Clarification!

First of all, I have successfully strung THREE great days together.  Not saying it was easy, but I have been in the right frame of mind!

I don't know why I like to frame my progress on a calendar.  Maybe it is messing me up.  I know this is my "curse" and will be following it the rest of my life; I guess looking at the 14 weeks helped me identify that there is nothing in that timeframe that I cannot overcome.  I would be happy to get 10 lbs off in that time.  And for the record, I still would not be at my 10%!  That's how far I have to go.
My first goal is the 5%, which I am approaching. Then I am sure I will have to choose something about consistency - I'll figure that out in 5 lbs!  I do get such joy at the end of each day puttnig a little smiley sticker on my calendar.

I know you are right about the meetings; but for some reason I just can't muster putting one more thing on my calendar. Maybe next month, when the kids schedules settle down.  And I did get out some cookbooks and pick a few things out. Having a decent dinner planned does make a big difference. I have been quite faithful about logging on-line. This works for me for some reason.

I was cleaning out a drawer and found some old journals (2000, 2005) and they all say the same thing.  For having a brain, I sure am slow!  I even have fat photos in one - see, I was smash journaling before my time.  I liked to blame those efforts on the pregnacies, but hmm . . . Sam is seven . . .  I'll say it here - I did top 200 lbs!  Can you even believe it? How did I walk?  At least those days are behind me. Yikes.

On another, yet related topic, lacksidasical month on my 1000 miles!  I hoped to be near 500 by the end of June (to be on track) and assuming what I do tmrw, I have to get in 172 next month! Yikes.  That's almost 6/day.  Or 43/week.  Hmm.. . the running is actually slowing me down which is just ironic (b/c I only do 3 m usually).  I guess I need to start adding some walks in as well. 

Like right now!
:)

"I'll Have Another...."

A great horse name...! Ok -- only on my first tonight, but I won't let that stop me from sharing my thoughts. Let's start with the following topic -- 14 Weeks... Remind me sister where they have the directions for the 14 week WW program? Last time I checked it's a lifestyle change....not a program that starts and stops based on a predetermined holiday. I believe setting that type of goal is what undermines your success. You just said you have trouble stringing two good weeks together -- now you're shooting for 14! Set a little tiny goal, then hit it! And celebrate your ass off! Then another! I set lots of little goals -- then one day you wake up and you have arrived to the big goal without even knowing it. Let it sneak up on you! Cooking... Let me remind you -- those recipes come out of a book, I know how much you love books! What works for me is keeping my breakfast and lunch very consistent -- then I change up dinner. I use the cookbooks and I also modify some of my favorite things so I don't feel like I am missing out....I.E. enchiladas, burgers, taco salad, etc. I can help you win this. I actually love figuring out how to have all the bad food and make it work! Meetings.... Every time you talk about loving something....you start talking about the people you meet and how interesting they are and how they inspire you. WW is the same.....go to the meeting. Get ideas and support from the strangers who have the same freakin' issue you have! There is one guy who comes to my meeting who is obese -- if he can come in every week and fight this battle...than so can I. I bet the majority of people in my meeting would happily change places with me -- from a weight loss perspective. When I think about that it reminds me to not be so hard on myself. In there eyes I am a rock star! You to can be a rock star! Running.... I hesitate on this one! It's a love-hate relationship for me to! I love being a runner...but I rarely look forward to a run. I will always chase that rainbow! I want to love it -- still waiting for that to happen! I like the NY race way better to....let's see if we can make that happen! I've been holding out on you.... I have a MRI scheduled tomorrow. I may need Rotator Cuff surgery. I won't know till later in the week. I don't know the implications of that.....but I plan to ask a lot of questions. I have a work-around plan....but need to get the facts before I commit to the Sept run! And back to you! Lucy...your partner in crime PS. Looked at the AT pictures today and laughed my but off -- especially the pic of you with the muddy butt next to the slippery sign!

I'm Baaaaack!

M, you hit the nail on the head.  You really need to write me more often after 2 glasses of wine. 

I have too much going on (or plans, or thoughts, or ideas) and I can't focus.  I remember in college around finals instead of studying all I wanted to do was hide in my room and sleep.  Slug. Today, I am focusing.  I looked at my personal "list" of stuff to do, and the world will not end if I don't complete a single thing on there. But every minute of my waking hours, I in some way think about my weight (what I'm eating, what I'm going to do, what I didn't do, how my clothes feel, etc etc etc). 

So last night, I printed out a calendar (I need structure!) - Mem Day to Labor Day.  14 weeks. I really should not have any unsurmountable excuses in there. I ran this morning.  It was ugly, but the point is that I got up and did it, right away in the morning. I did my ab exercises. I am working on a menu, and preparing a grocery list.

I had many realizations, but two that are top of mind.  Why is consistency always an issue for me? I always fall apart during PMS week.  I feel like crap, I don't sleep - it all snowballs. I know my hormones are a mess, but with my supplements I am doing what I can about that. Acknowledging that, I think I can now be hyper aware (it's not like it's a surprise when it's coming!)  I also found a chapter in the 17 Day Diet Book (b/c you know I read them all - which by the way, they all say the same thing) on PMS and different foods (nutrients) to help through it without falling apart.

The next thing is regarding lifestyle - I feel I have lots of good habits from years of doing this.  But obvioulsy something is amiss, so I had to think about it.  I think it is because I don't cook.  I hate everything about it, I hate the grocery store, and I have been blessed with a husband who just takes care of it. Even in 1989 (?) I relied more on WW frozen meals than preparing anything.  If I make a menu, Doug will follow it - I'm not blaming him.  I think I just need to engage in the process more.

When I am healthy, my family is.  After I ran this morning, Doug rallied and decided that he should go. When I leave fresh, cleaned berries on the counter, the kids eat them (like me, they would never dig in the frig and cut them themselves).  There are residule benefits as well - I want Doug to be healthy.  I want my kids to be fit and feel good about themselves.  When I am a slug, Doug is.  When I don't stock the kitchen, we eat out. In a large part, it is up to me!  We all feed on each other (pardon the pun!).

Even though I was "off" this past week, I did not gain weight so I feel like that was a gift.  I sign of motivation!

And by the way, I slept like a rock last night.

Ethel

The Answer to the Question

Isn't this one of your favorite signs?

And in my next life, I would like long legs like this: (no, I don't know how to flip this!)

For some reason I signed up for a "summer run series" (5 5ks) and this first one was at the zoo.  It was a very nice event, but I was slow and just mentally not there.  But I guess that's the point - to see how one can improve over the week. Of course now it is thurs, and do you think I have run since?

So, the answer to the question is NO, I don't know how to string two good weeks together!  It dawned on me that I have been dealing with this excess weight for half of my life.  That is so incredibly depressing.



Priorities

My boss called right as I was leaving to take 2 kids 2 different places (at 6:15).  In between, I planned to do my run, and then swing back and get both of them again.  He called THREE times.  And I didn't take any of the calls.  I knew if I called back, I would not have time to get my run in ( my 8min/2min 4 times) and be on time for the kids.  How's THAT for keeping my priorities?  I felt like such a renegade.

Of course, keeping my paycheck is a priority, too.  So not sure if my resolve will hold for tmrw when I want to go spin at 9 (which is when I can usually expect his morning call). 

I guess I need to share the whole story.  I was on the phone with him at a normal time (like 4:30) and he took another call, so put me on hold.  After 10 min I hung up. Then his secretary called to apologize, he couldn't get off the other call, then he had to go pray, so he would call me later.  So of course I was a bit annoyed.  Annoyance helps one reshuffle priorities, don't you think?

Who needs a goal....

Based on my slow record of weight loss...I'm not so sur I can get there in 3 weeks even on my best behavior! And let me correct you --- that 3.5 lbs. only gets me to within 2 lbs. of my goal. So stay tuned! I can report that I am at 370/1000 for my 1000 mile goal. Just chugging along! Slow and steady! I did notice your new name....but I still prefer Kodak! It's perfect for you. Maybe Trixie is you alter ego?? Lucy

Goals!

Goals, goals!  Why do we have to be so darn GOAL ORIENTED?! 
OK Lucy, 3 weeks at home, to get to your goal (I think you said 3.5 lbs). I can't even imagine the day when I am at "goal" weight - good for you!
I'm still working on my first 5%!  So that will be my 3 week goal.  It is 4.6. I have only been averaging one a week, but you know how I like a challenge!  :)  Of course I have to start off with NY tmrw - but NO EXCUSES, right?

You'll like this - I wanted to use my SMASH album as my "journey" book - but I have the green one, and I like it too much (outdoors, etc) to use for running/weight.  So I promptly had to buy another one!  I got the orange "simple" one (at least they were on sale at Michaels). And I will use the green one for my hiking progress.  Someday that is, when I start to write in them!  Maybe that should be my goal this week - write a page in my smash book.  I don't know - that might actually be harder than WW!

Ethel

You Made Me Do It!

Yep...Brought my workout clothes to work, scheduled time on my calendar to workout and then slowly talked my self out of it. Then I checked my emails and ther you were like a nagging little gnat! All pumped up and talking positive about working out. For the love of God....did you have to go down the whole "gift" thing....even gave it credibility by by throwing in Megan. So with my tail between my legs and my guilt shining bright....I headed to the gym. I have 3 weeks at home -- so I intend to link 3 weeks together. My next goal is being free at WW. I probably have 3.5 lbs to get there. So that is on my horizon So thank you...I think!

Hello, Vaseline!

(did that title catch your attention?)
HOLY ROAD RASH! 
No sign reminds you that you are back in the "running saddle" like a little rash/burn.  Oh my, I forgot the pleasures (NOT!).

I joined a new running group, that is more beginners and only meets 1x/week (and the rest you do on your own).  Less "pressure" so felt good to me.  Of course I knew I would miss the first three sessions but I went last Thurs and we did a hill workout.  I really enjoyed it. Perfect evening, nice group of women, I forgot how much I liked this park I felt good and the leader (who runs our local store) so loves running it is infectious.  But I had a rough weekend (Mother's Day, so sad) and whatever other excuses I can throw in there.  I even volunteered at packet pick up for a 50m trail run on Fri (good people watching!) and that didn't get me going. 

Megan (the leader) told a story how she had plantar fasciatis issues, and took 6 wks off to rest.  She "allowed" herself to run on Xmas - that was the gift to herself (see, she loves it).  After getting over that she is a nut, it dawned on me Sun evening.  This is the Mother's Day gift that I am going to give myself - I am going to get my run in.  So out I went. I am on a 8 min run/2 walk program, and only doing 3 miles, but it feels good. 

Now the objective is to string two good weeks (exercise, WW) together in a row.  Can it be done?  I have to get ONE done, first!  :)

JW