Never Give Up

It seems the older I get, the slower the weight comes off.

That's okay.  Not how anyone wants it, we all want it off yesterday, but steady progress in the right direction is okay.  My favorite quote of all time:

Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use. ~Earl Nightingale

It all adds up.

Down 1.5 for a total of 9.5 since my restart.

I think back to the time, not so long ago, that I lost over 40 pounds in four months.  I walked daily, a lot.  I averaged above 40,000 steps a day.  I cannot replicate that today due to the problems with my feet and time. I knew then that I had the luxury of time which most do not.  According to my fitbit, I averaged over 3,000 calories burnt daily.  I have not hit that yet since my restart.  I am continuously looking at ways to improve my calorie burn.  I've been averaging 2400-2600.  Amazing, that 500+/- makes a huge difference. I am so limited due to my foot issues, but that is no excuse to give up.

The bike I love at my gym I can no longer use.  It hurts my tailbone terribly.  Last night I rode my real bike, outside.  It never hurts my tailbone, but I do not enjoy riding in traffic at all.  Nor big hills.  I am wondering if a trainer and indoor usage would be a good solution.  Perhaps for winter.  Ellipticals hurt my knees and feet, both.  The recumbent bikes hurt my feet terribly.  So it's slow walking at an incline and the bike at my school gym.  Sad, it's an hour away and I don't get to use it daily.

I broke down and did a Richard Simmons video yesterday just for fun.  Love the music and energy, but alas the beginner-level workouts that he produces are just not enough for me to get a big calorie burn.  My heart rate only averaged 114.  That is not good enough.  It is not productive use of my time.

So, never give up--will continue to look for my sweet spot. It's all going in the right direction, just tweaking along the way!

Just One Pound?

Yes, just one pound!  That's how much I lost this week.  Same as last week.  Since my re-start, I've lost a total of 8.  When you think about ONE pound, it doesn't seem like much!  They add up, though!  I'm three pounds from my first mini-goal.

One pound is always a good thing and a step in the right direction.

I am happy!

49

Today is my 49th birthday. My, how time flies.  I was asked what I wanted for my birthday, I shared what i wanted, and told to order it.  My Champion EZ Barbell arrived and I love it!  I also got a kettlebell DVD which is on its way and lifting straps.  It's a fitness birthday.

I could go to a nice restaurant for dinner, but instead, much to the family's dismay, I chose Subway.  I can count my calories, get some veggies, and get full.  No chance of messing up there.  I may get an ice cream cone at McDonald's for 150 calories.  Or not.  I need to check their website, it's been awhile.  

My birthday gift to myself was the best:  On plan.  I've been on plan, working out, counting calories, not dinking around, since June 17.  Ten days now.  You have to love yourself, and that was the best thing I could do for myself.  I have lost pounds, my body is changing, my legs are screaming at me LOL.  Yup, that is the best gift.   

YES!!!

I am really psyched this morning.  I have lost 6 pounds since June 17.  While technically some of it has to be water, I KNOW it's not all water.  My body is changing. My core has changed. The fat is loose.  My belly button has changed shape.  The consistency of the fat is completely different than when I started.

My hard work is working.

I struggle with the foot pain still, I have extensor tendonitis, peroneal tendonitis and the neuropathy left.  They say for foot problems to ride a bike. Some days the foot pain on the bike is worse than walking--so I get off the bike and walk on the treadmill. Much better.  Adapt and overcome.  I refuse to let anything stand in my way.

I got new shoes which helped on the bike.

I have worked my way up to 70 minutes straight cardio. I do steady state.  I have ready every study out there, I know they all hate steady state.  However, it works FOR ME.   That's not to say I never do interval training--I do with kettlebells.  But every single day I do 70 minutes of steady state.  I do some form of weights daily.  Yesterday I trained my back.  Today I will train chest.  I also do kettlebells.

I will also be adding in one of my beloved videos daily.  Class FIRMs, Kick Butt and FitPrime all three by Anna Benson and can be found at Fitness Favorites, plus some Ellen Barrett for the yummy, stretchy feel good stuff.

I am happy.  I'm in the groove.  I don't know if blogging was the key to getting me going or what.  I'm on a roll.  My calories have been perfect.

When you do the work, it works.  That's the easy part, the hard part is the mental work.

Live in the moment.  Don't look forward to what will happen, enjoy the NOW.  I'm working a meditation program as well, and that is changing my perspective on LIFE.

It's all good!!!!  

The day I last entered a blog post was a bad day for me.  Something happened that shook me to my core. I am still not recovered from it, and I don't think I ever will be.  However, it was the impetus to start something new...

I started researching meditation.  I need to relax.  My stress was sky-high after that day.  I've started a program I found on cassette at the library by Jon Kabat-Zinn.  He runs some big stress-reduction clinic through an east coast university.  Or something like that.  I really like it.  I've only listened to the first few cassettes, but have already been putting the breathing techniques to work.

Someday I will conquer the demons in my mind.

Yesterday, for the first time in nearly two years, I walked a 5K.  I was thrilled.  That night I did a kettlebell workout.  Today depression hit me hard and I was weepy all day long.  I have to beat this.

Tomorrow, the plan is to get to the gym in the morning.  That is the best anti-depressant there is--for me.

Yesterday and today my calories have been spot on.

Bad things will happen in life.  None of us can avoid them.  I personally need to learn to not let them consume me.  That is when I get all messed up.

Moving forward.

A quote that helps tremendously:

"You have made some mistakes and you may not be where you want to be, but that has nothing to do with your future."  Zig Zigar



"

Building Momentum

As days go on, I am building up my momentum.

Things are becoming more consistent, more regular, more routine.  My stomach is aware it is empty at the same time daily, my body craves movement when I typically move out, and I'm settling in well.

Mentally, I am facing ups and downs from people I don't even know, but I'm holding strong.

I make mistakes, I am human and subject to err.  I don't have to be perfect.

I'd say things are going very well.

I'm pleased.

Consistency is the key.

Better Day

I felt so much better today.  That is cause for celebration.

Tonight I hit the gym and did 25 minutes on the spin bike and some weights.  I came home and did a kettlebell workout.  Nothing like a really good workout to make the endorphins talk to you.

Calories at 1620 for the day.

It was a good day.  Tomorrow I will have another good day.