Doggie Diet Pills?

What a concept!  While I understand that people are looking for the shortcut to weight loss, (even I have to admit, a magic pill would be handy!), I can't imagine a healthy dog who wouldn't rather go for extra walks to drop those extra pounds.

I realize that with some dogs, health considerations don't allow for the dog to get much exersize - I've had a dog like that - but it seems those are the minority, and that the medication will be marketed to healthy but obese dogs.  But who knows what the drug might do to the pooch long term? 

As for humans, a long walk is good for the soul.  Think I'll take one now, with my two pups. 

Happy New Year!

A honeymoon is a great start to a new year; I highly recommend it! 

We were married in Santa Barbara, CA on Dec. 28th, and remained there for our honeymoon.  It was wonderful to be there and enjoy the great food.  Now I need to work off the 4.5 pounds I gained.  Oh well, we only get married once!  Ok, so this is the second (and last!) time for me, but who's counting.  ;)

In lieu of New Year's Resolutions, I'm refocusing my efforts.  As I've found in the past, resolutions are rigid and quickly forgotten. Focusing on healthy habits is fluid, and can be adapted to different situations and needs.

So, for now I'll focus on eating healthy, balanced meals, and getting my fruits and veggies in.   I will also be increasing the exercise.  I'd gotten a tad lazy with weight lifting, finding any excuse to put it off.  The weird thing is that I really enjoy it, once I change clothes and get going. 

Happy New Year!

Are people really this clueless?

I ran to the grocery store for milk early this morning, and near the exit, noticed the cart designated "Food donations for the hungry".  It was half full, which I figured was a great thing at 7am.  However, when I got closer, I noticed that someone had included two 12-packs of Diet Coke. 

Ok, that's sweet of them, but did that person honestly think there was any nutritional benefit to Diet Coke?  How would you like to be a single mom of 4 kids, receive your 2 items of food, and have one of them be something with no nutritional value.  I hope the store notices, and exchanges it for something healthy.

At least they meant well....

Winter Blues

I fully realize that it's not winter officially until Dec. 21st.  However, I already have a full-blown case of the Winter Blues.  Yuck.  It was 28 out when I checked at 7am, and with a high of 31 today, it's just not nice to be outside.  Even Bailey, who has her own winter coat, said 'no thanks' to the brisk wind out there. 

With the holiday season upon us, the wedding just 3 weeks away, and all of the daily stresses, it's up to me to turn this around.  I refuse to just give up, and lie around eating bon bons until spring.  Though that sounds pretty good!  ;) 

My strategy for sanity, weight loss/maintenance, and better health is to forge on -- I'll up my mall-walking (in the morning, before it's open and crazy busy!), get to the indoor pool, making use of the hot tub as a reward for a hard workout, and use the BowFlex and TreadClimber consistently.

There - now that I've put it in writing, I have to live up to it!  :)

Inspiration

I've got to admit, I have been pleasantly surprised by how inspired I've been by reading other extrapounds members' blogs.  It has been a lot of fun reading about others' struggles, and how they have overcome many of the same obstacles I face.  What a great group of people!  The comments have been very supportive as well. 

Another thing that's keeping me going.... the darned weight chart.  If I'm going to put my weight online, I'd darned well better keep losing!  ;)   On that note, WI tomorrow might not be what I want; I've been dealing w/a sinus infection for 2 weeks, so I haven't been as active.  Grrrr.   On the bright side, at least I have been eating relatively sanely. 

Only 4 weeks til the wedding.... that'll either inspire me to keep running the weight off, or it'll cause major binging.  

My new toy!

My new pink Polar F6 heart monitor just arrived.  I'd walked for 90 minutes at the mall, but I had to play with the monitor.  I jogged around the house while I set it, and didn't want to stop! 

This thing could be addictive.  I wanted to go for a long run, just to see the numbers reflect the exercise.  Fortunately, my legs said 'no', so I'll go for my run in the morning.  I love the daily/weekly files, and the accountability they allow me to have. 

It might seem silly, but anything that gets me excited to exercise even more is a good thing, in my book!

Post Thanksgiving Post

I hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving.  Mine was relaxing and relatively healthy.  :)

Now, it's time for me to get back on track.  I lost weight during T-Day week, so I need to keep up the momentum.  The plan is to swim 2x next week, use the BowFlex 3x, and the TreadClimber 3x.  All this, and run 3x too!  That should surprise my metabolism!

Now, realistically, I know that these are very high aspirations, and time, health and weather may put a dent in my plans.  BUT I'll schedule them into my calendar, and make follow through a priority. 

I'm also finding that if I don't journal every bite, I lose track of the little things.  So I'll also be careful to record every blt (bite, lick, taste), and see how my efforts reward me on the scale. 

I realize this posting sounds a bit like a New Year's Resolution page... but my wedding is in less than 5 weeks, and it's down to crunch time.  Also, I'd love to start the New Year at a lower weight, and have less to battle in 2007!

Plenty to be Thankful for

tYep, it's time for the obligatory "Things I'm thankful for" posting.  As this is a weight loss related blog, I'll center my list on topic:

1. Weight Watchers - they've done their research, and developed a plan that works (when I do), and have a great website with tons of weight loss tools.

2. LostKingdom.com - a group of very supportive folk who can relate to my struggles.  It's great to know I'm not alone.

3. The great people on WW boards.  I am currently doing the Across America Challenge (I've walked, run and swam from the Atlantic to 14 miles shy of the Indiana border - since August! 

I'm also doing the 1000 mins/month challenge, but I'm aiming for 1800 minutes of exercise per month.  I usually get over that.  :) 

The athletes of Makin' Muscles challenge have inspired me to try new exercises, to push myself beyond my old limits. 

4. My Bowflex and Treadclimber.  It's great to be able to get a complete workout without having to leave the house!  NO excuses!

5. The iPod - It doesn't matter if I'm walking, running, using the bowflex.... having my favorite music playing helps me find the energy to keep going, and enjoy it!  I love being able to shuffle over 800 songs... like having my own personal juke box!!!

6. My sister - she's willing to walk, swim, run or hike with me.  She's a great friend and a real trooper!

7. Moose & Bailey - Thee pups don't let me lie around the house for long - there's always another adventure we need to go on!  I can't count the miles Moose has led me around by his leash!  Now that Bailey's older, she can join us!

8. Jim - last but not least.  He loves me no matter what size I am.  Which is more wonderful than I can express. 

Lightning Bolt

Have you ever had one of those "aha" moments, something happens that makes you stop and think?  They usually come at odd times, when you least expect them. 

I just had one.  I was skimming through my e-mail, w/General Hospital on in the background.  I have been keeping tabs on it this month, as Luke and Laura are getting remarried after 25 years.  I followed the first wedding when I was in high school, and thought this would be fun.

The lightning bolt hit me out of the blue when I saw Laura in her wedding dress, and thought how beautiful she looks.   Genie Francis, who plays Laura, has put on a few pounds in the last 25 years, like many of us have.  But when I look at her, she just looks terrific. 

The question is, why am I so judgemental toward myself?  When I look at myself in the mirror, I focus on the extra pounds.  I should be as generous toward myself as I am toward others, dontcha think? 

 I  will be getting married at the end of next month, and haven't been happy with myself, as I didn't make it to goal in time.  I tend to overlook the fact that I just got engaged in late August, so losing 30 pounds  in that period of time wouldn't be healthy.

Just something for me to think about...  

Endorphins Rock!

I got up early, did physical therapy for my shoulder at 7am.  Then went running w/Moose for 2.75 miles.  Returned home, traded dogs, and walked Bailey for another few miles.  I decided to let her set the pace, and she 'ran' the first half mile!  What a big girl!  lol 

The point of all this is that by getting off my duff and moving, I feel so much better!  I have more energy, which is good, as I'm cleaning house before an old friend visits tomorrow.  I still have bathrooms and the kitchen floor to do. 

So the next time I feel sluggish, I'm going to do what I did today... get over it, and get out there!