http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.asp?id=%2ARENEAT%2A *RENEAT*'s Blog on SparkPeople, home of free diet plans and a healthy living community http://assets2.sparkpeople.com/assets/nav/logo_spark.gif http://www.sparkpeople.com/ http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5357424 So today is day 2 at the gym after work. We are doing 3 days a week to start as we didn't want to overdo it but I must say I have not really been sore other than my knees (which are always achy). I will probably be going it alone today as DD is out of town. I'm OK with that though - although I wasn't sure if I would be. I was afraid I would use it as an excuse to not go. NOPE!! I've got my bag with me and I'm going!! <BR> <BR> Then I'm going to head for the first in person Al Anon meeting. ... Wed, 15 May 2013 12:31:59 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5356625 Went to the gym for the first time yesterday. Did 35 minutes - recumbent cross trainer and the stationary bike. I was sore afterwards but not bad today! Woo Hoo! I actually felt good and was proud of myself. We will go again Wednesday and Friday this week for 35 minutes each day and then up our time next week a little. Yea!! Tue, 14 May 2013 18:50:08 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5355291 The daughter talked me into. We are going to the hospital's new gym starting today. I hope that because I have to pay for it I will be better about using it. Plus as the temps start to rise I can't use the "it's too hot!" excuse, right? We are starting with 3 times a week for 30 minutes. I plan to go right after work so the couch can't suck me in - which it tends to do if I go home first. Here goes... <em>33</em> Mon, 13 May 2013 14:31:09 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5351275 I already feel better about pulling out of the blue funk and recommitting to myself! Spending time Sparking makes me feel better so why was it I let myself stop?? Oh yeah - woe is me got the better of me. Well I am going to beat woe is me and I am going to beat it with my sparkiness! (Is that a word?) LOL Happy Sparking! Thu, 9 May 2013 18:25:52 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5349880 So obviously Mother's Day is this weekend. As a mom I should be looking forward to it but I'm not - for a variety of reasons... <BR> With my hubby not here I kinda hate holidays but that's ignorable. <BR> My friend is coming into town to see her daughter and wants to get together with me and my daughter - nice but her daughter has to work at 11 on Sunday. They want to go to breakfast and shopping...Out to breakfast on Mother's Day? Yuck! Too many people. <BR> Then I get to go see my mom - ... Wed, 8 May 2013 13:12:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5348958 So I have been burried under a blue funk...again...between that and work - No social interaction. But I had a talk with my son and gsave him the advice that sometimes you just have to "fake it til you make it". Time to turn the tables and take my own advice right? So I am commiting to at least 2 blogs a week and 2 visits to some of my teams. Hopefully saying it here - in writing - will hold me accountable. Hopefully this will help me stay out of the mire that is the blue funk... <em>376</em... Tue, 7 May 2013 18:43:24 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5327559 So I feel like I have been buried in work! I have beeen trying to keep up with my food tracking but have not spent much time sparking lately EXCEPT for my 10 Minute Lunchtime workouts! I have been picking different 10 minutes workouts from Spark and doing them on my lunch hour. I have always been a skeptic when it comes to "10 minutes will start to make a difference". Stupid... I know... but that was where I was at. Well for the last week and a half I have done these little lunch time workout... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:53:53 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5310047 So last night I had a dream wherein I was much thinner and definitely fitter! Normally I dream of myself as I am now - not thin, not fit... LOL I was so excited to see myself like this that it has renewed my commitment to the healthier me! Funny how one little thing will do that isn't it? I'm so happy its spring! Wed, 3 Apr 2013 11:19:13 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5302351 Sometimes I am just overwhelmed. I know I do this to myself because A. I am a control freak, B. I am a nurturer and C. No one else will step up - but it is still overwhelming at times. I know the proper way to handle it when I feel this way is to take baby steps and do a little at a time but I just want to crawl into bed with my dog and pull the covers over my head. I know I should not let the voices of others bother me but sometimes they do. I know I need to cut myself some slack and not ta... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:24:07 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5291057 So the fair went pretty good this year. Of course I am exhausted! I can't be prouder of the 4-Hers though - what a great group!!!! Kids and parents were super amazing this year!! Those of you who have done, have kids who have done or are leaders for 4-H know how stressful fair can be and how great it is when you have parental support. <BR> <BR> Food - I love fair food... fried, sticky, sweet, salty.... so bad for you... But I did OK I think. I didn't just throw it all away you know? I starte... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:18:36 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5278867 I woke up with a sore throat, headache and cough this morning. I have no time to be sick with fair coming up next week. Do we ever really have time to be sick though? Not really! Vitamin C and echineacia with breakfast. I am planning soup for lunch and maybe dinner. I'm going home after work and going to bed! Back to the chiropractor today at lunch time as whatever she did yesterday afternoon made my back worse. If I can nip this in the bud I will be so happy! Fri, 8 Mar 2013 12:29:47 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5277477 I am proud of myself today! I seem to have diffused the drama from yesterday successfully and didn't get sucked into the middle of it! It took considerable thought, care and tact but I think all parties are pretty well satisfied with the result. I did not engage in anything negative and it really didn't wear me out too badly! Yea! <BR> Thu, 7 Mar 2013 13:20:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5276216 What's with drama??? We've got some serious drama going on in our 4-H community. Some people seem to thrive on it... Me? It just exhausts me. Truly wipes me out. I'm trying to stay as far away from it as possible but it's tough when I am one of the leaders and the one they all look to to "fix" things. So I will try to do what I can but I refuse to let this drama drag me down. Lord knows I can do that all by myself, right? LOL Hopefully this ill wind will blow through quickly as we only have a... Wed, 6 Mar 2013 16:30:20 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5274382 I feel like I am plodding along today. Not always a bad thing but it strikes me as boring... I'm working, I'm sparking, I'm interacting with friends and family but it just feels like marking time right now. Is that ok? Maybe. I feel like I should feel more "engaged", if that is the right word, in things. Maybe this is another phase. I'm not feeling depressed or blah just not .... something... hard to explain. I'm not unhappy but nothing really excites me either. Hmmm... something to ponder...... Tue, 5 Mar 2013 13:22:10 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5273085 Sometimes the weather really helps influence your mood. Today is one of those days! I spent most of my lunch hour outside in the sunshine. It really made me happy. I have errands I have to run for my MIL and even that doesn't dampen the joy I have from just soaking up some nice warm rays. It's been pretty cold here in our part of the desert this winter. I am ready to warm up. Mon, 4 Mar 2013 17:19:39 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5267176 So I know I am depressed. I take the meds, went to the counselor, do the things I need to get through my days. I think I'm coping pretty well. I work, volunteer for 4H, spend time enjoying my kids and the gang that they've acquired. It is hard because this is not the life I had planned and I miss my husband every day. I try not to be "down" all the time and try to show an interest in my friends lives. That said, I have a "friend" who recently lost her boyfriend of 6 years. I have been there f... Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:48:45 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5266163 Finally cured the computer issues that were plaquing me and am able to log back on to this great site! Oh how Ive missed that little Spark in my day!!! <em>252</em> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:41 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5250660 I have a friend who looks for a slight or insult in everything anyone says or does. I have another who worries each time our boss is the slightest bit annoyed with a situation - thinking it is personal. I don't get it. I really don't understand. I have better things to worry about than imagined issues. Do they like turmoil and drama? Maybe they are insecure? It just annoys me that people have to FIND things to worry about. Things to worry about tend to find ME - not the other way around. And ... Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:00:56 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5249322 Man I have been in a funk and just kind of rolling with it. Today I decided I have to get out of it. I am choosing to be in a better, more positive mood. Someone told me recently to "fake it til you make it" so that is my plan today. So far so good. I'm hoping I can carry the good mood through to tomorrow. Valentines day and my anniversary - and they suck without my husband by my side. Hopefully we will be able to talk but its doubtful... Nothing I can do about it but it tends to make it hard... Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:59:04 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5247754 So last week was busy with an out of town conference. Buffets are not my friends and I wasn't able to check in here or track my meals. Probably a good thing! (wince) But nothing was stopping me yesterday - except myself. I was definitely Eeyore and not Pooh! Bad mood, depressed and annoyed with the world...maybe more annoyed with me than anyhting else but didn't want to admit it.... I felt like it just wasn't worth it to try when I take 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. Then I told me friend ... Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:37:08 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5239076 I am seeing a change in myself - maybe not as much as I would like - I still get depressed way to often and too easily but it is happening. I put on my pink jeans today. These tend to be tight in the morning but loosen up a little through the day. Today they started loose and I am having to pull them up! WOOOO HOOOO! The other day my daughter and I realized that we have been gradually decreasing how much food we are eating and not missing it! Thanks Spark People! Baby steps!! Tue, 5 Feb 2013 17:43:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5236926 I know I had too many calories yesterday - not even gonna try to track them! But today is a new day and I have a crazy busy couple days ahead as I get ready to head out of town for work. So I am starting today with a healthy breakfast and tons of water... No use crying over my Superbowl indulgence, right? I have enough to cry about as my 49ers lost... LOL Mon, 4 Feb 2013 10:18:09 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5232035 Went to take some papers to MIL last night and stopped at the folks. Mom says "have you lost some weight?" WOO HOO!!! "As a matter of a fact, yes" I say with a self satisfied smile. <em>41</em> So I used the fact that it seems to be working when we had to make a fast food dinner choice. Instead of the norm (fried, fried and fried), I chose a small roast beef sandwich, iced tea and had a piece of fruit when I got home. Yea me! Baby steps.... Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:58:45 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5228971 Today I am Blah... I am actually edging towards Grrrr.... No one specific reason - just an accumulation of too much on my plate I think. MIL is now in the nursing home but until the paperwork gets straightened out we don't who or how it's getting paid for. Can't be me - I'm so broke I can't pay attention! Do you think anyone can just say "thanks" without a qualifying "but did you do.. get... be... ask..." NOPE! She doesn't help - she tells everyone that she has no family here - they are all b... Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:22:19 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5226912 I didn't weigh myself last weekso this morning I got on the scale not expecting much movement - my back is bothering me so I didn't get in a lot of fitness last week. But SURPRISE! I am down 3 more pounds. So in 3 weeks I have lost 5 pounds. Would I like it to be more? Sure - but I know that I am making healthy lifestyle changes tht will help me lose the weight and keep it off. I will just keep up with the turtle attitude - slow and steady wins the race! It's a happy monday so far! <em>134<... Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:35:54 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5221720 I was talking with a friend today about how much those around you influence you - your mood, your attitude, your choices. She asked me what I had been doing differently because she noticed my attitude is better, my moods more positive. I told her that when I am upset, discouraged, angry, anxious, etc. I turn to Sparkpeople for a few minutes and check out the blogs, pages, articles, huddles or whatever catches my eye. There is so much encouragement going on on here that you can't help but pick... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:46:15 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5221719 I was talking with a friend today about how much those around you influence you - your mood, your attitude, your choices. She asked me what I had been doing differently because she noticed my attitude is better, my moods more positive. I told her that when I am upset, discouraged, angry, anxious, etc. I turn to Sparkpeople for a few minutes and check out the blogs, pages, articles, huddles or whatever catches my eye. There is so much encouragement going on on here that you can't help but pick... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:46:15 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5221718 I was talking with a friend today about how much those around you influence you - your mood, your attitude, your choices. She asked me what I had been doing differently because she noticed my attitude is better, my moods more positive. I told her that when I am upset, discouraged, angry, anxious, etc. I turn to Sparkpeople for a few minutes and check out the blogs, pages, articles, huddles or whatever catches my eye. There is so much encouragement going on on here that you can't help but pick... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:46:15 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5220234 My mind is muddled this week. I have too much going on I think... But I have things to accomplish and so I can't just muddle along. I started to panic about it, actually felt my BP going up and the headache coming on, then I took a step back. I went and read some Sparkblogs, a couple articles about stress and a really nice email from a Spark Friend. So I decided to change my mindset: Today I will be a turtle... slow & steady I will plod through each task one at a time. Here I go... <em>134</... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:52:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5220233 My mind is muddled this week. I have too much going on I think... But I have things to accomplish and so I can't just muddle along. I started to panic about it, actually felt my BP going up and the headache coming on, then I took a step back. I went and read some Sparkblogs, a couple articles about stress and a really nice email from a Spark Friend. So I decided to change my mindset: Today I will be a turtle... slow & steady I will plod through each task one at a time. Here I go... <em>134</... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:52:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5220232 My mind is muddled this week. I have too much going on I think... But I have things to accomplish and so I can't just muddle along. I started to panic about it, actually felt my BP going up and the headache coming on, then I took a step back. I went and read some Sparkblogs, a couple articles about stress and a really nice email from a Spark Friend. So I decided to change my mindset: Today I will be a turtle... slow & steady I will plod through each task one at a time. Here I go... <em>134</... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:52:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5213333 Yesterday was a day for peaks and valleys. I stayed on track with my eating! Woo Hoo! The audit at work went great! The girl, the dog and I went walking out in the desert and walked 1.5 miles in 35 minutes and actually enjoyed every minute of it! Then I had another unsatisfying call with my husband and it deflated the whole day... I need to work on not letting one thing bring me down, I know, but it's so hard for me to BE positive lately, let alone STAY positive all day. I let it get the best... Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:48:55 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5211521 So yesterday I went over my calorie count with chinese food. I saw it coming when we wouldn't be home in time for dinner. I started to stress about it. I was worried aboout undoing the progress I'd started to make. Then I took a deep breath and said NO to the anxiety. I tried to make good food choices and watch my portions - even at the buffet. When I got home I tracked my food, chatted on some posts and prepared my meals for today. I am on track and plan to stay that way. Little moments will... Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:33:45 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5209955 I am annoyed with all of the whiners around me lately. I am trying to stay positive - Be Pooh - and the whiners are making me crazy! Don't get me wrong - I like a good vent as much as the next person but when you have to look for things to whine about?? Get over it! I have 2 friends who have investments, savings and people they could turn to if they needed some ready cash. Yet these 2 whine the most about being broke! I literally live paycheck to paycheck (sometimes not stretching far enough ... Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:55:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5208518 Maybe I am coming at this with a different attitude this time but it seems to be working! I am trying new recipes and incorporating new veggies into my meals. The last 2 nights the veggies have been my favorite parts of the meals! Hoped to start the sleep challenge of on a good foot but sleep last night sucked! Couldn't go to sleep and only slept in fits and starts once I did. Makes for a long day today but so far my eating is on track. No excuses! Pooh is in the lead today! Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:07:48 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5206776 Today I am feeling good. I lost 2.6 pounds last week, made some adjustments to the Shred plan and work is moving along. Last week I was struggling with my emotions so I am going to try to keep feeling good this week. Monday is off to a good start... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:34:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5202217 So my counselor tells me I need to stop being Eeyore and work on being Pooh..... I like Eeyore tho! But she is right - I don't want to BE Eeyore. I'm not sure how well this will work (says Eeyore) but I promised to try (says Pooh)... I promised to stop saying "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all" and try to focus on the good things in my life. So here we go! <BR> <BR> Today is day 5 of my new Shred "diet" attempt and my re-entry to Spark. So far I find I can't eat all the fo... Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:26:33 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1428499 I made it below the 200 mark!! Yea!!! I had gained a few back since school started. I seem to have an inordinate amount of stress lately and I coped by not sleeping enough and not eating right. Go figure! I am back on track though and it is starting to show(to me anyway). I need to check my measurements as my clothes fit a little differently and I am hoping it is due to the exercise. <em>134</em> It sure does help to make me keep working on it. Now that it is cooling off I hope to get outsid... Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:03:00 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1377556 Another year! I am so tired!! Getting ready is twice as hard as doing it! Here I am working the Sunday before to be ready - BUT I am losing weight!!!! The scale is not calibrated so I can't weigh in right but I can feel it in my clothes. I am feeling good about myself and my choices. I plan to roll with that into this new school year. Here we go......................... Sun, 3 Aug 2008 12:25:48 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1338922 My goal was to lose 3 pounds while off for 3 weeks. I have been back to work for a week but the scale was broke - DOWN 7 POUNDS!!!! Almost below 200 again! It is working and I will lose it!!!! Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:05:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1288436 My legs are sore! I have been at the glider several times a day. I am still at 5 minutes at a time but at least I still doing it! TODAY: back to the REGULAR daily dog walk. NO EXCUSES! There is nothing on TV anyway!!! LOL Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:02:04 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1266514 OK re-started yesterday 06/11/08; gonna make changes for me. Keep looking to the kids graduating high school and getting married and me having to be the little fat one who has to "find something" to wear to try to not look soooo fat. I want to be able to just enjoy and not worry about how I look or if I have the energy or.... I CAN DO THIS!!!! Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:13:29 EST