Today’s Lunch!

So I haven’t been great at posting this go around! I’ve had so much going on personally and at work I just haven’t had time to be on this as much as I’d like! Trying to find the balance and not the obsession, you know?

Week one I didn’t work out at all, so on Saturday and Sunday, I attempted to make up for lost time and managed 4.5 hours and over 2000 calories burned in the two days! Talk about sore! But it was nice to feel powerful and in control again!

Week two I haven’t fared much better, but I started taking Salsa dancing lessons so I got an hour and 500 calories in and totally didn’t realize it! If you have this option- take it!!!

I’ve focused mainly on the eating healthy side of things so far this Cycle and so far I’ve managed to lose 2.5 pounds and nearly 3 inches, which I’m proud of based on food alone! One of my friends wants me to put together another cookbook, and I’ve got so many new recipes, I’m thinking I will!! The portabella you will see in the picture below is mine, but the cucumber soup and crap/ avocado dish are from Ellie Krieger’s ‘So Easy’ cookbook! Grab it if you can!!

Basil Portabella
Clean out the inside of a portabella mushroom cap while heating the oven to 375. I use a steak knife to try and flake it all out, but this is the hardest part of the meal! Chop up a spring of fresh basil. Spread about a tablespoon or half ounce of feta cheese in the bottom of the porta-cap, and sprinkle the basil over the feta. Take a fourth a cup of 2% mozzarella cheese and place on top! Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes and then sprinkle chopped green onions on top! Pepper adds something for me, so I get crazy with it too!! Enjoy!!! 127 calories!!!!

Happy OSBing people! I will try to find more time to post soon!!
Sommer

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

OSB Begins… Off to a slow start for this B!

So it’s the new year, and that means so much promise and hope and excitement and… another birthday, and another Valentine’s Day and coming off the Christmas/ New Year’s ‘high’ I’m just emotionally wrecked, honestly.  Ups, downs, confusion, excitement, let downs, doctor’s appointments, goodNESS, I’m just over it all.  The fact that it’s cold and gray most of the time right now isn’t helping this seasonal ‘depression.’  I DEFINITELY thought kicking off OSB would be a way to beat those blues, but it’s taking a little more time than that.  I think I’m on the tail end though!  Or I’m CHOOSING to be anyway…

It’s day 6 on OSB 2010 THE CHALLENGE – Cycle 1.  I’ve got 6 other amazing women participating with me, and everyone ROCKS!  We’ve met once, and got to share some healthy food ideas for the Sweet Tomatoes/ Souplantation location we went to, and our out of town participant went to Souper Salad to give us some ideas for that place as well!  Food wise, we are off to a great start!  It appears that almost everyone is doing a great job getting those work outs in as well.  Except me.  And perhaps it’s the expectation of my last OSB personal challenge, but I just can’t get motivated to get up and get my day started with a workout and that is a MUST for me.  It sets my frame of mind for the whole day, AND it helps me get to sleep at a decent hour so I can get up and do it again tomorrow!  I’ve had excuses I could go into, but I won’t- they really don’t matter.  I could have gotten something in somewhere.  So I’ve given myself until Saturday to beat whatever this drabness is that’s pulling me down into lazy town (except I’ll spend hours making yummy healthy foods, so I guess not TOTALLY lazy), and make this happen!  I KNOW once I get over that first hurdle I will feel so amazing and be able to focus on the challenge of fitting all of this into my daily life and the fun of seeing your body change with the workouts.  Lord knows I’ve watched it change from it’s last OSB high to a pre-OSB low.  I’ve gained back the 4.5 pounds I lost during last August’s OSB, and then 2 more!  Thank you Christmas and margaritas.  I don’t regret any of it.  I just really have to find the balance that will allow me- barring any strange life events- to keep a pretty even flow instead of this all or nothing workout yo-yo I seem to live on. 

So every day I track my food, and set my alarm for 6 am to get up and workout, and by this weekend, I WILL HAVE DONE IT.  I can’t let myself down.  If I do, well that’s just stupid, but if I do, then I’m settling, and there is ONE THING I keep telling myself I’m NOT going to do- SETTLE.  For anything.  So….  Here we go, right?!!

I’m not going to post all my nutritional information and workout info daily this time- it takes so much time to do that and I’m trying to make this a manageable ongoing thing, so I’m going to write about what’s going on, and if I feel the need to share my food journal and workout info, I will.  Just don’t look for one daily or you will be disappointed.  I also plan to praise my fellow OSBers on their journey, and perhaps share a recipe or two when I come up with something yummy!  I’ve already got one, so that should be heading your way soon!  Vegetarian friendly, but not exclusive! 

Glad to be back on the OSB trail, even if I’m lagging behind for a minute.  I’ll catch up.  I can already feel it building inside me… Look out ladies!  See you at the finish line!

Operation Sexy Bitch 2010 – Cycle 1 BEGINS!!

SO EXCITED to get this competition GOING!  I weighed myself this morning and I’m actually higher than I was when I started OSB last time!  Thank you Christmas!   It’s all good though- just means it was a good time to start this!  LOL  So I gained back the 4.5 pounds I lost during my nutty workout craze, AND 2.5 MORE!!  Weight really is just a number for me though, so it will be the inches I’m most interested in!  My jeans are telling me it’s not going to be good news, but I sort of knew that was coming.  Something about the holidays- even when you are trying not to go too loose- just means you gain some weight.  Stress, lack of sleep, food, no real idea if it’s any one thing, but the combo is dangerous to all but the most dedicated!!

I’ll measure myself in a bit, and I’m scared to see those too!  HA HA!  Uh-oh! I went so crazy last time, I didn’t figure out how to find a balanced version, so once I get back there, hopefully by Cycle 2, I’m going to work on balance!!  Don’t want to keep yo-yoing – even if it is less than ten pounds.  Can’t be good for me, right?  Guess it’s time to take that dreaded ‘before’ picture as well!!  Oh lord, talk about motivation!  I’m not planning on posting that one until I have the ‘after’ pic, so don’t expect too much from me yet!  LOL

THIS time around, I’ve got ladies from all over the COUNTRY joining me!  We have 5 categories and money is involved, so I’m hoping that we will find support, knowledge, fun, and motivation in each other!  Plus, if you know me, organizing something always makes me happy!    Our first event is tomorrow, and we are going to a restaurant!  I’m not going to tell anyone what to eat- that’s their choice- but we are going to go, and discuss the healthier options on the menu, and even hopefully find some small changes to make some of our favorite, less healthy options into healthIER choices.  That way we stay on the more moderate side of life!  I’ll be posting our findings so you can all gain from our efforts as well!  Or LOSE!  HA HA! 

I’m probably not going to eat great today, but I’m going to be tracking it!  Why lose a day of points if I don’t have to?  Plus I’ll be interested to see how many calories black eyed peas really are!  I’ve NEVER liked black eyed peas before, but for some reason, over this last year, I’ve fallen in LOVE with them!  Who knew??

You can read more about our group on Facebook.  Search for Operation Sexy Bitch 2010.  It’s got the categories, etc.  I’m keeping the group private though, so that when we are posting our results, they can stay private amount just the women participating!  If you want to join, it’s not too late, but it will be  too late soon to join Cycle 1 (January 1st – 31st) so get ON IT!

Welcome back to OSB!!  HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!
Sommer

Operation Sexy Bitch 2010! The CHALLENGE!

OSB 2010 Challenge is taking shape! Woke up with details in mind, now I need to do some research and get this ROLLING! Get you and your friends ready!! Guys and girls are welcome!! The more the merrier and the farther this can reach!!!

Details to come! Just spreading the word for now!!

Until next time!!
Sommer

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

I guess sometimes you just need a break… September 15th, 2009

Today was my first day back on the workout tip in a week and a half!!  My vacation to San Diego stretched into a busy work week, and I just hadn’t been able to sleep well at night, to get up and start my day with Jillian and Denise (love those hard-ass women!).  As all of you can relate to, we are insanely busy at work, and now I’ve started my Mary Kay business, which means that my evenings are full of research, and soon, make-overs and facials!  This means that if I DON’T get my butt moving in the morning, I may lose out on any chance of a work out that day.  I am aware that this is my CHOICE though.  I am prioritizing work over working out at the moment, and that’s ok.  I KNOW this, and so I am entirely responsible.  I hear so many people just say ‘I’m so busy, there’s no time to work out’ and that’s a crock of excuses.  I love you all, but it is.  There is time, you just may not sleep to get it.  HA HA.  NOT saying to do that, I’m just saying that we prioritize what is most important, and if working out was at the top of that list, we’d MAKE time.  (See ALL LAST MONTH!)  For now, I’m planning to make time in the morning, and be happy with that.  All I’m trying to say people, is that you always have a choice.  It’s empowering once you realize that!

Now that I’m off my soap box… LOL 

So here I am, a week and a half after some of the hardest working out and best eating of my life, and I’m FULLY expecting to have gained weight and lost some ground on the battle of the inches.  I haven’t gone crazy eating crap, but once you stop actually logging calories, it’s just so easy to go so far over your allotment and not even realize it.  I figure I should go ahead and weigh and measure myself since I usually do that on Tuesdays (except last Tuesday during my vacation).  I also figure seeing the numbers might really spur me on and help me get back on track with the waking up early side of things. 

So Jillian kicks my ASS (and I mean it- if I could JUST GET THROUGH a whole set of her V Chair sits, I’d feel like I could do anything!!), and then Denise kicks my ABS, and I’m so red and tired.  I burned 499 calories in just under an hour!!After a good workout, who doesn’t want to depress themselves, right?  HA HA!  So I step on the scale.  And do a double take.  I’ve lost another half pound!  HA HA!  NO WAY!!  What the…  I’m figuring I’ve lost muscle or something in that week and a half, and now I KNOW I’m going to gain inches instead of lose them because that would explain the weight-loss.  So off I go to take my measurements.  And I just laugh at this point.  Since my last measurement two weeks ago, I’ve lost another 2.25 inches!!  That is a total of 17.75 inches people!!   HOLY AWESOMENESS!!  Maybe this balance thing has something to it… Maybe my body was beat tired and needed the break… Maybe I better not get too cocky or I’ll find myself doing the hippity hop dance trying to get my butt back in my jeans.  Who knows.  LOTS of maybes, but I’m so happy with my results, and motivated in so many directions, and just really inspired to see what I can actually accomplish if I continue to take my life in my own hands, make my own choices, and hold myself accountable! 

I’d love to hear your stories of choice and triumph.  I know you have them.  Of taking control of what you can, and releasing the rest to the universe.  Please share them.  Here, or email me at s0mmersmiles@hotmail.com (ZERO, not o in sommer- I can’t get the font to let me type it like that!). 

What’s next folks?? 
Sommersmiles

The birth of Operation Sexy Bitch- the real truth.

I’ve certainly hinted to everyone as to WHY OSB came about.  I needed to get out of the party scene, start focusing on my health, and save money.  I really had zero choice in the matter though, and that’s what you haven’t heard.  This horrid economy has been terrible to all of us, I know.  My family is no different.  And just over a month ago I came home to more bad news.  Not only has my mother been laid off for two years, with no luck in finding a job, but now my father has had to take a pay cut as well, and the small amount of help I was needing to give had moved to a level I couldn’t maintain and still go out and hang with my friends.  I had to find something positive in that, because the negative crap was threatening to drag me down, wear me out, start my emotional eating, and a spiral of depression.  I’m not sure if anyone has been lucky enough to get a glimpse of the dark side before it hits you, but I was.  And I wasn’t going to choose to go there of my own free will.  I was spinning in thoughts that at 31 years old, I wasn’t ever going to be able to move out of my PARENTS house (assuming they didn’t lose it to the damn mortgage company).  I had been dating, but no one special, and was now going to have to stop doing that because I refuse to go on a date assuming someone else is paying.  It’s wonderful when they do, and I know that normally it happens, but I’m not good at dating, or used to someone paying, and so if I do something, I need to be able to pay for it.  In my head I had decided that I would be alone forever because who is ever going to want to date a thirtysomething living at home- with no chance of getting out any time soon- and who has a big wall up because I know I can’t afford to go out and live my life.  I mean, come on.  He’d have to be my Prince Charming and just a little stupid to try walking into that situation.  HA HA! 

I spent a full day living in those thoughts.  It was a shitty shitty day.  I tried to figure out where I could work a second job in my current work schedule, and nothing seemed to fit.  I was so upset and mad and frustrated, and I remembered that during a time of stress a few years back, I discovered a love of spin class as a way to wear myself out so much I couldn’t dwell or even barely think of the crap.  The bonus was the endorphins and the pride that came from working so hard.  And so Operation Sexy Bitch was born.  It didn’t have it’s cute name- that was a friend Jodie’s idea- but I knew that if I could just pull myself out of this for awhile, life could change.  Options could arise.  Mom could get a job.  I could get a raise.  You know, anything could happen.  I just needed to focus on something else for awhile and see what God had in store for me and my family.

My trip to San Diego was paid for in frequent flyer miles, and was an AMAZING way to take a vacation from my life, and take a break from OSB and just remember who I am…  Thanks San Diego people for dealing with me last weekend!  HA HA  Bloggers, you would not BELIEVE how little tolerance I had after just a month of not drinking and working out like crazy.  It was bad.  LOL  I think I’ve said goodbye to vodka because of this weekend!  HA HA HA!  Which is ok… 

I’m back now, and the situation hasn’t changed much.  I haven’t been able to get up and workout in the morning yet (old habits die hard!!), but we are only talking about 4 days here, and I’m really set on starting fresh Monday.  I took this week to really focus on what I can do to take the pressure off my family and myself and to create options for the future, and as good for me as OSB is, it’s not going to pay the bills.  A friend has been talking to me about working with Mary Kay with her, and I spent some time during OSB thinking about the opportunity (you may have seen this coming back on OSB day 3-) and this past week, I decided it was time to just try.  I had nothing to lose but time and $100.  LOL 

I’m officially part of the Mary Kay family now- Day 2!  HA HA!  I am learning the details of the products- using them only teaches you what you like- and trying to figure out the party procedures.  I’ve got a website (HOW COOL!) to let people order directly without having a party, AND you can even book a party online and get your own party PAGE on the website.  WHAT IS THAT??   I think that is TOO COOL!   Heck, you can even have an ONLINE PARTY, where you just have all your friends go to the site on a certain day, and get their colors done virtually, and whatever is bought is credited to the hostess for that day!   While this isn’t as fun to ME, because I like the idea of playing in the make up and seeing my friends, I still think it’s a cool way to do it for people who are far away and can’t host a party in person.  MAN- all I can say is Mary Kay has come a LONG WAY from the days when my mom had her pink suitcase. 

This month, if you sign up to host a party (virtual or online) and sign up for it online (and if you let me know you want to, I’ll call you and we’ll walk through it together- I need to learn too!!!) , you are registered to enter a weekly prize of $500 in Mary Kay products, and a Grand Prize of $1000 in MK products and a $5000 CHECK FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT!!  And in this economy, I’m all about that!!  Even if the party isn’t held in September, you are entered as long as you book in September!  I can ASSURE YOU that I’m getting my mom to sign up for a party this month!!  We need the 5k!!  LOL  If you are interested, the website is www.marykay.com/sommer_white

So thank you all for supporting me in this time.  You may have THOUGHT it was just a workout for me, but really, it was a lifeline.  A time in my life when I would have drowned without this, and without you guys, I may have quit altogether.  I’ll still be updating on this, and trying to balance a new career with working out, and hopefully soon, back to a social life.  I’ll take you all along with me, as long as you are interested.    And if you aren’t, I guess I won’t know since I don’t know who reads this unless you tell me!  HA HA HA

I hope you are finding some strength in my journey too.  I’d hate this to be one-sided!  We may not all know each other, and sometimes it’s hard to remember, but we are all in this together. 

Thanks again for being there….  Updates to come!
Sommersmiles

Operation Sexy Bitch – Month End Results!! Photos and WHAT’S NEXT!

Hello ALL!! 

So the official 30 day challenge is over!  I’ll be extending Operation Sexy Bitch, but I think I’ll keep my blogging to something specific I want to share, and then a once a week catch up.  I’ll also post the best and worst day I had over the last week!  That way you aren’t bombarded with posts, but I’m still staying accountable to you and myself on this interesting mission I’m on.

Let’s get it GOING!

This week I lost ANOTHER 2 INCHES!!  My OSB MONTH LONG GRAND TOTAL is 15.5 inches!!!  WOOHOO!!!  Most of it is in my abs and hips, which is right where I wanted to lose it, so I’m ok with that!!   Total weight loss is 3.5 pounds, which I’m also ok with considering the difference I’m seeing in my body! 

Workout total for the month is 2,329 minutes of workout time for a total calorie burn of…  holy crap!  17,558!!!

This has been an interesting journey, and I’m learning to balance some of my nutrition more completely thanks to the Sparkpeople page (and friend suggestions), as well as get the workouts in as early as I can to fit my lifestyle, moods, and energy levels.  I’ve seen such a tremendous change in my body, and in such a short time, that I not only am motivated to continue this, but I’m now realizing my body has been BEGGING me to do it!  It’s WANTED to change, and push itself, and test it’s limits.  I’ve had knee issues, time issues, social issues… This whole experiment is like taking a slice of my life, working on finding the balance in it, and watching the other pieces fall into place.  They haven’t all clicked yet, but I see the wheels turning, and I”m excited for this new ride!! 

A friend suggested I take before and after photos- even if I didn’t share them- but I think I will (Thanks Phil!).  The green shorts is on day 2 or something, and the red shorts is day 30!

 

It’s not like I worked any miracles, and it may sound like that from the numbers.  So I want you to see the realistic side.  I can feel how much tighter my abs are, and I can see so much more definition that I had a hard time capturing on film, but who cares!  I know it’s there!  You can tell how much ‘softer’ I was before.  Remember where I came from though, please.  This time last year I couldn’t SEE my belly button….  Well hell, I might as well add those pictures as well.

Ok, I better wrap this up pretty quickly before I lose my nerve! (OMG OMG!)

Thank you all for helping me on this first part of my latest journey!  So very many of you helped me through my previous journeys and I can’t NOT stop and thank you SO MUCH for that support as well!!!  I’m taking a hiatus for a week to head to San Diego, but I’ll be in full swing again next Tuesday!  I expect a short blog or two from some sort of beach with a nice frosty adult beverage in my hand between now and then, but most likely I won’t be logging a lot of my food since this is my vacation! 

I’m so glad to know so many of you are ‘Shredding Across the Nation’ with me- HA HA!  And I know a few of you have joined Sparkpeople as well.  It’s an amazing tool, and maybe we can all support each other in this journey for the perfect balance and healthy life!!

Now on to PHASE TWO of Operation Sexy Bitch! 
Sommersmiles

Operation Sexy Bitch burns almost 5000 calories and goes to a BBQ- Day 30!! August 30th, 2009

…My heartrate monitor gave me my week totals for WEEK 4!! You ready for this??

Operation Sexy Bitch- Day 29, August 29th, 2009

Any Saturday that I’m at work is a slightly off day for me.  Something about not setting an alarm, but still going to work whenever I get up, just throws me off totally!  Today was worse than normal, I think.  I slept way later than I normally do (thank you eye patch thing), and got up at 10:30!  Piddled around a bit and ate some breakfast and then went into the office.  I was so hungry by the time I got here, because I hadn’t eaten much breakfast, but I assumed I’d be able to find something in the kitchen.  Alas, there was nothing I could throw together quickly, and calorically efficient (cheese quesadillas are always an option), so I grabbed a slice of cold pizza and just went with it. 

By the time I left work, it was late in the afternoon, and it was really closer to dinner, but I felt I needed something to eat so I grabbed a Jamba Juice and headed towards home to finish my errands for the day.

Dyed my hair (and I’m not in love with it- why didn’t I remember box highlights suck??), and munched a bit, and then headed out to meet a few friends at the restaurant/bar down the street.  Here’s what was cool about my ‘off’ schedule for the day- I had room for drinks!  I had made my calories for the day in food, but because I was totally off and ended up eating smaller snacks, I had the rest of my calorie range for booze.  HA HA!  Nice.  Note to self:  Do NOT buy cheap vodka anymore.  I only had a few drinks, but my head was KILLING ME the next day!  Not cool.  Not cool at all!! 

Exciting day, I know.  So let’s get on with the GOALS!

Vitamins:  All of them.
Water:  10 glasses.  I was terrible!
Alcohol: 4 vodka sodas
Workout: Off today
Sleep:  I swear I think I got 10 hours, but I really didn’t quite notice when I went to sleep.  It was at least 9 though!!
Food Journal:

Saturday, August 29, 2009
Breakfast
	Calories	Fat	Carbohydrates	Protein
Beans, pinto, 0.5 cup	117	0	22	7
Colby Cheese, 0.3 oz	34	3	0	2
Salsa, 1 tbsp	4	0	1	0
	155	3	23	9
Lunch
	Calories	Fat	Carbohydrates	Protein
Pizza Hut Medium Thin ‘n Crispy Supreme Pizza (1 slice), 1 serving	230	11	22	11
Starwberry Nirvana Jamba Power Size, 1 serving	340	1	77	10
Soy Protein Boost JJ, 1 serving	30	0	0	8
	600	12	99	29
Dinner
	Calories	Fat	Carbohydrates	Protein
Beans, pinto, 0.75 cup	176	1	33	11
Cheddar Cheese, 0.5 oz	57	5	0	4
Corn Tortillas, 1 tortilla, medium (approx 6″ dia)	57	1	12	1
Roasted Veggie Couscous (3/4 cup), 0.75 serving	75	2	14	2
Salsa, 1.5 tbsp	7	0	1	0
Tortilla Crusted Tilapia (1 fillet), 1 serving	180	10	6	16
	551	18	66	34
Snack
	Calories	Fat	Carbohydrates	Protein
Vodka, 3 jigger 1.5 fl oz	291	0	0	0
Sugar Free Twizzlers (6 pieces), 0.5 serving	65	1	17	1
	356	1	17	1
	1,662	34	205	73
	1330 – 1680	35 – 61	178 – 257	60 – 138

 

And I STILL had an extra fat gram left to reach my goal!  HA HA!  If only I’d known.  I’m sure I could have had a piece of cheese at least! 

Well now on to Sunday…  Day 30!  WOW!
Sommersmiles

Operation Sexy Bitch- The last OFFICIAL workout! Or is it? August 28th, 2009

….The fact that my knee feels so absolutely much better is helping!! My ‘high knees’ cardio burst is so much easier in 30 Day Shred, I can hardly believe it! I’m scared it will revert back to hurting, stick it’s tongue out at me, and say ‘Nanny nanny boo boo!’ So far so good though! Yay knee!