Keep Moving Forward

I can't believe it.  I actually lost weight last week.  That's a good thing, but I'm totally shocked because I screwed around way too much and I didn't work out at all prior to my weigh in yesterday afternoon.  Yet I somehow still lost weight. 

I know that this surprising weight loss this week was a gift so I've been diligently staying on-track since my weigh-in.  I have performed two workouts (no cardio, but it's still valuable and worthwhile) and I have had two very healthy meals.  I find that reflection is important in all areas of life and thought I'd list out the things I did right, no matter how small, and the things I need to improve upon. 

I will keep the weight loss going this week!  Once again, with emphasis, I will keep the weight loss going this week!  One more time, in case you aren't sure what I'm saying, I will keep the weight loss going this week!

What I did right last week:
~ I stopped eating when I was full, even though there was still food on my plate, at three meals.  I didn't leave a lot on my plate, but I did leave it.  This might sound like no big deal, but it is really hard for me to walk away from a bite or two of food.  Unfortunately, "just" an extra bite at every meal over the course of a year really does add up to a lot.
~ After eating, I threw whatever was left on my son's plate right down the drain.  I didn't customarily eat the remnants off his plate, but I have done it a time or two if the meal was particularly tasty.  A spoonful of mac & cheese was calling my name on Sunday night as I was cleaning up the dining room table.  I ran the plate to the sink and poured water on it - temptation removed!
~ I made three big pots of soup to eat for lunches and the dinners without my husband.  Soup is a terrific weight loss food for me because I find it filling and nourishing.  I made a low point soup that utilized ground chicken and lots of veggies, a zero-point pureed cauliflower soup (kinda like potato soup but not), and a low-ish point sausage, kale, & bean soup.  I froze some of the leftovers into single serve containers so I will always have meal options even when I don't feel like cooking.
~ I made spinach-y scrambled eggs on Wednesday morning and, instead of adding milk to the eggs, I added some of that pureed cauliflower soup that I made last week.  By trying something different, I save a little on calories and boosted the nutrition in my breakfast.  I liked the result so much that I did it again this morning.
~ I found a rye-crisp that is only 1 point for two crackers.  Normally I'm not a fan, but these ones are pretty tasty and they offer more nutrition than regular ol' saltine crackers.  Even better, I found them at my local 99 cent store.
~ I set a goal to work out at least once.  I did it with only hours left in my weight-loss week, but I did do it!
~ I normally wouldn't exercise at night, but I did last night.  I've been sleep training my son and I have nothing else to do while I'm standing in the hallway to hustle him back to bed when he leaves his room.  By the time he stayed in bed, I had completed three sets of squats, lunges, standing leg lifts & donkey kicks, biceps curls, triceps dips, chest flys, and inverted flys (bent-over lateral raises).


Where I need to improve:
~ I didn't track at all.  Not even once.  I so didn't track that I didn't even grab a tracker.  I will grab a tracker right after I finish this post.
~ I didn't measure at all.  Not even once.  I hate measuring, I really do.  Unfortunately, I don't know how to make it any less annoying.  I guess I will just leave my measuring cups and spoons on the kitchen counter so that I remember to keep my portion sizes reasonable.
~ The busiest social season of the year is looming and I need to strategize about how to handle parties and get-togethers.  I had two this weekend and I colossally bombed at both of them.  Too much food and too much booze combined with not enough will power or activity is just a bad equation.  When possible, I will bring a WW-friendly addition to the event.  I will also alternate one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage that I consume.  I should also avoid drinks made with juice or mixers, but that just sounds so un-fun.  Perhaps I should refamiliarize myself with just how many points are found in only one Cosmo. . .actually, that's a very good idea.
~ I have to really watch my drinking at home.  One glass of wine turns into the entire bottle nearly every single time.  Okay, every time.  This is particularly true if I've already been drinking out with friends.  I hate when the partying stops, but I can't lose weight without radically changing my relationship with liquor.  I'll have one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage that I consume because it slows down the guzzling.  I'll have to get my husband on board with this one because I won't be able to do it without his support.
~ I didn't get in all my water this week.  A lot of this is because I'll drink coffee until around noon if I'm home.  I'm going to have to watch my coffee intake and start chugging the H2O after mid-morning.
~ I need to fit in exercise wherever I can.  I frequently fall victim to the all or nothing mentality and, more often than not, that means doing nothing.  An hour to spend on cardio isn't going to magically materialize, but even a busy SAHM can find ten minute chunks of time to work on a little toning.  I will take advantage of those times when I find them.
~ I didn't take my son for a walk even once.  I blamed the weather, but really I was being lazy.  I will walk him to the park at least once this week.


Those are the things that I can think of off the top of my head that I've been doing right and the things that I need to improve.  Seeing it in print drives home the point and I will continue to improve.  Coming up with a plan is key because, as they say, a failure to plan is a plan to fail.

Did you know that I will keep the weight loss going this week?

Is Jerking Off a Good Workout?

I guess it is!  Think I'm joking?  See the commercial clip below and judge for yourself.

Don't guys get enough of this, uh, "exercise?"

I swear that this is how the Shake Weight was invented:  Three friends were sitting around a table, trying to come up with a way to make men want to work out more often.  They were stumped.  Suddenly, Harry Palms stood up and said, "I've got it!  Let's make lifting weights more like jerking off!"  Dick Tugger nodded silently and Peter Yankodick gave high fives.  Yes, they had a wiener winner on their hands with this idea.

Back to the pervy commercial, doesn't it look like the guy at :11 just took a load to the face? 

Something Is Better Than Nothing

I spent quite a bit of time with my doctor yesterday.  I'm embarrassed to report that I'm no longer classified as "overweight."  At first I was like :-) and then he said that I am now just over the threshold for what is considered "obese" and I was like :-(

I've learned from watching television that obese people are lazy, stupid, and sweaty.  They break furniture.  They get out of breath after running up a flight of stairs.  They eat a bucket of fried chicken (or some other unhealthy food) for dinner.  They have trouble bathing properly.  Seriously, I'm one of them now?

Sh*t!

I actually do eat a healthy diet with occasional snack food/junk food.  I drink plenty of water, use non-fat dairy, prefer whole grains, and eat plenty of veggies, and a little fruit.  I know, I know, so why am I obese?  Well, I really, really, really freaking suck at portion sizes.  When I actually measure my portions, I always lose weight.  But guess what?  I don't like measuring every single thing that I put in my mouth.  (No sex jokes please!)

Considering that I'm now obese, I decided that I better start moving my ass and paying attention to portion sizes.  However, in the typical way that life has been giving me the finger lately, my son was awake this morning for about an hour from around 2:00 am until around 3:00 am.  When I say he was awake, I actually mean he was screaming and yelling.  Given that sleep was not really happening last night, I really didn't want to get up this morning.

I dragged myself out of bed and I landed in front of my laptop.  Some of my lab work was already available.  I figured that at least my blood tests probably wouldn't bum me out so I went ahead and viewed the results.  Let's just say that the tests might not say you have a fat ass or anything, but my lipid test revealed that I have just about too much fat in my blood.

Sh*t!

I've had cholesterol problems off and on since I was 19-years old.  Since then, the only time that my blood hasn't had too much cholesterol is when I have been consistently doing cardiovascular exercise.  My cholesterol is on the very high side of normal and I know that working out will lower it.  There's no time like the present, so I dusted off my jogging stroller and grabbed some sneakers.

The kiddo and I headed to a local park that has a 5K loop.  I took a couple glugs of water and we were off.  I was sad to realize that it took me 50 minutes to walk/jog a 5K and I was sadder that I was huffing & puffing like the big, bad wolf by the time I was finished.

I let my son run around one of the play structures for about 30 minutes before we headed home.  While he played, I felt sorry for myself.  My feet were sore, I was unbearably sweaty, and I hate to say it, but I really wanted a hamburger.

In terms of healthy choices, I don't think that I've been the best role model for my son.  After all, I went from being slightly overweight to being considered obese.  All because I eat too much and I don't move enough.  But by turning things around, losing weight, and getting active, I'm being a good role model.  I'm teaching him that it's never too late and you can always choose to improve your health by making better decisions.  I want to be living proof of that fact.

Upon reflection, I don't feel that bad about my time or my effort.  I haven't worked out in months and I haven't been a habitual exerciser in around 3 1/2 years.  I haven't so much as taken a stroll around the block in ages.  Plus, it was hot today; it was around 98 degrees and humidity was high.  I barely had any sleep last night.  I'm friggin' obese and it takes a lot of freaking effort to move my ass.

You know, my time today may have sucked and it may have really taken a lot out of me, but I did it.  Something isn't always something to crow about, but it is always better than nothing.

BOB SUS v Jeep Overland Jogger

I don't like to shop. I don't just not like shopping - I detest shopping. I avoid it at all costs because I think it is, generally speaking, a waste of time and money.

There is one notable exception to my shopping aversion: Baby Stuff! I don't just like baby stuff - I love baby stuff. My house is like a baby store full of cloth diapers, bottles (well, when I was trying to get him to take one anyway) & sippy cups, feeding stuff, spit-up pads (I had a major puker!), baby carriers, and strollers.

I have one child. At the most, I might end up blessed with two children. I have enough baby stuff for a passel of children. I haven't made poor purchases; I have found that different baby gear works best at different times and ages.

I purchased a used BOB Sport Utility Stroller today. The price was excellent ($65!), but I already have a jogging stroller that I love. Well, make that loved. My son is tall and his height has become somewhat problematic with the Jeep Overland Limited Jogging Stroller, which I have used for nearly two years. So I bought the BOB SUS and took it for a walk/jog this afternoon.

The BOB Sport Utility Stroller v the Jeep Overland Limited Jogger:Both strollers are great joggers that can easily handle a variety of terrain. Both have nice suspension and thick, knobby, inflatable tires. Both are heavy. Both are traditional joggers with fixed front wheels for stability and neither are really the best choice to take on a shopping excursion.

Things I like better about the BOB:The BOB isn't as long as the Jeep, meaning that it is somewhat more maneuverable. Of course, both are big sonsofguns and neither can be remotely described as nimble. As one could expect, the BOB folds much smaller than the Jeep too. The BOB has a taller and wider seat area for the little passenger. The harness buckles are very user friendly and a snap to use. No child tray to hassle with means that it is easy to put your kiddo in or take him out. The smooth foam covering the handlebar is so easy on the hands.

The BOB has a much better suspension, at least a few inches of play, and it easily handled off-roading. My kid was comfortable and the BOB was easy to push over very rough terrain. The wheels are taller, thicker, and more rugged than the ones on the Jeep. The alignment is fantastic and it rolls in a straight line! The canopy easily rotates so that you can shield your little one from the sun whether you're heading due East or due West.

I have mixed feelings about the wrist strap being attached to the rear axle. I realize it is safer because you won't tip the stroller backwards should you fall. However, I had to move it away from my feet several times to avoid getting tripped up on it.

Things I don't like about the BOB: There are no parent cupholders!!!!! This may not seem like a big deal, but it really is important and it really is irritating. For storage, it has a small & shallow basket and a mesh bag behind the seat - that is it. I realize that you probably don't need the whole diaper bag when you're going for a jog or a stroll to the park, but it's nice to have storage space whether or not you need it. Also, the handlebar doesn't jut out far enough for my stride and I have to remember to watch my steps or I end up kicking the back tires. There are no reflectors on the stroller at all - not even on the tires. The handbrake isn't very responsive and I can't figure out how to set the parking brake.


Things I like better about the Jeep:The Jeep has an adjustable handlebar, meaning that it is comfortable for my husband (6'2") and for me (5'6") to use. The handlebar also sticks out several inches further and it saves me from kicking the back wheels when I'm zoned out. The Jeep has plentiful storage. Really, it is lousy with pockets and places to stash your stuff. It has the largest basket that I've ever seen on a jogger, very deep. It has three cupholders (two for the jogger & one for the passenger) that are easily accessible. It has a music on the go feature, which is basically built in speakers for your CD-player, radio, or MP3 player. I've actually never used this feature, but the hard case for carrying your electronics is handy to keep pepper spray, keys, cell phone, & lip balm at hand.

Things I don't like about the Jeep: The handlebar is covered with a bumpy grip that hurts my hand after about 20 minutes. The passenger tray is fixed and doesn't move, making it difficult to put a long-legged toddler in the seat. The harness buckles have pinched my fingers nearly every single time I've used the stroller - and I've used the thing for nearly two years. Though there are several cupholders, they only fit small vending-sized water bottles so I've always stashed my water in one of the plentiful pockets. The canopy is bigger than the one on the BOB, but I don't find it as useful. I've never been able to get the alignment right and I always have to overcompensate for the pull.


I liked the Jeep better when my son was younger & shorter. The storage options allowed me to securely bring everything I could possibly need while we were exploring the great outdoors - diaper bag, blanket, lunch, drinks, etc. Now that my son is so tall, I prefer the BOB. He still has several inches before he outgrows the seat height and I expect to get at least a year or more of use.

Making Progress on My Journey

I did something this morning that I haven't done in ages. No, not that - you perverts. I worked out on a Saturday morning.

Even back when I was the Cardio Queen, I NEVER went to the gym on a Saturday morning. I would go in the afternoon, but never in the morning. I've always enjoyed sleeping in on the weekends and, more often than not, I was drinking on Friday evening and didn't have the energy to work up a sweat come sunrise.

Since I'm not drinking at all this month, I decided that I had no reason not to squeeze in some activity before my little tater tot woke up. Besides, I was attending an Easter Egg Hunt/Potluck in the afternoon and I knew that I'd have an easier time facing temptation if my appetite was dulled from some aerobic activity. I was aiming for 30 minutes, but I ultimately rode the LifeCycle for 45 minutes before I called it quits.

I'm fairly critical when it comes to exercise because I know how hard I used to work my body. In some ways, I feel that I shouldn't be too proud over doing 45 minutes because I used to do 90 minutes of cardio and I never did less than 60 minutes.

But that was then and this is now. I had trouble doing just 20 minutes on Tuesday (on Level 1 and Level 2) and I made it through 45 minutes (30 on Level 2 and 15 on Level 3) today. That is progress and that does make me feel proud.

Best of all, I remembered why I used to love exercise. At about minute 19, I felt it. That high-flying feeling you can only get by doing some moderate-to-intense aerobic activity. It's exhilarating and it's a big reason why I enjoyed working out. I began to smile and punched the air for a few minutes before raising them over my head in some sort of mental victory. My face was flushed and my eyes were lively. My skin glowed and I tingled from my head to my toes. It was almost as good as an orgasm except my panties weren't soaked from anything besides my sweat. That warm feeling remained long after I showered.

I used to feel a real joy of movement and I suppose I had missed moving my body. Once I experienced that awesome and long-forgotten feeling, I knew that I will be able to embrace activity once again. Sure, it will take some time to work up to 60 minutes and even longer to work up to 90 minutes. But I can do 45 minutes today and I will do 45 minutes tomorrow.

Thanks to the aerobic appetite suppression, I was able to resist unhealthy choices that would have tripped me up at the potluck this afternoon. Macaroni & cheese, cocktail meatballs, and potato dishes surely would have been my downfall. Instead, I chose to enjoy a hamburger patty, a lot of raw veggies (that was my contribution!), and some fresh fruit. I did decide to have a sliver of homemade chocolate cake and a 1/2 cup serving of homemade banana pudding. I reasoned that I would use my dinner points on dessert at the potluck because I knew that I wouldn't eat supper tonight since the potluck was in the late afternoon.

I've faced quite a bit of temptation in the last two days. I went to John's Incredible Pizza for lunch yesterday and I had the potluck today. I feel that I handled both situations very well. I budgeted my points with these events in mind and I made great choices along the way. Add in the activity and I think I'm definitely making solid progress on my weight loss journey.