The Bubble Burst

There comes a time in your life when you set a goal and you know you are going to achieve it.
This is it. 

All of the starts are aligned and my motivation is high. It's been two years since I was diagnosed as PWD (person with diabetes). Two years since I lost 15 pounds. Two years.....of saying I will lose that final 10 pounds...next week.

Why are the stars aligned?

1. Baseball is over. I know this seems strange, but in my job as Director of Programs at our local park district this fun, kid friendly activity takes a lot of time. Let's say it again: Baseball is over!!!! I will no longer receive phone calls every evening or on weekends. I won't have parents screaming at me because the field wasn't ready or their kid didn't get to play. 
2. The evening activities for my kids have come to a halt. No softball games (see #1). No swim meets. I can actually plan and MAKE a dinner for my family for the first time since April. Ugh. Has it been that long? 
3. I'm teaching Group Fitness 5-6 days a week. At least 3 days of Body Pump. 2 days of Body Flow. My job does have some benefits! At least, the calorie burn is already somewhat built into my day.  
4. Because of teaching group fitness, I have a built in group of women who will support me in my goals. I've discussed the idea of all of us working together and motivating each other toward our individual goals. I think this is going to be a great thing!
5. I'll told the park district board that I am reducing my hours. In May & June, I worked close to 50 hours per week at my office job and then taught group fitness on top of that. Over the past few months, I've noticed my blood sugars slowly starting to rise. I don't know if that is because I've been eating out more and therefore eating more carbs? Or it it's the stress of working so much? Or if the disease is simply progressing in my body? I'm not sure why the change is happening, but I will do my best to reverse it. 
6. I am going to Cancun in October. Whoot whoot! I like to put it this way. I am 42 years old and wearing a bikini is highly unlikely; however, I would like to at least feel like I could wear a bikini. Add the health benefits in and you'll see why I am so highly motivated. 

While I may be doing great at group fitness, I haven't been exercising and doing what I want to do. I haven't run since the Tremont Triathlon. I haven't been on my bike either.....and I certainly haven't swam. I oversee the managers at the pool, but I've only been in the water 3 times this summer to do lap swims before the triathlon. So pretty soon I'll be signing up for some fall races to get me going again. 

I started my mission yesterday. I started out the morning by meeting up with a friend at the fitness center and going for a light 2 mile run. Following a quick Redneck Bath, I joined another group of friends who went to the Farmer's Market on the riverfront. I've lived in this area for 15 years and this is the first time I've been there. It was fantastic!!!! Lots of fresh yummy vegetables, locally grown. It was all incredibly awesome and refreshing. 

I've also been working on motivating Sunshine. I had a God moment not too long ago where one of my class participants gave Sunshine a wonderful opportunity. I'll post more about that later. Part of her motivation is to ride her bike. So yesterday afternoon we took a ride...only to have her tire burst. Unbelievable!!! As you can see, Sunshine was quite upset about having to give up her ride with me. Actually, she was disappointed because she knows if she gets comfortable with the route she has a reward coming at the end. Note: The correct motivation is key!

After her tire burst and Camo-Man picked her and the bike up, I finished my ride going about 12 miles. Not bad for a lady who hasn't done cardio since June 25th!

I've started an online journal using Spark People. OK - re-activiated, but I am serious this time. I'm highly motivated. I leave for Cancun on October 2nd. I want to lose 10 pounds by then. That's 77 days. If I can't lose 10 pounds in 77 days, maybe I really should hang up all of my health & fitness knowledge and try to pack on the pounds to qualify for The Biggest Loser.

OK, maybe not.

12 Reasons You Should Lift Weights | Active.com

I really get tired of hearing women say they don't want to bulk up so they don't lift weights. We don't have the testosterone required to truly bulk up - unless you start popping some major pills. Life some weights, tone your body and you'll feel great.

12 Reasons You Should Lift Weights | Active.com

Healthy Eating Tips From Around the World - Balanced Living Center - Everyday Health

I love flavorful food. I want to eat healthy, but that doesn't mean it needs to be bland and boring. I love spicy food. I love food that makes your mouth go WOW!

I posted today on FACEBOOK that I love to watch the Cooking Channel, but I hate to cook. Sadly, it is very true. Half the time I make an awesome menu plan, purchase groceries and then half the produce rots because we on the run during the week and I didn't allow myself enough time to prepare and cook everything. Is it my fault? YES, but what can a mom of 3 busy daughters do? Here is my rationale for hating to cook:

‎1) I don't know how to cook. Any directions with more depth than turn the oven to 350 & throw in chicken nuggets is a problem. 
2) My mom was a fantastic cook (albeit her cooking was full of fat) and I was always in some after school sport. So why did I have to learn? 
3) I refuse to cook unhealthy meals...so I just don't cook? 
4) The family dinner table....excuse me, what is that? Rarely see that any more.

I found this article about healthy eating tips from around world. Hopefully, it will help me and you get back on track for the summer.
Healthy Eating Tips From Around the World - Balanced Living Center - Everyday Health

Get a Grip on Insulin's Ups and Downs

Get a Grip on Insulin's Ups and Downs

Afternoon Snack: Nacho Popcorn - 45 Calories and Under 10 Grams of Carbs: A Great Diabetic Snack

Afternoon Snack: Nacho Popcorn - 45 Calories and Under 10 Grams of Carbs: A Great Diabetic Snack

Love Thyself

Friday night Camo-Man went out on a date night/assistant Easter Bunny run. We finished our shopping quickly and decided to get a small appetizer before heading to see "The Lincoln Lawyer" starring the hot Matthew McConaughey. 


While seated at our table, Camo-Man and I did some people watching. The band was setting up. People were laughing, chatting, visiting with one another when I suddenly felt very much in the minority. Not because I was the only woman. Not because my skin was a different color or I was the only Christian in the room. However, I was definitely a minority.


I was one of the only people in the room who didn't need to lose 100 or more pounds. 


Do I have weight to lose? YES. 

What I don't understand is how people let their health spiral out of control! How do people continue to eat fried food, processed food, food loaded with additives and not notice how it affects their health??? You can't tell me these people are happy. 


I'm not trying to be judgmental. I'm just confused by a society which says being overweight and/or obese is OK. Since when does convenience become more important than our health? The risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes. 


IS IT WORTH IT? 


No. It's not. Love yourself enough to stop the madness and take control of your life and health. Please. Love yourself enough to make yourself a priority. Which is more convenient? Fast food or health issues which brings you to the hospital in your golden years.

Vomit Them Up!

I was listening to a Jillian Michael podcast recently (Save Money Big Time) where she suggested journaling to an emotional eater who needed to learn how to deal with sadness, stress, anxiety or anger.

“When something comes up, you don’t think let me run to the fridge to stuff this down with you know a piece of cheesecake…..instead of stuffing them down you vomit them up onto the page – literally.”

Yah yah yah I’ve heard it before, but you know what? I don’t do it. I don’t write it down. Instead I continue to let that 3 pm carbohydrate call come rapping on my door and I open the door – WIDE! At about 3 pm every day, I feel anxiety, stress, tension as the day is coming to an end and I don’t feel like I have everything from the day under control. Work is not done. Replacement staff members come in at that time.  Housework is not done. Kids are coming home from school. All of it comes to a head about 3 pm every day.

So how am I going to handle this time? Ideally, I’d like to close my office door and do the 10 minutes of meditation and relaxation at that time to gather my wits and feel the control come back into my life. Realistically? I don’t think so. My office has a huge window and everyone coming into the fitness center would seem me sitting in my chair doing my meditation. Yah, I don’t think so.

Anyone have a plan B?