I think it's really important that anyone on a diet have good resources for information and encouragement. So I thought I would take this opportunity to share some of the resources I find useful.
ONLINE:
I'm a huge fan of Health.com. Their "mind over fatter" section is particularly helpful, but the whole site has great information, diet tips, success stories, and so much more.
Here is a great website for calculating calorie burn during exercise and daily activities: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc/">Health Status.com It lets you calculate them on a per-minute basis and enter times for several activities before submitting. So, for instance, let's say you did an hour of leaf raking, a half hour of watching television, fifteen minutes talking on the phone, fifteen minutes washing dishes, ten minutes showering, and a half hour of housework. You type in the various times spent next to the appropriate activity, put your weight in the appropriate field, and hit "submit". It calculates that you burned 899 calories. There are a lot of ads on the site, though. Just ignore the ads, freebies, and "invitations".
I get a lot of good stuff from the MSN.com weight loss section. They have weight loss tools, videos, daily tips, workouts, and a lot more. Plus, it's all an easy click away from other nutrition and wellness information on the site.
Nubella has a great website and a good newsletter. Their site has articles like "3 Fabulous Foods for Weight Loss", "Top Cereals You Should and Shouldn't Eat", and "6 Drinks That Can Destroy Your Diet". I've gotten their newsletter for a couple of years now and find it very helpful.
BOOKS
My two favorite books, ones I consider essential on this journey, are both from the Biggest Loser. The Biggest Loser Fitness Program is a great all-'round starter book that has fitness tips from the trainers and past contestants, recipes, and a boatload of exercises that ANY person at any level of fitness can do. Some of the exercises can be done anywhere, so even people who spend their days at a desk job can do some exercises on breaks and lunch hour. The other book is The Biggest Loser Cookbook. I have a lot of cookbooks, but this one I feel is "safe". None of the recipes is very complicated, but somehow they taste like they ought to be.
Both of these books are listed here on the left sidebar. I buy a lot from Amazon, especially around Christmas time. They seem to have nearly everything! And I find that their books are nearly always less expensive than Barnes and Noble or Borders. In the interest of full disclosure, I will make a small commission off any purchase you make from Amazon after clicking on a link, whether or not you buy these books. Adam needs a car and wants very much to go to culinary school. Any commissions I make will go to his school fund. If you would like to help, please think of me each time you want to purchase something from Amazon and enter their site via the links here.
One of the readers of A New Suit recommended "You Can't Make Me Angry", by Dr. Paul O. She says it deals with co-dependence and addiction, which of course is often at the root of overeating and wrong-eating. I haven't read it yet, but I look forward to it.
YOUR TURN
So what resources do YOU have that you find most helpful? Share them with me either here or on my Facebook wall, and I'll pass them along here in a later post.
And now for the daily log: two chicken and fat-free cheese sandwiches, a plate of seasoned veggies, a cup of yogurt, and an ice cream sandwich by The Skinny Cow. My back hurts, so I didn't do any walking or biking. But I did a lot of weight work with my arms. Now...on to tomorrow!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Week 8, Day 5
I've spent several hours today trying to sort out my feelings and put together what I want to say. The past 24 hours have brought up some very painful memories and some very happy moments. And I'm having a hard time knowing what to do with it all. I wonder, too, if other people ever feel the way I do.
The honest truth is that I've spent most of my life feeling less than worthy to be here. I can pretty well pinpoint when it began. At seven years old, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and fitted for a huge, clumsy steel and leather back brace that made me look like Frankenstein's daughter and cost my parents a fortune. When I was nine years old my grandmother's husband, Dean, began to molest me. Somehow he convinced me I was a bad person and would be in trouble if anyone ever found out. When my dad walked in on what was happening, he spanked me. Dean was right. Clearly, I was a bad girl. When I was twelve, my brother Bill died. This was before things like grief counseling, so our family dealt with it by never talking about our feelings. Bill was elevated to a position in our collective memory--at least in my parent's memories-- as nearly a diety. And I could never measure up. Never smart enough. Never as pretty as my older sister. Never capable enough to help in the family business. Never well enough behaved to be any comfort. Handicapped and a molested bad girl, I wished to God I had been the one taken instead of Bill.
And those are the feelings that went with me into my adulthood. Treated badly by the men I loved, scared every day that what I was doing wasn't right enough or good enough, and certain that if my friends ever knew the true me, they would be disgusted. And the sad part is that a lot of that I still have inside me.
I don't know how much all this plays into my being fat. I feel ashamed that I let myself get this way. But I don't know which came first, the fat or the shame. Did I do this to myself on purpose but subconsciously? Perhaps. Being on prednisone for years certainly helped pack on the pounds, though. The intensity of raising two boys on my own, along with Adam's medical care, added to some stress-induced chocolate binges without having time or energy to work any of it off. But on the other hand, those were my strongest days. I was a warrior, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It wasn't until I had no one to take care of but myself that I got really huge. I remember months of not being able to function. I've had days when I wanted to leave this earth. I've been in the hospital with health issues. I've lost two jobs since we moved to Omaha. And I haven't had a date in 14 years. Who wants to be around a fat, middle-aged, unemployed woman when there are pretty, skinny, capable women out there?
On the other hand, the response I've gotten since beginning this blog has been tremendous. Friends I went to high school with, friends I had in Maryland, friends I've met here in Omaha -- all of them have been so kind and encouraging. They see what I look like as a fat person. Many of them know the worst about me and have for years. And yet somehow they love me just the way I am today. They believe in me. They want me in their lives. Can you imagine that?
It was yesterday's overwhelming comments about November 6th Day that stopped me in my tracks and left me really thinking today. I don't deserve any of it. Really I don't. I look in the mirror and I still see an unworthy person. But I looked at my resume today, and I know I am a competent person. I've had two books published. I've written tons of articles. I get awesome results for my clients. I've been on boards of directors and have run a non-profit organization. I've spoken at National Children's Hospital and at press conferences for Senators Kennedy and Grassley. I am a competent, accomplished professional. But...at work no one has to see inside me. No one has to know the scared, handicapped, bad little girl who still lives inside.
So where does all this leave me with my weight loss hopes and goals? The bottom line is I think I might be okay. I think there are people who care about me so much that they would feel sad if I fatted myself to death. I think maybe it's okay for me to take care of me with the same fierceness I had when I took care of my kids. I think maybe I'm far from perfect, but I'm still worth the effort. I think I'm going to keep trying.
And I think I'm the most blessed person ever to have such wonderful people in my life.
The honest truth is that I've spent most of my life feeling less than worthy to be here. I can pretty well pinpoint when it began. At seven years old, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and fitted for a huge, clumsy steel and leather back brace that made me look like Frankenstein's daughter and cost my parents a fortune. When I was nine years old my grandmother's husband, Dean, began to molest me. Somehow he convinced me I was a bad person and would be in trouble if anyone ever found out. When my dad walked in on what was happening, he spanked me. Dean was right. Clearly, I was a bad girl. When I was twelve, my brother Bill died. This was before things like grief counseling, so our family dealt with it by never talking about our feelings. Bill was elevated to a position in our collective memory--at least in my parent's memories-- as nearly a diety. And I could never measure up. Never smart enough. Never as pretty as my older sister. Never capable enough to help in the family business. Never well enough behaved to be any comfort. Handicapped and a molested bad girl, I wished to God I had been the one taken instead of Bill.
And those are the feelings that went with me into my adulthood. Treated badly by the men I loved, scared every day that what I was doing wasn't right enough or good enough, and certain that if my friends ever knew the true me, they would be disgusted. And the sad part is that a lot of that I still have inside me.
I don't know how much all this plays into my being fat. I feel ashamed that I let myself get this way. But I don't know which came first, the fat or the shame. Did I do this to myself on purpose but subconsciously? Perhaps. Being on prednisone for years certainly helped pack on the pounds, though. The intensity of raising two boys on my own, along with Adam's medical care, added to some stress-induced chocolate binges without having time or energy to work any of it off. But on the other hand, those were my strongest days. I was a warrior, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It wasn't until I had no one to take care of but myself that I got really huge. I remember months of not being able to function. I've had days when I wanted to leave this earth. I've been in the hospital with health issues. I've lost two jobs since we moved to Omaha. And I haven't had a date in 14 years. Who wants to be around a fat, middle-aged, unemployed woman when there are pretty, skinny, capable women out there?
On the other hand, the response I've gotten since beginning this blog has been tremendous. Friends I went to high school with, friends I had in Maryland, friends I've met here in Omaha -- all of them have been so kind and encouraging. They see what I look like as a fat person. Many of them know the worst about me and have for years. And yet somehow they love me just the way I am today. They believe in me. They want me in their lives. Can you imagine that?
It was yesterday's overwhelming comments about November 6th Day that stopped me in my tracks and left me really thinking today. I don't deserve any of it. Really I don't. I look in the mirror and I still see an unworthy person. But I looked at my resume today, and I know I am a competent person. I've had two books published. I've written tons of articles. I get awesome results for my clients. I've been on boards of directors and have run a non-profit organization. I've spoken at National Children's Hospital and at press conferences for Senators Kennedy and Grassley. I am a competent, accomplished professional. But...at work no one has to see inside me. No one has to know the scared, handicapped, bad little girl who still lives inside.
So where does all this leave me with my weight loss hopes and goals? The bottom line is I think I might be okay. I think there are people who care about me so much that they would feel sad if I fatted myself to death. I think maybe it's okay for me to take care of me with the same fierceness I had when I took care of my kids. I think maybe I'm far from perfect, but I'm still worth the effort. I think I'm going to keep trying.
And I think I'm the most blessed person ever to have such wonderful people in my life.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Week 8, Day 4
Did you ever have an ordinary day in your life so beautiful and so perfect that you just had to celebrate? Welcome to November 6th Day.
Here's the story:
Ten years ago my son Adam was in the middle of some heavy-duty medical issues (read more about it at http://mysite.verizon.net/pffdvsg1/req-bestanswr.htm). It was painful and intense, far beyond what a 10 year old ought to have to endure. But on November 6 --a sunny, beautiful, cool day -- as we were driving to work (I had a job where I could have my homeschooled kids with me), Adam said out of the blue, "We ought to have a celebration today!" Focused on work and all I needed to accomplish, I was a naysayer and explained that we had just gotten done with Halloween and Thanksgiving was coming up. So clearly this wasn't a good day for a celebration. Besides, what would we celebrate? Adam thought for a moment and said, "I dunno, Mom. Just because." He thought a bit more and said, "It's a pretty day and I don't hurt. We can celebrate that!" In the usual rain-on-the-parade mother response, I told him "we'll see", and re-focused on getting on with the day's tasks.
But I had a hard time staying focused through the day. Adam's words kept popping into my head. He had been through so much pain and so much work to gain an amazing 6-1/2 inches in his once-short thigh bone. Months of daily painful therapy and turning the bolts on the scaffolding on his leg. But for a few weeks the turning had stopped and we were in the waiting stage to allow the new bone to consolidate. And today was the first day in months the kid was without pain. Why not celebrate? I felt really guilty for not saying yes immediately. It was such an innocent request. But how on earth could I fit it into an already packed day? Work until late, then an evening meeting to attend. What could we possibly do at the end of the day that would even qualify as a celebration? Would we need to invite people? Did we need to do gifts? What about decorations? It just didn't seem possible.
Then it hit me. I knew exactly what to do! I dropped the kids off at home after work and headed off to the evening meeting. When I finally got home, the boys were playing a game. It seemed like they hardly noticed my arrival. Then they saw the bags in my hand and the smile on my face. We sat on the living room floor as I explained about our new celebration. The bags were filled with all kinds of snacks and junk food, fun stuff that normally would be off-limits. Pretzels, ice cream bars, and a bunch of stuff I can't even remember anymore. And we talked about what made us happy. Daniel, Adam's older brother, had the idea that we should look at the food packages and bags for elevens and sixes ('cuz November is the eleventh month) -- he said it would be a "sign" that this holiday was good. We got goofy about it and had to stretch pretty far sometimes to come up with sixes and elevens. Twenty-four ounces was acceptable, for instance, because two and four total six. Nine grams of sodium and two grams of fiber were fine because nine and two equal eleven. The package of six ice cream bars was magical. The more we stretched to make it all "fit", the more we laughed. And as we drank from the six-pack of soda --also magical because of the six, we toasted to a happy November 6th Day. Just that simple. No need for decorations. No need for gifts. No need for elaborate plans or guests. Only a quiet, albeit goofy, celebration of happiness.
In the ten years since that first November 6th Day we have not always been together. But we three have always celebrated. We celebrate all we went through together out in Maryland. We celebrate the things that make us happy. We celebrate goofiness. We celebrate the special relationship the three of us have. And we celebrate just because another November 6th has arrived.
Healthier Holiday Today
Today our November 6th Day is taking on an added dimension. I'm making an attempt to re-define what makes me happy. Gone are the sodas. Water is my drink of choice now. A box of Ho-hos is no longer the be-all and end-all of ultimate taste treats. A cup of low-fat frozen yogurt is a great substitute. A plateful of cheese ravioli drenched in alfredo sauce is not the linchpin of an awesome meal. Instead a handful of whole wheat pasta mixed in with a plateful of vegetables seasoned with Old Bay is the new gold-standard. And a bag of pretzels, no matter how many elevens or sixes on the bag, doesn't actually have to be a part of the celebration. A whole wheat toasted English muffin has a great crunch factor with a good amount of fiber, and adding a thin smear of all-fruit spread makes it extra yummy. So this year, the 10th anniversary of the creation of our new family holiday, my November 6th Day is not only about honoring our past celebrations, but also about the exciting future ahead. A healthy future. A future filled with happiness and more beautiful days so perfect you just can't help but celebrate.
Dieting is a reason to celebrate. New beginnings and new hope are a reason to party. Taking charge of your life and your health is a reason to be delighted. No matter what day on the calendar, I encourage YOU to be happy and celebrate...just because!
Today's Tip:
Here's a great article about Danny Cahill, one of the contestants on the Biggest Loser: Danny Cahill is Feeling Like a Champ I especially like what he said about feeling like a champion again. My kids say when I was younger and battled for Adam's medical care, I was a warrior, fierce and strong. I want that back. I want to be healthy and strong again. When I saw Danny on Biggest Loser talking about getting his fire back, I knew exactly what he was talking about.
And...Happy November 6th Day, everyone!
Here's the story:
Ten years ago my son Adam was in the middle of some heavy-duty medical issues (read more about it at http://mysite.verizon.net/pffdvsg1/req-bestanswr.htm). It was painful and intense, far beyond what a 10 year old ought to have to endure. But on November 6 --a sunny, beautiful, cool day -- as we were driving to work (I had a job where I could have my homeschooled kids with me), Adam said out of the blue, "We ought to have a celebration today!" Focused on work and all I needed to accomplish, I was a naysayer and explained that we had just gotten done with Halloween and Thanksgiving was coming up. So clearly this wasn't a good day for a celebration. Besides, what would we celebrate? Adam thought for a moment and said, "I dunno, Mom. Just because." He thought a bit more and said, "It's a pretty day and I don't hurt. We can celebrate that!" In the usual rain-on-the-parade mother response, I told him "we'll see", and re-focused on getting on with the day's tasks.
But I had a hard time staying focused through the day. Adam's words kept popping into my head. He had been through so much pain and so much work to gain an amazing 6-1/2 inches in his once-short thigh bone. Months of daily painful therapy and turning the bolts on the scaffolding on his leg. But for a few weeks the turning had stopped and we were in the waiting stage to allow the new bone to consolidate. And today was the first day in months the kid was without pain. Why not celebrate? I felt really guilty for not saying yes immediately. It was such an innocent request. But how on earth could I fit it into an already packed day? Work until late, then an evening meeting to attend. What could we possibly do at the end of the day that would even qualify as a celebration? Would we need to invite people? Did we need to do gifts? What about decorations? It just didn't seem possible.
Then it hit me. I knew exactly what to do! I dropped the kids off at home after work and headed off to the evening meeting. When I finally got home, the boys were playing a game. It seemed like they hardly noticed my arrival. Then they saw the bags in my hand and the smile on my face. We sat on the living room floor as I explained about our new celebration. The bags were filled with all kinds of snacks and junk food, fun stuff that normally would be off-limits. Pretzels, ice cream bars, and a bunch of stuff I can't even remember anymore. And we talked about what made us happy. Daniel, Adam's older brother, had the idea that we should look at the food packages and bags for elevens and sixes ('cuz November is the eleventh month) -- he said it would be a "sign" that this holiday was good. We got goofy about it and had to stretch pretty far sometimes to come up with sixes and elevens. Twenty-four ounces was acceptable, for instance, because two and four total six. Nine grams of sodium and two grams of fiber were fine because nine and two equal eleven. The package of six ice cream bars was magical. The more we stretched to make it all "fit", the more we laughed. And as we drank from the six-pack of soda --also magical because of the six, we toasted to a happy November 6th Day. Just that simple. No need for decorations. No need for gifts. No need for elaborate plans or guests. Only a quiet, albeit goofy, celebration of happiness.
In the ten years since that first November 6th Day we have not always been together. But we three have always celebrated. We celebrate all we went through together out in Maryland. We celebrate the things that make us happy. We celebrate goofiness. We celebrate the special relationship the three of us have. And we celebrate just because another November 6th has arrived.
Healthier Holiday Today
Today our November 6th Day is taking on an added dimension. I'm making an attempt to re-define what makes me happy. Gone are the sodas. Water is my drink of choice now. A box of Ho-hos is no longer the be-all and end-all of ultimate taste treats. A cup of low-fat frozen yogurt is a great substitute. A plateful of cheese ravioli drenched in alfredo sauce is not the linchpin of an awesome meal. Instead a handful of whole wheat pasta mixed in with a plateful of vegetables seasoned with Old Bay is the new gold-standard. And a bag of pretzels, no matter how many elevens or sixes on the bag, doesn't actually have to be a part of the celebration. A whole wheat toasted English muffin has a great crunch factor with a good amount of fiber, and adding a thin smear of all-fruit spread makes it extra yummy. So this year, the 10th anniversary of the creation of our new family holiday, my November 6th Day is not only about honoring our past celebrations, but also about the exciting future ahead. A healthy future. A future filled with happiness and more beautiful days so perfect you just can't help but celebrate.
Dieting is a reason to celebrate. New beginnings and new hope are a reason to party. Taking charge of your life and your health is a reason to be delighted. No matter what day on the calendar, I encourage YOU to be happy and celebrate...just because!
Today's Tip:
Here's a great article about Danny Cahill, one of the contestants on the Biggest Loser: Danny Cahill is Feeling Like a Champ I especially like what he said about feeling like a champion again. My kids say when I was younger and battled for Adam's medical care, I was a warrior, fierce and strong. I want that back. I want to be healthy and strong again. When I saw Danny on Biggest Loser talking about getting his fire back, I knew exactly what he was talking about.
And...Happy November 6th Day, everyone!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Week 8, Day 3
Too much time in bed makes my back hurt worse, so I pretty much had to get up today, in spite of the cold I seem to have. Times like this it's no fun being an adult. I want to stay in bed and be pampered by my mama. But instead, I got up and did what I knew was best for me. I haven't exercised, but I have been upright and hoping this crap in my head starts draining soon.
My head hurts too much to focus very much today. But I did run across a really interesting article about high fructose corn syrup. I have read bits and pieces over the years about how bad it is for us and how it seems to be in everything. But this article seems to sum it all up and give good advice for combating its ill effects nutritionally. I highly recommend it: Metabolic Danger of High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Today's Tip:
When I posted on my Facebook wall that I wasn't feeling well, here is the advice I got from my friends:
1) Beth Dickson Neuhoff -- a proponent of clean eating who has given me some great advice along the way says:
Emergen-C!!!!! We have used it for 8 yrs and it's amazing!
2) Mindy Soranno -- one of my heroes, she is a triathlete, marathon runner, and amazingly strong woman in every way, says:
Sorry you don't feel well. Drink hot water with honey, lemon juice and cloves- it works!
3) Ann Marie Krahulec -- a powerful and healthy woman with great common sense says:
Just take care of yourself. Get lots of rest, plenty of fluids.
Thank you, friends! I am implementing your advice pronto and am happy to be able to share it with others. :)
My head hurts too much to focus very much today. But I did run across a really interesting article about high fructose corn syrup. I have read bits and pieces over the years about how bad it is for us and how it seems to be in everything. But this article seems to sum it all up and give good advice for combating its ill effects nutritionally. I highly recommend it: Metabolic Danger of High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Today's Tip:
When I posted on my Facebook wall that I wasn't feeling well, here is the advice I got from my friends:
1) Beth Dickson Neuhoff -- a proponent of clean eating who has given me some great advice along the way says:
Emergen-C!!!!! We have used it for 8 yrs and it's amazing!
2) Mindy Soranno -- one of my heroes, she is a triathlete, marathon runner, and amazingly strong woman in every way, says:
Sorry you don't feel well. Drink hot water with honey, lemon juice and cloves- it works!
3) Ann Marie Krahulec -- a powerful and healthy woman with great common sense says:
Just take care of yourself. Get lots of rest, plenty of fluids.
Thank you, friends! I am implementing your advice pronto and am happy to be able to share it with others. :)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Week 8, Day 2
Ugh. No weight loss yesterday, and now I think I might have a cold. I can't tell if it's a cold or just sinus problems. Either way, I feel really rotten. No exercise today and I don't care. Egg salad sandwich and a yogurt for food. And now back to bed.
(Maybe next week the Biggest Loser will tell us what to do when this kind of crap hits?)
(Maybe next week the Biggest Loser will tell us what to do when this kind of crap hits?)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Week 8, Day 1
I don't get it. Two weeks ago I weighed in at 248, and that's exactly where I sit today. All that extra running and playing with my grandson, all the biking, walking, and work on my arms, and not one pound was lost. How frustrating! Really, this is Week 8 and I'm doing everything right; I should be further along than this.
I'm tired of being fat. I'm working hard to change that. I miss being young enough that hard work equaled weight loss. Surely sooner or later the scales will begin moving downward again.
Chocolate sure would taste good right now. But that's how I got big...medicating my blues with food. Today is one of the days when I can practice finding other ways to be happy again. I need this too much to give up.
If you're dieting, too, please don't give up either. Surely we're strong enough to beat a Hershey bar, right? Right.
I'm tired of being fat. I'm working hard to change that. I miss being young enough that hard work equaled weight loss. Surely sooner or later the scales will begin moving downward again.
Chocolate sure would taste good right now. But that's how I got big...medicating my blues with food. Today is one of the days when I can practice finding other ways to be happy again. I need this too much to give up.
If you're dieting, too, please don't give up either. Surely we're strong enough to beat a Hershey bar, right? Right.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Week 7, Day 7 part 2
I don't usually do two posts in one day, but this time I have two things that warrant a second posting. And I really hope people read this because it's important.
There's a scientific study that has just been released that shows junk food can be as addictive as heroin. Great. I left drugs and alcohol way in the past along with my misspent youth, and now I find out all those ho-hos over the years may have altered my brain chemistry permanently. Here's where you can read more about the study, and I STRONGLY recommend that you check it out: http://www.grist.org/article/scientists-claim-junk-food-is-as-addictive-as-heroin/
There is good news I want to share, too. Sean was one of the contestants on this season of the Biggest Loser. He got voted off a few weeks ago, but still went on to lose quite a bit on his own. Just in time, too, because at 1:09 this afternoon his little baby girl was born. He named her Jillian, after one of the trainers on the show. Congratulations, Sean!! If you want to see a photo of this beautiful little girl, here's a link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2732141&id=127882247420
There's a scientific study that has just been released that shows junk food can be as addictive as heroin. Great. I left drugs and alcohol way in the past along with my misspent youth, and now I find out all those ho-hos over the years may have altered my brain chemistry permanently. Here's where you can read more about the study, and I STRONGLY recommend that you check it out: http://www.grist.org/article/scientists-claim-junk-food-is-as-addictive-as-heroin/
There is good news I want to share, too. Sean was one of the contestants on this season of the Biggest Loser. He got voted off a few weeks ago, but still went on to lose quite a bit on his own. Just in time, too, because at 1:09 this afternoon his little baby girl was born. He named her Jillian, after one of the trainers on the show. Congratulations, Sean!! If you want to see a photo of this beautiful little girl, here's a link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2732141&id=127882247420
Week 7, Day 7
The Grand Plan is not dead! Back when I started this journey, I had the great idea to spend 10 minutes every hour riding my recumbent bike, figuring that at the end of the day I would have spent considerable time exercising but without feeling like it. I haven't done it every hour today, but I have exercised for 10 minutes an hour for four hours. Not always on the bike; some of the time I worked on my arms. And the day is far from over. I hope Adam and I go out and do some walking later. We need to go to the store anyway for some bread and milk, so it would be a great time to get in a half a mile or so of extra walking. Yayee!!
I've eaten a half a cup of yogurt and a sandwich so far today. I don't know what we'll do for dinner. I want to go light tonight so my weigh in tomorrow is good. It's been a quick week since the last episode of the Biggest Loser. I hope I've done enough to drop at least a little bit of weight! We'll see....
I've eaten a half a cup of yogurt and a sandwich so far today. I don't know what we'll do for dinner. I want to go light tonight so my weigh in tomorrow is good. It's been a quick week since the last episode of the Biggest Loser. I hope I've done enough to drop at least a little bit of weight! We'll see....
Week 7, Day 6
Tonight I live. Not just exist, but actually live. It's been awhile. And I like this. I'm eager for more really good days like today where I am able to get out and participate amongst the living. What a happy feeling to know it's coming!
Adam and I went to a fairly large auditorium to see a concert, and I got in and to our seats without having to stop and catch my breath and without feeling like I had just walked a million miles. Our seats were about as far from our car as possible, too, because the short route was blocked off by the extended stage. So we walked all the way around the concourse, only the stage-width difference from where we came in. And I did it. :) I don't think I could have done it without Adam to lean on a bit as we walked, but still....I've made so very much progress!
I had a couple of sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. And for dinner Adam and I stopped at the only place we could find open after the concert -- a greasy-spoon truck stop. We probably should have just come on home to eat, but we just weren't quite ready for that yet. So I ate eggs, hash browns, and toast. Probably blew my diet. But that's okay. Tonight was an awesome night. And I'm happy.
Adam and I went to a fairly large auditorium to see a concert, and I got in and to our seats without having to stop and catch my breath and without feeling like I had just walked a million miles. Our seats were about as far from our car as possible, too, because the short route was blocked off by the extended stage. So we walked all the way around the concourse, only the stage-width difference from where we came in. And I did it. :) I don't think I could have done it without Adam to lean on a bit as we walked, but still....I've made so very much progress!
I had a couple of sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. And for dinner Adam and I stopped at the only place we could find open after the concert -- a greasy-spoon truck stop. We probably should have just come on home to eat, but we just weren't quite ready for that yet. So I ate eggs, hash browns, and toast. Probably blew my diet. But that's okay. Tonight was an awesome night. And I'm happy.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Week 7, Day 5
I hope everyone had a healthy and happy Halloween. We don't celebrate the holiday, so it was easy for me to stay away from the sweets. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be the hard ones for me.
It's been kind of an uneventful day. I got a lot of work done on a media list I'm creating for a client. Some exercise, the usual chicken and cheese sandwich on whole grain bread for breakfast and lunch, and some yummy garlic chicken with veggies and noodles for dinner.
Tomorrow is the day I'm excited about. A sweet friend of ours gave us tickets to go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra. (Thank you, again, AM!) Awesome group! The last time I saw them, they weren't big enough to fill arenas. Now they're huge. And they've got a new album out, so I'm eager to hear the new stuff, too. There should be a fair amount of walking to get from the parking lot to our seats, and I'm so glad I'm in shape to make it. I feel like I'm beginning to join the land of the living again!
It's been kind of an uneventful day. I got a lot of work done on a media list I'm creating for a client. Some exercise, the usual chicken and cheese sandwich on whole grain bread for breakfast and lunch, and some yummy garlic chicken with veggies and noodles for dinner.
Tomorrow is the day I'm excited about. A sweet friend of ours gave us tickets to go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra. (Thank you, again, AM!) Awesome group! The last time I saw them, they weren't big enough to fill arenas. Now they're huge. And they've got a new album out, so I'm eager to hear the new stuff, too. There should be a fair amount of walking to get from the parking lot to our seats, and I'm so glad I'm in shape to make it. I feel like I'm beginning to join the land of the living again!
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