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!

My Favorite Summertime Drink

I love water with fresh fruit in it. For my bridal shower some eight years ago, I received a very pretty pitcher and glass set that was hand painted with bright yellow lemon slices. I didn't use it initially because I was afraid it would get broken. I woke up one day and realized that more than five years had passed and I wasn't using this pretty pitcher that I love so much. I started that day by filling it with water and adding slices of lemon, lime, and orange. I use whatever fresh fruit I have and this has become my favorite summertime drink! My own fruit infused water! I think it even tastes better because I think it is so pretty!

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!

We're Home!

And so happy to be here. I'm off to a great start by hitting the gym first thing this morning. We took lots of pictures and though I don't like my size in the images, I love my zest for life. I love that I'm healthy, and happy, and on vacation with people who love me no matter what size I am. Dave even got a pretty good picture of me in the hot tub. Go figure, wearing less looks better! Laughing!

Balance. Keep on keeping on. Make good food choices. Keep the house free from crap food. If you're gonna deviate from the low cal food, make it worthwhile. And know that this this is a journey that has no destination. Every day is a new opportunity to succeed! Yes!

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?

"Eat This Not That"

While I've been on the road, I've been referring to my new healthy eating bible: Eat This, Not That. This book gives me the skinny on what my healthier options are while I'm not in a position to prepare all my own meals.

Yesterday I ate at Burger King. Per the books advice, I ate a Whopper Jr. that has a mere 340 calories as it's made. I omitted the mayonnaise and cut the calories down to 270! Very cool! I had a few fries and an unsweetened iced tea.

Check out the site and buy the book. It really is a good reference to keep in your car. When you find yourself looking at a restaurant's menu, you'll be better equipped to make a healthier choice. Even if you don't want what's recommended, you can steer clear of the choice that's a full day of calories in one dish. Learn more about this paperback gem at: http://www.eatthisnotthatbook.com/uof/eatthisnotthatbook/

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!

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!

A Proud Report

Today I was talking to Lisa on the phone and the topic of our annual camping trip came up. She, like most of us, feels like she's not ready to don a swimsuit and feel good about it. I have to wonder if that day ever really comes. I mean, does any woman actually feel good in a swimsuit, thin or not? It's all about confidence and perception, your own!

I shared with Lisa that I've been working out and eating a healthy diet. Sadly, as I documented my weight yesterday morning, and realized that though the number is moving down, (174 from 179), it's only 5 lbs since 3/7/09. That's nearly 3 months, and only 5 lbs!

The good news is in my measurements. Overall, I've reduced by 7 1/2 inches! 1/2 off my bust, 1 off my waist, 2 off my tummy (the pooch), 1 off my hips, 2 off my thighs, 1 off my calves (lower leg, not baby cows!). Even if it's only 5 lbs, 7 1/2 inches my friends is good news!

It's not always about the number on the scale...uh-em, let me rephrase that, it's rarely about the number on the scale, it's about the big picture, and friends, my big picture is 7 1/2 inches smaller today!