June 2011 Goals

At the beginning of May, <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-goals-hiljoe-competition-week-2.html">I published the goals I wanted to accomplish for that month</a>:  <br /><br />1. <a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/10k-a-day"><b>10K a Day in May Challenge</b></a>: I failed.  I tried to keep up with this but I found it floating to the way side as I quickly became overwhelmed with school, and annoyed with my pedometer that kept shifting on my waist-band and not counting my steps accurately.  Now that I own a MyTrak, I realize how severly innaccurate my pedometer was - probably mostly do to the unsecure attachment to my clothing.  The MyTrak stays snuggly against my waist and in a given workday I almost always go over 10K steps (providing I go to the gym as well).  <br /><br />2. Stay On Plan:  I did not do this perfectly either, but I still managed to lose some weight this month and I'm grateful and content with that. <br /><br />3. Move: While I didn't meet the goal of moving by the end of May, we did find and secure a place of residence by the end of May and we are set to move on June 15!<br /><br /><b style="color: #660000;">My goals for June</b>:<br /><br />1. <b>Pass Anatomy/Physiology:</b>  I really want to pass both classes (lecture + lab) with an 'A'.  So far, so good. I also want to do so while maintaining that little thing called sanity!<br /><br />2. <b>Plan Meals:</b> By doing this, I should be able to meet May's goal of 'staying on plan'.  Now that I'll be in my own place in just a few more days, I know this will be so much easier!  I missing cooking like I used to - I love spending hours in the kitchen...<br /><br />3. <b>Find a New Gym:</b> It will most likely be Gold's, which will be right down the street from me.  It was a sad day on Tuesday saying goodbye to Stanley.  Stanley is the manager of the gym I go to now - I <i>love </i>this gym.  It's large in size, but small in the amount of people who are members there, and many of the people who go there regularly are so personable and friendly.  This gym will always hold a special place in my heart - it was the place <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/drawing-inspiration-from-places-other.html">where I was finally able to get myself refocused on removing this weight</a> once and for all, especially after such a long period of time of not having that focus.  I hope that the new gym will develop a special placeholder in my heart as well!  <br /><br />4. <b>Meet My First Weight Loss Goal:</b> I want those shoes so badly, and I want so badly to say I've reached the first goal I've set for myself! Meeting goals are such great motivators!<br /><br />Tomorrow is weigh in day and I <i>hope </i>I can report back to you with a loss - Happy Thursday :)

goals Success Weight Loss June 2011 Goals

At the beginning of May, I published the goals I wanted to accomplish for that month :  1. 10K a Day in May Challenge : I failed.  I tried t...

Read more »

Making Good Choices

Last Friday, I found myself reading <a href="http://momonamission2bhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-have-choice.html">Sam's post about having a choice</a>.  I'm glad I did!<br /><br />It was a Friday afterall, I actually had to go into the office (I typically either work at home on Friday's or I have that day off), and so a large part of me really wanted to nix the workout for the day.  I wanted to get the weekend started!  (Why was I so anxious, when I knew all I'd be doing was studying, afterall?)  Anyhow, <a href="http://momonamission2bhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-have-choice.html">Sam's post</a> helped me realize that even though I was tired from a grueling work week with with not only work itself, but also school work, and TOM as well.... that it was ultimately my choice for doing or not doing a workout.  I knew I'd feel badly if I skipped the Friday workout and I knew the after effects of skipping a workout could cascade throughout my weekend.  <br /><br />As I was making the drive home, I realized I didn't have any reading material for the gym with me.  I didn't want to stop and buy any magazines because I have SO many at home I need to catch up on.  I also didn't want to drive home, get the reading material and then drive back to the gym.  I also was in no frame of mind to attempt to suffer through a workout while doing nothing...I was having a hard enough time as it was convincing myself to do something in the first place.  Then a light bulb went off!  It was an absolutely beautiful day - I could go for a bike ride!  So once I got home, I quickly changed and loaded up my bike into the Equinox and took off for the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/bloooower.html">Indian Head Rail Trail</a>.    <br /><br />I love this trail so much, and I'm sad that I'll be moving further away from it next week :(.  I'm so glad I decided to go for a ride though - what a perfect ending to a hectic week... <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4esvSF30o0SOM0y-zB75ORVLpBOkhN8mgiC9Tjs9m5V_NvBkjj6whO3shnieA9KVvPUJooYDJt81wkpVh39UEaiu_bxHs3ypVPVBQGcGlc_Mbyy1cw8XFh2O3SlqncXDR1zpiwbNULEk/s1600/bike+ride+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4esvSF30o0SOM0y-zB75ORVLpBOkhN8mgiC9Tjs9m5V_NvBkjj6whO3shnieA9KVvPUJooYDJt81wkpVh39UEaiu_bxHs3ypVPVBQGcGlc_Mbyy1cw8XFh2O3SlqncXDR1zpiwbNULEk/s400/bike+ride+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mattawoman Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzxAaQ5DHwkT0OixNQUWPb_uk8-YrS_ZZfMEKy24NSjmOiTukUi48HbEEHTPH-CE3UjprWRxcTazuvYZMqVr1KA4fDWOG4RFu_DicajeaD5MijltDyjmVhHwDtkCndNsls5yc7mqUFa4/s1600/bike+ride+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzxAaQ5DHwkT0OixNQUWPb_uk8-YrS_ZZfMEKy24NSjmOiTukUi48HbEEHTPH-CE3UjprWRxcTazuvYZMqVr1KA4fDWOG4RFu_DicajeaD5MijltDyjmVhHwDtkCndNsls5yc7mqUFa4/s400/bike+ride+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love rail trails - flat and scenic!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvXOc6Cv0opkUwHp2PYZWZsYWX0XiOogfSTf32scUU-SyuZfXXjDgp9QFLgP5fuH0olOdYU5Xaax6PaIYWzCjFxIlV4Y9VHSbr73GpeWILVa_OYf8wl2pSOcZ1kWEl5tkm1HV0enmd2k/s1600/bike+ride+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvXOc6Cv0opkUwHp2PYZWZsYWX0XiOogfSTf32scUU-SyuZfXXjDgp9QFLgP5fuH0olOdYU5Xaax6PaIYWzCjFxIlV4Y9VHSbr73GpeWILVa_OYf8wl2pSOcZ1kWEl5tkm1HV0enmd2k/s400/bike+ride+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end is in site!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk-z2wNwKZ-227QbbSz5WTBbHQkFXt6okE9x42C8EIBl3Yvf98CEx6KKJOsm9yJcFEo-FkemMFWiGbYaLafuZmoLNcGNck_k1jlsoeTIUr2Jft9b5BDhwR3fbsCPgf1URBO0VMrHd164/s1600/bike+ride+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk-z2wNwKZ-227QbbSz5WTBbHQkFXt6okE9x42C8EIBl3Yvf98CEx6KKJOsm9yJcFEo-FkemMFWiGbYaLafuZmoLNcGNck_k1jlsoeTIUr2Jft9b5BDhwR3fbsCPgf1URBO0VMrHd164/s400/bike+ride+009.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me @ the end - you can see where the train tracks start up again in the background</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeYVp_MMpXbOTxEkASjiM03TCwpxWSAPHJ1oZ0oa-dwRFGVj0OqwItro4YU_eZ6XgrQB7fZ9w8Ferx_jZBKCg59guldFMQFDc9G_f0cULF5Vy2FnvOPQxo99IaP-f_GIHiRFvltcXTZ0/s1600/bike+ride+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeYVp_MMpXbOTxEkASjiM03TCwpxWSAPHJ1oZ0oa-dwRFGVj0OqwItro4YU_eZ6XgrQB7fZ9w8Ferx_jZBKCg59guldFMQFDc9G_f0cULF5Vy2FnvOPQxo99IaP-f_GIHiRFvltcXTZ0/s400/bike+ride+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces of old track</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvBqowjSAc0tuWya14g4a7dAw5af7C8ygm756NXu3EUIuwB8Gn1cTZQ0bzovVLmJMKwt1OzoBwsvcJhypz3KY9dhJG8nUKeaQTkxIpxi-eX0_Bbes6Ep8ujfcCLb0Rr88yw2pfdQEAqg/s1600/bike+ride+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvBqowjSAc0tuWya14g4a7dAw5af7C8ygm756NXu3EUIuwB8Gn1cTZQ0bzovVLmJMKwt1OzoBwsvcJhypz3KY9dhJG8nUKeaQTkxIpxi-eX0_Bbes6Ep8ujfcCLb0Rr88yw2pfdQEAqg/s400/bike+ride+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1d7HQUdIpGX_Xq6LMLqumRirbG2Ipa7YpSP00hDvfvtNoCIH5gdVR0AdV4t0q8_xukgk0q7cnL9pJHK4-Ycu_Ut_irt_bbfQ1JJUGWbdgvxrOaA058dRktYU8yJbdJJH85InvZmI5CE/s1600/bike+ride+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1d7HQUdIpGX_Xq6LMLqumRirbG2Ipa7YpSP00hDvfvtNoCIH5gdVR0AdV4t0q8_xukgk0q7cnL9pJHK4-Ycu_Ut_irt_bbfQ1JJUGWbdgvxrOaA058dRktYU8yJbdJJH85InvZmI5CE/s400/bike+ride+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bike and the tracks :)</td></tr></tbody></table>Hopefully I can grab another ride or two on here before Joel and I move to Virginia next week.  It's not like we'll be living <i>that far</i> from this, but it won't be a mile down the road anymore :(.   <br /><br /><i>P.S. I had been meaning to check how far I rode that day, since I don't have a gauge on my bike, and it turns out I rode 6.4 miles!  Yay!</i>

Exercise Success Weight Loss Making Good Choices

Last Friday, I found myself reading Sam's post about having a choice .  I'm glad I did! It was a Friday afterall, I actually had to ...

Read more »

HilJoe Competition - Week 5

I'm going to have to forgo sharing Joel's weight because neither him nor I can remember exactly what it was - doh! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joel (6'): 237ish</b><br /><b> Hilary (5'8"): 254.6</b></div><br />As you can see, I did manage to remove some weight this week and for THAT I am grateful!  It was not a super great week for me, especially after a weekend of celebrating our 4 year dating anniversary (March 27).  I tried to eat as best I could while we were away over Memorial Day weekend, but it was tough.  Also, I think what helped me out was the shear amount of walking and sweating I did all week long!  Holy cow was it hot in the nation's capital this week - a freaken heat index of 100+ degrees almost every single work day!  I sweated.... a lot.<br /><br />Regardless of how those pounds came off, they came off and I hope to keep those numbers going in a decline pattern.  I'm SO close to meeting my first goal :).  Just 1.6 pounds away!!<br /><br />I'm repeating this mantra every single day this week:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"One day at a time Hilary, just one day at a time."  </i></div><br />As it's no surprise by now, I'm very busy with school.  Joel & I also move in 9 days.  I want to get this work week over ASAP so I can devote time to packing <i>so </i>I can regain some of my sanity and actually start to feel like I'm somewhat prepared for when the movers show up next week... 

HJ Competition Success HilJoe Competition - Week 5

I'm going to have to forgo sharing Joel's weight because neither him nor I can remember exactly what it was - doh!  Joel (6'): 2...

Read more »

Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge

As you can see, I'm a little behind on the posting :).  Again, please bear with me these next few weeks - <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/busy-bee.html">my life is consumed by anatomy right now</a>.  <br /><br />On Sunday, May 22 I participated in what I think has been my favorite 5K so far!  The <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/templates/marketing/marketing_utool_1col.aspx?pageid=1171941">Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge </a>took place in College Park, MD at Lake Artemesia.   <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpLQX-3W_hkSfWOGsfXuGjl61njRMi4B_ZBCxbEFSe2O3XE9X2YcFhVdni3OPZYYS1QmhcylDVHUn57AldZg9sJO_bqFVOglII3TIUv2YksU1tmBkylkpkE5hyN2gr9TUCHFqado_nCU/s1600/LA+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpLQX-3W_hkSfWOGsfXuGjl61njRMi4B_ZBCxbEFSe2O3XE9X2YcFhVdni3OPZYYS1QmhcylDVHUn57AldZg9sJO_bqFVOglII3TIUv2YksU1tmBkylkpkE5hyN2gr9TUCHFqado_nCU/s400/LA+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so pretty - a perfect 5K around this lake!</td></tr></tbody></table>What I liked about this 5K was the scenery!  We did 2 laps around the lake as part of the 3.1 miles.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmeGmaYugpTHok1LVaQXBoJdzGNp2hFknk9HOMk2Fb4-gojEJ8JTJHv5yn-EUI-T2Ut-mKtmoA8lTkQWYD2e4EzuJBoiockYCo1xrX3QjcwJ5pDqOze5g2UjHE4k7oo3HNfKGeflXHgQ/s1600/LA+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmeGmaYugpTHok1LVaQXBoJdzGNp2hFknk9HOMk2Fb4-gojEJ8JTJHv5yn-EUI-T2Ut-mKtmoA8lTkQWYD2e4EzuJBoiockYCo1xrX3QjcwJ5pDqOze5g2UjHE4k7oo3HNfKGeflXHgQ/s400/LA+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the 5K took place through woods</td></tr></tbody></table>The path was perfectly paved and wide enough for people to pass one another.  Also, because this event is related to the eating plan I follow, it made it that much better!  The snacks at the end were calculated with the Points+ values, and they were ALL healthy snacks - no pizza & pop afterward like most of the 5K's I've attended.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Z3jt6Hr1Byby0hZYUc3oeQ58dZ2pbNDshp5_HjXByB1UPHP4CgFOCf_GqQFJ7l6fQ4an3XZTQ9nVDkrrpgNI5fWmx0c6UYjCk8BNTiCwIfpykrtuEGI0p9e_KC5YuWmyPphyphenhyphenXVIvIQ/s1600/LA+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Z3jt6Hr1Byby0hZYUc3oeQ58dZ2pbNDshp5_HjXByB1UPHP4CgFOCf_GqQFJ7l6fQ4an3XZTQ9nVDkrrpgNI5fWmx0c6UYjCk8BNTiCwIfpykrtuEGI0p9e_KC5YuWmyPphyphenhyphenXVIvIQ/s400/LA+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The event organizers were also amazing - very encouraging and positive!  There were several of them along the route at various intervals cheering us on.  I also enjoyed the fact that in order to do this challenge, you had to be a WW member.  This made it extra special for me because it felt like you were really doing those 3.1 miles as a team.  Also, everyone there has been through the same struggles I'm going through.  Having Weight Watchers be the commonality between all of us was absolutely perfect - no one was looking down upon the next person for not being as fit or fast as they are.  In other 5K's I've done, people are strutting around in their skimpy running gear and everyone seems to be trying to outdo the next person.  I <3 Weight Watchers members!<br /><br />I was also happy with myself because I think this was the most distance I've jogged during a 5K.  I have no real way of knowing that for certain, but I felt really strong that day and I felt like the running was easy for me and it was not hard for me to keep going.  That almost NEVER happens.<br /><br />At the finish line they greeted you with what was my very first race medal! *Tear*<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_aD-KmBRB9X59ppI69vGqKjXqjWIDDmR9rVyvBUd4hljqwvfP3CrQ_OsnnAQPgE-vVbBK-TggTd787s1FrqKblgj7hM-OjLuzpnXZ0l110TWbhHMubggbGtSkPcKhXRXdgu8UkqiUFI/s1600/LA+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_aD-KmBRB9X59ppI69vGqKjXqjWIDDmR9rVyvBUd4hljqwvfP3CrQ_OsnnAQPgE-vVbBK-TggTd787s1FrqKblgj7hM-OjLuzpnXZ0l110TWbhHMubggbGtSkPcKhXRXdgu8UkqiUFI/s320/LA+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>That made my day!  It was as though I was being rewarded not just for completing this 5K, but for all the others I've done over the last few weeks.  Also, at the finish line they gave us a bag of WW friendly treats.  After everyone finished the walk, they gave away 50 prizes - I was so close 2 times!  They called numbers 301 and 303 :(!<br /><br />Oh, and we got this AWESOME shirt for signing up for the walk:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1tKA1ABWGfCejAQIUOkJnqXJwwHAvWTOo6ngJjw4mSUaHhP1lfAvZ5XBkCH4EslfCiajRprGXkaQ7LPVNWYqffGB45nXvw8oNDq190Ul5Iw2bsR0HGO2DPpx7NcA4ClgBpQLstkH8Wk/s1600/LA+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1tKA1ABWGfCejAQIUOkJnqXJwwHAvWTOo6ngJjw4mSUaHhP1lfAvZ5XBkCH4EslfCiajRprGXkaQ7LPVNWYqffGB45nXvw8oNDq190Ul5Iw2bsR0HGO2DPpx7NcA4ClgBpQLstkH8Wk/s320/LA+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This is blurry because I didn't want someone to walk in and see me doing a self-photo shoot!  But, that t-shirt I'm wearing is that silky, moisture wicking material.  It's SOOOOO nice!  I've never owned a shirt like this before and it is now my favorite exercise shirt.  I never understood the thrill with this type of athletic clothing because I really felt like my cotton t-shirts did the job just fine.  But man, these shirts suck the sweat away from your body and then you don't feel so disgusting!  <br /><br />If you're a WW member, I would highly recommend doing this walk next year!  Ours was so well put together and I just loved all the people who participated.<br /><br />My next and final 5K is this Saturday on the National Mall in Washington, DC.  It is the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure.  I'm kind of excited that this will be the last 5K for awhile.  I'm not currently committed to any others as of yet, but I'm going to hold off for the month of June until after we get moved and I'm done with this hell... or, I mean, school!

5K Success Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge

As you can see, I'm a little behind on the posting :).  Again, please bear with me these next few weeks - my life is consumed by anatomy...

Read more »

HilJoe Competition - Week 4

This week was a loss for both Joel & I! Go us!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joel (6'): 237.2</b><br /><b> Hilary (5'8"): 255.8</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am getting closer and closer to reaching my first 10 lbs milestone!!!  I'm going to put in some extra effort this week to see if I can lose at least a pound.  I'm not going to be unrealistic and hope for a 2.8 lbs weight loss because look at my history on the left - the weight isn't exactly sliding off at the speed of light and that's okay.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to keeping the momentum going this week!</div>

goals HJ Competition Loss Success Weight Loss HilJoe Competition - Week 4

This week was a loss for both Joel & I! Go us!! Joel (6'): 237.2 Hilary (5'8"): 255.8   I am getting closer and closer to ...

Read more »

The HilJoe Competition - Week 3

Here is the update for the HilJoe Competition - Week 3.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joel (6'): 241.8<br />Hilary (5'8"): 256.4</b></div><br />I'm back down to the prior week's weight - yay!  I'm getting closer to those <a href="http://www.shopnewbalance.com/detail.asp?s1=NBAS&s2=buynow&style=WW860KM">new tennis</a> shoes I want so badly!

Exercise GoalsWeight LossExercise HJ Competition Loss Success The HilJoe Competition - Week 3

Here is the update for the HilJoe Competition - Week 3. Joel (6'): 241.8 Hilary (5'8"): 256.4 I'm back down to the prior we...

Read more »

May Goals & HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Several other people from health blogs I've been reading are posting their May goals.  I liked the idea and thought I'd do the same.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/10k-a-day"><b>10K A Day in May challenge</b></a>: 10,000 steps a day for the Month of May sponsored by the <a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/">Watch My Butt Shrink</a> blog.  After 10 days into the month, I can tell you I have reached this number (and then some) on just a few days, but most days I have come very close to reaching 10K steps.  I find this especially challenging on the weekends and on days when I work at home.  It's a blessing I don't work at home full time because I would never move!  Still, my goal is to have more days than not at or very close to (within 2,000 steps) 10K steps/day.  I get most of mine from my walk to/from work, a lunchtime walk and my 35 min at the gym.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN1czcDGDEosDPwYkUPW53yknAgixNInGdGADIcAePSy1GYBA0F0s69A8iH3nGLaWbPKgNfrFb3NY7Erqs_ULTjClqqlQCsDb8NQXFOjy2GBYyxR5Bm9ENgdzN-EGqjE-c8elaWKY9eA/s1600/10k.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN1czcDGDEosDPwYkUPW53yknAgixNInGdGADIcAePSy1GYBA0F0s69A8iH3nGLaWbPKgNfrFb3NY7Erqs_ULTjClqqlQCsDb8NQXFOjy2GBYyxR5Bm9ENgdzN-EGqjE-c8elaWKY9eA/s1600/10k.JPG" /></a></div><br />2. <b>Stay On Plan</b>.  Obviously I aim to achieve this every month, but May is going to be especially challenging.  Stress = eating for me.  My next nursing class begins next Wednesday.  It's a 4 credit class that will only be 6 weeks long.  I'm scared for how hard and time-challenging this is going to be.  I also have three 5K's this month which are all on weekends, which is when I tend to cram in most of my studying.  It's going to be challenging to say the least.  <br /><br />3. <b>Move</b>. I don't mean "move your body" either! While this doesn't seem directly related to health/fitness on the surface, it definitely contributes to my weight loss.  I've been living with Joel's family since October 2010.  After having lived for two blissful years on my own, it was EXTREMELY difficult/challenging/sad for me to go back to living with "roommates".  It's especially hard when it comes to eating.  The kitchen isn't mine, the kitchen <i>stuff </i>isn't mine, and I'm often forced to navigate around other people's cooking schedules.  This often leads to a "screw it, I'm going out for food" mentality.  Needless to say, I'm ready to get my own apartment again.  My goal is to be out by the end of this month.  Why wouldn't it be?  I mean, the classes and 5k's just weren't enough time commitment for me, of course I had to add a move in to the mix. <br /><br />I'll be sure to keep you posted on how I'm progressing as the month goes on!<br /><br />I'm not done yet folks!<br /><br />Last week Joel and I had our second weigh in as part of the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/hiljoe-competition-week-1.html">HilJoe Weight Loss Competition</a>.  I lost a miraculous 3 lbs and Joel lost nothing, so he will be paying up this week!  Go me!

5K goals HJ Competition Success Weight Loss May Goals & HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Several other people from health blogs I've been reading are posting their May goals.  I liked the idea and thought I'd do the same....

Read more »

March of Dimes - March for Babies 5K

The mission of the <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/">March of Dimes</a> is simply stated:<br /><blockquote style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 11pt;">"We help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies."</span></i></b></blockquote>Though the actual mission itself is nothing short of being simple.  I'm sure that you know someone who has had a miscarriage or has had a child born prematurely - I know several women who have been affected by this.  Participants in the walk on Sunday who have directly been affected by the issues mentioned above wore beads around their necks - purple beads signifying that their baby was born prematurely and had to fight for their life early on, and white beads signifying that their beloved child did not win the battle.  My heart went out to those people wearing the white beads - how tragic, how sad, how life shattering.   <br /><br />Even though I'm 99.9% certain that none of my donors are reading this blog, I'd still like to let it be known how grateful I am for their generosity toward the March of Dimes-March for Babies walk that was held this past Sunday (May 1) in La Plata, MD.  I successfully raised $455, which was $255 over my goal!  <b>THANK YOU!!!!!</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpevr9P7aXKDBHUoLpxzEMWxlHeIcSWMYzbej7Hn6uGBlT4KVYI049f9UWgINpE1f8UFOWXXsoXNT40aaSZuDTqGfTqEBlZ4XBAF-l4oZPiel4zNGeoGHlNtkpS6cnYiK_RF7-Rs5h0U/s1600/dimesmarch4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpevr9P7aXKDBHUoLpxzEMWxlHeIcSWMYzbej7Hn6uGBlT4KVYI049f9UWgINpE1f8UFOWXXsoXNT40aaSZuDTqGfTqEBlZ4XBAF-l4oZPiel4zNGeoGHlNtkpS6cnYiK_RF7-Rs5h0U/s320/dimesmarch4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few days before the walk that we would have two options for the race course.  We could either do the standard 5K (3.1 miles), or actually go ahead and do 5 miles.  I knew ahead of time I'd being doing 5 miles - there's no reason why I couldn't!  <br /><br />I've also learned enough by now from the last two 5K's I've done that I wanted to position myself near the front.  When a race starts, it takes a few minutes to get your own momentum going because of the shear number of people clustered together.  And afterall, this was a noncompetitive walk, so there was no harm in me plopping myself within the first few feet of the start line.  It took me a few minutes to get around the slower people, but I finally did and was on my merry way.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VVIHNqkBBv1FoUKlHWaDhn9e0vAFqklqO9JkDNGLaD-QZe6EoLYPTstUbimC2rG2OTqeCLgUpBPUz6N05HqdQXUCfQVrruLfrsTBQzbc9PuZs_tcurKDGChUKGh1-c5sHbtQ9oBIpAY/s1600/dimesmarch5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VVIHNqkBBv1FoUKlHWaDhn9e0vAFqklqO9JkDNGLaD-QZe6EoLYPTstUbimC2rG2OTqeCLgUpBPUz6N05HqdQXUCfQVrruLfrsTBQzbc9PuZs_tcurKDGChUKGh1-c5sHbtQ9oBIpAY/s400/dimesmarch5.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starting line</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXivXjT6G9HzMnxEPihJZgKDVdLdBCxM2AW45DW3M1LXZlduoUIp_hcFg_plATPGxrlPHTTAhrhQflC8LPGuoNN9pzhdv7JIn8luIQ6EfUVkzbuDLZ2Y1KF3yeJv_JkHWFZrDnviSdwNk/s1600/dimesmarch1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXivXjT6G9HzMnxEPihJZgKDVdLdBCxM2AW45DW3M1LXZlduoUIp_hcFg_plATPGxrlPHTTAhrhQflC8LPGuoNN9pzhdv7JIn8luIQ6EfUVkzbuDLZ2Y1KF3yeJv_JkHWFZrDnviSdwNk/s400/dimesmarch1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look how cute this team is with their pretty outfits!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There were about 7 people in front of me for a long time and then a few people started running and subsequently passed me.  Running was not an option for me Sunday due to the recent back pain I've been experiencing, and I definitely wanted to do the entire 5 miles - pain free if at all possible.  But I husseled in my 5 mile walk.  There was this one lady who ran ahead of me in the beginning.  I ultimately caught up with her and I wanted to finish in front of her.  That ended up being my little race goal - I wanted to beat this lady who had actually jogged for parts of the walk when I only walked the entire thing.  I was able to pass her with about 2 miles left!  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohokAq7gDBBVVMLrIJtkcL2Nz-O1LQnCPy1TGx6HwNeYP_a959yTE1QmWUxYy1deT91UozQH3tgF1KJgVJu9Y5VHrfY-O7PRqzUDlGyEd5Fc82Gor0JQNyEa1IzzpvyUMY1CS5hVgrrY/s1600/dimesmarch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohokAq7gDBBVVMLrIJtkcL2Nz-O1LQnCPy1TGx6HwNeYP_a959yTE1QmWUxYy1deT91UozQH3tgF1KJgVJu9Y5VHrfY-O7PRqzUDlGyEd5Fc82Gor0JQNyEa1IzzpvyUMY1CS5hVgrrY/s400/dimesmarch2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">signs posted along the route to help you understand what your donated money goes toward..</td></tr></tbody></table>As I was coming in to the final stretch, my right heel started hurting and I felt like I had a pebble in my shoe beneath the front of my foot.  Then I realized - crap!  I'm getting blisters!  I was shocked - these shoes are not brand new and I was wearing my typical cotton socks.  Sure enough, I developed an inch long blood blister (gross!) on my heel and 2 blisters started to form on my other foot.  Oh well - the exercise was well worth it!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoapanYiFZlY_YLjReKFZNYrHt24hDjcQiF_YxxiFHee26xf1UziL711EdfsQTz4a51e8yVgFG5Fyooxvdro8APrWN9u_KbPbmq4lLn111gdJBk1tKEDAqa8VTdhs-KYPrTW7HWgiqCao/s1600/dimesmarch3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoapanYiFZlY_YLjReKFZNYrHt24hDjcQiF_YxxiFHee26xf1UziL711EdfsQTz4a51e8yVgFG5Fyooxvdro8APrWN9u_KbPbmq4lLn111gdJBk1tKEDAqa8VTdhs-KYPrTW7HWgiqCao/s400/dimesmarch3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I estimate I was in the top 20 of walkers at this point - I was actually passing a huge crowd of people on my way back as they were still on their way to finishing this part of the course.</td></tr></tbody></table>It was on this leg of the course (pictured above), as I was personally feeling proud for staying ahead of this entire crowd (from a fitness standpoint), when I passed a lady who was walking by herself pushing an empty stroller.  My first thought was "Her child must have ran ahead to join the other dozens of children" and almost as soon as that thought ended I saw her white beads and I knew.  I knew that this woman was pushing the stroller of her child that did not win his/her battle for life.  This woman and I made eye contact, and I felt like she read my mind and the expression on my face as I pieced together what I was seeing, because she gave me a sympathetic nod and kept going.<br /><br />That, folks, is why <i>we </i>walk for the March for Babies.

5K Inspiration March for Babies March of Dimes Success March of Dimes - March for Babies 5K

The mission of the March of Dimes is simply stated: "We help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten t...

Read more »

The HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Friday was Joel & I's weigh in day and here are our official weigh in results for Week 1:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joel</b> <b>(6')</b>: 240</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hilary (5'8")</b>: 259.4</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Joel's strategy is to simply count calories, while mine will continue to be following Weight Watchers and visiting the gym (or doing some variation of activity) at least 5 days/week. <br /><br />At one time Joel and I weighed exactly the same (a few years ago) and I felt grotesque THEN, but now I weigh more than him and that is simply not right.  I am not going to allow this to go on any longer and I look forward to updating you as I continue to lose weight and surpass Joel! :)

HJ Competition Success Weight Loss The HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Friday was Joel & I's weigh in day and here are our official weigh in results for Week 1: Joel (6') : 240 Hilary (5'8"...

Read more »

A Little Competition Never Hurt Anybody :)

A few years ago, Joel joined me on my weight loss journey.  We set up this competitive game, though today neither of us can remember the exact details of the 'game', but each week whoever lost the most 'won' something (money, an item of the winner's choice? We cannot remember!).  This strategy really worked for me.  It helped me drop about 30 lbs (though I did have more to lose).  Eventually though, we fell off the wagon and were simply never able to get back on.  <br /><br />Once I reached my highest weight ever (263.8 lbs) I told myself I just had to get it together.  You'd think that seeing that number alone would be enough to motivate someone to get their butt moving to lose some poundage, but that was not the case for me.  It took seeing my grandmother pass away to really drive the nail in hard.  I must do this... NOW, not next Monday when I'll promise to 'start over', not next month or next year, but NOW.  So I have been on this journey seriously since November 2010.  <br /><br />And now, Joel has decided to join me!  <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lifesip.com/images/competition-6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.lifesip.com/images/competition-6.gif" width="191" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Listen here buddy, I'm gonna win this!"<br /><i>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.lifesip.com/competition.html">here</a></i>.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This Friday will be our official weigh in day to kick off the new competition between us.  We will mimic the Biggest Loser and will be basing the competition off of percentage of weight lost.  The weekly loser then has to pay $10 per percentage point difference.  So if I lose 4% of my body weight, and Joel loses 2%, then he will have to pay $20 total - $10 for every percentage difference.  After a period of time, that has yet to be determined, the winner will then get to choose an activity they want to do, using the earned money toward that activity, and the loser MUST join them. <br /><br />I'll be posting our results each week! Stay tuned! :)

HJ Competition Success Weight Loss A Little Competition Never Hurt Anybody :)

A few years ago, Joel joined me on my weight loss journey.  We set up this competitive game, though today neither of us can remember the exa...

Read more »

Pushing Through the Pain

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.endaches.com/images/back_pain/back_pain_250x251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.endaches.com/images/back_pain/back_pain_250x251.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.endaches.com/index.php?Keywords=Acute+Lower+Back+Pain&search_type=related2&cat2=Severe+Back+Pain&r=c%3E[X6lZXOp[YNvZ3:u%27f%3Evt%3Cvt%3C4%3C2%3C2%3C23545715%3Ctuzmf2%604/dtt%3C3%3Cjoufsdptnpt%60bggjmjbuf%606%60e3s%60efsq%3CCfiubk%3CCfiubk%3C2859%3C2859%3Cdmfbo%3Cmjtujoht%3Czbipp%3C%27jqvb%60je%3E::d16982e65655:4418cb3125c3f4fdc%27enybsht%3E2341ec3b:1fgdf393e9d4634f641:997&rd=1">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>I've been dealing with some lower back pain this week.  Over the weekend I did a lot of baking for Easter (5.5 hours worth!) and for some reason, being in Joel's kitchen for that length of time has been killing my back.  I never noticed this in my other kitchens though.  <br /><br />Anyhow, yesterday at the gym I did W1D1 of C25K.  I'm not pursuing this program regularly, I simply forgot my magazines that I read while on the elliptical/ArcTrainer and had to find another distraction to keep the time ticking by.  About three-quarters through the C25K, my lower back started to spasm again like it did on Saturday.  In typical Hilary fashion, I would have used any excuse to cut the workout short and go home, but I actually really wanted to finish.  As I reached 26 minutes, shooting pains started resonating through my hips and I had to get off the treadmill.  The pain was literally taking my breath away.  Since my daily workout goal is 35 minutes, and I was only at 26, I figured I'd give the recumbent bike a try since I could sit down comfortably with a nice back rest.  In the end, I could only do 8 minutes on the bike and I had to stop.  By the time I left the gym I was limping out to the car.<br /><br />The back spasms continued all night long, but getting some sleep definitely helped.  I plan to take the day off from the gym and just do hand weights when I get home.  I don't want to chance injury.  <br /><br />What I am proud of here is my perseverance with the workout.  I'm of the mindset that if I take just a day off from exercise, I fear that I may never go back.  It's only been 4 solid, consistent months of hitting the gym and I don't yet feel comfortable with my discipline.  Still, I was proud that I pushed through the pain, until I couldn't walk, and still got most of what I needed to get done accomplished.  Still, I'm very mindful of the signals my body is giving me, and she wants a break!

Exercise Success Pushing Through the Pain

Courtesy of here . I've been dealing with some lower back pain this week.  Over the weekend I did a lot of baking for Easter (5.5 hours ...

Read more »

How Do You Measure Weight Loss Success?

I had a loss on the scale this week!  I was pleasantly surprised as I did not come back strong after <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/bloooower.html">last week's weigh in</a>.<br /><br />Still, even though I had a numeric loss on the scale, I want to keep focusing on other accomplishments I've had in my health <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/drawing-inspiration-from-places-other.html">since I started going back to the gym consistently</a>.  Ironically I came across <a href="http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=10_signs_you_are_getting_healthier_even_if_the_scale_doesnt_move">this article</a> last week that put my actions into words perfectly.  The article is titled <a href="http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=10_signs_you_are_getting_healthier_even_if_the_scale_doesnt_move">10 Signs You are Getting Healthier Even if the Scale Doesn't Move</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j39zIkspxWY/TJlJvCclkdI/AAAAAAAAAOs/ezQUTU0H69E/s320/success_and_happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j39zIkspxWY/TJlJvCclkdI/AAAAAAAAAOs/ezQUTU0H69E/s320/success_and_happiness.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I wanted to highlight some of the points that I feel apply to me and my journey:<br /><br /><ol><li> You feel like taking on something new. That’s a great sign that you are getting healthier. It shows a heightened <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit ! important; font-weight: inherit ! important; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit ! important; font-weight: inherit ! important; position: relative;">energy </span><span class="kLink" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit ! important; font-weight: inherit ! important; position: relative;">level</span></span> and more active mentality. You are obviously ready for new challenges that you weren’t ready for before you became fitter.  - <i>This has definitely been true for me - hence all the 5K's I've signed up for!</i><br /><br /></li><li>You start taking that one extra step. Usually the saying is to “Go the extra mile.” I say “Go the extra step.” A mile is a long way, but if you even find yourself having the energy to take that extra step, congratulate yourself. You are building on something. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.  -<i> I recently increased my cardio workout an extra 5 minutes/day for a total of 35 minutes, 5 days a week.  I also find myself looking for new ways to incorporate exercise other than the standard gym equipment - like bike riding!</i><br /><br /></li><li>You feel more positive and energetic. That is a natural by product of getting healthier. The body starts working better and when it does, it releases feel good chemicals in the brain, delivers energy to the cells more efficiently, and you feel better day by day.<i> - I find that I'm not always SO focused on my hate for living in this city, my surroundings, and just an overall negativity toward my life.</i></li></ol>How do you measure success other than on the scale?

Inspiration Loss Success How Do You Measure Weight Loss Success?

I had a loss on the scale this week!  I was pleasantly surprised as I did not come back strong after last week's weigh in . Still, even ...

Read more »

Drawing Inspiration From Places Other Than the Scale

With the <a href="http://www.kittanningpaper.com/2010/11/09/obit-clara-mabel-clawson-shelocta/12010">death of my grandmother last November</a>, it became very apparent to me that life is so short, and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle is absolutely essential to a long <b>AND</b> happy life. <br /><br />My grandmother suffered from many illnesses, including diabetes, Parkinson's, and ultimately cancer.  She was on countless medications.  Aside from all of the illnesses she dealt with, obesity was probably the single disease that she could have controlled on her own that may have helped eliminate some of her other medical issues, but we will never know.  I can remember as a child and into my adult years always having the 'weight' conversation with my grandma.  I think I had a special connection with her because of it.  I'm the youngest of her only three granddaughters, and the only one who has dealt with being overweight.  She, too, seemed to struggled with it for most of her life.  There was a period of time where she joined <a href="http://www.tops.org/default.aspx">TOPS - Take Off Pounds Sensibly</a>.  Grandma seemed rather successful with this, though I currently do not have the photos to share of her moments of triumph, receiving awards and trophies for reaching her weight loss goals.  Still, like so many of us do, life and food got the best of her, and she put that weight back on.   <br /><br />After spending the last few days of her life by her side in the hospital, I knew that I had to stop going down the self-sabotaging road I was headed.  While there are days when I think otherwise, I'm still a young woman at a fresh 27 years of age, and I still have time to change my life for the better. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvclhriP3EUoWKtkI30FNDiKKfIg4bYgSxd_Nxj36hKjlmrumDtMKH6K1y8sAkBRXf99ras-vy-JtbPW_avtDApNCWRWEI35YFq5mfNTTD8Nt72D1TeNRZF5XLQaziY68wXheTre_TKE/s1600/exercise-busy-schedule.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvclhriP3EUoWKtkI30FNDiKKfIg4bYgSxd_Nxj36hKjlmrumDtMKH6K1y8sAkBRXf99ras-vy-JtbPW_avtDApNCWRWEI35YFq5mfNTTD8Nt72D1TeNRZF5XLQaziY68wXheTre_TKE/s320/exercise-busy-schedule.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://promotehealth.info/?p=277">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />After my final visit with Grandma, I made the drive back from Pittsburgh with a heavy heart, but knowing that it was finally time to change my life.  That week, I signed up for a membership at the local gym.  I am proud to say that I have been going to that gym every single week for at least 4 days/week since I signed up.   And while my progress isn't showing on the scale, it's important to count successes elsewhere.<br /><br />Though despite all I shared above, that's not to say that I still do not have days like these:  <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY1_zS7lJOpUdSgKIqnnv4MbsDIRIeLE-qIasrMh4WH8ZR8cAkoXPO2CuH69by769MDoC2XfbKETATT6jvbmjxjkiW1ic5Bpjui7d7BN33yISEVIbEv3FL6__Q-q4AgC8c1d2D56bVuw/s1600/exercise-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY1_zS7lJOpUdSgKIqnnv4MbsDIRIeLE-qIasrMh4WH8ZR8cAkoXPO2CuH69by769MDoC2XfbKETATT6jvbmjxjkiW1ic5Bpjui7d7BN33yISEVIbEv3FL6__Q-q4AgC8c1d2D56bVuw/s320/exercise-cartoon.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://carharttsandcoachbags.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/there-are-lots-of-cartoons-in-this-post-because-exercising-is-funny-to-me/">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>Still, we must keep on keepin' on... because as they say: <span class="messageBody"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><blockquote><i><span class="messageBody">"When it is darkest, you can see the stars....."</span></i></blockquote></blockquote></div>

Inspiration Success Drawing Inspiration From Places Other Than the Scale

With the death of my grandmother last November , it became very apparent to me that life is so short, and the importance of living a healthy...

Read more »