Hard Work Pays Off

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that my 9yo. plays football. If you know anything about youth football, you know that for safety reasons the boys are grouped by age and weight. If you know anything about children, you know that two children the same age can vary GREATLY in size. If you've been paying attention you know that my 9yo is the child that doesn't just break the bell curve, but shatters it when it comes to height and weight, and always has.

Since early summer we have been attending conditioning practices for football because we knew that HB#2 needed to get in shape, which included losing some weight so he could make weight for the age team that he should be on. Yep, he needed to be under 110 lbs. So, yes, we've been working on it all summer long. Last week when the team had a scrimmage they did a test weigh in and he was down to 112. Not bad, but he had plateaued.

While at the Gatorade Moms session I learned a few things about weight loss for kids, and when the league said we had to change a few things, I kicked it into high gear. Full protein breakfast with a little fruit, veggie/protein lunches, 2 small dinners, balanced with extra protein. (Remember, too that he has started school, and works out for 2 hours every night.) With weigh in next Saturday we only had about a week to pound this out.

Well, it worked! Today when he got up he weighed in at 107! WooHoo!

I'm so impressed with his commitment to football and his maturity in knowing, (and putting into practice,) what it takes to achieve his goals. Me thinks there is a life lesson in that, don't you?

Let's go Saints!

Frustrated!

Earlier in the summer when Headless boy #2 started conditioning for football I, too, got back on the fitness bandwagon. They met twice a week to run and do other exercise-y stuff. Me? I just walked around the make-shift 'track'. All .38 miles of it. (Yes, I make multiple trips. Duh.)

But a start is a start, right?

After the kids started practice for-reals, I started stepping up my routine, too. They practiced for 2 hours each weekday and I extended my workouts. I added running, more stretching, push-ups, etc. We've been watching what we eat, and with our garden, adding more fresh veggies, you know, just bettering the diet in general. I usually go for a full hour, with some days my walks lasting for up to an hour and a half. Some days I even work out twice: walking for a while in the morning when I walk the kids to school, and then again in the evening during football. TWICE!

You see where this is going, right?

This morning I got on the scale. (After my coffee and workout but before breakfast, mind you.) Not one pound lost. It's been over 2 months, people. I'm not looking for 10 or more pounds, but a few might be nice, right? My jeans are way tighter than last winter when I wasn't working out, (because I was simply lazy and didn't have football practice to push me to just.do.it.already.since.I.have.to.be.there.anyway.) I'm horribly frustrated. Not to mention that I don't have the money to go buy all new jeans for winter.

So tell me. When you've hit a plateau, what do you do? I don't belong to a gym, so I can't change it up there. Help a sister out, would ya?

155

Alright.

Body, I hear you, and you better hear me.

Enough of this. The upward climb stops now; today. For tomorrow will bring walking, and salads, and no second helpings. The Coke is once again a once-a-month treat.

Muffin-top, you're on notice. No longer will you get me to lounge on the couch if I haven't first walked/done sit-ups/done something. Water, you're now my constant friend, and coffee? Oh coffee, your morning stint is now limited to 2, yes I said 2, cups.

Apples and oranges, you are now my snacks. We must bid adieu to chips, and my beloved queso. Trash, get ready for the sugar high for tomorrow you will be bloated with candy, left over from holidays past, never again for me to grab "just one" as I pass by, not even wanting you in the first place.

Good bye, 155. You've overstayed your welcome already.

Not The Lunch I Meant to Have

I 've been going to a pilates class once a week for the past month or so, hoping beyond hope that it will inspire me to move more often and eat a little better than I have been.

I feel pretty lucky that I've settled into a place that I feel comfortable about my weight. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to look like Jillian Michaels, but the work involved? I'm just not willing to commit to that. My regular reading on the scale hovers around 150, and at 5'8" I'm ok with that. I (usually) exercise regularly and eat well and my weight hangs out right there without too much effort. Usually.

Enter the holidays. And colder, rainy weather. And a need of new running shoes, and that number has crept up a little.

Really. Just a little, but it's at the number that I know that it's time to get moving again and really watch what I eat. More salads, less caving in to the pizza or fast food or whatever is easiest. More steamed veggies are in our future, more water.

Anyway, the point of all of this, is this. I've been trying, right? Been starting to make better choices. Going to pilates, for pete's sake! So what did I have for lunch today?

English muffin toasted with peanut butter. 2 Samoas (Girl Scout cookies,) and chips and salsa.

Dammit. Feet, meet Square One. Again.

Fitness Friday-Five Things

Five things that will be backfiring soon if I'm not careful:

• My intake of coke (the sugary liquid that comes in a bottle or can,) is getting out of control. Over the last month or so I've been tired in the afternoons with miles to go, so I've been having a coke to keep me going. Not every day, but I had gotten to where a coke was a once-a-month treat. 2-3 a week could kill my weight loss on it's own if I'm not careful.
• Halloween candy: rant: I always wait to buy candy for trick-or-treaters until the last day and don't open the bag until just before the kids begin to show up. It is the only way I can NOT eat it. HD bought 2 huge bags a week before and opened one of them. So each day I would grab one piece here, one piece there, until I had about 7 pieces on the day. The fat and calorie equivalent of a whole extra meal, not to mention the sugar! Of course we only ended up with about 5 t-or-t'ers so I'm left with that, plus the 3 lbs. + each from the boys' bags. Ugh! I wish I could just throw it all away but there would be mutiny. /rant
  
• Football practice is screwing with my healthy meal plan. Since I have to feed #2 by about 4 pm it's difficult to make something for him that will still be decent by 6 for everyone else, and not fall into the short-order-cook role.
  
• See also: less veggies with dinners. My body is craving veggies! But the kids are on a no-salad kick which makes it even more difficult to cook/prepare a whole meal for all of us that can stand up to multiple meal times and be healthy and have lots of veggies. Gah!
  
• Less daylight makes me want to curl up and sleep. See: less exercise. It's not even cold here, which makes me grumpy all on it's own. However, I've already ramped up my walking to help. 3 days this week I've walked for 3 miles or more at a 4 mi/hr pace. I think it's the only thing that is keeping all of these things in check.

So, what have you been doing for exercise lately? Have any great, easy meals that I can try? Chime in! I need help here!

Fitness Friday #5 and Other Updates

Uh, FITNESS FAIL this week.

Between the heat (over 100 all week except at about midnight,) and the awful smoke from the Station Fire (not to mention the ash all over everything,) I have done NADA this week as far as exercise goes. We have been eating great, but I'll have to get back on the wagon soon. Hopefully I will over the weekend but most likely will start again on Tuesday.

The good news is I've not gained (or lost.) So that's a wash, I suppose.

I need some inspiration! What have you been doing lately for exercise?

*****

Do you have fresh tomatoes in your garden? Next week I'm going to post the best recipe for tomato sauce evah. Our garden is bursting with tomatoes right now and I needed to use them, and this is the perfect use-and I can even freeze it to use for later. Granted I've never made fresh sauce before, but it was awesomely yummy. Each member of my family loved it, so watch for it!

*****

File Under Irony: Know how I've talked about Headless Dad's disdain for all things technology? Guess who came home with a Blackberry 2 days ago, and has already sent me an email from it? I've been looking at getting a smart phone, so at least I get to try before I buy, right?

*****

You have to go read Steph's posts about our weekend. (One and Two.) Hysterical.

*****

Please, please, please, (if you haven't already,) go over to help our friends move. We are committed to helping them but your help would help us, too. It takes a village, right?

Fitness Friday #4

Do you walk/run on a track? I usually hate it because it's so monotonous but I figured out how to make it more interesting. It goes something like this:

• walk the first lap
• stretch
• run the second lap
• do a set of push-ups
• walk/run one lap
• set of tricept pushups
• walk/run one lap
• {sit ups, push ups, etc.}
• repeat
  

Doing this on Tuesday night helped me go OVER 3 MILES without flinching. I stretched my arms while I was walking each lap. Make sure to stretch out gooood at the end or you'll pay for the next couple of days.

Of course I'm still sitting on my same number on the scale. It won't budge, but I'm noticing a little extra room in my pants and shorts, so I guess that's good.

*****

The football weigh in went great! He made weight; with some to spare, I think. The weight limit for his age is 90lb. and the morning of he weighed 85 or so. The whole saga of watching his/our food intake is a story in and of itself, so I'll do that later. So much football, so little time.

*****

I have to run...I'm super busy today. Some important phone calls, helping at the school, working on the room, swimming after school, Target. Gah! If the stars align right I'm going to have a killer weekend to tell you about so stay tuned!

Fitness Friday #3

So it's Monday. Wanna make something of it? (Actually, last week just plain kicked my butt. I've spent the last few days recovering and getting ready for this week.)

Workouts: Walking the kids to school and then setting off in our hilly neighborhood has been great for my butt! I've been clocking at least 2 miles each day. I also added sit-ups and push-ups to my routine this week. (No specific program just yet, just doing a few sets of each.)

Food: Since we're still watching what we eat for football weigh in, we had a week of very low carbs. Tacos in a bowl one night, (thanks for the suggestion, Amy!), meatloaf (made with half beef, half turkey,) and broccoli (no mashed potatoes!), and Asian lettuce wraps. We've eaten grilled chicken this weekend, lots of fresh veggies, and even had fish on Sunday evening.

Verdict? Well, if I had posted this on Friday like I was supposed to, I would have said "not one bloody pound" again. However, since it's Monday, I'm happy to report that as of Sunday, I'm down 3 pounds! Yay! See what procrastination can get you sometimes?

And, in celebration of those 3 pounds, I give thee my recipe for Stuffed Zucchini. (Modified from better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, edition 1997 (?). Yes, that one!

4 med. zucchini ( Or one giant one, like I got out of my garden, with an extra, just in case.)
3/4 lb. ground turkey
1/3 cup chopped onion (I used considerably more)
1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilis)
1/3 cup rice
1 Tbsp. Worstershire sauce
1/2 tsp. basil or oregano (I used oregano)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar (I used more, obviously.)

Boil water in pot large enough for zucchini. Cut a thin slice off of the top, lengthwise, so you can scoop out the seedy part. Immerse in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. (My pot wasn't large enough for the whole zucchini so I had to do each end on it's own. Worked!)

Cook meat and onion in skillet until brown. Drain. Add can of Rotel, uncooked rice, Worsteshire sauce, basil, 1/2 cup water, and a little salt and pepper, (if desired. I didn't.) Cook until boiling, then cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes, until rice is cooked. Mix in half of the shredded cheese and spoon into the prepared zucchini. Put into large baking dish (like a pyrex)(if not all of the mixture fits you can add it to the bottom of your baking pan,) and bake in 350 oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Add the last of the cheese for the last 2-3 minutes to melt.

This fed four of us perfectly! You could also use bell peppers if you like them, but zucchini out of the garden is way better. One of my kids loved the whole thing, the other one only liked the stuffing. It's worth a shot-pretty quick and easy for a weeknight, and with rice and cheese? Most kids will like it. Let me know what you think!

How did you do this week? Any successes?

Fitness Friday #2

Is it Friday already? These weeks are barreling by. Before we know it, it will be Christmas! (Don't throw any tomatoes this way. *ducking*)

So, for this week, I walked M-Th. (anywhere from 2 miles-3 1/4 miles). I've run parts of that.

I've started back on my granola and yogurt breakfast. (Granola cereal, vanilla yogurt, and berries if we have them.) I have been making my homemade refried beans, so burritos (with a tortilla, or 'in a bowl') have been eaten. Fiber, protein, and great for the budget! We have been cutting out carbs, and eating lots more fruits and veggies. Nothing exciting, but we're doing it.

And not a damn pound lost to show for it

What about you?

(I have a great recipe to share next week-with bounty from the garden!)

Fitness Friday

It is decreed that today begins "Fitness Friday" here at the Headless Casa. Would you like to join me? First, for my story...

I have been far too lax in my exercise and eating and thus have added 5 too many pounds to my frame. Last November, you might remember, that I posted my weight for all the internet to see. Since that time I seriously let a few things go. Namely my belly and my diet. Ahem.

Our youngest started football conditioning this week-two hours each day of running, stretching, agility, and running. He also has to watch his weight. I've mentioned here before that he is a big kid and always has been but to make weight for his age we have to keep an eye on what and how much he eats. He's always been an eater, that one, and we don't want it to get away from him. Thus, we are watching what and how much we all eat this week.

And, I figured that since I had to be at the track anyway....

Which leads me to Fitness Friday. Each Friday I'll be posting here about our successes. It might be what I have or have not eaten this week. (Because we all know that walking away from cake is a success in itself, right?) Or it might be a new exercise that I tried, or how many miles I walked. It might be how many pounds that I lost (please!!!). Anything fitness related is game.

So, this week during practice I started walking again. On Wednesday, I walked about 3 miles on the track, and ran 1/4 mile of that. (Baby steps, right?) On Thursday I did the same. Also this week I have gotten back to only 2 cups of coffee, instead of the three or more I'd been up to.

Meals: more protein, eating sensible breakfasts, low fat, more fruits. No crazy snacking. Only one piece of birthday cake on Wednesday.

Leave me a comment and tell me the successes you've had this week! Don't just sit there-exercise your fingers! (Oh, and feel free to write your own post, link here, and leave us all the link in your comment. If needed I'll eventually get a Mr. Linky.)

I Should Take My Own Advice

• walk the kids to school, and run for a portion of it
• drink less coffee, and pollute it less
• do those push ups and sit ups
• eat more fruits and veggies
• eat less bread
  
• drink less alcohol/wine
• quit relying on the snack bar for baseball dinners
• quit the soda (again!)
• don't eat late at night
• play outside with my kids
• eat breakfast at breakfast time
  

Uh, I guess I'll start next week, as this is set to auto post while I'm in Las Vegas with Headless Dad. The good news is that I'm going for bowling, so at least I'll get a little bit of exercise(?). I'm not taking the laptop so I'll see you all on Sunday.

In the meantime, what kind of things would you add to this list? What are the 'rules' that you break routinely when it comes to weight loss/maintenance? Your 'stumbling blocks,' if you will? Let me have it because I really need to ramp it up to lose these pesky 5 lbs. again. Yes, again!

Oh, and your other assignment for the weekend while I'm gone? Get all of your Southern California friends and neighbors to enter my Chick-fil-A giveaway!

I'm Famous, Y'all. Kinda.

Hey! I'm guest posting today over at Diets in Review.com! Come check it out and tell me-(and them!) how cool I am.

Or not. Heh.

And for those of you who are here visiting from Diets in Review, Welcome! Hang around a while and get to know me and my crazy life. There are a few of my favorite posts over there in the sidebar...or click on some of the tags at the end of this post to see what else I have to say. Thanks for coming by!

5 To Lose 5

Over the last 2 years I have lost and kept off 15 pounds. I know that it is not a huge weight loss, and I could probably stand to lose another 5, maybe 10. That said, there are some things that have really made the difference for me.

5 to be exact.

My top 5 tips to lose 5 pounds (or keep them off!):

1. Stop drinking soda-even diet!- every day. I am a Coca~Cola freak. I love the stuff, especially out of the fountain with that little pellet ice. I don't drink it. Well, let me clarify: I now drink it only as an occasional treat. Really. Maybe one per month, in place of a dessert or other snack. I actually keep caffeine-free Coke around since I usually will indulge during a favorite tv show and the caffeine would keep me up.
2. Add veggies! We routinely have salads for dinner at least once or twice a week. There are tons of varieties out there-just go look for your favorite flavor. We actually love taco salads around here-yes, the kids do too! Start with lots of dark greens mixed with iceberg, brown ground turkey add taco seasoning, chop your favorite veggies, (we add red or orange bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, jicama, celery, shredded carrots, cilantro, the works! or whatever we have on hand,) and mix up this dressing: Lite Sour cream and salsa. About 50/50, to taste. Crumble tortilla chips on top, if you wish. Yummmmmm.
3. Cut down on your coffee habit. I know! I used to finish the pot (a 12 cupper) after Headless Dad would leave for work. I totally pollute my coffee-sugar and half and half. I looove my coffee. Stopping at 2 cups has saved me hundreds of calories a month. I still pollute it, but stop before I pollute my arteries and waist line, too.
4. Eat breakfast. I know, everyone says it, but it is true. Find something that you like. For me, it's low-fat granola with vanilla yogurt and fruit, preferably berries. I don't love to eat early so I usually will eat after my walk, or at least after the kids leave for school. I really feel like crap if I don't eat breakfast now, could that be why you don't feel so good? Other ideas could be an egg sandwich, protein shake, bowl of cheerios with a banana. Just do it!
5. No list like this would be complete without EXERCISE. Find something that you love and do it every day, or almost every day. For me it is walking. I live in an equestrian neighborhood, nestled next to National Forest land, so there are great trails all over. I love to walk and check out peoples' landscaping, house paint color, additions, and day dream about what to do to my own house. Of course we can't do it right now, but by the time I've added a bedroom and an office, painted the joint, put a deck on the back, and added a pool, I'm unlocking the door to my own house. The time flies even without an ipod. I also try to get in floor work-sit-ups and push-ups, but don't always. Other ideas could include bike riding, running, swimming-just move. Make it a part of your day. Start small if you have to. You'll be glad you did.

Well, those are my best tips. What are yours?

After you answer, you can head back to Shannon's for other WFMW tips!

150

Way back in January, (when only about 3 people read this blog,) I wrote about my resolutions for this year. Hey, all the cool kids were doing it, so I thought I would too. (Insert cliche about jumping off bridge here.)

One of my resolutions was to lose a few more pounds, ten to be exact. I had worked really hard changing eating habits and basically getting off of my butt for the previous six months, and I saw great results. But I think I really underestimated how hard it would be to lose ten more.

For the majority of the year I have kept up a decent level of exercise-I walk at least 3-4 days a week. I sometimes even run for part of it. I do "floor work" (push ups, sit ups, etc.), although on an increasingly sporadic schedule. (Remember my quest for 100 pushups this summer? My arms rocked for BlogHer but then, meh.) I looked decent in a bathing suit in Hawaii (= knew no one except family=forgiving,) and didn't even put one on for the cruise. (I know! On a cruise! Crazy!)

Now we are creeping (ok, barreling) toward the end of the year and it is normal to look back and reflect on the things that we wanted to accomplish this year. I think that I was naive to think that I would find, or even make the time to get this done. As much as I love some exercise, I get sucked into other things, and don't have an 'exercise partner' that would help keep me motivated. (Any takers?)

Should I be able to motivate myself? Yes. Do I let myself off of the hook more often than I should? Yes. Am I going to beat myself up about it?

Absolutely not.

While I haven't lost any more in the last 10 months, I also haven't gained. Through vacations and parties, and eating crappy at times, I have not gained.

I see this as a victory of sorts. See, the fact that I still lace up my walking shoes on a regular basis means that I have made a lifestyle change that is for the long haul. The fact that most of the time (current week notwithstanding) we, as a family, eat really well is a nutritional victory for all of us. And it shows on my scale that my body can roll with a few punches and maintain my only-slightly-less-than-perfect figure. I'm ok with that.

Well, unless Carmen moves to my neighborhood. I have a feeling she'd kick my butt all over the martial arts studio and I'd lose those last few pounds.

The best thing that I've gotten out of this journey is that I love my body more and more, even in it's imperfection. I feel stronger, my skin is clearer; my mind is clearer.

And that's a great place to be, no matter what the scale says.

100 Pushups- Week 3 Day 3

I did a total of 102, in 5 sets. One set was on my knees-I was praying to get through.

I kid.

Kinda.

This week is really hard so I'm going back to the website to read again to see if I should repeat this week. My form gets really bad after the first set, except the set on my knees. I do that set so I can go all the way down, touching my belly to the floor. My rationale is that I get the full range of motion. I guess it's just an excuse, but Holy Heck, this is hard.

It is cool for HD to say that he sees a big difference in my arms. I felt a difference when I was bowling yesterday. Have I mentioned that this is hard?

I do still love it though!

How many did YOU do today?

One Hundred Push Ups-Day 3

51 today!!!

Yes, I said fifty-one.

Yea for me!!

One Hundred Push Ups-Day 2

39 total today.

I like this!

The Curse

After bragging to Carmen and a few others over the last few days it was bound to happen.

Just 3 days ago I found a really cute pair of shorts at Target, on sale, and get this-they were a size 8!!!! (As I told her, I haven't bought a size 8 since before I got married 10 years ago.) Yea me! This has been a goal of mine for about a year now and part of my New Year's Resolution.

I've changed eating habits. I've changed exercise habits. And Finally! The size I was looking for!

Until today.

Yes, female friends, you now what I mean. I'm big and bloated. I'm mushy around the middle. (Yes, I can even see it!) The Curse is upon me once again.

Ugh.

It's a good thing the battery in the scale is dead because I really don't want to see the damage right now.

A few things...Mostly just some randomness and loose ends...

(I really don't have time to write today-the shower (bridal) is looming and Christmas still beckons from the living room. But I'm really, really good at procrastinating. Can't you tell?)

I did love the beginning of AI last night. Mostly because it kept Headless Dad up past his usual 7:00 snore-fest. He loves the first weeks of AI-he isn't mean in the slightest, but I guess being a voyeur to the awfulness that is the Open Auditions is an outlet for any mean-ness that might sneak through. I have a few favorites already, but Hollywood week is the true test. The stress separates the kids from the adults, so to speak.

The Headless Grandparents are coming in tomorrow. They are very cool, very fun (and helpful!) to have around. I'll have to introduce you to them later. You'll then understand how I became headless. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, really.

Tonight is the Pinewood Derby Race at scouts. Have any of you participated before? This is our first time, and I really hope HB1 does ok. If nothing he'll probably have the coolest looking car there. HD has been obsessed with the sanding, the sanding, the sanding...you get the idea.

Oh! I have an internet-y question for you: Do you have a good site for tv/flat screen/brand reviews? We have been talking about taking the plunge and I told HD I would see what I could find. Your own reviews would be great, too. He/we have been looking but are still clueless. Help!

I had a really good time with my Bible study girls last night. We met at the book store to decide on a directed study-A Women of Faith study on 'Finding Joy'. Perfect for me, I might add, remember? Then we went to get coffee and I found something that could ruin my weight loss if I lived closer. Decaf CREME BRULE, people. Amazing. One as a treat is ok-but I really have to stay away from that neighborhood or my butt may become a huge CREME BRULE.

I really need to get more done on the bathroom I'm remodeling. Like put up a mirror before the shower on Sat.? I also have the medicine cabinet to install, need to caulk the side and back splashes, seal the doors and drawers of the cabinet so they can be installed. It's just little stuff, but with Christmas in the living room, who can focus?

Happy Wednesday, all. And if you have suggestions for any of the above, please fill me in!

The resolution intro

Everyone is posting about their resolutions for 2008. I've never been much of a resolution maker, because I'm not much of a resolution keeper. Hmph. I do, however, have a couple of things that I want to accomplish this year-for myself. (These so not include finishing the bathroom, currently under remodel, or cleaning out a closet or 2. Those things are for everyday, every year, for life. I'm talking about things FOR ME.)

1) I want to lose another 10 pounds, and keep it off. As you may know I read Carmen every day. (Link in sidebar.) She and her plan have been crucial to my success so far. I have 'sat' on a 10 lb. loss for four months. This is great-I have not been able to maintain this kind of loss since before I was married 10 years ago. Now, since I know I can do it I want to go to the next level. This will require me to make a bigger commitment to exercise than I have made in probably 15 years. I'm ready and I am willing. And I want to be in a cuter, sexier bathing suit before we go to Hawaii next summer. As far as eating and nutrition go I think that I/we made huge strides last year and that just needs to stay on track. Oh, and I really need to eat breakfast each day, at breakfast time. Not when I'm about to pass out from starvation.

2) I want to have a house that is more full of joy than ever before.

See, this is to be continued! I have a lot to say about joy, and why this is a goal for me. It has been on my heart for a long time, and I have learned that much of the joy in a household comes from the wife/mom. It is time for me to step up to the plate.