The Firm

Moving forward, I am stepping it up a notch and going for another big weight loss push. Lately I have been slacking a bit. I think I have been temporarily motivated by all the positive compliments people are giving me and have slacked off as a result. So… it’s back to tightening things up – calorie counting and stepping up the cardio in between gym workouts.

Since the hot Florida summer has officially arrived, I found it necessary to leave B at home as she was quickly overheating on our walks and slowing down our pace. So when I needed to find a high energy indoor activity that I could keep up with through the next few months, I remembered that I had previously bought “The Firm” CDs from an infomercial. So I dusted them off – there are 4 CDs that use weight resistance and steps for an all-over fitness routine. I began with the Complete Workout (cardio plus weights) and then tried the Cardio Only. Both are good. The first time through I had to stop the CD and get water and a towel to wipe off because I was sweating so much! In fact, I felt like I was going to pass out during the Cardio Only routine. What a workout!! My heart rate increased to 160 bpm!

Now I sign off in order to input my food diary calories for the day.

Feed Healthcare.com

So I was invited to feed my blog posts to healthcare.com. I think it is really cool how connected we can be these days. I can get inspiration from my living room at any minute of the day. I love knowing that you are all “out there” getting inspiration from me and providing me that extra push I need at the same time. What did I do before technology took over? I barely remember having to search online by clicking lists rather than Googling! Oh how I love Google. Need a recipe?… Google it. Need to remember what actor was in that movie… Google it. And while I am relatively new to blogging, I have found many an answer to both my pet and human health care issues. So keep it coming bloggers!

Strokes in Dogs

Did you know that dogs can have strokes and recover 100%? Well they can. F is proof positive. She recently had her second one. After about three days, I didn’t see any residual affects. In fact, she has made a full recovery at age 13 and a half. While it is personally very upsetting when it happens, she didn’t seem to experience any obvious pain – she just seemed drunk and disoriented. Her head tilted to the left and her balance was very bad. She couldn’t even get out of bed the morning after and showed little energy overall. The good news is that almost at once she showed signs of recovery and ate when fed.

Dogs continually amaze me – they plod through whatever life throws at them and keep on chugging along no matter how difficult it gets.

Reaching Goals

I am so happy to make this long awaited post… I have finally reached not only one, but two important milestones in my wellness journey. First, I have officially lost a grand total of 50 lbs. I have never lost that much before and feel very motivated to keep losing. In fact, when I think about it, it hasn’t been that difficult to fit my new vegan diet and fitness routine into my life. I was commenting to M and other friends that I have so much energy now. I didn’t remember what I was missing.

Milestone number two (and maybe the most important) is that I am no longer taking diabetes medicine. Through diet and exercise I have controlled my disease! This is huge. I owe it to my friend S who sent me the book “Dr. Neal Bernard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes” after seeing him at a conference. It made an impression on her and changed my life.

I wish the world could know that with a little discipline you can overcome a serious health problem non-surgically and without a lot of sacrifice. I enjoy making new vegan recipes and the control that I have by eating healthy foods rather than fat laden, high caloric quick fixes that make me crash afterwards.

Tofu. 1-2-3!

If you are not a fan yet or haven’t ever tried tofu, get on the bandwagon! It is so versatile – you can create silky smooth desserts or savory entrees. My favorites include breakfast scrambles with a southwest flair, super sweet smoothies that pack protein and yummy pasta sauces that resemble their creamy, more fattening counterparts.

So be brave – get out there and buy some. It is as easy as 1-2-3!

I confess

There I was at Publix – over Easter weekend – buying groceries for a pot luck at my sister’s house and I find myself in the wine aisle. Among the good stuff, I see Arbor Mist. I know, I know… its comparable to white zinfandel. But I was looking for something refreshing and it was just the cooler I craved for a warm Florida Spring day. And guess what – I confess, I loved it!

Obsession?

It was posed to me at dinner (by my mother) that I am obsessed with my wellness so I am pondering that as I post tonight. I do tend to have obsessive tendencies so I am considering the idea. What is an obsession anyway – a compulsive idea or behavior of which you can’t let go? One that consumes your life and causes you to forget everything else in favor of?

As I think about that in terms of my own behavior I am confident that my routine is not obsessive but focused. Focused on food, yes. Focused on workouts, yes. Focused on nutrition, yes. Focused on wellness in general.

I need to think about what I eat and what I do activity-wise often as it takes constant vigilance. It is so easy to let the small things add up each day to extra calories and wasted opportunities. In fact, it’s those small things that amounted to my 5 to 10 pounds a year gains!

SO… while I admit that I do talk about it a lot. I feel that is how I process it all and stay alert.

Emotional baggage

So its been several weeks since my last entry. I must say I’ve been struggling during that time. On the one hand I feel great. On the other, I am not seeing the progress I feel I’ve earned as a result of the effort I’ve put forth. It’s always about the scale with me. As of January 1, I am down another 6 lbs. In that eight weeks I was shooting for 1-2 lbs per week. That would be 8-16 lbs. – makes the real 6 sound pitiful. I was really banking on the new year calorie counting to be the secret weapon that proved effective.

Trainer M says I need to think positively and stop stressing over the scale. In fact, he urged me to stop getting on the scale for a while. I just fear that if I don’t check in often, the number will go up. He compared my weighing to planting a seed and then digging it up everyday to see how it is growing. Instead I need to leave it alone and water it so it can grow! Interesting analogy.

He also told me that having stress and negative thoughts can hinder my success. If I can visualize myself succeeding, I will get there.

Unfortunately I missed my appointment with J this week due to a miscommunication. She always encourages me and lifts me up emotionally pointing out that I have made great progress and am often too hard on myself. I could have used that pep talk as I am under a lot of stress.

First, FR was not doing well. The vet thought she may have had a small stroke. My acupuncturist disagreed and treated her for ear problems explaining that they could have caused her disorientation and odd posture. Thankfully, now she is doing fabulous with no lingering symptoms other than a healing hematoma.

If that weren’t enough, M tells me on Monday that his boss is declaring bankruptcy negating a huge balance I have with him. He isn’t sure what the outcome will be for him at this point as he may need to change gyms. Just when I have it down.

And finally, today an employee gives notice. Geez – how much turmoil can I take. While I am happy for him and his opportunity, I now have to concentrate on a solution.

So in my efforts to feel positive and happy, I am writing it all down to let the baggage go. My plans for success are getting back to tight calorie counting, eating more vegetables, adding more yoga and cardio, drinking water and relaxing about the process as I do.

On Track

Okay – so last year I attended a one-day motivational conference. At it, all three speakers talked about how journaling changed their life. All year I thought about doing it but just never really got on board or found the time.

Now that I am approaching my eating regimen by carefully tracking my calories and protein, I decided to create a Weekly Health Diary in the form of an Excel spreadsheet so I could easily input the numbers and automatically calculate the totals without having to add them up manually. I also added an area that keeps track of my workout schedule and holds me accountable on paper whether I accomplished it for the day or not.

Two days down and going well so far.

2008 Resolutions

Although I am not a big advocate of New Year’s resolutions, this year I have several. First, I have discovered that the “plateau” I am experiencing in my weight loss is most likely self inflicted! Apparently I am consuming way too many calories. These calories come from good healthy food, but simply too much of it. It comes in the form of evening snacking, large portions and second helpings. I read in Prevention’s Biggest Loser Weight Loss Planner that if you weigh 200 lbs, you are consuming 2300 calories each day to maintain that weight. 2800 if you are 250 lbs! That means I am eating more than 600 extra calories every day! The good news is that if I eliminate those from my diet, I will begin losing immediately and consistently take off one pound every three days according to my nutritionist. Now that is real incentive! So resolution number one: stick to 1700 calories a day.

Next, I just can’t get around it… I need to add in cardio to my weekly workout routine. Weight training is great but not a comprehensive fitness plan. M says I can do 30 minutes of intense cardio on the days I don’t come to the gym and then take a break on the weekends. So resolution number two: get up early and walk/run my 2-mile route Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. That seems attainable. B dog needs it too.

Resolution numbers three and four are subsets of number one. They will help me achieve my calorie target by keeping me full and satisfied. Three: I need to eat ONLY good carbs (high fiber grains). This will mean eating out less, bring lunch or eating at home most days. And four: eat more veggies(!)… especially leafy green ones loaded with protein and calcium.

So that leaves my final resolution, number five: less talk more action.