Friday, February 20, 2009

Our third workout in one week

We did it! We finally did 3 workouts this week! I'm so proud of us for sticking to our guns and getting our third workout in. We are starting to see a little bit of progress, too. My husband's stomach is getting smaller and he's getting definition in his arms and legs. He told me this morning when I was getting dressed for work that my butt is starting to look rounder. :-) I think we're starting to get to the point where going to the gym is becoming a habit. We made sure not to let anything get in the way of going tonight. No excuses! We're looking forward to the days when we are both below 150 pounds. I weighed 177 when we met almost 13 years ago and I've just been getting fatter ever since. I desperately needed to do something to get out of the rut I was in. It's wonderful to finally be doing something about my weight and health instead of just talking about it and feeling sorry for myself. It's my own fault I'm this way. I know better. I saw my mother struggle with her weight all my life.

I did really well with my eating today. One of the staff members brought donuts to work this morning. I usually can't resist a blueberry cake donut. They are so yummy. I didn't even eat half a donut! I felt so good about myself for not giving in to the temptation. Those cake donuts are hard to resist. I've loved them ever since my Grandma made them for me when she was visiting us for my high school graduation. That was 25 years ago! Wow! I won't even attempt to figure out how many of them I've had since that time.

I better get some rest now. I'm wiped out!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I Lost Almost 4 Pounds!

Great news! I lost 3.7 pounds this past week! I stepped on the scale and it read 210.3 down from 214 last Wednesday. I was so excited. It's about time I had a good weight loss. We are starting to follow the old Weight Watchers Selection Plan for our diet. It has been the plan that has helped me the most when I've been seriously trying to lose weight. I like it because it's real food; not those pre-packaged meals you get on other programs. Those plans are expensive, and money isn't exactly something we have a lot of right now. I think the combination of going to the gym and eating better is the key.

Gary and I stepped up our exercising this week. He found a workout plan in a body building magazine that we are following. I'm glad to have a routine to follow. It really helps me make sure I work all parts of my body. I haven't had much pain from the strenuous exercises, but last night was the first time we did the new routine. I usually don't feel anything until the 2nd day after a workout. I may be hurting in the morning.

I got a fitness magazine, too. There is a great quote in it from Plato. "Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." That is so true. It's exactly what I've been doing to myself. I've been sitting around for the last 10 years getting lazy and fat! I want to preserve my life. I can't chase my grandbabies around the house while I'm in this condition. I think I'm on the right path to a healthier me.

My granddaughter is so cute. She's starting to move around a lot more. My daughter will prop her up on her pillow and she kicks and moves her arms like she's running or swimming. She's also making more sounds. She loves to sit in her bouncy chair and kick and wiggle. She even grins sometimes when we play with her. I can't wait until she starts laughing. It's so precious to hear a baby laugh. It's music to the soul. It always makes my mood better when I hold my granddaughter. She is such a joy. I'm going to enjoy these moments while they last. I know all too well they grow up quickly.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

New Diet

Tuesday's wellness check was a mess! My good cholesterol is too low (36), my bad cholesterol is too high (121) and my triglycerides are too high (137)! It was pretty depressing. When I came home and told my husband about it, he started us both on a diet. Lots of vegetables, less red meat, and cut back on the sodas. I was told that more vegetables would help my good cholesterol go up. The new diet and working out three days a week should get me going in the right direction.

We went to the gym on Tuesday and worked on the elliptical and upper body. I went for 3 minutes on the elliptical before I had to rest. I'm trying to add at least 30 seconds each time. I want to get up to 5 minutes in the next couple of weeks. I'm up to 28 crunches. I can't do them all at once, but I don't have to stop for very long in between.

My granddaughter is so cute! She is getting so big already! She gets the hiccups a lot. I can't believe she's almost 2 months old already! It won't be long and she'll be running all over the house getting into things. I want to be ready when that time comes. I'm sure I'll be getting more energy and stamina soon. I can't wait to be a "smokin' hot grandma". My husband is anxious to see some results, too. He's starting to get some definition in his abs already. We'll both be "smokin hot" in no time.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Tomorrow's Wellness Check

Tomorrow at work we are having a wellness check. We are all getting weighed, our height measured, and our cholesterol levels checked. It's an insurance thing. My company gets a better rate if we all go through this little "check up". The cholesterol check isn't really that accurate, but it gives us a base line. Last year it showed my good cholesterol was a little low, but my overall was fine. I'll see if it improved. I hope I've lost some more weight.

I did okay with my eating today. I had oatmeal for breakfast, a Subway sandwich for lunch (Ham on Honey Oat bread, yum!) and 2 all beef hot dogs for dinner. In a moment of weakness, I had a 3 Musketeers bar and 4 Thin Mints. I was feeling bad and I use food for comfort. It's a terrible habit and that's part of how I got the way I am. I need to get on a plan and stick to it. I did Weight Watchers years ago when they were using dietary exchanges. That plan worked well for me. I lost 25 pounds on that one about 14 years ago. I don't know why I didn't stay on it. I think I got really lazy. No, I know I got really lazy. I hate to cook. I don't know if it's because I don't feel I have the time or if it's because I had to cook when I was a teenager because Mom worked outside the home. Either way, I hate to cook. My husband is a really great cook but low fat is not his style. That's another reason I'm fat. I love to eat his cooking! ARGH!!!!! This is frustrating! I've got to stop being lazy and start cooking healthier, lower fat meals. I'll never get below 200 if I don't.

My First Weight Loss Goal

Where has the time gone? I can't believe I'm 43 and both of my kids are giving me grandchildren within 3 months of each other. My daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on my anniversary in December. My son and his wife are having a baby boy in March. If you'd asked me a couple of years ago which one of my kids would be the first to have children, I would have told you my son. He had a steady girlfriend and they were planning to get married. My daughter was planning to go to college to study English and have a career as an English professor at a university.

All of that changed when my daughter found out that she was pregnant at the age of 18 and at the time was really mad at the baby's father. I sure didn't know what I was going to do. She was so scared. So was I. I never expected to become a grandmother at 43, but I wouldn't trade my granddaughter for anything. She's been an absolute joy! I can't imagine my life without her.

I've come to a realization. I'm getting lazy, fat, and old and I have to do something about it. A couple of weeks ago my husband and I have started going to the gym and working out. I've lost 3 pounds since we started! I weighed in at 215. I can't wait until I get below 200. It's been years since I've weighed less than 200. I don't like the way I look and feel. I'm posting a picture of me from this summer. I really don't like to have my picture taken. This is my incentive to keep on working out. I can't continue to be this way. It's not good for my health. I want to be able to keep up with my grandbabies when they are able to run around. I have to be ready to take them to the park and Six Flags and other places. I won't be able to do that like I am now. I want to be below 200 in 2 months. That's my first major hurdle. Wish me luck.