One Day at a Time November 15, 2009

Current Goal: 1) Workout Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Gwen of Better Body Sculpting, 2) Continue monitoring my food and feelings, 3) Continue open communication with family, 4) Recognize my accomplishments  

Current Struggle: Letting ‘chores’ slide to put me first.

Current Weight: 164.8 (up 2 pounds from previous Julie weigh-in.)

Current Mood: Invigorated! ****************************************************************

Hello All!  I trust your November is going well.  Mine is flying by…you know how it is…time flys when you are having fun.  I have put myself on the ‘front burner’ so to speak.  It feels great and not so great at the same time.  Great because for the first time in a long time I am putting me first…not so great because the chores that need to be done everyday aren’t getting finished as quickly as before.  However, I have learned that by putting myself first…I like me more.  I like how I feel.  My outlook and attitude has changed for the better.  I find it easier to recognize the stress triggers in my life and cope with them in a more healthful way than before.  Yoga and deep breathing help no matter where you are : )

On November 2nd, I started working out with a personal trainer (Gwen of Better Body Sculpting) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  It is definitely a love/hate relationship.  She doesn’t cut me any slack.  She is definitely from the tough love school–she expects and gets 110% from me.  Even when I don’t think I have one more lift or ten more steps left in me…she gets it.  On the days that I don’t work out with her, I get ‘homework’ assignments of cardio and stretching.  Sunday is my day for rest and family funtime.  We took my measurements at the beginning and will take them again at the end.  I would put them in this blog, but I haven’t gotten a copy from Gwen yet.  I will definitely put them in my next blog between November 16th and 30th.

Speaking of exercise, yesterday we had our last group Forum class, which is sad to think about.  It was an awesome class that combined strength training and cardio by doing a strength exercise for 55 seconds, then going on to the next strength exercise without any rest and working different muscles at each station.  I am feeling it this morning…so I did some yoga stretches.  Hopefully I can get a group to go with me on nonconsecutive Saturdays until our Forum membership is up…if not, I will definitely miss my ‘partners in pain’ : )

Thanks to Gwen, I am back to writing down everything I eat to keep track of my caloric intake (1200).  I also write down every exercise (strength and cardio) to keep track of the calories I expend (350-600).  I was really surprised to find that most days I do not take in enough calories, which is probably why I hit a plateau.  My body was going into starvation mode and holding onto the fat due to insufficient calories.  We will definitely see how this plays out on December 1, 2009.

In the spirit of this holiday month, I would like to express my thanks to the many people who have given to me.  First, to my family and friends…I don’t say it enough-I LOVE YOU!  You are always there when I need someone to listen, when I need a hug or when I need a swift kick.  Second, to WSB (Brandi in particular)…a heartfelt thanks for giving me the opportunity to experience this life transformation and helping me meet my fellow participants.  Third, to Julie, my Emory Dietician…thank you for being my diet guide and my therapist.  You helped me find my way back to my path.

Don’t forget to count your blessings everyday!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!