AK Catdogs Journal (comments welcome)

[Alaska Catdog]

I joined WISH yesterday with the intention of getting motivated to exercise and lose some weight. It's a great motivator. Yesterday I exercised for the first time in a week. I did 15 minutes of weight lifting and "rode" the nordic track for 20 minutes. Then this morning DH left the light on when he got up which made it impossible for me to sleep in, so I got up and weight lifted for 20 minutes and "rode" the nordic track for 30 minutes. My plan is to do this everyday (at least 5 days a week) and watch what I eat. I am trying to get into the habit of eating breakfast too. I know I should but I've never liked breakfast it's a very hard habit to get into. I've always been able to either eat properly or exercise regularly. I've never been able to merge them both into a complete plan. I'm hoping to use this journal to gain some insight into that and other self sabataging behaviors I know I have. Pre-wish I've lost 15 lbs in an attempt lose some weight before my WDW trip next month. I've had motivational difficulties and noticed a week or two ago that the smaller clothes I'd worked myself into were starting to "shrink". This always happens whenever I try to lose weight and I never notice it before I've gained all the weight back and then some. This is the pattern I need to change and it is the pattern that is the most difficult to recognize. I suppose I should be happy that I haven't gained the weight back and recognized the pattern this time. Perhaps there is hope I better get to work.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi Alaska,
Welcome to WISH...you've got about a month till Disney. You can make a good dent in your weight by then. I do free weights and Nordic Track at home for my routine. I really preferred the elliptical at the gym, but I'm saving $ exercising at home, so I'm getting used to the Nordic Track again. Sounds like you know what you need to do, and you are getting back into your good habits. Just take it day by day....Jump into the October exercise challenge if you want...you could pledge to do 500 minutes instead of 1000 since it's halfway through the month. Check out the thread in the WISH forum.

Again, welcome!

 

[Princess Michelle]

Welcome! You're already off to a great start! Best of luck to you!

 

[wilderness01]

welcome.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I really appreciate the support. I'm doing well with my exercise. I rode the nordic track for 35 minutes and weight lifted for 20. I feel so much better when I exercise I don't know why I ever stop. I went to a calorie calculator on the internet and learned that I burn about 1000 calories everytime I exercise. This is great news. Now I just need to figure out how many calories I eat a day. I looked at the exercise challenge and, though I have no good reason, I think I'll wait to join it in November. I guess I want to start in the beginning with everyone. I have to say I am exciting about the prospect of getting that first clippie and I really like the exercise challenge clippies (are those called clippies too?). I am hoping to lose 12 lbs by the time I go to WDW because then I may just fit on the rides. I have so much weight to lose I am going to break it down into smaller amounts so it feels doable. I definately think that I prefer working out in the morning than the evening.

 

[Princess Michelle]

You are really doing great so far. I understand wanting to wait and join the exercise challenge at the beginning. By then you'll be in such a groove you'll be blowing everyone away!

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I did it again (yay) my routine is 20 minutes weight lifting and 35 minutes on the nordic track. I have this equipment in my basement so I really have no excuse except laziness when I don't use it. I am in awe of anyone who can "ride" an elliptical for more than 4 minutes. We have one of those and I just can't do it. It's not a very high quality piece of equipment, perhaps that makes it harder. Used exercise equipment is very easy to find, you just need a space to put it and the inclination to use it.
I didn't realize how much this journal would motivate me. When I think about not exercising I think about posting that I didn't exercise today and that gets me down to my basement.
Not so successful in the food area
This morning "the pastry fairy" visited my desk before I arrived at work. I work in a culinary school with a restaurant and it's hard to resist freshly made, free pastry. When cornered "the pastry fairy" admitted she'd gifted me with the fresh hot pastry because she needed a place to put the left overs. I asked her if she could think of someplace other than my hips in the future. That was after I ate the pastry of course. I still think I'm doing well, I ate sensibly for the rest of the day and I stayed away from the dessert tray. You know, the one that restaurants bring around to your table after a fine meal, with all the fabulous desserts on it that you know you shouldn't but you just can't resist. Yep, I share an office with that tray. This week it has a delightful lemon tart with meringue, a delicious chocolate mousse tear drop, a fantastic pistashio cream cake with chocolate ganache and a so-so apple cheesecake. Yep, when the restaurant closes those desserts are available for staff. I'd like to say they are easy to resist and for the most part they are but there are some days when I just need one of those desserts. Lucky for me, today was not one of those days. Here's hoping that tomorrow won't be either.
Thanks Princess for the support, I really appreciate it.

 

[Princess Michelle]

Oh dear, I think I would quite literally weigh 500lbs. if I worked where you do! Bravo to you for exercising as much will power as you have, that is a hard situation you are in and I think you did great! We might have to throw some water on that pastry fairy though! The nerve of her! LOL You're doing great with the exercise too. Here's to another wonderful day!

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I didn't post yesterday but I did exercise, same routine. The weights are getting easier so I am building back the muscle I lost. The server seemed to be down so I was unable to post after my work out which is when I usually post. It's like a reward. I learned some things about myself yesterday. 1. I can't say no to chef. It's just not in my nature to refuse delectable treats that were made for me. I need to work on this. 2. Contrary to my prior belief I am able to exercise within an hour and a half of eating. I can't count the times I passed on exercise because I'd already eaten dinner. Last night we got home way late, having had dinner on the way home, in the past I would have just abandoned any plan to exercise because I thought you had to exercise on an empty stomach but last night I was eager to continue this success and I exercised even though I'd eaten and I was fine. Guess I can't use that as an excuse any more. I'm learning. The exercise is all falling into place, the sensible food eating is another story. I'm beginning to realize that I need to develop a defensive eating plan so that I can fend off well meaning chefs and "pastry fairies" without hurting any feelings. I am prone to passively eat whatever given and I don't think that's working for me. hmmmm.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

Well I exercised today too. I asked DH for permission to skip today because I've been so good all week and he said "no way, you only have 19 days left till we leave and you are happier when you exercise." I can't argue with that he's not the boss of me but the man made sense. I made it through the much anticipated and feared Friday Dessert Buffett without partaking. I always go out there to see what the students are offering our restaurant guests and today they had adorable cups of cappucino mousse topped with whipped cream with little chocolate "steam" rising from them and I really wanted one but I passed. Yay. In the Fall I always crave fat. It's because I live in Alaska and my body says "Hey Man! I remember what -15 feels like, have a doughnut!" and unless I am really in tune with reality (living in the "now" ) I don't even recognize it as anything other than completely logical. Here's hoping I'll make it through the weekend without ice cream and having exercised both days.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I did exercise today. Yay I've never exercised 7 days in a row before. I am proud of myself for that but on the other hand, I also had an ice cream cone for lunch which is not the best choice. I'm not going to get down on myself for the poor food choices. I'm just going to own up to it in this journal and hopefully I'll get sick of recounting bad food choices and change my habits. I'm getting excited about our trip to WDW. This is our dream trip, we'll be going for 12 nights and we are staying at three different resorts two of them on the concierge floor. I tried on my swimsuits today and convinced myself that they look better than the last time I tried them on. I got some boy style swim trunks that I will wear with the suits but still there is no real way to hide 160 lbs extra lbs (thats a whole person, and not a thin one). I'm hoping that I am old enough and non descript enough to be invisible when I go to the pools. At least that's what I am telling myself. I'm a heat baby, that's why I live in Alaska. I didn't own a swimsuit or even a pair of shorts before we started planning this trip. I hope I have the nerve to wear them. It's the one thing that scares me the most about my trip (well that and fitting on the rides )

 

[Strings]

Hi Alaska,

You are doing a great job with your exercise. Keep up the great work.

Can I make an observation about my times at WDW. Everyone is so involved in having a good time on vacation that people don't seem to notice or make an issue of other people's weight. I have never felt uncomfortable there, and I have felt uncomfortable other places. I say go and have a great time. Enjoy your dream vacation, and don't worry about what others think.
Beth

 

[Princess Michelle]

Wow! 7 days of exercise in a row, you go girl! Woo Hoo! I think it's awesome that your husband is supporting you in this, so many people have to go it alone and it makes it so much harder. Those cappucino mousse cups sound adorable and delicious! I have a low-fat mousse recipe that I think I will make some with. I love the chocolate "steam" that is a great visual! Don't be too down about the ice cream, it was one meal and you are making great progress. Keep up the good work!

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I had absolutely no intention of exercising today but I surprised myself and I did it. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I hoped that people would be so interested in their own stuff that nobody will notice the really large lady in the pool. It's good to hear that is your experience. Ice cream is my downfall but nothing is going to get me down because I am doing so well on my exercise. I am certain I will be able to conquer my ice cream addiction eventually (she says as she eats another spoonful)

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

You're doing great Alaska! I'm proud of you for keeping up with your exercise, consistency is definitely the key. Take it from someone who's been an on-again, off-again exerciser for years!
If you stop exercising, you'll maintain for a little while, but it's very deceptive, and before you know it, the pounds will creep back...so don't let that happen to you!

Hope you have a great day!
Jean

 

[Alaska Catdog]

My sweet lovely dog who never used to make a peep at all decided recently that her best favorite thing to do is start barking for 15 minutes stretches thoughout the night over that last week or so. Last night it was very bad and we decided to crate her in the basement so we couldn't hear her, of course this all played out at 2:00 am so I opted for sleep instead of exercise this morning and had little hope of completing the exercise mission this evening but I did it. My knee has starting hurting me at about 20 minutes on the nordic track. DH thinks I am over doing it on the nordic track but I find that if I stop at 20 minutes for a minute I have no trouble making it the additional 15 minutes without pain. I don't want to slow down this momentum. I did quite well on the eating today. I did have a sugary soda but not much considering that I have unlimited access to a soda fountain. I don't even really like soda but it tastes good with salty food. I'm a salty/sweet freak. I've determined my goal weight, I'd like to lose 180 lbs which is such a huge number it scares me. I haven't recently thought about how much I would need to lose in order to be at a reasonable weight and clearly it's some thing I should have thought about oh say 5 years ago. Well, I'm getting started now aren't I? I saw a really interesting thing on a website, it was a photgraph of 5 lbs of fat next to 5 lbs of muscle. It was a great illustration of why you lose size before weight when you exercise. The muscle was much smaller and compact than the fat. I've been trying to get my head around the fact that I've lost 2 sizes but very little weight. This website helped me visualize it. It makes more sense to me now. Thanks Jean for the words of encouragement I don't want the size I've lost to creep back either! Have a fabulous day

 

[Strings]

Hi There,

I'm glad you found a visual to help you. Sometimes wee need that to keep going,
Please be careful of your knee. I have been told that bilateral replacements are in my future. Don't overdo things.

You are doing a great job. Having a goal weight is a great motivator, but if the numbet to lose intimidates you, try breaking it down. Look at 10% increments. Reward yourself after reaching each 10% goal. Just make sure the reward is not food.

I hope you get some good sleep tonight.
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

9 DAYS of EXERCISE!!!
Way to go, Alaska!! Consistency is key and it looks like you are doing a fabulous job of staying consistent with your exercise!

Welcome to the WISH Journal board! You'll never find a more supportive bunch of people! We all love to help each other succeed and motivate each other through the slumps and support each other through the tough times. That's what friends are for!

Your work situation - OH MY!! I'd have a really tough time with all the food around! I do think you'll need to be realistic with yourself, though. Saying that you will NEVER have another treat at work with all those goodies staring you in the face is just asking for failure! Maybe you can allow yourself one treat every other week or every week? Maybe you can allow yourself to have 3 bites of whatever you want, as long as you throw the rest away? I don't know which strategy might work for you, but I hope you find something that won't make you feel deprived but won't derail your healthy living journey.

Best wishes for a wonderful day!!

 

[Alaska Catdog]

Yeah, I just did the weight lifting today. I decided to give my body a little break without stopping the exercise completely. I ate well today and like the idea of giving myself just a taste and stopping before eating a whole dessert. I've been praticing not eating everything on my plate. It just seems like a good idea. Thanks for the supportive posts I have to get going but I really appreciate the support and liked the ideas I've been given in response.

 

[wilderness01]

Wow you really are doing awesome especially with the temptations everywhere at work. I would weigh a ton if I worked there. Where in Alaska do you live? It looks so pretty there. Give yourself a big pat on the back for all the exercise. That is awesome. I hope you have a wonderful trip to WDW. I second Beth, do not worry about putting on summer clothes there. Yes I love to people watch, but I have never people watched to see what they were wearing or how small their clothes looked. I just people watch to enjoy the atmosphere, give my body a rest and watch how people are so happy to be at WDW. I admit after going on Badshoe.com I do look at people's shoes if we are standing in line, I have some downtime and the kids are quiet, but Zurg has made that into a joke that was funny on his site not to truly make fun of people or make others feel uncomfortable. Enjoy every last minute of your trip. It will be a wonderful memory.