Put down the glass…

I went to a barbeque party last night, which was fun and we had a great time; however, I’m feeling the after effects today.  You see, I drank a lot of wine.  ;-0  I had a couple of glasses and I as accounting for them point wise; however, my glass kept getting filled up and inhibitions started lowering and the next thing you know, I’m waking up with a serious migraine.  It was all fun a games until someone or something gets hurt. In this case, its my head…and the scale showed me too (up a pound). ;-(

I was doing so well all week and then I go crazy.  Now, I’m sitting trying to detox and nurse my headache.  This reminded me that I’m not a “youngin’” anymore.  So sad!  Water has been my friend today. 

Its been a week…

Its been a week since I posted and I feel like my life has been a bit out of control lately and I need to sit…and I finally am – right now.  This week I stuck to my goals, although my journaling was not the best, I did what I could mentally and emotionally. I hope to be better this week.

1. Journal consistently.  I need to buckle down! My journaling was so, so this week.  I was so consistent in the past, I have lost a bit of my mojo.  I talked to my leader about it yesterday and she said I need to pick a goal (30 lbs) and work from there.  Thinking about the “big picture” has me frustrated. 
2. Exercise.  I plan to go to the gym 3 times this week and to Zumba on Wednesday.  I exercised this week and attended Zumba.  I think it helped with my 2lbs weight loss this week.  I think if i journal (see above) my weight loss could have been better.
3. Water, water, water...Gotta drink it.  I've been so bloated and it ain't funny anymore.  The husband was making an issue of my "cankles" Friday night. Drink water, watch my sodium. The “cankles” have gone down and I did drink a lot of water this week (at least 3 liters a day).  I think the heat is exacerbating the problem of the “cankles”, but I don’t care.  I’ll take the heat!
4. Pack my lunches, although I do this already, I have to make sure to add some variety. I've noticed I'm getting bored.  Lunches were right on.  I took my lunch (which usually is a Lean Cuisine or SmartOne), including a small salad and fruit.  Adding the salad and fruit helped spice up the Lean Cuisines.  I felt fuller too, and it only added a point or two extra to my lunch.
5. Plan.  I have to plan my meals. Eating out is not a good thing.  I have to realize that I cannot eat out.  I have to cook my meals at home if I want to reach my goal. We did not eat out this week, which was a huge accomplishment.  I cooked everyday and planned dinners.  I’m doing it again this week.

 

On to the weigh in...

Again, I'm holding steady.  Although I know that this is not the weight I want to be at, I have gotten too comfortable.  Last Friday, I knew I needed to change things up and that was one of the reasons why I decided to try Zumba.  I have started my running program and it has been interesting and I'm trying my best to get in touch with my inner Kenyan.  ;-)  I know that I need to increase my exercise and buckle down on the food.  My "birthday week" was crazy with the eating out, the cake and ice cream.  I also felt like crap afterwards.  I cannot eat like that anymore. 

Things I know I need to do:

1. Journal consistently.  I need to buckle down!
2. Exercise.  I plan to go to the gym 3 times this week and to Zumba on Wednesday. 
3. Water, water, water...Gotta drink it.  I've been so bloated and it ain't funny anymore.  The husband was making an issue of my "cankles" Friday night. Drink water, watch my sodium.
4. Pack my lunches, although I do this already, I have to make sure to add some variety. I've noticed I'm getting bored. 
5. Plan.  I have to plan my meals. Eating out is not a good thing.  I have to realize that I cannot eat out.  I have to cook my meals at home if I want to reach my goal.

So, there is my 5 step plan.  I have to kick my own ass into gear.  Weight loss is work.  I have to treat it like any other project.  I realize that I'm making myself healthier in the process, but I don't want to be where I am now (per the scale...I know the scale is not everything, but right now it is what I'm using to judge my progress). 

The Lavender in Bloom

Yesterday was a long, long day.  Although fun, it was a long day with the 2 hour ferry wait, and drive that took 3 hours because of all the traffic.  Everyone in western Washington was heading out to the 2010 Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington. It was a beautiful drive with great views of the Puget Sound.

Photo above is from the Purple Haze farm.  I didn't know there was such a thing as white lavender.

Jardin du Soleil

We picked 3 bundles of lavender at Jardin du Soleil.  One was for a co-worker and the other 2 I'm drying to make sachets.

Above is at Olympic Lavender Farm

We had a great time and the little one had fun creating the bundles and going to the different farms. I sampled some blueberry lavender ice cream and lavender infused coffee.  It was really interesting and different.  Loved the ice cream.  It wasn't too sweet and the blueberry and lavender was a great combo.

Musician Geoffery Castle and Band jamming covering Jimi Hendrix tunes at the Purple Haze Farm! The 6 string electric violin sounded almost like a electric guitar.  It was really cool. Of course the song Purple Haze was a hit.  I love Jimi!

I leave you all with a little Purple Haze..."excuse me while I kiss the sky!"

Zumba kicked my behind

I went to Zumba tonight and had a great time.  It kicked my behind.  I really liked the instructor.  She has great attitude and was very spunky and sassy.  Loved it!

I got my fillings today.  My jaw is sore.  I think I have to take something.  Because of where the cavity was, she gave me some of the anesthetic in my jaw bone area.  It is really, really sore right now, but at least I'm not numb where my lip feels three times its size.  I hope to feel better tomorrow.

Okay, off to bed...

The run and getting the drill!

I did a run today for 40 minutes…well it was more like run/jog for 2 minutes and walk for 1 minute on the treadmill.  I set up the intervals using my Gymboss (love that thing)!  I feel like I need to continue to build my endurance, but I know that it will take time.  I have yet to get that "runners high" that I hear so much about.  Maybe I'll hit that sweet spot once I get my groove.

I go to the dentist tomorrow for a little drilling!  I hate, hate the drill and getting fillings.  I'm just say. ;-)

I have signed up for a Zumba class tomorrow!  I'm going by myself.  Maybe I'll meet some interesting people?  The class is taught by a former Seattle Seagal (cheerleaders for the Seattle Seahawks).  We shall see how it goes.

Okay, off to bed and I hope I don't have nightmares about the dentist!

Also, I was wondering if anyone else has had an IUD removed?  My body has been kind of wonky  since I had it removed a couple of weeks ago and I don't know what is going on.  I think it is just my hormones trying to adjust, but its crazy. Hopefully it will all settle down soon. 

Keeping my toe in it!

No more cake.  It threw it in the garbage this morning. I have had my birthday food orgy and now it is time to detox and I feel like I need rehab.  I think sugar is the devil and I've been an avid follower.   I need to walk away from the cake and the ice cream and any other sweet, sugary substance that sends me into the spiral of sugar hell and into a sugar coma. I woke up this morning feeling like I went on a bender.   It's out of hand and I put an end to it.  I think I may have shocked my body - don't know if it was a good or bad way yet.

My birthday was great and I got to spend quality time with the family after coming back from my gym session. I got my breakfast, lunch and snacks ready for work tomorrow - all clean foods, which means lots of fruits  vegetables. I purchased blackberries, raspberries & honeydew from Costco yesterday.  Later I bought some Bare Naked granola (I signed up to like them on Facebook and got a buy one get one free coupon) to eat with the greek yogurt given to me by a friend who is taking a hiatus from yogurt.

I just got back from the gym.  I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and 20 on the treadmill, as well as 15 minutes of crunches (various) , squats w/ 15 # dumb bells and bent over rows with 50#s.  I think I will definitely feel it in my thighs, shoulders and back tomorrow.

NORMAL

Normal.  That was the result from all the blood tests that my doctor ran on me last week.  Everything was normal. I lowered my blood sugar, cholestrol and blood pressure by losing weight.  It felt good to get the letter in the mail.  I want to frame it. 
I ran/walked/jogged for an hour and a half today.  I took my time. It wasn’t pretty, but I did it.  I read something today over at Moosaroo’s that gave me the encouragement to keep going.  It was just what I needed to read after getting back from the "run".  I do wish I had a Garmin Forerunner though.  I love numbers and making charts (I’ve even been doing a weight loss  & body fat chart since Jan 1st), but right now it isn’t in my budget. Something to save up for in the future.  Maybe before the half? 
The weight is the same this week, which I’m happy about actually.  Tomorrow the plan is the gym, brunch with the family for my birthday and then who knows, possibly a hike?
My husband has been making comments about how I need to get a younger husband, because he cannot keep up with me anymore.  I laughed, but I know he really wants to get healthier so he can be the “younger” husband.  I will encourage, but I don’t want to push.  I hated that myself in the past. It never worked.

Pictures of the NW 4th of July

I finally have a moment to post some photos from the 4th of July, NW style…which involves lots of clouds and a ferry ride to Kingston, WA.

Driving into the ferry, though my hubby’s cracked windshield on his car.  For those that live in or are from the northwest, know that the cracked windshield is a signature trademark.  Not sure if the roads are covered with more rocks than other places.

 

I think she gets this from the Norwegian blood that runs in her veins.  It was cold but, she was ready to go at the Puget Sound polar bear style! Brrrrrr!!  

The husband snapped this photo!  As you can see, I was bundled up. 

She seriously thought it was 90 degrees or something! She doesn’t get the love of the cold from me. 

Another year older…the countdown!

On Sunday, I turn 37-years-old.  How did I get to be 37?  It’s crazy to think that I’m so close to 40 and I feel like I have so much to do and so little time.  I know I shouldn’t be stressing, but I am.  Another year older…gosh….

I ran twice this week.  Well, it was more of a jog.  I’m going tomorrow with my friend who runs.  She is going to help me train and pace myself.  She knows I need to take it easy and build up my endurance.  I’m looking forward to it.

What else happened this week?  I got taken out to lunch for my birthday and I did partake in the “dreaded” birthday cake.  I’m sharing my birthday with other July birthdays.  The cake was dang good though!  I know I ate too much this week, with the B-day luncheon, it was all downhill from there.  I just feel blah.  I also had TOM twice in 3 weeks (I know, TMI), but it is what it is.  I feel like a puffer fish. 

Also this week, I came to a conclusion that I lost a friend.  I guess we’ve grown apart.  I considered her my best friend for over 15 years, but she has decided to cease all communication with me.  Not sure why?  I was taking it personally and  it is probably me, I don’t know.  It is sad and painful.  I don’t know if I’ll have that kind of friendship again, maybe I don’t want it.  We told each other everything (and I mean everything) and now it is no more.  I woke in a cold sweat two nights ago with the realization that she may never speak to me or see me again.  It sucks not knowing the why of the situation.  I guess I need some closure. 

My husband suggested that I get out and join some groups, maybe a Meet up with other women my age, with young kids who want to be more active, or I can start my own?  I do need to do more.  I miss having close knit girlfriends and I haven’t really had that since moving to Seattle.  I really want to change that. Something to work on in my 37th year.

Weigh in and the Vampire

A gain of 5.2lbs this week. Which to be honest is suprising but I ate out a few times and didn't exercise like I needed to, which the gain shouldn't be so suprising. The damage is done. Time to move on.

Another plus, I got my IUD removed! I feel better already. I never felt "right" having that in, so I'm hoping my hormone changes may help push my weightloss along. I can hope!

As for the vampire, I had a fasting blood draw after my weigh in this morning. It sucked because he had to stick me 3 freakin' times. I wanted to scream. Praying my blood work is awesome!

I’m cured!

Went to the doctor today.  The weight isn’t down that much from last year at this time (35 or so lbs).  However, the good news….no more high blood pressure medicine!  BP is awesome and normal.  The doc also okayed my training for the 1/2 marathon. 

Weight loss and Race Training?

Did some running/walking for 40 minutes yesterday. I am getting excited thinking about the 1/2 marathon and hope that the training doesn't halt my weight loss progress (although, that has slowed quite a bit anyway :-(. I hope to continue to lose weight while training. I have heard mixed stories, some say that it is hard to lose while training for a race and others say that they continued to lose. I would love to hear other people's experiences regarding weight loss and running.

Work has been really busy and I will go in on Saturday to get some additional work done. Uninterrupted work will be great and it gives me two days to relax, sort of.

On Sunday, we are heading over to my husband's extended family's picnic. It is in Kingston, WA so we get to take the ferry. I love riding the ferry, but when the weather sucks, the ride can be quite chilly. Hoping for good weather for the 4th! I'm making a pasta salad Saturday evening to take to the picnic. Everyone brings a dish, so I picked pasta salad because it is pretty easy and will keep pretty well.

Okay, off the read the article in Runner's World on 1/2 marathons. The August issue is the 1/2 marathon issue. Perfect timing!