The Irony of Magazines

Did you ever notice how many 'housewife' magazines have weight loss advice but show tantalizing sweets on the cover? I am not picking on any magazine in particular, but this one is typical. "The Best Christmas Ever" and it shows food. Not people helping the homeless, or carolers, or a nativity scene, all of which would help make the best Christmas ever, but goodies!

Below, it says "Eat more, Weigh Less. 20 Fat-Blasting Foods!"
You can bet the frosted cookies shown are not on their list.

Another well-known women's magazine often has skinny-mini models on the front--as if that is realistic! And no, it is not "Shape Magazine!"

Kudos to Better Homes and Gardens, and Real Simple, for using lots of flowers, decor, and other themes.

What I Hate About Being Fat--Exercise programs

Okay, it's not that I hate exercise, though I'm not passionate about it or I would probably be skinny.

I got a magazine that says "Lose 10 lbs. in 30 days!" It's not a pill, it's a walking program. It starts out with 30 minutes brisk walking on a flat surface. I head over to the gym, and I walk a mile, in about 15 minutes, and I am exhausted and sweaty!

Where are the programs that say: "Drive to the gym, because you've got two errands to run along the way. Walk 10 minutes if you can. If not, walk 5 minutes. Go home and take a hot bath and read a book to take your mind off the brownies and the smell of the popcorn your kids made while you were gone."

On a positive note, I lost 3.4 lbs in the last two weeks or so. Not sure how, but I will take it. I went in there just knowing I had finally gone over 200, and lo and behold, I've lost a little. HURRAH!

starting again

Sick or not, aching or not, it's time to start again. Perhaps I'm feeling just enough better to get motivated. Or maybe it's that looming 200!

Better 200 miles than 200 pounds.

So, I walked a mile tonight. It's a start. Again. And I think I will put up a sticker chart and award myself when I reach 5 or 10. What's a good reward? Not food! Perhaps more stickers! I love stickers; seriously, my journal looks more like a scrapbook than a diary.

Get Real!

I recently read Chelsea's blog, Princess in Progress, and she inspired me. I wrote a bunch of comments there. She talked about getting real with the scale and facing facts. I don't want to do that. I just want to magically wake up skinny and stay that way. And healthy, too!

Finished A Big Project

I finished up Leilani's book today. Now maybe I can get on with life. Like sewing and working out.

I don't know if it was too big a weekend or staying up until 2 a.m. to work on her book, but I had a massive headache today. Oh well.

If you want to look at the book, click here. Just don't tell her!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I really enjoyed our dinner, a mix of gourmet new things my adult children tried, and the traditional turkey, crescent rolls, etc. With so many vegetarians in the family, it's tricky, but they made some wonderful crepes for a main dish, a delicious mushroom gravy that made me not even miss meat gravy, four different vegetables...

Even dressing, which I did, is easy to make vegetarian and it came out really well. It's Amelia Bedelia style cooking...a little of this and a little of that. One of them said "The dressing is amazing!" I'm glad they liked it.

So what does all this have to do with losing weight? I ate just enough to feel good, and no more. No stuffed feelings this year! But I enjoyed a big feast of flavors and textures!

God has truly blessed us this Thanksgiving, and I am grateful for the time with all my family.

Looking Good!

At a baby blessing I attended Sunday, my sister-in-law Margaret leaned over to me and said, "You're looking really good, Lynn!" I just wanted to kiss her--except that she has had the flu!

Well, I don't know my current weight, but it's higher than I'd like. Thank goodness for "all-over control" pantyhose and a flattering dress! And for a sister/friend who knew I needed some encouragement to keep going.

Have you ever noticed that a positive comment can go a lot further than criticism?

Here's a picture of the cover of "The Weigh Down Diet" for anyone interested.

Weigh Down

I'm not officially doing the Weigh Down diet, but I'm trying to apply some of the principles. I have been eating less lately because I'm not hungry much. Maybe it's the cod liver oil and vitamin D helping me out.

To call Weigh Down a diet, is almost a misnomer. It's more a way of thinking abundantly. To trust that no matter how yummy something is, there will be more later. If not of that specific thing, of something else wonderful God provides for us.

That's only a part of it, but I recommend reading the book for anyone who wants to lose weight and be healthy and never feel starving. You get hungry, that's normal, but you don't have to get desperately hungry.

I'm back!

Not exercising yet but blogging at least.

On Oct. 30 I went to a new doctor and he told me to take cod liver oil (awful stuff) and a couple of other things. Also tested me for vitamin D and I'm low, so we'll see how that goes.

So, I'm still in a lot of pain, but my enthusiasm for life is improving. I hope to move forward out of this "flare" pretty soon.

Aching Muscles Relieved by Exercise!

This sounds backwards, but I woke up very stiff and in pain this morning. I went to the gym and did a very light strength workout. The stretching and muscle use took out all the stiffness and the rest of my day has gone much better.

Plus, I lost 0.6 pounds!

Halloween Candy (on Halloween)

I spent the day at the studio surrounded by sweets! Very tempting!

I managed to limit myself to one tiny Milky Way Dark miniature, one blue jelly belly, one piece of candy corn, and one unfrosted ghost cookie. So, I confess I did eat those!

. . . after I had a healthy vegie and cheese sandwich for lunch, that is.

Then Holly made a cool Halloween dinner and I tried to eat proper portions. She made bones breadsticks, mummy pizza, bug juice, apples with teeth, and mummy toes. I wish I had thought to take pictures.

Halloween Candy

Is this a good week to start over again? Probably the best--before I binge on all that Halloween Candy!

Off the subject: I absolutely love the Halloween Pictures from Saturday's party. They are awesome! Those babies are all so cute.

If you haven't seen it yet, check it out at Living Love Photos. Cast your vote for the best picture, because the best picture will win a cool prize. Get your family to vote too, and come on out for the party on Halloween so you can get in on the fun!

Big Surprise This Month

I haven't had a menstrual period since I started working out in February. It was a nice break. But it has hit at last, and hit hard. Bad headache, water retention with all its lovely side effects, fatigue, poor sleep, etc. Ick!

If getting in shape keeps that away for me, it gives me one more incentive. Just as soon as I get over this darn period.

Luckily at my age, when they asked at the hospital "When was your last period?" they didn't insist on a pregnancy test. Unless they did it without asking me. But seriously, at 48? The x-ray guy asked if I wanted one, but I just laughed and said it wouldn't be necessary.

Symbol from http://www.zib.de/Numerik/projects/MenstrualCycle/project.en.html

Is it normal?

Is it normal to take 6 months to lose 12 lbs, when you are dieting and exercising, and then regain it all in just 8 weeks? Seems like really slow loss, followed by rapid gain. Talk about a yo-yo.

Back to the walking. Made it three days in a row.

What I Hate About Being Fat--Bras

You know what I hate? My bras were getting too loose, so I was all excited to go buy new ones. When I got to the store, I didn't get a smaller size (a sign of weight loss.) I got the same old size as before! Why? It wasn't me shrinking, it was just the darn bras getting stretched out. How disappointing!

Fall Day Walk

Okay, we didn't have time to go to the mountains, but we enjoyed a walk of about a mile and a half around our neighborhood. It was a crisp, cool, fall day. Just right to wear a sweater and my comfiest sandals and stroll around the block.
(Photo by Anthony Ford)

Another kink in the rope

I was about to quit my job at the postal service to concentrate more on household stuff and Anthony's photo business. Then today some new thoughts came about it as I try to listen to the spirit, so I am back in confusion. I have to talk it over with Anthony and really pray about it.

Meanwhile, I am killing myself trying to work two jobs, so I have to do something!

Reality Check

We went for a walk up City Creek Canyon with the grandkids. Anthony was trying out his new camera. All my pictures came out lousy because I was moving in most of them. However, they also show what I really look like, which is a depressing view!

Okay, here's incentive to keep working out. What I hate about being fat is seeing what I really look like!

Captured Some Exercise Time

I've been working on a huge project for Anthony's photo studio. It's called "Capture My Utah." Photographers post photos, and then they and other people can go on and vote on the pictures. In the end, the best pictures will be put into a book.

So, I've been spending hours on it, but I did manage to walk four days this week, plus this afternoon, we walked up City Creek Canyon. Anthony took about 300 more pictures! The rest of us enjoyed time with the kids and enjoying the monuments in Memory Grove and the beauty of nature up the canyon.

Anyway, if you want to see his great pictures, please click here, and go vote for him!

You snooze, you.....lose?

I was going to get up and exercise early today. Really I was. But you know, that snooze alarm is just too handy. So, I guess I will do it when I'm done with the computer today. As soon as my snack settles.

Freebie for Salt Lake City Area

I'm totally unphotogenic, but here's a deal for the rest of you:
Anthony Ford Photography is giving away a free photo at Living Love Photos. Anthony has opened a studio in Salt Lake City and wants lots of studio time so he will give you an 8x10 photo if you'll sit for him.

This little guy is an example of his first day's adventure.

Just comment below if you want to participate, or log over to Living Love Photos and leave one there. Be sure to give us some way to contact you.

Getting Up Again

“To fall seven times, to rise eight times…
Life starts from now.”

~ Daruma

(Quote found at a blog I love--The Chocolate Chip Waffle)

After being sick for several weeks, I've got to start up again! I feel like I'm constantly back at square 1. I refuse to give up, even if it means going back to step one over again. I will move this body!

Getting Better

I'm finally beginning to feel better. Maybe I'll even exercise tomorrow. I think the whole chest problem was just congestion. I started taking Sudafed yesterday and clearing things up. I try to go chemical-free, but sometimes the body needs a little extra help.

Sudafed Molecules:
I found this while searching for an image of Sudafed. I just think it's kind of cool.

Now to lose the weight I gained...

The End of My Rope

I got to the end of my rope and could I keep going? No, I'm a frayed knot!

If you've never heard the joke about the ropes that went into a bar, click here.

Sunday during the temple dedication I got a bad headache. I figured it was a combination of fatigue and the bright lights, but it didn't go away. Later I took a nap and woke up with serious heartburn. I rarely get heartburn! I drank some baking soda water, and it eased off but left me with a pressure feeling in my chest like a big bubble. It felt like I needed to burp but couldn't. I also had an occasional twinge in my shoulder. I called the nurse hotline and learned that heartburn is a primary symptom of heart attack in women, and headaches can be caused by high blood pressure. She convinced me to go to Instacare, and the doctor there sent me to the ER.

The upshot of that visit was that I have absolutely no heart trouble. I'm just tired and stressed. They gave me morphine for the headache, along with Zofran so the morphine wouldn't make me throw up. That was followed by baby aspirin (no water allowed yet) for my heart, followed eventually by "gastroenteritis cocktail" consisting of Maalox, Benadryl, and Lidocaine. Lime mint flavor, Yuck! I gagged that down and then went to sleep for a while. At about 2 a.m. they gave me a drink of water and started discharge papers. The water made me burp at last, and I went home, still tight in the chest.

Upon waking up this morning, my headache was back full force, but I was hungry and the indigestion is at bay if not gone. I took an Excedrin for the headache, which at least took the edge off so I can somewhat function. I took the day off of work, and I am doing only what I feel like, except I probably need to go get groceries. I spent a lot of the day visiting with Holly and the kids.

I know Anthony would be willing to get groceries, but after getting home at 3, he got up at 5 to take Kevin to work because his car is broken down, and then came home, took Dominic to work, and went off to his networking meeting. So he is asleep and I want to leave him that way. But we are out of milk. So, that's the problem with life--how do I rest? Do I get to rest? I'm a frayed knot!

Finished Step 2

It took almost three weeks, but we finally finished step 2. It's crazy. I kept procrastinating, daunted by the 3-mile walk at the end of the week. When it came right down to it, it was easy in spite of the pain and bloating I've been feeling. I felt better after the walk. Less bloated, and it kick-started my digestion. On to Step 3!

No Pain, No Gain

The old exercise motto: No pain, no gain, is outdated. We should really work out starting gently and build up to a level we can do without hurting ourselves. That's what I love about Leslie's program. It's exactly what we do.

Now I've got a new twist on No pain, no gain. I've been eating so badly, I gained three pounds and I have been in pain. Aching all over. I know better, too, but I start false thinking--it won't matter for a little while. Other people eat like this; I just want to eat normally. All the lies. Rationalize = rational lies.

So I decided on my food motto: No Pain, No Gain. I'll make food choices based on what my body needs, not what looks good or what I perceive other people eat.

A Pound of Fat

This is really gross. The yellow pictures are actual samples of human fat. Yuck! The one on the right shows the makeup of a human fat cell under the microscope.

Great weight-loss incentive, not to look like that inside.

I read about a doctor who does lipo-suction and uses the fat to make bio-diesel for his car. Seems wrong somehow, though I suppose it's no worse than throwing it away.
I think I'll burn my own fat--through exercise!

Oh No! (and fun news too)

I found out today my gym membership expired! I don't know if I can justify renewing it, when Anthony doesn't have a job right now. Sanity's important too, right? He says I should do it.

Also, I have regained. But not as much as I feared. Only about a pound. So, time to press on.

Dominic and Holly have been staying with us while waiting for, and recovering from, the birth of their second baby. He has done yoga with me a couple of times, and their little boy is so cute trying to do it with us! The second son was born July 30 and he is adorable! (of course Grammy's not biased!)

Step 1 Complete

Instead of calling it "week" I'm now calling it "step." That way if I miss a day, I just go on to the next assigned workout, instead of skipping one or worrying about what day of the week it is.

It took almost two weeks to complete Step 1, but I'm on target for step 2. I've had an awesome 2-mile workout yesterday and today.

Starting Over

But not at square one! I haven't put back on the pounds!

I have missed a lot of exercise due to overwhelming fatigue. So I am starting over in the program at a manageable level.

I've slacked off on keeping my food chart, though I think I am eating well. Still, it's easy to slip off if I'm not counting portions. So after 20 weeks with only four slips, then a week of no recording, I am starting over as Week 1.

I am committed! After nearly 5 months, I won't quit now! When I finish this 6-week segment, I'll have been on the program for 6 months. And hopefully by then I'll lose a few more pounds!

Dropping Again at Last!

For about a month, I couldn't seem to lose a pound. Now I lost a pound last week and .8 pounds this week. Breakthrough! Hurray!

The Cake I Didn't Eat!

This one was really cute: it was at Holly's cousin's wedding, which Anthony photographed. Just thought I'd share; the author of one of my favorite blogs asked for polka-dot party ideas. She always posts some really cute things.

A plug for Anthony: he took the picture and does some really awesome wedding work! Not to mention family pictures.

Yoga Connections

FOCUS
One thing I love about yoga is that I focus so completely on myself and how my body feels. I shut out everyone else but the instructor and work my own body. There is no sense of comparing myself to anyone else in the class. There's only the sense of me, of how this stretch feels, of going far enough yet not too far. If I don't concentrate on that, I hurt myself and lose the calming benefits of it.

AND YET.
I have made friends in the class. I got there a few minutes late yesterday, and Pam had gotten out a block for me, and had a tidbit of news to share. The others greeted me and said they missed me in the weeks I haven't attended. I felt so warmly accepted and loved. And then I got into focus and did the workout, blocking out the others in the class.

EXCEPT...
Anthony went with me, for his first time. While I ignored him--he didn't even put his mat next to mine--I still looked his way now and then. But mostly, I focused on me. The way it should be in yoga. But there was this connection, like a thread between us, a constant awareness of his presence. Not in a bad way, just there. Our bond, a thread between us, not even of thought, not of focus. Just awareness. Like it's all the years stretching between us, all the experience and bonds and love and trials, of comfort and grief, just hanging there in the air. It didn't interfere in my workout. It was just there, like the air and light and sound. A part of me, yet other. Breathe in deeply, exhale, feel his presence.

It's the way I feel when I feel close to God. Like I'm better just for him being there. I am more than myself, yet less. Focused, individual, yet part of something bigger, something stronger, something united.

Picture from www.dietivity.com

Diet Downfall

Seriously--I only ate two pieces! and not even the same day! Except for all the scraps I ate while I was baking it.

This one is from Cold Stone Creamery. I made a replica. Not as pretty but very yummy. I forgot the peanut butter cups--sorry Dominic! Happy Father's Day to all!

18 Months to Go!

It is exactly 18 months until my 50th Birthday. I hope I make more progress in that time than I have lately. This is a good time to review my goals and exercise and recommit. I've been fairly steady on the exercise but I need to do better on sleep and computer time.

Inspired by Elaine

I have this friend at work named Elaine. She and her daughter have been going to the gym in the morning for a workout. Elaine comes to work at 9:30 showered, dressed, makeup on, hair done...so you know they are getting up early for this.

Today I saw Elaine and she is looking awesome. She has lost some weight and her skin glows. She looks energetic and healthy and happy from inside.

So, thank you Elaine, for inspiring me to see that exercise really can change us from the inside out. I hit the workouts again tonight after missing a few days last week and I am ready to go again!

I Need Help!

Regarding mission rules of going to bed on time and not using the computer...This has been way harder than I thought it would be! I make it to bed on time about half the time. Computer use...well, when I stick with it, I get a lot done. But it's hard to do.

I need ideas on how to recommit and stick with them.

Revolving Doors

At my place of work, we go in through revolving doors. The curve of the glass surrounding the door acts like a funhouse mirror, making me look fatter! I finally figured it out and won't let it bother me any more.

Our Favorite Yoga

After using all the yoga/pilates dvds we got, this one is our favorite. She explains things well and generally goes slow enough for us to follow, but we sure feel like we get a workout in 30 minutes.

Stranger at the Gym

One day in February I stopped at the gym to do some stretching on my way home from work. I figured if I got home the evening would get away from me, so I'd better stop.

There was a man there who approached me and told me I wasn't really working out. He said I needed to try harder if I wanted to get in shape. I just laughed and said sometimes you just need to stretch. He persisted in saying "you should get one of the girls out here to help you. They're always glad to teach you."

What girls? These helper girls are invisible! As in, there are not 'girls out here' unless you hire a trainer, which BTW, I have done in the past so I pretty much know what I am doing! I turned my back on the guy and went on with my routine.

What a nerve! Thing is, not too many years ago, I would have been intimidated by him, and by the invisible girls, and the whole thing would have made me wonder if I even belong in a gym, possibly slinking away never to return.

Now, I told my family about it and they laughed and couldn't believe anyone would actually do what he did!

And I figure, Hey, I'm 48 years old, and I am in this gym, and that's pretty terrific. I have a plan for my body, which doesn't include following the unsolicited advice of strangers. Atti-tude! Atta-girl!

I wasn't surprised when he left to see him drive away in a bossy-looking truck. You know the kind--you see them in your rear-view mirror, hogging the whole road, usually wa-a-a-y too close!

Butterfly Partner

I found this beautiful print at a blog called My Sweet Savannah. I subscribe to several that are great resources for decorating. Anyway, I love it so I had to post it. There are several prints that you can copy for decorating and it is beautiful.

Working out with a partner certainly makes life nicer for me. Once in a while we get a little butterfly-in-training "walking" with us. Those are fun times. The bigger ones can learn the walk steps, the little ones quickly learn to walk between us and not under us!

Week 12 Stress

During weeks 11-12 we had some extra stress and things to do, so we missed a couple of workouts each week. We really feel better on the days we work out. So what keeps us from it?

Well, first, Anthony was taking two classes, and he had to get the final paper done for the first class. That is too much work! He is cutting back to one class now, even though he will take 3 years to get his Master's Degree. Better to get it later and healthier than to put ourselves that kind of stress again.

Secondly, I really had to do something about a car. I took time for research and chose carefully, and surprised myself by buying a Hyundai Tucson. First, I had no interest in SUV's; secondly, I don't usually like white cars. But I love this car and am happy with my choice. I am grateful to have it. It was either get a car or quit my job and stay home with no car. Okay, I like my sanity.

Life should settle down now, and even if it doesn't, we have recommitted to daily exercise. Walk away those pounds!

http://www.capella.edu

First Phase Complete

At the end of 12 weeks, I have taken pictures again. I didn't make as quick progress as I did the first 12, in spite of working harder. But I feel so much better, there's no quitting now! Anthony says he feels better too. Thank you, Leslie Sansone!

So, where to go from here? We decided since we did the 6-week program in 12, we will now do it in 6 weeks straight through. We are adding yoga to it to increase our flexibility. We found some short beginner yoga & Pilates DVD's that we hope to like. They are 10-35 minute segments.

For variety, we got some other instructors instead of using Leslie's yoga DVDs. If we like them, I will post the titles later.

Warning: Object in mirror is larger than you think!

I feel much slimmer and I know I am making progress, but then I see a mirror...what it reflects is not the way I see myself. Especially at the gym, where the mirrors take a whole wall and you can't avoid the full view. Okay, I still look fat. Just not as fat. But I will persist and I will be patient with myself.

If you love this mirror, it's available for $28.95 at www.house2homeideas.com
Magnolia Wall Mirror
Southern charm meets shabby chic in this winsome wall mirror. Lattice-work frame trimmed with metal magnolia blossoms. Distress white finished. Metal in distressed ivory finish. 16.5" x 1.75" x 22.75" high Imported. Shipped within 3 business days. Item: 33592 Price: $28.95

Slim Siblings

My siblings are all beautiful, talented, kind, fun and...slim. I love them dearly and it's fun to spend time with them. But, though I have never admitted it to them, I hate being the FAT sister. They are all busy and buzzing with activities and I am sluggish and overweight. Ugh. None of them have ever made a negative comment about my weight, or anything else to make me uncomfortable. It's just me, my own awareness, my own issues.

In this picture, I weighed 15-20 pounds less than I am now...and I bet you can still pick me out of the crowd!

Another Swingset Giveaway

http://www.momdot.com
http://www.skiptomylou.org

I suppose if I really want one of these for my adorable grandkids, I'd better start saving! Meanwhile, here's another giveaway. It has thousands of entries already! But hey, why not try?

This company also has some awesome wooden raised garden frames!

"Experience outdoor living at its finest with HomePlace Structures custom Amish crafted outdoor products. Enhance your property with a stylish yet functional garden building, garage, or gazebo. For the kids, HomePlace Structures also offers exciting playhouses and playsets. Its line of play structures from Pinnacle Play Systems include the best, most innovative ways to have fun: towers and lofts, playhouse lofts, ships/castles, and combination units.

HomePlace Structures exists to provide a variety of structures that add comfort, enjoyment and function to properties nationwide -- accenting homes, parks, businesses, and gardens. We customize playhouses, garden buildings, gazebos, garages and Pinnacle Play Systems for discriminating buyers across the United States, shipping from our base among the Amish of Lancaster County, PA".

Heart Monitor Deal at Woot.com

I found a deal on a Pro-Form heart rate monitor with wrist band and chest strap, today only, $19.99 + $5.00 s/h. This one is listed for $44 on e-bay. We decided to get one and take turns with it to see how we like it.

http://www.woot.com/

Century Club

Image designed in Scrapbook Factory.

Mission rules, and other things.

Okay, I missed Tuesday, so I am 'cheating' and here I am on Thursday.

I am finding the computer use to be easiest to follow. Sleep...well...I've made it about half the time over the last ten days. On the days I'm late it's less than an hour, usually only a few minutes, so it is still progress.

In spite of all this, I am very tired right now. I'm having a whole-body pain flare, and the inflammation is making it hard to get the weight down. I had my chiropractor adjust my ankle today (I go to a Gonstead practitioner) and I was able to do a 3-mile workout today with minimal knee pain. Walk Away the Pounds Express

I need a good hot bath followed by Bio-Freeze rubbed on and maybe an ice pack on the knee and ankle.

Anthony is very encouraging and keeps me from giving up.

Clock from: http://classroomclipart.com

God's Amazing Timing

This week I was complaining that I need some new fitness clothes. As my old sweats and t-shirts get too loose in the legs, the seams rub uncomfortably with the brisk movements of the Walking Diet. I knew I wouldn't get to the store before Saturday, but I planned some shopping time after work on Saturday.

Friday morning I picked up the paper, and there was a Shopko ad for a one-day sale. They had fitness clothing for 50% off, for Saturday only.

I picked up a cute outfit--black spandex capris with a flare leg, and a matching black and coral top--for a really good price. Best of all, they are large, not XL like all my old pants, and they do make me look and feel slimmer. During yesterday's workout I felt like part of a walking team! I think this was the breakthrough I needed to stay motivated.

Time for some "What I Hate About Being Fat" motivation

I'm in the stage where I've made a little progress but it's slow to see, and the exercise isn't too hard, but I need a breakthrough. It's hard to keep going. So I am posting this to remind myself, I hate being fat!

It's like somebody put a stretchy body suit on me and poured in 50 pounds of lard. Sound awful? Now, try to exercise wearing a scuba suit filled with 50 pounds of lard. Or even just walk to church, play with your grandchildren, sit in a theater seat...you get the idea. Now, I'm reshaping that bodysuit a bit, giving it a waistline and a tiny tummy tuck, lifting the rear end a little...and a few pounds of fat have squeezed out and been left behind. Onward and thinward!

New Mission Rules

LDS missionaries have rules about certain things, like what they can wear, what they can do, how much they should sleep. These rules are for their safety, health, protection, and to contribute to their success as missionaries. I'm going to modify and adopt two of the rules.

SLEEP: A hard one for me; I will quit the day at 9:30 and start getting ready for bed. Lights out at 10. Okay, there will have to be exceptions but that's the general rule.

COMPUTER: I will only use it for 'personal' fun use twice a week, generally on Tuesday and Saturday. Otherwise it is for business use. And those sessions are limited to one hour, generally consisting of blogging, email and facebook. I need to stop being so 'wired-up.'

After 3 weeks I'll reward myself for success with new makeup for the healthier new me.

Off Topic: Win a 3-Ring Circus Play Yard

Really! It's through a different blog site, they are giving away this awesome play yard. Hurry, though, it ends on April 21. I would say, get it in by the 20th; some blogs draw early in the day.
I don't know why it isn't putting the link in right. It's at www.dad-blogs.com

Update on yesterday

Today we did the 3-mile version of yesterday's dvd and loved it. The colors are nice, the clothes fit better, the icky music is shorter. We had a great workout!

Avoid this DVD if you like modesty

I love Leslie Sansone, but I am not wild about "Walk Away the Pounds Express", the one with the stretchie, at least the two-miler. All the women are in tank tops with spaghetti straps. It looks nice on Leslie, but the bigger women are showing various amounts of cleavage. It wouldn't be so bad, but you know where it goes when women sweat? Gross to actually see it! I was surprised at this one, because usually their exercise clothes are so cute and mostly modest.

Also, this one is very vibrant pink, with pink lighting, a visual assault. The music isn't very good at the beginning, sort of a repetitive electro-technical tune that neither of us cared for.

What I Hate About Being Fat--toilet stalls!

At work the toilet stalls are really narrow. I hate it when I sit down and my thighs hit the toilet paper dispenser and the Kotex disposal bin. Yuk...besides the germ factor, it is cold metal!

http://www.clipartguide.com

Sauce for the goose.

You know that old saying, "What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander?" What in the world does it mean?

Maybe it means that when Anthony works out with Lynn, he also goes down a pants size, and his doctor says he is healthy, though his blood test results haven't come back yet. I forgot to ask how much he weighs.

He does have some foot trouble, so guess what the doctor prescribed? Exercises! Which he is supposed to do in bed every morning. I begged him to roll out on the floor first!

The royal "we"

At the doctor's office a few weeks ago, the nurse used the royal "we" that they sometimes do. She said, "okay, now we're going to step up on the scale." I couldn't resist--I said, "Oh, we are? Do we get to average our weight?" She laughed and said, "Okay, YOU are going to step on the scale now." Oh darn, I think I would rather have the average!

Crown from http://www.freeclipartpics.com

Six Week Checkup

Six weeks, halfway through the initial twelve week program.
Weight 189
Weight lost: 7 pounds. (11% of goal)
Total inches lost: 9.25 (5 different measurements) (25% of goal)
Size: down from 18 pants to 16. (25% of goal)

I can see that the toning up is having as much or more effect than the weight loss. I am looking and feeling better even though the scales don't reflect as much difference.

What I Hate About Being Fat--I need a makeover!

An attitude makeover, that is. One thing I hate about being fat is that it's hard to care about clothes or makeup when all I can see in the mirror is how fat I look. I see overweight women who really make the most of their assets, even wearing funky shoes and spiky heels, but most of us are like me. Just looking rundown and dumpy. Probably because we feel that way. Of course, there are skinny women who look that way too. It is probably a reflection of low self-esteem.

I've never worn much makeup anyway, but I really need a new haircut and a better lipcolor. Sigh.

Weekly report # 5.

We did light strength training to our walks twice this week. Really adds a new dimension. Feeling good, and Kristel said my butt looks smaller. Thank you Kristel for the encouragement!

Women's Clothing Sizes

Why are clothing sizes for women so weird? I've had shirts in SMLX, dresses and pants in 10-18, by even sizes only, or 14W-18W, (and is that W for Wide Load?)

Underpants are half the size of pants, so if my pants are a 10, (I wish!) my undies are a 5--and it took me 40 years to figure that out! Bras are by measurement around and cup size, so they are like 28AA to 52E. Shoes are 5-13, and socks are based on shoe size but they come in a range like 9-11, or 7-10, and often fit badly. And why do shoes start at 5?

Junior Sizes are 1-15, by odd sizes and are a narrower waist cut than misses or women's. So some very cute clothes are not going to fit the mature woman.
Then there is the problem of things that are sized 14/16, for example. Are they going to be too big or too small?

And then you get all that figured out and then you go to certain stores (like Bonworth) where everything is cut large, so a medium is a L-XL in any other company.
And lets not even go into swimsuits! And Petites! And what if my torso is petite but my legs are long, or the other way around?

Men's sizes are a much simpler system, but I'll go into that another day.

Dress picture from: Hasslefree Clip Art