This post is written as part of a journey inspired by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s My Healthy Weight Action Plan, an online tool geared towards helping you live a healthier life. Feel free to get caught up on previous posts: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6
Here are the stats to show my progress in my “Get Healthy Challenge”:
Start Weight: 190 pounds
End of Week 1: 185 pounds
End of Week 2: 183 pounds
End of Week 3: 182 pounds
End of Week 4: 179 pounds
End of Week 5: 179 pounds
End of Week 6: 176 pounds
Starting BMI: 28.9
End of Week 1 BMI: 28.1
End of Week 2 BMI: 27.8
End of Week 3 BMI: 27.7
End of Week 4 BMI: 27.2
End of Week 5 BMI: 27.2
End of Week 6 BMI: 26.8
My goal is to reach a normal BMI which would be 24.9 (the top of what is considered a “normal” BMI) at 164 pounds and from there, I plan to reassess.
Last week, I was quite bummed that I didn’t lose any weight, although there could have been a variety of factors that played into last week’s end result. I know in my head that this journey is not all about the scale and the numbers, but when that is what you see everywhere and that is what you hear about, it is hard not to.
This week, I lost three pounds and other than stepping it up in my exercise and continuing on a healthy eating path, I did not change a thing. In fact, this week, I even indulged in a couple of small Valentine’s Day treats. I saw myself start to fall off of my path with the treats so as soon as I felt that, I had to step up my positive self talk and internal motivation. It was a huge challenge, but I did it and I feel really proud of myself.
Heart and Stroke “My Healthy Weight Action Plan” Update:
I am continuing to use the FREE online Heart and Stroke Foundation My Healthy Weight Action Plan Tool in order to track the food I am eating. Starting at the beginning of the week, I dove into the Planning side of the Tool! I’ve discovered a whole new world with this Planning Tool. What I liked the best about it was when life got super busy, I was able to quickly look at my daily plan and half of the battle of what to eat was planned already. Often, if I am out of the house for the morning and I arrive home for lunch, I tend to fall back on a fast and easy meal. In the past, these meals were not always the healthiest of options.
This past Sunday, I took a look at what I had available in my fridge and I made a plan for Breakfast, two snacks, Lunch and Dinner and for the most part, I followed that plan.
What I also find helpful about the Plan is that you can look at your week to ensure that you have included enough of each type of vegetable and fruit (in our house, we like to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables! I was also able to look at my protein and carb intake which to my surprise is something that I am watching quite closely.
This Week’s Challenges:
- Valentine’s Day (enough said)
- Getting as much exercise in as I had planned.
- My husband bought me a Keurig for Valentine’s Day. This was the best gift I could ever receive, boy does he ever know his wife. However, I wanted to drink coffee all day long!
This Week’s Smiles:
- My husband bought me a Keurig for Valentine’s Day and it brews hot water! I drank more water this week because of my new toy! And I enjoyed one cup of coffee at a time. Believe it or not, I probably consumed less coffee this week! It was hard not to have more though.
- I stepped up the difficulty in my exercise routine. I played Dance Dance Revolution on the X-box at a harder level. Let’s just say it was quite the challenge. I had to take breaks in between each song because I was so out of breath. I’m sure some people will get a good giggle out of this!
- I continued to have a protein shake at night if I was hungry. These really do help keeep my hunger and cravings in check.
Goals for Next Week:
- Exercise! I am still not exercising as much as I would like to or as much as I should.
- Continue to find healthy recipes.
- Find a new salad to try out.
This week, I found the yummiest breakfast recipe! It is called Healthy Baked Oatmeal and it is the yummiest breakfast I think I’ve ever had. It is made with oats, almond milk, yogurt, fruit, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, maple syrup and eggs. I changed up the recipe slightly to make it a bit healthier, but it was so yummy, I ate it every morning last week! I found it quite filling too, which is an added bonus and it contains all major food groups too.
Check out some more healthy recipes I’ve found:
Brussel Sprout and Broccoli Slaw
Individual Cookie Dough Oatmeal Cake (Breakfast)
Breakfast “Grab and Go” Cookies
Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes
Sweet and Sour Roasted Chickpeas
Here are some healthy recipe websites and blogs that I referred to this week:
Here are the Blog Hops if you are interested in checking them out:
Opinions expressed belong to Multi-Testing Mommy and are NOT influenced in any way. See MTM’s Disclosure for more details.
I am so proud of you Amanda. When you falling off track it’s so important to recognize it and get right back on track. Positive self talk and affirmations will take you a long way. So happy for you. Keep going and you will get there, and so will I. xoxo Have a great week!
Great progress! You’re doing really well! The important thing is a lifestyle change that doesn’t scream “DIET PLAN”, so that you can have the occasional treat for events like Valentines and then hop back over to healthy food… that’s how you’ll stay on track long-term! 😀
You’re doing so well! Congrats on what you have already lost. What an accomplishment. You and the other girls that have been doing these fit/healthy post have been motivating me in so many ways.
Also, um, congrats on the Keurig!!! I’ve been wanting one for a while, maybe Christmas or my birthday this year?! lol
ROCK ON SISTAH!!!
What a great week for you. And what a great gift from your hubby 🙂
6 weeks and 14 pounds is huge and you should be so proud!
I have to admit, i kind of giggled about upping the DDR to a harder level. I think i’d probably break an ankle trying to get through intense dance moves!!!
I meant to tell you – for water intake my trick is herbal tea. I don’t really like many of them. But I do happen to love the Starbucks Passion tea (and I know – at starbucks it’s more expensive than coffee however you can buy it in a box).
I’ve been trying to be way more mindful of how much coffee I drink because i want to go for coffee with friends. So, for me, that’s kind of a life saver. (and still cheaper than a latte or something).
LOL – we’ll forget the mocha latte I had one day!
I so look forward to your Monday posts!
BTW – OMG pinterest. I keep looking up “fitspiration” on there – so motivating
You are killing this girl. Holy, please tell me your secret, as I’ve barely lost any. Waaah. Regardless, keep it up. You are down over 20 pounds… So proud of you!!!
Amanda, you’re doing awesome chicky!
Like you, I turn to a protein shake when I’m nixin’ for a fixin’. It’s awesome at keeping the cravings at bay.
Your doing an awesome job! Good luck with the rest of your journey!
http://talesofmommyhood.blogspot.com/2012/02/perplexus-product-review.html
SASS
Way to go Amanda!! I found it hard to believe that by exercising and eating better, that you could lose weight and feel better:))
Not sure if you saw my facebook picture the other day but it isn’t working out so well for me 😛
As for the Keurig, just wait until you try one of the many amazing flavours they have to offer (Kahlua, French Vanilla & Cinnamon Pastry to name a few). It is an amazing invention, that’s for sure!
Cheers!
Good for you! You are doing great! I think it’s good to allow ourselves a little treat now and then as long as we don’t go nuts. 🙂 keep it up girl!
Good for you for still losing with valentine’s day in there! I know that combined with my wedding anniversary have put a dent in my progress this week.
Thanks for co-hosting SASS!
Wow, congrats on the great progress! I am also working on eating healthier, getting in better shape, and losing some of the weight I’ve gained in the last couple of years. Thanks for the info on the Heart & Stroke app, I love it and I think it will help a lot with my goals as well! SASS
http://adventuresinmiscellany.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/setting-up-feedburner/
This is so great Amanda!! I’m so proud of you and I hope u are too! I love the point you make about the positive self talk! This is so, so important and can really make all the difference in achieving your goal! SASS
You are doing so good! What terrific progress. I love reading about how you are doing each week. Brings a smile to my face. I feel so proud as if it were me lol you go girl
Oops SASS too lol
Doing great!! And sweet gift from the hubby! Keep up the great work. Maybe we can support each other. I’m on Nutrisystem to try and lose some weight. 🙂
Well done on two counts. The weight loss is truly impressive, and my uncoordinated self was always intimidated by the higher difficulty levels on DDR.
Congrats!
(visiting from SASS)
Visiting you again from Sass this time! Way to go and rah rah rah! 😉
Oh I love playing DDR, but the higher levels? No way! Not because I’m out of shape (though I am), but because I am an uncoordinated klutz. The few times I tried the higher levels I managed to tie my legs in knots and fall on my bum. You would have laughed so hard. So kudos to you lady! – SASS
November 15-Let’s get healthy together -week 7-I know, I know. Everyone but me is on the ball. I just found out that if I am very hungry at night, I can make myself a protein shake. I was starving last night and did not think of that. I read your week 7 and I got it! I will probably try it the next time I am starving at night. Thank you for the websites, recipes and tips. Elva Roberts