Post 3- Driving Miss Doofus

I had to run out this evening and go buy some slacks that fit for work.  This is an exciting thing!  I got to try on some stuff in yet a smaller size.  I am officially a petite 16.  Score.

Today was a trying day.  My soccer team lost: dear Arsenal. 

I walked around NYC, and went to Eataly, so I could check it out.  Very cool.  And my favorite chef, Lidia Bastianich, was walking around the store with her mom, Ermina and granddaughter!!  Love that woman.  Her food rocks, her restaurants rock, and her cookbooks are easy to follow.

So, despite all things related to eating, I did not snack.  Not once.

We made our drive back to NJ in no time, but by the time I was home, I was hungry.  I noticed that driving while hungry was a problem.  I found myself taking the 'long' roads home, so I could pass by my favorite pizzeria, my favorite sandwich shop.  Each time, I had to chant, 'going home'  to stop me from charging in and getting something decadent.  I finally made it home and ate something, but I feel so out of control.  What a waste of gas.

Why does food have such a hold over my brain?

Association Football = Soccer = Win

Sweetheart and I are die hard football fans...  Sorry, let me clarify:  we are soccer fans.  Association football is the world's most popular sport, except in the United States, and I am never going to understand that.  It is so much more fast paced and full of strategy, compared with other sports.  The players are incredible athletes:  fast, agile, aggressive..  just awesome. (yes, I like American football as well, just not as much)

So why do I talk about this here:  fitness.  Soccer is fun and easy to play.
"According to a survey conducted by FIFA published in 2001, over 240 million people from more than 200 countries regularly play football.  While football has the highest global television audience in sport, its simple rules and minimal equipment requirements at amateur level, have no doubt aided its growth in terms of participation." (link)

So do Americans play?  Yup.
This is one of the few sports where a pick up game is more readily available and organized than any other sport.  So, I did a little digging.  Within 10 miles of my house, there are 9 separate soccer clubs that offer amateur league play for all ages.  So, Sweetheart's birthday is coming up, I am signing him up for Soccer lessons.  It will be a fun way for him to play and get ready to start into a league. It is also a way to get in that exercise without being the same ol' stuff. (Shh, don't tell him)

Post 1- October Accountability

This month is game on.  I set a date for my wedding, finally.  You guys are privileged to be the first to know, as we have only told our mothers.  My mom was non plussed and his mom was thrilled.  It was what we expected.  We are getting hitched on September 10, 2011.  That is 9-10-11, for those of you who can't count.  I have learned a few things so far:  Weddings are insanely expensive for stuff that I just can't comprehend.  I am paying for the whole thing, as Sweetheart isn't working, and I am not getting any volunteers from my family.  I am trying to set a budget that I can live with without killing myself.  I live in NJ, which isn't cheap.  So, we shall see what happens!

This just gives me another carrot to dangle in front of myself to keep going and keep eating well and keep accountable.  It also gives me some stress. 

So, I will be counting my blessings/ counting my posts this month.  I should have 31 in the end.

As for this week, I have not invested enough time in writing down what I eat.  I will correct that today.  It is important to see what you put in, or at least it is for me.  If you ask me what I ate yesterday, it is somewhat foggy.

I haven't been running according to plan.  I need to get that long run in this week, or the half-marathon is out.  I won't be able to catch up.  I have been training hard lately though.  I have been swinging 20 k kettle bells like they are going out of style.  As a result, I now have serious guns, generously protected by wings of flesh.  I sure do hope that some of that skin shrinks in the next year.  It ain't pretty.

I have found lately that I am far more critical about my appearance now that my body is changing.  I find myself picking at myself more than I ever did when I was at my heaviest.  It's funny:  I think then, I just gave up and accepted that my body was big and that was ok.  I even felt pretty, despite my size.  My version of fat acceptance. 

So, now that I have rejected this fat, I am really not pleased.  I find more things on me I want to fix all day.  It is amazing how you never get to a level of satisfaction.  I have complained about something on my body, or found myself picking at myself in front of the mirror every day.  What is the opposite of vanity? Is it Reticence?  Is it self-deprication?  Stumped.  Either way, it isn't positive thinking.  That was the whole point of getting healthier:  to be positive.

Back To School: Health School

Thanks to all of you guys out there for listening to me fall off the wagon, crack my head open, and spill my giggly bits all over the floor.  I did go running yesterday and got in 3.5 miles.  It wasn't a good run, but it sure was satisfying to get back on the horse.  I cleaned up my eating act yesterday, and I have been good today as well.

So, to keep me on this kick, I am going to promise that October is a blog everyday month.  I need to have a daily reminder to do something for myself.  This blog is a time for me to really brain dump all the stuff that lurks in there..  I swear that I have more than cobwebs between my ears, and I am a blond!

As well, I am going to join my weekly check in calls with my nutrition plan, HMR.  I took a break over the summer because I felt a little stuck with the meetings.  However, I am over my stucked-ness and need to embrace the reinforcement.  So kids, I am back to school... even if it is a month late!!

It is pissing down rain, so I will have to go to the gym tonight for my run.  I think 4-5 miles are in my future...

Eating Everything That Moves = Missa

I am in a slump.  I am not keeping in control of what goes into my trap.  It all starts so nicely, and then takes a dump on my sensibilities.    Example of my intake yesterday:

Breakfast:  Oatmeal with cocoa powder and fresh, warmed strawberries.  Yummy and healthy.

Lunch:  Beef and peas and carrots with cranberry relish.  Meal was courtesy of HMR, but I added the horseradish yummy-ness.

Not bad, but just wait:

Dinner:  Greek Salad, way too much dressing.  Gyro with all the fixin's.  Could I have had chicken or veggies, yes.  Did I?  Nope.

Second Dinner:  Half a Grandma pizza and a bag of Australian licorice.  Why the heck was I even eating?  GRRRR.

So, now it is the morning after, and I am doing the walk of shame.  I have immediate punishment:  I have the worst indigestion ever, and I smell like a walking gyro- garlic factory.  I am supposed to do a long run this morning, but I don't think I will make it with all this ridiculousness in my gullet.  So, I am going to wait, and hope this stuff works its way out of my body sooner rather than later.

I hope all of you are having a better day!  Don't do this to yourselves!!

Long-term Weight Loss May Actually Be Bad For You

I read the news everyday via RSS feed at work.  I skim the titles, get a feel for the good, the bad and the daily ugly.  Well, today I just jumped out of my chair.

Headline:  Long-term Weight Loss May Actually Be Bad For You

How can this be?!?  Does this mean I should grab the nearest cheeseburger?  Five Guy's, here I come!

HALT!  Before I chomp down, here are the highlights: Scientists in Hong Kong found
-- Fat stores all kinds of toxins and residues from the things we ingest (eat, breathe, lather on our skin)
--When we lose fat, the fat releases the toxins into our bodies
--Our bodies freak out, leading to short term and long term illnesses.

I find this study interesting (gross).  However, I think it is one sided. 
--Fat does store little nastiness in our bodies, (yuck). 
I want that OUT of me!!  Why would I let my unhealthy, unfit body deal with toxins leaching in-between my organs?!?  Ick.
--It doesn't really say if the rate of fat loss is a factor.  I think anytime you rapidly increase or decrease your weight, you are in for some unexpected health issues.  Your body wants some equilibrium.  Any rapid anything makes my body really pissed.
--I will take my chances.  The path of declining health is certain at a higher weight.  Healthy people lead better lives. 

What do you guys think?

Big Ticket Item Anxiety

I have been a busy bee lately, doing my homework and such for a few big tickets.

1.  I need a new car.  I have waited to buy one until I was officially in the need category and not in the want category.  I am genetically cheap.  I would like to say thrifty, but that isn't it.  I like a deal and I hate parting with cash.

2.  I have been scoping out wedding facilities.  Yeah, I am finally hitchin' my wagon to Sweetheart.  It has only taken us forever.  I am waiting on a meeting/confirmation on the church and then I can book, but I want to be prepared.  I have learned a few things: a. weddings are ridiculously expensive for the wedding that I want  b.  I think I might be a bridezilla because I really don't know what I want, but I am sure snippy about it.

I notice a few things about doing these tasks.  For one, I have bitten my nails down to stumps.  I am not sleeping like I should.  I have slept through my alarm or did the 'sat dazed' on the couch to the last minute.  I am just flustered by these life-changing issues.  It has also once again made me put the breaks on another big ticket item:  school.  It is important and I need to do it.  I just instill avoiding behavior.

So, for my fitness this week: 2x at the trainer, but no running thus far.  This half is not going to run itself.  There is a 5k in my town this weekend.  I think I might punish myself with it.

As for eating:  I am doing OK.  I did have a 3 slice pizza lunch and a digression with Chinese food this week.  As well, I went to the movies and smuggled in some Australian strawberry licorice.  I am absolutely addicted.  OK, so now that I write this, maybe I am not OK.  Maybe I am pushing it.  I didn't feel guilt at the time, but this confession sure is getting to me!

You might have noticed I haven't posted my weight in a few weeks.  No real reason for not doing this, but being distracted.  I feel like I haven't given it my all, and I guess I haven't felt like showing the non-movement of my numbers as a result.  Monday's weigh in will be posted, I promise.

I haven't completely melted down yet, but the pressure sure is mounting.  I worry I am headed for a disaster.  Surely, if I was where I was last December and tried to to these things, I think I would be in a coma.  Thanks for listening and being my outlet today.  Off to test-drive some cars.  At least this part should be fun!

*image stresswaived.com