Hi again, did you make any New Year Resolutions? I use to, then realized that every year I'd make the same ole idealistic resolutions then spend all my time freaking out and stressing out over failing. Then when I did fail, because I spent way too much time and energy stressing instead of doing, I'd feel really guilty! Yet, also relieved that the stress was over! Sheesh! Talk about setting myself up for failure! Instead of meeting my goals, I'd beat myself up over them! Besides, my goals were usually variations of the same ole things: Lose weight and stop procrastinating so much. Heck, those are my main goals at any time of the year!
So, this new year's eve found me at the dinner table with my family discussing goals and desires for things we'd like to change in 2009. We didn't want to make useless resolutions but we did want to talk about things we'd like to do. Naturally, we all want to be more health conscious and in better shape; but we also talked about individual wants/needs. The girls and I made the 30 day exercise pact. I'm not sure if you could call that a resolution or not?
I think of it as preparing them for the future. They want something special, they need to earn it. See, it's not just about a new outfit. They get new clothes whenever they need them. They want a girl's day out. The 3 of us will spend a pleasant afternoon checking out different stores, trying on different outfits -some we'd never wear in our normal lives! We may check out a new restaurant or top the day off with a movie. Meanwhile, Dad will stay home entertaining the boys. It's win-win for everybody, but most definitely not the norm. We all have our daily assignments/chores to do, but to earn extra activities, movies, cd's, whatnot, you have to work for it. As adults, we have to do our daily chores, pay bills, feed the family, do laundry, dishes, etc... We don't get paid for that, it's part of living. To earn the stuff we want (and need!), we have to do extra. We have to go to work and do a decent job so we can earn money. A lot of what we earn goes towards supporting our daily habits, but it is SO sweet when you have a little extra $ and can buy something you want, just because. That's what the girls are learning about. Now, they'll have to complete their 30 days to earn their special day. When we do go shopping, I imagine it's going to be that much sweeter because we're going to feel positive about the exercise we've done. That mental victory is going to add to the sweetness of the day.
Now, I know 30 days seems awhile to make a child wait/work for something. Normally, I try to arrange something a little special every couple of weeks. But, we're in a bit of an upheaval with our current living arrangements. The house we're renting is in preforeclosure. I feel very bad for my landlord, but it puts us in a tricky situation and we're not real sure where we'll be in a couple of weeks. By the time we complete our 30 days, we should be in a more stable living environment and ready to celebrate.
Also, I'm hoping that by making it a group activity and breaking it up into more manageable chunks, we'll all find it easier to stay on track. We're only committing to this for 30 days. After that, we can change it up and find something different to do so we don't get bored or stuck in a rut. What are you going to try to do different this year?
Hello, just wanted to wish everybody a happy new year. May we all make wiser choices and see healthy progress this year!
I've been off awhile. Off of ep and off track. I knew I was heading in the wrong direction, but didn't really care. Yeah, a very bad attitude. I know. DH broke our scale in September and we didn't bother to replace it. Now I know some people can't stand weighing themselves but I actually need that daily reminder. When I weighed myself daily, I could see the weight creeping up (or down!) and it helped keep me focused. Without it, I just ignored my inner voice and ate, ate, ate... UGH!
I also quit going to Curves. My gym changed their hours and it didn't fit easily into my schedule anymore. Oh, and while I'm confessing to bad behavior, I've basically quit walking. Oh, I don't mean the everyday 'getting from point a to b' walking, I mean the 3-5 miles I was walking everyday has decreased to about a 1/2 mile. If it wasn't for my dogs, I would have probably skipped all exercise. Sheesh!
Sadly, I'm not the only one affected. I think DH broke our scale because he maxed it out. He refused to admit it until yesterday; then he finally confessed he only has 3 wearable work pants because nothing else fits. My teen daughters are both seeing a 5-15 pound weightgain. Luckily they're not obese, but I want them to feel healthy and fit! Not be embarrassed or be at the start of a lifetime of weight issues.
So, I bought a new scale yesterday with a higher weight limit/rating and a couple of new workout videos. We're all officially weighing in on Monday. We're going to spend the next couple of days getting rid of the junkfood, clearing out a lot of clutter, and getting mentally ready for a fresh start. DH is joining a biggest loser contest at work, so hopefully that'll help with his motivation. The teens and I made a pact to do a 30 minute daily workout for 30 days. When we succeed, we can splurge and each buy a complete new outfit. We'll renegotiate the prize for the next 30 days after that.
Well, I can no longer use bad weather as an excuse not to walk. My aunt gave me her old treadmill! I've been wanting one for awhile now. Been reviewing and pricing some models and discussing with dh what features would be good when my aunt called to say I could have hers. It's not fancy, just has basic features but hello! it's free! Good enough for me!
Now I'm searching for my customized coach potato to 25k plan. I spent a few days earlier last year creating a customized plan to help me get running but discovered that I HATE running outside so I cast that plan aside. I tend to turn my ankles when running over uneven/variable surfaces. Guess I forget to watch where I'm going??
Anyway, hope you're having a great weekend! Be strong! Resist the lure of the chocolate donuts -if not, grab one for me! Best wishes!
Wow, logged on and found all sorts of strange yet interesting changes going on here at e.p. So far, I've only found 2 complaints. For whatever reason, some of my comments aren't going through. That's annoying! Also, when I'm on the homepage and click on the last posts section, that's literally all I see. I liked seeing the whole blog so I could read older posts at the same time without having to click on the 'my posts' section to see it all. I know, petty petty complaings. Anyway, it's going to take a little getting used to, but I think I'll like it. What about you?
Trying to get motivated today, but am SO sleepy. Don't know if it's the lack of sleep from the past 2 weeks or denial over my dad's death. Either way, going to force myself to go to Curves later and do a little grocery shopping now. Need some more healthy foods in the house (dh bought the kids a lot of snack food stuff while I was away) and maybe a couple of frozen dinners for when everybody's eating whatever and I need portion control.
Update: ah I see my mistake. Instead of clicking on the last post title, I need to click on the blogger's name to see the whole blog. Ok, can deal with that.
Hi again, yeah I know, it's been a little while, nearly 3 weeks or so?
I didn't lose the 9 pounds, but I did lose a couple of pounds. Didn't matter, my folks were proud of me anyway. We had a good time visiting them. When we first arrived and I went in to see my dad, it hurt a lot. He was so visibly weak and struggling for air. He couldn't stand having us all there and him laid up in bed, so he spent as much time as possible in an electric scooter/wheelchair so he could be around all the grandkids. He was really enjoying watching their antics. It was a fun weekend; had kids running everywhere and making up silly little games with rules that I think you simply have to be under the age of 15 to understand. I spent my free time crocheting a lap blanket for my dad to use when in his wheelchair. Everybody commented on my weight and how good I look! That kept a smile on my face. Nothing like dozens of compliments to make you feel proud.
Had a lot of good times, maybe I'll share some later. We finally made it back to Florida on Tuesday (the 2nd) evening. It's a 20 hour car trip each way! On Thursday afternoon, my mom called sobbing. My dad had just passed away. I flew back to Illinois on Friday to be with her and to attend the services. Just made it back home again on Thursday. Hadn't slept much the past week, so no big surprise that I've been simply exhausted and sleeping way too much the past 2 days.
Going to try to refocus and get back on track this Monday. Dad was very proud of me and I want to know he'd still be proud of me. Mom confessed that when my weight was ballooning up, they were both worried but Dad didn't want to say anything to make me feel bad. They knew I'd have to get motivated for myself. That just makes me appreciate them more and renews my determination.
Hi! Did you have a good weekend? Get things done? Feel good about your accomplishments?
Not me! LOL! I had a lazy weekend. Barely managed to drag my sorry butt outta bed yesterday. Just couldn't keep my eyes open. I did manage to walk 2 miles, but I was seriously dragging tail.
Today, my right eye feels swollen, but no idea what I did to it. Was a little more active today. Mostly because one of my dh's coworkers came over for dinner. DH & I went out for lunch, stopped by to confirm dinner plans with the coworker, & then shopping for dinner stuff. Now I'm slightly stuffed and trying to convince myself I need to walk it off.
My kids did great though. When I left for lunch, the house was messy. By the time we returned from shopping, it was almost sparkling clean! Wow! My kids are awesome!
Tomorrow it'll be back to working out & watching what I eat. I'll see my folks at the end of the week.
Good thing I walked yesterday morning with dd. The weather was rotten enough last night that I skipped totally. Been that way so far today, too. I did slip out to Curves earlier for a workout before they closed early due to the poor weather. DH wanted me to skip but I had too much stir fry for dinner! Was feeling bloated and had to do something.
I just had the kids dig out a rain poncho so maybe if it doesn't get much worse, I'll be able to get in a little walk. I suck at walking indoors, too many distractions.
Managed to walk 5.5 miles total yesterday. 3 in the morning & another 2.5 last night. I would have liked to walk a little more but Fay had the wind kicking up and rain bands were dropping showers on my head about every 10 minutes or so. I'd walk, take shelter & wait for it to quit again, walk more, take shelter, repeat... I can't afford to get sick since I'm going to see my terminally ill father next week. His immune system can't handle any more stress now.
This morning I was feeling blah and didn't want to walk at all. However, as my dh was leaving for work, he found a dd sitting patiently in the living room. She had set her alarm for 6am just so she could go walking with me! So, I grabbed my stuff and we walked 3 miles.
Between my scale not budging, my sore leg, worrying about my dad, my cranky husband, a defiant 18yr old dd pushing my buttons, and some issues with my ex-boyfriend, I've been really emotional today.I was so depressed earlier, that I caved and had an ice cream sundae for a snack. Wouldn't be so bad except I wasn't really craving it, was just feeling sorry for myself. That's gotta stop!! I can't control anybody else or their emotions but I can do what's best for me. Geez!
Ah well, pick up and move on. We all have our triggers and need to learn how to handle them better.
I'm a little bit frustrated. I've been working out & walking more. Been drinking my water and avoiding sodas. Been eating a little better & not eating anything after 8pm. YET... the scale isn't budging. I know it'll happen eventually. I even know about muscle weighing more, etc.... YET... I'm still a bit frustrated because I have 9 days left before I see my family and I'm stalled. UGH.
On an upnote: I ended up walking 7 miles yesterday. My calf was just slightly achy last night from the spider incident & about the same this morning. So glad it's not hurting worse! Woke up and did 3 miles this morning because wasn't sure how much water Tropical storm Fay plans on dumping here. So far, not a lot. Went from going to be nasty around noon to going to be nasty around midnight. Wait and see, I guess. Really hoping the storm doesn't cause anybody major damage. On another good note: everybody just had ice cream sundaes -except for me! I resisted because it's after 8pm. Looked good, but I just walked away.
Was the first day back to school here for 3 of my munchkins. My middle 3 work from home so I act as teacher/learning coach for them. My youngest is autistic & will be going to special classes at the local school. He's going through evaluations now. I think we started off fairly well; despite having to chase down & distract my youngest all day.
Suppose to storm heavily tonight, so I woke up early and walked 3 miles. If I get lucky, I'll be able to walk a couple more miles tonight. If not, at least I'll feel good about getting some walking in.
I mentioned the other day that my leg has been cramping up fairly steadily. It just doesn't want to go away. My dh keeps trying to use it as an excuse to make me stop working out & walking, but I'm feeling stubborn this week. I want to lose weight! So, this morning I started walking and realized that my leg was feeling pretty good! Once I was warmed up, it wasn't aching; just had a little residule twinge -very minor. I was happy! Had a good stride going when I walked right into a strand of spider web... UGH!!!! I HATE spiders! Started trying to brush it off when I caught sight of the spider dangling in the air & dropping straight for MY shoulder! OMG! I hoped sideways and tried to run only to have my leg decide nope! It didn't like that sudden movement and tried to buckle on me. Barely avoided doing a faceplant & was hopping around awkwardly on one leg trying to regain my balance. wow! It hurt so much & I was feeling so stupid for being afraid of a spider. Was halfway through my walk so I had to suck it up and keep going.
It's feeling better tonight but when I was at Curves, I avoided the leg press. I am going to attempt walking some tonight, but I think I'll stick to my block and cut it short -that's IF it's not storming too much.
Anyway, hope your week started off right. Best wishes!
Good enough for me! 
Best wishes!
That kept a smile on my face. Nothing like dozens of compliments to make you feel proud.