It’s time for Week 2 of the Cardboard Box Diet updates!
I mentioned before that I’m doing Weight Watchers and it was really good to come back to the meetings. My Leader was happy to see me (she even gave me a new book and said this was a “fresh start”. I love her!) and the meeting itself was a good one. It wasn’t hard to get back into the swing of things and for the first time in 6 weeks, I felt in control again. It’s a really good feeling.
I have a lot to say with the questions so let’s get right into it, shall we?
Weigh-In: I’m down 3.2 lbs this week! I’m majorly happy about that (duh), but I usually lose a good amount my first week back on WW. (Can you tell I’ve done this before?) When I’m following the plan, I usually lose about a pound a week so I don’t expect to lose 3 lbs every week – even on my best weeks. Still, it felt good to step on the scale and see such a dip. It gives me that much more motivation to keep at this!
Exercise Completed:
- Friday: Stationary bike (30 minutes) and then a Pinterest strength workout (only made it through once, though. So tough!)
- Saturday: Elliptical (30 minutes), treadmill on steep incline (15 minutes)
- Sunday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1, attempt at a walk with Dutch but he collapsed on a shady spot in the grass 10 minutes in so we went straight home!
- Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1, stationary bike (30 minutes)
- Tuesday: Rest
- Wednesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
- Thursday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
I decided to dedicate July to completing the “30 Day Shred” for the second time. Only I’m taking a rest day once a week so it’ll be more like the “26 Day Shred”. My first day was pure hell. I didn’t make it through any of the circuits without stopping multiple times and I think there was a part of me that forgot how hard this workout is. It may only be 20 minutes long but Jillian works you nonstop for those 20 minutes. I’m definitely seeing an increase in my endurance level, though, and I’m only really struggling with the strength sections as my arms tire out quickly. But this was a good week of exercise for me. I earned 17 activity points which I’m happy about.
Splurge/Guilty Pleasure: I tried to take it easy this week. My main focus was on tracking and staying on plan, which I did. Splurges were had, especially on Saturday when I ate 45 points (my limit is 26, although we do get weekly allotted extra points and earned activity points). Between a sub, four cookies, and a piece of pizza… it wasn’t the healthiest of days. But I had it and moved on. The rest of the week wasn’t anything like that.
Success Story: Staying on plan was relatively easy this week. Throwing a holiday in right before weigh-in was tough, but I fought through it. And when I went out to brunch on Sunday, I chose the healthy option of an egg-white omelet, fresh fruit, and whole wheat toast. It was yummy and filling and made me feel good about myself! All wins!
Recipe: I made two new recipes this week – yay! Both were from Skinny Taste. One was a mayo-less tuna salad that I doubled the recipe for to make a big bowl to divide up into lunches. It is seriously delish! It has a bitterness to it, thanks to the red wine vinegar and capers but it totally works to make the meal so good. My only complaint is that it isn’t filling enough so I’m not sure it’s something I would make again.
I also made her chicken taco chili on Sunday night, which my mom and I then had as leftovers on Monday and Tuesday. Again, delish! This one is making its way into my regular meal plan! (And yes, I am the girl who makes CHILI when it’s ninety degrees outside. Whatev’s.)
I would also mention to anyone doing Weight Watchers, if you use Skinny Taste for any meals, I strongly advise you to put all the ingredients in the recipe builder on eTools to make sure YOUR servings are coming out right. They weren’t for mine. (Her estimate was way, way more for my tuna salad but too low for the chili.)
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Feeling good about yourself is where it is ALL at girl! Holidays don’t count (I checked, it’s legit). Keep it up! I’m following along with you!
Thanks so much! Holidays make this so much harder, but there is something to be said about remaining on plan during a holiday. It gives you that extra motivation & willpower!
Good for you getting back on board with the Shred! I have started it what feels like a million times but have never finished the 30 days. And yay for Skinnytaste taco chili…I LOVE that (though its 100 degrees currently so I don’t think I could stand it). Congrats on your weight loss 🙂 Hope you have another good week!
Thank you! The Shred is so difficult but it feels good to see my endurance level increasing. It makes all the yelling at Jillian through the computer screen worth it. 😉
Wow congrats on the weight loss! You are doing amazing with the exercise thing. I like the 30 Day Shred Workout….I’ve never actually finished all of the workouts, but the level 1 and 2 I felt like were great workouts for me being home with a little one and 100 degrees outside. Have a great week!
Thanks so much!
The workouts are SO good when you don’t have a lot of time but want to get in a really kick-ass workout. Jillian is brutal! Haha.
I noticed the same thing – that many of her “points plus” values weren’t the same as when I added them together for myself. Bummer! But I just recently found her site and am finding oodles of ideas at least!
Yeah, I was a bit disappointed her chili was 2 points more than it said on the website, but she still has so many good options! I’ll probably spend the next few months just using recipes from her site. 😉
You are doing so good! Keep it up!
Congrats on the 3 pounds!! And thanks for sharing the link to Skinny Taste, I’d never heard of it before!
Keep up the good work!!
I officially need to reunite with Jillian. It’s time.
Good for you, girl! Sounds like you’re approaching it with the right attitude, which is way more than half the battle.
Jillian is so brutal. I think a part of me forgot since I’ve been doing her other DVD’s lately and was like, “Oh, the Shred is just 20 minutes! This will be easy!” UM, NO. So hard. But worth it. Even when I’m whimpering on the floor at the end. 😉
You did so well this week, good job girly! Jillian Michaels is HARD, but when you start to feel your endurance going up there is NO better feeling. By the end of the month you’ll be kicking butt at the work out! And who knows, you could always keep doing it and work at nailing level 2 or 3 which are, like, impossible. Well to me, haha 🙂 Keep it up!!
I start Level 2 on Wednesday and quite frankly, I’m terrified. That’s the hardest level and I’m still not fully comfortable with Level 1 yet! Eek.
Nice job on the weight loss! Good for you for setting the goal of completing the Shred again! I’ve started it but never finished….very hard but it does feel good when you can feel & see improvements!
It sounds like, overall, you had a good week. This is great! I really need to get myself back into shape so I won’t feel so miserable all the time.