Plus-Sized Pin Up

When I got home from the gym, I really sat down and finally thought about things.

Getting exercise has been amazing! My hubby has even noticed my increased energy, mood, and general health. I have been plugging away at the gym since August, and I'm very proud of myself. I haven't needed an accountability buddy to keep me going. I have been my own motivation, and that is really affirming. And, even though a lot of weight has not been lost, I feel sexy! For the first time, in a LONG time, I feel sexy and hot!

While the exercising has been amazing, my eating options have not been the best. At this point, I am just maintaining my weight: Exercising enough to burn off the calories I consume. I'm tired of that lifestyle. And, yes, I admit that I like soda, I enjoy eating out, not having limitations on what I eat, overeating due to love of food/flavor, etc. But, you know what, I am worth more than that. As discussed in older posts, I come from a long, long line of diabetics. All of my mother's aunts (and mother) have diabetes and my dad has to give himself shots. Even though all of my blood chemistry is awesome, I am still setting off pre-diabetic warning signals. If I die early, I want to due to something outside of my control. I don't want to be sitting here 20+ years from now and wish/regret that I never cared about myself.

Granted, it would be nice to lose weight! But I don't want that my focus. If I eat healthy and continue with the exercise and don't lose weight, *shrug* than I don't. However, I think keeping a tab on my weight is a good thing. For one, I will know what is normal for me and possibly when I hit a plateau.

Anyway, here is the plan:

• 151 days (5mo) to change blood chemistry/diabetes markers and get into regular healthy eating habits (actually getting a food journal going).
• By the first week of April, I want to be able to jog 3 miles in about 30 minutes and be able to keep up with Juneau
  

The strategy:

I need to get back into the habit of weekly menu planning. We are tight for money, so it would save a lot. Well, it did save a lot of money. We were able to stay within our food budget. As for exercise, I'm planning on working through Couch to 5k. I don't want to run a 5k, but it would be awesome to have that ability!

I usually have issues with New Year's resolutions, but this is mine. I'm going to continue heading to the gym 3x/wk and working myself hard. However, while still thinking about being mindful of portion control -- especially on the holidays! -- the major food overhaul will start on January 1, 2011. My counter of 151 days and 3 miles will start on January 1 as well.

Anyways, that's it. It seems kind of daunting, but I know I can do it!

Kim Kardashian Butt Sculpting is amazing! I read some less than positive reviews about the DVD online, so I was really hesitant to buy it. Luckily it was on VOD on the Exercise TV channel. If you really want to focus into your core (working mostly your butt and thighs in this exercise), this really challenges that. Working through pilates, I thought I was working on my core, but I really feel the burn and the muscles working in this workout. I think sticking with this 2/wk and gym 3/wk will work on my core and keep up the cardio.

Working through this video for the first time was hard. A lot of the stretches I didn't feel ready to do. Also the cardio was really kicking my ass. You wouldn't think I spend 20 minutes on the elliptical 3/wk and treadmill 10 minutes 3/wk!

On Thursday, I need to remember to set up a chair for the balancing exercises. I also want to challenge myself to make it through the whole workout.

Now to cruise the other programs to see what I am working with for the next month (VOD usually keeps programs for a month before they change them out). After that, my book waits :)

No change on the weight front. I'm feeling a little sad about it. However, I'm not in this for the numbers on the scale. My goal is to become healthier, and I really think I'm getting there. My eating this week has not been the best, but I have kept up my physical activity. Haha, even though I am still a very sedate person, my energy level is going up after each session on the gym! I come in feeling exhausted and worn out, and I leave feeling energized, refreshed, and awake! All the scale is telling me is that I'm maintaining and not gaining. Plus, I know I am gaining muscle, so that will add weight. I also looked at my measurements. In my bust and hips area, it looks as though I lost of inches. However, I realized that I wasn't wearing my bra, and I was during the previous measurements. That doesn't work :P My waist line is saying I added a couple inches :( If I think about retaking them, I'll add the updated measurements sometime this afternoon.

Even though I didn't eat the best, I had a larger intake of water yesterday. For some reason, I haven't been feeling thirsty. When I feel hungry, it doesn't feel the same, so . . . *shrug*

Juneau killed hubby's computer the other night. She was chasing Dizzy all over the house and furniture. She jumped on hubby twice and scratched the hell out of his computer screen. The first time he might have been still able to work on it. But after the second time, there was no coming back. We have moved my computer, and he us using it in the evenings. My computer time is usually limited to the morning and afternoon, so it works out well. Although I realize that I just enabled him to continue playing instead of spending time together. *shrug* Can't win them all.

Ug, I need to clean my house! Angel is coming on the 10th, and this place is a pigsty! Hubby promised to do dishes since I was cooking all the time. The kitchen has yet to bear any fruit in that regard. The rest of the house is left up to me. He always freaks out when dealing with my stuff . . . Well, really, something not his own. I also need to get the guest bathroom cleaned up for Angel. Although I have claimed that one as my own. Since Juneau likes to dig through the cat box for snacks, it has been moved to the master bathroom. I cannot stand it! Even kept clean, there is more smell due to the humidity and the smaller space. Also, the guest bathroom has better lighting for make up and such. Needless to say, IT NEEDS CLEANING! I also need o try and organize my make up. For me, it isn't too terrible being all over the counter, but for guests it makes it hard for them to use the faucet and such.

Anyways, Hack/Slash is calling my name. I want to get some more reading done and then convince myself to get up and start working.

Goal for next week: Get back to menu planning, make better food choices, and continue shredding it at the gym.

Goals 8/1 - 8/7:

• Get my bike tires filled
  
• Start riding my bike again /get Juneau used to walking with a bike so she can join me later
  
• Walk Juneau down to the mail box everyday -- working on "heel"
• Walking with hubby and Juneau in the park Friday evening (I hope to make this more of a several-times-a-week occurrence)
  
• Try one of my other Pilates DVDs, and try the accelerated fat burning workout
  
• Find time for both yoga and DDR
  
• Figure out the rec center drama (I'm tempted just to get a membership and go by myself)
  
• Take some time for just me -- reading book, playing video games, etc

Last week went a lot better than I had anticipated. I had a few missteps, but it went really well. A lot of the outdoors goals went south. The weather here was pretty unpredictable. The other day quarter-sized hail was beating down. Needless to say, I didn't want to go outside! However, I did get Juneau walked one time ^_~ Aside from that, I followed my exercises very well. The sculpting pilates DVD kicked my ass. I was excited!

Goals 9/8 - 9/15:

• Get out and ride my bike
• Work with Juneau
• Getting a tour -- and hopefully and membership -- of the rec center
• Continue changing up the pilates DVDs
• Try to alternate yoga and DDR
• Choose better snack ideas/snack a little less
• If I get a membership at the rec center, start heading over there in the morning after dropping hubby off at work

Today I was a little bit better with food, but found myself snacking a lot. In all honesty, I'm not sure if I was hunger or it was out of habit. Some of it was due to hunger, but it wasn't the whole reason.

Success: My parents moved to Memphis, TN a few years back. They have been trying to sell their house since March. Their Realtor is cocky and arrogant. When people are brought to the house, he never makes sure to check his listing. Most of the lights have been burnt out because they have been left on, almost all the cabinets were open, etc. Anyways, my parents want me to stop by the house and make sure everything is fine. They also want me to work on some cleaning while I'm there.

To the point, the house is built into a hill and has a two-story climb up the stairs and into the house. When I was still a teenager, I could fly up the stairs without being out of breath. There is also a staircase to the upper bedrooms -- mine was up there. Anyways, this afternoon was the first time for a long while that I felt energized to walk up! Granted, I was still out of breath, but I didn't feel tired or anything. The same happened with the stairs to the upper story. I don't know if it was due to the weekly exercise, increased energy from eating better, or what, but it was awesome!

I'm sitting in front of the TV while typing on my computer. Silent Hill is on. It makes me want to get out my copy. I have one of the later games in the series. But the whole thought creeps me out! I freakin' love that game, but it scares the shit out of me. I know I need to head upstairs, but I want to avoid it. I know there are nasty monsters lurking up there! For heaven's sake, I saw Pyramid Head!!!! Thankfully, according to Wiki, I don't ever have to face him. I will see him a few more times, but that's it. However, I need to remind myself that Batman: Arkham Asylum is waiting to be finished. I'm pretty close to confronting Killer Croc. yay!

I got a couple of CDs this afternoon. I'm planning on ripping them and putting them on my iPod. The idea of making a workout playlist makes me giddy! *^_^*

Things have not gone according to plan this weekend. And, honestly, I'm having a hard time caring. We have a friend over playing Super Mario Wii, and it's good to be around people. I'm to much of a recluse :P

I got a late start this morning, which means a late breakfast. After going to the store, I finally have real milk to enjoy with cheerios. That milk-coloured water really was not milk! Around 1-2ish, I ate two servings of enchiladas. Damn, those things are good! It was hard to say "no." And, I hate to admit, but I broke down and drank a Coke. Yes, I know . . . Ice cold Coke. Hard to say "no" to one. However, I have some low calorie stroganoff (sp) cooking in the crock pot. It smells super yummy! Nom nom nom!

Well, tomorrow is a new week. Even though I've had some slippage, this week has not been very hard. Yeah, I crave stuff and I snake too much, but it don't feel as though I am being deprived. I'm ecstatic that things are coming so well. On top of that, I've been on top of my weekly exercise. If I'm honestly with myself and put down feelings of guilt, this week has been pretty successful! Going into next week, I am super pumped and encouraged! This blog has really been beneficial. Also, all of you ladies (and a couple guys ^_~) have really encouraged me! It is so empowering to see success stories! It is obtainable, and I'm worth it.

Tomorrow previous week in review, status of previous week's goals, and goals for the new week.

Goals 8/1 - 8/7:

• Get my bike tires filled
• Start riding my bike again (start slow. 7mi is unreasonable!*)/get Juneau used to walking with a bike so she can join me later
  
• Walk Juneau down to the mail box everyday -- working on "heel"
• Walking with hubby and Juneau in the park Friday evening (I hope to make this more of a several-times-a-week occurrence)
• Try one of my other Pilates DVDs, and try the accelerated fat burning workout
• Find time for both yoga and DDR
• Figure out the rec center drama (I'm tempted just to get a membership and go by myself)
• Take some time for just me -- reading book, playing video games, etc.
  

*I used to ride by bike 7mi/day. I cannot do that anymore :(