Saturday

Finally here. I had some strange dreams last night that have left me a little befuddled this morning, but other than that I'm feeling good. Chechu just left not too long ago for Granada and he'll be there all day for another rehearsal. Both of us were hoping to have a Saturday off to spend together, but it looks like that won't be possible for at least another couple weeks since there are a lot of church activities going on between now and then on the weekends. It's hard to believe that our first anniversary will be coming up in less than a month!

As of this morning I'm currently weighing in at 220.4 pounds. Granted, this hasn't been the best week in terms of exercise, but I have been very diligent (okay, maybe diligent is too strong of a word here) in watching my calories. I'm still waiting to post a huge loss that has yet to come and I'm a bit frustrated about it to say the least. But all I can do is keep going. The method seems so simple-- exercise between 45 minutes to an hour every day, lay off the bad carbs, salt and sugar and increase intake of vegetables, fruits and lean proteins. So freakin simple. And why it's so. freakin. hard to do sometimes is beyond my comprehension.

My goals for this chilly, damp Saturday:

1). Go visit with Fátima and be back before 2pm!
2). Read my Bible and spend time in prayer from 2-3
3). Exercise 3-4
4). 4:30-5 get ready for church
5). Church service

After church:
1). Clean house and iron
2). Make lunch for Sunday
3). Hang out with my man after he gets back home :)

This week has been a strain to get through. Emotionally I feel pulled in all kinds of directions and, as usual, my job is pretty much at the center of it all. I continue to strugge with finding my peace with being in this work environment, but I suppose I'm getting there. I know I'm not going to be here forever and that God has something bigger and better planned for me. I'm trying not to focus on my "now" and get the big picture instead...

With everything going on this week I haven't had the chance to work out at all. I need to get this back on track by tomorrow. Seriously.

All things considered, I can't exactly complain about having lost just under two pounds this past week although I do wish I had a bigger number to post. My goal is to just keep things steady and consistent so that by this time next week I can log a preferably more significant loss. I admit, however, that seeing the numbers whittle down tenth-of-a-pound by tenth-of-a-pound can get discouraging at times, making me feel like I'm standing at the foot of an 80ft. mountain trying to contemplate how in the world I'll ever get to the top.

Being pressed for time yesterday I totally missed my cardio workout and today, barring 10 minutes of exercise that I was able to squeeze in tonight before cooking for tomorrow, I haven't had any additional time to exercise. Tomorrow, however, is a new day. I plan to get in a good workout tomorrow before work, and if I can squeeze in another one after I get back in the evening that'd be great too.

Today has been just what I needed it to be- quiet, peaceful and productive. I slept in until after 11am, played around on the internet for a little while and by noon I was up and about doing my Turbo Sculpt dvd. After that I spent the rest of the early afternoon cleaning and organizing, washed a couple loads of laundry and cooked for tomorrow. The rest of my agenda today includes talking with my sister, ironing and helping Chechu organize our guest room/office. Oh and more relax time of course. Might get in a nice pedicure or something before the day is over, who knows..

Diet wise things have continued well this week. Last week I fell short 1 day according to my exercise schedule, working out only 4 days instead of the 5 I had planned. Not the end of the world by any means though. I had a pretty stressful Friday yesterday too and I didn't get a workout in then either, which I wasn't at all upset about. In fact I was thrilled that I didn't turn to my usual comfort foods in an attempt to make me "feel" better.

This is my exercise schedule for this coming week:

Sunday: Cardio 45 minutes (before church)
Monday: Cardio 45 minutes (AM)
Tuesday: Strength training 40 minutes (PM)
Wednesday: Cardio 45 minutes (AM)
Thursday: Break
Friday: Cardio 45 minutes (PM)

Is it Friday yet?

Things this week have been going well on all levels pretty much. Plus it's Wednesday and that means just two more days until the weekend. On Saturday I'm taking the whole day to myself to relax and get some things done around the house since my husband will be in Granada all day for another rehearsal.

I feel particularly happy about how I've been sticking to plan this week. In terms of exercise I've focused primarily on doing cardio-- next week I'm going to start adding strength training to my routine and I'm looking forward to it. Tonight's workout will mark my 5th this week- tomorrow I'll take the day off and then start back up on Friday.

Food-wise things have been going well. Barring a couple late-night run-ins with the fridge, I've been doing well. I'm not following any particular diet, but rather focusing on eating low-fat, balanced meals and laying low on the carbs. I feel much better knowing that I'm not tying myself down to a diet routine.

That's all for now..

I think I've got it back

I did work out early Friday morning after posting my last entry and did it ever feel great. There's just something about starting the day off with exercise that makes you feel like you've already accomplished something important even before walking out the door in the morning- or at least that's how my Friday went, in spite of the hassles at work that I face on a daily basis.

On Saturday we relaxed pretty much all morning and afternoon until it was time to get ready for the the wedding-- Chechu's uncle and his long-time girlfriend got married. In spite of my intense cardio workout before getting dressed for the wedding, I wasn't able to escape the fact that I ended up making a big mistake in putting on a babydoll dress-style top that tied in the back to go with my black dress pants and sandals-- not flattering at all.

Towards the end of the reception the bride's father went around passing cigars to everyone, and when he got to me he immediately remarked on how I couldn't smoke, and that of course left everyone sitting at our table looking at Chechu and me sideways, as if we decided to hide something as big as a pregnancy. No pun intended... Needless to say I was highly embarrassed and angry that he could make such a comment although, in all honesty, I don't believe he deliberately intended to hurt my feelings.

In spite of all that however, I really feel like I'm getting my motivation back to get moving with my weight loss. I've hemmed and hawed with this for long enough and it finally feels like things have come full circle. I'm particularly getting back into my exercise habit, which I'm thrilled about. I know it'll take some time to fully build up my routine again, but I'm going to stick with it nonetheless. I feel good about this coming week and all that is in store!

I had a splitting headache last night after getting in from work, and for the first time in I don't know how long I went to bed at 9pm. It's now just after 5 in the morning and I'm wide awake, so I figured I'd take some uninterrupted time to blog.

The past couple of weeks have been crazy-this week in particular, and all of the extra stress has wreaked havoc on my intentions to get back on track. I haven't fallen completely off the wagon, but I haven't made any extra special efforts to decisively get back on either.
My downfalls continue to be the same-- no exercise, lack of planning and zero accountability.

My immediate short-term goal is to make tomorrow a productive day- not to let my job and all of the stress it entails consume me, and to make my health a priority. That is, after all, why I'm doing this.

***

So my accountability starts now. This was me today:

• No breakfast, V8 for lunch
• Dinner (8:30pm) Porkloin/cheese sandwich, 1 cup veggie lasagna
• Snack (4:30am) 2 slices of bread with paté spread, 1 can 7Up
• Exercise: walking home from work (10 minutes)

My health-related goals to make tomorrow a fantastic Friday

1). Exercise for 45 minutes after writing this entry

2) Stick to my meal plan for the day:

• Breakfast: Egg whites, V8, coffee w/ skim milk no sugar
• Lunch: Chicken breast fillets, sautéed vegetables, large green salad
• Dinner: 1 small can of tuna (drain the oil and rinse), LF white cheese, yogurt

I realize that getting back on track is taking things one day at a time and staying committed. It's about not being afraid to change and being willing to put my health and well-being as a top priority. I am worth it.