Changing it up

I'm on week seven of what were originally my attempts to  lose weight and see a difference on the scale. I have seen very little change on the number front, despite eating better and working out like an olympian. The more I work out the more my mindset is shifting. I've asked my husband to put our scale high up on a shelf. I will NO LONGER weigh myself frequently. I want muscle gain, not weight loss, hence the new title and description. I want definition in my arms, I want to be strong and I'm getting there. I got my first "notice" from someone yesterday about my arms of all things and it was very reassuring. If strong arms and legs and someday strong abs means I will always be 147 pounds, then so be it. I am at peace with that and I will continue to push myself to be as strong and fit as I can. Can't wait for a few more months to pass. I'll take a picture of my kick-ass arms for you all!

wrapping up my first month

This week sucked just a little bit. By the end of the month my husband and I are B-R-O-K-E so foodwise,  I am just trying to eat what we have and make my last few bucks stretch.....Tomorrow is grocery day though and I can get back on track with awesome delicious nutritious food. It's great how just a few weeks of healthier living has made me crave good health more than ever. If I don't work out, I feel anxious, if I have a day of not eating well, my body feels sluggish and gross. You don't know how bad I want a salad right now. In my weight arena, I have not lost what I expected, only three pounds when I was shooting for five. Monday we are doing some measurements again and I am looking forward to seeing some improvement (crossing my fingers). Going to my first fight tomorrow night to see some fellow Fight Club members compete so that will be exciting! Have a great weekend everybody.

Extra Motivation

So my weigh-in was this morning and lost just under a pound. I've decided, as earlier blogged, that I won't stress about the scale right now and just concern myself with measurements. So it could have been a painful morning but it wasn't! I have a lot of extra things going on to keep me motivated. My ten year class reunion is coming up sometime this spring/summer and also at fight club, we are doing a "biggest loser" style contest starting in Feb. The winner gets two months free, so that's always good. I think I could really win this. Most of the other girls are already in pretty good shape, and out of everybody, I feel like I have the most to gain from this. So wish me luck!

my blog title

When I started my blog I asked my husband what I should call it so he referred to a quote that is forever stuck in my head. I was watching a talk show a few years ago and Marilu Henner was on talking about a health book she'd written. They were discussing a whole chapter she'd devoted to pooping. Gross, I know. But anyway she was giving tips about that particular bodily function and one thing she said was, "Respond promptly to the urge to defecate." I do not know why, but that has been stuck in my brain ever since. I can't go number two without reciting that to myself. So anyway, thought you all might be interested to know the meaning behind my blog title. I'm not just begging everyone to respond promptly to my entries! Happy pooping everyone!

Getting rid of the scale...

I talked to my fight club trainer last night, because I feel like I'm doing everything right and not seeing the results on the scale. I have worked out 17 of the last 19 days, cut out liquid calories, payed more attention to my food intake, a lot more water, etc... but not losing. His advice to  me was to throw out the scale and start paying attention to my measurements. We did weigh and measure last night at class and so now I have something to go off of. He also thought that I  might be working out TOO much. That the body does a lot of work during recovery and I may not be giving myself chance to recover from my workouts and see results. I don't think I can totally get rid of my scale. But I took his advice to heart and feel a renewed power to have a stronger and smaller body!  It's all about health in the end. Keep up the good work everybody!!!

prayers needed

No need to reply to this, just wanted to ask if you all would say a little prayer for my daughter Grace who has pneumonia. She'll be one next week and I would love to see her healthy (healthier) for her first piece of cake! Thank you and thank you all for your support on here. Love and peace, Hannah.

Frustrated but Committed

Well, my concern in the last blog was legitimate. After two weeks of working out and eating better, I'm back up a pound to my starting weight. I don't get it. I'll try harder this week I guess.

Feeling nervous...

This is not the most interesting blog, but oh well. I try to remain positive on here and it is sincere, but today I'm feeling anxious about my weigh-in tomorrow morning. I decided to weigh in on Tuesdays because that's the day I weighed in at the beginning, and also because in Biggest Loser fashion, Monday evening at Fight Club is my last chance workout. I give myself one more kick butt workout. I have been really good about resisting the urge to check the scale but I caved the other morning and was pretty devastated that I'd gone up a half pound. I work out every day, mixing cardio and strength training, I've dramatically cut down my calories, it's just frustrating. Hopefully in the am I'll be feeling differently. Have a great day everybody and a successful weight loss week! I'm rooting for you!

Butter

Last night I went to a Japanese restaurant with my family and as I watched in horror as my chef soaked my salmon in butter I thought I would hyperventilate. My sister assured me that it would be ok. And you know what, it was ok. This journey is about changing my life, and I can't avoid restaurants, nor should I. Last night was a celebration and it was ok to relax and enjoy some delicious food. The steps I'm taking are not meant for just the next six months or a year. The steps are for the rest of my life. That is why I'm not on any kind of point system or an exercise program I don't love. I could not do those things for my whole life. So relax everybody, eat what you love every once in a while, find a workout that you love, do the best you can, and don't be so hard on yourselves.

Balancing Acts and Pizza Facts

I am a youth minister and I meet with my high schoolers every Wednesday night. What unifies kids more than food? Well, nothing, really, that's why we order Dominoes almost every week. I was determined not to overeat but I indulged and ate too much, plus two cans of cream soda!!! I broke my "no drinking calories" rule. But I got home at 9:30 and instead of just going to bed I went and rode 40 minutes on my ex.bike. I know that doesn't cancel out all the pizza and soda I consumed, but at least it's something, so I feel good about that. So here's what I know...

FACT: In one slice of handtossed cheese pizza from dominoes = 272 calories.

FACT:Dublin has the most pizza sales, over 250 an hour. Go figure.

FACT: I love pizza.