When you are working towards a goal being good means sticking to the plans and keeping your nose to the grindstone.
Why does indulging always feel like you’re being bad? Is it old guilt trips from our parents, or is it our own feelings? It could be a combination of both. It could also be good old fashion American puritanical ideals. That being idea that when we have rich foods or a treat we are being bad.
It’s true we shouldn’t just reward ourselves with calorie laden goodies. If we deny ourselves too much we can end up binging as well. So what is the happy medium? How can we keep up with our goals and reach them, without getting there and then eating up a storm after losing weight.
Keeping active has been the key for me, not that I am obsessed with working out to just burn calories. I have been doing my belly dancing which is fun and makes me feel good. As a great out side benefit I have been losing weight.
We are being good when we make wise food choices and keep active. Once we try to put a lot of labels on it, then it can take away our sprite to keep trying.
Also we need to keep telling our friends when they are doing good and they are ‘being good’ with their goals. If we need to hear it, then so do they. It all helps out.
Have I been good? I have, with keeping active, not gaining any weight back and not binging on treats. Feeling better about my health has been its own reward. Everything else is…..well the icing on the cake. That I’m not eating.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Week 8
Yes, I am right in the middle of my 12 week program. I am counting down to the last week which will be week 1.
In the last few weeks things have been working well. I have been losing an average of two pounds per week. Never being one to whine endlessly, I started this before I told anyone about it.
Being strict with what I eat has not been easy. Some days and this week, I have had to indulge in a few carbs. If I don’t it will bother me too much and I will over indulge later. I made sure to keep the portions low, and not keep eating. Also making sure to keep up with supplements and drinking plenty of water.
The exercise has been coming along well. Already I am used to practicing for upcoming dances. I still have a performance to get ready for, and last week I was able to substitute for my belly dancing teacher when she needed the night off. That was change and gave me a new reason to keep going.
This week the reason to keep going is the countdown to my dance. It will again be at the Coffee Haven in Long Beach on the 27th of this month. For that evening I will be in a different costume that usual. At Cairo Caravan I picked up some new outfits, none of which I have used in an act yet, though I have used some of them in everyday life. It helps to have something different to wear that no one else has. Another challenge for this act will be dancing in heels something I have never done.
With all this it may seem easy to get going and some days it is. Others I really have to push myself to practice before work. In that I am really lucky, I have a job that starts late and I have time to dance and exercise before going into my office.
Keeping up with my routine is not just important for me, but others around me. If I am off my game the office, and the house all suffer. While that is a good thing, it can also seem like I can’t ever just be lazy and just say, “never mind”. It does make it demanding for me. I can honestly say, sometimes I feel like I am drowning in my own schedule, it passes. Once I get through the day and look back at all I was able to get done I feel so much better.
Karl Lagerfeild works so hard “To show the others how worthless they are.”
Working hard has its own rewards; I do not want to show others they are worthless, I just feel it’s better to lead by example. When I’m on my game others around me may be encouraged to do the same.
In the last few weeks things have been working well. I have been losing an average of two pounds per week. Never being one to whine endlessly, I started this before I told anyone about it.
Being strict with what I eat has not been easy. Some days and this week, I have had to indulge in a few carbs. If I don’t it will bother me too much and I will over indulge later. I made sure to keep the portions low, and not keep eating. Also making sure to keep up with supplements and drinking plenty of water.
The exercise has been coming along well. Already I am used to practicing for upcoming dances. I still have a performance to get ready for, and last week I was able to substitute for my belly dancing teacher when she needed the night off. That was change and gave me a new reason to keep going.
This week the reason to keep going is the countdown to my dance. It will again be at the Coffee Haven in Long Beach on the 27th of this month. For that evening I will be in a different costume that usual. At Cairo Caravan I picked up some new outfits, none of which I have used in an act yet, though I have used some of them in everyday life. It helps to have something different to wear that no one else has. Another challenge for this act will be dancing in heels something I have never done.
With all this it may seem easy to get going and some days it is. Others I really have to push myself to practice before work. In that I am really lucky, I have a job that starts late and I have time to dance and exercise before going into my office.
Keeping up with my routine is not just important for me, but others around me. If I am off my game the office, and the house all suffer. While that is a good thing, it can also seem like I can’t ever just be lazy and just say, “never mind”. It does make it demanding for me. I can honestly say, sometimes I feel like I am drowning in my own schedule, it passes. Once I get through the day and look back at all I was able to get done I feel so much better.
Karl Lagerfeild works so hard “To show the others how worthless they are.”
Working hard has its own rewards; I do not want to show others they are worthless, I just feel it’s better to lead by example. When I’m on my game others around me may be encouraged to do the same.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Keeping up
All my life I have been smaller. I was the smallest one in Kindergarten. It has never bothered me. Sure I need help getting things down off the top shelf at the super market. I have been known to climb up the shelves on occasions.
When it came to running for PE classes, I was a good sprinter, but it was harder for me to keep up with the others. They had longer strides and I never really did well in long distance running. I did run after school to keep my weight down. My mother and sister were always on me about my weight.
My sister is much taller and had a long stride. She would have been great in track and field. It was hard for me to keep up with her when we walked home from school since my legs just didn’t reach that far in one step. People that are taller soon realize, around me smaller steps. Otherwise I’m puffing to keep up with them and it takes me two steps to their one.
With my new exercise routine it’s not easy to keep up all the time. Today I will be teaching a belly dance class. I will be subbing for my teacher and that has helped me to keep going this week, I have been really tired. Yes, I take vitamins and then work out. The two together makes all the difference.
I am doing all this for myself and for my overall health. When I was working hard to please my family it worked for a while. The motivation was really fear, the fear of being called fat and looked down by them. It was too negative to keep up. In the end they were never pleased and I gave up. I would never hear my mother say I looked pretty or slim. She would always say I needed to lose more weight, even at a size 4 she said that.
At my age I have more realistic goals. I will never again be a size 4 and I only got there by hardly eating and it wasn’t healthy. If I can lose enough to be healthy I will be happy. I have old clothes I can almost get back into. That would be great. Keeping up with a healthy life style won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.
When it came to running for PE classes, I was a good sprinter, but it was harder for me to keep up with the others. They had longer strides and I never really did well in long distance running. I did run after school to keep my weight down. My mother and sister were always on me about my weight.
My sister is much taller and had a long stride. She would have been great in track and field. It was hard for me to keep up with her when we walked home from school since my legs just didn’t reach that far in one step. People that are taller soon realize, around me smaller steps. Otherwise I’m puffing to keep up with them and it takes me two steps to their one.
With my new exercise routine it’s not easy to keep up all the time. Today I will be teaching a belly dance class. I will be subbing for my teacher and that has helped me to keep going this week, I have been really tired. Yes, I take vitamins and then work out. The two together makes all the difference.
I am doing all this for myself and for my overall health. When I was working hard to please my family it worked for a while. The motivation was really fear, the fear of being called fat and looked down by them. It was too negative to keep up. In the end they were never pleased and I gave up. I would never hear my mother say I looked pretty or slim. She would always say I needed to lose more weight, even at a size 4 she said that.
At my age I have more realistic goals. I will never again be a size 4 and I only got there by hardly eating and it wasn’t healthy. If I can lose enough to be healthy I will be happy. I have old clothes I can almost get back into. That would be great. Keeping up with a healthy life style won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Planning
In the next few weeks I am planning on having another performance at Coffee Haven in Long Beach. As it turned out I was able to have a private session with my teacher and friend. She gave me tons of help to smooth out things in my routine.
I was so grateful to have some help. Not one to shy away from help in my dancing. Some never want instruction in their exercise routines and want to do it all themselves. I have found they are also people that never make any progress. I have a friend, I hadn’t talked to her in a year and we had the same conversation as the last year. I like getting correction in my Pilates class, just as I had enjoyed instruction in my ballet classes. She chafed at that kind of direct attention, she was still complaining about not losing weight while I had lost some weight and was feeling better.
I know, she could not see the connection of getting instruction and correction and progress. If she did accept help, maybe she would be doing her exercise correctly and getting the benefit from it. Needless to say, I have not brought up the subject to her since then.
In the last two weeks I have lost 6 pounds, yes I am very proud of that. Most of it had to do with getting ready for my performance last Sunday. I was going a lot of drum solo work, and it really helped to charge up my work out.
In planning for my next dances, I can see the format will not be as rigorous. Still trying to keep my goal in mind, I am still working out with the drum solo CD. The other part is diet. During the past few months I have changed a lot in that department, and just added the faster pace of the dance work out has made a big difference.
Why all this talk of dancing on my Surf blog? I have not made much progress in my surfing since I have been out of shape and very heavy in the middle. The more I loose on dry land the better I will be in the water. It will help me to float better and be more flexible to pop up on my board.
I had a long road to go on when I first started surfing again. Really I should have done all this work first then gotten back on the board. It was a bit premature. After getting out there and being winded I realized just how much work I was going to have to do. Surfing and ballet are things I really love. In order to get back to these activities I need to be much slimmer, which is why I spend all this effort to lose weight.
Sure it may seem like a long detour, but I still know what goal I am working towards. I am still planning on getting back on my board. It’s not all planning, it’s doing.
I was so grateful to have some help. Not one to shy away from help in my dancing. Some never want instruction in their exercise routines and want to do it all themselves. I have found they are also people that never make any progress. I have a friend, I hadn’t talked to her in a year and we had the same conversation as the last year. I like getting correction in my Pilates class, just as I had enjoyed instruction in my ballet classes. She chafed at that kind of direct attention, she was still complaining about not losing weight while I had lost some weight and was feeling better.
I know, she could not see the connection of getting instruction and correction and progress. If she did accept help, maybe she would be doing her exercise correctly and getting the benefit from it. Needless to say, I have not brought up the subject to her since then.
In the last two weeks I have lost 6 pounds, yes I am very proud of that. Most of it had to do with getting ready for my performance last Sunday. I was going a lot of drum solo work, and it really helped to charge up my work out.
In planning for my next dances, I can see the format will not be as rigorous. Still trying to keep my goal in mind, I am still working out with the drum solo CD. The other part is diet. During the past few months I have changed a lot in that department, and just added the faster pace of the dance work out has made a big difference.
Why all this talk of dancing on my Surf blog? I have not made much progress in my surfing since I have been out of shape and very heavy in the middle. The more I loose on dry land the better I will be in the water. It will help me to float better and be more flexible to pop up on my board.
I had a long road to go on when I first started surfing again. Really I should have done all this work first then gotten back on the board. It was a bit premature. After getting out there and being winded I realized just how much work I was going to have to do. Surfing and ballet are things I really love. In order to get back to these activities I need to be much slimmer, which is why I spend all this effort to lose weight.
Sure it may seem like a long detour, but I still know what goal I am working towards. I am still planning on getting back on my board. It’s not all planning, it’s doing.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
12 Weeks
In the last year I have talked about my goals to lose weight. I was disappointed that I wasn’t at my goal this summer.
In truth the real spark has been some photo’s I took a while ago. While I have made some progress and belly dancing has helped me so much. The photos seemed to take back all the progress I have made. I did a few things, first: I visited the “Self’ website, they have these great calculators that show you how many calories you can burn with 30 or 60 minutes of some type of exercise. Second: I have my numbers posted in my bathroom at my office.
Rather than complain endlessly about what I look like, I have decided to do something positive about it. The diet part I have changed this summer due to health concerns. If I lose about a pound a week in this program I will be at a healthier weight and not have to be so concerned about diabetes.
Third: I have started a program and will mention it in the coming weeks. This is week 11 of my 12 week program. The goal is to keep exercising 3 to 5 times a week for 12 weeks. I can’t say 7 days, I know I won’t meet that goal.
This first week I have lost two pounds. Not that I have really been trying so hard, it’s just the fun of the drum solo music. All in an effort to be ready for my performance, the program I have put together involves keeping up the routine I have been doing so far. Since I already like it and it should be fun to keep up with.
This summer, with regular exercise and proper diet I feel better and have more energy than I have in years. I haven’t been able to do my Pilates and belly dancing back to back on Monday’s like I used to. It’s just my need to eat on time. I will try to work up to that again.
I have clothes that I will look better in when this is over. Things I have not worn in years, but I like classic styles that don’t go out of fashion. If not now when? I have to make these changes and do them now. I can’t keep going on being lazy like I have been in the past. So here’s to the next 12 weeks!! Updates will follow. ;-)
In truth the real spark has been some photo’s I took a while ago. While I have made some progress and belly dancing has helped me so much. The photos seemed to take back all the progress I have made. I did a few things, first: I visited the “Self’ website, they have these great calculators that show you how many calories you can burn with 30 or 60 minutes of some type of exercise. Second: I have my numbers posted in my bathroom at my office.
Rather than complain endlessly about what I look like, I have decided to do something positive about it. The diet part I have changed this summer due to health concerns. If I lose about a pound a week in this program I will be at a healthier weight and not have to be so concerned about diabetes.
Third: I have started a program and will mention it in the coming weeks. This is week 11 of my 12 week program. The goal is to keep exercising 3 to 5 times a week for 12 weeks. I can’t say 7 days, I know I won’t meet that goal.
This first week I have lost two pounds. Not that I have really been trying so hard, it’s just the fun of the drum solo music. All in an effort to be ready for my performance, the program I have put together involves keeping up the routine I have been doing so far. Since I already like it and it should be fun to keep up with.
This summer, with regular exercise and proper diet I feel better and have more energy than I have in years. I haven’t been able to do my Pilates and belly dancing back to back on Monday’s like I used to. It’s just my need to eat on time. I will try to work up to that again.
I have clothes that I will look better in when this is over. Things I have not worn in years, but I like classic styles that don’t go out of fashion. If not now when? I have to make these changes and do them now. I can’t keep going on being lazy like I have been in the past. So here’s to the next 12 weeks!! Updates will follow. ;-)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Beach time
Last Friday I had to go out. I had not been to the beach in a while. There was no surf really to speak of, it was lake Newport. Which was great for beginners and they were out in full force.
Not that I minded, I just needed to feel the cold water on me and relax in the sand for a while. It made my whole day better. I have to have some beach time other wise I will get cranky. No one likes that, it's never fun.
Some don't like the feel of sand and others are afraid of the water and won't go in. I have never understood that and never will. If I had to wait for others to go with me, I wouldn't go but once every 5 years.
When I was little I could have drowned in a pool with my stepmother, she pulled me up. It never scared me, even at the time and it sure didn't stop me from going back in, again and again.
In other areas of my life I need to be a bit more bold. I still don't have a book deal and I need to get my articles out again. Be that as it may, when I need a rest from all the stresses it only means one thing. Beach time.
Not that I minded, I just needed to feel the cold water on me and relax in the sand for a while. It made my whole day better. I have to have some beach time other wise I will get cranky. No one likes that, it's never fun.
Some don't like the feel of sand and others are afraid of the water and won't go in. I have never understood that and never will. If I had to wait for others to go with me, I wouldn't go but once every 5 years.
When I was little I could have drowned in a pool with my stepmother, she pulled me up. It never scared me, even at the time and it sure didn't stop me from going back in, again and again.
In other areas of my life I need to be a bit more bold. I still don't have a book deal and I need to get my articles out again. Be that as it may, when I need a rest from all the stresses it only means one thing. Beach time.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Rest
We all are working so hard to keep our heads above water. This year has been so difficult to make ends meet.
My chickens are producing eggs. We haven’t had to buy eggs in over a month. Not all of them have been lying, but most have. It has helped and they taste great. I have been giving a few to my boss/friend and he has been enjoying them as well.
There are other things we have done to cut back; it is getting so difficult to keep this up. We can cover our bills, what about the rest? Going to the movie house, or renting a DVD? Staying home gets to old, and so does eating just the same thing over and over. I know, that’s why they call it a depression.
Things I miss, going to Europe and seeing my friends. Also having friends over for a diner, sometimes we can’t even do that. We have lots of things on Ebay and we have pups for sale. They are 10 weeks old and very healthy. The great thing about them is that they cheer us up. Puppies make everything better.
What happens when you have sold everything you can and cut all the corners you can? Then what, it seems there will be second jobs in the near future. If they will hire us, that has yet to be seen.
In the mean time, I have gone through and gotten rid of a lot of old clothes and things I don’t need any more. I love to purge my closets once a year. I have not does this in a few years. It feels great and now I don’t have to worry about it all, just the things I need. I can forget about the rest.
We don’t have any money for anything extra, so I don’t even ask. The few outings we do get to do, I have to savor. They are far and few in between, so forget about places to take out the nice clothes. They will have to wait for a while, as will I.
That’s okay, we have to be content with what we have and forget about the rest. It’s just not going to happen. Not for a while anyway. There is always hope things will turn around and if they don’t we have to make it happen.
My chickens are producing eggs. We haven’t had to buy eggs in over a month. Not all of them have been lying, but most have. It has helped and they taste great. I have been giving a few to my boss/friend and he has been enjoying them as well.
There are other things we have done to cut back; it is getting so difficult to keep this up. We can cover our bills, what about the rest? Going to the movie house, or renting a DVD? Staying home gets to old, and so does eating just the same thing over and over. I know, that’s why they call it a depression.
Things I miss, going to Europe and seeing my friends. Also having friends over for a diner, sometimes we can’t even do that. We have lots of things on Ebay and we have pups for sale. They are 10 weeks old and very healthy. The great thing about them is that they cheer us up. Puppies make everything better.
What happens when you have sold everything you can and cut all the corners you can? Then what, it seems there will be second jobs in the near future. If they will hire us, that has yet to be seen.
In the mean time, I have gone through and gotten rid of a lot of old clothes and things I don’t need any more. I love to purge my closets once a year. I have not does this in a few years. It feels great and now I don’t have to worry about it all, just the things I need. I can forget about the rest.
We don’t have any money for anything extra, so I don’t even ask. The few outings we do get to do, I have to savor. They are far and few in between, so forget about places to take out the nice clothes. They will have to wait for a while, as will I.
That’s okay, we have to be content with what we have and forget about the rest. It’s just not going to happen. Not for a while anyway. There is always hope things will turn around and if they don’t we have to make it happen.
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