28 Weeks Later {A Weight Loss & Fitness Story}

Here I was updating you all nearly weekly with my BodyBugg/healthy lifestyle progress and then bam, I left you hanging. Bad blogger, but better to have been more committed to my fitness in real life than on the blog!

This will be my last BodyBugg themed post {but don’t worry, not my last fitness/weight loss/healthy living post}. Why? Well for a few reasons…I reached and exceeded my goal, I’m in a maintenance mindset now, and I don’t use the BodyBugg on a regular basis anymore. Wondering WTF a BodyBugg is? Read here.

Unlike the movie 28 Weeks Later, this story is not a scary one. It’s a happy one. A positive one. One where I realize just what I am actually capable of. A few months ago I felt I had reached a place where I did not need to wear the BB everyday. I knew what I needed to eat {and not eat} and I knew what my daily activity needed to be. That’s the great thing about making fitness, and healthy eating, a lifestyle; it just becomes, well, your life.

It’s been just under seven months since I survived my first {very hungry} day tracking my calories and wearing the BodyBugg. As hard as the adjustment was at the beginning I never thought of it as a diet…this was a makeover. I completely changed the way I eat and the way I work out…and now it’s just how I do things….every darn day.

Of course, exceeding my goal doesn’t mean the work is over. It’s  actually really only half the story. I know that my new lifestyle will be a constant work in progress. Not a day goes by that I am not conscious about what I am putting into my body and what I am doing to be active.

Lost 3o+ pounds {the scale stopped going down about 8 weeks ago, but I continued to lose inches}

Went from a size 10/12 to a size 2

Less than 15% body fat

In the best shape of my life…

…but you know what they say…a picture’s worth a 1,000 words…

My Top Tips {aka Brie’s Rules}:

Calories In

  • Drink TONS of water {I shoot for 100oz/day}
  • Make easy, healthier, calorie-saving substitutions {think feta instead of cheddar, salsa instead of fatty dips, vodka and diet soda instead of beer or wine}
  • Don’t drink your calories {stay away from juices, soda, certain coffee drinks. Most don’t add much/anything in the way of nutrition. Save your calories for actual food}
  • Clean eating is key {you’re calories will go farther with fruits, veggies, and unprocessed foods!}
  • Greens, greens, greens {leafy green veggies are your best friend. Think Spinach, Arugula, and different kinds of lettuces}
  • Measure out your ingredients and food {it’s really easy to over-indulge when you don’t realize how many calories you just consumed}
  • At first you WILL feel hungry while your body adjusts and that’s OK {stay strong!}
  • Really look at how many calories are in some of your favorite treats/snacks/indulgences {it may be just enough to scare you off of them}
  • Keep a food log {be completely honest and open with yourself about what you eat}

Calories Out

  • Ditch long, slow cardio for interval training {Switching up speed and intensity throughout your workout is much more effective than sitting on the elliptical for an hour at the same level}
  • Run, run, and run some more {The BodyBugg showed that no workout burned more calories per minute than a good old fashioned run}
  • Circuit train {this is CRUCIAL! Circuit training helps build key calorie-burning lean muscles, keeps you from getting bored with the same old thing, and provides a heart-pumping cardio workout}
  • Strength train {this goes hand in hand with the above. You need to build muscle.}

Mentality

  • Let go of all your pre-conceived notions about what you are, or are not, capable of {most of that is just bullshit we hold onto as an excuse for why we can’t achieve something….really it’s because we are not fully prepared to do the work it takes}
  • Take it day by day, week by week and month by month {don’t think about how far off the finish line to your goal seems. Just go step by step. Suddenly you will realize you’ve made it a day, then a week, then a month…soon you are half way there}
  • Make fitness and healthy eating a priority {don’t have time for the gym? Really? I know it can be tough with work, social life, kids, housework etc, BUT…how much of that is an excuse? Couldn’t you watch one less TV show, sacrifice 30 minutes of sleep, plan/prepare health meals ahead of time, spread out your chores better…?? Bottom line is MAKE THE TIME}
  • Take pride in getting in your workouts and eating right {that good feeling you get will be stronger than any craving or fatigue}

Need to catch up on the whole story?

Week 1 (including a full explanation of the BodyBugg)

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 & 5

Week 6 & 7

Week 12

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and stuck with me as I chronicled this journey! Your encouragement has meant so much!

BodyBugg Week 6 and 7

And just like that it’s mid-July. The summer is rolling along at an alarming rate and I have been on my little experiment/journey/program for about 50 days. I can’t believe it.

Eating, working out, and living the way I have for the past few weeks just feels normal now. I really don’t crave bad foods. I don’t feel challenged to make the right food or fitness decisions because it’s just second nature (plus, as I’ve said before the BodyBugg makes you accountable for ALL your choices). I wouldn’t choose to simply hop on the elliptical or eat a big bowl of ice cream, because it seems foreign to me now.

I have been feeling a little hungrier at certain points of the day, most noticeably late morning. I chalk this up to increased muscle mass and a faster metabolism (this is my educated guess). Some days I’ve been allowing myself half a small bag of thin pretzels (about 1 oz and 100 calories). One of the biggest things I have learned is that it’s ok to be hungry. I think society makes us falsely believe that we should never have to feel hungry, when in fact if you are eating the right amount of food (or the amount of food necessary to lose weight) you WILL feel hungry and it’s OK!

I’m still:

  • Working out (aka doing something that makes me sweat) everyday. Yes, it can be a challenge to find the time, and often I feel tired, but I’m committed. In reality, I will be busy and tired for the rest of my life. It’s pretty much called adulthood, so, to me, they are not valid excuses to skip working out.
  • Wearing the BodyBugg everyday. I do get a lot of questions about it, but I welcome the opportunity to share how much I love it!
  • Logging my food everyday
  • Shooting for a calorie deficit of 1000 each day (if I eat 1500 cal, I need to burn 2500 cal)
  • Eating lots of greens, veggies and fruit. I’ve been eating salads nearly daily. If I don’t have one for lunch, I definitely have one for dinner.
  • Avoiding beer, and wine, most dairy and refined carbs
  • Drinking A LOT of water (80-100 oz a day)
Originally, I set a goal (with the help of BodyBugg’s guidance) of losing 17 pounds in 8 weeks.  Well, as you may remember I reached that mark in between week 5 and 6. Now, at the end of week 7….

 I have lost 21 pounds!

I’ve dropped 3 sizes!

What’s even better:

How great I feel when I’m running
Less back and neck pain
Muscle definition!

 The husband keeps asking me what my new weight goal is. I’m not really sure. Right now I am just enjoying the immense satisfaction of my success so far. I’m in such a groove I don’t foresee altering my new lifestyle anytime soon. For now I will just continue on, focusing  on improving my fitness level, muscle definition, body fat %, and getting in a 1/2 marathon by the end of the year.

Need to catch up or want to know more?

Week 1 (includes a full explanation of what the BodyBugg is!)

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 and 5

Don’t forget to subscribe to my feed so you don’t miss out on any posts when I make the move to self-hosted later this week! Click HERE!!

{A little shout out to my hubby, who has quietly dropped 20 pounds himself!!}

Workout Wednesday: Ditch the Elliptical

I talked about ditching long, steady cardio in a past post on fitness myths, where I shared this quote from one of the trainers on Gym Junkies 

“The reality is that long slow cardio training of any kind – whether pounding the pavement or watching the wheels go ’round on the elliptical is inefficient to put it nicely and a waste of time to put it bluntly.”

Now that I’m not just talking the talk, but walking the walk (and have had so much success), I wanted to reiterate, and elaborate on this point….

The elliptical and I used to be BFF’s. I’d hop on up there with my latest issue of Us Weekly and “pedal” away. Often I did up to an hour. I always put the resistance high and did hills. I felt fit, and mixed in with the occasional run and multiple strength sessions a week, I thought I had a good fitness routine in place.

Well, I was approaching my cardio all wrong (and I knew it, but didn’t want to admit it). The elliptical is like that friend that you’ve had in your life for a long time. You just keep them around because you’ve known them for so long, and they are comfortable, but they don’t actually add much value or give you back what you put in.

I haven’t stepped foot on an elliptical in at least 5 weeks and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. It’s so easy to get stuck spinning away in the cardio room based on our “more is better” mentality. I know it’s hard and a little scary, but let go of (nearly all) long, slow cardio.

Meet your new friends…

1. The Jump Rope

Do it on its own for at least 15 minutes or add it into your circuit workouts, going as fast as you can for at least 1 minute at a time.  My favorite jump rope circuit is here.

2. High Knees

Add these in between strength training moves, going as fast as you can for 30 seconds to a minute.

3. Jumping Jacks

Add these into your circuit routines, doing 50-60 at a time.

4. Tuck Jumps or Squat Jumps

Add these into your circuit routines, doing at least 10 at a time.

5. Burpees

Add these into your circuit routines, doing at least 10 at a time.

6. Mountain climbers

Add these in between strength training moves, going as fast as you can for 20-30 seconds.

 
7. Running Intervals

Set the treadmill incline to at least 2
5-minute warmup (walk at 4 mph or faster)
Run at 80% for 3 minutes
Fast walk (4 mph or faster) for 2 minutes
Repeat each 5-minute set 8 times.

I’ve compiled some great no-elliptical cardio routines on Pinterest. Follow my fitness board here!

I still do 1-2 “normal,” longer runs (4+ miles) a week to give my body a break and because it helps expand the heart’s capacity, which will benefit me when it comes time to do high intensity circuits and intervals.

Have a happy workout!

A Day in My Diet

I’ve posted a lot about what workouts I’ve been doing since starting the BodyBugg program, but I haven’t gone into too much detail about what I’ve been eating (other than to say what I haven’t been eating). A few readers asked what a typical day in my diet looks like. So I’m sharing here!

I tend to be a creature of habit. I don’t mind eating the same things over and over, which can be very beneficial when you are trying to eat healthy (but I know this doesn’t work for everyone). It’s good to stick with things that are known quantities. For me, it makes it easier to stay on track because I’m not constantly trying to find new foods or come up with new recipes that fit in with my program.

Breakfast:

8:00 am - Clif bar and one or two cups of coffee…breakfast of champions! (About 280-300 calories)

AM Snack:

10:00 am - Ten almonds, ten baby carrots (typing that out it suddenly sounds like a ridiculously small amount of food, but it is enough!). (About 110 calories)

Lunch:

12:30 pm - Kashi/Amy’s/Lean Cuisine frozen lunch (220-300 calories), OR 1 can Progresso Tomato soup (about 220 calories), AND one package of plain tuna (about 80 calories). I’m trying to wean myself off of frozen diet lunches in order to eat more cleanly, but they are so easy and the portions are right.

PM Snack:

4:00 pm - Banana or other piece of fruit and 5 almonds. (About 110-130 calories)

Dinner:

7:00 pm - One Morningstar black bean burger (the larger size, available at Costco or Sam’s) over 3 cups mixed greens and spinach, 10 grape tomatoes, ¼ of a green pepper, red onion,  ¼ a cucumber, ½ an ounce feta cheese and ¼ of an avocado. Dressing is a mix of ½ a tablespoon of olive oil, salsa, lime juice and spices. You can get the recipe here. (All together it’s about 450-500 calories)

Dessert:

8:00 pm - One Whole Fruit frozen organic fruit juice. These things are seriously DELICIOUS! (60 calories)

A few other details:

  • A few months ago, I converted to pescatarianism (I only eat fish).
  • During the week, If I’m not eating a salad for dinner, I make 1/2 a cup whole wheat pasta and stir fry A LOT of vegetables (green beans, brocoli, carrots, peas).
  • 5 days a week I am very rigid. Friday’s and Saturday’s I’m still rigid throughout the day, but loosen up slightly for dinner. When we go out to eat I try to order the healthiest thing on the menu (most of the time it’s a salad with the dressing on the side), but I’m not above sneaking in a few of my hubby’s fries or nachos.
  • I do still drink alcohol, but I stay completely away from beer and wine (tear). My go-to cocktail is coke zero and vodka with a lime.
  • If I’m really craving a salty snack in the evening, I have a little air popped popcorn with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray (yucky and processed, I know, but ZERO calories!).
  • I take GNC Women’s Ultra MEGA Active vitamins.
  • I drink 80-100+ ounces of water daily.

There you have it. It’s a little boring and slightly restrictive, but it works for me!

BodyBugg: Week 4 and 5

I can’t believe I have been using the BB for over a month now. My how time flies when you feel good about yourself! Of course day-to-day it was tough, and slow, especially at the beginning (afternoons at the office seem to crawl by when you are avoiding snacks), but if I even had an inkling about how smooth and fast this little journey would be, man I would have started ages ago.

What’s working for me lately:

  • Vitamins – I credit taking vitamins with helping me cut calories, but still being able to workout and perform in the way I want to.
  • Portions – I measure and count most everything out now. This keeps me from “accidentally” over indulging. Yes, I’m now that person who counts out 5 almonds for my snack. I still shoot to eat 1,000 calories less than I burn each day (so if I eat 1500 cal, I need to burn at least 2500 cal).
  • Limit refined carbs and dairy – This was tough for me because I LOVE cheese (hello, my name is Brie!) and I love salty snacks. I can’t give it ALL up, so I still use feta in my salads and have a handful of pretzels once in a while.
  • No eating after 8pm – As much as possible I have cut out all eating past about 8pm. Once in a while we indulge in some air popped popcorn, but most of the time when dinner is over, eating for the day is DONE.
  • Do something that makes you sweat everyday - There has not been a day that I haven’t done at least one thing that’s active. And to be honest, most days I do at least two things. I take a walk at lunch, I run, I go to the gym, I take Penny for a walk in the evening.
  • Circuits, running, intervals – I know I listed these in my last recap, but I could not have seen the kind of progress I have if it weren’t for circuit training, intervals, and some a lot of good ol’ fashioned running. Most of it I do outside, in the heat, making my body work harder. Do yourself a favor, GET OFF THE ELLIPTICAL! Now get out some weights, buy a jump rope, and learn to love squats, lunges, and pushups. Oh and order a BodyBugg!!!

I’ve lost 17 pounds! 

3 inches from my waist, 2 inches from my bust and 4 inches from my hips!!

My weight loss has slowed a bit, but that’s to be expected as my body settles into a lower weight. I want to be more diligent about taking my measurements, since I know I have built quite a bit of muscle from all the circuit training. It’s important not to focus only on the scale when measuring my progress from here on out!

It’s been an amazing 5 weeks and I am really proud of myself for the accomplishment. Every day I look in the mirror and I don’t just see someone who’s thin(ner), instead I see someone who worked hard, didn’t quit (even in the face of many summer parties), and rocked the socks off her goals. And that’s the part that makes me smile.

I can’t lie, there are days I still struggle to stay on track. There are days I (irrationally) worry I’ll wake up and my pants won’t fit. There are days I still think I’m one bottle of wine and a hamburger  slip up away from starting back at day zero.  I realize that losing 17 pounds doesn’t change everything. I know I need to be happy and healthy no matter my weight. Shedding pounds is great, meeting your goals is even better, but it’s not a magic cure-all for all of life’s ills/annoyances. I have to keep going, keep pushing myself, keep working towards new goals in all aspects of my life. And I know I will, because I have reminded myself of just what I am capable of!

Need to catch up?

Week 1 (detailed info on how the BodyBugg works)
Week 2
Week 3

I apologize if this post sounds like one big round of applause for myself, but I believe you’ve got to be your own biggest cheerleader (#sorryimnotsorry).

Goals 2.0

When I began the BodyBugg program lifestyle, I set a semi-arbitrary weight loss goal of 17 pounds (it sounded good and would get me to a nice, even number), but what I really wanted was to feel better and fit in my increasingly tight clothes. Now that I have very nearly accomplished all three of these goals (1 pound to go! snaps for me!), I’m thinking about where to go from here. What do you do when you hit your goals out of the park? You make new one’s of course!

 Source: pictureperfectbodywerkit.tumblr.com via Jillian on Pinterest

 Goals for the second half of 2012

  1. Focus on Body fat % (more than the number on the scale) - since I have a naturally muscular physique (thanks Dad), once I get to a certain weight, body fat % may be a better judge of my continued progress. Plus, I have never been one to be obsessed with weighing myself all the time. I plan to get “measured” in the next week and use that as a gauge for setting a goal.
  2. Focus on Muscle Definition – I like to think that I am pretty toned (even before losing weight), but I’d like to really be able to literally see all those hours in the weight room. I am not a woman who shies away from looking muscular (if I was, I’d hate myself because of my natural tendency to build muscle). Don’t worry, I don’t want to look like a body builder, but I also have ZERO interest in looking like a stick figure….I want abs!
  3. Run a ½ Marathon – I’ve always been a runner, but I had abandoned it in the past few years (except here and there) due to some foot problems. I picked it back up when I started the BB program and I am hooked…again. I want to run a half marathon before the year is through. I’ve run multiple in the past, but never an official race.
  4. Become a Certified Personal Trainer - I have thought about getting a personal training certification for year, and it feels like there is no better time than now. I don’t necessarily want to start a full-time career as a PT, but fitness, and healthy living, are definitely becoming more than just a hobby. Then you all will really have to listen to me!

BodyBugg Week 4 and 5 recap coming later this week!!

What are your goals for the second half of the year?

Weekend Motivation

I find that despite having “more free time” on the weekends it can be harder to stick to a healthy-living routine. During the work week, I go straight from my desk to the gym. I’m lucky it’s only about a 100-yard walk away. I get home, I make a salad, I take a walk, I wind down, and hit the hay.

On the weekends, you sleep in late, try to do some chores, lie on the couch, and the day gets away from you. Then everyone wants you to hang out, come to their parties, go to baseball games, drink booze, and eat delicious food (I’m pretty popular).  Basically, the lack of routine can throw you off.

So here is some EXTRA motivation for the weekend!

                                                                                                            Source: iwillrunforfood.tumblr.com via Steffi on Pinterest

Don’t let your mind hold you back from what you are capable of!

***

                                                                                                               Source: sweetseas.blogspot.com via Brie on Pinterest

It’s not a diet, a fad, or a short-lived experiment…healthy is a lifestyle!

***

                                                                                                                     Source: frathousesports.com via Briana on Pinterest

 Just some amazingly toned, Olympic athletes…no big deal. But I sure am motivated…

 

I can tell you that, no matter what your goal (weight loss, fitness level, health), once you see progress/results, you will want to keep going that much more!

Have a great weekend!

BodyBugg: Week 3

Today marks three weeks using the BodyBugg and I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going! I really can’t recommend this enough for anyone who is trying to lose, or maintain weight, or for anyone who just wants to keep a watchful eye on how their workouts and eating habits measure up.

Before I started on this little BB journey, I wasn’t feeling so great. When I looked in the mirror I wasn’t necessarily unhappy with what I saw, but all my clothes were tighter and I just felt sluggish. I knew I needed to drop a few lb’s and get back to a place where I just felt better.

I also knew two things (but didn’t want to admit them to myself): 1. I had let my workout game slip a bit. Yes, I was still working out 6 days a week, but I was in a rut. I was doing too much long, steady cardio on the elliptical. 2. I wasn’t eating as well as I should have been. Was I eating fast food? No, but even healthy foods are not good in (unnecessarily) large quantities.

As I have said in both of my other BodyBugg recaps, the best thing about the BB (at least for me) is that it makes you accountable. I can no longer justify those lazy elliptical session because I know what the calorie burn looks like on the chart (and it looks lousy). I can no longer justify unlimited quantities of almonds, late-night wheat toast with gobs of peanut butter or ordering whatever I want when we go out to eat because I know what those calorie numbers look like (and they look very large). It’s amazing how when you see something in front of you, in black and white, you finally own up to it.

The three key elements to my progress so far:

  • Fruits and Vegetables – I’m eating more of these than ever. Clean eating helps you maximize every calorie and keeps you full and satisfied
  • Water – I drink at least 70-80 oz a day. Keeping hydrated helps flush out toxins and minimizes hunger pangs (they say up to 80% of hunger is actually thirst)! I’ve also cut out all beer and wine.
  • Circuits and Intervals – High intensity workouts! I no longer focus on the length of my workout, but instead how hard I am working out. I’m running, doing intervals on the treadmill, or circuit workouts everyday (I haven’t skipped in over 3 weeks). I featured my favorite circuit workout on a past Workout Wednesday. It. Is. Awesome.

Look what can happen when you take your own advice…

After three weeks I have lost 13 pounds!

Most importantly, I feel strong, healthy and fit!

{Thanks to the hubby for taking my obligatory-don’t-I-look-great-photos again}

Wondering what the heck BodyBugg is? Check out my week 1 and week 2 recaps!!

BoddyBug: Week 2

Right about now you are probably saying “oh jeez, is this going to be a weekly thing now?”  Well, yes, yes it is. For one, it keeps me motivated to know I will be sharing my progress with all of you, and second, I’m really seeing and feeling some great stuff that I want to pass along!

The biggest thing I love about the BB, is that it keeps me accountable. Every night I log my food and hook up the arm band piece to load in my calories burned and I really want to see that calorie deficit goal come up on my screen.

Rocking the BodyBugg (I forced B to take these pics!)

“Not now Chief, I’m in the F****** zone!” (Name that viral video)

Lucky for me, I am the kind of person that once I get into the proverbial zone, on the train, or up on the wagon (you get my drift), I am really good at sticking to it. Now that I am past day 14, I am really in it to win it!

  • I no longer feel hungry. All. The. Time. My body has definitely adjusted to a stricter calorie intake. Most days, I am well below my 1650 calorie intake goal.
  • I’ve found that happy place of eating to fuel my body to perform at its best without blowing my calorie count.
  • After seeing which workouts burn what, I’ve left long, steady cardio sessions completely behind in favor of intense circuits, running, and intervals.
  • Instead of sitting all day at work , I get up at lunch, and move. Mid-day walks have become my norm.
  • The more progress I see, the more I’m committed to my new lifestyle.
  • You don’t have to give up everything you love (in my case that means cocktails) you just have to PRIORITIZE.

So what’s my progress so far??

I’ve lost 10 pounds and I feel better than I have in months!

I’m so excited about my progress (I’m literally jumping for joy)!

Wondering what the heck BodyBugg is or did you miss my first week recap? Check it out here!!

Full frontal…

Visualization

Long before The Secret came out, and Oprah made it a world-wide phenomenon, my mom was telling me to visualize my goals. You want to score a goal in soccer? Imagine yourself doing it and believe that you can. Want to do well on a presentation? See yourself giving that A+ worthy presentation (actually practicing never hurts either). I think she got some of her belief in visualization from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but she also lived, and breathed, goal setting and more importantly goal doing. My mom never did anything half-assed (except maybe that costume she hot glue-gunned together for Indian Day in 3rd grade, but you know what, even that rocked). She pictured what she wanted and went after it.

 

These days, as an adult, I think about her advice a lot (and not just because inspiration boards are so hot right now). I  realize how important it is to not just set some arbitrary goal, but to actually see it, feel it, and believe it. 

I (try) to apply this to almost every workout. Since I generally workout right after work, I spend some time throughout the day thinking about what I want to accomplish at the gym that day. I see myself doing the various exercises. I imagine how it will feel to accomplish the day’s fitness goal. If I am going for a run, I visualize hitting the mile markers (I do this before and during the run).

I’ve begun to apply this to my new healthy eating kick as well. Thanks to the BodyBugg I know what my goals are for each day and I see myself reaching them every night.

I know it all sounds a little silly, but I genuinely attribute this visualization to my continued success at getting to the gym regularly, and my newfound success with the BodyBugg. While my fitness and healthy-living are now right on track, I’ve been feeling a little lost lately about the direction of my professional life. Seems like it’s a good time to apply Mom’s tried and true visualization techniques. Now all I need to figure out is what my goal is…