Today was tough, I didn't sleep well last night, nothing like a bout of insomnia to make life fun and therefore woke up late and grouchy this morning. I did manage to eat breakfast, which consisted of a cinnamon raisin bagel with some cream cheese. Since I got up late I didn't exercise until after two in the afternoon and really was dreading it, but I did it! I persevered! Yesterday I did the low cardio and sculpting part of the DVD, today I decided since I didn't want to do that, much less work out, I did the high cardio. What a workout. It was good. Drank plenty of water while working out, but since we would be eating dinner in 3 hours decided to have a light lunch of just a nectarine.
Tonight I am making the Asian chicken salad for both my hubby and I for dinner, since I have so much and he likes it too, just not for every meal!
I can feel a change starting to happen. Earlier today my cell phone went off and of course it was downstairs in my purse and I was upstairs in my office. I actually managed to make it all the way down the stairs and answer the phone and wasn't out of breath like I usually am! Yeah! Something about being able to breath without feeling like I am going to keel over is just a great thing!
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”
~Phil 4:13
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Eating Right
Today I got on the scale only to find I had lost one whole pound last week. I know that as I exercise and lose the fat that I will be building lean muscle, which weighs more than fat, so I am not too discouraged. So what do I need to change to promote my body to lose more weight? I guess it all equates to what I put in my mouth.
Yesterday I spent part of the afternoon chopping up veggies for my salads that I will eat for lunch. My salads consist of napa cabbage - which is like iceberg lettuce but with the staying power of cabbage, bok choy - a white Asian celery, green onions, shredded carrots, cucumber and cilantro. I was able to make two large glass bowls full from one head of napa cabbage and covered in plastic wrap they will keep for over a week in the fridge. I, also, made a dressing to drizzle on the salad. Next time I make this I am going to try it without the cilantro and see if it works with other dressings. If you would like this recipe, send me an email to callygirl69@gmail.com.
That was my lunch today topped with 13 (yes I counted them out from the can) mandarin orange slices and a couple of tablespoons of chowmein noodles (the crunchy ones). I probably had 3 cups of my salad mix topped with the above and a couple of tablespoons of the dressing. I had my two cups of coffee this morning sweetened with Splenda and cinnamon vanilla creamer. Now I am drinking water since I don't have enough room in the fridge to put my ice tea pitcher. Tonight I am BBQing chicken wings to make hot wings and some corn on the cob.
Since we typically eat dinner at 6:30 each night and I don't go to bed until after 1 AM the biggest problem I seem to have is wanting something to eat around 10 or 11 PM. I bought some nectarines, gotta love those California nectarines this time of the year, super juicy. But that doesn't get rid of my craving for something crunchy. And before you mention it celery just isn't my favorite vegetable unless it is in tuna salad or soup, or better yet smothered with peanut butter! I have thought of doing carrots sticks, but they always dry out when I make them ahead of time and I like a quick and easy snack. So, I have been eating pretzels and I actually count them out. I only eat 12 - 15 mini pretzels, the package says that 30 is a serving of 110 calories.
Post me some suggestions on what you think are good healthy late night snacks and I will let you all know what I tried and what works for me.
Off to do sweat off some of my lunch!
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”
~Phil 4:13
Yesterday I spent part of the afternoon chopping up veggies for my salads that I will eat for lunch. My salads consist of napa cabbage - which is like iceberg lettuce but with the staying power of cabbage, bok choy - a white Asian celery, green onions, shredded carrots, cucumber and cilantro. I was able to make two large glass bowls full from one head of napa cabbage and covered in plastic wrap they will keep for over a week in the fridge. I, also, made a dressing to drizzle on the salad. Next time I make this I am going to try it without the cilantro and see if it works with other dressings. If you would like this recipe, send me an email to callygirl69@gmail.com.
That was my lunch today topped with 13 (yes I counted them out from the can) mandarin orange slices and a couple of tablespoons of chowmein noodles (the crunchy ones). I probably had 3 cups of my salad mix topped with the above and a couple of tablespoons of the dressing. I had my two cups of coffee this morning sweetened with Splenda and cinnamon vanilla creamer. Now I am drinking water since I don't have enough room in the fridge to put my ice tea pitcher. Tonight I am BBQing chicken wings to make hot wings and some corn on the cob.
Since we typically eat dinner at 6:30 each night and I don't go to bed until after 1 AM the biggest problem I seem to have is wanting something to eat around 10 or 11 PM. I bought some nectarines, gotta love those California nectarines this time of the year, super juicy. But that doesn't get rid of my craving for something crunchy. And before you mention it celery just isn't my favorite vegetable unless it is in tuna salad or soup, or better yet smothered with peanut butter! I have thought of doing carrots sticks, but they always dry out when I make them ahead of time and I like a quick and easy snack. So, I have been eating pretzels and I actually count them out. I only eat 12 - 15 mini pretzels, the package says that 30 is a serving of 110 calories.
Post me some suggestions on what you think are good healthy late night snacks and I will let you all know what I tried and what works for me.
Off to do sweat off some of my lunch!
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”
~Phil 4:13
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Pictures of the Unhealthy Fran
I am back from the trip to 99 Ranch Market, it is an Asian market over in Dublin (CA not Ireland). I purchased lots of good things, napa cabbage, bok choy, carrots, cucumber, green onion to make an Asian salad, yummy! I will cut all that up tonight or tomorrow and have salads for the week. It keeps really good in a large glass bowl covered with plastic wrap. I make my own dressing too so I know what is in it. Maybe I will post the recipe later. It is the mix of two different recipes that gives it this great Asian flare. I also bought some BBQ pork bun (Dim Sum) for dinner tonight, along with some hot and sour soup mix and edame.
While I was at the store I bought some vegetable chowmein. They had it on sale - buy one, get one free - two cartons (you know those small Chinese take out cartons). It was only $1.75 for one, so I ate one there and had some water and that was lunch.
Before I left I did the Power Sculpt workout. It was good, but some of the moves I just can't do yet. My balance sucks and I really need to invest in some small hand weights, but maybe in a couple of weeks. Right now just doing the motions I feel it in the muscles that I haven't used in forever. I am glad that I got the DVDs that I did, but for now I am going to do the workouts in the following order: The Workout 1, The Workout 2, Cardio Max & Power Sculpt (alternate days), Boot Camp. Here is the cover of the first DVD:
19th - Workout 1
20th - Workout 1
21st - off (it's Sunday!)
22nd - Workout 3
23rd - Workout 1
24th - off (yeah I know, I got busy looking for hand weights online and one thing led to another...)
25th - Cardio Max
26th - Power Sculpt
This coming week I will be alternating with the workout 1 & 3 on the DVD. The way it works is one day you are working more at a cardio level and the next day is toning and cardio. Both really great workouts. I am supposed to do these for the first 3 weeks, then do 2 & 4 alternating for the next three weeks. This should be great!
Now for the hardest part for me. The pictures of me.
While I was at the store I bought some vegetable chowmein. They had it on sale - buy one, get one free - two cartons (you know those small Chinese take out cartons). It was only $1.75 for one, so I ate one there and had some water and that was lunch.
Before I left I did the Power Sculpt workout. It was good, but some of the moves I just can't do yet. My balance sucks and I really need to invest in some small hand weights, but maybe in a couple of weeks. Right now just doing the motions I feel it in the muscles that I haven't used in forever. I am glad that I got the DVDs that I did, but for now I am going to do the workouts in the following order: The Workout 1, The Workout 2, Cardio Max & Power Sculpt (alternate days), Boot Camp. Here is the cover of the first DVD:
19th - Workout 1
20th - Workout 1
21st - off (it's Sunday!)
22nd - Workout 3
23rd - Workout 1
24th - off (yeah I know, I got busy looking for hand weights online and one thing led to another...)
25th - Cardio Max
26th - Power Sculpt
This coming week I will be alternating with the workout 1 & 3 on the DVD. The way it works is one day you are working more at a cardio level and the next day is toning and cardio. Both really great workouts. I am supposed to do these for the first 3 weeks, then do 2 & 4 alternating for the next three weeks. This should be great!
Now for the hardest part for me. The pictures of me.
When did I get the 3rd chin????
Ah, from the side I only have two chins. Great improvement. LOL
Yes, I am showing all sides. I never see more than the front, you know.
Now the side I never see, my fat butt and the rolls.
Ok, enough sharing for today. Have a blessed Sunday everyone and I will see you all on Monday!
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”
~Phil 4:13
Saturday and it's a Hot One!
Today it is supposed to get up over 100 here for the next couple of days. Most people think I am nuts, but I prefer it to be warm than cold. Could be from living in Arizona for so long and those hot summers that I miss so much.
I started out my day like I usually do working my sudoku puzzle, reading the comics and drinking my breakfast. Yep, liquid breakfast consists of coffee. Anyone that knows me knows I can't live without my morning coffee. I am a total grouch without it. After my morning ritual I typically come upstairs to my computer and check emails. I do this because I have a business during the week my business is constantly working, even when I am not.
Since today is Saturday, I spend a little more time reading emails from family and friends that I have received through the week and wasn't able to respond to. Now that I have started this blog, I am doing that too.
I am off to do my workout. Today I am going to try out The Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt DVD. The thing I really like about these DVDs is that they have 3 levels of workouts. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. I am still at the beginner level on all of them and will be for a while. Nothing like doing jumping jacks and having your boobs hit you in the face to really get you motivated!
Later today I will post some pictures of what I really look like. My hubby thought I was nuts, but I told him I have to do this so I keep myself accountable. On the DVDs they have testimonials from the contestants. At the end of the season (I am guessing) they show the contestants a FULL size cardboard cut out of themselves when they started and have them stand next to them to see where they were and where they are now. Very profound. I won't be doing a full-size cardboard cut out, it wouldn't fit here on the computer screen, but I will show pictures of my progress once a month.
Off to workout, then lunch and some grocery shopping.
Bob Harper: "Is it easy? No! ... It has to be a conscious decision."
I started out my day like I usually do working my sudoku puzzle, reading the comics and drinking my breakfast. Yep, liquid breakfast consists of coffee. Anyone that knows me knows I can't live without my morning coffee. I am a total grouch without it. After my morning ritual I typically come upstairs to my computer and check emails. I do this because I have a business during the week my business is constantly working, even when I am not.
Since today is Saturday, I spend a little more time reading emails from family and friends that I have received through the week and wasn't able to respond to. Now that I have started this blog, I am doing that too.
I am off to do my workout. Today I am going to try out The Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt DVD. The thing I really like about these DVDs is that they have 3 levels of workouts. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. I am still at the beginner level on all of them and will be for a while. Nothing like doing jumping jacks and having your boobs hit you in the face to really get you motivated!
Later today I will post some pictures of what I really look like. My hubby thought I was nuts, but I told him I have to do this so I keep myself accountable. On the DVDs they have testimonials from the contestants. At the end of the season (I am guessing) they show the contestants a FULL size cardboard cut out of themselves when they started and have them stand next to them to see where they were and where they are now. Very profound. I won't be doing a full-size cardboard cut out, it wouldn't fit here on the computer screen, but I will show pictures of my progress once a month.
Off to workout, then lunch and some grocery shopping.
Bob Harper: "Is it easy? No! ... It has to be a conscious decision."
Friday, June 26, 2009
Why am I doing this & what are my goals?
Three weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I kept waiting for us to make enough money to buy a bigger house so I could have a room that I could workout in and maybe even hire a personal trainer. Of course, if I continue to wait I could die before that happens. Why? Well, because I am considered OBESE! ARGH!!! I even hate saying the word. How did I get this way??? Oh, yeah, I blamed it on the hysterectomy I had back in 1991, or blamed it on turning 30 in 1992. Or the best one, because I quit smoking! But until I took a good long look in the mirror, front, back, and sides, I didn't realize how huge I had gotten. Seeing pictures of me at my bonus daughter Sara's graduation party didn't help. I am fat, plain and simple.
The funny part, when I dream I am this thin petite woman of my youth, trim 125 pounds with so much energy and drive. Thanks to my brain when I sleep I never think of myself as fat.
What changed? One day I was thinking, gosh, if I could only afford to go to the gym again. Then I realized, I just might be able to do that from the comforts of my own den. I have satellite TV, there has got to be some workout programs on there I can record and try, right?
For the first two weeks of June I tried several of them. Most involved equipment I didn't have: bands, weights, yoga mats, step bench, discs to do the twist on and the list goes on. I, also, found an old video tape, you know the things that go into a VCR, of Susan Powters from 1993! I did that about 4 times, but honestly, her tiny body and voice started to get on my nerves, sorry Susan.
Early last week I started searching for workout videos for overweight, that is the politically correct word to use, or what I call FAT people. Most of the ones I found were for people who were already in a workout program and wanted to maintain or lose a little weight, like 5 to 10 pounds. Um, I am not even in the realm of that arena, yet! I wanted something that was geared especially towards people like me.
Now, I will be the first to admit, I have NEVER watched a whole episode of The Biggest Loser. Because I never thought I was fat...remember the dreams?? But when I got to doing a little research on the DVDs I was amazed that I found exactly what I was looking for. A personal trainer. OK, maybe not 100% personal, but close enough for government work, right? Now, back to the first problem. Money.
Since I was really motivated to keep moving I had to find a way to get the DVDs at little or no cost to me. First place I tried, our local library! Yes, folks it is true! Libraries have more than just books! I checked out the first DVD: The Biggest Loser: The Workout. Been working out to that for a week and was also able to check out The Biggest Loser: Cardio Max and Power Sculpt. As I use each workout I will give you my impressions and honest opinions about them. So far my only personal trainer has been Bob Harper and gosh is he cute!
Because the library only has a limited number of the DVDs I decided since I liked the first one so much I would get the others too. I have checked out the ones I mentioned above and did the Cardio Max today, more on that later. They were so great, I decided I didn't want to have to keep running back and forth to the library and I bought them. They are supposed to arrive on July 1st, two days before my 47th birthday. I looked for them at our used bookstores and even at Play It Again Sports, in a feeble attempt to spend money in the local economy, before finally deciding to buy them from Amazon.com.
As with starting out all things you think you are invincible in the beginning. I have set myself some goals that I think are realistic, but I need the help of all of you to make sure I stay on track. In order to help me do that, please sign up to my blog and become one of my Weight Loss Groupies. These are people that will be watching my progress and commenting on my successes, I hope! ;-)
Here are my goals:
The funny part, when I dream I am this thin petite woman of my youth, trim 125 pounds with so much energy and drive. Thanks to my brain when I sleep I never think of myself as fat.
What changed? One day I was thinking, gosh, if I could only afford to go to the gym again. Then I realized, I just might be able to do that from the comforts of my own den. I have satellite TV, there has got to be some workout programs on there I can record and try, right?
For the first two weeks of June I tried several of them. Most involved equipment I didn't have: bands, weights, yoga mats, step bench, discs to do the twist on and the list goes on. I, also, found an old video tape, you know the things that go into a VCR, of Susan Powters from 1993! I did that about 4 times, but honestly, her tiny body and voice started to get on my nerves, sorry Susan.
Early last week I started searching for workout videos for overweight, that is the politically correct word to use, or what I call FAT people. Most of the ones I found were for people who were already in a workout program and wanted to maintain or lose a little weight, like 5 to 10 pounds. Um, I am not even in the realm of that arena, yet! I wanted something that was geared especially towards people like me.
Now, I will be the first to admit, I have NEVER watched a whole episode of The Biggest Loser. Because I never thought I was fat...remember the dreams?? But when I got to doing a little research on the DVDs I was amazed that I found exactly what I was looking for. A personal trainer. OK, maybe not 100% personal, but close enough for government work, right? Now, back to the first problem. Money.
Since I was really motivated to keep moving I had to find a way to get the DVDs at little or no cost to me. First place I tried, our local library! Yes, folks it is true! Libraries have more than just books! I checked out the first DVD: The Biggest Loser: The Workout. Been working out to that for a week and was also able to check out The Biggest Loser: Cardio Max and Power Sculpt. As I use each workout I will give you my impressions and honest opinions about them. So far my only personal trainer has been Bob Harper and gosh is he cute!
Because the library only has a limited number of the DVDs I decided since I liked the first one so much I would get the others too. I have checked out the ones I mentioned above and did the Cardio Max today, more on that later. They were so great, I decided I didn't want to have to keep running back and forth to the library and I bought them. They are supposed to arrive on July 1st, two days before my 47th birthday. I looked for them at our used bookstores and even at Play It Again Sports, in a feeble attempt to spend money in the local economy, before finally deciding to buy them from Amazon.com.
As with starting out all things you think you are invincible in the beginning. I have set myself some goals that I think are realistic, but I need the help of all of you to make sure I stay on track. In order to help me do that, please sign up to my blog and become one of my Weight Loss Groupies. These are people that will be watching my progress and commenting on my successes, I hope! ;-)
Here are my goals:
- Lose 130 pounds, I haven't given myself a time range since I don't know how long it will take
- Start eating better and smaller portions and post EVERYTHING I eat
- Post on my online journal (this blog) daily my successes and my failures
- Go on pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Rome, Italy in 2010
I pray that as I go through this journey that those of you who go with me will be supportive, those of you who are struggling with weight issues might find what you are searching for, and those that just came to see what this blog is all about end up staying.
Bob Harper: "Is it easy? No! ... It has to be a conscious decision."
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