Back In Action

I can't believe I've only made one post in the entire year of 2013! That should tell you how focused I've been. Since my last post I have lost my Mother and a number of other things have been well let's just say I've had several distractions. Through it all I've remained dedicated to my physical activity actual probably working out more than I ever have but I haven't been eating well and I've been drinking like a fish! Nonetheless your girl is back on it. The good thing is if you fall down you can always get right back up! I've been preaching it through every post. Anything that is within control you can change! It's time for some changes! Make your plan now! Stay tuned more frequent posts to come! Go get the happy healthy you! After all you only get one body cherish it and it will cherish you!

Challenge Accepted

I'm beyond excited, nervous, anxious and everything in between. I have joined my Gyms fitness challenge and enlisted my dear cousin to join me which she did without hesitation! I've been slipping so band the last few month with various stresses in my life and I'm not having it at all! Time to get this train back on track. I've been going to my same Gold's gym faithfully several times a week since 2007 and every year they have a transformation challenge and every year I notice it but that's about it. It stopped me in my tracks this year. Just what I needed to get focused again. It was right on time and like a beacon of light at the end of the darkest tunnel ever! Yeah I work out like crazy but my alcohol intake is through the roof which has been accompanied with bar food and junk that doesn't fuel the body the way that I need it to. So almost 7 years after my goal weight loss the pounds are slowing creepy back on. For all these years I allowed myself to be up or down 5 pounds from my goal weight which I managed to keep up until about this past year. Although I've gained no where near back what I lost anything over that 5 pounds above my goal weight is unacceptable and it's gotta go! So I'm pulling out all the stops. Two different boot camps a week, A personal trainer 3 days a week, Various drop in gym times and of course my periodic 5K's, 8K's or 5milers! I feel blessed to have so many people rallying behind me. Anyone who knows me when I say I'm going to do something...it's done! Stay tuned.

Holiday time!

Okay I know don't panic! If you are anything like me you have tons of holiday parties to attend and that means booze and food and both can blow your healthy lifestyle right out of the water. I've got three words for you! PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! It's the only way to keep you sane and from overindulging in all the goodies! I recently stopped drinking completely for 21 whole days! I was so proud of myself and it showed on the scale. Alcohol can have a low calorie count by itself but when you start mixing with sugary mixes and sodas watch out! I've never been one for fruity drinks but if you are mix with diet colas or natural lime juice. Also go for wine it packs a punch and so much better for you than say a beer or God forbid calorie ladened egg nog! What I have to watch out for is the munchies when I drink so get rid of the tortilla chips and other not so good for you choices. Try hard cheese and reduced fat crackers, almonds or edamame or some veggies. Raw asparagus and slices of yellow or red peppers are my favorites. Plan ahead before a holiday party by drinking plenty of water and maybe eating an apple on the way! Never go hungry or you are defeated before you even start. Grab the dessert size plates instead of the dinner plates and fill up on veggies and lean proteins. Stay away from the desserts and starchy rich foods. Focus on the conversation or atmosphere instead of the buffet and I guarantee you that you wont't miss out on a thing! Cheers!

It doesn't get any easier!

So I turned 40 this year! No big deal right? Wrong! A very big deal when you are constantly trying to stay fit and stay on track. As our body ages we change and not for the better! More of this, less of that. If you are like me you wonder what's going on! Don't get me wrong I feel better now than I did at 20 and look better too I might add but I often wonder...am I an old lady? I mean really? I joke about it and call myself old all the time! If these were the frontier days I'd already have several grandchildren and one foot in the grave and probably just a few teeth I might add. Nonetheless it's 2012 and the best part about living in this age is that we are educated with how to keep our bodies running like a well oiled machine. But do we follow the advice of doctors and health experts? Sure we like to think that we do but in our lazy society we often want overnight success and a quick fix pill. If I thought something like even existed I would jump on it but it doesn't not for the long haul anyway. I feel a definite difference in trying to maintain my weight these last couple of years which just means I have to adapt. Make the the necessary changes to conform to my body's needs. The best thing you can do is listen to your body, watch and observe and take heed. You know what works for you and you know what doesn't. If not, consult your physician and find the path you need. Last Sunday, September, 16th I ran the Navy 5 Miler for the third year in a row. I thought wow I'm older I'm in a different age category now in the race and I'm as determined as ever to do better than I did the two previous years and I did! I was ecstatic that I ran 5 miles in 54:47! Now what's my goal for next year? Hmmmmm

What's Eating You?

Emotions play a large roll in our eating habits. Sometimes we don't eat because we are down or eat too much. Other times we want to reward ourselves with something we know we shouldn't have and then end up feeling bad afterward. Sometimes we have to stop and ask ourselves if we are really hungry or are we just eating to feel good. I'm sure you've all heard the quote "Eat to live, don't live to eat!" Well I agree with this to a certain extent. Sure we can eat leaves off the trees and drink water and that's enough for us to live but that's not living. We've evolved enough that our food choices especially in this country range the full spectrum from super healthy to "A heart attack on a plate" as I like to call some dishes. Even if your eating habits fall somewhere in the middle over indulgence is usually a serious factor. Portion sizes are generally way too large and if you were like me, as a child you were told to finish the food on your plate...full or not! I can say from experience that it's all an adjustment but not an impossible one. Everything takes practice even eating. Correction eating healthy! Let nothing else guide your food selection choices, emotions shouldn't and hunger certainly shouldn't. If you are eating small meals and snacks throughout the day you should never be hungry to the point that you would select anything other than what you should be eating. If you need to write down meals do it! If you need to view restaurant menus on line before you go, do it! With a little effort that's all it takes you'll feel better and you'll look GREAT!

Your favorite jeans

Your favorite jeans or your favorite dress, skirt, blouse or whatever. We all have something that is our one favorite go to item. You want to keep that one favorite piece of clothing right within reach for when you dress it up or dress it down whatever the case but what happens when it no longer fits? Devastation? Tears? The crazy thing is you would think you would be happy if it's too big but sometimes that's not always the case but then it may be a reminder of what you used to think made you look great until you see how your body is swimming in it and you think to yourself did I really think this was cute? Often we want to ditch it fast and never look back but why not hold on to it? Just as a reminder to keep you focused and to congratulate yourself on just how far you've come! Now here comes the flip side...what if that favorite piece seems to fit more snug with every wear? You think to yourself is my dryer set on high? Did the dry cleaners shrink my clothes? But you've noticed a couple extra pounds on the scale but refuse to accept it! As I've said before the weight loss battle is just as much a mental thing as it is a physical thing. Once you conquer your fears, your denials or maybe even your laziness you can begin to set those goals that you need to reach and go for it! Make a list, write it out! Tell a friend or loved one, someone that can help hold you accountable and go for it.

Taking care of you

Are you a priority in your own life? Don't let work, your love life, friends or family derail you from your goals. You'll find that all of these things will some how fall into place when you make yourself a priority. I used to consider myself selfish until I realized I'm just taking care of me! If I don't who will in the large scheme of things? In return my body loves me back by making me feel good, giving me energy and clear thoughts. Yeah yeah everyday isn't going to be a parade but it's damn close. Obstacles don't feel as huge, and little things aren't morphed into bigger things because I won't allow them to affect me that way and I truly believe a lot of this feeling is due to taking care physically. Are you going to make some changes for you? Why not? Let's do it together!