I have been struggling lately with where a line should be drawn. I feel like society puts too much emphasis on what a "normal" woman should look like but at the same time I am trying to be healthy. On Monday I went for my health assessment to set up gym reimbursement. My BP, cholesterol, HR, blood sugar and triglycerides are all within a healthy range but I'm still considered an overweight, obese woman. The only numbers that were out of range were my weight and BMI. Regardless of the numbers, I like running. The gym membership gives me a climate controlled environment almost around the clock, now that I don't have a treadmill at home. The weights and classes are nice too. This week I am making a commitment to myself to recommit. This isn't really a victory yet but it's setting myself up for victory, which is a win. I'm making a meal plan and scheduling my gym time.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
Moving forward...again
Well, tons has happened since my last post.
I graduated nursing school in December of 2013, yay!
I started working at the local county hospital in the NICU, which I love!
...and yesterday, I joined the gym
One of the awesome benefits I have with my new place of employment, is gym membership reimbursement. It's not 100% but they will reimburse 50%, up to $15 a month. My membership is $30 a month, as long as I go use the gym three times a week, it's half paid for by work. I'm pretty excited about this feature of my job but more than anything I am ready to get back to making my health a priority, again.
I keep telling myself I will start logging my food, and blogging my thoughts and regularly running again but it doesn't happen for more than a few days. This is my new commitment. I joined the gym and I signed a two-year contract. I wish I had an accountabilibuddy to go with me, but for now I will drag my butt to the gym and enjoy the "me" time.
Today, at 1400 I will have my health assessment with a trainer. I'm a little nervous about it but I know it is a necessary step towards making progress. I love to have a starting point so that I can see results when I do move forward. I have my millions of "before and after" photos and I guess it is time to start again.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
I graduated nursing school in December of 2013, yay!
I started working at the local county hospital in the NICU, which I love!
...and yesterday, I joined the gym
One of the awesome benefits I have with my new place of employment, is gym membership reimbursement. It's not 100% but they will reimburse 50%, up to $15 a month. My membership is $30 a month, as long as I go use the gym three times a week, it's half paid for by work. I'm pretty excited about this feature of my job but more than anything I am ready to get back to making my health a priority, again.
I keep telling myself I will start logging my food, and blogging my thoughts and regularly running again but it doesn't happen for more than a few days. This is my new commitment. I joined the gym and I signed a two-year contract. I wish I had an accountabilibuddy to go with me, but for now I will drag my butt to the gym and enjoy the "me" time.
Today, at 1400 I will have my health assessment with a trainer. I'm a little nervous about it but I know it is a necessary step towards making progress. I love to have a starting point so that I can see results when I do move forward. I have my millions of "before and after" photos and I guess it is time to start again.
My little victory today is fresh starts. Kids started school again last week and the weather forecast is looking more like fall weather. I'm not the same person I was back in 2009 at 180lbs and miserable.
Tomorrow, I hope to post an update with my stats from my health assessment.
UPDATE: my body fat percentage is 35% and my weight is 149.5 which means my BMI is 31.
Now I have some numbers to work with to figure my calorie goals and such and adjust my Fitbit and Loseit! numbers to make realistic goals.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
I'm living...
I just had a crazy, "re-evaluate your whole life" moment.
My normal routine in the afternoon is to sit and do homework until my alarm goes off at 3:15 then walk down the street a few blocks to the kids' school and pick up my girls. Most days lately I have made my way out the door kind of slow and it's more like 3:20 when I walk out the door. Well, today, I forced myself to leave early. Katelyn, my nine-year-old, is part of the safety crew and she gets to take down and fold the flags each Wednesday so I wanted to witness her doing that today.
So, I left the house early. I almost drove but, after my commitment to increasing my activity level again I convinced myself to walk. I started down the street, walking, watching the people in their cars drive too fast, wishing they would slow down. About three houses down from where I cross the street I watched one of those cars get t-boned by a truck driving on a cross street, also too fast.
I'm thankful no one was hurt and I didn't have to do CPR or anything crazy like that. I'm thankful that I left the house when I did, as well.
SLOW down people!
While you're driving, while you're walking, while you're spending time with your children. Why are we all in a hurry all the time? So my victory today is just being here. Somedays, that's all you have.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
My normal routine in the afternoon is to sit and do homework until my alarm goes off at 3:15 then walk down the street a few blocks to the kids' school and pick up my girls. Most days lately I have made my way out the door kind of slow and it's more like 3:20 when I walk out the door. Well, today, I forced myself to leave early. Katelyn, my nine-year-old, is part of the safety crew and she gets to take down and fold the flags each Wednesday so I wanted to witness her doing that today.
So, I left the house early. I almost drove but, after my commitment to increasing my activity level again I convinced myself to walk. I started down the street, walking, watching the people in their cars drive too fast, wishing they would slow down. About three houses down from where I cross the street I watched one of those cars get t-boned by a truck driving on a cross street, also too fast.
I'm thankful no one was hurt and I didn't have to do CPR or anything crazy like that. I'm thankful that I left the house when I did, as well.
SLOW down people!
While you're driving, while you're walking, while you're spending time with your children. Why are we all in a hurry all the time? So my victory today is just being here. Somedays, that's all you have.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
upgrade!
Since March of 2012 I have used a FitBit to help keep myself on track.
I have put this poor FitBit through hell. Within 1 week of receiving it in the mail I dropped it into the washing machine in the pocket of my scrubs. I emailed the company and their amazing customer service department sent me a new one! I have had great customer service from a business before but they have consistently surprised me. The latest surprise is a colorful one. For the month of October, FitBit is releasing a pink version of their newest addition to the FitBit family, the flex.
I have been loyal to my FitBit Ultra but the poor thing is starting to crack so I figured it was time for a change.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
I have put this poor FitBit through hell. Within 1 week of receiving it in the mail I dropped it into the washing machine in the pocket of my scrubs. I emailed the company and their amazing customer service department sent me a new one! I have had great customer service from a business before but they have consistently surprised me. The latest surprise is a colorful one. For the month of October, FitBit is releasing a pink version of their newest addition to the FitBit family, the flex.
I have been loyal to my FitBit Ultra but the poor thing is starting to crack so I figured it was time for a change.
So, in one week I will receive my new pink FitBit Flex, woohoo!
Here is my FitBit results for yesterday, that run in the morning really helped jumpstart my week!
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Monday, September 30, 2013
Get in the Boat, all your friends are there!
I know I've said it many times before but I'm back. This time I hope, for good. I have missed this blog, having a place to share my thoughts and struggles and receiving feedback from like-minded folks who are in the same boat as me. So, here I am again, to share my story.
I started back to keeping an honest and thorough daily food log and making every effort to be as active as I can about three weeks ago when I started back to clinical again. Working in the hospital everyday keeps me active. This morning I got up and did a little pre-jog yoga and now I am about to go out the door with the dog and run. Should make for an awesome day.
I will update more soon about what I am doing to be successful and my current struggles.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
I started back to keeping an honest and thorough daily food log and making every effort to be as active as I can about three weeks ago when I started back to clinical again. Working in the hospital everyday keeps me active. This morning I got up and did a little pre-jog yoga and now I am about to go out the door with the dog and run. Should make for an awesome day.
I will update more soon about what I am doing to be successful and my current struggles.What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The NEXT adventure
In the last several months I have accomplished a lot.
I was accepted to nursing school, orientation is tomorrow.
I finished my first full semester in 10 years, three classes, all As
I made it through the holidays without logging any food, and I didn't gain any weight
Now, time to start the next adventure..... nursing school.
My orientation is tomorrow,
I'm scared, nervous, excited and ready.
More than anything, I just don't know what to expect. I know I can do the school work I just need to remind myself to keep my priorities straight.
I signed up for the running club again and I hope this will help me to keep running three times a week. I haven't run but a few times since my fall in November right before Thanksgiving. My knee still feels bruised but I'm thankful I didn't injure anything more seriously. I am definitely ready for a "normal" schedule again.
I will try to do better about checking in here every once in a while.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
I was accepted to nursing school, orientation is tomorrow.
I finished my first full semester in 10 years, three classes, all As
I made it through the holidays without logging any food, and I didn't gain any weight
Now, time to start the next adventure..... nursing school.
My orientation is tomorrow,
I'm scared, nervous, excited and ready.
More than anything, I just don't know what to expect. I know I can do the school work I just need to remind myself to keep my priorities straight.
I signed up for the running club again and I hope this will help me to keep running three times a week. I haven't run but a few times since my fall in November right before Thanksgiving. My knee still feels bruised but I'm thankful I didn't injure anything more seriously. I am definitely ready for a "normal" schedule again.
I will try to do better about checking in here every once in a while.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Today's ride
I've mentioned in a few blog posts that I started training for a half marathon at the end of August. The half marathon will be the second week of November. This training program includes a lot of cross training, one thing I have neglected though out my weight loss efforts. I told myself in the beginning I needed to be able to comfortably live on the calorie budget I was given without having to rely on calorie burning. This is both a blessing and a curse. I have learned to make smarter food choices on a daily basis to achieve my weight loss but also I still am not in the best condition and I tire easily. I got a bike and a membership at the YWCA for swimming so I have the tools necessary now, to start cross-training.
Each time that I run, bike or swim, I learn something new about myself. Monday, I was in a panic that I wont be able to do this half marathon. Day one of the second week, out of nine, and I was already giving up.
I had made up my mind:
I had taken too much time off this summer,
I was too weak,
I was not dedicated enough.
I ran anyways. Instead of hating myself because it wasn't my best run, I gave myself constructive criticism and a little congratulations, just for making the first step. I still don't feel ready for a half marathon but I guess that is the point of the training program, right? When I started couch to 5k in January 2010 I never thought it would ever be possible for me to run for 30 minutes with no stopping.
The rest of the week was better. I still didn't want to run on Thursday but I felt stronger after I forced myself to run. My wednesday cross-training is swimming with my sister. She was a competitive swimmer growing up so she is an excellent teacher and a wonderful motivator. I am glad to have my sister home from California.
Today was a big victory for me. I went for a bike ride as my cross-training today. Not a long ride, just 4.5 miles, 30 minutes. I pushed myself to try to work harder. I came home from my ride and looked in the mirror. I felt more healthy and comfortable, gross and sweaty, than I have in months.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
Each time that I run, bike or swim, I learn something new about myself. Monday, I was in a panic that I wont be able to do this half marathon. Day one of the second week, out of nine, and I was already giving up.
I had made up my mind:
I had taken too much time off this summer,
I was too weak,
I was not dedicated enough.
I ran anyways. Instead of hating myself because it wasn't my best run, I gave myself constructive criticism and a little congratulations, just for making the first step. I still don't feel ready for a half marathon but I guess that is the point of the training program, right? When I started couch to 5k in January 2010 I never thought it would ever be possible for me to run for 30 minutes with no stopping.
The rest of the week was better. I still didn't want to run on Thursday but I felt stronger after I forced myself to run. My wednesday cross-training is swimming with my sister. She was a competitive swimmer growing up so she is an excellent teacher and a wonderful motivator. I am glad to have my sister home from California.
Today was a big victory for me. I went for a bike ride as my cross-training today. Not a long ride, just 4.5 miles, 30 minutes. I pushed myself to try to work harder. I came home from my ride and looked in the mirror. I felt more healthy and comfortable, gross and sweaty, than I have in months.
What is your little victory today?
Guitarplayingmommy,
Heather
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