Can’t say anything nice…

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

…then don’t say anything at all, right?

Well, I will try not to complain for too long, but let’s just say that the world through PMS glasses is not always a nice view.
The main battle I’m having is this:
I’m sure the scale will be up (because it was this morning) as I’ve managed to drink soda and eat more than normal – both regular food and sweets. I’ve figured out it is “that time” and I kind of really don’t care (probably also because it’s “that time”). What bothers me the most is knowing I’m going to post a gain on here and somewhere someone will think I need to just deal with myself and quit giving in to the impulses.
But I’m sorry, I’ve enjoyed the real soda a few times this week and a dish of ice cream I had last night. My dishes for ice cream hold one cup and I didn’t fill them both times I had ice cream.
Last night I was telling myself that if I take three years to lose the weight then so be it…then I went to bed hoping for a better attitude in the morning. I’m still hopeful….
On a good note, last night after I had that small dish of ice cream I was very satisfied. As I turned off lights before bed I almost grabbed some chips, but then I realized I really didn’t want them, so I left them alone. I enjoyed my yummy ice cream, but I didn’t heap on more and more junk because I really didn’t want it anymore.
Oh, another positive thing is that I bought a new skirt yesterday and I think it’s too big. Either that or I’m right in the middle of sizes. So, I’m going back today to try on the smaller size (that I didn’t dare try on yesterday because I just knew it would be too tight and I didn’t want to get depressed.) and we’ll see if it fits. I’ll let you know later today.
Oh, and I have managed to keep drinking water and get in exercise this week, so I’m not all horribleness. 🙂
There. I’ve found a silver lining to this PMS cloud. Now to get on with my day. I’ll try to rein in the negative talk and remind myself that this is hormonal and it too shall pass. 🙂
p.s. My apologies to any men who read this blog. I try and be discreet, but the female monthly cycle truly is a BIG part of my weight loss journey and since this is basically my “diary” I share both the ups and downs of the journey.
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Addicted to Sweating

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

The kids went back to school today and I took advantage of their absence to run a few errands and go to the gym.

As I was doing my jogging on the Couch to 5K program I thought to myself, “I am definitely liking the sweat I get from jogging versus what I get from working out at home to a DVD.”
This is just so crazy to me. Now, I know that the workouts I’ve been doing on my Wii Fit The Biggest Loser game have been strengthening my core, but they don’t make me sweat nearly like jogging does.
I’m not sure why I love the perspiration so much. Maybe it’s because I feel so strong when I’m done. I know that I was able to accomplish a more intense workout and that makes me feel wonderful!
You know what else is wonderful?
I’m noticing that when I’m jogging I’m feeling it more in my legs than in my chest. That is to say that I’m not as winded as when I started. More of the struggle to get through a jog is to make my legs keep going, but my lungs/heart must be getting stronger because my breath isn’t so ragged sounding. Yay! 😀
I do have a question for the runners/joggers out there:
Any ideas why my calves would hurt more jogging on a track/road versus a treadmill? I’m thinking because the track is a harder surface, but I’d like you’re insights.
That’s it for today. Hope you’re all having a wonderful week so far.
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My First Guest Post

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Lori from Finding Radiance invited folks to submit some guests posts for her to put on her blog while she is out of town on vacation. I’m honored that she chose to share the post I submitted. *BIG GRIN*

You can see my first ever guest post by clicking here.
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Something Old, Something New

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Today I thought I’d share two favorite foods of mine.
The first is a greek salad of sorts. A lady friend of mine used to make this years ago when we lived in Arizona and we always loved it. She makes it with spring greens. My husband doesn’t like the spring green, but he loves this salad, so I usually make it with Romaine. I added spinach when I made it this time. This can be a meal all in itself, and even in the cold weather I find myself wanting it.

Greek Salad
Mix a little or all of the following according to your tastes.
  • Lettuce – Spring Mix or Romaine
  • Roma Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Kalamata Olives
  • Feta Cheese
  • Red Onions
  • Walnuts
  • Italian Dressing

Then, this a new little food that I saw on Lori’s blog Finding Radiance and it looked so good I had to try it myself. It’s baked sweet potato with laughing cow cheese on top. She tops it with broccoli sometimes also.
Believe it or not, it’s delicious! It’s one of my new favorites to have with some fruit for lunch.
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That’s a Switch

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Well, we are still having “inclement weather” that is causing schools to remain closed. In the past I wouldn’t care about my kids being home, but last night I was a bit bummed that they didn’t have school again today.

Why?
Because I wasn’t going to be able to go to the gym and get my jogging done. Yes, I can do Leslie Sansone DVDs or use the Wii Fit and do The Biggest Loser game, but I WANTED TO JOG.
I did end up being able to go after all because my husband got done at school early and could watch the kids. He took them bowling at the base while I was at the gym.
I didn’t feel like doing weights, because it was getting later in the day and I wanted to spend some time bowling with my family. But I got the first day of week five in the Couch to 5K program done.
And it felt so good!!!!!!
Oh, and once we were on the way to the gym, and I knew I was getting a chance to workout on the treadmill after all, I confided in my husband that earlier I was bummed that I couldn’t jog since the kids were home for another snow day. He laughed and responded with, “You were upset you couldn’t jog?!?!” I told him I didn’t want to fall behind in my Couch to 5K program. He knows that is definitely a switch from the old Leah. 🙂
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Article – The 10% Solution

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding


I received this article in my email today from SparkPeople.com. I thought it was very good and I hope you can find something useful out of it also.

To read “The 10% Solution” click here.
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Updated Progress Pics – 8 Months

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

I finally took an updated picture for my Weight Loss Progression Album. You can see the difference below or look at the entire album by clicking here.

May 2009: 231.0———Today: 206.0

Though I’ve only lost three pounds since October I can see and feel the difference that upping my fitness level has made just this last month.

Now I look forward to seeing more consistent losses and leanness in the coming months.

Remember, as my mom told me once, “Little by little, we whittle and whittle!” 🙂
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Perfect 10 – Update #4

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Here’s another update for the Perfect 10 Challenge, brought to you by Steve over at Log My Loss.

My Perfect 10 Goals Are:
  1. Complete the Couch to 5K program. Yes – I did 2 out of 3 days of week 4. Due to weather conditions I haven’t been able to get to the gym Thursday or today. If roads are better on Saturday I will try and go finish day 3 of this week. I have done cardio between every day of running, so I feel pleased with where I’m at. Since I did a workout at home today and managed to workout 5 out of 7 days this past week I decided it was okay to use green for this one.

  2. Drink 6-8, 8 oz. glasses of water daily. Kind of – I know I didn’t get enough in last weekend. I’m hoping with my new water bottle I’ll remember to carry it around in the car and drink more when we’re out and about.

  3. Adjust my eating to see weight loss. Yes – I saw a 1.0 pound loss this week! You can read my post from earlier today if you want to read more about what I’m doing. 🙂

As for the little tidbit on me….

I love old radio shows! Mysteries and dramas are my favorite shows to listen to, but I love the comedies and radio theatre as well. I grew up listening to them and when I found them for free audio streaming online years ago I was a very happy girl!

I listen to them when I’m cleaning, making meals, working playing on the computer, etc. etc. Our main computer is hooked up through our Bose stereo speakers, so I can listen to them via a podcast or online and hear them come out of the stereo likes it’s live radio. It’s great!

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Weigh-In … Intuitive Eating Works

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today’s Weight: 206.0

Loss/Gain: -1.0 lb.
Total Loss So Far: -25 lbs

I feel good about losing the pound I gained last week. I’m still very thrilled that the numbers “209 & 210” haven’t shown back up on the scale. It makes me feel like I really am down and not just in a valley of fluctuation with another mountain to come again.

Back in December I read a book called Intuitive Eating and it has become the way I am learning to eat to lose weight and be healthier.

Wikipedia defines intuitive eating as “a nutrition philosophy based on the premise that becoming more attuned to the body’s natural hunger signals is a more effective way to attain a healthy weight; rather than keeping track of the amounts of energy and fats in foods or satiety levels. It’s a process that is intended to create a healthy relationship with food, mind, and body. Intuitive Eating, just like the many books available today, goes by many names, including non-dieting or the non-diet approach, normal eating, wisdom eating, conscious eating and more.”

That sums up best what I am working through to see my weight come off. It’s not easy, but I’m learning to listen to my body and only feed it when it’s hungry and then stop when it says it’s had enough.

There are very good pointers in this book of how to deal with certain attitudes towards food and it even has chapters on making sure you get a balanced diet and learning to love exercise. It gives tips on eating when you’re just a tad hungry (but you know it will be a long while before you have another meal) so that you don’t get to a point of starvation and then overeat when food is available.

While I’m finding this whole concept to be a good fit for me there is a little bit of fear involved. To just listen to my body takes some trusting of myself and that can be scary. Plus, there’s no guarantee to “lose 10 pounds by _____”. However, I keep plugging along and the weight is going down again.

It’s funny that along this process I’m also learning to eat only the foods I love and that make me feel the best, and some times that is a nice yummy salad or a piece of fruit. Amazing.

Thanks for enduring my long post, but I thought it might be time to update what I’m working on, what “plan” if you will, to help me reach my weight loss goals.

Have a great Friday!
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Wintry Day

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Well, we have a storm coming in, all schools were cancelled and I’ve been in the house all day. No going to the gym today with the icy roads and such, but I’ve just been careful to only eat when I’m hungry and not mindlessly munch. Somehow that was easier to do today than in the past and I’m grateful.

As I was working on a small receiving blanket by hand I decided to have my water bottle on hand instead of coffee. It was early in the day for another cup and I knew it would get cold while my hands were busy anyway.
However, I now have some coffee brewing to sip on while I read blogs and maybe go back to reading my book for a bit. This is my first day of rest from working out and I’ll probably leave it like that. I might still go play on the Wii Fit later, but we’ll see….I’m enjoying this lazy day immensely with my family all home.
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