Yes, somebody still lives here.. :)
So, I'm not sure why it seems so difficult to keep up this whole blogging thing. But there definitely seems to be a direct correlation to blogging, logging my stuff in My Fitness Pal, and staying on track. I'm trying to get back on the wagon.
I've been lurking on some of my bandster blogs and I've found that all of your successes are speaking to my inner competitor. It isn't that I'm not excited about your losses and NSVs, but it's woken me up from maintenance mode and put me back onto the path of wanting to lose some more weight.
As of yesterday morning, I'm at 40 pounds. Holy crap. That's 8 bags of sugar. That's an entire dog. Or child. CRAAAAZY. But I still have 80 pounds to go. And they're not going to come off magically without me doing some work.
I have a confession to make.. I've got an Xbox Kinect that I purchased as a "Merry Christmas to ME" gift last November. Now ask me how many times I've used it. Yesterday, I was feeling lethargic and cranky and basically overcome by PMS hormones and the frustration associated with dating. Rather than take a nap, I decided I was going to play one of my Kinect games.. and I found myself having SO much fun in the process that I played for over an hour. Yesterday was Kinect Adventures which required side lunges and jumps, vertical jumps, running forward and backwards.. lots of moves associated with *cough* EXERCISE and activity. I was actually even a little sore when I got up this morning. This is good. Now when I'm feeling lazy and unmotivated to workout, I know I have a good fallback. Today, it's going to be Kinect Sports, and Friday, I think it will be Dance Party 3.
So I'm asking a huge favor.. when you guys find yourself getting into a rut, how do you shake yourself out of it? I'm embarassed to admit that other people's successes seems to be motivating me out of my own.. but I'd certainly welcome some other input.
Have a good Tuesday, peeps! <3
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
The countdown starts..
Happy Monday!! So Holy crap... my 20th high school reunion is just under three weeks away. And while there's no possible way I could reach the weight I was for all of six months of my senior year (thank you, nutrisystem!) I'm still aiming to get as low as I can. Isn't that what everyone does for reunions?!?
I'm just frustrated because (of course) I'd like things to be moving a little more quickly. With my PCOS and the inability to take my glucophage, I feel like my body is daily telling me, "you're number one!" - and not in a good way. And while many of us got here by engaging in fad diets and short-term insanity, I think I might be needing to engage in a little short-term insanity.
I've read about people rebooting when they hit a plateau and are trying to push through, so returning to pre-op diet mode shouldn't be TOO insane.. right?
How have YOU rebooted when you needed to shake things up a bit?
I'm just frustrated because (of course) I'd like things to be moving a little more quickly. With my PCOS and the inability to take my glucophage, I feel like my body is daily telling me, "you're number one!" - and not in a good way. And while many of us got here by engaging in fad diets and short-term insanity, I think I might be needing to engage in a little short-term insanity.
I've read about people rebooting when they hit a plateau and are trying to push through, so returning to pre-op diet mode shouldn't be TOO insane.. right?
How have YOU rebooted when you needed to shake things up a bit?
Friday, July 13, 2012
Let's try this again...
Ok, so my last blogging experiment didn't go so well. I started having some frustration and anxiety with life on this side of my surgery. And then work got crazy. And then life got crazy. And I've been AWOL from message boards and blogs and from my food tracker which makes me antsy. Even so, I've been trying to keep one foot in front of the other - literally. Surprisingly, though my food choices haven't been overly fantastic 24/7, I'm still staying active. Hooray for that.
I'm way overdue for my second fill and my work schedule has not allowed for it. In the meantime, I'm crazy hungry most of the time, even with adequate water and protein intake. I seriously need to get in for a fill and I don't know when that's going to happen. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with the hunger in the meantime? I know about filling up with water, fiber and protein.. but outside of that? Ideas please?
On the happy side of things, I'm hovering between a loss of 38-39lbs. I don't remember the last time I've managed to get off such a large chunk of weight. So I've got THAT going for me.
What's new with you guys?? Fill me in and keep me informed :)
I'm way overdue for my second fill and my work schedule has not allowed for it. In the meantime, I'm crazy hungry most of the time, even with adequate water and protein intake. I seriously need to get in for a fill and I don't know when that's going to happen. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with the hunger in the meantime? I know about filling up with water, fiber and protein.. but outside of that? Ideas please?
On the happy side of things, I'm hovering between a loss of 38-39lbs. I don't remember the last time I've managed to get off such a large chunk of weight. So I've got THAT going for me.
What's new with you guys?? Fill me in and keep me informed :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday Workouts
Well, it's practically Thursday, but I'm sticking to the plan. If it's Wednesday, it's time to talk about working out. I think we can all agree that exercise is a major key to success, whatever your definition of success might be.
Since I'm about 2 months post-op now, my goal is to be regularly active, tone up, and keep my metabolism in overdrive.
Currently, my routine consists of a 35-58 minute walk 4-5 days/week. I use a fitbit to keep track of my steps taken, miles walked and calories burned. It's fantabulous.
But even with that routine, I've been stuck at the 31-33lb zone. Hello, plateau! I've realized the answer to this situation lies in one simple word - routine. I won't say I'm stuck in a rut, but I do think my body has gotten too comfortable.
I've been trying to brainstorm and come up with other forms of exercise that might drive my body out of stubborn mode. What are you guys doing to stay active? Do you find yourself in a set routine or do you constantly change things up?
Enlighten me! :)
Since I'm about 2 months post-op now, my goal is to be regularly active, tone up, and keep my metabolism in overdrive.
Currently, my routine consists of a 35-58 minute walk 4-5 days/week. I use a fitbit to keep track of my steps taken, miles walked and calories burned. It's fantabulous.
But even with that routine, I've been stuck at the 31-33lb zone. Hello, plateau! I've realized the answer to this situation lies in one simple word - routine. I won't say I'm stuck in a rut, but I do think my body has gotten too comfortable.
I've been trying to brainstorm and come up with other forms of exercise that might drive my body out of stubborn mode. What are you guys doing to stay active? Do you find yourself in a set routine or do you constantly change things up?
Enlighten me! :)
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Encouragement.
A friend of mine posted a link to this blog tonight and I was moved and inspired. I think we all could probably benefit from reading, re-reading and then reading this post yet one more time.
Here's the link :)
You're welcome.
Here's the link :)
You're welcome.
Tuesday Tunes
Okay.. I've decided I needed some sort of structure around here to kinda keep me on task. I've been slacking in the blogging and food-tracking department, so maybe this will help with my accountability.
To start things off, let's talk tunes. Music and songs can do SO much for a person. They can motivate you to take another 1500 steps. They can make you feel like dancing.. or crying.. or laughing.. or help you process anger. Remind you of someone special. Remind you of a really great night. You're getting the picture, I hope. Maybe you're even nodding in agreement. Or maybe shaking your head in disagreement. I'm good with that. We're going to be discussing all types of music and creating all types of lists. Hopefully we can discover some new music in the process and learn more about each other.
Today's Tuesday tunes assignment... tell me 5 songs that are currently motivating you on your workout/walk/activity sessions. I'll go first.
What are yours? Readysetgo!
P.S. Here's a sneak peek of what's to come.... and of course they're subject to change.
To start things off, let's talk tunes. Music and songs can do SO much for a person. They can motivate you to take another 1500 steps. They can make you feel like dancing.. or crying.. or laughing.. or help you process anger. Remind you of someone special. Remind you of a really great night. You're getting the picture, I hope. Maybe you're even nodding in agreement. Or maybe shaking your head in disagreement. I'm good with that. We're going to be discussing all types of music and creating all types of lists. Hopefully we can discover some new music in the process and learn more about each other.
Today's Tuesday tunes assignment... tell me 5 songs that are currently motivating you on your workout/walk/activity sessions. I'll go first.
- Bigger Than My Body - John Mayer
- Shake It Off - Florence + the Machine
- Miss You - Foster the People
- Firework - Katy Perry
- My Body - Young the Giant
What are yours? Readysetgo!
P.S. Here's a sneak peek of what's to come.... and of course they're subject to change.
- Monday Moodiness (get your negative self-talk or crankies off your chest)
- Wednesday Workouts (tell me what you've been doing or are working towards)
- Thursday Thoughts (we'll discuss movies, tv shows, books, quotes, etc)
- Friday Five (random questions)
- Saturday Silliness (need I say more??)
- Sunday Stats (let's weigh in!)
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
To date or not to date.. that is the question.
Thank you, Mister Shakespeare. I'm blatantly stealing from your Hamlet soliloquy. Now I think we all are probably at least somewhat familiar with that scene in Hamlet. The one where he's weighing it all out.. and thinking that it feels better to just give in and kill himself - rather than to keep pressing on.
Don't panic. I'm not talking about suicide. Not in the literal sense. But in terms of dating. Confused? Just wait till I get going.. ;)
So I've got a confession to make. And perhaps your story will sound a bit like my own. I didn't have my first REAL boyfriend until I was 27. I didn't date in high school. I didn't have any undergrad love affairs or hookups. Well maybe there was one or two. But they weren't necessarily good situations. But essentially, I am and have been pretty clueless when it comes to relationships.. maybe moreso than the average girl. I'm most definitely a late bloomer. I fell in love with my (unbeknownst to me) gay best friend and for 2 happy years, I thought we were dating. Imagine my shock and dismay when I discovered "happy pictures" on my computer. That's an entirely different therapy session.
So my first boyfriend. Ben. I seriously thought he was the one. That's how naive I was. My first real boyfriend... thinking he was the one. How cliche. He broke up with me 3 months into the relationship because I wouldn't sleep with him. Whatevs... I moved on. I had some wild oats to sow. And this is how I became a player. Oh yes. Little old inexperienced me. I juggled 6-7 guys at any given time. Not that hanky panky was going on with all of them... but I had a date whenever I wanted - and I wanted a date 7 nights a week. I did this for 2 years and finally decided I was too exhausted to keep that up.
Fast forward to nursing school.. I dated a few guys, but it still wasn't working. One of these guys became a stalker. For a YEAR. Cuckoo crazy, my friends. Perhaps we both were. When I broke up with him, his response was to start crying, hyperventilating, and clinging to my leg. I cannot make this stuff up.
I moved back into player mode. It felt safer. All the while, I was struggling with my weight. And my self image. See?? I really did have a point. So my self image. Funny thing about having a date anytime you want is that it feeds the ego - but not necessarily the soul. I was continuously giving of myself and really getting nothing back in return. For me, it was an "acceptable" form of self-destructive behavior. No one even questioned it. Knowing that these guys were not long-term material, I could just blame things on my weight or my appearance when it didn't work out. Freud would have a field day.
As years went by, I started gaining some wisdom. And I had my epiphany. I was only attracting guys who were as emotionally healthy as I was... and I was essentially scraping the bottom of the barrel. And I realized that if given the chance, I probably wouldn't date me either. So I did the necessary emotional overhauls.. which took some SERIOUS work. And moved along with my life. But my outside still didn't match my inside. And I was still attracting the wrong kind of guy. Most of the guys who were interested in me were couch potatoes and emotional eaters with baggage that rivaled Kate Winslet's in Titanic. NOT the kind of guy I'm looking for.
Which leads me to my dilemma. I ended a serious long-term relationship last April with a man I probably would have married. But he just wasn't the right one for me. I would have been settling - and sadly, we both knew it. So now I'm 38.. single.. kidless.. and SO ready to settle down. In my group of close girl friends, I am the only one who isn't engaged, married or at least a single mom. (Yeah, I know... the grass is always greener...)
I've done a lot of the emotional legwork, although I feel like that's a daily process. And I've had my surgery, lost some weight, gotten some really good habits in place. I feel like I am a fantastic catch, but most guys aren't looking past the physical to see who I really am.
Will dating/attracting quality men become more of a viable option once I get more weight off and can be even more active than I currently am? Or will it be the same old crap? Do I give up on dating and wait until I'm a more "attractive" version of me? Do I "get thee to a nunnery" and forget about settling down altogether? Or do I just keep swimming... inquiring minds want to know.
Don't panic. I'm not talking about suicide. Not in the literal sense. But in terms of dating. Confused? Just wait till I get going.. ;)
So I've got a confession to make. And perhaps your story will sound a bit like my own. I didn't have my first REAL boyfriend until I was 27. I didn't date in high school. I didn't have any undergrad love affairs or hookups. Well maybe there was one or two. But they weren't necessarily good situations. But essentially, I am and have been pretty clueless when it comes to relationships.. maybe moreso than the average girl. I'm most definitely a late bloomer. I fell in love with my (unbeknownst to me) gay best friend and for 2 happy years, I thought we were dating. Imagine my shock and dismay when I discovered "happy pictures" on my computer. That's an entirely different therapy session.
So my first boyfriend. Ben. I seriously thought he was the one. That's how naive I was. My first real boyfriend... thinking he was the one. How cliche. He broke up with me 3 months into the relationship because I wouldn't sleep with him. Whatevs... I moved on. I had some wild oats to sow. And this is how I became a player. Oh yes. Little old inexperienced me. I juggled 6-7 guys at any given time. Not that hanky panky was going on with all of them... but I had a date whenever I wanted - and I wanted a date 7 nights a week. I did this for 2 years and finally decided I was too exhausted to keep that up.
Fast forward to nursing school.. I dated a few guys, but it still wasn't working. One of these guys became a stalker. For a YEAR. Cuckoo crazy, my friends. Perhaps we both were. When I broke up with him, his response was to start crying, hyperventilating, and clinging to my leg. I cannot make this stuff up.
I moved back into player mode. It felt safer. All the while, I was struggling with my weight. And my self image. See?? I really did have a point. So my self image. Funny thing about having a date anytime you want is that it feeds the ego - but not necessarily the soul. I was continuously giving of myself and really getting nothing back in return. For me, it was an "acceptable" form of self-destructive behavior. No one even questioned it. Knowing that these guys were not long-term material, I could just blame things on my weight or my appearance when it didn't work out. Freud would have a field day.
As years went by, I started gaining some wisdom. And I had my epiphany. I was only attracting guys who were as emotionally healthy as I was... and I was essentially scraping the bottom of the barrel. And I realized that if given the chance, I probably wouldn't date me either. So I did the necessary emotional overhauls.. which took some SERIOUS work. And moved along with my life. But my outside still didn't match my inside. And I was still attracting the wrong kind of guy. Most of the guys who were interested in me were couch potatoes and emotional eaters with baggage that rivaled Kate Winslet's in Titanic. NOT the kind of guy I'm looking for.
Which leads me to my dilemma. I ended a serious long-term relationship last April with a man I probably would have married. But he just wasn't the right one for me. I would have been settling - and sadly, we both knew it. So now I'm 38.. single.. kidless.. and SO ready to settle down. In my group of close girl friends, I am the only one who isn't engaged, married or at least a single mom. (Yeah, I know... the grass is always greener...)
I've done a lot of the emotional legwork, although I feel like that's a daily process. And I've had my surgery, lost some weight, gotten some really good habits in place. I feel like I am a fantastic catch, but most guys aren't looking past the physical to see who I really am.
Will dating/attracting quality men become more of a viable option once I get more weight off and can be even more active than I currently am? Or will it be the same old crap? Do I give up on dating and wait until I'm a more "attractive" version of me? Do I "get thee to a nunnery" and forget about settling down altogether? Or do I just keep swimming... inquiring minds want to know.
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