tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57839101449654856292024-03-07T21:07:52.482-08:00Lighten Up with ChristyChristy Bielek of Mentor participated in Lighten Up in 2013, but said she wanted to come back to finish what she started in 2014. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-38921276187581959742014-04-05T14:35:00.001-07:002014-04-05T14:35:10.271-07:00w/o 3/30<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Well, not happy with the weighin last weekend. But time marches on. Will try to make some adjustments this month with food and exercise to see if I can get the metabolism jumped. Got the "Sugar Smart Diet" book. Going to see of there's anything there that will help me adjust somewhere.<br><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-48168344028972710072014-03-30T07:18:00.001-07:002014-03-30T07:18:09.660-07:00w/o 2/30 (new month of blogs)<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Starting out this month at the same place I did last month. No loss-no gain. I just hope that all the workouts that I did gained a lot of muscle because I sure didn't lose any fat!!! I think at the next weigh in I will ask for measurements - I need to see some kind of progress somewhere. This month was not good for me mentally anyway as I just couldn't get in the mode I needed to be in. Got the workouts going better but I'm not sure I'm there yet - and this weigh-in DID NOT HELP in any positive way. So I really need to reset myself somewhere and get going on a positive note - maybe will see some changes in the right direction. I think I am also going to rethink my diet and try something different this month. Not sure what yet, but something.<br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-60775301845383079632014-03-29T05:39:00.001-07:002014-03-29T05:39:14.584-07:00w/o 3/24<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">We went on a short trip to NC this past weekend. Oh my - the eating patterns went off track!!!! Of course, we had some Carolina 'cue and some grits&ham but for the most part I tried really hard to stick to my program. And sitting in the car for 10 hrs. each way didn't help. I managed to get in an extra workout this week - I hoped that helped the dormency I experienced on the trip. Also brought back a bag of some of my most favorite bakery from there. But the good thing (if there is any about bakery food) is that each roll is prepacked and can go in the freezer. When I want to cheat (or splurge) I will take only one piece out at a time and make it last a couple days. I'm glad I did bring this stuff back because I found out a couple of days after we got home that my daughter is being transferred from NC to Ohio and I won't have another chance to get those yummy treats anymore. Everything happens f<span class="tab"><span class="tab"></span></span>or a reason, right?? LOL<br><br>Weigh ins this weekend <img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo37.gif" alt="*:-S worried">. Not sure if I will be happy or not. My scale at home only shows a couple pounds lost; hope "Big Red" treats me better. We'll see. Good Luck to all - hope you are all happy with the results today!!<br><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-321026570293019022014-03-29T05:25:00.001-07:002014-03-29T05:25:30.773-07:00w/o 3-16<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Not much to report on this week. Just following my regimen of going to the gym, getting better at time on the treadmill and doing interval jogging. I don't want to become a hard core runner, but at a slower pace I think I can handle become a "casual jogger". Not so sure that I am reaping the same benefits of working out on equipment as I did from all boot camps last year, but this is a good test as to which form of working out benefits me more. I know it all helps, but maybe one is better than the other for me.<br><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-55708398529488343532014-03-15T06:49:00.001-07:002014-03-15T06:49:55.744-07:00w/o 3-9<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">So to follow up on w/o 3-2 post, I have found that I am also much more fatigued at the end of my work day. When I get off at 2PM, all I want to do is go home and crash for a couple of hours. I did do that a couple of times, but I really needed to on those days as I did not feel well ( start of a cold or flu). But on that note, I know that doing that those couple days really helped me because I never got into the full blown cold. And I owe that to being healthier than I was in the past; taking better care of myself physically. Most days when I leave work, I try to find other things like errands to run or some needed chores to do right when I walk in the done. If I sit down, I'm done. Maybe my inner self is just tired of winter; maybe my inner self is just begging for nice weather and until it comes I just have to struggle with this slump. How do I kick start myself to ramp it up a bit and get this body to metabolize more and not be so tired?? <span class="tab"> <br><br>Next weekend we will be going to N.C. for a few days - I am so looking forward to some warmer weather and different surroundings for a while - maybe that little escape will re-motivate me and I can have a fresh perspective on this Lighten Up journey.<br><br>BTW _ I STILL HATE USING VITABOT!!!!! <br></span><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-34809160133222575582014-03-15T06:34:00.001-07:002014-03-15T06:34:06.348-07:00w/o 3-2<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>I owe this blog for the above week as I was so busy between work, some pressing family issues and just a lot of " brain junk" taking up my time. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I am truly struggling with this program this year. Yeah, I lost 8 lbs. the first month but I just can't get my brain wrapped around what I need to do to be fully committed this time around. Trust me, I am not happy with my weight where it is. I have a goal weight I want to get to but I just can't figure out what motivates me this time. I'm working out (although not as much as I did last year, but AT LEAST twice a week at the gym), I'm working at least 32+ hours a week this time. Last year I was not working. I am trying to stay aware of everything I eat. What do I need to do??? At work I am on my feet the entire shift and so I am in motion a good part of my shift. No snacking there; nope - I have no problem saying "no" to myself when looking at candy, donuts, snack foods, pizza, sodas, sandwiches and the list goes on. I know the damage that stuff can do to me. I really need to dig deep this time but where????<br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-5444476875936402712014-03-03T03:56:00.001-08:002014-03-03T03:56:26.968-08:00w/o 2-23<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Weigh in was good. I'm happy with the 8 lbs. I know what I did last month as far as eating and exercise, so now I have a baseline and goals to meet each month to keep moving in the right direction. I did get a boot camp class in this week - boy did it feel great to be back there!!! Even though Jess isn't around on a regular basis, I am going to go on Sat. a.m. to Andrea's class anyway. Like Jess's class better but hey, exercise is what it's all about regardless of the trainer.<br>Had a 6 mos. check in with my MD this week and I was also pleased with that visit. Blood pressure way down, of course weight coming down and everything else was great!!! <br>If I keep on track with weight loss, he will take me off my BP med., and also the 1/2 dose of cholesterol meds. that he already cut down last year. Then I will be med. free (except for vitamins and supplements). That is a big accomplishment for me because I have been on those meds, plus others, for so long!!!!<br><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-5728262118638446182014-02-22T08:20:00.001-08:002014-02-22T08:20:23.939-08:00w/o2/17<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Slow start to this year's program. Really want to get my head wrapped around this but am not finding the excitement like I had last year. And I really dislike this Vitabot program. Finding it hard to navigate and get info. Someone needs to go thru all the searches and look for duplicate entries. I tried searching for protein powder and there must be at least 1000 entries - and a lot of them are exactly the same. VERY VERY AGGRAVATING. So, to make it quicker for me, I had to enter my own "custom" item. And, in order to use the phone app, it seems I have to request it every time I go on the program. Using "my Fitness Pal" last year was so much better. And last year I was able to do almost all my entries from my phone so I could do it right when I was having a meal. Maybe I am doing something wrong here, but I probably will only get the required 10 entries in for Vitabot; otherwise I'm sticking to the other app for my own purposes.<br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-38283979518831270562014-02-14T20:52:00.001-08:002014-02-14T20:52:15.837-08:00w/o2-9-14<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Not a very good week for me. Sick with the flu/cold - came out of nowhere. Because of that my appetite has not been normal...don't feel like eating much except fruit, tea water, water, water. I am so dried up from cold meds. On a good note though, I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Aladdin's. I actually found that I LOVE their Baba - great with cukes and red peppers. So I am plugging along trying to get some continuity with diet/exercise. Next weigh in will definitely be interesting!!</div><div>This Vitabot thing is another subject. If I take a multivitamin everyday, then why should I care if the vitamins and minerals that are included in the dose I take come up as an "F" on my mealplan? I'm more concerned about the top part of the nutrition labels than I am about all that other stuff; I will fail most of the time on those items. Oh well - goes with the program I guess. I'll stick with what I know from using My Fitness Pal from last year. That program was much easier to use and gave me all the info I needed to know. For me, Vitabot is overkill.</div><div>I can't wait for winter to end - I'm tired of being stuck inside all the time - NEED FRESH AIR!!!<br></div><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02206802329852011040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-3857077399729892202014-02-01T14:02:00.001-08:002014-02-01T14:02:43.611-08:00week 2<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Got to get back on the work out train!! Finding it hard to get on a workout schedule again after missing @ 6 weeks after Jessica stopped doing her weekday bootcamps at Lean Living. I am much better at going to workouts somewhere than trying to do it on my own - ( you know there a a thousand reasons why I can't find time at home :>:>none of them have any validity). However, the good news is that I have someone lined up to help me "train" so hopefully this person will be the motivator I need now. Also got the Vitabot going. Not sure that I like this program yet since I used MyFitnessPal previously. I know Vitabot has a lot more info to share but the ease of getting started is very time-consuming. Will go with it though since it's required this time. Forge ahead!!<br><div><br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-81697788875878706432014-01-25T15:22:00.001-08:002014-01-25T15:22:51.920-08:00<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>One week gone by. Scale is not important to me until I begin my new workout plan and the new FitBot program. Looking forward to a new start this year with as good, if not a better ending, than last year. Thank You Laura Kessel.<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-19581142145876757302013-07-14T10:37:00.001-07:002013-07-14T10:37:37.886-07:00w/e 7-13<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>The end is close at hand!! The end of 6 mos. of Lighten Up. But that does not, by any way, mean that I am ending my weight loss journey!!!! I am so very close to my 1/2 way point to my desired goal weight. I have this!! I will, by the start of Lighten Up next year, either be all the way down to my goal weight OR be at least within 5-10 lbs. of it. Boot camp is in my daily routine now; healthier eating is the norm; being more aware of my overall health is paramount. Lighten Up has been a well read chapter in my book of life and there will be many good lessons learned and remembered when this chapter has ended. I am so thankful that I chose to participate in this program and I am also proud of myself for sticking with it and achieving what I have. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">To all who participated: I hope you all had a memorable experience with Lighten Up and I also hope that even if you didn't achieve what you wanted to, don't give up. Your goals, no matter whether it's the weight loss or something else, ARE attainable. With a little perseverance<span id="misspell-0" class=""></span>, want and hard work, those goals can be met. I am an "in progress" example!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-74935044318126427622013-06-29T07:57:00.001-07:002013-06-29T07:57:07.607-07:00w/e 6-29-13<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>This last week was an awesome week!!! Had a great weigh-in, left Friday a.m. to come down to NC to my daughter's house, work was interesting but good; all in all - awesome! </div><div> </div><div>I am now under 200 lbs and am only 4 lbs. away from 1/2 way to my goal. I never thought I could do this - I have never been able to get past 10-12 lbs. on my own. So I am so thankful, happy, blessed to have been able to participate in this program. What makes it even better is that my daughter, who has not my seen me since last Thanksgiving, noticed right away!! YAY..... all the hard work is showing!! </div><div> </div><div>Thank You Laura Kessel for offering this opportunity!! For those who have not yet made the progress you were looking for - Please - do not give up!! Stay positive, keep at it and results will happen. I speak from what I have experienced myself. It's tough some days, but pays off in the end. Here's to a good "last month" of the Lighten-Up for everyone who is still in - Let's all give it one last big HOO-AH !! Have a GREAT 4th of July!</div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-88061370902421085772013-06-15T15:34:00.001-07:002013-06-15T15:34:08.202-07:00w/e 6-15-13<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>OK- Sorry Laura for missing the last couple weeks. Time is flying by and when I think about blogging - I'm nowhere close to the computer and then I forget when I am near one.</div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">The last couple weeks have been good except that I had to miss a couple of boot camps due to other pressing issues ( what could be more important??> LOL) but the extra challenges on off days keep me in line. The next couple weeks will be busier than previous because my grandsons will be visiting!! So excited and happy!! Will still do my very best to keep up my Lighten Up regimen.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I just want to thank Laura for the very nice article in the N-H !! Many friends and family saw the article and many of them had no idea I was doing this. They were very surprised AND supportive. And when I look at that pic from the start of Lighten-Up, I can really see the change in my face - and Marie's!! Our hard work is showing!! <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Hope all you dads out there have a very Happy Father's Day!!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-494594316671096742013-05-28T21:11:00.001-07:002013-05-28T21:11:04.302-07:00w/o 5-26<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Still doing boot camp 2 or 3 times a week; trying to stay on track with eating; BUT STRUGGLING with weight loss. Only 2 lbs down since last weigh in. Needless to say, I'm not the happiest but as long as the scale is going down, I guess that's the best part. I just need something to get me excited again but not sure what is that will do the trick <img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo4.gif" alt="*:-/ confused"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo11.gif" alt="*~X( at wits' end"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo28.gif" alt="*:-? thinking"> . IN A RUT!!!<br><div><br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-56130299292091653822013-05-15T18:39:00.001-07:002013-05-15T18:39:30.366-07:00w/0 5-12<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>This has been a rough week. Finding it really hard to stick to my calorie goal all week. And my knee is really stifling my workout regimen. Somehow I need to get myself refocused and get back in the groove of things. Not giving up on the working out but do need to figure how to stay committed to the eating portion of it. <br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-78196164943948260622013-05-06T05:54:00.001-07:002013-05-06T05:54:45.200-07:00w/o 5-5<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Shame on me!! I missed a week of blogging!! Sorry Laura - the nice weather afforded me the chance to get outside and do a lot of spring cleanup in the yard and around the house. As much as I hate cleaning of any type, my mind was overcome with CLEANING UP <img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo65.gif" alt="*:puke! puke">. But, good news is that I got a lot done so the little bit that's left I can do over time. I hope that the reward for all that hard work last week is that it will show on the scale. No time for worrying about eating or sitting about. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">One setback for me though is that I am having a lot of discomfort with my knees. My ability to really give my "all" to boot camp has been seriously compromised for the last month or so. Have an appointment with the ortho doc tomorrow. I hope he can figure out what I need to do to get some relief. Boot camp has been my main motivator to keep working out and I DO NOT want to have any interference with that part of my weight loss progress. Jess has been awesome with modifying some of the things we do so that I can still move but I have to be able to have a good, hard, physical workout regimen to work off these pounds. I'm not sure what my progress will be in the future if I can't rebound!!!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I wanted to walk at Girdled Road on Sunday, but after this past week's boot camp and working in the yard, I just couldn't do it. As it was, Alleve did not give me much, if any, relief. Not an excuse, but when the reality of pain sets in, I can only do so much before I have to give the joints a rest.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Otherwise, the eating regimen is going well. I thank goodness everyday that I have Myfitnesspal to keep me on track! Besides boot camp, this has been a wonderful tool to help me keep tabs on my food intake. It's amazing how may calories I was consuming before I started Lighten-Up...........I thought I was eating somewhat healthy but I was way off base with that thinking!!!!!! What was I thinking???? Anyway, I now have a better grasp on my diet and I know that will be an ongoing asset for me even if I can't do as much physically for a while.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Enjoy the week - warm weather still ahead - a great motivator to get up and out when possible!!!!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-376105413312687342013-04-20T20:08:00.001-07:002013-04-20T20:08:06.197-07:00w/o 4-14<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Busy week over with!! Was able to get in my 3 bootcamps this past week but my eating suffered a little at week end. I guess that I have been diligent enough so far that a day of off limit food choices is not too bad since I got right back on track the next day. And amazingly enough, I really don't feel guilty about the contraband food I ate, but more conscious of the need to get right back in the saddle of healthy eating right away. So I really feel I am in better control of my diet than I ever have been before! That being said, I am more confident that I can stay with this new healthy routine long after Lighten Up is over with. It's all about self control and being OK with yourself if you wander off the path a little and then knowing that it's just a small step away to get back on the path again. Just can't wander off that path too often or too far!!!</div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I have a small wager with my military daughter as to who can lose the most percentage of weight by the end of June. This will keep me motivated also. She has knee problems and has had a hard time keeping up with her PT , so she wants to lose some weight also. I think we both want the $100 bucks enough to put some effort into this competition!! I know there's nothing more she would like than to get that money from a bet with her Mom! So I have to try really hard to make her EARN that money - if she can beat me:></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I have another busy week ahead of me so there will not be much down time to get into any trouble - good for me.<br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-84989857173468526362013-04-15T06:06:00.001-07:002013-04-15T06:06:28.240-07:00w/o4-7<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Wow! This past week FLEW by! Started a new job and last week was my first full week and I was so focused on learning that , oh my, where did last week go?? <img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo28.gif" alt="*:-? thinking"><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">So now, with this new job, I work on Saturdays and because of that, I miss out on Sat. A.M. boot camp <img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo37.gif" alt="*:-S worried"> I'll have to get an extra workout in on my own to make up for that. I'm pretty happy with my progress so far and work or no work, I am not going to slack up on this. Timing and scheduling is going to be a bit challenging but I will make time for that much needed extra exercise. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Eating this past week has been a little challenging also. Found myself wanting to nibble on things I really shouldn't - like a Snickers bite!! Had 2 but could have eaten 1/2 the bag!!!! But I stopped myself and put the lid on the candy jar (reluctantly I might add) and walked away. I felt just a bit guilty and then I reminded myself that I have been soooo good at eating healthy thus far - this one treat won't be the big bust in my eating habits now - I just need to be strong and walk away!!!! Which I did!!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Saw an ad for the Johnnycake Jog walk and run in the paper - am contemplating doing the 5K walk. Maybe??????</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">This weeks mantra - "Keep on keepin' on". HAVE A GOOD WEEK EVERYONE!!!!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-75814161363282043652013-04-06T06:32:00.001-07:002013-04-06T06:32:22.680-07:00w/o 3-31<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>OMG!!!! I almost forgot to post for this week!!! Glad I remembered today!!</div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Good Luck to all who are weighing in today! I know the anticipation of getting on that scale is a love/hate feeling, but it's what we all need to either get or stay motivated to continue on this journey!! I had to weigh in on Tuesday and I walked out of there much happier with my results from this past month!! So, staying mindful of what I did to make this weigh in successful, I vow to continue thru April with the same path of healthy diet and as much exercise as I can fit in to my daily schedule.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">That being said, come on Spring!! I have found that doing my walking outside is so much more enjoyable and actually refreshing! And, not being on a treadmill that sort of forces me to keep a regular, even pace makes a difference in the effort that I put into walking. It's so much easier to change my pace to get the extra burn and when I have my buds in, the music always challenges my pace too! Not that it doesn't on the machine, but if I want to add a little extra bounce and dance shaking to my walk, I feel much safer doing it on my own than on the treadmill when I don't have to worry about pushing all those buttons!! <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I am so thankful for the MYFITNESSPAL app on my phone. I have been so much more diligent about recording my daily food intake than I ever was when I kept track on paper (which basically didn't happen after the first couple of days). And the app is way more user friendly than the VITABOT program. With this app I have been able to really pay attention to what I'm consuming and I really know now what my portion sizes should be to stay within my self-imposed calorie range for the day. And my food choices are so much better than they were before.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">As we move on into our third month, I am quite sure that this will be another good month. Stay positive and focused and good things will happen for all of us!!!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-14714513559577388792013-03-25T10:25:00.001-07:002013-03-25T10:25:24.574-07:00w/o 3-24<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Today I have my second assessment at the GHD and am positive that I have made progress this last month!!!</div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">With Easter weekend on the horizon, I am now feeling that I can absolutely forget all the "bad" food and stick with a healthy and lean menu to indulge in. I don't know if anyone else has had any changes in food cravings with a healthy modified diet, but I know that I do not crave sweets like I did before this program (which is a GOOD THING!!!). We have had some things come into the house that normally in the past I would have nibbled on constantly til it was gone but that is not the case now. I can let someone else to that "dirty job" ;> I do have some nights that I am too restless to go to sleep when I should, but when I finally do, I sleep much better than I did before. Those are the two most positive benefits that I have noticed this month.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Exercising on a daily basis has been the biggest asset to making this work. I say now that I will keep up an exercise routine once this challenge is done. And as of now I am going to try my best to make it work to that end!! The experts don't lie about having some type of fitness regime scheduled into your day. I just chose to ignore that advice before now. Not happening anymore!!! It's worked into the day and will stay there as long as the body co-operates!!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Have a wonderful Easter weekend - and pray that a warm-up is around the corner. I am going to take the advice that I saw in a magazine article - when the weather is warm enough to do so, I am taking my exercise ball and weights along with my tablet and do my workout video outside!!! Fresh Air should be really motivating along with the sunshine and birds singing!!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-28656424470937730942013-03-18T08:04:00.001-07:002013-03-18T08:04:04.615-07:00w/o 3-17<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>I hope everyone had a Happy St. Patrick's Day and were able to stay on track with your own individual program. I L-O-V-E corned beef and also Irish soda bread so this was especially challenging for me to be reasonable with the portion control!!!! I did OK (went a bit over my calorie allotment for the day - actually for the weekend) but I figure some extra workout and walking will take care of it. I tried to keep in the back of my mind that my progress so far has been kinda hard to get to so I didn't want to impede the process by knowingly indulging in too much of the "bad stuff".</div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I really felt the absence of Jess this week. I have become so used to the routine of bootcamp that even just missing one day made a difference in how I felt this past week. Back to it this week though, thank heavens!! I now know that when this is over, I will definitely have a good schedule in place to continue with exercise and I am sure I will be able to maintain as I go forward. And by then the improved eating habits should be well into place. Therefore, I will have no excuse for not continuing a healthier and more active lifestyle down the road!!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I am so very thankful that I have taken this challenge<img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo1.gif" alt="*:) happy"> I have been given a chance to change my health for the better and also along with that change comes a better attitude in general. I feel so much more positive about other aspects of my life and I find that I can think clearer about different life events that come my way. I am confident that when the big "60" day comes (very soon at that), I will feel nothing but renewed and ready to age in a healthier and more positive way.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Hope everyone has a wonderful, fulfilling week!! Stay focused and be positive comrades!!<br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-38360928066399016272013-03-11T09:01:00.001-07:002013-03-11T09:01:59.180-07:00w/o 3-10<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Last week was a really good week for me. Worked out every day for at least an hour or more and was able to stay in my calorie range EVERY DAY!! And the scale co-operated with all the work effort! My scale told me I Have lost 6 lbs since the last weighin. Now, I hope that the Lean Living scale is in agreement when the time comes!! <br><br>Cabanas continues to be one of my favorite parts of the week. Have yet to be disappointed with my meals. <br><br>The nice weather this past weekend was the invitation I needed to get outside and do some fresh air activity - and I enjoyed every second of it. Just a teaser for what is just around the corner.<br><br>Hope this week is a great one for everybody! Keep on keepin' on and the results will show. They have for me!! YAY!!<br><div><br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-42518225527083407272013-03-03T07:57:00.001-08:002013-03-03T07:57:48.576-08:00w/o 3-3<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Just a little off this week. Hurt my knee during workout Tuesday morning but by Saturday it was almost back to normal. However, I did the best I could at all the classes and I know it's paying off; I can definitely feel and see changes happening. I started using <span id="misspell-0" class="mark">MyFitnessPal</span> also and am finding it much easier to navigate <span id="misspell-1" class="mark">thru</span> it rather than the <span id="misspell-2" class="mark">VitaBot</span> program. It's much more user friendly and less time consuming.<br><br>I was also able to get my equipment training completed at the Mentor Senior Center, so now I have the workout room there available also. I will be working out there on my days off from <span id="misspell-3" class="mark">bootcamp</span> until the weather gets a bit warmer and then I'll take my walking outside. <br><br>The dinners at Cabanas are AWESOME! I am so happy that Jamie and Mike were able to put this wonderful perk together for us!! It's a nice time to get out, meet some of my fellow Lighten-Uppers, and see that wonderful meals can be had -- just need to be more vigilant of looking at menu options and ASK if changes can be made to menu offerings to suit diet needs. I have found that most places will accommodate special requests (within reason). I am also finding new flavor combos that I can replicate at home with my own cooking and that certainly helps make meals more interesting and more fun to experiment with. Not so sure my spouse will agree with that, but he is being a good sport in that he tries to eat whatever I fix for my dietary needs which means I don't have to cook separate meals for each of us - <span id="misspell-4" class="mark">YAY</span>!! Anyway, he can actually benefit from the new way of eating - he really needs this change too!!!!<br><br>So - a new month - a new week and new challenges to take on! Let's hope this will be a good month for all of us. Keep working hard and stay positive.... I'm cheering for everyone to keep going and have success<img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo49.gif" alt="*=D&gt; applause"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo49.gif" alt="*=D&gt; applause"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo49.gif" alt="*=D&gt; applause"> BTW - HAPPY ST. PAT'S DAY TO EVERYONE.<br></div> <div><br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783910144965485629.post-83771451761278911962013-02-24T13:29:00.001-08:002013-02-24T13:29:20.259-08:00w/o 2-24<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:lucida console, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Well, The first official weigh-in over. And let me say, I am NOT HAPPY with my loss. I really felt that with all the work outs and change in eating habits that there would be a significantly bigger number than 5 lbs. lost. My only hope now is that when I go this week for the assessment that there will be some changes in those numbers to make up for the disappointing scale number. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: lucida console,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: lucida console,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I WILL NOT give up however, as I can definitely feel a difference in some of my clothes. And the mirror still reflects a lot of unfit and unhealthy that I still need to work hard to correct. Sooooo....that being said I will still see Jessie 3 times a week and continue with my water workouts every week and continue to work on my cardio at home. I hope all of you that were a little disappointed with your scale numbers will not give up either. We're all in this together and WE CAN DO THIS!!!!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: lucida console,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: lucida console,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">I am waiting and hoping that the weather will start to warm up a little very soon. I really want to get out on my bike and do more outside walking rather than indoors and/or on a machine. I feel like I get much more benefit from being outdoors rather than in. COME ON MOTHER NATURE - LETS GET IT GOING SOON!!<br></div></div>Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0