Will '08 be great?

[muppet]

I'll have to look into some that Missy. I do think something like that might help me curb some of my cravings and keep my energy up.

30 minutes elliptical
25 minutes weights and stretching
I've cut back a bit on the cardio for how and am working harder at strength training.

We all talk about this 'journey' that we're on. Sometimes I get sick of the phrase, but it's so appropriate. It is a journey. If you look at it in terms of a race, it's a marathon, not a sprint. It's a path we are on for the rest of our lives. We are always learning and adjusting and trying new things. We are improving our appearance and most importantly our health. I think that is the main reason I have stayer with this site --- there aren't a lot of people on goofy diets or taking any kind of diet pills. No hydroxycut, or even alli. No one pushing South Beach, or that up day down day diet.....
On this journey, there's only one way to go. Eat right and move every day. Work hard, focus, and don't be influenced by fraudulent claims and promises that seem too good to be true.
I can work my butt off every day of the week, but I won't see results until I clean up my diet. This I know, but don't seem to be able to do. I don't know or understand why that is, but I'm still on the journey. I'll figure it out.
So far today has been good. I'm going to look up a few recipes for pizza and brownies that I saw on the Discovery Health body challenge. Maybe if I find a healthier alternative, I won't over-indulge on the real thing so much. I know I can't completely give up pizza, but I find it so hard to only eat 1 piece....
I'm going to be stricter with myself, and might even start up another personal challenge over at weigh ins. I think I will allow myself 1 cheat day a week, but that doesn't mean a pig out, free-for-all.
I'm hitting the grocery store today, and hopefully I will bring back good food that we can all enjoy and not a bunch of temptations for me.
I'm staying on the right path. I know if I don't seriously do something about these excess pounds, I WILL have health problems down the road.

[muppet]

I have had 2 days of sensible eating.
Yesterday I tried my hand at making some of my favorites in a more fat/calorie friendly way, as recommended, but to be perfectly blunt -- they sucked. I tried brownies and pizza. I substituted apple sauce and used egg whites in the brownie, I made home-made whole wheat pizza crust --- and I think they turned out as they were supposed to. Cooking is not one of my favorite things to do, but I am usually able to follow a recipe with no problems. So I'm not blaming my cooking skills, or lack of them. It was just bad -- and it wasn't going to work as a substitute for the real thing. I refuse to eat food I don't enjoy. There is so much really good-for-me food out there that I do love, it shouldn't be necessary to eat crap.
It's better for me to just eat the real thing, but limit how often and how much. So, when I'm really hungry for bacon-cheeseburger pizza and fudgy brownies, I'll eat that, as long as it's a rare occurance, and only eat 1 serving. Gosh, what a revelation!
So simple -- easy to say, hard to do. But not impossible.
Sugar free pudding usually takes care of my chocolate cravings. And there are some lean cuisine, and south beach diet frozen pizzas that I really do like. But they should also be somewhat limited, I suppose.
But anyway, I'm happy I've done well for 2 days, I've been working out as well. I'm really enjoying going back to the Y and have even been using their weight machines.

[muppet]

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted. I've checked in several times, but I guess I didn't have time, or didn't really have anything to say.
I am going to be done working at Curves tomorrow night. I'm glad to be done, but I feel kind of bad that I took the job in the first place. Oh well, -- I guess you never know until you try.
My son who's been having a hard time accepting our family's relocation, is doing much better. I know he still really misses his old friends and school, but is working on accepting that he lives here now. He's trying to focus on the things he likes here, which is a lot of things. I think that was his problem. He got involved, made friends, and fit in right away, and he still was terribly homesick. I think he thought if he did everything right, he wouldn't feel sad about leaving his old home. But that's something we all deal with. Well anyway --- growing pains I guess. Hopefully he will learn from all this and be able to roll with the punches in the future.
My oldest, the college flunk out first semester, has managed to get straight A's this last semester. There's never been any doubt in my mind that this kid can do whatever he wants, but if he doesn't get up and show up where and when he's supposed to, he's not going to get anywhere. He says he's learned his lesson. Next fall, he will be living in the dorms again. He has to learn to say 'no' to partying when he has early classes and studying to do. Otherwise, he completely sleeps through his alarm. But he has to do this on his own. I can't be his alarm clock forever!
I am disciplined one minute and completely indulgent the next where my diet is concerned. I've gained some weight, I think because I haven't been working out at the Y as much as I used to. The Curves workout is OK, but not for me. The few times a week I've made it to the Y, I felt like a got a much better workout. And I love having my Ipod! The music they play at the Curves is fine for what it is, but it does nothing for me. Music is so motivating for me.
I will try and not let so much time go by before posting again. I'm hanging in there, as usual, and am trying to get a routine down. I feel like I'm all over the place--- Summer is coming ( still cold here though brrr) and I'll need to develop a new routine for those months.

[muppet]

My eating has been within calorie limits, but I don't feel like I'm making the best choices. I've been working out, and loving it. Today I just went for a walk. Nice to have that option!
I'm trying to work hard, but not focus so much on working out that I don't eat like I should. I know you can't lose weight, just through exercise, no matter how hard you work out. I know exercise is key, but you need to get the 'diet' part down too. I'm still trying to eat things I really enjoy. But I'm limiting quantity. There are also a lot of healthy choices that I really do love. I'm so glad I love chicken! And tuna--- broccoli---salads-- yogurt---etc.
I don't believe there is any bad food. Too much of anything is bad for you, and a healthy diet needs variety. A healthy LIFE needs variety.
I've been drinking more water, but I think I need to drink less diet soda. I know it doesn't really help, even though there are more calories. I've had 2 today. I don't think that's too bad. I think it would be best if I could limit them to 1 a day. But I don't wanna! And, as I've said before, the more I say I can't have something, the more I want it. I don't really think drinking it hurts me. I think you would really have to drink a lot for it to do that. But I do know people who drink it all day long. It might keep them from over-eating, but I can't imagine what that does to their digestive system. Not even considering what artificial sweeteners might do to you, it can't be doing any good!

[muppet]

I've gone for a walk the past couple of days and today did some strength training with my dumb bells and stability ball. I still like that better than the machines at the gym, but it's probably best that I try and do both.
Last day of school tomorrow! It will be nice to not have to set an alarm clock for awhile, but I don't like sleeping too late. It makes the days too short!
We are planting flowers and garden. I think I get to have a pumpkin patch this year, so I'm excited. I just love watching the pumpkins grow. Our lawn is huge, and I think we need to get a riding mower. I don't mow very often, and I really don't mind, but it might get to be kind of miserable out there in the hot sun in the middle of summer.
I think I'm going to be sanding and painting baseboards the next few days. Cheap thrill, but I am anxious to get this project done. We have granite counter tops ordered, and are supposed to be on the way, but haven't heard from the fabricator in over a week......I wish they'd just touch base with us and let us know what's going on. They were supposed to call us last week.....
Not much to tell..... I've been adding a lot to my ipod. I'm excited to have discovered a new artist -- well, he's not new, but new to me. His name is Steve Tyrell, and he does a wonderful job on the old standards -- Sinatra, stuff like that. He also does some Disney standards that I really enjoy. I'm feeling like quite the cool cat....
Earlier this month we took the whole family to Omaha to see Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx. We had seen this on PBS, and really enjoyed it. I was a crazy Styx fan in my younger years. Especially Dennis DeYoung.... That was the 5th time I had seen him live --- 4 times with Styx, and then this time. He is 61, and his voice is still amazing. My kids love him too -- mostly for Mr. Roboto and Come Sail Away, but they all loved the whole concert. He was backed by the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. It was just great -- LOVED IT! And I have to say I still have a crush on the guy... He may be 61, but he as go it goin' on!!!!

[muppet]

Well, I guess this is the official start of summer for me. Seems like we barely had Spring!
We bought a volleyball set yesterday. This is the first time I think we've ever had the right kind of yard to set one up. I've always wanted to, but we've never had such a large, level yard.
I think I'm going to buy Wii Fit. I'm a little hesitant because while the kids think it's cool now, I don't think they will use it regularly. I think I might, but I would like them too as well. It's something I'm curious about and just have to try it! $90 is quite a bit of money to satisfy my curiosity, but I also love that they are trying these different types of games that encourage movement, and I want to support that. The Wii is such an improvement over other types of gaming systems. At least as far as the 'getting up off your butt and moving' aspect goes. However, while my kids love their Wii, they still want to play other games from other systems, such as Grand Theft Auto. Oh well, they will just have to be happy playing them at their friends houses.
I'm looking forward to the next few months. I'm planning on enjoying them. Hope you all do too.

[Missy]

Let me know how you like the Wii Fit game, I've been wondering myself what it's like. It does look really neat. We got our Wii back in December and love it...especially the sports game ones like the boxing or I love the baseball one. Definately gives you sore muscles.

[muppet]

I went to get a Wii fit, but they were sold out. There's only 1 store in town that would carry it ( Kmart) and they aren't the best at keeping things in stock. But I'm patient. I'm excited to try it. I guess you enter in your height, step on the board, and it just comes out and says 'You're fat!" Well, only if you are fat -- which I am. I'm not sure if it actually says you're 'fat', but it calculates your BMI or something and puts you in the proper category. I think I'm 'obese', but very close to just being 'overweight'. Whatever -- I know how much I weigh and I know it's too much. I'm not sure if I'd be completely happy and my ideal weight though. I have never wanted to be itty bitty. I like my curves -- some of them anyway! But Wii fit does look like fun. Wii sports is fun, but I don't really play it anymore. I got really sore shoulders too.
I'm feeling really 'blah' lately. I'm sick and tired of myself and my eating habits. So many times I over indulge just out of habit, or emotional eating. I can do just fine the whole day and then give in to something, for no realy reason at all. Last weekend my husband and I were working on a project. We had a late breakfast, never had lunch and by the time we got around to dinner I was starved. And because we hadn't eaten lunch, my brain went into 'pig out' mode. I ate way more than I needed to. Way past when I knew I was full......
I'm so sick of me and my whining. My struggles are always the same, and I don't do anything to change them. I'm tired of writing about it, and don't think I will again unless I actually turn some kind of dietary corner. I don't really know what that means, but I think I'll know when it happens.

[muppet]

I heard that Jillian is developing some time of 'game' for the Wii, using the balance board that comes with WiiFit. Sounds interesting......
While exercise is great, and beneficial to everyone, I do have to say that any type of exercise, no matter now vigorous, won't make you lose weight. It will help you, and it's a key part of the journey, but it's only one part. You have to combine it with a proper diet, or you won't get anywhere.
But I do think it's good, even if you don't lose weight. I just don't like the idea of people thinking buying a 'Jillian' video game will solve all their problems. Neither will buying any diet or exercise program or pill. There are things that can help, but it still boils down to hard work and dedication. Right Missy? Ain't no easy way!
I hate all the diet commercials --- Jenny Craig, LA weight loss, Slim fast---the list could go on for ever... "If I can do it, you can do it'. Bleh...... I can do it, but there's nothing easy about it. I can buy things to help, but I can't buy anything to take the responsibility off of my shoulders!
Wiifit is still a lot of fun. I haven't stepped on my other scale in forever.... The Wii balance board weighs you and calculates your BMI. Mine is going down -- not by much -- probably just daily weight fluctuations, but hey-- down is down!

[muppet]

For my journal, for now, I'm going to try and post a reason why I'm doing this. I'm going to try and stay focused as to why fitness is so important to me. I hope it will help motivate, and keep me motivated.
Part of what brought this about was Tim Russert passing away suddenly from a heart attack. He had passed a stress test only a few months ago -- he had no symptoms. They showed on one of the morning news programs what happened to his heart. It was that Dr. Oz, who's on Oprah and has those 'You on a Diet' type programs. I guess it's kind of a 'get back to the basics' thing for me.

Getting stronger and to a healthy weight is important because I was to live as long a life as I can. I know I can't prevent everything, but I also know how you treat your body has much to do with your health especially as you get older. It's not just the length of your life, but the quality as well. Who wants to live to 90 years old, when you've hardly been able to get around since your 50's? Obesity causes huge mobility issues -- no pun intended.