Friday, January 30, 2009

Fridays are almost always good days

Today is Friday! I am so glad..it has been a long week and I wasn't sure I would get through it without taking time off. I have been stressed because of the people around me are stressed. I cannot help but get stressed with that. I know it isn't my stress but the bf being stressed effects me the most. I don't like it when he isn't happy or content. I did great with eating yesterday and the bf and I ate or first salad for dinner. Yes we have never made a salad for dinner, but I have to say we both enjoyed it and would eat it again. It was just a classic chicken salad and we ate 1/2 pound of chicken on it each. It was 8 points, which isn't so bad and we put it atop spinach leaves mixed with some romaine. I then had my usual hot cocoa with ff milk for desert. I am going to try to get in my 45 minute interval walk before the bf gets home today. I feel really good today and not sore at all. I don't like being super sore and I try not to push myself to that level because it just isn't comfortable. I like to push myself in small increments and being a little sore is more of what I try to achieve on a regular basis.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

45 minutes

Once again it is dark and snowy and just awful weather here. It is really getting depressing. Last night I increased my workout time to 45 minutes and really pushed myself. I am a bit sore today, but it wasn't that bad. I am hoping I can get used to doing just 15 minutes more. Why does that seem like more when you are on the treadmill? Anyway, I made a deal with myself that if I workout at a good pace and follow up with stretching and abs I can count 4 activity points for it. I have been wanting to do this for quite a while now, I just got lazy. I just hope I can keep it up. If not I will just go back to 30 minutes. I don't want to dread my workouts or not want to workout because of anything I add. I just read so much about how you should workout an hour a day and I think I am in good enough shape now to do that. We shall see how it goes and of course I will report anything on here that I do. It is so great to look back at this all.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Increase intensity/duration of workouts

I maintained this week which is a bit surprising to me, but it is my TOM this week so water gain might of been why my weigh-in yesterday was 185. I don't know how else to explain it, but I am glad that it went back down. I did work hard this week so I think I deserved to lose, but it will just take me some time to get going again. I just keep trying and not gaining is always my goal. There are a few pair of jeans I want to wear in my closet that still don't fit me. I would love to wear them this summer and about 10 pounds would probably get me in them. I want to lose the 10 pounds slowly though and make small improvements in my diet and exercise so that I can maintain it. This week my goal is either to work out harder or extend my time of workouts to 45 minutes. I don't have to go crazy with it, just do some more interval jogs or add 15 minutes.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Frustration

I am a bit frustrated with losing weight this week. It is my TOM, which I can blame it on...but I got on the scale today and I was back up to 185. I have been eating really healthy...I haven't went over on points...I haven't been eating candy, cakes, sugar. I exercised 5 days this week already. I guess I don't really know what is up with that? I could also attribute it to my thyroid not being regulated. I do need to check that. Hmmm. I just really hate being stuck and not being able to get unstuck. I wouldn't change anything with the holiday eating, but I gained this 5 pounds and it is really annoying because it doesn't seem to want to come off. I have been really happy with my eating lately..it is just such a shame. All I can do is to keep trying and hope it will eventually come down.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Weekend

I had a good weekend, but I didn't get my full Sunday rest day that I usually do. I am kind of tired today as well as really hungry. I usually don't get hungry until after 10 a.m., so I guess it is just one of those days. I hope the work day goes fast so I can relax at home tonight. The most exciting thing is that on Friday we got our satellite dish back. I was so happy and got caught up on the shows I missed..for the most part.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Excessively tired

I am so tired right now. I have been sleeping more lately and I don't really know why. I fell asleep during the office show last night, our antenna is working so we now have 8 and 13, but I was so excited to get to watch it...then I fell asleep. I went to bed at 10 p.m. once I woke back up again. I slept through the entire night and then could hardly get out of bed. I am still tired now. Uggh. I hate being tired.

If it continues I think I will get my thyroid re-checked. I am hypo-thyroid and I usually get it tested 2x a year anyway. I did get a work out in last night...but not a very strenuous one or anything, one that would lead to being this tired. I really hope the sun comes out today, I would love to see it. I am excited for the weekend because we are going out for sushi and seeing a movie. I love doing that!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

TV is an addiction

It has actually warmed up a bit to the 20s this morning. Yes that is warm for Michigan, especially when it has been below zero for most of the last couple of weeks. It is strange but it feels almost like the first 70 degree day in the spring or something. Anyway, our satellite tv dish is still out with the big snowball on the lens (and too high to get off)...so I haven't watched any tv in 3 days. I actually realize that I have a lot of time to do other things, not that I don't like having the option of watching tv. I just have been getting a lot of other things done with my time after work. I always thought I was just too tired and now I am realizing I really am not.

So perhaps not having tv is a blessing in disguise? I don't know, I do miss certain shows but I am getting used to not having it. Don't get me wrong I still want it..just maybe I can watch less.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Losing

I lost 1.2 pounds this week. I have really been trying to get back on track with healthier eating and cutting down on candy/sugar. It is tough, but I do feel better without the sugar highs and lows lately. I just need to find some alternatives that stick and I am not sure if I have found them yet..but I will keep trying. I am pretty hungry for lunch right now so I am going to cut my post short a bit.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration day

It is inauguration day. I am so happy that Obama is taking office. It is exciting, but it is hard to enjoy at work. However, I downloaded a streaming npr news app on my phone. I am listening to the events on it. Also, our satellite tv is down because of snow and ice covering it. The bf says this is the first time this has happened. I kind of wanted to watch the inauguration events at 9 p.m. tonight...but I don't think I will be able to. Last night I only watched tivo'd shows then I worked out. I have to say it is nice to unwind after work with tv. I also love so many of the shows on Monday and Tuesday nights. I am bummed, even though I know I can find a myriad of other things to do.

I have been weighing myself often this week and have also been trying hard to cut down on the candy and sugary snacks. For some reason it isn't going down as much as I thought it would. But at least it is going downwards. We shall see on Wednesday morning. I know I have lost, but I guess you always just want more.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Mondays

It is Monday and really cold, but a little sunny. Sun is good. The weekend did not last long enough for me, so I have a little case of the Mondays. On the other hand I have been trying to cut down on sugar and have been doing pretty well at substituting healthier things for my candy bars. I love smoothies and have been doing those. I have been making the peanut butter banana one lately. It is quite filling..that makes up for it being 6 points. I also purchased pudding, because I figure calcium is much more healthy than candy as well. I have been trying to exercise more, but on Saturday it just didn't happen thanks to Rock Band 2.

So I am hoping I am down from the 185 weight I got up to last week. I feel a bit better and I just continue to work on things. I still wish I was going on vacation to a warm, sunny place...but oh well. Next year. It is better to save the money.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Procrastination

I had plans to get up early on Thursday and Friday and exercise, but of course I didn't do it. I have been really tired lately and mistakenly drank a triple shot tall latte Wednesday night too close to bed. I could not sleep at all and resulted in a zombie mode on Thursday and extra exhaustion last night. They offered me the extra shots for free..I couldn't turn them down. I wish I would of.

Anyway, the below zero cold spell is supposed to let up this weekend. It will then be back to the 20s and then the week after that, the 30s. Woo hoo. I am so looking forward to 40s, 50s...and up. No snow would be nice also. I plan on exercising when I get home today because I don't have to cook. The only thing I don't like about that is being sweaty when the bf gets home. There are way to many excuses for me not to exercise. The thing is..is that it makes me feel better and sleep better. I know it is good for me and I do want to do it. It was just making a good time for it this week that has been a problem.

I just have to keep wanting to make changes. I am still trying to cut down on sugar period. I have done okay...but yesterday I had a lunch out and ate a cookie bar thing. It wasn't that good either. I am thinking of trying that new Truvia sweetner in my smoothies..I wonder if it is good or somewhat okay for you. I think I will read up on it.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Stress

I think this is just the time of year for stress. Not only is the weather crap but people are under pressure for all kinds of things...including getting their taxes done soon. For some reason the bf has more work than he could possibly do at his job and that is really stressing him out. I have been trying to weather the stress storm, trying to not use food as a coping mechanism, trying to exercise. Why does all this stuff require so much darn effort? Why am I not one of those people these things come naturally for? Anyway, I am just taking things day by day and trying to keep a good attitude about it all.

I have a department lunch today and then a birthday celebration later. I really hope I don't overdo it. I am making something healthy for dinner tonight...and I am really looking forward to it. The weekend cannot come soon enough!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Warning signs

I am quite unhappy with this week's numbers. I think I took the week for granted a bit and just thought my weight would settle in the downward phase. Well, it didn't. I really need to watch my portion sizes and my sugar consumption. I didn't go crazy eating, but obviously I ate to much and exercised to little. I also wasn't good with drinking my water. I really need to re-motivate myself again so that I can loose this 5 pounds I gained. I am disappointed, but this is my wake-up call to push myself more with exercise and eat better. I am not going to blame anyone but myself for this. I know I did not go over in calories this week by 6,000...so in a way the weight isn't all real. But that number means I have to work harder at it to get it down. I know I can do it! I know I can lose 5 pounds.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Snow go away

It has been busy this morning. I wasn't feeling well yesterday so I stayed home from work. I have been having stomach issues. I don't know if it is something I ate or a bug. Anyways, I have been trying to eat a lot of basic foods for the stomach. I snacked on saltines all day yesterday, not sure if that was a good thing...since I didn't drink any water hardly with them. I am hoping I can get things back to normal today with eating and not suffer too much. So far so good. I am also hoping to get in some exercise tonight, since I wasn't up to it yesterday.

I read something interesting this morning. Bob Greene is coming to the Meijer down the street from my house. I guess only the first 350 people there get to meet him. I am sure it will be mobbed. That sounds so boring for him since the airport is within 15 minutes of the Meijer so he will not get to see much of the city. Oh well, it is super snowy and cold today and we are supposed to get hit with another blizzard this afternoon. It is getting so depressing to have so much snow. I feel like my mood has changed so much from last week to this week. I am still in a relatively good mood, but not like last week. I blame the snow...go away!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Chocolate dreams

I am glad it is Friday. I could hardly get up today..and my good mood is starting to slip a bit. It is so hard to be in a good mood when everyone around you is in a bad mood. I hate that, it always ruins it for me. I think most people in Michigan in the winter are always in a bad mood. Maybe the lack of sun does that to them. I don't know where my good mood came from, but I think it was the 2 1/2 weeks of Christmas vacation I had. That was so great. I needed a good long break like that. I am a little sad that we are not going on vacation this year..but it will be relieving that we won't have to be broke either. It is hard to recover financially from our vacations, we need to start saving for them..or at least I do.

My desire to cut down on sugar is working quite well. Since I had extra points last night I ate 1 1/2 sloppy joe's (have brown sugar & ketchup in them though) instead of just one....and I was so full I couldn't even think about desert. I hope I can continue...but I love love love chocolate and keep dreaming about it.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Slip of the mind

It is Thursday..almost Friday. This week went fast for me and I was in the best mood ever...probably because of my long vacation. It is really snowy and cold here, but I think I may be getting used to it. I just wish it wasn't so dark. I excercised last night and hardly remembered that I did this morning when I went to write it down in my journal. That is so strange..perhaps it was to easy or something.

Anyways, I have been trying to not push myself to do things I don't want to do. It can wait...like taking down the Christmas tree. It is so pretty, so why not leave it up a little longer?

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Best life week

I had a better weigh in this week. I was seriously worried about last week, I was way up. Probably some of that was attributed to TOM though also...but I am on the right track. I have to say I have been watching Oprah's best life week and I do like the attention it gives to getting healthy. It is rubbing off on me slightly..for I have been trying hard to cut down on my sugar intake. I know it is not good for me, and I have been acting like a total sugar addict. I had a fruit smoothie for desert last night and it was delicious.

I am going to try to have a protein with my desert and see how well I do with that. I know I can fight this sugar problem. The main reason is that I want to ward off any possibility of diabetes.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Diet crazies

I have been in a very good mood lately. I think that the January diet craze is effecting me positively. I have been watching Food Network and they have healthy cooking on it all week. I also have been watching healthy cooking shows on FitTV and Discovery Health. Both the bf and I have so many ideas on what we want to cook, we are planning our weekends around it. I heard that most people don't gain all that much around the holidays. They gain around 2 pounds on average, and it is important to get that off...but 2 pounds causes all those diet commercials to spam the tv like crazy? I guess I don't really get it...but I have never been a resolution type of person. If I want to loose weight there is usually no right time for me to do it. I just do it whenever I can. I started losing weight I think around July in 2007.

I have to remind myself that eating snacks between meals is a good thing for me. Yesterday I had two snacks during the day after breakfast and lunch and didn't go home hungry. I actually ate less at dinner and didn't crave a big desert. Eat snacks..who cares if you go home with less points!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Back to routines

I am back and had a wonderful holiday vacation. I so needed that. I feel so relaxed now, I am hoping to stay this way...forever. Anyway, I got a lot done. I painted the bedroom and it looks lovely, I am now looking for curtains and new lamps to add in..as well as a little bit of decor. I look at the painted room with pride in my painting skills. I actually think I am pretty good at it.

Anyway, I ate a lot during the holidays. Is that a surprise? I also didn't journal, but am back to it now. I also did my Wednesday weigh-ins on both weeks. The second week number scared me and I hope this week it is better. I have gotten back to my regular exercise routine as well. I am not worried about what I gained and I have no regrets, not even with all the sugar cookies I ate! I know that I can loose this extra weight and get on with things.

I am not into resolutions, but I would like to lose 5 pounds. That is my goal and when I get there, I may want to loose another 5 pounds..who knows? I am just happy that the holiday eating is over...I just wish my vacation wasn't.