Gaining Ground

I'm not quite where I want to be yet, but this morning I upped the peak speed to 3mph. From the result numbers, I'm thinking I'm going to have to be doing 3.5 - 4mph to meet the 1 mile in 15 min. The treadmill was throwing a bit this morning so need to have hubby look at the belt. It was enough that I don't think I'd want to try walking 4 the way it is. We'll have to see.

23min/ 1mi/ 172cal/ 3peak

And the journey continues

Another rough night

At least I didn't share the hide a bed with the granddaughter. With a pop-up storm (no rain just lots of light and noise) I spent the night in the recliner and slept in. I did get on the treadmill first thing before the day got crazy. The first full day Bob is home off the boat is always nuts. It actually turned out rather calm. I even got a nap. Here's the stats:

30 min/ 1.18 mi/ 207 cal/ 2.6 peak

I got a bit more done on the mileage because I failed to switch to cool down until the final two minutes instead of the last five minutes. It felt good but I knew the cool-down of 1.5mph was important.

I've been at this 5 straight days and it feels AWESOME!

Enjoying the Journey

Challenge day

The first day my husband is due home is always a challenge for me. In the back of my mind I worry about him making that long drive from Chicago to the southern MO Ozarks. It isn't a bad drive but there are so many drivers on the road who don't pay attention.

Add to that my previous evening. For some unknown reason my minutes after going to bed last night my granddaughter became filled with such sorrow, the sobs seemed to come all the way from her toes. She has NEVER cried like this before. In fact, she really isn't a crier. She's a very happy child. When she cries, you know there's something wrong.

It was also a night of predicted storms. For me, that means pulling out the hide a bed and camping out in the living room... the only place my 13+ year old Sheltie feels semi-safe during thunder and lightening. And she won't sleep in here alone.

Needless to say, it was almost 12:30 by the time my granddaughter had settled down to sleep, all the animals were tucked in somewhere for the night and I was trying to get comfortable without my body pillow on one side and the 2.5 yr old tucked into the back of my neck on the other side. That is until 6 a.m. when I feel a pat on my head and 'Hi Ma' in a very wide-awake voice. Too cheerful for my little sleep, LOL but precious just the same. I couldn't be upset with her. So during the time I'm usually enjoying quiet time, Handy Manny was already on the TV and I was in 'straighten the house' mode.

It would have been so easy to skip the treadmill today. Trust me. But I am so afraid if I miss one day then each day that follows will become easier and easier to let slide. I don't want to do that. So after getting supper underway, I gave hubby instructions for finishing and I laced up the shoes. I did the mile in just under 30 min. That mile would be faster if I didn't spend 10 min at 1.5 in warm up and cool down. But it will come and soon I'll be doing my mile in 15 minutes and working towards a new GOAL. For now.. here are today's stats.

1.08 mi./ 2.6 peak speed/ 195 cal/ 30 min.

And the Journey continues...

Walking still going strong

Okay, I know it's only Day 3 but trust me, with the way the last 18 months have been, doing the same thing three days in a row is HUGE.

I feel good about getting back into my old routine. It use to be (before kidlet and grandkidlet moved in) I was up, having fed the dogs, walked the Sheltie, made breakfast and carrying my coffee downstairs to the office all by 7:30. I usually didn't exercise until mid-day.

So with that in mind, I look forward to Day 4. For now, here are today's stats:

30 min./ 1 mi./ 2.6 peak speed/ 186 cal.

Enjoying the Journey

Exercise Check In

Okay... I did roll over and go back to sleep for about an hour this morning. The cool air in the bedroom sans rain was refreshing for a change and I just couldn't pass it up. It was remembering I needed to put the birdfeeder out that got my feet on the floor.

So here are my stats for today:

30min./ 1 mi./ 185 cal.

I think it's a little better than yesteday and it will improve with time and persistence.

And the Journey continues...
Kelly

Charting the Course

Well... I did it. I got on the treadmill this morning. I'm not talking after morning coffee, or time on the computer. I mean very first thing. I took care of personal business, laced up the tennies I bought strictly for exercise (but had yet to use) and set the machine in motion.

Keep in mind, it isn't a fast pace to start out. I walked for about 15 min. at 1.5 speed. Then I kicked it up to 2 for 10 minutes before coming back down to 1.5 for the final 5 min. It took me 31. minutes to walk the mile! OUCH! But I will get better over time. Back in my slimmer days I could walk the mile in 15 minutes. I'd be happy with that so I'm going to stick to today's plan for a week then gradually step up the pace. When I can clear the 1st mile in 15 minutes, I'll increase the mileage. I'd love to be able to walk 5 miles by September when I am planning my private vacation.


As I count down, take note of the bar at the top of the page (courtesy of www.tickerfactory.com). As the weight gets closer to the GOAL of 125, you'll see the bar move in that direction.

So let's get moving and...

Enjoy the Journey
Kelly

Oreos are EVIL!

If nothing else this post will show I am human. LOL

I seldom buy cookies or candy. Candy treats are reserved for National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org) and cookies are just something I don't eat a lot of... not even during the holidays when I bake TONS for gift boxes. But one cookie is a weakness. OREOS .

I've been drinking a lot of milk lately so when I saw Oreos on sale at the store last week, I bought a package. BIG MISTAKE. As of Wednesday I was at 179 pounds. Now keep in mind I have not even eaten half of the package yet 2 pounds found their way back to my waist. Ugh!

This morning the oreos have found a home in the freezer until I KNOW I can use them as a treat, not an indulgence.

Now.. Back on track and
Enjoying the Journey

Tame Your Sweet tooth!

8 Simple Changes to a healthy lifestyle and being Diet Free. This week we look at the final letter in the word DIET.

The 'T' in DIET is all about taming the sweet tooth. There is sugar in almost everything processed. Or worse yet, High Fructose Corn syrup! If you're over-indulging in products that contain either of these, you might as well start ordering the diabetic test strips now. Personally, I'd prefer to spend my money on other things - like rubber stamps and scrapbook paper. :-D So instead, let's look at how to eliminate these items from our food intake. (Notice I didn't say DIET)

First and foremost, if you're eating fresh fruits, you're getting all the sugar you need. And if you're eating it for snacks, chances are you are curbing your craving for 'sweet treats'. Now this doesn't mean you can NEVER EVER have something sugar sweetened... just make it COUNT. Keep the portion in mind. Example... 5 pices of Dove Caramel choclates are 200 Calories - 100 of which are FAT. If you keep your sweet treat on a 100 calorie level, only have 2. Just enough to know it's a TREAT... not a meal.

I also know firsthand it's almost impossible to go cold turkey. I have really strong willpower (low pain threshold but I can back off if I really put my mind to something). What you want to do is wean yourself back a little at a time. If you drink 4 (20 oz) sodas a day, promise yourself for one week you'll only have 3 (2 would be better but I'm a realist). The next week promise yourself only 2. By the third week you'll be down to 1 soda per day. I'm down to 1 (12 oz) soda over the course of 3 days. My GOAL is to get it down to 1 treat soda over a weekend or only on mowing day (one or the other)

I live in Sweet Tea country. I've always had sugar in my tea (okay... almost syrup). I had quit drinking tea for a long time but I really enjoy it in the summer. I'm gradually working my sugar content back. I'm down to 1/2 of what I would normally put in it. Every week I get a little skimpier with the sugar until eventually I'll have just enough to take the bitter edge off and be happy. I also only drink one glass of tea a day and not until I've had at least half of my water for the day.

The other REALLY BAD thing is High Fructose Corn syrup. This is a killer when it comes to developing Type2 Diabetes. The easiest way to avoid it is to READ LABELS. If a label says it contains High Fructose Corn syrup, PUT IT BACK. And the worst thing you can do for your child's diet is to give it to them.

It's all about the choices we make. Personally, I've made the choice to be healthy and hopefully be around to enjoy my granddaughter long after she's moved out. :-)

Enjoy the Journey!

Back on Track

Well, not off track as far as the program goes but getting back in touch will you guys. When I signed in to do today's post I was amazed it's been over three weeks since I last posted. I am soooo sorry. Between enjoying the final weeks with my grandtoddler (she moves to Nashville the end of June) and getting the garden in, I just haven't spent much time on line.

I have been doing very well on the eating and I've not lacked for exercise. There's a lot of bending, stooping, lifting, carrying when it comes to planting almost 30 tomatoe plants, mulching all the beds (tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries), getting the lawn fed and the first rounds of mowing/trimming for the season. Of course, now that most of the intensive work is done it's time to look ahead to a regular workout routine. I've decided against starting the Slim in 6 until after the toddler is gone and I can really get into it. Instead I'll be using the treadmill. I've not been on it since January so I think it's time.

How are you doing?

Enjoy the Journey
Kelly