Two More Miles

Walked another two miles with some co-workers who walk virtually everyday. I wangled myself a standing invite. Thanks Paul and Terry.

Walking

Walked with a friend at lunch time today. Feel good now. 

Lunchtime Walk

I walked during lunch. That's the first time I've done any activity in a longer time. 

Changing Is Hard Work

As I was lying in bed this morning, contemplating whether I should get up and go to work or not, I had all these wonderful ideas for todays' post. By the time I got to work, however, the ideas had flown from my head to some distant location known only to them.

I can't see. I can't see. You lost your glasses.
Over the weekend, I lost my third pair of reading glasses. We were at a mall with my little nephews and niece at the time. I told them I lost my "old lady" glasses. So I searched for a store that sold the ready-made kind—I always wear this kind anyway. Why spend a fortune for prescription glasses that are going to do the same thing? I found a Sears that had them—so I bought two pairs. And I bought the "eyeglass leashes" that old ladies use.

When I was younger, I swore I would never use these. But after losing three pair—that's at least $60—they started to seem like a good idea. And, you know what? They are. It's funny. After you get to a certain age—you really don't care anymore. I wish I had known that when I was young. I guess we all would've like to have been clued in.

The diet's OK. The exercise is, well, . . . .
OK. So as for the diet, it's still going well. As for the exercise—at least I walked around a mall for a couple of hours over the weekend. And at least I got some walking in on Sunday, too. I'd love to get back to the gym. I need to get back to the gym. I will get back to the gym. I need I like. There's one I want to try out, but have been putting off.

What's the real reason?
Why? I'm not sure. Is it the money? A little bit—but I consider it money well spent for the most part. So that's not really it. Am I afraid I'll end up not going? Sort of. All in all, I think I'm just afraid. And that's what I'm trying to get past in my life in all areas—not just health and fitness. Why am I afraid of so many things? I wasn't when I was a kid.

What changed so much? I know people say that you mature when you get older and your priorities change. But do they really change—or do we just get complacent? Does life just become routine and then we think it's too hard to do anything else? It would take too much work to change? Do we think we're too old?

Maybe the real question is: Why can't I change? Do I believe all of the things I tell myself so I don't have to change because it would hard? And I don't want to do anything hard? (If you watch The Office this would be a good place to insert: "That's what she said.")

Anyway, those are my thoughts for the day.

Have You Heard This One?

These are just some thoughts I've had over the past couple of days. 

1. One of the hardest things to do is develop a viewpoint that's somewhere in the middle. Extremist thinking—an all or nothing attitude—on any side of an argument usually doesn't provide any answers. 
2. If you think you're old and worn out, then you will be old and worn out. 
3. One day at a time is really the only way to live. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never get here. Every day is a gift. Live it like it's you're last. 

OK. Those are my best hokey sayings. Here's a good joke:

A firefighter was working on the engine outside the station, when he noticed a little girl nearby in a little red wagon with little ladders hung off the sides, and a garden hose tightly coiled in the middle. The girl was wearing a firefighters helmet. The wagon was being pulled by her dog and her cat.

The firefighter walked over to take a closer look.'That sure is a nice fire truck,' the firefighter said with admiration.'

Thanks,' the girl replied.The firefighter looked a little closer. The girl had tied the wagon to her dog's collar and to the cat's testicles.

'Little partner,' the firefighter said, 'I don't want to tell you how to run your rig, but if you were to tie that rope around the cat's collar, I think you could go faster.

The little girl replied thoughtful, 'You're probably right,
but then I wouldn't have a siren.

As you can see, I really have no updates. I've written four articles total. I walked at least 1.5 miles on two days. I walk about a total of 20 minutes yesterday. I've eaten no candy—although I've really want to. It's like giving up cigarettes.

Boot Camp Looming: Excited But Not Ready

I'm going to begin my day by being honest. I haven't been exercising, and I'm getting lazier by the day. I'm still careful about the eating—but exercise. . . . Here's the thing: The March 8 date to begin the boot camp I signed up for is looming. And I'm not ready. I've been doing a little walking here and there, but that's it. And by a little walking, I mean like around a grocery store. I have no miles to add to my dailymile tracker. I feel terrible.

Even though the boot camp is going to be hard, I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping new rounds will run all summer and into the fall. I need something to kick my ass. I need a kick start. I don't like exercising by myself. I like group exercise. I like classes. But I'm also a morning exerciser. So this boot camp should be the thing I need to get me going.

What I Can Control
I figured out that I can't control everything in my life, but I can control my eating and exercise. If all else fails, I can control how I deal with emotional eating. I can confront the eating and ask myself why I'm eating when I'm not hungry. I can find out what it is I'm really hungry for.

I've just got to get a little more wind before this thing starts, and I'm in the middle of it.

This Blog Is a Personal Journal, Not a Billboard

I'd thought about it for a while and had everything figured out that I wanted to say. But now I'm drawing a blank. I started this blog almost four years ago now because I want to explore the emotional side of weight loss.

A Rough Patch
I also was going through a very rough period in my life. I was dealing with the sudden death of my husband—who was only 47 years old. He died of sudden cardiac arrest—meaning his heart just stopped. As it turns out, he'd had coronary artery disease for years, and a rupture in the plaque build up was bound to happen. Heart disease runs in his family on his mother's side. When Al died, I didn't know that.

That's Why I Did This
Anyway, those are the reasons I started this blog. Even though I've fussed it up a little in the past few weeks, my intention was for this to be a place where I journal about the emotions that stand in my way—and that I use to fall back on—when it comes to weight loss. No one but me owns this blog. This is my place to blow off steam, whine, cry, get angry, smile, and laugh.

I hope that people who come here get something out of what they read—even if they just shake their heads and say: "I'd never do that." At least they know what not to do. So I hope you enjoy what I have to say, and know that I will not compromise my personal journal for the shake of a few pennies.

Walkin' at Lunchtime
I hope to go for some kind of walk during my lunchtime today. I will report later about whether that actually happens.

Attempting to Take Up Drawing Again
I got out my pencils and drawing paper—and I was amazed that I had actually put it away in an organization fashion—and started drawing again. I used to be pretty good at it. I'm pretty rusty now. Some things are coming back. Others I need to work on. But it definitely keeps my hands busy. And that keeps me out of the kitchen.

So that's about it for now. Maybe more later.

Troubles Seem Farther Away

Yesterday I didn't feel like doing anything. Today I worked out twice. Did a little more than two miles this morning. And then did a 20-minute Zumba class at lunch. Plus I signed up for a Boot Camp that starts March 6. I figure that gives me time to get ready for it—or to chicken out. I think I'll be OK though. I'm starting to get the feel for working out again. I just wish there were more classes in the morning.

Thinking of Getting Emotional
I've been thinking about revealing more about my childhood—but not going too far. To get over the pain, you have to face it head on. I'm not talking about dwelling on it. I'm talking about purging it. But I'm still thinking about it. I'm not sure what's appropriate and what isn't—at least from my point of view. So my posts may get a little emotional. But not today.

So while I'm thinking about it, I'll stick with some housekeeping kinds of posts. Maybe some days I will have more to say than others. For today, though, this it it. Have a Great Day.

P.S. New article from MSNBC: Obesity Rates Idle as Most of Us Are Already Fat.

And the Winner Is. . .

First of all, congratulations to the Osbornes--no not Ozzy and Sharon, at least that's what their saying--the winners of the Progresso Soup gift pack I was giving away. Yea! I hope you like it. As you remember, this prize comes directly from Progresso Soup so we'll need to send them the contact information so they can send out the prize. Be patient. It may take a couple of weeks.

Second, I did go to the gym, but I didn't do the pilatesworkout. Why? Because the class was full of young people and I felt intimidated. I did, however, walk for a little more than two miles. I like to walk. I am a little disappointed in myself for not going to pilates. But I didn't want to be the only old person in the class. Ugh. So much for all of my work on my emotions.

Well, this is going to be a long day here at work, so I better cut this short today.  More later. . . .

I Want a Jump Rope

Souper Giveaway
My first post was about the Progresso Souper You contest. I posted about that because they asked me to, and I thought the prize was kinda cool. Also, I wanted to tell you about my contest. Progresso has graciously offered to provide a prize package of two cans of soup, a jump rope, and a soup mug.

To enter my giveaway, just comment on this post and say: I want a jump rope. Comments will be accepted until January 9. And then through a random drawing, I will pick a winner. The winner will be notified January 10. I would need the winner's mailing address, which I will forward to Progresso and they will send the prize package. I will announce the winner on this blog on January 11.

Back to the Gym
I've got a cold. And it sucks. I did, however, make it to the gym this morning. I walked a mile. I also brought my lunch. I posted my exercise on the dailymile. And this week seems to be starting out pretty good.

Keeping a Resolution
According to a new article on MSN 4 Ways to Improve Your Diet and Keep Your New Year's Resolution, people who make a pledge, such as a resolution are 10 times more likely to succeed than those who just want to change. The article also said that people who track their progress are more successful in the long run.

Shaking It Off

Back at the gym this morning. I'm starting slowly. I walked for about 20 minutes and did an elliptical for about 10 minutes. I feel better but certainly not worn out.

I have a lot of hard ahead, but I think I can muster up what it takes. I didn't think I could before. I think it takes the right frame of mind to even get motivated. If people feel weighed down by life, I don't think they can really shake it off until they have some change in the way they think—if that makes any sense at all. I guess I mean I've been letting it go.

The truth of the matter is that my life is changing dramatically. While there's too much personal stuff to discuss in an open forum, I can say that I've been forced to make some heavy decisions. I've also been forced to face some facts. Although it's been difficult, even painful, I know the decisions I've made are right. And now I feel like I can move forward.

Thank you to everyone who supplied words of hope and wisdom. It has meant a lot to me. You have no idea how much it's meant.

I'm Back

I thought I had completely blown diet on the trip to D.C. I ate whatever I wanted, but I was only eating three times a day. I also had to walk at least a mile everyday because my hotel was about a mile away from the workshop site. So to make a long story short, I lost four pounds from the last time I weighed myself at home. I am now at the lowest weight I've been at in years. Yea.

I worked out this morning, and I was really missing it. I didn't workout while I was away—but I did a lot of walking. Having the time off helped my muscles to fully recover from the workouts I'd been doing, so it felt great. 

I'm glad to be home. I was exhausted after two and a half days of constant activity. I was glad to sleep in my own bed last night. The hotel was comfortable, but it wasn't home.

That's all for today.

It's Time for Phase III

Today's' workout was mild compared to the workouts of the last couple of weeks. I used to think this particular aerobics instructor was the most difficult. But I have since changed my mind. Karen, the regular instructor, has changed her workout so much that it's like boot camp. Ali's workout is nothing compared to what I've been going through. But it was a nice break. I feel refreshed today rather than completely beaten up. 

I need to get my metabolism going again. I've weighed the exact same amount for three weeks now. I was losing. But it's stalled. 

I don't know if I said anything about this. I can't remember. But I was approved for Phase III of my insurance company's weight management program. That means I get my membership for half price for the next year. Phase III for me doesn't really begin until mid June, but it never hurts to be ready. I can now have a seamless transition. Yea. Maybe I already said this; I really can't remember. I will still be weighed and measured every month. And I think I will be able to stay on track.

OK, OK, what else? I have to go to Washington, D.C. next week, so I likely won't be posting Monday through Thursday. But rest assured that I will be working out somewhere. I will try to stick to my eating plan as best as I can while away. Maybe getting away from it all for a couple days is what I need. I will exercise tomorrow and Monday here. Tuesday and Wednesday—damn I won't get to go to the gym—I'll be working out somewhere in D.C. I think the hotel has some sort of gym and there's a gym nearby. There's also a walking trail, but I'm not sure about that unless I can get someone to go with me—big city, walking around alone, not a good combination. 

All right—later on people.