January 4th – What’s The Quality Of Your Exercise?

Well it’s day 4 and I found it tough. Not so much because it’s day 4, but because it’s my first day back at work. Ok Ok, I know what I do isn’t considered work to most people, and in a way that’s true. My job is incredibly fun and rewarding. There is however a lot of energy and preparation involved and then there’s the driving back and forth when teaching 3-4 classes all day, then teaching private students at home.

Anyway, today’s topic is exercise. Now, most success is based on what we eat, rather than how many calories we burn. Burning calories is a nice plus and everything, but it really comes down to what we’re putting in, since you can only burn so much safely.

But I’m a real freak when it comes to exercise when I get on a program. I’m a cardio addict when I get there lol. I probably don’t need to exercise every day but I usually end up doing that. 

So we’ve been swimming every day since the New Year and I promised Kaitlin we’d go again today. This time though, it would only be the two of us. As the day went on I was less and less motivated to go. Partially because I would be totally on my own with Kaitlin and I wouldn’t be able to swim laps to really make a quality exercise session. 

I hinted several times that I didn’t really want to go and Kaitlin stayed strong for going. It was quite cute. Soooooooooo we went.

What I always loved about taking Kaitlin swimming at 4 or 5 is that it is so close to bedtime and she’ll pass right out once she calms down.

We spent over an hour there, some in the wave pool, but mostly in the river run. My muscles were still worked enough for me to be a bit sore tonight. In fact, I’m not even going to bother to put on my Biggest Loser program tonight. I really don’t need it.

But I realized something very valuable today. It’s something that I’ll never forget the next time I start to judge whether or not a certain activity is useful or not.

Where’s the Quality? My muscles were worked. But so what?

What I learned tonight is that I can have the most wonderful time with my daughter. The quality of my exercise is irrelevant. The joy we shared together as she swam BY HERSELF in an area that she couldn’t touch made my day. I have the most wonderful little girl and I’m blessed to have her in my life. The Quality of my exercise came from the relationship I have with my daughter.

I love you Kaitlin!!

January 3rd – Third Day a Charm? Dominoes Can Suck a Zube!

Well it’s day 3. Day 2 if we’re talking being good all day. What a difference today was compared to yesterday.  The lethargy has vanished.  And my dinner was fandabadoozie!  Here’s the pic, oh God, my mouth is watering just looking at it now and I’ve already eaten!!

Stuffed Tomatoes.  Mmmmm I love Tarragon!  My 4 year old didn't think it looked all that good though.  She had raw veggies for dinner lol. 

I even splurged and had a glass of milk after dinner for a treat. “Oh Thank God for simple small pleasures in life!” Stephen was grossed out when I said that. The milk just tasted so good after having hardly any refined sugar (only in my coffee). I guess you just can’t convince a milk-hater eh?

I went for an unplanned swim-excursion today. I didn’t need to go since I was due for a Biggest Loser workout on the Wii today. It's a good thing I went because when I put on the Biggest Loser, the workout was only 12 minutes.  Boy I woulda been pissed! I swam laps again. Wow two days in a row! And it was so easy today! My muscles felt like they were working as if they were in tip top shape. I couldn’t believe it. Isn’t it amazing how the body can adapt? And how quickly?

Now I still looked like a beached whale when I played in the wave pool with my daughter. But you know what? I actually felt a little bit attractive. Those endorphins eh? Quite the little devils they are. Oh well. False confidence is better than none.

Does that even make sense? *shrug* Who cares? I feel great and my body feels clean inside. I haven’t put any junk in it for two days straight So if the red guy in tights comes flying through the H2O water park windows next time I’m there, he can suck a zube.

And what’s up with Dominoes Pizza anyway? So I have them on my “Like” list on Facebook so that I can get deals. I love them.  Yummalicious. I joined so that I could get deals. Any deals? Nope!

So just a couple of weeks ago they are trying to get their fan list up. Great idea I might add. “Get your friends to like us on Facebook and a deal is coming your way and theirs.” Great, so I thought it would be some great coupon.

Now before I go on, I have to tell you that pizza is my ultimate favorite food. I maxed out a credit card in university solely from pizza orders, as I was ordering it every two days at least. It didn’t take long as back then my credit was only $500. And it’s one of my fave dinners to make homemade.

So today I check my wall and they tell us that all of the fans can get half off our order by January 9^th. Arg are you kidding me? You couldn’t wait until I had some success to document? You couldn’t do it for New Year’s Eve? Seriously?

Stephen was like, well we can have it on Treat Day (yes we have those, the way we control how much crap the kid eats as well as trying to have some sort of step to health in place during the week). 

Anyway, do I really want to undo all of my hard work this week by pigging out on my fave food? And believe me it will be a pig out. Half off? Pizza lover? No, actually pizza FIEND!! I’m telling you it’s just way too early for that. I’m not saying I’ll never do it again, I just can’t see undoing a full week’s work (and boy is it work!) over the course of one meal.

So I’ve got four words for Dominoes: GO SUCK A ZUBE!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and here’s 31 more: You ain’t sucking me in to hurt my health all in the name of getting more money in the New Year because you know your sales are going to be lacking!

Happy Health Year everyone!


Oh by the way: I'm down one pound :)

Day 2 - Success, But It's Not Going Well...

I mean, it doesn't help that there's still treats sitting on the counter top...sour cream and onion chips, truffles from Costco, Sweet Georgia Browns and the list could go on.  What is the one thing that really got me going though?  Seeing the 2 litre of Coke sitting there.  Nice and warm too, not tainted by painful cold from the fridge.

But here's what I ended up eating for dinner: Salmon stuffed Sole with veggies.



Is this what the problem is?  Do I need to get rid of it?  Is it just a simple withdrawal from the foods I want to eat 24/7?  I did very well today.  No cheating.  I thought long and hard about it.  Drank some water although not enough, swam laps for 20 minutes.  What did the exercise do for me today?  Normally it gets me happy and hyper.  Swimming is less likely I'll admit because it always knocks me on my ass, even if I just leisurely play with Kaitlin and don't use the time to exercise.

Apparently, according to the hubbie, my demeanor was like night and day from yesterday.  All day I've been quite blah, down, headache.  Haven't had a headache in forever.  Was that because I only had one cup of coffee today?  Seriously?

Updated my Biggest Loser challenge online.  I know you're not supposed to weigh yourself daily, and they tell you not to, however, the field is there so I'm going to fill it in.  So I'm up 2 pounds in one day.

But that's not what's bothering me.  I know the fluctuations will happen.  What bothers me is my mood.  Is it the post-Christmas blues?  I do get those and I get them very badly.  Is it because I want something that's just right there but I "can't" have it because I've restricted myself?

I'm not even going to try humor tonight, it will probably come out quite sarcastic and rude.  Heh..maybe that's what I need.

My positive thought for today?

Food and drink today did not go down like kool-aid, but then, who likes a big red guy in tights anyway?

I'm going forward, staying strong.  I didn't have to exercise today and I did.  Now there's something to celebrate!

January First - Some success, some not...

Well there I was...I've lessened my Seroquel dose at night because it makes me a zombie until noon, where I can't even get up to get my cups of coffee started.  And I want to lessen my coffee intake, so the dose has to go - hopefully it doesn't affect my mood stability negatively.

So, there's no excuse for the first action of the day to be a failure.  My third day with half the dose and I'm actually quite alert in the morning, but there I was brewing a full pot of coffee again.  I'm only supposed to have one rather than 3-4.

Relax Nat, it's New Years Day.  Yeah right.  Who am I kidding?  How the hell am I ever going to reach my goals, and it's a pretty simple non-aggressive one in my opinion?!

Gulp gulp gulp.

"Is that number 3?" Stephen says.

Crap.  Ok ok...let's see what the rest of the day holds.  1700 calories later...ugh.  Kaitlin had a playdate and I made them homemade mac and cheese, sub angel hair for the mac.  It was NOT heart healthy.  But I tell ya, it was delicious.  And the baked potato with the leftover cheese sauce was awesome.  The chocolate and chips leftovers from Christmas went down so smoothly.  Like koolaid.  Wrong analogy?  Oops.

"Hey Nat, what'd you eat today?" My answer?  "Nothing really." Uh yeah.  Ok...

Normally the day would be lost in my opinion and I would just give up and put it off til tomorrow.  But what successes happened today?  There were a few:

1. Began my Biggest Loser game on the Wii.  Started my profile, entered my goals, weighed in and worked the workout chosen for my program.
2. Joined a Biggest Loser app on Facebook - thought that was kinda neat.
3. Made and ate a beautiful salad, chicken, romaine, spinach, mandarins, blueberries, carrots, tomatoes, feta cheese
4. Drank two glasses of water - that's two glasses more than I've drank in 4 months.
5. Took my measurements which are posted below.
6. Took some pictures of me in a bikini I bought for my wedding trip, as well as my current workout clothes.  One word for ya: GROSS.  The back view ain't so pretty and my ass used to be my hot spot.  *sigh*
7. This is the first New Years ever in my life where I did not put things off completely until Jan 2nd, or the first Monday of January.  It certainly wasn't a perfect day but look at what I did on Jan 1st!  Yahoo!

From my sales training, I was always taught to think of the Top 5 of whatever people give two shits about...well lookie there, I came up with 7 for today's actions.  And look at that dayum good salad below.  Mmmmm, I could eat that every day!

Measurements:

• Boobs - 40.5 inches
• Belly Button - 38.5
• Hips/Butt - 43.5
• Body Fat % - 30.5 (we don't know exactly how accurate this is, as we are not used to using Calipers, but I feel that this is probably right based on my past measurements at the gym "back in the day.")

Yuck - I'm painting a picture of a straight and shapely in the wrong way body.  

Ok, I know that I said I wasn't going to post before pics.  But to make this more real for me and to make me more accountable I'm going to have to suffer some embarrassment pain.  I apologize for those who view them.  I don't think these pics are that attractive. 

The first set of pics I'm wearing the bikini that I bought for my wedding trip in Vegas and California.  It is very tight now and I thought that the strap was going to break off.  That would be a shame because I love this bikini and I want to be able to wear it to the beach again.

The second set of pics are me in my more realistic clothing that actually fits me.

New Year's 2011 - Here I Go!!

Here is how I like to eat.  Processed crap from a processed food store.  Chuck it in the oven for half an hour, filled with cheese and salt and sugar.  Homemade cheese sauce over the twice baked potato...but alas, homemade does not mean natural or good for me.

Here I go!!

I'm not going to post before pictures until I have some success to share.  Not exactly something I want shown at this point.

So here I am, 185 pounds.  I'm 5'7'' or 5'8''  I'm not sure which.  Size 18.  I used to be so slim without trying when I was younger.  I know people hear that one all the time.  I used to hear it from the grown ups when I was a preteen... "Enjoy it while you can...blah blah blah." And of course I never believed it would happen to me.  I've gained 50 pounds in my ten years of marriage.

So what are my goals?  And how will I achieve them?

I took a look online at more than one site to make sure that they all kinda agreed to a certain point, using calculators to figure out what I'm supposedly supposed to weigh and what my BMI is supposed to be as well as what it probably is based on my current information as I plug it in.  More accurate measurements will be taken tomorrow and posted, however, I wanted to get started now.

So what should I supposedly weigh?  I know that you can't go solely on this, but I'm borderline obese, as surprised as people are when I tell them this.  In fact, they don't believe me lol...guess I'm kinda lucky (in a way) but not so much as my health is hurting.  Supposedly, I should be 163 as a maximum.  Actually "back in the day"when  I weighed 165 or so, I remember thinking I was at the top of where I should be for my height and body type.

So, I'm going to lose 22 pounds by April 1st.    This works out to 1.8 pounds a week.  This goal may change based on how things go.  It would also be nice to be back to a size 6 or 8 like I was 10 years ago...I'll worry about dress sizes a little later once I get somewhere...

According to the calculators, my BMI is 28.1.  If I lose 22 pounds, then it should be around 25.1.  So this goal goes hand in hand with the weight goal.  And of course, tomorrow we will be using the proper tools to get an actual reading on my BMI.

So how am I going to do this?  Well, there's a few things that I'm going to be doing, of course I'll be exercising.  But that doesn't cut it when it comes down to it.  It's going to be mainly diet.  I've been a big advocate over the years for food combining diets, the alklaline diet and similar others (but never Atkins even though that's a food combining method - I will never EVER endorse his awful unhealthy method!!!!).  I've had massive success with the two I mentioned, and it was quite easy.  Problem was motivation once I got married.

Recently we've stumbled upon the Paleo Diet and I'm going to give this one a try.  Everything I'm reading about in it makes sense, and some of it even supports the Alkaline diet (only some though lol it is far from the alklaline diet in the strictness and I don't have to cut out meat).

I'm going to carry on with the Bootcamp and Zumba classes that I've begun at the gym...they are so fun...Bootcamp kicks my ass though.

I did try the Beginner's spin a few weeks ago...what an eye opener.  Even when I'm out of shape, I usually score off the charts in terms of how well my heart works.  And I have ALWAYS finished an exercise class.

Beginner's Spin was a different experience altogether.  Wanna guess how long I lasted?  I'm so ashamed to say...
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
10 minutes.

10 minutes!!!!!!!!  WTF??????????  I'm the cardio queen for crying out loud!  Now in my defense, cycling has always been my weakest activity and I usually stay away from it.  When I was doing my triathlons, the cycle was what put me down so far on time.

Well, I told the instructor dude that I was done.  I was barely moving and was still going anaerobic.  Weird for me.  Couldn't stand ride for more than 15 seconds.

I went a week later with the goal of hitting 15 minutes.  I made it to 25.  I was very happy with this result.  I was able to keep up without killing myself.  And instructor dude said good job to me because he knew it is a problem for me...

Christmas hit and I haven't been back, but I am aiming to go back in a week or two, 30 minutes is my next goal.  I will eventually finish one of those damned classes!

My main focus will be what I'm eating and just being overall more active.  3 cups of coffee is going down to 1 starting tomorrow morning!  That's a toughy for me lol...I'll be back tomorrow with my measurements!!