Day 66 - Feeling Sluggish

Today was "Weigh-in Day". I stayed the same. >>Frown<<

Looks like we are going to go eat pizza with friends tonight, too. I love pizza. It is my favorite food. I should eat a salad instead.... but, I know that I won't. I will just eat well today and exercise.

Day 65 - I've Lost It

Yes. I have lost my focus.

Just a couple of months ago... I was totally focused on losing weight and exercizing. It was practically ALL that I thought about!

Now.... I can't seem to get it back. I have too many other things on my mind, I guess. I shouldn't let that be an excuse, tho. I know that.

Of course, I am thinking about our beach trip coming up in just over a month. UGH!! I had hoped to be at least 10% lighter by now.

Every day, I say to myself... "Ok. THIS is the day that I will REALLY focus on what I put into my mouth and I WILL get to the gym to exercise!!" But.... by the end of the day... I have failed.

I DID buy a jar of protein mix. I bought it on Tuesday. I tried it yesterday morning. I noticed that it helped me stay "full" longer, which was good. I had planned to drink it for my lunches, but since I have to "mix" it.... I don't know if that will work.

I really hope to get to the gym after work today. That is my plan. Of course.... I only got 4 hours of sleep last night because of the scary weather that kept me from sleeping. So... I may run out of energy later today. I have a meeting at church tonight at 6:00. I hope I can stay awake for it!

Tomorrow is "weigh-in" day. It is not looking good. I have a feeling that I have gained the 2 lbs that I lost last week.

It is SOOOOO frustrating!!!

Day 62 - Better (a little)

Please forgive me for my previous post and the "venting" that I did. Things are a bit better now, thankfully.

David and I did go to Callaway to ride bikes. We pretty much rode each and every bike trail, which I believe to be about 13 miles, but can't be sure.

At first, I felt VERY weak! I didn't think that I would make it up the first hill that we came to... but, I did. As we biked... I felt myself getting stronger and stronger. I even prayed as I approached two of the dreaded hills. I prayed for God to give me the strength to make it up each one... an He did. I never had to stop and PUSH my bike up a hill. Of course, since I started biking, that has been one of my "rules" for myself. I can not and.... WILL NOT..... PUSH my bike up ANY hill!! I will stay on my bike even if it takes me an hour to get up a hill... I will NOT get off and push!

I was disappointed that I had missed the peak season of the azalea blooms. Oh well. I brought my camera along for the ride today, but didn't really see anything worth taking photos of. Plus.... once I got going on my bike... I didn't want to stop.

Usually my pedometer does not count any "steps" when I ride my bike... but, for whatever reason... today, it did. I don't remember the exact # when we were done biking, but it was about 5800. Right now (at 4:41pm)... my pedometer reads.... 6857. I met my 6000 goal! YAY!

I have not done well on the Curves diet over the weekend, but I plan to get back to it tomorrow. I think I am going to buy some protein shake mix and try drinking that for lunch each day. The Curves diet that I am doing is one that wants me to eat (or drink) more protein than carbs... which makes since. Curves sells a protein shake mix, but Walmart sells one for a cheaper price. It's kind of expensive, still -- $15.00, but I think it might be worth it.

My plan is to go to Curves on Wednesday. Hopefully... I can make it there.

Day 62 - Depressed

I am not depressed about my weight this time. ---- Well, I am. But, right now...  I have other things on my mind.

I am just genereally depressed.

I feel lonely.

I only have one true friend and she doesn't live anywhere near me. The rest of my "friends" are too busy for me. They have big families and/or other "friends" in thier lives.

I have tried for over 12 years now -- since we moved to Columbus -- to find a "best friend" or a group of "girlfriends" to do things with or hang out with, but everyone seems to already have a "best friend" or a group that they already hang out with.

Yes. I have "friends", but no one that I can really say is my "best friend" or a group that I can say are my "girlfriends".

I don't even feel close to David, right now. He has been in one of his moods where I might as well be the WALL! I can always sense when he isn't interested in me and finds me unattractive. When I talk to people (friends!) about it... they think it's all me! But, it's not. I have been married to him for 26 years now, and I KNOW him like the back of my hand!! I KNOW what he is thinking!! TRUST ME!!

I hate HATE HATE when he looks at my body first (mostly my stomach!) when I walk into a room, and THEN looks at my face. It hurts.

It also hurts when just a couple of weeks ago... everything between he and I was going GREAT! No issues at all. Then.... like ALWAYS!.... BAM!!!! He goes from loving me the way that I want need to be loved, to this.

He mentioned to me yesterday about us going to Callaway to ride bikes today. I want to, but I would rather go withOUT him. Him saying this to me, makes me feel like it's his suttle way of getting me out to "exercise". At least that is the way that my mind is thinking right now. If I go to Callway to ride bikes with him, then I will miss out on the Zumba class at the gym this morning.... which I really like and enjoy.

I just want to crawl into a hole right now and cry.

He hurt my feelings yesterday too, when he started talking about different motorcycle trips that he wanted to go on. Then, I asked him if he was planning on going on these by himself or was he thinking of doing this with me. He said.. "I was thinking about going with my brother". Then, he hesitated and said... "but, you are welcome to come, too." - Ya. Right!

Ok... I have to pull myself together before he finds me crying over my computer.  Oops! Miranda just did!! I better go.

Day 59 - Oh! So tired!

Yesterday was a Looonnnnng day... or so it sure did seem! I was on my feet for most of the day, too! My feet were KILLING me by the time I got home! My Planters Fasciitis was reminding me BIG time that I can NOT walk around all day in sandals that have NO support what-so-ever! --- Lesson learned! I promise!

The Easter Egg Hunt at school, yesterday, was fun... but hectic at the same time! The only time I sat down at school, was to dye eggs with the kids! (And that was only for about 15 mins!)

After school (work), I DID go to the gym to work out! YAY!! I did the 30 minute circuit, which means doing each machine twice. I did not get a "green light" on all of the machines... only on about half of them. I should have written down the ones that I need to work on, but didn't. I'll try and do that next week. Although, Monday is ZUMBA, so that won't count.

I'll have to write a post to tell you about the different machines at Curves.

My step count for yesterday was -- 6826! I love it when I go over 6,000!!

And..... today is my "at home" WEIGH-IN DAY! I still do not like the # on the scale.... but, at least it went down from the # that weighed in at Curves on Monday, 4/12.

That number was --- 172.5 (10 days ago)
Today (at home) was --- 170.4

So..... if this is correct... I have lost 2.1 lbs!  Not a lot, but better than it going UP! Now, if I can just keep that number going DOWN, I'll be doing good!

Yesterday was a challenge at work, with all of the Easter "goodies" that surrounded me!! Cookies & Jelly Beans were for snack time. Yum! And then, one little girl brought me homemade chocolate chip cookies and a one little boy brought me a chocolate Easter bunny!! I will admit that I ate a few cookies and some Jelly Beans, but I have not eaten the bunny! He may be given away! :)

I have no plans for today. David is home.... so you won't find me exercising here! Ha!! And I have no reason to go to town (other than the gym!), so I will be staying home to save on gas. I DO, however, have LOTS of chores to be done at home! So, that will be my exercise.

Day 58 - Busy day ahead!

I am still feeling a little "sluggish", but not as much as yesterday.

My plans for today are:

Work -- Today is our Easter Egg Hunt, so it will probably be pretty wild! We are also dying eggs!
Gym -- I plan to go work out at Curves after work.
Visit my mom -- I haven't been to see her in two weeks. I usually go every week. Missed last week.
Eye doc appt. -- I am anxious to hear what he tells me about my eyesight. I think it is getting worse!

I probably won't get home until close to 5:00pm. Most of the day, I will be on my feet.... so, I "should" get a lot of steps in!

I just pray that I can MAKE MYSELF go to the gym and not wimp out! I NEED TO GO!!

Tomorrow is weigh-in day for me, here at home. YIKES!

Yesterday I only walked 3285 steps. I know.... not very good!

I like my little "Walking" gadget in my sidebar! The website is really neat, too!

I pray that I have more engergy today and that I can get to the gym... and that I will drink more water. (I've been slacking on that!... which may be why I feel "sluggish".)

Day 57 - Why Am I SO tired??

Yesterday, I did not exercise. I DID get 5,252 steps in on my pedometer, tho. I thought was pretty good! Yesterday was mine & David's 26th wedding anniversary, so we met for lunch after I got off of work. We met at the Mexican restaurant. I had one beer (to celebrate!) and a burrito and a taco.... and of course... those yummy chips & salsa!! I didn't really eat dinner. I had some grapes and some yogurt.

This morning, I ate a healthy breakfast of my normal English muffin, cheese, & egg beater sandwich... along with two links of turkey sausage. Mary, that works & owns Curves.... and is also a fitness idol of mine... told me that I need to UP my protein intake. --- That is also the diet that I am "trying" to follow with the Curves Diet. (Yesterday's lunch didn't count! Ha!)

All day long I have felt very "sluggish". I couldn't figure out why until I thought about the Mexican meal that I had. I am guessing that all of those CARBS, must have slowed down my body, and today I am feeling the effects of it!

I had planned to go to the gym (Curves) after work today, but I just didn't feel like I had the energy. Today was my longer day (an extra hour), too. I am always more tired on Wednesdays, but usually I have more energy.

I decided to come home and get a head start on my meal for tonight's dinner. It is a healthy meal from the Curves Diet book. It is Chicken Primivera, with whole grain spaghetti noodles and steamed broccoli. Sounds good, huh? I hope that it is.

So far, my step count is --- 3212. Not near as much as I would like it to be. UGH!!

Day 55 - Starting Over - AGAIN!

I know that you are tired of reading that I am starting over yet, again! Trust me... it is NOT what I want to be writing, either! I would much rather be writing about how successful I have been at losing weight and inches!!

Anyway.... I have tried and tried to get my lists back to the way that I had them in my side bar, but can not for the life of me get them to look right!! I am not sure how to do it. I am totally frustrated with it! I really liked seeing them in "list" form, right here on my blog. I think I may look at some other people's blogs that are journaling their weight-loss and see if I can get any clues as to how to do it. ~ Hang in there with me!

I went to back to Curves today. I got there at 10:00am, in time for Zumba. I did the Zumba class along with the Curves workout with the machines! WHEW!! I had to stop a couple of times in order to BREATHE!! What a workout!! WOW! My sides already hurt! LOL! I did that for 30 minutes and then did another round of the Zumba without the Curves workout for another 30 minutes!!!

I also started the Curves Diet today, as well. I got out my book yesterday, and planned out meals and snacks for the week. Now, we'll see if I can follow through with it! Ha!! Tomorrow is mine and David's anniversary. I am hoping that he will meet me for lunch, but I am not sure yet, if he'll be able to. If he can.... I really have a hard time eating healthy when I go out to eat! So, I may have to eat something fairly "yummy" for lunch, and then eat healthy (and light) for dinner. We'll see how it goes.

So far, today, I am doing very well.

I am not sure what my exercise plan will be for tomorrow, but I plan to go back to Curves and do the machines (regular workout) on Wednesday, after work. After that... I am not sure about the rest of the week.

Last Monday (4/12/11), I weighed and measured at Curves. Here are those #'s.

bust - 39.5"
waist - 36"
abdomen - 40.5"
hips - 44"
thigh - 25"
arm - 11.75"
Total measurement --- 196.75" -- Sounds like a lot, but at least it is a number that I can keep track of!

Day 43 - Still not on track.

Hello friends ~

I had all intentions of going to Curves today, but didn't make it there. I promise that I have TWO good reasons!!

#1  Some crazy things happened at work today and I ended up meeting a co-worker after work to talk about the day. Today was also my long day and by the time I ended the meeting with my co-worker, it was close to 2:30. Then, I had two errands to run -- 1) To the post office to mail my cancellation form by certified mail to the "other" gym! .... and .... 2) I had to go to Walmart for my monthly "girly" supplies!

#2  My "girly" time is here and the first day or two are NEVER good days for me to work out!! Trust me!

I won't get to the gym (Curves) tomorrow, either. I have an appointment to get my hair done after work. Then, I have a meeting at church in the evening. Sooo...... I may have to wait until Monday again to get back there. But, I will try my BEST to work out at home on Friday. I should have the house to myself for at least "part" of the day.

No. I still have not redone the side bar. I will try my best to get that done by the weekend.

I also want to sit down with the Curves Fitness & Nutrition book and figure a meal plan for next week. I have GOT to come up with a better eating plan. The Curves book should help with that. I just need to figure out what to buy at the grocery store to be prepared.

Day 48 - Re-joined Curves!

Well, I did it! I rejoined Curves!

I called first thing this morning to see when the owner/trainer would be there so that I could talk to her about it. She wasn't there yet, but the lady on the phone remembered me (Yay!) and said that she new that it wouldn't be any problem at all for me to join again! She was excited that I was coming back!

She said that the owner/trainer would be there by 10:00am for the Zumba Class and then she told me that I should come in and get all of my paperwork done early so that I could take the Zumba Class. So, that is what I did.

I got there about 9:30 and was welcomed with ((HUGS))!! It was wonderful!

This was my first time doing Zumba, even tho I have heard of it from other friends who have taken it. It was fun, but I quickly remembered how "uncoordinated" I am!! It was a lot of fun, tho! And a GREAT work out! I also did almost one round of the circuit machines. I have to go back either tomorrow or Wednesday and get my "key" for the machines so that I can track my workouts.

I have written my letter of resignation for the other gym and will take it by there tomorrow, after work. Hopefully, there won't be any problem!

So far, my pedometer reads --- 5978!! So, I've got just a few more steps to make it to my LOW daily goal of 6000 steps. (My HIGH goal is 10,000.) I figure that I am doing pretty good if I get at least 6000!

I have still not fixed the numbers on the sidebar to the right. It's just a matter of me sitting down and reworking them. I may even do the list a little different.

I was weighed and measured today, but I did not get a copy of my #'s. I forgot to! I'll get them when I go back. (Not that I want to look at them again! -- They're not too good.) I also need to get the Curves Nutrition book. I am sure that they have updated since I was there last. I want to do the Curves Diet, again.

Day 45 - A weekend off and A NEW PLAN!!

Hello! ~ I will be taking a break (yes... again!) from my diet & exercizing. David and I are wisking ourselves away for the weekend for a weekend of relaxing fun in Atlanta! We are celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary a little early.

I have a new plan for myself, too! I have decided that I am going to quit the big gym that I belong to (I did not sign a contract, so I can quit easily with no penalties!) and rejoin Curves for Women. I was a member there when I was working full-time as a secretary. I only quit that gym because I was let go from my job due to the economy and could no longer afford it. The cost of it was $34 a month.

I started thinking yesterday, that the last time that I REALLY lost weight was when I was working out at Curves! The owner/trainer there was SO helpful!!! She was my support and helped me stay on task with my diet & exercise. I feel like I NEED THAT AGAIN, if I am going to succeed in losing weight. Since I left there, my weight has done nothing but go UP! I "thought" I could keep losing at home, but... nope. That didn't happen.

I have not told David about my decision yet, but I "think" he will be fine with it. He only wants me to see me succeed.

My plan is to enjoy my weekend in Atlanta and then on Monday of next week, notify the big gym (Gold's Gym) that I am canceling my membership. I will have to find out when the owner/trainer will be at Curves and then meet with her to resign, there. She is a wonderful Christian lady and knows me well. I know that she will be glad to have me back!

Curves also has weightloss CLASSES and a diet and exercise PLAN. This is what I need right now to get back on track. I have realized that I can NOT do it on my own.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! David is busy working on the PROJECT FROM HELL before the rain comes and so that we can make our escape!!!

Day 43 - Exercise & Lazyness

I was busy this morning getting chores done. Seems like they never end! Then, after both girls were off to school... I plugged in my Jillian DVD in the living room DVD player and did my best at her work out. The cardio is what is killing me! I hate the jumping! I can't do it for as long as they do. I can only do it for about half the time.... which isn't long! (30 secs to 1 min!) My legs really feel like they are going to break! But, I do try. I like the floor exercises and the strength ones very much.

I got a few more chores done after that, and then I was pretty lazy the rest of the day! It was so beautiful outside!! I sat out by the pool and chatted with David as he worked on the brick retaining wall ---- the project from HELL and the reason that we are now NOT going to Savannah! UGH!!! Hopefully, we can still sneak away for one night in Atlanta. I just don't know how much "walking" I'll get to do.

Tomorrow... I am going to try and get my Jillian workout done early in the morning, shower and change, and then head down to the library to do some geneology research on my grandmother. I will also visit my mother after lunch.

Day 42 - Not sure what to do

Forgive me for not posting over the weekend. Saturday & Sunday, I basically just did chores around the house and didn't worry about "thinking" about losing weight and/or exercising. I just need a break!

Yesterday (Monday), I spent a great deal of time finishing the organizing job that I started in my office the previous week. I still had some things stacked in my foyer that needed a home on my already, almost full, bookshelf! I still have my collection of Bibles to find a home for.

I also went up in my attic and started to reorganize it --- as best I can! Oh my!! It sure was hot up there (already!), but I managed to get quite a bit done. (There's still a lot to do, tho) I was moving boxes all around and I was up and down the ladder many times! I started out wearing my pair of Nike shorts and a t-shirt, but decided that I really didn't want to ruin my nice shorts, so I switched to a pair of blue-jean shorts. In the process of switching shorts, I forgot to attach my pedometer back on, so I didn't get an accurate "step" reading for yesterday. Ooops!

By evening, I could really feel which muscles that I had worked! My back was killing me! At least I know that I worked hard! **Smile** I didn't eat much yesterday, either. I ate enough over the weekend, so that was OK!

Today.... I got to the gym about 10:30. I walked and even RAN jogged (a little!) on the treadmill for about 20 minutes. After about 6 mins on the treadmill, I turned up the speed to 4.0 and jogged for 30 seconds. Then... at about 10 minutes on the treadmill, I turned it back up to 4.0 and jogged for a minute! This is a BIG accomplishment for me!! I do NOT run or jog! But, I would like to be able to. I have read that if you run in short increments as you walk, you will eventually be able to run (or jog).

I then, made my way over to an eliptical machine. I only stayed on it for about 10 minutes.

Oh ya... I forgot my log book, again! Oh well.

Then, as I walked downstairs to use some of the other machines -- the strength ones -- I began to think... Am I really getting my money's worth here??? Every time I use the strength machines, I never "feel it" the next day. Unlike after I workout to my Jillian DVD or my own strength "home exercises". I DO enjoy the treadmill and the eliptical machines. But, is it worth the $19.95 a month to pay, just to use those???

My other thought is that going TO the gym gets me out of the house and gets me "focused" on exercising. That is one of the problems that I have had at home --- I lose my focus easily. Too many distractions because at least one member of my family is ALWAYS home when I am home! But...... now that I have rearranged my home office/craft room... I have more floor space AND I can shut the doors to have privacy.

Can you tell that I am thinking as I am writing???

I think I am going to give the Jillian DVD a daily chance for a few days and also maybe add in some other exercises, and see how I do.

David and I had planned to go to Savannah Georgia this upcoming weekend, but.... it is still up in the air. But, if that DOES happen and we DO go... my exercising will be WALKING in Savannah! YAY! I'll keep you posted.

I will also keep you updated on how my "new" routine goes. I am on Spring Break this week, so my schedule is a little more flexible.

So far my pedometer reads --- 7016 steps, with 1416 of those being aerobic. I burned 227 calories and walked 2.65 miles.

Day 39 - Time off!

No. I am NOT thinking about exercise and/or eating healthy this weekend. I am taking the weekend OFF! I have a DON'T CARE attitude right now.

I will push the RESTART button on Monday and try again!

Day 38 - The Dreaded Weigh-in

FIRST OF ALL ---- I have no idea why my text on my side bar looks like it does! Every time that I go in and fix it... it goes right back to THIS!! I apologize. I'll keep working on it and hopefully I can solve the problem.


~~~~~~~~~

Yep. Today was "Weigh-in" & "Measurement" day. I didn't do so good. >Frowny Face<

I went from 169.6 lbs, last week to 170.3, this week. UGH!!!
I gained a 1/2 inch in my belly.
I lost a 1/2 inch in my butt.
My bra size stayed the same.
(Check out the #'s to the side)

My pedometer read 4309 steps at the end of yesterday.

This morning --- I did the Jillian DVD again. This time, I made it thru the whole thing --- with a few stops to BREATHE!! I was able to jump a little bit more today, so I guess my legs just have to get used to it.

I forgot to attach my pedometer before I worked out... so those steps won't count! Oops!

She does a combination of Cardio, Strength & Abs, with a warm-up at the beginning and a cool down at the end. The cardio is the hardest for me. It involves the "jumping". She has you do jumping jacks, jump-roping (without a rope), and kickbacks (running in place while "kicking" your feet up towards your butt). They sound easy, but I am not used to my legs leaving the floor! LOL!! Actually... I think it's the impact of coming back down that I am not used to. But, I found it easier this time.

I do not plan on going to the gym today, even tho... I should!