Christmas is Coming...the BigLoser's getting fat...

...please put a penny in the old man's hat!

It's Christmastime! A time of plenty - plenty of holiday parties, cookies, snacks, home-baked goodies...

I can hardly stand it!

I had been doing so well to get rid of the holiday weight from Thanksgiving off my body and shed a few more pounds...but now, I'm headed in the wrong direction. I have tried to be good, but the past few days have started out slowly, but are snowballing downward. Thursday was the holiday lunch at work - a lot of stress...lots of bad food. I wasn't even thinking of what I ate as I was grabbing something quickly to get back to work.

I got some homemade fried rice from a lady at work. YUMMY! Shrimp, rice and veggies...doesn't seem too bad. But then I had some Triscuits with it. I had pancakes for breakfast, a coke, some fried rice...a biscotti with my coffee...it's way too crazy!

My parents will be here in about 2 hours. I will be leaving for a cruise on Monday and the family holiday celebration is on the 28th. It's going to be a long, hard 2 weeks if I don't get on a plan here right away.

I won't be blogging until I return - hopefully it will be a good 2 weeks and not bad. Keep me in your prayers!

A HEALTHY BREAKFAST!

I have been able to drop over 12 lbs. since Thanksgiving by sticking very diligently to the "You...On a Diet" plan. So, in order to help others, I'll share some of the wonderful foods that I have been eating.

Here's my favorite (and most common) breakfast: a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and skim milk, a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice.

Another breakfast favorite: scrambled eggs, two turkey sausage links, coffee and juice.
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Either breakfast is a great way to start off your day. There are some whole wheat toast options with peanut butter, but I'm more of a "filling" breakfast type of person. I like my breakfast!
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On the weekends, I add a piece of whole wheat toast and make sunny-side eggs, instead of scrambled - that is my favorite breakfast in the whole world!

In a couple days, I'll give you some of my favorite lunch options.
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Until then, don't forget your breakfast - it's the most important meal of the day!

Another 2...

It seems that this "You...On A Diet" is working for me. I cannot believe the numbers on the scale. Everyday - a few more ounces - a pound here, a pound there. I am completely and utterly amazed.

I have been trying for over 9 months to lose weight unsuccessfully and now, it's like melting off of me - and all without excessive exercising (don't tell my trainer).

I was so frustrated when I injured myself 3 weeks ago that I decided I was going to go whole-heartedly on this diet and hold to it - no matter what. And that is what I have done. The one time I was thinking I was straying, I actually made some really good choices and it didn't affect me.

Now, I can start going to the gym again. I plan on it today. Nothing too strenuous. I still have to let my foot heel the remainder of the way, but there's a lot that I can do that won't put a lot of strain on the foot.

I am very excited! I lost another 2 lbs - just since yesterday. I'm not sure how this is working, but I'm not complaining and will take every pound I can get. The number on the scale is absolutely the lowest that has been on this scale in 2008. I'm hoping it will be the highest number on the scale for the remainder of the year.

So, if I had to throw out some thoughtful wisdom for you today - I'd say this, "DON'T QUIT!" More than just a cliche', it should be a mantra to push you through, no matter how bleak the circumstances or how slow the results!

I'm FREE!!!

I got a release - I'm free from the aircast walker !!!

The doctor is ruling out any major tears or damage and is now leaning towards the fact that I just bruised my heel (plantar fascia). So, I now have a fancy pair of orthotics to insert into my sneakers that I should have with all my shoes from this day forth to prevent this repetitive injury from getting out of control.

I can start going back to the gym and doing physical activity - but I have to limit the impact for the next 2 weeks. So, I will start some walking and some strength-training - tomorrow!!! Yeah.

I feel pretty good with those fancy orthotics. I've been running up and down the stairs at work and feeling as light as a feather!

Also, with 11 less pounds on my body (yes, 11 since Thanksgiving) - I feel even lighter.

This is a good direction I'm headed in. Look forward to the New Year. I will roll into the New Year with some good momentum and with the prospect of new year's resolutions and the slow-down of "life" in general, I'm setting myself up to be ain a great place come January 1st!

I'm hoping you'll continue to walk (or maybe run) this journey with me as I continue!

Today is the Day!

Today I have my follow-up with the foot doctor.

Pray that I get an OK to resume normal activity - of course, at a "start slow" pace.

I'll try to update this afternoon!

Foot Follies continue...

It seems that just because your foot feels fine that maybe you're not as healed as you think you are!

I went all weekend with a tape job (that I modelled from the internet). It did well, if I was wearing sneakers. But yesterday, I decided to wear some dressier shoes to church. They weren't high heels or anything like that, but they were a pair of dress loafers with a bit of a heel. Ok. SO that hurt!

By the end of church, I was limping again. I spent the rest of the day with my heel feeling sore. Even this morning, I decided I was going to put the walking boot back on until my appointment tomorrow.

I would really like to be done with this walking boot so that I can focus on some fun things, like running and preparing for some winter sports (ie: Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc...). So pray that I get a good report tomorrow and that the doctor will allow me to go 100% without the boot and to start exercising again.

On the other hand, this time of limited activity has caused me to really focus in on my diet. I have done very well. Even the one day that I thought I was cheating slightly on lunch, I realized that I made some really good choices on that cheat and didn't really cheat...

So, what have been the results you might ask???? Look up at my running back, he's moved ahead a few yards and he finally got the first-down!

Only 2 more days!

As an addition to the Foot Chronicles...

I have only 2 more days until my follow-up appointment with the Podiatrist. I'm hoping he says I can do whatever...like, going to the gym!

I taped my foot up today to walk around while I was shopping and stuff...it didn't hurt. I didn't limp. I think it is doing pretty well on it's own.

I've been following the diet really well. I have been on a roll. I think it's only a matter of 2-3 days before I finally hit that elusive 10 lb. mark that I've been aiming for over the past few months...

So, this has gotten to be pretty boring. So, I'll stop.

Only 2 more days!

The Foot Chronicles...

I have been very diligent over this week of sticking to the "You Diet" plan. In doing so, I have lost the 7 lbs I gained over the past few weeks - putting me back at my original 9 lbs worth of weight loss since March.

Because I am still waiting for the "all clear" from the doctor - I have not ventured into the gym yet. But that hopefully comes on Tuesday - PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! I have been bad and took that aircast off the last two days. My foot is a bit tired, but it feels and walks fine - no pain. Though, I might be good and throw it on if I have to keep running up and down the stairs at work. Maybe...

So, only a few more days...

It's Time for Plan B!

Plan A: Go to gym at lunchtime everyday and burn around 300 calories in 30-40 minutes and watch what I eat (moderately).

Ok. Scratch that. With an injury to my foot that I'm told needs to be immobilized - cardio as I currently know it is out - at least until December 9th. So...

Plan B: Go to the gym every other day for some strength training and modified cardio (go hand-bike!) and go on a strict diet.

BOOOOOO! I don't like Plan B. I like to cheat every once-in-awhile. I can't do that anymore. I can't afford the calories. So, it's time to go all out and watch every calorie that I consume.

So, today is day one.

Water
Breakfast: Oatmeal with blueberries and skim milk, coffee and 8 oz of orange juice
Water
AM Snack: Fat-free yogurt with raisins
Peppermint herbal tea
Lunch: Veggie burger with tomato on whole wheat flatbread
Diet Coke
PM Snack: Banana and hand-full of sunflower seeds
Water
Dinner: Asian Salmon with brown rice pilaf
Water
Dessert: 1 oz. dark chocolate with orange slices

That's day one. Tomorrow - we start and again! And then, we'll do some strength training at the gym. Maybe I'll focus on the arms and abs...

What am I missing???

OK - so my postings have been scarce lately. For good reason, there's been nothing to post.

I took a week off to give my body a well-needed rest.

I got the "Flu-Shot Flu".

Now, I have an injured arch tendon.

I ran the first of two holiday 5k's this weekend. It was stinking cold outside! The wind was blowing...I felt in a great mood for a run. AS I was warming up, I felt a slight stretch in my right heel. So, I did what I thought was the right thing - I stretched it out really good. I stretched my achilles and my calf - wanted to be all stretched and warmed-up for the start.

AS the ran started, I could feel that slight "stretch" in my heel, thought maybe I just needed to get it warmed up and it would go away as I continued to run. So that 's what I did - continued to run. I felt good. I was walking / running. I was using my Nike + / IPod to determine that I was running a pretty good pace (for me). So, as I got within a quarter-mile of the finish, I was feeling really good, felt like I had it in the tank to finish-up with a little sprint, went to push off my right foot and ""POP"".

At least that's the sound I heard and definitely felt as I jog-stumbled across the finish line.

Not a pleasant feeling. Having heard a similar ""POP"" when I tore my calf muscle years ago, I knew that sound was not a good thing.

So needless to say, I won't be running in the T-day Run in NNY. I will be sitting on a couch - with my legs up - resting...sucks!

I am headed to the specialist tonight for x-rays and an "official" diagnosis and a treatment plan. I guess PT is probably in order. Too bad PT means Physical Therapy and not Physical Trainer...though they could be one in the same!

I was supposed to leave for my parents yesterday. I won't be leaving until at least tomorrow. The quiet time at home today has been nice, but I'm ready to do something...anything...only 2 1/2 hours until my appt....

Ho-hum...another injury for the BIG LOSER! Hopefully, I'll bounce back stronger and more educated about what ever it is that I need to be educated about in order to continue to prevent these stupid injuries that keep happening to me...

Until then, enjoy your holiday week. Don't eat too much of the bad stuff on Thanksgiving day (or the days leading up to or following...).

I'll give an update in a few days.

I like Chips!

I admit it - I like chips. I like the crunch - I like the salt - I just like them.

I ate some this morning. I looked at the calorie content and said, "hmmm, 2 snack bags of chips is 300 calories. That's about 30 minutes on the glider."

So, now I'm back from the gym and burned 324 calories - thank you very much - on the glider.

Now I'm even.

I just have to watch what I eat the rest of the day...ho hum...

Let's Move On!

Now that I've gone through that horrible week of weariness, chills and headaches, it's time to Move...on!

I headed back to the gym today for a run on the treadmill. I have been dreaming of this for a few days now...I know, it's sick. But when I start dreaming of it, I just have to do it. I will be running in a 5k on Saturday - in the FREEZING COLD!!! I also have another 5k on Thanksgiving Day. That's plenty of motivation to keep moving through what can be a long, holiday week.

Since I have the week off, I'm trying to plan ahead so as not to thwart what little progress I am making...

... I pre-registered for the T-day run with my family - there's no
backing down now!

... I plan on grocery shopping first thing when I arrive home on Sunday
afternoon. I'll buy the staples that will keep me from losing
footing.

... I am putting together a couple of exercise routines that will keep me
focused for those days home...

... I am mentally preparing my plate for Thanksgiving Day so that I
don't overdue it. I hate that overwhelmingly full feeling that accompanies overeating - I don't want to go there!

Just for Fun!

Ok - so I saw this in one of the blogs I follow and thought I'd play along.

So, here's 7 random / weird facts about myself:

1. I follow the Dallas Cowboys - but I live near Philadelphia. When I moved here, I became more obsessed with following the Cowboys, including purchasing an authentic #9 jersey! And, I just love to say, "How 'bout them Cowboys?" on a Monday morning when they have won and the Eagles haven't!

2. I like to exercise. I like the burn you get the day after when you can barely move, walk, or stand. It's like that toothache that you just keep playing with - I just like it. I get sad when I work-out and feel nothing the next day.

3. Scarecrow and Mrs. King was my favorite show in high school. I would sneak a blanket over my head, put on headphones and turn on the little TV in my room to watch it - even though my bedtime was 9pm. Can you believe it - 9pm!!! That was my bedtime until I graduated high school, but then again, I rarely went to bed at 9pm. I had my little blanket and headphone routine after 9ish...don't know if my parents ever caught onto that. If they did, they never said anything.

4. I wanted to be "JO" from Facts of Life. I thought her character was spunky and tom-boyish - just like me. Though, sporting the female mullet was not a dream of mine! :)

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5. I like ALL the seasons. I like fall in all it's autumnal splendor; I like winter for the snow and cold (think turtlenecks and hot coffee! mmmm); I like spring for all the newness - flowers, leaves budding, birds; summer for all the warmth and shorts and days at the beach!

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6. All my high school and college crushes are my friends on FACEBOOK! HA - you figure out who's who!

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7. I don't like to be bored. I like to do stuff or be busy. I don't think I would ever be a good unemployed person ... I would go crazy!!!

Stinking flu shot!

Last Monday - got the flu shot.
Tuesday - I woke with a hugh headache.
By Wednesday - got the flu!

I spent the rest of the week with headaches, achy muscles and chills! So, needless to say, going to the gym did not happen. Going to bed - did!

So, it's been a week and I'm still not 100%, but I packed my bag and am headed to the gym at lunchtime today! I need to.

I signed up for a 5k on Saturday - eek! I also have the traditional Thanksgiving 5k that I do with my family in NY. I have to get some cardio and strength-training in to be able to consider doing well.

Wish me luck!

Where's the Pain Killers?

I did my first strength training workout in over a week yesterday. Today, I'm feeling it!

It didn't seem like we did much, but I guess it was enough!

We started out by doing the longest walk - with hand weights (20 steps - 3times). I could feel the muscles in my butt by the second set. Today, I feel them even without moving them.

In between each set, we did 12-15 shoulder lifts. 10 lbs. That's it - and I could barely lift them. My shoulders were screaming.

Our second group of exercises included 15 push-ups and 15 dead-weight row lifts. I was able to do all 15 push-ups and the 15 lifts (45 lbs weight) for all 3 sets. But today, my chest is killing me.

Final activity - abs!. I did only 2 sets, 15 each of ball crunches and reverse crunches on the bench. My stomach was burning and still is!

Only a few exercises and my body is paying the toll!

So, where are those pain killers?

A Time for NEW Beginnings...

It's a new day of a new week...and I'm back in the groove!

It's time.

The week off was nice. I enjoyed lunches off and the leisure pace of an hour - I even went to the mall once. It was nice, but I missed my daily schedule of going to the gym.

I'm ready.

I have my gym bag in the back seat of my car...my mind is focused on getting to the 12 o'clock hour so I can run over to the gym for a time of cardio bliss! I packed my lunch and am mentally preparing my meals for the week (for that holistic approach). I even bought an expensive health drink (just one) to get me in the mood.

Whatever it takes!

It's on my calendar for the week. No exceptions - no excuses. I have extra socks and extra other things to ensure I have no excuse!

Taking it off!

It's time - gonna take off a few more of those stubborn pounds. Gonna get lean and ripped. Gonna...ok, so I'm going to sweat a little and work a little more on toning my arm and leg muscles...maybe, lean out the abs a bit more...

Either way - it's Time!

Taking some time...

I spoke with my personal trainer yesterday about my body just not responding to the workouts lately. In fact, I've been so exhausted before and then worse after, that I'm not really feeling or seeing the benefits of the workout. Some of it is a lack of motivation. A majority of it is just the fact that my body is tired. It needs a break.

At least that's what Trainer Sue said. So, here's the plan. I'm taking a week off.

Yep. That's it - it's that simple. I'm taking Wed to Wed off - starting today. There's no need to delay what I need - I'm not getting anything out of my recent workouts.

I was afraid I'd forget to go back after that much time off. Trainer Sue said she'd hold me accountable to get my bootie back into that place. And, in an effort to trick my mind into believing that I'm not missing an entire week, I'm doing it mid-week so that I already have Monday and Tuesday under my belt this week and can put in for Thursday and Friday next week.

Works for me.

So, I'll also be taking a week off from posting...hopefully not in losing weight. I'm hoping to make a strong comeback after this short respit.

Until then, ...

Going through the motions

There's a time in any routine in life where one must go through the motions in order not to lose any ground. That's sort of where I'm at.

Maybe it's the changing of the seasons or the slow (and I mean extremely slow) results that I'm getting from my workouts, but I am just not feeling the motivation. In fact, I'm not feeling ANY motivation!

What should I do?

I'm thinking a little change-up is in order. Since Daylight Savings is this weekend, maybe I could try:

• Going to the gym earlier in the day, like before work (say 6:00 am-ish)....
• Re-hiring my trainer (gotta figure out the financial part for that to work)...
• Changing up the routine...going all-out on cardio on a daily basis and specific strength training targets each day...
• Seeing a nutritionist to help with the diet (again, figuring out finances)
• Renewing my determination (we all know it's a mental game - gotta focus!)

How about you? Got any advice for me?

Send me your ideas, suggestions, criticisms, whatever...Help me get out of this slump that I'm slowly falling into...I don't want to lose any ground and I HATE just going through the motions!

One of those days (take 2)...

It was one of those days at the gym.

I had it altogether. I went to the gym. Got the machine of my choice. Worked a hard 20-min on the cardio and sweated to several sets of ab exercises. It felt good. My T-shirt had those rewarding marks of someone who has worked hard at the gym. So off to the locker room I go.

That's when it all went downhill...

I threw off my sneakers and socks to grab my flip-flops. Pulled them out, put them on. I reached in my bag for my towel - wha? No towel. I forgot a towel. OK. We've done this once before, grab 8-10 super-absorbant papertowels - we're good. Get in the shower, get a good rinse in, turn off the shower. Dry off with all 10 of those super-absorbant towels...Reach in my bag for those ever-important pair of clean undies...where did I...check the side pockets...oh boy, guess what I forgot....CLEAN, DRY UNDIES! To top it off, I dropped my dress socks out of the bag into the small puddle at the bottom of the shower. So, picture with me if you will, no clean, dry undies, wet dress socks and a patted-dry body ...

I guess it's just one of those days!

Late night at the gym.

It's been a long time since I've gone to the gym in the evening.

In fact, I think I've only done that once or twice. But, with the schedule I've had, I couldn't go during lunch and early morning was definitely out of the question. The evening crowd is much different than any other time during the day.

When I've gone early morning, the folks that are there are just rolling out of bed (evident by the nappy-heads and eye-crusties). They are usually more serious about their workouts and, by my observation, are mostly females.

Ok. Fast forward to the lunch crowd. The CAR SENSE mechanics are all there (in their CAR SENSE uniforms). There are trainers and their trainees. There's a good mix of young, old, men, women...it's crowded, but not too bad.

Then, there's the night crowd. These are your standard GYM RATS. Mostly men. The kickboxers fill the free weight area (evident by their "special" shorts and bare feet). The young men staring at themselves constantly in the mirror whilst flexing their biceps or making their pecs dance... Almost always - MEN! And not just any men, but men you know have been working out - they have the huge biceps and the weight-lifting belts and the muscle shirts...

Then, there's me. I'm big, I'm bad, I'm wearing all RED. I'm a woman. I'm pretty much the only woman. Hey, I don't care, I'm there to workout, not stare at or be stared at. I'm going to do my own thing. One of the best benefits I received from having a personal trainer is the confidence I need to know what I'm doing and how to do it. So, watch-out for the woman in red flinging the kettle ball!

I like the evening for one reason: TIME. I'm not rushed. I could warm-up with 10-minutes on the ARC trainer and give it all I have and then go through a full strength training routine. It takes just over an hour. I don't have that time at lunch.

Although, I don't have the time to go most evenings. By the time I reach home (about 7pm), I'm rushing through my dinner routine, check my mail and settling in just in time to go to bed. I don't like that either.

So, for those who've been biting their nails (or clipping them into their eyeballs), yes, I'm finding the motivation to get myself to the gym. I can't go too many days without going....As it is, I'll probably go again tonight due to the PHILLIES PEP RALLY at my work where Jamie Moyer's first and second cousins will be at the autograph tent in our parking lot - signing stuff.

Falling into Fall...

I didn't make it to the gym yesterday. I was planning on going to a football game of some of the JR. High boys in my church. I was going to run home during lunch and pick-up my North Penn Sweatshirt to cheer them on. On the way to my home, I called the mom of two of the boys to confirm the game only to find out they weren't able to play due to a school project.

Alright, so no football game and no need for a sweatshirt from home.

Then the mom asked where I was and if I wanted to meet her for lunch. Well, of course! I love eating lunch. Since she is babysitting a set of twins, she wanted to go to a lunch place with play tubes = inside. The only place that has that is McD's. Subway and Saladworks don't have play tubes. And since I was already feeling lethargic and functioning on almost 4 hours of sleep, my willpower to make good decisions (or even a faint feeling of caring), I ordered the #7 - Southern Chicken Sandwich, medium fries and a diet coke.

I know, I know. What was I thinking...well, frankly, I wasn't thinking - I DIDN'T CARE! I was going to eat and enjoy this sandwich. And besides, I was working on my Monopoly Millions! It was so worth it! (OK, maybe my next time at the gym will work it all off).

I will be missing the gym at lunch today too. I have a lunch appointment. My goal (and I am pushing for it) is to go after work.

I don't know what it is - maybe it's the change in seasons, but I just don't feel like the extra effort of going to the gym. It's sad, but it's true. I think I'm just going to keep pressing in and going after it - it is exactly what I need!

Maybe Today is THE DAY!

Today just may be the day I hit that elusive 10 pounds.

You may be tiring of hearing about it, but I am only tired from working so hard to hit that number!

I hit a new low on the home scale (lowest in 2008) - so I'm expecting a similar "low" at the gym scale (the "official" scale).

Wish me luck!

Ho hum...

Ho Hum...

Going to the gym

I don't feel like going

Something I must do

Ho Hum...

Gonna lose that pound

Whether I like it or Not

Don't like it, but

Ho Hum...

Basking in the Glow...

It's been 2 days since the 5k - I'm still basking in the glow of my victory!

Ok - so maybe I didn't win the run or even place in my age group, but it was a personal victory to have ran almost 4 minutes faster than I have run in over 10 years! It goes to show that the training and working out is really "working" out.

So, I've decided that I'm running in another 5k on 11/22. I had already decided it was time to jump back on the 5k wagon. I have always loved the 5k, simply, it's only 3.1 miles. I don't have to commit to weeks or months of training and strategizing...I just go out and run and hopefully stop running in just over a half hour. Easy enough...

Today, I'm going to the gym to put in some serious cardio time. I'm thinking a slight jog on the treadmill or a time of gliding on the Arc trainer ... I guess it depends on how I feel when I hit the gym at lunchtime.

I'm also basking in the glow of the choices I made last week...

Last week, I was fighting a losing battle with salt and a lack of preparation - let's just say I have set-up a strong foundation in the McD's Monopoly Game!

This week, I'm playing a new game! I'm setting a strong foundation to get me through this week, meal by meal. I have the instant oatmeals, fruit, yogurts, nuts, raisins. I picked-up some low calorie, Healthy kashi meals on the clearance rack (awesome deal) for those nights where I don't feel like cooking. There are plenty of options to keep me from feeling out of control or to help when I'm feeling lazy.

By the end of this week, maybe I'll be basking in a new glow - the glow of FINALLY hitting that elusive (and I mean stealth-like elusive) 10 lb mark!

Wish me luck!

I ran a 5k!

It has been a very LOOOOOONGGGGG time since I last ran a 5k. I believe it's been over a year. I just have not had the interest in running since I completed the half in April. Well, I did it!

I woke up at 6:00 this morning to begin prepping. I had a bowl of Organic Cheerios-like cereal with 1% and some honey. Yummy! I got dressed in my running tights and half marathon technical shirt (it was cold outside), put on my UA running gloves and headed out the door to go get registered. I got there really early.

So, I did the registration thing and sat in my car for 20 minutes with the heat on, all while eating a PowerBar that came in the Goodie Bag (one of the fringe benefits of running). After I finished the bar, I decided to take my gym bag and head inside the gym for some stretching and pre-run strategy (which for me is just putting on my Ipod and doing some stretching, all while wondering why I signed up to do this!).

I headed back outside to the registration area to pick-up a free cup of hot Black Coffee - mostly just to warm-up and get a little caffeine-boost. Then, the Master's Master walked up. I didn't know she was going to run this race, but was glad to see a face I recognized.

Race Time - headed to the starting line-up, got the National Anthem sang to us by the NPHS choir and we were off! I had my Nike+ with me to track the run and provide a little motivational music. There's nothing like Shania Twain singing, "I feel like a Woman" to get you in the mood for running 3.1 miles!

The race course was flat. There were absolutely no hills. PERFECT! I ran pretty fast for the first mile - stayed with the Master's Master almost the first mile, but it wasn't my pace and I couldn't get in a rhythm, so I slowed up ever so slightly and found my race-pace. My breathing followed...

I RAN THE ENTIRE RACE - only walking to grab water and sip it - AND THEN RAN AGAIN!

I also finished 4 minutes faster than my average pace for a 5k. I haven't ran that fast in over 10 years. I am so happy. I was going to be happy to hit my average pace - considering I haven't ran in months.

Other than my lungs screaming out for mercy, this was an awesome run. Now, I've got a fever. Wait, not just a fever - THE FEVER - RACE FEVER.

I want to run again. Maybe it's time to get the ol' running journal out and start some goals for the next few weeks and months. Or maybe...nah. I'll just sit here, sipping on my McD's coffee and bask in the glow of this morning's accomplishment!

Gonna Run a 5k tomorrow...

Yeah, so, the gym I'm a member of is hosting a 5k tomorrow. I've seen the signs and postings for months now, but never even considered running in it. Well, that was until yesterday. I ran into my trainer in the locker room and she asked if I was running in it.

I said, "no".

She said, "why not?"

I said, "I really don't have a good reason..."

She said, "Registration starts at 7:30 - see you there!"

I said, "ok."

Whaaaa? How did I agree to that so easily. And not only the running part, but getting up on a Saturday to register at 7:30 - that's AM! I have to get up at 6:00 to dress, eat breakfast and drive over there. Oh boy!

I haven't ran in weeks. I've been working out and doing the treadmill and ellipticals and the stairs, but not really running.

I'm in for some fun!

Salt is my enemy...

I haven't been telling you everything...

I have a dirty little secret - maybe not as dirty as others, but still, my deep, dark secret. I LOVE salt!

I usually cook all my food raw. I hardly use any canned product. When I do, I read the label and ensure there are only wholesome ingredients in the food. I also check for the sodium content. Low sodium is the goal. So, I can assure you there's no hidden sodium in the foods I consume, but...

I love salt.

Lately, I feel the need, the necessity...to add salt. Not just any salt - GARLIC SALT. It's like my body is craving the salt. Maybe I do need it, maybe I don't. But I can tell you this, that whole retaining water thingy - it's true!

In the last week, I've had an unusually high craving for salt. What I've been noticing is the swings in my daily weight (some days as high as 4 lbs). It's been a little frustrating. I have noticed the swings have not been there for months. But then again, neither has the salt consumption. But lately, the swings are there - and so is the salt consumption.

Does anyone out there have any good advice on the whole salt thing? I don't think I use a lot, but then again, the scale does not lie. I want to make sure my body gets the sodium it needs, but I don't want to be going overboard and becoming a salt-a-holic.

So for now, I must take control over this sodium beast within that is hungering for more...it's time to start the revolution and put this beast to rest.

My anti-salt revolution now begins!

Squat Thrusts and All that Jazz!

I'm still teetering on that 10-lb mark - just can't quite hit that mark. I figured it's time to pull out all the stops and hit the gym with some of the exercises that have made me sweat the most and be sore the longest. So, I did SQUAT THRUSTS! (See "Kill the Trainer" on 6/19/08).

Yep. You heard me right. On my own, without the paid coaching of a Personal Trainer, I embarked on 3 sets of 8 SQUAT THRUSTS! If I want that 10th pound, I'm going to work for it - DARN IT! I'm willing to work for it. I'm not expecting it to be handed to me, but it shouldn't be this difficult! I'm lunging, lifting and squatting - working, pushing and praying for that blasted 10th pound.

IT WILL BE MINE!

I want that 10th SMILEY! (I send a smiley to my trainer for every pound I've lost). I've gotten as close as : , but no )!

This will be the week! Today, I plan on tackling my "favorite" cardio machine - THE TREADMILL! I can't stand the treadmill. It's just so ... BORING! I'd rather run outside with grass and trees or even asphalt. Not like a hamster, running in place. But, it has to be done. If I want to burn the calories (and hopefully that last pound), then I need to push myself to do things I don't like to do. Today, that would be the treadmill.

So, in just a few short hours (I'll let you know how it goes), I'll head off to the gym and hit the treadmill in hopes of losing that elusive 10th pound.

Wish me luck...

A new week...

It's another week in the weight-loss saga of my life.

Yesterday, at the gym, I was teetering between that 9-10 lb mark on the scale. Blasted! I'm a fraction of a pound away from that elusive 10-lb mark. I know that the slower I lose the weight, the more likely it will stay off, but this fraction of a pound is just killing me. It's like I should strip off just one more piece of clothing and maybe, just maybe, I'll hit the goal.

But alas, it's another day of hard work, sweating and making good choices that will eventually get me to that goal. I'm pushing - pushing hard. I've been pushing myself at the gym harder in both the cardio and strength training. I'm burning more calories...I'm eating well...

That elusive 10-lb mark is mine - it's in my sites! I'm focused on it - I'm going to find it. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, but it's mine!

A Weekend of Football, Family and FOOD!

It's one of those beautiful fall days. It's a little warmer than normal. The sun is brightly shining. The colors of autumn are springing forth. It's just beautiful!

I will be headed to NY this weekend for a weekend of Homecoming Football. My nephew plays football for his high school and tonight is their homecoming game. He's been asking for weeks if I would come. Why not - it's the perfect weekend for that. Some of my other siblings had heard and were planning on a visit over the weekend too. It makes for a time of football, family, and of course, food.

This is where trickery mocks me. I try not to stick-up my nose and say no thank you, eating what is placed before me. But this is what has been my downfall for nearly my entire life. What is a help is that my niece is a very particular eater - so, I find it easier to follow her lead. That's the plan for tonight and tomorrow.

I also like visiting this sibling in that the high school track is less than a mile from their home. I have ran on this track practically everytime I have visited them. So, Saturday morning will be no exception. Plus, the nephews like to run with their auntie - even though she's practically a foot shorter and runs like a slug.

So off I go on a car ride through the Poconos - enjoying the beautiful autumal splendor and a weekend of football, family and food!

Where's my Peeps?

It hasn't been that bad, but it's been bad enough. I haven't fallen off the bandwagon just yet, but I am hanging on the side railings.

Ok - so, where am I at?

I have been hitting the gym pretty much daily during the week. I haven't slowed on that, yet I've missed at least one day over the past 3 weeks. I haven't gone at all on the weekends, but I'm not a couch-potato either.

Where I have been slipping is in the food choice department. I have, on the most part, been sticking to cereal and oatmeal with fruit for breakfast, nuts, fruit or yogurt for mid-morning and soup and bread for lunch. But from there, it just slowly is going downhill.

I don't like that I've started drinking Diet Coke again. So far, just one a day (hopefully, we can stop that altogether). I've been drinking coffee in the morning. That makes me feel like I'm slipping...maybe that's my issue. By mid-afternoon, I've been wanting chocolate again. I haven't been eating it, but I REALLY want too...

I have eaten too many jelly donuts in the past 3 weeks - at least one a week. This place ALWAYS has donuts somewhere. I don't like it. I'm better off without the option. I won't seek them out, but somehow they find me. So, don't bring or buy me donuts! I love you, but don't bring me donuts...try an apple or a banana...those are good.

I forgot my lunch yesterday so I was forced to do the fast-food thing. Let's just say I didn't make a good choice. Maybe I should eat the straw in the wagon that I'm hanging off of...

Granted, I've been lucky and haven't gained any weight, but then again, I haven't lost any either...maybe it's time to pull myself up, swing my leg over the railing and fall back into that wagon!

But I need some help! Where my peeps?!?!

I haven't been doing half bad all on my own, but I have only been doing half-good on my own. Some accountability helps...cheering from the sidelines...

Rules are there for a reason...

OK. So maybe this is out of sorts for a weight loss blog, but I'm fed-up.

I like rules. I know rules are there for a reason - to keep things right and fair. I like the 10 commandments - they show me the right way to live and to follow what is moral and ethical. I like laws - like speed limits. They are designed to keep me and others safe on the roads.

But what I don't like is when the rules are changed or are more like a moving target! It just really peeves me! Tell me what is expected and then I will follow in that direction. Don't decide later to change the rule, contradicting yourself, to fit your need at that time.

Let's talk about work. We set up rules and consequences for a reason. When we say something to a vendor, shouldn't we abide by it? I think my word is worth something. I don't just go off spouting my mouth on things because it sounds good at the moment. If I say I'm going to do something, then I'm going to do it. I'm not going to find a loophole or a bypass to get around it, I'M GOING TO FOLLOW MY WORD. No matter what it will cost me.

Let's be clear - your word means something to me. If you say it, shouldn't you mean it? Why would you go back on it later?

Alright - let's turn this the purpose of this blog. This pent-up frustration will be taken out today - not in verbal jousting or an irate email or ranting - it will be taken out at the gym.

The equipment is made for that kind of beating. So, I'm going to serve a beating to those weights today. Just watch out for the floor space around me. I just might be tossing, dropping or sweating my frustrations within a 5-foot radius of my very being!

Back in the Day...

Years ago, when I was a mere child, I used to jump-rope. It would be fun. I would do a casual double-hop while singing some children's nursery rhyme:

"down by the banks of the hanky-panky

where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky

with a hip...hop...hip...hop...hop..."

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Nowadays - there's No double-hopping - it's one single hop as fast as I can until I jump 75 times. My heart is racing so fast, my face is draining of all the blood-flow, my lungs are screaming - wheezing, gasping for air... There are no nursery rhymes for children in my head - just the screaming rhythm of my heart beat throbbing through my brain and the sound of my breathe wheezing from my lungs...

.

I did 3 sets of these. I was sweating. I was panting. I was EXHAUSTED!

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I ended up only working out for 30 minutes due to my exhaustion. I completed some medicine ball tossing/catching squats, push-ups and bicep curls before finishing it all off with 3 sets of crunches and reverse crunches.

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I still am exhausted and it has been almost 4 hours!

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I think it's time to go home and lay my weary head on my pillow and wait for tonights debate.

Feeling kinda lazy...

Maybe it's the coolness of the fall air or the lack of sleep I've been experiencing in recent days, but I'm just feeling kinda lazy! Not necessarily lazy in the gym department - more like, lazy in the food department.

I've been drinking coffee in the morning - more days than not. I've drank a few cokes in the past week. I've eaten pumpkin pie maybe once or twice - ok, twice. I've had a donut (only one though). I've skipped meals and ate more than I should have at others. It's been one heck of a lazy two weeks of eating.

It's time to get back on that wagon and start strategizing my meals again. Yes, I said strategizing in reference to my consumption of food. You have to. If you don't plan, you're left floundering on those nights when you don't feel like cooking or arranging anything, you just grab what's easy and filling - whatever that might be.

So, I will take some time this Saturday to strategize (there's that word again) for the next week. That will probably include some homemade soups and bread. I will dust-off that crock-pot (it is now officially fall) and start some all day meals (yummy chili in my tummy). I also plan on dusting-off that $700 investment (the dreaded treadmill) and start using it to walk in the evenings whilst watching my favorite fall programming (usually "The Biggest Loser" and reruns of "Everybody Loves Raymond" or "King of Queens"). I can add that 30 minutes of walking to my lunch routine at the gym.

Speaking of routine at the gym - today is strength training day. I don't know what it is, but I've been dreaming up ways to do ab-work. I have had these visions of medicine balls and crunches and how to incorporate them together...something's wrong with me!

I miss my trainer.

I know it's hard to believe...but I miss my trainer.

I am still going to the gym and trying to kick my own butt, but it's not quite the same. I don't sweat as much...I'm not as sore...I'm not as challenged.

I miss my trainer.

Maybe I should get a 2nd job to pay for training sessions. I've already ran up the bills, paying for the first 20 sessions...I was planning on signing up again in January...but I don't know that I want to wait that long.

Oh well. Finances are tight and training is a luxury...I have to keep the belt tightened as best I can...but,

I still miss my trainer!

Losing Weight - is easy cause I'm beautiful...

Minnie Ripperton has nothing on me...(she wrote, "Loving You").

Losing weight is easy cause I'm beautiful...
Losing weight is all I want to do...

Because my work schedule seemed a bit out of control yesterday, I decided that I needed to work through lunch and go to the gym afterwards. Good Choice!

I hit the gym and left a bruise (heehee). Not really, but I feel bruised!

Strength training was the goal of the evening. I hit the ground running...

• I started with lunges on the cattle shoot (3 sets of 20) and bicep curls (3 sets of 15).
• 10 pull-ups and 15 push-ups (3 sets).
• Bench presses and rows (3 sets of 15).
• Squatting Jumps and kettle ball lifts (3 sets of 15).
• 3 sets of 15 each: crunches and reverse crunches with icing...(my way of saying lifting the butt as part of the reverse crunch)
• Cool-down Stretching...ahhhhhh...

Today is cardio day...maybe I'll run on the treadmill or maybe I'll glide on the Gazelle (the Arc Trainer).

We'll see...

In Case You Missed it...

...I dropped another pound today...not quite sure where it went, but it's gone!

YIPPEE FOR ME!

This is very encouraging for me. I have spent 6 mos going to the gym, working with trainers and sacrificing things I love (especially coke and coffee) - all in an effort to lose weight. And finally...and I mean finally...the scales are working in my favor.

I guess maybe instead of losing weight and hitting the plateau, my body just decided to plateau first and then lose...either way, I'LL TAKE IT!

100th Post!

Today is my 100th Post since beginning my blog journey back in January. So, I thought I'd celebrate with some of my favorite posts you should read:

10. "The Beginning" - January 6, 2008 (you have to start somewhere)

9. "The Countdown is on - 6 Days and Counting" - April 21, 2008

8. "There's No Time Left" - April 26, 2008

7. "Top 10 Reasons I loved running the Half Marathon" - April 30, 2008

6. "I Don't Wanna" - May 20, 2008

5. "Conditioning...Or Torture!" - May 15, 2008

4. "Temperature Guage" - June 3, 2008

3. "Everyday" - June 10, 2008

2. "You Know You're In Trouble When..." - June 12, 2008

1. "Training is Cheaper than Thereapy - And More Effective" - August 21, 2008

These are in no particular order, but if you're looking for some "Big Loser" entertainment and have nothing better to do, enjoy these posts!

Oh - and I just got back from the gym - another pound has mysteriously vanished from the scale!

Readjusting...

I took a mental-health day from work today. I needed to take a day and do some readjusting...I haven't had the opportunity to go grocery shopping or plan my menu for the week. It's been a bit frustrating because I've been pretty much roughing it and allowing myself to just make choices at each opportunity.

NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME!

So anyway, I did some prep work tonight and made the soup that I will be eating at lunchtime throughout the week. In the morning, I will make a salad to go with it. I did my laundry this afternoon and will iron later this evening for the week. (Just one more thing to make my week a bit easier).

I have my gym clothes all piled up and ready to pack each day.

So, with a little redjusting, I'm ready to roll for the week. I'm ready to see a few more pounds melt off in the next few weeks...and firm up my muscles at the gym!

Some days you got it...

...and some days you don't!

Yesterday was one of those days.

Oh, I had every good intention of taking in the great outdoors, the cooler weather, sunny skies - a perfect evening for a run. But, I just couldn't do it. I didn't have it in me. I was in the midst of "forcing" myself to go for a walk when my R.B. (running buddy) called to ask me to go running.

I told her "no way", BUT, I would be up for a walk. RB was happy. We went for a nice leisurely 2+ mile walk. It was a beautiful night.

I think between the cold medicine and the sinuses and the allergies, I was just plain 'ol exhausted. I still am today, but it's not quite as bad. It seems as if I am going through waves of this tiredness and exhaustion. Is it exhaustion? I dunno. Is it something else? I dunno. I just want it to go away. I'm planning a quieter weekend. Keeping low key and catching some zzzz's.

I am headed to the gym this afternoon. I'm going to show another Gym buddy how to use some of the equipment. I like doing that. FUN!

So, back to work - I got another hour before the gym.

STARK REALITY!

Ok – so my favorite reality program is on tonight – The Biggest Loser. There’s just something about the raw reality of being overweight. Some people watch the previews or the show and think, “Look at those fat, lazy people. Stop stuffing your face! That’s why you’re obese.”

But then again, there is never just one simple answer. And it’s not fair to stereo-type…

I spent the past year training for 2 different half-marathon runs. I had a physical trainer for the past 6 months. I’ve been categorized as a “gym rat” by my co-workers and gym buddies. I’ve made a LOT of changes in my diet and routine in life. I gave up caffeine as part of the process. And yet, I’m overweight.

Dang! Maybe if I got off the couch and went for a run…or stopped by the gym during my lunch hour, I just might get rid of all this weight ---duh! Get your head out of the sand and face reality – not everyone sits down and eats a whole package of Oreos or a bag of chips for a snack (I don’t even have that kind of food in my house).

I can run 13.1 miles at one time. I’m healthy – my blood-pressure is normal. My cholesterol is below 170. Though, I have a weight issue.

My doctor says that I’m potentially more healthy than those who are thinner and seemingly healthier. Because I’m doing the right things.

So, I will almost religiously watch TBL throughout these next few weeks and months. I will find a new source of motivation and ideas for my workouts. I will empathize with the men and women who are going through these trials for this time. I will continue on the path I’ve chose for myself over these past 9 months.

I don’t want to be a downer. Just being straight. Sometimes that’s what you gotta do. I hope someone somewhere in the world wide web will find some motivation – some encouragement by these words that I am writing.

Until next time…

Running...to the Store!

After a pretty busy weekend of fall decorating, football, shopping and room organizing, I realized I forgot a most important event - grocery shopping. Any well-versed dieter and health nut will tell you the key to keeping on track is - PREPARATION! You have to plan ahead. You have to know what's next...no surprises.

Well, that didn't happen for me. In fact, I've been scrounging. I had made a yummy lasagna for a family in my church and while in the process, I made 2 small one-serving casseroles for me and my roommate. I ate one on Sunday. Since the roommie is dog-sitting for the week - I ate the other one last night. THEY WERE YUMMY!

Now, I know that lasagna is probably not the best choice for calories or anything like that, but they were the best choice for taste (and convenience). How many times can I eat Kashi cereal with blueberries in one day?????

Anyway, I decided to take my morning break at work and hit the local Giant Grocer. I picked up some of my favorite snacks: Bananas, apples, Organic cranberry mixed, yogurt...

I've been eating the same thing for breakfast - Kashi GoLean with Blueberries and Skim Milk.

My mid-morning and afternoon snacks haven't been the best choices: fig newtons, pretzel sticks, chips...

I've pretty much been eating the same lunch - Wendy's Grilled Chicken and Mandaran Salad with low-fat Ranch Dressing with almonds, minus the krispy noodles.

For dinner...WWWEEEELLLLL....(imagine Lucy responding to questioning from Ricky - yeah that's the well I'm talking about). It hasn't been going well. I haven't bought groceries - I haven't planned ahead.

So tonight, I'm having grilled chicken legs with brown rice and grilled veggies. GOOD CHOICE!

I'll make my usual stop at Wendy's for lunch - after my strength/circuit training at the gym. I'm going for gold today. I'm EXCITED! My gym buddies better be ready to sweat!

Alright, it's been a long morning - gotta get focused.

Living for the Weekends...

Most people live for the weekends. I sort of do, but they're killing me!

During the week, I'm on a pretty good routine of diet and exercise. I eat well. I drink a lot of water. I go to the gym at lunch-time. I don't miss unless there's a vendor lunch or maybe inventory (I will go after work then).

But there's something about the weekend.

I lose all consciousness of what's good to eat and what's not. I get too lazy to run out to the gym. And, throw in the humidity of this weekend, there's no way I'm going outside for a run or even a walk.

So today's Monday. Back to the routine. I ate my breakfast and am ready for the gym at lunch. I didn't add any pounds on the scale, thank God, but I will add some latent weekend fury to my cardio today.

Slow and Steady...

After months and months of seeing the scale jump up and then down and then up and then down and then rest around where I started...I'm FINALLY seeing the numbers head down.

It's slow, but it's very consistent. I saw the number on the home scale this morning at a place it hasn't been since I did an all-vegetable fast back in January (and trust me, I'm not vegetable fasting right now). I've been very careful about what I'm eating (following guidelines set by the "You...On A Diet" book. I'm still hitting the gym consistently and increasing the intensity of my workouts - AND IT'S PAYING OFF!!!

What's my next goal? I stopped setting "date" and "quantity" goals. I'm just going for being consistent and real about my diet and exercise, knowing that this is it. I can't go back to my old self, but I can also find times to enjoy those things that I like (like a Coke or chips). I've found some healthier alternatives to my snacking - air-popped popcorn with Butter spray and garlic salt instead of a 1/4 stick of butter; 1 oz. of dark chocolate instead of a package of M&M's; Lots of water and OJ instead of Coke and Coffee...

I do plan on celebrating milestones, though. I'm happy to hit the 2-teens. Soon, 1-90's - that's when I told Trainer-Sue I'd take her out to lunch! Hopefully, that will happen before Thanksgiving.

Alright - back to work.

Holding Steady...

For those of you who might be daily scale jumpers...you know exactly what I'm talking about.

As part of your daily routine, you jump on the scale to see how things are going...some days, the weight goes down, some days it goes up. I've had fluctuations as much as 5-7 lbs in a day! That's frustrating when you're really working hard.

But here's something I've noticed lately...I'm holding steady. I'm not seeing the fluctuations I've seen in the past. In fact, the biggest increase/decrease I've seen is like .4 lbs. That's less than an 8oz difference (or 1 cup of water).

Maybe, just maybe, the hard-work is paying off.

I've been watching the number slowly decrease. It's been sooooo encouraging. This morning, I saw an all-time low on the home scale. I can't wait to see what I get at the gym (that's the "official" scale that I use. I'm seeing a possible 2 pound difference between the two).

So, if the scales are true...I just may be seeing the 2-teens today....YEAH!!!

But whether I do or don't - it's all Good...

I'm holding steady!

It Counts!

Last night, I went to Youth Group for the first time in a year. I've gone to a few of their "hang" events, but I haven't gone to a regular Sunday night meeting since I stepped down over a year ago.

I played some football. I ran. I kicked. I pushed a few kids around (heehee). I scored 2 touchdowns out of the 3 scored for my team! I kept kidding around about being winded-all while waiting for it to happen. I was actually surprised I wasn't. Although, I was completely drenched in sweat - including my socks. Once the flood gates started, it dripped down my knees into my socks. Ewwwwww. I spent almost 30 minutes pretending I was T.O. (I played like him too).

So, my title...It counts! I didn't get to go to the gym. I didn't go running or anything like that. But, I played football and ran around with teenagers (and I kept up)...it counts!

Please Take Notice...

Hear Ye!

Hear YE!

HEAR YE!

The BIG LOSER has finally met her first milestone goal in losing weight - in case you might have missed it. Yep, soon the teens will be upon me (maybe by next week) and I will be even more excited.
.

FORGET DANCING IN MY UNDERWEAR!!!!

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The double 2's will soon be a thing of the past.

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For those of you who have followed my journey so far, you know this has been a long time coming. The BIG LOSER has been more of a muy pequeno loser. I have done everything within my power to do to get this far. It's definitely not for a lack of hard-work and determination. Just ask anyone who goes to the gym with me - Lisa, Barb, Maryann...Trainer Sue! They'll tell you, I'm no lazy gym go-er.

.

I skip lunches with friends to go to the gym. I pass jelly donuts - and eat nuts and fruit instead (though I don't deny myself - come on, this is a lifestyle, not a temporary fix). I even gave up caffeine (coffee, Coke, Diet Coke...) because I thought it might help. I cook (a lot) of healthy veggie-rich meals instead of buying ready-made meals (which would save me sooooo much time).

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So if you wonder why I get joyous over the loss of a fraction of a pound - it's because I earned every one of those ounces!

Bitter-Sweet...

I go to my last training session in just 35 minutes. I am sad.

Today is bitter-sweet!

Bitter:
I have loved going for my weekly beatings and being challenged in ways that I never thought was possible. I like the conversation and learning new exercises. I definitely feel stronger and more confident in what I am capable of accomplishing. I like meeting with my new friend, trainer Sue.

Sweet:
I don't have to worry about the cost of training - at least for awhile. Now that is sweet!

I know I am completely dedicated and capable of continuing what I have started. I know enough about the equipment and different types of exercises to keep me busy for the next few months.

I will let you know how it goes...but for now, I am sad.

UPDATE:
No easy day - I'm telling you.

I sweat like I haven't sweat yet! (It might have to do with the lack of air conditioning in the gym).

We worked the legs and arms pretty good - lunges, side lunges, stair jumping, side stepping, balancing and stretching on one leg...

I will definitely be sore!

Dance of Joy!

So, if my life were a reality show - there would be this one particular clip that would be played over and over on the Entertainment shows....

THE DANCE OF JOY IN MY UNDERWEAR!

So, you're probably wondering - what would cause this amount of joy? (You should be asking where I was doing this dance of joy!!!)

The clip would show me (in my underwear) dancing around the women's locker room at the gym. Yep - the gym. I had just gotten off the scale and the numbers made me happy - happy enough to dance in the locker room, in my underwear!

I just thought I'd share that with you today. I have been working out pretty hard: running, lifting, squatting, pressing, lunging, stepping, crunching and lifting for months now. I've changed my diet drastically! Now, the numbers are heading in the right direction. I'm hoping within the week to hit my first goal milestone - never to return!

I'll keep you posted!

Abs Anonymous!

Hi. My name is Mariann.

I'm an ab-aholic!

It's only been 24 hours since my last ab workout. I feel great!

It's just that...well...

I'm getting that "urge" to do some crunches. I don't know what it is...I can't go a day without them.

I know I should be resting from my ab workout yesterday, but the soreness, the burning pain - I crave it. I desire it more than chocolate. I can't get enough.

Can you help me?

One More - go one more!

Superchick has a new song out that has become THE workout song for me:

It feels like I have lost this fight
They think that I am staying down
But I'm not giving up tonight
Tonight the wall is coming down
I am stronger than my fears
This is the mountain that I climb
Got 100 steps to go
Tonight I'll make it 99

One more Go one more Yeah, yeah
Don't stop now
Go one more Yeah, yeah
One more Go one more
Go one more Yeah, yeah

I have everything to lose
By not getting up to fight
I might get used to giving up
So I am showing up tonight
I am my own enemy
The battle fought within my mind
If I can overcome step one
I can face the 99

There's a lot of mileage in this message!

Don't stop. Keep going. When things get rough, stick it out.

It's a message of overcoming the obstacles we might face - whether they are working out, weight, job situations, marriage, children, life situations...whatever we might face, we can have the courage, the strength we need to overcome.

So let me challenge you - one more, go one more! Whether it's a step, an hour, a day...whatever! Go one more - don't give up. Don't give in.

Just Say No - It's Only Day 4!

It's day 4 of the Me-Diet. I'm doing well. The food is good. I know...I know...I said that yesterday. But IT'S TRUE!!!

Anyways, a vendor decided that today would be a good day to send some fresh-baked (and warm might I add) cinnabuns, danishes and donuts. And, they included the all-time best, JELLY DONUT!!! I am so sad...

As soon as they placed those donuts on the snack/dessert table (which happens to be in my cubicle - now very, very sad am I), I grabbed my morning snack - PEANUTS (just a small handful ) and a plum (which wasn't very ripe). I ate those items like my life depended on it. Then, I washed them down with a bottled water. Now, even if I wanted to eat that one lonely jelly donut, I couldn't. I'M TOO FULL!

My cubicle neighbor thought that she'd help me out - she wrapped the jelly donut and put it on her desk for me to grab later. There's a bet on how long I'll go without giving in and partaking of the goods. So, I moved them. Yep. I did it. I put them out on the community shelf. All of them. All of the cinnamon buns that are still warm with the glazed topping, with nuts or raisins - they're on the shelf! The danishes with lemon and raspberry or cheese - they're on the shelf. The donuts, fresh from the bakery, ON THE SHELF!

You know what the best part of the shelf is - if I were to walk by now - there would only be empty boxes with the aroma of pastries still there. The pastries are all GONE! As soon as word gets out that there's anything on that shelf for free - the ravens come out and scavange for their morning morsels.

To all my critics out there - KUDOS TO ME! (You can't see it, but I'm patting myself on the back).

My waist will thank me later. My scale will reward me. My conscience will not be seared. I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

My anti-pastry - RESOLVE, DETERMINATION and PEANUTS!

Diet - day 3.

Today is Day 3 of "me...on a diet". Let me tell you, the cooking for this diet is time-consuming!!! I spent over an hour yesterday just chopping veggies, mincing garlic and ginger and blending black beans into a wonderful soup.

The food is great, but so stinking time consuming! I guess that's why we become so accustomed to canned or jarred or frozen meals. They're convenient. The taste is OK, but that's the price you pay for convenience. The recipes for this diet are wonderful. The food is so tasty. We had to buy so many spices/condiments, herbs and sauces/oils. Black Bean Soup never tasted so good.

Last night, we cooked up some rice pilaf with salmon. The salmon was marinaded in a dressing made up of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, ginger and honey. Yum!! The pilaf had "glazed" onions and red peppers in brown rice. Tonight, we are having pasta primavera. I'm loving these recipes.

My roommate is graciously participating in this event with me. She does NOT need to be on a diet, but she's going to eat what I eat. She has been constantly thinking about food. She keeps asking what she can/cannot eat; what can she eat next; what's for dinner...it's making me laugh. I personally have been feeling like it's A LOT of food. But, I do what I have to do...:)

I had a deduction on the home scale today. NICE! A little boost like that never hurt. I will update the weight on my dashboard after weighing in at the gym, since that's the scale I'm using as my guide.

Well, only 2 hours until I go to the gym. I didn't go this weekend. I ran on Saturday and walked yesterday. Today is a strength training day! Yeah. Gonna flex some muscles. Workout those glutes. Firm the flab. Maybe I should consider an exercise video by that title, "Firm the Flab". Ha! Maybe I should just stop now and go back to work!

Me...On a Diet!

Since my doctor recommended I read, "You...On a Diet", I've been slowly making my way through the book. It's been a few weeks now and I finally decided that I would put into practice the "YOU" diet that is recommended.

So, my roommate and I went through the menu online and chose our menu for the week. That was Step 1. Then, we printed out the grocery list for all the ingredients that we would need. Step 2. After, we went to the grocery store and found all the items on the list. Finally, we stood at the register and tried not to be too shocked at the final total.

Before I go into the heart-pounding, mind-numbing total of the grocery bill, please let me tell you that the most I've ever spent for a grocery trip for 1 week of groceris was somewhere around $110. Imagine my surprise and shock when the total came to over $230 - FOR TWO PEOPLE!!!

I'm just thinking, "THIS BETTER be worth it!"

The cashier said we challenged her knowledge of produce. Let's just say we went through the produce aisle and pretty much picked up one of everything! The bagboy jokingly commented to us on the way out, "Enjoy your vegetables!"

So, it's day one of ME ON A DIET. Breakfast was good. I didn't think I'd like the lunch salad, but it was amazingly good. I had my banana snack and now it's time for my afternoon snack. I am not feeling hungry, not feeling like I'm being denied anything (that will come when I go to play mini golf tonight and everyone gets ice cream after). I feel full! I feel satisfied. My fridge is overflowing with a plethora of produce. My body is happy for the healthy choices, and the 2 mile run this morning.

So far, me on a diet - not so bad. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Training is cheaper than Therapy - and more effective!

I used to think that waking up in the morning and feeling every bone and muscle in your body was just a sign of old age or general laziness. Now, I'm thinking differently.

By no means do I consider myself old. Neither do I consider myself lazy. But lately, getting out of bed in the morning is just plain ol' painful! This morning, I had everything I could do to lift myself to sit up in the bed. EVERY muscle in my back is singing out in chorus to me today - from the base of my neck to the base of my rear!

I knew that yesterday's training session would leave me tired and sore, but I did not expect this! Every time I yawn and stretch, I feel it. Everytime I lift my arm anywhere close to shoulder level - ouwwwww. Please don't ask me to lift anything! Even lifting that cup of decaf to my lips is causing me to have second thoughts about drinking coffee.

On a sad note, I only have 2 more training session remaining. :(

I will definitely miss that time of butt kicking each week. I know that I have the knowledge base and the discipline to continue on in the direction I've been heading, but there's something therapeutic about that one hour on training each week. My trainer and I were discussing this very fact yesterday - as we were talking about different types of people that go to therapists week after week and never take the advice of the therapist. (That's why I love Dr. Phil. His no nonsense "You need to get over it and move on" is exactly what we need).

Training is very similar. I could go get my whoopin' for an hour each week and do absolutely nothing with it through the week. What does that bring me - $60 less in my pocket (which is significantly lower in cost than a therapist) and not much else but a few sore muscles a couple days of the week. If you really want to get something out of that investment, you have to take what you learn and invest it throughout the week. Go to the gym. Put in the cardio time. Put in the strength training. Change up the diet. That's the only way to see the results!

I'll miss my time of "therapy" but I know that I've learned from that time. I've made the investment.

Now it's time for me to move on...and in the words of Dr. Phil, "You need to get over it."

I Love Mondays!

The title has you intrigued now - doesn't it???

Let me be very clear. I hate Mondays from the perspective of going back to work for the week or getting back into the routine of the "stuff" you have to do...but, I love going to the gym on Mondays. They make the best work-out days.

Why? Well, let me tell you.

The weekend is a time to relax and unwind from the busyness and stress of the "stuff" you do all week long. There is a physical and mental relaxation that comes. But on Monday, there's this "I gotta get to the gym" mentality that just kicks in. I just wanna bust my tail and get all the workout I can get in over my lunchbreak.

Plus, I just like going to the gym!

So, I went to the gym yesterday with a craving to work out my arms. I don't know the reasoning behind it, but I want to be able to do a pull-up (or at least cross the monkey bars just once without falling). So I decided to turn up the volume on the workout.

Here's the workout:
1. Lunges on the cattle shoot (technical name - uh....I dunno). Basically, it adds weight to your lunges on your shoulders. I did 3 sets of 20.

2. Push-ups with 12 lb weights that I lift when I went up on the push-up. I did 3 sets of 12.

3. Tricep curls. 3 sets of 15.

4. Shoulder Pull-downs - 90 lbs. Yep. 90. If I'm ever going to do a pull-up, I need to up this weight tremendously, but 90 lbs is a good start. I had been only using 45 lbs. on this machine, but I had been thinking about it and knew that I could do more!

5. ABS. (My personal favorite). Today, I laid on my back, holding onto the pole behind my head. Then, I lifted both legs up over my head, lifting my butt off the ground and touched my legs to the pole, then to the left of the pole and then to the right of the pole. One. Do it 10 times. Twice.

That was basically it. Since I was working out with a co-worker and we upped all the weights and intensity, we didn't have time to do much more.

We ended in a nice stretch and a shower.

This morning, my back (pecs) are sore. I can feel that. My stomach is a bit sore too, but that is to be expected.

Today is Tuesday - CARDIO Day! Whoo hoo.

I'm thinking of mixing it up today and doing a circuit of 12 mins on the arc trainer (I call it the gazelle), 12 mins on the treadmill running and then 12 mins. of racing on the bike.

Oh, I love Tuesdays too.