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SCOTMAMA's Recent Blog Entries
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Monday, July 30, 2012
 My weight was nearly 5 pounds heavier than normal the beginning of this month. I was feeling pretty discouraged and wondered if I should just quit trying.
  was all my weight seemed to do. I have records of my weight all the way back to 2007 (with measurements) and while I'm working with lower numbers now, I am still a long way from my goal. And it seemed like if I did good one month, the next month would be a disaster. Well, you know the old saying -- "If what you're doing isn't working, then it's time to try something new."
SparkPeople tells me I should be eating between 1200-1550 calories. However, in the past when I was younger and would try to take off a few pounds, I found that I couldn't seem to lose any weight unless I keep my caloric intake at about 1000 calories. There were many times when I was through eating for the day, but didn't have enough calories on my tracking yet, or not enough protein -- always something. So I would eat something to get the numbers up. And as I've been on here for about 4 years now, I found this was a very, very slow way to lose.
So for one month I decided to just quit eating when I was full. I tracked my food and many times I would see I had only made it to 997 calories, or 1169, or 1097 -- seldom did I manage to get in the full amount recommended. By stopping my eating when I was full I saw that the scale began to go down. Steady! There was one day it edged back up again, and that was the morning after enjoying Mexican food in a restaurant. Too much salt for one thing, and I have no idea of exactly how many calories.
I weigh in every day  and like to chart my weight. On Sunday I compare my weight to the Sunday before. Here's how it worked out for July:
Sunday, July 1 = 145.2 pounds
Sunday, July 8 = 143.6 pounds = 1.6 pound loss
Sunday, July 15 = 141.6 pounds = 2 pound loss
Sunday, July 22 = 141 pounds = 0.6 pound loss
Sunday, July 29 = 138.4 pounds = 2.6 pound loss
TOTAL LOSS FOR JULY = 6.8 pounds
 Eating habits aren't carved in stone, some people may have a faster or slower metabolism and so their needs may be more or less than another person. So for me, while I trust the numbers that are recommended, in this instance I will listen to my body's needs and I will quit eating when I am full.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
  Got rained out on my walk last night -- we did manage to get in 0.6 miles, but the last .1 was in the rain. Tonight DH said to me at about 6:00 "Amber is ready to go for a walk." I noticed it was already getting quite dark and stormy outside. I don't usually go until about 7:00 to 7:30; but as it was already so stormy looking, I agreed to go now.
We only made it to the gate, which is about 75 feet from the house. Large raindrops started to come down; so it would have been stupid to go on unless we had a real desire to get soaking wet, which I didn't. Walked back around the house, took the time to check the strawberry plants to see if there were any ready to pick, and within 5 minutes of coming in the house it was really coming down!
I told DH it didn't sound like rain -- it sounded like someone throwing something at our home, so he went and looked -- sure enough it was HAIL! Burr! It only lasted a few minutes and now it is more of a gentle rain, but I was glad I hadn't been caught outside in the hail!
Friday, July 20, 2012
S = Some of the best health advice you can find on the Internet. And it's all FREE!
P = Pick any team, join them, and you'll find a bunch of new friends!
A = Advice from the experts because they will steer you in the right direction!
R = Really throw yourself into this, the more involved you are the more you will lose!
K = Kick in the butt when you need it, Support when you need it, everything you need!
P = People who have the same goals as you for friends, it's the best way to go!
E = Energy, weight loss, better health! You get it all from SparkPeople!
O = Often, just reading the motivational articles will be enough to get you going!
P = Pick your friends, Pick your menu's, Pick your goals, then get started!
L = Love the way you're going to look! Nothing feels as good as slim looks!
E = Enough for now -- how about YOU trying this now? It's fun and a good reference!
      
Sunday, July 15, 2012
June was a tough month for me and I didn't think I would be saying "it just gets easier" but here I am, just two weeks into July, and it's true! Walking is finally starting to be a habit with me
I like to eat, and I think I might have sabotaged my healthy lifestyle by sneaking in snacks now and then that were just putting me over the top. Over the top on fat and sugar, but causing me to fall short on nutrition, like proper protein and carbs. Sodium was also a downfall at times, and of course things like chips are loaded with sodium. But sodium can sneak up on you in places you aren't aware of also -- like canned soups and some of the TV dinners. It may look like a good deal on first glance, when you see it's only 280 calories; but read ALL the statistics and you'll see the sodium is usually in the unhealthy range.
 By walking both morning and evening I found the steps added up so much easier and so much faster. Sometimes I add in a few things that I can do around the house. Now the arthritis doesn't bother me so much, and I'm figuring out when to space in my pain meds so it does me the most good.
 It's definitely "happy dance" time for me. My loss the first week was 1.6 pounds and the week that just went by sees me down 2 pounds. WooHoo!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
You hear the weather forecast and learn the temperatures will be 100+ for the next several weeks! That's not surprising if you live in Arizona, and lots of other states are too hot to get out and enjoy outdoor exercise. The temperatures may not be as hot but add humidity and it makes exercise an unattractive option.
I'm basically pretty lazy when it comes to exercise. I'm forced to do it or my arthritis will win, and I won't be able to move at all. Now it's super hot outside, but I know if I stop exercising I will suffer even worse. I've come up with a plan.
1. I do 25 push-ups by the sink or by a chest of drawers. I try to do this about 3 times each day, and that's 25 each time. Build up to that number if you have to.
2. I do leg lifts, which work the muscles in my legs and stretches them at the same time. I do about 10 on each leg, and try to do 3 reps.
3. Nothing to do with exercise, but it's a good idea to drink a glass of water after each of these.
4. Squats are a great exercise, and even if you just do a few at a time, you're up there moving. Try doing a few during the commercials on TV.
5. Develop your own set of stretches. Reach for the sky, one arm at a time, then both together.
Stretch down to the floor. When you touch the tip of your fingers to the floor you're a winner; when you can place your whole hand on the floor (without bending your knees) you are really awesome! Don't forget the side to side twists --keep that waistline trim.
6. I make a game with myself. I can read 10 pages of a book. Then I have to get up and walk 150 steps to help out on my pedometer. I can read 10 more, then do my push-ups. 10 more and I do another exercise. It all adds up --you'll see the difference on the scale, and also when you try on those skinny jeans.
These are just a few of the little movements you can get in. You will come up with many of your own. I like to keep a list of these small movements I can make during the day -- I read an article telling about moves like I've mentioned, and I think "why didn't I think of that -- it's something I can do."
 in right NOW!
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Member Comments About This Blog Post:
I have a similar plan, that I do, when stuck inside, also! But, just to add to your list, I, also, jump all around, waving my arms, just acting silly, when I have a few minutes, like when I am microwaving something, waiting to let my dog back in, etc. I try to keep moving every second that I have, or find; just to burn a few calories. I find this more refreshing, and productive; than just sitting down, doing nothing. I see those as wasted minutes, or seconds; when I could have been doing some sort of exercising, or stretching! Keep doing what you are doing! More power to you!
So awesome! I feel your frustration (posted it in our vent room) 
He must really think I'm gullible! We got very little rain but a friend in Apache Junction said they got so much rain it came in under the doors of their church and flooded the narthex. Another friend said her son lives in Happy Valley and his backyard was completely flooded. You've gotta love AZ during Monsoon Season 
