Well as of today I have lost 10 lbs. YAY! Small victories are what I have to look forward to and keep me pressing forward. What I have found to be working for me is to keep a food journal, watch my caloric intake and exercise 4-5 times a week. I have been alternating 30 minutes on treadclimber and Wii Fit Yoga/Strength training. My time on the treadclimber is passed by listening to my worship music and rehearsing 
. I love the challenge of Wii Fit and trying to beat my score each time
I have also been able to keep up with my daily reading plan and I am constantly marveling at how God uses simple verses to speak to me! Each day is a verse or 2 or whole chapter that either encourages me or helps to snap me back into reality. I love God’s word!
I have also gotten some exciting news about a new job and I am humbled and blessed to be able to pursue God’s plan for my life!
Friday, January 29, 2010
So far so good.
DFine, Inc. - Medical Equipment - Deals and Alliances Profile--Aarkstore Enterprise Market Research Aggregation
DFine, Inc. (DFine) is a medical device company, engaged in the manufacturing of technologies for spinal applications associated with osteoporotic fractures and tumors of the spine. It specializes in providing therapy for the vertebral compression fractures. The product portfolio of the company includes Vertebral Augmentation System and bone cement. The bone cement and other materials are used in restoring the spine and providing relief to the patient. The company is headquartered at California, United States. Vertebral Augmentation System products are designed to treat vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or cancer.
DFine, Inc. – Medical Equipment – Deals and Alliances Profile is an essential source for company data and information. The profile examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy as well as highlighting the company’s major recent financial deals.
Scope
- Provides key company information for business intelligence needs
- Gives information on the company’s major recent financial deals including Mergers and Acquisitions, asset transactions, PE/VC deals, equity offerings, debt offerings and partnerships.
- Data is supplemented with details on the company’s history, key executives, business description, locations and subsidiaries as well as a list of products and services and the latest available company statement.
To know more about this report kindly visit:
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/DFine-Inc-Medical-Equipment-Deals-and-Alliances-Profile-22875.html
Acai Berry Weekly Update
- Let’s face it…There are no magic pills, berries or potions that provide dramatic weight loss alone. Supplements should be just that….a supplement to living and leading a healthier lifestyle. If a one-stop solution in a bottle is what you’re looking for to melt away the pounds, it can’t help you.
- Instead, if what you’re looking for is a way to sustain higher levels of energy, feel more alert and productive throughout your day, a “nudge” to help you achieve your weight and fat loss goals; all while improving the state of your overall health, then Acai Ignite is for you. Used in conjuction with diet and exercise Acai Ignite works wonders! Look and feel great naturally with a little help from Acai Ignite. A superfood supplement, more energy with no crash, loaded with anti-oxidants! Acai Ignite is by far my favorite Acai Berry product!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Win in 2010
As I’ve mentioned on my main blog- Mommy in Motion, I work at Anytime Fitness in Meridian, MS (you can become a fan HERE) We are currently running a 12 week weight loss contest called Win in 2010. The contest runs January 18th-April 12th.
All in all, I am not too concerned with weight loss, but I do love a challenge so I signed up. I am not eligible for any prizes, but I like the extra motivation to keep eating right and working out! The winner’s will be determined by total percentage of weight lost over the 12 weeks. A starting and ending weigh-in are done, as well as one in March to check in mid-way. Personally, I prefer to weigh in once a week, so I’ve been doing that.
My starting weigh-in was done January 19th. I weighed in at 136 pounds, with a Body Fat % of 21.9 and a Body Mass Index of 22.5. I will check my body fat and BMI again at the two other “official” weigh-in times.
Here are my stats so far though:
January 19th
Weigh-In 136lbs
Body Fat % 21.9%
BMI: 22,9
January 26th
Weigh-In 135lbs
Total Weight Lost: 1 pound
Total Percentage Lost: 0.74%
My BMI is in the healthy range (normal is 18.5-24.9) which is why I am not too concerned about losing weight. My body fat is what I am interested in decreasing, although that is healthy too. For women, a normal body fat % is 22-25%. Lean body fat is 17-22% for women, so I am falling somewhere between Lean and Normal. Less than 17% is considered healthy for an athletic woman, and I think I am going to try for that! I might not get there, but it’s worth shooting for!
Excuse me, but can you push me out of my own way?
The other day, I had the good fortune to connect with a dear friend that I had not spoken with in a while. I always feel so good when I spend time with my friends. I am convinced that our best moments in life are spent in the company of people that we love.
We chatted lightly for a while about many things – men, family, children, politics, career – you know, the usual girl stuff. Before we got off the phone, my friend shared with me some distress she was feeling about an area of her life that just wasn’t working out the way she wanted. She felt “absolutely disgusted” with her health. The sound of her voice communicated just how frustrated she had become toward her years-long effort to lose weight. I had been there with her through several failed diet attempts, so I knew first-hand the personal dissatisfaction she felt. One more time her personal effort failed to yield a desirable result. Getting a handle on this area of her life seemed to fall just beyond her grasp. As she relayed her unhappiness, the sense of despair oozed from her voice.
I felt compassion for her. I wished that I could do something to make this challenge go away. What I would not give to be Elizabeth Montgomery from “Bewitched” at that moment?! With a twitch of my nose, I could make any problem go away. (Okay, I’m telling my age…how about Alyssa Milano from “Charmed?”)
Anyway, I encouraged her to stay persistent. “Don’t give up,” I told her. “Your past disappointments are no predictor of your future successes.” But, I knew she wanted solutions. Positive words only reminded her that her personal goal had not yet been attained. Eventually, we ended the conversation. I am not sure I said anything that made a difference, but I remained cheerful and upbeat.
Later that night, I thought about my friend. I know that level of exasperation. I have faced recurrent challenges in my own life where no solution seemed forthcoming. Have you felt this kind of disappointment? Have you ever worked at a stubborn problem for so long that a breakthrough seemed highly unlikely? You hoped for a change but nothing you have tried so far has worked and you have become discouraged.
Maybe you are a smoker, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot quit. Sometimes you are better at controlling it, but you are never completely free. Or, perhaps you compulsively overspend, and no matter how you budget your money, you always end the month with little or no savings. From time to time, you manage to have extra cash on hand but, in general, you live paycheck to paycheck.
What persistent challenge have you been facing but been unable to master?
The truth is that we all have an aspect of our lives that we want to change but have been unable to permanently change. When we think about this aspect and our frustrated efforts to improve it, we may question ourselves: “What is wrong with me?” “Why can’t I get this right?!” We may even berate ourselves. “You idiot! Why can’t you just straighten up and fly right?!” “I do so many other things well. Why does this problem persist?! It just does not make sense!”
Some of my more persistent challenges that I have been unable to permanently eliminate make me feel this way. For example, since high school, I have struggled with being late to events, meetings, etc. And, it really burns me that I cannot seem to drop this habit of lateness. One would think that I would “get over” this bad habit after suffering through some very embarrassing moments caused by my chronic tardiness. Not so.
It does not help that I firmly believe that we create our own experiences. So, now I am doubly disappointed. I am often late. I want to stop being late but I cannot seem to drop this habit and I am the reason that it persists. My Grandma Ellie used to say, “If that don’t beat all?!” With my close friends that know my issue with being late, I will often jokingly ask them, “Excuse me, but can you push me out of my own way?”
When I thought about my conversation with my friend, I recalled how “absolutely disgusted” I have felt when I have shown up late to an important event or meeting. But, I am the thinker that thinks the thought that creates the thing, right? So, who was this woman who thought always being late would be fun? What was going on in her head?
And, then it hit me: The life I am experiencing right now was built thought by thought and word by word by the me of yesterday. And, the life I experience tomorrow will be designed by the me of today.
Breathe!
Right now, in the midst of fussing at and beating myself up about always being late, I am designing my tomorrow. Ugh!!! Could someone please push me out of my own way?! For real this time!
The more I thought about my conversation, the more I realized that I had to develop a different attitude toward this woman who could not seem to stop being late. I mean, for crying out loud, she is the General Contractor in charge my future. If I mistreat her, it will probably impact her design in some way…and probably not a good way. Wow! I have to be pleasant to this person who embarrasses me by routinely showing up late for important events and affairs.
What did Grandma Ellie say? “If that don’t beat all?!”
In the end, I concluded that I have to let it go. So, I do not get everywhere on time. Okay. We spend so much time criticizing ourselves for our mistakes. Let it go. Be gentle with yourself. If you were raising a child who was just learning to walk, how effective do you think it would be to berate the child for falling down? It probably would not get you the result you want and you would probably slow the child’s progress because of all the criticism.
We work the same way. We do not get better when we berate or heap loads of mean-spirited criticism upon ourselves. Just like the child learning to walk, our progress slows. For some of us, we create such a hypercritical environment that our progress grinds to a complete halt.
You actually move faster and better when you speak loving, kind words to yourself. Be very complimentary to the you of today. Think of the baby learning to walk for the first time. Whenever the baby takes one step, everyone around it praises it for that one step.
Apply the praise each step concept to the you of today. For every victory, give yourself a hi-five. Better yet, indulge in a mini-celebration for it. Then, pat yourself on the back, look in the mirror and say these words: “Good job! You did it!”
If I could change the response that I originally gave my friend when she expressed her deep discontent, I would say, “Be kind to the person you are today; for it is she that speaks the words and thinks the thoughts that build your tomorrow.”
Sabotaged
I am discovering that I have certain trigger points for eating junk…the biggest culprit is staying up too late. So here it is…a little after one in the morning and I am just now getting sleepy…however this comes after eating two large brownies. AUGH! In my head I knew better…but I was bored (and not the I can’t find anything to do type of bored, but the it’s been so long since I’ve eaten that I must eat again type of bored. Ever felt that way?)
Anyway, I am guessing that if I am going to be successful on this weight loss journey, I am going to have to go to bed earlier. Which is okay, since my goal for February is to get up at 5am EVERY morning…more about that later.
Good night.
Monday, January 25, 2010
back in the saddle again..
Back to Weight Watchers this past Sunday.. officially back in the saddle. The good news is that I’m the same weight I was when I started going back to Weight Watchers pre-baby. Of course, I gained back those 12 pounds I lost.. but heck, it could’ve been super, duper worse, right? I guess I’ll count my blessings.. however small they may be.
I’m sure there will be a lot of points-related posts moving forward. You know you love it!!!
Weekly Tips For Permanent Weight Loss (2)
Plan
You have decided to give yourself the gift of a better life in 2010.- a thinner, healthier, more enjoyable life. How do you fill such a tall order? This requires a plan – not just another diet, but a comprehensive plan to change your lifestyle. Your have the will to change your life, now lets talk about the how. Forethought is essential.
Your plan will need to address you as a whole, not just you as an eating machine. Your weight problem isn’t just about food. In addition to your food choices, you need to consider your social life, family life, your friends, your activity (or lack there of), your habits, your work, the stresses in your life, and your spiritual life. Write down how each of these things affects your eating habits. Do they contribute to over-eating or do they support healthy habits? How can each of them change, to support health, without losing their value?
When you are consider the people in your life, can you talk to them about how they can support your decision? Will they help remove the temptations that have contributed to your overeating? You will need to make them understand how important this is to you. If they don’t support you, how can you minimize the effect they have on your choices. For example: will your family, or the people you live with, support your decision to prepare foods differently? If they refuse to make changes themselves, you may need to prepare your meals separately or choose only certain foods from the menu. If the family is having fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and cole slaw, you could remove the skin from a piece of chicken breast and put low-sugar barbeque sauce on it, bake a small sweet potato for yourself and make the slaw with light mayonnaise. Better yet, talk them into BBQ’d chicken, baked sweet potato fries and low-calorie slaw.
Another example might be, do your coworkers always want you to go out with them to restaurants that only offer unhealthy, fattening foods? Your plan, in this case, could be to 1) bring your own lunch 2) to ask them to go to a different restaurant or 3) to ask the waiter to prepare your food differently. You could ask for broiled or grilled fish rather than fried or ask for steamed vegetables rather than fries. Of course, you would get better results at a restaurant that caters to people who want to eat a healthy diet.
When addressing your social and spiritual life, consider how they affect your self-image as well as your lifestyle. In most cases, you would not be making your life “better” if you suddenly gave up your social and spiritual support systems. You can, however, plan how you can change the way you relate to them in terms of their influence on your eating habits. For example, if you have pot-luck meals together and most of the food is loaded with fat and sugar, you could bring something healthy that you really like. Bring something that could serve as a meal, such as a great salad, with a variety of vegetables and fruits and topped with grilled chicken, salmon or bean relish. Who knows, they might really like it too and may begin to ask you about your new healthy food choices. You might be able to slowly change the way everyone eats, helping them to have a healthier life as well.
When addressing stresses in your life, consider how they are affecting your health and how much they are preventing you from making the changes you need to make to lose weight and keep it off. One example might be, your job demands long hours of high-pressure work. A job change might be out of the question at the time. Think about how you can cut the time you have to spend at work. Maybe there are ways to increase your efficiency. Maybe you need to talk to your boss about getting help. Also, consider whether the pressure you feel is self-induced or a result of external pressures. If they are self-induced, you need to consider how your motivations to overwork impact your goal of a better life. Is the promise of a better income worth it, if it destroys your health? Is the need for recognition clouding your judgment? Maybe you just need to learn how to prove your worth by showing your boss what you have accomplished and ask for promotions or raises. Your boss may be too busy dealing with his or her own issues to notice yours. Don’t resent it. It is just part of the human condition. Be your own advocate.
Next week I will discuss your diet plan. What’s the very best “diet” to help you achieve permanent weight change?
Fast Weight Loss Formula
Interestingly, there is a bunch of methods that usually deal with the fast weight loss formula with the intentions of making the body more attractive and in order to take back their previous shapes. This is, actually, according to the contradictions between two ideas right here. The point is that there are two ways: either to get rid of extra weight healthy or to do this quite quickly. However, it is impossible to do this in both ways at the same time. So it means that you have to choose what really matters for you: your health or the terms. Admittedly, many experts truly believe that the maximum amount of pounds the person can shed each week rounds to two pounds. Unfortunately, it is impossible to do it on a healthy manner and also very quickly. In reality, you cannot reach both goals at the same time unless you consider it to be a rapid change. When you have found some which would meet your needs and expectations, you are advisable to check once again its dieting strategies that could provide you with a long-term effect. But you will surely need patience, determination and good brainstorming.
Remarkably, the only right situation for the quick weight loss might be the one when the person gives preferences to the terms, but not to the quality. As far as the general number of pounds that the person can lose during the day is about two, the total sum for the year would round to one hundred. If to pout these expectations in the frame of one or two weeks, one person would have really much to do. When we speak about the long-term fat burning plan, these results are going to be permanent and without any unpleasant surprises. My strong recommendation is that you have to consider firstly the safe factor of weight loss program better than the quick pace of it, because our health is more important than our desires and believes about the slim shapes of any woman. However, you must be prepared to the rapid changes, as your body can drastically ready to them, because its everyday equilibrium was ruined. Admittedly, the majority of fast weight loss programs are focused on the utilization of the diuretic that, actually, leads to the outcome when our body flushes extra water and antioxidants and other poisonous substances. As the result such changes cause huge decrease of weight.
Finally, our organism after such reconstruction come back to the previous work and state very quickly. However, I understand that you might not to experience this state again and again, as it results in some kind of disappointment for your body when the program does not work. Moreover, do not become a victim of any weight loss method and believe in practice.
Have you heard that you can be heading in the wrong direction with your weight loss plans. If you want to lose weight fast – then this weight loss information can open your eyes.
Nowadays we live in the world where information quickly enhances the quality of our life.
That is why if you are properly armed with the information in your sphere of interest you can rest assured that you will always find the solution to any bad situation. So, please make sure to visit this site on a regular basis or – the least time consuming way of doing it – sign up to its RSS feed. Thus you will have your hand on the pulse of the freshest info updates here. Blogs can be helpful, you just need to understand how to use them.
Friday, January 22, 2010
I could get nekkid
In the past few years, I’ve grown increasingly comfortable not wearing any clothes around my home, which is a large part of why I was excited to move in by myself: NAKED ALL THE TIME (the other large reason for living alone? Not sharing a fridge). My favorite thing about the weekends, besides staying up late and sleeping in, is rolling out of bed and not putting clothes on until I’m ready to venture outside. Even when I had roommates, I regularly sat around in just my underwear or a pair of shorts if I was home alone. I’m fairly comfortable in my own skin and love not being confined or restricted by clothing, undergarments in particular. AND NOW I HAVE SCIENCE BACKING ME UP. SWEET.
Last night at the gym was Abs and Lower Body. The regular teacher was back, thank God. She is a HOOT. She’S in CRAAAAAZY shape; I’m pretty sure she wasn’t sweating or breathing hard by the end of class, and she was hopping around probably more than anyone else in there. And you know what? My legs are sore today! So are my abs! The class was a lot of hard work, but it was FUN, so I’m excited to try the Abs and Upper Body again with her as a teacher. I think I’ll hit those classes on Tuesday/Thursday, then run the rest of the week. And Yoga Monday after work, with this crazy little Hispanic lady who kind of looks like a bag lady but who knows her yoga.
Weight Loss - How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?
I confess i am totally weight obsessed at times. I’m an all or nothing type of girl.
Every morning the first thing i do is get on those dreaded scales. Even though i calculate my weeks weight loss on a Monday morning.
I think being this obsessed has it’s pro’s and con’s. If i weigh myself and i see i have lost a pound since the previous day i am delighted and totally motivated, if i gain a pound i get my ass into gear. Though i think many people could find this a real de-motivator if that’s the case don’t weigh yourself this regularly.
However it is important to get on with the rest of your life and not let your weight become all you think about.
Remember all the other things that make you great and that interest you.
Also it’s perfectly normal for your weight to fluctuate on a daily basis for many different reasons.
Most people seem to recommend weighing your self once a week on the same day.
As for me despite this advice i’ll keep weighing myself on a daily basis because it works for me.
image: www.flickr.com/photos/modashell/3672307413/
Weight Loss - Those Stubborn Christmas Pounds
Well here we are, already we are half way through January and i’m alreay a bit disillusioned with the whole weight loss thing.
I don’t know what happened at the end of last year but i managed to gain a whole stone….shh dont’ tell anyone though.
I started the new year eating in the way that has helped me lose weight in the past. This basically consisted of eating nothing all day and just one meal in the evening.
In the past i’ve lost weight really quickly this way but this time round it’s moving slowly if at all. I was soooo good last week i was devastated to stand on the scales on Monday morning to find they hadn’t budged.
So as is the modern way i hit the net to find out why. Well you can imagine my shock when i find out that Sumo Wrestlers keep there large shape by eating just one large meal a day!!!
Without boring you to much with the science it seems that if you don’t eat regularly your body will go into starvation mode and stop burning those calories.
So the Sumo Shock has me reaching for those old faithful weight watchers books. I used them to lose the baby weight and they work efficiently for me just maybe not quite as quickly as i would like…i mean is 4lbs a week too greedy? It seems the answer is yes. So i’m going to settle for the recommended 1-2lbs a week.
I’ll let you know how i get on.
Image : www.flickr.com/photos/hckyso/2708042214/
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Vigilance will be the key (#10in10)
It has been a few weeks since my last update. It’s certainly not because I haven’t had anything going on; on the contrary, I’ve definitely had a few successes and a few set-backs. My biggest set-back was perhaps the New Year Eve party and subsequent weekend. I don’t party much anymore, really very little in the last three or four years. I definitely haven’t attended social functions since I began the SWENDO program. Avoidance is not a good tactic for long-term handling of trigger-situations, but I was using it for the short-term.
Since I didn’t have any (many) other techniques for dealing with the party situation, and since so many very yummy treats were offered, I partook, and didn’t even count the calories. I also forgot, when trying to recreate the crime-scene later, that I did have a few alcoholic drinks – guess what? those alcoholic drinks have calories too!
So, New Year’s Eve, the following Friday, with boredom and some personal stress added in, a treat to my favourite Dim Sum restaurant on Sunday, and you can imagine my horror at my regular Monday weigh-in. Yes, I had gained five pounds. Five and a half!
Now, the success: I got right back on the program. Monday, January 4, I had a little chat with myself. The entire holiday season was officially over, no more excuses. Listen, no guilt – because we all deserve a little party, a little splurge, a holiday! And, I am so ecstatic that I get this, I have the tools I need to keep up, or resume, my weight loss. So, I did. I started back in with my shakes, and my put-together meal. I started my exercise again. When I weighed in on the 11th, I had lost seven pounds.
Honestly, I’m not sure exactly if I really gained and lost those five pounds. It could have been some water weight, or other temporary body mass fluctuations, which I really don’t want to go into during a discussion of my own reality. But the net over the two weeks was a loss of two pounds, and that is number I can accept.
Having regular check-ups is a good thing, when you are actively working towards a goal of any kind. My weekly weigh-ins are very, very helpful. But every once in a while, you need some follow-up. On this program, we schedule a re-measurement about two months into the program. This week, I had my re-measurement and my diabetes follow-up with the endocrinologist (two separate appointments).
During my re-measurement, we confirmed that I had lost 8.5% of my starting weight. I had increased my “multiplier,” which is the indicator of metabolism. And I had lost inches from all over. Half an inch from my neck to three inches from around my waist! I complained to my nutritionist that I can’t see the change in my clothes, and she retorted that it would be more apparent if I had been wearing clothes that fit in the first place. I wear baggy clothes. They were baggy when I started, and I guess they’re baggier now – but that’s why it’s not apparent to me.
We discussed the fact that I only have three more weeks in the program. I asked if it was time for me to move to real meals. So, I am now on five regular meals. 1400 calories per day – this will keep me still on a losing path (that’s good, in this case) – but transition me off from an unrealistic shakes-only diet. I can still use those protein shakes, especially to supplement those mid-meal snacks, but I can also use real “snacks” – some protein carb combo that is less than 150 calories and no more than 15 grams of carbs – ah yes, didn’t think I remembered that I’m diabetic, did you?
Brings me to my appointment with Dr. Ferraro. I think I was in there fifteen minutes – my readings have averaged 128. He started off by saying that he wanted to see me back in six months – then thought he’d better check with me in three (not too far from the ending of my weight-loss program). I went to have blood drawn to check my A1C, and will do so again in April, right before my appointment. I am hoping the results of this one will not be too disastrous.
I have only been on my real meal diet for two days – day 1 went spectacularly well – I ended the day on 1100 calories. Less actually, because I now round up to make my math easier. I am continuing with my daily exercise regimens, although I need to add strength training into the mix. I feel more fit, and more energetic. And when I reach the next milestone – which is to have a number on the scale less than 200, I’m going on a tiny little shopping spree.
That last statement brings our discussion to rewards. You have to reward yourself. The end result will be a reward in itself, but being human, we want those stupid little pats on the back, don’t we? I fully intend to get down to my goal weight of 140 (maybe this year, maybe not – not pushing it, as long as there’s a downward trend). But at those mid-journey mile-stones, you have to stop and congratulate yourself. Now, a dinner out might NOT be the best choice, so I’m going to treat myself to one or two new outfits – tailored or form-fitting, whichever feels better, but it will be nice to get something a size (or two?) smaller than my current 18.
Special note for today: My blood glucose level after my walk and right before lunch was 89. I’m not “normal” yet – but it is so nice to see.
Meet Yourself Halfway
I love this clip. If you can spare a minute and fourteen seconds, it will move you.
Show it to your sister, daughter, mother and friends.
Save it to Delicious. Watch it often.
But please also, find some middle ground. It’s too easy to blame the Glam Industry for our own lowered self esteem images just as we don’t mind McDonalds taking a hit in the media for producing our Supersized Nations.
Remember to meet yourself halfway.
Be on top of your decisions. Take responsibility for your mental health and your physical self. You are completely the total sum of all of your thoughts and actions to this very moment. If you want a different outcome, you will need to think differently. Think for yourself. Change habits one at a time. And be influenced not by the media, neither the advertising industry, nor your fat friends and family!
Meet yourself halfway.
Yes it’s human, In fact it’s wonderful, that we will never be perfect.
Smile about it, celebrate it.
Be grateful we can be let off.
But No, there is nothing wrong with striving to be the very best you can be.
Decide where that halfway point is for you.
And toe the line.
Toe the line.
Toe the line.
Natural Weight Loss: When you do not have to Go Over
Eat right, keep moving.
You just have read all that you need to know about how to prevent being overweight. That simple set of instructions should be easy to follow, but not for 35% of Americans who are unable to prevent being overweight.
Of course, once we are overweight, we usually want to trim down for a whole lot of reasons, some related to health, others having to do with looks.
In addition, it is never too late to lose weight. But the fact is, it is a whole lot easier to prevent putting on pounds than to try losing them later on. And if there is one thing we all know, it is that weight gain is likely to happen if we do not take forward-looking steps to stop it.
Health experts say that most people who are into losing weight usually stray. They tend to go back to their old eating habits even after they learn to enjoy low-fat eating. They tend to return to sedentary ways even though they enjoy exercising.
But despite the momentum toward weight gain, you can stop it from happening, experts say. And there are plenty of good reasons to avoid excess pounds, reasons that go beyond vanity or social acceptance.
In fact, some health experts contend that the significance of excess weight is more than cosmetic. They say that it takes a huge toll on people’s physical health.
The Way to Losing Weight…Naturally
The nuts and bolts of eating right maintaining a healthy weight is not all that complicated. In fact, it is a good bet that most people know pretty well what is best. Hence, losing weight the natural way should not be a problem at all.
Consequently, a reasonable approach for losing weight naturally is to stick to a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, high in fiber, moderate in protein, and low in fat.
A complex carbohydrate is a baked potato. Fat is the sour cream and butter you should not put on it. Fiber is vegetables. Fat is the oil you should not fry them in. Protein is a lean cut of meat. Fat is the gravy you should not pour over it.
Moreover, health experts say that dietary fat promotes weight gain because it is a very dense source of calories. Also, when you consume excess calories from dietary fat, you store those calories as body fat more efficiently than excess calories from other sources.
On the other hand, it can also help you lose weight naturally if you will not fall into the so-called “fat-free” trap. Manufacturers keep coming out with low-fat or fat-free versions of their best-selling foods, but Americans keep getting fatter anyway.
One of the greatest delusions of the 1990s is that “no fat” means “non-fattening.” The truth is, you are often getting just as many calories from the no-fat version, even if the calories are not coming from fat.
The term fat-free can be a trap if you start to believe that you can eat any amount of the foods that are advertised that way.
What’s more, it is best to respond to hunger with healthful snacks. Health experts say it would be better to try eating every three to four hours, which may mean a nutritious low-fat snack between lunch and dinner.
When you feel the urge for food coming on, snacking on something healthy such as a slice of whole-grain toasted bread is a better alternative. Never skip a meal and eat snacks instead because that is the worst thing you can do if you are trying to control your eating habits and weight.
Remember, if you want to lose weight naturally, you have to keep track of every food you eat and of every activity that you do. When you say natural weight loss means that you do not have to use some accessories or helpful aids just to lose weight.
Losing weight naturally is a process and not a fad. Hence, it would take a lot of dogged determination, self-control, and discipline just to achieve your ideal weight.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Recipe: Homemade Slow-Cooker Chicken Soup
I made this in my 5-quart slow cooker. This is low-carb and low-fat.
Step 1 -
Ingredients:
- 48 oz. Swanson’s Chicken Broth
- 3 Large Split Breast Chicken Breasts w/bone & skin
- 1 Large Sweet Onion
- 1 Large Red Onion
- 1 Head of Garlic
- 1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp. Onion Powder
- Salt & Pepper
I start this just before bed. Pour chicken broth into slow cooker and turn on low. Rinse chicken breasts and add to pot. Clean onions and garlic and add to pot (cut onions in quarters if needed). Add spices, cover and cook on low overnight. In the morning shut off cooker, remove chicken to separate bowl, and pour broth through sieve to remove larger ingredients. Place broth and chicken in refrigerator.
Step 2 -
Ingredients:
- Prepared broth
- Prepared Chicken Breasts
- 3 cups water
- 3 or 4 large Celery Stalks
- 1 Medium Carrot
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (membrane and seeds removed)
- 2 Jalapenos (membrane and seeds removed)
- 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp. Paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Remove broth and chicken from fridge. Skim fat off the top of broth, place back into slow-cooker and turn on high. Add the water. Clean and chop celery, carrot, bell pepper and jalapenos and add to broth. Clean the chicken of bone and skin and cut into 1/2 inch cubes, place in broth. Add spices, cover and cook on high for about 3 hours or until vegetables are tender.
Time sure flies when you're unconscious
I spent the better part of my day asleep, drugged out of my head and dreaming my life away instead of actually living it.
I kid you not, I had a dream I trimmed my nails and when I got up – was surprised to see that they were not, in fact, trimmed.
This further strengthens my resolve not to do drugs recreationally.
By the time I got up I had zero enthusiasm to do anything. But, when you’re the only one in the house who knows what you can and can’t have, you must get off your aching behind and trudge through it anyway.
I made my Texas caviar. It’s an easy dish you don’t have to cook. Served with blue corn chips it made a tasty dinner.
It’s two cans of black eyed peas, one can of black beans, one tomato, one bell pepper, some jalapenos for spice, red onion and light Italian dressing.
It makes a ton but that’s okay because you have plenty of leftovers to last several days. And this is the type of dish that tastes better the longer it sits.
I figure Wednesday I’ll go do more shopping for the next week. I’m really rather psyched about it. I’ve got so many wonderful recipes ready to try including veggie chili and vegan cornbread, Vegan pizza with my first foray into Vegan cheese territory (wish me luck). Also gonna try my first vegan dessert – rice pudding with cinnamon and raisins.
It’s gonna be a fun week. Did I mention already that I love my food?
I’m really excited about trying a black bean and sweet potato enchilada recipe as well. It’ll make the list next week for sure, because I love enchiladas and this fits the bill to steer away from mock substitutes and instead go for new and exciting flavor combinations.
Still having fun. Still going strong. That seven pound loss from this morning? Merely an added benefit.
How are you all doing?
Sunday Stats
Breakfast – Smoothie made up of orange juice, a banana, an apple and a carrot. Coffee.
Lunch – Homemade mushroom soup, 2 x nimble bread. Options hot chocolate
Afternoon Snack – 2 x snack a jack
Dinner – Pasta with meat free mince & tomato pasta sauce, ww yogurt.
Late after walk snack – philly sandwich with a tomato, hot chocolate & rice cake.
Total calories – 1323
Steps taken – ???! My pedometer is on my phone and my dad called half way through my walk so don’t know exactly how many steps I took altogether!
Exercise – Took Sky for a walk and practised for C23K starting tomorrow. Did 5 seperate minutes of jogging. Would’ve done more if dad didn’t call, ah well! We were out for about 50 minutes.
Distance (google) – 2 miles
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday Baybeh
K well I woke up listening to “Lykke Li – Little Bit” what a chill way to wake up :] It was playing on some online radio station. But anyways damn.. Woke up craving a Subway Sammich “Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki” to be exact. But umm, It was too early so I made a Grilled Cheese Sammich instead. Sorry I didn’t take a picture of it but ya know that shit all looks the same. A grilled cheese sammich and a glass of a milk. Great way to start the day (not really).
A few hours later, after that awesome breakfast, I started this routine. Other than doing P90x I will do a seperate workout mid-day. Well this routine consist of hardcore stretching (yeah not yoga lol), jogging (not counting distance but minutes), jumping jacks (100), sit ups (100 / 4 sets of 25), and push ups (4 sets of 25). Well that’s the mid-day workout routine.. Everyday.
Pretty much on the way to losing the weight. All I need is a pump and a helmet for my daily bike rides. Wear a helmet!! I read this article over at iMiNUSD (article click here). Glad they’re okay. Helmets saves lives so wear one!
Well this was my Friday update. Enjoy your weekend folks. Be safe!
Are You Ready For Turbulence Training?
If you are tired of doing long, slow, and highly boring cardiovascular exercise routines that do not appear to do anything for you except take up your valuable time, you need to consider a new program that may change your life with only a short amount of time each day. This revolutionary new program is known as Turbulence training and it was created to help people get the most out of an exercise session.
Do you enjoy taking the time to do cardiovascular each day for over thirty minutes each time? Cardio is one of the least favorite activities that men and women can do to lose gut fat. Men, if you are prepared to work on building your six pack ; turbulence coaching can help you to accomplish this in an exceedingly brief period. Turbulence coaching will help you to get rid of fat quickly while allowing your body to keep the muscles you have built. This program requires no special appliances, additions or endless hours of the feared cardiovascular exercise. Instead, you can do this workout at home, using straightforward exercises that may be done at the time that’s handy for you.
Ladies, losing pounds is often troublesome and the weight loss may not be in the areas that you need it to be in. With turbulence coaching, you can change your life with three short but intense sets of exercises that will help you to scale back your blubber, remove weight from places you would like such as your hips and waist, and help you to be a more healthy person in only one or two weeks. You can enjoy better breathing, more energy, and even develop an affection for fresh foods that youhaven’t had before.
A large amount of research has gone into creating this exercise schedule. The research exposed that cardiovascular exercising is not as good as interval coaching. You can lose more fat from turbulence coaching than from doing hours of cardio! Yet, pretty much every weight-loss plan tells you that cardiovascular is the way to go. Analysts found that this weight reduction method would burn stomach fat ( one of the most difficult to get rid of in women andmen ) faster than the slow technique of cardiovascular.
have you got fourteen hours a week to dedicate to doing exercises? Most of us in today’s hectic pacy world definitely would say that they don’t. Turbulence coaching can replace the superseded and poor workout exercises that most fitness mags are still telling people to use. The majority of these exercises come from studies done in the 80s and 90s and haven’t been updated at all . Do not make the same error as most people do and check out what this methodology can do for you in such a short time.
Avoid the injuries that long-term cardiovascular exercise programmes could cause to your body and discover how boosting your body’s metabolism can do more for fat burning than any other exercise you can do. Turbulence coaching won’t turn your body into one that you may associate with extraordinary bodybuilding. Instead, youwill build a better body that you may be pleased with and help yourself to stay healthy no matter your age.
If Turbulence coaching is not for you but you would like to try another kind of program, try these below :
review truth about six pack abs
alwyn cosgrove warp speed fat loss
.
new rezzies
oopsies! i meant to post my newest resolutions way earlier. like always, i’m taking the same ones from rezzies past & evaluating them first. oooh, i can’t wait! let’s get started…
*lose weight i lost 10lbs over the year & gained it back. go me. that’s what i’m famous for, & i didn’t let myself down. again. but! i have been doing jillian michaels since last week & lost 3lbs., but then i followed it up with excessive drinking & eating copious amounts of un-named fast food…and STILL lost another half-pound!
*drink less i have done this. for realsies! i can still drink any one of you fuckers under the table, but i’ve curbed my addiction slightly! or perhaps i’ve just been drinking stronger things…so i can drink less…technically…but really i’m drinking more. whatever.
*gossip less yes. did this, too! i still gossip like the dickens, but i HAVE been doing it less!
*buy more lusciously tall shoes actually, sadly, i’ve been wearing flats & kitten heels more. not because i don’t want to be teetering around precariously, but because i’ve been retardedly broke! and walking places! and the floors in some of my favorite bars are sloped and/or slippery & dangerous!
*investigate hair bleaching again, yes! and i did it right before the year’s end! it’s NOT impossible to strip years of black from your hair! step-by-step instructions coming soon!
*buy a good meat cleaver i’d actually forgotten about this one. this year for sure.
*have dinner & drinks with the friends we always talk about going out with & never do done! at least most of you! i love you–you know who you are!
*possibly try & get more sleep since being unemployed has left me with lots of time on my hands, this one too is accomplished! i slept till 11 today!
*become bffs with m-k duh! just check out the picture above! it’s proof! what?
*learn to play my guitar again sort of! AND i’ve accumulated a bass! and apparently i’m going to be in a band! with real musicians! and i have bass lessons lined up!
*fashion a coke-nail out of my left pinkie i grew out all of my nails to a perfect length long enough to snort whatever your heart desired out of, & sam was horrified when i used one of them as a screwdriver. i cut them after i discovered typing & texting just weren’t the same.
*roast a pheasant still no. sigh.
*wear more hats lame! i’m getting rid of this one. although, i’mma find a way to integrate my new, beautiful headdress into my wardrobe this year!
new ones:
*investigate going eyebrow-less! or at least grow them out & see what happens now that i don’t have black hair. i tried it once in the privacy of my own bathroom, & it was very beth ditto…just not sure if i’d venture out like that. what’s worse though: going out without brows, or going out with brows you draw on with a stencil?! the mind quails.
*make bffs with a tranny if you think this is rude & inappropriate, think again my little judgmental scabie! who else could i put on ludicrous amounts of makeup with, go shoe shopping with, play dress-up with & then have a double-penetration threesome with without a strap-on?! see…see?? what. i want one.
*go totally, completely platinum give me just a little grow-out time, a trim & another bleaching treatment & it will happen. very soon. get excited.
*convince my mom NOT to sign up to facebook shudder.
*learn all of lady gaga’s dance moves i think this one speaks for itself.
*get a job i think this one speaks for itself as well. it’s SUCH a struggle though! after a few months of looking, you just start to feel like a doomed loser. and when no one else has a job either, it kind of makes you feel okay! so it’s easy to slack-off! it’s terrible. i would only wish it upon a few people.
that’s all, babies! i think it’s best to keep it a little more on the modest side, don’t you?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Week 3 check in
Wow…Today marks second week in a row I’ve met goal of attending spin class 3x per week. I am so thrilled, you have no idea. Something is clicking in my head and this feels like it’s sticking!
Today I am REALLY hungry. My meals today:
1 piece Ezikiel toast w/tiny bit raw almond butter and scant amount of agave
amaranthe w/blueberries
1 green drink with green powder & raw kale, blueberries & that vegan protein powder you had me buy (millet, quinoa and amaranthe in it I think) in a base of unsweetened rice milk (it was less expensive than the other options)
1 organic fuji apple and about 1/8 cp raw almonds
1 piece Eziekiel bread w/vegan may & 1/2 avodado
2 thin slices of applegate farms herbed turkey breast (from trader joe’s)
Any ideas on a good dinner? I have some hoppin john made..maybe serve it with quinoa and some freshly juiced carrots?
A salad? (bleh)?
Healthy Weight loss
Do you need to lose weight, but how? Lose weight quickly by changing your mindset about food and exercise. If you don’t know how or where to start, here are a few ideas to get you started. Find a place where you feel that you fit in. A place that suits your life style and your goals.
Get yourself to your local herbalist or educated health food store owner. Begin to build a medicine cabinet of teas, and herbal remedies that can help to increase metabolism, improve health, clean out the bowel and purge the entire system.
Weight loss can be achieved by reducing the calories intake, and increasing the calories burnt in a day. It is best to go about making small changes in your life style when it comes to the way you eat and exercises you use. Small changes over a longer period is more likely to keep the weight off forever, compared to major changes in your diet and exercises in short period can let you lose weight fast, but also risk of putting the weight back on.
How lose weight quickly
If you are worried about weight loss and wonder how? Lose weight quickly by getting a plan and sticking to it. If you have a bad day and cheat, forgive yourself, immediately, and start again the very next day.
Set goals and rewards:
Make intermediate goals. Give yourself a reward for staying on track. I will buy new underwear when I have reached the first goal. I will get a massage when I reach the second goal, noticing how both rewards helped me to reach my third goal sooner than expected, so I will go shopping for a new dress for Christmas.
Increase moderate exercise, decrease the amount of stress in your life or take a break from it. Try a voice nap (rest your voice for several hours, keep a pad of paper and a pencil nearby for emergency chatting), try meditation (learn to sit in stillness, remember meditation builds the muscle of concentration), Try a silent retreat, no one to talk to but yourself and the added bonus that the food is usually simple, brown and whole with few or limited stimulants.
Eat More Vegetables
Without saying anything about the health benefits of eating vegetables, you need to eat more of them because they don’t have nearly the amount of calories that other foods do. You can learn to make them in a number of ways. Learn how. Lose weight because you’ve filled up on the good stuff without depriving yourself of anything else.
eward Yourself With Foods You Love
Most people fail on diets because they can’t have the things they love. Chocolate, bread, a bowl of mashed potatoes may be forbidden on many diets, but by giving yourself a reward when you’ve been good will help you to stay on that diet. You are likely to continue to do good so that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating those foods.
Read About Headache Prevention And Natural Remedies For Headache And Also Get rid Of Headache
Week 2 Weigh In
I thought I knew what I’d write about as I sat down to watch The Biggest Loser this week. The show had something else planned for me.
Let’s start with my weigh-in: Pounds Lost: 2 Percentage of Weight Lost: .08%.
I was definitely at the bottom. I did feel better knowing that I didn’t gain a pound like Melissa but, still, the teams beat me. The main culprits in my less-than-stellar weigh-in were calorie counts and work outs that didn’t measure up to theirs. In this game, however, I can’t afford to allow defeat to beat me down. Why? Because it’s not a game, it’s my life.
This goes way beyond the numbers on the scale, however. In all honesty I want to tell you that, after watching The Biggest Loser at a friends, I pulled into Taco Bell’s drive-thru on my way home. I was looking for emotional release at the drive-thru window. But, in a moment of clarity, I realized I wouldn’t find any answers in a taco and drove away before ordering.
In the past 5 days I’ve started dwelling in the pain of the last 5 years and all the people I’ve lost. It’s been months since those moments replayed so clearly in my head but, this week, the memories were as vivid as if they happened yesterday. They popped up everywhere…in bed, on the treadmill…at a hockey game…
I saw Rick as he was that last night, dancing, being his usual goofy self. I saw him 36 hours later, his eyes shut, gone forever because of an aneurism at the age of 44. I saw my cousin Lori, my father and all the others that were taken too soon, without warning or cruelly. The strangest part of this is that I didn’t realize how far into the past I’d gone until I saw this weeks episode.
It was when the Purple Team’s family said that a parent shouldn’t outlive their child that I began to cry. I thought I was crying because of their realization that this loss was possible. But, as I drove away from Taco Bell, I knew I cried because of my own losses that came too soon, that weren’t fair, that didn’t have a good enough explanation. I cried for Rick, for my cousin Lori, for Chris, for my father, for Daphne but, most of all, for me. Because I still miss them. Because I still feel guilty for living when they died. Because I’ve packed on 70 pounds to insulate myself from loving and losing anyone new.
I’ve spent my whole life living for other people, for what they think of me, for what they want from me, for what they need and that has added up to a half a life for me. And, when many of those people lost their life, I lost a big part of mine, too. So, the truth is, I’m starting over again at 46 with a lot of weight to lose and a lot of baggage to dump along the way.
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Fresh Diet - Frozen Staff, Never Frozen Food
At The Fresh Diet, we never serve food that is frozen, freeze dried, reconstituted, vacuum packed, etc. However, sometimes we do freeze our staff. This morning it was record cold in South Florida and I snapped a few shots of our frozen staff. Order fresh food, created and delivered by frozen people, click here.
Daniel from our Web Department tries to keep warm
Ezzie busts out the leather Jacket to stay warm
Is Ray cold, or hamming it up for the camera?
If you talk to Laurie today you may hear her teeth chatter
Weigh-In
Okay, I’m really happy today because I lost 4.4 lbs this week! This is the first week that I’ve really tried to eat healthy and exercise, etc. I expected maybe a pound or two, but I was not expecting this much.
I’ve been counting my Weight Watchers points, but I haven’t been perfect. I’ve had a few things that I probably shouldn’t have, but I guess the difference is that I’ve had them in moderation. I haven’t felt at all deprived and yet I’ve lost more than I thought possible for one week. (Hey, this isn’t Biggest Loser, you know.)
I’ve also been exercising since I’m training for the 5k (which I’m totally not ready for). This week I plan to work in some strength training also. Last week I just ran and walked.
So my goals for improvement this week are:
- Continue counting Weight Watchers points on everything.
- Continue running and add strength training.
- Drink more water.
- Cook more healthy meals at home.
- Get more sleep. (Just for general good health. Also I make better food decisions when I’m not exhausted.)
- Plan ahead. (I go back to school this week and I have an evening class. So if I don’t plan, I’ll be grabbing fast food on my way to school.)
Current weight: 176.2
Sunday, January 10, 2010
10. Octopus on Etsy!
Want one?
So yeah, it’s been a few days since I removed my lip jewelry. Looks like a freckle meebee? I had it for nearly a year and it was fun while it lasted.
Trying to work out and such. I’m often done things cold turkey and it has worked well until now. Comfort eating & my love for salt is an issue. It took me awhile to lose 8 pounds and awhile ago I noticed I gained back 5 of those pounds. I’M A SLACKER :d I checked yesterday and lost 3 of those 5 pounds.
My goal is to lose another 10 pounds if possible to fit comfortably in my jeans. If I could afford new jeans, then I wouldn’t bother but I CANTZ.
GET BACK ON TRACK
Friday, January 8, 2010
RLR - Week 1 Recap
This first week of the RLR C25K training has been challenging, to be sure, but also really invigorating!
I can make it through the 60-second jogging intervals, but only because I know they’re only going to last for a short time. I am definitely out of breath by the time I’m done, and it takes me almost the entire 90-second walking interval to catch my breath. I’m looking forward to this improving as I keep training.
The day after the training I am definitely sore, especially in my thighs and abs. Which is great! it takes a lot for my thighs to be sore, so I LOVE that they’re getting a great workout. Whenever my muscles are sore, it always reminds me that my body is getting healthier and leaner.
The hardest part of all of this? Being motivated to get to the gym and get on the treadmill. Going in the morning on Tuesday was great, because it gave me energy for the rest of the day, and I loved the sense of accomplishment I felt for getting my exercise “out of the way” before the day even began. Yesterday I didn’t have a chance to go in the morning because I had an early morning meeting, and I was so wiped out when I got home that I didn’t make it to the gym. Lesson learned – morning C25k trainings are the way to go for weekdays. From now on, I’m going to make sure to start my “late day” mornings with the C25k training.
Tonight I have to supervise two basketball games – at 5:30 and at 7, so I’m going to use the window between 2:30 and 5:30 to head home to get my gym clothes, go to the gym, do my C25K training, grab a quick shower, and make it back. (Hopefully I can grab dinner in there somewhere, too). Wish me luck! If I had planned better, I would’ve brought my running gear with me this morning so I could go to the gym by work. Still, the important this is that I’m committed to doing this RLR, and I’m going to make it work no matter what.
Next week I’m going to start logging in my mileage so that I can keep track of that, too. It will be really fun to know how far I’ve gone at the end of these 18-weeks.
Next week’s training schedule – Sunday, Wednesday, Friday.
Interesting Comparison between a 250 lb Woman and a 120 lb woman
This is an amazing thermal comparison of a 250 lb woman and 120 lb woman and what that extra weight does to the muscloskeletal and visceral system.
Having no medical education, you should still be able to see, just by comparison, what 100+ pounds does to the body.
Resolutions, Goals, Aspirations
I read some years ago that writing down your goals means that you are more likely (80% to be precise) to achieve them. Pretty staggering, now I wonder if the stats increase further when we post our goals and resolutions on the internet for all the world (or the small handful of people reading this) to see?
Regardless, there is something about taking time at the beginning of a New Year to reflect on the one that has passed and decide what we want for the one ahead. So, after a few days of thought (as well as being inspired by Maria’s list over at Colour Me Happy), here are a few of my Goals and Resolutions for 2010:
1. Focus On My Art- this past year has been crazy with a new baby and figuring out life with two kids, and time to devote to painting has been few and far between. Now that Carys is almost one and things here are settling down and falling into a more predictable pattern, I’m looking forward to having the time to paint and grow that business.
2. Turn My House From Builder Basic to AMAZING – In August we were thrilled to move into our first home. It has been fantastic having more space, a yard for the kids to play in, and a place of our own. We feel so lucky. We were also fortunate enough to buy our house when it was still being built, so had fun getting to pick a few of the details like the hardwood color, tile etc. However, since moving in we’ve just been focusing on getting organized and unpacked, not on the decorating aspects (making it pretty!). So, though my fantasy dream home is an old Victorian or Georgian house like this one in a beautiful city….
photo via Flickr
I live in a cute (though cookie-cutter) brand spanking new heritage style house in the suburbs, something like this…
So, this year my goal is to tackle this house, room by room, and create a beautiful home that has life and character. No more builder blah!
3. Create healthy exercise habits that take my post baby figure from looking like one of these in my jeans…
To more like this…
Which this sadistic little exercise program, commencing on Monday, should assist with! Yikes, I’m scared, it’s totally gonna kick my butt!
4. Plan More Family Outtings, Trips, and Events ….Movies, Trips to the Library, Zoo, Swimming, Camping…life gets so busy but this year we want to be deliberate about taking time to do fun things together as a family. Plus a few date nights for Mommy and Daddy here and there too
Image from Destination360.com
5. Mix Up Meal Time – I love to cook, experiment, and try/create new recipes. I’ve gotten into a bit of a rut though with cooking the same old and am committing to creating or trying a new recipe each week (which I plan on sharing with you! Stay tuned for this fun new feature…)
Photo courtesy of Barefoot Contessa, one of my favs
6. Learn More About Blogging and How to Develop This Blog – I’m really enjoying having an outlet to write, and the whole blog world is pretty neat, with some incredible people out there writing! This year I am excited to focus on this more, which will mean posting more often, connecting with other design bloggers, and also educating myself about how to develop a larger readership.
7. Take A Photography Course. I’m rather embarrassed by my photography skills (or lack of photography skills). I have to confess that though we have a wonderful camera (Nikon D80), I really know very little about photography in general and how to get the most out of our camera. I am positively envious at the amazing photos that some photographers (both professional and amateur) can produce, and would love to know enough about my camera to be able to get some beautiful shots too. So, I’m on the hunt for a great beginners photography course (as well as resource books), so if you have any tips, send them my way! Here’s some inspiration by a couple of amazing local photographers (portrait and lifestyle) whose work I admire…
Photo by Jamie Delaine
Photo by Janis Nicolay
8. Do Not Start New Projects Until I’m Finished The Currents Ones!!! I have a wee bit of a problem where I get all excited about a project (making something, painting something, creating something), rush to start it, and for an assortment of ever-changing reasons, get sidetracked. The result is an awful lot of unfinished projects which makes me very unhappy (as well a very full garage, which makes my dear husband very unhappy). So, in 2010 I will adhere to this commandment: Thou Shalt Not Start a Project Unless All Other Projects Are Completed. Please keep me accountable…this is a sickness which I am determined to break free from!
Guess I’m not the only one afflicted! Image from Cafe Press.
Whatever your resolutions are, here’s to an amazing 2010…I’m excited to see what the New Year has in store!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Hump Day
It is the third day of the week and I have been to the gym twice already, with plans to go again tonight! WOO!
OK – I know this isn’t all that impressive, but it is a big deal to me.
The first day – Kick ‘n Cardio – it was not a woo girl and I really liked the class! One I will have to repeat.
Yesterday I tried Yoga. I was imagining some crunchy telling me to connect my womanly parts to the earth – but it was actually both challenging and good. I will do this again too. Especially after a class like kick ‘n anything… was a nice stretch.
Today I think I am goin gto do Athletic Conditioning. This sounds like something beyond my fitness level, but I will do my best. If it looks too scary, I have a back up plan to do 20 – 20 – 20 on my own – 20 cardio on something else other than treadmill – 20 weight training and 20 running (as much as I can) on treadmill.
The diet? Eh – not horrible, but lots of room for improvement. There is still pie in the fridge, which is a weakness. I am not sure I can promise anything until the pie is gone. (want a piece?)
As for the other resolutions… finances. Well. I got my receipts together for taxes. (crickets chirping). Fine. I haven’t done anything to get a budget together… but it is on the list. I promise.
I have had TWO social events this week and one more on Saturday. I have always said that people who do online dating are smart. I do believe it is a good way to meet people, but have never really done it before moving here. Now I am meeting people online to build offline relationships with and it is working out.
Jumpstart Your New Year's Resolution with Kaeng Raeng Detox
Holiday cheer end up in your rear? Drop the extra pounds with a detox from Kaeng Raeng. Just drink three packets per day with at least 24 oz of water and feel the difference immediately. Kaeng Raeng is delicious and filling – it’s gluten free, caffeine free, vegan, sustainable, and 100% made in the USA.
Pick your timeline: 3 or 6 day
Then pick your level: beginner, veteran, or master
To find out which Kaeng Raeng detox is best for you, visit the Detox Wizard at KaengRaeng.com
Take part in these special offers this January
Receive 20% off Your First Three Months of Kaeng Raeng
Receive 15% off Any One-Time Order
Buy One Beginner Detox Get a Second for 50% Off
Receive 20% off Your First Two Quarters of Kaeng Raeng
Good luck, healthy girl!
The Body is BACK (mostly)!
Feb. 2nd, 2009
Jan. 5th, 2010
It took almost a year, but yesterday morning I stepped on the bathroom scale and low and behold! I’m at my pre-pregnancy weight! My body’s not *quite* the same…I’m a little curvier than before I got pregnant so I don’t fill into my old pants (and alright…I *might* be sucking in the c-section belly a bit in the first shot!) but it feels great to be back where I was weight-wise. My first #mamafit goal is complete!
Monday, January 4, 2010
January 4th Weigh-In: 191.6
Another disastrous Christmas week. I haven’t exercised self-control because I just haven’t cared. I hate gaining weight but I have lost so much my sense is that I can just lose it later. I know that it is harder to lose weight than to gain it, but I really can’t believe that I won’t do it when I get back home.
I’m going to do my best not to gain any more weight this week, but as long as I’m below 195 next Monday, I’ll be fine. I know it is sad to lose this much weight and not care about putting more on, but I have been dieting for so long. I’m disappointed in myself, particularly because I don’t care that I’m losing money to that monstrous jerk.
I want to cancel my current Stickk.com contract but I am going to keep it and do the best I can. I am still committed to weighing 175 on March 10th and that is possible but unlikely at this point. We’ll see though!
I’m still aiming at 175.
Sorry to ramble today, but I’m on the road. When I’m able to resume my routines, I’ll feel a lot more organized … and a whole lot better!
i've fallen
i’ve neglected this blog for the past few weeks because the holidays are hard not just from a weight / food perspective but from a time perspective as well. and although upteen big family dinners do take their toll, the holidays usually find me jetting from store to store and, because we don’t have children, all over the state to different family functions. so, i’m pooped and feel like i have perpetual jet lag and, therefore, have not felt up to the task of writing. besides, this is a weight loss blog and i didn’t lose anything – except maybe my sanity. but i’m back – proving that once you’ve fallen …. you can get up.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Rubenesque Ladies Running Day 1!!!!!
So here it is, January 1st, and the 1st post for Rubenesque Ladies Running. This is just the first day, so I will recap the entire week of runs (3 per week) next Friday, I just wanted to be sure to hit every Friday for the first 18 weeks. How did the first “run” go? Well it was harder than I expected, but over in 30 minutes. I’m a touch bit hung over today after drinking like a college kid for NYE, but I still did the first day, I’m proud of that!
The first 4-60 second runs didn’t seem to bad, intervals 5-7 I hated and the 8th interval I felt great. I kept saying to myself, you did it, you jogged for 8 minutes! Yes it was 8 out of 30 minutes, but it feels great now that I’m done for the day! My goal over this 18 week process is to be able to go just a little faster with each level of training.
I started back to counting my points again today. After the damage that I did last night (there was a LOT of food and drink) I’ll be lucky to close out 2009 25 lbs down. My hope was for 30. My first official weigh in isnt until Monday morning, so we will see how that goes! Hopefully I can recover a little over the next three days so that I’m not up too much come Monday!
Hope that everyone had an amazing New Years Eve! Bella, I cant wait to hear how your first day went
Tata for now,
Scale Warfare
3 Day Slim Down
The Diet:
Breakfast: (eat within an hour of waking up)
1 scoop meal replacement shake powder of your choice
2 to 6 oz. of water
4 oz. nonfat, soy, or rice milk
ice
*toss it all together in a blender and enjoy
Snack 1: (eat 3 hours after breakfast)
Nutrition Bar of Your Choice containing at least 6 grams of fiber
OR
Piece of fruit with a cup of 100 calorie nonfat yogurt
Lunch: (eat 2 hours after snack)
1 scoop meal replacement shake powder of your choice
8 to 10 oz of water
1/2 cup of fruit sliced
*throw it in a blender and enjoy
Snack 2: (eat 3 hours after lunch)
1 scoop meal replacement shake powder of your choice
6 to 8 oz of water
*mix well and enjoy
Dinner: (eat dinner 2 hours after snack or 3 hours before bedtime)
1 scoop meal replacement shake powder of your choice
2 to 6 oz of water
4 oz of nonfat, soy, or rice milk
ice
*toss it in a blender and enjoy
The Rules:
*Remember that this is not a healthy diet, it is meant to shrink your stomach in three days*
1.)Between meal replacement drinks, drink a glass of water luke warm or at room temperature, this helps to control your hunger cravings. If you get tired of the taste of water, add a squeeze of lemon or lime!
2.)You have to follow this same exact plan for three days! That means no strenuous activities of any sort. Your blood sugar can bottom out if you do too much. A light walk can help ease any hunger pains that you might have though, just remember, take it easy!
3.)After three days of meal replacement shakes, it is important for you to eat a light and well balanced meal within an hour of you waking up. This is to avoid the urges you might have to overeat. Keep in mind that you have been dealing with three days of meal replacement shakes to shrink your stomach. Don’t blow it by pigging out!
End of challenge
Well I finished the challenge. As I missed the discussion about swings I never really took this part on board, but managed around 1000 each week and surprised myself. However I managed all the TGU, even if not quite in the manner I expected.
The last couple of days were tough. I went walking with friends on the 30th and then came home and completed 30 TGU using a range of weights and tried a 31st with one hand again to see if my wrist could cope (still needs rest for a while).Then 300 swings with 12kg. My body was so fatigued that I slept until 9am the next morning. We had plans to go out for a New Year drink later in the day and I had work to do. So I got up and went back to the TGU. At first I couldn’t get up using just body weight because my muscles were so fatigued. But the addition for 8kg actually helped. So I completed the 31 TGU using 8/12/16kg. The last one was a celebratory 16kg. Swings seemed a bad idea because my core was clearly fatigued so I left it at that.
Some of the group had an interesting discussion about the mental impact of repetition. Chuzzy taught me that the last rep should be a model rep, the best you can do, to leave your body with a positive memory of that move. So despite fatigue I really thought about each repetition and re-started on quite a few occasions when I did not come up with the correct form. Practise makes perfect is as true for kettlebell training as it is in any discipline and is part of the reason I enjoy training like this. Thirty one repetitions could be tedious or an oppportunity to improve the skill, depends on your attitude. I’m looking forward to continuing with TGU this year, I feel that I still have a lot to learn.