Sunday, Day 4

Ok, So I forgot to blog yesterday, but it was a crazy day. Friday night I had to go to the ER to be with my Grand Mother. To say that was an experience I do not wish to repeat is an understatement. I was seriously whipped. Saturday morning Josh and I got up and went to the grocery store. When I got home I made this Egg Pesto thing. It is cooked in a 9 x 13 casserole. I put it on Flax and Fiber bread and made a breakfast sandwich. It was absolutely fabulous. I had a little jalapeno to spread on it to give it some zip, but not too much. Definitely something I would make again. Very filling. Friday night I made a stripped down Roasted Vegetable Parmesan. No noodles so you didn't feel bloated and yucky and shredded brussels sprouts as the side dish. It was fabulous and I thoroughly enjoyed the leftovers. So my first observation on the change in diet. I NEVER feel hungry. Actually quite the opposite I am usually quite filled and satisfied, but not overly so, and it lasts forever. Last night I had to make myself eat something for dinner or I would not have even had 1000 calories during the day. And I am a vegetarian, for people wondering if I get enough protein. I ended up with 76 grams of protein on Saturday. Probably more than some meat eaters and it was much healthier the way I got it. Today I am making up hummus as a snack and spread for the whole grain wraps I got. I am also making this Asparagus, Potato, Leek soup. I made it once before and it was fabulous. I add one whole grain wasa cracker to it to thicken it when I eat it. I bought these individual cups size containers and I am going to ladle a cup into each and freeze it. Then I grab and go for work. By lunch it will thaw out and I just heat it up. I am also going to make some homemade crackers. Yeah, it seems like a lot of prep and I guess a lot of people would not be interested. However, I can spend today doing it and then I m done for he week. Plus you honestly have to decide if losing weight and getting fit is something you really want to do or is it something you will spend your life wishing for, hoping for some magic pill. FYI, there isn't. I have been at this since I was a kid and exercise and eating right are the only fix. I do love cooking and now I have a purpose when I am doing it. last night I danced at the studio hafla and that was so much fun. Dressing up, but definitely hope in 30 days that the figure I presented last night is much more lean next month at the next one. So, that 's the catch up for the past couple days.

Day 2

I made it through yesterday. I followed the diet pretty good yesterday. Tammye was super sweet and made me all veggies for dinner. Stuffed portabello mushrooms, yum!! I was going grocery shopping but decided to mow. Now under normal circumstances that would not sound like a major undertaking. However the rain that has been here lately has made my backyard grow into a small jungle. I expect guerilla forces to run out and ask me to join the revolution any moment. Also, on top of the rain it has been way too cold. Yesterday was a glorious 84. That is crazy in February, but I will take it. Last year we had a crap load of snow and no power for like 3 or 4 days. Yeah, I'll take the warmer weather. I worked arms yesterday and the mowing was an additional workout for my arms. I was exhausted when I went to bed and kept waking up because my arms were sore. They are still sore today. Today I am tired. I wasn't yesterday. Definitely did not want to get out bed this morning to go and work out. That's for sure! I did it. Made a commitment and more importantly it is good for me. Definitely makes me feel old though. That part sucks. I wish I had made this kind of change when I was 23. I squandered away the past 20 years. But I still have a lot of good years ahead of me. Josh woke up sore from his gym class yesterday. Had to give him some tylenol. Ha, felt his pain. I will share with him the wonders of epsom salt tonight. Today was legs. I am not sure I worked them out as well as I could have. I hope it wasn't half-assed, but I have a feeling it was. I will have to give it a little more effort on Monday. Tomorrow morning is circuit, that's all the body parts. 1 set 15 reps. I have to go to the grocery store tonight. I don't have a choice. Even if it is only to get the dinner stuff. I need to find a recipe today. I guess I can always have Tammye go and get the stuff. I will say I feel totally stuffed in the morning and for very little calories. I had 2 shredded wheat bisuits, blueberries, milk and egg whites. Haven't figured out all the calories yet but probably about 353. That is not bad and it will definitely keep me filled up for a long time. I guess that is the best part of the whole food, clean diet. You get a lot more volume.

30 day test - Day 1

Ok, so I read all of these magazines. I actually love magazines. Over the course of the last year I have lost over 20lbs. This is great. Love being smaller. I have been walking/running so my legs are nice and fit but that leaves the middle of my body not much more than the pillsbury doughboy. I have chicken arms and legs. No upper body strength. YEAH. What the hell is that all about. Anyway, so I am looking at this magazine. Fitness RX I think it is called. In it there is a fitness model of note and she has this 30 days program. Of course they make all these promises of what you can accomplish in 30 days. So, I have decided to conduct an experiment. I am changing my diet to one that would be called a "Clean Diet". This is the diet those fitness models follow and really they have banging bodies so... Anyway, I am also going to follow the 30 day workout schedule. As written. So, today was day one. I got my giant ass lunch cooler. I packed my lunch. And today I started the exercise program. I did 25 minutes on the ellipical to warm up and then it was down to the weight area. Today was upper body. Did I mention I have no upper body strength. Well, it bears repeating. I enter manland (you know that weight area with the free weights that seems to get dirty looks if you enter and are not cut). I find a bench so I can do those overhead presses with the dumbbells. I pick up 7.5 lbs. Just for edification that is about the smae weight as a new baby. After 3 sets of 10 reps I thought my arms were going to fall off and that was my first exercise. This was a lot more difficult that one would imagine. There were 9 total different exercises. 8 focuses on arms, back, and chest and the last was for abs. I was doing weights from 5:40 - 6:10. So 30 minutes to finish all of that was pretty good. But it is 9:30 now and my arms are exhausted and kind of sore. This is day one. OH MY GOD!!! It takes a day or two for the full soreness to usually hit. Oh, see I haven't mentioned I am a belly dancer. AND Saturday (2 days from now) I am supposed to perform at a studio hafla. And I am doing veil. My noodle arms will have to make this work.

Breakfast was a ton of food, compared to what I usually eat. Cheerios, ff milk, blueberries and egg whites. I am stuffed. What I was most amazed about. All of that food and it was only 273 calories. It means I burned more calories this morning working out then I actually ate for breakfast. In the past my breakfast usually had more calories and was a lot less filling. There is more work involved in doing this, but I have optimism about eating lots of food. I forgot to take my measurements last night so I will have to do that tonight. And I will have to get my actual weight. I think it is about 136.2, but I am not 100% sure. Need to check that. Need all my starting numbers to see what 30 days can actually do

Memory

I never remember to post to my blog. I guess it is the same as I was never able to write in a diary. I know it is good for you. Put your thoughts out there. Possibly your goals and the things you put in writing are more likely to manifest into a reality. I have put stuff in writing and somehow they have come to pass. Maybe it is some universal wisdom watching us that thinks if you actually take the time to create the words then it should be. I think when you are creating a list of goals, wants and desires then the first thing should always be health and happiness for me and my family. Of course followed by financial security, because that will give us better health (even if it is mental) and happiness because the stress won't linger. That is where I am now. Needing to relax. A series of events that has lef my partner to become a freelancer for her writing and photography comes with it a great many worries. Fortunately within the first week she had jobs already lined up. So, I am putting it out there in the universe. I want her to land some regular writing assignments from some of the bigger publications. But not just for the money. For 10 years I have sat and listened to someone dream. Dream of being a photographer and a writer for amazing magazines. I think now those dreams will become a reality. She has already started on the path with her photography. Beig paid for the first time this year for her work. SO if everyone out there crossed their fingers, or clapped like they did for Tinkerbelle, or whatever, to help this all work out thanks

Middle of the week

Wednesday...the middle of the week. Not Monday (thank god) but definitely not Friday. You spend all day trying to get through it so that you can get to the weekend. Now that school is back in session my days seem to be more rushed and I am not sure I like that very much. Trying to work in the getting ready, going to work, getting the children where they need to be and then making time for working out. Ok, so the working out is starting to suffer. I was more diligent when I had a goal. A clear goal. Over the course of the past year I have gone from 162 to 129. At least that is what I was the last time I stepped on the scale. It may be less now. When I originally started losing weight I was 185.5. For someone with a frame as small as mine that means I was a shorter stay puff marshmallow man. Ha! Losing weight is funny. You have a clear path to get there, at least in theory. You have it all planned out and dieting has been crammed down our throats, but no one tells you what to do when you get there. I am not at my goal weight, but I have thought about that. What do you do when you get to your goal weight? I think maybe that is why so many people have trouble keeping the weight off. They know how to diet, but no one tells them how to maintain. Maybe they just don't expect or want us to ever get to goal. Hard to keep peddling your wares if you have success stories in everyone. People will pass on the secret. My goals have changed significantly in the battle of the bulge. I used to be singularly focused on a number on that stupid scale. Not so much any more. Now I am focused on my fitness. Muscle is where it is at. My core is like one big wibbly wobbly mess. Totally not fair that all of the remaining fat on my body collects in my middle. And of course I have the ab muscles of a piece of paper. But I have taken my measurements and I know where I want to be with them. I will tell you that I do get tired of the whole harder to lose weight over 40. I can't lose weight because I am over 40. Whatever!!! I am 43. I have lost my weight in my 40's. I am a success. I remember being in 10/12 not too long ago and now I am wearing a pair of size 4 pants. I have size 2 jeans at home. It is conceivable to achieve any goal no matter what your age. Just put your mind to it. Might not come as easy as it did at 20, but it will come. Also, exercise. Lord I am not a biggest fan of exercise, but the fact of the matter is you have to workout if you want to see results. And don't bitch about all the things you think you can't do. I hear all the time people stating they cannot exercise because they have bad knees or they have bad this or that. Yes, there are people with real issues..medical issues that prevent them from working out. Totally give them the be careful with whatever you choose to do to get a little exercise don't hurt yourself permanently. But for those of you with aches and pains get off your ass and work out. Seriously lose some weight because you will find that those ache's and pains go away when you lose weight and reduce the stress and strain on your joints. Take pride in yourself. No matter what your size stand up tall and face the world head on. Dress appropriately, you look heavier and dumpier when you dress like a sack of potatoes. No, the big ass mumu does not fool people into thinking your are not fat. Actually it makes you look fatter. Really don't jump on me. I am telling you the truth. I have been there. You cannot camouflage benig over weight. Oh, and for heaven's sake please do not wear the skin tight clothes either. Just wear something in your size. Not the size you think you are the size that you actually are. Surprisingly you will feel a lot better about yourself if you dress in clothes that fit. And if you don't like what I have to say too bad. I earned the right to say these things. I was that fat chick. I worked hard to not be her, to get here. Every day is a challenge. I would so love to just sit and munch on all the yummy things in life, but I made a decision and those things don't fit in any more.

Do you really care what number day it is...just enjoy the post

I knew it would eventually happen. I realized that I am simply not drinking enough water. Plain and simple. I never intended for it to happen mind you. I load up all day at work. I know I am going to ride the bike that afternoon and I want to be prepared. My downfall is that I have never trained myself to drink water while I am exercising and it caught up with me. Wednesday I rode longer than usually and it was pretty humid…reflect back on the crashing incident. Anyways, Wednesday I was so tired. I couldn’t seem to get enough to drink and I was lethargic. My mind wanted to exercise and my muscles were not havin’ it. So, I started power drinking the water. Fortunately Crystal Light has a hydration on-the-go packet. I am drinking those today to see if I can re-hydrate. All in all that seems to be working because today I am not so tired and the energy is coming back. Another thought I was having, reflecting really. I have purchased all these books to learn how to pedal, and corner. What equipment I need, want and can wait for. I have learned a lot, but the one thing I have learned is that over training could be a killer, well that and if you are fat lose some damn weight because it is easier to ride when your ass isn’t a sidecar. So, I typed up my own 12-week beginner training plan. I won’t be riding every day. I will have days off. Mon-Wed-Fri and Sat and Sun. I will be on the bike, although I am thinking of ditching the Sunday bike ride in lieu of weight training, or maybe just for a relaxation day, at least for the first month. Tues-Thurs I will be “working on my fitness” to quote Fergie. I need to get a little muscle on this carcass if I intend to make any progress. Last but not least I have joined the Weight Watchers online program. I do not have time for meetings with all the other stuff I have to do every day, but I can do it online and in my iPhone. This way I can make sure I eat enough and drink enough. Yes, Carol Anne you have to eat to lose, which is good because I love eating. Still no beer, but that is ok. I am sure there will be plenty of time after the fact, but do I really need it. Survey says…NO. I promise I will add a couple of picture now and then so that you will no if I am actually doing what I am saying. Actually who am I talking to. I think I like to believe that others are reading my little journey. I guess if I think I am accountable I will keep pushing forward.

Day 9 - Wipe Out

I now know what it feels like to crash, and fall when attached to my pedals. It didn’t hurt as bad as I anticipated. They said make sure you disconnect your feet prior to coming to a complete stop. Ok, sounds easy and with practice it probably will be easy, but saying it and doing it at this point are 2 different things. I could feel the bike slowing. I was in a weird angle and could not start pedaling to prevent fall out. I couldn’t even lean to the left to put my left foot down, which was free. My right leg took me down like a drunk in a wife beater on a Saturday night. I knew I would have problems with my right foot. When I was 7 I went fishing with my dad, you see. On a dam...yeah because that is so safe for a 7-year old child! My dad said back up. So, I did and then went right over the dam. My little fishing pole line probably saved me from major carnage upon the body, but enough was done. They put a cast on the right leg. Broke that mother but good, but the elite hospital staff in Wolfeboro, NH failed to x-ray the hip, which was dislocated. And so now several years from my 7th birthday my right leg turns out. It re-grooved itself into a new position. Makes a neat party trick since I can actually turn my leg completely around and I had perfect drill team position since my foot automatically turns just enough out to be on point each and every time. However, for cycling I am having to train my leg muscles to point forward. My foot is forward because the shoes are buckled down. Imagine taking your foot and point it in completely like you were pigeon toed. That is what it feels like to me when my feet and knees are pointing straight. I am learning, but because it is an unnatural position for me I am having to really learn and concentrate to get that foot disconnected. I didn’t scrape myself up, or get any bruises that I could see last night. I told Tammye if I don’t get a bruise on my butt it proves my butt is big. It means that the veins lost the will to even try any harder to form in my big old butt, thus no bruising. NO BRUISE THIS MORNING. HA!!! I do have a couple on my shin and on the inside of my arm. What can you do? I am also tired. I mean seriously tired. I think I will not ride tonight, but go to the gym and 1) workout on the weight machine 2) sit in the sauna. I think I am going to have to create a plan for myself that for this next month involves alternating rides with the gym. I can leave to go over to the gym on gym days and work with the weights. When I get home I can have a ride around the neighborhood.