But Does The Candle Have HFCS?

Yum, YOAD approved Jack O Lantern!
Happy Halloween!
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Doing good staying out of the Halloween candy, just need more tricker treaters. We use to get so many. Miss the little spirits.

Plan for the Week

Going to take this week to catch up with things around the house, plenty to winterize. If there is time for the gym then it will be fit in if not, no stressing it. Maybe the break from the normal routines will have things start up again when the new sessions begin at the gym the first full week of November. May have not gone to the gym today but after raking and vaccing the leaves, feeling stiff all over. There were many loads of leaf mulch so got a lot for the gardens. Plus there is still more to come. It is always sad taking out the annuals and cutting back perennials, but hate doing it later in the cold.

The food choices will stay on track this week, that is just a given. With the cooler weather soup is sounding very good, have to break out some recipes. Having a harder time with wanting beef though. Somehow it just seems to go with fall/winter for me. But will try and keep it limited.

A New Day

Just going to keep on trying.



~ You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. (Beverly Sills)

Just So Tired Of It

This week's weigh in has brought frustration with quite bit of feeling down. Though really working the exercise and food there was a small gain and no measurement changes. I had really hoped the trying to get in snacks and working the new routines would get things moving again. Getting so tired of focusing hard on this and not getting very far anymore. Portion sizes have not gone up, cravings have not come back, do not even really get hungry so no problem there. Religious about exercise, heart rate up and sweating, mixing up types and times so what else? There is still so much to go, just feels like I will never get there again. That thought got more thoughts spiraling so went out this afternoon and planted a couple hundred bulbs. Just lucky the weather was holding or the bulbs would never have gotten in. Guess the anger and frustration helped getting the dry hard soil prepped and turned. Hands and arms sore but it will be so nice this Spring when there are daffodils and tulips after a long cold Winter. Came in and made some soups for this week's dinners. Not sure what else to try this week but will keep thinking about it tonight. Have to get things going again, somehow.

There Is Always Hope

Today in Pilate's class the thought of, how did I ever let this body get so far off track, kept repeating in my head. That thought was followed by, will it ever get back to where it should be, is it possible. I was having a hard enough time remembering the breathing pattern, core engaged, keegel it up, don't move the board ... and more that have faded with time thank goodness or I may never show up at the next class. It did not help that the muscles were shaking and screaming, what do you mean four more hasn't it been 45 minutes yet. Funny how there is a love/hate feeling for the class. While doing it hate the fact that so much can only be done at the easiest level. Love the way it makes the body feel (after the initial post class sore period). When the thoughts of never moving out of the ranks of beginner hit I try to remember last January and how much has progressed in other areas of workout. Things get better, it will just take time. OK, a lot of time but who does not like a challenge, hush not listening muscles.

It Looks Like It Worked

Well by the end of the week the scale was showing downward movement. With this Sunday's weigh in it was 3 pounds for the week (which is very good for me). After weeks of no real progress it is very welcome to see. There is renewed hope that things will start moving at a better pace again. So glad for the trainer's input. I had been increasing work and times to workout but would never had made the jumps she implemented or some of the new items. Guess major changes were needed to shake this old body up to burning again. The best thing is that more time was not needed, just different and much more intense on some of the old things. Have to admit the beginning of the week was hard, both the work and the soreness. Told myself stick it out and see for two weeks. By this weekend though the discomfort is back to the normal worked muscles. The actual work is still tough while doing it. Looks like that is what works for me. Have to keep it going.

Working On It

______----Life Needs
____-----_------------------
________work *B* play
______people **A** self time
__-__aquiring ***L*** giving
_-embracing ****A**** releasing
_-__helping *****N***** accepting help
_-_learning ******C****** teaching
-_exercise *******E******* rest
-----------------------------------------------------

With the tendency to be all or nothing, remembering balance in thoughts and actions is a neccessary exercise. Health and happiness function best when in harmony.

MIA, Hope They Are Doing Well

In the past nine months there have been people who come and go in the same effort to change themselves; whether it's at the gym or web boards. Their goal could have been health, weight loss or both but many seem to start and then just fade off. It is always nice when some come back around. At the gym today got thinking about some of the faces that have come and gone. They come religiously and you talk, joke and sweat, but then you realize one day that it has been awhile and that is it, they come around no more. Wondered if they are just trying new things, taking a break or just gave up. Some have never gotten far while others were really making a change, but then for what could be any number of reason they are gone. I know I have been there before many times. With all the things that have brought me to this I know it is for good now, it has to be. Just wish all the first attempts could be the lasting ones. That health, strength, and stamina were the choice not just a passing phase.

It Was Worth It

Had the trainer meeting. Glad I broke down and did it. Feeling very optimistic things will turn around. We covered past menus and work outs. She had me do what I would normally and if it was staying in the new plan adjusted it to were she felt it should be in speed/intensity/time. She added a few things also. Going to work this new plan for 2 weeks and meet again. We will see how it is going and will add free weights as well then. She also brought up the snack issue. So I will try and get snacks in (just not hungry and usually busy, but will try).

Changes made:
* On most of the machines the weight was upper by more than I would have done in a jump. But she wants no more than two sets of reps. She sited a study that said any more than that was of no benefit.
* With the weight machines I had been just resting for a very short period between sets on the same machine. She want it to be do an arm machine for a set then go to another arm machine(they are grouped together) and then repeat so though doing the same area the specific movement varies giving a better rest period between set on each machine.
* A cardio each time. She said I did not need as much time as I was doing each day, just make the time more intense and effective. Shifting the type on different days would keep the muscles from getting to use to the pattern.
* She felt a few of the weight machines I was using were not the best choices and took them out of the routine.
* She said at least one day off, still could walk or house/garden work(like those would stop) but not gym workout.
* Added a few balance ball exercises. We will be adding free weights when I see her in 2 weeks.

Additions made:
* More treadmill and with a slightly different speed and incline combo. It is shorter bursts of each keeping in a tighter heart rate range.
* The stair machine that I always said I would never go on. She got me on it and though it is a beast, it is doable.
* She added quite a few new weight machines. She felt shifting the specific machine would cause muscles that were use to working in a certain way to move in a slightly different way and would help. Free weights will be next.
* There are a few classes she recommended, not sure on them because of timing.

I will be keeping the rowing machine and pool because I like them but they are extra from the plan. She did not think it was a problem. Keeping the once a week Pilate's class also (next session may make it twice a week, just like it). Feels good to have a new plan.

They Can Keep All The Additives

Turned on the TV the other morning and caught the tail end of a piece talking about people not cooking anymore (Doctor S. Gupta was speaking). It got me thinking how the meals I prefer now are from fresh whole foods. The taste, the smells in the kitchen and the way I feel after eating them, all have made it out shine any prepackaged fare. Grant it there is not always time to make fancy, complex, long cooking meals but there are a lot of quick, simple, tasty things that can be made. Slow cookers work for evenings that are going to be hectic. Finding those middle isles in the grocery store do not have much that call to me anymore. Never thought the veggie section would look so good, that was the skipped isle before. Now like seeing what looks good at that trip and going with it. After many years of convenience foods I like being in control of what is really in the meals. Noticed the family seems to comment (positively) on these meals. Have to admit they do not eat all the veggies yet. But they are coming around to more and more of the healthier meals. There is hope for someday.

Must Have Moved It

Oh, hurting tonight. Pilates instructor pulled out some new ones. Love working on the reformer. It just hits deeper than anything else at the gym. It did not help that I had the crazy idea of upping the treadmill and rowing machine since the time was short (and there was a pound up at the peek I took at the scale). Tomorrow the pool is a must. Need the water, not sure if it is in my head or if it actually helps the muscles. Either way I'll take it. Finally have an appointment with a trainer, this Friday. Really hoping this works. Can not hurt. Well maybe it can but in a good way. Can not wait to see what she comes up with.

Can't Let It Get Me Down

Tomorrow starting the day in a positive frame of mind! Need to go to bed thinking this. Have started to feel well this is it, gotten as far as it is going to go, lately. That is not good. Things should be back to normal around here so time to figure it out. No more defeating thoughts. Definitely going to talk to a trainer about eating/workout to break this stall. Glad of what has come off but more has to go. Truth is I will not be really happy until down more. Have a taste of the old self and want to get closer. It's going to go, it's going to go.