Monday, August 24, 2009

Time Management

Well, I have been slacking in posting but I'm going to try to improve on that.

Time management is a big problem for me, partially because I am a procrastinator and find things I'd rather do, than what I have to do. So, what did I do? I found something else to add to my busy schedule. So, time management becomes even more important.

My goal this week is to write down everything that needs to be done, when they are due, and schedule my time. I need to try this for a couple of weeks and see if it feels better.

I am no longer feeling overly stressed but I have to make sure I stay on top of my priorities. I am in control of what I can control and I'm going to do the best that I can.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tracking Progress: Courtney Month 0

I was thinking of tracking my progress for my cardio health by timing a one mile run. Let's just say that I have a lot of room for improvement! I ran the mile this morning and I probably could have run it faster, but I was simply trying to run the entire mile without stopping. My time was 13:53 which is slower than some people can walk it. My goal is to be at 10:00 by the end of November.

Time to get serious with the running again!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Eating Out with Success- Mexican

I got nothing.

Just kidding. I have a bit, but this one definitely gets me into trouble. First off, it's way too easy to eat the chips and salsa set out on the table from the moment you sit down until the moment the food is served. One trick is to count out the number of chips you are allowing yourself and place them on a little plate. You can break them into a bunch of little pieces so they take longer to eat. Stopping at just the plate takes quite a bit of discipline, especially if they take awhile to get the food out.

Another trick is to be really picky about what you eat and prioritize. Eating tortillas, rice and chips really adds up. Most Mexican restaurants have salads with fajita meat and as long as ask for the dressing on the side and use sparingly and don't eat the tortilla shell bowl they sometimes come in, it should be a healthy choice overall. Tortilla soup is another good option as long as you limit the tortilla chips and cheese involved.

I'm always looking for ways to eat out successfully at Mexican restaurants!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

So, about this exercise thing

I did drag myself out of bed yesterday morning for a run. I told myself not to push too hard so I wouldn't get sore. I didn't think I pushed too hard, but I am having trouble walking today! I decided that twice this week was enough for the mornings. I don't have to go full tilt all at once and can instead ease into the routine. Therefore, I took this morning off and I plan to run tomorrow morning. Maybe next week I'll shoot for three days.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Eating Out with Success- Chinese

I thought we could add our tips/tricks for eating out at various restaurants. The best way is to research the restaurant's nutritional information (or something similar) and go in with a plan.

However, dining out with coworkers, we never decide until we're out the door. Therefore my learnings are more trial and error. Yesterday we hit a chinese restaurant for lunch. I saw on the menu you could order steamed chicken & veggies or shrimp & veggies. It wasn't on the lunch menu, but I asked for the chicken & veggies steamed and they happily gave me the lunch portion. I ordered hot and sour soup with it and brown rice. It came with sauce on the side, which I didn't use and instead used hot mustard because I like it hot, hot, hot.

Here are my learnings from the lunch. You can order off lunch menus with special preparations if you just ask. I ended up eating the egg roll that came with the meal and also the fortune cookie, which is so not worth the calories. I finished off almost the entire plate of food, which really was too much. Here's how I will do it next time- ask for a to-go container up front and save half for lunch the next day. Have them leave the egg roll off and open up the fortune cookie, read the fortune and toss the cookie.

Diana's Beginning Again

So, I weighed in last night and it showed another gain. I'm not sure if it's because of the stress, only working out 2 days, because I started working out, or not journalling.

But, I'm going to begin again, today. I got up at 5:15, did 30 minutes of Wii Active and have clothes to do C25K D1, which I plan to do at lunch today. However, my neck and shoulders are so tight I want to get a 15 minute massage at lunch today. I know part of the tightness is due to stress but I wonder if part is from the shoulder and arms exercises from this morning.

Ok, so I'm taking Courtney's advice to change my goal from 1lb per week and just say 5lbs in 6 weeks. I hope that works better, of course, I'm now up a bit so I'll have to make that up before I even start in on the 5 lbs.

And, I haven't done my homework yet - though I started. And, now there's a problem with my laptop. The "T" key isn't working. Grrr. I started to work on the assignment last night but ended up going to bed around 8:30.

I slept ok in that even though I kept waking up, I was able to fall back to sleep pretty easily.

Ok, I'm taking one day at a time and today's a new day and it's going to be a good one :)

Monday, August 10, 2009

Day One

Today was the day I was to restart my exercise plan. I got out my running clothes last evening, set the alarm a bit early and got into bed at a reasonable hour. After the Joan Rivers Roast finally ended, we turned off the tv. I proceeded to toss and turn all night long. I was in a bit of pain and it made me uncomfortable enough that I couldn't sleep.

The alarm went off and I went no way, not today. I did get to the gym this weekend, so technically I did start my exercise routine, just not the C25K like I had planned.
Well, I started off strong but didn't finish so well last week. I had a breakdown on Thursday where alot of different things came crashing down on me. But, after talking with Courtney, I've decided to focus on only the things I can change. So my goals for this week include:

Preplanning meals
Working out 5-6 days (3 days of C25K and 3 days of Wii Active)
Lose 1 lb this week
Journally everything I eat
Starting working on how to get Mom and Sister here for Thanksgiving

Again, I didn't finish my homework but I'm hoping to get it done tonight. I intended to Sunday, but went bike riding with my honey and then grocery shopping. Before I knew it it was 3:00 and I couldn't get motivated for it.

While I know I need to exercise - I don't love it like Courtney does. Actually, I hate it. I love to go bike riding but I don't do it fast enough to really be of any benefit. I like the Wii Active and would like to do that in the mornings and then 5K during lunch but it's too easy to not get up and to "forget" to bring workout clothes to work. I'll work on fixing that this week too.

Overall, my well being is not good. I do have many things on my plate right now and while I'm trying hard to concentrate on what's best for me...it's easier to say than to do that.

But, I'm trying extra hard this week.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Health Coach

Our employer offers us the option of having a health coach if you have specific health concerns. I decided to take advantage of the program and have monthly telephone conversations with my health coach, Heather. You can set up the frequency and I find that monthly works well for me as it gives me time to incorporate changes.

Last night was my meeting with Heather. Last we spoke, my goals were cooking in bulk to have healthy breakfasts and lunches on hand, to start Weight Watchers again and to incorporate regular exercise. I figure 2 out of 3 isn't too bad.

We did talk about what has kept me from exercising and she gave me concrete ways to overcome those obstacles. The best (ok, only) time for me to consistently exercise is the mornings before work. Part of my issue this summer is everyone in the house is staying up late because they can sleep in the next morning (except me). She suggested I discuss with the family my plans to wake up earlier and gain support from the rest of the family.

Another issue is our oldest's weight. This summer has been especially bad as it is so hot and the kids don't go outside to play. Heather had great suggestions on how to handle this issue. She suggested making healthy eating and exercise core family values rather than a chore or punishment. It's just something we do. She also suggested setting up a family activity night where we can rotate choosing the activity. I am excited about this idea.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Courtney's goals

Looks like it is as good a time as any to committ and write down my goals. In fact, my health coach Heather is calling tonight to check on my progress. My goal is quite simple, really. Exercise. The funny thing is that I love to exercise. I love the way I feel when I'm gliding through the pool, my arms and legs powering me through the water. I love going for a jog through my neighborhood and taking in the scenery. I love taking aerobics classes at my gym and feel the music pumping and my heart racing.

Why then is it so hard for me to get consistent with exercise? The 100+ degree heat isn't helping my motivation for running. When I get home from work, all I want to do is grab a glass of wine and lay down on the couch. That's what I'd like to do, but the evenings are usually spent with kid activities, errands, cooking and cleaning up. The only way for me to be consistent is to set the alarm for a little earlier and take care of it first thing in the morning. I was doing well with that until the baby got an ear infection and stopped sleeping and then we went on vacation and now it is summer and we are all staying up way too late.

Excuses. Nothing but excuses. I. Must. Stop. Making. Excuses.

Here are the reasons I love to exercise:
- mental health (and everyone who knows me understands I could use more of this!)
- better sleep
- stronger muscles
- more energy
- tighter legs
- endorphins

So, blog as my witness, I recommitt to myself and my goal of consistent exercise. Starting Monday ;)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

What do we plan to accomplish?

Even though the three of us meet regularly for lunch and keep in touch via IM and email, we formed the Support Sisters to make it official. In making it official, we need concrete objectives and goals. Otherwise it is too easy to make excuses and let everything and everyone else go ahead on our priority list.

Here are some ideas up for discussion:

1) Sign up and train for a 5K (and another one after that and then maybe, just maybe a triathlon???)

2) Meet once a month at a predetermined day/time so that we can’t just make excuses and put it off- we could meet at a park and go on a power walk

3) Focus on health issues and not weight and celebrate the choices we make every day to improve our health and share tips/tricks

4) We could have homework we must complete before each meeting- eg reading a book, trying out a new activity, ...

5) Schedule group activities outside of our comfort zone- Leisure Learning offers great classes. Some ideas include kayaking, rock climbing, ice skating, cooking classes.

6) We could meet once a month to do a big cooking day. Each bring ingredients to make 2 or 3 recipes, enough for 3 families and then we split them up so we have 6 or 9 different meals for the freezer.

7) Each activity or monthly meeting or some other predetermined mini-goal, we put money towards a big trip to a spa. They have a great one in Austin that is geared towards health and serves healthy food. Doesn’t have to be such a big trip either- could be a trip to the day spa or we could even schedule a spa day at one of our homes.

8) We become each other’s sponsors aka AA style- staring down a 32 ounce margarita and can call each other to stop before we do something stupid. Side note: apparently the 32 oz margarita is a bad example. All agreed we'd join in instead of talking her down! AA we are not.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Goals and other 5 letter words

So, it's the beginning of August and a good time to set "me" goals. So, I'll start.

I want to lose 6 lbs this month. I have 4 weigh ins so hopefully, I'll be able to lose 1.5 lbs a week. Longer term goal for this is to be back to my lowest December weight by the end of September.

I'm also going to start the Couch 2 5K program and have 3 weeks complete by September 1.

Lastly, I'm going to take 4 hours a week for me - even if it's just so I can read, quietly - and not worry about housework, homework, or anything else!

So, what about you Courtney and Lora? What are your goals?

Diana's First Ponderings

Last week was interesting for me. I found out Courtney is a drill sergeant (thanks for that) and that I have gotten back some will power. And, I'm a starter! Well, I've known that but that was reaffirmed last week.

Firstly, I've been on Weight Watchers for 13 months now and lost weight during the first 6 months. Then, I basically quit. I was still paying for it and going to meetings but quit exercising, journaling, and being responsible for my outcomes. I had loads of excuses but wasn't holding myself accountable. Until Courtney put on her military hat and sunglasses and whip! But, with that support - I lost 4 lbs my first week recommiting to WW. So, thank you, thank you!

I also have decided to retrain for a 5k. Courtney, Lora, and I completed a 5K November 1, 2008 and that's pretty much when I quit exercising. But, I enjoyed finishing it and really need the goal to commit to! So, I have new podcasts and will be restarting tomorrow!

Also, thanks to Lora I'm trying to pay more attention to portion sizes. That is, what does 1 cup of something look like. She's right - I can't be measuring and weighing foods forever. I need to be able to "eyeball" it. So, thank you!

So, ya'll have a great evening and I'm sure I'll see you both soon!

Our Mission

Why are here? What is our plan? What do we hope to gain from creating an official group, with an official name? Who are we?

We are three friends, joined together through common life experiences, who are looking to provide insight, support and laughter to each other in our quest to become the healthiest women we can be. This blog will provide a place to record our ideas, thoughts, goals, and feelings.

Let's enjoy the journey!

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