Nobody Ever Drowned in Sweat
I think I should have saved The Giro D’Italia on my Tivo – the hubby and I watched the final stage in Milan last night. Let’s just say this morning’s run was pretty amazing – all I needed was a Wonder Woman costume! I was very fired up! I’m not sure “Road to the Tour” is going to be as inspirational.
I can’t wait for my son to be out of school! His is the only school I know of around here still in session this week. Between that, the fact that he won’t be going back there again next year, and general end of year tiredness, he has been pretty cranky lately. Sheesh! Plus, I’m looking forward to being able to bike to the gym. :-)
I’m doing okay – getting back to my routine, which feels good. At some point this summer, hubby will be going back out of town on a regular basis, only coming home on the weekend. While it will stink, I won’t have to cook as much. See, I try to find the silver lining! *lol*
I don’t recommend “Fight Fat After 40” – it is clearly written for someone who does not exercise or know anything about nutrition, IMO. Which is why I appreciate my local library – I’m glad I didn’t buy it.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
A word about Food
Tarantula is a brand of tequila & mixer. The problem is this stuff tastes like a blue citrus slushie – no horrible bite to warn you. Just a yummy drink – right up until it hits you in the head. This is why I don’t drink hard alcohol – too easy to drink too much!
I had a very yummy breakfast this morning. I mixed 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, ½ packet of splenda, and 1 tsp chocolate syrup into ¾ cup organic plain yogurt. Then I added ½ cup raw oats. More calories than I normally consume for breakfast (350), but very good.
I made an excellent tamale casserole for lunch. Here is the recipe: http://theweekendchef.exit-23.net/index.php?s=tamale
The only change I made was to add some shredded chicken. At 300 calories, this tastes too good to be low in calories!
There appeared to be some tasty recipes in Chris Carmichael’s book. My problem is I have so many recipes I sometimes forget what I have! Maybe I should try “theme” weeks where I use a certain book (like Carmichael’s or Joyce Vedral) for the majority of my dinners. Maybe that would get me trying new stuff even more often.
The above mentioned web site has some great recipes – I highly recommend it.
I’m hungry!
Tarantula is a brand of tequila & mixer. The problem is this stuff tastes like a blue citrus slushie – no horrible bite to warn you. Just a yummy drink – right up until it hits you in the head. This is why I don’t drink hard alcohol – too easy to drink too much!
I had a very yummy breakfast this morning. I mixed 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, ½ packet of splenda, and 1 tsp chocolate syrup into ¾ cup organic plain yogurt. Then I added ½ cup raw oats. More calories than I normally consume for breakfast (350), but very good.
I made an excellent tamale casserole for lunch. Here is the recipe: http://theweekendchef.exit-23.net/index.php?s=tamale
The only change I made was to add some shredded chicken. At 300 calories, this tastes too good to be low in calories!
There appeared to be some tasty recipes in Chris Carmichael’s book. My problem is I have so many recipes I sometimes forget what I have! Maybe I should try “theme” weeks where I use a certain book (like Carmichael’s or Joyce Vedral) for the majority of my dinners. Maybe that would get me trying new stuff even more often.
The above mentioned web site has some great recipes – I highly recommend it.
I’m hungry!
Mixed Bag
More good than bad this weekend – but I did slip back into some old habits a little.
1) I had a lot of fun. Our friends came to visit and that was great. We went to see the final “Star Wars” movie. I enjoyed it, although I thought the transformation from Anakin to Darth was a little weak. I didn’t buy his motivation.
2) Eating was mostly good. My “free meal” turned into a meal and dessert and tarantula margaritas though! I never drink mixed drinks except around these friends – they make them a lot. What I wasn’t proud of was 2 moments of mindless stress eating yesterday – the sum total damage was maybe 600 calories. But it’s easy to slip back into bad habits!
3) We trimmed the shrubs in our front yard. It no longer looks like Howard Hughes lives there- ha ha ha!
4) I did get up and run Sunday morning – 2 whole miles. See the comment about margaritas above. At least I got up!
But it’s a normal workday for me. I’m back to writing down my calories. Healthy foods are purchased. Back to the gym tonight. I keep only getting in 2 out of 3 weight lifting workouts. I am determined to get in all 3 this week!
Thanks for the kind words regarding Friday’s post. I think we all have fear – it’s a normal part of life. You just can’t let it hold you back though. It’s a work in progress for me, but at least I’m making progress!
More good than bad this weekend – but I did slip back into some old habits a little.
1) I had a lot of fun. Our friends came to visit and that was great. We went to see the final “Star Wars” movie. I enjoyed it, although I thought the transformation from Anakin to Darth was a little weak. I didn’t buy his motivation.
2) Eating was mostly good. My “free meal” turned into a meal and dessert and tarantula margaritas though! I never drink mixed drinks except around these friends – they make them a lot. What I wasn’t proud of was 2 moments of mindless stress eating yesterday – the sum total damage was maybe 600 calories. But it’s easy to slip back into bad habits!
3) We trimmed the shrubs in our front yard. It no longer looks like Howard Hughes lives there- ha ha ha!
4) I did get up and run Sunday morning – 2 whole miles. See the comment about margaritas above. At least I got up!
But it’s a normal workday for me. I’m back to writing down my calories. Healthy foods are purchased. Back to the gym tonight. I keep only getting in 2 out of 3 weight lifting workouts. I am determined to get in all 3 this week!
Thanks for the kind words regarding Friday’s post. I think we all have fear – it’s a normal part of life. You just can’t let it hold you back though. It’s a work in progress for me, but at least I’m making progress!
Book Meme
From Athena:
You are stuck inside Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
You know, I don’t remember what the books are. It has been many years since I read this. And while I read this and “1984” and “Brave New World”, I’m more of a “Martian Chronicles” kinda girl – a dreamer I guess.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Not since I was a kid.
The last book you bought is?
“The Last American Man” as a gift. For myself, “The Body Sculpting Bible for Women”.
The last book you read was?
“The Illearth War” – the second book in the Thomas Covenant Trilogy by Stephen Donaldson.
What are you currently reading?
“Fight Fat After 40” by Pamela Peeke (okay)
“Food for Fitness by” Chris Carmichael (I’ll buy this one)
Some book Father Hamilton loaned me about dealing with emotional abuse
I can’t believe it, but that’s all. Only three. Amazing.
Five books you would take to a deserted island?
Around the World with Auntie Mame
Chronicles of Narnia
Cheaper by the Dozen
Encyclopedia of Body Building
Probably some Conan books cause I’m a freak that way.
From Athena:
You are stuck inside Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
You know, I don’t remember what the books are. It has been many years since I read this. And while I read this and “1984” and “Brave New World”, I’m more of a “Martian Chronicles” kinda girl – a dreamer I guess.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Not since I was a kid.
The last book you bought is?
“The Last American Man” as a gift. For myself, “The Body Sculpting Bible for Women”.
The last book you read was?
“The Illearth War” – the second book in the Thomas Covenant Trilogy by Stephen Donaldson.
What are you currently reading?
“Fight Fat After 40” by Pamela Peeke (okay)
“Food for Fitness by” Chris Carmichael (I’ll buy this one)
Some book Father Hamilton loaned me about dealing with emotional abuse
I can’t believe it, but that’s all. Only three. Amazing.
Five books you would take to a deserted island?
Around the World with Auntie Mame
Chronicles of Narnia
Cheaper by the Dozen
Encyclopedia of Body Building
Probably some Conan books cause I’m a freak that way.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Neca versus the Volcano
Have you ever seen the movie “Joe versus the Volcano”? It’s a really cute Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan movie. Anyway, Joe is tricked by an unscrupulous doctor into believing he has a terminal illness and only a few months to live. A wealthy businessman needs to secure the mineral rights to a rare mineral on a Pacific Island. (The dr. works for the businessman.) The businessman makes a deal with the natives, agreeing to provide them with a hero who will sacrifice himself to their god – the volcano. Joe is the hero of course.
At one point Joe is in a restaurant, having a conversation with a daughter of the businessman. He’s telling her that in order to really live life, you have to face your fear and do the thing you fear most. She replies, “You mean stop taking daddy’s money and leave L.A.??” He says, “Well yeah.” He knows she’s troubled, but doesn’t know her fear. But she is immediately able to identify that which scares her most.
I don’t know that most people could quickly put their finger on their fear that way, but it’s a good point. At some point in life it’s important to stop letting fear hold you back from the things you want to do. I’ve gone over & talked a couple of times with the asst. priest at my mom’s church (Episcopalian) about this topic. He’s helped me to realize that desires and goals are natural and good. But you have to acknowledge two things: 1) you may not get the outcome you want or the reaction from other people you desire, because you can only control your behavior – not theirs and 2) If you don’t get the reaction or outcome you want it won’t kill you. It may hurt, but you’ll be okay.
I’ve known for a year or so why I was afraid to lose more weight – I fear attention from men. So I’ve kept the last of the weight on. But I’ve realized that I am a very different person than I was the last time I lost weight and I am in a very good relationship. I don’t need to have this fear. I can see why I do – it’s rooted in life experience – but it isn’t necessary. I’ve also realized that wanting to reach out & try to have a relationship with my dad is normal – all kids want their parents to love them. But that doesn’t mean I’ll get love back in return. But if I don’t, it’s not because of who I am. The problem isn’t with me. I’ve left myself in these limbos, afraid to act because it was easier to stifle the desires than deal with the possible outcomes. Thinking about this, talking with Father Hamilton about this – has helped me realize that I’m okay and I’ll be okay no matter what happens.
I think part of it is the fact that I turn 40 next year. One nice thing we get with age is perspective. In our youth we worry so much about what other people think, as we get older I think we begin to realize that 1) other people really aren’t looking at us all that much and 2) we only have a certain amount of time and we need to use it well. Living in fear is not living well.
So lately I’ve been working or releasing my fear, being grateful for what I have, and acknowledging that failure won’t kill me. My reasons for emotional eating and not losing weight are not universal – but I think fear of failure is.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I am glad this week is over – I am burnt toast! Other than the great pizza incident, I’ve done well with not using food as a comfort, so I am proud of that. My weight stayed the same – considering I am all bloated and holding water like Scrooge held his money, I think that’s a good outcome. I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend, hanging out with friends.
I am running Sunday – I don’t know how far. No promises, I’ll just get up and go until I’ve had enough. Then I’ll come home & make huevos rancheros for my friends! But I have my weekend food all planned out and I am sticking with this. I am feeling better physically, feeling stronger mentally, and am proud of how much internal listening I’ve done in the past 2 weeks.
Have a great weekend!
Have you ever seen the movie “Joe versus the Volcano”? It’s a really cute Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan movie. Anyway, Joe is tricked by an unscrupulous doctor into believing he has a terminal illness and only a few months to live. A wealthy businessman needs to secure the mineral rights to a rare mineral on a Pacific Island. (The dr. works for the businessman.) The businessman makes a deal with the natives, agreeing to provide them with a hero who will sacrifice himself to their god – the volcano. Joe is the hero of course.
At one point Joe is in a restaurant, having a conversation with a daughter of the businessman. He’s telling her that in order to really live life, you have to face your fear and do the thing you fear most. She replies, “You mean stop taking daddy’s money and leave L.A.??” He says, “Well yeah.” He knows she’s troubled, but doesn’t know her fear. But she is immediately able to identify that which scares her most.
I don’t know that most people could quickly put their finger on their fear that way, but it’s a good point. At some point in life it’s important to stop letting fear hold you back from the things you want to do. I’ve gone over & talked a couple of times with the asst. priest at my mom’s church (Episcopalian) about this topic. He’s helped me to realize that desires and goals are natural and good. But you have to acknowledge two things: 1) you may not get the outcome you want or the reaction from other people you desire, because you can only control your behavior – not theirs and 2) If you don’t get the reaction or outcome you want it won’t kill you. It may hurt, but you’ll be okay.
I’ve known for a year or so why I was afraid to lose more weight – I fear attention from men. So I’ve kept the last of the weight on. But I’ve realized that I am a very different person than I was the last time I lost weight and I am in a very good relationship. I don’t need to have this fear. I can see why I do – it’s rooted in life experience – but it isn’t necessary. I’ve also realized that wanting to reach out & try to have a relationship with my dad is normal – all kids want their parents to love them. But that doesn’t mean I’ll get love back in return. But if I don’t, it’s not because of who I am. The problem isn’t with me. I’ve left myself in these limbos, afraid to act because it was easier to stifle the desires than deal with the possible outcomes. Thinking about this, talking with Father Hamilton about this – has helped me realize that I’m okay and I’ll be okay no matter what happens.
I think part of it is the fact that I turn 40 next year. One nice thing we get with age is perspective. In our youth we worry so much about what other people think, as we get older I think we begin to realize that 1) other people really aren’t looking at us all that much and 2) we only have a certain amount of time and we need to use it well. Living in fear is not living well.
So lately I’ve been working or releasing my fear, being grateful for what I have, and acknowledging that failure won’t kill me. My reasons for emotional eating and not losing weight are not universal – but I think fear of failure is.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I am glad this week is over – I am burnt toast! Other than the great pizza incident, I’ve done well with not using food as a comfort, so I am proud of that. My weight stayed the same – considering I am all bloated and holding water like Scrooge held his money, I think that’s a good outcome. I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend, hanging out with friends.
I am running Sunday – I don’t know how far. No promises, I’ll just get up and go until I’ve had enough. Then I’ll come home & make huevos rancheros for my friends! But I have my weekend food all planned out and I am sticking with this. I am feeling better physically, feeling stronger mentally, and am proud of how much internal listening I’ve done in the past 2 weeks.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
3 steps forward, 1 step back
I haven’t written the post yet, but I recently made the decision to work on some of the root causes for why I use food to stuff down my emotions. That work has paid off, and I’ve been doing much better lately with my food.
Last night I took a step in the wrong direction. I called hubby on the way home, and he told me he was going to be out of town an extra day. Meaning he wasn’t home for our anniversary. Then I got home. The directions on my crockpot recipe said “cook on low 8 hours.” I came home to a burned, mushy mess. I threw dinner in the trash can, took the trash out, and sprayed Lysol all around my kitchen in an effort to kill the stench. (Not my best culinary week to say the least!).
So the boy & I went out. He chose Brick Oven Pizza (a local place). How many calories are in a pizza? I didn’t say “in pizza” – I said “in A pizza.” I ate an entire small anchovy pizza – light cheese, extra sauce. Okay, I did leave the crust edges. I knew what I was doing, but at that moment, I just really deep down didn’t give a flip.
The good news is I didn’t go home and wash it down with ice cream or anything – I did have an O’Douls later, but that was it. But it is scary how doing that has led me to crave junk. I really would love to just jettison my eating plan and go to the “dark side” foodwise. I know it’s the excess crap in my system, and if I hang in there today I’ll feel better. I also know that by tomorrow the water bloat should be gone and I can still have a good weigh-in. Keeping my all my goals in sight (weight, exercise, & eating), this incident will just be a small blip in the road unless I allow it to derail my plan. Which I will not do. I packed all my usual food, so its back to business as usual today. I have a healthy dinner planned – salmon wraps, no cooking involved. (Thank God! This week I could probably ruin boiled water for some reason.)
I had a really funny dream last night. I dreamt I was building custom storage for this biking fanatic – he wanted all his music stored in the room where he had his indoor bike set up (for winter training). The funny thing was he was playing the Giro theme song full blast while I was working. I think I’ve gone to that Italian news link Jank posted one too many times! (I love that song!) Obviously, I literally can’t get it out of my head – even when I sleep!
Today will be better. It has to be!
I haven’t written the post yet, but I recently made the decision to work on some of the root causes for why I use food to stuff down my emotions. That work has paid off, and I’ve been doing much better lately with my food.
Last night I took a step in the wrong direction. I called hubby on the way home, and he told me he was going to be out of town an extra day. Meaning he wasn’t home for our anniversary. Then I got home. The directions on my crockpot recipe said “cook on low 8 hours.” I came home to a burned, mushy mess. I threw dinner in the trash can, took the trash out, and sprayed Lysol all around my kitchen in an effort to kill the stench. (Not my best culinary week to say the least!).
So the boy & I went out. He chose Brick Oven Pizza (a local place). How many calories are in a pizza? I didn’t say “in pizza” – I said “in A pizza.” I ate an entire small anchovy pizza – light cheese, extra sauce. Okay, I did leave the crust edges. I knew what I was doing, but at that moment, I just really deep down didn’t give a flip.
The good news is I didn’t go home and wash it down with ice cream or anything – I did have an O’Douls later, but that was it. But it is scary how doing that has led me to crave junk. I really would love to just jettison my eating plan and go to the “dark side” foodwise. I know it’s the excess crap in my system, and if I hang in there today I’ll feel better. I also know that by tomorrow the water bloat should be gone and I can still have a good weigh-in. Keeping my all my goals in sight (weight, exercise, & eating), this incident will just be a small blip in the road unless I allow it to derail my plan. Which I will not do. I packed all my usual food, so its back to business as usual today. I have a healthy dinner planned – salmon wraps, no cooking involved. (Thank God! This week I could probably ruin boiled water for some reason.)
I had a really funny dream last night. I dreamt I was building custom storage for this biking fanatic – he wanted all his music stored in the room where he had his indoor bike set up (for winter training). The funny thing was he was playing the Giro theme song full blast while I was working. I think I’ve gone to that Italian news link Jank posted one too many times! (I love that song!) Obviously, I literally can’t get it out of my head – even when I sleep!
Today will be better. It has to be!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
This is What I Do
The alarm went off at 5, and I hit the snooze once (I always do). I rolled out of bed at 5:09 and by 5:12 I was standing in the kitchen having some water before I went to run. I was having a pretty cool dream, but never even considered staying in bed. I got up, because that is what I do.
I ran for 2 miles this morning – it was really nice out. A little cool (48 I think), but nice. Last night we walked one of the dogs (we can’t handle all at once!). So 2 walks yesterday. Today is run and lifting weights. I have an appointment at lunch, so no walk then.
Food was good yesterday. I realized that I was out of O’Douls and was too tired to go out for any. So I didn’t have that treat option. Also, dinner was a disappointment. It was a new crockpot recipe, and it didn’t make the cut. So I really wanted something yummy after dinner because I was feeling deprived. I had one Hershey’s dark nugget with almonds (one has 55 calories. Good lord!) and a graham cracker (65 calories). I probably should have had a glass of milk (it would have been healthier). I will stop by the grocery on the way home. I did have a diet tonic water with lime which is so yummy, so that was nice.
For the curious, here’s what I ate yesterday. This is fairly typical for a weekday:
Breakfast: egg burrito with lowfat cheese and salsa: 235
Snack: 1 lf string cheese & carrots : 85
Lunch: homemade spaghetti & meatballs w/ veggies: 400
Snack: homemade French onion soup &
A slice of bread (no cheese) : 100
Snack: ½ a grapefruit & a lf string cheese: 88
Dinner, soup, roll & salad : 375
Snack: 1 piece chocolate & a graham cracker : 120
Total 1403
The day before was 1545, so I do bounce around a bit. I don’t write my food down on the weekend, but I aim to “eat consciously.” So far it seems to be working.
I made a chicken pot pie for the tutor, who had surgery yesterday. We’re going to drop by on Friday. Being a good southerner, I am taking a pot pie, container of soup (frozen) and a breakfast casserole. I was really tired last night, but I was glad to get that done.
I am trying to live in the moment. I can be pretty critical of people (especially myself). I’m pretty good at not being that way with my son. I grew up never hearing praise from my dad, so I know how harmful that can be to a child. And he’s a great kid, so it’s not too tough. :-)
But I know I can be too critical of my husband. And while he can be a goober in many ways, and makes me nuts at times, he is a good man and a terrific husband. The perfect husband in fact (for me at least!). Today is our anniversary, and one of my goals is to be a more grateful person.
I feel a deep, philosophical post coming on – another day. I can’t write them every day – I guess I don’t think that much!
The alarm went off at 5, and I hit the snooze once (I always do). I rolled out of bed at 5:09 and by 5:12 I was standing in the kitchen having some water before I went to run. I was having a pretty cool dream, but never even considered staying in bed. I got up, because that is what I do.
I ran for 2 miles this morning – it was really nice out. A little cool (48 I think), but nice. Last night we walked one of the dogs (we can’t handle all at once!). So 2 walks yesterday. Today is run and lifting weights. I have an appointment at lunch, so no walk then.
Food was good yesterday. I realized that I was out of O’Douls and was too tired to go out for any. So I didn’t have that treat option. Also, dinner was a disappointment. It was a new crockpot recipe, and it didn’t make the cut. So I really wanted something yummy after dinner because I was feeling deprived. I had one Hershey’s dark nugget with almonds (one has 55 calories. Good lord!) and a graham cracker (65 calories). I probably should have had a glass of milk (it would have been healthier). I will stop by the grocery on the way home. I did have a diet tonic water with lime which is so yummy, so that was nice.
For the curious, here’s what I ate yesterday. This is fairly typical for a weekday:
Breakfast: egg burrito with lowfat cheese and salsa: 235
Snack: 1 lf string cheese & carrots : 85
Lunch: homemade spaghetti & meatballs w/ veggies: 400
Snack: homemade French onion soup &
A slice of bread (no cheese) : 100
Snack: ½ a grapefruit & a lf string cheese: 88
Dinner, soup, roll & salad : 375
Snack: 1 piece chocolate & a graham cracker : 120
Total 1403
The day before was 1545, so I do bounce around a bit. I don’t write my food down on the weekend, but I aim to “eat consciously.” So far it seems to be working.
I made a chicken pot pie for the tutor, who had surgery yesterday. We’re going to drop by on Friday. Being a good southerner, I am taking a pot pie, container of soup (frozen) and a breakfast casserole. I was really tired last night, but I was glad to get that done.
I am trying to live in the moment. I can be pretty critical of people (especially myself). I’m pretty good at not being that way with my son. I grew up never hearing praise from my dad, so I know how harmful that can be to a child. And he’s a great kid, so it’s not too tough. :-)
But I know I can be too critical of my husband. And while he can be a goober in many ways, and makes me nuts at times, he is a good man and a terrific husband. The perfect husband in fact (for me at least!). Today is our anniversary, and one of my goals is to be a more grateful person.
I feel a deep, philosophical post coming on – another day. I can’t write them every day – I guess I don’t think that much!
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Like Brussel Sprouts and Cottage Cheese, I keep trying to Like Yoga
Last night in the weight room, Linda (the woman I helped last week) was there again. She invited me to the 7:45 yoga class, and I agreed since I was nearly done lifting anyway.
I know yoga is good for my body. I really like the new age music and atmosphere. But I just can’t seem to enjoy it, no matter how great the teacher. Unlike cottage cheese, I guess I’ll keep trying. After all, I learned to like oatmeal, didn’t I?
Stuck to plan with the food yesterday. Exercise was pretty good: 2 mile run in morning, 30 minute walk at lunch, lifted weights, went to yoga. How much exercise is enough? I don’t feel like I do enough. Enough for what? I think I’m pretty healthy. I guess I’d like to be more fit. I plan to start riding my bike to the gym when the boy is out of school. His last day is next Friday – can’t wait! I think he can’t wait either. :-)
I managed to get my lunches prepared for the week, and dinner is in the crockpot. I even loaded the dishwasher & ran it before we left this morning. Tonight my plan is to do a few chores (cooking for a friend, a little housework) and take a walk. I will also walk at lunch today. Is that enough exercise? I wonder…
Last night in the weight room, Linda (the woman I helped last week) was there again. She invited me to the 7:45 yoga class, and I agreed since I was nearly done lifting anyway.
I know yoga is good for my body. I really like the new age music and atmosphere. But I just can’t seem to enjoy it, no matter how great the teacher. Unlike cottage cheese, I guess I’ll keep trying. After all, I learned to like oatmeal, didn’t I?
Stuck to plan with the food yesterday. Exercise was pretty good: 2 mile run in morning, 30 minute walk at lunch, lifted weights, went to yoga. How much exercise is enough? I don’t feel like I do enough. Enough for what? I think I’m pretty healthy. I guess I’d like to be more fit. I plan to start riding my bike to the gym when the boy is out of school. His last day is next Friday – can’t wait! I think he can’t wait either. :-)
I managed to get my lunches prepared for the week, and dinner is in the crockpot. I even loaded the dishwasher & ran it before we left this morning. Tonight my plan is to do a few chores (cooking for a friend, a little housework) and take a walk. I will also walk at lunch today. Is that enough exercise? I wonder…
Monday, May 23, 2005
Food isn’t strange, but our feelings about it can be!
I had a couple of interesting food observations this weekend:
1) We went out for our “free” meal, and I was so disappointed! I had promised myself I could order whatever I wanted with no guilt. I waffled between the artichoke spinach dip and the chicken tenders with buffalo sauce. I got the tenders. The buffalo sauce was sweeter than hot. Blech! I ate about half the order, then handed the rest over to the hubby. He gave me a small piece of his steak & cheese. What a disappointment. Saturday’s nights dinner with the neighbors of homemade (Weight Watchers recipe) tamale casserole and the spiced Mexican rice they brought over was so much better. And much healthier! It’s funny how we build food up in our minds. But it isn’t always the incredible experience we think it will be.
2) I really wanted cheese dip from the Mexican place last night. Washed down with cold beer. I realized that the reason I wanted this at 9 pm was the fact that I was sad the weekend was ending. The hubby was going back out of town, I hadn’t finished all my chores, and I wasn’t ready for the week. I guess having a “treat” would have made the evening feel like a party, thus prolonging the weekend? Anyway, I realized the food (and beer) would make me feel worse rather than better, and wouldn’t change the fact that it was Sunday night. So I had an O’Douls and some leftover baked tomatoes instead.
My eating was good again this weekend. It felt pretty normal, which is a good thing. And I only felt bitter that I can't eat like a glutton and look like a fitness model once or twice (ha!). Exercise wasn’t all that I wanted it to be. I did go to the gym & lift weights Friday night. I didn’t want to, but I told myself it was lift or clean the house. All of a sudden the gym looked great…. Sunday’s run was a shortie (2 miles) due to plans limiting my time. I got a lot of stuff done (clean car, oil change, yadda yadda).
The reason I didn’t finish my cooking chores was due to the fact that I chose to spend my time yesterday making myself a fabulous Mongol-inspired jacket instead. I love it when a costuming plan comes together. I love it! So what if we had to eat Sonic for breakfast and my lunch is part of a can of turkey chili? You must have priorities! I will be the most stylish barbarian at the medieval war in August. And I got no cheese on my breakfast sandwich, so it’s okay. :-)
I had a couple of interesting food observations this weekend:
1) We went out for our “free” meal, and I was so disappointed! I had promised myself I could order whatever I wanted with no guilt. I waffled between the artichoke spinach dip and the chicken tenders with buffalo sauce. I got the tenders. The buffalo sauce was sweeter than hot. Blech! I ate about half the order, then handed the rest over to the hubby. He gave me a small piece of his steak & cheese. What a disappointment. Saturday’s nights dinner with the neighbors of homemade (Weight Watchers recipe) tamale casserole and the spiced Mexican rice they brought over was so much better. And much healthier! It’s funny how we build food up in our minds. But it isn’t always the incredible experience we think it will be.
2) I really wanted cheese dip from the Mexican place last night. Washed down with cold beer. I realized that the reason I wanted this at 9 pm was the fact that I was sad the weekend was ending. The hubby was going back out of town, I hadn’t finished all my chores, and I wasn’t ready for the week. I guess having a “treat” would have made the evening feel like a party, thus prolonging the weekend? Anyway, I realized the food (and beer) would make me feel worse rather than better, and wouldn’t change the fact that it was Sunday night. So I had an O’Douls and some leftover baked tomatoes instead.
My eating was good again this weekend. It felt pretty normal, which is a good thing. And I only felt bitter that I can't eat like a glutton and look like a fitness model once or twice (ha!). Exercise wasn’t all that I wanted it to be. I did go to the gym & lift weights Friday night. I didn’t want to, but I told myself it was lift or clean the house. All of a sudden the gym looked great…. Sunday’s run was a shortie (2 miles) due to plans limiting my time. I got a lot of stuff done (clean car, oil change, yadda yadda).
The reason I didn’t finish my cooking chores was due to the fact that I chose to spend my time yesterday making myself a fabulous Mongol-inspired jacket instead. I love it when a costuming plan comes together. I love it! So what if we had to eat Sonic for breakfast and my lunch is part of a can of turkey chili? You must have priorities! I will be the most stylish barbarian at the medieval war in August. And I got no cheese on my breakfast sandwich, so it’s okay. :-)
Friday, May 20, 2005
Old School is Real Cool
Check out this great article: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=773728 Old school works.
Down 2 pounds this week. I'm feeling really good, mostly because I've been eating high quality foods in reasonable portions. I plan to keep my calories at the 1500 level, going a little higher on the weekend. But I need to keep that "little higher" to a little, instead of a free for all. To that end, I am going to plan my meals for the weekend before I leave the office today.
The boy's field day has been postponed to next Friday due to inclement weather. That changes my plans for the day a bit, but I brought all my food in just in case. I think I'll look at a "free meal" Sunday for lunch. I prefer doing it at lunchtime. I have the rest of the day instead of going to sleep, plus there's no temptation to keep the free for all rolling into the evening.
I wish I could get some non-alcohol weizen beer like Jack does. Weizen is my favorite beer. O'Douls is okay, but... Well, hey. 150.5. Heading in the right direction!
Check out this great article: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=773728 Old school works.
Down 2 pounds this week. I'm feeling really good, mostly because I've been eating high quality foods in reasonable portions. I plan to keep my calories at the 1500 level, going a little higher on the weekend. But I need to keep that "little higher" to a little, instead of a free for all. To that end, I am going to plan my meals for the weekend before I leave the office today.
The boy's field day has been postponed to next Friday due to inclement weather. That changes my plans for the day a bit, but I brought all my food in just in case. I think I'll look at a "free meal" Sunday for lunch. I prefer doing it at lunchtime. I have the rest of the day instead of going to sleep, plus there's no temptation to keep the free for all rolling into the evening.
I wish I could get some non-alcohol weizen beer like Jack does. Weizen is my favorite beer. O'Douls is okay, but... Well, hey. 150.5. Heading in the right direction!
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Steppin’ Out
So, here is the walk report: Total steps in 24 hours: 17,957. I put the pedometer on at 8 am yesterday – when I left work I had about 6,000 steps. Clearly all that water drinking means a lot of potty trips! And I’m obviously pretty fidgety. I didn’t take my normal walk at lunch due to the appt. When I went to bed I was at 11,000. That was with no “intentional” exercise. This morning I got up and walked 2 miles. For me, 1 mile was 2300 steps – according to the Mayo clinic book about 2000 steps is a mile (I’m short so my stride is smaller). Anyway, these are pretty simple pedometers – they only count steps. And I don’t know how sensitive (or accurate) they are, since they handed them out and everyone that participated gets to keep the pedometer. The top 3 steppers get a Mayo clinic book and a digital scale. I really don’t want to scale!
Calories were a little low yesterday (1415 or so) – we ate tv dinners last night (how sad is that?). The boy was tired when I picked him up from school and didn’t want to go to tae kwon do. It kinda worked out – tonight is his last night at the reading tutor (he’s been going twice a week for 18 months). He wanted to make her some homemade soap (a project we do each year at Christmas). So we went & got stuff to make soap, a nice lily plant for her, and a couple of pair of shoes for him with a Kohl’s coupon I had. Then we went home & he made the soap while I cleaned the kitchen. I was so tired I fell asleep while he was taking a bath. I asked him if we could go to bed early, and we both headed off at 9. So maybe it worked out okay that I didn’t hit the gym. I was pretty pooped myself! Oh well, move on.
This afternoon is our department “fun day” at a local park. Lunch is Kentucky Fried Chicken – I can easily pull the skin off the actual chicken, but I need to check out their web site and pick out a couple of side dishes that will be good choices. Their potatoes taste like wallpaper paste and their biscuits are greasy, so being good won’t be too difficult as long as I can pass on dessert.
Tomorrow I am taking half a day to go to my son’s Field Day at school. Then it’s off to the gym, clean the house, and have supper & wait for hubby to get home. He’s been working out of town this week, so I’m hoping to have the house all clean & ready for the weekend when he gets there.
I’m curious to see what the scale has to tell me tomorrow. I feel good, although I don’t think I ate enough yesterday, which would explain why I was so tired.
So, here is the walk report: Total steps in 24 hours: 17,957. I put the pedometer on at 8 am yesterday – when I left work I had about 6,000 steps. Clearly all that water drinking means a lot of potty trips! And I’m obviously pretty fidgety. I didn’t take my normal walk at lunch due to the appt. When I went to bed I was at 11,000. That was with no “intentional” exercise. This morning I got up and walked 2 miles. For me, 1 mile was 2300 steps – according to the Mayo clinic book about 2000 steps is a mile (I’m short so my stride is smaller). Anyway, these are pretty simple pedometers – they only count steps. And I don’t know how sensitive (or accurate) they are, since they handed them out and everyone that participated gets to keep the pedometer. The top 3 steppers get a Mayo clinic book and a digital scale. I really don’t want to scale!
Calories were a little low yesterday (1415 or so) – we ate tv dinners last night (how sad is that?). The boy was tired when I picked him up from school and didn’t want to go to tae kwon do. It kinda worked out – tonight is his last night at the reading tutor (he’s been going twice a week for 18 months). He wanted to make her some homemade soap (a project we do each year at Christmas). So we went & got stuff to make soap, a nice lily plant for her, and a couple of pair of shoes for him with a Kohl’s coupon I had. Then we went home & he made the soap while I cleaned the kitchen. I was so tired I fell asleep while he was taking a bath. I asked him if we could go to bed early, and we both headed off at 9. So maybe it worked out okay that I didn’t hit the gym. I was pretty pooped myself! Oh well, move on.
This afternoon is our department “fun day” at a local park. Lunch is Kentucky Fried Chicken – I can easily pull the skin off the actual chicken, but I need to check out their web site and pick out a couple of side dishes that will be good choices. Their potatoes taste like wallpaper paste and their biscuits are greasy, so being good won’t be too difficult as long as I can pass on dessert.
Tomorrow I am taking half a day to go to my son’s Field Day at school. Then it’s off to the gym, clean the house, and have supper & wait for hubby to get home. He’s been working out of town this week, so I’m hoping to have the house all clean & ready for the weekend when he gets there.
I’m curious to see what the scale has to tell me tomorrow. I feel good, although I don’t think I ate enough yesterday, which would explain why I was so tired.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Okay, so it Didn’t Really Suck
I’m making progress! Each time I go to the doctor, she gives me this little readout slip – it has all sorts of info on it. It has weight, % body fat, lean body weight, fat weight, basal metabolic rate. Then it has my goal body composition – she has selected a target body fat for me of 21% - the upper end for my age. It then shows me what my body composition would be at that weight and how many pounds to go until I reach goal.
Today my body fat was 26.7% - down from 29% last time and a starting percentage of 33%. I was down 4 pounds of fat and up 2 pounds of muscle (Iron therapy is a good thing). I am 10.9 pounds from goal. She has told me that I may want to go a little lower – that 17-18% body fat is fine. So 10.9 is the high end, but its what I need to lose according to my doctor to be in a good range. 26.7% - woo hoo! That feels so sweet.
I’m making progress! Each time I go to the doctor, she gives me this little readout slip – it has all sorts of info on it. It has weight, % body fat, lean body weight, fat weight, basal metabolic rate. Then it has my goal body composition – she has selected a target body fat for me of 21% - the upper end for my age. It then shows me what my body composition would be at that weight and how many pounds to go until I reach goal.
Today my body fat was 26.7% - down from 29% last time and a starting percentage of 33%. I was down 4 pounds of fat and up 2 pounds of muscle (Iron therapy is a good thing). I am 10.9 pounds from goal. She has told me that I may want to go a little lower – that 17-18% body fat is fine. So 10.9 is the high end, but its what I need to lose according to my doctor to be in a good range. 26.7% - woo hoo! That feels so sweet.
The Hungry, Hungry Hippo is Wearing a Pedometer
I was so freaking hungry yesterday! I ate the same things I did the day before, so what is up with that!?! The only thing I can think of is the weight lifting Monday night. I do know that after a hard session in the weight room I need more sleep (which I why I generally walk in the evening rather than the morning after a gym day). I guess maybe I need more food? I do have a post workout snack…. Yesterday’s total was 1513 calories – not too shabby. It was nearly all healthy food. I did have to score a box of jello sugar free fat free pudding on the way home though, so I had a serving of that for dessert. Sometimes the chocolate beast within must be appeased.
They were handing out pedometers to the first 200 people that asked for one this morning at work. The 3 people with the most steps tomorrow win a prize, and everyone gets to keep the pedometer. I have visions of me pulling a “Rebecca” (ha ha ha!), circling the parking lot at lunch in an attempt to win. :-)
I have a doctor’s appt this morning – the cool thing about that is she always checks my bodyfat. Which isn’t actually cool when I get the number.
Yesterday was a 30 minute walk at lunch, and a 2 mile walk after work. This morning was a 2 mile run, which was really nice. A hint of coolness in the air, along with the heavy smell of honeysuckle. Which is a truly awesome smell. I ran a variable pace – speeding up at times, slowing down others, and taking a couple of breaks when I needed them. I only have enough time for the 2 miles during the school year, but lately I have been trying to make it a little more challenging by mixing it up. Tonight is the gym (mostly legs) workout. The boy & I may go for a walk after – I want to try & win the pedometer competition and I only have until 8 am tomorrow to walk a billion steps. Plus I won’t have time to walk at lunch due to the appt. I’ll let you know the number, if you promise not to laugh.
Also, a great post about working out: http://epiphany.diaryland.com/ It’s dated 17 May. Wow.
I was so freaking hungry yesterday! I ate the same things I did the day before, so what is up with that!?! The only thing I can think of is the weight lifting Monday night. I do know that after a hard session in the weight room I need more sleep (which I why I generally walk in the evening rather than the morning after a gym day). I guess maybe I need more food? I do have a post workout snack…. Yesterday’s total was 1513 calories – not too shabby. It was nearly all healthy food. I did have to score a box of jello sugar free fat free pudding on the way home though, so I had a serving of that for dessert. Sometimes the chocolate beast within must be appeased.
They were handing out pedometers to the first 200 people that asked for one this morning at work. The 3 people with the most steps tomorrow win a prize, and everyone gets to keep the pedometer. I have visions of me pulling a “Rebecca” (ha ha ha!), circling the parking lot at lunch in an attempt to win. :-)
I have a doctor’s appt this morning – the cool thing about that is she always checks my bodyfat. Which isn’t actually cool when I get the number.
Yesterday was a 30 minute walk at lunch, and a 2 mile walk after work. This morning was a 2 mile run, which was really nice. A hint of coolness in the air, along with the heavy smell of honeysuckle. Which is a truly awesome smell. I ran a variable pace – speeding up at times, slowing down others, and taking a couple of breaks when I needed them. I only have enough time for the 2 miles during the school year, but lately I have been trying to make it a little more challenging by mixing it up. Tonight is the gym (mostly legs) workout. The boy & I may go for a walk after – I want to try & win the pedometer competition and I only have until 8 am tomorrow to walk a billion steps. Plus I won’t have time to walk at lunch due to the appt. I’ll let you know the number, if you promise not to laugh.
Also, a great post about working out: http://epiphany.diaryland.com/ It’s dated 17 May. Wow.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Pillsbury’s frozen Microwavable Dinner Rolls are the Handiwork of Satan!
I’m an educated woman. And having been working at this weight loss thing a while now, you know I’m a compulsive label reader. I dunno what I was thinking. I didn’t read the label on these suckers until last night after I’d eaten one with dinner. Who put this crap in my grocery cart anyway??? I guess I was thinking, “How many calories can one roll possibly have?” Try 150, sucker. Good lord people! I didn’t blow my dinner, but I wasn’t expecting that! It wasn’t even an amazing culinary experience. What a ripoff.
Calories came in at 1480 (roughly) yesterday. I didn’t choose my target of 1500 arbitrarily – according to my doctor, my basal metabolic rate is around 1550. And let’s face it – you don’t know exactly how many calories you consume, it’s just a good guess. I figure if I shoot for a number around my BMR, I wouldn’t get too hungry but would lose weight. I do plan to eat a little higher on the weekend due to my increased exercise.
Exercise yesterday was excellent! I did that 2 mile run in the morning, walked 30 minutes at lunch, and then lifted weights while the boy was doing tae kwon do. The program changed this week. The theme of weeks 3 & 4 seems to be “gonna mess you up.” I thought I was gonna drop the weights on my feet as I was finishing up the stiff legged dead lifts. I was a hurting unit as I staggered out of the weight room.
The exercises themselves didn’t change. In weeks 1&2, you do 2 sets of each exercise (in compound supersets), 12-15 reps, with 90 seconds between each exercise. This week, you do 10-12 reps, 3 sets, with 60 seconds between each group of exercises. So you do (for example) back then chest (no break between), rest 60, then another back to back of chest & back. Doesn’t sound like a huge difference on paper, but oh my god! And of course, I upped nearly all my weights because I was only having to do 10-12 rather than 12-15. Sweet mercy!
I also had a Hallmark feel good moment in the gym last night. This lady came wandering in, obviously out of her element. She wanted to do squats, but was used to doing them in a class. She had no idea how much the bars weighed or how to do them. She was amazed that she could actually do the 45 pound bar! I showed her how to set up the cage, so she could do them without a spotter. She was so excited. It was really cute to see someone so happy about learning a new exercise in the gym. That’s always so cool to me.
Here’s my exercises:
Set 1
Db row: 40/10 40/10 40/12
Flat db press: 30/10 30/10 30/12
Set 2
Shoulder db press: 25/10 25/10 25/10
Calf raises: 25/20 25/20 25/20 (you did 15-25 reps of this one exercise)
Set 3
Db bicep curl: 20/10 20/10 20/12
Tricep overhead extension: 35/10 35/10 35/12
Set 4:
Squats: 35/10 35/10 35/10
Sldl: 35/10 35/10 35/10
On this last set, I was still using dumbbells. So the total weight used is double the dumbbell weight.
Good stuff.
I’m an educated woman. And having been working at this weight loss thing a while now, you know I’m a compulsive label reader. I dunno what I was thinking. I didn’t read the label on these suckers until last night after I’d eaten one with dinner. Who put this crap in my grocery cart anyway??? I guess I was thinking, “How many calories can one roll possibly have?” Try 150, sucker. Good lord people! I didn’t blow my dinner, but I wasn’t expecting that! It wasn’t even an amazing culinary experience. What a ripoff.
Calories came in at 1480 (roughly) yesterday. I didn’t choose my target of 1500 arbitrarily – according to my doctor, my basal metabolic rate is around 1550. And let’s face it – you don’t know exactly how many calories you consume, it’s just a good guess. I figure if I shoot for a number around my BMR, I wouldn’t get too hungry but would lose weight. I do plan to eat a little higher on the weekend due to my increased exercise.
Exercise yesterday was excellent! I did that 2 mile run in the morning, walked 30 minutes at lunch, and then lifted weights while the boy was doing tae kwon do. The program changed this week. The theme of weeks 3 & 4 seems to be “gonna mess you up.” I thought I was gonna drop the weights on my feet as I was finishing up the stiff legged dead lifts. I was a hurting unit as I staggered out of the weight room.
The exercises themselves didn’t change. In weeks 1&2, you do 2 sets of each exercise (in compound supersets), 12-15 reps, with 90 seconds between each exercise. This week, you do 10-12 reps, 3 sets, with 60 seconds between each group of exercises. So you do (for example) back then chest (no break between), rest 60, then another back to back of chest & back. Doesn’t sound like a huge difference on paper, but oh my god! And of course, I upped nearly all my weights because I was only having to do 10-12 rather than 12-15. Sweet mercy!
I also had a Hallmark feel good moment in the gym last night. This lady came wandering in, obviously out of her element. She wanted to do squats, but was used to doing them in a class. She had no idea how much the bars weighed or how to do them. She was amazed that she could actually do the 45 pound bar! I showed her how to set up the cage, so she could do them without a spotter. She was so excited. It was really cute to see someone so happy about learning a new exercise in the gym. That’s always so cool to me.
Here’s my exercises:
Set 1
Db row: 40/10 40/10 40/12
Flat db press: 30/10 30/10 30/12
Set 2
Shoulder db press: 25/10 25/10 25/10
Calf raises: 25/20 25/20 25/20 (you did 15-25 reps of this one exercise)
Set 3
Db bicep curl: 20/10 20/10 20/12
Tricep overhead extension: 35/10 35/10 35/12
Set 4:
Squats: 35/10 35/10 35/10
Sldl: 35/10 35/10 35/10
On this last set, I was still using dumbbells. So the total weight used is double the dumbbell weight.
Good stuff.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Get in the Groove
Hurray for my eating! “Click.” Totally stuck with my plan last week. Totally stuck with my plan all weekend. Had one “free” meal (pizza and diet Coke for lunch Saturday). Added some grilled chicken along with the brats last night, so the dinner turned out great & really healthy (I had 1.5 brats – not bad). My sister brought a great dessert – low fat, low cal trifle made with fresh strawberries. I was impressed! My eating was the best it’s been for a weekend since I started trying to lose weight. It didn’t feel tough and I am so proud of me!
I had an appointment after work on Friday, and never made it to the gym. Had a fantastic 7 mile run yesterday (despite the rain) with my new MP3 player. It is now fully loaded with 180 songs – the best gift ever. Hubby used it for a walk and now wants one too! Got a lot done, yet also felt like I really had time to relax. Now that’s a great weekend!
This morning I have already written down all my food for the entire day until dinner. My goal is to hang out around 1500 calories a day, going a little higher on the weekend. Ran 2 miles this morning. I brought in my weight training book and my lifting notebook. During lunch I plan to read up on this week’s workouts and write down tonight’s in my training log, checking for appropriate weight and reviewing the exercises as needed.
I am feeling empowered.
Hurray for my eating! “Click.” Totally stuck with my plan last week. Totally stuck with my plan all weekend. Had one “free” meal (pizza and diet Coke for lunch Saturday). Added some grilled chicken along with the brats last night, so the dinner turned out great & really healthy (I had 1.5 brats – not bad). My sister brought a great dessert – low fat, low cal trifle made with fresh strawberries. I was impressed! My eating was the best it’s been for a weekend since I started trying to lose weight. It didn’t feel tough and I am so proud of me!
I had an appointment after work on Friday, and never made it to the gym. Had a fantastic 7 mile run yesterday (despite the rain) with my new MP3 player. It is now fully loaded with 180 songs – the best gift ever. Hubby used it for a walk and now wants one too! Got a lot done, yet also felt like I really had time to relax. Now that’s a great weekend!
This morning I have already written down all my food for the entire day until dinner. My goal is to hang out around 1500 calories a day, going a little higher on the weekend. Ran 2 miles this morning. I brought in my weight training book and my lifting notebook. During lunch I plan to read up on this week’s workouts and write down tonight’s in my training log, checking for appropriate weight and reviewing the exercises as needed.
I am feeling empowered.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Master of Maintenance
Yep, 152.5. At least I’m consistent, right? Eating was good yesterday. Last night was a test: Mom picked up the boy for tutoring and I went home to walk. But we had a thunderstorm, so I wound up just hanging around the house, doing dinner prep & reading. I had my post dinner snack (1 cup 1% milk with 1 tsp chocolate syrup) since I knew we’d be eating late, then I had an O’Doul’s while I read. I still wanted something so I had a diet tonic water with lime. That was really yummy. I wasn’t hungry, just bored. The tonic water made a nice treat with no calories. I wrote down everything and looked it up on Fitday – total calories for the day were 1451. Pretty good – I ate a lot of healthy food and didn’t get hungry.
Exercise was good yesterday – 2 mile run in the morning, 30 minute walk at lunch, and then we walked the dogs 1 mile last night after dinner. Today is another run and weight training. Saturday is a rest day, and Sunday is 13 miles. I am planning my food out for the weekend. We are grilling out homemade bratwurst Sunday night with my sister & her fiancee. My plan is to eat only 1 and supplement with some other lean meat. We’re also having corn on the cob (grilled) and homemade 3 bean salad (no sugar). I have done my best to set myself up for success. I have also started buying YuengLing beer – the hubby likes it but I don’t care for it. That way he can have a beer if he wants but I won’t be tempted. I’ve got my O’Douls!
Have a great weekend!
Yep, 152.5. At least I’m consistent, right? Eating was good yesterday. Last night was a test: Mom picked up the boy for tutoring and I went home to walk. But we had a thunderstorm, so I wound up just hanging around the house, doing dinner prep & reading. I had my post dinner snack (1 cup 1% milk with 1 tsp chocolate syrup) since I knew we’d be eating late, then I had an O’Doul’s while I read. I still wanted something so I had a diet tonic water with lime. That was really yummy. I wasn’t hungry, just bored. The tonic water made a nice treat with no calories. I wrote down everything and looked it up on Fitday – total calories for the day were 1451. Pretty good – I ate a lot of healthy food and didn’t get hungry.
Exercise was good yesterday – 2 mile run in the morning, 30 minute walk at lunch, and then we walked the dogs 1 mile last night after dinner. Today is another run and weight training. Saturday is a rest day, and Sunday is 13 miles. I am planning my food out for the weekend. We are grilling out homemade bratwurst Sunday night with my sister & her fiancee. My plan is to eat only 1 and supplement with some other lean meat. We’re also having corn on the cob (grilled) and homemade 3 bean salad (no sugar). I have done my best to set myself up for success. I have also started buying YuengLing beer – the hubby likes it but I don’t care for it. That way he can have a beer if he wants but I won’t be tempted. I’ve got my O’Douls!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
A Couple of Quotes (not exactly a second post for the day)
Jank put a great Lance quote in his blog message today. I have a couple from Dave Draper's weekly newsletter I wanted to share:
Your attitude is either your driving force, or your millstone. Save the heavy weights for the gym floor; cut loose the millstone that weighs you down and allow the driving force to propel you forward.
Know your limits and go there regularly.
Jank put a great Lance quote in his blog message today. I have a couple from Dave Draper's weekly newsletter I wanted to share:
Your attitude is either your driving force, or your millstone. Save the heavy weights for the gym floor; cut loose the millstone that weighs you down and allow the driving force to propel you forward.
Know your limits and go there regularly.
Then Bob Barker whispered, “Let’s Make a Deal.”
There is a fine line between structure and restriction. While I love structure, I hate the feeling that restrictions have been placed on me. Making dieting “rules” is an invitation for me to rebel – even if I was the one that made the rules!
I am so tired of life here in the low 150s. Really – it’s time to move on. I was driving down the road yesterday afternoon, and I had this utterly bizarre vision of Bob Barker whispering to me “Let’s make a deal.” Not a rule, a deal. It’s time to get this behind me, so I’m willing to deal. Until I get into the 140s (and I don’t care where), no beer. Not a rule – not a punishment – a deal. I will eat better (beer always tells me it would be tastier with nibbles), I will not be ingesting non-nutritive calories, I will get there a bit faster than at a snail’s pace.
This is tough for me. I’ve lost this weight by not giving up any food – just cutting back and exercising more. But I want results a little faster, and this is the price. So, I’m gonna make a deal. How long will it take to lose about 3 pounds? 10 days? 2 weeks? I dunno. But I want to see 140 on the scale more than an evening treat. Besides, that’s why god invented O’Doul’s. Yes, I fully realize this is a mental word game. I don’t care.
I love “iron therapy.” Last night at the gym was amazing. I am really liking my program. It changes every 2 weeks – so next week will be something new. Have I mentioned I love working my shoulders? I feel like Conan when I work shoulders. When it comes to muscles, bigger is better, especially on me. Great weight session, followed by 10 tough minutes on the elliptical. Only 10 minutes – but I had the resistance cranked and the sweat was pouring off. It felt amazing.
This morning I got up and ran 2 miles doing my speed intervals. While not yet fully loaded, I did use my new Rio iPod. The Apple didn’t work with our computer. I felt strong and happy.
Food yesterday was good. I stuck with my plan and I am feeling good about that. I know – for one whole day! But still, I plan to string several days together. ;-)
There is a fine line between structure and restriction. While I love structure, I hate the feeling that restrictions have been placed on me. Making dieting “rules” is an invitation for me to rebel – even if I was the one that made the rules!
I am so tired of life here in the low 150s. Really – it’s time to move on. I was driving down the road yesterday afternoon, and I had this utterly bizarre vision of Bob Barker whispering to me “Let’s make a deal.” Not a rule, a deal. It’s time to get this behind me, so I’m willing to deal. Until I get into the 140s (and I don’t care where), no beer. Not a rule – not a punishment – a deal. I will eat better (beer always tells me it would be tastier with nibbles), I will not be ingesting non-nutritive calories, I will get there a bit faster than at a snail’s pace.
This is tough for me. I’ve lost this weight by not giving up any food – just cutting back and exercising more. But I want results a little faster, and this is the price. So, I’m gonna make a deal. How long will it take to lose about 3 pounds? 10 days? 2 weeks? I dunno. But I want to see 140 on the scale more than an evening treat. Besides, that’s why god invented O’Doul’s. Yes, I fully realize this is a mental word game. I don’t care.
I love “iron therapy.” Last night at the gym was amazing. I am really liking my program. It changes every 2 weeks – so next week will be something new. Have I mentioned I love working my shoulders? I feel like Conan when I work shoulders. When it comes to muscles, bigger is better, especially on me. Great weight session, followed by 10 tough minutes on the elliptical. Only 10 minutes – but I had the resistance cranked and the sweat was pouring off. It felt amazing.
This morning I got up and ran 2 miles doing my speed intervals. While not yet fully loaded, I did use my new Rio iPod. The Apple didn’t work with our computer. I felt strong and happy.
Food yesterday was good. I stuck with my plan and I am feeling good about that. I know – for one whole day! But still, I plan to string several days together. ;-)
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
I'm Back
So, I took off Friday and then unexpectedly took off Monday and Tuesday due to illness (first the boy, then me). But I'm back, I'm following my Fat Flushing Plan (I'm off the white food and caffeine, other than a cup of green tea with lunch). Since my weekend just wasn't that great, I won't go into detail except to say higher insurance rates are in my future (my brand new car too - at least it wasn't bad). Ugh.
Off to the gym tonight for some much needed iron therapy.
I have gone forth and read blogs - even though I didn't leave comments. For that I apologize - comments to me are like finding a hershey's kiss on your chair. Except they don't have calories! They just seem to give you that little lift - sometimes when you really need it. I dunno if other people feel that way, but I try to share them when I feel so moved.
Anyway, hope you are all enjoying the great outdoors!
So, I took off Friday and then unexpectedly took off Monday and Tuesday due to illness (first the boy, then me). But I'm back, I'm following my Fat Flushing Plan (I'm off the white food and caffeine, other than a cup of green tea with lunch). Since my weekend just wasn't that great, I won't go into detail except to say higher insurance rates are in my future (my brand new car too - at least it wasn't bad). Ugh.
Off to the gym tonight for some much needed iron therapy.
I have gone forth and read blogs - even though I didn't leave comments. For that I apologize - comments to me are like finding a hershey's kiss on your chair. Except they don't have calories! They just seem to give you that little lift - sometimes when you really need it. I dunno if other people feel that way, but I try to share them when I feel so moved.
Anyway, hope you are all enjoying the great outdoors!
Thursday, May 05, 2005
I just love positive feedback
"I would like you use your short, but motivating e-mail on my website. I think it really says it all regarding just getting in there "where you are" and doing it. I will then have a link that will take them to the xxx site so they can join in with us (our e-group). I think it would help inspire a lot of other people."
Shared the "jump in where you are" post with a e-group I am on, and the moderator sent this back. Wow. I am really flattered!
"I would like you use your short, but motivating e-mail on my website. I think it really says it all regarding just getting in there "where you are" and doing it. I will then have a link that will take them to the xxx site so they can join in with us (our e-group). I think it would help inspire a lot of other people."
Shared the "jump in where you are" post with a e-group I am on, and the moderator sent this back. Wow. I am really flattered!
The Good, the Bad, the Weigh In
Since I won’t be at work tomorrow, I weighed a day early. Down 3 pounds – hurray! I knew a lot of last week was bloat, but that’s pretty good! There goes 3 of the 5 pounds I gained in April.
The down side is I am firmly stuck again seemingly, although as a slightly lower number. Today I was 152.5 – my new home it seems. I am determined to see the 140s! I went home last night & re-read key sections of my Fat Flush book so I could be ready for next week. I meant to take a walk as well since I missed it at lunch but didn’t manage to do that. I did walk in the morning though, as well as lifted weights last night.
I would post what I did in the weight room, but I didn’t bring my log with me. It was heavy on the leg exercises. Actually, this whole plan places more emphasis on legs than I normally did. That’s not a bad thing, but I’m not sure I feel like there’s enough upper body. While I am on the 3 day a week program, I may add push-ups to failure at the end of one day and inverted rows to failure on another. Gotta keep that upper body buff, doncha know? Seriously, my upper body looks pretty good – you can tell it would be really good if I would lean out a little (working on it!).
The Fat Flush isn't too difficult to follow really - it basically means eliminating starchy carbs, sugar, alcohol, caffeine. Lot of lean meats, veggies (all you want) and 2 fruits a day. Plus eggs & protein powder are "legal" also. That's the basics of the food plan. I think I'll feel better after following that for a couple of weeks.
Are you guys doing anything special for Mother's Day? My mom & MIL are coming over for dinner Sun My mom is bringing the shrimp (already cooked & peeled) and dessert. My MIL is bringing her appetite. Ha ha ha. I have small gifts for both of them. Considering MIL didn't remember my b-day (she said "sorry I forgot" but never even sent a belated card), I think I am being very generous. Please feel free to nominate me for sainthood. :-)
On the down side I am going to my brother's wedding. I'm sure most of the guests are the bride's parent's friends so I won’t know many people. And of course my evil dad will be there sucking up the air & life force of others. Icky-poo! But I am going for my brother. Dad's mom isn't bothering to show. God that half of my family sucks my emotional well-being away.
Done with that negativity. Here’s a suggestion, and not just because it’s Mother’s Day. Take time this weekend to tell a kid you are proud of them. Maybe for something they did at school, maybe for being generous. Whatever. There’s my challenge for the weekend. I don’t think we can give our children too many sincere compliments. If it’s sincere, they will know.
Since I won’t be at work tomorrow, I weighed a day early. Down 3 pounds – hurray! I knew a lot of last week was bloat, but that’s pretty good! There goes 3 of the 5 pounds I gained in April.
The down side is I am firmly stuck again seemingly, although as a slightly lower number. Today I was 152.5 – my new home it seems. I am determined to see the 140s! I went home last night & re-read key sections of my Fat Flush book so I could be ready for next week. I meant to take a walk as well since I missed it at lunch but didn’t manage to do that. I did walk in the morning though, as well as lifted weights last night.
I would post what I did in the weight room, but I didn’t bring my log with me. It was heavy on the leg exercises. Actually, this whole plan places more emphasis on legs than I normally did. That’s not a bad thing, but I’m not sure I feel like there’s enough upper body. While I am on the 3 day a week program, I may add push-ups to failure at the end of one day and inverted rows to failure on another. Gotta keep that upper body buff, doncha know? Seriously, my upper body looks pretty good – you can tell it would be really good if I would lean out a little (working on it!).
The Fat Flush isn't too difficult to follow really - it basically means eliminating starchy carbs, sugar, alcohol, caffeine. Lot of lean meats, veggies (all you want) and 2 fruits a day. Plus eggs & protein powder are "legal" also. That's the basics of the food plan. I think I'll feel better after following that for a couple of weeks.
Are you guys doing anything special for Mother's Day? My mom & MIL are coming over for dinner Sun My mom is bringing the shrimp (already cooked & peeled) and dessert. My MIL is bringing her appetite. Ha ha ha. I have small gifts for both of them. Considering MIL didn't remember my b-day (she said "sorry I forgot" but never even sent a belated card), I think I am being very generous. Please feel free to nominate me for sainthood. :-)
On the down side I am going to my brother's wedding. I'm sure most of the guests are the bride's parent's friends so I won’t know many people. And of course my evil dad will be there sucking up the air & life force of others. Icky-poo! But I am going for my brother. Dad's mom isn't bothering to show. God that half of my family sucks my emotional well-being away.
Done with that negativity. Here’s a suggestion, and not just because it’s Mother’s Day. Take time this weekend to tell a kid you are proud of them. Maybe for something they did at school, maybe for being generous. Whatever. There’s my challenge for the weekend. I don’t think we can give our children too many sincere compliments. If it’s sincere, they will know.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Back to Flushing
After waking up this morning, I have decided to go back and do the “Fat Flush Plan” 2 week detox again. I’ve gotten in the habit of eating more bread, rice, & pasta than I want to be eating. That plan makes me eat “clean” – very similar to what I call “body builder eating”. It is a little low on the carbs for 2 weeks, although it does include plenty of vegetables and fruit. But this time of year, I love going to the farmer’s market and loading up on veggies anyway. So it’ll be pretty easy to follow. And I need to get the caffeine & alcohol out of my diet – for a while at least. This stuff isn’t making me feel good mentally or physically (except when I’m consuming it).
Walked this morning. Tonight is day 2 of the weight lifting plan – I’m excited about that! Also, the boy is going to grandpa’s after school today since Thursday & Friday are teacher workdays. And “Deathstalker 2” came in the mail yesterday. I feel a bad movie night coming on. Tomorrow we’re hitting the $3 theater in our town for “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”. As much as I loved those books, I’m a little leery of seeing the movie, but hubby is wanting to go.
Well, that's about all I know. Mighty quiet in this corner of blogland. Hope everyone is doing well & enjoying spring!
After waking up this morning, I have decided to go back and do the “Fat Flush Plan” 2 week detox again. I’ve gotten in the habit of eating more bread, rice, & pasta than I want to be eating. That plan makes me eat “clean” – very similar to what I call “body builder eating”. It is a little low on the carbs for 2 weeks, although it does include plenty of vegetables and fruit. But this time of year, I love going to the farmer’s market and loading up on veggies anyway. So it’ll be pretty easy to follow. And I need to get the caffeine & alcohol out of my diet – for a while at least. This stuff isn’t making me feel good mentally or physically (except when I’m consuming it).
Walked this morning. Tonight is day 2 of the weight lifting plan – I’m excited about that! Also, the boy is going to grandpa’s after school today since Thursday & Friday are teacher workdays. And “Deathstalker 2” came in the mail yesterday. I feel a bad movie night coming on. Tomorrow we’re hitting the $3 theater in our town for “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”. As much as I loved those books, I’m a little leery of seeing the movie, but hubby is wanting to go.
Well, that's about all I know. Mighty quiet in this corner of blogland. Hope everyone is doing well & enjoying spring!
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
No spiffy title, just good exercise
So, last night I did the first workout from “The Body Sculpting Bible for Women”. The book has several programs: a intro level, 2 “intermediate” workouts – one with very basic equipment and one assuming you have more, and a “super intense” 6 day a week program for the truly insane. I selected one of the middle programs – the one with more equipment since I am doing it at the gym.
Weeks 1 & 2 of the 6 week program have me doing 2 sets of more reps (12-15 range). So the weight is fairly high but nowhere near max, and there are 90 seconds breaks. The exercises are arranged in compound supersets. Here is what I did last night:
Set 1:
(back) db row: 30/15 30/15
(chest) incline db press: 25/15 25/15
Set 2:
(shoulders) db shoulder press: 20/15 20/15
(calves) standing calf raises: 20/20 20/25 (this one exercise had you do more reps)
Set 3:
(bicep) db curl: 15/15 15/15
(Tricep) overhead db extension: 30/15 30/15
Set 4:
Db squats: 30/12 30/12
Stiff legged dead lifts: 30/12 30/12
I never do either of the exercises in set 4, so I was uncertain how much weight to use. Also, I plan to go a little light on the legs since I am keeping up my running program.
This morning was a 2 mile run. I rolled out of bed, into my clothes, had a few sips of water and was out the door in under 5 minutes. The cool thing was I’d run most of the first mile before my eyes were fully open! I ran the run parts fast and used the walks for recovery. Felt so good. The hubby got out & walked a mile. I caught him as I was getting ready to cool down, so we walked the last stretch together.
I was starved yesterday, and wound up scoring a bag of hot air popcorn in addition to my planned food. I had a light supper to try & make up for it.
If you need inspiration, read this marathon report. I got all verklempt. http://www.msteechur.com/ (go to the blog)
Well, that’s all I know. How is you training going? Anything new or special?
So, last night I did the first workout from “The Body Sculpting Bible for Women”. The book has several programs: a intro level, 2 “intermediate” workouts – one with very basic equipment and one assuming you have more, and a “super intense” 6 day a week program for the truly insane. I selected one of the middle programs – the one with more equipment since I am doing it at the gym.
Weeks 1 & 2 of the 6 week program have me doing 2 sets of more reps (12-15 range). So the weight is fairly high but nowhere near max, and there are 90 seconds breaks. The exercises are arranged in compound supersets. Here is what I did last night:
Set 1:
(back) db row: 30/15 30/15
(chest) incline db press: 25/15 25/15
Set 2:
(shoulders) db shoulder press: 20/15 20/15
(calves) standing calf raises: 20/20 20/25 (this one exercise had you do more reps)
Set 3:
(bicep) db curl: 15/15 15/15
(Tricep) overhead db extension: 30/15 30/15
Set 4:
Db squats: 30/12 30/12
Stiff legged dead lifts: 30/12 30/12
I never do either of the exercises in set 4, so I was uncertain how much weight to use. Also, I plan to go a little light on the legs since I am keeping up my running program.
This morning was a 2 mile run. I rolled out of bed, into my clothes, had a few sips of water and was out the door in under 5 minutes. The cool thing was I’d run most of the first mile before my eyes were fully open! I ran the run parts fast and used the walks for recovery. Felt so good. The hubby got out & walked a mile. I caught him as I was getting ready to cool down, so we walked the last stretch together.
I was starved yesterday, and wound up scoring a bag of hot air popcorn in addition to my planned food. I had a light supper to try & make up for it.
If you need inspiration, read this marathon report. I got all verklempt. http://www.msteechur.com/ (go to the blog)
Well, that’s all I know. How is you training going? Anything new or special?
Monday, May 02, 2005
When your best isn’t good enough, it’s time to get creative!
I am a fan of the “Flylady” (www.flylady.net). At first glance it’s about de-cluttering your home and creating routines to keep it neat. Really, it’s more about de-cluttering our lives and setting up routines so that we can enjoy the things that are truly important. She has an e-group which sends reminders, all of which end with the phrase “You are not behind! I don't want you to try to catch up; I just want you to jump in where we are. O.K.?”
Think about that for a moment – what a liberating thought that truly is. Imagine if we gave ourselves permission in all areas of our lives to not beat ourselves up for where we are versus where we think we should be. Like our weight. Like our fitness. Don’t try to catch up, just jump in where you are. Own that phrase and watch your inner brat cringe and curl up into a ball!
I’ve been missing the discipline of a running program. Just getting out there wasn’t getting it for me because I wasn’t because I felt I lacked a purpose. My “best” hasn’t been good enough. Not being able to run while my husband was sick really de-railed my training plan for the June marathon. So I spent a couple of weeks whining about poor me and not getting out there. This weekend I got out there. Inner brat whined, but Inner Athlete just said “This time we’ll pick a run farther out, so that we’ll have some fluff in our routine. No more picking a run, counting back, and leaving no margin for error.”
Another flaw in my logic has been my expectations. The moment I cross the finish line of my first marathon, the angels will not sing, the remaining 15 pounds of lard will not fall magically off my a$$, and I will not look like “Buff Girl” at the gym in an instant. (Inner brat despises Buff Girl because she exists and uses air. I give Inner Brat a little leeway so I can keep her under control.) While it will be a great accomplishment, I have been building it up like some sort of holy Mecca of fitness - hanging my self of worth as an athlete on this one thing. Not good.
So, I have tentatively picked a run in November (yes, November). There are weeks of fluff built in, so if I need to take off for a vacation or illness that’s fine. I can always get to a point and hold there for a couple of weeks. It’s flexible. I looked at my running log, and looked at a marathon training plan, and tried to figure out where to jump back in. I picked an 11-12 mile run.
Like Gaul, yesterday’s run was divided into 3 parts. Since I was just looping around the neighborhood, I stopped at home at the 4 and 8 mile points for potty breaks. I had bought some cinnamon apple flavored Hammer Gel at the tri (YUM! I was using the wrong flavor all along!), which I used. I rolled out of bed at 5:30, had a power bar & half a glass of diet Pepsi, and headed out the door.
Miles 1 – 4 were excellent. Cool, still dark, quiet. Felt excellent. I stopped at the house & took off my t-shirt (I had on an aerobic top – jog bra thing that looks okay in public), had some gel, & headed back out.
Miles 5-8 weren’t too bad, except I had to pee for 7 and 8 (have I mentioned my bladder is the size of a peanut?). But still feeling good. More gel, & I was back out.
The last 3 miles it was getting warmer and more people were out. The birds were enjoying the worm “all you care to eat buffet” the rain had left on the pavement. I thought I hadn’t gotten a runner’s high, but then realized that this was my longest run in 4 weeks. The fact that I was still feeling good was awesome!
After the run, I had breakfast, a hot bath, and a nap. It took more out of me than I thought. It felt so good to be back out there. I did much much better with my eating over the weekend, I hit the gym Friday after work, and I am feeling much more like myself again.
I’m back!
I am a fan of the “Flylady” (www.flylady.net). At first glance it’s about de-cluttering your home and creating routines to keep it neat. Really, it’s more about de-cluttering our lives and setting up routines so that we can enjoy the things that are truly important. She has an e-group which sends reminders, all of which end with the phrase “You are not behind! I don't want you to try to catch up; I just want you to jump in where we are. O.K.?”
Think about that for a moment – what a liberating thought that truly is. Imagine if we gave ourselves permission in all areas of our lives to not beat ourselves up for where we are versus where we think we should be. Like our weight. Like our fitness. Don’t try to catch up, just jump in where you are. Own that phrase and watch your inner brat cringe and curl up into a ball!
I’ve been missing the discipline of a running program. Just getting out there wasn’t getting it for me because I wasn’t because I felt I lacked a purpose. My “best” hasn’t been good enough. Not being able to run while my husband was sick really de-railed my training plan for the June marathon. So I spent a couple of weeks whining about poor me and not getting out there. This weekend I got out there. Inner brat whined, but Inner Athlete just said “This time we’ll pick a run farther out, so that we’ll have some fluff in our routine. No more picking a run, counting back, and leaving no margin for error.”
Another flaw in my logic has been my expectations. The moment I cross the finish line of my first marathon, the angels will not sing, the remaining 15 pounds of lard will not fall magically off my a$$, and I will not look like “Buff Girl” at the gym in an instant. (Inner brat despises Buff Girl because she exists and uses air. I give Inner Brat a little leeway so I can keep her under control.) While it will be a great accomplishment, I have been building it up like some sort of holy Mecca of fitness - hanging my self of worth as an athlete on this one thing. Not good.
So, I have tentatively picked a run in November (yes, November). There are weeks of fluff built in, so if I need to take off for a vacation or illness that’s fine. I can always get to a point and hold there for a couple of weeks. It’s flexible. I looked at my running log, and looked at a marathon training plan, and tried to figure out where to jump back in. I picked an 11-12 mile run.
Like Gaul, yesterday’s run was divided into 3 parts. Since I was just looping around the neighborhood, I stopped at home at the 4 and 8 mile points for potty breaks. I had bought some cinnamon apple flavored Hammer Gel at the tri (YUM! I was using the wrong flavor all along!), which I used. I rolled out of bed at 5:30, had a power bar & half a glass of diet Pepsi, and headed out the door.
Miles 1 – 4 were excellent. Cool, still dark, quiet. Felt excellent. I stopped at the house & took off my t-shirt (I had on an aerobic top – jog bra thing that looks okay in public), had some gel, & headed back out.
Miles 5-8 weren’t too bad, except I had to pee for 7 and 8 (have I mentioned my bladder is the size of a peanut?). But still feeling good. More gel, & I was back out.
The last 3 miles it was getting warmer and more people were out. The birds were enjoying the worm “all you care to eat buffet” the rain had left on the pavement. I thought I hadn’t gotten a runner’s high, but then realized that this was my longest run in 4 weeks. The fact that I was still feeling good was awesome!
After the run, I had breakfast, a hot bath, and a nap. It took more out of me than I thought. It felt so good to be back out there. I did much much better with my eating over the weekend, I hit the gym Friday after work, and I am feeling much more like myself again.
I’m back!
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