On Tuesday, November 10, I weighed in exactly the same, 174, and I'll take it. Especially after all those Ruffles. Finally - the bag is gone. Never again, will I have Ruffles Potato Chips in this house. I simply have no resistance.
Just now, I removed all the other snacks I bought, a huge mistake, to the basement. Last night, I started in on the Ritz crackers, also a fav. So I figure if they're down in the basement, I won't hear them calling me. I hope. Yes, I hear you saying I could just pitch them, but that action is not in me.
There is an article in this morning's Trib about TOPS, which I might check out. Decades ago, I did go to a couple of meetings, but stopped, for whatever reason I cannot now remember, probably five kids and stuff like that.
On Sunday, the 1st, I went to see a terrific flic, "The Damned United", down at Pipers Alley in the city, and then in the evening again out to College of DuPage to see the Thunder Drums of China, an amazing performance, all percussion instruments. Fabulous show. But no walking that day.
Monday I walked, and went to an evening movie, "District 9", probably the best sci-fi I've seen since "Star Wars", terribly under-rated. Walked again Tuesday, but Wednesday went to a Hindu temple in Lemont, rather tired looking if you ask me, and it is all about the architecture as far as I'm concerned, not being a Hindu. There is another one on Rte. 59 just north of North Avenue that is truly a wonder to behold. No expense spared there.
Thursday walked, and that's when I first weighed 174. Friday spent the entire day at SOFA on Navy Pier. SOFA being Sculptural Objects and Fine Art. Had walked to the train, about a mile, and did you know that that Jamba Juice chain serves organic steel cut oatmeal in the morning? Had some in the train station, bused to Navy Pier, walked the mile to the very end, and walked around the show til it was time for me to leave to catch the 8:40 train home. Long, long day. I was so pooped that I called my husband to come and pick me up.
Saturday, walked and babysat, which is exercise enuf in itself. Sunday another movie, this time a documentary about Afghanistan, in which I learned so much. I had driven in and parked at Wacker and Van Buren, then walked to State and Randolph. After the film, bused again to SOFA, and walked around til almost close, this time breaking down and buying a piece of abstract bronze sculpture which just caught my eye about the third time I passed it. Small, but I love it. Called "Quest" by Bruce Niemi, a sculptor who has much public art in and around Chicagoland and the nation. He had his own booth, which allows one to bypass gallery charges, nice.
Monday I walked around the cemetery in Woodlawn for an hour to my tapes, but a slower one, as I tend to ruin my feet walking fast on cement. All day babysitting, lots of movement, very little sitting. Yesterday, the start of another 5 day period, some friends and I walked around Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve for over two hours, although not at any rapid pace. Saw a guy rollerblading with ski poles.
Except for this after dinner snacking, I am in control of what I eat. Always a good breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm not sure what's going on after dinner, because it's for sure I'm not hungry. I'l try again tonight. And still no wine and very little sugar. Smaller portions now, always.
101 days down and still trying.
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
THE NEW ME
55 days and still 12 pounds - 180. Ok, I'll take it, since I could have been 181 and still been on target. So on the 30th, I only have to maintain, although I sure would like to get down further.
I do get up mostly 30 minutes before dawn, but am not immediately going out the door to exercise. And that's OK. I tie it in to when my husband goes out the door to walk or run. He is absolutely religious about it, so that helps me. Yesterday, when we were babysitting, while the kid was taking a nap, instead of sitting around reading, I had brought my tape, and took a one hour walk in a near-by cemetery, In the past, I would have just sat. Progress.
On the 23rd, a Wednesday, a friend and I walked around the Morton Arboretum for at least two hours. Not any great pace, but a longer time. On Wednesdays, it's senior day, and you can get in for six bucks. It's so lovely this time of year.
I watch what I eat always. Still trying to follow the original diet plan, but not so religiously. If I don't happen to have the particular food on hand, I just punt.
This morning, I went to have my cholesterol and Vitamin D levels checked. They were also giving away free smoothies, so I brought one home and might have half this afternoon. We'll see; they are horribly caloric. Last week I had a heart scan to see about calcium buildup in my arteries. Haven't gotten that report yet. I guess you could say that "I'm taking charge of my health", a mostly overused and useless phrase, as no one can control their genes or the air they breath.
55 days down.
I do get up mostly 30 minutes before dawn, but am not immediately going out the door to exercise. And that's OK. I tie it in to when my husband goes out the door to walk or run. He is absolutely religious about it, so that helps me. Yesterday, when we were babysitting, while the kid was taking a nap, instead of sitting around reading, I had brought my tape, and took a one hour walk in a near-by cemetery, In the past, I would have just sat. Progress.
On the 23rd, a Wednesday, a friend and I walked around the Morton Arboretum for at least two hours. Not any great pace, but a longer time. On Wednesdays, it's senior day, and you can get in for six bucks. It's so lovely this time of year.
I watch what I eat always. Still trying to follow the original diet plan, but not so religiously. If I don't happen to have the particular food on hand, I just punt.
This morning, I went to have my cholesterol and Vitamin D levels checked. They were also giving away free smoothies, so I brought one home and might have half this afternoon. We'll see; they are horribly caloric. Last week I had a heart scan to see about calcium buildup in my arteries. Haven't gotten that report yet. I guess you could say that "I'm taking charge of my health", a mostly overused and useless phrase, as no one can control their genes or the air they breath.
55 days down.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
THE NEW ME
Sorry about not posting Sunday, but life got in the way. I cannot blame the house guest, as she did not arrive til 7:30 pm or so.
Weight Sunday morning - 180. 50 days now and 12 pounds. I am still somewhat in awe of that. 2 pounds ahead, so that on Friday morning, when another five days have passed, I only have to weigh 181. Let us hope not, but it gives me some breathing room.
I am still trooping down the Prairie Path almost every day, and I do think the new shoes have helped. Plus the icing when I come back. I do try and walk around town whenever and wherever I can, to the library, to a friend's house, etc. And I'm noticing that my gait is faster, consciously, but still. And perhaps, although I'm afraid to put this down in writing, my energy level is up. I do find that while watching television at night, I have to get up during commercials and move around. Even a DVD, I will stop to get up and do something.
On the 16th, went to a Women's Health Fair in the Yorktown Shopping Mall, and was it ever terrific! Free blood pressure screening, diabetes tests, eye tests, skin assesment, free pens, food, skin care products, just stuff. For my friend, who is unemployed, it was a gold mine. Took us a solid two hours to get through it all, and even then we did not have time to stay and get the free massages offered. At several stations, so you could get more than one. My blood pressure is a little up, 123/76, and it used to be 110/70, so that is another goal, to get it back down.
Several meals out, and I did good. One at my daughter-in-law's, although she graciously cooked a delicious meal she knew I could eat, and had some scrumptious fresh pineapple for dessert. It was perfection. A book discussion, with all sorts of goodies on the table, and I limited myself to the fresh fruit and a few homemade biscotti. An evening of cards with all sorts of snacks, but also fresh fruit that I had. It was hard to pass up the chocolate cake, and lemon pound cake, but I did. And to be fair, it wasn't that hard. Breakfast out Sunday morning, and I also did good, just having a bowl of kiwi fruit, an English muffin, and coffee, for which I had asked for some skim milk. I am not cooking up a storm for the house guest, as I might have in the past, but just serving simple meals, pork chops, baked potato, broccoli, hamburgers tonite. And this morning, a coffee get-together, again a lot of food set out, and I only had some blueberries, and some plain yogurt.
All this detail is by way of showing you that I have come off of the strict diet plan, and am still managing. This is a huge, HUGE, milestone for me. Just a few hours ago, there was left on the table half of a blueberry muffin that everyone was raving about, and I was so sorely tempted. Not because I was hungry, but just to finish off that half. I even put it on my plate. Then I looked at it hard, and said NO. A biggie for me.
50 days down.
Weight Sunday morning - 180. 50 days now and 12 pounds. I am still somewhat in awe of that. 2 pounds ahead, so that on Friday morning, when another five days have passed, I only have to weigh 181. Let us hope not, but it gives me some breathing room.
I am still trooping down the Prairie Path almost every day, and I do think the new shoes have helped. Plus the icing when I come back. I do try and walk around town whenever and wherever I can, to the library, to a friend's house, etc. And I'm noticing that my gait is faster, consciously, but still. And perhaps, although I'm afraid to put this down in writing, my energy level is up. I do find that while watching television at night, I have to get up during commercials and move around. Even a DVD, I will stop to get up and do something.
On the 16th, went to a Women's Health Fair in the Yorktown Shopping Mall, and was it ever terrific! Free blood pressure screening, diabetes tests, eye tests, skin assesment, free pens, food, skin care products, just stuff. For my friend, who is unemployed, it was a gold mine. Took us a solid two hours to get through it all, and even then we did not have time to stay and get the free massages offered. At several stations, so you could get more than one. My blood pressure is a little up, 123/76, and it used to be 110/70, so that is another goal, to get it back down.
Several meals out, and I did good. One at my daughter-in-law's, although she graciously cooked a delicious meal she knew I could eat, and had some scrumptious fresh pineapple for dessert. It was perfection. A book discussion, with all sorts of goodies on the table, and I limited myself to the fresh fruit and a few homemade biscotti. An evening of cards with all sorts of snacks, but also fresh fruit that I had. It was hard to pass up the chocolate cake, and lemon pound cake, but I did. And to be fair, it wasn't that hard. Breakfast out Sunday morning, and I also did good, just having a bowl of kiwi fruit, an English muffin, and coffee, for which I had asked for some skim milk. I am not cooking up a storm for the house guest, as I might have in the past, but just serving simple meals, pork chops, baked potato, broccoli, hamburgers tonite. And this morning, a coffee get-together, again a lot of food set out, and I only had some blueberries, and some plain yogurt.
All this detail is by way of showing you that I have come off of the strict diet plan, and am still managing. This is a huge, HUGE, milestone for me. Just a few hours ago, there was left on the table half of a blueberry muffin that everyone was raving about, and I was so sorely tempted. Not because I was hungry, but just to finish off that half. I even put it on my plate. Then I looked at it hard, and said NO. A biggie for me.
50 days down.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
THE NEW ME (AND CHICAGO)
Okey dokey then. 45 days and 11 pounds. Now I'm at 181. Hurrah!!! On the 20th, when I will weigh again, I only have to be at 182, so I'm ahead again. So far, so good.
I got the new Asics yesterday, and will try them out today, trooping down the Path. We'll see. Threw out the old Adidas. I also bought a pair of Avia, and a new Adidas, the top rated ones in "Consumer Reports", August. I just happened to have it on hand when I was looking at new shoes, because it was a kitchen issue, and I hope to remodel my kitchen in the near future. How coincidental was that? It had nothing to do with my alpha obsession.
Now I'm trying to walk every day, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. But every day I ice my knees for 20 minutes when I come back. With packs of frozen vegies. The left one still bothers me, so I am hoping the new shoes might take care of that.
And I have come off the diet plan, mostly. I feel stronger now about my food choices. I think that is the big change in these past five days. At the Celtic Fest on Saturday, I had a corned beef sandwich, which consisted of a ton of very lean meat, on two pieces of quite fresh rye bread, and not humonguous sized bread either. Some mustard, and a dill pickle sliver rounded it off. Plus some iced coffee with Splenda and no milk, because all they had was half 'n half. I think I did all right there.
I have stuffed my freezer with all kinds of meat choices and frozen vegies, bread, bagels, waffles, and the fridge with fresh fruit, all the yogurt in the world (there was a sale), and low-fat cheese and lunch meat, tuna, eggs, milk, and salad makings. I should be good for a long while now, and can just make my own choices. I'm not too sure about the yogurt, as it has a lot of sugar, but at 100 calories it would make a good choice for something sweet, and not too caloric. Plus there are still some 30 calorie frozen popcicles, and a container of mango sorbet, which is out of this world, and a ton of vitamin A.
So we'll see how all this plays out in the coming days and weeks. I pulled off the shelf again my old stand-by cookbook, in which I am working my way thru the index. "1,001 Low-Fat Recipes". I do have a couple of reviews of it on Amazon, because it is a strange cookbook, and if you don't know squat about cooking, don't even think about it. Not that it's hard, it's just that sometimes it's plain wrong. I had stopped at "pizza" (I've been working on this index since 2002), so that's where I will pick up, at fajita pizza. I must be careful here. But I think it's the serving size that I must follow. And be very careful with the ingredient list, as that will influence the calorie count, which is listed for each recipe.
And a house guest is coming in Thursday, I musn't get carried away in food prep for her either.
45 days down.
THE CELTIC FEST
How great is this city or what!! On a perfect autumn day, Saturday the 12th, we attended the Celtic Fest, and what a wonderful time we all had. Free!! Although if I had known about the flat $25 rate that the Monroe underground garage was charging, I would most certainly have made other arrangements. But it was right across the street.
We got there around noon, and left at five, all of us just feeling so energized and alive. Definitely a must for next year( minus the parking fee).
Where else in the world can you sit and hear an amazing, fabulous Irish band, Larkin and Moran Brothers, while watching a huge bare mast lazily float by behind them on Lake Michigan? Incredible. Bagpipes, which I love, crafts, sheepherding, stupendous Irish dancing, just all things Gaelic and Celtic. And of course watching men walk around in sexy kilts. For free, mind you, all free. No wonder I think Chicago the greatest city in the world. Sure New York is great too, but it's Central Park cannot compare to our Lakefront. No way. Of course I must admit the weather played it's part in this most delicious day.
Three cheers for Chicago (with or without the Olympics).
I got the new Asics yesterday, and will try them out today, trooping down the Path. We'll see. Threw out the old Adidas. I also bought a pair of Avia, and a new Adidas, the top rated ones in "Consumer Reports", August. I just happened to have it on hand when I was looking at new shoes, because it was a kitchen issue, and I hope to remodel my kitchen in the near future. How coincidental was that? It had nothing to do with my alpha obsession.
Now I'm trying to walk every day, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. But every day I ice my knees for 20 minutes when I come back. With packs of frozen vegies. The left one still bothers me, so I am hoping the new shoes might take care of that.
And I have come off the diet plan, mostly. I feel stronger now about my food choices. I think that is the big change in these past five days. At the Celtic Fest on Saturday, I had a corned beef sandwich, which consisted of a ton of very lean meat, on two pieces of quite fresh rye bread, and not humonguous sized bread either. Some mustard, and a dill pickle sliver rounded it off. Plus some iced coffee with Splenda and no milk, because all they had was half 'n half. I think I did all right there.
I have stuffed my freezer with all kinds of meat choices and frozen vegies, bread, bagels, waffles, and the fridge with fresh fruit, all the yogurt in the world (there was a sale), and low-fat cheese and lunch meat, tuna, eggs, milk, and salad makings. I should be good for a long while now, and can just make my own choices. I'm not too sure about the yogurt, as it has a lot of sugar, but at 100 calories it would make a good choice for something sweet, and not too caloric. Plus there are still some 30 calorie frozen popcicles, and a container of mango sorbet, which is out of this world, and a ton of vitamin A.
So we'll see how all this plays out in the coming days and weeks. I pulled off the shelf again my old stand-by cookbook, in which I am working my way thru the index. "1,001 Low-Fat Recipes". I do have a couple of reviews of it on Amazon, because it is a strange cookbook, and if you don't know squat about cooking, don't even think about it. Not that it's hard, it's just that sometimes it's plain wrong. I had stopped at "pizza" (I've been working on this index since 2002), so that's where I will pick up, at fajita pizza. I must be careful here. But I think it's the serving size that I must follow. And be very careful with the ingredient list, as that will influence the calorie count, which is listed for each recipe.
And a house guest is coming in Thursday, I musn't get carried away in food prep for her either.
45 days down.
THE CELTIC FEST
How great is this city or what!! On a perfect autumn day, Saturday the 12th, we attended the Celtic Fest, and what a wonderful time we all had. Free!! Although if I had known about the flat $25 rate that the Monroe underground garage was charging, I would most certainly have made other arrangements. But it was right across the street.
We got there around noon, and left at five, all of us just feeling so energized and alive. Definitely a must for next year( minus the parking fee).
Where else in the world can you sit and hear an amazing, fabulous Irish band, Larkin and Moran Brothers, while watching a huge bare mast lazily float by behind them on Lake Michigan? Incredible. Bagpipes, which I love, crafts, sheepherding, stupendous Irish dancing, just all things Gaelic and Celtic. And of course watching men walk around in sexy kilts. For free, mind you, all free. No wonder I think Chicago the greatest city in the world. Sure New York is great too, but it's Central Park cannot compare to our Lakefront. No way. Of course I must admit the weather played it's part in this most delicious day.
Three cheers for Chicago (with or without the Olympics).
Thursday, September 10, 2009
THE NEW ME - POSTSCRIPT
Well, those braces won't work. I am too fat, and they horribly constrict my lower thigh. Shoot. I went walking anyway, but at a much slower pace today. And iced my knees for 20 minutes the second I came home. They're all right now. Am looking forward to those new shoes.
One thing I've been meaning to relate about my Prairie Path walks. The path is right under a glide path for O'Hare. Many years ago I took an antiques class at Willowbrook High School on Tuesday nites, and that's when I first noticed this phenomenon. When you look to the southwest, and can pinpoint exactly where the planes are coming from, it's quite a thrill to see that pinprick, that tiny dot, appear in the sky, or if there happen to be clouds, then you see the entire plane suddenly loom in the sky. It's sort've like a Star Trek thing, you can imagine that the plane is dropping out of warp drive into our time. First there is nothing, then there is something, seemingly out of nowhere. And I can experience this walking down the Prairie Path. But only going west.
One thing I've been meaning to relate about my Prairie Path walks. The path is right under a glide path for O'Hare. Many years ago I took an antiques class at Willowbrook High School on Tuesday nites, and that's when I first noticed this phenomenon. When you look to the southwest, and can pinpoint exactly where the planes are coming from, it's quite a thrill to see that pinprick, that tiny dot, appear in the sky, or if there happen to be clouds, then you see the entire plane suddenly loom in the sky. It's sort've like a Star Trek thing, you can imagine that the plane is dropping out of warp drive into our time. First there is nothing, then there is something, seemingly out of nowhere. And I can experience this walking down the Prairie Path. But only going west.
THE NEW ME
I knew it; I did jinx myself. 183 this morning, 40 days into the Plan. But here's where that 1 pound every five days helps. Because I only had to weight 184. So while, on one hand I'm really bummed, on the other, I figure I'm still ahead. And in the next five days, I only have to stay at 183.
And I must admit, I have not been rising 30 minutes before dawn, and exercising, as I said I would. So I am probably getting more sleep. And while I have been walking, I have not been doing anything else, and some days that means nothing at all. I cannot afford that. All the data says I should exercise for an hour each and every day. Hard.
But I have not been off the food plan, at least. And oddly, I have never even been tempted. My daughter-in-law is a superb baker, and over the weekend she made an apple pie. I love pie, but I was not even remotely saying "I want that". I had some watermelon chunks, which I love also, and a small container of yogurt. It was fine.
My knees are still iffy, and that may be part of the reason I have laid off. Yesterday I bought three pairs of shoes online, and we'll see if they help. My husband says my pair of Adidas, which I have had so long, I can't even remember when I bought them or where (and I usually do remember that stuff), has broken down totally. He is out now to see about knee braces. Maybe they will help. It would be nice if the humidity would cooperate.
So I will continue, onwards and downwards, I hope. I think tomorrow I will rise early and try to exercise again. Today, I plan to march down The Prairie Path and see if the braces help. Or whatever they're called. 40 days, nine pounds, I should not complain.
On another note, I do plan to reconnect with those bus routes. The reason, well several, that I have not been doing that, is gardening season hit me, and more importantly, the route #7, the next one, is thru what I think is an iffy neighborhood, and I was reluctant to do it. And I may find that that is a totally preconceived prejudice. But now my husband says he will go with me, so we are planning that for one day next week. Watch for it.
And this weekend, I will attend the Celtic Fest, and report on that. Years ago, I went to a smaller one, held in OakBrook Terrace, on the grounds of Butler Golf Course. And loved it. Can't wait to be at this bigger one in Grant Park.
40 days down.
And I must admit, I have not been rising 30 minutes before dawn, and exercising, as I said I would. So I am probably getting more sleep. And while I have been walking, I have not been doing anything else, and some days that means nothing at all. I cannot afford that. All the data says I should exercise for an hour each and every day. Hard.
But I have not been off the food plan, at least. And oddly, I have never even been tempted. My daughter-in-law is a superb baker, and over the weekend she made an apple pie. I love pie, but I was not even remotely saying "I want that". I had some watermelon chunks, which I love also, and a small container of yogurt. It was fine.
My knees are still iffy, and that may be part of the reason I have laid off. Yesterday I bought three pairs of shoes online, and we'll see if they help. My husband says my pair of Adidas, which I have had so long, I can't even remember when I bought them or where (and I usually do remember that stuff), has broken down totally. He is out now to see about knee braces. Maybe they will help. It would be nice if the humidity would cooperate.
So I will continue, onwards and downwards, I hope. I think tomorrow I will rise early and try to exercise again. Today, I plan to march down The Prairie Path and see if the braces help. Or whatever they're called. 40 days, nine pounds, I should not complain.
On another note, I do plan to reconnect with those bus routes. The reason, well several, that I have not been doing that, is gardening season hit me, and more importantly, the route #7, the next one, is thru what I think is an iffy neighborhood, and I was reluctant to do it. And I may find that that is a totally preconceived prejudice. But now my husband says he will go with me, so we are planning that for one day next week. Watch for it.
And this weekend, I will attend the Celtic Fest, and report on that. Years ago, I went to a smaller one, held in OakBrook Terrace, on the grounds of Butler Golf Course. And loved it. Can't wait to be at this bigger one in Grant Park.
40 days down.
Monday, August 31, 2009
THE NEW ME
This morning I weighed in at 184! Wow! So that is 8 pounds in one month, basically. It's hard to believe. If you had told me on August 1, that on August 31st I would be eight pounds lighter, I would have scoffed in your face.
It gives me hope. Especially since I have not been exercising, due to this stupid knee. It bothers me as I write, but I think that later this morning I will march down the Prairie Path. Saturday morning, at six, I am sure that there were at least 100 people that I passed or that passed me. There was one walking group out in force, that must have had 50 at least. And this group did have some hefties. Unlike most of the people I see, real skinnies.
Today is not a diet plan day, but a using up stuff that needs to be eaten day. See, the diet does not have enuf leftover days. So this morning, I had two pieces of turkey bacon (it's really good) and 1 1/2 cups of Egg Beaters with a little salsa thrown on. Plus 1/4 cup of 1% milk in my coffee. It was a lot of ersatz eggs, but only 180 calories. 50 for the bacon, and a little over 30 for the milk. For lunch I plan to make a soup out of this really runny salsa, black beans, and maybe some rice. And there is a quarter of a red cabbage that is old. We'll see. Plus two leftover fish dinners.
If I'm thinking along those lines of 1 pound every five days, then on Saturday, when I weigh next, I only have to be 185. So I'm ahead, and it takes some of the stress out. But that doesn't mean I will ease off. I have figured out which of the weight and stretching exercises I can do that don't involve my knee too much. But the walking does, and I know that the more weight I lose, supposedly, the better my knee should be. It's the same old one that has sustained several injuries over the years, starting when I was in college.
So onward and downward.
30 days down.
It gives me hope. Especially since I have not been exercising, due to this stupid knee. It bothers me as I write, but I think that later this morning I will march down the Prairie Path. Saturday morning, at six, I am sure that there were at least 100 people that I passed or that passed me. There was one walking group out in force, that must have had 50 at least. And this group did have some hefties. Unlike most of the people I see, real skinnies.
Today is not a diet plan day, but a using up stuff that needs to be eaten day. See, the diet does not have enuf leftover days. So this morning, I had two pieces of turkey bacon (it's really good) and 1 1/2 cups of Egg Beaters with a little salsa thrown on. Plus 1/4 cup of 1% milk in my coffee. It was a lot of ersatz eggs, but only 180 calories. 50 for the bacon, and a little over 30 for the milk. For lunch I plan to make a soup out of this really runny salsa, black beans, and maybe some rice. And there is a quarter of a red cabbage that is old. We'll see. Plus two leftover fish dinners.
If I'm thinking along those lines of 1 pound every five days, then on Saturday, when I weigh next, I only have to be 185. So I'm ahead, and it takes some of the stress out. But that doesn't mean I will ease off. I have figured out which of the weight and stretching exercises I can do that don't involve my knee too much. But the walking does, and I know that the more weight I lose, supposedly, the better my knee should be. It's the same old one that has sustained several injuries over the years, starting when I was in college.
So onward and downward.
30 days down.
Monday, August 10, 2009
THE NEW ME
Here we are on Monday morning at 9:18 am, and still on track. Although yesterday I did no exercise at all (it was a scheduled walk day) because on Saturday we went to the Bud Billiken Parade. Whew! Were we ever unprepared for it's length! We arrived at a good viewing point at 9am, parade started to hit our spot at 10:15, and at 1:20 we bailed, with probably another hour to go at least. We had no chairs or real food, just some pretzels (not me, I had baked potato chips, one serving carefully measured) and I had brought a whole bunch of red and yellow pepper sticks. We had been standing since 9, and between the heat, no food, the incredible noise, mostly from the blasting loudspeakers of several parade entrants, the standing, we had had enough. But it was totally worth it, and we all decided we would go back next year. It was just plain fun.
Unfortunately, the best laid plans etc., etc. My car, which I had thought to drive to Hyde Park for some lunch for my two friends (I had brought a sandwich and a tomato in a cooler) simply would not start. I could not believe it. This thing is my favorite possession in all the world. So we had to sit in it, and the heat, for another hour and a half, waiting to be rescued by a significant other, and to my surprise, my husband, who had not been home when I called. But the significant other brought a rather large dog, and now there were five of us and the dog to go in a Chevy Yukon. With no air, no less! It was 93 degrees and steamy. So my husband and I opted for the Green line and the Metra station home. Blessed air conditioning. And then when we got back to our suburb, I had to walk a mile home.
You can probably guess why yesterday I did not move much at all. I had lost two pounds between Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Today I gained one pound back and weighed in at 188.
But I'm back to normal now, still got up early and did my exercises, and will dance around the basement here in a short while. I like to wait at least an hour after I eat breakfast before I do that.
Have kept to the diet pretty much, only altering it to my tastes. I do like onion and lettuce on my sandwiches, something the plan does not call for. I figure that can't hurt. And milk in my coffee. I usually just take it from my daily allowance, but today no milk is called for, so I added about 1/4 cup (skim) to my coffee this morning, and will add a splash at lunch.
Also I am still eating in the yellow porch, although I cut some flowers for the table, got out a place mat to match the dark blue plates and bowls I now use. And I simply find it almost impossible not to read at breakfast and lunch, and watch TV at dinner. These are really ingrained habits, even in childhood. My parents basically hated each other, and at dinner we turned the TV around to face the breakfast room where we ate, so conversation could be avoided.
If I only put on my plate the allotted portion of food, what difference can it make? Although all, simply all, the experts say to never do this, but only eat, concentrate on your food. I think they are right, because I do find I am not as conscious of what I am taking in as if I just sat there and ate. Sometimes I do this, but not often. Maybe I should try harder. I think I eat slower too.
Nine days down.
Unfortunately, the best laid plans etc., etc. My car, which I had thought to drive to Hyde Park for some lunch for my two friends (I had brought a sandwich and a tomato in a cooler) simply would not start. I could not believe it. This thing is my favorite possession in all the world. So we had to sit in it, and the heat, for another hour and a half, waiting to be rescued by a significant other, and to my surprise, my husband, who had not been home when I called. But the significant other brought a rather large dog, and now there were five of us and the dog to go in a Chevy Yukon. With no air, no less! It was 93 degrees and steamy. So my husband and I opted for the Green line and the Metra station home. Blessed air conditioning. And then when we got back to our suburb, I had to walk a mile home.
You can probably guess why yesterday I did not move much at all. I had lost two pounds between Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Today I gained one pound back and weighed in at 188.
But I'm back to normal now, still got up early and did my exercises, and will dance around the basement here in a short while. I like to wait at least an hour after I eat breakfast before I do that.
Have kept to the diet pretty much, only altering it to my tastes. I do like onion and lettuce on my sandwiches, something the plan does not call for. I figure that can't hurt. And milk in my coffee. I usually just take it from my daily allowance, but today no milk is called for, so I added about 1/4 cup (skim) to my coffee this morning, and will add a splash at lunch.
Also I am still eating in the yellow porch, although I cut some flowers for the table, got out a place mat to match the dark blue plates and bowls I now use. And I simply find it almost impossible not to read at breakfast and lunch, and watch TV at dinner. These are really ingrained habits, even in childhood. My parents basically hated each other, and at dinner we turned the TV around to face the breakfast room where we ate, so conversation could be avoided.
If I only put on my plate the allotted portion of food, what difference can it make? Although all, simply all, the experts say to never do this, but only eat, concentrate on your food. I think they are right, because I do find I am not as conscious of what I am taking in as if I just sat there and ate. Sometimes I do this, but not often. Maybe I should try harder. I think I eat slower too.
Nine days down.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
ME
Here I am at 7:36 pm, with a cup of green tea, the first day down. I did indeed rise at 5:14, throw on some clothes, set the coffee maker, and go out the door. And I did do the exercise tape for an hour, but only 3 miles, not four. I never can do the four, as my stride is simply not long enough. But today, I could not even keep up with the tape. It's called "Walking with the Sergeant", and I have five, all in different speeds, but none less than the four mile per hour pace, and that is not consistent. It starts slower, goes faster in the middle, and then winds down. They are good, but I realized fairly early on this morning that right now at least, I can only do this every other day. At least for the month of August, that's what I will do.
And I did not do any more exercise either. Although I did walk around Jewel finishing the grocery shopping. I guess I must start smaller and build up. Tomorrow I will do the upper body work and stretches, and maybe some dancing in the basement. I have a great Beethoven CD, the Ritterballet, which has some wonderful music.
As far as food goes, it was no problem. Stuck with it all day. Was hungry at times, but not horribly. But now I'm tired. Will probably go to bed soon, as I plan to be up at 5:15 tomorrow. Set the coffee and do the exercises then, just get them out of the way. It really opens up the day.
And I want to add an addendum about The Illinois Prairie Path, which Is what I walk. I have never seen the prairie plants so glorious. Must be all the rain. A stretch even has plants taller than I am. Somebody's lilac bee balm escaped into it also. Cone flowers, yellow ones, all sorts of other stuff. And the morning, soft and lovely. Was a pleasure to be out there. Why do I ever quit? And I was most certainly not alone, even at that early Saturday morning hour. Tons of joggers, a few bikers and walkers, and of course dog walkers. And all slim. It is an exerciser's paradise.
And I did not do any more exercise either. Although I did walk around Jewel finishing the grocery shopping. I guess I must start smaller and build up. Tomorrow I will do the upper body work and stretches, and maybe some dancing in the basement. I have a great Beethoven CD, the Ritterballet, which has some wonderful music.
As far as food goes, it was no problem. Stuck with it all day. Was hungry at times, but not horribly. But now I'm tired. Will probably go to bed soon, as I plan to be up at 5:15 tomorrow. Set the coffee and do the exercises then, just get them out of the way. It really opens up the day.
And I want to add an addendum about The Illinois Prairie Path, which Is what I walk. I have never seen the prairie plants so glorious. Must be all the rain. A stretch even has plants taller than I am. Somebody's lilac bee balm escaped into it also. Cone flowers, yellow ones, all sorts of other stuff. And the morning, soft and lovely. Was a pleasure to be out there. Why do I ever quit? And I was most certainly not alone, even at that early Saturday morning hour. Tons of joggers, a few bikers and walkers, and of course dog walkers. And all slim. It is an exerciser's paradise.
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