I have started a few journals here in the past and then... like my diet and fitness plans.... I lose interest and they go by the wayside. Well, here I go again, but this time, I am trying to not "go on a diet", but make a deliberate effort to eat better and get more exercise. Let's see if I can't be a lot more consistant and work hard. Having some fun would be okay too! Wish I liked exercise more.... but there you have it.
This has been a "different" summer for me. Illness in the family (my dad has cancer), another family (Hurricane Rita refugees) living with us, both my sons in the military now and both in Germany..... Just lots of STUFF to deal with. Would love to say I made good food choices during all this and continued with a good wxercise program, but that would be a lie. So...... here I am again..... getting back with good habits.
I have wanted to join the Tues night chat group for weeks now, but it never fails that we have company that shows up or the computer goes down or SOMETHING..... but I hope to make it again - someday!!!
To get started, I am just taking little baby steps and trying to remind myself that it doesn't matter where I am at the stage now, but rather..... where I intend to end up!
Okay.... a houseful of golfers just walked in so I need to go.... later.
Erin

Erin,

hey there, great to see you back. Sorry about all the struggles that you all have had in the last 6 months or so.

It is just great to see you and I look forward to walking towards that victory line with you!!!

so nice to see your name here again. WELCOME BACK!

Sun morn..
Hello Crazy and Judith.... so good to see both of you too!
Just got off 20 min on the elliptical. It was so hard! Wow.... got to get back into the exercise thing. I have been in the pool alot, but, sometimes my "in the pool" is not exactly hard exercise, LOL. I am going to make a concious effort of 10 minutes of hard kicking before I grab the raft and drift away. Maybe 3 sessions of hard kicking each time in the pool... total of 30 min is what my plan needs to be. I would like to do that maybe every other day or so. Haven't been to the gym since April. Just pay my dues... I get my exercise writing the check each month... ugh! Hubby and I went for a walk last night. The humidity was so thick you could cut it! We had gone maybe 10 min and the back of my shirt was soaked, not from sweat, but just from the moisture in the air. The bugs were out and we cut the walk short. It was quite uncomfortable. Total of a 3 mile walk at most. The plan had been for 7 miles... so we didn't do to well! It is in the mid 90's here during the day... with the heat index, well over 100.... at night it drops to high 80's or so, but the humidity is unbearable! Yes, I am a wuss!
Tess... I got your p.m..... nice to hear from you! I am trying to keep the calories down and the exercise up. If I can keep calories betwen 1000 and 1400 I feel like I have done well. The big issue for me seems to be "mindless snacking" and I am trying to stay aware of what I am shoving into my mouth.This is has been such a strange summer, but now everything is back to normal so I need to GET IN GEAR AND UNDO THE DAMAGE THAT I HAVE DONE.
Hubby is being supportive, so I am lucky there. He leaves in 2 weeks to climb Mt Ranier ( I think thats the name of it... in Washington), so he is working out on the elliptical daily now... he has been for a couple of months now. Last night he did 78 min at level 20 wearing a 40 pound back pack..... I was exhausted just watching him!!!! LOL He has really been training hard, but there is no way here in Houston at basically sea level that he can train for hiking in high altitude air. I am a little concerned about that part of it. He is going with a friend... his friend was in the Olympics 3 times and is 30 yrs younger... I will be a bit nervous until it is all over!
Plan to play in the pool later today when the sun goes down a bit... Having a crab boil for dinner later... all good!
Erin

Eball, I don't think you are being a wimp about the weather at all. LOL, if I lived there I just wouldn't go outside all summer!!!

Hope to meet up soon and get in a chat.

Take care.

It is good to see you posting again.

I agree with you about the weather. I sweat a lot her in Texas. We go to South Padre Island every week-end where it is about 10 degrees cooler.

Carol

heat and humidity, i live with it too. When it comes to be Dec. and i am still in shorts during the day( by evening it cools off) i remember why i love living here. Summers are a killer though!

Went to the gym today... was motivated by writing in THIS JOURNAL! that I haven't been in months.... so, this morning I went. I worked out on the machines for an hour and then did an easy 15 min on the exerbike. Came home, ate a huge salad and now am drinking a big lemonade (Crystal light). Feeling quite smug, I guess. LOL
I don't have any real plan of attack here... just to be accountable I guess for my exercise and my eating. Have to admit I had one small glass of wine last night, but I feel good about it cause I DID stop at the one! Improvement for me! I am eating lots of homemade broth based soups and that fills me up, so THATS GOOD! Ha ha. For some reason, I am bored with fruit right now! I think when I go to the store next... I will buy fruits that I don't normally eat. Just need a change I guess.
My motivation level is high
Energy level.... hmmmm.... so so
Determination.... good!

I have decided that Tuesdays are officially my "day off" of exercise. That being said... I hope maybe to take the dogs for a more and longer walks today. I just feel I need a break for worrying about getting in a workout one day a week. Not that my workouts are real tough tho! LOL
A bit cooler today.. with the heat index... should feel like a 100 or so. Still hot. May float around in the pool after 4... when the sun goes down. The water in the pool tho is too warm... not refreshing at all. Anything else I can complain about???? I am sure I will come up with something.
Babysitting a friends dog for 2 weeks as of today. She is sweet (a Maltese) and gets along well with mine, so for now, I have 4 dogs! My friends are going to Ireland and England. I am jealous cause its not hot there! The extra dog will insure that I get out and walk more... thats a good thing.
I plan on making a batch of soup for lunch today and it will be enough for at least 3 meals I think. Planning on salad for supper with smoked turkey on top. Flax seed oil with balsamic vinegar for dressing. Sometimes I whip in a little creamy horseradish for an extra zing.

That soup sounds just terrific Eball. I always love your creations.

Hope you can find timeout from your dogs to chat tonight. I am looking forward to it.

There are 2 schools of thought about exercise. One says that you must exercise continuously for at least 20 at a time (preferably more) to really do any good. Lately, I have read another belief that little exercise segments of 10 min or so thruought the day will do just as much good. Not sure which is true or if there is a dif as far as strictly buring calories goes. Today, is is easier for me to get on the elliptical for 12 -15 min at a time and then get off. I have done 3 "sessions" this way and feel good about it... I think! I hope to have 2 or 3 more sessions like this today and then that will give me around 75 min of exercise. I am burning about 130 cal with each session according to the machine ... not sure if that is real accurate, but it sure does sound good!
Was in the Tues night chat last night and really enjoyed that. It sure helps to know that others struggle too. Misery loves company I guess! LOL
I was a little high on the calories yesterday, so I am trying to be conscious of staying low today, so that it will average itself out... at least in mind it will! Yesterday was right at 1500 or so and I hope to end today around 1200 or 1250. The scales depress me, so I am trying to not think about them just yet.
Last night in the chat someone mentioned what is needed to be successful..... must keep my DISCIPLINE up. That is where I continue to fall down. But as long as I continue to get up and go again.... I feel good.

Another good day... wow... that is 7 in a row! I like it. Today was pretty much a repeat of yesterday. I got on the elliptical a total of 4 times and each time went for 15 min at level 3. This evening I got in the pool and spashed around a bit, but no workout . got on Fitday and tracked my calories and I think they were around 1300. Not sure really. I had a big tossed salad with chicken for lunch and wasn't too sure how to deal with that! I think I was pretty close. I called it 3 cups of mixed greens, one cup of chicken and added 1 T of flaxseed oil. Don't think vinegar has calories.. guess I should have looked that up! All in all, a good day. Drank lots of tea. Tomorrow, I go to the gym. Went to the grocery store today, so I have my meals for tomorrow planned out in my head. At least its a start. Motivation is high today.

Hiya eball!

I like how you said about your journal motivating you to go to the gym... I totally see where you're coming from! It had been over 5 months since I used my treadmill, let alone even look at it. But once I started journaling here and saw everybody else's exercise in their journals, I wanted some too!

You sound like you're off to a good start... keep it !

7 DAYS!!!!!

That is just terrific, eball, Keep up the good work!!!

Went to the gym this a.m. and got in a decent workout... not great, but decent. Came home and had a huge salad ( way too much but I ate it all!) and am planning on soup for supper with a glass of wine. I WANT A GLASS OF WINE, so I am going to have ONE SMALL glass@! I have done mindless snacking again today.. it was dried fruit, but still.... I read the bag and it says it has added sugar!!!! Ugh. Haven't had near enough water today.. not even close! Jeesh!
Blueroses..... isn't it pitiful that we get into the routine of writing thata check and then not going! I didn't realize how long it had been until I wrote it down here!
Crazy.... I am going to call this 8 days in a row now... even tho this day hasn't been super duper! BUT..... I DID go to the gym and I AM going to be within my calories for the day (altho it will be on the high side! )
No big plans for the weekend. May break the shrink wrap of some of my MANY dvd exercise tapes that I have bought and never even opened. Ugh.

Hey Eball,

Thanks for the chat, it was so nice.

I think that you definitely need to count it as 8 days, since your ab muscles are definitely complaining, lol. And now you swam today too, so it sounds like 9 to me!!!

We are getting back in gear here!!!

Yesterday was a good day... food on track and did lots of short duration workouts. The best was 25 min on elliptical and then did some 20 min sessions on exerbike. Went to bed hungry... don't like that! Ate supper way too early I think. Still drinking my morning coffee, but after coffee is granola and then off to the gym. Hope to have a really good workout there. Still a bit sore from last Friday, so I may go easy on the weights and just do an extra rep or something. Want to be there for awhile, so will try to pace myself. August is almost over... where is the cool weather????

Hey Texas girl!!!

Wow, the exercise is sounding just terrific, good for you!!! Have you checked your measurements this time? Don't want to lose credit for all those inches that are falling off!!!

Take care.

Very sore today... VERY. Did a video tape yesterday and will do it again today, but it has made my thighs scream! It is called slim in 6 and it is a series I bought thru an infomercial. Yesterday was day 1. It had lots of lunges in it and my thighs are NOT happy this morning. I am walking around here like an old woman. It said the hardest thing about the program was to stick with it. So that is what I have to do . but... wow... I hurt today! Yesterday I went to gym, did the dvd and then last night walked for 30 min with hubby until the mosquitoes tried to carry us away. WE decided to stop.
Today will be kick around/play in pool and do the dvd. Eating yesterday was good. Don't have anything really planned today, but I will come up with something. Have stuff for salad, soup, frozen Healthy Choice items..... just have to decide. Breakfast will be granola. I am on a granola kick. I eat 1/2 cup with 1/3 c 2% milk. Its around 265 cal, so I consider that a good thing!! Have to remember chat tonight! I need it. I feel worn out.

Walked out my sore legs and did day 2 of the video... no problem! I was very happy with that... I even did the 10 min stretch warm up that it recommends before you get into the action workout. Didn't do that yesterday... first of all I didn't know I was supposed to as it is not in order on the dvd ( amazing what u find out if you slow down long enough to read the the little pamphlets that were included) and also I had just come from gym and felt that I was pretty well limbered up already!!! Anyway... today was much better and I feel pretty good. Plan on going out to the pool and Play/Kick around for a bit. Just had my mid afternoon dried fruit snack. I measured out 1/4 c and put the rest away so I would not munch as I usually do. Have a veggie soup in the making for supper. So far today, calories are around 600 so I am doing good. My energy level is better, attitude is better, all is well. Other that the tape, I haven't done much todya in the way of 'MOVEMENT' so need to work on that in the pool.

Hi you. At chat I said I'd stop by your journal....So here I am a-stoppin'!

Sounds like you've got a real good momentum going! I would love it if you would pass on some of your recipes. Especially for soup. It's my favorite thing to eat. And I've never tried flax seed oil...I'm gonna pick some up on my next trip to get groceries.

Keep it up...you're on your way!

Eball,

Wow, that sounds like an amazing workout you are getting with your DVD. Hope it continues to inspire you!!!

woke up tired and grumpy and sore again. May change the plan on the dvd. It "suggests" going to the next level on day 3, but I don't feel I am ready for that. I may take a break today (to let the sore muscles relax) and then wed - sat... keep doing the lower level workout. Next Monday start up for real.... I guess this week is just my practice run, so instead of it being a 6 week program, I am turning it into a 7 week. Thats okay by me. I don't like the feeling I have right now. Am still doing gym, elliptical, swimming... all that stuff... not on same day! The lunges and squats on the video are just really hard for me. I watched the dvd play thru the first 15 min of the next tape that I am supposed to progress to today.... more of same except harder, faster, deeper, and then some totally new moves. ugh. Am expecting a maid service company rep to come to the house in 30 min or so to give me a price on house cleaning.. after she leaves I may go play around in the pool That always makes me feel better.

Taking the day off was a good idea... i took a nap earlier and slept for almost 2 hours! I was really tired. Played around in the pool a bit and may do it again. Just playing tho... no true workout. My eating was good... no problems with that. Probably not enough water... slept too much.... lol. This was not in the plans to take today off from exercising.... but my body demanded it. I don't even feel guilty about it as I now feel SO MUCH better than I did this morning! Have to remember that I am trying to make this a forever lifestyle change and not just a "quick fix for an upcoming event". Even tho there is an upcoming event! LOL.

Had a good day eating wise... soups and salads pretty much for the entire day. I worked out 3 dif times on the elliptical. Phone kept ringing and I would get involved in a problem with a rent house.... everything was a crisis...FOR THE TENANT!!! One tenant was upset that I wouldn't pay for a professional exterminator to come out and defog his yard for mosquitoes..... ugh. Anyway, after 3 tries on the elliptical, I have called it a day. When I added up all the dif times I was on machine.. they total to 38 min, so I guess I did okay. Tomorrow is another day. Hubby left for Seattle this morning, so I am on my own!!! Look out.

Just got back from 2 hrs at the gym!!! Yipee. Feeling good today. Having some Asian slaw for lunch with fajita chicken on top.... sounds gross but it is really good. I am a happy girl. My arms are really sore... guess I used muscles that aren't used to it! I did lots of machines today that I have never tried before. There are still tons there that I have yet to use! But I think I have all the muscle groups covered by the ones that I am using!! Will Get in the pool after sun goes down and play around. The weather is A LITTLE bit cooler. This morning when I got up it was only 75 and today the high will get to 93. That's better than it has been. Hubby called from Seattle to tell it was 65 there. I told him I hated him. The dogs are all behaving today, so no doggicide thoughts going on anymore.

hey eball...remember me...meesh??? i was just chatting with crazy (Nancy) and was asking if she's chatted with you lately!!! hows things in good old texas going? i hope all is well. hope to catch you sometime soon in the chatroom...i miss all our old chats!

Meesh

Wow Erin,
Sounds like you have had some awesome workouts this week. Those muscles will be bulging soon, lol. Inches just a droppin' off!!!

Meesh... of course I remember you! So good to see you again. Wow
Crazy... don't go patting me on the back just yet... I sort of fell off the exercise wagon this weekend. My eating was fine, but no exercise to speak of. Ugh. Woke up with a sinus headache, so not sure how this day will go, but I am not going to stress over it. Didn't make the best choice in my breakfast a little while ago, so I need to keep paying attention to little things today. I am cranky and just want to go back to bed.

Eball, don't worry, celebrate your successes, don't beat yourself up over the slips and take it a day, even a moment, at a time.

Hey Erin,

How is your head feeling today?

We missed you last night, hope everything is alright.

No Stinkin' Thinkin'!

OK, I am back, looking for that little Texan!!! Where is she!!!

Been missing in action for a long time, it seems! Doing okay... lots of room for improvement. Can't seem to get rid of company! Different people every few days seem to be descending upon me! LOL. Not making good food choices.... at all! Need to work on that. My exercise is nonexistent. I guess, overall,.... I AIN'T DOING TOO GOOD, BUT AM WORKING ON IT.
Contractors here all day replacing carpet, getting a chemical peel in a couple of hours... a bit nervous about that. I have done it beofre so I know it won't be bad. A very LIGHT peel. Working on dif rent houses this week... does that count as exercise??? It wears me out, I know that! Temp is still in the 90's during the day, but it gets to high 60's at night... at least that is what the weatherman says.. I have my doubts. I was up at 6 a.m. and it was 74.... thats not hi 60's! Was shopping a lot last week and this week. Mainly stuff for the house, but it was fun.... bought a 6 ft diameter round rug for my bath... its looks awesome. Bought a bunch of new makeup... new line for me...M A C. I think I like it.... have to get used to it.
Okay.... now my journal is all caught up.... thanks Nancy for not giving up on me.

Hi Erin
Come on back to chat I'd love to get another morning chat going. I check and chat almost every morning since coming back last week. Wow your always shopping. I hate shopping with a passion. Maybe because I don't like my money to leave me. LOL.

Hey Erin,

LOL, we kept missing each other this morning. You were in chat, then I came later. While there I posted in my journal and now I see you posted after, LOL.

Well, at least we are both around and keeping an eye on each other.

Hope you have a good day today.

Nice chatting with you this morning Erin.

ALERT!!!

Looking for Erin, also known as eball!!!!

Come back!!! Missing you!!!