Hi All!

I am continuing to work out, but geez I just can't stop eating a huge dinner! I'm eating healthy meals, but too much of it! I start a vacation next week and that isn't going to make it any easier! I'm going to focus on the workouts away and even take hand weights with me so I have no excuse. If I was in a hotel it'd be better since they have a gym, but I'll be bumming it at my friends' houses. I'll try to get a guest pass somewhere to help too. I'm sure my one friend will want to play some basketball!  I am glad its starting to stay in the 80s here so I can start swimming outside! Well I'm just going to keep going day by day!

 

Well I started out March doing over 200 squats! Ugh! I'm still sore!! At the same time, I like the fact my muscles are burning! Today will be an upper body workout, so my legs can get a rest!!!

:) Happy Workouts!

Well I've refocused and back on track! It is a journey and there will be bumps in the road! It just felt like the "car"--me broke down at the side of the road!  I got some good cardio in so I'm very happy!! Now back to more weights tomorrow!!!! Good luck for all!! 

 I need a hug! I'm so out of the loop. I'm 36 years old and I'm having a midlife crisis! I have a career, house, cat and me and NOW WHAT??? Most my friends live in another state and its not that I'm lonely as much as I get BORED! If I wasn't stuck wtih this house I'd move. I know when I can FINALLY get back to my harder workouts, I'll feel better, but this holding pattern and doing just a little bit of exercise bums me out. I'm SICK OF MY BODY BETRAYING ME! So I'll load up on motrin, so I can get in a workout. I'm grateful for the things I have, but just sick of the parts that are stagnant. It's so hard to pick myself up day after day. My buddy on this thing has deserted me so I'm on my own. I'm fine with that, but it can be hard to be my own cheerleader. Rah, rah, rah.

 I can!!! No matter back problems, knee problems, cold n' cough....I'm there! I did a quick workout at the gym today even though my back makes it so I can barely walk! I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER just from that little workout. Now I also found out I am down to 210 lbs.! I guess you burn energy when you keep coughing! Just STAY THE COURSE!

Even though I have a bad cold, I was all ready to go do a little workout, then WHAM! I coughed enough to throw my back out BAD! The pain is so intense and I'm so bummed out! It hurts to just move! I'm so angry, because yet AGAIN my body craps out. I have SO much to do and now I'm stuck again! If I was a horse, they'd send me to the glue factory!  I'm trying to get in shape to better my life and these walls keep getting higher and higher. It stinks too cuz its STUPID things like coughing or walking out of bed that is causing my injuries!!! I am so bummed. What a weekend.

 I got hit with a knockout! I have the flu or some nasty cold! I tried to go to work but turned out I had a 102 temperature! So instead of a workout, my body has a "boxing" match! Cold 1 me O. I am feeling better today, but still fighting. I am sure greatful that I'm not at the hospital! Just one day of being laid up in bed and I CAN'T TAKE IT! Just another reason I want to be as helathy as I can, cuz being bedridden is not me! I just wish my cat could cook and clean while I recover! These are the times I wish I had someone in my life, but then again, there is no guarantee they would make soup for me!! I will keep pumping the fluids and vitamins! I feel like I have a hangover without all the fun!!!

Ugh!

http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/01/no-fat-people-allowed-only-slim-will-be.html  I can't believe it! There is a Mississippi legislator who wants to BAN obese people from restaurants! (see link above) What is wrong with this world!? We are all on this Biggest Loser Matchup to be healthy and drop some pounds, but I don't need the GOVERNMENT telling where and what to eat! This country is in its downfall. It's sad  Yes, I'm fat, but I work out, eat healthy and am losing weight. I'd love to challenge the legislator to some physcial challenges and he can eat my dust!

Well regardless of my knee problems, I went to the gym. My trainer had me do all core/ab work!!! Needless to say, I still got a good workout. That is it: do what you can with what you have when you have it!

 Ugh!!! I absolutely hate my knees! I did a good workout last night....tired and sore....got out of bed this morning and walked to the coffee maker and AAAAAAAAAAHH! excruciating pain!  I felt like ninjas stormed my house and stabbed my knee! I grabbed a bag of ice and hobbled to work for a 7am meeting. My boss just went through knee surgery so I know the pain! Sure not the way to start Feb! I was fortunately able to a coworker to switch jobs so I oculd sit and do data entry stuff. She's a sweetheart! I am more angry than upset at the pain. I hate down time training! I am going to stay focused and do core and arms, but geez, today I can't even walk from the parking lot to the gym! I know most of this is due to my orthotics not adjusted correctly, but after a month or so of waiting, its getting ridiculous! My Feet are so flat that it puts unwanted pressure on my knees.

I did my best to not stress eat, but due to not making a lunch I had a bag of Fritos. (not my type of food as it is! too salty!) I just hate when I sit around! when I exercise I make better food choices! This is a test and I hate this kind of test! I will rest and ice the knees but I hope I can just get to the gym for other exercises.

I WILL STAY STRONG.......I WILL MAKE HEALTHY EATING CHOICES....obstacles happen. Choices happen.

 What a day! Drama at work, and I thought I lost my baby....CAT! He's my buddy and I was out and about and I couldn't find him for half and hour! I don't know what I'd do if he wasn't around. I was an hour late for my training but I got there. I am SO sore and mentally and physically exhausted.  I made my famous buckwheat, ground flaxseed, berry pancakes! They are SO much better than regular pancakes. The antioxidants are great from the berries too!!! I had turkey sausage links and I can't imagine eating pork ones!

Well I need to get ready for another day tomorrow! (with a 7am meeting at work!)

Stress sucks and it could have been a whole lot worse. I have my buddy and he's safe. He is so uneffected but I was a wreck. My kitty is my bud!

Cheers!!

I sure didn't feel like hitting the gym, but I got there! I did some good leg workouts and core in. Work is stressing me out as always, but at least the exercise was a distraction. I am looking forward to the weekend and superbowl. I will have some fun food, but know that I don't have to go crazy. The last few times I ate crap, I didn't enjoy it, so I know I'll be selective! It's sure cold and I can't wait until it warms up! I know I can't complain being in AZ, but its supposed to be in the 70s by now and its not! When I'm cold, I want to eat to keep warm!!! I had tea instead of food tonight and I'm getting ready to go to bed and get warm under the covers!!! 4 more days til the Superbowl!!!!

Dinners are still killing me in terms of calories. It's SO hard to not have a second helping. I made turkey meatloaf with carrots and glad I skipped the mashed potatoes, however, I had that second piece of meatloaf. Granted it isn't too bad considering it was lean turkey meat. I just need to figure out how to break that habit. That feeling full chemial sure doesn't kick in until I feel too full. At least I'm eating breakfast regularly and avoiding unhealthy foods. Well its off to work!!!!

I feel beat up this morning, but luckily I get to go to work late!!! Did some new exercises so my muscles are still adjusting.  I like the muscle burn and I feel stronger mentally and physically!  Fow how tired I am, I want to get back to the gym and crank it up some more! Resting one body area and focusing on another makes it easier to keep training! I did bicep curls on the ball and dang! I didn't think I'd feel it in the abs!! I had so much energy last night it was hard to go to sleep! I made some wheat pasta and home made basil/garlic sauce and I was proud that there was pasta left on the plate. The more you work at it, the easier it is to stay away from certain foods. I had a soda the other day (2nd one in 3 months) and I didn't enjoy it. Having crap once in a while, makes it where you realize that you don't like it anymore!! It'd be nice to get off coffee, but since I mostly only have it in the morning, I'm not going to worry about it. I use nonfat milk and add protein powder and cinnamon for flavor! That is whole lot better than a sugar filled mocha at the coffee shop! Gosh, I remember the days where I had a venti mocha in the morning, a soda at 10, more soda at lunch, one in the afternoon then more soda for dinner! My poor bones! That was 6 years ago, and I'm so glad I don't have those habits anymore. I just wish the 55 lbs I lost 5 years ago would have stayed away, but tearing the ligaments in my back messed me up. When I exercise, it makes it SO much easier to pick better food choices. Who wants fatty, oily foods when you are working up a sweat! I just wish back then I would have had more insight to eat right when I was laid up in bed. The medication they put me on, added weight as well. Well it was still my choice to not win back then, and now I just need to stay the course no matter what I face. Age and experience does make you wiser I guess! Reading the biggest loser book and meeting Bill, Hollie and Bettie Sue from the show is really motivating. Seeing them in person, you see they really did it to improve their health and not just to be on TV. (unlike most reality shows!) They ARE AWSOME! Hearing them talk about moving through injuries was inspiring as well. I just wish I could see them 6 months from now and they can see my results. Me, a scrappy, overweight gal, that turns into a toned, athletic woman. I know I am athletic in my heart and mind and soul, but I want my body to catch up. It bugs me when genetically thin people look at me and think I eat bon bons all day and am lazy. I have lazy moments but considering I work full time, run my own household, and do everything else alone they can shove it! So many times at the gym, they give me dirty looks....then when I am out doing them on the elliptical machine, I secretly smile knowing the might look healthy on the outside, but I'm in better shape. I just can't wait when I'm in outstanding shape and looking like a trainer! Sore muscles, tired joints, crazy schedule......its all worth it....TO REACH MY GOAL.

 

Well yesterday was really awesome! I got to the AZ Mills to see some of the cast members from the show! I was running a little late, since I HAD to go to the gym first!!!  When I got to the mall, I ended up walking the whole mall since the B.L. area was all the way around. Hey! Another bit of exercise!  They were set up behind the food court that I thought was a little ironic. But I guess you can lead them away from the food and on to health! Bettie Sue was there and it was nice to chat with her. I had her sign my nutrition journal....this way I could see that nice little note to motivate me! I still wish I could get to compete against other BL contestants on the show. I LOVE COMPETITION! My BL buddy is so far away, that we don't get to have much competition. But when it comes down to it, it is all about competing against yourself and doing the best you can. As Steve Prefontaine said, "Giving nothing but you best is sacrificing the gift." As Vince Lombardi said, "It's not about getting knocked down, its about getting back up!"

Nite all!

Well I sure couldn't figure out what I was doing on this site, so NOW I can start blogging again!!! I have lost another 3 lbs. so it's all is good. I have lost 8 lbs so far and ready to do more!!! It has been very frustrating the last few weeks....my shoulder giving out and my knees acting up. What can I expect when I have 217 lbs. pounding on the joints. I rest when need be and do alternative exercises while I rest. I LOVE the renewed energy I have and although parts of my life (job) is extremely stressful and sad right now I'm using the exercise to get out my frustration!! Trying to distract myself from stress and relaxing exercises helps too!

 Monday! Ugh! Well it wouldn't be so bad if I would have had sleep last night! I had coffee later in the day, and it kept me up all night! I did have good workouts this weekends though. I'm really sore and can barely move my arms! My knee is acting up too. Although I don't want to rest, I will since both days were heavy! Maybe I can at least get in some core/ab work in.

Ugh Parent Conferences this week. Being there so late sure makes it hard to workout, but I will no matter what. NO EXCUSES!!

Well I averted a dinner disaster last night. With it being A Friday after coming back to work, I wanted to go out and celebrate. Of course I really started to think and stop myself since I don't need to celebrate with food. I was SO hungry but not sure why. I came home still pondering hitting the Sushi restaurant that wouldn't be THAT bad since I order mostly fish. However, I told myself that I wouldn't be count calories or if anything portion control as much as I could do at home. Although I was bummed out initially, I bbq'ed a turkey burger, no mayo, with some green peppers, whole wheat bread, lowfat cheese. I did splurge on some tortilla chips and salsa, but I put the chips on a small individual cup/bowl to limit my intake. I was able to satisfy some "fun" food (salsa is my favorite!) but able to control my intake more than if I was at the restaurant. I didn't win the war, but I did win the battle!

This morning though I woke up tired and groggy. Getting back to teaching and tons of sick kids comprimises my immunity. Weird how going back to work is a zig zag in routine. Oh how I wish I could just be at the Biggest Loser Campus focusing on all this and not having to work!! I will be putting in 10-12 hour days at work for parent conferences. (of course no overtime pay for that!) I am trying to pysch myself out next week and plan so I can work those long hours and still make it to the gym! Last night I went to the gym at 8pm and felt horrible, but at least I did 30 min. of cardio. My back is hurting and hips are sore, but at least I had some activity. I'm growing frustrated, but its just a combo of everything in my life right now. Of course after the holidays the bills roll in and although I didn't charge much in terms of presents, I had to buy a new bed (with folks visiting) and that wasn't something I wanted to do right away. At least this morning, I had breakfast and tried some rolled oats vs. the traditional and I liked it better! It was a lot more filling. Today it is drab and will rain soon, so my mood reflects that. I miss the AZ sun and heat!

Well I have my Biggest Loser Buddy, my coworker Rochelle. We both work at an elementary school. I miss that we aren't grade level neighbors like we were last year. I moved back up to 6th grade and she stayed in third. At least now with our live spaces running we can stay more in touch and get healthier in the process. Our profession is very stressful and it is very easy to get off the health track. Now with each other's support, we can help each other attain our goals. We both have pretty big weight loss goals. I will lose 80 pounds and Rochelle will lose 50 pounds for a whopping 130 lbs. Together would would lose a person!

Why Rochell and I deserve to win: 

 

My initial reason for entering the contest is that I a bitter that I wasn't chosen during your August contestant search that was held here in Mesa. I am such a competitor and I think Bob or Jillian would have met their match! Although I weight 225 lbs at 5'6", I have always enjoyed sports and being athletic. However, in my life now, I am more the athlete in my mind and heart. I desperately want my body to be in balance. Secondly, I am determined to lose the weight and I'd love to be in that audience during the finale, proud of their accomplishments as well as my own since I plan to have some weight loss by the time the series is at its end. My third and equally important reason for wanting to take part in the Million Pound Match Up is to take preventative measures to avoid health problems. My mother has type II diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and circulatory issues. I am borderline with some of these conditions and I plan to avoid these conditions by improving my health. I am devastated that my mother is only 20 years older than me, but she is on as many medications as a woman in her 70s. My plan of action is to exercise 5 times a week, keep hydrated and eat healthy meals. Exercise will include weight training, core training, cardio, circuit training and doing all that I can to stay active. Hydration is important since I avoid high sugar drinks like soda! Eating balanced healthy meals, not skipping meals and making good nutritional choices will aid in my weight loss and overall health. Our team deserves to win, because we work hard to influence the future, making many sacrifices to do so. Rochelle and I are dedicated to improving our health while we both work hard to touch the future in the field of education. We both want our future to be fun and fit!