Turning 50 and the Toe vs Vacuum

I am reminded of my pledge to change back for my 50th birthday.  I had told myself prior to my birthday that I was going to be a fabulous 50, being in the best shape of my life.  As we know, the best laid plans don't always work out.  So 50 came and I was at a higher weight than just a few months earlier.  I told my husband NOT to throw me a party for my 50th, and had no clue what he might have planned.

It was Friday night, September 18th and I was off to work.  Every Friday I do karaoke at a local Irish Pub. It takes me about 30 minutes to set up and be ready for the nights festivities.  I have a HUGE following and almost always get a great crowd.  I always start the evening singing the first song, then I pass the mic on to my singers.  I must have been 10 minutes into my gig when I see my mother walk in.  Now understand, my entire family live in Arizona and I live on the East Coast.  I was pretty shocked, but before I could even catch my breath, in walked my father.  Then 3 of my 4 daughters walked in, smiling as if to say "we got you mom."  My daughter Marie, (the 2nd oldest)  is my sub DJ and helps me here and there.  She quickly pushed me away from my mixing board and said, go be with your family mom.  Within a few minutes of my astonishment, Marie announces the cake.  And to my utter surprise a lit cake approached me being carried by my brother and followed by my sister.  Pinch me I must be dreaming!  My youngest daughter was away with my sister at a sewing trade show a few hours away and they had work to do for the weekend...but here they came in too.  It was unbelievable and the best surprise EVER!!  For me, this was truly the best 50th gift I could receive. It is kind of ironic because I had been thinking the night before (to myself) I can't think of a single thing I need except for my family for a birthday present.  Someone was a mind reader.

Oh yeah...the toe vs vacuum,   well not long after my birthday I realized it was time to get me healthy.  Our treadmill stopped working early summer and I ordered new parts for it.  The unopened box sat on my floor for months...as my treadmill simply got dusty.  Finally I was ready to tackle this added weight and get that treadmill working.  I was really motivated, extremely excited about making that treadmill my best friend.  I opened the box and started to replace the 2 belts inside my treadmill.  Occasionally I would have to go to my tool closet.  As I headed back to my treadmill to finish fixing it, I managed to kick my vacuum with my baby toe.  I joked about it, saying my vacuum was trying to tell me it felt neglected.  I finished my treadmill, put on my sneakers and did a 5 minute jog.  I quit after 5 minutes because my toe was in excruciating pain.  
I spent the next 3 weeks trying to make my toe feel better, but it just kept getting worse.  I ended up going to the doctor finding out I broke it and needed to see an orthopedic specialist.  I ended up in a orthopedic boot through the holidays.  And finally 2 months later felt I could wear a shoe again.  From October to December I gained an additional 5 pounds from lack of exercise and of course the holidays.

At the beginning of this journey, some 9 days ago, or so...I put my sneakers back on and reintroduced myself to my treadmill and elliptical.  Its been good, and we have started a new close friendship.  Having our close bond is helping me stay friendly with my scale too!

Unfortunately, my toe is becoming sore and inflamed nightly following my workouts.  I was told by my  specialist if it didn't get better I would need an MRI.  With all the talk about feet problems at Fitness Ridge, I realize this pain is no joking matter.  I am going to keep my scheduled workouts, but I am also scheduling an MRI.

One thing I  can definitely say..."While you CAN move...MOVE...there are people in wheel chairs, canes, and walkers that can't.  Don't wait till that becomes YOU."
 

1 Week Preparation. Weigh in

There is no drum roll, no staring crowd, not even my hubby (who sleeps in late daily).  It is just me and my scale.  

Thinking back..."Oh the dreaded scale". If I had $10.00 for every time I have gotten on my scale with expectations of weight loss only to find my efforts failed me,  it truly would have paid for my upcoming trip to Fitness Ridge.

I ate right!!  I worked out!!! WHY scale WHY?  You don't like me???...and how many times did that discourage me just enough to say, screw it!

Now, take the  happy hubby, who eats horrible for days and notices his weight gain. The next day he eats light and boast a 5lbs weight loss after a day!  While he sat on the couch watching his Devils game, I sweated and panted and felt like I was going to die on my machines!  When we watch TV together he sports himself a bag of Doritos while I ride the stationary bike behind him.  Yes, how many times did I bust my butt while he lost weight from the mere movement in his wrist to take that chip from the bag to his mouth.

Getting back to now...I weighed myself when I got started 1 week ago, making this morning my week 1  weigh in.  A part of me is always afraid of getting on that scale, is it going to out and out lie?!  Is it going to tell me I didn't do enough to move down those numbers? It didn't really matter, this time I wasn't going to let the scale win, no way!  I was ready for it, tell me what you will, I don't care...if I give up again...you will be laughing at me next time I step on you...as I will be gaining once again.  So no...you won't!  I am ready for whatever punch you want to give...tell me I didn't do enough..that's OK I will do more this week...its all good...I am not afraid...I am not weary...OK, maybe slightly nervous that all that work might be for nothing...
so without a drum roll, without a peep out of my husband...one foot....two I am on...and oh Lord, thank God, I lost weight!

I own a weight watchers scale, the only scale I have ever owned that weighs your ounces.  And I believe every ounce counts!  I started at 197.8 pounds 1 week ago.  Today I weighed in at 194. 6 pounds.

Yipee Woo-hoo!  I beat you this week you miserable scale, I beat you!!

Next Thursday scares me more..."weigh" more!

A lil more about me...how I gained weight...

If you read my about me section, you can see a little bit about me. This kind of continues from there...
My husband, my soul mate...does love me so!  When we met back in 1999, I was a driven force...I had taken my life back, the life sucked dry from my first husband.  I was in the best shape of my life.  When Alan, my husband took me to Washington, DC we stayed next door at a gorgeous hotel. (the name escapes me)  While Alan rehearsed for the upcoming "Concert of the Century" for the Save the Music Foundation, I was putting on my sneakers and running out the door of the hotel.  I ran from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial, and back.  I remember saying wow, life really does start at 40.  I was healthy, happy and living life.  I was an invited guest of The Clinton's as this was Hillary's last hoorah before leaving the White House.  It was surreal.
And mind you this was a "date" we didn't get married till much later (2002).
Anyway...my gym was my little piece of paradise.  I loved going there..it really made me happy, my endorphins where dancing for joy.  I tried to get there at least 5 days a week.  My gym had new owners near the end of it being in business.  How strange it was to see the owners smoking outside the door at least twice during my workout each day.  I had a trainer for a few weeks, and then was on my own.  I helped a lot of people learn the equipment in my gym since I was the face you saw there all the time.  (haha).  I started hearing the owners bragging about a new exercise that you did on the leg lift machine.  They kept showing everyone how to do it.  It spiked my curiosity and I had them show me.  WHAT A MISTAKE!  It tore my knee up in a second!  After that I was no longer able to do the intense cardio I had created for myself.  No more stairmaster, no more treadmill  and no more bike!  I could still do my weight machines...but that wasn't enough.  That was part 1 of my problem, part 2 was the incredible love Alan had for me...always buying me treats to snack on when we cuddle on the couch.  (he still does this - YIKES).  Always wining and dining me with fancy new restaurants.  And after a marriage with a guy that wouldn't splurge on a movie but maybe 4 times a year...it was really enjoyable to be wined and dined.  The pounds started going up and up. I went to my gym one day and the doors were closed, forever~  I tried to find a new gym, but I seemed to be slipping away.  Alan doesn't really like skinny women, so it didn't help that he didn't mind my weight gain.  Although I am pretty sure he preferred me at my weight when we met.  But Alan would never say anything other than how much he loved me, and how beautiful I am etc etc.
I started going to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductions yearly.  And I never have had that smaller framed body I had at 40 again...so I was first in a size 12, then a size 14...then in a size 16 at the hall of fames.  I went to the Emmy Awards in a size 14 dress and wore a "long sleeved jacket" in the heat of LA to hide my arms.  I had lost some weight to wear that size 14 dress at the Emmy's...and since put it back on and a lil extra.  So here I sit, on day 6 of my "life change" and I started this weighing in at near 198. And I am 5'3".
I have another Rock n Roll Hall of Fame coming up in March, and have set my first goal to that date.  I want to be 15 pounds lighter by that date.  I will be the same weight I was at the Emmy's and although I won't be looking WOW I will be comfortable enough to enjoy, and go to the inductions.  A few years I gave my ticket to a relative because I didn't want anyone to see me.  I figure if I can achieve that goal, I will be in good shape for Aprils journey at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge.
Life has been good to me, Now I need to be good to me too and get healthy!

January 26th - 67 days and counting

I started getting ready for my trip to Fitness Ridge 5 days ago.  I have managed to get some sort of work out in each day.  I know for myself, if I don't do it early I pretty much lose my motivation as the day progresses.  On day 1 of working out, I was barely moving on my treadmill.  I would walk 1/4 of a mile, then try and jog 1/4 mile of a mile, then walk 1/4 of a mile and end with a cool down walk for the last 1/4 of a mile.  Today I was able to increase my activity, as I remember from 10 years ago when I went from 216 down to 145, I started with baby steps and pushed myself when I could to go a lil farther.  Each time I was able to do this, it made it possible for me to work out a lil harder.  Before I knew it, I was waking up before a grueling day of work and running among other exercise.  I want that 40 year old body back!
So in 5 days I was able to increase that workout on the treadmill by 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile jog, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile jog, 1/2 mile walk.  Then I was able to still get on my elipitical and do a mile.  My plan all day was to watch Biggest Loser while on my stationary bike.  I started this when they did that bike class a few weeks ago.  My husband and I both did half the marathon.  I did it at a resistance of no more than 4 when we did that together.  Today, I was able to keep the resistance at 7 and felt I could go all night.
I know different days are going to feel different, and just because I was able to do 2 miles on the treadmill today, doesn't mean I will have the same energy tomorrow.  I am working on this 1 day at a time.  I am simply trying to increase my stamina and prepare myself for the intensity of The Ridge.
It was a good day.
My goal week 1 is to lose 2.38 pounds.

Day 3 = 70 days till Fitness Ridge

I am beat!  I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday because I had a gig and had to prepare for it.  I spent a few hours getting ready for my gig and then managed to pull in a decent work out.  I am really at the beginning and am doing a walk of 2.8mpgs and a jog at 3.5mpgs.  Yesterday I did 1/4 mile walk 1/4 mile jog 1/4 mile walk 1/4 mile jog 1/4 mile walk.  1.25 miles.  It is slow I know but it really is kicking my out of shape butt.  I followed it up with my eliptical for 31 minutes.  No resistance no ramp..just straight work out at about 2.0mpg.  I had hoped to get another work out when I returned from my gig...but I didnt feel the need.  The gig overlooked feeding me.  So yesterday I ate just 2.5 meals.  Caloric intake was under 800 for the day.  The odd thing...I didnt' get hungry...go figure.

Today, I just finished my treadmill doing every 1/4 mile a walk then a jog.  The ending with a .50 walk.  For a total of 1.50 miles.  I felt great when I was done...then I got on the eliptical...and I was so beat from the treadmill I could feel the need for more carbs to keep going.  So I did my 30 mins and was grateful to get off.  I am going to relax for a lil then eat and pack up my christmas decorations.  I hope to ride by stationary bike for an hour later tonight.

Bodybugg is really great, it is helping me understand weight loss to exercise.  I have understandably lost 1.5 pounds in 3 days.  My goal is 2.38 pounds a week.  My present goal is to lose 15 pounds by March 15th.  It is seemingly possible.

Oh, another thing...I have started eating on small plates to help with my portion control!!  I have found myself overeating even with vegetables...so this should help!

Body Bugg

I wasted a week, yes, a week..that is how long my body bugg has been screaming at me between its four walls of cardboard.  I have finally opened it up and introduced myself.  We have got acquainted and I believe I am ready to allow it to get a lil closer.  I will be fitting it to my arm shortly from now and I will even put on my sneakers and let it take me for a ride on my treadmill.
Let it be known, after researching, I found the bodybugg to be the cheapest at Costco.  $40.00 off retail, plus another $9.00 for being a member.  Delivery was fast! 
The BodyBugg resources seem really good.  I am setting some high standards for myself.  Expecting a 15 pound weight loss in 6 weeks, even though it told me to shoot for 2 lbs a week.  Truth is, I want to be 15 pounds lighter for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Inductions that I go to yearly.
I figure if I can reach THAT goal, I am well on my way for my trip The Ridge in April.  Well that is all for now.  I did buy the display as well..so I am going to sync it with my bugg and get my groove on....yeah that is what I am going to call it...My groove.  over and out!~