tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91367420588100758052024-02-02T07:16:11.642-08:00Call Her SkinnyDaiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-25830057605747391182009-07-07T07:21:00.000-07:002009-07-07T07:44:09.337-07:00Reality Sorta SucksWe just returned home from vacation, during which a photo was taken of me. When I saw it, I gasped.<div><br /></div><div>In that moment, I realized that I have been positively delusional when looking in the mirror for probably...oh...the past 9 months or so. There are several chins showing in the mirror that I simply <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">haven't been seeing.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been seeing the 20-something year old me.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's sort of like a time after my second child was born, and my husband took a picture of us together. When we got the pictures back (good old film days, I do not miss you one bit), I said something like "their process is all messed up! Just look at this awful color!" </div><div><br /></div><div>"What do you mean?" Replied my husband.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Look! My hair! It's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">brown</span>!"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes. Yes it is. In real life, Daiquiri. Your hair is brown."</div><div><br /></div><div>"WHAT?!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I ran to the mirror, and it was as if a veil had been removed from my eyes. Sure enough, my hair had turned brown. I was a toe-head my entire childhood. Bright blue eyes and white-blonde hair. That was me. As a teenager, I was more of a golden blonde. But age and pregnancy hormones had changed my hair to a mousy brown color. I stood in front of the mirror for a long while thinking, "Hello brown-haired woman. Who the heck ARE you?"</div><div><br /></div><div>But the photo taken of me last week wasn't as simple to fix as a few well-placed highlights my by my very talented hair guru, Suzy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unless Suzy does chin lifts, tummy tucks, and liposuction on the side...she can't help me one bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm over weight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not FAT, I guess. But most definitely over weight. According to my history and the current number on the scale, I'm approximately <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">20 pounds</span></span> heavier than I should be. Maybe 25. </div><div><br /></div><div>How did this happen? </div><div><br /></div><div>So...reality has sunk in, at least in this area of my life. I wonder, how else am I deluded?</div><div><br /></div><div>Where to start? I've never had a weight problem in my life. I've never had to work at losing weight. I've certainly never had to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">diet</span>. Blech.</div><div><br /></div><div>But now that I see reality when I look in the mirror, I have to do something. I can't look at myself and tell myself "I'm perfectly healthy" anymore. </div><div><br /></div><div>So...I've given up my daily Coke for lunch. That's 140 calories a day. And I'm going to get moving for at least 20-30 minutes each day. It probably won't make me lose 20 pounds, but it's a place to start and more importantly, they are changes I can live with. </div><div><br /></div><div>My dear Reality...you suck.</div>Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-45120963353384340692009-04-14T09:35:00.000-07:002009-04-14T09:46:58.746-07:00Pain And SufferingWhat's more painful... diet and exercise or going through last summer's "fat" clothes I bought to wear after just having a baby (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I'll be out of these by next summer for sure</span>, I thought)... only to find that my fat clothes indeed, do not fit.<div><br /></div><div>They're too small.</div><div><br /></div><div>By quite a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I did a good old fashioned separation of the wheat from the chaff. It sucked. </div><div><br /></div><div>I sorted into several categories:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Fits and is relatively cute - Keep</div><div>2. Relatively cute but 1 size too small - Store on top shelf</div><div>3. Relatively cute (or not) but 2 sizes too small - Donate</div><div>4. Ugly - fits or not - Donate</div><div>5. Have had since high school (yes, HIGH SHOOL), and I'm pretty sure I'm delusional about it being in style due to it's extreme comfort - Donate (except for those few pieces hidden in my "comfy clothes" stash)</div><div><br /></div><div>I have LOTS of clothes stored on the top shelf (jeans, skirts, capris, shorts).</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a GIANT bag of clothes t donate (everything under the sun).</div><div><br /></div><div>I have 2 pair of shorts, 2 pair of jeans, 1 skirt, 1 pair of capris (that I need to mend), and a handful of tops that fit (but are pretty ugly...gotta have something to wear).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure if I want to cry and eat chocolate or jump for joy at not having to sort through too small "fat" clothes the next time I go to the closet.</div><div><br /></div><div>What will it take for me to lose weight? I really don't know. I've been eating veggies like I'm some kind of rabbit lately. I've been running. I've been lifting weight. Still - the scale shows me a number that has never appeared outside of pregnancy for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm so frustrated. And confused. And pissed off. And feeling ugly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had some blood work done recently as part of a physical. I was so hoping that it would show some sort of thyroid imbalance. Then, at least, I'd have a good explanation for why I can't seem to lose the weight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have I mentioned how pissed off I am?</div><div><br /></div>Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-59228954563713591132008-11-10T12:30:00.000-08:002008-11-10T12:35:17.264-08:00Today's Run...was very painful. But I haven't run in weeks so I think I earned a little pain. Twisted my ankle a little in the California sand this past weekend (I know, your heart is breaking right in two for me isn't it?), and now it really smarts. Might need to find something a little lower impact for a while.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://mapmyride.com/">Map My Ride</a> I did 2.45 miles in 25 minutes. That translates into just over a 10 minute mile (or just under 6 mph for you treadmill folks). Not bad considering the break I've been on. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pitbull</span> who ran alongside me for half a block was friendly enough, but he sure gave me a bit of an adrenaline boost....probably didn't hurt my rate :)<br /><br />Now just to avoid eating a dozen freshly made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies before the day is over. I know, what was I thinking??Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-61201845123788939252008-11-10T07:25:00.001-08:002008-11-10T07:30:13.547-08:00Back On The WagonWell, the "baby weight" isn't exactly melting away as I'd hoped it would when I weaned Thomas. I had really and truly convinced myself that the hormone change that came with weaning would magically make these 15 pounds just disappear.<br /><br />Um...not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">happenin</span>'. In fact, I've gained 4 pounds.<br /><br />I guess I'm going to have to eat less and exercise just like every other normal person out there. Dang.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-71149365586869515032008-11-03T14:51:00.000-08:002008-11-03T14:56:54.262-08:00Saving My Butt From Halloween Candy...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E0ri1QOMaatMc-OmpNMAFOYgBaTCzHbyeXuX1V2jkPll9DCqmpzmX0x7ki4l6EzAGQO7hyphenhyphenlkyVmOr21WyrbJPkVzylMuX4rHg1CAk9n9sWu77zh1wXHwp4BDtX77Y7l1iEAlFWowTsuJ/s1600-h/trident.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264567829195398034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E0ri1QOMaatMc-OmpNMAFOYgBaTCzHbyeXuX1V2jkPll9DCqmpzmX0x7ki4l6EzAGQO7hyphenhyphenlkyVmOr21WyrbJPkVzylMuX4rHg1CAk9n9sWu77zh1wXHwp4BDtX77Y7l1iEAlFWowTsuJ/s320/trident.gif" border="0" /></a> This gum...Trident Tropical Twist has been such a life-saver this horribly tempting Halloween season! It's super sweet, and the flavor lasts forever.<br /><br />I'm still eating the occasional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Butterfinger</span> or Reece's Peanut Butter Cup...but normally one piece would absolutely send me over the edge, and I'd be sitting there for 2 hours piling in the chocolate. But now I'll eat a piece of candy, and then if I feel like having more, I'll have some gum instead. It keeps my mouth satisfied and busy through the chocolate crisis.<br /><br />I keep asking myself a question though...<em><strong>HOW can a pound of candy eaten translate into 5 pounds gained.</strong></em> Darn calories...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-61279973247012258152008-10-23T09:26:00.000-07:002008-10-23T09:50:38.260-07:00Food For Thought...About FoodAs I sat and ate my breakfast this morning I noticed just how MUCH food I had put on my plate. I was alarmed. <br /><br />It made me think...when did I start eating so much?<br /><br />I'm not going to go back all the way to when I was a kid in high school. I ate like a horse, but I was exercising a LOT too. Plus, I was a kid. Let's just skip that phase...<br /><br />On to college. I was exercising fairly regularly, and eating just as I always had. Honestly, I didn't think at all about it. I exercised because I enjoyed it and I ate when I was hungry. Period. I didn't even own a scale!<br /><br />And then I met my hubby. I started to cook for the two of us...but I made the mistake of serving myself just as much as I was serving my 210 pound boyfriend! Big surprise, I started to feel "bloated". I was convinced that I was retaining water since my pants didn't fit, and that had always been the reason. But then I bought my very first scale and realized I had gained 20 pounds! That ain't water!<br /><br />I still find myself eating as much as hubby. I just love to eat. I love how it smells. I love how it looks. I love how it tastes. I love the feel of it in my mouth. I love the feeling of a full tummy. <br /><br />But this morning during breakfast? I had a revelation. There are two thoughts in my head about food that I need to change:<br /><br />1. Clean my plate<br />2. Save the best bite for last<br /><br />The "clean my plate" thing...everyone knows that's no good. And I don't think I clean my plate out of guilt or not wanting to waste. It's more of an excuse for me. I WANT to eat all that food, and "I don't want to waste" is a convenient excuse to convince myself that I should.<br /><br />Combine that with "saving the best for last", and I have a real problem. Now I have actual, real motivation to eat every last bite!<br /><br />Does anyone else out there save the best for last? I pick out the most yummy, perfectly done, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ooey</span>, gooey bite...and I eat it last. Sort of like the grand finale or something.<br /><br />But the problem with that is this - by the time I get to that last bite, my mouth has usually HAD IT with what I've been eating. <strong>I don't even enjoy that scrumptious bite as much as I should!</strong> But leave it on my plate? When I've been saving it? When I've been eating (and eating, and eating..) to get to that last bite? Impossible!<br /><br />So I'm going to try and change my ways a bit.<br /><br />First, I'm going to just decide RIGHT NOW...I'm leaving a few bites of food on my plate. There. Done. Decided. If I'm still hungry after a while, I can always go back and have more or finish my plate. But only if I'm hungry.<br /><br />And I'm going to pick out the very best bite....and eat it FIRST. It will be yummy and perfect and satisfying. I'm going to eat it slowly and really enjoy it. That way, if my body says "I'm getting full here!", I can stop without feeling like I'm missing out on that last bite. After the "best" it's all downhill anyway, right?<br /><br />Besides - what does "save the best for last" teach my kids? Granted, there are some things in life worth working and saving and planning for. But most things...most are best enjoyed right NOW. Who knows what tomorrow brings anyway?<br /><br />I don't want to become obsessive about this though - that's not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">healthy</span> either. So why worry about it? It's not like I have a "weight problem"...I just want to lose a bit. Some reasons to make change:<br /><br />1. I'm heavier than I should be for optimum health.<br />2. I'm not pregnant or nursing anymore. Ever. Oh my (sniff). I've been pregnant, trying to be pregnant, or nursing for over 7 YEARS. I can't eat like I did during those times...or I'm gonna start to LOOK pregnant!<br />3. I want to be a good example for my kids.<br />4. I want to enjoy food more. Half the time I'm scarfing down my meal trying to get to that last, best bite...or trying to eat quickly so I can take care of someone else. I'll enjoy it more if I truly savor it. I can eat just as long (from a time perspective), but I don't have to eat quite so MUCH.<br /><br />I'm tired of talking about food. It gives me a crazy craving for chocolate, and I don't have any in the house! Sugar...that's another topic all together!Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-77438565984037934032008-10-21T08:10:00.000-07:002008-10-21T09:40:32.222-07:00I'm A Real Runner Now!Oh, the things I tell myself to get motivated :)<br /><br />Hubby and I ran a 5K race this past weekend. I had one expectation of myself: run the whole way. Even if I ran at a snail's pace (as running goes), I was NOT going to walk at ALL.<br /><br />I did it! <br /><br />And I did it while running at my best pace since high school. In high school I could run a 10 minute mile for 5 miles and barely sweat. Ah, the glory days. <br /><br />Not really. You couldn't pay me to go back to high school. <br /><br />A 5K equals 3.1 miles for us backwards folks. And I ran it in 30 minutes, 28 seconds. That translates into an average rate of 9 minutes, 49 seconds. What can I say, I love a good excuse to use my calculator :)<br /><br />I was going to just make it a slow jog, but my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">competitiveness</span> got the best of me. Every time someone passed me (which was plenty often), I got a little mad! I found myself kicking pretty hard at the end.<br /><br />And now...I'm hooked! As we got in the car to go to the race start I was thinking, "This is dumb. We could have just gone for a 5K run and saved our entry fees!" But it was so fun. There is a big difference between going for a run and being in a RACE. <br /><br />Hubby enjoyed it too. I found him on line searching for training programs for half marathons! I don't know if I'm quite ready for that...but maybe a 10 K :)Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-71330843861038766292008-10-15T12:22:00.000-07:002008-10-15T12:38:13.676-07:00Saving Some Fat & CaloriesSo I've been thinking about oatmeal chocolate chip cookies all morning. I wish I could say I've been thinking about being strong and NOT stuffing my face with them...but mostly it's been just the opposite. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ooey</span> gooey <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">chocolaty</span> goodness of those little nuggets of temptation are evil, I tell you, E.V.I.L. !<br /><br />Since it seems to be beyond my willpower to avoid eating one (or 6) every time I walk <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">into</span> the kitchen, I've been doing two things. One - avoiding the kitchen...this is evidenced by the breakfast dishes still sitting out with syrup on them (evil...see?!). And two - figuring out how to make them a tad bit better for me. <br /><br />What if I make them with Smart Balance spread and Egg Beaters instead of real butter and eggs, I wonder? <br /><br />2 sticks real butter: 1600 calories, 176 g total fat, 112 g saturated fat<br />2 large real eggs: 108 calories, 7.4 g total fat, 2.2 g saturated fat<br />Total just from these ingredients: 1708 calories, 183.4 g total fat, 114.2 g sat. fat<br /><br />Using Smart Balance: 1280 calories, 144 g total fat, 40 g saturated fat<br />and Egg Beater type eggs: 60 calories, 0 g fat<br />Total: 1340 calories, 144 g fat, 40 g sat. fat<br /><br />Difference: 368 calories, 39.4 g fat, 74.2 g sat. fat<br /><br />As much as I'd love to eat all 4 dozen cookies, even I can usually stop at oh, 2 dozen or so! Let's break it down per cookie:<br /><br /><strong>By using Smart Balance and Egg Beaters instead of the real stuff, I'd save (per cookie):</strong><br />7.67 calories<br />.82 g fat<br />1.55 g saturated fat<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hmmm</span>. I'm not sure if it really makes that much of a difference. I'm not sure that it even made enough difference for me to take the time to fire up my calculator! Well, I guess every little bit helps. <br /><br />I wonder if they'd taste any good. You know I'm forced to make a new batch, right? <br /><br />I hate it when the "math" tells me that to really save on fat and calories I should just eat in moderation. I hate moderation. At least when it comes to these cookies...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-53178584778624068522008-10-15T10:38:00.001-07:002008-10-15T10:39:05.336-07:00Chocolate Chip Oatmeal CookiesThey have oatmeal...does that make it okay to have 3 for breakfast? I hope so.<br /><br />Sigh. I'm so very weak.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-81209439925638144042008-10-13T13:35:00.000-07:002008-10-13T13:47:27.901-07:00Hittin' The RoadI have a new favorite workout. I NEVER thought I'd say this, but my new favorite? Running.<br /><br />Just me and my music. And the fresh air. And the rustling leaves in the trees. And the occasional dog that chases me and scares me half to death. And the rather large rock I carry in my left hand to give myself a small amount of peace of mind against said dog. Hey, at least my left bicep will be stronger. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hmm</span>, maybe I should alternate arms?<br /><br />My hubby is so smart. He knows what makes me tick. Not like that...well, yes, like that...but that's not what I'm talking about! Ahem (blush).<br /><br />I mean, he knows what motivates me. He signed us up for a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">local</span> 5K race, and it's this coming weekend. So that's why I've been running. Now, it's for the love of getting on the road. But in the beginning? It was all about the desperate need to not be humiliated this Saturday!<br /><br />Hubby's doing the race too. I don't know what came over us in the past few months. He looked at me one day and said, "This is not who we are, and we need to do something about it!" He went on to explain how he wants to have a future of fun and activity and full years...not a future of sitting on the couch, feeling and looking old and fat, and lots of doctor visits. <br /><br />He has a great point. I wanna get old with him. Really, really, old and saggy and wrinkly. We can compare dentures and "regularity". We can go on long walks while I ask him what he thinks about my latest hairstyle (I've come to terms that I'll never be happy with however I've cut my hair, and it's just his lot in life to answer my stupid questions..."do you like it better like this, or this?"). We can visit our kids and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">grandkids</span> (hey, maybe they can tell me what to do with my hair!). We can travel the world. Lucky him ;)<br /><br />I hope he doesn't read this. If he suddenly loses his passion for a healthy lifestyle, I'll know he has...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-67350644906617681962008-09-24T12:06:00.000-07:002008-09-24T12:20:00.904-07:00But I Thought I'd Already Reached My All Time Low!Today has been (as my wonderful grandma would say) a "hum-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dinger</span>".<br /><br />Not much going on, just one of those days.<br /><br />I managed to get into my exercise clothes, get the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wii</span> going, did a little boxing, hula-hoop, and step. And then, half way through a boxing match, I thought, "I'm just plain bored and I don't wanna do this."<br /><br />I turned it off, and gave up on the workout. So I got, what, 10 minutes of sweating done? Silly. I guess it's not nothing though.<br /><br />I think it's a hormone thing for me. Nothing sounds interesting or fun. I'd really rather just sit on the computer and edit photos or cruise blogs all day. <br /><br />A sure sign that it's a hormone thing? Aside from the lack of energy, motivation, or high spirits? <strong>My candy stash.</strong> It dawned on me after lunch that I have a bag of Easter candy stashed in my closet! Now, I'd totally forgotten about it until today! It's proof...proof that my chocolate desperate mind and body is grasping at straws. My brain had to dig DEEP for the memory of that candy, I'll tell ya!<br /><br />So now, after my non-workout...I'm stuffing my face with those blissfully sweet and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">crunchy</span> robin's eggs. <br /><br />It's days like this when I realize that I'll likely never be a size 8 again. Heck, I don't know if I'll fit into my 10's and 12's by the end of THIS week!Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-25357813565844675182008-09-17T12:20:00.000-07:002008-09-24T12:24:03.316-07:00Checking In...Well, I decided to pull out the tape measure and scale to compare my measurements to where I was when I started this.<br /><br />I was hopeful, because I feel like I've been working hard. I've been working out 3-4 times a week for the past 6 weeks or so. I'm sleeping better, have more energy, and hubby tells me I look different. So I was looking for a little pick-me-up with in improvement in the numbers.<br /><br />I weighed. I measured.<br /><br />I gained 2 pounds.<br /><br />I gained about 1/2 inch on every measurement...except my chest. Isn't that just crappy? If I'm gonna gain inches anywhere, it had better be in the boobs. But no.<br /><br />My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">determination</span> is slipping away on me...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-30504068183855827812008-09-17T06:49:00.001-07:002008-09-17T06:49:48.257-07:00Unpleasant<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nothin</span>' quite like trying to squeeze into last year's jeans to motivate a workout...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-25191576935637170272008-09-15T08:28:00.000-07:002008-09-15T08:35:02.309-07:00It's All About The BraYes, the bra. When I get up in the morning, I get dressed right into my exercise clothes. There's just something about wearing a sports bra that makes me want to take it off (not very comfy)! And I just hate taking it off if I haven't gotten a workout in. <br /><br />Strange motivation, to be sure. But hey, I'll take anything I can get.<br /><br />Still no change on the scale. <br /><br />But the other day I was horsing around with Ben, and I flexed my arm muscle at him. "<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Whoah</span> MOM, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">where'd</span> you get THAT</em>?!" was his very satisfying response. I love that kid. He's officially my favorite ;)<br /><br />My baby boy turns 1 NEXT WEEK. I can't believe it. I'm hesitant to wean him just because I know this is my last time nursing a baby, and it's such sweet time with him. But I'm also feeling more and more like I'd like my body back. Oh, the constant push and pull that is motherhood!<br /><br />I'm still holding out hope that I'll have an easier time losing some fat once I wean him. I just HAVE TO remember to cut back on eating after I'm done nursing. I've gotten pretty accustomed to being able to eat an extra 500 calories per day "for the baby"!<br /><br />Oh, change is hard, don't you think? I think.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-9585848769173965032008-08-26T15:01:00.001-07:002008-08-26T15:13:29.127-07:00FrustrationWell, I'm still working out 3-4 times per week. I usually do my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wii</span> Fit stuff, and then get off the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wii</span> and lift weights. I have a set of 5's and 10's (free weights)...I'm doing every arm exercise imaginable along with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sit ups</span>, lunges, and squats.<br /><br />So why am I frustrated? The scale is not budging. Not even a little.<br /><br />Hubby assures me that I'm definitely making changes...that I'm a different shape. And the way my clothes fit testify to this as well. So why am I not losing weight?<br /><br />I have a hair-brained theory: I think I might be losing a little bit of fat AND gaining some muscle. They're sorta cancelling each other out, making it seem like nothing is happening. Why is this fat being so stubborn? I think it's because I'm still nursing the baby. My body really likes to hold on to a bit of padding while I'm nursing. <br /><br />So I'm still going to keep working at it with the hope that when I stop nursing in the next couple of months (sniff, sniff), the fat will just start to disappear. Please, Lord, let this happen! I'm afraid that I'll lose all my motivation if I don't start losing after I wean Thomas.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-40613769314431616572008-08-13T16:01:00.001-07:002008-08-13T16:14:28.884-07:00Still Kickin'Holy cow, it's been almost a month since I wrote here last! I'm still here.<br /><br />I've had less time to blog, because I've been spending more time....exercising! Yippee...I finally got my rear in gear and am getting some exercise into my day.<br /><br />The main thing that turned me around was getting a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nintento</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wii</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wii</span> Fit. It started out just as fun, but then I got hooked. I've been boxing, running, and doing strength exercises. Now, when I have an opportunity, I go outside to run. Otherwise I use the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wii</span>. I exercise almost daily.<br /><br />I wish the scale showed a difference, but I'm really pretty happy just with the improvements in how I feel. My clothes are more comfortable, I have more energy, and I sleep better. Exercise is a good thing.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-21818960747992910382008-07-14T13:59:00.000-07:002008-07-14T14:05:22.825-07:00A Better Idea For All This WeightThe average weight (mass) of two human arms is 3.35 kg, according to <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_a_human_arm_weigh"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">WikiAnswers</span></a>. For those of us backward English system users, that's 7.39 pounds, or 3.7 pounds each.<br /><br />Now, I have four children. Don't you think it would make sense for a mother to grow an extra arm for each new child she has? Those of you who are moms out there, know what I mean!<br /><br />For me, that would be 3.7 pounds per arm x 4 new arms = 14.8 pounds<br /><br />Hey...I'm 15 pounds overweight! Now, don't you think that an extra arm would make more sense than useless, artery clogging flab? I do. <br /><br />I'm gonna have to talk to The Big Guy about this idea...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-39314890119908865922008-07-14T13:56:00.001-07:002008-07-14T13:59:35.904-07:00How Did I Get Here? Part IIII thought Part III would be my final, "I did it!" post. But the more I think about it, the more I have to say.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.calledblessed.com/2008/01/post-partum-depression.htmlhttp://">Remember</a> when I said that my body just seemed to know that I'd be making babies, so it put on weight?<br /><br />Yeah, well, that's not the whole story.<br /><br />I also stopped running several times a week.<br /><br />I also ate at restaurants more often.<br /><br />I also began eating the same sized portions as my 200 pound boyfriend.<br /><br />No so spontaneous after all...Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-84954521014044817302008-07-14T13:18:00.000-07:002008-07-14T13:45:01.101-07:00How Did I Get Here? Part IIFor Part I, click <a href="http://calledskinny.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-did-i-get-here.html">HERE</a>.<br /><br />About three months after meeting my husband to be, I noticed that my clothes weren't fitting quite right. <br /><br />I had never owned a scale in my life...just weighed myself on the gym's scale from time to time. I noticed occasional "water weight" fluctuations, but they could almost always be attributed to food I'd eaten. But this water didn't seem to be going anywhere. So I bought my first scale.<br /><br />I knew that my "normal" weight to that point was 125 pounds. I stepped on the scale, and the red digital numbers screamed back at me: 140. What?! That's not water!!<br /><br />It's almost like my body knew before I did that I'd be making babies with this guy, and it had better get ready!<br /><br />140 was actually a pretty good weight for me. I felt good. I looked good. I was healthy. I was insanely happy...but that had more to do with the guy than the weight :)<br /><br />I stayed at 140 for the next 5 years. We graduated from college, we got married, we bought a house, we got jobs. Life was awesome. I was so in love and so happy.<br /><br />And then we decided to have a baby. <br /><br />Now, I'm a planner. I had it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">calculated</span> practically to the second when I'd get pregnant. We paid off the bills so I could be a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SAHM</span>. I went off the pill...but those darn pregnancy tests kept coming back negative! <br /><br />Eventually, we had to pursue <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">professional</span> help. Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Getchaprego</span> (as we called him), informed me that I wasn't ovulating. I took the appropriate drugs...and I got pregnant the very first time. Nine months later, my precious Benjamin came into our lives. I gained about 30 pounds during pregnancy. I was down to my normal 140 pounds about 4 months after his birth.<br /><br />We learned that I was pregnant again when Benjamin was 6 months old. I had another blessedly healthy pregnancy, and we had a healthy little girl...my sweet Clara Rose. <br /><br />It was then that I started to struggle with <a href="http://www.calledblessed.com/2008/01/post-partum-depression.html">post-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">partum</span> depression</a>.<br /><br />I was determined to not be "depressed". I thought I just needed some extra sleep...so hubby did all he could to get up with babies and let me sleep in mornings. Didn't work.<br /><br />I thought I just needed some exercise and "me" time...we bought me a gym membership and I began doing aerobics and lifting weights 3 times a week. Didn't work.<br /><br />Finally, I relented and took an antidepressant. Sweet relief. Sometimes God gives healing in ways that I don't like...but at that point I just wanted healing.<br /><br />Through all that exercise though, I got back in shape. I was back down to about 143 pounds. <strong>(3 pounds over my ideal)</strong><br /><br />When Clara was 2, we decided to try for another baby. It wasn't happening. The doc put me on progesterone, which seemed to add 5 pounds to my rear end over night. It also enabled me to get pregnant, so I didn't care one little bit about the extra padding :) <strong>(8 pounds over my ideal)</strong><br /><br />I gained another 30 pounds with that pregnancy, and our incredible Samantha was the result. I couldn't have been happier. She was a dream baby in every way, and I fell in love with her immediately.<br /><br />After Sammy's birth, I lost all but about 3 pounds of the "baby weight". <strong>(11 pounds over my ideal)</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />I weaned Samantha from nursing when she was 13 months old, and learned that I was pregnant again one month later (seems my fertility problems are gone for good!!). <br /><br />Again, a healthy pregnancy and my beautiful baby boy, Thomas. Bliss. And lots of feelings of being overwhelmed. But mostly happiness. I wouldn't change a thing.<br /><br />And here I am. Thomas is going on 10 months old, and I've lost all but 4 pounds of my latest pregnancy weight...<strong>which brings me to 16 pounds over my ideal weight.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Given my history of being super skinny, very lean, and with lots of efficient fat burning muscle, being HERE (over weight, not so lean, and much less muscle) is a bit of a rude surprise!<br /><br />But that's it. That's how I got here. This is my new starting point. I look forward to writing my "How Did I Get Here? Part III" post, where I'll write all about how I got back down to around 140 pounds :)Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-57584515013962581372008-07-14T12:50:00.000-07:002008-07-14T13:18:33.519-07:00How Did I Get Here?As I prepared and ate my lunch today, I was thinking about how it is that I got here...how I got to be 15 pounds overweight, and struggling so much to lose it.<br /><br />Growing up, I was a skinny kid. Not thin, not fit...skinny. Ribs and shin bones showing skinny. It's not that I didn't eat. I did. A LOT. I guess I was blessed with a fast metabolism or something.<br /><br />I was 5'8" all through high school, and about 105 pounds. That's really skinny. That's 40 pounds lighter that I am now! <br /><br />I was very active...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cheerleading</span>, track, basketball. I rode my bike and walked a lot.<br /><br />We moved to a new city for my junior and senior years of high school. I was lonely, so threw myself into the two things I was really involved in: basketball and school. It was the only time I can ever remember getting straight A's! And I also made the varsity basketball team. I think I must have just barely squeaked my way onto the team...wasn't all that good and didn't get much court time during games. But I worked my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hiney</span> off during practice!<br /><br />I was getting a really intense workout about 2 1/2 hours every day. At the end of the BB season my junior year, I was up to 125 pounds...still too light for my height, but in very good shape! It was the heaviest I'd ever been, and I was all muscle. <br /><br />My senior year, I chose to quit basketball (a hard decision, I'd been playing since the 3rd grade!). I had an opportunity to be a high school intern at a local high tech company, and just couldn't pass up the opportunity. The drop in exercise caused me to drop muscle. I dropped down to 120 pounds, and there I stayed.<br /><br />I was at 120 my senior year of high school, and my first 4 years of college. I was eating like a horse, and I was eating junk...pizza, nachos, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">margaritas</span>, burgers, fries. <br /><br />I was too skinny. In fact, I went in for a free student "fitness exam" at the local health center. They tested all sorts of stuff, and I was within the normal to fit rages...until it came to the body fat test. I laid on a table, and the guy hooked me up to all sorts of electrodes. <br /><br />Evidently, electricity flows through fat differently than it does through the other tissues in a human body. By turning on the electricity and measuring the resistance to the electricity's flow, they can determine a body fat content pretty accurately. <br /><br />The guy did the test, mumbled something like "Well, that can't be right", unhooked me, did it again, mumbled a few other statements, and then unhooked me with an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">exasperated</span> sigh. "I don't know...I think there's something wrong with my machine."<br /><br />But then he stopped, looked me over, and asked "Are you getting your period?"<br /><br />Well, excuse me?! I was about 19 years old...this wasn't a topic I was comfortable discussing with the guy at the health center!<br /><br />"If you're not, then the test might actually be working."<br /><br />I wasn't. It turns out, I had so little fat, that my body wasn't even working right!<br /><br />Women are supposed to have more body fat than men, and my fat content was well below what was normal for an athletic man. Like I said...skinny.<br /><br />And then, I met a very tall, handsome, broad shouldered, green-eyed man. My husband to be.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-21650075472658978442008-07-14T12:34:00.000-07:002008-07-14T12:50:45.442-07:00Small VictoryI was determined to have a nutritious lunch today. I made myself a wrap with lettuce, hummus, red onion, and turkey on a piece of <a href="http://www.flatoutbread.com/">Flat Out Bread</a>. I also had some baby carrots, and dipped them in hummus. And of course, there was a Diet Pepsi to drink. I know, I know, aspartame and all it's evils. Hey, I'm doing baby steps here.<br /><br />From a nutrition standpoint, pretty darn good! Lots of veggies, lean protein, and fiber. <br /><br />I sat and looked at my plate, and really wished that I had some nachos in front of me instead. I got past that thought though, and just looked at the food from a volume perspective. Is this enough food for me? Will I still be hungry? Is this too much food? I try to envision the size of my stomach...does this seem like a good amount of food for me? It seemed a bit on the "too much" side, but at least it was "too much" veggies, instead of "too much" fat and sugar. I dug in.<br /><br />I ate slowly. Not because I know that it's healthy to eat slowly so that I can give my stomach time to tell my brain it's full. I ate slowly because I was also feeding Thomas, and chasing after Samantha. <br /><br />There came a point where I was really enjoying my meal, but I realized that I was just plain full. A miracle, I know. <br /><br />I wish I could say that it was easy for me to put down the food and just stop, but it was work. It was yummy! I was enjoying eating it. I didn't want to be full. On a normal day, I would have just finished it off. On a normal day, I would have said "don't want to waste" to justify eating it.<br /><br />But then I thought...is it more a shame to waste good food, or to keep putting that food into my body when I know my body doesn't need it?<br /><br />I decided to choose <strong><em>me</em></strong>. I decided to waste food (I didn't think it would be very good left-over), and to make a decision that was the best for the health of my body.<br /><br />Now...since I'm being honest, I should confess that I ate a handful of M&M's as I was doing the lunch dishes. But I would have done that even if I had finished my meal. I know...but remember, baby steps!Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-73575449282076844812008-07-14T10:52:00.000-07:002008-07-14T10:54:52.635-07:00And One More Tidbit Of Sucky Motivation...All three of my children who are able to express themselves with words have informed me lately that I...<br /><br />"have a big tummy"<br />"have a baby in there?"<br />"look like I have a baby"<br /><br />Lovely.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-84685012053971095042008-07-14T10:47:00.000-07:002008-07-14T10:51:27.889-07:00Why Change?Someone once told me that no one ever makes a change in their life until it is too painful to stay the way they are. I think I've finally reached that point.<br /><br />I gained a few pounds during my vacation. I came back and only have a couple of items of clothes that fit me. <br /><br />I spent a bunch of money this past spring to buy new clothes. I was already dismayed to be buying a size that I know is bigger than I should be wearing. But after years and years of being pregnant, I had no summer clothes to wear. I bought them, and promised myself that they wouldn't fit for long.<br /><br />Turns out I was right, but them being too SMALL isn't quite what I had in mind.<br /><br />I'll be damned if I'm gonna go buy clothes that are, yet, bigger than my already "big" clothes.<br /><br />Being pissed and miserable...not exactly my favorite kind of motivation, but effective all the same.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-32332456916391325922008-06-25T12:15:00.001-07:002008-06-25T12:20:45.873-07:00More On BMII've been thinking more about the Body Mass Index today. It bothers me a bit...assigning people to categories of "normal", "overweight", or "obese" based only on height and weight. <br /><br />What about the ratio of fat to muscle? What about those with "large frames"? <br /><br />I read a bit more on <a href="http://calledskinny.blogspot.com/2008/06/bmi-body-mass-index.html">the site </a>that I referred you to earlier (which had the wrong link. sorry. it's fixed now). They talk about measuring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BMI</span> in athletes with low fat and high muscle. I thought it was interesting. It seems to me that using the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BMI</span> doesn't apply to everyone.<br /><br />If you want to read their FAQ section, click <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BMI.htm#Athlete">HERE</a>. I found it interesting <em>and</em> entertaining...is "fatness" really a word?!<br /><br />P.S. My spell-checker didn't pick up "fatness" as a problem. Maybe it is a word. Who knew!!Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136742058810075805.post-79466224543476955412008-06-25T08:28:00.000-07:002008-06-25T08:50:58.444-07:00In Search Of ProteinHubby and I were talking about making breakfast for the kids the other day. We've been out of one of our favorite staples: little smokies. Pop a couple in the micro, and viola! Instant breakfast sausage! He asked me what I do for protein without them. <br /><br />It got me thinking...and label searching.<br /><br />In my lay-woman's opinion, there are two things that are crucial to feeling satisfied instead of hungry all day: Fiber and Protein. <br /><br /><strong>Fiber</strong> is bulky, so it literally "fills" me up. It takes up space in the cavernous abyss that is my stomach. Fiber is best found in...you guessed it...fruits, veggies, and whole grains. <em>Why, oh why, can't it be found in Snickers bars and ice cream?</em><br /><br /><strong>Protein</strong> has more to do with blood sugar levels. When I eat protein with a meal, it helps my body metabolize the sugar from my meal over a longer period of time instead of in one big spike...only to be followed by a crash characterized by shaky hands, feeling a bit weak, tiredness, and hunger. And in me? Grumpiness. Serious grumpiness....which leads to my eating handful after handful of m&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">m's</span>. Not a good thing.<br /><br />So, where can I find some good protein? I searched my pantry and fridge today for some options. Here's what I found:<br /><br />1/2 cup dry oatmeal = 5 g<br />1 6 oz cup yogurt = 5 g<br />1 extra large egg= 7 g protein<br />1 oz cheddar = 7 g<br />1 cup skim milk = 9 g<br />Flat Out Bread= 9 g<br />1/2 cup black beans = 9 g<br />about 1/2 can canned salmon = 12 g<br />about 1/2 cup canned tuna = 15 g<br />1 scoop (24 g) whey protein powder = 18 g<br /><br />Is anyone surprised? I was! I was especially surprised by how <em>little</em> was in yogurt and eggs, and how <em>much</em> was in oatmeal and milk.<br /><br />You know all the recent ads about milk helping you lose weight? I think I might have just gotten to the bottom of it! Drink milk with a meal, feel satisfied longer, eat less, lose weight. Yippee!<br /><br />As a side note, I've been bringing milk back into my diet recently. I took a break because it seemed to be a trigger for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Thomas's</span> eczema. But I'm drinking it again, and his skin is fine. <br /><br />So I'm gonna start drinking it with every meal! And I'm going to be even more of a fanatic when it comes to making my kids finish their milk. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Geesh</span>...we already go through 4 gallons a week in this house! <br /><br />Anyone want to contribute to my "got milk" fund? Email me and I'll let you know how you can send the cash! :)<br /><br />P.S. You can buy a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">giganto</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tub</span> of whey protein at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Walmart</span> for about $30. It seems expensive, but it lasts forever. I add it to smoothies, oatmeal, and sometimes yogurt. I like the vanilla flavor.Daiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.com1