(Virtual) Rocky Mountain Trek Week 2

Thursday, September 15, 2011

I meant to write about the trek last week. I had it all planned days full of sunshine and fresh air. Evenings giggling and singing around the campfire. What I didn't plan on was being sick that first week. I am better this week, but last week it was all I could do to keep putting one foot in front of another. I got my tent buddy, sonia not to say anything so I wouldn't have to go home. All I did was march through my days half dead and fall exhausted into my sleeping bag each night. If Sonia hadn't kept after me to eat, I probably would have skipped more meals than I ate. I couldn't smell the fresh air and didn't notice the scenery. But this week will be different, I am determined not to miss anymore of this wonderful adventure.

www.nps.gov/romo/naturescience/rocky
-mountain-butterfly-project.htm

This is one of the reasons that I was so excited about this trek. I want to collect as many pictures of butterlies as I can. There are 139 confirmed species in the park and I want to photograph as many as possible. I have an 8 GB SD card in my camera-so I can take thousands of pictures.

www.nps.gov/romo/naturescience/butte
rfly-families-and-park-species-list.htm

I love the fact that there is an online species list with pictures so that I can label my collection when I return home.

To Be Continued.....

  

A New Attitude

Monday, September 12, 2011

"I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoes
Know where I'm goin' and I know what to do
I tidied up my point of view
I got a new attitude"

This is the second song that I added to my Cardio mix. It not only helps me keep my speed up for chair marching, but the words have significant meaning for this journey. For the first ime, i feel like I know where I am going and know what to do. This morning when I weighed in; I had gained .2 pounds. This in spite of the fact that I stayed within my calories and did get all my Cardio minutes in last week.

Previously, I would have given up. (Actually, I would have quit when I had a week last month and lost nothing.) Now, I run a nutrition report. I found that my fats and sodium were high all week long. In addition, when I evaluated individual days-I had less fruit and vegetables per day, more red meat and more processed food than previously. So this week , I am eating clean. This morning I had half a tomato and plums with cheese. Lunch is a tuna sandwich with more fruit. We had planned on pork chops tonight, but I am going to look for a lighter alternative for myself. Also, I need more salads.

I am also going to do more interval workouts. I do better when I do 3-4 mini workouts rather than a marathon session like I did on Saturday to catch up. I need sessions early in the day to rev up my metabolism. So, I did 12 minutes during my planning period and plan on another 10 minutes or so during my lunchtime. I will do my boxing this evening before dinner.

I am paying more attention to my water consumption this week as well. Soup made me feel better when I was ill last week, but all that sodium needed a lot more water than I consumed.

So, this week, I am tidying up my point of view and keeping my new attitude.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KRISZTA11 9/16/2011 11:03AM

Hey, you are doing great! Gaining 2 pounds despite doing everything well is normal, it is great you did not get demotivated. This might have been just the day-to-day fluctuation, most likely your weight will continue dropping as you planned and wished. I hope you feel better. Report Inappropriate Comment

JULIETEXAS 9/15/2011 3:05AM

I love your blog and your music choice! You have absolutely got this! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILDFIREKRISTIN 9/14/2011 4:08PM

I knew this song immediately. That girl can sing! You are really doing it. The research on how you ate alone will kick you into high gear and realize where things can be improved. Keep rocking girl...you got it going on! Report Inappropriate Comment

BUSYGRANNY5 9/12/2011 7:27PM

Awesome song!!! Great lyrics to have stuck in my head! Report Inappropriate Comment

RICHILA 9/12/2011 7:08PM

It is the first verse of Patti LaBelle's song New Attitude. I think it speaks so strongly to Sparkers. Report Inappropriate Comment

WINDYJOURNEYS 9/12/2011 7:00PM

I love the poem on the top. Do you mind if I copy that for my bathroom mirror? Report Inappropriate Comment

RICHILA 9/12/2011 3:15PM

Thanks Susan! I love the tools and reports that are available for our use. The nutrition reports are so helpful-I need to remeber to make time to look it over everyday. They have taught me alot about my habits. Spark On! We Got This! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSAN134 9/12/2011 1:43PM

You Go Girl!!! I firmly believe that attitude is one of the best weapons we have in this battle, and you've got it!!! Spark On! We Got This!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Every Battle Needs a Battle Cry!

Thursday, September 08, 2011

I realized after reading Wildfire Kristin's Blog today that this is a battle. A battle to regaain our Power and our lives.

www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=4473861#c
omments

Gradually, I had let go of the Power in my life and since August 1, 20111 when I was guided to SparkPeople-I have been taking it back.

I have taken back my power to choose to be healthy.

I have taken back my power to laugh and smile.

I am taking back my power to be a Dancer.

I am taking back my power to be Stupefyin'.

To help me remember to take back my Power every day- I have a Battle Cry "Spark On! We Got This!"

What Powers are you taking back? What is your Mantra or Battle Cry?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUSAN134 9/8/2011 8:46PM

Mine has been "Be Mindful, Be Aware"....but I really like "Spark On! We Got This!" You Do 'Got This!!!" Yaaaaay for you (and me ) Keep up the amazing effort and attitude!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Even Being Sick is Better

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

I went to work sick today. If I had realized I was sick, I might have stayed home. But, you see even sick, I felt better than I did everyday I went to work last year. I didn't realize that I was actually sick until almost 3:00 p.m. That's when I counted up all of my "emergency" restroom trips today. I still got in over 2000 steps and drank over 8 cups of water. I counted and logged the crackers I ate for nausea-last year my meds made me nauseous half the time.
On the way home, my husband picked up my favorite comfort food, Sweet Sue Chicken and Dumplings. I had him pick up a can of chicken broth as well. 1.5 servings of chicken and dumplings not only came in under my calorie count, but had 21 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of fiber-who knew. I am low on my fruits and veggies-mainly because my throat hurts, but plan on a baked pear to help boost it. I am going to take a nap and then try to get at least half my workout done. I miss my boxing.

P.S. I took a 30 minute nap and then managed to get 14 minutes of chair boxing in.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUSAN134 9/8/2011 5:03PM

Hope you are feeling better today! Never had Sweet Sue Chicken and Dumplings, but it sounds like a terrific comfort food! Be kind to yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILDFIREKRISTIN 9/8/2011 4:25PM

That is awesome! Chair boxing, now that sounds fun! I am going to have to try that! Hugs, K Report Inappropriate Comment

RGEETING 9/8/2011 1:48AM

Great insight about realizing the difference between last year and this year! Get well quickly! Report Inappropriate Comment

EMKNAPP 9/7/2011 8:33PM

That is great that even though you were sick you feel better than you did everyday last year! Keep up your great work! Hard work pays off!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LINOVER 9/7/2011 8:33PM

Hope you feel better tomorrow! Sweet Sue Chicken and Dumplings is a favorite of mine too! Report Inappropriate Comment

Went to a Birthday party and Made a Discovery

Sunday, September 04, 2011

I started to title this "Went to a Garden party to reminisce with old friends" but it wasn't in a garden although I did reminisce with old friends. It was
amazing to realize that I have known all but 4 people there for more than 20 years. They were all at my wedding and we just celebrated our 20th anniversary in May.
When I came in, instead of buzzing straight for food-I went in an took a seat. I had my water bottle with me, so there was no need to visit the refreshment table. We ate a yummy grilled chicken salad before we left, so we wouldn't be hungry. We knew the type of cake being served some looked it up and had a light dinner to compensate for the calories. We started talking and I discovered that almost everyone in the room was on some type of healthier eating or weight loss plan. I surprised myself by being satisfied with about 1 ounce of cake and a 6 ounce Italian Ice. I had saved 500 calories to spend but used less than 250-so I still needed a snack at bedtime to take my diabetes meds. lol
So, my new party plan from now on:
1. Position myself as far away from the food as possible.
2. Keep gum in my purse.
3. Plan out my calories and take my Biggest Loser Calorie counter with me.
4. Fill my water bottle and take it with me.
5. Empty it and refill it and empty again before I look at the refreshments.
6. Refill my waterbottle and drink while I look up my choices and decide what I want-away from the food.
7. Visit the table, make my choices and be done.
8. Remember, I am here to see and talk with my friends, not eat.

I also plan to always have my demitasse spoon to eat with. I got 20 bites out of my 1 ounce of cake last night. I will also carry my tiny peach bowl a friend made for me that holds 1/4 cup-so I can judge amounts and keep track in my planner.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WILDFIREKRISTIN 9/7/2011 3:19PM

You showed yourself you can do this. This is huge considering being with people make us want to eat to be social. YOU should be proud, I know all who read this blog are cheering on your great attitude and power over that cake! Rawk on! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUGARSMOM2 9/4/2011 1:34PM

three things to have on hand at all times . you did well . biggest loser calorie counter .& gum & water . great job. Report Inappropriate Comment

SONYALATRECE 9/4/2011 1:21PM

Well-disciplined...love it! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSAN134 9/4/2011 12:23PM

Planning ahead really does help! I LOVE the idea of the demitasse spoon! That is brilliant! Report Inappropriate Comment

CALIDAISY030406 9/4/2011 11:19AM

thats great!! congrats!! Keep it up!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MEMORIES7 9/4/2011 11:11AM

awesome ! you go girl!! Report Inappropriate Comment