Nutrisystem - Weeks 3 and 4

Last Sunday, I finished my fourth week of Nutrisystem.  I lost eleven pounds those first two weeks combined, so I hoped that would continue through weeks three and four.  It didn't.  I dropped four pounds over the last two weeks.  The program says you should expect to lose one to two pounds each week after your first week, so my four pounds over two weeks is expected.  I cheated several times over the last two weeks.  When I say I cheated, I mean I really cheated.

My sister's birthday party was August 2 (Happy Birthday, Carrie!) and Justin and I went to the party at her house in South Georgia.  I had one Skinny Girl cocktail, so alcohol didn't really cause me a lot of problems.  It was the food.  I love party food and there was a plethora of party food.  I restrained myself, but I strayed from the program.  Later that night, Justin and I went out to eat with our parents, and I cheated again.  I had another cocktail (full calorie) and some additional high-calorie food.  Shame, shame.

I got back on track the next week, but cheated again on Saturday, August 9.  A friend had a birthday and we went to Loco's for dinner and drinks.  I had more than my share of cocktails.  I also had a cheeseburger with fries and some chicken wings.  That was in addition to the nachos and fried pickles on the table that I munched on.  Overall, I consumed around 2,500 calories in that one meal.  That was 2,500 calories!

I got back on track on Monday and am trying to behave this week.  I cheated a little on Tuesday (two cocktails, three chicken wings, part of a soft pretzel, and a few fried green beans).  I was invited to happy hour again tonight, but I declined and kept my appointment at the gym.

Regarding the gym, I really need to commit to going more frequently.  I went on Monday and tonight this week, which is a lot different than the zero times I went last week.  I'm noticing my recovery time is getting quicker.  That's a good thing.  The goal at OTF is to spend about thirty-five minutes in the green zone and no more than ten to twelve minutes in the orange and red zones combined.  The remainder of the time should be in the blue zone.  I always spend too much time in the orange and red zones (usually thirty-five or more minutes in those zones).  The image below is my report from tonight's workout.  I spent more time in the green zone than I usually do, so that means my body is getting more fit.  I don't normally run at the gym (I'm considered a power walker and use incline on the treadmill to push myself), but I did tonight.  I didn't feel completely exhausted when class ended tonight. 

I'm excited to see these changes.  I recorded my measurements the day before I started the program.  I measured my upper arm, chest, waist, hips, and thigh.  With the exception of my arm measurement, everything dropped by one to two inches.  We've done a lot of upper body strength training at the gym, so the arm measurement doesn't shock me.

Overall, I've lost sixteen and a half pounds, which includes a couple of pounds from this current week.  That's an average of about four pounds per week.  I'll take it!