THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Beginning the weight loss challenge with my family is very important to me.  With a history of heart disease and diabetes it is essential that we find ways to improve our health through good eating habits; healthy living and conscious exercise.

There are so many things that I want to accomplish with this process:

• I want to be slim
• I want to banish my daily headaches
• I want to wake up with energy
• I want to sleep peacefully through the night
• I want brighter eyes
• I want radiant skin
• I want to feel more relaxed
• I want to be more energized in the afternoon
• I want to stop slumping in front of the TV every night

The list goes on and on.  So, how do I accomplish these things?  Just like everything we want to accomplish in life we need to start with a single focus point.  Usually something that requires the most attention to correct.

I have a tendency to grab and snack anything that comes into view because I don't eat regularly and find myself starving and ravenous.  The foods that I usually eat are high in fat and sodium (chips).

Today's focus is eating foods that are better for me; like fruits and vegetables.  The Goal:

I want to stop eating junk and start eating fresh, natural foods full of goodness!  

I started my morning with a medium banana.  After I take my shower and get ready for the day I will make a couple hard boiled eggs and some roasted red potatoes.

If you are on this journey too here are some thoughts for today:

The first thing I want you to look at is the amount of fresh food you eat versus non-fresh.  Is it about half and half, or more like 75 percent processed and 25 percent fresh?  If you can eat a few more meals made from fresh ingredients, that would be a good change to make.  Processed and refined foods are typically high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, trans fats, chemicals, additives, and  preservatives, and low in nutrients.  All these substances simply aren't good for you.  By contrast, healthy fresh food is rich in the nutrients you need.

My secondary focus is to cut back or cut out completely my consumption of Voltage Mountain Dew.  I have been moderately successful in this endeavor.  I used to drink six cans a day.  I now average about 4 -5 a week.  I had one last night.  Today, I have decided that I would replace today's Mountain Dew with a Kiwi Strawberry Sparkling Ice Water.  This takes care of my love of flavored beverages and reduces the massive intake of caffeine.

Biggest Loser Challenge

Today my sister, Emily, called and invited me and Victor to participate in the Biggest Loser - Hyde Style Challenge.  Everyone weighed in this evening while Victor and I weighed in this morning remotely in California.

 

My weight this morning was an even 200 lbs.  Yeah, I think that is the heaviest I have been since I was pregnant with Allisa 16 years ago.

 

 

 

The Challenge begins today and ends April 4th, 2015.  The winner of the challenge needs to have lost the most weight based on percentage of body weight.  Each person on the challenge can use any method or program to lose their weight and get fit. 

 

I am excited about this challenge.  I needed a motivator to lose the excess weight I have gained recently.  So, here we go.

 

PROGRESS

This was a pretty good week.  I paid attention to what I was eating.  Walked 30 minutes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Got 8 hours of sleep at least 3 nights this past week.  Bottom Line:  lost 5 lbs. in my first week.

No pictures to share (I am still a jelly filled donut). 

Goal:  lose enough weight and be in shape to go to Hawaii with my husband in September of this year.

Will post pictures soon.

THE OTHER SIDE OF FORTY

When I turned 25 years old I was devastated.  I made sure that I was still 28 when I got married the day before my 29th birthday.  I wasn't phased by 30, 35, 40 or even 45.

This year I turned 46.  I affectionately refer to this time of my life as "The Other Side of Forty".  These will be the years that I will prepare to turn 50.

The plan is to eat healthier, live healthier and be more active.  I want to look 40 something during my 50 some things.

Since my last knee surgery I have gained 30 pounds and have struggled to lose that weight.  Now that the holidays are over; the anniversary has been celebrated; and Victor and I have celebrated our 40 something birthdays it is time to get serious.

This morning I weighed in at 187 lbs.  A little too heavy for my weak knees and ankles.

Beginning tomorrow, my friend Christina and I will walk during our morning and afternoon breaks at work.  My girls are helping me make better choices when we go grocery shopping. 

Victor and I have plans to go to Hawaii later this year and I want to be able to explore the various mysteries on the beautiful islands without being exhausted and in pain.

So, here we are February 2nd of 2014; the beginning of my quest for a better me.

 

THIS IS WHAT FORTY FIVE LOOKS LIKE

Here we are 21 days after I have started my New Healthy Life Style:

This is what I look like at 45 and 178 lbs.  Does anyone remember what weight I started at?

This has definitely been a climb.  With four birthdays and an anniversary during the past 21 days I am still moderately successful with losing some weight.

I still have a long way to go.

I pushed my limits this week a little by increasing the distance of my walks; their frequency; and by cutting my time by 5 minutes.

When I began, I could walk about 1/2 mile in 10 minutes.  This was good for me since I haven't done a whole lot of walking since knee surgery October 2011.  I was walking at least three times a week.

I am now walking 2 miles a day (1 mile in the morning; 1 mile in the afternoon).  It took me approximately 20 minutes to walk a mile.  I broke my record yesterday and I now can walk a mile in 15 minutes.  I am a little breathless but I feel good afterward.  In addition, the walk is not level.  During my walk I have two steep inclines that just burn my thighs and gluts.  Then I finish my walk by climbing two sets of stairs to get back to the office.

Something to think about:

"Your body is the most amazing high tech performance machine on the planet."

 

STATUS UPDATE

So, here we are one week after starting the Healthy Challenge at work.

Changes so far in lifestyle:

1. Stopped drinking soda at work
2. Stopped going down to the galley for treats
3. Started walking during my breaks - one mile in the morning and one mile in the afternoon
4. Started going to bed early and getting up early
5. Continued eating breakfast
6. Continued taking lunch to work

Results:

1. Lost 5 lbs
2. Have a little more energy
3. A little more organized

Goals:

1. Lose a total of 50 lbs (yes, I am that over weight)
2. Be able to participate in more physical activities
3. Be healthy and happy
4. Look great!  (don't want to look my age - not that I do)

I will be 45 years old this coming Saturday and it's time that I start taking care of myself.

More to come!

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY AT WORK

Staying healthy at work isn't always easy. With all your coworkers sneezing and sniffing around you, it may seem impossible. Here are a few tips.

 

1. Wash Your Hands Often.

This means every time you use the restroom, before you eat, after you sneeze or cough and any other time your hands feel dirty. Also, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk, for when you can't get to a sink.

2. Keep your workspace clean.

Clean your phone, computer keyboard and anything else that you use frequently. Even if you are the only user, germs can live on these objects and you can re-infect yourself.

3. Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work and errands when you are sick or contagious. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.