Halloween Challenge Update: Candy Crush!!!

2 Comments
A successful night. I didn't eat any candy and all leftovers ended up in the trash (not in my belly). An awesome night.

A successful night. I didn’t eat any candy and all leftovers ended up in the trash (not in my belly). An awesome night.

Success! Not only did I avoid eating any candy last night, I easily tossed all the left overs into the trash.

I admit that I got nervous since we had fewer Trick-or-Treaters than last year. For some reason I started thinking about how I didn’t want to waste the candy. But that thought quickly came and went.

When we closed our door and turned off our porch light, I simply took the candy to the trash and dumped it.

This morning I’m off to weigh in. Regardless of what that scale says, I feel great and very much in control.

No Candy Challenge Tonight!

3 Comments
What I'm handing out to the little ghosts and goblins tonight. My challenge tonight: Not to eat any of it and toss out what's left over.

What I’m handing out to the little ghosts and goblins tonight. My challenge: Not to eat any of it and toss out what’s left over. A big challenge, as Kit Kats and Peanut Butter Cups are my favorites.

Tonight’s test: No Halloween candy! Yep, I’m going candy-free tonight. Past Halloweens, I’d set aside a few “fun size” treats for myself. I gave myself permission to eat a few, thinking I won’t binge later. Ha!

Sure, I didn’t binge, but I always ate more than I set aside for myself. Also it made it harder to toss out any left over candy…I mean, why toss it out if I can “handle” it, right?

What was I thinking? I’ll tell you what: I’ll set aside a few pieces of candy so I won’t feel deprived. But seriously, if I feel deprived by not eating 5 (6, 7, 12) pieces of candy, then I’m living a very sad life. Read More

What The Heck Is Ketosis & Why Should I Care?

2 Comments
No trace of ketones...not surprising after my anniversary weekend. But now it's time to become a fat-burning machine.

No trace of ketones…not surprising after my anniversary weekend. But now it’s time to become a fat-burning machine.

When starting my low carb diet more than 2 years ago, I kept hearing about “being in ketosis.” I tried reading up on ketosis, but for some reason my brain just translated all the info as blah blah blah. Instead, I focused my attention on just trying to eat right, thinking I’d learn more about this mystery topic later on.

Well, for the last couple of months, my weight’s bounced back and forth between 203 and 210. Frustrated, I decided to reach out to a few folks I know who eat low carb. Sure enough, all of them asked me if I was in ketosis.

Crap! I thought. I guess “later on” means now.

I picked up some Ketostix at the pharmacy to measure my ketone production. Oh great, so now I need to pee on a stick in the morning! Read More

Remembering To Take My Vitamins Everyday

Leave a comment
Out of the cupboard! To help me remember to take my daily vitamins, I keep them in plain site - next to the fridge and food scale.

Out of the cupboard! To help me remember to take my daily vitamins, I keep them in plain sight – next to the fridge and food scale.

Taking my vitamins everyday is a lot easier said than done. I want to take my vitamins, but its like my brain doesn’t have any more room to remember this one little thing. Ugh! All of the vitamins and supplements I take are on doctor’s orders. So it’s not like skipping them is no big deal.

Just What Am I (Allegedly) Taking? Read More

Weight Loss Bucket List: 25 Gorgeous Hikes

Leave a comment
I kicked off my 2014 fatpacking season at Raven Rocks. Here I'm resting after climbing 1530 ft to the top of the 2nd climb at Raven Rocks.

I love day hikes and backpacking. Unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to do much of it this year. The 25 hikes listed in Women’s Health need to go on my weight loss bucket list.

Women’s Health Magazine listed 25 Gorgeous Hikes that you have to do in your lifetime.  Looking at the list, I’m sad to say that I’ve only done one of these hikes — Arizona’s Tonto Natural Bridge Park (Waterfall Trail). Well, one down and 24 to go.  West Virginia’s Raven Rock Trail is nearby.  Perhaps it’s something the hubby and I can try this fall.

Anyway, the list is a nice little bucket list for you avid hikers out there.

Time To Tackle My Belly Fat: New 30-Day Challenge Is Here!

5 Comments
September brings a new 30-Day Challenge. This time I'm zeroing in on my belly fat with a month long focus on my abs.

September brings a new 30-Day Challenge. This time I’m zeroing in on my belly fat with a month-long focus on my abs.

I wrapped up my 30-Day Flabby Arm Challenge at the end of August and now I’m on to my next monthly challenge. The loose skin around my belly is still upsetting me so I decided that September is the month to work on my abs.

The 30-Day Abs Challenge calls for sit ups, crunches, leg raises and the dreaded plank. I’m really excited about this challenge, as the plank is one of my least favorite exercises. I’ve avoided the position as much as possible.

However, with all the upper bodywork I’ve done, I expect to do OK. I’m on Day 3 of the challenge and my plank has held up nicely. Of course I don’t expect this to last. Holding a plank for 15 seconds is much different from holding the position for 1 minute (or 2 minutes by the end of the challenge).

This should make my trainer happy as she loves crunches, sit-ups and leg raises. I normally do 30-45 of each during our sessions. So I’m really expecting the challenge to get tough by Day 9.

If you’re interested in doing this or other 30-Day Challenges, check out 30-Day Fitness Challenges. There you’ll find arm, leg, core and strength challenges, plus video showing you how to properly do the exercises.

How The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Started

2 Comments

Not my usual type of post, but the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a true phenom. You may have heard of ALS by its other name, Lou Gehrig’s disease. But how did it start? ESPN did a great feature on a very brave guy — Pete Frates.

If you can’t do the challenge, you can donate here.

Updating My Weight Loss Goals

1 Comment
weight loss goal, nutrition goal, fitness goals, weekly weight loss goals

Image courtesy of chanpipat and FreeDigitalPhoto.net.

I needed to update my goals with an eye toward overall health and happiness. Sure weight loss is my main focus, but I’m in a completely different place mentally. It was time to I add some goals related to wellness and everyday beauty.

I’ve also experienced a shift in thinking when it comes to exercise. Overall fitness is way more important to me now. No need to set goals related to the number of days or hours for working out. Exercise is one habit that comes automatically. I want to focus on getting stronger and transforming my body.

Read More

4 Weeks Until I Run My First 5K

2 Comments
My problem Achilles tendon is rearing it's ugly head again. This morning the right side of my ankle is swollen and can't bear any weight. Time for a little R&R to avoid a possible tear.

I run my first 5K in 4 weeks. Unfortunately, my problem Achilles tendon is slowing down my 5K training. It’s feeling better lately and tomorrow I see just how far I can run without stopping.

Time is flying by. I looked at the calendar today and realized I only have 4 weeks left to train for my upcoming 5k. Holy cow! I’m starting to sweat it because I haven’t been consistent in my training.

For the last two months I’ve experienced a flare up with my Achilles’ tendon. It hurts the most in the mornings. After an hour of stretching and light walking I’m much more mobile. But I do have days where no matter the amount of stretching the blasted tendon hurts all day.

About a month ago it started hurting right after my runs. So I decided to go light on the running, just to play it safe. The last thing I want to do is rupture my Achilles. Read More

Dot’s Fabulous Weight Loss Bucket List

Leave a comment
Yes, parasailing is on my weight loss bucket list. Why do I want to do this? Why not!?! Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman and FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Yes, parasailing is on my weight loss bucket list. Why do I want to do this? Why not!?! Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman and FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

During my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday, we started talking about the idea of putting together a weight loss bucket list — a list of things you always wanted to try to help you lose weight.

I’ve been thinking about putting together my own (not so) little list for the last few months. However, mine isn’t just about weight loss…it’s about confidence. You see there are things I’ve always wanted to try but never found the courage to do because of my size.

I can’t believe that I let my weight stop me from really enjoying life. Read More