Me and the Mercedes........Marathon

A New Week

2009-10-19T10:34:00.007-05:00

This weekend was great fun! The Hubby and L went to a Queensryche concert on Friday night and had a blast. They had backstage passes and met each band member and some members of the band’s family. Several people recognized The Hubby from his Queensryche board name – Mindclot. The Hubby is known in certain circles for his artwork with the Queensryche tryryche.

Sweetie Pie and I went to the Thorsby Swedish Fest Saturday morning. We had a great time visiting with my brother and family. Sweetie Pie got a whole bag of candy from the parade - and I’m not kidding - it is a Wal-Mart bag-full. And bonus points for recycling!

Swedish food – Chilton County Style:

Steak, baked potatoes, corn and roll - apparently Swedish!

Entertainment by the Thorsby High School Band:

And there was even one man from Sweden. He even had a sign:

Today has started off well. I was planning on starting the 4:30 Wii step this morning but didn’t wake up until 5:20 so hopefully I’ll do better tomorrow. Even though I missed the workout, I have been eating responsibly! Dinner tonight is going to be chili which I plan to throw into a pot then get my walking shoes on and get a work-out in while the chili is simmering.

Day 1 (again)

7:45 – 2 packs of instant grits

9:00 – 1 serving baked BBQ chips

12:00 – 2 sliced pork tenderloin
1 baked potato
1 slaw from Zaxby’s

Went to LaFeista instead - tacos, refried beans and rice - YUMMMMMMM!

Nuts

2009-10-15T08:50:00.003-05:00

I had a very interesting conversation with Sweetie Pie last night. He had gone outside to play with his friend and there was another boy tagging along that we think has just moved into the apartments. Sweetie Pie came in, was snuggling with me and told me the boy kept hitting him in the nuts. WHAT? I was so surprised by this sentence and its correct usage of nuts that I didn’t even know what to say. Sweetie Pie continued to tell me how he had told this boy to S-T-O-P – STOP but he wouldn’t. He then confessed that he had ended up pushing the boy down but waited until they were in the grass so it wouldn’t hurt but that he had to do something because he was tired of being hit in the nuts.

Now there are all kind of crazy things going on in my mind – where did he learn that nuts is another word for what we usually call our private place? Should he get in trouble for pushing the boy down? Should I be glad that he stood up for himself when he usually lets people run all over him? I ended up talking to him about how he should always try to settle any differences with talking but that I was glad he stood up for himself but did it so that the boy got the point but wasn’t hurt. I hope I handled it okay, I don’t want to raise a bully but I also want him to stand up for his self and not let others push him around. Sometimes boys are hard!

I haven’t been around much lately but I also haven’t been working out, eating right or losing weight. We are finally back in the bedroom so I plan to start getting up every morning and doing the Wii step. That way I’ll have some exercise done every morning and I won’t have to worry about the rain - the rain that will not go away! I believe my toes are becoming webbed! According to the weather man, Birmingham has had over 15 inches above normal rainfall. I’m beginning to think I’m going to have to brush up on my swimming skills or at least buy a fashionable life jacket to wear.

So now what do I plan to do to get myself back on track? First, I’m brushing off my old catch phrase – ITS NOT AN OPTION! I want a steak biscuit for breakfast – ITS NOT AN OPTION! I really want a juicy burger and fries for lunch – ITS NOT AN OPTION! I don’t want to walk this afternoon; I think I’ll sit on the couch – ITS NOT AN OPTION! See it works pretty well, I have just got to start telling myself this again.

Well, onward and downward as they say. I have several cute Christmas sweaters that I would love to be able to wear this year. Maybe I need to get one out and hang it on the bedroom door so I can see it and remember one of the reasons I want to get fitter.

Well, hopefully you will see me more often! Oh, and there still isn't a den leader but does anyone want to buy popcorn?

Things I’ve Learned

2009-09-23T12:44:00.001-05:00

I’ve learned I talk a good game but I’m bad at follow through. I’ve learned you should keep your serial number/photo list up to date in case someone or more decides to kick in your front door. I’ve learned (or re-learned) I am a stress eater. I’ve learned I have to try to accept myself as I am but to continually improve.

After the hiatus of diet and exercise and the fits and starts I’ve had lately, I realize I’m not going to be able to complete the Mercedes half marathon so I’ve reworked my goals. Instead of the half marathon this February, I plan to RUN the Mercedes 5K Fun Run. Yes, I said run. I feel that will be an achievable goal. Next year I will do the half marathon and then we will see about completing the marathon. Right now, I think I would be happy if I get to the 10K race level with a half marathon thrown in once a year.

As far as the diet front, I’ve been tossing around low/no carb for a couple of weeks but I think I’m just going to go the healthy food/restricted calorie/exercise route. If I’m going to run a 5K, I will need the carbs for energy. I’ve just got to remember healthy carbs – not candy and cake-type carbs.

I have been eating like a panda plowing through acres of bamboo! Can you tell I read about where some conservationist thinks it is time to let the pandas go the way of doo doo birds? Things have been really stressful lately. An opportunity has been offered The Hubby that I feel would be beneficial to him and our family. He does not see it this way. He only sees that he would have to work some extra hours and maybe some weekends. I’m trying to convince him to at least go through the interview process but he only sees now – not the future. I am so stressed because it looks as if we are ever to get another house, send Sweetie Pie to college or have any type of retirement it is going to be up to me.

Then, last Thursday, someone or two someones kicked in our front door and robbed us. They got a lot of things but they didn’t get the towers that have our pictures or The Hubby’s graphics. They took Sweetie Pie’s DS, three of the Hubby’s guitars, a couple of laptops, the tv in the bedroom and a bunch of Xbox games – not Xbox 360 but 10 year old Xbox games. They got our digital cameras, the trash can and some other electronic-type things. I think I’m most mad about the DS. Why take a child’s toy? How much are you really going to get for an old DS? The worst part of all this is that I had let our apartment insurance lapse. It is totally my fault and I had been meaning to call the insurance company for the past few weeks. I feel so guilty about this. It just makes me want to vomit every time I walk in the door.

I almost didn’t write that last part because I have friends that read this blog but I just feel the need to get everything out – to be honest with myself. I see this blog as basically a journal for myself so. . .

The second thing that makes me mad is now I don’t feel safe in our home. An upstairs apartment is opening up near our current apartment and we are trying to decide if we want to move or not. I really don’t want to pack everything up and move 100 yards to a different apartment but will they come back? They left things you would have thought they would have stolen. Will they come back when they think we have replaced the stuff they stole? But then part of me feels they won’t be back because we will be more aware and the apartment’s courtesy officer (a police officer who lives in our complex) has been driving by more frequently. I’m sick to my stomach just typing this. We have all been sleeping in the living room. Sweetie Pie and I sleep on the air mattress and The Hubby sleeps on the couch. The Hubby has the baseball bat by his head and I have the phone by mine.

And then, what seems to be stressing me even more than the above two things, is that Sweetie Pie’s cub scout den still does not have a den leader nor does it look like anyone is going to step up to do it. What do they do when they have formed a dud den? Why was Sweetie Pie lucky enough to be a part of the dud den? The second packmania is Monday night so it has been whole month that his den has not met. The other dens are already ahead. Do they really expect me to pay dues and buy a uniform when there hasn’t even been a den meeting? Why did they form a den without a leader in the first place? I wanted Sweetie Pie to have an enthusiastic and excited leader, now if he even gets a leader; it is going to be someone who doesn’t want to do it. Who will probably only half-way do it and, I feel, he will miss out on some of the best that the cub scouts have to offer.

Well, now that I have gotten all that out – I still feel sick to my stomach. Then I feel bad because there are so many worse things that could be and are happening to others. We still have plenty of stuff, Sweetie Pie will survive a rough start to cub scouts and The Hubby has a job. Why is it so hard to count your blessings? Why is it so easy to see the crap? I’ve been doing a very bad job praying and taking my troubles to God. I feel silly taking these problems to God when there is so much going on in the world.

Well, thanks for reading this book! I wish I could say it has been therapeutic but it really hasn’t. I hope to be updating more often and I’ll, hopefully, be more entertaining.

Football and Dips

2009-09-04T08:52:00.001-05:00

Well, I’ve been talking a good game but my actions are telling a completely different story. So instead of whining about dieting and exercise, I’m going to participate in a dip spectacular from BooMama’s site.

In my opinion, chips are totally optional!

Cheddar Ranch Dip
Enjoy it with tortilla chips, celery sticks or rice cakes, or use it as a sandwich spread.

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
1 (3 ounce) can bacon bits
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

In a medium bowl, thoroughly blend the sour cream and ranch-style dressing mix. Mix in the bacon bits and Cheddar cheese. Chill in the refrigerator 20 minutes or longer before serving.

Here Mojo – Here Boy – Has Anyone Seen My Mojo?

2009-08-31T12:49:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems I’ve taken another blogging break – and diet and exercise break for that matter! There are a lot of things I could blame it on – school starting, soccer staring, cub scouts starting. Only being home one night last week, etc. etc. etc. But those are only excuses not reasons. None of those things should have stopped me from eating right or not exercising at least in the mornings.

So what do I do to get back on track? How do I get that “gung ho” feeling back? Well, the only thing I know to do is, as they say, just do it. I’ve got to get up and exercise – no excuses. I’ve got to eat better and turn down more sweets – no excuses. I’m hoping if I just act like I’m dieting and exercising, I’ll then feel it.

And I have to start now! Put my foot down on my spoiled self and get back in the groove. There are lots of fun things coming up and I would really like to be in shape for them. Sweetie Pie is now a cub scout. It looks like tons of fun but there are a lot of activities and camp outs – eek – and parents have to be involved. I want to participate, not just cheer from the side lines!

Anyways, that is what is going on in my head. I think I see mojo coming in from the field!

Just some other stuff; Sweetie Pie has been telling everyone to call him Pie. I’m not sure how I feel about this development. We have called him Sweetie Pie since he was born and only my uncle has ever called him Pie. He was telling everyone at the cub scout orientation yesterday to call him Pie. Hmmm, I guess I can see him as a Pie. If he keeps it up, I guess this old dog will have to learn new tricks.

I can’t believe how fast Pie has been growing this summer. I was going through some pictures to pick some to send to MIL and the shorts he was wearing at the beach no longer fit him. I use to think he would be 11 or 12 before he got taller than me but I think I need to lower the estimate to 9 or 10.

Anyone excited about football? I find myself excited this year and Pie has agreed to watch some games with me. It has been a long time since I’ve been interested in football. I’m married to one of the few men not interested so I haven’t paid much attention for the past few years. As I get older, I find I miss the excitement of the game, the joys of winning and the agony of losing. But I find myself wondering if I miss the game or just the food? LOL!

Anyway now I’m going to put on the boring stuff:

Breakfast: Jimmy Dean Light Breakfast Bowl

Snack: ½ bag of Combos

Lunch: lettuce, tomato, carrots, turkey, pecans and light balsamic vinaigrette

Snack: finish off Combos

Tomorrow I’m going to start adding up the calories, fat and carbs and get back to the losing!!

Is That All?

2009-08-17T08:18:00.002-05:00

Well, it has been awhile but things have been a little crazy. During the last week of Sweetie Pie’s summer camp, there was construction going on and they cut the power to the gym so everyone had to move to the lunch room. On Thursday before summer camp ended on Friday, I got a call and they had even cut the water and wanted parents to pick up their kids since they couldn’t even use the rest room. We muddled through and summer camp ended but there were still three days before school started.

So I took some days off work and we decided to have a blow out! Monday I took Sweetie Pie and his friend to Chuck E. Cheese. Believe it or not, this was SP’s first time there. SP and his friend had a great time. It wasn’t bad – I just sat at the table and read my book club book. If you are looking for a good book to read, I highly recommend The Art of Racing in the Rain. It was a great book!

The only part of Chuck E. Cheese that nearly pushed me over the edge was waiting in line to redeem the tickets. The ladies that were working behind the counter had other responsibilities and handing out junk seemed to be on the bottom of their list. Also using 210 points, 10 points at a time got a little trying.

Tuesday was Meet the Teacher and that evening was the parent/teacher meeting. I love Sweetie Pie’s teacher. She seems to be a good mix of fun and discipline. Tuesday night, Sweetie Pie slept over for the very first time. He has never spent the night away from home. I took him over after the parent/teacher meeting and then picked him up the next day pretty early. Both SP and I did well. It was a relief to finally have that milestone passed. LOL!

Wednesday, I picked up Sweetie Pie and his friend and we went to free jump at Jump Zone. Then we had lunch at McDonald’s. We had planned to go to Laser Tag and use up some tokens we have left from a birthday party there but they didn’t open until later. So the apartment became a video arcade and the boys played various video games the rest of the afternoon. Around 3:00, tiredness set in and I took SP’s friend home. The rest of the evening, we got prepared for the first day of school!

Things are now back to normal and I’m hoping this also applies to my diet and exercise plan. I have definitely been letting things slip and I’ve gained 5 – 7 pounds. I’m starting South Beach again tomorrow and I’m getting back on the work out express! There is a 5K on September 5th I’d like to walk but I would also like to run a mile or so of it.

So I’m back to business. I’m going to start posting what I eat each day also. That was really helping me keep track of what I ate and kept me much more aware of the food I was putting in my mouth. So upward in mileage and downward in weight and now is a new minute!

Miscellaneous stuff: I am losing all my hair! It is coming out in hand-full’s. I can’t imagine what is going on. My diet hasn’t radically changed and I haven’t changed hair products. Any ideas?

Sweetie Pie told me this weekend he was born to crash cars! I don’t think my wallet can handle the insurance. Looks like he won’t be driving until he can pay for his own!

My friend had an awesome 40th birthday party this weekend. I’m not a huge fan of margaritas – I love the idea of them but I’m not that fond of the taste. But the margaritas at her party were awesome! I drank two!

I have an unhealthy fascination for Total Drama Action and Stoked on Cartoon Network.

My First Race Report

2009-08-03T08:59:00.003-05:00

It seems in blogland that you must record the results of your first race. Mine are less than spectacular but I finished and now my first organized race is under my belt. And I can only get better!

I got to the race venue about 35 minutes early and there were lots of dark scary clouds but no rain. I checked in, pinned on my number and sat down and absorbed the atmosphere and people watched. Suddenly a huge wind blew and sheets of rain started falling. The wind was blowing all the registration information around and the signs the sponsors had taped up were flapping. People were racing to put up all a/v equipment. This kept up for about 20 minutes.

When the wind and rain let up, the organizers decided to start the race a little early because another big, dark cloud was fast approaching. As the racers were walking to the start, it was not raining and the wind had died down to a comfortable breeze. And at 5:55, the gun sounded and we were off.

The run was a four mile night run and the first couple of miles were fine. The first mile and the last mile were the same route so about half way through my second mile, people were going the other direction to finish their last mile. The third mile was rough and had a HUGH hill in the middle of it. I took my hat off to all of those who ran up that hill and kept going.

As the third mile drew to a close and the fourth mile was starting, a lady with the organizers was telling people they could stop at the third mile because of the big black cloud that was getting closer and closer. I was determined to finish. And there was still no rain.

During the first mile, in the front were a lot a runners, then there was an older man, me and then several people walking including a pregnant lady who were doing the one mile fun run. At the point of the fourth mile, there was the older man and then me. But I was hanging in there!

As the fourth mile started and flashes of lightening were getting closer and closer, I kicked it into high gear because I WAS GOING TO FINISH! It was my first race and I was not going to quit! About a quarter of the way through that last mile, I finally passed someone. Now before you break out the fireworks and congratulations, the person I finally passed was the man I had been trailing behind the whole race who had a hip replacement, had finished a 5K that morning and, I think, was missing some toes.

I finished. I finished with a PR of 1:09:11 for a four mile race! LOL! When I got back to the pavilion, there was still food but the awards had been handed out and the podium, etc., had already been packed up.

Things I learned from the race:

1. I don’t like to wear a hat when I walk.
2. I’m a penguin – slow but steady.
3. If you’ve had hip replacement and no toes, I may pass you!

Oh and for anyone interested, I picked up my BBQ and water, walked to my car and the threatening big, black cloud let loose with all its rain and thunder.

War Review and Soccer Moms

2009-07-28T10:41:00.001-05:00

The war continues but more on that in a bit.

Sweetie Pie has made me a soccer mom again for the fall. It was touch and go for awhile but he finally decided to play. He had been talking about playing baseball but it worried me because most, if not all, of the kids have been playing for several years. Also, baseball can be pretty slow-paced and waiting, patience, losing and not being perfect from the beginning are skills we are working on with Sweetie Pie. The most stressful part of this whole thing was that soccer registration ended on July 25 but there were no updates or information on when baseball registration was going to be.

So July 25 was the deadline for a decision. So finally on the 24, right before bedtime, I asked Sweetie Pie about soccer once again. He had enjoyed soccer in the spring and there were no guarantees that there will even be fall baseball. He said he wanted to play baseball. I asked him why he didn’t want to play soccer again and his answer was, “I didn’t score the most goals last time. Everyone on my team scored more goals than I did.” Remember when I said he had problems with losing! That was the biggest reason why I was worried about Sweetie Pie playing baseball. Once we talked and he remembered that he wasn’t the lowest scorer last year (not that it matters), he decided on soccer and now seems excited about playing.

Now on to the war – Friday and Saturday were good. On Sunday there were a few skirmishes lost but on Monday I regained all the lost ground. I also RAN yesterday. Walking has been my main form of exercise outside but after reading some blogs and getting my groove back, I actually ran. Now I only ran .3 miles but it is .3 miles more than I have ran in six weeks. I walked/ran a total of 2.1 miles in 35 minutes. Speedy, I’m not but I’m reacclimating myself to the heat and humidity which I’ve been avoiding the last two weeks.

I’m participating (notice I didn’t say running) in a 5K on Saturday for our local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. I’m both excited and nervous. It is going to be the first time I’ve participated in an organized race. I’m planning on walking most of it. I might manage a half mile or even a mile run during the race but I’ll be happy just walking and getting a 5K under my belt. I’ve never even been to an organized race so I’m nervous about not breaking any rules but I don’t think this is going to be a huge race so I think it will be a good starting point for me.

I will update my weight on Monday. I have a secret goal that I’m trying to reach and – right now – I’m on track to reach it.

Don't You Love Declarations?

2009-07-22T12:56:00.002-05:00

Things are totally out of control! The bag of chex mix is in the trash. The cupcake has been eaten, of course. Who would throw out an Edgar's cupcake?

The New and Improved War on Fat has been declared at 1:02 pm on July 22, 2009. The war will be won!

Do Over

2009-07-21T10:11:00.000-05:00

Yes, I tumbled off the wagon again and again. First there was what I like to call, the week of the 4th of July and then there was the week of my birthday. Also during the week of my birthday, our office was working on a huge proposal and to keep people in the building and working, they brought in lunch every day. Now, I know I could have eaten my salad and been a good girl but they brought in good lunches for my birthday and it would have been rude to say no. LOL! Also after The Hubby lost his job a few years ago, the frugal side of me screams, “FREE LUNCH!!”

The damage wasn’t too terrible. I kept doing the Wii step each morning but my afternoon walking was pitiful. So now I have dragged my getting-fatter and getting-lazier rear back on the wagon. I even have broken fingernails to prove it!

I am walking a 5K for Big Brothers/Big Sisters on August 1. I have no illusions that I will be able to run it but I’m planning on running at least a mile of it.

I’m trying to talk Sweetie Pie into registering for soccer in the fall. First, he did enjoy it this spring. Second, he needs the exercise and socialization and third, selfishly, I enjoy sitting and talking with the moms.

So now I’m back. Say good bye to free lunches and no walking and hello to good eating and much exercising!

Two Steps Forward

2009-07-15T08:25:00.003-05:00

At least this week has been a two steps forward, one step back type of week. Last week seemed to be one step forward and two steps back. My eating has been much better, except for the birthday treats that keep popping up! Hey, you turn down your manager when she has made you a homemade cookie cake - that was delicious, by the way.

Exercise has been spotty. I've missed my morning Wii work out both Monday and this morning. I managed to walk Monday night but I worked late last night. It looks like this will be a week of hit or miss.

Tonight I have to register Sweetie Pie for first grade. FIRST GRADE, I'm sorry but my baby is not old enough for first grade. I'll be getting home late so I don't know if I'll have time for a walk. Tomorrow, I'll probably have to work late again, so it looks like Friday may be the next night I can walk.

The craziest thing so far this week is that I won a contest off the Alabama Bloggers Blog. One reason it is crazy is that I never win things. The second reason, is that I won brownies from Ashley Mac, a local catering company. I'm forgoing birthday cake for the brownies!

Next week, I'll have no excuses to eat treats, our house guests will be back home and, hopefully, the juvenile deliquent that lives behind us will have his door-slamming at 12:45 pm temper in check so we can sleep. Things can get back to normal on both the diet and exercise front!

I'm Back!

2009-07-13T08:37:00.002-05:00

Well, it seems I took a little break from blogging, dieting and exercising. I turned the 4th of July into a week long holiday but it is back to business today.

What happened last week? Well, several things I think. One is that because my birthday is in July, I seem to view July as a holiday month. I always tend to eat more, go out with my friends more and stay out later when I do go out. Now, to clarify when I say go out, I mean bunko with 11 other girls and book club with 7 other girls. I’m not out dancing and drinking all night like I use too. I can’t stay up past 10:00 pm these days anyway!

The other thing that I think happened was diet fatigue. This weight is coming off slowly this time around and I sometimes feel I’ve done a lot of work for little reward. I didn’t go off the deep end and have biscuits every morning but I did allow myself more treats than usual. I didn’t walk but I did keep doing the Wii Step each morning for an hour. I have not gotten on the scale - I am going to put it off until next Monday.

Now I am back on the wagon and feeling like I can do finish this (and keep it under control so I never have to lose weight again). This morning I was supposed to get up and do Wii Step but a huge thunderstorm came through and woke up Sweetie Pie and I had to lay with him so he would go back to sleep. He moved my hand to cover his ear so he couldn’t hear the thunder. Even though this is a minor setback, I’m back to eating my low fat, high fiber and 1500 calorie or less diet. The rain should end this afternoon so I’m going to walk for an hour this afternoon. Onward and downward!

I know lots of people make New Year’s resolutions but I like to make what I call birthday goals. Here are this year’s:

1. Lose 40 pounds by January 1. I’ve got six months to do it. I plan on exercising twice a day 4 to 5 times a week and to get one hour of exercise the sixth day with one day of rest. I also plan on following my diet plan closer. I have to eat better with fewer slips.

2. Run 3 miles by January 1. I have to follow the C25K plan consistently.

3. Cook more meals for my family. I am going to plan meals for three to four nights a week. I have to expose Sweetie Pie and The Hubby to more foods. I also enjoy cooking and have really slacked off lately.

4. Here is some miscellaneous stuff: Finish Sweetie Pie’s first year scrapbook and start on years two and three. Keep house cleaner, clean out junk drawers and closets. Start process of becoming home owners.

The Good, The Bad and The Painful – The 4th

2009-07-06T09:08:00.004-05:00

Wasn’t that a nice number to see on the last post? I’m sure I’m not there now; I’m actually scared to weigh. I have a quarterly weigh-in for the Scaleback Alabama program on Wednesday or Thursday. I know I’m still down 10 pounds but I don’t think I’m an onederland number this week!

We had a great 4th. Sweetie Pie and I were at the pool for at least 2 hours every day. Friday, Sweetie Pie and I ran some errands and were in the pool by 2:30. Not only did Sweetie Pie finally get a haircut, I bought the Williams Sonoma daisy cupcake pan. Sweetie Pie wanted the caterpillar cupcake pan that was on sale. We got home and went to the pool we finally trudged home from the pool around 5:30.

On the 4th, we were at the pool by 10:30 and made it home around 3:00. Then we grilled out steaks and hot dogs. We also had fresh corn, baked beans and rolls. For dessert, we had flag sugar cookies with ice cream and caterpillar cupcakes. We then enjoyed the fireworks in Helena.

Yesterday, we were only at the pool for two hours because some big, black clouds rolled in and it actually rained!

The bad part of the weekend was that I ate and ate and ate! Diet – what diet? I ate sugar cookies with ice cream squished between them – Yum – I ate grilled steak – Yum – fresh corn – chips – Just yummy! Now, I’m back on track and ready to go. I didn’t walk or run or do anything this weekend. After spending hours at the pool, I just wasn’t up to it. However, while in the pool (I’m not a great swimmer) Sweetie Pie and I would kick from side to side and I would make sure I was always jogging in place and I did lots of arm exercises with the noodle and kick board. Also throwing Sweetie Pie into the water used some muscles!

The painful – I got sunburned – again! Apparently with the shift of body fat, I have new tender parts that my bathing suit does not now cover. On the 4th even Sweetie Pie got too much sun even though I coated his face and body with sun screen. On Sunday, we both swam with our shirts on.

The funny – while trying to stay up for the fireworks on Saturday, Sweetie Pie got an ice pack and kept putting his feet on it. At one point, The Hubby put the ice pack down the back of Sweetie Pie’s shorts. Turning the tables, Sweetie Pie turned around, aimed his rear at The Hubby and started making machine gun noises. Asked what he was doing, Sweetie Pie said he was shooting frozen toots at The Hubby. We all died laughing!

The First Sighting - Onederland!

2009-07-01T08:42:00.002-05:00

Guilty

2009-06-26T09:05:00.005-05:00

We all need a rest day or two, right? Yesterday I felt very spent – worn out – my entire body was tired. I could barely get through my hour of Wii Step and didn't walk last night. Then this morning, for the first time in six weeks, I didn’t get up and work out. I woke up before my alarm, turned it off, rolled over and then woke up again at 4:45. I knew I could get in at least 30 minutes of the step but I rolled over and didn’t get out of bed until 5:25. Now I feel guilty. Not only did I not walk last night, I totally flaked out on this morning’s workout. Tonight, Sweetie Pie and I are going to the opening night of the Peach Festival in Clanton. I’m sure I’ll do a lot of walking there, but I won’t get my good work out walk as usual. Call me crazy – CRAZY – but I feel all those pounds piling back on.

So to assuage my guilt, there will be no ice cream this weekend. I might have to get some homeade peach ice cream tonight at the festival. I’ll get two workouts in both Saturday and Sunday and be much more mindful of my weekend eating. I’ve still got myself strapped onto the wagon; it just slowed down a little yesterday.

Sometimes, in the quiet of the morning, I think of some strange things. This morning, I was wondering this: If your body is so smart that if it thinks it is starving when you cut calories too much, why can’t it do something when you are eating too many calories? If your body stalls on the weight loss, why doesn’t it stall or reject all those extra calories to keep you from harming it by gaining too fast or too much? Why is your body only smart in one direction? I really think it should diversify!

Writing what I’ve been eating on my blog has really helped me see the areas I need to work on. I know it is boring but I’m going to keep putting it out there because it helps me be much more aware when I’m eating. I’ve also been better about writing down everything I’m eating than I’ve ever been before. Now I just have to do better at planning! Feel free to skip over the food diaries!

Day 16

4:15 – 5:15 am - Wii Step

6:00 am – Low-fat string cheese

7:30 am – 2 packages (probably 1.5 packages since it ran over the cup in the microwave and a lot ended up in the trash) of high fiber oatmeal

11:15 am – Publix cheese rice cakes* (I didn’t count how many I ate)

11:45 am – ½ - 3/4 c Publix tarragon chicken salad, low fat triscuit crackers, 1 teaspoon of ranch dressing, broccoli and ¼ slice of rum cake (too rummy!)

2:30 pm – more Publix rice cakes

6:00 pm – 3/4 cup of shell pasta, 1 cup of spaghetti noodles, 1 oz of chicken and ½ can of diced tomatoes

7:00 pm – 1 ice cream sandwich and 1/3 ice cream bar (human disposal)

Day 17

7:00 am – 2/3 plain McDonald’s biscuit (human disposal)

8:00 am – Publix rice cakes

*I can’t buy Publix cheese rice cakes again – they are rice cake crack!

Blah Blah Blah

2009-06-24T08:46:00.003-05:00

I walk around my apartment complex instead of a track or at a gym. It is convenient, has some built in hills and it is cheap! When walking around the apartments, should I be more offended by those people who seem to drive too close, or those who swing out so far that it makes me wonder just how wide I really am?

I’ll babble some about my walks/runs. I have three loops of the apartments that I do. I have the short loop which is .3 miles. It has a nice, semi-long, slow rising hill. The middle loop adds an extra loop to the short loop. It is fairly flat but has a shorter, steeper hill near the end. My long loop is my kick-rear loop. It adds a very long, slow rising hill to the first two. The long loop is 1.1 miles. With the heat, I’ve slowed down a bit and I usually do two long loops and two middle loops. I’m also over 7,000 steps each morning on the Wii.

Last night I skipped my evening walk. It is that time, if you know what I mean and I was just drained. This morning while doing the Wii, I was laughing (quietly, so I didn’t wake anyone up) because the weather people were so excited that there was only 87% humidity this morning. There is also a chance that the temperatures will be in the lower 90’s and upper 80’s in a couple of days. However, they have been saying that for over a week and I’ve decided that they have been using the same graphic for the seven day forecast and just sliding the days of the week over!

Day 14 (Yesterday)
I woke up very hungry – be warned!

4:15 – 5:15 am – Wii Step

7:15 am – ½ Benefit Bar

8:00 am – 2 slices whole wheat bread, 2 triangles of low-fat laughing cow cheese and the other half of the benefit bar

11:45 am – Salad with 2 oz turkey, 1 oz cheese, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, tomato and low fat dressing, 1 Benefit Bar (I was needing chocolate)

3:18 pm – 1 apple with 2 teaspoons of natural peanut butter

6:30 pm – 2 servings of shell pasta, diced tomatoes and 3 ounces of cheese

7:15 pm – ice cream cone, pecan twirl (curse you hormonal cravings!)

7:45 pm – 1 package of goldfish crackers

Day 15

4:20 – 5:20 am – Wii Step

7:40 am – 1 slice whole wheat bread, 1 triangle of low fat laughing cow cheese

I’m meeting some friends for Mexican today. I promise I won’t eat too many chips with salsa and I haven’t yet decided if I want the taco salad (I never eat the shell) or a burrito. Guess I’ll have to walk extra hard tonight!

10:30 am - yogurt w/ Fiber One cereal

1:00 pm - two soft tacos, refried beans and mexican rice, five chips and salsa

6:15 - 7:15 pm - Walk

7:30 pm - two apples w/ 1 tablespoon on natural peanut butter

8:30 pm - Low fat string cheese

The Plateau is Broken

2009-06-22T14:53:00.003-05:00

Well, I’ve finally broken through the plateau that was 207 – 209! I think 97-99 degree days with a heat index of over 100 helped. While walking, I have sweated in places I didn't think could sweat - like my eyelids and between my fingers.

Saturday, Sweetie Pie and I went to Tannehill Trade Days with my brother and his family. We had a great time but it was HOT! I have never seen so many different things for sale in my life.

VBS is over and Sweetie Pie really enjoyed himself but I’m glad to be back on a normal schedule.

As you can tell, not much has been going on so here is what I’ve been eating:

Day 10

4:20 am - 5:20 Wii Fit Step

5:25 am - low fat string cheese

7:00 am - low fat wrap, 2 boiled eggs, 2 t low fat mayo and an apple

12:15 pm - Grilled chicken ranch wrap and 1/2 order of a small fry from McDonald's

1:32 pm - benfit bar

3:00 pm - yogurt and Fiber One cereal

4:00 pm - apple

6:00 pm - 6:30 Walk

7:15 pm - 1/2 The House Salad w/ low fat ranch from Zaxby's, one slice American cheese

7:45 pm - ice cream cone

Day 11

8:00 am - Kashi cereal, 1/2 c 1% milk

12:00 pm - 1 package of cashews

3:30 pm - apple and walnut salad, 2 chicken nuggets and 5 fries from McDonald's

5:30 pm - LOTS and LOTS of spaghetti

Day 12

8:15 am - frozen crossiant w/ ham and cheese, 1 waffle w/ syrup (human disposal)

10:00 am - Cracker Jacks

10:30 am - 1 serving low fat Cheezits

12:30 pm - Spaghetti

6:00 pm - 7:00 - Walked

7:15 pm - 1 slice bread, 1 low fat string cheese

7:30 pm - 2 oz chicken, steamed broccoli

8:00 pm - ice cream cone

Day 13

4:20 - 5:20am - Wii Step

8:00 am - Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit, small peach shake (YUM)

11:00 am - salad with lettuce, tomato, carrot, broccoli, 2 oz turkey and low fat dressing

2:30 pm - yogurt w/ Fiber One

4:00 pm - apple w/ 1 1/2 t of natural peanut butter

6:00 pm - 7:45 Walked

7:00 pm - 1 baked potato with 2 teaspoons of light sour cream and 1 slice American cheese

Okay, Okay

2009-06-18T10:35:00.002-05:00

Well, it is another day but I like what the scale said. I try not to weigh everyday but decided to go for it today and I’m down 3.5 pounds since Monday. It will not be official until next Monday. I feel like a lot of it is water because of ALL THE SWEATING last night. According to Weather.com, it was 92 but felt like 98 when I was walking yesterday. It really felt like 102 to me!

You should notice that there was no ice cream yesterday either!

And on to today:

Day 9:

4:25 – 5:25 am Wii Step (over 6,500 steps)

5:27 am – banana

8:00 am – low fat wrap with 2 sliced cheese and tomato

9:45 am – Benfit bar

11:00 am - low fat wrap, 2 oz turkey, lettuce tomato, carrots and broccoli w/ ranch dressing.

1:30 pm - snack bag of low fat popcorn

3:30 pm - apple w/ 1 1/2 teaspoon of natural peanut butter

7:00 pm - 1 oz taco meat, 1 slice American cheese, 3/4 c black beans, 1/2 c pasta

8:00 pm - 4 squares of peanut butter cookie

8:15 pm - Ice cream Bar

Bah! Humbug!

2009-06-17T11:22:00.002-05:00

Today has been both good and bad. The good is I met a Twitter friend this morning. We attend the same church and arranged to meet this morning before Vacation Bible School.

The bad isn’t that bad. To start the bad, The Hubby told me this morning that he was not happy with Sweetie Pie going to VBS. He said it was filling his head with crap. I wonder what The Hubby thinks video games, movies and tv are filling his head with. That really irritated me because I am not trying to get The Hubby involved in any way but I want Sweetie Pie to have a firm foundation and then when he is older he can decide. I also ask Sweetie Pie if he wants to go, I don’t force him into going to church or VBS for that matter. Oh well, that is one thing I can just give to God to sort out.

The other weird thing that has been going on the past few days is that I feel empty - not hungry but just empty. That is the best way I can think to describe this feeling. Even my arms feel empty – not sore or stronger just hollow. Maybe that is how I should be feeling since I’ve been exercising and eating healthier. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten rid of some of the fat that was filling my veins and surrounding my organs and muscles. But I have found myself snacking more trying to get rid of this feeling.

Generally, I’m a very happy and optimistic person but the past few days, my head has just been in a doom and gloom mode. Everything I think about I seem to be putting the worst possible spin on. The other day, I had a déjà vu moment and in my head, it ended with me losing my job. Now that didn’t happen but it seems to be the course of my thinking lately. I’m beginning to wonder if I should have stopped the happy pills!

My will power, karma, whatever, seem to be waning. It is so hard to continue getting up early and working out, not eating whatever and whenever I want to and not feeling like you have much to show for all the work. Looking at the past few days, ice cream has played a big part in The Great Plateau of 2009 but we have just had the ice cream in the house since Saturday. What was going on the whole month of May?

An old friend that I’ve been in touch with through Facebook has been feeling burnt out on her running program. A guy who runs a running school (LOL) sent her an email that was really inspirational and uplifting. She forwarded to me and it did help. One of the best parts of the email is: “Running (for health and accomplishment) works; it is a miracle....but it's a slow one. It takes consistency and perseverance - but the rewards...energy, being lean, strong heart, keeping up with kids (and one day grandkids) while others can't 'move'. It makes you even more special than you are, plus no one can do it for you...you trained and YOU ran. You ARE an athlete and you CAN do it.”

I have to remember that I am making healthy changes and there are visual changes, even if I don’t really see them. It is a slow process. My clothes are getting bigger and my bra size keeps going down. The changes I’ve been making are becoming more habit and they get easier every day. I really enjoy my salad at lunch and can’t imagine going back to eating burgers and fries every day. I feel guilty if I don’t get up in the morning for exercise and I feel really guilty when I miss my evening walk. I feel I’ve let myself down if I only walk 30 or 45 minutes instead of an hour. I can’t believe I just typed that!

Whew - I feel better now that I’ve gotten all that out. I’m going to take my last seven days of menus and calculate the calories and fat I’ve been eating each day. From there, I’ll see what I can do next. Step One – PUT DOWN THE ICE CREAM!

Day 8

4:15 am – 5: 15 Wii Step – I have found that you can step faster than the Mii and it will count your steps. This morning I did about 400 more steps than I normally do and worked up a sweat again.

5:20 am – ½ banana

7:15 am – 2 servings of Kashi cereal, ¾ c 1% milk, ½ banana

8:00 am – ice cream cone

12:15 Low fat wrap w/ 2 oz turkey, lettuce and tomato, broccoli and carrots w/ ranch dressing (about 1 tablespoon) and apple slices

I’ll up date you on the rest tomorrow.

2:30 pm - banana

4:00 pm - yogurt, blueberries, Fiber One cereal

4:30 pm - Benefit Bar, 2 slices turkey

6:15 - 7:15 pm - Walked 3.5 miles and man was it hot! I couldn't do my whole walk at my normal speed because of the heat. My eyelids and between my fingers were sweating and I didn't even know you could sweat in those places!

7:18 pm - South Beach Bar

7:55 pm - 3 oz chicken and 2 cups of steamed broccoli

Happy Anniversary!

2009-06-16T11:31:00.002-05:00

On a Tuesday, seventeen years ago today, The Hubby and I were married. We were not married in a traditional ceremony. We didn’t even plan on getting married that day. We were engaged but hadn’t really discussed dates or plans. The stars aligned and on June 16, 1992, The Hubby and I were able to coordinate schedules, blood tests and insurance forms and found ourselves at the court house filling out paper work. We first went to a Justice of the Peace and his admin assistant told us he had just left but directed us to another. The next one was in a meeting. Feeling this was our one shot to get hitched, we checked with the license office about a preacher that usually was at the fountain in the park and married people. Luck would have it that he had gone home early – it was around 4:45. The nice lady must have also known this was our one chance and directed us to a criminal judge and her office was in the building that houses the Jefferson County Jail. We even had to take her a copy of the vows to read.

I was a blushing bride in a white mini, white shirt and keds that The Hubby had drawn on. The Hubby wore a striking ensemble of some green/gray shorts and a Harley Davidson T-shirt. Lemonade was served at a local 7-11 when we stopped for gas.

Now all this makes for a different type of wedding day but the best part was that we didn’t tell anyone for months that we had gotten married. It started because I had a friend who had a wedding planned for Saturday and I didn’t want to steal her thunder because she had worked hard for her day. Then it just became fun because it was our secret.

Now, here we are 17 years later, together after thick and thicker (me), good times and bad times, zigs and zags. I can’t say everyday has been a bed of roses but I’m glad we are still together.

Now on to the boring stuff:

Day 7

4:10 am – 4:40 Jillian Michael 30-Day Shred
4:40 am – 5:30 Wii Step

5:35 am – ½ banana

7:00 am – 2 servings Kashi cereal, ¾ c 1% milke

9:15 am – Benfit peanut butter bar

10:30 am – a few nuts (didn’t count them)

12:15 pm – 1 low fat wrap, 3 slices of turkey, lettuce and tomato, carrots and broccoli with ranch dressing, apple slices

3:30 pm - yogurt w/ Fiber One and blueberries

6:30 pm - 4 oz beef, 1 oz cheese, 1 ww bun and 1/2 c potato salad, 1/2 banana

I didn't walk last night.

At Least I Bought Lots of Veggies!

2009-06-15T10:55:00.004-05:00

It wasn’t such a great Sunday, food wise. Rain and being stuck in the house don't help my food choices. I didn’t keep up with the times I ate but this is the order.

Here is Sunday:

Day 5

1 cup potato salad

1 pkg gold fish

1 box of cracker jacks

1 low fat flatout wrap
2 T of Rondelle low fat garlic and herb cheese
2 slices ham
Lettuce
Dill pickle

Low fat cheezits

Ice Cream Sandwich

Taco Salad w/ lettuce, 2 shells, 1 oz. cheese, tomato, 3 oz taco meat, fat-free Catalina dressing

Ice cream cone

1 box of Cracker Jacks

I did manage to walk for 45 minute and then did Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred.

Today vacation bible school started. I’m not sure how it is going to affect my workouts since I’m coming into work later and then having to stay late. Sweetie Pie and I went to Publix yesterday and stocked up on lots of veggies so I plan for this week to be a good one. One thing to remember - only make Sweetie Pie ONE piece of cheese toast and QUIT being a human waste disposal!
So far today:

Day 6

4:20 am – 5:20 am Wii Step

7:00 am – 2 servings of Kashi Golden Honey cereal, ¾ c 1% milk

8:00 am – 1 slice of Sweetie Pie’s cheese toast

10:15 am – 1 package Goldfish

12:15 pm - 1 low fat Flatout wrap, 2 slices ham, lettuce, tomato; 1 c carrots; 1 c broccoli; 2T Ranch dressing

More to follow in the morning.

2:30 pm - yogurt w/ Fiber One Cereal

4:00 pm - apple w/ 1.5 t of natural peanut butter

6:30 pm taco salad (see Sunday) except no cheese and I added black beans

9:00 pm - ice cream cone

7:15 - 8:00 pm - Walk

Stay tuned for a grump session: I have been working out quite a bit but I don't feel like I'm getting much fitter. I still can't run a mile - I can't even do the first full week of C25K! I can't do more than 20 push ups (on the counter)every other day, forget trying to do them on the floor or every day. I'm still getting winded from walking up hills. And I can't do all the jumping jacks in the Shred DVD. I would be kicked out of the Biggest Loser ranch the first week! I have been pushing myself and I promise I'm not being a wuss. I just feel like I must have been the biggest couch potato ever! Was I that out of shape before I started? Do I have too much extra body bouncing around?

I don't have enough money to join a gym and get a personal trainer. I'm trying to work out either outside, with my wii fit or with DVDs. Guess I will just keep on keeping on and as the weight drops hopefuly, my strength will improve and I'll see an increase in my fitness.

Saturday, Oh How Fast You Have Flown By

2009-06-13T18:10:00.007-05:00

This morning's thunderstorms interferred with blueberry picking or going to Oak Mountain to hike to the Falls. I could have made it to the 5K Big Brothers and Big Sisters but I didn't think it was going to clear up so I walked for an hour this afternoon when there was a break in the rain.

I've got to run Sweetie Pie and The Hubby out of the living room so I can do Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred soon.

Today's eating has been terrible. Without some structure and being stuck in the house most of the day, lead to some over-eating. But all the clothes are washed and the freezer has been cleaned and cataloged!

Day 4

8:00 am - 2 boiled eggs, 1 1/2 t low fat mayo and 2 pieces of whole wheat bread

10:00 am - gold fish crackers

12:15 pm - 2 slices bologna, 1 slice cheese and 2 pieces of whole wheat bread

1:30 pm - ice cream sandwich

2:30 pm - ice cream cone

5:30 pm - 3 oz hamburger meat, 1 hot dog and at least one cup of potato salad made with potatoes, eggs, dill relish, mustard and light mayo - Bama Mayo, of course!

Things I forgot: 3/4 of a Hershey bar and a pecan spin.

Needless to say, I'm didn't follow the dietician's recommendations and I didn't get in my 5 to 7 fruits and veggies I try to get every day. I've really got to try harder on the weekends.

What I Learned:

2009-06-12T07:24:00.003-05:00

From Jillian Michaels’ –

· I have very weak arms, shoulders and abs.
· I don’t bounce well.
· I’m a terrible jumping jacker.
· Except for the jumping jacks, The Shred wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.

After doing the 30-Day Shred, I did 30 minutes of Wii step. I’m looking for something to put under my Wii Board to give it more height to make the step program harder.

There was a funny from Sweetie Pie this morning. He was moving kind of slow this morning so to try to get him moving a little faster, I said, “Well, tomorrow is Saturday! Yeah!” Sweetie Pie replied, “Boo! I like pizza better than Saturdays.” Friday is pizza day at summer camp. Silly boy!

Day 3 (June 12)

4:20 – 4:40 am - Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred
4:45 – 5:15 am – Wii Step

6:15 am – low fat String Cheese

7:00 am – cheese toast (white bread w/ no crusts and 1 oz. cheese) Left over Sweetie Pie breakfast

I haven’t been putting what I drink on my daily intake but I usually have one diet coke in the morning, one small cup of coffee around 9:00 (it seems to curb my hunger) and I drink water the rest of the day.

I might walk a 5K tomorrow evening for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. It will just depend on how tomorrow goes. I’m also thinking about going to Petals from the Past for blueberry picking!

I’ll update the rest of the day tomorrow.

9:30 am 1/2 Chex Mix, 1 pecan, 1/2 macadamia nut, 7 almonds and 29 peanuts.

11:30 am - 2 slices bread, 2 oz. cheese, 1 oz turkey, 1 pkg of mayo (from Chick-fil-A), tomato, and some carrot cake (three of us shared a piece)

3:15 pm - 1 small apple, 1 1/2 t of natural peanut butter

6:00 pm - 1 slice Little Ceasars cheese pizza

7:00 pm - 3 oz chicken, 1/2 sweet potato

My walk was rained out due to a thunderstorm.

FYI: I drink at least 96 oz of water a day. I also pulled some materials from a dietician I saw a few years ago after learning I was diabetic and if I'm eating a 1,400 c a day diet (which she recommended), I should have 6 proteins a day. I should also have 12 carbs and 5 fats. I'm going to try to better follow her guidelines.

Letting It All Hang Out

2009-06-11T07:33:00.007-05:00

Last night was so much fun. For Bunko this month, we went to Sips N Strokes. I liked the picture we painted but The Hubby just rolled his eyes at it. My feelings weren’t hurt because it was what I was expecting him to do.

I bought a food scale and measuring cup for work so I can measure when I prepare my salads. I drug my old food scale from the back of the cabinet to use at home. Hopefully, this will give me a better idea of how much I'm eating.

I also went and picked up the Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred DVD – finally. I was going to do it this morning but after staying up until 11:00 last night and getting up at 4:15 this morning, I didn’t feel I could give Jillian my best. I plan on going to bed early tonight and working out with Jillian in the morning.

Here is a picture from Margaret's book release party for Little Lamb Lost.

This morning I’m eating a little more than I normally would because I’m going to go give blood. Lunch is also going to be a little unusual but totally yummy!!

So on to the boring stuff:

Day 2 (June 11, 2009)

4:15 – 5:15 Wii Step

6:15 am – 1 oz low fat Colby-jack cheese

7:35 am – 1 slice whole wheat bread, 1 low fat laughing cow cheese, 1 oz turkey

Once again, I’ll update the rest of the day tomorrow morning.

10:25 am - Low-Fat Colby- Jack Cheese, 1 c Chex Mix

11:55 am - 1 small oatmeal cookie (after giving blood)

12:15 pm - Nachos
The good: chicken, lettuce, tomato
The bad: chips, cheese, cheese sauce and sour cream

3:20 pm - 1/2 c Chex Mix

6:30 pm - 2 servings of Kashi Golden something cereal
3/4 cup 1% milk

I didn't walk last night because I was so tired.

Failure

2009-06-10T07:54:00.004-05:00

Well swimming lessons were a bust. On Friday, the teacher had them “race” two at a time. Sweetie Pie, not being the best swimmer, lost. Another little boy in the group called him a loser so Sweetie Pie came and told me he had to use the bathroom. He ended up hiding in the bathroom for the rest of the lesson. On Monday, he was “too tired” to swim. I made him sit on the side for the lesson but he never would get in the water. Yesterday, I made the executive decision that swimming lessons were not worth going broke over (for bribes) or losing my mind over. Sweetie Pie was a totally different kid yesterday afternoon. I guess we will be hitting the pool and just doing the best we can. Maybe next year we will try again.

I also feel like I’m failing myself. I haven’t lost a pound since May 11 and I still can’t run even a mile and it has been months. So I’m going to put it all out into space and see if anyone has any ideas. I’m going to actually post my weight on the side and I’m going to start posting what I eat and my exercise to see if anyone has any ideas!

I also think this will help some of the mindless eating I may be doing. I promise to post everything I eat even though I plan on getting built to order nachos at the mothership tomorrow after giving blood!

Day 1 (June 10, 2009)

4:20 am – 5:20 am Wii Step (5,994 steps)

6:30 am – SP’s leftover cheese toast
1 slice bread (no crust)
1 oz cheddar cheese

7:45 am – 1 diet coke

I'll update lunch, dinner and snacks in the morning.

9:30 am - 5 almonds, 1 macadamia nut, 2 cashews, 1/2 pecan and 10 peanuts

11:15 am - Turkey Club from Arbys (free Wednesday food), 1 jello cup

1:22 pm - 1 low fat string cheese

1:47 pm - Kashi TLC Honey Toasted 7-Grain Bar

5:45 pm - 1 low fat string cheese

6:00 - 6:45 - C25K Training and Walking
Made it through 4 cycles of running
Run 1 - Flat
Run 2 - Flat
Run 3 - Uphill
Run 4 - Uphill

7:15 pm - 3 oz chicken, 1 c broccoli, 1 small sweet potato

8:00 - 10:30 pm - Chex Mix, 1 Strawberry Daquiri wine cooler and 2 fun size packs of peanut M&M's
This was during Sips N Strokes last night.

Hiatus

2009-06-04T09:40:00.001-05:00

The Lard Busting Fat Camp is on temporary hiatus. Between preparing for day camp each night and then having swimming lessons every afternoon, the afternoon walk has not been happening. I have been getting up at 4:30 am and doing step with the Wii for an hour each day and I’m being careful of what I’m eating.

This has been ONE of those weeks. You know how life is just rolling along; there are minor bumps but nothing you can’t handle and then – POW - one of those weeks. One that completely knocks you out of your normal balance and makes you realize that one false move makes your entire house of cards come tumbling down. That explains this week!

Sweetie Pie isn’t the best swimmer in his class so he doesn’t like swimming lessons. I keep stressing to him that they are lessons not competitions but it hasn’t sunk in yet. Then I have to pack a lunch, two snacks and drinks for all, a snack and drink for pre-swim lessons, a second set of clothes (including towel and flip flops) to change into every day for the lessons, and trying to get use to the day camp schedule of ice cream money, pizza money, swim days and field trip preparation has me running in twenty different directions but maybe I’m burning calories spinning my wheels.

It also hasn’t helped that we haven’t had a quiet weekend since I finished working Ticketbiscuit. The first weekend I had free, we went to Georgia, then last weekend we went to the beach and this weekend doesn’t promise to be any quieter. We have a birthday party Saturday morning and then a book release party for Little Lamb Lost by Margaret Fenton. (Great book, by the way, read it!) Then on Sunday, I’ve promised Sweetie Pie we would go to the pool and practice all he has learned from swimming lessons. I told him we would practice going under because I can’t go under without holding my nose and we would learn together. Hopefully, that will help next week be a bit smoother.

One great thing that has happened this week is I have found a lot of old friends from both high school and an old job. It has really been fun catching up.

Vacation and Confession - Both Good for the Soul

2009-06-01T09:08:00.006-05:00

What a great weekend. The Hubby and I took Friday off and we headed for Dauphin Island. Friday was spent at the beach enjoying the perfect weather with lower than normal humidity and hot but not stifling days.

Saturday we got up and headed into Mobile and visited the Battleship – USS Alabama - and the submarine. When we got back to the Island, we went to Fort Gaines. Then back to the beach to finish off the day. Sunday we traveled back home and got ready for reality.

Two of my favorite things I heard while on vacation:

Kick your legs, Xxxxxx. Kick your tiny, tiny legs!

And at the battleship: Man, “You know if you go down all these steps, you have to climb back up.” Woman, “What? No one told me that. I’m not going to be able to climb back up all those steps.” And it was not a kidding or joking tone!

My favorite site was the pier that leads nowhere (kind of like my diet):

I did better than normal with the diet and exercise while on vacation. I took low fat snacks and some apples and bananas. We ate two meals each day in the room so I did well 80% of the time. I did have ice cream with Sweetie Pie on Friday (and it was awesome) and the trip back was not the best but I kept everything within reason and I didn’t go crazy. I also got a lot of exercise. After the hurricane hit Dauphin Island, they dredged a lot of sand back to the beach and now it is twice as far from the dunes to the ocean. Also our hotel was across the street from the beach so it was a pretty good hike from the room to the beach. We also went up and down millions of stairs on the Battleship, Submarine and Fort. We got a great work out Saturday. Yesterday, though, I did nothing. I got a bit crispy at the beach and a nice cool shower and lots of lotion beat the hour walk! When I weighed this morning, I hadn’t gained any weight.

So now a confession: I am up FIVE pounds from my lowest point on May 11 and it has been up since. How is that? My food consumption has not been out of control and my exercise has been way up. Even exercising 2 hours a day the past two weeks has not nudged the scale lower but has stuck right on the five pound gain! How does that happen?

So I with today being a fresh month, I’m off to a fresh start! I was up at 4:30 am this morning and did the Wii step for 40 minutes. I want to get Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred this week to kick up the morning routine. I’m going to walk/run for an hour every afternoon and I’m writing down everything I eat and keeping it to 1400 or fewer calories a day and trust the weight will come off soon.

And to help it along, I have given up diet drinks, I’m going to lower my carb intake and I’m going to be more serious about the couch to 5K training. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday will be training days. Lets hope for better weigh ins for the next few weeks!

The Anti-Jared

2009-05-28T08:08:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I was reading the Anti-Jared blog and it really started to make me mad. At first, I was thinking who did this guy think he was? How is he making weight loss look so easy? He sure is full of himself. But after a while, I realized that it wasn’t Anti-Jared making me mad, I was mad at myself!

I was mad because he has been so dedicated to eating right and sticking to his food plan, and I haven’t. I was mad because he is positive he will not gain the weight back. How positive am I that I will not gain the weight back? He is confident in his plan and is working it. I am confident about my exercise plan but I feel I am floundering with my food plan. He has been dropping pounds and I haven’t. I was mad at Anti-Jared because he was showing me what I haven’t been!

I’ve also come to the realization that reading weight-loss blogs gives me a distorted view of how long it actually takes some of the bloggers to lose weight. It may only take me an hour to read six months or more of their journey so it seems they lose the weight a lot quicker than they actually have.

Plus I’m frustrated because I have been exercising 2 hours every day and I haven’t lost a pound!

So now what do I do about it? How about making a plan and STICKING with it? I have to admit I have impressed myself with my dedication to exercising lately and I have to apply the same discipline to my menu. Now I have to come up with a menu plan that is right for me. This is my challenge for this weekend. I’m also going to have to start writing down everything that goes into my mouth. I hate doing this but to get a realistic picture of how many calories I’m eating and how much fat and the ratio of carbs. I need this to determine how to tweak my diet to best fuel my body and get to my goals.

After all this belly aching, I have to say that I am very thankful for my life, family and friends. Granted I went through a couple of tough years but it is nothing compared to what some of my friends are currently going through. I am so lucky that right now my biggest frustration is lard busting.

Boot Camp Days 5, 6, 7 and 8

2009-05-27T07:55:00.002-05:00

The Lard Busting Boot Camp has been going both good and bad. First, the good; I’ve been exercising like a crazy person. I am well over half way to the 100 mile goal. Friday I got up at 4:30 and did the Wii. I walked for an hour Friday afternoon. Saturday before leaving for Georgia, I got up at 4:30 and did the Wii for an hour before we left. On Sunday, I managed to get in 45 minutes of walking. On Monday, I walked an hour and then yesterday I restarted my routine of Wii at 4:30 for an hour and a walk/run in the afternoon for an hour.

My eating, meanwhile, has not been as great. I’ve made better choices than I have in years but my sweet embargo was demolished by pineapple upside down cake. It was totally worth it though, I modified a Giada recipe and the cake was awesome. Today it is at the office so it will no longer be a temptation at home. I haven’t been losing any weight even with the exercise, so yesterday I got out my old ww materials and figured how many points I should eat and I’m going to follow their guidelines and see if some of this weight will drop off.

Sweetie Pie does not like thunderstorms so to help his fear; I told him something about thunder that my mom would tell me. My mom always said that thunder was God moving his furniture around. After telling Sweetie Pie this, his fear of thunder is much less. On Saturday, he told his Grandma that he knew what thunder was. Sweetie Pie did not go into the technical detail The Hubby had told him but told Grandma that she shouldn’t be afraid of thunder because it was just God moving his furniture around. If he hadn’t been such a smart aleck all weekend, I could have just eaten him up!

I thought in summer that life was supposed to slow down! Instead, the next few weeks look crazy. We are going to the beach this weekend, swimming lessons start on Monday and then the following weekend, we have a birthday party and a book release party to attend. I love it though; I just have to figure out when to wash clothes!

Tough - Boot Camp Days 3 and 4

2009-05-22T10:11:00.003-05:00

I’m a bit ticked off today. Since Tuesday, I have worked out at least 90 minutes each day and I’ve been watching what I’ve been eating and the Wii had the nerve to tell me I had GAINED .9 pounds this morning! Shouldn’t the numbers be going the other way? I even feel fatter. What’s up with that? I’ve been afraid to step on the “official” scale.

As of 10:00 am today, I have exercised 420 minutes this week! And I’ve really been working up a sweat, not strolling or taking it easy. Do I go back to low carb? Should I cut my calories more – add more calories? It is too soon for a plateau.

I’m not happy with this but I’ve just got to suck it up and keep on doing it and the weight loss better show up.

On the other hand, I did the Wii step for an hour this morning and yesterday morning and managed to get an hour walk in last night between the rain showers. YEAH!

Since I’m already a bit pi$$y today, another thing that drives me crazy are all these people that have such grand plans to never eat McDonald’s, red meat, processed food, etc. I’ve been reading a lot to help me on this journey and I totally agree that the less a food has been processed, the better it probably is for you. But I can’t say I will never eat a hamburger again or ice cream or a steak or even lunch meat. Yes, I want to be healthy and to lose weight but I really think it is unrealistic (at least in my world) to give up so much. I don’t plan on eating at McDonald’s every day or have dessert every night but what is a birthday without cake? Can’t I enjoy popcorn at the movie theater every once in awhile? As long as I plan for it and make adjustments in my exercise and calorie intake, what is wrong with having a treat every so often?

I know blogs are here to write our feelings and how we are handling our journeys so those are my feelings. I am trying to lose weight and get in good enough shape to do a half marathon so I am eating as healthy as possible. I have no grand plans to rid my diet of anything. But I do have plans to keep my eating healthy and I am trying to avoid sugar as much as possible since I have high blood sugar.

After all that, you would think I’m in a bad mood but I’m not. I am tired this morning. Getting up at 4:30 the past four mornings has been tough but I’m trying to make it a habit. I plan on getting up tomorrow at 4:30 and exercising again before we head out to the MIL’s house. We should be returning on Sunday and I plan on getting in a good walk that evening. Memorial Day looks like it is going to be rainy but I hope to be able to grill some lean burgers and have a welcome summer cook out!

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Boot Camp - Day 2

2009-05-21T09:19:00.002-05:00

I would call day 2 of Lard Busting Biggest Loser Book Camp a 95% success. I did step on the Wii for 55 minutes at 4:30 am. I did my couch to 5K training yesterday afternoon for 30 minutes instead of the hour like I had planned. I ate well except for a small slice of cookie cake at the kindergarten awards ceremony. I was trying not to eat sweets but I won’t let this one slip up bother me. It was a very small piece and I enjoyed eating it with Sweetie Pie, his classmates and the other parents.

Sweetie Pie was awarded the Eager Reader award. His teacher gave everyone a nice sand bucket filled with treats, a very cute book, their kindergarten certificate and their award. At first I was a little upset that my camera batteries were dead but then I just enjoyed the little ceremony without worrying I was getting the best angle, best smile and how it would look in the scrapbook. It was pretty nice just being in the moment.

This weekend is going to be challenging. We are going to the MIL’s. I’m not really worried about my eating plan but I’m not sure how the exercise is going to work out. I think I will get up early Saturday and do step on the Wii and then move as much as possible while we are in Georgia. We are coming back on Sunday and if I feel up to it, I will do more step on the Wii Sunday night. The biggest challenge with eating will be that I love to munch while I’m driving. I think I will go by the store and pick up some bananas, grapes and Baby Bels to help me through.

On to Day 3!

Boot Camp Day 1 - Again

2009-05-20T08:37:00.001-05:00

The new first day of Boot Camp went well. I was up at 4:30 and did 50 minutes of step. I walked for an hour yesterday afternoon. Not only all that but I did 20 lunges while brushing my teeth and 20 cabinet ups – not strong enough to do regular pushups. I also kept my eating in check and didn’t eat any sweets. Two Kashi TLC bars jumped into my mouth that weren’t planned for but at least they are full of fiber and protein. Note to self: Don’t buy bars, even though they are healthy, eating a box a day is not!

Miss Poovy asked for my tomato pie recipe. I don’t really measure or anything when making a tomato pie. I also haven’t lightened it – any ideas?

My Tomato Pie

1 pie crust
3 or 4 fresh tomatoes
Gruyere cheese
Swiss cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
Mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 400. Layer Swiss cheese in bottom of crust. Slice tomatoes for next layer, add mixture of cheese, and continue to layer cheese and tomatoes until crust is full. Mix mayonnaise and more cheese and spread over the top. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let sit about 30 minutes before slicing.

Due to the saltiness of the cheese I don’t add any salt but you could add other seasonings and herbs to your taste. I’ve also seen onion added in a similar recipe but I don’t know why anyone would want to ruin a good tomato with an onion! You can also vary the kinds of cheeses. I’ve used cheddar and American cheese also.

Now does anyone wonder why I need to lose weight?

Busted

2009-05-18T10:50:00.001-05:00

Well, the boot camp has been a bust so far - so tomorrow – Tuesday, May 19, 2009, is the first day of the LARD BUSTING BIGGEST LOSER BOOT CAMP! I will get up at 4:30 a.m. and exercise. I will walk an hour every afternoon and I will eat good, healthy food and stay within my calories and fat!!

Apparently since this weekend was my first “free” one, my mouth, stomach and brain also declared it free! It all started Friday when we celebrated Deshaine’s birthday at work. Cupcakes from Edgar’s were brought in, which would have been okay, but then we had to go to La Fiesta at lunch to celebrate more! It was rainy and gloomy so after work I went to Nat’s crop. Strike One!

On Saturday, we went to a birthday party. I ran laps in the bounce house, went through the obstacle course several times and went up and down the slide many times. So that was good but then more Edgar’s cake and CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM! Not so good – but I did walk one hour Saturday afternoon between rain showers. Strike Two!

Then Sunday, I didn’t have to work for the first Sunday in months and Sweetie Pie and I didn’t go to church but I did well eating through breakfast and then I wasn’t really hungry and had an yogurt and Fiber One cereal for lunch. After lunch Sweetie Pie and I went to the library and on the way home, I had to stop by Publix for a missing ingredient for dinner. Well, Sweetie Pie was hungry after the library so we went around McDonald’s for a happy meal. Sweetie Pie didn’t want his fries and eventually the smell got to me and I ate them. Then in Publix, I made the mistake of going by the dessert case and guess what was there? Rice pudding - and my will power was low and it jumped in my buggy and went home with me. Strike Three!

I’m out but not down. I’m not weighing today – obviously but I’m back on track and boot camp starts tomorrow.

I finished my friend’s book and it is awesome! I got so engrossed that I forgot the fact that my friend wrote it. I recommend it to everyone – Little Lamb Lost by Margaret Fenton.

Boot Camp Day 1

2009-05-15T08:07:00.004-05:00

Well, today is the first day of my own Biggest Loser Boot Camp. I didn’t make it up at 4:30 (boy, I’m having trouble with that) but this afternoon will be an hour walk and I’m going to work on the push up challenge. I’m also cutting out my morning snack and watching my calories and fat much closer today. Bring it on!!

Last night was Sweetie Pie’s last soccer game of the season. His team won again. His coach is awesome. He is very good with the kids, always kept control of them, taught them lots and lots and I never heard him raise his voice or saw him lose his patience. He helped make our first experience with organized sports an awesome one. After the game, we had the team party. Pizza and soccer ball cupcakes were enjoyed by all. The city provided the kids a very cute medal for participating but The Awesome Coach had also bought the kids trophies and goodie bags filled with soccer paraphernalia and candy. It was a fun night and I’m going to miss spending time with the other soccer moms.

To help fill the void and for safety, I enrolled Sweetie Pie in swimming lessons that start June 1. I didn’t learn to swim until I was 12 and I think that is the reason I’m not a very good swimmer to this day. In my personal opinion, I think the earlier you learn to swim the better you are later in life. Needless to say, I’m not a good enough swimmer to teach Sweetie Pie and The Hubby doesn’t swim at all, so I’m taking it to the professionals.

Sweetie Pie has also mentioned karate so I’m going to look into that for him. Looks like I’m going to have plenty to keep me busy!

Sweetie Pie also lost his second tooth last night at the soccer party! The tooth fairy got very lucky and just happened to have a dollar in her purse. I thought she was going to have to raid Sweetie Pie's piggy bank for some cash! LOL!

Sometimes I Love Numbers

2009-05-13T16:01:00.003-05:00

I had my six month checkup with my doctor today and it was a great visit. Not only was he very happy with the weight loss, my C13PO number was down from 7.9 to 6.4 (I want to get it even lower- 5ish), my cholesterol was down, my bad cholesterol was way down and the good stuff was up. I’m off the happy pills and Okayed to continue pursuing the ½ marathon! He also doesn’t want to see me again for a whole year!

After such great news, why do I still want to drive around Dairy Queen for a blizzard?

Tonight is my last night at my second job – three more hours. Sweetie Pie’s last soccer game has been rescheduled for tomorrow night, after the game, we are having the team party and then . . . There is nothing on the schedule. Counting the second job and soccer practice and games, I’ll have 20 hours next week free! I just hope I don’t waste them - Or not all of them!

Since everything is finishing up and I was so inspired by the Biggest Loser finale, I’ve decided to have my own personal Biggest Loser Boot Camp starting Friday and running through Friday, June 19. On the 20th I want to walk/run the 5K at the Chilton County Peach Festival. My rules for my own personal boot camp are:
• Exercise at least 30 (hopefully more) minutes every day.
• Walk/run at least 100 miles in the four week period.
• Keep calories between 1,300 and 1,500 per day.
• NO SUGAR!

My goals are:
• To lose 10 to 15 more pounds.
• Be in shape for the Peach Festival 5K.
• To have some article of clothing fall off of me.

Yes you read it right. I want something to be so big that it spontaneously falls off. I really don’t want to flash my granny panties but if they fell off around my ankles, I would be proud. If a skirt or pants fall off, I think I would be more excited than embarrassed.

Yes, I’m crazy!

Firing on all Cylinders - Maybe

2009-05-12T08:11:00.002-05:00

Have you ever woken up and felt better than expected? I woke up this morning feeling pretty awesome considering I couldn’t sleep last night because of the grande sugar-free, low-fat vanilla latte at Bunko. I was feeling skinny, this will probably be the last time I wear today's outfit because it is about to fall off and things were just clicking along. I parked in the back forty of the parking lot, pranced my way to the door where I reached for my badge so I could scan it and . . . there was no badge! It really makes things easier when you actually attach your badge to yourself somehow! I had to prance all the way back to my car and get my badge so I would be able to leave my desk for water and bathroom breaks!

Oh well, I’m still feeling pretty good and I needed the extra exercise anyway! Soccer practice was cancelled yesterday but I walked for an hour, went to Barnes and Noble and met with my friends and bought my friend’s, the author, newly published book! What an awesome day! That was one book purchase The Hubby didn’t complain about!

Them Bones

2009-05-11T08:40:00.003-05:00

I have bones! They aren’t quite visible yet but I can follow my collarbone all the way out to my shoulder. And my shoulders have bones!! I didn’t remember that. I’m also getting a curve where my calf is instead of a big chunk on top of a lesser chunk. Woo Hoo!

I got rid of that pesky pound last week and busted 3 of his brothers! I’m down 23 pounds! I had The Hubby take a picture Sunday and I have one from a few years back in the same position and as soon as I find it, I’ll post them. I’ve worked hard for those pounds too! I walked/ran for an hour on Friday, I walked 45 minutes on Saturday and then I did step with my buddy the Wii yesterday.

How was everyone’s Mother’s Day? I had a pretty nice one. My MIL and L gave me a very nice card and a gift card. Sweetie Pie gave me a sweet card and I even got a card from The Hubby. I worked my last Sunday at TB and played lots of Lego Star Wars on the Wii. Sweetie Pie and I made our way through 10 levels! It was another rainy day in Alabaster.

Not only is this my last week to work my second job, it is the last week of soccer. Thursday night is the team party and I’m making soccer ball cupcakes. I have a cake pan that makes half circle cupcakes. I’ve just got to find an octagon shape to use as a pattern and then we will have soccer ball cupcakes! Our last game is Saturday, but a couple of the kids won’t be there – so we are having the party early. Sweetie Pie’s coach is phenomenal. This is his first year coaching soccer, but he is so good with the kids and they have learned so much. Another mom and I are planning on requesting him next year too!

Tonight I have Bunko and I’m actually a little nervous. I missed last month’s bunko and I’m hoping everyone notices the difference in me. But part of me hates to be the center of attention so I’m not sure what will make me most uncomfortable – no one noticing or everyone noticing. What a crazy dilemma I’ve built up in my own mind! Part of me wishes I could just go into hibernation and then come out when I’ve lost all the weight. The bad part of that plan is that I get pretty cranky when I’ve haven’t seen my friends for a while!

While I’m talking about my friends, tonight I plan on getting my friend’s newly published book. The book is by Margaret Fenton and it is called Little Lamb Lost. I’ve read some of Margaret’s short stories and have loved them. I can’t wait to read the book. Check it out if you like mysteries - or even if you don't - it should be a great book!

Better

2009-05-07T08:13:00.001-05:00

Well, my new sugar embargo lasted one day – LOL! I’ve worked the past couple of nights and it has been tough for some reason. I’ve stayed within my calories but I’ve been making some poor choices. The first poor choice is RANCH DRESSING. Once a week or so, ranch dressing fits into my plan but twice in one day – not good. It kind of negates the benefits of eating the all the green! The second thing that is getting me is NUTS. I snack on nuts because I feel like I’m treating myself and I don’t miss the sugary snacks as much. Nuts are a good snack but I’ve been eating way too many, way too often.

Tonight is soccer practice so I’m going to take the training up a notch. I’ve only got one more week of my second job so by the end of the month; I plan on walking everyday and training 3 – 4 days. I’ve also got to do some strength training. I’ve thought about joining a gym but our company could be moving offices within the next six months and right now, no one has any idea where we might move. Besides, I have access to the company gym that is free and since I won’t have to be rushing home for work, I’m going to start taking advantage of it. I’m also on the lookout for Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred DVD. It has really been making the rounds of the blogs lately and it sounds awesome. I’ve also been doing wall pushups and I can now do 20. At this point, it is hard to image doing 100 regular pushups but that is my goal.

One thing I’m very confused about is sizes. I know the size you wear depends on your body type, how tall you are and other factors but I’m reading other’s blogs and people who are the same height as I am but outweigh me by 50 to 75 pounds are wearing sizes much smaller than I can. I was reading somewhere about a lady who fit into a size 18 (regular) and weighed 70 pounds more than I do and she is the same height. Then I’ve read blogs where someone weighed over 300 pounds and was wearing the same size as the skirt I wore yesterday. Now the skirt I was wearing yesterday was tight in the waist. It also had static cling that would not stop but that is another story.

So, my plan now is to up the exercise and watch what I’m eating and make better choices. I’ve also been contemplating rejoining weight watchers but I’m almost embarrassed to. I’ve probably joined ww at least 15 times and I’ve never seen it through. But then I think, why am I giving them all my money, I have the materials (more than one set) and I have scales and I’ve got this far on my own. Oh well, the debate will continue. For now, I’m going to start another sugar embargo on Monday – after Mother’s Day – and to step up the exercise. GO LARD BUSTING!

Weird Weekend

2009-05-04T10:02:00.002-05:00

Well, I’m up a pound this week. I’m not very happy about it. Yesterday started out wonderfully but deteriorated as the day went on. Storms came through yesterday afternoon so The Hubby and Sweetie Pie had a Star Wars viewing party complete with popcorn. Popcorn is my one true weakness and I succumbed. It wouldn’t have been so bad if The Hubby hadn’t added MORE salt to the popcorn. It also wasn’t the light variety but movie butter. Then I made fried rice for dinner. I did control myself pretty well with it but after dinner I had a 100 calorie York peppermint crisp. That was a big mistake, that thing was so good I could have eaten 200 more! Not 200 calories more but 200 more bars. To get the minty yummyness out of my mouth, I ate two tablespoons of mac and cheese. I have found that I really have to watch my carbs because when I eat them it can easily become a carbapolooza!

Not one of my better moments. I didn’t get any exercise yesterday either. To both get back on track and to punish myself, I got up at 4:30 this morning and did 40 minutes of step with my friend, the Wii. I pretty sure that between the salt, exercise this morning and water drinking before weigh in didn’t help my numbers.

My company is currently doing a fitness challenge where you have to get 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week and if you keep it up for six weeks, there are gift cards! Heck, I lost 10 pounds for a gift card, I’m pretty sure I can keep up the exercise to get another one! I’m also pondering going on South Beach Diet weeks 1 and 2 again because I want to be in onderland and I want to be there now!!!

Sweetie Pie’s team won again Saturday morning and after the game, one of his friends was having a birthday party. Now most parties I have been to lately have been at a venue and not a home party so I’m not up on home party etiquette but several things at this party were just weird (to me).

A local pet store brought different animals to the party. During the animal presentation, the guy would give the birthday boy a lizard or turtle, and instruct him to look at me and smile. The pet guy would then ask me if I had gotten the picture. I have no idea where the birthday boy’s parents were but I got a lot of pictures of the birthday boy and his brother with a variety of animals. Now maybe it is just me, but if Sweetie Pie had been the birthday boy, I would have been front and center taking pictures or I would have asked my sister or a friend to take pictures for me. Somehow I became the default official photographer – wonder if I should send a bill?

After the party, I went to thank the birthday boy’s mother and to let her know I had a lot of pictures of her children if she would like me to email them to her. She did thank me for coming and offering to email but she never looked me in the face, much less in the eyes. There were some other strange things to but I won’t bore you with them.

Now, how am I going to get rid of this stray pound and get Phase Lard Busting into high gear? First, I’m challenging myself to another sweets embargo! I’m going to see if I can make it to my birthday – July 16 – without any sweets. I’m going to exercise at least 6 days a week. I plan to do the couch to 5K, 3 times a week and I’ll walk or work with Wii Fit for the other 3 days. Last but not least, stay below 1,500 calories a day, even if I decide to go SBD week 1. Those sneaky calories add up quick!

Push - Well, I Tried

2009-05-01T12:11:00.004-05:00

Last night I did the benchmark for the 100 pushup challenge and I can do exactly 0 pushups even with bent knees. Looks like I'm starting with wall-ups!

It felt good last night walking at soccer practice. Why is it so hard to get motivated to exercise when it feels so good once you are through? I've downloaded a podcast of couch to 5K for training. My watch has a black face and when I'm hot and sweaty, I can't tell the minute hand from the second hand so I confuse myself.

A girl at work today told me I looked like an orphan because my clothes are getting too big. I know things are fitting me better but I really can't see that big of a difference. Last night though, I strutted past the mirror several times because my t-shirt actually hung down in a straight line from my boobs without bunching or skimming (clinging) to a fat roll. Isn't it funny that one minute you can be so proud of yourself and then the next you are freaking out because of how much more you have to lose and you feel like a huge pig?

I've been reading Dietgirl's blog and book and in honor of DG, the next twenty pound adventure will be called Lard Busting! It sounds like a lot more fun than just losing weight - which makes me worried about finding it. For Lard Busting, I'm going to keep better track of the foods I eat and to be more consistent with exercising.

The Hormone Battle

2009-04-30T07:59:00.004-05:00

The past three days have been very, very hard. My brain kept telling my stomach to just shut up that it was only hormones. But my stomach was back talking and telling my brain to just shut up and get it some FOOD! I would have to call the hormone battle a draw. My brain did win quite a few battles but the stomach won some too. Last night my brain was very tired of fighting and the stomach won. I ate more in one sitting than I have in two months.

For dinner, I had planned one hamburger patty on one piece of whole wheat bread with some carrots. Instead I ate – noodles and tomatoes (my favorite food from childhood, just a can of diced tomatoes and macaroni), two cookies and a banana. It doesn’t sound too bad but I ate the WHOLE pot of noodles and tomatoes.

Now I’m just hoping the hormone surge is receding and I’m fortifying my fort! I parked in the very back of the parking lot today and I’m pretending the elevator is broken. It is only one flight of stairs but every little bit helps – right? But I forgot my breakfast this morning. Two steps forward and one step back.

As for the exercise front, my hormones have been having their way. I worked out Sunday but Monday I was totally drained. Tuesday night and last night, I worked so I didn’t have time to work out. My 4:30am plan also didn’t work. I was also planning on doing the 100 pushup challenge and was going to do my benchmark last night but was too lazy to get my macaroni butt out of the chair. How much effort would just 1 pushup be? Too much apparently! Tonight, though, is soccer practice so I’m going to walk and run for 50 minutes and do my pushup benchmark when we get home. That should kick my butt back into shape – well, a little better shape!

Other things – I’m trying to learn to like coffee. I love gingersnap lattes from Starbucks but they only come around once a year and you really can’t taste the coffee. I can’t believe I’ve gotten this old and I don’t really like coffee. But I’m looking into cost cutting and coffee is a free caffeine source. Nobody offers free diet coke, but free coffee is everywhere.

Who is worried about the swine flu? One minute, I’m not worried at all and the next I want to barricade my family in our apartment. There are two unconfirmed cases in the northern part of Alabama. I’m really not that worried about Sweetie Pie and myself but The Hubby works in a retail setting and with donated goods so if swine flu is lurking, there is a good chance he'll come in contact with it. Guess lots of hand washing will be going on!

Last but not least, The Hubby staged an intervention the other night on my buying cookbooks – and books in general. I was telling my friend LA the other day and she laughed and laughed and wondered why of all the things I could be doing - another man, drugs, drinking, another woman – he was so worried about books.

Yes, I'm From the South and Proud of It

2009-04-27T09:01:00.002-05:00

The twenty pounds was for real – I’m still down 20 pounds today, the official weigh in day. Exercise was pretty good this weekend but I’ve got to get more consistent. I think the problem will be solved once I’m finished with my second job. Now I’ve got to get to Onderland and I’m focusing on the next 20 pounds.

Sweetie Pie scored three goals at his soccer game Saturday morning and his team “won.” Officially, the game is 0 to 0 when it ends but everyone knows the score. While there, a lady stopped me and told me how good I was looking. She had last seen me when soccer first started with a couple of camps. Not being educated in soccer mom ways, I didn’t bring a chair to sit in and this lady had a double chair and allowed me to sit in her extra seat. The next camp was the one where I started walking so I talked to this lady, and thanked her for letting me use her chair but I was going to start walking and training for the marathon. It really made me feel good that what I’ve been doing has paid off and is noticeable. When you see yourself everyday and you have a preconceived notion about what you look like, it is very hard to see the positive changes.

Now I have a rant. I live in the south – the deep south. Answering the phone and selling tickets for my other job really highlights the differences in areas of the country. I use to think people were people but it is amazing how different people really are. I think basically people are the same; there are nice people everywhere and mean ones everywhere. Polite ones and unmannered ones, loud ones and quiet ones which leads me to today’s rant. There are some shows that take place in certain areas of the country and when those calls come in, no one wants to answer and the phone will sometimes ring three or four times before someone picks it up instead of the one ring as usual. Yesterday I got a great example of why we let the phone ring while we steel our internal reserves.

I was trying to help a lady who wanted to know what was playing at a certain playhouse. I started telling her what shows were playing when she rudely interrupted me and said she only wanted shows in June. I took a deep breath and told her the shows in June. She then asked me if that was all the shows in June and I told her yes, thinking to myself, “Why no there are twenty more shows in June I just didn’t feel like telling you. Duh!” Then she asked me when Westside Story was playing. I told her that I didn’t think Westside Story was going to be at the playhouse that season, but to let me double check. I checked and told her that it wasn’t playing that season and she then asked me where had I come up with Westside Story, she had said some other show. I politely told her that she had inquired about Westside Story and she yelled at me that she most definitely had not blah, blah, blah. By now, I’m getting a little ticked off but her next statement really took the cake. She asked me where I was from and I told her Alabama and she said, “Oh that explains it, everyone knows people from Alabama. . .”

Suddenly jumping out of my comfort zone of benign neglect and selective ignoring, I quickly jumped in and said, “People from Alabama are just as smart as everyone else.” Let me tell you, this is not like me at all and I surprised even myself! But the funniest thing was, she was as sweet as pie for the rest of the call. She tried to back out of her statement but both she and I knew what she was going to say.

Now for the record -

I live in Alabama and:

I wear shoes.
I have an indoor toilet, as a matter of fact, I have two indoor toilets.
I may speak slowly, but I can understand other cadences and accents.
I can read and I understand what I’ve read.
I finished high school, attended college and have even taken classes towards a MBA.

Okay, now I feel better!

The End of an Era

2009-04-24T08:33:00.002-05:00

Well, it has been a few days and there are some important things to report. First, even though today is not my official weigh in day – I weighed and I’m officially down 20 pounds!! Woooo HOOOO!!!!

The second event of note is that the no sugar streak is dead. At first I was planning to make it an EVENT but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I would just let it happen in its own time. Its time was Wednesday – Administrative Professional’s Day. It was a very nice day, I got two gift certificates.

A lady upstairs got a cake from Edgars (which we have discussed before) and all the AP’s were invited to join her for cake and coffee Wednesday afternoon. There were only four of us and I really wanted to test myself so I had a small piece. Guess what? The earth didn’t stand still, I didn’t pass out and I didn’t go off my diet! Actually I was so determined to prove to myself that one “bad food” wasn’t going to get me off course, I didn’t even eat supper! Actually that was only part of the reason I didn’t eat supper, the other part was that I was ticked off at the hubby.

But I didn’t stop there! Another group brought lunch in yesterday for a late AP appreciation lunch and we had a cake tasting. I took small bites of each of kind of cake and stopped. I didn’t have my afternoon snack and I ate very light for supper and did my walk during soccer practice. And this morning I was down another 1.6 pounds!

So even though the no sugar streak is at an end, I’m feeling good about it. I feel like I’m getting my appetite and my automatic responses to food a little under control. And I really think the exercise is the main reason. Who wants to waste all that sweat?

When the Earth Shook - Before the Tornado

2009-04-20T10:17:00.006-05:00

After all the tornado excitement, I totally forgot how the Earth stood still for a few moments Friday afternoon and then shook mightly at the Publix in Pelham (south).

At a previous job, there was a new Publix built and I found the nector of the gods in its dessert case. RICE PUDDING! Don't go yuck on me, this was one of the best things I had ever put in my mouth and I'd never liked rice pudding before because we all know only people in old folk's homes eat rice pudding. But Publix's rice pudding was not to puddingly or too ricey but just the perfect combination of all its parts.

After taking another job and not being near this particular Publix anymore, I started scoping out all Publix's I went in. The Hubby can attest to the fact that I had to go by the dessert case every time we went in Publix. After not being able to find the nectar in the past five years, I assumed the rice pudding would have to be just a wonderful memory.

BUT. . . Friday, while in Publix picking up a few specials, I decided to wonder past the dessert case, just to torture myself. A bright light appeared and in the case was the nectar of the gods - rice pudding. I quickly grabbed a container and held it close and stroked its lid while thanking the Publix decision makers for putting rice pudding back in the dessert case. I even checked the label five times to make sure it wasn't just a dream.

After fondly placing the rice pudding in my buggy, I went about picking up low fat cheese, turkey, tomatoes and glancing longingly at the nectar. After shopping, I was standing in line when a cruel wind blew through the aisle and asked me what was I doing with rice pudding in my buggy. Did I want to blow all my progress on this nectar? My inital answer was yes! I'll sacrifice 10 pounds to taste the wonderfulness of Publix rice pudding again. Sadly, looking and feeling good won and I slowly, with my head down, walked back to the dessert case and put the wonderful container back in the case, checked out and went home.

Most things I have wanted to eat, I've been able to justify that it will still be there when I am ready. I don't have to eat it now. So in another five years, when Publix once again decides to put rice pudding in its dessert case, I plan to open it up and sit right in the middle of the floor and eat the whole container. Then I'll run 15 miles to work it off.

Rub a Dub . . .

2009-04-20T08:48:00.011-05:00

A mom and a sweetie pie in the tub! I got to spend part of my Sunday in the tub, not surrounded by bubbles, candles and wine but by a sweetie pie, blankets and a couple of pillows. Down we hunched waiting for the TORNADO to pass on by. We were definitely sitting in the palm of God’s hand last night. I had gotten off work and The Hubby and Sweetie Pie were eating pizza for supper when the lights suddenly went off, the rain outside stopped and suddenly the sound of a freight train was upon us. We ran for the tub in the center of the apartment and listened to trees snap and wind whistle through any crack it could find. The apartment and its occupants shook and waited for the tornado to pass. After less than 10 minutes, all was quiet again. God was definitely watching over us because even though the shutters were blown off the side of the building and many trees were knocked over or snapped in two, we were safe. I don’t think the tornado touched the ground in our area or the apartments would not be intact but it was close enough to the ground to cause minor damage and give us a good scare. It was ironic that just that morning; our pastor had preached a sermon on how to storm proof your life. Granted he wasn’t talking about tornados but . . .

And I thought we had an exciting Saturday!

Being official weigh in day, I lost 2.6 pounds this week!

Days without sweets: 54

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 299

No Prob

2009-04-17T09:17:00.004-05:00

No, I don't have a problem, why do you ask?

Things I carried into work today:

Purse
Book: Secrets of a Former Fat Girl
Magazine: Runner's World - WEIGHT LOSS SPECIAL
Book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen (or how to use a pound of butter in one day)

I still haven't eaten any sugar but I dreamed about a Haagen Daas chocolate covered bar last night.

Losing in My Confusion

2009-04-15T18:54:00.004-05:00

First, I’m glad to report Sweetie Pie’s lip looks much better. But his drive to win is driving me into an early grave. I’ve never been a person that is driven by competition and winning. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy winning but as long as I did my best, I was happy. In junior high, I tried out for cheerleading but was never picked. I was disappointed but I knew I wasn’t very good. Later I tried out for majorette and I got it, mainly because I was pretty good with a baton or two. Sweetie Pie, meanwhile, HAS TO WIN – LOSING IS NOT AN OPTION and I don’t know how to handle it. I’ve told him about doing his best and that you can’t always win. The Hubby and I just had to have a discussion with him about how acting crazy and having meltdowns when losing, will not sit well with his friends. Let’s hope it takes soon – like before his soccer team loses its first game. LOL!

Now on to the confusion – yesterday, a manager brought our department a box of goodies from Edgar’s which is the second best bakery in the world. Sorry, B’ham folks, but I think Savage’s wins in the bakery contest! Not only was there Italian cream cake and sand tarts but there was my favorite cookie with the icing on them but I have no idea what the name of them are. I resisted but I planned on eating a little piece of the Italian cream cake today after I had given my blood to the doctor.

Lunch rolled around and I decided to only have a bite instead of the half a piece that I originally planned on. Before I could even get the bite to my mouth, there was a discussion at the lunch table that would have made any debate coach happy. First there was the enabler that was telling me to go for it and have more because I deserved it. Then there was the NO girl, telling me that I had worked too hard to ruin it by eating a piece of cake. Last there was reason, she was saying that one bite would not hurt but not to eat more. The one bite would satisfy my hunger for sweets and not make me feel deprived. So who did I listen too? The NO girl, of course, because it is hard for me to be reasonable and rational when trying to lose weight.

I want to be at the point where I can take one bite of cake and go right back to following the plan, but can I do it? Some minutes I feel I can, some minutes, I feel I can’t. Then it has been so long since I’ve had any sugar, I’m almost afraid my heart will burst and I’ll fall down dead from the joy of its yumminess. So what would you do?

Maybe I’ll wait until I can run a mile and then reward myself with one of the treats I’ve hidden away in the freezer. Honestly, I feel that when I can run a mile, I can do about anything – except teach my child how to lose gracefully.

Check out our cool eggs - Guess which one The Hubby made:

Guilt Running

2009-04-13T07:58:00.009-05:00

Good Friday started off wonderfully but soon went downhill. I had Good Friday off while Sweetie Pie had school and The Hubby had to work. Yahoo! A guilt free day to myself. After seeing Sweetie Pie and The Hubby off, I took a nap. I woke up around 9:00, took my shower and then straightened up until it was time to meet Sweetie Pie at the school for lunch. When a parent comes to lunch, you get to sit at a special table in the middle of the lunchroom and have one friend sit with you. Sweetie Pie picked A, a precious little girl who attends the same church as we do.

It is so cute, after lunch two kids from each class have jobs – one sweeps under the table and the other wipes the tables down. Friday was Sweetie Pie’s day to sweep, so after lunch I waited while he and a little girl did their jobs. After they were through, I walked them back to their classroom. I gave Sweetie Pie a hug and kiss and the cute little girl turned around held her arms out and what was I to do but give her a great big hug too and told them both to have a great afternoon.

Then it was time to do some Easter shopping because the bunny was very worried about having a lot of free chocolate in the house so she waited until the last minute to shop! I met my friend L at Target and got my new Southern Living salt and pepper shakers and then it was down to business. Large chocolate bunny – check, a Lego’s set – check, Spongebob Krabby Patties – check, Star Wars’ C3P0 – check, many bags of assorted chocolate – check.

With all the important shopping done, I hit a couple of sales and bought me a couple of skirts – in a smaller size – YEAH! See it sounds like a wonderful day so far – right?

After Sweetie Pie and The Hubby got home, I decided to go for a walk/run. Sweetie Pie decided he wanted to ride his bike with me. So off we go. I was feeling good, did the most running I have done yet and walking at a good pace and then . . .

Sweetie Pie CRASHED! He scraped his knee and elbow but chewed up his upper lip. The Hubby is planning on getting him a full face helmet because every time he crashes – Sweetie Pie crashes his face!! He busted his lip and got a couple of really good cuts and scrapes between his upper lip and nose. His lip swelled to about 4 times its normal size. We were worried his front teeth had gone through his lip but, thank goodness, not this time.

Another executive decision was made that SP could not ride his scooter, or his bike or even walk with me when I’m training! Remember last time he went with me, he crashed on his scooter!!

So we immediately called Grandma and told her that our visit might be cancelled due to The Crash. Sweetie Pie really wanted to go so we decided he could make the call the next morning. After Tylenol, ice and many kisses and hugs, Sweetie Pie fell asleep early. Whenever SP falls asleep early, you know he isn’t feeling well.

So Saturday morning comes and SP decides he is up for the trip so we load up the car, with two computers (towers), Grandma’s birthday present, our bag of miscellaneous stuff, a large Easter basket and all the goodies. After 50 miles, SP got nauseous and decided he wanted to go home so, around we turned and home we went.

We ended up having a nice weekend. The swelling is subsiding, the Easter bunny did a good job and I finally got new tires for my car. One ironic turn is that SP and I attend church pretty regularly but, on the one Sunday when almost everyone goes to church, we stayed home. SP still wasn’t feeling the greatest and his lip still looks pretty bad. Thank goodness SP doesn’t have school today so he had another day to heal.

That is right SP doesn’t have school today! The Hubby is staying home with him because it is better for us financially for The Hubby to miss a day of work than to pay daycare for a day. And, I still haven’t had any sugar and I’m still on plan! Somehow, I managed not to eat any candy yesterday but I won’t tell you how much I have stashed in the freezer right now!

I’ve decided to make Monday my official weigh-in day and I’m down 1 pound this week for a total of 16 pounds!

Days without sugar: 47

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 306

Still Here

2009-04-07T08:10:00.007-05:00

Hi all, I'm still here, I've just been preoccupied by other's blogs. I still haven't had any sweets and I'm still on South Beach but the exercise has been sporatic at best. I've subscribed to Runner's World magazine and it has been very educational. I'm going to add more carbs (good complex carbs) into my diet for energy. I think the very low carb plan I've been following has hindered my running. By the way, according to everything I've been reading, even if you can only run for 30 seconds at a time, as long as you are trying, you should call yourself a runner. So call me a runner - LOL!

Sweetie Pie had his first soccer game last Saturday and, even though score is not officially kept, his team won. He even scored! I got a big laugh when I realized official time was kept by cell phone. Watching the kids play is so cute. One of the Dad's took some great shots of the game and posted them so everyone could view and save them. There was one where The Hubby and I were in the background and my first thought was "jack Sprat could eat no fat and his wife could eat no lean." OMGoodness, I thought I was looking better but I have a looooooonnnnnnggggggg way to go!

Last night's game was cancelled due to freeze warnings - in Alabama - in April!

Now, I'm just going to think outloud for a few so feel free to skim. Diet seems to always be on my mind, whether I'm officially on one or officially cheating on one. I not only want to be thin, I want to be fit and healthy. South Beach diet has been great for a jumping off point and I have been able to prove to myself that I don't have to have cake to live - even though cake makes living more enjoyable. So what is my next step? I have been successful losing weight before, once by drastically reducing my calories and once using nutrisystem. So it would seem that my next step should be a stepped up exercise plan and a mix of South Beach and calorie/fat counting.

It seems another part of successful weight loss is time and money - and right now, I have neither. After May 15, I'll have more time but a lot less money. I'm going to have to find a way to balance the two.

Okay, I've rambled enough . . .

Days without sweets: 41

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 312

Back to Business

2009-03-31T08:34:00.005-05:00

I’ve been exercising more – yeah me! Sunday night I broke out the Wii and Sweetie Pie and I had a race with the trainer and, of course, SP won. I think stepped on again just because I wanted to hear it sigh. After emitting a hearty sigh, we did step together for 30 minutes. One nice thing is there is a steady downward line on my body test page. My BMI is dropping which is great news, my weight, however, has been stuck. It is That Time so I’m hoping a show a big drop tomorrow. I also walked for 40 minutes last night at soccer practice.

One side effect of losing weight, (I sound like I’ve lost tons, doesn’t it?) that I wasn’t expecting was the FREEZING. I’ve been called – hot natured, suffering hot flashes, girl with the fan on her desk. I have laughed at those moms at the bus stop with their flannel pants and hoodies. I’ve felt sorry for those who were always freezing. I’m wearing long sleeves and it is going to be 68 today – and my hands are cold! In the past, long sleeves were pretty much saved for days 40 and below, which doesn’t happen that often in Alabama.

I still haven’t had any sweets and I had Easter all planned but now I have to go for labs on April 15 and then I have a doctor’s appointment on May 13 so I think I may postpone the big moment. I’ve gone this long, right? I would love to be 20 – 25 pounds down by my appointment and, if I could get my BlahC3PO number around 5, I would absolutely squeal!

Days without sweets: 34

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 319

By the way, I'm very disappointed in Donny Osmond. I've yet to see a tweet and I've been obsessively checking.

DONNY OSMOND OMGOODNESS DONNY OSMOND

2009-03-27T11:46:00.003-05:00

Hi, I just want to thank everyone visiting from the Ultimate Block Party. I have been doing some heavy thinking about my blog and who I want it to reflect because - people - right now it is BORING! And I'm really not that boring of a person - I mean just look at my cute tablecloth!

As a quick update before I add fun, yes, I know how to have fun - when I'm not starving! I'm still on SBD though weight loss has sloooooowed.

But the best news of all:

I'M FOLLOWING DONNY OSMOND ON TWITTER! Ya'll, I have loved Donny Osmond since I was twelve and I have stories to back it up! You know what is next don't you? He'll follow me on Twitter and soon - TRUE LOVE 4EVER!!! My heart is all aflutter!

I Feel Like a Southern Lady

2009-03-24T10:12:00.008-05:00

I'm a bit out of sorts today but here are a couple of pictures of my really cute tableclothes I got at Target Friday!

I'm still following South Beach but it is almost harder now than it was! I've also been walking and running but I've got to get more serious about training if I want to make the Marathon. I'm hoping the running will get easier as I get thinner because there won't be as much extra baggage! One boost I got this morning was that my boobs finally stick out more than my stomach!!

I just feel happier looking at all those cute flowers!!

Days without sweets: 27

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 326

I Thought Cravings Were Supposed to Subside!

2009-03-22T13:43:00.002-05:00

Last night the Hubby and Sweetie Pie walked a lap with me before going to the playground. As we were walking, Sweetie Pie was asking about bees and we were telling him that bees used pollen to make honey. He still wasn’t getting it so I told him it was like we used flour, sugar and eggs to make cupcakes. As a preemptive strike, I told him that we couldn’t make cupcakes right now because Mommy was on a diet but we would make them soon. He looked at me very seriously and asked, “Before you die?”

Okay I know I have a lot of weight to lose but I’m hoping it doesn’t take that long! I told Sweetie Pie that was why I was losing weight so I would live longer and healthier. We got a little off track from talking about bees and pollen.

On the weight loss note – today marks the second day I have worn a tee shirt and I didn’t stick my knees up in it to stretch it out! I’ve actually done that so often that Sweetie Pie will stick his knees in his shirts. The things kids pick up on!

I do have one question though, when am I going to experience that lack of cravings so often mentioned in SBD? I looked it up and cravings, loss of, is on pages 4, 10, 12, 41 and 111. If I typed out all of the things I want to eat, Blogger would probably try to make me pay for my space.

Days without sugar: 25

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 328

Fun First Day of Spring

2009-03-20T18:50:00.007-05:00

Today was so much fun! I took today off so Sweetie Pie could have a break during spring break. We started the day playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii. I checked my bank account and got a nice surprise - Federal had been deposited!! So Sweetie Pie loaded up the car and first stopped at McDonald's. I came so close to eating some fries but I just kept stuffing chicken in my mouth. Sweetie Pie played and played so phase I of the wear him out plan was working. We then went to Academy to get new shin guards in the socks. We also ended up with the right sized soccer ball. I tried to find some shoes where the cute and the price balanced but I didn't find anything.

Next came Old Time Pottery. That place was rocking! I didn't find anything I liked there - well that I wanted to buy - except for a really cute bunny for the Easter table. So now we head on down 31 to Target and I found everything I wanted. A really cute Easter/Spring tablecloth and place mats and a cute table cloth to cover the hideously ugly side table. Sweetie pie also ended up with three pairs of shorts.

And a bonus when we got home, they had finished the playground. They started working on the playground DURING SPRING BREAK! I wonder who made that decision. So anyway, I'm off to relax and enjoy the first day of spring!

Days with out sugar: 23

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 330

My Weight:

Almost got you that time!!

Also there is a blog party at Five Minutes for Mom. I tried to get the code for the button but never could. Tons of good links for some awesome blogs!!

Now for the next phase

2009-03-19T09:22:00.005-05:00

You know you spend too much time on the computer when you see a sign that says “Welcome IRL” and you read it as welcome in real life and you get confused. By the way, IRL, in this case, means Indy Racing League which would make sense since I saw the sign at a tire store.

As you all know, I made my goal for Scaleback Alabama and now it is on to smaller things! I still have much weight to lose. So yesterday, instead of celebrating my loss, like I have in the past, I walked/ran for 30 minutes and even though I ate one egg roll, I didn’t eat any more carbs or fattening things. I did one of the few things I have never done before – I planned for the egg roll, ate it and continued to follow my diet. To me that is as big an accomplishment as meeting my 10 pound goal.

My next goal is going to be in Onederland by May 1. I think that will be achievable. My exercise goal is to be running a mile by then. That should fit in with the couch potato to 5K program and will also help with the weight loss.

In other news, Sweetie Pie has his first lose tooth. I guess it is time to get out my tiara and tutu and make sure I have some change!

Days without sweets: 22

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 331

And since I’m going to be brave and I realize everyone knows I don’t weigh 110 pounds, I’m going to post my weight every once in a while and keep you up to date on the pounds I’ve lost.

Pounds lost since January 15: 13

Weight – Okay, I just chickened out – maybe another day!

I DID IT! I DID IT!

2009-03-18T09:47:00.004-05:00

Just a quick update - more later - but I did it!! I did it with three pounds to spare! I lost 13 pounds for Scaleback Alabama!

Days without sweets: 21

Days until the Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 0 - YEAH!!!!!

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 332

Butter

2009-03-17T13:03:00.002-05:00

Not much to report on the diet and exercise front but I’m still on the diet and I’m 90% positive I’ve reached my ten pound goal for Scaleback Alabama. I’m falling behind on the exercise. It has rained for FOUR straight days and then I’m totally wiped out from the no carb thing. I plan on getting back on track this week since it is supposed to be nice and sunny. I also don’t have a million things to do this week!

Just a funny story – I was laying in bed with Sweetie Pie waiting for him to fall asleep. He reached over and kissed me on the cheek and then on the forehead and said, “yum, buddah.” Yes he pronounced butter like buddah! It was so funny. The only thing I can think of is that I had been exercising and my forehead may have been salty from sweat.

Days without sweets: 20

Days until Scaleback Alabama weigh out: 3

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 333

A Carb - People - I Ate a Carb!

2009-03-16T13:32:00.004-05:00

Well, I survived the first carb that has entered my body in two weeks. I ate one of my cheap yogurts yesterday and it was so good and it filled me up. I'm saying this and on a normal basis, I tolerate yogurt every once in a while because it is supposed to be good for me.

I was very proud of myself for not freaking out and eating all carbs in sight even though The Hubby left a Hershey’s Chocolate Bar opened on the counter all weekend. He is one of “those” who can take two bites of a candy bar and be happy. Then in 24 – 36 hours later want another bite. Don’t you just hate those people? I love The Hubby but he can eat anything and still be slim.

But on a happier note, I have lost 10 pounds according to the friendly scale! This is also the one I weighed on after first weighing in for Scaleback Alabama so I should show a 10 pound loss when I weigh out. I’m keeping my fingers crossed! The best part is that several people have told me I looked like I had lost weight and, we all know, that is really the best part of losing!

I did step on the Wii last night and was hoping to get outside today to work on my couch potato to 5K program but it is raining AGAIN! It has rained every day since Friday. I’m going to try to work in some Wii-ing tonight. It should be a good week because school is out for spring break, which means no homework! And that saves at least 20-30 minutes a night.

Days without sweets: 19

Days until Scaleback Alabama weigh out: 4

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 334

Success - and the Uncontrollable Urge to be a Southern Lady

2009-03-14T11:00:00.005-05:00

I survived the Southern Living Party, the zoo and a crop last night! For the Southern Living party I took a star and heart shaped boiled egg, ate some chicken salad, after picking out the celery (I can have celery, I just don't like it.), and some cheese! I didn't take my lunch on the field trip to the zoo. Afterwards, Sweetie Pie and I went by Publix to stock up on the cheap yogurt and I bought a premade salad. And last night at the crop, the candy bowls were too far to reach and I took some string cheese to help me through. Besides zoo walking, I've done very little exercise this week. But, here's to a better exercise week next week!

Well, I say I survived the Southern Living Party, and I did foodwise, but my checkbook suffered a hit! As I get older, I find I want prettier and fancier stuff. I have always loved china, crystal and decorative platters and bowls but I never did a lot with them. I even went through a chrome, black and glass phase. Now I want comfortable and classic but pretty. I'm still not a huge flower person but I find I'm drawn more and more to pink. I subscribe to Southern Lady, Paula Deen and Taste of the South. I want to sit on the veranda and sip tea and eat dainty sandwiches. I want to use china and crystal for everyday. I want to can vegetables, make jelly and jams and be a stong "southern" woman. Too bad I don't have the money or house to make all this happen. I'm staying southern in my own ways and maybe one day. . . .

But there is another Southern Living Party next month because they are having some awesome specials so if I ever get another house, you can bet it will be much nicer than the last and if you are ever invited over, I have some very pretty new platters, bowls and plates to use to serve everyone.

And Sweetie Pie got his first library card!!!!

Days without sweets: 17

Days until the Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 6

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 336

What Will Happen?

2009-03-12T10:56:00.003-05:00

I’ve been pretty bad on the exercise front lately. I still can’t get out of bed at 4:30, I can wake up but not get up! I didn’t get any exercise yesterday and I doubt I’ll get any today. I forgot that tonight after soccer practice, I’m going to a Southern Living party to spend too much money. This has really been a crazy week. Monday was soccer, Tuesday and Wednesday were working the second job, tonight is soccer and then the party and then tomorrow – Friday – I have a crop to go to. I’m going to have to do much better getting up in the mornings because it is usually the only time I can work in exercise.

I’m still on the Beach in Phase 1. It has been hard! The good news is that I really don’t crave carbs as badly as before but the bad news is that I can hardly eat anything because I’m so sick of the meat and vegetables. It doesn’t help that I’m not that big a fan of most vegetable – especially green, leafy vegetables. I tried being a vegetarian for a while but eating mac and cheese and potato salad isn’t any healthier than hamburger. I’m going to try to stay on Phase 1 an extra week to take me through the weight out for Scaleback Alabama. I’ll have to see how that goes.

Tomorrow promises to be an interesting day. I volunteered to go on a kindergarten field trip to the zoo. I know, I have lost my mind – at least it isn’t supposed to be very hot and it might even rain. I’m supposed to pack my lunch and I have no idea what I’m going to take. I have an insulated bag but it I don’t know if a salad would survive. I read a hint I may try – you dampen a wash cloth and put it in the freezer then put it in a zip lock bag and it keeps your food cool and you even have a nice wet cloth to use for clean up. Isn’t that a great idea?

I’m getting really worried about what is going to happen in the future. I know you are supposed to live in the moment and not worry about the future but I like a plan! I’ve been reading several weight loss blogs and there is always the inevitable “falling off the wagon.” I know you are supposed to just pick yourself up and hop right back on the wagon but that is one thing I have always failed at during other weight loss attempts. This time I do feel like I’m in a good frame of mind to continue the journey but . . . Then I’m reading about others going on binges or just eating whatever they want for a meal or two and it makes me want to do it too. They got right back on their plan and saw only a temporary blip in their weight loss. If I do that, will I get back on that wagon? Will it only be a blip in my plan or would it be the door back to my old habits? I’m worried what I am going to do once I can have sugar or a carb again. That is another reason why I think I may stick with Phase 1 another week. The further I get away from my old habits and the better I think I’ll be able to handle adding carbs back to the diet.

The best success I have had with weight loss in the past is when I’ve been hard-core crazy! I’m not sure I’m crazy this time but I do feel that bit of hard-core in my attitude this time. I’ve just got to adjust my mind this time that this is the way I’m going to have to live for the rest of my life so I don’t regain the weight like I’ve done in the past. I’m hoping with this blog and training for the marathon that this will help me stay in a more positive and healthy frame of mind as far as maintaining the weight loss I plan to achieve.

I'm going to try to get a "before" picture posted because I love pictures in other blogs.

Days without sugar: 15

Days until the Scaleback Alabama weight out: 8

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 338

Its All Good

2009-03-11T13:12:00.002-05:00

Today I’m in a great mood. My weight continues to come down and even though I would love it to be more, I’m having very good success. I’m just impatient about some things. I woke up this morning at 4:30 and looked at the clock and just rolled over. I’ve proven I can wake up at 4:30 but I’m having a lot of trouble actually getting out of bed. I’m going to try to work in some exercise today but it is not crucial. Today is a two job day so I can take Sweetie Pie to soccer tomorrow and so far much walking has occurred during soccer practice!

I think the mood has a lot to do with the nice warm weather, a hilarious story emailed to me from my friend from a previous workplace, I’m caught up on transcribing minutes and after working job two tonight, I won’t have to work again until Sunday!!

I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about my feelings on teacher appreciation. I really like Sweetie Pie’s teacher and I think she is doing a great job. I want her to know that I appreciate all she is doing and I know it is a hard job. I just don’t like being dictated to about what to buy and when to buy it. I could buy her something much nicer if there was teacher appreciation DAY and didn’t have to try to spread my very limited budget over five days.

Days without sugar: 14

Days until Scaleback Alabama weigh out: 9

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 339

Bad Mom

2009-03-10T12:07:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I walked 40 minutes while Sweetie Pie practiced soccer. I had planned on getting up at 4:30 this morning and exercising but I looked at the clock at 4:30 and rolled over to sleep another hour. I have been getting my exercise this morning though. Deshaine and I had to go to the main building and find a lady that we didn’t know. So between the parking deck, walking up and down the halls and parking in the back 40 of our parking lot, we got about 20 minutes of walking in. It also helped that we were half way to our building when Deshaine realized she had left her phone so we hiked back to her car to get it. I’m going to have to start parking in the back 40 because it really is a decent walk.

Between all this dieting and exercise, I’m falling down on my job as Mom! This week was teacher appreciation week and I totally forgot until just a few minutes ago. I’ve missed “make a card” day, “bring a snack” day and tomorrow is “school supply” day. Should I just ignore that I’ve missed Monday and Tuesday or do I catch up tomorrow? I have to say this is a complete pain; I hated it when they did this in daycare. Don’t I show my appreciation every time they get a paycheck? From all the statistics I’ve seen, Sweetie Pie’s teacher makes as much as the Hubby and I do together! When is parent appreciation week?

Days without sweet: 13

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 10

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 340

Another One Bites the Dust

2009-03-09T12:20:00.002-05:00

According to what scale I step on I’m down 6 – 9 pounds in the past two weeks! I’ve been using the one in our HR department and I’m going to count that one as the “official” weigh in. I weighed on the scale in the bathroom because it was the one I used after the weigh in for Scaleback Alabama. So we will split the different and say I’m down 7.5 pounds!

Yesterday was a bad exercise day. I’m not sure if I depleted my energy reserves walking Friday and it takes longer to charge back up when not eating carbs or what. But I felt very puny Saturday and Sunday. I originally planned on getting up early today and exercise but then I remembered Sweetie Pie has soccer practice tonight so I’ll walk/run then. Usually Tuesday is a rest day but since I rested yesterday, I plan on exercising tomorrow too.

There are a couple of challenges this week – a Southern Living party on Thursday night and a birthday party on Saturday. I’m feeling strong so I plan on taking my Beach approved snacks and sticking with it. I keep imagining myself being able to handle the heat better this summer and not having people try to roll me back in the water when I’m lying on the beach!! I got hoarse last year yelling, “I’m not a whale, I can’t even swim!” before they would leave me alone.

This weekend though almost got the better of me. Being at home with lots of temptation and feeling sorry for myself having to work almost had me to the breaking point. I’m feeling better and stronger now. I just couldn’t stomach eggs this morning but my salad at lunch was good.

Days without sugar: 12

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 11

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 341

Where or where had my strength gone?

2009-03-08T13:51:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the hardest day yet. One reason was because I was home and home still has leftover Halloween candy, Christmas candy and Valentines candy. There is bread, chips and all sorts of carbs. I would toss it all but there are others in my household, namely the hubby and Sweetie Pie, who do not have any trouble with their weight and eat all that stuff. It was also hard because I had no energy at all and I felt just tired and achy all day. I was also feeling sorry for myself because I had to work and I couldn’t eat anything “good” and it spiraled from there. And yes, I would like some cheese with my whine! It has no carbs.

I think some of the tiredness and achy was the fact that I haven’t had a carb in 7 days now. I did Adkins way back in the day (before it was modified) and I was taking swimming everyday and between no carbs and the exercise, I woke up one morning and could not lift my head. I had to lie in bed for two days. I swore I would never do Adkins again but since this was just two weeks, I think I can get through it.

I also want to know why I’ve had high blood sugars in the mornings. I haven’t had sweets or carbs and I’ve been taking my medicine and my morning blood sugar has been running 150. A couple of weeks ago I checked it, after eating THREE Girl Scout cookies before bed and it was 89. Now how does that happen?

Shouldn’t this slump be at least two or three weeks away? I get so impatient when I’m trying to lose weight. This is one reason I’ve have difficulty losing before. Logically I know it is going to take time and effort but my illogical side wants results now! After all, I’ve been good for seven days – I think I should have lost at least 50 pounds. I know, I know – things worth having take work and I’m in it for the long haul. I just have temporary bouts with insanity!

After all that, I have stayed on the beach and I even managed to do step for 30 minutes with the Wii. I didn’t get any running done yesterday but with the time change, I’m going to get up in the mornings and run. Now I’m going to go kill this bag of dill pickle chips before it calls my name anymore!

Days without sugar: 11

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 12

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 342

More Than One

2009-03-07T10:24:00.002-06:00

Yesterday when I got home from work, I put on my shorts, shoes and mp3 player and out the door I went. I ran/walked for 35 minutes and natured dictated that I come inside for a few minutes. The loop I'm walking does have a small hill that I also get to go down - my favorite part. I ran for 10 - 15 minutes but not all at one time. If you want to be a fast walker, just load your mp3 player with metal, hair band music and Florida, not to be mixed up with Florida the state!

My best walking songs:

Sandman by Metallica
Wild Side - Motley Crue
Jet City Woman - Queensryche
Fire Woman - Cult
Talk Dirty to Me - Poison
Low - Florida

I was trying to slow down and couldn't!!!

In other things, I am going to quit my second job. I have to work today and it just made me realize that I'm ready to give it up. Other excitement for today is unload the dishwasher, reload the dishwasher, run the dishwasher and unload the dishwasher. Wash clothes, fold clothes and put away clothes. Go to Hibbetts and buy Sweetie Pie cleats and pads for soccer. The weekly trip to Walmart for food and supplies and I have to find time to workout. When did Saturdays quit being fun?

Days without sugar: 10

Just a note, this is the longest I’ve gone without something sweet since I was born! It worries me that once I can have sugar, I’ll go crazy! Maybe it will have the opposite effect and I’ll be able to do without it for years! Yeah, right!!

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 13

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 343

Ah F-F-Foolin' (Thanks Def Leppard)

2009-03-06T15:05:00.006-06:00

Wasn't it less than a week ago that it snowed? Today it is sunny, beautiful and over 70 degrees outside. I've often heard jokes that in Alabama, if you didn't like the weather, just wait a couple of hours and it will change.

I didn't make it up at 4:30 today but the weather is so beautiful that I'm going outside this afternoon and run and walk.

I still haven't made a decision about Ticketbiscuit. But I'll let ya'll know when I do.

I'm still doing well on the diet and I haven't gone crazy and eaten a whole cake yet! But I do think I'm having a hot flash - I just had to turn on my fan. We had a lunch meeting today and I didn't eat any hot, fresh bread or dessert, I ordered a salad, steak and broccoli.

I’ve had people ask where my will power is coming from and I really don’t think I have much will power. I’m just more determined this time. I’m tired of being the fattest person in a room. It was embarrassing when several of my friends were trading pregnancy clothes but no one offered to lend me anything because they knew it wouldn’t fit. I’m tired of being the Macy’s parade balloon! Sweetie Pie is starting soccer practice and I don’t want to be the fat mom! I don’t want to be the mom that has to stand in the doorway and yell for her child to come home because she’s too fat to walk to the playground – not that I let Sweetie Pie go alone. But you know what I mean.

I also think one thing that has helped me this time is reading other blogs about losing weight. Pasta Queen was a great one to read and now I’m reading The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl. It really helps reading about their success and failures and that losing weight and keeping it off can be done.

I’ve been fooling myself for a long time –you won’t find very many pictures or videos of me. So I’ve been able to live with my denial except for rare occasions. Anyone looking through Sweetie Pie’s scrapbook or pictures would assume he didn’t have a Mom! And it is time to change! And I think I’m finally ready to do the work to change. Food has been my friend for a long, rough period in my life but now that I have a job I love, money is fairly comfortable, it is time! Besides if I ever want to be a fxxxxxxing babe for Motley Crue, I’ve got to get my rear in gear before Vince gets mad and leaves again!!!!

Days without sugar: 9

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weighout: 14

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 344

Hmmmmmmm

2009-03-05T12:44:00.001-06:00

Well today is rest day but if I can find my Dancing with the Stars exercise DVD, I may do it tonight. I also have a Pilates DVD and an Iron Yoga DVD I could use to alternate on my rest days.

I'm still doing well on my diet and I'm still very motivated but I've been reading several weight loss blogs and it seems everyone does well for awhile but then stumbles by eating chocolate or ice cream and then that turns into months of eating before getting back on track. Can you prevent this or is it inevitable? I know the excitement and newness eventually wears off but losing this weight will be a long term project. I’m not going to gain it back again or hurt my health by being lazy again.

As I said, this will be a long term project and I fully expect to be able to eat some goodies – for very special occasions – in the future. But I want to avoid the midway there slump that seems to strike so often. I have done this before, actually twice and managed to stick to it for long periods of time without any major stumbles. I even made my friends leave a restaurant one time because they didn’t have a salad and baked potato option! I’ve just got to believe that I can and rely on friends and family to support me. And if I do have a stumble, I’m going to have to get over it quickly and jump right back on the beach!

Deshaine’s friend told her about a 5K run in a nearby town on April 25. If soccer doesn’t interfere, I plan on running it. If I can’t run all of it by then, I still plan on running as much as I can and finish it up walking.

Now something totally off topic but I’m hoping writing it down will help me make a decision. As I’ve mentioned, I work two jobs and I’ve been seriously considering quitting the part-time one. I’m so torn. The part-time job is the perfect part-time job. I do it from home, lots of time it is slow so it isn’t hard work and it pays well. The people are so nice and I’ve made some friends there. But I’ve been doing it for over two years when I originally planned on doing it for only six months. Sweetie Pie keeps begging me not to work and I really miss having my weekends free. See why it is such a hard decision.

The hubby has gotten a couple of really good paychecks so we haven’t needed the money lately so I’ve been putting all my Ticketbiscuit money in savings but what happens when he isn’t getting good checks? Then I think about the economy and how lucky we are that, right now, it doesn’t seem like either of our jobs are in danger and I wonder if I’m being greedy keeping this second job when so many others don’t even have one job. But then the thought crosses my mind that nothing is ever safe and should I keep working the second job in case something happens. I’ll make up my mind to quit and then an hour later someone will mention something and I decide to keep it. I have no idea what to do! Uggggh!

Days without sweets: 8

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 15

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 345

Does My Wii Have Feelings?

2009-03-04T08:19:00.006-06:00

This morning I was up at 4:30 and I ran for 15 minutes and then I did 30 minutes of step. I'm ready to "spring forward" and I plan to get outside and run/walk.

Do you ever feel you are hurting your Wii Fit board when you step on it? Deshaine told me it made that sound so you had a reference that you had stepped on it. I think mine sounds like I've hurt it. I know I weigh a lot but does it have to groan when I step on it? I'm working very hard to make its life easier!

I also get mad at the chick that talks to you while doing step. One minute she is telling me to keep up with her and then next she is telling me that I'm keeping a good pace. Make up your mind! Often she tells me to hold up my shoulders and it makes me wonder if she can see me because I tend to slump. I know these are all programmed and its not personal but I would enjoy some consistency!

How can marathon runners gain weight and/or be overweight? I plan on researching this later but how can you run for miles each week and, if you are overweight, not lose some? I want to do the 1/2 marathon just for the accomplishment but I plan to lose weight. I want the medal to weigh more than I do - just kidding. I haven't exercised regularly for years so it would seem any type of consistent movement would help me lose weight. I know I'll build some muscle which weighs more than fat but I have a lot of fat!

Days without sweets: 7

Days until the Alabama Scaleback Weigh In: 16

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 346

Off Subject

2009-03-03T10:24:00.006-06:00

Today is a rest day and I've already reported on my training yesterday so today I'm going to go a bit off track.

Last night at Bunko we watched the finale of The Bachelor. Typically, unless it is iCarly, SpongeBob, Ben 10, Star Wars: The Clone Wars or the 9:00 news, I don't see it. I've never seen The Office or the show with all the McXXXX guys. I've read about them because it is almost impossible to avoid. I don't watch American Idol but I do try to catch Dancing with the Stars. I love ballroom dancing and use to watch the contests on public television with Juliett Prouse hosting. Before anyone thinks I don’t love tv - you would be wrong! I just have a kid and I’m trying to be a semi-responsible adult and keep his tv viewing habits to semi-harmless shows and I don’t have DVR. Okay, I know I’m “off the grid” without a cell phone or DVR but so far, I’m surviving.

Now after all this background, even I know what happens on The Bachelor. I know there is a pack of women all vying for this guy’s attention and love and eventually he eliminates all but two and then has to chose between the last two, who continually declare their undying love and soul mate status. Now the guy who was The Bachelor had even been on The Bachelorette so it would seem he would know the rules. So why was he acting like it was so hard and such a surprise that he could only pick one? I kept joking with my friends he was going to choose all three (including the bachelorette who turned him down last year) and start a compound in some corner of some state.

I left Bunko feeling that The Bachelor had chosen the “right” girl. I put quotes around right because I know they can cut these shows and make it reflect whatever they feel will up the drama. But after The Bachelor, there was an After The Bachelor. I didn’t see most of it because I was driving home. But when I got home, Sweetie Pie was asleep so I turned on the tv to see if The Bachelor’s True Love still persisted and if The Bachelor and the “right “ girl were still going forward. Okay – if you didn’t see the finale and don’t know what happened – quit reading now!

Imagine my surprise when I turned on the last ten minutes and The Bachelor is on the couch with the dumped girl proclaiming his love and that he wanted to date her and see where it went. Usually I would think that this is a much better approach but . . . HE HAD ALREADY DUMPED HER! Then I was totally shocked because she agreed to this. I guess I’m weird but I would have told him to jump in a lake because he had DUMPED me less than six months earlier AND HAD ASKED SOMEONE ELSE TO MARRY HIM!!

I don’t know what happened with the “right” girl but I guess I’ll surf around and read about it.

That was a long post about a show I don’t watch, wasn’t it? I have nothing against The Bachelor or other shows like them and I hope they find what they are looking for but I just can’t get into it. It took me a long time to find the right one and, even though, I believe it was pretty close to love at 30 minutes, we kept dating and talking and getting to know each other before declaring our undying love and I was not competing against numerous other girls. I just don’t see how you can find true love under those circumstances.

Well, I’m still sticking with South Beach Phase I and even turned down brownies last night. I ate my approved snacks and was very proud of myself. I was also down 2.4 pounds this morning since my last weigh in on Feb. 27!

Days without sweets: 6

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 17

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 347

I'm Officially Crazy

2009-03-02T08:16:00.005-06:00

Last night I only managed to run 10 minutes with the Wii but I did 30 minutes of step. Now for the really, really big news - I got up this morning at 4:30 am (yes - AM) and ran 15 minutes with the Wii and did 30 minutes of step. I really surprised myself but I knew I wouldn't have time to exercise tonight.

On Friday, I mentioned my goal for the weekend was to have a food plan and workout plan and I actually did it! I have the next month planned out to stretch my Wii/outside running time and I have a food plan for the next two weeks. Not only that but I finally got my oil changed and I have front brakes!!

I was reading a study this morning comparing different diets and low carb won every category including how much weight was loss in a specific period and how many pounds the participants kept off. It was recommended that a low carb diet along with exercise is the most effective plan for most people. So it actually looks like I might be on the right track - FINALLY!

Days without sweets: 5

Days until the Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 18

Days until the Merecedes Marathon: 348

SNOW!!!

2009-03-01T15:05:00.006-06:00

The weather people were right it did snow! There was actually 3 to 4 inches of real snow this morning, now it is all melted, but it was real snow that could be used to make a snowman. Now I don't want anyone to laugh, but this is a lot of snow for central Alabama!

How cool is that? That is my very first snowman!!!

Now to other matters, I ran 15 minutes with the Wii and I've been running in circles so I have to move my body. I figured that was why 10 minutes of Wii time had translated to 1 minute of real time. I also did the step for 20 minutes trying to build my endurance.

Today I have run alot - from snowballs! And tonight plan on continuing my Wii training. I have also managed to get through the first day of South Beach. I'm on the beach as they say. Tomorrow night will be a huge test. I have bunko (we like to spell it with a k and have been for 15 years). We actually don't play bunko right now since multiple babies and life has whittled our numbers from 12 to about 8 - 10. Now we usually play catch phrase or anything anyone brings. It is still an awesome night out. I plan on bringing some SBD approved snacks and will, hopefully, resist temptation.

Days without sweets: 4

Days to the Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 19

Day until the Mercedes Marathon: 349

So Sad

2009-02-28T17:42:00.005-06:00

Last night I ran with the Wii for 15 minutes and did step for 30 minutes. I worked up a sweat! Today Sweetie Pie and I started walking but he crashed on his scooter so that walk didn't last long, we then raced Daddy to the car after our Walmart shopping headache. We parked way, way down the parking lot. I did notice I wasn't as winded as usual. Tonight I will work with the Wii again and probably tomorrow since it might snow! How could it be 70 degrees on Friday and we MIGHT get snow in the morning? I will admit that 99% of the time snow is predicted, nothing happens.

Yesterday I decided to google an old friend of mine. She had a very unique name so I didn't think she would be hard to find. I was completely blindsided when I only found her obituary. We had worked at the King's Ranch together and had been roommates for over two years. We were both just out of college and had a great time. After, we lost touch but she taught me many things. She was the first person I knew that when she bought a dress or blouse, she bought matching accessories, shoes, earrings, necklace, the works! She also fostered my love for Knots Landing. Everyone knew not to call our apartment between 9 and 10 on Thursday night. We also ate salad at Wendy's every Wednesday night. If we ever missed, the workers would ask us where we had been! I don't know what happened to her, the obituary didn't say but I know she was a very special person and a special part of my life.

Finding this out about my friend has made me commited to losing weight and running the 1/2 marathon. She loved life and children so much and it reminded me just how important life is. Both my parents died young and I don't want to suffer the same fate so it is time to suck it up and do it!

Now that I have depressed everyone - I plan on starting the South Beach Diet tomorrow so I ate a ton of chicken fried rice for supper ;). I found the recipe on Dinner with Julie and it is awesome. Even my picky husband will eat it.

Days without sweets: 3

Days until Scaleback Alabama Weigh Out: 20

Days until the Mercedes Marathon: 350

Sugar Free

2009-02-27T09:05:00.004-06:00

Well, another day without sugar and I haven’t pulled all my hair out or killed my child or husband or pitched a hissy fit. I think I can do this!

Now for deep thoughts – sorry it is Friday and deep thoughts just aren’t there! It is supposed to rain today so tonight’s training will be with the Wii. I have decided that I need to come up with a better plan than “I want to run the marathon so start running.” One goal for this weekend is to write a training plan so I know how far I’ve come and what goals I need to be meeting. As part of this big planning weekend, there will also be menu planning.

I think I’m going to break out the South Beach Diet book, which I’ve had but never read. I admit I have two reasons for deciding on this plan. One is that I need to lose some weight fast. I don’t want to lose it all fast but I need that kick start and feeling of accomplishment and the weigh out for Scale Back Alabama is quickly coming! I am also choosing this diet because I need to watch my carbs to keep my blood sugar in check. I’ve heard this diet has been recommended for people with high blood sugar (I know, okay!).

I’ve been debating about posting my weight publically on this site. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to give the actually number so for now I’m going to post how much I want to lose and how much I lose each week. I know if you add a couple of numbers you will be able to come up with approximately how much I weigh but at least I didn’t tell you!

Pounds to lose: 92 (OUCH)

Days without sweets: 2

Days to Scale Back Alabama Weigh Out: 21

Days to the Mercedes Marathon: 351

One Day Down

2009-02-26T08:08:00.005-06:00

Last night I ran 10 minutes with the Wii and did 20 minutes of step. Today will be a rest day since I work tonight. Tomorrow, I plan on running 15 minutes with the Wii or I may try to get outside.

Yesterday, I did not eat any sweets. I have to say that I'm proud of myself for that even though it was only the first day. Especially when the Williams Sonoma and King Arthur catalogs came in the mail and not only that but my Southern Lady and Paula Deen magazines came too. Oh my!! The Williams Sonoma catalog has the cutest cupcake pan that shapes the top of the cupcake like flowers. I wonder how long I can resist ordering that.

As for dieting, that is going okay. Breakfast and lunch yesterday were terrible - but, yum, La Fiesta - but I did well at dinner. Today probably won't be much better because I'm meeting my friend L and I think it is going to be Mexican again. At least I've been ordering burritos instead of tacos because the shells aren't fried. But it hasn't slowed down my chip and salsa consumption. I could probably just eat the chips and salsa and totally be happy.

Days without sweets: 1

Days to Scaleback Alabama weigh in: 22

Days to the Mercedes Marathon: 352

The Party Is Over

2009-02-25T07:50:00.009-06:00

Yesterday was a rest day. Tuesday and Thursday are rest days by default. I work my normal job from 7:30 - 4:30 and then I work my second job from 5 - 8, so there is not time to get in a work out. I've been trying to start training in the morning but I would need to wake up at 4:30 and that just isn't happening yet!

We have another friend that is going to join me on my journey. I work with C and she has actually run a marathon before in honor of her brother. I'm excited to have C join the fun!

Now I have another goal to accomplish. Even though I'm not Catholic, I decided to give up sweets for Lent. I shouldn't be eating them anyway since I have high blood sugar. Yes, I know that is just a fuzzy way of saying diabetes but I hate that word - it is so ugly! And to clarify "sweets," I mean cookie, cakes, chocolate, moon pies (love Mardi Gras) and pie. I've made myself sad. So yes, the party is over and it is Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent is beginning and we are supposed to be reflective and prepare for Easter, Spring and rebirth. I have lots of sugar-free gum ready to go.

This should also help meet my 10 pound weight loss goal for Scale Back Alabama. Weigh out is March 19. I have 22 days to lose 10 pounds. I really need to meet this goal since we are in teams of four and if anyone on your team does not lose their 10 pounds, the team is not eligible for team prizes. Also we get a $$ gift card if we lose the 10 pounds. It seems like money would be a great motivator, doesn't it?

I know this is a blog about getting in shape for the Mercedes Marathon but since losing weight is a big part of that goal and the area in my life I really need to focus on, there will be much more diet talk in my posts. I'm thinking about posting my planned menu for each day and then post what I actually ate. I know this will be pretty boring for most, so I promise to put it at the very end so it can be easily skipped.

10 = 1

2009-02-24T08:08:00.000-06:00

Just to let you know, 10 minutes of Wii running equaled ONE minute of soccer field running. ONE MINUTE!!! Between the running and step shouldn't I have been able to make it at least TWOOOOO minutes?

Oh well, I did walk/run for 50 minutes last night during soccer practice. I admit it was mostly walk but that is the longest continous exercise I have done for years. On an intellectual level, I knew I had a lot of work to do but last night it hit me on a more realistic level. But I'm not discouraged - I am going to do it!!!

If you noticed the white balloon looking thing in my shoe in the picture, it is a self-inflating whoopie cushion. That is right, they now make whoopie cushions that blow themselves back up - no waiting for more hilarious fun! What do you expect from a household that the following conversation took place: You spell Puppy with two p's - p p - and then gales of laughter.

Tonight Will Be The Test

2009-02-23T08:38:00.000-06:00

Another 10 minutes with the Wii last night. I did 10 minutes of step and finished up with 10 minutes of the intermediate step. I have to admit that I'm impressing myself. I've usually given up on any kind of exercise program by now. The only two exceptions were in high school when I decided to try out for majorette. I would only eat 1,000 calories a day and I would get up and exercise in the dark after my mom and dad had gone to bed!

The other time I stuck with an exercise plan, I joined NutriSystem when they had local offices and classes. I lost a ton of weight and kept most of it off for quite a while until life got in the way and I stopped the exercise.

This time I seem to be doing it backwards. I'm doing good on the exercise but my diet leaves much to be desired.

As for the test tonight. Sweetie Pie has soccer camp and I plan on walking/running the field as he practices. If I can run for 10 minutes tonight, I'll know the Wii is a good way to work towards the marathon when I can't get outside. I'm also going at lunch to get a MP3 player. Yes, I know, I'm way behind the times. I also don't have a cell phone.

Keeping It Going

2009-02-22T14:25:00.001-06:00

Well, I ran another 10 minutes with the Wii last night and then I did 10 minutes of step. The step part was a killer! And then walked for the last 10 minutes. Next week is going to be busy with soccer practice, Ash Wednesday and my second job so I feel the Wii is going to be my training buddy for awhile. I do think at soccer practice, I'm going to walk/run around the field for 30 minutes at least. I'll be huffing and puffing so much, I won't hear the other mom's giggling! Now if I could only be doing as well on the diet side.

Sunday's, after church, Sweetie Pie and I go to Burger King for breakfast. I don't think a chicken biscuit (that actually came on a croissant) is on any diet plan I've ever seen. I have to admit I have a problem - I'm obsessed with recipes and food which is a direct contradiction to losing weight. While I’m admitting my problems, I have over 400 cookbooks! I have about 1,000 books total. It looks like I would be too busy to eat doesn’t it?

I Love Saturdays!

2009-02-21T17:38:00.000-06:00

Okay, I ran 1 mile last night according to the Wii. I don't really trust the distance but I did run for 10 minutes. Now I've just got to see if Wii time translates to real time outside.

This has been a great Saturday! I didn't have to work today and it was awesome. Just in case you didn't know, I work full-time Monday - Friday at a large company which I love and I work part time for Ticketbiscuit. As much as I enjoy working for TB, I have to admit I'm ready to have my weekends back. I've taken Saturdays off for the next three months because Sweetie Pie is playing soccer, making me a real soccer mom!

I'm not doing so well on the food plan part of this experience. Today I went to a 6-year old's birthday party, of course, Sweetie Pie only ate 1/4 of the cupcake and I had to finish it for him. Then I hit the Valentine's candy which is sitting right beside me. Of course, it is a miracle that a week after Valentine's, I actually still have candy left so I guess that is one step.

Rambling, rambling, rambling

2009-02-20T08:50:00.000-06:00

For this title to make sense you must sing it to the tune of that song that goes - rolling, rolling rolling keep those something - sorry I can't remember anymore but I hear it in my head.

Speaking of singing, if you want to make the check out girl at Subway laugh, just sing "five dollar foot long" very badly! Be careful though, they may have heard it so many times they might just want to slug you!

Anyway at least now you understand the title. Back to business, yesterday was a rest day and I work my second job so I didn't have time to do any training.

I have a lot of goals set for myself this year so be prepared for more than just training notes. I want to catch up on my scrapbook. I still have to finish Sweet Boy's first year and he is now SIX! I've also come to realize that the average age of most of my clothes is TEN years old. Before you go yuck, the last few jobs I've had have been very casual - not business casual - but blue jean casual. I started my current job in August and I have to dress nicer than I have had to for ten years so I've been pulling out clothes from the very back of the closet.

I know I need some new clothes but I want to lose weight before I invest the money. I'm also on a money diet right now so I can, hopefully, quit the second job in a couple of months. Keep your fingers crossed!

I also have two friends that are joining me in the journey to the marathon. I'll call them DeShaine and Magadeline. I'll keep you updated on their progess also.

Does Wii Count?

2009-02-19T07:32:00.000-06:00

Well I consider yesterday a success - except for the boiled peanuts! I got the lettuce cleaned and shredded, I have tomatoes, carrots and healthy dressing.

In case you are wondering in addition to running the 1/2 marathon next February, I plan on losing some major poundage!! My diet - excuse me - food plan is a work in progress at the moment and I plan on making myself more accountable as I go along.

I read a hint the other day online about how actors and models depend on their looks to make money. So for two weeks you should imagine that you're being paid a million dollars to not miss a workout, eat clean balanced meals, and stay active.

Now back to the marathon training - I am kind of following the couch potato to 5K plan. But with all the storms last night, I ran with my mii trainer for 15 minutes. I then did 2 rounds of the hula hoop (my favorite) and the short step as a cool down. Here I go!

I know I'm crazy but. .

2009-02-18T08:31:00.001-06:00

Is this ridiculous? After hearing a co-worker talk about her daughter running in the Mercedes Marathon, I decided I wanted to do it. Can I go from an overweight, overworked, overtired soccer mom to a fit, healthy, balanced soccer mom? Well, join me on my journey and we will find out together.