It's Time To Conquer The Last Ten

[reserrano]

Okay--Here we go!!
I'm not real good at putting my thoughts into written words but I'll give it my best shot. Hey, it's really for me so who else really cares, right??
I started this WOE in Jan. 2006 at somewhere around 180 lbs. Not sure of the exact weight as I refused to get on the scale after seeing 177. I am all of 5' 1 3/4".
My weight has gone up and down many times in my 58 years but that was an all time high. I was very fit and very thin in my 40's after my divorce, but a really bad relationship sent me into hiding for several years. If I wasn't at work, then I was sleeping or eating.
Finally decided that if I didn't take control, I would be facing some major health issues. Diabetes runs in my family as well as lupus.
So in Jan 2006 I began my new lifestyle. I did not do any induction but just began eating the way I intend to eat for the rest of my life. The weight came off slowly. In Aug.2006 I was at 143 and the next 8 lbs.came off over the next 5 months.

Then--I decided that the next phase to my health plan was to quit smoking. I smoked my last cigarette on Jan. 10, 2007--Wonderful, huh??

I have not lost another ounce since Jan. 10, 2007!!!!

I look great in my clothes if I do say so myself. I'm wearing size 6 and even some 4's but that's just not good enough for me. I have major muffin tops and while I have no intention af anyone ever seeing me without clothes, I know I can do better.

So my new goal is to get rid of the last 10 and I intend to do that by really getting back into exercise. As I said, I was very fit when I was in my 40's and that was because I was at the gym every day and was really into lifting weights. I quit going because I felt that I would be invading my ex's space.
So with the advice of JuliaL on tapes and equipment for home use, I have decided to start back with the weights (not as intense as I am now quite a bit older).
Wish me luck and feel free to stop in and comment as often as you like.

[reserrano]

Okay--Day 1of my new fitness plan.

Couldn't decide what to do. I bought a Step and it came with a couple of videos by Cathe. I also bought 2 of the Firm and one by Jari Love. Hated to buy them since I had a gazillion exercise tapes that I gave away about 5 years ago.
The Cathe ones just have too much step/cardio and I'm really wanting more weights. I have an elliptical and a bike for cardio and I love my elliptical.
So I started with the Upper Body Firm today.
OMG--I actually thought I was in pretty good shape--until now. I will probably not be able to lift my arms in the morning. Of course, I have not lifted weights in 15 years.
But I feel really good!!!! And I am going to LOOK really good by my 59th birthday!!! That's my promise to myself--

So tomorrow it's lower body--
I will alternate upper and lower until I am able to do them on the same day. I will be doing weights 6 days a week and 33 min on the elliptical as well.
During the work week, I will probably do the elliptical in the morning and weights after work.Not sure which day will be my rest day--probably Sunday but not tomorrow since I'm just starting.

I'm really excited about this--

[reserrano]

DAY 2-- Arms didn't feel as bad as I expected this morning. Maybe I didn't work hard enough.
Just finished my lower body work-out. Okay--finished is stretching the truth a bit. Could only do about 2/3 of the routine.
I'm not really happy with the Firm tapes that I have. I would still like to get some Cathe workouts but I don't want any cardio step routines. Went to the web site and I'm thinking I will order the Muscle Max dvd as it seems to be a basic work-out for the whole body. The gym series and pyramid series and slow and heavy series are probably way too advanced for me at this point.
I feel good--even if I can't finish the work-out--I'm trying.
Today is the last day of my vacation I'm going to have to really stay focused on my goals so I will continue with my plan. I know that the more I exercise, the more I will want to exercise.
Really wish I could find the perfect DVD to motivate me though.
Okay-gotta get moving--Need to clean the aquarium
and cook a couple things to take to work this week. Already have yogurt going in the Donvier.
Really wish I could retire--I so enjoy being at home!!

[reserrano]

Day 3
Vacation is over
Got up at 3:50 so I would have plenty of time.
Definately feel the calves this morning after yesterdays work-out. Just finished 28 min. on the elliptical and then had some yogurt for breakfast. I love my home-made yogurt!! This batch turned out good and thick.
My intention is to do upper body tonight--
I really, really hate to go back to work

[reserrano]

Day 4
Still sticking to my plan. First day back at work after vacation was hectic and was tired when I got home last night. It would have been so easy to just pile up on the sofa and watch TV but I didn't. Did the Firm upper body work-out--this time doing all but the very last exercise.
Made myself a nice big salad for dinner and was ready for bed before 8:30. I can't believe how good I slept. Very unusual to not wake up several times during the night. I slept like the proverbial log. That's a big plus for exercise.
Still working out my schedule. I think I'll do the elliptical this evening and back to lower body weights tomorrow. Monday and Wed. I get off at 4 so there's more time. May have to do weights 4 days a week instead of 6.
I am anxious to see what results I get after a month. I'm not going to get on the scale until July 1 cause I know there's usually an increase in the beginning.

Okay--Attitude's good--ready to start my day!!!

[reserrano]

Day 5
Yesterday ended up being kind of a rest day. I did get in 20 min on the elliptical before work but that's it. Frustrated at work and couldn't get a few things off my mind to concentrate on exercise. Late getting home also.
So today it's the elliptical this morning and then lower body weights this evening. It's my 4 o'clock day so no excuses tonight.
I guess I should track my food here as well but I haven't had trouble with that in a long time.
Been having yogurt mixed with protein powder and various other things (Fiber one, fruit, natural PB or choc. bark) for breakfast most days.
Lunch for the last 2 days has been Thai Beef with cauliflower fried rice.
Dinner has been a salad w/salami, cheese and ham.
Snacks have been cheese/beef stick and sunflower seeds. If I had to point out a problem it would be portion control on the seeds and too much processed meats.
It's after 5--have to jump on the elliptical.
Hope today's a better day at work--8 more years till I can retire!!!

[reserrano]

Day 6
Last nights lower body routine wasn't good. Had a bad catch in my left hip. Tried working through it but couldn't. So only did about 20 min--about half of the work-out. This week-end I will try the Jari Love DVD and see if that suits me better. Still would like to find a Cathe one so I'm tuning in to FitTv pretty often to check hers out. So far the ones I've seen have too much step.
Have already been on the elliptical for 28 min this morning. Eating my wonderful yogurt now and enjoying the last few minutes before I have to get ready for the dreaded work. Week-end is almost here--

[reserrano]

Day 7
Still motivated--amazing how the more you exercise, the more you want to.
I decided to go ahead and order a few (4 to be exact) of the Cathe DVD's. I'm sure I will have to gradually work into them but I'm excited to try them out. The ones I ordered are: Muscle Max, Gym Style Chest & Triceps, Gym Style Legs and Butts & Guts.
She uses barbells and a High Step but I'm going to see if I can just use my dumbbells and regular step for now.
Today's a late day for work so it's just the elliptical this morning.
So glad it's finally Friday. Very frustrating at work this week. I may need to think about making a change just to keep my sanity. It's just hard to do at my age.
I guess that's all for now--time to get on the elliptical and hope it gives me an attitude adjustment for work.

[reserrano]

Day 8
Finally the week-end is here!! Lots of stress at work yesterday which made me sooo tired by the time I got home that I didn't even want to fix dinner. Worked late too. Walked Cookie, changed my clothes and it was almost 7. Dinner was a hamburger patty and some sunflower seeds--way too many sunflower seeds. I have got to quit buying seeds and nuts as I have no control eating them.
Exercise today will be the elliptical this morning before I get dressed and then upper body weights later on. I can't wait for my new dvd's to get here. I hope I'm not disappointed in my choices.

Have to go to the commissary today so I need to decide what I want to eat for the week. I think I'll make Tooter's ricotta pie--that sounded good. I've been on a salad kick for quite a while now and I think I'm gaining from that. That's another thing I don't have portion control with. I make huge salads.

Still not getting on the scale but I'm not feeling thin. Before I quit smoking my weight flucuated between 133.8 and 137. Since then it's been staying at the higher end of that range. I really would like to see a loss soon. I want to get below 130 so with fluctuations I don't go over 130.

Time to start my day--

[leeney]

reserrano,

You sound so disgusted with your job; may I ask what you do?

[reserrano]

Hi leeney--I work for a bank.

[reserrano]

Day 9
I guess I kind of took today off. I'm waiting for my new Cathe dvd's--that's my excuse--and I just really don't like the Firm. I was going to try the Jari Love one but didn't.
I DID go out and ride my bike. That bike has been in my storage shed since 2000 and I have not used it once. So I pulled it out and pumped up the tires (surprised they weren't dry rotted) and cleaned all the weby things off of it and took off down the bike path to the oceanfront. Turned around and then went through all the neighborhoods on the way back. Had a really nice ride. I plan to do that more often. May even do it again this evening.
Just finished lunch--one of Gary's enchiladas with mole sauce--and it was so good. That recipe is definately a keeper.
My yogurt is in the Donvier so with Gary's enchiladas and Tooter's ricotta pie, I'm prepared for the week.

[reserrano]

Haven't posted in a few days so I'm going to quit starting with DAY whatever.
My new Cathe dvd's arrived on Monday but I had to work late so I didn't get to work out till last night. I did do 28 min on the elliptical Tues. and yesterday morning.
Started out with the timesaver program of Muscle Max and didn't do too bad for an old lady. Of course I used way lighter weights than she did. I was able to use my dumbbells for all the exercises so I don't have to get a barbell right away. I do need to get a different resistance band--I have a cord and it doesn't work for these exercises.
Tonight will be the elliptical. Next weight day will be Friday since it's my early Friday at work.
Now for the bad---
Got on the scale yesterday morning (I know I said I wasn't going to until July 1 but felt like I was gaining) and was up 5 lbs. Well really only 3 but 5 from the lowest I've seen so far. I'm not changing my stats but I need to write it here--138.4. Not good, not good. I'm going to get back to basics for a couple of weeks, except for my morning yogurt, and see if I can get back down. So, no more Gary's enchiladas and no more seeds and nuts.

[reserrano]

It's finally Friday!!!! And my early Friday too!!!
So tonight will be my Muscle Max workout and maybe a few minutes on the elliptical. If the weather is nice, I intend to get in a couple of bike rides over the week-end.
Need to decide what I'm cooking for next week and get to the commissary early in the morning.

Yesterday was such a long day at work--hope today goes by quicker.

[reserrano]

Really slack last night--didn't exercise.
Went to the commissary this morning and then started cooking. Made the Scotch eggs, a zucchini, squash casserole and the hamburgers with blue cheese on the grill.
Then went on a bike ride to the oceanfront and back thru the neighborhoods.Not great but not bad either. Then cut the grass in the front--
All in all, not a bad day--
Now--if I could just win the lottery so I didn't have to go back to work on Monday--I'd be a happy camper

[reserrano]

Okay--time to make some adjustments here. I'm finding that my body can't do what my mind wants it to. Finding the time is also a problem.
So--new plan is to work into the full Muscle Max program 3 days a week. Last night I did the timesaver one which is 56 min. I'll stick to that until I can do all the exercises with ease. Had a little trouble with my right knee on some of the lower body exercises so need to watch that. On opposite days, will get on the elliptical and on week-ends will get in a bike ride if the weather is nice.
Getting frustrated with not losing any weight. A 5 month stall is enough. Really going to try and focus on the food. It's hard to be strict again after adding in a few things. And I've only added in yogurt, a little fiber one and nuts and seeds. It's got to be the sunflower seeds that are the problem. I'd rather give them up than the yogurt. I love my homemade yogurt!!

[reserrano]

Mentally exhausted from work last night. Server was fried from the storm Tuesday so all transactions had to be done manually. What a pain. Keeping track of all cash in and cash out and vault transfers on paper leaves too much room for mistakes. Thankfully everyone balanced yesterday. Meeting the tech at 7:30 am to install new motherboard which is coming from PA. Please God, I hope it got here!!

Had a really good work-out. Was able to do the timesaver program, 56 min, without any trouble with my knee. Felt good. I've slacked a little on the elliptical but getting on it this morning. I have plenty of time since I woke up at 2. Mind started turning so knew it was pointless to even try to go back to sleep.

[reserrano]

TGIF--Yea!!!!
Work yesterday was long day--got there at 7:20 and the tech got the server up and running at 8:55--5 min. before the doors opened. Thank God because Thursday is hectic on a normal day. Was suppose to leave early but as usual, that didn't happen.
Only did the elliptical yesterday and today is my late day so I doubt that I will get in any exercise for today.
Trying to be aware of my food. Haven't had a salad all week. They seem to be a problem for me. Haven't succeeded in totally cutting out the sunflower seeds but I think I've cut down considerably. Have to work on that issue more. I feel thinner but going to try and stay off the scale until at least July 1.

[reserrano]

Wasn't suppose to weigh till tomorrow but felt thin so weighed this morning--136.4. Happy about that. Still not down to my lowest but I'll take it for now. My mini goal is to be at or below 130 by the time my first grandchild arrives the end of Sept. I know I can do it!!

I've been eating my yogurt but adding flax instead of Fiber One
Only had one salad all week and that was yesterday for lunch--everyone wanted to try new restaurant, Tijuana Flats.
Added a little CO back in-putting in my coffee and yogurt. Still not sure if I believe all the wonderful things I've read about it but I don't think a T or so a day will hurt.
Did not totally cut out my sunflower seeds but have tried to not eat so many.
Have made lunch my biggest meal and dinner the smallest.

Easy changes and I'm pleased with the results so I'll stick to this for another week and see what happens.
Today is a good day!!!!

[reserrano]

Forgot to add this note--
I always thought I had a medium frame but according to charts that go by your height as well as wrist and elbow, I am actually a large frame. My wrist is only 6 inches but because I am under 5'2" that is considered large.

[reserrano]

July-4
I so needed this day off. The last two days at work have been the absolute worst. I was so tired Monday both physically and mentally that I didn't think I'd make it. I made myself work out Monday night and surprisingly had a great work-out. Felt much better and was proud that I did it. Yesterday stressfull. Have a mistake in the work somewhere and cannot find it. Tried all day--Sheila even came to help me and she couldn't find it either. Hope it comes up on the TLRI report tomorrow. Eight years and never had this happen.
So came home last night and had my first binge in probably a year. Everything I had was legal except the wine, of course, but just couldn't stop eating. And the stuff I ate was just crazy. Vienna sausage, bacon, sweet potato fries and seeds and nuts washed down with 3 glasses of wine. The sweet pot. fries have been in my freezer for months. I tried them once and had no desire to eat them again so why did I pull them out last night????? Woke up this morning with an upset stomach--wonder why!!! Have made several trips to the bathroom already and think there's more to come. At least I shouldn't gain anything from my binge.
OK so today is another day. Going to try not to think about work and just have faith that everything will straighten itself out. Wednesday is an exercise day so gonna get that in sometime. Plan to cut the grass and then grill some burgers.

[reserrano]

Been MIA for a little bit. Not off plan but adding in a little too much. Weight has been staying at the 138 mark and I'm tired of that.
Cooked all week-end so I'm prepared for the work week. Did 28 min. on the elliptical and headed off to the shower now.

Why, when I know that I feel better when I exercise, do I ever stop???

[reserrano]

OK this is it--Had a horrible summer--lots to deal with emotionally--problems with job, family and finances, but the summer is over so let's get a grip and move on.
I want this weight off!!!!! I want to get back into exercising!!!!!!!!! My mental health is so much better when I am exercising and when I feel thin. I don't have to be skinny but I don't want to be fat either. I have gained 5 solid pounds and I want them off and 5 more as well.
I WILL do this for me--Not anyone else--but me.
I do not care if my family does not agree with my low carb lifestyle or if they think I am obcessed (sp) with it. It is my life and not theirs.
So---here we go---and to he** with everyone else. Soon, very soon, I'm going to look great!!!! That's a promise!!!!!

[reserrano]

Why is it that when I make huge declarations, it still takes me a couple of days to get into them???
It's Tuesday and I finally got back on the elliptical and it feels good. Today is my early day at work and I'm taking my walking shoes and going to walk on the Boardwalk when I get off. At least 30 min--