Ahhhh Good Food and Friends

Enjoyed a lovely spur-of-the-moment evening with a couple of fabulous friends. We met at Cafe Rio at approximately 5:00 and finally sauntered out about 9:00.
No we were not grazing for four hours, we were laughing ourselves silly. Really, it's all about the company----not the food!
Halfway through the food I realized I was full, so instead of continued nibbling I covered up my leftovers so I wouldn't be tempted.
Now, I am happy because I have lunch tomorrow and I didn't stuff myself like a Thanksgiving Turkey so I'll be able to fall asleep without that 'I wish I could just throw-up feeling'.

Muscle Map

For all your "I don't know where my deltoids are" needs

Fitness 24 Hours

Rachel's friend Denise asked if I wanted to attend the Body Pump class at the Jordan Landing 24 Hour Fitness (shameless plug).
So, I went sort of with her. This class was MUCH better than the other. The people, although in better shape than me, seemed more concerned about their health than their big hair.
I added 2 1/2 pounds to my weights today and felt 'the burn', or maybe more of a scalding. Can I just say again, I hate lunges.....these knees don't want to bend!
Still don't know what muscles she's talking about when she says deltoids and when she says squeeze your glutes I don't know if she means legs, stomach or butt. So, I just try to look intelligent and squeeze any and everything squeezable. Hopefully some sort of muscle will eventually form somewhere on my body.

Holy Hamburger!

Too hot to eat anything during the day. No air conditioning and no air circulating through our building makes it difficult to put anything in one's mouth other than water. So, after work I decided to stop for a hamburger.
Sadly, or not I don't think I'll be partaking again. I have been so ill. Don't know if it's because the meat was bad or if my body is trying to let me know that now that it has adjusted to a red meatless lifestyle it doesn't want to go back. Whatever the reason, I don't like feeling this way so the next hamburger I eat will be vegetarian.

Vegified

Yes you read right, vegified. It means, all I am eating is fruits and vegifies.. OK that doesn't make sense, but I have become vegified. I will only be eating fruits and vegetables for 7 days. Now before you think "Hey that's crazy!", let me tell you, it is crazy, but how can anyone go wrong with fruits and veggies? They provide everything I need, carbs, sugars, vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats (thank you avocado).

I started this fun experiment on Monday, and accidentally ate a piece of pizza on Tuesday (it fell into my mouth) not even a good piece of pizza! A crappy $5 pizza, ya you know the one.. Why didn't I eat sushi or ramen???

Anyway, even with that slip up, I've lost 4 lbs. Don't freak out! I know that is WAY too much to lose in 2 1/2 days, but I'm sure it's mostly water weight, and um... Some other weight that has been waiting to leave my body (mom you know what I mean!).

Sure, I get hungry, then I just go eat. I can eat as much food as I want, I stocked the kitchen with some mushrooms, arugula (my new obsession), apples, bananas, kiwis, carrots, celery, avocado, etc.. Now the real question is, has anyone ever gotten that I-am-so-sick-from-eating-I-can't-walk-and-I-want-to-throw-up feeling from eating like this??? I guess we will find out!!!

I like this blog too, there are only 2 posts, but it's still a cool experience to read about:
http://ebjackson.blogspot.com/2011/04/let-food-be-your-medicine.html

Do I Have to Take the Bad with the Good?

So, I went to the Body Pump class offered at night since I'm working during the day. Blech! So, got there about 15 minutes early to set my stuff up. Tried to set up in the corner because I like to remain inconspicuous. All ready to go so I'm just people watching. Lots of women trickling in and they are all in color-coordinated outfits; sporting nonsagging boobs, great tans, caked-on makeup and perfectly coiffed hair. Here am I in my same pair of dorky shorts and grass-stained shoes with wilty makeup and hair pulled up in a bun.
OK, well I can get over the low self esteem feeling that is pouring over me. But then, some size -6 chick walks in and proceeds to set her stuff up so close to me that I either have to move or run into her when class begins. I guess she set her stuff up there so she could be close to some guy that apparently is super hot. So, I moved.
About 5 minutes later another size -3 chicka arrives and sets up too close on the other side. So, I move again.
Class begins, and I try to reassure myself that no one notices me, (they must not since they keep taking my spot), and just tell myself to do the best that I can.
Soon, the instructor tells us to add weight and before I can grab my 2 1/2 pounders the -6 chick picks them up and places them on her bar.
Yes, I know I should stand up for myself and yes, I know I shouldn't care what others think but I can't help it and it made me mad and I don't want to go back.
Since when did the gym become the socializing-pick-up -palace? I thought that's what bars were for.

OUCH!

First day of school. Oh my aching feet! Of course I don't want to go excercise, isn't tromping around 30 kids for six hours enough?

Really, really just want to put my jammies on or hang out in my underwear in my nice, cool house and maybe watch a little T.V. But, if I do I'll have that image of Ray in my head giving me her pouty little you-can-do-whatever-you-want-but-you're-going-to-ruin-all-my-hard-work look. All her hard work?

Guess I'll go change my clothes and sweat some more.

Does Size Matter?

Why, yes it does. I went to the doctor today for a quick checkup. Was filled with giddiness when she measured my blood pressure and it was 110/80. Woo Hoo!!!!!!!! So excited, I bounded around the examination table while performing my 12th-grade pep club vitriolic dance.
I know my heart wishes it could give me a big wet kiss! I, as well, wish to show my thanks to my heart for being there for me for the past 50 years by giving it some well deserved rest. Now if you'll excuse me, my heart and I are going to go swim some laps.

Butterfly Circus

If you think you can, then you can. If you think you can't, then you can't.
I just watched a very inspiring, thought provoking, attitude changing video. I hope you will watch it too and then realize we are so much more than our height, color, age, beauty, net worth, home, car, and bank account. We are all born for greatness---our birth is the gift we receive. What we make of our life is the gift we give to our maker, everyone we come in contact with and to ourselves!

http://thebutterflycircus.com/short-film/

What the Vegan

I am not a Bill Clinton fan, but I am a fan of healthy eating.


http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/18/bill.clinton.diet.vegan/index.html

Peanut Lo Mein

This is mostly for Zandy and Angela as I think both of you wanted this recipe and I just made it again tonight so it's fresh on my mind.
And......speaking of vegan food this is definitely that and it's also delicious!
Oh yeh, I think it's also super healthy because of all the fresh vegetables.
So here goes:
1/3 cup peanut butter (crunchy or regular)
1 teaspoon peanut oil
1 cup vegetable broth or water
1 teaspoon Chinese mustard
1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce
1 teaspoon freshly chopped ginger
3 or 4 cloves chopped garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Place all of the above in a wok or large deep skillet and heat up until it's mixed together. Then cut up the following into bite size pieces or how ever you like them cut: 1/2 bunch green onions, 4 stalks of celery, 2 carrots, 1/2 bunch of broccoli, small bunch bok choy, 1/2 head of cabbage and 6 medium-sized mushrooms.
Place the vegetables in the pan with the sauce and cook until done, limp, semi-crunchy or how ever you like your veggies.
This is really good served over whole grain spaghetti or rice or eat it all by itself like I did tonight because I didn't want the carbs but I was hungry.
PS: You can change amounts of spices according to your taste and you don't have to use the vegetables that I used as I think any would be tasty!
genieben sie, ihre nahrung su essen!

LIFE

What is most important? I miss my children. Rachel and I butt heads sometimes...well a lot of the time. I feel the tension, but I still miss her.
She is an amazing woman. She has drive, curiousity, conviction, a thirst for knowledge, creativity, and a big heart. It was a wonderful summer getting to know her as an adult and not a child living under my roof.

I've thought a lot about getting older and what a drag it is. You know wrinkles, fragile bones, hearing loss, arthritis, change-of-life, empty nest, gray hair, agility---all the things we take for granted when we are young. However, I realized one benefit of aging; seeing the accomplishments and successes of adult children. I find a great sense of pride and satisfaction when I am with them and when I see what wonderful people they have become.

Our society minimizes families which is disturbing when I think that one of the few things I can take with me when I leave this earth are my memories and the knowledge that my children are good, kind, intelligent, responsible people.

What does this have to do with a better life? Well, our lives encompass more than just physical health. We are a combination of many areas which can lead to health or sickness. Emotional health is just as important as physical health. I noticed many unhappy-looking people tonight while I was at the gym. Sure, they looked physically attractive, but many faces looked empty, lonely, or angry. I am so grateful for all my life's blessings and for daily light even in times of darkness.

Improvement

Ran one whole mile without stopping!!!!! 39 pounds....that's as much as four really big new born babies that I could have been carrying around my waist, hips, legs, butt and arms. HOLY COW!

Pump It

I think I've lost some of my double chin. Always happy to have less to show off.

Attended the Body Pump class all by myself. I went up the stairs and got my weights and mat ready then ran, yes I said ran down the stairs to use the lady's room. It's funny, I was running down the stairs and I didn't realize what I'd done until I got to the bottom.
It's the little milestones that keep me motivated and give me encouragement. Rachel told me the first time I attended the Body Pump class that if I continued going I would begin to enjoy it. She's absolutely right!

School starts next week so I won't be able to go on Wednesday mornings. However, I have been strategizing how I will plan my day out so that I can make it to the evening classes.

Faster

Completed a mile in just under 15 minutes. Now, I know that is slow for most but for me it's the fastest I've moved in several years.

Springs of the Cascades

Oh man, didn't realize how sore I was until we decided to walk around Cascade Springs. My legs were burning!

We talked Devin into venturing forth with us. We think he enjoyed himself. He did comment that he felt out-of-shape. Well, if Rachel has her way he won't be for long!

Timpie

Sunburned from yesterday, my bottom lip is swollen so I look like I'm pouting.
11:00 am we're greased up with sunscreen, water and hats ready to drive to Timpanogos Mountain to hike to the cave. Can I really do this? My friends said it is a mile-and-half straight up. Yarg! Why do people torture themselves?
I'm wearing long sleeves to protect myself from the sun. Rachel tells me I'm going to be too hot. Yeh, I know that, but how hot can it be 6500 feet above sea level. Doesn't the air thin and cool down?
So, the hike begins. First 1/4 mile I'm feeling pretty good about myself...yes there is definitely an incline but I can handle it. Moving on to the next 1/4 mile; my smile is fading---aren't we almost there? O.K. now we're half-way. I'm HOT, sweaty and I've dumped most of my water down my shirt to try and cool myself down. I've begun to count my steps to try and entertain myself and keep my mind off my heavy breathing. Wondering to myself if people passing by me can hear me gasping for breath and if they are taking bets as to whether I'll make it another 50 yards. 3/4 the way there---seriously, why would anyone want to forge a path to the top of this mountain? If you've seen one mountain haven't you seen them all? I'm stopping now after every 100 steps, wonder if Rachel and Alex will notice if I never show up at the top. Five more switch-backs and I'll be there. Some overly zealous nut-case passes me by jogging up the mountain, I secretly hope he trips. Two more resting stops and now there are only two more switch backs and I wonder how bad it would hurt my knees to crawl.
I MADE IT!!!!!!! I collapse against the rocks while we wait for the cave tour. As I'm sitting trying to control my breathing I think back to the beginning of our little journey and the guide at the bottom of the mountain that checked our tour tickets and remarked that we were beginning our trek a little earlier than necessary to make it up the mountain. Yeah, what did she know? She'd never hiked with me.
So, we got to go through the cave....it was incredible. We walked right under the fault line and witnessed some amazing formations created by our moving, changing earth.
Was it worth it? With all the technology available don't you think they could build an elevator to take people up and down the mountain?

Paddle Boating It

We spent the day at East Canyon. What a wonderful day of fun in the sun! My grandson wanted to ride in a paddle boat, which made me nervous, because the last time I rode in a paddle boat I was completely exhausted after just a couple of minutes. It was four summers ago at Girl's Camp. We rented a few boats for the leaders and girls to share. We were supposed to paddle across the lake and back so that everyone could have equal turns. Well, my group was stuck in the middle of the lake because of the fat, out-of-shape leader that was having heart palpatations from the minor exertion. Needless to say I was extremely humiliated and embarrassed.

Today Alex and I paddled from the rental area back to our picnic spot. Then we paddled around for another hour or so....and it didn't bother me at all, in fact it was fun!

EEE

Excercise, energy and empowerment. Those are three important reasons to get up and move. At yesterday's Body Pump class I finally felt like I was getting the hang of things. I still can't get my knees to bend enough to perform the lunges, but I can now squat and keep up with most of what is required.
Also, I'm super sore today, so apparently I must be doing the required moves somewhat correctly.
Perhaps it sounds twisted but, I find that it feels good to sweat, it feels great to be tired and it feels fabulous to be sore because then I know that muscles are being strengthened.
Found an informative article about the benefits of weight lifting, it can be found at womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/weight-training-tips.
Well, now I've got to figure out a way to do weight-training two more times a week. Maybe Rachel will take me to the gym and help me figure out a routine before she heads back to California.

No Bones About It

Should I be worried about Osteoporosis? Just read an article that said if Osteoporosis medication is taken too long it can have an opposite effect as far as bone density. What the what? Great, another thing to worry about as I reach the 'More mature faze of my life'.
Sometimes I wish there wasn't so much information out there. Just when I think I'm doing a good job managing my life I find out that I'm probably placing my bones in jeopardy. Really wanted to light a match to the article or use it to line the bird cage.
So, I read on....decided to ignore all the information except the part that suggested the best exercises for increasing bone mass. They are as follows: Sports that involve the use of a racket, jogging, speed walking, aerobics (especially step), lunges, squats, rowing, resistance bands, and weights.
There, I feel a little better, however, sometimes I'd like to revisit the dark ages when we lived our lives the best we could and didn't lie awake at night fretting over all things we've been made aware of thanks to modern technology.

See, I Said I'd Be Back

Yesterday we had a family barbeque with lots of food including my favorites---chips, hamburgers, potato salad and corn on the cob. Although I hadn't had meat in 31 days and the cooking hamburgers were screaming out to me, I passed and ate a veggie dog instead. Yes, I really wanted the hamburger and no I don't think I'll never eat one again, but I thought about the calories and what I really wanted the most (something I wouldn't have done a couple of months ago). I decided that I needed to choose between the potato salad and burger. Decided on the salad because it had lots of vegetables in it and light mayonaise dressing. I knew it would be more nutritional and I also knew I could smear lots of ketchup on the veggie dog and it would taste ok. So, there you have it, another day of thinking about my food choices. Oh yes, and when I got up this morning and weighed myself I had lost another 1/2 pound, for a grand total of 37 1/2 lbs. Still got a long way to go, but I think I can.