Workout day 2 is completed.
When I got to the YMCA, some really fit dude was stretching next to the scale. Seriously. No WAY I was going over there. But while I picked a machine and figured out where to put my water bottle, he moved on to a treadmill. Whew. I stepped on the instrument of torture and it gave me a horrifying number: 272
I think that is probably the highest number I've ever seen on a scale. I don't really feel like facing it, much less telling it. But despite the fact that I have ejected denial from my life on a number of fronts, it's still alive and well, where my weight is concerned. I am ALWAYS shocked at how fat I am when I see pictures of me. That's been true since way back when I weighed about 130, many lifetimes ago. SO. The number goes up on the page, as a part of Karen's Facing Reality program.
Having that magic number meant I could let the elliptical machine calculate calories for me. In my 30 minutes this morning, I went 1.91 miles (which actually discourages me tremendously, when I know a 20 minute mile is a decent WALKING goal) and I burned 313 calories. Something I recall from working out before: knowing the calories burnt in a workout is a lot of help when tempting foods come my way - I can look and say to myself, "I'd have to work out for an hour to make up for that" and suddenly the food is less tempting.
In other Facing Reality notes, I was astonished/horrified to learn last night that the narrowest spot of my waist is bigger than my chest. Holy cow. I'm even more pear-shaped than I thought.
Okay so anyway, I seem to be focusing negatively this morning. Positive things:
*I did my workout today, and it was easier to go than yesterday.
*I have faced the horrors of measuring tape and scale, and lived to tell about it.
*I felt better last night at bedtime than I have in awhile.
The acai berry tablets require 8 oz of water when one takes them (had them just before breakfast, as the instructions dictate...I hope that pre-workout half a power bar doesn't mess with the results...) I'm still nauseous this morning. That 8 oz was hard to get down. Comforting myself now with a big mug of hot tea with milk and sugar (65). Breakfast was 1 slice toast (Nutty Oat, which boasts "14 grams WHOLE GRAINS per slice" on the front) (110) with 1 tbsp Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter, chunky (105) and homemade crabapple jelly (50).
And now: for my necessary calories daily. I went to livestrong.com, which asked my age, height, weight, activity level (I chose "moderately active" - I think it fits since I am working out and also doing regular housework), and how much weight I want to lose (I chose 2 lb per week).
My calories should be at 2377.
If I had chosen "lightly active" - which is defined as "seated and standing activities" - that number would be 1927.
I'm liking that range of numbers, to get me started. I can definitely eat within those parameters.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
notes while the car warms up
Okay, so the battle to leave my bed was easier today than yesterday.
I spent some up-close-and-personal time with the tape measure last night. Found a little notebook, in which I drew me as a stick person (mmm never looked so good! LOL) and then marked measurements on that. I'm not in the mood just now to be so naked as to put the numbers here.
I'll decide later whether I'm putting my weight up. I am actually filled with dread at using the scale this morning...partly because I don't want to see the number myself, and partly because the good scale at the Y is in a very public area. Not gonna lie, there has been major whining within me about that this morning already.
I took some time last night to get out my Old Lady Pill Holder thingy and fill it. So I've just taken my "morning" vitamins with my pre-workout snack/meal/thingy, which is comprised of half a power bar (105) and 1/2 cup of grape/pomegranate juice (65). That's substantially more than 100 calories, but I can't face water yet (early mornings make me nauseous, a fact ever since I was pregnant with my son 20 years ago) and I needed something to wash the vitamins down.
Better go find my toothbrush.
I spent some up-close-and-personal time with the tape measure last night. Found a little notebook, in which I drew me as a stick person (mmm never looked so good! LOL) and then marked measurements on that. I'm not in the mood just now to be so naked as to put the numbers here.
I'll decide later whether I'm putting my weight up. I am actually filled with dread at using the scale this morning...partly because I don't want to see the number myself, and partly because the good scale at the Y is in a very public area. Not gonna lie, there has been major whining within me about that this morning already.
I took some time last night to get out my Old Lady Pill Holder thingy and fill it. So I've just taken my "morning" vitamins with my pre-workout snack/meal/thingy, which is comprised of half a power bar (105) and 1/2 cup of grape/pomegranate juice (65). That's substantially more than 100 calories, but I can't face water yet (early mornings make me nauseous, a fact ever since I was pregnant with my son 20 years ago) and I needed something to wash the vitamins down.
Better go find my toothbrush.
Monday, January 4, 2010
supper and repentance
Supper, since I was on my own for it: leftover lunch, which included the other half of the almond chicken (280) and about a cup of rice (240) with one cup of skim milk (90).
Total for the day: 1665
So if I get the urge for a hundred-calorie bedtime snack, I can have it. Or not.
Day one: feeling pretty good.
Dear naked blog: I am sorry I said I hate your guts this morning.
Total for the day: 1665
So if I get the urge for a hundred-calorie bedtime snack, I can have it. Or not.
Day one: feeling pretty good.
Dear naked blog: I am sorry I said I hate your guts this morning.
lunch out...not so bad...and some weight loss purchases
We went Chinese for lunch. LOVE MY CHINESE! I got the almond chicken. Ate half, with no more than a few bites of the rice (280), along with egg drop soup (90), 2 crab rangoon (140), a wonton (55), and lots of hot tea and cold water. Gave my eggroll to my friend. I thought I had pretty decent restraint.
The waiter put ALL the rice in my take-home box...I sure wish he'd have let me do that myself.
Had 1 cup of lightly sweetened tea (1/2 cup sugar per 2 qts of tea) (30) when I got home.
Truth: I AM HUNGRY.
I bought a few weight-loss related items while I was out:
*new sweatpants, one pair - I was down to one very worn out pair, which won't survive a lot of wash and wear. Here's hoping the next pair won't have to be 4X (okay, I coulda went one size smaller but tight sweatpants are NOT a good idea at my size....)
*a Brita water pitcher - my lovely daughter left her good water bottle when she moved out. I'll fill it in the mornings with cold fridge water and not break the bank, nor kill the environment with piles of plastic refuse.
*a box of power bars - thinking about what to eat before an early morning workout is TOO HARD. I'll eat half a power bar and call it good.
*a bottle of Acai Berry - 14 day cleanse stuff. Let's just say that last night my body was talking to me about considering some sort of colon cleanse process, and then today I heard a radio commercial, so I grabbed some and we'll see if it changes the way my gut has been feeling.
*a measuring tape - I need to make some starting marks. I'll use that thing tonight (eek) and the scale in the morning at the Y (ugg) and then at least I'll be able to track a bit. Color me unexcited.
Guess I'd better calculate my calories thus far, before I consider supper (insert adding machine noises here):
1055 calories
Okay. I'll do a re-calculation tomorrow when I have actual real weight numbers to deal with, but I was roughly this weight before and back then I think my daily allotment of calories to lose pounds was about 1775. So! Looks like I can have a decent supper.
The waiter put ALL the rice in my take-home box...I sure wish he'd have let me do that myself.
Had 1 cup of lightly sweetened tea (1/2 cup sugar per 2 qts of tea) (30) when I got home.
Truth: I AM HUNGRY.
I bought a few weight-loss related items while I was out:
*new sweatpants, one pair - I was down to one very worn out pair, which won't survive a lot of wash and wear. Here's hoping the next pair won't have to be 4X (okay, I coulda went one size smaller but tight sweatpants are NOT a good idea at my size....)
*a Brita water pitcher - my lovely daughter left her good water bottle when she moved out. I'll fill it in the mornings with cold fridge water and not break the bank, nor kill the environment with piles of plastic refuse.
*a box of power bars - thinking about what to eat before an early morning workout is TOO HARD. I'll eat half a power bar and call it good.
*a bottle of Acai Berry - 14 day cleanse stuff. Let's just say that last night my body was talking to me about considering some sort of colon cleanse process, and then today I heard a radio commercial, so I grabbed some and we'll see if it changes the way my gut has been feeling.
*a measuring tape - I need to make some starting marks. I'll use that thing tonight (eek) and the scale in the morning at the Y (ugg) and then at least I'll be able to track a bit. Color me unexcited.
Guess I'd better calculate my calories thus far, before I consider supper (insert adding machine noises here):
1055 calories
Okay. I'll do a re-calculation tomorrow when I have actual real weight numbers to deal with, but I was roughly this weight before and back then I think my daily allotment of calories to lose pounds was about 1775. So! Looks like I can have a decent supper.
breakfast with decent restraint
giant mug of hot tea (4), w/1 tbsp sugar (45) and 1/8 c 2% milk (16)
2 medium eggs (140), scrambled, in 1 tsp butter (35) with 1/2 cup cranberry/pomegranate juice (55) and 1/2 medium apple (40)
Headed out shopping with a friend, which will mean lunch out. I'll need to THINK.
2 medium eggs (140), scrambled, in 1 tsp butter (35) with 1/2 cup cranberry/pomegranate juice (55) and 1/2 medium apple (40)
Headed out shopping with a friend, which will mean lunch out. I'll need to THINK.
well begun
Okay, so I did it. Put my coat on, stomped out the door to my semi-frozen car, and Got Myself to the YMCA. Yes, there were lights on (curses!) and yes, there was conversation (but that wasn't so bad...it was a friend with whom I truly NEVER get tired of talking), and yes, I had to move this booty. But I did it and survived! YAY!
I should have weighed myself first; that was the first question the elliptical machine asked me. I punched "quick start" and ignored all requests for other input. I'll use a smarter approach in a day or two; today's objective was simply to Do Something.
I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, with my pulse running between 155 and 165 (I seem to recall that was my target, back when I was trying very hard.) I forgot to stretch before, but I got some really good stretching done in the shower afterward (hot water is my friend!)
I should have taken a bottle of water; I was absolutely parched by 15 minutes in. I've been observing the signs of dehydration in my body for weeks now (and doing nothing about it, btw); that's not gonna work with working out. Note to self: drink water, on purpose, regardless of how much you don't feel like it.
I'm glad I did it. Yesterday was a very sedentary day (driving, church, more driving, more church, more driving, sitting at the YMCA front desk all afternoon, sitting in my recliner, and off to bed)...and I felt just downright icky at bedtime. I think remembering that ickiness helped me this morning in the Great War to Get Out From Under the Covers.
Now I can enjoy some hot tea and watch the light on the snow outside my kitchen window while I write my gratitude list. And consider breakfast.
Ahhhh. That's more like it.
I should have weighed myself first; that was the first question the elliptical machine asked me. I punched "quick start" and ignored all requests for other input. I'll use a smarter approach in a day or two; today's objective was simply to Do Something.
I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, with my pulse running between 155 and 165 (I seem to recall that was my target, back when I was trying very hard.) I forgot to stretch before, but I got some really good stretching done in the shower afterward (hot water is my friend!)
I should have taken a bottle of water; I was absolutely parched by 15 minutes in. I've been observing the signs of dehydration in my body for weeks now (and doing nothing about it, btw); that's not gonna work with working out. Note to self: drink water, on purpose, regardless of how much you don't feel like it.
I'm glad I did it. Yesterday was a very sedentary day (driving, church, more driving, more church, more driving, sitting at the YMCA front desk all afternoon, sitting in my recliner, and off to bed)...and I felt just downright icky at bedtime. I think remembering that ickiness helped me this morning in the Great War to Get Out From Under the Covers.
Now I can enjoy some hot tea and watch the light on the snow outside my kitchen window while I write my gratitude list. And consider breakfast.
Ahhhh. That's more like it.
dear naked blog, i hate your guts
Or maybe it's just Monday morning that I hate. Or perhaps it's -7 degrees that's making me snarly. Mostly, it's my own utter lack of motivation that is frustrating me this morning.
I have been awake, more or less, for about an hour. Enjoying my radio programs and arguing with myself about when to work out, all while safely under my covers.
I don't WANT to work out this early. I want to sit at my kitchen table and drink something hot and write my gratitude list. My car, exiled from the garage by my son's car (which sits in front of the door with 2 flat tires), is covered in a thick layer of frost and ice. There will be bright lights and noise at the YMCA. People will talk to me when I feel like being quiet.
And I'll have to move this sluggish body. Which I don't feel like doing. Yes, my attitude sucks this morning. I suppose THAT is what I really hate (she whines....)
The truth is I need to work out this early. My most successful run at getting in shape included early morning workouts. They set my energy level at a good place. They get me started burning calories immediately. And they save me from my procrastinating self, who will otherwise say "I'll do it in a little while" all day long, until the day is spent.
And the early morning crew at the YMCA have taught me a lot over the years about consistency. Nobody hangs in there like the before 7 a.m. crowd. Nobody has such a consistently positive attitude about pretty much everything. I worked there for about 3 years, and left for about 3 years, and when I returned, I saw the same faces are still showing up now as did back when I started there the first time.
Talk about a good example.
So, my car is defrosting and I need to find a pony tail holder - my hair wasn't this long the last time around.
Remembered advice from the trainer with whom I once worked: eat about 100 calories or so before working out, to get the metabolism going and whatnot.
1/2 cup frosted shredded mini wheats (100) and 1/4 cup skim milk (25).
Better go find my toothbrush.
I have been awake, more or less, for about an hour. Enjoying my radio programs and arguing with myself about when to work out, all while safely under my covers.
I don't WANT to work out this early. I want to sit at my kitchen table and drink something hot and write my gratitude list. My car, exiled from the garage by my son's car (which sits in front of the door with 2 flat tires), is covered in a thick layer of frost and ice. There will be bright lights and noise at the YMCA. People will talk to me when I feel like being quiet.
And I'll have to move this sluggish body. Which I don't feel like doing. Yes, my attitude sucks this morning. I suppose THAT is what I really hate (she whines....)
The truth is I need to work out this early. My most successful run at getting in shape included early morning workouts. They set my energy level at a good place. They get me started burning calories immediately. And they save me from my procrastinating self, who will otherwise say "I'll do it in a little while" all day long, until the day is spent.
And the early morning crew at the YMCA have taught me a lot over the years about consistency. Nobody hangs in there like the before 7 a.m. crowd. Nobody has such a consistently positive attitude about pretty much everything. I worked there for about 3 years, and left for about 3 years, and when I returned, I saw the same faces are still showing up now as did back when I started there the first time.
Talk about a good example.
So, my car is defrosting and I need to find a pony tail holder - my hair wasn't this long the last time around.
Remembered advice from the trainer with whom I once worked: eat about 100 calories or so before working out, to get the metabolism going and whatnot.
1/2 cup frosted shredded mini wheats (100) and 1/4 cup skim milk (25).
Better go find my toothbrush.
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