When You Don't Want To...

Find a way so you do!

Yesterday I wasn't motivated to go to the gym, but I really wanted to walk Riley and take Mason to the school to play. I did both of those things AND I took a towel and an exercise band. I worked out while Mason played. I did chair dips from the bench on the picnic table, I did crunches, push-ups, and multiple exercises using the band. I finished up by running two laps around the school with Riley and Mason joined me on his scooter. We all walked home and each of us got to do what we wanted.

I'm really proud that I made it happen. It felt good to do something different and there was no pressure to do the full 30 minutes, or get through the complete circuit. I was doing something and that was enough. Having Riley with me and Mason on his scooter while I ran, made it fun. I felt like a good mom and I was taking care of me, too.

I'm Practicing

I'm practicing patience. I'm practicing kindness. I'm practicing acceptance. All these things are things I need to practice giving to myself. I find that I don't care for me the way I care for everyone around me. Even more, I act more lovingly toward strangers than I do toward myself!

Today I'm committing to doing the things that make me happy, healthy, and strong. I'm going to choose nutritious food (like I do for Mason), I'm going to go to the gym and enjoy my workout (not worrying about the other things I should be doing), and I'm going to do one project that is on my list of things I want to do. For just today, I'm practicing making me a priority. Wish me luck, patience, kindness, and acceptance. I wish all and more for you, too!

Bean Me Up!

I'm discovering the protein-rich world of beans! I like beans, peas, and lentils. On average, beans have twice the protein found in cereals. Most are a good source of thiamine and also have moderate amounts of riboflavin and niacin. I just made split pea soup using the bone from our Easter ham. Delicious, and nutritious, too!

Oatmeal

I really like oatmeal. That's good for me, because it's really good for me. My problem is that I particularly like the prepackaged flavored oatmeal, cinnamon & spice being my favorite.

Today I thought about splurging and having a packet of my favorite, sugar-flavored oatmeal. I looked at the nutritional information and saw that one packet had 170 calories. I stopped right there. One packet makes about a 1/2 cup of breakfast. That's not enough to get me through to lunch. I thought better of it and went back to work.

Still thinking about oatmeal, I went to my whole oats and looked at that nutritional panel to find that a single serving of regular oatmeal only had 150 calories. I opted to make it the old fashioned way and when it was done, the single serving directions (1C water and 1/2C dry oats, no salt) yielded almost 2 cups of cooked oatmeal! WOW! I added some organic cinnamon and two packets of Splenda (I know, I know! I just can't quit EVERYTHING!), and a splash of 1/2 & 1/2.

The nutritional value of the real oatmeal versus the prepackaged product is obvious. What's not so obvious, is how much more bang you get for your buck in bulk! It was a great way to start my day!

Had A Visit With My Doc

I saw Dr. D today about my back. It seems that maybe it's something more than just overexertion since by all accounts, everything I'm doing should be improving my condition. I'm going to the gym and as soon as I reach the point of increasing the difficulty, my back gives. I start over, and take it a little slower, same-same, only takes longer to go out (since I'm taking it slower!).

She ordered and MRI and said to keep working out, just don't take it to the level that creates the outage. She reminded me that even though I'm not increasing my time/intensity, I'm still reaping the health benefits. I don't know about you, but when I feel like what I'm doing is too easy, I don't want to do it. I want to feel like I'm "working," pushing it even if it's just a little. But, okay, I'll stay at it and just do the minimum to keep exercise on my schedule.

She also advised me to quit worrying about my weight and suggested that if I take my mind off it, it may just come off. After all, she added, "You're not exactly the fat lady in the circus." Okay, that's a more fun quote than the one she used, but you get the idea. I love Dr. D, she has such a way of putting everything in perspective.

What Do You Do When You Have A Setback?

Wednesday my back went out. I didn't follow through on my commitment to hit the gym. I really don't like not keeping my word so I went for an hour long walk, about 3 miles instead. It wasn't easy, but I'm a believer that moving is better than not for many reasons. Keeping your blood moving and your heart rate up is good for healing. It's also good for your bones to keep them moving and lubricated, back to circulation. I'm by no means a medical professional, I've just drawn these conclusions from the advice Ive received over the years, and what just makes sense in my little brain.

With that, my back is better, I saw the chiropractor, but still not 100%. I'm taking it easy and then I'll go to the gym for an easy walk on the treadmill. What do you do to work around an injury or physical set back? I know resting is as essential as staying fit, but it's so darn hard when you feel like you're finding a rhythm and making progress.

I Broke Down

Shoot! I weighed myself and as I suspected, I've gained 4 lbs back. I can admit that my monthly cycle is probably partially the culprit, but I know that I've slipped from my regimen. I'm back on track with my menu but not with my exercise. Exercise is critical for me to lose and maintain weight loss.

I'm going to the gym today and I'm going to give it all I have. At least 40 minutes of cardio and equal time weight training. I'll post again to report my trip. Penny, I'm counting on you to hold me accountable. You're the only one who read this blog, laughing, keep me honest! See you in a bit! Oh and by the way, Dave redeemed himself by taking all the excess Easter candy to work. He gave me back my "no fail" environment! Just thought it was only fair since I held him to the fire on Monday.

My Universal Post For Today

How do you talk to yourself? Your words are incredibly powerful and I bet you're very selective when you talk to your family, friends, and even strangers. My thoughts are that we could be equally or more careful with the words we use when we talk to ourselves. Here's my mantra for today:

I choose to focus on my future, visualizing what will be, looking for the good, going to smile at everyone I cross paths with making my present perfect, living it like I know it is, abundant. I've changed my view of success and know that I have all I need! How about you? How will your day go? Make it great and it will spill into tomorrow, then the next day, and so on....smiling!

Choose your words carefully because all you say, you will think, and all you think will soon be!

What The @#$%?!!!

Laughing! The title of this post describes my weekend with food to a tee! I hate to say that my monthly cycle has anything to do with logic or will power, but it does! And I think Dave tracks with my inability to control what goes in my mouth because he feels the need to buy pound cake, strawberries, Cool Whip, cookies, and more Easter candy than any one household needs! I know I'm throwing him under the bus a little, and maybe even exaggerating, too, but it's near impossible to stick to a "healthy eating program" (notice I didn't call it a diet?) with crap food everywhere! Dave also makes a note that there's nothing wrong with strawberries. Yeah! When that's all you eat is the berries!

I don't know about you, but once I've fallen, I don't get up. I stay down, eat a few more, hell, why not have a cocktail or two as well! I usually try not to drink alcohol because it impairs my judgement and I stray from my carrots and into the arms of carrot cake, but this time it was the other way around. The ice cream flavored Jelly Belly's sent me diving into the pool with a cranberry vodka! That of course led to eating a few Easter Reese's peanut butter cups and a handful of Hershey Kisses in bed. You know, the mini Reese's peanut butter cup is the perfect ratio of chocolate to peanut butter. Always go with the mini. So I'm left holding the foil wrappers and asking myself, "What the @#$%!!"

So today is Monday and I'm repenting. I'm feeling more in control though I'm not weighing myself until next week. You know this time of the month easily adds 15 lbs! Okay, maybe only 2, but it might as well be 15!

Letting Go

I have been letting go of so much "stuff" and the weight seems to be coming off, too. It may be because I believe letting go of the material mess helps in letting go of the excess weight. You can see how much stuff I'm talking about by visiting http://www.intentionalwinning.blogspot.com/.

"Whatever you think, you're right!" I think this weight is no longer needed, just as I no longer need the clutter in my house! Happy Easter.

I Want My Cake And Eat It, Too!

Or pie, or cookies, or whatever else it is that Dave wants or Mason needs for the party at school. Here's a tip that has worked for me. If you don't want to throw food away, put it in the freezer. Cake, cookies, and pie all do well after a short stint in the freezer. When we have a party and have 1/2 a birthday cake left, I freeze 3 pieces (one for each of us), and then we can have one more piece on another day. This is so much better than eating it bite by bite until it's all gone.

I've Lost Some Weight!

Finally! I'm down 5 lbs. I weighed in at 175. I've been working really hard, but I've certainly taken some liberty. I'm not weighing myself everyday like I used to, and I've made a 2-day rule. I can't miss more than two days at the gym. I'm running again and it's getting easier and I'm recovering faster. I have to be more disciplined with my strength training, but I'm getting there. I'm building on my success and it feels really good. Welcome to a new week!

Pictures Of When We Were Kids

Have you ever come across a picture of junior high or high school and thought oh my God!? The dated hair styles, clothes, and home decor! Too funny! Go find a picture of you from the seventh grade and send it to your best friend. She will love it! The only thing better than a picture of you is a picture of the two of you. I have friends from grade school and we love looking back. Jot a note about your favorite song in junior high, or the boy you thought was "So cute!" This will be fun for her and for you, too. There has never been a better day to go back in time than today! Share your past to stay in touch in the future.

See more Creative & Memorable Ways to Keep in Touch at http://creativewaystokeepintouch.blogspot.com/

Celebrity Influence

I'm not influenced by celebrities, never really have been. I'm not a Fashionista, and really don't care who's dating whom. Other than Oprah, and who isn't inspired by Oprah? I can't recall a time I was ever in awe or inspired by a celebrity...Oh! There was the time I met Don Henly and suddenly couldn't speak, literally, could-not-speak! For me, that's hilarious! That's a story for another day!

I have to say, I am very inspired by Valerie Bertinelli. She strikes me as very real and her weight loss seems actual. Not surgical, not medically induced, and not done via a liquid diet. I have a body very similar to Valerie and this excites me. If she can do it, so can I! I don't know if this fire will burn out, but I'm going to run with it while it's hot! If she can, I can. If she can, I can. If she can, I can...and so the mantra goes while I sing and run on the treadmill or spin on a bike. I can. I will!

I'm Running Again!

I'm back to feeling like I can run again. I went to the gym yesterday and reimplemented my walk 2 - run 1, walk 2 - run 2, walk 3 - run 2, until I had completed 30 minutes. It felt great!

Penny, thank you for your comments. I love knowing you are there and yes, you can be proud of me and you might be surprised to know that by taking this journey with me, you just might know me better than many who really do know me! Thank you!

I'm back to Spinning today and of course everyday includes abs, arms, and stretching.

And before I forget, What's happening with you Greg? How many more lbs down? Do tell!