Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

Like a Virgin.

True Colours.

Mickey.

And many others songs, on the workout DVD I did yesterday and today.

An 80s aeobics and music mix, with Richard Simmons ( yeah, I know, sorry - and corny as h**l).

I jogged in place, I did high impact instead of the workout's low impact moves, to make the workout more advanced. And I had a whale of a time - sweatin' and singin' and dancin' to 80s hits.

And because of the high impact, my heart rate was up. Cool!

I felt like I was at party, being a dag, dancing around, doing aerobics moves and singing.

Now, that is not just a cardio workout - it is pure fun.

I think working out should be fun, at least some of the time, don't you?

Slacker attempts new approach after Prednisone

Okay, so I know I had some nice and meaningful posts back in the beginning of the year. And things were going ok until my eczema came back with a vengence. Normally it's just on my fingers,but it was on the heels and balls of my feet and it was horrible. After trying every home remedy I went to the dermatologist and was put on prednisone...2 courses. I gained 8 lbs in a month!!! What's weird too is that I noticed only in retrospect what a pig I had been about eating. Truly inhaling anything. I forgot the effects that steroids have on the appetite. The last time I was on steroid therapy for my eczema (which 15 years ago was so bad I looked like a leper...all over my hands, fingers, arms to my elbows...horrible) I was really, really skinny so what ever pounds it put on me then, I probably needed.

So, I thought to myself that I needed to get back to eating mindfully. No more stuffing whatever in my mouth. I have to take little bites and really savor stuff. Also, I knew, being an unschooler to the core who balks at being told "I have to do" anything, that starting some 'diet regime' would only blow up in my face. I don't like it when someone says I can't have this, or my bloodtype is wrong for that, or carbs are bad, fat is bad, protein is bad, sugar is bad, dairy is bad. Geesh, I've got one life to live and I would like a little enjoyment!

I am really being aware of what I am eating, how it tastes and smells, and making sure I am eating lots of fruits and veggies (because stress/emotional/bored eating tends toward the sugary, baked carby stuff). And when I do I have cookie or two, I eat them really, really slowly as if I am a toddler. Ever notice how it takes a toddler 15 minutes to eat one Chips' Ahoy?

Nothing is off limits, but I actually take the time to pause and think about what I am going to eat. Already I feel tremendously less bloated and in the last 10 days have lost 4 of the 8 pounds I put on. The thing is I really wanted to lose about 15 lbs prior to this steroid night mare, so I have jacked myself up to needing to lose 23 (or rather 19)lbs now.

Autumn and I walked to the park today to go to her pottery class. Unlike some of you on this list (Leonie, Cindy etc...) I really don't like working out. I still have really great muscle tone, just a jiggly tummy. I'm still a size 12/14 (US) and really would love to be an 8/10. I want to incorporate the exercise in to my life. I am not a gym-going-gal. I tried Curves and ended up losing hundreds of bucks coz it is just not me. I like swimming, but the pools aren't open yet. I like an occasional walk too. Now that the weather is nice, assuming I can keep my allergies under control, playing tennis with Autumn and Ben would probably be good. Plus, I really hate being hot and sweaty. I think it's a mental thing having lived in Florida, which I really didn't like at all, for almost 20 years. I am the kind of person who should live in the north and do winter sports.

I love the book Secrets of a Former Fat Girl. It's a great read. I also love the Fat Girls Guide to Life. Even though people might still not consider me a fat girl, I can relate to stuff they say. I was really quite thin up until the death of my mom. Nothing will put 20lbs on someone like depression/grief eating. I just know that if I don't 'pay attention' (because that really is what it is about for me) I will only get heavier and little bit at a time, year by year until I really am at a place that would be overwhelmingly upsetting to me.  Plus, I am going to be 42 in 5 days.  I am not getting any younger and time is not going to stand still either. So, I better get going!

So, just like I am into Mindful Learning, I am now practicing Mindful Eating. We will see how it goes.

Peace Out!

Rach

Lift up your hearts.

Today my heart was lifted by Mass at 7.00 a.m., by the prayers and by the Sacrament. Peaceful. Helpful.

Today was my heart was lifted by my Taebo workout. (Yeah, I know). Punching, kicking, pushing myself to the limit, singing to loud music, sweating, made me forget my failings and my faults, my imperfections, my self centredness.

Hey, is is a new day and a new start.

Rachel, hope your new baby is well.

Everyone - any new starts with your health and fitness regime?

A Sprint to the End

After my marathon pregnancy of 41 weeks and 1 day, I had a final sprint for my labor; it was under 3 hours with a very fast finish.

Joseph Damien was born April 7th weighing in at 9 lbs 9.5 oz (4.354 kg). I guess living on sugar after Easter might have added to his weight. ;)

Now I'm resting, trying to get back on track with healthful eating, and looking forward to being cleared to exercise in 6 weeks...and of course, enjoying my new baby.

Sometimes I am a dork!

Jammin' to my Turbo Jam workout this morning, 55 minutes of TJ Cardio Party 3 before Mass and homeschool ice skating and work meetings, well, I thought to myself - You are a dork sometimes.



dork
–noun Slang.
a ridiculous person; jerk; nerd.


I mean, there I am in the family room, dancing away, twirling around, punching and kicking, belting out the song lyrics, having a ball of a time. I realized how dorky this must look. Must be.





But, hey, it is all in the pursuit of fitness, fun and happiness!

I Finished a Half-Marathon!

Well, LBNM'ers, I was thinking of you all today. I completed (walking) a half-marathon here in Portland. :-) It was a beautiful day, and a friend and I did it in 4 hours. :-) I felt thankful--for living in such a beautiful part of the world and getting to watch the town wake up; for my body--that it could walk that far and feel so good; for good friends--one who walked with me, two who called for support during the walk; and for you, my online support group :-)--without whom I probably would have given up LONG ago! :-)

So thank you all!

Momspiration

"That which does not kill you makes you stronger." Nietzsche

At Runner's World there is a quick article about working women and mothers who are training for the Olympic Trials. I found it inspiring to see these women face and overcome the challenges to their personal goals.

Olympic Effort

Rules to Live By

...At least for this week...

After reviewing my responses to my children and the aftermath of too much chocolate in the Easter season, I have decided to make a few temporary rules for living.

A temporary Rule of Life.

Re-reading Secrets of a Former Fat Girl reminded me of the role of rules in one's life.

The author, Delaney, shares how a few rules and a few mantras can help one change. She suggests adopting the mantra "Whatever it Takes" and "Its Not an Option (INO) ~ whatever it takes to get the change that is needed and giving up is not a option.

If you have any doubt about the role of INO to change you life, think about this: Right now other"mere words" have just as much power over you. Words Like"I am weak" and "I am not worthy." Words like I can't". These words are defining you; they are shaping the way you live now. Secret 3 : Adopt INO can help you fix that...

The idea of living ( and eating) by some set of rules is hard even to think about I know. When you life is full of stress ( as most of ours are), you savour the freedom to eat what you want and do what you want with the little downtime you have..But you know on some level that this is hurting you more than helping you..

How not to use INO: to make youself feel bad for not living up to some impossible standard you set for yourself . Think about INO as the encouraging words of a coach, not the judgement command of a drill segeant. It is meant to lift you up, not tear you down.

Chapter 3 "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl" Lisa Delaney.

This week's rules? Or should I say ~ Current Rules?

* Morning prayer and/or Mass ( getting back into good habits)

* No sharp words ( 'nuff said)

* No chocolate ( self explanatory, in the post Easter chocolate haze)

* No large helpings, no seconds, no nibbling

* Workout with intensity

I'll let you know how I fare with these rules. Assuming you are interested, of course!