Let it Snow

Bird Feeders on a snowy day

 

 

Today was our first major snow and the shoveling went on forever.  I didn't mind as it burns a lot of calories. 

 

I ended up going out in the evening to another lovely event hosted by Amanda.

 

    

 

I don't have a lot to report.  I didn't go to the gym because of the weather and had a quiet, snowy day!

Weigh-in

 

I went to get weighed (in case it snows so much tomorrow that I can't get out) and I'm down 1.2 pounds.  DAMN, I WANTED IT TO BE MORE!

I went to the track and ran this week a lot more than usual.  Not only that but I was able to increase my mileage and intensity each time by really pushing.  At the gym I increased the weight and reps in almost every exercise.  I was really expecting this to be a week where I might drop 3 or 4 pounds.

Nope!  Just 1.2!!   I'm frustrated but I'm not giving up.   I can actually feel muscle developing in my thighs and back so I am half wondering if the seemingly slower weight loss might represent the muscle I am building right now.

My two little grandkids went to spend a few days with their other grandma so I will have a quiet day tomorrow.  It will be good to get back to my routines, especially the yoga.   If it snows tomorrow shoveling will be my cardio!

I'm in Grandma Mode!

I totally get why we don't continue to have kids into our later years -- we wouldn't have the patience or the energy!!  I def have the kids until Michelle gets out of the hospital.

Doing my morning yoga routine was impossible with the little ones here so I gave up after several failed attempts and spent the morning playing and doing chores.  Nevaeh was also home from school with a bad cold so I had a full crew. 

In the afternoon we ventured out to do a trail walk with the dog.  I had Nevaeh take charge of them long enough for me to do a 2 mile run and I felt much better afterwards.  Getting to the gym would have been impossible today but might be doable tomorrow if I can get someone to sit with them for 2 hours.

They wanted spaghetti and meatballs so I figured a way to make a gluten-free version of that and everyone loved it!

Since they were active all day and didn't nap they blessed me with an early bedtime so I was able to get some badly needed quiet time and managed to do my evening yoga routine.  Yipppppppeeee.

     

Stressful Day but Managed to Exercise

Whole Foods Haul

 

My daughter-in-law went to the ER again last night and this time they admitted her.  That means I have the two little ones at least until the end of the week. So I have two home sick from work and school and two others whose mom is in the hospital.  I may be bald by the end of the week.  LOL

 

I spent the day running from one thing to another with barely a minute to grab lunch.  Picking up various kids, driving them to the doctor, grocery shopping, etc.  I got someone to watch the kids so I could hit the gym for an hour and visit the running trail for a quick mile.  It started raining when I ran which I might not have minded on a different day but today it just added to my aggravation.

 

I made the kids sandwiches for dinner as that's all I had the time and energy for by the time supper time rolled around.  Ugh!  I hope tomorrow is an easier day.

 

Today's Workout:

 

Leg Press;  12/130. 12/150. 12/190, 12/230. 12/250, 12/290

 

Leg Extension:  12/50, 12/70, 12/90, 12/110, 10/110

 

Leg Curls:  12/30, 12/40. 12/40. 6/50      

 

Incline press: 12/20, 10/20, 10/20

 

Shoulder Press:  12/10, 12/10, 12/10

 

Pull down:  12/70, 12/70

 

Chest press:  12/30, 10/30, 10/30

 

Seated Row:  12/70, 12/90. 12/120

 

Followed by one mile trail run

 

 Getting my exercise in is going to be a huge challenge this week!

Weekend Warrior!

 

 

 

Tomorrow begins a new month and puts us a bit closer to Spring!  Yippee!

 

The weather wasn't too bad so I managed to run at the fitness trail in Woodbridge both days.  Some parts of the path still had ice and snow from last weekend or were somewhat muddy  -- but I was so happy to be outside I didn't care.

 

On Sunday, my running mileage was the best it's been since I started back and I was so elated! My stamina is slowly increasing and as my weight comes down I'll work on my speed.

 

 

On the drive to the trail I pass by this house with its flock of flamingos and it ALWAYS makes me smile!

 



January Progress Report

After a maddening net GAIN in the month of November I went on to lose 5 pounds in December and 12 pounds in January.  It looks like the plateau is over and while I wish I were losing at a faster rate at least it is going down more consistently and for that I am thrilled.

At various points in this journey I have experienced the feeling that, in different ways, I had crossed over some threshold or “leveled up” in some way that reinforced the ‘new me” and solidified positive traits and habits.

One such threshold is a significantly increased desire and ability to push myself with exercise. I feel an obvious increase in my strength and stamina at the gym and at the track.  I’m not “phoning in” my workouts just to tell myself that I made the effort but being very present and focused and trying to push myself a little more each time.  In terms of exercise I have arrived at a very good place, finally, after nearly a year of effort.

Another milestone has to do with self-medicating with food.  December was beyond stressful.  I had a close family member end up in the hospital Christmas week and immediately after that two deaths in the family.  Adding to my pain was the fact that a man who claimed to care so much never sent me a message of condolenceot . 

Friends whom I barely know sent beautifully written messages of sympathy with offers to help in any way they could and yet those from whom I would have expected such a message remained silent and that hurt more than I can say.  I was really in a bad place emotionally but it’s only within the last few days that I realized that never once during all of this did I ever self-medicate with food  --- something that would have been automatic and unconscious not too long ago.

Emotional urges to eat and soothe myself with food did come up but they were like background noise that I could tune out.  I realized this recently and it’s one of the most important milestones that I’ve achieved so far.

Throughout this process I have made a game of setting goals to achieve certain challenges by a certain date  -- usually having to do with an event that I’d be attending.  I’m going away for the weekend in April and have set a goal to lose another 25 pounds by then.

I still have struggles going on with yet another family member having surgery on Monday.  It’s my favorite daughter-in-law and during her recovery I’ll be babysitting more than usual so I’ll have to be determined and creative about fitting in my work outs.  I’ll manage somehow.  I always do.

Thanks and gratitude to those who have reached out during a difficult time.  If can ever return the favor I will be happy to do so!

I’m off for a brisk walk!!  Onward

Another Great Work Out!!

Yesterday morning I went to The Edge and rode the stationary bike for 35 minutes.

 

 

This morning I returned to Planet Fitness for another great workout:

 

 

Leg Press - 12/90, 12/110, 12/130, 12/170, 12/190, 12/210

 

Leg extension:  12/50. 12/70, 12/90, 12/90

 

Leg curls: 12/30, 12/30/ 12/40.

 

Chest press: 12/30, 10/30. 10/30

 

Pull Downs:  12/70, 12/70, 12/70, 3/90

 

Triceps press:  12/50, 12/50, 12/50

 

Shoulder press:  12/10, 12/10, 12/10

 

Incline press 12/10, 12/10

 

Arm curls:  12/30, 12/30, 12/30