Scale is finally moving

The scale is finally moving in the right direction.  My weight had been at a plateau for such a long time.  I would sometimes go up or down a bit but nothing consistent.

It is so aggravating to get stuck at a weight that is NOT the goal weight.  I consistently exercise and watch my calorie intake.  I was feeling cheated  on weigh-in day because I was working out and saying no to food indulgences.

In fact I had a bad couple of days at the beginning of the month when it came to food choices.  I suppose it was a pity party because I wasn't losing weight.  I took a couple of days to feel sorry for myself and then decided it was time to dig in my heels.  I went back to good food choices and watching my nighttime snacking. 

If I need/want a snack in the evening, I pick a vegetable or fruit.  I'm working on keeping apples, turnips, and other fresh food on hand for a snack.  During my pity party, I was turning to carbs for comfort and just making myself feel worse.  It is interesting how I thought I  was eating to comfort myself but only caused more damage through the guilt.  In one week I ate an enormous amount of caramel popcorn.  That was the turning point for getting back on the bandwagon.  Onwards to the goal!

Where to find healthy tips

My newest way to waste time is Pinterest, http://pinterest.com  Yes, laundry needs to be done and several other household chores, but I can't seem to ignore the calling of "pinning" something. 

There are some really good ideas for workouts on the site.  I've been following Shape and several other sources for maximizing my workout time.  It seems that a lot of the fitness tips revolve around running. I did add some light jogging to my walks, but I just can't make that commitment to become a "real" runner.

Then there are all the recipes.  I've noticed that some of the healthy recipes are listed under fitness and health instead of food and drink.  I have found some good boards to follow.  It gets boring eating the same recipes for dinner each week.  I'll try to get around to making a new recipe from the site for dinner this week and share it here. 

There is one warning about the site:  late at night I get hungry looking at all the good food!  Not all the recipes are healthy and there are so many dessert recipes that it can be a temptation.  I've learned not to peruse the site when I'm hungry or it is really late at night. 

Time for Training

The last week has been totally crazy! My mom was back in the hospital again.  However, I think her problem has finally been figured out, and we can get busy managing the issue.  She is my best friend, and I just wasn't myself this week. 

This week I was only able to walk once.  Did I mention I'm walking a 10K in two weeks!  Yikes!  It is time for some serious training.  I'm used to walking four miles but six will be a little harder.  I said that more mileage was headed my way for training, but in actuality I've been walking much less. Here's to hoping that my family life will be "normal," and I can get back to my workouts. 

Life is always throwing curve balls. I just need to do better about handling the curves and unexpected things in life.  There were days I could have done some indoor workouts;however,  I was just emotionally drained and couldn't push myself. 

10K for Charity

One of the great things about losing weight is my energy level.  In the past I would have never considered a 10K for charity or not.  It wouldn't have been possible for my body.  I sponsor a club at the high school where I teach that is all about community service and volunteerism.  We have done many different charity events but never one that involves walking 6.2 miles.

It makes me so happy to know that I can walk a 10K and support a great charity at the same time.  I love having the energy and confidence to do a lengthy walk.

However, that means I will need to start increasing my mileage on my daily walks.  Right now I walk around 4 miles per day.  I do want to make good time on the 10K, so I will try to build up to 6 miles a day during October. 

I Need Another Degree

Seriously, I need another degree to understand weight loss and gain.  I read a lot about good food choices, working out, and all those "secret" weight loss advantages.  However, I can't seem to figure out my own "system."

Last weekend I was crying the blues.  I had been super strict with my workouts and calorie counting but went up two pounds!  This weekend I was expecting more bad news because it had been such a hectic week, and I didn't workout as much.  Well, I was down a pound.  Ok, I guess I just have to keep working hard to get these last 15 or so pounds off my body.  I just can't seem to predict what the scale will read now.  When I was heavier, I was right on the money with a loss or gain. 

I'm still using myfitnesspal.com to journal my food.  A warning about the site: some calorie counts are incorrect.  If you use it, be sure to double check the calories.  I have found several errors - especially in restaurant calorie counts. 

Here's hoping for a week full of workouts and good food choices.

Total Frustration

I started using myfitnesspal.com to track my calories.  In my last post, I mentioned my disdain for calorie counting but felt it necessary.  So last week I stayed at or well below my daily calories.  I worked out five times and was sure to journal all of my food. 

When I weighed in on Saturday morning, I was expecting great news.  Well... it wasn't so great.  I was up two pounds. For real. I just don't get it.  I am feeling completely frustrated.  I was strict with my eating and did my regular workout routine.  I sometimes just feel like throwing in the towel.  I won't but I do feel like giving up at times.  I was so strict and didn't bend any of the weight loss rules this past week.  So what gives? 

Just going to keep going hard this week and hope to see some results at my next weigh in. 

Pineapples and Walks

Two things I want to write about: pineapples and walks. 

First, I made a healthy angel food cake with pineapples this weekend.  I have several family members that are now trying to lose weight, and I wanted them to have a healthy dessert on Sunday.  We love having all of my family over for Sunday dinner after church.  It is a great time to catch up on every one's life.  My mom and I cook a big dinner and usually buy a dessert from a bakery.  I did buy a double chocolate fudge cake for the kids and guys in my life :)  Then I wanted a sweet treat for myself and  family members that are trying to lose weight.  I was so surprised by how much everyone loved the pineapple angel food cake.  Even my husband, who had a piece of each cake, said he like the angel food cake the best.  I found this super, easy recipe on pinterest: a box of white angel food cake and a large can of crushed pineapple with the juice. Mix together and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.  I took some leftover pieces to my work friends and they loved it too.

Item #2 is my love for walking outdoors.  I had missed four days due to my mother's health and the remnants of Isaac. When I can't go on my walk, I start to feel unhealthy and a little blue in mood.  Walking isn't just good for my physical health but my mood too.  It is the one thing I do for myself and it is a time to clear my head. 

So I'm in love today with pineapples and walks.  What helps you to feel better?  Embrace whatever it is and enjoy :)  Now, I'm off to sip on some acai and blueberry tea.