She works hard for it, honey

Saturday, September 27, 2008

"If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all."
-- Michelangelo

Sadly, few things worth doing come easily. It's easy to say to ourselves this is just too hard. I'm tired and I don't want to exercise, or I'm sad and I want that piece of cake. What's wrong with taking a break or one piece of cake?

The problem isn't skipping exercise one day or one piece of cake. The problem is consistently skipping exercise and many pieces of cake -- at one sitting.

It's easy to look at thin people and be envious. Except you don't know why they're thin. Maybe it's good genetics and it's effortless for them. Or maybe they spend hours a day exercising and starve themselves. Or maybe they simply eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full.

Anyone who's ever lost weight will tell you it's hard. Even when it's easy, it's hard. After all, you can't give up food. But anyone who's ever lost weight and maintained that weight will tell you that's even harder.

I just have one question for you if you think it's too hard: have you ever been happy heavy?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BALINDA2222 9/29/2008 10:40AM

Its not Too hard, just hard some times, and Yes! But healthy and Happy? no. But getting there. one day at a time... Report Inappropriate Comment

SQUIRTZIE 9/28/2008 4:01PM

What a wonderful blog and I'm sure it is very very true. That recipe for the chocolate pumpkin pie sounds delicious. I think I will try it. Report Inappropriate Comment

Can you dance your way to fitness?

Friday, September 26, 2008

I decided to try to find out this month. I've been doing Zumba -- and walking -- exclusively. Now I'll admit that after almost a month of Zumba, which I still do enjoy it, it's just getting a tad boring.

There are 5 workouts, so if you work out 5 times a week, after a month, you're repeating the same workouts over & over.

The workouts do come with 3 schedules: one to drop a pants size in 10 days; one to tone up; and one for when you're pressed for time.

I tried the drop a pants size, but I didn't do their accompanying diet. Over 2 weeks, I've lost 2 lbs -- which for me is actually pretty good. Did I drop a pants size? Well, no, although my jeans are getting pretty loose after just one month; I bought these jeans before the cruise and I may need new ones by next month. Interestingly, my hip & waist measurements haven't budged, but then again, it was just TOM.

I plan to try the toned plan next, and then I'm going to take a break from Zumba for a while -- or simply start mixing other things back in. Their toning plan includes toning sticks, which are very light weight, so I really question how much toning I get out of them. But I was willing to take a break from the intensity of the 30 Day Shred.

The other experiment I ran this week was having dessert every night. I always do that, but I made a chocolate pumpkin pie and several different kinds of cookies. I had 2 cookies, 3 times this week; and 3 slices of pie (on 3 different nights). I only lost .4 lb this week -- but I *did* lose, and I'd lost 3 lbs already in the previous 2 weeks. So all in all, I'm pretty happy.

Here's the chocolate pumpkin pie recipe (from Eat, Drink, & Be Vegan):

1 1/4 c non-dairy chocolate chips (you can use regular chocolate chips)
1 14 oz. can pumpkin pie mix
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp arrowroot powder (I used cornstarch)
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 prepared chocolate cookie piecrust

1. Melt the chocolate chips. I do this in the microwave; stir every 30 seconds until melted.

2. Mix all the ingredients in a food processor.

3. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to 350.

5. Bake 35 minutes, until the pie is set.

I didn't check the calories in this. I just wanted to try it out before Thanksgiving to see if it was any good, and it's awesome. But I did have 3 pieces over the week and still lost weight!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STARTSPARKING 9/27/2008 6:43AM

I take a Zumba class as part of my repertoire once a week. Although it is fun, it's not enough cardio for me (at least not the class I take). I never get within my target heart rate throughout the entire class. I prefer my kickboxing and old-school cardio classes because I get a much more effective cardio workout. I really should try spinning, but I'm afraid it may be too boring for me without the choreography. Thanks for sharing the chocolate pumpkin pie recipe. It sounds so delicious! Report Inappropriate Comment

CITABRIA 9/26/2008 1:53PM

I've heard great things about Zumba, and want to find a class near me. I don't mind regular routines, so that wouldn't be as much of a problem (I hope). Report Inappropriate Comment

Blank stares at blank pages

Thursday, September 25, 2008

I love "Love Song" by Sarah Bereilles (sp?). I looked her up on Amazon, I think it was, and many people were comparing her to Fiona Apple -- unfavorably. I don't know, I never got into Fiona Apple at all -- couldn't think of one of her songs if you asked me about it. But I love "Love Song". I belt it out every time it comes on -- I actually do have a decent voice, so I don't scare the dogs. In fact, when I really get into a song, Lola likes to dance with me. She's excited by my excitement.

This song just always puts a smile on my face. It shouldn't from the words, if you really listen to them, but there's just something about the tune.

When I started this blog I chose that title mainly because I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to write about today. But sometimes just do it works, and as I let my fingers type away, it came to me -- that's what our healthy lifestyle is about: enjoying ourselves! Yes, you can lose weight and enjoy yourself, too.

Sometimes, of course, you won't. Sometimes, no matter how well you treat yourself, you'll feel hungry, tired, deprived, and willing to throw in the towel. You're human, and that's okay. That's why it's a LIFESTYLE.

But if most of the time you're enjoying the process, then you're on the right track. And I've got to remember that -- the next time I have some big goal, I have to remember NOT to push myself. I push myself enough every day, and pushing myself even more just never works for me. I have a much easier time shedding the weight when I just keep on a even keel. Balance. Yet again! Boy, I'm all over the place today.

My question to you: do you enjoy your exercise, your weight loss rate, and your food 80% of the time? If you don't, then it's time to rethink your plan.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STARTSPARKING 9/27/2008 6:53AM

I love Sarah Bareilles. Most CD's contain at most two or three good songs, and the rest are indistinct fillers. I enjoy almost every song on her "Little Voice" CD. She was the opening act for a James Blunt concert I attended earlier this year, and I enjoyed her performance at least as much as the main act. To answer your question... Yes, I do enjoy my exercise regimen. I actually look forward to my fun exercise classes. It's the only way to keep it up. If I have to convince myself to get to the gym everyday, I can guarantee it won't last. I also enjoy my food most of the time, but it's still hard to make sensible choices and stay on track all the time. I guess I am human after all. Report Inappropriate Comment

LAVENDERGIRLL 9/25/2008 3:51PM

I completely agree with your feelings about music. A song always puts me in a better mood and gets me started in the morning as well! I loved your question about the exercise etc. You are right about the 80%. I totally agree. If you wake up in the morning dreading what you have planned ie running; dvd; gym or whatever than you have already sabatoged your positive wellness! Same with food; there are so many different kinds of foods these days that are yummy and healthy; too many for me to choose. I live each day at a time. Good days and not so good days; come and go. It has taken a long time but I have found that I now have more good days than bad ones only because I choose to have a positive day rather than a downer day! So, keep listening to your music and keep enjoying it! Report Inappropriate Comment

A healthy lifestyle

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Even more than weight loss, that's what I'm after. In many ways, I've already achieved it. In other ways, I'm still a work in progress.

As I noted to a friend recently, I used to get horrible cravings before TOM. I felt like just open up my veins and pour the chocolate in. After many years of working on eating healthy, and about half a year of really concentrating on portion control and mindful eating, I no longer get that way. I may be slightly more hungry before TOM -- which is normal (you also tend to burn a few more calories around that time) -- I don't normally have cravings. Perhaps because I work a treat into every day.

And while I may have gained a small amount of weight over vacation, it vanished quicker than I'd have ever imagine when I returned home to my healthy eating habits. I think going to weekly meetings helps there, too. It would have been easy to present my no-weigh pass, but weighing in kept me accountable -- and gave me that kick in the pants to just get right back on track.

I'm still working on getting the clutter under control. That's definitely a work in progress. Funny, watching Suze Orman on "Oprah" yesterday, and she made a comment about how clutter is almost always a sign of financial disarray. That's something I've been working on, too.

Not that we're overextended; we tend to be fairly frugal. But I really just don't have as good an idea of what we've been spending as I'd like. For several months I've been trying to track what I spend. It's been a sort of off-and-on effort. I recently discovered that SP has a form you can print out to track your expenses. I'm using it.

I'm still going for balance. I recently read an article that suggested instead of striving for balance, appreciate the moments of harmony in your life. While I thnk that's a good suggestion, and I know you can't always achieve balance, I still think it's a good thing to work towards. Unbalanced objects topple.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STARTSPARKING 9/25/2008 6:21AM

Congratulations on getting your TOM cravings under control. That's usually when I fall off track, sometimes slightly. Last time it was quite serious. Good for you for losing the little amount of weight you gained during vacation. You have been working hard, and you are an inspiration with your healthier lifestyle. We will always be a work in progress. However, you have achieved so much so far, so you have much to be proud of. Report Inappropriate Comment

I don't need to be ripped

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A while back I read a blog entry from someone that said she looks around, and thinks about how much better she can look than other women. Now, motivation is a good thing, but her entry was just so sad to me.

Just because someone is thin, or well muscled -- that doesn't make them happy or healhy. There will always be someone thinner, more toned, richer.

I most definitely think that it's important to work out, for many different reasons, one of the best being that it gives me more energy in the long run. I also think it's very important to weight train, because weight training helps build strong bones (not to mention helps prevent injuries because you pick up something too heavy for you).

But I don't need to be ripped. Toned is nice, but I'll probably never have a sixpack, and I know for sure my thighs, hips, and butt will always be large, because I'm a curvy woman -- it's just the way I'm built. And I like being curvy (ok, I'd really like to be just a tiny bit more curvy on top).

I am now at the weight I was when I joined WW back in my late 20s. At that time, I lost almost 40 pounds from this weight. I don't intend to lose 40 more pounds. 30, maybe. For my WW goal -- picked many years ago (but moved up from my original WW goal), I still need to lose 27 pounds. It's still far enough away that I'm not particularly worried about it yet.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STARTSPARKING 9/25/2008 6:27AM

It's important to not compare ourselves to others because that is a losing battle. This is my body, and I work on my own healthier habits. Others have their own priorities, limitations, and unique qualities. They can live their own lives and make their own choices. I'm slowing catching up on SP, and I am reminded once again how much I enjoy reading your blog posts! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOMMA_GRIZZ 9/23/2008 9:14PM

I agree too. As long as I feel good about myself, am healthy, have energy and enjoy life - I figure I look good. I'm too old to think about being ripped......plus I think I may look kind of funny if I was ripped. lol - they are not wrinkles but badges of honor......would ripples go with wrinkles - would they be called wripples.....sorry, couldn't resist. Report Inappropriate Comment

SQUIRTZIE 9/23/2008 3:51PM

You are so correct. I would much rather see a woman with curves than one that looks like a guy from the back!!! Report Inappropriate Comment