well, I went to the beginning of the line for the bathroom and asked the people who were in line if I could use it cause I had to race in two minutes. See, there was a five mile run scheduled for fifteen minutes after my race, so I knew a lot of the people in line were going to be running that race. There were a few dissenters....but I got in the bathroom two minutes before the race started....and I'm so glad I did because I didn't have to go at all during the race."

Lynn says, "Hey! Is this the long sleeved t-shirt that you got for the race? I like it!"

"Yeah, It's gold with reddish wording. I'm not big on yellow but it's ok."

"So, what'd you learn about yourself during this race?"

"Well, that I'm not going to drink protein drinks before the race anymore, because my stomach felt a little queasy and I even had a few side-aches. But, overall... I was surprised at how good my legs felt. I think weighing less made a huge difference. One thing that was really neat was that I got to race with my brother for the first two miles. We talked for a little bit during that part. I don't think we've ever run together before let alone race together. That was really nice."

"So, Hadley, can that body bugg of yours figure out how many calories I burned during this race?"

"Yes, but you actually have to be the one wearing it."

"Oh. Well, Isn't this girl's night out cool?"

"Yeah!," said Sunshine Meg, "Girl's Rock!"

Today Is Race Day

Day 6 of Six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: 2 pounds in six days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
3oz banana:75
vanilla protein shake:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:390

five energy gels:500
Espresso Love
Chocolate Outrage
Espresso Love
Roctane
Roctane

1 bagel after race:240
2 oz banana:50

total:790
--------------
running total: 1180

1 bagel:240
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
1 tbl of peanut butter:100
total:355
----------------
running total:1535

1/2 cinnamon graham cracker sheet:35
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
4 oz grilled chicken, dark meat:200 (est)
1 1/2 oz corn:30
1/2 tsp of Smart Balance light:7
total:344
-----------------
running total:1879

ice cream:250

two 4 oz glasses of wine:150

total: 2279



Today's Challenge: running a half-marathon, and all that goes with it.

Planned fitness: Half-marathon race

Note on picture: I had this last night to get some complex carbohydrates in me before the race. 2 oz (dry) spaghetti:180, 4 oz chicken breast:140, 1 tsp of Smart Balance Light butter:15, few tsp of sauce: 15, 4 oz tomatoes:16, 1/2 tsp of sugar:7. total:373

Today Is Race Day

Good morning, everyone!

There's not much here today. I was going to write a post last night, but we had guests over and I ended up talking. So instead, I had an idea.

Anybody want to guess how I'll do for a time? Just for fun.

Recall I wanted to break two hours, and my best time last year was 2:07.56. I weigh 20 pounds less in this race than when I did in the same race last year.

I'll do a post on this event tomorrow. In the meantime, everyone have a great fall Saturday!!

Defining Determination

Day 5 of Six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: two pounds in five days

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
1/4 cinnamon graham cracker:15
with sweet-n-low:0
total:210

3 oz banana:75
1 tsp of flaxseed oil: 40
vanilla protein shake:110
total:225
--------------
running total:435

2 large eggs:140
1 lefse:30
4 oz of sliced strawberries:36
1 tsp of sugar:15
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:30
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:331
------------------
running total:766

2 1/2 oz banana:57
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
vanilla protein shake:110
total:200
---------------
running total:966

2 oz of spaghetti (measured dry): 180
1 tsp of Smart Balance Light:15
4 oz of chicken breast: 140
4 oz of tomatoes:16
1/2 tsp of sugar:7
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low: 0
total: 388
--------------
total:1354

Today's challenge: Not snacking, keeping hydrated.

Planned fitness: my abdominal plan twice.

Note on picture: Gourmet Dining brand Chicken Alfredo. 1 1/2 cups:250 calories. I had 7 ounces of sliced tomatoes on the side: 28 with 1 tsp of sugar:15 for a total of:293.

Defining Determination

I was thinking about calling this post "Determination: My Silver Bullet". I love coming up with post titles, there's so many good ones out there.

Remember when I talked about Defining your Dream? Well, determination is the thing that makes your dream come true. There's so many people out there who will try to tell you that all you need is this diet pill, or diet program, or this stay-at-home business plan to make your dreams come true...but the reality is... that you make your dreams come true when you decide in your mind that you're going to do it...and then you find a way to make it happen.

Determination is the difference between finding reasons for why you can't do it versus finding a way to do it. It's looking at a challenge and finding a way to overcome it, instead of letting the challenge overcome you.

I have a perfect example of determination. My friend, who I went to the Liz Logelin walk with, injured her foot a week before the walk. She literally could not walk. But she really wanted to go. She had read almost the entire Matt Logelin blog and wanted to be there. So, she got creative and figured out a way. She rented a wheel chair for $5 bucks a day. Then she had me push her. (I used those big muscles of mine.)

You can't buy determination...
But it's priceless to have.

Determination doesn't let failure get in the way of success. It picks itself back up and gets itself back in the fight. If I have a bad day and overeat on calories, instead of giving up, I try again the next day.

Here's how determination worked in real life for me on this diet.

I wear running shoes that I've been using for over a year. They should have been replaced several months ago, but I'm too cheap to go out and get new ones just yet. But...I still run with them because I'm determined to run.

For those who don't know, I also have a cheap Wal-mart scale that won't give me exact numbers, is hard to see and wavers...but I still manage to lose weight on it because I'm determined to lose weight. A scale doesn't have to work perfectly for me to lose weight.

I have to wear two sports bras that are four years old and I get tired of using them. I put them on and work out anyway because I'm determined to work out.

I used to have a Garmin watch that works, but I don't now...so I work out and run without a watch because I'm determined to work-out.

I used to have a an ipod...but then it stopped working...and I don't feel like getting a new one and spending all that time loading up music, so I work out without music because I'm determined to work out.

When I go to the gym, I have to spend 45 minutes slowly getting four children dressed and ready to take them to the gym, so I can work out...but I do it because I'm determined to work out.

At least three nights a week I make dinner in the afternoon, and put it in the crock pot, so that when I come home from the gym (with all the kids) at 5:45, supper is ready. I plan an prepare ahead of time like this because I'm determined to work out.

When I make food for the family, I usually don't eat it because I have something else planned...but I don't let that bother me or stop me from eating the way I need to eat because I'm determined to eat right so I can lose weight.

These are all things that could stop me from pursuing my goal if I let them. But because I'm determined to make my dream a reality, I find ways to overcome these obstacles.

When you're determined to do something, it's amazing what you can make happen. Determination has always been my silver bullet, and it should be yours too.

Keep trying, keep searching, keep working at finding a way to make it happen...and eventually it will happen.

My Half Marathon Race Plan

Day 4 of six weeks

Weight today: lost 1 pounds

Total lost: 2 pounds

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

3 oz banan:75
vanilla protein shake: 110
1 tsp of flaxseed oil:40
total: 225
--------------
running total: 420

2 large eggs: 140
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
3 1/2 oz of sliced strawberries:31
with 1 tsp of sugar: 15
1 tbl of creamer with coffee:30
total: 326
--------------
running total: 746

2 1/2 oz banana:57
vanilla protein powder:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil: 40
total:207
--------------
running total:953

1 1/2 cup of chicken alfredo dish: 250
7 oz of sliced tomatoe:28
with 1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
snacking on cereal: 75
total: 393
---------------
running total: 1346

Today's challenge: staying on-calorie, was feeling "snacky" last night. Also have been slacking on my abdominals.

Actual fitness: 50 minute chest and triceps workout, two mile run.

Note on picture: I made up this really easy meatball dish for my family last night. I cooked 2 pounds home style meatballs and two cans of creme of chicken soup for 25 minutes on medium, then served it on mashed potatoes. Very simple. For my serving: 3 1/2 oz boiled potatoes:77, with 1/2 tsp of Smart Balance butter:7, 3 meatballs:135, in cream of chicken soup: 15 (est), 3 1/2 of boiled broccoli:35, 6 oz of fresh sliced tomatoes:24, with 1 tsp of sugar:15 for a total of :301

Note on weight loss: See, I told you the scale was wavering yesterday. Those jeans I wore for my picture are starting to get loose.

My Half-Marathon Race Plan

Ok...so this half-marathon is two days away and I'll admit I'm getting a little nervous.

I can feel that little butterfly faintly flapping its wings in my belly.

This race starts at 7:00 a.m. this Saturday. That means I need to set my alarm at 4:30 a.m. to eat my bowl of oatmeal and protein shake. I'll try to put in about 500 calories before the race. I'll also drink a couple glasses of water at about the same time. Then, hopefully I pee it all out by 6:30 a.m. Also hopefully, I'll have a you-know-what before the race as well. Sorry don't want to get gross on you all. But 13 miles is a long way...you want to make sure those little bodily functions are taken care of before the race.

On my first marathon, I had to to pee at about three miles in. It was annoying because my legs were feeling great, but for this other nagging issue. There was a bathroom at mile 6.5, but still. I had to run three miles with a full bladder. Then, for second half-marathon, I stopped drinking water a few hours before the race and did NOT have to pee. How relieved (pun intended) do you think I was about that?

In my first race with my husband, I drank the water and ate the energy gels that they handed you along the way. We finished together in a time of about 2 hours and 24 minutes. It was a 10 minute, 15 second mile pace. For that race, I weighed about five pounds heavier than I am right now. However, I will admit, I could have ran faster... but didn't because I wanted to finish with my husband. We were a team.

In the second race, I wore a fanny pack thing that carried two bottles of water and had pockets that I could put my energy gels in. I liked it because I could eat and drink when I needed it versus waiting to come to a water station. The downside may be that it hindered my gait. In that race, I weighed about 20 pounds heavier than I am right now. I finished with a time of 2:07.56.

For this race, I can't decide if I should race with that fanny pack thing, or not. I have a system with my energy gels during a race where I basically gulp it down in two swallows and wash it down with water. Yes, I actually practiced this for my last half-marathon.

On my 12 mile run a few weeks ago, I ran without my fanny pack and wore some shorts that had zipper pockets and then just had my gels in conjunction with water fountains. But since you really need to have water when you eat an energy gel, it will be annoying to have to wait to eat it until I encounter a water station during the race. At the same time, it does feel rather freeing to run without the fanny pack.

Hmm...I might just end up bringing the fanny pack.

When I train for these half-marathons, I don't really do any kind of speed training. I haven't evolved to trying to be competitive yet. But since I have done a few, I have begun to develop some goals. In the last half-marathon that I ran, my sister-n-law finished in 2:00 exactly.
It wasn't 1:59, it was exactly two hours. So, part of the reason I'm shooting for under two hours is to beat her time....ha, ha... Just Kidding..."No, I'm doing it for you...cause you can't run it." (see, I know my sister-n-law is reading this.)

Actually I love my sister-n-law, she is so cool. Did you know that she totally followed my diet blog and got so excited when I actually lost the 20 pounds in ten weeks, and then e-mailed me to congratulate me? Now she's doing a diet too. She's awesome. But she won't start a blog because she's got too much to do.

Anyway, actually going under two hours seems like it's one of those things where at first you say, "yah, I ran a half-marathon" then...it's, "yah, I ran it in under two hours." I suppose the next thing will be, "Yah, I ran it in under 1 hour and 45 minutes."

Also, I'm hoping that carrying twenty less pounds of weight on the run will improve my time.

So, my strategy? Well, that I get to the half-way point without having to pee and under 60 minutes...and if I'm close to 60...I'll have to shake a leg to make up some good time coming back."

Sunshine Meg asked about pace and breathing. Honestly, for a half-marathon, I'll probably start out too fast, because there's like 800 people shooting out like a gun and you get swept up in it, then I'll try to keep a steady but not an I'm-going-to-die pace. If you're out of breath in the beginning, you're running too fast. I usually find that between mile eight and mile eleven is when time seems to slow down or at least my legs do. Then, I'll get a burst of adrenaline around mile ten or eleven because everybody is standing along the parade route and either staring at you blankly or cheering you on. (After the race there is this huge parade that people from miles around flock to see.) What I also notice is that my knees start to hurt at about mile eight too.

Inevitably at some point during the race I will think, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Well, I'll let you know how I do.

How I Train For A Half-Marathon

Day 3 of six weeks

Weight today: lost 2 pounds

Total lost: one pound (because of that pound I gained last week)

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

2 oz banana:50
vanilla protein shake:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:200
----------------
running total:395

2 large eggs:140
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
4 oz of sliced strawberries:36
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:331
--------------------
running total:726

3 1/2 oz banana:87
vanilla protein powder:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
1 Ritz cracker:16
1 Laughing Cow cheese bite:5
total:237

3 1/2 oz boiled, mashed potato:77
3 1/2 oz boiled broccoli:35
1/2 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:7
6 oz of sliced tomato:24
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
1 Blue Bunny Bomb Pop:40
total:363
------------------
running total:1347

four bites of Hanover Snyder Garlic bread pretzel pieces:50
total: 1397

Today's challenge: feeling like I may be feeling better today...just sticking to calories.

Actual fitness: 2-mile run, 60 minute back and tricep work-out.

Note on picture: Ok... it looks like my six-shooter isn't so shiny any more at ten years old, but it still gets the job done. And when you're aiming to lose weight isn't that what really matters? Count those calories, people, it really does work.

Note on weight loss: It actually looked to me like a third pound was wavering. For those who don't know, I don't have a digital scale. So, things waver around here. Funny thing is I'd just told my husband that I was feeling kind of fat today.

How I Train For A Half Marathon

I'm not sure where I came up with this little formula to prepare for completing a half marathon. I think I looked over a few training programs and just put something together that made sense to me and that would work in my schedule.

Actually, now that I think of it, I remember that I had just talked my husband into completing one and I had to figure out something that he could do that wasn't intimidating, not too time consuming, and something that would build his confidence in his abilities along with building his stamina.

This is the same program that I had my sister-in-law and brother do. They have made their own improvisations, as have I, but it's pretty basic.

The running begins 12 weeks out from the date of the half-marathon.

On week 1, you run one mile, three times a week. So, you could run Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Saturday.

You have a day off between runs to allow your legs to rest. I figure that when you first begin running, your are needing the rest because your body isn't used to the physical activity. Also, running just three days a week with a day break inbetween the runs is not as emotionally intimidating as running everyday. And finally, three days a week is easier to schedule in.

week 2.) run two miles, three days a week
week 3.) run three miles, three days a week
week 4.) run four miles, three days a week
week 5.) run five miles, three days a week
week 6.) run five miles on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, then run six miles on Saturday
week 7.) run five miles two days a week and on Saturday, run seven miles
week 8.) run five miles two days a week, and on Saturday run eight miles
week 9.) run five miles two days a week, and on Saturday run nine miles
week 10.) run five miles two days a week, and on Saturday run eleven miles
week 11.) run five miles two days a week, and on Saturday run six to seven miles
week 12.) run four miles on Monday, three miles on Wednesday...rest the next two days and then the marathon.

When you first begin this running program, you may need to stop and rest or you may need to walk for three or four minutes. If you haven't run before this is normal. My husband and I did almost all of our running on the local college track. We brought water and Gatorade along and had access to fluids as we needed them. He also wanted to train on the track because he felt it was easier on his knees.

I will also use energy gels on my long runs when I start running longer than five miles. I have written an article on how I use energy gels here if you're interested.

One of the reasons I keep the mileage at five miles during the week, is because I feel like five miles is a manageable time commitment, it is mileage that you could get used to doing, and after awhile it will seem like not very much in comparison to the higher mileage on Saturdays.

The reason I upped the miles by one every weekend was that your mind would feel like it could do it because you did it the weekend before. This whole training program really uses simple reasonable steps that builds your confidence and, I believe, builds your endurance at a moderate pace.

This program is also easy to change. For example, because I'm in better shape, I'm adding a few more days of running. My brother felt he needed more endurance running during the week, so he worked up to running eight miles for Monday and Wednesday and then kept his two days during the week at eight instead of five, while continuing to increase his weekend long runs.
You could also up your weekend long runs by more than just one mile (like I did for week 10). Also, if you're already in shape enough to run five miles, you could begin cranking out long runs earlier in the twelve week schedule.

The weekend before the half-marathon, I usually run about half of what the half marathon is...so about six or seven miles. The whole idea here is to make your legs completely rested so that on the day of the race, your legs feel fresh and springy.

This program worked for my husband, for me and for my brother and sister-in-law...we all successfully completed this training program when before we began it we had not done any running for several months.

This was the case for me in the last half-marathon that I trained for. I was out of shape before I began running. In fact, I began a walking program for a month, before I actually started running.

One last note. Of course you want to consult your doctor before embarking on training for a half-marathon. Also, if you get injured in the course of training, obviously, don't run it. This last spring I had been training for a half marathon in May, but hurt my back two weeks before the race. I literally could not walk for ten days. So, I decided not to run it because my back was still healing and 13.1 miles would put stress on my back.

I think tomorrow I'd like to share a little bit more about my half-marathon experiences and some goals I have and then I'll give this topic a rest...of course until I run it.

Hope this was helpful to you all.

Why Am I Running A Half Marathon?

Day 2 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: gained one

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of brown sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee: 30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

vanilla protein shake:110
2 oz banana:50
1 tsp of flaxseed oil:40
total:200
------------
running total:395

2 large eggs:140
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
4 oz of sliced strawberries:36
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer for coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:331
------------------
running total:726

3 1/2 oz banana: 87
vanilla protein powder:110
1 tsp of flaxseed oil:40
total: 200
----------------
running total:926

3 Ritz crackers:48
with 3 Laughing Cow bites spread on:15
total:63
--------------
running total: 989

3 oz chicken breast:104
4 oz potato:88
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
3 oz of strawberries:27
1/2 tsp of sugar:7
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
1 Blue Bunny Bomb pop: 40
total: 312
---------------------
running total: 1301

Today's challenge: Have been hungry lately...just staying on-calorie

Planned fitness: 60 minute leg work-out, 2 mile run, my abdominal routine twice.

Note on picture: Gourmet Dining brand beef stir fry. It's only 200 calories per 1 1/2 cups and takes about literally ten minutes to cook up over the stove. You could eat this and still have calories for ice cream afterward.

Why Am I Running A Half-Marathon?

Ok...so I may be asking that question a little too late, after all the race is in hmm...4 1/2 days. But I just know that some of you think I'm a little nutty or a super-eccentric crazy fit chick to attempt to run a half-marathon.

Tell me I'm wrong...

Well, this may come as a surprise to you, but running a half marathon is actually easier than you would think it is.

I know it's hard to believe, but I've developed a little plan to get just about anybody to finish a half-marathon. The only catch is that I wouldn't recommend training for one if you're carrying more than 40 extra pounds of weight. The reason being is that the running is harder on your knees with the extra weight, and quite honestly for women, you just may not want to have to wear four bras to keep everything in place.

But... I have talked my husband into running a half-marathon. It was our first, (his first and my first) marathon together. I know how romantic.

Then, the second one, I talked my sister-in-law into running one. At the time my brother (my sister-in-law's husband) was training for that same half marathon but was unable to compete in it.

Now this third half-marathon, my brother will also be running in, but his wife can not run it because she injured her leg snow boarding.

But how cool is all of this. My first half was with my husband, my second half was with my sister-in-law, and my third will be with my brother.

In the first half-marathon, I put together a training plan that basically took my husband from not even running at all... to finishing the half with about a 10 minute a mile pace.

With my sister-in-law, she had just had a baby about five months before the half, while I'd just had a baby about seven months before the half. Not only did she complete her half, but she beat me by seven minutes.

Hmm...so I never did explain why I'm running one.

To prove that I can?
To lose weight along the way?
To get a long-sleeve T-shirt?
As an excuse to eat energy gels?
To get the free grab bag of goodies?
To help me meet my other weight loss goals?
To work on my tan while running in the sun...you did notice my tan didn't you?
To build my endurance and physical ability?
To be a part of the churning excitement on the day of the event?
To break two hours?
To exhaust my body and sleep like log later that night?

If you can think of any more, Lindsey, let me know.

Well, I hope I've peaked your interest, because tomorrow I'm going to give you the skinny on training for a half-marathon...at least the way I do it.

Experiments, Failures And Redesigned Goals

Day 1 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: a pound gain from the day before

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of brown sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

3 1/2 oz banana:87
vanilla protein shake:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:237
------------------
running total:432

2 large eggs:140
1 lefse:30
4 oz of sliced strawberries: 36
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
1 tsp of brown sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
2 Laughing Cow cheese bites:10
total:341
----------------
running total:773

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of brown sugar:15
few bites of peanut butter and jelly sand which:40
total:205
------------------
running total:978

3 oz chicken breast:105
4 oz baked potato:88
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
7 oz of slice tomato:32
with 1 tsp of brown sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee: 30
1 Blue Bunny Bomb Pop: 40
total: 325
--------------
total:1303

Today's challenge: Keeping motivated. I'm getting a little sick. Been coughing, runny nose...nothing major just annoying.

actual fitness: 4 mile run. I won't be running as many miles this week to make sure my legs are rested and ready for the half marathon on Saturday.

Note on picture: I know I've already posted tomato pictures. But I love these things. Our neighbor just dropped off another five or so big, plump tomatoes fresh from his garden. They were still warm when I ate this yesterday. And only about four calories an ounce. This is actually like eating fruit when they're this fresh.

Experiments, failures & Redesigned Goals

Ok, that title was a mouthful.

Not that I would know about mouthfuls or anything...

Ahem...

New day! Right?

Anyway, I've been doing some thinking about my little wayyyy-off-day the other day, and I've come to a few conclusions about it.

I need to allow myself more calories in my diet. Last week I was limiting myself to 1200 or under and I do believe I was feeling weak. That combined with needing to go grocery shopping and being low on food the day before that fateful Saturday...ok...sorry about the drama...
didn't help matters. The biggest issue, though, I think was my lack of determination. I think I kind of wanted a break...because I wasn't giving my body enough calories.

If you look at the fact that I went over by 800-1,000 calories...that's the exact amount that I would have had during the week if I'd kept to a 1,400 calorie diet.

Part of what's going on here...is that I'm doing some experimenting with calories and for the first time in my life everyone gets to watch. I made a goal last week but didn't share the specifics with you all because it was an aggressive goal. It was something I had never achieved before, so I wasn't sure how quickly or slowly the weight would drop because I have less to lose than when I started this ten weeks ago.

Also, part of the push was driven by the fact that I wanted this weight to drop by my birthday. But after this weekend, I can see that I probably won't hit it. Don't worry, I won't cry...at least not in front of you all.

So, what I learned from this last week is that I will put my calories back up to between 1,200 to 1,400 depending on how I feel. I will be running fewer miles this week because I am tapering for my half-marathon that will happen this Saturday. So, I may not need as many calories.

I've also decided to re-start my goal and give myself six weeks to lose 12 pounds, which is a continuation of a two pound a week average. This goal seems reasonable and safe for my body.
But, since I've never really documented whether or not I can still maintain a two pound a week weight loss average when I have less weight to lose, I really don't know if I'll reach that goal in six weeks. It could take longer. Or maybe I might just decide that I don't want to lose twelve pounds after all.

I do know that I want to lose at least several pounds.

See? I'm using Saturday's failure as a learning experience to help modify my goals and make them more reasonable and attainable.

And, honestly? I'm really curious to see how this will all work out.

Sunshine Mama vs The Fatty Food Bandits

Weight today: gained 1 pound

Total lost: 1 pound gained in six days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

single shot coffee house mocha with whole milk: 300 (est)
----------------------
running total: 465

2 large eggs: 140
1 lefse:30
7 oz of fresh picked still warm from the sun tomatoes: 32
with 1 tsp of sugar:15
total:217
----------------
running total: 682

fruit roll-up:50
3oz banana:75
vanilla protein shake:110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:315
-------------------------
running total:997

1 1/2 cup of beef stir fry dish:200
1 slice of Rotello white Italian bread:50
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance Light butter:15
1 tbl of powder creamer for coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 295
-------------------
running total:1293

1 Blue Bunny Bomb pop:40
------------
total: 1333

Today's challenge: Keeping on calories

Planned fitness: took off

Note on picture: I went to the Liz Logelin 5K walk benefit yesterday and a friend made these nice cookies. I had one and estimate them to be about 50 calories.

Note on weight gain: This is why you weigh yourself everyday. Seeing a gain on the scale will help you to refocus on your goals. After I over-ate yesterday, the scale reflects it this morning. This is really annoying because I've spent the last week trying to lose and with just one mess-up, I've gained. Part of this gain is probably a combination of not drinking enough water, more salt then usual...but still. Now I'll have to wait it out a few days before I can see the loss I want. Arggg!

Sunshine Mama vs The Fatty Food Bandits

Well...the unthinkable has occurred, folks.

Sunshine Mama just lost her first shoot-out with the fatty food bandits.

What haven't heard of them? Well, they've been on the loose for a little while now. They're a sneaky kind of rascal...they go from town to town and insinuate themselves with the locals making themselves look harmless. Then, when you least expect it...they challenge you in the streets for a shoot-out.

Okaayyy....so, I went out of town to attend the Liz Logelin benefit with a friend. I thought that just one day of not bringing my own food, I would be ok. That's where I made my mistake.

I know you already know the ending of this story...but here it is if you're interested.

The day began innocently enough. We had to get up early to be there on time. I had my usual offering of oatmeal and sugar with a coffee and creamer to go.

The drive was two to three hours away so, I packed several ounces of strawberries sprinkled with sugar as a snack. So, about halfway in, I had the strawberries. So good so far.

We got there, and I knew about the cookies ahead of time, so I had planned to have one of these specialty sugar cookies that someone made for my friend for the benefit. I had one cookie and my friend gave the rest away. Still doing good. Yeah for me.

We did the walk. I then ate a 50 calorie fruit roll-up, no big deal. I have calories for this. The roll-up was one of the snacks that we received in this snack bag for taking part in the walk. At around 11:30, I'm starting to get hungry. This is when, if I had brought my own food I'd be safe. But considering the circumstances, I was still doing ok. I ate a 120 calorie cranberry pomegranate bar, which I noticed tasted divine, and hey, not bad at 120 calories.

Then as we're leaving the event to go see my sister, we get lost. So, I eat the second pomegranate bar, all the while thinking in the back of my mind, I still have lunch to eat, this doesn't bode well for keeping to my calories. At this point, I can already see the rest of the day beginning to unravel.

When we finally do sit down to eat at a Mexican restaurant, I'm not really that hungry, but I felt a little lost with what to do. They served these tortilla chips at the beginning of the meal, which I know I had several too many of. I ended up ordering two chicken tacos on a 50 calorie corn tortilla, except each taco had two corn tortillas. So, I ate the first taco with the two tortillas, then ditched the second tortilla with the second taco. Did I mention my friend had guacamole dip? Yahh, ate that with the chips too.

Then, as I was leaving, my sister gave me a chai filled chocolate truffle. Thanks! It was the same bunch of truffles I had given her for her birthday a few weeks back. Oh, did I mention that as we were sitting outside enjoying our Mexican meal, some lady solicited us to buy candy bars for the benefit of ...I can't remember what. Hey, I was in the benefit mood, so I bought some Reeses Pieces.

Which I ate later after I had a coffee. And actually it was a low-calorie coffee, which at that point...was damage control?

But what really submarined the day was the four smallish squares of my favorite pizza that we ordered after I got home.

Man did that pizza taste good. The greasy sausage, cheese...the Reeses Pieces. I figure I had about 2200 calories altogether. Oddly enough, I don't feel too down about this. After 10 weeks of having a vice grip on my diet, a 2200 calorie day is something I can live with and recover from.

Okay, erase that, I just weighed myself this morning, I am feeling annoyed now.

How does that song go, "It's a new day...a new life...and I'm feeling fine..."

Well, I'm feeling pretty re-determined right now. I think even before yesterday happened I was getting tired of cutting my calories and my resolve was weakening. But after my weigh-in this morning, well...I'll be back at it.

Today is a new day. I'll figure out what I did wrong, and try again.

Cleaning House Versus Losing Weight

Weight today: same

Total lost: 0 in five days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

5oz strawberries:45
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 sugar cookie:50
2 cranberry pomegranate bars:240
1 fruit roll-up:50
total:400
----------------
running total: 595

tortilla chips: 200 (est)
chicken taco with 2 tortillas: 200
chicken taco with 1 tortilla:150
guacamole dip:100
chocolate chai truffle:60
total: 710
----------------
running total: 1305

coffee with 2 tbl of powder coffee creamer:60
Reese's Pieces:220
4 slices of smallish pizza:500 (125x4)
1 coffee with powder coffee creamer:30
total: 810
--------------
running total:2115

Today's challenge: Not overeating while going out-of-town for the day.

Planned fitness: 5K walk

Note on picture: I've started adding flax seed oil to my protein shakes to give my body more of the good oil it needs.






Cleaning House vs Losing Weight

Remember when I said I was shutting off the computer during the day so that I can be more productive?

Well...it's worked. I'm more productive. Yesterday, I finally cleaned the "family room". I took before and after pictures, but won't be posting them...because...well, the before pictures were just a little too messy to be comfortably viewed by the naked eye.

So, instead I thought I'd compare how cleaning a messy room is a little like losing weight.

When you first look at how the 200 Lincoln logs, the 50 tiny toy soldier guys, the 50 some pieces of train tracks, random pieces of paper, broken crayons, 60 piece set of fake food for the kitchen, the entire toy box that is dumped and mixed in with all of this and more... you wonder how can you ever figure it out and get everything in order.

You feel overwhelmed...

When you first start a diet, and look at the idea of counting calories...looking at the back of labels, weighing and measuring your food, then writing it all down, pulling out a calculator to add everything up with, looking on-line for the food that doesn't have labels, exercising, weighing everyday, drinking enough water...you wonder how can you ever figure it out and lose the weight.

You feel overwhelmed too.

So, you breath deep, and say there has to be a way. You begin to do the easiest and most obvious things first...you put the couch cushions that the kids used to play "tent" with back onto the couches. You take anything that has fabric...clothing, blankets, stuffed animals...and put them on a couch.

With a diet, since the most obvious thing is to cut your calories, you begin writing down what you ate on scratch paper and simply estimating what the calories are because you know the very act of writing them down will help you slow down your eating. You know getting started with this will lead you to the next step.

After separating out the clothes, you place boxes next to a pile of mixed up toys and designate a box that matches a certain type of toy. This is the fake food box, this is for the train track, this is for the Lincoln logs, this is for the toy box because it's a mismatched toy, this is for the "wait-till-the-end-when-we-have-it-altogether-box", this is the garbage... Slowly we work through and address each item until all the items find a home.

With losing weight, you have to get organized too, you have to set a weight loss goal, you have to schedule a time to work-out, you have to schedule a time to eat five to six small meals a day, you make a food diary to keep track of what you ate and to write down your feelings. You begin doing each of these things...and slowly you lose weight.

It took me three to four hours to clean that room right. After going through all the toys and finally putting them in their boxes, I then had to organize those boxes in the room. Then I had to put the fabric stuff where it belonged...dirty clothes in the hamper... clean clothes in the drawers.

It took me what seemed like a long time also to lose weight. After I started my work-out program, I had to change it a little and challenge myself a little more. The more I counted calories, the better I got at getting the calories figured out just right. It began to develop into a habit.

When I was finally done cleaning, I was glad I did it. I still remember the frustration and anger I felt at looking at that messy room and trying to wrap my arms around the idea of organizing the mess I had let it become. But still the hard work was worth it and I want to keep it clean now.

When I finally lost my weight. I was glad I did it. I can still remember the frustration and anger that I felt at looking at myself in the mirror and trying to wrap my mind around the idea of how I was going to go about losing the weight and changing what I had let my become. But the hard work to getting here was worth it, and I want to keep my body like this now.

Wow. I guess some of those good habits I picked up on my diet can be applied to other areas of my life.

How To Lose 20 Pounds In 10 Weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: 0 in four days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

vanilla protein shake:110
2 oz banana:50
1 tsp of Flaxseed oil:40
total:200
---------------------
running total:395

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse: 30
1/3 cup of fat free cottage cheese:53
4 oz of sliced strawberries: 36
1 tsp of sugar: 15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 244
-------------------
total: 639

4 oz banana:100
vanilla protein shake: 110
1 tsp of flax seed oil:40
total:250
----------------
running total: 889

1 Ritz cracker: 16
1 Laughing Cow:5
1/2 cup of brown rice:85
3 1/2 oz chicken breast:123
1 tsp of Smart Balance light: 15
6 oz of broccoli: 60
total: 304
--------------------
running total:1193

4 oz banana: 100
1 tsp of peanut butter:33
total: 133
--------------
running total: 1326

Today's challenge: It hurts to swallow, I may be coming down with something.

Planned fitness: 7-mile run, my abdominal routine twice

Note on picture: I Ritz cracker:16 with 1 Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese light bight:5. One of these bites is the perfect size to spread out on a Ritz cracker. This is pretty guilt-free yet tasty for only 21 calories.

How To Lose 20 Pounds In 10 Weeks

In this post, I'd like to give you all a quick little review of what I did to successfully lose twenty pounds in ten weeks.

Some who have been following this blog, perhaps already know and understand what I did while others who have perhaps just started their diet would appreciate a little overview. In this post, I've also include links to articles for your convenience which I've written that addresses certain items in more depth.

1.) I decided in my mind...that I was sick of the current weight I was at. I wanted a change and was emotionally ready to commit to a change. Not a half-way change...but to a change that would yield results. For more info click here.

2.) I set up my food diary. I went out and bought a notebook that I would use to log my food and the calories of everything I ate. Click here for how to set up your food diary and here for why calorie counting works.

a.)I found one or two photos of myself at my current weight to put in.

b.)Then I put in several photos of myself looking the way I wanted to look. And if I didn't have any photos of myself that looked the way I wanted to look, then I found photos of other people in magazines with the type of body that I eventually wanted to obtain. Then I put my head on these bodies. And put them in my food diary. The purpose of this is to help our mind to begin envisioning our success. The more it "sees" how it is suppose to look, the more it will strive for that look.

c.)Also, I put in my food diary an inspiring poem that I have written about myself that describes the essence of who I am.

d.)Also, take note that the food diary is also a place where you will journal your feelings and thoughts as you work through learning to control what you put in your mouth.

e.) You adhere a calendar in your journal to help plan how you want your future weight to be.

3.) I set my calorie limit to 1,400 a day. I wrote down everything I ate and how many calories were in it. If I didn't know...I estimated. The important thing here is to get in the habit and act of writing everything down. When you first begin, it's not important if you underestimate the calories of things...because you will by about 30%. The very act of writing things down...slows your eating down. It's like magic that way. (note: on days where my work-out activity exceeded 75 minutes, I upped my calories so that I would have enough energy to complete the work-outs without losing muscle.) Click here for how to count calories without using a scale.

4.) Plan a fitness goal that will occur in the future say...about two weeks after you hit 10 weeks. A fitness, goal that you have to train and work-out for. Maybe it's a 5K walk to benefit your local charity. Maybe it's a bike race. Maybe it's a half-marathon. The fitness goal helps to direct your work-out efforts, and gives it more purpose. We're not designed to work-out to just lose weight. We stick to a work-out plan better if there's an event we are training for. Click here for how to plan your cardio exercise.

5.) After you've planned your fitness event, plan the type of work-outs that you need to do to be prepared for that event. For some it may simply be walking. For others, it may start out with walking to slowly adding a little running or biking. Whatever you do, try to increase each week the level of cardio activity that you perform. After I'd just had one of my kids, I started out running only six minutes on the treadmill, three times a week. Each week I added two minutes and before you knew it, I was at 20 minutes. However you plan it, make it seem un-intimidating...Just like writing down what you ate, it's important that you begin to do something... anything. If you make it seem too hard, you may not even get in the gym.
Click here for why you should work-0ut.

Click here for an overview of my fitness program.

6.) I embarked on a weight lifting program. I weight lifted three days a week. On this particular dieting stretch, my weight training was more intense than usual because I lifted for about an hour each time. But when you first start out, 20 minutes of weight training three days a week is a good start. In fact, this is what I did for many years. (The only reason I'm lifting longer periods is because I have it in the back of my mind that I might like to train for a body building competition.) But seriously, a weight training program is an essential part for me being able to sculpt my body to the way I want it to look after the fat drops away. Because the fat will drop. Also, weight lifting increases your metabolism and helps you to burn more calories. Click here for an overview of my weight lifting program.

7.) I weighed myself everyday. I wanted to stay on track more than I cared that the numbers might offend me. Weighing first thing in the morning reminds me of my daily focus. Click here for the benefits of weighing daily.

8.) I ate five to six meals through out the day to keep my metabolism running high and to not allow my body to think it was being deprived. Also, smalls meals throughout the day kept me from getting hungry to the point that I would yield to snacking. Click here for how to space your calories.

9.) I planned my meals and snacks around my work-outs in such a way so that I had energy going into my work-outs and had a recovery meal of protein plus carbohydrate within 20 minutes after my work-out. If my work-out exceeded an hour and 15 minutes, I brought additional carbohydrate to replenish my energy stores so that my body would not resort to using muscle. On my long runs, I gave myself energy gels for the same aforementioned purpose. Click here for how I plan my fitness around food.

10.) When going to functions that involved an offering of food that I could not control, I brought my own food to use "in case" they didn't have food I could eat. Or I just used my own food. Click here for how to take your own food.

.)11 I tried to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day so that my body would be able to function to its best potential and so that my body would not try to retain fluids.

12.) I tried to eat at least 100 grams of protein a day to give my muscles the protein it needed to grow. Click here for how I use protein shakes, and here for how I use energy gels.

13.) I began an abdominal routine three days a week. Then, in the last two weeks I increased it more to obtain a flatter belly. Click here for my abdominal program.

14.) I started a blog...it made me more accountable. Also, it encouraged me and helped me connect with other individuals who were pushing for similar goals.

15.) Finally I had a vision for how I wanted to look. Click here for Defining Your Dream, and here how to set your next goal.

Well, I hope this helps you understand how I lost twenty pounds in ten weeks. I have more helpful articles that if you're interested are in my archives and I will also be writing more articles on what I did to lose this weight.

Thank you for your interest.