It’s all up to me

How often do you all replace your workout shoes?  The top of my foot just forward of my ankle is starting to hurt on my left foot, while I’m working out and while I’m resting and I’m wondering if I need new shoes.  I bought these about 6 months ago and I would say that I average 3 weight training workouts and about 10-15 miles on the treadclimber each week.  Does anyone know the life expectancy on shoes?  This pair was expensive so I don’t want to have to replace them too early but I know that foot pain isn’t worth saving a few bucks.

Today has gone really well, I have actually had time to fit in 2 workouts.  I did the traditional Saturday morning yoga/pilates and then when my son took an early nap I threw in a FIRM cardio DVD.  It felt fun just to do some plain aerobics instead of lifting or doing TJ.  Now I’m all sweaty so I need to get cleaned up b/c my older son is having a buddy over in about an hour and we are nowhere near ready.  I’ll check in with you all later.

Days on plan this month:  5

Progress toward workout goal:  153/250

Today was a day for the record books.  I got up early to lift b/c we had an appt. after school (more about that later) and I was dragging, big time.  We were facing another snow storm so I wasn’t sure if school was going to be cancelled.  It was hilarious, I paused the DVD about 6 times to call the weather hotline to see if we had a delay or cancellation.  Thankfully we had school, I didn’t want another snow day.

Then when I got to school I was so tired.  Usually the day flies by but by the time 1st period started I honestly thought it should have been 4th or 5th period. 

I also had a chat w/my principal and long story short, if a levy that’s up for election doesn’t pass I’m out of a job.  At least I won’t have MY job, I could possibly bump into a different position but who wants to do that?  The community is really negative toward our district leaders b/c in the last year it has come to light that they have mismanaged a lot of money and we’re worried that people will vote no out of spite.  Hopefully between now and then we can educate the public that voting no on this proposal will mean that their kids’ class sizes will increase dramatically and entire programs will be eliminated.  For some reason, though, I’m not sweating it, at least not right now.  I can’t control it so why worry too much.

Then after school we had an appt. w/an ENT for our son.  He gets ear infections all of the time and we have decided to have tubes placed.  We loved this doctor.  First of all, he’s gorgeous!  He honestly could show up on “Grey’s Anatomy” and blend.  Yummmy.  Then, he had actually researched our son’s disease before we got there b/c as soon as I started to explain his condition he told me that he had read up on it and was aware of any potential complications.  No doctor has EVER done that in 2 years.  I’m seriously thinking of jamming something into my ear just so I can see him again.

Tonight hopefully will be quiet.  Food so far has been good and I’m pleasantly surprised that I don’t feel overwhelmed by calorie counting.  Probably b/c I eat about the same stuff every day but I like it b/c it holds me accountable for every single bite that goes into my mouth.  I was tempted to take a nibble of something last night and then remembered that it would throw off my calories for the day so I put it back.  That doesn’t happen very often, I hope it continues.

Days on plan this month:  4

Progress toward workout goal:  152/250

I was driving home from the gym tonight (60 mins treadclimber, 1250 cals) and the sun was in my eyes.  Then I realized that a month ago the sun wasn’t in my eyes b/c it was nearly sunset.  It’s now 4:45 and I think it will be light out for at least another 20-30 minutes.  I love it when the days start to get longer.

Another small pleasure came today at school.  The 7th grade science classes study genetics and dominant/recessive genes and since my son’s disease is a recessive disorder I was a “guest speaker” to talk about his illness.  Many of the kids know that I have a child w/a serious illness but very few of them knew all of the details.  As I talked to each class and shared w/them the ins-and-outs of our daily life I heard a couple of the kids comment about how they can’t believe that I can come to school every day on 2 hours of sleep (thankfully that doesn’t happen very often anymore) or just that I have to deal w/the worry while I’m teaching them.  Not that it should matter what a bunch of 13 year-old kids think but it’s nice that they realize when their teachers go the distance.  I’m very curious to see how tomorrow goes when I’m back in class w/them.

I also worked out a plan to increase my cardio time w/o sacrificing weights.  Sterling helped me realize that if I focus on upper body one day and lower body on the next that I can still spend the same total amount of time at the gym while accomplishing more.  So starting next week I’m going to hit the gym Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri and do 45 minutes of cardio and either upper or lower body on weights.  Then on the weekend I’ll continue my upper/lower body rotation w/cardio at home and on Wednesdays I’ll do yoga/pilates at home b/c I always have meetings after school.  I’m excited to get this started and see if the ring of fat around my hips starts to fall off. 

Days on plan this month:  3

Progress toward workout goal:  151/250

Ooooh, I almost forgot.  Another small pleasure came today as I was making the bed.  I had on a t-shirt and undies and as I bent over to pick up a pillow (sorry for the visual) I noticed in the mirror how my legs and butt have great definition when the fat isn’t hanging there.  This is what’s inspiring me to up the cardio so that the strong muscles I have underneath can start to show through.  Who knows, I might already a 6-pack underneath all of this blubber

I’m having one of those days where I’m feeling like Superwoman one second and want to throw in the towel the next.  I had a lot of time during our drive to/from the hospital to think (the appts. went well, just had to bump up a few meds b/c he’s growing)  and often my thoughts strayed to how long this is all going to take.  To try to counteract this I’m going to set a few more short-term goals and am actually trying to avoid setting a weight goal at all since I can’t control the scale.  Clothing has been oddly motivating to me so I’m going to start there.

My “skinny” jeans (size 18) have gotten a bit snug.  I can wear them if I need to but there would definitely be a red ring around my waist at the end of the day.  We’re off school on MLK Day so my goal is to have these jeans fit the way they should by then.  Then, the size 16 pants that I bought a while back are going to fit by my 35th birthday on February 8th.  This should be doable b/c I can put them on right now but it isn’t pretty.  Since my birthday is a month from tomorrow I should will be able to make them fit comfortably.  Once I achieve these goals I’ll set a time frame for the size 14 pants I bought (gotta love clearance racks) and the size 12 dress that I’m going to wear for my hubby’s graduation in May.

Food so far today has been good, even w/the doctor’s appts.  Now that we’re home I just need to stick to the regular routine.  And since I’m trying the calorie cycling today is a day when I can add in about 200 extra calories so I’m looking forward to adding a bit to my regular supper.

Days on plan this month:  2

Progress toward workout goal:  150/250

I’m frantically trying to cram in all of the shows about weight loss that are on since it’s January.  They are so motivating for me but I wish they would spread them out so that in a couple of weeks when the motivation wanes they are there to pick me up.  Just so you know, I’m not watching extra tv, I’m just watching these shows during the time I’m giving a bottle to my son so I’d be sitting anyway.

I’m going to keep track of the days each month I stay on track w/food but I’m going to wait until each day is officially over.  Even though I post at night I’m too superstitious to log a day in the “on-plan” column when there still is time to make a bad choice.  Yesterday, though, was on plan and I’m surprised by how much harder it has been than what I expected.  But I just keep reminding myself that I feel better when I eat healthy and obviously look better.  The photographs on the fridge and in the cabinets have helped.

Tomorrow is going to be a challenge b/c my son has 3 appts. at a hospital about 90 minutes away.  We will leave here at 8:30 and probably not get home until after 5:00.  I know that I can pack almonds, apples, cheese sticks and an Atkins shake but since we won’t have access to a fridge I’m not sure what else to take.  I will make it, I’m just going to have to be creative.

This morning I got up early and did the TJ weighted workout.  I tried to bump the weights up to 12 pounds instead of 10 but only made it for about 5 minutes at that level.  I’ll just keep trying to bump up the weight every few weeks.

Days on plan this month:  1

Progress toward workout goal:  149/250

Today was the first day back to school after break and due to a sleet/freezing rain/ice storm Saturday-Sunday we had a 2-hour delay this morning.  Amen!  I had to workout before school this morning (TJ Cardio Party) so it allowed me to sleep until about 5:30 instead of 4:00 and it also allowed our older son to sleep in a bit later.  He had been sleeping until about 8 or 8:30 during break and he has to get up at 6:00 on school days.  Plus, it was good for the students to ease back into the school year, too.

This is also the 1st day back on plan for eating.  It has honestly been harder than I was expecting.  For the last 7 weeks I basically ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and I had forgotten what hunger felt like.  Or maybe not hunger so much as the feeling of not being completely full. 

So we’re at a new starting point.  I switched scales (the new one weighs about a pound heavier) and the new total is 250.8 and 44.3% body fat.  I also measured my waist at the belly button, it’s the only measurement I’m going to take.  I’ll weigh weekly and measure monthly.

I’m excited, though, b/c all of the major obstacles and distractions from the holidays are gone.  I know that this isn’t going to be easy but life is a bit more within my control. 

I’m still trying to figure out the workout schedule I’m going to follow.  I know I want to use the treadclimber at least 3x weekly and lift weights 3x weekly, but I just read in a magazine article that increasing cardio to 5-6 times a week dramatically improves weight loss and losing inches around the middle.  That would require getting up early (4 am) 3 days a week during the school week and I’m not ready to embrace that.  For now I do have to get up early on Wednesdays, so what I might do is start w/this plan and then as I plateau I’ll add in extra cardio.  What do you all think?

Progress toward workout goal:  148/250

I just finished the Jackie Warner DVD and I LOVE IT!!!  It completely kicked my butt but that’s why we do this, right?  I was smart and used lighter weights until I knew how hard it was going to be.  To let you know how much harder it is I have just bumped up to 15 pound weights for the FIRM DVDs and I only used 8 pounds for this.  I do think I could jump up to 10 pound weights but I’m going to wait and see how sore I am tomorrow before I make that decision.

The arm portion was killer.  She basically sets up the workout to do 60 seconds of each exercise and there are 3-20 minute segments (upper body, lower body, abs).  There were a few where I had to stop and rest (even w/8 pound weights) b/c I couldn’t make it through the minute.  Jackie is kind of annoying; several times she commented on how she could do these exercises “all day, they’re that easy for me.”  Thanks a lot, that makes me feel great as I’m huffing and puffing and dripping in sweat.  But the lady knows her stuff and I could definitely see how this will change my body.  For now I’m going to work this DVD in once a week and then go from there. 

And, btw, 20 minutes devoted to abs is psychotic!  But if you look at the 6-packs on the trainers you know it’s worth it.

School starts tomorrow so today will be spent getting everything ready.  I don’t even want to think about waking my older son up at 6 am, he has been sleeping in until almost 8 every day.  We have been gradually moving his bedtime up the last few nights and tonight we’re making him go to bed at 6:30.  I’m also going to plan my food for tomorrow for day 1 of back on track w/calorie cycling.  In addition to tracking my exercise I’m going to keep track of my days on plan w/eating.  I’m going to start w/a goal of 20 days each month and then go up from there.  And even though tomorrow is the 5th I’m still going to strive for 20 days this month.  I made the choice to be off-plan the 1st 4 days, I’ll just have to work harder to meet my goal this month.

Progress toward workout goal:  147/250

I can definitely tell I’m getting older b/c I like it when I’m the only one awake in the house.  This morning I woke up a little before six and instead of rolling over and snuggling back into bed I decided to get up and enjoy the quiet.  I had planned to do my yoga/pilates DVD and it’s nice to do it w/o the noise of video games or trucks banging into each other in the background.  Somehow that’s just  isn’t as relaxing

I was able to get 30 minutes through the DVD before my younger son woke up and needed his breathing treatment so the last 10 minutes of my workout did have his machine noise as a soundtrack but that’s ok.  I can’t believe he slept as well as he did last night b/c he took 2-3 hour naps yesterday (I didn’t question it, I just enjoyed the peace and quiet) but he slept until 6:30 this morning. 

Hopefully the good start to the morning will continue.  A nurse is coming today to take care of Kyle and we’re going to take our older son miniature golfing (indoor, of course).  It should be fun but since we have been home together for over 2 weeks everyone is ready to get back to the routine (and separation) that school brings.  He and my hubby know how to push each others’ buttons and the idea of 2 angry boys w/clubs in their hands is kind of scary!!

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On another note, I think I have mentioned that we subscribe to blockbuster online and I regularly choose workout DVD’s to try.  Yesterday I got a new one and I always watch it ahead of time so I have an idea what I’ll be doing.  The Jackie Warner DVD from the Bravo show “Workout” showed up in my mailbox and all I can say is I’m scared!  She honestly annoys me a bit b/c she is so full of herself but from what I could tell by watching it this is a serious workout.  I’m saving it for tomorrow b/c I did weights yesterday but I would say there were at least 5-8 exercises that I have never even seen before.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to lift my arms to type tomorrow after I do it but if I can I’ll let you all know how it went.

Progress toward workout goal:  146/250

One of my closest and oldest friends came over today w/her 3 girls so we could talk and the kids could play.  She lives about 90 minutes away so we don’t get the chance to see each other but she is the friend that we all should have.  Seeing her provided me w/even more motivation so that I knock her socks off the next time I see her which will probably be in a couple of months or maybe this summer.  The reason she’s so motivating is b/c she’s a personal trainer and I want her to be proud of me.  You would think I would hate her b/c even after 3 kids (2 were twins) she’s maybe 120 pounds (and 5′7″) and has a totally flat tummy.  When she was nursing her girls on top of being so thin she had DD boobs and literally looked like a Barbie doll.  But she is so much fun and so unaware of her own beauty that you aren’t jealous…at least not very much.

In preparation for her girls coming my older son an I picked out a recipe that each kid could make.  It was so yummy and fairly healthy that I wanted to share it.  I have no idea what the calories are but compared to a regular pie I know it’s much less.

You can either buy a single graham cracker pie crust or 6 individual little pie crusts.  We did the little ones so each kid could make their own.  On the bottom of the crust you place some sliced bananas and then drizzle a little chocolate syrup on top.  Next comes a spoonful or 2 of strawberry yogurt and on top of that you can place sliced strawberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, whatever.  We used kiwi since strawberries are $5.99/lb right now!!!  You can either eat it right away or place it in the fridge for up to 4 hours.  One of the best desserts I have had in a long time and w/as many desserts as I have been eating lately that is high praise

I finally got on the scale this morning and as I expected I have gained about 10 pounds since November.  I’m not happy about it but did I really think that I’d lose weight eating PB&J 5 days a week, french fries, candy, etc???  I’m hoping that since I have still been consistent w/my exercise that once I get back on track 100% w/food that it will come off fairly quickly. 

So what’s my experiment?  For the last 6 months or so I was using a “dietary supplement” after reading on someone’s post about how it helped them lose weight.  While I don’t think it helps on its own I do think it enhanced what I was already doing.  It didn’t make me feel jittery so I went ahead and used it.  I had decided to quit using it b/c it’s generally a waste of money but I have about 4 days of pills left in this current bottle.  I have decided to use them b/t now and Monday and see if it does any good.  My weight this morning was 247.5, I’ll weigh again Monday morning to see if there has been any change.

Yesterday was kind of scary b/c my younger son is acting kind of goofy.  I was actually at the gym when my hubby called and told me he was acting like he normally does before he has a seizure.  The last two or 3 days he hasn’t been himeself 100% so we’ve been really watchful.  Fortunately he didn’t have a seizure and we see our neurologist next Wednesday, but his health has been so good in the last 9 months that I forget how frightening it is when he’s not. 

This morning he and I got up at 5:30 and I did my tough FIRM DVD while he had his breathing treatment.  I used the 15 pound weights again but for some reason it was a lot harder today than it was when I did it the first time.  But it’s nice to know that I’m pushing my body and making progress.

Progress toward workout goal:  145/250