12/27/10

The past 4 days have not been good. I did a good job resisting the holiday temptations but I dropped the ball in the end zone. Opps!

It is cliche, but one of my goals for next year is weight loss.

I've been able to do yoga. I will make my goals in quarter periods. So, from January through March my goal will be to go to yoga twice a week and climb/other twice per week. Also, I will stick to 1200 calories per day.

12/22/10 CQ

I have been doing decently. Not as good as I ought to be but decent. I've been trying to stay away from chocolate. Not 100% sucessful, which is fine. When I want something sweet I've been eating manderine oranges, green apples, or frozen pomegranite seeds. The frozen seeds are fantanstic! I would say I have been doing the fruit thing for atleast a month now. They are out of my frozen seeds now though at Trader Joes. So I got chocolate instead.... yah. What can a gal say?

I've been doing really well on the exercise. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but I rejoined the rock gym a few weeks back. I have been going. I think for the past two weeks I have done yoga for 1.25 hours twice a week. I've also had a little bit of climbing, eliptical, treadmill, and swimming in there. Unfortunately, exercise seems to flare up my pain symptoms. I believe yoga is typically okay. Some moves may I ought not to do. Need to ask my PT about it again. Swimming I believe made things worse. Eliptical I think made things worse. Climbing, I am going to have to just boulder one day and do nothing else and see what happens. Same with yoga. Walking on the treadmill I believe is okay. Boring, but ok.

It's frustrating.

Pain is already frustrating enough, but doing things to try and keep up my fitness flaring things up sucks. I also am now on a much higher dose of one of my meds, that can cause weight gain (which I think it does in me). Grrr... I am going to keep on keeping on though.

CQ - 12/13/10 Update

I have been doing CRAAAAPY with my eating habits. Simply horrible.

On a good note, I rejoined the rock gym. I still don't feel well enough to go like I used to, and I am not supposed to do climbing that requires me to use a harness. But, I can boulder and do most yoga.

Will get back to eating better. Blech!

Sheeeee's back!

12/13/2010
Well, I’m back on the wagon again…
I lost some inches then got tired of caring but now I’m headed home in Feb and want to look my best. So here’s what’s up for today-
Walked for over an hour on the beach with my dogs, and did yoga. Planning to do 30 min of hooping tonight!
Ate a healthy smoothie this am, veggie omelet afternoon, veggies at my veg buffet for din, almonds for snack and really really wanna eat something now cause I’m hungry but know I shouldn’t. Maybe some protein.
Ta ta for now, wish me luck losing some inches by feb, I”ll post my latest measurements/pics tomorrow.

11/3/10

Well, haven't been doing so well with all of my food choices. Still have a weakness for chocolate, and ate out yesterday and today with not fantastic choices. Boo!

Gotta get it together again. Really need to go grocery shopping. I always seem to not do well when I don't have groceries. I don't know why I do this to myself! I'll get back on track.

10-25-10 CQ Update

I have kept off most of the weight I lost on the fast since starting eating solids again. I feel pretty good. Still want to lose more. Trying to make better choices in my food selections, and I have been doing OK with that. Still room for some improvement. I have been doing a lot better with my portion sizes though. Also, been doing better with staying away from junk (asides from chocolate, which I need to get a better grip on).

I saw that one of our mutual friends has been exercising 6 days a week for 8 weeks and has lost 28 pounds. Very inspiring! I think I will go to yoga this evening.

I am doing better since they switched my antibiotics. Not 100%, but back to about the normal amount of daily pain I've used to. My pain level is at about a 3 instead of a 8 like it was all of last week, so I have found the desire to live again. hahaha. Sad, but unfortunately true.

In dealing with my chronic pain I talked to my bf about some of my concerns with it. I told him I was worried about going back to work (I am going for my 4th interview today with this one company for a Production Coordinator position and they are getting close to making a decision. I am on of the final candidates). I am worried about my pain level while maintaining a full time job, and worried about asking them about getting me a workstation where I can stand because I have issues sitting for long periods of time (if I am offered the job). Also, I have medical procedures I have to plan for and I hate the idea of going into a job already needing time off from work. My bf told me I have to accept the fact that this may be something I have to deal with for the rest of my life potentially, so I ought to just get prepared to deal with those sorts of implications and keep on with my life. And he's right. So, on with my life I am trying to keep on keeping on.

10-22-10 CQ

I am headed back to the doctor today. I still feel crappy. I think they need to give me some other kind of antibiotics. Also, I am going to Stanford for another MRI. Maybe they will find something new that they can permanently fix? Oh, I feel so miserable. Can't sleep. Also, its true, I'm addicted to chocolate. I had way too much today.

Anyhow, for dinner I am making spring rolls. Yay! mmmmmm...

10-21-10 CQ

I concluded my fast the afternoon of day 10. My first meal was at the salad bar 'Fresh Choice.' I had salad, this pho soup sort of thing, and couldn't resist the chocolate muffin. I actually didn't care for the chocolate muffin. It is odd how my taste buds change when given the chance to refresh. I still seem to have an addiction to chocolate though, as I finished that chocolate bar I had worked on the day before and then some. Perhaps I should go on a chocolate fast?

Despite having a big meal yesterday, I have still managed to lose weight. I am now at 140.8 pounds, which means I have lost 10 pounds. Perhaps this year I will make my goal of being 135 again?

I am still trying to figure out parts of my health problem. I am worried I may have chronic bladder inflammation. I need to retest. I will do so when I am done with my antibiotics.

One of my goals is to drink more water. Another is to reduce my sugar and chocolate intake. I think this could help lower my risk of chronic infections.

I had a bowl of cereal today. I need to plan out what I would like my meals to look like. I think since the weather is starting to cool down that oatmeal would make a good nutritious breakfast.

I would like to cut down on my bread intake, as that apparently just breaks down into sugar production. So, I need to make some meals that work with that.

The boyfriend and I are going to make red cabbage soup over the weekend. It will have onions, carrots, and some meat in it. I will eat that for 5 days I imagine. I think I may replace the sugar that goes into it with honey.

I also would like to limit my intake of cheese and meat even more so than I had before. I just don't feel like they are that good for me, and the idea of eating stuff from animals kind of freaks me out. Especially american cows who are usually fed a corn diet when in actuality they need to be grass fed.

One thing I need to do is continue to get exercise. My most recent physical therapist does not give me her blessing when it comes to climbing, atleast until she feels I start improving. She also thinks I need to be careful when it comes to yoga. I suppose walking should be okay as long as I get some kind of insert for my shoe to compensate for my one shorter leg. Walking is so boring though. I still think I will try and go to yoga. My other PT didn't have much of a problem with me doing either of those activities really. Soooooo....

I know the following doesn't have anything to do with physical health, but more so emotional health: I am getting increasingly more frustrated with having a roommate. I really desire and need my own space to walk around wearing (or not wearing) whatever I want. And mostly, I am getting really sick of having to constantly clean up after someone else. I really need to live by myself again. I had a third interview with this one company who had me interview with 5 different people separately. However, I was supposed to hear from them on Tuesday and its now Thursday. I am assuming I didn't get the job. I was really hoping I got it because then I could move out and get my own place again!! And I wouldn't have to worry so hard about health insurance and such. But I was also thinking, 'man, I won't have time to go travel like I was hoping and it will be hard to get to all my doctor appointments.' I was questioning if I was really ready to go back to work. So, its a mixed blessing. I am really tired of cleaning up after someone else though. Its getting on my last nerve.

Photos

10-20-10 - Day 10 of Fast - CQ

Yesterday I had mostly water, as well as some juice mixed with water. I also was quite hungry, so I had a few tablespoons of peanut butter, and *gasp* some dark chocolate. The dark chocolate felt like it was burning my tongue. I actually really didn't like it. The peanut butter was a godsend. Great protein and good fats. I feel okay today. I need to figure out what my plan is for today. I have enough juice for today and some almond milk. I did feel some increased pain after I had the juice yesterday. I am going to try that again today and see what happens.

Today I measured myself and actually had some inch loss. Oh, also yesterday I took some photos in me in my 'skinny jeans.' I would like those to be what I am trying to get into again. I can actually fit into them now and close them, but there is some extra 'muffin top' going on there. I will upload the photos in another post.

I can see myself from this fast gaining some self control. Its good. I think I have a better chance of keeping my diet under control and making healthier choices.

10-19-10 Day 9 of Juice fast

Well, it turns out the pain I was having was actually a UTI. Apparently, I was supposed to be adding water to the juice I drank to avoid dehydration. I think it is likely that dehydration caused the infection. So, now I am on anti-biotics. Yesterday I didn't have any juice. I just drank water, almond milk (which I made, and is mostly water), soy milk and had some organic vegetable broth. I am feeling 40% better.

I think however that I didn't strain the almond milk well enough, and the particles have activated the digestive system, which is causing me to feel hungry this morning.

I am also wondering if perhaps all the juice I had been drinking upset my bladder, which could indicate I may have Interstitial Cystitis. I sincerely hope that is not the case. I am considering transitioning my diet back on to that again when I break my fast just to see what happens... If it helps, I'll be stuck on the diet the rest of my life, or until they find a cure for IC. Likely though, IC is not the case, as I already have medical tests confirming another diagnosis. However, I have heard of people having both PN and IC. So, I just want to cover my bases. This is a good time to do that.

My stomach looks flatter, but I have not noticed much of a difference in my measurements. Just a slight difference. I am not sure what to make of it.

On the detoxification side, I have noticed some signs that it is starting to work. I'll spare you the details.

I am not sure if I will make it the whole 14 days on this fast. The boyfriend told me he misses eating with me, and after this infection business I am wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. I don't want to harm my body. There is detoxification occuring, however I wonder if the weight loss is all fluid and digestive content loss. I should had been drinking water all this time. I am so horrible about that. I need to be drinking water despite how much I hate doing so.

I am becoming conflicted about this, and I am unsure of what direction I want to take with it.

Also, no new euphoric experiences.

I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but on Sunday I had half of an avocado and 1/3 of a banana. I think it gave me some much needed good fats and potasium into my system.

10-17-10 Day 7 of Juice Fast - CQ

I feel pretty good. Yesterday it said I have lost 9.6 pounds. The bf thinks my belly looks better, and my shape is narrowing at the waist. I saw a photo of me making juice yesterday, and I feel like my arms look a little more toned, and my clothes look big.

Aside from my crisis yesterday where I waited too long to get myself to some juice, I feel fine. I have added pureed 'soup' to my menu. So far I have had the corn/bell pepper one. The ingredients are good, nothing bad other than a little salt. I got the soup from the trader joes market. I also bought a sweet potato soup from them and some vegetable broth. Haven't tried them yet. Let me say, going to the grocery store and to the farmers market was HARD! So many things I wanted to buy or try. But I was good and stuck to fruits I could juice.

The bf helped me make some DELICIOUS juice. I made pink grapefruit juice, which I sweetened with honey. I also made a fresh pineapple/strawberry juice, which is really good. I bought some concord grapes from the farmers market, and it made really good juice. I made the mistake of mixing it with some peaches I juiced. The peaches wound up not being very sweet; kind of bland. But the grapes were delicious.

I'm so glad I made them. Tuesday through Friday of last week all I had was carrot/orange, or orange. Toooooooo much!

This has given me an appreciation of food. I would randomly snack prior to this, and I think it helped keep excess weight on me. I was thinking yesterday it was so rare I would eat and actually be hungry. Like stomach grumbling hungry. Americans eat too much.

I felt a euphoric feeling yesterday for about an hour. I decided to do some yoga stretches to some awesome music. I sat in the (overcast) sun for 10 or 15 minutes and planted some stuff in the garden. I was asleep by 8:45 p.m.

One other thing I noticed (when I was going through a mini crisis) was my increased awareness of my emotions. Interesting stuff. It was very brief, but interesting it came up.

Today I feel fine. I was up early, did my homework, and went back to cuddle with the bf for awhile. Then I got up, had some juice, and took a bath.

My pain level has been up the past few days. I have heard when juice fasting the body takes time to heal, and can increase pain injuries (even previous ones). That is the only thing I can think of as to why this is happening, other than maybe having some sort of infection.

Anyhow, that is it for now. I think I can easily last another few days. 14 days is the goal. I will see how I feel in a few days.

10-14-10 CQ Day 4 of Juice Fast

Today is day 4 of juice fast. I was hungry this afternoon. I went to Robeks Juice and got 32 oz of orange juice. I feel fine now. I even felt fine about half way through the juice. I drank the rest of it though, because I think its better cold.

I have lost some more weight. 6.2 pounds this week. My composition has not changed much though, so its likely water or maybe toxins? I do however feel less bloated. My stomach looks a little smaller. I don't know how that is if I measure the same, but it does look a little better. If mother nature didn't bless me with her gift I would totally want to go to yoga today. Exercise of some sort today would be good. However, I have a ton of homework to do, so I dunno. Maybe I will atleast do the stuff my physical therapists recommended.

I don't remember if I mentioned this or not already this week, but I played tennis for 30-40 minutes this week.

I hope you like the new format. There is really all sorts of cool stuff we can do with it. Let me know what you think!

10-13-10 CQ Day 3 of Fast

I am going to consider this day three of my juice fast, because three days ago I only had apple sauce and cottage cheese, which really isn't very substantial, and half of it is nearly liquified fruit.

Today I found myself hungry because I wasn't able to get juice early enough in the day. I had some juice and felt better. I am feeling hungry again, I think because part of the juice I had must had been pasturized, which is just no good in juice fasting land. It makes people hungry apparently. Opps!

So far, I am learning to appreciate food a lot more than I was before. I am thinking of all sorts of fun healthy things to eat. Perhaps I will find the motivation to do thorough grocery shopping when I am off this juice fast.

Other than some hunger pangs here and there, there have been 'other' unpleasantries. I decided to use a colon cleanse. I want to try and detoxify my body with this fast. So, I've had some gas-like pains, and the rest I'll just leave unmentioned.

I have lost about a pound a day so far. I think the detoxifying qualities of this are starting to come into place, because of some signs I have noticed. Yay.

Gosh, wouldn't it be awesome if I could actually do this??

10/12/10 CQ

Well, I think our potential third person has chickened out. It is hard to have to look at things we do that aren't good for ourselves on a regular basis! That is my best guess.

I think you are doing well MT. You have been paying closer attention to what you are consuming, and eating at 'greasy buffets' on a much less regular basis. Also, I've seen you on facebook. You look healthy to me! And you seem to be getting a lot of exercise in, which is great. I wish I could say the same! (Although I did solid yard work for atleast 2 hours over the weekend!).

I on the other hand have had a hell of a time this year. I have a big tummy now, and arms. And the back rolls are back unfortunately. I feel fat, unattractive, and otherwise don't want to live with myself this way. I hate it.

I don't feel like I eat all that much. And I don't think I make horrible choices. I do sometimes not do so well when I eat away from home. Perhaps that is part of the problem? The other day I went to an indian buffet. I only had one small plate, and some water. But I probably could had really gone without going there. It wound up not even being all that delicious as I had hoped.

I still want to try and reduce some weight before my birthday. And with you having that halloween goal, it is kind of motivating. I bought a wonder woman costume, and I want to look as fit as possible. But seriously, I doubt you will need to wear any granny supportive garments. Don't worry about it!

I am going to try to go on a 15 day juice fast. I've done it before for several days (maybe 5?). The last time I did it was last december. I have read there are a lot of good benefits to doing that. It can help the body eliminate toxins and heal. I figure on the days I am home (not at the beaus house) I can walk downtown to get me some fresh made juice. And on the days I am at his house he and I can make it together (I brought my juicer over to his house last weekend).

It is going to be a challenge. Especially since my friend is having a pizza party this Saturday. But I think I can do it if I keep disciplined. I read the blog of a woman who fasterd for 40 days who started at my exact weight, and she lost 14 pounds in 15 days, then only two more pounds the remainder of her fast. So I figure I might be able to get the best benefits if I do this for 15 days. I'll take a photo later today to show where my start point is. It seems to be the most motivating when I have concrete evidence like a photo! Wish me luck!

10-12-10

10-12-10
I was on vacation the last couple of days on this beautiful island- it was awesome! Anyways, hiked a lot so got a lot of exercise and ate somewhat well.
Okay, today.
Food: healthy veg and egg breakfast burritos, two handfuls of almonds.
Exercise- walk with dogs.
I’ve got a great plan from now on. I realize I’m probably not going to reach my goals before Halloween so might have to buy a girdle or something for that hot red dress. Sad eh?

10-6-10 CQ

Today I went and played tennis against a wall for half an hour. I didn't do so well on the eating part though. I just am not planning meals, and then I go around eating whatever I find in my house. Not nutritionally balanced to the least. I'm going to do better. I will go grocery shopping. I'm thinking of getting some apples, oranges, strawberries and getting some stuff to make salad. A salad with avocado, homegrown tomatoes and balsamic w/ olive oil. Then, I need to think of other stuff I can snack on, and a big meal to make to last me the week. I hate planning for food. I would almost rather starve, which I sometimes do. The beau gets mad at me because I tend to depend on him to feed me and meal plan. Oppss. But who can resist a man who can cook? I can get used to that for sure!

CQ - 10-5-10

Today I bought a tennis racket and played tennis with my roommate for 30-40 minutes. I am going to try and play tomorrow too when I am in Oakland. I am going to go into Montclair Village and practice against the wall they have there in the courts/park. Yay!

10-4-10 CQ

I did okay on the consumption part this week, but didn't get any exercise done whatsoever. It sounds like you are doing well with the eating and exercising MT!

MT the slacker

10-05-10
Gotta stay up on this stuff.
Okay breakfast- breakfast sandwich yummy but maybe a bit fattening.
Lunch- caprese salad and a toasted tortilla to dip in the olive oil afterwards. Yummy but you guessed it a little bit fattening.
Dinner- a couple of small bites of seafood- long story. Had maybe 3 bites of crab. Sigh. Wanted more
After dinner snack- hard boiled egg
A cup of miso soup
A cup of ‘fiber-max’ corn soup
(by cup I mean like 6 ounces)
Exercise- 45 min walk with doggies on the beach, and then 30 min of hoop walking, then 150 lunges. That’s right, I’m gonna get in shape baby!

going shoppingtomorrow. Lots of veg and protein!

MT 9/28- 9/29

9-27-10
Hey it let me back in! I think it was cause you were signed in somewhere else.
Anways…

Damn. I haven’t posted everyday, have I? Okay, here’s the thing- all of my progress was lost in the last month. I think my muffin top is back. Wah. Since I can’t seem to get a chart in here, I’ll post the three measurements and dates:
Biggest part of stomach- July 16th- 31 inches, August 30th- 30 inches, Sept 26th- 31 inches. Waist (smallest part)- Jul 16th- 27 inches, Aug 30th-25.5 inches, Sept 26th- 27 inches. Legs, widest part- 21 and 20.5 inches respectively. Aug 3oth, 19.5, 19, sept 26th- 20, 20. Butt, biggest part- Jul 16th- 37.5 inches, Aug 30th- 35.5 inches, sept 26th- 37 inches.

So as you can see, I made about an inch to an inch and a half worths progress all over my body in two months, then I lost all the progress in one month of not paying attention to what I was eating or how often I was working out. DANG IT!!!! And I’ve got my Halloween party coming up and I want to be the chick from resident evil in my red dress and I look like I’m 2 or 3 months pregnant when I wear it (and don’t suck in).
I’ve read that you can lose 2 inches in one month if you’re really diligent. I could do it and the dress would look way better on me! I imagine not just the size but the shape of my stomach would change. So I gotta do it.
Okay, enough ranting.
Today, eating- had a smoothie for breakfast (oj, protein powder, frozen mixed berries, anti-oxidant powder and electrolyte powder), snack, had these crackers that I’m stinking obsessed with – let me go check nutrition info- CRAP! That’s no good. I prob ate 3 servings, and each serving has .5 grams sat. fat (naturally occurring from sesame seeds, but still!), 2.5 g polyunsaturated fat and 1.5 grams mono fat. No sugars, but 3 grams protein and 3 grams fiber. Calories 140- so I ate nearly 500 calories just from these crackers today. Okay, there were two bags in the box and the next bag is NOT getting opened till November. Damn you really got to check labels because these crackers had me believing in them- organic, kosher, nongmo, whole grain, vegan, gluten free, no hydro oils or trans fats, omega 3 fatty acids- but that doesn’t mean they’re low calorie ;( At least I can read the label cause they’re from cali, most stuff here I can’t read the label cause it’s in Chinese.
Okay anyways, lunch, greasy Chinese food but mostly stuck to the raw stuff and veggies (still a lot of oils though)
And so far I’ve had another serving of those crackers then I’ll have a grapefruit and call it a night. Oh no but I’ve got shrimp and veggies that are going to go bad. Eat the shrimp aned veggies and call it a night. Then tomorrow!!!!! Sensible eating!

Exercise today- surfed for an hour and hooped for 30 min, will do more exercise tonight! Squats and yoga and such.
I did surf a ton this weekend, and HARD cause the waves were awesome- my arms are aching and it feels GREEEEAT!

9/29/10
I suck! I’ve been night snacking and I didn’t work out today except for my 30 min hula hoop walk! Argh!!!

9/27/10 - CQ

Been doing pretty well on my eating habits. Would like to incorporate more fruit and water!

Did yoga on Friday for roughly an hour.

Went on an excruciating hike on Sunday and did some climbing while I was up there. The hike included hauling some gear up the side of a mountain through some rough terrain. The walk up to the trail and the hike up took atleast 2 hours. Got to climb around on some cool outdoor stuff. It was fun. Check out my facebook, there are a ton of photos. Surprisingly, I am not sore today!

So yeah, good stuff!

CQ - 9/20/10

Okay, so I have been doing pretty well food wise this week. Didn't do any yoga but got in a long hike this past weekend. The beau and I are going to go there again this coming Sunday. We also discovered there is a place that does free yoga on Sunday mornings near his house.

We also found out that in April there is a 'CF Surf Camp' that will give us free lessons. I would like to go before then, but atleast if I don't make it prior, there will be that.

I have decided (too) that I would like to get some shaping up prior to my birthday.

Here are my goals until mid november:

Exercise atleast twice a week.
Eat at most 1200 calories per day.

9/13/10 - The Butt Crack of Dawn. - CQ

Well MT, sometimes we have setbacks. It's okay. Chocolate can do that to a woman.

I have been doing well with exercise. I went to yoga again last week, and plan to do so again this morning, and another time later on this week. Also, I went climbing yesterday, and had a reaaaallllly good climb. It was awesome.

I've been doing well with the eating for the most part. Over the weekend I ate a few random things because I hadn't planned what I was eating, but it wasn't anything horrible. Just random stuff, which I do when I am starving.

I've lost a pound or two. Yay!

At some point I will figure out something I want to fit into and take a photo.

I've been super busy with physical therapy, cystic fibrosis events, BBQ's, get togethers, stuff Eric has planned, dr. appointments, writing my book, etc. I've found planning my food out a little has helped. Two light meals a day of cereal or cottage cheese w/ apple sauce and one regular meal. I've found it hard to coordinate my one big meal of the day when I am at home by myself. Any suggestions?

I am worried that I am not eating a balanced diet. And I've decided I want to try and reduce my intake of sugar and breads. How does one make vegetables fun? Without adding all sorts of processed crap to it?

I think I may check out some raw foods recipes or blogs.

I am going to try and schedule a surf lesson within the next three weeks. Eric is interested in it too, so that is kind of exciting. There was actually an article posted on the benefits of surfing for people with CF. How it helps their breathing when surfing is in salt water. So, maybe he and I can learn together.

mt

9-13-10
Okay so I’ve sucked lately, been eating like mad, but that’s okay, it starts NOW and I’m going to lose inches!

Today I had a breakfast sandwich when I woke up (not healthy, but ooo ooom good) tuna, egg, lettuce, and lots of mushy condiments.

Then I had two smoothie pops (healthy) lots of water, and a handful of almonds. I should have snuck in another meal before now (4pm) but I”ll be plenty hungry by dinner time. I hula hooped for a half hour and slacklined for a half hour, and I’ll hula for another hour tonight. So overall, a good day, and I’ll be posting every day from now on (barring a major catastrophe or a fit of suckiness)
I made a lot of progress when I was going strong before but I think the muffin top might be back a little. Sigh.

MT after a brief hiatus...

9-8-10
K so I totally backslid with the coming of the bday! My Mom sent me reeses peanut butter cups (which are not available in my particular part of asia) and I ate a million of them! Luckily only two left that I’m saving for a rainy day. Also, all my students gave me chocolate, so I’ve got tons of chocolate around and have eaten a good deal of it
Today my eating wasn’t that good, but I slacklined for an hour and hooped for an hour--- good exercise!!!!
I’ll start keeping up to date every day again, because come Halloween I want to be wearing a very tight red dress that will not like the tummy buldge. I’ll post pics of how I look in it now and hopefully we’ll see some changes by the end of oct!

Oh by the way sad news but I think my muffin top may have comeback so I'll keep the name for bit. Here's pics of the halloween dress...

CQ - 9/1/10

Still haven't come up with a new name for myself, or heard from our new blogger.

I did however find a new yoga studio in my town, and I went today! I really liked it. I plan to go once a week. Twice a week if I can make it for the free 7am class on mondays.

They have a hooping class there on the weekends, which I'd like to check out some time. I'm usually not in town though on the weekends, I'm at the beaus house.

Anyhow, I am proud of myself for going. I'd love to learn more about it, and am thinking maybe I could be a yoga teacher someday and/or open a studio! Wouldn't that be awesome?

I did okay with the eating today. I've decided I am going to have two small meals a day and one big one. Today I didn't get it together enough to have the one big meal, but my calorie intake was on target. I had an extra snackish.

I really like this ricecrispy cereal with fresh berries in it with almond milk. Or cottage cheese with apple sauce. Or yogurt with granola. My dessert has been chocolate covered pomegranite seeds as well as plain ol manderine oranges, or fresh apple with peanut butter.

I need to plan my big meal of the day better though. The beau and I made fresh pasta sauce on Monday. I am going to bring some home and eat that this coming week.

CQ - 8/31/10

Congrats MT on not having a muffin top any longer. With this said, you should change your screen name and decide on some new healthy goals.

I am going to rename myself as well.

We have a new member joining us. One of her goals is to not drink and not smoke, as well as to get regular exercise.

Looking forward to hearing from you both!

CQ - 8/30/10

I did a lot better last week. Ate better. Did 30 mins of cardio and some weights. I have decided against weights. Too much pain. I signed up for the gym but decided to cancel. They weren't really my style. The one near my hosue was smelly, and the people were just not the sort I'd like to hang around. I'm going to try the yoga studio in my area and see how that goes.

I went climbing Friday. That was fun.

I also have been eating a lot better.

These things are definitely a step in the right direction.

I'd really like to get my arms smaller, and my stomach.

I don't know if I will have time this week, but possibly next week I may go for a surf lesson.

Regarding eating. I signed up for a service that brings me fresh fruits and veggies from a small mostly organic farm. I'll get an order once a month. I'm excited about that. It motivates me to keep up with the healthy eating.

mt slacker! 8-26-10

8-24-10
Okay, I’ve been pretty good but sorry I’ve been falling down on the job with the blog. It’s been weird. I’ve been busy. Also, I developed some sinus infection. For days I only ate one meal a day- just wasn’t hungry because I was constantly swallowing snot (that is hot huh!?) Anyways feeling better and fell off the wagon and have eaten MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF FOOD today and yesterday. I think part of it is because I’m confused about a boy situation.
I’m going to eat better tomorrow.
Good news is I surfed for 2 and a half hours today, and played on the beach (very tiring, running around with kids and building sand castles) for another hour. And other nights I’ve been hooping every night for 30 min to an hour.
Anyways, two weeks till my bday party (less actually) and I don’t think I’ll quite reach my inch goals but I do think I’m making slow steady progress.

8-26-10
It’s so amazing how hard it is to make progress on something you really want. Mastery of self is so important. I found this quote somewhere- “Discipline is remembering what you really want.”
Short term gratification vs. long term gratification. It’s hard to make the right choice.
Anyways, I’d say for about 4 days I’ve eaten far too much- and often in one sitting. It’s my old pattern- eating nothing all day because I’m busy or having fun, then when I get home eating triple the amount of calories I should have eaten that day. I’ve got to plan better. That’s the problem. I’ll often plan my day leaving no time to eat.
So--- haven’t measured for a while but the last time I measured I had made some progress- about an inch all around. Another thing- my stomach looks better! Or maybe it’s my perception that’s changed. Lately I’ve worn two shirts that I was too embarrassed to wear before. And when I entered a bar to see some friends, one of the girls pointed out my stomach and said “see! This is what I want my abs to look like! Flat!” It made me feel good!
So I think I look better, shape-wise, even if the inches lost don’t quite reflect that (I may have lost the progress over the last four days though!)
Anyways today, of course didn’t leave enough time for breakfast so ended up eating brunch at 2 pm haha – same greasy food from my veg buffet but I’ve noticed I don’t fill the to go box all the way and I try to make at least a third fresh veggies, only one small spoon full of noodles, and only one small deep fried item.
I’m headed home now so I’ll make a good salad for myself (pumpkin, sweet potatoes, onions and garlic sautéed with olive oil and salt over fresh lettuce with a little tuna for protein).
And tonight I’ll try to have a light snack before class and then a small meal when I get home.
Today I played basketball, table tennis and badminton (only for an hour though) and I’ll do my hoop walk tonight (I really think that hoop walk is helping my abs and it feels like nothing, and it’s nice to be out on the beach at night with my dogs!)
Only about a week till my birthday. Haven’t made the progress that I wanted, but still pretty good.

8/25/10 - CQ

So, I have been thinking I really need to get back in shape. And eating doesn't always go so well. I reeeeeally need some activity. Regular activity. So, I called 24 hour fitness today. I hate 24 hour fitness, but they are the only gym that is close to me that is like $32 a month with no contract and no set up fee. I'd rather sign up at my regular rock gym, but they are about 45 minutes away and cost twice as much. I can still go there twice a month for free via Eric's membership.

I hate 24hour Fitness. But they have yoga classes, kick boxing, and this 24 Minute Circuit Training thing that is kind of similar to Curves. I think I may sign up for a few months. I have got to get in better shape. Just have to.

CQ - 8/24/10

Cant. Stop. Eating. At night.
.... Grrr!!

Went rafting not last week but the week before. Did no exercise that I can think of this past week. Slacking!

I made an effort to eat better though. Didn't do fantastic, but it could had been a lot worse.

8/17/10 - CQ

Let me start with the week prior, where I did pretty awesome.

Went bouldering, did yoga, did a boxing class, went for a 3 mile walk around lake merrit, flew a kite for a few hours, bought a hula hoop (a kiddie one). I had lost several pounds.

Wasn't able to update because I was out of town and my cellphone wouldn't let e sign in.

The past few days I was not able to get any real exercise in. I went rafting, but it was not strenuous at all. I thought I had made some better decisions regarding food. But the scale says otherwise. I was eating less, that's for sure. Tended to have coffee and yogurt with granola on top in the mornings. Didn't typically have lunch. Didn't have a whole lot of bad things to eat. Maybe my body is just adjusting from my period or something?

I may go for a walk today to downtown to drop off a letter. Also considering going to fly my kite. I may do the latter, because I want to stop in berkeley and try and sell some clothes.

Need to go to the grocery store. I like the yogurt and granola idea for breakfast.

8-11-10 mt

Surfed for two hours yesterday morning and hooped for 30 min last night and did yoga for 30 min.
Surfed for two hours this morning too and plan to hoop and do some squats tonight- gotta do something for my legs!
This morning (oops, around 11am) ate a great omellette with no cheese ;) lots of veggies and two eggs. Probably the only unhealthy things were salt and oil. Then had veggie buffet for linner (5pm) only one deep fried thing (quite small) and the rest oily veggies.
Had a bunch of grapes and a scoop of ice cream (small!) for snack.
I decided I’ve got to eat a small meal when I get home. If I eat my last meal around 5-6, then go to bed around 12, that’s way too many hours of not eating- it messes with your metabolism not to eat for so long. So I’ll have a small meal when I get home to last me through the night. Don’t want to slow down my metabolism! But the point is it has to be a small meal with a little protein to keep me satisfied. Think I”ll make another lil omellette (1 egg) tonight.
Anyways, might not lose all I want to before my birthday, but still feeling good about what I’m doing. I just have to make sure I don’t go out of control eating at night. Just one small meal right when I get home and I’ll brush my teeth.

MT 8-11-10

I’m so lame that I haven’t posted! I’m actually doing okay on my goals, not great, but okay. I took my measurements again and I have lost a LITTLE BIT not much. Prob about an inch all around, won’t quite lose all that I wanted to lose before my bday, but still making progress, that’s good!
Anyways, surfed for two hours this morning, hoop walked for an hour last night, have plans for yoga with my friend tonight. Every weekend has been filled with dancing (and drinking, which adds calories but what can ya do, it’s fun!). Yesterday I didn’t eat too good but doing better today.
Anyways, I think I can lose another inch all around before my bday, hopefully more around my waist cause it’s pretty bad.
July 16th July 26th Aug 11th Goal
Stomach 31 31 30.75 27
(Inch below
Belly button)
Waist 26.5 27 (agh!) 26.25 24
(thinnest part)
Legs 21,20.5 20,20 20,20 18
Butt 37.5 37 36 33
(biggest part)
Chest 33.5 33 32(wah!) 33 (haha)

You can tell I’m grasping at straws for my big belly--- guess that’s the hardest place to lose, but I am confident that with my current regime, I can lose it. Maybe not by my birthday, but I’ll just continue, because it’s about long term habits, not short term goals, and I’ll be just as stoked to be in great shape by my 30th bday as I will be to be in shape by my 29th.
Anyways wish me luck, I’ll post every day until sept 5th- I’ve got to keep tabs on myself. Actually, I hope I lose TWO inches by then, is that possible? An inch a week? Hope so.

CQ - 8/4/10

MT - Yeah, eating out, especially at a buffet can reeeeeeally rack up the caloric intake. I am surprised everything is so greasy.

Today: I went on a walk!

mt- 8-3 sorry for being a slacker!

8-3-10
Agggghhhhh!
So I’ve been super busy. Not sleeping much. Not eating as much. Crazy schedule. Fun fun fun ;)
Anyways, I have not stuck with my goals perfectly, but still doing pretty good. I have exactly 1 month to get rid of my gutt. I think I can do it

Today: breakfast- 1 slice bread, 1 egg, onions, garlic, avocado, tomatos, a dash of olive oil and a little salt

Lunch- oily veggie buffet. Maybe I should find a new, healthier lunch? It’s just that food here is always oily and greasy =( maybe I should just eat at home, and only eat fruit on my break from work. Cause really, it’s tough to find healthy food here.

Dinner- sigh- didn’t really make it. I’m not sposed to eat post work but I had two lil bags of trail mix (tiny, prob not even a quarter cup each) no wonder I’m starving! Didn’t realize I ate so little today! I resisted eating ice cream and chocolate, go me!

Exercise- I’ve started this new ‘hoop walk’ thing. When I walk my dogs at night, I hula hoop at the same time (my dogs go leashless). It keep smy stomach tight and it’s fun so I stay out longer. Dogs love it, so do I.

Anyways it’s past midnight and I’ve got a 5 am surf date. Night! Wish me luck, 1 month!!!!
Crap- I’ve been meaning to do this research for a while now so I’m doing it even though I’m freaking exhausted.
Foods that boost your metabolism-
Water,
Green tea
Blueberries
Almonds
Whey protein
Salmon
Spinach
Oatmeal
Grapefruit
Yogurt
Apples
Beans
Broccoli
Soy milk
Curry
Cinnamon

I'm going to drink oolong tea every morning and a handful of almondsevery night. and I'll try to get ahold of some grapefruit!

CQ - 8/2/10

Did do too fantastic last week. Wasn't completely horrible. I could had done a lot better though. I didn't make any special effort to do anything active outdoors. I have however decided that in most instances at work where I need to print something, I will intentionally use the printer in the middle of the department rather than the one on my desk so I can get some extra walking in, and I have been using the restroom upstairs instead of downstairs. Oh, and I washed my car. I don't know if that counts. And I walked all over the mall shopping for a dress on Saturday.

Today I went for a short walk with a friend. I ate horribly today though.. Like really bad. (I ate out twice. Pizza for lunch and two tacos for dinner, and too much sugary drinks). I had a salad though.. Yup! Haha. I managed to forego the Monday donut at work though. And believe me, it was tempting.

After hanging out with my friend today who had a baby a little over a year ago, and noticing that she is in better shape than I am, I am totally motivated to get into shape and drop some pounds. I talked to the boyfriend today about playing tennis together, and he seems interested, so that will be good.

Check in soon or I'll have to come kick your butt!

CQ - 7/28/10

I agree with you MT. Everything in moderation is probably a good way to go. Way to go on the not munching at night.

I used to have a big problem eating at night. I went for about a year or so doing good with that. Until the past 2 weeks or so I have been doing a bunch of munching at night. Not every night, but definately noticeable. I've started taking this one medication that is supposed to help stabilize the nerves, and I think it must make me more hungry. And it has been known to cause people to gain weight. I am going to have to be extra careful. I've fluctuated between 5 pounds the past couple weeks. One day will be drastically different than the next. Don't know what the heck is going on.

I went rock climbing last weekend. I am afraid that it triggered a flare up of my pain. I will try it again and see what happens... I'll be crushed if I have to give it up. Perhaps if I have to give it up I will take up surfing! hehehe. I know you'll love that one MT. I've been meaning to take an instructional class.

This weekend I need to get in some sort of exercise. I am thinking yoga.

I have been doing good with my goal of exercising once a week.

As for eating this week I haven't been doing so well. It's not that I am eating the wrong things per say. I am just not planning meals.. so I will do something like eat a loaf of bread over 2 days instead of cooking. Not good. I have groceries. I just haven't felt like cooking.

I am starting to have a lot better days, still some flare ups of pain, but a lot more better days. And my mood for the most part is better. I am starting to get out more and do active things, and I am liking it.

I've noticed that I've REALLY gotten out of shape. Flabby-like. Ewe. I don't like it. I kind of feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I've been in so much pain and been basically sedentary for most of this year. I see now how my prior active lifestyle kept me in much better shape.

Hmmmm..... Walking is a safe activity for me to do. If there hadn't been so many crimes on the paths out here in Livermore I'd be inclined to do some walking around here.

I am supposed to go on a hike with Kyrsten some time next week.

I've been watching 'So you think you can dance' on TV and its so motivating seeing such athletic people.

I go to my physical therapist tomorrow. I am going to ask if if hula-hooping is an acceptable activity for me to do.

The boyfriend told me that my waist is starting to look a little thinner. I tried grabbing it a few days ago and have to agree that there is less to grab. Yay!

I will put up a photo of me in my 'I'm Skinny' jeans and use that as my motivator.

MT 7-28 measurements and pic

7.28.10
I kinda thought that if I just kept track of what I ate, exercised every day, and stopped eating at night, I’d automatically lose the weight. But it’s not really working out like that. I think not eating at night is helping, because I’m sure that’s where I consume most of my calories. But I’m still eating enough during the day that it doesn’t matter- or maybe it just hasn’t been long enough for me to see the effects.
The bottom line is this- I just have to expend more calories than I consume. And that means consuming less. Also, I’m not going to consume less just for a short period- I want my changes to be life-long. If you diet for a short period, the weight comes back as soon as the diet ends. What I want are life-long habits that will keep me healthy. And I don’t want to be one of those women who won’t eat this or won’t eat that. I don’t want to go through my days with this feeling of lack.
So I think I know what I’ll do. I’ll have to be really strict at first, but after a while it will be automatic. Like I said before, I’m going to eat tiny amounts of everything. I’m not going to say I can’t eat this I can’t eat that. Mostly I’ll eat whole grains, veggies, fruits and legumes, but I’ll still have the odd truffle or dark chocolate cake here and there- just in a small portion. And I’m going to eat slower, really try to enjoy it. I might even try (sigh!) to break my habit of reading while eating but that will be rough.
Now I have a habit of eating one thing, and cause I still feel hungry, I eat another, and because my body hasn’t sensed I’m full yet, I eat something else. I think now I’ll eat a smallish snack, and take a twenty minute break- during which I’ll drink 8 ounces of water. If I still feel hungry after that, I’ll eat the next thing, and so on. In the end, I think this will help me consume less but I won’t feel like I’m not eating enough. I hate feeling hungry and like I’m limiting my pleasure!

Anyways, here are my measurements. The first set of numbers are from the 16th of July, the second are from July 26th. The results aren’t that exciting. I only have four weeks left til my bday so let’s hope this works!

July 16th July 26th Goal
Stomach 31 31 27
(Inch below
Belly button)
Waist 26.5 27 (agh!) 24
(thinnest part)
Legs 21,20.5 20,20 18
Butt 37.5 37 33
(biggest part)
Chest 33.5 33 33 (haha)

Most have gotten smaller except for the waist, but the changes aren’t big enough that I know it’s not just an accident of where I put the tape measure or something. So we shall see as the weeks go on. Four weeks. Is it realistic to lose 4 inches in four weeks? I’m not sure. Maybe not. Let’s just say that’s my life goal--- I’ll do my best to lose what I can before my bday.

Here’s some pics- don’t think they show much progress… but hopefully future pics will show. I think sometime I’ll put all the pics I’ve taken from different weeks up at the same time. Maybe when I start seeing progress.

Oh yeah and today I did pretty good- but my first meal was big because I didn’t eat till nearly 12 (I’m never hungry in the morning, even if I don’t eat at night, which I didn’t last night)
So I had a slice of whole wheat bread, 1 egg, a fourth of a large avocado, and tomatoes, olive oil and salt (yum, so good)
Then I just had four inari with whole grain rice.
Now I think I’ll have two crackers with a little cheese
Then after 20 min and 8 ounces of water, if I’m still hungry I’ll have a guava.
That’s not so bad eh?
Also, surfed this am.
And skateboarded 10 min.
Will do yoga for 10 min too
I should probably work out at night a little too!

I ate dinner at my veggie buffet- Only allowed one small fried item, and didn’t fill the box all the way today (usually I stuff it full) chose as many fresh veggies as I could, skipped the refined noodles and rice.
At my break I had some chocolate mints (small serving, in keeping with my goals)
After work went and got a bubble tea with my friend- not so good, those bubbles are pure starch- prob shouldn’t have drank it all or ate the bubbles.

Anyways, I’m excited, I have two new work out goals--- every night when I walk my dogs, I’m going to hula hoop as I walk along the beach. First I’ll go the reverse way that I’m used to (hoop turning right) and then I’ll do half the distance with the hoop going left. I think this will even out my abs because I almost always hoop left- I don’t want my back and abs to be lopsided- and it will make it so I flex my abs while walking. Also I’m holding my arms straight out while I do it. It’s a good work out- my heart was pounding and my arms were aching! And I have to walk my dogs anyways. I’ll just extend the walk to 20 min- my dogs’ll love it and it’ll be a good work out, every night.
Also after work to keep my mind off eating, I’ll do this work out: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/fitness-plan-two-weeks-oct06
Feel good, I think I’m going to make progress over the next four weeks.

MT I'm a bum 7-26

7-26-10
CQ I totally stress about food here- for example, I saw my neighbors burning all these crazy plastics and toxic stuff on the beach, then, a couple of months later, they were planting seeds RIGHT WHERE THEY BURNED THAT STUFF!!! Also, so many gardens are right by the road, all the run-off goes into the gardens, and there is a lot of concern about factory run off into the ground water and contaminating the rice paddies. Sighhhhh.
Anyways, I haven’t kept up lately but it’s okay, I’ll start again now. Only 4 weeks til my bday. I haven’t made any progress…
My goodness. I don’t even remember this weekend, it was so crazy. I don’t think I ate much though (nor slept much) and danced all night Saturday so I’m probably okay on the exercise front.
It’s 1149pm and I’m dying to EAT and EAT tons of food. Already ate a bit so broke my no food after work rule =( but limited myself so not too bad.

New rule- I am going to prepare and eat food in MINISCULE amounts. I can eat everything and I can eat a lot, but no more big serving sizes filling my whole belly. Just little snacks all day.

Took my measurements again, and in some places I’ve GROWN instead of shrunk. LAME.
Okay I’m writing in all caps a lot so I must be tired. Better post tomorrow.

CQ - 7/22/10

My god woman! The jellyfish seem to really like you. I hope you feel better soon.

With the not knowing whats in your food thing cause of the language barrier: I try and avoid any sort of packaged food all together. Usually nothing good for you comes in a package. My exception is probably noodles and rice and beans. Flour (I get unbleached). Broth. Soy/rice/almond milk (I actually saw a recipe for making almond milk from scratch and am going to try it). And sauce if I'm too unmotivated or incompetent to make it from scratch. And icecream. If I get icecream I try and get it with ingredients in it I can pronounce. The quest continues though. I always find grocery shopping so overwhelming. Do I do organic? Do I not do organic? What sort of item is it? What is organic really anyways? I mean, say a carrot is labeled organic. It grew in the ground. I am going to assume here they didn't use pesticides on it. But what sort of fertilizer did they use? Where did it get its water from? What is in our rain water if it got that? What is really in the soil its grown in? And if I eat one thing that is labeled organic and the other things I eat aren't, what are the consequences? It's like a 20 questions game. (Does it make sense why I avoid the grocery store?).

Did you know that there was something on the news recently about the lining of things that come in cans (like canned fruits and vegetables and soda)? I want to say it had something to do with BPA's (cancer causing plastics) being in it, but don't quote me on that.

MAN! WHAT is in our foooooood? What are we eating?

It makes me want to become a vegan, buy a farm somewhere and grow all my food on my land.

MT 7/17- 7/21

Hey CQ, I'm going to have to look into this corn thing. Good luck on new diet choices. I'm thinking of cutting out some simple sugars!
I’m jealous that you have control over your diet. In Asia, I can’t read the labels and mostly don’t know what I’m getting- if it’s organic, how many pesticides are on/in it, and a lot of our yummy cali healthy food is not available. Plus they cook with SO MUCH oil here, it’s crazy!!!! Anyways, I’m jealous. Hope I can do a little more to control my diet here, but I’m not sure how. Being a veggie, the only source of protein I have seems to be eggs and tuna (I eat fish) and I have some protein powder that I put into my smoothies. I think there’s a lot of pesticides on all of the vegetables, and who knows what’s in the groundwater. I bought a water purifier with a filter that also boils (you can’t drink the tap water here) so I’m hoping to flush my system with pure water continually, to try to help my body stay healthy. Sigh.

7/17/10
Woowee, what a weekend.
Sat- no breakfast, ate some weird veggie pastry things for lunch (prob not super healthy but not super bad either) then ate at TGIFriday’s for dinner- salmon pasta. Also (sigh) bought some Pepperidge farm cookies (oh yummy yummy) and I think that’s actually it.
Anyways, walked around all day shopping with the girls and walked for a long time on the beach.

7/18/10
Wokeup at 5 (though I went ot bed at 230) to surf, no waves, so went back to sleep. Had a smoothie for breakfast and bread and soup bowl for lunch.
Lots of exercise, swimming surfing and dancing like a fiend. Also chasing friends kid around the beach until I about died of exhaustion wow. I think I definitely took care of those Pepperidge farm cookies. Also had like six crackers before I fell asleep.

7.19.10
Woke up at 7, didn’t surf cause I’ve got this heinous jellyfish sting from yesterday and I’m feeling scared of the ocean at the moment (seriously, this sting is bad) but hooped for an hour, worked up a good sweat. Unfortunately ate 2 pepperidge farm cookies for breakfast, before a sensible breakfast burrito (broccoli sweet potatoes garlic minimal cheese) and I think I ought to finish off those cookies right now….so they won’t tempt me later.
I DON’T WANNA GO TO WORK!!!!
It was too good a weekend.
After work I didn’t eat- I’m doing pretty good with that. That’s where I think I consumed most of my calories. I’m eating more during the day, but probably not enough to compensate for the calories I’m missing at night (plus during the day I don’t crave junk food) so it’s all good! I hope it helps.

7.20.10
Surfed at 730 and got ANOTHER jelly fish sting. The damn thing was caught in my shorts! It was HORRIBLE!!!! I hate jellyfish, I’m totally terrified to get back in the water now!
Anyways, I can’t remember what all I ate. But I did get my exercise and I didn’t eat after work (oh wait I think I had a granola bar. Crap)

7.21.10
Doin great so far today despite late wake up. Didn’t surf cause scared of jellyfish but I hooped and slacklined for an hour. When I was tired of slacklining (it’s hard!) I did some squats. Sure my legs will be sore tomorrow!
For breakfast I had a breakfast sandwich (egg, tuna, sauce n stuff) at a breakfast shop, then for lunch I just had a yummy burrito with sweet potatos and egg and broccoli and tomoato and sugar snap peas- really good and I limited the cheese to nearly nothing and it was still great. Woo hoo! Wish me luck for the rest of the day.
I hooped and slacklined in my bra and underwear in front of my mirror. I don’t look THAT terrible, but I can see where the chub an come off, for sure. And I can see the outline of my muscles under the chub- when the chub comes off, I think I’ll look pretty good!

CQ - 7/19/10

Well, little steps of progress I suppose. I haven't seen a whole lot of physical changes. However, I have made an effort to eat more healthy and I've started to do physical activity again!

This week I went climbing again. :D Hooray! And I don't suck quite as bad as last time. Also, the beau and I went and did a walk to the shopping center today.

I watched this movie 'King of Corn.' I saw you posted something on my facebook about it. Hope you got to check out my comment after that. I've decided I am going to try and eliminate ways feed-corn and corn by-products (corn syrup and high frucose corn syrup) seem to get into my diet. This means avoiding grain-fed meat and opting for grass-fed meat. Also, I will likely have to avoid cheese, eggs, and milk that isn't up to standard. I guess I could say I am going to be trying a diet close to that of a vegan. Only, I won't be nazi about it if I can find these items that are clearly grass-fed, anti-biotic free and free-range.

I think that in general, ingesting items that I can not pronounce just doesn't seem like a good idea. So, I am going to be getting back to basics a lot more. Cooking stuff from vegetables and fruits, and using unbleached non-enriched flour.

I am by no means where I would like to be, but I like the direction I am headed in.

This week my goal is to go to either yoga or iceskating. Starting out, I am going to do atleast one active thing each week. (Yoga, iceskating, rockclimbing, long walk, etc.) Also, I am going to look into the hula-hooping class they have at the YMCA nearish to me.

mt 7/11-7/16

7-11-10
On Sunday I can’t remember what all I ate but I know I got a lot of exercise.
I surfed with friends for over an hour, then immediately went to a music festival where I hoop danced for a long time till I was sweaty and exhausted. I ate a weird onion egg pancake thing at the festival (fried, not healthy) and then a mango shaved ice. Not healthy but I think all the exercise kinda made up for it!

7-12-10
This morning super tired but got up on time anyways, didn’t do my surf or walk cause it was really windy (I’ll hoop dance later).
Ate a good breakfast- bread fried with egg, avocado, tomatoes, drisled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Delicious and nutritious. Gotta get lunch together soon and get some exercise!
Can’t remember what I ate the rest of that day but I ate at night! Agh! Not a lot, just a caprese salad but I was so hungry! Yikes. And didn’t get too muchy exercise either.

7-13-10
Woke up late. No surf. Lame. Ate pretty healthy throughout the day then at night gorged myself. Crap.

7-14-10
Woke up late. LAME! I did walk the dogs for an hour though and now I’m going to go for a surf. Smoothie for breakfast, and inari for lunch (brown rice and soy bean curd, not super healthy but okay) I’ll have a caprese salad before I leave for work. Sigh. I think I’ll go for a surf now.
I didn’t end up having that caprese salad but I did go for a short surf. I had a little snack at the lesson I was teaching (mini cupcake and some tomatoes) and then ate my usual greasy fair at the veggie buffet I go to. Had a twix for a snack then. At night after work, I atenothing but one smoothie pop.

7-15-10
Breakfast- not so healthy because it turns out the eggs I bought were already hard boiled. I ate inari and a quesadilla. For lunch I had a tiny caprese salad, maybe too tiny, but I was in a hurry. For dinner I had my same stuff at the veggie restaurant. For snack I had a twix. Oh I also had a granola bar earlier in the day. And now its’ after work. I’ve had a smoothie pop and I’m going to sleep before I get too hungry again!

7-16-10
Today I bought a special water purifier thing. Here’s to health! I’m going to drink a lot of pesticide/mercury/pollutant free water to help flush my body of fat.
This morning I had two granola bars and a smoothie pop. For lunch I had a smoothie and a quesadilla (not so healthy, that queso)
Exercise: I walked my dogs for 20 min and hooped for an hour, and my friend is coming up so we will surf around 3:30- so I’ll get plenty of exercise today. Doing good on the no eating after work thing.
So I took my measurements again and I don’t know if I was just being generous before or what, but it looks as if my whole body has gained an inch. Maybe I was just being too nice to myself before or I’m bloated or something. So here’s the new measurements. I’ll measure every week and hope that by my birthday (sept 1st) they’ll go down a little!

Chest 33.5
Waist 26.5
An inch under the belly button (where my belly gets big!) 31
Butt 37.5
Legs left thigh 21 and right thigh 20.5

I want to lose 3 inches off my waist, 4 inches under the belly, an inch or two off the butt, and maybe an inch off the thighs. It’d be nice if the chest stayed the same but I doubt it will!
Wish me luck!

CQ 7/13/10

I went to the farmers market and got a bunch of fruit and stuff. I went to the grocery store and got some healthy things to eat.

I've gone for a few walks the past few days.

I've gained several pounds back. :(

I think I have to stick with the eating better (not eating out).

Nice video!

MT checking in, 9th, 10th, 11th July

7-11-10
CQ I'm glad you got so much fun exercise! I hope it didn't hurt you much. So hard to be motivated when you're in pain.
Here's my inspirational video (Hope they don't mind me posting it here, if so please comment that you want me to remove it and I will!)
This chick is a kick ass long boarder- I love her surfing style. And this is her son. A lot of women give up after they have children, and let themselves get all blobby. Not her, her kids not even two years old, and she’s already got a better body than I’ve ever had. I’ll never have her long legs but she’s still an inspiration to me that she’s so skinny after having a kid.
(guess you can’t really see her in this vid but there’re lots on youtube. I can’t resist putting up the cute baby one!)
I love this video, and it's also a good reminder- being healthy is about what you can DO--- not just how you look. Someday I hope I can surf with my kids if I have kids!

I missed a couple days writing but I’ve been pretty good through all of them. Friday (9th) I did eat some chocolate after work. Decided Friday night can be my “free night” but I didn’t totally indulge myself or anything, just ate some dark chocolate (also first day of my period. Who can resist?) During the day I think I ate my usual (I need to go shopping or something) and on Friday morning I surfed for three hours because the waves were freaking awesome!
Saturday (9th) I kinda messed up because I didn’t eat all day until 1:30 when I had a bunch of tomatoes and fruit. That’s fine but I think I really need to eat in the morning. Last night I also ate a healthy burrito sorta thing and two granola bars cause I was exhausted and sunburned and too tired to think about food. Also, Saturday I went beach glass hunting on a beach, which required a lot of walking, bending over, climbing up and down the rocks, etc. And I swam with friends and then surfed for an hour or so. Plenty of exercise yesterday.
Today (7-11-10) I’ve been kind of a bum so far, but it’s only 11 am so I figure I can still save the day. I haven’t eatenanything so I need to go get a healthy breakfast together (maybe a smoothie, I feel dehydrated) and we’ll see what else goes on. Friends might come for a surf lesson so I’ll get plenty of exercise swimming around and pushing them into waves.

CQ - 7/8/10

Good job on the not snacking at night. I think that's part of what got me into this whole mess. It will probably help to not eat at night. One can devour countless calories.

Today I did some bouldering AND I went to a yoga class! A dripping sweat onto the floor yoga class. Felt nice to get back into the execizing-ness. It's super sad to see and feel how out of shape I am though. Ugh. Very discouraging.

Went to physical therapy today. These new people are MUCH better than the people I had been going to prior. Apparently, there are several knots in my upper legs that can refer pain to other places in the the body. It has been very painful for them to work on them, and I not have bruises. I think it will be worth it in the end though.

I have got to get to the grocery store and get some healthy things for me to eat for me to keep at my house. I've been eating out way too much. I think its been weeks since I have had groceries in my fridge.

I saw some photos of me from this weekend, and I'm not happy about it. Gotta do better.

I think I may put up a photo of or something of someone who I'd like to look similar to as motivation.

new system- mt july 5-8th

I'm typing in a word document now cause internet explorer sucks on wndows 7 and I ave to open ths on iternet explorer (fr example notice all te letters I' misng- that nver happens on firefox but happens every time I type in eplorer)
anywys, here's th last three day.
also my measurments:
stomach, inch under belly button (widest area) 29.5 (my stomach used to be 23)
at waist 25.5
thighs left 21,rght 21
butt , largest part 36
boobs 33
upper arms left 10 right 10

flat abs by my birthday!!!! Thats 7 weeks. I'm not eating at night now so I think I can do it!

7-5-10
Food: Breakfast – cereal with frozen berries and pb mixed in (not the healthiest breakfast but gotta use that stuff up)
Lunch: Breakfast burrito- egg, tomatos, broccoli, garlic, a little cheese, salsa, two tortillas. (also, not the healthiest)
Dinner: Greasy fare at my fav veggie buffet. Sigh.
Snack: nori wrap with salmon

Here’s where I’m proud of myself- when I got home from work, I didn’t consume a thing! That’s my new rule. I probably saved myself 500 calories. So that’s the new rule always- It means I’ve got to plan ahead and get a snack for the train, but I think I’ll consume far less because night time is my eat-a-thon.

Exercise: surf in the am- the surf was small and I found myself just sitting and waiting, so I paddled way down the beach and back. Also did a lot of stretching and some sit ups before paddling out.
Shortish (20 min) walk with dogs after work.

7-6-10
Breakfast: Smoothie with protein powder, frozen berries and mango juice.
Lunch: two yummy burritos (wow same as yesterday)
Dinner: same greasy food. Dang. I do the same darn thing every day.
Illicite post work snack: so lame. I totally ate two quesadillas and a bunch of other crap. Sucks. Argh I’m so mad at myself!!!!
Exercise: Missed my am surf because I overslept/deadline at work, so I’ll have to work out tonight to compensate. And no snacks after I get home! I’ll replace eating at night with working out.
Crap. Totally didn’t work out at night either. Here’s what happens, I check my email and start reading and then after a few hours I convince myself that I need a snack because otherwise my metabolism will slow down. Really, I just need to go to bed- I stayed up till 3:45.

7-7-10
Breakfast- Costco cereal with frozen berries mixed in, soy milk
It’s now 6pm and I still haven’t eaten anything else but a handful of almonds and a slice of watermelon. I’ve totally got it to where I eat everything and night when I have no self control.
Here’s the plan, I’ll eat my dinner, find a healthy snack (fruit) after work, then go to bed early tonight. New wake up early don’t’ eat late at night schedule starts tomorrow!

7-8-10
Finally!
Breakfast- smoothie (shocking!)
Lunch- burritos as mentioned above
Dinner- kinda a lot- 2 cookies, 1/3 of a piece of cake, fruit, and tuna sandwhich at my fantastic friends coffee shop
Snack-moon cookie and fruit and nutt granola bar

And it’s 10:30 and I ate a few of my leftover smoothie pops but nothing else and I’m going to bed at 11. I get so much more accomplished when I wake up early. No work out for the last two days. Been getting some bad jelly fish stings. Anyways I’ll surf at least tomorrow am.

CQ - 7/6/10

I have been watching my calorie intake more closely. I've lost about 5 pounds from last month. Yay!

I haven't had a whole lot of exercize going on, but I have been doing a BUNCH of walking since arriving in Santa Barbara the past few days. Short hike, walking up and down state street (downtown) a whole lot, walking from downtown to the beach for fireworks, etc.

Been dealing with a lot of health stuff lately. Had an MRI done on Friday. Stressing out about the results of that. I think I am supposed to find out this week about it. Found a new and much better physical therapist (but shes in San Francisco). Next week I have another nerve block. Transitioning from various medications that are supposed to control pain but having issues with side effects (anxiety, depressiveness, and inability to get to a dosage that gives me effective pain control).

So, that has put a big damper on my life the past 6 months. Some days I have hope that I'll get better. I miss my activities.

On Thursday between health appointments I am going to go to my favorite climbing gym (as long as I have time).

Right now, my goal is to lose 10 more pounds by the end of the year. And to drop 2 pant sizes. Or, atleast comfortably fit into my favorite pair of jeans that I have not wore in over a year. I meant to take a photo of me attempting to fit into them, but the idea of putting jeans on right now; even briefly; has just sounded too painful. I will do so soon though. I want to be in the healthy BMI range.

Have you got a chance to check out that website I posted about a few posts back? It's a great way to keep track of weight, BMI, measurements, and it puts it on a graph. I've been using that pretty regularly. Its a really useful tool.

Anyhow, hope to see ya soon on here MT!

CQ - 6/29/10

I am going to update once a week. I've been using that weight/measurement tracker every few days or so (atleast the weight part) and that has been going well.

I went hiking a couple times in the past two weeks. Yay!

The beau and I are going to try and go bouldering/rock hopping together outdoors soon. It will probably be more likely that we will go to the climbing gym though first.

I have been better about the amount of calories I've been intaking. I want to keep up with eating part since my physical body is not the most reliable right now. I've been going to physical therapy a lot lately, but I would hardly call that exercise.

Anyhow, I am going to make a goal to get into an article of clothing that currently does not fit. I will pick that within the next few days and post a photo.

mt crap crap and more crap 6-28-10

I started this blog because I wanted to get in shape by June. Here it is, near the end of June, and I fear my body looks the same as it did back when I started. sighhhhhh.
So, freaking out isn't going to help. Time to make a new goal. My birthday is in early september. I'm going to be hot for my 29th birthday, with bearable abs. Meaning, able to bear them, wear a bikini while I surf (though I hate that, rather go with the rashy and board shorts!)
I think I can do it.
Today:
only ate one meal (which is part of my problem, eat little all day then gorge myself at night)
brocolli, onions and tomatoes fried with a little oil, and a piece of bread with an egg fried on it (I know weird but I had some food to get rid of) it was delicious. I prob put too much salt but reasonable amount of oil. Oh yeah, and my surf bud made me a milk and banana smoothie. Not sure what all was in there.

Exercise: Surfed for an hour and a half- not too rough so the workout wasn't that strong but still okay.

Goals for the rest of the day: Floor work out for at least an hour tonight, search youtube for some good ab videos.
Eat healthy for the rest of the day.

and I'm making this my home page so I have to fill this shit out before I do ANYTHING ELSE!!!!
Okay buh bye!
Oh some pics...

6/8/10 CQ

Found this cool website. Check it out!

http://www.weightchart.com/?gclid=COrfpsaJkqICFSEjawodZRTyaQ

Here is my url for my weight progress
http://www.weightchart.com/member.aspx?u=ms.cindy

CQ 6/7/10

Sunday I went rock climbing for 3 hours in the sweltering heat. I must say, after a little over 4 months of not climbing, I officially suck. It's almost like I am starting completely over, minus the technical skill and tecnique I now have. Okay, maybe not 100% completely over, but pretty damn close. It was very frustrating. The things I used to warm up with when I used to be top notch are now things that I am struggling with. I just don't have the arm stregnth, and I have gained weight, which really takes a toll on someone in terms of climbing. I bummed. I am glad I went back to it, but I am still bummed.

Today I did 200 arm lifts. I'm bummed because I feel like its such a puny insignificant thing to do. I don't even know if I do them 5 times a week if it will make a difference. And I hate doing exercise that isn't fun. I don't know if I am going to stick with that or not. But I feel like I have to do something in the mean time of figuring out a routine and finding classes and/or activities to do on the regular.

So, I am determined to lose the weight and get in better shape, eat healthier. I don't fit in some of my clothes that I used to, and that is not cool at all.

Overall though, I just want to be healthier. I don't want to be overweight anymore. I'd like to get rid of a lot of this excess fat. I want to start trying to be active again.

The boyfriend and I may start going hiking say every other weekend. Also, I am going to try and climb atleast once a week. It may be with the boyfriend on a friday or over the weekend, or it may be on my own before my physical therapy in sunnyvale.

I also started looking for places near me to do yoga. It is kind of pricey to go to a good place, so I am trying to figure out what I can find. Ideally, I'd go once per week.

I discovered the lake near me has a shop that rents peddle boats (and canoes, and row boats, and kayaks) by the hour. I think I want to try the peddle boat and see how that goes (its one of the least expensive). I might be able to have a nice day on the lake if I go after I'm off work in the afternoon some time. Summer is crazy though, so there may just be a bunch of screaming children.

I am again considering the hula hooping. I'm just not sure though if it will be something that will agrivate my nerve or not though.

On another health note, I am going to try and improve my mental health. I am going to start seeing a councler, once a week at first and then see how it goes. I have a lot of things going on in my life, and things I'd like to deal with from my upbringing, and I'd like to talk to someone about how crazy my family is. Today I contacted the one I saw a number of years ago. Had to leave a message. I didn't really like him all that well, but there is another person in his office who may also operate on a sliding fee scale. Also, I left a message with another service that does counceling on a sliding fee scale. I just have to wait to hear back from them. I want to be a less negative person, and have someone to talk to about what is bothering me.

6/2/10 CQ

Someone at work today said that I look like I lost weight. I don't believe it, but its nice to hear.

I have been trying to eat better.

I went to whole foods today and got some pretty healthy stuff to eat for the next few days. I think I may go once a week.

I've been having a lot of pain the past few days. I've done a lot of thinking about climbing, but haven't been able to go. Go my yoga ball back though.

I think its crummy I was feeling so good and motivated and now I am having so much pain again. Boo.

MT 6-2-10

Weight Loss Motivation

At some point, we all need a little motivation when it comes to losing weight or staying fit. Therefore, I put together a list of easy ways to stay focused and keep exercising.

1.) Listen to music while you exercise. And not just any old music, but tunes that you love--songs that make you want to jump off the couch and start moving around. Those are the songs you want to work out to on the days when you'd rather not exercise.

2.) Exercise with a friend. It's far more fun to exercise with someone, than all by yourself. (That's why I got my husband interested in exercise ball workouts too.) So grab a pal and start moving!

3.) Keep a progress chart. It's easier to keep going forward when you can see how far you've come. It's easy to create your own progress chart. Keep track of weight loss, inches lost, number of repititions, or whatever criteria motivates you the most.

4.) Count your way down to success. This great article explains what this concept means.

5.) Change your negativity from permanent to temporary. This article explains how to do this.

6.) Update your routine. If you've been listening to the same music or doing the same routine over and over again, then it's time to shake things up. Trying something new will keep you focused and prevent you from becoming bored.

7.) Journal about your progress and frustrations. One website I love using to journal online is Our Story. You can use your Our Story account to write about your weight loss progress, your reasons for wanting to lose weight, your fitness goals, or anything else you choose. You can even post "before" and "after" photos if you want. Best of all, Our Story is free to join and easy to use.

8.) Get your own cheerleader. We all need a cheerleader at some point--someone who will motivate us to continue when we want to quit, someone who will remind us that we're worth it. I chose the well known motivational speaker Anthony Robbins to be my cheerleader. Mr. Robbins has two great audio products that really provide me the motivation I need to keep going on days when I'd rather skip the exercise and over-indulge in Cool Ranch Doritos or Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream instead. (Yum!)

CQ 5/26/10

OMG I ate alllllllll crap today.

Scone. Frozen microwave sandwich thing. Some candy. Pistachios. Slurpie. Lunchable thing. Fries. Chicken wrap thing. Soda. 2 Mochi balls. Chocolate covered pretzels.

I KNOW. I know!!

Fucking ridiculous. It was such a long day. I was up at 6 a.m. and at work from 7:15 till 3 p.m. Then had physical therapy an hour away. Then sat in traffic for awhie and didn't get home till 7:30 p.m. I am exhausted. I got to do better about bringing healthy snacks and planning meals.

I think I am going to start making spring rolls again for dinner. Healthy and pretty easy. Maybe start eating more pho and sushi again. Start shopping at whole foods so I can get healthy premade food.

Okay so here are my goals. Climb once a week. Do yoga once a week. Eat only 1200-1300 calories a day. Do my physical therapy leg stretching daily and tailbone homework.

aggghhh mt 5-25

okey let's see---- ate a lot of crap today
I did surf however
sigh
I just ate three pbandj sandwiches
that's bad
sigh
okay
gotta get back on the goals
really
bahbye

5/24/10 CQ

Had my nerve block today. Rewarded myself with junk food... opps. I feel kinda icky now.

On the good side, I have all sorts of healthy fruit and some veggies in my fridge. Will load up on those more instead of eating out.

I did yoga in the park on sunday and went for a little walk.

I am going to try and start doing yoga in the park on sundays for the next 2 & 1/2 months or so. There is a free class there through August something-er-other so I am going to go. Eric and I are going to try and go together.

Also, I am going to try and start going to the dinky climbing gym near my house once a week after work when its cheap.

So, I am starting to get SOMEWHERE better. Slooooooowly.

Haven't been on as much pain meds. Yay.

I think the physical therapy is helping.

mt 5-20-10

Total bum today
couldn't get myself out of bed to surf in the am. no exercise (I'll do 30 exercise ball sit ups before I go to sleep)
ate CRAP---- TONS OF CRAP!
So much chocolate. I just couldn't seem to control myself
crap!
anyways
sigh
how sad
and I thought I was begiinning to make progress, my stomach seemed a little less doughy
ah well tomorrow is a new day and I will surf my head off.

mt 519-10

Stayed up way too late last night, so missed my morning surf (waaaaaahhhhh and the conditions were so good, small but good offshore wind waaaaaahhhhh!!!!) took only a short walk witht he doggies, and then went to costco.
Quite proud of myself, only bought healthy foods with a low sugar to protein/fiber ratio--- GO ME!!!
Anyways, what'd I eat today? A lil sushi thing with a little salmon, and daaaaaaaaaaaang, I can't remember but I remember thinkin wow I"m awesome, this is really healthy.
Things kinda fell apart tonight when I got a mocha smoothie thingy and a green tea shave ice. damn the shave ice in asia is awesome though.
let's see, tonight my friend brought me two apple/peanut butter/cheese filled crepes, and I snacked on almonds and sugar snap peas. Not too bad. Might go nibble on something elese cause my tummy's feeling a little fiber'd out with all these almonds.
exercise, not much--- just short walk and 30 crunches on ye ol exercise ball--- damn I really feel those things. Hullo ABS!!!!
better tomorrow. surf in am, and healthy eating with my hard won costco food, hip hip hooray!!!

CQ - 5/18/10

Recovering from having Lynnette over for several days. It was really exhausting. I was so tired while she was here, then on wednesday of last week I wound up in the ER because I was sick to my stomach for hours on end. Had an IV put into me. Anti-nausea meds, pain meds, the whole deal. I am nervous about how much it is going to cost me.

On the health front, it turns out I don't have IC. I have pudendal neuralgia (its a nerve problem). I go in on Monday to get a nerve block done to confirm. The nerve could be compressed, so I started going to physical therapy. I've gone twice now. This last time we did some gentle stretching of my hamstrings. I am going to try and do some of that at home.

I actually feel a TINY bit better. The constant clenching is not as painful. I am not exactly sure what that means, but the pain is a little less, so that's good!

Eric took me to yoga on Friday. I was able to do almost everything. Some things I couldn't do as to not further irritate my nerve and the surrounding muscles. I was a little sore the next day, mostly in my obliques.

I really want to get into climbing again on a regular basis. My medical bills have been so expensive though, its ridiculous. And, because of the nerve and the motions of taking in the rope, I probably shouldn't be belaying. Which makes me a pretty crappy climbing partner. I can do bouldering though. There is a TINY rock gym near me. But I really don't like their bouldering area. Its mostly just a cave. I don't like overhang.

I am not supposed to spend a lot of time sitting, so it probably wouldn't be a great idea to for me to travel to the better climbing gym as it takes about 45 minutes to get there. I'd like to find some places outside to climb. However, there is probably some travel involved there too. When my medical expences get under control I would be better able to pay for a membership. Then I can just go to the climbing gym in concord with Eric on the weekends.

So, alas, I still need to work on my eating habits. Planning my meals out better. Having some SNACKS in my house so I don't eat out and order like a ravage. Today I will try and do that. Plan out some snacks and go to the store.

I'd like to eat less junk food as well. I've really been feining for it lately and been finding the worst things to eat.

I've noticed that I've REALLY gotten out of shape. I don't fit into a bunch of my old work clothes. My stomach is ridiculous. And my arms. I need to trim down. It's frustrating that I can't do many of the active things I really enjoy. And then, I feel in pain a lot so I eat stuff to make me feel better I think.

So, today I will work on doing some stretching of my hamstrings and hips. And I will make a healthier menu of items I should eat. And I will try and go to the grocery store and get some semi-healthy snacks.

mt 5-17-10

Food: Smoothie for breakfast, small bowl of cereal for lunch, small caprese salad and small roll for dinner. Healthy veggie sushi roll for after work snack, and a kinda roll thing with veggies inside (not too healthy) smoothie pops (healthy) a little seaweed (decently healthy). Now it's night and I should just go to sleep so I don't eat more but I want to stay up and I want to eat more! why why why????
I dunno, I didn't eat too much today and I want a pb and j sandwich.... is that so bad....should i do it? Okay, I'm going to do a hundred sit ups on my exercise ball, then I can have the sandwich hahahaha. damn it. Well I am sticking to my roll of only one carb after work. Kinda. that other roll thing is a carb. damnit! sigh....if I don't eat it....Okay, I'm not going to eat it. Hopefully I wont' stay up all night thinking of the damn pb and j. Why am I only hungry at night???
exercise: Woke up completely sore from all my exercise yesterday, so didn't surf this am. Plus it was windy. Took dogs for hour long walk, stood on bongo board to type. hula hooped while walking dogs tonight, only 10 min but tense abs the whole time. gonna do 50 exercise ball sit ups now...