The only way I've ever found success in weight loss is to control all aspects of my food. I can't eat out if I don't have the nutritional analysis of the restaurant to which we are headed. I measure out portions and put the rest of the food out of reach. Grocery lists are made from menus and food isn't bought unless it is on the list.
I keep thinking you must know this about me, but I'm not sure I ever wrote about it. So much time and energy is put into managing food. I hesitate to call the behavior obsessive because there is so much to actually do when you are closely monitoring your food intake. And doing it for a family could be a full-time job if your family, like mine, thrives on ever changing foods and experiences.
No wonder I was overwhelmed. Exhausted. Shattered.
I would go so far as to say I was shattered. I kept picking up the pieces I dropped, but I couldn't get them to come back together. Every time I tried something I thought I already had put back in place crumbled.
It turns out that I had to give up the image that I was trying to rebuild. When I stopped being able to make it work, it was because the image was hopelessly flawed. I was doing too much. Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who hesitantly, because he knows me, stepped in. He picked up the pieces I kept trying to fix and replaced them with something new.
Something I don't control.
This is a huge step. Not only am I giving up a traditionally female house hold role, but I am no longer able to strictly control my diet in the fashion I've become accustomed. How am I going to manage to lose weight if I don't know the specifics of everything I eat?
I'm not yet sure. We're 2 weeks in and I'm thoroughly enjoying my reduced task list. I haven't had the nerve to ask my husband if he is enjoying his new responsibilities. I'm not sure I want to know if he isn't. At least not yet.
So far my weight has not suffered. He's been planning meals with my dietary concerns in mind. We've had a few things I wouldn't have considered cooking. Combinations to use up our CSA vegetables which I hadn't considered before. It's been a healthy change. I've even managed to lose the couple of pounds I gained over vacation!
All-in-all, only time will tell how we work in this new arrangement. But right now I have high hopes. Maybe relinquishing some control will do wonders for relieving stress, another theme found in successful weight loss stories. Like mine, I hope.
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
A Perfect Day
Since adding two little girls to my life, perfect is a redefined word. I have many perfect moments. They are gleaming memories sitting atop a pile of dirty laundry, cartons of diapers and an endless rotation of dirty dishes. Not to mention the mommy sanity timeouts. But in all of my complaining there are awesome memories, ones I'll remember for years to come, and every once in a while I get a perfect day.
Yesterday was a perfect day.
It all started by me waking up at 6am to a quiet restful house. My girls are visiting their grandparents for the week. Having my house to myself and only my own schedule to maintain is such an awesome luxury. For the first two days of this week I gave myself permission to simply exist each day, sleeping late, going to bed whenever I felt like it and making meals whenever. I seriously debated staying in bed one more day, but it was Wednesday and I haven't missed a Wednesday at the gym since I returned to working out at the beginning of July. I'm not giving up a 6 week streak now!
For a pleasant change of pace, my husband got up and went with me. We exercised side by side. It was my second day of my new 5K walking program. A short warmup followed by fifteen minutes walking. I walked; he jogged. We marveled over the differences between Fox News and CNN. That's my new hobby while in the cardio room in the gym - studying the difference between the news networks. Following our walk, I ran us both through a PT style workout. By the end of it, my legs were shaking and I think I might have even inspired a little awe. He's never seen all the stuff I learned how to do. *grin* It was fun to show off.
Workout accomplished we hit our respective locker rooms and got ready for work. He drove me in. I invited him to breakfast at my usual morning stop. I was dropped off at work with a kiss and promises of dinner plans to be emailed.
My work day was fairly typical. I'm about 3 months into a 9 month project. The pressure is present but motivating. Towards the end of the day I did get a bit of a scare when an issue was discovered with one of my releases. I didn't take it in stride at all, but I do understand what happened, presented to my manager and came up with some alternative quick workarounds. All-in-all it was one of my better days at the office.
And then came dinner. Mmmm. Given that we were child-free, Hubby sent me a few options which we would not consider with the kiddos. Having heard amazing things, we headed to Carrol's Creek. It's a marina restaurant with outdoor seating, decadent appetizers and an overall relaxing atmosphere. Our feast included baked brie, seafood cocktail and southwestern seasoned scallops seared and served with black bean corn salsa and a cilantro cream sauce. So yummy and cooked just perfectly. I'm glad the sauce wasn't available until my main entree; I would have had to try it on everything! To top it off Hubby ordered a caramel cheesecake for us to share for dessert. It was delicious.
I wish I'd taken a photo of all the yummy goodness we enjoyed, but alas... I was too busy enjoying it. At least I did manage to snap this picture. Could the evening have been more beautiful?
After dinner, we walked around talking for a while. As we headed home, we called our girls and attempted to say good night. I could hear all their glee in the background, but talking to Mommy and Daddy while they are hanging at Grandma's doesn't seem to be high on their list. Soon enough they will be back making a ruckus and inspiring simple moments of glee. But for just one day, I had a perfect day just me and my husband. It's not often we have moments together without our kids mixed in. I'm so happy to have one perfect one in recent memory to add to the list.
Yesterday was a perfect day.
It all started by me waking up at 6am to a quiet restful house. My girls are visiting their grandparents for the week. Having my house to myself and only my own schedule to maintain is such an awesome luxury. For the first two days of this week I gave myself permission to simply exist each day, sleeping late, going to bed whenever I felt like it and making meals whenever. I seriously debated staying in bed one more day, but it was Wednesday and I haven't missed a Wednesday at the gym since I returned to working out at the beginning of July. I'm not giving up a 6 week streak now!
For a pleasant change of pace, my husband got up and went with me. We exercised side by side. It was my second day of my new 5K walking program. A short warmup followed by fifteen minutes walking. I walked; he jogged. We marveled over the differences between Fox News and CNN. That's my new hobby while in the cardio room in the gym - studying the difference between the news networks. Following our walk, I ran us both through a PT style workout. By the end of it, my legs were shaking and I think I might have even inspired a little awe. He's never seen all the stuff I learned how to do. *grin* It was fun to show off.
Workout accomplished we hit our respective locker rooms and got ready for work. He drove me in. I invited him to breakfast at my usual morning stop. I was dropped off at work with a kiss and promises of dinner plans to be emailed.
My work day was fairly typical. I'm about 3 months into a 9 month project. The pressure is present but motivating. Towards the end of the day I did get a bit of a scare when an issue was discovered with one of my releases. I didn't take it in stride at all, but I do understand what happened, presented to my manager and came up with some alternative quick workarounds. All-in-all it was one of my better days at the office.
And then came dinner. Mmmm. Given that we were child-free, Hubby sent me a few options which we would not consider with the kiddos. Having heard amazing things, we headed to Carrol's Creek. It's a marina restaurant with outdoor seating, decadent appetizers and an overall relaxing atmosphere. Our feast included baked brie, seafood cocktail and southwestern seasoned scallops seared and served with black bean corn salsa and a cilantro cream sauce. So yummy and cooked just perfectly. I'm glad the sauce wasn't available until my main entree; I would have had to try it on everything! To top it off Hubby ordered a caramel cheesecake for us to share for dessert. It was delicious.
I wish I'd taken a photo of all the yummy goodness we enjoyed, but alas... I was too busy enjoying it. At least I did manage to snap this picture. Could the evening have been more beautiful?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Finding my track
I'm being very quiet right now. Words are a bit elusive. I want so much to share all that is going on in my head, but I'm afraid. Too much of it is conflicting and way too much of it is negative. I'm struggling to figure out how to balance striving for a goal with loving yourself just as you are. Especially when that goal is centered on the imperfections you see in the mirror. I do not have the answers. Some days I wonder if there are answers.
The numbers have officially gotten to me. I've been obsessing over them for weeks (maybe months now). They have infected my happy and I haven't been able to shake them. All I find is more reason to criticize myself. To judge me. Not only is it counter productive, but I'm too close. There is no objectivity when looking at oneself. How can there be? The numbers were to provide objectivity, but I've turned them negative. All I tend to see is how much better I can do. Not how much I've accomplished.
Last week I was introduced to a movement called Fat Acceptance. I understand this to be a movement to change the perception of fat people in society at large. I can appreciate the need for that. I'm obese, but I'm not lazy. I have weight to lose, but that is not the source of all my medical issues. Obese people need access to the same things people of normal weight need. All that I can buy into.
However, I also believe that being overweight can cause stress on the body which would not occur at a different weight. Similar to how running will cause stress on the body that wouldn't be experienced by a non-runner. The idea that you can be 100% healthy regardless of weight is not something I'm sure I agree with. My weight is a symptom of the lifestyles I've lived which, at the points when I was gaining weight, were most definitely not healthy. For me at least, I do not consider my health to be 100% with the weight that I carry.
Where does this leave me?
This process is going to take years. For me it is not as simple as reduce calories, exercise more, lose weight, be happy. At least I don't think it is. The first two steps I believe will lead to the third. This is what I have witnessed, how I've succeeded so far this year. The fourth step is the problem step. Will doing these things make me happy?
Or do I have to be happy first? Be Happy. Exercise More. Reduce Calories. Lose Weight. Is that the correct order? If so, I have to start with a much much harder question. What makes me happy? Is happy even the right word? I'm not always going to be happy. But I need to be making healthy decisions even when I'm not happy.
This is what I mean by confused and conflicting. I'm stuck in this place of inaction and I'm scared if I don't get out of it all the weight will creep right back while I'm busy trying to figure out my next step. At this point, the pragmatist steps in and says 'Just do something.' I tend to listen to the pragmatist. So here's what I'll do.
First, no more number posts. I'm pretending to be objective when I'm really not. Time to knock it off. I'm continuing the calorie counting. That is helping me. But I don't need to analyze it. Not right now. I am on the fence about my weigh-ins. I've been weighing myself each Wednesday and that is a good practice. I just have to work on not beating myself up over what the number says. Monthly I'll still share as I really want to keep track of how my weight changes over time, especially with regard to how I'm feeling.
Second, I'm modifying my workouts. All this started because I decided to run a 5K. That hasn't happened, but I've pushed myself and walked a 5K three times. Each time I've done better but still experienced cramping in my hips by mile 2. I did some looking and there are a few walking programs out there that get you ready for distance walks. I'm going to pick one and see if taking a more gradual approach will help me overcome these muscle issues. That will be shared here of course.
Third, more of my day to day life will be showing up here. I do a lot when it comes to health only a portion of which has been shared here. Given that I'm not going to capture a miraculous 100 pound loss in a year on this blog, I can capture some other very awesome things that I'm learning or doing. And really won't a record of all that be even more miraculous?
The numbers have officially gotten to me. I've been obsessing over them for weeks (maybe months now). They have infected my happy and I haven't been able to shake them. All I find is more reason to criticize myself. To judge me. Not only is it counter productive, but I'm too close. There is no objectivity when looking at oneself. How can there be? The numbers were to provide objectivity, but I've turned them negative. All I tend to see is how much better I can do. Not how much I've accomplished.
Last week I was introduced to a movement called Fat Acceptance. I understand this to be a movement to change the perception of fat people in society at large. I can appreciate the need for that. I'm obese, but I'm not lazy. I have weight to lose, but that is not the source of all my medical issues. Obese people need access to the same things people of normal weight need. All that I can buy into.
However, I also believe that being overweight can cause stress on the body which would not occur at a different weight. Similar to how running will cause stress on the body that wouldn't be experienced by a non-runner. The idea that you can be 100% healthy regardless of weight is not something I'm sure I agree with. My weight is a symptom of the lifestyles I've lived which, at the points when I was gaining weight, were most definitely not healthy. For me at least, I do not consider my health to be 100% with the weight that I carry.
Where does this leave me?
This process is going to take years. For me it is not as simple as reduce calories, exercise more, lose weight, be happy. At least I don't think it is. The first two steps I believe will lead to the third. This is what I have witnessed, how I've succeeded so far this year. The fourth step is the problem step. Will doing these things make me happy?
Or do I have to be happy first? Be Happy. Exercise More. Reduce Calories. Lose Weight. Is that the correct order? If so, I have to start with a much much harder question. What makes me happy? Is happy even the right word? I'm not always going to be happy. But I need to be making healthy decisions even when I'm not happy.
This is what I mean by confused and conflicting. I'm stuck in this place of inaction and I'm scared if I don't get out of it all the weight will creep right back while I'm busy trying to figure out my next step. At this point, the pragmatist steps in and says 'Just do something.' I tend to listen to the pragmatist. So here's what I'll do.
First, no more number posts. I'm pretending to be objective when I'm really not. Time to knock it off. I'm continuing the calorie counting. That is helping me. But I don't need to analyze it. Not right now. I am on the fence about my weigh-ins. I've been weighing myself each Wednesday and that is a good practice. I just have to work on not beating myself up over what the number says. Monthly I'll still share as I really want to keep track of how my weight changes over time, especially with regard to how I'm feeling.
Second, I'm modifying my workouts. All this started because I decided to run a 5K. That hasn't happened, but I've pushed myself and walked a 5K three times. Each time I've done better but still experienced cramping in my hips by mile 2. I did some looking and there are a few walking programs out there that get you ready for distance walks. I'm going to pick one and see if taking a more gradual approach will help me overcome these muscle issues. That will be shared here of course.
Third, more of my day to day life will be showing up here. I do a lot when it comes to health only a portion of which has been shared here. Given that I'm not going to capture a miraculous 100 pound loss in a year on this blog, I can capture some other very awesome things that I'm learning or doing. And really won't a record of all that be even more miraculous?
Friday, August 17, 2012
Lizard Toes
I'm new to the smart phone world. At the same conference where I decided to change my life, I also determined that I needed to get a smart phone. I'm deep like that. You see this was a conference of seemingly together professional women who also happened to be mothers. And the single common accessory was an iPhone. Not just a smart phone or general techie tendencies. Nope. Everyone BUT ME had an iPhone. I made it exactly 34 days past the conference before I ordered one of my very own.
It probably helps that I love Macs. Apple has a company has its issues (Huge cop out, but I'm not sure there is any company that doesn't), but the make a fine product and I have drank the Kool-aid. So into the smart phone work I dove. My first 6 months were bliss. I could do things I never knew I needed to do all from the phone in my pocket. We had so much fun together. Playing games, taking pictures, editing pictures, shopping for real estate. List list is endless. It was love.
All this is relevant because I got a pedicure!!! See the pretty lizard toes? They are mine and I love them. I love them so much that I wanted to post a picture here for you to see. The light shining off the pretty teal polish. It makes me so happy. I almost had to go out a buy a pair of sandals so that I could show off these beauties to the world. However, you, my loyal readers, are the only people outside me immediately family to observe the results of an hour of pure unadulterated pampering of me. Something I needed so much. I'm so thankful I took the time.
And it has taken me 3 apps and 65 minutes spread over two days to provide you with this picture. *sigh* I'm not sure how other people do this, but I've got to be doing something wrong. Here's my steps to get this picture here:
Wow. I'm definitely doing something wrong. Or... Or! This smart phone thing has us all convinced that it takes an advanced degree to do anything. But wait! I HAVE an advanced degree. In Computer Science. Why is this so hard!?!??!?
Anyway, figuring all this picture stuff out was fun. The honeymoon is over with regards to my iPhone. I love it. I'm going to keep playing with it. But this has to be easier. I'm also not sold on having all my data being shared in one place. I know that is the trendy thing to do, but I'm not that trendy and all these companies linking back to Google makes me a little nervous with the overall picture you can get all to easily of me on the internet.
All that aside, I loved getting a pedicure. I don't know that I will get them regularly, but I'm going to enjoy my lizard toes as long as possible. The massage portion of the pedicure was also an awesome treat. I've been beating up my legs lately and it felt nice to relax and have someone take care of me for a few minutes. Maybe I need to work on allowing some pampering simply because it makes me feel nice. No mountain climbed necessary.
It probably helps that I love Macs. Apple has a company has its issues (Huge cop out, but I'm not sure there is any company that doesn't), but the make a fine product and I have drank the Kool-aid. So into the smart phone work I dove. My first 6 months were bliss. I could do things I never knew I needed to do all from the phone in my pocket. We had so much fun together. Playing games, taking pictures, editing pictures, shopping for real estate. List list is endless. It was love.
All this is relevant because I got a pedicure!!! See the pretty lizard toes? They are mine and I love them. I love them so much that I wanted to post a picture here for you to see. The light shining off the pretty teal polish. It makes me so happy. I almost had to go out a buy a pair of sandals so that I could show off these beauties to the world. However, you, my loyal readers, are the only people outside me immediately family to observe the results of an hour of pure unadulterated pampering of me. Something I needed so much. I'm so thankful I took the time.And it has taken me 3 apps and 65 minutes spread over two days to provide you with this picture. *sigh* I'm not sure how other people do this, but I've got to be doing something wrong. Here's my steps to get this picture here:
- I took the picture
- Edited it in Instagram (not registered with FB)
- Emailed myself a link and uploaded it somewhere (does anyone know HOW instagram works?)
- Found a copy on my phone
- Downloaded the Blogger app and failed to comprehend how to add a photo to a Blogger post via the app
- Tried linking to the photo via the URL Instagram gave me
- Got instructions for using Google+
- Downloaded the Google+ app and learned that all the pictures I've been posting for both my blogs are publicly accessible and linked to me via Google+ (so much for this being a secret)
- Refused to enable Instant Upload of all my pictures from my phone to Google+
- Shared this single photo will all my Google+ followers
- Found that I could then see it from Blogger via Picassa (???)
- I clicked the button to include it in this post
Wow. I'm definitely doing something wrong. Or... Or! This smart phone thing has us all convinced that it takes an advanced degree to do anything. But wait! I HAVE an advanced degree. In Computer Science. Why is this so hard!?!??!?
Anyway, figuring all this picture stuff out was fun. The honeymoon is over with regards to my iPhone. I love it. I'm going to keep playing with it. But this has to be easier. I'm also not sold on having all my data being shared in one place. I know that is the trendy thing to do, but I'm not that trendy and all these companies linking back to Google makes me a little nervous with the overall picture you can get all to easily of me on the internet.
All that aside, I loved getting a pedicure. I don't know that I will get them regularly, but I'm going to enjoy my lizard toes as long as possible. The massage portion of the pedicure was also an awesome treat. I've been beating up my legs lately and it felt nice to relax and have someone take care of me for a few minutes. Maybe I need to work on allowing some pampering simply because it makes me feel nice. No mountain climbed necessary.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Workout 120727: Inner Calm.
Last night my world exploded. To be more accurate, the drainage pipe in my basement exploded. Versus having a nice calm problem like the tub not draining, something has broken and the tub drained into the finished basement. Presently the upstairs bathroom, laundry room and kitchen are off limits to all those who wish to use water in my house. Thankfully (???), there is a second bathroom in the basement which appears to be on the other side of the drainage issue.
Given all that, I woke up this morning and determined that my optional Friday visit to the gym was not optional. If I wanted a shower before I was due to be at work, I would have to find it elsewhere. So I headed out the door. My husband, the awesome and amazing man that he is, is at the house with the kids monitoring the situation and waiting for the plumber. Even when I started working again after being unemployed for 9 months, I'm not sure I was ever this happy to have a work to go to.
Getting in a bonus workout is awesome. However since I wasn't planning on being at the gym this morning, I pretty much stuck to the cardio machines and sweated out for a bit. Today's workout:
30 min Elliptical - Cross Training 2
10 min Treadmill - 2.0 mph
Stretch
This workout felt good. My feet are a little tender, but that is more due to the new inserts I purchased to add arch support than the length of time on the Elliptical. About 20 minutes into the program the machine told me to pedal backwards which I did. It is much harder to pedal backwards than forwards for me still. At that moment I did marvel at the progress I've made. I remember in the beginning weeks how I was struggling to make it through my workouts. Just completing them was an accomplishment. I remember being proud every time I added a few more minutes. It was a wonderful journey down memory lane in the middle life happening and shattering my calm happy place.
I'm happy this week is almost over. I'm happy that I don't have to cook dinner tonight. I'm exceptionally happy to have the time and resources to go workout while my house is falling apart. Now if I can just hold on to that happy long enough to be able to use the running water at my house again. That will be something to celebrate!
Given all that, I woke up this morning and determined that my optional Friday visit to the gym was not optional. If I wanted a shower before I was due to be at work, I would have to find it elsewhere. So I headed out the door. My husband, the awesome and amazing man that he is, is at the house with the kids monitoring the situation and waiting for the plumber. Even when I started working again after being unemployed for 9 months, I'm not sure I was ever this happy to have a work to go to.
Getting in a bonus workout is awesome. However since I wasn't planning on being at the gym this morning, I pretty much stuck to the cardio machines and sweated out for a bit. Today's workout:
30 min Elliptical - Cross Training 2
10 min Treadmill - 2.0 mph
Stretch
This workout felt good. My feet are a little tender, but that is more due to the new inserts I purchased to add arch support than the length of time on the Elliptical. About 20 minutes into the program the machine told me to pedal backwards which I did. It is much harder to pedal backwards than forwards for me still. At that moment I did marvel at the progress I've made. I remember in the beginning weeks how I was struggling to make it through my workouts. Just completing them was an accomplishment. I remember being proud every time I added a few more minutes. It was a wonderful journey down memory lane in the middle life happening and shattering my calm happy place.
I'm happy this week is almost over. I'm happy that I don't have to cook dinner tonight. I'm exceptionally happy to have the time and resources to go workout while my house is falling apart. Now if I can just hold on to that happy long enough to be able to use the running water at my house again. That will be something to celebrate!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Workout 120706
I reached my goal!!! Three workouts accomplished this week!!! Friday morning's workout:
10 min Recumbent Bike
10 Lunges each side
13 Squats with 6 lbs
30 Jump Ropes (Here I actually had a jump rope and was jumping over it - to make it over the rope 30 times took me about 2 minutes)
5 Reverse Lunges on Bosu each side
20 Bird Dogs each side (I pulled my knee in before extending back and realized that I am getting closer to these turning into mountain climbers)
10 Lateral Raises with 5 lbs
10 Front Raises with 5 lbs
10 Bicep Curls with 5 lbs
10 Shoulder Presses with 5 lbs
20 Crunches on Swiss Ball
Stretch
It was hard to get up this morning. I didn't get home until 10pm after going out for knitting and drinks with some friends. The drinking part wasn't what made this morning hard (though a 150 calorie Pomegranate Martini is amazing); it was the not falling asleep until 11pm. I really really do like my sleep.
But get up I did. And I'm happy I did. I learned two things this morning.
One: I really find exercising on the bike to be boring. And any more than 10 minutes and my coccyx would prevent me from sitting for the rest of the day. And I was sooo bored. Stationary bike is really not the thing for me. I know people love Spinning classes and maybe that would be awesome, but just pedaling away in the cardio room? Not so much.
Two: Jumping Rope is hard!!!!! And I kind of like it. I'm not sure that is what my foot doctor had in mind when she told me not to exercise on the Arc Trainer or Elliptical, but so far my feet are okay. I'll give it 24 hours before I truly declare victory, but it was fun to try something different.
Maybe there is a third things I learned as well. I guess not learned, but found out. My gym is offering 30 minute exercise classes for 2-3 year olds. My 3.5 year old is very interested in mommy going to the gym and what I do there. She knows that I go multiple times a week and it is very important to me. Having asked to go with me a number of times now, she might really get a kick out of heading to the the gym with me on Saturday morning and attending her own class. I'll definitely be looking more into that.
10 min Recumbent Bike
10 Lunges each side
13 Squats with 6 lbs
30 Jump Ropes (Here I actually had a jump rope and was jumping over it - to make it over the rope 30 times took me about 2 minutes)
5 Reverse Lunges on Bosu each side
20 Bird Dogs each side (I pulled my knee in before extending back and realized that I am getting closer to these turning into mountain climbers)
10 Lateral Raises with 5 lbs
10 Front Raises with 5 lbs
10 Bicep Curls with 5 lbs
10 Shoulder Presses with 5 lbs
20 Crunches on Swiss Ball
Stretch
It was hard to get up this morning. I didn't get home until 10pm after going out for knitting and drinks with some friends. The drinking part wasn't what made this morning hard (though a 150 calorie Pomegranate Martini is amazing); it was the not falling asleep until 11pm. I really really do like my sleep.
But get up I did. And I'm happy I did. I learned two things this morning.
One: I really find exercising on the bike to be boring. And any more than 10 minutes and my coccyx would prevent me from sitting for the rest of the day. And I was sooo bored. Stationary bike is really not the thing for me. I know people love Spinning classes and maybe that would be awesome, but just pedaling away in the cardio room? Not so much.
Two: Jumping Rope is hard!!!!! And I kind of like it. I'm not sure that is what my foot doctor had in mind when she told me not to exercise on the Arc Trainer or Elliptical, but so far my feet are okay. I'll give it 24 hours before I truly declare victory, but it was fun to try something different.
Maybe there is a third things I learned as well. I guess not learned, but found out. My gym is offering 30 minute exercise classes for 2-3 year olds. My 3.5 year old is very interested in mommy going to the gym and what I do there. She knows that I go multiple times a week and it is very important to me. Having asked to go with me a number of times now, she might really get a kick out of heading to the the gym with me on Saturday morning and attending her own class. I'll definitely be looking more into that.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
A Triumph
I've spent the past week preparing myself for the worst. I promised myself that I would not judge myself by the number that came back today. After the down cycle in my mood and the lack of exercise, I was sure my metabolism had gone into hibernation and I was back to gaining weight. I consoled myself and promised myself I would do better. It was just a phase.
And a ton of wasted effort. I weighed in this morning at a whopping...
Wow. I spent hours telling myself how I would recover from a gain and I would not reverse all the progress I'd made. I was really in a down place. Maybe next time I'm feeling down I will have a little more faith in myself and the work I put in. I don't have to be 100% to make progress. Maybe 80% is a wholesome way to reach a far off goal like this.
In the month of June, I have lost 4 more pounds. That brings my grand total to 20 pounds lost. That is 1/5th of my goal!!! That is huge! I tried to think back to the last night I know I weighted 220. I called my OB to find out what my starting weight was when I went in with my first pregnancy. I was thinking that I might have finally lost all the "baby" weight. Turns out I was 230 at my first OB appointment. I've lots all the baby weight from both of my pregnancies. Woohoo!
Thinking further back, it was at some point while I was on weight watchers. That was the mark where my points dropped and I began to falter. I also was finishing up grad school, learning how to exercise (still working on that one) and trying to figure out how to live with my husband. I remember because at 40 pounds lost back then, people really started to notice that I was losing weight. At Christmas that year, I got a ton of complements and was happy to find that I could wear XL shirts.
I remember thinking back then that I was the smallest my husband had ever known me. Today I am again the smallest since I found my guy. I'm smaller than when I graduated from undergrad. Smaller than when I was hired... and subsequently laid off... from my first 'real' job.
The best part is that I'm doing this without some of the negative methods I employed last time. No cigarettes. No Diet Coke. No artificial sweeteners at all in fact. And I'm already exercising regularly. Last time at 220 I started exercising.
This month will be a big month for me. Continued success means that I'll have beaten the wall I came up against 6 years ago. That and I might have to try to obtain my college student health services records to figure out my measurements back then. Lots to look forward to!
And a ton of wasted effort. I weighed in this morning at a whopping...
220
Wow. I spent hours telling myself how I would recover from a gain and I would not reverse all the progress I'd made. I was really in a down place. Maybe next time I'm feeling down I will have a little more faith in myself and the work I put in. I don't have to be 100% to make progress. Maybe 80% is a wholesome way to reach a far off goal like this.
In the month of June, I have lost 4 more pounds. That brings my grand total to 20 pounds lost. That is 1/5th of my goal!!! That is huge! I tried to think back to the last night I know I weighted 220. I called my OB to find out what my starting weight was when I went in with my first pregnancy. I was thinking that I might have finally lost all the "baby" weight. Turns out I was 230 at my first OB appointment. I've lots all the baby weight from both of my pregnancies. Woohoo!
Thinking further back, it was at some point while I was on weight watchers. That was the mark where my points dropped and I began to falter. I also was finishing up grad school, learning how to exercise (still working on that one) and trying to figure out how to live with my husband. I remember because at 40 pounds lost back then, people really started to notice that I was losing weight. At Christmas that year, I got a ton of complements and was happy to find that I could wear XL shirts.
I remember thinking back then that I was the smallest my husband had ever known me. Today I am again the smallest since I found my guy. I'm smaller than when I graduated from undergrad. Smaller than when I was hired... and subsequently laid off... from my first 'real' job.
The best part is that I'm doing this without some of the negative methods I employed last time. No cigarettes. No Diet Coke. No artificial sweeteners at all in fact. And I'm already exercising regularly. Last time at 220 I started exercising.
This month will be a big month for me. Continued success means that I'll have beaten the wall I came up against 6 years ago. That and I might have to try to obtain my college student health services records to figure out my measurements back then. Lots to look forward to!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Food Judgement
Last night I sat down with my girls to eat dinner. They split a can of whole wheat ABC & 123's with Meatballs while I had leftover chicken and mashed potatoes. There were no vegetables. Well, unless you count the sauce on the ABC's... The can says there is a full serving in there somewhere. That counts, right?
*sigh*
Oh well. We only eat like that two or three times a month. If my husband had been coming home for dinner I'd have at least chopped up and sauteed the Swiss Chard in the vegetable draw. But who was I impressing? My 3 year old was extra thrilled that I let her pick her dinner from the pantry all by herself. It was adorable.
But in my nutritional disaster that was dinner I had a triumph. At the end of dinner, I sat down and recorded my calories totaling everything up for the day. I was hoping I hadn't exceeded 1500 so that I could pull a chocolate chip cookie or two out of the freezer. I was at 1581. And I was full.
So I stopped eating.
I was satisfied.
And no craving came haunting in the night. No obsessive thoughts about food. No pepperoni drive-bys. I was quite simply just done.
And it was a superb feeling.
I have food issues. Given that I try to focus on the positives of working out and calorie counting, you might have missed the food issues. But they are here. They are big. All too often they dominate my thoughts and I do all these other activities to counter them. I work hard to find coping mechanisms. And when I'm not coping? I create avoidance tactics and diversions. I tell myself stories about the future and remind myself of why I'm doing all this. I fold clothes, vacuum or knit. I brush my teeth.
Last night I didn't need to. I coped. I coped without trying. This has been happening more and more lately. It is a great feeling. I am able to control my calories like never before.
Calories aren't loaded with emotion the way food is. Each calorie is just a unit of energy. I need a certain number of them and, when I have enough, I can be done. Points didn't translate that way. The formula used to determine them passed judgement on food. It was about more than just input and output. I didn't deal well with that. So far I'm counting calories without the negativity or obsession I've experienced in the past.
Someday I hope to move beyond the simple calorie counting further into a wholesome nutrition-filled diet, but for now this is good. I don't need to rush and I still have lots to learn without muddying the waters. It feels so good to have something objective to cling to during this process. Something serving my purposes so well. I'm kind of embarrassed that I never thought to try it before. But instead, I'll be thankful. Thankful for a judgement-free way to deal with one aspect of all this. Thankful this is working. Thankful for the time to find it.
*sigh*
Oh well. We only eat like that two or three times a month. If my husband had been coming home for dinner I'd have at least chopped up and sauteed the Swiss Chard in the vegetable draw. But who was I impressing? My 3 year old was extra thrilled that I let her pick her dinner from the pantry all by herself. It was adorable.
But in my nutritional disaster that was dinner I had a triumph. At the end of dinner, I sat down and recorded my calories totaling everything up for the day. I was hoping I hadn't exceeded 1500 so that I could pull a chocolate chip cookie or two out of the freezer. I was at 1581. And I was full.
So I stopped eating.
I was satisfied.
And no craving came haunting in the night. No obsessive thoughts about food. No pepperoni drive-bys. I was quite simply just done.
And it was a superb feeling.
I have food issues. Given that I try to focus on the positives of working out and calorie counting, you might have missed the food issues. But they are here. They are big. All too often they dominate my thoughts and I do all these other activities to counter them. I work hard to find coping mechanisms. And when I'm not coping? I create avoidance tactics and diversions. I tell myself stories about the future and remind myself of why I'm doing all this. I fold clothes, vacuum or knit. I brush my teeth.
Last night I didn't need to. I coped. I coped without trying. This has been happening more and more lately. It is a great feeling. I am able to control my calories like never before.
Calories aren't loaded with emotion the way food is. Each calorie is just a unit of energy. I need a certain number of them and, when I have enough, I can be done. Points didn't translate that way. The formula used to determine them passed judgement on food. It was about more than just input and output. I didn't deal well with that. So far I'm counting calories without the negativity or obsession I've experienced in the past.
Someday I hope to move beyond the simple calorie counting further into a wholesome nutrition-filled diet, but for now this is good. I don't need to rush and I still have lots to learn without muddying the waters. It feels so good to have something objective to cling to during this process. Something serving my purposes so well. I'm kind of embarrassed that I never thought to try it before. But instead, I'll be thankful. Thankful for a judgement-free way to deal with one aspect of all this. Thankful this is working. Thankful for the time to find it.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Getting my Butt Kicked
This morning I met with my trainer (it sounds sooo cool to have a trainer) and here's what we did.
Turns out I had nothing to worry about. With every exercise I felt a little better. It felt really good to get moving this morning and try some new things. I also had two major accomplishments. One - Check out the 30 sec planks! That's my longest since removing the knee bent modification a few weeks ago. Maybe by the end of June I'll be able to do a plank without any modification. That would be seriously amazing.
My second accomplishment was going to the gym in my running pants. Back when I thought I was going to run 5Ks this year, I bought an awesome pair of Under Armour running pants. Given my size I had to buy a Mens XL to fit my butt and I was only willing wear them with a very long shirt or short skirt. I just felt like there was too much of me showing in those tight pants.
However, in the past month, all my workout clothes have been starting to sag and some are impossible to workout in they are so loose (sooo awesome!). A friend suggested I wear the running pants. I tried them on last night thinking there was no way I was wearing them to the gym. I'm not into showing off my body at the gym. And those pants were still tight. Then I noticed my XL t-shirt (just started wearing XL in the past month as well - down from a 2X - Woohoo!) now fits comfortably around my hips!!! No stretching or pulling at all. That means a good portion of my butt is covered and the outfit doesn't look immodest at all! In fact, I might even be looking a little cute. :) Very very cool accomplishment. And it felt much better to workout in pants that fit.
Update 120604: Added Arm Work
10min Treadmill warmupI felt pretty low going into the gym this morning. My husband and kids were all up during the night and I'm the only person who wakes up every time someone else wakes up. All I can say is at least they all went back to bed easily and I got 3 solid hours of sleep before my alarm went off. I was concerned about keeping up my energy during me workout.
25 Swiss Ball Crunches
12 Swiss Ball Bridges
5 Swiss Ball Bridges bringing Legs In (meaning: do a SB Bridge; while still bridged bed knees to pull feet in; then extend out and lower back to the ground)
12 Swiss Ball Bridges
5 Swiss Ball Bridges bringing Legs In
20 Bird Dogs (10 each side)
2 Planks with arms on Bosu - 30 sec hold each
Side Planks with arm on Bosu - 25 sec hold each side
12 Hip Extensions
12 Dirty Dogs (this one is funny - it works the Gluteus Medius/Minimus and the motions is pretty much a dog lifting it's leg against a fire hydrant)
12 Hip Extensions
12 Dirty Dogs
12 Adductors
Arm Work - All exercises done on Swiss Ball with 5lb weight in each hand:
Front RaiseStretch
Side Raise
Shoulder Press
Bicep Curl
Turns out I had nothing to worry about. With every exercise I felt a little better. It felt really good to get moving this morning and try some new things. I also had two major accomplishments. One - Check out the 30 sec planks! That's my longest since removing the knee bent modification a few weeks ago. Maybe by the end of June I'll be able to do a plank without any modification. That would be seriously amazing.
My second accomplishment was going to the gym in my running pants. Back when I thought I was going to run 5Ks this year, I bought an awesome pair of Under Armour running pants. Given my size I had to buy a Mens XL to fit my butt and I was only willing wear them with a very long shirt or short skirt. I just felt like there was too much of me showing in those tight pants.
However, in the past month, all my workout clothes have been starting to sag and some are impossible to workout in they are so loose (sooo awesome!). A friend suggested I wear the running pants. I tried them on last night thinking there was no way I was wearing them to the gym. I'm not into showing off my body at the gym. And those pants were still tight. Then I noticed my XL t-shirt (just started wearing XL in the past month as well - down from a 2X - Woohoo!) now fits comfortably around my hips!!! No stretching or pulling at all. That means a good portion of my butt is covered and the outfit doesn't look immodest at all! In fact, I might even be looking a little cute. :) Very very cool accomplishment. And it felt much better to workout in pants that fit.
Update 120604: Added Arm Work
Monday, May 28, 2012
Workout 120528: Tears of Joy
Today I repeated the trainer workout from last week. It felt good. Very few twinges, though I did have to take it slow on the stairs when I was going between the circuit and cardio rooms. I think I most liked that I worked up a sweat while going through a wide range of motions. I wasn't just one the elliptical for 30 minutes straight. Not that I won't still be doing that. I just think it would be mind-numbing to do it every day.
I don't have PT this week so I'm headed to the gym everyday. Tomorrow will be a long cardio workout. I meet with the trainer on Wednesday to try out another strength routine. This one will be more inline with what I've been doing at PT most likely. I asked for that as I'm not having PT this week.
But none of that was what moved me to tears.
At the end of my workout, I laid down to stretch my legs. Glut Stretch. IT Band Stretch. This Figure Four Stretch the trainer showed me. It stretches the same muscles (or close to the same muscles) that seem to be aggravating my coccyx.
Then it occurred to me to me to try a back massage. Or tummy massage. It is something we did in Yoga. You pull your knees into your chest and then circle them around. Being that you are on your back it massages the back and the stomach. It is supposed to feel great, but I'd log written it off because of the scar tissue in my hips. Everything was just too sore. It hurt too much.
This morning it didn't.
I don't have PT this week so I'm headed to the gym everyday. Tomorrow will be a long cardio workout. I meet with the trainer on Wednesday to try out another strength routine. This one will be more inline with what I've been doing at PT most likely. I asked for that as I'm not having PT this week.
But none of that was what moved me to tears.
At the end of my workout, I laid down to stretch my legs. Glut Stretch. IT Band Stretch. This Figure Four Stretch the trainer showed me. It stretches the same muscles (or close to the same muscles) that seem to be aggravating my coccyx.
Then it occurred to me to me to try a back massage. Or tummy massage. It is something we did in Yoga. You pull your knees into your chest and then circle them around. Being that you are on your back it massages the back and the stomach. It is supposed to feel great, but I'd log written it off because of the scar tissue in my hips. Everything was just too sore. It hurt too much.
This morning it didn't.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
I rock!
Today I ate out with my team. I ordered a broiled crab cake and sauteed vegetables. It tasted great and now I can still have my pasta for dinner. The fries were tempting, but I resisted! It took the drive from the restaurant to my office for the full feeling to set in. But now it's here and I'm so happy I didn't eat more. I must remember this lesson in the coming weeks.
1. Research the restaurant.
2. Make healthy substitutions.
3. Stick to your plan.
I know not every restaurant visit will go this way, but it is nice to have a plan of attack which is working.
1. Research the restaurant.
2. Make healthy substitutions.
3. Stick to your plan.
I know not every restaurant visit will go this way, but it is nice to have a plan of attack which is working.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The new PT
In the coming weeks I hope the acronym PT leaves my vocabulary entirely.
But on Wednesday I met with a personal trainer for the first time. My trainer is a Mom who won a lifelong battle against weight and found herself to be a runner on the other side of the fight. Of all the choices I had at the gym I chose her because she's been where I am now and she has a lot of tools for getting out of my situation. Also. Possibly more important. She's happy to meet with me at 5:30am.
So here's what we did:
At the beginning of the workout I was a little concerned. I'm not a huge fan of the circuit machines and it has been months since I've used them. However, I really liked mixing the cardio in between sets. I'd never thought to do that before. By the time we got to the stretch I really felt satisfied with the workout.
The other lesson for me what to maintain my form by supporting all my movements with my core. I know core strength is important, but maybe my abdominals have been so weak for so long that I really didn't know what it felt like to use them during strength exercises. It made a huge difference in performing the exercises correctly and keeping the hurt away. Thankfully I didn't have so much as a twinge in my knees during the workout. I'm at a loss to describe how big a relief that was.
As my husband purchased 3 sessions for me (I love that man), we meet again this coming Wednesday. I don't have PT next week, so I'll be attempting to repeat this Wednesday's workout on Monday and she'll come up with a more PT style work out for me on Wednesday. I can't believe I'm excited about this, but I really am. I love feeling strong and positive!
But on Wednesday I met with a personal trainer for the first time. My trainer is a Mom who won a lifelong battle against weight and found herself to be a runner on the other side of the fight. Of all the choices I had at the gym I chose her because she's been where I am now and she has a lot of tools for getting out of my situation. Also. Possibly more important. She's happy to meet with me at 5:30am.
So here's what we did:
10 min Treadmill warmup - 2mph
Circuit Rotation - 12 Reps of each - weight is in parenthesis
Leg Extension (30)3 min Cardio (Elliptical or Arc Trainer moving fast!)
Leg Curl (30)
Leg Press (40)
Adductor (30)
Abductor (30)
Circuit Rotation
3 min Cardio
Circuit Rotation
3min Cardio
Shoulder work - 5 lb free weight in each hand - 10 reps each
Front Raise (arms moving forward from side to just below my shoulders)Crunches on a Swiss Ball
Side Raise (arms moving out to the side lifted no higher than my shoulders)
Shoulder Press
Stretch
At the beginning of the workout I was a little concerned. I'm not a huge fan of the circuit machines and it has been months since I've used them. However, I really liked mixing the cardio in between sets. I'd never thought to do that before. By the time we got to the stretch I really felt satisfied with the workout.
The other lesson for me what to maintain my form by supporting all my movements with my core. I know core strength is important, but maybe my abdominals have been so weak for so long that I really didn't know what it felt like to use them during strength exercises. It made a huge difference in performing the exercises correctly and keeping the hurt away. Thankfully I didn't have so much as a twinge in my knees during the workout. I'm at a loss to describe how big a relief that was.
As my husband purchased 3 sessions for me (I love that man), we meet again this coming Wednesday. I don't have PT next week, so I'll be attempting to repeat this Wednesday's workout on Monday and she'll come up with a more PT style work out for me on Wednesday. I can't believe I'm excited about this, but I really am. I love feeling strong and positive!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Workout 120509: Relief
Wednesday's Workout:
30 min Treadmill Walk (1.5 mi - Hill level 5)
Hip Abductors (2 sets 15 reps each side)
Bridges (5 reps with 15 sec hold - OW)
Bird Dogs (10 reps each side - No stick)
Reverse Curl (15 reps)
Stretch
This morning felt good. I was worried that I was going to peter out; I've been feeling a little tired this week. But a few minutes into my treadmill walk and I started perking up. It helps that there was good music on Pandora. I can never remember exactly what I've listened to, but I was bopping along this morning and it felt good.
Also, being Wednesday, I weighed myself. I'm still only sharing on a monthly basis; but, having kicked WW to the curb, I feel the need to monitor more closely. I don't want to undo the work that I've done. The verdict? I've maintained! This is GREAT news to me! With attempting to make good food choices and writing down what I've consumed, I've maintained. I'm good with that while I'm trying to figure out a new plan of attack. Yeah me!
Tonight I'm attempting to make it back to yoga as well. Prior to having kids, I used to take at least one Yoga class each week. I miss them. But I've always taken the classes in the evenings. We'll see if I can get back into the habit. Starts with making it to one class. *sigh* As much as getting up at 4:45am to get to the gym sucks, it is a lot easier for me than going to the gym for a 7:30pm class.
Wish me luck!
30 min Treadmill Walk (1.5 mi - Hill level 5)
Hip Abductors (2 sets 15 reps each side)
Bridges (5 reps with 15 sec hold - OW)
Bird Dogs (10 reps each side - No stick)
Reverse Curl (15 reps)
Stretch
This morning felt good. I was worried that I was going to peter out; I've been feeling a little tired this week. But a few minutes into my treadmill walk and I started perking up. It helps that there was good music on Pandora. I can never remember exactly what I've listened to, but I was bopping along this morning and it felt good.
Also, being Wednesday, I weighed myself. I'm still only sharing on a monthly basis; but, having kicked WW to the curb, I feel the need to monitor more closely. I don't want to undo the work that I've done. The verdict? I've maintained! This is GREAT news to me! With attempting to make good food choices and writing down what I've consumed, I've maintained. I'm good with that while I'm trying to figure out a new plan of attack. Yeah me!
Tonight I'm attempting to make it back to yoga as well. Prior to having kids, I used to take at least one Yoga class each week. I miss them. But I've always taken the classes in the evenings. We'll see if I can get back into the habit. Starts with making it to one class. *sigh* As much as getting up at 4:45am to get to the gym sucks, it is a lot easier for me than going to the gym for a 7:30pm class.
Wish me luck!
Monday, May 7, 2012
How Much a Number Can Mean
There's a piece of news that I've been keeping to myself. Mostly due to all the offline introspection going on, but also... I'm proud of it. This month's weight-in results?
I am 10 pounds down from my start weight in January! This is 10 % of my overall goal! I'm just a little thrilled. *grin* I'm happy to be seeing progress and I'm hoping that I'll get to continue seeing it. Just so you have an idea of where I've been for the past week, here's more on what this number means to me.
The last time I weighed in at 230, I had a tiny baby in my arms. My second baby was 6 weeks old. When I found out I was pregnant with her, I weighed 245 lbs. I'd had a c-section with my first child and was terrified to go through that process again. I knew it would be worth it to have a healthy baby, but I was out-of-my-mind scared. I blamed the c-section for the depression which followed the birth of my first baby. Recovery was slow and painful and scary for me. Thinking of going through all that again with the addition of a toddler was mind-numbing.
I'm not sure my doctors ever fully understood the depth of my fear. But they did present me with a way out. A VBAC. I could have my second child naturally if nothing went wrong. I had to have a completely uneventful pregnancy AND I had to gain minimal weight. The sheer fact that I weighted 245 lbs at 8 weeks pregnant made me high risk; it didn't matter than my first pregnancy contained no weight-related complications (my c-section was required due to my first baby being in a breech position). Adding to my weight was the previous surgery. The doctors would accept no additional risk factors.
Fear is motivating. I went home from that first appointment determined to make this work. I made a plan. I joined BabyFit - Spark People's pregnancy accommodations. Using their exercise suggestions (which appeared to have actual pregnant women performing the exercises), I planned out a workout for 5 days a week. I did strength training MWF and walked for 30 minutes on TuTh. I also abandoned my habit-forming French Fry Fridays I'd adopted during my first pregnancy. These changes, constant monitoring by my OB and obsessive worrying on my part resulted in a 12 pound gain for my entire pregnancy.
For the first time in my health life, I felt powerful and successful. Move the body and monitor the food to get the results you seek. It was empowering and just what I needed to conquer my fears upon finding out I was pregnant a second time. During those months, I truly believed "You can do this!" and I did. It was terrific. And at my 6 week check up, my hard work was validated. I was 15 pounds lighter that I was at the start of the pregnancy. And I had two beautiful babies. Life was absolutely wonderful.
So this past week, I returned to that place. The place where I felt accomplished and powerful. I'd achieved my goals and felt terrific. I'm feeling a little more of that these days. Life is still wonder filled. And I can accomplish goals just as I did 2 years ago. I make a plan. I execute the plan. I find the results I seek.
Next up? More on the plan.
230
I am 10 pounds down from my start weight in January! This is 10 % of my overall goal! I'm just a little thrilled. *grin* I'm happy to be seeing progress and I'm hoping that I'll get to continue seeing it. Just so you have an idea of where I've been for the past week, here's more on what this number means to me.
The last time I weighed in at 230, I had a tiny baby in my arms. My second baby was 6 weeks old. When I found out I was pregnant with her, I weighed 245 lbs. I'd had a c-section with my first child and was terrified to go through that process again. I knew it would be worth it to have a healthy baby, but I was out-of-my-mind scared. I blamed the c-section for the depression which followed the birth of my first baby. Recovery was slow and painful and scary for me. Thinking of going through all that again with the addition of a toddler was mind-numbing.
I'm not sure my doctors ever fully understood the depth of my fear. But they did present me with a way out. A VBAC. I could have my second child naturally if nothing went wrong. I had to have a completely uneventful pregnancy AND I had to gain minimal weight. The sheer fact that I weighted 245 lbs at 8 weeks pregnant made me high risk; it didn't matter than my first pregnancy contained no weight-related complications (my c-section was required due to my first baby being in a breech position). Adding to my weight was the previous surgery. The doctors would accept no additional risk factors.
Fear is motivating. I went home from that first appointment determined to make this work. I made a plan. I joined BabyFit - Spark People's pregnancy accommodations. Using their exercise suggestions (which appeared to have actual pregnant women performing the exercises), I planned out a workout for 5 days a week. I did strength training MWF and walked for 30 minutes on TuTh. I also abandoned my habit-forming French Fry Fridays I'd adopted during my first pregnancy. These changes, constant monitoring by my OB and obsessive worrying on my part resulted in a 12 pound gain for my entire pregnancy.
For the first time in my health life, I felt powerful and successful. Move the body and monitor the food to get the results you seek. It was empowering and just what I needed to conquer my fears upon finding out I was pregnant a second time. During those months, I truly believed "You can do this!" and I did. It was terrific. And at my 6 week check up, my hard work was validated. I was 15 pounds lighter that I was at the start of the pregnancy. And I had two beautiful babies. Life was absolutely wonderful.
So this past week, I returned to that place. The place where I felt accomplished and powerful. I'd achieved my goals and felt terrific. I'm feeling a little more of that these days. Life is still wonder filled. And I can accomplish goals just as I did 2 years ago. I make a plan. I execute the plan. I find the results I seek.
Next up? More on the plan.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Workout 120420: Got one more!!!
Friday Morning Workout:
Hip Warmup Stretch
15 min Elliptical - Interval Level 3
Hip Abductors - 10 Reps 3 Sets each leg
Bridges - 15 Reps with 5 sec hold (held the last one for 16 secs)
Stretch
I'm so proud of myself right now that it is good you aren't in a room with me. I might just be nauseating. *grin* I worked out FIVE times this week. Three mornings in the gym and 2 afternoons at PT totals FIVE workouts. Woohoo!!!
To add just a little humility, three of my workouts were abbreviated this week. Today and Wednesday I woke up later than I would have liked and shortened my cardio routine to make sure that I completed my workout in time to be on time to work. Also Monday I had an appointment after PT so I only had 45 minutes with my therapist instead of 60.
However... I still worked out FIVE times this week.
*happy dance*
Does the dancing around count at workout 6?
Hip Warmup Stretch
15 min Elliptical - Interval Level 3
Hip Abductors - 10 Reps 3 Sets each leg
Bridges - 15 Reps with 5 sec hold (held the last one for 16 secs)
Stretch
I'm so proud of myself right now that it is good you aren't in a room with me. I might just be nauseating. *grin* I worked out FIVE times this week. Three mornings in the gym and 2 afternoons at PT totals FIVE workouts. Woohoo!!!
To add just a little humility, three of my workouts were abbreviated this week. Today and Wednesday I woke up later than I would have liked and shortened my cardio routine to make sure that I completed my workout in time to be on time to work. Also Monday I had an appointment after PT so I only had 45 minutes with my therapist instead of 60.
However... I still worked out FIVE times this week.
*happy dance*
Does the dancing around count at workout 6?
Friday, April 13, 2012
Small Victories
I love Mexican food. I have a weakness for queso. One of my favorite lunch places, California Tortilla, has gotten more money out of me for queso than I would like to admit. Today I needed lunch and I heard the queso calling me. I almost didn't go to Cal Tort, simply because I wasn't sure I could go in there an not eat 500 extra calories in chips and queso.
But this mornings ruminations ran through my mind one more time. I researched their nutrition online. The Southwestern Chicken Salad is a ton of really good food. And it is still good if I leave off the cheese and/or tortilla strips. I had formulated a plan. I could handle the allure of queso.
And handle it I did! My salad without cheese was just perfect. Leaving the restaurant, I'm stuffed! Small victories. Maybe next time I'll even try leaving off the cheese and the tortilla strips. I felt that would be rushing things today.
But this mornings ruminations ran through my mind one more time. I researched their nutrition online. The Southwestern Chicken Salad is a ton of really good food. And it is still good if I leave off the cheese and/or tortilla strips. I had formulated a plan. I could handle the allure of queso.
And handle it I did! My salad without cheese was just perfect. Leaving the restaurant, I'm stuffed! Small victories. Maybe next time I'll even try leaving off the cheese and the tortilla strips. I felt that would be rushing things today.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Workout 120404: Progress
Today's workout:
Hip Warmup Stretch
30 min Elliptical (interval setting)
5 min Treadmill cooldown
Hip Abductors (10 reps 3 sets each leg)
Bridges (15 reps with 5 sec hold)
Stretch
Today felt good. I was able to complete 30 minutes on the same Elliptical machine that had me crying for mercy a few weeks ago. Woohoo!!! I'm thrilled to be making progress. I still have to focus on my motion when I'm on the Elliptical but I didn't have any pain. I'm really starting to think we might be figuring all this out in my physical therapy sessions. Such a relief!
Supporting my good feeling this morning, I actually got everything on my nightly must do list done last night. A few months ago I spent 4 weeks following FlyLady's recommendations pretty closely. I can't say that I completed a step everyday. And I definitely didn't make it to the end of the list. But after a month, I started to understand that I really did need to prep for the next day each evening. Without that prep, my days fall apart so quickly. Maybe that is part of running a house, or being a full-time working mom, or just being a human being. I have no idea. But the past couple of nights I've really pushed to get all the tasks done on my list including being in bed at 9:30pm. Last night I succeeded and it makes such a difference in starting the next day.
I'm reaching the gushing point so I'm going to stop. I'm happy right now. I might make a new happy tag to link all my posts where I just love life. I definitely need to remember this feeling on the days when I feel crushed. It's pretty awesome!
Hip Warmup Stretch
30 min Elliptical (interval setting)
5 min Treadmill cooldown
Hip Abductors (10 reps 3 sets each leg)
Bridges (15 reps with 5 sec hold)
Stretch
Today felt good. I was able to complete 30 minutes on the same Elliptical machine that had me crying for mercy a few weeks ago. Woohoo!!! I'm thrilled to be making progress. I still have to focus on my motion when I'm on the Elliptical but I didn't have any pain. I'm really starting to think we might be figuring all this out in my physical therapy sessions. Such a relief!
Supporting my good feeling this morning, I actually got everything on my nightly must do list done last night. A few months ago I spent 4 weeks following FlyLady's recommendations pretty closely. I can't say that I completed a step everyday. And I definitely didn't make it to the end of the list. But after a month, I started to understand that I really did need to prep for the next day each evening. Without that prep, my days fall apart so quickly. Maybe that is part of running a house, or being a full-time working mom, or just being a human being. I have no idea. But the past couple of nights I've really pushed to get all the tasks done on my list including being in bed at 9:30pm. Last night I succeeded and it makes such a difference in starting the next day.
I'm reaching the gushing point so I'm going to stop. I'm happy right now. I might make a new happy tag to link all my posts where I just love life. I definitely need to remember this feeling on the days when I feel crushed. It's pretty awesome!
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