Back On Track.

So it was bound to happen. I fell off the wagon. After being sick for two weeks, I was craving comfort food and laying around on the sofa. Although I didn't gain any weight, (except for the two pounds I gained in Manhattan) I didn't lose any either. I also spent 2 solid weeks without a single day in the gym. I am now getting back on track but boy, do I feel it.

At my age, I gave up the idea of perfection long ago. I'm not really beating myself up, but I am digging deep to get my resolve and committment back. I know I may trip and fall a few times before this is over, but in the end, I will get there.

Dealing With Disaster

As we watch the devastating images unfolding in Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama, the normal response is to try to help those in such desperate need, and we should attempt to help in any way we can - http://www.redcross.org

We must also remember that any one of us could be the victim of a disaster, whether it be hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or even an act of terrorism, and as we have seen, help can take days to arrive. Every American should have a Mobile Disaster Kit, with supplies to sustain survival until help arrives.

I have compiled two documents, the first is a plan for preparing for a disaster with steps that should be taken during and after, and the second is a list of instructions for assembling a Mobile Disaster Kit. Click the link below to download these documents.
http://www.hoffmansites.com/preparing-for-disaster.htm

Katrina Victims

Our hearts go out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The scenes of devastation on CNN are just incredible, and serve once again, as disasters always do, to remind us of what is really important. Our hope is that assistance comes to the victims as quickly as possible, and that they receive the help they so desperately need.
www.redcross.org

Back From Manhattan

Back from Manhattan, and I did fairly well, considering the awesome food there! I didn't deny myself much, and given the fact that I was there on my anniversary, we indulged in some incredibly great dinners, including the awesome meal we had at Babbo (Malto Mario's Restaurant). Manhattan is a veritable plethora of great food, and as a result, I did gain 2 lbs. back, but no worries, I will diligently work at getting that weight back off.

Manhattan, Here I Come!

We leave for NYC tonight! I am so excited to finally see all the sights I have seen in the "Sex & The City" episodes. If only I had some Manolo Blahnik's to wear........

I weighed myself yesterday, and I have lost a total of 7 1/2 lbs. I know with all the great food in New York, that I am probably going to gain a couple of pounds, but that's ok. I'm prepared for it, and in the end, it's worth it. I will however, keep the portions in control, which will be very hard considering we have reservations at Babbo. I will try to work out a little bit also. I packed a Denise Austin workout DVD, (which I can play on my computer) and a couple of 3 lb. weights. That should keep me going pretty good. Visiting Manhattan is a goal I have had for a very long time, and I plan to live it up!

Reasonable Portions

When Amy came to visit, we had lunch, (twice) at my favorite restaurant, Violet, in Santa Monica. Violet is famous not only for their hip atmosphere and fabulous food, but for serving "small plates", (smaller portions), thus most patrons order several items. I am going there again today, and it got me thinking about the conversation Amy and I had while at lunch. While most people think Violet serves small portions, we actually think they are reasonable portions. America has grown accostomed to having everything "super-sized", to gorging ourselves and not feeling satisfied unless we have to unzip our pants and take a nap after lunch. I have been controlling my portions pretty well the last two weeks, and while I am not depriving myself, I stop eating when I am satisfied, not when I feel so full that I can't move. I seem to have more energy and don't feel nearly as lethargic as I used to. My eating habits are definitely moving more towards quality vs quantity. Bravo to Violet, for serving excellent, healthy food in reasonable portions!
violet web site link

Boredom on the treadmill

or the recumbant bike, or the stairmaster, or the elliptical machine. I have always struggled with boredom while I worked out. I would start great, then it was always the same thing - 5 minutes? That's it? Oh God, I have 25 minutes left! I have tried reading, and I can sometimes, but I always have a hard time concentrating. It occurred to me that I could make much better use of my iPod. I took some upbeat music I had and created a workout playlist, (works just as well with a CD). I normally do 30 straight minutes of cardio, so I made the playlist approx. 30 minutes. I tried it out today and it worked great. I placed my towel over the display showing the minutes, just played the tracks, and when they were over, I was done. The upbeat music kept me going and made the time go by much faster.

My track list (32 min.) :
Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?
Pink - Get The Party Started
Madonna - Ray Of Light
Berlin - No More Words
Berlin - Metro
Blondie - Dreaming
Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone
Blondie - Atomic
Blondie - One Way Or Another

Healthy Recipes

OK, Amy threw down the gauntlet with her praise of my "mad skills" cooking, so I thought I better post some recipes. Click on the links in the side section. There are currently just a handful of recipes, but more is coming! Thanks Amy! By the way, Amy has "mad skills" when it comes to motivation!

One week and doing great!

It's only been a week, but I am doing great. I have followed my 1300 calorie diet for 6 days, and had a small treat on the last day, (I have given myself permission for this). I feel much better already, and I am working out 6 days a week, (both cardio and weights). I know you are not supposed to weigh yourself for a month, but I cheated and weighed myself anyway. I lost 2 lbs.!!!

We're going to do it!

On July 24, 2005 we made it official. We both pledged to lose all the weight we had gained. Both of us, in the not so recent past, had been thin. I had actually been very thin. At 5'8" and 110 lbs. for most of my life, I had a metabolism that most women would kill for. Unfortunately, because of this, I ate whatever junk food was put in front of me, and rarely exercised. Then, I had the intense misfortune of going through premature menopause. I went from a trim 120 lbs. to 168.5 lbs. in one year. To deal with the intense hot flashes, mood swings and sleeplessness, I took hormones, which caused me to gain weight. But I can't place all the blame on the hormones. It did not help that I comforted myself with chocolate desserts, potato chips, fatty dinners and two Starbucks caramel macchiatos a day!

Now, I have to completely change the way I think about food. I have to eat for health, not comfort. I have to exercise 6 days a week, (and really WORK at it!). I have to be more disciplined than I have ever been in my whole life. Thankfully, Amy is doing this with me.