Friday, April 15, 2011

4 Hour Body: Operation Skinny for RWA Nationals--Check In Time

I have had a fabulous week which started with my amazing CHEAT DAY. This time I went whole hog. I had a quarter pounder with cheese, a small fries, a donut, turtle cheesecake, cheese, and PIZZA!!! Yah, baby. It was good. Oh so good. The best part about it all was that I never felt guilty the entire day. I just enjoyed the food and had fun.

I love CHEAT DAY. But I also love getting back on track with the 4 Hour Body diet. It's actually pretty easy to follow, not too much to think about really, and I like eating meat, beans, and veggies. I've had a couple of days when I seriously wanted chocolate (hello? Easter candy is all over the stores!!). But I survived my craving with a small, sugar free strawberry jello.

This week was a bit tough because Darling Hubby was out of town, and I missed my dieter-in-arms. However, we prepared for the week by cooking our favorite cedar plank salmon and steaks on the grill. I also had some pre-cooked chicken and tilapia filets to bake so all was well in my world. I did have a few moments where I just wanted to nosh on something "easy." Easy being a roll and a hunk of cheese. After all, Darling Daughter wasn't home as well so it was boring to cook for one. A "why bother" time. But I succeeded to last throughout the week on the plan.

My go-to vinegar is White Balsamic Vinegar. I just love it on a bed of lettuce along with my fish, etc. So tangy and yummy. I've also enjoyed my tomatoes and eggs this week. I cut a tomato, drizzle balsamic vinegar on it, sprinkle some sweet basil on top, and drop my eggs on top of that combo. It's pretty tasty. And it hits all my taste buds in a satisfying way.

I managed to work out Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I didn't work out on Wednesday because I had to clean house. Mind you, I've burned tons of calories cleaning toilets, tubs, vacuuming and mopping. I figure the clean was a workout in that regard. I did Jillian Michaels' Shred 3 times and went to Zumba twice. I also walked for thirty minutes on Sunday. I've noticed my shoulders and arms are getting slimmer and more toned. My legs are also looking better. So all this exercising and dieting is making a difference.

Stats for today are:

Total Inches lost this week: .5 (off my hips!!! Woohoo!)
Total Inches lost since start: 6.5

I'm heading to Atlanta for a Georgia Romance Writer's Workshop which you can read about here. I  can't wait to get to Historic Decatur and visit my favorite restaurant, LEONS on my CHEAT DAY. Darling Hubby is coming along. Should be fun!!

So let me know how you are doing. And give yourself a pat on the back. You're one week closer to reaching your goal!!

20 comments:

Debbie Kaufman said...

Congrats on your continued progress! I've been working with my trainer on switching things up to keep my exercise more effective. Yesterday, I wore a button-up shirt I haven't fit in for a couple of years :)

Christine said...

Way to go Debbie!! I am so excited for you. I put on a dress that was a bit tight a few months ago and now it fits just right. Happy day! I have a long way to go, but Rome didn't get fluffy in a day so Rome won't get skinny in a day either. LOL.

Gwen Hernandez said...

Great job, Christine! I'm so proud of you and happy for you.

For some reason I decided to see if I could give up chocolate for a month back in March. What a horrible month to give up my celebratory food! But I did it. Tomorrow I can break into my stash and indulge a little. =)

JE said...

That's great, Christine! Making progress always feels so good and it makes you want to do even more. Keep up the good work! And enjoy those cheat days!!

~JD

Sandy Elzie said...

Hey Girl,
Look forward to seeing your new skinny body this weekend at GRW's workshop.

I'm still on the treadmill of dieting, but I wasn't as faithful this past week about exercising as you were. I'm counting pounds, not inches, so I stayed about the same. My body refuses to give up even an ounce if I don't sweat to do it, so exercise is my key to success.

I have a Zumba tape, so that will be today's sweating.

Congrats on your success and keep up the good work!

Sandy

Christine said...

Well, Gwen, for me Chocolate is consolation food. I, too, was unable to indulge in March LOL. But the good news is that we will have plenty of reasons to indulge in June/July this year!!

Looking forward to being skinny in June!

:-)

Christine said...

Hi Justine: I soooo look forward to the cheat days. They make the week go by faster.

:-)

Christine said...

Hey Sandy: I think exercise is the key. I'm convinced that half inch off my hips is due to exercise, not diet. I do feel more energetic on this diet which then increases the benefit of the exercising because I Zumba and Shred with more enthusiasm LOL.

I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend. I just hope I don't need to hire a boat to get to Atlanta. Raining hard here!!

:-)

Trish Milburn said...

Christine, congrats on your success so far.

Katherine Bone said...

Wow! Christine, I'm so impressed! You're doing a fabulous job. Sticking with a program is the hardest part. I'm proud of your accomplishments!

I need to shred. (Note to self: pick up the DVD soon) I walked on the treadmill for three days last week at 45 minutes each and bicycled for 20 minutes once. I'm watching what I eat, though I do indulge when the occassion calls for it. (Chocolate Eruption?) This week, I haven't been as good. I've walked on the treadmill for 45 minutes twice. But I've made it a habit to walk around the store more at work. And I actually think my clothes are starting to fit better. Woo-hoo! Since I haven't measured in inches and the scale tells me I've only lost 2.5 pounds, I'll go by that. ;)

Have fun visiting GA! :D

Tammy H said...

Way to go Christine! You are doing a great job.

B Snow said...

Hi, I think we chatted briefly today at the GRW workshop. Why are you trying to lose weight? You're thin!

Tried Zumba two weeks ago for the first time -- it was really fun! Now I just need to find the time to go (and write, and clean, and work....)

Tami Brothers said...

Yay Christine!!! You are doing a great job and I really think you looked great when we saw you yesterday. I totally believe you will make your target goal.

Keep up the great work.

Tami

Christine said...

Hi Tricia: Thanks for your support. I'm determined to be back to my ideal weight and size by the RWA Conference dates. It's a bit challenging, but the cheat day helps!

:-)

Christine said...

Hi Kathy: I think small changes are the way to go. I didn't just jump into this new plan. I started slow. Then I was ready to go for it and it is working--so far. I had a bit of a challenge during our road trip to GA because one can't eat much on the go that's hi protein. We brought protein bars which helped.

And CHEAT DAY was Saturday--they served pasta at the Nancy Knight Workshop... I WAS SOOOOOOO EXCITED. I will not reveal how many cookies I ate, but I ate them GUILT FREE LOL!

:-)

Christine said...

Hi Tami: Thanks! You are so nice. And I enjoyed seeing you this weekend. What a fabulous conference!

:-)

Christine said...

Hi B Snow: Thanks for the compliment. I think the new clothes my BF helped me buy help to disguise a lot of sins (that and Spanx, but that's a blog for another day LOL). I actually didn't wear spanx on Saturday LOL. I have been on this plan for a month now. I guess it's working if you think I'm thin! Wow!!! That just makes my day :-)

Christine said...

Hi Tammy: Thanks so much for your support and kind words. I'm working hard and I am determined. I just want to feel like myself again :-)

Gwynlyn said...

Found you. Added you to my blog list.

I need to lose 30lbs if I'm to go to NY. (Yes, I still have my eye on the prize!) If not, I'll be the naked lady streaking through the lobby!

Any suggestions? Besides liposuction, that is? This getting older isn't for the faint of heart!

{{{Hugs}}}

Christine said...

Hi Gwynlyn: Yes, the getting older part does make it harder to lose weight and oh so easy to gain it!! Between hormones, my thyroid and gravity, everything has been heading south :-) But I have found that the 4 Hour Body is working for me. The key is to find something that works for you. I don't think there is a "one size fits all" diet. I know some people who do very well on Weight Watchers. Others with calorie counting. I do well well with controlled food types. Carbs and cheese are my weakness. I did a modified version of the 4 hour body for 3 weeks and still had success. Not going to lie, by the time Friday rolls around I am sick of beans, meat and veggies. LOL

I am crossing fingers and toes for you that you get to Nationals!!! I think that is priority number one. If you want to check out 4 Hour Body -- you can google Tim Ferris (the writer) and find his web site. He is quite inspirational. The key is to find what works for you.

HUGS BACK!!