What a difference a Shoe Makes

If I am going to walk a half Marathon in October, I decided I need to get a good pair of shoes.  I went to this great place called Fleet Feet.  They measured my feet standing and sitting.  They looked at the bottom of my shoes and watched me walk in several pairs.  The only thing I can say is WOW!  Not only did I get great customer service, I got a really, really good pair of shoes.  I thought as long as I bought a name brand I was okay.  Walking is soooo much more enjoyable.  It is very much worth the investment.  I highly recommend going through this process. 

I just found out my Brother and Sister-in-Law are running the 1/2 marathon in Niagara falls in October.  I have no excuse  now.  (well I must admit, I am pretty good at coming up with them!)

A visit with a friend and a cup of green tea

I recently visited with a Friend I used to work with.  We both have very stressful positions.  When I saw her, she looked absolutely amazing.  She changed her lifestyle.  She focuses on organic, natural foods.  No processed foods or wheat (due to allergies).  It made me think how we make priorities as well as the impact of stress.  There has got to be a way to balance it all out.  Possibly the key is to have a less stressful job – I don’t know.  I am interested in learning how stress affects our health.  I know some stress is good, but I am talking about dealing with excessive stress.  I am also learning that weight loss is so much more than eating less and moving more.  It is a much more holistic process.  I have to take a more holistic approach.  It is a lifestyle change.

On another note, I read a post from RealAge.com  It’s by the “You” Doctors.  I am not a big believer in weight loss supplements.  I do however believe that there may be some natural, healthy things such as green tea that may help.  According to researchers, people who consumed green tea in addition to particpating in a 12 week exercise plan lost more belly fat than those who exercised a lone.  Considering green tea has many other health benefits, it does not hurt to drink a cup!

Started back on track

I started back with keeping track of my points today.  I did well and am happy that I am starting back up again.  I did manage to gain 4 pounds during the past month   but I cannot harp on this.  I need to move forward and celebrate each accomplishment.  I had a busy day at work so there was very little time to go off my planned meals.  All and all a good day.

I refuse to be a part of it.

I am a network marketer and use the internet to build my busines.  Part of what I sell is around health and wellness.  I have been heavily involved with on-line marketing training.  It was suggested that a very powerful way of building my business would be to use my progress as way of attracting people to my business.  I cannot bring myself to do this.  Maybe it is because of my own personal experience of searching for answers to my weight loss challenges and because of the amount of money I poured into this.  I cannot be a part of this process.  I believe there are reputable companies out there such as Weight Watchers that are there to help.  I am sure that people who do this are exchanging information of value for money which I’m not against.  I think that it is more because of the relationships I develop through connecting with others on this challenge we are facing is more sacred.  I gain from their wisdom, experiences and sharing.  I hope I am able to return this as well.

I slipped away for a bit

I really have fallen off the wagon the past month or so.  Work is extremely stressfull.  I am not sure how long my place of employment will be up and running!  I have poured energy into my home business as well.  Needless to say I put these two things a long with all of my other responsibilities in front of what should be a primary one – taking care of my health.  I also had a lot of stress eating (when I start to eat bread for no apparent reason – it is usually a sign I am eating in response to stress!).  I confess I did not even log into weight watchers this past month. 

So enough with the confessions.  It’s time to get back on track.  One thing I have learned is that blogging and reading other inspirational blogs on the topic really helps keep me going.  There are so many great people sharing their experiences, methods, thoughts and feelings.  I am blessed to have made a few connections.

Excuses, Excuses!

I came across this article today. It’s funny how sometimes things pop up when you need them the most! I think I came up with a variety of reasons this week NOT to exercise! The article is called Leaving Excuses in the Dust One Step at A Time.  I believe that we all have the same number of hours in the day and we choose how to use them.  Needless to say I have made several excuses on why I used them differently than I should have!  In the article, two things struck me – 1) There was a sense of accountability and 2) The way I’ll feel when I keep at it will really be well worth the time spent.  So no excuses today!  Have a good one!

Progress

Well it’s good to be back on the net!  My computer was giving me grief the past few days.  I weighed in on Monday and lost 1.8 lbs for a grand total of 4.8 lbs!  I started to exercise this week as well.  My eating is a little better.  I planned some chocolate into my WW points and felt pretty good about that.  Though for some reason came home from work today only to eat a slice a bread – talk about stress eating.  I should have used those calories on chocolate   I still have some cardio to do tonight.  I wish I was one of those people who can get up at the crack of dawn and exercise!  I seem to be more consistent though when exercising in the evening.  In the morning – the snooze button wins just about every time!

FitStrap: I finally  used the fitstrap that I purchased. It is a very simple device that does the job well.  You basically fasten the strap around a door and close it.  The strap has loops that go from the top of the door to the bottom.  You can then pull your resistance bands through the loops at whatever levell you desire.  You can then do chest presses, rows, lat pull downs, etc.  It is great.  I love resistance bands and have a great set at home.   It is one of those “No Excuse” items I have on hand.  I love going to the gym, but don’t always have that kind of time.  I give it a thumbs up!  I have a link the link listed on this site.  (I don’t get commissions, money etc. I Just really dig the product!).

Today’s progress

I did not do well today.  My co-worker who is famous for her cheesecake brought me a slice.  Instead of enjoying it and getting back on track, I used it as an excuse to eat telling myself that I blew it anyways.  I know logically that it should not be a reason to forget about my WW points, but it is amazing how I use this logic to give myself permission to let myself go!  I am challenged with changing that mentality.  I did read a great post that helped me tremendously.  It was from the Blog – My Angle.  It was called “Do you Fudge?”  He really has a great blog, you should check it out.  A ton of valuable information on weight loss and the related.  There are some amazing before and after pictures too.

I bought the fitstraps to use with my fitness bands.  I am embarrassed to say that I have not tried them yet.  My goal is to use them tomorrow.  I have to get back with exercising.  I have to remind myself how much better I feel when I  do this.

Lost 3 pounds!

I am thrilled that I lost 3 pounds so far since joining weight watchers.  I have learned a few things this past week as well.  I learned that the 100 calorie packs are only okay if you don’t eat half the box!  The new oreo cakesters in the 100 calorie packs are awesome and I can’t really keep them in the house!  My husband also liked them a bit too much!

Weight Watchers and other stuff

I am excited. My Husband and I joined Weight Watcher’s online tonight. We are dealing with a lot of family issues that make it difficult for us to start attending meetings. Our plan is to start going to meetings when things settle down a bit. It will be nice to have someone to do this with at home! I think we can be a support to each other.

I got my fitstraps in the mail this week. I plan on using it tomorrow with my resistance bands. You attach it to a door and it allows you to use resistance bands in a variety of ways. It is difficult to describe – the best thing to do is go to the Fitstrap Website  It is really a cool product.  I will give it a review after I use it tomorrow!