back on track! I hadn't been tracking my food, or following the plan I laid out for myself, or even blogging about all the ups and downs, but I'm here now and DOING IT ALL! So what if I blew the first weeks of the year? Some lessons are learned the hard way. I'm not going to live in the past. I'm going to live for NOW...and NOW I'm knocking them out of the ballpark. I'm eating right again (if you don't count the bag of Cheetos I scarfed at my son's debate tournament this weekend.) I'm getting more much needed sleep. I'm back to work with my trainer, Danielle, and rapidly regaining the massive amount of strength I lost while I was out of commission with the #@$@! vertigo. Life, for the most part, is pretty darn good.
It's amazing how things fall into place when I get up off my ass and DO what I know I need to do. It reminds me so much of what I learned at fat camp. While I was there, I consistently lost between 3 and 5 pounds a week. I think that was a pretty darn good percentage for someone my size. (I could be a LOT heavier, you know?) There were some other people there that didn't hit the same numbers. Invariably, they were the people that "tweaked" the program...a skipped workout here...an extra spoon of salad dressing there...and so on. They always had some sort of excuse about slow metabolism or whatever. I've used all the same excuses and know them much too well...but, as I said then and repeat now: IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT.
So, that's what I'm trying to do. In order to meet my primary goal, I have to lose an average of nearly 5 pounds a week (yes, I KNOW it's a LOT - but it's also very much within the realm of possibility - I'm already down 2 in the past 2 days!) between now and my birthday. I won't beat myself up emotionally if I don't get there BY my birthday, because I know I will get there...and soon. Regardless, I'm getting stronger and more fit every day and that's more important than the number on the scale.
Ass, you only THOUGHT you had me under the barrel. You were mistaken.
Showing posts with label Real Life Fitness and Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Life Fitness and Health. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
This is me and...
my buddy, my pal, Adam Funke. He's the man that had the fit of brilliance that became Real Life Fitness and Health...otherwise known as my "fat camp." I'm thankful that Google found him for me because his program changed my life. By the way, Adam, I forgive you for not calling me back that time your cell phone died and Christy still deserves a raise (even if you already gave her one!) ;)
**Disclaimer** It is ME (not Laila), in the picture...straight from a workout. A sincere thanks goes out to the photographer who was kind enough to leave my ass out of the picture. My ass is still not entirely photo worthy...but it's on the way there!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
This is going to be....
a long, boring story...mostly about my current health issues. Reading it will sort of be like being trapped with your crazy Aunt Mildred at an Easter luncheon listening to stories about her blood sugar fluctuations, ingrown toenails, and halitosis. Fortunately for me, I'm still writing this blog as some sort of cathartic journaling process...so for those of you that expect me to be entertaining or offer some sort of useful information...you might want to just skip this post..that or SUCK IT UP!
Anyhow, for THREE weeks now...I've been mostly sitting around my house. Mostly sitting around my house and occasionally being driven to the medical center by my husband or my mother for one doctor's appointment or test or another. I've been having a very serious PITY PARTY. It sucks.
It all started out with the really bad allergy attack that came on as soon as I crossed the state line into Texas on the drive home from fat camp in Utah. I have determined, without a doubt, that I am allergic to this state. Someday, God-willing, we'll get to move....good economy and cheap housing be damned.
The allergy attack turned into a sinus infection. The sinus infection turned into an ear infection. I called my family doctor, but was unable to get an appointment right away with him and had to see one of his physician's assistants. The physician's assistant put me on antibiotics for my ear infection, Nasonex, and told me to stop taking the Benadryl (that's been working for me my antihistamine of choice for DECADES!) and to start taking Zyrtec-D. I figured, I haven't been to "physician's assistant school"...so I listened.
My ear infection cleared up (seemingly)...but I continued, as instructed, to take the Zyrtec-D. A few weeks later, my ear started to hurt again. It felt similar to the pain, all those years ago, of a diving injury. I was (am) also having issues with severe vertigo and can hear everything from my heartbeat to my sound of my breathing inside my head...strange stuff. This time, I was able to see MY DOCTOR. Strangely, he found no signs of an infection. NONE. He sent me to my Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor.
The ENT tested my hearing. It's improved significantly since my diving days. He looked in my ear and also didn't see any signs of infection. He gave me a preliminary diagnosis of "patulous eustachian tubes"...which means, in a nutshell, that the tubes in my ears that are supposed to open and CLOSE stay open all the time. Then he sent me off to a cardiologist to find out why I'm getting so dizzy because he thought it might have something to do with my blood pressure being low.
So off to the cardiologist I went. I had an EKG. I got to take a "Holter" monitor home and wear that for 24 hours. My mother and I had an amusing discussion because we were certain that they'd misspelled "halter"...because of how you wore the damn thing...but it turns out it's someones name. Oh well...can't correct everyone all the time. On one day I had an echocardiogram. THAT reminded me how long I'm capable of holding my breath. I think I was making the nurse nervous.
On another day, I got to have a "tilt test." The test consisted primarily of spending about an hour and change being velcroed to a hospital table held upright at about 80 degrees, like Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. I spent the time chatting with my cardiologist about diving and spear-fishing while they did various and sundry stuff to me, including but not limited to dosing me with nitroglycrin and trying to make me faint. I didn't faint. The only time I felt dizzy was when they initially moved the table. I tried to explain that if they wanted to make me dizzy they needed to move the table back down and back up again...quickly...but, apparently, that wasn't the point of the test.
Based on the results of all these tests, the cardiologist has determined that there isn't a hill of beans worth of anything wrong with my heart. He told me that my vertigo is most likely caused by something in my inner ear and that I should return to the ENT. Go figure. FML.
I have yet to return to the ENT. I'm frustrated with my ear, nose and throat doctor for sending me to the cardiologist in the first place and seriously considering trying to find another doctor. Mostly though, I'm distracted and moderately freaked out by the "surprise" news I got from the cardiologist. "Surprise"...as in, "Oh by the way, when we were doing your echocardiogram, we noticed a CYST ON YOUR LIVER." You need to get that checked promptly. So, now I get to go see another doctor. And now I get to get another test. And now I have another health issue to worry about. I would sincerely like to NOT have any sort of problems with my liver. I would sincerely like to NOT have any health problems AT ALL, but that's probably too much to ask.
I'm having a little bit of trouble counting my blessings right now, but I'll try. My knees aren't bothering me anymore. My back isn't bothering me anymore. I am the ONLY person in my house that doesn't need glasses. According to the ENT (whom I'm still very irritated with)...I can supposedly hear again too (although I wish I couldn't hear my own heartbeat). We still have private health insurance. I am almost five years thyroid CANCER FREE!
So, like I said, I've been sitting around having a pity party. I've been going down the "worst case scenario" road....the "oh crap, what if I have cancer in my liver?" road. I've been sitting around feeling really sorry for myself. I've been using the vertigo as an excuse not to work out. Yes, I get really dizzy. Yes, I might fall off the friggin' treadmill. (What's new?!) Yes, it's not really safe for me to drive. (How about hauling my fat ass upstairs and using the thousands of dollars of equipment I have at my disposal at home?) If none of that, how about not using everything else as an excuse to "snack" on just a few too many simple carbs. Yeah, I know. I've been letting my ass take the reins. No more. It felt too good to get up off of my ass the past two days and do something. (We painted.) It's time to get back to work on my ass. I'll cross the rest of the bridges when I come to them.
Anyhow, for THREE weeks now...I've been mostly sitting around my house. Mostly sitting around my house and occasionally being driven to the medical center by my husband or my mother for one doctor's appointment or test or another. I've been having a very serious PITY PARTY. It sucks.
It all started out with the really bad allergy attack that came on as soon as I crossed the state line into Texas on the drive home from fat camp in Utah. I have determined, without a doubt, that I am allergic to this state. Someday, God-willing, we'll get to move....good economy and cheap housing be damned.
The allergy attack turned into a sinus infection. The sinus infection turned into an ear infection. I called my family doctor, but was unable to get an appointment right away with him and had to see one of his physician's assistants. The physician's assistant put me on antibiotics for my ear infection, Nasonex, and told me to stop taking the Benadryl (that's been working for me my antihistamine of choice for DECADES!) and to start taking Zyrtec-D. I figured, I haven't been to "physician's assistant school"...so I listened.
My ear infection cleared up (seemingly)...but I continued, as instructed, to take the Zyrtec-D. A few weeks later, my ear started to hurt again. It felt similar to the pain, all those years ago, of a diving injury. I was (am) also having issues with severe vertigo and can hear everything from my heartbeat to my sound of my breathing inside my head...strange stuff. This time, I was able to see MY DOCTOR. Strangely, he found no signs of an infection. NONE. He sent me to my Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor.
The ENT tested my hearing. It's improved significantly since my diving days. He looked in my ear and also didn't see any signs of infection. He gave me a preliminary diagnosis of "patulous eustachian tubes"...which means, in a nutshell, that the tubes in my ears that are supposed to open and CLOSE stay open all the time. Then he sent me off to a cardiologist to find out why I'm getting so dizzy because he thought it might have something to do with my blood pressure being low.
So off to the cardiologist I went. I had an EKG. I got to take a "Holter" monitor home and wear that for 24 hours. My mother and I had an amusing discussion because we were certain that they'd misspelled "halter"...because of how you wore the damn thing...but it turns out it's someones name. Oh well...can't correct everyone all the time. On one day I had an echocardiogram. THAT reminded me how long I'm capable of holding my breath. I think I was making the nurse nervous.
On another day, I got to have a "tilt test." The test consisted primarily of spending about an hour and change being velcroed to a hospital table held upright at about 80 degrees, like Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. I spent the time chatting with my cardiologist about diving and spear-fishing while they did various and sundry stuff to me, including but not limited to dosing me with nitroglycrin and trying to make me faint. I didn't faint. The only time I felt dizzy was when they initially moved the table. I tried to explain that if they wanted to make me dizzy they needed to move the table back down and back up again...quickly...but, apparently, that wasn't the point of the test.
Based on the results of all these tests, the cardiologist has determined that there isn't a hill of beans worth of anything wrong with my heart. He told me that my vertigo is most likely caused by something in my inner ear and that I should return to the ENT. Go figure. FML.
I have yet to return to the ENT. I'm frustrated with my ear, nose and throat doctor for sending me to the cardiologist in the first place and seriously considering trying to find another doctor. Mostly though, I'm distracted and moderately freaked out by the "surprise" news I got from the cardiologist. "Surprise"...as in, "Oh by the way, when we were doing your echocardiogram, we noticed a CYST ON YOUR LIVER." You need to get that checked promptly. So, now I get to go see another doctor. And now I get to get another test. And now I have another health issue to worry about. I would sincerely like to NOT have any sort of problems with my liver. I would sincerely like to NOT have any health problems AT ALL, but that's probably too much to ask.
I'm having a little bit of trouble counting my blessings right now, but I'll try. My knees aren't bothering me anymore. My back isn't bothering me anymore. I am the ONLY person in my house that doesn't need glasses. According to the ENT (whom I'm still very irritated with)...I can supposedly hear again too (although I wish I couldn't hear my own heartbeat). We still have private health insurance. I am almost five years thyroid CANCER FREE!
So, like I said, I've been sitting around having a pity party. I've been going down the "worst case scenario" road....the "oh crap, what if I have cancer in my liver?" road. I've been sitting around feeling really sorry for myself. I've been using the vertigo as an excuse not to work out. Yes, I get really dizzy. Yes, I might fall off the friggin' treadmill. (What's new?!) Yes, it's not really safe for me to drive. (How about hauling my fat ass upstairs and using the thousands of dollars of equipment I have at my disposal at home?) If none of that, how about not using everything else as an excuse to "snack" on just a few too many simple carbs. Yeah, I know. I've been letting my ass take the reins. No more. It felt too good to get up off of my ass the past two days and do something. (We painted.) It's time to get back to work on my ass. I'll cross the rest of the bridges when I come to them.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Biggest Loser...
is really starting to PISS ME OFF! Considering the fact that I have seen every single episode of the show (some more than once) AND at least one season of TBL Australia...most of them watched from the comfort of my couch at home with a bucket of fried chicken or a bowl of ice cream close at hand and the thought, "I could do that!" bouncing around in my head, my being a suddenly disgruntled fan is really saying something.
These are my "issues":::
1. The TITLE of the show. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a play on words. I know the "contestants" or whatever you want to call them are there to lose weight. There are no two ways about it, however, the words "BIGGEST" and "LOSER" are a none too subtle negative jab. What could they have called the show instead? I'm no advertising executive so, I don't really know...something a little more positive, maybe? Do you have an idea?
2. Jillian is no longer "Jillian." She's become a brand...and therefore a characture of her former self. She used to really seem to care about her team/the contestants/her clients/whatever you want to call them. Now, it just seems like she's going through the motions to sell her protein powder and diet pills. DIET PILLS??!!
3. Bob was always a weiner. Now, perhaps jealous of Jillian's financial success, he's trying not to be weiner. He's putting on a Jillian cape of "tough guy" attitude. It only serves to make him come off as a bigger weiner...and therefore MORE annoying.
4. Taking an extremely obese, sedentary, person straight off the couch and telling them to run a mile on concrete is, at least under most circumstances, a recipe for major injuries if not a heart attack or stroke. It's not only dangerous, it should almost be criminal. I don't know what sort of medical evaluation they put the contestants through before accepting them for the show, but part of it must be determining that they have that special metal bonded with their bones...like Hugh Jackman in Wolverine. My orthopaedic surgeon says, "fat people shouldn't do jumping jacks." He's right. There are so many ways to lose weight and get cardiovascular exercise without putting tremendous impact on your joints. How about swimming? How about biking? Why take the risk of injury? If you get hurt, it only sets you back. I've learned this lesson the hard way.
5. The numbers are unrealistic. By now, maybe some of you have read some of the "behind the scenes" interviews with past contestants too. I've read about them coming into the weekly weigh-ins on diuretics and laxatives...dehydrated to the point of delirium. Not good. Even if all of that is sour grapes, however, the numbers are STILL unrealistic...or certainly unachievable in real life. I lived the "fat camp" life for a month. We were on a strict 1200 calorie a day diet. We didn't cook for ourselves, so there was no easy way to obtain a significant number of additional calories. We were at the gym an average of 14 hours a day. Even the heaviest men there didn't hit numbers like they did on TBL....nowhere close. The average weekly weight loss that I saw for women was in the 3 - 5 pound range...often quite a bit less.
I'm home now and averaging 2 pounds or so a week. I'm always ecstatic...right up until I see the numbers on The Biggest Loser. When I see those, I feel, for a moment, like I'm doing something wrong...like I should have exercised more or eaten less. AND that, more than anything, is why I'm pissed off at the show right now! I'm busting my ass. (Hear that, ass? You're busted!) I'm working harder than I ever have in my life. I'm eating more carefully than I ever have in my life. Then I sit down and watch a show that USED to motivate me and all of a sudden it's starting to make me feel like I'm not doing "enough." It's starting to make me feel like a "big loser." I don't like that feeling...because when I'm at the gym, dripping sweat on the elliptical machine, or staring down my reflection in the mirror in yoga while I hold "warrior 3," I feel like the "BIGGEST WINNER"....or maybe just the strongest one. I think it's time to change the channel.
These are my "issues":::
1. The TITLE of the show. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a play on words. I know the "contestants" or whatever you want to call them are there to lose weight. There are no two ways about it, however, the words "BIGGEST" and "LOSER" are a none too subtle negative jab. What could they have called the show instead? I'm no advertising executive so, I don't really know...something a little more positive, maybe? Do you have an idea?
2. Jillian is no longer "Jillian." She's become a brand...and therefore a characture of her former self. She used to really seem to care about her team/the contestants/her clients/whatever you want to call them. Now, it just seems like she's going through the motions to sell her protein powder and diet pills. DIET PILLS??!!
3. Bob was always a weiner. Now, perhaps jealous of Jillian's financial success, he's trying not to be weiner. He's putting on a Jillian cape of "tough guy" attitude. It only serves to make him come off as a bigger weiner...and therefore MORE annoying.
4. Taking an extremely obese, sedentary, person straight off the couch and telling them to run a mile on concrete is, at least under most circumstances, a recipe for major injuries if not a heart attack or stroke. It's not only dangerous, it should almost be criminal. I don't know what sort of medical evaluation they put the contestants through before accepting them for the show, but part of it must be determining that they have that special metal bonded with their bones...like Hugh Jackman in Wolverine. My orthopaedic surgeon says, "fat people shouldn't do jumping jacks." He's right. There are so many ways to lose weight and get cardiovascular exercise without putting tremendous impact on your joints. How about swimming? How about biking? Why take the risk of injury? If you get hurt, it only sets you back. I've learned this lesson the hard way.
5. The numbers are unrealistic. By now, maybe some of you have read some of the "behind the scenes" interviews with past contestants too. I've read about them coming into the weekly weigh-ins on diuretics and laxatives...dehydrated to the point of delirium. Not good. Even if all of that is sour grapes, however, the numbers are STILL unrealistic...or certainly unachievable in real life. I lived the "fat camp" life for a month. We were on a strict 1200 calorie a day diet. We didn't cook for ourselves, so there was no easy way to obtain a significant number of additional calories. We were at the gym an average of 14 hours a day. Even the heaviest men there didn't hit numbers like they did on TBL....nowhere close. The average weekly weight loss that I saw for women was in the 3 - 5 pound range...often quite a bit less.
I'm home now and averaging 2 pounds or so a week. I'm always ecstatic...right up until I see the numbers on The Biggest Loser. When I see those, I feel, for a moment, like I'm doing something wrong...like I should have exercised more or eaten less. AND that, more than anything, is why I'm pissed off at the show right now! I'm busting my ass. (Hear that, ass? You're busted!) I'm working harder than I ever have in my life. I'm eating more carefully than I ever have in my life. Then I sit down and watch a show that USED to motivate me and all of a sudden it's starting to make me feel like I'm not doing "enough." It's starting to make me feel like a "big loser." I don't like that feeling...because when I'm at the gym, dripping sweat on the elliptical machine, or staring down my reflection in the mirror in yoga while I hold "warrior 3," I feel like the "BIGGEST WINNER"....or maybe just the strongest one. I think it's time to change the channel.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
I have officially been...
HOME from fat camp (otherwise known as Real Life Fitness and Health) for one week. Reintegration is difficult, but I'm managing. According to the first Sunday (at home weigh in), I'm down 3 more pounds since my departure from camp. If I can keep up this pace (I'd be happy for 2 pounds a week) I WILL MEET MY GOAL by my birthday!
This is what I know right now:
It was a life changing experience for me to go to Real Life. In spite of having access to all the "tools" at home: gyms, trainers, therapists, nutritionists, etc. I also had a whole host of issues to constantly deal with...some real, some excuses that I imagined for myself, All the issues and excuses had managed to bundle themselves up into a ball...then a boulder...then a seemingly insurmountable mountain. I had created a mountain out of doubts and fears and insecurities and food addictions and saboteurs and lethargy and injuries and more and more excuses.
I had to find a way around the mountain. My way was to leave home. It was a difficult thing to do. I left my husband and my teenage boys and all my pets and all my responsibilities. I got in my car and drove to Real Life Fitness and Health in Draper, Utah. When I arrived, the only things left for which I was personally responsible were personal hygiene, waking up in the morning and getting dressed and ready for boot camp. The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. This was enough responsibility.
We were told where to be, when we needed to be there, what we should do when we got there, what we should eat (the meals were prepared for us and the last time we saw our dishes was when we cleared them from the table). We were given loads of encouragement and support. We had brilliant facilities and fantastic trainers. We spent approximately 14 hours a day at the gym...with breaks for snacks and meals.
We learned not only how to exercise, but how to LOVE exercise and appreciate what it can do for our body. We learned to appreciate food as FUEL instead of a treat, entertainment, or pleasure. We learned to find other things, besides food, to do that are not only MORE FUN but don't include eating as the primary focus and, as a bonus, burn calories. All I want for Christmas this year is a pair of my very own bowling shoes...AND....one of those cool, custom balls. And if Santa's feeling really super generous, an F1 racing go-kart would be awesome too!!
Since I've been home, I've learned that I'm capable of making good choices when we go out to eat. I CAN go to our favorite Chinese food restaurant and order steamed shrimp and steamed green beans without oil or msg or rice. It's still delicious and when I'm done I feel better than I would have felt if I'd eaten Sesame Beef and fried rice. I CAN go to our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant and order grilled quail with a side of pico-de-gallo and (1) corn tortilla. Did I miss the chips and queso? Sure...right up until we left the restaurant and I was the only person in the car who didn't feel like they needed a nap.
I went to the gym twice today. Once, this morning for group Yoga...again, this afternoon, with my husband, for some cardio. Every time I make a good choice about what I eat, every time I go to the gym, every time I walk instead of ride, every time I say, "Let's DO SOMETHING instead of meeting for dinner!" Every time I call or text or tweet or Facebook a friend when I need a shoulder for support. Every time I do any of those things, I'm taking a step towards meeting my goal.
This is what I know right now:
It was a life changing experience for me to go to Real Life. In spite of having access to all the "tools" at home: gyms, trainers, therapists, nutritionists, etc. I also had a whole host of issues to constantly deal with...some real, some excuses that I imagined for myself, All the issues and excuses had managed to bundle themselves up into a ball...then a boulder...then a seemingly insurmountable mountain. I had created a mountain out of doubts and fears and insecurities and food addictions and saboteurs and lethargy and injuries and more and more excuses.
I had to find a way around the mountain. My way was to leave home. It was a difficult thing to do. I left my husband and my teenage boys and all my pets and all my responsibilities. I got in my car and drove to Real Life Fitness and Health in Draper, Utah. When I arrived, the only things left for which I was personally responsible were personal hygiene, waking up in the morning and getting dressed and ready for boot camp. The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. This was enough responsibility.
We were told where to be, when we needed to be there, what we should do when we got there, what we should eat (the meals were prepared for us and the last time we saw our dishes was when we cleared them from the table). We were given loads of encouragement and support. We had brilliant facilities and fantastic trainers. We spent approximately 14 hours a day at the gym...with breaks for snacks and meals.
We learned not only how to exercise, but how to LOVE exercise and appreciate what it can do for our body. We learned to appreciate food as FUEL instead of a treat, entertainment, or pleasure. We learned to find other things, besides food, to do that are not only MORE FUN but don't include eating as the primary focus and, as a bonus, burn calories. All I want for Christmas this year is a pair of my very own bowling shoes...AND....one of those cool, custom balls. And if Santa's feeling really super generous, an F1 racing go-kart would be awesome too!!
Since I've been home, I've learned that I'm capable of making good choices when we go out to eat. I CAN go to our favorite Chinese food restaurant and order steamed shrimp and steamed green beans without oil or msg or rice. It's still delicious and when I'm done I feel better than I would have felt if I'd eaten Sesame Beef and fried rice. I CAN go to our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant and order grilled quail with a side of pico-de-gallo and (1) corn tortilla. Did I miss the chips and queso? Sure...right up until we left the restaurant and I was the only person in the car who didn't feel like they needed a nap.
I went to the gym twice today. Once, this morning for group Yoga...again, this afternoon, with my husband, for some cardio. Every time I make a good choice about what I eat, every time I go to the gym, every time I walk instead of ride, every time I say, "Let's DO SOMETHING instead of meeting for dinner!" Every time I call or text or tweet or Facebook a friend when I need a shoulder for support. Every time I do any of those things, I'm taking a step towards meeting my goal.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Wrote it for something else...but using it here anyhow..
A plaque on the wall in the “Women’s House” says, “You never really leave a place you love - Part of it you take with you, leaving a part of you behind.”
I’m leaving Real Life Fitness and Health with a renewed love for taking care of my body, mind and soul. I’ve gained life-long friendships. I’m taking away priceless knowledge about nutrition and exercise and myself. I’m leaving behind blood, sweat, tears, and quite a few pounds and inches.
For those of you who follow in my footsteps, know this: every staff member here, both at Real Life and Treehouse, has something to offer you, make sure to take advantage of EVERYTHING they have to teach. You too will have your own lessons to learn and your own gifts to take…and leave.
Best wishes, Hang Tough, and Roll with the Punches
I’m leaving Real Life Fitness and Health with a renewed love for taking care of my body, mind and soul. I’ve gained life-long friendships. I’m taking away priceless knowledge about nutrition and exercise and myself. I’m leaving behind blood, sweat, tears, and quite a few pounds and inches.
For those of you who follow in my footsteps, know this: every staff member here, both at Real Life and Treehouse, has something to offer you, make sure to take advantage of EVERYTHING they have to teach. You too will have your own lessons to learn and your own gifts to take…and leave.
Best wishes, Hang Tough, and Roll with the Punches
Friday, September 24, 2010
My third weigh in day...
is tomorrow morning. I am actually excited. Freaky, eh? I've been feeling good this week. And STRONGER. Stronger is good. Not just stronger physically, either. I've been feeling stronger mentally too. The more I accomplish at the gym, the more I realize that I can get to where I'm going. I might not get there tomorrow...or even next week, but my goals ARE achievable. It's a good feeling to KNOW that again.
You know what else makes me feel strong? Kickboxing! Who would have ever thought that Little Miss Zen Yoga Lover (aka Freakishly Flexible) would fall in love with beating the everliving crap out of a heavy bag to hip-hop music?? I certainly would never have guessed (ok, well secretly I knew - but I never would have ADMITTED it!)...but I love boxing. I'm not so sure about the kicking part because of my stupid knee...but I do love punching things. So, Ass, when this is all said and done, you'd better watch out...because if I could have a body like anyone's it'd be Laila Ali.
Think it's impossible, Ass? Like Laila's Dad, Muhammad Ali, said:
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."
You know what else makes me feel strong? Kickboxing! Who would have ever thought that Little Miss Zen Yoga Lover (aka Freakishly Flexible) would fall in love with beating the everliving crap out of a heavy bag to hip-hop music?? I certainly would never have guessed (ok, well secretly I knew - but I never would have ADMITTED it!)...but I love boxing. I'm not so sure about the kicking part because of my stupid knee...but I do love punching things. So, Ass, when this is all said and done, you'd better watch out...because if I could have a body like anyone's it'd be Laila Ali.
Think it's impossible, Ass? Like Laila's Dad, Muhammad Ali, said:
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Yesterday was the first day....
that I felt 100% healthy again! Here's hoping that I can stay this way until it's time for me to head back to the flatlands. (FINGERS AND TOES AND WHATNOT CROSSED!)
Because I was feeling sooooo great yesterday, I woke up with everyone else here at Fat Camp (I guess I really should call it Fitness Camp because quite a few of the people that come aren't fat at all...but whatever...the name seems to have stuck)...so I woke up with everyone else and rode to the gym in one of the shuttles instead of being lazy, sleeping late and driving in my own car. I went to boot camp at the butt crack of dawn and stayed at the gym...and stayed...and stayed...and stayed. We take breaks for meals. Sometimes we try to find places to hide and rest for a few minutes, but the trainers always manage to find us and "encourage" us to get back to work. :) All in all, yesterday, like every week day except Friday, we were at the gym for FOURTEEN HOURS!!! Amazing, isn't it??!!! All I know is this: if I can get up at the butt crack of dawn here in Utah (where they seem to have an amazing lack of both oxygen AND humidity in their air) five days a week and work out for quantities of hours heretofore I thought physically impossible...when I get home, it's just not going to be that big of a deal to wake up at the time I NORMALLY get up...get my kids off to school...then go spend an hour and change at the gym before I go to work instead of spending an hour and change sitting on the couch watching the news and eating frozen waffles while I wonder why my ass is so enourmous!
By the way, speaking of my ass...since I've gotten here...it's already 9.2 pounds smaller. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Germ warfare and all! Take that, ass!
Because I was feeling sooooo great yesterday, I woke up with everyone else here at Fat Camp (I guess I really should call it Fitness Camp because quite a few of the people that come aren't fat at all...but whatever...the name seems to have stuck)...so I woke up with everyone else and rode to the gym in one of the shuttles instead of being lazy, sleeping late and driving in my own car. I went to boot camp at the butt crack of dawn and stayed at the gym...and stayed...and stayed...and stayed. We take breaks for meals. Sometimes we try to find places to hide and rest for a few minutes, but the trainers always manage to find us and "encourage" us to get back to work. :) All in all, yesterday, like every week day except Friday, we were at the gym for FOURTEEN HOURS!!! Amazing, isn't it??!!! All I know is this: if I can get up at the butt crack of dawn here in Utah (where they seem to have an amazing lack of both oxygen AND humidity in their air) five days a week and work out for quantities of hours heretofore I thought physically impossible...when I get home, it's just not going to be that big of a deal to wake up at the time I NORMALLY get up...get my kids off to school...then go spend an hour and change at the gym before I go to work instead of spending an hour and change sitting on the couch watching the news and eating frozen waffles while I wonder why my ass is so enourmous!
By the way, speaking of my ass...since I've gotten here...it's already 9.2 pounds smaller. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Germ warfare and all! Take that, ass!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
As you all know, after countless hours....
of hobbling around on crutches, sitting in the easy chair of doom and gloom, whining to myself about being broken and CONSOLING myself with ice cream and chips, I was finally released to do physical therapy. After countless additional hours of physical therapy, I was finally released to workout on my own. After finding the world's coolest trainer, (no offense to my friends in Utah) I started working out again. I also scheduled the ROAD TRIP TO FAT CAMP!!
I made it. Alive. WITHOUT FRENCH FRIES!! We all knew it would be an epic struggle. Believe it or not, Naomi conquered the beast. I'm not sure that I've ever been more proud of myself for a particular accomplishment. Let me think about it for a few moments....................Nope.....pretty sure.....Yep....a twenty some odd hour drive without stopping for french fries is one of my greatest feats in life. Granted, I've accomplished many things that are way more important to other people, but accomplishing this was important to me in both a big and a small way. The small way is easy to explain....I simply didn't need to consume the extra calories. The big way is harder....I guess it's just that I needed to prove to myself that I was in control of my food and not the other way around. Because once I truly believe that, the rest of this stuff will be a cinch! One step at a time ass, one step at a time.
I made it. Alive. WITHOUT FRENCH FRIES!! We all knew it would be an epic struggle. Believe it or not, Naomi conquered the beast. I'm not sure that I've ever been more proud of myself for a particular accomplishment. Let me think about it for a few moments....................Nope.....pretty sure.....Yep....a twenty some odd hour drive without stopping for french fries is one of my greatest feats in life. Granted, I've accomplished many things that are way more important to other people, but accomplishing this was important to me in both a big and a small way. The small way is easy to explain....I simply didn't need to consume the extra calories. The big way is harder....I guess it's just that I needed to prove to myself that I was in control of my food and not the other way around. Because once I truly believe that, the rest of this stuff will be a cinch! One step at a time ass, one step at a time.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Less than a week...
and counting...and I'll be on the road back to fat camp in Utah! Can you believe it? I can't. It seems like I just left there a few minutes ago. My knees are starting to ache at the very idea of living through "intervals!" I'm going to play it smart this time, though. I learned a lesson the hard way on my last trip and I'm not going to try to undo half a decade worth of french fries and chips and pints of ice cream during one morning of boot camp. First of all, IT CAN'T BE DONE!!! Secondly, getting injured sucks and just makes this process take all that much longer. See? I might be a slow learner, but I can be taught!
What do I have left to do before I go?
According to my doctor, I need to REST so I don't get any more sick than I've been.
Remember the mountain of clothes I cleaned out of my closet? I'm ashamed to admit that they're STILL in the dining room...gathering dust and waiting to be inventoried so I can give them to charity. I need to take care of that.
I need to clean house so it's not a TOTAL disaster when I get home...or at least so I feel better about leaving. My husband tends to keep things more neat than I do so I really don't have to worry too much.
I need to do a major grocery shopping expedition so I can have some glimmer of hope that my husband and younger son will eat something besides pizza and sugar cereal while I'm gone. I don't have to worry about my older son any more...all he eat nowadays are plain grilled chicken breasts, protein shakes, baked sweet potatoes, pasta, and some fruit. I'd like to see him add some vegetables to the list but at least he takes vitamins. Beggars can't be choosers. He's come a long way from the days when he was living on Nachos Bell Grande from Taco Bell. It's inspiring.
I need to get my hair cut so I don't go crazy and try to do it myself.
I need to get my younger son a new suit...today. Suffice it to say that he's made a decision to do something very difficult and I'm so very proud of him for making the right choice.
I need to get one of my four dogs to the vet for her shots and determine which of the other three is puking on the floor. I also need to try to sucker one of my boys into bathing and grooming ALL of the dogs because they're starting to smell a little "doggish" and I don't have the time, energy, or patience for this task right now. There's money it for whomever steps up to the plate.
I need to clean and rearrange all the toys in our parrot's cage so she'll be less bored while I'm gone. Don't buy a parrot if you don't have a lot of attention to spare. They're extremely demanding...and LOUD.
My car needs an oil change...and possibly new tires...and definitely new windshield wipers...and a wash.
My sister-in-law needs a ride to the medical center on Tuesday....lots of scary tests...I'll be there for transportation, comic relief, and moral support. It will be a long day for her...and me. Say a prayer for both of us.
And I need to pack!!
If I can live through the rest of this week, "Hell Week" at boot camp should be a breeze!
What do I have left to do before I go?
According to my doctor, I need to REST so I don't get any more sick than I've been.
Remember the mountain of clothes I cleaned out of my closet? I'm ashamed to admit that they're STILL in the dining room...gathering dust and waiting to be inventoried so I can give them to charity. I need to take care of that.
I need to clean house so it's not a TOTAL disaster when I get home...or at least so I feel better about leaving. My husband tends to keep things more neat than I do so I really don't have to worry too much.
I need to do a major grocery shopping expedition so I can have some glimmer of hope that my husband and younger son will eat something besides pizza and sugar cereal while I'm gone. I don't have to worry about my older son any more...all he eat nowadays are plain grilled chicken breasts, protein shakes, baked sweet potatoes, pasta, and some fruit. I'd like to see him add some vegetables to the list but at least he takes vitamins. Beggars can't be choosers. He's come a long way from the days when he was living on Nachos Bell Grande from Taco Bell. It's inspiring.
I need to get my hair cut so I don't go crazy and try to do it myself.
I need to get my younger son a new suit...today. Suffice it to say that he's made a decision to do something very difficult and I'm so very proud of him for making the right choice.
I need to get one of my four dogs to the vet for her shots and determine which of the other three is puking on the floor. I also need to try to sucker one of my boys into bathing and grooming ALL of the dogs because they're starting to smell a little "doggish" and I don't have the time, energy, or patience for this task right now. There's money it for whomever steps up to the plate.
I need to clean and rearrange all the toys in our parrot's cage so she'll be less bored while I'm gone. Don't buy a parrot if you don't have a lot of attention to spare. They're extremely demanding...and LOUD.
My car needs an oil change...and possibly new tires...and definitely new windshield wipers...and a wash.
My sister-in-law needs a ride to the medical center on Tuesday....lots of scary tests...I'll be there for transportation, comic relief, and moral support. It will be a long day for her...and me. Say a prayer for both of us.
And I need to pack!!
If I can live through the rest of this week, "Hell Week" at boot camp should be a breeze!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Have you ever...
been on a road trip that didn't involve TONS of junk food? I think there's a method to the madness. Most of the roadtrip foods we bring along for the ride have TONS of sodium. The more sodium we consume along with our Route 44 slushies from Sonic or our Big Gulps from Seven 11, the fewer stops we have to make in disgusting and often more than a little creepy roadside reststop bathrooms to pee. Based on this theory, I would have to guess that over the years I've consumed approximately several pounds of sunflower seeds, beef jerky (Holmes Smokehouse is the best), McDonald's french fries, and various and sundry sorts of potato chips per 1000 miles of vacation travel by car. Considering the fact that my next road trip is going to be from my home...just outside of Houston, Texas...all the way back to fat camp in Utah, I'm thinking that my modus operandi for road trip snacks probably isn't a good idea this time.
For those of you that are wondering, "Why the hell are you driving?!"...it amounts partly to superstition and partly to avoidance of the huge pain in the ass flying has become. Superstition because the last time I booked flights to camp I ended up having to reschedule multiple times. No, I'm not afraid to fly...at least not commercially...I'm not a huge fan of private aviation. Statistically, you're safer on a motorcycle, without a helmet, in rush hour traffic, than you are in a private plane. I am sick of paying fees to change tickets to different dates. And I'm sick of paying fees to bring my stuff with me. I'm also sick of having to show up early to leave late. I'm sick of teensy, tiny little bathrooms with pee and God knows what else all over everything and no hot water to wash my hands. I'm sick of bitchy flight attendants that are equally sick of all the same stuff. I'm sick of sitting next to chatty strangers that want to DISCUSS what I'm reading. I'm sick of being woken up to ask if I want a f*cking beverage. I'm sick of being squished into a space smaller than my suitcase if I have to fly coach or having to pay absolutely ridiculous upgrade fees if I don't. I'm sick of having not being able to bring my toiletries on board and having them spill in my checked luggage. I'm sick of all of it. Once upon a time, flying used to be a fairly pleasant experience. It isn't any longer. For those reasons, and the fact that I don't want to jinx myself out of this trip by booking flights, I'm planning on throwing my stuff in the back of my car, giving Onstar my destination address and hitting the road.
What am I going to eat along the way? My usual snacks won't work. I've been busting my ass...strike that...my new trainer's been busting my ass (already sent me to the emergency room with a pulled muscle in my abdomen and made me puke more times than I can count...SHE'S AWESOME!!)...trying to get ready for camp. I lost 4.5 pounds last week. I don't want to undo my (our) hard work during a two day drive!! I'm open to suggestions. I'd prefer NOT to stop to go to the bathroom every thirty minutes. I'd also prefer not to deliberately dehydrate myself or have to wear diapers like that crazy lady that drove across the country to kill her boyfriend at NASA a while back. I guess it'll be what it is. Fruit? Protein Shakes? Do they make low sodium beef jerky?! Would the extra sodium for a couple of days really matter? I'm running out of time to figure it out...less than two weeks and counting...barring unforeseen circumstances...knock on wood and all that...and I'll be locked and loaded (just not crazy, seeking vengeance, and diapered!) and ready to roll.
For those of you that are wondering, "Why the hell are you driving?!"...it amounts partly to superstition and partly to avoidance of the huge pain in the ass flying has become. Superstition because the last time I booked flights to camp I ended up having to reschedule multiple times. No, I'm not afraid to fly...at least not commercially...I'm not a huge fan of private aviation. Statistically, you're safer on a motorcycle, without a helmet, in rush hour traffic, than you are in a private plane. I am sick of paying fees to change tickets to different dates. And I'm sick of paying fees to bring my stuff with me. I'm also sick of having to show up early to leave late. I'm sick of teensy, tiny little bathrooms with pee and God knows what else all over everything and no hot water to wash my hands. I'm sick of bitchy flight attendants that are equally sick of all the same stuff. I'm sick of sitting next to chatty strangers that want to DISCUSS what I'm reading. I'm sick of being woken up to ask if I want a f*cking beverage. I'm sick of being squished into a space smaller than my suitcase if I have to fly coach or having to pay absolutely ridiculous upgrade fees if I don't. I'm sick of having not being able to bring my toiletries on board and having them spill in my checked luggage. I'm sick of all of it. Once upon a time, flying used to be a fairly pleasant experience. It isn't any longer. For those reasons, and the fact that I don't want to jinx myself out of this trip by booking flights, I'm planning on throwing my stuff in the back of my car, giving Onstar my destination address and hitting the road.
What am I going to eat along the way? My usual snacks won't work. I've been busting my ass...strike that...my new trainer's been busting my ass (already sent me to the emergency room with a pulled muscle in my abdomen and made me puke more times than I can count...SHE'S AWESOME!!)...trying to get ready for camp. I lost 4.5 pounds last week. I don't want to undo my (our) hard work during a two day drive!! I'm open to suggestions. I'd prefer NOT to stop to go to the bathroom every thirty minutes. I'd also prefer not to deliberately dehydrate myself or have to wear diapers like that crazy lady that drove across the country to kill her boyfriend at NASA a while back. I guess it'll be what it is. Fruit? Protein Shakes? Do they make low sodium beef jerky?! Would the extra sodium for a couple of days really matter? I'm running out of time to figure it out...less than two weeks and counting...barring unforeseen circumstances...knock on wood and all that...and I'll be locked and loaded (just not crazy, seeking vengeance, and diapered!) and ready to roll.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Barring unforeseen circumstances...
FIVE WEEKS from today, I will showing up in my SUV with all my workout clothes, my BodyBugg, my water bottles, my extra pillows, my brace for my right ankle, my brace for my left knee, my industrial sized bottle of Advil, my big tube of the magic anti-inflammatory gel the orthopaedic surgeon gave me, and my enormous ass, back at FAT CAMP in Utah....otherwise known as Real Life Fitness and Health.
I've elected to drive this time instead of flying out of sheer superstition. If you've been with me from the beginning, you might remember that the last time I was heading out to Utah, I ended up with a bout of pnemonia shortly before my trip. My airplane tickets were already booked and I had to pay to change them. Once I was well and finally made it to Utah, I got pnemonia AGAIN (gotta love people that are too inconsiderate and/or stupid to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough) and had to leave early. It turned out to be a good thing that I was sick because the pain I'd been feeling in my left knee turned out to be a stress fracture and a meniscus tear....but, that being beside the point, it all meant MORE changed flights and more changed flight fees.
This time I drive. Period. End of discussion. (Sorry, honey, I know you'll be worried...but you're just going to have to suck it up.) Two days before I'm supposed to be in Utah, I'll throw all my crap in the back of the Acadia, call the friendly folks at Onstar, and be on my way. Simple.
I've elected to drive this time instead of flying out of sheer superstition. If you've been with me from the beginning, you might remember that the last time I was heading out to Utah, I ended up with a bout of pnemonia shortly before my trip. My airplane tickets were already booked and I had to pay to change them. Once I was well and finally made it to Utah, I got pnemonia AGAIN (gotta love people that are too inconsiderate and/or stupid to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough) and had to leave early. It turned out to be a good thing that I was sick because the pain I'd been feeling in my left knee turned out to be a stress fracture and a meniscus tear....but, that being beside the point, it all meant MORE changed flights and more changed flight fees.
This time I drive. Period. End of discussion. (Sorry, honey, I know you'll be worried...but you're just going to have to suck it up.) Two days before I'm supposed to be in Utah, I'll throw all my crap in the back of the Acadia, call the friendly folks at Onstar, and be on my way. Simple.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Here are the links...
to a news report about my fat camp. I was there for a little over a week before I had to leave early...sick and broken. I can't wait to get put back together again so I can go back and finish what I started. (I don't know how to make them 'clickable' so you'll have to cut and paste, but it's worth it!) Check it out, it's awesome!
PART ONE:
http://www.fox13now.com/videobeta/aeeffc09-d8ad-4088-a152-390191b5758a/News/Extreme-weight-loss-camp-in-Draper-attracts-worldwide-attention-pt-1-
PART TWO:
http://www.fox13now.com/videobeta/92b4026a-aa5d-40ea-a27f-d7ff241e8c68/News/Extreme-weight-loss-camp-in-Draper-attracts-worldwide-attention-pt-2-
Who's coming with me when I go back??
Scary, isn't it, ass?
PART ONE:
http://www.fox13now.com/videobeta/aeeffc09-d8ad-4088-a152-390191b5758a/News/Extreme-weight-loss-camp-in-Draper-attracts-worldwide-attention-pt-1-
PART TWO:
http://www.fox13now.com/videobeta/92b4026a-aa5d-40ea-a27f-d7ff241e8c68/News/Extreme-weight-loss-camp-in-Draper-attracts-worldwide-attention-pt-2-
Who's coming with me when I go back??
Scary, isn't it, ass?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
It's not exactly a "Before"...
and it most definitely is NOT an "After"...I guess I'd have to call this one an "In Process." This picture was taken of me the day I was getting ready to fly home from fat camp. I was sick and broken but still happy about the not insignificant amount of progress I'd made in the short time I was there. Can you tell a difference between this picture and the one were I'm wearing a grey t-shirt and brown shorts? I can. Just a little bit...but there's a difference. I've been doing nothing since I've gotten home besides sitting on my heinie, nursing my stupid stress fracture, praying I won't need knee surgery, and playing a lot of Farmville...but I'm still losing a little bit of weight every week. A little is better than none...or gaining, right? I can't wait to see what my next "before" picture looks like when I go back to Real Life (fat camp) again. Should be interesting.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
According to the...
scale at the doctor's office this morning, I've lost eleven pounds between now and the last time I was there. I'm quite certain that I didn't lose very much, if any, of that weight prior to leaving for Utah...soooooooo...without having had a final weigh in because I bugged out early on sick leave...I'd have to say that's what I lost while I was there. I was at Real Life for eleven days and out of that, I was either bloated up like a balloon and covered in hives and/or coughing like a 80 year old chain smoker for about five days. I'm bad at math, but...work with me here...11-5=6 days of full blown, die hard, winner-take-all, give it all I had working out. And in that time, I lost ELEVEN POUNDS!! That's flippin' amazing! Even when I take into account the fact that I was only eating 1200 calories a day...less towards the end when I was really sick. Woohoo! :)
So...what to do now? I want to keep up the momentum. How to do that? Dunno. Right now, I'm sitting in a recliner with ice on my boogered up knee. My doctor was nice enough to give me a prescription this morning for my gazillionth round of antibiotics in the past couple of months to clear up the case of bronchitis and inner ear infection I picked up. I don't think that I'll be running (or even walking very quickly) on the treadmill for a bit. What can I control? I can control what goes in my mouth. I can keep from hobbling over to the pantry right now and getting into whatever junk food is lurking in there. I can think long and hard about the work it takes to burn off those calories. Easy come...HARD to go.
So...what to do now? I want to keep up the momentum. How to do that? Dunno. Right now, I'm sitting in a recliner with ice on my boogered up knee. My doctor was nice enough to give me a prescription this morning for my gazillionth round of antibiotics in the past couple of months to clear up the case of bronchitis and inner ear infection I picked up. I don't think that I'll be running (or even walking very quickly) on the treadmill for a bit. What can I control? I can control what goes in my mouth. I can keep from hobbling over to the pantry right now and getting into whatever junk food is lurking in there. I can think long and hard about the work it takes to burn off those calories. Easy come...HARD to go.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Emergen-C why dost thou...
forsaketh me? I add you faithfully to my water daily. I take all my other multi-vitamins as well. I try to get enough rest. Since I've arrived at Real Life Fitness and Health (Fat Camp!)...I've been eating healthfully too. I wash my hands after going to the bathroom, before meals, anytime I touch something gross, and pretty much any other time it crosses my mind. I cover my mouth if I cough or sneeze and try to avoid being around people that seem sick. So, why-oh-why, Emergen-C, do I keep getting sick? It seems that I'm doing everything right. I stand back and watch those around me touch sweaty gym equipment and then wipe their noses with their hands and then touch the equipment again. I think about all the people that walk casually out of the bathroom without washing their hands. I watch other Fat Camp attendees line up like starving cattle in a feed lock to get their meals...straight from the gym...so few of them bothering to take the few extra moments at the sink to wash their hands. It confounds me, Emergen-C. Why is it me that gets sick and they that stay healthy? Is it the conspiracy between the germs and my ass? Have I stayed so clean throughout the years that my immune system hasn't had a chance to learn to fight off bacterial bugs and viruses and other weapons of destruction? I don't get it. Please help me get over whatever this bug is quickly, Emergen-C. I've been faithful to you for many years...don't fail me now.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Getting EXCITED...
AND completely terrified!! Today is officially the last THURSDAY I'll be spending at home until APRIL of 2010. When I say it that way, it sounds a lot scarier than it really is...so in the interest of being a total drama queen, that's how I've been saying it...over and over and over...to anyone who will listen...ALL DAY LONG!
The Sears Repair man came this morning and fixed my washing machine. Fixing it involved taking out three screws, removing a panel, draining some water, and then removing an enormous creature like hunk composed primarily of dog hair and coins. Thank God for extended warranties! It would have been a $140 repair if we hadn't been covered. Now I can start washing my clothes so I can get to packing! More lessons for the boys about sorting and removing coins and such on Saturday...prayers of thanks for the extended warranty from now until I get home again.
More things to think about:
To pack for a four week trip (where I have access to a washer and dryer) what is a reasonable amount of clothing to bring? I'm not a fashion diva by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to be clean and I do hate to do laundry. We're going to be working out..A LOT. I would have to assume I'll be taking more than one shower a day...which means changing clothes more than once a day. Real Life Fitness and Health (the Fat Camp!) is also in Northern Utah. It's COLD there! I'm from the South. I didn't see snow on the ground until I was in my 20's. I'll need lots of layers. Things that make me go, "hmmmmmmm."
Off to lunch with my hubby...then laundry...then my younger son's baseball game..the last one :( I'll get to see before I get back...then dinner...then more laundry...then sleep...then probably some more laundry...
Sense a theme?
The Sears Repair man came this morning and fixed my washing machine. Fixing it involved taking out three screws, removing a panel, draining some water, and then removing an enormous creature like hunk composed primarily of dog hair and coins. Thank God for extended warranties! It would have been a $140 repair if we hadn't been covered. Now I can start washing my clothes so I can get to packing! More lessons for the boys about sorting and removing coins and such on Saturday...prayers of thanks for the extended warranty from now until I get home again.
More things to think about:
To pack for a four week trip (where I have access to a washer and dryer) what is a reasonable amount of clothing to bring? I'm not a fashion diva by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to be clean and I do hate to do laundry. We're going to be working out..A LOT. I would have to assume I'll be taking more than one shower a day...which means changing clothes more than once a day. Real Life Fitness and Health (the Fat Camp!) is also in Northern Utah. It's COLD there! I'm from the South. I didn't see snow on the ground until I was in my 20's. I'll need lots of layers. Things that make me go, "hmmmmmmm."
Off to lunch with my hubby...then laundry...then my younger son's baseball game..the last one :( I'll get to see before I get back...then dinner...then more laundry...then sleep...then probably some more laundry...
Sense a theme?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The VERY FIRST post!
Okey Dokey...I promised myself I'd start a "blog" so that I'd have:
a) a place to journal whatever came to mind about all this weight loss/dieting/exercising stuff
and
b) a place for my friends, family, and I guess total and complete strangers to come look and see what I've been doing, thinking, EATING, etc....and hold me accountable....therefore contributing to my ultimate success!
I'm leaving for FAT CAMP (otherwise known as Real Life Fitness and Health) in just a little over a week. I'm excited and totally terrified and very, very, very hungry. As a matter of fact, the more I think about the fact that I'm going to be out in the middle of nowhere...somewhere off in Utah in a house run by healthy, skinny, fit people (who are probably Mormons and will take away my Diet Mountain Dew! EEEEK!)...the hungrier I get!
Here's a list of some of the foods that I'm really going to miss, a LOT:
McDonald's french fries (aren't they just perfect?)
Wendy's $.99 chicken nuggets (embarrassing but true!)
Chocolate...in any form except the dark kind that's supposed to be "healthy"
"Real" salad dressing
Jalapeno potato chips
Fried wasabi peas
Haribo Gummi Bears
BBQ!!!
I could totally make a meal out of any or all of those things right now. Alas, I've been TRYING to prepare myself (albeit with a lot of lapses) for my trip...sooooooo I'll probably have some more skinless, boneless chicken breast and steamed veggies for dinner again. Yum. :/
This should be an interesting project. I'm going to try to post something frequently....possibly even learn how to put pictures on here as well.
Once upon a time, I was healthy and fit and had a nice firm tush that could be shown off in public!! For heaven's sake, I taught scuba diving....spent my days working in a BIKINI! It's my goal (in spite of the battle scars from giving birth to my two gorgeous boys....both teenagers now) to be able to be seen in a bikini in public again before my 40th b-day.
Join me and MY INCREDIBLE SHRINKING ASS on our journey....I'm certain that it will be an interesting ride!
Best wishes and happy travels,
Naomi
a) a place to journal whatever came to mind about all this weight loss/dieting/exercising stuff
and
b) a place for my friends, family, and I guess total and complete strangers to come look and see what I've been doing, thinking, EATING, etc....and hold me accountable....therefore contributing to my ultimate success!
I'm leaving for FAT CAMP (otherwise known as Real Life Fitness and Health) in just a little over a week. I'm excited and totally terrified and very, very, very hungry. As a matter of fact, the more I think about the fact that I'm going to be out in the middle of nowhere...somewhere off in Utah in a house run by healthy, skinny, fit people (who are probably Mormons and will take away my Diet Mountain Dew! EEEEK!)...the hungrier I get!
Here's a list of some of the foods that I'm really going to miss, a LOT:
McDonald's french fries (aren't they just perfect?)
Wendy's $.99 chicken nuggets (embarrassing but true!)
Chocolate...in any form except the dark kind that's supposed to be "healthy"
"Real" salad dressing
Jalapeno potato chips
Fried wasabi peas
Haribo Gummi Bears
BBQ!!!
I could totally make a meal out of any or all of those things right now. Alas, I've been TRYING to prepare myself (albeit with a lot of lapses) for my trip...sooooooo I'll probably have some more skinless, boneless chicken breast and steamed veggies for dinner again. Yum. :/
This should be an interesting project. I'm going to try to post something frequently....possibly even learn how to put pictures on here as well.
Once upon a time, I was healthy and fit and had a nice firm tush that could be shown off in public!! For heaven's sake, I taught scuba diving....spent my days working in a BIKINI! It's my goal (in spite of the battle scars from giving birth to my two gorgeous boys....both teenagers now) to be able to be seen in a bikini in public again before my 40th b-day.
Join me and MY INCREDIBLE SHRINKING ASS on our journey....I'm certain that it will be an interesting ride!
Best wishes and happy travels,
Naomi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)