10 pounds and counting

I'm down 10 pounds and counting. Had the day off so I spent the day getting lots of walking in and 45 minutes on the treadmill. I'm tired so I'm off to bed.

Who says you can't lose weight over the Holidays

It's been a struggle the last few months...My doctor read me the riot act. My levels have been back up and I was within ten pounds of the weight that I had my heart attack at. Not good. So I started putting some healthy actions in place and making some healthier food choices. I think that the two most important changes were starting light therapy to treat Seasonal Affected Disorder and buying an electronic BMI scale. The light therapy has really helped my mood and I make healthier decisions about food when I'm in a better mood. The scale has made a big difference as I had stopped using my scale when I renovated the bathroom. It got put out of sight, out of mind. The new scale tells me weight, BMI, percent body fat and what caloric intake to maintain my weight. If I stat under that intake I lose weight. The scale I got on Sunday and I have already lost 8 pounds. Getting on the scale every day makes a big difference. This scale is helping to keep me motivated. So the holidays are no longer a barrier to good health. I can do this.

Feeling Better

Two days off work sick. then worked the weekend. Had a day off yesterday and rested up... Went for a bicycle ride and a walk. Ate well. Today I didn't do so well. I ate lunch at work and the options aren't as healthy. I did have a healthy dinner. But overall not one of my better days. Hope tomorrow is better.

Taking a sick day

Part of taking care of me is about being ok taking sick days when I need to. I don't do that well. I love my job and what I do and feel that taking a sick day is letting a lot of people I care about and enjoy working with down. That's delusional. If I'm sick I'm not a lot of help to any one and put others at risk of getting sick. I don't do sick well. I pout and eat usually so that has something to do with my not wanting to stay home. I have been better at that the last few times I've been sick. That's because I don't have any junk food in the house and I don't go out when I'm sick. I isolate and don't want to see anyone. The truth is I don't want people to see me sick. My brain tries to tell me that sick means weak. I know that's not true, but it tries. So today is a sick day. I can just take care of me today.

I had the day off today.

I had the day off today. I've got my annual spring sinus cold. So I took care of myself. Rest, soup. A low key day.

Yeah!!! The weather is changing

We have had a long cold gray winter and I have battled depression and lack of motivation for the last three months. The weather has broken through this past week and I feel like I'm coming back to life. Even with a sinus cold I feel like I have more energy then I have had in months. I'm taking the dog for long walks and I've been out bike riding. I'm getting projects done around the house and hanging laundry in the sun. My eating patterns have improved also. I think that I'll have to look in to getting a light therapy lamp for next winter. I can't afford to not have the energy to do cardio, and take care of me. I have to get the weight off... this is not about vanity... it's about the quality of my life.

Walking is back on track

I'm glad for spring. I'm back to walking to and from work. It takes about an hour so I'm getting a good hour walk before I ever take the dog out for a walk or start my cardio. It's all about adding exercise where I can in my day. It rained on the way home but I was suitable dressed so it wasn't so bad. I ate well today. Oatmeal for breakfast. A fat free homemade soup for lunch and more soup and chicken with mushrooms. for dinner. I'll have some berries with some yogurt as a snack. Not a bad day.

Feeling somewhat better

So I spent the day resting and taking care of myself. Ate healthy and then took the dog for a decent walk late this afternoon. I thought that would be all the cardio I was up to. I felt a little energy early this evening and decided to try the treadmill. Well I surprised myself and did an hour on the treadmill tonight. That feels good.

Day Two of the cold

The cold is still here. My attitude toward it is better. I did well with my eating yesterday and seem to be on track today. I'm going to have a rest and see if I'm up to taking the dog for a long walk. I think the treadmill might be a push today. Oatmeal for breakfast, no sugar,or milk.. I'll have a fat free yogurt for a snack. I have a vegetable soup for lunch. Not sure about dinner.. either chicken or scallops with asparagus and a salad. That's what I'm working on for the day.

Not my best start to a day

I've got a a sinus cold, I think. I went to work and it just got worse, so I'm home. Not the best place for me to be. When I'm sick I eat so... I'm making a pledge. Healthy food today and rest when I can. If I'm feeling better later I'll get on the treadmill for a while. With sinus pain, movement hurts. I am prone to sinus trouble due to my cocaine use over 20 years ago. I've been clean and sober almost 21 years now. I did a lot of damage to myself that the arrogance of youth didn't consider at the time. My heart attack was the result of that arrogance. I ate what I wanted when I wanted and then did coke and exercised by weightlifting and didn't do cardio. I am responsible for the state I am in. The cocaine created a hole in my sinuses that the doctors say, at this point, they won't do anything about. So I get sinus colds a couple of times a year. Today I will just take healthy care of myself.

Starting Fresh

Today I just want to save my Life, by making better choices. I had a heart attack June 1/08 and five by-passes followed. I initially lost 80 lbs. and needed to lose 20 more. Well 40 lbs are back on. I have to do something different. This is the start I hope. I will blog this journey. wish me luck!