An off week

For some reason, I was not myself this week. I was tired, and unable to do all I wanted to do. Fatigue I guess. I did go to Zumba three days - but even then, felt funny afterward. My period is a week late (and no, no chance of pregnancy).

So I know my body is out of whack. So I've decided that diet and exercise need to be the focus this week. I have been filling my diet with a large variety of fresh veggies, lean protein, and grains. I have NOT been drinking enough water - that needs to be tackled too. And I've been exercising. 180 minutes of cardio already this week and it's only Saturday.

I love that I'm finally really in tune with my body. That I notice subtle changes like energy levels, etc. And that I can then address them, naturally.

I have let myself eat some not-so-healthy foods this last week, so I'm guessing that I'm dragging, and not my normal self, because my body is not fueled properly.

The veggies of the week? Thur: summer squash, zucchini, onions, carrots, peppers, and broccoli. Fri: patty pan squash, onions, broccoli, and corn. Today? Beets, broccoli....who knows what else! I will also get up a jar of last year's cranberry juice, and grape juice. Get some antioxidants.

Variety is the key for me.

This weekend, I need to focus on water also.

My new addiction

This afternoon I laid down on my bed for a nap - to catch 45 minutes before zumba. A cold front going through, I had both windows open, creating a beautiful cool cross-breeze. I actually had to use a comforter. The birds were chirping. It was literally blissful to lay there and nap.

When the time had come to get up and go to Zumba, I DID IT. I got out of that blissful place. I just couldn't think of missing Zumba! I know how much I love it, how amazing it feels to sweat like that. And I didn't want to miss it.

Who would've thought! I think I'm addicted to Zumba. ;)

Crazy as that sounds, I'm getting to that point where I crave it. I have to find a way to keep my zumba on when this session ends. The instructor is taking a few weeks to get into school. I cannot think of WEEKS without it! So I will need to find some kind of DVD to work on. Something to keep me moving and grooving.

Happy with my new addiction. Life is good.

feeling skinny....looking fat

As I am lifting, weeding, painting, etc., I feel so much better. I feel leaner. I feel stronger. I can FEEL my muscles working.

It is SO frustrating to look in the mirror, and see me - -- still fat.

I know I have a long way to go. And building the muscles is the start to great things, which should end with weight loss, as the muscles use more calories. But right now, I still look fat in my mirror. And that is SOOOO frustrating.

I know I need to have patience. Because I'm doing this the right way - with lifestyle changes. Increased activity, better eating. So it will be slow progress, but it should be permanent progress. I need to stop focusing on quick results. That is not the answer.

So for now, I have to be happy FEELING better - stronger, healthier - knowing that looking better will come later.

God, grant me the patience. To know that I'm doing my body good by the changes I'm making. And that it's not just about the mirror.

progress!

Finally got on the scale today - after a week - and am down a couple of pounds. I know I'm making progress, I can feel it in my muscles, and my ability to work out. Close are looser...and looser. Some I can't even wear. But it's still good to see it on the scale!

Keeping physical!

Walking, jogging, walking, gardening, moving furniture. Oh, it is GOOD to be physical. I am feeling so much stronger, leaner. Starting to see it on my frame. Changes are happening, especially in my upper body.

I was once again reminded today of how I lost all the weight in college. It started with weight lifting. I need to get back to my roots. Building lean muscle burns more calories, gives our bones the support we need, and gives us the core to do all the physical activities that keep our hearts strong!

My biggest loser 3 weeks...

I am notorious for using taking care of others as an excuse to not take care of myself. My husband left this morning for a three week trip, and I've decided it is the chance to jump start my health.

I walked a 2 mile race yesterday, finishing with a pace of 15:49 per mile. But I had something left at the end.... I didn't push myself like I could have. And I've always wanted to run. So I'm taking these three weeks to push myself further.

I started this morning walking/jogging to the highway and back, a 1.5 mile route, in a time of 25:43:82. I mapped out another 1.5 route, and a 2 mile route, so that I can track myself, and see if I can push myself to improve.

I also think I can spend time exercising a couple of times a day during these three weeks. And I'm scheduling a hair cut and color for right before he returns. I'll be a brand new me to welcome him home!

Here's TO ME!

Seeing progress, being inspired.

Tonight was our annual Heart and Sole race, a 2 and 5 mile walk/run to start off the 4th of July celebration. The last time I walked it was 2 years ago, and it about killed me. Last year I was ill with whooping cough, so I did not walk. I was excited to jump in, even though I've fallen short of my goal of training into a 5k.

Started the walk with a solid power walk - for ME. I am overweight, and went at a good pace for my health and size. At the 1 mile, I was at a pace of 16:13, bottom half of the pack, but not last! Kept up my pace through the second half, breaking into zumba moves several times as I passed people cheering me on. (There are over 800 participants, but as many people cheering locals on!)

I felt the urge to run. Ok, JOG. But with all the people watching, did I really want to jog? Probably not. So I continued to powerwalk. My second mile pace was actually BETTER - ending up with a time of 31:37.

I wish I hadn't been too self conscious to jog/run. I didn't push myself. I had something left at the end of that race. But I'm not going to pout about it. I realize that my zumba workouts have been conditioning me. I can do this. And now I have my beginning point - a place to move up from here. And hopefully in the next year, I will continue to train and lose weight, so that next year I'm not ashamed to jog. ;)