Wow, so it has been about a year since my last post here.   And what a year it has been!

Today, I'm back on the wagon.   The healthy eating (notice I didn't say DIET; I'm trying to ban that word from my existence) and exercising wagon.

I could go on and on with my lame excuses about my weight and lack of exercise over the past year or so, but I'll spare you.

Truth is, I haven't exercised consistently in months and I fall on and off the healthy eating wagon weekly.

So - my current weight is:   (cringe)  187  per the scale yesterday at my gym at work.

$%#@*  How did I get here?

Less sleep (new work schedule), stress, busy lifestyle, add to that lame excuse after lame excuse.

Spring is here.   I have no clothes that (a) fit, or (b) if they do fit, they look awful.   It's stressful just deciding what the *&#% I'm going to wear at any given point.

And I'm going on vacation in about 7 short weeks, ugh.   The thought of being in a bathing suit makes me shudder.

So what to do?

Today is Day 1

Goal weight:   140 pounds (and even lower if I get there and can keep going healthfully, but I'm trying to be realistic here)

Time frame:   as long as it takes, but sooner rather than later!

The plan:

• Cut out soda/sugar 
• Follow the 14 day Beginner Paleo plan from Diet Point  (evaluate after 10 days or so as to whether to repeat or find another plan)  
• Do Harley Pasternak's 5 Factor  DVD workout  (25 minute workouts 5 days a week)
• Daily meditation and journal writing & review of affirmations 
• Walks/Exercise classes when able (either at work or at home) 
• Yoga when able (DVD at home)  
• Monday weigh ins at my gym at work 

So far, today, I've:

• Had no soda or sugar 
• Stuck to the eating plan (it's been yummy so far) 
• Wrote in my journal, repeated affirmations
• Meditated 

So I'm off to a solid start.  I plan to get in the workout this evening.  

So what is different this time?  I'm trying to address the reasons why I overeat (mainly a stressful lifestyle) with the journaling, meditations, affirmations and yoga.    And I'm not going to drive myself bonkers trying to do over-the-top exercise programs and running regimens so that I get frustrated and quit when they are too difficult or time-consuming.   (I definitely want to get back to those someday, but baby steps).

I've been reading Mark's Daily Apple and it really got me interested in the Paleo/Primal lifestyle.   I've been   tinkering around with it over the past few months, but it is time to make a commitment.

I saw the Hungry for Change movie recently and it was really an eye opener.   I purchased it and downloaded it onto my Ipod, and have been listening to it my car.    I hope it really helps me change my thinking.

See you Monday for weigh-in.  Wish me strength to stick with it!

Back on the Wagon

Hey y'all. I actually finished 90 days of P90X at the end of March. Woo-hoo! I lost about 15 pounds and was starting to see some muscle definition! My clothes were fitting great!

But I needed a break from Tony Horton & crew. So I got a Jackie Warner video and for the month of April planned on alternating her video with her treadmill interval workout. The first week started out well.

Then I Fell Off The Wagon.

Having an open schedule was the death of me. I didn't have a calendar on the wall and the pressure to "do this workout today, or you'll get behind or be off track".

Darn. 5 lbs creeped back on.

So now I'm back with a schedule, as of this past Monday. I started a P90X/Insanity hybrid. 3 days a week, I do P90X, and 3 days a week I do Insanity (another Beachbody workout plan that is mostly cardio).

I printed out a schedule I found on the internet and made it into a calendar. My 90 days began this past Monday, May 9th and will continue until July 31. Perfect, since we have a couple trips planned in August.

I like the mix of the two programs so far. I was scared to try Insanity, but I've done better with it than I thought I would. Yes it's hard, but it's not impossible.

I want to get back to that whole weigh in thing. I'll use my starting weight from prior to my first round of P90X:

Starting weight: 177 pounds
Current weight: 165 pounds

Goal weight: 130 pounds

Lost this week: N/A
Lost total: 12 pounds
Left to lose: 35

And I want to get my hubby to take some photos of me so I can compare them to some more photos at the end. Maybe by then I'll be brave enough to share them.

And a little update on Mr:

He has LOST 40 POUNDS! He started a "Biggest Loser" type weight loss challenge at our gym, and really stuck with it. He had sessions with a trainer, got weighed in every week, and ate about a third of what he used to. Now that program's over (he came SO close to winning, which would have meant a bunch more training sessions for free, but he didn't win) he's on his own, and it's up to him to stick with it.

Summer will be here before we know it. Gotta stick with it!

A New Beginning

Wow. July 12, 2010 was my previous Day 1 of P90X. Well, that didn't last. I did it for about three or four weeks and quit right about when I started seeing the tiniest of results.

How typical of me. I liked it - I just had trouble getting up at 5 in the morning long-term at that point. Not to mention my motivation faded away.

But . . .

I started P90X again this past January.

I'm now on WEEK 10, DAY 59

Can you believe it? I've actually stuck with something.

And I'm seeing results.

Typically, my alarm goes off at 4:30 a.m., and I'm in my damp, dark, cold basement by 5a.m. I work out with Tony Horton on my TV until 6 or 6:15, and then I shower, get get the kids up and dressed and go to work.

I am also following the Body for Life eating plan, so usually during this morning routine (or if I'm really efficient, the night before), I pack my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day to take to work.

Back to my results. Maybe I'll get up enough guts when I'm done the 90 days to post some before and after pictures. I'll think about it, in the meantime, you'll have to trust me when I tell you it's working.

As of this morning, I've lost 8 pounds. Now, that's not a big number. But I'm OK with it. I see results more so in the mirror and in the way my clothes fit than on the scale. A pair of black dress pants I bought in November, size 14, now will completely fall down unless I belt them.

And I haven't worn a belt with anything in YEARS. It's great to actually tuck stuff in!

And I am now able to wear a pair of long black boots that I haven't been able to wear the past couple of years because I couldn't zip them up over my calves. Yay!

So yes, I'm seeing results. Building muscle does (somewhat) cancel out weight loss.

Also - I'm not perfect. We do have a cheat day once a week (we usually do Saturday or Sunday), but I've cheated more than that. It happens.

And have I done the P90X videos EVERY SINGLE DAY? No. But when I don't, I try to adequately substitute with workouts or classes at my gym. And most weeks, in ADDITION TO the P90X videos, I've gone to Zumba, Kickboxing, or Core Fusion classes at the gym.

I still like to go to the classes as I feel the P90X doesn't have a lot of cardio. (The cardio it has is not very high intensity). And I like the classes - I see friends there and it's a nice break in the work day.

I think part of the reason for my successes so far is that Mr. is on the wagon too. He is working with a trainer at the gym and following the eating plan too. He is doing the Body for Life Challenge at the gym, and he is heck-bent on winning. His weight loss is more dramatic: 25 pounds so far, which is awesome. He doesn't think he looks any different, but I think he does.

The reason he helps: I'm not the only one eating healthy while he sits there and has a bowl of ice cream, or orders cheese fries at a restaurant. We are helping each other make better choices.

Example: we went to a Philadelphia 76ers game last night. No healthy food in sight, but we were hungry and needed to eat, but didn't want to blow it. We wound up sharing a roast beef sandwich. And it was enough for both of us. Previously, we would have gotten nachos, popcorn, cheesesteaks, soda or a few beers. A big difference.

So what else are we eating?

Whatever the plan tells us to. Mr. gets the plan each week from his trainer, and we hit the grocery store. Meats, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Bread/Pasta, Fruit and Vegetables. Yes our trips to the grocery store are expensive, about $200 per week.

But we save big time by not spending $5-15 each per day in our cafeterias at work. And we were typically spending almost that much per week on crap food.

The kids are eating it too, when I think they'll like it. Sometimes I'll make something else for them, which is a pain in the butt, but whatever.

Sometimes I want to quit it all. But something I read in a Buddhist book sticks with me (and I'm going from memory here, hopefully I'll get it right):

"It's easy to start something, and it's easy to quit. But the real challenge is to stick with what you started."

I want to lose about 30 pounds total, so I have a ways to go.

So I'm sticking with it. If I falter or fall off the wagon, all is not lost, I get back on track as soon as I can.

Tomorrow is always a new day!

P90X (Day 1) Ouch. Already!

So we got the P90X videos in the mail. With all the accompaniments: fitness guide, nutritional guide, calendars, etc.

We spent the better part of yesterday clearing out a room in the basement.

We dusted off old weights, exercise bands, yoga mats and bought a chin up bar at Dick's.

We took our TV/DVD out of the kitchen, much to our childrens' discontent, and put it in said basement room.

We put up a bulletin board in order to track our progress on the calendar, and to post before and after pictures.

As of last night: all set. We are trying to come up with a clever name for our home gym. And when the walls are painted and less dingy, I'll post a picture. Not til then.

The alarm went off at 4:45 this morning: Time for Day 1. I dutifully got up and dressed, and headed down for the Day 1 workout. (Mr. remained snoring, as I fully expected. He's a night person.)

Day 1: Chest/Back (60 minutes) and Ab Ripper X (16 minutes)

I did it. I survived. It was very hard, and I had to modify many exercises, but I finished. I was dripping sweat. Guzzling water. I felt great afterwards. Now, OUCH. I'm starting to feel it already . . . everywhere.

I then showered/dressed, fed & let out dog, woke up kids, got everyone breakfast, made lunches, got everyone's stuff together for camps, Mr. took 2 kids to camp & day care, while I took the third to yet another camp (our summer is even crazier than our school year). And then I went to work.

All before 9 a.m.

I'm still guzzling water - and the hardest part of it all isn't even getting up at 4:45, or the exercise (which totally kicked my butt!). For me, it's the eating.

While I haven't gotten through the nutritional guide for P90X yet, I've already started: No SODA. No PROCESSED stuff. No CRAP. That's the hard part for me.

So far today, just water. Some eggs for breakfast. Salad for lunch.

Hopefully I can keep this up.

So here goes with the posting of weight again. While I may post more throughout the week, I'm just going to post weight 1x week as I'm trying not to be too obsessive about it.

Here goes:

Mrs:
Starting weight 7/12/10: 167.8 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Lbs left to lose: 37.8 pounds

Mr. promises to do the Day 1 videos tonight. I think doing them at night will work better for him . . again he is not a morning person. I would much rather do them in the morning . . I am much more of a morning person, and as the day goes on, so do my excuses!

Up tomorrow, Day 2: Plyometrics. I watched it yesterday, and boy, am I in for it. It looks even harder than what I did today. My goal . . is to finish in one piece!

Sigh.

Well, needless to say I fell off the wagon. Not the exercise wagon - I've kept up with that fairly consistently, and even did a 5k this month. I fell hard off the eating healthy wagon.

My weight has started the creep up again - I had gotten down to 162 pounds, now back up to 167. Still less than earlier this year, but I'm frustrated. My clothes don't fit, don't look good, and I don't feel good when I look in the mirror.

It's been a whirlwind of a spring & summer. Several trips (Florida, Michigan, South Carolina) and the perfect storm of kids' activities. I've never been busier. I can't remember when I've actually gone HOME for the night after work and not have to go to a baseball game, softball game, karate class, dance class, or some other activity.

But I'm not spouting off excuses. I've just been stuck in a rut I can't seem to get out of.

I don't WANT to eat crap and drink soda, but somehow I do anyway. I guess it's just easier.

And I'm eating too much. Sometimes I think I do so because if I'm eating, I get to sit down - which means the longer I eat, the longer I get to sit and relax. That's messed up, isn't it?

Every once in a while I cook or order something healthy. But it's not enough.

Mr. is in the same boat. At least we're stuck in it together.

So what are we going to do about it? Hmmmm.........

After much discussion we have ordered P90X and are anxiously awaiting its' arrival.

P90X is a set of workout dvd's and nutrition guides, for, as they say, extreme home fitness.

Several of our good friends have done it with phenomenal results. We are ready for some phenomenal results, and need a plan to get there.

We hope this plan is it.

Stay tuned . . . I anxiously check the mail every day and hope it comes soon!

Weigh in #3 Results - yay!

Mrs.

Starting weight: 171 pounds

Goal weight: 130 pounds

Current weight: 165.5

Pounds lost (gained) this week: 5.2!!

Total pounds lost (gained): 5.2!

Pounds left to lose: 35.5

Workouts: Classes: (3) Zumba classes, (1) Kickboxing. Runs: (2) 2.5-mile runs

Mr.

Starting weight: 240 pounds

Goal weight: 180 pounds

Current weight: 233

Pounds lost (gained) this week: 7!

Total pounds lost (gained): 7

Pounds left to lose: 53

Workouts: 2, at the gym (primarily 45 min on elliptical)

OK, so the Sugar Solution diet is working for us. And it's yummy - I've liked everything on it so far. It is enough food and is satisfying. And it is nice to bring everything to work, so I'm not milling around our cafeteria at lunchtime making bad choices.

The down side: it's expensive - all these fruits and vegetables don't come cheap this time of year, and for example, a block of light Jarlsburg cheese is not exactly buy 1 get 1 free at our supermarket. The prep is also a lot of work. I find myself coming home from work, cooking dinner, cleaning up dinner, and then cooking whatever I need for lunch (and sometimes dinner the next day) and then cleaning that up. Phew - that's a lot to do after a long day of work.

Also, the kids are fairly averse to much of this food - so I have to make other things for them. I'd love to have them adopt this way of eating too, but I'm starting to slowly incorporate them into it based on things I already know they like.

So, with results like these, we will soldier on, learning as we go. I am also going to order The Sugar Solution Cookbook, which has even more recipes.

Hopefully more results next week!

Weigh In #3: Snowmageddeon Over, Back to the Real World!

Mrs.

Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 171 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (2)
Total pounds lost (gained): (3)
Pounds left to lose: 41
Workouts: Classes: Step-N-Pump. 2.5 mile runs: (2)

Mr.
Starting weight: 240 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 240
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (first weigh in)
Total pounds lost (gained): (first weigh in)
Pounds left to lose: 60
Workouts: working the snowblower/shoveling snow for hours every day

Yup, we got 3+ feet of snow last week here, which pretty much shut the place down. No gym. No fitness classes. I did manage to eke out enough time to run on the treadmill at home, twice. But it wasn't enough. Snowed in, we ate all day long. Lots of cookies and comfort food.

But that's all over now.

Yesterday, Mr. and I started a low glycemic index diet. It is from the book The Sugar Solution by Sari Harrar. It has a 30 day makeover plan, which we are attempting to follow to a tee.

So far, so good. The food is yummy, and it's certainly enough food - three meals and three snacks. The tough part is planning and prepping/cooking ahead of time . . but hopefully this will get easier with practice. I made a HUGE grocery store run, which should take care of essentials for the month, and produce/dairy for the first ten days or so.

Here's what we had yesterday:

Breakfast: Multi grain oatmeal (recipe in book) with 1 tbsp chopped walnuts
Morning Snack: 1 pear, 8 baby carrots
Lunch: Lentil Soup (recipe in book), salad with crumbled feta cheese and 2 tbsp light dressing of your choice
Snack: 1 apple
Dinner: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce, and 1 tbsp Parmesan or Romano cheese, 1 cup broccoli sauteed in 1 tsp olive oil with onions and garlic (this was easy & delicious!)
Snack: Fat-free pudding cup

It was all yummy, and I wound up not even getting to the apple in the afternoon - the lentil soup really filled me up. Here's what we are having today:

Breakfast: Smoothie with 1 banana, 1/2 c frozen strawberries, 1 cup 1% milk, and 1 tbsp ground flax seed
Morning Snack: Raw vegetables and 1 ounce string cheese
Lunch: Chicken Salad Roll-Up (recipe in book) and 1c cantaloupe
Snack: 3 tbsp hummus (it doesn't sound like a lot, but it actually is) and raw vegetables
Dinner: 1 veggie burger on a whole grain roll with 1 tsp relish and 1 tbsp ketchup with lettuce, tomato, and onion if desired, 2 cups tossed salad with 1/4 avocado and 2 tbsp low-fat dressing, and 1 cup 1% milk
Snack: 1/2 cup low fat frozen dessert (i.e. sorbet, ice cream, etc)

After 1 day, I weighted myself and I had lost two pounds. So I'm cautiously optimistic that if we can keep this up, we can actually lose weight.

I attended a Zumba class on Monday, ran on the treadmill yesterday, and did Kickboxing today. Up for the rest of the week: Zumba again Thursday, and Body Blast on Friday. And whatever I can fit in over the weekend - either gym, or videos/treadmill at home. I'm committed to doing something every day.

Also, they are starting up a team "Biggest Loser" type contest at the gym at work - I'm trying to round up folks to form a team.

What's my big incentive, you may ask? I'm going to Florida on May 6 with girlfriends who are tall and skinny. That's it right there. All this effort won't make me taller, but at least I can try to look like less of a pumpkin standing next to them!

Have a great week!

Weigh In #2 Rollercoaster week, literally

Mrs.
Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 169 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (1)
Total pounds lost (gained): (1)
Pounds left to lose: 39
Workouts: Classes: Zumba (2), Body Blast

Well, I got the dreaded stomach virus last week. I was the third in my house to get it after my son and youngest daughter. Through my 2 days of intestinal hell, I had lost about five pounds, but after a weekend of normal eating -- it's back. Plus one. I did no exercise over the weekend, and ate a bunch.

What's good: Other than the two days I was sick, I did exercise during the other days of the work week (Monday, Thursday, Friday), even trying a new class - Body Blast. It's intervals of weights and cardio, and I liked it. (Even though I had to leave 15 minutes early due to a meeting - bummer)

Also, when out to dinner last night, I ate half my dinner and boxed up the rest, which I just ate now for a yummy lunch at work. That's something I always think about, but never do. Last night I did it.

What needs work: Eating better, of course. And drinking less soda. I'm definitely drinking less, but I'm still drinking it. I can't seem to stop altogether. I don't have it in my house, which helps. While I'm faithful to the fitness classes, I've slacked off on my daily running. I started back up today though, running 2 miles after my lunchtime Zumba class. It felt really good. Now if I can just get my butt out of bed at 5am tomorrow to do a run before work! I might have to put off watching Jack Bauer tonight to be able to do that!

Miscellaneous: At the gym, I read an interview in Women's Health magazine with Alicia Silverstone about her new book, The Kind Diet. She of course is a vegan. She said when she switched to this style of eating, she stopped dieting and the weight fell off and she didn't feel deprived, because the food she was eating was so good.

The magazine also included a recipe for vegan peanut butter chocolate cups that looked yummy. Now, I'm not interested in going vegan (meat I could live without, but other stuff - esp. seafood - no way) but her book looks interesting and probably has some great recipes in it. She even says the book is targeted toward people that don't necessarily want to be vegans, but want to move toward a more plant-based diet. I'm going to consider buying it if I see it on sale or a used copy or something.

Have a great week. I still have high hopes that at some point I will start losing weight.

Some old-school inspiration

Yes, one of these women is me.
I'm on the right, in the pink and white swimsuit.
The other two fabulous women are my dear friends C and H.

This was taken around 1990-1991,
when I was around 20-21 and in college.
We lived during the summers in Dewey Beach, Delaware -
we shared a house with 16 girls,
worked at a restaurant during the evenings,
and pretty much did what you us doing here -
all day long, every day.
Good times. Great times.
In fact, of what I can remember,
those days are some of my most favorite memories.
(You don't think it's water in those cups, do you?)

I posted this picture because: LOOK HOW SKINNY I AM!

Can I be that skinny ever again?

I think yes.
(That's a little more confident than
I really feel, but I'm trying to be positive here)

I didn't post a weigh in this week for the usual reasons -
I didn't lose weight.
After 5 exercise classes, 4 thirty minute runs,
drinking 80 ounces of water a day,
only having 2 sodas after the course of the week,
eating weight control oatmeal every day
and packing my lunch for work,
I GAINED TWO POUNDS.

Frustrating? Absolutely. Discouraging? No.

I know it isn't going to happen overnight
I have to remain consistent.

So, I will weigh in this Monday and post the truth -
no matter how frustrated I may be.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Weigh In #1 (of 2010)

OK, here's my first weigh in of 2010.

Mrs.
Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: fresh start
Total pounds lost (gained): fresh start
Pounds left to lose: 38
Workouts: lots planned!

So it's 168. I actually thought it would be more, since I ate a massive amount of chocolate chip cookies, and did NOTHING as far as exercise over the holiday break.

Today I got up at 5:30 and ran for 30 minutes, and I'm planning on going to Zumba class at lunchtime.

I've packed my breakfast, lunch AND snacks for work, and brought a huge water bottle. Hopefully this will keep me away from the cafeteria, where they sell delicious fountain soda.

Have a great week!

A New Year, a New Me

Are you still visiting here? Bless your heart. Thanks for coming back, and for sticking with me.

Sometimes I go away (usually because I'm on a shame spiral), but eventually I come back. Kind of like cockroaches.

Anyway, it's a NEW YEAR. And I've got new motivation:

I TURN 40 THIS YEAR.

Yes, 40.

And I am most unhappy with the way I look- that's the bad news.

The good news: I CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Like I posted on my other blog, I'm not going to obsess about what I DIDN'T do in the past.

I'm going to focus on what I did accomplish over the past year, such as:

• Regularly going to fitness classes
• Regularly going to the gym at work
• Participating in pedometer contests at work (often was named top performer for my team!)
  
• Going to my health club when I can
• Running regularly on my treadmill at home
• I ran four 5k races, improving my time with each one
• I had periods of time where I gave up soda
• I did a lot of yoga, which was great for my stress level, sleep habits, and flexibility
• I read some great books about health/weight loss: Fighting Fat After Forty, Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? and others
  
• I purchased a book to read in the new year: The Zen of Eating and Eating Mindfully
  
• I tried new healthy recipes
  

Looking over all that, I did come along way last year, since prior to 2009, I really wasn't doing any of these things.

All this did wonders for my stress level. My muscles and heart are stronger from the consistent exercise.

Unfortunately, with all I accomplished above, I did not accomplish ANY weight loss. In fact, I GAINED weight.

But I refuse to try another diet. I've done them all, and have eventually rebelled against them all. I don't do well with restriction and rules. But I know I can't continue the crap food free for all. But I'm going to try some things that I hope evolve into habits:

• Pack my lunch for work often (controlling portions as well as costs)
  
• Eat less meat
  
• Eat more fruits/vegetables
  
• Be aware of portion sizes and try to reduce them without obsessing
  
• Drink less soda, more water/tea
• Commit to planning ahead to cook healthy meals for my family
  
• Continue challenging myself with exercise
  
• Run consistently in the mornings before work
  
• Continue running races, 5k's and maybe even a 5-miler or 10k
• Read The Zen of Eating and Eating Mindfully
  
• Stop obsessing over the small stuff
  

I hope these things will push the scale downward. Speaking of the scale, the weekly weigh-ins are back - starting MONDAY.

Enjoy the rest of your week and visit again soon!

Weigh In #20: Just One Thing

Mrs.
Starting weight: 152 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 166.2 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: .2 pounds gained
Total pounds lost (gained): (14.2)
Pounds left to lose: 36.2
Workouts: (1) Zumba class, 1 kickboxing class

Yes, I gained this week. But at some point this week my weight was higher, so I'm glad I only showed a .2 gain this morning. Surprisingly, I haven't had much Halloween candy.

So last time I blogged I was gung-ho about eating only fruits and vegetables. For a couple days, it was great and I felt great. But with all things, I fell off the wagon pretty quickly and went back to my normal crap eating and drinking soda.

Then I read a blog post on the Harvard Business Publishing site about changing just one thing. The author, Peter Bregman, lost 18 pounds by changing just one thing about his lifestyle. Of course it was a big one - he cut out all sugar. But that's all he did. He advocates changing just one thing. You are to figure out what "one thing" would give you the most bang for your buck, and do it - don't change anything else. Put ALL your focus on the one thing.

Now, cutting out sugar would be HUGE. But I tend to rebel with deprivation, so I think that's too much for me. I've decided my one thing would be my regular sodas. Each one has a couple hundred calories, and I have a couple a day, so I think that it should have an impact.

So, I'm cutting out soda. So far this morning I have been drinking orange-flavored seltzer, and it is an adequate substitute.

So that's my one thing. However, it's really two things.

At 5am this morning, I got up and went running on my treadmill.

Not far. I want to start small so I can actually turn this into a habit. I warmed up walking for 5 minutes, ran for 10, and walked to cool down for 5. So 20 minutes total, about 1.25 mi. Then some stretching afterwards. It felt good, I worked up a sweat. So now I want to make a habit of doing it every day. (And eventually run a little longer and faster).

Getting up early to run while the rest of the house sleeps ensures I get a workout in no matter how busy or crazy my day gets. That's been my issue - consistency - I have good intentions, then life happens - meetings, doctor appointments, onset of laziness, etc, which throw off my plans. Then a day goes by without a workout, and then 2 days, 3 days, etc. . . then yet another weigh in with disappointing results.

So, the plan is: Cut out soda, run 20 minutes every day. Can I do it daily until next weigh in? Tune in next week to find out!

Weigh In # 19: *&@#!!!!

Mrs.
Starting weight: 152 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 166 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: 1.8 pounds gained
Total pounds lost (gained): (14)
Pounds left to lose: 36
Workouts: (3) Zumba classes, (2) 30 minute run/walk intervals

Crap! The darn creep keeps creeping. I need a jump start. I need inspiration.

I need to STOP EATING CRAP AND DRINKING SODA! RIGHT NOW!

So I've got the exercise thing down. I'm not the most consistent, but I do what I can. I enjoy it, it does wonders for my stress level, and it helps me sleep better at night. I'm averaging 4-5 days a week. Not bad.

So DARN IT, now I need to focus on eating habits. I need a jump start, something drastic. I pored over my current self help books (Fight Fat After Forty, and The Psychology of Weight Loss) and I've decided to do a fast. No, not that crazy maple syrup/lemonade/cayenne pepper thing. I'll never do that again! No, not a liquid diet.

I'm going to eat only fruits and vegetables, and drink only water. As much as I want, whenever I want. And see how long I can keep it up. I figure I'll cheat occasionally, but even so I'll still be better off than if I kept the status quo of eating mostly crap and drinking fountain Cokes all day long.

I've started today, except for breakfast (eggs, a biscuit with butter, and a large fountain Coke. See - crap!). I did an awesome Kickboxing class today (thanks Steph!). I loaded my plate with veggies (hot and cold) from the lunch buffets at work, and pulled out my 32 oz. Weight Watchers cup and drank a full one of water.

My books say you should drink 8 ounces of water for every 14-20 pounds of body weight. In my case that would be 64-94 ounces of water. Wow, that's a lot. I'll have to work up to it.

The books also say to buy a juicer and juice your own fruits and vegetables. I took a look at juicers online, and they are kind of pricey. My fridge is already loaded with some low-sodium cans of V8, so I think I'll use that up while I ponder getting a juicer.

I'm excited. I'm hoping this feels great and I'm not hungry all the time. I'm hoping to post some positive results come next Monday!

Weigh In #18: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Got off track on the 5k training (1 for 4). Getting back on track today.

This weekend was disastrous with eating. Just one example: we went out to eat last night to celebrate a big achiemevement Mr. had at work. He asked me my preference in restaurants, and I said wanted one with some healthy options.

The restaurant did have a variety of options, many of them healthy. I then proceeded to order BEEF NACHOS with a LARGE fountain Coke. And when the waitress asked me if I wanted my drink refilled, I said YES. Sigh.

This morning, while reading my new book, Fighting Fat After Forty, a passage really spoke to me. On page 217, it said:

"Your family and friends are the genuine treasures in life. You, in turn, are their greatest gift. Take care of your gift to them by acknowledging that your body needs care and attention.

Exercise is not about trudging to your workout, getting sore muscles, rushing around the gym. It's about moving your body every day, and leading a healthy, balanced, enjoyable life. And honoring the really important priorities in your life."

Good stuff, right? Now here's where it gets REALLY GOOD:

"If you neglect yourself, if you don't exercise, if you continue to eat self-destructively, you will not only shorten your life, but you will also bring sadness to your loved ones."

Wow. Now that's something to print out and post on the bathroom mirror, fridge, and computer monitor. Thank you, Dr. Pamela Peeke.

Well, here's the weigh-in, another disappointment.

Mrs.
Starting weight: 152 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 164.2
Pounds lost (gained) this week: 1 pounds gained
Total pounds lost (gained): (12.2)
Pounds left to lose: 34.2
Workouts: 1 Zumba class, 1 walk/run, 2 "P.M. Yoga" video sessions

Weigh In #17: 5k, here we come

I'm back in workout mode. I successfully completed the first week of 5k training. It's not THAT much of an accomplishment, because it was just 4 days of 30 minute walks. Not very hard. But I was determined to stick to it.

THIS week we start the actual running. I'm trying to be very disciplined and finish out this plan. Discipline is not something that comes easily to me - maybe my parents should have sent me to military school.

Mr. decided to do the 5k training program with me. He did the first two days of walks, then he hurt his back and was out of commission for a few days. He is going to start the program over again this week.

Even though I'm back in workout mode, no weight loss. In fact, weight gain. Yeah, it sucks, big time.

I started reading a new book, Fight Fat After Forty: The Revolutionary Three-Pronged Approach That Will Break Your Stress-Fat Cycle and Make You Healthy, Fit, and Trim for Life by Pamela Peeke, M.D.

It's one of those books where as I'm reading it, I feel like the author is speaking SPECIFICALLY TO ME.

Mind you, I'm not yet 40, but close enough. And I've got stress fat galore. I'm working my way through the book and once I become clear on the plan, I'll implement it (and of course let you know more about it).

So far, what I've gleaned is that you've got to exercise regularly, do your best to deal with stress in your life, watch portions, up fruits and vegetables, and not eat complex carbs for dinner most nights.

Not rocket science, I've heard all those things before.

But in the book Dr. Peeke really breaks down physiologically what happens to a woman's body with age . . . and scientifically why we need more activity and less calories as we get older.

The message that's really stuck with me is that eating healthy and exercising is not just to get and stay thin- in your forties and beyond, it's more important to do these things in order to AVOID DISEASE so that you may live for a very long time. I want to live to be at my grandchildrens' weddings and beyond!

I've already started trying to reduce stress by upping my yoga sessions this week. And I've been bringing grapes to work to snack on in the afternoon rather than hitting up the candy and cookies that are always floating around the office.

So here goes:

Mrs.

Starting weight: 152 pounds

Goal weight: 130 pounds

Current weight: 163.2

Pounds lost (gained) this week: 2 pounds gained

Total pounds lost (gained): (11.2)

Pounds left to lose: 33.2

Workouts: 1 Zumba class, 4 days of 30 minute walks, 4 "P.M. Yoga" video sessions

Mr.

Starting weight: 245 pounds

Goal weight: 185 pounds

Current weight: 238

Pounds lost (gained) this week: (unknown)

Total pounds lost: 7

Pounds left to lose: 45

Workouts: 2 - 30 minute walks

Weigh In #16: Vacation happens

We were on vacation last week. We didn't go too nuts with eating, and I only had a few sodas over the course of a week. I did have ice cream a couple times though.

2 pounds gained is not too bad, I think. Back on the wagon now. I went to Zumba class yesterday and also walked on the treadmill for 20 min last night.

I'm starting a "Couch to 5k" training program in anticipation of running another 5k with Diva in November. It's will be my 3rd 5k since May, so I'm not exactly starting from the couch, but I hadn't previously trained for them and have paid for it the next few days after the races.

Mr. said he wanted to do the program too. But when I reminded him to walk his 20 minutes last night, he pretended not to hear me and kept watching TV.

So I'm going to hopefully stick to this 5k training program in addition to my exercise classes, and hope that it jump starts my weight loss. I'll post more details about the program soon.

Mrs.

Starting weight: 152 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds

Current weight: 161.2
Pounds lost (gained) this week: 2 pounds gained

Total pounds lost (gained): (9.2)
Pounds left to lose: 31.2

Workouts: chasing 3 kids around the beach and pool, daily. Several bike rides & walks on the beach.

Mr.

Starting weight: 245 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds

Current weight: ?
Pounds lost (gained) this week:

Total pounds lost: 15
Pounds left to lose: 45

Workouts: chasing 3 kids around the beach and pool, daily. Several bike rides & walks.

Weigh In #15: Back in the Saddle!

Success this week, but not without its challenges! (My birthday was on Sunday, and darn it, I ate cake. Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake, from Friendly's. It was worth it!) Mr. in particular had a great week. With virtually no workouts, I may add (grrr....). He can drop weight, seemingly, by just thinking about it. Wish it was that easy for me!

Mrs.

Starting weight: 152 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds

Current weight: 159.2 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: 3 pounds lost, yay!

Total pounds lost (gained): (7.2)
Pounds left to lose: 29.2

Workouts: 5 (1 Zumba class, 1 Kickboxing class, 3 one-mile speed walks around my very hilly neighborhood)

Mr.

Starting weight: 245 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds

Current weight: 230 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: 8

Total pounds lost: 15
Pounds left to lose: 45

Workouts: some yardwork on Sunday in 95 degree heat.

Weigh In #14: Starting today, back on track!

Ouch, getting on the scale this morning hurt. It was BAD. Lots of excess over the weekend from beer drinking at the Elton John/Billy Joel concert (which was excellent!). Going on vacation exactly 18 days from now . . . . would like to get down to 150 by then - yes, I know that's a lofty goal.


Mrs.
Starting weight: 152 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds

Current weight: 162.2 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (n/a, last weigh in May 11)

Total pounds lost (gained): (10.2)
Pounds left to lose: 32.2

Workouts: 3 (Zumba, 2 one-mile speed walks)

Mr. (yes he's back! Yay!)
Starting weight: 245 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds

Current weight: 238 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: (n/a, last weigh in was April 6)

Total pounds lost: 7
Pounds left to lose: 53

Workouts: (1) one-mile speed walk

I'm Back!

OK, I have been avoiding this blog like the plague. If you are still out there, thanks for checking in. I'm back!

I've been gone because I have been REALLY good at coming up with all kinds of rationalizations about my diet and exercise (or lack thereof) and why I have nothing of interest to blog about.

Well, here's something interesting: My weight has been creeping up again, to around 160 pounds. Completely unacceptable to me. SO depressing and frustrating to me that I've done nothing but GAIN weight since I started this blog.

Yet, I have been exercising regularly (not quite as consistently as I'd like, but at least a couple times a week at minimum). I've been doing Zumba, kickboxing, and step classes, which I really enjoy. I've been jogging every now and then (I've run two 5k's since April) and do workout DVD's (P.M. Yoga, Slim In Six, Zumba, Weight Loss Yoga) at home when I can. And we've been on vacation. Taking 3 kids to the beach every day is like exercising all day long.

Exercise has become essential to me in managing my stress level, and it makes me happier. Plus, it have given me quality time with my daughter - I've run both the 5k's with her, and it was more enjoyable than I'd have ever imagined. She's 9, and as she grows older, I know she'll want to spend less and less time with me - but maybe we can continue to do fun and healthy activities such as this that we both enjoy.

So, you may be thinking, what's the problem? Why is my weight continuing to do the slow creep upwards?

Simple answer: I eat too much and drink too much soda. I have yet to find an eating plan that works and is sustainable for me. I like to eat, I don't like any kind of deprivation, and have a strong addiction to regular soda.

Soon after my last post about Suzanne Somers, which was working for me at the time, I decided to stop it after a follow up visit to the Dr. revealed I had more kidney stones (which we thought was just a pregnancy thing last year). They are just waiting for their time to move. Uh-oh. Dr. C told me to avoid dark sodas, teas, and any high protein-low carb diets. since my stones are calcium oxalate and may be caused by some things in my diet. Bye-bye, Suzanne.

I haven't had any tea since that appointment (I used to drink hot tea in the morning, iced tea at night). But dark soda? Less success here. I definitely haven't been drinking as much of it, but I still gotta have it. And regular soda too, not diet. I hate diet soda's taste, and aspartame gives me blinding headaches.

I know my soda consumption is one of my biggest issues. It seems to be, for me, similar to any other addiction - I give it up, it's all good for a while, and then one day I say, I'll just have one," and so I do. And then I slide back down the slippery slope into drinking them every day. Repeat cycle, over and over again.

I've stopped drinking soda in restaurants. My motivation is two fold - health and money. Seriously, if most of your family orders water with dinner, you'll save almost $10. And feel less full at the end of the meal. Works for me.

I stopped buying soda at the grocery store, so it does not exist in my home. Easy to avoid if it's not there. I drink water or 4C Lemonade with Splenda (delicious).

So what's the problem? Work. They have fountain sodas there. Fountain sodas, to me, taste much better than cans or bottles. I bring in bottles of flavored seltzer to drink instead, but it never lasts. Like some people need their coffee in the a.m., I need my large fountain Coke. I try to only have one a day, but it's a 20 ounce cup, and if I'm careful, I can make that last through lunch.

So what's the solution? I have no idea. Maybe another attack of kidney stones will be the last straw. I hope it doesn't get to that. But I've gotta stop drinking soda, I know. Just that one thing will likely make a huge difference. Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

Back to work here. I'll weigh in on Monday.

Mrs. *

*As for why this doesn't say Mr. as well, he's so far off the wagon, I don't know if he'll be back, but I have hope. He is slowly creeping upward as well, just finished a huge project at work, so maybe he'll come back.

Weigh In #13: Progress, FINALLY!

Mrs.

Starting weight: 152 pounds
Current weight: 154.8 pounds
Pounds lost (gained) this week: 4.2 lost!!
Total pounds lost (gained): (2.8)
Pounds left to lose: 22
Workouts: 3 (Zumba, kickboxing, weights)

Seeing results from the Suzanne Somers diet...and I actually like eating this way. I feel satisfied and not deprived. I counted 4.2 pounds lost because last Wednesday, before I started Somersizing, I weighed (gulp) 159. Hoping I can stick with it and melt away at least 22 more pounds....hopefully at least 10-15 before my June vacation.....