ASHENDREAMER's SparkPeople Blog

Alpha Centauri

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:17:41 EST

For this challenge I have to write a blog about my progress so far.
I know I am getting stronger, I can feel it. I know I am losing at least a few inches, my pants are baggy and my double chin has disappeared. Overall I am happy with my progress but the number on the scale is always waiting in the shadows ready to knock my self esteem back a peg or two.

Overall I am happy with my progress though.

Sorry.. and Thank you!

Sat, 9 Feb 2013 23:44:39 EST

So, I have been on Spark off and on for a few years and just now figured out how to view the notes people send with the goodies. I went through them all and read the sweet, funny, supportive and inspirational notes you all left and I am so touched! Thank you to everyone that has sent one and I am so sorry I did not figure out how to get to them sooner!

Random...

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 20:42:27 EST

Did everyone besides me know that The Biggest Loser contestants only ate around 1,200 calories a day while burning over 6,000? Out of curiosity I goggled it and everything I read said the same thing, 1200. I read a few other things revealed by previous contestants but I really hope they are not true so I won't be posting them.

I am a little sad that the trainers, nutritionist and doctors would allow them to do that. I would imagine it is all for ratings, who would want to watch pe...

Making due

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:17:30 EST

I try to fit in exercise whenever I can. I need to build up endurance but life happens, having a toddler happens, spending most of my time in travel trailer with no floor space happens. So for now I am making due.

I ride an exercise bike 3+ times a week (speaking of which why is there no ifit training on Sparks fitness?) and try to get in 3+ days of walking but to get in a little sumthin extra I have had to think outside the box (haha, get the pun?). Walking takes place outside an...

BLC21 Challenge, Letter to my 16 year old self

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:43:04 EST

Sunni,
Be happy! Things are not as bad as you think they are. Stop with the diets and do what you know is right. All the gimiks will get you no where. Stop listening to what others say and live life the way you want! You will not grow out of your love for body art, crazy hair and funky clothes... rock it for as long as you can. Start swimming again! You are an excellent swimmer and it is not to late to go back. Learn to love yourself before falling for any guy, no matter how hard you ...

I did it!

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:49:40 EST

Today marks the 14th day since I have had even the slightest craving for sugar! I had a huge sugar addiction, HUGE! Doughnuts? Pft.. I could have eaten a dozen a day and still want a snickers before bed. When I was pregnant with my son I had gestational diabetes and ended up having to give myself 3 shots a day just to keep my numbers in check, even then I saw it as a pass to have a piece of cake. The insulin did its job so what was the harm? I was bad!

I wish I could say I h...

Almost Wednesday Pick Me Ups (pics)

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 18:19:41 EST

A friend posted these on her facebook page and I thought you all might enjoy too :)

A little discouraged, oddly still motivated

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 12:07:59 EST

Yesterday I did my first "long" walk since both injuries have healed. I decided to do 1.5 miles to start out with (mistake 1) and I choose a new track (mistake 2) and it ended up having 3 huge inclines, great for the muscles and heart but horrible for my knee. The first wasn't so bad but by the time I was half way down the second I could feel my knee acting up and by the end of the track I was limping 28 .

I am not sure if I should walk through the pain or give it tim...

Awesome day!

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:23:18 EST

Today has been such a great day! I woke up pain free from both my knee and foot which was really surprising since last night both where throbbing. I've decided to give them both another week of rest before starting a new walking program. I had been doing a C25K program but I guess it was a bit to much.

After a great breakfast with my son I decided to go spend some of the Christmas gift cards that have been burning a hole in my pocket lol. We went to Layne Bryant armed with lots of...

I need your help!

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:17:20 EST

I would love some ideas/tips on non-impact areobic exercise. I went to the doctor this morning and he thinks I have a stress fracture in my right foot and overextended the left knee (I don't have insurance so I opted to not have x-rays). He said to take it very easy for at least 2 weeks and if the pain was at a 2 or below I could then resume exercise slowly. I don't want to sit on my butt for the next 2 weeks though and would love to do at least a little something every day to get my heart ra...

NYNY Week 1- Manage Stress

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:52:00 EST

New Year New You week 1 challenge, how do you manage stress.

I have been learning to deal with stress all over again since quitting smoking. Grabbing a cigareete was just so easy. The three things I found that work for me are..

In public- Deep breathing while concentrating on my breath. I don't huff and puff but a few simple breaths are not really noticeable.

At home- The best way to deal is with exercise. When my son is having one of THOSE days I'll leave hi...

Shocked! Weight loss, Celeb crush and Bathroom Exercises :)

Sat, 1 Dec 2012 12:46:54 EST

I stepped on the scale this morning and the number was a total shock, I am down 10lbs since Monday! I found out Monday that a family friend got us backstage passes to The Flaming Lips New Years Eve Freak Out so I will be meeting one of my celebrity crushes, Wayne Coyne!! Needless to say I have not slacked once on my diet and exercise since finding this out lol.

Speaking of exercise, I have figured out a great...

Middle of week 2

Wed, 7 Nov 2012 12:21:08 EST

We are in the middle of the 2nd week living with my parents and things are finally starting to feel somewhat comfortable. We don't have much space of our own so it feels really cluttered and chaotic but I guess I could not expect much else since we moved our 3 person family into a single room that also functions as a craft room, storage area and office.

I have lost 10 pounds in the last 2 weeks and have not had a cigarette in 3 days. My husband is also quiting and seems to be havi...

Getting started

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 11:56:15 EST

We have fallen on some pretty hard times and by the end of the month my husband, son and I will be living with my parents for 3-6 months. Knowing we would no longer be on our own has caused me to delay any diet changes up until now but I finally decided I could not put it off any longer. We went shopping last night and only had $50 and 2 of my sons wic checks to buy a weeks worth of groceries for 3 people plus household items we needed.

I decided to concentrate on smaller portions...

I am ready, but...

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 13:22:35 EST

I am ready to make a change.. ready to feel better, look better and be better. I am still so confused though that I don't know where to start or what to do. I am the type of person that believes everything they hear and when it comes to health no one can seem to agree on anything which leads me to become overwhelmed and just give up.

Low carb eating allows me to lose weight without dreading meals or feeling deprived but no one can agree on if it is healthy or will cause heart atta...