I Took Liberty

I have been so diligent with my diet and exercise all week. It feels good and things were going so smoothly...until yesterday. I started to crave sugar. I wanted a cookie, some cake, donuts, something sinful. I resisted. I ate some healthy Fiesta Chicken salad (roasted chicken breast shredded, cilantro, red onion, peppers, a little olive oil and lemon juice), drank a tall glass of water and waited. Nope, still want crap food. I went into the yard and put the chemicals in the spa, picked up toys, and got back to work. Now I'm salivating. I finally stopped fighting it and took liberty. I ate a Nutty Bar, three small cookies, and a WW dessert cup. About 700 calories in total. The upside, I did go to the gym today as well. So there it is. I can't schedule a cheat day because it will go WAY overboard. I'm content to get back to the program because in reality, I'm feeling really good. Whew, thanks. I've dusted myself off and I'm ready to face this week with lots of hope, faith, and fresh pressed veggie juice. Happy Monday!

Lightening Up

In the house and hopefully in the hips! I've been sticking to my diet diligently! It feels good and I'm starting to find that place where I've been doing it for a number of days, so it's getting easier to resist temptation. The other factor making this easier is that Dave is out of town. This is not to hold him responsible for my inability to resist, it's just that he is responsible for me not being able to resist! Laughing!

Really, think about it. When it's just me and Mason, we don't eat the full blown meals that Dave loves to cook. Dave feels like he needs to make a meal with a meat, a vegetable, a starch, a glass of wine, and dessert. Mason tonight had Ramen noodles, and I had a Lean Cuisine and some Spaghetti squash. Done. Mason asked for dessert and I gave him 1/2 an orange and he was a happy camper.

I'm going to Spinning class again today and I have 4 more days until Dave returns, but I'm also gonna get an extra, week maybe. Dave is getting home Monday night after dinner and has an appointment to have his wisdom teeth pulled first thing Tuesday morning. I bet he's not going to be making any full course meals for at least a week. Jell-O, soup, yogurt, ice cream, no - scratch the ice cream (too dangerous!), and applesauce. That should do it! Smiling and on a roll!

Getting Rid Of Stuff Feels Good

I've started the "Give Away Ten A Day" Challenge on my IWIL blog (www.intentionalwinning.blogspot.com) and facebook. One of my good friends joined me in this endeavor to simplify our lives by decluttering our homes. Here's what she wrote as she got started.

" I was talking to me yesterday and I asked "self, why all the clutter? What are you holding onto?" Well, that got me into a meditative state and the stuff that came up was HUGE. I actually had a breakthrough. I realized that my "self" was out of harmony with the universe in many more ways than just this cluttered office. I started 'feeling' harmonious and the next thing you know, I was cleaning up this room! Think about it, emotions, grudges, excess weight, debt...it's just STUFF that we HOLD ON TO, not necessary, I say! So let's do this!!!

I love this, and now that I see it articulated, I feel this, too. I'm getting rid of clutter, I'm feeling better about exercise, and keeping busy (physically and mentally), I'm feeling less obsessed with food and eating. What do you think Penny? Laughing! It's just you and me here, and that's okay! Have a wonderful day!

It's Now Or Never!

Last week I was lightening up, today, the train took a turn for the worse. Today (actually yesterday) someone close to me told me that my stomach was showing. Hmm, I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt that is over sized, and my stomach is showing? I think what they meant to say is, "Man, I just noticed how fat you really are." I'm totally bummed because it's true. I struggle with this everyday and can't seem to find the balance to eat all things in moderation AND exercise consistently.

I spent the second half of my Sunday in my room trying to eliminate the stack of magazines that just keeps growing and I came across a web site called WeightView.com. Basically, it's a facebook based web site that allows you to upload a "before" or current picture and then in 48 hours they e-mail you your "after" picture. Maybe this after picture will push me to do what I really want to do, and that's lose 40 lbs!

Okay, I'm Lightening Up!

We all have hills and valleys in our lives, and my struggle with my weight is, if nothing else, consistent. With that said, I will consistently be aware of making good food choices and since the gym is not fitting in, I will make intentional exercise happen. It could be parking farther away from where I'm going, doing toe raises while I wait, and butt squeezes while I drive. It all comes down to intention is cause, if you really intend to do something, it will happen!

Good Food, Not Exercise!

I'm doing really well making good food choices, but now that the gloves are here, I'm so busy I'm not making time for the gym. I want to say I'll get back on track next week, but in reality it may not be until the first week in April. With that, I will make time to do sit-ups, push-up, and walk even if I can't get to the gym.

Lube Your Joints

Human joints are similar to metal joints in that they require lubrication. The body produces natural oil called hyaluronan. Increasing the natural oil decreases wear and tear from impact, running injuries, and arthritis. Lube Your Joints With:

• Glucosamine: Glucosamine stimulates the production of hyaluronan, and it also increases the natural building blocks of the joint cartilage called glycosaminoglycans. These natural sugars absorb water and cushion the joint from impact.
• Hyaluronan Injections: Called viscosupplementation, these injections of hyaluronan stimulate the joint lining to produce more lubricant. A series of five weekly injections seems to produce protection for six months to a year in many patients.
• Optimizing Your Weight: You take 2-3 million steps per year at up to five times your body weight, depending on the height of the step. Losing ten pounds decreases the force on the joint up to 50 lbs. 2-3 times per year. See our e-newsletter, "Water, Water Everywhere But Not Enough Drunk" to get specific recommendations.
• Drinking More Water: Most people are naturally dehydrated during the day and sleeping all night leads to water loss. Exercising while dehydrated leads to joint stiffness and further injury. Hydrate with water (not soft drinks or coffee) frequently.
• Cross Training: Mix up your workouts and mix in bicycling and water workouts. The lowered impact of cycling and water running permits recovery from weight lifting and road running. The cross training uses multiple joints and muscles in varied ways.
• People who follow The Stone Clinic's CrossFit-based training program return fitter, faster, and stronger than they were before they got injured. See www.stoneclinic.com/athlete.
  Future directions include progenitor stem cells designed to produce natural joint lubricant for arthritic knees.

Kevin R. Stone, M.D. and the Team at The Stone Clinic

The Stone Clinic 3727 Buchanan StreetSan Francisco, California 94123 - 415-563-3110

A Success!

Congratulations to Greg for losing 14lbs in one month! Yay! I asked him what he's been doing and you'll never believe what he said. "I've been exercising, watching not only my portions but also what kind of food I eat, and I get a vitamin B shot each month." Imagine that! It's magic...not!

Keep up the good work Greg and I'm planning to share in your feelings of success very soon!

I'm Out Of My Closet

Literally! I tried on everything in my closet and now I know how bad this really is...and isn't. Some of my clothes don't fit me now, and might possibly never fit me. Those are going to the consignment shop. My really nice suits "fit" me, but not.

I have been on a mental mission to lose 40 lbs. Instead, I'm changing my plan to lose 10 lbs so my nice clothes fit me. When I reach that goal, I will evaluate what worked and if I want to keep going. Smaller bites in my goal, and smaller bites in my mouth!

The upside, my closet looks really nice now!

Back On Track...Again!

I got home Sunday feeling inspired to get the diet back on track (I know! I say this every week.), when I walked into the kitchen to see a still warm pizza on the counter, three boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and cherry-limeade flavored drinks! Sheesh, leave the boys to their own devices for 24-hours and any idea that we eat nutritious food goes right out the window! Needless to say, I ate some pizza, had a single serving of GS cookies (there is only two servings per box, right?), made a drink, and went outside to see Mason ride his new bike. Maybe I should have dragged my bike out, dusted it off, put air in the tires and ridden with Mason! What a novel idea! Laughing!

I'm back on track. What about you?

I Love Yoga!

Do you do yoga? If you don't, find a class and give it a try. You'll be surprised how much you tune into your body, how strong you really are, and how far you still have to go! After injuring my shoulder and then being thrown from the horse, I need yoga now more than ever. I went last night and it was really good. I'm able to get in a mental space that puts me in line to take care of me. It makes me a better wife and mom, more patient, more loving. I like that!

I'm Like Oprah

Okay, I'm a little like Oprah, I have to make myself exercise and right now, I'm not liking like I want to. Some days it feels good to go, to get on the treadmill, and head to the weight room. Other days, it feels like I have a ball and chain around my ankle and getting to the gym is a feat in itself. I'm not quitting, but I'm not seeing success like I want to either.

Oh Shit!

Though I've been going to the gym, I blew my diet to hell yesterday (actually today, Sunday). Shit! They say it's not about willpower, but who the heck are "they?" I get into these modes where I feel completely out of control of what I put in my mouth. It was these moments that made me bulimic back in my twenties. I don't feel like I'm on that edge again, it just makes me so mad that I can't stay in control of what I put in my mouth. I do care! I do! Okay, I'm going to the gym this morning and getting back on track.