Hey Everyone!! I just registered and I figured I'd keep a journal here as well!! It's tough dieting around Christmas time, :deer: but I'm hoping with the support that I gain here it will be a breeze!! :D

A little about me:
Well, I'm 21 years old and I live in North Carolina. Right now I'm looking to loose about 20 pounds. I'd like to have this off by the very latest- March, but the earlier the better!! My boyfriend's birthday is in March and I want to look extra hot! :o

I don't really have a "set" exercise program. I try to do cardio 4-6 times a week and try to lift 3 times a week. I'm going to start a new split next week though that primarily concentrates on leaning down the lower body while gaining lean body mass in the upper body. I've had to customize some of the exercises to suit me because I work out at home and don't have everything that a gym does.

My diet............... :pass: well, I don't have a specific diet. I eat pretty clean for the most part although I do eat processed foods. The foods I generally have are: chicken, lean steaks, veggie burgers, soy crumblers, ultra lean hot pockets, low carb tortilla's, eggs, egg whites, peanut butter, peanut wonder, whole grain cereals, low carb yogurts, light bread, light bagels, fat free or low fat dairy products, TONS of veggies, light popcorn, FFSF ice cream or ice cream treats, diet soda, crystal light, etc. I'm sure you'll see plenty from my diet!!

So, with this- I'm off!! :mus: I look forward to meeting everyone and hearing your input!

I've enclosed a picture of myself with this post!

Stats-
Weight- (on my scale, I think it weighs you a few lbs. less though) 147
Height- 5'8
Waist (around belly button)- 29
Hips (around biggest part of legs and butt) 39.5
Thighs- 22.5


Goals:
Weight: 125-130
Height: :D same!!! LOL!!
Waist: 26
Hips: 36
Thighs: 19

Friday, December 17th

10 minutes on stationary bike (got up late)
30 minutes walking on treadmill- PM



Meal 1: Ultra - Lean Hot Pocket (Ham and Cheese)

Meal 2: 2 slices Sara Lee Delightful bread, 3 slices soy bolongna, lettuce, 1/2 tbs. FF mayo, mustard, 1 serving baby carrots

Meal 3: chicken chili, lettuce, FF sour cream

Snack: HP mini bag, No Pudge Ice Cream Bar

Well, the weekend was okay, yesterday was a BAD day. Saturday was fine, I ended up eating a little under 1200 calories. Didn't get a workout in, but did lots of shopping :) .

Sunday, oh boy!! :tomato: I ended up eating 3000 calories. I was just soo hungry all day long. :c( I hate when I do that, I should have just stopped, but I didn't. Good thing is though, I rode my bike for 30 minutes in the morning and then walked for 78 minutes on my treadmill (5.25 miles). Today I'm going to really watch it and keep my cals low and chug the water!!

Weight was 145 Saturday and Sunday morning, but this morning it was up to 148 :( . I know I didn't gain any fat in one day, but it's still discouraging to see that number. Hopefully it will be down by tomorrow or Wednesday and then maybe even 143 or 144 by Christmas!! :D

Monday:

Meals-- Are cutting the carbs a little to get rid of this water weight gain, calories will be low today too!!

Workout- AM: 50 minutes on treadmill (3.33 miles)

Yesterday was another BAD day. Calories ended up around 2000 which is about maintenace but I still wanted them low!! I don't know what the *&*& was wrong. I ate a whole box of cookies (the Keto sugar free ones, so that was like 555 cals right there). So, today is punishment!! Hopefully I'll get half a day at work today, finish my Christmas shopping, go by the grocery store, get lots of yummy CLEAN foods, pre chop them so they are ready for meals, clean my whole house, do laundry, wrap presents, lift weights (gotta do this tonight) and then rest. Today is going to be low calorie, as will the rest of the week. And, as my PUNISHMENT Christmas will be normal. I'll eat below maintenance and the only sweets I'll have are the ones that I make which will be sugar free.

Tuesday:
AM- 45 minutes treadmill (3.23 miles), 8 minutes bike
PM-

Breakfast- apple
Lunch- turkey sandwich
Dinner- LOTS and LOTS of mixed veggies, 6 egg whites

Yesterday went fine :) . Didn't get in any weights though :c( , but finished my x-mas shopping finally!! I ended up having to take my boyfriend to the ER, he has severe bronchitis and couldn't breathe. It really scared me but I didn't let him know it. I think it would make me feel worse to know that someone was really worried so I just take care of him and then worry when I'm not in front of him :console: . Today I didn't get any workout in this morning, but it's because I was taking care of Travis (we live together) and had to clean up and do some laundry. I think my mom will probably stop by to check on him and I hate people coming by when my house isn't clean. I still have to finish cleaning tonight :c( . I wish Santa would do it for me!! LOL! :deer:

My cousin's birthday is tomorrow. We have to go to her birthday dinner. My mom is fixing lasagna for her so I'll probably bring my own food. I really don't like meat, but I love the cheesey part! I'll pass it up though and the dessert.

Okay, now on to today's plan!!

Breakfast: Orange Juice, apple (need some protein here, was running late!!)

Lunch: HUMONGEOUS salad topped with shredded chicken and Walden's Farm Salad Dressing

Dinner: 1 cup cheddar flavored egg whites, 1 bagel, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, 1 big bag broccoli, rest of salad from lunch

Snack: 2 SF popsicle

Bedtime snack: 1/2 cup egg whites (cheese kind)

Workouts- cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, and hopefully some cardio. If I don't have time for a whole weight session I'm going to at least bust out my legs real quick. I feel squishy!! Weight was at 146 this morning, so I think I'm still holding some water from Sunday so I may just hit 144 for Christmas!! Everybody keep their fingers crossed for me!!

Hey Andrea!! Welcome to DietTalk!!!!! :D Thank you for posting on my journal! I love vistors & encouragement! And thank you SO much for all the receipes and ideas for meals w/ veggies! :hug:

I do notice that my cals fluctuate between low & high. I am really working to keep it steady, but it is really hard to do that!

What kinds of exercises do you do? I am also looking to lean out my lower body while gaining muscle in my upper, so I was interested in what kinds of activities & weights you do. We can definitely help one another in that area!!

Congrats on graduating :ribbon: What did you major in? And what college did you go to?

Well girly, I hope you have a fabulous day! Good luck with the cal-count and exercising!!!

:cheer:

Hey Becca!! Thanks for stopping by! I hoped I spelled your name right!! The only cardio I do is walking on my treadmill or riding my bike (stationary). I work 8-5 so I either work out first thing in the morning or at night.

I have my AAS in Paralegal Technology. I wish I would have taken something else now though, but I think I'll be going back to school sometime next year. I went to Gaston College, it's a community college around here.

I hope you have a good night! :D

Well today will be a challenge, but I feel confident that I can do it. My work is having our Christmas Party catered, I ate before I left and I'll eat my bagel sandwich around 11'ish so I'm going to just not eat here. I'll probably put some on my plate, but I won't eat it. Then, I've already pre-made two salads for later so I can eat one when I get home and another one at my mom's tonight for Nicole's birthday. Weight is still stuck at 146, but I feel sooo bloated, so I'm still hoping that it will go down to 144 by Saturday. Hey, it never hurts to dream!! :)

Becca- I forgot to mention my workouts. Well, I've been VERY slack on my weight training so I'm hoping to get my ass in gear very soon!!

This is what I plan on doing:

Workout #1 (Legs, Shoulders, Arms)
Body Weight Squats 1 X 15,15,15
Lunges 1 X 15,15,15 (If I add weight here, it will be light)
Standing Calf Raises 1 X 20, 20, 20
Leg Extensions 1 X 15,15,15
Lying Leg Curls 1 X 15,15,15
Overhead Dumbell Presses 1 X 12,10,8
Dumbbell Lateral Raises 1 X 12,10,8
Barbell Curls 1 X 12,10,8
Dumbbell Curls 1 X 12,10,8
Tricep Pushdowns 1 X 12,10,8
Tricep dips 2 X 20

Workout #2 (Legs, Back, Chest)
Walking Lunges 1 X 20,20,20
Side Leg Raise 1 X 20,20,20
Inner Thigh Raise 1 X 20,20,20
Butt Kickback: 1x 20, 20, 20
Pile Squat: 1 X 20, 20, 20
Hyperextensions on Swiss Ball 1 X 15,15,15
Bent Over DB Rows 1 X 12,10,8
Flat BB Bench Press 1 X 12,10,8
Incline Dumbell Fly 1 X 12,10,8
Pushups (girlie style) 1 X 20, 20, 20

I'll most likely do abs twice a week after one of my morning cardio sessions. I'm going to start this doing it twice a week and then I'll do it three times a week, just alternating. For example, I'll do W1, W2, W1 one week and then the next week I'll do W2, W1, W2.

I really need to increase the intensity of my cardio workouts. I think I'm going to buy some DVD workouts and work those into my weekend workots or maybe pilates. Not sure yet.

I'm going to make a few things and bring them to my mom's for Christmas so I don't feel deprived, but I still eat semi-clean. I would just say Screw It like I did on Thanksgiving, but my problem is once I start it is so hard for me to stop. I absolutly LOVE sweets, so I'll make some, eat some and not beat myself up for it, but I'll just eat what I make dessert wise. I figure my calories will still be pretty high, but at least I'll be making cleaner choices.

So far I plan on bringing:
Keto Cornbread Muffins
http://www.ketofoods.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=589

Keto Brownies
http://www.ketofoods.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=570

Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
http://www.ketofoods.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=41

Keto Blueberry Muffins

Chocolate Covered Pretzels and Cream Cheese filled Crackers
Pretzel Cream Cheese Dessert
Possibly a Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (instead of flour, I have a high protein, low carb flour substitute)

Salad (regular)
Kidney Bean Salad
Pasta w/ tomatoes and parmesean

This way I know I'll be eating clean. They'll be plenty of healthy choices, the ham or turkey is fine and I'll have sides and I've still got half of a broccoli casserole frozen from Thanksgiving that we'll heat.

Ooops, need to post today's plan :)

AM- 10 minutes on bike (Travis is still sick, I've not had much sleep and I had to make sure he took his medicine before I left for work so I was running short on time!!)

Meal 1: 1/2 cup All Bran Extra Fiber, 1 cup Light Soy Milk, 1/2 cup puffed rice cereal, 1/2 banana, 1 cup OJ

Meal 2: Bagel w/ 2 slices soy bologna, 1 slice cheese, 1/2 cup egg whites

Meal 3: salad (tons of veggies), shredded chicken, sprinkled with cheddar cheese, Walden's Farm Dressing

*snack: HP Mini, 2 SF Pops

Meal 4: same as 3

Meal 5: 1 cup EW with 1 oz. chicken, 1 bag broccoli, 3 Wasa Crackers

NOTES: The OJ that I drink is that new Hood's Carb Countdown juice (25 cals). It's really good, I'm going to attempt some smoothies with it!! The bagel is Sara Lee Delightful (120 cals). The cheese was fat free and Walden's Farm Dressing is calorie free. HP Mini mean a single bag of Healthy Pop Popcorn. Calories were about 1400 today. I think I'm going to start aiming for 1200 a day though, just until I get to my goal weight. I wonder if that is too low though?

Hi Andrea...You are doing an awesome job!! :up: Your workout routine looks fantastic!! Can't wait to start at the gym myself! Keep up the hard work! I do hope your boyfriend gets well soon, it is not so fun when they're that sick. Have a great day!! AJ

Hey AJ!! Thanks for stopping by :D Until yesterday I was starting to wonder if anyone was going to come by here :( .

A friend of mine's husband bought her a membership to the Y so I'm going to join there and start going with her at night. Yay!! Workout buddy :D

Merry Christmas :)

Beth :peace:

Hi Beth!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

Oh, today is so ****ty!! Travis is still sick and I'm ill I guess from being stuck inside and now I'm getting sick.

I woke up in the middle of the night because Travis woke me and I couldn't get back to sleep and I ended up eating two big bowls of fat free sugar free ice cream with peanut wonder and chocolate morsels. Now today I'm bloated as hell, and feel like a complete fat ass!!!!!!!!! I would just make my cals low today to compensate, but I've already eaten. Oh, this sucks!! And I'm *****y because of PMS. I'm in one of those moods where I just feel really fat and ugly. I didn't dare get on the scale, hell it's liable to tell me to get back off!! I know it sounds crazy, but once I hit my goal weight and STAY there I will be so happy. I know I shouldn't let my weight and looks control my life but I just can't help it.

Well, gotta run, Travis wants a cheeseburger because he says that's all he thinks he can eat so I have to go find a ****ing place that is open on Christmas Eve!!!!! Just shoot me now!!

Okay, well Friday- Sunday my diet sucked!!!!!!!!!! BIG TIME!!! But, as of yesterday I'm back on track diet-wise, but my workouts are holding off because of this crazy cold I have!! It's about to drive me crazy! LOL!!

I'll update yesterday's and today's meals later!! Just wanted to pop in!

Hi Andrea....hang in there girl! You can do this....we all hit our bumps, but then we need to get back up, brush ourselves off, and get going again! Sorry to hear you have a cold...My family is getting colds as well....it's a bummmer. Hope you have a fantastic week! Remember...you CAN do this....AJ

Hey Andrea!! I totally understand those moods of PMS and over-eating and then feeling bloated & ugly the next day. It's horrible. But-- once you get through those couple of days, you'll be stress-free and back on your way to loosing the weight. AND you have a workout buddy!!!!! Those are seriously the best! (Unless you get a workout buddy that is extremely competitive and HAS to be better at everything!) -- Those suck! hahaha. Thanks for your list of work-outs, where do you fit your cardio in? Do you mix in cardio every-other day? Are you taking a specific diet approach? Or just healthy eating? (I'm sorry, I have been gone so long it feels like I have forgotten everything!!!) Well girly, good luck and I hope your bf Travis gets better soon! It's amazing how a loved one's emotions and feelings can affect your own! (I am the same way with my bf!) Have a great day!!!

:cheer:

PHEW!! 8-| It seems like I haven't posted in here in forever and a day!! Well, my diet pretty much sucked over Christmas and New Years. I had a few good days, but then I had some bad days too which probably erased my good days X-( . But, today is day seven of clean eating and watching my cals!!

My deep freeze (x-mas gift :D ) is stocked full of food that I've already cooked and then froze (turkey veggie burgers, turkey meatballs, chicken burgers, LC biscuits, cornbread, etc.) So, I guess I'll jump back in and start posting again.

On another note, I'm getting married this year. The EXACT date isn't yet decided, but as of Thursday night, January 6th I'm engaged!!! So, this is definate motivation to loose this weight once and for all and sculpt the body that I want soooo badly!! Bikini Bound here I come!! :D

Today's Meals:

1- sugar free hot cocoa, pack of Nutballz (protein cookies)
2- broccoli/cauliflower/chicken casserole (one of my pre-made frozen things), wasa crackers, baby carrots
3- LC tortilla, turkey meatballs, mozz. cheese, lettuce (make a wrap) green beans, carrots
4- 1 cup LF cottage cheese, 1 tbs. unsweetned cocoa

Did 15 minutes on the treadmill this morning and 5 on the bike. Going to get a good cardio workout tonight thogh and weights :)

Hey Andrea! I just wanted to congratulate you on getting engaged! Good thinking to freeze some healthy meals in advance. Good luck on getting in shape. (Indeed, what better motivation than your wedding??) :)

Thanks so much Sundial!! :D

I changed M4 yesterday, I had 1/2 cup LFCC and 1/2 cup chocolate peanut butter tofo pudding (I made it :o and it's yummy and healthy!!)

Today:
WORKOUT: 20 minutes treadmill (15 incline) Was planning on doing more but I got really light headed so I stopped. Getting ready to watch The Biggest Loser, if I feel okay after that I may do 10 more minutes but I don't know 8-|

Meals:

1: Pancakes w/ SF syrup (I make these too, they're pretty healthy, I don't use flour, I either use a LC mix or a LC baking alternative)

2: Sandwich w/ turkey, ham, bologna (all soy), slice cheese, ff mayo, baby carrots, sugar free jello

3: salad w/ chicken, ff sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, baked chips

4: Healthy Pop Popcorn (gotta chill and watch my show)

Ended up eating an Atkins yogurt last night and rode my bike for 12 minutes.

Today's been going okay, I need to get in a good kick ass workout tonight!! I may go on a detox diet in a few weeks.

Here's the meals so far today:

1: English muffin, laughing cow cheese, egg whites, soy bacon, sf rice pudding
2: LC tortilla w/ broccoli slaw, soy ham/bologna/turkey, slice cheese, ff mayo, baby carrots, sf jello
3: bag salad, can tuna, ff mayo, tomatoes, wasa crackers, yellow squash
4: cottage cheese, yogurt, all bran
5: cottage cheese, tofo pudding


I'll edit later if they change!!

CONGRATS ON GETTING ENGAGED!!! :balloons: That is a definite boost of motivation, I'm sure! I missed ya while you were gone-- but I was gone alot of times too, getting back into the groove of college made me so busy! But stay in touch girly! And keep up the GREAT work!!! :D

My meals have changed, I'm pms'ing like a mad woman X-( and I'm sitting in here trying to read about diets and fitness so I don't eat my refrigerator :c( .

Here's the updated meals:

3: wasa crackers, few baked chips, tofu pudding
4: veggies breaded in crushed special k and wheat bran, 1/2 cup egg whites
5: Atkins yogurt, 1/2 cup CC, 1/2 cup berries, fudge pop, 1 SF cookie (I pre made this and froze them

My cals are still okay as of right now, I think I'm just going to pop a tylenol pm, hit the treadmill until I'm tired as hell and then crash!!! :( Any other ideas? I really should clean........ but I just don't wanna :c( Why oh why do girls have to get pms!! I swear, I go from Andrea to Super ***** in half a second!!

Becca- Hey babes!! I've missed you, I'm going to read your journal, that'll help motivate me!

Hi, Andrea! :wave: For some reason I hadn't seen your journal until today, but I loved reading it! You are so healthy and upbeat (even with pms :) )!!! My advice: never under any circumstances clean if ya don't wanna! Life's too short! :) Thanks for the inspiration reading your journal gave me!

Hey Athletea :D Thanks for the kind words, I've never been called inspirational! :) You've made some awesome progress yourself, I think I need to learn from you!! :D

Well, I feel better now, walked for 45 minutes on my treadmill, flat surface. Couldn't do an incline, my knee has been hurting, I think I'm going to have to break down and go to the doctor. Also did a light leg workout, but it wasn't all that great considering my knee, but it will have to do 8-|

Hi Andrea...CONGRATULATIONS...on the engagement! I bet you are so happy and so excited! That is awesome. You're doing great...your attitude is so positive! That makes so much difference, especially at times of weakness. Glad to see you back journaling. Hope everything else is going well for you...Have a great week!! AJ

Thanks AJ :D




Well, I did end up eating again last night afterall, but my cals were only around 17-1800 so it's okay. Had some oatbran/cream of wheat mixed with SF rice pudding.

Yesterday:
Clean eats, 20 minute bike ride.

Friday:
Clean eats, cals around 1600, 30 minutes treadmill, light weights

*I watched without a paddle tonight, it's sooo good, everyone should watch it :D *

I'm hitting the gym tomorrow morning with my brother and step dad so I'm ready to pump out a good workout :D

Gym was great today :D Did thirty minutes of cardio after about an hour long weight lifting session. I generally don't lift for that long but I wanted to hit my legs pretty good and also use the machines I don't have access to at home. I'm going to start going more often, every Saturday for sure, but hopefully a few times through the week. I wish I could get Travis to go with me, but he won't, the little **** head X-( LOL!! :laugh: But, I was able to do 210 on the leg press for 10 reps so that means I could max out at a higher weight and I did 200 on the seated squat press. I also used 20 # dumbbells for my curls (only did 4) and then finished off with the 15's so I'm increasing my weights/strength while decreasing my weight (well, hopefully :D , I've been watching my diet pretty closely so I'll weigh in Monday or Tuesday).

Travis and I are getting ready to go out and have some drinks (I'll be having diet pepsi :o ) with some of our friends, if I can't sleep when I get home maybe I'll bust out a little more cardio :) , and tomorrow I don't think I'll do weights, just cardio.

Diet has been good today, so that definatly puts me in a good mood, but now I'm off to get ready!! :D

Hey!! Today's been kind of ****ty, I still haven't worked out, pretty much just layed around all day, I can't find my cell phone anywhere and I turned the ringer on vibrate so now I can't even hear it ring if I call it from another phone :angry: . It'll show up eventually I guess.

Eating- well I've ate A LOT today. Was starving for some reason so I ate, probably too much, cals for the day are around 2200 or so, so I'm stopping now and going to get in a cardio session and go to bed early.
I'm going to try to go find my phone again, I hope everyone had an awesome weekend!!