Michelle's Madness

The boys are at Camp Gramma's and Brian went to a friend's house last night to stay and watch the game today (his friend lives an hour away). So I've been alone since about 5 PM yesterday evening. I had all these things planned to do while I was alone: work on some play lists for my Zune, pick some pictures to have printed at Longs, do laundry, clean the kitchen, make some stuff for lunches this week and some chicken for salads, watch a movie, work out. Yeah, so much for plans. I loaded the dishwasher and threw in some laundry. I forced myself to work out this morning because I really need to get back on track after being sick. I am not at 100% yet, which was quickly realized when I was trying to do crunches and could barely manage 10 because I'm still so tired. I suppose I should really work on the food for the week. What I actually got done: watched a bunch of episodes of Untold Stories of the E.R. on TLC, plus a couple of movies, played on the computer for a while, and took a nice long nap. Hey, who the hell wants to actually do something when the kids are away and you have quiet time to yourself???

I've never bothered to make New Year's resolutions, mostly because I'm too lazy to bother or I simply forget. Or maybe it's because I know I won't keep them. In any case, this year is no different. No official resolutions, so I won't feel guilty about breaking them. However I do have a goal this year: lose 25-30 pounds. I'm dying to wear my red dress again, and I'd like to be able to wear it for my 10th anniversary in October.



I've already been making changes to what we eat (Brian is joining me in this craziness adventure) and already I'm seeing results. I started preparing to do this on December 30, and the changes have been in effect for 3 days, since January 2. Actually I started working on it on December 31, but frankly, after a handful of chocolate chip cookies and 3 huge rum and cokes, I gave up trying. Actually, I gave up giving a shit altogether.



On January 1, I didn't even try. We went to my aunt's house for the day and she had this dip from Trader Joe's that was to die for. Well, maybe I wouldn't die for it, but I'd definitely body check somebody to get the last one in the refrigerator case. It was the Sun Dried Tomato and Pesto Torta. The bottom layer is pesto cream cheese, then a layer of cream cheese, all topped off with a ton of sun dried tomatoes. If you haven't experienced this culinary delight, I suggest you get your ass in your car right now and break all traffic laws to get to your nearest TJ's. Cut off little old ladies meandering down the road at 10 miles under the speed limit in their full size Buicks (what is up with that shit anyway? As their driving skills decline, they get bigger, harder to maneuver cars. There should be a law against that), flip off any cop that dares to stand in your way, and mow down pedestrians if necessary (1,000 points if they try to run and you still nail them). Seriously, drop what you're doing and go. I'll wait. Don't forget to get crackers to eat it with. We had Wheat Thins, and that was yummy.


Hemline in the back

Basically, between the dip, the fudge I brought, and the enchiladas for dinner, I didn't even try. And I have no apologies for that. However I have been sticking to my plan since January 2 and it's been much easier than I expected. Last year I tried Weight Watchers for all of 2 weeks and I nearly went insane. My points range is the lowest they have, 18-23 points, and it was maddening for me to attempt compliance. I was starving! And all I wanted was a goddamn snickerdoodle. Twelve snickerdoodles, actually. So that didn't take.



So I've printed some of my most unflattering pictures for motivation, along with pictures of my dress, and I started my workouts this morning. I'm not following the Points system, but I'm using as a guideline to judge the worthiness of foods when I can. Worthiness as in "Is it worth it to put that in my mouth?" Also, I am a member of the website SparkPeople and it's very helpful. I've been pretty good at entering what I eat into the nutrition tracker, and entering my workouts in the fitness tracker. So far, I have lost 3 pounds. WOOHOO! I know the weight is going to come off the fastest at first, and I certainly don't expect to lose weight that quickly all the time, but I was very excited to see that when I stepped on the scale this morning. I was expecting maybe a pound. Now that's what I call motivation!

So up yours, New Years resolutions. I just want to get my body back! Look out world!

Go me! My first mini goal was to get myself back up to 30 minutes on the elliptical without keeling over and dying. Mission accomplished! It only took about 4 workouts to reach that goal, and now it's time to set another mini goal. I'm thinking of staying at 30 minutes for a while, then pushing up to 45 minutes. But I think my next goal will have something to do with pushups or crunches. Not quite sure yet.

I would also like to start running, since that's free and I can do it anywhere and get a change of scenery as well. There is a 13-week program I can start, but I'm just trying to decide when I would do it. I get up and leave for work too early (I am NOT going for a run at 3 am, thanks) and when I get home, which is usually when I work out, it's too damn hot to even think about running outside. Which leaves the evenings, after dinner, which isn't good because I don't want to run with a full belly, plus I go to bed early. Maybe that will be an autumn project. Unless I can find an indoor track somewhere.

2 pounds lost, 23 to go. I can do it!

I finally got off my butt and onto the elliptical today. I was saying all last week that I was going to do it, but I kept talking myself out of it. I'm really good at that. I need to lose this extra weight once and for all, and I need to get my heart healthy again. Not only for myself, but for my sons. I don't want to be sick, and I don't want to be sluggish and have no energy. I want to be able to run with them. Most of all, I don't want to die of a heart attack at 40.

I just talked to my primary care physician's office. Dr Vila is putting me on Tricor. Yay, heart meds at 30. I'm totally stoked. (Boot to the head if you don't recognize this as sarcasm).

So I got myself on the elliptical and did some crunches and squats. I'm feeling pretty good, a bit more energized (though worn out - how does that work?) already.

I read something recently from a personal trainer. She said when you don't want to work out, remind yourself that you've probably never said "I wish I hadn't done that" after a good work out. I'm trying to remind myself of that.

So here I go, on the journey to get my body back. I only did 15 minutes on the elliptical, but the important thing is, I did it. I didn't talk myself out of it again. And next time, I will push for 20 minutes. I know I can do it.

Here's hoping for some happiness on the scale soon!