Before Picture, 4 Weeks Into the Program

So far PTWT (that would be short for Potty Training - Weight Training if you're in the know) has 7 followers. One is my sister, and another better be my husband. Roughly one-third of my loyal following (that would be two people) asked, "Where are your before pics?" Frankly, I didn't want to show them. But I suppose it only makes sense since I'm attempting to get in the best shape of my life to have a "before" and "after" shot...so here you go.

What? The picture's not real clear? It's far away and a bit grainy? Bummer. No idea how that happened. I really did want it come come out crystal clear.

Training & Vacation: NOT a Good Mix

I'm starting to notice a trend. Three quarters of the pictures I've posted are foods I can't eat. And it's possible I may sound a little whiny about eating the same seven foods each day and missing out on all of the others. But there's a good reason for that. I'M EATING SEVEN FOODS EVERY DAY FOR NEARLY A MONTH! And they do not consist of pizza and ice cream. This morning my special treat is cinnamon in plain Quaker Oats oatmeal, and this is actually my favorite meal of the day!

Nothing compares, though, to how hard it is to be on vacation and not eat *real* food. I just returned from the BlogHer conference in Chicago. Though I did eat a few things not on my 7-food menu (strange they didn't have grilled chicken and steamed broccoli at the Ragu luncheon) I did pass up free Hershey bars, Reese's peanut butter cups, truffles, and Sour Patch Kids, all of which were given to me as a part of the swag. No chocolate chip muffins at breakfast or nachos for lunch. No cheesburger and fries at a burger joint; instead, chicken breast, no topping for me. No ice cream sundae bar, canolli or chocolate covered chocolate chip cookies. *Sigh*

How did I do it?

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
- Friedrich Nietzsche

And I'm definately still alive and well.

Seven Pounds in Two Weeks: Results!

Yesterday marked two weeks since I began this crazy journey from potty training (which is not going so well) to weight training and my quest to become a legitimate Figure competitor. And after all these years I finally know the secret of the super moms who loose all their baby weight in a week...or so it seems.

They don't eat!

Sorry it's not such an exotic answer, but I wake up every morning realizing all of the foods I know and love are no longer on my palate. I think about the camping trip we just finished, the conference in Chicago coming up, and I'm slightly miserable knowing how difficult it is to pass up breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert and replace it with the same measly 7 foods I've been eating over the last two weeks. You know it's bad when you get lettuce OK'd by your trainer, and its like hitting the lottery! I don't even like salad but now it's become my new best friend.

But as I suspected, the results (almost) make it worth it. Seven pounds in two weeks! I've never lost that much weight so quickly in my entire life. Not to say this hasn't been the hardest thing I've ever done, but getting on the scale does make the effort that much more worth it.

I'll Have a Medium Hot Water, Please

I'd love to say it's getting easier to eat so few foods (none of which are cake and ice cream) but that wouldn't be entirely true...yet. I crave for more variety and long to just have a bite of something not doused in balsamic vinegar or pepper for flavor. On the other hand, I'm a long way away from the meltdown of last weekend, more resigned to a new reality. After all, I did apply twice for Survivor in which case I'd be eating even less! They would probably die for a 4 oz. piece of chicken. Once results become more evident I think training for a Figure competition will get easier. I fit into a pair of pants for the first time in almost four years (had two babies in the last three) which was exciting, so I can imagine results are a powerful incentive.

Another challenge lies ahead this weekend as we take the kids camping for the first time with friends. As they eat hot dogs and potato salad and make Dunkin Donut runs, I'll be carrying along my oatmeal ordering hot water to mix with it rather than a medium chai tea and blueberry cake donut. I'll be doing so, however, in a pair of pants I was afraid would never again fit after having two babies back to back...some consolation at least.

Blog Name Identity Crisis: Help!

The most talented artist and designer in the world Gisele Jaquenod (who is also not a bad geography teacher as well) is working on a new template for this blog. In the meantime, I'm having a naming crisis and need help. Which do you think? 1. From Potty Training to Weight Training 2. From Potty to Weight Training 3. Potty to Weight Training Remember the name will also be the url address; on one hand shorter is better but I like #1. Help!

On a progress note, now that I'm over the meltdown of the last few days, I've got my eye on the goal once again. The challenge will be two (not one but two) trips in the next two weeks. We're taking the kids camping for the first time this weekend, and next weekend is the big BlogHer conference in Chicago. I'm working on how exactly that will happen since my diet consists of exactly 7 foods, but aside from that all is well.

Oh yeah, lost 4 lbs. and counting since last Monday. Whoo-hoo!!

Struggles Develop Strength: Still On Board

I just about lost it this weekend. It all started with a trip to the local summer festival and a potato pancakes craving and ended last night with my first trip to the grocery store on the diet. So much food and so many things I couldn't eat. Shaun, my ever so patient trainer, dealt with my frantic emails like a trooper. I began to think maybe just looking my absolute best and not necessarily competing would be an OK goal. I thought maybe we could postpone the misery...I mean diet...until fall when I'm back to work and not so tempted by summer stuff. In short, I took my eye off the goal.

I talked to my husband who says I should "go for it." (As he eats licorice thank you very much.) I talked to my little sister. The one I'm supposed to give advice to who suddenly starts throwing my own quotes back in my face. I remind myself of Eleanor Roosevelt and her always inspiration words. And then this on my Facebook (courtesy of little sis):

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." -Arnold Scharznegger

I really have met my match this time. But I'm still on board.

Eleanor Roosevelt Told Me, "No Ice Cream"

How can you go through life without eating ice cream? Or pizza? Or even a few months? Since starting my diet in a quest to transform from regular mom to Figure competitor, I've been on a diet of lean meats and veggies for one week, and the only things I can think about are:

Ice Cream
Pizza
Potato Pancake
Funnel Cakes (Went to a local festival Friday.)
Enchiladas

Is it healthy or good to be obsessing over the things I can not have? I doubt it. But being a teacher with the summer off, I have a lot of time to think (about food) and so I have. I'm usually pretty good about motivating myself. I even started a cosmetics company, Ispiri Cosmetics, which puts inspirational quotes on the packages since I believe that strongly in the power of inspirational words. However, when you're at a church picnic with friends, feeding potato pancakes to the kids and watching them eat meatball sandwiches while you drink a protein shake, it's a different story.

I'm trying to remember that Eleanor Roosevelt, my hero, told me to do this. She said "Do the thing you think you can not do." And that is one reason I'm depriving myself since I knew from the start this would be a biggie.

Temptation averted...this time.

Day Five & Still Alive...Kind Of...

So after five days of my new diet I've learned a few things about transforming from a regular mom of two with extra baby weight to loose (after a year) to a legitimate Figure competitor:

1. It only takes a week to go from liking a food, turkey breast, to disliking so much it makes you want to gag. Thought for sure it would take longer than that.

2. Protein shakes taste better cold, preferably with ice, and chocolate is better than vanilla.

3. Eating is most definitely social, and my life revolves around it. County fair tonight, lunch with friends, weekly Sunday breakfast out, vacations, parties...there are so many things my family & I do which center on food. And with a new menu of less than 10 items, some of these are just not possible now and it makes me sad.

4. Exercise is infinitely easier than dieting. I thought marathon training was tough but since there were meals, yummy big ones after training runs, it wasn't that bad in hindsight.

5. I am more grateful for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray and Mrs. Dash than I ever thought I would be in my life! My first weekend. Usually on Friday I look forward to where we're eating dinner Saturday night. Not sure what to look forward to now.

Diet Begins Today...Still Better Than Labor

I like to eat. It's actually one of my favorite things to do which is one of the reasons I took on this challenge but also what is making me nervous on day 1 of my new diet. Unfortunately I can count on one hand the foods I'm allowed to eat. Fortunately, though, I like all of the foods on my new regime, though I would normally add a bit of flavor. Broccoli is much better with dip, for instance. The good news...I can still drink tea in the morning! The bad news...no soda. Feels like I'm pregnant again. Strike that. It's much easier than being pregnant. Which is why I feel ready for this now as opposed to 10+ years ago when we saw our first Fitness show. After 2 babies I know nothing in my training will be as difficult as labor. I often ask other moms why they don't run marathons or other such feats since it really is much easier than having a baby. Just don't tell my cousin who is about to give birth anytime.

Let the Games Begin!

So I asked my trainer if we could start after vacation; I'm back and ready to go! Mentally, I'm prepared. I know with any challenging venture this is half the battle. Our first step, it seems, is taking supplements. I'm thinking I may re-focus my energy to from getting sponsors for Cool Baby Kid to PTWT since this in not going to be cheap. The last time I even tasted a supplement was when my husband took MetRX (if I remember the name correctly) years ago. It tasted kind of like cake mix so I was a fan, but I have a feeling they aren't all that yummy.

That's it for now as I wait for my new supplements to arrive in the mail. If I knewlooking like Alicia Marie (pictured) was this easy, I'd have done it years ago!

But I'm afraid this is just the beginning. Joining the gym tomorrow.