The scale won't scare me!

Happy Halloween! My daughter woke me up super early this morning to let me know that it was Halloween and that meant that it was almost Christmas. Eeek! She's right. :)

I haven't weighed myself in a few weeks. I woke up this morning feeling uncomfortable in my skin. It's strange, but since my surgery, my skin is very sensitive to the slightest weight gain. I decided that I had to be completely honest with myself and weigh in. The sad news is that I have gained a few pounds. I was up to 196.5. The good news is that I know how to quickly change course and get back to my comfortable 192-195 range. To be perfectly honest with you, I can't remember drinking water since my workout on Friday morning. I know that I have a pound or two of fluid swishing around in my body. Water is so vital to weight loss.

Halloween is probably not the best day to get back to making healthy choices, but why wait until tomorrow? I refuse to put my weight on hold (or allow it to get out of control) just because it's a holiday. I can enjoy Halloween without gorging on candy. We have two months of holidays coming up. If I continued this trend, I'd be up the typical 8-10 pounds of holiday weight gain by the new year. My friend Kelly did a great post about holiday weight gain last week. Check her out!

I'm off to drink some water, make a healthy breakfast, and head off to work. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

~Kari

But I don't wanna....

When I was sick I took 3 days off from exercise. Then I worked out one day. Then I took another day off. Today is going to be busy for me and I knew that if I was going to work out that it had to be before work. I have a ton of options when it comes to exercise in the morning: classes at the gym, swimming, treadmill, and Kinect Your Shape. Last night I was trying to figure out what to do and I just couldn't choose. I've found myself, after missing a few workouts this week, not wanting to exercise. Exercise has become such a part of my routine that even the smallest interruption causes me to lose my motivation and momentum. I was complaining to hubby last night about how I didn't *want* to workout in the morning. He reminded me of what I already knew- that I *WOULD* feel better once it was over. So, I dragged my butt out of bed at 6 AM, threw on my workout clothes and did 40 minutes of step, kickboxing, and cardio intervals on my Kinect Your Shape. I had planned to do 30 minutes and then a mile run, but it was still too dark to run and I needed to get into the shower. Guess what? I did feel better when I was done.

I had some extra motivation last night. My friend Georgia gave my daughter and I these beautiful dresses. The one that I am wearing was a "sample size". That may not seem like a big deal to you, but to this girl that once wore a size 30, it was amazing to slip into a "sample size" dress. I'm a sample size! If that doesn't get you off the couch, I don't know what will! :)

Here's my daughter and I in our "fancy" dresses:

Have a great weekend!
~Kari

Post Sickies Workout

Here's how the conversation went last night....

Sissy: "Mommy, can we go to the gym tomorrow"
Me: "No, I'm still sick."
Sissy: "But I miss the gym."

I am on my fourth day of a pretty intense head/chest cold. I've run the gamut of running nose, stuffy nose, sneezy, confused, dazed, achy, tired, and just plain uncomfortable. I missed my run on Sunday. My long run. I was sad. I missed KickBoxing on Monday. I was bummed, but so tired after work that I couldn't even change into my workout clothes. I missed my run on Tuesday. We had an open house at school and I had to be there. I missed Super Circuit this morning. Still too tired to get up at 5 AM and workout before work.

My daughter's words resonated with me today, "But I miss the gym". I missed the gym. I missed working out. I've struggled with the delicate balance between taking care of my body through rest when I am sick and taking care of my body through exercise.

I made my way to the gym tonight. :) I took one of my favorite classes- Shred! I did Facebook Kelly prior to class to tell her that I was coming and that she had to be nice because I was still sick. My secret plan was to only do half the class and then leave. I am happy to report that I actually finished the whole class. I had to modify quite a bit, but was able to finish the whole hour. It was SO hard. My heart rate monitor had me in the high 160's most of the time. In 58 minutes I burned a total of 698 calories! Shred is a darn good workout, but I am usually in the 500-600 calorie range after a normal class.

How do I feel now? TIRED, but good. I am glad I got in there, broke a sweat, and gave it my all. I wasn't the fastest tonight and certainly not the prettiest, but I got it done. I worked hard. Sometimes giving it our all is all that we need to do.

~Kari

Sickies

Yep, I'm sick. :(

I tried to deny it for several days, but after getting home from Step class on Saturday there was no denying the fact- I am sick. I spent most of Sunday in bed. I asked my hubby on Saturday night how I was suppose to do my long run on Sunday. He, as kindly as possible, told me that I wouldn't be running on Sunday. I mustered the energy to get in to work today, but don't think that I will be able to make it to Kick Boxing tonight.

For the average Joe it is not a big deal to miss two workouts in a row. This is killing me! I keep thinking- How am I going to make-up a 1200 calories increase that I am not burning off by working out for 2 days? I've reread my friend Kelly's post about a dozen times. I was already going to have to miss one (or two!) workouts this week since I have several late night events at work that will take me away from my regular schedule. Boo! I hate missing my workouts because I worry about gaining weight, but I also hate missing them because I hate missing out on how I feel after working out.

I'm tired. Ok, I just decided I can't go to Kick Boxing tonight.
What do you do when your sick? I've been eating a lot of soups and staying in my sweats....

~Kari

I'm changing....

I'm changing and I kinda like it. :)

We won a store bought cake at the cake walk tonight. I got home and didn't want a piece. I licked the frosting and it actually tasted gross.

I missed my workout yesterday because I was too tired and I didn't worry about gaining 5 pounds overnight.

I worked out today because it makes me feel good,

not just because it will help me lose weight.

My weight was up 3 pounds this morning from the day before. I didn't have a total breakdown over "gaining" 3 pounds. I recgonized that I had way too much processed food yesterday (read SODIUM) and knew that I needed extra water today to help flush out excess fluid.

I sent my husband to the store the other day because we were out of fruits and veggies (for 3 days!!!!) and my body was actually craving them.

Like I said...

I'm changing and I kinda like it!

Sometimes change is good.

Living in an Obese Body

Have you seen this???

This guy is making himself obese on purpose. On purpose! Do you hear that? On purpose! Why would someone want to do that? I'll try to summarize. I actually don't really want anyone to click on the link because I don't want his irresponsible behavior to gain even more popularity, but felt the need to share the link. Here's a summary: This guy, a personal trainer, decided that he wanted "To experience for himself what it’s like to be overweight, how tough it is to lose weight, and ultimately show others how to get fit.". He has gained 70 pounds since May. His blood pressure if through the roof. He has become addicted to soda. He has stopped working out.

I don't even know where to start. Being overweight for 6 months is NOTHING like living for 30+ years in an overweight body. People that know you know that you have gained the weight on purpose. They don't look down on you for gaining weight. It's cool for you to be fat right now. It's a game.

Also, I hope that it takes a REALLY long time for him to lose the weight. What frustrates me is that he will probably lose it quickly. Our muscles have memory. His body should quickly return to "normal" as soon as his exercise and eating habits return to pre-experiment routines. I can tell you from personal experience that it takes years to learn how to exercise and eat correctly. He already has the tools. I had lost nearly 100 pounds before I did my first jumping jack. I had to figure out in my head what my body could do. He already knows what his body can do.

Finally, he was already showing others how to get fit. You don't need to be obese first before teaching others how to not be obese. That would be like me going to a cancer doctor and not letting him treat me unless he has already had cancer. You don't need to have the disease to treat the disease.
I have SO much more to say, but will stop for now. Any thoughts???

~Kari

Boo!

Did I scare you? :) It's almost Halloween!!!! I can't believe we are already deep into fall. My past few runs have been fantastic. Crisps fall air. Leaves under my feet. Ahhhhh

On Wednesday I went to a fantastic early (5:30 AM) morning class at my gym. It is a circuit class that uses minimal equipment with body weight to burn a few calories (488 in 50 minutes) and break down some muscles. I felt energized after class. The best part? When I woke up Thursday morning I was so sore. I love that feeling! You've worked hard and each time you move your muscles it reminds you of all that you've done. Sweet success! I am hoping to add this class to my weekly routine. It's going to have to replace my Shred class for a while since I can't workout on Wednesday nights. My church is doing a Bible study on Wednesday nights and it's too hard to work, workout, eat dinner, look at my children and be to Bible study by 6:30.

Confession time: My eating has been awful lately. I am actually terrified to step on the scale. Blah! This time of the year is so difficult. I need a plan! I think that I am going to go back to using SparkPeople to record my food. It's nice to know that I don't need to use it forever, but that it's there when I need it. I'm not going to weigh myself until Friday. I know that if I weighed in today that it would reflect water weight, PMS weight, and a week of overeating. I'll weigh myself next Friday and hope to be where I was a few weeks ago- 192. The scale hasn't moved in FOREVER and I am totally OK with it staying around 190-195ish, but don't want to get up close to 200 again. (I know that 195 seems pretty much the same as 200, but it is SOOO far away in my weight loss world.)

Have a great rest of your weekend!

~Kari

1/2 Marathon?!?!

Do you run?

Have you run a half marathon?

Did you finish???

Did you die???

Tell me everything!!!

I really enjoy my runs. Yep, running still scares me. Even with the fear, I still find it energizing and rewarding. Earlier this week a friend on Facebook suggested that I run the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll half marathon. It's on June 23, 2012. That would give me tons of time to train. Could I really run for 13.1 miles? There is a 4 hour time limit. Could I run 13.1 miles in 4 hours? So many questions! I *think* that I could do it. I can't stop thinking about this.

I ask again- Have you run a half marathon and survived to tell about it???? I want all the details!

~Kari

5:30 AM Boxing

I did it! I crawled got out of bed at 5 AM this morning to attend the 5:30 boxing class at my gym. Getting out of bed was not as bad as I thought that it was going to be. I did go to bed early last night (before 10) and slept good. I knew that the class was going to be amazing. I've taken boxing from the same instructor during evening classes. The people at 5:30 AM are pretty intense. I am pretty sure that I was the most out of shape person there. I had to repeat the whole class, "At least I'm here. At least I'm here." I burned 580 calories in 55 minutes. Not too shabby! Will I continue to do early morning classes? I'm not really sure. It was fantastic to be done with my workout before the sun peeked out. I was STARVING all morning. If I do another early workout I'll definitely have to pack a heartier mid-morning snack.

The only down side was that my daughter woke up when I got up. She usually gets up closer to 6:30. It has already proven to be a long afternoon. Luckily, (for me!) I have Bible Study tonight so hubby will be putting her to bed. The upside is that since I worked out before school that left me the afternoon to blog and play a serious game of Candy Land.

That's all I got! Nothing deep for today, I got up too early :)

~Kari

Lessons from my Dad

Two years ago today my dad died. I miss him terribly! At his funeral I read a list of advice from my dad. Today I am going to share that list with you.

~ Always get 3 estimates for any job.
~ Pop, candy bars and money do not grow on trees.
~ Threaten to leave at least two times when negotiating the price for a car.
~ Check your oil.
~ Do it because I said so.
~ Fishing has nothing to do with how many fish you catch.
~ Help those who struggle to help themselves.
~ If something doesn't work, turn it off, wait 5 minutes and then try again.
~ Use the bathroom before we leave because we are not stopping.
~ Go home and take care of those babies.

Miss you Daddy!

~Kari



165 Things

Thanks to the skinny blonde chick I have accumulated a list of 165 things that I have done/am still doing to keep up my weight loss goals. In no particular order I present to you:

165 things that have changed my life:

1. I go to bed early so that I can exercise before work.

2. I own more pairs of workout clothes than regular clothes.

3. I plan out my exercise for the week around my work schedule.

4. I run close to 10 miles a week.

5. I kick box.

6. I box.

7. I swim.

8. I step.

9. I do yoga.

10. I surround myself with other people interested in fitness.

11. I keep going in group fitness classes. (Even when I am facing the wrong direction!)

12. I look for fitness activities while on vacation.

13. I work out, even when I don’t want to.

14. I park farther away from the store.

15. I spend money on fitness equipment.

16. I set fitness goals.

17. I talk with my kids about making healthy food and fitness choices.

18. I share with others about my challenges.

19. I ask for help.

20. I look for opportunities to support others in their goals.

21. I celebrate my success.

22. I weigh myself daily, but not obsessively.

23. I use measurements to track my progress.

24. I eat veggies at almost every meal.

25. I plan my meals out the day ahead.

26. I pack healthy snacks when I go on trips.

27. I keep healthy snacks at work.

28. I snack when I’m hungry.

29. I savor treats.

30. I know that treats aren’t to be consumed all day long.

31. I don’t deprive myself.

32. I measure my portions.

33. I tracked my food for 2 years.

34. I use my heart rate monitor to track my calorie burn.

35. I track my food when I start to put on a little weight.

36. I don’t get stressed out over a few pounds of fluid retention.

37. I look for low sodium versions of food.

38. I look for the “light” section of the menu when I go out to eat.

39. I make specific requests from the cook when I am dining out.

40. I go online and use nutrition info to plan my restaurant food.

41. I take the stairs instead of the elevator.

42. I eat breakfast.

43. I changed my Starbucks drink to save 300 calories at a time.

44. I drink 8 glasses of water a day.

45. I skip the cheese on my Subway sandwich.

46. I make protein shakes when I am hungry, but short on time.

47. I don’t buy foods that I know will lead to a binge. (hello Nutella!!!)

48. I no longer buy candy in bulk.

49. I buy an occasional candy bar, just one- not a pack.

50. I eat Greek yogurt to help meet my protein goals.

51. I keep a water bottle at my desk.

52. I get up from the table after one serving.

53. I plan healthy, late night snacks.

54. I eat light if I know that I am having a heavy dinner.

55. I eat slowly.

56. I look for clothes that make me feel good.

57. I take the time to shop for great produce.

58. I try new foods.

59. I buy good running shoes.

60. I eat frozen instead of canned veggies.

61. I buy Franz bread- less sodium, more fiber!

62. I eat one piece of pizza with a huge salad.

63. I know that chips are not an entrée.

64. I no longer eat school lunches.

65. I use Laughing cow cheese wedges as a dip alternative for veggies.

66. I use egg whites to make veggie omelets.

67. I get annual check-ups.

68. I see a massage therapist.

69. I go to the chiropractor.

70. I listen to my body.

71. I push my body.

72. I recognize my limitations.

73. I don’t make excuses for my limitations.

74. I look for ways to improve my performance.

75. I love it when sweat drips down my face.

76. I cross and uncross my legs to remind myself how good it feels.

77. I get 8 hours of sleep a night.

78. I have a subscription to Runner’s World.

79. I give my children opportunities to be involved in sports.

80. I don’t use food to celebrate my success.

81. I make mistakes and am able to start over again.

82. I bring healthy dishes to potlucks.

83. I eat 6 times a day.

84. I stop eating when I am full.

85. I read blogs about healthy living.

86. I talk with others about their goals.

87. I stretch.

88. I change up my exercise when I get bored.

89. I added a riser to my step.

90. I use sugar free creamer.

91. I never give up. (For any real length of time…)

92. I know that there are no quick fixes.

93. I eat Fiber One bars when I’m on the run- yum!

94. I stay out of the staff room when I know that there are snacks out.

95. I enjoy my food.

96. I get that the Biggest Loser is not reality.

97. I love reading about other people’s weight loss success stories.

98. I visit SparkPeople on a regular basis.

99. I am OK with not being skinny.

100. I get excited about a new exercise routine.

101. I get sad when I have to miss a workout.

102. I own leg warmers and gloves so that I can still run when it’s cold.

103. I eat cake at a birthday party.

104. I think about the impact a choice will have on my health.

105. I take a multi-vitamin.

106. I floss.

107. I walk instead of drive.

108. I visit Farmer’s Markets.

109. I eat fresh whenever possible.

110. I bought a rice cooker and actually use it to cook brown rice.

111. I know that it’s not about being skinny.

112. I remember what it was like to be morbidly obese.

113. I compare pictures.

114. I like what I see in the mirror.

115. I accept compliments (still working on this one…)

116. I chart my progress.

117. I split my Fair food with hubby.

118. I take risks.

119. I set realistic goals.

120. I take the advice of others who have been in my shoes.

121. I modify moves during an exercise class if I can’t do what the instructor suggests.

122. I recognize that my weight loss is a combination of both nutrition and exercise.

123. I believe that you need different shoes for different exercises.

124. I bring leftover sweets to work so that I don’t eat them at home.

125. I choose grilled over fried.

126. I order the mini-meals when I have to eat at McDonalds.

127. I don’t worry about saving my “fat clothes” for when I gain back the weight.

128. I feel gross when I overeat.

129. I laugh at myself.

130. I appreciate a rest day.

131. I understand that food if fuel and can’t be valued as good or bad.

132. I make food from scratch. (This is huge is you knew me before!)

133. I planted a garden.

134. I keep a bag of lettuce in my fridge.

135. I get excited about new fruits being in season.

136. I run up stairs when no one is looking.

137. I value each pound that I lose.

138. I dance in dressing rooms when I fit into a smaller size.

139. I share on Facebook about meeting goals.

140. I tell people probably more than they need to know to keep myself accountable.

141. I laugh at commercials for weight loss product. They DO NOT work for long term success!

142. I respect the fact that people need to make their own choices when it comes to living healthy.

143. I am committed to not using diet aids to speed up weight loss.

144. I expect more from my body.

145. I read books about weight loss struggles and successes.

146. I surround myself with people that will keep me accountable.

147. I have an amazing support system.

148. I watch the Olympics in awe of what their bodies can do.

149. I firmly believe that I am more than my previous weight.

150. I spend more to get higher quality food.

151. I ask for fitness gifts for my birthday and Christmas.

152. I own a great digital food scale.

153. I buy pre-portioned desserts.

154. I allow myself to be vulnerable.

155. I am honest about my past weight.

156. I am proud of how far I’ve come.

157. I love how I feel in my own skin.

158. I no longer use food to make me feel better.

159. I eat veggies that two years ago I had never touched. (This one’s for you, Lynn!)

160. I look people in the eye.

161. I stand up straighter.

162. I look forward to seeing long lost friends.

163. I no longer wait until I am a size such-and-such to do what I want to do.

164. I appreciate the new bones that I’ve discover since losing weight. (HELLO collar bones!)

165. I wake up each morning and do it all again. J

Skinny Blonde Chick

Sorry this is so long....good stuff at the end.....

Arriving late to boxing is one of my great fears. Why? That's easy- I might have to share a bag with the skinny blonde chick. There seems to be one in every class. This weekend I was late AND, you guessed it, I had to share a bag with the skinny blonde chick. (To all the skinny blonde chicks at my gym- I am not talking about you....) This blonde chick had it all- cute hair, fancy gloves, she was petite in every way possible to make her extra cute. I am pretty sure she even smelled good after hitting the bags for an hour. There I stood: 5'10", 192 pounds, cute gloves (they are hot pink after all), dirty brown hair. Nothing about me is petite and I can assure you that I did not smell good when I was done. :) Skinny blonde chick is the anti-Kari.

The fat girl that still lives in my brain instantly tenses up when she sees skinny blonde chick. I put up this wall that makes me not trust or like the skinny blonde chick. How was my workout? Uhhhhmazing! I spent the whole class trying to keep up with the skinny blonde chick. I'm happy to report that I did hold my own, but it was tough. Why does the skinny blonde chick stress me out? As an obese adult, I became convinced that all skinny blonde chicks were born that way. They can eat what they want, never exercise, and still be the skinny blonde chick who seems to have everything going for her.

A strange thing happened after class. I was talking to my friend Kelly (who finally got a blog that you must check out!!!!) about the skinny blonde chick. Another instructor came up and told me that skinny blonde chicks name. What!?!?! She has a name? Her name is not the skinny blonde chick.Kelly told me, "One day you are going to stop hating the skinny blonde chick because you will be that skinny chick.". Now, I've already learned that I am totally OK with not being skinny. I know that some people look at me and comment on how "skinny" I am.

On my run today I started thinking about the skinny blonde chick again. Thinking about her name got me thinking....She still has to choose to be healthy. She still has to walk away from the donut. She still has to put in the time it takes to have perfect hair. I don't think that anyone really wakes up perfect. Athletic bodies don't develop on the couch. Don't get me wrong- genetics do play a part in it. She (all of them) is petite because of her bone structure. She may be able to eat a donut and not see the scale change. In honor of the skinny blonde chick I've decide to make a list. I am going to make a list of 165 things (the number of pounds that I have lost) that I choose to do that makes me the healthy person that I am today. Nope, I am not a skinny blonde chick; but I do have a resting heart rate of 62, exercise 6 out of 7 days a week, and find ways every day to make healthier food choices. Tonight I'll start my list and hope to have it posted by the end of the week. Here's to you skinny blonde chick. :)

~Kari