I welcome comments, but not spam. Therefore I had to start moderating my comments before they are posted. I hate to do it, but some idiot decided to post a comment that made no sense, and when I clicked on the profile name I was directed to a spam website.
Please do not let this deter you from leaving comments. I welcome all that actually pertain to my blog.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What A Month
The sun and nicer weather kept trying to come out, but the winter didn't want to go easily. Now that we have gotten into better weather it is a lot easier to get into those activities that get me off of my duff. Lots of yard work, hiking, walks in the neighborhood just to name a few.
It was a GREAT month for my weight loss. I had set as my goal a minimum of 4 lbs to lose during March. The actual was 8.5 lbs. And yes, I needed to mention the half pound because it put me under 250.......by a hair.
My April goal will be the same - lose a minimum of 4lbs. Yes - I should lose more, but I have to remember that my goal when starting on this journey was to lose an average of at least 1 lb per week. Anything above that is great and a blessing.
I plan on having a great month. I want you to have one as well. Set your goals, set your plan to achieve them, and work your plan.
It was a GREAT month for my weight loss. I had set as my goal a minimum of 4 lbs to lose during March. The actual was 8.5 lbs. And yes, I needed to mention the half pound because it put me under 250.......by a hair.
My April goal will be the same - lose a minimum of 4lbs. Yes - I should lose more, but I have to remember that my goal when starting on this journey was to lose an average of at least 1 lb per week. Anything above that is great and a blessing.
I plan on having a great month. I want you to have one as well. Set your goals, set your plan to achieve them, and work your plan.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
It's Been A Long, Long Time
Well - it feels like it anyway. Since the dreary part of winter (even in the south) has FINALLY passed I have been otherwise occupied and this blog has gone down on the priority list. Of course, this weight loss journey continues and WILL continue.
I've been on 3 hikes these past 3 weekends. A couple of the trails I do regularly, the other was with a old friend I hadn't seen in forever. I've used these hikes (4-5 miles) kind of as a "get-the-winter-rust-off" hikes. I didn't worry about the scenery or stopping to look at any foliage (especially since there wasn't any to speak of yet). One big thing I've noticed this year over last year is that I'm able to get through the hikes quicker and not having to stop and catch my breath after any of the hills. And, I've vowed to up my trail mileage this year to 6-8 miles on most weekends.
I will be going on a trail within the next couple of weeks that I was on last year. It has a hill that kind of kicked my butt. When I was on it last year I told that hill that I would be back - in better shape - and this time I would be the victor.
I still have a long ways to go. However, its these small victories that I use as "mental vitamins" for the journey.
I've been on 3 hikes these past 3 weekends. A couple of the trails I do regularly, the other was with a old friend I hadn't seen in forever. I've used these hikes (4-5 miles) kind of as a "get-the-winter-rust-off" hikes. I didn't worry about the scenery or stopping to look at any foliage (especially since there wasn't any to speak of yet). One big thing I've noticed this year over last year is that I'm able to get through the hikes quicker and not having to stop and catch my breath after any of the hills. And, I've vowed to up my trail mileage this year to 6-8 miles on most weekends.
I will be going on a trail within the next couple of weeks that I was on last year. It has a hill that kind of kicked my butt. When I was on it last year I told that hill that I would be back - in better shape - and this time I would be the victor.
I still have a long ways to go. However, its these small victories that I use as "mental vitamins" for the journey.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Goal Met
Have already met my March goal of 4lbs of loss to reach 254. Will now shoot for another 2-4lbs of weight loss. Averaging at least 1lb dropped per week is still the goal for the long haul.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What Do You Crave?
This week I noticed something wonderful. And that is, since I've started on this journey in early December 2009 I've had maybe 10-12 sodas. That happens to be a significant decrease over what I used to drink. Over the previous year I was consuming at least 3-4 per week, sometimes more. Now, I didn't even include fewer sodas in any of my goals since I started. It just happened. And to me that's great news.
Wendy's fries I do get a craving for from time to time. Yesterday was the first time I had any in over a month. And when I gave myself permission to have one sausage biscuit every week I have actually had only one since then - and that's been a few weeks.
Progress is being made, for sure. However, I know that I will have to always be aware of what I am consuming lest I fall back to my old habits. That is why it is important that I accumulate in my backpack the right tools that will allow me to be successful throughout my COMPLETE journey.
Wendy's fries I do get a craving for from time to time. Yesterday was the first time I had any in over a month. And when I gave myself permission to have one sausage biscuit every week I have actually had only one since then - and that's been a few weeks.
Progress is being made, for sure. However, I know that I will have to always be aware of what I am consuming lest I fall back to my old habits. That is why it is important that I accumulate in my backpack the right tools that will allow me to be successful throughout my COMPLETE journey.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Activity Journal
Having had success with keeping a food journal, I am now going to start keeping an activity journal. This is to help monitor how much extra activity I do each day. Now, I don't plan on keeping track of what has been my normal activity level, but it will keep track of the changes I am trying to incorporate.
My journal will be basic and will include the good (hiking, walking, yard work, etc) and the bad (how much time did I sit in front of the tv each day). The bad column is like the fat gram column in my food journal. Some intake is fine, while too much can be down right scary when you look at the numbers!
The journal will only contain the activity, and how many minutes. This will fit in nicely with my NEAT goals listed on my goals page. I will keep this journal for a minimum of 3 weeks, but as long as necessary until I know that the awareness of those numbers has become habit.
My journal will be basic and will include the good (hiking, walking, yard work, etc) and the bad (how much time did I sit in front of the tv each day). The bad column is like the fat gram column in my food journal. Some intake is fine, while too much can be down right scary when you look at the numbers!
The journal will only contain the activity, and how many minutes. This will fit in nicely with my NEAT goals listed on my goals page. I will keep this journal for a minimum of 3 weeks, but as long as necessary until I know that the awareness of those numbers has become habit.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Move It
What are you doing to move more in your daily routine? How sedentary are you?
I started reading a book a few weeks ago titled "Move a Little, Lose a Lot" by James A. Levine, Md, PhD and Selene Yeager. Although I haven't read any more of this book since then I do plan on reading it and start incorporating the principles this month. This book addresses the NEAT* science developed by Dr. Levine that at it's core is by moving more during our day we will burn more calories and therefore be able to maintain a healthier weight. (*NEAT stands for nonexercise activity thermogenesis - or the calories you burn really living). In his studies he mentions that by averaging 135 minutes of movement -any type- each day then we can burn calories and increase our energy.
Now that the weather is getting better, it will be easier to get outside and incorporate more movement. The activities I know I can do, some fun - some not as much fun, are walk in the neighborhood, yard work, mowing, gardening, pulling weeds, hiking to name a few. Also, I can get in my shop for some woodworking since it's not freezing out there.
There are plenty of things inside as well that burn calories. Preparing meals, vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, laundry, standing/walking while on the phone, etc.
The point is, we need to look for ways to get off our duff. Even the mere act of standing burns more calories than sitting (not much - but it does).
I recommend purchasing the book and reading it. When reading it you may think "no duh - basic common sense". But his book goes more into the science of it and serves as a good swift kick in the pants for us.
I've added some movement goals to my GOALS page. Join in with me and make this month a new beginning for more movement.
I started reading a book a few weeks ago titled "Move a Little, Lose a Lot" by James A. Levine, Md, PhD and Selene Yeager. Although I haven't read any more of this book since then I do plan on reading it and start incorporating the principles this month. This book addresses the NEAT* science developed by Dr. Levine that at it's core is by moving more during our day we will burn more calories and therefore be able to maintain a healthier weight. (*NEAT stands for nonexercise activity thermogenesis - or the calories you burn really living). In his studies he mentions that by averaging 135 minutes of movement -any type- each day then we can burn calories and increase our energy.
Now that the weather is getting better, it will be easier to get outside and incorporate more movement. The activities I know I can do, some fun - some not as much fun, are walk in the neighborhood, yard work, mowing, gardening, pulling weeds, hiking to name a few. Also, I can get in my shop for some woodworking since it's not freezing out there.
There are plenty of things inside as well that burn calories. Preparing meals, vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, laundry, standing/walking while on the phone, etc.
The point is, we need to look for ways to get off our duff. Even the mere act of standing burns more calories than sitting (not much - but it does).
I recommend purchasing the book and reading it. When reading it you may think "no duh - basic common sense". But his book goes more into the science of it and serves as a good swift kick in the pants for us.
I've added some movement goals to my GOALS page. Join in with me and make this month a new beginning for more movement.
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