Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Hump Day
Today is my at rest day. No gym...no thinking of just sneaking in the gym for a quick 20...and no guilt! My body is a bit tired. The good news is my protein order arrived and I have two new flavors: banana and strawberry whey protein cold-filtered isolate ion exchange with vitamins and minerals. These drinks make a great after workout treat!
Last evening Drake at SNAP worked me pretty hard on some new routines...free weights that I didn't think I could lift but I succeeded. Drake taught me proper form to complete a "squat" lift. Bench presses were also completed as well. I may have started out with lower weights but those weights will be gradually increased to build my strength and endurance. I also completed pull-down squats, ab work, and thirty minutes on the treadmill along with the elliptical.
I have a boatload of things to do today like completing my neglected housework...so far I can't get Cosmo; my Jack Russell Terrier to vacuum.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
I'm making progress!
It has been a struggle to lose weight this past month. So many obstacles to overcome. But I have lost weight and now I can hug myself for the job well done.
My daughter and I went shopping yesterday; albeit raging snowstorm and hormones! We had a buffet lunch where I was able to enjoy my weekly "cheat" meal without totally going off the wagon.
I felt pretty guilty so I worked out last night at the gym and then again this morning. Now I feel better or is it those endorphins talking to me?
I have done some tweaking to my diet to make sure I an getting enough protein on a daily basis.
How many more weeks until spring?
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Failure is NOT and Option for me
I am trying my best to get back in good health. I'll be at the gym today and tomorrow working my tuchos off. My hard work had already paid off in several ways. My size 12 Diva skinny jeans from Old Navy now fit! My blood sugars are in the 60-80 readings all day long. This is a true accomplishment. It has been a year since the jeans have fit and I have never had such low blood sugar readings.
It is difficult as weight just does not come off no matter how hard I work. I know I have lost more inches than pounds.
I am a work in progress and I'm not finished.
--
Mortal wounds give no pain.
Monday, February 20, 2012
A day off from work
Usually when I have a day off from work I try to schedule appointments so I don't have to use sick or vacation time. I scheduled my yearly dilated eye exam and also planned to visit Trade Joe's and Whole "paycheck" Foods, as they are nearby to my doctor's office. I didn't plan on it being a very sunny day and with dilated eyes; painful! But the good news, my eyes are fine and haven't changed in two years. Plus I did a little shopping at both stores. I wish that Trader Joe's would open up a store somewhere in Lake County. They have such great products and excellent customer service.
I arrived home sooner than I thought and called my trainer; Drake at SNAP to see if he had an earlier time today as I was originally scheduled for 7pm. Yeppers....he saw me at 1:30pm. I arrived early and did 25 minutes on the treadmill to warm up. Drake had me doing core and working with the giant ball...well my balance isn't the best, but improving. I was also working out with weights. He stated he can tell I look like I am losing weight...I was all smiles!
Tomorrow will be a test as it is my departments monthly breakfast...a table loaded with goodies and such. Of course I'm bringing in two treats, one good; calorie controlled snacks and one very naughty: balaclava.
Have a great week everyone!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Weights...sweat...and chocolate!
I started a fixed routine on the weight resistance machines last night at SNAP with my trainer; Drake. I have many areas for improvement; all in due time.
My custom blend whey cold-processed isolate protein powder arrived from
truenutrition.com yesterday and I must say it is double chocolate, sweetened with stevia...and very delicious. It has about 100 calories per serving, 2g of carbs, and about 30g of protein. It is affordable, tastes good, and does not give me any "bloat"; which is a plus. It was very easy to work in my meal plan.
Tomorrow I'll attend the boot camp.
Have a great weekend!
--
Mortal wounds give no pain.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Time to Shop?
Shopping....a favorite pastime of mine...especially shoes. Imelda Marcos I'm not...even a size eight! But, I do have aspirations!
I have decided in my best interest to work out every other day. My body isn't twenty anymore and I can't make myself look like Madonna...although I can try. She has lots more money...lol.
Drake at SNAP has been working me pretty hard and really for the first time in my life appreciate the efforts. Years of trying crazy diets have taken their toll and I have learned my lesson. I am now eating pretty healthy and it is starting to show. I have lost a lot of inches, more than pounds at this state. I can barely keep my trousers up...and that's a good thing!
Sticking to a plan is not easy...it takes sheer will power and determination. I am doing this to save my life first and foremost..that is my goal. I push myself and then I push myself more. I should buy stock in Advil and Ben Gay!
When it comes to meal planning I have some hints. If you are a member of Sam's Club...try Jennie-O 95/5 white meat turkey burgers. They also have frozen wild caught salmon burgers. You can cook the burgers from their frozen state on a grill and they are delicious. I do my best to eat wild caught seafood when available. I found that Heinens has very fresh wild caught fish at a reasonable price. Remember you can always buy what you need, don't feel obligated to buy more. My average meal portion of seafood is 6-8 ounces per meal. I was previously sticking to four ounces, but was not satisfied. As my weight decreases, I will adjust. I do have red meat once per week. Last night for dinner I made mini sirloin burgers with a slice of fat free cheese on my George Foreman grill. The total amount of meat was six ounces. The two slices of fat free cheeses added ten carbs. Well worth the meal; plus I added veggies. I had 1/2 cup of 1% fat sodium free Giant Eagle cottage cheese before bed. This helps me with my blood sugar levels as my numbers are in the 70-80s all day long. I have avoided the fat free cottage cheese as it is too salty for me. I will be going to Trader Joe's and Whole "paycheck" Foods this coming Monday to see what they offer.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
It's Going to be a Great Weekend!
I'm going to be pampered this weekend as it's my birthday Sunday! My BF took me out to dinner last night at Stadium Grill and I had a prime rib with veggies and three diet Cokes. The prime rib was very fatty so I did a surgical number on it and only ate half...the rest came home. The left over veggies made it into my egg white omelet this morning. Jim had sirloin and two sides as well. Stadium Grill does make a pretty nice dinner salad...I was starved!
Today I went to SNAP and did about 45 minutes on the treadmill as my knee was pretty sore. I also checked out the video classes in their gym..they are pretty fast paced..
This is not an excuse, but the roads were pretty bad early this morning so I didn't make it out to the boot camp...maybe next week.
Tomorrow there is a little party planned for me so that will be my weekly "cheat" meal...and I have earned it!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Update
I wanted to clarify that my previous medical insurance; Aenta and before that Anthem covered in-person (aka one-on-one) nutrition services and diabetic education/training. Medical Mutual Super MED only offers telephone nutritional and diabetic education and training through their disease management program. This will be a huge adjustment for me and I will be required to complete research on-line in order to tweak my nutritional requirements so I can safely manage my diabetes. So far I have not located any "free" in-person diabetic education resources with a registered dietitian in Lake County.
Popeye the Sailor Man I Am!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Another Combat Class Completed
I completed the Combat class at Pulse Fitness Center this morning. I am really proud of myself today as this is my second class. I know I am pretty out of shape and it's going to take a long time on my road to health. Coordination is not my strongest suit; but I'm getting the hang of it. I managed to go to the gym after doing a bit of grocery shopping. 20 minutes on the elliptical and various weight machine were all my body could handle today. Sunday will be my day of rest.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
I'm Doing The Happy Dance Today!
Today started out with Cosmo; my JRT waking me up at 7am for his morning constitution. (BTW I had requested the day off from work) Then I was off to SNAP Fitness for a 20 minute workout on the elliptical and then weight work. I spent about 1.5 hours and then I had to go home and get ready for my quarterly visit to my Cleveland Clinic Endocrinologist; Dr. Doshi. All my tests came back within normal parameters. My average blood glucose readings for the past three weeks were excellent. I still am on Byetta plus metformin extended release to combat some unpleasant side effects. I continue to check my blood sugar 5-6 times a day but Dr. Doshi said I can cut back a bit. I am scheduled for a bone density test and will have another visit with the dietitian to make sure I am on track.
I told my doctor about the Lighten Up contest and will send her a link to the NH article. She is encouraging me to lose more weight.
I managed to visit Starbucks for a skinny Latte and had a small salad at the Clinic.
It is a long road ahead...as they say "Rome was not built in a day"!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Some pain is worth having, just saying.
OK, the abs hurt...a lot...SNAP Fitness...you will save me!
Last night I did a hard twenty minutes of the elliptical followed by trying out multiple weight machines. I primarily focused on my arms, but I managed to test out the "ad eliminator"...aka the pain in my belly today!
After an hour I called it quits and went home.
I can tell you something is happening here. My black slacks that were pretty tight two weeks ago and pretty loose right now. A certain undergarment of mine can be placed on a smaller hook. Like I said adding the workouts to my diet regime is working. Soon...goodbye muffin top!
Tomorrow I am off from work as I have medical appt at Cleveland Clinic with my Endocrinologist. I am hoping all my blood work is within normal parameters.
This weekend I will attend the group classes at Pulse. I really want to try out TRX and the boot camp. As a rank beginner I'll take it easy.
--
Mortal wounds give no pain.
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