Friday, August 29, 2008

Whoops!

Well, two weeks in and I'm doing so-so. I don't think I've lost any weight, though. I've done some exercising, but as of yesterday I was forced to lay off it for at least a week - I tripped on some uneven concrete and severely sprained my ankle. It's not very swollen but it's really sore and painful. I've been sitting with my leg on pillows most of the day today. I did get crutches but I can't figure out how to use them - I've never had to use crutches before in my life!

So for the next several days I'm going to be kind of laying low. I'll still pay attention to what I'm eating and I can do some upper body workouts, but I won't be able to do much in the way of cardio and definitely no lower body workouts.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

A New Way of Eating Begins Sunday

I'm going grocery shopping on Saturday to get myself the foods I need to start my new eating programme. I'm not calling it a diet because the word "diet" generally carries a negative connotation and whatever I do to lose weight is going to be a lifestyle change. To me, a diet is something you go on for a finite period of time. I need to make long-term changes.

At this point, it's not just about my health, which of course is the main priority. I mean, I'm at an age where things will start creeping up on me. I don't want to get diabetes, heart disease, arthritis or any of the other things associated with being overweight. I already have a back problem that is exacerbated by my excess weight.

Frankly, I'm physically uncomfortable. I'm constantly hot, everything feels tight on me and I'm tired of sweating all the time. I haven't worn shorts in 25 years. I haven't worn short sleeved shirts in at least 10 years. My feet and ankles constantly swell and as a result I have trouble getting shoes to fit (thank God for Birkenstocks!). I have indentations in my shoulders from my bra straps and red welts on my sides under my arms from where the wires poke me. For all of you who want bigger boobs, I'm here to tell you it's not all it's cracked up to be.

So yes, I am doing this for my health. I want to be a healthy, vibrant woman who looks HOT (as in sexy, not as in dripping with sweat!). But I am also doing it for my own comfort. It would be nice to wear summer clothes and not have to wear jeans all the time.

So, tomorrow evening I'm going to do my FIRM Power Yoga CD for the first time. I watched it and I think I can do it.

I have to remind myself not
to be so impatient to lose the weight. I mean, I'd like it to be gone ASAP, of course, but it's going to take time. This weight loss/health journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow and steady wins the race. Be the Tortoise! :)

Sunday, August 03, 2008

This is really embarrassing...

I know, I know...I've been AWOL for nearly a year...again. I so suck at this weight loss stuff. Part of it is my fault - hey, I'm not above admitting I'm a contributor to my weight issues. But truth be told, a lot of it has to do with my thyroid.

I spent much of the last year in a lethargic stupor. The one word I can use to describe myself over the last twelve months is exhausted. I would wake up in the morning thinking about going to bed at night. I was taking 2-hour naps three to four evenings a week. And much of this lethargy was due to my thyroid.

Not to mention my back issues...thankfully I found a sympathetic chiropractor who is working with me to get me on the road to movement.

I am finally back on my thyroid meds, and my back is starting to feel a bit better, so I am feeling renewed determination. Of course, part of it is just that I feel so...mahoosive.

So, here's the plan - Tosca Reno's Clean Eating program seems like a good one and I am going to give it a go. The whole gist of the program is that you eat food as close to its natural state as possible. In other words, minimally processed. Lots of good, healthy foods. I eat way too much processed stuff so this may initially be a shock to my system but once I start feeling better and seeing progress, it will get easier.

As for fitness, since I haven't been able to do much, I am going to start slowly. I have The FIRM's Power Yoga CD, so I am going to do that until I get some flexibility back and build up some core strength. Once I achieve that, I will start working out with my FIRM CD's again.

Hey, I'm 43...I'm not getting younger. I certainly don't feel, look - or act - my age, but I have been overweight to varying degrees most of my life and it is time to take control of my weight. I am in charge, but I don't want to be large anymore!

Well, it's 2 AM, I'm tired and it's past time for bed. Grocery shopping awaits me later today. I'm going to buy healthy food.