So, I may have mentioned in my last blog post that I was going to take up running. I did day one on September 13th, the day A started Pre-K.
I have kept up with it, and this week started my second week. Day one I completed yesterday. The running was upped 30 seconds each time, so it was a bit of an adjustment. I know I will get used to it though. And I am LOVING it!! I love running.
It exhausts me, it makes me sweat, it makes me breathe heavy, it makes me sore, it makes me want to give up, but I keep plodding away as my feet hit the pavement. It is so hard sometimes to keep pushing myself, to make myself keep going just a little further till I hear that familiar bell on the iPod touch telling me it is time to walk again. But the fact of the matter is, I still do it, and I still push myself.
I have lost 10lbs since I started running. Yes, you read that right, 10 pounds in a week. I haven't changed too much of my eating habits, but I have cut out a lot of sweets. Ok, I take that back, last night I ate a huge king size snickers bar, and at the Mariners game last Friday I pigged out on hot tamales, and had McDonald's for dinner. But seeing as I rarely buy candy bars, I figured it was ok. A treat once in awhile is ok, and as long as I don't keep them in the house, I'm not tempted to eat them.
Yesterday at my MOPS group, one of my good friends Angela commented that she didn't even recognize me. She hasn't seen me since the beginning of june, so I guess I changed even over the summer. WOW!! (Angela was not at the hospital when Barry died, but came to the house that afternoon, and she lives an hour away, and cooked us all dinner, staying for hours along with a few other girlfriends of mine. She helped orchestrate a lot of the meals we got through my MOPS group, helped with food at the funeral etc etc. She was wonderful and I'll forever love her for that).
I am absolutely loving the fact that this weight is pouring off of me. It makes me want to work harder. I was looking at a picture of myself the other day, and I was amazed how different I look compared to a year ago. Perhaps I will share that one day...I look like a completely different person. I was reflecting on that, and thinking how much Barry would just love how I looked right now. He loved me at this size...he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off me ;) (now, and years ago when I was this size before I gained all the weight). I wish Barry could enjoy this new body of mine. I do know that he can see me, and is still around though, because I saw an orb hovering over me in a picture I took the other night. It was plain as the nose on my face, just sitting there above my left shoulder.
Speaking of seeing the orbs...I really am not so sure how I feel about that. It makes me so happy to know that he is still around, and gives me a sense of comfort knowing he is watching over us. But on the other hand, it makes me sad. That being because he is STILL here, and I can't see, feel, or hear him. Am I supposed to be content knowing that he is? I wonder if he is shaking his head at me, all this new stuff I am doing, all the new experiences we are having. Would he be happy I bought the house? Bought a new 2011 Honda Pilot? He'd probably tell me to stop sitting around and "go clean his house" lol. Either way, I guess it is a big comfort knowing he is sticking around. He always did say he would come back to haunt me. And that he did, but in a good way. Just wait, I'll now have some really creepy experience to blog about soon because I jinxed myself haha.
Two weeks from today, I will be in Florida. We leave in 13 days!!! So with that, I say goodbye today, because I have a million things to do. No running today, as my shins are a bit sore and I don't want to over-do it (I'll probably hit the elliptical later). Errands, errands and more errands today. Plus...I NEED to start packing.
I am sure you're all wondering...yes, I am taking the lap top with me to Florida. I've figured out how to tether my blackberry to my laptop so I will have internet access to blog. Speaking of that...tell me WHY in 2010 do hotels not have WiFi? Especially at Disney World? WHY????????
Showing posts with label Becoming A Better Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Becoming A Better Me. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Out With The Old, In With The New
I am forcing myself to write this post because I havent written much at all lately. I dont feel like writing right now, I have no inspiration and my muse is gone. Who knows where she went!
I feel strange starting a new year. Apathetic almost. Scared even. Scared to start over.
Every year since 1999 Barry has been there. And while he wasn't always there on New Years Eve with me, sometimes working, most of the last 10 years we have been together on this day. And even if he wasn't there in person, he was still "there", still in my life.
Starting a new year without my husband is hard. I feel like I am leaving him behind. Like I explained a friend of mine, Barry won't be there in 2010 and any year after that. 2009 was his last year, and I just dont know how I feel leaving him behind. There will never be another year where I can say "oh, remember in such and such year, we did this?"
All I have now are the memories, memories of the last 11 years that I have known him. The first IM I get from him saying "what's ska music", the time he proposed to me on the internet, the time we met in person and he proposed for real, when we got married, the time we spent in Germany, the birth of all of our children, buying our first home, selling our first home, moving to a new city more than a few times, going on vacation as a family this year, celebrating our 10th anniversary early. All I have are memories of our time together.
Now we start 2010 and start NEW. New memories, new experiences, new things, new places.
Despite all the fear that I have about starting a new year, I think 2010 will be a good year for us. I have plans for the kids and I that include, in no particular order:
What are your plans for 2010? Are you planning on anything exciting?
I feel strange starting a new year. Apathetic almost. Scared even. Scared to start over.
Every year since 1999 Barry has been there. And while he wasn't always there on New Years Eve with me, sometimes working, most of the last 10 years we have been together on this day. And even if he wasn't there in person, he was still "there", still in my life.
Starting a new year without my husband is hard. I feel like I am leaving him behind. Like I explained a friend of mine, Barry won't be there in 2010 and any year after that. 2009 was his last year, and I just dont know how I feel leaving him behind. There will never be another year where I can say "oh, remember in such and such year, we did this?"
All I have now are the memories, memories of the last 11 years that I have known him. The first IM I get from him saying "what's ska music", the time he proposed to me on the internet, the time we met in person and he proposed for real, when we got married, the time we spent in Germany, the birth of all of our children, buying our first home, selling our first home, moving to a new city more than a few times, going on vacation as a family this year, celebrating our 10th anniversary early. All I have are memories of our time together.
Now we start 2010 and start NEW. New memories, new experiences, new things, new places.
Despite all the fear that I have about starting a new year, I think 2010 will be a good year for us. I have plans for the kids and I that include, in no particular order:
- Losing a lot more weight for myself. Getting a gym membership tomorrow or monday.
- Buying a house and getting out of our rental
- A trip to Disneyland sometime in 2010
- Start my book at the very least, not quite sure where my focus is going to be on it, but I do want to start writing.
What are your plans for 2010? Are you planning on anything exciting?
Friday, December 04, 2009
Battle Of The Bulge
Something in me has changed these last couple months.
I have lost 33.5lbs!!! Only 11.5lbs more to reach my first goal of 43lbs, and then I can hit the big magic number that is 50!!
I will be the first to admit that before Barry died, all I did was snack, snack, snack and snack some more. Peanut M&Ms and Twizzlers were my friends, keeping me company at all times. *sigh*
When he died, I lost my appetite, and along with my appetite, my desire for sweets.
And now I don't care to eat them at all. Do you know, I can honestly say I can not remember the last time I bought myself a candy bar? a bag of candy? I really have no desire to eat it anymore, and I am so happy about that. But I think before this all happened, I ate because I was lonely. Because I had no one to talk to, nothing to do, nothing that gave me any purpose.
I'm not saying I am not lonely, but you know, I have made so many new friends and talked to so many people that I don't feel lonely anymore. And I have no reason to eat junk food anymore, why would I?
I think seeing yourself lose so much weight is just the motivation you need. In the grand scheme of things, what I've lost isn't that much for now. I still have a long ways to go, but I am getting there at a good pace and doing well with it. I've gone down two jeans sizes, and I'm about to hit my 3d within a few pounds more. I also think it's about time to buy some new bras and unders, as they're getting a bit big too. My shirt sizes have even gone down 1-2 sizes. My body is just eating up the fat like there's no tomorrow. And why? I just don't have much of an appetite. My body has gotten used to not getting sugar for energy, and is using it's own fat stores to fuel me.
I think I am going to add some exercise into the mix, but I haven't gotten quite brave enough to do that yet. I do have the Wii Fit, but I am also wanting to get a Gym membership.
Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do a before and after shot, but not yet.
I have lost 33.5lbs!!! Only 11.5lbs more to reach my first goal of 43lbs, and then I can hit the big magic number that is 50!!
I will be the first to admit that before Barry died, all I did was snack, snack, snack and snack some more. Peanut M&Ms and Twizzlers were my friends, keeping me company at all times. *sigh*
When he died, I lost my appetite, and along with my appetite, my desire for sweets.
And now I don't care to eat them at all. Do you know, I can honestly say I can not remember the last time I bought myself a candy bar? a bag of candy? I really have no desire to eat it anymore, and I am so happy about that. But I think before this all happened, I ate because I was lonely. Because I had no one to talk to, nothing to do, nothing that gave me any purpose.
I'm not saying I am not lonely, but you know, I have made so many new friends and talked to so many people that I don't feel lonely anymore. And I have no reason to eat junk food anymore, why would I?
I think seeing yourself lose so much weight is just the motivation you need. In the grand scheme of things, what I've lost isn't that much for now. I still have a long ways to go, but I am getting there at a good pace and doing well with it. I've gone down two jeans sizes, and I'm about to hit my 3d within a few pounds more. I also think it's about time to buy some new bras and unders, as they're getting a bit big too. My shirt sizes have even gone down 1-2 sizes. My body is just eating up the fat like there's no tomorrow. And why? I just don't have much of an appetite. My body has gotten used to not getting sugar for energy, and is using it's own fat stores to fuel me.
I think I am going to add some exercise into the mix, but I haven't gotten quite brave enough to do that yet. I do have the Wii Fit, but I am also wanting to get a Gym membership.
Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do a before and after shot, but not yet.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Eeking Along
Some things have been weighing heavily on my mind lately.
Do you ever feel like you are just eeking your way through life? Just getting up each day and doing your daily routine. Get up, feed the kids, get the kids off to school, go to the gym or run errands, eat lunch, do something in the afternoon, make dinner, help with homework, kids shower, kids to bed, tv or computer time and back to bed. Over and over and over with no purpose.
I feel like that right now. Like I have no purpose. I'm trying to figure out what I want in life, because I'm just not living the way I want to be.
Being a mommy and a wife is fine, but being a housewife is just not fulfilling to me. I think for a long time I have struggled with some form of depression, but never fully owned up to it. I don't really think it needs to be medicated, I just think I need to improve my view on life and my surroundings.
But how do you find purpose, how do you figure out what fills you up and makes you excited each day? And how do you make yourself happy? What do you do to enrich yourself?
I've been out of the work force since October 2000. Yeah, that's right. I haven't had a paying job in almost 9 years. And by the time I get one, it is going to be almost 12 years. 12 years out of the work force. What am I going to do with myself once my youngest goes to kindergarten? I need to get a job to keep myself busy, or so my husband says. He seems to think that once she starts school full time, be it kindergarten or 1st grade, I will be miserable and become even more depressed. So he is going to make me go back to work. This means I need to figure out what to do.
Do I go back to school? That really isn't very economical because we want to buy a house and save for retirement, and my talents could better be used for a paying job. Do I settle for a mediocre job in retail? That's all I've known though. Getting a job, or the prospect of it, scares the crapola out of me. And that coupled with all the major changes going on in our family in the next three years really throws a monkey wrench into my comfort zone. But I will need to do it.
For now though, how do I make myself happy? I feel that losing weight will make me happier. If I didn't have so much clutter and a cleaner house I would be happier. If I wasn't a pseudo-single parent I would be happier. I think it sounds like I just need to pull my head out of my ass and buck up, and make myself feel better. I've no motivation to do anything, and myself and the kids suffer for it.
It makes me sad that I am not the woman, wife and mother I should and can be, but sometimes I just can't figure out how to get out of the funk and stop eeking along. I need to become a better me.
Some things I have thought about doing to better myself are:
*learning how to sew with a sewing machine
*finishing up/catching up my scrap booking
*losing weight and sticking to a healthy eating plan/exercise plan
*buy a piano and take lessons again
*try to cook new foods and be more adventurous
*figure out what it is that I am good at. That one thing that I can do.
*sticking to a daily schedule. I have one, but I've been lazy. again.
*keeping up with my household duties, especially the laundry. It is my nemesis.
What about yourself? What do you do to make yourself feel better?
Do you ever feel like you are just eeking your way through life? Just getting up each day and doing your daily routine. Get up, feed the kids, get the kids off to school, go to the gym or run errands, eat lunch, do something in the afternoon, make dinner, help with homework, kids shower, kids to bed, tv or computer time and back to bed. Over and over and over with no purpose.
I feel like that right now. Like I have no purpose. I'm trying to figure out what I want in life, because I'm just not living the way I want to be.
Being a mommy and a wife is fine, but being a housewife is just not fulfilling to me. I think for a long time I have struggled with some form of depression, but never fully owned up to it. I don't really think it needs to be medicated, I just think I need to improve my view on life and my surroundings.
But how do you find purpose, how do you figure out what fills you up and makes you excited each day? And how do you make yourself happy? What do you do to enrich yourself?
I've been out of the work force since October 2000. Yeah, that's right. I haven't had a paying job in almost 9 years. And by the time I get one, it is going to be almost 12 years. 12 years out of the work force. What am I going to do with myself once my youngest goes to kindergarten? I need to get a job to keep myself busy, or so my husband says. He seems to think that once she starts school full time, be it kindergarten or 1st grade, I will be miserable and become even more depressed. So he is going to make me go back to work. This means I need to figure out what to do.
Do I go back to school? That really isn't very economical because we want to buy a house and save for retirement, and my talents could better be used for a paying job. Do I settle for a mediocre job in retail? That's all I've known though. Getting a job, or the prospect of it, scares the crapola out of me. And that coupled with all the major changes going on in our family in the next three years really throws a monkey wrench into my comfort zone. But I will need to do it.
For now though, how do I make myself happy? I feel that losing weight will make me happier. If I didn't have so much clutter and a cleaner house I would be happier. If I wasn't a pseudo-single parent I would be happier. I think it sounds like I just need to pull my head out of my ass and buck up, and make myself feel better. I've no motivation to do anything, and myself and the kids suffer for it.
It makes me sad that I am not the woman, wife and mother I should and can be, but sometimes I just can't figure out how to get out of the funk and stop eeking along. I need to become a better me.
Some things I have thought about doing to better myself are:
*learning how to sew with a sewing machine
*finishing up/catching up my scrap booking
*losing weight and sticking to a healthy eating plan/exercise plan
*buy a piano and take lessons again
*try to cook new foods and be more adventurous
*figure out what it is that I am good at. That one thing that I can do.
*sticking to a daily schedule. I have one, but I've been lazy. again.
*keeping up with my household duties, especially the laundry. It is my nemesis.
What about yourself? What do you do to make yourself feel better?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Fat Smash Diet, Week 2/Phase 2
I made it! I actually did the whole 9 days of the Detox Phase!!! Can you believe it? I thought I was going to diet at certain times. I had a few rough days that were absolute torture.
A couple things I realized are that:
1. Always take a multi-vitamin
2. PowerAde is your best friend. Electrolytes are good.
3. Going to bed hungry will not kill you. I go to bed hungry almost every night. Yep, it sucks, but the pay off is great! I don't usually eat after dinner anymore, but if I do, it's some fruit or carrot sticks.
So, onto Phase 2 now.
In Phase two, you get to add a lot more "fun" foods. New things allowed are as follows:
1. 3-4 oz of Meat or Seafood. You can break it up into two servings, but must skip a meal in between. Nothing fried, only baked/broiled etc.
2. Instead of 4 egg whites, you can now substitute one whole boiled egg and have only 3 egg whites.
3. Milk is increased to 2.5 cups
4. You may have 1oz of cheese
5. Cold, unsweetened cereal is allowed at 1.5 cups per day
6. You can now add some coffee/tea/diet soda in limited amounts. Only two cans of diet soda (I've cut that out completely though, it doesn't suit me well right now), 1 10oz cup of coffee, or 3 cups of tea per day. If you want, you can have 1 cup of freshly squeezed fruit juice.
Phase 2/Foundation lasts for two weeks, and after that comes Phase 3/Construction lasting for 4 weeks.
Honestly, I am a bit nervous to be on Phase 2. I've done so well on Detox that I am afraid the weight will come pouring back on one my husband is home. It's kind of hard to cook completely separate meals that are diet friendly and "normal" food, so I am going to modify them as much as I can. I will be eating "non-allowed" foods, but will do so in smaller portions. I can still do fine for breakfast and snacks, it is mostly dinner and lunch I am worried about. I'll also be incorporating a lot more salads to our meals. Regardless, I am going to go back onto Phase 1/Detox after he leaves anyway, just to jump start the weight loss again. Then I will ease back into Phase 2 after I lose any weight I gained while he was home. Hopefully that won't happen, but I will do my best to prevent it.
I am wondering though that if this lull in my diet will boost my metabolism? I know that it is good to vary your caloric intake so your metabolism has to work harder, so maybe that will work. I'm averaging between 1500 - 1800 per day right now, but on days when I work out, I can burn off at least 500 calories of that. So some days I actually only take in 1000! Yikes!
Today I am treating myself to Subway. I am really looking forward to it! I will update on twitter later to tell you all how delicious it was. And yes, I will be eating a healthy Sub. My usual probably, a 6" club on honey oat bread, with loads of veggies on it. Yummy!
I almost forgot...
Fat Smash Diet, Week 1 Detox Phase weight loss:
Yes, that's right...I lost 11 lbs in 9 days. Yaay Me!!!! I'm so proud of myself. Even my kids said I looked thinner!!!!!
(I have to say, I was hoping I would see 12lbs today, but that's ok. 11lbs is still good, right?)
A couple things I realized are that:
1. Always take a multi-vitamin
2. PowerAde is your best friend. Electrolytes are good.
3. Going to bed hungry will not kill you. I go to bed hungry almost every night. Yep, it sucks, but the pay off is great! I don't usually eat after dinner anymore, but if I do, it's some fruit or carrot sticks.
So, onto Phase 2 now.
In Phase two, you get to add a lot more "fun" foods. New things allowed are as follows:
1. 3-4 oz of Meat or Seafood. You can break it up into two servings, but must skip a meal in between. Nothing fried, only baked/broiled etc.
2. Instead of 4 egg whites, you can now substitute one whole boiled egg and have only 3 egg whites.
3. Milk is increased to 2.5 cups
4. You may have 1oz of cheese
5. Cold, unsweetened cereal is allowed at 1.5 cups per day
6. You can now add some coffee/tea/diet soda in limited amounts. Only two cans of diet soda (I've cut that out completely though, it doesn't suit me well right now), 1 10oz cup of coffee, or 3 cups of tea per day. If you want, you can have 1 cup of freshly squeezed fruit juice.
Phase 2/Foundation lasts for two weeks, and after that comes Phase 3/Construction lasting for 4 weeks.
Honestly, I am a bit nervous to be on Phase 2. I've done so well on Detox that I am afraid the weight will come pouring back on one my husband is home. It's kind of hard to cook completely separate meals that are diet friendly and "normal" food, so I am going to modify them as much as I can. I will be eating "non-allowed" foods, but will do so in smaller portions. I can still do fine for breakfast and snacks, it is mostly dinner and lunch I am worried about. I'll also be incorporating a lot more salads to our meals. Regardless, I am going to go back onto Phase 1/Detox after he leaves anyway, just to jump start the weight loss again. Then I will ease back into Phase 2 after I lose any weight I gained while he was home. Hopefully that won't happen, but I will do my best to prevent it.
I am wondering though that if this lull in my diet will boost my metabolism? I know that it is good to vary your caloric intake so your metabolism has to work harder, so maybe that will work. I'm averaging between 1500 - 1800 per day right now, but on days when I work out, I can burn off at least 500 calories of that. So some days I actually only take in 1000! Yikes!
Today I am treating myself to Subway. I am really looking forward to it! I will update on twitter later to tell you all how delicious it was. And yes, I will be eating a healthy Sub. My usual probably, a 6" club on honey oat bread, with loads of veggies on it. Yummy!
I almost forgot...
Fat Smash Diet, Week 1 Detox Phase weight loss:
Yes, that's right...I lost 11 lbs in 9 days. Yaay Me!!!! I'm so proud of myself. Even my kids said I looked thinner!!!!!
(I have to say, I was hoping I would see 12lbs today, but that's ok. 11lbs is still good, right?)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
I Despise Shopping For Myself and Becoming A Better Me
I really really need some long sleeved shirts, and I have none that are in suitable enough condition to wear out of the house. I wear things till they fall apart usually. And I hate shopping for myself! My husband today forced me, really, to purchase myself some clothes. I went shopping at Old Navy online. They are really the only place I buy a lot of my clothes anymore, I've always liked them.
Since I got my Gap Give&Get 30% off discount in my email today, I was able to walk away with a few shirts, one layering tank, and a gorgeous brown cable knit sweater for only $73.98 shipped. I hated spending that money. But my husband brought to light that I would have no problem whatsoever spending that money on Gymboree clothes for the kids, so I need to buy myself something. It is almost December, it is about time I had some long sleeves, right?
Why do I hate shopping for myself? Is it because I see it as a waste of money? Or do I not like shopping b/c I am uncomfortable with myself knowing I have weight to lose? Probably all of those. Funny thing is, I have no problem buying myself any makeup, whether it be from Clinique or Avon. But I balk at clothes, and only purchase when I absolutely have to. And I'm going to have to get a new bra soon too, because my favorite one broke today! The wire snapped, and I am NOT happy about that. Bummer, eh?
He is right though, I could easily drop that $74 that I spent today on the girls and our son. I have the classic "mommy puts the kids before herself" syndrome. At times this is good, but in cases like this, it is bad. When my 3 daughters have so many clothes we run out of hangers, then perhaps it is time that mommy fills her closet, right?
So hopefully I can overcome the horror that I actually spent money on myself and dented the checkbook for something I needed, and enjoy my clothes for myself. I should get them next week, and no, I am not modeling!
Since I got my Gap Give&Get 30% off discount in my email today, I was able to walk away with a few shirts, one layering tank, and a gorgeous brown cable knit sweater for only $73.98 shipped. I hated spending that money. But my husband brought to light that I would have no problem whatsoever spending that money on Gymboree clothes for the kids, so I need to buy myself something. It is almost December, it is about time I had some long sleeves, right?
Why do I hate shopping for myself? Is it because I see it as a waste of money? Or do I not like shopping b/c I am uncomfortable with myself knowing I have weight to lose? Probably all of those. Funny thing is, I have no problem buying myself any makeup, whether it be from Clinique or Avon. But I balk at clothes, and only purchase when I absolutely have to. And I'm going to have to get a new bra soon too, because my favorite one broke today! The wire snapped, and I am NOT happy about that. Bummer, eh?
He is right though, I could easily drop that $74 that I spent today on the girls and our son. I have the classic "mommy puts the kids before herself" syndrome. At times this is good, but in cases like this, it is bad. When my 3 daughters have so many clothes we run out of hangers, then perhaps it is time that mommy fills her closet, right?
So hopefully I can overcome the horror that I actually spent money on myself and dented the checkbook for something I needed, and enjoy my clothes for myself. I should get them next week, and no, I am not modeling!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Becoming A Better Me
Today I thought I would talk about the dreaded "E" word.....
*insert ominous music*
EXERCISE!!!
Most people hate, and I use that word lightly, to exercise. Can you blame them? It isn't very fun, it is hot, sweaty work and you have to do it over and over to see results.
I myself do not look forward to going to the gym. It seems like an intrusion into my day. But honestly, once I get there, and I am into it, then I feel great! It really isn't all that bad once you start exercising and doing your cardio or strength training.
But what is it about exercise that makes us feel good? The answer is in Endorphins! Endorphins are powerful, hormone-like substances produced in the brain, and they're actually your body's own pain killer.
Back to the point, Becoming A Better Me. I exercise so that I can feel better about myself. I did really poorly in July, but the last week I have started to go regularly again, and despite my protests about going and it being an intrusion, it is doing me a world of good. I can feel my muscles more while I am working out and I'm starting to lose weight again. I also exercise because I want to lose weight. I am not happy at all where I am weight-wise, so I am doing this so I can become a thinner version of myself. I want to be the me that is inside.
I also made the decision that if I really want this weigh to come off, I have got to go more than 3 times a week. So I am sucking it up and going 4 times. Monday thru Thursday. Monday and Wednesday mornings, and then Tuesday and Thursday, late afternoon, while the kids are in Karate and swimming. It does cost more, but my health is important too. I am worth some money I would think!
If you don't exercise regularly, I urge you to try. You don't have to have a fancy, shmancy YMCA membership like me, even working out at home will do wonders for your mental and physical health. Any sort of cardio and resistance training is good. Start of slow and gradually build your way up, and once you plateau, or something becomes too easy, then challenge yourself to work harder! I know I do! I used to want to die after I got off the Elliptical machine, and now I am doing a good 30-40 minutes with ease. Granted, I am as red as a tomato by the time I am done, but I still do it, and don't feel like I am dying afterwards. And for the record, I don't just do cardio. I also do a LOT of resistance and strength training. Weights will do a body good! Also, if you tone as well as do cardio, you run less risk of having saggy skin when you are done.
Do yourself a favor and start exercising. Go to the gym, go take a walk, even do some dumbbell curls with cans of soup! Anything is better than nothing. You'll feel better about yourself, and wonder what took you so long to get started.
*insert ominous music*
EXERCISE!!!
Most people hate, and I use that word lightly, to exercise. Can you blame them? It isn't very fun, it is hot, sweaty work and you have to do it over and over to see results.
I myself do not look forward to going to the gym. It seems like an intrusion into my day. But honestly, once I get there, and I am into it, then I feel great! It really isn't all that bad once you start exercising and doing your cardio or strength training.
But what is it about exercise that makes us feel good? The answer is in Endorphins! Endorphins are powerful, hormone-like substances produced in the brain, and they're actually your body's own pain killer.
Back to the point, Becoming A Better Me. I exercise so that I can feel better about myself. I did really poorly in July, but the last week I have started to go regularly again, and despite my protests about going and it being an intrusion, it is doing me a world of good. I can feel my muscles more while I am working out and I'm starting to lose weight again. I also exercise because I want to lose weight. I am not happy at all where I am weight-wise, so I am doing this so I can become a thinner version of myself. I want to be the me that is inside.
I also made the decision that if I really want this weigh to come off, I have got to go more than 3 times a week. So I am sucking it up and going 4 times. Monday thru Thursday. Monday and Wednesday mornings, and then Tuesday and Thursday, late afternoon, while the kids are in Karate and swimming. It does cost more, but my health is important too. I am worth some money I would think!
If you don't exercise regularly, I urge you to try. You don't have to have a fancy, shmancy YMCA membership like me, even working out at home will do wonders for your mental and physical health. Any sort of cardio and resistance training is good. Start of slow and gradually build your way up, and once you plateau, or something becomes too easy, then challenge yourself to work harder! I know I do! I used to want to die after I got off the Elliptical machine, and now I am doing a good 30-40 minutes with ease. Granted, I am as red as a tomato by the time I am done, but I still do it, and don't feel like I am dying afterwards. And for the record, I don't just do cardio. I also do a LOT of resistance and strength training. Weights will do a body good! Also, if you tone as well as do cardio, you run less risk of having saggy skin when you are done.
Do yourself a favor and start exercising. Go to the gym, go take a walk, even do some dumbbell curls with cans of soup! Anything is better than nothing. You'll feel better about yourself, and wonder what took you so long to get started.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
C Is For Cookie
While trying to combat my boredom today, I decided to bake some cookies. I haven't baked in a long long time. It has been so long that I didn't know if I even had vanilla extract and baking soda! That is what happens when you move and don't have such an organized pantry like you did in your old house.
I took this recipe off the back of a "Heath Toffee Bits" bag, that were made for baking..not snacking!
Heath Bits Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup Creamy PB
1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 bag of Heath Milk Chocolate toffee bits, divided
1. Heat oven to 375 F
2. Beat shortening, pb, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into pb mix. Stir in 1 cup toffee bits, reserve remainder for topping.
3. Drop by heaping tsp about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; top each cookie with reserved toffee bits. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until set. Do not over bake. Cool 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack. Cool Completely.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies. I got about 28 cookies, but we like bigger cookies.
I took this recipe off the back of a "Heath Toffee Bits" bag, that were made for baking..not snacking!
Heath Bits Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup Creamy PB
1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 bag of Heath Milk Chocolate toffee bits, divided
1. Heat oven to 375 F
2. Beat shortening, pb, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into pb mix. Stir in 1 cup toffee bits, reserve remainder for topping.
3. Drop by heaping tsp about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; top each cookie with reserved toffee bits. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until set. Do not over bake. Cool 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack. Cool Completely.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies. I got about 28 cookies, but we like bigger cookies.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Becoming A Better Me
I need some improvement! Not just weight loss, but with my motivation with household chores and cooking. So I though I would start a series or something, that I entitled, "Becoming A Better Me".
Today I thought I would work on the cooking aspect. Now, I KNOW I need to cook more often. This summer I have totally slacked off and been lazy. No beating around the bush, I've been lazy!
Last night I made a roast chicken, and had plans to make my usual chicken noodle soup from scratch, tonight. But I have made that so many times, that I am just sick of it. Its the only thing I would do after cooking a chicken!
Tonight for dinner we had Chicken Pot Pie. It was delicious! pardon me for not having any pictures, I forgot, and we had already eaten by the time I remembered.
Here is my from scratch, recipe:
Couple cups of diced cooked chicken
2 cans of cream of chicken soup, undiluted (10.5 oz cans)
1 can of mixed veggies
2 small, peeled and diced potatoes-cooked or raw, it doesn't matter.
1/2 onion, chopped to your liking
Garlic salt
Pepper
And 1 pie crust.
Mix all the above ingredients, except the pie crust, in a big 'ole mixing bowl, adding the garlic salt and pepper to your liking (i use a pepper grinder with peppercorns which adds more flavor, not that tasteless pepper you get at any grocery store).
Everything should be nicely coated by the soup. Remember, the veggies will emit a lot of liquid while cooking, so if you don't like it runny at all, you can add some more veggies to make it chunkier. Mine turned out perfectly though, with just the right amount of sauce and vegetables.
Once everything is mixed, place your pie crust in your pie plate and spread the mix evenly inside it. Place the top pie crust on top, fold under the edges and crimp them. I like to add a few knife cuts on top, so I usually do our last name initial. Place on a cookie sheet, and bake in a 375 F degree oven for 45-50 minutes. Let cool on your counter for about 10-15 minutes.
*************************************************************************************
I LOVED this stuff. I definitely plan on making it again once the man comes home in 4 weeks, or before. It seems like it would be a great make-ahead freezer meal, especially during the winter. You can just take it out of the freezer and put it in the stove. I do think it will take longer to cook, but shouldn't be more than an hour I would think.
Enjoy!
Look for more posts on cooking, makeup, fitness, clothing et cetera! I need something to write about, so this will be it.
Today I thought I would work on the cooking aspect. Now, I KNOW I need to cook more often. This summer I have totally slacked off and been lazy. No beating around the bush, I've been lazy!
Last night I made a roast chicken, and had plans to make my usual chicken noodle soup from scratch, tonight. But I have made that so many times, that I am just sick of it. Its the only thing I would do after cooking a chicken!
Tonight for dinner we had Chicken Pot Pie. It was delicious! pardon me for not having any pictures, I forgot, and we had already eaten by the time I remembered.
Here is my from scratch, recipe:
Couple cups of diced cooked chicken
2 cans of cream of chicken soup, undiluted (10.5 oz cans)
1 can of mixed veggies
2 small, peeled and diced potatoes-cooked or raw, it doesn't matter.
1/2 onion, chopped to your liking
Garlic salt
Pepper
And 1 pie crust.
Mix all the above ingredients, except the pie crust, in a big 'ole mixing bowl, adding the garlic salt and pepper to your liking (i use a pepper grinder with peppercorns which adds more flavor, not that tasteless pepper you get at any grocery store).
Everything should be nicely coated by the soup. Remember, the veggies will emit a lot of liquid while cooking, so if you don't like it runny at all, you can add some more veggies to make it chunkier. Mine turned out perfectly though, with just the right amount of sauce and vegetables.
Once everything is mixed, place your pie crust in your pie plate and spread the mix evenly inside it. Place the top pie crust on top, fold under the edges and crimp them. I like to add a few knife cuts on top, so I usually do our last name initial. Place on a cookie sheet, and bake in a 375 F degree oven for 45-50 minutes. Let cool on your counter for about 10-15 minutes.
*************************************************************************************
I LOVED this stuff. I definitely plan on making it again once the man comes home in 4 weeks, or before. It seems like it would be a great make-ahead freezer meal, especially during the winter. You can just take it out of the freezer and put it in the stove. I do think it will take longer to cook, but shouldn't be more than an hour I would think.
Enjoy!
Look for more posts on cooking, makeup, fitness, clothing et cetera! I need something to write about, so this will be it.
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