Friday, January 29, 2010

Challenges Ahead

For the next two weeks, I will be traveling. And that means eating out. It is so hard to make healthy choices while dining out. Everything always looks and sounds so nummy. So, I need to focus on my goals now more than ever. And to do that I need a plan.

Breakfast: fruit & yogurt, or egg and toast

Lunch: salad of some sort or soup

Dinner: fish or poultry

snacks fruit or nuts

I hope that by having a plan I will be able to make those healthy choices. The prime rib might sound really good, but I just have to remember that I don't need all those fat grams. I feel better already. I am a planner. So having a plan alleviates my anxiety.

On another note...

I met with Meghan yesterday to tell her my story. I sort of feel like it's too early to tell my story because I have really just begun this journey. But I think that's why she wanted to tell it. Get Fit Itasca is not about the end results so much as the journey. Also, there are more obese people who need motivation. And let's be realistic, are we motivated by the skinny minny or by those who are struggling with us?

For me, I am motivated by the 60+ crowd. I see them in step class and I want to be them when I am that age. We each have our own motivation. And if I can motivate someone to begin their own journey to better health, I will feel like my struggles are more than worth it.

Meghan asked if there was anything I could say to someone about my journey. I replied, I'm not done yet. That's my new life motto.

I'm not done yet.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I am honored!

Did my step class this morning. Then went into the gym to stretch. While stretching a step class member asked if I'd be willing to share my story for the local newspaper. So very exciting. She overheard me a couple of weeks ago about how excited I was to be able to touch my toes. She thought others might want to hear bout how I have worked to reach my goals. I am nervous. I am meeting with her tomorrow so that she can get to know me better and then write my story. Glad I am going to be out of town for the next couple of weeks!

Meghan is the community coordinator for Get Fit Itasca. She writes an article in the Grand Rapids Herald. She wanted to write a story about how being "fit" isn't about being skinny, not that I wouldn't mind being skinny. If I can inspire others to start working out then it will be worth the publicity.

I'll try to post a copy of the article once it is published.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Under 200!

Got on the scale this morning to 199.4 pounds! Yipee! Those 200's are gone forever. I've been adding more walking to my routine. That has really helped. Dr. Oz says to walk for 30 minutes everyday no matter what. It doesn't matter how fast or if there is an incline. The magic number is 30. And that's in addition to any other work out you do. I haven't added walking to the days that I work out. But have added it to those days that I don't have any other class.

I've also increased my calorie consumption. I've been eating around 1,500 calories a day instead of 1,200. I am loosing more weight and not having the cravings I had two weeks ago. Loosing more weight this way, too. Seems my metabolism shut down with too few calories.

Since my original goal was to be under 200 by the time I went to Fitness Ridge, I am now in need of a new goal. Now I would like to be under 190 by the time I go to FR. It took 45 days to break 200. So I guess I can give myself at least that for the next 10 pounds. I need to take this slow. I want the weight to be gone permanently.

In the past, I have been able to loose weight quickly and easily. So when I would start to gain it was okay because I knew once I was motivated it would come right off! No so this time. At my heaviest 236 pounds in 2008, I got motivated to loose weight. I got down to 213 and held steady. I didn't want to journal anymore and I wasn't exercising. So I was okay and just waiting to get motivated again. It took 2 years and my friend asking me to go to Fitness Ridge with her to really get motivated. I'd already started working out 2x a week but wasn't loosing weight. In December I was 210.8 pounds, my official start weight. So I'd lost 26 pounds and keeped it off for 2 years. My plan now is to do the same thing. Loose my weight and keep it off forever! 6 more pounds and I will weight what I weighed before getting pregnant with my last daughter. Only 6 more pounds to go!

Saturday morning I leave for Phoenix, AZ for 5 days. Then I am home for 2 days and leave for Orlando, Fl for a week. It'll be good to have nice weather and I plan to exercise a lot while I am away. The difficult part will be eating out at restaurants for 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Yesterday started bad and didn't improve. I could not motivate to work out at home. I just didn't want to go to my evening class. But I made myself do that. And am I ever glad that I did. I worked so hard. Burned 450 calories in 60 minutes. I just love my weight lifting classes!

Today, I did my old work out from physical therapy for my knee. I am hoping that will help the pain I have been having in my left knee. It just wont disappear completely. It's a dull ache that comes and goes. I want it gone permanently! Then, I walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill. After which I stepped in the scale. I couldn't stop myself. But I was very happy with the results, so that has motivated me to get through to Saturday for my self declared weigh in day.

Tomorrow brings piyo (pilates/yoga) at 9 and weigh training at 12:15. I am determined to work out everyday this week except Sunday. Can't work out on Sunday because my daughter has a gymnastics meet at 7:45 in the morning and then a 4 hour drive home after.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

ARGH!!!

Dropped my daughter off at daycare. Drove to the Y and realized I didn't have a shirt to wear at step class. Had my pants, my polar ft7, my shoes, my socks. Everything but a shirt. Wore a sweatshirt there. could not ever do a step class in a sweatshirt. Now I have to do treadmill at home. Just not what my Wednesdays are all about. I love my step class. My body craves it. Huh, wonder if I have a step video somewhere deep in the cabinet. Haven't gone through those VHS tapes in years. There's probably something there that I could use. I know I won't work as hard as I do in class with 25 other people watching. but better than treadmill two days in a row.

Still have my Body by Mercedes class this afternoon. That will lift my spirits.

I am having a hard time staying off the scale. I want to see what happens if i weigh in only on Saturday instead of everyday. But very hard to break the scale habit. I think it's harder than giving up pop to drink!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

It's been a week

Ok, so I didn't want to write my blog when I was having a pig fest. Well, it really wasn't that bad. But last Thursday, Friday and into Saturday I could not stop eating. gained 2.6 pounds because of it. Well, maybe not really, I was also feeling very bloated so some of that was water retention I am sure.

I've also decided that I will not weigh myself 20 times a day. I wil weigh myself once a week. I also measure myself once a week. So while my weight took a climb on Saturday, my measurements still went down. time to stop listening to the scale and start listening to my body.

I am really enjoying exercise now. I do my classes regularly and walk on the treadmill when I don't have a class scheduled. I do try to take two days a week off to give my body a rest. My left knee is hurting horribly these days. I keep pushing through. It hurts but it is more of a dull ache. It can't be ignored but not enough of a pain to do something about it. I had physical therapy last year and that didn't really help. The therapist thought I ought to consider surgery. It's not painful enough for that. I keep hoping weight loss will fix the problem. But then again I had knee pain as a teenager and I weighed a hundred pounds less then. So I don't think that will fix it. But I don't want to take the time off of exercising to have surgery. it really is my last resort. I just have to keep on keeping on.

Time to get dressed and take my little on to gymnastics and my biggest one to the ortho.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

When it rains...

I am devastated. I can't go to my step class today because I don't have a car to get there. We own 3 vehicles. I hit a tree with the Yukon on Monday so it's out of commission. I was driving the Jeep since then, but know it's not running. We are down to 1 car and Al needs it to get to work! So no step for me, no piano for the girls and no religious Ed for them either. Today sucks! I will make it to my weight lifting class if my friend Jenny makes it into town because she can pick me up!

I guess I will just have to treadmill it today. Yuck. I hate the treadmill. Maybe I'll walk outside because it's supposed to be nice today, if you consider above 20 degrees nice. I just know that I have to do something, because I woke up wanting to exercise this morning. My body is craving it. I know I have jumped a hurdle when my body wants to exercise.

Later, back at the ranch...

Okay, Al got a ride to work. I got to my morning workout class. Dropped everything to get there, including this blog. Sometimes things work out. Still have Mercedes class tonight to go to, but looking forward to that.

Now trying to decide what to do for lunch.

Monday, January 11, 2010

New Shoes...

Since I was in Minneapolis this weekend for my daughter's gymnastics meet, I decided to find the perfect pair/pairs of shoes. I decided I wasn't going to a shoe store and have a pair sold to me. I wanted someone knowledgeable who would find a pair of shoes for the activities that I do. I started at REI (Reacreational Equipment, inc). I explained to the guy that I was looking for new shoes to work out, step aerobics and walking--absolutely no running, and possibly a pair of hiking shoes for when I go to Utah. He thought that I could do all those things with one pair of shoes, a good pair of running shoes.

I told him I do not run, not ever. He explained that running shoes would provide more support and cushioning than walking shoes and still provide the support I need to hike in Utah. I tried on 6+ pairs of shoes. I walked the store for over 1/2 hour before deciding on a pair of shoes, but they didn't have my size, ugh. I walked in a pair 1 size too big but just knew I would love them. Looked at the brand, Asics, and style. Then went to MOA, too busy so we left. So went to another mall and found my dream shoes. Put on my size, walked around the store for about 10 minutes, asked for thicker socks, walked some more. Sales gal didn't seem pleased with the amount of time I was taking.

Bought my shoes. I love them. They were great in step class today. I did get some blisters, but will wear thicker socks next time. They are the best pair of shoes I have ever owned. If you are looking for shoes, I recommend going to an outdoor store and finding someone who knows their stuff. Wanted to spend my money at REI, and not the other "store." But I will definitely be back to REI and they have won me over as a customer for life!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

More Weight!

Last night at my Body by Mercedes class, she made me use heavier weights. And guess what... I could do it. I can't believe that a few short weeks ago, I started with a 3 pound weight and now I am using 12 pound weights. And that's not heavy enough! I am making such progress in my classes. In step, I use a riser the whole class.

Using my FT7 has really helped me to know how much harder I can push myself. It's great to know what my heart rate is and how many calories I have already burned. Information is power.

On a lower rate note, I am down to 202.0 today! I am keeping my fingers crossed that by the end of next week I will be out of the 200's forever. If not next week, then the week after for sure. I am down many inches, too. Which is great! Can't wait to go new clothes shopping!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

New Year is off to a great start!

I am finishing my 1/2 marathon today. I still have 2.6 miles to walk. I am going to take it slow though and just enjoy it and the Harry Potter movie I am watching.

Al and I went to the Y this morning. This class included: Cardio kick, step and strength training. What a workout. 555 calories burned in the class. I love my Polar FT7. I now know how many calories I burn during each and every workout. Plus I can monitor my heart rate and know that I am okay. Best gift ever!

I love when I work out and eat breakfast and lunch and am still at a negative calories consumed for the day. I can feel the weight just dropping off. I've lost 7.6 pounds in 3 weeks and 6 inches! I absolutely love watching to inches go down, maybe even more than the scale.

I am happy to see the classes get more difficult for me because I am working harder. I just love it. Tomorrow is a day off. I need it after the gruelling week I have had. I've worked out over 8 hours this week with more to go today. Feels so good.

When I finally get the body I want, I am so gonna take care of it. It is way to much work to loose all this weight!

God Bless and Happy New Year.