Who Doesn't Love The 80's?

I found this 80's work dress.....ok actually my friend Shana from Colorblind found it and MADE me try it on. I was like "Eww.  UGLY!" 

But when I tried it on I sorta liked it.  Now she says

 "I told you so."

Whatever.  I like the 80's.

So much so that I am doing a throwback 80's Jane Fonda video tonight to celebrate this fabulous dress.

Other 80's (maybe 90's) workouts I like:

The Ab Roller

The Thigh Master

Step Aerobics

The song Let's Get Physical by Olivia Newton John

Leg warmers

Dancing like I was on the movie Flash Dance

Here's to the 80's!


PS - I just learned what the song "Let's Get Physical" is really about.  As a kid I thought she just really wanted to work out.....

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Update!

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 151

Weigh in This Week: 150

Total Weight Loss This Week: 1

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 20

Slowly, but surely the weight is coming off....once you get to the last few pounds it gets TOUGH!

Hopefully next week Jessica can say BYE BYE 150's... 

How To Push Through The Last Few Pounds

1. Drink lots of water 
2. Change up your workout (do something new)
3. Track your food (this is the hardest one)
4. Incorporate extra workouts that are fun like hiking, walking with a friend (or dog) 
5. Stick to fruits and vegetables for snacks
6. Watch sodium intake

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Update!

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 152

Weigh in This Week: 151

Total Weight Loss This Week: 1

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 19

I gotta hand it to Jessica......get it?  She's sitting in a hand chair....I think I am SO FUNNY sometimes (ok, really just dorky).  

So it's time to get real.....

Ok, so I did it again!  Haha. Time to get real while she is standing next to a clock...ok, I'll stop.

Clearly, she looks great and is SO CLOSE to entering the 140's before October 1st.  Losing 2 pounds a week has proven to be TOUGH.  It was an aggressive goal to begin with.  Real life just happens and sometimes your body just gets to a certain weight and likes it. PLUS, Jessica is 22 and wants to live life which sometimes means having one too many drinks and eating brunch while being hungover the next day.  We've all been there.  

For the most part she stays away from bad food but once in awhile you have to embrace the oversized ice cream.

DID YOU KNOW:                                That people are more likely to stay fit  & healthy when they have a friend (or significant other) to work out with?  Well it's true....which is why I want to announce a new client and Jessica's good friend Caitlyn who will be my next Lifestyle Makeover client!

Meet Caitlyn:

Partners in Crime.  Both can influence one another to stay on the health and fitness GAME PLAN.

Stay Tuned for more Jessica/Caitlyn tales.  Two friends with very different lifestyle makeover agendas.  

xoxox

Sarah

Jessica Update!

I'm a TERRIBLE blogger.  I've basically got blogger A.D.D.  Ya know,  when something sounds good at the time and you go full force and then get a little burned out?  It happens to the best of us.

Well I'm back on the blogging track and wanted to give a quick update on Jessica.  She is doing amazing and is continuing to work out, eat healthfully and lose weight.  She weighs in again tomorrow and I'll post the results.  

The best part is that she is now got her friend on the same workout track.  So glad to see that Jessica is taking what she learned and sharing it with others!  That is what this journey is all about.  

PS - Does Jessica not look AMAZING in that bathing suit?  She has come a long way....

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Week 9

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 157

Weigh in This Week: 155

Total Weight Loss This Week: 2

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 17


Another great week!  Holy hot red dress!


I've been so bad this week about blogging!  It was a busy work week, my birthday and I leave for the beach tomorrow.  I'm exhausted just writing all of that down.  Thankfully I squeezed in 3 days of yoga, a spin class and a 30 minute jog.    


Will have a guest blogger next week.....wait and see.


xo
Sarah

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Week 8

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 159

Weigh in This Week: 157

Total Weight Loss This Week: 2

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 15

Can I just say how incredible she looks in stripes!  

Holy cow the weight continues to drop!  Slow and steady weight loss usually stays off.  Jessica is a perfect example of someone who just changed her eating habits and exercised.  Nothing drastic.  No cabbage soup diet.  No cayenne pepper lemon drink diet.  I've pretty much let Jessica figure out the last few weeks on her own and she has done well.  Jessica has got the hang of it and has yet to hit a plateau.  If she hits a plateau we'll switch things up a bit.  For now it is just calorie counting on www.livestrong.com & exercise.  

Only 17 pounds to go!

Now back to.....

THE

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge 

14 days worth of Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

DAY 9

Ab Challenge:  Lie flat on your back with your legs out and your arms stretched out above your head (on the floor).  Come up in a quick move and touch your toes.  Blow out two times.  This is done in Bikram Yoga and I love it. 

Do 3 sets of 12.

Healthy Habit Challenge:  Eat something you've told yourself you don't like.  Maybe you'll like it this time.  I swore to my husband that I HATED beets.  He asked that I give them another try and I did.  Beets are not so bad.  I just had an image from when I was 12 that I hated beets.  Well guess what.  I'm no longer 12 and have changed my tastes quite a bit.....beets are good.

This also happened with goat cheese.  I actually didn't like it but kept giving it a try until I found one I liked.  Humbolt Blue Goat Cheese.....I love you.

Positive Thinking Challenge:  Send someone a care package (or card) in the mail.  Getting mail is fun and you know it.  Why mail makes my day I have no idea!!

Hello 150's...Are you there? It's me....Jessica.

JESSICA'S WEIGH IN WEEK 7

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 161

Weigh in This Week: 159

Total Weight Loss This Week: 2

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 13

Jessica was doing the happy dance this morning when she found out she entered the 150's!  She hasn't been there since high school and doesn't plan to go back.  Jess has had slow, steady and most importantly permanent weight loss.  Her 3 major keys to success this far:

1.  Eating 6 small meals a day & recording what she eats.....and I mean EVERYTHING.  Even the pizza and beer she had a few weeks ago.

2.  Investing at least an hour 6 days a week at the gym (this won't be the case forever but just until she reaches her goal).

3.  Only weighing herself once a week.  Getting on the scale daily can actually cause frustration.  You go up, you go down all depending on how much salt you've had, water you've drank and about a million other things.  Once a week is PLENTY!  And way more exciting.

She is pretty much doing this right now

Now back to...... 

THE

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge 

14 days worth of Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

DAY 6


I got a little help from Allison on the ab exercise for today:

Ab Challenge:   Scissor Kicks.  

Healthy Habit Challenge:  Stretch for 10 minutes.  You can even do it while you watch TV.  I NEVER stretch and pay for it every time I go to yoga and the instructor tells me she can tell I never stretch.  I can't even touch my toes!

"Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Positive Thinking Challenge:  Tell someone you love why you love them.  Even if you've already told them before.....it never gets old to the person receiving.  I love my my best friend Shana from ColorBlind.  She is someone who always tells me the truth, makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts and sometimes finishes my sentences in a way that no one else can....so freaky....seriously....

Have an amazing day!


PS - I had to post this pic of my outfit I got for $6.99.  I was pretty proud of myself!  Had a blast finding it with my friend Susie who owns this cute shop called Black Eyed Susie's.  If you are ever in DC you have to check her store out.

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Week 6

There is much to celebrate this week!

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 164

Weigh in This Week: 161

Total Weight Loss This Week: 3

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 11

HUGE week for many reasons!  First of all she surpassed the 10 pound mark.  Ten pounds is not easy and a great milestone on this journey.  Second, she is only a few pounds away from entering the 150's!  Woo hoo!  Jessica hasn't been in the 150's since high school.  Third, her clothes are WAY too big on her and everyone continues to notice her weight loss.  Who doesn't love hearing someone say how great you look or ask if you've lost weight!  Compliment are ALWAYS welcomed in my book.

All of my fashion bloggers are going to have to help make Jessica over once she gets closer to her goal!  

Normally, I post the weigh in on Monday however we had a bit of a hiccup yesterday and waited until today to share results.  Yesterday when Jessica got on the scale it showed that she was still 164.  She had felt a little off yesterday and was disappointed to not have any weight loss for the week.  Low & behold she woke up today feeling much better and when she got on the scale it showed 161.  Lesson Learned: Being self aware of your body is really important.  A scale is only a scale.  We know when our bodies aren't quite right.  Your intuition and gut instincts should always trump a scale!

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Week 5

Goal Weight (by Oct 1): 140

Last Week's Weight:  164

This Week's Weight:  164

Total Weight Lost This Week:  0

Total Weight Lost Since May 30th: 8 

Win of the Week:  Jessica now fits back into her skinny jeans!  That is a reason to celebrate!  We all have those few articles of clothing we hang on to in the hopes of fitting into them someday!  Well.....Jessica actually fits into her favorite skinny jeans again.  She was pretty happy and wore the jeans a few night in a row out of sheer pride.  LOVE IT!

Lesson Learned:  Holiday Weekend + Guests In Town = Lots of Beer, Food & Celebrating.  Yikes!  It is SO HARD to follow a diet and exercise plan with a guest in town over a holiday weekend that revolves around BBQ's.....and honestly you don't want to pass those moments up.  So while Jessica didn't lose weight she didn't gain it either which is pretty exciting.  We will just incorporate a more strict regiment next week.     

My Recommendation for Holiday Weekends:  

1. Eat before you go to BBQ's so you're not STARVING when you get there.  If you are famished when you arrive it is likely you will have one piece of pie too many.
2. Meet up with people after everyone is done eating.  If you just don't have the willpower (that is me) then arrive a few hours after the party starts.  Then you won't be tempted at all....This of course is the less fun option....
3. Limit beer!  The term "beer belly" was not created from the lack of drinking beer.  It is empty calories, has no nutritional value and LOADED with calories. Check out my BBQ beer recommendations from a previous post HERE.

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Week 4

So I've been a bit MIA!  I guess you could call me Get Up & Gone not Get Up & Go.....I had a little trouble staying focused on my recent trip to Las Vegas.  How was I supposed to find my get up & go when I was distracted by this.....

 

So now you at least know what I had to deal with.  Co workers and cowboy hats.  So now to the real reason for this post......

Weight Last Week:  167

Weight This Week: 164

Weight Loss for the Week: 3 (Woo to the Hoo) 

Total Weight Loss Since 

Monday, May 30th: 8 

Jessica lost the most weight this week while I was out of town......hmmmmm....maybe I've got something to learn.

We are 30 days in and here are the differences she notices so far:

1.  Mood - Leaving the gym makes her happier.  At first it was tough because she wasn't regularly working out and was always sore.  Now she has a foundation of fitness to work from.

2.  She doesn't find the dieting part as hard as she thought.  I asked her what she missed the most and she said nothing.  I really haven't heard her crave much since she started.  Impressive!  She still has a few sweets every week (this week a cookie and a Weight Watchers dessert bar).

3.  The gym has officially become part of her daily routine.  Even on her off days Jessica finds herself wanting to do something active.          

Who knows.  Maybe she'll hit the 10 pound mark next week!

xo,

Sarah

Weigh In Week 4, a photo by Sarag.G.Grecco on Flickr.

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover: Weigh In #3

This is Jessica with her
 "I bet you can't guess how much weight I lost" face.....

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover

Weigh in Number 3

Weight Last Week:  169

Weight This Week: 167

Weight Loss for the Week: 2 

Total Weight Loss Since 
Monday, May 30th: 5 

Jessica is on a steady road to a healthier lifestyle!  Slow & consistent weight loss is the best way to make sure the weight stays off long term.  GO JESSICA!


Lesson of the Week: Know what you eat BEFORE you eat it!


Jessica has been so diligent about tracking what she eats on www.livestrong.com.  I'm impressed by her will power and ability to say no to things like chocolate cake.  The website is great because it accounts for your own height, weight and age along with your personal weight loss goal.  Jessica's goal is 2 pounds per weeks which is no easy task.  The site also breaks down the percentage of carbs, fat, fiber & protein you eat daily so that you can see where you might be off balance.  Anyway, she has been doing amazing minus one little lesson we learned on Father's Day.......my husband made spare ribs on the grill to celebrate the occasion.  Jessica and I opted for turkey burgers (which were delicious by the way) but decided to splurge on 1 spare rib each.  How bad can it be right????   WRONG MOVE!  After dinner we looked up how many calories and fat are in one rib and in ONE RIB there are 300 calories and 26 grams of fat!!!!  That is almost all of her fat grams for one day!  While the ribs were delicious it wasn't really worth it.  Splurging is great but we now know we need to look things up before hand.  I'm normally pretty good at knowing how many calories are in food but ribs I was clearly not in the know.  After dinner we decided to take a quick stroll around the neighborhood to at least work off the calories in the ribs......One hour and 3 long hills later the rib calories were gone.

Jessica's Second Official Weigh In

Don't forget about Sarah's Music Madness Giveaway!  Click HERE to enter for a free $25 iTunes gift card.

Jessica's 2nd Official Weigh In

Last Week Weight:  169
This Week Weight:  169
Weekly Weight Loss:  0 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 3 lbs
Goal Weight:  140 by October 1st

Many of you might be thinking Bummer, she didn't lose any weight this week but actually this week was a MAJOR success!  Jessica spent 5 days at the beach with friends which isn't the best environment to go hard with your lifestyle makeover workouts.  You've got things like beer, drinks with umbrellas and fried food on the boardwalk.  With all of that temptation Jessica managed to maintain her weight for the week.  YAY!  How did she do it?  Below are a few actions she took to ensure she did the best she could while also trying to have fun and take a beach vacation:

1. She made sure not to eat out for breakfast or lunch.  She purchased her own healthy snacks and made lunch so that she was never hungry but always had food ready.  
2. Jessica spent lots of time getting in the water which actually is a great way to burn calories on vacation.
3. Her dinner choices included seafood with no butter and things like shrimp which are high in protein and low in calories.  
4. Ate pizza - YES!  This is good!  Splurging a little is important while you are on vacation.  Jessica used PORTION control so she could have what she wanted without going crazy.

All in all it was not a big weight loss week but successful as she used what she has learned and did the best she could.

Also, today is Jessica's birthday!  She indulged in a little piece of pie but proceeded to leave the rest at her mother's house.....smart choice!