Friday, December 30, 2005

Miracle of Miracles

(That title is a shout-out to one of my favorite musicals, Fiddler on the Roof. Anyway...)

I've been away from the computer a lot...sleeping in once in a while, spending time with friends, celebrating the holidays with our various families...but you ladies haven't been far from my mind.

A little exciting news to share: my dad has decided to do Body for Life along with my mom. This is crazy to me. My dad is sixty-one and a smoker. He's actually talking about quitting smoking and taking an interest in his health for the first time in...well, since I've known him. So nearly 25 years. I'm not sure what is causing this change of heart, but I'm going to roll with it and help them as much as I can.

They are both fairly sedentary now, so they are going to do the weight lifting aspect of BFL together and start slowly on the cardio aspect. Doing the diet part together will help things so much. My mom won't have to cook one greasy meal for my dad while preparing something healthy for her, and he won't be tempting her with sweets all day. That is awesome.

One of our friends is giving us their old weight bench this weekend, and I'm going to walk them through the weight exercises I know. I'm so excited this is all going to work out for them. I just hope they can stay motivated. I am more motivated than ever by their interest in it.

Probably won't blog again until the New Year, but love y'all!

Thursday, December 29, 2005

I think I've passed some sort of hurdle in this journey (of finding skinny). Yesterday was the first day that I didn't feel like I was starving to death.
What a relief.
I suppose my body is adjusting.
I'm like Sandy in that I try to stay off the scales but it really doesn't make much difference at my house because our scales are just whack! Every time you get on them it says something different. But, according to the crazy scale I have lost somewhere between 4 and 10 pounds. I won't really know what my weight is until I go back to the doctor in March.

I am actually getting where I like the foods I am eating. It's still pretty strange not have a pasta or rice side dish but a salad or plain veggies instead. It was hard the other night when we went out to eat (Mexican). I love mexican rice but I didn't eat any.

Yeah, Me!!

My order came this morning from Web Vitamins, a box full of soy and flax products. Soy powder and flax seed to add to my daily smoothie of soy milk and fruit, salted soy nuts to eat instead of popcorn or pretzels at night while we are watching TV.

One thing I am looking forward to is when this becomes my lifestyle and I don't have to think about it so much.

I am going to start doing some weight training for my upper body today. Seth has some small weights that I can use. I need to do something to stay a little toned. I'm kind of afraid to lose too much weight, afraid there would nothing but baggy skin left.... not a pretty picture!!!
I'm post happy this morning.
I was just writing in my journal, and wanted to share a thought I had with you ladies. It's difficult for me to constantly be mindfull of the journey I'm on and the changes I want to make. Old habits die hard. As I was journaling I thought about the journey and how each step is required to make it to the goal. You can't skip any steps in a marathon. Each one is necessary. Any step in the wrong direction is a step you will have to make up later. So, in every instance that involves activity and food I will ask myself "Is this a step in the right direction?". If it is a step in the wrong direction, I will decide in that moment if I'm willing to make it up later.
Have an awesome day!
Yesterday was tough for me. I left work with a horrible headache that made me naseaus. Despite that I manged to circut train for 45 minutes and do 15 minutes of ab work. I wrote in my paper journal which is huge for me. I write basically the same thing I write here, but seeing it on paper makes a difference somehow. I took some time for me yesterday once I was feeling better. I'm trying to stay away from the scale for a week. It's hard for me not to weigh every morning, but I know it's not a good idea.
I'm toying with an idea. For several years now, I have wanted to participate in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. It's a 39 mile walk from here to San Francisco split into two days. I've heard it's grueling. I've heard it's worth every step. I'm putting together some info for Curves. I would like to get a team together, but if that doesn't happen I think I'll go it alone. I'm going to start training in January. Once I've trained for a month I'll know if I want to register or not.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Positive Thinking

Rather than tear myself apart for things I did or didn't do, I'm going to list the good choices I make each day. My idea is to write all the good things down so that on days when I'm feeling like I can't, I can look back and remember when I did have the strength to say no and realize that I always have the power to make the right choice.
Yesterday, I did;
complete 30 minutes of circut training
do 15 minutes of pilates
practice some tia chi
drink water
avoid regular soda
turn down lunch from Chili's
say no to cookies
order my pepermint mocha with nonfat milk and no whip cream
start a food journal

What about you ladies? List the good things you've done. Lets focus on the things we're getting right and draw from those strengths.

Monday, December 26, 2005

Tomorrow I am going to take time for me. I'm going to focus mentaly and physicaly on taking care of me. I will listen carefully to and edit the dialog in my head so that it is positive and uplifting. I will not listen to any mental comment that discourages me from attaining my goal. I will believe in myself and the power I have to reach my goal.

Just wanted to add that at 11:49 last night I threw out what was left of the cookies, fudge, and pies from Christmas. I did freeze half a loaf of cranberry apple bread and two pieced of double fudge pie. If they are in the freezer, I'll have to think a lot before I can eat them. Throwing away the food was hard for me. I don't like to be wastefull, but nothing good would have come from having that stuff around anyway.

I've already put in half an hour of circut training and 15 minutes of pilates type exercises for my butt and thighs. I'm going to do 30 minutes on the treadmill today as well.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas indeed

Christmas was decadent. One more week until the new year.

What was the best thing you ate this weekend?

Were you able to fit in any physical activity?

Friday, December 23, 2005

My walk today was lovely. We are having perfect weather here in Oklahoma. I started last week walking every day for 15 minutes. This week I doubled the distance. The first few days it took me almost 30 minutes to walk it, the last couple of days I have made it in 20.
Next week I plan on increasing the distance. I want to do this until I am walking 30 minutes a day at a nice steady clip.

The changes in my diet are harder. I am not a meat eater. I have always been a carb eater, not protein. I could never do Atkins, I would just die. I'm not much of a sweets eater either, my problem is too many carbs (that turn to sugar and then to fat). So, my goal has been to cut the carbs, trying to eat less and staying in low glycemic range and add more veggies and soy proteins. The low carbs is a big change for me and I feel like I'm starving. Hopefully, I will adjust to this soon.
I love vegtables but I also love my bread and pasta and rice.... I have not had a piece of bread or a slice of cheese all week until tonight. I fixed a huge salad, added a small amount of cheese and wrapped in a flour tortilla... ahhh... real food.

I do have to keep my sanity.

and... by the way... we are having pizza tomorrow night
and Sunday morning I'm making cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

eat, drink and be merry for soon we starve :)

Aola

I feel privileged to be a part of this blog community. I have been blessed with having so many wonderful young women in my life.
And, I find the diversity of our ages, needs, and goals especially interesting.

Most of the women participating in this blog are much, much younger than I am. (I'm hoping Jeanne joins us too so there are some "older" women in the group.

For me this idea of blog community to give accountability to how we are taking care of our bodies comes at a critical time in my life. I just recently had a doctor tell me that my triglycerides are at a high risk level. My Dad died of heart disease at 58 years old. I am going to turn this around with healthy eating habits and exercise. I hope to stay off of pharmaceutical medicines altogether.
I feel very blessed to be 51 years old and have never had a serious illness or surgery of any kind.
I just need to adjust my eating habits and increase my activity and get the lipids under control.

From what I have read in my health books it seems the key to that is lowering carbs and increasing fiber and, of course, exercise.

I don't believe in fad diets, they don't work, in fact they can be harmful to your health and screw up your metabolism because when you crash diet your body kicks into gear to protect itself and lowers your metabolism so that when you come off the crash diet you will never be able to eat as much without gaining extra weight.
What I do believe in is living a healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercise, and sound mental health.
It's not easy to reduce stress in the lifestyles most of us live but I feel it is as important as any other thing you can do to stay healthy. Praying, meditating, yoga, walking... whatever works for you. I do a little of all the above.

I am looking forward to this season of our lives, being together with all you, thankful to know that you will encourage me with your words and pray for me to be successful.

Ok, Becky, it's your turn to join in.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Myself and I have a daily conversation in which we discuss the reasons we should and should not workout. We weigh all the pro's and con's of physical activity; myself being on the pro side and I being over there with the cons. We hash it out over our morning mocha like a mental arm wresteling match. The past two mornings, Myself has won. I reluctantly stepped onto the dull grey recovery pad and lifted one leg and then the other over and over again until we reached a nice steady jog. One small victory at a time. Right?

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Kristen's Fitness Goals

My broad, long-term goals are:

-Honor God by taking care of the body He gave me.
-Form healthy eating and exercise habits while I am still young. Not let my mood dictate how I eat and exercise.
-Increase my energy and improve my mental and physical health.
-Be healthy for pregnancy some day.
-Beat my sugar addiction day by day.
-Avoid becoming obsessive or perfectionistic about my health habits. Avoid talking people's ears off about exercising and healthy eating.
-Be a good example for my family.

How to achieve these goals:

Starting January 2, I'll be starting the 12-week Body for Life plan. The basics of this plan are:

-Eating six times a day (equal small portions of lean protein and healthy carbs, adding veggies at least twice a day)
-Three short interval cardio sessions each week (for me, that will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
-Three short weight lifting sessions each week (rotating between upper body and lower body on Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
-Drinking 10-16 glasses of water each day
-A free day, a chance to rest and also eat what you want (for me, Saturday)

At the end of this program, I will hopefully have gained some healthy eating and exercising habits. I'm not trying to lose any weight or size really, but I would be ecstatic if I lost some fat off my hips and thighs.

I have never liked my legs, and I'd like to improve them. That's where I carry my weight; my upper body is slim, but I'm a little pear-shaped. The thought of wearing a swimsuit next summer and looking cute is motivating. (I know it's probably vanity, but I'm just trying to be honest with you ladies. We all want to look and feel attractive and confident...)

I've never done a real diet or exercise program; I've always come up with my own thing. But I am excited to try this out. I need some structure and accountability, and this blog and this plan are both very motivating to me.

My main struggles:
-Saying no to sweets
-Getting up early in the morning to exercise.

Can you tell I've thought a little about this?

Between now and the new year, I'm just trying to get some exercising in and eat mostly healthy. Just maintain where I am right now. I would set myself up for failure if I started this plan right before Christmas and vacation, you know?

I'm looking forward to this blog a lot; you ladies really encourage me.

Confession: The First of Many

I didn't workout yesterday, not for an hour, not even for 10 minutes. I have a milion excuses as I always do. I was knitting a scarf most of the day. Erin is out of school. She's a bottomless pit of "mom look at this. Hey mom watch me." I'm on my period and just didn't freakn feel like working out. I'm trying really hard to get SJ Designs selling again. I could give more, but what's the point? I will do better today. I WILL DO BETTER TODAY! I'm not going to be too hard on myself. As you all have mentioned, it's a busy time of year. I will do my best until after Christmas and then I'll put my nose to the grindstone.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Kristen's Goals This Week

I will post my long-term fitness goals later this week, but for this week, my goal is to get in three workouts (probably 25-30 minutes on the stationary bike and a full body weights routine) this week while attempting to eat mostly healthy. Lots of lean protein, and lots of water.

The holiday season has begun in earnest around my office: there are candy and cookies everywhere, and it's only 10:30 on Monday morning. I will try to eat every few hours so I am not tempted by all the sweets, but I'm not going to be too strict on myself this week. Besides, any minor pudginess that may occur will go away after the holidays when I get more earnest about my workouts and eating right. I just need to remind myself that I always feel more energetic and happy when I eat well and stay away from the sugary sweets.

That's all for now!
Hello Ladies! Welcome to our first full week here at Find Skinny. After a glutenous weekend, I need to be good this week. I had both my company christmas party and my husbands. All in all, I don't think I was too bad, but I could have been better. One of the dinners included a sinnfully rich chocolate moose; a temptation I couldn't resist.
My goal this week is to stick to my workout plan. It's going to be a busy week with Christmas on the weekend, so I want to make sure to seperate out that time for myself. I will workout for an hour 5 days this week. 20 Tips For Surviving The Holidays

Friday, December 16, 2005

I am so motivated by this! I had made up my mind to not work out today. I have the "woman" thing going on and it makes me tired and grumpy. I was going to give in to that, but when I came here and saw the comments from everyone, I knew there was no way I could not work out.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Kristen had a wonderful idea to start a blog that tracks my workout and diet. The idea is that all who are involved will be held accountable through the power of blogdom to stick to their weight loss and health goals.
Despite the name of this blog, I'm under no delusion that skinny is hiding somewhere or that I'll find it magically like Alice swallowing a drink of potion that shrinks me down down down. I've been on this path for a while. I've had little stops here and there, but I've never given up. This is a lifestyle for me not just a new year’s resolution that I'll throw out with the Christmas tree.
That being said, my goals are:

1. I will work out a minimum of 5 days a week. Workouts will include no less than 30 minutes of circuit training and 30 minutes of walk/running.
2. I will make healthy food choices that include more fresh fruit and vegetables. I will limit my calories to 1600 per day.
3. I will limit meals away from home to once a week.
4. If/when I splurge I will not feel guilty. I will accept it as a part of the process.
5. I will pay less attention to the number on the scale and more attention to how strong I am becoming and how much more energy I have.
6. I will love my body regardless of its size or shape.