Saturday, January 30, 2010

Day 23....Ain't no mountain high enough....

Ain't no mountain high enough ......I hear Diana Ross (of the Supremes for any young folks out there reading this) singing her heart out on this one with the Supremes backing her up....
I always loved that song - it talks about the fact that no obstacles will get in the way of getting to who or what you want......


Moving on to the next mountain...I heard it again today on a great CD that my brother, Michael, made for all of his sisters....what a great brother I have...No, it's not a new song, but I LOVE it and seriously didn't realize it was Miley Cyrus singing it...wow, I guess I am now a Miley Cyrus fan...

The lyrics go like this....

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Aint about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side............
It's about the CLIMB............

WOW, these lyrics hit me between the eyes.....I can so relate to the MOUTAIN...and trying to CLIMB it....and being an UPHILL BATTLE..... and that it isn't about how FAST YOU DO IT, but keep CLIMBING..... I love it and it's my new theme song :)......I think singing it LOUDLY in my car will give me just the right attitude as I head into the gym each day or into the next challenge on this coming Monday....or better yet, the WEIGH IN this coming Tuesday...

My trainer took my measurements again today....drumroll please:
In 3 weeks:
I have lost 10 inches - YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BMI (body mass index ......percentage of YELLOW GLOBBY FAT on your body) is down 3 points - YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So even though the weight isn't dropping off in this 2nd 2 week period, like I want it to, I AM losing inches and BMI is going down....so I am CLIMBING this dang mountain!!!!

On Monday, we have our 2nd challenge (remember the 1st one? Get on the treadmill and run until you faceplant on the treadmill :)).....well all I know about Monday is we are meeting at the Creve Coeur Club Fitness (where I normally work out but most of the other contestants work at other locations) and we are supposed to "dress warm and be prepared to be outside"....YIKES, what does that mean???? WHATEVER the mountain is, I'm going to work as hard as I can and do my best......The challenge will air on Tuesday on Show Me St. Louis, 3pm, Channel 5....

Tuesday is the 2nd weigh in.....that means that each team now is down to 5 women....2 women on EACH team that have the lowest percentage of weight loss will be up for elimination...
the show will be broadcast on Wednesday and starting Wednesday after the show, until Friday 12n, anyone can vote on the KSDK Channel 5 website for the person they want to STAY.....
On Friday, 1 woman from each team that was up for elimination but got the lowest amount of votes, will be "going home"...

I will be writing more on Monday & Tuesday to let you know how the challenge and weigh in went...in the meantime, back to the gym bright and early on Sunday for a good workout! Had a great session of kick boxing today today....

Whatever this week brings, I know I am working my hardest, and giving it my all and will continue to do so!!! I am inspired and excited about this opportunity and thank God for giving me the both the opportunity and the strength to keep going....

So for today, think about what mountain you are climbing? And if/when you slip, how do you get back up? And more importantly, why? SEE YOU AT THE TOP :)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Day 21 - What is going on.....

Ok, everything SEEMS to be going well.....

Working HARD, only taking 1 day off each week at the direction of my trainer......and until this week, even did some walking on my "day off" but my trainer reminded me that if I don't take a day "off", I will get burned out and it will be hard to keep it going.....makes sense to me, so on Tuesday, I came home after work, fixed a nice healthy dinner of fish and vegetables and enjoyed an evening of "Biggest Loser" and some other things from my DVR storage.....

Diet or rather my eating (diet can sometimes sound like a 4 letter word!) plan is going GREAT...
I write down everything that passes the "pie hole"...although I should change the name now as there hasn't been anything even resembling "pie" going down that hole for 21 days now :)....
But seriously, everything I eat is either fresh or if frozen, like fish for example, I prepare it...so nothing processed and seriously most days average under 1300 calories...

So it has been over a week since my last weigh in...where I lost 10 pounds in 12 days....that was awesome and quite a large number for me.....I don't tend to lose weight quickly, which brings me to WHAT IS GOING ON?????????????????

The dietician warned us not to weigh more than 1 time a week or so.....that seemed reasonable to me, so I haven't been, but when I finally stepped on the scale, after a week, it didn't look like the scale had moved even a pound!!!!!!!!! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????????????
WHAT IS GOING ON?????

So I knew it was only a matter of time......this is the "frustrating stage"......mostly because I have never worked harder in my life or been more dedicated at both the exercise AND eating.....

DO YOU THINK MY BODY IS JUST SWOLLEN FROM ALL THE WORKOUTS? YEAH, THAT MUST BE IT!?!?

OR

DO YOU THINK THAT I HAVE JUST PICKED UP SEVERAL POUNDS OF MUSCLE? YEAH< THAT MUST BE IT??!!!

OR

DO YOU THINK ALL THOSE RAW VEGGIES HAVE TAKEN ROOT IN MY STOMACH AND I NOW HAVE A HEAVY VEGETABLE GARDEN GOING ON IN MY STOMACH...YEAH THAT MUST BE IT??!?!?!

I talked it over with my trainer today.....told him about my "bad thyroid", but he said, you are on medicine so that shouldn't be an issue.....talked to him about what i am eating....I'm bringing my food diary in to him tomorrow so he can take a closer look, although he has looked at it along the way just to see how I am doing.....he sees me at my workouts and knows I come for every workout whether it is with him or 1 on my own......

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
In the meantime, I will just continue to plug away.....I'm not giving up, I'm just going to work harder.....I am going to be successful at this - and get to my goal.............the next weigh in is just days away......but whatever the outcome, I am in this for the duration.....all 12 women are...just if you get eliminated, you do it "at home"...that is, you still go to the gym etc, but you don't go to the "filmings" at the gym or to the challenges...I'm a firm believer in....

-Whatever happens is meant to be
-I am in control here
-Hardwork is the way to go
-Keep a positive attitude and never give up!

So for those out there struggling with a "stuck scale", maybe we just need to push a bit harder, but most of all DON"T GIVE UP AND DON"T LOSE HOPE!

For today, keep a positive thought, visualize yourself at the end of your goal and if all else fails, go do some lyposuction.....ok, JUST KIDDING on the last part! It will come off, just don't lose hope!

1 final note......after speaking with my smart & adorable daughter Kelly......don't forget the LAWS OF ATTRACTION.....I WILL LOSE WEIGHT AT NEXT WEEK's WEIGH IN....

Monday, January 25, 2010

Day 18 - What are you SURE of????

So I knew Sunday was jam packed with lots of things to do......working out, church, errands to run, massage to have before my gift certificate expires, laundry, some work....you know the list....I knew FOR SURE I had to get these things done... which is probably why I was wide awake at 615am...ARE YOU KIDDING ME, my only day of the week to sleep in....oh well, rise and shine and start ticking those things off the "list"....

We always go to 6pm mass but Doug wanted to go earlier because of all the football playoffs, but I couldn't go to 1215pm mass (which is when he wanted to go) , because my massage was at 1pm...decisions, decisions, what to do first!?

I was SURE I should get an early start to the gym so off I went by 710a, only to get there and find on Sundays only, they don't open until 8am :(......DANG....
So not to lose any precious time, I was SURE I could just run home quick and still make it to 730am mass...(I was SURE I didn't want to go to church in my workout clothes!) ...well I made it by 735a...only to find out it started at 715a, gosh I was SURE it was 730a.....Oh well, I stayed after a bit and had a talk with the Man upstairs, to thank Him for his guidance and strength...I know the strength I find at the gym is NOT mine, I'm SURE about that one....so after Mass, I ran into the father of one of Kelly's former gradeschool classmates....I hadn't talked to him in a LONG time, so it was good to catch up and hear what his kids were doing, about his retirement he is looking forward to and on and on....I was SURE he remembered me as he asked about the kids, what they were doing and after about a 10 minute conversation, we both went to leave church and his parting words were "good to talk to you Diane" DIANE?!?!? I was SURE he knew who I was, but not so much....

Back home to spend some precious time with Emily, Luis and Hannah Isabel on the webcam before gym time....I was SURE they would be on for a visit and SURE enough they were...I loved hearing Hannah asking Emily (as they waited for the webcam to "turn on" "Is Gamma gonna be in the box"? And then when she wanted to get changed in her bedroom, she told me "Gamma, I'm gonna take you to my room, want to see my room?"as she and her mom "carried me (via computer) so I didn't miss anything in her room.....I'm SURE I am the luckiest Gamma ever...

Then time to head to the gym....I was SURE I was tired, but knew I had to get there and work through it....Off I went and once I got inside and hit the treadmill, and the sweat started beading up, I was SURE I could make it....50 minutes later, I headed to the next "beast", the eliptical and hopped on for another 40 minute ride.....I was SURE I could do it, until I suddenly realized as the sweat was flying that it was 1238pm and I had a massage appt at 1pm.....so off I jumped,showered and made it just in time at 1258pm....

I was SURE I would love the massage - a great opportunity to get the knots out and boy he did!
Doug had treated both Kelly and I to a couple massages and we had to get them in before they expired! Now that my daughter Kelly is almost licensed with Massage Therapy credentials, I won't have to go far for future massages, I'm SURE of that :)....

So by now, I'm SURE you get the message, some things you are SURE about and find out you are dead wrong and other times, you are SURE about something and right on target!

Today we had our workout at the gym where they film us every other Monday when we aren't doing challenges...(which will be televised on SHOW ME ST. LOUIS tomorrow..Tuesday at 3pm) ...Although I really try to focus on the workout and NOT the camera, COME ON, that is hard to do....I always hope they get me out of the way right away, but not today....no they wanted to see how long I could hang in there I guess... just what does a fifty something year old look like before they pass out from working out....

So 40 minutes, yes 4-0 minutes into the workout, I am sweating like a pig and here comes the old camera.....My trainer has me hoisting this 25 pound weight, first with a squat then up and around the back of my head 1 way then back the other way with another squat each time....I'm SURE I'm going to just hit myself in the head with this and wake up in the hospital....but I get through it....it must be because I saw the light, and then realized it was the camera light :( so I said to myself....suck it up and keep going...after 20 of those, I was SURE she would move on with the dang camera, but OHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOO, she stayed right there as I heard my trainer say those DREADED 2 words....2 little words.......................OK PLANKS...
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 45 minutes into my workout, filming for TV and now I have to try to do PLANKS!?! Ok....give it your best shot.....down I squat (not a pretty sight) then out I go, hovering and shaking....as he proceeds to tell me to now drop my forearms on the mat and HOLD...........................HOLD?????????????????????? MIRACLE AT CLUB FITNESS, that's what he was hoping for..... I held and then PLOPPED down, as my arms couldn't hold all that body weight! I heard my trainer say, UP AGAIN...so I hoisted the old body up again and shook a bit and that's when he told me to go from my forearms to my hands....kind of a reverse plank....
I thought, seriously, have you LOST YOUR MIND? But with the camera light still blinding me, up I went! Then just when you think it has to be over and nothing could get any worse, he tells me to do SIDE PLANKS....first 1 side -and then the other......OMG, what a humbling experience....It will be funny to watch though...I'm SURE of that, unless they realized that the editing floor may be better suited for that footage...

Yes, there are so many things I'm SURE of....
-How much I ADORE my family
-How blessed I am in so many ways
-How hard I am working at this
-How thankful I am for this opportunity.and that I am making the very best of it.....

For today, think about what you are SURE of - challenge yourself to find those SURE things in your life, and be grateful and work hard to keep them!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Day 16 - Mental or physical - I think both....

As much as I LOVE writing this blog, sometimes it is hard to fit it into my day....but I will definitely find the time as this provides such a great opportunity to share and dare....

Share all the challenges, fears, hopes, concerns, victories, challenges and of course, funny stories..
Dare you all to do the same!

So, since the big weigh in, I have been trying to bump up my level of workout...not necessarily timewise although I'm trying to add more minutes to build up my strength and endurance, but also put more into each workout....when my body feels like it is DONE, I'm trying to talk myself into 5 more minutes....just the same way my trainer, Tyler, does it.... I SWEAR when he sees me grabbing all I have and the sweat is dripping, that is when I hear "Okay, 10 more" or "5 more" if he really sees me fading....But now I know that is a GOOD thing....

I was talking to my neighbor, Randy, at the gym this morning....He is a runner and is participating in the "biggest loser" challenge at his work....not sure what he is trying to lose, but we all have some "storage deposits" somewhere we are anxious to part with...
I told him that I seriously have never pushed myself like this before. Mind you, I'm not going overboard here, but I really am starting to understand what "pushing yourself" is all about.
Before this experience, I would get a bit winded and there was a button inside of me that went off and said STOP, ENOUGH, YOU NEED TO SIT DOWN.....Now I realize I should have YANKED that button out of my head and thrown it away, as that was just when I was getting started.

Like last night for example, I was TIRED after another LONG day at work and long week....
about 7 1/2 hours on conference calls yesterday and squeezing emails etc inbetween the calls...so after 10 hours, I left work to head to the gym......I didn't even think about not going - let's face it, I know I have to FACE THE SCALE on TV - if that isn't motivation, nothing is! Sad, isn't it?!? Anyway, I got to the gym and was so tired and seriously knew I was going to do it, but also knew it was going to be tough as I was TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started with the ARC trainer, sort of a "skier" motion eliptical - bumped up to level 3 on interval and took off...whew those minutes were barely moving by.....finished my 30 minutes, wiped down the machine and headed to the next beast....the treadmill. That sucker beat me at the last challenge, so I needed to get more acquainted with it....so on I jumped (well JUMPED is rather a strong word here.....) and started at 3.2, then 3.5....got a steady quick walking pace of 3.5 and then every few minutes, would bump it to 4.0 for a minute run....then back to 3.5 or somewhere inbetween....just trying to keep my heart rate moving up and down....and that it was.... after 35 minutes later, I was really sweating but glad I had done it! At that point, I was tired, and very wet (I finally think that is a GOOD thing, the more I sweat, the more I feel I did!)....and that's when I thought, OKAY WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE LEFT IN YOU? So I moved over to the eliptical and finished it off with another 15 minutes... I was AMAZED, once I hoisted the old body up there and started going, I found some ENERGY I had stored down in some fat pockets somewhere....

THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE WHOLE MENTAL PART...don't get me wrong, the physical part is definitely a piece of this too, so for me, it is about balancing the 2 of them....AND MAKING SURE THE MENTAL PART REMINDS THE PHYSICAL PART TO KEEP GOING....

Today I was at the gym by 745a, warming up for my trainer to beat me up for an hour....and he came through with flying colors :).....Up, down, up down, planks, wall pushups, squats, lunges, weights....and some more BOXING! I love the boxing but it is hard - we moved on to jabs, hooks and undercuts....the coordination thing was a bit funny, but the workout was tough and great!!
I sure will look at boxing differently from now on - wow, that is expending some energy for sure!

Then off to the grocery store to load up on veggies, fruit, string cheese, yogurt, lean meat, fish....I barely recognized my basket....I was so proud of it - haha! The funniest part was when the checkout guy commented on all the fruits and veggies - he said "I'd like to see what your blood sugar is!"......Okay, not much of a pick up line...but it was great to hear! I didn't mention about what USED to be in the basket along with the fruits and veggies.....I think that was obvious from what is still hanging off my thighs, stomach etc, so no need to tell that.....but getting there...

So for today, challenge that MENTAL side as well as your PHYSICAL side! When you are tired and think you are done, go just 5 minutes more, WE CAN DO THIS! Have a great healthy, fun weekend!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Day 13 - "I deed it" :)

As my adorable almost 3 year old granddaughter, Hannah Isabel, would say:



I DEED IT!!!



I am NOT up for elimination - YAY!

I lost 10 pounds - YAY!

I didn't fall off the treadmill at the challenge - YAY



So, in case you missed the fun, on Monday, we had, of all things, a TREADMILL challenge!

What I didn't know is that I would be competing against the "fit" team that I was telling you all about before! So they line the 6 of us up on the treadmill and after a 2 minute warmup, they bump up the speed to 4.0 mph; which is a nice quick walking pace......3 minutes....feels more like 10 minutes...

After 3 minutes, they bump it up to 4.5 mph....okay, now I'm walking very fast and every so often have to do a little "mini run" to keep up so I don't slide off the end of the treadmill..and come on, did the clock stop or what...that can't only be 3 minutes............

Another 3 minutes, and they bump it up to 5.0 mph....okay, now I'm doing my own version of "running" and puffing in and out like I did when I gave birth 27 years ago....quite a pix of me on the tv if you haven't watched the comedy yet... about 20 seconds before they were going to bump it up to 5.5 mph, I jumped off......Of course, they filmed me as I leaned over the side of the treadmill trying to catch my breath again (dang radiation - I do know it isn't just radiation that did this to me, it's being out of shape too, but those 35 treatments on my lungs are responsible for some of this huffing, i'm sure of it!)..anyway, i'm sure it was a pretty funny sight.....



Next thing you see - the contest is over - all the running has stopped, but if you look down at me, I'm now back walking on the treadmill, the only one now as everyone else has stopped :)! You know me, I'm always a bit behind....



So 3 out of 6 on our team did get "pound advantages" for coming in 1st (3 pounds), 2nd (2 pounds) or 3rd (place)....the rest of us just had to be thankful that we didn't do a faceplant in the middle of a runaway treadmill....but just watch out, I'm going after that treadmill this week in my workouts....



So leaving there, I was a bit disappointed in myself, I knew I had done my very best...in fact there were times long before I quit that I thought I needed to quit, but just kept pushing myself (that is only because my trainer is helping me to realize I can push myself harder than I have been in the past!)....I had ridden with my trainer and another trainer, and riding home reminded me of those rides home in gradeschool, where you dropped the ball, your team lost, but your parents were still telling you how well you did....you all remember those.....but I did realize through listening to them that I DID DO WELL, I could or would never have done that before, so I had made some progress (plus I didn't chip any teeth by falling on the treadmill :))....so the point is, BE GOOD TO YOURSELF, CELEBRATE YOUR VICTORIES NO MATTER HOW SMALL!



I went back to my gym afterwards, did some more time on the eliptical, went home, walked the dog a while and called it a day......



TUESDAY was WEIGH IN DAY!!!! I felt good about what I had eaten and how much I had worked out...well I did until I got to the hospital where we weigh in....then I was hearing the other girls talking about what their trainers had them doing or not eating or blah blah blah....

and I started thinking - OH OH, did I do enough???Then I remembered the 1, 2, 3 pound advantages I was up against....



One by one my team got up there and by this time, I was so involved in celebrating each of their victory weight losses, I was teary eyed and happy! I knew whatever I had done, it was a victory for me too - and if I fell in the bottom 2, then I would have to figure that out too....

I stepped on the scale, unfortunately, I couldn't see the numbers because I left my glasses on my chair....but I just stood there and listened and waited....

starting weight ....189....

your weight today......................... 179!!!!!!!! You lost 10 pounds!!!



10 pounds - in 12 days - that's a record for me! I didn't starve or run a marathon but I did work as hard as I have ever worked and ate as healthy as I have ever eaten! I lost my cravings, I got over my soreness and I LOST 10 POUNDS! I was on cloud 9!



As they calculated up the scores, they soon announced who the bottom 2 were on our team who would be up for elimination....I waited as I really wasn't sure because I thought it was pretty close....then I realized my name was NOT called and although I was sad for those 2, I felt so good about my accomplishments thus far! As I'm sitting there PINCHING MYSELF, realizing that I really did make it through this first weigh in, the producer says,

OH WAIT A MINUTE, I FORGOT TO ADD IN THE POUND ADVANTAGES FOR THE 3 THAT GOT THEM ON THE CHALLENGE YESTERDAY....

I felt my heart sink to my toes................dang.....................I knew this was too good to be true.....Could I just sneak out of there now and not hear the rest??????????????????

But after a few more calculations on her calculator, she announced that the names she read were correct.............WHEW, I squeaked through on this one with my 5 plus percent weight loss.......



So, 2 more weeks of a trainer to help me on this journey......lucky me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to make the most of it....I realize now more than 13 days ago, that I'm stronger and I can push harder, do more, eat healthy and get this weight off! But mostly, I want to be able to breathe better when I run up the steps (or on a treadmill) and I know I can get better at that too! Who knows, I may go out for soccer.......after all, my son in law, Luis, is an awesome soccer coach, maybe he could coach me......JK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Luis, he was probably getting a little nervous just thinking about trying to coach me, his favorite mother in law :) on the soccer team - think I will remain on the sidelines for that sport..............

So today, I decided I'm going to take advantage of every extra step I can make - started off with walking up 3 flights of stairs to my doctor's visit this morning.....Yes, still winded, but I made it!
And YOU CAN TOO! Take the opportunity to walk a little further, push a little harder, say no to those temptations at lunch or dinner.....WE CAN DO THIS, in fact, WE ARE DOING THIS! Everyday, I hear more success stories! Blog them in here - let everyone know just what you did and what you are proud of!

So until tomorrow, pat yourself on the back, walk a little further, push yourself a little harder, get to that goal - don't let yourself be the barrier in the way!!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Day 10 - "Last chance workout weekend"

Well tomorrow is our first "challenge"! It will be the Determined Divas (my team) against the Fit & Fabulous team .. GO DETERMINED DIVAS!!!! I am meeting my trainer at Club Fitness at 815am to head out together to the Club Fitness in Ballwin, for a 9a-10a challenge - Can't wait to see what it is!



For any of you that watch "Biggest Loser", you know all about "last chance workouts"....well I am looking at this weekend as my "last chance workout weekend" before our 1st weighin (and elimination) on Tuesday!



Friday night, I kicked it in gear with my hour plus on the eliptical.....still can't believe I made it!



Saturday, I worked out with my trainer - we did lots of kick boxing and boxing, between planks, lunges & squats - wow, that seriously works up a sweat! But it was fun! Plus I did some time on the eliptical and treadmill. In the afternoon, I went to a fun baby shower and passed up everything! No chips, no nuts, no pasta con broccoli, dollar roll sandwiches, cake, iced sugar cookies, m&m's (my favorite!) & white chocolate cute little homemade baby item shaped candies.....I clearly remember from Weight Watchers about "planning ahead", so I fixed a big protein shake (ultra meal dutch chocolate with ice cubes, water and a frozen banana - YUM) and waited until I got there to have it....It worked really well! OMG, thank goodness I brought that or it would have been DANGER AHEAD! I had a great time, even without eating any of the temptations lurking all around me.....



Sunday (today) I went back for another round on the eliptical, 1 hour 5 minutes 15 seconds (but who was counting :) - I'm not totally sure about the "seconds" part :).... After that I did about 5 planks and tried to hold up as long as I could and then hold 10 seconds more....whew, the belly was shaking! I plan on doing a few up/down the steps at home tonight, just to keep the burning going....



When I went into Kohl's on Saturday after my "boxing", I could still feel my body burning, really weird... I was still sweating! I did email Tyler, my trainer, just to make sure that was normal. I feel that more now after I workout, so that must be a good thing! Tyler told me that my body should feel like that when we are done but only for a short period....so that's good!

Hard to believe this is DAY 10!
But with 10 days into LOSE A TON, I know I have given my very best .....my diet has been great, I'm exercising 6 days per week (and walking on the 7th per my trainer - have to let the body rest a bit)....I can't wait to see what Tuesday's weigh in day brings - and whatever it brings, I will be happy with what I have accomplished thus far!!!


Just to refresh your memory, this is how it works..



On Tuesday, both teams weigh in...Each team is comprised of 6 women and the bottom 2 women from EACH team will be up for elimination... What happens next is the 4 women will be named on the website as the "bottom 4" and JOHN Q PUBLIC (that's where YOU come in :) will be asked to vote (on the website) for the 1 woman from EACH team that you would like to stay....I'm hoping that I don't fall "below the yellow line", but if I do, I will be asking for your vote to stay in this contest! I've worked very hard, but I know the other 11 women have also!

As far as when this will be on Show Me St. Louis:

Monday's challenge will be filmed tomorrow and will air on this Tuesday.
Tuesday's weigh in will be filmed and will air on this Wednesday.
That means whoever falls into the bottom 4 (I'm thinking positive here) would be asking for votes from Wednesday on.....

Thanks for the tremendous support and love I have felt already on this journey.....I only hope that if you are reading this, you are finding some inspiration, hope, ideas & confidence for your journey as well!

Here's the link to KDSK site which will have all the updates as well.

http://www.ksdk.com/sales/splash/lose_ton/default.aspx?menuid=129

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Until tomorrow, laugh hard, and often, laughter is truly the best medicine for the soul. But don't forget the medicine for the body - GET OFF THE COUCH :).....ok, AFTER the football games....

Friday, January 15, 2010

Day 8 - What's new?

What's new? Gosh, I must use that question over and over in conversations with friends, neighbors, kids, etc.....but I know sometimes, I just don't really realize all that is REALLY NEW!?

For example, if you asked me what's new in the last 8 days since I started this journey, I would have lots of new things to name:

-Muscle soreness - Now that is something I haven't had (unfortunately) for a LONG time, but don't worry, I'm definitely making up for "lost sore muscle time"....I'm actually glad to know that the time I'm putting in is causing something to start happening to my muscles!

-New workout clothes :) - Thanks Kelly for my birthday clothes and Doug too! What a treat to not be wearing my 10 year old sweats!

-More energy - Although I drag into the gym sometimes, I definitely pick up my step on the way out and that's not because I'm trying to run away from the trainer! No doubt about it, working out gives you more energy and also helps rid the stress!

-Healthier meals are definitely new! I thought I was doing okay before but now it seems that I have most of the processed foods out of my diet....feels good, i'm full and satisfied and don't even really miss the well, I hate to say the word outloud, but it starts with a "cho" and ends with "late" with a "c" in the middle.....btw, had my very first "black bean burger" today - OMG, I had no idea what I was missing - with a little pico de gallo on the side YUM!!!!!!!!! If you haven't tried one, I would recommend it...they took a while to cook it at work, and as I saw it on the grill, it looked like this flat, burnt disc that I could sail through the air...but once I got it on the plate, it was toasted perfectly on the outside and great on the inside with a little salsa for dipping with broccoli and cauliflower on the side!
Don't be turning your nose up, you haven't even tried it yet! Be adventurous!

-More determination - My Lose a Ton group is ironically named "Determined Divas" - I didn't come up with the name, but it suits us! That determination came in handy tonight as I trudged into the gym after working from 6a-430p....I got on the elipical and was going to go to 30 minutes and then head to another machine....when i started the machine, it automatically went to 60 minutes and I thought well I will just stop it at 30. and move to another machine for the last 15 minutes ...but as I was puffing along, I decided I could do this, I could make it 60 minutes on the eliptical.....and I kept the pace up with interval hills....at 41 minutes into it, I was watching Friends episodes and the commercials went from some "skinny" pill that they were advertising to Hershey Kisses on the next ad...at that point, I decided I was just going to go "whole hog" and make it to 60.....By this point, the news was on and it was all on Haiti...as I watched the tremendous pain and suffering going on there, I pedaled ahead in thanksgiving and prayer for all I had - I was choosing to stand there and sweat, with water at my side and a towel to wripe my brow.... how lucky I was! If I couldn't finish this small task vs what these people are up against....well I just knew I had to at this point! So as I pedaled to 60 minutes, I was so happy and proud of myself....then it went to 5 more "cool down" minutes....but I stayed on to the end..and about fell off the machine after that.....

-Another thing new is the KSDK Channel 5 Website - Under the "programming" tab > Show Me St. Louis > Lose a Ton - it's all updated now with the bios we wrote and all the videos taken to date....I'm part of Group 1 and we have our first team challenge next Monday at the Ballwin Club Fitness, don't know what we will be doing, but looking forward to it! There's also a link on the website that will show you all my "competitors"...I have my work cut out for me, that's for sure!
It is a great group of determined women I'm up against, but I"m giving it my best shot!http://www.ksdk.com/sales/splash/lose_ton/default.aspx?menuid=129

Our first weigh is in next Tuesday, so I'm making this long 3 day weekend count with some hard workouts each day! Bottom 2 women with the lowest percentage of weight loss from each team are up for elimination....I don't want that to be me!!! 1 woman from each team will be leaving the on air competition 1 week from today....who goes home is based on who is voted on to stay! More on that later...

Continuing on with "what's new"......

What's new are all of the exciting health updates from friends lately...

-My friend Julie and her family are going to be part of a Wash University weight study - sounds like a tremendous opportunity for the whole family! I'm with you all the way Julie!
-My friend Stacey has managed to lose enough weight that her brand new "Christmas jeans" are already too big - WOW - awesome news!
-My friend Sarah continued her weight loss through the holidays and has lost more weight since the 1st of the year - GO SARAH!
-Another friend at work is doing a healthy eating plan as well and actually detoxifying along the way...
-My friend Debby is watching her portion control and "dancing" at night - she prefers dancing over exercise and either works as it gets us off the couch!

These are just a few of the "new things" I've heard that are going on....what's new with you? PLEASE share with us your inspiring victories as we all travel on this road to better health and loose pants :).

Until tomorrow, prayers for my cousin and Aunt as we say goodbye to my sweet Uncle Charles who passed away today - we will dearly miss him - he was a wonderful man....prayers and hope and peace for all in Haiti
and
wishing everyone that whatever is NEW in your life - brings you the hope, peace and strength you need on your journey and that you share it with the rest of us!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Day 6 - Has anyone seen my time, I seem to have lost it...

How can it possibly be 925pm? Seems like only minutes ago, I was turning off the alarm clock and jumping out of bed....well maybe "jumping" is overstating it a bit, although my soreness is better today....

Get into work by 715am - the day whizzed by between conference calls, emails, projects, word docs, spreadsheets, not to mention my hard boiled egg, yogurt & blueberries, followed by lunch of chicken, raw veggies and blueberries/strawberries, high fiber muffin with a small smear of Smart Balance PB.....then whoosh....change into my gym clothese and run out of work by 5pm to the gym....

Here goes.....10 minute warm up on the bike, then about 30 minutes INTENSE with the trainer until I was sweating and kept thinking "isn't it 630p yet?" followed by 30 minutes on the eliptical......climb off the machine and wipe it down (all that sweat!), and slowly make my way to the locker room.....sit down and drink a big gulp or 3 of water......I happen to catch this RED FACED woman in the mirror - HOLY COW, is that me? My trainer decided that since I am back tomorrow night for another hour, he would do 30 minutes tonight followed by 30 on the machines so tomorrow we could do a full hour workout on the floor YIKES followed by who knows what else!? I can do this, I can do this, I can do this... I want to do this....I want to do this....

After resting a few minutes, I get my coat on and head outside - temp is a balmy 40 something today - yahoo, snow is melting....spring is coming (the power of positive thinking....)... now off to Dierbergs...they have become my personal chef.....order some baked fish with Mrs. Dash and head home.....

It is now 730p and I'm walking in the door - STARVING! Well not really, but it just feels like it.... Heat up my veggies and fish and Doug and I sit down to watch the episode of Biggest Loser that aired last night (Last night I was working out at my sister's gym so I missed it!)....

I must say that watching Biggest Loser now means more than it EVER did before....I can really feel their pain. Although I'm not screaming in the gym (YET), I can understand their venting and crying....But I am grateful....grateful for this opportunity, grateful for the sore muscles, grateful for actually looking FORWARD to the foods I'm eating each day, grateful for the hot shower and nice warm bed......

As I worked through the 30 minutes on the eliptical with my sore muscles and the ramdom hills I set up, I was watching the national news....I didn't have my headphones on, but didn't need them to see what was happening....It was picture after picture of Haiti and all the devastation there......It was hard for me to think about any of this challenge, job, family, at that point..all I could think of was THEIR struggle and how mine suddenly seems light as a feather.

Until next time, please say a prayer or think a good thought for all those poor folks in Haiti. Better yet, consider sending a small gift to the American Red Cross.....We are fighting a battle of health, but they are fighting the battle of their life.....Please keep them in your prayers....

Now I'm off to a hot shower, food journaling, pack my gym bag for tomorrow and fall into my nice bed! How lucky I am!!!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Day 4 - 56 years ago...................

Guess what I got for my birthday today? PLANKS! Actually PAINFUL PLANKS! If you don't know what they are, let me describe them for you......

Get face down on the ground, and lay out on your forearms, with your hands fisted (maybe he had me fist mine because I kept trying to clasp my hands - now I realize I was probably trying to say a quick prayer for some gravity to help hold me up off the ground!), arms shoulder width apart......extend your legs all the way behind you and get on your toes (mind you, you are facing the floor), then (AND THIS IS THE HARD PART) drop your butt down so you are even with the floor, YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT - EVEN WITH THE FLOOR, just barely hovering above it, and then just HOLD! ACtually, he should have told me to HOLD AND SHAKE....because you see, as you are "planking", any excess fat on your body begins to try to shake off, first a little and the longer you PLANK, the more shaking you have going on.....about that time, the trainer says "HOLD 20 more seconds or we will have to START OVER" - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? START OVER!!!! NO WAY, I"LL JUST SHAKE AND HOLD, thank you...

BUT, THE GOOD NEWS (and there is always good news :)), is:

I DEED IT! (that is the way my precious little Hannah says "I did it" .... and that is exactly what I said to myself every time I completed something at the group workout today.....

We met at the gym at 9a as we meet every Monday at 9am either at the gym or at some remote location for a "challenge". Today was the first week so it was at the gym and the cameras were rolling to catch all the proud moments....

First we lined up with our trainers and introduced both of us on camera....sounded so weird to say "and this is MY trainer, Tyler"......although I must admit, I'm getting to like the idea of having "my trainer"....hope it lasts longer than next week! Then we did a group shot and rolled the camera for a little footage of the workout....

I was so hoping he wouldn't film me doing any squats or lunges..seriously, I wasn't sure if I could ever sit down or get up again without pain after the last 4 days....I think my intense prayers at church were answered today because I awoke and could get out of bed much easier today. But I still didn't want the camera on me doing lunges or squats - people would think it was a comedy show they were watching! But once we started our individual workouts, I was so focused on trying to get through each exercise he had me do, I didn't even SEE the cameraman filming me, from the side, so he could capture the fact that I have 2 chins to work on & that I was kind of panting through the particular "push up" that he caught me on....but that's okay, maybe by the next time he films me, I'll be down to 1 3/4 chin.....and off the oxygen tank...

We went quickly from 1 thing to the next....I pulled the old body down on the floor, stand up, pull weights, push weights, run on the treadmill, jump off the treadmill, run on the treadmill, pushups, planks, did I mention "side planks" - those were fun too! Good news though, I did the "weighted ball exercise" today with a heavier ball - remember this was the one that about made me puke a few days ago, but I DEED it this time! Barely, but I made it.....

Then, he helped me stretch out...that was great....I think that will really help with some of the soreness although I did start feeling some of the "leftover torn muscles" tonight while having my birthday dinner of baked fish and vegetables...for my dessert I treated myself to a piece of celery with a tiny smear of smart balance peanut butter! YUM! And all this time, I thought I needed German Chocolate Cake...wait, did I actually say GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE??? as in the birthday cake my mom made me my whole life.....oh wait a minute, that is probably what I'm still carrying around...56 years of GC cake....ok, the celery was a much better choice.

It was great to finally start meeting some of the other contestants and start "bonding"...for anyone that knows me, you know I'm a "bonder". I must admit it was also good to see that all of us were worn out and had that "I was run over by a garbage truck" look at the end of the workout! But also good that we all got the job done! Lots of determination out there....

Speaking of "determination", our group 1's name is 'Determined Divas" vs Group 2 is "Fit & Fabulous"...Looking forward to next week when the Determined Divas take on Fit & FAbulous in the first challenge of the season....I don't know where or when yet, but will keep you posted here when I know...I had to resort to blogging every other day, as this fitness routine stuff takes a lot of time and I know you all want me to give it everything I got! I'm doing that, believe me, so whatever happens, I know I gave it my very best shot!!

But truly the best present of today was Hannah, my almost 3 year old granddaughter, who lives in the United Arab Emirates, calling me up and sing Happy Birthday to her "gamma"...ah yes, the whole workout was worth every second of pain and challenge tonight...because I want to be healthy and live a long time watching her and the one due in March and any others that will be coming later....grow up.....this is going to help me get there for sure!

BTW, today's filming is scheduled to be aired tomorrow on SHOW ME ST. LOUIS, 3pm on Channel 5...if you need an entertaining 30 minute show to watch, that may give you a few laughs and inspire you to remember that anyone can do this!!! YOU are the only obstacle in the way!

Thanks too to my sweet sister Kathy who made a totally healthy birthday dinner for me on Sunday and I just said NO to the cake that my cousin Cindy brought over...I was really glad to have the challenge of saying no and watching others eat it....it was okay actually and after they finished up their last crumbs, my friend Debby and I both were thankful it didn't go into our pieholes!

Until tomorrow, be thankful for each birthday, no matter the age, it is another year to enjoy all the blessings in your life and achieve all the dreams in your heart!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Day 2 - We've only just begun (sing along with the Carpenters...)

Day 2 - Wow, didn't know I could get quite this sore in just 2 days....well actually 3, as I did meet with my trainer for a mini workout on Thursday; 45 minutes on Friday (3o on the eliptical - miracle! and 15 after that on the bike) and then today............well today may take a bit longer than a 1/2 sentence...

Got to the gym at 745a, as my trainer wanted me to do 10 minutes on the bike before we started our workout....I did 15 :) minutes and then met up with my trainer..
Then it started...... Tyler (my trainer) took me through a series of things from step up/down on the steps to using some of the machines, to using the hand weights.....squats....weights....big ball....variations of push ups.....I was working up quite a sweat and huffing and puffing but kept on going....I could hear all those biggest loser shows rerunning in my head.....it is up to you, you can do it...blah blah blah....I especially started hearing the "blah blah blah" part...

Tyler had planned a 10 minute warmup, and 35 minute workout today followed by another 30 minutes on the bike.... I had finished with a few "planks" OMG, those were painful.....and was on the last exercise...
Squat down (by this time, I could barely squat from the last 3 days feeling every inch I went down but I kept trying) with weighted ball in hand - touch the right side of my right foot and then come up (which hurts coming up as bad as squating down) while lifting the freakin weighted ball with me and lifting it up over my head to the left!

Sounds a lot easier when I type it, but it was hard and I was just finishing up on the right side and all of the sudden......I felt like I was on the Biggest Loser on their "last chance workout", I thought I was going to PUKE!

I didn't say anything right away but then realized if I didn't, he probably wouldn't be happy if it just happened right there....I was looking around to find the nearest trash can, JUST IN CASE, and he could tell, something wasn't right....so I said "have you ever had anyone throw up while you were training them?" I seriously can't even remember now what he said -other than asking if I was having "cold sweats" too....which I wasnt... but remember he told me to go into the locker room and "take whatever time I need".....what a nice guy.....I walked in there with my tail between my legs, thinking, YOU LOSER! I went and got a drink and sat in the locker room for 1 minute (watching the clock) and then went back out there......He decided to not do my left side on that last exercise, although I believe I did offer..

We then went and sat for a few minutes and went through lots of nutrition/diet tips and plans..
Followed by another 35 minutes on the bike...
I had about 5 minutes left on the bike and this guy who must have been about 90 years old (well maybe 80, but he was older than me by several years!) sat down on the bike next to me......I guess he thought this was the "senior workout area".....

When I finally got off the bike, my legs were a bit shaky, but I tried to act perfectly natural making my way to the locker room, grabbing my stuff and trying to walk out of there.....wish I could have taped me, as I can imagine that I was walking a little stiff along the way...kind of like when you get numbed up at the dentist and don't think anyone can tell...

So I came home, drank lots of water (heard that helps get the lactic acid out of your body which is what makes you sore...I think I have that right), fixed a protein shake (yum, my brother Michael, who is a phenomenal Chiropractor among many other things, fixed me up with the Metagenics Ultra Meal - chocolate of course, and I popped a frozen banana and ice chips and some water and put in the blender - delicious!)....I heard Carbs before a workout (i had a banana - something light a bit before you work out) and protein afterwards (to help with the "tearing muscle" thing I told you about the other day - well now I understand the "tearing" part better)

So it has been about 12 hours since my last workout, and i feel great until I start to get up or sit down...I did come home, go to lunch with some friends, go to the store, cleaned the bathroom, cleaned the kitchen floor, moved some Christmas dec tubs.....but it is just that dang getting up and down that is bad (I may need to get one of those HIGH toilet seats -ha - that will save me getting one in about 20 years)

The first show aired yesterday on SHOW ME ST. LOUIS - channel 5 at 3pm. The website indicated that they will be airing our workouts on tuesday, eliminations on wednesday.....but as soon as I get more details, I'll pass it along. We meet every Monday (the whole group) at the same gym or some random location to do a challenge - they will alternate the gym 1 Monday and a "challenge location" the next.... the rest of the week we all go to our own gym locations and work with our individual trainers. The Monday workouts/challenges will be filmed and supposedly shown on Tuesdays on the Show Me St. Louis 3pm shows....In the meantime, I will be meeting with my trainer 4 days a week and 2 days on my own at the gym...he wants me to rest my weary bones/muscles and leftover fat on 1 day of the week.

Looks like the group of 12 women in the contest range from early 20's to mid 50's....I may be the "senior" on board. The weight range is from the 160's to 1 person just over 300 pounds.....my weight is 189, so I fall in the middle.....yes, that is my "high" weight, the exact same weight I started when I did Weight Watchers a few years ago and lost 30 pounds...and kept most of it off until last Spring.....
Just got an email yesterday that said I'm in "group 1" so they are breaking the 12 women into 2 teams for the challenges - should be fun!

Well, having a late dinner tonight, but no CARBS after lunch....so will opt for some protein and veggies, which sounds delicious - I'm hungry!

Until tomorrow, fit in some exercise, rest, fun, and healthy eating....."we've only just begun" but we are on our way!!


PS I noticed that 9 of the 12 contestants videos are now on the KSDK CHannel 5 website, but apparently me and 2 others have not been uploaded yet...if they upload them I will let you know in case you want to see how "Day 1" on the air went....

Thursday, January 7, 2010

True confessions of an "ex" dieter.......

True confessions, huh? Sounds like I've been reading too many magazines in the grocery checkout....but on this journey of honesty and health, I just HAVE to share this, painful as it is...

So today was the official "weigh in". I took 1/2 vacation day and went over to Christian NE Hospital for my 1pm "weigh in" and nutrition class. Last night, I kept thinking about the "big day". This morning, after waking up to lots of snow, I hurried into work for my 7a conference call, followed by another one starting at 8a until 12n..... I got to work about 640a, hoping to grab some breakfast - come on, it was my last opportunity before WEIGH IN! By the time I got settled in, I grabbed some hot tea, but didn't have time to get to the cafeteria for breakfast, so I pulled open my trusty desk drawer and found a weight watcher's muffin. I ate 1/2 of it, my stomach was a little upset, I'm sure "pre weigh in jitters".....so fast forward 4 hours and all of the sudden it is 12:05p, I'm still at work, and need to be up at Christian Northeast by 1pm! It is snowing a bit, plus we still have plenty on the roads, so up I jump and out I run to the car....

I get in the car and suddenly realize, I have barely eaten a thing today and I'm HUNGRY! But I don't really have time to eat,,,, but I have to eat......but I don't have time to eat (this is me talking to me myself in the car :)..... So I head into Dierbergs, and immediately found myself in front of the....well....ummmmmmm..........err.....................KRISPY KREMES.....

You know my sister Kathy and I always made it a point to stop for a Hostess snack on our way to the first Weight Watchers weigh in.....crazy thing I know, but it is just something the "dieters" do....anybody out there relate??????

Anyway, back to Dierbergs and me face to face with the whole shelf of KRISPY KREMES staring at me, daring me to partake.....well, I convinced myself, I don't have time for anything else, except maybe some low fat chocolate milk.....GREAT LUNCH HUH!? Pathetic story, but a "true confession of an ex dieter".... So I get in the car and head out to the highway.....and started eating the donut and realized it wasn't what I wanted at all....I NEVER had the intention of eating all 6 of them, but that is the only way you can buy them...I figured I would eat a couple and bring the rest into work...you know work, it's like "Mikey" they will eat "anything" :)... So YES, I ate 1 donut (yes, I stopped at 1!) and drank some of the milk (chocolate milk is my "drink of choice" so had to have that too!) and then put it all away.....I knew I was done with the KK (don't want to keep typing out that name and tempting anyone out there) and also the rest of the milk.....It didn't make me feel any better and I knew it wasn't doing much for my arteries.....

I got to the "Diabetes Institute" at Christian NE hospital (ironic that we were meeting at the Diabetes Institute after my "donut" lunch), brushed off the donut crumbs and marched up all the steps (yes, took the steps, instead of the ramp, I just ate a donut, remember?).....We weighed in without a camera - it didn't disappoint me too much - ha! Turns out the cameras will be there for all weigh ins going forward, so when we weigh in on Jan 19th (and it airs the following Friday) the cameras will be rolling.... Had an awesome nutrition class (happy to share all the details of it with any that are interested but will share more details in my next blog) .... I noticed that donuts weren't mentioned in the nutrition class and I didn't choose to share my "lunch details" with the group either...although I wonder how many of them had their "last lunch" on the way..... The stop at Dierbergs wasn't planned at all, I had brought some soup for lunch but when the time got away from me, I just made a poor choice....

I guess that just reminds me of the need for PLANNING AHEAD! I thought all the PLANNING was done, but it is only beginning....After I left the Diabetes Institute, I went straight to Schnucks....this time, no donut, no chocolate milk....but lots of fruits, veggies, chicken....I will be prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner tomorrow! Tonight I head to the gym to meet my trainer, 7pm..... today i learned about the lactic acid build up after working out (and thus the soreness that follows) so the solution is drinking LOTS of water, during and after the workout, followed by some protein afterwards to help repair the muscles I will be tearing at 7pm (DID THEY HAVE TO TELL ME MY MUSCLES WOULD BE TEARING?!?!!?)....

So for those that see me every day, you will recognize me coming in tomorrow and the day after and after, I will be walking a little slower, especially up/down the steps, but I'll be there and each day will get a bit easier I know!

And by the way, I"M NOT DIETING, I"M CHANGING my lifestyle.... I have heard a million times...and I know "diets don't work!" - Even if they do, the weight will come right back when I stop the "diet"....so I'm choosing to not call it a "diet" and thus "true confessions of an "EX" dieter!

Until tomorrow, when I share some of the great tips I learned today about nutrition and a bit more about the other competitors.....make it a good day, get some exercise, eat some veggies and JUST SAY NO to donuts!

PS Exciting news - my good friend Debby is already starting her weight loss program....she is drinking lots of water and cutting back on her portions! Another friend asked me to share more about the diet as she plans to follow along as well.... I think that is the most exciting thing about all of this - WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!

I'll leave you with an amazing quote that my sweet sister Sharon sent me...she always knows just what to do or say....this is about COMMITMENT - so perfect timing...thanks Sharon - miss you!

ON COMMITMENT
Until one is committed, there is the chance to draw back, always ineffective, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation). There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue forth from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has a genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
GOETHE

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Day -2 Time to get pumped......

Time to get pumped......tomorrow is weigh in day and workout night! Never thought I would get excited about weighing in. Well actually it isn't about weighing in, it is more about a new beginning.....

Yesterday the producer of the show emailed us to send in a "bio and some pictures". Assuming it will be posted somewhere on the KSDK Channel 5 website under the LOSE A TON section after Friday. Then today I got a call saying the interviews scheduled for 9a tomorrow were moved to 330p today due to the heavy snow forecast tonight and tomorrow. They told us to bring pictures and "goal clothes" if we had any. "Goal clothes"? I have lots of those - I can bring 1 size for my goal for week 1, another size for my goal for week 2.....and so on....am I the only one with different sizes in my closet?

I got downtown early as there was no traffic. I just sat in the lobby and talked with the security guard until a few more of my "competitors" arrived.......There was a young girl who told me she had already worked out with her trainer 4 times and was so sore she couldn't walk up the steps.....then there was another gal probably late 30's or early 40's - she too had already done a session with her trainer and had been on the eliptical for 30 minutes! WHAT!?!?!? Are you kidding me?!?!? 30 minutes???? Uh oh, I better get busy...and the 3rd lady seemed to be closer to my age (at least I thought she was, she may have been much younger!) - she also had seen her trainer and started working out and said she was sore too.....

Have I seen my trainer yet? No :( - I was supposed to go last night, but he was sick. I go for my first session tomorrow night at 7p.....good way to follow up the official weigh in tomorrow afternoon. And I am ready to be sore (although you may have to remind me I said that in a few days...) Anyway, back to the interviews today.....

It was a very casual interview. They asked me to sit on the stool and look at the BRIGHT light and I do mean BRIGHT! I couldn't even see her! She just started asking me all kinds of questions.... why did I want to do this? tell me about your family? what food will you miss most? and on and on...I'm sure they will edit out most of it, which is good, because seriously I felt like I was stammering through the interview, blinded by the light.....and thus my TV air time begins - ha! I brought all my signs that Kelly had posted in the house the day I found out I had made the show....I also brought a bag of "treats" for them - I had to clean out the cupboard and so I brought it to them! I think they were eating them by the time I was walking up the stairs!

I came home and started taking Christmas decorations down.....seems like everything in the house is going through a "shedding" stage - OUT with the old, IN with the new!

Had some great church time tonight at Encounter - awesome, inspiring talk by a friend, Bobby Keppel, and some great music to just give me that last bit of courage and confidence to move ahead and do this!

So what next? Time to get going on this plan....time to execute....planning stage is ending, I'm ready to deploy this project! Oops, this "project" is me....but you know what I mean...

Hope you are still going to come along and see what differences you can make in your life too!
It's easy at this point to just say, nah, I think I will just "wait" or "I'll start later" or "I don't have time for this now".....believe me, NOW is the time....TODAY is the day....what the heck are you waiting for? I don't know about you, but I'm tired of waiting.....

BTW, the interviews are scheduled to air this Friday, January 8th, 3pm on SHOW ME ST. LOUIS - should be interesting!!!! Wish me luck, as I do you!!! More on the weigh in and 1st workout tomorrow....I'm assuming the only thing that won't be sore are my fingers, so I should be able to do the blog :)...

Until tomorrow, sleep well and dream about the new you!!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Day -3 - I'm scared, I'm excited, but mostly I'm thankful!

Today I was talking to my friend Sarah at work....we are both on a mission to lose some weight...she knows about this great "LOSE A TON" opportunity that I am starting on Thursday...she said to me "are you fired up?" I answered "YES, and you?" She said "Yes" and I remarked, "we are in this together!" To which she answered "But you are in the SPOTLIGHT"

YIKES! SPOTLIGHT!?!?!?!? I hadn't stopped long enough since I found out I got picked to participate to even think about that part...................but now with only 2 days before the weigh in, it is hitting me harder than ever...

Good news is (and there is always good news!) there's no "sports bra" weigh in, like the BIGGEST LOSER (I'm praying that I'm right on this one!)....

Bad news, or rather, the SCARY news, is yes, WHOLE WORLD OUT THERE, in 2 days you can see how rotund I have become and how much weight I can pack in my "full figure" frame :)! In otherwords, I am overweight and will be coming face to face with a large number in 2 days.....but even worse, I'm going to share that big number with all of you, not to mention TV LAND......

Ok, whew, I feel better - it still won't be easy, but at least I said it outloud...there's a BIG number coming....sometimes that is a big part of starting the journey....and I'll also promise, that BIG number will be going down too!

Do I like the SPOTLIGHT?
Not really, I'm more of a "let's all do this together"....
Am I afraid in front of people?
No, not at all when I'm teaching a class, or doing a presentation, or even singing a song with one of my siblings (like we do when there are 2 or more people gathered in a room),
but WEIGHING in front of the world.....now that's a tough spotlight!

That being said, I'm so thankful (am I really saying this??!?!) for that spotlight, because I know it is going to push me to a new level of getting healthier than ever! AND I hope that it also pushes some of my dear friends and family to that same level.
Yes, I know, I'm the one with the mug on TV - oh great, I hear that TV adds 10 pounds too :(
however, YOU (and YOU know who YOU are) are the ones with the opportunity at hand as well....

Why will this work for US this time?
-Because it always works better when you have a buddy and I'm your "buddy" :)
-Because WE want it to work and WE are willing to do what it takes because WE know that there are a bunch of us going through the same thing
-Because we are TIRED of tight pants, belly rolls and getting out of chairs needing to give ourselves an extra push.
-Because we realize we are not getting any younger or any thinner by doing it the way we are doing it now and we are tired of waiting for "it" to happen....
-Spring is just around the corner (hard to believe on these sub zero days) but it won't be long and we will have to start shedding these heavy winter sweaters...the arms will be visible again :)
-Yes, I think we all know....
THE TIME HAS COME

So goodbye ding dongs, chips, pizza, and all of you other fair weathered, fat producing pseudo "friends" - (HA, I haven't had a ding dong in a long time, but unfortunately I've had plenty of other relatives of the ding dong family....)

Hello to my old colorful, healthy friends....carrots, celery, berries, bananas.....remember me?

Hello to my new 2nd home (Club Fitness) and new trainer (hope he is up for this challenge - ha!)
Lucky for me, between my daughter, nicknamed "Kellian" and friends like Melinda and Vita and Suzanne, they will get me in that gym and keep me there......I've already asked and they told me it is okay if I can't do it all on day 1, as long as I don't give up and keep trying.....

As I watched the season premiere of Biggest Loser tonight, I saw myself on the scale, in the gym, sweating and working hard......I felt their pain (even though I was sitting the couch; come on, I have 2 days - I need to rest up a little bit!) and felt the joy of their success with their weight loss. I reminded myself, I CAN DO THIS and YOU CAN TOO!

Seriously, I hope you are ready.......

Until tomorrow, keep drinking the water, journaling the food and visualizing your success ahead!
It's really happening...............

PS Time to get rid of all the junk food - get it out of the house now!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Day -4 - You ate it, you write it down!

Back to work today after a nice long vacation off... After all the "water facts" yesterday, I went right into work and I filled up my HUGE water jug and realized about 530p that I still had a 1/2 jug left.....so I stood at my desk, with my coat on, and just kept drinking until I finished the last drop.... I felt like I was floating but was happy with myself that I did it! It is amazing how you can make yourself feel good about the little accomplishments!

What's my next plan of action..... WRITE IT DOWN..

-So here goes, it if goes in the pie hole, it goes down in the journal - why?
Lots of good reasons....

-I need to see exactly what I am eating. If they are poor food choices, it will make me very aware and if they are good food choices, it will make me feel good about that day of eating! If I'm not losing weight, I can go back and see why...
-This will help me ensure I'm getting at least 5 servings of fruits/veggies a day - harder to do than you think!
-If I choose to count my calories, it will be much easier to do with a food journal
-If I have to write it down, I won't have that extra serving or that candy bar! Who wants to
have to write that down???
-Sometimes I just eat and then don't even realize all I have eaten....writing it down will eliminate that bad "boredom eating" for sure!
-Along with recording what I'm eating, I may also add how I'm feeling, especially on a really bad or really good day. Why? Because I want to better understand exactly what drove me to those choices that day, whether they are good or not so good!

I'm choosing a small journal that fits in my purse so I have it with me at all times - in fact, I was just about to throw out my last year's calendar book which is basically empty, since I never write anything down in there! So instead, I will fill up those pages with my food journaling using the right calendar date! Now there's a green tip for you!

So my whole point of this is to get healthy by losing some pounds and exercising! So here's a fun list to help you visualize what you are losing based on the pounds you lose.... Thanks to Tricia from work for providing this entertaining list......not sure where it came from, but it is quite interesting...

I thought I wanted to lose the cheese an American eats in a year but I think i'm going to go for the mid size microwave instead :) - which one are you choosing?

A way to visualize what you are losing!

1 pound = a Guinea Pig /4 sticks of butter
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a human's skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant's heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds =an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11")
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount oftrash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds =refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's 5'4")
150 pounds = thecomplete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 pounds = an average football lineman
400 pounds = a Welsh pony"

Until tomorrow, keep drinking the water, and start writing down what you are eating....we are getting close to weigh in day......coming on Thursday!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Day -4 - Let's continue to "toast" to the new decade...with about a gallon of water a day!

Water...H2O - whatever you want to call it....YOU need it, I need it, EVERYONE needs it!



From babies on, we started drinking water.... we swam in water....we bathed in water.... we used water for our squirt guns, in our recipes, drank it out of the hose....ran through the sprinkler...2/3 of our body weight is water and over 70 percent of the earth's surface is covered with water... no wonder it plays such an important role in our lives!



How much do we need? Why should we drink it? What does it do for me?
Keep reading, Google gave me all kinds of interesting things to share...........

How much water should I drink each day?


Any diet, weight loss, or "how to get healthy" article will tell you about the same thing.
-Drink 8-10 glasses a day or more.... One source said to divide your body weight in half and that number represents the number of ounces of water you should drink daily. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water each day....

However, it is recommended if you:

-EXERCISE - Drink another 8 ounces for every 20 minutes you work out.

-ALCOHOL - Drink extra water that equals the amount of alcohol consumed that day.

-TRAVELING BY PLANE - Drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you are on the plane

-OVERWEIGHT - For every 25 pounds over your "recommended weight", add another 8 ounces of water per day.

Starting to sound like we need to carry a hose with us.......


BUT IT MAKES SENSE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE FACTS ABOUT WATER AND WHAT IT DOES FOR OUR BODIES:

-Water helps keep your muscles and skin toned (TONED??? THERE'S A FLASH FROM THE PAST, BUT SOON TO BE BACK IN THE PRESENT :)!)

-Assists in weight loss (MAN, IF IT HELPS ME LOSE WEIGHT, WHY HAVEN"T I BEEN MEETING MY DAILY QUOTA UP TO NOW :( )

-Tansports oxygen and nutrients to cells (THAT H2O IS POWERFUL!)

-Eliminates toxins and wastes from the body

-Regulates body temperature

-Drinking clean water plays a major role in reducing the risk of certain diseases.

-Cushions the joints and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord from shock and damage (YOU CAN'T BUY ANYTHING THAT CAN DO THIS!)

-Water has no calories so it can serve as an appetite suppressant (a LARGE glass 10 minutes before every meal!)

-Water metabolizes stored fat in the body (METABOLIZES? I will partake of anything that will help METABOLIZE!)

-Water stimulates the kidneys and can aid in reducing water retention (GET RID OF THE "PUFFY"! DD ARE YOU READING THIS?)

-Can help ease back and joint pain for up to to 80 percent of sufferers (WOW, THIS ONE AMAZED ME!!)

-Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs and brain all contain lots of water! (KEEP IT WATERED FOLKS!!!)


DEHYDRATION......aka LACK OF WATER

We know when we are thirsty but unfortunately, you can be dehydrated long before you get thirsty! We lose water through urination, respiration and sweating! Plus caffeine and alcohol make your body think you have more water than you do, so any caffeine or alcohol drinkers should drink more water to compensate!

LACK OF WATER OR DEHYDRATION CAN CAUSE:

-Fuzzy short-term memory (SO THAT'S MY PROBLEM!)
-Trouble with basic math (AND ALL THIS TIME, I THOUGHT IT WAS A LEARNING THING..)
-Difficulty focusing on a computer screen or a printed page
-Chronic joint and muscle pain
-Lower back pain
-Headaches and constipation!
They didn't mention, bad skin, but I know that to be true too!

75% of Americans are "chronically dehydrated" and dehydration is believed to apply to half of the world's population! YIKES - START DRINKING PEEPS!


“Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet, but one of the most vital.” - Kelly Barton



WATER SOURCES - WHERE DOES OUR BODY GET THE WATER IT NEEDS?

-20% of your water need comes from the foods you eat. (I DON'T THINK CHIPS OR CHOCOLATE HELP MUCH HERE - HAHA! SERIOUSLY, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE COULD GET 1/5 OF OUR WATER FROM THE FOODS WE ARE EATING...LEARNING ALL KINDS OF THINGS TODAY!)

-80% of your water should come from the beverages you drink.
WATER is the best choice. Why?

-Sodas have a lot of sugar in them, so if you drink sodas, you may take in more calories than you need. Or if you do diet sodas, who knows what is replacing the sugar.....

-Herbal teas that aren't diuretic are fine.

-Sports drinks contain electrolytes but watch for added sugar and extra calories.

-Juices are good because they have vitamins and nutrients but lots of calories too.

-Caffeinated/Alcohol beverages will also add to your daily water need as mentioned previously.

KEEP YOUR WATER WITH YOU!

-Buy a BPA free container - (don't get me started on bottled water - come on, our planet needs a break people!) It is a great investment for the new year! Keep it full of water and set daily goals as to how much water you can drink! Add some lemon or lime slices for extra flavor much better than buying the flavored waters with either added sugar or fake chemicals.

So, here's the deal....bottom line... start drinking more water TODAY. Start the new "habit" today in the "planning phase".....it will be 1 less thing to get used to as we add in the exercise and food changes ahead......

Until tomorrow, make today worth remembering.....load up on the water.....and enjoy the extra steps you will be making to the restroom! Gosh, I hadn't even thought of the benefit of all the extra calories burned through that walking! Amazing.....

In the meantime, I'm heading into the kitchen for a large glass of water :) and toasting to all of you!!! Let me know how your water intake is going and any tips/tricks you can share!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Day -5 - It's all about CHANGE and ONLY YOU can choose to make the change you want to happen!

Day 2 in our new decade brings me to the subject of CHANGE......This is a tough one and one we must think about in our planning before we start the journey ahead...

CHANGE -
We change some things every day without a blink of an eye...

-our underwear (well hopefully)
-our socks
-our dishes (clean ones for the dirty ones)
-our dog's water
and many others that happen without barely a thought....

HOWEVER, there are some harder ones out there...the next level of change...

-What to wear today - well, let me see, what still fits after all those holiday cookies, drinks, rolls (Michael, that ones for you :)) and of course my biggest downfall CHOCOLATE!
-What should I do today? I know what I need to get done or what I should do, but what will I choose to do?
-Which emails will I answer first at work? The easy ones or will I tackle the hard ones to get them out of the way?

And moving on to the tougher CHANGES....

-How can I change my life to become healthier? Will I choose to get up and exercise or sit and watch TV (like The Biggest Loser - just sit and watch what they are doing on TV while you WISH you were doing it....)
-How can I change some relationships .....whether I need to get back in touch with someone or mend some broken fences or just reach out to let someone know I care that needs help....
-How can I change the way I look at things.....those "things" that I complain about today- Figure out whether I can change those "things" or change the way I look at them..

So there are many levels of "change", some so simple you do them without a second thought and others that are painful to even start on.....(like my basement "toy room" for example.....there's another change I need to make in 2010! Clean it up and get it ready for my granddaughter Hannah Isabel's visit in June so she can use the same "toy room" her mom and aunt did when they were small!)

So, I thought about what CHANGE means to me....
CHANGE spelled out.....
C - Courage and commitment it takes to get started
H - Hard work that will be ongoing to get the change to happen and keep it changed
A - Attitude you must have to be successful in changing
N - Not giving up along the way, keep fighting
G - "Gumption" to go for the gold, it is all up to you to make it happen!
E - Excitement of seeing your change happen and the energy I will have with the change I'm making!

My husband's cousin Brad was over the other day and I was telling him about the contest and just asking him for his thoughts on getting healthier and losing weight, as he told me he really needs to lose weight as well. He is this great guy you just like being around......He is full of, well among other things, lots of great thoughts and ideas....he has been a teacher and counselor for years....and he said
"Before you can look to the future, you must look to the past....before you can change, you must think about how you got to be a fat a** :)" He really wasn't calling me a "fat a**, or at least I don't think he was! HA! I asked for it! But I liked what he said and it makes sense to me - He told me I could change the last 2 words, but that would take away the meat of the quote! I get it Brad - thanks for the wisdom and thought to think about!

Here are some great "change" quotes to get you thinking about what you want to CHANGE in 2010 and how to start making it happen....

Leo Tolstoy
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself/herself.

John Welwood
The most powerful agent of growth and transformation is something much more basic than any technique: a change of heart. (OH I LOVE THIS ONE!)

Caroline Schoeder
Some people change when they see the light, others when they feel the heat. (I CAN RELATE TO THE HEAT PART!)

William James, often attributed to Marilyn Ferguson
The greatest revolution in our generation is that of human beings, who by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.

Thomas Fuller
Nothing is easy to the unwilling. (DON'T BE ONE OF THOSE UNWILLING FOLKS....DEBBY ARE YOU READING THIS :)?)

Maya Angelou
If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain
(MAYA IS ONE AMAZING, WISE WOMAN!)

Robbert Oustin
Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you're in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.-- (I CAN RELATE TO THE WRINKLED PART :()

Don Miguel Ruiz
Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.--

Attributed to an octogenarian named Mavis Leyrer, of Seattle
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOOHOO - What a Ride!"-- LOVE THIS ONE, WHAT A VISUAL!!!

Albert Camus
Life is the sum of all your choices.-- (SIMPLE BUT SO POWERFUL AND TRUE!)

And last, but not least:
Grandma Moses
Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.-- GRANDMA KNEW WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT!! WHAT WILL YOU MAKE IT TODAY?

Until tomorrow, do something today worth remembering!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Day -6 - Your perception is your reality, but is it really real?

Happy 2010 & welcome to a brand new decade of your life .... as day 1 of the next decade begins....

Your perception is your reality, but is your perception really real?
What exactly does this mean to you? What is your perception? What is the reality?

I was thinking about this yesterday... this is some deep stuff, I know for day 1 of the new year ..

Your perception creates your reality so that means what you see is what you get. This really says that what you choose to see determines what you get.

Dr. Wayne Dyer says - "When YOU change the way YOU look at things, the things YOU look at change." Wow, that is really powerful when you think about it. You have the power to change the things you are looking at just by the way you think about them!

This last sentence is going to help me through my challenge ahead in "getting healthier". For example, if I look at working out as something I hate to do, don't have time to do, or don't want to do, I will be finding every excuse (and believe me, I have a ton of them!) to NOT do it.... If however, I perceive working out as something that will get me to my goal, make me feel better (and bonus is looking better!) and improve my health, I will look forward to it.

Will I be sore - YES, will I be tired at first - YES, but if I can just see my way past the beginning challenges and start seeing the benefits of feeling better, I can do it! And don't think I won't have to repeat this same message to myself come next week, I will!

So take some time today and think about the way you look at things......are they really as you see them? Or do you need to look a little deeper and maybe change the way you are thinking about some things in your life.

This "perception is your reality" isn't just about your weight or whether you want to or should work out....it is about everything in your life! So take some time to come to terms with how you look at things - and whether or not you should take another look and change the way you think about someone or some thing! It's a new year, time to do a bit of inventory and house cleaning and that housecleaning goes way beyond those dust bunnies under your bed.....

A good cleanse is a perfect way to start the new decade......remember we are in the planning stage, getting ready for the kick off next Thursday, January 7th! Hope you can join in this journey for 2010 and make some positive changes in your life!

Just 1 funny comment.....my husband walked in as I was writing this, so I asked him if I could read it to him....always works better to read it aloud before you hit "PUBLISH POST"....his comment "sounds like you should be a Priest" - I'll take that as a compliment and go ahead and publish this one...

Until tomorrow, make today a day worth remembering!