Does Working Out Wear You Out?

A true workout usually leaves me feeling energized. If I've had an actual workout, I have a feeling of being worn out when I first finish but it is soon replaced by a feeling of being energized. When I first finish a workout (please note that actual workouts are few and far between) all I want to do is sit down. But I do feel better. I feel happier and recharged. My mood is most improved and I don't dread whatever is on my agenda for that day. Sadly, I rarely exercise. I walk the dog daily- twice, actually. Sometimes we walk quickly but it's not true exercise. I talk myself out of walking a long way nearly every time. I prefer to get a workout done quickly as I don't really care for it. 

Here come the excuses: 

1. I have allergies that flare up and when they do, I can barely breathe under normal circumstances must less while exerting energy. Of course, this is not year 'round. But it is difficult and leads to hacking my head off which I hate because my coughing feels violent at times. 
2. Another excuse is I am fearful of falling down which I've done twice while trying to run. I fell over the dog both times. Not his fault, it was mine for going into the supposed zone and not paying attention. Every time I fall, it's weeks or months before I can get back to it and, by then, I don't want to anymore because I have convinced myself not to or because I have to start all over again and that gets old. 
3. The heat in this area factors into my desire to exercise as well. It's difficult to breathe in this heat while sitting so, walking fast, running, or otherwise working out is close to impossible.

The main obstacle, the one that has me using the above-mentioned excuses, is a total lack of motivation due to laziness. I am one of those people who wants to be fit and trim without the effort. Which is why I am not fit and trim. I am the laziest person I know. I don't like it, but I am that way. Unless of course, it's something I really want to do. Then, suddenly, I have the motivation and the energy. Go figure. Regardless, I still hold out hope that one day, even though I am the age I am, I will change my lazy ways and get myself together and be fit and trim.    

All that being said, the bridge run was this past weekend. It was the 39th year of the Cooper River Bridge Run. I enjoyed the spectacle from my living room chair where I saw men and women in wheelchairs start the race and two people- a man and a woman- go the distance in their exoskeletons. I watched many overweight people either running, walking, or a combination of both. I watch the elite runners too. Everyone impressed me. They also put my excuses to shame. And so, my dearest and closest friend in the world and I are starting to train for next year. We're getting off our big butts and we're throwing our excuses out the door. And we're going to hold one another accountable because, without it, I won't stick with it. 

So, fingers crossed and excuses gone, here we go. 

Does exercise wear you out or make you feel energized?

Fitness Listies

It's Monday and time to join Stasha over at The Good Life for Monday Listicles! I've missed joining in the fun for a week or two because I've been having computer issues. But I get to do it this week! 

Each week Stasha gives us a theme for our lists. This week, we have the List of 10 Things I Learned in 2012. I'm going to sort of copy Stasha who listed 10 things she learned about running since she started running this year. I'm going to list 10 things I learned about getting fit.

 All you have to do to join the fun is click on the link or the button! 

Ten Things I Learned About Getting Fit

1. Making excuses for not working out do not help me get fit. Which is a shame because I've got a gazillion of 'em. 
2. Motivation comes and goes but you have to do it whether you want to/feel like it or not. And the 'or nots' S.U.C.K. But do it anyway. See how that works? 
3. You have to keep trying EVERYTHING until you find the plan that works for you. Stopping/giving up will not get you fit. Plus, it's fun to yell at the people on the DVDs about their inability to count properly or what they can do with those annoying perky attitudes or, when they say, "Let's GO!" you can tell them exactly where THEY can go. 
4. It's quite beneficial in preventing injuries to have a daughter who is an athletic trainer while working on improving your fitness. I now ice and stretch everything. 
5. It sucks having a daughter who is an athletic trainer while working on improving your fitness because she's constantly saying things like, "Get moving!" "Keep going!" "DO! NO!. STOP!" "GO!GO!GO!"
6. Music during a workout is critical to my intensity output. The louder the better. 
7. Running is the most frustrating thing I've tried in my efforts to get fit. Breathing is crucial to living and I can't breathe when I run. SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME THE SECRET TO BREATHING WHILE RUNNING. I start out just fine and then, it's like I'm having a panic attack with the breathing. WTH?
8. Improving my fitness level enabled me to walk up multiple flights of stairs(and I can talk while doing it!) without stopping after every flight to spend 5 minutes catching my breath and wonder how they'll fit me into a coffin when I die from trying to walk up that flight of stairs in the first place. 
9. There is an APP for every type of fitness program I've tried and they are quite helpful!
10. I cannot workout in front of anyone. I'm pretty sure nobody (in their right mind) wants to see all of 'this' flopping up and down. That's right. I don't jiggle. I flop. There's just too much for a jiggle here and there. 

Alright all you list makers out there! What would you put on your Things I Learned In 2012 list?

The Fitness Path is HARD

How can we make a conscious effort to get fit? What, exactly does it take for us to take the first step and keep stepping on a regular basis?

I have to wonder if the answers lie within each of us, individually. I mean, what works for one might not work for another. But it's still good to know what others are doing- just in case something sparks that fire within us to get up and get started. And then, keep going.

I've tried many, many (manymanymanymanymany) different ways to get started on a fitness path consistently for the last 3.5 years (inconsistently before that). I've only recently discovered something that I have been able to stick with.

I remember clearly the days of excuses.

• I don't have time (I wouldn't want exercising getting in the way of watching television of sitting on my duff with the computer)
• I'm tired (of course you are dummy, you're sitting on your duff all day)
• I can't afford the gym membership (and, apparently, you can't afford the free stuff like walking either)
• I'm busy with the kids (no you're not, the kids are all grown up--and, even if they were still little, it would be great for them to see you working out and maybe even doing it with you)
• I'm working (not 24/7 you aren't, fit it in)
• I don't want to (guess that's what will go on your tombstone)
• I'm surrounded by unsupportive people (so what, do you seriously let the attitude and opinion of others influence what you do/say/feel/believe?)
• The weather is too hot/cold/rainy/windy/etc (so do it inside, duh)
• I don't have anything to wear (right, like you don't have any clothes that you can sweat in)

The list of excuses went on and on and on and on... 

There are a gazillion excuses out there for NOT getting started. We all have them. We all use them. Of all the  excuses though, MOTIVATION (or lack thereof) is the big mama. 

No one, not one single soul, can motivate us to get fit other than ourselves. It takes self motivation. That's my take anyway. 

I've begun because a friend was doing it and looking great. It didn't take.

I've begun because a special event was forthcoming and I wanted to look good. It didn't take.

I've begun because I didn't want to be fat anymore. It didn't take.

I've begun because I wanted to enjoy going places and doing things. It didn't take. 

I've begun because I wanted people to think I was really awesome working out at my age. It didn't take.

I've begun out of boredom. It didn't take. 

I've begun because of how I looked in pictures It didn't take.

Blahblahblahblah. Some of you have probably heard it all before as well. 

I've started and stopped so many times I ought to be darn fit by now! I am more fit now than I have been in YEARS. AGES. EONS. Since college probably. Undergrad because in grad school, I partied A LOT. 

I've got a library full of DVDs and VHSs---yep, I've been at this whole start/stop thing since we used VHSs. I've worked out inside and outside. I've gone to the gym (yuck) and to classes (double yuck). I've bought the treadmill and I've bought the cute workout clothes (yes, they come in large, lard ass sizes). I've probably done about all there is to do. Including Richard Simmons Dancin' to the Oldies. 

So what finally happened that put me on the fitness track to stay? 

I think it was when I decided I wanted to get fit just to be fit and not to lose weight. And to do it for myself and no one else. 

I also stopped stressing over it. I just decided I was going to do it. I think it also helped to find something that I could commit too with relative ease --the Synergy plan. 

I thought the running was going to do it for me but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get my breathing to cooperate. I know it's still a problem because I'm still trying every so often and the breathing is still an issue. 

After committing to the Synergy plan for 8 weeks (well, 7 actually because I got sick that last week) I noticed a HUGE increase in my fitness level. When I started back three weeks later (I hate being sick) my fitness was at an all time high. Which was odd because I thought I'd have to start all over again.

I'm still working out daily. I walk Tucker every single morning for at least one mile and, on the weekday afternoons, I alternate between Sprint 8/weights and plyometrics/stretching.

This plan is working for me because--

• it's doable
• it doesn't take a long time
• I don't have to leave home
• it's FREE
• I enjoy it
• I'm sticking with it
• MY FITNESS LEVEL IS STILL INCREASING
• I've gone down two sizes since I started it

So, yes. It took me starting and stopping for years before I found something I can stick with for longer than a  few weeks. And yes, I still think how far along I would be had I not gone through all that starting and stopping. 

I guess it was all necessary- though I can't see it right now. Other than my motivation was WRONG. And then there were the times it was MISSING. All that led to where I am now- my body is used to the working out and it craves it. I doubt I could stop if I wanted to. Luckily, I don't want to. 

Not right now anyway.

What gets you motivated and keeps you that way where fitness is concerned?

Working It Out

I discovered, during my three weeks of an awful hayfever attack, that even allergies- if they're severe enough--can interfere with my fitness plan. And I did not like that one little bit.

I had to stop exercising for three weeks. THREE WEEKS. But I couldn't do anything that required exertion because I was certain that I would cough up a lung. Or two. And I kind of need those things. 

This meant I couldn't walk the dogs for a couple of weeks either. But that was ok because Birdie took my place. I started walking them again last week and it went fine. Even though I hacked most of the time. No worries, my lungs remained intact.  

This week, I started back on my Synergy workouts. And I realized just how much I have missed working out. NOT because I had a difficult time. On the contrary! I was back at it and doing even better and working harder than I was before that blasted allergy attack.

I actually missed working out. Hush you say! I know! But it's so true. I was so used to working out on that Synergy schedule, I missed it when I couldn't get it done. But I'm back. I'm stronger than before. The stamina is much better. The motivation returned. It's just fabulous!  

There is a change, however. This time, I have put my own spin on the Synergy plan. 

• Monday/Wednesday/Fridays are for Sprint 8 and weights. 
• Tuesday/Thursdays are for plyometrics and stretching. 
• Then there are the 7 days/week of walking pups one mile in the mornings before school. 
• Saturdays and Sundays are my down days. Unless I miss a workout during the week, then I make it up on the weekend. 

I feel like this is a doable plan not to mention an enjoyable one! BUT, regardless of the plan, I believe the key to this whole fitness thing is developing the habit of fitness.

I've tried so many different ways to get fit. Some of you have read about them on the blog. And I've enjoyed most of them but they didn't stick. Which I thought was due to my short attention span and the fact that I get so bored so easily.

But now that I tried the whole 8 week commitment to the Synergy plan, I can see how it was more about getting into the habit of working out. Once the working out becomes a habit, it really doesn't matter what you do. Your body just HAS to do something. I like this! I wish I had discovered it sooner. But I'm glad I know it now!

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get your fitness habit going! I can't even begin to tell you how much better you'll feel!

If you're already in the habit, what's your best fitness advice? 

Synergy Fitness and the End of a Challenge

This first Sunday in September marks the end of the Summer Sizzle Challenge. But it certainly doesn't mark the end of the summer HEAT and HUMIDITY. Stupid weather.

I have been a terrible challenger this summer. I got bored and then I just didn't care to track and then I just didn't care at all. I blame in on the aforementioned HEAT and HUMIDITY that caused me to lose my motivation and eat lots of frozen yogurt. Yes, I really am blaming the weather and I'm not ashamed.

But the challenge was good in many ways---

• I met new bloggers/challengers
• I learned more about myself 
• I learned tons about true organic foods and about those evil monsters at the Monsanto corporation
• I increased my fitness awareness and level
• I discovered Phil Campbell's Synergy workout program featuring the Sprint 8
• I walked quickly up three flights of stairs and did not have to stop at the top for a few minutes before continuing to the car

So even though I wasn't very good to the challenge, the challenge was very good to me.

And Rochelle? She's just the best challenge host EVER! I adore her! Her leadership qualities are phenomenal and her care for the challengers was felt and appreciated by all.

All in all, I only lost about 10 pounds- at least that's what I can figure from my best guess. And that's fine. It's not about the weight loss at this point. I'm focusing on increasing my fitness level now and I'm pouring 100% into that.

Yes, I need to lose a bunch of weight. But the weight gods (as Rochelle calls them) are not in my corner right now. So I called forth the fitness gods and we're kicking ass!

I'm keeping a daily journal of the Synergy workout plan that you are more than welcome to read by clicking here. And feel free to leave comments there too! I've just completed Week 2 of the 8 week commitment and I'm already noticing differences in shape and fitness!

I won't be posting any before and after pictures from the challenge. HOWEVER, I am planning on posting before and after shots for the Synergy program. Only 6 weeks left.

There are some leaves from one of the neighbor's trees falling into my yard right now. Which is a promising sign of fall---even though it's hard to appreciate when the temperature is 91 degrees. The weather app on my phone says the humidity is only 66%. The weather app is lying.

I'm not joining in another challenge for the fall. I'm on my own with this Synergy workout. BTW, I emailed Phil Campbell (the guy who wrote the book) and he emailed me back! He also put me in touch with the woman who is gathering research. She lost 80 pounds just doing the Synergy program. And I do believe here because she's not asking for money. LOL Seriously, head over to my Synergy tab and follow the links. Maybe this is something that will work for you!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Regardless of your personal journey- I wish you great success!

Summer Sizzle- And a Rant

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 12 and the beginning of Week 13! And guess what Week 13 is? Our final week! WooHoo!

I really did begin my Synergy workout this week. I even made a page devoted to keeping a Synergy journal. It's at the top of the blog if anyone wants to see how the first week went, or you can just click here. I thought that keeping the journal right here on the blog would help keep me accountable. We'll see.

I would love to tell y'all how I have enjoyed rocking the hell out of this challenge, but that would be a lie. I haven't- as far as weight loss goes. However, as far as fitness is concerned? I think that I might have. Remember those 3 flights of stairs? And now that I've started the Synergy workout, I have to say that fitness has become a major goal.

Weight loss stopped being my main focus a while back when it switched to healthy eating. I can't tell y'all how much better we feel now that we're eating only organic foods- veggies are certified organic and from local farms; dairy products and meats are from small, family owned farms that don't use machinery or give growth hormones or antibiotics to their livestock; grass fed beef, free range chickens/turkey, wild caught fish (fresh from the docks I might add); sugars are only organic cane sugar or honey; flour is unbleached and gluten free; we buy spring water that had to be researched just so we could be sure it was actual spring water with little processing (OH, and there are natural springs right here in our state and one is close to us so I'm going to start filling up there...it's FREE); soaps and shampoos, etc. contain no chemicals... And I know it makes a difference because, two weeks ago, we were out of conditioner and I had some left over from when I bought any old thing from Wally World. I didn't stop smelling that stuff for 3 days and it gave me a headache and made me all itchy...yep, won't be buying anything like that ever again.

And now for the rant portion of the post: I've learned so much about fitness and healthy eating. I've learned which manufacturers to avoid because they claim 'natural' but are not organic and which ones are affiliated in any way whatsoever with the Monsanto Corporation. I've learned that it is nothing less than a complete and utter travesty that our government is allowing big business (and this has been going on for AGES) like the Monsanto Corporation to produce GMO crops and tell the American public that our food is safe and nutritious and even the supreme court who enables Monsanto to run the small, family owned farms out of business. Disgusting. And I don't even know the half of it, I'm sure. But that's enough to make me sick and tired of it. And scared, to be honest. It's not good when our food supply is not only being tainted but being allowed to be tainted--dare I say- encouraged to be tainted.

So, yes, I've lost weight. But that's not the best thing or even the most important. My fitness level has improved tremendously and I'm completely motivated to boost it even more. The foods I feed my family and the products we use are healthy and chemical free. There's no turning back now! And we're all the better for it! And we are more encouraged than ever before to go off the grid. It's time to say, "ENOUGH."

Week 12 - (begin August 19) - SURPASS YOUR FITNESS/WEIGHT GOALS FROM WEEK 10
I definitely surpassed my fitness goals from Week 10 by beginning the Synergy workout!

Week 13 - (begin August 26) - LOW CARB WEEK & NO EATING OUT
We don't eat that many carbs in a day or week and we rarely to never eat out, so this really shouldn't be a problem.


Have a great last week of Summer Sizzle y'all!

Summer SIZZLE...In the Rain

Believe it or not, I'm on time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 11 and the beginning of Week 12! It MUST be a miracle! :)

No wrenches thrown into the mix this week, thankfully. I've been running again- in 100% humidity. That has NOT been fun at all but it's been doable. And, now that summer has rounded the corner and might actually leave (PLEASE, PLEASE leave!) before we all suffer extreme consequences, I'm acclimated. Figures. It has been nice having some rain though. And storms. I love storms.

I decided to step on the scale just to see- and I'm three pounds down. I'll take it. Though I have no idea how much I've lost during this challenge. Way to keep up, I know.  Anyway, that means there is no picture of my weight loss in terms of food which was our challenge from last week.

Everything pretty much remains the same here with eating only organic foods and nothing processed. And water is my only drink except for that cup of coffee in the mornings. I've never been a coffee drinker but I found this espresso blend at Trader Joe's and I AM HOOKED! Oh how I LOVE that buzz burst of energy morning cuppa! Although I am looking for a recipe to make my own organic ginger ale. Anybody have one?

The challenge for this week is to surpass your fitness goals from week 10. Since week 10 had me down with hay-fever, I'm thinking this won't be that difficult. :) Tomorrow is the first day of Synergy for 8 weeks (I know I've said before that I'm starting it but I am this week for real because I just can't put it off any longer). I'm expecting big fitness improvements and will also be incorporating some 5k training in there thanks to Birdie.

And there you have it. Hope everyone has been enjoying a fantastic weekend!

Two Weeks Behind- YIKES!

It's past time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 9 and the beginning of Week 10 BUT I'm just in time for the end of Week 10 and beginning of Week 11. Confused? Me too.

I had a couple of wrenches thrown into play the last couple of weeks. During week 9 we had family visiting and, while I did plan the menu and kept it organic/natural/healthy, I paid no attention to how much went into my mouth. We were having way too much fun for that! We also did quite a lot of sight seeing so when you couple that with walking/running the dogs first thing in the morning- I walked many, many miles that week.

But the BEST thing of all that week? Well, besides the fact that we had family visiting? Ok, get this: we went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning and we parked on the third level of a parking garage across the street. Of course, we NEVER consider taking the elevator so we hit the stairs. Three flights. Going down, not a problem. Going up? Are you ready? NOT A PROBLEM!!! What?! That's right folks! I had no trouble walking up those three flights of stairs! This is a FIRST!!! The exercise is paying off! I am getting fit! I was leading the line going up too so the pace was not slow. And I made it! And I didn't have to stop or think I was going to pass out or have to stop and rest at the top before walking to the car! AND I could still breathe and talk! 

Then Week 10 hit and so did a MAJOR case of hay-fever. UGH. It has interfered with EVERYTHING except walking the dogs. It's rather difficult to exert oneself when you're hacking up a lung and stopping to blow your nose every 10 seconds. My hope for this week is to begin the Synergy plan which is an eight week commitment.

Nothing will change with the food as that has become our daily nutrition at this point.

I'm still staying off the scale because I'm sick of letting it rule my mood about losing weight. I hate being ruled by anything, especially a inanimate object. There's no sense in setting myself up for failure. However, just knowing that my fitness level has increased has made for a tremendous uplift in the mood!

That's it in a nutshell! How are y'all doing?

Summer Sizzle- Week 7 Update; Week 8 Deets

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 7 and the beginning of Week 8 and, no, I don't have any idea how the time is going by so quickly.

But I'm glad it is because summer is NOT my favorite season. It's just too dang HOT. And HUMID. And MISERABLE.

So speed on by summer and PLEASE let us have a very chilly fall and cold winter! At least down here in coastal SC where fall and winter passed us by last time around.

I know. And I'll stop fussing about the weather as soon as it gets cool. :)

This last week has been CAH-RAZY around here. Self inflicted crazy. I've decided to paint some bookshelves which led to deciding to rearrange some things which led to deciding to get rid of a whole bunch of things which led to...y'all know how this goes. You start with one little project and the next thing you know---BAM! All hell breaks loose and you're left with total freaking CHAOS!

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

So- food has been good and healthy. Mostly vegan; some vegetarian; a smidge of meat once or twice. As always, all organic/natural/non-processed/grass fed/wild caught/free range/etc. And I'm averaging about 100 oz of water every day. It's too hot not to drink the hell out of some spring water.

Still no calorie counting. And no change in the scale. Which is fine by me. Well, as long as it's NOT a gain. LOL

Exercise is as follows:

7 days/week: walk/run Strider and then walk Tucker (that's two walks usually for a total of 3 miles)
3 days/week: Sprint 8 (on the days I don't walk with walking buddy)
3 days/week: third walk with walking buddy. (on the days I don't do Sprint 8)
While sitting at the computer I'm either on the exercise ball engaging the core OR on a chair using the 8 lb hand weights while reading blogs--or other important work. 

And that's it. I plan to get back into C25k training as soon as the weather cools down. I HATE doing anything in this OPPRESSIVE heat. Especially running.

This week's challenge was to commit to and sign up for a 5k. I did NOT do this because we can't sign up for the Turkey Day Run until the fall.

Week 8 - (begin July 22) - EMBRACE A FITNESS FEAR...I am having trouble with this one because I'm not sure what fitness fear I have. Other than never getting fit and being overweight until the day I die. I'll pretty much try anything that interests me.

That's it for me- hope y'all have a great week!

It Takes Big Balls To Do That

Most of y'all are familiar with how brilliant some of my ideas are. I've had another. Two, in fact. And they turned out to be just as brilliant as my past brain storms.

The exercise ball already in my possession seemed perfect for my first particular plan. 'Seemed' being the key word there. The lovelies had all been sitting on it without any trouble so, why shouldn't I be able to? Because I'm taller and much heavier than the lovelies, that's why. So when I sat on the ball, my knees came to my ears. This is NOT a comfortable position. Though it did get a rousing roar of laughter from said lovelies.

Armed with determination and my debit card, I headed out for Wal-Mart. Surely they made exercise balls for tall people. They do.

I could hardly wait to get home and pump that thing up so I could start engaging my core immediately. I pumped (and pumped and pumped and pumped) until the ball was just the right size and took into the study where I threw the desk chair to the side and carefully placed my new seat in its spot.

As soon as I sat down I could feel my core engaging! "I must have music," I thought to myself. So I plugged in my iPod whereupon I began ball grooving to the music. For a couple of hours. Those hours went by so fast what with the music and all--seriously, it's way big fun to move around on that ball to the beat of the music. But I needed to get up and move about and do something other than work intensively on the computer (i.e. read blogs).

Lesson number 1 when using an exercise ball as a chair: it's not just your core that engages. Apparently your entire body engages---a fact that does not become apparent until one tries to stand up from said exercise ball. Thus, my legs were wobbly and my back was so sore I could hardly move. Or sit. Or lie down.

OUCH!

No worries...once I got my legs back, I sat on the desk chair and decided that, when I was sitting on the desk chair instead of the exercise ball (which I stayed off of for two days) I would use my 8 lb hand weights and lift while reading blogs doing important work on the internet.

The only problem was that my arms were so sore from all the lifting of the hand weights that I could hardly type. So, if you're have not been getting comments from me, it's not because I wasn't reading. It was due to the fact that I couldn't really move my arms which meant that my fingers couldn't get to the keyboard.

Did I stop using the exercise ball and hand weights? Nope. I did take a break---I had to, I couldn't move. But I'm back. And it's better.

And there's nothing quite as fun as ball grooving to your iPod!

Summer Sizzle- Week 6 Update; Week 7 Deets

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 6 and the beginning of Week 7-

Anyone else HOT out there? And, by HOT, I mean sweating buckets upon buckets every single day even when not exercising? Yep. Me too.

On to the update-

• I tried the Sprint 8 three days. It's fine- but too soon to tell how it's going to affect any fitness/weight loss so I will continue until I figure that out.
• I'm still walking/running 7 days/week every week- even in the heat/humidity and even when it rains. I walk Strider, come back to get Tucker and then walk him. After the dogs it's ME time- I walk/run another 2 or 3 miles- except on the Sprint 8 days. I average about 5 miles/day.
• Still drinking the hell out of some water every day. It can't be helped. Did I mention it's HOT outside?
• Still not counting calories but still keeping food intake healthy only (except for those darned dark chocolate edamame that jumped into my cart at Trader Joe's. Again.). 
• Still juicing daily.
• Was successful with this week's challenge of eating vegetarian. 
• I lost 1 pound.

Week 7 - (begin July 15) - COMMIT TO AND SIGN UP FOR A 5K
Ok this one will be easy on the commitment part and difficult on the sign up. I plan to run (maybe walk) a 5k on Thanksgiving Day in Charleston--the Charleston Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble. We can't sign up until the fall. Besides, just signing up for one doesn't do one thing for making me commit to actually DOING it. So, I'll just continue training and sign up when we're allowed to do so. 

And there you have it. Short and sweet!

Hope everyone had a great week and has an even better one coming up! 

Summer Sizzle- Week 5 Update; Week 6 Deets

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 5 and the beginning of Week 6-

The heat is still ON but I am SLOWLY acclimating myself to it. I've even been running a little! WooHoo!

The exercise is going well. I walk Strider (mostly it's a run) and then come back and take Tucker (still a pretty fast clip but not a run) AND, starting this week, I am adding Sprint 8 on my own 3 times/week.

What is Sprint 8? It's simple. After a 3 minute warm-up, you just push yourself at maximum effort for 20-30 seconds and then rest for 90 seconds. You then repeat this cycle 8 times.

Why am I going to try Sprint 8?

• It can be done with any exercise- with or without equipment. 
• It doesn't last an hour so it saves time and the sprint part is only for 4 minutes
• You only have to do it 2 or 3 times/week; any more than that can do more harm than good

Basically, it's short and sweet.Well, I'm not so sure about the sweet part. But it IS short.

Here's a video of Dr. Mercola doing Sprint 8 on an exercise bike. I'm going to be running during my intense part and walking during the rest part.

The food is going well also. I'm not counting any calories I'm just eating healthy. My recipes are from the Gerson recipe book and/or from the RAW recipes I get from various blogs (you can find them listed on the page marked Health and Fitness Sites on the tabs at the top of my blog). I am also juicing every day and making my green smoothies as well.

Our challenge for last week was to lose 2 pounds. I lost 3.5. AND I didn't hold back on July 4th. Of course, we did have mostly healthy foods. Everything was selected and prepared carefully. All meats were grass fed/free range/certified organic/etc. All sides and the dessert was organic and prepared without gluten and with organic ingredients.

This week's challenge is:  VEGETARIAN WEEK. This is not going to be a problem since I'm already doing it. Of course, you just never know until it's over.

Recap: I did lose 3.5 pounds last week but that's not THE thing. THE thing is that I am feeling better and I do NOT attribute this to the lost poundage. I attribute it to the healthy diet which has led to an increase in exercise intensity- I am running in this OPPRESSIVE HEAT! :)

Weight loss has become the proverbial icing on the cake. Getting fit is the goal!

Hope y'all had a great week and have an even better one this week! If last week sucked, don't let that stop you! Get up and get moving!


Don't forget: I have TWO giveaways going on right now! One for 250 FREE business cards from UPrinting and one for 3 bottles of flavored liquid Stevia from NuNaturals! Just click the buttons at the top of my sidebar to enter!!! Good luck!

Summer Sizzle- Week 3 Update; Week 4 Deets

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 3 and the beginning of Week 4-

More like the summer fizzle stay the same. Again.

Except for 2 lbs that are MIA- and I am NOT going to be looking for them. And the 1/2 inch from my neck, the 1/2 inch from my waist and the 2 inches from my hips. Won't be looking for those either. They can just STAY GONE. Good riddance!

I did a little better with my calories but forgot to track ON TIME a couple of days----

The missing calories for Monday totaled 1671. Today's isn't on there for obvious reasons.
 
The exercise is about to get serious this week. I never made it over to the senior center to join but, in my defense, I was rather occupied with a HUGE project that involved stripping down and painting an entire bedroom suit so...

BFF is going over to the center with me tomorrow- we hope anyway. I may have mentioned that she's sadistic ruthless a personal trainer. I am AND am not looking forward to this. All that to say- I will be late on last week's weekly challenge. Sorry y'all.

The challenge for this week: Week 4 - (begin June 24) - 100 oz OF WATER AND SHARE A FAVORITE HEALTHY RECIPE---Well, considering our humidity is around a gazillion percent now and our temps in the 90s, the water shouldn't be an issue at all. Sheesh. I'll be sharing healthy recipes on Tuesday and Thursday!

 That's it for me- I can't wait to see how the rest of you sizzlers did this week! Keep on keepin' on ladies! 

To Count or Not to Count---THAT is the Question

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows...Hahahahaha, nah, I'm joking.

What I'm talking about is counting. Counting calories. A lot of us do it. Few of us love it.

Some of us count calories as one tool in our efforts to lose weight. It's one way to see what our intake actually is- well, when we're completely honest about each and every little morsel that crosses our lips.

Counting our calories can be enlightening when it shows us not only how much but exactly what we're ingesting. It can be an aid in helping us adjust our daily eating plans. Counting calories can also frustrate the hell out of us when we go over our limit for a day. Or more. Which can lead to another day of overeating from the frustration of seeing that we overate the day before and so on. It can become a vicious cycle if we're not careful. And if our willpower is lacking.  

And now, as with most things, counting calories is the subject of a debate.

To count or not to count.

Brandon over at The Healthy Advocate believes that counting calories is a waste of time. He says that if you develop some healthy lifestyle habits, your body will 'count' the calories you need for you. Brandon suggests that we:

• Get a restful night's sleep for at least 6 hours
• Cut the sugar and the grains
• Lower our stress levels
• Get some sunlight
• Exercise

Hallie at Daily Bites also makes the case for not counting calories. Her reasoning stems from her personal struggle to try to gain weight and she found that counting calories reminds her of the time in her life that each day was a struggle just to get through it. She discovered that finding a balance made all the difference and that assigning a number to food is not the best or healthiest idea.

I get what these guys are saying. And I've made pretty much all of the changes. But my scale continues to be stationary. Surely not counting calories wouldn't make that much difference in either direction...???

I do know that I can get so consumed with counting the calories that I lose sight of my goal- getting fit and healthy. 

According to WebMD , the concept of counting calories came about near the start of the 1900s. It seems that there was a scientist, Wilbur Atwater, who claimed that if you put food into a “bomb calorimeter” and burned it you could measure the ash and discover how much energy had been released. This could also be a measure of how much energy was in the food. Once this idea gained momentum, people started counting calories- which is figuring out how many calories are consumed with different types of food and then burned off while taking part in different activities.

So, are calories important? Sure. They’re just not the whole picture and we’re cheating ourselves if we think they are.

We all know that the type of calorie we choose will determine the effect on our bodies.  But, is it necessary to COUNT OUR CALORIES?

All I can figure is, IF it works for you- then YES, it’s necessary. IF it doesn’t work for you, then NO, it’s not necessary.  The main thing is not to get bogged down with the counting and realizing that counting the calories is simply one tool of helping some of us to lose the weight.

Like it or not, there is not one magic tip/idea/method/tool/pill that’s going to get us to our healthy goal weight. Nothing. We have to do the research, try a myriad of methods, sweatsweatsweat, etc. until we each find the thing(s) that work for us on an individual basis.

If you really HATE counting those calories but want to be accountable for your caloric intake, try these tips:

• Eat smaller portions- yes, I know. We’re all doing this already. But look at your plate during your next meal at home and see where you can cut down. How large is your plate? Could you use a smaller one? (No fair if you pile the food up high in the shape of a mountain). 
• What food is taking up the most space on your plate? If it’s protein or carbs, change it to veggies. Choose foods that use more calories to digest and metabolize.  If you eat foods that require a lot of work to digest, you can save yourself calories like foods high in fiber.
• Eat the right kinds of calories. In other words, steer clear of the candy, sodas, sweets, desserts and take in more fruits, veggies, nuts, etc. Not only will you save calories, you’ll increase your health dramatically. 

So, all that wordiness to say- I am now going to try an experiment. I will continue counting calories through the month of June. But, beginning July 1, I will not count calories. I will, instead, be extremely mindful of the TYPES of calories I consume. I will keep a daily written journal of the foods I eat just so I can share with y’all at the end of July. 

I will be following a watered down version of the Gerson Therapy plan and a RAW diet. For 31 days. Without counting calories. I know that counting calories and eating MOSTLY healthy is not working to get the scale moving. I’m beginning to think it’s not doing so much for my health and fitness either.

I know most people don’t usually hear of the Gerson Therapy until someone they know (or themselves) have cancer but it’s not just a good idea once one has gotten sick. It’s good for general health and prevention- the detox alone should prove quite beneficial. Though there's no way I'm going to juice 13 times every day. Nope.

What I really want to find out is:

• Is it important to count calories or just to make my calories count OR a combination of the two.
• Will following a watered down version of the Gerson plan and eating RAW make a difference in my health and/or weight.

Yeah, I know it’s not scientific. But it’s what I’m going to try--I don't even know if I can stick to it for an entire month (and it was really stupid to pick one with 31 days). I will still check in with the Summer Sizzle Challenge- I wouldn’t let Rochelle down for anything! She’s such an inspiration to all of us! As a matter of fact, I doubt I would have come up with this plan if it weren’t for the challenge. 

Oh, and I’m not planning on eating anything and everything while waiting on July 1 to get here. 

Though it is tempting.

Sizzle Summer Slim Down: Update- Week 1/Goals- Week 2

 Week 1 is a done deal. Our focus was to be on getting back into the habit (or getting into it for the first time) of tracking our food intake. This is not a problem for me- it's one of the few things that I can/will/do, do.

But the scale didn't move one iota.

I think it was due to too many of these:

Followed by too little of this:

Which didn't burn enough of these:

The caloric intake was under what myfitnesspal.com recommends for me. It was also under the 1500 that I was going to set for myself. But now I'm thinking that I have to go back to the 1200 daily calories if I expect to lose any weight at all.

The exercise has to change also (That day with no exercise? It was raining like crazy and not one time did I think to do the Shred--my brilliance astounds me at times.). It's going to have to go like this:

• walk either Tucker or Strider
• walk whichever dog didn't go the first time out (Tucker doesn't enjoy walking with Strider)
• go back out for a training run
• 30 Day Shred, level 2 OR Tae Bo OR Yoga Booty Ballet (will probs mix it up)
• Get myself over to the senior center and join (inner debate to come)

Yes. It's going to be a huge pain in the rear.
Yes. I have to do it anyway.
No. I've not lost my mind.

But I've also not lost any weight. And that sucks. Completely. Totally. Without a doubt. It sucks.

Water intake was fantastic! Wish that was all it took to get the job done!

 So this week we are supposed to focus on exercise. We are to try to get in 6 hours for the week. I'm hoping this won't be a problem since I have to change what I'm doing so drastically.

Also this week, I am going to try a little menu planning. I'm going to try a few new RAW recipes. Here's the menu for this week:

MONDAY: Zucchini spaghetti (gluten free)

TUESDAY: Sweet n’ Creamy Tomato Soup (RAW) and RAW Fajitas

WEDNESDAY: Portobello Mushroom Burger (Vegetarian/gluten free)

THURSDAY: Spinach and Raw Mushroom Quiche

FRIDAY: RAW Tacos

SATURDAY: Baked Broccoli Burgers (Vegetarian and gluten free)

I'm setting up a page tab for a list of all the participants in case anyone would like to visit and throw some much needed encouragement their way- there's no doubt in my mind that any and all encouragement is more than welcome and greatly appreciated!

Have a great week y'all! 

Wednesday Words of Weight Loss, 2

Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty began a new blog hop last week called Wednesday Words of Weight Loss.  Every week she posts 5 new questions for us to answer.  This week, I am following my responses with a re-posting of the first post I wrote telling how I lost my original 83 pounds.  I am now working on taking off the 17 I put back on as well as continuing the journey.

Here are the questions for this week:1. What's your favorite vegetable? Squash--any kind of squash will do but I especially love yellow squash and zucchini.  
2. Is eating out a problem for you?  No, I LOVE to eat out!  Just kidding.  We don't eat out very much because I like to know exactly what's going into the food I prepare.  
3. How often do you weight yourself? Ugh...I HATE doing this but I do it every time I get on the Wii Fit Plus which is every to every other day.  And it AIN'T PRETTY.
4. What's the hardest time of day for you regarding snacking? Between meals, after meals, before meals...gesh, all day long and into the night.   Years ago (in college) I was a smoker...I often wonder if the snacking takes the place of that nasty habit? 
5. Please tell me something you will do this week to be nice to yourself.  Take some time every night (BEFORE I am too tired and fall asleep) to read a book regardless of what else needs to be done.


Getting in Shape (originally posted on 9/10/2010)

Ok, the house was clean and the scrapbooks filled--not decorated, but filled.  What next?  I decided that maybe it was time to get in shape.  I must admit that 25 years of child rearing had turned my figure into something very much resembling Jabba the Hutt.  A dear friend started a weight loss/how to live a healthier lifestyle program in November of 2008 (just after daughter M's wedding.).  Due to the busy lives we lead, friend L and I have learned how to go weeks, even months, without seeing each other even though we live in the same town.  HOWEVER, we cannot go long without talking to each other.  So, it was no surprise that I didn't actually see her from January until March 2009, at which time I did notice a change but thought little of it.  Then, in May, when she and her hubs stopped by I not only noticed that she looked like a Barbie doll (well, a short one anyway- L is all of 5' tall) but I also decided that I wanted to do whatever it was she was doing (and not just because of how great she looked, but because of the healthy glow she was sporting and the energy she seemed to have acquired.).  That very week, friend L started me on a healthier lifestyle consisting of healthy eating habits and exercise--AFTER she made me go to my doctor for permission that is.  I made a lot of changes in our diets (yep, I brought hubby along with me although he doesn't have 4 tons to lose) including switching from white bread to whole wheat (only one way of increasing fiber); cutting down on the portions of protein; cutting out sugar;changing the types of fats used; cutting out processed foods; adding fresh veggies and fruits daily; huge decrease in salt intake and so on.  There was little snacking and, if I did snack, I had nuts or fruit.  I also had to get off my Jabba behind and do the exercising.

My initial exercise consisted of walking on the treadmill that had been sitting idle for over a year (ok, it was idle for 2 years.).  At first I was lucky if I stayed on for twenty minutes at the incredible rate of 2 mph.  In a few months though, I had worked my way up to 3 miles every day at 3-3.5 mph.  For a month or so, I even walked an extra 2 miles in the afternoons (and this was because Dr Oz said you should take 10,000 steps every day-- that may have been close to the time I stopped watching his show...).  By the time I stopped using the treadmill and walking outside with Tucker, I was up to the occasional jog (which was not enjoyable--I didn't like running in college when I was slim and trim so I certainly was not loving it at this point in time).  Tucker and I do enjoy our daily combination bike ride/walks every single day (once you start walking your pet, he will NEVER let you miss a day).

They say that tracking your progress is extremely beneficial to losing weight so, to track my progress, friend L told me about Lance Armstrong's website www.livestrong.com and suggested I use it to record my daily intake of food and output of exercise.  This was a tremendous help for about seven months (up until the Christmas season when I stopped using it because I did not like how it added up the Christmas goodies I was ingesting.).  It really is an awesome website though.  You register for free and use the My Plate section where it actually breaks down your meals into categories for you (protein, fat, carbs, etc.) and then tells you how much more of each you have left for that day all based on how many calories it calculates you are allowed each day (you plug in how many pounds you want to lose each week and the site calculates how many calories you can have daily in order to achieve the loss.).  It also records your exercise and calculates remaining allowed calories adjusted accordingly.  If you eat out, no problem.  The site can calculate and break down those calories as well.  In those first seven months I lost 72 pounds and was feeling pretty darn good.  It's been 15 months now and I am down 83 pounds.  I have to confess here though that Christmas brought some temptations that I did not resist (my dad's homemade oatmeal raisin cookies for one) and I got myself right back on sugar--cookies, ice cream, cake = YUMMY!).  I have not gained the weight back but I have hit a self-induced plateau from all the sugar so I had to increase some exercise (and maybe I'll get back to the healthy eating habits--I HOPE so because it sure hasn't happened yet!).  Since we had been cutting down tree limbs and gathering the debris in our yard, I thought hauling all the cut limbs from the backyard to the street and such would be excellent for adding strength training to my exercise regimen (the easy part was getting hubby to leave all the limbs so I could haul them.).  It was during the first hauling, my dears, that I completely remembered why I don't like yard work.  Holy Cow!  I was convinced that my arms and legs might never speak to me again (although they would talk ABOUT me!).  In the end, it was fine.  Once the soreness went away, hauling those limbs actually did help and I continued in the direction of slimming down.  Of course, since the weather has been significantly out of control this summer (I am referring to the heat), hubby has not cut any limbs down in a while (yes, the trees are all still standing.).  So, the question became, what to do now for strength training (other than lifting the spoon from the bowl of ice cream to my mouth that is) and the answer was YOGA BOOTY BALLET.  The only problem I have with the program is that the girls who instruct the workout cannot count (when you are counting and you reach 6, the next number out of your mouth is NOT 4!).  PLUS they have a habit of saying things like, "Let's do eight more!" You know, in those perky little 'come-on-you-can-do-it' voices.  Yeah, I really don't like that.  But I have noticed some inches coming off even with continuing to to lift the spoon filled with delicious ice cream!  I even considered trying Yoga Booty Ballet and eating the ice cream at the same time.  That way, when the girls say, "Let's do eight more,"  I wouldn't mind so much.

A word of warning:  There is a down side to losing the weight when it comes to carrying several heavy items all at once like gallon jugs of spring water.  Before I lost the weight I could carry 4 or 5 gallons with the help of the rolls in my midsection to keep them from falling.  The jugs would rest on top of a roll creating a 'fat shelf' if you will, preventing the jugs from sliding down and hitting the ground.  This is no longer available.  Now, the jugs just hit the ground.     

Getting in Shape...Again

Anyone on the box who is smiling, is lying.

Momma Brown over at Growing roots and turning over a new leaf posted about getting fit and mentioned how she felt after using her Wii Fit.  And I thought, really?  She's got achy muscles from a game?  She must be joking.  Well, I have recently discovered that she was not joking.  Oh no.  She was SERIOUS.

Danger! Will Robinson!

We have been having BIG FUN with the Wii from the moment we opened it on Christmas day.  Soon after, I foolishly made the comment that, "All we need now is a Wii Fit."  I got one for my birthday (thanks Hubs). And, I have discovered that instead of reading Momma Brown's post for entertainment and inspiration, I should have heeded it as a WARNING (cue Robot from LOST IN SPACE).  I completed my second day on that evil piece of crap the Wii Fit board yesterday and I am seriously trying to devise a way to inject ibuprofen intravenously.  Either Wii Fit is somewhat misleading OR I have been misleading myself as to how many of those lost 83 pounds I have, in reality, gained back because, and I am being totally honest here, my body KNOWS it has been worked out.  From a freaking GAME.  While I was hula hooping, nothing hurt.  While I was ski jumping and downhill skiing, nothing hurt.  While I was doing the step aerobics, nothing hurt.  All during strength training and the Yoga?  That's right.  Nothing hurt.  But, today?  Well, today is a different story altogether.  Today, EVERYTHING I HAVE HURTS.  And today, I also thank Momma Brown for her warning and am kicking myself (figuratively rather than literally for obvious reasons) for not taking it to heart.

The options provided for a workout seem harmless enough.  All you have to do is stand there and move your body from side to side or up and down.  The Yoga exercise I tried only involved BREATHING  for goodness sakes.  BREATHING.  And my abdominal muscles are sore.  Have I not been breathing all along?  My legs are so sore I didn't want to take Tucker on our morning walk-- I did, but I didn't want to.  And all I did to them were the skiing options (which are for balance not killing your legs).  You just stand there with your legs bent and then straighten them out to jump and, for downhill skiing, you simply lean from side to side to go between the flags.  The running in place, where I refused to stop even though my breathing sounded like an old time steam engine, was nothing more than--running in place.  And that step one?  It's supposed to be for working on your rhythm not making you pant like a cartoon wolf.  Apparently, because you are concentrating on the game, you don't think about using your muscles.  Oh, but they are being used.  Yes indeed! 

Poor, embarrassed Mii

I have made another discovery.  Thanks to Wii Fit I have discovered that I am not only COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY OUT OF SHAPE but that I also have NO BALANCE whatsoever.  It's a wonder I walk upright.  This discovery is thanks to the downhill skiing and the ski jump.  And that soccer balance game?  The one where you lean and head the ball that's thrown at you but lean to AVOID the shoes that come your way?  I have managed to hit my Mii with shoes and avoid the soccer balls (no wonder my Mii hangs her head...she's not experiencing frustration or defeat, she's embarrassed!).  However, sore and unbalanced though I am, I am not deterred.  I'm going to get back on that darn thing today because I know that, if I don't, the pain will NEVER go away.  And I am determined not to live out the rest of my life carrying all this extra UNNEEDED weight around.  I might also be fueled somewhat by the how pisssed I am at myself for gaining ANY of that 83 pounds back.  Plus there is the fact that the darn Wii Fit game keeps a nice little record of how often you 'play' it, what you do, how well you do and it TALKS to you!  (Crap, now I realize that I'm even competitive with a stupid game.).  Oh, and I also reward myself with a few games of Wii Sports bowling afterwards.  I have beat my high score of 200!  It's now 225.  That's right fellas!  Can't wait for y'all to come back for a weekend!  (I TOLD you it was ON!). 

Yes, read it and WEEP!

I even tried the Penguin exercise where you lean to catch fish...

And ended up in the water.

So, it's back on the Wii Fit board today coupled with walking Tucker every day.  AND just as the Wii Fit holds me accountable by keeping records, I have joined in with Julie at The Going to be New Me for her Walk 400 Miles in 2011.  If you need a little something to help you motivate or keep you going, go visit Julie and sign the linky to walk this year.  Seriously, it's only a smidge over one mile/day.  And, because we check in once every week (or once each month if you prefer) it's almost like we're all walking together!  Tucker and I walk three miles MOST days but this is going to help me walk those THREE miles EVERY day.  (Plus, Tucker will stop looking at me funny when we stop after one or two miles).  If you want to join in the fun, just click the button below and get started!  See you out there!