PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION: Month 1

Good morning !! I love having all of us back together. Stacy and Deanna - we have missed you.

As you can tell, FnV and I have been hot on the Paleo/Primal trail. Lots more research and reading to do, but so far I'm liking this.

I really think the whole key is no wheat, no grains, no sugar .... for starters.

You can't eat all this protein and healthy fat if you are still eating grains. It doesn't work.....

Emphasis on lean protein, veggies, healthy oils and 1-2 servings of berries per day.

For breakfast, I had:

2 scrambled eggs - plain.. nothing mixed in
3 slices Oscar Meyer Center Cut bacon
1/2 cup blueberries
mega coffee (as usual) with real 1/2 n 1/2

I'm not yet ready for veggies at breakfast... although someone suggested a small sweet potato and I could do that.. have to go get some small ones... lol

yummy !!!!

Stacy - I'm no doctor... for sure.... but I did read a couple of people say that their IBS was improved by following this diet.... you might want to do a search on the Mark's Daily Apple website for IBS and see what they say.

Anyway...

Its a clean slate this morning for everyone... thank you for the pass FnV.

I'm off to the gym.... treadmill....
then this afternoon, some kind of gentle upper body workout.

If we can just maintain for 2 more weeks, we'll be ready for the new year.

Make it a great day my friends.....

We CAN do this... we ARE doing this....

Progress, not Perfection !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Yes! Great to see everyone!

I just completed Athletic Training from LIS. I think it is considered a circuit but starts out with intense warm up and intense cardio segment lasting around 20 minutes. My experience is that all of these workouts are more fun as I get leaner and more fit. I am looking forward to feeling really good in my skin again.

Deanna, : ) for dancing on Friday and also that you are seeing improvement in your thumb pain with your brace.

Protein shake for breakie so far---
 
Evening Ladies ;)

I am about to leave work for the day within the next 10min. I am going home to workout not sure which dvd I will do but I am going to do something.

Will check back later.
Deanna

I attempted to do 49.5 min of Butts and Guts. All I can say is my Butt is going to be on fire tomorrow.
I will see you all in the AM for coffee. :)
 
Last edited:
Good morning. I worked 12 hrs yesterday, got home and crashed, so sry for no post. I did weigh in yesterday and I stayed the same, so basically I think my scale is broken, lol....there's NO way I couldve stayed the same eating what I ate for the past few days. In the past my big meals tend to be reflected on the scale a few days later, so it'll be Thursday's weigh in that will bite me in the butt!

I'm off today, woke up with a headache though. I'll report back later as I have no clue what my plans are for today beyond coffee!!
 
Good morning !!!

Deanna - lol.... Butts & Guts is one of the new ones that I bought a couple of weeks ago. It's a killer... for sure. I haven't tried it yet... I need to work up to it.. but I did watch it all the way through... does that count? :p

Just a quick note... need to get ready to meet my friend at the gym... shall do my treadmill... today is cardio day.

I never did do my upper body workout yesterday.. but did do treadmill.

If I can just do treadmill 5 mornings a week until Jan 1st, I'll be happy.

Still on the Paleo eating plan... so far so good... going to weigh myself before I head to the gym..

bbl...

Make it a great day my friends.

Progress, not Perfection !!!!!!!
 
Hi girls~

I've got my wt worksheet for Muscle Endurance printed out and that is on tap for me today. It will be a new workout for me. Susan, do you like ME or MM? I can't remember. The MET value for ME was a little bit higher and the workout is a little bit shorter so I went with that one for today. I will let you know how I "endure".

Techie accomplishment-Finally got my wireless printer on my network yesterday!

Noticed when I was in workout manager that I (re) gained 10 pounds in two months (coinciding with my statistics class!). I don't think I've ever gained that much weight in that short amt of time. WOW.

Deanna, great job on BG! I love that workout in a sick way. You've got to be ready to dig in when you pull that one out, congrats!

Stacy, please hang in there with us. You can coast until holidays are over if you want, but don't be afraid to come here and dump. We need your support! OOps, there you are Stacy, I missed your post. Hey a break-even is a break-even, Take it!

Susan, I agree w/ you, re keeping up with the exercise habit via treadmill. But maybe consider taking whatever total body or split body workout you like and just doing one of the body parts per day when you get home from gym? I enjoy the simplicity and efficiency of one body part per day and used Power Hour, BM2, LIC etc in that manner for a long time.

Primal/Paleo reflections-1. I was 100% PP yesterday, and I dropped my pound again. 2. Cathe featured Paleo in her blog yesterday. 3. Definitely notice change in potty habits. 4.If you are not eating grains or sugar or cheese or legumes, there are no late night snack binge foods available! 5. For me, When eating grains and sugar, there is a constant negotiation in my head about what/how much/when I can eat. I guess that is the carb addiction/craving? I am surprised at how quickly those thoughts fall away once those carbs are all removed from diet.6. Hopes that this diet discussion isn't overwhelming check in mates.


OKIES, BBL
 
Last edited:
Hi Stacy - we must have been typing at the same time this morning !! Fantastic job on staying even with your visit to the family. That's incredible !!!
If we can all maintain til Jan 1st, we'll be ready to kick ass again.....

FnV - I don't own Muscle Endurance, it's Muscle Max that I love. Simple, classic weight workout. Funny you should suggest doing just one body part per day.... I was thinking along similar lines while on the treadmill i.e. just do a little bit of one weight workout.... not beat myself up trying to do the whole thing in one session. I'll do that this afternoon.

I would like to own Muscle Endurance but it comes on an expensive DVD with something else that doesn't interest me. But I have High Reps.. aren't they similar?

re: Paleo/Primal.... I have found that I'm not hungry... AT ALL... between meals. Incredible. When I was eating tons of wheat and sugar I was hungry all the time. I've lost 1.5 pounds since Saturday morning, with very little exercise.

I did notice the Paleo in Cathe's newsletter this week !!

A couple of things that I've learned from the Primal message boards:

It's important to stay hydrated (Deanna's got us going on that one !!!!)
Eat avocados and sweet potatoes to keep potassium levels good.
Take a Vit D supplement if you don't get enough sunshine.

Aim for about 85 grams of protein per day.
50 - 100 grams of carbs (from veggies and fruit - I'm including a sweet potato every day - for the carbs and potassium)
the rest is healthy fats ....

totally 180 degrees from what I've always been taught... yikes...

but... I'm enjoying the food
after I eat, I'm truly full and have no interest in snacking
at the end of the day, I've eaten far fewer calories than before

I too hope that all this Paleo/Primal isn't bothering you guys - Stacy and Deanna. If it is.. just holler.... we can certainly tone it down !!!

Make it a great day my friends !!!

I am truly grateful for your support and friendship....
 
Hey Ladies, sorry I missed coffee this morning. :(

I just wanted to pop in to say MY BUNS ARE ON FIRE from Butts and Guts lastnight.

I am going to do The Firm Express this evening. I brought the dvd guide to work so I can become more familar with the Rotation.

Okay, I will check back later.

Deanna
 
Hello, had to run out and do some last minute shopping...

Susan, I love all the Paleo/Primal talk!! I looked at both books while I was out and about and didnt buy either. I've accumulated too so many diet/fitness books over the years didnt want to buy another. Both seemed fairly similar to things I've read in other books, and when it comes down to it, I pretty much know my body and my IBS issues and what works and what doesnt, it's all a matter of doing it and staying consistent. I did browse thru some stuff on the blogs with respect to IBS. My IBS does improve when I eat better but eating too many fruits and veggies or eating them too many days in a row causes some major issues for me and certain ones will cause major problems within minutes of eating them. And, there are certain "forbidden" foods that help my IBS as well, ie. white rice and yogurt, so I wont be eliminating them. I've got alot of holiday house cleaning and food prep for relatives that are coming over I'm just trying not to binge at this point!

I still havent worked out, but definitely will do something tonight, it's been so long that I've done anything focused that I dont know what sounds appealing right now.

FnV...I have both Muscle Max and Muscle Endurance. I like both, but ME tends to have too many tall box work that bothers my knees, but it has a killer bicep section and I love Cathe's sinister, but cute laugh during it, hehe. For some reason, though I like Muscle Max it seems to drag on to me, but I do it anyways! I'm not a fan of the band tricep work in MMx, mostly b/c it hurts, lol!

I may whip out an oldie but goodie today....Power Hour. It's fun and seems to fly by!

Food today is so so...had a Jimmy Dean lite breakfast bowl....not the best but for 230 cals and 23 grams of protein plus no food in the house, it was okay. Lunch was leftover Chinese food from dinner last night. When we go out for Chinese I order it with no sauce so I basically had chicken/veggies/almond dish with steamed rice. I usually dont eat that much for breakfast and lunch as I did today so I'm really not even interested in dinner right now, we'll see what sounds good after my workout.

I'm rambling....

Susan...congrats on your new eating style! I'm planning on jumping in with you as soon as this week is over!!

Water, water, water!!
 
Evening Ladies :)

Came home and did The Firm Express. Supposedly you can Exercise LESS for FASTER results you only need 3, 20-minute workouts a week, see below link.

Weight Loss Workouts - FIRM Express Weight Loss Workout

I printed The FIRM Express Intermediate Workout Rotation Calendar, which is a 5 day per week rotation not 3 days. The best part is these workouts are only 20 minutes in length. Today was my first day doing the workout and so far no comparison to Cathe.

Okay ladies have a good evening,
Deanna
 
I'm back with nothing to report except a high cal dinner :(

I just feel so unmotivated lately. I'm hoping to get out of this funk soon.
 
SNAP OUT OF THAT FUNK STACY!!!!!!!! TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL REPORT THAT YOU DID A WORKOUT. :)

Stacy said:
I'm back with nothing to report except a high cal dinner :(

I just feel so unmotivated lately. I'm hoping to get out of this funk soon.
Click to expand...
 
Deanna, the Firms look pretty good, did you like the workout? The philosophy reminds me of the bodyrock.tv. Short and intense.

I did ok paleo/primal wise today, but I think my quantity was too much. I was craving fruit which usually means I am thirtsy but I kept eating protein instead. Oh well, lets see what happens tomorrow weigh in. I finally got some water. duh.

I picked up primal blueprint today from library. So far, that author is much more appealing than Cordain from paleo. My bullshit meter has gone off a few times reading that one. He dramatically over demonizes traditional school of thought to make a contrasting point which elevates his position.

Susan, when you are all done with your research, I'd like a nice Venn diagram showing the common and uncommon elements of the two programs, lol.

Stacy, sending you hugs, its a process and we are all slipping and sliding back and forth.
 
Morning :)

I have been trying not to get sick, but I am coming down with something. I beleive it is my sinus. Yesterday I woke-up with a sinus headache, the pain was between my eyes and my noise. I am not feeling fatigue just sneezing, coughing and my eyes are running. I should not have gone out in the rain on Sunday. Well I have a 3 day weekend coming up, plus I am only working 1/2 day on Friday, I will make sure I get my rest.

Fnv - Yes, I like The Fim workout mostly because it is short and sweet. The 8 second Intense blast are not comparison to Cathe's Intense blast. I think you are suppose to do the program for 30 days, I am going to give it a try. However if I find that it is not challenging enough I will do one of Cathe dvds. :)

Time to jump in the shower and get ready for work, will check in later.

Deanna

PS: I know I said I would not weigh myself until after the New Year, but I jumped on the scale this morning and is said drum roll please 176.2. When Susan and I started 8.22.11 my weight was 186. The last time I weighed myself was 10.19.11 and the scale said 176.6. I am not doing to bad during the Holiday season. When I was getting on the scale I was telling myself I better not be back up to 180.

My Goal is 160, so I have 16.20 lbs to go.
 
Last edited:
Wow, yea! Congrats Deanna! I will record a weigh in tomorrow, today was flu-flu'd up since I didn't do it til later in the morn, but at least it showed no change.

I realized during ME yesterday that I had done at least parts of it once (maybe upper body premix). I did ok knee wise on the high step but I wondered if it was going to be a problem. I feel like a stonger fitter me this morning. : )

Since MM is a little bit long, maybe I will do that one in upper/lower body split style first time I try it. I agree, PH is super fun for some reason.

Stacy, here is a thought from Primal "missed workouts drive recovery, improvement and freshness". So, imo, you've just been working on a different aspect of your fitness!

Susan, how is my Venn diagram coming along? : D Did you end up doing any weight work yest?

I want to do something like Low Max or IMAX 2 today or maybe a bootcamp? I'll let you know, but I better hurry up cuz have to take bf to airport soon.

And, its official, I am cooking Christmas Dinner! I bought a ham and some turkey breasts this morning. Did I mention that when I baked sweet potatoes last time I overcooked them and they ended up seeping out of foil and mucking up the oven?? :::not a cook:::
 
Good morning my friends !!

Great job on the workouts guys !!! I'll get caught up soon... lol. I promise.


Just seems to be a lot on my plate these days.... family issues... friends needing my help.. neighborhood issues.... ( 2 break-ins in townhouses directly behind me... scary stuff... this in a usually very safe and quiet neighborhood.... 4 break-ins in the last 6 weeks.... I'm calling ADT this afternoon)

FnV - quick note on The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf which I am just finishing up. He is a protege of Cordain .. the original Paleo guy. The science was compelling... but he too has an "attitude." Arrogant and flippant that is totally turning me off. No need to read his book if you've read Cordain. Exact same philosophy and attitude.

Going to read Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint next....

I think the key is eliminating wheat/gluten ..... Time will tell.. but I may end up just doing gluten free instead of full-bore Paleo/Primal. That would leave rice and beans and dairy in the eating plan.

I do think an emphasis on lean protein and veggies with fruit in moderation is the key.... but then add in some beans and rice and dairy (and eggs, of course).

But... still doing research... lol

In the meantime, I am sticking to lean protein, veggies, fruit in moderation, healthy oils (avocados, olive oil) and I am still eating some Greek yogurt and putting real half n half in my coffee... lol

Busy day today....

bbl..

Make it a great day my friends !!!!!

Remember...... Progress, not perfection.... I'm looking at you Stacy... You are doing great.

Remember when I was down in the dumps and feeling defeated a couple of weeks ago? It passed and I am back on the wagon.

You will be too.... We are here for you.. you know that...

baby steps when you can't manage anything more...

Progress.. NOT perfection !!!!
 
Last edited:
Weight Loss Ticker-- go to your Workout Manager, in the middle of the row at the very tippy top menu is "Cathe Fun". It has a few options. If you choose to import and update from workout manager, it will take whatever info you've put in there for a goal and will update ticker when you update your workout manager.

I should prob change my goal weight to a higher number. I can always readjust.
 
Deanna - Fantastic job on the weight loss !!! :D

and great job on following instructions !!!

Question: can I use the weight loss tracker without using the workout manager? i.e. can I adjust the weight loss tracker manually?

I'm down 2 pounds since starting the Paleo/Primal eating plan Saturday morning... and that's with just my morning treadmill workouts.

Of course.. unlike Deanna ... I had gained back the weight I had initially lost the first few months.....

but.... as we say.... :p

Progress, not Perfection !!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top