Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Frustrated!

This past week I only lost .8 of a pound.  Not even a whole pound!  What the heck!  I knew it would slow down, but really?   Not even a pound?

I have stepped up my workout to 5 days instead of 4.  Increased the time from 35 minutes to 40 of yoga, 10-15 minutes of step, and 13 minutes of boxing.  I even began working out using hand weights to build my upper body strength. 

Hopefully, this will pay off.  I am looking for a big loss Saturday.  I have left 1 to 2 points on the table every day just to make sure that I don't go over......

Still committed to the goal.  I will be successful this time. 

Hoping I am still a loser!


Alias Mary Smith

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

3 Weeks! Tearing it up!

Last week I lost another 4.8 pounds, bringing my total to 11 pounds gone since January 1.  Remember, my goal is to lose 60 pounds by mid July for my birthday cruise.

Last week was good, I was in routine, worked out 4 or 5? maybe days last week and I am sure that is helping my weight loss.  

Hopefully, I will lose another 4 or 5 pounds Saturday....although I know this wonderful treat can't last forever.   I hope that you are doing as well at your resolutions as I am, if you made one.   Good luck and make this year the year that you change your life.

Still a loser!



Alias Mary Smith

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

2 Down and still counting

It's been about 2 and 1/2 weeks since I've written anything.....but I am happy to report I am still going strong! 

Last week was difficult.  I was on the road for 2 full days and out of town staying in a B & B for 4 days, eating almost every meal out.  I was also out of routine.  I am a routine oriented person, a little set in my ways since I have gotten older, but I had a great time and it was so worth it.  My son graduated, and I was probably the most proud mom on the planet. 

I stuck to the plan while driving on the way out there and on the way back.  It was Monday's all you can eat mexican buffet lunch that I probably ate too much of.  I stayed away from the cheese, started with salad, but still ate alot of meat.  Once again I was uncomfortably full.  Then we went to Pizza Hut for dinner.   I am a pizza junkie.  I love it all.  However, I limited myself to 2 slices of thin crust pepperoni instead of half of the supreme with extra cheese.   Tuesday lunch was a bit better, salad from Sonic with grilled chicken.   However, dinner was a bit over the edge.  They brought out hot bread with real butter.....and you probably know the rest of that story.  I did have a salad from the most awesome salad bar I have ever seen.  Then I ordered green chili stew for dinner, and they brought out more hot bread with butter.  It was really good. 

And now for the results when I weighed in on Saturday???????  I STAYED THE SAME!  I was so excited that I hadn't gained any weight, which I thought I might.  Also, I didn't exercise at all for the whole week.  I did get right back on track when I got back on Thursday and have been since.

This week I am using my Wii fit to do Yoga for 1/2 an hour every other day, as well as the advanced step and rhythm boxing.  I like knocking out the bag at the end of every session on the boxing. 

Today I did my Yoga, did the running activity, which winded me, then rode my bike with my Kube and music.  The problem is that the first 5 songs are all fast kick butt songs, which means I rode really hard for the first 15 minutes or so, which made it really difficult to smoke and sing.  But then, I barely made it home from the front of the neighborhood.  I thought I would die.  My legs hurt so bad!  I did manage to push through it to get home, but only because there was no other way to get there.  If there had been, I probably would have taken it.  And all I got for an hours' worth of exercise were 4 stinking activity points!  What the heck!  It sure felt like I should have gotten about 15 activity points.

My goal is to lose 60 pounds by July 18.  My friend is taking me on a 5 day cruise for my birthday!  I am so excited.  It is also a really great goal to work toward.  THANK YOU SUSAN! 

The one thing I don't understand is how that movie stars do it.  I know they must not really eat to stay so thin.  Their body is so much of their identity.  I am thankful that I am not a movie star!  I would be the most body dense woman in the spotlight!  Although I have to say that I am so looking forward to looking better and feeling better.  It would also be really nice if all my clothes weren't so tight!  Another week and a half down. 

Hoping for a big loss this week.......



Alias Mary Smith

Friday, January 7, 2011

1 Week Down

I have 1 week down on my quest to eat healthier, lose weight, and get in shape.  Actually, it hasn't been as difficult as I expected.  The headaches lasted longer than expected, I was hungry more than I thought I would be, but other than that, it's been a piece of cake! 

I don't weigh in until tomorrow, so I have no idea whether I have lost weight or gained weight, but I do have my fingers crossed.  This next week will be much more difficult, since I will be out of routine, but hopefully, I won't do too bad.

Now I am working on changing bad habits.  Eating can no longer be my back up plan for stress management.  Now, since I have experienced hunger (for the first time in ages), I am eating when I am hungry.  No eating out of boredom, nervousness, happiness, loneliness, or sadness.  Now, I am trying to only eat when I am hungry.  And not the pig portions I so love!  Moderation is the key!  I am really working hard on eating only what I need and then waiting for a while to see if I am still hungry or if I am satisfied.  I haven't been so full I could hardly move all week!  I am so proud of myself.  

I have also managed to ride my bike and work out using the Wii.  It is pretty sad when you can say that a video game made you break a sweat, but my Wii did.  The worst part of the Wii is stepping on the workout step and the stupid machine groaning at you.  Whose brilliant idea was that?  I am wondering if the stupid machine will go Yeah! when I actually am weighing closer to what I should or if it will always groan at me.  Someone out there has a really twisted sense of humor.....

I am asking for all prayers out there that I will manage to do ok next week and not beat myself up if I have some setbacks.  I am trying the old AA trick of 1 day at a time.  Whoever came up with that strategy truly is brilliant!  That actually does work, because most of us can do anything for just one day. 

One of the upper management talking heads sent out an email today about motivation and overall good things to live by.  There were 2 of them on there that I will use.  The first thing is to ask yourself this question every morning when you get up.  "What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?” and the second thing is another question and statement when you go to bed at night: "What did I accomplish today?" and then spend a little time going over what I am thankful for that day.  I think looking for the good stuff every day will certainly help me become a better person.

If all of these self improvement strategies that I am working on actually work, I am going to be one heck of a woman.  Maybe a little closer to "Saint Mary".  And for all you doubting James' out there, just stand back and watch!

Aiming to be a better person next time........



Alias Mary Smith

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hungry!!!

I started Weight Watchers on Saturday, January 1, 2011.  I did great day 1 and day 2.  However, I had to go to work day 3.  Teaching a class (really just facilitating) from 8-5:15, and by the time I left to go home, I thought I was going to chew my arm off!  I didn't really have time to fill up on fruits and veggies all day like I did on days 1 and 2, and apparently this makes a difference!  I had only had 7 pointsplus by the time I sat down to my Smart Ones lasagna dinner.  I understand why I was hungry yesterday, but why am I starving today?

Again, I have not been able to eat all those fruits and veggies, but when I am in a classroom, I am not going to be able to constantly fill my face with food, even if it has a 0 pointplus value.  I really do need to get this under control.

Also, I thought I would be past the headache stage by day 4, but my head is pounding!  I did work out for 30 minutes today, and did some yoga poses to stretch my muscles, and my head is still hurting.  Not sure why..........

I will be consistent and stick with the plan, I love the new Weight Watchers plan, I am just so uncomfortable.  I hate feeling hungry AND having a headache. 

Hanging in there.......


Alias Mary Smith

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Ditto

Like most people in the free world, my New Year's resolution is to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.

So, today, January 1, 2011, I began Weight Watchers.  Yesterday I attended a meeting so that I could get all the information for their new program.  I was so proud of myself.....I am at an all time high for my weight!  The leader was very good, (always a plus,) and very motivational.  I decided since I was close to the mall, I would go to Lane Bryant and find a new outfit to wear to school next week, since I will be thin and svelte by Monday.  I need an undergarment that will help smooth out my tires (you know the Dunlop that dun lopped over my belt), and was looking at Spanx.  What I found out about Spanx is that even though they make them for larger women, they don't make them for the denser woman.  My height was on there, and my weight was on there, but I was still in the red zone when you put them together, which means I am outside the size ranges.  We ended up pretending I am 5 foot tall, so that I could be in the orange zone and fit in a size.  I am preparing mentally for the experience of trying to wrestle myself into the Spanx next week.  Everyone assures me that Spanx are very comfortable and you hardly notice you are wearing it.  I was psyched and ready to go...... so I picked up $20 worth of Taco Bell for lunch and went home and Ronnie and I had a last meal before I change my habits......

So today, I did it.  I stuck with the program all day long!  I did eat a bunch of fruit and vegetables and made some zero point soup.  The soup was ok, definitely not great.

The best part for me was that I got out of my chair and away from my computer and went for a bike ride.  I decided to just go for it so I jumped in the shower, put on my shorts and tennis shoes and gathered together the things I need when I ride: sunglasses, cigarettes, phone, and a roll of toilet paper. (Just in case I have an emergency and need to stop.)  Then I realized I needed to air up my tires, and the cord for the air compressor was all jacked up, so I had to get it right.  THEN I could get air in my tires.   I looked for my ipod, couldn't find it, and I'm thinking this is not getting off to a great start.  But, I was wrong.  I rode for 20 minutes.  I'm sure I was a sight to see, an old lady riding a bicycle while smoking a cigarette.  However, the great part of being 50 is that I am so bent on making myself happy, that I don't care if it pleases others or not!  It was strange getting back on my bike after several years, and I am just a tad bit older now.....

I actually felt better after I rode!  I knew I would, but it has been so long that I had forgotten how good it feels to ride, even if my sit bones hurt.  I had more energy for the day and for the first time this entire Christmas break, I didn't take a nap!  I played on my Wii for over an hour this afternoon.  Then I went on my dreaded weekly grocery store chore and came home and cooked my low pointplus dinner!

Feeling pretty good about making it through today.  A little worried about fitting in the exercise once I have to go back to work, but I will work it out.  I have to.  I would like to bend over again without having to look around and see what else needs to be done while I am down there.

Feeling successful.......

Alias Mary Smith

Monday, November 1, 2010

German Chocolate Cake Crawl

It all started because my friend Bob wanted German Chocolate Cake for his birthday on Nov. 6.  He didn't want a homemade one, he wanted a GOOD one.  So, since I am getting the cake, I decided to find the best German Chocolate Cake in Houston. 

I brought my friend D along to help me.   I have known her since 9th grade, (about 30 something years) and she is my favorite running/traveling/roadtrip buddy.  We left at about 8:30 or 9 am and set out to find Ooh La La bakery in Cinco Ranch.  It took a while, but we found it.  That place is so wonderful!  All the employees were dressed in costume for Halloween.  They had the most amazingly beautiful cookies, cupcakes and cakes.  I bought a german chocolate cupcake for the taste test later.  (I also bought a piece of pumpkin roll, you know the kind with cream cheese and pecans....It was wonderful.)   So, we left there and were heading to the Montrose.

On our way to the Montrose, we decided to stop real quick at Memorial City Mall.  D went to Express and I went to Sephora to look for this eyebrow brush where the color comes out while you are brushing your eyebrows.  Now, I have to tell you I don't have a unibrow, in fact my eyebrows are naturally kind of thin, but I still need to fill them in a little.  Sephora didn't have it, so I headed over to Macy's.  It has been years since I have been in Memorial City (the mall part).  Holy Bananas that place has changed!  I worked there when I was 16.  I got my first real job at an ice cream shop there, then I moved on to a crystal shop.  That particular job was not my best work.....since I ended up getting fired for breaking the crystals, but I can't help it if I am not that graceful.  Back to Macy's....I found it at the origins counter, but surprisingly to me, it is actually harder to put on than I thought it would be.  So, I passed it up.

We headed toward the Montrose again, but got side tracked again.  This time it was at DSW for me, and Marshall's for her.  I have been looking for some black flats for work, since my shoes are so old they have to have those gel soles to keep the water out.  I did find 2 pairs that I really liked.  However, they were both $50!  That is insane!  I will sometimes pay that for brands I know will last, but if I am not familiar with the brand, then forget it.  I didn't know either, but one was white mountain.  I left there because I didn't want to pay $50 for a pair of shoes.  D came in and we decided to head to Ross.  I found a pair of white mountain black flats for $15!  What a steal!  Then I went and looked at clothes for Tater.  Briley was born on Halloween of 2008.  She is D's granddaughter and is a very beautiful child.  I did find 2 outfits for her that were reasonably priced.  D found a couple of outfits for Briley as well, so we went to check out and they had only 1 checker.  I was number 10 in line!  The security person had the service desk begin checking and split us up, and I asked if there were any more checkers and he said no.  They both moved at a snail's pace.  One even stopped checking to go answer a phone call!  Unbelievable.  I think the head of Ross needs to go undercover and find out exactly how they don't hardly work instead of working hard!

Then we headed to the Montrose again to hit the Chocolate Bar.  I LOVE that place!  It is probably one of my favorite places in Houston.    But you will never believe they do NOT have german chocolate cake!  What the heck!  A totally chocolate place that doesn't make german chocolate cake?  They do make other amazing cakes and cheesecakes.  Probably some of the best chocolate cakes on the planet.  So, having struck out there, we decided to go next door to Candylicious.  I love that place too.  They are so creative there, and they have everything!

So off we go again looking for Three Brothers bakery.  I know it is somewhere on S. Braeswood.  But we can't find it, so we stop and get gas, then head on over to Moeller's bakery.  They don't sell german chocolate cake slices, so it was either buy the whole cake or get something else.  What I needed to know was how the cake part tasted, so I got this chocolate cake with raspberry filling.  Got it to go, but then D had some urgent business she needed to take care of and called her friend Cynthia who lives near Moellers.  We went over to Cynthia's and waited for her to get back home, made it just in time before D had issues, then decided to go to Tuesday Morning.  Cynthia went with us, but none of us found anything we couldn't live without.  Dropped Cynthia back off and headed off to find Three Brothers again.

Finally found Three Brothers and they didn't sell by the slice either, so I got a german chocolate cupcake from them also.  We finally decided to head home, since it was getting close to 5:30.  What a day and what fun we had!

Later......I took over the cakes to my friend Bob's and he and his wife and I tried all the samples (including the pumpkin roll) and all this nonsense I have written about is to say that the winner is .................


Ooh La La! 


We all three agreed!  How rare is that?  We usually don't all agree on anything!  What a great day that was!  I feel blessed to have D as my best friend for all these years, I just wish Dawn were around so she could have gone with us.  Dawn....we still miss you! 

Now, I will be turning 50 in December.  I did tell my husband I want a big party for my birthday.  What do you want to bet he forgets??????


Until we speak again.......