ANNEV2012's SparkPeople Blog

Thursday, July 19th

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:25:32 EST

A dark night in Colorado

Please don't BS my blog with useless prayers.

Gluten Free -- Day Three

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:25:57 EST

Another hot day, and another day of terrible fires burning in the state.
Despite that, I am feeling very positive about the changes to my diet, and am actually enjoying shopping for, and trying new, gluten free products.
I'm also happy to learn that many of the higher carbohydrate foods I've been avoiding, are fine for my stomach. Realizing that it isn't the carbohydrates causing the bloating and discomfort, but that it IS the gluten levels in some of them!

Breakfast: ...

Gluten Free -- Day Two

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 22:37:50 EST

97F and 6% humidity today, at 7500ft in the Rockies.
Spent much of the day watching coverage of the Waldo Canyon wildfire burning around the Front Range near Pikes Peak.
So far there have been no injuries and no structures damaged, but the air is smokey.
The Air Force's C-130 tankers will be aiding in the fight tomorrow.

Breakfast: Bircher Muesli + Blueberries & Cantaloupe and coffee
Lunch: Chili made with ground turkey and black beans, served with 2/3C brown ri...

Gluten Free -- Day One

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 22:16:20 EST

After a lot of research and information gathering, I am finally convinced that I have a sensitivity to wheat.
I first noticed it at the onset of Peri-menopause some years ago, and it became more pronounced as time went on.

So I'm cutting all gluten laden foods from my diet for one week, and will see how that feels. Might get some blood work done too.

Made my first gluten-free loaf today in the bread machine. Since it was my first attempt, I followed the recipe 100...

FREE KITTENS

Thu, 7 Jun 2012 15:27:17 EST

A pretty little girl named Patti was standing on the sidewalk in front of her home.
Next to her was a basket containing a number of tiny creatures; in her hand was a sign announcing FREE KITTENS.

Suddenly a line of big black cars pulled up beside her. Out of the lead car stepped a tall, grinning man. "Hi there little girl, I'm President Obama. What do you have in the basket?" he asked.

"Kittens," little Patti said.
"How old are they?" asked Obama.
"P...

Another new toy!!!

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:33:07 EST

First I got a new iPhone, and am loving having the SP app, and other fitness & health apps.

And today the fridge arrived, and it is AWESOME.
Gonna have to learn how to 'drive' the thing (like the iPhone!) But really looking forward to using this 'toy' to help with weight and fitness.

www.samsung.com/us/appliances/refrig
erators/RF4289HARS/XAA-features

Sprout salad

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:09:29 EST

Ingredients
Romain lettuce, shredded
2 Ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
Selection sprouted chick peas, Adzuki beans and green lentils
Asian-style dressing (Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil.)
Toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped.

Method
Place shredded lettuce in shallow dish, make a "well."
Toss sprouts with Asian-style dressing and stir until well coated. Place sprouts...

May -- Back on Track

Tue, 1 May 2012 18:47:20 EST

Started the day with a good breakfast

Ran 6 miles and did three sets x 12 reps of push-ups

Enjoyed a healthy lunch, of stir-fried veggies with Tofu. Cup of green tea, Double Chocolate VitaMuffin & low carb ice cream

Did some gardening.

Tonight's dinner will be avocado & grapefruit salad

It feels good to be back on track

48

April has been AWFUL...May HAS TO be Magnificent

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:42:54 EST

I don't exactly know what happened to April, but I'll be glad to see it gone, and with it the malaise that overtook me on day one!

The stress of worrying about my Granddaughter's birth is now gone...she is a week old and doing well, and now it's time for this Grandma to get her act together again, and make May MAGNIFICENT.

Goals for May:

~ Exercise every day

~ Stay within caloric range

~ See and spend time with Granddaughter at least thre...

Anyone got a Challenge for May

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:15:11 EST

After taking much of this month off (see last blog as to why!) I am now ready to get back in the swing of things and am looking to join (or create) a challenge for May...anything out there?!?!?

There are NO words...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:42:13 EST

Just pure joy at welcoming my Granddaughter

Lily Nicole was born this morning, at 7:12am
She weighed in at 6 pounds 11.5 ounces, and is the MOST beautiful baby I've seen since my own, (her Daddy and Auntie) were born.

I'm outta here

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:08:51 EST

With today's political news, I have a more urgent and important place and way to spend my time.
I'll continue to track my calories and exercise and will visit occasionally, but at least until we celebrate in DC on November 7th, I have to use my energy and skills elsewhere.

Y'all be good now!

Soy good? Soy bad?

Fri, 6 Apr 2012 17:47:18 EST

Who are the anti-soy lobbyists?
Amongst others, the greater antagonists are the American Dairy Association and the Weston A. Price Foundation. Both organizations advocate the consumption of dairy and meat products!
They will not tell you about the ever increasing quantities of growth hormones such as rBGH and BHT, and the antibiotics which are used in the raising of cattle. Those hormones, antibiotics and other, preservatives are not destroyed in heat treating or cooking, and the...

To TOE or not to TOE!!!

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 19:06:12 EST

I have this one toe that rubs another toe! Not always, just some times, and for reasons no one is even sure of! The podiatrist doesn't know, I don't know...no one knows, or understands why it happens, it just does.

I have several choices of what to do about the rubbing toe:
Use a Band-Aid
Use a toe guard (those squishy toe sleeves!)
or
Wear my Injinji "toe socks!" They're so lightweight, it's like not wearing socks at all, and best of all, my toes are...

I'm back on track today

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 21:16:56 EST

...I was, for some, inexplicable reason completely off track since the beginning of April. I wish I could say why it happened, but I honestly don't have a clue...I just relinquished control, and had more calories than I was supposed to.
Nothing major you understand! Just 300-400 more per day (over my 1300 calorie limit.)
I still exercised every day, so my "streak" for this year is still ongoing, and I'm happy for that.

I haven't done any "damage," just temp...

It ain't over until it's over...or until

Tue, 3 Apr 2012 21:30:53 EST

the snow stops falling...some time around late May!!!

Open letter to Colorado

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:31:20 EST

Dear Colorado,

Don't worry, this isn't a "Dear John" letter -- I have no intention of leaving, but really, dearest Colorado, could you...just for once...get your act together.

When Spring arrives it's supposed to mean warmer and longer days, and yes! I KNOW, you have done that for most of March, and YES!!! We have all been delightfully surprised at that. (So many of us know that usually, most often...almost always, around here, March and Spring translates to ...

Work them off...or get them lifted!!!!

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:24:22 EST

I know which I'D prefer!!!

At L-O-N-G last...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:20:37 EST

...the brand, spanking new, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 are available.

I've tried switching to other brands, but at the end of the day it just isn't worth it, so a "Brooks girl" is what I am, and I've ordered three new pairs for the upcoming running season...

Woo hooo...Gotta run! 312

You gotta WORK for it....

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:22:03 EST

You can't WISH for it,

It isn't MAGIC,

Prayer is a WASTE OF TIME,

There are NO pills,

There are NO potions,

You can NOT "Hope" to lose weight?

"Change" is what you get when you work HARD

Crunchy Frog

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:07:36 EST

NO!!!

It isn't something you EAT!!!

It's one of several abdominal exercises on the P90X Ab Ripper DVD.
When I first started the program, this exercise was the toughest, and I dreaded it, but now it's my favorite and I can't wait to do it.

Adding Calories is...

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:09:22 EST

...Much harder than I thought it would be.

I started off the year at 1250 calories and 75g carbohydrates per day. One hour of exercise or a little more per day...and I was doing great...losing 2-3 pounds a week.

After increasing exercise time and intensity it became necessary to add a few more calories and carbohydrates, and I am TRYING to do that, but it isn't that simple.

I have been SO used to eating 1250 calories, monitoring protein -vs- carbs and gettin...

For Sunday -- a little hike!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:46:57 EST

Almost 8.5 miles -- no big deal...even the elevation is tame, for these here parts.

The "Straightaways" are easy.

Some of the hills are easy too

ALL the views are beautiful

www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/7588202
8/?open...

PLEASE: Get it right tomorrow!!!

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:39:00 EST

Dateline: Saturday, March 17th -- it IS...
St Patrick's Day
or
St Pat's Day
or
St Paddy's Day

It is NOT St Patty's day...who the fudge is St Patty anyway, and why doesn't she have her own day?!?!?

Have a pint of Guinness (only 160 calories) and...

I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like..." (Queen)

In celebration of the 25th Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, and the unofficial start to the Colorado cycling season, I will again be taking part in a Rocky Mountain tradition. It has been three years since I last took part, (half century ride) and it is time to ride again. ...

It's REI dividend time...and I KNOW what I'm buying

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:44:23 EST

This, www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html
/cx.php?flaID=gallery for my (soon to be born) Grand daughter AND myself.

We are gonna jog, bike, and hit the hiking trails just as soon as she's big enough to fit comfortably and safely in the seat.

NO Excuses

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:03:43 EST

It's the theme of the current Biggest Loser season, and should be a mantra for anyone wanting to lose weight and get fit.

Talking with my, soon-to-be daughter in law, she is already wondering how she will lose the baby weight, and already thinking of all the reasons why she won't have time to exercise! This morning, at a very gentle pace (she's 34 weeks pregnant,) I showed her how she can fi...

Eating "Super Clean" Sunday (day two of two!)

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:13:42 EST

Started the day with a smoothie, enjoyed a HUGE salad with edamame and arame and a few blackberries for dessert.
Afternoon snack was 1/2 a banana and 28g (1oz) raw almonds.
Dinner will either be another HUGE salad or another smoothie.

Drinking a little more than my usual 2 liters (more like 3 today.)

Exercise: Brisk walk 3.72 miles in 54minutes

Will try to get an early night again tonight (went to bed at 9:00pm last night!)

Tomor...

Eating "Super Clean" Saturday (day one of two!)

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 17:19:01 EST

Started the day with a green smoothie, enjoyed a HUGE salad with just 85g chicken for lunch. A few blackberries, and will make another smoothie in a while, and add a few almonds as a "nibble" snack.
Drinking a little more than my usual 2 liters (more like 3 today.)

Exercise: 3.02 miles in 42 minutes -- yeah I was shifting!

Will try to get an early night tonight, and repeat again tomorrow!!!

It's a good day

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 16:04:57 EST

First thing this morning, I spent 90 minutes on the phone with my 345 and beautiful daughter.
She and her hubby are both Air Force officers and are currently stationed on Okinawa (w-a-y- too far away!) They have just enjoyed his mid-deployment leave with a few days in Singapore. He had to go back to Afghanistan for five more months (worrying) and she will also be going there at the end of April (double worrying.)
But they have had their vacation, he is more than h...

This Weekend: Eating "Super Clean."

Thu, 8 Mar 2012 13:45:06 EST

I usually have to wait for the warmer weather to feel like doing this, but this weekend is going to be balmy for Colorado, and I am going to have my first "Super Clean" weekend, starting on Saturday morning.

Here's what I'll be doing (both days)
Breakfast: Green smoothie
Snack: 28g (1oz) raw almonds
Lunch: Large salad with quinoa salad (quinoa with black beans + fresh parsley/lemon juice dressing.)
Snack: Banana
Dinner: Simple vegetable broth-like soup with...

One of those "bleh" type days!

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 18:56:26 EST

24 The weather is sucky: gray skies, chilly and snow is on the way.

I had a bad night, and not enough coffee this morning.

Treadmill was yuk, barely managed a half hour of s-l-o-w (3.5mph) walking before I got off and made a hot cup of tea.
Can't wait for bed time!!!

Saddlebag shredder needed?

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 00:09:38 EST

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercis
es.asp?exercise=22

Do three sets of 12-15 reps of these...call me in a week, or when you can feel your thighs again!!!

Let me eat cake!!!

Sat, 3 Mar 2012 23:01:13 EST

Just for today, and just one slice, because I ate it at the baby shower for my first grand child.

Still stayed in calories range and exercised, so it's all good...right?!?!?

Abdominal exercise

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 11:08:16 EST

This morning's SparkMail prompted this blog!!!

Spark calls this:
www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercis
es.asp?exercise=20
Balancing Seated Twist with Medicine Ball

In the fitness world it's called a Russian Twist, and the idea is to touch the ground, on each side per repetition.
For added intensity use a medicine ball, kettlebell or dumbbell.
This is the CORRECT way to do the exercise:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt...

"Out of sight, out of mind..."

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 12:08:47 EST

...So the saying goes, and now there's scientific proof!!!

You're 2.7 times more likely to eat healthy food if it's in your line of sight, say scientists at Cornell University.

I KNOW it's true for me! Snack foods, sweets and other, not-so-good for me food items are kept in the pantry or at the rear of the fridge...what I don't see, I don't hanker for.

The better-for-me treats are kept where I CAN see them, and are part of my calories allowance, if I ch...

Breaking a Sweat -- Then and now

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:29:08 EST

311 Before 2006, at 236+ pounds, walking a mile would make me sweat and make like H.R. I'd huff and puff!!!
Today a brisk, 4.2mph walk, at 7500ft elevation is a breeze and I only sweat if I walk five miles or more, or when it's warm outside!

332 Before 2006, at 236+ pounds, I wouldn't GET ON a bicycle for fear of the excess bulge over the side of the saddle.
Today I'll happily stick my modest rear end on the skinny saddle of my road bike, ...

Sorting through exercise DVDs & Videos

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:10:49 EST

I found, The good, the bad and the ugly, and I'm NOT referring to the Clint Eastwood movie, but to some DVDs and videos...

The GOOD are some of the more recent additions to my collection...high energy, butt-busting cardio with the like of Shaun T, and Tony Horton. P90X-2, and Insanity.

The BAD include some old Tony Little videos I bought on sale for a dollar each. Only one of the four was ever opened, it was bad enough to go to the back of the shelf, never to be seen a...

* BEWARE * Shampoo is making you fat!

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:24:15 EST

198

I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner!

I use shampoo in the shower!
When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body, and printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning,

"FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY."

No wonder I have been gaining weight!

Well!
I have gotten rid of that shampoo and I am going to start showering with Dawn dish soap instead.
It's label reads,...

New "theme song?"

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:41:00 EST

From Kelly Clarkson's new song, "Stronger"

The chorus works:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger....stand a little taller"

"What doesn't kill you makes a fighter Footsteps even lighter"

Love that feeling after a good weight training session 48

Right in the middle....wouldn't ya know it?!?!?

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:50:14 EST

Day 50, and I've made it a "bad day!"

I can hardly believe it, but there it is, it is happening and that's it. All the stress of the last few weeks caught up to me this morning, and I "sampled" way too many of the baked goods I was preparing...a cookie here, a small portion of apple crisp there, for some totally DUMB reason, I put a serving of barley in my vegetable soup at lunch time AND had a slice of freshly baked bread (it smelled so good!)

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?!...

Age

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:40:13 EST

Is a number!

You can let it define you, or you can defy it!

In ten weeks I will become a Grandma for the first time. 187
Back when I was a kid, I always thought of a Grandma as being the gray haired lady, sitting in a rocking chair, with her knitting in her lap, and a cat at her feet!!!

I will NOT be THAT Grandma!
My hair is not nearly gray enough (thanks...

A walk outside...

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:54:57 EST

...even a bad one, is ALWAYS better than a good walk on the treadmill.

Today's walk wasn't a BAD one! It was late in the afternoon, which around here...at 7500ft in the Colorado Rockies, means the temperature is beginning to plummet as the sun sinks behind the mountains!!!

It was cold enough for me to make my turnaround a little sooner than normal...which means, it was REALLY cold, since I rarely turn around sooner for anything other than the sound of my teeth chatteri...

Another Dreadmill day!!!

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:34:59 EST

It was nasty outside today. Freezing fog and light snow ALL day. It's not that I mind it so much, as it's such a waste of space...a 1/2 inch of snow is good for nothing....it's not enough to be worth sweeping (this is Colorado...our snow is superfine and dry, and often only requires a broom to clear!)
It's not enough to ski or snowshoe on, it's just a waste of space!!!

What it IS though, is just enough of a nuisance...it makes the roads and trails impassable and damned right...

Ugh!!! The Dreadmill

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 23:02:55 EST

Had to use the dreadmill AGAIN today, and I didn't like it...not one bit!!!

Nothing personal...it's a very good dreadmill...a Precor with all the bells and whistles...time, distance, calories, incline...everything. But it's indoors, and indoors is only ever ALMOST as good as walking/running outdoors.

But the street have been plowed...finally!!!

So tomorrow... 244 I'll be 311 outside... 224

Set Backs -- they happen!

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 13:04:31 EST

Food setbacks

A few more calories than you intended to consume.
A co-worker's birthday, an unexpected invitation to coffee morning, lunch or dinner.
Being human means we can only be "good" for so long, often, only when we have full control of the circumstances.

Exercise setbacks:

A non-exercise related injury or illness to you, or a family member can stop you in yo...

UGH!!! Monday!!!

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:41:47 EST

To say something like that you'd be forgiven for thinking I was back at some nasty desk job, but I'm not! I have the same 1-2 hours of work I need to get done...nothing major!

No, the UGH!!! Is because I had a super busy weekend, went snowshoeing twice, shoveled snow and watched most of the Super Bowl from my treadmill, and frankly I think I overdid it, because today I've just felt tired and worn out, and have a slight backache.

So I've backed off the P90X for to...

It's worth it because...

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 19:12:11 EST

I get to feel better, stronger, less stressed, healthier and slimmer

Years ago a trainer told me, "Go heavy, or go home!" He was right.
As women we are not likely to get Arnold-type muscles, even with heavy weights. We're not likely to have washboard abs unless we get our body fat down in the single digits.

After working out during January, I determined that I was fit e...

P90X - Plyometrics

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:41:01 EST

I DID!!!

P90X Plyometrics workout today.

So I don't jump as high, as fast or as wide as when I was doing the program last year, but I AM doing it again, and I WILL get better at it again.

Note to self: Next week...DON'T walk more than three miles at 4+mph in the morning before doing Plyometrics!!!!
My legs are getting in better shape every day, but a brisk walk AND P90X is a bi...

Bringin' it - P90X style

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:14:43 EST

Exercising every day in January was about more than creating an exercise "Streak" again for this year. I did it in 2006...exercised EVERY day for the entire year.
January served as a primer...to get me fit enough to do the P90X program again.

P90X is not for the unfit, it is not a game, it is TOUGH! And it is supposed to be.
The idea is to work HARD and sweat by the bucketful, and so it began with day one today.

"Classic" (or "Beginner's" is the program...