Loving Myself

[lynnde83]

Once again, I am starting my weight loss journey. Once again I am hoping that this will be the last time I have to begin this journey. I want to finish, I want to reach my goal!!

In 1999 I gave birth to my sixth child, a short 15 months after giving birth to my 5th child. It has been since then that I have had problems losing the weight and keeping it off. I find now that I have entered into menopause (mixed blessings) that losing the weight is even harder than it was before. Last summer I worked so hard, I ate clean, real clean, and lost 20 pounds. I struggled to stay at 140 for over four months. My weight just wasn't budging. I finally gave up in October when I quit my gym membership. I enjoyed the holidays, a little to much!! I have had problems getting back to the "frame" of mind where I need to be to eat the way I need to eat.

In the last six years I have dabbled a little with weight lifting and had visions of competing in a figure competition. I have watched the girls train, and sculpt their bodies. Such a beautiful art form. I have to credit them for pushing themselves so hard, and have come to realize I just don't have the "umph" at this point to even consider such a feat.

I am now back up to 160 but...I have my motivation back, my mindset is where it should be. I have to go slower this time around though, because there will be no more running. I love running, I love the way I feel when my heart is pounding, the sweat pouring from my face, and I'm gasping for air. Ah yes, not much can compare to the adrenaline surging through my body after a good run. Nope, no more running. My knees are shot. I have osteoarthritis, and on top of my varicose veins, my legs are just to sore.

I am walking. I am walking a lot. I wish I had a pedometer, so I could count my steps. I do have a sports-watch, and I have started using that again. It's fun to check my heart-rate and see how fast I can get it up with a simple little walk.

So...this is the beginning to the end, finally reaching my weight goal. Finally finishing the race.

 

[lynnde83]

Good morning! The day has started and I'm just getting ready for a walk. I have completed a few exercises with my band this morning, and had a nice healthy breakfast. The sun is shining today after almost a week of rain, and for that I am thankful. Looks like the weekend is going to be a good one. I might even get to weeding in my Mom's garden.

I thought I would share a little more about myself, without divulging to much information as my privacy is important to me. So...as noted yesterday, I currently weigh 160 pounds. My highest weight is 163 (12/2010) my lowest weight 108 (6/87) I feel comfortable around 120-125. I am 46 years old. I just want to be the healthy person I was back in 1996 and 1997 before the birth of my last two children. My goal for the month of July is to lose 10 pounds.

Hope your day goes well.

 

[tetemcg]

Sounds like you are off to a great day!!

I hope this journey is the success story you need and want ..we are much better moms when we love our self's as much as our children!!

 

[lynnde83]

Sounds like you are off to a great day!!

I hope this journey is the success story you need and want ..we are much better moms when we love our self's as much as our children!!

Thank you Tetemcg. Loving ourselves is definitely a key to happiness.

 

[lynnde83]

The day is just about over and I am happy to report that I had a good day!

I went for my second walk today (30 minutes) and took a stroll around Kmart. While I was there, I ran into a gal I use to work with. One of the sweetest, nicest people I have had the pleasure of knowing. It was good to see a friendly face

My food was good today too. I am happy with my food intake so far, being careful not to overeat, and to make sure I am consuming enough to keep my energy up. There's nothing like starting the day with a protein omelet filled with lots of sweet peppers.

The plan for this next week is to lose two pounds, stretch everyday, and keep walking (a walk in the morning and a walk in the evening), to check in at least twice a day. I hope everyone's day went just as well as mine if not better.

 

[lynnde83]

New week, new opportunities...

Good morning!

A new week has arrived, and new chances surround us all. I have already finished my healthy breakfast, and a series of stretching exercises. I am really hoping these stretches will loosen my tight lower back muscles as well as alleviate the pain I feel in my knees.

Last spring, I fell in a hole (twisting my left foot) while mowing the lawn and have had problems with tingling on my left side. I've been to the Dr. several times, well...(three) and haven't received an acceptable answer to what is going on. I can't just accept the fact that I have to live with this tingling, numbness sensation for the rest of my life. So, I am hoping these stretches will help with my foot as well.

I wanted to write in my diary before venturing out on my walk today. I don't know where I'll be walking, but I have decided to walk for at least 30 minutes. I might even grab my hula hoop and work with that for a few minutes. Just trying to keep everything low impact. I wanted to walk to my Leslie Sansone or Denise Austin DVD's but my laptop won't play cd's or dvd's anymore. The tv got ruined..somehow. Mom's tv doesn't work, so it's me and my creativity when it comes to working out. I did find a couple "full length" work out videos on hulu, so I might do one of those. I will let you know later what decision I made for my workout today other than the walking.

I started weeding my Mom's flower garden in the back of the house yesterday afternoon. I managed to get a little done, until I was over taken with a severe attack of sneezing. Allergies hitting once again. That hay gets me everytime. I want to get that finished up today and then probably mow the lawn later this evening when the sun isn't so hot to prevent the grass from dying.

Breakfast was a baked apple, oatmeal, and some yogurt. I plan on grabbing a couple pieces of toast before I head out the door. Mid-lunch will be an egg white omelet, with sweet peppers and some orange juice. Keeping everything simple!

I hope everyone has a great day, with lots of sunshine.

 

[lynnde83]

End of the day ramblings..

Another day is coming to a close, and I am happy to report that I had another amazing day. I started my morning with 10 minutes of stretching (yes, even before breakfast After breakfast I went on a 30 minute walk and burned 200 calories (as recorded by my sports watch--it's awesome)! After my walk, I worked in my Mom's yard. I finished weeding the back flower garden, made a support pole for the clothesline, took the yucky cloth off the swing, washed it and was disappointed that it didn't come clean (yes, I even added bleach) The plan is now to make a new covering.

I kept busy pretty much the whole day. I even managed to fit in a little grocery shopping

Food was good for the day, pretty much a repeat of yesterday although I did have a serving of chex mix. Oh yes, it was really good. But..I was good, had only one serving, and it was the 60% less fat kind, and had dark chocolate..Yum! I am working on increasing my water. 32 ounces yesterday and 32 ounces today. Gotta get that up to 64.

I also mowed the lawn and fit in another 30 minute walk this evening. I decided that since I went on two walks, mowed the lawn and weeded the garden, I would skip any forms of "planned" cardio on this day. I certainly do not want to over-do it, slow and steady.

I hope everyone's day went well.

 

[Godzilla1]

Outstanding day

Good work, lynnde83!

Help yourself to a fiver out of petty cash.

It's great that you had a day full of actual activity. So much easier and less clinical than those planned exercise things. "My day is structured. I'm burning 450 calories. I will enter these results in my log. Double plus good."

Me, I quite enjoy doing physical things for a reason, but I can't stand going to the gym. (Why is everything in there so HEAVY?) Sounds like your day was spot-on. Keep up the good work.

'Zilla

 

[lynnde83]

Good work, lynnde83!

Help yourself to a fiver out of petty cash.

It's great that you had a day full of actual activity. So much easier and less clinical than those planned exercise things. "My day is structured. I'm burning 450 calories. I will enter these results in my log. Double plus good."

Me, I quite enjoy doing physical things for a reason, but I can't stand going to the gym. (Why is everything in there so HEAVY?) Sounds like your day was spot-on. Keep up the good work.

'Zilla

Thanks Zilla,

lol...Yeah, I think I'll leave that fiver in the petty cash drawer and pray for that promotion instead.

Sounds like your days have been going well too. That is wonderful. Best time for unstructured activity is the summer months. I enjoy the gym myself, but at least the summer provides us with many "free" outside activities.

 

[lynnde83]

Motivators.

Good Morning,

I am so tired after getting almost nine hours of sleep last night. All that wonderful fresh air must have done this to me

I decided to compile a list of all that activities that motivate me. I would love for you to share, because just maybe some of the activities that motivate you also could motivate me to stay on the path to "healthy" eating.

1. Dancing. I love dancing, I'm not very good, and haven't gone dancing in over ten years. I mean going out and dancing amongst other people, not just dancing at home and in my bedroom. makes me feel like a teenager again.

2. Music. Some oldies come on while I'm at the store and my body automatically starts "swaying" to the music. This puts me in a good mood.

3. The Sunshine. Being outdoors in the sun and in the fresh air, provides a rush of adrenaline. Sometimes I think I suffer from "SADD!"

4. Friends, and Family. Having my family around helps to remind me why I want to be healthy.

5. My work. I haven't held a steady job in years, but when I have it has given me reason to just "be." Everyone likes to be needed.

These are just a few. I know there has to be more, and maybe I could "piggy-back" off of some of your ideas. But this is just a list to get started.

Today's plan includes ten minutes of stretching and some low impact cardio. I am skipping the walk today, unless the weather clears up. Today is a good day for the hula hoop.

The menu includes oatmeal, yogurt, koepplingers bread (high in fiber), apples, strawberries, orange juice, green beans, egg whites, and possibly some carrots. All the summer goodies. I will be putting the chocolate chex mix away, because I don't want to over indulge. One serving was great yesterday, but often times when we eat "out of the bag" we tend to eat more than we should. I need to be careful about that one.

I hope everyone has a "Grand" day!

 

[lynnde83]

Food Pics along with sore feet!!

After I posted this morning, I noticed the sun was starting to shine through the curtains, and much to my relief, I was able to take my morning walk afterall. I took a 30 minute stroll around town and burned approximately 150 calories (according to my sports-watch)! I'll take it!

My day was pretty uneventful, no garden work today, but I did work on my Mom's swing cover. I got all my pieces cut, and now all I have to do is get them sewed together. I haven't quite figured out what/how to accomplish that feat, it's a "progress makes progress" kind of project. I would like to have it completed by the weekend.

My food was good today. I put those chex mix away (out of sight, out of mind; well that is how the saying goes) I didn't even eat any! Well, okay...I had two chocolate covered pretzels!! My menu was pretty much a repeat of yesterday, though today I added strawberries and green beans.

 

[lynnde83]

Going back

I won't be posting here on this site. I have decided to go back to my old forum. I like the idea of a diary, but something is just not clicking for me here. Thanks for all of those who have encouraged me thus far. Good luck on your journey's and remember to be happy.

 

[Godzilla1]

But you're my best and only friend!