What to do on my day off?

It's finally cold out here in Georgia...Not bad for the end of November..but the cold makes me just want to snuggle in on my day off.

So far today..I've done my load of laundry. Made my new favorite Wild Rice with Mushrooms soup for the week. Experimented with an old recipe (Ham Roll with Cheese Sauce) and came up with a new one using what I have in the cupboard..I call it Salmon Filled Pretzel Bites with White Cheese Dipping Sauce (whew what a mouthful)...It turned out really tasty (too bad I don't have someone to share it with)so I  typed up exactly how I made it and put it in a file in my documents for future use. I'm always experimenting with what I have in the cupboard and making up recipes, then I can never remember how I did it and can't fix it again..but this time I've got it figured out.  I figure it will be a good appetizer to take if I have a party to go to this next month... Still need to work on the dipping sauce since I don't use milk (don't even have any in the house) I used vegetable broth (it wasn't bad just missing something).

I had to put in a phone call to payroll because my check this week was shorted. After sitting on hold for over 20 mins (using up minutes on my cell phone) I actually got a hold of someone and hopefully we have it all straightened out. I feel this is a BIG accomplishment.

And now I'm going to treat myself for the rest of the day, fix myself a cup of hot tea and read my book in front of the fire because that is what I DO on my day off when it's too cold to go outside.

Having A great day here, hope you are too!

Talk is easy

but actually doing what you say can be a bitch..

I've been so mad at myself and life this past couple of weeks because AGAIN I've let myself down...I talk a good game but when it come down to it..that's all it is Talk!

So I come here and say how I'm going to lose 3 pounds in 1 week or I'll know why...Well, I didn't lose 3 pounds..I actually gained a 1/2 pound...Talk about upsetting! Trying to figure out what went wrong..During that week.I upped my exercise by doing my TaeBo in the morning and went to the gym in the evening and upped my weights.I ate soup for lunch everyday....yet I still didn't lose any weight..my daughter says it's because I'm building muscle (muscle weighs more than fat) and everyone knows that you can't build muscle and lose fat at the same time...She might be right because the next week I didn't go to the gym but still watched what I ate and I lost 1 pound..This past week I've gone back to the gym because 1. I'm paying for it..2. I love how my body & mind feels after a good workout.

I've come to the conclusion that although it may work for some people to have a plan and blog about it..that just doesn't work for me..It's like my body and mind are working against what I want! I hate the disappointment and how I feel that I've let myself down again..that I can't do anything that I say..so I go into hiding.

After a lot of thought about just giving up on the whole thing I've decided that I'm not going to let this thing beat me...I know I can lose the weight..I've done it before...I just have to find my own way of doing it and feeling good about myself in the progress sooo....I'm not going to give up totally..I'm still coming here to blog my thoughts BUT enough of the game playing for me..I will go back to Step 1 on figuring out how I'm going to get down below 200 pounds. No time limit for me...Wanting something is not enough, I have to figure out How to get what I want without setting myself up for failure!

On the Positive Side:  I went to the gym last night and actually ran half a mile on the treadmill without walking..I actually did 1 1/2 miles but the second half I had to walk/run a couple of times to catch my breath..legs never bother me..it's my breathing..It's weird but running on the treadmill is easier on my knees and balance than trying to walk fast. I don't always run, just when I feel like I want to move my body faster...I have to admit that I although I'm not losing the pounds like I want, I am feeling better about myself than I did a couple of months ago.

I went for a short walk with my daughter and g'daughter after dinner on Thanksgiving and I actually was able to keep up with my daughter (who walks fast) and even ran a bit with my g'daughter..Not bad for an old lady of 60 years young.

I have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this..It's for myself, so I can feel better, do the things I love!

I will not let "setback" stop me from going forward in my life! Who knows what's around the corner!
More later..

6 miles at the park today!

As I expected my friend backed out on the walk at the park today...This isn't the first time she has done this so I was prepared. She is one of those overweight people who is always saying that she needs to get started and lose weight but doesn't like gyms...so I keep suggesting she should come to the park with me but today she cancelled because she had to go to breakfast at Cracker Barrel with her family...hmmm walk at the park or eat a big southern type breakfast? Well of course she went out for breakfast at noon...oh well, I'll just keep on inviting her and someday maybe she will actually join me...it's not like the park is out of her way...

So I went to the park by myself....got a little later start than I had planned because I started to watch Xmas movies on tv...I forced myself to turn it off after the first one and got in the truck and went...It was such a beautiful day out...I've been trying to increase my speed while walking on the treadmill at the gym to see if it will help me while I walk at the park...I really want to start going on hikes with the AOC group and be able to keep up with everyone..so today I decided to push myself and walked at a faster pace than I usually do..I didn't run/jog at all...I told myself that if I could do the one time around the lake (3 miles) pushing myself as much as I could then I would turn around and to the loop again at my usual pace...which made it 6 miles...by mile 5 my quads were starting to feel it...but I made it...I may not be losing any pounds but I feel that I am definitely getting more fit....

Day 5 Inspiration:  Overlook your flaws. Celebrate your strengths!

I Will continue on no matter what!

I gave into temptation this morning and weighed myself first thing when I got out of bed...I figured that since I'm half way through I should have at least lost 1 1/2 pounds....I should have known better...the scale said I've lost  .6 pounds that's just a little over half a pound..come on! I've upped my exercise and been pretty much watching what I eat..lots of homemade soup..and I still can't lose this weight..What gives with my body? Why is it so easy to gain weight but so hard for me to lose it? So do I just give up and forget about losing this 3 pounds this week? NO WAY...I still have 3 days so I got my butt into the living room and did my TaeBo workout tape..and now I feel better...I AM NOT going to get back on the scale until Monday morning no matter what!

Funny how this bookmark with the Inspirations on it goes with my week so perfectly
Day 5 Inspiration: Setbacks can only stop you if you let them!

I'm determined to see this through!

Day 5 Morning

TaeBo workout   DONE
Supplements & Vitamins   DONE
Breakfast/oatmeal/cranberries   DONE
Gym bag packed     DONE
Lunch (soup from yesterday) packed DONE
Attitude Adjustment     DONE

I did go to the gym last night. I didn't give into the IC or excuses although I did go out to dinner with Princess Val and her Dad after taking her to the Dentist, before going to the gym...I usually never eat before going to the gym..it's just too hard..but I ate fairly light (1/2 naked baked potato, sauteed mushrooms & steamed veggies off the side items) and as I said I did NOT give in and use that as an excuse (mainly because I knew I didn't get my morning workout in)..I upped my cardio (did all three Elliptical/recumbent bike/treadmill) for a total of 30 mins and then did a good leg workout...I was sweaty and tired by the time I got done.

I will go again tonight and plan on doing the Stair Monster (for cardio) and then hit the weight room for some upper body workout...Yay for Saturdays when there isn't many peeps at the gym.

I have a 3 mile hike planned for tomorrow with a friend..I hope she doesn't back out on me...if she does I guess I'll just have to go by myself...no Problem!

 LOL..I just read Dr. Fatty's blog from yesterday...Maybe it's not me but my scale...I'm going in and reading her letter to her scale to mine right now and telling it it's from me..That will teach it!...

Day 4

Not a good start...I slept in, woke up with a stuffed up head and didn't do TaeBo this morning...I truly feel I need a break..I don't think I could do a leg kick even if I wanted to..I will do a leg workout and extra cardio tonight at the gym though. No Excuses!

TaeBo   NO
Supplements & Vitamins   DONE
1 piece of toast with an egg/hot choc for breakfast   DONE
Gym bag packed    DONE
Lunch (leftover veg. soup, I added some Kidney beans) packed   DONE
Attitude Adjustment    Still needs to be done!

DAY 4 INSPIRATION (I didn't plan this and this is what it really says LOL)
Give yourself permission to relax!

Day 3

First off I would like to tell "Grump" Thanks for all of her comments and that she has nothing to be ashamed for...we each do our own thing and truthfully although I'm determined to do this THIS week, I can't make any promises what will happen next week. We each find our own motivation in our own way. You are doing good by blogging..it helps me to know that I'm not alone in this WAR against "lazy" self...

Day 3
TaeBo tape Done
Supplements & vitamins Done
Gym Bag packed Done
Oatmeal/cranberries for breakfast Done
Lunch (soup again) packed   Done

Yep I went to the gym last night even after going over to my daughters for a few minutes...No excuses accepted! I kept my truck running while in my daughter's so I would be tempted to stay..I had to deliver some candles to her that she had ordered..
The gym is a good place for me..I saw a couple of friends that encourage me to keep coming. And I raised my weights on the bench press...whooo hooo ..I'm aiming to become the "strong older woman" of the gym...

I've been fighting a temptation today...I keep thinking about getting on the scale and weighing to see if I'm losing...I know this is not good for me...and I will wait until Monday to weigh but the temptation is killing me..
I've never been one of those people who believe in the scale because it fluctuates all the time...I've tested it myself by weighing myself several times in one day and it always read a different number.  So I WILL stay away from the scale..but what a temptation!

I put on my favorite jeans (size 16) today and had to lay on the bed to snap and zip them up (I just washed them)..this is not good...With the ab exercises I've been doing I can see the differance above my waistline but that "apron" on my lower belly just does not go away, except when I put on tight jeans then it only moves up above the waistline to become my "muffin top"..it's like a big jelly roll...moves around all over the place...this is not good..I know that the jeans will stretch out as the day goes by and fit better(at least I hope so) but in the meantime here I sit with my belly being held tight in by material and makes it hard for me to breath..(how did I do this when I was young and ALWAYS wore Tight jeans?). I try not to get discouraged about the rolls of fat I have but the one thing I do know from past experience is that although I can lose the pounds and become smaller in size, I will still have all of the extra skin hanging on my "apron"(lower belly), my "Wings" (under my arms) and "Wattle" (under my chin)..this is what happened to me when I got down to size 10.They don't look as big but they are still there flapping...I hate it but it's part of getting older I guess! I try not to think about it but it is always in the back of my mind...It doesn't change my mind about wanting to get back to my size 10 but it does bother me. I guess it comes down to me wanting to look good! Can I feel good if I don't look good? Hmmm that's the big question for me today! I do feel good about myself (as long as I don't look in the mirror or see a picture of myself)...


Day 3 Inspiration...Every little success counts!

Day 2 started off right!

With the time change I'm waking up an hour earlier (by the clock)..I never set an alarm but just wake up when the sun comes out (I sleep with my blinds open. Good thing I don't have any neighbors behind me). Instead of pulling the covers over my head and trying to go back to sleep I actually got up and pulled on my workout clothes and did my TaeBo tape...whooo hooo...My IC was trying to tell me that I ached too much and that since I worked out twice yesterday I deserve a break..I had one thing to say to that IC...
"THREE POUNDS!!!!!." and believe me I said it loud and clear..there was no contest who would win this morning..After my work out I took my supplements and started my homemade veggie soup (for lunch), then fixed myself 1 piece of toast with pb, and ate it with a banana and a glass of juice.  I've got all my workout clothes for tonight laid out on the bed , all I have to do is put them in the bag and I'm ready for the day..
It amazes me how good I feel when I actually get myself going in the morning...Shoot I already feel thinner...that may be because I'm sitting up straight instead of slouching...exercise does that for me!

DAY 2 Inspiration....You can handle anything that comes your way!

I'm committing myself!

Ok I've had enough of my wishy washy ways...I'm tired of not really Committing myself to losing any weight..I've been telling myself that it doesn't matter if I lose weight this week...that I didn't gain it overnight so I won't lose it overnight...BullShit!..this is just an excuse to myself so I don't feel like I'm a failure...I know that if I really commit I will lose this weight NOW...I've done it before and I CAN do it again! But if I keep up the way I've been going the last few months I WON'T see the results I want to see! To do that I have to get off my fat butt and COMMIT!  This is my pep talk to myself today!

So I'm going to LOSE 3.4 pounds this week...by this time next Tuesday I will weigh 210 or I will know Why!
I got up this morning and did my TaeBo tape..worked up a good sweat..Took the last of my yummy Wild Rice/Mushroom/Spinach soup and grapes to work for lunch and a snack..Then after work I went to the gym and worked up another good sweat...I know that To lose this 3.4 pounds I'm going to have to work hard this week..watch what I eat (plan on lots of healthy soups) and drink water, water and more water! My head is still congested so I'm doing alot of breathing through my mouth, which is dry and the more water I drink the thirstier I get..What gives with that?

In reorganizing and cataloging my books I found one that I had on my shelf that I'm rereading (although I don't remember reading it the first time). It was written in the 90's by Alice Faye (an actress/singer from the 30's & 40's). She was in her 70's when she wrote the book which is "Growing Older, Staying Younger". She died at the age of 83 in 1998. I haven't gotten that far into it yet but so far I like it..She's all about fitness and staying young (as in attitude and body)...I always feel that if I can learn at least one thing that I can use from these kind of books than I'm ahead of the game. One of the things that she said that hit home for me was that as a young woman she didn't have self confidence in herself but after she reached her 50's she found that confidence...I've always had a problem with Self confidence...so maybe there's still hope for me...

I do have confidence that I can lose this 3 pounds this week..(I keep thinking if I say enough it will come true)..
 Now for the mushy stuff...in one of the books I found a book mark cut out from a magazine (possibly Woman's World I know I used to read it alot)...It is titled 7 Days of Inspiration..so here goes ..(.I'll add one each day of this week)...
Day 1..Think good thoughts about yourself. They're all true!

Who knew WalMart was a "pick up" place?

I've been a widow going on 8 years and altho I did do some dating a couple of years ago, I haven't dated since I gained the weight back. In fact I tell everyone that I'm not interested in finding someone to date. The truth is I don't think there is anyone out there that would want me and I'm not taking the chance of getting the brush off because I'm not only too old but too fat. I think what I miss the most is the flirting.  When I lost all my weight 5 yrs ago, I felt so good about myself that I would flirt with everyone. Now I just feel like a wall flower. 
What lead me to thinking about dating again is...I'm off work today and I went to Wally World to do my shopping this afternoon.  Well when I got there I noticed several older (like gray haired) ladies all decked out going into the store. I looked around and damn if there weren't a bunch of older men doing their grocery shopping..you could tell they were single by the little they had in their cart. In fact while in the canned beans section one older gentleman actually said to me that he was looking for a smaller can of chili because it was for just him since he lives by himself.  I'm not sure if he was flirting with me or not. LOL...There were several men that looked to be in their early 60's..I didn't realize this was a "pick up" place but there seemed to be some flirting going on over the fresh fruit between several of those older ladies & gents. It was funny. Who knew !
Most of the time I'm okay with living by myself and I really don't want to go through all the trouble "breaking
in" someone. I have girlfriends that I go out with. Also I meet people through my AOC group, although most of them are in their 30's & 40's. And then if I really want "eye candy" I check out the guys at the gym. So it's not like I'm lonely or desperate for someone..it's just that I would like Not to worry that I couldn't attract someone if I saw someone I wanted because of my size.
I can't stop getting older but I can stop being "fat".
Didn't do much on my day's off except working on cataloging all my books (still)...got a lot of exercise bending down and picking up books...stretching to the top of the bookcases..and carrying books from one room to the other...lots of squats! 
Back to work and the gym tomorrow!

Brrrrr

I think winter has arrived in Georgia. I closed all of my windows and turned on the heat this week. I even brought my one plant I keep outside in the summer into the house because there was a freeze warning. (I will move it into the garage tomorrow since it always tries to die on me in the house. I've had this plant for over 7 years and we go through the same thing every year)..that's how I know when to drag out my winter clothes.
Yep...it's time for the big baggy sweatshirts which I used to think hid all of my fatty parts on my body..WRONG! Who am I kidding! Big only makes me look bigger!
I'm lucky I have a job where I can wear anything I want so I don't HAVE to dress up like if I had an office job (altho from what I can see most office jobs are pretty casual anymore). So I'm looking in my closet this morning trying to decide what to wear and decided to dress up a little..I like to do this for ME every once in awhile...it makes me feel good. I found a blouse that I don't wear often because it's long sleeves (I have short arms and long sleeve always go down to my knuckles) and it's the type that you can roll the sleeve up..but I decided that I like this blouse and I want to wear it anyway. Then I put on one of my favorite necklaces (I haven't been wearing necklaces at all for a while because I think it draws attention to my double chins and "wattle" because I like Chokers!) which  actually fits me better now than the last time I tried it on...whoohooo. I feel pretty today and am ready to face anything...

I made the best ever Wild Rice & Mushroom soup last night and will take it to work for lunch with me (actually I made a big pot so will have enough for a few days). I have my gym bag packed ready to hit the gym today (didn't go last night) and work out with the free weights (my favorite)...I just remembered that I hadn't taken my vitamins & supplements yet so Stopped everything and went and took them. I've had my oatmeal/cranberries for breakfast.  I'm off work tomorrow and the next day...I plan on going to the park for another great walk and will hopefully finish up with my bookcases...I have 5 of them done, which only leaves 4 left (I'm not going to do my cookbooks which is a whole nother bookcase at this time)..The sun is shining and I feel GOOD!

No time this morning

Had to pay my bills (online) this morning so now I'm not only late but broke...
I did go to the gym last night and got in a pretty good workout on my legs...but probably not good enough since I'm not sore...hmmm  maybe I need to change up my workout again...
The sun is shining this morning but I think it's a little cool outside. I've got a problem in the fact that I only have one pair of pants that fits me comfortably...I have other pants that fit me but are tight...I do have quite a few pairs of capri's which I've been wearing but my legs get cold..I need to lose this 5 pounds so all my pants will fit me comfortably...talk about motivation...
Got to go...More later

Another day...

Yesterday went pretty good..working on having another good day today.
After arguing with my Inner Child (I call her Evil Eva) who tried to convince me that it would be better to go home, sit in front of the fireplace and read a book than to go to the gym and get a work out...I won or I should say I compromised..I did go to the gym but I'm sorry to say I didn't work out as hard as I have been. I only put in 15 mins of cardio , I did get in a good upper body workout but didn't do any abs (which I truly need). Then I came home, curled up on the couch with a blanket and watched TV (no I didn't start up a fire in the fireplace, it was too late by the time I got home).
I've taken my supplements & vitamins & packed my gym bag already this morning. I still have to figure out what to take to work for lunch. Although They (being Princess Val's Dad) agreed to feed me, the food he has at the house just isn't what I like and need. Funny thing is when I first started this job (and one of the reasons I was so happy about it) I was impressed because when I saw the food in the kitchen I was to feed Princess Val it was all healthy foods..well that didn't last long..now when "Dad" does the shopping he brings home "lots of Junk foods".  His idea of healthy and mine are two differant things. I have tried helping him by giving suggestions but he is the type that thinks he knows it all...so I've started taking my own food..and sometimes I share it with Princess Val...
Running late again..so More Later

I feel Yechy today!

I haven't been feeling too good for the past couple of weeks..lots of aches & pains...my head is all stuffy (allergies?) and yesterday I was suffering from UTI. Some of the aches & pains (knees mostly) are my own fault...I haven't been taking my vitamins & supplements regularly...I know when I do that I feel better. I've been a  hypochondriac since I was a kid...I thought I had overcome this in the past years but I'm not sure if a lot of what I'm feeling is just in my head. I hate being sick...I love feeling good! So I'm adding taking my Supplements & Vitamins DAILY to my goal for this month...When I lost the weight last time I was taking 10 different vitamins/supplements daily..I can't afford that now so I've trimmed it down to 4 basics I feel I need at this time. I take a woman's multi vitamin, Calcium Citrate +D (I don't drink milk of any sorts), Vitamin C & Glucosamine Chondroitin plus MSM supplement.

I didn't make it to the gym last night. I have excuses! I had to go over to my daughters to have my son-in-law work on my truck...and then I was in pain from the UTI...(I pushed loads of water into my system and I seem to be better today, still hurts some but not like last night) ....my head was hurting from being stuffy and I had to get home to watch The Biggest Loser...I still have my bag packed and in my truck so I have every intention on going tonight. I've eaten my oatmeal/cranberries and drank my glass of mango juice for breakfast, I have my soup ready to take with me to Princess Val's, got my book to read and I'm ready for to go to work.
More Later

Goals for November!

I weighed in this morning and I've 1.4 pounds..I'll take it! Not going to be upset because it's only one pound but look at it as a Positive. I didn't make my goal of 8 pounds by the end of October but I came close. So will set a new goal for November. I really want to lose 2 pounds a week..that would put me at 205 the first of December  and then I would only need to lose 6 pounds to be under 200 by the first of the Year. December's a tough month because of the Holiday..the big challenge will be the sweets. To reach this goal I will have to get control of what I'm eating and quit making excuses and get to the gym and work out more...

EXERCISE...my goal for the gym is at least 3 times a week to get a GOOD workout..that means cardio and strength training. On my days off I will either work in the yard, go for a hike (with my AOC group or by myself at my favorite park) or work out with one of my Tae Bo videos.
FOOD...One of the things I loved when I was losing weight 5 years ago was trying new Healthy foods...I'm now on the quest to find Healthy Budget friendly foods...it's a challenge to myself.
WATER...although I do drink water I need to drink more...I average about 40 fl oz right now and it needs to be at least 64 oz..I used to drink a gallon a day...I've been drinking a lot of teas and hot chocolate lately. I will limit myself to one cup of either a day as a treat.
JOURNAL...Keeping honest with myself by coming here! Not always the easiest thing for me.

My Walk In the Park Today!





My first day off on a Monday. I got up and got on the computer to work on reorganizing my books. Went on line to find Healthy ideas on a budget (see new food blog sites) and then I looked out the window and realized that I was wasting a perfectly beautiful day. I've been bad about getting my exercise this week so decided enough with the excuses and put on my shoes and drove to my favorite park.
I love this park it's a 3 mile loop with lots of trees and rolling hills! Since I don't have a digital camera I used my phone camera..Not too bad !

There were a lot of squirrels running around collecting all of the acorns today. There is one on the tree but it's hard to see!



I'm standing on a bridge





I love the boardwalk!





The End!



20 Things Reasons

20 Things Reasons for Me to lose weight!

1. Getting dressed without having to try on several things before finding something that fits.

2. Shopping for clothes at any store I want and not having to worry that they won’t have something that will fit me.

3. Climbing up stairs without getting out of breath or having to haul myself up with the hand rail.

4. Being able to get off the floor without having to grab onto furniture.

5. Looking in the mirror and liking what I see.

6. Being able to cross and uncross my legs comfortably and easily.

7. Being able to move around in restaurants between tables without worry about bumping into people.

8. Being able to wear a skirt or shorts without my thighs chafing.

9. Being able to hike and keep up with the rest of the group.

10. Fitting into chairs with arms

11. Being able to cut my toenails

12. Being able to bend over and tie my shoes without getting out of breath.

13. No more heartburn.

14. Being able to play around with my GrandKids.

15. Being able to get in and out of cars/trucks easy.

16. Being able to "hop up" out of bed or a chair rather than having to plan in advance how to haul myself up.

17. Feeling so much healthier, stronger, happier.

18. How proud my family is of what I accomplished.

19. Feeling about ten years younger.

20. Having people rave about how good I look!

This thanks to an article in SparksPeople...I used some of her reasons and added my some of my own...