My Real Life

June 21, 2013

So, I was down five pounds and feeling great.  I say “was” because my guess is that I’m up a pound or two today.  This week had us at Friendly’s twice. Once for Father’s Day on Sunday and once for Father’s Day (with my Dad who was out of town on Sunday) with my Dad.  I certainly could have found some healthier fare other than the chicken quesadilla and Reese’s Pieces Sundae, but c’mon…when at Friendly’s…

I did do my exercising this week, though, so that is a good thing and makes me happy.

June 13, 2013

I’m feeing great.  I’ve been dedicated to 30 minutes a day at least four times a week and I don’t count it unless it makes me sweat.  I’ve lost some weight and will have a number tomorrow morning.  My pants are fitting better.  Love that.

Erin told me, over the weekend, about the Wheat Belly diet and so, this week, I’ve been trying it out.  It’s not so terrible, although all I can think about is a toasted salt bagel with butter and cream cheese. 🙂

June 2, 2013

Great day, today!  Monkey Girl and I took a hike which included some rock climbing.  So great.  Came home and STILL did 30 minutes of Wii Fit Plus.  No island cycling, but a mix of yoga, strength training and aerobics.

June 1, 2013

30  minutes which was a mix of 8.1 something miles on Island Cycling and some other Wii Fit PLus training stuff.

May 31, 2013

Well, to say I’ve been a slacker would be an understatement of ginormous proportions.  I’ve gained 7 pounds this school year.   I’m devastated by this turn of events.  None of my clothes fit right and I just feel awful.

I’m back on the wagon, however, and am more determined than ever to take care of this.  Started today with 25 minutes of Island Cycling.  It was 8.7 miles (I got a little lost since it’s been awhile.)  It’s a start!

November 28, 2012

Whoo-hoo!  8.157 miles in 21 minutes.  Then, 13 minutes of Wii Fit Plus boxing.  By the end of it all, I had worked up a nice sweat and am feeling pretty good!

November 27, 2012

I did 8.158 miles in 23 minutes today on Wii Fit Plus Island Cycling.  I’m trying to up my speed and complete the course in the fastest time possible.  Apparently, I took some shortcuts because although I did reduce the time, I also seem to have reduced the distance.  Hmmmm…

November 25, 2012

While everyone else went to church, Tiny and I hit the basement and while he picked up all of his Little People farm and circus animals and called them chickens, I did 8.181 miles on Wii Fit Plus Island Cycling in 24 minutes.  Then, I did 5 minutes of advanced step and 13 minutes of boxing.  Hoping that I might get on the treadmill later, but we’ll see.  There’s grocery shopping to do, and wrangling Tiny in the cart is exercise enough.

November 24, 2012

Today I was able to squeeze in 23 minute (1.5 miles) on the treadmill while the baby was napping.  But, then my Mom came over and I sat down and worked on our ridiculously hard jigsaw puzzle with her in the quiet for awhile.  However, later, I did 8.6 miles on Wii Fit Plus Island Cycling in 21 minutes, then did some WFP Kung Fu, and some WFP boxing, and then played two rounds of 5 sets of Wii Sports Tennis with Monkey in the Middle and then we played two rounds of bowling.  Feeling pretty good.  Would be feeling better if I hadn’t had leftover turkey and mashed potatoes for lunch.

November 22, 2012

Yeah, so we got back to school after the hurricane and and I lost any time to exercise.  However, after the Thanksgiving guests left, I got on the treadmill and hit 1.5 miles for 30 minutes and burned 257 calories.  That’s at least a spoonful of mashed potatoes…right?

November 11, 2012

66 minutes on the treadmill  3.6 miles walked/jogged  574.2 calories burned – caught up on another episode of Gossip Girl on my CW app. 🙂

November 10, 2012

2.6 miles, 50 minutes, speed of 3, 476 calories burned, in the middle of a good book on the treadmill!

30 more minutes in the afternoon

November 9, 2012

2.7 miles, 55 minutes, walked at a speed of 3 (not fast), 492 calories burned

November 8, 2012

8.1 miles jogging on the WiiFit for Island Cycling.

November 7, 2012

15 minutes on the treadmill.  Tiny wasn’t having any of it.

November 6, 2012

Only got in 1.7 miles today and it took 35 minutes.  I read while I walked, but as my sweats were in the washer, I was going in jeans and couldn’t work up a comfortable fast pace in the jeans.  Still, though, I got on and did something.

November 5, 2012

Downloaded a new book to my Nook at did 2 more miles today.  Took 40 minutes today, as I stayed between 3 and 3.5 and didn’t do any running due to some asthma that erupted overnight and is hanging on, but still feeling the burn. 🙂  376 calories…not too shabbby.

November 4, 2012

I did get on the treadmill sometime in the middle of this past week, but I only walked for about 20 minute and forgot to log it.

Today I did 2 miles, which took about 35 minutes with all the on and off I had to do because Tiny kept shutting the door and trying to lock it.  However, I kept going and it felt good.

I should have been on the treadmill all week.  School was cancelled due to Sandy and I had power. Kicking myself over missing that opportunity, however, I was grading essays when I wasn’t with the kids, so I guess even though I wasn’t at work, I was still at work.

October 28, 2012

Yesterday, I walked a 5K in the diabetes walk.  It felt great, particularly since October 16th was the last time I exercised.  Oops.

Today, I just did 50 minutes = 2.6 miles = 470 calories on the treadmill.  I put it at incline level 4 and walked 3.5 speed and then would do bursts of running at 4 speed.

I know it’s not what so many others are doing, but it’s what I did and I feel successful because of it.

Leaving the treadmill in the 10 incline position, just in case we get water in the basement again.  It, somehow, survived being submerged in over a foot of water last year, during Irene…I’d rather not take that chance again.

October 16, 2012

This summer, I felt like I was in great shape.
I was exercising regularly and had excellent stamina.

Then school started.

I don’t believe I’ve exercised more than two or three times since September 7th and that is NOT okay with me.

So, I’m back to it.

I’ll be posting here, again, to keep myself accountable, because accountability is the only thing that keeps me honest some days.

So, today, I jogged 8.241 miles on WiiFitPlus Island Cycling.

I realize it isn’t the same as jogging 8.241 miles out in the real world, but it’s further than I would have gone if I was sitting on the couch.

So, a good kickoff to my return to fitness.

August 19, 2011

125 baby!!!

Feeling strong and proud!!!

August 14, 2011

Well, I’m feeling a little frustrated at this point.

I’ve been at the beach for two weeks.  I started every single day at the beach with an approximately 3 mile walk.

Every. Single. Day.

Then, you factor in the carrying the baby and assorted beach things to and from the beach, the general walking on the beach, walking on the Boardwalk, to the store, through miniature golf, etc and I come home and I am still 127.

Yes, there was some ice cream at night, but to be honest, I probably ate less at the beach than I do at home.

So, we’re looking at 3 rainy days in a row, here, so I’m not sure about exercise.  We do have the treadmill, so we’ll have to see.

July 30, 2011

127 baby!!!  2 more pounds to go!!!  I am so excited!

Let’s hope my next two weeks at the beach don’t hinder the process!

July 19, 2011

In searching for the positive, I can say that all of the packing up the old house and, now, unpacking in the new house, I have lost some more weight.  I’m down to 129, as of this morning.

We’re also taking walks, everyday, in an effort to get out of the house and save my sanity.  Granted, the walks aren’t huge, but they are better than nothing.

I’m doubting we’ll be walking for the next few days as a heat wave has hit and it will be almost 100 every day, but if it has cooled down after dinner, I’m hoping we can get out there for a bit.

So, 4 more to go.  I am wearing a pair of shorts, today, that I haven’t been able to get on.  Isn’t it funny that when I stopped actively trying to lose the weight, because I was so busy with other things, that the weight just fell off?  Okay, 3 pounds isn’t a huge deal, but it broke the 130 mark, so it feels big to me! 🙂

June 27, 2011

So, I made it to 132.

Feel good about making some more progress, but frustrated that it’s not 125, yet.

School is over, now, and so I’m envisioning lots of walks and I know the packing and moving of boxes will be good physical activity.

Come on 125.

I want that iPad!

June 10, 2011

134.5

Again.

Ugh.

I think the main issue is that I no longer have any time to exercise.

I get up at 5:45, as it is.  Feed the baby, take a shower, last minute things with the kids, and out the door by 7:00.

Getting up at 5:00 would be too much, right now.  I’m exhausted enough at the end of the day.  Those last 45 minutes are heaven to me.

I guess I could try to exercise at night, but then I’m all ramped up before bed.

I need to do something, though.  Seriously.

This is getting frustrating, and the beach is only 3 weeks away.

May 20, 2011

134.5

I’m pleased.

However, I’m even more pleased that I tried on two pairs of pants and a skirt for work this morning and they fit.

Snug?  A bit.  But, they fit.

Darnit.

Shouldn’t have made my goal a number.  Should have stuck with my pants fitting.

Oh well…still working!

May 18, 2011

My Own Worst Enemy

I’m a stress eater.

Of this there is no doubt.

I eat when I’m stressed and I eat when I’m sad.

I don’t know why.  I know food won’t make me feel better, because it never does, and I’m not thinking “Oh, this Reese’s will make the sadness go away,” while I eat it, but it doesn’t stop me from eating it.

Right now, when it’s crunch time, I’m fighting this part of my nature.

I am going back to work next week, and I’m not stressed about it, because I love my job.

However, I am very, very sad to be leaving my little baby.

Now, when I need to be the most careful of what I eat because there is only a week to go to fit into those clothes, I can feel myself about to veer out of control.

It also doesn’t help that the rain won’t stop falling.  What better thing to do on a rainy day then curl up, under a blanket with a book, tea and snacks?  Rainy weather definitely does not inspire me to hit the treadmill or dance some Zumba.

So, I gotta fight it.

I need to pick myself up by the bootstraps, put down the book, put down the chocolate and get re-motivated.

But, it’s hard.

So hard.

May 13, 2011

So, today I’m down to 137.  I’ve definitely broken past the 140 plateau, but am feeling frustrated at the snails pace at which the weight is coming off.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that it is highly unlikely that I will fit into my work clothes in a week and a half, and I think that may be part of my problem.

I’m still on the treadmill or doing Zumba every day, and I’m eating well, but I am just so frustrated.

Part of the frustration is that I look fine.  I actually look like I’ve lost the weight.

So, when people hear that I’m working at it they say “But you look fabulous!” which is a kind thing to say and a nice thing to hear, but looking good doesn’t always equate to feeling good, and the fact is, my clothes don’t fit and it’s not good for my diabetes to be carrying this around.

It’s kind of like when people hear I have to go back to work at the end of May and they say, “Yeah, but it’s only for a month and then you have the summer with the baby.”  True, but it’s still a month away from a very little baby and it’s hard, even knowing that it’s only for a month.  It’s hard and it breaks my heart into a million pieces every time I think about it.

So, I do celebrate the 137.  It means I’ve lost 3 pounds since starting to write about it, and it means I’m 3 pounds closer to an iPad.

However, it doesn’t seem to mean a damn thing with regards to my clothes fitting, and isn’t that what they always say?  Don’t look at the scale…judge by how your clothes fit.

Well, they don’t.

May 6, 2011

Weekends

Weekends are tough.

There is a ton of running around to do that makes it nearly impossible to eat well.

I said “nearly” impossible.

However, it is definitely our habits that make it worse.

We tend to stop at Dunkin’ Donuts before t-ball in the morning and pick up donuts for breakfast.

We’re home for lunch, but the kids are playing and we’re cleaning house or doing yard work, and we often forget to eat.

By the time we have to go to the evening baseball game, which is around 5 or 6, we’re starving, and can’t seem to make it home without stopping somewhere for dinner, and you can imagine that the choices wherever we land aren’t the healthiest.

Weekends are a place where I definitely need to be more mindful of what I’m putting in my body, because there is a huge potential for disaster inherent with the weekend.

May 4, 2011

Vulnerable Times

So, I find that the worst time of day for my desire to eat is from 2-dinner.  It’s during this time that I tend to be in the kitchen, making dinner, supervising homework, and all I want to do is eat.  And all I want to eat is crappy food.

I try hard to stock the kitchen with healthy items, but I often want to forgo the celery, almonds, Nutri Grain bars and eat the brownies or cookies that are here.

The easy answer is not to have any brownies or cookies in the house, but I do like to keep a few treats around for the kids.  In general, they prefer the healthy stuff, as well, but every now and then, they have a hankering for something yummy and as they (particularly the boys) are really active kids, a cookie or two ain’t gonna kill them.

I just seem to have no willpower.

I could buy all diet snacks, but there are so many chemicals and warnings on those products, I can’t imagine that it is safe to pass all of that on to Tiny Monkey as he nurses.

So, I’m working on the willpower and trying hard to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible.

May 3, 2011

Tools I’m Using

No man is an island.

No woman, either, although sometimes I feel as big as an island…hence this journey.

I’ve joined Weight Watchers online and find it very useful in this process.

I type in what I’ve eaten and it tells me how many points I’ve used.

It’s a very helpful way to keep me honest and on track with what I’m putting in my body.

I also track my daily exercise there.

I get activity points for exercise that is supposed to counteract the food points or something.

Not sure how that works, yet.

I’ve also downloaded the Weight Watchers app to my iPhone so I can check the points before putting items in my cart!  Love that!!!

Ooh, and I’ve downloaded Fooducate, which lets me scan the UPC of any item in the grocery store, and it gives the item a grade and suggests healthier alternatives.  It’s awesome!

I’ve also ordered the Zumba fitness dvd set.

I love to dance.

Like, seriously, if I lived in the city, I’d be out dancing every night.

Okay, well, not in my current life, but you know what I mean.

I love it.

A year or so ago, Erin called and said she was taking a Zumba class and that she thought I should try it because it was right up my alley.  So, now I’m trying it as soon as it arrives later in the week.

A few days a week, my Mom meets me at Nursery School and after I drop off Baby Monkey, we take Tiny for a long walk around our town.

Days when she’s volunteering or it’s rainy, I come home after drop off and hit the treadmill while watching the final season of the Tudors.

My sister-in-law dropped off her kettlebells and dvd’s, but I can’t quite get into those, although both she and my neighbor say they are a great workout.  I need to really give them more of a try.  Although, it’s hard to do much of anything when Tiny is awake, which is fine, because I’d rather play with him, anyway!
Also, I downloaded an app for my iPhone that is ab exercises.  Those I can do anywhere, anytime.

So, for now, these are my tools.

May 2, 2011

I had a baby in February.

Old news…I know.

While I was pregnant, I gained 50 pounds.

In general, I’m a low maintenance kinda girl.

I don’t always give great thought to my appearance.  I figure, as long as I look professional for work and presentable for the rest of the world, I’m good to go.

However, I’ve never really had to work too hard at keeping my weight in check.

It generally fluctuates between 120 and 130.

Except, of course, when I’m pregnant.

Then, all bets are off.

So, last May, prior to becoming pregnant, I weighed 120.  I was probably at the low end of where I should be and had to put safety pins in a few of my clothes to keep them from falling down.

After having the baby, the water weight was the first to go, and when I was cleared for exercise, I started to hit the treadmill, starting a few minutes at a time.

I’m nursing, so my calorie requirements are higher than they would normally be, and I’ll be the first to admit, I have no willpower when it comes to certain foods, so my diet wasn’t what it should be.

I’ve been at 140 for a few weeks now, and just can’t seem to break through.

I’m not looking to get back to 120, but I am aiming to hit 125.

There are a few reasons for this:

1. My diabetes.  I need to carry as little extra weight as possible so that I can stave off the necessity for insulin shots or pills.  I’m definitely going to try to manage my glucose through diet and exercise for as long as humanly possible.
2. Heading back to work.  My maternity leave ends in less than a month, and while I know I can’t (safely) lose 15 pounds in a month, I need to lose some, because I am not buying a new wardrobe for work.  Just not doing it.
3. Vanity.  There, I said it.  As low maintenance as I consider myself, I don’t like my body, at this moment.  I loved the pregnant body, doing a miraculous job, as nature intended, however, I’m not pregnant anymore and I am anxious to get back to old form.
4. Setting a good example for Monkey Girl.  Lately, she’s seen me eat three Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs in one sitting and has asked why I’m wearing Daddy’s shirts and still wearing maternity pants.  As I’ve mentioned a thousand times, she’s much like me, as a child.  Perfectly happy to sit inside and read a book.  However, I also enjoyed riding my bike and climbing trees and running around like a crazy loon.  I want to model good, healthy behaviors for her, as well as good eating habits.  Not obsession about weight, but good health.

And so, I’ve decided that I need a little external motivation.  This comes in two parts:

1. Documenting the journey on this blog.  Not to worry…I’m not going to be writing what I’m eating every day or filling you in on every second of exercise.  It’s just to keep me accountable to more people than myself.  My friend, Anne, documents her weight loss progress on Facebook with something she calls the WHAP or Weight Loss Humiliation something that starts with “A” Program.  Each day she posts how much she lost (or gained) that day and how much she’s lost overall.   Keeps her honest and keeps her motivated.  I’m hoping that writing about it on the blog will help me along those lines, as well.
2. I’ve decided to give myself a gift if I reach the goal of 125.  An iPad.  Why an iPad?  Because I don’t need one, but I want one…just to have.  Since I don’t need it, I’d never, ever, in a million years buy it for myself.  So, that’s what makes it a good gift for reaching the goal.  Someone said, “You should buy yourself new clothes if you reach the goal!”  Well, that defeats the whole purpose!  I’m losing the weight so I DON’T have to buy new clothes!  Plus, I hate clothes shopping.  But, I LOVE technology.

So, wish me luck and cheer me on.  I believe I can do this.  I just have to be consistent and work at it.   I don’t want to turn 40 in January carrying this extra weight.  I want to hit 40 in the best shape possible so I can enjoy that next decade of my life!