Jana- 18,235

I did it!!! I walked 18,235 steps!!! That's around 9 miles. I knew I could do it, and knew I would. I don't like fail, publicly. Even though no one is reading this blog, it still helped to put the goal out there and the need to come back tonight to post my results.
So, this wasn't easy, it meant a lot of walking, basically all I did all day was plan my next walk. I am not one that can just take off and walk all 9 miles at once. I got in a walk before church, then we took Bailey to the dog park. I walked there, Mike drove there with Bailey. Then I walked 3 miles to the tanning salon. I walked on the treadmill and then took another walk outside with the dog. When I plugged in the body bug I was 493 steps short... s. o I took Bailey out again for a short walk. When I came back in, I was 235 steps over!
My plan is to get up to walk before school, since we have the math night and I won't be able to get in my afternoon walking... Since it's 11:00, I'm not sure that I'll actually get up, but I will get in my 10,000 steps tomorrow, whether or not it's in the morning.
I'm proud of myself. It wasn't as hard as I thought, but I couldn't see doing that all the time. Maybe on the weekends I can set a higher goal.
By the way... the cookies were SOOOOOO not worth it!! They made me sick actually. So, on top of having to get in so much walking, I spent any spare time in the bathroom getting rid of anything left in my stomach... the cookies were good, but again, NOT worth it!!

Jana~ FAIL!

Ok, as we all know I have an addiction to chocolate. And, we all know that when I have my monthly visitor, I crave it like nothing else. I should be able to overcome this addiction, right?!? Tonight was tough for me. I blew it!! BUT, I made a deal with Mike, since I ate chocolate, I have to walk an additional 5,000 steps!!! That's actually a lot, since I'm barely getting in my 10,000! I hope it was worth it when I'm walking an additional 2.5 miles tomorrow.
There's actually more... my goal was to get in 10,000 steps per day, 70,000 steps a week. So, if I don't reach my daily goal, I can make it up the next day. I've done good all week, hitting my goal each day, often going over by a few hundred steps. Today wasn't that good. We were out all day, went to 3 different dog parks and took Bailey for a walk. I also ran errands. I just didn't hit my steps, not even close. So, I have 3,000 steps to make up tomorrow. This means I have 18,000 steps to make up TOMORROW!! I will walk before church, after, after that and then again after that. I think I can spread it out and get in my 9 miles (since 2,000 steps is about a mile). Wish me luck... I will need it.

Jana- 10 pounds! FINALLY

Anyone out there? I'm not giving up on this blog because it helps for me to have an outlet. I wish it would let me cut and paste and I'd just transfer over to my other blog. We are only a few weeks away from Easter, and I'm worried that I will lose what I've been working for. I need a goal, I work for goals... I can keep this up for my sister's wedding, but then what? I'm worried that I'll let it slip again!!!
I am finally down 10 pounds after 4 weeks of doing this... I have 10 more that I want to lose before my sister's wedding. I hate that I put the weight on after my wedding because I would have been 10 pounds less, had I kept up with the work I'd already done. But, instead I'm losing this 10 pounds again! Ugh! I love that the weather has changed, I can't use weather as an excuse not to walk outside anymore. If this sinus infection would go on it's way, I'd probably feel up to doing more than I have been doing. I lose my breath walking up the stairs, but that is because my head is so full of snot, it makes it hard to breathe.
I wish we were still tapping, but to be honest, I dreaded it so much. It just made me workout, I really need the accountability, I tend to use excuses without it. Of course, I know I'm 31 and will only blame myself for my choices. If you think about it, ask me if I hit my 10,000 steps, if I had to answer to someone, I'd be push myself. Plus, I can't lie, so then I'd feel stupid if I didn't do it (knowing I'm totally capable of doing it). And, I hate to feel stupid, so this could work!
You girls are all doing great... oh how I wish I would have been blessed with better genes, although I won't complain about the good hair and good skin genes (which my sister didn't get), thank you God for those.

Jana- 10,387

I did it! For the first time since wearing the body bugg, I FINALLY reached 10,000+ steps. I've come hit the 9,000 mark many times, but never reached the goal. Even after 1 hour on the treadmill several nights, still, I haven't hit it... But tonight, I did!
I did my hour on the treadmill (the 650 calorie walk) and then took Bailey on an evening walk to the post office box down the road. I love the weather and would totally walk outside more, but Bailey is still learning how to walk, without going crazy. I feel bad leaving her in her crate while Mike is gone, so I just stuck with the treadmill.
I might weight tomorrow, since it's been 3 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes.

(Caitie) THUDDDD

Hey, did you guys hear that thud?

Yeah, that was me falling off the wagon. Holy S. This weekend at the ski house, I went a little nuts. I was letting myself snack and eat the way I haven't in 9 weeks and I regret every second of it. This is not a "Jana's Banana Bread" Situation... I just... wow. I started off well, making good food choices on the way down (At Chic Fil A, one of my FAVORITE fast food places, I had a salad and the soup... then when we went out to dinner, I had one slice of pizza and a salad.) So, it started well, but then it just went south.

I can't even talk about Saturday. I wrote down everything I ate, but I didn't know the WW points and there was no internet there. Sunday was just as bad, but when I got home and put it all on my computer, I was SHOCKED!!!

So, I guess the lesson I learned was... I'm not ready for complete freedom. I still need the restraints of making my own food and planning everything I eat. Being at home (not on vacation) definitely makes it easier and if I want to continue toward my goals, I need to stay focused and not get so out of control.

That being said, I messed up and now I just need to get back on the wagon. Tonight and tomorrow, I'll be back to counting and calculating. I also need to work out like CRAZY this week. Have to!! Or else I'll pay for my behavior on Thursday at WW.

Ok, back to the Oscars... go Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side!!

Jana- NO SWEETS!!

As you know, I gave up ALL sweets starting with a 'C'. So, this morning Mike and I were watching the History channel. It was a show about where cookies came from and then it showed the production of different types of cookies. As we are watching it, I say, "I REALLY want some cookies". Mike replies, "You can't have them". I was being serious and I wasn't. I did want them,. but wouldn't actually cheat.
So fast forward a few hours... Mike goes out to the post office and I stay home. When he comes back he walks over to me with a box of chocolate chip cookies!!! WHAT?!?! I couldn't believe he bought those for me. I reminded him that I can't have them, and asked why he bought them. He said he knew I wanted them and he went ahead and just got them for me. I didn't know what to think... It was sweet, but this is my problem... trying to justify eating bad things.
So, this is why I need you!!! I need people to keep me accountable, and say NOOOOOO!!! and NOT give in, not matter how much you love me.
No worries, I won't eat them, I'm not even craving them, but I did need to get them out of my site. Oh Mike...

Jana Day 8-9

I feel like my body is burning out big time. I feel as though sick is coming on, and it's just been teasing me for the last week. I am exhausted by the time I get home, really just wanting nothing more than to sleep. Yesterday was a success. I got in about 1200 calories, and an hour of tapping. I skipped dinner all together because I wanted a nap. When I got up, I didn't feel like making dinner, so I didn't. I had about 2 hours of work to do, then I was back in bed for the night.
Today, I was so tired when I got up, I again, didn't feel like making anything to eat. I put an English muffin in the toaster and that was my breakfast. (I usually have an egg with it.) I'm actually glad that I'm past the urge to just eat. Not that I want an eating disorder, but I'd love to never have the urge to eat again. Like Kelly, once I start letting myself cheat, I have no control and I never have that full feeling.
Anyway, I'm sitting in class (yes, and I'm blogging). I have Barrett's class right now, and they are taking a test. I'm sitting in the front of the room, and look up frequently to make sure a particular student isn't cheating. Ironically, I'm sitting 5 feet from him, and yet he still tries to cheat.
My goal is 1 hour tonight on the treadmill. I have a program on there that I do that burns 650 calories in 1 hour. It's not too bad, and it helps me get in my 10,000 steps.

(Caitie) WOO HOO!

A small celebration...

Today during Morning Meeting, I asked my kids if they noticed that I got a hair cut (no real length change, just some extra layers) and some said yes. Then one boy goes, "No, but I noticed you lost some pounds!"

hahahaahah! Oh, third graders...

epic fail

Okay, so I've been terrible at this blogging thing, BUT I have now officially bookmarked it and I am ready for big changes! The first week was a major bust for me. I decided officially that for lent, I am giving up chocolate and soda. I didn't think the chocolate one was going to be so hard, but let me tell you. From girl scout cookies to the 80 packages of M&Ms on my counter, I am going crazy. I will not let myself cheat. If I do, it will b the downfall of me. Although I did not cheat the first week, I also did not do any excercise.

Last week was a bit different. I was eating better and working out consistently. I did 1 hour of TTAP with Jana on Wednesday and another hour on Friday with the girls. I also went to the gym both Saturday and Sunday and ran 3.5 miles both times!!! WOOO! I am officially down 6.6 pounds!!! I am debating about starting to go to the gym just to run in the mornings before work, but that's still undecided. haha. I think it would help to give me more energy throughout the day. I took the weekend off from any sort of drinking at all and just decided to focus on making my body feel better. I went to bed at 7 on Friday and work up at 8. Sleeping for 13 hours was incredible. I wish I could do that everyday.

I really need to kik my butt into gear. My goal is to lose 20pounds by May. I think I might continue lent into May because I am afraid that once I give in, I won't be able to stop! Can't wait to be TTAPpin today!

Jana Day 7-11

I can't believe we are already on Day 11! I finally am over the feeling of 'needing' to eat, if that makes any sense. We ate pasta last night and it made me sick, my stomach is back to only wanting smaller portions. When I overeat, I tend to be able to eat more and more and more. It's like my stomach grows and it can hold me, making me not ever feel full.
I have done well, down 7 lbs as of last Thursday. I still hate the LONG T-Tapp sessions, but I know it works. On Friday (for the first time since getting the Bodybugg), I was only 14 steps short of the 10,000 steps goal for the day. If I had checked my bugg on Friday, I would have taken and extra 14 steps, but I didn't plug it in until Saturday morning... darn! But, this is good, it gives me something to work for, Monday is the day! I'd love to reach that goal everyday!
I want to check measurements on Friday, to see if I'm down any. I'm feeling hopeful, so that's good, and it keeps me motivated, along with all of the support I get from y'all!
Caitie, thanks for checking in on here, it does help me and even though my posts may not be read, it does help for me to post it, just another way to keep me accountable.

(Caitie) Sick Sucks

There is no fun to being sick. I dislike it! I thought it would be fun to make a pro/con list of being sick and related it to health issues of various kinds.

BEING SICK:

Cons:

• SO tired. Even tiny things are exhausting, like teaching, walking, cooking, etc.
• Managing 21 nine-year-olds when you have no voice and little energy/patience is an extreme challenge
• I have to make my own soup at this point in my life. (**this reminds me of a certain ex, who shall remain nameless, who I asked to bring me chinese food when I was sick once. As I was eating the soup he brought, I got so exhausted by just sitting up that I leaned back and he, literally, shouted at me, "EAT IT!" Tenderness/Sensitivity was not his strong suit. When I think of these things, I am glad that I can make my own soup)
• I had to sneak upstairs when I got home AND set my phone alarm so that I could take a nap and wake up in time to take my dog out of her crate before her bladder exploded. Luckily, both of these things worked out.
• Can't go places, or lacking motivation to do so.
• Have no energy to work out! booooooooooooo

Pros:

• An excellent excuse for more naps.
• My appetite has decreased some because of my inactivity and the fact that I probably couldn't taste anything anyway
• Keeps me calm
• Makes me lower my voice
• Gives me a bit of a sexy tone- HA! jk
• I can't think of any more!
• I can make my own soup?

I'm proud of those of you who are sticking to your goals! I hope to be there with you when I get some energy back. (Sidebar: I just had to get up and clean a little bit of pee because I ignored Phebe's plea when my roommate came home with stories and it took ALL my effort to wipe up her pee. WTF?!)

HOPE FOR A SNOW DELAY TOMORROW SO WE CAN SLEEP IN!! My body is heavy, love you guys and goodnight.

Jana Day 6

This will be short... I took some Tylenol PM and it's really kicking in! I have a bad feeling that I'm getting sick. My throat is doing that swelling up thing and I've been so tired lately.
Anyway, I wanted to report one huge success for me today. Ruth gave me a few of her delicious brownies and I looked at them all day long, I kept picking up the bag and looking at those 2 brownies just staring at me. Oh, I REALLY wanted to eat them. In fact, I seriously thought all day about how I could justify eating them. Caitie suggested I throw them away, but the sad thing is, I'd just take them out of the trash! Sarah ended up taking them from me, so that I didn't have to see them anymore. I should have brought them to her earlier, but I needed time to talk myself into eating them. It's pathetic! Thankfully, I didn't eat them! I would have felt so bad if I would have, so it's good to have been able to overcome.
Seriously though, I am a food addict, so I have to be able to resist the urge. Thanks girls for helping me out with this. I'm sure you understand how incredibly hard this is for me!
I am going to weigh tomorrow morning, so I'll be able to see how I did... I'm really hoping for something good, I need it!

(Caitie) The end of the first weekend/day 5

Well, I am so happy for Jana because she had such an enlightening day. Plus I love to read her blog because it sounds just like her talking. This may make certain transitions easier. ((insert stormy face I usually make when she talks about moving))

My day wasn't as enlightening, but it was fairly productive.

Woke up feeling VERY out-of-sorts. Congested and just generally yucky. I canceled a date for tonight (I didn't want to show up not 100%, plus I'm a little iffy about it). Then I spent the day grocery shopping and cooking. I seriously cooked/cleaned for about 3 hours.

I made all WW things from the recipes in the books I'm given there each week.

The first thing I made was a red potato/green bean side dish with 3 points/cup. It had this yummy sauce that had some olive oil, chicken broth, dijon mustard and some fresh chopped herbs. It was DELICIOUS!! I've got enough for some meals this week so I'm excited to add that to a lean piece of steak tomorrow night for dinner.

Then I worked on a recipe for lower fat stuffing. I made it with WW bread, more chicken broth, more fresh herbs, and sauteed celery and onions. It makes a 1 cup serving for 2 points. It was... ehhh. Maybe it needs more salt and pepper.

Then I made some whole wheat pasta with Trader Joe's spaghetti sauce and some italian turkey sausage that I sauteed with some onions. It's very heavy on the sauce and low on the turkey and pasta, but it's DELICIOUS! The recipe I made makes 2 servings, and after I added a little but of fresh parmesan for flavor, it's about 5.5 points (a great lunch/dinner option).

My roommate is quitting smoking (yay!) but in order for her to remain orally stimulated (hehe), she bought about $30 worth of candy. Chocolate (nestle crunch eggs, kit kats, chocolate bliss eggs), starbursts, blow pops, etc, etc, etc. It's been REALLY challenging to be around this house today. But I've let myself have one or two things, and just looked up the points. (One nestle crunch egg is 1 point-- as delicious as they are, I really have to consider if it's worth losing 1 of my 24 daily points on that).

I did ZERO exercise this weekend. I am feeling it. I can't wait to do T-Tapp. Kelly-- if we start as early as possible, can you do some of it with us? Jana and I did GREAT on Wednesday, but if we're going to hit our goal of M/W/F, we'll need all the support we can get.

I have been thinking about my Lenten goal. I think it is this: I want to strive to do 3o minutes of activity per day. Even if I split it up in 10/10/10 throughout the day, I want to do 30 minutes of activity per day. If I don't make it, I will be satisfied with 5/7 days a week.

Day 1: check! T-Tapped for 30 minutes
Days 2, 3, 4, 5: Nope. But I have just developed this goal.
Day 6: why, that's tomorrow!

See you then.

Jana- Day 5

Yesterday I talked about goals and setting goals and more importantly sticking to them! This morning in church the pastor talked about goals and specifically goals dealing with weight. I felt God talking directly to me! He talked about the choices that we make and how when we are all faced with tough choices, but when we are struggling, we can just seek God's help. This was a good reminder for me since all I have to do is turn to God when I am craving that chocolate cake. It was just what I needed!
Mike and I usually go to Bob Evans on Sunday, but today we went to I-HOP instead. They have a healthy menu. I had the Two x Two x Two (2 multi grain pancakes, 2 egg beaters, 2 turkey bacon). I used the sugar free syrup (25 calories). Total it was 400 calories, and it was so good! I made sugar free jello and cut up a pear and put in it, it is so good, and for 10 calories! It's a good treat, and takes care of my love of sweets.
I finished week 1 of Couch to 5K tonight. We took Bailey to the racket ball court and Mike threw the ball to her while I did my walk/jog. She jogged with me for most of it, which was cute, and with Mike in there with me it made the time go by much faster.

Jana- Day 3-4

What a day I had yesterday! It's always fun in 6th grade, but the day ended on a sad note, which is still something I can't stop thinking about. With the stress that this year has caused, I think often how I don't connect with these kids this year. I've always felt some connection and a sense of protection for them. This year is so different, I don't feel it, like I have in the past. However, there are rare times, when I just want to save them, help them, protect them from their world.
After my leaving work with a heavy heart for a particular student, I took 3 students home with me for the evening. This was a somewhat random group of students, all great kids with their own unique needs and situations. I let them choose what we would have for dinner (I cooked for them) and they chose quesadillas and chili. A bizarre combination, but I wanted to give them a cooked meal. I ate a little of each and was WAY under my calories for the day. We sat down for dinner (which NONE of them had ever done... eaten at the table with their family). I did this every single day growing up, I don't think we missed a night when we didn't eat as a family, a chance to share about our day and to share time together as a family. Thinking about how my students have missed out on this, makes me sad just thinking about it! I plan to have every one of my kids over for dinner, this may be our Friday night plans for the next few months.
As I talked to Sarah today about our situation at work, I realized that I needed to be reminded of how much our students have to deal with that kids their age don't typically deal with. I was reminded that when their behavior is out of whack and they can't focus, that there may be (and is) so much going on in their heads, their world that you can't blame them from being a little side tracked. But how do we prepare them for success with the stress they have to deal with day to day? One student I had over last night explained to me why his family (of 4 with one on the way) had to rent a bedroom in an apartment. He was able to tell me every single bill his family had to pay and when each was due. Still to this day, I don't know what my parents pay for their house, or their car, or their electric bill each month. Kids shouldn't know that, nor should they feel concerned that their parents won't be able to make the car payment!
I need to start fresh on Monday, with a better attitude and empathy for my students, who are so desperate for love and attention. I'm adding this to my lent commitment, to have more compassion and patience and to not forget why people like us work in Title 1 schools.
So, I'm way off topic with my eating and exercise, but this is just on my mind and I needed an outlet. I've done really good with my plan this week. I plan to weigh on Tuesday morning. I hope I see a good change. One thing I've realized, I'm not really ever hungry!! I eat a lot because I think I'm hungry, but I really just like food! I thought I was hungry when I left work yesterday, but I didn't eat for another 3 hours and I was fine. I completed Day 2 of Couch to 5K today, and I didn't feel like I was dying. At one point I was jogging and I thought, "I can do this, this isn't so bad at all!". Then towards the end I realized it's actually not that easy, but I can do it. I felt accomplished that I did it, and look forward to finishing the first week tomorrow.
I told Mike today that I just need something to work for. I had the wedding, which helped. Then that was over, and I just gave up and put on 25 lbs. Now, I'm doing well with lent. But, what happens after that? I know I can do it but I want to stick with it, without letting all my hard work be taken when the 40 days are over. This is where I need your support!

(Caitie) The first weekend

Hey y'all!

Oh MY. That's all I have to say about last night. (uncomfortable/painful dental work after school plus a box of chocolates from my students plus some wine = I used a lot of my Weekly Points last night)

We all know that I am on Weight Watchers. Well, I had my first semi-disappointment this past week. I weigh in on Thursdays. This was my 6th weigh-in. At my 5th weigh-in, I was down 13.8 pounds from my starting weight. I was REALLY hoping this week I would get to an even 15.

Unfortunately, I didn't make my small goal-- but I still lost 0.6 to get to -14.4. That is still good and I know that I have worked pretty hard to change the way that I eat so that I am eating better and with portion control. Maybe next week I'll be at 15!

Now it's time for me to kick off the exercise part to continue to my 30 pound weight loss goal. I am almost halfway there. But I won't get there unless I incoporate more exercise and push myself.

A while ago I had a goal to do a 10K in May. It's possible that I continue to train for that, but I'm thinking I may start jogging to do some smaller 5K races. I'm also going back to soccer. I'll be on two teams this spring so I'll again be doing the sport I love.

I can't get lazy now. Yes, I lost some weight by changing the way that I eat, but I HAVE TO EXERCISE and I need you guys' support. Please!

Jana- Day 2

Today was much better, I am 800 calories under! I have a 1100 calorie deficit, so that makes me feel a little bit better. I still need to eat something for dinner, but honestly just don't feel like making anything and may just skip it.
So, one of my students (the one who likes to wears pigtails and who we think there may be an issue with because she is a bit clueless) asked me today if she could ask me a question and I not get mad. This is in front of my entire class, by the way. She then says, "What did you waited?". She was trying to say, "What do you weight?". I of course responded with "That is SO RUDE, you DON'T ask people that!" She said, "Why?" and then I said, "R. what do you weigh?" and she said "I don't want to say in front of everyone." UGH! The best part is the rest of the class (because they never listen) are all sitting there during this exchange totally clueless, then someone says "What did she ask you?". Whatever, it was a rude question and I'll talk about a lot of things with my students, but how much I weigh is not one of them!
How are you all doing?

Jana- Day 1

Since I'm keeping up with 2 blogs, I thought I'd be able to type into one and copy and paste, but I can't do that, it won't let me. Weird, and annoying!
Lent started today, so it was the first day of giving up sweets, and pizza. I don't really crave pizza, I just really like it. However, I do crave sweets. Kelly gave me an idea to give up all sweets that start with the letter "C" (cookies, cake, cupcakes, candy, chocolate and I'm even adding cereal to that). I'm also committing to 3 days a week of T-Tapp and 3 days a week of Couch to 5K. I am going to aim to get in my 10,000 steps a day.
I'll just stick with this blog everyday and maybe check in with the other one every few days.
I thought I did well with my eating, but I was still 200 calories over. I could have eliminated a banana and bread, which were not needed and actually not even wanted.
I did get my T-Tapp in, which by the way was tough! It's been a few weeks, and it's amazing how out of shape I've gotten. I also got in a 30 minute walk to try to reach my 10,000 steps, but I ended at 8,000 instead. I'm thinking that maybe I could walk at lunch to try to reach this goal, or just walk an hour instead of 30 minutes.
I don't feel like today was as good as it could have been. However, I'm glad that I have a plan, and I'm feeling hopeful. I love that I have support and people to check in with.
By the way, did anyone watch Modern Family? So funny! I loved when he got his foot stuck in the stairs... that laugh probably made my day! Is that sad?

(Caitie) Today's food

Hey!

So, I am sitting by myself in the teachers lounge (LOSER!). And for some reason, Weightwatchers.com isn't working so I can't log my food today. I'm going to put it on here and then add it to WW.com later.

Breakfast:
3 egg whites
1/4 cup mushrooms
a couple of scallions
1/4 cup of avocado

Midmorning snack:
1 hershey miniature- dark chocolate

Lunch:
3oz lean turkey burger
1 slice of Kraft cheese 2 %
1 tbs ketchup
Green Giant for one- corn
Bliss- white chocolate candy

(Caitie) Welcome to Forty Days!

Hey gals,

So, like Jana said, this is a blog/weight loss/get fit journey that is starting on Ash Wednesday and continuing through the 40 days of Lent... and then some. (Hence the name of the blog).

I heard that it takes changing a behavior for three weeks to make it a habit-- so imagine what 40 days (approx 6 weeks) would do!

I think consistency is key. When we blog, we can talk about anything... what we ate, what we're doing for exercise, anything new we've discovered or learned... this is a place to learn and grow and encourage each other.

We're going to need a place where we can vent and support each other.

Let's blog it up!

Love,

~Caitie

Hey Guys!

Jana's blog is awesome!

I was shown how to start a new blog and wondered if we wanted to go this route. If it works out, let me know!

This blog is just a test-- I'll delete it and we can add new ones!


GET FIT in 2010!