About Me

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States
I'm an insurance professional with a desk job that has not helped me maintain a healthy lifestyle. I'm on a mission to put myself first and be the person I want to be.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Time Management

I'm midway through week #2 of the Beck book and it's all about time management.  I never realized just how many of the things I do schedule are related to other peoples needs.  Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I'm on the obsessive side when it comes to scheduling everything.  Ask my close friends how many times I've had to cancel the things I've scheduled for me so that I can fit in something else for someone else.  That's no good.

Losing weight and making positive, healthy changes in your life isn't easy and it requires dedication and the ability to put yourself first.  That's really difficult for some people, including me.  I'm getting better at this, but I'm still always worried about my actions and how they will be viewed by others.  This spills into all aspects of my life, both personal and professional.  I would gladly put my work aside to assist someone else who is struggling. Of course that's a good thing, but not when it gets me all backed up and limits my personal time at home. 

So how does this relate to my weight struggle?  I'm still exploring that one, but the most direct relation is scheduling time to eat healthy and exercise.  That was always last on my list of priorities.  Food is so readily available in convenient, sodium filled packages, who needs to schedule time, just grab it and go.  WRONG WRONG WRONG.  My insides are probably one giant salt lick at this point.

Schedule exercise was not a priority for me at all.  I had every excuse from "I have asthma and it hurts to exercise" even "I'm just big boned, exercise isn't going to help with that".  It was bad.  I hated being active and I understand now it had nothing to do with the activities themselves, but the way being so tired made me feel about myself.  NEWSFLASH.....rinse & repeat might work for your shampoo, but it doesn't work for sitting on the couch watching tv or in front of the computer. 



The irony of time management is that it takes time.  Go figure.  It's time well spent though and definitely worth shifting some things to get it done.  The big bonus is all those check marks at the end of the day showing what you have accomplished.  Be creative.  Do whatever you need to do so that planning your day is fun and rewarding.  I have a difficult time spending money on things for myself that I feel are "extras".  I keep a to do list each day and every Friday I count up how many things I completed and give myself $1 for each completed task.  I bank those dollars until I need them for the extras.  Hey, it works for me and eases some of the guilt.

Do what works for you, but do it.  Don't neglect yourself and don't give up the very important time you need for you.  It doesn't make you selfish, it makes you smart.  What good are you to yourself or anyone else if you #1: can't move fast enough to help anyone, #2: are too tired to move at all and #3: don't like yourself enough to want to help anyone.

As always, be happy and be healthy.  Enjoy these time management links:
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/timemanagement/a/timemgttips.htm

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm

http://www.getbuttonedup.com/

http://shopping.franklinplanner.com/shopping/index.jsp

Monday, February 22, 2010

Sweet Success

Yes, you read that right, I used sweet and success in the same title.  I completed my first week of renewed focus and lost 4 whole pounds this week.  Keep in mind that equates to a loss of 2 pounds in 2 weeks since I saw a gain the week before.  I realize 4 lbs in one week is unrealistic and unhealthy for me, so I plan on getting to a 2 lb loss each week.

I've just started week 2 of the Beck Diet Solution workbook as well as my new exercise routine.  Week 1 of the workbook focused on mind over matter and reinforcing your belief in yourself.  Week 2 is all about getting ready for the lifestyle changes and time management.  Most of these topics I have already mastered, but the book says not to skip anything and it never hurts to reinforce the good behaviors you have already established.

Here is my workout schedule for the week:

Mon/Wed & Sat:  Gym/Treadmill - run at least 2 miles without stopping
Tues/Thurs:  Wii FitPlus Routine & strength routine from Prevention

Something I did learn from week 1 of the Beck book was to write down your accomplishments as often as you can.  It's good to have a list of positives to look at.  Too often we just write down when we mess up, but where is the fun in that.  I completely understand how focusing on the positive is more motivating than the negative.

Here are some of my accomplishments from the past week:
1.  Registered for a 5k at FitBloggin
2.  Ran on the treadmill 2 times last week
3.  Completed my WiiFit routine & strength exercises twice
4.  Logged my food 5 out of 7 days
5.  Lost 4 pounds
6.  Wore a necklace for the first time in 3 years because it finally fit around my neck

I have 25 days until I run my first race, so I need to stay focused on the end goal here.  I have a very busy month ahead, but will not give up my time to get fit anymore!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

FitBloggin '10 The Countdown Begins


29 days until I leave for Baltimore. I’m excited on many levels. I get to meet some really great bloggers, I get to learn from some really great bloggers, I get to run my first 5k with a really great friend and I get to celebrate her 40th birthday! (well it’s a week before her birthday, but we still get to celebrate)

What is FitBloggin you ask? It’s a forum for those that blog about fitness, wellness, good food and a healthy lifestyle. A place to connect, learn, grow and network.

http://fitbloggin.com/

It’s going to be a jam packed weekend of networking, exercising and learning. It’s also a great weekend to use as some goal setting targets. The biggest goal is to run my first 5k without walking. That’s a huge goal for me.

The 2nd goal is to be 20 pounds from my goal weight which means I need to lose 9 lbs in the next 29 days. I know 9 pounds doesn’t seem like much in a month, but in that month I have a bridal shower to plan and attend away from my home, so it’s another weekend of eating out again with limited exercising opportunities.

The most exciting thing is happening to me. My scale is showing a loss each time I step on it. I’ve stuck to my eating plan this week and I’ve burned at least 900 more calories than eaten every day. It’s so rewarding to see that success once again. It’s quite a motivator to say the least.


Live healthy and be happy!

Monday, February 15, 2010

BACK UP TO SPEED AND JUST IN TIME FOR FAT TUESDAY!

Ok, this is not another blog about me falling off the food wagon and climbing back on.  This time I've fallen off the fitness wagon.  All of this freakin snow is making it darn near impossible to get motivated.  The lot at the gym is so packed with snow there are fewer parking spaces than usual.  I fear all the progress I've made with my 5k training has been wasted.  I decided to catch up on some healthy reading today and as luck would have it, I came upon an article about getting back into a fitness routine.  The article is from Prevention, so check it out in your spare time. 

There are 3 workout plans to choose from
1.  Getting Started
2. Back Up To Speed
3. Kicking It Up A Notch

I think I will start with Back Up to Speed.  Each plan is split into 4 weeks.  Every Monday I will give you the plan for the week.  So here we go:

Mon/Wed/Thu/Sat:  30 minutes of Cardio
Tue & Fri:  Feel Good Firming Routine which consists of the following:
  Do 10-15 reps of each of the following (use dumbbells if you are so inclined):
      - Bent Rows
      - Rocker Squat
      - Recline Press
      - Raised Plank (hold for 15 seconds)

You will be pleased to know that I got in 30 minutes of cardio today along with 15 additional minutes of some simple yoga stretches for a total burn of 250 calories.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's been a while since I burned anything other than dinner.

So tomorrow is the dreaded Fat Tuesday.  I don't know what it means in your house, but in my house it means Fastnachts.  A PA Dutch tradition of eating raised potato doughnuts with syrup.  YUMMMMMMMMM
My mom and I were out in Lancaster this past weekend visiting family and just so happened to pick up a dozen (or two).  I usually have to make them, but this year I have the real thing.  Now I know it doesn't sound very healthy or fit to be talking about PA Dutch doughnuts, but it's tradition and that is not something I'm willing to mess with.  I'll have my one fastnacht this year and I'll savor it more than I ever have...and then I'll move on.

Whatever your Fat Tuesday tradition may be, enjoy it.  It's the simple things that keep us from going completely insane on our weight loss journey.

Be happy!

Friday, February 5, 2010

That stupid groundhog!

Who wants 6 more weeks of winter?  Not me.  For those of you that are going to be stuck inside this weekend, like myself, what are you going to do to keep moving?  I welcome your thoughts.  Hopefully our snow worries are being over dramatized and I'll be able to get that much needed haircut and pop over to the gym after.  Just in case though, here are some suggestions for staying active this weekend:

  1. Dust off those exercise dvds.  You know you have them.  I have 6 or 7 Leslie Sansone walking dvds that really get the blood pumping and burn a ton of calories.  (try and do them on the first floor because it can get pretty annoying if you are jumping around upstairs when people are trying to relax below you)
  2. Exercise TV - I love it.  There are hundreds of workouts for every fitness level and best of all they are free.  Well, not free since we pay for cable, but no additional monthly charge.
  3. Shovel snow.  I hate it too, but it keeps you moving and NO SNOW BLOWERS.
  4. Check out CardioCoach.com  "Cardio Coach™ is a downloadable audio workout program for your iPod / MP3 player and is designed for any type of cardio machine (bikes, treadmill, cross trainer, elliptical, stair stepper, rower etc.) & features a patented levels & zone system for any fitness level, from beginner to advanced."
  5. Walk the steps if you have them. We have two sets of steps in our house and no matter how much my hubby laughs at me, if I can't get out of the house I walk up and down the steps until it hurts.
  6. Clean your house, do laundry, walk the dogs, you get the idea.
  7. Grab a can of something (or two) and use them as weights while you are sitting in front of the tv.  (not that you will be doing such a lazy thing, but just in case)
  8. Jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups - you know your basic exercises, no equipment needed
  9. YOGA or stretching
  10. If you have equipment in your house...USE IT.  Get the clothes off of it and use it for something other than a spare closet.  (you know who you are) Combine with #4 above if you can.
Make sure you don't mindlessly snack all weekend.  I know we have a huge snack menu planned for the Super Bowl, but I'm trying to substitute healthy alternatives for some of the items. 

Be safe and have fun, but get moving!

Monday, February 1, 2010

TGIM!

I know it seems a bit odd to be greatful for a Monday, but I am so glad to put last week behind me.  I would say it was the worst week yet of my weight loss/health journey.  I had to travel to AL on Thursday and Friday last week and  I really dislike flying.  I'm not afraid to fly, I just don't care for the air sickness or the waiting around at the airport.  I don't stress out about travel eating anymore.  I make good choices on a regular basis and I don't give in to the fast food temptations anymore.  I guess what I'm saying is I don't view travel as an excuse to eat whatever I want.

However, I felt so bluck (yes...it's my word) after getting off the plane on Friday that I went home and crashed.  Saturday was a marathon shopping day and then just when I thought we were heading home and I could hit the gym my brother called and we ended up having dinner with him. No gym on Saturday.  : (

Sunday I was still feeling drained from the travel and I just laid around and read or watched TV.  I know...how lazy could I be.  So in short I only got to the gym one day last week.  The scale did not lie this morning.  I gained 0.2 lbs since last week.  UGH !  I suppose this could have been worse given that I was super stressed, traveling and tired most of the week.

Our weight loss coach told us to make a goal for ourselves for the next 4 weeks.  My goal is to lose 10 lbs in 4 weeks.  I will reach that goal and it is extra motivation to get to the gym.  NO EXCUSES!

Live Healthy!