Amy's Weigh in for 1/22/08

Weight: 170.4 which is a loss of 2.6 pounds.
% Lost: 1.5%
(Everyone remember to post your percentage as that is what the competition is based on!)
Things that have helped me:
Food-
I have cut way back on calories. Before we started this competition, I overate at every single meal every day and ate many snacks and a ton of junk food and fast food. I ate when I wasn't even hungry. So my meal plan is kind of boring but it makes it easy because I don't have to think much about what I'm going to eat, which eliminates choosing based on cravings of unhealthy food.
Breakfast-3/4 cup cereal and 3/4 cup skim milk
(all cereals I eat are 100 calories per serving: Wheaties, Crispix [actually 110 cal], and Special K)
Snack-yoplait light yogurt (100 calories)
Lunch-3/4 cup cereal and 3/4 cup skim milk
Snack- yogurt
Dinner-A sensible dinner that has lots of fresh veggies with it
Snack-yogurt

The reason I eat a yogurt at each snack is because I have heard and read in many many sources that eating 3 servings of yogurt each day can help you burn fat, especially around your belly. If you are wondering if it really works, I have lost 2 inches around my stomach already in one week. I really think it is a combination of the yogurt and pilates.
Exercise-
First of all, I went to Wheaties.com and selected the Fit to win challenge. There are several different options under the challenge, but I chose Triathalon for Beginners. This gives me variety in my workouts. It gives you a 16 week workout. This makes it easier for me to work out hard, because it tells me exactly what I need to do. So, if I get tired after running 20 minutes, I don't give up, because I know the workout says to run for x minutes more. Anyway, this is what I do:
Monday- Cardio (which includes running or cycling) and Strength training (these workouts are usually about 2 hours long)
Tuesday- 1 hour pilates in the morning and swimming in the evening
Wednesday- Cardio, strength training, 1 hour hip-hop dance class, and 1 hour yoga class
Thursday-pilates and swimming
Friday-cardio and strength training
Saturday-I get the day off if I have completed all my workouts. If not, it is a makeup day.
Doing pilates and yoga really help to stretch out your muscles so you are not sore. They also increase flexibility and balance so you are less likely to hurt yourself when you are working out.

Good luck everyone! Let me know if you have any questions.