January 2010 HEALTHY LIFE

[Karen M.]

I walked today for the exercise...not for shopping ..did a mile in my new shoes and I have to say my legs and butt were feeling it. I have been doing well with my journal and was reminded today about how tough the first days of a new routine are....I ate plenty, but my tummy is arguing about wanting more...I know this will pass, but it's not the fun part is it! BUT I am determined and I know tomorrow will be better or at least different and less of the grumbly tummy making itself known. My water intake is good and I am back on my vitamins and can feel the difference that makes. Tomorrow I have scheduled a weigh in and measurements at Curves....not exactly looking forward to that, but I know it will make tracking things easier for me personally. Thursday afternoon my friend Sandy is letting me use her long arm to quilt my DD#2's quilt.....I have had a couple lessons and think it will be a good day to play with Sandy and her long arm.
So I am saying Life is Good and I am glad to be totally aware of that!!!

[Margo C.]

For those who didn't watch BIGGEST LOSER last night, it was a real eye opener! Talk about being thrown in to the deep end! Before the contestants even got to the house they were taken to the gym and had to ride stationery bikes for 26.2 miles per team!!! Yep, a combined marathon, and some of these folks had never even been on a bike before! The last two teams to get to that milage were eliminated and sent home, without even seeing the house! This year they have the LARGEST contestants ever. The largest young man started at 526 pounds. In the first week he lost an amazing 34 pounds!

http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser...tants/michael/

Like I said before. Not everyone can leave their real life and do nothing but exercise and diet, but the show last night proved once again what determination and a willing to work hard for a better life can do.

One day at a time folks....WE CAN DO THIS!

[Mary K.]

Thanks for the info, Margo! I meant to watch that last night, but watched the Orange Bowl instead (the football game, not the bowl of oranges in our kitchen :wink: ). The Biggest Loser was really motivational for me last year and I hope to get motivated by it again this year!

[Karen G.]

I love to watch the Biggest Loser...only problem is that here we are like three seasons behind!!!! LOL Why not try to watch it while riding a stationery bike, walking on a treadmill or elliptical trainer???? I always feel like I can do anything after watching those contestants work out! My biggest struggle has been water....I must be dehydrated and holding onto every ounce my can body can grab. I hate drinking water when I wake up!!!!

[Karen G.]

For anyone interested, here's a link to a news story about one of my favorite sites. I think it would be helpful to many on the journey to health here. You can belong to Penni's site for free by answering a few questions. It is well worth it, as there are MANY free recipes, great discussions and support *)* Her site is first class. If you get just one good idea, it's worth it! Jan

http://www.newson6.com/Global/catego...;flvUri=&p

[Karen G.]

This is a good message also

http://rawfoodrehab.ning.com/video/h...ealthy-changes

[Karen G.]

Went into Curves today (first since before the holidays). Of course, they wanted to weigh me and measure me. Well, I had lost 1 lb!! Now, that surprised me as I was terrible over the holidays in my food consumption. But what really surprised me was that I had lost 1 inch from my arms and several from my stomach!!!! So....moving does help!!!!!! Anything is better than nothing!!! Keep going, girls!!!

[Karen M.]

Great news Karen...I did the weigh and measure thing myself on Monday and it wasn't as bad as I had thought...but still not good. On my scales I have gone down 2 lbs....water weight no doubt, but I'll take it!
Keep up the good work....and yes moving does help...but it sorta aches a bit since it has been so long...It couldn't be the age stuff talking to me, could it??? :shock: :shock:

[Margo C.]

OK, ladies! (And any lurking guys! :wink: )

It's Friday!! I've lost 1.4 pounds since last Friday!! WHOO-HOO!!
Alvin and I have walked 1-1/2 miles almost every day since Christmas, and I've been careful not to snack at all after 7PM. I'm also very concious of portion control. I think it helps that I have started serving our meals on smaller plates! It looks like I'm eating the same amount as before, but it's really less!

If portion control is confusing for you....all that measuring and stuff....the next time you are shopping for groceries, pick up a pre-made frozen meal. Eat that for one meal and you will know how large (SMALL???) our portions really should be!!! :shock: Check the calories on the box and you can see how much of a daily intake that represents.

I don't do the weighing, and the journaling because I can pretty much restrict myself to foods that I know are good for me and eat small amounts through the day, but you need to find what is going to work for you and DO IT!!!!

Remember we are not on a DIET!! We are making changes that we can live with long term for a HEALTHY LIFE!

There are lots of sites on line that talk about calories needed, but this offers numbers in a nutshell, as well as other opinions:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...=1006042911573

So....how did you do this week?????????????

[Mary H.]

I didn't start until Monday and I've already lost 3.5 lbs. I know it's water weight, but I'll take it any way I can get it. DH has lost about the same amount. I hope to lose 1 to 2 lbs a week, and by doing that maybe I won't have too much sagging skin. I'm not counting calories or journaling, just portion control and no fried foods or gravies, also more fruit and veggies. Our biggest problem has been eating out. I do plan to eat out at lunch one day and supper one day and watch what I eat. We have a fabulous Mexican restaurant and I'm having withdrawal for their chips and salsa. DD and I will eat there tomorrow lunch after quilt guild, and I'll have to really watch how much I eat. Mary Kay, you would be proud - I'm drinking much more water. I found some small bottled water at Wal Mart (10 oz. bottles). Having a small container to drink from, it doesn't seem too large a task. By drinking several of those a day I'm good. I just refill the bottles from the tap. Here's to a healthier life.

[Mary H.]

Still maintaining this week...am going to have to exercise with a DVD or my Wii today because our frozen layer of ice (due to a small amount of snow and very cold temperatures) has me "snowed in." Exercise classes were canceled for today, anyway. Our one and only sand truck went over an embankment this morning while trying to sand the main roads in our neighborhood. Good thing I stocked up on "good" groceries on Tuesday, because I won't be leaving the house for another day or so until we get some melting.

[Lynn K.]

Caarole, I am in the same boat here in Clarkesville, GA. Recommend no getting out unless emergency.

I have a good DVD of Peggy Cappy Yoga for the back which is my companion for the new year.

I too stocked up on groceries so am prepared for all but loss of electricity - and figured if that happened, the doggie would be allowed in my bed! ha

Lynn

[Mary K.]

I'm drinking much more water. I found some small bottled water at Wal Mart (10 oz. bottles). Having a small container to drink from, it doesn't seem too large a task. By drinking several of those a day I'm good. I just refill the bottles from the tap. Here's to a healthier life.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Go, Girl!!!

[Mary K.]

I had a good start this week - I lost 4 pounds (I think I mainly got rid of all the bloating from my eating choices over the holidays).

I did well on portion control, I did ok on water consumption (not great though, with only about half the water I should be drinking), took my vitamins every day, and I didn't get the exercising done like I had originally planned.

I have some improvements to make in my health plan next week - mainly water and exercise, but have a good foundation started that I will build upon!

Thanks, All, for going at this together!

Mary Kay, in icy cold Atlanta, where we had a "Snow Day" today (no school because of snow!!!)

[Bonnie J.]

Have lost 4 pounds according to my scale. I am praying. I won't get excited until next week. If it is still gone then, with another pound or 2 THEN I will jump for joy.
I have been watching portions and types of foods. (The chocolate covered peanuts are still on top of the upper cupboard.) I have exercised every day this week including starting on a different exercise program to change things up a bit.
Keep going everybody! This is just the warm-up week. We can get healthier together!!!!!