Week 10: Measurements and Plateaus--What is the Deal??

Thumbs up from grandson Tavian!!
Okay folks.....another round of measurements and weighing in....but it is ALL part of the deal!!  Right??  So, let's see where I stand after two and a half months of workouts and eating healthier (despite some cheat days).  It wasn't a bang-up two weeks for me, but despite having a birthday party to attend (grandson) and allowing myself some cheat days....I still dropped close to one pound, but more importantly---more inches.  Even more than that---I can tell in my posture (core) that I am stronger than when I began this journey.  Muscle weighs more than fat....and that's what I am telling myself!! 

Grandson Breckin showing his approval of the Cider Mill donut!

Whenever we go to Louisburg, KS to see the grandsons (and their parents), it is tradition that we go for Cider Mill donuts at some point.  I like to tell myself that they are healthier than other donuts because they are made with apple cider....so let's not burst my bubble...ok??  I just try not to eat TOO many of them!!  

Apparently I take lots of these private vacations...especially at night!

 I don't know about the rest of you (ladies anyway) but I have numerous hot flashes every night.  I had a total hysterectomy at the end of 2011 and that sent me into menopause.  There are many wonderful and fun (sarcasm) new occurrences in this stage of life (haha) and I do not really have issues with many of them except for the HF's.  Whew!!  Waking up several times a night and kicking off the blankets is quite the workout!!  Then I wake up an hour later freezing....do some crunches to cover myself up and then we start the process all over.  I know that eventually this will end, so I just tolerate it as best as I can.  The other issue I notice is this slower metabolism---hence the need for this blog!!

This might be work a try!

I found this calendar while shopping the other day....it might be worth a try!!  I would like to get into yoga, but I just have not found the right instructor or video yet.  I like more movement and action, but I am not giving up on yoga yet.  Balance is extremely important for your health, and yoga helps with that, as well as gaining strength.  And if cows can do it.....I should be able to as well, right??

Rain, rain....go away......

The biggest struggle for me is when the weather turns bad.  I love being outside anyway, and especially when it comes to exercise.  Walking, running, swimming, biking, you name it---if it is an activity that can be done outside....I love it.  We had three days in a row of rainy, dreary weather in the last week.  This requires me to be very creative to get my workouts done, and it is even more difficult for me to stay motivated on these days.  

Funny place to leave a needle...haha!

So, I told you that I have been doing the Couch to 5K app on my phone, right?  A few days ago after the weather cleared up, I went out for a three mile run and kept feeling something weird in my shoe.  I didn't stop to check it since I just thought it was a twig or something in there.  When I got home I took off my sock and found a needle on the bottom!  Luckily it was stuck in the sock well enough that it didn't poke into my skin!  I have never had that happen before!  Next time I will check it as soon as I feel something!

Here we go....my favorite cheat meal!!  A little old-fashioned burger joint called Boomarang.  They have the best burgers and I always get the fried pickles.  When you're going to cheat....do it well!!!  Of course, I do make sure that I get back on track after that, and try to add an extra workout of some sort if I have the time. I also don't allow myself cheat days every other day or so....just once a week or so.

Getting healthy is a slow process....I must remind myself!!

I don't really have much to report on from the past two weeks.  I did read an article about how sometimes if you reach a plateau that you can't seem to get past....maybe you need to listen to your body and just accept that it could be the best weight for you at this time in your life.  I know that at different stages in my life I have been heavier or lighter, depending on the chapter I was on at the time.  Don't beat yourself up by trying to get back to an unrealistic weight.  I hope that you all are doing great with your healthy journey!!!  Until next time........ 

Personal Boot Camp: Week 8: Another Round of Measurements

Personal Boot Camp: Week 8: Another Round of Measurements: Uh oh!!!! Have you seen these???  The teeny, tiny, stretchy pieces of not-much-material-that-never-cover-enough-of-my-skin-thing-a-ma-bob...

Week 8: Another Round of Measurements

Uh oh!!!!
Have you seen these???  The teeny, tiny, stretchy pieces of not-much-material-that-never-cover-enough-of-my-skin-thing-a-ma-bobbers...otherwise known as a swimsuit!!  AHHHHHH....not to alarm you all, but THEY'RE BACK!!!!!!  I know that I just turned the calendar over to March---but this is when it starts  to get REAL!!  I am going to have to FIT into one these in a few months.  Oh me, oh my!!!!

National Margarita Day--Feb. 22---I may need another one thinking about swimsuits!!

Yes, my husband did make me Margaritas from scratch on that day....and now I may need more!  Actually, this reminds me that eating healthy is my goal, but I still want to enjoy life and not be so strict and rigid that I feel like I am depriving myself constantly.  That is a recipe (pun intended) for disaster when it comes to your weight.  Yes, you may take it off--but it likely won't stay off as you will go back to eating or drinking those things and OVER indulge in them.  So, treat yourself once in a while....just do it in moderation.

So this week was another measurement/weigh-in week. Any time I start to think about scales and measuring it makes me a little anxious...if I am being honest.  Due to the fun in New Orleans, I absolutely wanted to get back to where I had been---but also lose a little more.  I was ecstatic when I got on my Wii (using the program shown above) and it showed that I had lost 4.9 pounds and my BMI had gone down as well.  The funniest thing about the Wii Fit program to me is that it will tell me that my BMI is considered overweight and would I like to set a goal of 22?  Uhhh sure I would---but that means I would have to lose a BUNCH of weight to get there.  So then when I punch in that I want to lose three pounds in two weeks, it usually tells me that I am not being realistic. Huh??  (Another reason I may need another Margarita!!)  At least it gives me a good laugh each time!!  Maybe someday I will get to 22....and also, pigs might fly!!!

I have still been trying new recipes and foods in this adventure to get healthier.  To the left above is beet greens.  The night before, we had roasted the beets with garlic and olive oil, they were so delicious.  The next night, I blanched the greens and then chopped them and sauteed with garlic and red pepper flakes.  They were both dishes that will be made again!!  The only warning I will give is this: be prepared for the bowel movements for the next few days and DO NOT get alarmed at the color (I don't think I need to expand on this one....)!!  The dish on the right is fried cauliflower...a take on chicken fried rice.  I just grated the cauliflower the size of rice and substituted.  It doesn't need to cook near as long as rice though.  (Check with Pinterest or just Google for the recipes!)

I also started a new 30 day workout called the Full Body KILLER Workout.....so the pictures above of my two dogs shows you about how I feel when I am done with it each day!!  This one has squats, pushups, curls, leg lifts, crunches, Russian Twists, jumping jacks, Mountain Climbers and burpees.  However....after the first day of attempting 20 burpees...I substituted planks instead.  I believe that you should know your limits and not push your body too far beyond its capabilities.  My knees could not handle the burpees (maybe it had something to do with the knee surgery due to a hurdling accident I suffered at the age of 42---hence the "know your limits" mentality!).  I can truly tell the difference in my core and posture after these weeks of hard work.

While back in my hometown a week ago I got to go out to the house that I grew up in.  The reason I add this photo is that being back there reminded me of how active I was when we lived there.  It was before the time of internet, cable TV, video games, and cell phones. When we weren't in school, my brothers and I were outside having adventures of some sort (possibly getting into trouble with some...)!!  Seeing the old farmstead really brought back good memories, plus we found a few treasures to bring home!  

A picture taken with two great friends inside of an old chicken coop.  The ceiling was chicken wire and walls were stone.  They don't make things like that anymore.  It was a beautiful February day and we enjoyed every moment.

In my opinion, health comes from the inside out---meaning that you have to be at peace in your soul and love yourself enough to want to take care of the outside as well. While reading a daily devotional I came across one of my favorite scriptures from the Bible.  When I start feeling out of sorts....I realize that I need to get back to reading scripture to find my inner peace.   I also need help when it comes to the "Be still" part.... 

I was invited to a painting party where you bring your own refreshments and snacks (thanks Megan!).  This is my friend Michele and I with our blank canvasses and wine!  Let the creative juices flow....or at least the wine!  Actually, an instructor guides you through the whole process and they all end up very similar.  It was fun and I could see doing this at home with some friends!  It was relaxing.  

The final product!  The bride-to-be was allowed to choose what picture we would all attempt to recreate.  Since this was a bachelorette party, she chose the lovebirds.  I think it is important for your mental health to find hobbies and interests that allow you to relax and de-stress.  I have always loved art, so this could be a new (old) way for me to chill.  

The main thing to remember when you are working on your health is not to ignore your inner health as well.  Although we can't be happy happy happy every moment of every day....it IS a choice sometimes to decide that no matter what chaos you may have around you, you have a choice.  So until next time.....deep breaths and BE HAPPY!!!!