This morning I woke up energized and ready to start my day. I had some tea and toast, the toast was homemade bread with homemade butter (made yesterday!). I started thinking again about how I knew exactly what was in what I was eating and drinking. No crazy ingredients, just real food. Made with real effort (Anna and I made the bread and butter yesterday...yes, hard work!!).
And then I realized that I'm over it. I'm over trying to diet and lose weight and wear smaller sizes. No matter what size I am, I need to eat well. By that, I mean eat clean. I want to start making sure that I buy local foods and cook them myself more often. I want to satisfy my cravings without feeling overly full. I want to naturally eat healthfully. I know that I am carb-sensitive, so maybe I don't need bread at every meal. But eliminate the stuff that is hand-crafted? Nope.
Also, no matter what size I am, I need exercise. Again, due to the carb-sensitivity, I know I need vigorous & consistent exercise to keep my blood sugar levels in check.
Just because I say that I'm over the whole dieting thing doesn't mean that I'm only going to eat brownies and ice cream. I feel like it'll be the opposite, really. Because I can have what my body needs, nothing is off limits. And really, it's only my mind that craves brownies and ice cream. My body wants veggies. And right now it wants a second cup of tea. :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Why, hello blog!
It's been so long that even my one faithful reader quit nagging at me to post! So...what's up with me?
During the first half of this year I was still interviewing for jobs, and was 99.9% sure that I had one. Then the position froze. So I decided that I need to simply make the most of my time in Knoxville, and maybe I'll get a new job and maybe I won't.
I told a colleague that if I didn't get the Atlanta job, I would try out for the Sizemology Muses dance troupe. I didn't get it, so I auditioned, and I got in! This past summer I have been dancing and dancing and dancing some more! I'm still working on learning older pieces as well as finding my dancing style (and therefore myself, I think). It's getting better & easier. I *love* the ballesque stuff, and that might just be my niche. Maybe.
For awhile this winter/spring I did personal training with a friend. Now I go to boot camp classes instead. My goal is 3 times a week, but my average is more like 1 or 2.
And at the request of a friend, I've rejoined the gym at work and am using that to work out on the treadmill. Yes, there is cardio in dancing and boot camp, but it's simply not the same.
Over the weekend I bought myself a dry-erase calendar for my wall. I wrote in dance classes, boot camps, and gym dates for the next couple of weeks, just so I can keep it all straight!! I'm trying for 3 boot camps and 3 gym dates (treadmill) per week. Tuesday nights are devoted to dance class and Muse practice, plus I'm trying to get in at least 1 day of cardio dance per week (also at the dance studio).
As far as eating...that has its ups and downs. I've been trying low-carb again, but it is just too restrictive. I like my apples, darn it! I'm working my way through a book called "Intuitive Eating," as that sounds like a way that I want to live. The idea is that when you let go of food as a crutch, enjoy eating, and banish the "food police," you will get to your natural healthy weight. I like that. :)
This was crazy long rambles. I'm going to start updating once a week or so (really!!) so it won't be as long next time. Unless I need to ramble.
During the first half of this year I was still interviewing for jobs, and was 99.9% sure that I had one. Then the position froze. So I decided that I need to simply make the most of my time in Knoxville, and maybe I'll get a new job and maybe I won't.
I told a colleague that if I didn't get the Atlanta job, I would try out for the Sizemology Muses dance troupe. I didn't get it, so I auditioned, and I got in! This past summer I have been dancing and dancing and dancing some more! I'm still working on learning older pieces as well as finding my dancing style (and therefore myself, I think). It's getting better & easier. I *love* the ballesque stuff, and that might just be my niche. Maybe.
For awhile this winter/spring I did personal training with a friend. Now I go to boot camp classes instead. My goal is 3 times a week, but my average is more like 1 or 2.
And at the request of a friend, I've rejoined the gym at work and am using that to work out on the treadmill. Yes, there is cardio in dancing and boot camp, but it's simply not the same.
Over the weekend I bought myself a dry-erase calendar for my wall. I wrote in dance classes, boot camps, and gym dates for the next couple of weeks, just so I can keep it all straight!! I'm trying for 3 boot camps and 3 gym dates (treadmill) per week. Tuesday nights are devoted to dance class and Muse practice, plus I'm trying to get in at least 1 day of cardio dance per week (also at the dance studio).
As far as eating...that has its ups and downs. I've been trying low-carb again, but it is just too restrictive. I like my apples, darn it! I'm working my way through a book called "Intuitive Eating," as that sounds like a way that I want to live. The idea is that when you let go of food as a crutch, enjoy eating, and banish the "food police," you will get to your natural healthy weight. I like that. :)
This was crazy long rambles. I'm going to start updating once a week or so (really!!) so it won't be as long next time. Unless I need to ramble.
Monday, January 24, 2011
a quickie
Tonight I jogged for 20 out of my 30 minutes on the treadmill.
I didn't do any intervals under 3 minutes (which are starting to feel "easy-ish") and none over 5 minutes (still a challenge, but I think I can go 6 next time).
Next scheduled cardio is Wednesday. But if I want to walk tomorrow, I will not deny myself. :)
What got me through today's workout? Thinking about my trip to New Orleans in June and how awesome I want to look!!
I didn't do any intervals under 3 minutes (which are starting to feel "easy-ish") and none over 5 minutes (still a challenge, but I think I can go 6 next time).
Next scheduled cardio is Wednesday. But if I want to walk tomorrow, I will not deny myself. :)
What got me through today's workout? Thinking about my trip to New Orleans in June and how awesome I want to look!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
back in the game!
After a week of no exercise and only some food tracking, I am BACK! I totally blame last week on post-holidays January slump. That plus all the snow made it hard to get out of bed, much less do anything else.
Anyhoo, today I had to work for 3 hours, and then went straight to the gym. I did a total of 45 minutes on the treadmill, 2.56 miles. My average pace was 3.4 mph. Please don't laugh. With my short legs, I'm happy to walk 3.0 mph! :) Plus I burned nearly 400 calories, and jogged a total of 12 minutes in 2 and 3 minute intervals.
Did I mention Weight Watchers here? I can't remember. Sadly, due to a nasty electric bill, I can't go anymore this month. I'm going to attempt to get back into it next month (depending on bills, sigh). However, I know how to do the tracking, and I've been doing it anyway. I weighed myself this morning, and will record my weight every Monday morning. My short-term in-sight goal is to get to 250 (13.6 pounds away). To reward myself I'm going to buy a Nike+ gadget to make my walks/jogs outside much easier to track.
After all, I'm going to have to get used to exercising outside to do that half-marathon in November!
Anyhoo, today I had to work for 3 hours, and then went straight to the gym. I did a total of 45 minutes on the treadmill, 2.56 miles. My average pace was 3.4 mph. Please don't laugh. With my short legs, I'm happy to walk 3.0 mph! :) Plus I burned nearly 400 calories, and jogged a total of 12 minutes in 2 and 3 minute intervals.
Did I mention Weight Watchers here? I can't remember. Sadly, due to a nasty electric bill, I can't go anymore this month. I'm going to attempt to get back into it next month (depending on bills, sigh). However, I know how to do the tracking, and I've been doing it anyway. I weighed myself this morning, and will record my weight every Monday morning. My short-term in-sight goal is to get to 250 (13.6 pounds away). To reward myself I'm going to buy a Nike+ gadget to make my walks/jogs outside much easier to track.
After all, I'm going to have to get used to exercising outside to do that half-marathon in November!
Monday, January 10, 2011
snow day!
Today I had a snow day. It's the first official one I've had in many years (I took an "ice day"...only 4 hours annual leave...last month).
My first thought? Well, after being tickled about not going to work? Damn, I'm going to miss my workout at the gym. Now that is a different mindset, let me tell you.
But then the day went on. I knitted. I napped with the kitties. I could have done all sorts of working out with the Biggest Loser Challenge on the Wii (and it *is* a challenge!). So why didn't I? I guess old habits are hard to break.
If I'm going to be ready to meet the challenge of that half marathon, I have to get more active.
If I want to meet my goal of getting under 200, I have to get more active.
My first thought? Well, after being tickled about not going to work? Damn, I'm going to miss my workout at the gym. Now that is a different mindset, let me tell you.
But then the day went on. I knitted. I napped with the kitties. I could have done all sorts of working out with the Biggest Loser Challenge on the Wii (and it *is* a challenge!). So why didn't I? I guess old habits are hard to break.
If I'm going to be ready to meet the challenge of that half marathon, I have to get more active.
If I want to meet my goal of getting under 200, I have to get more active.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
a new adventure
Hi! Remember me? The girl who forgets to blog??
I put a bookmark to my blogger dashboard where I will see it on a regular basis, and I hope that helps with my consistency problem here.
(And thank you, Beth, for the gentle nudge today!)
My new adventure?? I'm going to do a half-marathon this year. For reals.
I keep telling myself that as my weight goes down, running (and fast walking!) will get easier. That just makes sense. So far I've worked out 3 days this week, a personal best in a long long time. And I plan to work out at least two more times this week. :)
It's just about bedtime now, so I will have to do more writing with actual specific things soon. Perhaps tomorrow night.
I put a bookmark to my blogger dashboard where I will see it on a regular basis, and I hope that helps with my consistency problem here.
(And thank you, Beth, for the gentle nudge today!)
My new adventure?? I'm going to do a half-marathon this year. For reals.
I keep telling myself that as my weight goes down, running (and fast walking!) will get easier. That just makes sense. So far I've worked out 3 days this week, a personal best in a long long time. And I plan to work out at least two more times this week. :)
It's just about bedtime now, so I will have to do more writing with actual specific things soon. Perhaps tomorrow night.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Consistency
Wow, I managed to go over a month without a blog post. If I'm going to keep this up, I really need to keep writing!
I've been thinking a lot about consistency lately and how I don't practice it on a regular basis. Put simply, I suck at it, and I need to work on that.
I'm doing a little experiment with myself this week: I'm taking care of my nails. As in, they are polished with a clear coat, all the same length, and are filed daily. I'm using lotion and cuticle oil. I started this on Sunday night, and now (Tuesday morning), they still look awesome. I'm proving to myself that it takes just a few minutes and tiny bit of effort to see results.
So...next I need to get consistent with working out and eating well. Doing these things just part of the time when I feel like it is not getting me the results I want...the results I need to be healthy.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
back to the blog
Amazing how I can forget to blog. It's just not a habit yet. Perhaps one day it will be a habit, like picking water over soda.
This month in summary:
1) I've pretty much given up soda. In that I've had one 8-ounce glass bottle of Coke since October 9. I had it yesterday and it tasted fantastic. My rule is that I can have no more than one soda per week. For me, it's pretty huge that I'm able to stick with this so far.
2) I've gotten to the point where I can jog for six minutes straight. :) Tomorrow I might just go for 7-8 minutes.
3) I put away my scale because I've decided that I know how I need to eat (and how much) and know I need to exercise. I want to weigh in no more than twice a month. I really need to focus on health and not on a number. I need to trust the process.
Next month? I want to be able to jog 12+ minutes. Ultimately, I want to be able to go 30 minutes straight by Christmas. Then I can work on my speed.
Also, I am a big believer in enjoying the holiDAYs. As in, for Thanksgiving, I'll eat my mashed potatoes and gooey pumpkin dessert* without guilt. Because I know it's just one meal on one day, not the start of a free-for-all until January 1.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
So far, so good
For once, the weekend wasn't a total wash. Besides getting some much needed rest, I managed to get my apartment clean & mostly in order, ate reasonably well, and even got in a couple of workouts.
On Friday after work I did go to the gym like I said I would. I did intervals on the treadmill for 30 minutes, followed by stretching. Five minutes walking for a warm up, then 2 minutes jogging, 3 minutes walking for the rest of the time. When I say "jogging" I mean sloooooow jogging. On Friday I walked at 3.1 mph and jogged at 3.7 mph. I feel there is no shame in slow jogging. It gives me that wonderful dose of endorphins, and I want to keep on jogging!
Today (Sunday) I did my yoga DVD for the first time in ages. It's a relaxing, stretchy yoga that I adore. Really, I love it, I just haven't felt motivated to do it in a long time.
It's good to be active again. I've already made a plan for my week ahead in terms of food & exercise, so I'm ready to go!
On Friday after work I did go to the gym like I said I would. I did intervals on the treadmill for 30 minutes, followed by stretching. Five minutes walking for a warm up, then 2 minutes jogging, 3 minutes walking for the rest of the time. When I say "jogging" I mean sloooooow jogging. On Friday I walked at 3.1 mph and jogged at 3.7 mph. I feel there is no shame in slow jogging. It gives me that wonderful dose of endorphins, and I want to keep on jogging!
Today (Sunday) I did my yoga DVD for the first time in ages. It's a relaxing, stretchy yoga that I adore. Really, I love it, I just haven't felt motivated to do it in a long time.
It's good to be active again. I've already made a plan for my week ahead in terms of food & exercise, so I'm ready to go!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Hi! And...the rules.
I've had it in my head for awhile to start a weight loss/exercise/healthy living blog. As in, all about me, not these topics in general. So, here we go.
The primary objective is accountability. By putting things out there for people to see, I have to do what I say I'm going to do. The other objective is documentation. I hope in time to go back to earlier entries and marvel at how far I've come!
The rules...
1. I'm keeping this blog anonymous. Yes, I'm sharing the link with a few people that I know that might be interested in following along. But I would rather not post my real identity, at least for now.
2. When I say here that I'm going to do something, I have to follow through. No more excuses! I'm tired of hearing my own excuses.
3. No spam in the comments please. Any spam, or anything that looks like spam, will be deleted.
I think that's all for now. I'm planning to get to the gym tomorrow after work (see, I'm putting it out there for everyone to know! gotta do it!), and spend the weekend doing some exercising and eating very well.
More to come!!
~Library Belle
The primary objective is accountability. By putting things out there for people to see, I have to do what I say I'm going to do. The other objective is documentation. I hope in time to go back to earlier entries and marvel at how far I've come!
The rules...
1. I'm keeping this blog anonymous. Yes, I'm sharing the link with a few people that I know that might be interested in following along. But I would rather not post my real identity, at least for now.
2. When I say here that I'm going to do something, I have to follow through. No more excuses! I'm tired of hearing my own excuses.
3. No spam in the comments please. Any spam, or anything that looks like spam, will be deleted.
I think that's all for now. I'm planning to get to the gym tomorrow after work (see, I'm putting it out there for everyone to know! gotta do it!), and spend the weekend doing some exercising and eating very well.
More to come!!
~Library Belle
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