Good News!

Through a four day camping trip followed by another four days in Minnesota, I managed to maintain my weight! YAY! I didn't work out, ate some "off-limits" food but didn't gain any weight! Now it's back to the routine, though we are back on the road July 1st for a week.

I think the trick is to go with the flow. Diet and exercise are part of every day. Birthdays I eat cake, and some vacation days I don't hit the gym. My hope it that it all evens out in a healthy, happy life!

Birthday Cake!

Happy Birthday Dave! Yes, I'm gonna eat cake. Not too much, but enough to celebrate with my family. I have to weigh in and measure on Monday, so I don't want to mess up my good streak. I'll let you know how I did camping after I weigh in on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend, I know I will!

This Is SO true!

Don't shop when you're hungry! I can attest to the danger in this practice. I've been in the grocery store and bought five different things to eat on the way home. Crazy! I didn't necessarily eat them on the way home, but they weren't the kinds of things I wanted to eat when I got home either!

Now I make it a hard and fast rule that I eat before I go into the grocery store. If for some reason I'm really hungry, I buy an apple. I can say I've stuck with this, diligently. Do you find that you buy dangerous foods when you go to the store hungry?

Here's A Sour Tip

I read somewhere that if you feel like you're about to really pig out, quickly suck on something sour: a pickle or a lemon. It said if you suck it for a while, it may make your sweet craving go away. I tried it with the pickle and that just made me want to eat a tuna fish sandwich with potato chips! I like a little crunch with my sandwiches! Laughing. Maybe it will work for you!

The Dreaded Plateau!

Yes, I'm stuck! I'm plateaued but I'm trying not to panic. I don't really mean panic, but slack off because I'm discouraged. I've read that it's my body getting used to the fewer calories and more exercise, but that just seems counter intuitive. Shouldn't the weight be coming off in light of the lower calories and more exercise?

So, I'm drinking more water and staying on the program. I'm even dropping my calories a little bit every other day to try to push this over the edge. This is gonna be tough because we're going camping this weekend. It's a big trip, lots of friends, and of course, great food! I'm not going to go overboard and I'm going to take advantage of the long walk to the bathroom. I'll let you know how it all pans out sometime next week! Have a wonderful weekend!

Pictures To Motivate You!

Do you use pictures of your skinny self to motivate you to stay on track. I do. I've known people who use their fat pictures, but that doesn't motivate me. As a matter of fact, it makes me see myself in a way that I don't want to be.

I've always been a "brighter side" kind of girl. I want to see things at their optimum, now and in the future. Even if that means I have to use a picture from the past.

Can TV Make You Fat?

Studies show that people who watch a lot of television tend to be overweight. The obvious reason is that they are sitting on their rear and not moving. The other reason is the subliminal messages we get when we sit through the commercials and see all the delectable fast food and sweet treats. I've had commercials trigger a craving for me. Sometimes I can dismiss it, but other times, it will stay with me until satisfied. The study found that overweight people admitted that television encouraged them to sit still and to snack. Sounds like a recipe for disaster!

What's Your Vice?

You all know by now that my vice is food, specifically sweets. My hubby finds himself drawn to a good whiskey when he's feeling life's pressures. Whatever it is, I think half the battle is recognizing that you have a vice.

Yesterday was incredibly stressful. I wanted to fall back and binge but I didn't. fortunately, the scale was kind at the start of my day and that single pound down was enough to motivate me to stay on track. Dave came home and had his whiskey. No judgement, that's his thing and he's okay with it. I'm pretty proud that I kept my wits about me, and though I cried (it's the best release when things build up), I stayed on task and handled all I had any control over. The rest will just be what it will be.

What's your vice? How do you cope when it seems the world is resting on your shoulders alone? I love that you guys share with me and I find comfort and safety in this space. I hope you do, too! With love!

Working Out In The Pool

Today I had a session of aqua-therapy. It started out as these really simple exercises, mostly stretching and bending and all I could think was, this is too easy. I'm going to have to go home and work out again if I'm going to get a real work out in. The therapist must have read my mind because as soon as I thought that, she put me in the deep end of the pool and said, "Run."

Run? In the pool? Yes, with a floatie belt and webbed gloves, she had me running laps in the pool. Five minutes in I was sweating. It was fun and it was a workout. I'm still on my good eating program and I'm starting to feel thinner. My clothes are getting looser and I'm feeling my body really start to change! YAY!

I'm building momentum so the resistance is easier. I'm finding little things to satisfy my sweet tooth and my exercise DVD is getting easier. All in all, it's good! And Tania, get to it! It works when you work it girl!

I Just Don't Feel Like Talking About This Today!

It's just one of those things. I dont' want to chat about it today. Do you know what I mean? I'm on track, worked out, and haven't updated my blog because I just don't want to. So there it is. Until Wednesday! Smiling!

Is It Really Good For You?

I'm doing really well on my program but the scale is not budging! I'm paying it no never mind, except that I know it to tell you!

Anyway, I went grocery shopping yesterday and came across a snack in the produce section, not the fruit and veggies you expect me to find. Back to Nature - 100% Natural - Pacific Heights Blend. Sea salt roasted almonds, dark chocolate covered almond, & Bing cherry mix.

Now I know almonds are high in calories and fat, but better than candy type snacks. But get this, 160 calories per serving (3 Tbsp) with 10 servings to a bag. The bag's, say 5X7 in size, has 1600 calories and 1100 grams of fat. I could EASILY eat this whole bag in one Oprah episode. Yikes!

It pays to read the labels and I can tell you, I'm not buying it again because the part on the bag that reads "10.5oz of pure enjoyment." couldn't be more right." DANGEROUS, is more like it!

My Supportive Husband

Yesterday, I found myself caught up in work and before I knew it, it was 5:30 and Dave was home. He asked me if I had done my work out and the answer was a meek, "no."

I expected that he was changing his clothes to go running like he usually does, but to my surprise, he said, "Come on, let's do your DVD together." WOW! I didn't expect that but I was so pleased he offered. I'm also glad he did the work out with me so he could see how intense it really is.

We both did it, added in the abs work out and viola, we were done. Both soaked in sweat and smiling. It really does make a difference when you have the support of your loved ones. Do you?

I'm Ramping It Up!

I'm feeling those all too familiar feelings that scream, "I'm working my butt off, eating really well, and I still feel like I look like a blubber-barrel when I get out of the shower!" I know I'm doing everything right, so from a health perspective, all's well. From a vanity perspective, get a move on, let's see some results already!

Since I've stayed on track, I'm feeling stronger and like I can kick it up a notch. I'm doing my harder workouts but only 1/2 or 3/4 of the workout. I may not be finishing it in one workout, but it's kicking my butt nonetheless! The next day, I'm doing the other part of the DVD so I don't get bored and I'm working different body parts.

I have three weeks until The Grand Poobah (annual group camping trip) and I'm using that as incentive to tighten the parameters of my diet and working a bit harder on my abs. My goal is to lose 3 lbs a week for a total of 9 lbs before Poobah. I'll let you know and I'll be honest!