Heather Shrinks in Houston!

[Jean@125]

Heather,
Just wanted to say I admire your dedication. I always get a smile or a chuckle reading through your journal. Jeanie

[Houston Heather]

Thanks Jean!

Today was interesting. I got up at 2:45, got our ride. With paratransit you are not assured a straight trip. Today we rode an hour out of our way to pick up another blind man. I can't help but compare him to my husband, and the other guy always comes up short! The other guy only complains and he is getting really huge. I don't expect him to work out but SLOW DOWN AT THE TABLE, DUDE! He's put on like 80 pounds in a year. I compare him to Ron, slim at 153, even after a stroke.

Anyway, so we had to ride with this guy. We got to work at 5! We go in, I start stocking. Ron comes up to me at 6 and says "They screwed up our soda delivery". What? I don't know what he did wrong, but our sales guy "hit the wrong button". No delivery today, or tomorrow.

No, it's going to come on my PAYDAY! I have to get up at 3 AM, again, on Friday [Heather gets out the violin and plays it] Poor, poor me.

Oh, well, at least no one will be around when I take the money out of the vending machines to count it. I always hate doing that when people are around. If they got their pay in $1 bills, it would look pretty awesome too.

I ate a sausage patty for breakfast and another bag of peanuts at work. I like them because they stick around for so long, they don't fizzle out like the high-carb stuff and I like peanuts. I do plan to go easy on them, though.

Ron and I had a little "discussion" at work but I felt like he really understood my point of view. He said he would let me know I'm appreciated and not do any more name-calling. I'm happy.

We left work and came home. I was exhausted and had a brief nap.

We planned to go to our favorite BBQ place and that's what we did. Only problem, our pickup ride to get us there was so late we literally ran in, got our food to go, and got into the vehicle waiting to take us home again. Ay yi yi. I ate my link sausage with no sauce (very tasty) while Ron ate his brisket.

I took my pills, took my nap, woke up, did some housework, and did my weights. I did deadlifts, chest, and back. It look an hour and 10 minutes. I feel very relaxed and empowered right now. I am always extremely careful when I work out with the weights. If I feel I'm getting sloppy I will stop the movement instantly. I've never been injured because I'm careful.

Tomorrow should be easy. I am getting up early and going for my run. A couple hours later, Ron wants to go to KFC. If I'm careful, I can eat a roast chicken salad with my own dressing and bacon on the side. If I eat enough fat, the greens don't spike my blood sugar.

Time to shower and eat... then finish that laundry.

Take care!

[Snowman]

Stopping by to say HEATHER!!

WOW, 3:00 AM get up!! We get up at 5:00 am and I thought that was early!!

Keep up the good work!!

[Houston Heather]

Thanks!

Well, don't tell, but we only work part-time... shhh. A "long day" is more than 4 hours.

I had today off, and when I woke up I realized my period had started! Thank God! Now I can get rid of, I kid you not, 2 inches of water retention bloat in my breasts. Running the first lap today was hell they hurt so much.

My butt measurement is flirting with 44.5. Yeah!

So, I woke up, got dressed for my run, and ran. I thought I'd have the park to myself. No. I don't get the people who come, do a lot of stretching, walk 10 minutes and leave. She had on the ipod, expensive exercise outfit, etc. Maybe she's recovering from an injury.

I always make up stories to go with the people I meet. I kept telling myself "Any exercise is better than NO exercise, don't judge." I saw my older lady who walks slow, she is doing really well. I thought it was funny that she quit right after I did. She lives near me, because she passed my house as she walked home (and I'm off the main street). I am very proud of HER because she is there every day at 6:30 and she is working. She takes her health seriously.

I also saw that heavy jogger I told you about. It is oppressively humid, she was walking today. Smart woman.

With 93% humidity, I was happy to run at all. My endurance has been great, and I plan to run again on Sunday probably. Tomorrow, up again at 3. However, I do get paid, a trip to the mall, and a trip to Walmart. I will make a deposit so I can buy some supplements online.

Saturday's even more fun. We go to Sam's club to buy supplies for the business, come home, and then we go to Starbucks (for Ron), and I walk over to the sporting goods, used sporting goods, and health food stores. Fun, fun, fun.

I used to use Glutamine powder. It is horrible tasting, like baking soda meets vitamin C. My lemonade powder (Walmart generic sugarfree) is VERY acidic and will mask the glutamine taste. I add extra vitamin C powder to it all the time and I can never tell the difference.

Glutamine is very good for your immune system and muscle recovery after exercise. It really helped me one day when I was coming down with a cold. I'd love to start taking it again but the TASTE! This way, I can. I also found a very good deal on it, a nice little jar for less than $10. I don't want much to start, so it's perfect.

I'm also thinking about buying some supplement packs - the kind that have several vitamins in each packet. You take one packet a day. I would need to add my Acetyl L-Carnitine and CoQ10 to the packets, but other than that they appeared to have excellent proportions. Buying all the ingredients seperately takes up a lot of money and room. I'll just break open the packets and put them in my daily pill thing. I set it up with my prescriptions and supplements, morning and evening. Yeah. I like it.

I want to do an inventory of my weights, too, and see what I need. I might get some 5 pound plates. I'd like to get some 4 pound dumbells, now that they make 'em. I have everything from 1 pound up to 3, then 5-20. When I'm doing a triceps or shoulder exercise, a 4 pound pair would be awesome. I might get some more stretchy bands too. I like working with them on occasion and they are good for working the rotator cuff muscles. I want to keep my shoulders happy.

I don't need any new clothes but I need to call the Salvation Army to take away the 2 kitchen trash bags full of fat clothes. I won't be needing THEM again. I plan to finally dispose of all the size 8 and up underwear. I don't need them, I won't, but it still melts my brain every time I look at the "tiny" garmets and they fit every time. I wear them when I'm weightlifting (with baggy shorts on top) so they're right for me.

I was so cheap that when I started gaining again I saved all my old underwear. As I drop down I can just dig in the drawer if I want, or go to Walmart and buy something cute.

Anyway, I need to go eat and take my pills. Take care!

[Houston Heather]

I was up 1.5 pounds this morning, water retention. UGH. Today I bought something that really helped, is safe, and didn't cost much money.

First, though, I had to get up at 2:45 AM again. Ugh. Off to work. Ron suggested I take the money out of the vending machines and start counting it. At 4 AM? Why not? I actually felt quite fresh (that diet soda will do that for a while) and accomplished the whole thing. After that, we received our delivery. No fruit punch soda, but we got some Pineapple.

Some of the cases were a sticky mess due to a busted can, and the pallet was stacked pretty high. I unloaded virtually the whole thing and helped Ron put up the bottled soda cases. I don't mind the exercise, I burned hundreds of calories just at work. I may not have had an official workout today but my active job gave me one anyway. I like it that way. The machines were fine.

We finished up and left. Some contractors are remodeling the postal inspectors office and I had to stand up while I waited for the ride. If I'd sat down, the cab wouldn't have seen me. Ugh. We went to the bank and walked to the mall.

I bought some Taurine - Dr Atkins recommended it for water retention in his book. I took 2 capsules. Wow, all I did for the next couple hours was run to the bathroom and pee! I can hardly wait to weigh myself tomorrow. It only cost $5.

I also got some of the Dr Bronners soap I like, in the Rose fragrance. I bought some citrus-orange too. And I got a shaker bottle because my egg white powder doesn't blend very easily.

I ate some cooked pepperoni out of my lunch bag and off to Walmart. I only spent $50. I got some household stuff, new underwear, and some elastic bands for working out. Now I can do some butt-firming things. What the heck. It'll be fun for warming up, or those days when I don't feel very motivated. I also got some cheese and more pepperoni. It's easy and travels very well in my lunch bag. I have plenty of food right now.

Tomorrow I go to the sporting goods store, I am definitely getting some glutamine powder, vitamins, and 4 pound dumbells. No work, really, just a trip to Sam's Club to buy muffins for work.

I took a nap when I got home but I'm still beat and I've had to correct my spelling multiple times. I can hardly wait to go to bed!

[Houston Heather]

I meant to tell you all about this earlier but I was so tired I forgot until just now. I was reading another thread where people were talking about exercise.

Here's what happened today. I'm in line at Walmart buying size 7 underwear. They finally got in some cute new colors.
"I just love Atkins! I'm always having to buy smaller underwear!"
Cashier: "Are you working out?"
"Yes, I lift weights and run."
"Oh, well that's it. It's the exercise that's making you lose weight."

THAT. GETS. ME. SO. MAD.

"No, it isn't actually. Everyone tells us to work out and eat a low fat diet, right? Well, how come I worked out TEN HOURS A WEEK eating low fat and I didn't lose anything, but I lose 10 pounds a month eating high fat and working out HALF as much?"

"I dunno".

I feel very diminished somehow when they do that. It has happened a LOT. It almost makes me want to stop working out just so they can't "blame" it for the weight loss. Oh, well, you're working out. It's not your diet, it's the fact you got off your butt. No. I am very active on my job, look at my fitday today, I didn't even put in all my exercise and I burned 1000 calories just on my job and running around.

But I feel like everyone does it! It really pisses me off! I worked my ass off for years eating the low-fat way, exercising, and never saw any results. None. I tried everything and I just got bigger and bigger. Put me on a high-fat/low-carb diet and the pounds just peel off, WITHOUT exercise.

I am exercising and eating this way to be healthy - NOT to lose weight. Otherwise, why keep it up when I'm at my goal? I want to be strong and healthy. It is not about the number on the scale. If it were about my weight, I'd just say F*** it and go back to eating my sugar. It's HARD. I get tired. I hate forcing myself into the garage to lift weights. I want to eat ice cream and cookies and candy. I seldom WANT to lift weights, I have to make myself do it. Once I start I enjoy myself. It's pretty much the same with running, too.

My way of eating is all about losing the weight. I feel that's where 90% of the fat-loss-battle is waged, with the choices I make and the foods I put into my mouth. Tonight I was craving peanut butter desperately, so I had 2 T.

I toy with the idea of moving into OWL but I'm not getting my veggies now. I should probably work on getting my veggies before I move into OWL, however appealing the concept of eating nuts and more cheese may be. I need a BALANCED diet. Eating an impulsive that's-what-I-want diet is what got me over 200 pounds, twice now. I still need to lose over 40 pounds, that's a lot of weight to take into OWL. Dr Atkins suggested 30 pounds, so I'm kind of sticking with that.

I am failing in regard to eating enough veggies, I do not generally get 2 cups salad + 1 cup cooked, or 3 cups salad. Yesterday was an exception. I meant to get more salad mix, but I "forgot". I also wanted to get some celery. We'll go back to Walmart, and in the meantime I've got plenty of frozen veggies I can eat.

Sometimes I go over 4 ounces on my cheese, today I ate about a half ounce over. I do love my cheese, it travels well and it's fast. I'd love to eat more.

I don't want to slow down my weight loss, though. I think if I'm really wanting to move into OWL at the end of the month, I'll do it. If I'm not happy after a month, I'll come back to Induction levels. I could probably stand more carbs to help fuel my workouts. I'll think about it. I like to consider things before I jump in.

I talked to DH about my buying a bicycle. He was very concerned. He said he'd really rather I didn't because I could get hurt. Good point. He'd be pretty screwed at home and at work if I were in the hospital, and I see way too many people talking on their cells while attempting to drive. Ooops, sorry, isn't going to un-break a leg. I told him I understood. I'll wait on the bike.

I've been getting some more side effects recently from my medication. I believe it's affecting me more strongly as I lose the weight. I'm glad I see my doc in a couple more weeks. I may need some more tests.

That's it for now. I have to get up at 5:45 tomorrow morning. On my day "off". I may do some weights later, we'll see.

[Houston Heather]

I bought a 48-count case of peanuts, mainly for the disaster kit. Having 1 ounce portions to eat will make it easier. I threw a few in my bag for those "Hell days" when my trips are terrible and I'm out waiting somewhere on a ride, starving.

I tried to engage DH in a discussion about "Should I go to OWL" He just said I should do whatever I wanted to do .

I did do something smart today. I usually eat a sausage patty for breakfast, I have no appetite and eating anything more makes me queasy. Since I'm taking my expensive psychiatric medication at the same time, I don't want to rock the stomach with too much food.

I tend not to eat anything other than a small snack until lunch, and then I eat a moderate sized lunch. I don't usually eat anything until dinner. After dinner, I tend to eat a few snacks before I go to bed.

I need to flip that eating around, getting more of my calories in the morning and fewer at night. We've all heard the "Don't eat after 7" rule. For me, with my wierd hours, that could translate to 3 PM.

I was reading a hard-core weightlifting book written by Dave Draper. He gives nutrition rules. One of them is eating every 3 hours or so. I thought, well, if I can't eat one large meal (breakfast), there's no reason I can't eat a couple of small meals between the time I get up and lunch, while staying at Induction levels.

Today I ate a strip of bacon and a sausage patty, and when I came home I ate a 4 oz cooked cube steak. I shared a bite with the cat - he loves my cooking. I also washed it down with some psylium fiber in water. It helps me feel full for a long time and I figure the fiber can help my digestion. I am never constipated but my body tends to take a while processing things.

I plan to take another snack with me when we leave to go to the sporting goods store, and eat at least 1 vegetable with lunch. Ideally, one veggie at breakfast, one veggie at lunch, one at dinner. That's do-able.

I think if I eat every couple hours in the morning that may help my weight loss a lot. It can't hurt my energy level, either.

I'll try this for a week and see how it goes. It may work out, it may not. But I'll try. Monday we will be at work for a long time so I'll bring my cooler tote with lots of legal food.

[Houston Heather]

I forgot to add, I lost 2 pounds overnight - water weight, thank you Taurine!

When I measured this morning, I decided to measure everything. I coudn't figure out why my upper chest measurement was up an inch, until I looked at my back in the mirror. I've added on muscle. One inch in about 5 weeks! Wow! I had DH feel my back to confirm it was muscle and not flab, and he said it looked "Very nice" in a sincerely appreciative way. Then he looked at the lower back, and said "I'd get it in time."

So, good news. I am adding muscle. I'm not surprised when I think about all the powerlifting I've been doing. As I lose weight that'll save me from dropping $$ on new sport bras because my band size is still 38.

Cool. I was just feeling sorry for myself thinking "Why do I have to be so careful about how I eat" when I remembered my back.

[Houston Heather]

I got some delicious Syntrax lemonade-flavored whey protein isolate. It tastes like lemonade, has the benefits of whey (muscle recovery, good for immune system, etc), and has ZERO carbs!

I'm a little aggravated at myself right now: I discovered my beloved lemonade mix has 10 carbs per pitcher. I've been drinking about a pitcher a day, sometimes more. No wonder I've been stuck! Thank God I found the Syntrax, I'll drink that after my workouts and benefit my body with zero carbs.

I started feeling really sick during my weight workout (I had done half an hour of cardio, 15 minutes each exercise bike and step). I kept going but I started feeling worse. It was affecting my workout in a negative way - I felt almost nauseous, weak, and shaky. It wasn't fatigue. I work hard and I know when I'm tired. I realized that today, I can't handle the garage. It's only about 90 degrees in there but it's too hot. 2 of my medications can make me more prone to heat exhaustion - which I've had before. It's no fun. I blacked out at an amusement park when I was 13, I'd just been started on antidepressants. I was sick for a couple days. I don't want or need that, and I don't want to hurt myself because I dropped a weight, so I stopped about 5 minutes short of completing my workout. I can do the rest of my arm workout tomorrow if I want. It's more important to take care of my health.

I'm doing this for my health. I just get frustrated with my limitations.

Then I think of how Ron offered to go to the park with me. He can't walk the whole 1/2 mile, it's too far, so he'll climb in the wheelchair, and I'll push him to the park. I'll park him (sorry for the bad pun), and run for half an hour while he listens to his radio. Then I'll push him home.

He's got it a lot worse than I do.

[Houston Heather]

Today started off well. DH and I went for "our" run - he sat in his wheelchair and enjoyed the birdcalls, and I ran. I pushed him to and from. It's funny, I'd forgotten how much pushing the wheelchair works my upper back and arms.

I had a great 30 minute run, had the whole place to myself except for Ron. Came home, took my shower, went to work.

Metrolift (our paratransit service) left us at work an hour longer than we wanted but we used the time well. I did all the heavy lifting, about 20 minute's worth. I don't mind - I enjoy a physical challenge. I am deathly afraid of heights so I'd much rather move a case of water than climb a ladder!

After work we had planned to run to the local grocery store. We did that - our ride was late getting there and we thought we didn't have enough time. [hysterical laughter]

We waited an extra hour to get picked up. AGH. On a busy Sunday. Ron had a bathroom emergency - but I had to take him. But if I'm taking Ron to the bathroom than who's waiting? No one. And sure enough when we got back our ride was there.

We got home, finally. I was so stressed out I made myself a whipped cream thing, which means I just committed to doing leg day in the garage this afternoon. No, I didn't, but you get the idea.

It was about 9 grams of carbs total, not bad, and had plenty of fat and protein. I was starting to get sick to my stomach from the lithium I took. I thought 3 ounces of cheese and a cup of cooked turkey would do it! But no, that wasn't enough for today's lithium.

I've begun to notice more side effects from the medication, I'm hoping my doctor can lower my dose. I see him in a couple of weeks.

I need my nap. I'll update after I get up.

[Houston Heather]

When I woke up I was STILL exhausted, if not more. We had torrential rain and thunderstorms, nice to listen to but hard to sleep through.

This is one of the few times you will hear me say: I chose to cancel the squat/leg weights portion of the program. I cannot afford to hurt myself because I was tired. My body is trying to tell me something. I already ran half an hour and did 20+ minutes of heavy lifting at work. So, I cancelled it.

I can do "Only" weights tomorrow. Tomorrow isn't too bad, 4 hours at work, go to Walmart, come home. I've been noticing more fatigue and other side effects from my medication. I'm probably taking too much for my new weight.

I won't reduce it unless my doctor tells me to do so. I have heard horror stories of people with bipolar disorder who decided to change their medication and ended up in the hospital.

When I see him in a couple weeks, he'll probably ask me to take a blood test. When he gets the results he'll call me and tell me what to do.

I'll sleep well tonight. I am BEAT.

[Houston Heather]

This morning I woke up exhausted. I was incredibly thick and groggy all day. I was a danger to myself - walked in front of a piece of heavy equipment. It was scary and I was pretty damn useless.

I kept thinking, I should call my doctor and tell him. I've been losing weight, maybe 4 lithium tabs a day is too much now. Ron asked me a question and I couldn't even think to give him the answer, much less find the words. I just stammered and babbled, he got the point.

I called my doctor and told him "I would love to hear you tell me I can go down to 3 a day." I told him all my symptoms and stuff too - in a voicemail. I told him I've been taking lithium for 2 years and I've never asked to reduce my dosage.

When Ron called a few hours later, the doctor told him I can reduce my dosage to 3 a day. He knows if I get manic (too happy) I will increase it to 4 tabs a day. So, that means I'm taking 25% less pills! 25% less fat making, stupid making, thick-headed, can't think grogginess! Yeah!

I've been pretty useless all day but I know I'll be OK in a day or so. I am taking a reduced dose, after all. It's going to take a little while to eliminate the extra. No workout, too groggy and it wouldn't be safe.

Tomorrow I plan to have some fun. I figure 2 rest days won't hurt me, about every day in my calendar this month has been marked with a workout.

I went to Walmart (that was fun, in my condition) and "made groceries" (local slang for grocery shopping). I got some running shorts, I hate only having 1 pair. The 16/18's didn't used to fit but this pair did, excellently. And I had to pee when I tried them on so I KNOW they're good. I got my favorite - cube steaks, some salad, celery, and some cheese. A few supplements, Cal-mag-zinc and B-50.

I need to do my supplements/medication into my pill dividers. I put the morning and evening doses of my pills so it's easy to take when I need it. I'd much rather flip open a daily compartment and choke 'em down with a meal than fumble around with several various bottles.

Ugh. Still groggy.

Take care! More tomorrow!

[Snowman]

Heather ~ I hope you have a better day tomorrow!

Don't worry about taking a few days off from exercising, you'll get back at it, I know you will!

DH and I are on vacation for the next two weeks!! Busy doing things around the house and next week we are going away!!

Take care!

[Houston Heather]

Oooh! Have fun Snow!

Still pretty groggy today. I am very hard on myself. Didn't work out today except for work - 4 hours of vending (fitday says 2 calories per minute), and 20 minutes of heavy lifting (taking soda off a pallet and stacking it up in the corner). I figure that'll hold me today.

I woke up a pound lighter, half an inch off my waist AND my hips. I was thrilled. That puts me into most 16's now. I forgot (because I was groggy) to bring my lunch but my sausage patty held me all through work. I didn't want to eat something wrong and mess up my losing streak.

OK, I have a recipe. Yesterday I bought a can of pumpkin. Plain pumpkin.

Last night I created a microwave pumpkin pudding that I love.

Pumpkin Pudding
2 servings
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 packets splenda
sprinkle each nutmeg and cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs

Stir the melted butter into the canned pumpkin. Add spices and splenda and stir well. Crack both eggs into container and stir until well blended. Separate into 2 equal portions. Microwave each until firm (takes 2:30 in mine).

Hardest part - wait until just warm to eat.

It is delicious and only has 6 carbs per serving. It is induction friendly - per Dr Atkins pumpkin is fine. It has at least 5 grams of fiber per serving, and several grams of protein.

Yum, yum.

I ate two of them today, and one last night. TASTY.

I figure I will be pretty sharp in another day or two. When I had to increase my doses, it took a few days for them to take effect. I'm sure it works the same way in reverse.

But I'm not sick. I'll take it.

I'm getting up early to run tomorrow at least. I can wear my new shorts. Yay me. We have to work tomorrow and the 4th, but we get the 3rd and the 5th off.

Take care!

[Houston Heather]

I already went for my run this morning. All done.

I was thinking about another thread: a woman said she felt bad. She started Atkins and her freind offered her a muffin. She declined the muffin and the freind gave her big sad eyes.

I drew the analogy of a crack pipe, if the freind had brought a crack pipe would she have smoked it with her? Would she have felt guilty about saying NO? Of course not, but even though sugar is just as addictive as crack cocaine it is seen as "harmless" and even "nurturing".

This got me thinking - the people who love us. Do they? My husband would never offer me sugar or a bakery item. Neither would my aunt, uncle, parents, or sister. My aunt is making noises about baking me another "birthday brisket" instead of a cake this year.

If someone knows me, they know not to offer me sugar. Some people took a while to train I had to mess up one guy's hair every time he did it. He is vain about his hair and I wanted to "teach him a lesson". He got it.

A true freind will not offer you sugar, just as they wouldn't offer you a crack pipe. They will understand you have an addiction and you must avoid your triggers completely.

[pennylovesdarren]

Your pumpkin pudding sounds delicious! I love pumpkin! Thanks for always listing your daily menu. It helps me when I get blocked for ideas! Congrats on the inches and pound.

[Houston Heather]

Thanks! It is a nice snack and LOADED with fiber.

I just woke up from my nap. I'm not feeling motivated but I'm going to go out there and do it anyway. Even world-class bodybuilders don't want to work out - but they do it. That's what makes them world-class.

I want to get healthy and strong - I can definitely get there. Off I go to do the squats & legs. Then it's mowing the yard.

I tried a new protein drink - it was implicated in a migraine back when I was eating badly but that was when I was eating badly. I tried it this morning, I'll know in a few hours if it'll be a problem. Sometimes I'm lazy and I'd like to drink a shake instead of fixing a meal.

We have tomorrow off, so worst case I can recover. I won't be doing deadlifts today or tomorrow because I noticed my spinal erector muscles are a little sore from the heavy lifting at work. I need to give them a day off before I start yanking 45 pound barbells off the floor! Our poor bodies endure so much!

I am shamelessly bribing myself with a whipped cream thing (whey protein powder whipped into heavy cream) after I finish everything.

[Houston Heather]

I got up. I was the MOST unmotivated person in the world. I drank a can of diet soda with caffeine. OK, I didn't hate the idea, I went out in the garage.

WOW! I had major strength gains since my last workout! I had been squatting with 45 pounds, I went up to 55! I kept putting plates on and it wasn't even challenging until I got to 55! Then I did my leg extensions and leg curls "Too easy" on the leg extensions at 25 - my previous challenging weight. I went up to 30. Hamstrings - I was doing 15 pounds, now it's 20. And I probably could have gone up on that, too.

AWESOME. Very, very, motivating. I "only" did 40 minutes (I need recovery time between those sets of squats) and helped Ron with some yardwork.

I'm glad, glad, glad I did my workout.

[Houston Heather]

I just checked my workout log for last month:
16 cardio workouts
13 weight workouts

[Houston Heather]

Today I slept in.. which meant getting up around 7:30.

I decided to hit my weight workout first and get it over with. I decided to do arms and shoulders today.

1 hour, 20 minutes. I did a good warmup and some rotator cuff protective exercises - why wait until I'm hurt to do them?

I saw good improvements in all my exercises, again! It's nice to slap another plate on the barbell or attachment (for my triceps pulldowns). I have a good amount of all the plates (up to 25 pounds) and I don't need any more.

I tried to pull my 50 pound Olympic barbell off my rack today and I couldn't do it! That was a pretty cool moment. If I need to move it I'll have to take off the plates first.

Now I'm about to eat 4 hot dogs, a lazy woman's breakfast.

[Snowman]

You slept in till 7:30??!! I slept in till 8:15!! I'm usually up at 5:00 am for work, but being on vacation this week.....I'm sleeping in!! Next week, I will be up early everyday (about 6:30 am) when we go away, but I'm ok with that as we will be in Disneyworld!

I think you are so MOTIVATED!! I'm telling you Heather, YOU REALLY INSPIRE ME!!

[COLOR="Red"]HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!![/COLOR]

Even though I'm not crazy about pumpkin pie, I might try the pumpkin recipe you posted sometime.

Take care!

[pennylovesdarren]

Happy 4th Heather! Way to work out girl!

[Houston Heather]

AWWWWW... You guys are too sweet!

You'll be proud of me today, for sure.

We were supposed to get up early-ish and go to Walmart. I want some more pumpkin! That would make me an awesome breakfast! It's legal! It won't make me fat!

If I got up at 5, no run. OK.

But Ron said he slept badly and wanted to sleep in until 7:40. OK. I'm not a monster. I was lazy enough myself to go back to sleep.

We ended up at work an hour early (joys of paratransit) and I helped out Ron with lots of heavy lifting. We came home, I'm tired. Maybe from the lifting, most likely from my pills.

I ate something quick and took my nap. When I woke up, same old story. I wasn't motivated. It's hot. I'll do it later.

I dragged my butt out into the garage anyway and did my deadlifts. 50 minutes of deadlifts, 4 sets of each, 3 different types. Ugh. I'm glad DH set up my speakers so I could listen to my XM disco station while I did it.

My legs feel like spaghetti, my butt hurts, and I couldn't be happier.

I won't be running tomorrow - I've already got my 3 cardios in for the week. Our neighborhood has a little friendly competition every year, who can pop the most fireworks. It goes on until 1 AM. I am not running at 9 AM, it's too hot. Not to mention I just did deadlifts.

If I work out, it will be weights for my chest only. That's do-able.

[Houston Heather]

I woke up early. I have nicely maintained at about 197 for the last couple days.

I had to size down on a bra. My lower chest measurement went down and my lavender bra was too loose. Oddly enough, it was the smaller sized lavender bra that was a perfect fit. I have a few smaller sizes, 1 pair shorts, 1 pair running shorts, and a few bras for mornings like today.

Today it's Walmart, home, haircut, home. Chest weights later. My lower back is feeling nicely stretched and I don't want to hurt it. Shoulders are pretty tired from that workout, and my legs and butt are definitely feeling exercised from yesterday's deadlifts. About the only muscle group left is my chest, and maybe some abs.

I'd like to run tomorrow. We'll see.

[Houston Heather]

Did the chest weights - 40 minutes. I love it when I have to increase the weight because the old weight is "too easy".

Ron and I planned tomorrow's trips so I can run first.

Oh, revised pumpkin pudding recipe, for a whole can of pumpkin:
1 can pumpkin - plain canned type
2.5 T splenda
4 eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice

Put the pumpkin in a large measuring cup and add the melted butter, splenda, and spices. Stir well. Blend in the eggs once the mixture is lukewarm (if the butter is too hot it will cook the eggs). Spoon into FIVE small containers and microwave for 2 minutes each. Each serving has about 5 grams of carbs and 4 grams of fiber. Lots of vitamin A and some protein but we won't tell, will we?

I'm eating one right now. Tasty. Easy, too. I've got them all cooked and lined up in the fridge, ready to go. One will make an AWESOME breakfast with a sausage patty, right after my run.

[Houston Heather]

It did. I forgot to turn on the alarm but Ron woke me up in time to run. I ran 7 laps at the park instead of 6 - all in 30 minutes! I love getting faster, stronger, more endurance. My heart rate was right where it should be, around 80%.

I came home and had some zero carb Syntrax (whey drink) and a pumpkin thing. Now I'm waiting on our ride so we can go to work. We just need to check on the machines and make sure they're still running.

After that, Walmart to pick up some photos. I should have some new ones up tonight.

[Houston Heather]

[Houston Heather]

[Houston Heather]

My home gym setup.

[pennylovesdarren]

Right on Heather! That's quite a set up! You're getting stronger and leaner! Woo Hoo!