A Quick Note

Things have been going pretty well here.  Some bad choices, but overall going in the right direction.

Tomorrow is Easter and I plan on eating what I want in small portions.  The same goes for my birthday on the 21st! 

The kids are off school all week and they are keeping me really busy.  I'm not getting enough sleep either, but we're having a good time.

I FINALLY finished my Easter shopping this morning!  I hope the kids enjoy their baskets.  I still have to pick up some flowers on the way to my Mom's tomorrow.

I've been getting more walking in.  I still have problems with pain in my heels, but it is bearable.  I hope with continued weight loss they will get better.

Well, sorry this is so short and boring, but I wanted to check in and wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Sherry

A Quick Note

Things have been going pretty well here.  Some bad choices, but overall going in the right direction.

Tomorrow is Easter and I plan on eating what I want in small portions.  The same goes for my birthday on the 21st! 

The kids are off school all week and they are keeping me really busy.  I'm not getting enough sleep either, but we're having a good time.

I FINALLY finished my Easter shopping this morning!  I hope the kids enjoy their baskets.  I still have to pick up some flowers on the way to my Mom's tomorrow.

I've been getting more walking in.  I still have problems with pain in my heels, but it is bearable.  I hope with continued weight loss they will get better.

Well, sorry this is so short and boring, but I wanted to check in and wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Sherry

Pardon Me Whilst I Whine

I'm down another two pounds for an official loss of 40!  Woot! 

I'm still going back and forth between being really happy and proud of myself and feeling SO overwhelmed by how far I have to go.  I'm still so big.  I still have a bunch of clothes I need to lose another 20 pounds to fit into. 

I hate to sound pessimistic.  Most of the time I'm happy with my progress and the way my life has turned around.   It's just such a LONG process before you see a true change when you start out at my size. 

You see those informercials "I lost 36 pounds and went from a size 12 to a 4!"  Yeah, well, I lost 40 and I'm the same size.  *rolls eyes*  It's frustrating.  I mean, really.   My fattest fat jeans are too big now.   All my shirts are looser.  My bras are all too big.  So, yes, there is change.  I'm being a big baby, I know.  I just have to vent my bouts of anger now and then so I can move on!

One of my biggest hopes is that I will be able to really get my yard in shape this year.  It seems that every year in the spring I am all gung ho and have all these plans and get started on them and plant all these flowers in early summer and then it gets hot.  And I get too tired.  And don't have the energy.  And I let everything look like crap again.  I'm shoveling LAST FALL'S LEAVES right now.  Nuff said. 

I want this year to be different.  I have more energy and really want to follow through with my plans. 

So, "Phase Two" of my life plan is coming along alright.  Unfortunately the week was my PMS/TOM week -- so not the best time to be starting major changes.  I did rather well.  The best PMS time I"ve had since starting this.  I didn't go crazy wild or anything.  I had to cut back on exercise a bit, but got in plenty with all the RAKING in the back yard.  lol

I tried the Hostess 100 calorie pack carrot cake finally!  SO GOOD!  I just hope I can control myself and not scarf down 4 packs of them in one setting.  I guess that is another part of Phase Two.  Reintroducing foods back into my diet (like sweets and peanut butter) and controlling my portions of them.  The first three months of this life change I took away all sweets and later (when I found myself binging on it!) peanut butter.  I know I can't go my entire life not having it, ever, so I am going to see if I can make them a part of my diet. 

Well, have a great weekend everyone!

Sherry

Moving on to Phase Two

I think I've mentioned here before that I read Bob Greene's "The Best Life Diet" back in January.  He breaks up changing your habits into a healthy lifestyle into three phases.

The first phase is basically getting used to everything.  Making new habits.  Learning to eat healthful foods.  Starting to exercise.  Making these changes a part of your everyday life.

The second phase is basically kicking it up a notch.  (Thanks Emeril)  Becoming more committed.  Exercising harder and more consistantly.  Bringing your healthy habits into more areas of your life. 

The third phase is basically maintenance.  Learning to live like this the rest of your life.

Tomorrow I am moving on to phase two.  I think that I have learned a lot about healthy habits over the past 2-1/2 months.  I am ready to become more committed. 

I feel like if I don't take this step forward, I will become lax, and I certainly dont' want that!

Other than that, today is going to be a big cleaning and cooking day.  I am going to make a pot of taco soup and bean soup.  I'll make up my brown rice for the week and whole wheat pasta.  I already have baked chicken in the fridge too.

I'm going to head out to Walmart today to get a new vacuum.  I have the worst luck with vacuums!  While I am there I am going to get some sugar free lemonade mix.  I am able to drink water a lot easier when I put some flavor into it.

Speaking of, I better get going!  I want to get back in time to get the house cleaned up, do Turbo Jam, and get all my cooking done!

Sherry

Spring at last!

I can't tell you how happy I am that spring is finally here!  It's in the upper 60s today.  It was rainy overnight through early afternoond, but right now it is sunny and wonderful!  I have my patio door open and my bedroom window! 

This has not been a good week as far as eating and exercising regularly is concerned.  I am totally back on track today, but a little disappointed in myself for letting myself go for several days in a row.  3 out of the past 4 days I overate.  I only exercised once.  But I won't beat myself up about it.  I know this is my life now and that I just need to turn back onto the right path. 

Today I worked outside in the backyard cleaning up a little bit and I'm going to do Turbo Jam as soon as I am finished posting this.   I also did a little shopping.  I bought my youngest some pink Easter shoes, a hat, purse, and ruffly socks :D  I got myself some spring shoes too.  Cute ones for church.  I can't wait to wear them! 

One of my favorite accessories is sunglasses.  The pair I have right now I actually got from the dollar store!  I hope to get a better pair next month for my birthday. 

Nothing else really new to tell!  Just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone and let you know that I did get off track, but I am back!

Sherry

quick note

Down another pound this week.  I wasn't expecting a loss, so this is really great. 

I went shopping and splurged a little bit on some healthy foods I have wanted to try.  I bought brown basmati rice, morningstar farms "steak" strips,  lean cuisine skillets garlic chicken, olive oil and vinegar dressing, and some expensive broccoli stir fry and brussel sprouts! 

I just ate the lean cuisine garlic chicken and it was just "ok".  I won't buy it again.  I'm going to make a salad now too.  Tonight I'll have some popcorn.  Got to get my fiber in!

I haven't exercised yet today.  I'll get on the Gazelle later.  I just have been so stressed today that all I want to do is lay in bed!  I'm exhausted from my husband being on medical leave for the past month.  He finally went back to work today and I just want to take a nice long nap!

There is nothing on tv tonight either.  I think I will watch Stephen King's "IT".  I haven't watched it in a long time. 

Well, sorry my update is so short.  I'm just too tired to think!

Have a great weekend,

Sherry

Heel Pain

Yesterday was a huge spring tease.  It was about 72 degrees and sunny.  Oh how I wish it would stay!

A friend of mine and I went for a very leisurely 20 minute walk.  Let me tell you, by night's end I could barely walk.  My heel pain was so bad that I had to hobble around. 

I have plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.  It's really common in overweight people.  Treatment is anti-inflammatories (which I take daily), stretching (which I also do daily) icing (just starting to do that today) good shoes w/ inserts (wear those) and staying off of your feet (not gonna happen in my lifetime!). 

So it looks like I will be sticking to YBB and TJ for exercise, along with my gazelle.  I wanted to incorporate walking into my exercise regimine too though, mostly for the mood enhancement.  Being outdoors and walking 3x a week is the equivalent of an anti-depressant, or so scientists claim.  I tend to agree, at least for myself.

There isn't much else I can do. 

I think what I will do is to keep on with the icing, stretching, etc for the next month or so and then try starting with just a 10 minute walk a couple times a week and slowly increase.  I hate to think that I can't go for walks.  I promised the kids we'd go on short hikes through the woods and do a lot more activity this summer.  *sigh*

I've been eating a little bit heavier this week as well.  I'm not going over my calorie range, but I've been eating more beef and higher fat foods.  I need to tone that down for sure. 

Well, speaking of exercise, I really need to get my DVD in for today!

Have a great week,

Sherry

Review of Turbo Jam and YBB

It's been an absolutely crazy week.  My husband is on medical leave from work and I am so stressed out and overwhelmed!  I have not let it affect my new healthy lifestyle though!  In fact, I'm down another 4 pounds!!!!!!  Woot!  A total of 37 pounds so far.  I'm really proud of myself! 

I promised reviews of what I thought of Turbo Jam and Yoga Booty Ballet.

YBB Light and Easy:  This is really super fun if you like dancing-type stuff.  It's not very long, I think 25 minutes.  It's upbeat and the instructors and fun. 

YBB Latin Style:  Quite a bit harder.  I had to modify quite a bit on this one, but hope to work my way up.  Excellent if you love to dance!  (Which I do!)

Turbo Jam Learn and Burn:  This is about 10 minutes of instruction on how to do the moves and another 16 minutes of workout.  I really like the leader.  She's really goofy and I like that!  It has more kickboxing than YBB, but still dancy and fun.  The music is very upbeat and I like that a lot.  The L&B is a bit harder than the YBB Light and Easy, but I can do it with very little modifications.

Turbo Jam 20 minute workout:  I've done this one twice now.  I can make it through, but it's hard!  I really feel worked out afterwards.  I modify just a little bit.  I do not hop at all due to my weight and my knee problems, but you can tell you burn LOTS of calories!  There is a great ab workout while you are doing cardio too.  I've lost an inch off my waist after 3 workouts! 

Turbo Sculpt:  I was only able to do 20 of the 40 minutes.  It had a lot of lunges and squats.  I modified them for my knees and most definitely had a good workout.  I hope to be able to work out to the full 40 minutes!

I hope that was helpful to someone!  Right now I am sticking to TJ for 10 workouts because it comes with this before and after chart where you measure and weigh yourself before and after 10 workouts.  I want to see the results!  So far they have been great along with a healthy diet.

I will most definitely catch up on all of your blogs later today.  I have a very busy afternoon and then a ton of housework to do! 

Thank you for all your kind comments and support!

Hugs,

Sherry

Weight Talk

We are having crazy weather here in Michigan.  We had all that snow last week.  Then freezing rain and then more snow.  Then it warmed up and  yesterday we had slushy rain and then a thunderstorm and a ton more rain.  Today it is sunny and WINDY.  Well, if the old saying has any truth to it at all, March certainly came in like a lion, now let's see her go out like a lamb!

PMS is over and my TOM is now here.  I know, that is a lot of info, but when you are talking about weight and mood ups and downs, it is very relevant! 

I am down 1 pound, but I plan to weigh myself again when TOM is over to get an accurate assessment!  I hope to see a nice drop then.  Although, I am happy with any loss! 

I received my "Turbo Jam" stuff in the mail yesterday, along with my new clothes that I can't afford.  ha ha  I have a decent-looking workout outfit that I can go for walks in, and 2 other spring outfits that will look and fit better after another 10 pounds leave my bulky frame!  That is where Turbo Jam comes in!  LOL

There are five workouts all together.  2 of them are only 20 minutes.  Of course that is where I will start.  I LOVE YBB so much that I figure I will enjoy these too. 

(Offside note:  I can hear garbage cans whirling around in the wind outside!)

I will give you guys a review of Turbo Jam once I am done. 

It's also grocery shopping day around here.  Seeing as DH is off on medical and there is no money coming in for a couple of weeks; I am goign to keep it pretty basic with food. 

I most definitely need to make a big pot of soup!  I made minestrone last Sunday and it has lasted me through today.  I  know it is weird to eat soup for breakfast, but it works for me!  I get in more veggies and it's warm and filling.   I also love the meatless taco soup.  I want something new this week though.  Maybe I will make a beef veggie soup?  If I knew how to cook barley I would use that as well. 

You know what else I've noticed since changing my lifestyle in the past couple of months?  My skin looks better!  A little smoother and less blotchy.  I hope it keeps going in that direction.

Ok, I've made some weight loss goals.  Here goes:

10% off by March 16th:  Need to lose another 4 pounds for this

325 by my birthday, April 21st.

299 by August 1st.

That's as far as I am looking ahead right now.  It seems attainable and I feel positive about it. 

I am still dreaming of spring! 

Have  a wonderful weekend!

Sherry

Here Comes Spring

It's the last day of February.  Hopefully spring is just around the corner!  Spring always gives me the most hope.  Everything seems to be possible in the spring time!  I can't believe I made it through January and Feb!  Those are the 2 worst months of the year for me, mood-wise, food-wise, etc. 

I had a bad day yesterday with food.  There are just certain things that I need to keep out of the house forever.  Peanut butter.  FF pudding.  Coolwhip free.  Baked or pita chips.   I just keep overeating that stuff.  So I am just going to stock my cupboards with good stuff that keeps me in control. 

Today went really good though.  I got in a lot of exercise, lots of water, veggies, and not too many calories.

Tonight is American Idol night.  The guys seemed to do better last night than they did last week.   I hope the girls do well. 

Dancing with the Stars is starting back up on march 19th!  I can't wait!  I am a complete reality tv fan. 

I rented a stretching DVD from Netflix.  I have several cardio ones that I can do regularly,  a couple of strengthening, but none for stretching. 

Well, I have to get my kitchen cleaned up before AI starts!  Sorry such a boring entry :(

Sherry