Wednesday, February 24, 2010

...one more thing

.....Sunshine Mama - you mentioned your push-up challenge......funny thing - in my whole life, I have never been able to do even one. I'm partially paralyzed on the right side (arm and shoulder) and have never been able to do one. Recently; however, thanks to Jillian's 30 Day Shred, I've figured it out with the help of my two daughters and my sweetheart, I have figured out proper form and can now do two sets of 7 on a good day. Sunshine....how did you set your challenge up?

Wednesday and going strong!

Choices and accountability......Guess I missed a B word in there, so how about:

Accountability - making a plan, sharing it with friends/family, and staying true to your word

Baby Steps - take things one baby step at a time

Choices - if your original plan does not pan out, make alternate choices or change something out


Yesterday - 20 flights of stairs! 12 up and 8 down (I took the elevator once because I was carrying "stuff"). 11.5 minutes on the elliptical is all I could manage, but it's up from 8 minutes last week (that would be the babysteps part).

Today - ankle still a pain......and now I have a deadline which means I can't get to the pool at lunchtime for aquafit (I packed my bag and brought it to work though!)....so today I will again take the stairs - aiming for 15 up today. And will hit the elliptical and do some ab/core work when I get home.

Accountability and planning: I have promised myself not to make excuses and just stop this time around. I've been tracking my food for 3 straight days and eating sensibly is working! I have also promised myself to earn 2-8 Weight Watchers Activity Points each and every day.

I feel good in my head about this!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tuesday - and still focused!

Okay, so last night I had to get up in the middle of the night.....and noticed that my left ankle is bugging me....this is only day 2 of the Shred....freakin' arthritis is a bear sometimes. Anyhoo, I've decided that I'll baby it today wrt to jumping through the Shred and take it back up tomorrow. So far today I've gone up 3 flights of stairs, down five flights, up five flights, so I'll get some of my workout that way.....and hit the elliptical after work.

Basically......stopping is NOT an option this time.

I'm tracking, I'm exercising and I'm drinking my water.

Tomorrow.......Shred in the morning and then aquafit at lunchtime.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Another great start to the day!

I did it! got up at 6am and did the Shred.....morning chores......and shower.....and still got to work on time. Freakin' snow is falling again today, so driving was not fun....and it won't be any better by the end of the day either, that I know for sure.

Just when you think that spring is finally here - um, nope.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Don't get angry, get even....

Alrighty then......I'm really NOT impressed with myself....NOT I tell you. +2.6 lbs this week....I worked hard earlier in the week....gave up the ghost by Thursday evening and ate, and ate, and cr@p, gained...didn't exercise, etc.

So, what am I going to do about it you ask? I AM GOING TO pull up my socks and focus, write in my book, post on my blog, and work the program - not plan and give up, I'm going to plan and execute.

Jillian Michael's is my first "date" this morning - 30 day Shred and 10-20 minutes on the elliptical....and then we're off to watch my step son play in a basketball competition for the rest of the day. I promise to get up early tomorrow morning and do the Shred again......no excuses this week.....head down and just do it.

I may be posting "light" this week as I have a lot of heavy deadlines at work....but I promise I will update you by the end of the week on progress on the fitness and not eating everything in the house front!

L

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Day 4 - recap of day 3!

Getting bored with my titles yet? I'm starting to.....!

Day 3 was awesome....tracked, drank water, did shopping with DD#2 - mall was empty and we found every single thing we went for in record time! It was a lot of fun too......I've looked at a few items in a few stores that I'm going to go and try on when I hit 150........7 weeks from now!

Day 4......Shred and elliptical on deck for after work. Then a nice quiet evening alone with DSO....we haven't had a moment alone in ages it seems, so it will be nice having all four kids at their "other" parents for a few days so we can reconnect - GRIN!

I made a mistake today......I think. Opinions needed here please. I got on the scale and did a mid-week WI....it said +1.1 from Sunday. I'm feeling pretty displeased, to say the least, about the number....the question is....should I WI every day? or should I WI only once each week? What to do, what to do?! I know weight fluctuates daily.....I know why......just not sure daily WI is a good idea for me? Or maybe it will reinforce the message "be strong" today!?

Have an awesome day everyone!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Day 2 recap - on to day 3

Day 2 was AWESOME! I did do my Shred workout, I did do the elliptical and I did haul water to the barn......a zillion gallons of it. Then I hauled water to the hot tub.....and scrubbed the outside of it. Then I vacuumed stairs (both sets of stairs), I tore apart our MBR and cleaned like a fiend, and I vacuumed and scrubbed both bathroom floors! Then I spent the afternoon with my youngest daughter and we put a dent in making her first summer dress. She's soon to be 16 and last time we attempted this was two years ago and she was a bit freaked out by the foot pedal on the machine.....this year, she's tackling it well and doing a lot more than I thought she would! Next session (likely next Tuesday night), will be zipper installation!

My sewing area is now clean and I have a few UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) out for me to put the final touches on.....then I'll be tackling one of my quilts again. It's nice because I can just go up there and pick up because the clutter is gone! Well, most of it anyway.

The house is a lot more peaceful with more of the clutter gone! GRIN!

Today is a day off exercise....only because of timing. I have a shopping excursion planned with my youngest DD for after supper/before we pick her sister up from work.

Tomorrow, back at it!

Yesterday, I tracked everything I ate and came out well within my points range. And today I will do the same!

It feels so good to be back in control!

L

Monday, February 15, 2010

Accountability

This week is starting with the letter A - Accountability is a good one!


Now, and I can't believe I'm going to do this, photos - taken this morning - these are my "BEFORE" shots:





...and the dreaded candid bathing suit shot - when we Canadians all jumped into the ocean - at 63 degrees!




I just realized I posted yesterday's photos without any description....I'll go and fix that in a few minutes....

So, accountability - taking a queue from my friend Syl and my new friend Sunshine Mama - photos.......my sweetheart told me that I don't look happy about having my photos taken.....and he's right! Hmmmmm....guess when I strip down and strap myself into lycra and spandex, my self-confidence goes out the window!

Nevertheless, here are some stats for you:

WI on Feb 8 - 167.3
WI on Feb 14 - 164 - not bad at all.....I was "careful" last week, but didn't track. I've decided I'm going to stick with the WW system and track my food intake and activity on line.

Yesterday, I below it! DSO and I went out for wings and beer.....geez....so 57.5 points later (I did earn 8.5 APs yesterday - activity points), so I was left with "overspending" my points yesterday by a whole lot! 28 points to be exact. Nice thing, though, is if I keep earning APs and keep tracking and make wise choices for the rest of the week, I'll be okay. Accountability.....if it passes your lips, you write it down! There, done.

Measurements - my start measurements are:

Neck: 13"
Bust: 39"
Rib Cage: 34.5"
Waist: 34.5" (something wrong if my waist is the same size as my rib cage)
Hips: 42"
Butt: 41.5 (again, something not quite right if my hips are bigger than my butt!)
Thighs (L/R): 23.25/24
Calves (L/R): 13/13.75
Upper arms (L/R): 13/12.5

Now most of you don't know is that I'm partially paralized on the right side (arm/shoulder), so my measurements are always skewed because of compensating for an arm with little strength.....


Today, so far, vacuuming, Jillian's 30 day Shred, going to jump on elliptical now....then have to haul water to the barn and if I'm in a good mood, likely will muck out stall and haul wood shavings from the back barn on a toboggan into her stall........maybe a walk this afternoon too!

It's "all or nothing day!"

And for what it's worth - I'm going to be working on teaching my youngest daughter how to sew this afternoon!

Later gators!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

So, I promised pictures!

Going up the causeway from Sarasota back to the keys (above)

Crazy Canuks - our polar bear dip into the ocean.....63 degrees F


Waving from the deep freeze!


View from on top of the causeway (Bird Key where Lucille Ball used to live)



Another view from the causeway.


All photos taken first week of February 2010!




Day 1 recap and on to Day 2!

Here we go!

Yesterday was not perfect, but it wasn't bad either! Planning, reading the new WW magazine and feeling inspired to do better. Did a lot of housework yesterday - my oldest daughter is back from university for reading week and noticed the house was a lot tidier than usual!

So, official weekly WI has me down 1.1 from yesterday, so to recap:

Monday, February 8th - 167.3
Sunday, February 14th - 164

....and my BMI is finally back into "normal" range! GRIN!

Going to work on starting my inspiration journal today......will promise to plan and track my food intake on WW, and do something for me today.

Happy Valentine's Day!

L

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Day 1!

Okay, so today is the first full day of the new plan.

Last night - I made some fabulous choices......went out for dinner with the family after the volleyball quarter finals (sorry you didn't win, girls, but you played awesome - likely better than I've ever seen you play! Be proud!).

I had a fabulous salad (with dressing on the side, thank you very much) and half of my chicken/crab pasta. The rest was brought home, divided in two and put into the freezer for lunches in the next week(s).

Don't have a lot of time right now, but wanted to share that I got on the scale this morning and have lost 2.2 lbs since Monday! I know I've been careful this week, even if I did slide into that chocolate yesterday, but I'm feeling strong and in control!

Today, will be my first Shred workout in about 3 weeks......and then I have a date with my horse to muck out her stall. That should be good for another upper body workout!

Later!

L

Friday, February 12, 2010

WOW - can anyone say a lightbulb moment?

Okay, so you know my blog name is Sunshine.......heck I even have a hat that says "Hello Sunshine!" on it.......I've just met another incredible Sunshine - her name is Sunshine Mama! Her blog is such an inspiration! I'm going to start working on myself with 100% dedication and focus today!

No more excuses

No more deviations

No more delays

I am far too important not to be put first! If I'm in good shape physically, mentally, and spiritually, everyone around me will be in better company!

Thanks Sunshine - I'm reimplementing my original plan, with the help of using your idea for a food / inspiration journal and I'm going for the full 20 in 10 weeks too!

L

Monday, February 8, 2010

...oh, one last thing!


While I was in Florida, I walked 5km to see this guy! Then 5km back......


Back to Reality!

With a thud! No, actually I'm happy to be home (crazy, I know!).

In my life, I have two kinds of things:

1. lots of things that need to be finished - from putting myself first and taking care of myself to unfinished quilting projects (and the list is truly endless!)

2. lots of things I have always wanted to do, but never seem to put a high enough "important to me" flag on......

So, from now, until July 1st, I'm going to focus on:

1. Putting myself first - if I'm happy and healthy, I can be so much better for my family!

2. Spending a few minutes / hours each day / week doing something that is important just for me......the artistic side of my is screaming to get out!

So, first of all, my start back at the beginning weight....167.3 as of this morning and only going DOWN from here. I've had my two vacations, I've had the holidays with my family and I'm going for broke!

This weekend, I'll be working on the artistic side for a while!

......the above post might sound a bit whimsical and disjointed, but I promise you'll see a new dedication and new focus from me over the next weeks.......GRIN!

Oh, and photos from Florida to come later this week - promise!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Last day here.....

....as with all good things, they do eventually come to an end. It's a bit colder today, but it's been gorgeous the past few days.

My friend Syl asked if I have been taking photos - yes I have! Forgot the cable for the camera, so can't upload until I get home.......those of you who follow Syl will remember her photos of her running/biking routes....well, I'm going to add to that list - yesterday we walked to Sarasota and back from Lido Key - no small feat! It felt great and if it wasn't so blasted windy today, I'd do it again, but walking over the causeway might be hazardous for my health! I did get nine holes of golf in today and sadly, have now packed the clubs back into the van.....packing tonight and leaving first thing tomorrow morning for the drive home. Keep your fingers crossed - we're hoping NOT to have to enjoy the winter weather that's blasting the states.....we're hoping (HA!) that it will all be cleared out by the time we hit Tennessee and Kentucky and Ohio tomorrow night........dream big or go home is my moto!

Anyhoo, off to spend the last afternoon doing a bit of shopping and spending time with the family.

L

Last day here.....

....as with all good things, they do eventually come to an end. It's a bit colder today, but it's been gorgeous the past few days.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Learning to relax

....apparently I've forgotten how.....working on it though......sitting around, doing a bit of cross stitch, going for very long walks along the beach and just taking things very slowly - aaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Florida is warmer than last year but it's drizzling today, so we're likely going to go to the Ringling' museum this afternoon.

Later!

Tracker