It's a Struggle

It's a struggle to just enjoy life when you are trying to lose weight. So much of what we consider enjoyment or pleasure involves food. We were camping this weekend and though not all of our activity revolved around chow, it inevitably came back to the coolers and, "What do we have to eat?"

I tried to find balance so that I remembered the trip as enjoyable. I found that having a little of something was enough to participate, but I didn't need to keep helping myself to more. This morning, my weight is up, but you know, it's going to be up and it's going to be down. I'm going back to the gym today and my mental state is that the last time I was there on Thursday, I ran the full three miles! Additionally, my body is starting to show the changes. My clothes are looser and my measurements are all down. With that, up or down, I'm on the right track and plan to stay with it!

I Have A New Target!

Dave and I have been working on diet and exercise and Dave has been far more diligent than I have. Last night we lay in bed talking and I recommitted to my plan. I'm looking forward to the trade show in Las Vegas in September as my goal to feel good in my clothes. I'm planning to work out six days, resume my protein shake program, and do a measured meal for dinner.

I don't know why it seems easier when you have an event or date to strive for, but I'll take what I can get. I started yesterday by doing just over 3 miles walk/run, upper body strength training, and ab work. Today will be more of the same. Here I go, again! Smiling!

We're Decluttering The Pantry...

Yet again. We had amassed large quantities of crap food left over from Poobah and the S'mores bar. I took all the cookies to Mason's preschool for a special snack but there was still plenty of little special candies in the box singing to me to eat them. I've managed to stick to working out and if I find I can't get the candy tune out of my head, I eat just a small portion.

I'm going to work out of town for a few days and Dave has advised me that he will be clearing out the crap food while I'm gone. That's sweet music to my ears and I'm ever so grateful!

Life Keeps Getting In The Way

That's not necessarily a true statement if you make your exercise time a priority. I'm taking responsibility when I say, I've been up to my eyeballs in projects. It's so difficult for me to take an hour and do a tape or go to the gym when ALL I can think about while I'm exercising is the stuff that's still waiting for me to do. I know all the common sense answers to this insanity in that, if I'm not healthy, none of the other stuff matters. Or that I need to make time for myself so I'm more effective for the people who need me. I know, I get it.

The bottom line is that the projects never go away, one may get finished but two more probably started while that one was in progress. Health and fitness are essential to the success of all aspects of our lives no matter how we look at it. I started out to write this entry and make just one more excuse for my lack of motivation. I can't do it. I don't have an excuse, an answer, or a direction. All I can do is put myself on my calendar, work to overcome my complete disinterest in exercise for the moment and keep up with the healthy food choices. And that's all I have to say about that!

Vacation And Exercise...Do They Really Go Together?

They might if your vacation is rock climbing or backpacking through rough terrain! I have to chuckle because, for all our best intentions, we got only a single day of exercise in during this full week of vacation! I might be wrong, Dave may have gone running twice, but as I write this, he's laughing saying, "Nope, just once."

We brought our workout clothes, I even remembered my DVD, but we have been busy going places, wine tasting, swimming (not the heavy-duty exercise kind), and just enjoying each other. Here's where, yet again, balance comes into play. We are on vacation so the plan is to pick back up where we left off when we get back to our everyday routine at home.

With all that said, I'm not weighing in until I'm a week or two into my normal routine. How do you handle exercise while on a week long vacation?

I'm A Little Behind

This title makes me laugh! I wish I were a little behind, because I feel like I have a big one! Laughing! I crack myself up! Okay, I've been on the road since June 18th, so I'm feeling the pressure to keep up.

the good news is that with all this travel, I've not gained an ounce. I've not been keeping up with my exercise, but I've been active. That counts!

I also want to say thank you to Penny and Tania for chiming in even though I haven't been as diligent in my comments back. I'm having some difficulty working in the blog from my mobile device. I love that you're here with me and want you to know I appreciate you two!

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!

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!

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!

Some Things That Just Don't Make Sense

Every diet has a gimmick. Whether it's focus is protein, carbs, balance, or a large focus on one item, there are always some fruits and vegetables that are forbidden. Bananas have high sugar, corn is high sugar and high carbohydrate, and avocados are high in fat. It seems silly to me to restrict eating any food that all by itself could be a meal.

I know there is science in food and out biology as humans, but doesn't make sense that eating a banana for breakfast with your coffee is better than any other processed breakfast? The Sugar Buster diet says no. Too much sugar in the monkey food, and that will hang on to your belly fat.

I've found that it's time I listen to my inner voice and just eat good food in it's purest form. I don't like my vegetables seasoned with anything. No salt, butter, pepper, nothing! Steamed or grilled and then enjoy! Same same for fruit. I don't care for fruit cooked on a pizza, on a burger, even raw in a salad (unless it's fruit salad, and then again, plain, mixed, fresh fruit), or in pie. Okay, I can enjoy a piece of pie now and then, but I prefer my fruit fresh and raw. When it comes to pie, I tend to enjoy the flavor of the fruit as I eat the crust and leave the filling.

I declare today that I'm going with my instincts and I'm eating the fruits and veggies that I enjoy and I'm not going to worry about if corn, avocados, or bananas are touted as on the no-no list. If it's a one ingredient food, it's okay for me to eat! It's what my heart of hearts tells me is true, and that's eat good food, watch your portions, and exercise to expend more calories than you take it.

As a balancing thought, I also fell okay about cooked food, too. I don't like it cooked to death, but some things just need to be heated and/or cooked. I'm not a candidate for a completely raw food diet.

What are you thoughts on this?