LITTLE_DEBBIE's SparkPeople Blog

Happy December! Workin' It!

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 10:22:44 EST

I'm super busy and don't get to check in with SparkPeople as much as I'd like, Add to that, the fact that I haven't gotten notifications in more than a year, and that makes it difficult to keep up with everything posted, but I'm still hitting the gym and working it! Happy December!

Work It!

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 16:40:57 EST

Third workout at the gym and I'm still motivated. I was so tired because I had a meeting in Seattle last night and had an early start this a.m., and I considered not going to the gym today, but I actually felt better afterward. Isn't that always the case? It's such a beautiful location, and the leaves were falling as I worked out and looked through the huge windows. I need to take a pic and post it next week. It really is stunning.

I found the scale today in the locker room ...

Day 1 at the Gym...

Wed, 2 Nov 2011 18:13:31 EST

...went fantastic! 249 I spent 30 min. on the treadmill and 10 min. on the recumbent bike. I used the book rests and got a lot of reading/studying in. That works for me, and it's a great start, longer than I would usually work out at home. One hour is what I'm going to be shooting for in the future.

11/1/11

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 18:31:46 EST

I joined a fitness center today. That's a big step for me, something I've never done, since I've always been a home exerciser. I've got a workout plan that fits in with my life load. 211 Okay, so I've had to make it fit into everything else, but it's doable, and that's what counts.

Wish me well and I'll keep you posted. Tomorrow is day 1 at the gym, and I'm looking forward to getting on the treadmill and bike! Yeah!

Still Makin' It...

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:22:09 EST

I hate to be just "makin' it", kind of squeaking by with a workout here and there, but that's where I've been for a while and where I remain. I need to bump things up a notch, but I'm not too motivated to do more. 211 So for now, I'm keeping on with walking and not much else in the way of exercise. A little is better than none, but more would be even better! 104 Spark on!

This-N-That

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:44:55 EST

Here I am again restarting on the exercise program again. I do great for a week and then throw all care to the wind for a week or two. Then I'm ready to restart. Not sure why I am not being consistent, just lazy I guess. I am down a couple of pounds, just because I am staying active and not grazing like a cow, but I am still up from my all-time low weight.

I walked this a.m. and listened to a Spanish language CD. I love to kill two birds with one stone, if only metaphoricall...

Making Myself A Priority

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:00:05 EST

I've been neglecting myself and need to make myself a priority again, no matter what else is going on. So I'm starting back with ten minutes of exercise in the morning, and want to keep this streak going the rest of the month. I definitely need some encouragement! Sparking on...

June 1,2011

Wed, 1 Jun 2011 17:17:27 EST

I'm still dealing with the remnants of an upper respiratory infection that just won't leave, but I walked two miles with Leslie this a.m. I do okay until I start to laugh -- and I've been doing a lot of that lately -- and then it's a coughing jag for sure, but a brisk walk was no problem. 334

I love a new month! Clean slate! New start! Spark on...

Kicking this thing...

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:11:37 EST

I'm still kicking an upper respiratory infection, and finding that sleeping it off is the best medicine. It's gotten me sidetracked on my exercise, but all the homemade soup with veggies has so yummy. Spark on!

Still Wimping...

Mon, 9 May 2011 17:14:36 EST

My heart goes out to any woman who has had a mastectomy or lumpectomy, or any surgical procedure in that area. All I had was a biopsy, and that was ten days ago, and I'm still wimping around. I had already been experiencing pain, but nothing compared to this. The doc hit a blood vessel, and I didn't think anything of it, until she had to put some muscle into it to stop the bleeding. 198 So I'm left with the remnant of that, and she said it will be two to three weeks till it's fu...

I Feel Like I've Been Run Over By A Truck

Fri, 6 May 2011 12:38:50 EST

I had a minor medical procedure last week, and I'm wondering if it's a delayed reaction. I felt great until yesterday, and now the wound site is really aggravated and my whole body hurts. I saw the doc for a follow-up yesterday and she said everything looks fine, but I'll probably be hurting for two or three more weeks. I took yesterday off from walking, and probably today too. Good news though, because the doc said everything is A-OK! Thank you, Lord!

On Track

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:44:17 EST

I've upped my miles for walking and so glad to be exercising for real again. 211 Staying on track and feeling great!

Wake-Up Call

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:24:11 EST

The weather has broken a bit and I'm venturing outside to walk again. Good thing too, because I got on the scale at the doctor's office yesterday, and I'm up six pounds since October! Ouch! That's not good, but it was a good wake-up call. These 10-min workouts aren't cutting it, especially since I'm not tracking calories. Making it happen again, even if it means hanging out with Leslie and her everlasting silliness when it's raining, which it does quite a bit here in the Pacific NW. Sp...

Ten Minutes...

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:19:27 EST

I have been doing ten minutes of exercise a day. It's all I can motivate myself to do right now, but at least it's something. If nothing else, it adds up over time, and proves that I'm still kickin'. Have a Sparkling great weekend!

Get Back Up!

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:29:34 EST

Yes, I did it! Thanks for the "kick" I needed!
252
Just like the lyrics to a song that is popular right now, Get Back Up.
We lose our way,
We get back up again
So get up, get up,
You're gonna’ shine again
It’s never too late to get back up again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever!

I Seem to have Fallen...

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:39:29 EST

and can't get up. This past week was a total wash, healthy living wise. I need to pick myself up, but don't even feel like it. Acckkkkk!

MSG and Vertigo?

Mon, 7 Feb 2011 12:37:27 EST

I went out to eat this weekend at a Mexican restaurant. Shortly after, I had the typical "MSG symptoms", which for me is excessive thirst, headache, brain fog, and tiredness. But on Saturday, I must have had a super dose of the so-called super salt, because I became more ill than I ever have. I believe it brought on an episode of vertigo, which I have been free from for several weeks.

A conversation with a friend of mine who has suffered from vertigo for many years came back to m...

How To See Fitness Results This Year

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 11:06:53 EST

Just came across this article, "Why You're Not Seeing Fitness Results This Year", and it give some key points how you can see fitness results this year.

www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/28/exerci
se.reboot/index.html?iref=obnetwork

Even if January was lackluster -- I did pretty well, but could have done even better -- we've got a whole new month ahead of us. I'm going shopping today to replace my hand weights and a stability ball.

Spark on!

Helloooooo February!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:46:27 EST

January was definitely a healthier month than December for me. I always feel like I could do better, but then I realize how far I really have come and how long I've been at it, and know I'm on the right track. It really has become a lifestyle for me, though I have my ups and downs.

Once again, I don't have a scale -- moving so much has caused me to leave things behind over and over -- but I decided to start taking measurements again. I really do need to replace my hand weights a...

7 Tips to Make the Most of a Short Workout

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:06:15 EST

I thought this was interesting, especially after my last blog post.
www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=7_t
ips_to_make_the_most_of_a_short_workout
Good stuff! Sparking on!

Exercise ADD?

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:34:52 EST

Why is it that I have a hard time staying focused during workouts? I've noticed some ADD-like symptoms in other areas of my life as well, but this is crazy. So today was ten minutes with Denise Austin. It was all I could handle of her. And then 15 minutes with Leslie Sansone. I think I need to break new ground in my exercise routine, but not sure exactly what to do. I'm a home exerciser, and that can't change right now, so I guess for now, I'll just keep switching the DVDs. Really, how...

2011 so far...

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:26:27 EST

so good! Consistency is key and we're moving forward! Hope you all are doing the same! Spark on!

Scaling Back...And a Tip for the Day

Wed, 5 Jan 2011 11:16:34 EST

I'm scaling back my SparkTeams and have given up a leadership position on one team. I hope I don't offend anybody, but I just can't keep up with it all. I'm going to focus on my journey and what is working for me, and that's the Fab 40's team. I need to spend more time "doing" and not just online "Sparking", and neglecting other teams.

And speaking of scaling back, I really need to buy a new scale. Actually, I need two new scales, one to weigh myself on and one for food. Tip o...

Overcoming

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:58:04 EST

I love to read the accounts of SP members who are overcomers, you know, those who have lost 100+ pounds, have conquered some serious medical issues, faced unbelievable grief and trials...and it's so motivational to see them come out on the other side of things as winners!

But the real tests come when things begin to happen in our own lives. WOW! Can we be as motivated as those we've read about? To keep trudging on in the face of every unexpected thing life hurls at us? I think...

Merry Christmas!

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:09:47 EST

Merry Christmas to all my Spark friends who have been with me in all my ups and downs! I'm looking forward to a healthy new year! Spark on!

A Great Weekend in Spite of...

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:46:10 EST

another bout with vertigo. There is a neck movement that can be done to stop vertigo in its tracks, and it saved me from a ruined weekend. 334
Thanks to Jane for sharing it. It really works!

What a wonderful and busy weekend filled with holiday fun! We saw the most wonderful musical, Scrooge, and just enjoyed some wonderful "Christmas" moments with family.

Sparking on...

Happy Turkey Day!

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:18:38 EST

I'm so thankful to be feeling better. Have a fantastic holiday and Spark on!

Still dealing with vertigo...

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:26:22 EST

I've been dizzy before, and even accused of being ditzy 211 but this is unreal! Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers! Deb

The Saga Continues...

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:36:52 EST

Finally got hooked up with the internet in our new place, but I've been too sick to use it until today. Since Monday I've been stricken with a virus that has affected my inner ears, and I am having a hard time just moving around at all. The doc said to stay as still as possible. Am quite a bit better than I was, but still feel like I'm lost in space. This, too, shall pass. Spark on.

Still...

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:06:23 EST

waiting for internet to get hooked up. Tuesday is the big day...for sure this time. 334

Not Yet...

Sun, 7 Nov 2010 01:09:49 EST

We aren't moved in yet, as we had planned, since we are still waiting on some furniture. It's been too easy to drag our feet and stay where we are. My family has made us more than welcome, but Mom's a good cook, and we really better get into our own place soon! 211

Almost Settled

Mon, 1 Nov 2010 15:09:00 EST

A few more days and we'll be moved in our own place here in W. Washington, and I'll be reconnected to the internet and back to SP full-time again! Yay!

Happy Just Doesn't Describe...

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:52:50 EST

how I'm feeling! I'm loving life in WA! Everything is still in a whirl, working out the job situation and where to live, but all is well! I am so happy to be back in the US, enjoying time with my family, and enjoying every minute of it! I'm on a walking streak (and a few other streaks to go along with it) so I'm Sparked! It's good to be home!

I'm Back!

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:39:29 EST

I'm back in the US and online! Ready to Spark on!

Traveling Shoes...

Sat, 2 Oct 2010 13:23:46 EST

Hi to my Spark Friends! We've moved from Guam and have been traveling in the US. Last week, we were in Missouri and this week we are in Ohio, visiting family. Next week we'll be in the Seattle area. We're hopping on free wif-fi whenever we can, but my internet connection is going to be spotty for the next couple of weeks, at the very least.

I miss all of you, and am looking forward to being resettled soon. Thankfully, I've been able to maintain my weight over the past four year...

To All My Spark Friends...

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:42:38 EST

Thanks for all the notes and comments on my page. I'm not ignoring you 43 but I'm going to continue to be MIA for a while longer. All is well, and I'll be back when the dust settles. Sparking on! Hugs, Debbie

From the SP Store and More

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:31:18 EST

I've been AWOL from my Spark teams, but I'm still around.
43
I just placed an order from the SP store for a water bottle and lunch tote, two items that I will definitely use. Thanks SP for the $20 gift certificate that I won when I spun the wheel a couple of weeks ago! What a nice surprise!
252

Busy, busy, busy...

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 21:18:25 EST

I've been so busy, not much time on SP, and life isn't going to slow down any time soon.

I weighed in today and I'm still maintaining. It's better than gaining, and if I really want to lose, I know what to do. It's just a matter of doing it...or I should say, at this point, NOT doing it. That means laying off the sweets, my ultimate weakness.

But I'm happy, feeling great, and getting some good walks in, so until next time...

SpArK oN!

Back Up?

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 08:51:15 EST

I had a difficult time with SP the last couple of days, but it seems the problems were fixed by clearing my browser cache and deleting cookies...hopefully, things will stay fixed. I say hopefully, because after I cleared all that, I was able to change my SparkPage, but then couldn't sign back in. Now here it is a few hours later and I'm back again.

I walked four + miles on Tuesday, back and forth across Tumon B...

Four Years Already?

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:26:27 EST

Is it really four years since I joined SP? I remember my first week on SP when I couldn't even figure out how to track calories, and I told my real-life friend, Kathy -- who introduced me to this wonderful web site -- "I think I think I'll just track calories on paper!" I'm so glad I stuck with it!

I'm so thankful for all my supportive Spark friends who have made this journey even more special, and thanks to SP for teaching me how to keep the weight off by embracing a healthy lif...

Thank You SP!

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:48:27 EST

Today I spun the wheel and won a $20 SparkPeople Store Gift Certificate! What a hoot! I'll be celebrating my fourth anniversary on SP in a few days, and that sure was an awesome gift! Thanks so much, SP!
304

Reset My Notifications and...

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:32:38 EST

nothing is fixed. I've had this happen periodically before, but this is the longest time wihout notificationas, and even resetting has not fixed it.

No Notifications

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:26:20 EST

I haven't been receiving any notifications on my subscriptions, etc. for a long, long time, and it's driving me bonkers. Everything looks in order on my account, checked boxes and all that good stuff, so I don't know what the problem is. It makes it so difficult to stay connected to everything that I've commented on. So this a.m. I finally posted a message on the tech/site help board.

Sorry if I've missed responding to you or just flat out seemed to ignore any of my dear Spark f...

Who Shrunk The Food?

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 06:55:03 EST

We've all probably read or heard how cost-cutting measures have cause food manufacturers to downsize their products, but as I was inputting food into SP's calorie tracker, I realized how much some items have really shrunk.

I've been known to eat a whole can of tuna in water at lunchtime -- luckily I love to eat it plain -- and the calories in one can went from 190 to 100. Even my favorite fun-size candy bar has gone the way of the Little People.

So even though it's n...

I Started and...

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:55:58 EST

I started a new exercise streak on Thursday, after a day off on Wednesday. Then Friday seemed to come with a great big punch in the gut, and today I'm finally feeling myself again. The older I get, the more I wonder if I'm going to get through these changing mid-life years unscathed. 211 So we're back in the saddle again and riding off into a Sparklingly new week!

The 20-Day Streak

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:51:03 EST

My exercise streak went 20 days. I was so tired yesterday, I missed my workout, but that's okay. I'm going to pick it back up today, and continue through the rest of the month. I hopped on the scale and there was no change, so we're going to see what we can do to make things happen in that area too.

Spark on!

Half way through July...

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:51:19 EST

334
The month is half way over and I've still got my exercise streak going.

20/20

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:04:42 EST

20/20 sounds like perfect vision, but I did 20 min. each, on days 11 and 12 of my exercise streak. I started out with 10 minutes, so I'm on a roll. 211

Days 9 and 10

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 10:31:30 EST

I'm really streaking now! I did 15 min. of exercise on Friday and...are you sitting down...60 minutes today. I haven't exercised for 60 minutes in a long, long time! Yay me!

Day 8

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 17:38:08 EST

15 minutes of exercise yesterday, and it was another late nighter. I'm up early this a.m. with no other responsibilities, so I'm going to get my workout first. I'm ready for it...