Inspiration

As you can see from my posts my workouts are as sporadic as my blogging. Recently however Entertainment Weekly appeared in my mailbox with well, amazing inspiration.
This is Gerard Butler in "300", his abs make men suck in their guts and women forget their names. I fall into the later category. I have also fallen spellbound by what Butler and the other cast members of "300" went through to look that breathtaking.

I haven't started dead lifting tractor tires, but I am an information junky, so the more I learn about it the more I want to know. One thing is clear: It is not a realistic workout for anyone starting out or without supervision. Here is a video that hits the high points: (Ladies, note the sexy Scottish accent)


So why am I inspired? Because effort pays off. Because you CAN radically change your body. Because hard work will be met with the results you desire. Because I can aspire to having a body worthy of a man with a body like that. (No need to drag me back into reality, I know Mr. Butler is not in my sphere. Nor do you need to remind me that a man does not validate my accomplishments, I'm clear on that too.)

So now I am working out again. I am also keeping in motion when I am not on a treadmill. I stand at the computer, I walk from office to office rather than sending e-mail and my nephew and I are always on the go. Combined with my healthy food habits, (remember this is not a diet) I am back on track in a major way.

This next week I will meet my latest short term goal - I will be at or below my lowest weight in 10 years. I am going to reward myself by finally going to see the movie that has launched a thousand workout regimes. (oh, wait, wrong sword and sandals epic) Check it out here: "300".

As for how the weight loss is going, I have lost 4 pounds since I last posted my weight. Yes, I am happy and yes, it is work, but I am inspired.

Best always, Ms_H
Weight - 188

I did it!

I finally trod back on to the path of working out. I only had 20 minutes, but I got in a nice walk. The mp3 player makes all the difference. I feel motivated again.

This is getting ugly...

Seriously. I lost another pound this last week, which is great, but... or should I say butt. As in, "I am finding it hard to motivate my BUTT".

Twice this week I have left the house, new mp3 player in tow, hell bent on getting to the gym. This is almost too ridiculous to write; both times I have found myself distracted into not going. I am confounded at my ability to be so easily led astray.

I mean seriously, I have a backbone and stand up to everyone on everything, but this... well I just keep shrugging and saying, "okay, yours must be more important". Which it isn't, I know that. I should be first for once. Weight loss needs to be a very high priority, but somehow I can't get over this hump.

I mean, obviously I am eating right or I wouldn't still be losing weight. But physical activity has MANY more benefits than weight loss. Of course, I know that too.

So I will try again tomorrow morning. My stumbling block this time, at least I see it coming, is that I am working until midnight tonight and probably won't fall asleep until 1 or so. The problem is, if I want to workout before I have to be back at work at 9, I have to do it early. Well, I am not a morning person as it is...

You know, when this weight loss journey started I used to get four hours sleep after a long night at work and still be up and ready to hit the treadmill. Can someone find that person? I would like to reacquaint myself with her. The sad thing is she was in such bad shape, so overweight and still did it.

Have I become complacent? I think so.

Best always, Ms_H
Weight - 192

It's HERE!

Well, the mp3 player arrived on Tuesday. But today was the first chance I had to download music and post about it. I plan to load it up tomorrow and do my first tech-savvy workout.

By the way, I ended up with a Creative Zen V Plus - 2 gig. (That's it to the left, it's even the right color.) It holds about 1,000 songs, pictures, small videos, has an FM radio and a voice recorder.

My first workout playlist includes: Christina's "Candyman", Rihanna's "S.O.S." and Ricky Martin's "Cup", among others. Basically anything that will get my heart pumping and be fun. Suggestions are quite welcome in the comments below.

Best always, Ms_H
Weight - 193 pounds (Yes, I have lost another pound.)

Skinny Cow

No, it's not a nickname, it's a treat.

I have been eyeing this brand for a while, but I try to keep my sweets consumption to a minimum. However this weekend I was telling an ice cream story to my friend Marianne at work and she just glazed over and nearly drooled. When I said was running to the store between shifts, she got this puppy look on her face that made me laugh and I said, "So you want ice cream then?" She grinned, like only the thought of ice cream can make you do, and I said, "O.k., but how about the healthy stuff?" She nodded and I was off.

I walk into Dahl's (a local grocery chain) and grab my apple, Lean Cuisine and spinach and finally land in front of the ice cream treats. Treats are better than pints because it's really easy to control portions. You can push the limit on measuring out a serving of rocky road, it's harder to lie to yourself when you grab another bar or sandwich.

I was impressed, healthier options do exist and in an ever increasing number. But I watch calories, fat, fiber and calcium closely, so I was expecting a challenge. Yes, I know, if I am eating ice cream I am supposed to be resigned to being a bit bad. Yet, I am stubborn and wouldn't succumb, there are enough empty calories in snacks, I at least want some redeeming value.

And there she was that skinny bovine who has so frequently caught my eye, but never my thighs. So I looked harder and bang, I fell in love. Well, with the promises on the package anyway - calcium, fiber, really lowfat, 100 calories and even a bit of iron. I was sold on its make-up, now I had to plunk down $4.65 to test the taste and see whether this was really a dream bar or chocolate cardboard. So, lowfat fudge bars tucked under my arm I headed for the checkout and back to work.

I put my new little friends in the freezer, ate my dinner and continued to pretend that frozen fudge treats weren't really in the building. Until Marianne poked her head in around 10 p.m. wondering if I was ready. A few minutes later we were giving each other the 'no you try it' look and I finally took a bite. Well, I will tell you right now, I have been missing out.

Sweet, fudgy, creamy and all for 1g fat and 100 calories - to quote Napoleon (Dynamite, not the short one with issues) "Heck yeah!" I can say it was a great experiment in being bad.


They have quite a number of other treats, lowfat and sugar free, I will slowly try them over time, because you know, you need fiber and calcium. {evil grin}

Here's the website so you can check them out yourself and find a fudgy friend near you: www.skinnycow.com/.

Best always, Ms_H
Weight - 194 pounds