Like a fish out of water

That's how my swimming went today. You know, when a poor fish is on dry land, flopping and flipping around, gasping for air. Well, that was me, but I was in the water. <br /><br />Talk about being out of my comfort zone. Now I totally remember why I quit swimming at the gym a couple years ago, it was because I'm not good at it. I tend to avoid things I'm not good at doing. I swallowed a lot of pool water the first twenty minutes as I attempted to keep my face in the water, then turn to side for air. Turns out I can't hold my breath for more than ten seconds without the fear of drowning overcoming me. <br /><br />Then Mr. Olympian swimmer had to join me in the pool. I mean, it was 5:15 a.m. for heaven's sake, why wasn't he home sleeping? He was a really good swimmer and got in the lane right next to me, and he was a show off. For every lap I did, he did two. It was slightly embarrassing.<br /><br />After about six laps of the pool, I finally gave in and did the backstroke. I'm pretty good at it and had read some tips in the Women's Health Magazine on form for the backstroke. I really got into it, tightening my abs, reaching straight up at a 45 degree angle and back as far as I could, twisting my core  slightly with each stroke. It felt like a good workout, but I had to rest after every four laps because I could barely breathe. It was like I was completely out of shape.<br /><br />I managed a total of 25 laps and I think the pool is 25 meters long. That's not great, but my goal was only twenty. I was in the pool 50 minutes, so although that's not a very long workout, it felt like hours with all that of huffing and puffing and inhaling water. Seriously, it was like my first time on the StairMaster or on the elliptical, except I had the added bonus of drowning. <br /><br />I think Roxie is right and I need a lesson or two on how to swim. At this point I can't say I loved it because it was really difficult. Especially with all that water in my nose and mouth. Also my right ear was plugged with water most of the day.<br /><br />I'm not sure this is the right exercise for me, but I'll probably do it a couple times a week, but in conjunction with some strength training. My back and shoulders are sore in places they're usually not sore so I know I worked a few new muscles that I don't normally use. <br /><br />Today was a major hungry day for me, and I went way over my Points. All healthy food, a ton of fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh halibut and a handful of those delicious, calorie/fat laden hazelnuts my husband bought last week. I asked him to get a few at the bulk foods. By a few I meant maybe 1/4 cup. I want to make a really delicious salad we had in Denver at the Spicy Pickle. It's called the Forest and had hazelnuts, along with sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, onions and Portabella mushrooms, and chunks of roasted chicken on a bed of fresh spinach. Sprinkled with...roasted hazlenuts and served with a Balsamic vinaigrette. Really yummy.<br /><br />He came  home with three freaking pounds of hazelnuts. Why?

Like a fish out of water

That's how my swimming went today. You know, when a poor fish is on dry land, flopping and flipping around, gasping for air. Well, that was me, but I was in the water. Talk about being out of my comfort zone. Now I totally remember why I quit swimmin…

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Confessions

<p>Hello everyone! I'm still around!! Life has been CRAZY, to say the least. There are so many things going on right now and in the midst of it all I let my running & eating go by the way-side. Bad, I know! Here are a few confessions, I need to get this off my chest! </p> <p>1. I've worked 60+ hours these past 2 weeks. <br />2. I've eaten whatever was most convenient, not the most healthy. <br />3. I haven't ran since May 9th. <br />4. I haven't been tracking my food. <br />5. I haven't stepped on the scale since May 12th when I had the 4lb loss. <br />6. I'm scared I've gained those 4lbs back & more. <br />7. I am scheduled to run a 20K in less than 2 weeks and I'm SO scared. <br />8. I leave on a 5 day work trip this Saturday. <br />9. I threw my husband a surprise birthday party and it was a huge success, he was totally surprised. <br />10. The bad thing about his party is that I ate TOO much! <br />11. My clothes are too tight. <br />12. I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. </p> <p>So that is my last 2 weeks in a nutshell! </p> <p>I wish there was a way to bottle up that determination I have at times to save for days where I have the "I just don't care" attitude". </p> <p>I have to find a happy medium. I don't not want my weight & health to be a roller coaster for the rest of my life. The only thing I can do right now is start again! And that is exactly my plan. So here is a recap of my day. </p> <p>I had left over <strong>fruit sala</strong>d for breakfast. Usually this is only 1 point for 1 cup, but I had a fairly large serving so I'm counting it for<strong> 2 points</strong>. You need to try this, it's SO good! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGbVxj6pTEuq8lerXg0k9N2WuXb2JxtumCB8UPzNgI0Ig4Bt1EDtcyBKDAJDY6pAnw4lBpZ3mn6VhA-4pJUcfo30ZeOorhpf4cV5WZSrnARacXecCf5X7raNKGHvpEJ2r9R0SXVs1ylS9/s1600-h/DSC07382%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07382" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1nng00788-xEhbihw2pjsiYERNcbjL97jDKkyQjJWl80LHZ0Ej0aZ2GkDeARz2PwoOkeSOrjezfmmEVf8_KrdrS0qCHlsuKwVDH9qpeMu7G9FXfBVRJzG2Kj9J9I_7m9Hy0XW17Or4JC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07382" width="404" /></a></p> <p>    *3 c sliced fresh strawberries <br />    *1 c grapes (i sliced mine in half) <br />    *1 container of ff cool whip <br />    *1 sf instant vanilla pudding <br />    *1 can crushed pineapple <br />    *1 c marshmallows </p> <p>Later on in the morning I had my favorite snack of<strong> strawberry yogurt, 1/4c </strong><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/02/few-updates.html"><strong>homemade granola</strong></a>, and <strong>1 1/2c strawberries</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7e13TVO4Gjz9dqxRtppZN-2ZzajC5H7Dc0YUgaGzkVJnJHSur3mozbMcdj0SVrHuvzWu5QHjsJvqkz_bdvpp3RtQhNYIfzYtYZEWZ02HLA3PtBdrrKPVL780q6fvBcQ0dJlwMsEiroZb/s1600-h/DSC07383%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07383" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCrLeJ_PG7kFtmAr0qLjHWgiXT_mzMsswgcVT4ae_Sxjg4Cd_Tq-3dp4K_GRZf35eG9Kjh_dNnzSYdHAo6W6mdsu-UVh91USxc5g9Gbs_M3f3VRqiNB9aDtNzbW1kNInxz-2TCHI0Ob-a/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07383" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I ran home for lunch today and had a <strong>turkey sandwich, 1/2c cottage cheese, steamed carrots</strong>, and <strong>1c fruit salad</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. We had the fruit salad left over from Kyle's surprise birthday party on Saturday. I don't want it to go bad, so expect to see lots of it!! ;) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpPnL69daN-L_ZtirzXwn3zOPwgzX35eW7lI9Q7DDt82fqe4tfREzZ_5Kvgn4GkA4Y0MK5OxjjVAB-7jnfYBsKXZKKGnTlyhV_StLxkSMibMx7cDfQKv0CM5Z-BGCfCx86U9JqpLdA_AD/s1600-h/DSC07385%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07385" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq5jW9WzjU-Nz83ROolyytXfZoW1akhwIyweMCMUhnjAQQ4gW-dfCDYLqphyrfouqtp20Io_-GVZbpEJ4X735u0Wj9GpezSR9GW0VRm-k1Q_uiyTTbz1FkDQAf0KzFD5TbVAE60T9H0gj/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07385" width="404" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ2KaIhQ6G9ubkNCHhWIUIm0Ya350p_KL-BRCHsVS2cLYhnIPGzt6KrXC1fnmcju8Wgki2X2R4dArTlv-ritm52HN1Z8MCQKBa9sAx1DUOKPUjcpHuenL0bq6P7PW6fk8x9A61oF82z9O/s1600-h/DSC07384%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07384" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qg38famk0P_OzgTmnJdrG7SOVwMN5ZmQ3oyfCLwCnVuPnShAFSDvGN54jiyyZEHLxu3qrsX9FduebMhyVRKVHnKGay2luLxAP3iFMkYT2cCeaUXKqNqR5G94IIwrMvfOuO2GsJXwcmXG/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07384" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>My afternoon at work flew by and I rushed out of my office at 6pm to get a short run in before my 7 o’clock meeting at church. The run was hard & slow, but I did it! Taking 2 weeks off is NOT worth it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbLkNmIzjVgj4WgBg96vMU9CPqSEAcCCOGECLtkoq7nEBXY6nSwlLU26Fh1LoJSOXCMjAtq8zObEPkF7EKsBTR9SrqolPnc59kmyiindWGjkVT0gvSWw5iKRzO2VA6PIlVQCWA4x9-LzI/s1600-h/DSC07386%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07386" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIQoGG2v9yqfRswHhfLVFjMsnAxX9agEqyC4MUgbJtS8aSxsNsy5bZMXgZl7eaxGOwnRUhD3ypNsLlcmrOvsPyJgs_UmmgBZZcHXXyrKhUXQwgSHXqmlc9MjU42eDGH7K1XBom8msLJP5/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07386" width="404" /></a></p> <p>When I got home from my meeting I had a summery veggie-ful supper, sweet corn & asparagus! I am estimating my supper at <strong>4 points</strong>. [i used olive oil on my asparagus and butter on my corn]<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy61Q_dVqvbscUk-eddtrGpRTNNMPw7IWkUHjM61YbpnFu-M6OFMtW6gpateydhxqKVI-Jyh7iArvfAFEk8hV5C9_1GuTwBqIQGfC-llvLRXgYCpnvgpLyItukaKPAEYzsl8gtpO4Z8yjm/s1600-h/DSC07387%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07387" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasCY4735MA9r0Rm5iSVsVM1ElAPG4Nj_LkClH_i30SJyNuBANXyXQeqm7PgZYmwVFKmF9WhYarBRwLukhU5n7_-Puo67xguRYwkmISbt1fUFsiyMJ5j4QAKq9EsswIGU49_AbbYQRtWsi/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07387" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Well guys, that’s all for me tonight! Thanks for listening!</p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong> </p> <p>POINTS = 14/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35 used/0 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED =    3 today/3 week <br />WATER =  144 oz <br />EXERCISE = 22 min run</p>

Confessions

Hello everyone! I'm still around!! Life has been CRAZY, to say the least. There are so many things going on right now and in the midst of it all I let my running & eating go by the way-side. Bad, I know! Here are a few confessions, I need to get this…

Read more »