GSF & yogurt run

Friday, May 25, 2012

I ran for yogurt yesterday. It was a little disappointing - not the yogurt itself, but the self serve aspect. There are 2 size cups - naturally I chose the smaller one, but it was still large. You serve yourself, they weigh it & you pay by the ounce.

Despite maybe filling it only 1/4 full, it weighed in at 7 ounces! Yikes! Almost double what I budgeted for. I had to throw out some & up the amount on my tracker.

But I must say I felt a whole lot cooler when I walked out of there . . .

The run itself was hard - it was a tempo run & therefore I suppose it should feel hard. I felt like I was sooo slow, but in the end my average pace was almost where I wanted it to be. Hopefully it will improve.

I recently found oikos Greek frozen yogurt at the grocery store. It's tart - which I told my husband when I offered him some - but I enjoy it. I'd recommend it. There's Greek frozen yogurt at TCBY, too, but if I'm going for a real treat I want something a bit sweeter. I'll leave the frozen Greek yogurt for an at-home treat.

For those enjoying a holiday weekend, be safe, be happy & remember why you started this healthy journey in the first place.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NATPLUMMER 5/25/2012 10:03AM

YIKES!! That is a lot of yogurt. At least it cooled you off. I'll have to check out the Oikos fro yo. Yay for a tempo run that was close to the tempo you wanted!! Have a fab weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

Into the danger zone

Thursday, May 24, 2012

As often happens, being sick turned out to be a blessing in disguise - it pointed me in the right direction. The scale has been kind lately. Of course, back in December, with the newest WW plan unveiled, the scale was kind too . . . until it wasn't.

I am almost back down to my lowest weight - this time, not my lowest weight ever - I'm never going to see that number again!

It's a scary time. I believe that some ofthe changes I've made this time are the reason, but I always believe it. I still somehow feel this time, somehow, some way will be different.

Even tho we have no big plans this weekend it will still be challenging. DH ha a 4 day weekend. The desire to give in & loosen up is always lurking around holidays. I will continue to plan, I will get my runs & some ST in, and I will indulge just a little.

I have the goal of meeting my buddy SKINNYPOWLL1 at my lowest weight to keep me focused. Not to mention those size 4 JLo jean shorts I tried on today that fit . . . gotta love JLo who realizes we're not all skinny models . . . but would look even better with a few pounds gone.

If the thunderstorms hold off, I will get in my small indulgence today by running to TCBY & cooling off with frozen yogurt.

Have you got your holiday plan in place? Budgeted for some indulgence? But have a goal in mind to keep yourself from overindulging?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NATPLUMMER 5/24/2012 1:32PM

I think you have a solid weekend plan. Life is no fun without a little indulgence ;-) Yay for the shorts fitting!! I hope the thunderstorms let you indulge in a little post-run frozen yogurt. I'm going to save my indulgence for Sunday....my brother's birthday cake....yes, it's going to be chocolate ;-) Report Inappropriate Comment

What's different THIS time?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Sometimes I'm afraid to hope. There, I admitted it. I've been down this road so many times before. I've spent tbe last 3 yrs getting down to a certain weight & then bouncing right back up 4-5 pounds.

And it's not my first time at the rodeo with this particular behavior, either.

So what's different this time?

*First & foremost: never, ever give up. I've given up in the past - figured I'm too old, too slow a metabolism, it's genetic - anything & everything but own that it's my own actions. Not this time. No matter what, I will continue with my healthy habits - because I feel better when I do.

*Recognize that there is no end to the journey. You're never done. It never gets easier. But that's ok, because I feel better.

*Realize that I need far less food than my stomach demands. As one of my spark bouddies likes to say: suck it up, buttercup. Which do you want? A healthy weight or that dessert? That doesn't mean I have to be constantly hungry, but it does mean I have to be REALLY vigilant about portion sizes & BLTs. And even that is ok, because you can get used to smaller portions & I feel better.

What makes this time different for YOU?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKINNYPOWELL1 5/23/2012 2:41PM

You are one persistent lady, I love that about you. Try, try and keep on trying - you're one tough lady. Keep up the good work, you'll get there. That, I'm sure of. Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/23/2012 12:39PM

Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 5/23/2012 11:14AM

Everything you wrote, I relate to. I guess for me the biggest difference this time compared to all the others is that I've stopped looking at healthy as something you ARE and started looking at it as something you DO. I want to feel good & be able. Now that I know it's within my power, I just can't give up on it. As long as we don't give up trying, we will eventually meet our goals. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 5/23/2012 8:43AM

As usual, you are right inside my head with similar thoughts. I'm thrilled at my progress and this is the first - and last- time in my life I will ever allow myself to be overweight. It has not been fun. Have a good day. Report Inappropriate Comment

Fashion finds & shoe porn (photos!) - long

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Sometimes you choose to wear clothes even tho you know they're really not quite flattering to you -- because yes, they're comfortable. Not sloppy comfortable, just not-quite-right-for-your-body-type comfortable (or trend).

The top above falls into that category. It's really a bit overwhelming for my petite frame; I get that. I wore it while shopping sunday, saw myself in the mirror, and REALLY got that. And yet I plan to keep it.

Sometimes it's all about wearing clothes with confidence. Or maybe laziness.



The outfit above falls into the same category. I love the top - I love the "cold shoulder" look, as they call it - hides the batwings, but shows the shoulders, & I think flatters most people. I don't even wear black very much anymore. Give me color! But the too-long length of the tunic makes me look kind of stumpy.

Hence the turquoise skinny jeans. Which fit everywhere but my butt, naturally. And yet I hold onto them . . . because I think with some more pounds gone they WILL fit. And because they didn't have the next size up in the store. As long as I wear tunics, I'm good!

Now, I know skinny jeans aren't really the best look for pear shapes. But I still wear them because a) it's easier to tuck them into boots & b) I like the way they look with shoes.

You may notice that I've lopped several inches off my hair in the above photo (well, my hairdresser, not myself personally). I really like a long ponytail, but I think all that hair was beginning to drag me down a bit.

One of my passions is putting outfits together. The jeans & tops are fairly new but still bought at different times; I bought the belt last year & it's just perfect; I bought the shoes, which unfortunately you can't see very well, recently too: the pattern on the wedge is all sparkly & multicolored & I just love them.

One bracelet was a gift several years ago; the other I bought at my hair salon of all places a couple of years ago; the necklace I bought in Hawaii 2 years ago; and the ring, which you can't see, I bought in Key West last fall.

Speaking of putting together outfits . . .



Another outfit above I put together from a bunch of separates all bought at different times.

I've come to the realization that I would LOVE to do this as a living. It gives me an excuse to shop & stay on top of fashion AND feeds my creativity. But how to break into it? And could I really dress anyone other than myself? It's taken me 50 yrs to work out what's flattering on me & I still get it wrong sometimes.



I purchased these from www.solesociety.com . I doubt I would'be paid $50 for them, but for $25 they're not bad. They're not comfortable barefoot, tho - you definitely need to wear a sock with them.



I'm loving the JLo line at Kohls, even down to the shoes. You have to really try things on -- the fit is all over the place - and I don't like everything, but the pieces I have bought I really, really like. And very good for curvy girls.



Another JLo shoe. I've only worn them around the house so far, and I suspect the strap across the toes would rub . . . I will probably put something there altho it will be awkward with the design. But I just love the colors.

I won't buy a trend because it's trendy -- it's got to be something I like. Tangerine is the "it" color right now, and the funny thing is that while I bought some pieces in it this year, I realized that I already had quite a bit of tangerine in my wardrobe.



I love, love, love these shoes -- they have a small wedge -- and have a lot of clothes they will go with.

If there's interest, tomorrow I can share with you some of the apps & sites I've discovered in the last few months that deal with fashion. But realize that they make it way to easy to spend money. This has already grown quite long!

Today is supposed to be a "unofficial" group hill run, rain or shine - but not thunderstorm. Last week's "unofficial" group run got canceled due to weather. It's raining & the forecast actually is for potential thunderstorms this afternoon & evening.

I would do a hill workout on my treadmill much earlier in the day if I knew they were canceling it . . . I don't want to have to get on the treadmill at 5 or 6, but I'll do it if I have to. Hoping they come to a decision well beforehand but realize they probably won't.

Not to mention I have to actually find the location -- thank God for GPSs!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LJCANNON 5/23/2012 5:53PM

Love the Retail Therapy!! And the Sparkly Shoes are Fabulous!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KANSASROSE67 5/22/2012 5:26PM

How fun! I could never wear any of those gorgeous shoes because I have to wear orthotics but it's fun to see them on other people! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 5/22/2012 4:14PM

Love the JLo shoes! I haven't been into fashion for many, many years. Now that I fit into regular sizes, I'm getting a bit more into it. Hopefully the thunderstorm holds off until after your run! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/22/2012 12:27PM

I think everything looks great!! You are reminding me that I really need to go through clothes and shoes and decide what to keep...I've grown out of most of my fun shoes, I think. Fingers crossed you hear about the run earlier rather than later. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 5/22/2012 11:07AM

Thanks for the retail therapy and it didn't cost ME a thing, lol. I just haven't been in the mood lately, but you've inspired me, look out mall, I'm heading your way. I like the first shirt, the low neck line elongates the torso - I love it. You do put together outfits very well, it's a shame I don't know a way to break into getting paid for it - I think they call it bein g a Stylist, not sure. Love, love, love all those shoes. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 5/22/2012 8:02AM

It looks like you're having a "ball" clothes and shoe shopping! Don't you love that? It's fun trying styles and different types of clothing/shoes that you would never have tried in the past and experimenting. I haven't been buying myself any new clothes much lately due to me putting all that effort into our house instead, but I told my daughter the other day that I wanted something "summery". She and I didn't find it (we went to Kohl's, JC Penney's, and Ross) but we will. You are looking so good, I can tell all that exercise is really paying off! Like you, I have a "booty" issue too, LOL! Report Inappropriate Comment

Weight loss isn't about food

Monday, May 21, 2012

Not really. Sure, you've got to eat less, move more, eat more freggies . . . yadda yadda. Most of us know this stuff, but we still struggle.

Why?

Because when all is said & done, weight loss is really about self love. About loving ourselves enough to commit to the hard work that must be done. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But it's really, really hard to love yourself when you feel like a fat pig. You feel like nobody loves you. Nobody values you.

Guess what? If you don't value yourself, how can you expect others to value you? Lead by example. Dig deep. Realize that you are worth it, that it won't be easy, but remember being fat isn't easy, either.

Spend the time on yourself. You are worth it. We are all worth it. We are all worthy of love. And it all begins with the decision to turnoff the negative voice in our head and turn on the positive one - even if that feels fake.

I don't care how many times you've tried & failed, how many people teased you, how many people express disbelief in your ability to lose weight. Screw 'em. The best revenge is success. Believe you can do it & you will. Not so hard after all, huh?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKFEREBEE 5/21/2012 10:22PM

I think our whole journey here on earth is to learn to love and value yourself as much as God does. Self-love shouldn't be so hard. We are usually harder on ourselves than our worst enemy ever would be. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 5/21/2012 7:07PM

IGreat blog! Really agree with you on this being a mental battle & how we show ourselves love when we take care of our bodies. Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/21/2012 10:40AM

You are so right!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LJCANNON 5/21/2012 10:25AM

So very true, and Well Said!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLJONES 5/21/2012 9:40AM

It's true. If you can learn to love your new lifestyle you'll be able to not only get it off but keep it off. Love yourself, love your life. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 5/21/2012 8:44AM

Great reminder. Thanks! Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 5/21/2012 8:24AM

Very well said and true. The best revenge is success = priceless. Nothing works better to get me motivated than when someone tells me I can't - just watch me. Report Inappropriate Comment

EMGERBER 5/21/2012 8:15AM

Very true words. Hard to put into action but certaily worth it. Report Inappropriate Comment