Play-doh's Journal

[play-doh]

I'm glad to see you here! Yes, we are very similar. Even our anniversary month is the same.

I can totally relate to your anniversary clothing experience. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to skip a party because I didn't have good clothes to wear. I'm so sorry it happened to you, I know how awful it is.

For me, I'd get so down on myself and sometimes I'd even wake up in the night and just lie there feeling so guilty about what I'd let happen to my body. But rather than fix the problem I'd say "To heck with it," or "Who cares?", or "I don't have time deal with it," and then I'd eat whatever I wanted until the next time I was in the situation where I was faced with having to care.

But you and I are doing everything we can to undo past eating habits, so we shouldn't kick ourselves for having let the weight creep up on us. Onward and upward, or, rather, downward (with the weight!)!

The part that makes sticking to a diet hard for me, is that I'm not terribly overweight. I'm just not as skinny as I used to be (I'm 5'6" and four years ago I weighted a steady 122). But my frame simply can't carry 140 pounds elegantly.

I have friends who weigh close to 200 pounds and they're absolutely gorgeous. I would never suggest they lose weight. They also somehow manage to find beautiful clothes that fit and flatter their bodies. But I can't! I look lumpy and lardy in everything I put on.

Maybe you can relate to my frustrations?

Anyway, I think when I hit 135, I'll try to find a pair of jeans that fit. I haven't worn jeans in ages.

[play-doh]

Day three of three-mile walking - and I do it fast!

Plus day three of no wine.

Feeling very good!

[play-doh]

I played and exercised in the pool today, but it wasn't much. I didn't get home in time for my walk, but that's okay.

There are two beers in the fridge and I'm not having one. I did eat the top off a slice of pizza, which I know is high in fat. And I think I'm low on veggies today. I did eat a lot of cabbage, but there's not much nutritional value there, I don't think.

All in all, not a bad day, but not a winning one either. That's okay.

[play-doh]

I just noticed that the dates and times on my journal are incorrect, or at least they don't match my time zone. My last post was actually written on Tuesday evening (last night).

After dinner I took a stroll with my family. I knew the walking would be slow so I took my 2 pound hand weights and lifted while we walked. My kids thought it was hilarious.

Today I have to drive my car to the shop, 2.5 miles away, then walk home. Then later I have to walk back and get it. Kind of a nuisance. But if you read my journal, you know how much I hate to walk aimlessly and for the sole purpose of exercise. So, at least today the walk is for a purpose!

Anyway, I just stepped on the scale and I was so happy to see the numbers that I couldn't wait to post and see it in writing.

Today I weigh:
138

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brc]

Yay!!! That is great news PD. I know you are thrilled. I would definitely go jean shopping. I have quite a few pairs in storage bins that I can't wait to dig out. That and I will probably have to buy a few new ones too.

[play-doh]

Thanks for the encouragement, Beverly! I have been browsing the J. Jill catalog online and have picked out a pair of size 8 jeans. And lots of pretty tops!

If I may say, I SO deserve some new clothes.

My treadmill comes tomorrow! I am SO excited!

[muffintop]

Hi PD! Glad that you are in a better mood. I'm still op, and have no idea what my weight is! I am trying to see the Zen of this, but the plateau thing is not cool. This cannot possibly last forever. The heat is not helping.
I came across an article on Buddhism and weight loss and am trying to explore those ideas.
Keep posting, I love reading your updates.

[Jheny]

WOW PD you're doing awesome! I loved reading your journal and can't wait to read more.

[play-doh]

Hi Muffintop and Jheny! I'm really appreciating that you all call me PD. A few weeks after I chose my name as Play-doh (because I feel soft and gushy) I regretted the name. It's so pessimistic. PD has a nice ring to it!

Muffintop, remember the books from the 70's, "Zen and the Art of Archery," and then later, "Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance" ? Maybe you could be the one to write Zen and the Art of Weight Loss." A guaranteed best seller!

I remember in "Zen and the Art of Archery" one of the main ideas was as you are aiming and getting ready to shoot your arrow, you focus on becoming one with the target. I guess in our case, we have to become one with our weight loss and health goals.

Hmm, maybe we should play around with those thoughts and ponder it. Do you happen to have a link tot the article you read?

[play-doh]

My TREADMILL came today!!!

I've already had a great workout. As boring as it is, I'm going to record my stats and progress in my journal because I need a place to keep track.

Before I do, let me just say that so far, I think the advantages of a treadmill outweigh walking outside. For the obvious reasons that we can work out any time of day, weather will never interfere, and we can't trip over the sidewalk bumps. Granted, I can still trip over myself... but that can happen anywhere.

The greatest advantage is that once you plug in the program (I did intervals) you have no choice but to keep up with the speed and incline of that program. There's no slowing down to gaze into the neighborhood gardens (which can also have be a slight disadvantage) and you can't start daydreaming and just forget to walk fast.

Once that speed starts to increase and the incline shoots up, man, you gotta go. No arguing or fussing, just go! And that's what I did. I worked myself hard because I had no choice. Okay, I could have pressed a few buttons and changed everything, but my ego wouldn't allow.

Here's what I did today:
1 hour interval workout
3 minutes slow - flat incline, 2.8 walk - I picked up my two pound weights for this part
3 minutes harder - 5. incline, 3.8 walk - no hand weights for this part, thank you very much!
Total calories burned 370.

I think I'll try it again tomorrow.

[play-doh]

More ponderings on zen and weight loss...

These quotes come from the book The Art of Happiness by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, written by Howard C. Cutler, MD.

Pages 41 and 42.

"Achieving genuine happiness may require bringing about a transformation in your outlook, your way of thinking, and this is not a simple matter. It requires the application of so many different factors from different directions. You shouldn't have the notion, for instance, that there is just one key, a secret, and if you can get that right, then everything will be okay. It is similar to taking proper care of the physical body, you need a variety of vitamins and nutrients, not just one or two. In the same way, in order to achieve happiness, you need a variety of approaches and methods to deal with and overcome the varied and complex negative mental states. And if you are seeking to overcome negative ways of thinking, it is not possible to accomplish that simply by adopting a particular thought or practicing a technique once or twice. Change takes time. Even physical change takes time..."

"...Transforming your mind takes time. There are a lot of negative mental traits, so you need to address and counteract each one of these. This isn't easy. it requires the repeated application of various techniques and taking the time to familiarize yourself with the practices. It's a process of learning.

"But I think that as time goes on, you can make positive changes. Everyday as soon as you get up, you can develop a sincere positive motivation, thinking, 'I will utilize this day in a more positive way. I should not waste this very day..."

Lots of great stuff here. I highly recommend the book. He talks a lot about discipline and the meaning of wholesome behaviors. Ultimately, he's talking about creating and finding peace in the world, but everything he says, in my humble opinion, applies to our most immediate world, our bodies. I think finding peace and happiness begins with our bodies and our mind's connection to our body, then we take the steps to make positive changes in the world around us. Keep in mind, this last part is my own interpretation. This is how I would apply some of what he's saying to my own personal experiences and perspectives. Someone else may see it differently.

Also, for what it's worth, it might be worth noting: I am not Buddhist. But I have great respect and admiration for the teachings.

[play-doh]

Treadmill workout - Week 1 - workout 2

6 minute intervals - 2.8mph & 3.8mph
Constant incline - 4.5
66 minutes
420 calories


Notes:
I wanted to find the same workout I did yesterday but I couldn't remember what program it was. In this workout, there were moments where I felt really tired at the high speed, but with the "rest" in between, when I'd go back to the fast pace, sometimes I felt exhilarated.

I hope I can find this same workout tomorrow.

[muffintop]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... tBody;col1

I finally got the link to work! I hope you like the article. At this point, I'll do anything to keep my spirits up!

[play-doh]

Thank you so much, Muffintop, for posting the link. That's a great article and offers some insightful perspectives on weight loss.

I had some wine last night, a glass and a half, to be exact. My husband bought it to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. Tonight he's taking me out to dinner - without kids!!! I know there'll be some splurging on the meal, but I've been planning on it. So, I am not going to let myself feel bad about eating foods that aren't SBD friendly.

My treadmill workout was short this morning:
45 minutes
4.5 incline
3 minute intervals - 2.8mph & 3.8mph
275 calories

I started feeling a wee bit light headed, so I stopped. I felt completely fine an hour later, so I don't know what was up. Maybe not enough water beforehand? I will be careful.

This morning I weighed in at:
137.6

[play-doh]

My husband and I went out to eat for our anniversary celebration last night and while I knew I was going to break the rules and enjoy myself, I didn't know how badly I was going to break them!

We had dinner at a Moroccan restaurant that had four courses. The taste of the food was so amazing and the selection and variety made it difficult to stop eating. We chose a vegetarian course, and, oh my gosh, the spinach, the beans, the lentils, the salads - everything was so fabulous. I thought I was going to burst I ate so much.

Then, this morning, zip-zing, back on SB without any further thoughts, no regrets. Back to business.

But I think I'll wait at least a week before stepping on the scale again.

My treadmill workout today: Week 1, Workout 4
66 minutes
4.5 incline
3 minute intervals - 2.8mph & 3.8mph
440 calories

I felt great!