GETTO140's SparkPeople Blog

Monday again

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:58:02 EST

The weekends go by so fast! Here it is Monday again. I wasn't very good about tracking last week..I must say I do get tired of it after a while. I can remember when I started out here I loved tracking and looking at my reports to see where I was with my goals. I also have a spreadsheet to track my weight and inches lost. Those tools are very motivating for me because I can see my results in graphic format. To me, inches lost are just as important as weight loss. I may lose inches but...

Beautiful days for garden work!

Mon, 6 May 2013 06:40:15 EST

The weather has been absolutely perfect for over a week here. We are far ahead of our outside work it feels wonderful! Sunny and 70's!! That is perfect to me! Tomorrow night I plan to til up my vegetable garden area and get it ready for planting in a few weeks. This is the earliest I've ever been able to do that. I'm hesitant to really get planting because it could still get very cold, but the fact that I can get it ready so early is GREAT! Usually I have to wait until the end of May t...

I'll call this my give-back day!

Sat, 4 May 2013 08:24:37 EST

I'm involved with a group from my church who is planting a garden for our local community food bank. This morning we will be working on the garden for a few hours. This afternoon I'm going to the animal shelter to help with what ever they need help with. Usually it's laundry, walk dogs, playing with cats and kittens or putting supplies away. On top of it the weather is absolutely PERFECT today!! It's going to be a great day! 67 267 45 338 ...

Tuesday

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:29:34 EST

My thoughts and prayers are with those in Boston and those who were personally effected by the senseless bombing yesterday at the Marathon. I am also praying for the first responders who rush in to help while others are rushing away. Also the morgue attendant, coroner, and health care workers who are treating the injured. I'm sure there are long-lasting scars in many forms after such a tragedy. I don't understand such evil. For the life of me, I don't get it. 39

It's Monday!

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:45:35 EST

Things are going good for me right now. I'm still using the meal plans provided on the nutrition tracker. I have tried several new recipes because of it using things I didn't think I liked...but guess what??? I LIKE THEM!! I never ate yogurt before because it tastes like sour milk to me. At least that's what I have always thought. If I combine fresh fruit with greek yogurt I am finding that I love it. I never would have even tried it before. I don't taste that sour-milkyness (is that ...

Monday, April 1 - no JOKE!

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 07:01:03 EST

Ugh..I saw a video of myself from yesterday. It wasn't pretty AT ALL! I'm working at it. 24

450 452 448 Happy Easter! 296

End of week 2 using the meal planner

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:06:29 EST

Since I've been using the meal planner on the nutrition tracker, I've lost 2 pounds. I'm really enjoying trying the new meal ideas. Breakfast has been something different most mornings. Today for lunch I had a tortilla with cream cheese, walnuts and dried cranberries (I substituted these from the raisins that was suggested) and made a wrap out of it. It was absolutely delicious! The other day I had a pizza made with a tortilla, fresh tomatoes, olive oil and provolone cheese. Another gre...

Day 3 of following Spark meal plan

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:58:45 EST

Things are going well with my trial of the Spark meal plan. The nutrition tracker is flexible enough so that I can add my own foods if there is something I don't like. This morning I ran my nutrition report for Sunday and yesterday only to see that I'm right on track!! How simple is that!!!?? My husband doesn't even notice...he's eating what I'm eating and not complaining at all. This is what I needed to get re-energized! 20

Trying Sparkpeople's meal plan for a week

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 12:48:48 EST

I'm going to give the pre-planned meal planner a try for a week to see how I do. I'm getting tired of trying to always think of something new to try, so I thought this might be a fun way to do it! I planned my week last night and then printed the shopping list right from the nutrition tracker! How easy is that!!?? I already had quite a few of the items, but it was fun shopping for the things I didn't have. One thing I noticed is that I went right by the snack aisle. I have been trying n...

Monday

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:35:11 EST

When I woke up this morning I didn't want to exercise at all. But then I thought about my "whining" week last week toward exercising and it made me realize that I don't want to be THAT person. I want to be healthy and fit! I got up and did a Coach Nicole video. YEA! 386

Yesterday I went for two nice walks and washed our van and truck by hand by myself (my husband has a nasty cold). But, oh...those darned girl scout cookies! Why are they so good!?? I'm not even...

I did it!

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:09:48 EST

Today I got up and exercised first thing. I felt so much better for doing that! Yea me!!! 104

Time to get back on the stick

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 18:30:20 EST

Ever since I had that last bad afib attack, I haven't gotten back into my exercise routine. I'm not sure why I can't/won't get going. That seems to be a pattern for me the last few years....I get back in the groove and I get sick with something that is bad enough to make me stop for a day or longer; sometimes over a week! Then I practically have to start over again. I have to say I'm getting tired of that. I have to go some place tonight, but I just got my exercise clothes out for the mo...

Today is my Spark anniversary

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:56:19 EST

I just checked my e-mail and found a reminder from Sparkpeople that today is my 7-year anniversary with Sparkpeople! WOW! I started tracking on February 23, 2005. It doesn't feel like it's been that long at all. I've learned so much from this website. I've had great moments and not so great moments. One of the many things I learned is that I have to stick with it. I could easily slip up and go back to my old ways if I'm not vigilant with myself every day. I'm made plenty of mistakes,...

Sunday night already

Sun, 3 Feb 2013 21:18:15 EST

Weekends are always too fast. Time for work again already tomorrow. I hope this week will be better than last week.

My dogs won't let me be lazy

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:29:04 EST

I've been walking my dogs at lunch time and now they know the schedule. They actually start getting excited about an hour before lunch. Yesterday it was kind of cold and I was thinking of skipping the noon-time walk and do it after work. They would have none of that! I'm so glad they are my walking buddies and help to keep me going. It turned out to be a nice walk (two walks really...I walk one at a time) and I felt so much better after. As it turned out, I wouldn't have had a chance to...

Didn't sleep good

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:47:27 EST

I was sleeping great, but then one of our dogs got me up to go out (which is normal). I can usually fall right back to sleep, but I had a hard time this time. I got up for about an hour and just sat in the dark for a while to try to get relaxed. It must have worked because I went back to bed and fell right to sleep. I planned on doing TaeBo again this morning, but I stayed in bed a little extra and decided to do a 10-minute SP video instead. I'm proud that I did something!!

Made a mistake yesterday

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 09:45:02 EST

I went grocery shopping yesterday and loaded the cart with fresh vegetables and fruits to have them for our snacks for the week. I thought I had more will power over the Terra chips I bought yesterday, too. To me they are delicious! I started out with the serving suggested on the package and was happy having that as part of my lunch. I put the rest of the bag away. By the end of the day, however, I finished the entire bag (boy, those bags have gotten smaller!) Ooops...that wasn't a good...

TaeBo today

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:23:04 EST

I did an older TaeBo DVD this morning that I have...the basic bootcamp one. I used to be able to do that one with the bands!! Wow!! That is amazing to me since I could hardly get through it today without them. LOL. So now I have something to work toward...getting back to the workouts WITH bands! 216

I love the TaeBo series of workout DVDs. They are fun and it feels like Billy Blanks is right there in the room with me motivating me to keep going. I think they ...

Talk about the weather and other things

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 08:15:13 EST

First full week back to work after all the holiday vacation. It's supposed to be near 50 degrees by the end of the week! That's nice, but I've really enjoyed having the snow for a variety of reasons! One of the biggest reasons is because it's given me a break from muddy paws!! LOL. With two greyhounds in the house, it's hard to keep them from getting muddy. They love to run! Our yard is a muddy mess because they do love to run so much and have tore up our fenced area of the yard (they ...

Thursday

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 08:22:08 EST

Even though it's been cold out, I've been getting out there for my walks. I did miss a few days when it was in the single digits..that's a little too cold for me. The dogs need to go for a walk, too. I usually walk at lunch time since I work from home full time now. It's really nice to be able to do that so it's still light out and warmer. I'm very thankful that I have this type of job.

I have taken a look at my goals and made some small changes to my plan. Nothing major...

Happy New Year, everyone!

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:32:06 EST

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year. My husband and I are staying home and not really doing much special. We will probably go out for a late lunch/dinner before the crowds start.

I've been off work since last week to take my last days of vacation and will go back on Wednesday. I've loved being off, but we have bills to pay so I must go back to work.

We are dog sitting for our neighbor's beagle. She is such a sweet dog. I'll be taking her and our two dog...

Christmas Eve

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 07:50:58 EST

Just because it's Christmas Eve doesn't mean I get to skip my workout! I've been enjoying the videos found right here on Sparkpeople for now. I've also found some good ones on YouTube by HASfit. I need to mix them up a bit or I get bored. Taebo is my favorite and I have quite a few Taebo DVD's. I do them at times as well. I'm working my way back up to the advanced levels.

99% of everything is done for Christmas...just going to get some things for the dogs this morning. Th...

2012 - a review

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:37:05 EST

2012 was not a great year for me as far as tracking and fitness. BUT, I did have other types of accomplishments that I'm happy with. This summer I became a member of RedRover, an animal response team based out of California. I can assist where animals are in need of rescuing or sheltering animals who need help from natural or man-made disasters (i.e. puppy mills, hoarders, etc.). I haven't been deployed yet, but I'm on the list in case they need help.

Starting in January, 2012...

Great success stories

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 06:29:14 EST

The success stories found on Sparkpeople are amazing and motivating! I read at least one per week (if not more) and it helps to keep me going! Keep it up everyone! 252 244 381

Change of plans

Sat, 8 Dec 2012 13:12:36 EST

The weather didn't look so promising where we were going today, so we are postponing our little get away until next Sunday. Everything is outside and it was predicted to be raining most of the afternoon today. So..off to the shelter I go today! I'm kind of glad...I miss it when I can't go walk the dogs and play with the kitties.

Friday..yahoo!

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 09:00:18 EST

Where does the time go?? Much too fast. Things are going pretty good here. I'm tracking my fitness, keeping track of my goals, and staying about the same from week to week with my weight. That part needs more work really. I have gotten bored with logging in the nutrition tracker because when I almost reached my goal a few years ago I was sure I knew what I was doing. That is not so true for me. I still need to see what I'm eating in writing. I'm just tired of doing it.

To...

Wednesday before Thanksgiving

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 06:49:24 EST

Seems like all I've been reading about recently is what to eat and what not to eat for the big day tomorrow. Personally, I'm just going to enjoy the day with family. I can only eat so much before I'm full and I haven't gotten to the point of being so full I'm uncomfortable in a long time. I stop when I've had enough. I don't like pumpkin pie at all and that's what's for dessert so no worries there. I do like dark meat better than white meat so I will have some of that. We don't make the...

Two steps forward, 1 step back...but let's keep going

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 06:49:31 EST

It seems like I get going again and then WHAM! Something happens to set me back a little. I've been sticking with my workout plan and adding a little more with each accomplishment. With a-fib, your heart starts racing more than normal for no reason at times and also may beat irregular. Yesterday morning, I woke up with an a-fib attack. Not the worse one I've ever had, but it prevented me from exercising as planned. Just a few weeks ago, I got the all clear from my cardiologist to do wha...

A wedding tonight

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 09:04:44 EST

I've been stressed because we have a wedding to go to tonight. It's not like we haven't had plenty of notice, but I never shopped for a dress I think because I've put on a few pounds and shopping is not all that much fun for me in general anyway. Before I knew it, it's the week of the wedding and I have no time to shop at this late stage! I thought I'll just have to wear something I already have even though I was sure nothing would fit. I pulled out the 3 candidates from my closet and tri...

Happy Halloween! Thinking of Sandy survivors

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:45:58 EST

Ah...candy!! Well..we waited to buy candy until last night so it wouldn't be sitting here. And we bought types that I'm not crazy about so I won't sit here and eat it or even want to eat it. I'm not sure if we will even get a lot of kids tonight because the weather is not that good.

Today I'm thinking about everyone effected by Sandy. What a terrible thing. Some of our local fire departments and other emergency service personnel have gone down to the NYC area to help and I'm wa...

Did some garden clean up

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:00:59 EST

On Sunday and after work yesterday I did some garden cleaning. My bulb bed was a mess..neglected for a few seasons. I dug it all up and replanted the best looking bulbs. Sadly I accidentally destroyed some of my tulip bulbs with my shovel and pitch fork. I tried to be more careful after that by hand digging down deep.

Here is a before picture.

Here is an after picture.

Happy Friday

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:12:35 EST

Today I'm planning to go do my volunteer work at the local animal shelter after work. It's something I look forward to every week. The place is FULL of dogs and cats right now. They are working hard to try to get them adopted because they just can't take any more in right now. I don't think I've ever seen it this crowded before. Many of the dogs are pit types and you know how some people feel about those types of breeds. Some of the ones that are at this shelter are the sweetest dogs I'...

I feel much better!

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:20:07 EST

I'm so glad my cold didn't last long! I feel much better today. Yup..I ate a lot of fruits and veggies, drank a lot of water, and since it all seemed to just be a stuffy nose, I kept exercising. 9

Yesterday, I took out my dead plants ... it's always sad to have to do that because it means no more fresh vegetables that I know where they come from. But...it's also fun to plan for next year...what worked and what didn't work. I also put out the bird feeders. I don'...

Rainy day

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:46:12 EST

and I'm getting another stupid cold! What is it with that??? I seem to get a cold every other month any more...it's really annoying. I know I don't get enough rest...but who can rest these days? Every day is busy...and I don't mean in a bad way necessarily. I work full time and do some volunteer work on weekends. I don't want to give up anything I do because I love it....especially the volunteer work. We just never seem to have any down time until later in the evening...by then it's t...

Monday

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 09:55:43 EST

Some people have off today, but not me. I could take it off if I wanted to, but it's quiet at work with many off so it's kind of nice.

Today I'm thinking about my mother in law. She had knee replacement surgery last week and over the weekend she was having problems eating and just felt terrible. What they found is that she is have gallbladder issues and it needs to come out. Yesterday they moved her to a different, nearby hospital and she will be having it removed either today ...

Friday

Fri, 5 Oct 2012 07:45:09 EST

It's Friday! I like Friday, but I love Saturday! It's usually the only day I don't have a schedule to follow and can do what I want to do.

It's been a good week. I'm kind of starting over here. I have gotten out of the early-morning exercise routine over the last year. This week I got up early to exercise 4 times and it feels great! I'm taking small steps again.

Yesterday I caught part of the Dr. Oz show. When I turned it on, he was talking about the recent news...

Dreaming big!

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 09:12:16 EST

Yesterday, my musician nephew left New York State to move to Austin, TX, to give his love for playing music and writing songs a real chance. He's been quite successful locally, but he wants to do something bigger! Getting into the music industry is very difficult so they say, but that isn't stopping him from going for it! We are all so proud of him for doing this, but we miss him already! I think he will be home sick at first and may want to come back home...we are encouraging him to gi...

100,000 minutes of fitness!

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:56:18 EST

Wow! I can hardly believe that! I hit 100,000 fitness minutes!! I used to be very athletic "back in the day" but as I got older and more settled I stopped doing everything. But one day I got a kick in the butt to get off of that butt and get moving again! I didn't go back to the sports I was doing (bowling, softball, volleyball), but I did exercise videos at home instead. A little bit at a time. I'm still using the videos at home but not all of the same ones .... that would be so bo...

Thursday

Thu, 2 Aug 2012 07:12:14 EST

I love seeing others accomplish so much here. It's very motivating to me. Almost every day I go to the Sparkpages tab and read some of your stories. It's truly amazing what successes many people have, both small and big. I had a success this week. I had a check up with my cardiologist and everything is good! I don't even need to make a follow up appointment with him! 104 26

Saturday

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:15:09 EST

I'm pumped! Thursday and yesterday I attended a class put on by American Humane regarding sheltering companion animals during a disaster. I went for my CART (County Animal Response Team) training, but as of January I also became a Red Star Team member. Red Star is American Humane's animal disaster response team. Having someone there from the team was great for me to meet face to face and also find out more information about first deployments. Not that I want any disasters to happen, but ...

Thursday

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:11:57 EST

I'm doing pretty good with the 3 goals I set for myself. I slip up a little on the snacking after dinner goal, but not bad...I'm not snacking like I was before! I have been exercising 3 days a week...maybe not early in the morning, but at some point during the day. And I've volunteered every Saturday this month and will be going again this Saturday.

A medium-term goal was met recently...I became a member of American Humane Associates Red Star Team. The Red Star team is a disa...

Let's get real

Sat, 7 Jan 2012 09:06:13 EST

Over the last few years, the scale has been moving in the wrong direction. I hopped on the scale this morning and gained another 4 pounds (I need to put this in writing so I see it!). Am I sad?? Yes..but mostly I'm disappointed because I thought I had this in the bag! I know what to do. I've slipped back into some of my old ways and this has to stop!! I've shown myself that weight gain doesn't happen over night..it's gradual...just like weight loss needs to be (I already knew this fro...

Monday

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:19:59 EST

Recently I found a radio app on my phone. Then I found some good radio stations! Since I have ear phones for my phone, I listened to some good 80's music and walked to that. The weather has been perfect for it.

422

Saturday

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:22:46 EST

This is my favorite day of the week!!!! 104

As soon as I'm done sparking, I'm going out for a walk. It's a beautiful morning, but it's supposed to rain later so I'm taking advantage while I can. Sorry to my doggies...I cannot take them yet. Not healed enough. My husband will have to take them later....

Have a great day, everyone!!! 465 67

Friday

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:37:15 EST

It's Friday. Work has been busy, so I look forward to weekends! I don't think the weather is supposed to be that great this weekend, but that's OK. I do feel bad for all the people still trying to recover from the flooding last month. They need good weather to get things dried out!

As far as Spark goes, yesterday I reviewed my goals (I haven't done that in a long, long time). I removed many and narrowed them down to just 3 for now. I know spark suggests to make your health cha...

Thursday

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:39:14 EST

My injuries are getting a little better...but this time of night is rough.

I'm trying to remain up beat but lately it's been really hard. Seems like I always have something! An injury, an illness...it's tiring!!!

Well...time for a walk. Walking is still not enough exercise for me....and I eat too much!!

Friday night

Fri, 7 Oct 2011 23:01:45 EST

Last Sunday I was out walking one of my dogs and fell on some crumbled road. I didn't think I was hurt that bad and I kept walking. I got done, dropped off Darla and got Wyatt. But wow...I was getting more and more sore as I walked. Turns out I broke my left wrist and sprained my right arm....NICE!! Well...I can't do a whole lot,but at least I can still walk! Makes me so mad, though! I have a lot to do!

After the flood..

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:33:26 EST

It happened two weeks ago...our community has had significant damage done by tropical storm Lee. I wasn't able to log my food intake or calories burned; I'm on an animal disaster response team and we were activated when then rain started coming. I know I didn't eat great....a meal here and there..snacks when I could grab something...but I drank a LOT of water. I also got plenty of exercise...setting up the temporary shelter, unloading animals from our transport vehicles, jumping in and out...

It's Darla's birthday today

Thu, 1 Sep 2011 08:32:29 EST

and she is 2! I know this because we got her birth certificate when we adopted her from the greyhound rescue group, National Greyhound Adoption Program or NGAP. We are going to celebrate by taking her (and Wyatt) for a walk in their favorite park later! WOO HOO! 313

A Greyt weekend

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 07:21:50 EST

We got back from a wonderful weekend at an event called the Grapehound Wine Tour. It's a fundraiser for various greyhound adoption groups. There are really nice things about it such as the scenery....it's located around Seneca Lake in the New York State Finger Lakes region. There were hundreds of greyhounds there for Wyatt and Darla to meet. We got to sample (and buy) some great-tasting wine. The weather was perfect. There are vendors you can buy mostly greyhound-related things from. Th...