happiness is...

• finding a routine that is working!
• seeing the scale stay down from the "normal" plateau - by 4 lbs!
• working out 3x week, both cardio and weights.
• measuring less around the middle, even if it's incremental.

November has been a good month for trying to find balance and routine for me.  I've tried hard to make good choices in all aspects of health.  I am starting to see some progress and that's even more inspiring.  Bring on December and all that it entails...  I'm ready for the challenge!!

on a roll this week

Made it to the fitness center at work three times this week. Made healthy choices for lunch. Snuck in a few pieces of Halloween candy {must get it out of the house}!

Maintaining weight loss. Need to see more next week. I will continue with the workouts over lunch. It's good to have a plan! More on that next week.

scary reality

I had my very first encounter with a caliper today.  A cali-what?!
No, it didn't hurt.  Well, not physically anyway. 
Emotionally? 
Yeah, like hitting a wall, going 60 mph. 
I know I'm overweight.  I know my BMI is high. 
My excuses have been carrying me along. 
My motivation lacking.  My willpower in the toilet.

No more.  (shhhh, I know I've said that before)

Nothing like a stranger pinching your skin,
in a few embarassing places,
and then writing down a number that falls into the
 "fat/obsese" category of the graph.
So.  Plan on seeing me more accountable soon.  Like, real soon.

There's a Tri-Healthalon at work between now and end of April.

Prizes and all that.  Working out regularly, blood pressure 3x week.
Not motivating in itself, but seeing a LOWER body comp percentage by then?  heck yeah!

Bring on the new me in 2013!

Now, someone tell my sweet tooth, will you?

back on track

It's been a crazy couple of months.  My running was kicked to the curb for two many reasons.  My knees began complaining loudly.  I mean, snap cRaCkLe pop loud.  I am hoping to see a PT at work and see about getting my left knee to feel better.  Second excuse, I mean reason...  got myself stepped on by a horse and then tossed to the ground back in August.  My foot is still sore, but thankfully no broken bones.  Thirdly, Mister Sunshine isn't coming up until far too late in the morning to continue running outside safely.  On to Plan D...  diet.

Sometime last week I saw a message on my FB wall from Jorge about his new Slim, Happy Belly diet for women over 40.  As much as I tell myself I'm not middle-age, I guess reality is finally sinking in with another birthday around the corner.  After reading his short pdf about the plan, I decided it sounded easy enough to follow.  It's all about resetting your baseline insulin level on a regular basis and creating 2-No Sugar days each week, slowly introducing carbs, repeat.  Best part? Wine and chocolate are allowed daily {see recipe for chocolate cake}.  I am happy to report, Day 3, I am feeling better and down 2 pounds.  I know that losing 9 pounds a week is not going to happen for me, but the continued desire to cut the white stuff was enough to keep me honest so far.

On the exercise front, I started a new job at the beginning of September, in a building where I am walking everywhere to get anywhere!  I am also adding Saturday morning yoga at the Hindu temple back into the schedule and might even break out those Jillian DVD's I got from a friend next week.

My birthday present to myself this month...  health and a renewed interest in reaching my weight goal!

matter over mind

Surely the mind doth protest too much! Third day in a row. My body aches and those nerve endings were trying to convince the mind not to go out this morning - but miraculously, the feet flung themselves out of bed, and the body somehow followed.

Could I actually log some time without walking today? Ok, go!

And lo and behold, the mind is now happy that the body won! What a great way to start the weekend!

Beautiful morning!

Yes, in case anyone out there is keeping me honest, I got up and jogged again today. I was greeted by a gorgeous full moonrise. Or is that moon set? Either way, it was a wonderful companion and validated again why I love mornings!

Off to work with my smoothie I go! May it be a beautiful start in your world today too!!

i am not a runner

...let's just start there.  The only time I ever ran in my life was for boot camp and qualifying year after year for the 2 mile fitness run.  It seemed like forever, running from one end of Camp Ripley to another.  Oh, sure, I may have run in elementary school for gym class or fitness tests, but I never had any grandiose ideas of joining the track team.  Let's face it, sometimes you're either a runner, or you're not.

This morning, however, I attempted to trick my mind into following my body.  As I dozed off to sleep last night, I remembered that I was going to attempt something new on August 1.  After all, my other friends who do not consider themselves runners...  somehow changed their thinking.  I am determined to do the same {as long as my knees hold out} and started today!  I reset my clock to go off 45 minutes earlier.

{insert calming ocean sounds of the alarm clock here}

And so I will share with you my first official morning of running:

Stretch.  Yawn.  Still in bed.  What day is it?  Oh, right.  August 1.  The sun wasn't even up at 5 am, cripes, how was I supposed to find the motivation to walk outside the front door and then proceed to jog (let's call it what it is - it's not running - yet).

Find clothes suitable for being outdoors.  Reflective?  Cool?  Warm?  Dress appropriately, let dog out and back in.  No, Chloe, you're not going for a walk this early - sorry.  This one's for me!

And off I go...  mini-goals in mind, do not wimp out, Julie, and walk the route.  Run jog to the corner.  Ok, that wasn't hard.  Hey, look at the bunny on the corner? Someone else is up this early!  Earbud in one ear (for safety, ya know), listening to Cities97.  I can do this.  Planning in my mind to do the "dog walk" and see if I can beat the 17 minute mile pace.  No one else is out this early...  oh wait...  up ahead, I see someone walking along the side of the road.  It's now about 5:30 am.  She's walking at a brisk pace.  Wow, it's the lady I see walking the road by herself on a regular basis.  She's at least in her late 70's, early 80's.  No lie.  She comes from somewhere north of 42nd and goes down to Medicine Lake Road and back.  She has a reflective vest on (thankful for her safety and smart head).  She knows the benefits of good health and exercise.  See, Julie...  she can do this, you can too!  Stop making excuses.

Jog again.  This time, to the end of the path, before the bridge.

Walk the bridge.  See two more people walking the path with dogs.  Still no sunrise.

Jog to the next milestone.  Walk a bit more.  Out of breath am I.  Phew!  This is work.

Feeling good inside by the time I round the corner back to my house.  My MapMyRun app chimes through my earbud with my 1 mile time... 12:54.  I did it.  5 minutes shorter than the dog walk.  Only a driveway away from mine.  Ok, this isn't so bad.  I discovered that I lost my headband somewhere along the run.  Making mental note to find something a bit stickier for the hair so I can do this again.  What?!  I am doing this again?  Oh, right.  If my non-running friends can do this...  and see results...  so can I.  Day 1, done.  Next goal, get up again tomorrow and do it all over.

54 days until my 45th birthday...  I will make this a habit that sticks!

What's for lunch?

I've packed healthy again today! It's really helped me to move away from restaurants at my new place of employment. I guess having no one to lunch with 99% of the time has also helped. While that still bums me out, my pocketbook and waistline are benefitting from the change!

hydration or hungry?

This is me, truly, especially midday when I know that what I really need is to get up and walk around, take a break from sitting at the computer, and grab more water.  Sometimes it's not even that I am bored, but just reminding myself that I know a little stretch and hydration really is next best thing... and that when I hear the vending machines calling me softly screaming at me from down the hall, it's best to lock up my wallet and wait for dinner. 

If I don't plan ahead an bring a healthy midday snack, I can succomb to all kinds of crazy eating.  And then by dinner, I feel horrible, not hungry for the good stuff and already swearing to "do better" tomorrow.

I tell my sons this every single day:  It's all about choices.  Isn't it amazing that we can apply that to so many things in our lives?



a simple reward

Sometimes it's just the little milestones that say -
"you go girl!"

My boobs (in a bra) are finally bigger than my gut - without sucking it in. Ha!  I bought this skirt from j.jill almost 4 years ago and never wore it because all of my rolls showed, and well, I was pregnant twice more in the last five years. 

That aside...  today's the day I wear it - in public!

No where near my goal weight, but making baby steps.  It's dawned on me this week that I am no longer having to suck it in when I walk past my reflection in order to feel better about myself.  Yes, I do that.  It helps that there are far less reflective objects at my new work (but five times as many vending machines).

Still working hard at making exercise a daily habit.  Being mindful of what I put in my mouth.  One day at a time.

add spinach, he says

We went to the Farmers' Market again this past Sunday - it's one of my favorite places to go in the summer!  And we stocked up on spinach, oh my, did we!!  We got a huge bag of organic, fresh spinach for only $2.  Yes, we are eating it with almost every meal this week since Sunday.

My morning beverage of choice has become a protein smoothie.  Mine contains frozen berries, protein powder, milk or soy and a splash of juice if more liquid is needed. 

HIS drink of choice includes a whole lot more, most of which doesn't appeal to me.  However, he did convince me to start adding spinach to my drinks.  He even convinced my son to try this drink concoction (seen here) - even after watching what went into it!

So...  drink up, Spinach is good for you!

Progress report: 
I am maintaining my 5 lb. weight loss for the last two weeks and have a new plateau.  Working out (almost daily) and thinking twice (and feeling really guilty) about what I am eating at those daily 2:30 pm cravings.  Today, I really, really, REALLY wanted chocolate.  I ate a banana.

three short months

A year ago I attended a yoga retreat, two of them, actually.  Only a few months out from having given birth to the last baby I'd ever birth...  I treated myself to a spiritual yoga retreat, and there I promised myself that if I attended again next year, I would be 20 pounds lighter.

Fast forward...  to today...  and the realization that in three months, I have the opportunity to attend another yoga retreat.  I am looking forward to it more than I can put into words.  My birthday weekend and a celebration of me.

The one missing puzzle piece, that I am trying NOT to beat myself up over today...

 I am not any closer to my weight loss goal than I was last retreat. 

I still have 20 lbs. to lose to be healthier and lose the inches from carrying three babies in five years.  Seventeen, if I'm being generous and giving myself the credit for a few pounds that have dropped and stayed gone.

But.

Where in the world do I start?

I have had horrible eating habits.  I think I've previously mentioned that I am an emotional eater.  These past few months have been a bit of a roller coaster.  I have survived, but not without justifying the indulgence of hand-over-fist chocolate binges and the occasional alcohol treat. 

Leo says:
How did I solve it? I picked one thing, and just started.

Ok.  Ok.

One thing.

I will make exercise a priority, not just an objective.
I will be mindful that this is for no one else BUT ME.

Today...  I will exercise when I get home from work.

nice day for a ride (cross-post)

It's "bike to work day" in Golden Valley... 
so, not one to be left behind in a challenge, I did it!

I have been talking about riding my bike to work since I started my new employment at the General 7 weeks ago.  For one reason or another, it hadn't happened yet.  So when I awoke this morning and the sun was shining, there were no more excuses in my way.  Sure, there's an ominous thunderstorm warning later this afternoon, but I decided that today was the day.

So I downloaded the app mapmyride.

Found my earbuds and tuned my iheartradio to Cities97.

Packed my work clothes (must not forget the shoes),

and a smoothie for breakfast.

And off I rode...

Made it work in less than 30 minutes, sweaty and feeling great after a couple of hills.  Who knew the application tracked elevation too?!  It was a good ride.  I forgot my work badge in the car back in my driveway, but other than that, I think I could do this a few times a week!

The weather is supposed be around 82* when it's time to go home today.  The same two hills await me on the way home, but I am ready for the challenge!

Inches, not lbs.

It's been a whole month since I've had time to check in here and write a few words.  Oh, don't worry, this goal hasn't been far from my mind, I just haven't had time to sit down and blog about it. 

I am happy to report.........  {drum roll} .........  that I am still down the original 5 lbs. and that my PANTS ARE FALLING DOWN!  So while I haven't had time to check the inches against my initial measurements either, something's going in the right direction.  Of course that means I have to go purchase new capri pants because the "sight from behind" is probably not conducive to the new work environemtn.  Yeah, that.

I have been at the new job going on five weeks now.  Summer hours have begun and I think that I can finally get into some kind of workout routine after Memorial Day.  My goal of 20 by my birthday might still be a possibility if I can buckle-down and focus!

My next challenge:  bike to work!

progress

I remember now how much fun {not} the Atkins diet is...  boring, high fat, no carb diet.  However, the amazing results it provides for me are worth it every time.  I know it's mostly water weight, believe me, I know.  It cures me from my sweet cravings though and that's all that matters.  I'm down a few pounds in a week and it feels incredible.  Just enough to kick-start me back into where I need to be!

I have cheated a few times since starting a week ago and still saw a loss.  My pants are a little looser and the bloating is gone. 

It's good.  All good.  12 pounds to go!

Back on Track

I started the Atkins diet again this week.  I haven't done it in 10 years.  Believe it or not, it was the only thing that worked for me back then and I'm starting to feel/see the success once again, even three days into it.

I am a sugar addict.  Not necessarily a carb-lover (cured myself of almost all pasta during my first go'round with Atkins).  However, put a pastry in front of me, or a box of candy - and I'm ALL in. 

Kick-starting my metabolism with Atkins is the ONLY way I know how to stave off those cravings and find my willpower again.

Happy to report, it's working!!  Even with all of the stress in my life right now (in the middle of changing companies), I am determined.  And yes, I do see the irony in the fact that I'm going from a med-tech company to the food industry, believe me.  More temptation awaits!

No time like the present to stay motivated!

3500 calories = 1 pound of fat

Whooops!

Someone pushed me over. The wagon tipped.
  I've fallen and I can't get up.

ok, ok.
no more excuses.

So, I've started over today.
Easter behind us, even with the temptation in the house.

I vow to make big changes in the next two weeks.  Five pounds WLL be gone.

Day 14

Stressful week = eating.
Not making the right choices this week.
I'm on my fourth computer and stressed.
Yes, I am an emotional eater.

I didn't start Jillian yet.
I tell myself I'll start next week.
Must not procrastinate any longer.
12 weeks until the kids are out of school.

I want to LOOK better.
I want to FEEL better.

8 days until I get some time off from work.

I can do this.

Day 13

Yoga at work today. Makes me happy, makes me sore. The scale is not moving, but my muscles are aching. S urely something is going right!

Day 12

It's been a slow start to the week. I've not eaten as well as I could over the weekend and have lost motivation.

Need to keep on, keepin' on.

Day 10-11

It was a weekend chocked full of eaitng out and catching up.  Losing that one hour must have really thrown our house into fast-forward, huh?  Okay, so I'm making an excuse for not counting calories and sticking to my workout and diet.  Oops.  I did manage a walk with the puppies both days, however.  It really was an exceptional weekend, including breaking the 1902 weather record with our Saturday high of 62*. 

I'm almost positive that everything that passed my lips and ended up in my belly was NOT on the approved eating list.  Back on the wagon today.  Starting Jillian's Body Revolution tomorrow.  No, really.  I am.

Day 9

Stairs.  42 of them, to be exact.  I have been lazy at work for the last five years (thinking I had a very good excuse, but that's beside the point).  However, since Day 1, I have recommitted myself.  I have taken the stairs, both directions, every.single.day.  yeah me!  Okay, stop laughing.  Any little step is toward a bigger goal, right?

Breakfast.  My other solid accomplishment since starting...  not eating two breakfasts every morning!  I'm one who needs to eat the minute my eyes open.  Or at least I had convinced myself of that need.  However, I've been working hard at retraining my body and mind to work together.  Instead of eating breakfast at home and then again less than two hours later at work (generally a junky donut or muffin filled with useless calories), I am only allowing myself ONE breakfast.  I have also cut out the morning sugar-laden juice and have started squeezing lemon into water to tide me over and curb that craving.

Baby steps. 

Day 8



Source



Yoga at work.

I'm loving this.

I can feel my abs
underneath this pooch of a belly

{pregnancy after-effects}

that remains from a year ago.
 

Who knew?!

After this week, I think my mind is finally engaged with my hear'ts desire to get back to the skinny girl inside.  The weather is getting nicer, the mood is bright, and summer is right around the corner.

Now if only some of these folding poses weren't inhibited by aforementioned belly.

Soon.

Day 7

My pants are feeling looser.  The scale is moving by the smallest increment possible, however.  Muscle = weight.  I know.

My food choices continue to be on track.  None of my usual cheating, and I'm logging everything on MyFitessPal.

At lunch, I had the Mediterranean Plate at CPK.

Mediterranean Plate

Tuscan white bean hummus, feta cheese, a chopped Greek salad, and pizza-pita bread came together in a quaint Mediterranean platter.

In my usual picky-fashion, I picked out the onion and didn't eat the feta cheese, but otherwsie, it was a very satisfying small plate lunch, together with Zen hot tea.  It was very flavorful and brought me to my 80% full marker. I would definitely eat this again, and the price was right. 

Tonight, I will work out on the elliptical at home and preview what's ahead for me next week with Jillian!

Day 6

I started yoga at work today.  Tuesdays & Thursdays over the lunch hour.  I'm really going to enjoy this.  It forces me to bring my lunch (which I've been good at doing, by the way), which in turn allows me to save money.  Oh, and bonus - workout during the day without having to worry about taking time away from the family.

I have been doing yoga for a couple of years now.  I'm not proficient at it, and know that it will always be a work-in-progress.  It's a practice, not something I will master. There are things I'll never be able to do (yes, I do know that), but areas where I will push myself to get out of my comfort zone and stretch.

So, in a class of about 40 people, most of whom seemed younger than I am, we had over 80% newbies to yoga.  That is a good thing, right?  Sure, they're getting healthy and trying something new.  I was there once.  What I hope that they overcome, however, in the next eight weeks - is their inability to focus and how they giggle at absolutely every.single pose. and snap-crackle-pop.  Just BE, people.  Just BE!!!!

Day 5

Monday, Monday.  I think I've decided that Monday will be my "day of rest".  Which, of course, means that I cannot slack on the weekend (see previous post).  I know, I know.

Reason being, I get into work early on Monday and leave early too.  It's my one chance to get home and enjoy some time with the boys before dinner and/or evening chaos begins.  My exercise for the day will be walking the dogs with JP.

Over the weekend I got my hands on Jillian Michaels Body Revolution. 
I am going to start this on Tuesday, March 13th. 

Days 3-4

The weekend.  My biggest temptation.  A house full of goodness, yummy sweets, and no one around to watch if I sneak a bite into my mouth.  Yikes!!

Another problem with the weekend is finding fitting in making time to work out.  Yeah, it didn't happen this past weekend.  I had ample time, just fell back into my routine (and discovered a really good book), and didn't make exercise a priority.  I vow to do better next weekend.

I did eat well, for the most part.  I couldn't pass up on the chocolate mousse for dessert on Saturday, and a glass of red wine with dinner.  I know, I know.  Everything I've read said that in order to succeed you must give up all sweets and alcohol.  However, I was good the earlier part of the week so looked at that little indulgence as a reward. 

Can you blame me? 

Day 2

Yesterday was tough.  I'm not gonna lie.  This is, obviously, all about ME being honest with myself.

My notes from yesterday:

• Took the stairs.
• Worked out in the morning.
• Did not eat fast food when tempted by my parents.
• Drank tea in the morning instead of coffee.
• Gave back the white wine offered to me by my husband.

My biggest weakness is my sweet tooth and I was able to forego any temptation in that regard yesterday.  It was good timing that I saw an article (and video) by Dr. Mark Hyman on the Huffington Post about sugar addictions!  It is now being sent to my inbox daily to keep me on track.

"We are hardwired to love sweets. To survive in lean times during our hunter gather days, we had to fatten up if we came upon a berry patch or a beehive.  But today we live in a sea of sugar that sends our biological desires into overload. Use the four steps in this video to end sugar cravings once and for all."

This isn't anything new.  I know what sugar does to my body. After the sweetness passes over my tongue, the guilt sets in and the substance heads straight to my belly.  Believe me, I know.  Looking down at the leftovers from three pregnancies in five years...  it settles right where I need it least!

So not only have I done yoga two mornings in a row now, I have also started this Mad Abs March challenge.  Not easy!  I can feel it, however, halfway through the day and know that there is success in my future.  Working out first thing in the morning,  no excuses...  and I'm on my way.
I also made time to pack a healthy lunch today and the clementine has (so far) curbed my sweet tooth. 

Temptation sucks. 

Bring on Day 3!!

Day 1

No more excuses.  It's time.

Today, I will:

• Use the stairs at work instead of the elevator.
• Pop gum instead of candy, until I break the habit.
• Stop eating useless white carb calories.
• Splurge only once a week, instead of once daily.
• Workout six days a week, with one day of rest.
• Look at my inspiration board daily.
• Make time to use the yoga groupon before it expires.
• Reward myeslf with a weekly sauna.
• Keep reminding myself....   I can do this!!
• 90 days = 10 lbs gone = more if I'm lucky.
• Drink more green tea and less coffee.
• When the 2:30 pm craving hits, get up and walk!

Today, I will...