Weight: 219
Loss to date: 65 pounds
Movement! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that I have lost a pound. (Actually 1.8, but I won't belabour the point.) I am OUT of the 220's and am mightily pleased by that fact. I have doctor's appointments looming on the horizon, I'm breathing more easily, and I am feeling gratified by my decreasing size. I am less thrilled with the slowdown in my loss, but I know that's just temporary. I'm ok with that. The keys will be to gradually increase my exercise again to rebuild to previous levels, and to maintain solid stoicism in the face of Lorraine's culinary appetites. These are the keys, my friends. Ah, and water. I have sometimes let it fall to 100 oz., and that's too little. 160 oz. and above -- this is ideal, I believe.
I'm getting lots of positive feedback on my loss at work lately -- which is so gratifying. I'm also noticing so many ways that just being and moving in this world is easier again.....as a former normal-weighted person, I just don't get how I let myself grow out of that comfort zone and into the realm of unwieldy, uncomfortable, out-of-size and place, and downright painful. It makes me sad. I know that my heart was sad and that must have blinded me to this way in which I was limiting and isolating myself from free movement within and about our world. I'm happy to return. It's good to be back. And on a side note: Hello, kneecaps -- nice to see you again!
Thursday, September 30
Tuesday, September 28
Blog Woes and Butterfly Kisses
Weight: 220
Loss to date: 64 pounds
I have a request. If you have had or are having difficulty posting comments on my blog, would you please follow this link to the blog of my friend, fabulous Marla, my blog-angel. Once there, take a look around at the brilliance that is her blog and then -- quick-like, before you forget -- post in her comments that you're having difficulty with mine, AND, if you'd be so kind and are aware of it, please post which browser you're using as well. She's been having the dickens of the time trying to read and/or post comments here, and she says that this page's elements are all screwy as well! Holy HTM-hell, Batman! If you don't know your browser info, don't fret -- I'd still really like to know whether this difficulty is an isolated incident or part of a greater conspiracy to FOIL MY BLOG!
I had to work late, so no weights workout for me tonight. I'm planning to do a power mile tomorrow morning before work, and then weights tomorrow night. Eats are good -- today very low -- yesterday was great till I got home to discover that my beloved had prepared a lovely meal for me of beef loin tenderloin and baked potato, and had readied for my preparations all the fixing of a salad -- she likes my dressings the best, so I am Salad Goddess. Fabulous, and not so bad all things considered, but it definitely packed more of a wallop than my planned tilapia and spinach! Yesterday's cals: 1820 (egad!) Today's: 1338.
Work has been rough; I might start looking around for other options. I don't feel like going into it right now, not only because it's more than I want to get into at this hour, but also because I'm not sure exactly where my head is about it. It's just a difficult time, and I'm in the process of sorting out whether the aspects of it that I'm struggling with will improve or pass. I'll let you know what I figure out.
Loss to date: 64 pounds
I have a request. If you have had or are having difficulty posting comments on my blog, would you please follow this link to the blog of my friend, fabulous Marla, my blog-angel. Once there, take a look around at the brilliance that is her blog and then -- quick-like, before you forget -- post in her comments that you're having difficulty with mine, AND, if you'd be so kind and are aware of it, please post which browser you're using as well. She's been having the dickens of the time trying to read and/or post comments here, and she says that this page's elements are all screwy as well! Holy HTM-hell, Batman! If you don't know your browser info, don't fret -- I'd still really like to know whether this difficulty is an isolated incident or part of a greater conspiracy to FOIL MY BLOG!
I had to work late, so no weights workout for me tonight. I'm planning to do a power mile tomorrow morning before work, and then weights tomorrow night. Eats are good -- today very low -- yesterday was great till I got home to discover that my beloved had prepared a lovely meal for me of beef loin tenderloin and baked potato, and had readied for my preparations all the fixing of a salad -- she likes my dressings the best, so I am Salad Goddess. Fabulous, and not so bad all things considered, but it definitely packed more of a wallop than my planned tilapia and spinach! Yesterday's cals: 1820 (egad!) Today's: 1338.
Work has been rough; I might start looking around for other options. I don't feel like going into it right now, not only because it's more than I want to get into at this hour, but also because I'm not sure exactly where my head is about it. It's just a difficult time, and I'm in the process of sorting out whether the aspects of it that I'm struggling with will improve or pass. I'll let you know what I figure out.
Sunday, September 26
Back in the Saddle
Weight: 220
Loss to date: 64 pounds
Hello, sports fans. This just in: Sarah worked out! Yup, I'm back in the saddle again. I'm taking it easy, because (1) the doc said to, and (2) my breathing capabilities are just not up to strenuous cardiovascular exertion. So I did a Leslie WATP mile, with the 6 lb. weights, and then afterwards I did a mini arms workout with dumbbells. I was wheezing a bit during the walk -- you know the part where you're rolling, around the 3/4 mile point -- but I just coughed a bunch, had an inhaler shot, and worked through it. I think the mile is doable, but I'm not so sure about more at this point. Weights, now, that might be a different story. I'm going to try to do a full weights session on Tuesday night, and if I'm successful, I'll do 2 more before the week is out. I'd imagine some easy biking would be ok too, if I can do a power walk mile. HIIT to the degree that I did it before, no -- I know that's too much for me right now -- but some regular 15-16 mph biking for a half hour? I don't think that should be too hard. I just really need to maintain some sort of exercise, otherwise I'll be lucky to remain fixed at 220. I don't want to jeopardize my health, and at the same time, I don't want to lose all momentum in my weight loss.
Because the doc said to do nothing more than walk my dog, I'm not going to commit to working out every day yet, but I will do 5 days. And I'm not going to aim for 1200 calories anymore either. I've been unhappy at that level, and haven't been as resistant to temptation -- read, I've had off too many off plan foods! I think I do better at the 1400-1500 level, so I'm going to aim for that instead. WITH exercise of some form, even if it's at an easier cardiovascular level.
I can't wait till this is all cleared up. Now there's all this congestion, so when I cough, I sound like someone's old cigar-smoking uncle.....I'm revolting. And loud.
In my online travels, I discovered Skwigg's World of Wierdness -- what an awesome site! Great reading, and a look at her pic's is sure a kick in the ass -- as is this gem, which really made me laugh and also take a good, hard look at myself. SPEAKING of choices and priorities!
Oh! Forgot to tell you about my hair -- it looks great! It's a nice warm rich brown, with lots of golden highlights. It's a bit lighter, overall, than I normally go, but I really like it! I was going for lighter, brighter, younger, fresher, hipper, and skinnier.........and that's what I got. I might actually stay with this hairdresser! Lorraine's been in NY and hasn't yet seen it, so I sure hope she likes it. I know, I know, pictures......I have to get Lorraine to borrow a digital camera (ours is broken and we need to replace it) and take some pic's of me. My friends at 3FC are screaming for something, and I really just need to do it!
Loss to date: 64 pounds
Hello, sports fans. This just in: Sarah worked out! Yup, I'm back in the saddle again. I'm taking it easy, because (1) the doc said to, and (2) my breathing capabilities are just not up to strenuous cardiovascular exertion. So I did a Leslie WATP mile, with the 6 lb. weights, and then afterwards I did a mini arms workout with dumbbells. I was wheezing a bit during the walk -- you know the part where you're rolling, around the 3/4 mile point -- but I just coughed a bunch, had an inhaler shot, and worked through it. I think the mile is doable, but I'm not so sure about more at this point. Weights, now, that might be a different story. I'm going to try to do a full weights session on Tuesday night, and if I'm successful, I'll do 2 more before the week is out. I'd imagine some easy biking would be ok too, if I can do a power walk mile. HIIT to the degree that I did it before, no -- I know that's too much for me right now -- but some regular 15-16 mph biking for a half hour? I don't think that should be too hard. I just really need to maintain some sort of exercise, otherwise I'll be lucky to remain fixed at 220. I don't want to jeopardize my health, and at the same time, I don't want to lose all momentum in my weight loss.
Because the doc said to do nothing more than walk my dog, I'm not going to commit to working out every day yet, but I will do 5 days. And I'm not going to aim for 1200 calories anymore either. I've been unhappy at that level, and haven't been as resistant to temptation -- read, I've had off too many off plan foods! I think I do better at the 1400-1500 level, so I'm going to aim for that instead. WITH exercise of some form, even if it's at an easier cardiovascular level.
I can't wait till this is all cleared up. Now there's all this congestion, so when I cough, I sound like someone's old cigar-smoking uncle.....I'm revolting. And loud.
In my online travels, I discovered Skwigg's World of Wierdness -- what an awesome site! Great reading, and a look at her pic's is sure a kick in the ass -- as is this gem, which really made me laugh and also take a good, hard look at myself. SPEAKING of choices and priorities!
Oh! Forgot to tell you about my hair -- it looks great! It's a nice warm rich brown, with lots of golden highlights. It's a bit lighter, overall, than I normally go, but I really like it! I was going for lighter, brighter, younger, fresher, hipper, and skinnier.........and that's what I got. I might actually stay with this hairdresser! Lorraine's been in NY and hasn't yet seen it, so I sure hope she likes it. I know, I know, pictures......I have to get Lorraine to borrow a digital camera (ours is broken and we need to replace it) and take some pic's of me. My friends at 3FC are screaming for something, and I really just need to do it!
Friday, September 24
Choose
I just read a wonderful something that exactly mirrors a conversation I was having last night about choice, and how everything to do with weight loss -- and much more, but I'm speaking here of weight loss -- when boiled down to its bare, naked bones, comes back to choice, pure and simple. With no moral judgement, no finger-pointing or armchair-quarterbacking, and no sense of superiority whatsoever, it just seems so screamingly clear to me that our choices reflect our priorities unequivocally. Each one of us knows whether the choices we've made in any given day were aligned with the things we said were most important to us at the onset. That's why we feel guilty when we don't do what we said what we were going to do.
Noone's sitting in judgement when you say that you don't have time to prepare your meals in advance, or go to the grocery store, or exercise. Noone's thinking you're a bad person. But don't say that weight loss is a priority for you when you're not willing to take the necessary steps to make it possible. When I say, "Set yourself up for success," this is what I'm talking about. If you don't have time, no harm no foul -- it's just not a priority for you right now. But I get frustrated sometimes when I hear, "I want to lose this weight more than anything in the world, BUT....." It's really very simple, when distilled down to it's pure form: Choice. Noone said it was easy, but it sure ain't complicated.
The fabulous Juju has written most eloquently about this very topic in her scintillating blog, The Skinny Daily Post. As always, great reading.
Noone's sitting in judgement when you say that you don't have time to prepare your meals in advance, or go to the grocery store, or exercise. Noone's thinking you're a bad person. But don't say that weight loss is a priority for you when you're not willing to take the necessary steps to make it possible. When I say, "Set yourself up for success," this is what I'm talking about. If you don't have time, no harm no foul -- it's just not a priority for you right now. But I get frustrated sometimes when I hear, "I want to lose this weight more than anything in the world, BUT....." It's really very simple, when distilled down to it's pure form: Choice. Noone said it was easy, but it sure ain't complicated.
The fabulous Juju has written most eloquently about this very topic in her scintillating blog, The Skinny Daily Post. As always, great reading.
Thursday, September 23
Diagnosis
I went to the doctor. The jury's still out, and I have more tests to take and more doc's to see, but so far, the diagnosis includes a bad dose of asthma. Apparently I'm now rather severely asthmatic, and could have chronic bronchitis. I'm to see a pulminary specialist 10/15, go through the full lung testing and see his take on it. My doc thinks that it's possible that my esophageal woes have something to do with my breathing difficulties; that thought had never occurred to me, as I'd always thought that while the trachea and esophagus run more or less parallel to one another, they run independently and at separate purposes. But if he says it's entirely possible, who am I to argue? He's also curious about my itching.....did I mention that I'd been itching uncontrollably for several months? It's been crazy. That, combined with my reduced energy makes him wonder about my thyroid. So, thyroid stuff will be included in the collection of things to be considered after they've received my blood. Also chest X-rays, a mammogram, and a visit to both a gyno and a GI guy, who will do all the necessary stuff to dilate my esophagus and see how I'm doing at avoiding esophageal cancer.
I have 2 dilators, an antibiotic, an allergy pill, cough syrup with codeine, and something for acid reflux, because apparently that's happening (unbeknownst to me) and it increases my esophogeal cancer chances. The doc says I have to get rid of the cats -- uh huh, THAT's likely! Even if we could manage to keep them out of the bedroom at night -- that would make such a difference. He was pretty adamant. Also, he told me to lay off the exercise; he said that the exercise had probably exascerbated the asthma. I can't do that entirely, not if I intend to continue to lose weight. I am planning to do a little Leslie on Saturday at the latest -- even a mile would make me feel better and do some good.
I got my hair cut -- cute, short, flippy and shaggy, all done with a razor and those thinning sheers. I'm getting it colored on Saturday. I also picked up a few things in my size. I'm in the size 16 and 18 family now. Depends on the thing.....definitely progress.
I have 2 dilators, an antibiotic, an allergy pill, cough syrup with codeine, and something for acid reflux, because apparently that's happening (unbeknownst to me) and it increases my esophogeal cancer chances. The doc says I have to get rid of the cats -- uh huh, THAT's likely! Even if we could manage to keep them out of the bedroom at night -- that would make such a difference. He was pretty adamant. Also, he told me to lay off the exercise; he said that the exercise had probably exascerbated the asthma. I can't do that entirely, not if I intend to continue to lose weight. I am planning to do a little Leslie on Saturday at the latest -- even a mile would make me feel better and do some good.
I got my hair cut -- cute, short, flippy and shaggy, all done with a razor and those thinning sheers. I'm getting it colored on Saturday. I also picked up a few things in my size. I'm in the size 16 and 18 family now. Depends on the thing.....definitely progress.
Tuesday, September 21
"You're so skinny!"
Weight: 220
Loss to date: 64 pounds
It's the little things. The smallest comment can have such an impact, can't it? I saw three coworkers today for the first time since -- oh, 50 pounds ago, and their reaction was just so gratifying. I am most definitely a girl who loves a compliment, so these little reunions were just one happy time right after another! Happy times like, "My God how much weight have you lost??" And, "You look AWESOME!" And the all-time award-winning fantasy, "You look so SKINNY, Sarah!" Pinch me, I'm dreamin'....
It just felt so good to get that positive feedback from people who don't really know me very well and are completely objective. It definitely helps me to center my perspective a bit, and to see my progress through the eyes of others -- their eyes less harsh than my own, their perspective more rational. A gift, that's what I got today.
Tomorrow's the doctor. In addition to the lung skank, I'm going to ask him to order a blood work-up so I can see my cholesterol, etc... Also, I need him to refer me to a good ear, nose and throat doc so I can get my esophagus dilated. It's time. I don't think I've mentioned it before here because it hasn't come up, but I drank oven cleaner when I was a baby, and have had literally thousands of surgeries on my esophagus to keep it open enough to let me swallow. (Ironic, eh?) Well, I'm up for another one now; it's time. I also need to get checked out for esophageal cancer; as a result of the poisoning, I have a couple of strictures which considerably increase my likelihood of developing esophageal cancer. Might as well start to line up this other stuff, right?
Hey, that Colin on Amazing Race is a real asshole, isn't he? Yikes! Go Chip and Kim!!
Loss to date: 64 pounds
It's the little things. The smallest comment can have such an impact, can't it? I saw three coworkers today for the first time since -- oh, 50 pounds ago, and their reaction was just so gratifying. I am most definitely a girl who loves a compliment, so these little reunions were just one happy time right after another! Happy times like, "My God how much weight have you lost??" And, "You look AWESOME!" And the all-time award-winning fantasy, "You look so SKINNY, Sarah!" Pinch me, I'm dreamin'....
It just felt so good to get that positive feedback from people who don't really know me very well and are completely objective. It definitely helps me to center my perspective a bit, and to see my progress through the eyes of others -- their eyes less harsh than my own, their perspective more rational. A gift, that's what I got today.
Tomorrow's the doctor. In addition to the lung skank, I'm going to ask him to order a blood work-up so I can see my cholesterol, etc... Also, I need him to refer me to a good ear, nose and throat doc so I can get my esophagus dilated. It's time. I don't think I've mentioned it before here because it hasn't come up, but I drank oven cleaner when I was a baby, and have had literally thousands of surgeries on my esophagus to keep it open enough to let me swallow. (Ironic, eh?) Well, I'm up for another one now; it's time. I also need to get checked out for esophageal cancer; as a result of the poisoning, I have a couple of strictures which considerably increase my likelihood of developing esophageal cancer. Might as well start to line up this other stuff, right?
Hey, that Colin on Amazing Race is a real asshole, isn't he? Yikes! Go Chip and Kim!!
Monday, September 20
Going to the doctor
Weight: 220
Loss to date: 64 pounds
Note the loss of the pound! I'm hoping for at least one more by Thursday. Join me in a moment of silent prayer? Oh, who am I kidding? Like prayer has a damn thing to do with it. When it comes to weight loss, you get what you've earned, not what you've prayed for. Of course we know there can be some overlap there. Eats are stellar: I ended up the day with 1152 calories, 18.5 grams fat, total macro breakdown of 48% protein/38% carb/ 14% fat. 41 grams fiber, 1940 grams sodium, and 39.4 grams sugar. No exercise -- insufficient breath.
Speaking of breath, I have a doctor's appointment with someone recommended. I go day after tomorrow. He'll of course send me for tests, so it's likely I won't know anything that day, but at least I'll be headed for progress. I'm ready for some healing.
I think I'm on track for 208 by Halloween -- my goal in the Halloween Challenge at 3 Fat Chicks' 100 lb. Club -- and on track for Onederland by Thanksgiving.
Loss to date: 64 pounds
Note the loss of the pound! I'm hoping for at least one more by Thursday. Join me in a moment of silent prayer? Oh, who am I kidding? Like prayer has a damn thing to do with it. When it comes to weight loss, you get what you've earned, not what you've prayed for. Of course we know there can be some overlap there. Eats are stellar: I ended up the day with 1152 calories, 18.5 grams fat, total macro breakdown of 48% protein/38% carb/ 14% fat. 41 grams fiber, 1940 grams sodium, and 39.4 grams sugar. No exercise -- insufficient breath.
Speaking of breath, I have a doctor's appointment with someone recommended. I go day after tomorrow. He'll of course send me for tests, so it's likely I won't know anything that day, but at least I'll be headed for progress. I'm ready for some healing.
I think I'm on track for 208 by Halloween -- my goal in the Halloween Challenge at 3 Fat Chicks' 100 lb. Club -- and on track for Onederland by Thanksgiving.
Sunday, September 19
I hate my lungs
Warning: Let the reader be advised that this post contains persistent whining and an overall tone of bitching and complaining. Self-pity contained herein. That said:
I cannot breathe. I am calling pulminary doctors tomorrow to get the first available appointment. I had to stop in the middle of my Leslie walking because I was coughing so hard I was gasping, I cannot laugh without becoming racked in uncontrollable coughing, and I'm still spitting up -- when I'm lucky -- brown or green hard pea-sized pellets. The swollen lymph node is omnipresent and distracting, like having an extra grape-sized nipple to play with all on my very own. I went for a walk with Lorraine and Louie today, and I almost couldn't make it up the hill I was wheezing so hard. It's a hard rattle deep in my chest that I just cannot shake. I'm so SICK of it, I can't stand it.
I know it's sucking my energy -- I haven't drawn a deep breath since February. It's only gotten worse, and the antibiotics did nothing, and the dilator does little if anything. I miss my deep inhalations that seemed to last forever -- it was like meditation and it felt so good. I just pant now: short, shallow breaths. I want my oxygen back. I want my voice back. I want my laugh back.
I'm just sick and tired of it and feeling just so fed up and spent. I know my eats will be fine (I've got tilapia and veggies all set to go) but I'm not making any bets about the exercise. This thing has gotten worse, and it's wearing me down. My spirits are low, my energy's low, and I'm not happy. Lorraine's worried and it's her ultimatum which made me promise to call a specialist rather than just go back to the same damn lameass clinic whose doctors have been utterly ineffectual these last two visits.
Enough with the pity party. I'll try for a more positive report tomorrow.
I cannot breathe. I am calling pulminary doctors tomorrow to get the first available appointment. I had to stop in the middle of my Leslie walking because I was coughing so hard I was gasping, I cannot laugh without becoming racked in uncontrollable coughing, and I'm still spitting up -- when I'm lucky -- brown or green hard pea-sized pellets. The swollen lymph node is omnipresent and distracting, like having an extra grape-sized nipple to play with all on my very own. I went for a walk with Lorraine and Louie today, and I almost couldn't make it up the hill I was wheezing so hard. It's a hard rattle deep in my chest that I just cannot shake. I'm so SICK of it, I can't stand it.
I know it's sucking my energy -- I haven't drawn a deep breath since February. It's only gotten worse, and the antibiotics did nothing, and the dilator does little if anything. I miss my deep inhalations that seemed to last forever -- it was like meditation and it felt so good. I just pant now: short, shallow breaths. I want my oxygen back. I want my voice back. I want my laugh back.
I'm just sick and tired of it and feeling just so fed up and spent. I know my eats will be fine (I've got tilapia and veggies all set to go) but I'm not making any bets about the exercise. This thing has gotten worse, and it's wearing me down. My spirits are low, my energy's low, and I'm not happy. Lorraine's worried and it's her ultimatum which made me promise to call a specialist rather than just go back to the same damn lameass clinic whose doctors have been utterly ineffectual these last two visits.
Enough with the pity party. I'll try for a more positive report tomorrow.
Saturday, September 18
Upsidaisy Lackadaisy
I've been feeling a bit blah in recent days. Dunno why. I didn't exercise Thursday (the aforementioned "mental health" day) and then on Friday, I had a super hectic morning and evening, so I didn't end up exercising that day either. *sigh* Not good. But today I've already done 2 miles (with Iron Hands) so I'm feeling a little better about myself.
Couple of new items: I ordered the new Leslie workout DVD's and her new stepper, the "Walkblaster." You have to order the whole kit, which includes 3 workouts on one DVD, the stepper, some recipe cards for her low-carb diet, 2 weighted balls, and a week's worth of vitamins. I really wish I'd been able to order the stepper and DVD alone, because I don't need any of the rest of it. But since it's just come out in recent days, and she's promoting the whole package with some infomercials, I don't anticipate that she'll be offering the package's componentry any time soon. And I had to order directly from her website, because that's the only place it's available. But the workouts look good, all the good Leslie stuff plus a stepper. Can't beat that!
I also -- and this is the BIG news -- bought some Kashi Go Lean last night at the grocery store!! Not to be confused with Kashi Go Lean Crunch, which has less fiber than the original. I'm so excited! My intention was to combine it with my All Bran Extra Fiber, and so I did: 1/2 cup of each.....OMG! What pleasure, what satisfaction, what BLISS! It was sooooo good! So here's my new breakfast: 1/2 cup Kashi Go Lean and 1/2 cup All Bran Extra Fiber with 8 oz. of skim milk, and 1 serving Designer Whey Protein Powder Chocolate w/water (for a total of 20 oz. of water.) Total: 295 calories, 20.9 grams of fiber, protein 49%/carb 42%/fat 9% (saturated fat .67 gram.) And so tasty! At 3 grams, the Kashi adds a little sugar to my day than I'd normally have, but even with it, I'm still really, really low since I limit my fruit and don't eat other sweets.
I don't know much about biorythms, but I wonder if perhaps there's some of that at play....I'm just without my normal dose of enthusiasm for life and it's contents. I feel terribly boring. Oh, you guessed that already? What was it, your own nodding off in reading this entry that clued you in? Hmmm. Alright. Whatever. *sigh*
Maybe I need to walk some more after dinner. I was careful with my calories today and took it easy so I could have some beef loin tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, and salad with mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano with the very excited about it Lorraine. I already entered everything into my DietPower and as long as I stick to my portions (5 oz. of beef, 1 cup of scalloped potatoes) I'll be just fine for the day -- in every facet, including fat! Woo hoo!
Perhaps I'll be back later. Otherwise, I'll share more scintillating tidbits tomorrow. Wink.
Couple of new items: I ordered the new Leslie workout DVD's and her new stepper, the "Walkblaster." You have to order the whole kit, which includes 3 workouts on one DVD, the stepper, some recipe cards for her low-carb diet, 2 weighted balls, and a week's worth of vitamins. I really wish I'd been able to order the stepper and DVD alone, because I don't need any of the rest of it. But since it's just come out in recent days, and she's promoting the whole package with some infomercials, I don't anticipate that she'll be offering the package's componentry any time soon. And I had to order directly from her website, because that's the only place it's available. But the workouts look good, all the good Leslie stuff plus a stepper. Can't beat that!
I also -- and this is the BIG news -- bought some Kashi Go Lean last night at the grocery store!! Not to be confused with Kashi Go Lean Crunch, which has less fiber than the original. I'm so excited! My intention was to combine it with my All Bran Extra Fiber, and so I did: 1/2 cup of each.....OMG! What pleasure, what satisfaction, what BLISS! It was sooooo good! So here's my new breakfast: 1/2 cup Kashi Go Lean and 1/2 cup All Bran Extra Fiber with 8 oz. of skim milk, and 1 serving Designer Whey Protein Powder Chocolate w/water (for a total of 20 oz. of water.) Total: 295 calories, 20.9 grams of fiber, protein 49%/carb 42%/fat 9% (saturated fat .67 gram.) And so tasty! At 3 grams, the Kashi adds a little sugar to my day than I'd normally have, but even with it, I'm still really, really low since I limit my fruit and don't eat other sweets.
I don't know much about biorythms, but I wonder if perhaps there's some of that at play....I'm just without my normal dose of enthusiasm for life and it's contents. I feel terribly boring. Oh, you guessed that already? What was it, your own nodding off in reading this entry that clued you in? Hmmm. Alright. Whatever. *sigh*
Maybe I need to walk some more after dinner. I was careful with my calories today and took it easy so I could have some beef loin tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, and salad with mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano with the very excited about it Lorraine. I already entered everything into my DietPower and as long as I stick to my portions (5 oz. of beef, 1 cup of scalloped potatoes) I'll be just fine for the day -- in every facet, including fat! Woo hoo!
Perhaps I'll be back later. Otherwise, I'll share more scintillating tidbits tomorrow. Wink.
Thursday, September 16
Progress!
Weight: 221
Loss to date: 63 pounds
Well, would you look at that! Another 2 pounds added to the tally. I'm so relieved to see some real progress. It just seemed so unjust that I could be exercising daily, eating on average a total of 1350 calories per day (at 223 pounds) and then just hold at that weight without any loss. All is right with the world again, my sense of right and wrong remains intact, and at least this facet of my life is explainable to me.
I took a mental health day today, so I'm pleased to say that I'm off work. It's good to be alone, good to be away from work. I needed this.
I'm sure I'll be back later.
Loss to date: 63 pounds
Well, would you look at that! Another 2 pounds added to the tally. I'm so relieved to see some real progress. It just seemed so unjust that I could be exercising daily, eating on average a total of 1350 calories per day (at 223 pounds) and then just hold at that weight without any loss. All is right with the world again, my sense of right and wrong remains intact, and at least this facet of my life is explainable to me.
I took a mental health day today, so I'm pleased to say that I'm off work. It's good to be alone, good to be away from work. I needed this.
I'm sure I'll be back later.
Wednesday, September 15
Steam: How to Post
For all of you who post on forums, view this. It will either amuse you or educate you, depending on your frame of reference.
She's Determined!
Weight: 223
Loss to date: 61 pounds
The scale moved. Rather, the scale's report shifted. This is noteworthy not because it put me below 223, the weight at which I've remained since, oh....1973, but because it represents a positive change. I now weigh 223. 2 -- vastly better than the 223.6-223.8 I've been straddling so anxiously. This little drop is just so encouraging! Also encouraging is that I'm so tight with my eats today I could survive any smelly temptation dangled before me. Like the bagels, assorted cream cheeses, cake, brownies, chips, and turkey subs that are sitting in my office's lunchroom as we speak. Like that.
Yes, my determination is steely. My resolve is iron-clad. Here's some bad news: Lorraine has to stay overnight in PA tonight for work. Here's some good news: Lorraine has to stay overnight in PA tonight for work. Nah, just kidding. Yeah, she has to stay overnight, and yeah, that's a pity because I like her and all, but really the good thing about that is that I can do some kickass exercise tonight, logging some real time in the kicking of my own (shrinking) ass. Additionally, I will enjoy for dinner what I had for lunch: a garlicky mix of brown rice, kidney beans, tuna, and asparagus. I may add a 1/2 cup side of soybeans if I'm feeling wacky, cuz I'm wacky like that. Note: not one of these would pass without force or coersion between Lorraine's sweet lips -- a healthy eater she is not (yet.) I'll just say that this is not why I love her, and leave it at that.
I think I'll end the day with 1100 calories, 10% fat. "Ha!" she said righteously.
Loss to date: 61 pounds
The scale moved. Rather, the scale's report shifted. This is noteworthy not because it put me below 223, the weight at which I've remained since, oh....1973, but because it represents a positive change. I now weigh 223. 2 -- vastly better than the 223.6-223.8 I've been straddling so anxiously. This little drop is just so encouraging! Also encouraging is that I'm so tight with my eats today I could survive any smelly temptation dangled before me. Like the bagels, assorted cream cheeses, cake, brownies, chips, and turkey subs that are sitting in my office's lunchroom as we speak. Like that.
Yes, my determination is steely. My resolve is iron-clad. Here's some bad news: Lorraine has to stay overnight in PA tonight for work. Here's some good news: Lorraine has to stay overnight in PA tonight for work. Nah, just kidding. Yeah, she has to stay overnight, and yeah, that's a pity because I like her and all, but really the good thing about that is that I can do some kickass exercise tonight, logging some real time in the kicking of my own (shrinking) ass. Additionally, I will enjoy for dinner what I had for lunch: a garlicky mix of brown rice, kidney beans, tuna, and asparagus. I may add a 1/2 cup side of soybeans if I'm feeling wacky, cuz I'm wacky like that. Note: not one of these would pass without force or coersion between Lorraine's sweet lips -- a healthy eater she is not (yet.) I'll just say that this is not why I love her, and leave it at that.
I think I'll end the day with 1100 calories, 10% fat. "Ha!" she said righteously.
Tuesday, September 14
Marla Rocks
Whoa. In reading Clarrie's (aka Clazza) blog, I got turned on to this absolutely wonderful blog by a woman called Marla. Read her entry of Monday, 9/13, and then sit very still afterwards, thinking.
Here's an excerpt:
"As far as what other people think about us, of course it would be nice to be accepted and not discriminated against, but ultimately: Fuck 'em. I do not have time in my life for someone who judges me harshly for being fat. There are people in this world who are evil, bigoted, unkind, deliberately ignorant, parasitic... there are people who are child abusers, murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, hypocrites, and all varieties of asshole. If someone chooses to save their contempt for my extra pounds, instead of for those people, then I don't need to consider that person as relevant to anything in my life. They don't count.
There's nothing contradictory about being both size-accepting and trying to lose weight. I want to lose weight, I don't like being fat. But I don't hate myself for being fat, and I refuse to hate others for it. Fat is not a hateful characteristic, just sometimes an undesirable one. It's limiting: it makes it harder for me to move, to do things I love as well as things I am obligated to do. This is much less about LOSING something than it is GAINING something: I am trying to gain abilities. I'm trying to gain a more complete experience of life. I'm trying to gain greater health. I am adding to, not subtracting from, myself; I'm not fixing myself, I'm already fabulous. Losing weight is an enhancement, not a repair."
Count me among your daily readers, Marla.
Here's an excerpt:
"As far as what other people think about us, of course it would be nice to be accepted and not discriminated against, but ultimately: Fuck 'em. I do not have time in my life for someone who judges me harshly for being fat. There are people in this world who are evil, bigoted, unkind, deliberately ignorant, parasitic... there are people who are child abusers, murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, hypocrites, and all varieties of asshole. If someone chooses to save their contempt for my extra pounds, instead of for those people, then I don't need to consider that person as relevant to anything in my life. They don't count.
There's nothing contradictory about being both size-accepting and trying to lose weight. I want to lose weight, I don't like being fat. But I don't hate myself for being fat, and I refuse to hate others for it. Fat is not a hateful characteristic, just sometimes an undesirable one. It's limiting: it makes it harder for me to move, to do things I love as well as things I am obligated to do. This is much less about LOSING something than it is GAINING something: I am trying to gain abilities. I'm trying to gain a more complete experience of life. I'm trying to gain greater health. I am adding to, not subtracting from, myself; I'm not fixing myself, I'm already fabulous. Losing weight is an enhancement, not a repair."
Count me among your daily readers, Marla.
Tuesday
Weight: 223
Loss to date: 61 pounds
Good morning, dear reader. Another mile this morning, with the 6 lb. weights. I forgot to mention it before, but I just love the Iron Hands; they're just like having heavier hands. Nothing to grip or hold onto, nothing rubs or chafes, and they go on in a jiffy! And they're washable! A very good investment, indeed.
Leaving Lorraine and Louie (the cuddlepuppy) in the bed is rough. They both just want to spoon and cuddle in the mornings, and it is with an impressive display of sheer will that I manage to extricate myself from the ball of warm soft love that is our trio. Trio?? What am I talking about "trio" -- there are also at least 5 cats on there with the 3 us, huddling close for warmth and companionship. It's just a big old lovefest in our bed every morning.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record or the boy who cried wolf, I will say again that I will do some HIIT biking this evening. I swear.
Loss to date: 61 pounds
Good morning, dear reader. Another mile this morning, with the 6 lb. weights. I forgot to mention it before, but I just love the Iron Hands; they're just like having heavier hands. Nothing to grip or hold onto, nothing rubs or chafes, and they go on in a jiffy! And they're washable! A very good investment, indeed.
Leaving Lorraine and Louie (the cuddlepuppy) in the bed is rough. They both just want to spoon and cuddle in the mornings, and it is with an impressive display of sheer will that I manage to extricate myself from the ball of warm soft love that is our trio. Trio?? What am I talking about "trio" -- there are also at least 5 cats on there with the 3 us, huddling close for warmth and companionship. It's just a big old lovefest in our bed every morning.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record or the boy who cried wolf, I will say again that I will do some HIIT biking this evening. I swear.
Monday, September 13
Not the best, not the worst
Ok, I suck. I said I'd work out again tonight, but you know what? I didn't. My energy is just for crap today. I just didn't have it tonight. My eats were great, but no more exercise occurred today. Thank goodness I got in that mile this morning, otherwise I'd be feeling like a total loser. As it is, I'm not feeling very pleased with myself. All this talk of plateaus, and I can't muster the energy to exercise? Alright, well tomorrow is another day. I'll make sure to go to bed a bit earlier tonight than I did last night, and make sure I get in 2 miles tomorrow morning. The plan will remain to do the HIIT biking when I return home tomorrow. Tonight when I came home, it was all Lorraine. She was home today and did so much around the house; by the time I got home from work at 6:30, she full of beer and love for me........so it was all about togetherness.
Tomorrow will be an especially low net-cal day. I'm aiming to burn around 800 and take in about 1200. I have the day's meals planned, and as long as I don't succumb to any (edible) temptation my love presents, I'll do just fine.
Tomorrow will be an especially low net-cal day. I'm aiming to burn around 800 and take in about 1200. I have the day's meals planned, and as long as I don't succumb to any (edible) temptation my love presents, I'll do just fine.
Nice, comfy plateau
Alrighty then. Just sitting on this roomy plateau of mine. Ahhhh......no movement whatsoever.
I ran short on time this morning, so I only did a mile of power walking; I'll hit some hard HIIT biking this evening though for the caloric burn. It's like 450 calories in 20 minutes -- beats the heck out of the walking, but isn't as good for the core. Balance in everything, no?
I ran short on time this morning, so I only did a mile of power walking; I'll hit some hard HIIT biking this evening though for the caloric burn. It's like 450 calories in 20 minutes -- beats the heck out of the walking, but isn't as good for the core. Balance in everything, no?
Sunday, September 12
Another Active Day
I exercised again! I did 2 miles of the Power Walk workout, and also 5 miles of HIIT biking and upper body weights! So far so good, eh? Tomorrow morning I'll get up at 6:00 and do 2 miles before work. I really have to get it out of the way before work; that way it's done, I have the increased energy throughout the day, and I can just add to it with a little more activity in the evening -- whether it's HIIT biking, more walking, or weights.
The scale seems to be stuck at 223 for some crazy reason, but I'm not going to sweat it. I don't like it, but it's only temporary, I'm sure. God loves me and wants me to be skinny and happy......and besides: I'm working my ass off, so I deserve to effing succeed!
The Olive Garden experience was anticlimactic, to say the least. My caesar salad was alright, the low fat chicken and vegetable lemon herb farfalle was incredibly salty (so salty as to be almost inedible,) Lorraine's kindly shared fettucine alfredo was good but didn't make me sing, and the chocolate lasagna was lovely, simply lovely...but so rich I didn't want to/couldn't finish it. My tummy bothered me last night, today midday, and then again tonight. That'll teach me to eat fatty stuff, eh? Note to self: the next time I decide to eat fatty, off-plan stuff, go to the Macaroni Grill, or perhaps someplace that could deliver a lovely pice of fried fish. If I'm going to go off plan and experience gastrointestinal distress the following day, I should at least get in a few "mmmmmmm's," right?
Eats-wise, tomorrow will be skinny, intentionally. The usual All Bran, skim milk and protein powder for breakfast, protein powder for mid-morning, rosemary chicken and a huge bowl of greens with balsamic vinaigrette and a slice of plain rye bread for lunch, another protein powder and some garlic-sauteed spinach for my mid-afternoon snack, and then some chicken or tilapia somethingorother for dinner. Preferably tilapia -- more protein, fewer calories.
I'm thinking it might be pleasant to lose another pound.
The scale seems to be stuck at 223 for some crazy reason, but I'm not going to sweat it. I don't like it, but it's only temporary, I'm sure. God loves me and wants me to be skinny and happy......and besides: I'm working my ass off, so I deserve to effing succeed!
The Olive Garden experience was anticlimactic, to say the least. My caesar salad was alright, the low fat chicken and vegetable lemon herb farfalle was incredibly salty (so salty as to be almost inedible,) Lorraine's kindly shared fettucine alfredo was good but didn't make me sing, and the chocolate lasagna was lovely, simply lovely...but so rich I didn't want to/couldn't finish it. My tummy bothered me last night, today midday, and then again tonight. That'll teach me to eat fatty stuff, eh? Note to self: the next time I decide to eat fatty, off-plan stuff, go to the Macaroni Grill, or perhaps someplace that could deliver a lovely pice of fried fish. If I'm going to go off plan and experience gastrointestinal distress the following day, I should at least get in a few "mmmmmmm's," right?
Eats-wise, tomorrow will be skinny, intentionally. The usual All Bran, skim milk and protein powder for breakfast, protein powder for mid-morning, rosemary chicken and a huge bowl of greens with balsamic vinaigrette and a slice of plain rye bread for lunch, another protein powder and some garlic-sauteed spinach for my mid-afternoon snack, and then some chicken or tilapia somethingorother for dinner. Preferably tilapia -- more protein, fewer calories.
I'm thinking it might be pleasant to lose another pound.
Saturday, September 11
Jazzed
Weight: 223
Loss to date: 61 pounds
I'm jazzed. I feel great! I got up this morning and did the 2-mile power walk -- again, the only real challenge so far is the upper body portion. I'm such a girl! I did the arms part, don't get me wrong -- but it required a bit of effort. Rather the point in an exercise routine, no? I'm learning that my cardiovascular fitness is really quite good, thanks, no doubt, to all that HIIT biking I've done.
Speaking of HIIT biking, about an hour after walking this morning, I did a 5-mile interval resistance session on my exercise bike -- not at all a bad workout for 20 minutes! To date, my intervals have been speed-based, so I'm going from brisk to spinning and then back again. This was a pre-programmed workout which simulated CRAZY-steep hills, so I'd go from almost no resistance to maximum resistance and then sustain it for varying durations. High, low, high, low. Very tough, but really fun! (Yes, I actually said that. And lightening didn't strike me, so it must be so.) My quads were bursting -- and it felt great! I ended up doing 5 miles. All in all a great use of 20 minutes of my life! I just love, love, LOVE high intensity interval training.......I really do. It's satisfying; I really feel that I've accomplished something, and my energy is just great afterwards.
I weighed this morning, and alas, no loss. I know I'm tighter, and my legs are nice and hard -- even my arms are a little firmer already. (Long way to go there, though.) I've been working out pretty hard and pretty consistently for a couple of weeks straight now, so I'm certain good things are happening, but I know it's not pounds of muscle I'm putting on -- if it were that easy, bodybuilders wouldn't be pounding the muscle gain supplements and logging the hours they do. I recall reading somewhere that muscles expand and retain fluid as they're worked -- and the larger the muscle (ie. quad's) the more the amount of fluid -- so when you're working the muscles you'll see less loss on the scale. They say never to weigh after legs day. I can only assume that's what's happening. I'm not worried about it -- just wish it weren't so! It feels great to see that number going down. Then again, it also feels pretty damned great to have increased energy, know I'm getting smaller, and feel my body getting tighter and harder! My thighs are rocks.
I'm going to do the 2-mile WATP DVD in the mornings now rather than the 1-mile; it's only 10 minutes longer, so time-wise, it's still completely doable. I'd intended to do the 1-mile in the mornings and then the 2-mile after work, for reasons of time, but the 10 minute increase is absolutely worth it.
Gotta say, I sure do feel great about my progress. I've come a long way, and I'm feeling simply wonderful. Life is good.
Loss to date: 61 pounds
I'm jazzed. I feel great! I got up this morning and did the 2-mile power walk -- again, the only real challenge so far is the upper body portion. I'm such a girl! I did the arms part, don't get me wrong -- but it required a bit of effort. Rather the point in an exercise routine, no? I'm learning that my cardiovascular fitness is really quite good, thanks, no doubt, to all that HIIT biking I've done.
Speaking of HIIT biking, about an hour after walking this morning, I did a 5-mile interval resistance session on my exercise bike -- not at all a bad workout for 20 minutes! To date, my intervals have been speed-based, so I'm going from brisk to spinning and then back again. This was a pre-programmed workout which simulated CRAZY-steep hills, so I'd go from almost no resistance to maximum resistance and then sustain it for varying durations. High, low, high, low. Very tough, but really fun! (Yes, I actually said that. And lightening didn't strike me, so it must be so.) My quads were bursting -- and it felt great! I ended up doing 5 miles. All in all a great use of 20 minutes of my life! I just love, love, LOVE high intensity interval training.......I really do. It's satisfying; I really feel that I've accomplished something, and my energy is just great afterwards.
I weighed this morning, and alas, no loss. I know I'm tighter, and my legs are nice and hard -- even my arms are a little firmer already. (Long way to go there, though.) I've been working out pretty hard and pretty consistently for a couple of weeks straight now, so I'm certain good things are happening, but I know it's not pounds of muscle I'm putting on -- if it were that easy, bodybuilders wouldn't be pounding the muscle gain supplements and logging the hours they do. I recall reading somewhere that muscles expand and retain fluid as they're worked -- and the larger the muscle (ie. quad's) the more the amount of fluid -- so when you're working the muscles you'll see less loss on the scale. They say never to weigh after legs day. I can only assume that's what's happening. I'm not worried about it -- just wish it weren't so! It feels great to see that number going down. Then again, it also feels pretty damned great to have increased energy, know I'm getting smaller, and feel my body getting tighter and harder! My thighs are rocks.
I'm going to do the 2-mile WATP DVD in the mornings now rather than the 1-mile; it's only 10 minutes longer, so time-wise, it's still completely doable. I'd intended to do the 1-mile in the mornings and then the 2-mile after work, for reasons of time, but the 10 minute increase is absolutely worth it.
Gotta say, I sure do feel great about my progress. I've come a long way, and I'm feeling simply wonderful. Life is good.
Thursday, September 9
Creating a Habit, Or The Last Unconquered Demon
I'm creating a habit. I'm creating a habit. I'm creating a habit. It is said that habits are created through repetition. It is said also that a daily habit is created in 21 days. I'm on day 3. And mile 4. I'm sticking this out. I'm getting up every morning at 6:00 a.m. to work out before getting ready for work, and every evening, after having taken care of the animals, dinner and Lorraine, I'm working out again.
I am bound and determined that I am going to establish daily exercise as another healthy habit, just as I have reclaimed healthy food, limited portions, gallons of water, and an absence of alcohol. I am proud of myself. I have come a long way. I am becoming the person I dreamed of being in those out of control moments.......and I like myself. Exercise is a critical component in this healthy new life of mine. Inactivity is the last unconquered demon. I will be that woman who complains with sincerity that she feels like crap because she didn't have time to work out before work. I will join the vibrant throng of healthy souls throughout my neighborhood, out power walking, jogging, running, and rollerblading on busy paths near passing cars.
I'm on my way. I'm proving to myself daily that I can fulfill my promises to myself....even when it comes to getting off my ass and moving my body. It has gotten easier, now that I am lighter. I don't hurt as much as I did, and I am not so self-conscious. The effort doesn't feel as, well -- heroic. It's a difficult thing to exercise at 284 pounds -- when you're 5' 5 1/2" -- but I did it. Sometimes I even did it a lot. Not every day, but enough to build endurance, and muscle, and cardiovascular health. And I lost a lot of fat.
I'm on my way. I've made it a priority, relegating it to the non-negotiable pile of valued behaviors. I have already proven to myself that I am capable of great resolve and commitment. I will no longer allow myself an "out" when it comes to exercise....even in the morning. Especially in the morning.
I'm on my way. I am now solidly in Phase Two of my weight loss. During Phase One, I completely licked the food thing.....I know what, when, how, why, where, and how often to eat. I know my body's responses to various foods, and my psychological responses as well. I know how to recoup after a slip-up; I know how to avoid a slip-up. I know it's all going to be ok on the food front. Exercise, now -- that has been a struggle. I've done it, don't get me wrong. I've lifted weights, worked out on the CrossBow, done my HIIT biking, walked on the treadmill, and walked around the block. But consistently? As in, like, a routine? Um.....no.
Enter Phase Two. Daily. Daily. Daily. That is my mantra, and I will post my results here daily. Did I say daily?
Daily. 21 days to creat a habit. Day 3. Mile 4. I feel good.
I am bound and determined that I am going to establish daily exercise as another healthy habit, just as I have reclaimed healthy food, limited portions, gallons of water, and an absence of alcohol. I am proud of myself. I have come a long way. I am becoming the person I dreamed of being in those out of control moments.......and I like myself. Exercise is a critical component in this healthy new life of mine. Inactivity is the last unconquered demon. I will be that woman who complains with sincerity that she feels like crap because she didn't have time to work out before work. I will join the vibrant throng of healthy souls throughout my neighborhood, out power walking, jogging, running, and rollerblading on busy paths near passing cars.
I'm on my way. I'm proving to myself daily that I can fulfill my promises to myself....even when it comes to getting off my ass and moving my body. It has gotten easier, now that I am lighter. I don't hurt as much as I did, and I am not so self-conscious. The effort doesn't feel as, well -- heroic. It's a difficult thing to exercise at 284 pounds -- when you're 5' 5 1/2" -- but I did it. Sometimes I even did it a lot. Not every day, but enough to build endurance, and muscle, and cardiovascular health. And I lost a lot of fat.
I'm on my way. I've made it a priority, relegating it to the non-negotiable pile of valued behaviors. I have already proven to myself that I am capable of great resolve and commitment. I will no longer allow myself an "out" when it comes to exercise....even in the morning. Especially in the morning.
I'm on my way. I am now solidly in Phase Two of my weight loss. During Phase One, I completely licked the food thing.....I know what, when, how, why, where, and how often to eat. I know my body's responses to various foods, and my psychological responses as well. I know how to recoup after a slip-up; I know how to avoid a slip-up. I know it's all going to be ok on the food front. Exercise, now -- that has been a struggle. I've done it, don't get me wrong. I've lifted weights, worked out on the CrossBow, done my HIIT biking, walked on the treadmill, and walked around the block. But consistently? As in, like, a routine? Um.....no.
Enter Phase Two. Daily. Daily. Daily. That is my mantra, and I will post my results here daily. Did I say daily?
Daily. 21 days to creat a habit. Day 3. Mile 4. I feel good.
Wednesday, September 8
Leslie is my new girlfriend
Weight: 223
Loss to date: 61 pounds
Whew! -- glad to be able to post here again! (Been trying since last night.)
I am alive with the enthusiasm of the newly converted. I am digging me some Leslie Sansone. Leslie's in the house and she's staying a while. Yeah, she's a chatty one, but she's ok. I think we'll get along just fine, Leslie and I. I sort of tuned her out. I anticipate that I'll create alternate personalities for all her cheery cohorts, just for my own amusement.
Last night I received the first of three Sansone installments: Walk Away the Pounds (1-3 miles.) With hellacious cramps (I believe I might have my period for the rest of my life) and a lot of curiousity, I did my first mile not one hour after going to the mailbox. Bada bing, bada bang. No problem. (Guess those hours of HIIT biking are paying off!) I felt a burn in the backs of my thighs (thank you kickbacks!) and also triceps (with no weights.) My heart rate got up in the aerobic range, and I broke a sweat. The only real struggle was drawing a deep breath and repressing my now chronic cough. I really do need to go back to the doctor. At any rate, I will definitely be graduating soon to the 2-mile walk, but I think that will be for this weekend. At only 20 minutes for a mile, I can say that there's no reason why I can't do at least a mile in the mornings and another mile when I come home.
So, did a mile last night, did another mile this morning. Woo hoo, me! I have to work a bit later this evening, but I'm still going to do another mile this evening.
For those of you following along at home, here's my latest exercise routine:
Loss to date: 61 pounds
Whew! -- glad to be able to post here again! (Been trying since last night.)
I am alive with the enthusiasm of the newly converted. I am digging me some Leslie Sansone. Leslie's in the house and she's staying a while. Yeah, she's a chatty one, but she's ok. I think we'll get along just fine, Leslie and I. I sort of tuned her out. I anticipate that I'll create alternate personalities for all her cheery cohorts, just for my own amusement.
Last night I received the first of three Sansone installments: Walk Away the Pounds (1-3 miles.) With hellacious cramps (I believe I might have my period for the rest of my life) and a lot of curiousity, I did my first mile not one hour after going to the mailbox. Bada bing, bada bang. No problem. (Guess those hours of HIIT biking are paying off!) I felt a burn in the backs of my thighs (thank you kickbacks!) and also triceps (with no weights.) My heart rate got up in the aerobic range, and I broke a sweat. The only real struggle was drawing a deep breath and repressing my now chronic cough. I really do need to go back to the doctor. At any rate, I will definitely be graduating soon to the 2-mile walk, but I think that will be for this weekend. At only 20 minutes for a mile, I can say that there's no reason why I can't do at least a mile in the mornings and another mile when I come home.
So, did a mile last night, did another mile this morning. Woo hoo, me! I have to work a bit later this evening, but I'm still going to do another mile this evening.
For those of you following along at home, here's my latest exercise routine:
- A.M. walking 5 days per week, with hand weights 3 of those times.
- A.M. HIIT biking 2 days per week.
- P.M. walking 4 days per week.
- P.M. weights workout 2 days per week.
Monday, September 6
Yourself Fitness and Leslie
Wow. I just discovered this new fitness "game," Yourself Fitness, to be released by Microsoft and Xbox for both Xbox and PC early this October. It's a phenomenal concept. Of course it's marketed towards women, since we're the ones who support the whole video/DVD fitness market, so the interactivity is supportive and coaching rather than competitive. In short, after you enter your stat's, your fitness coach, Maya, evaluates your level of fitness and then assists in setting up and implementing a workout schedule for you. She even does the exercises with you! You can utilize your existing equipment and/or do any of the 480 exercises available through the program. Each with its own tutorial, these exercises support efforts in weight loss, upper body strength, core strength, cardio, flexibility and more -- there's even yoga! It's interactive, so you can select your workout setting and music for starters, and Maya remembers your previous rep's and needs for tutorials........it's got so much, it's astounding. I'm really going to be interested in hearing more about this incredibly cool resource.
If the FedEx deliverydyke brings me one of my WATP orders, I will be just tickled pink....I'm READY! In reading someone's thoughts on her chatter throughout her workouts, the following just made me laugh: "Leslie makes me want to club a baby seal." And, "Because if I had to listen to Adria, the hardbody in the back, talk about how damn "powerful" the workout is, I was going to stick a hot poker in my eye." Ha! Pretty damned funny! The general consensus seems to be that she's annoying, but the workout's absolutely worth doing. There are those who annoyed but undettered, and others who are so annoyed they mute her and substitute their own music once they get the hang of the routine....but now how they get the beat aligned is beyond me. I think I'd find that more annoying than listening to Miss Thing go on and on. We'll see.
I'm so excited I'm like a little girl the night before her birthday.
If the FedEx deliverydyke brings me one of my WATP orders, I will be just tickled pink....I'm READY! In reading someone's thoughts on her chatter throughout her workouts, the following just made me laugh: "Leslie makes me want to club a baby seal." And, "Because if I had to listen to Adria, the hardbody in the back, talk about how damn "powerful" the workout is, I was going to stick a hot poker in my eye." Ha! Pretty damned funny! The general consensus seems to be that she's annoying, but the workout's absolutely worth doing. There are those who annoyed but undettered, and others who are so annoyed they mute her and substitute their own music once they get the hang of the routine....but now how they get the beat aligned is beyond me. I think I'd find that more annoying than listening to Miss Thing go on and on. We'll see.
I'm so excited I'm like a little girl the night before her birthday.
A Very Nice Non-Scale Victory
Weight: 223
Loss to date: 61 pounds
I'm down another one. Lorraine and I went to Bertha's yesterday, and had a good time. We went to see my old friend, Diana, anthropologist/bartender, and met up with Bob and Rick, an adorable couple we like a lot. Lorraine and Bob kicked up their heels, boozewise, while Rick took it easy and I abstained altogether. I think I must have consumed at least a gallon and a half of water. We hadn't seen them since like Christmas or something crazy like that, and they were really shocked by my appearance. It made me feel so great. They were so complimentary, and seemed sincerely struck by how much smaller I am. They said I look like "half the person" I was, but with only a 61 pound loss, I'd say if I lost a person, it was a really small, young one! I must say seeing their jaws drop when I walked in was a real motivator.....as were all their complimentary words.
Next week, we're meeting up with them at a MovingOn.com Democratic fundraiser -- apparently the people who created that stupendous organization are local -- go Baltimore! I'm really looking forward to it!
Loss to date: 61 pounds
I'm down another one. Lorraine and I went to Bertha's yesterday, and had a good time. We went to see my old friend, Diana, anthropologist/bartender, and met up with Bob and Rick, an adorable couple we like a lot. Lorraine and Bob kicked up their heels, boozewise, while Rick took it easy and I abstained altogether. I think I must have consumed at least a gallon and a half of water. We hadn't seen them since like Christmas or something crazy like that, and they were really shocked by my appearance. It made me feel so great. They were so complimentary, and seemed sincerely struck by how much smaller I am. They said I look like "half the person" I was, but with only a 61 pound loss, I'd say if I lost a person, it was a really small, young one! I must say seeing their jaws drop when I walked in was a real motivator.....as were all their complimentary words.
Next week, we're meeting up with them at a MovingOn.com Democratic fundraiser -- apparently the people who created that stupendous organization are local -- go Baltimore! I'm really looking forward to it!
Saturday, September 4
Saturday, Saturday
Weight: 224
Loss to date: 60
I'm just a sliver over 224 now, so I'm confident I'll drop down to 223, but I'm not so sure about 222, so it doesn't look super likely that I'll make my Labor Day goal. While it's a little disappointing, I'm pretty ok with it, because I'm still progressing and it's just one little old pound -- and one not long for this place at that!
Lorraine came home last night and so all is right with the world once again. The birds sing, the little frogs jump, and I swear all the flowers in the neighborhood broke into full bloom upon seeing her smile. I ended up going to bed late, we got up early, I worked out, and then we picked up her new company car, ran some errands and cleaned the house. After that a lovely dinner out, a rented movie ("Godsend,") and now my love is sleeping like a baby beside me. What a gift I've been given.
Everything is on the way, which is terrific! What is not terrific is that the 4-mile Leslie walk I ordered is a VHS tape rather than DVD. A $12.00 woops. I went to Microsoft Online and picked up a lovely calendar template in Excel, and I've created a reasonably ambitious exercise calendar built around my new program, supported in great part by Ms. Leslie Sansone. I also found a truly phenomenal website, one which I think I should include in my resource link list. It is a fitness video site which allows a 60-second preview for every video they offer, as well as a detailed review of each tape, including user comments. They personally try every out every tape, and then break it down into timed segments, so you can really see what you're getting. Pretty cool, huh? Collage Video -- check it out next time you're in the market for a fitness video or DVD. Thanks to them, I know that Leslie's cheerful chatter will probably annoy me, but I don't anticipate it will dissuade me from taking advantage of her workouts. I know they're simple, but that's just fine for now. If Leslie can get me walking 18 miles a week, then she can partake in the most inane banter in the world and I promise I'll just suck it up.
Loss to date: 60
I'm just a sliver over 224 now, so I'm confident I'll drop down to 223, but I'm not so sure about 222, so it doesn't look super likely that I'll make my Labor Day goal. While it's a little disappointing, I'm pretty ok with it, because I'm still progressing and it's just one little old pound -- and one not long for this place at that!
Lorraine came home last night and so all is right with the world once again. The birds sing, the little frogs jump, and I swear all the flowers in the neighborhood broke into full bloom upon seeing her smile. I ended up going to bed late, we got up early, I worked out, and then we picked up her new company car, ran some errands and cleaned the house. After that a lovely dinner out, a rented movie ("Godsend,") and now my love is sleeping like a baby beside me. What a gift I've been given.
Everything is on the way, which is terrific! What is not terrific is that the 4-mile Leslie walk I ordered is a VHS tape rather than DVD. A $12.00 woops. I went to Microsoft Online and picked up a lovely calendar template in Excel, and I've created a reasonably ambitious exercise calendar built around my new program, supported in great part by Ms. Leslie Sansone. I also found a truly phenomenal website, one which I think I should include in my resource link list. It is a fitness video site which allows a 60-second preview for every video they offer, as well as a detailed review of each tape, including user comments. They personally try every out every tape, and then break it down into timed segments, so you can really see what you're getting. Pretty cool, huh? Collage Video -- check it out next time you're in the market for a fitness video or DVD. Thanks to them, I know that Leslie's cheerful chatter will probably annoy me, but I don't anticipate it will dissuade me from taking advantage of her workouts. I know they're simple, but that's just fine for now. If Leslie can get me walking 18 miles a week, then she can partake in the most inane banter in the world and I promise I'll just suck it up.
Friday, September 3
Give a girl a paycheck and......
Ok, so I'm outta control. Since the last post I've spent a few dollars. Um, more than a few, but fewer than I could have! I now have on the way the following:
- Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds 4-Mile Challenge DVD -- No weights, just straight-up cardio and apparently a nice brisk workout that makes you sweat.
- Ironwear Iron Hands 6-pound pair of glove-like hand weights
- A pair of Reebok neoprin-covered 10-pound (each) dumbbells -- I have plates and bars for dumbbells, but I just see them being rather unwieldy during a cardio/aerobic workout. They're pretty big, and fine for a weight-training session but not really for holding in my hands for extended periods of time. They were only $4.99 apiece, so I figured, what the hell.
- iSantori's Lean System 7 -- it was on sale too and I've heard good stuff about it for months (and just recently I learned that Gretchen loves it too) so I'm finally giving it a try. iSantori is a good quality company, and I really have heard raves about this stuff from a number of sources.
- ABSolution by Shawn Phillips -- it was only 2 bucks if I got it with the Lean System 7, and while I've only read his brother Bill, I have heard very good things about what Shawn has to offer as well.
So I guess I kind of went off. But it's not like I bought a bunch of candy or stupid lawn ornaments! These are all for good.....
I keep wondering if I'm going to make my Labor Day goal. 2 more pounds to go.....I really think I might make it, but you never know.
It's Friday, and both Leslie and Lorraine are on their way!
Weight: 224
Loss to date: 60 pounds
Leslie's coming! Leslie's coming! Overstock.com alerted me yesterday that she's on her way to my home, so I guess I'd better find my sneakers, eh, since before long she's going to have me pounding the wooden floorboards in my office! Today I will order those Ironwear hand weights as well, and maybe even that 4-mile tape. (Can you tell I'm goal-oriented?)
I was playing around with a BMI calculator last night -- it had been a while -- and my BMI is down just over 10 points! (A more significant achievement when you're coming down from the higher weights, since it takes longer to make an impact. Ah the paper towel theory rears it's head again......) Of course I'm still solidly within the "obese" category and will be until I get down to 185, but put the "morbid" group, thank the goddess, way behind me for good. 184 will be quite the great milestone for me, as I will have both lost 100 pounds and be out of the "obese" category and relegated -- temporarily -- to the realm of the merely "overweight." Ah, to be overweight. I just long to be "overweight"........ But I jest.
You know where else I went last night while meandering about the online world of weight loss? iVillage's diet and fitness section. Oh. My. God. Who knew they had so much to offer?? Workouts, fitness video reviews, tips from everyone who ever had an opinion about exercise or weight loss....there is just a crazy amount of information there. Nod to my dear Brit readers: there's apparently a UK counterpart as well. I found so many great workouts there, and so much more, that I'm tempted to include the link in my sidebar list of resources. Show of hands? Want to see it there? I decide what to put there based on 2 things, not interdependent, but also not mutually exclusive: (1) It should serve others in some helpful or interesting way; and/or (2) It should serve me in some helpful or interesting way by providing ease of access and a reminder that it's out there.
Lorraine is coming home this afternoon while I'm at work! Louie, the cats, and I are just so excited! I told them all about it, and at first this news was just too good for them to believe, but after some assurance they trusted that Daddy really IS coming home! Did I mention earlier that we love our animals? Guess you have to have 'em to really "get" our relationship. Or maybe we just need help. Could be a boundaries issue. I don't care. They're my babies; I birthed them, so I can talk to them and about them anyway I like.
I might post again today; it's a light day, workwise. Or maybe I'm just a lazyass who would rather think about weight loss than the things that earn my pay. I dunno. Either way, I might be back later.
Loss to date: 60 pounds
Leslie's coming! Leslie's coming! Overstock.com alerted me yesterday that she's on her way to my home, so I guess I'd better find my sneakers, eh, since before long she's going to have me pounding the wooden floorboards in my office! Today I will order those Ironwear hand weights as well, and maybe even that 4-mile tape. (Can you tell I'm goal-oriented?)
I was playing around with a BMI calculator last night -- it had been a while -- and my BMI is down just over 10 points! (A more significant achievement when you're coming down from the higher weights, since it takes longer to make an impact. Ah the paper towel theory rears it's head again......) Of course I'm still solidly within the "obese" category and will be until I get down to 185, but put the "morbid" group, thank the goddess, way behind me for good. 184 will be quite the great milestone for me, as I will have both lost 100 pounds and be out of the "obese" category and relegated -- temporarily -- to the realm of the merely "overweight." Ah, to be overweight. I just long to be "overweight"........ But I jest.
You know where else I went last night while meandering about the online world of weight loss? iVillage's diet and fitness section. Oh. My. God. Who knew they had so much to offer?? Workouts, fitness video reviews, tips from everyone who ever had an opinion about exercise or weight loss....there is just a crazy amount of information there. Nod to my dear Brit readers: there's apparently a UK counterpart as well. I found so many great workouts there, and so much more, that I'm tempted to include the link in my sidebar list of resources. Show of hands? Want to see it there? I decide what to put there based on 2 things, not interdependent, but also not mutually exclusive: (1) It should serve others in some helpful or interesting way; and/or (2) It should serve me in some helpful or interesting way by providing ease of access and a reminder that it's out there.
Lorraine is coming home this afternoon while I'm at work! Louie, the cats, and I are just so excited! I told them all about it, and at first this news was just too good for them to believe, but after some assurance they trusted that Daddy really IS coming home! Did I mention earlier that we love our animals? Guess you have to have 'em to really "get" our relationship. Or maybe we just need help. Could be a boundaries issue. I don't care. They're my babies; I birthed them, so I can talk to them and about them anyway I like.
I might post again today; it's a light day, workwise. Or maybe I'm just a lazyass who would rather think about weight loss than the things that earn my pay. I dunno. Either way, I might be back later.
Thursday, September 2
60 Pounds
Weight: 224
Loss to date: 60 pounds
Down 60 pounds! After seeing this number staring up at me from my Tanita two days in a row, I'm posting it now for all to see. I'm now 2 pounds away from my Labor Day goal of 222 -- not a forgone conclusion, but doable all the same. We'll see, sports fans.
My last goal was 215, met on July 31; that puts my current rate of loss at 2.2 pounds/week. I'm happy with that -- VERY happy with that! Sure, I'd love the number on the scale to descend at a faster rate -- but not at the expense of muscle tissue. I just keep telling myself that when I hear of faster rates of loss. We're all different, but all reputable sources say that you can't lose more than 2 pounds of fat per week, so unless you're actively seeking to build muscle and are performing significant resistance training to meet that end, if you're losing more than 2 pounds/week, some of it is muscle tissue. Not everyone cares about that. I do.
Speaking of weights, I'm going to order a 6 lb. pair of Ironwear Iron Hands to incorporate in my Walk Away the Pounds workouts. I mentioned a couple of days ago that I got a good deal on the set of 3 workouts; well, it doesn't come with the balls or that resistance belt that apparently breaks really easily. I'm TOTALLY ok with that -- in fact that's why I selected that good DVD deal in the first place. I'd rather get a better quality hand weight set, one that I can use outdoors on extended outdoor walks as well. I have some lovely nature trails near my home, and it would be great to power walk through them with these nifty little weights -- they strap comfortably to your hands, so you don't have to worry about gripping or holding on to anything, and there's no joint strain or minimization of circulation. (I'm a girl of the limp-wristed variety, with carpul tunnel tendencies, so I'm trying to be proactive.) I've also seen a couple of other workouts from Ms. Sansone; a 4 mile/no weights "challenge" and also the set of 1-, 2-, and 3-mile workouts for ABS. I'm definitely going to get the 4 mile tape a bit later, as well as the 3-mile for Ab's tape......apparently the Ab's focused workouts are more of a calorie burn and sweat workout. I read that and said, "Noted! Things to buy......."
I'm going to move my exercise bike up out of the basement (where it currently resides next to the treadmill and CrossBow) and into our office (2 flights up, near the bedroom.) Lorraine says she's much more likely to use it there, and I think it might make it a bit handier for me to do morning workouts there as well, since I'd have to walk right by it on my way to the shower. We also have a T.V. there, with a DVD player, so I can even have a little Leslie in the morning action!
I'm finally feeling good about my progress and my body. It's seeming more significant to me now, and more real. I can really see that my body is smaller, and I like my face so much more. I'm more self-confident again, and my energy has increased like 150%. I even have my old walk back -- a brisk stride with a decided shaking of the ass. NOW we're getting back into the land of Happy Sarah! (And Happy Lorraine too........nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean?) This weekend I'm going to finally go through all my clothing and get rid of the stuff that's too big. I know I'm going to be left with very little. I'm already having to wear pants twice during the workweek because I'm just not going to wear the jumbo pantalones! Not gonna do it.....I've worked too hard to walk around with droopy, poochy drawers and big shirts that I swim within.
I don't know if I'd mentioned it here or not, but I was concerned about my ability to migrate my DietPower history to my new home laptop -- had this not been possible, I would have had to start all over: NOT a pleasant prospect. But, EUREKA, I figured it out (and it was not the obvious solution it was a bit more complex) and now I'm sending the info back and forth between work and home quite nicely! I'm so relieved and happy! I get to see the graph line representing my weight just descending and descending, and I can see my caloric and nutritional history since I started. Too cool. I just love that DietPower, I really do.
Just to recap on my weight: As of today, I've lost 21.13% of my original body weight; and I'm 40% of the way to my ultimate goal of losing 150 pounds.
Gawd. I figure I'll be in Onederland around Thanksgiving, and at 199, that'll put me at 85 pounds down......85 in around 9 months, or 39 weeks. So an overall rate of 2.18 pounds/week to reach 199. I am TOTALLY ok with that! All in all I'm feeling really good about this process. The next challenge for me will be to make the exercise portion feel like less of an effort; I just force myself to do it, and that's a real job.
I'll do it though, don't you worry about a thing.
Loss to date: 60 pounds
Down 60 pounds! After seeing this number staring up at me from my Tanita two days in a row, I'm posting it now for all to see. I'm now 2 pounds away from my Labor Day goal of 222 -- not a forgone conclusion, but doable all the same. We'll see, sports fans.
My last goal was 215, met on July 31; that puts my current rate of loss at 2.2 pounds/week. I'm happy with that -- VERY happy with that! Sure, I'd love the number on the scale to descend at a faster rate -- but not at the expense of muscle tissue. I just keep telling myself that when I hear of faster rates of loss. We're all different, but all reputable sources say that you can't lose more than 2 pounds of fat per week, so unless you're actively seeking to build muscle and are performing significant resistance training to meet that end, if you're losing more than 2 pounds/week, some of it is muscle tissue. Not everyone cares about that. I do.
Speaking of weights, I'm going to order a 6 lb. pair of Ironwear Iron Hands to incorporate in my Walk Away the Pounds workouts. I mentioned a couple of days ago that I got a good deal on the set of 3 workouts; well, it doesn't come with the balls or that resistance belt that apparently breaks really easily. I'm TOTALLY ok with that -- in fact that's why I selected that good DVD deal in the first place. I'd rather get a better quality hand weight set, one that I can use outdoors on extended outdoor walks as well. I have some lovely nature trails near my home, and it would be great to power walk through them with these nifty little weights -- they strap comfortably to your hands, so you don't have to worry about gripping or holding on to anything, and there's no joint strain or minimization of circulation. (I'm a girl of the limp-wristed variety, with carpul tunnel tendencies, so I'm trying to be proactive.) I've also seen a couple of other workouts from Ms. Sansone; a 4 mile/no weights "challenge" and also the set of 1-, 2-, and 3-mile workouts for ABS. I'm definitely going to get the 4 mile tape a bit later, as well as the 3-mile for Ab's tape......apparently the Ab's focused workouts are more of a calorie burn and sweat workout. I read that and said, "Noted! Things to buy......."
I'm going to move my exercise bike up out of the basement (where it currently resides next to the treadmill and CrossBow) and into our office (2 flights up, near the bedroom.) Lorraine says she's much more likely to use it there, and I think it might make it a bit handier for me to do morning workouts there as well, since I'd have to walk right by it on my way to the shower. We also have a T.V. there, with a DVD player, so I can even have a little Leslie in the morning action!
I'm finally feeling good about my progress and my body. It's seeming more significant to me now, and more real. I can really see that my body is smaller, and I like my face so much more. I'm more self-confident again, and my energy has increased like 150%. I even have my old walk back -- a brisk stride with a decided shaking of the ass. NOW we're getting back into the land of Happy Sarah! (And Happy Lorraine too........nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean?) This weekend I'm going to finally go through all my clothing and get rid of the stuff that's too big. I know I'm going to be left with very little. I'm already having to wear pants twice during the workweek because I'm just not going to wear the jumbo pantalones! Not gonna do it.....I've worked too hard to walk around with droopy, poochy drawers and big shirts that I swim within.
I don't know if I'd mentioned it here or not, but I was concerned about my ability to migrate my DietPower history to my new home laptop -- had this not been possible, I would have had to start all over: NOT a pleasant prospect. But, EUREKA, I figured it out (and it was not the obvious solution it was a bit more complex) and now I'm sending the info back and forth between work and home quite nicely! I'm so relieved and happy! I get to see the graph line representing my weight just descending and descending, and I can see my caloric and nutritional history since I started. Too cool. I just love that DietPower, I really do.
Just to recap on my weight: As of today, I've lost 21.13% of my original body weight; and I'm 40% of the way to my ultimate goal of losing 150 pounds.
Gawd. I figure I'll be in Onederland around Thanksgiving, and at 199, that'll put me at 85 pounds down......85 in around 9 months, or 39 weeks. So an overall rate of 2.18 pounds/week to reach 199. I am TOTALLY ok with that! All in all I'm feeling really good about this process. The next challenge for me will be to make the exercise portion feel like less of an effort; I just force myself to do it, and that's a real job.
I'll do it though, don't you worry about a thing.
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