One week only...

For your viewing pleasure. I decided since I lost my own deal, I would use this as a positive exercise in accepting my body and not criticising. I have a few criticisms on my brain, but I'm keeping it positive. This is a real woman's body. I am at a healthy weight and that is what healthy looks like. Sure I'd like a little more of a buffer between that and overweight, but this is the real deal.

I am going to say 3 nice things about myself. 1-I really like my calves in poser picture. 2-I also like the way my arms have slimmed down and have a little definition. Welcome to the gun show. 3-I am pleased with the curve caused by a nearly perfect hip to waist ratio (studies of art have come up with the perfect ratio of .70, I have .71). While I am very happy with the way my body looks fully covered in cloths that fit well, I'm still slightly uncomfortable with a little more show and tell. The weight loss challenge is over but I'm still going to lose my last 8 lbs by the end of the year. Maybe I'll repost then.....

What I've learned from my dog in 6 months

I've heard dogs mirror your energy. I believe it. When I first got Milly I would worry about her being anxious a lot. And guess what, she was anxious a lot--when I'd leave, when we saw new things, being around other dogs, etc.

I have to admit, amongst other things, I watched some episodes of the Dog Whisperer. I realized that we transfer our energy to our dogs. If you've ever watched the show or if you do, most of the dogs issues are just mirrors of the owner's issues. In one episode he had a woman visualize/channel her inner queen (Cleopatra specifically) when she would walk the dog to exert dominance over the dog and to promote the right energy for the dog.

Confidence

I started using that type of energy when I walked Milly. I may or may not have channelled my inner Cleo. I may or may not have gotten more cat calls than usual on 700 East. It felt good and Milly started showing more confidence herself. We even started walking at the Cottonwood dog park off leash. Sometimes I still get a little nervous if I see some big dogs coming (because I assume Milly will be nervous, which she will if she senses it from me), but I check those feelings and channel my confidence and calmness to Milly. Maybe that sounds weird but it makes sense once you've done it.

I think I've actually felt a change in my own confidence and energy even when I'm not with Milly. Because I've been checking my energy when I go out with Milly, now when I go into a social situation or just anywhere and I feel some anxiety, I check myself and pull that calm, confident energy out. Confidence is all in your head. So, it's been good for me.

Self control

Dogs like consistency and routine. Milly doesn't have any idea what a weekend is. When it's time to potty or eat, she let's me know even if I'm still trying to sleep (she's learned a good, cold nose to the armpit, gets me up quick). Consistency is not a strength for me, so I'm a work in progress for that one. Before Milly, I had a hard time keeping my plants alive cause I forget to water them.

Some days I don't feel like I have time to deal with her needs, but I have to set the time aside to take her for walks and take care of her needs first.

Actually the biggest self control issue I've had to conquer is giving her discipline before affection. I've been a bit of a pushover, but sometimes I need to assert my dominance as the pack leader. Part of it is I feel so bad that Milly had such a crappy life and was abused before I got her that I want to make up for that. But I have to remember that I need to give her what she needs, discipline, to make her "happy".

Sacrifice

Along with the self control to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, I've had to give up some of my wants to take care of Milly. Before I got her and was thinking about getting a dog, I decided I would be totally committed to it emotionally and financially. She's cost me a little more in medical bills than I would have liked, but what would I have done with that money? Spent it on stuff for me. Eh.

Sometimes I would have rather just gone running somewhere on my own or biking, but if I don't have time for both, I take Milly for a walk or slow jog. Sometimes I even have to give up my "training" time to give her the walk. (According to Cesar and many dog experts, the most important thing to dogs is exercise, discipline, and then affection.) It's not that much a of a sacrifice. Walking Milly is one of my new favorite activities. It makes me so happy to see her run and show her new found confidence. She has come so far from that scared, sad little rescue dog when I first got her.

Other stuff

I learned how to tell if a dog is dehydrated--tacky gums and lack of elasticity in the skin. I learned that if you have to get saline shots to rehydrate your dog, it's very expensive. I've learned what a seizure in a dog looks like--dilated eyes, disoriented, they paw the air, and may start running into things. I also learned that it's common in dogs and not to panic unless it lasts longer than 5 mins, happens multiple times in 24 hours, or is accompanied by a fever.

I've also been reminded of the joy of running. I "train" a lot so I go for a specific distance at a specific pace and forget that joy and freedom I feel when I run. The first time I saw Milly run, it was a thrill to see the grace and joy in her little body. Her whole energy is different when she runs. It's good. When I walk or jog with her, it makes me smile sometimes to see her running. It's a good emotional release for me.

I don't know who has benefited more from our new pack, me or Milly. Well, from what I know of Milly's past, probably Milly, but the past 6 months has been a grand adventure with my little companion.

Week 12/Final weight

Bah. Spoiler alert, if you're a guy and don't want to hear about lady issues, stop now. My final weigh out was 142.5. That is 1.5 lbs up from the previous week. I believe that is all water weight because I am at "that time of the month" and I feel disgusting and bloated and cranky. Timing couldn't be any worse.

I weighed myself mid-week to see where I was and 2 days last week I was at 140.5. So I was really surprised to see the increase Sunday morning. But then I wasn't either. However, that unfortunate timing did throw me off for the contest. It took me from 2nd place to 3rd.

I also took measurements. All of them were the same or smaller (good job thighs) except in general abdomen, bloaty area of the body.

I guarantee, later this week that scale will drop again. Well, unless the 1/2 a pan of brownies I ate yesterday didn't sabotage everything..... Yes, I ate 1/2 a pan of brownies. But it wasn't a full size pan, it was a loaf pan sized jiffy mix. I went back after the fact, and it was about 500 calories worth of brownies. Not really necessary, but I had cramps so bad all day I finally broke down and binged on chocolate and sugar. And it was awesome. If I did it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.

As soon as I can get my pics loaded I'll post them. Amy keeps her word. But sometimes Amy is not very happy about being a girl.

Week 11 Weight Loss Challenge

I'm down to 141 lbs. I wasn't sure if I'd pull off the full pound this week because I traveled over the weekend. But there it is. I only need to lose 1.1 lbs this week to not have to post pics of me in a swimming suit. Don't remember if I mentioned it but as a final motivator for the last couple of weeks I decided I'd threaten myself with having to post them if I don't get under 140 by the end.

For the most part, I don't advocate negative motivators, but sometimes they may be what's called for. Like this weekend I traveled and my conference was next to the Cheesecake Factory. Normally I would probably have gotten a piece of cheesecake and maybe even shared it. Every time it crossed my mind, I imagined myself in a swimming suit.

The biggest challenge this week was the traveling. I was up too late Thursday night packing and getting ready so I didn't get enough sleep to get up early and exercise. I did walk to work and back, but that's all. Then I immediately drove to Vegas after work. I spent 2 days sitting in a running coach conference (kind of ironic that it was running that was keeping me sedentary). I was too tired to work out after the session on Sat and I didnt' have time before it started. Sunday I drove straight home right after it got over. I had a combined steps total of about 800 steps for both days according to my pedometer.

They feed us bagels, pizza, granola bars, nuts, sandwiches, etc. throughout the sessions. I feel bloated, yucky still today. I did take some vegitables myself but I think I still got too much sodium. I'm not sure right now how I could have done that better. I did have plenty of healthy snacks in the car coming and going. I really should have just taken today off and slowed down. I could have at least gone for a walk last night. Got up this morning and gone for a run, then leisurly driven back taking breaks to stretch and walk along the way. Oh, well. Done is done. Live and learn.

So, here's to 1.1 lbs this week! I have specific workouts and meals planned. I think if I can get the right amount of sleep and stick to the plan, I'm going to be golden. Stay tuned until next week to see if I post pics or not. :)

Week 9 WL challenge

No budge in the scale this week. I do feel like I lowered my intensity just a smidgen this week. I'm ok with it though. I took measurements and that made me happy. My waist is under 30" now and my arms, hips, and thighs are all smaller too. Hurrah!

So currently, I'm at 142.5 lbs. That gives me 3 weeks to get under 140. I can do that.

Weight Loss Challenge end of week 8

So I wrote my last update all discouraged, but then when I actually did my weigh out for week 8 I lost 1.5 pounds and was the group winner for the week. Hurrah! I'm not going to lie. It feels good to see results.



I'm starting to wonder if weighing in weekly is too much though. If I did it again, I think I'd alternate weigh-ins one week and measurements the next. Seeing my measurements shrink is actually more motivating to me than weight. There are so many variables that can change weight. What I really want to do is lose body fat and girth is a much better measurement of that.



This project ends March 26th, but I'll still be looking to lose another 5-7 lbs, so maybe I can test that out on a 6 week challenge.



FYI, my gimp shoulder is aching today. I think a storm or some kind of pressure change is coming.

Bacon, the gateway meat....

Went to a tapas party this weekend. I decided I wanted to make something a little more edgy and sexy than some of my standards. So I stuffed dried fruit with goat cheese and wrapped it in bacon. Mmmmmm.

So first I took some dried dates, figs, & apricots, sliced them in the middle but not all the way through and let them soak in some freshly squeezed orange juice. I let them soak for a couple of hours just because I got started a long time before the party. When i came back to them the juice was all soaked up. I did toss them a couple times as I passed by.

Then I just took some goat cheese and stuffed the fruit. It wasn't quite a tsp. Next, I wrapped them in bacon. I cut the bacon in half and removed some of the excessive fat. I did put toothpicks through them for ease of serving and to make sure the bacon stayed on.

I baked them on a cooling rack on a pan so the fat would drip down. I think these would be fantastic grilled as well. I don't remember how long they cooked for. Until they're done. Probably about 15 min? They were delicious. I think the fig and apricots were my favorites. I've never been a huge date fan, but if you are going to eat dates, this is the way to eat them.