Day 130 Accountability blog - Happy Easter!

Monday, April 09, 2012

Happy Easter everyone! Continuing my boycott of all commercial Holidays, Easter day was so much more enjoyable this year since we chose NOT to buy or do anything "chocolate/bunny" related!! Instead we made today all about family. Which is terrible when I think about it because everyday should be family day! But hey, life is such that we most work and fulfill our responsibilities, and that's really okay too!

All this to say that we all made sure to be together this morning and enjoyed breakfast "family-style"! We spent the afternoon at home playing and relaxing, then had dinner at my in-laws, which was really fun as everyone was present! We don't really go to church so that was out, but we did spend some time explaining to my son about the religious meaning of Easter. He found it interesting, so I guess that's mission accomplished!!

As for my goals, well, I missed running with the club this morning. I regretted it afterwards, but I was quite sore from yesterday's gardening session, plus I really didn't want to leave the family so early in the morning.

1- Exercise 6 days per week: I didn't run but I did do another hour of gardening and that's pretty awesome exercise! So yes, I'll take the goal met!!

2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories: I was a little over 1300 calories before dinner. For sure I went over my calories again today!

3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water: 8 cups done!

4- 8 hours of sleep every night: I slept 9 HOURS last night!!! Whoa!!!

5- 5 fruits/veggies: 5 FRUITS AND VEGGIES TODAY!!!

6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement: vitamins taken!

7- blog.


6/7 goals met, FANTASTIC!!

Now I'm off to bed, gotta get ready for another sparkful day tomorrow!! Thanks for the support everyone, it means the world to me!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JANETRIS 4/12/2012 8:33PM

What a wonderful family day put in the right perspective! Good for you for not giving into the "Easter bunny".....that wascally wabbit! Report Inappropriate Comment

NANHBH 4/9/2012 11:17PM

I wish I had boycotted the chocolate bunny-related stuff! I ate way too much chocolate the last couple of days. Very cool that you made the day about family. Report Inappropriate Comment

LUCKYDOGFARM 4/9/2012 4:45PM

sounds like a great day FredAnn. there is nothing better than time well spent with family! ditto to the "just say no to Hallmark holidays". I dont think Jesus has much to do with plastic eggs and chocolate bunnies. not that He wouldnt be amused by the children or enjoy the chocolate, but.... Great job on the goals. Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 4/9/2012 9:38AM

You continue to ROCK! Report Inappropriate Comment

MSANITAL 4/9/2012 8:51AM

Sounds like you had a great day.. being with family proves to be as rewarding as any activity that we do.. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARATHON_MOM 4/9/2012 6:13AM

Sounds like an absolutely fantastic day! Congrats on meeting your goals!!! I'm in awe of the 9 hours of sleep thing!! Report Inappropriate Comment

THINGETTINOUT 4/9/2012 5:27AM

Sounds like a great day. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 128-129 Accountability blog - Feeling/seeing progress all around me!

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Okay, I have one bad news and a few good news. Let me start with the bad one.

Day 128, Friday, yesterday... Oh boy!! Except for taking my vitamins I met NONE of my goals! I didn't exercise, I took an unplanned rest day. I was just too tired, I think from not sleeping well the 2 previous nights. I tracked my food but only the first half of the day. In my defense, I was out the rest of the day eating food that I had no idea how to track! Not much of a defense but hey, I'm trying!! I only drank 4 cups of water, had only 1 fruit and 1 veggie and didn't blog!! That's not even the end of it. I did none of the chores/errands I was supposed to do and ate dinner at a mexican restaurant where I'm sorry, but the food was all but healthy!

So that's the bad news, Friday was a blur, a day not to remember!


Now on to the good news!

Today, day 129 of my accountability journey, I did !!! Fully back on track!

Let's take it goal by goal:

1- Exercise 6 days per week: I made up for yesterday, yes I did! I spent quite a bit of time outside working the lawn. Digging, raking, lifting, bending, standing, over 3 hours worth!! I tracked a little less because I didn't want to overestimate, but I assure you I worked hard! When I finished I came in and did my 33 minute stretching/yoga DVD as I really felt the need to stretch, especially my back. It felt really good!

2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories: I will give myself a goal met for today. After dinner I was at 1839 calories. I was starving just before logging in to SP and opted for a healthy snack, a pear and some yogurt. I worked really hard this afternoon, no surprise I was so hungry. I thought it was better to eat something healthy than starve, so that's what I did.

3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water: 10 cups today!

4- 8 hours of sleep every night: it was tight but I got my 8 hours last night, but only because I got to sleep in a bit this morning.

5- 5 fruits/veggies: 6 FRUITS AND VEGGIES TODAY!!! Woohooo!

6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement: vitamins taken!

7- blog.


I'm very happy with my day!!

That's not all, I have more good news! I can see, measure, observe progress all around me! I am a few lbs away from 50 lbs lost, that's no joke!! 50 lbs is a LOT, at this point it's so much more than a number, it's a real improvement in my quality of life. Here are a few things I've observed:

1- I am really starting to make smart decisions when it comes to food. Today, I know I burned a lot of calories from gardening, it explains that I am hungry, so I had a snack but chose a healthy snack as opposed to junk food. It's not the first time I do this, but my point is that it's happening more and more. It's totally awesome!

2- Making smart decisions makes me feel so much better! No feeling bloated after eating, no water retention, no food-related headaches, it's fantastic!

3- I always refused to stretch, always said it wasn't necessary and that I had no time for it. Now I can't get enough of it. I stretch as often as I can, and I do it because it makes me feel so good!!

4- The ULTIMATE good news of the day is this: gardening and weight loss, who knew that the relationship between those 2 activities would be so interconnected! I mean, bending and stretching in all directions, standing, climbing, lifting, digging, planting, sweating, when weighing 271 lbs is no picnic!!! Oh! Here comes the headache again!!

But doing all this with 47 lbs less on my body, with hours worth of exercising and stretching under my belt, was soooooo much easier and more tolerable, and soooooo much more pleasant!! I love gardening, always did. But at 271 lbs, it was far from being enjoyable!

At this point, not only have I lost 47 lbs, I have also gained a lot of physical strength. From running and yoga I have gained flexibility and tolerance to "pain"! Lol!! I had absolutely no idea that it would allow me to enjoy gardening at a whole new level!!

I feel like I am walking on a cloud! Who knew that losing all this weight and taking the time to listen to my body and observe the progress I am making would bring me so much satisfaction!

The final good news for today: I had already banished the word DIET from my vocabulary. I never really liked the term LIFESTYLE CHANGE. Today I placed a whole new label on my journey: QUALITY OF LIFE!!! I want to be happy and well, I was to live my life while making smart decisions and add QUALITY to my days.

Today I feel like I worked on adding quality to my life. I am satisfied and will reward myself with a good night sleep!!

Running with the club tomorrow, I'd better get some rest so I'm ready to follow the group!

I hope you are all adding quality to your life!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NANHBH 4/9/2012 11:05PM

You certainly have added a LOT of quality to your life -- and to the lives of many other's of us here! I'm so glad that you started to blogging accountability. I don't want to think about where'd I'd be if I hadn't followed your lead. Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANETRIS 4/8/2012 4:44PM

I love your honesty, and the fact that you just leave it behind and move ahead! I am so glad you are loving running club too! Keep going with your "quest for QUALITY" and keep reporting back to us!....Jane Report Inappropriate Comment

MARATHON_MOM 4/8/2012 9:48AM

Congratulations for not letting one day of being 'OFF TRACK' completely derail you! You jumped back in the next day and had an awesome day!!! Wooo Hooo!! And I love love love all of your observations about life now, as compared to before! Cheers to QUALITY OF LIFE!! Report Inappropriate Comment

THINGETTINOUT 4/8/2012 7:07AM

That is great Fredann. I love your blogs and you are one of the big reasons I started . I really understand the lack of sleep thing. I think it really affects what we do. Enjoy the running today with your club and Happy Easter Report Inappropriate Comment

LUCKYDOGFARM 4/7/2012 11:37PM

a Quality Journey is the Best Journey! Keep It Up FredAnn! have you been going to the grocery store carrying around large bags of dog food to see all the weight that you have lost? it is so amazing to pick up one of those bags and realize that is how much weight you have lost. i get tickled every time i do that. Keep Up The Journey. You Are Worth IT! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 127 Accountability blog

Thursday, April 05, 2012

I had a pretty productive day! I went grocery shopping, which is a big for me!! I hate it so much, I never miss a chance to postpone it! Well now it's done, I don't have to worry about it for another week! Hopefully...
I had planned to work on the lawn today but I got busy with other things. I still went running and did my stretches, I'm definitely happy about that.

Here are my goals:

1- Exercise 6 days per week. 28 minute run plus my 33 minute stretch/yoga DVD. One wonderful hour of caring for myself, I love it!!

2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories per day. I did quite well today and finished at 1929 cals. I'll have a woohoo for the occasion!!

3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water daily. 8 cups done!

4- 8 hours of sleep every night. DISASTER here! I slept so badly last night. I was sleeping in a funny position with my left arm under my pillow and I suddenly woke up and couldn't feel my arm. You know that feeling when the arm is asleep? Yes, that one! I couldn't feel my arm at all, up to my shoulder. I couldn't even tell where in my bed my arm was!! I had to feel my neck with my right hand and move my fingers down to know where my arm was, bring it back to a normal position and get the blood running again! Freaky!! It took minutes before I could feel my arm again, and by then I was wide awake! That's just one of the most unpleasant feelings in the world, I think!!

5- 5 fruits/veggies: almost, I had 3 fruits and 1 veggie.

6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement daily: taken

7- Report my progress to the world every day by writing my accountability blog.


Weigh-in day tomorrow, I'm hoping for decent results. I'll plan the day now so I know what I have to do in the morning:

1- Exercise 6 days per week: I intend to spend quite a bit of time outside working the lawn. It's supposed to be nice and sunny so I'll make the most of it. I should also get my bike out and go for that first ride I keep saying I'll do!
2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories, no excuses...
3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water.
4- 8 hours of sleep every night. ... will try again!
5- 5 fruits/veggies: no excuses there too!
6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement
7- blog.

Happy Good Friday to all!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NANHBH 4/9/2012 10:59PM

Pretty much a WOO HOO day! I'm still struggling with my sleep, too. We'll get this whipped yet! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANETRIS 4/8/2012 4:47PM

Oh...I can relate to a sleeping arm. For me it is the hand. I curl up with my hands curled up, and I wake up with no hand or at least it feels that way. It kinda scares me....what if some night I can't shake it awake?!? It only happens once in awhile...but is is freaky! My DH took over the grocery shopping! WOO HOO! I love that! I hate it too... Report Inappropriate Comment

THINGETTINOUT 4/6/2012 5:06AM

I know what you mean by the sleeping arm. Just a dead weight where the arm should be, I have never tried Yoga . I have looked at it but never done it. Think I would have to do a class though as I am not good at following pictures. Report Inappropriate Comment

LUCKYDOGFARM 4/6/2012 12:24AM

i hate that feeling of my limbs being asleep/missing! that is way worse than the grocery store. Love that you got the YOU time in today with yoga and a run. those are 2 of my favorite fitness things. i really need to make time for more yoga. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 126 Accountability blog - Sick, sick, sick of it!!

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

If you've been reading my latest blogs you know that I have been struggling with my nutrition. Well I did better today, and the main reason why I did is because I suddenly remembered how very sick I am of being f.a.t.! I may have lost 45 lbs to date, but I still have 65 to go before I reach a normal BMI... I am not even halfway there. Oh! I am not discouraged so much as I am sick of being f.a.t. I'm sick of seeing my lower abdomen hang, sick of my flappy upper arms, sick of seeing the fat pouches here and there on my body! I am sick, sick, sick of it!!

I know I sound very negative right now, so let me sprinkle a little positive on this blog. Well, my upper abdomen is quite tight, my legs are much smaller and I can see my hip bones for the first time in about 20 years! My bras are getting too big, yep, they are, but that's actually a shame because there wasn't much to lose in that area!!

I am also just a few pounds away from going down another pant size. I'm actually in between right now. My size 18 pants are a little too big, but the size 16 are a little tight.
What else is positive... Oh! Of course, I am getting better and better at running!

So, since I am so sick of being f.a.t., there is only one thing I can do, and that's to continue with my journey and my goals. As for the negative in my blog, well this will sound a bit strange, but I am actually using it to motivate myself. In the past I would refuse to acknowledge the fat pouches and would quickly cover them so I wouldn't see them. Now I look at them, and visualize myself without them. Then I throw on my running clothes and go for a run, dreaming of the day I weigh 160 lbs again. And by the way, I have determined this day to be February 1st, 2013!

Long story to say that I have been struggling with my nutrition, but today I recommited to my journey. I will see it through no matter what. Even if I sometimes have weak moments, I am here to stay. I am worth so much more than the way I treated myself the past 20 years. Bye bye fat pouches, Hello strong shoulders, arms and abdomen!


Okay, enough blah-blah, here are my goals for today:

1- Exercise 6 days per week. I wanted to go for a bike ride today but it was really windy and grey this afternoon, so I decided to stay home and work outside instead. I put away the shuffles and other wintery things then spent an hour raking the lawn. There will be a lot more raking in the next few days as I only did a small portion of the lawn! That's okay, I enjoy it!

2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories per day. I did better today yes, but still went over my limit and finished the day at 2009 cals. Nothing compared to the 2600-2700 from a few days ago...

3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water daily: 9 cups today!

4- 8 hours of sleep every night. Nope, not even close. 6 hours only...

5- 5 fruits/veggies: noooo... 2 veggies, 1 fruit.

6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement daily

7- Report my progress to the world every day by writing my accountability blog.


Okay, better, but there is a lot of room for improvement. So let's plan tomorrow well and increase my chances to succeed:

1- Exercise 6 days per week: running day, and I will work a little bit more on the lawn.
2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories, no excuses...
3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water. Easy-peasy!
4- 8 hours of sleep every night. ... will try!
5- 5 fruits/veggies: easy, so let's just do it!
6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement
7- blog.

First goal, health... Second goal, well-being... Third goal, self-confidence... Fourth goal, pride...

Ultimate goal: 160 lbs...

Just watch me!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JANETRIS 4/8/2012 4:50PM

Just look at you get mad....and see what happens! Fredann you just propelled yourself forward....WTG! Report Inappropriate Comment

WONDERWOMAN 4/5/2012 11:08PM

What a great and motivating blog! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLBEACHBUM14 4/5/2012 9:15AM

You have been doing it and you will continue doing it!! Feel the incredible power of your mind every time you will your body to take the steps toward your goals!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 4/5/2012 8:29AM

You are doing SO fabulous - recommitting to goals and remembering how you got this far - we're all rooting for you because we know Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUESKY_321 4/5/2012 7:59AM

Oh I do so remember feeling exactly like you do .... just SICK of it! SICK of weight and eating being an issue. SICK of working at it - and feeling like I was failing. SICK OF IT! So stinkin' sick and tired of the whole thing. And you know what - It was a turning point! It really was! For me, stumbling on a book called the Beck Diet Solution was the light I needed to see - but you may find something else... maybe even something inside you - to change your mindset. Wishing you all the best! ps The Beck book isn't a diet, it's more of a mind set makeover - maybe your library has it and maybe it would be helpful to you too? :) Report Inappropriate Comment

MSANITAL 4/5/2012 7:57AM

Girl, it is ok to vent.. for me venting like that is better then lifting the food to my mouth.... so vent away.. I say..because it don't last for long, just like the weight it won't be around for long.. Keep up the great work, I am so impressed on your running.. Report Inappropriate Comment

LUCKYDOGFARM 4/5/2012 12:08AM

FredAnn, Your negativity is Positively encouraging! You've got it! Go GirlFriend Go!! Report Inappropriate Comment

THINGETTINOUT 4/4/2012 11:25PM

Whatever motivates us to stay on the path is ok. You can do this. You have already proven it by the weight you lost. You go girl. Report Inappropriate Comment

KPETSCH 4/4/2012 11:22PM

Plenty of positives in your outlook. Keep going and stuff will continue to melt away. Some days I really struggle to get my 6+ fruits/veggies in but I don't give up. Charting my nutrition on SP really helps - I know the days that I don't keep up with it I have a lot harder time to get all my servings in. Report Inappropriate Comment

NANHBH 4/4/2012 11:21PM

I'll be watching you - and cheering you on! I know you can do it. You are woman, you are strong! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 125 Accountability blog - Feeling Spark-deprived!

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Boy, I feel like I have no time to spend on the computer these days. I wake up in the morning and before I know it it's time for bed!! I finally logged on the Spark last night it was 10:30pm. I took a quick tour and had to go to bed. Here I am now with my accountability report for yesterday, Tuesday:

1- Exercise 6 days per week: Oh my!! I had an amazing run yesterday. I finally found a comfortable pace and just ran as if I was taking a leasure walk! Lately I had been struggling with my runs and I figured it was because I was trying to go too fast. Yesterday I really slowed down to a pace I could sustain and ran 4.46km in 36 minutes.

2- Track my food. Max 1900 calories per day: I continue to have difficulty staying below my range. I have no excuses, I am just hungry, so I eat! I don't binge or waste the calories on junk food, but i do eat more these days. Total 2291 cals on Tuesday.

3- Drink minimum 8 cups of water daily: 10 cups!

4- 8 hours of sleep every night: hmmm... let's see, this refers to Monday night into Tuesday morning, I slept 7 hours. Not bad, but not enough.

5- 5 fruits/veggies: 2 veggies and 1 fruit only

6- Take a multi-vitamin and a Calcium supplement daily: vitamins taken

7- Report my progress to the world every day by writing my accountability blog:

Now I am going to go outside and start cleaning up the garden after the winter. It's a beautiful day outside, I'll make the best of it. I'll also take out my bike and try to go for a ride. Should be fun!

I hope everyone has a beautiful day!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARATHON_MOM 4/5/2012 9:30AM

I've been super busy the last few days too.. work has been insane!! I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! You are doing great with your goals! And I gotta say, I would kill for 7 hours of sleep a night during the week! So to me, that seems like a sleep marathon! LOL Keep it up!! Report Inappropriate Comment

REALLYHOPIN 4/5/2012 8:07AM

Sounds as if your Spark deprivation can be worn as a badge of accomplishment. Your days are filled with healthful activities to the brim of not having the time to vegetate in front of the computer... I think this is a good thing.... but do make sure that you are not making yourself toooooo busy... we don't want a burnout situation. I know that all the health items are things you do for yourself, but alot of it is ~work~ and yes it feels good to be taking care of your body, but remember to take care of your spirit as well.... maybe a bubble bath or something that's a reward that's just for you.... hey, maybe even some time that you DEDICATE to Sparking (outside the daily regimented blogs)... just something you enjoy and can relax with... ~ be good to yourself ~ Barbara Report Inappropriate Comment

WONDERWOMAN 4/4/2012 9:36PM

Hope yo;u had a great bike ride. I know the feeling of losing steam when going too fast. Yay for figuring it out. Sometimes we just need more to eat; it's a great victory that you are still making good choices in what you eat. Report Inappropriate Comment

PUDDLEBY 4/4/2012 6:42PM

Awesome run. I hope I can do that someday. You do seem to have trouble with your freggies though. That's okay, you need at least one area to work on. I have been feeling the same as you, that there is just not enough time in the day, or else there are just too many things on my to-do list! But, I am happy that we are both, for the most part, on track! Report Inappropriate Comment

MSANITAL 4/4/2012 5:54PM

I love your attitude.. kep up the good work.. and don't for get some Down time to rest and relax.. Report Inappropriate Comment

NANHBH 4/4/2012 1:49PM

That's an amazing pace to run 4.46K in 36 minutes! You are really active most days. Maybe 1900 calories isn't enough for your level of activity. I noticed that as I am intesifying my exercise, now that my knee is feeling a little better, I am more hungry. As long as I'm not eating chocolate or other refined carbohydrates, I'm OK with going over my limit. Although, I do plan to eat goodies this weekend - it's Easter, after all. And my birthday on Monday. Report Inappropriate Comment

THINGETTINOUT 4/4/2012 12:21PM

You continue to do it daily. I am looking forward to the day I can run 4 k and just enjoy it. With people like you to follow I know it will happen. Report Inappropriate Comment