Monday, April 30, 2007

Has anyone thought up a new name for our site? I can't think of a single thing. I would like it to encompass the idea that women are beautiful in every shape and size.

I really want to workout, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea with this cold still hanging on. It's only 8 weeks until Mexico! I'm so excited! I bought the new Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion from Aveeno. Hopefully it will give me that sun kissed glow! That reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask. David's sister goes to the tanning salon and uses sunblock to protect her skin from the harmful uv rays. Does that help?

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Um, yeah

I think I just need to plan for the first three days of my period to be days where I only do yoga and rest.

I have no energy, I get migraines in the mornings that can last all day, and I'm in the bathroom every two hours or so due to heavy flow.

BLAH.

What do you all do for relief?
Just thought I would check in...

I've noticed that my eating habits are getting better over the weeks that I've quit obsessing over food. I naturally pick good snacks, am eating less (most of the time) and feel better about myself in general. I don't have to beat myself up on a regular basis to keep me in line. How funny.

I've actually lost a pound or two but must be where I'm going to stay because the weight doesn't fluctuate much.

I'm not doing a regular exercise plan right now but spend a lot of time doing yard work. I feel the need to get back to a regular walking schedule but it has been hard with all the spring rains - not much fun trudging through mud.

I ordered two new pair of really nice (expensive for me)summer slacks and have gotten one of them, the natural colored linen - size 16 (which is a size smaller for me) and they fit beautifully.

My favorite snacks these days are:

cottage cheese w/flax seed
yogurt w/walnuts, fruit, granola, and soy protein
frozen cherries (they help reduce the uric acid in my system)

How are you doing on your journey to learn to love your self more?

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Where I stand

I may die when I'm in my eighties and nineties like my great grandparents. I may keel over in my sixties. It may be Alzheimer's or breast cancer or a brain tumor or a bus. I may slip when I step out of the shower tomorrow, or I may have a disease right now and not even know it. I may have a random accident involving a yoga brick and a treadmill or a stiletto shoe and a steaming city grate.

I may not make it to 30. Hell, I may not make it to 26.

What I eat and how I exercise may or may not affect my mortality much in the long run. Booksellers and nutritionists like to make us think that eating almonds will add three years to our lives or that lifting weights will add two.

I know I'm not guaranteed those days or years.

I also know that eating well (and that can include a dark chocolate chunk cookie here and there) and exercising consistently can and will improve the quality of my life. Exercise makes me feel good--endorphins and sweat and kicking ass and setting PRs and meeting goals--all that. Eating well gives me energy and clarity and pleasure.

I want to still be able to take walks when I'm 75. I'd love to be running still, but I'll take what I can get. I want to do aqua aerobics when I'm 85. I want to be clear and remember my children and grandchildren. I want to eat strawberries and watermelon and have the juice run down my face and have everyone smile because I don't have to worry about being dainty or graceful anymore. No one will think, "But you were never a size 2." They will say, "She taught me how to make strawberry shortcake," and "I loved bicycling with my mom," and "She was always kind and loving and full of life--and she still is now."

But in case I don't make it that far, I want the here and now to be just as good. For me, that means running and lifting for pleasure. That means yoga for relaxation. It means eggs and fruit for breakfast with tortellini and veggies for lunch. With some kind of chocolate nearly every day.

That's where I stand.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

I'm finding it difficult to not fall back into the "diet trap". My sister-in-law is doing the Zone diet and working out like a mad woman to lose the last bit of her pregnancy weight. At 5'7 her goal is to weigh 135 or less. She won't hear that it isn't a healthy weight for her. She can't see past the flat tummy and tight ass she wants for herself. It's a fight i'm barely able to take on for myself. I can't fight it for her too. I hope that she'll learn to love her body for it's curves and shape and admire her long legs and athletic frame like I do.
I'm feeling sad and depressed lately and trying with all my strength not to turn to food. I think I'm just really tired of my job and stressing over the move. I'm ready to be over with it. It feels like I'm living in the middle of two lives this one is just about to end and a new one waits to start. Letting go of this one is going to be harder than I though and starting the new one more scary that I imagined.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

I was ironing this morning, I like to iron, clothes look so fresh and crisp when ironed. While I was ironing and deciding what to wear to church tomorrow (which is, by-the-way, my favorite part of going to church) I decided that I needed to add a couple of classic pieces to my wardrobe. I bought a couple of cheap floaty skirts early in the spring but I wanted to add some better quality, classic pieces.... now what would that be.
I got out the Spiegel catalog and browsed thru.
I decided on two pair of pants.
One in a dark blue linen, very classic material and color for summer but with a little kick - wide legs.
The other very similar but in neutral, classic linen color.
I can add some color with cheaper shirts to go with.

Kristen - our dear fashionista - you were talking about adding more fashion posts to your blog - why not use the Skinny blog. I love your fashion posts and since we are done talking about dieting we could use this blog for health and beauty.

Just a thought...............

Monday, April 09, 2007

After too long a break, I've started working out again. The food thing is more under control than I imagined it could be. I eat what I want when I want. I don't obsess about food anymore. It's amazing how healthily my body wants to eat. Today I craved salad.
Laurie and I are going to Puerto Vallarta in July. I want to firm up a little by then. I've been shopping like a mad woman now that I've come to terms with my body shape and size. I would still like to lose a few pounds only because this extra weight doesn't feel like me. I'm no longer focused on a certain number or size, and I refuse to give myself a time limit.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Another video to inspire you

Sometimes when I hear a lot of sizes/inches, like in this video, it's easy to start comparing myself to the numbers. (I don't know if you guys have that issue, too?) But take the overarching theme of this and let it sink it.

So good.

(One f-word, so if you don't want the kiddies to hear it, watch it on your own.)