Turning the corner...

Well, I think I did it! I'm hoping that I've broken the plateau. Didn't lose as much as I had hoped, but at least I had a loss -- 6 lbs, which makes the my current total 85 lbs... I'll take it!!

It was nice to see the number go down again... can't wait for it to happen again in 6 weeks.

Have a good night!
LP

Soliciting advice from the peanut gallery...

So here's the deal... Saturday is supposed to be my next fitness assessment. I've been working really hard on staying on track with the fitness and nutrition. And even though I feel great and am really proud of how hard I'm working, I'm fairly certain that I am not yet going to reach my weight loss goal that I had set for myself...

My question is... should I postpone my assessment until I've lost some more or should I go through with it and just take it as a piece of data on the journey? I'm afraid that getting bad results is going to be very discouraging, but isn't just delaying the assessment another excuse? And if I do postpone it, what happens if I'm no further along in a couple of weeks???

So what do you think?
LP

I've got a new attitude...

A lot of people have been noticing some changes in me. People say that I sound different -- more relaxed, happier, ?younger (I still don't really get that one). As I mentioned earlier I've been working on having a positive attitude. And while I haven't quite mastered it, maybe it's working more than I realize...

I still have some slip-ups. This weekend was challenging and pretty stressful... at times the stress definitely got to the best of me. But at least I'm beginning to recognize when I'm getting overwhelmed and I can take steps to come back to normal. And every now and again, when it comes to my attitude, I'm finding that if I "fake it 'til I make it", I eventually actually become less stressed. Who knew?

Unfortunately this is very short break from work (only 2 days)... but I'm making the most of it so I can go back and tackle whatever it brings my way.

My new favorite TV show...

Anyone who knows me (or has been reading this blog for a while) is going to find this completely ridiculous, but my new fave TV show is "Cook Yourself Thin"(5pm and 5:30pm on Lifetime). I know what you are thinking... but Laura, you don't cook! I know, I know. But this show may be just the thing to actually get me use more than the George Foreman and microwave in the kitchen!

Each show features a woman who wants to lose weight but is eating yummy and high-calorie foods. The 3 stars of the show (Allison, Candace and Harry) show them tasty versions of their favorites that have half the calories! And then they leave the women to their own devices armed with a "Cook Yourself Thin" cookbook and some healthy ingredients. They come back to visit 6 weeks later to check in and celebrate that the woman has dropped a dress size (or two) and are eating and cooking healthier foods.

I'll let you know when I actually make something and how it turns out...

Have a great night!
LP

Ouch!

Call me a glutton for punishment, but I took another spinning class. I didn't actually get a bruise this time which was good. It didn't hurt quite as much as the first time but it still hurts a little to sit...

Maybe third time's a charm?

Have a good night!
LP

A few of my favorite quotes...

In the spirit of positive thinking, I figured I'd share some of my favorite inspirational quotes. I have a dry erase board up in my room that has some of these on it, but I've run out of room and so now I've added post-it notes to its perimeter. I'm always looking for new ones, so feel free to share! I've given credit if I know who said it first and apologize to those whom I don't know...

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. - John Maxwell.

Don't sacrifice your future for a momentary pleasure.

Rather than aiming for being perfect, just aim to be little bit better today than you were yesterday.

Be the change you want to see... -Gandhi

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France

I have more but I think this is a pretty good start...

Happy Monday!
LP

The Power of Positive Thinking...

Hey all! I hope everyone is having a wonderfully relaxing weekend...

I wanted to tell you about something that I'm working on. I believe that it will be the key to reaching my goals. I'm getting rid of the negative thinking. No more excuses... No more letting myself off easy when things get difficult. I'm stronger and better than that. I owe myself more.

Henry Ford put it best when he said, "Think you can or think you can't. Either way, you will be right!" Today I'm deleting the word "can't" from my vocabulary.

Let's just see how much positive thinking can do!

Have a wonderful week!
LP

The Next Best Thing...

This morning was a struggle. I couldn't get myself out of bed to save my life! (probably because I stayed up late to watch The Biggest Loser Finale). I have to work this afternoon/evening, and I knew as much as I didn't want to do it, I had to get some exercise in...

So, I did the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga (which was available on OnDemand). This was my first yoga experience. It was challenging, but definitely do-able. I got a good workout in and never had to leave my house (although I did eventually have to get out of the bed).

I guess the moral of the story is (once again) the importance of getting rid of the all-or-nothing mentality. If all I did was beat myself up for not making it to the gym, I would have missed out on an opportunity to try something new (and burn some calories in the process!).

Striving for excellence, not perfection...

Happy Humpday!
LP

Not your momma's exercise video...

I'm getting bored with the cardio again. The elliptical machine and the treadmill provide me with good workouts, but I'm finding the need to expand my horizons...

Sean recently brought in a DVD player and Wii into the gym. Usually he has on Rocky videos as a source of inspiration, but tucked in the corner was his collection of P90X workout DVDs. I decided to give them a try...

... and I'm glad I did! It's been a welcome diversion. So far I've tried the KempoX (which is a kickboxing/martial arts workout) and the CardioX DVDs. They're a lot of fun and super challenging! I've never been one to enjoy exercise tapes but these are different... no girls in leotards or sports bras here! And I'm apologizing in advance at the stereotype, but I think because they were designed for men, there is no complicated choreography to master.

I'm pleased to say that I have a new option... and keeping things fresh is what I need to succeed!

Happy Tuesday!
LP

Eat what you want day...

Apparently May 11th is Eat What You Want Day... It is one single, solitary day in the year to go off your diet and eat something you really enjoy. A day where you can set aside your dietary "No-No" list and splurge. I googled it and it's a real holiday...

Let me just say I'm kind of glad I just learned about this holiday now, right before I'm going to bed...

Anyway if you celebrated today, I hope it was good! Back to the routine tomorrow!!!

Good night!
LP

A family affair...

I went to Charlotte this weekend to surpise my mom for Mother's Day and to see my sister and niece. It was a great trip. Jasmine is turning into quite the little girl -- her verbal skills are really improving and she is so funny!

As far as my nutrition goes, I did okay. I didn't get through the weekend without having a cheat, but most of the time I made healthy choices. My sister and mother have jumped on board with getting healthy too which is really really great... I'm so proud of them. They look great!

But now I'm back at home and back on track...

Happy Monday!
LP

Accepting the challenge...

One of the things I love about blogging is following my friends who are on similar journeys and have like-minded blogs...

Stef, a good friend of mine from college, had a really great idea. Yesterday she blogged (on her "It's a Lifestyle" blog located over there with the other cool blogs) about the President's Challenge program, which encourages all Americans to adopt more active lifestyles and become healthier through exercise. So, she decided to take the challenge and encouraged her readers to do the same... what a cool idea! I signed up today :)

So, here's to being more active... come join us!
LP

It's a start...

I took a walk in the neighborhood today. It was a just over 2.7 miles and took 40 minutes to complete... which is just under 15 minutes per mile. Not terrible, but not super-duper fantastic either. I'll take it as a starting point from which I can improve. The goal is to someday be able to jog/run the entire path...

But I did reach another milestone/non-scale victory (NSV) today... I have always hated exercising in public. In my head, everyone is judging me and my size. I was dragged to a cycling class which was kind of fun (I went with a friend who provided extra support and encouragement), but I would shy away from exercising in the neighborhood for fear of what people are thinking... I know it's pretty dumb, right? So I was pretty proud of myself for just getting out there... :)

Unfortunately, the rain started up again midway through my walk. I was drenched before I was done...

Happy Wednesday! Stay dry!!!
LP

The Art of Improvisation...

I like to think that I'm learning a thing or two about myself along this fitness and weight-loss journey. I have learned that I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit that I am able to push through challenges and do things that I never thought possible... I'm also learning that I don't like change and that I can get pretty rattled if things don't go how as expected. This is one of my struggles...

I'm working on becoming more flexible and able to "go with the flow". Today tested my improvisation skills. After working with Sean I decided to go to the track at UR... but lo and behold -- track is closed because they are building an on-campus stadium. And while there is the path along the lake, it began to rain even heavier... harumph! So, instead of letting the day go to waste, I popped in a DVD and got in a workout. So, I'm giving myself kudos on improvising! And now I can watch The Biggest Loser tonight guilt-free!

But, seriously... when is the rain going to stop???

Have a great day!
LP

A day of preparation...

So, my next assessment is at the end of the month. And even though I'm NOT going to stress or become obsessive (as is my usual M.O.) but I am going to work hard and be more on the strict side. Which means I'm going to do my best to have NO CHEAT DAYS!! I have a friend who is going to be doing it with me and we'll be able to be support each other.

Today was a great day! I bought new sneakers and boxing gloves (Sean has plans to use them in future workouts...) and then I went to the grocery store and stocked up on fruits and healthy snacks. Isn't the summer great? So many yummy healthy options...

But now I need your help... I'm getting tired of my food routine. I need some new ideas (and please keep in mind that I don't really cook). I'm looking for some healthy, high protein snacks and some new meal ideas. The only big restriction is that I don't eat white flour or other processed carbs...

Thanks guys! Happy Monday!
LP

A new look...

I decided to change things up... hope you like it!

Oh, I forgot... Sean my trainer is starting a fitness blog. He plans on giving advice and motivation. It's called "Champions Drive On" and you can find a link over there in the "other cool blogs" list.

Have a good one!
LP

Relieved...

So it's finally over, but not without a little last-day drama... My workout with Sean yesterday caught up with me and I had AWFUL back pain all day long :( I must have looked pretty pathetic because my resident offered to roll me around the hospital more than once (twice he suggested a chair and the third time he offered to use a dolly!).

I called Paula to schedule a massage and she told me to come right over... It was wonderful! I am no longer in agony. She managed to not only massage away the pain but also the stresses of the last 2 weeks. Of course, I still have to stretch and ice but I can handle that... and perhaps the best part -- Paula said no "bodybuilders" for the next few days :)

Looking forward to a wonderful week...

Happy Sunday!
LP

Come Monday, it'll be alright...

I'm exhausted. I'm cranky. I'm not sleeping well. And it doesn't help matters that the attending on my sister team on wards brings tons of tempting snacks...

Trying to be good, but will definitely be better on Monday.

Here's hoping my weekend goes quickly while the rest of you can savor every moment!!!

2 more days... 2 more days...
LP