Last week was rough. The new workout routine had me so sore I didn’t want to move, I was getting advice left and right and I didn’t know how to process it (more on that in a minute) and my hormones were all over the place. However, I did see loss on the scale, and that was nice.
Ok, so I told you I was getting advice. All of it was unsolicited, but there’s a difference between helping with your advice and hurting someone’s feelings with it.
I was talking with some friends while participating in the Graffiti Run. Shelley told me she was going to give me unsolicited advice. She told me to cut down on my carbs and the proceeded to give me an example (1/2 mashed potatoes and 1/2 pureed cauliflower mixed together tastes just like regular mashed potatoes). I LOVE this kind of advice because it 1) warns me that the advice is unsolicited and I may not like (or listen) to it, 2) tells me what I should change and 3) HOW I can change it.
The other kind of advice (if you can call it that) goes something like this: “Your plate is WAY to carb-heavy.” All this does is hurt my feelings. I KNOW it’s too carb heavy, but I have a weakness for carbs. Should this person have said something along the lines of “You have too many carbs on your plate, but you could do this, this and this to change it,” I might not have been so put off by the so-called advice.
My unsolicited advice to you: If you give advice, make it HELPFUL not HURTFUL!
I got my Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU) at the end of the week. I am still getting used to it, but let me tell you a little about it:
The new Omron HR-500U strapless & continuous wrist Heart Rate Monitor takes away the need to use an annoying chest strap while exercising. Easy-to-use and comfortable, the HR-500U is worn on the wrist and provides accurate, continuous monitoring. You can also track your results and progress over time at OmronFitness.com on your own personal online dashboard.
Features:
- No Chest Strap— Just put it on your wrist and you’re ready to go
- Heart rate—Receive continuous monitoring of your heart rate
- Pace & Distance—Accurately tracks pace & distance during a run or walk
- Calories—Tracks calories burned during your workout
- Color LCD Heart Rate Zone Alert—Programmable zones warn you if you’re too high or too low with a simple, easy to read color
- Software – Upload data to your personal dashboard on www.OmronFitness.com with a USB cable
- Clock—Automatically resets; start with a clean slate each day
- Timer
- Backlight
- Water Resistant
- Rechargeable Battery
- Washable/Breathable wrist strap—Lightweight strap for added comfort
- MSRP $149.00
I really enjoy turning the monitor on in the morning and then watching my heart rate and the light change all day.
Some things that worked for me:
- Having prepared lunches has continued to work for me! I won’t be giving up on this anytime soon!
- The workouts are HARD! But, they are getting more manageable.
- KEEP MOVING! If I sit for too long, more sore thighs scream at me!
Some things I need to get better at:
- Getting all my steps in. My goal is 10K steps EVERY day.
- Getting my heart rate up more often.
- Eating less carbs. They are my weakness.
This week’s numbers (with the help of my husband):
- Application Weight (this was December, I believe) – 219
- Weight – 216.0 (No change, meh.)
- Waist – 46
- Hips – 47
- Arms – 16 1/2 (L), 16 1/4 (R)
- Thighs – 26.5 (L), 28.5 (R)
- Chest – 38.5
- Bust – 45
Total weight loss (SO FAR): 3.0 lbs.
Here are my before/after photos (as of now):
I can’t wait to see what next week’s numbers bring!
This is my last official post for the #Mamavation #iHeartOmron challenge, but the results won’t be revealed until the twitter party.
Join me at the #Mamavation twitter party on Feb. 20, 2013 from 8-10pm EST!! Make sure you RSVP here!
Will you join me at the twitter party?!
**Full Disclosure: This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families. I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.
Yay Sara! Even though we can’t SEE progress we know it’s there. I hear you on the carbs. SO hard!
What are you eating for lunches? I need some new ideas.
Thanks! I prep salads on Sunday night and then use leftover meat (from the night before) to add protein.
keep going mama! Good work!
Thanks! How’s your training going?
Sara,
I am SO very proud of you. I have been watching all your updates and photos and can see how motivated and determined you are. Keep sticking with this and I know all your hard work will pay off and it will all seem so worth it.
I want you to know, you have motivated me! I am drinking more water now thanks to your reminders and ordering a pedometer to start tracking my own steps … I know I need to move more as well.
Love you lady and BIG hugs!
Thank you so much, Stacy!! You will love having a pedometer – that first day you’ll think “that’s ALL I move?!” and then you’ll strive to make it more and more! It’s fun!
You are so cute!! Keep up the good work. (I LOVE CARBS TOO! STUPD DELICIOUS COMFORTING CARBS!!) 😉
I adore you honey. I’m glad you found my unsolicited advice helpful and not hurtful because I TOTALLY adore you and would NEVER EVER EVER EVER want to hurt your feelings. Much love! (sorry for all the caps LOL!)
You look great! I see a difference between the 2 pictures. And I love the advice about cauliflower and potatoes. I have a great low-carb recipe for faux-tatoes using cauliflower instead of the real deal and it’s awesome. Great for treat nights or comfort food when you crave it.
I don’t LOVE cauliflower, so as long as it doesn’t taste like ’em, I’ll try it!
You can totally do this! I’m excite for you!
You know what helps to really see your progress other than the scale? Take pics with the same outfit on every time. I couldn’t believe what a difference I had seen in my own body when I compared two pics with the same blouse on.
Thanks! I will have to do that. I really didn’t want to change when I took my before pictures. 😉
You’re doing great Sara! I’m so proud of you. You’ve been a great motivator for me with this competition and I appreciate it!
I won’t stop! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what we look like in 6 months from now!
You’re doing a great job!!
I can’t wait to see you in another month!
Thank you! And really, I can’t either! 😉
Great job, Sara!
I’m the same way — I know things are changing but I can’t see a difference yet. I have to keep reminding myself this challenge was a starting point and not the end of a race. It was about getting in the habit of exercising, learning how to work out correctly and about establishing healthy habits.
It. Is. Ok. if we don’t lose 39-million pounds in a month. Slow and steady can still win the race.
AB-SO-LUTE-LY!! I would have been happier with a little more than THREE pounds over the last three weeks, but it’s better than nothing!!
There is a huge difference between criticism and advice, and so many people are so quick to judge someone else and not afraid to tell them.
I loved seeing your updates, what you were eating, what you were doing, and how you kept getting more and more steps.
Remember the picture I put up of the lb of fat vs the lb of muscle? I totally see a difference in your face and your middle! Changing shape is good!
Thanks Kim! I think of that image often! A (real-life) friend had a bad week, so I shared that image with her!
Yes I will join you and congrats your progress is amazing!
You look great! I do see progress- Keep smiling!
Make advice HELPFUL not HURTFUL! Something all the interwebs needs a reminder of a lot. Glad the kind and constructive words were there for you.
You’re doing great Sara! Don’t let other people’s opinions hurt your feelings girl. At least you’re trying to eat healthier – that’s the first step! 🙂
Thanks Andrea!! 🙂
You look so happy! And I agree… advice should help not shame!
Congrats on your loss and seriously love the idea of adding cauliflower to mashed potatoes!
You can see a difference! I love carbs so could never cut them out, but will have a small baked potato, half of a serving of pasta (so if it says 1 cup cooked, I only do 1/2) with no bread on the side. I try to keep everything proportioned. My plate always has a serving of protein, a serving of carbs (which may be high carb fruits) and two servings of healthy greens. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! Yea, I couldn’t cut out carbs completely, but I am trying to eat less of them!