Days 29 and 30

Wednesday I went back to the podiatrist and was cleared to start walking again, but to ramp up slowly.  He recommended 15-20 min for three days, 20-25 mim for three days and so on.  I came home an did my 20 min mile on 3.0 w/a 2 min warm up and cool down at 2.0.  I figure I will do this for a week before upping my time again, just to be safe.

We did go meatless Wednesday.  I  made this: Easy Poached Eggs and Pasta

It was pretty good and very filling, but I did add more fresh spinach than called for--and mine was not quite as pretty.

Today, Thursday, I came home from work and walked again.  I also did some upper body strength training.  For dinner we had ham steaks, mac and cheese and this:  Garlic Rubbed Cabbage Steaks

Jim was not happy that he had to wait on dinner because of the cabbage, it did take almost an hour to make.  He looked at it on the plate and expressed distaste.  After eating all of it he grudgingly admitted it was good.

Days 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28

Friday I played hookie from work to rest my foot.  Not much happened and I did not exercise.

Saturday I did SparkPeople's 9 min seated upper body workout 3 times and their seated 12 min core workout once.

Sunday was a couch day to rest the foot.  Weighed in @ 256.

Monday I worked came home and went directly to bed and did not get up until the alarm went off.  I had good intentions for meatless Monday so I went to Subway for lunch and had the Veggie Delight.  Yummo!

Today I worked late came home and Jim had made dinner...hot dogs.  Bless him he thought I was going to be angry.  I was not and it was delicious!  He did buy the healthiest hot dogs he could find and we made sweet potato fries to go with.  I had planned on making my meatless Monday meal, but I will move it to meatless Tuesday.  I took tonight off from exercising as well.  

Tomorrow I will get back down to business.  I am going back to the podiatrist and am hoping to get the go ahead to start walking again.  

Day 23

More of the same today.   I did SparkPeople's seated ab and core workout and a seated upper body workout.  My foot is still bothering me as I was not really able to stay off of it at work today.  I am looking forward to the weekend so I can rest it.  I really want it healed so I can get back on the treadmill--never thought I would miss it.  I told Jim I was worried that I would not have a loss this week and he was very encouraging that I was still making positive strides toward my goal and the important thing is that I have not given up.  Sweet man.  On a side note, I think I am going to institute Meatless Mondays.  I have pinned a few recipes and am ready to try it out.  Jim is not a fan of this idea, but we shall have to wait and see.

PS...Jim likes the flannel sheets. ;)

Day 22

Today I saw my podiatrist.  Turns out it is not my ganglion cyst that is causing all the problems, but an inflamed joint.  He told me which one, but it was in doctor speak and I have already forgotten it.  The treat he gave me a cortisone shot and it is wrapped for the next 3 days.  I am also supposed to stay off it as much as possible to rest it and take Mobic, an anti-inflammatory, twice daily for the next week until I go back for a follow-up.  Awesome.

So the treadmill is out for a week.  I did the same strength training routine as yesterday and added in the modified planking, but I think my form was off.  I will need to mix it up tomorrow so I will be perusing SparkPeople for more ideas.

Tonight since it was chilly, I made chili.  Mmmmmm.  I enjoyed a small bowl of chili with a salad.  I am also really excited because my flannel sheets arrived from Amazon today.  They are washed up and ready for night-night Lisa.  Thanks to everyone who gave me an Amazon gift card for Christmas, this is what you bought me.  Jim does not care for the purple, but it makes me super happy.
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Day 21

Well, my foot still hurts so I have an appointment to see the podiatrist tomorrow.  It feels better with rest, but unfortunately since I have to work, it did not get much rest today.  In an effort to keep moving I searched the SparkPeople fitness site for other exercise options.  If you have not heard of SparkPeople, it is a free site that has a diet and fitness tracker with tons of tips, recipes, exercises and community to help you lose weight and be healthy.  I have been a member since 2006--obviously not an active member the entire time, but I keep coming back to it.  Any who, I found a 12 minute seated abs and core workout video that kicked my butt and some seated strength training using 3lb weights.  This is the first time I have worked with weights in a long time.

I talked with my my mother-in-law, Susan tonight and she also suggested a modification for planking that may help take the pressure off my back.  I found this on Pinterest to illustrate via MayoClinic.org.  The link to the whole set of core exercises is here.

This core-strength exercise is called the modified plank:

• Lie on your stomach. Raise yourself up so that you're resting on your forearms and your knees. Align your head and neck with your back, and place your shoulders directly above your elbows. Tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Create resistance by pressing your elbows and your knees toward one another. Neither should move from their positions on the floor. Hold for three deep breaths.
• Return to the start position and repeat.

I will add this to my routine tomorrow.

Days 17, 18, 19, and 20

So Friday after work Jim and I hit the airport to fly to VA to visit his brother and family.  Walking through the airport will count as my exercise.  Unfortunately the top of my foot started to hurt pretty bad by the time we made it out at our final destination.

Saturday, I slept until 11 when I was woken up by Optimus Prime and her mom.  I did not do much so I jumped at the chance to go to Walmart with Wendi to walk around some so I could get some movement in.  Bad idea.  That was the worst my foot hurt the entire trip, but I soldiered on by embarrassing Wendi with my old lady shuffle. :)

Sunday, the guys went skiing, while Wendi, the kids and I stayed home.  We took it easy and caught a movie.  Bless Wendi, she offered to work out with me and do a DVD, but I was worried about my foot (and making a fool of myself)--So I took a nap instead.  Blissful!

Today, Monday, my exercise counts as a power walk through the Charlotte airport.  We had to go from gate E35 to B8 in a short amount of time.  And I took the stairs and not the escalator to get around some slow pokes.  Needless to say my foot is not happy with me.  I think I am going to call the podiatrist and schedule an appointment, because I do not want this to derail me.  Best to get it taken care of than use it as an excuse.

This morning I weighed in @ 259.5 and this week's loss is 4.1.

Day 16

Nothing crazy or unusual to report today.  I walked on the treadmill when I got home from work while watching the Biggest Loser again.  I really hate commercials when you watch a show on demand, but in this case I wish there were more so the show would last the whole hour I am walking.  Those last 15 minutes are killer and I would like a better distraction.  I can't give up if they are not giving up. ;)

Day 15--Back in the saddle again!

So, today was a much better day.  I gave myself no excuses when I got home and immediately changed clothes and got on the treadmill.  I was going to do a 20 min mile and call it a night, but I was inspired.  I was browsing on demand when I found the Biggest Loser.  I used to LOVE this show.  I have not really watched it since Heather and I tried to get on the first season they were doing couples.  We got so far as they requested a second video and a super long questionnaire/background check.  Le sigh, what might have been.  Any who, I watched the 1st episode of the season and it is all about second chances.  Who would not love a second chance?  Well this is mine, and I am committed to doing better.  So I stayed on the treadmill and finished the show.  Then I stayed on for 15 additional minutes to complete 3.2 miles in an hour.

Tomorrow I am going to add in these stretches that my friend Carmen sent me to help strengthen my back.  It is still a little stiff (that's what she said).

Day 14...Oh how the mighty have fallen.

I fell off the wagon today, and I fell hard.  I got off work early, but did I come home and walk?  NO.  I blamed my back.  Yeah, my back is still bothering me, but that is all it is--a bother.  When I got home,  I gathered all of my leftover Christmas candy and at it all.  ALL OF IT, all while watching a mini Breaking Bad marathon. The binge included the equivalent of 3 hershey's kisses, about 6 slices of  dark chocolate orange, a reese's peanut butter christmas tree, 2 reese's peanut butter bells and a small hollow lindt chocolate bear. MMMMMMMMMMM.  At least it is all gone now and I cannot do that again.  To make up for that we had asain chicken salads for dinner, which was healthy and delicious.

Tomorrow is another new day that I can use to start over.  I need to put today behind me and get back on the horse tomorrow.

Days 11, 12 & 13

Day 11 was Saturday.  We drove down to Lauderdale By the Sea and had a nice walk on the beach.  That night we saw Billy Joel in concert and had a good walk to the venue and back to the car that night.  Side note...we got super lucky with parking.  They were charging $30.00 a car to park at the BB&T Center in Fort Lauderdale.  We only had $9.00 cash.  A kind soul took the money and let us in anyway as a courtesy.  Thank-you dude!

Day 12, Sunday I walked almost a mile to meet Jim at the beach where he was doing a shore dive.  By late afternoon I could barely move due to lower back issues.  Later that night we saw Kevin James where I laughed a good bit, hopefully burning a few calories.

Day 13, today....my back is still pretty tight so I took it easy--work, grocery store, dinner and blog.  I hope to get to bed a  little early tonight and wake up refreshed and ready for tomorrow.

I think I get off early tomorrow, so my plan is to come home and do a nice slow walk on the treadmill.  If my back is up to it I will try planking again, but it might have to wait another day or two.

Right now Salonpas is my best friend. ;)

Day 10

I was a walking machine this morning!  I caught up on the Vampire Diaries while walking for one hour and 3.2 miles.  It was awesome how I did not seem to notice the time so much while I had something interesting to watch.  Thank God for on demand!  I wish I could stream Netflix in that room.  Then I would be set!

Before I walked this morning I did a 20 sec plank.  Tomorrow my goal is a 30 sec plank.  Jim is planning on a shore dive tomorrow, so my physical activity will probably consist of a nice walk on the beach while looking for shells and maybe a little boogieing at the Billy Joel Concert tomorrow night.

Day 9

Today I pushed my walk to 30 min.  Previously I was only walking a 20 min mile.  I really wanted to quit after 20 min when I hit the mile mark, but I resisted the urge to quit.  As I learned yesterday, you never get better if you do not push yourself.  Speaking of that, I just remembered that I did not plank tonight.  I will do my plank before I go to bed.  Pinky promise.

Day 8

Today was better that yesterday.  I thought about planking and my friend Renee who introduced the challenge to me.  She is is up to a 60 sec plank.  Then I thought about my 11 sec plank yesterday.  All I did was give up because I thought it was too hard.  I did not try to push through and challenge myself.  How am I ever going to complete this challenge if I just quit?  So tonight when I planked I did not let myself give up when it got too hard and pushed myself to the 20 sec mark.  I did come to another realization tonight though.  I should probably breathe while planking. ;)

After a successful 20 sec plank I did my Rodney Yee yoga again.  Ahhhh.  Namaste.

Day 7

I worked.  I walked around target and the grocery store after running 2 other errands.   We went to dinner at bob evans.  I had a salad.  I planked for 11 seconds and now I am in bed.  Tomorrow will be a better day.   :)

Day 6

It is getting a bit chilly here in sunny Fl.  I had planned on taking the poor neglected bike out for a spin tonight, but it is super windy with the cold front blowing in.  That and since it was so overcast it seemed to get dark a bit early.  So no bike ride tonight.  I did restart the planking challenge and planked for 20 seconds.  After that I had a date with Rodney Yee's Yoga For Beginners.  I did the pose guide practice which lasts about 40 min.  I love it and feel so relaxed now.  I have other yoga DVD's, but this one is my favorite.  They give you the common mistakes people make and how to correct, which I find helpful seeing as I do not have a live instructor to guide me.

For dinner, I made Jessica's delicious Chicken 'n Dumplings.  This is the first time I have made this in the crock pot.   I put 3 frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot this morning with 2 cans of cream of chicken w/ herbs soup and a carton of chicken stock.  That cooked all day on low until I got home tonight.  I shredded the chicken, which just fell apart, and then added 3 frozen biscuits cut into fours for the dumplings.  I also added some milk because I wanted more liquid.  Next I turned the crock pot up to high and did my yoga while the biscuits cooked.  I served over white rice for a yummy comfort food dinner.  You could easily adjust this to use the healthy request soup, omit the dumplings or rice, or use brown rice to lighten this up.  It was delicious.

Tomorrow will probably be a treadmill day and I will continue with 2nd attempt of the planking challenge.

Day 5...MANATEE LOVE!!

Today was beautiful!  After sleeping almost 12 hours I arose to make brunch for Jim and I, the I lazed around the house.  Jim had to force me to get up and get ready to take the kayaks out to the Manatee Park.  I resisted.  Despite my vow to move more, I wanted a couch day.  God bless Jim, he is persistent, he finally got me up and moving around and ready to go.  I am so glad he did.  We had a wonderful time at the park.  You kayak through the park's canal and then you end up in the Orange River.  There is an area there that the manatees congregate in to get the warm water runoff from the power plant.  We kayaked down the river a ways and stopped in a small cove that was teeming with manatees!  So amazing!

On a side note, while I was lazing around this morning on the computer I found some weight loss success stories on the Huffington Post.  After the first story you will see a box with before and after pictures that will take you to other amazing success stories.  Awesome motivation.

Well I am back to work tomorrow.  Ug.  Oh well, it must be done.  I think I will try to take the bike out for a ride after work if it is not too dark when I get home and I am going to restart the planking challenge.  I may have to modify it to work for me.
I will also be adding a tracker for my weight and measurements to the side bar.

Day 4 is not a failure.

Well, today was a bust, movement wise.  I must remember that I resolved to move more, and not not beat myself up because I had an off day.  I tried planking when I got home from work...and only made it 12 seconds before collapsing.  No worries, I will try again when I get home.  So Jim and I left to go get massages.  My plan was after the massage to do my yoga DVD, since I always feel so relaxed after. Well, though the massage was fantastic, I could barely move due to back pain after.  Side note, this is the second time this has happened.  Regardless, I came home determined to do my routine.  Attempt #2 for planking was worse.  I only made it 7 seconds.  Again, no worries, I will loosen up with the yoga. Unfortunately, that was a no go as well.  

So now I am sitting in my recliner writing this feeling bad about myself. Thankfully, I have the most wonderful, damn husband in the world.  Jim told me I should take it easy after the massage and that it was OK to take a rest day from exercising.  He went on to say I should wait until Monday to restart the planking challenge.  How I love that man of mine.  He is so sweet, or he could  just be a chubby chasing enabler.  Who knows, but he is mine! 

I will not let this day derail me.  Tomorrow we talked about taking the kayaks out to the manatee park.  We have a bit of a cold front, so there should hopefully be manatees.  the downside is the cold front has brought rain with it.  Boo!  If we get rained out I think I will try the yoga DVD again tomorrow.  If for some reason my back is still revolting, then I will walk on the treadmill.  NO EXCUSES.  As for planking, sorry Renee, I will take Jim's advice and start again Monday.

For now I will leave you with a ridiculous pic of me from my FREE birthday lunch @ Iguana Mia. Mmmmm, Mexican.

Day 3

Well, today I am officially 34 years old.  Time, she is moving too fast.  Mom always told me the older you get the faster time goes, and I am finding that to be true.  So why waste time not enjoying life?  Why sit on the sidelines when you can be doing?  Why indeed?

So yesterday's bike ride got rained out.  Bummer.  I got home, got the bike out of the garage and was almost done pumping up the tires when the bottom dropped out. Le Sigh.  Poor neglected bike.

So I walked on the treadmill.  I did a 20 min mile and then, thanks to Renee B., I tried planking.  She posted a planking challenge on her facebook then posted her results.  I was inspired to try myself, and boy was it hard (that's what she said).  I had DH watch to help me with my form, but I still did it wrong.  I caught myself looking forward instead of down and straining my neck.  I completed the 20 seconds for the first day, but after 15 I was ready to collapse.  I can definitely feel the results today.  Sore!  Here is the plank challenge if any are interested:
The 30 Day Plank Challenge will send your core strength through the roof! Yes, all you have to do is HOLD this position, nothing else! It looks pretty easy, but it isn't!
Day 1 - 20 seconds
Day 2 - 20 seconds
Day 3 - 30 seconds
Day 4 - 30 seconds
Day 5 - 40 seconds
Day 6 - REST
Day 7 - 45 seconds
Day 8 - 45 seconds
Day 9 - 60 seconds
Day 10 - 60 seconds
Day 11 - 60 seconds
Day 12 - 90 seconds
Day 13 - REST
Day 14 - 90 seconds
Day 15 - 90 seconds
Day 16 - 120 seconds
Day 17 - 120 seconds
Day 18 - 150 seconds
Day 19 - REST
Day 20 - 150 seconds
Day 21 - 150 seconds
Day 22 - 180 seconds
Day 23 - 180 seconds
Day 24 - 210 seconds
Day 25 - 210 seconds
Day 26 - REST
Day 27 - 240 seconds
Day 28 - 240 seconds
Day 29 - 270 seconds
Day 30 - PLANK FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!!
So for today, since it is Friday and my birthday, I went ahead and got up early and walked my 20 min mile.  I will also try my planking again before I get up and get ready for work.  I knew if I did not do something early, I would not do anything today.  Oh well, time to plank and get ready for work!

Day 2

Good Morning!  Lucky me, I do not have to be to work until 10:30 this morning.  Last night I went to bed @ 9:30 and did not wake up till the alarm went off @ 8 am.  WOW.  I think I may have overdone it a little yesterday.  I did my walk in the morning and kayaked in the afternoon New Year's Day and today I am sore.  I got on the scale this morning (I know you should not weigh yourself daily AND my resolution was about moving more) and I lost 3 lbs.  This is probably water weight AND when I weighed yesterday I was dressed and wearing shoes.  So I will not count that as an official weigh in.  I think I will make my official weigh in weekly on Sundays.  I tend to lose momentum on the weekend, so hopefully making my weigh in in Sunday will give me the kick in the pants I need to be active.  I think I will also take measurements this Sunday to help track progress that way too.

So for today....I am too sore this morning to do much....BUT this afternoon, when I get home from work, I am going to ride my bike. (the bike I have had for 2.5 years and have only rode once).  Luckily the DH found the bicycle pump yesterday so I can pump up those deflated tires--the excuse I have been using for not riding.  I am hoping that after moving around all day I will be less stiff and ready for a nice ride (that's what she said).  I have dinner in the crockpot ready to go, so no excuses tonight!

If you are interested in dinner--it is the only pork chop the DH will eat w/o any complaints and sooooo super easy--right up my alley!  All you need is lean boneless pork chops (I use packs of 4) and 1 can each of healthy request cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup.  Put your pork chops in the crock pot(mine are usually frozen still) and dump the soup on top, then stir to combine soup.  I like to add fresh pepper as well.  Then you just put the crockpot on low for 8+ hours (it stays on till I get home from work) and you will have the most tender delicious pork chops eva!  I serve over rice (white or brown) or egg noodles.  The sauce from the soup is super yummy.  He is a link to the original recipe I got from Sparkrecipes. http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=475035
I omitted the water by accident--it was good w/o so I have not added it since.  Enjoy!

A new day for a new year.

Well, today is Jan 1, 2014.  Happy New Year!  Everyone is making resolutions and I am no exception.  After 34 years on this earth, I can safely say it is time to make a change.  And like most of the population I need to lose weight and get healthy.  I have been obese (I usually avoid saying this word, preferring overweight) most of my life.  I have a family history of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer to name a few--yet I continue to tempt fate living a sedentary lifestyle.  This must change.  I am not resolving to diet and lose weight, though I need to.  I am not resolving to cook healthy meals daily, though I need to.  I am not resolving to exercise every single day, though I need to do that too.  I am resolving to just moving more.  My hope is that by doing this I can ease myself into these other activities that will help me achieve my ultimate goal of being a healthy person.  Today begins this journey...

268.2 lbs

I did get up and walk on the treadmill this morning.  We have had the treadmill for about 3 1/2 months and this is only my 3rd time on it.  Shame on me.  I walked approx 36 min and 1.7 miles.  Later today, the DH and I are going kayaking.  I feel good about my start for this year.  A wise woman told me you should not do anything on New Year's Day you do not want to do for the rest of the year....So, here goes!

FYI...we are going on a cruise in May and there is a shore excursion that the DH has his heart set on.  Weight limit of 250.....so I really should lose 20 lbs by May or risk disappointing myself and the DH.