...seriously? How could I name just one person who has been the best support in this weight loss/fitness journey? But I am namin' names!
Would it be too obvious to name my husband first? 'Cause he's definitely been a HUGE support to me...not just during this, but for all 27 of our married years together! If I want to go for a walk instead of do laundry/wash dishes/clean house (!), he's all for it. If I ask him to grill chicken every night, he does it. If I "need" to buy some new clothes, he approves it (as long as it's in the budget)! He's never, ever...not one single time...complained about my weight or ridiculed me for it. I'm forever grateful for that. He's seen me at my worst and hopefully at my best...
My two girls and son-in-law have been unbelievably supportive...when I said for my birthday I wanted to walk a 5K, they were all over it! What time? That's not too early, Mom, we'll be there. Where? That's not too far away, Mom, we'll meet you there. When I alter the menu when they come to eat, they are good with it. They cheer me on, help me pick out new clothes (ok, the son-in-law doesn't do this!), and help me cut up my fruits and veggies!
My sweet friend Cindy...wow! What an encourager she is! She tells me straight up when I'm doing something I shouldn't and when I need to cut myself some slack...and since she's on this journey also, she hands me down her clothes when she's too small for them! Gotta love friends like this!
My "personal" dietitian Caitlyn. She's always challenging me to try new foods, read the labels, watch the sodium, check the type of fats...need I say more? She's a dietitian! She takes what she does very seriously, but she also knows that no one is perfect in the food arena and she's willing to do a little give and take for the overall good of her patients. I love that! I know I can text or email her a question and she will either research it herself and give me an answer or tell me where to look.
My Friday texting group...you know who you are...every Friday morning after I've weighed in, I send out a text to these special people...and I get tons of encouragement from them.
I've still got a long, long way to go in this journey...and to the many, many people who have commented on my progress so far...it means so much. I know I've put myself out there having a blog about this and talking about it so much, but it helps me stay accountable! I'm really pleased that I've chosen to do Weight Watchers...the PointsPlus program suits my lifestyle. It offers a healthy, balanced approach to eating and offers support through online communities, weekly meetings and people you meet. It's personally shown me the correlation between energy consumed vs energy expended...something we all learned in 6th grade health, but many of us have forgotten over the years. It's also teaching me portion control...Really, this won't be the last time I get to eat this pizza/cheesecake/guacamole, so I don't have to eat the whole thing right now. So...if you're challenged in the weight-loss area, I'd encourage you to give Weight Watchers a try...what have you got to lose...but a little weight?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
5...49...73...9,777...36
No...not a quarterback calling the play...but some significant numbers to me!
5 ~ When last we met on this blog, I was "in training" for my first 5K. Well, my first 5K has come and gone...my personal goal was to walk my 5K in under an hour. I made it in 58 minutes 7 seconds! It was actually fun...walked with my hubby Tim, our daughters, Lauren and Jessica, Lauren's husband John, our grandson Trindon (Trindon strolled!), our adopted kids, Chaz and Caitlyn and a sweet friend, Tina. They were all great cheerleaders! It was a sweltering hot day in south Louisiana, but we all made it!
49 ~ The day of my first 5K was also my 49th birthday. I've NEVER celebrated a birthday with so much physical exercise...with any physical exercise! So this was a first for me. We walked our 5K, then came back to the house, grilled hamburgers with all the fixings and celebrated my day with a divine chocolate cake...it was an awesome day! I'm looking forward to my 50th birthday next year!
73 & 9,777 ~ By now you know I'm on a health/fitness journey. These two numbers represent two pieces of information from my favorite iPhone app, RunKeeper. This app is awesome...tracks all kinds of stuff about your activity/exercise. For me, these two numbers represent the number of miles I've walked since April 16 (when I started using my RunKeeper app) and the number of calories burned walking those 73 miles! Seriously, almost 10,000 calories burned! Which leads me to my last number...
36 ~ The progress this Weight Watcher has made since January 7...the day I walked into Weight Watchers and faced the scale. 36.2 pounds to be exact and 17.5 inches. I'm starting to feel like I can actually win this battle! I've still got a long way to go, but progress is being made. I've had such great support along the way...I think that will be the topic of my next blog post...
I'm sure this is pretty boring stuff to most of you reading this...thanks for hanging in there with me! It's becoming important to me to set goals and challenge myself in this health/fitness journey. Walking another 5K this fall doesn't seem like much of a challenge...I've walked a few more 5K's since my first one. I started cycling this morning. It's a new activity, but it's more to keep me interested in exercising than anything else. So, I'm open to suggestions...what should be my next goal? What's your fitness goal?
5 ~ When last we met on this blog, I was "in training" for my first 5K. Well, my first 5K has come and gone...my personal goal was to walk my 5K in under an hour. I made it in 58 minutes 7 seconds! It was actually fun...walked with my hubby Tim, our daughters, Lauren and Jessica, Lauren's husband John, our grandson Trindon (Trindon strolled!), our adopted kids, Chaz and Caitlyn and a sweet friend, Tina. They were all great cheerleaders! It was a sweltering hot day in south Louisiana, but we all made it!
49 ~ The day of my first 5K was also my 49th birthday. I've NEVER celebrated a birthday with so much physical exercise...with any physical exercise! So this was a first for me. We walked our 5K, then came back to the house, grilled hamburgers with all the fixings and celebrated my day with a divine chocolate cake...it was an awesome day! I'm looking forward to my 50th birthday next year!
73 & 9,777 ~ By now you know I'm on a health/fitness journey. These two numbers represent two pieces of information from my favorite iPhone app, RunKeeper. This app is awesome...tracks all kinds of stuff about your activity/exercise. For me, these two numbers represent the number of miles I've walked since April 16 (when I started using my RunKeeper app) and the number of calories burned walking those 73 miles! Seriously, almost 10,000 calories burned! Which leads me to my last number...
36 ~ The progress this Weight Watcher has made since January 7...the day I walked into Weight Watchers and faced the scale. 36.2 pounds to be exact and 17.5 inches. I'm starting to feel like I can actually win this battle! I've still got a long way to go, but progress is being made. I've had such great support along the way...I think that will be the topic of my next blog post...
I'm sure this is pretty boring stuff to most of you reading this...thanks for hanging in there with me! It's becoming important to me to set goals and challenge myself in this health/fitness journey. Walking another 5K this fall doesn't seem like much of a challenge...I've walked a few more 5K's since my first one. I started cycling this morning. It's a new activity, but it's more to keep me interested in exercising than anything else. So, I'm open to suggestions...what should be my next goal? What's your fitness goal?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Marching On...
...just to let you know...I have not yet been back to that PiYo class! A little too intimidating for me...but I did have a new challenge set before me...one that I'm REALLY excited about. And one that you can join me in too!
About two weeks ago at my Weight Watchers meeting, the Walk-It Challenge was introduced. Basically it's a six-week training program to get you ready to walk (or jog) a 5K. I've never done a 5K ANYTHING in my life. Pretty much been a couch potato for a loooong time! Our WW leader, who does meetings in three different cities, has picked a 5K in a central location that she invited all of us to participate in. At first I was like, "Yeah...sure...right...let's get to talking about food!" But the more I listened and the more I started thinking about it, the more I realized this was a goal I could reach. One that would keep me motivated. It really helps that there is a training chart, both on paper and on-line that I can check off the boxes as I do each day's training! :) And I get to put a star by my name each week that I do my training...what is it about a silly little "Bravo" star that makes me work harder??
So...I'm in Week 3 of training...last night was a milestone for me...in a couple of ways. We enjoyed a wonderful Easter with our family...went to church together and heard a terrific Easter sermon, ate a great meal of crawfish etouffee, took a short nap, cuddled and played with the grandson, visited with the kids. Once the kids were gone, I pulled on my walking shoes and headed out...that's the first milestone ~ getting up and exercising on a holiday...like I said I've been a couch potato for a loooong time and any excuse not to exercise has always been a good one for me! Plugged in my pink earbuds, started my RunKeeper app and started walking to a great playlist of music (props to hubby and baby daughter for RunKeeper and playlist)! I actually walked a mile ~ second milestone! Don't know when the last time was that I did that, if ever! I'm 1/3 of the way to my 5K!! Whoo hoo!!
Now for the challenge for all of you...and a little bit of celebration too! The date that my WW leader has picked for us to walk our 5K is June 4 ~ my 49th birthday. Our family will be walking together (including grandson in his nifty Cadillac stroller!), then we're headed back to our house to celebrate my birthday together. Don't think I've ever been quite so excited for a birthday...it will be a fun day of getting fit together. And the exercise will make up for the cake we'll enjoy! So...will you join us? If you're in the area, you're more than welcome to walk with us, then come eat some cake with us! If you're not in the area, please consider walking your own 5K...then have a piece of cake in celebration of YOU!
About two weeks ago at my Weight Watchers meeting, the Walk-It Challenge was introduced. Basically it's a six-week training program to get you ready to walk (or jog) a 5K. I've never done a 5K ANYTHING in my life. Pretty much been a couch potato for a loooong time! Our WW leader, who does meetings in three different cities, has picked a 5K in a central location that she invited all of us to participate in. At first I was like, "Yeah...sure...right...let's get to talking about food!" But the more I listened and the more I started thinking about it, the more I realized this was a goal I could reach. One that would keep me motivated. It really helps that there is a training chart, both on paper and on-line that I can check off the boxes as I do each day's training! :) And I get to put a star by my name each week that I do my training...what is it about a silly little "Bravo" star that makes me work harder??
So...I'm in Week 3 of training...last night was a milestone for me...in a couple of ways. We enjoyed a wonderful Easter with our family...went to church together and heard a terrific Easter sermon, ate a great meal of crawfish etouffee, took a short nap, cuddled and played with the grandson, visited with the kids. Once the kids were gone, I pulled on my walking shoes and headed out...that's the first milestone ~ getting up and exercising on a holiday...like I said I've been a couch potato for a loooong time and any excuse not to exercise has always been a good one for me! Plugged in my pink earbuds, started my RunKeeper app and started walking to a great playlist of music (props to hubby and baby daughter for RunKeeper and playlist)! I actually walked a mile ~ second milestone! Don't know when the last time was that I did that, if ever! I'm 1/3 of the way to my 5K!! Whoo hoo!!
Now for the challenge for all of you...and a little bit of celebration too! The date that my WW leader has picked for us to walk our 5K is June 4 ~ my 49th birthday. Our family will be walking together (including grandson in his nifty Cadillac stroller!), then we're headed back to our house to celebrate my birthday together. Don't think I've ever been quite so excited for a birthday...it will be a fun day of getting fit together. And the exercise will make up for the cake we'll enjoy! So...will you join us? If you're in the area, you're more than welcome to walk with us, then come eat some cake with us! If you're not in the area, please consider walking your own 5K...then have a piece of cake in celebration of YOU!
Friday, April 8, 2011
PiYo Spider?
So...last posting I had just joined the gym. It's been good...very good. I've managed to make it 6 times in 10 days. I'm starting out simple and easy...water aerobics. I know, I know...sounds like old lady stuff...well, it's more movement than I've done in a long time, so that's got to be good for me. I love being in the water and I can ramp up the intensity of whatever move we're doing to get my heart rate up. So far, so good. Of course, I intend to move on to other classes as the weight comes off and the mobility increases. And the class starts at 5:15...AM! (I should really get extra points for being at the gym before the sun comes up!)
So after 3 times in my water aerobics class I figured I was ready for the next challenge...so I got to the gym about 15 minutes before the start of a PiYo class (combo of Pilates/Yoga...again at 5:15AM!)...the person who signed us up at the gym said it would be great for strengthening and stretching my back...I'm sure she's right. I spoke to the instructor and told her I was new to the gym and had never done anything like this before. I let her know about my back issues and she was very helpful and gave me some extra tools to help during the class. I really didn't intend to stay; I just wanted to talk to the instructor and see if she thought I could handle the class. But I ended up staying. Now for those of you who have done Pilates or Yoga, you know the setup of these rooms. Very quiet, lights are dim, soft music is playing, no talking...I was really liking that part. Simple, easy stretching...I can do this. Modifications for every move...I'm starting to feel pretty confident. We extend our legs, arms, torso; we breathe deeply and exhale fully; we stretch our backs and roll onto our stomachs and raise our chest up and focus on a spot on the floor...and there he was...a Daddy Long Legs Spider...about 18" from my nose. That totally broke my "mood." I watched him and he watched me for about 10 minutes...I'm pretty sure he was mocking me 'cause his stretches were way more fluid than mine! Then he started to crawl towards me...then sideways away from me...then back towards me. Just to state it again...you know the setup in these rooms...peaceful, quiet, very slow movements. There was nothing within reach to get rid of him. I'm starting to panic and lose my meditative focus (oh wait...that happened with the first stretch of this 48-year-old body). So, with my eyes on DLL Spider, I slowly (and hopefully fluidly and gracefully) stand up and move toward my shoe, which is on the other side of the room. The instructor, still in some beautiful pose, just kind of cocked her head at me. I mouthed (very gracefully, I'm sure) "SPIDER!!!!!" As I'm floating back to my spot with my shoe, it occurs to me that my inclination would be to whack the living daylights out of this spider...but I'm in a PiYo class, where the lights are dim, the mood is peaceful and the music is softly playing...how do I get rid of him?? So I very gently lay my shoe on him and twist. I pick my shoe up to look at him, and he's still doing his Downward Dog pose and wiggling all of his legs! So I not so gently put my shoe back on him and put him out of his misery. I then resumed my own Downward Dog pose and finished out the class.
I wonder if they'll let me come back again??
So after 3 times in my water aerobics class I figured I was ready for the next challenge...so I got to the gym about 15 minutes before the start of a PiYo class (combo of Pilates/Yoga...again at 5:15AM!)...the person who signed us up at the gym said it would be great for strengthening and stretching my back...I'm sure she's right. I spoke to the instructor and told her I was new to the gym and had never done anything like this before. I let her know about my back issues and she was very helpful and gave me some extra tools to help during the class. I really didn't intend to stay; I just wanted to talk to the instructor and see if she thought I could handle the class. But I ended up staying. Now for those of you who have done Pilates or Yoga, you know the setup of these rooms. Very quiet, lights are dim, soft music is playing, no talking...I was really liking that part. Simple, easy stretching...I can do this. Modifications for every move...I'm starting to feel pretty confident. We extend our legs, arms, torso; we breathe deeply and exhale fully; we stretch our backs and roll onto our stomachs and raise our chest up and focus on a spot on the floor...and there he was...a Daddy Long Legs Spider...about 18" from my nose. That totally broke my "mood." I watched him and he watched me for about 10 minutes...I'm pretty sure he was mocking me 'cause his stretches were way more fluid than mine! Then he started to crawl towards me...then sideways away from me...then back towards me. Just to state it again...you know the setup in these rooms...peaceful, quiet, very slow movements. There was nothing within reach to get rid of him. I'm starting to panic and lose my meditative focus (oh wait...that happened with the first stretch of this 48-year-old body). So, with my eyes on DLL Spider, I slowly (and hopefully fluidly and gracefully) stand up and move toward my shoe, which is on the other side of the room. The instructor, still in some beautiful pose, just kind of cocked her head at me. I mouthed (very gracefully, I'm sure) "SPIDER!!!!!" As I'm floating back to my spot with my shoe, it occurs to me that my inclination would be to whack the living daylights out of this spider...but I'm in a PiYo class, where the lights are dim, the mood is peaceful and the music is softly playing...how do I get rid of him?? So I very gently lay my shoe on him and twist. I pick my shoe up to look at him, and he's still doing his Downward Dog pose and wiggling all of his legs! So I not so gently put my shoe back on him and put him out of his misery. I then resumed my own Downward Dog pose and finished out the class.
I wonder if they'll let me come back again??
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Next Big Step...
So...on this road of weight loss and fitness, I've learned a few things about myself...
~ I've got a long way to go, but it's like eating an elephant...one bite at a time.
~ It's also like the tortoise and the hare...slow and steady. (At the same time, I would love to be the hare!) But I know the habits I've developed in the past 12 weeks are life-long habits; and I'm proud of myself for doing that.
~ I don't have to treat every meal like it's my last one...
~ I can be satisfied with much less...wow! That's a huge one for me. It's always been about quantity. This one was proved to me last night. We had steak for supper (first time since I've been on the plan). My hubby has learned to grill my steak to perfection. I asked for a specific number of ounces when he bought my steak (which he lovingly complied with). I looked over at his steak...it was twice the size of mine...and I thought, "I want his steak...and mine!" But after eating my half-size steak and sweet potato, I was completely satisfied. Maybe more than satisfied. I was amazed that I was thinking I could have eaten less and been every bit as satisfied. I'm telling you...that's huge for me!!
~ Moving really does make me feel better...Moving really does make me feel better...Moving really does make me feel better. (I'm repeating this so I'll believe it!) I hate to exercise...I just hate to exercise. But I know that it's a piece of the puzzle I'm missing. So, I'm taking the next big step...heading out the door today to join the gym. Oh, I know...I don't have to spend money on a gym to start moving. But I've been sitting on my lazy rear end for all my life not spending money on a gym...and so far that hasn't worked! So, maybe if I feel the pain in my checkbook, I'll start to feel the pain...and the gain...in my body!
I'll let you know how it goes...
Just an update on the progress...12 weeks, 15.8 pounds, 6.25" lost. Long road still ahead...but it's a start.
~ I've got a long way to go, but it's like eating an elephant...one bite at a time.
~ It's also like the tortoise and the hare...slow and steady. (At the same time, I would love to be the hare!) But I know the habits I've developed in the past 12 weeks are life-long habits; and I'm proud of myself for doing that.
~ I don't have to treat every meal like it's my last one...
~ I can be satisfied with much less...wow! That's a huge one for me. It's always been about quantity. This one was proved to me last night. We had steak for supper (first time since I've been on the plan). My hubby has learned to grill my steak to perfection. I asked for a specific number of ounces when he bought my steak (which he lovingly complied with). I looked over at his steak...it was twice the size of mine...and I thought, "I want his steak...and mine!" But after eating my half-size steak and sweet potato, I was completely satisfied. Maybe more than satisfied. I was amazed that I was thinking I could have eaten less and been every bit as satisfied. I'm telling you...that's huge for me!!
~ Moving really does make me feel better...Moving really does make me feel better...Moving really does make me feel better. (I'm repeating this so I'll believe it!) I hate to exercise...I just hate to exercise. But I know that it's a piece of the puzzle I'm missing. So, I'm taking the next big step...heading out the door today to join the gym. Oh, I know...I don't have to spend money on a gym to start moving. But I've been sitting on my lazy rear end for all my life not spending money on a gym...and so far that hasn't worked! So, maybe if I feel the pain in my checkbook, I'll start to feel the pain...and the gain...in my body!
I'll let you know how it goes...
Just an update on the progress...12 weeks, 15.8 pounds, 6.25" lost. Long road still ahead...but it's a start.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Nothing Compares...
Nothing Compares to the eventful 9 days we have had...
Nothing Compares to meeting your first grandchild...Trindon Lars Ball was born March 10...a precious 7 lbs. 2 oz bundle of joy...
Nothing Compares to snuggling that sweet little baby...or counting his toes...or watching him respond to his mommy's voice or his daddy's laugh...
Nothing Compares to realizing that there really is a circle of life...that seeing your child have a child of their own completes that circle...
Nothing Compares to feeling as though you own the world when you hold new life in your arms for the first time...
Nothing Compares to knowing you are far richer for having witnessed the miracle of life...
Nothing Compares...
And yet...there is Something beyond comparison...Someone beyond comparison...
If it were not for the mercies of our Father in Heaven sending his only Son to die on our behalf...to pay the price for the debt we owe...we would never know that there really is something that Nothing Compares to...
As rich and full as I feel today for having this remarkable miracle in our life, I share in the words of this song...
I've heard all the stories
I've seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that's fine
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord...
(Thanks to my sweet husband for the inspiration for this blog post...and to Third Day for the song...)
Nothing Compares to meeting your first grandchild...Trindon Lars Ball was born March 10...a precious 7 lbs. 2 oz bundle of joy...
Nothing Compares to snuggling that sweet little baby...or counting his toes...or watching him respond to his mommy's voice or his daddy's laugh...
Nothing Compares to realizing that there really is a circle of life...that seeing your child have a child of their own completes that circle...
Nothing Compares to feeling as though you own the world when you hold new life in your arms for the first time...
Nothing Compares to knowing you are far richer for having witnessed the miracle of life...
Nothing Compares...
And yet...there is Something beyond comparison...Someone beyond comparison...
If it were not for the mercies of our Father in Heaven sending his only Son to die on our behalf...to pay the price for the debt we owe...we would never know that there really is something that Nothing Compares to...
As rich and full as I feel today for having this remarkable miracle in our life, I share in the words of this song...
I've heard all the stories
I've seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that's fine
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord...
(Thanks to my sweet husband for the inspiration for this blog post...and to Third Day for the song...)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Life in the Slow Lane
So...I was so excited to have five days off (in a row)...still glad I have those days off, but for a totally different reason...
I had a list (surprise, surprise) of things I wanted to get done. Nothing monumental, no emergency things, just little things that would make my life easier...but, instead of racing through that list of to-do's, there's been a slight change in plans. I've (again) done something... or something's been done to...my back. So, while I would love to say I checked off 12 things on my list, I've really only accomplished 1 thing...rest. I'm not blogging this for sympathy, just pondering why this has happened now. To be perfectly honest, I think I know why...my focus has been, well...out-of-focus for a while. Too consumed with "me." A verse comes to mind..."I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)." Except I've left out the "through Christ" part and emphasized the "I" part a lot of the time. That's a difficult confession to make...aren't I supposed to be beyond that in my spiritual life? Yes, but when my focus is out-of-focus, the focus is on me and my abilities, not on what Christ can do through me...for His glory.
So...as my plans for these five days have changed, I'm praying my focus will also change from what I can do to what Christ can do through me.
I had a list (surprise, surprise) of things I wanted to get done. Nothing monumental, no emergency things, just little things that would make my life easier...but, instead of racing through that list of to-do's, there's been a slight change in plans. I've (again) done something... or something's been done to...my back. So, while I would love to say I checked off 12 things on my list, I've really only accomplished 1 thing...rest. I'm not blogging this for sympathy, just pondering why this has happened now. To be perfectly honest, I think I know why...my focus has been, well...out-of-focus for a while. Too consumed with "me." A verse comes to mind..."I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)." Except I've left out the "through Christ" part and emphasized the "I" part a lot of the time. That's a difficult confession to make...aren't I supposed to be beyond that in my spiritual life? Yes, but when my focus is out-of-focus, the focus is on me and my abilities, not on what Christ can do through me...for His glory.
So...as my plans for these five days have changed, I'm praying my focus will also change from what I can do to what Christ can do through me.
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