New Regimen

Lots of changes at work has pushed me to be better organized and prepared. Health wise, I have been exercising 6 days a week for about 7 weeks now. I am keeping an exercise log on a mini calendar. School now starts at 7:50 am. My new regimen is to wake up at 6am, exercise for 20-30 minutes, shower, dress, eat, leave. We pack lunches and lay out our clothes the night before so there is no wait time. Leave at 7:25am. I feel strong, tighter, and more confident. this past Monday I moved up to 10 pound weights. At the end of September, I need to get lab work done for my cholesterol. Here are my stats. 205lbs., neck 16, arm 14.25, bust 45.75, waist 40.5, gut 45, hip 43, thigh 23.5, calf 15.5, ankle 9. Total inches 252.50.

Summer Update

I went to Zumba at school until May. Felt really good and strong. Ate healthy salads most days at school. Didn't really lose any weight, but felt smaller in size. Summer hit and I haven't exercised at all, unless you count mowing grass, and I have a lot of grass to push mow. Finally had a doctor checkup and it was bad news. Cholesterol 256, HDL 39, LDL 172, Triglycerides 226. doc wanted me on Crestor, but I want to make more lifestyle changes, going on meds is a bandaid for the real problem, which needs fixed or you can never go off the meds. I've got 2 months to try to bring those numbers down and then get rechecked. If they are not coming down, I will go on Crestor for 3 months, continuing to make more lifestyle changes. I do not want to become chemical soup. I am taking 2 Cholest Off (plant sterols, stanols) in the morning with water, eating Cheerios for breakfast, eating lots of vegetables. Had another UTI so didn't take vitamin or other supplements. Will start with Fish oil, co enz Q10, green tea, and possibly Artichoke extract. So here are my current stats: Neck 16.25, Arm 14.5, Bust 45.75, Waist, 42.5, Gut 45.5, Hips 43, Thigh 23.75, Calf 15.75, Ankle 9. total 256 inches.

Uh Oh

I didn't buy any pre-packaged lunches for this week. I'm planning to pack healthy salads all week. The problem is Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week Tues and
Thurs. from 4-7pm. I'll need to plan ahead so I'm not late for work. Going without those frozen meals is a little scary, I've been eating those for so long and they make mornings easy, just grab and go.

February Update

Had a very nice visit with my daughter, Coral, and her 2 children this last week. We both want to lose weight, get in shape, and are trying to do the Total Mom Makeover. The author puts a lot of information and ideas in a short amount of time, which I find overwhelming. I need time to process what she advises and to figure out how I can best utilize that info in my life.

Started a food journal. The Eat-Clean Diet Companion by Tosca Reno. Got it off of Amazon for $5. My middle is shrinking. Here are my stats from February 13, when I started recording my meals. Weight=208. Chest=46 Waist=42 Thigh=24 Calf=15.5 Hips=43 Arm=13 around bicep.

Now is where things get exciting. I lost 3 pounds!! Today my weight=205 Neck=16.25 Arm=14.25 around bat wing, Chest=46 Waist=41.5 Gut=44 Hip=42 Thigh=24 Calf=15.5 Ankle=9. total inches=252.5

February 2012

Health issues have been on my mind. I've been trying to do research by reading books, magazines, or anything I can find on health, wellness, physical fitness. I don't want age related or weight related illnesses. Zumba started again at my school and I go Wednesday and Friday. Patty has added toning to the class and it is quite a workout. I've lost 3 pounds this week by eating cleaner and exercise. Here are new stats: Total inches 252.5

Neck: 16.5 Arm 14
Bust 46 Waist 41.5
Gut 44 Hip 42.5
Thigh 23.5 Calf 15.5
Ankle 9 Weight 207

New Year's Resolutions 2012

They say if you make your resolutions public you will be more likely to stick with them. So I thought to share mine here, even though I don't think anyone will ever see them.

*Get more sleep. I do not get enough sleep, or good quality sleep. I have trouble falling asleep and tend to stay up reading, youtubing, or movies until my eyes are closing. So for 2012 I will try to get ready for bed at 10pm and in bed by 10:30pm.

*Drink more water. I try to do this already, I've read if you pee clear that is good, strong yellow urine is a sign of dehydration, etc. Some days I drink a lot of water, others I get to busy or the water is not convenient.

*Regular exercise. This is one of the hardest resolutions. I know from the past year's experience that I feel better and tone up nicely when I exercise. It is the time to do it and the energy to do it that stops me.

*Nutrition. I have no will power to not put bad, non-nutritious food in my mouth when I am hungry. I resolve to prepare and plan ahead so that I do not reach that starvation stuff my face feeling. I resolve to try to only eat healthy, nutritious food that will benefit my body.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Educating Myself

I've been doing a lot of reading. Tosca Reno's Eating Clean books make a lot of sense to me. The magazine For Women First has a lot of tips and reports on current medical breakthroughs, Suzanne Somers reports on bioidentical hormones and toxins in Forever Sexy (after 40). Beauty Detox also reports on food toxins. I am thinking about taking nutrition courses to further educate myself. One theme I am picking up on is SLEEP. I don't get enough or good quality sleep. On a side note, I didn't renew my tanning package at Thanksgiving, worried about weather and having to make a trip in town during winter weather. So I've tried tanning lotions. I finally have skin a nice tan color and the varicose veins don't show as much.

5th start stats

This is rather pathetic. 5 attempts to lose weight. But I'm going to keep trying. Consistency is the key. Here are my stats:
Neck: 16.75
Arm: 13.
Bust: 44.50
Waist: 40.25
Gut: 43.75
Hip: 43.25
Thigh: 23.50
Calf: 15.50
Ankle: 9.25
Weight is 205 pounds. Total inches are 249.75.

What happened?

Even though I walked with my dad most mornings, I gained weight over the summer. I started school weighing in at 217. The first few weeks of school were stressful as I adjusted to a classroom of 27 students, Bri going off to college, and driving my son to events he was involved in. I lost weight back down to 210. Been hanging around that weight since October. Now my schedule has been freed up, and I am ready to try again, for the 5th time to start taking better care of myself. I love my family and want my children to do and experience things and since I have such a large class, I find myself bringing a lot of school work home to do. I feel these are legitimate excuses for not exercising but poor food choices have no excuse. So here I go again.

Slow Summer Start

Have been walking with my dad most mornings at 8am. I had made a workout schedule for myself that I have been unable to keep up with. Already this summer I am getting busy. The first week of summer was getting ready for Bri's graduation party. The second week I started walking and did some yard work. Now it is the third week and I have planned good will shopping trip for tomorrow. I really just want to stay home, clean and organize my house, and focus on losing weight.

I am feeling better. Walking seems to be toning up my middle. Still need to get my portions under control.

4th Start

Well, May was busy with end of year paperwork, etc. Exercise went out the window except for Zumba on Fridays. I like food, maybe not the best kinds of food. Exercise is hard when there is so many demands on my time. Now, school is out and I'm ready to try again. I'm already a little discouraged. I devised a workout plan for weekdays that includes a daily walk, daily stomach exercises, and M-W-F extra aerobics and T-R toning. It's tuesday and I've only done the morning walk. My day gets busy with demands and then I'm too tired to do the extra workout. Eating this week has been good, with fruit before my walk and good meals throughout the day, lots of water. Will post stats tomorrow.

backslide

backsliding a little. Went to Sam's club and bought cheddar cheese sauce and Tostitos. Have had this for the past 3 days and even though it tastes amazing, I feel yucky. And I've gained 5 pounds. Probably (I hope) just water weight from the sodium in the sauce and chips. I have been exercising for the past 2 weeks, either bicycle, step aerobics, walking, or mowing grass for hours. Tomorrow I go back to eating better and taking care of myself.

Wednesday update

I've exercised everyday this week, so far! Monday i walked 2 miles, tuesday rode the bike 20 minutes, and today sort of did KS step workout. I had many interruptions today, but I did work up a good sweat so I'm going to count what I did as a workout. It's certainly more than the past several weeks. Don't feel exceptionally energized and my eating and portions still aren't the best, but I'm working on it.

Third start stats

Well, Easter break is almost over and I feel rejuvenated. Today I am starting (again) to exercise every day and better watch what I eat. The good news is that, according to my scales, I weigh 203. I've only gained 3 pounds in the 7 weeks I have not been consistently exercising and bad eating. The weather is warmer, even though it is still raining. Everything looks up.
Weight: 203
Neck: 16
Arm: 13.75
Bust: 45
Waist:40
Gut: 44.5
Hip: 42.25
Thigh:23.25
Calf: 15.5
Ankle:8.75
That's funny. My inches are the same: 249-249=0 but the distribution of those inches are different. Neck=same, Arm=same, Bust=down .25, Waist=same, Gut=same, Hip=up.25, Thigh=same, Calf=up.25, Ankle=down.25 Not major differences, so I am pretty much starting even with where I left off, which is a blessing considering the fast food, doritos, and overall pigging out. So, LET'S GO!

Just a Note

I feel good. Cleaned my house today and that feels Great! Ainsley has had a fever since Wednesday night. Today she was better but the fever came back around 6pm. Worried about her and not getting sleep because I set my alarm so I can check on her. Still eating big portions. Going to try to exercise but not worried about it. My third start will be Monday, after Easter. I even scheduled my massage for Monday at 1pm. I will get healthier!

Feeling better

Easter break starts now. I have 5 days to rest and clean my house. I feel like a weight is lifted off me, I can feel the energy flowing again. I feel like I want to tackle big projects. Going to Scouts tonight and then grocery shopping. no Doritos! Just healthy food choices.

So much for not binging

Doritos should be outlawed. Why is it that you can't eat just a few? I;ve been good about not eating junk for so long and once I decided to quit the biggest loser, my eating is terrible. Today was Stephanie's b-day party so cake, icecream, sloppy joes, and Doritos. doritos last night. Doritos tonight. Feel like I'm being sucked into a downward spiral and am powerless to do anything. So tired. I want time to be home, to clean my home, and do nothing in my home. No more have to do this, have to do that. Somehow I must find my strength of will power, and start exercising and taking care of myself again. I know I felt great when I was exercising and I was looking good in my clothes. I can do this, Bye, Bye Doritos!

Just Stalled Out

I do want to lose weight and be healthy. I felt so good when I was exercising most every day. Life just got busy and my family is dealing with a lot right now. One more busy week, with Prom next Saturday. Then 3 days of school and Easter Break. I should concentrate on not binging and maintaining so I'll be ready for my 3rd Start during break.

I just lost a month

I just re-read my blog and realize that this downward spiral started the beginning of March, one month ago. This whole past month has been draining and I feel overwhelmed, like I have no strength left inside me to do anything but go through the motions. I want to lose weight and be healthy. I like the way I was starting to look in clothes. Since quiting the Biggest Loser, I have indulged in Frosty's, french fries, and icecream. I feel like I just need some rest and an open schedule and I can rejuvenate and get my will power back. I won't give up, but I don't have the strength to push on right now.

I Quit

I quit the Biggest Loser at school last week. It had been 4 weeks since I had lost any weight and it would be impossible to lose the amount of weight I need to have a share in the money. so I quit. March has been horrible, I feel constantly rushed and no sleep. The only good thing was the week Coral spent here. I am teaching after school intervention on Tues and Thurs. Fri is Zumba, but I haven't gone for 2 weeks because of my schedule with the kids. I feel like I am on the verge of a meltdown myself because I have been going and going and going. My house is a mess, the only things I keep up with are dishes and laundry. But I really can't stand the clutter (Ainsley's toys, clothes left lying around, and papers). Tomorrow is prom gown shopping so I still won't be home to clean, rest, and relax. One more week of intervention and then Easter break the following week. I can make it one more week.