TEXGIRLY's SparkPeople Blog

Half way through my 2012

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:24:17 EST

Back in Jan, I confessed that I use my birthday (Jan 22) as my new year, since it is truly MY new year. I publicly declared some goals. Let's see how I am doing.

Lose 30-40 lbs. YIKES! I have actually gained weight this year. What gives? well, ok - the next goal will explain.

Exercise at least 3X week. Nope! I have not attacked this goal - if I will get a move on here, the first goal will be a piece of cake.

Get pregnant. Well, we are working on that,...

Dr. Sanjay Gupta's 2X4

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 22:00:07 EST

Wow - while I have logged in nearly everyday (well, less the cruise) and been very faithful to logging my foods this year, I have been consumed with grad classes and done little else in the way of SP. Or active weight loss for that matter. Working, tutoring, studying, and going to class are pretty much my entire world now. OK - whining/venting/excuse is out of the way - whew!

You know how sometimes it takes a 2X4 to the head to get a message across? Well, I think I finally got ...

My birthday - AKA My New Year

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:13:00 EST

There are some things about having a January birthday that are not so cool. Lots of people forget it - too close to Christmas and by the 22nd, people are really feeling like their life has returned to normal. Decorations are put away, returns have been made, and everyone is safety back in school or at work. There is also the lovely tradition (for those of us with Jan or Dec birthdays) of combining gift giving opportunities for our loved ones. I can't tell you how many times this has happe...

I am so proud of me - graduation!!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:46:14 EST

It was a day 20 years in the making and I was surrounded by some of my favorite people on earth - I graduated this past weekend and now can finally say I have a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting. And as my sister keeps saying, I did it with honors. Yes, I am proud me of and I am bragging at this point.

As side note - under that gown in a really killer size 12 dress. Another milestone...

Oh Mother Nature...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:11:41 EST

Riddle me this - WHY does Mother Nature have to make her arrive, of course toting 3 extra pounds that immediately go away when she departs, at the beginning of every month? And by beginning, I mean I like to weight in on the 1st of each month and danged if she doesn't arrive just in time for weigh in - every stinkin' month!

And since I am here on SP in a transparent manner, I log the exact weight the scale displays at the beginning of every month - even though it is generally 3 lb...

The last 100 lbs VS the last 20lbs

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:02:58 EST

This has nothing to do with health - let's start there. This has to do with relationships and weight loss. As a sleeve patient, especially a newer one - today is 6 weeks post surgery, I am experiencing a steady weight loss of about 2 lbs/week - which is perfect in my book, hopefully doc agrees tomorrow for the actual 6-week check up.

People who love and support me will ask how I am doing, how much I have lost, how do I feel, etc. All very honest, sincere questions. I am gratefu...

Ahhh - the sleeve's benefits

Mon, 5 Sep 2011 09:13:24 EST

Well, this week will mark the one month since my sleeve procedure. I would say I would start with the good stuff first, but it is all good.

1) Band vs Sleeve FOR ME
Notice I said for me - in the end, my doc deemed me and the band a bad match, but the band is an awesome tool for other people. It just caused more problems than in solved for me personally. With the sleeve, I have been able to tolerate a small amount of everything I wanted to try (but no sweets for me - I slaye...

Beginning new P90X Journey

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:05:55 EST

Whew - P90X arrived today and I am nervous. My sister and cousin have already done it and both love it, and yet I am nervous to get it started. It seems so intense. But then I am always nervous to start a new training/exercise program. Those of you who have also been around for a long time knew how long it took for me to try Pilates.

There is also the knee issue but I have been assured by several sources that Tony offers suggestions on how to modify for a bad knee. Here's ho...

So much for perfect attendance this year.

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:03:19 EST

I was aiming for it and I was doing good until a family crisis dropped in. Before I start, don't get all sappy. While I am sad, this is a happy moment.

My mom passed away last Wednesday. She was 66 years old and had struggled the last 23 years with chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis. There are different kinds of MS out there. From the remission style Montell Williams battles, to the kind Annette Funicello has that remitted then came back with vengeance. My mom's kind star...

The Band has been a help but...

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 22:22:23 EST

If you read through my story you will find that I had lap-band surgery 3/08. It has been a huge help in getting away the my high weight of 235lbs., but it has not been without challenges.

For starters, I have one of the most sensitive bands my surgeon, who is almost exclusively bariatric, has ever seen. It can hold up to 10cc of fluid and mine has never been higher than 2.5cc - and that was drama. After 2 weeks at that level, I was in the ER with what we thought was a stomach ...

Progress in eating clean

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 17:16:17 EST

A while back I was urged to move to a "clean" way of eating.

One of the tenants of eating clean is no refined sugar. If you have been reading my rants/blogs for any amount of time you know this is a big deal for me. Sugar and I have major issues. Certain kinds of sugar are worse than others. And like many of you - chocolate is one of my favorite sugar delivery vehicles. Specifically, if maintaining a healthy lifestyle meant living off of Reece's Peanut Butter Cups (RPBC) I w...

Like Magic!

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 18:21:25 EST

For a while now I have been trying to get my macro-nutrients to be in the neighborhood of 40/30/30. They have been running a muck like escaped lunatics. I can't even give you an example. Let's just say if it is a possible percentage combination of 3 items, I have hit it over the last year.

A week + of even AIMING at Clean Eating (there have been a few miss-steps) and like magic, the little rebels are lined up like perfect little soldiers. Who knew, huh?!? The fats are still a ...

Boyfriend jeans

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:46:10 EST

I love the look of this style in magazines and catalogs. The catch is that the images I am seeing are clearly of people who are about a foot taller than me.

I ordered a pair of said "boyfriend" jeans from a retailer I nearly always have success with in terms of the fit. There are only a few who sell every item in petite as well as regulars, so I will let you guess at the retailer.

Well, they arrived yesterday. Technically speaking, they fit. Here is the rub - they ...

Been so long...

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 09:05:15 EST

I don't know what to say - like I forgot how to blog or something. Summer school, is over and I did well. Vacation is just 6 days away and I couldn't be happier. I already started my recreational reading for the summer - The Sookie Stackhouse Series that True Blood is based on.

While summer school had me so busy I did not do much more than long in everyday and get at least breakfast down on my record, but I did it everyday! A serious accomplishment in my book. I am debating ...

Cast your vote!

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:45:39 EST

I have some discretionary cash that I can use to buy into some personal one-on-one time at the gym - which I need at this point. With the changes in my available fitness options I am a little unmotivated. Once I get to the gym, the cardio will follow, so I here is what I am thinking.

Personal Training - it is a little more economical with more sessions for the money. I worked out with a trainer before and it was awesome - I had great results. I am a little worried about some o...

Protein Up Baby!!!

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 20:29:18 EST

I know - I am suppose to be studying, but I had a breakthrough today that I had to share!

In an effort to keep hunger at bay during my 10-2pm school day, I loaded up on protein today. I had Greek yogurt and honey for breakfast and some chicken salad in the car (in the parking lot - I was not trying to navigate the streets of Corpus Christi and a fork at the same time.)

For a between class snack I packed a measured 1 oz of Emerald Cocoa Roasted Almonds (yes you can consi...

Fast Paced Summer School

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 08:11:13 EST

Yesterday marked the first day of summer school. LOTS of reading and homework for both classes. So - if I seem scarce this month it is because I am.

Hopefully I can pop in from time to time and my SO friends. And of course I will continue to log my food and fitness. See you guys in July!

Bacchus has a new back yard!!

Fri, 28 May 2010 09:40:59 EST

Well, we all have a new back yard - and it is awesome! I can't wait to see it in once it has gotten established and is growing like crazy. Now I just have to keep the big guy from eating it all up - he is such a grass eater!

A look back over the new yard:

Bacchus patiently waiting to play in the new yard:

Well, maybe he ...

Victoria's Secret - who are they kidding!?!

Thu, 27 May 2010 11:38:45 EST

Some time in my past I took advantage of the semi-annual sale on bras at Victoria Secret and thus have been permanently embedded in their mailing list. Not a terrible thing as they do have good bras and when on sale, they sell them for decent prices. Today - I received their latest catalog/sales announcement.

As I cruise through these pages, I am amazed at the pictures. These girls are rail thin in most cases. Pushed and pulled by what I KNOW to be the most uncomfortable bras ...

Dog walking, Runner's Knee, etc.

Mon, 24 May 2010 09:29:23 EST

Howdy all. So - last week I was told have I have Runner's Knee. No running for a while. Which is tough because if you know me you also know I just signed up for the San Antonio 1/2 marathon set for Nov. 14th this year. I can't wait to see the ortho and physical therapist to see if this is now a "donation" I made to the for-profit machine that runs the Rock & Roll races. We will see. At a minimum I am hoping to walk it.

(As an aside - reading back over my statement about the...

Well, poop! Today starts pool workouts...

Wed, 19 May 2010 08:22:57 EST

It would seem that on Friday when I dressed unusually nice for a Fraud Conference that I was making a fatal mistake. I wore heels - 2 inches or so. Shoes I have owned for several years now. We all have them even if we dress casually. That one pair of black heels we pull out when the need arises. For me they are slingbacks because I have really flat feet - they work the best.

Like most people, I occasionally have knee pain but it goes away. I ran on Monday because it felt OK a...

Meant to be.

Mon, 17 May 2010 11:38:19 EST

This weekend my neighborhood held it's annual Block Party. We just moved here in Dec, so this was our first. I got to met one of the ladies who lives behind me. This one was significant because our dogs love to bark at each other. Which is weird because Bacchus doesn't bark at anyone else.

We shared dog stories and expressed our embarrassment over them barking like maniacs. The meet and greet also allowed us to confirm that indeed the "bad neighbors" who owned our house prev...

Whew - Freeedoooom...

Wed, 12 May 2010 09:58:34 EST

OK folks - the Business Calculus test is done. Like Mel Gibson in "Braveheart," I feel like yelling "Freeeedoooom..."

(If you are also a Dave Ramsey fan, you no doubt know the phrase of which I speak - and yes, it is very much the same feeling as the day you declare freedom from debt.)

I finished the massive study effort and I think it paid off with something between a 70-80 on the final. That effort will be enough to clear the class with a C - which is all I could ask...

Study Break - Hi SP Peeps!

Wed, 5 May 2010 18:01:49 EST

This is just a quick break from studying for finals to say Hi. Working on getting in some good grades, a few good runs and some healthy nutrition.

My finals are over on May 11 with the worst one coming that day - Business Calculus. I have to study pretty much from now until then for that exam. And it will be tough. To this day, after not missing a class and taking notes like a crazy person, I am still so lost. I am usually a straight A kind of girl and I am hoping to make it o...

Why the binge?

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:33:30 EST

Here is the dilemma - DH has no real sweet tooth. The only sweet he really likes is Jellie Bellies. Loves the things. And with so few vices, I would not deny this man his JBs.

In general, I have no problem with them being in the house. My favorite form of refined sugar involves the brown stuff. As long as I don't touch the JB jar, I am OK.

This afternoon, I was jonesin' for something sweet. I head to the pantry and right there at eye level is the suddenly temptin...

Creature of habit

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:34:05 EST

If ever there was one, I am a creature of habit. Examples? Nearly every day (unless I am out of milk like today) I have a bowl of plain Cheerios with 2% milk and a Tassimo Latte for breakfast. This has been true for roughly 3 years - really.

That is just an example. What really caused me to think about this was my measuring tape. I have one of those awesome sewing plastic/fabric measuring tapes that I have used for years to measure me among other things.

I have ...

Disappointed

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:13:42 EST

Well, With a few poorly choose words, I killed a trip to Alaska with just over a month to go before we got on the plane. DH is "bummed" and he was already tired which is making him seem more down than he is letting on. I am feeling guilty for that.

We can afford it. I just know there are some expenses we have coming up that will be easier to handle if we fore-go AK at this point. We planned the trip before we moved and when I was working (read that as a second salary.) I said,...

Goodbye and Hello

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:45:55 EST

I saw a list like this associated to the miles of a marathon and I love the idea. So, I flipped it upside down and offer some motivation to my fellow Sparkers:

Goodbye Fear - Hello Courage
Goodbye Nerves - Hello Calm
Goodbye Anxiety - Hello Peace
Goodbye Uncertainty - Hello Strength
Goodbye Good Enough - Hello I Want More!
Goodbye Pain - Hello Improvement
Goodbye Giving Up - Hello Following Through
Goodbye Obstacles - Hello Opportunities
Goo...

My Bacon # is down!!!

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:17:29 EST

I know this will sound silly to the nurse/doctor types out there, but my bacon number is down. That is what DH and I lovingly refer to my Cholesterol number. A few years ago (5 maybe?) I learned that I was blessed with some high cholesterol genetics. While very serious in our attack on the issue, we called it "the bacon" coursing through my veins. Since that time, when ever I get it checked, DH will ask how my bacon is.

At age 35, without medication and NEVER having paid atte...

Mittelschmerz !?!

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:14:57 EST

Mittelschmerz refers to abdominal or pelvic pain that is experienced between periods. Who knew this was a thing? But apparently it is the cause of my female distress. Thankfully, I have a most awesome doctor and we are working on it. It can be handled with meds (I suspect birth control pills which I have never been on.) Whew!

And thing to be thankful for today is that the distress MN brought upon me is gone and I am back to my happy self. Thanks for all the kind words in the ...

Gloomy mood and gloomy weather

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:41:18 EST

I am generally a very happy (almost to the point of being annoying to some folks) person. Even nicknamed Polly Anna by my in-laws. Well, Mother Nature (MN from here forward) is messing with me.

MN has been toying with me something fierce almost a year now and I have had enough. Weird monthly visits at odd ball intervals and between visit intense pain that renders me useless for about 2 days. And this month, the visit was on time like clockwork - 28 days on the button. As someo...

Weekend debauchery!

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:27:41 EST

debauchery: seduction from virtue or duty

Yeah - that pretty much describes what I did this weekend. The "virtue or duty" being my healthy ways. It is like I lost my mind or something. M&Ms, no real tracking (see Sunday) and no exercise what so ever.

Thankfully, it is Monday and I can get back on the horse. With this week being Spring Break for me, I have a great week planned. In addition to getting ahead in Business Calculus (yes, I am THAT interesting) I plan on g...

Craving something...

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 17:10:30 EST

With the exclusion of refined sugar in my diet these days (I am into day 8,) I find I am fighting substitute cravings. I am not even hungry and I am thinking about what I might be able to find in the pantry. The good thing is that I KNOW I have cleared it of most of the stuff I am trying to avoid. The worst of the bunch is 1oz size bags of Cheetos. And I love the things! And of course that is what I am thinking about.

I bought the 1 oz bags so that I don't eat 3 oz by mistak...

Zero Refined Sugar - whew!

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 14:00:10 EST

It is an amazing thing to me and for me - I have not had any sugar in 6 days. I am talking the refined candy/chocolate/ice cream kind of sugar. It seems to be an "all or nothing" substance for me. So Monday ago I chose "nothing." I even stopped drinking it in my morning latte. Not a fan of sugar substitutes, I am going without and loving it - the latte that is. The no sweets at all is still on my mind through out the day.

By purest standards, I am not completely off sugar. ...

Future Former Fat Girl

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 21:39:09 EST

OMG - have you read this book? I SWEAR she has been spying on me! It is "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl" by Lisa Delaney.

I can identify with so much she talks about in this book. There is one conversation about hiding what she was eating thinking the people around her didn't know. As I was reading that, I realized I was even hiding my reading the book from my husband!

The biggest difference in this book for me is that it is NOT a plan (I have SP for that.) She addres...

Rain Running

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:48:11 EST

Never tried it before but running in the rain is not so bad. In fact, you really don't notice it. I guess if it was really coming down it could be a drag, but a drizzle was just fine. Excuse #21 - GONE!

See our rainy coast:

Ditched the Ice Cream Habit

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:55:45 EST

I can't believe how hard that was. I never ate the stuff really until last year. Then I discovered 2 flavors - Cinnamon Bun by Ben and Jerry and Peanut Butter & Chocolate from Schwan's. I now refer to them as crack cocaine! I can't have either one in the house. If I do, I think about it until I head to the kitchen to partake. The PB one is the worse - have loved PB since I was a kid and eat it in some form everyday. Usually on a spoon as a snack.

At any rate, by stopping th...

Trouble getting the engine revved up!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:09:11 EST

I lost the switch I thought I had found last year.

You know the one - it turns on and off your desire and drive to exercise and eat right? I had it on for a good year and managed to turn it off AND l forget where I stored it. I am guessing I lost the location of the switch because I WANT to exercise and eat better, I just can't seem to get it started!!

That is just my funny way of looking at it. But I seriously don't seem able currently to get going again. You woul...

Back at it!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:53:57 EST

Whoo hoo - the stress fracture is well past healed and I aback om back out there. And it feels good!

I didn't take up any new activities and should have. I can see and feel the 5lbs. I put on while laying around. But I now know how to deal with them and have already started.

Plan of attack - since it is already in the 90's here in South Texas, me and the treadmill have a date every Mon, Wed, & Fri. On Tues and Thurs I am doing a pilates mat class and Saturday morni...

Almost a stress fracture?? Oh no...

Sun, 3 May 2009 13:47:07 EST

Arggg! The day after the 1/2 marathon I started having a small pain in my left foot. So, I gave it ice and a few days to see how it did - still mild pain. So Friday I saw my podiatrist. After an X-ray and a tuning fork thing that kinda rocked my world a little (think really hurt) it would appear that I have a very small stress fracture that is not even really a stress fracture but the beginnings of one.

Now I have three weeks of no running or walking - for cardio I can swim (...

THE 1/2 Marathon

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:01:01 EST

I am soooo proud - I finished. And let's just say I left plenty of room to improve in future 1/2 marathons.

The Country Music 1/2 Marathon in Nashville, TN was a hilly course to this South Texas Native who knows nothing of hills or running on them. Forget running, walking them was tough enough. But the 1/2 was a great experience and I WILL be doing more of them.

If you have never done a race of any kind, I highly recommend it. There is a feeling that I cannot put in...

Kids In The Kitchen

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 07:36:36 EST

It is my second year in Junior League and I signed up for a pretty decent sized project; I am chairing Kids In The Kitchen. KITK is a program to address childhood obesity and poor nutrition. I fell in love with the sound of it because, well, I have struggled with this issue my entire life. I also see so many kids in our community facing the same issue. Many who are well on their way to Type 2 diabetes and other health issues.

The project was only assigned 2 people and we have ...

Climb back on the horse!

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:10:15 EST

No matter who you are and were you are in your journey, there is always a point that you find yourself off the fitness or healthy eating track. For me it use to be travel that would cause me to stumble. Now that I have conquered that challenge, it would seem I have been presented with a new stumbling block - sickness!

A stomach virus found me in early February and I am just now (yes, on 3/22) really getting back to normal after a battle royale! The bug messed with everything - ...

I am a Motivator - THANKS!!

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 10:11:38 EST

I have been on SP for almost 2 years now off and on. The 1st year was more off, the 2nd more on. I have lost almost 60 lbs. and started running since I joined up. My eating has changed just about as drastically as my body has. And now, at least some of you think me and my story (and I assume success) are motivating.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

I never really thought much about that button down there. I have seen it on other people's pages that motivated me...

Changed my page after a year...

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:26:21 EST

Don't know why I waited so long but I finally changed my page some. I loved the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico and the pink (my fav. color) but I LOVE hydrangeas, too. We used them in my wedding because , well, my eyes and those of DH are basically that color and the day was all about us any way, right?

I just wish I lived in a climate that loved them as much as I do. Someday.

Thoughts on running

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 18:01:15 EST

I never thought I would run much less like it.

In elementary I remember the annual presidential fitness test we were required to take. You had to do sit ups, push ups, attempt chin ups, some silly back and forth thing I never understood and a timed run. The run was always the kicker for me - I hated it and I was not good - making the hating it part even worse.

Fast forward many years - My sister showed up at my house sometime in 2007 after a 75 lbs. weight loss and s...

Why am I up at 2am???

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 03:36:01 EST

This will seem so silly. It started with being excited about running in the morning - which will now not happen because of the lack of sleep! Then my brain went off in a whole different direction. So - can I vent?

I am in a women's service organization. This organizations does amazing work and pays for much of it with a very big, very fancy fundraiser on New Year's Eve every year. Now - this is so not my thing. I love being in a t-shirt and shorts, chillin' with friends. Not...

(no title)

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:51:39 EST

I ran the Komen 5K last weekend in Houston - sort of . If you are a new runner and you are in love with the treadmill, break up. And do it quick. I learned the hard way that the treadmill will spoil you to a controlled pace that you may or may not be able to maintain on your own without the belt. I run nearly 2 min/mile faster without the treadmill.

I finished in 44 minutes which included a quick potty break. That is a 14:19 min/mile pace. I was hoping for better, but that ...

MIA for almost a month - Apologies to all!

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 18:39:20 EST

Don't get obsessed about ANYTHING! Wow. My last post was to confess an obsession with the Olympics. they have been over for how long and I have still been a MIA Sparker.

I have continued to exercise until this last week (I will explain .) But I have not even been logging my food intake, which has not been too bad, but I have no records to prove it.

The sluggish start to September for me starts with a head cold that transferred to my chest in a week's time. DH and...

Obsessed with the Olympics

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:20:04 EST

Hello all. Sorry I have been completely neglectful - no posting, no huddles for what 2 weeks? What is going on you ask?

I have been crazy busy with some work and volunteer projects then the Olympics started and I have been completely mesmerized. And they haven't even started the track and field stuff yet - what am I going to do?

Let me start by saying that even with the late night medal ceremonies I have been keeping up with my workouts. In fact - I am inspired as a...