C25K Week 3 Report

Does anyone remember that commercial?

C25K - Done, done, and done.

Yoga - Not happening this week. I'm not giving up on it, but I may need to switch to "Yoga for Dummies."

This week has been a blur. I feel that each day I wake up next to my shoes, and they've run off without me. I feel so far behind in all areas of my life. I've had to let go of emailing and blogging (I'M GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWAL!).

At least I got the jogging-thing in. I found this video about dressing for winter walking and other tips. Dress in layers:

1: wicking material like silk or polypropylene (no cotton...sorry, that's all I have)

2: center layer breathable like wool or fleece

3: wind or water-resistant shell

(+: mittens, gloves, scarf, warm socks, water-tight shoes and hat)

I'll continue to read your blogs, but I may not always comment. Know I'm still rooting for you.

Lessons I Learned Today and a Favorite Hymn

Image credit: villageofelmore.com

In keeping with my spiritual fitness journey as well as physical, I'd like to remember little things I learned today in church. This I can apply to my physical journey as well.

This comes from M.R., a 15 or 16 year old boy, our youth speaker for today: We come to forks in the road. There's the right path to take, but it looks rough. Then there's the other path, it looks easy. Sometimes we take the easy way only to discover life becomes much rougher down the road because of our choice. If we choose the right path, even though it looks initially rougher, we can avoid self-made troubles down the road.

-Applying this to physical health, I've been taking the easy way for years: easy "convenient" food, sedentary lifestyle, emotional eating (and emotional drinking before joining the church). The "easy" road has lead to problems...self-inflicted problems. The right way would have been the "rougher" active lifestyle, taking the time to cook healthier, not indulging in bad habits, feeling emotions instead of medicating them. I could then be free to do other things.

The other message is from H.W., our new Relief Society President: When she doesn't feel like praying for whatever reason, she's learned that is the most important time to pray.

The following is one of my favorite hymns. We chose it for our baptism, and Skye asks me to sing it to him each night for bed: Love at Home On the upper left corner select "Words and Music" then play.

May there be love in your home today, and remember to love yourself.

Weekly Report and Bonus: Skating

C25K

Monday: Did it. I was having a harder time. Sluggish. Bad mood.

Wednesday: Did it. Some snow, but the roads were fairly clear. It was beautiful.

Friday: Did it. Cold and windy. Harder today.

Resistance

Monday: Did it. Shaky arms afterward. I challenge myself to do a full, normal-looking push-up in two months (March 20ish).

Wednesday: Did it. Shaky.

Friday: Did it. Good workout. Skye joined me with 2# wts. and pushups.

Yoga

Tuesday: Did it. Hard work! Very shaky afterward. My 4 yr old said, "Mommy, you can't do what they are doing." I mastered the downward facing tree pose, though. :-P

Thursday: Half done. Seemed harder for me today (lack of sleep, maybe)

Saturday: Slept in. The plan is to do it later this afternoon.

No-Sugar Week

Monday: Did great. Sure missed it in my Shrek shake (it helped the medicine go down).

Tuesday: Did great. Added cinnamon and a couple extra slices of fruit to Shrek Shake...better.

Wednesday: Did good. Had homemade wheat/white crepes. Didn't sprinkle sugar on them, but there was some in the batter.

Thursday: Great. Getting used to no sugar in Shrek shake.

Friday: Great. Really wanted something sweet this afternoon.

Saturday: Eh. Had cookie and part of a shake at Carl's, Jr. Passed on the soda.

Bonus: Went rollerskating on Monday.

Much more comfortable closer to the ground.

The kids had Monday off, and my daughter suggested rollerskating. We went to a place in Orem. It's been something like 27 years since I've skated. My husband, son and daughter rented skates. My 4 yr old had his scooter. I planned on just sitting on the sidelines. I honestly felt I had no business being on the floor. I'd certainly look like a circus freak hurt myself. I had a 40-something friend who broke her arm while skating falling.

After helping my kids with their laces, I sat and watched. I watched as my husband skated off with my 8-yr old daughter, holding hands. My head shouted, "HEY, I want to hold my little girl's hand and skate with her! What am I waiting for?" Then I saw a woman larger than me rolling on by. She was such a great example (and didn't look like a circus freak). I rented my skates, practiced on the carpet, then took my solo flight...unapologetically myself.

It was so much fun sprinkled with terror, especially when the little kids start going in the opposite direction! But, I eventually got to hold my little girl's hand while gliding on the rink. I felt I was floating on cloud 9: happy to be with her, happy to be with my family, happy I overcame some mental barrier, happy I did it. No more sidelines for me.

Expensive Chocolate

Photo Credit: www.cafepress.com

I was contemplating the recent purchase of Britain's Cadbury by Kraft Foods for 19.5 billion dollars. That seems like a high price to pay for chocolate. But where my mind really wandered to was the ingredient differences and the quality between U.S. and Europe.

I love chocolate, but I never liked Cadbury. My husband would see it in the store and suggest it, and I'd steer him to something else. He'd be surprised and say that Cadbury was considered a very good chocolate in France (birth place). "Really?"

Then Danny brought home a Cadbury bar from one of his flights to England. He offered a bite. I hesitated but tried. "Oh, my gosh, where have you been all my life?" It was good. Out of curiosity, I saved the wrapper and later compared it to the American version. Same wrapper, different ingredients. The American version had cheaper quality ingredients. I wish I had them to show you. This was a long time ago, and I no longer have the wrappers.

This also happened with a can of Coke. Danny brought one home from England. Not that soda is ever healthy, but England's Coke had real ingredients. For example, it had sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. HFCS, if I recall, is banned in Europe, or parts of Europe. The can was also smaller.

Why do we Americans still put up with inferior ingredients like HFCS and partially hydrogenated oil (aka trans fat aka hydrolyzed protein)? Is it a cheaper way to feed the masses or a lucrative industry to make billions?

Junk is cheap. On my binge the other day, I couldn't resist the super jumbo Butterfingers (bigger than large) for ONLY $0.30 each. And those Little Debbie's: each box was only a dollar-somethin' for all of those little cakes. What a deal! What a bargain!

But how much did I really pay when I ate them?

Happy 101 Award

Thank you AnonymousFatGirl (is it Bobbie?) for mentioning me on your blog and passing on this award. You are not anonymous to me. You are inspiring and strong and beautiful. I look forward to visiting you each day.

As I understand it, I am to list 10 things that make me happy and try to do one of those things today. Then I pass on this award to 10 more bloggers that brighten my day. Those bloggers, then copy the image above, post it on their blog, and repeat the process if they want to. Otherwise, please just accept the award, know I think you are great, and continue doing what you do best.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Arizona thunderstorms. I was born and raised in Phoenix. I like the rain anywhere, but there is something special about Arizona rain. Maybe it's the mesquite and sage.

2. Utah snow. We could play for hours in it.

3. Long drives. I love road trips, even as a kid. The best tv in the car was the window.

4. Private swimming pools. I love to float and hear the silence. I can pretend I'm a mermaid if I want to. I can jump, do hand-stands. Skinny dip. I don't feel the restrictions of my weight.

5. Time alone. I don't want to permanently be alone, but I sure appreciate when I am.

6. The temple. It's beautiful and peaceful inside and a great place to clear the mind. Even just seeing it from the outside makes me happy.

7. Playing games with my kids. Sometimes I let myself get too busy and preoccupied to play. I'm always glad when I do take time with them besides doing homework and showing how to do their chores.

8. Hot water bottle in my bed on a cold night. we keep the temp low in our home and everyone gets a bottle waiting for them under the covers at the foot of their bed. It's so nice to scurry into bed, slide our icy feet down and just melt.

9. Hot husband in my bed on a cold night. (Nuf said).

10. (just one more? how to choose?) Being able to say, "I did it!"

Blogging has opened doors for me. It has gotten me out of the house, both figuratively and literally. I'd like to pass the "Happy 101" award to these fellow bloggers. It's sort of in chronological order.

Cranky Fitness was the very first blog I've ever seen. (I guess I was a blogger virgin). I hadn't begun my fitness journey, yet. I didn't feel good, was bumbed and angry. I went on line to see what info I could learn about health. I don't know how I found C.F., but there it was. So, I clicked on it, (after all, I was cranky) to see what this blogging thing was all about. Crabby McSlacker and Merry Sunshine (now Jo and Gigi) made me laugh and had useful topics and info. I learned from the comments, also. C.F. lit a spark for me.

Boppa Ding Ding How could I resist a blog name like Boppa Ding Ding? Cranky Fitness was the only blog I was following (Who has time for more? HAHAHA ohhhh heeheehee That's a good one!) Anyway, I was reading C.F. when I saw Boppa Ding Ding on the side of Crabby's post. At first I hesitated. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know who Boppa was, nor did I want to know about his Ding Ding. Convinced it wouldn't be porn, I clicked. This is KatieO's blog. Her post that day brought tears to my eyes. I was feeling spiritually down, and she just happened to also be LDS, and through her blog, I felt reminded of the things I could be doing to lift my spirit back up. She was also the very first person to leave a comment on my blog.

Diane Fit to the Finish I call her a "blogger angel." She visits probably several dozen blogs everyday lifting and encouraging others. Her daily posts seem to be just what I needed to hear. She's been to her own self-destruction hell, has pulled herself out, and has stayed out. Now she helps others while raising her beautiful brood. She played a big part in me starting my fitness journey. She also has great recipes.

(I better speed this up).

Larkspur Am I Really That Fat was the first to follow me, and I feel connected with her. I like her honesty, pursuit for health to ward off lurking diabetes, and encouraging words (and sympathy during my swine flu).

Jody Fit at 52 is another angel. Her blog is a must. She knows her stuff and is so willing to share it and help. This might sound a little sappy, but when I go to her blog, it's almost like she's saying "I love all of you" with all of the info, quotes, tips, and time she takes putting it together.

MizFit calms me. Her videos are gold, like having my own personal trainer at a price I can afford (free). Her "Unapologetically Myself" mantra/idea follows me and helps me be a little braver.

Josie YumYucky Josie is another one I want as my neighbor and friend. I just started following her, but I've been seeing her comments everywhere since the beginning, and she is freaking funny, and smart, and a doll.

Leah My New Ending We have several things in common, and I feel like I'm on this journey with her. I love this quote she has on her home page: "Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. " ~ Roberta Brenick

Staci Weight Loss Mama I like her. I was initially drawn to her blog because of her growing interest in running. (I wondered if I could ever like it). I learn from following her. Just going to her home page makes me happy (you should see it).

Roni at GreenLiteBites provides recipes galore with pictures and videos. I appreciate all of her work and her success story.

Seth Primal Stride Very cool guy. He began the Primal Stride Challenge (it's on pause for another week) which helped me and others. He also writes "Sayounara" letters to each pound he loses. Great letters.

You all have added to my life. Thank you.

Binger Confessions

Image: caymanmama.com

Image: themojocoach.com

My goals are to add good habits to eventually replace the bad habits. I've started the C25K program, yoga every other day, finding and testing healthier recipes, and adding more green veggies each day. The good stuff is happening. The bad is still there.

I binged. Again. Not sure why. As I was eating, I tried to ask myself what am I feeling, what just happened, etc. No answers. No feelings, really. Everything was shut down. All I was focused on was how incredibly wonderful the junk tasted (eyes rolling into the back of my head).

I just bought it. No one offered it to me. I just scored a fix almost mindlessly. Like a spoiled child, "I want that." I certainly wasn't starving.

A package of NY style éclairs (4 in package...my D.O.C.), 1 1/2 boxes Little Debbie's Valentine cakes (shared a couple of packages with kids), 3 jumbo Butterfingers (they were on sale). This and whatever sugar-laden thing I could find at home.

I'm not terribly upset. Concerned, but not falling apart. Maybe my calmness is from knowing I am making changes one step at a time, and this step will come, too. This step being to one day be free from compulsively eating and craving sweet, creamy, gooey things.

Right now I weigh 208 pounds, up from my last monthly report on the right.

What the heck am I doing to my body? What do my arteries look like inside?

This week, no sugary junk. I can do that for a week. I'll leave it out of my Shrek Shake and other recipes. I'll go for fruit in the afternoon when I really have cravings. Maybe this will help change my taste buds.

Wish me luck.

I Asked, I Received...Oh, Boy Did I Receive!

I've been praying for a changed heart and the desire to set time aside each day for scripture study. I now have my motivation: I was called and sustained as a Sunday school teacher for the 14 and 15 year olds. Now others are counting on me to do my scripture study. This year we are learning the Old Testament.

{In the LDS religion, members are called to do a certain job, in my case, as a teacher. No one gets paid. Even our Bishop and his counselors are volunteers, called into their positions. They may work a full-time week at their employment and put in as many hours for church service.}

I'm nervous. I have to stand up in front of others. I like going to church, but I dread getting ready for church. I dread finding clothes that fit. I dread the mirror. Hate the mirror. It reminds me of what I've done to myself. Now, I'll be standing in front of others trying to teach them, pretending I have confidence. Just smile ... everyone looks better when they smile, even the toothless. (At least they look friendlier with a smile).

This is out of my comfort zone. That's good. Growth comes from trying new things. This may be just what I need (the calling, not the spider).

Image: travelblog.org

No, this isn't me. I identify with her expression, though.

Baptismal Anniversary & Hand for Haiti (End)

Image: barbarah.wordpress.com

Skye, 4, happy to have his own scriptures.

Spiritual fitness is also part of my journey. Everyone expresses their spiritual journey through different means like various religions, no religion, nature, etc. Some ignore their spiritual self (or whatever you want to call that energy inside of you) and cover it with addictions and distractions.

January 17th is an anniversary of sorts. Eleven years ago my husband and I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. {That's a mouthful. We say "LDS for short". We also say "Mormons," but there are a few different branches of Mormons. I converted to the LDS branch}.

I used to be an atheist. If I had to choose a higher power then, it would have been nature. I despised organized religion, Mormons being on top of that list. My idea of what Mormonism was about was very mistaken. If you would have told me 11 years ago I would be a Mormon living in Utah, I would have wondered what you were drinking. And then I'd ask you to pass it on over.

I enjoy being a member, although it hasn't always been easy (it's a culture...a good culture...but busy). I began having children soon after we joined (they were in the works whether we joined or not). I was so overwhelmed with motherhood and several moves that I never applied the wise spiritual habits being taught like scripture study and prayer. To this day I still feel like a greenie.

If I had made scripture study and prayer a habit and relied on Heavenly Father's grace and love and spirit during the rough times, I wonder ...I dunno ...I just wonder if I'd be more grown up by now. I also wonder if I'd be thinner. Not sure because sugar is the last Mormon vice. I'll save that for another entry.

I may write more about my LDS experiences and relate it also to my physical fitness journey. When I speak of it, please know I respect others' beliefs. Whatever brings you closer to your higher power and gives you strength is what is best for you now. My belief in Jesus Christ is what is right for me. What scripture reading and prayer is for me may be what meditation, etc., is to another.

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Lauren from Celiac Teen asks for recipe contributions for her project "Hand for Haiti."

C25K Week 1 and PSC Week 2 Reports

C25K

Day 1: Did it! (5 degrees F) Hills made me gasp. Time went quickly (especially the walking part).

Day 2: Did it! (20 degrees F) Got up earlier, still dark.

Day 3: Did it! (16 degrees F) Fog with 2-house visibility.

I enjoyed the fog. It was dark outside. The street lamps were a blurry glow. I could barely see two houses away. I couldn't see any houses down the hill from us, nor the shopping centers, nor the highway, nor the town across the lake. I wondered if there was a black out. I could hear the cars on I-15, but I couldn't see them.

I had my ipod. As I began down a long, dark street with just a dot of street light at the end of the tunnel, the song "Enter Sandman" by Metallica (playlist on bottom) began. Thicker patches of fog floated by me. I felt I was in a dream.

PSC

Day 1: Shrek Shake; 250 crunches

Day 2: Shrek Shake, celery and PB; 100 calf raises

Day 3: green beans and celery in veg. soup, blanched broccoli; 250 crunches

Day 4: Shrek Shake, broccoli, salad greens with bean and corn salad (yum); 100 calf raises

Day 5: Shrek Shake, spinach salad, green beans (stir fry); 250 crunches

Day 6: Shrek Shake, zucchini, lettuce on my CJ western bacon cheeseburger; didn't do the raises

Day 7: Shrek Shake, bok choy, cilantro and jalapeño; 250 crunches

There are no new PS challenges for the next couple of weeks. This will open up time to focus on other things.

Cranky Fitness's tips on eating vegetables.

I Must Resist

I'm taking my fitness journey to the next level and adding resistance training. I'll dust off the 10 pound dumbbells and do 3 sets of 10-15 each for bicep curls, triceps and deltoids. I'll also continue with the sorriest looking push-ups, 3 sets of 10ish.

And stretch.

The upper body will be every other day, alternating with lower (which for now includes 3 of 15 squats, 100 calf raises, and C25K).

And stretch.

The Primal Stride challenge and C25K training are going well. I'll report that at the end of the week.

I'm also doing better at adding good stuff like fruits, veggies and whole grains daily, but unfortunately I have not vowed to take away the majority of bad stuff like chocolate bars, cookies, cheeseburgers and French fries...now THOSE I can't resist.

Consistency

(This has nothing to do with my post, but it made me laugh).

I went to church today. The member-speaker spoke on family scripture study and family prayer. She, as a mom, often feels the frustration and uncertainty if any of her kids heard or understood what she just read and spoke about or if they felt the spirit during the prayer. But she does it anyway. She said they had family unity and closeness and grew together. She credits that to the consistency of their prayers and study, even though she doesn't know if they focused completely on what was said or not. The overall affect was desirable. They all did get something out of it.

I don't know if the 3 sets of 15 reps did anything yesterday, or if it will do anything tomorrow. I look the same before I did the reps as I do afterwards. But if I'm consistent, in time the overall affect will be desirable.

*8*8*8*8*8

My mom e-mailed this to me tonight:

Dear Gina,

May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears... May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered... I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God. (author unknown)

Thanks, Mom.

Blanched Broccoli: Proof Kids Like It (and PSC 2: Day 1)

Summer 2008

Don't like mushy broccoli. Don't like raw broccoli. My friend introduced me to blanched broccoli a few years ago. Love the blanched broccoli. Warm. Cold. In a recipe. With a dip. Alone. Yum. (Okay, so it's not going to make your eyes roll into the back of your head, but for a veggie, it's good.)

Blanching reduces the bitterness, brings out a beautiful color and is a easier to eat (but still crunchy).

And my kids love it. Their friends love it. It disappears at pot lucks. The video above is of my kids enjoying it. We taped it because no one would believe it. They still like it. I made a bunch the day before yesterday. I made extra to use in a recipe for last night. It was ALL gone. I asked my kids where it went. They said they finished it. And these are the same kids always begging me for candy.

Alas, blanched broccoli:

1. boil a pot of water

2. cut the florets of broccoli off (whatever size you want)

3. optional: my daughter loves the stems...slice the thick, tough "bark" of stem off (discard) which leaves the tender inner part

4. put florets and stem in boiling water for 2 minutes.

5. drain*

*I remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon and keep the water for making pasta/rice.

My Primal Stride Challenge 2 Report: Day 1

Drank my Shrek Shake with spinach

Did my 250 crunches

*50 typical crunches (and stretch)

*50 left side crunches (elbow-to-knee things) ...and stretch

*50 right side crunches ...and stretch

*100 lower ab crunches (flat on back, legs perpendicular to floor, tiny lifts as if a rope is tied to ankles and lifting them to ceiling...small move but you really feel it after 100)

AND stretch: the cobra move: roll onto belly, prop up on ELBOWS (it hurts me to prop onto hands), lift chin up, pull shoulders down. You don't have to stretch as far as the photo. Just feel it.

5 at 5 Day 7 Report (Last Day!) and Next Challenge

I got the 5K walk in! And thanks to KatieO's advice yesterday, I didn't zap my ears.

Seth's challenge was a great way to kick start an exercise routine. I am going to continue walking but take it a "step" further. I'm going to do the Couch-to-5K program. It's 30 min every other day. In between I'll do the yoga video I won at Cranky Fitness (I ACTUALLY won something).

I liked getting up early. My goal is to get to bed earlier and wake at 5:30 a.m. I'm going to use at least a half hour of that for spiritual fitness (prayer, scripture study). First things first. Then the c25k/yoga.

Seth's next challenge is 250 crunches a day and a different green veg to crunch on per day for 7 days. I'm going to modify that. I'll do the crunches eod and do 100 calf raises in between (may modify that number depending on my plantar fascia). Green veggies are purchased and ready to be crunched.

Maybe you've heard this before, but I like it:

MOTTO TO LIVE BY

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely in an

attractive and well preserved body,

but rather to skid in sideways, body

thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and

screaming, "WOO HOO, what a ride!"

PSC Day 6

I did my 5K...not at 5 a.m., though. I stayed up late enjoying every minute of my birthday.

Husband gave me an ipod...we had a used one found in the airport parking lot without buds or cables. Anyway, he charged it, borrowed cables and bought some buds for me and downloaded most of my playlist songs. I used it today for my walk and it was incredible. What a difference tunes can make. I shaved 7 minutes off my walk. Great gift!

I probably looked dorky walking along singing (quietly at least) occasionally air-drumming (I used to play drums and find it difficult not to "play.") MizFit's logo "Unapologetically Myself" kept ringing in my head. So sing I did.

Have your ears ever been zapped while wearing ear buds? This is my first experience with an ipod. Maybe it was the dry air and static electricity with my snow hat and gloves, but occasionally both of my ears would get zapped where the ear buds were...especially when I touched my nose. It hurt, but it was amusing.

Definitely Maybe

January 5 - My birthday

I said I'd be fit by 41, maybe 42. well, I'm 41. Not fit. It's gonna have to be 42.

That's okay because I only started this journey 2 1/2 months ago. I have years of ingrained bad habits to undo not to mentioned what damage I've done to my body through the years (lifetime).

I've loved blogging, gaining insight, inspiration, cheering each other on. There are AMAZING people in this community. I want to visit them all and read their stories and root for them.

I've noticed lately that hours have gone by while reading blogs. (I wonder if my compulsive blog-reading is at all related to my compulsive overeating???? YA THINK?!) I'm going to have to set a limit (like I'm really good with those, too). My new rules: No blogging first thing in the morning and must stop by 10 p.m. (Ironically, it's 11 p.m. as I write. I thought it was earlier than that. This is a time-pit. Must be wiser).

"Put your hands up in the air and walk away from the computer, and no one gets hurt."

But I think about you all and wonder how you are doing and you and you and you!

I've gained many ideas and inspiration, and it's time to implement them and seriously get going so I don't have to change my blog name to "Fit by 43 44 45 ..."

Happy Feet and 5at5 Day 4

I purchased some quality sport shoes today. There's a small shop about a mile down the road from us called 26.2 Running Company. I am so happy I went. They video taped my running and analyzed how and where I plant my feet and at what angle. From that they know how much support is needed and where. They also know a lot about plantar fasciitis.

Feet feel great.

Did you know we shouldn't wear our training shoes all day? we should put them on just before we work out to maximize the benefit and protection our shoes give us. The cushioning system/padding gets compressed from our weight over time and needs a decompressing period.

Report:

I stayed up way too late again last night. I started getting up this morning and felt horrible. I rationalized that there are two 5:00's in a day, so I'll just take the later one and went back to bed. (I know...)

I also wanted to wait and get my new shoes.