BECKYI39's SparkPeople Blog

Getting serious

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 07:59:37 EST

Now that I have completed physical therapy, it is time to get serious about exercise. I will need to work back into it slowly, but I know I can get back to where I was last fall. The weather is getting better so soon I will be riding my bike and walking. I will work out on my eliptical in the mean time.

Physical Therapy is helping

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:59:36 EST

I have been going to physical therapy the last few weeks for a very bad muscle strain in my abdomin. It is helping and in fact it is encouraged that I use my ellitical, so tomorrow I will get on it after a long time away. I did a stair stepper and stationary bike at PT this morning so I won't push myself with the exercise. I am also am starting up with tracking my food. My husband and daughter are joining me so I hope that I can stay on track easier.

The last few weeks

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 08:35:18 EST

I am getting back into the swing of things this week. I had 3 medical tests the week before Christmas and then Christmas and New Years with my kids being off school. Two tests had good results, the third showed that I have a bad strain to my abdominal muscle (it is sometimes called a Sports Hernia). I go into a specialist on the 29th to see what type of physical therapy will help take care of this. In the mean time, not doing much exercise, but picking up extra shifts at work so I don't s...

Missing my elliptical

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:47:33 EST

I have not been able to exercise for the last few weeks and I am not sure when I will be able to get back to it. I am waiting on approval for an MRI to see if I have what is called a sports hernia. I am in pain on a daily basis. My doctor does not want me standing for longer than one hour at a time. (Which makes me happy at work, because then I can not work at the check out desk two hours in a row.) Fortunately, I was finished with my Christmas shopping before the pain got too bad. I ha...

Keeping busy

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 13:07:27 EST

I continue to be busy. Picking up extra shifts at work, Christmas shopping (I like to have most of it done before Thanksgiving), staying caught up with household chores and attending concerts, parent teacher conferences etc. etc. etc. I am proud of myself for not over eating or making too many unhealthy choices. I do know that the weeks ahead are going to be my most challenging. I am going into this knowing that I CAN make it through this holiday season with little to no weight gain.

This week

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:20:49 EST

Got some exercise in but not as much as I would like. I am having difficulty with a muscle in my side and working extra. I do not have extra shifts next week so hopefully I can get some more time in. Tonight, our girls are carving their pumpkins. I am happy I do not have to worry about their costumes, we got them at the end of September. For once I don't have to worry that they are out of the sizes needed and the girls had more choices. Today, we raked some leaves and put away many of...

This week

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:36:21 EST

I have not felt great this week. I am enjoying today off from work. Have to work tomorrow. I have the chance to pick up some extra hours at work as a girl has put in her two week notice. I would not be surprised if more follow. I would like to find another job, but I could not work part-time and make the money I make right now. I do not want to work full-time as I don't want to miss making memories with my family. So, I am learning to adjust and trying to keep a good attitude. Well, I...

Got my exercise in

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:47:30 EST

I did 15 minutes on my elliptical this morning and had planned on more later in the day. Instead I kicked butt with Just Dance on the wii. What a way to sweat and have fun with my girls!

First day of 5% challenge

Sat, 6 Oct 2012 09:55:11 EST

I am happy I did not gain weight between 5% challenges this time. I usually do. I think because I have been working extra and our boss has become very controlling. Moral is low! But, I just try to be thankful I have a job. I am going to get on my elliptical in a little bit to help my fellow cloverleafs make to our destination. Have a great Saturday everyone!!

Catch up blog

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 11:41:58 EST

It has been awhile since I have blogged. Not much new here. I am picking up extra shifts at work. Need the brakes replaced on my car. My girls are getting into the swing of school. I am looking forward to starting the 5% challenge. Let's go Cloverleafs!!

Getting back on track

Mon, 3 Sep 2012 10:33:19 EST

Last week we were on vacation. Gained a little but not too bad. Today is my birthday, with a nephew's birthday party on Friday and next week my daughter makes me a mother of a teenager. School starts tomorrow for the girls so, I am hoping that will help get me back on track and exercising more consistently.

On vacation next week!

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:08:43 EST

I am so excited to get a week off of work. I am ready for it. We are taking a short trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, MI. Then just hanging out at home. My older daughter wants to help out at church so she will do that Thursday. I hope to read a book or two. I do have to get through a small shift tomorrow at work before I am officially on VACATION!!!

NOOOOO!! My elliptical died!

Tue, 7 Aug 2012 12:31:39 EST

I am so bummed. I do my elliptical at home when it is too hot to walk outside. I pop in the tv show "The Pretender" and do my thing. My episode was almost done when I realized the clock had stopped on the elliptical. I tried a few things but I think it is done. Boo Hoo! I love watching tv and getting my exercise in. We can't afford to get a new one so I guess I will have to come up with an alternative in home option.

Someone noticed!

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:54:11 EST

My hair stylist asked me if I have lost weight! I got to tell her about Sparkpeople. Although the scale is moving slowly, the inches are coming off and that feels good.

Got my exercise in today.

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 19:18:50 EST

I worked this morning and it was very steady. Lots of kids coming in to get their prizes for reading. I came home and had a healthy lunch. Gotta get my freggies in for my cloverleaf team. 334 I have been tired lately, so I did lay down for about a half hour. Have been working on a page for my scrapbook from when I went to Sea World and swam with a Beluga Whale. After dinner I knew I had to walk and get some exercise in so I got my shoes on and my girls joined me. My older dau...

This week

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 08:55:44 EST

I was very busy this week. Went blueberry picking, went to Windmill Island near my home in Michigan(to get in touch with my Dutch roots). Learned some interesting things about windmills and milling flour. Worked, picking up an extra shift. Made 2 batches of blueberry jam. I started having some pain come back that I had a couple months ago. Went through all kinds of test (because family cancer history) but found out that the pain is from a strained muscle. Called the doctor and told him ...

Been doing well with exercise, but frustrated with the scale

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:03:21 EST

Last week I exercise A LOT. More than I have in a looooong time. I am doing a 5% challenge we are in week 4. I have only lost 1 lb. Doing well on the eating front, so just don't understand. I will not stop exercising. Gotta help my Cloverleaf team, but grr the darn scale is not moving. Okay! I feel better now. 211

Taking an exercise break today.

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:58:44 EST

I have been exercising more than usual the last few days. I am taking a break today. I am sore and tired. I do work tonight so I will be not be sitting too much. I will pick up the exercise again tomorrow.

Today

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 22:16:23 EST

Today was a good day. My daughter's let me sleep until 9:30. We did some cleaning, went swimming and I read some. I am enjoying the book very much. It is non-fiction which is not my normal reading material, but I am participating in the summer reading program at work and non-fiction is one of the genre I have to read. The book is called "Breaking the Code" by Karen Fisher-Alaniz. My sister and I met a high school classmate for dinner and then I danced to some songs on Just Dance 3 with ...

No air and hot days makes exercise tough

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 14:57:31 EST

Our air conditioner stopped working Wed. night. Thursday was the hottest day of the year so far. I got to spend most of the day inside at work. The evening was not awful but still not comfortable enough for me to exercise. We are still without air and the weather will continue to be hot the next week or so. I think we are going to the lake tomorrow so I will walk along the beach and swim to make up for the loss of exercise time. Sorry Cloverleaf team, I am at loss as to what to do to ge...

Gonna be a hot one here

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:36:09 EST

They are predicting a very hot day here. Unfortunately, our air conditioner is not working. My father used to work in the Heating and Cooling business so he is going to come and look at it to see if there is anything he can do. If he can't I am going to try to find someplace cool to spend my evening.

Day 2 5% challenge

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 16:49:08 EST

Today has been a good day. Did my exercise by trying to clean up some overgrowth in the yard. Our yard waste container filled up too fast. I had to leave some in a pile to the side of the yard for Wednsday afternoon. I don't need to mow my lawn because it is not growning. I was crunching around on it picking up some litter. I am praying for some rain. We have a chance tonight. Yesterday, we picked my daughter up from strings camp. They learned how to play Without You by Usher. (By e...

Off to an good start.

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:55:59 EST

I got our of bed ready to get the 5% challenge started. I have gone for a walk and had 2 cups of water already. I will try to get some more exercise later and of course get my water in. I will be in the car for 4 hours so I will have to try to get most of the water in before or after otherwise it will be a longer trip to pick up my daughter from orchestra camp. Time to go get some more house stuff done before we leave.

Last Week was hectic

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 11:49:41 EST

Last week was a busy one for me. Summer Reading sign up at work and I worked extra hours. There were treats brought in every day. I did better then I have in the past. I did not have the desire to eat some of the treats brought in. I did eat some, but did not go overboard like I tend to. I think it helped that I was assigned to an area of the library that did not let me get to the break room other than lunch and breaks so I did not walk past and just pop something into my mouth. This w...

Looking forward to June 23

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:49:57 EST

I am looking forward to participating in the Summer 5% challenge. My daughter and I are encouraging each other to eat healthy and get more exercise. We have been invited to the pool across the street whenever we would like so that will be a pleasant way to get some exercise. I need to be a roll model for her. I am thinking about how I will approach my exercise and the goals I want to set for myself (other then losing 5%). I will post those in a few days.

Been too long

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:51:15 EST

I have decided it is time to get into the Sparkpeople habit again. Lots of things have happened since I was here last, but I won't bore you with the details. I am going to pick on goal to get me started and that is to make sure I drink at least 8 cups of water a day. I have not been drinking as much water as I should so. For this week, that is what I will focus on. 194

Winter is finally here

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:55:24 EST

I have been very content with the lack of snow. I know, I know...why do I live in Michigan right? It is the rest of the seasons that I enjoy here. Last night the roads were icy on my way home from work. Today, is going to be windy and tomorrow and Friday more snow. I just wish that there would be a way that is could snow on the trees and yards etc without snowing on the roads.

The last 2 months of 2011

Sun, 1 Jan 2012 12:16:08 EST

I went for an MRI on the 28th of November. No cancer! I am currently going to physical therapy to see if it is just a matter of strengthing the muscles. I was able to enjoy the holidays because I was done with shopping by early December. Looking forward to a healthy new year!

Update

Sun, 6 Nov 2011 15:14:31 EST

I am waiting on an MRI (Nov. 28th) to see if the problems I am having with some lymph nodes under my arm are cancer. The surgeon does not believe there to be any, but with my family history, she wants to be very sure. Meanwhile, I hurt every day. Not terribly, but enough for it to be a hassle when it comes to cleaning and other day to day activies.

Last Thursday, we found out my dad has prostate cancer. It is the very slow progressing kind and just 3 very small spots. He ha...

Pleasant Saturday

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:16:27 EST

When shopping this morning for an outfit for my older daughters orchestra concert on Tuesday. Went to the pumpkin patch and picked out the perfect pumkins and then went scrapbooking for the afternoon. Top the day off with steak fajitas and watching Spooky Buddies with my girls.

Yesterday

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:26:27 EST

I had a very busy day. My girls had dentist appointments. They go to seperate dentists so one on each end of the school day. I canned applesauce (6 quarts and 12 pints) and canned apple pie filling. (6 quarts) Made caramel apple bars to take to work. I won't eat any because that is not my favorite. Today, making turkey rice soup and baking chicken for a spark tetrazinni recipe for tomorrow night. I am going to do a little exercise. I have been sick with a cold for the last week on top...

Picked 97 lbs. of apples today

Sun, 9 Oct 2011 19:04:25 EST

Yes you read that right. 97 lbs. I will be canning applesauce for the girls to give their teachers for christmas. My mom has a recipe to can apple filling for pies and apple crisp. We shall see. We also have some Fuji's for eating. It did not take us long to get all those apples. They were big and some trees were loaded.

Winning week

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 09:28:42 EST

I went to a venders event last Friday night and they had a raffle. I won TWICE. Then, this morning I spun 25 right away on the sparkwheel and so went to spin the wheel again and won an exercise DVD. I am so excited! I usually don't win. Now I have to wait for the dvd to arrive.

Week 1 of Fall 5% challenge

Sat, 1 Oct 2011 10:05:14 EST

This week I lost 2 lbs. It was a hectic week with extra hours at work and keeping up with household things. (Next week will be filled with even more hours at work) I did not have a huge appetite this week, so ate when I was hungry and although some choices were not healthy, I still lost weight. I wanted pizza for lunch yesterday and I knew that if I did not let myself eat it, that I would eat more than I should because I was so craving pizza. I did drink more water than I have in a while...

2 years on Spark

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:27:10 EST

Monday was my 2 year sparkaversary. I knew it was coming up, but totally missed it with the hectic schedule I had. I have made some great friends here!

Thanks for your support!

Becky

Sunday

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:27:49 EST

Went to church this morning and then we went to see the movie Dolphin Tale.
Very cute! We also went out for lunch did not make a healthy choice. (Went to Red Robin, don't know if there is healthy there at all) I did have water instead of soda, so that is something to be proud of. Did not get treats at the theatre either.

I will get some exercise in in a little while to help the Cloverleafs to our destination.

Fall 5% Challenge

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:57:25 EST

I am going to do work hard these next 8 weeks. I have done so many of these challenges, but I have to admit I have not been a big help to my teammates. I will do better this time around. Cloverleafs don't hesitate to give me a reminder to stick with this. I let myself get discouraged too easily. I will let my teammates know when I need encouragement, because I know they will be there for me. I will do my best to be there for them as well. Let's do this cloverleafs!!

Back on track

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:14:54 EST

I have been way off the Spark program the last few weeks. I am determined that I will get back on track. I have exercised today and have a good start with water. I have had breakfast and will plan my meals and snacks to fit into my plan. My clothes are starting to fit tighter so I need to get back to this. I am looking forward to the Fall 5% challenge starting Saturday. (Let's go Cloverleafs!!)

My emotions today.

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 12:01:58 EST

I am happy that my girls are back in school, they were happy too.
I am ticked and upset because last week I told the sitter I did not need her anymore. She was mad! She told me yesterday she had a job offer the week before I told her and she turned it down. How was I to know she had a job offer? Was she looking? My older daughter is close to 12 (Sunday is her birthday) so I thought that my girls could handle being on their own. Contemplated pros and cons for several weeks. Sad thi...

My vacation so far

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:06:30 EST

Monday I went for a walk around our neighborhood and mowed the lawn. Just took it easy and moved at a leisurely pace all day. Yesterday, we went the the local museum. Did not get to read everything at the Civil War exhibit, so I will go back after school starts to take my time to read everything. Went to a follow up appointment with my ENT specialist. While waiting I felt the earthquake. Of course, here in Michigan is was not on the same scale as the East Coast. I lived in Japan for 6 m...

Vacation

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:57:09 EST

As of 5:01 on Thursday I am on vacation. Yesterday, took my daughters, mom, sister, and nephew to Lake Michigan. It was busy, but the weather was perfect beach weather. I hung out with my mom. She struggled walking through the sand so I lent my arm. We spent most of the time talking in the shade. I have not sat down to talk with her for a long time. This morning I mowed the front yard and did some weeding. It looks like rain will fall any minute now. We are just staying home this wee...

Went for a bike ride

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:18:58 EST

Rode my bike to the park with my daughters yesterday and now my bottom is hurtin'. It was fun though. They played by the lake there and on some of the playground equipment.

Today, my hubby is home. He did not sleep much. He was in a terrible accident about 5 years ago and last night his ankle was hurting him terribly. It was so bad he is calling the doctor. It must be pretty bad if he is calling the doctor. We know there will be pain for the rest of his life, but he did no...

Today is my 17th wedding anniversary!

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:12:07 EST

The years have gone by fast. My sister and brother-in-law are going to watch the girls so we can enjoy dinner out. We normally like to go to the movies, but I do not want to see that are out right now.

Friday

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:38:22 EST

I am tired today. Could not get to sleep last night. I need to get my rear in gear and get some things done today. Running errands, cleaning and making sure my girls don't kill each other. (Can't wait for school to start!) I think they are ready.

Tomorrow is my 17th wedding anniversary. Hoping to go out for dinner, but having a difficult time finding someone to watch the girls.

Wonderful weather

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:39:57 EST

This week is only going to reach about 80. I am looking forward to windows being open. It may rain some, but it does not sound like it will be more than showers.

I am off to exercise. Go Cloverleafs!!!

Feeling crabby

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 11:20:02 EST

Work has been really busy this week. It is the final week of summer reading program so lots of people in collecting their prizes. I have not been exercising. I exercise a lot on the weekends to help my fellow cloverleafs, but once we "land" at our destination I stop. I am frustrated with my family because I clean and then it all gets messed up again. When I tell my kids to clean up THEIR mess, they just complain. GRRRR!!!

Saturday

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 10:10:39 EST

I have had a busy week. My sister was here with her kids through Tuesday afternoon. So, we tried to spend as much time together as possible. I worked an extra shift at work. My hubby was on vacation so I did not need to pay for childcare. I had such a hard time falling asleep this week. So I have been extremely tired. I think that is why I had a weight gain this week. Did not exercise and I was not hungry most of the day (no food sounded good). When I was hungry, I did not make good ...

Ice Skating

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:35:04 EST

My sister and I are bringing our kids ice skating. We have a nice arena in our township. Last time we went I was having issues with lightheadedness so I did not participate. I am going to participate this time. My knees are hurting me though. (I was a volleyball player who slide across the floor trying to save the ball) I am going to take something and hope for the best. By skating I get to help my fellow cloverleafs make it to Osaka!

Weather

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:19:27 EST

It is going to be nice the next three days. I took a bike ride with my girls this morning. The windows are open and fans are on. I like hearing birds, kids playing, even the cars going down the street. I LOVE having the windows open!

Chance of storms here today.

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:44:49 EST

Woke up to thunderstorms rolling through. It's nice not to have to water the garden today. I am enjoying watching things grow. I am doing some cleaning today and hope to get to the appliance store. Our stove is not working. My hubby thinks it just needs a new part. The stove is old so we may need a new one althogether. It has been interesting making a menu. Our cooking options are griddle, microwave and grilling. I would say crockpot, but unfortunately, my hubby dislikes food done i...