Was very excited about my appointment this week at the Healthy Diet Center in Raleigh, NC http://www.healthydietsinc.com/ . They can do the test of your personal metabolic calorie rate (how many calories your body burns in rest), body fat percentage, and analysis of your daily diet etc...
Confirmed what I thought; the older you get the less you can eat. Really, it is amazing how fast calories can add up. We discussed one of my favorite diets; "Fit For Life". Basically it's about daily exercise, how to mix foods and has a free day. I love "free" eating days. I've discovered they don't love me. Why? Because I don't think binging one day a week is A) a healthy mindset and B)I can ruin a week of good eating with 1 day of bad. Maybe when they said free they didn't mean Kettle Chips, a corn dog and a hot fudge sundae. Bottom line, I discovered through my meeting that a free day for me would be treating myself to a frozen yogurt or a glass of wine. Yes, you read correctly - "a" glass of wine. And my daily calorie intake has no room for any wine - whine!!!
I originally lost weight on Weight Watchers; love their program. Really, the best way to know what you are taking in calorie wise is to keep track. I'm a big fan of food journaling and love this site and am going to start using it today - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. Weight watchers also kept me honest with a weekly weigh in, otherwise I would live in a fantasy world. You know the world where mysteriously your clothes are shrinking and you get really pissed at your dryer or dry cleaner for secretly sabotaging you. I make myself get on the scale once a week (of course only completely naked after a serious workout before food).
I don't take a vitamin, but my counselor did suggest adding a calcium supplement with vitamin D. I'm going to check into that at Walmart. I'll let you know what I find out.
So this is my sample day of healthy eating and within my calories to maintain my current weight (keep in mind this is with 1.5 hours of daily exercise):
Wake up - coffee and 1/2 banana
Breakfast - 1/2 cup of Oatmeal made w/1 c light vanilla soy milk w/little bit of raisins and almonds
Mid morning snack - Whey protein shake w/fruit, plain yogurt
Lunch - Zone bar if on the run or turkey sandwich
Snack - fruit or yogurt
Dinner - protein, carb and veggie (normal serving sizes)
I have been feeling a lot better having smaller meals more frequently. I definitely try to think ahead and be prepared if I'm going to be out that I have something to snack on with me. And yes, I am within my healthy weight/body fat %'s, but it is a battle. We're all going to fall off the wagon sometimes. I do frequently. But I'm determined to continue to fight - join me!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hershey Park Happy
Amusement Parks are a very interesting slice of Americana. We went to Hershey Park this past Saturday. Lots of fun had by all. It is very clean. There is a wide array of rides which is great for a group with a ride range of ages. Small world; we actually ran into friends, another family from Cary on a roller coaster line.
I knew eating healthy was going to be a challenge. Not necessarily because there wasn't anything healthy to choice from but because I love junk food. Ahhhh, and it was so good. Started off with a chicken panini. Had good intentions at this point - 3 hours into the park; will power still in tact. Then I glanced up at the sign for Homemade Kettle Chips; are you kidding me? Well, surely it couldn't hurt if we got a small bag to share with our group of 8. That would have been valid thinking if Francine or I would have let anyone else get their hand in the bag; no chance. I could feel my body swelling with the massive sodium intake. The plan was to end the night with ice cream. My favorite is a hot fudge sundae. I mean if I'm in - I'm in. Well, we were all kind of hungry so we had corn dogs first then the sundaes. Yum and Yum.
The good news is yesterday was a new day and I stopped the bad eating and continued on with my normal daily plan of eating healthy. The trick for me is to not keep going in the downward spiral. I did it. Join me!
I knew eating healthy was going to be a challenge. Not necessarily because there wasn't anything healthy to choice from but because I love junk food. Ahhhh, and it was so good. Started off with a chicken panini. Had good intentions at this point - 3 hours into the park; will power still in tact. Then I glanced up at the sign for Homemade Kettle Chips; are you kidding me? Well, surely it couldn't hurt if we got a small bag to share with our group of 8. That would have been valid thinking if Francine or I would have let anyone else get their hand in the bag; no chance. I could feel my body swelling with the massive sodium intake. The plan was to end the night with ice cream. My favorite is a hot fudge sundae. I mean if I'm in - I'm in. Well, we were all kind of hungry so we had corn dogs first then the sundaes. Yum and Yum.
The good news is yesterday was a new day and I stopped the bad eating and continued on with my normal daily plan of eating healthy. The trick for me is to not keep going in the downward spiral. I did it. Join me!
Monday, June 13, 2011
For My Mom and Friends
Wow, what an amazing experience Saturday's Susan B Komen Race For the Cure in the Triangle was for me, the people I shared the experience with and I'm sure the other 25,000 participants. I was especially proud to be a Prestonwood Member and part of the Pretty in Pink Team. Thank you to Ginny Weant and everyone that made that happen. It was hard to stay together with so many people for any period of time, but it was comforting knowing we were participating in a good cause together.
I'm so lucky to have such strong women in my life. My mom battled and survived breast cancer back in the early 80's. I feel like she did it alone. I'm sure she had help from her friends, but they would have all been swamped with their own families at the time. I was the oldest and at the time a self absorbed college student I'm sure. Her mother had already passed away. You would never know to this day if she struggled at all. She always had a brave face. She was always worried more about us. I pray I can be that strong when I need to be. My two tennis friends at Prestonwood are equally as honorable. Liz Fenton ran her first road race on Saturday and I saw nothing but shear joy on her face all morning to just be healthy and among such amazing people. Jen Newnan, I don't know as well; but she ran it and from what I understand she hasn't let breast cancer slow her down. What great role models.
I did the competitive run at 7am. Came in 17th out of 201 women ages 45-49. Not bad for an "old broad", I can hear my dad say. My daughter joined me for the walk at 8:45 (thanks to Kristy, busy mom of 4 for giving her a ride). I think I accomplished two things with Francine Saturday morning; #1 - we got to exercise together (always good) and #2 - she got to see an amazing show of grace and gratitude, she got to see the world is a bigger place than the Preston pool in her bikini with her friends, and she got to see it's good to give.
Time to sign up for a run I say for continued motivation for "Summer Training". Think about the http://www.annas-angels.org/events-upc.html. It's the Anna's Angels run and it's going to be super fun with a Halloween theme because it's on Sunday, October 30. Join me!
I'm so lucky to have such strong women in my life. My mom battled and survived breast cancer back in the early 80's. I feel like she did it alone. I'm sure she had help from her friends, but they would have all been swamped with their own families at the time. I was the oldest and at the time a self absorbed college student I'm sure. Her mother had already passed away. You would never know to this day if she struggled at all. She always had a brave face. She was always worried more about us. I pray I can be that strong when I need to be. My two tennis friends at Prestonwood are equally as honorable. Liz Fenton ran her first road race on Saturday and I saw nothing but shear joy on her face all morning to just be healthy and among such amazing people. Jen Newnan, I don't know as well; but she ran it and from what I understand she hasn't let breast cancer slow her down. What great role models.
I did the competitive run at 7am. Came in 17th out of 201 women ages 45-49. Not bad for an "old broad", I can hear my dad say. My daughter joined me for the walk at 8:45 (thanks to Kristy, busy mom of 4 for giving her a ride). I think I accomplished two things with Francine Saturday morning; #1 - we got to exercise together (always good) and #2 - she got to see an amazing show of grace and gratitude, she got to see the world is a bigger place than the Preston pool in her bikini with her friends, and she got to see it's good to give.
Time to sign up for a run I say for continued motivation for "Summer Training". Think about the http://www.annas-angels.org/events-upc.html. It's the Anna's Angels run and it's going to be super fun with a Halloween theme because it's on Sunday, October 30. Join me!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Get Out of the Rut
You're not going to believe this, but I kind of like my dog, yes - Daisy. Although, she just let out a loud bark at 6:20 am and that may land her quickly back on my bad list. I get into bad parenting ruts with her. I was letting her dictate how things were going to be. I have taken back the reins and things are going so much better. Total side bar: someone hid her shock collar (Patrick?). I've realized how easy it is to get into a bad rut, but how easy it is to also get out! It's all about recognizing the rut for what it is....
Daisy is a 56 lb black Standard Poodle. She adores me and pretty much me only. My twin teenage boys have tortured her in little annoying ways for years. Of course, they have personally tried Daisy's shock collar on each other to see how that feels (brilliant!). They used to put the electric fence collar on and push each other through to see how that felt. And you wonder why I like a little glass of chardonnay on a regular basis? Daisy retaliates with peeing in the boy's rooms or the third floor (which is pretty much their domain). It was really grossing me out. She also has a very weak stomach and I think we have previously established she acts like a goat with regards to eating many things dog shouldn't (example: tampons). So she's a puker which can also lead to loose stool as you might imagine. Sorry to be so graphic, but I just need you to feel a little of my pain of what I have had to clean up.
Last week we got new carpets. Last week we made some big Daisy changes. We gated off the third floor so she couldn't get up there. Previously, we had a gate blocking the 2nd floor, but she would nip at the kids leaping that gate because it seemed like a game and they didn't try to deter her. The gate was always falling down, tearing up the wall, etc. Anyway, we also started seriously crating her. The crate was in the garage basically being unused. After 2 days last week she got a little sick and I realized it was too hot for her, so I brought the crate into the dining room. Not my first choice for aesthetic reasons, but I can live with it rather than her having free roam of my newly carpeted house. So the rule is the last person in the house before leaving takes her out and then puts her in the crate. The first person in takes her out of crate and takes her outside. This I know must seem very simple. It is. And it's working beautifully.
We used to have her water bowl in the kitchen. She is a very messy drinker and would somehow splash water every time she would drink it, sometimes she almost seemed to be trying to swim in her water bowl. We had hard wood floors. They didn't do well with the constant splash of water. We never moved it. I have no idea why. So, as many of you know last summer my new refrigerator leaked and caused extensive kitchen damage. We had our hardwoods redone. We moved her water dish into the tiled laundry room. What an epiphany!
The thing is - I think we do things in daily life and we know they aren't right but once the damage is done we just continue. Or we just keep doing the same action not thinking about why or what would be better. We don't stop the action - bad reaction behaviour. Maybe it requires a new purchase to see how to make the change. That's why I think we have to always be trying new things to motivate us exercise wise. You never know what you might really like unless you try it. And maybe it requires a new outfit to really get you motivated. I'm going to try to be more conscious of my behaviour that could be more positive for myself and others. I'm going to really be in the moment and not afraid to stop a negative action. Join me!
Daisy is a 56 lb black Standard Poodle. She adores me and pretty much me only. My twin teenage boys have tortured her in little annoying ways for years. Of course, they have personally tried Daisy's shock collar on each other to see how that feels (brilliant!). They used to put the electric fence collar on and push each other through to see how that felt. And you wonder why I like a little glass of chardonnay on a regular basis? Daisy retaliates with peeing in the boy's rooms or the third floor (which is pretty much their domain). It was really grossing me out. She also has a very weak stomach and I think we have previously established she acts like a goat with regards to eating many things dog shouldn't (example: tampons). So she's a puker which can also lead to loose stool as you might imagine. Sorry to be so graphic, but I just need you to feel a little of my pain of what I have had to clean up.
Last week we got new carpets. Last week we made some big Daisy changes. We gated off the third floor so she couldn't get up there. Previously, we had a gate blocking the 2nd floor, but she would nip at the kids leaping that gate because it seemed like a game and they didn't try to deter her. The gate was always falling down, tearing up the wall, etc. Anyway, we also started seriously crating her. The crate was in the garage basically being unused. After 2 days last week she got a little sick and I realized it was too hot for her, so I brought the crate into the dining room. Not my first choice for aesthetic reasons, but I can live with it rather than her having free roam of my newly carpeted house. So the rule is the last person in the house before leaving takes her out and then puts her in the crate. The first person in takes her out of crate and takes her outside. This I know must seem very simple. It is. And it's working beautifully.
We used to have her water bowl in the kitchen. She is a very messy drinker and would somehow splash water every time she would drink it, sometimes she almost seemed to be trying to swim in her water bowl. We had hard wood floors. They didn't do well with the constant splash of water. We never moved it. I have no idea why. So, as many of you know last summer my new refrigerator leaked and caused extensive kitchen damage. We had our hardwoods redone. We moved her water dish into the tiled laundry room. What an epiphany!
The thing is - I think we do things in daily life and we know they aren't right but once the damage is done we just continue. Or we just keep doing the same action not thinking about why or what would be better. We don't stop the action - bad reaction behaviour. Maybe it requires a new purchase to see how to make the change. That's why I think we have to always be trying new things to motivate us exercise wise. You never know what you might really like unless you try it. And maybe it requires a new outfit to really get you motivated. I'm going to try to be more conscious of my behaviour that could be more positive for myself and others. I'm going to really be in the moment and not afraid to stop a negative action. Join me!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Staycation
Happy Memorial Day Weekend. This is usually a camping weekend for the Stylski's. Last year we went to the NC mountains, camped and ziplined. Great fun; lots of work for me. We had to take our tent down in the rain and have a few broken poles. Still haven't ordered replacements. Decided to stay home this long weekend. Ahhhh, a "staycation". I've been looking forward to it all week.
So my 3 teenagers and I will be at the same pool where I'm sure they will be avoiding me like the plague. They can run, but they can't hide. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. I love doing diving board acrobatics. Since I've given up the keratin (hair straightening) process, I can totally indulge in embarrassing my children with acting like a child myself. I might even try the cannonball where you see if you can splash the lifeguard.
It's okay to let the inner child out every once in a while. It makes you feel young and silly. This weekend is definitely about enjoying life and setting aside a moment to appreciate those who lost their lives to ensure that we can live a beautiful one. Thank you to all our veterans. Join me in giving thanks and living life to the fullest!
So my 3 teenagers and I will be at the same pool where I'm sure they will be avoiding me like the plague. They can run, but they can't hide. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. I love doing diving board acrobatics. Since I've given up the keratin (hair straightening) process, I can totally indulge in embarrassing my children with acting like a child myself. I might even try the cannonball where you see if you can splash the lifeguard.
It's okay to let the inner child out every once in a while. It makes you feel young and silly. This weekend is definitely about enjoying life and setting aside a moment to appreciate those who lost their lives to ensure that we can live a beautiful one. Thank you to all our veterans. Join me in giving thanks and living life to the fullest!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Nice Guys Do Finish First ...and Second
I'm not sure who's going to win tonight on American Idol's Grand Finale, but I do know this, I'm proud to say that I live in the same state as Scotty McCreary. What a seemingly nice teenage boy! And Lauren Alaina seems pretty stand up herself. They both seem humble about their amazing singing talent and never talked back to the judges. Hello, Randy Jackson, J Lo, and Steve Tyler! Whether you like them or not they all have had very successful careers in the music business. They should be revered as authorities.
My boys thought Hayley was hot! Hot maybe, but she definitely had some sass to her. They had to bleep out some of her expletives at times. I didn't like her attitude. She wasn't humble. She looked angry and sort of flippant if someone tried to give her criticism. All in all, I found her a good example of what I don't like in some kids; their total lack of respect for adult authority.
Let's talk Dancing With The Stars too! Hines Ward won last night. He seems like a stand up guy. What a great dancer he turned out to be and so respectful at all times. He took the competition seriously, was good at it and had a good time. Seems like good role modeling to me. Kirstie Alley came in second and Chelsea Kane came in third. I think that got reversed, but doesn't really matter in the end. They all worked hard and performed well.
I haven't got to watch my DVR'd Biggest Loser. Can't wait. What an amazing transformation that is ....what dedication and perseverance. I find that show inspiring. Three ladies lost 100 lbs. each. They worked hard and it paid off.
This all brings me to "Spring Training". What a roller coaster for me. I'm doing really well with work outs right now and have given up cocktails completely (8 days straight). I started journaling for real on Monday. Journaling is amazing if you haven't tried it. The first meal out of the gate, I found out that I was having 2x the calories I originally thought just buy reading the label. I was going for the 2 packs of Irish Oatmeal on purpose because they were only 100 calories each. Looked at the front of the container of the Almond milk and it said 90 calories per serving. Assumed wrongly that meant 8 oz. When I looked at the real label information it was only 4 oz. Good example of how we don't realize calories we take it and checking portion sizes etc is always a good idea.
"Spring Training" is about to turn into "Summer Training". Hope you are putting your best foot forward. In the words of Randy Jackson, American Idol judge, "I'm in it to win it"; join me!
PS: I do think Lauren was a little better last night, but thought the judges kind of came out of the blue pushing her to win. Scotty was better all season long. That's just my opinion!
My boys thought Hayley was hot! Hot maybe, but she definitely had some sass to her. They had to bleep out some of her expletives at times. I didn't like her attitude. She wasn't humble. She looked angry and sort of flippant if someone tried to give her criticism. All in all, I found her a good example of what I don't like in some kids; their total lack of respect for adult authority.
Let's talk Dancing With The Stars too! Hines Ward won last night. He seems like a stand up guy. What a great dancer he turned out to be and so respectful at all times. He took the competition seriously, was good at it and had a good time. Seems like good role modeling to me. Kirstie Alley came in second and Chelsea Kane came in third. I think that got reversed, but doesn't really matter in the end. They all worked hard and performed well.
I haven't got to watch my DVR'd Biggest Loser. Can't wait. What an amazing transformation that is ....what dedication and perseverance. I find that show inspiring. Three ladies lost 100 lbs. each. They worked hard and it paid off.
This all brings me to "Spring Training". What a roller coaster for me. I'm doing really well with work outs right now and have given up cocktails completely (8 days straight). I started journaling for real on Monday. Journaling is amazing if you haven't tried it. The first meal out of the gate, I found out that I was having 2x the calories I originally thought just buy reading the label. I was going for the 2 packs of Irish Oatmeal on purpose because they were only 100 calories each. Looked at the front of the container of the Almond milk and it said 90 calories per serving. Assumed wrongly that meant 8 oz. When I looked at the real label information it was only 4 oz. Good example of how we don't realize calories we take it and checking portion sizes etc is always a good idea.
"Spring Training" is about to turn into "Summer Training". Hope you are putting your best foot forward. In the words of Randy Jackson, American Idol judge, "I'm in it to win it"; join me!
PS: I do think Lauren was a little better last night, but thought the judges kind of came out of the blue pushing her to win. Scotty was better all season long. That's just my opinion!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
"Ladies Only"
I wish I had seen the sign "Ladies Only" yesterday at http://www.trianglesalon.com/ Chandni's Spa and Salon. Now, I have been going there for a few years since a friend recommended trying "eyebrow threading". Eyebrow threading is awesome! I love it. Eyebrow threading is only $7. It doesn't last quite as long as waxing. I don't think it's painful; it feels weird. The good news, it doesn't pull your eye skin which can stretch over time and leave you with saggy eyelids; total bonus. These ladies know what they are doing. If you haven't tried it; grab a girlfriend and try it!
Well, let me say they also offer waxing services (not for eyebrows). You know summer waxing needs....So, I had my 13 year old at the ENT Doctor yesterday for his snoring. Turns out his tonsils are too big. Sometime soon, he's going to have them out. The Dr and I were laughing about how guys all snore eventually anyway and at least my son's future wife wouldn't be living in a fantasy world if he snored right off the bat. So as previously discussed; teenager/parent relationships are all about a lot of ying and yang. I say, "Nolan, I need to run a little errand and there's a bakery right next door you could get a cookie or something". He has a little hissy and demands to know what I'm up to. I acquiesce and tell him about hitting the pool this weekend and a little something I need to take care of. He thought it was great that I had given full disclosure. Me, I'm not so sure. Sure enough, he hung out in Chandni's with a funny little smirk on his face eating his scoop of ice cream (Mexican Bakery moved closer to DMV in Cary; fyi).
I come out to reception area (using that phrase very loosely) post waxing. There's a lady checking out that repeatedly asks the owner, "isn't there a "Ladies Only" sign somewhere here?" Really!?? I have to say, I never noticed it; but sure enough big as life on the outside of the big picture window it reads loud and clear, "Ladies Only". My 13 year old boys giggles. He thought the whole thing was very enlightening. Well, it's good to bond over life's little things right? Okay, I won't do it again.
The end purpose of this story is to say if you haven't tried "threading"; do it; very fun. And if you are thinking about a bathing suit anytime soon; take a good look in the mirror first. There's really nothing worse than someone who forgot to pay attention to that little summer beauty necessity (well, for them not necessarily for me). I know all my young friends are saying, "I got laser hair removal". Great for you. If I was younger, I would to. Join me on getting ready for summer; it's right around the corner!!
Well, let me say they also offer waxing services (not for eyebrows). You know summer waxing needs....So, I had my 13 year old at the ENT Doctor yesterday for his snoring. Turns out his tonsils are too big. Sometime soon, he's going to have them out. The Dr and I were laughing about how guys all snore eventually anyway and at least my son's future wife wouldn't be living in a fantasy world if he snored right off the bat. So as previously discussed; teenager/parent relationships are all about a lot of ying and yang. I say, "Nolan, I need to run a little errand and there's a bakery right next door you could get a cookie or something". He has a little hissy and demands to know what I'm up to. I acquiesce and tell him about hitting the pool this weekend and a little something I need to take care of. He thought it was great that I had given full disclosure. Me, I'm not so sure. Sure enough, he hung out in Chandni's with a funny little smirk on his face eating his scoop of ice cream (Mexican Bakery moved closer to DMV in Cary; fyi).
I come out to reception area (using that phrase very loosely) post waxing. There's a lady checking out that repeatedly asks the owner, "isn't there a "Ladies Only" sign somewhere here?" Really!?? I have to say, I never noticed it; but sure enough big as life on the outside of the big picture window it reads loud and clear, "Ladies Only". My 13 year old boys giggles. He thought the whole thing was very enlightening. Well, it's good to bond over life's little things right? Okay, I won't do it again.
The end purpose of this story is to say if you haven't tried "threading"; do it; very fun. And if you are thinking about a bathing suit anytime soon; take a good look in the mirror first. There's really nothing worse than someone who forgot to pay attention to that little summer beauty necessity (well, for them not necessarily for me). I know all my young friends are saying, "I got laser hair removal". Great for you. If I was younger, I would to. Join me on getting ready for summer; it's right around the corner!!
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