The Saboteurs among us

The Saboteurs among us

“With friends like these, who needs enemies?” I ask myself this all the time. At times it seems like everyone is trying to sabotage me. Most of my friends know I keep a food diary. I weigh all my food and track my calorie intake religiously. Yet I have friend who constantly wants to go to the Chinese buffet. I mean at least once a week, if not more. When I decline he says he doesn’t want to eat alone. He argues that I do so well during the week and what’s one little cheat day? He even tried to tell me that he observes what I eat and tries to model my eating habits to help him in his dieting efforts. Yeah right…… Then there’s the friend who wants to be my workout buddy. She’s been saying this for 3 yrs. We’ve never worked out together. Why? Because every time we schedule a workout, something comes up. I’ve gotten her 30 day passes to my gym. I’ve paid for hip hop classes at a local dance studio (taught by a member of the Jabbawokees) and offered to pay for registration fees for a 5K when she said she wanted to run one with me. But when it comes time to shit or get off the pot, she never actually comes through. There have been times when she called me saying she was running late and please don’t start without her, but after 3-4 of these calls never showed up. But every time I run into her around town, she tells me how great I look and we should get together to workout. Uh huh ;-).

My workout buddies are the girls I see at the gym every day actually working out. My diet buddies are you guys ;-). It’s kind of funny, complete strangers won’t bullshit you but your loved ones will. It seems like it would be the other way around. I love my friends dearly but they really work my nerves when they don’t understand why I am driven to be healthy. Do the people in your life sabotage you? Do your husband, kids, co-workers, and BFF’s try to derail your weight loss efforts? How do you stay on course when it seems like everyone is out to destroy your diet?

Calorieking.com

Fitbottomedgirls.com

Hungrygirl.com

Active.com

Selfmagazine.com

Fitnessmagazine.com

House-Foods.com

Sparkpeople.com

Heavy recap

Heavy

Kevin and Flor

Kevin

Height: 5'11"

Start Weight: 596.7 lbs

End Weight: 507.0 lbs

“This journey has taught me that nothing in life comes easy, but you can't beat the results. One day at a time.”

I once had an old boyfriend from Mississippi who would say, “He’s got more excuses than a MotherF*cker going to jail”. Kevin has a lot of reasons for why he can’t achieve his goals. My radar began pinging with him in his intro when he said he didn’t think he was obese. How in the hell are you damn near 600lbs and think you are just big boned? I didn’t expect him to flog himself on camera but he seemed too comfortable with his current weight. When Kevin was busted bringing candy to Hilton Head I almost threw my shoe at the T.V. First thing he did was lie. “I didn’t buy that.” So what? If someone else buys the candy, do the calories no longer count? If Kevin had spent as much time working out as he did spouting “Affirmations”, he might have really lost some weight. Did he think the weight was going to magically evaporate? He refused to follow the advice of the experts trying to work with him. His sorry ass excuse about different climates in different states causing him to gain back 14 lbs at home ticked me off! Who do you think you’re fooling? You stated on camera you were gonna do things your way. If what he was doing before had worked, he wouldn’t be 600lbs, but Kevin is hardheaded. I really wish I knew what was going through his head. To me it was a complete waste of 30 days and $12,000 at Hilton Head and the following 5 months at home. He gained absolutely nothing from his experience. Kevin did not appreciate the blessing this experience could have been to him and his family.

Flor

Height: 5'0"

Start Weight: 308.6 lbs

End Weight: 242.8 lbs

“It has been a difficult journey, but I have learned through therapy, knowledge and hard work that it was lies that enabled me and justified my addiction to food.”

Flor has been through a lot in her life and has been waiting for an opportunity to break free. During the at home footage her husband spoke of her like a roommate and not a woman he loved dearly. This broke my heart and I really felt for Flor. When Flor came to the weight loss facility she came with determination. This pint sized woman kicked major ass! I knew she was not playing when she shaved her head. Talk about a rebirth. Too bad none of her positive attitude rubbed off on Kevin. Flor knew she had to turn her life around when she came on the show and she did not waste any opportunity. Flor was very inspiring to me. I loved her fighting spirit. She looked absolutely glowing at the final weigh in. I definitely see Flor achieving her weight loss goals and being fabulous.

This episode should have been called determination and denial. I was taken on an emotional roller coaster this week. I knew this show would evoke feelings but I never knew I would get this wrapped up! Flor’s picture should be in the dictionary under girl power. Kevin’s should be in the dictionary under slacker.

Next weeks episode looks like another ride on the Heavy rollercoaster of love J

Fitness to feel young and sexy

How to get your groove back- fitness to feel young and sexy

While we are on this fitness journey together we need to discuss a few peripheral subjects. Last week I discussed clothing to enhance your mood. This week I want to discuss beauty, hair, and skincare. When I’m at the gym I notice good and bad examples of how we as women take care of ourselves. I see women wearing full faces of make up. I see women wearing their hair down or pulled up with newspaper rubber bands. I see women wearing non-supportive bras. I see women wearing shoes made for fashion, not working out. I once saw a chick wearing stilettos and sunglasses on the Stairmaster! I feel like that one comedian and just walking up to them, “Here’s your sign.” What’s with women wearing their hair down at the gym? Who are you trying to be sexy for? There’s a chick in my TKB class with waist length hair who comes in with it down, then struggles to pull it up into a ponytail while doing the drills, and has to stop numerous times to fix it. Why doesn’t she just put it up in a bun to begin with? Like I do ;-). I try to understand the make up thing. If you’re coming from work or sneaking in a lunchtime workout, I’ll cut you some slack. But I see some women who stroll in on Saturday with a full face of war paint and then act too cute to sweat because their make up might run. I sweat like a beast when I work out, the gym is no place to be cutesy. The only thing cute about me at the gym is my outfit and it still has to be functional.

Aside from losing weight and toning up, working out has beauty benefits as well. Jogging, jumping jacks, and fast paced dancing helps keep your skin firm. Sweat helps flush impurities. Vigorous exorcise helps blood circulation and gives your skin a rosy glow.

Make sure your gym bag has all the essentials your need for after your workout. My gym bag has small train case with 3 oz bottles of the following;

1. body wash
2. special Tea tree body wash for intimate area
3. shampoo
4. conditioner
5. lotion
6. sunscreen
7. eye make up remover
8. deodorant
9. styling spritz
10. styling wax
11. mini brush
12. tooth paste
13. travel toothbrush
14. razor
15. dental floss
16. “new item” OneMoreinBoston’s body scrub

I also keep a spare pair of panties, socks, pantyhose, and scarf. I can’t count how many times I have rescued someone by giving them a sample shampoo packet, a tampon, and recently a razor! I bring my own body wash because the soap at the gym disgusts me. Since I work out 6-7 times a week, if I used the gyms cheap soap my skin would be thrashed. I use unscented body wash due to my psoriasis. For lotion I use non-scented brands or scented with natural essential oils like lavender or plumeria (my favorite) cut in half with baby oil gel. I use Mitchum deodorant because it lasts longer. I like Avon’s creamy eye make up remover because I use liquid waterproof eyeliner and mascara. For shampoo I like Paul Mitchell Tea tree and Sebastion’s Laminates conditioner. When my hair is “tore up” I use my Paul Mitchell Tea tree styling wax to slick my hair into a ponytail. On my face I smooth on either Clean & Clear dual action moisturizer or Aveeno Ultra-Calming daily moisturizer with SPF 30.

Well, now that I’ve divulged all my favorites, what are yours? Do you have a favorite must have beauty item that makes life easier? Please share with the group ;-)

Also, feel free to ask me any questions about hair, skin, and make up. I am a beauty professional with 20+yrs experience in the field.

Calorieking.com

Fitbottomedgirls.com

Hungrygirl.com

Active.com

Selfmagazine.com

Fitnessmagazine.com

House-Foods.com

Sparkpeople.com

10K Run

2011 Super Run 10k/5k in San Diego, Ca

Okay, I didn’t break any speed records. I finished, I didn’t have to be carried over the finish line, no CPR, and no vomiting. It was a brisk sunny day in Mission Beach. This was 3^rd year doing this event. When they announced the race was about to begin, I complained to a woman standing next to me that the starting line wasn’t very flashy. I wanted to take a nice picture for this blog. The woman stared at me like I was crazy. ”Weight loss blog? Who you?” She was a very fit person and her shock made me giggle inside like a school girl. The race started and I felt great. At the 1 mile mark the timer yelled out, “10 minutes!” Cool J The course snaked through the Sea World parking lot and around the bay. At the 2 mile mark the timer yelled out, ”22 minutes!” and I thought to myself, “Okay, I see a trend.” At the 3 mile mark, “33 minutes!” Sure enough, I ended up averaging 11 minutes a mile, very short of my 8 minute average running 5K’s. My final time was 1 hr and 9 minutes. But that’s okay. AZ Girl told me I did great and I believe her J . Matter of fact, I went to the gym afterwards, ran 2 more miles, and then took a Zumba class. My fitness goal for 2011 is to finish a 10k in under an hour. I think I can do and by reporting it to my friends here on the blog, I’m holding myself accountable.

Heavy recap

Heavy

Travis and Lindy

Lindy

Height: 5'6"

Start Weight: 284.6 lbs

End Weight: 220.2 lbs

“This has been an extremely emotional journey for me. I’m finally equipped with the proper tools and resources necessary to live the healthy, happy and energetic life I’ve dreamed of.”

I’m going to be honest with you; I didn’t really care for Lindy too much. She started out at 5’6” and 109 lbs. That’s underweight. Lindy built her image around being underweight and “sexy”. In my experience, underweight chicks often don’t know to deal with pregnancy weight. After having children she settled at a normal 130-140lbs but I suspect she wasn’t happy with that. When her marriage fell apart she ballooned up to 284lbs. She says her daughters are embarrassed to be seen with her. Maybe when you were 109 lbs you made fun of heavy set people? Maybe when you were 109 lbs you wore sexy clothes and as you gained weight you started dressing down? I suspect Lindy wasn’t very nice towards heavy people when she was thin and her daughters attitudes were a reflection of the things they heard at home

I was also a little perturbed to see her attitude towards the counseling sessions at the weight loss spa. She said it was nobody’s business. Okay, then why did you come on the show? You are on a T.V. show, you’ve shown us your exposed belly fat, we know how much you weigh, but therapy is private? Her attitude made me think she wasn’t completely open to the process. She lost weight but I think she might have had more success if she hadn’t fought the trainers and counselors every step of the way. I was not inspired by Lindy’s story.

Once at home Lindy decides to plan a wedding. She uses the wedding as an excuse to sample fattening foods and drink empty calories. Despite everything she’s been taught, she is not following the advice. She claims to workout 3-4 hrs a day. I don’t believe her. She never seemed to embrace training at Hilton Head and I doubt she does at home. The scale says someone is lying. Lindy doesn’t seem to care and neither do I.

Travis

Height: 5'9"

Start Weight: 431.2 lbs

End Weight: 333.6 lbs

“I wasn’t a good role model for my sons, I was just a lump on a couch. I needed to make a change and getting healthier was the only choice.”

I had mixed feelings about Travis. The trainer was reading my mind when he stated that Travis kept saying he was doing it for his kids but the effort didn’t reflect that. Travis had a lot to overcome. In the at home footage, his family is shown sitting down to a southern fried meal that had me drooling and my stomach churning all at the same time. Travis grabbed a gravy boat and poured gravy over his whole plate. The road to healthy eating was going to a long one for him.

During his journey Travis became a dad for the second time. The late night feedings and stress that come with a tiny bundle of joy threatened to snap Travis’s last nerve. A sharp reprimand from his personal trainer causes him to walk out of a training session. We see Travis struggle with the emotional battle that comes with changing old habits. In the end Travis seems to get it and the weight starts to come off. At his final weigh in he losses 99.99 lbs. I’ll call it 100lbs and feel no shame doing so.

Bringing sexy back (dress to elevate mood)

I don’t know if any of you know this about me, but I’m a fashionista. Since I’m not rich, I try to be a recessionista too. The one thing I’ve hated about working out is the clothes. It’s either baggy sweat pants or muffin top inducing spandex. I hate it all with a passion. So in order to make working out more fun, I’ve come to treat it like a role I’m playing. In my mind a movie is playing where I star as the woman who over comes all odds and wins. This movie has been in production for a while but that’s okay. I’m in charge of the wardrobe in this movie. My character is constantly searching for figure flattering clothing that costs little or nothing. I like to match and I like looking good. My search for bargains leads me to the clearance racks at Sports Authority, Sports Chalet, and Ross stores. Online I scan the availability of discount gear at Walmart.com and track how deeply my favorite items are marked down monthly. I’ve amassed quite the athletic wardrobe. The thrill of finding cute name brand yoga pants for $8.00 is almost as exciting as winning the lottery. I can’t wait to go to the gym and strut around in a new piece of workout gear. I love love love! when someone asks me where I got something and I tell them my t-shirt only cost $2.00 online ;-). Cute gear puts a pep in my step and a glide in my stride. A well coordinated outfit makes me feel like a model on the runway.

So tell me, what do you do to bring your sexy back? Do you have any great discount tips to share?

Calorieking.com

Fitbottomedgirls.com

Hungrygirl.com

Active.com

Selfmagazine.com

Fitnessmagazine.com

House-Foods.com

Heavy recap

Heavy

A new show on the A & E network chronicling the weight loss journey of two obese participants each week. The cameras follow as they struggle for six months to attain their goals. There is no prize at the end, other than renewed health and a new lease on life.

We join the series on episode 3. The first two episodes were very uplifting. And while this one also has a happy ending (spoiler alert) I admit I got a little watery eyed upon learning the two participants histories. The first 30 days of their weight loss journey begins at the beautiful Hilton Head Health Weight Loss Spa in Hilton Head Island South, Carolina. A quick check of their website reveals a 28 day stay will set you back $12,000

Sharon, 47

Height: 5'6"

Start Weight: 366.4 lbs

End Weight: 257.0 lbs

“I have learned to truly love myself in a constructive way, instead of destructively. The journey has been one of highs and lows, but every step has taken me closer to living the life I’ve always dreamed of!”

Sharon’s earliest memories as a child are of frequently going for days without food. That’s enough to give anyone anxiety about never having enough. Bad times were full of starvation; good times were when the freezer was full. It’s no shocker that when things go bad in Sharon’s life, she turns to food for comfort. When her mother passes, Sharon comforts herself to the tune of an additional 100lbs. And just when things can’t get any worse, her teenage son who struggled with bi-polar disorder commits suicide. I just wanted to reach thru the screen and give her a big hug. This soft spoken woman has endured a lot of tragedy in her life. The death of her son causes her to pack on an additional 60 lbs. A doctor’s visit reveals her BMI is almost three times normal. Something has to change or she will die. The only thing that keeps her inspired is her surviving family and she comes to the conclusion that she wants to live again. She has a 10yr old daughter that she doesn’t want to follow in her foot steps. She wants to be there to see the milestones in her daughter’s life. Her first few sessions with the personal trainer feature lots of crying and declarations of, “I can’t!” She finds the stationary bike intimidating. By the end of her journey she beats her demons by riding a bike with her daughter and enjoying it!

Ashley, 26

Height: 5'6"

Start Weight: 296.0 lbs

End Weight: 205.0 lbs

“I’ve learned that you have the strength inside and all you need to do is find it within and you have all the power in the world to do it. If it was easy everyone would be doing it, but it’s not, so it’s worth the fight.”

Ashley is young and pretty. She is, however, the heaviest in her circle of friends. Ashley plays the wacky zany fat girl role so people will like her. Ashley is a heavy drinker and pretty much gets drunk every day of the week. Footage of her home life shows heavy foods and alcohol are the norm at every meal. Dad is an alcoholic, step mom does not like Ashley, and little sister is the slim favorite in the family. Again, we can see the root of Ashley’s obesity just like with Sharon. Ashley arrives at the weight loss spa drunk. At this point I’m not sure if her story will have a happy ending.

Upon arriving at Hilton Head, Ashley takes advantage of the amenities and throws herself into the process. A phone call from home where baby sis relays a negative message from step mom threatens to derail the whole deal. But in the end Ashley perseveres and makes good progress at the 30 day weigh in.

After the initial 30 days, both participants go home for 5 months to continue in the real world. They are given gym memberships and personal trainers to help. Ashley does so well she even completes a 5K run. Neither women have to return to Hilton Head for a remedial course like others in previous episodes have had to do. At the final weigh in they lose over 200 lbs total. Ashley shows up at her final weigh in wearing some sexy ass bedazzled jeans and looks great! Sharon dedicates her weight loss to her son and holds a memorial balloon release in his honor. Both women look and feel great. They have turned their lives around and the future is bright.