April 19th 2013 15 of 100

It feels like it has been so long since I wrote anything.  I think I was just back at the pool talking about dolphin boy.

This week was much better than I have been in a while.  Well in most areas.  Eating choice... eehhh not as good as I would like them to be but still more controlled than I use to.  

The gym .. ahhh my gym.  I love love love to swim.  Some days it doesn't even feel like exercise .. till dolphin boys starts that swim lol  Come on guys he looks like a dolphin I'm REALLY not trying to be mean.  I have to say though it does build me up. I have to fight harder to swim and it makes me tired buuuuttt I have to fight harder to burn calories.   idk if it's true but it sounds good huh?  ():D

So after last weekend getting sick and MAKING myself hit the gym Tue I am feeling so much better.  I was able to swim Wednesday morning as well.  The past two days no swim cuz I had to go into work early.  However today on my lunch I did get in a 20 minute walk.  It was nice.  Didn't feel ANYTHING like that first time I walked it two years ago. 

I remember that day so well.  I really had no plans to go for a walk that day, like today.  I had no desire to go for a walk that day, like today.  I walked to the lobby on my lunch and it looked so pretty out that I wanted some fresh air.  I went outside and walk to the end of the building.  Then out to the street.  Then I just kept going (sound like a line from Forrest Gump huh? nnnooo he was running!!)  I ended up making two laps around the full parking lot.  I remember how I could not even walk a full lap without having to stop and rest.  It took me pretty much the whole hour but back then but I just kept going.  I prayed for friends that were going thru trouble and just didn't let myself think about what I was doing.  Well till I couldn't breath and had to stop :/.  

Today I got the same two lapps in in only 20 mins.  I wasn't in a hurry but it was nice that I made both laps in LESS time and didn't have to stop at all  YEAH ME!!!! :D

 Man I can so tell the difference when I don't get a workout in before work.  My stress level on gym days is so much better.  

So my eating habits... man I wish I could say I am on target with that.  I wish I was.  I keep saying "but I am staying in my calorie range" .. and I am  ... but I know I need to get real with it.  I know that last weekend was a wake up call.  No sugars!!!  No greasy foods!!  It was tooooo much for my body to handle.  I will have a splurge day here and there but NOT like that.  I am trying to get back to where I started.  Just kept it simple no whites or sugars.  Not that I go overboard on a daily basis but I need to get more fresh veggies back in my diet.  yeah I know I said that 4 letter word but it's not that it's a diet but a "life style change"  it's still my daily diet right?  lol

So now if I could just get myself on track with both food AND exercise at the SAME time that would soooo awesome!!  So pray for me guys.. PRAYER FOR ME I SAID!!! :D

Ok well speaking of exercise I probably need to get get some more.  20 min walk isn't really much for me these days.  I got to get that squat challenge done.  So stand back say a prayer and cheer me on.  Let's do this

4-16-13 14 of 100

Oh boy FINALLY made it back to the gym.  After being sick in one way or another for the past week it felt good to be back in the water. 

I woke up still feeling like my tummy didn't want to do anything but I drug myself to the gym.  I had my plans to get in the .75 mile that I have set for my morning swims.  As I drove up I could already see that I was in for the added challenge of dolphin boy ( I know some may think I am being ugly calling him that but.... ).  

As I entered the building I wasn't in a hurry.  I knew that I had plenty of time to get in my planned swim.  I was able to hit the water by 5:40, right on time.  As I was swimming I realized that I wasn't doing all that bad on time.  Even with the waves from dolphin boy ... come on guys you have to see that one stroke he does.  I don't know what to call it but I think of dolphin when I see it.  It makes WAVES.  Now don't get me wrong, he has as much a right as I do to be there.  It's not like I am protesting for him to go away.  I just wish he didn't make so many waves.  I know I know it makes me a stronger swimmer.  Well at least I have to work harder while he is there.  Which means burn more calories.  Some days though I dread it.  Some days I want a nice lazy mile swim.  Be nice to me!!

I get on last .25 and was feeling pretty good and talked myself into doing a full mile.  It was only an extra 15-20 minutes and I had that much time before I HAD to get in the shower without being late for work.  So I did it.  The time went by pretty quickly too.  So my new goal now that I can see I can get there I am pushing myself up 10 min.  If I can get in the water by 5:30 I should be able to get in a mile every morning.

Funny I can remember when I made plans to swim a mile or an hour and it seemed like it took FOREVER.  Today this time was like nothing.  I guess I have gotten use to the two hour swim that this is a quick walk in the park.  I just know it's nice to be able to keep going.

Not much else today.  Stand back, say a prayer and cheer me on.  

4-8-13 13 of 100

Today I started my new schedule and it was good.  I work up bright an early and was in the pool by 8:40.  That gave me plenty of time to swim an hour before I had to get ready for work.  It was GREAT!  Today I didn't even mind Dolphin boy.  If you don't remember him ask or look at prior days posts.  He's there.  
The day went well.  I had a few sets back but I did not let them keep me down.  I am not going to let myself get stressed like I have been.  A good exercise like this morning definitely does help that. I want to get there everyone morning before work and then a good swim in on Saturday.
Food went well.  I went over a lil but it was all healthy stuff ... aahhmm I think  lol

Well it's late and I have been lazy since I got home and now it's time for bed.  I will come back tomorrow and let you know how it goes :D
stand back, say a prayer an cheer me on.

4-6-13 12 of 100

Good morning all.  As much as I look at things from the outside and they seem hopeless some days, to many things these days, I am still hanging on.  I have been beat up in ways I can't even put into words.  If there is an award somewhere down the line for hanging on I better be in the running for it.  Yeah I'm keepin my humor as much as possible.  Even if my JOB says different.

I have had setbacks that have me bothered but I keep going.  I realized that one of the meds that I am taking is causing me to retain fluids.  I don't like that feeling so I am tempted to not take it.  Don't worry I am taking it ... the reason for the set back on the scale.  

Today I am starting my 24 day challenge.  I use to be one that would try anything that came along but I don't this is one of them.  I really stayed away from it for about a year now.  I had tried plenty of quick fixes and the results lasted about as long as it took to get them.  This is something that I think I am ready for an that my body needs.  I have read and asked lots of questions about it and I feel it's going to be beneficial for me.  So lets see what happens.  I am hoping this will help with that setback I have been having. 

On a different note, I have only gotten to the gym once this week.  Usually by this time on Saturday morning I would already be in the pool.  Today I am working a local 5k crazy run.  Crazy in that it is filled with obstacles like mud slides, climbing and crawling.  If you don't get muddy you didn't do it right they say.

I did photos at it last year and wanted to be down so that I could participate in it this year.  I am just not ready for that ... yet.  I am sure I will get in plenty of exercise of a different type.  Last year I didn't get to as much of the trail as I would have liked to but I am going to venture more this year.  Not just for the photos but for me.  

Good news is that I am going to sign up for not one but two 5ks over the next 6 weeks.  I had come across one that is May 18th and was getting my self pumped up for it.  I may only walk it but I will do it an finish it.  I seen that there is one in two weeks on the 20th of this month that I am probably going to do as well.  As some of you know it's something I have talked about since I started walking to lose weight.  It's time!!  I don't see myself as ever being a runner but some days I want to run.  I can't run.  I never could run.  But maybe jog a bit here an there.  

Since today is a busy day I need to get moving.  Stand back, say a prayer an cheer me on. 

4-3-13 11 of 100

Wow I can't believe that I have not written in two months.  Things have been crazy I have been up an down on the scale and with my emotions too.  I think I have been from one extreme to the other.  But I am not giving up.
I was doing good then got sick the first week of March and got back off track again. I spent the whole week, for the most part, on the couch feeling like I wanted someone to just run over me and put me out of my misery.  
The next week was spring break and I was on staycation.  I had planned on going to the gym EVERYday and keep get back ahead of things (that was plans before I got sick).  The most I got done was the day I painted on the kitchen.  A lot of climbing and stretching was good. :D  By Friday that week I did make it to the gym and got in about an hour or so of swimming.  The next few weeks only got in a Saturday swim.  But I did end up on a positive note.  This past Saturday I did get in a GOOD swim!!  I made it 2 miles.  That in itself was a record distance for me at one time.  It took me 2.5 hours to get it in but I did it.  I was close to going more, since I didn't have any place I HAD to be, but I stopped.  By the time I got done with my shower my arms were aching.  ACHING!!  I came home and sat down on the couch for a few minutes and I really didn't have the energy to raise my arms.  
The rest of the day was on the run.  Literally.  I had lunch with my daughter and then off for some shopping.  I am not the typically female that loves to shop but I got it done.  I let my daughter talk me into trying on a few things that I normally wouldn't wear.  I did come up with something a lil more dressy than I have been wearing but not as dressy as some of what she had me try on.  I'm just a lil tomboy still  lol
Then it was off to get things she needed to go with her dress.  So the rest of the day was ON THE RUN.  We went to way too many stores and with all the things I had to do I was gone til late.  I started my day at the gym at 8:00am and was not home till 7ish that night.  But I wasn't done yet.  While the kids went on a pizza run I cleaned up the living room.  I thought no more than I ate for the day and as much as I had done I would be good for a few slices of pizza.  
Sunday was a relaxed Easter Sunday, I even got in a short nap lol

So April is starting out better I played hookey from work and took a vacation day yesterday.  I got in a good swim.  A whole 1.25 miles lol.  Its actually about my average swim when I have time.  Next week I start a new work schedule and will be hitting the gym BEFORE work.  At FIVE am!!  I can get in about an hour each morning and that will get me back ahead of my schedule for my 100 miles for the year.  I am currently at 27.5 miles for the year.  Yeah me!!

Ok for now that kinda catches ya up on me.  Stand back, say a prayer and watch me go!!

2-25-13 10 of 100

ok so I fell off keeping you guys updated, but it's not because I am doing nothing to report it's just the opposite.

Some days I don't feel like I am getting anything done.  I feel like that lil mouse on a wheel running round an round an never getting any place.  This past week was a real struggle for me.  I only made it to the gym twice an when I did it wasn't pleasant.  I know I know is it really ever pleasant?  Oh wait twice to the gym and once with my trainer.
I know part of the reason that I felt the struggle was because I didn't get the workout like I NEED to so that I can keep on track.  As much as it pains me (hehe) the gym helps me work my body and clear my head at the same time.  When I said the two days at the gym wasn't pleasant, I mean that I just felt like I was standing still.  Friday and Sat I went to swim.  When I got there I was alone for a few minutes.  It was nice a peaceful.  The water was as still as it could be.  Within minutes of me making the first ripple in the pool I was not alone.  Saturday I actually got in one full lap before any of the other swimmers made it in there.  
Both days the still water was only a memory within seconds.  There have been more an more swimmers each time I try to get in the pool.  It make me second guess not going at 5am like I use to.  I don' mind swimming with others, it has gave me some new "friends" to chat with from time to time.  The one draw back is that the water becomes very choppy and harder to swim in.  Yes I know it's just a harder workout.  Yes I know they harder I work the better it is, what's your point :D
I really don't mind the choppy water all the much, as I said it does make for a better work out overall.  It was just that this week I felt like I wasn't moving.  I don't know if it was all the "junk" I had in my head trying to pull me down.  I don't know if it was the pain in my ankle that was reminding me that it was there to stay.  I don't know if it was the fact that I had not taken my meds like I needed to this week.  (yes I have an excuse for it but it's an excuse and you  know how I feel about that)  Was it just the old me trying to tell the new me that I needed to give up.  

STOP!!!!!!

I know it was a combination of all of those things.  I know that I need to be more consistent in all areas of my life.  My diet.  My exercise.  My sleep (which I am not getting tonight) and my Spiritual life.  It's all a balance not just one thing.  I have been "busy" but not.  Three of my five work week nights I have things other than the gym.  One of these are with my trainer but the other two fill up the other parts of my life.  I have not regrets of what I am doing these days.  It keeps me on track at the same time it's a struggle keeping on track.  I am working on a healthier me and it's a struggle.  I am not stopping.  

Saturday when I was swimming I couldn't think of much more than the physical pain in my body.  Not the pain that comes from exercise.  It was the pain in my ankle from the cyst that is still reminding me it's not going away.  It was the way that I felt like I could not get enough air in my lungs to keep swimming.  I hate having to stop when I get swimming.  I like to be able to go at least .25 mile before I take a few seconds to breath.  This is when I move my rocks that I count with.  Saturday was different.  I had gotten where I didn't do, what I call my lazy lap.  It's the funny back stroke thing I do to keep going and catch my breath at the same time.  I have been taking 15-17 minutes to get that quarter but this day I added almost 5 minutes to that.  I know I was moving but it didn't feel like it.  I did keep on track this week.  My goal is to get to the trainer each week.  Get to the gym 2-3 times a week.  Swim 2-2.5 miles, I got in two.  So as far as that part of my life is concerned I did make it.  

This week I think I had more of a spiritual struggle.  Anyone that knows me knows that I am not one to hit anyone over the head with my bible.  They know that I live for God and that is the first more important thing in my life to do.  I do from time to time make it a point to say things like what I am about to say here.  I do not apologize for anything that I say that may upset you, I let God take over there :D

I realize that part of my struggle has been spiritually.  Yesterday it hit me right between the eyes.  We live in a world that you can't go anywhere without hearing something negative.  I have been trying really hard to keep these thoughts under control.  I want my words to be positive as much as possible.  I know that at times I have to voice my thoughts about things that are bothering me, but I am trying to do it without being a whiner (is that a real word? eeh you know what I mean).  Every day I am faced with these people.  Every day I hear it at my job, on and off the phones.  I had managed to do something that would block out this stuff as much as possible.  I blocked it out trying to say that I was trying to be a more positive person.  I plugged my ear up with my "Christian music" and "it helped me thru the day".  I was using the excuse to be uncaring to the world around me by saying I am doing this to be more positive.  

In the pursuit to be more positive I shut out the world that needed to hear more than just the junk of life.  God wants me to pray for those around me but how can I do it if I am not talking to them or listening to what they say.  I was hearing the whinny people.  God hears the pain of why they are doing it.  I went to extremes (surprised aren't ya lol as if I have never done that before) and got lost.  I am adding this to my get on track needs to work on.

This week I am going for the long haul.  I am still working on getting that balance of a healthier me, I am not going to let one bad week, that really wasn't bad, get me down.  I am pushing forward and keeping my eyes on the prize.  I will finish this.  So stand back, say a prayer and cheer me on.

2-1-13 9/100

i did it

I did it 

I Did It

I DID IT!!!

So I had said I wanted to do my swim for without doing "my backstroke" and today I did it.  I swam the whole mile with just a normal breast stroke.  I know it sounds kinda crazy for some but it was my Super NSV. 

As for the rest of my day it was pretty good too.  I tried chia seeds today and think it helped me not be hungry.  I put some in my protein shake this morning and I think it helped me today.  My morning break I had my new favorite snack Zone bars.  The strawberry one is great!!  Lunch I had a piece of catfish (yes fried) and some cottage. 

Well till I started writing this I thought I did good on the calories but then realized that I had not logged my lunch yet.  UGH!!  I realized that I was just over the calories now :(

The after noon was good.  I had plans for the gym so I had one of my zone bars and was on my way.  When I was done swimming I was ready to eat.  Genghis Grill my new favorite here I come. I love that place.  I can eat for a good price and be full without blowing my calories.

Home for the evening you'd think I would be safe right?  No!! My daughter brought in leftover fried rice.  I dearly love that stuff and I ate it.  At the time I ate it I thought I had the calories to spend but that was before I realized lunch wasn't logged.  Oh well tomorrow is another day.  I still feel good about the day.

Time to stand back, say a prayer and cheer me on.