MK: back on the wagon... again...

A few months ago, I wrote here in Twitloss that I was ready to start again. And I am. I try to eat right, but I lack the motivation to work out. I don't have a workout buddy anymore, I don't have the money to go to a gym, and my elliptical is sitting in the corner getting a fine layer of dust on it because I can't find the cord to plug it in and change the levels. And, let's face it: because I'm lazy.

 My mom bought me a workout video a long time ago (like, YEARS ago) and made me promise that I'd do it. Of course, I told her I would but I threw it in a drawer and promptly forgot about it. This was when I'd just separated from my first husband and I was super depressed and I didn't care much about anything at that time. I did manage to get up off my butt and drop some weight (when I first started here at Twitloss) but I plateaued, got depressed, got overwhelmed, blahblahexcusesblahblah. 

I will say that I didn't start the day off with great food choices. I skipped breakfast and had spaghetti with meat sauce for lunch... and a caramel brownie for a snack. But I'm chugging water and am determined to drink my allotted 64 ounces today (my medication requires at LEAST that much).

Today, I found the copy of Turbo Jam by Team Beachbody. Since the laundry is still going, I put on my tennis shoes, popped in the DVD, and got to it. The workouts are 20 minutes and incorporate dancing and martial arts. And best of all: IT'S FUN. I'm sitting here dripping with sweat and wondering if I could get away with doing it again. I'm still recovering from my bout with the flu, so I've probably already pushed my limit for the day, but... since it's such a nice day out I think I'm going to go for a walk. With my iPod. And see what happens. I can't run because of my knees, but maybe a powerwalk is in the cards? 

All I know is that I need the Vitamin D, the sunshine, and most of all: THE EXERCISE!!

MamaKitty update

I know that I haven't updated recently... I don't think any of us have. Life has gotten in the way of pretty much everything. That includes blogging (here, at MamaKitty Reviews, my personal blog...), exercising, you name it and life has pretty much knocked it down.

I was in a car accident on September 11th. I'm okay, but my car was totaled and I hurt my back. I went to a chiropractor and I'm feeling better, but any exercise I got in before then went swirling. And now, I'm 50 pounds overweight, at 199lbs (I've gained 20 in the last 6 months) and hating life. I'm tired all the time. I have no energy to do anything but sit on the couch and watch TV. I'm on my feet most of the day at clinic, but my heart rate doesn't get too high since all I'm doing is standing there. I feel heavy.

I was walking to my car the other day when leaving clinic and I saw my reflection in the window at one of the shops in the hospital... and I didn't like what I saw. My body is big. I know that it looks worse because I have to wear a big white lab coat (and let's face it - white isn't flattering) but I just looked... big. And my head isn't that big. So I look majorly disproportionate (it could be how I view myself, but either way, I don't like it).

I've got to get back on track. I've got to drop the last 50 pounds. I'm down 50 already (granted, it was 2 years ago but still) so I should be able to get past this last (giant) hurdle.

Right?

Checking In...From The Edge

Hola! Just popping in to say hi. I am currently down about 5 pounds. Thank you stomach flu of 2012! I can't take credit for it based on working out and eating right, but I am totally willing to capitalize on my pain and suffering. Or at least try. I have put on 2 pounds of what I lost, but hell I am holding on by the skin of my teeth.

DH and I are talking about doing a month of eating vegetarian in an attempt to kind of detox our systems. I am also seriously considering taking Xenadrine or some other supplement to try and spur on some weight loss because waking up at 4:30am M-Th and every other Friday is not getting it done. I mean, I feel better, but I can't say I am any smaller and the numbers on the scale aren't really going anywhere.

Last weekend DH and I went rock wall climbing. Holy crap! That was scary and not a little bit of work. DH climbs like he was born to it. Me, I get 3/4ths of the way up and chicken out. Every. Single. Time. Sigh. My goal is to get to the top...one day. LOL! Above is the gym we went to, called Verticle Hold. Everyone was really nice and we had a great time for having 0 clue what we were doing when we walked in.

How are you all doing? Hanging in there? Lose any weight? I feel like we haven't talked in a dogs age. Oh right. We haven't. Well, say hi. don't be a stranger and I'll try to do the same.

Wake up call

As you know, I've been trying to lose weight for the past 2 years. I've managed to drop 65 pounds, but I've hit a plateau with 40 more pounds to lose. It's mostly due to lack of time, motivation, and pain from the injuries I sustained during my time in the military. Lately, I've started eating right again and have lost a few more pounds (yay, me!) and have been encouraging PK to do the same. Since we've been together, he's gained a good 30-40 pounds, and it's not healthy. Since I'm trying to get healthy, I'd like him to do so as well. They say it's easier to get healthy and lose weight with a partner, right? Well, PK is of the mindset that since men lose weight faster than women do, he'll start losing weight when I have 20 pounds left to lose.

Personally, I think he's just trying to put off changing his eating habits and starting a workout plan, but that's just me.

Last Friday, I was in class when I saw that he was calling me. I ignored it, since he usually calls me at that time to ask me something like "did you pay this bill" or "can you bring me lunch" since he knows I get out of class at 10:30 on Fridays. Turns out, I should have answered it.

PK was having a "cardiac event". At the time, he thought it was a heart attack, and it's entirely possible that it was, since the doctors at the hospital didn't really tell us anything in the way of what actually happened. I asked for his Creatinine, Troponin I, and Troponin T levels multiple times, but they never gave them to me (PK was in the room and gave consent, so HIPAA wasn't a concern). Those specific proteins are what they look for when checking to see if a patient has actually had a heart attack - they go up when the heart muscle has been damaged after a myocardial infarction.

He spent the weekend in the hospital, and will have to undergo some more testing, but ultimately, PK is going to have to change some major things about his lifestyle. He needs to start exercising. He has to stop smoking. He needs to start eating healthy (even if it means eating "fake shit" like the whole wheat pasta that I love so much).

Losing weight isn't just about looking better and liking what you see in the mirror. It's about keeping yourself healthy and staying alive. It's about being there for your family in the long run. And I pray to God that PK paid attention to this wake up call as much as I did.

I Hate Mornings.

 I really do hate them. I prefer to work nights, but the job isn't cooperating with that desire right now. I really hate mornings when I have to get up an hour earlier than normal to hit the gym before work, because after a 12 hour shift running my butt off in the ER, I will be too tired. LOL, but a benefit of going back to work in the ER is that I no longer have a sedentary job according to my online calorie counter.

Alas, I would love to spend those extra calories that I burn each day on a couple of chocolate eclairs from the bakery that I HAVE to drive past every morning on the way the place that keeps my paycheck, but I won't. I'll have two pieces of turkey sausage and hard boiled eggs.

Down 29 pounds and counting.

12.6 Pounds & Counting

Greetings, Kittens!


I missed last month and for that I'm sorry, but at least it isn't because I've fallen off the wagon. As the title says, I'm down 12.6 pounds since January 1st and going steadily along. 11 of that happened in January. I plateaued the first two weeks of February when I stopped exercising to recover, and then dropped another 1.6 since I've been able to move more. 


I'm happy about this overall because it means that my eating didn't increase the way it usually does during my period and when I'm worn down and have to recoup. That's a very good sign for how the beginning of this year, and hopefully beyond will go. 


I haven't been back on the stationary bike or using my hoop like I'd hoped. Most of my activity has been getting my 10K steps or close to it, and bouncing to music on my balance ball which I love. Lately, it's been just the ball, but as long as it's working right?


I'm in a low energy phase with the CFS, but I'm steadily working forward with it. Everything is harder with a chronic illness, but no goal is impossible, some just take more creative thinking. In my case, when you can't run, walk. When you can't walk...bounce!


What ways have you all found to work around obstacles and sneak in the activity you need?


~X

Post Superbowl Hangover

OK, so I am writing this on Saturday. LOL! I know it won't get written on Sunday and frankly once I'm at work it won't happen either. :D The sad reality is, I will probably have a food hangover not one from alcohol. See the DH doesn't understand how not to cook for an army. *rolls eyes* So, I am counting on having over eaten.

On the upside, I will be hitting the gym early Monday morning and pedaling my way to a slimmer trimmer me. Hopefully. I am doing so good with working out about 4 days a week, but I don't feel like I can really see any difference. I'm just gonna keep at it and hope I am on the verge of some big break through.

As for my foot, I am doing very well. I bowled last weekend and even managed to wear a pair of low heels this week. I am struggling with some swelling issues, a common result of the type of break I had. It means that I am back to wearing the evil compression hose I have from my blood clot last year. Sigh. They may be the most unsexy pair of thigh highs anyone has EVER seen. Ha! Ha!

How are you all doing with your workouts? How are you feeling after the big game? Still full? LOL!

Life isn't Fair

I was confronted with another moment where life isn't fair this week when we realized that over the last year- year and a half, my husband has lost about 65 pounds. How, you might ask.

By doing absolutely nothing. He joined a gym and went 4 times. The biggest change that I can put my finger on is that he has stopped skipping so many meals. So in other words, he lost weight by eating.

I know all the reasons men lose weight easier than women, but still the intellectual part of my brain is just going to have to bow down to the whiny, selfish emotional side and let me complain a bit.

As for me, I am still a non-smoker. Just over two months now. Due mainly to the weather here in the south, where it can't seem to decide if it is going to be warm or cold, my sinuses have been driving me crazy. So most of the last two month have been spent coughing and blowing my nose. Makes the gym loads of fun. I try, but some days I don't seem to get very far.

Still, since I've been here, I have lost a total of 30 pounds. Almost 10% of my body weight. And most importantly I feel better.

Finding my motivation

Hello fellow Twitlossers!

So, everyone knows I've been SUPER TIRED lately. With 5am mornings every day and late nights of studying and taking care of my family, it's hard not to be! So where do I find the motivation to work out?

Good question.

I haven't been working out lately. I know, I know. This is a #twitloss post. I'm supposed to be talking about working out and losing weight! Funny thing is that I've somehow managed to lose weight despite not working out. How? Well, I haven't been eating as much because of the lack of time and the fact that I had a massive UTI and suspected kidney stones. I was in so much pain that I was nauseated constantly and eating was so low on my list of priorities that the weight just kind of melted off for a while.

Not exactly the best way to drop weight, but I'll take what I can get for now.

So. Now that the infection is gone and my appetite has returned, how do I kickstart my motivation? MUSIC!

While I'm getting ready before the sun has even made her appearance in the morning, I pop in my headphones so that I don't wake up Monkey or PK, and I shake my booty to my favorite artists. Lately, I've been on a Christian music kick, so I listen to artists like: MercyMe (a lot os MercyMe - they're my favorite) , Casting Crowns, Mandisa, Big Daddy Weave, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, Sanctus Real, Matt Maher, Chris Tomlin, NeedtoBreathe, Natalie Grant, Tenth Avenue North, Ashes Remain, 33 Miles, Sidewalk Prophets, Kutless, Francesca Batistelli, Third Day, Brandon Heath, & Toby Mac (to see my playlist on YouTube, go here: My KSBJ)

My day doesn't officially start until I've heard the Good Morning song by Mandisa (featuring TobyMac). If I'm in the car, I crank it up as loud as it'll go and sing at the top of my lungs. If I'm in the bathroom, I boogie all over the place and usually end up needing another shower because I end up sweating because I dance so hard. It's such a fun song and it's the BEST way to start your day!

Wave away my yesterday
Cause I'm leaving it behind me.
Hello sunshine, come what may.
I feel something new inside me.
I hear the birds singing
Now my alarm's ringing
Get up, get up, hey!

It's cold and I'm hungry.

*waves* Hello! Tyhada's not feeling that great, so I offered to blog for her today. Unfortunately, I woke up to 45 degree weather, so all I can think about it how F'ing cold it is. I live in Texas, where we don't get weather like this very often. Yes, I turned the heater on, and I'm wearing my favorite hoodie, but my knee is angry at me (stupid arthritis) and all I can think about is the pot of chili I'm going to make for dinner tonight.

Doesn't sound much like a #twitloss post, does it?

Well, it does if you make chili the way I do. I don't use ground beef (although PK thinks I do... shh, don't tell him!) and I use a special recipe I found years ago. It's not your traditional Texas chili. Meaning: there are beans in it. PK grumbled about it the first time I made it, but when he took his first bite, he promptly stopped talking because he had his mouth too full of food to speak. Yup, it's that good. It's also pretty healthy, for chili.

Serves: 8; Calories: 295; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams; Protein: 22 grams; Total carbohydrates: 35 grams; Sugar: 8 grams; Fiber: 10 grams; Cholesterol: 37 milligrams; Sodium: 512 milligrams

Three Bean and Beef Chili

Recipe courtesy of Ellie Krieger, All Rights Reserved.

Total Time:

1 hr 25 min

Prep

15 min

Cook

1 hr 10 min

Yield:

10 cups (serves 8, serving size 1 1/4 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced (1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
• 2 carrots, diced (1/2 cup)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded and minced (optional - I rarely use this)
• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from the can of chipotles (again, optional - I rarely use this)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Directions

Heat the oil in large pot or Dutch oven over moderate heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and carrots, cover and cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the ground beef; raise the heat to high and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Stir in the tomatoes, water, chipotle and adobo sauce, oregano and salt and pepper. Simmer, partially covered, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook, partially covered, 20 minutes longer. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

What do you want from your life and how are you getting it?

We all know that weight loss is never just about the weight. Excess weight undoubtably comes with bad habits and poor choices, likely stemming from issues that none of us really want to face.

But, what if you did face them? What do you have to lose? What if you sat down and made a list of the things you wanted in your life and how you were to achieve them? Maybe the better question to ask is.... what if you don't do that? What are the chances that in 6 months you won't regret that you are still in the same situation or maybe worst? I imagine the chance of you regretting having made that list is much smaller than not, so go on. Do it.

Ask yourself what you want and how you can get it. Write it down and post it where you can see it.
Now make it happen.

I am certainly not perfect. I've had my fair share of slip ups, setbacks, and outright fails on this 2+ year journey toward better health and happiness. Yet, not once have I regretted making the decision that it was time to make my life my own.

What that means for you is likely entirely different than what that means for me. For me it meant finding self confidence, accepting my faults, accepting my needs, and acknowledging that I deserved better than I had. It means pushing myself harder. It means making myself uncomfortable at times in the name of getting what I want and fixing what's wrong. It means patience and finding a peace with the fact that I don't always get what I want when I want it.

So this year, forget New Year's resolutions and instead look at the long term. What do you want and where are you going? How do you get what you want?

Me? I want health, strength, independence. I want to be bad ass. How am I getting there?
-- Weight lifting, it burns fat, builds muscle. I stepped out of the women's gym and into the squat racks and it felt amazing.
-- Eat primal, at least most of the time. Or at least sort of. Basically I'm limiting my grains and dairy.
-- Roller Derby. I've wanted to for a really long time and I kept putting it off. "I'm not strong enough, I can't skate well enough, I'm not skinny enough." To hell with all of that. I want to do it, I'm going to.
-- School. And more school. I've got 5 classes this semester and I'm looking forward to every one.
-- Travel. I have people I need to see, places I need to visit.

See this? This is progress. This is hard work. But still, this is just a number. Life is about more than a number. So yes, make yourself weight goals if you need, but make yourself life goals as well.

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

In short, I'm leveling up my life. How about you? Will you join me? Or are you giving up already?

It is a loss, of sorts

I lost something really big in the last month. No, not a big weight loss month, but I didn't gain so that is good.

After being a pack a day or more smoker for 10 years, I quit. It has been 5 weeks since my last cigarette. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I've only threatened to kill my husband a couple of times, and even those times I really didn't mean it. I wouldn't recommend my method of quitting to anyone.

I didn't set out to quit. I really didn't even want to quit most days. At the end of November, I came down with the upper respiratory infection from hell. I couldn't smell anything. For once that was a blessing, a particularly noxious patient came into the ER, and I was the only person in entire ER that couldn't smell him, and I took his clothes off.

After about a week of cold medicine and sleeping in the recliner because I couldn't breath lying down, I realized that I hadn't had a smoke in over a week. It hadn't killed me or anyone around me. We had all survived a nicotine free week. And then two weeks. Before I knew it, it was a smoke free month.

I didn't eat everything in sight. I didn't gain any weight. Maybe because for the first two weeks the only things I could taste were cough drops and Nyquil. Whatever ever the reason, I'll take it.

Now what am I going to do with that extra hundred dollars a month?

Happy New Year... And stuff.

It's that time of year... When we all promise we're going to do better on losing weight by dusting off the elliptical (or in my case: moving the boxes that surround it so I don't accidentally kill myself trying to get to it) and eating better. I really do plan on doing these things, but I'm not calling them resolutions.

Why? Because calling them resolutions tends to make me ignore them easier. I'm not sure why but when that one little word is attached to my thought process, it goes out the window. I know, I'm crazy, but it's true. And it seems to be that way for most people as well, seeing as how so many people tend to make and break their New Year Resolutions.

So my lifestyle change that I implemented before the start of 2012 goes like this:

1. Eat better. I don't need to fill my body with all that crap that's only hurting my body anyway.

2. Be more active. Whether its walking or hopping on the elliptical, I need to get up off my ass and DO SOMETHING every once in a while. Arthritis hurts, but it hurts worse when you don't do anything.

3. Do my homework early and often. I'm bad at procrastinating. So, when we cover a new unit in class, I'm going to come home and do the damn flash cards and read the damn chapter. This way I'm doing 30 minutes of work a night instead of 4 hours.

4. Stay on top of all my blogs!! I may be a well-known procrastinator but it's not actually a good thing. Being 20+ reviews behind is BAD.

So there you have it. Be more healthy. Be less lame (and be more punctual... or something, lol).

Happy New Year!!

Getting On Track...

Well, this will be short cause the muse is riding my ass and there just isn't a whole lot to say. No big sweeping New Year's resolutions or pronouncements. Just a quiet recommitting to loosing weight and being healthier. I am walking on my foot with and without the cast. My knee is hurting from the inactivity of the last 3 months I think, so I get to rehab both foot and knee together. Yay! Not. Anyhoo...like I said. No big pronounceents. I'm just planing on being good to me this year. How about you? Any big resolutions or leaves you're turning over?