A new favorite!

Thank goodness Halloween is over!  I did indulge and eat a few pieces of candy tonight, which were delightful, but I'm now back to my lifestyle change......

Just wanted to show you all another of my favorite lunches.....open-faced tuna sandwich with spinach and red pepper slices and almonds!  So so so so so so so yummy!!!!!

So......I'm not feeling very talkative lately....hence the lack of posts on here, but all is going well.  I've been slacking more than I should lately, but I've still been losing and trying to stay on track.  I've also been running (one of my goals is to run a 5K next summer).  I ran 2 miles, walked 2 of those laps, the past 2 days.  I'd like to run every time after my Crossfit workout, time permitting!  I've always wanted to be a runner, so I'm happy that I'm working on it now.  Oh......one very exciting thing for me.....I used to get shin splints every single time I tried running, now I don't get them at all!  It must have had something to do with getting my legs in better shape!  

Gave In :(

Today has been a very FUN day with my family....Homecoming festivities at the college!  And yes, I got treats for my family to munch on at the football game......and yes, I gave in and ate some!  I've been very strict with my diet for 3 weeks and was burnt out...so I decided today was going to be my cheat day. We ordered Papa John's Pizza for dinner (my favorite kind of pizza) and ate it while we watched "How to Train Your Dragon".  Then, since I have been craving Cold Stone for a week, I got a waffle bowl filled with chocolatey, reeces, and brownie goodness!  Needless to say, I didn't get through half of it, and now I feel very ill!  However, I really needed this cheat day where I could remind myself why I am not going to allow myself to eat this way every day.  I will be right back in the zone tomorrow, so don't mistake this for me giving up!  Believe!!!!!!!

(my 2 year old son at the Homecoming Parade)

Dieting in the Zone!

Before you look....these next 2 pictures are going to be evil to all you dieters.....there, I warned you.....

Before I started this hard core dieting 2 1/2 weeks ago, I made a "rule" that I would be allowed ONE sweet a week.  So, I made Sunday's my sweets day, because that is when our family has Family Home Evening and I would be making treats anyway!  The first Sunday on my diet, we had warm brownies with vanilla ice cream on top, the second Sunday on my diet we had Mint Chocolate Chip Oreo Ice Cream Pie, and so with this Sunday coming around I've been thinking and thinking about what I really want for my treat.  I have been craving Cold Stone ice cream for weeks, so I was totally going to make tonight my sweets night and get it.....then I read some facebook comments about how I was "motivating" some of my former high school classmates, and that gave me strength to say no to ice cream tonight!  

One of the things that has really kept me going, is having people around me that know my goals and that know of my ONE sweet a week rule!  I love that my friends are honest enough to tell me how it is.  For example, I texted my friend today and told her that I might just jaunt on over to Cold Stone tonight and indulge my sweet tooth....she texted back and said, "...which do u like more....losing weight or cold stone?"  (Thank you, you know who you are, you really got me thinking!)  That got me thinking that, yeah, I guess I do like losing weight more than ice cream, and I can hold out until my sweet day!

So, while this ice cream is still on the back of my mind, so is my diet and my exercise, and I'm soooo excited to get on the scale tomorrow and see if I broke that 182!!!!!

On to the other topic, some of my friends were wondering how and what I eat on the Zone Diet.  So here's what I ate today:

Breakfast: packet oatmeal, 2 eggs, banana, 2 slices of deli turkey, 12 cashews

Snack: 1/2 cup grapes, 1 oz. cheese, 3 almonds

Lunch: 1/2 apple, 4 oz. grilled chicken, 1 slice break with 1 tsp. Adams All-Natural Peanut Butter, 1/2 cup blueberries, 6 almonds

Snack: plum, 1 slice deli turkey, 3 cashews

Dinner: Protein Shake (1 banana, scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 tsp. peanut butter, 1 cup soy milk, ice), 3 slices of turkey bacon, 1/4 cup cottage chz, 6 almonds

No, my kids and husband do not eat this way, just me!  I used the excuse before I started this diet that I didn't want to have to cook more than one thing per meal, but the reality is, you're gonna have to.  I've gotten used to it now.  And really, it's not all that difficult.  For example, my family had oatmeal, nuts, and bananas for breakfast (almost the same as me).....my family's lunch was completely different.......and my family had waffles for dinner.  It really isn't that hard, give it a try.  My thinking is, "I'm doing this for me, and it's working!"

I'm not perfect in this diet yet, I realize that I need to eat more veggies and I'm beginning to listen to my body after I eat certain things.

So, girls, (you know who you are), my advice is to find the right diet for you, whether that be the Zone or another diet.  Research it....don't starve yourself.....eat healthy, unprocessed foods, pay attention to ingredients in what you are eating, and give yourself a break every now and then.  

If you'd like to know more, email me, kristawoodstock@gmail.com.....for now, I'm off for my nightly snack before I zonk on my pillow!  Good night!

Just yell at the scale!!!!

Have you ever felt like doing this????!!!!!  I certainly have!  Especially this week.  I've been trying to break 182 for a few days now and it's just not happening.  But, I know that eating less is not the answer, it's true, in order to lose that stubborn body fat you have to eat the right amount of food, depending on how active you are.  If you didn't already know, I'm following the Zone Diet plan.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!!!!!  Sometimes it feels like I'm eating a ton of food, when really that food that I'm eating is in just the right proportions to facilitate a healthy weight loss and body fat loss.  If you're interested in the Zone Diet, here's a great article about how to get started: http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/cfjissue21_May04.pdf

I use the food lists every day!

GIMME OREOS!!!!!!!!!

The past couple of days I've felt just like this girl (picture from the internet)!  I made this delicious Mint Chocolate Chip Oreo Ice Cream Pie on Sunday so I've had this package of oreos just sitting in my pantry, begging me to eat them!  

For the past couple of days, I've been giving my boys oreos after their meals as a treat, and they're almost gone, thank goodness!  But every time I pulled those cookies out to give to my boys, my mouth watered at the smell of the chocolatey frosting goodness!!!!  I so wanted to just sink my teeth into one of those babies!  

But alas, I didn't so much as lick one, and there's only two left in the package (those will be gone tonight as soon as daddy gets home I'm sure!).  One thing I've found since I started this new diet 2 1/2 weeks ago, is that my self control is at an all new level now.  I know that all this food I'm craving and dying to eat will still be there in a week, two weeks, month, year!  Besides, I do have my once a week that I get to cheat and indulge my sweet tooth.......maybe this Sunday will have to be Oreos with Peanut Butter....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........sounds so good!

2 different emotions!

I started out  my day today feeling like this........

 I just didn't feel like I was getting anywhere.  I felt like I was eating too much food, I felt big, I was depressed, I wanted results faster, I was tired, and the list could probably go on an on.....

......then I went to my nightly routine of Crossfit, did the workout, felt great, then I decided to check my body fat.  See, I'm competing in this body fat competition and we've been going for two weeks.  I started the competition at 40%.........I checked it tonight and was at 37.4%..........DOWN 2.6%!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOW I FEEL LIKE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's amazing what exercise can do for your attitude and emotions.  I wish I could workout in the mornings so I could have this feeling all day long!  

So, while I was depressed about my diet this morning, I'm now back on track and believe more than ever in the Zone Diet!  It rocks!  Yes, it's hard to get all the food in, but that's what your body needs, nutrients and good healthy food.  I read somewhere that if you ever let your body get to feeling really hungry, then you've lost your chance to lose body fat.  You have to keep your body fed at a constant and religious time schedule.  For me, it's every 2-3 hours.  Trust me, I've tried feeding my body as little as possible so as to lose the weight faster and it didn't do anything.  Now I'm seeing results and am more thrilled than ever!

I NEVER THOUGHT WORKING OUT AND CHANGING MY BODY IMAGE COULD BE THIS EXHILARATING!!!! 

Re-motivated!

My sister surprised me and came and visited today!  This is the girl that is my motivation....she's lost almost 60 pounds and still going!  On her weight loss blog, (over there on the side), she posted progress pictures, which got me thinking, I need to do that.  So, stay tuned for before and after pictures up until now. 

For now, here's one of me and my sis.....I love her!

It's slowly getting easier.....

Yah, I know, I've already posted today, but it really helps to write what I'm feeling at the time.  I indulged my sweet tooth tonight and had a Reeces bar-immediately after I felt sick.  A few hours later I was feeling like I could maybe have another Reeces bar.....then I went and weighed myself on the scale and lo and behold, I was down another pound......so........bye bye Reeces bars and sweets for another week.  I'd much rather see the numbers on the scale go down!

Check out a few of my favorites!

After being on my new diet for a week now, there's a few meals that I have fallen in love with!  I'm pretty much loving the entire diet, but I want to share these two of my favorites.....

First up is Tuna Salad Sandwiches on Wasa Crackers!  To die for!  Although I don't like spinach leaves by themselves, they are so yummy paired with tuna and tomato!

And while my boys were eating their own personal pizzas for dinner......

....I was diving into this delicious Crushed Red Pepper Chicken Salad w/beets, tomatoes, spinach and a drizzle of dressing!  This salad is probably my favorite for dinner! 

This new diet is definitely working......I've lost 4 pounds this week....I'm almost scared to allow myself to indulge in a few sweets this weekend.  I never thought I'd hear myself say that!  I feel GREAT, my energy level is up, and above all, I'm losing-couldn't be better!

Next up.......a few of my favorite snacks!

Transition is a battle.....

"Transition is a battle. No question about it. You have to decide if the future matters.  Because what you do right now, every day---meals and exercise (or lack thereof) will determine your future."

Tony Horton-P90X

What's for Dinner?

I'm on day 3 of the Zone Diet and honestly really like it!  It involves eating natural food, not the processed and packaged foods.  So here's an example of my dinner tonight (which I'm eating right now):

Spinach salad w/red pepper seasoned grilled chicken (I like my chicken spicy!)
Tomatoes, 1/2 yellow pepper, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, a few cashews, and a slice of deli turkey on the side
& a Wasa whole wheat cracker with a tiny bit of Adams Natural peanut butter on the top.
& a cup of milk

So yummy!!!!

I've been trying different foods, and I'm already choosing my favorites, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.  For example, for my snacks, I love to have a half slice of bread with a 1/2 tsp of peanut butter and an ounce of cheese, so delicious!!!!

Yes, I am definitely getting those sugar cravings at night but knowing that I can have 1-2 sweet treats a week, really helps!

Calories Burned Doing CrossFit | eHow.com

My hubby and I had a "little" discussion about how many calories I burn during a Crossfit workout. My trainer had told me that it was not unusual for your body to burn upwards of 1000 calories from a single workout. I thought, "Wow! That's a lot of calories!" But after my discussion with my hubby, I decided to go online (love the internet) and research it. Here's what I found:

Calories Burned Doing CrossFit | eHow.com

So, basically, your body continues to burn calories up to 36 hours after a workout. To really get all the information you need, you really should just read the article! If you haven't tried Crossfit, I highly recommend it! It has changed my strength level drastically.

Body Fat Competition

So, starting Monday, I am competing in a body fat loss competition with my Crossfit buddies!  It costs $20 to join and there will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, where all the money gets distributed!  I went to a Nutrition seminar this morning and learned all about healthy eating, which brought me to decide on what diet I wanted to try.........I chose the Zone Diet!  I just spent the last 3 hours researching, reading, and putting together menus of things I like to eat.  So, all I have to do at meal time is choose a meal from my list and go with it.  I'm pretty excited about it!  I'm also giving myself one cheat day a week (that day will be Sunday, since our family has Family Home Evening on Sunday).  This new way of life, along with Crossfit should catapult my body into quite a change, don't you think?  Time will tell!  So, here's to my journey.................

Think of the Kittens.....

Seriously could not stop laughing at this one!  I know I need to post some motivation on this blog, but I'm trying to sort out my weight loss journey right now...........as soon as I feel motivated, I'll record it!  Fair enough?