Chugging along (or chubbing along)

Ok. It's day 4 of weightwatchers. I have to admit. I have been extremely hungry. I keep meaning to plug my food into sparkpeople, but things have been sort of busy at work. I also find entering food on spark, kind of cumbersome, slow and timeconsuming. I am however, interested in exactly how many calories I have been eating.

Right now, I'm not starving, but it is only 10 a.m. and I had kashi and yogurt for breakfast at 6:30 or so. I will be hungry soon. Ok. I'm already hungry, but probably because I am talking about it!

Oh and I do not have any flex points left at all! (On a victory note - last night I went to the North End and got soup and salad and no desert despite the temptation of Mike's Pastries).

Tonight, I'm headed to the gym.

I'm still alive

I've been slacking on my blogging. I have been through a battery of tests regarding my bloating and weight gain. I switched some meds (nothing wacky - just stomach stuff) and hopefully the weight will start to come off. So guess what I did?

I joined weightwatchers. I don't even really like weightwatchers. That being said - it does hold me accountable to my calorie intake, so I am going to give it a shot. Even though my medication is back to the old one - it still doesn't mean the crazy weight is going to melt off.

So I got a monthly pass.

I've been exercising at the Boston Sports Club! I actually have found some great classes. Zumba! I highly recommend Zumba. It's superfun and doesn't even feel like exercise!

One way to stay accountable is to blog - so here I am - blogging!

Blog slacker

I'm not in hiding. Just not blogging. Summer is hectic and I have been a slacker in many aspects of my life. Mostly the exercise one. I have a bunch of excuses, but really that is all they are is excuses.

I have this weird water retention thing (diagnosis hopefully in the works) and have started taking trace minerals and probiotics. Now I need to find a time when I am going to be home for 24 hours straight. Not easy.

I am going to go to acupuncture after I get back from visiting my sister in law.

I have also been trying to review organic products. I like the Whole Foods products because they are in expensive (i.e. 1.99 for a bottle of shampoo). The problem is that when I use them my hair color does not stay in as long and the gray comes shining through.

Also, the moisturizer, although pleasant enough, doesn't really do the trick.

My new love is Aveeno with SPF 15. It's think. It lasts and best of all it actually protects my skin.

Oh and I lost some inches. I haven't weighed myself, but I will!

Blogging and Accountability

I was thinking this morning. I am lazy. I am totally off track. I'm not lazy in the sense that I sit around all day eating bons bons, drinking wine and being slovenly. I'm lazy in that I haven't taken the time to plan out my schedule so that I actually exercise and eat right.

I checked out Amy's blog, and she reminded me of the commitment we made awhile ago - and how successful it made us in our journey to get healthy. With the help of Stacey, Amy, BBM and I were communicating our goals. I've been slacking in making time for myself.

So today, I went for a good long walk. I'm not exactly sure how long but I am pretty sure it was at least 3 miles.

This is what I need to do for the week:

1. go food shopping

2. get up earlier

3. go to the gym

4. get organized with my time

Sounds easy! HA!


How about this for weird. I have been not a great exerciser - and I lost ten lbs. Nice one. I think it's all about my crazy water retention. Hopefully I will have some answers soon!

Slacker AGAIN.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks. Last week, I was so busy (or worked myself into believing I was SO busy) that I didn't really even make it to the supermarket.

I did manage to squeeze in some exercise. Squeeze being the key word in that phrase.

My husband, his sister and my father in law successfully threw a surprise party for my mother in law. Actually, mostly my father in law and I, and then my husband and then my sister in law took my mother in law shopping to get her out of the house.

I know. I took on too much. I do that. It was worth the aggravation. Now the rest of the summer is mine. Well, mine and whatever else I decide to throw on my plate. I went to the supermarket and made food for breakfast and lunch for the week! So that's a huge start for me. An added bonus is that my brother and nephew are here for the week - so hopefully I'll be able to schedule some time to just chill with them.

Things I need to do:

1. Be accountable to myself.
2. Be more organized.

Slacking and posting again.

I have been slagging in my posting. Leanna and Amy have both gotten back on the "blogging wagon" and I thought I would join in again as well. Amy actually wasn't off the wagon that long and Leanna has now made up for lost time! Stacey even has a whole new blog up and running! Check it out.

Ok. About me. I measured myself to see if that would make a difference. It did. I lost four inches in two days. Probably because of intense dehydration. Good news is that I don't have any internal growths or anything, and my thyroid appears normal. Also, the medicine that I swear is making me bloated is working and my ulcerative colitis is in complete and total remission - Red Peppers HERE I COME! (just kidding).

I have been exercising and back at the gym.

One thing I learned about myself this past week (when I was slacking a bit) is that I have to get up and exercise early otherwise I get too busy and don't get to it. I know I have learned this same lessons at least 50 times in the past. It's nice to have a reminder.

Is there such thing as exercise alzheimers?

I had a busy day going to the gym, going to brunch (I portioned controlled but lost willpower with the chocolate covered marshmallows!). Went to the mall. Went to my mom and stepdad's and played with my nephews (can you say bench press!) who are good to lift!

Now I'm tired.

Misadventures at the gym

Not really. I didn't have misadventures...but I got up at 5:45 for my orientation. The trainer didn't show up. I was a little annoyed, but she had food poisoning. She called me to reschedule. I have not called back yet.

I walked on the treadmill for ten minutes. Did some 'circuit training'. Only the machines I knew about. Then did the elliptical for 22 minutes and then did some crunches. Then I went home and to work.

Yesterday I planted a garden! I will take pictures and post them. It's mostly flowers.

I am now off to the doctor to discuss my swollen feet and water retention.

Busy week and joining the gym.

Today I joined the gym. Officially. The husband had already signed up and paid but I had to go and put my John Hancock on some forms. It's expensive to quit, so I guess I'm in for the long haul! I actually did 55 minutes on the elliptical. I could have done more, but thought that maybe I should rest. I was caught up in Housewives on Bravo. The one in NYC. I am not sure i was exercising "mindfully".

Last night I went out with my girlfriends, well some of them. The ones I don't see very often. We saw Sex and the City. We definitely were older than the crowd. Many of them were very very dressed up. It was good. I won't be going to a late movie again anytime soon.

The husband isn't home tonight so I think I'm going to try the chickpea curry that Amy raves about. The curry smell should be gone before he gets home!

Oh and my feet are STILL swollen, but I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with my doctor and she and my GI will get to the bottom of it! (It's nice when your PCP and GI are friends.)

Quick update

I have made some decisions. I have decided to join the gym. The husband negotiated a good deal for me.

I also have an appointment with my doctor on Monday. She is good. I will no longer see doctors I don't want to just for the sake of it.

I also am going to try to do more with local bar associations because that is a great way to meet people and see old friends.

Also, I have a quick victory - I went to a great dinner tonight and it was a buffet. I had no drinks (partly because my pocketbook was so overloaded I didn't want to open it up and have it explode while looking for cash). I also had one serving at the buffet. The waitress told me I could go back up again but I said no, I'm all set. And that was that!

Better than nothing or a tour of exercise TV in 30 minutes

I'm feeling a little lazy this morning. I should have gone out of the house to exercise but instead I started Exercise TV and a Sparkpeople video at 7:18 and now it's 7:52 and I'm done. Here's what I did:

6 minutes of a Sparkpeople jumping around video. That is not the name, but that is what you do. It was good, but I kept having to strain to see my computer while jumping.

Then I did a walking video with Amy Sansone - but not the whole thing. I got discouraged and bored.

Then I did a little dancing.

Then I did some great abs. So about 20 minutes of cardio, and 10 minutes of abs. Not all bad.

My free week at the gym expired. I actually was disappointed (as today is Wednesday NOT Tuesday) when I thought about it last night. I thought "oh I can go to the gym". Nope. I need to join. Emailing the manager is one of the first things on my 'to do' list for today.

Quick post, and there is nothing like a photo reminder of chubbiness

I was pretty good this weekend! A great workout on Saturday with Beets. I went to my mom's wedding on Sunday, and hung out with the family (other than dancing there was no exercising involved).

I didn't eat enough, then late night pigged out a little due to an excessive amount of red wine.

This is Adam and I. We are the fat ones in the family.

This is the Family:
We grew!

And this is my "before picture" (I've decided).

That's my sister in law, me and my sister.

This is my first attempt at pictures in my blog. It's sort of annoying.

Anyway, four day weeks are great and horrible all at the same time, nice break but then trying to cram five (or six) days of work into four....I didn't make it to the gym tonight.

I am going to go for a good power walk in the a.m.

Walking up hill

I went walking with Beets today and got a better workout then I would have had I trudged around my neighborhood.

We went up hills and did some interval training. I came back and my feet were not swollen at all - they looked just like they were supposed to. Now, an hour or so later I have once again developed cankles. Maybe not drinking water helped? Maybe I am losing that 8 lbs of water?

I also tried peanut butter and half a banana in my steel cut oats this morning. Not bad. Definitely different than maple syrup. I had a small snack when I got back, but am not really that hungry. I am making edamame salad for my mom's rehearsal dinner. Yes. My mom's rehearsal dinner. She is getting married tomorrow. I will try to be good.

I have to say that I feel like I have turned a corner in the exercise department. I really enjoy it and it makes me feel better. It's also good to go with a friend to keep yourself motivated.

What I learned at the doctor's office.

I went to the doctor today. It was actually almost 12 hours ago, but it's been a long day!

First of all, it was crazy person day. That is all I will say, but it must be a full moon.
I didn't walk due to swollen limbs. I will exercise tomorrow. I ate well today.

This is what I learned at the doctor:
(this was not my PCP but the 'urgent care' doctor -- I will NEVER see him again).

1. Doctors are sometimes too lazy or impatient to interrupt other doctors to see if they got a fax from a patient's specialist.
2. I am getting old ("we all are") and perhaps I need support hose.
3. I drink too much water (I did not volunteer this information) and if I'm thirsty try a Popsicle.
4. I'm not grossly over saturated, but definitely retaining fluid.
5. Weight watchers and the Zone diet guy made up the water obsession to help dieters keep their hands busy with something other than food.
6. I am crazy.

No, seriously, I'm not crazy. I hate when doctors dismiss me. They took some blood. Didn't seem to care that I had GAINED 18 lbs in 2 months. 18. Yes. 8 in less than a month. That's a lot for someone who is definitely eating less than she was AND exercising. Basically I got no answers. He did say it was fine to exercise. I'm sure it is, but I have to say that I don't feel like I got any answers.

I made an appointment with my PCP when I left the doctor's office. I told her nurse that I didn't feel comfortable with the other doctor and that he made me feel crazy. Like I was imagining water retention. I'm not.

I had some watermelon, and my new favorite Fage yogurt and a salad and some shrimp for my 'evening' meal.

Half a banana?

Today I went to with my mom and her friend to get manicures and pedicures for my mom's wedding! It was my mom's second pedicure in 60 years. It was my second pedicure in 2 weeks. I think she liked it. I love pedicures!

I'm swollen. Still swollen. I called my doctor (a different one) and he said he doesn't think it is my colitis medication but he will call me in the morning as he had just gotten back from a conference. Also, I have to go in and see him. That's kind of a pain.

Now my feet have been swollen for awhile and I haven't lost any weight (despite, actually eating LESS and exercising). My mom was alarmed at my 'cankles' and swollen feet and I think she was afraid that I was going to stroke out so she made me promise to go straight to her friend's house and have my blood pressure checked. It's perfect. My pulse is great.
While I was there, my mom's friend suggested I only eat half a banana instead of a whole one to see if that helps me lose weight.

I came home and the husband got a good look at my feet and was alarmed. I had to promise to insist on talking to the doctor in the morning.

I didn't think it was a big deal. I didn't exercise though - I was feeling uncomfortable and all the alarm made me nervous. My nails look pretty, I had some watermelon. I'm watching You, Me and Dupree with the husband. I've already met my cardio goals for the week. I ate well.

Wacky Wednesday and I wish I was in Rome

Today would be a nice day to be in Italy. I have been thinking about travelling and how much the dollar stinks so travelling abroad really isn't the most practical thing at the moment. I love working on my own schedule, but it would be nice to be sent on a business trip to Italy.

Anyway, I called the doctor to complain about my bloated. I woke up and my feet are swollen. One should not wake up with swollen feet, even if they have a tendency towards them. I don't usually have swollen feet.

I am SORE from yoga. A good sore, but sore. I am definitely strongly considering joining the gym.

I forgot my sneakers. I'm annoyed with myself.

Yoga, the gym and decisions

I went back to the gym today. Today I did Vinyasa Yoga. It was a little different from a yoga studio. There was techno music pumping next door in the spin class. It quieted after awhile. The class was definitely a good workout. Everyone else was skinny. I didn't like that everyone else was skinny. It might be good motivation though.

The husband wants to know if I am going to join. I think I want to go to some more classes. I hate to pay and not go. If he goes, I probably will also go. I have to say that it is easier to stop on the way home and go to a class on a late night or a rainy day then it is to go home and walk. Once I'm home I often want to eat dinner and relax.

I think I made my decision. I think I will join.

I have also decided to make a doctor's appointment as I have been steadily gaining weight, in spite of my weight loss efforts and exercise.

Self Control? What is that?

I cannot stop eating candy. It tastes good. Anyway, but I digress.

I had an adventure at the gym. I went for my 'free' week at the Boston Sports Club. Unfortunately, I got there too late for the 'circuit'. One thing I will say is that it is very nice and clean! Everyone was very nice.

Going to the gym was surreal. In my twenties I went to the gym a lot! I loved the classes and the fact that when you are at the gym, it is all about you! It's relaxing and a good time to get your head straight.

I did the elliptical machine for 40 minutes (while watching tv), which is not very mindful, but a good distraction. I have to say that I enjoy watching tv while exercising . I forgot how much I like cardio and how I like to sweat!

Then I did some weights. I'm sore today, but feeling good.

I think I'm going to go again today and try the yoga class or pilates (depending on when I get out of work). I also forgot my sneakers so it's yoga, pilates or go home and walk.

Turning a corner

Not literally. I haven't really even left the house today. Doing work, reading blogs, doing laundry and exercising.

I feel like I turned a corner because I wanted some good cardio. I wanted to exercise. I did two programs on On Demand, totally about 40-45 minutes. They were both dancing. I got my heart rate up and felt good.

I looked for some good strength training ones, but couldn't find any that I really wanted to do, and so I stretched out and did some abs. Now I'm eating an apple

Saturday and El Sarape

Last night the husband and I went with his parents to our favorite restaurant, El Sarape, in Weymouth Landing (but the restaurant is actually in Braintree). It is not a healthy eating sort of place. It is however, delicious!

I had some margaritas (they make the best!). I also made a relatively healthy choice (well at least a portion controlled one) and got a combination dinner that had two enchiladas. I knew I would eat everything on the plate and didn't want to be stuffed. I wasn't stuffed!

I did not make it to the gym yesterday to start my free membership, instead the husband and I played golf. I am getting a little better! It was way too nice of a day to be inside.

Today I am thinking about doing the free membership for a week thing and seeing how it goes, as they have some good weight training classes and some good machines. I find that doing strength training at home has not been going very well. Although, it's only the beginning!

Friday Night Food!

I think I did pretty well yesterday. I ate well all day and then met BBM for a quick dinner. Check out her blog for the run through and commentary.

I went to a party for my mom who is FINALLY after 16 1/2 years of dating, getting married. It is very exciting, not only because I love her future husband but because now I have a better way to explain my 'nephews' if someone looks at me confused - instead of my mom's boyfriend's grandsons. They will be my nephews. Also, it will help with his daughter - we are always getting asked how we know each other, if we are related - and we have a long-winded explanation. I'm all for simplicity!

Anyway, I ate before the party (where there was a lot of fabulous food) and wasn't hungry. I had some water and then when everyone was raving about the 'red velvet cupcakes' (which were cutely arranged on a cup cake tree), I decided to try one. It really wasn't for me so I threw it away (the baker is a good baker, I'm just a simple girl...I think maybe there is coconut in it?).
Then I tried another chocolate cookie - again had a lot of coconut inside. I settled on Fudge. I had a couple of tiny pieces (they were cut up very tiny). They were delicious!

Now I am trying to decide if I should go to the gym now (pre-shower), go to work (pre-shower) and then go to the gym or shower, go to work and then go to the gym and have to take another shower.

The husband joined a gym and I have two free weeks to check it out. In fact it is the same gym that Amy goes to...so I'm excited to try out some classes.

I also have to do:

Food Shopping
Laundry
Clean up
Find shoes for the wedding

So, I'll make a decision pretty quickly.


Oh and I'm so proud of the husband - he is trying to eat healthy! His version of healthy and mine are not the same...but it's a start!