Update: Jazzercise and weight gain

This title is  a bit misleading, Jazzercise is not causing weight gain.  Just two things have come in my life lately, Jazzercise AND weight gain.

Well, maybe weight gain.  Unlike _ Leonie's recent post of clothes feeling looser (go Leonie!) mine are a smidge tighter. Well, I know why.

Lots of work.
Lots of stress with issues at home and business
Hot, hot flashes, menopause, cravings
Shoulder nerve acting up. Ouch, ick.
Eating to 'feel better'

Same old story. "Why oh why," she calls into the darkness, "do I turn to such a a devious traitor as food when I am in despair?"

Wow, rather dramatic.

But, good news:  I talked to the nurse at my dr office and am going in to see him about this hotflash nonsense. I am the type to 'tough thing out' and not take medications, hormones and the like. But this is ridiculous.

Also got a glowing recommendation for a chiropractor and like what I have heard so am going in for that this week, too. I think I have been carrying too much weight (pun intended) on my shoulders (another pun intended) and need to care better for myself. So hopefully two of my stresses will be helped.

Now for the Jazzercise part- I did this for several years several years ago. Went back to a fresh new place with new people and one friend I have known for years and had so much fun!  So I am excited to add that to my power-walking with Buddy. Nice, too, because it is very non judgemental there.. all shapes and sizes and it really is focused on fun but a good workout.

Eating- I am working really hard to put these habits in place.

I know is it habits, not a gimmick.  I know most importantly I need to give my body good things, nourishing things, especially at this age.

I am not giving up!

Two Big Bites

Last night I had two bites of Klondike Bars. Well, if each bite = one bar.. yes, I had two Klondike Bars.
But boy were they good.

I still feel ahead.  We had 2 weeks of active petsitting, so I was out and about a lot, plus walking Buddy.

Want to hear something annoying? My 21 year old son who is slim and trim decided to eat healthy just because he wants good stuff in his body.  He started and has never strayed.   Why are some people designed like that?

Meta Health and BBQ Potato Chips

Health depends on what we put in our bodies and how we treat our bodies.

I believe we often over look the connection between mind and body.  If you really think about it, our body exists to house our soul. Our soul is the essense of us, our humanity, our personality, our being.

If our mind is not at rest, our soul cannot be at rest. Our body cannot be at peace.

Why do we overeat? Why do we get pinched nerves? Why do we get ill? I think it is often because we abuse our body with the wrong food and lack of healthy movement, and also abuse it with stressful movement (or non-movement)

But, also if we are not calm in our mind, it is natural to overeat, to not be aware of our body's needs (rest, stretching, 2 hours on the couch reading Gone With the Wind, etc)

Today I have to pay bills. In fact I am supposed to be doing it now. My stomach started getting tight. My shoulders got tense. I hate doing this. So I made a decision.

Every time I pay bills I am going to plan out a session just for that.  Have a lovely cup of coffee.  Put on music I love. Relax, pray first and be in touch with my soul and my Creator. Every experience can be positive if we realize God knows about it all, about us, about our body, personality and soul.

And I won't go eat chips when I get stressed writing checks.  I hope.

Progress Reports, Two Bites, Scarlett OHara and My Personal Trainer

I figure my 100 days are up on August 24th.  Nice to know.

Ok my progress:

I am currently wearing a selection of my wardrobe that is high end.  High end not in price but in weight bearing, as I in that part of my closet affectionatly known as the chubby zone.

I can't gain any more weight because I really do not want to spend money on more chubby clothes.

The good news is... as I get fitter, my wardrobe grows. I literally am wearing about 10% of my clothes, due to the zones.  Ooh.. I have so many cute things I can't wait to get into.

Today I am wearing some khaki shorts that I could barely squeeze into May 26. Now the waistband is just a little tight and I could appear in publc with them. Well, at least the grocery store.

You know you need to get fit when you run out of clothes to go to the grocery store in.

So, progress is good.  I am slipping now and then but I took your 2-bite idea to heart, Leonie. In fact I am trying to eat a super healthy (and good but restrictive diet), so now everyday I PLAN a 2-bite experience.  "What will it be today?" I ask myself with anticipation! Last night it was Pepperidge farm Nantucket Choclocate Chip Cookies. Well, I had 2 cookies instead of 2 bites but what the heck.  They were awesome and I ate them while reading Gone With the Wind on the Couch- reading about Scarlett's 17 inch waist.  lol!

But seriously I am seeing some big changes in my life. I think the biggest was leaving my CollegePlus job. I was on the computer in my chair for hours and hours every day, then traveling and standing attending conventions.  It was very hard on my body. Even if I tried to stretch during my office days, I still was putting such stress on my shoulders and weight on my hips.

Now, working with my husband I am at the computer but also with dog sitting I am out and about.  What a great mix.

I also am working with my personal trainer every day, no matter what.  His name is Buddy and he keeps me on pace with my power walking.  This is us 'post-walk'.

I think also I am just aware I need to keep MOVING.  If I feel sluggish, I move. I am seeing elderly friends and family losing their mobility and am grateful so much for my health.

Ok, that is it. Slow but good and hope to report a new outfit fitting soon...

Dance Walking... let's start a revolution!

Ok, have you all seen this? I am SERIOUSLY thinking about getting a group of ladies together to dance walk in our stoic subdivision. How cool would that be?

Ever since I started listening to jivin music instead of podcast and lectures on my walks, I catch myself bopping and singing along the streets.  I can't help it. Would it not be so fun to get a group of ladies, and dance walk through the neighbohood?

What do you think?

Gotta watch this video.. you will smile and want to join me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib3Duz_6a9M

Hot, tired, hot and really hot

Summer is here and it is hot outside.  I am having to get up earlier to power walk with Buddy each morning, but I am doing it. He finally talked me into giving up the new gym membership I loved until I hurt myself in a boot camp class and started my shoulder trouble. Anyway, Buddy was right. Every morning we hit the road, me with my iHeart radio playing Temptations and assorted Happy Music, and Buddy, trotting along in doggy heaven...

But the heat is on.  Not only the hot weather but my hot flashes are absolutely incredible. I see now what  I have had on and off the last couple of years was just a preview.  I litereally will end up drenching with sweat, inside with the AC on.  Wow, the human body is amazing.

So... feeling overweight, hot flashes, hot weather, tons of work to do... this hill is steep.

But, I am proud of myself.  I am keeping perspecitve.  When I wake up in the morning I truly think of all I am thankful for, sometimes that is the fact my shoulder does not hurt as bad, or at all.  I have a lot to be thankful for and Buddy-walks are just part of it.

When it gets really hot and humid I think how thankful I am that it is because tons of people don't move to Houston due to that and it keeps our house prices low!  I could not afford our house in many areas of the country!  lol

So... hot, tired, but thankful.  Seize the day, enjoy the day. Know that God has a plan and it is the execution of it not getting to the goal.

Though I still would like to lose 25 pounds.  hee hee!

Onward with our 100 days of fitness!