I Like Life To Sparkle and Shine

I often say "I like life to sparkle and shine, and if it doesn't, I don't want to play".  What do I mean by that?

I don't like being constantly barraged by negativetly.  And for some reason, non-stop news and most conversations having negative comments constantly, TV shows like Nancy Grace's  doesn't make life sparkle and shine for me.  Maybe that is why I am basically a loner.  I admit, I like my surroundings to be more calm and positive.

Life sparkles and shines, when I concentrate on the  positive stuff.  I love to cook -looking at recipes, planning meals,buying groceries, and cooking fun dishes is an activity that sparkles and shines for me.

More sparkle and shine:

Spending time with Rex.

Learning about being healthy and other positive information .

Being physically strong.

Learning to appreciate myself and my life.

It is important to realize....sparkle and shine is unique to each  of us.  What trips my trigger might not appeal to you, but that's the way it is suppose to be.  What is your "sparkle and shine"?

I can, I will!!

Sarah Jio

I often refer to health and fitness blogs written by Sarah Jio.  She is a freelance writer that contributes to Glamour magazine. www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/   She is not the only contributor but, by far, the most prolific. 

 I have also seen her posts in the healthy living section of Yahoo.  She recently sold her first novel that I believe will be released sometime in 2011.  I am looking forward to that.

Sarah Jio thank you for adding to my health and fitness knowledge, I have learned a lot from your blogs!!

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed Week Ending 4/4/10

Another week down the tubes.  Here is what I saw this week that caught my interest.

1,  I get a newsletter from Oprah and it had a link to an article by trainer Andrea Metcalf about burning more calories while walking.  Some of the suggestions are heel walking, side walking, crossover or grapevine walking, and waist whittler walking.  A description of these techniques can be found on Oprah's website. 

2.  Lynn at http://www.escapefromobesity/ wrote  a review of "Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life" by Thich Nhat Hahn and Dr. Lilian Cheuong.  This interested me because I have been trying to be more mindful as I eat.  Paying attention makes me fill up faster.

3.  Another book recommended by Oprah.  "Women, Food, and God" by Geneen Roth.  There is an excerpt of the book is in the April issue of Oprah's magazine.  I will be reading that during my trip to the library this week.

I can, I will!!

Will Be Gone

I'm going to be in Vegas for a couple of days....

I know hardly anyone is actually reading this blog, but I want to pretend I have lots of readers that would miss me and think I quit if nothing new was up for a few days.  Just an unexpected couple of days out of town.

Check back in a couple of days..............I didn't quit.

I can, I will!!

March Was A Bust

As far as losing weight goes, March was a bust.  I started the month out at 182.8 and ended at 181.2.  Before March became a reality, I was expecting to battle the 170s.  But nooooooooooooooo, I kept bouncing right back up to the 180s.  Not even 2 pounds, how disgusting is that?  What makes it even worse is that my low during March was 177.0 so I had to opportunity to have a great month, but I BLEW IT!!

April will be better, as God is my witness....

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed W/E 3-29-10

Another week to recap.

1.  The muscles I was feeling a couple of weeks ago are "rectus abdominis".  I remembered to get a book on anatomy from the library last week.  I will keep it checked out for the time being.....I may need more part names. 

2.  I am getting older, faster, every year....my birthday is next week!  Didn't I just have one???  The years seem to be on "fast forward".  I will be 60...not sure what to make of that!!  But it's better than dead!!

3. I noticed most bloggers I read eat oatmeal for breakfast..so I have learned how to eat oatmeal also.  I eat steel cut--more palatable I think

So it goes!

I can, I will!!

I Was Inspired!!

A few days ago, I posted about being out of control.  I mentioned that I was going to go back and re-read some of MY posts.  I am so glad I did.  January was a particularly good month for blogs.  Most of them did in fact inspire me.

Yup, I can and will inspire myself.

The last 3 or 4 days have been great and I have been to the gym twice.  I have to remember to cheer myself on.......because...I am the only person I live with 24/7 and I have my own best interest at heart and I have to quit indulging myself with food.

I believe in indulging myself, but with not with food. 

I want to feel good.  I want to be healthy.  I want to live a purposeful life. 

I can , I will!!

Cellulite Anyone?

My legs look AWFUL!!  They are lumpy, bumpy, and have some loose skin on them (happy to have lost some weight, but this skin is a challenge).  On top of that, no matter how often I put lotion on them, the skin on my legs seems dry.  So what can I do about this??

I don't know if it will make much of a difference or not, but I have decided to massage my legs each evening with safflower oil.  I am massaging toward my heart.  Will this improve my cellulite?  I don't have a clue, but I can't help but feel it won't do any harm.  AND if nothing else I think my skin will look a lot less dry.  I'll keep you posted on how this turns out.

I guess this falls in the category of improving my body.

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed Week Ending 3-21-10

I like to recap what catches my attention each week.  Here are some of the things I noticed last week.

CHECK AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR INFO ON ANOTHER GREAT GIVEAWAY!!

1.  Sarah Jio blogged about a yogurt I have been eating for about 3 or 4 months.  It is  "Oikos" organic Greek yogurt by Stonyfield.  I have seen it in plain, blueberry, honey, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

I really like the vanilla because I stir cinnamon in it.  Dr. Oz says to eat cinnamon daily.

2.  Another thing I learned on Dr. Oz...make a mask using 2 tablespoons raw honey and mix it wih 1 tablespoon of clay.  Thin it with water and smear it on your face.  This moisturizing mask draws the impurities and toxins out of your skin.  Leave on for 15 minutes.                                                                                                                

3.  French people tend to eat slowly and really savor their food.  It is mindful eating and a habit that needs to be generated by all of us.                                                     

I guess we all should stop and smell the roses!!

I can, I will!!

Jen, at http://www.priorfatgirl.com/ is giving away a yoga video.  Must enter by midnight tonight!!

But I'm Going To.

Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I said- "No I don't want to"?  Well today I came to the conclusion that I need to.  And why do I need to?  Because I am not eating enough.  Ya that's right, I am not eating enough and it is affecting my progress.  I need to keep eating between 1200 and 1500 calories a day but I am not doing that, at least that is what I have decided.  So I am going back to basics and journaling. 

I will journal this week.  I know I am never going to be a daily journaler  but a week at a time is doable for me.  So that is what I am doing this week.

I have been so frustrated the last couple of days, my Internet connection keeps kicking me off and I can't make get to my blogging pages for more than a minute or two at a time.  Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

I can, I will!!

In Control

Last week, I felt strong and in control.  I was superwoman, I couldn't be tempted by mere food, I worked out a lot.  I was strong......this week....not so much.

What is the difference?  I don't have TOM  anymore so that isn't it.  The weather is great, sunny and warm, so that isn't depressing me.  What is making me feel like I am spinning out of control and overeating?  I have only gained 2 pounds so I haven't gone over the moon but I still feel disappointed in myself for backsliding at all.  I absolutely hate to have to loose the same pounds over and over.  Talk about inefficient.

This is like fighting a war.  You can never relax your vigilance.  It's why maintaining weight loss is so hard because you are never finished.  It  also is not easy to commit, because real success is committment  FOREVER!!! Not only that, I have become comfortable with a 20# weight loss.  Not at all logical.....if 20# feels this much better, how incredible will 30#, 40#, or 50# feel?  I have to really fight to not lose sight of the ultimate goal.  THIS SHIT NEVER ENDS!!  Frustration is running rampant within me.  I've decided to go back and read some of my previous blogs to re-motivate myself and to remind myself of actions that are successful. 

Because......

I can AND I will!!

Overload

My God there is a lot of information out there!  I am trying to find a new way in 2010.  That isn't exactly accurate, I have read all of my life and have always been interested in self improvement.  I've wanted to improve myself and am reading a lot of material on a variety of  topics.  Mostly, the overall theme is health, fitness, positive mental attitude.  All geared toward improving myself and my life.  BUT, there is just way too much. 

I can only absorb and act on so much.  I have to sift through a lot of information and decide what makes sense for me and my lifestyle.  I do have to say I am making overall progress which is my aim. 

I can, I will!!

A Nice Ass

I got a NSV (non scale victory) thrown my way today.  Rex told me I had a nice ass..that it looks smaller.  Wow, my Yoga trainer on Wii Fit Plus says some poses improve your gluts.....I think that was his way of  saying you would get "a nice ass".   Works for me!!

I can, I will!!

Another Weeks Wrap-up 3-14-10

This week was sort of lean as far as what caught my eye but here goes.

Resveratrol is an important nutrient that comes from red grape skins.  It is found to have the following health benefits:  Improves heart health, reduces risk of cancer and other diseases. It also slows aging and some diseases associated with aging.  WOW--how can we ignore this wonderful stuff??  I decided to get mine via a glass of red wine daily.  I take way too many pills already. (none prescription, all supplements).

I found feedjit.com to add a widget to my blog that tells me where my readers are coming from.  So far it's just me and strength faith hope at http://www.roadto50andhealth.blogger.com/.  She just started a blog to chronicle her weight loss journey and has been kind enough to become a follower. THANK YOU!  I found a reference to her on http://www.fab50.blogspot.com/. 

The community of women out there all working on this goal is amazing.  Most are articulate and  creative.  Really cool!! I realized, I need to find blogs that are interesting to me, from a variety of age groups.  I find it interesting to hear different points of view.

Another week has flown by, where does all of this time go?? 

I can, I will!!

I LOVE To Dance!!

I came home from work tonight (Saturday) and had a couple glasses of wine-a new one I have been wanting to try.  Then, since there wasn't anything on TV I wanted to see, I decided to listen to the 60s and 70s radio stations.  The music was great and made me want to dance. OK so I got up and danced for 1.5 hours!!  Now that is what I call BONUS exercise......effortless and so much fun I was shocked at how much time had gone by.

Oh and by the way, I was a fabulous dancer in the 60s and 70s......and I am a fabulous dancer now!!

I can, I will!!

A giveaway:
Where: http://www.embracingbalance.com/
When:  blog dated March 15, 2010

Enter for a chance to win!!

I can, I will!!

No I Don't Want To

This blog is about my journey to improve myself and my life.  Part of that journey is  trying a variety of techniques to attain positive results.  I have been on a diet as long as I can remember. I am not good at it because I don't want to journal, I don't want to count calories, and  I don't want to count reps while exercising.  So I have decided I don't want to be "on a diet" but I do want certain results. 

This is how I want to achieve the results I am interested in.

Cooking and food.  I select a recipe based on whether or not I have the ingredients, it sounds interesting or challenging to make, and if the ingredients are "healthy".  I choose to eat  proper portions.  I follow the recipe and divide it up and take it for my lunch at work.  Eating the same thing everyday is not that big a deal to me.  Next week I will find another recipe that sounds good.  I just want achieving results to be the result of the  decisions I have to make on a daily basis no matter what my lifestyle is. I don't want to feel like I have to find extra time or make extra work for myself.  It has to be easy and efficient.

Moving or exercise.  I make time most weeks to go the gym and do Wii Fit Plus.  In addition, I use a stretchy band for only minutes at a time, I might run or march in place if I have 1 or 2 minutes left on my timer or during commercials.  The point is, I stretch, run in place, lift a dumbbell or two while just moving around the house.  It all adds up and at least I don't ever do "nothing". 

The bottom line on moving:  Move your body in such a way as it feel good to you.  Hold yoga poses, stretch, stretch, and stretch some more, run.  Do whatever "off the to top of your head" moves you can whenever your have a minute or two.  Start today......and remember:  doing SOMETHING is better than doing NOTHING.

Another thought:  Success breeds success!!

I just want to make life  simple and efficient.

Remember, your success is NOT measured by how much time you spent journaling, counting calories, but by the change in attitude, food choices, and how your body moves and looks.  In other words: visible results!!

I can, I will!!

How Do You Visualize Obesity?

When I see an obese or morbidly obese person, I visualize them as a normal sized person encased in a mountain of   lard.  Layer upon layer of fat surrounding and trapping their bodies.  Sadly I don't have far to look.....my son is morbidly obese.  Because of this he has had a very sad and lonely life.  I wish he would find a way to break out of obesity but, as yet, he has not.
 
I have been obese most of my life and  am currently working hard on getting rid of my layers.  I am feeling better and better about my results.  It's not fast enough but it is there. I am noticing changes and  they are improving my life.  Removing layers is fun and exciting.  It is a lot of hard work.  Actually as I say it is a lot of hard work, I realize that no, it is a way of life.  A way of life that requires one to be "mindful" of what and how much you are eating and how you are moving your body.  To be successful, I think it is essential that mindful eating and exercising become second nature.  Just one more thing to add to your daily schedule.

Obesity and morbid obesity are horrible problems and giant burdens to live with.  I don't care what anyone says..nobody wants to have this problem and unfortunately, it has become "runaway".  The problem is rampant in our society.  How did it get to be so incredibly common place?  Why did our society become so fat?  I suspect the reasons are as diverse as the people that are carrying around these tons of unwanted pounds.  I grew up on a farm and my daily life included physical activity, unfortunately, I see today's kids as not having physical activity as part of their daily life.  On top of that, way too many people decide that "take out" food is "what's for dinner", breakfast, and lunch too for that matter.  And most of that food is high fat, carb loaded, "super" sized portioned, or just plain unhealthy.  There is certainly no shortage of reasons of why we got in this sorry state but what are we going to do about it?  There is a ton of information out there to tell us what to do.  The problem, as I see it, is we all have to get over our laziness and our lack of commitment and our willingness to make excuses.  If you want to change your "obesity" status, you have to make the commitment and change the way you live your life.  It is not easy (at first) but it is DO-ABLE!!

I can, I will!!

You can too!!  Will you??


I can, I will!!

Exercise-Why Do It?

I read a blog the other day that asked the question:  Why do you really exercise?  So I started thinking about how I would answer.

I exercise so my body will move easily, look fit,  and be strong.  I have spent a lot of time in an atmosphere that allows me to observe people, a lot of them senior citizens.  Because of my observations, I decided that I don't want to amble, I don't want to shuffle, and I don't want to be bent and stooped. (Quite honestly, observing senior citizens smoking, was good incentive to quit before I became one).  Seeing what your fate could be  at an older age can  give you a lot to think about when you are faced with choices.  More and more, the healthy choices look to be the ones for me.

I exercise because I can.  Seeing people with a wide variety of physical disabilities made me realize how very lucky I am to be healthy.  I can no longer squander that  good health by not nurturing it and taking care of myself.  I have come to believe what we pay attention to, give thought to, and work at, is what will be reflected in the lifestyle we are able to live.  I intend to be as healthy as I possibly can.  I am willing and determined to work at it.

I exercise because I want to always be capable.  I want to take care of my life myself.

I exercise because I want to give my body every opportunity to feel great and look good.  My body is a wonderful machine and I have come to understand that exercise and whole foods are the fuel it needs for optimum performance.  It needs to be appreciated.

I can, I will!!

Random Thoughts W/E 3-7-10

OK so this week, I'm not sure if I noticed things, or just had random thoughts.  Here goes.

While out walking, I noticed muscles in my ab area, not really sure what they are called - I need to look up muscle names.  As I feel them, I want to visualize them.  Precisely which ones have escaped the bonds of blubber and are finally doing their intended job?  It is so cool!  It's like removing layers....now I can't wait until the next layer goes away!!

I noticed that several bloggers list the nutrients values  of  foods, for example, walnuts have omega 3 oil.
Is it important to you to know this?  If someone like Dr. Oz endorses the addition of, say walnuts , to your diet would that be enough information for you to include them?  Would knowing the specific nutritional information be important to you or is it just enough to just know something is good for you? 

One result of exercising consistently and regularly is a different physical carriage, I am a lot more aware  of my posture.  Oprah referred to this effect as one's "strut".  I would add more self confidence to the list of benefits as well.

That is what I noticed this week.

I can, I will!!

Vibram Five-Fingured Shoes

I recently posted about my Vibram Five-Fingered Sprint shoes.  After wearing them for a while, I must confess that I absolutely LOVE them and am thinking about getting another pair.  I put them on within 10 to 15 of getting up in the morning and don't take them off until I either go to work or bed.

I wanted these shoes because I kind of thought I might be able to run (God knows why I thought that!)  Dr. Oz had them on his show and demonstrated how our ancestors ran for hours barefooted.  It looked doable to me.  I even thought it might be fun to train for a 5K-not going to do that.  Anyway I DO run in them.  I don't, and most likely won't,  ever do long distance running, but I do a lot of little sprints and I feel they benefit me in many ways.  The sprints vary in time from 30 seconds to 4 or 5 minutes. 

Who knew I would  EVER feel this way about running???  I sure didn't.

I can, I will!!

Stretchy Bands

I am becoming a "fidget-er".  It is part of my "move more" campaign.   Lately I have been using stretchy bands while reading on line.

You can do a lot of different exercises with a stretchy band.  Just use your imagination and move your body however it feels good.  I have even started taking one to work with me to use during my breaks.  Everything I have read indicates that doing little things during your normal day will add up so I am trying to do something whenever I can.  I still make time for exercising like using the Wii Fit Plus and going to the gym but incorporating movement while doing other things is a bonus.

ALSO I am adding a link to the current "momontherun" blog.  She has a great giveaway:

http://www.healthymomontherun.com/

REMEMBER to enter before Monday.

I can, I will!!                                                                                                                         

Lifestyle Change

I keep striving to change my lifestyle, I want it  to reflect the  healthy decisions I have been making.  Recently I have been making turkey burgers. The recipe is one of Rachel Ray's.  Using the same ingredients as she did, my yield is 10 to 12, but hers makes 4.  So I gotta think mine are pretty low calorie .

The bun is grilled portabello mushroom caps.  Very, very good and healthy.     I have made this recipe several times and keep changing the ingredients I mix with the ground turkey breast.  For example, if I want it to be spicy, I mix in niblet corn, black beans, cumin, salsa, and cilantro.  Of course I also add bread crumbs and an egg so the meat will hold together, but you can make them any way you want.  I rarely eat beef anymore.  The one thing I got hungry for was hamburgers, now I have solved this problem with turkey burgers.

I can, I will!!                                     

An Essential Message

Louise Hay.....You Can Heal Your Life.  A guide to lovingly improve your life.  I mention this book because it stresses loving and encouraging yourself and that is an important skill for each of us to learn.

The bog by Stephen at http://www.whoatemyblog.com/ on 2-24 shares the message given to him by his trainer regarding setting and achieving fitness & weight loss goals.

As I understand it, the long and short of improving your life on many different levels begins with becoming  our own  CHEERLEADER.  We have to compliment each and every success we have  AND we have to love ourselves. 

Another part of this formula is :  success builds on success.  That is why it is so important to notice when things go right, each and every time.  I have first hand proof that this is true.  When I quit smoking over 7 years ago, I started counting minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and eventually years.  It went, every minute built on other minutes, then you're talking hours, then day, months, and years.  I really didn't want to have to start over with the first minute again.  I never, ever took another puff on a cigarette once I got past the first minutes.  I just kept encouraging myself more and more with every passage of time. The result of this "self encouragement":  A non-smoker for over 7 years!! 

That same encouragement can help you succeed!!

I can, I will!!

Things Of Interest W/E 2-28-10

I like to think back to what I noticed this week.

1.  My shadow looks thinner.

2.  Bitter Melon-A vegetable I have never heard of, and is suppose to fight breast cancer cells.  The picture I saw looked like a shriveled cucumber with nubby spikes on it.

3.  A Sarah Jio blog recommending these four foods for runners: almonds, oranges, sweet potatoes, and tuna.  I have no problem with anything but tuna.  I do eat a lot of salmon hopefully that will be a good substitute..

4.  I realized why people have bald cats.

Sometimes what catches my attention is interesting to me.  Does that sound stupid??  Goes back to paying attention-you just might learn something.  How right your were Dad!

I can, I will!!

Goals!!

I made some goals for myself this week. 

Goal 1.  Reach a combined total of 20 workout hours on the Wii Fit Plus program.  I reached that Saturday  morning.  Can anyone tell me what happened to the time "piggy bank"  when I hit 20 hours?

Goal 2.  Workout at the gym at least twice.  I did and each time I worked out about an hour and a half.

Goal 3.  Be under 180# by Mar. 1.  Don't know about that one yet but I am within 0.4#

Achieving these goals is actually something new for me.  I usually am much more successful at setting goals than achieving them.  I finally realized that taking the steps to allow me to meet my goals, coincides with general day to day living-eating, sleeping, working, etc. to some degree.  A lot  can be achieved by  making the healthy "choice", situation by situaion, such as parking in the furtherest space of the parking lot, steaming salmon for lunch,  or stretching while standing "dead".   Even giving myself a "pep" talk while I brush my teeth in the morning as I am doing calf raises.  You just have to start somewhere and notice what happens when you choose healthy and fit.  Success builds on success, but you do have to pay attention and notice every positive thing that happens.  Some changes are kind of subtle.

I can, I will!!

Onward and Downward

I don't really mention my weight much.  I'm trying not to have the scale be the "be all, end all" for me.  Having said that, I do weigh myself everyday.  My morning ritual is: wake up, pee, get naked, and stand on the scale.  Today the number is: 181.0#.  On November 3 the number was: 199.0#.  It is slow progress but it IS progress.  To date I have lost 18#.  I have a calendar hanging on the wall by my desk.  I write down my weight everyday and I am happy to say that the entire month of February I never showed a 9 as the second digit for my weight.  That makes me really, really proud of myself.  I also feel having this visible reminder  close at hand is beneficial.  I can see the successes building on each other.  It encourages me to keep making better choices!!

I also took my measurements this week.  Since Jan 30, I am down 1" in my chest, waist, and hips.  I am not happy it is only 3 total inches seems like it should be more.  I don't know where I would find out if this is too little an amount after 18# in 3+ months.  Wait that isn't right because the 3" are since Jan. 30, less than a month ago.  Ok I guess it is alright. It is success, I am moving in the right direction!

I can, I will!!

Sexy

We have always heard "sex sells".  And it must, everyone seems to want sexy.  Every starlet, singer, etc. is described as "sexy".  I think the word "sexy" must be the most overused adjective in the world. 

Is anyone else as sick of our "sex sells" environment  (culture) as I am?  Does this mentality in our culture have any impact on the fact that the age kids start engaging in sex keeps getting younger?  Just a thought.

I think we should start a campaign.  We should offer an alternative to "sex sales".  God knows that would be a nice change.  So I am thinking, how could we possibly come up with something to rival the success of "sex sells"?  That has been number one for as long as I can remember.

I know--how about "fit".  That gets my attention because "fit" makes me think of effort, dedication, and  commitment. All positive traits.  You don't just get "fit" it takes effort, dedication, and commitment. The irony?  A "fit" body is "sexy" as hell!!

Wouldn't you rather have kids thinking "fit" rather than "sexy"??  I would.

I can, I will!!

A Favorite

I read several blogs daily.  One of my favorites is http://www.priorfatgirl.com/ by Jen Emert.  I admire the way she has tackled her weightloss journey and how she expresses that journey.  Her insight is very valuable to me and I usually learn useful information.  She is also having one of those famous "give-aways".

The give away is from http://www.exercisetv.com/ .  Several items will be given so don't forget to enter!!

I can, I will!!

Things of Interest

Things that caught my interest this week:

1. FitBit.  Apparently this product (http://www.fitbit.com/) is worn on your body.  It sounds like a pedometer on steroids.  It records distance and calories burned plus keeps track of how long it takes for you to fall asleep.  Then it records how many times you wake up during the night.  This information can be downloaded to your computer.  Like I said, a multitasking little gadget.

2.  A Timer:  On Dr. OZ a lady said she used a kitchen timer to set every 3 or 4 hours to remind her when to eat a snack or meal.  Freed up her mind to not have to think about food in between.That might be something I'll try.

3.  Mighty Leaf!  Chocolate mint truffle tea.  Does that not sound like something to try?   It definitely did to me and boy am I glad!!  I found it at Whole Foods in Vegas.

4.  Strechy Bands.  I saw someone somewhere using one and it reminded me I have some.  I got one out and have been using it .  I use it when I am sitting at my computer.  I stretch something  (leg, arm, or arms) while I read  articles, blogs, newspapers, whatever.  One of the times, I can workout a little at a time.  In order for this to work, for me exercise has to be incorporated in my daily life. 

There is so much information out there.  Sometimes you can learn at lot by just paying attention .  It's good to find things to think about, even if it is only for a minute or two.

My Dad always told me: "Pay attention, you might learn something".  He was so right.

I can, I will!!

Changes

I think I mentioned how impressed I was with my progress pictures.  Since I could definitely see the difference 12+ pounds made, I started noticing differences that don't show up on a scale. 

I stand taller, my posture is better and it makes a difference. Good posture makes one appear more energetic than most people AND it feels GOOD!!

My abs are stronger,  they feel smaller, tighter, flatter.  They feel different!  The distance between my belly button and spine feels shorter.

My arms hang straight down from my shoulders.  They no longer hang further from my body (at hip level) like they used to.  I need to take my measurements sometime this week.

The total of these differences makes me feel a confidence of sorts.  It's important to notice the little changes as they happen.  It's also so much fun, these changes are adding up!!  Not sure where this ride is going, but it is interesting.

I can, I will!!

Trader Joe's Steel Cut Oats

I have never liked oatmeal.  The consistency is sort of gross to me.  When I heard Oprah talk about steel cut oats I decided to give them a try again.  The best thing I can say, it's edible. For some reason I did not find it easy to make. The length of time needed to cook it, made controlling the temperature difficult. So I probably haven't had any for at least a couple of years.

At Trader Joe's recently I noticed this product:

For some reason, I decided to try it again, especially since it was precooked and frozen.  The package had two servings in it and if I remember correctly cost $1.99.  And  was ready to eat in 2-3 minutes.  It was flavored with brown sugar and maple syrup so it wasn't just bland oatmeal. 

The finished product looked like this.  My opinion of this product is favorable and I will try it again.  It is kind of expensive but, for me, it would be just an occasional treat.  I don't hate oatmeal anymore!!                                                                             

I can, I will!! 

Efficiency or Multi-tasking?

I don't want to keep a food journal.  I have been on WW in the past and kept a food journal with points, I have also just counted calories.  In all honesty, you can definitely succeed  with either system.  But that is much too labor intensive for me.  I am good at it for a short period of time and then it just gradually stops.  So NO more journaling. 

Having said that, I understand the importance and function of journaling, it's just not for me.  I like things to be efficient and since I have memorized portions sizes and have an understanding what my body feels like after ingesting 1200 to 1500 calories, I've decided to just listen to my body, and free up the time I used journaling-that makes sense to me, I think it is efficient.

Maybe this is "lifestyle comprehension" AND "implementation".  God I hope so!!

I can, I will!!

A give away to plug!!  I love give aways, and hope to win one someday.
This one is from Sarah at http://www.healthymomontherun.com/.  The product give away is for Homemade Dressing from http://www.homemadedressings.com/.  I visited their website and the recipes using these dressings sound yummy.  So go enter but keep this in mind.....it's MY turn to win!!

Implement

Do you ever feel like: if I  have the knowledge, I should reap  major benefits just because I understand the concept?  I finally realized that I have spent decades, feeling that way, and FINALLY realized something was missing. The missing component in that equation: implementation.  There is no free ride.....especially when it comes to fitness.  You either are or you aren't....or, hopefully, some point in between. 

I sure wish this light bulb had gone off over my head about 25 years ago.....but better late than never.  This process has been incubating inside me and now I am in the process of hatching.  Being a childhood farm girl, I think in agricultural terms sometimes.  I have gradually incorporated a lot of healthy habits into my life over the span of several years. So at this point in time, I am not starting at zero.  That is so advantageous to my goals and I am so very grateful.

Three adjectives I am striving for:  lean, strong, and healthy.

I can, I will!!

One Battle At A Time...

I've been thinking about "lifestyle change" and what it actually means.  My eating has been really good lately.  I have not given in to late night snacking-OK-maybe twice, but that is actually in a months time.  Because I have improved  the amount of late night snacking significantly I  feel I am building "lifestyle changes" into my life.  It is important to give proper attention to every "battle" won.  They will build on each other.

Success builds on success.  So very, very true!!

I can, I will!!

P.S.  I limited myself to one Hershey's kiss!!

I really can, I really will!

A Give Away!!

I love reading blogs.  I recently found one I really like by Kristin http://www.iowagirleats.com/.   She has a give away on her site.  It is for $50 in merchandise from http://www.iherb.com/.  I went to their website yesterday and was impressed by the vast number of products they offer.  I will be ordering from them as they have a lot of the supplements that I currently take and some I have been meaning to try.  Good luck to all who enter the give away!!

I can, I will!!

Tired Of It!!

I read something on line about a woman complaining that she was sick of every article on "Shine" being about dieting and losing weight.  I agree with her, sort of.

Obviously weight articles are popular: they sell magazines, books, and attract people to web sites.  So there is no incentive to change the lure currently used to attract people.  This one works.

Since this lure works so well, why is the population heavier than ever?  I have a hard time believing it is due to lack of information.  I think it is time to try something new. 

What could possibly be new in the weight world?  I think we all have to put the emphasis on something else.  I hope I can explain this the exact way I mean it.  To do that, I am defining "byproduct" as I am using it.

Byproduct:  a secondary and sometimes, unexpected or unintended, result.

Weight gain is a "byproduct" of eating too much and eating food with little or no nutritional value.

Weight gain  is a "byproduct" of not moving, not keeping your body flexible, and in general taking your body for granted.

I feel the focus should be on making progress along these lines in one's life.

1.  Eating healthy, whole foods in reasonable quantities
2.  Cooking your own food 65 to 90% of the time.
3.  Move your body in various ways that includes cardio, strength training, stretching.  Some of these ways can be incorporated in just day to day living, not requiring extra time.
4.  Live your life and stop obsessing about dieting, weight loss, and food.

I believe as I make progress in these four areas, weight loss will become a "byproduct" of my honest and sincere efforts.

I can, I will!!

Progress..

I had Rex take pictures on Monday.  I still have not figured out how to get them side by side but here they are.

This was taken in November.

Taken in December.  Remember my last  blog?  The one in which I wondered about my backside view....I could scream looking at my bed hair.  That is really unattractive.  I will now quit jumping out of bed, putting on these clothes, and having Rex take my pictures. From now on, FIRST, I will comb my hair!!                  

This was one taken Monday (2-7) and I think I see progress through my backside.  This is encouraging!!      The weight difference between picture 1 and 3 is 12.4#.  The difference that 12.4# has made in my backside amazes me.  I can't wait to see how much difference another 12# makes!                                                     

This is just crazy, I won't put up progress pictures up until I can figure out how to get them side by side.

I can, I will!!                                                                                                                                      

Inside Out

At work I have the opportunity to "people watch" once in a while.  Have you ever wondered about what you notice, while "people watching"?  This is what I usually notice.  I love fashion and usually notice clothing pretty quickly.  I also notice how people move--if you notice clothes, you notice movement.  That leads me to pay attention to body type and overall appearance.

One area I have been noticing more and more, is a person's  top to bottom back side.  I often wonder if people ever consider how they look from behind.  Ironically, today I decided to use mirrors and check out my backside.  WOW......I am not impressed.  I honestly thought my backside would be bette,r but when I took an honest look at recent pictures taken in Vegas, I thought maybe not.   Looking confirmed that suspicion.  I am so grateful for all of this motivation I keep finding lately. 

Now I need to make my outside "look" coincide with the way I feel inside.  So do I say, inside out or outside in?

I can, I will!!

Lifestyle Changes

I am making lifestyle changes to become as healthy as I can possibly be.  The older I get, the more aware I become of just how much my actions influence the life I can live from a health standpoint.  Would have been nice if I had made these changes one, five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago but I didn't.  

In the last 2 weeks, I have made a stir-fry using tofu and black bean soup.  Both were delicious and  I will be making more and more changes as I find things that appeal to me with ingredients I want to try.  In the ingredient I want to try category is: sun choke.

I was in Whole Foods last weekend and bought some after asking a guy in the produce department what the hell they were.  Sun choke added a fresh taste and crunchy texture to my salad.  The flavor is pretty bland but still fresh tasting somehow.   Since I really likes the texture, I will definitely buy them again when I am someplace they have them.  Love crunchy!!

I  have pictures of a new food item I tried from Trader Joe's.  Love, love, love Trader Joe's.  A very surprising item for me.

I can, I will!!

Women Who Love Their Bodies

Today I read a blog about women who love their bodies.   I think the blog is by Sarah Jio.  So I started thinking about how I love my body.  Here is what I have come up with so far.

1.  Since I've had them, I have loved my breasts.  The one thing I have always liked best about them is the fact they are small.  When I was young having big boobs would have totally embarrassed me.  Thank You God for giving small breasts. Now that I am no longer young, having big boobs would totally embarrass me. Some things never change.  Although I admit that I might have had another opinion about this between these two stages of my life.

2. I used to think that my thighs were very large, actually down right fat.  Since I have walked and exercised with various degrees of commitment for 40 years, I now think my  legs are strong and  nice looking.

3.  I have great posture, at least my trainer on WII Fit Plus tells me several times a week that I do.

4.  I am coordinated, what a great muscle system and skeletal system my body must have.

5.  The things my body can do amazes me and for the healthfulness of it, I am truly grateful.

Realizing these positive things about my body, has made me want to treat it better.  I think that is what's  motivating me at this point in time

Frequency and repetition is key.

I can, I will!!

Ruby

There is a reality show on one of the cable networks about an obese lady, named Ruby, and her journey to a healthier life.  I have seen bit and pieces of this show. I have never watched an entire episode or even half of one.  It is one of those shows you pause over while channel surfing so I am aware of it and know who Ruby is.

Today Ruby was on Oprah for the second time.  I learned things about Ruby that I totally didn't know.  First of all I had NO clue she started this journey at 716#.  That is a weight that is beyond my ability to comprehend. The times I saw her show she had probably already lost 150 to 200#.   Ruby walked onto Oprah's stage today wearing jeans and looking really good.  She is under 350# which is, admittedly, still obese, but such a stunning change it is hard to feel that way.  She also has quite a gorgeous face.  Anyway, her journey, is going  in directions that I am sure she had no clue about before.  This actually is quite a fascinating story.  I'm not going to watch the show but will look her up online occasionally.

I love people that are working on this journey and give us all insight about it.  I know every one's journey is unique to them but knowing that other people are having just as complicated a journey as someone else is encouraging, I think.  I am encouraged by Ruby's journey, not just for her, but for myself as well.

I can, I will!!

.

Vibram Sprints

About six months ago, I read about Vibram FiveFingered Sprints on a blog.  I think the blog was written by Sarah Jio, but am not sure.  I was interested enough to go to their website:  http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/.  After six months of looking at their website, I decided--Yes I WANT THOSE SHOES!!

The store locater indicated there was a vendor in Las Vegas - fortunately, that is but a hop, skip, and a jump from here.  So I called to see if they had the style I wanted.  Nope but he was expecting a large shipment in the next week. We scheduled a trip to Vegas.

Here they are:

I got these shoes yesterday and wore them to the gym today.  For the first time I was able to run for 14 minutes on the treadmill.  The most I have done previously is 2 minutes so I am pumped!! 

I want to run and I saw these shoes on the Dr. Oz show, he demonstrated running the way our ancestors did.  Short strides with more pressure on the front of your foot.  It just looked right to me so I am trying that.

And one of the best things about going to Vegas for two day, I maintained my weight!!

I can, I will!!

WOW-----A Compliment

One of the neighbors commented on my weight loss.  That made me feel really good, but as usual I tried to downplay the compliment.  Why would I do that?  I have lost 12.6# since early November.  That is a safe rate of loss. I would prefer faster but I am happy with this rate if I don't do any backsliding. 

This is what I am thinking.  My goal was to lose 50#.  I have lost 12.6#, which is 25% of what I want to lose.  That is really wonderful, if I feel this good after losing 25% of my goal, I can't wait to get to  my goal.

So the compliment made me actually mindful of accomplishing that milestone and appreciating my dedication to get to this point.  I also feel  there won't be any backsliding...because I just feel different about the whole process right now.  And that is something I have to really think about before I blog on it.

So right now I am just thinking.....

I can, I will!!

Chair Workout on Dr. OZ

I was watching Dr. Oz today and saw a group of women doing "chair" exercises.  The idea was to workout using a chair since everybody has one.  I thought they were great exercises and done pretty easily with variations built in to increase the difficulty for a more advance exerciser. 

I was also another site that had an interview with Denise Austin.  She was talking about her eating plan but also about what she called "fidgetcise".   These are moves you do while, brushing your teeth, talking on the phone, waiting for the water to boil, etc,etc. 

Doing moves during dead time at work has been of interest to me for quite a while.  In fact, I exercise at work whenever I can.  I think most people have opportunities to slip in a pose, move, or stretch here and there during their work day.  When it comes to moving the body, it all adds up.  I like this trend!!

I can, I will!!

I Am A Very Lucky Person

In a recent post, I mentioned the fact that I am unusual because I never gone over my highest weight.  Articles I read indicate that "yo-yo" dieters usually gain everything they lose plus when they are on the upswing and today I figured out why:

Exercising pretty consistently and eating healthfully between 55 and 80% of the time has saved me from extreme obesity.  How lucky that I  incorporated healthy eating and exercise in my life when I did.  Now I just have to increase the percentage of time I follow those healthy habits.

Since the reason is so simple, shouldn't I have figured this out before.  Better late than never!! 

OR

My Mother's favorite " You can't learn any younger".

The one I am using:

I can, I will!!

Gone For a Few

We have been in Laughlin since Friday visiting with Rex's brother and celebrating Rex's birthday.  Love the hotel we are in they have FIT TV and so have been working out with that  and taking the stairs down from the 12th floor.  No I haven't been taking them up....I know what a cop out.  Maybe I will once before we leave tomorrow.

I'm just keeping on keeping on.

I can, I will!!

Simple? Ya Right!

I have spent a lot of time trying to be successful at weight loss, in fact I have spent years and years.  Apparently so have a lot of other people, considering that weight loss products are over a billion dollar industry .  If it took money to solve the problem...we'd all be thin.

What do all of us "weight challenged" people want?  We want to take a pill or a drink and BAM be transformed into someone with a perfect figure and weight.  Yup that is what we want -no muss, no fuss-with fabulous results.  We live in the age of "instant" gratification and by golly, we want it NOW.  Why isn't that possible (after all, they can put a man on the moon)??  Why does it have to be so hard??  Why does the challenge NEVER end??

I think we all have to learn something.  Instant gratification DOES NOT exist when it comes to weight loss.  It is a LONG, HARD process that has to come together on many different levels.  I marvel at the many different  experiences the various bloggers I read are having and have had along their journeys.  In all sincerity, I am in total awe of some of these young women.  Their personalities come through and  they sound like the kind of  people you'd like to know.

From many different sources, I am learning the following "rules for success" regarding weight loss.  Following them will most likely ensure your success with this problem.

1.  Move more, eat less.......just no way around this.  As far as eating less, it means healthy foods the vast majority of the time.  Moving---start somewhere and as you progress  keep "upping" the ante.

2.  Hard work and determination.......weight loss doesn't just happen.  It takes of LOT of hard work (both mental and physical) and determination.  You have to have the absolute desire to conquer that layer of fat on your body.

Now I haven't conquered these "rules", but I honestly think I am making progress, internally if nowhere else.

Everyday is a revelation!

I can, I will!!

Making Progress

I went to the gym today...I know-the commitment I made this week was to go on Tues. and Thurs., but today is Wed.  What's up with that??  I had a whole list of errands to do on Monday-- library, post office, and bank.  WHY DIDN'T I REMEMBER ABOUT THAT GREAT AMERICAN, MARTIN LUTHER KING?? 

Since I seem to be oblivious of holidays, I ended up doing the errands yesterday (Tues.)---Yes you can use twice the gas to run errands!!  That is what happened to my gym yesterday.  So I went today.  I love going to the gym, some of the weight training I have been doing is making a difference.  I feel different internally, and am trying to determine if anything is visible externally.  I've decided to take pictures on or about Feb. 4.  I think that even though I have been having slow success with the scale, I am making progress with my body.  I feel stronger and actually more streamlined...and am hoping pictures will confirm that.

I just do not understand,  I can exercise my "resistance muscle" 5 or 6 days a week, walking past pastries, cookies, chips, and host of other goodies, but let me give in ONE day and it totally screws up my week.  I keep backsliding.  Since I have been thinking about this, I am wondering if those proportions are accurate.  May the 5 or 6 days isn't quite right....so that might have a great deal to do with a scale that isn't moving or staying moved.  I have way too much up and down..

Judith Beck, I am going back to page one and starting over.....I have to get this right.  2010 MUST be my year to put all of the pieces together.

I can, I will!!

I Cannot Believe It!!

I have another follower.  I can't believe it and feel so flattered that someone besides Rex took the time to become a follower.  That amazes me.  I must admit, that the longer I write this blog, the more I would like others to read it and comment.  I would like feedback.  I have learned SO much reading other peoples blogs that I feel sorely lacking. I am so in AWE of the accomplishments  these bloggers have achieved and at, what, I consider a young age.  Makes me feel very envious of their drive, ambition, and ability to actually get things done.  How do they do that??

I read bloggers in their 20s that have published a book (http://www.pastaqueen.com/), been listed in  the newspaper, (http://www.priorfatgirl.com/) and one who has taken a paid blog for Glamour Magazine and started one of her owe (http://www.karinaworksitout.com/)  that is wonderful-- I am totally amazed by them. 

I continue to work on my challenges and making positive choices on a daily basis.  Success is the yardstick and will be obvious.  I want what makes me happy!!

I can, I will!!

Did It!!

I  mentioned that I went to the gym to give up my membership, because I was going to use the Wii Fit Plus for exercising for now.  Since I have NO sales resistance I didn't give my membership (although they lowered my price) and came up with a new plan.  My plan is to use the gym for weights.  This week I made the commitment to go to the gym Tue., Thurs., and Sat., to do my strength training and use the Wii the other days.  And you know what??  That is exactly what happened.  Which I must admit is the not the way things usually turn out.  I am proud of myself.  Next week I am going on Tue and Thurs.  We are getting company from out of town on the week end so Sat. will not work out.

I am proud and I am working my way toward my goals.

I can, I will!!

Weight Loss Really?

I happened to notice the sentence under the title of my blog.  It says "A Weight Loss Journey".  I think maybe that is too specific.  This blog seems to be evolving in ways I hadn't anticipated.  A sentence in a recent post (of mine), indicated that weight loss could (and maybe should) be a byproduct of reaching other goals.  I actually have been concentrating on studying subjects other than weight loss.  Studying in 2010, studying things that interest me, and trying to think of life in different ways.  Weight loss specific information  is also something I continue to study, but no longer exclusively. 

I also think that, so far, 2010 is going to be a year in which I actually act on the information I have been acquiring for many, many years.  So anyway, because I am trying to study  different ways to improve myself and my life, weight issues will be fought on more than one "front".

Now I am trying to come up with a more accurate sentence under my header.  (Note on 1-12-10..I changed the sentence today).

I can't believe I almost forgot about this:  the Wii said my BMI has moved from obese to overweight.  The right direction.....again.  Success  builds on success...something I am learning every day.

But as always:

I can, I will!!

I Impressed Myself!!

Today I got my weight training routine from Jesse, the trainer, at Bullhead Health Club.  I have committed to going to the gym to do this routine 3 days a week.  The other days I will continue using the Wii Fit Plus system.

One of the machines he is having me do is called a "roman chair".  It is tall and you hold yourself up with your arms.  It is hard to explain but anyway there is also platforms on each side so you can rest your feet.  Jesse was going to have me do lift up one leg at a time to build up strength....nope I can do both now!!  That impressed me because I have never been on that machine before.  Cool!

I am also still reading the Beck book and working on incorporating the skills in it.  I will be doing more reporting on that soon.  Nothing is easy but I feel the skills in this book will help me if I implement them and actually take the time to learn them properly.  It will be an ongoing process but worth every minute.

I can, I will!!

Bullhead Health Club

I finally got back to 187.8 today.  Isn't that what I weighed about a month ago?  Yes it is...back in the right direction!!

I have been working out using the Wii Fit Plus and I really, really like it.  It is fun to see my progress graph daily and I like the the yoga poses.  I have been doing the free run for 20 minutes just about every day, although yesterday I upped it to 30 minutes.  Doing this is what makes me think I would like to train for a 5k.
That is some thing I am still planning on working on.

Anyway since I got the Wii and have been using it, I decided to give up my gym membership at Bullhead Health Club.  So on Monday I went there to do that.  I HAVE NO SALES RESISTANCE!!  The owner happened to be there.  He lowered my monthly rate and set me up with an appointment with the trainer.  I really do like the gym when I go, getting there is the problem.  Since I didn't quit I decided I would make a commitment to go 3 days a week...Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and just not worry about the gym on other days.  The other days I plan to continue with the Wii.  In the past everyday I would stress about it if I didn't go and feel I should do more if I did go.  No win for me...

This morning I had my session with Jesse the trainer.  Jesse is probably 24 or 25 and really into his job.  I like his enthusiasm and I think we will get along well.  Today was a baseline measurement day.  When I tell people, "yes I do work out" and "yes I do eat really well"--I can see in their faces..Ya Right!  So if I eat so well and work out, why am I so fat?????  Goes back to all the sugar I eat.  Did I mention that I have come to the conclusion that there is not enough candy in the world to satisfy me? 

But Jesse was measuring things like endurance, heart rate, blood pressure, and could see that those things are good.  So then I did a test involving stepping up and down on a step that is about 15" high to a metronome.  This test lasts 3 minutes and before starting he said he has given this test to about 90 people and only about 7 have completed the whole 3 minutes.  Now he has to say 8.....AND I am the only one my age (59) that has lasted 3 minutes.      Yup I DO work out!!!

I can, I will!!

Body Abuse

I am a victim of "body abuse".  Who do you suppose is the perpetrator of this abuse?  Why myself, of course.  Sunday we went to the bar to watch the Viking and Packer games......I usually have water to drink but NOOOOOOOOOO, I had the bright idea to drink JD and diet coke.  Big, Big mistake.  Rex had to drive home.

Unfortunately that was not the end of the abuse....I then went on to eat two, not one, but TWO gigantic bowls of ice cream with banana, peanuts, chocolate sauce, and butterscotch sauce.  Did I mention that I had two of those.  Needless to say, I was up most of the night sitting on the toilet.  Yup I did a great job of abusing my intestinal tract.  After I sobered up and was sitting there experiencing the result of my self inflicted abuse, I was thinking, how many times can I do this to myself, and expect my body to forgive me and not fail?   I am thinking I must be on borrowed time with this abuse and it has to stop....2010 is my year to change for the better and appreciate my body for the wonderous machine that it truly is.  I need to take care of it because I am not getting another one no matter how much I whine.

I can, I will!!

Resistance Muscle

Jen at http://www.priorfatgirl.com/ recently mentioned a book that she is going to read and conduct a discussion group about.  I can honestly say that Jen is one of the most helpful and inspiring bloggers I read.
At any rate, I got the book, "Beck Diet for Life" by Judith S. Beck, Ph.D. from the library and am currently reading it.

The basis of the book is to use Cognitive Therapy to deal with your addictions, be they eating disorders, depression, or something else.  As I am reading the first few pages, I have learned about something called the "Resistance Muscle".  It is the muscle you exercise every time you find a way to not cave in to your cravings.  It is a logical technique to combat the "red devil"  on your shoulder.  As with anything else, success leads to more success.

 I am going to describe my first challenge since reading about the "resistance muscle".  Where I work, the management provides us with a free buffet to eat at once during our shift.  I usually don't eat there, but carry my own food to work.  ALTHOUGH there are occasions when something special is on the line.  About the only special thing  that appeals to me are desserts.  At work Friday night they had a really cool chocolate ganache covered cake.  Now ordinarily I would have gotten one of those immediately but I talked to the server and he said he had quite a few and not all of them were in the cooler and, if asked, would bring one out.  So I decided to wait until my next break to have one.  During the time between deciding to have one on my next break, I thought about that "resistance muscle" and  how I would define it for my use.  On my next break, I didn't even consider having it.  So, rest assured, I WILL continue reading and studying this book.

Stay tuned for more....so far I like it enough to actually read and think about it.

I can and I will!!

I AM AN ATHLETE

I have exercised or worked out for many, many years.  I am also on the point between obese and overweight on the "BMI" scale.  Yesterday morning I weighed 189.4# and I think I go from obese to overweight at about 187.something so I am close to becoming overweight.....cause for celebration.  How can someone in the obese BMI category say that they exercise or work out.  Because it is the truth, I do workout.....and for the most part I do it well. I am obese because I overeat. Plain and simple.  I have no problem moving or exercising.  Food has always been my downfall.   I have done exercises OFF AND ON since I was a sophomore in high school, which if my math is correct is about 43 years ago.  Can that possibly be correct???  43 YEARS ago???

Yup it can be.....and that is actually OK.  I feel like I am in pretty good shape and doing physical chores certainly does not bother me.  I sort of feel that I have an "edge".  I have had both exposure to, and experience with, many different types of exercise.  Like going to agym with weight machines, tread mills, elipital machine, balls and bands,  a huge variety of exercise videos,  and walking,  That gives me a huge base of experience that allows me to keep up and not get frustrated with things like the Wii program.  I am used to using and moving my body.

So why do I think I am an athlete?

Because when I am standing at the kitchen counter I can actually FEEL my abs and they feel incredible.  I am finding that I think up ways to burn calories in so many everyday situations.  I can do a 20 minute free run aerobic workout on the Wii Fit Plus daily.  I can do the first 13 yoga poses daily on the Wii Fit Plus.  I can do several of the weight training exercises daily with Wii Fit Plus also I am usually averaging 10,000 or more steps a day.

In fact I am seriously thinking about training for a 5K which would be an amazing goal to strive for.  I even went to the local Chamber of Commerce to find out when they are scheduled.  Apparently it is too hot in Arizona to have 5ks.  Oh , well that sucks.  So I am looking for a 5k training schedule online to see if I honestly think it is feasible goal.  Will keep you posted on that "project".


I think 2010 is going to be a year of incredible growth for me personally.  I feel there is something inside me that needs to be discovered and nurtured.

I can and I will!!

Goodbye 2009

Like Christmas I am happy this year is over.  Isn't that awful?  To wish one's like away instead of embracing every moment regardless of what happens?  All experiences, good and bad, happy and sad, are what make up our life, our memories, and our mettle. 

I mentioned in my last post that I am working on becoming a more postive person so will be doing a lot of reading and study this year.  I am coming to believe that weight loss will become a byproduct of living with a postive mindset.  That is not to say that eating healthfully and exercising are not also important components -- they most definately are.  I almost forgot, my weight this morning was 189.4 and I did 40 minutes of combined yoga and cardio using the Wii Fit Plus.  So as I travel through 2010, striving to improve myself and my life, I will share what I am feeling and learning.  What I know today is that we all stuggle to make sense of our life and our purpose.

Welcome 2010, I look forward to experiencing every second of you!!

I can, I will!!

Goodbye Christmas

I am happy Christmas is over.  All of those treats everyone was bringing to work were not in my best interest.
Of course that is a crock.....the only person that put food---treats or otherwise in my mouth was me.  The time of year doesn't matter, the temptation doesn't matter.  The only thing that matters is my mindset and my behavior.  Let's just say that neither has been stellar the last 3 weeks.  No excuses.....also no positive results, just my usual backsliding.

I have been reading books on the law of attraction and also on having a positive mental attitude and I am going to be working on growing into a more positive person in 2010.

I can and I will!!

Not Fair, Not Fair!!

So how come you can easily gain 3 or 4 pounds in a day, but are extremely lucky if you lose a pound in one day.  In fact losing 1/2 pound in a day is good.  It's just not fair, there is a huge disparity between what one can gain versus what one can lose overnight. NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR!!

So anyway, I have been working out with the Wii Fit Plus and I actually like it.  Is strenuous enough that I sweat so can't be too easy on my.  I am hoovering around 191 and 193 but I feel really good and I even feel strong.  So I haven't been blogging everyday because I have gained a lot, I just don't have much to say. 

There is a blogger I am worried about though....Steve Wright at http://www.whoatemyblog.com/.  It has been over a month since he has blogged and I am worried about him.  Another blogger is really inspiring me more and more www.priorfatgirl.com , I like her attitude and enjoy her insight about weight lose and life in general.  This girl had had to deal with a lot.  I admire her.

I am so lucky and have much to be thankful and grateful for.....let me NEVER lose sight of that fact!!

I can, I will!!!

Naughty Mary

I can't believe it is almost a week since I last blogged.  Time flies!!  I've noticed that I get older, faster, every year. 

So I have been working out with Wii Fit Plus over a week. I have not been going to the gym.  So how am I doing?  I have gone up in weight to a high of 193, this after a low of 187.4.  So I have obviously not made any headway on weight but but but....I feel I have bettered my carriage and "fitness" feeling.  Does that make sense to anyone?  I have not done anything to lose weight as far as eating goes.  It's Christmas and I have been eating the usual Christmas treats.  But but but-I do feel my posture has improved, I feel I have improved in a lot of ways.  So my opinion is:  Overall, I am satisfied with the product.

Today my weight was about 191 so I am not on a runaway gaining spree.

I can, I will!!

Wii Fit Plus

Yesterday I talked about exercise...and today I am talking about the Wii Fit Plus.  This found it's way into our house on Friday night.

I have been doing a lot of jogging using the Wii Fit Plus. After jogging I have been doing the strength training and yoga routines.  At least I have been getting 30 to 60 minutes of working out everyday since we got it.  I haven't explored all of the options it has.  I know there is a place to enter your daily steps and I read somewhere that if you have a ball or bands or other equipment you can incorporate it in the Wii routines.  I don't know how to do that yet.

I do like very much the record keeping it does and the graphs, they are pretty cool.  It also allows you to increase reps or distance or time based on your performance and I think those are very helpful options.  Since I have been a gym goer I kind of feel that maybe some of the stuff is a little too slow for me, but I have only been using this for 5 days so I obviously don't know everything about it yet.  I will keep working out with it because it is so simple to just get up and do it in my pjs. 

These are another pose of my progress pictures, figured I'd better get these up before it is time for more.  Although at the rate I am going...January pictures might not be much different than the December one.

I can, I will!!

Exercise

Saturday night I finally got to see the season finale of "The Biggest Loser".  It was inspiring, some of those people were not even recognizable.  This is not a put down but did you notice how many of the contestants were still overweight?  I got to thinking about that and for example, Shay, who lost 175# and is STILL over 300#.  I don't care how tall you are 300# is overweight and most likely obese.  That was the story with a lot of the contestants...this season had a lot of starting weights in the 300 to 450# range.  So even if they lost 100# or more they still have work to do.

I cannot imagine anyone getting that big, but wait maybe I can.

I know why children are becoming more and more obese, they sit on their "behinds" most of the time.  In front of the TV or computer.  My grandchildren proudly say they are "lazy".  When did lazy become desirable?  There is no physical activity these days for kids.  The statement "go outside and play" is not specific enough.  If they do go outside it is mostly to wander aimlessly.  I really feel sorry for kids today, unless they have parents that can cart them to sports activities or to a Boys and Girls Club, "Y" or some such place they have nothing to do. 

Of course there are other ways to get physical activity....the Wii game is one and I have seen adds for other computer games that require biking or some physical movement.  But that really doesn't get it done.  Kids could get jobs mowing lawns, snow shoveling, or raking or could they.  What are the laws about that stuff these days? 

I was very lucky to have grown up on a dairy farm...where they is no sex discrimination or accepted excuses for not do what you are told.  When I was in high school, I got up at 4:30 am to milk cows before school.  I used to say that if my Dad even thought that the lawn needed mowing, I was out there mowing it.  No refusal allowed.  It would not have occurred to me to not just do it.  Oh I forgot baling hay and straw and shoveling shit.  Ya that one wasn't pretty.

So here I am at the ripe old age of 59 and I have to credit my youthful working activity to the fact that I am not lazy and I can and will exercise.  Most of my life I have done some type of physical activity, maybe not continuously but I never ever totally quit.  The first organized exercise program I remember doing was when I was 16 and I saw an article in Redbook magazine "Six Week Exercise Program".  I decided to give it a try and was very dedicated.  The reps of each move increased each week and at the end of 6 weeks, what did I do?  I stopped doing them.....it was called "Six Week Exercise Program".  Sometimes I am just too literal for my own good!!

Oh well enough bs for today.

I can, I will!!  (Regards of the bumps along the way)

Promised Report

Yesterday Isaid I would report on how the day went.  Today the scale said 190.8 so yup it went down.

So how did yesterday really go?  I ate wonderfully and perfectlly UNTIL I got home from work when I screwed up the whole day by eating a small loaf of pear bread.  Now I am sure I didn't exceed my calorie count of 1500 but what gives with this sweet downfall?  I do recognize this pattern and it is a pattern, my day goes great and then after work at 1, 2, or 3 AM I screw it up.ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!  I need to start going to bed as soon as I get, or brush my teeth, or do SOMETHING that will discourage eating.

As I say each and everyday, I will do better.

I can, I will!!

It's True!!

I have read on a lot of blog about missing bloggers....it usually means there is a bit of back sliding going on.  Well in my case that is very true.  I had a horrible week end, I think it started with my baking pear bread.  BIG MISTAKE!!  It smelled so good and it was warm and inviting and I KNOW it tasted awesome.  It's just not fair...the stuff wasn't just calling my name it was SHOUTING my name.  So being the weak willed person that I am, I succumbed.  How stupid is that??  What happened to "I can, I will"?

Oh well now on to damage control and fixing today because I can only live today.  When I quit smoking, I kept telling myself "one day, one hour, one minute, one second".  Just hang in there.  I hadn't even weighed myself for a couple of days but I did today and it came in at 191.6.  It is what it is (another phrase from other blogs).

This morning I went online and looked at all of the "before and after" pictures of the Biggest Loser contestants.  If that doesn't inspire me nothing will.  All of them look awesome.  I only want to lose 40# and these people are dealing with wanting and needing to lose between 100 and 200#.  What do I have to whine about? They are totally amazing.   I was also watching a couple on the Dr. Oz show this morning that are getting fit for their wedding.  In one month she has lost 19# and he lost 23#, they still have lots to lose but they were both so upbeat, happy, and positive, I have no doubt they will be beautiful and very healthy on their wedding day. 

I really like Dr. Oz.  I have learned a lot watching his show and I like that they go and get people to come on and they help them.  Very inspiring and it is wonderful the way most of these people embrace the guidelines they are given.  Honestly, I think most people feel so overwhelmed they don't know where to start and also have the attitude that their mountain is so high why bother.  Anyway I will be looking forward to keeping up with the wedding couple.  I also like The Doctors TV show.  They also have taught me a lot, but what can I say--Dr. Oz is Dr. Oz.

So it is back to basics today.  I am only going to worry about today.  I will report on today tomorrow.  Did that sound confusing??

I can, I will!!

More Ugly Pictures

I had Rex take pictures of me yesterday....I really should have had him retake them after I saw them, but what the hell, no one reads this blog anyway. If anyone stumble into this blog by accident--as God is my witness--I am not as crabby as I look, in fact I am not a crabby person at all.



One blog I read (Pasta Queen) put up progress pictures every 20 pounds which makes sense when your goal is to lose approximately 200 pounds. But I don't want to lose that much so I am choosing to put up pictures monthly. Hopefully I will see some progress.

I cannot figure out how to put these pictures side by side so I will have to  do it this way and so will you if you want to see them.  But the good news is--I DO see progress.  Wow, does this make me happy or what!!  I had the same three views that I had last time but I will put one up at a time since I can't figure out the side by side thing, otherwise this would be a very long blog. 

Did you notice there wasn't a weight listed on the top of this blog...I didn't weigh myself this morning, I did yesterday and it was up to 189.4.  Not good news after a low of 187.8 this week.  Ok so I was not as dedicated as I should be so the scale is showing me the error of my ways or weighs as it were.  Anyway I am back on track and hope to see the scale reflecting that but until that happens progress pictures help!!

I can, I will!!

I Survived!!

I made it through the week end!!  My Sunday weight was 189.0, my Monday weight was 188.6 and Tuesday morning it was 187.8. WOW I actually lost weight on my week end.  Now that is hard to believe but it's totally true.  Pat me on the back!!

Have been getting my exercise in also, so I am pretty happy with my progress.  I will keep it up.

I can, I will!!