Graduations, Relaxation, and Non-Scale Victories

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

As you're all too painfully aware, graduations and related activities have been eating up a good deal of my time since mid-May. I am more than happy to say that the last of such activities took place last night. My mini-me (aka as youngest daughter) graduated from 8th grade. Spectacularly, I might add, but that is the subject for another post (caution - proud mommy blog coming soon!!)

So at first I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. All these prom responsibilities and graduation events were eating up huge chunks of my time, keeping me from being a fully dedicated Sparker.



My weight was up and down by a pound or two with no consistent weight loss happening.

But I've realized over the last week or so, that despite all the chaos and disruption of my schedule, I have managed some non-scale victories that would have completely been my undoing prior to joining the 100 Days of Summer Challenge.

First, with the weekly challenges to track our food and stay within our nutritional guidelines, or eat mindfully, I was mostly making good food choices, even on those days when I was unable to prepare a healthy meal at home.

Next, there have been those lovely bonus points for relaxing! Here is where I have really benefited. Taking 20 minutes a day to read a book has been restorative and has kept me from negating all those good food choices with crazy stress binges. I've even managed to limit myself to one small serving of graduation cake and then walking away.

Keeping to the 20 minutes of relaxation a day, with or without the bonus points, is now a goal of mine - long term.

Lastly, I have really increased my water intake the last couple of weeks. Getting enough water has always been a struggle, since I get bored with it. I'm now getting 8+ glasses just about every day, and I notice a difference in my energy and appetite (and the number of trips I take to the bathroom!!)

So the scale numbers may not be moving much, but I am still reaping the benefits of those weekly challenges.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ECOAGE 6/13/2012 9:55PM

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XRSIZE18 6/12/2012 10:30PM

Yay for you! I'm so glad the challenges are helping you to stay on track. Believe it or not YOU are helping ME to stay on track. You are just like the energizer bunny!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

The Same Pound!

Thursday, June 07, 2012

The last two or three weeks have been uber hectic. My mancub has just graduated from high school, and the month of May was a whirlwind of prom, awards and graduation activities. My youngest one will leave 8th grade on Monday, so we have her first real Semi-Formal dance coming up. Add in all their sports activities, and there hasn't been much time left for anything else.

So it comes as no surprise that since the 100 Days of Summer challenge started, I feel like I am gaining and losing the same pound over and over again. But I almost don't care. Because at least its ONLY a pound, and not 5 or 10. And because I have this wonderful challenge group, along with some special 40-Something ladies, I am motivated to keep checking in and doing, even if I haven't been able to do it perfectly. And the Week 5 challenge incorporated bonus points for stress busting - 20 minutes of relaxation per day-and that truly has helped me regain some of my focus as all those extra distractions come to an end.

Time constraints have been my biggest enemy to exercise, and I am anxious to get back to Zumba class tomorrow. And once I do, this SAME pound, and many more, will come off.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ONEKIDSMOM 6/8/2012 7:26PM

You know what? It is NEVER the same pound! It's a different challenge each time. And you are right to NOT care! Because you're kicking a & taking names. Now that the craziness is past, you'll be back on track and having a great time at it, too! Report Inappropriate Comment

THEEASYKILL30 6/8/2012 4:14PM

Are you doing the 5% summer weight loss challenge? I think registration is closing today... For me, the spring challenge was just what I needed to break through my plateau. I find it a little easier with the 5% challenges because the weekly challenges are the same every day. I do like the 100 days of summer challenges but it's too hard for me to keep up with. Anyways, when I have days with time constraints, I try to break my exercise into 10 min segments. So if I have a bit of a break, I'll take a 10 min walk. I know it's not as good as say Zumba but I figure on those crazy days, any exercise is better than no exercise. Don't worry, you'll eventually break out of the plateau. Report Inappropriate Comment

ECOAGE 6/8/2012 11:36AM

Yes, keep checking & doing what you can do! We are going to offer challenges throughout the summer days --- good to know they are helping you stay motivated. Imho, it's important to enjoy once in a lifetime events with your kids. Report Inappropriate Comment

JERZGURL_NAN 6/7/2012 8:59PM

what a wonderful time for excitement - Graduation - awesome and hard!!! You will definitely kick that pound once you start back with Zumba - it still works!!! This will be your month to melt away the pounds! Report Inappropriate Comment

The Playlist

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I must confess, My ipod has been neglected of late, and my musical selections are sparse. So the challenge to create a playlist of energizing music to workout to, requires me to think about that and browse what's available. And naturally, I have way too many choices. But here goes.

1. 99 Problems (The Voice version). I actually did purchase this a couple of weeks ago. Saw it performed live and thought it was great.

2. You should be Dancing. A long time fan of the Bee Gees, I must give a nod to Robin Gibb who left us just this week.

3. Payphone. Adam Levine and Maroon 5. 'nuff said.

4. Brown Eyed Girl. Van Morrison never fails to get me moving.

5. Walk This Way. Seems appropriate to have Steven Tyler and the boys chanting this through my morning walks.

6. Smooth. Who doesn't love some good Santana rhythms?

7. International Harvester. Craig Morgan's feel good, foot stompin' ode to the American Farmer. yee haw!!

8. Sweet Dream Baby by Roy Orbison. Always puts me in a fine mood.

9. Rumour Has It. Because Adele can't sing a bad note.

10. Party Rock Anthem. LMFAO. Catchy Beat. Silly car commercial.

11. Free Bird. The mother of all rock anthems.

Think I'll upload this and see how it rolls on my next walk.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JERZEYFRESH 5/24/2012 8:48AM

Nan, I love all types of music in general, and I could add to this list for days!! For instance, I neglected Moves Like Jagger, another stellar piece from Maroon Five (and yes, Adam Levine is my celebrity crush so he could sing the classified ads and I would buy it!!). Report Inappropriate Comment

LMGBRIAN 5/23/2012 10:46PM

Sounds like a great list. I love your scale disclaimer background! Report Inappropriate Comment

JERZGURL_NAN 5/23/2012 10:22PM

I'm impressed - WOW - some are on my list - others I have to listen to - to find out if they are on my list? lol - I don't know the names of so many favs. Others I may love and add. It's fun to find new motivational songs to put together!! I do have some good ones. Report Inappropriate Comment

The Goal: Learning to Love Myself.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The challenge is to blog about my goals for the week. I've given it alot of thought, and it would be easy to say I want to add cardio minutes, or limit sweets, or try a new workout routine. But this morning I found myself stressed out, in the kitchen, pacing and trolling the cupboards for a quick fix. So today I decided on something deeper. Something that really must be addressed long term if I am going to lose weight and keep it off for good.

My goal is to remember to love myself. I often put myself last on my list of priorities. Or I allow others to get into my head and fill my brain with thoughts of self-doubt and sadness. Or let those same people push every button I have until my heart is racing and my head is pounding. And what happens next? I find myself eating cold pizza at 10:30 in the morning(like today), or inhaling ice cream right out of the carton. And once I've done that, the eating just spirals out of control, and then I feel bad about that!!

So just for this week, I want to remember that I am worthy. I am not perfect. I have made mistakes and will probably make more in the time I have left on this earth. But I am worthy. I am worth the time and effort to improve my health. I am worthy of being loved and forgiven. I can be happy, and that happiness does not depend on others, but comes from within me. And if those other thoughts or feelings should be imposed upon me, I do not need food to combat them. No mid-morning chow sessions fueled by emotions that are running amok. Just imperfect me. Happy - and healthy - in both body and soul.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEALTHYLISA 5/20/2012 2:53PM

God bless you ~ you are worthy ! Keep up the good work. Report Inappropriate Comment

ECOAGE 5/20/2012 2:33PM

Excellent goals: "Happy - and healthy - in both body and soul." Report Inappropriate Comment

ILOVEMALI 5/20/2012 1:17AM

Great inspiration!! You can do this! Report Inappropriate Comment

DLDROST 5/19/2012 11:08PM

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The Wide World of Spark

Thursday, May 17, 2012

In touting SparkPeople to my friends who have inquired, or are willing to listen, I often liken the site to Weight Watchers online. Only better, because it's free. A valuable community,chock full of resources, to tap into in my quest for better health and fitness.

And I really feel that way. I love Weight Watchers. What I didn't love was paying for it. Or trying to fit a weekly meeting into my already packed schedule. Add in the fact that the closest meeting to me is 15 miles away, at inconvenient times, and well....you get the point. Pay for it online? I did that for awhile, but I missed the interaction and accountability to my peers. Those other overweight souls looking to achieve the same things I was.

Enter SparkPeople. I found you completely by accident. But I looked just long enough to think "I could do this." And so the next morning I signed up. That was January 30. 12 pounds lighter and still here, still going strong. "So what's working?", you ask.

The answer is community. I am a social creature. I do not like lengthy isolation. I work long hours, from home, alone. I got here, almost 40 pounds overweight, alone. Alone was NOT going to get me back into shape. I needed accountability. I needed someone to pick me up when I fell. I needed someone to pat me on the back for the victories. And I found you, the Wonderful World of Spark.

In one of my Spark Teams, I belong to a small (but expanding) circle of members who have "buddied up." We are like a WW meeting without the fees. We check in to our thread throughout the week and cheer the victories, give reassurance when things don't go right, and maybe even a shove in the right direction when necessary. And the 100 Days of Summer Challenge group has pushed me beyond my comfort zone. This wonderful group of Sparkers has gotten me to try a new exercise (see my Qi Gong blog), start working at some strength training, and today I needed to try something "difficult." Since I was getting my evening walk in during my daughter's soccer practice, I upped the difficulty by incorporating the path with the inclines in it, instead of my usual route of around the flat turf fields. I would not have done this if not for the challenge to try a "difficult" exercise. By the time my 30 minutes was up, I was feeling the difference between my usual walk and my "difficult" one.

In my short time on Spark, I have befriended some wonderful people, who inspire me to keep going, even if they don't know it. I have found a place I belong. No judgment, no negatives, just support, and lots of it. And that, my friends, is what The Wide World of Spark is all about.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FRAN533 5/18/2012 1:56PM

First thanks for the nice note on my blog . i don't feel alone in my challenge to slow down my eating. and putting the silverware down. I agree the small team is great you get to meet so many supportive and helpful friends. i agree Spark is like WW with the support of team mates and Coaches I did WW once and made it to goal and stopped going and gained my weight back.. ! Like you i like the people contact here at Spark and unlike a WW meetings you attend Spark is here 24/ 7 /365 days never tried the on line program. . Report Inappropriate Comment

ECOAGE 5/18/2012 10:49AM

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BRENNAGIRL 5/18/2012 12:24AM

I couldn't have said it better myself! I just love Spark! You're right! Our buddy thread is like a WW meeting! I never thought of it that way. But it is so great to have a small group that you get to know, cheer on and well, become friends with. I'm glad we get to share this amazing journey together. Go Jerzey! I agree with you about 100 Days of Summer too. Love the weekly challenges, They are different and get you to try things that you didn't realize you could do! Which is always a good thing - stretching your boundaries. See you around Sparky friend! Cayla Report Inappropriate Comment