Week 4

So I should try to do a mid-week update, but considering I missed the week 2 update, maybe I should just take what I can get.


Weight:
Down 0.6. Not that great considering how much I've been working out, but that's a pretty recent development... and it's going in the right direction...

Exercise:

So if you recall in my Week 3 post I had a new plan for exercise. I planned on getting up earlier every morning to work out... and (drumroll please) I succeeded... Every day! This is quite the feat. I got in 13 miles of runs, 60 minutes of yoga and 60 minutes on the elliptical... not too shabby for the first week. Let's see how long I can keep this up.

In other news, I did my measurements... so far I have stayed the same or gone down slightly in all areas... EXCEPT my calves. They have increased by 1" each. I'm hoping that my measurement last month was wrong, but do you think it's possible? That's kind of a lot and at this rate I will have super tree trunk legs. EEK!

Week 3

So you're probably wondering where week 2 went... yah, me too.

Week 1's recap was all full of optimism and hope. Week 2 didn't fair to well. I blame sunny Florida, but I'm not sure it's really their fault. I was however snow delayed and didn't get home to do my usual Wed. weigh in so I just called it a wash.

So week 3...

Weight:

Up 1.4. Yah... about that.... My goal for Japan is still on, however, my weight has crept up and my time to acheive this goal is waning. I'm still trying, but at this point it's more to see how close I can get to it as I'm realistic and know that I probably (most likely) won't make it.

Exercise:

Another fail. Again, I'm blaming lots of things, but mostly it's b/c I was lazy and unfocused. I went to Florida for a week and packed all of my running stuff, but didn't run AT.ALL. I did do some walking, but that's not really going to cut it... and then since I've been back from Florida, my motivation was next to nil. I got in a whopping 45 minutes (yes, that's dripping in sarcasm).

Mood:
I had a wake up call or slap in the face moment... Last week I kind of gave up. It was only for a day (or two), but I was just tired. I was tired of feeling bad for not working out, I was tired of watching what I ate or feeling bad about what I had just eaten... I was done. But I realized something. For me losing weight is hard. I know that and I need to acknowledge that. I know that I'm not the type of person who is willing to sacrafice EVERYTHING to lose weight -I still want to be able to drink (while I can), I still want to eat a fried morsel of goodness every now and then, and I want to be able to go out to dinner/hang out w/ my husband and friends without completely FREAKING out about what I'm eating and what I'm doing. HOWEVER, in order for me to do this, I need to compromise... and that compromise is that I need to eat healthy and wholesome foods most of the time. And I need to work out to counteract the "fun" foods I am going to eat. So this seems like a really obvious point, but it's something that I really needed to figure out and really acknoweldge for myself.

So I have a new plan and a new sense of resolve. It involves eating well most of the time and not beating myself up when I eat more "fun" foods then I should. I also am going to work out more. I am going to work out in the mornings and do cardio -just 30-45 minutes, but I'm going to do this 5 mornings a week. At night I can do yoga or classes but I won't force myself to do those 60 minute runs that I was pushing myself to do. My new cardio plan will have me doing less of it at a time, but more often and will leave my nights to yoga or classes and will take the pressure off.

So today was day 1 of the new plan. I woke up early and went to the gym. I did a 3 mile run (sort of... I was fiddling w/ my Nike +, which wasn't working, so there was a lot of walking) in 37 minutes and then did some arm weights and sit ups. Day 1 was a success!

End of Retirement

Retirement was great, but short lived... Naples was fantastic and relaxing.

Unfortunately, my flight out was cancelled, so I got an extra day of vacation!

Also... I got sunburnt... Totally ridiculous...

Sigh...

Also, I packed all my running stuff and didn't run AT ALL. Total fail... that's now twice that I've done this... (double) sigh.

Day 1 of retirement

If this is what it's like to be retired, then sign me up!

My trip was delayed due to my cancelled flight last night, but my morning flight was lovely and uneventful. I was surprised to see the ticket agent had upgraded me to first class, but then again, first class is a pretty loose use of those terms when there are only 6 seats on the plane devoted to that section. The flight from Chicago to Charlotte, NC, and Charlotte to Naples are only about 2 hours each, so it's not as if it was a transatlantic flight where I needed to stretch out and it was too early to drink (even for me!), so my upgrade was pretty useless. Nevertheless, it was a lovely surprise gesture and it got me through security faster -I love those priority lanes --yes I know, I'm kind of an elitist, but I do enjoy the privilege occasionally!

Anyway, even though I woke up at 3:30 (AM!) for my flight, I've had a very enjoyable day. Naples is beautiful (in the weird Florida kind of way -sorry Floridians!) and the weather has been lovely. It's not very hot, but it's my kind of weather -the kind where you can wear jeans, a sleeveless shirt and flip flops! I did some shopping today and discovered many things about being with the retirement community that I quite enjoy. When shopping sales, you're not really competing for the same great deals as your fellow shoppers. As I was perusing the (very on sale) sale shoe rack, I was reaching for all the heels while everyone else was looking for the comfortable orthopedics. But, it's very strange when you have them comment on your purchases. I was in lingerie and had a couple of ladies tell me how lovely the underwear was that I was looking at... needless to say, I immediately put it back.

Another enjoyable thing -driving. It's hard to get lost here and even if you do, it's very easy to find a place to turn around. The streets are wide with multiple lanes and turning cut outs and the street signs are HUGE! I think I could take my contacts out and still be able to read them. AND, the signs are illuminated at night -how easy is that? I grew up in Boston where you were lucky if streets had signs... and if they did they were written in type 12 font.

Anyway, day 1 of living with the retirees has been great... lets see if I survive the rest.

Week 1 (for the blog) update

So even though I've been tracking my weight and trying to lose weight for weeks (ok, months), this is the first week on the blog... so we'll just say this is week 1 :) Also, I should really try to remember to do this on Wednesday’s since that’s my actual weigh in day. Anyway progress this week:

Weight:
Down 2.2 this week. I was happy to see that, but considering I GAINED 2.8 last week, I’m not all that overjoyed. I’m down to 8 weeks until Japan w/ 11.2 lbs until goal. And to be honest, I wanted to hit goal a week or two early so I could do some maintenance before the vacation…
Exercise:
After the disastrous workout Monday I had a great one on Tuesday night. I did just over a 5 mile run clocking in at about 60 minutes (when I say run, it’s more intervals of walking and running). I was super pumped about that and hope to continue on that path. I also realized that I need to ease up on myself a bit. I used to be a 3 mile at a time kind of runner going 2-4 times a week… and now I’ve increased the mileage for each run, so I need to make sure my body has time to recuperate and catch up to my new motivation.
Mood:
However, in other news, I have been totally exhausted recently. I could go to bed at 8pm every night if I let myself and the only way I can stay awake is if I go to the gym. If I’m home watching tv, I’m out like a light. I’m hoping that this is just due to the new workout routine, but seriously, it is cramping my style. I know that I need to keep my activity constant if I want to reach my goal BUT I also need to keep my eating in check...

So tomorrow I leave for Florida for a few days. I’m hoping this mini vacation with my parents (sans husband) will give me the time to relax, recharge and refocus. I also hope it doesn’t derail my weight loss plan… I’m hoping for 2 lbs next week!

Gym frustration

Ugh, so last night, I had a plan to go to the gym. and workout. a . lot. But, I was so tired and not really feeling it, so I knew it was going to be a struggle. But to my credit, I went. I dragged my butt there, got changed and went. HOWEVER, it ended up being such a big fail. I had no energy. I couldn't run, walking was boring and painful... it was the worst gym experience. I came home so frustrated and angry. I had gone to work out and even after I got myself there I couldn't actually squeeze out a good workout. I spent about 10 minutes on the treadmill, the elliptical and the bike, so I guess technically I got in a 30 minute workout, but it was not what I was expecting or planning.

So frustrating! Let's see how tonight goes.

Oh and tomorrow is weigh in day... I still haven't lost the weight from last week. UGH!