Cam's New Lease on Life Journal (comments welcome!)

[keenercam]

Hi, guys! Just a quick hello! We are back from special olympics for the night -- much earlier than any of the past 10+ years. YEAH! Just laundering clothes because we have to wear our official shirts again tomorrow, so I'm still up (so that Howard isnt waiting alone for the washer ) (yes, he does all the laundry. Am I spoiled rotten, or what? )
So do you think driving half an hour and being on my feet from 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 pm literally every single minute (except 5 mins to eat dinner and and 40 minutes at opening ceremonies) and then driving 1/2 hour home counts as cross training? My legs think I just did a 1/2 marathon or a minnie or something!

I left the house before 6, Howard and Andy around 7, and Jenn shortly thereafter (yes, she drove down there by herself for the first time-- I was worried sick but proud of her confidence and courage). I know she was excited to be at "her university" so soon after high school graduation, doing something she is wonderful at and passionate about. What an awesome day! Can't wait to get back tomorrow (after I take some aleve, of course! )

Hi, everyone! Well, I am sore today, but definitely recovering from another amazing, awesome, inspiring and energizing Special Olympics experience. Yesterday, I helped move about 2000 cans of soda and bottles of water setting up for lunch, so I felt like I got some cross-training in, for sure! Mel, to answer your question, Howard and I are both on the organizing commitee for summer games, an event which serves about 1200 athletes as well as their coaches and volunteers, whose numbers are at least 1:1 and sometimes 2:1, so it is a huge, fun event. Howard takes care of all signage for the entire two days, making sure everyone knows what is going on at all the venues and how to get there, and he moves all those signs as venue uses shift. Andrew helped him Thursday, so they worked 3 days in a row. I co-chair the committee that sources, plans and executes all meals for the 2 days (though our fabulous corporate sponsor, Aramark, hardly needs our help for a couple of the meals -- they are awesome!). I think when all is said and done my committee managed over 100 volunteers for over 3000 meals, as well as refreshments for a victory party after opening ceremonies. Jenn and Andrew both worked with me Friday and Saturday. It has gotten so that the athletes recognize us and give us such HUGE smiles as they show off their medals or talk excitedly about their events. So many of them hug us and high five us -- what an extraordinary group of people! I am such a high after a weekend like this, and if I were independently wealthy, I know I'd devote lots more time and energy to the organization.

So, thanks for asking. I LOVE to talk Special Olympics.

Well, my training for DL 1/2 kicks in today. I've done a new meal grid to get "accountable" again (Sunny is going to get sick of hearing from me!) and I am creating my training calendar based on MfM. I'll be sure to check in with training updates. Thanks for being patient with me, buys.

Also yesterday:

Hi, guys! Well, I am back to posting, after being tied up a few days with Special Olympics (my passion). I ate buffet last night but worked 15 hours Friday and 7 hours Saturday running around campus, bending & lifting and carrying stuff for the 3000+ meals that my committee managed. I figure I have at least 360 solid exercise minutes (but probably more), so I am counting yesterday cheat-free.

Dona -- I am so happy for you that you are seeing awesome progress on the scale!

Julie -- sorry you are having a rough time. I haven't visited journals in so long but will be back in the groove this week. Hang in there, sweetie.

Keep up the great work, everyone. You are keeping me accountable. I am hellbent and determined to meet my goals before the Disneyland 1/2 marathon,. which is 3 months and 1 week from today! Training starts today, so it should make it easier for me to remain cheat-free. Hugs, guys!

So, here we are. June 12. I've been a slacker for so long that I don't even remember when I was last on track for a significant amount of time without just squeaking by.

Yesterday was my first really good on-plan day.
B: coffee w/sugar free creamer (1)
L: movie popcorn, no butter (7.5)
D: grilled chicken w/salad on whole wheat pita (3); oriental string beans and mixed veggies (2); veggie foil wrap (potatoes, carrots) (4)

I also went to the gym for 50 minutes on the bike and earned 3 unused APs

I have decided to start planning my entire day's meals at least one day before.
Today:
B: weight watchers bagel w/1 Tbsp reduced fat maple raisin walnut cream cheese (3); coffee w/sugar free creamer (0)
S: high protein trader joes banana chocolate muffin (2)
L: brown rice (2); veggies (1); grilled chicken (2)
S: weight watchers yogurt w/flax seed (2)
D: grilled chicken, brown rice, veggies (5)
S: high fiber, trader joes cranberry apple muffin (1)

Now, we'll see how well I can stick to it.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Cam!

It's so nice to hear from you! It was fun reading your posts and getting caught up with what is going on with you and your family!

Congratulations to your DD on her graduation and all of her accomplishments! Her prom picture and graduation pictures are really nice!!!

Congratulations to you on completing the 5 mile race!!!! You are doing such a great job!!

I think that the work that you and your family do with Special Olympics is wonderful, Cam! It is so inspiring to see how you, your DH, and your kids work together on such an amazing project.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Let's hope the "server is too busy" message goes away soon! Take care, Cam!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Cam!

It's so nice to hear from you! It was fun reading your posts and getting caught up with what is going on with you and your family!

Congratulations to your DD on her graduation and all of her accomplishments! Her prom picture and graduation pictures are really nice!!!

Congratulations to you on completing the 5 mile race!!!! You are doing such a great job!!

I think that the work that you and your family do with Special Olympics is wonderful, Cam! It is so inspiring to see how you, your DH, and your kids work together on such an amazing project.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Let's hope the "server is too busy" message goes away soon! Take care, Cam!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sorry about the double post.

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Tracy!
Aren't the website server issues extremely frustrating?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

CAM!! i have missed seeing you post, was getting kinda worried about you! Congrats to your DD!!!

and this server being busy thing has been driving me lately!!!!!

Hope you are doing okay, thanks for checking in !

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Jen. Here we go again, trying to post and being unable to for way too long!

Well, this was the food plan for today:
B: weight watchers bagel w/1 Tbsp reduced fat maple raisin walnut cream cheese (3); coffee w/sugar free creamer (0)
S: high protein trader joes banana chocolate muffin (2)
L: brown rice (2); veggies (1); grilled chicken (2)
S: weight watchers yogurt w/flax seed (2)
D: grilled chicken, brown rice, veggies (5)
S: high fiber, trader joes cranberry apple muffin (1)

I was on track until the afternoon snack when I ate mini wheats instead of the yogurt w/flax seed. I also added a 2 pt dessert of mini pretzels.
So, this is what I had:
B: weight watchers bagel w/1 Tbsp reduced fat maple raisin walnut cream cheese (3); coffee w/sugar free creamer (0)
S: high protein trader joes banana chocolate muffin (2)
L: brown rice (2); veggies (1); grilled chicken (2)
S: 24 mini wheats (3)
D: grilled chicken, brown rice, veggies (5)
S: high fiber, trader joes cranberry apple muffin (1); mini pretzels (2)

I still have points left for the day, as well as 2 APs I earned walking 30 minutes tonight.

Training update:
Did the first night of MfM week 1 -- 30 minutes walking.
mile 1 was 16:11 for a 16:11 pace
lap 2 was .93 miles in 14:21 for a 15:23 pace

2 nights in a row doing some kind of workout. YEAH!

Puts my June exercise challenge at exactly 500/1000.

 

[keenercam]

Well, I have had such a hard time posting today, but here is the plan:
B: 2 lite english muffins w/3 oz chicken (3.5); coffee w/sugar free creamer (.5)
S: lite yogurt (1); 1 Tbsp flax seed (.5)
L: 3 oz. grilled chicken (1.5); brown rice (2); veggies (.5)

This is my goal for the rest of the day:
mid-afternoon snack: 3 wasa crackers (1) w/1 wedge laughing cow lite cheese (1)

After my WW meeting (NOT looking forward to WI), I am heading to the gym for 30 minutes of cross training. I have 2 tiny apples to eat on the way.

pre-dinner snack: 2 tiny apples (1)
dinner: lean cuisine panini (5); mixed veggies (2)
dessert: WW ice cream cone (2); 10 mini pretzels (1)

I should end up within my points and won't be using the 2 APs I will earn at the gym.

My goal is to get through this entire next week completely within daily WW points and to end every day feeling as if I ate very sensibly.

My longer term (though interim) goal is to be at the next "decade" weight-wise by the end of June. As of this morning, that probably means I need to lose about 7.5 pounds. I just feel like if I could get to the next "decade" I will have accomplished something so incredibly BIG! So, tonight I will see what the official scale says about how much I would have to lose in the next 17 days. IF it is 7.5 pounds, that is totally unrealistic to do in the next 2 weigh ins, but I can certainly work toward that goal.

ETA: Forgot to mention that I was going to eat a protein power banana muffin on the way to the gym.

So, I went to WI and the picture is bleaker than I thought -- 9 pounds to lose to get to the next decade, though I know much of that is just from bloating.

Went to the gym and did 2.53 miles on the elliptical -- 30 minutes of workout and 5 minutes of cooldown. Brings my June exercise total to 535/1000. I am now 26 days cheat free. Ending the day now with one point to spare and 2 APs unused. 3 days in a row of being totally on plan AND working out! YEAH!!!

Bought a WISH workout journal at my friend Sunny's website and it arrived today, as well as a bright green WISH magnet with black lettering that is now on my fridge reminding me what my WISH objective is. Should help me stay on track!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Cam,

Congrats on being 1/2 way to your June Exercise Challenge goal! Keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[keenercam]

Hi Cam,

Congrats on being 1/2 way to your June Exercise Challenge goal! Keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Thanks, Tracy! I was thinking I may actually make my monthly goal this month, but hen realized my 1/2 marathon training is not going to be enough minutes to get me to the goal, so I may have to add some additonal time to my training sessions.

Today will be busy at work and God knows once the server gets busy I won't be able to post anyway, so I'll post my entire day's plan now. I have DSalmost13's awards program tonight and it is a rest day on my training plan, so I really have to be good.

B: 2 lite english muffins (2); 3 oz grilled chicken (1.5); coffee w/sugar free creamer (.5)
L: "free" salad (0)
S: 3 wasa crisps (1); laughing cow cheese wedge (1)
D (hopefully before leaving work for the awards program): chicken & string beans (3); spinach
S: light frappuccino at starbucks (4)
2nd D (after awards ceremony): turkey burger (4) on WW bagel (2) with 1.5 oz swiss cheese (3.5)
dessert: 10 mini pretzels (1)

That leaves me enough points for a frappuccino at B&N tonight if we get a chance to go. I am soon going to need a new pocket journal. I am trying to get back into the habit of writing down everything I eat either at the beginning of the day or as I go along. I also have to keep track of my training in conjunction with food to get an idea of body fuel issues and what is sustaining me.

ETA: as lunch approached, I found myself very hungry (I forgot to eat my morning snack), so I went and bought a vegetarian salad w/artichoke hearts, chick peas, cucumbers & tomatoes -- delicious!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Cam

As always you are an inspiration to me! I am sure your DS's awards ceremony went wonderfully tonight!!! Thanks for posting in my journal...it was so nice of you to stop by! As you know, you are one of my original inspirations for taking on this incredible marathon journey. I look forward to your posts every day!!

And congrats on all you've done! The cheat-free is amazing! And you're doing so well on your monthly exercise goal!

 

[keenercam]

Wow, Amy, that is so sweet. I really appreciate the words of support and encouragement from my WISH buddies. I seem to have been treading water for so long that I have to spend more time here to gather the motivation to work harder and move forward.

I am really happy that I have been on plan absolutely for 4 days and that I am halfway through my first MfM training week and right on track. The big test will be if I can get myself to the gym tonight after a business function I have that could go until 8 pm. Training plan calls for 30 minute walk and 4 sets of speed/form intervals of 30 seconds sprint/1 minute walk. I figure if I read the Disneyland guide book on the treadmill it will make time go more quickly AND keep me focused on the prize -- a CASTLE medal!

Today's plan:
B: coffee w/1/2&1/2 (1); apple (1)
S: WW yogurt w/flaxseed (1.5)
L: garden salad w/ tuna (4); ranch flavored soy crisps (2)

 

[Blueeyes101817]

congrats on being on plan for 4 days!!!!!

Hope you get to go to the gym tonight--ur doing great! im proud of ya!

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Jen!

cross-post from the training thread:
Howard and I went to the gym last night after my business cocktail party. I did 30 minutes at 4.0 mph (2.03 miles) and then did my speed/form sprint intervals. I was so excited and stunned to realize I could put the sprint speed up to 6.0 mph and actually maintain that pace for 30 seconds at a burst! So it was 4 intervals of 1 min walking/30 seconds sprinting. Even the walking speed had to be bumped up because it seemed so slow. It was 4.3. I ended up doing .47 miles which was a pace of 12:52 for that 4 interval (6 minute) period of time. I remember when I struggled to put that sprint speed at 5.0 mph and then ultimately 5.4. Hard to believe I could have improved to 6.0 mph.

I have to do 30 minute xt tonight which will be hard since Howard and DS are leaving for a week tomorrow morning. And tomorrow morning the plan calls for 2 miles. I'm not too intimidated by that now that I did it last night. I may even go to the gym to do it so that I can kick up the speed on the TM and get it done in less than 30 minutes. Then again, if it's a gorgeous day like today, I will be dying to get outside before having to come into work for the rest of the day.


Today's food plan:
B: 1/2 turkey burger on weight watchers bagel (4); coffee w/SF creamer (.5)
L: "free salad" with tuna (4); 2 small apples (1)
S: protein power banana muffin (2)
D: 1/2 turkey burger (2); 1.5 small slices veggie pizza (10)
S: sample of crackers; few pistachios (1.5)

3:45 -- ETA: I have the munchies this afternoon, though I am not really hungry. I am going to keep reminding myself that I want veggie pizza for dinner and will have to be "good" until then so I can eat it. Also looking forward to a chocolate muffin heated up with cool whip on top for dessert. And, of course, my before-bed salty snack of mini pretzels (I have gotten better by limiting myself to 10 which is 1/2 serving or 1 point.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Cam,

Wow! You went to the gym after a cocktail party?!?!? You did a great job getting your workout in!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Father's Day to Howard!

 

[keenercam]

Thank you so much, Tracy!

Well, last night required major effort and discipline. We went to my favorite pizza place and I had 1.5 slices of megga veggie pizza (10) and we sampled a couple of crackers and I had a few pistachios (1.5). I realized that if I didn't get good amount of exercise in, I was going to be using flex points and I really wanted to see if I could get through this week without doing that. So, I put "rent" in the DVD and did lots of floor exercises, including leg lifts and bicycles and hydrants and then some standing stuff like toe-touches and windmills. Then I put "chorus line" in and just started dancing and moving continuously. I know I was working out about 45 minutes, but counted it as 30 minutes and 2 APs, so I finished last night 1 AP ahead. I didn't succumb to the chocolate vitamuffin, either!

Today I was scheduled for a 2 mile walk and ended up doing 2.85 with the breakdown like this:
mile 1 -- 15:59 pace
mile 2 -- 15:12 pace
.66 mile -- 14:12 pace
sprint home (.17 mile) -- 10:31 pace

So the Garmin says overall 2.85 miles in 42:34 with average pace 14:57.

Plan today:
B: coffee w/sugar free creamer (.5); 2 lite EMs w/2 pcs reduced fat cheese omelettes (5.5)
L: LC panini (5); canned veggies (1)
D: broccoli (0); 2 WW bagels (4) w/ff 1/2 c FF mozz (2) & lite sauce (1); 14 FF pringles (1); 10 mini pretzels (1)
Dessert: graham crackers w/FF cool whip (5); lite popcorn (1)

Not sure yet about dinner, since DD is home and the rest of the family is gone for the week. We'll have to figure something out. I really don't want to eat out, though. It is harder to stay on plan that way. I do have 4 APs from this morning with all the stretching and the wog. Don't want to use them to eat out, though.

Oh, one last thing -- the scale was my best friend this morning. Down 4.2 from Tuesday which I knew was bloating anyway, but I really, really hope some of it stays off so that Tuesday night's WW WI will be a good one. Being 4.8 pounds away from the next "0" at the end of my weight number feels good but I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Cam-you are doing great! congrats on the loss! doesnt matter if it is bloating, a loss is a loss!!!!

hang in there!

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go on your weight loss, Cam! Keep up the good work!

 

[goldcupmom]

You're doing GREAT, Cam!

I'm hoping your weight stays off, too! I totally understand the mystery weight.

Enjoy your 'girl' time! Hope the rest of the weekend goes well.

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Jen and Tracy & Julie!

Well, I am here at my office and am going to work all day since DH and DS are away and DD is working. It makes it so much easier to ignore fathers day, too. I had intended to go to the cemetary and then decided not to do it today but to wait until we can all go together. It is about 1/2 hour drive and I am definitely not up to coping with the drive home. Hard to believe my dad has been gone 14 months.

I ended last night pretty strong since I persuaded myself that 2 mini pretzels would adequately address my carbs before bed compulsion. I went over my DPs but had APs from my training session, so I used them.

Today's plan:
B: 2 lite english muffins with mini cheese omelettes & coffee w/sf creamer (5)
L: "free" salad w/whole wheat flat out bread (2)
D (hopefully before I leave work and go the gym): lean cuisine panini (6)

Not sure yet what I'll do for snacks, but I have plenty of points to eat something when I get home from the gym.