I've finished day 20 of the 30 day shred. Tomorrow I will start Level 3. Level 2 was kicking my ass - I do not have enough strength in my shoulders. Level 3 includes a lot of pylometric training and since I've traditionally had good lower body strength, it might be a little easier. We'll see tomorrow!
I also went back to the doctor for an update on my cholesterol. There are four factors that make up the advanced lipid test that I had and three of the four factors improved. The doc said she could tell I had been working on it. (Thank God because my weight hasn't changed even a freakin' ounce). Unfortunately my HDL (good cholesterol) actually got worse. She's giving me six more months to work on it. If it hasn't improved at that point, I'll have to go on another drug (I'm already on a statin). I'm going to start running again at least 3-4 days a week as soon as my 30 day shred is up. I'll continue to circuit train a few days a week, but also run and/or bike. By July I want to start training for another half marathon. I haven't figured out if I want to do one here in Indy in the fall, or if I want to find one in another city/state. I'm considering doing the Disney Princess one...
Hopefully this, along with the diet changes I've already made and will continue, will get me to where I need to be.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Looking fit and feeling fine
Day 11 of the 30-day shred....almost half way there and I started level 2 today. Woot. and by "woot" I mean, holy crap I'm going to hurt tomorrow.
Today I saw a profile of myself in a window reflection and I thought...hmm my stomach looks a little tighter. It made me stand up a little straighter and pull those abs in. So I'm seeing a difference and feeling stronger.
Now I have two choices. Enjoy where I am and just keep it up. OR I can weigh myself and/or take my measurements and try to quantify what I feel. I'm torn because I know it can backfire. What if I haven't lost any weight. If I find out I didn't lose weight or inches, I may feel defeated and discouraged again and just give up - why bother working so hard when it doesn't matter anyway. Should it matter if I've lost weight? I feel better; I'm eating better; I have more confidence. Is that enough to carry me forward and keep going? Or do I need to be able to tell people "I lost X pounds"?
I'm definitely leaning towards waiting until the 30 days is up.
Today I saw a profile of myself in a window reflection and I thought...hmm my stomach looks a little tighter. It made me stand up a little straighter and pull those abs in. So I'm seeing a difference and feeling stronger.
Now I have two choices. Enjoy where I am and just keep it up. OR I can weigh myself and/or take my measurements and try to quantify what I feel. I'm torn because I know it can backfire. What if I haven't lost any weight. If I find out I didn't lose weight or inches, I may feel defeated and discouraged again and just give up - why bother working so hard when it doesn't matter anyway. Should it matter if I've lost weight? I feel better; I'm eating better; I have more confidence. Is that enough to carry me forward and keep going? Or do I need to be able to tell people "I lost X pounds"?
I'm definitely leaning towards waiting until the 30 days is up.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Keep eating...
Last Monday I decided it was TIME for a change (past time really) and started eating better, using SparkPeople's heart-healthy meal plan for a guide. I stocked up on fruits, veggies, whole-grains and lean meats and have limited just about everything else. I'm also on day 9 of Jillian Michael's 30-day shred.
I did have a cookie yesterday and I relaxed the diet a little for Easter, but generally I've been doing pretty well.
In fact, as I've been tracking what I eat on Spark People, I'm having more trouble eating enough rather than eating too much. I have fruits and veggies with every snack and since they have so few calories, I'm just not taking in that much. But I'm not really hungry. I do need to work on drinking more water, but I get distracted by work and forget to go get a refill. I'll keep working on that. I think next week I'm also going to use the rest of my detox stuff from Dr. Zimmer's. I'm due for that.
I haven't weighed myself since I started, nor have I measured, but I'm hoping that when I'm through with the shred I'll see some sort of difference so I will continue to be motivated to keep at the healthier lifestyle and not fall back into eating out and eating junk all the time.
One last note, I had my fasting blood draw for my followup cholesterol test last week so maybe I'll get some results on that soon. I hope to be able to show Dr. Polit some improvement.
I did have a cookie yesterday and I relaxed the diet a little for Easter, but generally I've been doing pretty well.
In fact, as I've been tracking what I eat on Spark People, I'm having more trouble eating enough rather than eating too much. I have fruits and veggies with every snack and since they have so few calories, I'm just not taking in that much. But I'm not really hungry. I do need to work on drinking more water, but I get distracted by work and forget to go get a refill. I'll keep working on that. I think next week I'm also going to use the rest of my detox stuff from Dr. Zimmer's. I'm due for that.
I haven't weighed myself since I started, nor have I measured, but I'm hoping that when I'm through with the shred I'll see some sort of difference so I will continue to be motivated to keep at the healthier lifestyle and not fall back into eating out and eating junk all the time.
One last note, I had my fasting blood draw for my followup cholesterol test last week so maybe I'll get some results on that soon. I hope to be able to show Dr. Polit some improvement.
Monday, April 18, 2011
What time is it? Shred time
I shredded tonight - yay me! And I went so far as to take my measurements and weigh myself (and it wasn't even required by a doctor!) I haven't taken my before photo yet...must do soon.
Here's the starting stats:
Waist 37
Hips 48.5
Upper arm 14
Thigh 24.5
Bust 41
Weight 200.4
Ugh.
Here's the starting stats:
Waist 37
Hips 48.5
Upper arm 14
Thigh 24.5
Bust 41
Weight 200.4
Ugh.
Day 1....
So, I'm back on the wagon. And I'm wearing my seatbelt so I don't fall off. Spark meal plans, workouts on lunch hours and 30-day shredding (I will complete the 30 days this time!).
Today I feel like I've been eating all day. Nothing awful, but something all the time...1/2 pita with cream cheese, raisins and nuts, a clementine, mini Jimmy John's sandwich, a pickle, peanut butter & blueberry sandwich, and now carrots & yogurt.
On another good note, I worked out at lunch time. A circuit of sorts at the war memorial. However, now I can't stop sneezing.
Today I feel like I've been eating all day. Nothing awful, but something all the time...1/2 pita with cream cheese, raisins and nuts, a clementine, mini Jimmy John's sandwich, a pickle, peanut butter & blueberry sandwich, and now carrots & yogurt.
On another good note, I worked out at lunch time. A circuit of sorts at the war memorial. However, now I can't stop sneezing.
These pretzels are salty
Way back, almost two years ago now, when Scott and I first started dating, he began a quest to cut back on the salt I eat. I like salt. It's yummy. I'm not much of a sugary snacker, but chips and crackers and popcorn and the like are my favorites. I would add salt to everything...including already processed (ie FULL OF SODIUM) foods and restaurant dishes.
I am proud to announce that Scott has succeeded. Lots of things taste salty to me now, unappetizingly. Some chips are too salty, salted popcorn is too salty, processed meats (roast beef I had on a sandwich today) are too salty! I don't add salt when I'm cooking and often I don't have to add salt to my meal and I try to never add salt at restaurants. The one time I usually do add salt is to a baked potato. Those still need salt to me.
My blood pressure has been creeping up recently (again) and I really don't want to go back on meds if I don't have to (I've been off for about 5 1/2 years). Today also marks the beginning of better eating for both Scott and I. The grocery trip included LOTS and LOTS of fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains yesterday. I'm starting the 30-day shred (again) with a group of ladies and I'm reminding myself who I am doing this for - ME. So I feel better. Look better. Am better.
I may not be able to do the mini this year but I'm ready for a comeback. Let's do this thing.
I am proud to announce that Scott has succeeded. Lots of things taste salty to me now, unappetizingly. Some chips are too salty, salted popcorn is too salty, processed meats (roast beef I had on a sandwich today) are too salty! I don't add salt when I'm cooking and often I don't have to add salt to my meal and I try to never add salt at restaurants. The one time I usually do add salt is to a baked potato. Those still need salt to me.
My blood pressure has been creeping up recently (again) and I really don't want to go back on meds if I don't have to (I've been off for about 5 1/2 years). Today also marks the beginning of better eating for both Scott and I. The grocery trip included LOTS and LOTS of fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains yesterday. I'm starting the 30-day shred (again) with a group of ladies and I'm reminding myself who I am doing this for - ME. So I feel better. Look better. Am better.
I may not be able to do the mini this year but I'm ready for a comeback. Let's do this thing.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Trying again...
I'm going to get back on track...I'm going to eat well and workout and very carefully track my results for the next few months. I really feel like something is still not right in my body, but it's hard to prove it to my doctor if I've been lazy about doing my part of taking care of me. It's getting nice now and despite my red, swollen, itchy eyes and constant coughing and sneezing (thanks a lot, pollen); I'm itching (pardon the pun) to get out and workout outside. I want to run, do strength and speed drills (speed ha!) and bike. I want to swim too, but we're not quite for ready for that outside!
So, it's time. This weekend is it. I'm not sure why its so hard for me to get started this time. I've done this before. I've started from scratch and I DID IT! But I've also failed and that's what must be holding me back this time. It's really tough to come out of this hole and say "I do have some control. I can make my body do things that I want it to do." Wish me luck.
So, it's time. This weekend is it. I'm not sure why its so hard for me to get started this time. I've done this before. I've started from scratch and I DID IT! But I've also failed and that's what must be holding me back this time. It's really tough to come out of this hole and say "I do have some control. I can make my body do things that I want it to do." Wish me luck.
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