I got the Jillian Michaels workout DVD "30-day Shred" for Christmas. I started it today and it kicked my butt! It works on a 3-2-1 idea, with a short warm-up followed by three rotations of 3 minutes of toning, 2 minutes cardio and 1 minute of abs. There are no rest periods and it was killer. Jillian is there telling you that you can't rest or else it won't work and reminds me constantly that my goal is "body changes", which is true. I also love that she does not modify a jumping jack, saying that she has 400 pound people who can do these, so... It starts with level one and goes up through level three. Level one was hard, so I can't imagine the challenge of level 3. I don't know if you are supposed to do it every day?? I am shooting for six days per week? Five? How about five?
This is a good goal, right? I need to just be ok with that.
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011 - Motivation-a-plenty
Happy New Year, everyone! I took from Halloween through New Year's Day OFF from pretty much everything healthy. Well, maybe it was more like Thanksgiving. I think I was still doing some scant healthy things in early November. It's been so long I can hardly remember. Anyway, I went on a vacation and watched myself morph back into my old habits of never working out except when drug to the gym by my sister and eating whatever tickled my fancy (this involved a lot of cookies, as you might imagine).
It was kind of a fun way to wrap up 2010, the year of yo-yo weight. However, I noticed that I was more prone to irritability, isolation, and low energy. I don't know if this has anything to do with my eating and exercise habits, but I presume it does given that every health magazine practically screams at you about the correlation between exercise, diet and mood/energy. So if I was crabby, didn't feel like doing anything fun and felt like a slug, where was the "fun"? Eating cookies is fun.
Well, it's 2011 and there are many events already lined up for this year. These are all events that motivate me to look my best and therefore require good eating habits and exercise.
First up, I have a dinner planned with friends I have not seen since I sang in their wedding more than 10 years ago. When in their wedding, i would say I was at one of my heavier weights, so it would be fun to show up looking good. This is at the end of this month. Next, I am in a community theater show, playing someone in their early 20s!! Hello, self explanatory (and yes, I have my hair color appointment set up right before the show). That's in February. I don't think I have a darn thing planned in March except for going to many dance competitions. BUT, the first scheduled 5K event is in April! I'm going to do those again.
The grand poo-bah of events will be this summer. My 20-year high school reunion is set for July 4th weekend, and this is also the year I will kick butt in the Ride/Run and Emily will be happy to have me as her partner. I want to wear something fun and fantastic to the reunion and just feel really good about myself. AND, my 15 year wedding anniversary is this summer, and I want to be able to zip that wedding gown again.
So, with all this motivation, I have returned to livestrong.com to track my daily calorie intake and exercise. cheers! here's to 2011!
It was kind of a fun way to wrap up 2010, the year of yo-yo weight. However, I noticed that I was more prone to irritability, isolation, and low energy. I don't know if this has anything to do with my eating and exercise habits, but I presume it does given that every health magazine practically screams at you about the correlation between exercise, diet and mood/energy. So if I was crabby, didn't feel like doing anything fun and felt like a slug, where was the "fun"? Eating cookies is fun.
Well, it's 2011 and there are many events already lined up for this year. These are all events that motivate me to look my best and therefore require good eating habits and exercise.
First up, I have a dinner planned with friends I have not seen since I sang in their wedding more than 10 years ago. When in their wedding, i would say I was at one of my heavier weights, so it would be fun to show up looking good. This is at the end of this month. Next, I am in a community theater show, playing someone in their early 20s!! Hello, self explanatory (and yes, I have my hair color appointment set up right before the show). That's in February. I don't think I have a darn thing planned in March except for going to many dance competitions. BUT, the first scheduled 5K event is in April! I'm going to do those again.
The grand poo-bah of events will be this summer. My 20-year high school reunion is set for July 4th weekend, and this is also the year I will kick butt in the Ride/Run and Emily will be happy to have me as her partner. I want to wear something fun and fantastic to the reunion and just feel really good about myself. AND, my 15 year wedding anniversary is this summer, and I want to be able to zip that wedding gown again.
So, with all this motivation, I have returned to livestrong.com to track my daily calorie intake and exercise. cheers! here's to 2011!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Free For All
It is December and I am eating everything in sight. I still fit into my clothes, but I have noticed they are more snug than they were in November. I have not stepped on to the scale. I'm counting on you, January, to be the endpoint for this crazy free-for-all that is the holiday season!!
In other news, my workout schedule has dwindled to a scant twice per month or so where I trudge to the YMCA and run on the treadmill. I can still run a mile. I know Santa has a Jillian Michaels DVD in store for me, so we'll see how that goes. I can't wait until the weather gets warm and I can get outside and run again. Three... more... months... sigh.
In other news, my workout schedule has dwindled to a scant twice per month or so where I trudge to the YMCA and run on the treadmill. I can still run a mile. I know Santa has a Jillian Michaels DVD in store for me, so we'll see how that goes. I can't wait until the weather gets warm and I can get outside and run again. Three... more... months... sigh.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Anonymous
I breezed through the blog today and noticed a new comment left by an anonymous "B" person. I was thrilled! Someone read this blog! Yay!
I started to respond in the comment section but realized it was long enough I could share it at large. First, it was left under the section about dress shopping, so that confused me a bit because I think B was responding to the blog as a whole.
B asked if I am on any meds and that perhaps this could be a factor in my weight. Good thinking, B. But I am not on any meds. None, zippo, zilch. Not even birth control or herbal supplements or Calcium (which I should really take). So, that's not a contributing factor.
Then B suggested that I find something that I "REALLY" enjoy doing. Another good suggestion. Here's the thing: I enjoy knitting, photography, writing, horseback riding, dancing, and reading. All but two of those are sedentary activities that will hardly burn the calories consumed in a celery stick. Horseback riding requires a horse, and I live in town. I think the neighbors would be annoyed if I had a horse in my back yard. Dancing - I could dance in my house by myself! I could, and sometimes do. I cannot really go dancing in public often because we have ONE place to dance in this town and it is kinda seedy, and of course it is a bar. Barriers, barriers. I know I could be successful if I can find a way to work around these barriers.
I have come to the conclusion that, with my life as it stands right now, I am going to have to continue to just do what I can to be active and to heck with enjoying it. Trying to do something I enjoy became a barrier in itself; a reason to do nothing and that does not work for me in the long run. I'll enjoy the end results and the way I feel when I am done, and that will be enough for me to continue. I'll try to find a way to dance or take a dance class, but the opportunity is rare and does not work into my schedule easily. I'm open to trying new things, as well. And I wonder if it is realistic to find exercise that one REALLY loves. Do you all have that? Am I missing out on something here? B, do you have that? What is it?
I started to respond in the comment section but realized it was long enough I could share it at large. First, it was left under the section about dress shopping, so that confused me a bit because I think B was responding to the blog as a whole.
B asked if I am on any meds and that perhaps this could be a factor in my weight. Good thinking, B. But I am not on any meds. None, zippo, zilch. Not even birth control or herbal supplements or Calcium (which I should really take). So, that's not a contributing factor.
Then B suggested that I find something that I "REALLY" enjoy doing. Another good suggestion. Here's the thing: I enjoy knitting, photography, writing, horseback riding, dancing, and reading. All but two of those are sedentary activities that will hardly burn the calories consumed in a celery stick. Horseback riding requires a horse, and I live in town. I think the neighbors would be annoyed if I had a horse in my back yard. Dancing - I could dance in my house by myself! I could, and sometimes do. I cannot really go dancing in public often because we have ONE place to dance in this town and it is kinda seedy, and of course it is a bar. Barriers, barriers. I know I could be successful if I can find a way to work around these barriers.
I have come to the conclusion that, with my life as it stands right now, I am going to have to continue to just do what I can to be active and to heck with enjoying it. Trying to do something I enjoy became a barrier in itself; a reason to do nothing and that does not work for me in the long run. I'll enjoy the end results and the way I feel when I am done, and that will be enough for me to continue. I'll try to find a way to dance or take a dance class, but the opportunity is rare and does not work into my schedule easily. I'm open to trying new things, as well. And I wonder if it is realistic to find exercise that one REALLY loves. Do you all have that? Am I missing out on something here? B, do you have that? What is it?
DJ Downer
As you all know, I went to the dinner/dance thing this past Saturday (check out my purple dress in the little slideshow of photos). I had a lot of fun, but if I am with my friends I could have a lot of fun in a dumpster behind a sea food restraunt. There are two formal dinner things in this town - Legacy Ball (which I attended this past Saturday) and Gala (the Catholic School's event that I have never attended in my three years of living here). Legacy Ball includes a dance and Gala does not. I love to dance! Yay for Legacy Ball!
Ok, but this year, and really every darn year, I am disappointed with the DJ at the dance. I am disappointed by DJs at almost every dance that I attend. Why do they play the same darn songs at every event? Are white people really that boring and unoriginal that they can only dance to a set playlist that has to include "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" and "Footloose?" Apprently, yes. I am really ok with some songs from the various eras of music being played at these things, because there are people from the various eras in attendance. But do they have to be the SAME songs from those eras??
Here are the songs I never want to hear at any more darn dances:
Paradise by the Dashboard Lights - Meatloaf
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
The Electric Slide, Cha-cha slide, Boot Scoot boogie, Cupid Shuffle, etc...
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Greese Medley
Old Time Rock and Roll
I'm sure you can add to the list....
Ok, but this year, and really every darn year, I am disappointed with the DJ at the dance. I am disappointed by DJs at almost every dance that I attend. Why do they play the same darn songs at every event? Are white people really that boring and unoriginal that they can only dance to a set playlist that has to include "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" and "Footloose?" Apprently, yes. I am really ok with some songs from the various eras of music being played at these things, because there are people from the various eras in attendance. But do they have to be the SAME songs from those eras??
Here are the songs I never want to hear at any more darn dances:
Paradise by the Dashboard Lights - Meatloaf
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
The Electric Slide, Cha-cha slide, Boot Scoot boogie, Cupid Shuffle, etc...
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Greese Medley
Old Time Rock and Roll
I'm sure you can add to the list....
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Never Mind!
Wait!! I was incorrect! I passed the friggin test!!! Waaahooooooo!!!!!!!
Also, I weighed myself after two weeks of eating Halloween candy and the stupid number went down. What the....? Oh well. I'll take it.
I went to the Legacy Ball last night and had a great time. Life is good this week, my friends!
Also, I weighed myself after two weeks of eating Halloween candy and the stupid number went down. What the....? Oh well. I'll take it.
I went to the Legacy Ball last night and had a great time. Life is good this week, my friends!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Failure and Defeat
I have been going to school for two years to get some crazy degree that I do not need, but might come in handy at my workplace. I believe I have complained about this in the past. I am an IDIOT for trying to do school while I work and have a family and a life (especially one that is trying to include healthy eating and exercise). Whatever. What's done is done.
I took a comprehensive test this evening over the entire two years of schooling and I got a 74%. Barf. Barf!!! I think I needed an 80% to pass. Triple barf! I have never flunked a test before. Never. And I have been going to school, off and on, for a whole lot of years, people. This is a horrible feeling. If I truly failed, which is likely, then I will have another opportunity (read: I will HAVE to put myself through torture) to take the test again in the Spring. I don't want to do it. But if I do not, I will not get the degree and then what was the damn point of going through the f-ing schooling?
Arrgh!! AND, I have been stress-eating like nobody's business in preparation for the test. I am like a train off its tracks. I quit doing the food journal and have been lucky to work out twice per week in those last two weeks. I am pretty damn sure I am gaining weight as a result. I bought a scale for my bathroom and am too afraid to get on the dumb thing. I feel defeated.
I will not end up defeated, mind you. No way. If I stayed in this mode I would need some sort of antidepressants. I will pick myself up, dust myself off and get my ass back on track. I have a dance to attend this weekend and I have a freshly applied spray tan and that is not going to waste. After that, I will start reading my school books so that by Spring there will be no possible way for me to fail another one of these awful tests.
Either that, or I will lay on the sofa, let my house get really messy, wear nothing but sweatpants and eat cake all day.
I took a comprehensive test this evening over the entire two years of schooling and I got a 74%. Barf. Barf!!! I think I needed an 80% to pass. Triple barf! I have never flunked a test before. Never. And I have been going to school, off and on, for a whole lot of years, people. This is a horrible feeling. If I truly failed, which is likely, then I will have another opportunity (read: I will HAVE to put myself through torture) to take the test again in the Spring. I don't want to do it. But if I do not, I will not get the degree and then what was the damn point of going through the f-ing schooling?
Arrgh!! AND, I have been stress-eating like nobody's business in preparation for the test. I am like a train off its tracks. I quit doing the food journal and have been lucky to work out twice per week in those last two weeks. I am pretty damn sure I am gaining weight as a result. I bought a scale for my bathroom and am too afraid to get on the dumb thing. I feel defeated.
I will not end up defeated, mind you. No way. If I stayed in this mode I would need some sort of antidepressants. I will pick myself up, dust myself off and get my ass back on track. I have a dance to attend this weekend and I have a freshly applied spray tan and that is not going to waste. After that, I will start reading my school books so that by Spring there will be no possible way for me to fail another one of these awful tests.
Either that, or I will lay on the sofa, let my house get really messy, wear nothing but sweatpants and eat cake all day.
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