10.25.15 "Random Acts of Fitness"

"Random Acts of Fitness" ... this is what the WW Leader said on Saturday that stuck with me after leaving the meeting.  Yup, I've recommitted to my 'plan' and part of that means accountability and transparency.  Not only will I periodically share when, where or what I'm doing to improve my health ... I'm also going to be honest about what's on my plate.  Last year, I would take pictures of some of my meals and share them in My Food Diary, now I'll be sharing what's on my plate even when I don't have pictures (cue the band).

I've heard myself say to others the many reasons I CAN'T do certain physical activity, so now I'm going to switch my self-talk and focus on those activities I CAN do.

I've got some goals I can work toward:  Looking sexy by Dec. 5th for a holiday party (I'm singing with a band) and going on my very first cruise June 2016 (got my fingers crossed on that one, cause our finances are not in agreement with that plan right now) and winding up to my retirement (insert the dancing emoji)!  In looking back over my blogs I came across some really great words of encouragement and I hope they encourage YOU as well.

Now … let me share with you a little bit of advice for YOUR lifestyle journey if you’re like me (over 50 and dealing with after-effects of your cancer treatments) or if you just need a little bit of encouragement.  We already have a lot of challenges going on, add to it that statistically as we get older it gets more challenging to lose weight after it's gained.  But always remember to move as much as possible, any activity is better than no activity.  Check with area churches, community centers and recreational facilities for FREE or low cost classes.  Learn how to skate, join a dance class (Zumba, Salsa and Belly-dancing are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!), create a home-gym out of things already in your home, little-by-little begin to swap not-so-healthy items for healthier choices, prepare more of your own meals (healthier and saves money), get a group of friends (or a friend) and do it together ... nothing like a friendly competition to keep things going.  Instead of going out for fast-food meal, go out for a short walk or invite friends over and pop in a work-out DVD.  Whatever you decide to do ... don't get discouraged, take your time and just strive to live a healthier life.
Every day is a new day. Never give up.  

Saturday was the beginning of my WW week, so in the words of JB Bryan "LET'S GO"!!!!!

Going Through ...

Haven't posted here in a minute ... quite a bit has been going on in my life.
Some days I just want to crawl in the recliner and stay there, buried under my Snuggie, surrounded by my pillows, some music playing softly while watching one of my (few) favorite shows.

I'm tired.  My body is tired.  My mind is tired.  I feel as if my spirit has taken a real beating and I'm finding it harder to bounce back.

Celebrating Beyond Boobs! and the 2016 Calendar to Live By

It was this weekend in September 2011, I was 'crowned' Ms. February 2012. Myself along with 11 other Awesome Survivors began our reign as Breast Health Ambassadors, an honor we will carry forever. I take this moment to now honor our 2016 "A Calendar to Live By" models who will grace the stage on Sept. 19th, as they continue the legacy of Beyond Boobs! educating, empowering and encouraging others along the way. 
Living Life with an Exclamation Point, not a Period.
Live, Love, Laugh ♥ ♥ ♥

beyondboobs! Not Your Typical Support Group

#TBT 2011 Beyond Boobs!

Starting all over again is gonna be rough ...

The lyrics of that old song run through my head as I look back over my weight loss diaries (yes ... plural) and I contemplate the latest health challenges, new meds and everything else going on in my life right now.  Some days I feel so overwhelmed and just want to hide under the comforter, but ... I get up, meditate, hit Facebook for some inspiration and go on from there.  Many times I end up just looking at old photos, reliving good times, missing those who have gone on ... a tear escapes ...  a deep sigh and I turn to Stevie (Wonder) for comfort.

I invested in this Chair Gym, an aerobic step an Instride mini-cycle and some small hand weights in hopes of continuing a semblance of physical activity.  Luckily the chair gym came with a 'twister' and I L-O-V-E IT!  When I can't do anything else, I can step on that thingy and twist away my frustrations.  The mini-cycle is good because I can sit in the chair gym and pedal.  I haven't been able to use my hand weights or the pulleys on the chair gym because of issues with both arms (sigh).  Not going to let it get me down though, gonna keep pressing forward.

Had to DRASTICALLY alter my eating because of a new medication I had to start.  That had it ups-n-downs.  The meds didn't work however, I lost weight during the 7 days sooooooooooo. :o)
Thinking about trying to hang on to the some of the new way of eating, but I miss certain pleasures ... a lot.  I don't see how some people can deprive themselves of things they enjoy.  I'm going to slowly re-introduce some stuff, cause I don't like feeling deprived.

Promised myself this would be the year I start focusing more on me and leaving unnecessary things behind.  I'm growing more spiritually, turning away naysayers, surrounding myself with positive, spirit-filled, spirit-driven people and making sure I kiss my hubby every day.

Now if I can just get these new health issues under control ....

Weigh-In Day 07.30.14

Current Weight Loss: WW=14lbs/MFP=16lbs   Goal Weight Loss: 50lbs  

It’s the day after my WW weigh-in day (reached my first goal weight!!) and I’m still trying to decide if I want to bore you with the details of my journey on a daily or weekly basis.  :o)  I’ve made an extra effort to be more active, instead just collapsing in the recliner after a long day (sigh). This past week I re-introduced myself to the 31 day squat challenge (I’m on Day 5) thanks to my niece in California (The internet and Facebook can be wonderful tools when used for good.). Also, I’ve saved a few Youtube videos from Beautiful Brown Baby’s collection to help keep my work-outs interesting.  One week until my vacation and I’m planning to hit water aerobics M-W-F and do 30 minutes of cardio on the Nu-step at least 5 days of that week.  I’ll manage to saunter over to the strength training side for some light upper-body work to finish things off.

My biggest obstacles this past week were my body hurting from trying to test out new exercises and trying to get enough rest.  Seems like since finishing my treatments for TNBC, trying to get back on track has been a major undertaking.  Something seems to always happen to halt my progress or seriously slow me down.  Trying to be extra careful NOT to fall into that pit, so I’m listening to my body more and making adjustments as needed. 
It really felt good to reach my first goal weight and has given  me an extra boost of motivation. :o)  I also started tracking my measurements last week and am still scanning my old clothes to see what I’d like to use as my inspiration.  I think I may go with the bathing suit that has a really cute animal print up top. ;o>  The squat challenge has given me a few creaks-n-cracks, but I’m breaking them up into morning squats and evening squats to get in the days challenge.  So far, so good. 


These last few weeks have also been a time of trimming in my life as well.  I’ve started making some hard choices and shedding a lot of stressful commitments.  When something I love to do becomes more of chore to do it … it’s time for something to be cut.  During my vacation I plan to clear my office as well as clear my head of all clutter.  I will practice focusing on only a few projects and giving them 100% of my attention and best efforts. 

Now … let me share with you a little bit of advice for YOUR lifestyle journey if you’re like me (over 50 and dealing with after-effect of your cancer treatments) or if you just need a little bit of encouragement.  We already have a lot of challenges going on, add to it that statistically as we get older it gets more challenging to lose weight after it's gained.  But always remember to move as much as possible, any activity is better than no activity.  Check with area churches, community centers and recreational facilities for FREE or low cost classes.  Learn how to skate, join a dance class (Zumba, Salsa and Belly-dancing are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!), create a home-gym out of things already in your home, little-by-little begin to swap not-so-healthy items for healthier choices, prepare more of your own meals (healthier and saves money), get a group of friends (or a friend) and do it together ... nothing like a friendly competition to keep things going.  Instead of going out for fast-food meal, go out for a short walk or invite friends over and pop in a work-out DVD.  Whatever you decide to do ... don't get discouraged, take your time and just strive to live a healthier life.

Every day is a new day. Never give up.  

Rainy Day ...

I'm discovering that my body can't handle daily workouts like it used to ... extremely achey today.  Don't know if some of that can be attributed to the rain, all I know is I'm hurting.  Couldn't workout this morning, so I'll walk with Sansone tonight.  Fell way below my caloric intake yesterday and was not happy with that ... think it was all the salad and veggies instead real meat-n-stuff.  I at least want to meet my caloric intake for the day, cause I don't want my body to adjust to a low amount of calories then kick me when I do eat my calories. 

My vacation starts in two weeks ... I have never been so ready to mentally shutdown.

Keep it Moving ...

Didn’t get a chance to put my thoughts down yesterday, so here we are on this lovely Saturday morning, sipping a cup of coffee after a morning meditation, thinking about the day ahead … and GO.  :o)

I’m making a more conscious effort to walk with perfect posture, shoulders high, back straight and keeping the tummy tight while doing every day stuff.  I’ve noticed I slouch when I sit … gotta keep working on that one.

On Thursday we celebrated National Strawberry Sundae Day at work (we do a fun celebration every month that seems to center around food) and I signed up to bring strawberries and shortcakes.  I knew it was going to be difficult because I love Strawberry Shortcake or will try anything involving a sweet strawberry.  Walked into the room and there it was … a table filled with various cakes, ice cream, toppings and the star of the show … strawberries.   Here’s where I took that deep sigh as if preparing to walk the green mile, headed to the table and only picked up strawberries (one dish was with syrup and one without, I chose the without), YAY ME!.

After facing that challenge I found myself watching Zumba videos for the rest of my break, trying to prepare myself for what was to come (cue suspense music) and persuade myself NOT to head home.  The gym bag was sitting beside my desk, watching me and patiently waiting for me to make a decision.  In my mind, the Zumba videos were making my body ache, but I told myself I was going to see it through. 

Well … THUMBS UP to the instructor (Sherica), she was really good!  I had to pace myself, drink a lot of water and take a few breaks but I made it through (“Turned Up for What” is now my earworm).  And a big THANK YOU to Carolyn “Cookie” Gregory for adding to my line dance repertoire!  Have to say I’m not sure if I’ll do it again anytime soon, because it took too much out of me and left me sore.  As I mentioned previously, I don’t want to do anything that’s going to cause me unnecessary pain as that will prevent from doing other work-outs and that’s not what I want.  But I will slip back in there in the future. :o)   

I was too sore (from Zumba) to work-out Friday morning, so I had to make sure I got in my activity before going to bed.  Saw my cardiologist yesterday and he was pleased with my progress and gave me a wonderful pep talk. :0)  Made some adjustments on my ‘myfitnesspal’ profile to keep up with my goals and start tracking my measurements … of course checked in on my WW page.  The next challenge will be a motivator I used in the past … picking out a dress/outfit (from my closet) that I want to fit into.  Don’t know if I’ll post pictures, but I will be taking pictures … perhaps I’ll post them in the end … I have to think hard on that one.  We’ll see.  In the meantime, here are some pictures from our sundae day and my earworm. 

While you’re making your moves today, let one of them be making someone smile.  Moving forward in faith!   

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox