Fitness Friday - 06/22 - 06/28

I meant to put this up last night.....then I ah.....got caught up on Pinterest and next thing I knew, it was bedtime.

So anyway, here we are a day late.

Saturday: nadda

Sunday:  zip

Monday: zilch

Tuesday:  big fat goose egg

Wednesday: 10,000+ steps, including 20 minutes on the treadmill

Thursday: 10,000+ steps, including 10 minutes on the treadmill and a 40 minute walk outside

Friday: 10,000+ steps, including morning walk to daycare and 10 minutes on the treadmill

Following our TOPS awards night Tuesday, I was inspired to make a change.  I have decided to do one change at a time and picked to work on the number of steps I take each day.  I know for a fact that I need to increase my exercise, but some days, I don't feel like going for a 30 minute walk after dinner, etc.  Using the step counter showed me that I don't need to actually walk for 30 minutes to hit my goal.  Depending on what I get in each day at work, it could be as little as 15 minutes.  I calculated that I roughly walk 110 steps per minute.  Sure, I could hustle it up and walk faster, but right now I am comfortable with my pace and the added 2000 - 3000 each day allows me to feel it in my calves.

If I make it to Tuesday, that will have been 1 whole week keeping a goal and that would be a record for me.  If I can do it for 1 week, I can continue for a second week. 

How did you do this week?

Until next time,

Amy

Non-Scale Victory # 10

I must admit, it was a bit tricky to think of a victory that was not scale related.  My TOPS meeting this past Tuesday was for the sole purpose of celebrating the scale.  I am proud that I came home with a few rewards.

My non-scale victory is only 2 days in the making.  After my meeting on Tuesday, I was inspired to do better.  I set myself a goal of getting in at least 10,000 steps a day.

Work-wise I am an office administrator in a not so busy office.  I spend the majority of my days sitting.  I decided to take a more "active" approach.  Instead of taking 3 files at a time, I have been taking one and making 3 trips.  It's a slow increase in steps but every little bit counts.

I made sure I had my IPod Nano all charged up and set to count steps first thing in the morning.  I slipped it in my pocket and set about my day.

By the time I had a finished my "typical" day, which includes vacuuming, cooking, getting out pajamas for the kids, etc. my step count was about 6400.  I would say that is pretty average for a day.  It also meant that I still had about 3500 more steps to go to reach my goal.

Seeing that it's still hot and humid around here, I decided to dust off the treadmill and do my walk.  I only really needed to do 20 minutes to get in the steps.

I'm not 100% confident of the accuracy of my I Pod when it's in my pocket, but I do know it's bang on if I hold it flat in my hand while walking.

By 7:45 tonight, here is how I made out:

 

I actually did about 200 more steps (at least) after I took it out of my pocket to charge.

I made a concerted effort to walk today.  I got home early from work today.  After folding some laundry and pacing the entire time I folded, I went to get the kids from daycare.  Instead of taking the most direct, 5 minute route, I looped around the village for a good half hour walk.  It was muggy and hot and royally sucked!  However, it did mean I could just sit on my butt tonight and write this blog.

 

I really do hope to keep it up until next Tuesday.

 

This is my only change for the week. Often I try and make myself do it all, eat well and exercise and end up failing at both.  Perhaps this approach will work better.

 

 

Having a non-scale victory also means I am joining the link up, come check out the other bloggers and get inspired!

 

 



 

Until next time,

 

Amy

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

I appologize for being a day late with this post, but my evening last night was too busy to get this post up.

It was our groups award night last night.  For our TOPS group, it means a potluck get together and the handing out of certificates.  TOPS allows each group 2 food events a year and this is one of ours.  Then when I got home, I had to decorate 24 cupcakes for my son's end of year party.

Anyway, we weighed in a half hour earlier and I wasn't sure what to expect out of the scale.  I had a run in with some marshmallows and chips over the weekend and didn't watch myself as closley as the week previous.  AND it was super muggy and hot, so I didn't get in my long walk either.

When I jumped on the scale at home yesterday morning, it looked like I was going to be up about 2 lbs.

I again jumped on the scale at home just before I left for my meeting for reference, and it showed no change.

The official scale at TOPS showed the same.

Last week: 243.25 lbs
This week: 243.25 lbs

This just goes to show you how much the scale can fluctuate.  I certianly didn't to anything to warrent a 2 lb loss over the course of the day.  I also took this as a second start to a better week.  I blew it last week, but I was given another chance to improve and improve I will!

I earned myself some certificates last night in recognition of the past year.  It can be a bit disappointing sometimes too, because I know my behaviour this year didn't result in any losses since January and my awards show that too.

Wanna see them?

This shows I have lost at least 20 lbs since joining

This is pretty much the same recognition, but from TOPS itself

These are for the 2 months that I lost more than anyone else in the group

I am so proud of everyone in our group.  We are a great team and work well together. Our sole male member was the most successful.  Since he joined in about 2006, he has lost over 75 lbs.  I would think it's fair to say, the majority of that since January.  It has affected his health the most.  Being diabetic, he shared that when he started TOPS, he was taking about 100 units of insulin a day, he is now down to about 20-30 units a day.   Fantastic!  You can tell he is proud of his accomplishments (as he should be) and I think like most people struggling to lose weight, doesn't know how to take the compliments.  He just gives a little grin, when in reality, I bet he wants to jump up and down and say, "That's right B**ch's....I am rocking this weight loss thing!"

I want to be like that!  But only I can do that and that means I have to want it more then I do.  I have to stop making excuses and turn it around.  I say it a lot and I can only hope I mean it this time. 

Starting today, I have set a goal for myself.....10,000 steps a day.  I am going to start with that one and see how I do.

Until next time,

Amy

I'm Overweight and my Husband's Not - Big Freaking Deal!

Last week I was reading a story that I pulled off of Yahoo.  It's my go-to sight for informative and not so informative news.  Sue me!

This story caught my attention, because basically, I am in the same situation.

My husband and I are the same height, but where I am a good 100lbs overweight, he is perhaps 20lbs overweight.

May 2005

So, here is our story and my confession.

I was always uncomfortable with my size, but not dedicated enough to change it.  I came home from my 2 year stint in the Yukon, determined that if I lost weight, I would finally be able to find a boyfriend.  I joined the gym and worked out.  I lost probably about 20 lbs by the time I met my husband.  It was NEVER an issue for him.  I gotta say, for the basket of crazy his parents are, they must have done something right for him not to be judgemental about my weight!  Once I found that one person who didn't care about my weight, I stopped going to the gym and just enjoyed myself.

How did I meet him you ask?  Well, I met him through an online dating site.  For me, it was the safest way to meet someone.  I am terribly shy in the beginning, but once you get to know me, I open up and as my one girlfriend states...HILARIOUS!!  So for me, this was the perfect segway.  I could meet someone, chat with them and get to know them before they met me.  I was always very open about the fact that I was plus sized.  It turned a few away, like the guy I had a date with...he told me to meet him at his house and then didn't answer the door when I got there.  He WAS home, btw! I heard the door lock just after I knocked!  It was all a learning curve and in the end, I found the right man for me.

It never occurred to me at the time that people might look at us together and wonder what he was doing with the "fat chick" and certainly no one said anything.  He loved me 100% for the person I was and still does.  He supports my actions, but doesn't care if I never loose the weight.  Sure, he may never carry me over the threshold, but that is about it.  He doesn't cringe at the sight of my naked body and our affairs in the bedroom do not suffer either.

Truthfully, I am more concerned that people meet me, hear I have kids and think they must be fat too!  My children are well within the normal healthy range.  Part of that is because I am uber-concerned and watchful that they do not go down the same path of struggles I did and because my husband is such an active person.

But here is where I make my confession and sound a bit like a hypocrite. 

In my quest to find my soul mate, I never pictured him as overweight.  Overweight men were not attractive to me.  Terrible huh?  I had dates with plus sized men, but there was no stirring of my loins, so to speak.  Perhaps it's just because I was meant to be with someone else.  Perhaps it was evolution and the quest to find the healthiest mate to continue on the species.

Here is also where perspective comes into place.  When a woman is overweight, is it more acceptable because females are the more nurturing of the species.  Media portrays the care-givers as plump and hug able.  Where as, the men are the 'hunter-gatherers' and need to keep in shape to perform such duties. I don't know the answer to that.  I do know though that I am now trying to be the best me I can be.  Eating better and exercising is the key.  Perhaps I won't lose a pound, but I am still healthier than the skinny chick that sits around all day doing nothing.

It is comforting to know that I have someone that loves me through "thick and thin"  (ha ha, see what I did there?) and that takes a lot of the pressure off.  In my weight loss group, there is one member who's late husband basically told her if she got fat, he would leave.  TERRIBLE!!!!!  (She is also the skinniest one in the group and in my opinion, doesn't need to lose weight at all)

I also often wonder if it would just be easier if everyone in my family was battling with weight issues and I could just "starve" us all together, but I don't think that is the answer either.  I also once said if I only had me to cook for, I would only eat healthy, which is a super lie, because when my husband was away on business for 10 days, I didn't cook and actually had ice cream for dinner a few nights!

So, how is your family dynamics set up?  Do you and your partner battle?  Just you?  How do you cope and manage it all.  Do you think I am the worst person ever for my admission?  If there is a size difference between you and your spouse, has anyone ever said anything to you or them?

Until next time,

Amy

Fitness Friday - 06/15 - 06/21

I actually had a pretty good fitness week.  Here is hoping I can just keep it up.  My interest tends to falter after a week or so of anything.  I'm non-commitale I guess!

Saturday:  grocery shopping and a 30 minute family walk after dinner

Sunday:  1 hour long walk on the trails with the hubby and kids

Monday: 30 minute family walk after dinner

Tuesday:  30 minutes of walking throughout the day

Wednesday:  I didn't get much in.  Walked the kids to school and daycare and took a short walk at work

Thursday:  Fun Fair at the Daycare, I was on my feet wandering around for over 2 hours....TIRED!!!

Friday:  I didn't make a point of any real exercise today.  I was still tired and lacked any energy.

I did tonight however, have a little dance party with my daughter.  Their daycare is great and they have a dance party every day.  It's not just kids music either.   Here is the video for the song we "slow danced" to

 

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker

She will randomly sing this song and if it comes on in the van, you can see her bopping around in her seat.  Plus, it's one of my new favorite country songs.
FYI, Darius Rucker was the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish, but now has a solo career in the country music circle.  And yes, that is the "Duck Dynasty" fellows in the video.

Anyhoo, we listened to this song twice and it was quite the workout slow dancing with her.  I basically carried around a 40lb weight for 10 minutes.

Non-Scale Victory # 9

I meant to do this victory last week but time got away from me, so I decided to share it this week.

While my victory on the scale was pretty wonderful this week (you can read about it here), this post celebrates victories away from the scale.

Let me introduce you to my veggie garden.

I am not a huge veggie eater, but I did grow up with fresh grown food and I can appreciate all it offers - better flavor, ready for the picking and easy on the pocket book.

Since I have had my own home, I have grown something to harvest.  Last year, we transformed our front flower bed into a mock veggie garden.  It did SUPER and this year, we increased the size.

Let's take a little tour:

At the back (L - R), there is a gap of earth, that is carrots, then you have two patches of romaine lettuce, one a little further ahead than the other and 5 tomato plants.

In front, we have a couple more tomato plants, with green peppers planted in between

4 green pepper plants together and the grass like plant is garlic

Finally, the potato plants.  There are about 50 plants up.  That should get us through the summer with potatos.  Each hill is about 1 meal, depending on the size.  Nothing beats fresh potatoes and my family eats them with almost every meal.

These pictures were taken last week. Since that time, the potato plants have doubled in size and everything is looking so strong and healthy!  Can't wait to harvest time. 

Everyone can grow a garden, no matter where you live.  Give up the conventional thinking that flower beds are for flowers.  Last year, I had people think my potato plants were pretty shrubs.  You can even some veggies in the house if you have NO outdoor space.  But even if you live in an apartment, you can plant something for your balcony.

Try it, it's fun and rewarding....good exercise too!

Joining the link up, hope you will too!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Look at that.....2 weeks back to back!

It's nice to be back on schedule again.

I had a good week and I knew that going into my meeting tonight.  I walked a lot more than usual over the past week and ate less.  The 2 magic combinations.  I didn't track what I ate and will have to get to that at some point in the near future.  I just simply ate less.  If we had roast for dinner, I had 3 slices instead of 5,  picked if I wanted chips now or ice cream later....you get the point.  I didn't deprive myself, but realized that I can't have it all.  Fine if I want ice cream with the rest of family after dinner, I just don't need the junk earlier in the day then.

As for the scales,

Last week:  245.50 lbs
This week: 243.25 lbs

Loss of 2.25 lbs

I have officially hit a new all-time low weight. 

I need to keep at it.  This needs to last more than a week or two!

Until next time,

Amy

Fitness Friday - 06/08 - 06/14

Here is the wrap up from the past week.  I didn't think I actually got in too much until I wrote it down, then I realized I didn't do half bad!

Saturday: 1 hour long walk with the kids on the local trail
Sunday: 30 minute walk to and from my parents (15 minutes each way)
Monday: Nadda
Tuesday: 40 minute walk with TOPS group
Wednesday: 1 hour long walk with Abby on the trail, 30 minute walk with girlfriend that night
Thursday: zipola

I plan to continue the good work for this week!

Until next time,

Amy

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

I am a day late reporting and missed last week all together, but last week was a terribly stressful week and blogging was the last thing on my mind.

I can say though that I did not stress eat and in fact, lost.

2 weeks ago, I weighed in at 247 lbs

This week: 245.50 lbs

A loss of 1.50 lbs.

I plan to keep motivated this week and see the scale go down once again.

This morning (and last Saturday) I took the kids to a local walking trail.  It's a converted rail line and it's a perfect surface.  It's about a 1 minute drive and it takes you through the woods or pastures.

I'm not sure if I have ever mentioned, but I live in a small village that is surrounded by farm fields and dirt roads.  It's the perfect location for nature walks, but I just don't do it.

Today was just Abby and I and the walk was faster because she was in the stroller.  We walked for an hour total.  It was still early in the morning that it wasn't hot mid-day sun and the path had some shade.  Good thing we put bug spray on because the mosquitos were thick!

It was nice to just be out in the middle of no where.  We saw one person.

I hope to do this more often, it was very nice!

Until next time,

Amy

Fitness Friday - 05/25 - 05/31

WHAT???  It's Sunday already!?!

I promised I would get back to my 3 standard blogs a week, and it's time for my Friday wrap up.  It's a couple days late....I honestly forgot about it Friday...hubby and I went out to celebrate our anniversary and then the weekend rolled around, etc, etc.

Here's the deal in Amyville.  (not to be confused with Amityville....that is a horror story a little different from mine), when I say I am getting back on track, it takes me a good week or more to get there.

Last Saturday I vowed to straighten up and walk the line.  I kinda did, but not as great as I had intended to.

Anyway, here is the wrap up of events

Saturday:   nothing structured.  We spent the entire day outside putting around and I painted an old         chair for the flower bed.

Sunday:  much the same....a day spent outside

Monday:  NADDA

Tuesday: walked the kids to school/daycare and then later that evening walked for about 20 minutes with a couple ladies from my TOPS group

Wednesday: 30 minute family walk after dinner

Thursday: walked the kids to school/daycare

Friday: nadda

So there you have my less than impressive stats.  Told you things take a bit in Amyville!  Fresh start as of RIGHT NOW!

Until next time,

Amy