Is it normal for your head to be pounding?

I feel like I'm hungover. But I haven't taken a drink since last August. (I lie, the last drink I had was a month ago.) Hope this feeling goes away as the day goes on.

I weighed in this morning so I will be on the road tomorrow morning. Drumroll please...the scale was down 0.4 pounds. Whoopdifreakingdo. Well, at least I lost that weight I gained from last week.

The workouts so far have been:

Monday: 15 min. treadmill, 30 min. crossramp, weight machines and abs
Tuesday: None
Wednesday: 15 min treadmill, 30 min crossramp, weight machines and abs
Thursday: Will be none
Friday: will be lots of walking
Saturday: will be lots of walking
Sunday: none

Not a lot of exercise or eating right planned ahead. But I'm okay with that. I'll just try my best to get that walking in. And hopefully I'll be at the same weight or less (wishful thinking? I think so).

At the end of the day, this is what I have to look forward to:
Yee haw!!

Who here loves Mondays?

Seriously, is there any one out there who is actually excited about Mondays?

I'm very happy to say that last week was a very productive week at the gym.

Let's see how it all went down:

Monday: 30 min. cross ramp, 15 min. treadmill, weights
Tuesday: 30 min. cross ramp, 30 min. treadmill
Wednesday: 30 min. cross ramp, 15 min. treadmill, weights
Thursday: 30 min. cross ramp, 30 min. treadmill, abs
Friday: 15 min. cross ramp, 15 min. treadmill, 15 min. elliptical, weights and abs
Saturday: 15 min. cross ramp, 15 min. treadmill, weights and abs
Sunday: Rest Day

I'm pretty sure that's how it went. I really should write down what it is that I'm doing each day. That way I don't forget.

By the way, the cross ramp is my new best friend. It's a great workout and leaves my butt feeling all warm and tingly. Well, I think it's the cross ramp that is cause of that feeling. Or it could be walking hills on the treadmill. I dunno.

Last week's eating is a totally different story. Lots of fast food involved. But I really controlled myself on the weekend and didn't eat too badly. So, that fluff feeling is gone and I'm actually feeling pretty svelte.

I did get to weigh in on Friday morn' and the scale was up 0.4 pounds. I wasn't surprised, because like I said I ate tons of junk food last week. But I did step on the scale this morning and was surprised to see it almost back to normal. I just hope it gets a bit lower by my next weigh in.

It is T minus 3 days before the boyfriend and I hit the open road and get on our way to New York. We love us some road trips!!! In 2005, we drove from Los Angeles, CA all the way to Atlanta, GA. It was the awesomest. Google maps says it is only about 15 hours from here to New York, so not as long as our first road trip but it should still be tons of fun. I am so super excited but a bit nervous because it is a long trip and we are doing it all at once. Uh oh, that's a very scary thought.

=/

Weekly Re-cap #1

I haven't been around because I haven't been doing much. Well, except for eating way too much.

Last week was a fast food filled week! And it totally showed on the scale. The scale was up 1.6 pounds. Eek!!

With so much food, there wasn't much workouts. My workout buddy was sick so we didn't get to the gym pretty much all week. The only days I actually worked out were Monday and Saturday. Can we say epic fail?

I was seriously craving some endorphins so I should have gotten my butt to the gym. I was in a pissy mood towards the end of the week. And I KNOW it was because of the junk I was putting into my body and the lack of exercise.

But this week is going to be different. In 10 days, the boyfriend and I are leaving to New Jersey and New York. I need to look superfly so that I fit into some shorts I've been trying to squeeze into. I'm thisclose. Well, not thisclose, but closer than I was, say, six months ago.

I celebrated my 28th birthday yesterday (Sunday). It was the bomb diggity. Nothing like a good BBQ and some chocolate cake. FYI - for a not so guilty, good ass cake, try your local Asian bakery. Their cakes are so, so, so yummy and so, so, so light. You don't get that sugar coma feeling that you get from eating cakes from a regular/grocery bakery. Trust me on this.

Gosh, I feel old. I can't believe I'm 28. Gripes!

Stay tuned for Weekly Re-Cap numba TWO!!!

Counting sheep to go to sleep - Day 29

Monday
Breakfast: kashi, banana, milk
Snack: peanut butter fiber bar
Lunch: chicken breast, rice, green beans
Snack: chili cheese fritos, string cheese
Snack: 1/2 apple, 1/2 banana
Dinner: lentils, rice

Workout: 15 min. on the elliptical, 25 minutes on the treadmill, weight machines

My eating was just OK yesterday. I seriously could have done without those chili cheese fritos. But they sure did taste good.

I was exhausted last night. I was really hesitant to work out. I just really had to push myself. Instead of the walking/jogging, I did the hill setting. Wowza! My legs and butt are super sore this AM. But I really liked the workout, so I may stick with walking hills for this week.

I didn't get enough sleep last night so today will be a blur. I'm still planning on going to the gym tonight, though. It feels weird if I don't go. Like I'm missing something. Is that weird or what?

I need a longer weekend...

I wonder if I can remember what happened this weekend:

Friday
Breakfast: sausage and egg croissant, hash browns, coke
Lunch: a lean gourmet thing
Snacks: peanut butter egg, lots of M&M peanut butter eggs, string cheese, apple,
Dinner: pork chop, rice, potatoes, salad

Workout: 15 min. elliptical, 30 min. walk/jog on treadmill, weight machines (legs, arms, back, chest, shoulders)

Saturday
Breakfast: egg wrap
Lunch: soup, rice
Dinner: Colombian hamburger, french fries
Later on: lots of chips and some popcorn

Workout: Day off

Sunday
Breakfast: egg wrap
Snack: Kashi bar
Lunch: 1/2 Southwest chicken wrap, protein shake
Dinner: rice, chicken breast, green beans, salad

Workout: 45 min. with personal trainer

It was definitely a food-filled weekend.

But we're moving on.

I did get my time in the gym. Sunday was the boyfriend and I's complimentary session with the personal trainer. Man, it was tough. Not so much painful, but it left me out of breath a couple of times. But it felt great. He talked over some prices with us. They are pretty expensive so I seriously doubt we'll be having any sessions with one soon. I am going to steal some moves from Sunday's session though. I'll work them into my workout and take it from there. Sneaky, sneaky...

FYI
For every pound you lose, you alleviate pressure on your knees by 4 pounds,

according to twitter.com/davezinczenko. Check him out, he posts some very interesting things.

Day....I don't know

I went to bed at 2:30 am this morning. I am so exhausted. The boyfriend had some friends over and I stood up late finishing laundry. I am so looking forward to getting a good night's rest tonight.

Thursday
Breakfast: kashi, banana, milk
Snack: fiber bar
Lunch: 2 slices of pizza, 2 chocolate pasty things
Pre-workout snack: apple, string cheese
Dinner: BLTT from the gym cafe (their stuff is so good and so good for you but so damn pricey!)

Workout: cardio day - 15 minutes elliptical, 45 minutes jogging/walking on treadmill

That is not what I had planned for my lunch. At work, it was really crazy so the boss ordered pizza for us. I ate some and totally regretted it. The pizza made my stomach so uncomfortable. I must have gone to the bathroom like 6 times (I know, TMI!). I don't know what happened but I did not feel good. I'm staying away from pizza for a while.

I almost forgot to weigh in this morning. I kinda wish I had forgotten. The scale was down 2 pounds. And this is an official 2 pounds. No flukes, no water weight, just fat. I really though it would be a little more because I have been so on point with the workouts and have done a better job on eating in a long time. However, I am definitely happy with two pounds. Plus, I'm at the lowest that I've been in a long time. And that feels rilly good!

Have a great weekend!

Day 24

Wednesday
Breakfast: scrambled egg wrap
Snack: strawberries, string cheese
Lunch: ajiaco, rice
Snack: carrots w/ peanut butter
Pre-workout snack: apple, 1/2 fiber bar
Dinner: rice, chicken leg, 4 slices of potatoes, tomato and avocado salad

Workout: 15 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minutes walking/jogging, weight machines (shoulders, back, chest, arms, legs)

Another day of 3 hours at the gym. My workout was probably an hour and fifteen minutes long so most of the time I was just waiting for the boyfriend to finish his workout. Then we went to the jacuzzi. That was the greatest idea ever! The water was so warm and felt so good on my sore muscles. I could have fallen asleep in there. I will definitely be jacuzzing a couple of times a week from now on.

My eating was great. The only oopsie was a Reeses Peanut Butter Egg. But don't worry, I have gotten it out of my system and won't be eating one of those in the near future.

Well, last night I needed some shorts to go to the jacuzzi at the gym. I do not wear a bathing suit without shorts in public. Never have, never will. Anyways, the only shorts I have are a pair that I have not worn since last summer. I seriously thought they wouldn't fit because I think I am more fluffier now than I was almost a year ago. But I could be wrong because the shorts fit. Not a perfect fit, but good enough so that I didn't feel uncomfortable for people other than my boyfriend to see me in them. I know if I hadn't been working out these past weeks there is no way I would have fit my chunky butt into them. I can't wait to see what else I can fit into.

=D

Day 23

Tuesday
Breakfast: kashi, milk, banana
Snack: ginormous chocolate chip cookie
Lunch: arroz con pollo, watermelon
Snack: carrots and cucumbers w/ dip
Pre-Gym Snack: string cheese, apple
Dinner: ajiaco, rice and avocado

That pesky chocolate chip cookie somehow managed to come back into my life. It's okay, though. It's been a while since I've had one. The good thing is that I only ate one. Those damn cookies are on special right now 2 for 1. Even the store clerk reminded me that they were on special. But no thanks, one was good enough for me.

It was cardio day so I did 15 minutes on the elliptical and 45 minutes of walking/jogging on the treadmill. Wow, I've come a long way since my measly 20 minute workouts, huh?

Day 22

Sunday night, I was at the gym for about 3 hours. Monday, night I was at the gym for 3 hours. Now tell me, what's this world coming to?

Monday
Breakfast: kashi, milk, banana
Snack: watermelon, carrots w/ dip
Lunch: 2 slices of veggie pizza
Snack: apple, string cheese
Pre-workout snack: 1/2 chicken wrap
Dinner: arroz con pollo, salad, 1 pc. of plantain

Wow, I could honestly say it was a pretty excellent day.

The boyfriend and I stayed so long at the gym because we had our fitness assessment with a personal trainer. Now I'm not sure if it was because...well, I don't really know what it was, but I was not feeling the trainer. He really didn't sell me on his services. First off, he did not give us his undivided attention. There were so many distractions and it was just so impersonal. Not a great way to sell yourself, buddy. Plus, he didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. I can't judge all personal trainers off this one incident but I'm not sure they are for me. We scheduled a workout session for the weekend, so maybe he'll change my mind. But as of right now, a personal trainer is a no-go.

My workout consisted of 15 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes on the treadmill. And I am happy to say, I have started jogging. Yes, people, I have started jogging. All 255 pounds of me was jogging on that treadmill. I seriously thought I was going to break something. I only did 2-3 minute intervals with lots of walking in between but whoa!, that was good enough for me. I also got in some chest, bicep and back exercises on the weight machines. I don't know how well I'll do with the machines. I am super self-conscious so I'm not that comfortable working out in front of tons of people. I don't think that'll help me get a more efficient workout. I have to think about what I'll be doing on the strength aspect of my regime.

After, 2 days at the gym, I feel great. My legs are a bit sore and stiff, but it still feels awesome. Joining the gym has got to be one of the smartest things I have done this year!

Day 19, 20 & 21

Let's see if I can correctly recall what happened this weekend.

Friday
Breakfast: ???? (I can't remember)
Lunch: fish sandwhich, french fries
Dinner: pasta with tomato cream sauce and shrimp, 2 slices bread

Workout: 20 minutes HIIT, ALA strength exercises

Saturday
Breakfast/lunch: chicken soup, arepa with cheese
snack: banana
Dinner: steamed rice, veggies, teriyaki chicken
Late night: >2 beers, lots of chips, waffle

Workout: ALA strength exercises

Sunday
Breakfast: kashi with milk
Lunch: shrimp, rice, avocado and strawberry salad, chicken with peaches, 1 pc. of banana, coconut, & pineapple cake; small scoop of fruit salad (this was my Easter meal)
Dinner: small turkey sandwich, 2 slices pizza

Workout: 15 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minutes on the treadmill (walking), 2 chest exercises

I think I ate fairly decent over the weekend. A lot less than I have eaten in the past. With the exception of some M&Ms that I went crazy with while preparing my nephew and niece's Easter baskets, I didn't do too bad with the sweets. On Easter day, the only candy I ate was a handful of jelly beans. I think that deserves a pat on the back.

I have now completed 3 weeks of consistent exercise. What's my record? I can't remember at the moment so I'll have to go back and check. I think it's 4 weeks so I still have a bit to go before I can bring out the champagne and celebrate. I am still celebrating though. I feel great and can tell that the workouts are working.

The boyfriend and I joined a gym. Yes, the boyfriend tricksed me! But I think it is for the best. Can't you tell? I did an extra 15 minutes of workout at the gym. I never would have done that at home. Plus, this gym is so pretty! The machines are all shiny and they just call out to you. Except for the stair climber...that one is scary. I do believe the gym will become my second home.

Tonight, the boyfriend and I have a complimentary session with a personal trainer. I am so scared. Personal trainers are so intimidating. They really do scare me. But since this will probably be the only session (since PTs cost way too much), I need to get as much as I can out of him. I'm hoping things go good tonight.

I think some very interesting things are coming my way!

Day 18 and a YAHOO!

I am officially at my lowest weight! Well, not my lowest lowest weight, but at the lowest I have been in a long time. It's only 0.2 pounds lower than my last lowest weight (did that make sense?) but hey, it's my lowest!

With that being said, the scale was down 1.2 pounds this week. I'm psyched! And a little disappointed. Only because I know the scale could have been down a bit more, but yesterday's eating was not so great. Totally my fault. But totally not worried because I know next week, I am totally going to kill it at my weigh-in.

Thursday Meals (Viewer's discretion is advised)
Breakfast: big breakfast, small coke
Lunch: rice and carrots, peanut butter fiber bar
Snack: fruit (watermelon, melon, grapes, pineapple) and string cheese
Dinner: Zaxby's house salad with grilled chicken and small order of crinkle fries

Sodium overload! And I totally felt it. My tummy felt nice and fluffy yesterday. It wasn't a good day.

Workout: 20 minutes HIIT
It wasn't a strength day so it was a bit rough on the elliptical. But I did complete the 20 minutes and it was another great, sweaty workout.

I probably won't be on this weekend so I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. Have lots of fun, find lots of eggs, and don't eat any candy!!