mrsbunny’s BodyBlog

I am a mere 24 days from our Spring Break trip.  I just can’t seem to make any real changes.  I’ve been trying everything I can.  Even making sure that my supplementation is rich and consistent.  I’ve even begun taking cinammon pills!  (learning about low glycemic foods and insulin control right now.)  I’ve dropped down to a net 1370 calories… supposedly enough to lose 1.5 lbs per week.  And yet here I am… 138, some days 140, going nowhere.

I’ve been desperate and grasping for answers and here is my latest…   I’m going to drop the birth control.  I haven’t had many problems with BC in the past, at least compared to a lot of women.  But I’ve had it changed a few times and am still convinced that it’s still hurting my libido, despite being on a "low" hormone version right now.  I’ve decided to go with an IUD.  I’ve never had a baby and so am a little nervous.  Apparently it’s not pleasant.  But I think at this point it is worth it.  If I can rid my body of artificial hormones I will be satisfied that it is a step in the right direction. 

How wonderful it will be to go back to NORMAL!!  I must say I’m pretty excited.

The holidays went well.  I maintained as far as weight and really hit the gym hard, lifting a lot.  At this point, I am even more confident that a great clean diet and some intense cardio can shed any unwanted fat and show those sexy muscles I’ve been working on. 

Basically I’ve got 6 weeks to "cut".  We leave on March 17 for a Spring Break ski trip.  I want to be fit enough to ski all day and trim enough to prance around in my bikini with pride.  My nutrition goals have changed somewhat.  After trying my hand at a Keto style diet I’ve decided to grab the best of both worlds.  My macro goals are simply this.  Every day:  Eat enough protein that my protein grams are always more than my carbs.  The higher the protein, the better… without depriving myself of oatmeal, fruit, and the like.  My net calorie goal is 1650.  Note that I say "net", meaning workouts are fueled with more calories (I might actually eat closer to 2000).  SUPPOSEDLY I should loose 1lb a week like this.  I have thought about adjusting this number down but there are many days that after I figure my calories burned for the day, I come out below 1650 anyway.  I would LOVE to see 130 before the trip… I’m at 137 right now.  But I’m not going to kill myself with the scale.  I’ll keep in touch! 

I felt great about my progress last night.  Which was surprising - since I put on a pair of jeans that morning and then took them off because they were just soooo tight.  But looking in the mirror during my aerobics class I was pleasantly surprised.  I felt strong, my muscles were visible, and things just felt right.  I got on the scale and was down 1lb so that’s always a plus.

I really love this new stuff I’m taking.  I’m using Vasocharge and Xtend.  They’re used for endurance, energy, and muscle recovery.  I’m pretty convinced.  I started doing a program that involves 100 reps of each move and it is INTENSE.  I really think that these supplements are helping me power through them, PLUS getting me ready for tomorrow’s workout.  It feels great    The only problem I would mention is that when my workouts are late in the day - after supper - 8:00… I have a bit of trouble going to sleep.  I’ll deal with that though, the benefits are greater than the cost right now.  I’m not so sure about making it to 130 by new year’s but I haven’t given up hope yet.  I’ve got to remain in control through these next few christmas dinners.  If I can - I’ll be close to my goal I’m sure!  Happy lifting!!

So we can’t be perfect all the time right?  Holiday season is hard and boy do I enjoy those sweets!!  I using the larger meals and wealth of food in general to power my workouts.  I’ve been lifting heavy and very regularly.  My jeans are fitting TIGHT and going shopping is no fun.  But under all that flabby backside I’m convinced their is a stong gluteous muscle pushing through.  When January 1st has come and gone, it will be easy - yes easy - to bring my diet back in line.  My hope and determination right now is that when those pounds start to drop, it will leave behind some hard muscle that will give me shape and definition like never before.   Until that time, I’m going to enjoy some pie and continue to bust my ass in the gym.  BE Strong!!

I quit doing the Keto…  I loved the initial weight loss but I went so crazy on the weekends (the carb up).  It just didn’t feel right.  I looked into "the cut diet" which is based on low carb also but it is soooo boring.  I’m so confused right now.

I’m still 138 - pushing for 130 by new year’s eve.  But nothing I’ve been doing makes me want to stay consistent.  So here’s my new plan, let it be known, I’m swearing to this blog, myself, and anyone who happens to read it…

I WILL put my calories in thedailyplate.com EVERYDAY until the new year.  I WILL control my calories.  1600 per day - no more - no less.  ONE day a week I will have a refeed to shock my system.  NO MORE than 2500 calories - even on Thanksgiving!!!  I will aim for lower carb whenever possible but am not going to kill myself with bacon and sausage just to get a higher fat percentage for the day.  I just don’t enjoy those foods enough - gimme my fruit!  And let’s face it - I know how to eat clean - so why the hell don’t I DO IT???

One more thing.  I just received my order of Xtend - have never tried it before - and I’m hoping it will give me the extra boost I need to get those focused and intense workouts in.  There… I’ve written it down, I’ve committed to it publicly, no excuses.

This weekend - well technically just Saturday - was really bad.  We had a home football game so there was lots of beer, food, and the party went on all day and all night!  The only problem I currently have with this diet is that I tend to go overboard on the carb-up time because I tell myself how much I miss those foods and can’t just have a little, I have a lot!  I felt terrible Sunday and am trying to get back into 100% committed, but it’s been hard with Halloween coming up - so much candy, so many treats!  This week, I’ve been low carb, but I don’t know if I’ll actually get into Ketosis at all.  Still watching the diet - getting that protein and fat intake up.  But I’ve allowed myself corn and a tiny bit of cheesecake already this week.  NOT IDEAL to say the least.  This bunny has got to get back on track.  I just set a new goal of 130lbs by Dec 30th - exactly 2 months away.  It’s time to buckle down kiddos (after Halloween, tee-hee).

I’m rounding out the third week.  All postitive this week - making slow and steady progress, pushing hard enough in the gym to feel it the next day, plus my appetite and cravings are minimal.  I’m definitely going to stick with this for at least a six week period. 

We got our hottub installed yesterday and it is already serving as visual motivation.  I won’t be hiding behind sweaters and jeans ALL winter.  I know - as hard as I work - it is worth it to keep my diet tight in order to look and feel my best.  

So, to sum up the total progress so far….   After 3 weeks, my weight has gone from 139 to 135 (sustained - I’ve been at that weight for a few days), and I really feel like my "addiction to carbs" is getting better.  My body is loving the extra protein and my energy level and mood is loving the extra fat.  I will do my 36 hr carb up as usual beginning tonight, but I already know I’ll be excited to get back into it on Sunday, renewed and ready to do what it takes!!

Last night I officially committed myself to upping the cardio.  I know, I know, I hear successful BBers tell me that you don’t have to kill yourself with cardio, it’s all about lifting and building muscle.  Well my problem is that I’ve been trying to lift a bit heavier (more squats and hamstring curls) and now my butt is making my jeans tight!  I went shopping this weekend and was horrified at the thought of having to increase my pant size to fit my ass!  Everything else is good and I’m going to continue to increase my lifts on my upper body, but I think I’m going to stay away from the heavy squats and such and increase my running and eliptical time. 

Last night I did 1 hr of cardio with some stretching afterward - no lifing at all.  Tonight I have a light body toning class to teach and will be doing my usual bench press with a partner along with some other general lifting.  However, tonight, I’m going to try to get another 30 to 40 minutes of quality cardio in as well.  I’ve been trying to search for the workout routines of some other bodies that I admire to give me an amount of cardio to shoot for - so any input is appreciated!

One last thing - bought some Keto sticks Saturday - but this was my carbup time so I haven’t tested yet.  Will do so tonight or early tomorrow. 

My only downfall is this…  Tuesday we had a special lunch at work - grilling some burgers and sausages - which is great… lots of meat and fats but then the boss brought some cheesecake.  I looked on the nutritional value listing and was super surprised to find only 14g of carbs!  So of course I HAD TO HAVE SOME.  I was very careful about the serving size but still felt horrible that evening.  Even if there weren’t gobs of carbs in it, the sugar did a number on me and I was cranky as ever.  At least I learned that I’d do better to just stay away from sugary processed stuff - not just to stay in ketosis - but also to keep my mood stable. 

Carbing up Saturday - should be much cleaner this weekend though.  I’ll check back in after it’s all said and done.

Confessions from the weekend….  we we’re on a mini vacation this weekend so the clean carb-up was quickly flushed down the drain.  It felt good to be able to eat whatever was convenient but I wasn’t super-duper excited to eat ice cream or cake like I thought I would be.

The worst part was that I felt crazy!  My mood swings - I guess sugar crashes - we’re making me nutso and very easily ticked off.  I feel so much better being back on the Keto today (and yesterday.) 

However - I was able to maintain a weight loss even after my bad weekend.  I’m currently 136 which is a 3lb weight loss total this week, weighing the day after a carbup.  Fantastic!