I'm back (again)

Monday, September 10, 2012

I did really well when I first started on Sparkpeople and it was working. Then life and excuses got in the way. I had my best friend out to visit from CA for two weeks and we had a lot of fun. Of course it all included eating and drinking. Then my birthday came and went. I will be 50 next time (OMG!) . I want to look the way I used to on that next birthday. I have 336 days to get that done. That ought to be more than enought.

I joined a gym last week. I never wanted to pay for stuff that I can pretty much do at home, but it's a great motivator. I spent the money and I will not let it go to waste. I went twice last week after work. The other three weekdays I walked while my daughter was at soccer practice. Not far, but for about 30 minutes each time. This past Thursday I saw one of the moms walking. We joined up and I walked for an hour instead of a half hour. She walks fast too! This is a new team for us and a new for her too and we had just met that past weekend. I saw her yesterday after the game and we made plans to walk to walk each practice (3 times a week). Practices are an hour and 45 minutes so I will get in my cardio.

This morning at the gym I just did the strength machines because I didn't want to get too sweaty before work. I will sweat enough tonight walking. I will split my workout on practice days and the other days I will get it done all at once. The weekend will be more of a challenge, but will most likely just walk at home or before the game(s) at the fields. The gym is far from my home, but close to my office.

Glad to be back and to get myself back.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 9/10/2012 11:17AM

Welcome back! Best wishes on meeting your new goals. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

The scale

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Well, I weighed myself this morning. I was trying to wait until Tuesday which will be one week from the last weigh in. Weekly. That's how often we're supposed to do it.

Before joining this sight I hadn't weighed myself in at least a year. I didn't want to know. I knew it was getting worse and worse and I knew that I would be horrified. I joined the site in the morning and guessed at my starting weight. That evening when I got home, I decided to find out the real number and I was actually 13 pounds heavier than I had guessed. That was shocker. And yes, I was horrified.

It motivated me to work extra hard and stay focused on the end reward. The reward is feeling like my old self again.

After achieving so much success my first week, I couldn't wait to see if it was still working. To see if it was real or my imagination. I won't post the latest number because I still have to get through the holiday weekend. But as of today it's real. And I'm really happy about it!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 5/24/2012 10:31PM

I do not measure my success on the scale (although weight loss does matter to me) but what matters the most is being and feeling healthy. Keep up the great work and celebrate all the victories. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

GOPINTOS 5/24/2012 8:48PM

OH I hear ya. I got to a point where I just quit weighing also. But we will both get to where we want to be!! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Country Living Team Report Inappropriate Comment

XMAS2012 5/24/2012 6:58PM

AWESOME!!! Keep up the good work!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISZ40 5/24/2012 9:56AM

Wishing you lots of success! Report Inappropriate Comment

Bringing the groceries in is exercise

Saturday, May 19, 2012

I have been on the site for 4 days. I joined and threw myself into all of it. My family is super supportive. I am the mom of 4 kids, but only have a 16 year old daughter at home. She is hardly ever home.

I started this journey this past Tuesday and not when I had ton of good healthy food in the house. Today I went to the store and 1) fresh fruits and veggies are expensive and 2) they are heavy. I arrived home at 7:00 pm. I left the house at 7:00 am. to go to work. Thankfully young daughter that lives at home called and is staying at school for fun events to lighten the mood pre exams. I am no longer going to cook the dinner she requested. I went onto the Spark recipe site and found a baked honey mustard chicken that she would love (similar to what she wanted) and planned to make extra to top salads in the future. I will freeze some for that.

Can I count lugging the groceries in (apx 20-30 yards...I will measure at a later date) SINCE THERE WERE NO TEENAGERS TO HELP CARRY THEM IN as exercise? I mean, I did the big shopping trip. It seemed like it took forever to get everything in and put away. I felt like I had a workout. Maybe it was because I am so out of shape.

Even though there are 5 baskets of laundry to fold I am changing into workout clothes (old and crappy) and going for a walk before I do anything else. I had a houseful of kids and was busy last weekend and the laundry fairies never arrived...that is whole other story.

Moms of teens....I salute you! Is it too much to expect more help? I miss having them all here for WAAAAYYYY more reasons then help bringing groceries in. Maybe its empty nest syndrome.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CLRWILLIAMS25 5/22/2012 9:58AM

Try only buying the fruits and veggies that are on sale instead of always getting the same ones each week (like getting whichever apple type is on sale or a head of lettuce instead of bagged lettuce) And we still carry groceries, we just do it at our own houses We help carry them when we come to visit though :) Comment edited on: 5/22/2012 1:38:48 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 5/19/2012 4:13PM

Fresh veggies and fruits are a little more expensive but the benefit far outweighs the cost. Hope you enjoy your walk. Have a GREAT weekend. Sunnu Report Inappropriate Comment

MEH50BEWELL 5/19/2012 8:56AM

We have been empty nesters for 6 months and LOVING it. They visit often but there is a lot to be said for no teenage mess. Lol. But, all good things must come to an end. 2 of the three moved back last week. Laundry pile is huge. Dishes have reproduced in the sink and can't find there own way into the dishwasher. Driveway is a maze of cars. But I am destined to continue to take care of me for a change and SP is the place to keep the focus. Good luck. One day, one step, one lb at a time Report Inappropriate Comment

GOPINTOS 5/19/2012 8:45AM

I have 4 children also. 18 year old son officially at home. But have a daughter who has moved back home with her son, while she finishes school. So she lives upstairs, son lives downstairs - it's like an apartment complex with my floor as the common area :P So anyways, I havent experienced empty next syndrome yet, thank goodness. But yes, carrying groceries, doing laundry, etc is all great exercise. I try to do squats, calf raises, etc. in order to try to make it double duty. Good luck on your journey. I am anxious to watch your progress! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Country Living Team Comment edited on: 5/19/2012 8:46:34 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

KENTUCKYGIRL01 5/19/2012 8:16AM

I here you loud and clear. I have one more home too. I'm not looking forward to that day. It makes me sick at my stomach. I'm glad its not only me. Good luck with your weight loss journey ! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day Four

Friday, May 18, 2012

Well I just finished my lunch halfway through day four. A small/medium lettuce & spinach salad. "Borrowed" some lite salad dressing from a coworker since all I had in the frig were heavy creamy dressings. It's been a challenge to figure out how much of each thing I'm eating, but it's starting to feel normal to look at the nutritional facts of everything.

On Wednesday (day 2) I had purchased some organic almonds and some cajun sesame sticks for snacks from the health food store. Once I looked up the nutrition data on the sesame sticks, they aren't quite so healthy. BUT they are really spicy so if I eat just a few, then I HAVE to drink some water to save my mouth. I will be using them for that purpose. I have never been a big water drinker.

This afternoon will be my first trip to the store to get lots of fresh fruits and veggies as well as other stuff. I can't wait to try some of the great healthy recipes. I will be reading labels!

I am looking forward to a busy weekend getting stuff done around the house and yard. We are doing a lot of updating, painting, remodeling in and out. It's work and it's exercise. I will still get my walks and strengthening in as well.

Have a great weekend!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 5/18/2012 8:21PM

I carry a little snack bag of almonds in my purse so I am if I am tempted by the "fast food" sirens when I am in town running errands I can reach for my little snack. It works for me... Sounds like you are motivated and are putting together a good plan to meet your goals. Best wishes on your journey. Have a nice weekend. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUE42DOWN 5/18/2012 7:05PM

Love your plan for the sesame sticks! Report Inappropriate Comment

BERGBA7 5/18/2012 1:35PM

good luck at the store buying healthy things and have a nice weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

Starting on a Tuesday

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Whenever I start something new I usually start on a Monday. Even if it's a New Year's resolution I start it on the first Monday after New Year's Day. BUT I never stick with it. Ever.
This time I started something on a Tuesday.

I had had three of my four kids at the house for Mother's Day. One now lives close by, one just returned from her freshman year at college and the youngest still lives at home. The oldest is dealing with a health issue and couldn't make it. We had a lot of fun crafting, hanging out and eating. We actually were eating mostly healthy because the daughter who was cooking eats and cooks that way. She is a member of Sparkpeople and kept talking about how helpful it is. She isn't a member to lose weight, just to maintain an already healthy lifestyle or improve it. Fresh lettuce from my dad's garden is always a tasty treat too.

Monday I was still tired from the weekend and staying up late talking and just being busy all weekend. I worked all day but didn't check out Sparkpeople (but I thought about it...does that count?).

Tuesday I sent a message to my youngest on Facebook and saw the picture I had asked her remove because I looked so fat. Well, I just looked awful. I don't feel like that on the inside unless I really look at myself or one of those awful pictures. That did it. I joined Sparkpeople Tuesday morning.

I had a great Tuesday, my start day. I had already packed leftovers, but only the healthy ones since that's all that was left. I walked with one of the girls when I got home and drank almost all my water.

Day two was already filled to the brim starting with a VERY early meeting leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. and ending with the athletic banquet at the high school and getting home at 9:00 with work and driving in between. This included having to stop at a bathroom more than once because of all that water. I didn't eat terrible, but not nearly as well as would have liked. My day had already been full before my Tuesday start day.

Normally I would have just quit until next week since I didn't do another almost perfect diet and exercise day, but I didn't. I got up today with even more resolve to continue to get myself back.

I am excited and committed to being an active Sparkpeople participant. I need and want the accountability. Mid day on Thursday, day three, I am doing well and can't wait for the rest of my getting myself back journey.

Maybe starting something on a Tuesday is what I needed. Who knows? I will let you how this Tuesday start day is going.

Have a great day!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOPINTOS 5/18/2012 7:03AM

I know exactly what you mean about the pictures. I never felt as fat as I looked. I didnt even know who that person was. So glad you found SP. It just made all the difference for me. I also use to wait till Monday. But there is no better day than TODAY! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Country Living Team Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 5/17/2012 7:14PM

Welcome to Spark People and The Country Living Team. Balance will come. I know it can be difficult juggling work, activities, and Spark People but do what you can do and stay as active as you can. Nice to meet you and have you join us on your journey to health, fitness, and weight loss. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUE42DOWN 5/17/2012 5:21PM

to SparkPeople. Getting past that all or nothing idea - that if you didn't do perfect, you shouldn't keep trying - is a big thing. Every little thing you do better than the day before is progress. Report Inappropriate Comment