Thursday, February 28, 2008

Weekend plans, & Easter is early in '08

Calories eaten yesterday: 1365
Fat: 28g (19%)
Carbs: 126g (38%)
Protein: 140g (42%)
Weight this morning: 129.4 (One week ago: 129.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 99

Been hitting the gym hard all week with all the running and walking on top of it. I decided to take today off, did laundry, and then walked the 1.5 miles to work. It's a pretty easy walk and gave me some exercise. I stopped at McDonald's on the way for a Diet Coke because it's pretty warm out. I'm actually wearing a t-shirt today!

I'll take tomorrow's shower tonight. I'm supposed to give blood tomorrow and I'd like to walk to the Starbucks across the freeway for the exercise (about a 30 minute walk from my home), then come back across the overpass and catch the bus on the corner.

The issue is that I think I might have a cold sore in my mouth, which would disqualify me. It's hard to tell by staring into the mirror. I have something in there that itches and makes me need to bite the inside of my lip. :(

Saturday is church and since the new month starts on my day off Brad and I will take a short walk (probably the lake) so I don't fall too far behind on the first day of the month.

Sunday I hope to hit the gym again.

Ok, a few facts about Easter in 2008:

Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. I found out something cool about Easter this year. As you may know, it falls very early this year (March 23). The last time Easter fell on March 23 was 1913 and the next time it will happen (after this year) will be 2160.

The earliest Easter can ever fall is March 22, and the latest is April 25. The last time Easter fell on March 22 was 1818 and the next time it will happen is 2285. So none of us will ever see that happen.

Full information on this unusual phenomenon can be found on the Snopes page Early Easter.

I will be doing my usual "Walking With the Master" series again this year, following Jesus through the last week of His life. And even though I am a Sabbath keeper I will be in church on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, as I am every year. Christ's resurrection is worth celebrating.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Week 50, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1324
Fat: 25g (18%)
Carbs: 114g (36%)
Protein: 140g (44%)
Weight this morning: 130.4 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 440

Pretty good day at the gym. I did upper body but would have been stronger if I had taken today off and just gone in tomorrow. I may go tomorrow, too and do lower body again. We will see.

I did one hour of upper body weights and read a magazine article (Muscle & Fitness Hers) about using free weights first and machines last - something do do with the stabilizer muscles. So that's something I'll need to work on. I usually hit the machines first to make sure I can get them before the noontime crowd comes in and hogs them. A trainer saw me doing my dumbbell rows wrong and corrected me, so that was nice. She also said I had a good musculature and that I needed to gain muscle instead of lose any more weight. I actually agree with her. I'm very close to my goal, but I would love to build some muscle.

My half hour of cardio was running on the treadmill at 5.5 and above mph. 2.78 miles I think. What an endorphin rush! Then I had my usual protein and carb snack and hopped the train. I walked to work from the train station I get off at - another 1.5 miles and 30 minutes. FitDay says 440 calories total, 227 from the running! :)

One cool thing happened at the gym: I was stretching my quads during my cool down. This one black guy I see at the gym a lot (not the super buff one - a different one) walked past me, stopped, came over and squeezed my quads, said "Oooo!" and then put his hand up to high 5 me. :D I love moments like those. The guys there actually respect me because they see me working so hard. :D

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Today's workout, and a rant about body fat

Calories eaten yesterday: 1356
Fat: 30g (21%)
Carbs: 113g (35%)
Protein: 139g (43%)
Weight this morning: 132.8 (One week ago: 130.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 443

Weights:
1 hour of lower body and core. I'm enjoying lower body more than I used to since I've seen improvement. I did walking lunges, leg extension, ball wall sit, toe touches, leg raises (laying on side), standing calf raise, and inverted leg press. Core was ball sit-ups, Captain's Chair leg raises, uneven push-ups, and plank with leg raise. I like the walking lunges, but I struggle with balance issues.

Cardio:
30 minutes of running on the treadmill at 5.2 mph - 2.63 miles. Whew! Then I has my protein and carb snack on the train, and walked from the train station to work (1.5 miles, 30 minutes). I'm really enjoying the running and it alone burned 229 calories! :)

Assessment:
Feeling pretty good. Trying not to get sick or get a cold sore so I can finally give blood this Friday.

I got an e-mail today from a lady I know saying that because my periods have stopped I am likely "overly lean." She's knows I have 26% body fat, but she seems to think this is too low. She told me I should see a nutritionist (you know - those people who say we need to stuff our face with carbs). This was my reply to her:

Thank you for your concern, but I have studied this and know what I am doing.

I'm in "normal" range for body fat, but not "fit" range. 26% body fat is PLENTY for periods. Women have to go into the 10% range (or lower) before lack of body fat effects periods. And I didn't have periods when I gained 17 pounds and got overweight again. I am nowhere near "overly lean." It's just that being overweight is now considered "normal weight" so a normal weight person is thought to be "overly lean."

Here's the Met Life tables:
http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/met.htm
and another site that helps you calculate a good weight:
http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Met Life recommends 133-147 for me, but I know I feel my best under 140. The second site recommends 133-134 for me.

As for nutritionists, I personally know a dietitian and I wouldn't trust her farther than I could throw her. I read books about nutrition written by MDs. Much better info.


Honestly, with overweight being considered "normal," anybody of normal weight is thought to be too thin. People have forgotten what "normal" really is. The "average" woman is a size 12. If you wear a smaller size you become "overly lean." [rolls eyes]

My lack of periods is a mystery to me, but has nothing to do with my percentage of body fat.

Ok, that's my rant for the day.

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Monday, February 25, 2008

Week 50, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1342
Fat: 25g (18%)
Carbs: 120g (37%)
Protein: 145g (45%)
Weight this morning: 134.8 (One week ago: 132.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 86

Back to my goal weight again today. Now to just see this number on a Sunday.

Didn't do much today for exercise. I had to go into San Francisco and did get some walking in there, then did the mile and a half from the BART station to work, but that was it. Planning on going back to the gym tomorrow for lower body.

I tried to call the chiropractor about my neck and shoulder pain (I really need some adjustments), but he's out the office this whole week so I guess I'll just keep laying on the hot pad. :( I'm getting the familiar pain in my left arm that means I may have a pinched nerve. (No, it's not heart trouble!) I'll need several adjustments to feel better.

Planning on giving blood this Friday and I'll make no apologies that I plan on going a little crazy after. Hopefully that will be my last crazy for the next two months until I can give blood again. I was supposed to give at the beginning of this month and came down with the flu the day before my appointment! My last crazy carb binge day was my birthday in mid-January. Brad and I's walk will be really short (probably once around the lake) because I am always weak after giving blood.

I found this tidbit about the importance of drinking water while losing weight on the official NutriSystem forums:

How important is drinking ALL 8 glasses of water each day???? Failure to drink enough water means your kidneys get unhappy. When the kidneys don't work as they should, your liver has to pick up the slack to get the toxins out of your system.. If your liver is busy doing the kidneys' job, it can't do it's own, which is processing the fat OUT of your system. Instead, it just stores the fat in your body.... THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING IF YOU WANT TO LOSE FAT!

So drink up! :)

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Sunday, February 24, 2008

Week 49 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2)
Total loss: -15.4

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1403
Fat: 24g (16%)
Carbs: 107g (32%)
Protein: 137g (41%)
Weight Thursday morning: 129.6 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 410

Calories eaten Friday: 1465
Fat: 27g (17%)
Carbs: 92g (26%)
Protein: 140g (39%)
Weight Friday morning: 129.6 (One week ago: 129)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 318

Weight Saturday morning: 132.4 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 403

138.6. Very disappointing, but I lost 7.5 pounds over the last two weeks, so I guess I was due for the 6 pound rebound. I was out of control yesterday - a total carb fiend. Bad, bad Victoria!

Friday the rain held off long enough for Brad and me to walk along the marina. We went 7 miles according to the step tracker I use and walked for 2 hours 18 minutes. Whew!

Saturday was rest and church. Brad had to leave early for the annual listener banquet at work. I didn't have to go (they encourage it but don't require it), so I stayed at church for Bible study and the potluck. They had Sloppy Joes and I went a little crazy. I know. Go ahead and slap me. I had one Sloppy Joe, but they were large. At home I went crazy and I won't go into details, but I deserve the six pounds I gained. I plead temporary insanity.

Today I went to the gym. It was member appreciation weekend so we could bring a friend for free. I took Brad and he watched me do my weights. He didn't really use them, though. Then I did my cardio - running on the treadmill for 30 minutes at 5 mph, so 2.5 miles. Felt great. Then I slowed down to 3.5 mph and went for another 20 minutes. Brad got on the treadmill next to me and did his thing.

Brad drove me to work so I didn't do that little walk (the reason for the extra time on the treadmill). I had my protein and carb snack in the car as he drove me to work.

Ok, let's make Week 50 great!

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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Stella got her groove back!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1272
Fat: 32g (23%)
Carbs: 113g (37%)
Protein: 121g (40%)
Weight this morning: 129.6 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 410

Stella got her groove back! Well, okay, not quite. ;) I'm at 99%, but for the first time I felt good at the gym today, stronger and more energy. I did upper body weights - uneven men's push-ups (I do them every session), bicep curls, tricep extensions, lateral pulldown, seated row, Arnold Press, plank with leg raise, standing calf raises (400 lbs.) (I do them every session), rotary chest press, rotary lat pulldown, back row (I forget the name on the machine), etc. A lot a stuff. :)

For cardio I finally felt well enough to run. I ran at 5 mph on the treadmill for 30 minutes, so 2.5 miles. Woot! Felt great! Then I had cottage cheese with whey powder (protein) and a 100 Calorie Pack (high-GI carb), hopped the train, and then walked from the train station to work, another 30 minutes and 1.5 miles. I feel so much better than I did earlier this week.

While I was sick I finally dropped the holiday pounds that I gained in November and they stuck around even after the holidays ended on my birthday. I've been on my plan since January 13 so it was time for the weight to move!

Weekend plans:
I hope to go walking with Brad on Friday. It's supposed to rain so we'll have to see how things are that day as to where will we walk, how long, and how far.

Saturday is church. Brad has to leave right after the service for a funeral so I'll get a ride home from Anita. Brad will come over later to hang out and have dinner.

Sunday I'll go to the gym before work.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Skinny jeans!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1327
Fat: 24g (17%)
Carbs: 122g (39%)
Protein: 140g (44%)
Weight this morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 130.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 99

I decided to sleep in today and not push myself too hard. I'll go tomorrow and that will make 3 times which is what I shoot for. I did the 1.5 mile walk to work from the train, stopping for groceries on the way. I wanted to stop at Taco Bell, but just went to the store and bought veggies, salad, and cottage cheese.

My lower body is sore from yesterday. I'm always sore after doing lower body, but not after doing upper body.

I put off my blood donation for another week so I can completely recover and get rid of this cough. That means I'll be giving on leap year. :)

I put on my skinny jeans this morning and they fit perfectly! I had no trouble pulling them up or buttoning them. :) These are the jeans I am wearing in the photo below.

I was 129.2 this morning, and I hadn't eaten yet or had anything to drink (even my morning coffee!) because food and drink make my stomach puff out. Click for a larger size.

Day 93/266 - Skinny jeans!

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

My workout anniversary!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1348
Fat: 24g (16%)
Carbs: 140g (42%)
Protein: 139g (42%)
Weight this morning: 130.8 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 313

Today is my four year anniversary of my very first workout at Curves! That was also 70 pounds ago! :D Yay me!

The best way to celebrate my workout anniversary is, of course, to workout! So I went to the gym and did lower body today and some core. Like yesterday, every exercise was strained. I'm not back in my groove yet and every exercise feels like the first time.

I tried jogging very slowly on the treadmill, but I only lasted 5 minutes before slowing down to a walk for the remaining 25 minutes - 1.9 miles total. I proceeded to have a coughing attack on the train on the way to work. I guess that's my body's way of telling me not to run yet. Deep breathing=coughing, which hinders both weights and cardio.

I walked to work from BART - another 30 minutes and 1.5 miles.

I'm hoping to go to the gym tomorrow and do upper body again. My neck and shoulders are still hurting from my coughing. I need to see the chiropractor when I get the money.

I've hit a groove with breakfast. (Ok, this was a while ago, but it needs to be written down.) I was doing eggs and cottage cheese every day (for the protein), but I have found a couple other high protein breakfasts - cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with whey powder. I still have a bunch of NS eggs I ordered that I'll go through slowly.

I also found a low-carb pancake mix made with wheat gluten instead of soy flour. Soy flour does not play well with my digestive system, but wheat gluten is no problem for me, so I have an alternative to NS pancakes. :) I feel I have a pretty good grip on doing all my meals "on my own" and not having to order NS foods anymore. :)

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Monday, February 18, 2008

Week 49, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1260
Fat: 23g (17%)
Carbs: 123g (40%)
Protein: 131g (43%)
Weight this morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 131)
Calories burned in exercise today: 300

I woke up 40 minutes late - my alarm didn't go off. I rushed out of the house, open styrofoam cup of coffee in hand. The bus came just as I came up the hill so the coffee went in the trash so I could board the bus. So no coffee this morning. :( I ate my Fage yogurt with whey powder for breakfast on the bus.

First time back to the gym in a week and a half. I'm still coughing so I took it easy - fewer exercises because I took longer rests. I had a pounding headache every time I did a set so I took Ibuprofen. Three tablets did noext to nothing, but five tablets and 20 minutes later the pain was gone but I still felt kinda icky with my cough. I struggled through an hour of upper body and core work, then just walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes.

After the gym I had a half cup of cottage cheese with a scoop of whey powder - it doesn't look good, but it tastes okay, is cheaper than the Fage, and has more protein. I also had my 100 Calorie Pack high-GI carb serving, then walked to work from the train station - another 30 minutes.

Tomorrow is my workout anniversary (4 years since my first workout!) so I am definitely going in to the gym. I'll do lower body and just more walking for my cardio. My muscles are weak from being away and it's going to take a while to 1) completely recover from this flu, and 2) get back up to speed.

I seemed to have hurt something in my neck and shoulders with all my coughing over the past week. I think I need to see my chiropractor but don't have any money for it. Maybe next paycheck I can get a couple adjustments. For now I'm using a hot pad while watching TV as I wind down for bed. The pain doesn't seem to effect my weight training moves at least.

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Gratuitous cat pictures

Here's a couple of gratuitous cat photos of Abby in the cat tree taken Saturday night. Click them to enlarge.

Abby's legs sticking out of the cat tree Abby sleeps in the cat tree

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Sunday, February 17, 2008

Week 48 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Total loss: -21.6

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1354
Fat: 16g (11%)
Carbs: 137g (42%)
Protein: 124g (38%)
Weight Thursday morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 132.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 113

A new low for me! :)

Calories eaten Friday: 1373
Fat: 21g (14%)
Carbs: 97g (28%)
Protein: 136g (40%)
Weight Friday morning: 129 (One week ago: 131.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 283

Another new low! :)

Weight Saturday morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 134.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 143

Friday Brad and I went walking along the Marina - a fairly easy 2 hour walk. We covered about 6 miles.

Saturday was rest. I did the dishes after the church potluck and bought some cough medicine. I also bought a female Betta fish and got my tank set back up again. :) I had to buy all new fish supplies since it's been so long since my last Betta. This meant a second trip out to Petco. Female Bettas have smaller fins, but are cheaper and still quite pretty.

Today I slept in again, walked to work from BART, walked back to WalMart to get a few items, and back to work again. About 50 minutes of walking total.

I'm hoping to get back to the gym tomorrow and do weights and some very light cardio just walking on the treadmill. I'll probably take it easy all week and just ease back into my workouts and give my cough a change to clear up. Plus I hurt something in my neck and shoulders with the constant coughing over the last week.

I showed another loss on the scale this morning so I'm happy. I expect to rebound when I finally do get healthy and give blood and eat a bad dinner so I'm not changing my ticker until I see the damage from that.

Here's a photo of my new Betta. Click to enlarge.
Day 89/366 - my new female Betta fish

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

New low!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1332
Fat: 27g (18%)
Carbs: 154g (47%)
Protein: 114g (35%)
Weight this morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 132.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 113

Wow! A new low and under 130! WOOOOOHOOOO! A few more carbs and being away from the gym (i.e. eating fewer calories) seems to have kicked my body into gear.

I rescheduled my blood donation for next week. Hopefully by then I will be healthy. I'm still coughing and hacking a lot.

A couple things I didn't mention what with only two blog entries this whole week. 1) My 6 million step shoe charm was waiting for me at my P.O. box, and 2) My follow-up survery for the National Weight Control Registry came. They follow-up with each person after one year.

Tomorrow I plan to walk with Brad along the San Leandro Marina, Saturday is church and rest, and I am not sure about Sunday yet; it depends on how I feel. I miss the gym, but I don't want to push myself too hard too fast.

Here's some photos taken last Friday. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.

our shadows

holding the sun holding the sun sunset over the Marina

Day 81/366 - a rose on our walk sunset over the Marina sunset over the Marina

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Week 47 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6)
Total loss: -20.4

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1486
Fat: 27g (17%)
Carbs: 123g (34%)
Protein: 142g (39%)
Weight Thursday morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 134.8)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 414

Calories eaten Friday: 1212
Fat: 24g (18%)
Carbs: 58g (19%)
Protein: 119g (40%)
Weight Friday morning: 131.4 (One week ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 280

Weight Saturday morning: 134.2 (One week ago: 133.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories eaten Sunday: 1280
Fat: 25g (18%)
Carbs: 117g (38%)
Protein: 124g (40%)
Weight Sunday morning: 133.6 (One week ago: 139.6)
Calories burned in exercise Sunday: 0

Calories eaten Monday: 1302
Fat: 20g (15%)
Carbs: 118g (39%)
Protein: 140g (46%)

Calories eaten Tuesday: 1325
Fat: 24g (17%)
Carbs: 130g (40%)
Protein: 134g (41%)
Weight Tuesday morning: 131.6 (One week ago: 135)
Calories burned in exercise Tuesday: 100

Weight Wednesday morning: 130.2 (One week ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise Wednesday: 85

Wow. I lost 6 pounds. I know the main reasons why - I was home with the flu, pounding the liquids, drinking very little alcohol, and not eating as many bad treats as I would if I had gone to church Saturday. I expect to see a rebound at my next weigh-in so I am not going to change my ticker. I don't see how 133.6 can be a real weight; it's actually down from my Saturday weight and that never happens.

I went walking with Brad on Friday - two hours even though I was sick. Saturday I stayed home from church and languished in bed, as I did Sunday and Monday. Tuesday I went in but only stayed for half a shift. Saturday I actually had a temperature.

I've been pleased with my weight this week; we'll see how the rest of the week goes.

I rescheduled last Friday's blood donation for this Friday, but I am still sick so I am going to reschedule it again for the following Friday.

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

Week 47, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1197
Fat: 33g (25%)
Carbs: 114g (39%)
Protein: 100g (34%)
Weight this morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 134.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 414

I've been really good with food lately and am finally starting to see the holiday weight come off. Feeling good about the scale right now. I gained 3-4 pounds over the holidays and am still trying to get back. I hit goal, then promptly ate myself out of it. :-p

Went to the gym today - did an hour of weight training on whatever body part I felt like. Due to the elections and Ash Wednesday I only got to the gym twice this week.

Cardio was running on the treadmill for 30 minutes at 5 mph - 2.5 miles. Lisa shared her cold with me or I could have run faster. Then I walked to work from the train station (another 30 minutes).

Weekend plans:
Take a long walk along the Marina with Brad tomorrow as long as I am not too sick. We found a trail that goes on forever and ended up walking for 2 1/2 hours last week! I'm sick so the blood donation schedule for tomorrow is now rescheduled for next Friday.

Saturday - church and rest.

Sunday - Back to the gym for upper body and cardio.

Here's my Ash Wednesday photo from yesterday. Click it to enlarge.

(Week 12) Day 79/366 - Ritual

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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Ash Wednesday, and update on Super Tuesday

Calories eaten yesterday: 1275
Fat: 28g (20%)
Carbs: 139g (43%)
Protein: 114g (35%)
Weight this morning: 133.4 (One week ago: 135.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 86

Blessed Ash Wednesday everyone! I didn't get much exercise today because I spent my gym time in church. I got the ashes, received communion, and came to work. I walked the 30 minutes from the BART station and that was it for exercise. Hopefully I can get to the gym tomorrow.

I found a great quote in the bulletin from the service today. It's from The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year by Michael Merriman.

In today's first reading, the prophet tells us that repentance opens us to discovery of God's love and mercy...On this day, the phrase, "Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return," is turned around into, "you shall have life, and you shall have it abundantly."

It is because of the cross at the end of this Lenten season that we have eternal life. Our bodies shall eventually return to dust, but our spirits will go on to live with God.

Ok, a word on the vote yesterday.

Judging from the Super Tuesday vote it looks like we'll have to choose between Hillary and John McCain for president. I don't care for either, but I would pick anyone over Hillary. Dear God, just do not give us her! I have nothing against a woman president; I'm just against everything Hillary stands for. Where did feminism go so wrong?

In California Props 91, 92, and 93 all failed, while props. 94-97 on Indian gaming all passed. I voted for 91 and 93 and against all the others.

In my county, measures A and B (Children's Hosptial) went down to defeat, and measure G passed. I don't remember Measure E on my ballot. Maybe it was just for those in Albany.

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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Voting Day

Calories eaten yesterday: 1458
Fat: 25g (16%)
Carbs: 151g (44%)
Protein: 134g (39%)
Weight this morning: 135 (One week ago: 135.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 158

Today was voting day so no gym. However, voting went really fast. I was in and out in about 5 minutes!

I walked over the hill to my polling place and back - about 20 minutes round trip. When I got home I bounced on my rebounder (mini trampoline) for 30 minutes to make up for not going to the gym. Then I left for work and walked from the BART station to work (30 minutes).

Tomorrow my only exercise will be walking the last 1.5 miles to work because it is Ash Wednesday so I'll be in church. I'll get back to the gym on Thursday, and then Friday Brad and I are doing only a short walk because I am giving blood and am always weak after.

Here's a couple photos I took today dealing with voting.

my polling place
Day 78/366 - Did you vote today?

me with my voting sticker
Did you vote?

In case anyone wants to know, here's how I voted:
President: Mike Huccabee; my second choice would be Ron Paul
Prop. 91 - Transportation funds: I think I voted yes.
Prop. 92 - Limits communitee college fee increases: NO
Prop. 93 - Term limits: YES
Props. 94-97 - Expansion on Indian gaming (casinos): YES on all

County measures:
Measure A - New parcel tax for Children's Hospital: NO
Measure B - Another new parcel tax for Children's Hospital: NO
Measure G - Continue Education parcel tax: YES

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Monday, February 04, 2008

Week 47, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1246
Fat: 20g (15%)
Carbs: 104g (36%)
Protein: 136g (47%)
Weight this morning: 137.8 (One week ago: 137.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 452

I'm feeling much better today, thank goodness.

Had egg whites and Fage yogurt with whey powder for breakfast, then went to the gym. Since I won't get a leg workout this week I did a little bit of everything today - upper body, lower body, and core. Felt pretty good and the time flew by.

Cardio was running on the treadmill at 5.2 mph for 30 minutes. I covered 2.6 miles. Whew! Then I had another serving of Fage yogurt with whey powder and my high-GI carb snack. I hopped the train, then walked to work from my stop - another 30 minutes covering 1.5 miles.

A lady on the NS boards sent me some packaged diet foods so my carbs are going to be high and my protein low for a while. I'll at least make an effort for more protein on gym days.

Skip the next part if you don't like discussion of bodily functions. I finally had a real honest-to-goodness side effect from the Alli today. I was on my way to the gym and had a small fart. Along with the air I got the greasy stuff they talk about all over my undies Thankfully it was just grease and nothing else.

I'd experienced one tiny spot before, but this was enough to make me need to change. I got a late start at the gym because I had to run to the drugstore next door and buy undies and Glad baggies. This only happens for a couple of days after I eat a lot of fat on Saturdays. At any rate, I think I'll keep a clean pair on undies in a Glad bag in my backpack. I'd still rather have the grease in my undies than on my hips, lol!

Ok, enough about that.

Remember to get out and vote tomorrow!

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Sunday, February 03, 2008

Week 46 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Total loss: -14.4

Body fat on Tanita scale:
Last month: 26.6%
This month: 24.4%

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1368
Fat: 22g (16%)
Carbs: 112g (36%)
Protein: 115g (37%)
Weight Thursday morning: 134.8 (One week ago: 134.3)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 101

Calories eaten Friday: 1353
Fat: 21g (14%)
Carbs: 80g (24%)
Protein: 140g (41%)
Weight Friday morning: 133.4 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 359

Weight Saturday morning: 133.8 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 0

I expected a lot worse, so a hair under 140 today is not a bad thing at all. I hope it's not just dehydration from all the alcohol yesterday. The weight is slowly coming off. I am 3 1/2 pounds above my goal. Last week I lost 2.2 pounds and I knew I'd show a gain this week, so I am happy the scale only went up 0.8 pounds.

Friday I got in a long walk with Brad - 2 hours and 33 minutes, about 7.8 miles. Because we got in a good walk on Friday I took Saturday off.

Today - not so great. I went out last night and had absinthe for the first time. With all the other drinks I had, it hit me really hard and and knocked me on my ass. I woke up with the biggest hangover I have had in a long time so I did not go into the gym. If I had stopped drinking before I had the absinthe I think I would have been fine and made it to the gym. Live and learn. I won't make that mistake again. No more absinthe for me!

The Bible says not to get drunk and I was definitely drunk last night. It hit my friend a bit too so he spent the night on my floor so he wouldn't have to drive home. I'd feel horrible if I kicked him out and he had an accident on the way home.

I couldn't face my egg breakfast (the very thought turned my stomach), so Brad cooked up one serving of Cream of Wheat and we split that (about 100 calories for a 1/2 serving cooked in soy milk). I also had 0% Fage Greek yogurt with a scoop of whey powder in it (this was recommended to me by a female bodybuilder). About 190 calories for that. The yogurt and cereal were just what my upset tummy needed.

I'm currently trying to drink a lot. I'm sipping a Diet 7-Up as I type. I'll only make it to the gym twice this week because of missing today's workout - Tuesday is election day here, and Wednesday is Ash Wednesday so I will be in church.

No exercise for me today. Brad drove me to work so I didn't even get in my 1.5 mile walk. I should feel better by tomorrow but I feel nauseous and icky today.

I took lots of photos this weekend. Here's a sampling. Click any of them to enlarge.
Friday
(Week 11) Day 74/366 - wine is precious to me sunset from the San Leandro marina sunset from the San Leandro marina

Saturday
cross of life cross of life (Week 11) Day 75/366 - Jesus is precious to me

our drinks at Applebee's my dinner

Caprino Stagionato Croque Monsieur Absinthe

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