Free Stuff is Awesome

First of all, let me say that when I am on a roll, leave it to my immune system to get me down! This picture is exactly what I think of my immune system.  I am on L-Lysine, and vitamins, and all kinds of stuff that is supposed to keep me from getting sick, and yet there I was, stuck in bed for almost 3 days with a fever and a nasty throat all all kinds of gross.  Thankfully it was short lived and I feel much much better, though I am a little weak still.  I am giving myself a day or two to get back up to speed, and then right back at it I go.

So when I got my FitBit, I found all of these fun apps and things I could sync it with.  I synced it with MyFitnessPal, of course and FitBit, and then I was introduced to a couple of cool sites.  In future blogs, I will discuss each one but today I want to discuss FitStudio!  FitStudio is a fun product of Sears.  You can sync your FitBit, or running apps to it, and it will update your progress every time you log in.  FitStudio syncs with Shop Your Way Rewards, also a product of Sears.  Every time I do something good on FitStudio, it gives me points.  Each point is worth money.  Like real money in the Shop Your Way Rewards program.  Some points expire in a week or two, like when you do 20 miles and it gives you $5.00 worth of points, but most don't expire for a year, giving you time to gather them up and spend them.  Either way, in just over a weeks time, I managed to get almost $13.00 in points and tonight I "spent" them on a cool pair of stretch capris to wear when I am walking or running.  See, these are the cool pants I "bought."
I get to pick them up once they ship to the store (so they really were 100% free!)  I will gladly review the pants themselves when I get them in but I think it is cool to be rewarded for something I am doing to better myself. 

Today was filled with comfort foods that we fit into the diet.  Yummy pot stickers and surf and turf stir fry for lunch, and fried sausage and homemade mac and cheese for dinner with a chocolate peanut butter protein shake somewhere in between.  You REALLY can eat well while trying to lose weight you just have to remember your portions.  That is one major thing I have learned.  Portion control is EVERYTHING.  Buy yourself a set of measuring cups and spoons, and a handy digital scale and USE THEM.  Do not let them sit in a drawer gathering dust.  Put them to use.

As a side note, because she totally deserves it, Mandy got her butt on the treadmill a couple of times this week and did at least 2 miles each time without  me even suggesting it, and today, I think she enjoyed it!!  I think it is starting to stick!  Here is to tomorrow!!

In a Groove (But not a rut)

The contents of our fridge right after payday.

Finally!  I finally feel like we in in a groove instead of a rut and are making progress.  The 5 of you that read this blog might notice that my ticker above has been refreshed and updated and no that is not wrong.  As of yesterday morning I was 200.6 lbs.  I had climbed my way back up to 211 for a few weeks and started feeling really bad about it around Thanksgiving.  We knew we had to do something.  Mandy's blood pressure was going up and my blood sugar was still going up and our weight was going up and we were both miserable.
Mandy and I decided we would embark on a diet change, and instead of just talking about it, we did it.  The first two weeks were rough, especially for Mandy as she was not used to restricting her calories, but after the first week or two, we got used to making healthy food that we really enjoy.
Now, splurging on a cheeseburger, fries, cheddar peppers and a drink from Sonic, something we wouldn't give a second thought to before means a lot more.  In fact, when we figured it in to a splurge day, we both got pretty sick from it. 
Now most of our food is fresh veggies and cheese and good lean meats, with the occasional treat, usually in the form of a protein packed shake. We have even managed to work in a date night at Outback, and even the occasional Jack-in-the-Box taco.  We can be flexible but still eat healthy and well.  The photo above is of one of our refrigerators on a payday.  Looks yummy, doesn't it?
We also started exercising.  We started small with a one mile path around the block and now we do that loop sometimes 2 times, and we both have been spending a lot of time on the treadmill.  I have even started to do the 5k distance for fun.  I actually ran 4 of them this week (Monday-Thursday) and intended to do another today but was feeling under the weather.  If I feel better tomorrow I plan on participating in the Second Annual Runs for Cookies Virtual 5k.  I really hope I am up to it.  I had to miss it last year because of my ankle. 
Speaking of the ankle, I broke down and spent a small fortune on some new shoes.  I tried out several pair and settled on the Brooks Ghost 6, because the website said it would help correct the outward roll that makes me roll my ankle often.  So far so good.  It feels really nice to walk and even run in them, and I do not feel unstable at all. 
We also got ourselves those new-fangled FitBits.  We both got the Flex, the older model that goes on the wrist and it has really served as a reminder to get up and move, and we have gotten a little competitive with it all.  We have both lost a little weight and it is coming off slow like it should, due to an honest lifestyle change and added exercise.  I am feeling better than I have in a long time. 
It has been over 6 weeks now, since we started the change and I am down 11 lbs and Mandy is down 7.  Things are going really great and I just feel like they are going to get better!