Miss Me?

Hellooooooo!

Been awhile, I know! Got lots to say but I'll try to keep it short.

I fell off the wagon....somewhat. I stayed on track for the most part for my diet but the exercising was on the long slow track. But here it is the beginning of my half marathon training and I'm just trying to get thru each week.

Completed my first full week of training and ended up losing 6 lbs!! Yeah me!! I did gain a bit of the original first 10lbs I lost but I got myself together. I've been doing some cross-training with my aunt using a great Kettle Bell workout 3 times a week and as soon as we can mesh our schedules together again, we will be adding some kickboxing and wavebag work. I'm still riding my bike with friends and family...one ride was 21 miles which is the farthest I have ridden. Quite proud, thank you!

Michael joined a gym and I will eventually join with him so I can use the pool to add to my cross-training. I'm afraid I'm gonna lose my riding buddies as the weather gets cooler and wetter. At least the pool is inside. I'm also thinking of setting some loftier goals of completing a sprint distance triathlon (1/2 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) next summer. I did a "super sprint" which is half of the sprint so time to move up in the ranks.

I was struggling with the running portion of the program this past week. For some reason I just could not run my 10 minute intervals without feeling like my lungs were going to collapse or explode. So I went back to basics...way back! I walked my first two scheduled runs of 2.5 miles and 3.5 miles and tried to get a better walking pace. Feeling a little more confident, I chose to complete a local 4 mile race doing 3 minute run with 2 minute walk intervals. This week, I'm moving it up to 4/2 and hopefully build each week.

So...there ya have it. I'm sure you don't care but this is where I like to brag on myself for making an effort to better my health and meet some arbitrary goals to anybody willing to read! Hopefully, some day, someone will read this and find a little inspiration and get up and move. This fat girl did!! And I'm proud she did it!

Til next time...and a little bit skinner me...

It's The Little Things

Since I started blogging again about my life improvements, its been about the small changes. Well, its the little things that seem to matter most.

Each week for the last month, I've made a point to change something about my food habits whether it's eating, shopping, and/or moving more. This week, I'm trying to cut back on the breads. I'll be adding pure grains for breakfasts during the week next week but overall, I've kicked out the "white stuff" such as bread, crackers, and chips (lemme tell ya, this is a BIGGIE!). I'm also making a point to have more fruits and veggies...I'm up to 3-4 servings a day of each of the recommended 5 each. Not too bad.

Each change I make, as well as staying on top of the new habits, contributes a bit to my overall weight journey. I have friends or co-workers saying "I know you're on a diet, but...". I feel I have to keep explaining that I'm not on a diet, I'm just making better overall choices. I still eat chocolate (still working on the moderation part!), I still have soda (while it's Diet Coke, I've cut back to 1 every week or two), I still love and will continue to eat out with friends AND I am not counting calories. My food choices right now created a cut in my daily caloric intake just because I'm eating less sugary foods and smaller amounts.

I've also been making a point to pack a breakfast and lunch for work to help avoid the over eating issues. The main thing I have noticed is I'm not starving in between meals as much as I thought I would which is making the new habits easier to maintain.

Now, let's see what the next month brings!

Make-Over Week

Oh, how I wish it was me that got a long over due make-over. But alas, it wasn't. It was my fridge. Yep. Out with the old and moldy and in with the edible goods.

Today, I spent an hour grocery shopping the perimeter of the store while only going into the middle aisles for a few staples. I cursed at myself for not having coupons but then was grateful because that would have added another hour to my trip. Besides, they don't have many coupons for the non-processed meats, fruits, and vegetables. So leaving ever so proudly that I managed to stay away from all the snack foods, I loaded up and carted home my healthy foods. (Yes, I wish I had a nice piece of chocolate right now!)



I then spent the next 3 hours prepping, preparing, and cooking meals and snacks for the next two weeks. Apparently, I felt I had nothing better to do with my Sunday afternoon. (The plus side...the tv never came on and I wasn't mindlessly eating.) I remembered from my Weight Watcher days how important it is to spend the time putting together everything in advance so all I have to do is grab and go. And with walking out the door at 5:30 in the morning, that's about all I'm capable of. So all my fruits and veggies are cleaned, cut, and bagged and ready to pack. I even pre-made some protein based quickies to have through out the day. I cooked and re-froze chicken pieces to have for lunches and dinners as well as pre-measuring all my other meat products and making a batch of tuna salad.

With the exception of Michael's lunch stuff, I have managed to stay away from processed prepackaged foods and I'm quite proud of myself. With having no sugary snacks in the house, I can feel comfortable knowing that my mindless eating will at least be healthy eating!

Checking In

So my past week has had more ups and downs then the hills I will be facing in the half marathon.

It started with the passing of our sweetest and oldest girl, Nakita. She was nearly 16 years old when she left us. She became a part of our lives at about a year old and she was a rescued strayed. She was also the first pet Michael and I had gotten together just before we got married. To lose her was losing a piece of our hearts. She lived longer than either of us expected and we knew the day would come but it doesn't make the heart break easier.

I promised myself I would start my adapted version of a "Couch To 5k" program last Monday. But I started coming up with reasons why I should start Tuesday...which led to Wednesday...which led to, well it led nowhere. So I'm already getting myself behind. But I did stick to a few changes I was determined to make. I've cut back on my portion sizes during meals. I'm trying to be more aware of what I'm eating and making better choices then I have in the past (note I said trying...not all choices were the best when comfort foods have a way of entering the picture). I also discovered this week that I'm not an emotional eater. I eat/graze mindlessly when not occupied by something busy. If I sit and watch tv, I eat. If I putter around the house or blog on the computer, I don't eat. This bit of info is good to know and to remind myself of some detrimental patterns to avoid. I am also working on not being a closet eater. This would require a trip to the couch so I will just leave it at that!

The good news is I've lost another 3lbs. Considering the only exercise I did for 7 days was last week's bike ride, I'm happy with that. So I shifted my mentality of exercising for this week. I went for another bike ride yesterday and I went for a walk today. I love that feeling of completion but I can't help but whine about the start. So I have recruited folks to help me. I have a friend/coworker that has recently joined our local YMCA, I plan to do the same. There are 2 locations convenient for me. During the week on 2 days, her and I will go to the gym to work out. The other 3 days I will spend doing walk/run intervals with a friend to prepare for the 5k in September (my goal is to run the entire 5k under 36 minutes) and then the half marathon in December (my goal is to finish it under 3 hours~last time I did it in 3:24). On the weekends I also have a buddy system. Saturday will continue to be long bike rides with friends and family and Sunday will be long walks with my aunts that I hope to turn into long runs soon. Dang, I'm tired just typing all that activity! =)

I know I cannot take this journey alone and I have the greatest friends and family that want me to succeed and are willing to help me accomplish my goals. I just hope they still love me when I'm cussing 'em out. You may have noticed, I put a ticker at the top of my blog. Check back from time to time to see me work my way to the end and beyond.

Off To A Good Start!

Today was our "long" bike ride with our BFFs Dwayne and Patrick. Dwayne just got his bike last week and already logging the serious miles. Our first trip out was rough on me with the heat and the fact that my behind is usually sedentary on a couch. We did about 5 miles and called it a day. Dwayne called around dinner time Thursday and wanted to get out and enjoy the cool breeze that created a break in the hot weather we've been having. We did another 6 miles that evening but wanted to do a little more but the sun was going down. So we made a plan to have a longer ride set up for today.

A little over 15 miles later...! It was a wonderful 3 1/2 hour morning. We explored in and around Shelby Farms and the Wolf River. We took paved paths and we did some trail riding. Stopped for breakfast and found some more places to ride. We're already talking about going again....but I think I need to let my butt rest a few days, that saddle sure does get uncomfortable after awhile.

I made a self observation today: I had more fun doing an exercise I don't like simply because I was with friends. While I know I got a great workout, I never felt like I was "working". That's what will keep me on this path to a healthier lifestyle. I even made good choices today at Chick-Fil-A by ordering a bowl of fruit and having chocolate milk. Drank lots of water (but that's no surprise to those who know me). AND...I even lost 5lbs in a week!!! Time for that reward....hmmmm....I'm thinking a pedicure is in my near future!
Next up is to start getting ready for a 5k in September. My plan is to walk/run 3 days a week and still hook up with my boys for weekend rides.

LIFE IS GOOD!!

Long Time, No Write!

It's been nearly a year since my last post. I think I have redefined "slacker"! But hopefully it can be considered I am making amends.

Once again, I am GOING to (please note that I did not say "try" or "attempt") put myself back on the righteous path to better overall health. This must begin with me being completely honest with myself and anyone else who reads this. I am officially 100lbs over weight. I can't believe I let myself get this way or this far. There are no excuses, no blame, no what ifs. I simply must hold myself accountable for the choices I have made over the last 5 years. And I feel it is necessary for me to point out the obvious...to myself...that the only one that can change it, IS ME!

I found a little inspiration in my dear friend, Dwayne who recently bought his first bicycle as an adult and has found a desire to want to get out and ride it. I have been finding a little of that desire, coupled with a side of need, to get out with him. Let me be the first to admit that the one and only activity that I truly dislike the most is bike riding. And there is NO activity I like to do in the Memphis heat! Butt....(yes, I meant to use 2 ts), I have never enjoyed myself more because I am riding with friends just as a social thing to do. So now, I have the plus side of it being something that got my fat butt of the couch, outside and moving.

So what exactly am I to do with this lost but now I have found desire...why something crazy of course! I just signed myself up for the St. Jude Half Marathon in December. Yep! Paid for! In full! No refund! No turning back! Butt since I like the idea of my physical activities to be social, I am trying to brainwash...I mean recruit...I mean ask/beg/bribe friends to do this with me. (Side note: I am a teacher, I am never above bribing to get what I want, just ask my co-worker, Bethany) While I say I am accountable for my choices, I need to be held accountable for my actions. This is where I always fail. So if anyone is interested in joining me, I start a simple "Couch 2 5k" program Monday that leads me to half marathon Training mid-Septembter.

So...why am I rambling? Because I need all the help I can get to stay focused on the big picture, getting healthy. I have big goals and I have baby steps and a whole lotta obstacles in between. I want this extra 100lbs off but instead of setting myself up for failure by saying "I'm gonna lose 10lbs a month or I'm gonna exercise 7 days a week", I'm taking baby steps to get there and rewarding myself for the littlest to the biggest of accomplishment. I have financially committed myself to a few local active events and I'm enlisting any and all of my peeps to go all "Drill Sargent" on me. There is no set time frame, just a constant forward movement and momentum.

With that, I hope to be blogging/pestering everyone with my ambitious life plan a lot more often.

Till then!

Dear Juneau

Dear Juneau,

This week marks the first year of your passing (actual day was August 24th). We knew it would be a year of bittersweet memories and for some crazy reason, we thought the sense of loss would be more manageable as time continued on. But how is that possible when we often refer to you in the present tense.

We chose not to have children but the day that you and your siblings danced and sang into our lives was the day our "family" was complete. You showed us an unconditional love that only a "child" can have. There were days we thought we would never get passed the anger (like chewing door frames of our apartment), days we wondered about your iron stomach (remember when you ate the ant trap and we actually tracked down the manufacturer to see if we needed to rush you to the hospital), and then there were the days we thought you would be with us forever. We yelled and punished (which never lasted longer than 15 minutes before we gave in), we worried, we comforted, we laughed, we hugged and most of all, every day we loved you! Now who can argue that we don't have children.

Nakita misses you most of all I think. You were her soul mate. She had nothing to do with other dogs before you came along and the very second she met you, she accepted and loved you. You showed her tolerance and how to be social with your laid back style. You were the one that literally found her voice. You know, since you left us, we haven't heard her say much. I think she's saving it all for when she gets to see you again. You better be ready, because she's got a lot to say!

Gretchen misses you a lot, too. She loved playing and talking to you and getting you all riled up just for fun and then laying next to you when you showed her it was to time to rest. You know, she went from last to middle child...you would be very proud of the way she is handling herself. She took on your job and she's serious about it. She keeps Nakita feeling young and she keeps Cash in line and reminds him (often) of his place.

Cash...you would have really liked Cash. He shares a lot of your qualities. He loves the sound of his own voice and he talks a lot and loud. He plays with a bit of a mischievous manner in his own sly way, and even though he is all boy, he plays nice with the girls. So many times we look at him and we see a spark of you...you put him in our lives, didn't you?

While we could go on about all the things we miss about you, all we really want to say is:

We miss and love you everyday, Sweet Boy!

With absolute and total love,
Forever Your family
Gayle, Michael, Nakita, Gretchen, and Cash

A New Place To Spread My Wings

No...don't panic! I haven't left Hope House or moved anywhere. Well, actually, I did make a major move but not with a change of address. After 13 very interesting years with preschoolers (3-5 year olds), I was offered a different age group. While I am still, and will always be, The Queen Bee, I will be buzzing with the Honey Bees instead of the Busy Bees.

My new hive has Bees that range in age from 6 weeks to 15 months. That's right friends, I get to mold little minds from the earliest age possible. Did you know that from 0-6 years the brain acquires 4x more information and fires 10x more synapses then 6-14 years? And after 14, the activity decreases by half! So to say I am molding little minds is an understatement. A few of the greatest things about this age: I get to witness their first steps and hear their first words and so many more firsts!

Now, this was not an easy adjustment or task to take on!! Creating and maintaining a routine/schedule that will benefit a more inviting learning environment was bit daunting and getting the Honey Bees on board was exhausting...at first. Having never worked with this age, I had a lot of homework to do. Once I learned what milestones are developmentally appropriate at each month, I was able to put together a meaningful and interactive schedule where EVERY activity contributes to the constant learning and growth. And after 3 weeks, the Honey Bees and I are all on the same page! Now, if we can all nap together...

A Dog's Life 7/31/10

A test montage of a few favorite pictures of our four legged family.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A BEE-utiful Day!

Adasia and I spent the day together and I took her to the Memphis Farmers Market and to "My Big Backyard" at the Memphis Botanic Garden. It was a hot June day but we had tons of fun. I found an awesome blog to follow called Peace Bee Farmers and picked up a couple of their home-made honey products and talked to the son of the owner about taking the Busy Bees out to their bee farm to see why they are so appropriately named. Feeling bee-ish, I was able to take a few pictures of the flowers at the Garden with a few of my winged obsession. Oh, I did see a few flowers without bees, too.