Running! Running! Running!

I've been to the gym both days this week and plan to go today. I'm running a full 20 minutes, okay, I did 20 on Monday but only 15 on Tuesday. But, I'm running and I'm doing better than I thought I would in light of all the inconsistency in the last 6 weeks. I'm pleased and hopeful.

I want to note that I'm not setting myself up to fail this holiday season. I plan to keep up my exercise, indulge a little, but make sound food choices the larger part of my week. I figure I'm going to be on this merry-go-round for the rest of my life, I might as well pace myself! What are your plans for not over-doing his Christmas and New Year?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Did you do yourself in yesterday? Not me, but we haven't celebrated yet! We do our big dinner on Saturday so my splurge is yet to come.

On the upside, I went to the gym twice and am finding that it's not as hard getting back as it is starting from scratch! I have to go, I have a turkey to prepare for tomorrow and bathrooms to clean for company coming tonight!

We all have so much to be thankful for, today and everyday. I hope your holidays are gearing up to be wonderful!

Zumba!

I went to a Zumba class and I love it! I'm not very good at it, but it's so fun. The music is up and sexy and the moves make me feel young. Again, I'm not very good, I look like an old white lady trying to bust-a-move, but who cares, it's fun. This is going to be my new Monday and Wednesday night exercise date. Tuesday and Thursday, it's running on the tradmill. Thanksgiving is next week so I know it will be a slow week, but I will go Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for sure!

Dave's Announcement

Dave came home yesterday and announced that he wants to eat a healthier diet; more vegetables, less alcohol, and he even wants to eliminate his daily energy drink!

It's always so much easier to stay on track with a healthy eating program when Dave is on board, too! My goal this week is to get three workouts in this week to get back on the bandwagon.

Getting Back To Living

It's not that I've been dead, but in my heart, it feels close. I'm doing better and feeling like exercise is something I want to do again. I know I have to start all over, but I'm feeling ready to hit it. On the upside, I haven't gained too many pounds back, only three.

I did a month long vegetarian diet and really liked the way I was feeling. Dave wants to eat more vegetarian meals and that excites me. Again, flexibility will come in to play for Thanksgiving because as well intentioned as Dave is, I know he's eating turkey!

With that, grief is part of life and I have to expect is as a bump in the road and move on. I'm going to keep a level head, expect treats through the holidays, exercise, and use my tools to keep my weight loss in check.

I've Been MIA

I've been out of my blogs while I've been grieving the loss of my sweet Mr. Riley. I learned that I lost Riley a week ago Sunday. The details are immaterial, suffice it to say, I've been heartbroken. I'm not giving up on me and my fitness goals, but I'm taking some time to mourn this loss. I'll be back shortly.

"No Weigh!" Monday.

I'm laughing that laugh that comes when you know the news is gonna be bad so you just choose to laugh and look the other way! I made a pig out of myself yesterday. I was overcome with birthday cake, wine, and chips & dip! I'm sure it's not as bad as I feel like it is, but I'm gonna give it a few really good days before I get on the scale.

Interestingly enough, I'm not beating myself up or feeling badly. I've had this 10 lb success and I still feel like I'm on track. This week is going to be about getting back to exercise. How are you doing Tania? Your comments on my last post are part of why I'm not backsliding in my head over the snacks! Thanks for being my friend!

Stuck and Loose

Does that make sense? It does if you are my body. My weight is stuck and my pants are loose. The scale jumped back up to 172 and that was discouraging but my clothes are clearly looser. I'll take the few lbs on the scale for the looser clothes! What about you, are you seeing changes? I'm still sticking with no meat but I have had a little cheese and an drink of skim milk. I can salivate thinking of a high quality burger so I try to not let my mind wander! Big smiles and happy Friday!

Still On Track!

Three events this weekend and I stayed on the program, mostly... through all three. Dave and I went to a wine tasting fundraiser with wonderful food from many local eateries. I stay with salad a three small pieces (really small 1 x 1 inch squares) or vegetarian pizza. I also shared a piece of cake with Dave. Sunday we went to Apple Hill and again, no meat, and no apple cake donut! Finally, we went to a pumpkin patch that is a mini Disneyland and I stayed track there, too. I did have a slice of pumpkin bread, but no butter, frosting, or sugar!

I'm coping pretty well in these situations because I'm thinking ahead and planning ahead! This week I'm getting back into the gym and I know that will kick start the loss of the next few pounds!

I Did It!

I broke out of the 170's, This morning I'm 169! Whoo-Hoo! Last time I weighed 169, for a brief moment was March 2008, and before then, February 2003 when I got pregnant with Mason. Here's working for 165! This just made my day!

Out To Dinner

I've been eating at home and mostly all the same things because it's easy and proven. But tonight we went out for dinner. It's tempting to eat what looks SO good and not what's on my program. I stuck with it though and has some noodles with vegetables. Very filling, tasty, and healthy. If I keep with this, I could drop to 169 by Friday. Wish me skinny, or at least another pound down!

Weigh In Day

Whoo-Hoo! 170.5 all the way from 175 last week. I'm feeling a little under the weather today (started yesterday) and I'm wondering if it has anything to do with a physical detox from cutting out the animal fat. I'm sure the salads, fruits, steamed veggies, and lots of water is a shock to my system that's used to red meat, plenty of dairy, and s-u-g-a-r! Hopefully this will pass today and tomorrow I'll be back in the swing of things. Even in my not-feeling-so-good state, I'm elated that my weight is going down!

Week One Is Almost Over...

And it's not been bad at all! I've been eating whole grains, peanut butter, green salads, fresh fruit, sunflower seeds, and a little pasta. Oh, and lots of water. I'm not really missing the meat but I've been wanting to eat cheese. I'll weigh in on Monday and let me say, I have high, or low hopes! I've also been doing the kickboxing and abs classes at my gym. I'm SOOOOO sore! Laughing. It's good though, all good!

I'm Liking It

The 28 Day Vegan challenge is like getting in a car and just driving. I have no road map, but I can figure out what's vegetarian and not crap food. I have a great book that I'm digging into again and for lack of a better term, I'm mapping my own course. I'm doing a great job and I think I'm feeling a detox coming on as I'm feeling a little tired, run down, and emotional. I bet if I stick with it, drink lots of water, keep up with the gym, I suspect I'm going to feel really good in a couple of days. I'll let you know!

Doctor Oz

I've been watching Dr. Oz's new show and I'm feeling very inspired to take his 28 Day Vegan Challenge. So today is the day. Week one is the cold turkey reset of my system, nothing with a face on it is in my diet. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts. No vegetarian food that is processed like chips, cookies, etc.

I ate a vegetarian diet for more than a year back in my twenties. I never felt better. I'm expecting to feel really great again! Happy Monday!

Kickboxing = So Sore!

I did a cardio kickboxing class yesterday and I'm so sore! It was a great class, it was really tough, and it pushed me hard. Maybe, too hard. I can't all the way explain it, but have you ever seen yourself and suddenly realized you are now seeing yourself the way you really are, the way you really are?

During this class, the room has mirrors everywhere and all I see is this fat, stocky middle-aged woman huffing and puffing while trying to keep up with the class. All I wanted to do was walk out, but that would be admitting that the fat, stocky middle-aged woman is real. She is real, I know that, but I don't like it and I'm not a quitter. There is so much more to this and I'm not sure how much I want to share, but I'm struggling right now and really need to get a grip on some solid, sound actions. I have some thoughts and feel like this kind of shift in my mental attitude is often the catalyst to a major change. I'll share more on Monday. I'm struggling but also feeling hopeful that this low is the start of a good, solid, healthy cycle.

Still Tired, But Back To The Gym

I made it to the gym and actually had a great workout. Did my full 45 minutes on the treadmill and did a round on the weight circuit. I haven't forgotten that I want to run a 5k, but Dave was correct on our lack of time. I still have it on my list, and I'm still working toward it, but it's not likely happening this month. Can I go back to sleep now?

I Did Great!

Las Vegas is like going on a cruise. The fun never stops, food is available around the clock and so is alcohol! When I drink, I get careless about my diet, not to mention the extra calories in the drinks themselves.

I did drink but I did not eat at a single buffet, I didn't eat any midnight meals, and Dave and I even went running. I didn't gain any weight and was very aware of my weight loss goals. All that said, I'm extremely exhausted and plan to sleep every chance I get.

So, How Did I Do?

I just got home, but I can tell you I was very diligent about what I ate, how much, and when. In Las Vegas, it's easy to find yourself sitting down to a meal at midnight. I didn't let that happen and I did make it to the gym. I have to do my due diligence and face the scale and tape. I'll let you know the gory details on Monday! Laughing!

How Long Are You Doing?

It's easy to see that you can get in a little exercise no matter how busy you are. My understanding of cardio is that you need to do at least 20 minutes to get to the fat burning stage, every minute after that is much more effective, but you know, some is better than none.

I'm at a point where my bare minimum is 30 minutes when I'm crunched for time and a full hour when I'm not so overbooked. What did you do this week to take action and get back to working out? I'm still down 8 lbs and I plan to keep at it.

We are off to Las Vegas for the ABC Kids Expo this week, so no doubt I will be challenged, but I plan to bring my running shoes and get to the gym at least three times. I'll let you know how I did when I get back!