I’m climbing back up into the saddle…again…

SparkPeople.com Featured Motivator, December 21, 2008 (Photo credit: zorbs)

Oh yes, it’s been much too long since I’ve been watching what I eat or getting any exercise other than what I get at work.  And my poor body has paid for that neglect…big time  (ooh…bad pun not intended).  We did a biometric screening for our insurance at work and I was informed that I could apply for the Naturally Slim program.  This is a 10-week program that would normally cost right at $400, but I’m able to participate for free…free as long as I complete 8 out of the 10 weeks.  If I fail to do so, they will take the cost of the program out of my paycheck….now there’s some incentive for you, huh?

So, anyhow…that starts tomorrow.  I’ve looked through the materials they sent me.  I’m sure I’ll have more to report once I get it underway.  But I decided not to wait until tomorrow to start my healthier lifestyle.  I got back on SparkPeople.com (come on, folks…this really does work if you keep up with it…oh, I guess I’m talking to myself…why in the world did I ever drift away from something that worked for me???), cleaned up my page, left some teams, joined some other teams, started getting involved again, got back to using the trackers.  My plan is for this to be where I continue my program once the 10-week Naturally Slim program ends.  We all know this takes more than 10 weeks, right?

I went to WalMart this morning to buy another stability ball because Scout punctured the other one…silly kitten.  While there, I figured I’d save myself some time and just pick up my groceries there.  Uh yeah, there’s a reason I don’t buy produce at WalMart…yuck…I bought a few things, enough to get me through the first part of the week…then I’ll either hit the little farmers market on Tuesday or stop in at Kroger later.

I came home and got some vegetable beef soup going in the crock pot…don’t you love eating soup when the temps cool down?  There will be enough for several dinners for this week.  So I won’t have to worry about what to prepare for dinner.

I also started back with some exercise yesterday…on a two-day streak…woohoo!!  Stop laughing!  Everyone’s 100 day streak starts with making it through that first day, then through the second day…I’ll get there, in 98 more days!  I’m almost ashamed to admit how much I’ve let myself go.  A couple of years ago I was getting ready to complete my first 5K.  Today I wouldn’t even be able to walk that distance.  But what I’ve done before, I know I can do again…just got to work my way back…and I’ve already started that journey.

I’ll let you know how it goes…ups and downs, leaps and stumbles…

Carrots instead of chips

That may not sound like a big deal to most folks, but it was a huge step in the right direction for me.  I just decided I need to start eating healthier again…I’ve been way too lax with my diet of late…like for the past several months.  Crazy!  So tonight, for dinner, I made a grilled cheese sandwich and was walking to the pantry to get the Doritos…U turned and walked to the fridge instead.  Pulled out the carrots.  Then decided to go for strawberries and angel food cake for dessert…not totally healthy, but so much healthier than I’ve been eating.

Why is this so difficult?  I know I feel better when I eat right.  I know I feel better when I exercise.  So why do I continue to do things that I know aren’t in my best interest and that will ultimately make me unhealthy, sick, or less fit?  I guess if I could figure this out, deal with the issues, and solve the problem I’d be writing best-selling weight loss/health and fitness books, right?

But today I feel like I was able to overcome temptation and do what I know I need to do…now to tackle tomorrow!

Unbelievable…another 3 pounds gone

And gone for good, I might add.  That puts my loss for this month at 11 pounds.  Believe me, I totally understand that this rate of weight loss will not continue forever, but I’m going to take it while I can.

When I put all of my stats in on SparkPeople.com, I said I’d like to reach my goal by the end of this year.  Once they figured everything out, they said I’d need to lose 10 pounds a month to reach my goal by then.  I’ve played this game long enough to realize that I probably won’t lose 10 pounds every month, especially once I get closer to my goal weight.  So I figure anything over 10 pounds I get this month is going to help me in those later months.

You know, some people say you should lose the weight slowly to keep it off.  But now I’m reading and hearing a different point of view.  Saying you have a better chance of keeping the weight off if you lose it quickly.  I don’t know if either viewpoint is correct.  I tend to think it depends on what you do once you’ve lost the weight.  If you go back to eating the way you did when you were heavier, you’ll definitely gain the weight back.  I think you have to remain vigilant and maintain an awareness in order to keep the weight off.

I’m feeling pretty good about my efforts so far this month.  I increased my cardio minutes today and did pretty well with that.  I’m on my way!!

 

Another milestone…400 posts published

Actually I think today’s post puts it at 402…but really, who’s counting?  It’s been a very positive experience…I’ve made a lot of friends…I’ve learned a lot about writing and particularly my style of writing.  I’m so thankful for all of you who take the time out of your busy days to spend a few minutes with me…encouraging me as I continue working on losing weight and gaining fitness…laughing at little Spooky’s antics…commiserating with me over all of the work related stress I live with…supporting me as I deal with life’s loses…and just being there for me as I continue to peel back the layers of my life, learning more about who I am and where I want to go…Thank you all so much!

What’s in store for the next 400 posts?  Wow…hopefully I’ll be able to talk about how much weight I’ve lost when I publish that 800th post.  And I have a feeling that I’ll be moving sometime in the next few months…have no idea where…but that just makes it more of an adventure, doesn’t it?  I hope I’ll be able to talk about spending a lot more time with my family and friends.  And of course, I would hope that Spooky will continue to make all of us smile.  None of us can foresee the future…and I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I’d want to…kind of distracts from today.

One of the things I am enjoying is being able to be outdoors in Indiana in January without a coat…this is the little park that’s in my neighborhood.  Live each moment with an attitude of gratitude~

Another blogging milestone…my 350th post today!

I noticed the number creeping up (thank goodness I’m not talking about the number on the scale), approaching that 350th post.  So I began thinking about what I wanted to say about it, about how sharing my health and fitness journey has changed my life (not quite there yet, but still moving forward…haven’t given up and that’s a huge accomplishment for me.  In the past, I’ve done well for a while, then given up when things got tough…not this time…and that’s due in part to blogging about the ups and downs along this road.) 

 I wanted to give recognition to the blogging friends I’ve made along the way.  These people have supported me when things don’t go so well, congratulated me when things do go well, given me advice, opened my eyes and my mind to things I’d never considered (like some music  from my young friend out east), and generally been there for me as I continue the journey.

I also realized that I’ve developed  a consistency in my writing habit over the past several months.  I’m writing every day.  Some days it’s easier than others.  Some days the words flow, other days they get tangled up somewhere between my mind and my fingers.  Then there are those occasional days when my mind is blank.  Thank goodness for photos on those days!

I’m definitely going to continue blogging…and hopefully, by my next big milestone, my 400th post, I’ll be able to celebrate another milestone…the milestone of losing 20 pounds!! Stay tuned!

The long and winding road to fitness, day 147

Oh my goodness…could work get any more stressful?  Why, yes…yes, it could.  The auditor was in our district today, at the store closest to us.  So, of course, my thought was she’s headed our way.  Fortunately she headed north after leaving the other store.  But that’s not to say she couldn’t swing down our way tomorrow.  I’m feeling a little bit better about it now after spending most of the day checking things, fixing what could be fixed, talking with the manager at the other store to see exactly what the auditor was looking at (thanks, Kelly) and getting everyone involved.  Honestly, in my opinion (which doesn’t count for much), it’s kind of counter productive to have the auditor out in the stores at this time of the year…we all are super stressed and have so much work to get done in the next few days, and then to have to put it all on the back burner and focus on the audit…well…of course, we should always be following all of the policies and procedures, but man, do we have a lot of work to get done.  Anyhow, I think we’re in good enough shape to pass it now, so that’s at least something…

My eating was decent today.  Ended up with four veggies and two fruits…not bad, not bad.  I had a Healthy Choice lobster ravioli for lunch.  Could someone please remind me to never buy that again?  Please!!  I always think things like that look good, then, when I eat it, I remember that I don’t like food with tomato saucy ingredients…same way with jello…I think it smells good and sounds like it would be good mixed with fruit, then I take a bite and remember why I don’t like it.  I mean, really, as an adult, could I not finally remember those things?  You’d think, right”?

I did some core exercises and walked for 15 minutes before work today.  Then who knows how much walking I did at work, quite a bit for sure. I was telling Nikkianne today that I’m just trying to maintain my fitness level through the holidays, then I can get back to spending more time at it.  I really want to get back into running next year.  I think back to when I was running and how great it made me feel, then wonder why I ever stopped…well, I stopped because of an injury, but then didn’t get back into it.  But I want those wonderful feelings back…and I’m going to do it.

How about you?  Have you given any thought to what you intend to accomplish in the next year?

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The long and winding road to fitness, day 131

Image via Wikipedia

Whew…thank goodness this day is over.  I only worked twelve hours today…still didn’t get everything done that I wanted to get done.  But someone once said that tomorrow’s another day and I guess they were right.  Another early, 5 am, day.  But I have Tuesday off work, so that’s going to keep me going tomorrow.

I did do strength training and range of motion exercises this morning and walked for 35 minutes.  But I’m feeling the pain tonight.  I did a lot of lifting at work today and my poor shoulder is telling me about it.

My eating wasn’t filled with the highest quality nutrition, but I did come in under my goal as far as calories are concerned, so that’s something.

My eyes are just about to close and who knows what kind of writing that might lead to.  So I’m going to wish everyone sweet dreams and I’ll talk to you in the near future.

The long and winding road to fitness, day 125

One hundred twenty-five days…and still standing.  Who would have thought that would happen?  And my 125th day was a pretty good day…ended up eating 8 fruits and veggies for the day, so that’s a vast improvement.  I stopped to pick up lunch for my boss and thought about getting something for myself…then realized I’d brought a good healthy home cooked meal for my lunch, no need to buy fast food when I had good food sitting in the fridge just waiting to be warmed up in the microwave.  That’s a step in the right direction.  And I’ve already got tomorrow’s lunch and snacks prepared and ready to go.

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise?  Well, I did walk for 20 minutes and did range of motion exercises for that crazy shoulder of mine.  And we did have a truck that it took us about 3 hours to unload and stage, so a lot of walking and lifting involved in that.  So not a bad day for exercise, not the best I’ve had, but not bad.

 

I was kind of not in a good mood when I first got to work.  I guess I get a little discouraged when I see how much work there is to do and start wondering how in the world we’re ever going to be able to get it all done.  I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s just that time of year when it seems overwhelming, but that we’ll get through it…somehow…

 

Halloween..it’s coming…what in the world am I going to do for a costume for work?  And why do I always wait until a few days before Halloween to think about it?  Any quick and easy suggestions?

 

 

 

 

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The long and winding road to fitness, day 116

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At least I woke up on time today.  Checked that alarm several times before I went to sleep.  It was another one of those days when I felt like I didn’t really get a lot done, but I guess I did.  Of course, there’s always so much to do at work that I never feel like I’m ahead. (And believe me, I’m not)

I had a nice little visit with a couple of long-time friends (how’s that, Margaret?  I didn’t say old friends.) today.  That’s one of the perks of my job, people can come in and chat with me while I work.  My best friend from grade school, junior high and high school(Cindy) was in the store today.  Oh my, did we ever get up to some mischief when we were kids.  She asked me if I remembered backing into the light pole at her parents’ house when we were in high school.  Well…no, I’d managed to forget that…until you reminded me, thank you very much!!  I didn’t realize that she was now living in the house where she grew up (man, do we have some fun memories associated with that house).  All of our parents are now gone, it just doesn’t seem like we’re that old.  But we are…and life goes on…we make the best of it and try to create new traditions while honoring the old ones.  She wanted to know what I was doing for Christmas…how sweet is that?  I’m truly blessed with good friends in my life.  Now back to the healthy living aspect of the blog (although I tend to think that having strong, loving relationships is also part of living a healthy life).

I did do strength training and stretches before work, walked for 25 minutes and then whatever I did at work.  I need to get back on that exercise bike sometime soon.  Seems like I’m always so tired and can’t manage to get enough sleep.  Bad habits…

I was thinking about what I can do to kind of kick-start my whole fitness, healthy living thing with the understanding that I’m going to be too busy for the rest of the year (working in retail does that to you) to make any commitments that are going to require a lot of time.  So my thought was to simply aim for at least five fruits and veggies every day and some form of exercise every day.  I think that’s do-able and won’t really involve any more time than I’m already putting into it.  Then, after the first of the year, when things calm down a little, I can focus more on other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

So, obviously I managed to get the exercise in.  The five servings of fruits and veggies?  Hmm…not quite there yet.  I may drink a quick glass of V8 yet this evening to get me to five for the day.  No, not “I may”…uhuh…I’m going to do it.  Don’t want to miss my goal on my first day.  I’ve got a big Honey Crisp apple that I think I’ll take to work tomorrow.  I think an apple that size would count for at least two servings of fruit.  So have that with a little peanut butter for a morning snack and I’ll be well on my way to five!

Do you eat at least five servings of fruit and veggies every day?  Which do you like more, fruit or vegetables?

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The long and winding road to fitness, day 112

Image by sizima via Flickr

I had a pretty good day today…well, except for falling in the office…and cutting my arm on a grid…oh, and our early morning truck being over two hours late because the store before us didn’t know they had a 3 am truck (uhh…yeah, I wouldn’t want to remember that either…3 am…that is way too early to have to be at work), and our entire system going down for about 10 minutes (no registers, computers, RF guns…nothing but a lot of customers wanting to check out and us not being able to do anything for them)…Other than that, I had a good day!

My eating was much better.  I took my lunch and ate outside, still enjoying gorgeous weather here.  I ate a bowl of minestrone and a couple of bread sticks for dinner.  Ended up eating four servings of veggies today, still not ideal, but much better than what I’ve been doing.

I did some range of motion exercises this morning before work and then walked for 25 minutes.  So at least I got in a little exercise today.  And of course, I did a lot of walking around at work too…a lot of walking and a lot of lifting.

And the good news is….I don’t have to be at work until 7:30 tomorrow…that’s going to be like sleeping in!!  Hopefully the day will run a little smoother for us all tomorrow.

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