Survivor

     Yup, I survived Valentine's Day without any problems whatsoever! I did receive a few things of candy, which I promptly gave away to kids.
     Last night we decided to have a low-key dinner out, so we went to pizza, which could have been really bad diet-wise.
     I, however, made great choices and had a great time! I drank a glass of water and a glass of milk. I filled up on salad (very little dressing, no cheese).
     Then when our pizza came, I just chose the smallest slice (which really looked more like a sliver), and that was the only piece I ate.
     And the really super thing is that I did not feel deprived; I actually felt full. I thought about having another sliver, however, I decided I would wait until I was at home to see if I wanted it or not (we had lots to take home).
     When I came home, I did not want another piece. It totally worked just to wait and make sure.
     I really am proud of my three days of eating. I have not been hungry at all. I have stuck to my plan of portion control!
     Yesterday I did have a bite (seriously, the size of a half-dollar) of brownie that one of my students made during my class as a project.
     It was so yummy, and I could see how that was all that I needed to "experience" the dessert.
     Power. That's what I feel like I have again. I have the power to choose what to eat and how much of it to eat.
     On to exercise . . . I did aerobics yesterday morning, and I did not make it back to the gym yesterday after school.
     I did nothing this morning. I slept. I felt like I really needed it (this has been a longer week than I thought), and I know I can't go to the gym today after school.
     I am going to go for a walk during my lunch, at least that is my plan, and I am not going to sleep in tomorrow morning.
     I know that I need to work out in the morning. I also know that I have to go to bed earlier at night in order to do this.
     I also feel like a cold might be creeping in, so I definitely want to take care of myself (need to slam the vitamin C).
     I am even thinking about buying a friend's recumbent bike because I could ride here at home in the morning, which would mean I could sleep in an extra 30 minutes.
     Then I could use the gym for after school, evenings and weekends. I could also ride the bike when I am watching television in the evening.
     The only problem is figuring out where to put it in my tiny house. SIGH.
     Overall, I survived yesterday, and I am proud of all my choices.
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow.

Yippie, yahoo!

     Howdy! Yesterday after school Jordie and I went and played three games of racquetball, and I definitely predict a win on his part soon.
     Then this morning, I somehow messed up my alarm (I have three on my phone), and I did not wake up until 5:45.
     Do not despair . . . I did not go to the gym, but I did wake up and do aerobics here at home, since I had slept in.
     I think I will go today again after school and ride the bike unless Jordie can come, and then we will play some more racquetball.
     I seriously could play racquetball every day and even a couple of times a day. It is the best workout!
     You sweat like crazy, your heart pumps away, and the best part is that you don't even notice how long you have been playing - especially if you are competitive. Then you pay attention only to the score, and the next thing you know you have been playing for an hour.
     Even with this hectic week, I am still exercising (and, boy it feels good), and I am eating great! I am good with the water, too.
     I have to say just one more time that I cannot believe the difference planning makes for me. I have all sorts of healthy snacks, and I don't have to worry about each meal.
     Granted, this is only day three, but I have not had any mindless or emotional eating because I am just following my plan.
     It makes tons of sense to me because I know how many people will find a diet book and follow it, and they have great results. It's all about planning, I think.
     OK, so today is Valentine's Day! Did you know that a box of chocolates with around 20 pieces weighs in at more than 1,200 calories and around 50 grams of fat?
     Yikes! Those little candy message hearts are only three calories each, so those won't break your diet by any means.
     I probably am going to give away all my chocolate I receive today because I could easily chow that down.
     I may have a bite of something today, if I feel like it, but that is the key - only a bite - and no more.
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow.

It's time to Go Red

     I consider myself to be a rather intelligent and educated woman. I must admit, however, that I did not know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women over the age of 25, even more than all cancer combined.
     I thought heart disease was a problem that afflicted the older generation; in reality women die of heart attacks and other heart-related conditions even before they celebrate their 10-year reunions from high school graduation!
     I am not surprised that the statistic on the American Heart Association's Web site shows that only 13 percent of women consider heart disease a concern. (Obviously, I was part of the other 87 percent.)
     Yet, nearly half a million women die each year. That could be your mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, best friend. Scary!
     In an effort to educate women about heart disease, including understanding the risk factors that we can control, the American Heart Association has launched the Go Red campaign.
     We do have choices, and we can improve our quality of life by focusing on the following risk factors: High blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity or overweight, and diabetes.
     The first step is knowledge. We have to know our numbers and which numbers we should know. Then we have to understand those numbers to work toward a healthier heart.
     Do you know your cholesterol, both good and bad? How about your triglycerides? Blood pressure, fasting glucose, body mass index (bmi), or your waist circumference?
     To be honest, I don't know any of those except my waist measurement which, according to the American Heart Association, is one factor not in my favor for keeping my heart healthy - if I don't do something about it, that is.
     So, once you know those numbers, then you need to see where you fall in relation to the optimum numbers for heart health. You need to talk with your doctor to create a plan, a plan to live a longer, healthier life.
     I did make an appointment with the doctor, and I am looking forward to learning my numbers. I challenge you to do the same and for you to challenge others, too.
     Visit www.goredforwomen.org/index.html to find out what you should know and how you can make a difference in the quality of your life.
     Happy Heart Day to you!

Good or bad news?

     Let's start with the bad and get it out of the way! I did not go to the gym this morning at 4:30.
     I had my alarm set, and I was planning on going. We had a mini-family crisis last night that meant I was not able to go to sleep until right around midnight.
     I had been asleep at 9 p.m. and then up at 10 p.m., so really I did plan on waking up early and going to the gym.
     Stuff happens, right? Well, I am bummed that I did not go this morning, but when the alarm went off, I woke up with a killer headache, probably due to the lack of sleep.
     I took some Excedrin and went back to sleep. But, don't despair; I will go after school today.
     Yesterday you know I worked out in the morning, but the good news is that I went in to weigh in for the competition and stayed for a workout!
     Jordie and I played two games of racquetball, and he has definitely improved. I don't think it will be long before he beats me!
     We are going to play again this afternoon, and we might even drag Cody in with us, if he doesn't have to work.
     So, I did work out twice yesterday, and I am going to work out this afternoon, and hopefully I will make it in tomorrow morning.
     Even though I know how great I would be feeling right now had I gone in this morning, I really needed the sleep, and I am using my back-up plan.
     Exercise is not the only good news. Yesterday I ate and drank water exactly as I should.
     I really am proud of the hard work I put in to being prepared. It is definitely paying off.
     By the way, when I officially weighed in yesterday afternoon, I weighed at 250 pounds even.
     There are a couple of classes I would like to try at the gym, and I am going to see if I can schedule them in next week.
     Well, my bad news really isn't that bad, since I am going to the gym this afternoon instead.
     So, the lesson I have learned is that even when you plan, plan, plan, stuff can still happen that knocks you a little off course, and that's OK, so long as you grab the map and steer yourself in the right direction.
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow.

Whoa-oa-oa!

     I feel good! I knew that I would! Now I feel good! I knew that I would! Now, so good, so good! Wow!
     To completely steal James Brown's lyrics, I mean it truly, completely . . . I do feel good and I knew that I would.
     This morning I woke up at 4:30, jumped out of bed (seriously, no lollygagging), put on my clothes (that I set out last night), and headed off to the gym.
     I rode the bike for 30 minutes (five miles) and read my book, "Wicked." And, I drank 24 ounces of water while at the gym.
     OH MY GOSH, I just can't believe how good I feel! I knew that I would (as the lyrics go), and I had just told my best friend yesterday how much better I feel when I work out in the morning.
     It was so nice to have everything ready and planned. I came home from working out, started the coffee and then took a shower.
     I ate a hard boiled egg (boiled three dozen eggs on Saturday) and a banana for breakfast, and now I am enjoying my coffee while writing this blog.
     My clothes are already set out for work, and my lunch and snacks are ready, too. Dinner is planned. Sigh.
     OK, so now for the not-so-great news. When I weighed this morning at the gym, I registered at 251.5 pounds.
     I must say though that I had just told my friend that I figured I weighed close to or just over 260 pounds, so the news was not as bad as I had prepared myself that it would be.
     When I started this whole thing last year, the scale was at 247 pounds, so I am pleased that I am not closer to 260.
     I had a super weekend filled mostly with family and friends. I went to coffee on Saturday morning with a girlfriend, and it was delightful.
     I need to make that a priority, catching up with friends, making better connections with people I enjoy.
     Rick's son Michael was home, too. And, we had a fun evening with him on Saturday. He is such a hoot.
     I did venture to the new Wal*Mart in Chelan (the new pick up and drop off for the boys when they go visit their dad), and as far as a Wal*Mart goes, it is a pretty nice place.
     This afternoon I will officially weigh in for the Biggest Loser competition. My appointment is at 4 p.m. and then I am headed home to start dinner.
     Tonight's the first night of my new book club, and I am excited about that, too. It's a busy week, as is next week, but I am READY!
     Guess what? I can't wait until tomorrow morning, seriously! That's right, I am back!
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow.

Emotions

     I am excited. I am little nervous. I am tired. I am intrigued. I am glad the weekend is peeking its head around the corner!
     I am excited for a whole bunch of reasons. First, Monday is almost here, and we all know what Monday means for me!!
     I am also excited about something completely different, and that is the Relay for Life. We had our kick-off last night, and I am really jazzed about this year's event!
     Last night I spoke with someone I have known since I have moved here, and I did not know that she had cancer.
     She is going to do the relay this year for the first time, and I just had this awesome connection with her last night that reminded me why I am involved in the first place. That's definitely exciting!
     Now, on to the nervous bit, I am feeling a little bit of the butterflies about making this gi-normous change in my life starting on Monday.
     I know that I have planned everything that I possibly can, and I know that stuff will happen along the way for which I didn't plan.
     I am just nervous about making it happen this time. I know I can do it. I want to do it, and part of me wonders if the nerves are just part of the excitement.
     I am tired, too. Long, long, long, long, long, long week . . . and thankfully I do not have too many things to do over the weekend.
     OK, so why I am I intrigued? I am not sure that is the perfect choice of word, but it seemed close enough.
     Drum roll, please. This month is National Potato Lovers' Month. Hmmmm. This month is for people who love potatoes.
     I just found that sort of a weird national month celebration, I guess. I love potatoes, so I guess this month is for me.
     In addition to those who love potatoes, it is also National Grapefruit Month. For the record, I do NOT eat grapefruit, so I won't be celebrating that one.
     I am glad the weekend is here. Yes, I am. I am looking forward to these next couple of days and what's to come after.
     And, that's the last word, until Monday.

Finally Friday?

     Nope! Dang! There is a part of me who feels like this week has been two in one! Just such a strange schedule, I guess, since I stayed home with my step-daughter one day.
     Now, everything seems a bit off, as far as the routine goes. You would think it would make the week go by faster, but it's didn't.
     I had a meeting that took longer than I expected last night and then tonight is the kick-off for Relay for Life, tomorrow I have a haircut (that's relaxing, though).

     And then tomorrow night I have to drive my youngest son down to meet his dad in Wenatchee for the weekend and we have family coming to visit. SIGH.
     But, the good news is that everyone seems to be on the mend as far as the sicky ickies go! Thank goodness!
     Anyhow, I am in the process of making a final "to do" list to ensure my readiness for starting the Biggest Loser competition next Monday.
     I have been wearing my new sneakers all week, so that when I start up the working out I won't have nasty blisters that keep me from going and going and going.
     I have a few more things I want to pick up at the store, mostly food-wise and snack-wise, and I plan on doing that this weekend (squishing in a store trip somewhere).
     I really am starting to get excited about next week. I have shared my plans with my students and they are pretty jazzed up for me, too.
     I also am excited about all of the organizing I have been doing lately. As well, I have taken MANY things off my perpetual "to do" list - things that always seem to live on the list and I can never find the time to do.
     Well, I have taken a couple of different afternoons this past month, and I have just ticked off the list a bunch of things that I kept putting off for whatever reason.
     See . . . already I feel lighter!
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow (when it really is Friday).

Super!

     This past weekend was a good one for me! I accomplished many things I wanted to do, and I spent time with family and friends.
     First, I went to Wenatchee with a huge list of things that I needed in order to be ready to start the competition next Monday.
     I am ready and raring to go, complete with new shoes, shorts, shirts and socks. I found everything for which I was looking.
     Then Saturday night we went over to our friends' house to watch the "Ultimate Fighting Championship."
     I originally thought I would not like it and that I was more going to spend time with my girlfriend (we ended up the only two girls there).
     I ended up liking it. There were times that it was a bit intense, but it was still fun to watch. It actually took me back to the days when I was a little girl.
     I remember watching boxing (entirely different fighting, for sure), and we would watch big Muhammad Ali fights.
     Anyhow, it turned out to be a fun time with great friends, and I couldn't help admire how in shape the fighters were.
     Then yesterday my sister came over. I don't feel like I have enough sister time ever. So, it was super to spend time with her. We always laugh and laugh.
     We all went to watch the Super Bowl at our friends' house. And, that was a great time with family, friends and food.
     But, I was good with the food. I did eat a little bit, but I also used the tiny paper plate to help me watch the portion control.
     I also stayed in the living room rather than hanging out and eating in the kitchen the entire time.
     I did not feel like I was going to burst or anything, and there was a ton of food. But, I also don't feel like I was deprived either; a happy balance.
     I am so ready to start next Monday! I am starting to get really excited about this challenge. I know I can do this!
     Something else I am really excited about is that this year I have been working on my plans and hopes for a year of change.
     One of those plans revolves around clutter. I have been doing such an awesome job of moving clutter out of my life.
     Not all the clutter yet, mind you, but enough that I can feel the difference in my life! And, boy it feels SUPER!
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow.

Souper Bowl

     Yup, this Sunday marks two special days. Obviously it is the Super Bowl, and it is also National Soup Day.
     Did you know that the Super Bowl rates as the second-highest holiday for consumption of massive amounts of food, following only behind Turkey Day?
     Or how about that Hallmark Inc. says that hosting a Super Bowl party is the No. 1 at-home shindig? It even scores in above New Year's Eve!
     It is expected that more than $55 million will be spent on food and beverages this week.
     I wish I knew how much is normally spent to really see the difference in that amount. Nonetheless, it really is a lot of money.
     The other interesting thing about the Super Bowl is that it is often the day that people blow their resolutions.
     So this year, plan to take a healthy snack to the party you will be attending, so that there is an option for you.
     I love the idea of air-popped popcorn infused with lime juice and chili powder. Or, you could bring a yummy, healthy homemade soup (celebrating two days in one!).
     Take fruit, especially apples, which will give you something sweet to munch on. And, chocolate pudding is always a favorite (sugar-free and fat-free), too.
     In reading my blog last year from the Super Bowl, the biggest thing I noticed is how great I felt when the game was over and I had not gorged.
     Even if you are going to eat some of the not-so-healthy snacks, remember portion control.
     Some other ideas are to MOVE away from the snack area. Drink lots of water. Eat before you go to the party.
     And, if you blow your resolution for 2007, just start over on Monday! Don't let one day stop your progress!
     And, that's the last word, until Monday.

One year anniversary

     Wow! I have been plugging away at this blogging for a year. One entire year! I can hardly believe it.
     I went back and read the blog for Feb. 1 of last year, and I noticed a couple of things.
     I definitely felt energized, but I also felt like losing weight was a battle. It definitely is hard, with that much I agree.
     But, it's almost like comparing it to a war or a battle makes it seem like something that I would lose or face defeat.
     So, if I were to continue with the metaphor, then this has been one very long war which, although I am not dead, I seem to be losing.
     Bye-bye war metaphor! I am fresh and ready to start anew. I have way more strategy (is that the dastardly war metaphor peaking its ugly head over the horizon?).
     Maybe I will start some other cheesy metaphor instead. Like, I am ready to start my new voyage to explore a new land (my changing body).
     Seriously, I know this is just semantics at this point, but don't you see how one is different than the other; it's about mental attitude, right?
     The other thing I noticed while reminiscing and reading my first-ever blog is that I am still writing. I did not quit that. I kept on blogging.
     There were times I wanted to stop writing because I felt like a fraud in the weight loss department.
     You know what? I am proud of myself for the fact that I have kept on writing, that I have found something to say (not that surprising, seeing as how I seem to always have something to say).
     You know what else? I am proud of myself even more for the fact that I am starting anew.
     I am not beating myself up for weighing more than I did when I started last year. (I know this because of how my clothes fit, but I don't know the actual number, scary.)
     I am not beating myself up for having to start over. Instead, I am celebrating the fact that it's never too late, that I can try again, and that I am ready.
     And, that's the last word, until tomorrow.