New Habits - BYOC

New Habits

Poor little purple toe :(

Because blogbland can be boring without photographs, I present to you: My Toe. Yes, this is the bruised little piggy and it's been saying "Wee wee wee" for sure. See how he just sticks up there? He's too tall for his own good. I'm proud that between my purple toe and blisters I have continued on. I am trying to keep this up until finally it feels like habit and I can't stand NOT doing something. I already kind of feel that way. I feel like if I take a break, then I'm being lazy, which is a good way for me to feel. Last night I didn't go walking - instead I broke out the Wii fit and did 40 minutes of stepping. That was my "break". It was easier on my body than the walking, but I was still DOING something. Something that keeps my metabolism going and something that helps me stay in routine. I also went to bed at 9:30 and got a little extra sleep so today I am feeling better. I still need to take some Tylenol because my feet hurt today, but at least I'm not fall-over tired today!

BYOC

1. Regardless of what stage you are in - in your weight loss, get healthy journey – do you still consider yourself “fat”? Was there a point when you stopped feeling that way?
Yes. Because I am. I don't know that I will ever not be "fat", but that is OK as long as I'm healthy. I still have a hard time seeing the loss when I look in the mirror. Everyone else sees it, but I don't.

2. Tell us about your first kiss.

I didn't kiss anyone until I was 20. Believe me, there was no one worth kissing in the school that I went to, so it was fine by me. He was from the Netherlands and I met him online in a Janet Jackson chat room (and no, I am NOT kidding lol *rolls eyes*). We were an "item" I guess you could say. We spent time chatting, writing emails, and talking on the phone until one day he came to visit me for a couple of weeks one summer. His flight came into town on my 20th birthday and he kissed me in the airport. It sounds all magical, but he turned out to be an immature moron who really cared more about himself than anything else. And I was immature too, for that matter because I didn't see how utterly silly the whole thing was and boy did I take it seriously at the time! Ugh.

3. Describe your parenting style (either current or what you hope to do or what you would do if you ever had kids)?

I have a step-son and we get along really well. We are more like friends because I don't get to see him a lot, but if I had my own children, I would try to be a relaxed parent. Not a permissive parent, but relaxed.

4. How would your best friend describe you?

Goofy, creative, & funny. I think those words would be in there somewhere for sure.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.

Blog Land: I've been catching up on other folks blogs and making use of blogging as a tool to keep me motivated again. It really does help to write a little something every day and get feedback. Thanks to everyone that comments! It really means a lot to me!

 Real Life: As I've been writing on my blog, I've been trying to make exercise my new habit and it seems to be working so far. Out of the last 11 days (not counting today) I have done some kind of exercise 9 of those days! That's amazing for me. 

I. Am. So. Tired.

Tired
Omagoodness. This is week 2, day 4 of trying to keep on track with exercising and my body is tired. It's good to know that others (like Dizzy!) understand. I read Dizzy's thread today and I could have copied it word for word, Aunt Flo and all. Today has just been crappy. I *might* leave a little early from work today if I can. I'll go get my walk (or whatever I do) started faster so I can get it over with. It's all I can do right now from putting my head on my desk and zonking out. I've been staring off into space for much of the day. LOL

Annoying things
So, You know how I reported a 5lb loss last week? Well, because of Aunt Flo and the working out, all 5lbs are currently back, which ticks me off to no end. It's so unfair to have to see that. I've been working my butt off and keeping track of each item I put in my mouth. I know I'm burning more than I'm consuming - no doubt about that. It's like when I was doing the wii fit I was losing and the walking has made me all swollen and achey and weight-gainy. It couldn't be muscle already, could it? In my legs? I don't know...I'm going to try to get past the frustration of it and give it more time, but dang-it...Just when I had weight loss as a motivator, it's been taken away from me.

More Shoes
I had a 40% off one item discount code for Jessica London and used it to buy a pair of those rocker-bottom Skecher Shape-Ups. They are not the most attractive shoe in the world, but I'm looking forward to getting them. I needed the 11 and I went ahead and got the Wide so I would be able to tie them extra tight. Hopefully these will have more space for my freakishly long bruised toes. hahahaha

Exercise Upate - Sore Toe - Liquid Advil - Restriction!

Exercise Update
Walked for 45 minutes yesterday at the same track. I did four 100ft sprints where I ran a little. I felt so strange...I looked around to make sure no one was watching and took off as best as I could. No knee issues from it, so I guess it's ok! Granted, I feel like 100 tons of stupid because I don't know how I look when I run, but it feels nice to amp it up for just a little stretch because it gets my heart-rate up. I did see my shadow one time and I don't think I look as stupid as I feel.

Sore Toe
My 2nd toe on both feet is much longer than my other toes. On my right foot, my toe is SO bruised. My toenail is purple. My right foot is strange...shoes never fit it the same way as my left. I think my toe actually scrapes the front of my size ELEVEN shoe and that is causing the bruising. I hate having long feet. I'm only 5'5"... I hate how I look with shorts/capris and bulky sneakers on. It's total clown shoes. Maybe I need <--- these for my freakishly long toes? :)

Liquid Advil
Do any of you take liquid advil (childrens) or Advil Liqui-gels on a regular basis? Cramps and soreness pulled me over the edge and I bought some Children's liquid advil. Tylenol just doesn't work as well. I would only need it a few times during one week a month and I follow it with quite a lot of water to wash it down. Surely this couldn't be a problem. For every other ache/pain I use tylenol. I know some doctors allow the liqui-gel tablets...I'll have to inquire on my next appointment.

Restriction!
After my last fill, I didn't feel much, but now it's like it's starting to finally kick in. Thank goodness. I was told and ready several times that good restriction doesn't normally come until around 6 months. I know that's just how it goes, but when you go for so long not having much and then you have it, you almost have to re-teach yourself some things. I have had to slow down more lately because I'll fill up quicker than I used to and end up being all slimey. Yuck. But, I'm SO glad to have the limitations again. I "pigged out" yesterday because I went to Earth Fare to try to find whole wheat orzo and ended up buying some snacks instead. Ugh. 1/2 scoop of dark chocolate covered raisins from the bulk bin and these Valdosta Pecans are HEAVEN. I ate all the raisins and half the bag of Peacans yesterday and still my daily calorie count was only 1,650. Thank you, band!

Exercise Update

Walking maniac!
Last night I walked for 70 minutes. I did 11.5 laps around the outside track at our gym. I wish I could get an accurate distance for the track. I got two different answers from gym employees and my GPS says something different too. But, I think the time spent walking is more important than the distance. I'm not really all that sore today and my feet don't hurt! That's amazing.

New Shoes
The new shoes were really comfortable! I still want the other type with the rocker-bottom though. I think that having both kind and switching it up would be a good idea! 

Tonight
I might walk again, but maybe a light night of Wii fit or I might go to the gym and try some indoor activities. Depends on the weather. Right now its pretty gloomy and wet out there!

Shame Doesn't Change People

On my way back from Savannah, GA. last weekend, I saw a childhood obesity billboard in Macon, GA. that featured a little girl who was overweight and the caption said "It's hard to be a little girl when you aren't Little". Farther on down the road, I saw another billboard with a little boy's image and some other tagline. My husband and I were both pretty shocked.

When I got home, I found out that these billboards are a Georgia campaign that has been drawing nation-wide attention. From what I can tell, people seem to be split on the appropriateness of these billboards. I checked out the campaign's website (stopchildhoodobesity.com) and I find that extremely inappropriate as well.

Why feature the children? Notice how they are all scowling? I don't know if they were trying to show them unhappy, but to me, they don't look unhappy - they look mean and that is another stereotype of overweight children. And believe me, I work in the advertising field, and they chose these images for a reason - scowling children will be more attention grabbing than happy children. I guarantee that they directed the children's facial expressions during the photo shoots as well.

The videos on the campaign's website are also demeaning...One little boy (Bobby) talks about how he likes donuts and puts chips under his bed to eat later. In another video a little girl (Tina) talks about how she gets picked on at school - guess what? All of Georgia is now picking on you. Shame on the parents of these children for letting them be a part of this.

My point is that this is not the children's fault, so why bring even MORE shame to them? It may not effect all children in the same way, but there are more positive approaches to this problem that would bring better results. I feel like this campaign is talking about the problem, but what are they DOING about it? The real target is parents. In either case, shame is not what is going to bring about change. Shame causes anger and more denial. If the purpose of this campaign was to make Georgia residents realize that their children are obese, then I think they are causing more problems for themselves.

Another little boy (Carlos) talks about how after school he is alone at home and plays video games rather than going outside to play.

BINGO! We are finally at the heart of part of this problem. Carlos' parents both have to work, therefore, he is at home alone and his parents probably tell him not to go outside and play when they aren't home in order to keep him safe. Personally, I feel like the biggest contributor to childhood obesity is the "new American lifestyle". If a child is lucky enough to have a two-parent household, usually both parents are working and when those parents are home, they don't have time to cook, so children are preparing easy meals for themselves which are typically unhealthy - and their eating habits go unmonitored.  Also, I'm sure there is some kind of link between low-income households and childhood obesity. Unhealthy food is cheap...peanut butter, bread, mac & cheese, pasta, etc... All affordable ways to feed a family. I feel like this "new American lifestyle" is not one that we purposefully choose, but one that many are forced into out of necessity during the economic downturn that we've been experiencing over the last 10 years.

OK, Georgia (and the rest of the nation) time to stop picking on little kids and outing their shortcomings to the world and it's time to start finding solutions. I would love to know what kind of foods are being served in rural Georgia school systems.

Your thoughts?

My Exercise Plan Report: Days 4-6

Amy W - you are badass all on your own! :) And you commented on my blog...I might faint ;) hahaha 

Thanks to everyone who keeps reading my updates and supporting me with comments-I wish there was a way to directly reply to each of you. I'm so glad to have a community of folks who understand! You all rock!

Wow
This is really working. I did 5 days of some kind of exercise (workouts varied from 25 min - 1 hour) and I lost 5lbs this week. I was/am flabbergasted. It's about time I saw that scale move again. I'm REALLY excited! I know I can't expect this much every week, but man, it really is a motivator!

My Weekend/Shoe Review
Over the weekend I had one really good workout and the rest of the weekend was spent catching up and running errands. Saturday I walked about 2 or 2.5 miles with my new, rocker-bottom shoes on. I LOVED the shape of those shoes - makes a BIG difference. At first, it was hard to get used to walking in them and my feet were cramping a little, but after the first mile, I didn't even notice the difference. The sole absorbs a lot of the shock in each step not only because the sole is so thick, but the shape helps that too. However, I do not recommend the Wal*mart Danskin version - I am going to return mine. They are already falling apart. The eyelets are almost completely stretched out/broken from having tied my shoes. I didn't even tie them that tight. I wasn't expecting them to be that good, but I thought they'd be a little better than that!

These shoes rock!

On Sunday I went out to get a pair of Sketcher Shape-Ups, but I couldn't find them in my size! I have to have an 11, Wide if possible, but lately Mediums seem to fit just fine. So, I was bummed that I couldn't find any! I did find another pair of Sketchers fitness shoes though. They are called Sketchers Ultra fit Shape-ups Toners and they are the most comfortable shoe I've ever put on my feet. They have little balance balls on the bottom of the shoe so that you are constantly having to use your muscles to control your balance. But, it's SO comfortable. I highly recommend them. They are pretty too! Black with silver and hot pink - just my style!

I am still planning on buying myself some of the rocker-bottom Sketchers though - they really do improve your walk. They make you feel like you can walk faster and they really are good on the knees. AND, I can they they really WORK because muscles that are not normally sore were really sore. My butt and the muscles right under my butt on my leg in the back were really sore the next day. They do what they say they do!

The Week Ahead
Tonight I'm going on my first walk with the new shoes. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see how far I can do. It feels so effortless with the right shoes! Aunt flo is in town, so water aerobics will have to wait. I know the commercials show you how women can do everything they normally do when Aunt F. is in town (and do it with White pants on), but I just don't roll that way - too much hassle. I think while the weather is so awesome, I'll take a break from my wii and walk until I get bored with it!

Next week I've set up a walking buddy schedule so that some of the girls from work and I will walk right after work on Monday. The campus around here is very hilly and will be a good workout!

I'm optimistic that maybe I can at least shed 3 more lbs this week! I'm ready for it! BRING IT! ;)

My Exercise Plan Report: Day 3

Btw: I was SO stoked when I saw that THE Amy W. was now following me. She's like a celebrity to me or something. *SQUEEE* :)

Trying so Hard but Life gets in the Way
It is SO hard to exercise every day. My house is a WRECK because I've been exercising when I normally would be cleaning. Last night I had to stop by the grocery on the way home to get milk and a few other odds & ends. By the time I got home, put it all away, and changed clothes, my husband was home. Last night was the first night this week he got home on time, so I wanted to spend time with him. So, I did a quick little Gold's Gym thing where I mostly just tried to learn some of the routine and made some dinner so I could hang out with him.


2am Ideas
Then, in the middle of the night last night I had a GENIUS plan. Tonight I have to go see my mom and I wasn't going to have time to do my exercise routine, so I thought "at lunch, I'll take a walk...a really long walk. I'll grab my headphones and listen to music on my android and walk for 30 minutes and then turn around and come back."... It's a BEAUTIFUL day and it would have been awesome. I was going to leave early to avoid getting talked into lunch with everyone else, but I got tied up in this incredibly hectic day and I ended up getting talked into going with my cooworkers to have the $5 special at the pizza joint. I only ate like 2/3 of my slice but, I felt so guilty every time I put a greasy piece of pizza in my mouth.

Tonight
I have to pick my husband up from work because his car died. He's 1 hour away, so I've got 2 hours of car time to look forward to rather than exercise. THEN, I have to go to my moms. Ugh.

This weekend
Hopefully with the nice sunny weather and mild temps continuing, I can pull out those walking shoes. I have been dying to do that! This would be a perfect weekend too - the pine pollen has not yet begun to coat everything is a yellow-green dust!