Sparkly & Slimming….a Weight Loss Blog

Samantha's journey to slim down, while remaining sparkly!

May 13

Friday the 13th / Travel Tips

by sheissparkling

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My black cat, Ebony

Well kids, it’s Friday the 13th. I own a black cat. Am I doomed? 🙂  In the past it’s actually been a good day…so I’m hopeful. I weighed in this morning and was happy to not see 311. Instead, 310. OK, I lost a pound. Jewels and I talked last night about celebrating every victory, no matter how small. So, I will take that one pound with a smile! I won’t weigh-in again until after my trip and I am hopeful that I’ll be closer to getting under 300. Slow and steady baby, slow and steady!

I’ve got to pack for Cali this weekend, which includes my suitcase and my carry on. This got me to thinking about travel tips and I wanted to share some things I do, and get feedback on stuff you guys do.

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I used to hate flying because I would arrive bloated and grouchy. Then I started talking to frequent flyers and got the skinny on have a successful flight. Oh sure, you could still have delays/turbulence/flight neighbors so annoying they could be from Jersey Shore…but you can’t control everything! 😉

I always wear sneakers – flip flops might be good when you have to take your shoes off for security, but they are AWFUL for your feet, and dangerous! I sprained my foot a few years back in the airport wearing flip flops and it was horrible. It took months before I felt better. I travel in yoga pants and a t-shirt with a hoodie for when I get cold/need a pillow. I might not look amazing, but I’m comfortable and I feel great when I land! 🙂 I used to wear jeans, but let’s face it – sitting for that long will leave you with a button indent no matter how loose your jeans might be. Yoga pants seem more breathable and less constricting.

I try to avoid salt for a few days before (nothing like flying while already bloated!). The night before I fly I make sure I get a really good night sleep (when possible!) and use lots of moisturizer. I am also a fan of taking allergy pills for a few days leading up to the trip (I have seasonal allergies and I don’t take Allegra every day, only as needed). This ensures that if I land and something in the air doesn’t agree with me, my sinuses won’t be in total shock.

I also always pack Neutrogena face wipes ( I might be alone here, but planes make my skin feel yucky), hand lotion and a sleep mask. I never wear makeup when I fly, and I try to wear my glasses instead of contacts when possible. I also prefer to fly at night/on the red-eye because then I’ve had all my meals. Sadly during this trip the prices didn’t work out to take night flights. So, I’m leaving Boston at 9am on Tuesday and landing in SF at 12:30/1pm. This means my body will think it’s 3:30/4pm and I will be famooshed (worse than famished!). I plan to pack a banana, some Kind bars and some almonds to hold me over until we can get some food.

Anyone have ideas for portable, non-perishable snacks I can bring?

Flying home we leave SF at 7am (which means we are getting up at 4am…let’s not even talk about how thrilled I am, K?) and landing in Boston at 4pm (damn you jet stream!). This means I will be eating breakfast and lunch on the plane. I’m thinking of packing a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, along with snacks. But, I’m open to any other ideas!

Someone just happened to post this article in my FB news feed and there are some more interesting tips! I wish someone would invent a way to teleport you and your luggage to a destination. Flying is such a pain! 🙂

What things do you guys do ahead of time/in flight to help you feel great when you arrive at your destination?

Have a great weekend everyone!

General Weightloss Babble Weekly Weigh-In

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Apr 29

Breakfast and some Friday Blah-Blah-Blahing!

by sheissparkling

Happy Friday!

Is it just me or has this felt like the longest week EVER? I’m ready for a weekend, like woah! 🙂

Sadly, I’m not ending my week on a good note. I’m up 1.5 pounds. I will say I think 2 things are to blame: lack of exercise (I was a slacker this week, I can admit it) and salt. I have been eating a LOT of salty food lately and I have the bloat to prove it. So, this weekend I am going to get hardcore! I have 4 workouts planned (2 outside, with moves inspired by Bob Harper. Love him!) and 2 at the gym using a combo of machines and free weights. I think the secret to consistent weight-loss is going to be mixing it up a lot. My body seems to get used to the workouts I do, then they aren’t as effective. So, I shall mix things up and hope for a better weigh-in next week. I would REALLY love to be under 300 by San Fran (I leave May 18th) – but I’m afraid losing 15 pounds in 18 days is just not feasible. Oh well, I came close!

I’m having a bit of a food dilemma, and I’m hoping to get input from you guys. I cannot seem to find a low-calorie breakfast that I enjoy eating and doesn’t bother my stomach. I love eggs, but they just don’t sit well. Neither does yogurt or cottage cheese before lunch. (I know it’s weird, my stomach has a mind of its own). As a result of this I end up usually having toast / english muffin / bagel / muffin. All of those options aren’t ideal as they don’t keep me full very long.

So, I need a breakfast idea that incorporates some protein (to keep me full) and doesn’t have dairy/eggs.  What are you guys eating? (Sidenote: I’d prefer something that’s quick to make – I’m not a morning person and if I have to clean a pan after making breakfast, I probably won’t bother).

Someone at work suggested oatmeal, and pointed out that if I was running late in the morning I could even get it at Starbucks or McDonalds. I laughed on the inside, because I am completely anti-McDonald’s (as you guys know) and because my friend Cecilia posted a link about that infamous Mickey D’s oatmeal earlier this week! Why oh why would there be 21 ingredients in oatmeal?!  “A more accurate description than “100% natural whole-grain oats,” “plump raisins,” “sweet cranberries” and “crisp fresh apples” would be “oats, sugar, sweetened dried fruit, cream and 11 weird ingredients you would never keep in your kitchen.” Yuck!

Has anyone tried it? It only has 300 calories, which I’d be fine with – it’s the 11 weird ingredients I can’t get with. I have had Starbucks Oatmeal and it’s pretty decent. Of course, I find oatmeal is better when loaded with brown sugar and maple syrup…not exactly a healthy choice! 😉

There has to be a quick, tasty breakfast solution out there right?

An update to my migraine post- I think I may have found part of the culprit! I looked closely at my food journal and chatted w/ my mom and my BFF Jewels. Coffee at night (after dinner) is present about 80% of the times I wake up with a headache/migraine! So, I’ve cut the coffee at night. It’s painful, I can’t lie. I am a “little treat” or “little dessert” person and coffee at night took the place of that. Now I need to find something else to take the place of the coffee! Since summer is here, I might need to bring back the all-fruit popsicles or Crystal Lite – but I’d love to hear suggestions. What “treat” do you guys enjoy during the summer that won’t break my calorie bank or give me a migraine? (Sidenote: I could switch to decaf – but I think cutting it out all together would be better). I’m thinking of actually cutting out coffee from May 1st- May 15th as a kick. We’ll see, I’m not completely sold the idea just yet.

Is the weather going to be nice where you are this weekend? Boston is supposed to be sunny and in the 60’s – which is divine weather for exercising outside and doing a nice spring cleaning. I am a complete clotheshorse and really need to pare down what I currently own. If I’m not wearing it now, and it won’t fit in the next 6 months – it’s gotta go. I’m big on donating unused items to organizations like Goodwill, and I just read somewhere that a lot of donation sites up here will be sending things down to the folks in the south who have been devastated by tornadoes. That motivates me even more to get my unworn clothes to a good home!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Food Findings Weekly Weigh-In

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Feb 7

Fat Club

by sheissparkling

I have dubbed Weight Watchers as “Fat Club” because really, it’s a club of fat people trying to be less fat. I think it’s kind of funny to say I’m “off to fat club!” and I was delighted to find this graphic from the 80’s:

ImageAwesome right?!

I kinda want a shirt with that logo on it! 😉

Anyways, I had my second WW weigh-in yesterday and I am down another 4 pounds! That’s a total loss of 7 pounds in 2 weeks, which makes me really happy.  I’m still heavier on their scale then I am on mine (348 on their, 338 on mine) – but I’m happy to see those numbers going down. Especially since I only exercised ONCE last week.  I’m honestly loving the new plan – I don’t find myself ravenously hungry – and I am much more conscious of my eating. I’m definitely happy I rejoined. Oh, and I found a leader I like! Hooray! 🙂

This weeks handout covered “why do we eat?” – something I’ve personally explored a million times. I’m bored, I’m happy, I’m sad….I eat. I’m more in tune with my emotions than I used to be, but I still definitely associate eating with feelings. Weird I suppose. Do “normal people” associate food with feelings?

The topic also included “reframing” a situation. The phrase “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want at the moment” came into play and while I find it a little cheesy, it is true. So often I will forgo my personal goals for cheesecake or crème brûlée. Some of the “tips” given were a little cheesy. “If you find yourself craving ice cream – go for a walk!”. It’s not that it’s not a good idea, it’s just not exactly revolutionary. Ya know? Tell me something I haven’t heard a millions times before, and I might be more receptive to the cheesy quotes, haha.

In other news, I have exactly 100 days until my vacation – eeeeep!!

I have so many things  I would LOVE to wear to SF (including the aforementioned capris and espadrilles) – I decided to hang a few of the items on the outside of my armoire as a motivation. They are the first thing I see when I wake up – and the last thing I see before I go to bed. I still wish I could make a countdown calendar like in “I Used to be Fat” – but I’m way too lazy to sit here and write out 100 numbers on giant posterboard. I guess I could use funky colored paper? Hmmm….perhaps a project for tonight while I watch “Heavy”!

General Weightloss Babble Weekly Weigh-In

8 Comments »
Dec 1

Dec 1st Weigh-in….

by sheissparkling

Well, it’s December 1st. That means weigh-in day….and I’m pretty pissed.

In the ENTIRE month of November I lost 8 pounds. I’m at  342.

EIGHT! How in HEAVENS is that possible?!?!?!?!?!?! I went to the gym SEVENTEEN TIMES! I logged 50 miles on the treadmill and according to fitday.com I burned 34,000 calories (which is roughly 10 pounds).

I’m just confused, and sad. I thought weighing in less frequently would make me feel better- and it hasn’t. I feel terrible now.

If I step back, I feel STRONGER, my clothes fit better, etc etc. But, why aren’t I seeing that progress on the scale?! I don’t know.

I’m going back to weighing in every week – and I am making my December fitness challenge to log 1 hour of INTENSE cardio every day until Jan 1st- every on Xmas! 🙂

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Weekly Weigh-In

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