Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Not Sure How to Feel About This

I'm cross-posting this from my own blog, but I thought it belonged here too.

One year ago (give or take a month) I posted my weight on this blog. At the time, it was my highest weight ever. Today, I weighed myself, and I weigh exactly what I weighed then. I've been losing weight since I started walking, and now I'm back to square one. I could pretend that I had a year where I didn't gain any weight and consider that a success, but the truth is after I posted my weight last year I started losing weight. Sort of.

I lost six pounds, and it took me three months to do so. Do you think perhaps I wasn't really all that serious about it? Clearly I still had some work to do within myself because after that 6 pound lost I proceeded to layer sixteen new pounds onto my frame. I really wish I hadn't done that. I really wish I had gotten serious last year. Can you imagine what I'd be doing right now? I'd be at my goal weight. Can you imagine how I would feel? I'm not sure I can imagine it. It's been so long.

Well, I could sit here and beat myself up, or I could tell myself that this time I am serious. This time I've learned that the only way to lose is to give up. I do not want to be sitting in front of this keyboard a year from now writing about how this time I'm really serious, weighing what I weigh now, or God forbid, more. I can't give up.

I'm going to post a new weight loss ticker at the bottom of my blog. If it disappears or stops moving it means I'm kidding myself again. Do me a favor if you see that happening and give me a kick in the butt. Tell me to go take a walk or lift some weights. You shouldn't have to do that for me. I hope you don't, but would you?


P.S. I am not set up to change settings for the template so I can't update my ticker, but here's the code for it.

post signature

The Maui Middle is disappearing!


I have been home a week, now. When I weighed in last Wednesday, the scale said I weighed 166.8...Yikes! That's a lot of Mai Ti's! In one week of really strict observance, I have brought it down to 162! That is very encouraging to me! I can rejoin "real life" once again. It is amazing what gaining can do to your psyche....I felt a bit defeated. But I am back. My 10's are not so tight and my energy level is regaining momentum. Best of all, I can look back on the week in Maui with no regrets and also with the "truth" that if I do just let my guard down, I really will pay a price.

Jules

Confessions of a Fitlinxx junkie...


Proud mama, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

This month at the YMCA, I have lifted 420,305 pounds worth of weights. Ranking me 1st in all females, in all age groups! And I even compared it against the men, I am ranked 7th in the entire YMCA. (I know, kinda scary).
I burned 6,140 calories doing cardio. Ranking me 1st in my age group,(30-39). And 6th for women in all age groups.
I accumulated 8,213 fit points, ranking me 1st in my age group, and 6th for women over all. I'm going to see if I can make the top three next month! Do ya think I'm kinda competetive? : )

My first exercise fit/cardio class

I just completed my first cardio class. It lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. I made it all the way through without stopping. YAAA. I didn't think that I could do it. It was hard to keep up with the instructor but I managed to do the low impact version. I have NEVER sweat this much in my life. I feel so good. This class is on Wednesdays so I can have a change of pace in the middle of my workout week. WOW. For having three back and knee surgeries and a baby almost five months ago, I feel great and I am still amazed that I did it. Ya ME!!!

A Little (Kind of Scary) Knowledge

Ladies,

I know I've been remiss in posting lately but I've been searching for inspiration, motivation, anything to break me out of my rut and get me excited about taking care of myself again. I came across an article discussing the effects of increasing obesity on health and found it helpful - I hope some of you find it as fascinating as I did.

A couple of caveats:
First, this was originally a comprehensive chart which did not translate well to HTML so I changed it a little; namely, I took out the men and color coded the categories.

Second, the numbers (as I was stunned to learn) represent the number of times more likely that a person in that BMI category is to develop a given medical condition than a normal weight person. With this thought in mind, I was stunned.

Third, I've talked about BMI some before and I think everyone is pretty familiar with it here, but if you're not, here goes. A "normal" BMI (not overweight) is 25.0 or under. The "warning zone" (overweight but not obese) is from 25.0 to 29.9. Obesity begins at 30.0 and goes all the way up (yikes!). To get your BMI, take your weight in pounds, divide it by your height in inches, divide it by your height in inches again, and then multiply by 704.5.

Anyway, I found this interesting (and scary as heck) and hope it may add one more reason to the list of why what we're doing is so important...

Love you all,
Lisa

_____________________________________


FACT FILE: High body mass and its health risks
Women's relative risk* of developing various medical conditions by body mass index

BMI of 30.0 to 34.9
BMI greater than or equal to 40

MEDICAL CONDITION
Type 2 diabetes
7.24
19.89
Coronary heart disease
12.56
19.22
High blood pressure
47.95
63.16
Osteoarthritis
9.94
17.19

TYPES OF CANCER
Breast
1.63
1.70
Colon
1.33
1.36
Kidney
1.66
1.70**
Liver
1.40
1.68

* Relative risk of 2 indicates a person is twice as likely to develop condition as a person with a normal body mass index (18.5 to 24.9). A body mass index of 30.0 or higher is considered obese.
** Relative risk of developing kidney cancer rises to 4.75 in women with BMI greater than or equal to 40.
SOURCES: American Obesity Association; American Cancer Society; New England Journal of Medicine

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

I made it to four miles today!!

Last week, I had run three miles straight for the first time in my life. And today, TODAY, I made it a solid four! My endorphins had me flying high for a couple of hours afterwards, and now, well, I am just plain whooped. But I did it, and I'm so proud of myself. My original goal was just to go 3 1/4 miles, which is something that I had not yet done. But once I got there, I said to myself;'I bet you could make it to 3 1/2.'
And at the 3 1/2 mile point, I talked myself into going four! Talk about a confidence booster. : ) I feel nearly invincible.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

The face says it all!

Congratulations, Kristina!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Look how far I've come!


Tuff girl, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

Hard work DOES pay off! When I see those photos below, I can't believe it's the same person.

Is this the same girl that ran three miles the other day?!?


100_4387, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

This was taken in July of '05. We were on vacation in Atlanta, where I walked the nation's largest 10k with my sisters, and my dad, who ran the race. I'm hoping to be able to do this race again, perhaps by July of next year. Except this time, I'm planning to run it! I'd like to do some local races first, well before that time. Looks like I'd better invest in some really good running shoes to train in. : )

Is that KRISTINA?!?!


100_4385, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

What the heck was I doing with my hair in a pony tail? And where in the heck is my neck?!? This was two and a half years ago... yikes!

Thursday, February 22, 2007

I'm Back! Aloha!





Hello everyone! I am home safe and sound and sane! Yippee! I had a dreamy, dreamy time in the land of Aloha and Mahalo. I will post photos on my other blog....needless to say, I did not diet on this trip, but I was aware of what I was eating (and drinking). I had my share of Mai Tais and Pina Coladas, fruit smoothies and a few choice desserts (although Blake and I always shared these). The scale scared me yesterday, but I was back on track and took off .8 of a lb in a single day of obedience. So I am not worried....I am still wearing my 10s, though they are a little snugger. I had such a fantastic time and lots of lovin and lots of sun and lots of amazing whale watching and botanical, aviary experiences to last me through at least a year of Seattle rustiness. I did tell Blake I thought he should book the same week next year! Ha. We will see.

You have all done an amazing job in my absense. I am so proud of all you ladies! Sorry that Blogger was being a stinker. How frustrating.

Love to all...back to the real world!

Jules

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Good for you Jennifer

I read your blog for Kristina. That is wonderful that you walked 3 miles. I still can not do that but I can do the elliptical for 2.5 miles in 30 min. Every step that we take together is a step towards a new us. Congratulations!!!!

I am OK

Right now I am ok. I do feel kind of crabby since aunt flo came two days ago. I am kind of hungrier also. I am doing my best. Also I miss Julie. I can hardly wait till she comes home. If you are reading this Julie, I MISS YOU. Hope you had a great vacation for us all. Love Ya.

I DID IT!!!


I DID IT!!!, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

I was sweating like a pig, but I did it! I ran three miles straight for the first time in my life. I averaged about 11 minute miles, which is probably right in the middle as far as speed goes. But I did it, I did it. And I feel like a champion! : )

My progress

Well, I've been doing really good on my quest to get healthy. I've been doing Prism since November of last year. I haven't really had any obsticles to overcome for the past 2 weeks (I supposed that's good...it just seems so boring :0) ). I supposed I should be happy with that since I start school again the end of March and will probably have plenty of emotional eating to overcome!! Well, except I have noticed that for the past several days, I'm trying to finish my last bottle of water right before bed. So, I'm having to get up in the middle of the night. So, this morning, I've already finished one bottle. That really makes me nervous because I don't want to start getting lazy (re: journalling, exercising, etc).

We went on Saturday (very beautiful day here) to a park in Snohomish and rode our bikes for 5 miles and then onto Centennial Trail for 6 miles. It was a lot of fun....but my bum still hurts :0) I guess I have to recondition it since I haven't ridden my bike since September of last year :0)

I hope that all have a great week. And congratulations to all of you girls and doing so good with journaling, exercising, diet, and finding time for yourselves too. We're worth it just as much as our wonderful families!!!

On Commenting

To all the "new" Blogger users on this blog (all fabulous women in and of themselves), here is how you comment: you have to sign in FIRST, before you even think about typing out a comment. After you sign in, it will bring you back so you can leave a comment and only then will the comment post without being &%(#!% erased.

I'm not sure I like these "upgrades" to Blogger, but I hope this helps.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

not losing momentum





These are my new friends, Bubba, Journal and Precor. Bubba is 34 oz of pure cold liquid. Precor keeps me moving every day. My Precor (well the YMCA's) has a TV attached to the top of it and I get to watch Oprah or Survivor or NCIS while I climb away the pounds. I am going to weigh tomorrow. The journal keeps track of what I eat each day. If I don't write it down, I just don't eat right.

What I can't seem to find is time to get on my computer. I am going to try to check it before bed each night and post more.

posting the 'new' fangled way

I can't seem to comment either since this blog is on the 'old' version. This means that commenting on other's posts is hard. DANG!

1. KIMIKO - HOW ARE YOU DOING??

2. Kris - way to go you kick-butt girl!

3. Kim - you are totally getting this stuff - I'm so excited for your weight loss!

4. I am now weighing 154 as of this morning. That's like a big loss cuz I was creeping up towards 163 at one point!

So three cheers for me - and three cheers for you ladies toooooo!

Wow Kimberly and Kristina

Well, for some reason, I can't reply to someone else's post. So I wanted to say congratulations to Kimberly and Kristina.

Kimberly-- Wow, say good-bye to those lbs. You will never see them again. Good job!!!

Kristina--You are such an inspiration!! Wow, I can't imagine running the 10K. I can walk it, great job on making it for running it!!! You just keep putting that carrot in front of you and push yourself to not only reach it...but surpass it, congratulations. You are an inspiration to us all!!!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Happy Birthday!!!

Hi Jules---

Just wanted to say Happy Belated Birthday!!! I hope that you had a great week in Hawaii and a happy birthday yesterday. Can't wait to hear about your week!!!

Saturday, February 17, 2007

I've done it AGAIN!

I ran even further today! Another 1/4 of a mile! I'm up to 2 3/4 miles you guys. I'm so proud of myself. I bet I can do three miles by the end of next week. : ) I've not run this far ever as an adult. Wow! Am I becoming a runner? Initially, my goal was to be able to run 3 miles straight, without stopping. But now that I've made it this far.... perhaps in the future I may be even able to train for some 10k's, which is 6.2 miles. What am I? INSANE?!?! I never, ever, thought in my life that I would have ANY desire to even remotely consider running a 10k. If I keep at it, I'll be in excellent condition. GO ME!

Blog test

I can't answer any blogs since blogger made me change to new blogger. But I have read each one. I hope this goes through. I am doing great. i have lost a total of 12 pounds as of last Sunday. HAHAHA! I went to the Y three times last week and three timesthe week before. I am getting used to it. I will talk to you all soon.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Trying to Post

This is just a test since Blogger made me change to the new Blogger and then hasn't let me in to post anything. I noticed that Lisa was able to so thought I'd try again.

I went to VV (Value Village) and fit into a pair of pants that were a size smaller. Talking about leaving there in cloud 9. I just can't believe how great I feel!!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

I ran 2.5, and I'm feelin' A-L-I-V-E!!!


victorious, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

I supassed what I ran on Tuesday! I was able to go another quarter of a mile today. 2.5 miles exactly, and I am feeling awesome! I'll be able to get to that 3.1 mile point in no time, if I keep at it. I'm a little anxious to start running some 5k's with my dad.
You should have seen me this morning. I was SOOOOOO sweaty! I mean, I could feel that I was really sweating as I was running, but then when I stepped off of the treadmill, and actually saw my t-shirt... whoa! I probably grossed a few people out. : ) This is the hardest I've pushed myself in years, and it WAS hard. But oh, what a feeling!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Almost Week Three Report

My husband took the scale out for himself yesterday, and today I couldn't stand it. I succumbed to temptation and weighed myself. ( I had planned to wait until March.)

The good news is that in a little less than 3 weeks, I've lost 9 lbs. The bad news is that I still weight 7 lbs. more than I weighed last time I updated my ticker (which doesn't exist anymore, but I think it said I was down to 231 lbs.) I think that was all the way back in the summer, so since the average American gains 7lbs over the holidays I can just think of it as par for the course right? I'm trying to be positive when in truth I'm so mad that I let myself gain that 16 lbs in the first place! Oh well.

I am on track for the moment (not counting tonight's pizza dinner. Sigh.) Okay, my food choices are generally good with occasional slips, but I'm doing good in the exercise department, and my weight is going in the right direction.

I've had several bad days in a row, emotionally speaking, but I've kept walking. That is big progress for me. So, I'll forgive the bad food choices, they could have been worse, and I'll pat myself on the back for the hard work that allowed me to lose 9 lbs.

I ran my hiney off today!!


treadmill, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

I told myself this morning; 'THIS is the day that you're gonna run two miles on the treadmill . ' I hadn't made it past 1.75 miles, I had tried a few times, but I just couldn't yet do it. Well... not only did I make it to the two mile mark, but I went all of the way to 2 1/4 miles! Now, to many of you, that may not be a very big deal, but for me, it had been a solid TWENTY years since I've been able to run that distance without walking.
My goal is to be able to make it a whole 3.1 miles, so that I can start running some 5k's with my dad. And let me just say this, I AM GOING TO DO IT!

Give Yourself Some Air

Honesty time! Show of cyber-hands, how many of you ladies actually BREATHE during the day?

Now, I don't mean huffin and puffin up stairs (or even on the eliptical) but how many of us enjoy the health benefits of FIVE MINUTES of attentive breathing.

Put your hands on your belly button.
Breathe in.
If your shoulders are moving - then you are NOT doing it right...

Try to push your stomach against your hands as you breathe.

There you go! That's a diaphramatic breath.

Why do we care about breathing with the diaphram? Let me tell you:

Diaphragmatic breathing is intended to help you use the diaphragm correctly while breathing to:
Strengthen the diaphragm
Decrease the work of breathing by slowing your breathing rate
Decrease oxygen demand

http://www.breath.org/deep-breathing/

The Impact of Deep Breathing on Our Health

Deep breathing can have a powerful influence on our health. To understand how this is possible, we need to remember that the diaphragm is attached all around the lower ribcage and has strands going down to the lumbar vertebrae. When our breathing is full and deep, the diaphragm moves through its entire range downward to massage the liver, stomach, and other organs and tissues below it, and upward to massage the heart.

When our breathing is full and deep, the belly, lower ribcage, and lower back all expand on inhalation, thus drawing the diaphragm down deeper into the abdomen, and retract on exhalation, allowing the diaphragm to move fully upward toward the heart.

In deep, abdominal breathing, the downward and upward movements of the diaphragm, combined with the outward and inward movements of the belly, ribcage, and lower back, help to massage and detoxify our inner organs, promote blood flow and peristalsis, and pump the lymph more efficiently through our lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system, which is an important part of our immune system, has no pump other than muscular movements, including the movements of breathing.

So - do yourself a favor and give yourself some AIR!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

A Prayer Request

I don't have the energy to post much, but wanted to ask you wonderful praying ladies to pray for my father.

He is waiting on a liver transplant. He's very sick, and they're keeping him in the hospital out of state that does the transplants instead of sending him home with a pager. I'm here with him and my stepmom until I run out of vacation time. Or something.

Can you just please pray for him? And me- my grandmother is also sick and it's hard not being able to be with both of them.

I'm still exercising, but the eating is off the hook. I just can't deal right now. I'm up to mid to high 180s and that makes me want to cry. But I am still exercising.

New ID



New licence, new me! Okay, so I know you all are checking out the weight line....the first licence I weighed in at 218, but lied, told the guy I was only 200. This next licence, I thought long and hard about what weight I would report. I chose to lie again, but not out of shame, because I know I will be that weight soon and even lighter. I lied by just 10 pounds, but it got me into the 140's and I can't tell you what it means to look at that weight and see a 4 after the 1!!!! Very inspiring. So, there you have it, my legal form of ID with a little fib to help me reach my goal......

Jules


Hello Ladies,
I had been struggling to get back into the discipline of excercising every day or at least 5 days a week. Since I took a little break over the holidays. It wasn't worth it! It is amazing how quick your stamina and body reverts back. Yesterday was the first day to do my areobics with 1 step. Boy was hard! I had been doing the routine on the floor but felt it was time to step it up and challenge myself. I got through the first 25 minutes on the step and really, really wanted to quit but I didn't. I finished the rest of the routine on the floor. I was proud of my self. My goal for the rest of February is to work on disciplining myself to do the step aerobics 5 days a week. I will keep working at it until I can finish the entire routine on the step.

I haven't posted a picture of myself in awhile. This was taken in September of 2006.

Yesterday's numbers:
128 ounces of water

1250 calories ( both my husband and I avoided the Friday night pizza and junk binge, we were very proud of ourselves to say the least!)

45 minutes of areobics.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Happy Birthday, Elicia!


It's our Chickadeeva's birthday today, ladies. Let's all send her out lovely thoughts and warm wishes! Love you, girl.

GBYPF
Jules

Aloha Julie


Hey Jules. You and your new body have a great time in Hawaii! :)
SueAnne

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Week Two Report

Well, it's been two weeks since I started walking at least 30 minutes a day. I still don't know what I weigh, but I'll post it whatever it is on March 1st. I think my stomach is smaller, and I know my back fat jiggles less when I walk now. So far that's my best indication that something good is happening in my body.

Another interesting thing happened today. I actually looked forward to walking instead of getting on the treadmill just because I promised myself I would. It's starting to feel really good. So, for anyone just beginning again I would say give yourself at least 2 weeks before deciding to give up, and maybe, just maybe you won't need to give up anymore.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Sugar Addict

Hello everyone,
Me again. The downer. Still can't find my mojo. Although I did get set up on Fitlinxx at the gym. I am a numbers gal, so I will find that very motivating. Frank is doing it with me. That helps too.

The sugar thing....I am an addict in full force. Out of control crazy. And it is so bad now, that I am not even picky about the FORM of sugar!!! Eeeewwww! I gave up the mocha and Frappe' habit a few weeks ago -financially so my son could have piano lessons. I thought it would be a good motivator, but now I am just freak-a-zoid in other forms. I even have my sweet pictures of Julie and Kristina from the New Years Revolution on my bedroom mirror to cheer me on! I need to go cold turkey again. But I don't have the accountability.

And worse yet, my body is seriously FEELING the effects. Pain, fatigue, uuuggh. And I get up everyday, thinking it will be different, and I return to the same drug. Sounds a little like a dog returning to it's own vomit. I know, eeeww.
Better days......
SueAnne

What's Your Breakfast?


So, I'm interested in hearing what busy women like you eat for breakfast.

This is a typical breakfast attempt.

1) Odawalla Superfood
2) French Press Drip (ziiiiing!)
3) one egg
4) australian toaster muffin w/ butter

Replacement suggestions are welcome
I'd LOVE to see what others eat!

(btw - i have an awesome toaster that toasts the toast and cooks the egg at the same time - 40$ Target)

Monday, February 05, 2007

The Eagle Fest



Here's a picture of me, my son (Justin), and my husband (Eddie) at the Eagle Fest. We only saw 1 eagle but it was way to far away for my camera to get. But we did see 2 otters in the dam, feeding on the fish :0) We walked the 11K (about 6.2 miles). It was a lot of fun. We only went off course once (the flags were pulled down from someone). We had to backtrack and found where we were supposed to be (we walked an extra 1/2 mile or so before we decided we were headed in the wrong direction. It was pretty good weather until we were almost done and then it poured on us (thank God for hoods on jackets). There's another one in Bellingham (I think that's the location) in May if anyone's interested.

Me and my babies

















I am so happy that I put my son in basketball at the Y. As you can see he loves it. I just had to share these pics. My daughter is also getting a 2 mile walk out of it every Saturday. Oh yeh, I almost forgot. Today marks the ONE YEAR anniversary that I quit smoking. I am so happy that I accomplished that goal. Yeh Me!!!

Thanks Julie

Thank you for fixing my ticker, M&Ms, and butter. Love ya

need ticker help too

I tried to update my ticker but after going through all the steps it still didn't work. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. Please help Jules.
Thanks!
Kimiko

My new Nike workout suit....my new active identity!

I am posting these for my Mom, who is missing me lots. I am also posting them for me to shout to cyberspace that I am indeed an active person. I never felt like that was my identity growing up, but now I know it is true. It is part of my new "song" I am singing. Do you feel inspired to change your "tune"? La-la-la-la-la!






My journal entries for the last few days are as follows: (I averaged my daily calorie counts and I am eating an average of 1413 calories a day. I am happy with that, trying to keep below 1500 if I am working out and right at 1300 when not working out.)

1-19: 1409 cal., 8 water, 33 min. elliptical, 307 cal burned, plus swimming with Reese.

1-20: 1330 cal., 7 water, walled mall all day with ladies! New Year's Revolution! Hit 70 lb. marker!

1-21: 1439 cal.

1-22: 1138 cal., 10 water

1-23: 1450 cal., 5 water, 21 min. elliptical, 181 cal. burned, 1 hour of Yoga class.

1-24: 1540 cal., 7 water, hard day emotionally. Craved french fries all day...did NOT give in!

1-25: 1508 cal., 8 water, 17 min. elliptical, 120 cal burned, 1 hour Palates class. Better day emotionally.

1-26: 1668 cal., 6 water, workout 1 hour, ate out twice.

1-27: 1700 cal., 6 water, overate today, another emotional struggling day. Adjusting to a new life with new house guests and more chaos.

1-28: 1928 cal., 8 water, WOW...Got to stop the snacking!

1-29: 1365 cal., 9 water, Total Body 1 hour class at Y, finally weigh less than Blake. Very hard emotional day. GRRRR.

1-30: 1446 cal., 10 water, 1 hour Yoga, 57 min. elliptical, 415 cal. burned. Terrific day, mood much better. What a yo-yo I am!

1-31: 1282 cal., 5 water, 36 min. elliptical, 300 cal burned.

2-1: 1562 cal., 9 water, Spa day with Jenny. Pampered self all day. Ate delicious healthy food.

2-2: 1592 cal., 7 water.

2-3: 1451 cal., 5 water. Laid around ALL day.

2-4: 1711 cal., 6 water. Laid around ALL day, again...Superbowl...

2-5: doing really well so far today. Determined to get to the Y, drink my water and stay under 1500 cal. We leave for Maui next Monday...lots to do to prepare. Pray for me. As you can see, I have been a bit emotionally spent and this is is the week I am anticipating a visit from Aunt Flo...great timing, eh?

The Good, Bad and Ugly

The good: I ran several miles on Saturday, I've been drinking lots of water, and I've been making sure that I'm eating small meals throughout the day rather than eating nothing and then overdoing dinner.

The bad: Yesterday all I ate was truffles, champagne, and chocolate raspberry cake. Oh, and I got another year older. I've also been scared to get on the scales for the past couple of weeks. I don't want to know until I have it under control.

The ugly: I'm pretty stressed out, I don't know why, and I'm not too happy about it. This morning I drove way up north to drop my car at the end of the train line (since I have a racquetball class there this evening but can't deal with the rush hour traffic and make it on time), took the train back to the stop by my house (and next to the post office), stopped by the post office where I completely lost it, and then hopped back on the train to head downtown to work, still crying when I got to my office (early?!). Drama much? I'm not sure what that's all about. However, I feel like I need to get back on track with the whole diet and exercise thing because that is, at least, something I can control.

I hope each of you has a blessed week. Paige, you especially have been in my thoughts after your post last week (I read it, I'm sorry I didn't have time to comment) and I wanted to let you know that I really admire your rededication and your ability to share what you are going through. I'm pulling for you.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Need Ticker Help

I can't seem to fix my ticker properly. Can someone tell me how to do it. Also I would like to have my name on th m &ms and sticks of butter lost. Thanks.

Feeling Great.

Hi gals,
I am doing good on my Prism plan. Today is the end of my week two. I already can put my size 18 pants over my belly. I can even zip them up. But I can not button them yet. I figure by the next two weeks I should have them buttoned up and my pregnancy pants put away for life.

I dream of the day when I do not have to wear my mama pants anymore. I have my son 4 months ago. I am so ready to say bye-bye.

Also, I have been to the Y 5 times this week.HeeHaw. I even went today before the SuperBowl started. I am finally starting to get use to this workout thing. Calories are being burned and pounds are dropping off. Thank God for the little things in life. Talk to you soon.

I'm just feelin' all buff....


100_4337, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

I've been lifting weights like crazy, as I am a woman on a mission. I want to be the woman at the end of the year that has lifted the most weights. Not just women in my age group, but women of all ages. For women in my age group,(30-39), I am ranked 2nd, for now. But for women in all age groups, I am ranked like #11. And I am not satisfied with that. I'm so stinking competetive. For calories burned, I'm also in the top eight or so. I am out to win. I am out to be fit and fabulous for Spring!

And tough!!!


100_4338, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

Blogger isn't allowing me to post photos through blogger, so I'm following a different online route that only allows me to post one at a time.
Anyhow, who is THIS woman, and what has she done with Kristina?!?! Sometimes I still trip when I see recent photos of myself. But it's a good trip. : )

Saturday, February 03, 2007

FYI - Ticker Alert


Choosing2lose.com has taken all of its tickers offline so you will have to get a new one if you had one from them. I got my new one from Tickerfactory.com .

We went out to dinner the other night to celebrate my kiddos birthdays (all three are in the same week) and my dad took a pretty good pic of me and Toddler so I thought I would post it since I know what all of you look like and no one (except Lisa) knows what I look like.

If you were wondering and I know you were...Toddler got a big thick board book about farms in that box. My aunt is a teacher and she always gives the kids books.

New Prism Group Update

Okay, I have been a bit neglectful on filling you all in on the new PRISM group meeting at my house. We are cruising right along, most of the ladies are extatic and totally pumped about their new way of life! I got a call from Judy and she is "thrilled" and can't believe how terrific she feels. I have been measuring and helping the ladies chart and giving them my tips and tricks. I am really enjoying it all. The Super Bowl is cramping our style this week, not allowing us to meet, but that's okay. I am really confident that these gals are going to stay on program and their lives will be all the more better for their committments. Keep praying for me and my group. I will keep you updated as we move further through phase one. At the first meeting I had 5 ladies and 3 came last week. I got one call from a gal in Stanwood who has been looking for a local group. She will start up with us next Sunday.

Jules

The long over due new library card!!


000_0069, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

I originally got this card like five or six years ago. I've tried to get a new one a few different times, but they wouldn't give me one. But the lady said I looked so different now, that I did need a new photo.

Starting over AGAIN!

Hi guys-

It has been forever since I posted, as well as being faithful to my weightloss. Monday is a new day. My workout buddy and I are commited to get back to the gym. We are both missing how great we felt when we were commited to working out.

My daughter was sick so much during Nov & Dec, so we went to an Ear, Nose and Throat DR. He agreed that her tonsils needed to be removed. So this past Monday Merissa had her tonsils, adnoids & tubes put in her ears. I have been home with her all week. I went to work for a little bit on Thursday, but the poor thing just wanted to cuddle because she was in pain. Hopfully this will help and she won't get sick so much.

She is the joy of my life and I just never want her to have to struggle with her weight like I have my whole life. My mom approached me saying she feels guilty that she is at fault for my weight issues. I told her that yes I did blame her for the first 18 years, but the last 13 are my fault. I know that raising my child with good eating habits and teaching her to keep active will make all the diffrence in the world. It was almost a weight was lifted off my shoulders when I said this to my mom as for along time I had blamed her for not teaching me, but this was the first time I really took the blame for myself. I have made myself this way and I need to change!

So I am recommited....Thanks for all your post ladies. It makes me feel like I am not alone.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Ticker Update


I updated my ticker. This is the first loss I have had since August of 2006. 6 months is a long time to be on a plateau.

God needed me to stay on that plateau so I would realize that I needed Him in this weight loss. I needed to learn that He is the only one who can fill the void that I use to let food fill. I needed to learn to turn to Him in my times of stress, boredom, pain and joy. I needed to celebrate life's accomplishments without food. I needed to learn that taking care of me first meant I took better care of my family. I needed to learn that exercise is a vital part of my weight loss.

I am grateful for that plateau but boy am I glad I am headed down the mountain!!!!

20 Things you didn't know (or want to?)

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Obesity
Money for getting squashed in your airplane seat, our country's fattest state, the "Monster Thickburger", and more.
By Jason Stahl


1. Child-safety seat manufacturers are starting to make bigger models after a recent study showed that over 250,000 U.S. children age 6 and under are too fat to use them.
2. According to a study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, nearly half the 4,000 people responding to an online survey about obesity said they would give up a year of their life rather than be fat.

3. Between 15 percent and 30 percent also said they would rather walk away from their marriage, give up the possibility of having children, be depressed, or become alcoholic rather than be obese.

4. Five percent and 4 percent, respectively, said they would rather lose a limb or be blind than be overweight.

5. From 1991 to 2000, the average weight of Americans increased by 8.5 pounds.

6. In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration increased its estimate of the weight of the average male from 170 to 184 pounds.

7. Airlines spent $275 million on 350 million additional gallons of fuel in 2000 to compensate for the additional weight of their passengers. Now we know why the peanuts are no longer free!

8. Stand by your man: More than a decade ago, Manuel Uribe, now weighing 1,200 pounds (the equivalent of five baby elephants) and bedridden for the past five years, was abandoned by his wife because she was frightened by his increasing size.

9. Virgin Atlantic paid Barbara Hewson from Wales the equivalent of US$24,100 in 2002 as compensation after she was squashed by an obese person sitting next to her on a transatlantic flight. Barbara suffered a blood clot in her chest, torn leg muscles, and acute sciatica and was bedridden for a month.

10. Duke University Medical Center found that women and men who lost 10 percent of their total body weight reported a significant improvement in their sexual quality of life.

11. Obesity ranks second among preventable causes of death. Tobacco use is number one.

12. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, of the 7.5 million veterans who receive their health benefits from the agency, more than 70 percent are overweight and 20 percent have diabetes, which may lead to blindness, amputations, and kidney and heart problems.

13. Two years ago, the Hardee's fast-food chain introduced the 1,420-calorie 107-fat-gram "Monster Thickburger." It contains two 1/3-pound slabs of Angus beef, four strips of bacon, three slices of cheese, and mayonnaise on a buttered sesame-seed bun.

14. Mississippi is the home of the mud pie, Cajun fried pecans, sweet potato crunch, fried shrimp, and catfish. Mississippi is also home to the country's fattest people—more than 25 percent of adult Mississippians are obese. Coincidence?

15. Recent studies have shown that obesity can cause you to lose sleep.

16. On the other hand, a lack of sleep may result in obesity.

17. It's a vicious cycle.

18. Never forget your past: Aborigines and the Pima indians of Arizona developed obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension after transitioning to a Western lifestyle.

19. If the entire morbidly obese population of the U.S. lived in one state, it would be the 12th highest-populated state, with more people than Virginia.

20. A 2003 study reported that 21 percent of all New York City elementary students from all income levels are obese.

Book Recommendation Retracted

Remember I mentioned I was reading Constant Craving - What Your Food Cravings Mean And How To Overcome Them by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.? Well, I just googled the author wondering if she had a website and she's pretty out there, spiritually speaking, so I no longer feel comfortable recommending her book, even though I have gained valuable insights from it. It was written in 1995 and since then she's moved away from counseling people about their overeating and what it might be hiding to something called "angel therapy".

Maybe I'm closed minded, (I'm rarely accused of that) but warning bells went off when I visited her website. So. Sigh. I'll keep analyzing my feelings when they cause me to run to food, but I think I'll do it without Ms. Virtue's help.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Week One Report

Well, I just finished seven straight days in which I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day. I haven't had that long of an exercise streak in a long time, so that's progress for me. Not only that, but for the last couple of days I've felt in control of my eating. I know that in a moment that control can slip, and if or when it does I'm going to try really hard to move on and stick with my program.

I had a great lunch today, and it was really satisfying. I had white chicken chili leftover from dinner last night. After that I had blueberries with a little vanilla yogurt sprinkled with chopped walnuts. Yum! I got the chili recipe at MealsMatter.org

I'm also making a point of taking my vitamins along with a B-complex. The B vitamins really make a difference for me. I don't know why I always stop taking them. It's the all-or-nothing girl in me. If I forget for a couple of days I tend to say, "Oh, forget it!"

I'm tempted to pull out the scale and weigh myself, but I promised myself I'd wait until March. If I did weigh myself and I hadn't lost weight I know I'd be disappointed, but really, after only one week it wouldn't be unusual for my weight to have not changed, so I'm not even going there. I don't want that disappointment to be an excuse to give up.

If I were going to give up, Tuesday would have been the day. I had had a bad day on Monday and woke up exhausted on Tuesday. Normally I would have used that as an excuse to just lie around and eat whatever I wanted in the name of "being good to myself", but this 3-Day Walk has really given me a reason to keep going!