Walking…everybody’s doing it!

I woke up today a little later, around 8AM and was ready for my walk.  Hubs cheered me on as I got dressed, “Go Baby! Go!” and I replied, “I’m excited to go!”  And man was I.  I found a new joy.  The joy of having that 1hr, all alone, to myself, for myself.  It’s HUGE because I never get it otherwise.

I headed out and the morning was gorgeous.  Despite it being later, the fact that it was a weekend morning meant the neighborhood was also getting to a late start.  It was great.  

My new sneakers are awesome!  So comfy, so great.  I powered walked hard today.  I could feel my butt muscles (wow, I have some back there!) and my thigh muscles working overtime. Joggers and walkers surrounded me, and it was inspiring.  

I walked past tons of trees with these pink and white flowers blossoming on them.  I don’t know what they are called, but they are taking over the city and I love it!

As I walked into the park and around the Cloisters Museum, I started feeling stronger, and I could feel the runner in me wanting to come out.  But I know I’m not ready yet.  Too much weight, too soon.  But I conquered those hills with ferocity.  Then I came across this one hill.  It’s right before (or after, depending on where you are coming from) The New Leaf Cafe. I know the hill well.  For many years, as an avid runner, I conquered this hill.  It’s just one of those hills that looks unpresuming until you run it, you reach the top and if out of shape (such as myself) it tends to push you down a little.  I walked down the hill, but on my way back decided to go up it with a slow jog.

When I reached the top with a jog I couldn’t help but smile to myself.  It just felt so good to do that!  Of course, I was out of breath and the dang bad knee came to life, but I didn’t care.  I needed to do it.

As I excited the park I saw a group of women outside of the park and remembered that they have a walking group that gets together a few times a week.  I don’t think I would do well in a group like that, just cause I am not very chatty when working out, well, except in my own head to myself!

I got home and felt like a million bucks, a sweaty million bucks.  I had my shake, did my push ups and sit ups, had a small breakfast, showered and headed out.

I allowed myself to indulge in a gyro at our adventure, but nothing else…which was fine because it was enough.  Once I got home later this afternoon, I walked out with Hubs and drank the milk straight out of a coconut.  It is, like I mentioned in my previous post, one of the great things about living where I do.

I loved it.  It was cheap, filling, and so, so, so good.  Hubs doesn’t care for it, I guess it must be an acquired taste, but I LOVE it!

The boys wanted to order Chinese food for dinner.  I ordered chicken with broccoli and ate it without the rice. And here’s the skinny: the healthy snack an hour before, even though it was liquid, curved my hunger enough at dinner time that even with all the stuff in front of me (sushi rolls included) it wasn’t hard for me to avoid them at all because the broccoli and chicken were really enough.

I won’t lie: I am sore.  My arms, my waist, my back, my legs…I feel them!  But I stretch before I go to bed, when I wake up before my walks, after my walks, and a couple of times in between and I feel WONDERFUL.  Today was a bit hard at being out around so many delicious treats, but I kept thinking about that hill, and how I took it on, maybe not with as much strength as in the past, but still did it.  I wasn’t going to let anything stop me now!

Fruits, fruits, fruits

Today was my “off” day, but that just sounds silly really because there really is no off day.  I slept till 8:00AM…like a log.  I was so tired once my head hit the pillow.  

I got up, had a protein shake, and really, it’s not much…like 6oz of water and 1.5 scoop of this strawberry protein drink, but man it’s filling.  I did some stretching, some arm work with the band and some push ups and sit ups.  That’s about it.  Seems that unless I get to this part of my routine earlier, or we get a bigger place where I can have my own space, I am destined to working out to Dora.  I sat on my mat in the living room, set my legs for a nice touch-the-toe stretch and then my 2.5 year old sat between my legs to cuddle (sigh).  After a brief moment of cuddling and love, I was able to complete what I needed to do.

Breakfast consisted of a small bowl of cereal, some honey flake thing.  Hit the spot.

We set out to enjoy the beautiful day and before I knew it WHAM! Hunger.  I looked at the time. 1:00PM.  I so suck at eating!!!  The boys were hungry too (poor things) and the opportunity came to make a decision on what to do.  I looked around me: a Starbucks, a pizzeria, a Dunkin Doughnuts, a chinese food restaurant, a diner, McDonalds, and a fruit market.  I walked to the fruit market and picked up some melons, strawberries, apples, trail mix (not including the chocolate pieces), water, and yogurt.

We went to the park, had a moment and ate our snacks. Between the melons and the trail mix and water I felt completely satisfied, but in addition to that, so thrilled that I made the right choice even when faced with debilitating hunger (ok, ok…it wasn’t debilitating…but it was pretty intense!).

As we made our walk back home, I realized I am surrounded with bad choices, but even more great choices for those moments of unexpected hunger, especially in my neighborhood, and especially during warm weather.  The choices are your basic fruits, but can also include pineapples, mangos, coconuts, papayas!  It’s like they bring the island to me! And here’s the skinny: they are cheap!  

I got home, I wasn’t eager to snack before dinner (which I often do) because I wasn’t hungry.  

Dinner was pasta tonight.  But I skipped the pasta part.  Turns out what I and my family loves about my pasta dishes are the flavorful sauces I serve them with.  So, I steamed some veggies, made my salad (this time with a light Caesar dressing) and had the Italian sausages with chopped tomatoes WITHOUT the pasta.  I didn’t feel at all that I missed out, because I was enjoying the best part of the dish and had plenty of greens to go with it and fill me up.  Dinner, once again, was wonderful.  I was pretty pleased.

Oh yeah…but it’s not ALL about food either.  I went to Modell’s to get another pair of sneakers because the pair I had previously bought turned out to be too uncomfortable and gave me a blister.  I got my sneakers, tried them on, ran with them, jumped with them…and they are perfect.  But then I also had a chance to satisfy this “fever” I have going on with Converse (hehehehe).  I mean, I was there, right?  What’s a tomboy to do?  So, this is what I walked out with…oh yeah and a pedometer.

My goal is to get one in every color.  I mean, seriously, no need to walk around all monotone when I am out on one of my adventures.

This weekend should be interesting.  Part of what I do is taste foods at different places.  Can’t stop doing that!  Let’s see how I can make it work.  Wish me luck!

First Day…So Much Green

I woke up at 6:45 AM today.  That is, by far, the earliest I have voluntarilly woken up in a very long time.  Hubs gently indicated it was time, I stretched, and quickly got up.

First thing I did before getting dressed was check this blog and I saw the wonderful messages waiting for me.  I have to say, they really were encouraging.  I was up, and was going, but those messages helped to animate me even more.  So, thank you!

The walk was awesome.  It was a great morning, the sun was out, but still lazy, its rays not giving out full intensity of heat just yet.  I was going to listen to music, but my iPod wasn’t charged up.  It was for the best.  The silence of my walk was amazing.  I am always with the boys and rarely ever get alone time.  I didn’t think about how much I would appreciate the silence.  The alone time.  I loved it!  I took these photos as I walked through (never stopping) just to share some of what I was experiencing (if you follow my other blog, then you know I love expression through photography, though these were taken with my iPhone so not as great).

Once I got home, I had a protein drink and popped in a cardio and weight training DVD, but before I got the to the weight training part the little ones got up and wanted to monopolize the T.V. (story of our lives), so because I know the DVD already, and have done weight training in the past, I proceeded with lifting the weights, and doing the reps, while watching Dora the Explorer with the boys. I did this for 30 minutes.

When I finally got hungry for breakfast I hit a psychological wall…a wall of habitual oppositions, if you will.  My mind wanted a healthy breakfast, no carbs, my body craved sweetened cafe con leche and toasted buttered bread.  But willpower is an amazing thing.  I scrambled some eggs (2), took some left over salad from last night’s dinner and cut up some strawberries.  Here’s the skinny: not only did it look pretty, it tasted great and I didn’t feel weighed down afterwards!  I loved it!

I didn’t get hungry again (thanks to the protein drinks-one more before lunch) till about 1:00PM.  Yes, I am an awful eater.  I forget, or don’t do it because I am busy, or wait too long.  I’m the worst at eating at good times.  So, adding that to my list of goals.

I allowed myself to have a bit of rice, and chicken, also left over from the night before.  I usually don’t lunch like this at all, but it actually reminded me of the days when  I lived in the Dominican Republic as a teen and this is exactly how we lunched…and then dinner consisted of something much, much lighter.  Good thing to note as obesity among Dominicans on the island is nothing like it is here in the States.

Dinner was no carbs, consisted of even more greens and salmon.  Again, LOVED it.  Mainly because I was full, but not heavy.

I am a little sore from my walk, but will stretch a bit before I go to bed in a few.  I feel amazing.  I wasn’t sleepy at all during the day and felt really, really good and positive. I ate more green in one day then I have in a long time, and the result was feeling light after my meals, but satisfied.

Tomorrow I will head out to the market and buy more greens as I have decided this will make up most of what I eat.

Great start!  So excited!

P.S.  A darling friend read this blog, and I inspired her to start her own blog on her journey to health!  Join me in cheering her on!  Congrats Bella Amiga!  I am so excited for you as well!  Much love.

Night Before The First Day

I was tempted to title this “Night Before The First Try”, but didn’t want to give myself an out before I got in, you know what I mean?  So, it is, as officially stated the Night Before The First Day.  Technically however, today was the first day, I just didn’t write about it, or comment about it, so for you, it will be tomorrow.

Hubs took the before shot…then thought it would be nice to “go lay down”.  I think what’s so great about this experience that I am about to publicly embark on is that I am doing it simply for me, and yes, for fun (believe me, I wouldn’t otherwise).  I am fortunate to be loved and accepted by those who matter most to me just as I am, even if I am a bit more the woman I was when they first met me.

Ok, ok…here’s the good stuff: the “before pics“.

Let it be known that I love these pictures of me…granted I have no make up and am wearing my baggy “in home” pants, but I think I look pretty and had fun with them.  I didn’t want to take the “depressed look on my face” picture, because I am not…so I posed a little.

Ok, folks…that’s me…all 233lbs of me.

THE PLAN:

Because hubs works out a few times a week and needs to leave earlier in the morning for that, we’ve made out a schedule.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays: My early mornings.  I will leave the apt by 6:45 for 3.5 mile walk.  (I haven’t purchased a pedometer yet, so not sure how many steps that is).

All days: Give myself at least 30 minutes to do weight training at home. I have the equipment and the DVDs, I can do this.

I will incorporate protein shakes into my day to avoid hunger pangs and minimize the risk of unhealthy snacking.

And lastly, I will be eating dinner no later than 5:00PM whenever possible, starting each with a salad or fruit.  I’ve done this in the past and have found that a delicious salad (without all the fatty dressing or cheese, or whatever) before the meal helps control the amount you eat from the main meal.  So for me, tonight, it was a nice green salad with cherry tomatoes, garnished with sunflower seeds, diced almonds, and dried cranberries. Yuuuummmm.

And it has to be yum, because I don’t torture myself with food, or lack thereof.  Don’t believe in it, don’t care for it, don’t do it.

But the yummy salad before my meal of rice and beans and chicken filled me enough to make me not so hungry to finish all of it when I got to it.  And this is where, as soon as I felt full (even though I could’ve eaten more), I put down the fork, pushed my plate away a bit, and sat there and chatted with my kids and my hubs.

MY GOAL:

Hmm…that’s a tough one.  I don’t think it’s very helpful for me to aim for a certain weight because I could aim too low, or worse yet, too high, cause, here’s the skinny:  All my life I’ve been told I’m “overweight”, either by doctors, or my father, or a friend, or a neighbor, or a magazine, or a television show.  And most of those times, I thought I looked great!  I mean, I felt good, I was fit and strong, I felt sexy, guys thought I looked hot, but “the scale” didn’t coincide with what those others said a woman of my age (whatever it was), 5’6 in height should weigh. I spent my entire adolescence obsessed with the fact that the girl in the mirror was fat…except she wasn’t…if anything she was on the verge of some serious disorder.  Can’t believe the hype people, can’t believe the hype.  

So, instead, I will take it a week at a time until I feel I’m good.

Thus, my goal this week is to stay focused, wake up early (THAT is a huge challenge), and don’t falter…oh, yeah, and get enough followers to encourage me along the way!  Woot woot!

So, I started weight loss blog.

But, if you’re thinking this is a blog about a fat girl, who hates her body, and all her fat pictures…or of a girl who woke up one day, stepped on the scale and wondered in shock how she got here….if you think this is an outlet for self deprecation, than you’ve come to the wrong place.

This, my friend, is a blog intended for self love, and the promotion of the same, while at the same time taking on the journey to a slimmer me.

Now, you ask, if you love yourself so much why then do you want to loose weight?

Well, there aren’t too many reasons other than I am tired a lot.  Ok, granted, I have a crap load of kids…well, for me it’s a crap load…3 boys, two under 4, and another active, busy 11 year old.  I want to increase my energy level.

I also want to make sure I am doing all I can to be healthy.  Both my maternal and paternal grandmothers died of cardiac arrests.  My maternal grandmother, whom I never met, was obese and my paternal grandmother suffered from high blood pressure.

I also want to increase my libido (yes, if you have read anything from me as of late in any blog, you will know that sex in my marriage is important to me). My very hot husband has been working out and looks great, but most of all his energy level, both in and out of bed, has increased as of late…and I want to keep up!

And lastly, I want to get back to running.  I was never a marathon runner, but I was a runner, and I love it.  However, now, I can’t run.  I believe the extra weight is putting pressure on my joints, and causing stress on my knees and feet, making running or any attempt to, a very painful experience.

But I love me.  It has taken me a long time to get here, to the point where I am happy with myself and my body and I embrace every single ribble, dimple, and curve.  I also love food, and am not afraid of it, nor do I enjoy walking around remorseful of what I have eaten, unless of course it takes like some unmentionable nastiness or makes me sick.  As I gained each pound over the years I knew what I was doing, and I have been happy.  No regrets.

Now I am ready to try something new and am excited to share my journey with you.  I expect to laugh at myself A LOT and welcome you to do the same.  I expect to have days that might be emotional, and where my confidence may falter and I hope you will be there with me as well.  But over all, I am hoping to inspire, converse, and have fun as I begin on my road of getting to the skinny!