The Doughty Dozen?

I Did It!

2011-03-31T10:41:00.003-04:00

I reached my intermediate goal!

The program I am with focuses on 6 month cycles: 6 months to lose 10% of your weight, 6 months to focus on maintaining that loss, repeat as desired. So I began in late October with a goal to lose 20 pounds. At my weigh-in this week I found out I'd done it!

For my 6 months of maintenance I get to up my calorie intake from 1400 daily to 1800 (and if we're being honest, I've been over both numbers most days!) but continue to eat healthy foods more often than refined grains and other processed foods, and keep my activity levels up (to a goal of 180 minutes weekly).

So here I go... having started off my day with a donut. Stupid workplace potlucks!

First 5K!

2011-03-21T09:54:00.000-04:00

Hi ladies!

Just a quick note that I competed in my first 5K this weekend - as a walker, of course. My goal was to beat 60 minutes, but I surprised even myself with a 51:34 time! Yay!

I found having an event to work towards MUCH more motivating to keep me on the treadmill than just willpower alone. I'm already looking for another event to sign up for!

Hope you all are enjoying this wonderful, spring-y weather! :-)

Updates

2011-02-22T13:24:00.002-05:00

If you all are so inclined, it would be great to post updates!
Here's mine:
I've lost 35 pounds in the last 4 months, thanks to Optifast!
I feel so much better! I still have at least another 20 pounds to lose, but we're on the right track :)
The scariest part was going back to food. I was terrified that I'd just gain it all back, but I've lost a couple more pounds since then, so that's super exciting!
I have trouble exercising. I can't seem to unstick my butt from the couch!
I have arthritis in my knees, and it tends to hurt when I exercise, so I use that as an excuse.
It's not that bad though, so I need to get over it!
I'd love to have you all around to give me a push and get me moving!

Yay

2011-02-22T12:38:00.002-05:00

Look at everyone dropping in to give a status update. Neat!

I scrolled back through my old posts to figure out where I left off. Two years ago I got fired up about health and weight loss when I got diagnosed with an endocrine disorder-- the kind of thing that left untreated leads to diabetes and heart disease. So, I take my pills, eat whole grains, measure my portion sizes, and use my gym membership. In those two years I've lost about 30 pounds., and dropped my total cholesterol 70 points.

I've still got a long way to go-- my bad cholesterol is 26 points too high, my BMI is 32, and my tummy still sticks out farther than my rack. I'm working on it.

This year's goals include: no fast food, adding a 2nd gym day to my weekly routine, and mostly just keeping off the weight I've lost.

It's good to hear from others about both struggles and successes. I hope everyone is having a good 2011!

Posting for Bethany

2011-02-22T11:31:00.001-05:00

She can't post from work, so she asked me to do it for her!
"I want to know about the recently purchased treadmill. I want one, but I have no idea what kind to get. Does she love it? Does it incline? Does she run or walk on it? Is it comfortable?"
Thanks!

2011-02-21T23:12:00.002-05:00

I just happened to check out my old blog today, and saw the Doughty Dozen! Guess I'm not the only one who forgot about it ;)
Here's a healthy baking tip I learned this week.
Whole Wheat pastry flour can be used in place of white flour in any recipe that uses baking soda/powder!
I made banana bread and blueberry muffins with it, and they turned out great!

:-)

2011-02-21T19:36:00.000-05:00

I see the link to our little blog all the time as I update my personal blog, and have often wondered where the winds scattered us! Thanks for the "Deep Space Nine" link, and for bringing a smile to my face!

My own personal journey has improved the last couple of months, as I've bought a treadmill, taken to eating better, have lost 20 pounds and am signed up to walk a 5K in March. Good times. :-)

Best of luck, all!

I miss the doughty dozen

2011-02-17T14:21:00.001-05:00

I do. I miss it. Not that I was ever good at posting here, and of course toward the end, it was mostly little ineb. But I love her and I loved the recipes and the walking and, well, I miss it.

It won't come back, of course. But I've started something similar with some seminary friends of mine, and thought I should put a link here, for continuity's sake. It's sort of like when your favorite TV show ends, but a year or two later there's a spin-off. Doughty Dozen: Deep Space Nine or something. I should have called it that, actually, now that I think about it.

Anyway, it's at http://wholenesslife.blogspot.com Feel free to ignore it or whatever. Or love it, as I hope to do. Or at least go make some bok choy. Something.

Ow ow ow ow ow

2009-03-17T14:36:00.003-04:00

My likes and dislikes about the gym:

Dislike: The fact that everything hurts. Strange muscles I didn't even know I had. I can't walk across the room without raising a litany of four-letter words. The outside of my feet hurt. How is that even possible?

Like: The pain means its working. And it recedes enough after 24 hours that I'm ready to go again.

Dislike: That it took me four bloody months to go. Four months, and a new anti-anxiety medication.

Like: But I went! Three days in a row! And I love it! And that fact makes me feel courageous and healthy and strong and powerful and awesome and productive and other positive adjectives!

Dislike: I don't know what to do with the fancy machines there.

Like: The wellness minister at school will tell me what to do with them, as soon as she reads my email. Also, I get a free physical training session once my free trial week runs out and I actually start paying them.

Dislike: There are too many people there.

Like: I manage to go anyway, defeating my hangups about being around that many people at one time.

Dislike: I am surrounded by good looking people, and I know I am not one of them. I am fat and sweaty and gross.

Like: Except, for some reason, I don't feel fat and sweaty and gross when I'm at the gym. I feel awesome. And kind of hot. And I have to admit, it's nice to walk on the treadmill for a while and have some nice things to look at. And think, gee, I'm also pretty attractive. And certainly not the fattest person there, not by far. And that makes me feel good too. Which is perhaps not very nice, comparing yourself to others to make yourself feel good, but bleh on you.

Dislike: Changing in the locker room is a more uncomfortable experience than if I were to preach naked.

Like: The way I smell when I'm all sweaty more than makes up for it. Why is something so gross so nice? I smell like a boy, which is a nice change of pace. Heh. Also, I get to go home and take a shower, and the hot water is relaxing at the end of a stressful day. And then I curl up in bed and my cat curls up next to me and it's just a nice way to finish off the day.

God, what happened to me? I'm all happy and stuff. This is March, and I'm supposed to be depressed. But I'm not. Yippee, I think I like the gym. I don't know how that's even possible, but it's true. I've spent a whole hour on the treadmill for three days in a row. Last night, I walked four whole miles, and burned 600 calories. Which makes a total of 11 miles altogether. And I can't wait to go back.

YESI'MAWESOME!

Afternoon strolls

2009-01-06T13:27:00.001-05:00

I went for a few walks this weekend. Let's count it as 15 minutes on both Friday and Saturday. I haven't been to the gym yet this weekend... maybe next week ;)

L'il bit o' walkin'

2008-12-29T16:28:00.002-05:00

I snuck out of the house on xmas day. My little stroll shouldn't have taken more than 10-15 minutes, but the roads were covered in ice, so it was more like 20. It was good that way.... I needed the break.

Yesterday I walked about 2.5 miles. I think it took 45 minutes. I didn't check the time-- I was with a boy and thus distracted.

Exam Week

2008-12-18T14:00:00.001-05:00

Went to the gym again last night. I like exam week cuz there's less people at the gym. So far this week I've jogged 4 miles and walked 1. We'll see if I am able to go on Friday too.

I'll be offline next week but I'll blog again the last week of the month. Happy Holidays!

Go me!

2008-12-17T10:44:00.001-05:00

After a two week break due to a cold I went back to the gym and jogged 2 miles on the elliptical machine and then walked a half mile around the track. I like when the students are busy with exams so I can work out on the machines I like best.

Also, happy birthday Bethany!

Icky Sicky

2008-12-08T13:37:00.001-05:00

My Sunday badminton match was canceled uz both Heather and I have sinuses full of goo. I think in the past few days I have been personally responsible for the destruction of a tree. My nose would love for me to stop blowing it. Hee. Anyway, here's hoping I have the energy to walk the track at the gym tomorrow-- curse the gym, the most likely place for me to have picked up this cold!

Grr, Argh

2008-12-04T10:04:00.003-05:00

I rode the stationary bike for 20 minutes-- 22 including the cool down-- and it took me 3.5 imaginary miles. Then I took a few laps around the track (half a mile) until I finished my book. Go gym membership!

Not sure I'll make it back there before my Sunday badminton match...

Reading While Walking

2008-12-03T11:44:00.001-05:00

I wasn't feeling it yesterday, but I went to the gym anyhow. I walked the track while reading The Alchemist. Btw, excellent book. And in between laps I lifted some arm weights and I feel much better today. Tonight I'll either have a knitting date or I'll do my leg routine... we'll see!

Eat Those Pounds Away!

2008-12-01T14:33:00.003-05:00

I stepped on the scale today and discovered I've lost 8 pounds in the past few weeks. Woot! I've been trying to eat better--cut way down on the fast food (and trying to make good choices when I do it), bought some new cookbooks (two are vegan, and I have had some startlingly awesome food from them), and focusing on keeping my metabolism running all day, eating less at each meal but eating more frequently. It has been awesome.

Now to add exercise in somewhere...

Food food food

2008-12-01T11:43:00.003-05:00

I haven't been to the gym lately, but I did sneak out of the house twice this weekend. I took a 15 minute hike on both Friday and Saturday. Not sure I'll keep up with playing outdoors now that we've got snow here. It's pretty outside!

Good Weekend

2008-11-24T09:12:00.002-05:00

I was good this weekend and hit the gym twice. Once on my own to do a strength circuit (friday after work) and once with Heather to play badminton. I'm hoping our post-church racket game continues-- it'll be hard with the holidays and finals.

I had my first challenge this weekend of leading a soda-free lifestyle... I had to drink lemonade at the movie theater. Blech. But I lived (and so did Bella Swan).

Stair Master

2008-11-20T11:47:00.002-05:00

I didn't gym it yesterday (knitting lesson and coffee date) and I won't gym it tonight (chiropractic appt. and choir) nor tomorrow (opening night of _Twilight_, hello!). So instead I give another of those optimistic exercise ideas for which we count on each other.

Fact: good exercise requires taking the longest route possible to get from one point to another. This means I have started using the bathroom downstairs, rather than either of the ones on the first floor of my office building. Not only cuz the downstairs bathroom has that awesome foaming hand soap (why bathrooms in the same building offer different soaps is beyond me) but also going down a floor means I'm hiking up and down a flight of stairs several times a day.

I like the additional time away from my desk, the sights (someone in the machine shop was wearing a Ron Paul Revolution t-shirt yesterday) and the sounds and smells (my dad managed a machine shop when I was wee, so the sensory experience of downstairs jump-starts my nostalgia on a daily basis).

Anyway, this post is all over the place, I know. But my point: take the long route. It feels good cuz it is good.

Gymin' it

2008-11-19T10:12:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I managed to find my ID and get my butt to the gym. Did another strength circuit including a one mile hike around the indoor track.

Also, I haven't had drive-thru in 3 weeks, and I feel a lot better. My energy is up, a noticeable amount, and it is nice.

I went to the gym!

2008-11-17T09:59:00.001-05:00

Saturday I did a strength circuit with a lot of lifting and I walked a mile around the indoor track. Sunday I played 45 minutes of badminton. I don't remember it being so hard-- it involves a lot of running and bending over. But I had fun!

Consultant

2008-11-14T15:34:00.002-05:00

I met with our seminary's "Wellness Ministry Director" this morning. She gave me some awesome suggestions for changing my eating habits for lowering cholesterol, and promised to send me a personal workout plan as soon as I join a gym. Woot! So awesome.

To celebrate my hearing and understanding of her suggestion to cut sugar out of my diet, I had a peanut butter/chocolate brownie. I think I might actually be successful this time!

Seriously, though, it was good, because she told me when to eat and suggested some ways to make that work with a busy and varying schedule, and it was good. I do think I can do much of what she suggested, though the joining-a-gym thing will be hard for me, as I really don't want people to talk about me on the missed connections page on Craigslist.

Actually, now that I think about it...

So, here's to wellness! I hope!

Getting inspired

2008-11-14T10:50:00.002-05:00

Wednesday it was far too rainy to walk, so I attempted some push-ups. And discovered how very little upper body strength I possess. Last night was better: I went for a 10 minute walk before choir rehearsal, and another walk for 16 minutes after.

Today I might go to the gym! We'll see how I feel when I'm finally off work this afternoon... and how long I'm in line at the post office...

Weather Mean

2008-11-12T14:39:00.001-05:00

I did get 10 minutes in last night, in the window where it wasn't raining.

I found this site I bookmarked a while back, a compilation of tips and tricks. I hope y'all find it handy.

http://zenhabits.net/2008/06/best-tips-getting-in-shape/

Nightly Walk

2008-11-11T13:49:00.002-05:00

Last night: 30 minutes.

It's cloudy and due to rain here. I may be walking the track at the gym tonight.

Since it's still here

2008-11-10T09:11:00.003-05:00

Good morning, Bloggers and Walkers.

A recent trip to my doctor's office showed that my cholesterol is higher than my weight. There's a lot to be concerned about there. So here I go, attempting a lifestyle change, a few goals at a time.

Starting point: no more fast food, no more beef in my diet, a minimum of 10 minutes of cardio every day.

Walk journal-- Friday: 15 minutes. Saturday: 25 minutes. Sunday: 25 minutes (2 walks of 10-15 each).

6 weeks to 100 push-ups

2008-06-19T11:05:00.001-04:00

Not for me, cuz I've been gymin' it-- and it's been awesome! But someone else might like this:
http://hundredpushups.com/index.html

President's Physical Fitness Test -- for grownups?

2008-05-14T10:02:00.001-04:00

Actual measurable fitness goals.
http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/adultFitnesstestLanding.aspx

Not to necessarily even "pass," but specific targets to work toward (or at least near)...

Lakeside Hike

2008-04-28T13:49:00.001-04:00

Heather and I put in another hour on Friday. It's getting to be a regular thing, which is good. I'll miss her when she spends the summer in Texas.

I'm probably joining the campus gym this summer, when I have less commitments and more money coming in. I'll need help starting a routine-- once I get going the sticking should be easier.

Liar

2008-04-24T17:56:00.002-04:00

Okay, I lied. Though I didn't know it at the time. I was in my bathroom and thought, "Hmm. Bathroom scale. I wonder..."

And I've lost 10 pounds over the last three months. 10 pounds! And I have continued to eat like a pig! Imagine what would happen if I ate better.

So this is what it feels like to be a superhero. Loses 10 pounds without even noticing! Dee-dud-deeeee!

Okay, I'm done talking now. ::flies away::

2008-04-24T17:27:00.002-04:00

I've been walking 1+ mile almost every day since January. It hasn't changed a think around my middle, but it has allowed me to procrastinate the h*ll out of a number of major papers, which are now all due in the next week and a half.

But hey, the sun is out now... well, not today, but it has been lately... and maybe that means I can take a book or something with me when I go. Sit by the lake, read, walk back. That's productive, right?

I'm also going to start eating lower on the food chain, convinced to do so by a lecture I heard the other night. I'm evidently not convinced enough; I'm keep buying more meat and putting it in my freezer, but at least I think about vegetables more often...

Effort Reporting

2008-04-24T12:53:00.002-04:00

Last night I bowled three games. No soda or beer (just juice and tea). Does that count as exercise? It better, cuz it's all I'm getting.

I have been working on doing stretches while I wait on the microwave. Pro: I'm just standing there anyway, and the clock helps me know how long to hold position. Con: people think I'm weird now.

Little Hike

2008-04-21T13:22:00.001-04:00

Friday night I walked for... less than an hour. So, probably 2 or 3 miles. I needed it.

Then I went to a club called Rhino's, got ice cream at the Moose, and beer at the Lion. I think I spent Friday night on a zoo crawl...

2008-04-21T12:18:00.003-04:00

Just eating a quick snack of applesauce before I go for a walk (hopefully the sun is shining out there, right? Hard to tell from my desk)...

I did my first actual running of the year misery on Thursday. I sucked. And also the road was very dry so cars going by just about choked me with dust, which also sucked and did not make breathing any easier. So. That.

Friday (18th) I tried a new thing, walking on my lunch hour. Twice around the block and back up the stairs to the 4th floor took 30 minutes, totally do-able. Today I actually remembered to put my tennis shoes in the car so I am headed out shortly do give it another go.

Saturday and Sunday we did lots of outside chores, raking leaves and splitting/stacking firewood (my hands are all beat up to prove it) so I say that totally counts... except I am sure also that I ingested enough calories to totally cancel out all above-referenced exercise. Dinner on Saturday was, after all, the bbq bacon cheeseburger at whatever lakefront restaurant we were at... with a pesto bruschetta appetizer. D'oh.

Ok. Going to walk now.
Lovelove.

Weekend

2008-03-31T16:27:00.002-04:00

Friday: walked a mile. I might have done another lap, but I had to pee :)

Saturday: walked 2.5 miles. It took an hour. I felt out of shape and tired.

It's raining again here, so we'll see how much I get done this next week...

I'm Back!!!

2008-03-13T10:11:00.002-04:00

I have neglected this blog and my workouts this quarter. My apologies. I have returned though! I am "tracked out" for a few weeks- meaning my students and I are out of school for a few weeks.
I am getting back in to my workout routine and throwing a few extra workouts in for good measure. I had a stressful last two quarters and proceeded to workout less, eat more, and gain a few pounds. With my 3oth birthday looming, I am ready to jump back to the gym and boogie my buns off!!
Wish me luck!
It's good to be back!

Hey all

2008-03-11T14:24:00.002-04:00

Our blog is so neglected ...
should we keep it going? Repurpose it? Bid it a fond adieu?

It's Tuesday, and I am randomly going through my internet favorites
looking for things I haven't read in a while (this, clearly) and checking
to make sure they are still there....

I'm boring. :P

Good Morning!

2007-10-02T09:40:00.000-04:00

The Family Circle website went crazy, Parents.com ate it up, something weird happened, so the walking calendar/schedule thing is gone. I don't know about anyone else, but summertime kind of killed my motivation somehow anyways. Sadly, summertime is basically over... but on the up side, I seem to have found a little bit of motivation again. This is mostly Harmony's fault for being a month in to her new "learn to be a jogger" awesomeness. Yay!

Anyway so I am following her lead, albeit I'm on day one and she's on month two, in the "Couch to 5K Running Plan." Maybe somehow I will manage to get myself into a consistent exercise routine again. That would be a total miracle.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Also, I have been doing a much better job keeping track of what I shove in my face. The calorie tracker at www.fitday.com is a real lifesaver for me, as most foods -- or something close enough to them -- are already in their searchable database and I don't have to spend all my time copying nutritional information from the backs of everything I eat. It also keeps track of my most recent entries as well as my most recent "custom foods" (the items where I HAVE had to copy the back of the package). It is my friend.

And of course I'm still tracking my steps at www.walkertracker.com. Today was day one, as I mention, of the attempt at an exercise routine... and I have a surprisingly nice headstart, with 4594 steps already on the pedometer at 9:45 a.m. SWEET!

Now, if anyone can show me a free-or-cheap site where I can track all of these things at the same time, you will be my hero.

2007-09-05T11:31:00.000-04:00

Well aren't we a quiet bunch.
And instead of losing weight, I've been gaining, consistently. I could blame the medication transitions, or any number of other things, but really it's pretty much that I've been eating crap and not really exercising much.
Today I found this cool link.
http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm
So I'm sharing it.
Yay, links. Yay, exercise and decent eating habits ... yeah.

Ouch

2007-08-03T09:51:00.000-04:00

My first migraine seems to be leaving the building, finally. It arrived on Monday afternoon and has been lingering all week. Hence, I haven't even been thinking about my steps. Looks like I'll be trying for 4,000 a day starting again next week.

I hope you all are doing much, much better!

Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Yipee!

2007-08-01T09:33:00.000-04:00

Today is donut Wednesday.
I walked to to the donut trough with my usual Wendesday morning crew.
I stood and chatted while they all selected their yummies.
I walked away empty handed.

TRIUMPH!

So why was it so easy to overcome the nagging custard beast after all these weeks?

Today, I was armed with the knowledge that I've lost 10lbs.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Not enough for me to even notice without the help of my scale, but dammit that's the most motivational discovery there is for continued healthy eating and more frequent exercise. Turns out hiking with Phil and Lola really was a much better idea than hiding in our air conditioned house eating bowls of ice cream.

Another week with Pedometer

2007-07-30T15:14:00.000-04:00

Last week the daily goal was 3,500 steps, and I reached it 3 times (out of the 4 days I remembered to wear the silly thing!) I also went for an afternoon hike on Sunday, but again forgot the pedometer. So, I am attempting 4,000 a day this week. I did some work errands on foot after lunch today, so I have 1,000 steps to go. We'll see if every day goes this well.

Hope all is well with you!

Walking with a crowd

2007-07-27T13:45:00.001-04:00

Anybody interested in walking a marathon (or half marathon) in Columbus, Ohio in October?
if so, please see both links and then let me know!!

http://www.columbusmarathon.com/

http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-2-171-752-7796-1,00.html?cm_re=Walking-_-Team%20PVN-_-What%20is%20Team%20Prevention

We're exercise ninjas. Operating in stealth mode.

2007-07-24T09:58:00.000-04:00

Congrats on your 6700 steps! Yay!

Phil and I hiked about 7 miles on medium to difficult terrain on Saturday. Kayaked on Monday.

We also tubed on Sunday but that's floating and not at all like exercise, unless you count a few brief bouts of paddling/kicking so as not to bump into logs in the river.

My weekly activity has been lame at best, but I intend to put down the ice cream bowl and get back to work!

Pedometer, hear me roar!

2007-07-23T15:05:00.000-04:00

Last week my daily goal was 3000 steps. I made it 4 of the 5 days I kept track-- one day I managed 6700 steps! This week's goal is 3500. Of course, today I forgot to wear the darn thing... must still be on weekend attire, when I walked from chair to chair reading the Deathly Hallows.

Hope y'all are doing well.

Getting Back on Track

2007-07-16T09:51:00.000-04:00

I love my friend Heather. I love that she likes to exercise, and to gossip while we do so. I think I got in two hours this weekend due to her, one on Friday night and one last night (Sunday). Having a graveyard near your house makes post-sunset walking fun, especially when you've been watching as much Buffy as I have :)

I started wearing my pedometer, even though it itches my hip and makes an annoying clicking noise. My daily goal to start is 3,000 steps. We'll see how I do this week.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Enjoying the last bits of freedom

2007-07-10T19:47:00.000-04:00

This is my last week of vacation. I go back to work next Monday. I am already looking at the group fitness lists and planning which night classes to take. I worked out at the gym four days last week and walked one day. Not too bad. I even went to the gym on my birthday!! But then I went to a weekend celebration. People kept giving me drinks as it was a party to celebrate the 4th (my b-day) so lots of alcohol. Not to mention...when travelling, this gf girl does not have many options. I ate crappy foods all week. To pay my body back for the evils, I will be going to the gym six days this week. But I did buy another sports bra! Yay!
The results are slow in coming but they are there indeed. My love handles are getting smaller (notice I said smaller - not gone) and my biceps are visible. My tricep wave jiggle is also decreasing. I've lost at most...5lbs, but my clothes are fitting looser and I am feeling better.
Next baby goal - ten pounds and looser fitting clothes.
Ultimate goal - 20-25lbs and two-four dress sizes smaller. :)

Hope everyone is having a fun summer!

In a nutshell.

2007-07-09T13:53:00.000-04:00

Walked my booty off in D.C. at ALA. Oodles and oodles of miles, surely.
Came home for a few days.
Walked my booty off in Toronto on vacation. Not as many oodles of miles, but still bunches, at least.
Came home for a few days.
Kayaked.
Walked.
Rode my pretty new granny bike. So granny, in fact, that it has the awesome giant seat and is begging for a basket and bell. Also really comfortable which will motivate me to get out on it more.

So basically I've been inactive online but active elsewhere. Yay!

Little Something

2007-07-09T10:44:00.000-04:00

I left the house a whole bunch this weekend. And it was too hot, yet I did get in a twenty minute walk yesterday. Not anywhere near the recent goals, but given two weeks on my butt, anything is a good thing. Likely not going again today cuz it's a heat index warning kinda day, making babies cry and all. But I'm going bowling tonight, and you are jealous, I can tell :)

Incredibly lazy

2007-07-05T14:08:00.000-04:00

My excuses are crap, but I have them. Like how my boss has been in town, so I can't take one lunch break to walk and another to eat (given how I feel about food you can guess which break has been dropped). And yesterday it was really hot and really wet here-- I kept getting up from episodes of Buffy to check, and sure enough, it was still raining every time I looked. So yeah, these past few weeks have only really put a dent in my couch. But next week! Next week I will turn it around!

Biker Chick

2007-07-02T21:40:00.000-04:00

Hi all!

I know, I know...I kinda fell off the planet a bit there, didn't I?

I went to ALA in Washington last week, and walked many, many miles between hotels and around the exhibit hall, but sadly didn't get to walk with Harmony, because I am a doofus.

(Cell. Charger. Bad. No. Phone. Oops.)

In any case, I have managed to ride my bike several times since I got home, and tonight I broke my latest mini-goal...three miles! I rode 3.3 miles in the lovely dusk evening, grinning on the downhills, and panting on the uphills, but I made it!

I'm planning to wear my pedometer to work on varying days in the coming weeks to see if I really do hit that "10,000 steps" a day mark, and how I can adjust it. Does anyone else do this?

Anyhoo, lovely to read all your posts, and keep moving! We can do it!

posting a picture

2007-07-01T11:49:00.000-04:00

Okay - I'm pretty good with this stuff, but for some reason I cannot get my picture to load into my profile from photobucket. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

/m

Normal...

2007-07-01T11:21:00.000-04:00

I guess that word, normal, is all relative. For me, I'm getting back there. I'm finally able to do most things that I couldn't last week. So - here I am trying to make another go at this. I did walk for 30 minutes on thursday. I'll take it and run! :) My goal for this week is to walk at least 3 times. I will be with my family part of the week at the lake for celebrations so I REALLY need to find time to walk. It's going to be a birthday and anniversary celebration and I'm going to need to make sure to burn some of the calories I'm going to inevitably waste. Anyway... getting back in the swing. I hope all of you are doing well!

/m

overeating

2007-06-28T13:08:00.000-04:00

Italian and Mexican food -- the two cuisines I'm most likely to overeat. What I really need is a way to delude myself that the chicken chimichanga I just inhaled isn't really that bad for me...
and for other people to post so that I'm not just talking to myself, because whoa, that's a symptom I haven't experienced yet... heh.

and... stupid question... does anyone know how to access older postsecret posts? I haven't read it in a while but I can't seem to figure out how to get to the ones from the last few weeks.. unless they don't keep an archive? Just curious.

glug glug

2007-06-26T15:53:00.001-04:00

I am on my fourth glass of water today, and I feel like I could float away. Of course it also breaks up the monotony of sitting at my desk, as I have to get up and walk across the office to the restroom every hour or so. The whole "balance" goal is going to be a gift, I think, as I taper off the drug dosage. It gives me lots of things to keep track of and think about... my eating habits, meal planning, water consumption, walk-tracking, time management... hopefully that sort of tasking will help me boot my brain on track when it occasionally stalls and drifts into the ditch... which it has been doing periodically all afternoon. Thankfully just an hour left to the workday and then nothing on tap for this evening. I might watch a movie, read, sleep... sleep... sleep.... something like that. Heck, I might even go for an actual walk and not just count the steps I take during my workday. In defense of my workday, I walked two miles on Friday between 9am and 7pm. The pedometer is both a blessing and a curse... it encourages me to give credit to non-aerobic walking. But I will get better... I'm working on it... you all inspire me to keep working on it. :)

Balance

2007-06-25T13:11:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to be more devoted to walking... and better eating choices... and general well-being. I need to maintain balance, as the title suggests, particularly right now as I wean off an antidepressant. Because ineb told me to, I resisted the urge to go cold turkey (I ran out two days ago, so I had a headstart!) and went to pick up my prescription over lunch. I also bought a pill-splitter, so that I can reduce by 25% at a time my one-tab-a-day current dosage. Today'll be the first day at 75% which is.. what, 7.5mg? I think. Not that it matters. :) Anyway while I was there I also bought a book called Eat Smart, Walk Strong. And I hope it doesn't suck. And if it gives me any fabulous tips, I will be sure to share them with the rest of you. I chose it because it was marked down to $11, because it includes recipes and contains an integrated "diary" of what you've eaten and how much you've walked, and... because it has quizzes. Quizzes rule.

I am sad because the "show all" labels button doesn't work for me anymore. And I don't have our labels memorized...

ooh, and also! In the interest of balance and general emotional well-being... do good deeds! And then let us praise you for them, because it feels good and that IS OKAY! Blog about them, even if they're tiny. It will give us another topic. :)

Weekly review!!

2007-06-25T10:59:00.000-04:00

I had to argue with myself to get self to gym. Self won. I hate that.

Monday- 25 min treadmill - 1.25 mi
25 min. bike - 9mi
resistance machines - arms, abs, and back
BONUS- free ten min. chair massage!!!!!

Tues. - off
Wed. cycle class 1 hr. no cute boy, still a sore tushie
Thurs.- 30 min. treadmill 1.5 mi
2 mi. on bike - knees ached from cycle class...called it a day.
Fri. - off due to massive sun burn
Sat. 50min. treadmill - 2.75 mi
15 min. bike - 5.5 mi
Sun. (to make up for no class on friday) 1 hr. fitness yoga

My goal this week...just to go five times. I am trying their lap pool this week and I am hoping to try another new class. I am sad I missed the strength class on Friday. It really works your muscles...and my muscles need all the help they can get to look pretty for those pics this summer!!!

My b-day is approaching, so I am hoping all doesn't go to hell with my hard work and eating well.

Friday Mirth

2007-06-22T09:44:00.000-04:00

http://xkcd.com/c280.html

I had this friend in highschool, and after the first few times I loaned books to her, I started to buy her a used copy of whatever she wanted to read, so that she wouldn't destroy mine... oh, my soul hurts just thinking about those poor, devastated books...

Late Start

2007-06-21T13:10:00.000-04:00

I've been lazy this week due to heat and rain. Just did my first walk, about 50 minutes. If I did the week 6 math right I have a hundred to go. Good thing I have few plans this weekend.

Best wishes to Harmony and Marissa for super fun this weekend in DC!

Week 6

2007-06-21T13:02:00.000-04:00

Better late than never? Sorry for the delay. We've been busy. ;)

M 25 min
T 30 min
W 25 min
Th off
F "speed things up: after warming up, walk quickly for 2 minutes,
then slow it down for 2 minutes. Repeat 5 times."
Sat 30 min
Sun 25 min

Total 9 miles

Walking Calendar

2007-06-20T18:52:00.001-04:00

It's at http://familycircle.com/fc/file.jhtml?item=/walk07/ahawalkrecipetips&ordersrc=rdfc0048

Anybody who has time to figure out what "month" we're on would be my hero.
It might be less complicated than my addled brain is trying to make it... but I'm tired
tonight, and confused. :)

kthxbye

Sharing some funnies.

2007-06-20T12:05:00.001-04:00

This song/video makes me happy. Mika makes me happy. YAY!

Marissa are you out there?

2007-06-20T10:59:00.000-04:00

Hey Marissa! I just tried emailing you through your blog and it got bounced back. Since you're a librarian I have to ask, are you by any chance attending the annual ALA conference in DC this weekend? My work will be there as a vendor and they're sending me out for the tradeshow. I'll be there Sunday and Monday nights and thought if you're planning to be there we could grab a meal or take a walk!

Let me know! That would be a lovely coincidence.

Peace out,
Harmony

(Also, I'm at 90 minutes so far this week.)

End of week without goal

2007-06-18T09:09:00.001-04:00

I didn't keep track this weekend, but all I did was the stuff where I park a few blocks from my destination and try not to cut corners around intersections and the like. We'll round up and say it was 140 minutes this week. Yay!

Today I'm suppose to walk the entire lunch hour, but the heat index figures make it look like the kind of day where old people die if they go outside (a low of 92 seems to be in store) so I'm not sure my full walk will be happening. Maybe I'll be brave and aim for a few short breaks today instead?

I did it I did it!

2007-06-16T20:48:00.000-04:00

My goal for this week was to make it to the gym six out of seven days. Mission accomplished. Here is my week's summative report:

Monday - 25 min. treadmill 1.25 miles
25 min. bike 9 miles
resistance machines for abs, back, arms
Tuesday- 1 hr of Cardiofunk class (think Jazzercise on crack!)
Wednesday - 1 hr. of intro to cycling (where binky met a cute boy named Brian. Brian said, "Hope to see you an some more classes." Oh you will , cute boy Brian. You will. )
Thursday - 1.5 hr walk with Jackie - 4 miles
35 min. bike at gym - 12.5 miles
Friday - 1 hr. class - Strictly Strength
15min. in steam room...not really a workout, but quite relaxing!
later that day...
1.5 hr walk with Jackie -4 miles
Saturday- begged for mercy, then went to gym
35 min. bike - 12.5 mi
25 min. treadmill - 1.25 mi
resistance machines - abs

SUNDAY- crying, tending to 1 broken toe, three blisters, 1 cracked skin spot on a toe and a completely bruised tookus from the bike seat in the cycling class.

I wanted to prove to myself it could be done. I even went into work for two days and had a dr. appt on another day...so I was impressed. (For those of you who don't know, I am a teacher and I am off for six weeks. )
Next week...back to my typical, summer break schedule of only 5 days a week. Will be at cycling class (sore tooshie is a small price to pay to see cute boy again) as well as Strictly Strength. Going to try Hiphop this week instead of cardiofunk. If it's fun, I might keep it through the fall, and drop the jazz class I signed up for!

Whew!

2007-06-15T13:16:00.000-04:00

It's really not too hot out there, but man, is my exercise path sunny!
45 minutes. Now I get sweet tea :) Today's organic selection is green tea with spearmint and honey.

Enjoy your weekend, ladies!

Stupid Summer

2007-06-15T09:23:00.000-04:00

I took my sadness to the wee baby. Lydia and I took her for a stroll last night. Total was around another 20 minutes. Not much, but I was tired and dehydrated, so I am counting it-- even though it involved going to a sandwich place and my dinner included a cookie. Cuz sometimes Maisie smiles at you, and it makes life a little bit easier.

I plan to do another walk on lunch, and then tonight I get to see free Grammy winning music in the park. (Yes, right about now is when you should be asking yourself why you don't visit Bloomington more often!)

Early Riser

2007-06-15T08:21:00.000-04:00

I woke up at 6:03. I had time to get ready, go get a dozen bagels, buy milk, and get home before anyone even really noticed I was gone. And yet still, the time before I needed to leave for work evaporated, and foiled my plan to take a walk this morning. I really haven't been doing very well, y'all. I have barely been taking walks for exercise... which sucks, because I am really eager to stop taking this medicine, but I made that deal with myself... and I'm .. just... meh.

But I am still determined to fix it... one of these mornings...

in fact, I'll walk right now.
To the kitchen.
For a cup of coffee.

(meh)

Ok ok

2007-06-14T11:22:00.000-04:00

Last night I strolled twenty minutes. I'm up to 60 minutes.

I'm not good at the heat this time of year. You'll all be eating my dust come winter. (Well, that's what I keep telling myself...)

And then...?

2007-06-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

Okay so I know Binky went shopping, but where did everyone else go? It's quiet on here this week and I'm curious to know what's keeping you all away - too busy walking or too busy slacking?

I've done so-so this week - meaning good, but not as good as I wanted. Including this morning we've clocked 140 walking minutes. That's likely to be near our total because Phil will be around to help tomorrow morning and then I'm off to Tawas for a lovely no-boys-allowed weekend vacation.

We might exercise, but we might also just lay around watching chick flicks and painting our nails. Or taunt the regulars at the local watering hole with our new aged non-country juke box music selections and loud giggling. We shall see.

Holla back, y'all.

Binky went shopping

2007-06-12T09:42:00.001-04:00

To reward myself for good gym behavior (I have gone every day I said I would...and even though I look at the cute trainers...I do not touch!) I went shopping!

Hawaii, meet "the girls"

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/23_176_260/products_id/1831

Hydrating Binky

2007-06-11T19:29:00.000-04:00

So...I've kept my goal so far this week...but it's only Monday!

I read an article this weekend (Marie Claire I believe...) that your metabolism doesn't work as well when dehydrated. As if I have f-ed up my metabolism enough in my lifetime! I started drink lots of water. I mean a lot. I feel sloshy. I pee often. I hope I can keep this up until my body gets used to it. But by then, it will be time for me to go back to work...where I never sit down and rarely drink water (I once got to afterschool tutoring - it was 3ish before I realized my propel was unopened...meaning I had not had liquids since 7 that morning).

Off to down another glass!

Woe Is Me

2007-06-11T16:47:00.001-04:00

Oh dear.

I seem to have forsaken thee (thees?) over the last couple of weeks. Between a family visit, a spur of the moment friends visit, Relay for Life and life in general, I have been rather absent.

I'm sure you missed me desperately. ;-)

I have a confession:

I have not been walking.

And I feel ick because of it.

I'm a creature of habit, and when I can make walking a part of the irrevocable routine, I'm good to go, but you give me two weeks of pure chaos, and I seem to be back where I began.

But I'm determined to try and get going again, with y'alls help!

In other news, I bought a bike.

Having not ridden a bike in about 17 years, this is a new and exciting challenge. I can't go far, or fast, but at least I'm staying upright on the damn thing. ;-)

I'm hoping it will help break up the walking with a different exercise every once in a while.

Pretty blue, no?

Anyhoo, I'm hoping to be back in the walking rhythm with you all very soon! Great to see how wonderfully everyone is doing - very motivating!

sunny day

2007-06-11T13:27:00.000-04:00

I intended to walk for a full hour, knowing I'm going to lose my Thursday hike, but I turned back too early and ended up spending too much of my walk in the bright bright sun, and I was tuckered out in 40 minutes flat. Hopefully I'll be brave enough to get a few brief walks in the evenings this week. But I really must protest the lack of shade in my urban setting.

In happy news, I found a new beverage: Sweet Leaf Sweet Tea. Organic iced tea, sweet and tasty. Man, I do live in the south now, don't I?

ack

2007-06-11T13:12:00.001-04:00

I forgot to pick up the latest "Family Circle" magazine in time to post our goals today...
I'll try to get it tonight. In the meantime, I just created my account at
http://walkertracker.com/walker.php?bking126

Beginning tomorrow I'll be tracking my steps there as well, since I keep forgetting to write it down in my little book at the end of each day (and today I'm not wearing my pedometer becasue I'm wearing a cute little sundress I got for free from Melinda's aunt, and there's nowhere to clip it...)

Stay Classy, Doughtygirls!

Step-by-step.

2007-06-11T09:51:00.000-04:00

So despite some yucky cold and sinus issues I managed to walk my little booty off last week(end). With 110 minutes yesterday alone, my week total was 270 minutes, or about 14 miles. And also, I learned that I like oatmeal.

We shall see what this week brings.

Yay, walking!

Barely

2007-06-11T09:05:00.000-04:00

Did a 45 minute hike on the rails to trails track yesterday, so I just slightly went over 120 minutes this week. Whew!

I'm losing Thursday to some Mexican fiesta, so I'll have to sub Friday and haul ass over the weekend, but I think I can make it.

made my goal and then some

2007-06-09T16:57:00.000-04:00

I did make it to the strength class. I am still in pain. It was an hour of torture...that good kind of torture.

Today I did 35 min on the bike for 12.5 miles and 35 min on the treadmill for 1.75 miles.

Next weeks goals:
Monday: 25-35min on treadmill then machines- arms, abs, back

Tuesday - 35min treadmill, 35 min. bike

Wednesday - 25-35min on treadmill then machines - arms, abs, back (maybe - need a day off)

Thursday - hip hop class

Friday - strength training class 9:45 - this time I won't curse as much!

Saturday - 35 min bike 35 min treadmill

Sunday - off

If I can keep with this schedule - not only will I be proud of myself...but I will be ready for Hawaii!!!

Step Tracker!

2007-06-08T16:02:00.001-04:00

http://walkertracker.com/

Now that is cool.

Ta da!

2007-06-07T13:07:00.000-04:00

I did it. I took a full lunchtime hike. 50 minutes! I have 40 minutes to go to reach this week's goal. I might try to talk myself into walking on lunch tomorrow too (but it's suppose to rain, so...)

Yay!

2007-06-07T08:54:00.000-04:00

I just did an evil morning weigh in. I lost three pounds! Not only is that worthy of joy, BUT according to my pill case, today I should be bloated as hell! Yet I don't feel it! Even better excuse to go shopping, eh?

tired binky

2007-06-06T23:17:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to post, but it's been a crazy week already!
I worked out Saturday for about an hour before heading over to the dance recital. I danced for 2.5 min.
Sunday I didn't do much but my at home arms and abs.
Monday I went to the gym again. 30 min. on the treadmill and 10 on the bike.
Tuesday I was off - and it was wonderful! No gym, no work! comfy clothes! HEAVEN!!
Today I knew I had a graduation party so I hit hte track with coworkers - 3/4 of a mile before it got too hot. (I also climbed up to the roof - those ladder stairs must count for something!)
Tomorrow I'll do machines and the bike
Friday I am doing a strength training class for an hour
Sat. will be close to an hour of cardio.

Soon I will hit the pool, but alas, I waited too long to order the cute suit for the big knockered ladies...it is temporarily out of stock! :(

Celebrate Tiny Victories

2007-06-05T22:19:00.000-04:00

Well. Another walkless week down. I. Am. Lazy. Oh, well.

But I DID do the 20 minutes today, so, yay! I had homework to read and rice on the stove, and so I got on the treadmill and read my article. Just enough time to finish cooking. Awesome.

And now, I am tired. And I have to get up tomorrow at a time earlier than I have in years. To bed!

New motivation.

2007-06-05T20:12:00.000-04:00

Lola was being, for lack of a kinder way to put it, a HUGE shithead-hellion-f@*kface-a$$hole tonight. I tried calming her with a 15 minute break in her crate. It didn't work. I was frustrated and ready to cry. And the fact that I was ready to cry made me want to cry more, cuz that's lame, yo.

So I took her for a walk. We went around our usual part of the neighborhood, but sensing that our few blocks were not enough to expel her demon energy, I kept going into the undeveloped parts of the neighborhood. By the time we made it back home we'd walked 40 minutes. She's been chewing her bone, instead of me, for the entire hour since we've been back.

THANK YOU, EXERCISE!

Ignoring the fact that Bethany is on her way over with a small Dairy Queen blizzard to reward me for being such a good doggy mom, today contained a nice healthy 70 minutes, or roughly 3.5 miles, and I still love my dog.

ack, it's week 4!

2007-06-04T15:49:00.000-04:00

And so this is the last week for which I have the pre-destined list of goals...
does anyone subscribe to Family Circle, or have a roommate/relative who does, from which we can steal the next month of goals? Otherwise I'll actually (*gasp*) have to go get the issue. ;)

M 15
T 20
W 20
Th off
F 20
Sat 20
Sun 25

total 6 miles.

And if you don't choose to use these goals (as I currently have not, because I can barely keep up with the "5-10 minutes a day" requirement with any consistency), no one will judge you. They're "more like guidelines, anyway."

(and a bonus gold star to anyone who recognizes the source of that guidelines joke)

On the road again...

2007-06-04T13:26:00.001-04:00

Last week was a complete failure. I walked maybe an hour of the projected 100 minutes. Basically, I was lazy.

To make up for some of it, Phil and I did paddle the ENTIRE 8 miles of our Saturday kayak trip, completeing the course in just about 2 hours (nearly 1/2 the usual time). It was fun and my arms don't even feel like falling off! Yay, arms!

This week Phil is back on the road, which means Lola and I are back on track - and that track is 3 walks a day. We've already done our morning and afternoon walks and I'm hoping it's not raining later so I can walk her either before or after my ceramics class.

My personal goal for the week is 30 minutes each week day, and 30 more over the weekend for a total of 180 minutes.

I've also started keeping a food journal. So far, the amount of crap I eat is shameful so as a side goal I hope to work on that this week too. It's hard to view my bad habits as "little splurges" when they're right in print with such staggering frequency. Note to self: This requires you to stop buying the tubs of fresh mozzarella in basil and garlic and snacking on the little bite sized balls of YUM all evening long...

Let's see how I do. :)

Again with the shortness

2007-06-04T12:37:00.000-04:00

My lunch walk was only 30 minutes. I am house-sitting and had to return a recalled book. It rained on my way back, all hot and sticky and icky and gross, so I cut my hike short and headed straight back to work.

Let's hope for a little better weather tomorrow (and for me to remember my sun block!)

Not so much

2007-06-04T09:09:00.000-04:00

Well, I only walked 80 minutes last week. Oops. I had plenty of times when I could have walked-- as mostly all I did all week was complain about being bored. But it was hella hot and it makes me pouty. So.... this week I will try to do better. Maybe I need a punishment (for not meeting last week's challenge)? Suggestions?

ugh

2007-06-03T11:39:00.000-04:00

I'm very bummed that I haven't been able to post more. Work doesn't allow me to post and by time I get home at night I forget to do it. Okay - so it's not that I CAN'T post, it's that when I remember to post I can't. Anyway - I haven't had much to say anyway. Last weekend I did great. I walked and walked and walked but then the week started and the craziness insued. Here are my goals for the week :

1. Walk at least 3 times for 30 minutes.
2. Keep a set of tennis shoes and socks in my car for spur of the moment walks.
3. Drink 8 glasses of water every day (I never have a problem with this but for some reason lately it's been a struggle)
4. Try and blog with you wonderful kids more often!

Well - hope you all have a great week!
/m

I used to love Bethany

2007-05-31T13:23:00.001-04:00

But then I walked for 50 minutes in the 82 degree weather, slathered in sunscreen and wondering why I still don't believe in shorts. Yep, still don't believe in shorts. I just change clothes a lot in the summer.

I had a whole cute post in my head, but the summer lovin' taunt made me forget all of it. Oh well :)

2007-05-31T12:56:00.000-04:00

84 degrees.

*maniacal laughter*

dear little ineb:

2007-05-31T11:40:00.000-04:00

It's 81 degrees. Not even noon yet. This is blissful, for me.
The only thing that would improve my mood about the weather were if I could somehow magically be dismissed from work, and go lounge in an innertube in the river, or a pool, or a lake... whatever!

See also:
http://www.marriedtothesea.com/052307/summer.gif

xoxo

(omg 82 degrees! yippee!)

gasp I'm...I'm behind!

2007-05-31T08:50:00.000-04:00

The good: Phil is in town and I'm loving not being a single mom to Lola. We have more fun this way. (Especially since we introduced the squirt gun as a training mechanism!)
The bad: I get to sleep longer in the mornings because he'll walk her when he gets up.
The ugly: I've only walked 30 of the 45 minutes projected for Monday through Wednesday. How am I supposed to overachieve if I'm not achieving at all?

I did kayak for an hour on Monday. So if ya'll consider that walking...with your arms...on water...then I'm golden. But uh, I really just need to get my butt moving!

DIET TIPS
The good: Popsicles and Luigi's Italian Ice are awesome to have on hand. Between the two, I can stave off most cravings for Wendy's frosties, rootbeer floats, twists dipped in chocolate and other icy cold goodnesses.
The bad and the ugly: Apparently it is NOT okay to eat mexican food for 6 meals in a row. No matter how good it tastes. Diversity should be enforced.

Yay for me!

2007-05-29T21:16:00.000-04:00

Even with a toenail almost off... I went to the gym.

I powerwalked on the treadmill for 35 minutes -1.86 miles.
I walked over and did two of the evil resistance machines that my body is resisting. I am trying to build up a semi-tolerance to them.
Then I hopped on a bike for 25 minutes - 4.44 miles.

Before you say you are proud of me...I should add that I ate cake for breakfast.
And dessert. Twice.
But damn I make a great almond buttercreme frosting!

Week Three Goals

2007-05-29T11:57:00.001-04:00

Week three, already?!?

Monday 10 minutes
Tuesday 15 minutes
Wednesday 20 minutes
Thursday OFF
Friday 15 minutes
Saturday 20 minutes
Sunday 20 minutes
total : 5 miles

I have some catching up to do. I've had a sinus infection since a week ago Friday, which now appears to have possibly made its way into bronchitis. This is a lousy excuse for not walking 10 minutes. As is the fact that I spent most of the weekend cleaning at my rental property. Haha I like calling it a "rental property" instead of "the house I lived in until I couldn't find roommates to live there and now won't seem to sell so I need people to live there and help me pay the mortgage." It's more... concise. Less melodramatic. But basically, I'm just saying that I haven't been very good at keeping up with this, which makes me extra proud of those of you who have, because I know first-hand how easy it is to get distracted and make exercise a lower priority, and you're all fabulous and awesome and inspirational.

And I'll catch up eventually... honest.

Week 2 totals

2007-05-29T09:09:00.000-04:00

I walked on Friday for a total of 80 minutes-- but that was four 20 minute walks, so don't go thinking I did it all at once. Then I sat on my ass the rest of the weekend :) Total for week 2: 170 minutes.

And I went for a short stint last night, so I got in 30 minutes for this week. My walk happened in between taco bell dinner and chocolate moose dessert, but hey, it was walking, in the humidity, with my feets.

Holiday weekend

2007-05-29T05:50:00.000-04:00

This weekend I expected to cheat and gorge on bad foods while being lazy.

I surprised my mother on Saturday by showing up at the Atlanta airport. We all visited my step-brother, John. Step-daddy bought my ticket, but we never told Mom! She cried. Later I did, when I discovered that there was no gluten free food for me other than the box of cereal I hid in my suitcase. John lives on the side of a mountain, with a dirt road. Not really a place with a Whole Foods.

Finally Sunday we stopped at a grocery store and I found some fruit and gf cottage cheese!!! After eating, we went to this beautiful state park and walked up the mountain to see the water falls. We walked for about an hour.

I was doing great until Monday. I decided I wanted cake. I made two gf chocolate cakes. I dropped one and ruined half of it. I then froze the other one so I wouldn't eat every last bite. I still ate too much though.

Tuesday is usually my off night, but I didn't have dance yesterday and I have dress rehersal Wednesday, when I usually go to the gym, so I might switch things up this week. I won a trip to a personal trainer at a different gym. I think I will go to him, then use his wisdom at my new gym!

Happy Tuesday folks!

Who I Am; How I Failed

2007-05-27T18:45:00.000-04:00

I never got around to that introduction. So, here it is:

Name: Aaron
Summer Home: E. Pennsylvania
Winter Home: Chicago, IL. (Sounds posh, but it isn't; I'm going to school.)
At: Lutheran School of Theology
Knows Half the People Here From: Alma College
Goal: The ubiquitous 50 pounds would be nice, but really it's just not to die of a heart attack at the age of 32.
Dream Goal: To be hotter than Paris Hi-- Oh, wait. That's been used.
Pets: 1 cat, named Ashes.
Roomates: Not a sausage, not anymore. Hurray! Now let's see if I can pay for it.
Donut: O thou custard-filled long john, my only love. Thou didst not catch me cheating on thee with the fair French crueller behind the shed last week. That, um, must have been someone else.

As for how I am doing this week, I really should say that I have left you all in the dust. I have gone over 700 miles this week. Of course, that was in the car... I haven't walked at all. And now it's Sunday evening and it's thundering and lightning outside and I have to go to a stupid birthday party and so there won't be any walking today either... oh, well. I moved across the country; that's a good excuse. Better luck to me next week. But hey, good work everyone who did so well! You folks are awesome!

Oh, the temptations.

2007-05-25T15:40:00.000-04:00

I was off to a great start this week. I was eating healthy and gung-ho on the plan. Then I gave in to laziness, donuts, ice cream socials and peanut butter cookies. I currently plan to go home and nap. And then eat pasta and drink wine (thankfully in honor of a birthday, so those calories don't count).

Awesome!

As for my exercising, I'd walked 80 minutes in two and a half days...and since then I've only walked an additional 45. Phil has been around to share dog-walking duties, and after 5 days of single parenting while he was out of town, I relish the Lola-free time. I have great plans to be active all weekend, so of course, they're calling for thunderstorms. Rain will totally ruin all of my really fun plans but will also keep me out of a bathing suit for a little while longer. Nothing's quite so motivational...

In other news, very much in the vein of my theory that calories consumed in honor of birthdays do not exist, I'm trying to think of a loophole that negates the affect of any foods consumed at holiday BBQs. Any suggestions?

Have a great long weekend everyone! Stay strong!

(Oh yeah, and even though I feel like a slacker, I still totally exceeded this week's goal. So there's that.)