Thursday, March 21, 2013

Operation #165by26 Update & Non-Scale Victories

Operation #165by26 has certainly had its ups and downs and since I have been missing in action for an entire week I thought I should probably fill everybody in quickly.

Friday - Day 4
Saturday - Day 5
Sunday - Day 6
173.4 LBs is easily the lowest number I have seen on the scale in FOREVER. However, Days 1 - 6 had NOT been easy and I was beginning to get very tired and crabby. When my sister-in-law Lisa suggested we go to the local brunch buffet after church on Sunday I was all like Hell-to-the-Yes!

Monday's weight in was evidence of the waffle, ham and cheese omelet, and biscuit with sausage gravy I devoured the day before. Oh yes, let us not forget the pizza I had for supper too. I'm fairly certain a crazy women took over my body on Sunday!


Monday - Day 7
Sunday night we were hit by another mega snow storm and although I made it to work that morning I left at noon because it was blowing and drifting horribly.

What is a person to do with a toddler on a snow day? Make sugar cookies of course! I ate just a little cookie dough, shared half a warm cookie with Little Man, and had one after supper. In my head I was thinking they were probably 100-150 calories each. WRONG! When I sat down to watch The Biggest Loser I used MyFitnessPal's recipe calculator to figure it out the damage done and those suckers were 273 calories each!

Not proud to say I also made chili {not bad on its own} that night for supper and served it with sour cream, shredded cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.

SNOW DAY = Giant Diet Fail!


Tuesday - Day 8
Tuesday, I dusted myself off and have been back at it ever since.


Monday - Day 9
We did celebrate and order food out last night but I had worked out and tracked all my stuff. Hence, no loss no gain and I will take that all day long!


Today - Day 10
If you are following along on my journey you know that marks 2 SOLID LBs lost for Operation #165by26. I know I could have done better in the last 10 days but I also have to realize I could have done much worse.

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So I don't get down on myself, let's take a look at some of my Non-Scale Victories: 
  • I tracked absolutely every single thing I have eaten in the last 10 days on MyFitnessPal.
  • I stayed between 1200-1400 calories 7/10 days.
  • I did 30 Day Shred 8/10 days and am catching up on the 2 workouts I missed.
  • I made it to ZUMBA last night and last Wednesday night.
My SPECIAL areas of focus for next 10 days: 
  • Continue to track everything on MyFitnessPal.
  • Stay between 1200-1400 calories 8/10 days {I have a Bachelorette Party to attend this Saturday & the 31st is Easter}.
  • Catch up on the 2 days of 30 Day Shred missed and complete the next 10 days of the program.
  • Do Couch to 5K at least 5 times.
  • Do ZUMBA at home at least 3 time {My DVDs should arrive today or tomorrow} and make it to class next Wednesday.
Now, just so there is a photo of something besides my feet in this post:
 
Little Man & My Sweet Nieces
Aren't they the cutest?
 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Day 3 - Operation #165by26 Cleanish Food

Sorry, IG photo
Firsts things first, all of last nights packing and prepping was well worth it because we had a MUCH better morning.

Next, let's get to the nitty gritty...

one hundred seventy four point four
DOWN 0.8 lbs Since Yesterday

DOWN 1.8 lbs for Operation #165by26
DOWN 7.6 lbs TOTAL
...I'll take it!

Also, fitness is a family affair!

St. Patrick's Night @ Zumba
Another IG Photo
Little Man does 30 Day Shred

Finally, the food...
Cleanish Food I Picked Up
Asparagus
Broccoli
Carrots
Celery
Garlic
Lettuce
Hummus
Green Apples
Bananas
Strawberries
Green Grapes
Pineapple
Frozen Fish
Shrimp
Ground Turkey
Corn
Black Beans
Taco Seasoning
Salsa
Brown Rice
Whole Wheat Noodles
Marinara
Raw Almonds
Natural Peanut Butter
Oatmeal
Granola
EVOO
Eggs
Orange Juice
1% Milk
Greek Yogurt
Light Sour Cream
Lean Pockets
{these are for when I want to cheat}
Clif Bars
 
Some Prep
 
From Yesterday's Post
Ground Turkey Taco Meat for Salads
 
 
I pured my Salsa because I don't like chunks but like to add it to scrambled eggs or salads for flavor.
 
 
 I have decided asparagus is NOT for me, evil cross between pees and green beans!
 
 
Baked Chicken for Salads or a Quick Grab
 
 
Clean, Fresh, & Ready to Eat
 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Day 2 - Operation #165by26 & A Rough Morning

one hundred seventy five point two
DOWN 1.0 lbs Since Yesterday
DOWN 6.8 lbs TOTAL
Operation #165by26 is in full swing. I even got myself out of bed early this morning but my plans of quietly doing 30 Day Shred, making oatmeal or scrambled eggs for breakfast, and packing my lunch before getting ready for work quickly dissolved.

Unfortunately, the earlier I get up the earlier everybody else in the house gets up. I can be as quite as a mouse but I swear both the dog and Little Man have mommy sensors. Mr. You Betcha got up, got ready for work, and left by 6:30 a.m. and neither one of them made a peep. Seconds after he left, I stepped foot out of our bedroom door and the dog started whining to be let out of her house {if I didn't let her out the whine would turn into a bawling howl}.

Of course Daisy {the dog} wanted to be taken outside right away and when she came back in the house she insisted on chasing the cat while I whisper yelled at her so she didn't wake up Little Man. After all of this horsing around, I was finally able to get my workout in and get dressed for work before she asked to be taken out again and we repeated the whole cat chasing process. This time I wasn't as successful at getting her to shut her snout and Little Man started babbling/fake crying in his room.

So...I got Little Man up, changed him, and got him dressed {t-shirt & camo pants}. Of course the first thing he wanted was juice and half way through pouring it he decided he didn't want juice he wanted milk. I got him what he wanted and went to the bathroom to do my hair and makeup. Not even 2 MINUTES later someone decided he didn't want to wear a t-shirt he wanted long sleeves. Oh my achin' ars!

After a wardrobe change we brushed our teeth and took our vitamins together, I finished my hair and makeup, and rushed to the kitchen to throw my lunch together. I was very grateful that last night I did a little prep work for my lunches. Before we rushed out the door Little Man needed his diaper changed again {liquids run straight through the kid} and I settled on a Clif Bar and coffee for breakfast since my plans of oatmeal or eggs were nothing but a dream.

Today, I am practically dancing in my seat thinking about Zumba class tonight. After I get home I have a ton of prep work to finish with the groceries Little Man and I got. As I mentioned, I was able to get some turkey taco meat made for taco salads but I didn't get any of the rest of it done. I will do a post on what I got and what I am doing with it all tomorrow.
<---Mostly Mine & Mostly Theirs--- >
Turkey Taco Meat
I am also going to put together as much of our stuff for tomorrow morning as possible. I will preset the coffee pot, pack my lunch, fill the milk cup and have it ready in the fridge, lay out our outfits, pack Little Man's daycare bag, and put all of our stuff by the door. I might even sleep in my workout clothes. Too much?

Can you tell I don't want to set the alarm for an earlier time?

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Operation #165by26 Kick Off

Yesterday was Trista @ Stewart Street's birthday {Happy Belated Birthday Girl!} and it got me thinking. What do I want for my birthday which is a mere month away?


Yes, I am that girl. I love my birthday. Sorry I am not sorry.
 
Top of the list is always to look hot, do something to spoil myself, and spend it with as many of the people I love as possible. So naturally one of the first things that comes to my mind to prepare for my birthday is, "Damn, I better lose more weight to look hot."
 
You see, I have this HORRIBLE habit of getting fed up with my weight, starting a diet/exercise program balls to the walls, losing 10 lbs, and after 10 lbs stopping to celebrate. The celebration tends to drag on a bit too long (read 2 months, 6 months, a year) but I usually always maintain the weight lost within 2 lbs. Eventually, I get fed up again and start up the diet/exercise program balls to the walls to lose 10 more LBs.
 
Since we started the Biggest Loser Challenge I am down 7 lbs in about 7 weeks (weighed in at 176.2 lbs this morning), but 2 weeks ago I was down 8.4 lbs in 5 weeks. You read that right, I have gained 1.4 lbs in the last couple week and I don't have any real excuses.
 
one hundred seventy six point two
UP 0.8 lbs Since Last Weigh-In
DOWN 5.8 lbs TOTAL
You see...I have been switching to celebration mode. Proof that old habits die hard.
 
However, I want SO BADLY to feel good on my birthday and I obviously will not be achieving THESE goals within the crazy time frame I gave myself. So, I am reevaluating my goals and creating Operation #165by26. My new mini-goal is to weigh 165 by my birthday. That is 11.2 LBs in 30 days and I am going to document EVERY DAY of it.
 
First of all, I will be doing DAILY weight-ins via blog posts or IG {YouBetchaKates} to hold myself 110% accountable. If I don't do this I tend to "cheat" on the weekend and try to make up for it Monday-Wednesday. Please CALL ME OUT if you don't see me weight-in!
 
As far as food goes, Shelli @ Beauties & the Baseball Coach was kind enough to send me a copy of the Advocare Cleanse Detailed Eating Instructions and I am using/modifying the recommended foods & meals to help me clean up my eating. I will still be using MyFitnessPal to track my calories and my intake goal will continue to be 1200-1400. If you would like to become my "friend" on MyFitnessPal my username is MN_Kates.
 
 
For exercise, I am firing up the Ol' 30 Day Shred Every.Damn.Day. I even took new photos and measurements. Old photos and measurements are HERE. I will also be giving Couch to 5K four days a week and on non-C25K days I will mix something in like Zumba Class (hopefully my DVDs come soon), Turbo Jam DVDs, or Wild Outdoor Play with the Kiddo. 
 
Hello Muffin Top, Thunder Thighs, & Badonkadonk Butt!
Measurements:
Date: March 12, 2013
Weight: 176.2 lbs
Hips: 43.50"
Waist: 33.25"
Bust: 40.00"
Arm: 13.00"
Thigh: 25.50"
 
Consider yourself warned {and please help hold my accountable} this is my hard core focus for the next 10 LBs and month.
 

Monday, March 11, 2013

My Weekend Shenanigans

 
Friday Night

  • Brought take n' bake pizza home for my family.
 
  • Prepped for the Baby Shower.
 
 
  • Went to my BFF's house to have a glass of wine and visit.
 
  • Drove home in Winter Storm Triton.
 
 
Saturday
 
  • Woke up too early.
 
  • Co-Hosted said Baby Shower with Lisa.
 
The Chow
Cinnamon French Toast Bake
{Recipe}
Fresh Fruit w/ Dip
{Dip Recipe}
Lisa also made an egg bake & donut tower.
 
Socializing & Gifts
 
Little Man & Baby A
Need any help with that Auntie?
My Little Man with the gift we brought.
Testing the book he brought for Baby A.
He is SO in love with his cousy!
Sorta Games

Put advice in the book for New Mama.
We also did a Guess the Price and Match the Song to the Disney Movie Game.
 
  • Went home and took a nap (parties are hard work).
 
  • Watched The Lucky One with Mr. You Betcha.
 
I wouldn't peg myself as a Zac Efron fan but he didn't disappoint.
Sunday
 
  • Woke up too early (again).
 
  • Faced the ice covered roads at 5mph to teach Sunday School.
 
  • Went to brunch with Mr. You Betcha's family for the MIL's birthday. 
 
  • Took another nap.

  • Chilled out at home for the rest of the day.

 
Please do not attempt to do all we do in one weekend. We live life VERY wild and crazy! It's not for everyone and I wouldn't want anyone to overexert themselves.

 

Friday, March 8, 2013

Finish the Sentence...

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1. People always tell me....I'm a good cook and I love it. I frequently ask my husband how meals rate on a scale of 1 to 10. If he says a 7 or less and I will NEVER prepare it for others. Maybe for him again, but NOT others.
 
2. In the movie based on my life...all they would be able to afford are low budget actors and it would tank at the box office. People dumb enough to go would fall asleep in theaters. Something about a movie based on a insurance agent and a graphic designer living in a small town doesn't scream fascinating. We are pretty low key.
 
3. Typically, I end up regretting....not thinking of smart aleck comments in the heat of an argument. They always come to me while I am crying about it where nobody can see me because I hate conflict.
 
4. I always ask to leave off the....everything. Make it plain. Meat and cheese only people.
 
5. Kim and Kanye really...are starting to get on my last nerve!
 
6. My Parents always reminded me... That I needed to watch my weight. Not both of them, just my mom. When I was 16 I remember her telling me I had to lose some weight before prom because I looked pudgy in my dress. I was about 140 freaking lbs! Wish I was that "fat" now.
 
7. Every single day I.....thank God for what he has given me.
 
8. This one time in College... I was playing Guitar Hero with my neighbor and he asked me if it was ok if he smoked weed in my presence. I was totally shocked (remember, country bumpkin right here) and too polite to say no so he lit up right in front of me. Scandalous, I know. I quickly finished the last few songs on the level we were on, made some lame excuse about having to work early the next day, and shot out of there like I had a rocket strapped to my ars. The first thing I did was call Mr. You Betcha (at the time my fiance) and say, "OMG you will NEVER guess what just happened to me!"
 
9. My grossest habit is...sticking the hair that falls out while I'm in the shower to the wall. I do this because I don't want my long thick hair clogging the drain. My intention is ALWAYS to put it in the garbage after I get out but sometimes I forget. When I forget, Mr. You Betcha makes sure to let me know Sasquatch has been sighted in our bathroom.
 
10. My latest white lie was...when I told Little Man that I had NO MORE MONEY. He is a money grubber and asks for coins to put in his his piggy bank every damn night. I always take some out of my loose change jar for him. However, last night he kept coming back again and again and again until I just told him it was all gone. Don't worry, I'm sure he will get the rest tonight.
 
11. I know all the words to... Gimme Three Steps by Lynard Skynard since I was like 12. I still remember the day I was in the car with my mom and singing to it on the radio. After awhile she turned to me and with a looked of disbelief said, "You know all the words!?!" Love me some Southern Rock!

  
12. When I grow up... I want to be a Barrel Racer and Country Music Singer. Ok, this was when I was 5 but it might still happen.
 
13. Sexy time is... sitting on the same couch when we watch a movie.
 
14. I will never, ever... own a minivan, sorry I'm not sorry to all the minivan moms out there, I just can't do it. I understand that they have tons of space and are super convenient but it's not for me.
 
15. I think it's hilarious...when kids face plant it in the snow and get the cry face (the one before they are actually crying). I know it's horrible but apparently I'm not the only one.
 
 The real action is at about the 20 second mark.
Also, I have NO clue who these people are.
 
Huge thanks to Jake and Holly, this one was a lot of fun.
 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thursday Tale from the Scale

one hundred seventy five point four
UP 0.6 lbs This Week
DOWN 6.6 lbs TOTAL
Now that that's over and done with and Aunt Flo (sorry if that's too much information) has packed up and went home for three weeks we can get back to business. I'm not saying weight loss is impossible for me when she visits but it's HARD!

I have too many exciting things going on in my life to let that get me down. Today I did my first ever guest post for Sarah @ Blonde Southern Lovin'. She is busy saving slaughter bound horses today so I was more than happy to fill in and tell everyone a little bit about my BHFF {Best Horse Friend Forever}.

 
Go check out Sarah's blog and find out how she has brought me back to my first true love.
 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

In Like a Lion...

Winter Storm Saturn (who comes up with this stuff) did not disappoint!

Safe to say March is in like a lion...

My Morning Drive
...and I am not just talking about the weather!

Things are cra-to-the-zy again and it's beginning to take its toll on me.

Work has been nutso and I have been busy getting ready to head out of town tomorrow for some continuing education training. I will be rising before the sun, loading up my boy while he is still his PJs, and stuffing the car with the gear to get us through the day (Little Man's bag & snow gear, my lunch sack, my purse, my workout bag, my brief case, and my winter hat/mittens/boots just in case I have trouble). Is anyone else picturing a pack horse going out the door in the morning?

Also, Lisa and I have been planning a Baby Shower for our SIL and niece. We got together tonight to finalize our details and make some shopping lists. Since I'm headed to the big city tomorrow anyways I will pick up some of the things we need for the party. We are going with a super girly theme - hot pink & zebra. Expect a party post next week.

As if things aren't busy enough, when several of the volunteer fire fighters and their spouses recently gathered to have supper and socialize. Light conversation turned to discussion of an annual city celebration. Many of us have young growing families and would love for our children to grow up with a strong sense of community and some festivities to sweeten the summer season. Here we are less than four weeks later, we have approached all the major organizations in town and have set up two or three planning meetings for this month alone. This is going to be a BIG job!

Between Mr. You Betcha's training & meeting nights and all my junk March is filling up fast. I have already noticed that in the first week of March my diet has taken a really hard hit. Planning on doing some food prep this weekend to help myself make better choices when times get tough. I'm also going to have to start scheduling my work out times. It's important to "make time" for the things that are important to me.

Planning to get home early enough tomorrow to Zumba with my girlies and work on a guest post for Sarah at Blonde Southern Lovin'!

So, let's hope March goes...


...out like a lamb.
 
 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Motivational Monday

Time to batten down the hatches and wait for Winter Storm Saturn to pass. The Weather Channel is forecasting 8"-12" which doesn't mean squat for the You Betcha Family. We have four-wheel drive vehicles and live close to a major highway; in my adult life I have never had a snow day.

BRING IT ON MOTHER NATURE!
What the weather does have me is blue. After last weeks "warm" streak I was ready for rainbows and butterflies. To help kick Mundane Monday I have decided to put together a Motivational Monday Link Up for everybody. 

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Motivational Monday
 
 Be sure to follow Kates (host) & Lisa (co-host)!