All posts in category Rewards

Made in the Kitchen, Indeed.

Sweat it Out:
Elliptical 60 Minutes
Foam Rolling & Stretching 20 Minutes

I love Pinterest!  It is no secret that the struggling part of my weight loss journey is diet.  FItness is in the bag and I could improve on it immensely if I could just get my food intake under control.

Yesterday I had some noteworthy food and a few non-scale victories, if that is what you want to call them.

I do all of my grocery shopping for the week on Monday.  In the recent past I have gotten into a NASTY habit of rewarding myself (for going to the grocery store?) with a candy of my choice.  Ok, you got me.  A KING SIZE candy bar of my choice, which I scarf down in the car.  Ya, that puppy doesn’t even make it home before it is in my stomach.  I kept rationalizing that if it was only once a week it was no big deal.  But then there are the times that I have to run to the store because we are out of diapers, or some other small thing, and those delicious candy bar’s are staring you in the face at the check out counter where they have been strategically placed.

I actually haven’t “rewarded” myself with a candy bar for a few weeks, but it’s probably because I have been “rewarding” myself with all kinds of foods for the last 3 weeks for something or another.

I went to the store at 2:00 just after Hanna’s nap and I could tell on my way down there that the carrots, hummus, pineapple chobani, and apple that I had for lunch were not going to hold through the entire shopping trip.

I started getting a hankering.  For something sweet.  The thought would not leave my mind.

“No, Carrie.  You have done so good today and if you are hungry it only means that you body needs something, and that something is NOT a candy bar.  It will only leave you feeling sick and guilty”  

I love when I can have an inner monologue with myself, and it helps even more if I can actually say it out loud so I can hear it (yes, I talk to myself.  I am SO NOT crazy.  Try it when you have a moment of weakness, it helps).

After talking to myself down about 5 aisles (remember that I have a small child with me so everyone thinks I’m talking to her), I had an idea.  Protein bar.  Duh!  Why have I never thought about this before?  They sell them individually and at this point in the day I had only taken in less than 1000 calories, burned 700 calories at the gym, and I could totally afford a delicious protein bar.  The only problem is that I wanted a bar that had a LOT of protein in it so it would tide me over until dinner at 5:00.  A Luna or Larabar just wasn’t going to cut it.  I needed some calories people!

After staring at the protein bars for what seemed like forever I decided on this beauty:

Chocolate Peanut Butter= Pure Heaven.  It totally did the trick for curbing my sweet tooth and had a whopping 30 GRAMS of PROTEIN.  It was a weight lifting day yesterday and so I was trying to pack a protein punch.  It had 280 calories (that’s actually way more than I would normally eat with a bar, but at this point I was using it as a meal replacement) and 7 grams of fat.  Not bad at all.

Fabulous discovery #2:

I FINALLY made this amazing recipe:

Tomato Basil “Cream” Pasta from Oh She Glows.  BEST. VEGAN. PASTA. EVER.  I could have eaten an ENTIRE pan full of this stuff, it was that good.  I give it 5 out 5 stars.

Go try this recipe, now.  It was fast and EASY, and even the hub’s was into it.  I still have a little of the sauce in my fridge and I am saving it like its liquid gold.

Fabulous discovery #3

I’m trying to incorporate more salads into my diet and have decided that I am going to be eating them for lunch, but since I don’t want to run to the store several times a week I discovered a great way to store your lettuce so it lasts longer:

This is 3 bags of lettuce stored in glass mason jars.  I had heard previously that if you store lettuce in glass it will stay good longer, but I never even thought (until pinterest of course) that you could store them in jars!  What a great idea!  I’m trying it out this week to see if my lettuce will stay good all the way until my next grocery day.

Now I just need to make sure that the salad stays different and interesting.

What are your favorite salad toppings? Favorite dressing?

Protein Bars: love or hate?

Are you like me and feel like you have to reward yourself for doing everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping?

5 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on February 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diet, Meal Planning, Planning, Protein, Rewards, Shopping

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on February 28, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/02/28/made-in-the-kitchen-indeed/

New BB Goals!

Sweat it Out (Monday’s Workout):
Weights 45 Minutes
Elliptical 45 Minutes
Foam Rolling 15 Minutes

“The New Rules of Lifting for Women” Day 5, Phase 4, Workout A:

  • Deadlifts: 3 Sets of 10, 60 pounds
  • Underhand lat pull: 3 Sets of 10, 70 Pounds
  • Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 Sets of 10, 25 Pound plate
  • Static lunge: 3 Sets of 10, 40 pounds
  • Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 10, 25 pounds
  • Plank: 3 60 second holds
  • Prone Jack Knife: 3 sets of 20

24 Days of Thankfulness:  I am thankful for my husband’s job (the hubs gets his own day closer to Thanksgiving, although I sure am thankful for him too!).  Even if it means he goes from working days, to 3 days of nights.  My poor husband :(

I’m going a little crazy!  My husband picked up some overnight shifts at work and he takes my laptop with him to work so he can watch movies (Rough life, I know!) I already knew that I was addicted to my computer, and now that we are reunited I am trying to take advantage of the short amount of time we have together (Dustin works the next 3 days so I will be sans computer).  Plus, my hubs is sleeping during the day so I’m trying to be quiet, and the internet is great for that!

Now that I am a Weight Watchers quitter and a Body bugg user, I thought it would be a good time to revise my goals.  I have to admit I am a little frustrated with the Body Bugg’s online system.  I have the digital display, which is like a wrist watch.  It can keep me up to date on my calories burned all day long and I can view them at an instant instead of having to upload the info all the time to my laptop.  But it’s not working correctly.

Yesterday, my digital display told me that I burned 3,311.  When I uploaded the information to my computer today it told me that I had only burned 1865.  Imagine how frustrating it would be to look at one number and then see a significantly different number when you see the information on the screen.  The fast is that I KNOW I burned 3311 calories yesterday, but it won’t display my hard work!!!

I sent an email to the tech people and hopefully my hub’s will be able to watch the baby while I sit on the phone with them for another hour.  I have also considered using Dustin’s desktop PC to see if that makes any difference.  A lot of programs that are originally built for PC’s have problems communicating with Mac’s so we’ll see if it fixes the problems.

Anyway!  I thought that with a new program some new goals should be put out for all to see, so here are the new numbers that I am trying to reach daily:

  • I have my plan set to lose 2 pounds a week
  • Consume 2100 calories daily
  • Burn 3100 calories a day
  • Continue going to the gym 6 times a week.  Complete 3 NROLFW workouts 3 days a week, and cardio 6 days a week.  Foam roll daily
  • Drink 100 oz’s of water daily
Dustin has sweetened the pot by saying he will buy me an ipad when I hit 200 pounds.  I know that is far away, but I am hoping that I will be close to that by the time my 33rd birthday happens in May of 2012, that is a little over 6 months to lose a little over 50 pounds. Do you think I can do it?
1 Comment
by Shrinking Carrie on November 8, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Body Bugg, Goals, Rewards, The New Rules of Lifting for Women

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on November 8, 2011

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2011/11/08/new-bb-goals/

Friend Making Monday: Creating Change

Sweat it Out:
45 Minutes Weights
45 Minutes Elliptical

First off, I signed up for my second event at Golds Gym this morning……The Eight Week Challenge!  I let them take my weight, measurements, and a picture of me just in my sports bra (yikes)!  I have a pretty big advantage in this challenge considering that I have a lot of weight to lose and a lot of progress to make.  I think this is going to be a great motivator for the upcoming weeks!  Here is what today’s workout looked like:

  • Wide-grip deadlift from box: 60 Pounds
  • Bulgarian Split Squat: 25 Pound Plate
  • Underhand-grip lat pulldown: 80 Pounds
  • Reverse lunge from box w/forward reach: 10 Pounds
  • Dumbbell Prone Cuban Snatch: 10 Pounds
  • Prone Jack Knife: 2 sets of 15
  • Reverse Crunch: 2 sets of 10
  • Prone Cobra: 2 sets for 60 seconds
I’m thinking that I’m going to add one more set to each of these exercises.  I feel like I can’t add anymore weight, but I don’t feel like I’m working some of these movements.  I will try starting Wednesday and we’ll see how it pans out.
Friend Making Monday: Creating Change
I’m so glad that Kenlie at All the Weigh had a fun change for this weeks FMM.  One reason that I am excited about it is, like her, I too am doing the Weight Watchers program and Aug. 28th-October 15th they are doing the Lose For Good Challenge to help fight against hunger.  Each week at our weigh ins they ask us to donate non-perishable items in whatever quantity we choose.  So this week instead of having getting to know you questions and the regular FMM post, Kenlie has asked us to get involved with this program and to give whatever we can.  Weight Watchers will be donating up to 1 million dollars to the Lose for Good campaign.  To read more about this campaign you can go to  Kenlie’s site, or you can check out the details at the Weight Watchers website.
As I have mentioned in the past, my little family is on a tight food budget.  I plan on donating as many pounds as I lose through October 15th.  After this weeks weigh in I will donate canned goods in the amount of what I have lost.  I’m excited to be able to give back to my community and I hope that you will be able to join me!
Stay tuned!  Still one post left in the day (how do 3 posts a day bloggers do it!).  I am on my second day of perfection and it is looking great!  I won’t be posting this often everyday, but I didn’t want you all to get bored reading a LONG @ss post!
Do you do anything to benefit your community?
4 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on September 19, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Challenges, Events, Finances, Friend Making Monday, Goals, Measurements, Motivation, Rewards, The New Rules of Lifting for Women, Weight Watchers, Workout

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on September 19, 2011

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2011/09/19/friend-making-monday-creating-change/

Fire it Up!

Sweat it Out:
Elliptical 1 hour

What better way to gear up for the holiday’s than to start a couple of challenges for the fall!  I always work better if I have a goal to shoot for in my head and a group challenge is just what I need to keep my head straight!  I’ve decided to join in on a couple of events that will keep me focused and striving towards my ultimate weight loss goals.

Event #1:  The Golds Gym 8 Week Challenge!

Source

The challenge begins on Monday September 19th and goes for 8 weeks.  That’s right around Thanksgiving, just in time for Turkey and Pie!  To put your mind (and mine) at ease I plan on tracking all of the food I eat for Thanksgiving.  It will really put things in perspective.  The 1st place winner will receive a 2 night stay at the Wine Country Inn.  I don’t drink alcohol (wine), but a getaway (even if its close to home) would be fun for me and the hub’s.

Event #2: Fire Up For Fall!

This is a challenge put on by Weight Wars and created by Amy.  I got the information from Dom’s blog and she worded it so well I just pasted it here!

The premise is as follows:

  • You set yourself 5 or more goals to work towards over the 10 weeks of the challenge.
  • Every weekend you get an email Rebecca, it has some questions on it to post and answer on your blog on Monday.
  • Each week we also post a positive picture to lift everyone’s spirits and sum up the positive parts of our week.
  • Then you pop over to Weight Wars and link up at the bottom of my weekly post so everybody can meet you, and you can meet everyone else.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, I invite you to join me!  The challenge starts on Monday, September 19th so sign up now.

 

So now I have 2 fun upcoming events and new challenges.  We all know how much I love goals and so I am excited to get started!

What is a challenge that you will give yourself for Fall?

Don’t have one?  Get one started!

13 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on September 17, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Challenges, Events, Goals, Health, Holiday, Motivation, Power, Rewards, Workout

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on September 17, 2011

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2011/09/17/fire-it-up/

Killing Me Softly (or not so softly)

Sweat it Out:
45 Minutes Elliptical
45 Minute RPM Spin Class

Check me out!  I went to another spin class this morning!  I’m happy to report that my butt does not hurt nearly as bad as it did with Saturday’s class, and I wore different shoes that were much more comfortable.  This spin instructor was awesome. The one on Saturday was good too, but she was all about body, mind, and soul.  Today’s instructor was fun.  She sang to the music and made funny comments.  I am now looking forward to Tuesday spin classes.

Another thing……..the class was easier this time.  It’s crazy when you try something new and it just about kills you.  It’s even more crazy that the next time you try it, it gets a little easier.  There was a girl who had never taken a spin class before and she was on the bike behind me.  The instructor showed her how to set up her bike and what to expect from her first class.  After class had ended the instructor asked her how she like it, and she said it was hard and that she wasn’t sure she would be coming again.  We picked up our kids at the same time in the kids club and she asked me how long had I been taking that class.  I told her I use to do them a few years ago, but this was my 2nd time as of late.  She actually complimented me on how easy I made it look and she was impressed that I followed the whole class (I guess she had to take a few rest breaks).  It made me feel so good!  I made sure that she knew I almost died in the class on Saturday and that it would get easier if she kept going.  I think I see padded bike shorts and clip-on shoes in my future.

I am awaiting the day I can fit back into my “skinny gym clothes”.  I am dying to wear a tank top and shorts, but I am too self-conscience, and have inherited teacher arms (it’s not your fault mom, its genetics) .   When I’m done with a workout my gym clothes are drenched in sweat and I have to do laundry every other day.

Is it strange that I have workout clothes from 10 years ago?  Another Fun Fact: That tank top is from high school.  Yup, 14 years old.  It’s a sentimental tank top because all of my high school girlfriends have the exact same one.  We had them made our Senior year with our nick names embroidered on the back (Carebear).  We got the tank top at Savers (a Goodwill-esque store in Utah) for $1 and there was exactly 9(?) one for each of us.  It was meant to be.  Where my Betties at?!

Anyway, I am dying to be able to wear more clothes for comfort at the gym.  Now I am off to get my to-do list done for the day.  The Agenda? Making gobbs of baby food, laundry (of course), and keeping Hanna entertained.  She is currently laughing her head off watching Rango.  Pretty sure she has no idea what she’s laughing at.  Cute little goober.

How old is the oldest piece of clothing you own? 
I think my mom has a sweater that she made in high school she still has.  Pretty impressive.

Anything you have done that was hard at first and got easier?

10 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on August 23, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in About Me, Motivation, Rewards, Workout

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on August 23, 2011

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2011/08/23/killing-me-softly-or-not-so-softly/

Atta Boy!

How do you reward yourself for a job well done?  I have been thinking about this a lot lately because I, like most people, like to reward myself after I feel like I have accomplished something.  The problem with this is that I have the habit of rewarding myself with food (obviously).  Problem #2 is that the reward system has gone kind of down hill.  It was getting to the point where I felt I needed props for things like: Getting out of bed before 7 or cleaning the house.  Pretty sure that those are what I signed on for when I decided to be a stay at home mom.  How often does your boss reward you when you show up on time for work? Ya, that’s what I thought.  And Hanna’s reward’s tend to come in a smelly diaper change (someone really needs to explain what a “present” really is to this child).

So how do you change your mindset on what is reward worthy and what is not?  I have had to re-evaluate my goals lately and I think the only solution is that you get something when you make something.  I want to celebrate the small things (like a 2.8 pound loss) but I want the actual goal to stand out.  This week I lost sight and rewarded my weight loss with sushi.  I know your thinking that wasn’t that bad, but I’m pretty sure Japanese Mayo isn’t fat-free:(

Here is my dilemma.  What do I reward myself with that won’t break my bank, be food related, and will still keep me motivated?  I’m open for suggestions!

I’ve gotten a little off track the last couple of days since my weigh in and I need to re-focus.  Today my goal is to track everything I eat with my etools on Weight Watchers.com.  I also  need to eat consistently and not have HOURS in between each meal.  I have a packed day so I will go into it with a positive can-do attitude and do the best that I can do.  I am also hopefully doing some swimming  so some activity points might be earned!

Q’s
How do you reward yourself?


What kind of things do you reward yourself for?

2 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on July 1, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Goals, Rewards

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on July 1, 2011

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2011/07/01/atta-boy/

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