19 December 2009

Excuses, excuses

I haven't worked out much in the last few weeks and my eating has been completely out of control. It's like I have no self control at all. If it's in front of me within driving distance, I eat it. I could list the things I've eaten over the last few days and it would make you sick - seriously!!! And I've had all kinds of excuses. For not working out; I'm really busy, I have a test to write, I'm tired, it's cold, I'll do it later, tomorrow, next week. I swear, I have so many excuses it is not funny. As for the eating, yeah that was a joke. At school there have been a lot of goodies. A. Lot. Up until this week I've indulged a time or two but managed to keep it under control. This week was finals and if they were using my room for a test I couldn't be in there. So I went to the faculty room. Where the goodies were. And I sat and ate. And ate. And ate. My excuse? I didn't have breakfast, lunch, dinner a week ago, whatever. It was all excuses. What has this lack of activity and eating everything in a 3 block radius got me? Well, besides a few extra pounds, I now have a sore back, the inability to sleep at night yet I'm tired all the time, and a very, very sore knee. Just like when I weighed 225 lbs. Great!! This is a great way to spend the holidays and start a new year. But it stops right here and right now.

I am on a 3 week break from school and in that time I will:
  1. Lose 10 pounds - this is at the top of my list because it is the most important'
  2. Get next semester planned through to spring break - doing that will free me up to do #3
  3. Organize and get the house packed and ready for the move
 So, how will I accomplish these things you may ask. I'll tell you.  For number 1, I am going to workout twice a day - morning and afternoon.  Since I'm home all day I can schedule any appointments that may come up around my workouts.  I'm putting me first for the next 3 weeks.  I will also be tracking everything that I eat.  I will be writing it down and logging it in Foods Database. It's a free online program that I like pretty well.  None of the ones I've found, free or fee, are exactly what I want so I've had to learn to settle.  Anyway, I'm going to track every morsel that I eat and I'm going to keep the calories between 1300-1500 a day. 

For number 2, I'm going to devote some time everyday to planning.  I'm thinking an hour or two in the afternoon between lunch and my second workout.  This will give me some down time and I'll be rested for my workout. 

Finally, Number 3 will be an ongoing constant project.  I will be working on that a lot and I figure it will be pretty physical so it will help with the weight loss and keep me from eating because I'm busy. 

So my days are going to look like this:
  • Up in the morning and have coffee
  • workout - probably a run
  • breakfast
  • sort and pack for a couple of hours
  • lunch
  • work on next semester
  • workout - probably weights
  • walk the dogs
  • dinner
  • relax
 Two things I need to keep doing in order for this to work.  First, keep busy. If I get bored it's all over because I'll begin to eat.  Second, stay focused on the goal.  I will do this!!  I will do this!!!

So the goal?   10 lbs in three weeks.  Not so hard when you think that I should be really busy all three weeks.  I should have no time to sit around and gain weight.  At least that's the plan. 

So, where does it start?  Right here, right now.  The information below will be posted on my sidebar for all the world to see.  Let the games begin.  

Starting weight: 185.0
Goal weight:     175.0
Current weight: 185.0

18 December 2009

...please where can I buy a unicorn?

That was a comment I received today. I know things are going really well for me right now but even I don't know where you can buy a unicorn.

Today was the last day at school. The student's had their final final this morning, then we had parties in the homerooms, and we ended the students day with a senior class play. It was fun. Then came our Christmas party. Even though I work for a private school they know how to throw a party. We had a nice catered lunch with beer, games for really cool prizes, and a bonus. Woo Hoo!!! I now have more money then I anticipated. Very cool. Maybe I'll use the bonus to buy a water softener for the new house. Sounds like fun doesn't it??

Tomorrow it all begins. I am going to lose 10 lbs over this break and it all begins tomorrow. Tonight however I rest.

17 December 2009

Just a quick update

It's the final week of school and things are crazy.  Today is my classes final then all that's left is grading and I'm done.  Tomorrow is the last day of school and our Christmas party.  That will be fun but I'll be glad when it's over. The final couple of weeks here have been so crazy with me finishing up the class I was taking and the classes I'm teaching I've just been snowed under. Plus add buying the house and all that entails on top  of it and yikes!!!  I haven't had a moment to breath.  So now that breathing room is in sight I have to get serious.  I'll be home for the next 3 weeks packing, cleaning and preparing for next semester and the move.  So here's my plan.  I'm going to work out twice every day,  weights in the morning, running in the afternoon - or vice versa if I really feel like running in the morning.  I'm going to eat good, I'll be home and making all my own food, there is no reason to eat garbage.  Plan for next semester, I'd like to have things ready for next semester through spring break.  If I have it all planned out that frees me to work out in the mornings and evenings and not spend hours figuring out what I'm going to do.  Packing.  Lots and lots of packing.  The house will close on January 27 and we need to be ready to move that weekend.  So I'll be packing up everything that we don't use often and storing it.  Hopefully I won't have to buy any metal buildings to store the stuff in because I don't want to have to move them. But I will if necessary. So the 3 weeks will be very physical.

Now that I have a plan, what exactly are my goals.  First is running.  I've been doing that but not consistently enough. I am doing a 10k on New Years and I need to get training.  At this rate it will take me 2 hours to run that far :)  So there will be lots of running.  Second is weight loss.  I am going to lose 10 lbs in three weeks. That is just over 3 lbs a week and very, very doable if I focus. Workout, eat right, keep busy. Exactly what I have in mind for my break. I can do it. Oh yeah, tracking my food. I'm going to track every bite that I eat and keep it around 1300 cals and desserts are out completely.

January will begin the serious marathon training. I have not signed up for any of the other races because of the house but I'm going to. I hate to admit this, but mentally I've given myself an out. Since we are buying a house and obviously going to be here a few more years, I can do my 5 marathons in 7 months in 2011-2012. I know I should not have even thought about it but it came to me because of money not because of training. It's going to be a little tight for a while when we get into the house and paying out $80 a pop for a bunch of marathons is going to be tough. So I may postpone my adventure for a year. Also, that will give me time to lose this freaking weight. And I will lose this freaking weight.

Okay, I have to get going or I will lose my job.

13 December 2009

Health

This review is a result of a feedback campaign by DenTek Oral Care Inc. The recipients were asked to give their honest opinion about the product they received. Good reviews were not incentivized and poor reviews will not be censored for their opinion of the product.

Since this is a health and fitness blog let's talk about your teeth. I have terrible teeth. They are all crooked and have caused me lots of problems over the years. The good news is they are really, really strong. So if I can keep them clean inspite of their screwed up shapes they should last a long time. Well, except for that grinding teeth and cracking them issue but let's ignore that for now. Because of my messed up teeth I'm kind of a fanatic about keeping them clean. I brush and floss twice a day and I use toothpicks after I eat anything. I am always trying the latest toothbrush or toothpaste in an effort to extend the life of my teeth. So when I was asked to try the DenTek complete clean floss I jumped at it. I got it a couple of days ago, here's what it looks like:



I could not get a picture of the floss with my video camera, but it's two strands of floss twisted together and then coated with a light wax. This makes it easier to grip plaque between your teeth. I've used it now for 3 days and I have one thing to say, I love it!!! I do not know if it really grips more plaque then regular floss but I like the way it slides between my teeth. It definitely feels like it's moving across the surface of my tooth better then regular floss. I love it. Now, the real problem is, will I be able to find it here in Hawaii????

Conversation with Hubby

 So yesterday morning I presented my idea of working out at home to the Hubby. Once I presented it to him, he said he was in. I told him I h...