17 more days! Let the count down begin!

I finally started Hip Level 8 this Wednesday (took Tuesday as a rest day to recover from too much food and wine over the long weekend, per usual) and I feel like I'm in the home stretch as far as Meta goes. Level 8 is tough! But more doable than level 7, I think. I'm still adding in mat arms and standing abs nearly every day as well. I think my arms are actually showing some improvements!

Unfortunately, my results haven't been that startling and I blame that mostly on my diet. I've been stuck at around 129-132 for weeks now. I am toned. I am fit. But that stubborn layer of fat is making me nuts! I loose a few pounds then gain them right back.  It's mostly because my diet gets off track on the weekend and in the evening. I've informed my husband that we can no longer keep chocolate, chips or cookies in the house as a tired and stressed Jessica has a little to no will power at night. Thank goodness he's supportive! I really want to get into the 120-125 range before this whole thing is over. I'm feeling really motivated to make this happen! Need to be in a swim suit for work at the end of the month several times a week. Yikes!

Last week I started drinking green smoothies (click for the recipe) for breakfast and this Tuesday I started drinking them for both breakfast and lunch. Then I have a protein and veggie packed dinner and maybe a little wine. ;)

We had this yummy salad with rainbow trout Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday I had lentil soup, chicken breast and this vegan pumpkin bolani, which is a current obsession of mine as well. Anyways, low cal and filling dinners. I also had a babybel cheese and an apple for a snack Thursday afternoon since I exercised 4 times in 25 hours (getting after it!), I was a bit more hungry than usual. I'm super sore too! Must be the new level, the sprints or a combo. Either way, I'm definitely swollen. Hopefully by next weekend I'll be making real progress.

So far in 3 days I've dropped 2 pounds and am at 131. I'm have a wedding next Saturday and a big 90th birthday party this Saturday, tomorrow. Both events will be filled with family members I hardly ever see, so would like to leave a good impression. I am going to do my best to watch portions at these events and eat as well as I can. Since I will be traveling over night(s) this will be tough.

Happy Friday to you all!
Cheers!

I am also continuing with my changed up cardio. After work Wednesday night, hubs and I did a walk, jog, sprint, jumping jack circuit at the nearby park. It was so fun to have a friend to workout with and keep me challenged! I hope we can do this weekly, but all depends on the weather and Ed's schedule. If he can't make it and it's not pouring, I'll do my best to do it alone.

I am also adding in Jillian Michael's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. It's such a great cardio workout! I did it Thursday morning before work and I was still sweating after my shower. Today I have a long walk with lots of hills and possibly some stair climbs planned as I run errands on foot. Got to fit in cardio when you can!