Sunday, March 31, 2013

Day 14/90

Quiet day and not feeling my best..... 2 miles and my legs dvd today.  And spending the day getting geared up for grandbaby week!

I will be keeping the children of one of my daughters - a beautiful 3yo girl and 6mo old boy.... and another of my daughters will be bringing her 3yo over for a visit on a couple of those days.... FUN!

My challenge is to continue with miles and dvds (or equivalent this week)... and to eat right while feeding the toddlers.  I also will be preparing dinner for my girl to come home to so that will be a fun surprise too :-)

I've already done crockpot frijoles to make burritos with and a crock of chili.  Both can be frozen if I decide to do something else  but I want MY food decisions to be good ones!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Day 13/90

Okay so already today is not going as planned!!  I got my one mile in first thing..... and that is good!  Came back to check emeil before workout and my neighbor called.  I had to go over to her house to give her a hand..... came back and grabbed a half peanut butter sandwich I didn't eat yesterday, walked another mile with the dog and am now checking the email.  STILL need to get a cardio workout in AND breakfast.  And 4 more miles for my 3Day training!   But it's a beautiful day and there are a million opportunities to get physical left in the day :-)

So heading now for 25 minutes of Bob Harper cardio..... and then out for a little yardwork.

Planning on Day 5 TODAY!

Have a great day!

 ***  Did Bob Harper's Inside Out Method: Body Rev Cardio Conditioning  workout 2.  (Supreme 90 Day called for cardio and my shoulders hurt from yesterday's arm work so I tried something else in my collection.... but the SHORT version.  I am shooting for 30 min or less per workout so I don't talk myself out of it!)

Friday, March 29, 2013

Day 12/90 Doing the Happy Dance!

Oh yeah.... I did it!

1.2 pounds DOWN on vacation :-)

Apparently I'm on the right track!  Of course, I came home to a minefield of barbecue chips, Reeses cups and nighttime ice cream!  Yikes - my men buying their own groceries!

It's okay - I'm not eating non-food and I'm not buying it.  Period.  I will use diet coke and coffee right now.... but that's it.  And it's working!

Today's workout is arms and shoulders - and then a day of catching up and getting ready for next week's adventures!

****Boy, I can sure feel it in my shoulders!  I will be a while building them back up... oh, so carefully! One thing I have to note about Supreme 90 Day is that it is heavy on push-ups!  If you have back / shoulder issues, go SLOWLY!  If you are anything like me, you might have to modify the modifications :-)  While you can't let yourself off too easily, you also can't allow yourself to be sidetracked by injury!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Day 11/90

Yesterday was tough!  I just felt tired and dull.

While I did go out and get the gifts I wanted for my grands....  I didn't walk.. well - I did take my lunch to the beach and have a picnic..... gazpacho, a bean tortilla with fresh spinach and broccoli with hummus.  The sun was warm enough to take off my coat so I sat and read for a while.

I just felt tired and bummed... so I guess a rest day was in order!

And I got more craft work done!  I brought my sewing machine with me to the beach thinking that I would have a crafting retreat - and I have done that.  I didn't FINISH much - but I have made headway on several items and done final handwork on a few.

And I wake again still kind of empty and lagging..... and I think I am simply homesick and ready to take up the reins of my life again!  I'm ready to put away my books and craft supplies and go hug my men and my pets.

When I spoke to my beloved last night, it sounds like the demands of the household without me are starting to take a toll!  He had planned on coming down but is now feeling kind of pushed..... and I'm starting to think about my crazy week next week!  I will talk to him again this morning.. but have already started packing up.  If he's not really wanting to actually see the beach, I think I will go to him :-)  I think I will be more comfortable with next week's craziness if I go home and make sure my own home is in order!  Not to mention getting back to my nest :-)  This has been a good experiment... I know I can function on my own.. but I don't have to so the experiment is done!

At any rate - today is a cardio dvd whether I leave or not!  And if in the throes of packing / leaving it doesn't happen - then I will catch a cardio workout on the treadmill when I get home.  Promise!

Oh yeah - the meditation course... I did Day 5 this morning.  This is really really hard for me.. but it feels right..... so on I go.  Somehow I will slog through to Day 21 and see what happens next.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Day 10/90

    I am glad that today is a rest day on my schedule!  I will still walk a bit and I have some Spark cardio I want to finish but it's all good if I don't.

Next week I will be keeping long hours watching my precious grandchildren.  It will be a challenge to see how much official exercising I get accomplished.. though I will be hanging with a toddler and infant - and sometimes two toddlers!   I will definitely be moving!

I have gotten a lot of crafting done this week.... and am still doing well with food.  I was thinking about eating out but still have plenty of food here at the condo and don't want to spend the extra money.  

Today is household catch-up day :-)  Some laundry and some errands.... things I wanted to get for the grands.... cocoa powder and peanut butter (if I can't find PB2) for a recipe I want to try.

Still very very cold...  which limits my walking!  I've been to the beach daily for photos but it's so windy I can't take it very long

I've been trying to learn to meditate... using Oprah's 21 Day course with Deepak Chopra.... and OMG, I am having a hard time!  First there's the commitment to BE STILL for 15 minutes - MUCH harder for me than the commitment to exercise!  And then trying to empty my mind is like trying to empty a lake being filled with a stream..... I even visualize the empty uncluttered space in my head... and the wisps of steam and fog creeping in.  I can envision some value here but this is not easy for a 'do-er'!  A thought rolls in and I want to ACT....  will keep plugging along and see where this takes me.  I'm so uncomfortable being still that it must be good for me!

My husband is sounding really lonely... I think he will be here by Thursday night for the last day of this beach week....  I do miss him but this has been a good thing.  I hope to go home with a clearer head!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Day 9/90

I'm enjoying the observations of me here at the beach....  with no one to care for but myself... it's a whole new adventure to just be by myself.... and not just let the time get sucked up by the computer or the activities (work) I brought with me...  I'm staying at a place I know well...  seeing the sites is kind of like being at home so while I love them, it's okay not to go this time.....   I have to make myself do things just like when I'm home.. exercising does not yet come naturally - though wanting to walk outside DOES finally!

If you have known me long, you know that I decided in January 2012 to take a daily walk.... 1 mile... rain or shine.  I rarely miss.. but I treat it like brushing my teeth... a MUST DO.  And now it's a NEED... praise God :-)  The habit concept works for me.  And that was born from logic.... like this...  "They say" (whoever THEY are :-) that a fit person walks 10,000 steps per day.  I wore my pedometer for a week and counted.  My average?  3000 steps.  pathetic,huh?  But it makes sense.... my usual (chosen) occupations are reading, crocheting, writing, computer and quilting.  My ONLY active choice is gardening / yard work... but that is summer only.. and sporadic.

So IF the way I choose to spend my life is sedentary, it makes sense that if I want to be fit, I need to ADD activity.  And what is easier than putting on sneakers and going out the door?  Nothing!  Though sometimes the walk itself was GRUELING... and in the cold weather, I really don't like it.....  but I am finally at the point where the WAY I FEEL with the walk is so much better than without - that it makes the effort worthwhile...   And once I'm actually out the door.. getting through the mile is do-able.   (I must admit that even right this minute, I am looking at sunshine out the window... but I know the temp is in the upper 30s and I DON'T want to go!   But now, it's my brain that doesn't want to go - my body wants to MOVE... so time to change the brain!)

The daily walk was a factor in halting my gradual weight gain and helping me maintain for a year.  Stepping it up now is a way to tone up some more and get back into some of the smaller sizes...  but again it's logical.  My legs are strong... but the rest of me needs to tone up and be healthy.  I want to have (and keep) full range of motion and build strength.  My age constantly reminds me of the creeping decline in my abilities and I want to hold it off as long as possible!  But even this is a test... how can I fit it in my life as a habit and make it easier?  I dont' know yet - so... 90 days!

When I come back and cool down just a bit, I will do a cardio dvd...  today I am testing a Sparkpeople one I got from somewhere.  The Supreme 90 Day schedule calls for "Ultimate Ball" workout - an.d since the ball is back home.... it's cardio.

Food is still good.... I wouldn't call it perfect - but then I'm not following a plan exactly.  I am watching portions, I am eating clean - though not all organic yet - foods, and I am loosely following a plan laid out in Coach Yourself Thin (By Greg and Michael from here)... AND I am writing it all down.   for now.  I am beginning to identify and deal with cravings... and since there isn't any junk here, it's easier.  I hope I deal as well when I get home.

How are you doing?  What is your plan for the day?

so one thing I need to watch out for....  I have identified 5 workout dvds that I can easily get rid of .. I tried them, I don't like something about them and won't use them..... BUT and it's a big but... I am finding myself surfing the net for more!  WHY do I need more?  I need one or two per day... and I need a little variety.  I HAVE THAT.  Why more?  FIRST I need to USE what I have - and identify a NEED... THEN I should look for an answer...  I will have to work on this!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Day 8/90

Lazy so far...... but have a lot on the agenda!  I am at the beach and will spend a lot of time walking.  My legs & glutes are still sore from the walks and workout yesterday.... so the dvd for today (LEGS) is not the best choice.  I will either choose the arms/shoulder workout or an ab workout from my collection.  I brought most of my dvds with me to watch - try - see what I will use and what I can get rid of.

[Actually I always forget how many stairs there are here.... my hamstrings are already sore and knees stressed so it DEF has to be a focus on abs and/or upper body plus cardio today for the dvd]

Still logging food.... longest consistent time since I lost weight in 2007 - and I've dropped 2 pounds this week so yay!  I will take measurements sometime this week and see where I am there.    I am proud that I bought groceries but no trouble food :-)  When the munchies hit, it's celery and hummus or baby carrots or a slice of cheddar on rykrisp crackers.... or simply hot tea.   I am ready to break old habits.

I miss my family but am excited about scheduling my own time.... and taking the brain space to work on personal goals and plans.    More later as the day goes on!

Update - did a mile and a half in the cold and windy RAIN!  Yuk!!  But it was a good 25 min of work.... and then did half of Jillian's 6-week 6-pack dvd... beginner level... I only stopped because I was a little dizzy and decided that I'd check out something else later on in the day.  I did like the workout though...  recovering with a gazpacho smoothie...

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Day 7/90

Lazy so far...... but have a lot on the agenda!  I am at the beach and will spend a lot of time walking.  My legs & glutes are still sore from the walks and workout yesterday.... so the dvd for today (LEGS) is not the best choice.  I will either choose the arms/shoulder workout or an ab workout from my collection.  I brought most of my dvds with me to watch - try - see what I will use and what I can get rid of.

[Actually I always forget how many stairs there are here.... my hamstrings are already sore and knees stressed so it DEF has to be a focus on abs and/or upper body plus cardio today for the dvd]

Still logging food.... longest consistent time since I lost weight in 2007 - and I've dropped 2 pounds this week so yay!  I will take measurements sometime this week and see where I am there.    I am proud that I bought groceries but no trouble food :-)  When the munchies hit, it's celery and hummus or baby carrots or a slice of cheddar on rykrisp crackers.... or simply hot tea.   I am ready to break old habits.

I miss my family but am excited about scheduling my own time.... and taking the brain space to work on personal goals and plans.    More later as the day goes on!

Update - did a mile and a half in the cold and windy RAIN!  Yuk!!  But it was a good 25 min of work.... and then did half of Jillian's 6-week 6-pack dvd... beginner level... I only stopped because I was a little dizzy and decided that I'd check out something else later on in the day.  I did like the workout though...  recovering with a gazpacho smoothie...

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Day 6/90

Daily mile done CHECK  (I'm glad I have a dog - she really helps with this!)
Daily dvd done.... Back to Supreme 90 Day for a Cardio challenge dvd.  Did pretty well but re-learned a couple of things.  A) Don't look at the tv screen.. the athletes on there are moving a LOT faster than I can and my best is exactly right.   B) heavy weights for me (right now) is 2 pounds and light weights is NONE  Jumping lunges are not my thing YET

Kind of dizzy when it was done but I am taking it easy now as I re-fuel and finish getting ready to leave!

So that's done and weights packed.... car is just about loaded. I am kind of excited though nervous about this vacay.  It's a time share.. use it or lose it.. and the weather is supposed to be COLD so no family members want to come.  I have planned a personal retreat all for me.... with things I want to accomplish and thinking/planning I want to do... my exercise stuff is coming along - and most of the dvds so I can view the ones I haven't looked at and PURGE the ones I won't use.

Not taking the scale - leaving for the beach at 174 - goal is to come back less..... 

It will be interesting to see how long my husband lasts here at home with the kids without me.... and interesting to see how I handle being alone.....BOTH healthy good things :-)

Friday, March 22, 2013

Day 5/90

1 mile done and 30 min of Billy Blanks Tae Bo (today is arms and shoulders with Supreme 90 Day and I needed an arm workout without extra shoulder stress!)

Still logging and planning food - and a small NSV in my brain :-)  I have been keeping a bottle of water by my bed and trying to drink it in the morning with my coffee.  And I don't like it.. I like my coffee :-)   This morning (on cup #2), I had my usual guilty glance at the bottle and thought.. I don't want that, I want more coffee.   And the NEXT thought... in the very next instant... was...... but coffee dehydrates me and I want that less.   And I drank the water.   And, yes, I then moved on to cup #3.   BUT got the water in - I was surprised and pleased by my automatic thought and reaction.   THAT is the real NSV - a small noticeable LIFE CHANGING behavior.

Today is an algebra class for my son (one hour transit each way) and an evening event at my church....  and heading for the beach tomorrow!  Temps are as cold in OBX as they are here but with WIND!  But for me, my annual March retreat allows me a chance to re-group without a ton of family commitments.  AND a chance to plot out the next 6 months of goals......  depending on how many of my peeps come with me, of course.  But, at a minimum, I lose the distraction of vacuuming and household management.... it scales down to a couple of people and a little condo... instead of large house, pets, yard, errands, apts, church stuff, etc., etc. etc......  

I am mostly packed and just fitting in final stuff today - like the weekly plant watering and winding up the laundry..  will update more later... it's gonna be a great day!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Day 4/90

All in all, yesterday was pretty good - considering that I spent most of it running errands!   And when I came home I tackled our burn pile - so spent a couple of hours outside raking garden plots and burning the old dry pile.

The big FAIL was last night.  I did log my food... I was short a couple of proteins still after dinner and I didn't get my carbs until after lunch.... I noticed this as an observation.  After dinner, I did the dishes and noticed that I was hungry.  I decided to have a bottle of water and my shower and see if I could wait it out.  I was ravenous after my shower... but said... hey, I can do this.

Next trip to the kitchen was disaster.   I snagged a piece of cake that was on the counter.  Not even very good (which is WHY my family hadn't gotten to it already!)  and DEF did not handle the hunger issue... so I ate a piece of string cheese..... followed by a KIND bar..... and after that.... bread with peanut butter.  Just couldn't seem to fill up.  Consequently I had all those calories - AND all that food to digest as I went to sleep.

So this morning I have a nasty headache and am grouchy.  I learned - okay RE-learned - that a) processed sugar products (CAKE) do not fill me up, they only add calories and hunger to my already hungry self and b) I sleep and wake a whole lot healthier and happier if I stop eating within a couple of hours before I sleep and c) my FEELINGS of hunger are not always that.  I am not yet in a place where I can trust my FEELINGS alone.

I do have my first mile done this morning and will do a cardio dvd in a few minutes.  I am home today so will see what opportunities I can find to get more movement in!
****
UPDATE
****

Okay - so the dvd didn't happen - mostly because of a houseful sleeping young adults and then getting ready for the my week getaway at the beach.  But in spite of the cold - I did get another half mile.. and when I remember that yesterday was supposed to be a rest day (and I did a dvd anyway).. well, that's grace :-)   Food went very well and is all logged.... I have a snack lined up for tonight IF NEEDED....  good progress!  Leaving Saturday morning for the week - and busy much of tomorrow so still a good bit to do!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Day 3/90

Rest according to the Supreme 90Day schedule.... do SOMEthing according to mine :-)  a 15 min workout from Bob Harper's Warrior Yoga - Abs was my choice!  Plus I need 4 miles for my 3Day training - one is done and will find the time and space to catch 3 more during the day.

Food still being logged.. so my choices are better :-)  It is exciting to think of what I can do in 90 days!  I know that I am building my new life BUT sometimes you need a jumpstart and what better time to do that than Spring!

hmm..... how much clutter can I get rid of in 90 days?  How much cleaning can I do?  How much food can I clear out of my pantry and freezer?    this is a good time to clear the decks!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Day 2/90

Walked my mile this morning..... successfully battled munch cravings last night.... pretty sore around the shoulder girdle today...  trading out the scheduled Supreme 90 Day workout for a BL one with less arm work.  I have a year old shoulder injury (whiplash) that needs rebuilding so I will go slower.  The success will be in the day to day consistency NOT following specific dvds.  All I know today is that I need more cardio and less emphasis on the chest / shoulder area....and less than 30 min.... will report back what I did...
  [I did the one on the schedule - forgot that it was a ball workout and I SUCK at that :-) So it wasn't as hard as it could have been.  Also since it was heavy on plank position I did some of them on my back without the ball since the emphasis was on abs..... worked the shoulders a bit but mostly gave them a break!]

Speaking of consistency - I feel at loose ends in several corners of my life so will report that progress here too... just 'cuz.... 
  welll..... got a box of yarn ready to donate to somebody as soon as I can find someone who will USE it not hoard it :-)   pruned a large rose bush - great armwork & bending and stooping - juiced a bunch of veggies for today and tomorrow... and registered for a second 3Day Walk this year.... 

Am heading for vacation next week so will be working on using up and putting away this week......  while I log food and attempt to keep within portion and variety guidelines

a good day - and it's only 4pm...

Monday, March 18, 2013

Day 1/90

1/2 mile walked and Day 1 dvd for chest & back... DONE!  Eating some yogurt now and getting ready to get going on my day....

The plan is to pay close attention to my intake - and UP the outgo...  I am starting with the Supreme 90Day exercise set.... since I own it :-)  I am fairly fit - but not anywhere near being able to do what they do - but it's all good!  Whatever I do today is more than I did yesterday.... so I am pleased.  Also want to take it very slow to prevent injury...  I will try to get another mile or two depending on rain and life.... but all in all... the rest of the day will be business as usual and mindfulness in the food dept :-)

Does anybody else hat the category thing?  My blog is really more of a personal journal offered in a public forum.  I'm not sure any of those categories count for my ramblings and logging

Did pretty well - over by one on the grain carbs and under by 1 on fruit..... also over by several on veggies so that's all good.

Day 1 of the free meditation course offered by Deepak Chopra - I am a total loser in the meditation dept... but maybe the dog's agitation while I try to relax is a part of it.  Will start this over tomorrow  - but will think of the Day 1 thoughts until then
"I commit to living perfect health"    What a cool thing to plant in my brain!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Race Report #5 Holton Hustle 5K Mar 2

Okay - so my beloved has gotten on board with the racing in a 5K sort of way.

We both walk a mile most mornings and try to collect another mile along the way during the day.... usually walking the Pomeranian...so not exactly what one would call race training.  Neither of us really run much - though he is definitely better at it than I am.

He's done a couple with me now - and has decided that one per month is a good idea for him.    Adding the extra event / miles to our lives brings more exercise and movement so it's a good thing.

Both of us see the 3.1 mile distance as a long walk - so it's interesting to see how the word "RACE" affects the psyche.

My son needed transportation on this particular day - so I decided to hunt for a 5K in the area.  Great idea to kill 2 birds with one stone.... BAD idea that one of those birds was a race!  But anyway.... signing up for the race had a 'team option' that was about the same price as 2 entries - so I asked my son if he wanted to join us.  For a little jog?  Sure.... no problem.  Sounded good at the time.

The morning was COLD.... in the lower 30s.  I was grateful that there was no chance of precipitation - but the skies were heavy with thick gray - OH so GRAY - cloud cover.  So we were freezing  AND depressed... YUK.  Not an auspicious start :-(  Whining before we even began... and, of the three of us, I was the most prepared,

We usually start out jogging and my husband soon leaves me in the dust.  Today was no exception.  The race was at an elementary school so the greatest challenge at the beginning was to NOT trip over children :-)  I loved the fact that so many kids were out participating..... but I did struggle with my attitude as I tried to sort out my long stride and work my around the little ones.   My men had a tougher time of it - but managed pretty well!

Oh but it was COLD!  I tried to jog a bit but my ankle wasn't feeling strong and the pavement was uneven.  I didn't want to risk another injury especially knowing I have a trail half marathon on the agenda for next weekend.... so I settled into my speedy walk.

Sometimes this winter I have really struggled with the WHY of doing these events.... I am often extremely miserable.

For the first few miles, I always torture myself with WHY, oh WHY do I choose to do this? (Of course, for a 5K in freezing temps, that is the WHOLE WAY!)  But I am good at settling in - putting my mind to it and keeping on the path.  And maybe that is the lesson for me.

I like half marathons because I get a finisher medal.  Simplistic - but true.  I know I can do it... even when it takes the stuffing out of me.   In day to day life, I can get worried, upset, and exhausted... but no medal.  This is mine..... just mine.

The 5Ks & 10Ks are just fun.  But not today.  I think I have learned... I do not like the cold.  I struggle with breathing anyway... but that frigid air burns all the way down.  Breathing through my mouth makes me extremely nauseous.... but I'm still on a learning curve with breathing through my nose.  And today?  BURN!  My chest really hurts.  I wonder if my asthma is coming back - or perhaps simply acting up with the cold, the exercise - and of course the tree pollen is beginning.

So - there's the whining - I TOLD you I was a whiner..... and that is one of the reasons I am so questioning about why I continue to race.

My son was the first of us...... and then my husband... and I brought up the rear.  They were miserable too - as I battled with my ankle pain and breathing issues, my husband battled a stitch in his side the whole way.... my son was just miserable.  So.. all in all.... it was a tough 3 miles!

But the important part was that we did it - we finished.  And, for my husband and me at any rate, we learned.  He and I have never been athletes in any sense of the word.... so in our mid-50s.... we are learning what it means.  And every time we put ourselves out there - we learn more about ourselves... about our bodies and about our spirits.

I guess that is why I still do it.  I still have things to learn from this kind of experience.... more emotion to wring from it....  next week.... a trail half and I hope and PRAY the weather is more temperate!