Better Safe Than Sorry

I received an invitation today to go walking on a bike path with a friend and her son. Actually, she said she was planning on "jogging/walking ... but probably mostly walking!" and I have already ruled out jogging.

I'm excited. Exercising for me has always been a solo endeavor and I'm anxious to give this "social" version a try.

But as I watched the news last night, I was seeing mixed reviews on the weather. Warmer, yes. Windy, yes. But there were raindrops, too, in the afternoon. And that's when we're meeting.

So I got up this morning, strapped on my sneakers, and did my normal Saturday five miles in the basement. Just in case the rain comes.

So now I know I'm set, no matter what happens. And if we get this walk in, I get a little bonus workout to combat the handful of onion rings and french fries I ate with my baked fish last night.

Even More of My Favorite Things

1. Pistachios
2. Orange-flavored dried cranberries (great mixed with pistachios above!)
3. Energy Zone workout gear from Shopko (affordable, comfortable and washes up great)
4. Princess Beatrice's bizarre ribbon hat
5. http://www.godirtygirl.com/ ... race in Johnson Creek this summer ...

Do the Hippy Hippy Shake

When I was bigger, I dreaded trying on ANYTHING in the dressing room. I hated carrying those big clothes from the women's section. I hated believing they weren't going to look good. I hated fearing that I'd need a bigger size than the one I grabbed off the rack.

I really hated pulling on a pair of pants and knowing, before they hit my hips, that they were going to be too small.

I don't know if you know this feeling.

You can tell when the waistband hits just below your butt cheeks as you're hiking them up.

Even now, there's a bit of that old fear that creeps up every time I try something on. My breath doesn't catch, exactly, but my mind "catches" for the tiniest measurable second. What if they won't fit?

These days, when I slide a pair of pants over my knees and start to pull them up toward my waist, the pants hit the exact same spot below my hips. In that instant, as the waistband slides over the very same point on the back of my legs, I can tell they're going to fit.

Then I exhale. And honestly marvel a little. (I imagine that people who have always been thin don't know this feeling or understand it.)

I can't tell you how good it feels. Makes all the work worth it.

How Are YOU Doing?

Haven't heard from some of you in a while. I'm dying to know how you're doing. I'd like to know where you are finding success and what is proving to be a big challenge.

More importantly ...

What one thing did you do right today?

What one thing are you going to do right tomorrow?

Celebrate it. And remember, this is one day at a time. One decision at a time. One pound at a time.

Because you only get this one life. Live it.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

C'mon ... nearly all of you are old enough to remember the TV commercial. Sing it with me!

Or don't. Regardless, I have come to the conclusion that I'm too old to wear short shorts. And it stinks.

I know this is probably not a surprise to anyone who knows me. At 43, my short shorts days have been gone for a long time.

But I tried a few on today just to see what they look like. You see, they don't make many short shorts in plus sizes. So since I'm able to get into them this year, I figured I'd give them a whirl.

And I learned two things:
1. There's nothing more pathetic than a 43-year-old woman trying to look young.
2. The wrinkly, sagging extra skin on my thighs isn't cute.

I'm irritated, too, that I wasted all those years when I COULD have been wearing short shorts. I should have been a force to be reckoned with in my 20s. Maybe even in my early 30s. But I let insecurity, laziness and fear hold me back. I let my head overpower my thighs.

Now my thighs have regained some control. Or just maybe my head changed. In any case, short shorts are out.

But they fit. 

Listen to Your Body

I didn't work out today.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. ... thought through my options ... and rolled back over until about 7 a.m.

I was just so tired. The weekend didn't leave me refreshed, as it should have. We did a fair amount of running. I didn't sleep worth a darn, even after going to bed early last night. And I just didn't have any "me" time to get my head straight.

So this morning, I listened to what my body was saying. And I caught another 40 winks.

A year ago, I would have worried that skipping a day would send me down a slippery slope. Six months ago, six weeks ago ... I would have had similar fears. But today, I felt in control of it somehow.

But it wasn't a reflexive or mindless "hit the snooze button" moment.

Before making the decision, I considered what my whole week was going to look like, from both an exercise and eating perspective. I knew I had no reason coming down the pike to miss or cut short a workout. I also went over the contents of my refrigerator in my head to make sure I was stocked with good stuff for the week and reviewed my work schedule to make sure there were no group lunches or dinners that would cause issues.

I briefly wavered when I thought of all I ate yesterday ... all that salty ham and those mashed potatoes. But I reminded myself that one day of eating off program isn't going to send me to plus sizes tomorrow.

To be honest, the "confidence" I felt in making the decision also makes me nervous.

My point is pay attention to YOU. Spend some time getting to know what you want. Take some time to feel what you're feeling and think what you're thinking. Because once you know that, you can't psyche yourself out.

It's taken me over a year to get there. So be patient with yourself, too.

Two Hams are Better Than One

What happens when two people with long to-do lists and good intentions of helping each other out go the grocery store at separate times?

You end up with two Easter hams. One fancy spiral cut, honey version and one regular bone-in version. (Jim, of course, is the fancy spiral cut supplier.)

What do two people who eat red meat once a week at best do with two Easter hams? The jury is still out.

One will be devoured by my family today. In fact, it smells soooooo good right now that I'm salivating. Can't wait to eat my fill. As for the other? I don't really want to devote all that freezer space to something that will be there for months. The local food pantry just might be in for a nice surprise. However, I'm not sure Jim will let me leave the house, ham in hand, knowing I'm going to give it away.

Ham is the equivalent of crack for him. Always has been. I may have to wrap it up in a baby blanket and tell him I'm kid-sitting for someone, and sneak it out that way (like an old I Love Lucy episode). Or put it in a Kohl's bag and tell him I'm returning, umm, what would come from Kohls and be as heavy as a ham?

I'm open to suggestions if you have any.

Updates 4.23.11

Updates on a few things:

Final 10-lb. Countdown: Jim and I are both still only down 3 in our race for the final 10. Considering all that's happened in the last two weeks ... AND all the Easter candy I've consumed ... I'm going to count this as a victory. It will come off.

Nutritionist: I'm getting closer! The good news is that I have a friend who has a friend who is a nutritionist. What are the odds of this? Stay tuned.

Produce Department: Good red grapes are back! And the strawberries are starting to actually taste like strawberries again. And I bought four ears of corn on the cob tonight. It wasn't great. Wasn't really even good. But it was corn on the cob.

Skippy Shortage

Yes, there's a Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter shortage.

At least there is in my grocery stores.

Both Woodman's and Pick 'n Save in Janesville are flat out. The shelves are bare. Zip. Zero. Nothing. Nada.

I'm assuming this has something to do with the salmonella issue they had a few weeks ago. What's worse is both stores were running sales on Skippy this past week and that's when I'd normally stock up on a few extra jars. And what's worse yet is that I'm scraping the sides of my current jar right now.

Buy Jif? I can't. Don't like it.

Woodman's did have Crunchy Reduced Fat Skippy, so I bought a jar just to tide me over. I don't like crunchy peanut butter, but it's going to have to do until this very serious problem can be fixed.

I hope it's fixed soon. Maybe Obama can take it on along with that pesky climbing gas prices issue.

Life without peanut butter isn't worth living.

Resistance is Futile?

I just saw a commercial for the Reebok EasyTone workout apparel. Apparently, the tops and pants have built-in "resistance bands" to give you a little extra workout, no matter what you're doing.

I can't quite figure out what that means. What, exactly, do they resist? How do you get a workout from a shirt?

Then Jim pipes in. "Maybe it's just really tight and it's a workout to get it off and on. But you could get the same thing from buying a smaller size."

As someone who recently went down a size in her workout tops, I can attest to the fact that peeling them off when they're soaking wet CAN provide a pretty good heart-rate increase.

I laughed at this idea until I went to the Reebok website and read the reviews for the short sleeve shirt. This is what one non-enthusiast had to say (and I fixed the typos):

"Really wanted this top. I went to a local well-known sporting goods store to try it on. It is DEF not made for a bust size bigger than a C cup. I tried on my regular size (Large) and I couldn't even get it over my chest. I actually had to have my 4-year-old daughter help me pull it up over my head to get it off. It gave me a workout just trying it on. I really wanted it to fit but sadly it didn't. If you have a small chest size it might work for you." 

Why didn't I think of this? Reebok is going to make millions for making shirts smaller than normal and I'm going to get bupkis.

Broccoli Backlash

Talked to a friend at work who declared that she was officially on the "eating healthy" train.

She also said that after working through too much raw broccoli, eating cucumber slices almost seemed like a treat.

That cracked me up.

It's true ... in the beginning when I was eating more raw veg than anything else, I positively craved different flavors, textures and temperatures. It's funny how sweet a carrot or red pepper can taste after a whole bunch of celery or cauliflower. Or how much you can enjoy the "snap" of a cherry tomato or red grape when it pops between your teeth. Or how silky and decadent the whipped light yogurt or the chocolate-raspberry variety feels in your mouth.

Vary it so you don't get sick and tired of it all. You need to keep it interesting so you don't quit.

Italian Stir Fry

Here's another quick supper. I thought I had shared this before, but I just looked back over old posts and can't find it. Doesn't mean it's not there ... just means I 'm too lazy to look too hard.

Please note: You can use whatever vegetables and meat you like here. Substitute to your family's liking.

Italian Stir Fry
Chopped veg, all in similarly sized pieces (Yesterday I used zucchini, onion, mushrooms, red pepper, asparagus)
Diced  garlic
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Dried oregano and basil
Smoked turkey sausage (like kielbasa/ring bologna) or the Johnsonville turkey or turkey/cheese sausages (sold by the brats), sliced into coins
Parmesan cheese
Whole wheat spaghetti

Saute the veg in olive oil. Add the garlic halfway through, so as to not burn it. In separate pot, cook a small handful of spaghetti. When vegetables are softening, toss in the sausage to heat through. Add a little shredded Parm at the end. When noodles are cooked, drain and toss in with veg and meat. Voila.

How Not to Eat Dinner

Jim's working tonight, so I'm on my own for dinner. It's been a while since I've eaten by myself, not making an "event" of preparing the meal.

This is how it's gone so far:

1. Grabbed raw veg and dill dip. Took to couch. Finished cauliflower, celery and a few strips of red pepper.
2. Ate a sour dough hard pretzel while standing.
3. Grabbed baked Scoops and ate about 20 with a half cup of salsa on the couch.
4. Nuked a turkey dog. Put it on a piece of whole wheat toast. Ate that on the couch, too.
5. Ate another sour dough pretzel and some smoked Gouda.

And I want more. But I don't need more. I should be done. Too many carbs. Too much salt. Enough dairy for the day.

Did I mention I want more?

Don't eat dinner while standing or while sitting on the couch. You don't realize how much you eat. Make a real meal. Actually sit down to eat it, where you can see it fill the plate so you have a visual of how much you ate. It tricks your head into thinking you ate more.

Gawd, I hope there's grapes in the fridge.

Workout Tips from Jiffy Lube

Got my oil changed at Jiffy Lube today, which meant there was time to read a Better Homes & Gardens mag. In that mag were two cool exercise ball moves that I thought I'd share.

(You just never know where you find a good idea!)

I love my exercise ball. As mentioned before, I use it to do sit-ups. I even occassioinally use it for push-ups ... balancing my hips/thighs on the ball and pushing my bodyweight up with my arms.

The two moves in the magazine went something like this:

Post Hole Digger: Lay your shoulders/upper back on the ball, head sticking out over one side looking at the ceiling, feet flat on floor, bent at knee on the other side of the ball, holding a medicine ball, kettle bell or even hand weights. Raise your weight toward the ceiling, arms straight out. Then lower the weight toward the floor, keeping arms straight. So at the end of this move, your arms are really straight out above your head. Move the weight back and forth. (If you were standing up, you'd be moving the weight from over your head to straight out in front of your chest.)

Flasher: Same position on the ball. Start the weight straight out in front of your chest, arms straight. If you're using hand weights, you can do both arms at once and the motion you're making is similar to how a flasher would open his trench coat to show you the goods. If you have a kettlebell or medicine ball, do one arm first, then the other.

Have fun!

My Hair Fell Out

About six months into my eating and exercising regiment, I noticed something that horrified me.

My hair was falling out. And breaking off. Noticably so.

This is especially problematic because I don't have a whole bunch of hair to start with. It's thin and straight and fine ... so losing any is a big issue. At my part, you could see rows of spiky, broken off hairs, sticking straight up.

I talked to my stylist about it. She asked if any of my hair habits had changed. Was I using different product? No. Was I using different styling tools? No. Was I washing more frequently? Yes.

Since I was working out at night, I was taking a shower before bed, conditioning only but not shampooing, and going to bed with a wet head.

She suggested a satin pillowcase if I had to go to bed with a wet head, but also encouraged me to NOT crawl between the covers when my hair was at its most vulnerable, a.k.a. wet.

Not really satisfied with that ... since I had been going to bed with a wet head for months and just recently noticed the falling out/breaking off thing ... I brought it up at my next physical with my doctor.

She said she had seen hair suffer from a new diet, but typically it was from more of an Atkins regiment. She also said that any change to your diet and activity can have affects on things like your hair.

She also told me not to worry, because if that's what it was, my body would adapt and it would likely be OK.

She was right. The little baby hairs started growing and I'm back to "normal" for me now.

Freaked me out, though.

Unexpected Benefit of Being Thinner #14

In the past week, I stood in heels for three hours straight, followed by another two hours of standing/walking one day, followed by another day of wearing heels for a few hours, followed by a third day of wearing heels for a normal workday ... with no sore feet.

In the old days, I couldn't stand for more than a couple of hours in comfortable shoes (Sketchers, not heels) in a trade show booth without taking plenty of aspirin before, during and after my shift.

I guess when you're lighter, the dogs bark less.

Bad Lessons

In the past week, I have learned that I can eat off program and not exercise as much and not really gain pounds.

This is a bad thing.

I've been fluctuating ... down by two from my start, up by three. But I'm hanging in there as I consume too much red meat, too many sweets and chips, and not nearly enough veggies.

In other words, my pants still fit.

The danger of this is that I start to think I can eat and exercise like this all the time. The infamous slippery slope. If Angel Food Cake and French Fries on two consecutive days show no negative consequences, will three days be OK? Will four? Can I have cake and deep fried goodness on the SAME day?

Makes my heartbeat speed up with fear.

As I move from losing to maintaining, I will have to push these parameters and figure out what works. But doing so means I'll also have to figure out what doesn't. And what the new "normal" is.

Will this ever feel normal?

Excuse Me?

If you're looking for an excuse to NOT work out or eat right, you will always find one.

"My whatever hurts."
"There's not enough time."
"I'm too busy to cook/grocery shop."

They're there. Lots of them. Just waiting for you to pick one, or even two.

Strangely, the reasons TO work out and eat right seem so much harder to find.

But they're there if you just look. Find a mirror. But don't look at your butt. Look yourself square in the eye and tell yourself that you are worth it.

Because you are.

Tired

I'm wiped out. It's been a long week.

It's funny how noticeable it is now when I'm not eating properly, sleeping enough or working out consistently. I feel it. I literally feel it in my bones.

Today there wasn't nearly enough vegetables. There was too much dessert. Too many "just a few" chips. And much too much salty ham on white buns.

But it wasn't the day to worry about all that. I'm going to bed early and know tomorrow I can get back on track.

Triathalon Promise

I made a pact with five friends tonight to do a triathalon next July. Ladies ... I'm holding you to this. And you know who you are.

(I know that you are all capable of making decisions after two drinks. So don't even try to use that as an excuse.)

Anyone else in? It's the Trek tri, held on Pleasant Prairie ... which means there's outlet mall shopping at the end. That's incentive, right?

Ass Over Tea Kettle

The last week has been awful for so many reasons. Let's be honest ... sometimes life takes priority over your eating and workout schedule.

My family spent the week in ICU with my dad. That took precedence over all else. What we ate, when we exercised, if we slept ... all so far down on the list that they really didn't matter.

During a chaotic time, I found myself craving the routine of my workout; craving the familiarity of my morning bagel. My body needed the movement and the fuel to work properly and to help me think straight when it felt like I was "ass over tea kettle," as an old friend used to say.

The past three days have been a flurry of activity as we plan the funeral. But I've been able to start two of the three with a workout. It clears my head, gives me some alone-cry time and gets my blood pumping.

Eating has been a little trickier. I'm going to admit to two meals of pizza and a bag of coconut M&Ms. But it's OK. I'm trying to be very conscious of stress eating. Sleeping isn't exactly on schedule either, but I'm working on it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this: When the world seems out of control, the familiarity of your routine can bring you some clarity and bring some order to the confusion. Use it.

Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever ...

But I'm not sure what you do for a broken heart?

Please raise a glass for my dad. (He prefers Berghoff Dark, but won't mind if you choose something else.)

Looks Good, Kid

That's what my dad says every time he sees me these days.

And he also asks for the actual number of pounds lost.

He likes to keep score. I think I know where I get it from.

Better Than Potato Chips. Seriously.

I have a new addiction. I can't get enough of it. And, it's not so horrible for me!

I've posted this "recipe" before. But because it's so freaking good, I'm going to post it again.

Why do I love them? They crunch. A lot.

They're great for dipping in anything. Think hummus, salsa, dill dip, fake crab dip.

They're great for piling stuff on top of them. Think crostini ... or nachos! Ground turkey, cheese and salsa. Ricotta and olive tapenade. Blue cheese/herby goat cheese/smoked Gouda and cantaloupe.  Smoked salmon. Turkey, cream cheese and dried cranberries. The possibilities are endless! (And this month's Rachel Ray magazine has some "snack" ideas that would work great.)

With some adjustments to the salt sprinkle, they're versatile. Use garlic salt and call them "breadsticks" with spaghetti. Use a little cinnamon/sugar or Splenda mix for a sweet treat. Olive oil spray and oregano for a different version of Italian. Chili powder and cumin for Mexican. Rosemary and lemon pepper for a Mediterranean flair.

Now I'm hungry!

What I love most is that I control the oil and the salt, so I know what I'm eating isn't so bad. And because it's whole wheat, there's actually some nutrition in it, compared to baked Scoops or baked potato chips.

Pita Chips
Whole wheat pitas
Butter flavor veg spray or olive oil spray
Salt

Cut pitas in triangles or strips, Separate tops and bottoms. Place inside up on baking sheet. Spray with veg oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake 350 degrees until crunchy. Store in airtight plastic bag.

Field Trip?

I've been thinking about something and I'd love your opinion and feedback.

I have talked before about my desire to go talk to a nutritionist. I'd love to know:

• What is a good calorie count for me and my activity level?
• When should I eat what ... after a workout? In the morning? As a snack?
• Can I OD on fruit?
• How many carbs a day is the right amount?
• How much sugar is too much? (Have you seen the Rachel Ray Show snippet that suggests 15 grams a day is all you should have? Uh oh.)
• Based on what I normally eat, where can I make improvements?

I'm thinking YOU have similar questions. So ...

What if I could get a nutritionist to speak to ALL of us? If I could find a way to "wrassle" one up on a Saturday morning or evening after work, would you come? I know schedules can be hectic, but I'd try to give plenty of notice. 

Post a comment and let me know if you're interested. Or, contact me on Facebook. Or call me. Or email me. Or tell my sister. Or whatever.

I think it would be fun!

Jelly Belly Factory Tour

The best part about the Jelly Belly Factory Tour I took Friday?

(And by factory tour, they really mean a ride around what I think is a "staged" small warehouse in a trolley thing ... don't expect actual manufacturing with conveyor belts and hot sugar shooting everywhere. It's a giant ruse to get you to the store.)

It wasn't the dark chocolate-covered orange jelly beans. They were really good ... so good I didn't buy any. It wasn't the sample bag they give you for free ... two hundred calories of yumminess. It wasn't even the Belly Flops ... 2-lb. bags of the beans not quite good enough to make the final QC check. The writer in my loves that name so very much.

Nope.

The very best part was that my cousin, two teenage girls and I fit in one seat. Four butts across, nothing hanging over.

How Do You Celebrate a Milestone?

So, you set a goal of 20 pounds. Or 5. Or 50. And you get there.

How do you celebrate?

Do you treat yourself by eating something decadent? 

I have to be honest, my first thought is usually to splurge on something I've been denying myself. A cupcake. A couple of cookies. A steak. McDonald's. (I llllooooovvvveeeee McDonald's. Sad but true.)

And occasionally I reward myself that way. But when I do, I realize how backward that is. It's backward because food isn't a reward or a punishment. It's fuel,  plain and simple. If I use it as a reward, then I mentally have to go to a place where my daily eating is a punishment or denial. And then the whole concept of this "lifestyle change" goes out the window and becomes so much harder psychologically, I believe.

I'm really trying to change my relationship with food. To enjoy it, yes. But to understand how to use it. So if I want a cookie today, that I really think about what the cookie means. I back up a few days and tally how I've eaten and exercised. I look ahead a few days and determine how I'm likely to eat and work out given my upcoming schedule. Then I make what I hope is a smart decision. If I choose to eat it, I don't do so with guilt or shame, because I know where it "fits" in my program.

And since that's so much work ... I've found that buying myself some new clothes or getting a mani/pedi works just as well.

Some More of My Favorite Things

1. Rold Gold Sourdough Pretzels ... the big, crunchy ones
2. Blackberries
3. Old Navy Tank Tops
4. Woodman's (and their selection of chicken sausages, including Italian, Chorizo and others)
5. 2- and 3-lb. hand weights (for a quick workout anywhere ... it's about reps not heft!)