The good news first
My waist-to-hip ratio is in the "ok" range at .74. A W-t-H ratio of .85 or higher may indicate increased health risks. This measurement confirms that I'm a "pear" shape instead of an "apple" shape. Apples are more suseptible to heart disease than pears.
My blood pressure is 120/75. Well in the normal range. Yay!
The not so good news
My BMI is 34. Body Mass Index correlates with body fat but does not MEASURE body fat. Since you could have two people my height and weight, with me being one and someone like the Governator being the other, BMI is not an entirely accurate way to judge health. However, a higher BMI on a flabby person, such as myself, usually is a bad thing, and my current number puts me in the "obese" range. (which we already knew, right?)
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. For my height (5'6") that would put me between 118 to 148 pounds.
Me. 118lbs. FUNK. THAT. I don't care to be a twig thankyouverymuch.
Actually, my ulitimate goal weight of 160 actually falls in the overweight range, with a possible BMI of 26. Never in my life did I think I'd be setting a goal to be overweight. *lol*
The bad and annoying news
I'm back up 2lbs. Back to 209. DAMN YOUUUUUUU BRENT! I went to a wedding with fantastic food on Saturday (congrats Brent and Julie) and then a "Harvest Feast" at church on Sunday. Oh- and sitting on my butt all week.
*sigh* Ok. Not the end of the world. I can get back on track. Friday. Ain't no way I'm going to try and diet tomorrow. Gobble gobble is for a reason!
.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Love hate relationship
Ahhh carbs. How much do I love thee?
I love thee in tortilla chips with lots of gooey cheese.
I love thee in pasta dishes that always seem to please.
I love thee in thy rolls and bread
I love thee with crackers in bed (not really, but it rhymed)
*sigh* I love carbs. But as much as any food can be the enemy, (and that's a whole 'nother blog entry) carbs are it for me.
But even as a pre-diabetic it is important I get GOOD carbs. Here's one of my favorite ways:
Breakfast!
1 serving plain oatmeal, cooked
4 oz plain tofu, preferably soft
fruit, fresh or frozen, make sure there is no added sugar
Combine the three, mushing up the tofu and mixing in the fruit. Complex carbs from the oatmeal, protein from the tofu (which you won't taste- trust me) and simple carbs from the fruit. A good way to kick off the day.
.
I love thee in tortilla chips with lots of gooey cheese.
I love thee in pasta dishes that always seem to please.
I love thee in thy rolls and bread
I love thee with crackers in bed (not really, but it rhymed)
*sigh* I love carbs. But as much as any food can be the enemy, (and that's a whole 'nother blog entry) carbs are it for me.
But even as a pre-diabetic it is important I get GOOD carbs. Here's one of my favorite ways:
Breakfast!
1 serving plain oatmeal, cooked
4 oz plain tofu, preferably soft
fruit, fresh or frozen, make sure there is no added sugar
Combine the three, mushing up the tofu and mixing in the fruit. Complex carbs from the oatmeal, protein from the tofu (which you won't taste- trust me) and simple carbs from the fruit. A good way to kick off the day.
.
I'm down with that.
208. Down just over a pound, with just over 8 to go to reach my New Year's goal.
I tell you what- I'm pretty excited about the whole thing really. I used to think of it as "OMG- I need to lose 60 pounds!" Yes- overall I could stand to lose that much. But that's such a huge goal. I might as well say "I need to lose 173 pounds!" for as far away as 60 seems.
But 8. 8 I can do. 8 and a little bit will get me down under 200lbs. Then I'll set another goal- maybe under 190 by Valentine's Day. Little steps. When you're climbing the stairs at the Washington Monument, the stair at the top doesn't really matter (unless you're at the top that is). It's the stair right in front of you that makes any difference.
You remember the movie Ghostbusters? Where our intrepid heroes are walking up the stairs to Dana's apartment in Spook Central? Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) says "Let me know when we get to 12. I'm gonna throw up." See- Peter didn't make his goal to throw up once they got to the TOP of the building, he set a realistic goal about halfway. It's in the movies? It's gotta be true then, right? ;)
.
I tell you what- I'm pretty excited about the whole thing really. I used to think of it as "OMG- I need to lose 60 pounds!" Yes- overall I could stand to lose that much. But that's such a huge goal. I might as well say "I need to lose 173 pounds!" for as far away as 60 seems.
But 8. 8 I can do. 8 and a little bit will get me down under 200lbs. Then I'll set another goal- maybe under 190 by Valentine's Day. Little steps. When you're climbing the stairs at the Washington Monument, the stair at the top doesn't really matter (unless you're at the top that is). It's the stair right in front of you that makes any difference.
You remember the movie Ghostbusters? Where our intrepid heroes are walking up the stairs to Dana's apartment in Spook Central? Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) says "Let me know when we get to 12. I'm gonna throw up." See- Peter didn't make his goal to throw up once they got to the TOP of the building, he set a realistic goal about halfway. It's in the movies? It's gotta be true then, right? ;)
.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I'm dying. That's all there is to it.
Had a friend come down from Des Moines to visit this weekend. We stayed over in KC and I took him to the Plaza yesterday. He's an amateur photographer, and has given me his "old" camera so we set out for things to photograph.
TWO HOURS LATER we got back to the car. I seriously walked for two straight hours. I didn't take a single picture. By the time I got back up the hill to the car I thought I was going to die. OMG I'm out of shape.
Today was somewhat better, we climbed the tower at Well's Overlook and I only wheezed and gasped for a couple of minutes.
My shins are killing me and I'm exhausted. It's times like this when I reconsider the whole "exercise" thing.
TWO HOURS LATER we got back to the car. I seriously walked for two straight hours. I didn't take a single picture. By the time I got back up the hill to the car I thought I was going to die. OMG I'm out of shape.
Today was somewhat better, we climbed the tower at Well's Overlook and I only wheezed and gasped for a couple of minutes.
My shins are killing me and I'm exhausted. It's times like this when I reconsider the whole "exercise" thing.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wow.
I've temporarily run out of things to say.
Did I make ANY goals yesterday? Nope. But that's not awful. Today's another day to try.
I did get some good links from a coworker in my group at work though. Give them a looksee:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/ This one will help you set up your OWN food pyramid, based on your current status and your goals. I like it because it tells you what to eat and how much, but doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about calories. Did you all watch the Foamy link I posted earlier? "When I pick up a food, I don't want to have to worry about calories and carbs etc..." (paraphrased, and with far fewer expletives)
http://www.calorieking.com This one evidently has calorie counts for restaurant food. I haven't looked at it yet.
Anyway- it's Friday. I've got Meatloaf playing on ye olde MP3e playere, the sun is shining, I have most of a cup of coffee- things are good!
PLUS- I just got a MUFFIN. Today is getting better and better. A FREE MUFFIN.
Homemade
Yes. I'm kicking.
MORE COFFEE.
Did I make ANY goals yesterday? Nope. But that's not awful. Today's another day to try.
I did get some good links from a coworker in my group at work though. Give them a looksee:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/ This one will help you set up your OWN food pyramid, based on your current status and your goals. I like it because it tells you what to eat and how much, but doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about calories. Did you all watch the Foamy link I posted earlier? "When I pick up a food, I don't want to have to worry about calories and carbs etc..." (paraphrased, and with far fewer expletives)
http://www.calorieking.com This one evidently has calorie counts for restaurant food. I haven't looked at it yet.
Anyway- it's Friday. I've got Meatloaf playing on ye olde MP3e playere, the sun is shining, I have most of a cup of coffee- things are good!
PLUS- I just got a MUFFIN. Today is getting better and better. A FREE MUFFIN.
Homemade
Yes. I'm kicking.
MORE COFFEE.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Goal Post
Did I make my daily goals?
1) 2 quarts of water: No. But, as Jack Palance said in City Slickers: "Day ain't over yet."
2) 15 minutes walking. No. But I did ride my bike 4 miles today.
So as far as goals go, I sucked. But as far as keeping moving forward, I did ok. Lost .4 lbs in the last week, less than I'd hoped, but about what I expected.
But I am TIRED today. Like go to bed now tired. I think it's partly the exercise, partly my sleep patterns and partly my lunch. High carb lunch, lots of brown rice and green beans, but very little protein. (I ate part of my "crab" salad yesterday, so I had less than half a cup left today) I'm beginning to see a pattern. I'm going to have to come up with some low-carb lunch alternatives. Any suggestions?
.
1) 2 quarts of water: No. But, as Jack Palance said in City Slickers: "Day ain't over yet."
2) 15 minutes walking. No. But I did ride my bike 4 miles today.
So as far as goals go, I sucked. But as far as keeping moving forward, I did ok. Lost .4 lbs in the last week, less than I'd hoped, but about what I expected.
But I am TIRED today. Like go to bed now tired. I think it's partly the exercise, partly my sleep patterns and partly my lunch. High carb lunch, lots of brown rice and green beans, but very little protein. (I ate part of my "crab" salad yesterday, so I had less than half a cup left today) I'm beginning to see a pattern. I'm going to have to come up with some low-carb lunch alternatives. Any suggestions?
.
The Empress' New Clothes
One of my lame excuses for NOT trying to lose weight over the years has been the whole "Gotta buy new clothes" thing. Right. Like I'd hate to give up my size 18-20 clothing in exchange for size 14. (that's my goal eventally- anything smaller and I'd lose my Marilyn-esque curves)
But actually, I will be sad when I no longer fit in my favorite pair of jeans because THEY FIT. They fit wonderfully, designed for people who are shaped like me- an hourglass with most of the time run out.
I got these jeans at Lane Bryant. They now have a new sizing program for their jeans and some of their slacks. Instead of what I used to be, I'm now a "blue 2 average"
Yup. I'm a size 2. Whoop! Brilliant.
There's also "red" and "yellow" for body shapes- blue is for hourglass, red is for apple, yellow is for straight up and down. I think. I just look for the blue dot, so the other colors don't really enter my radar.
Lane Bryant costs more than Wal Mart. Quality costs more than throwaway. But I tell you what- I have never had a pair of jeans that fit as well as those do, and I'm willing to shell out $50-60 for them, as opposed to $25 for crappy jeans that don't fit and I end up hating.
That said- I really look forward to the time when I can shop at Target or Hot Topic or some other "normal" clothing store and not have to paw through the dregs of the 3 plus sized styles they deign to offer. What's UP with that?
Seriously- the average sized woman is now over a size 14, yet major affordable retailers STILL concentrate on the 12 and below market. No WONDER fat women have self esteem problems- we have the choice of paying more for quality clothes or wearing ugly ass muumuus. Sweat pants and shirts with Tweety Bird on them. Shapeless formless blobs that someone thought would be good to use to camouflage the fact that we're bigger than Twiggy. You know what camouflages that? (well, besides not being bigger than Twiggy) Well tailored clothes. Clothes that fit. Sure- we'll never look like a size 3 if we're a size 22, but at least give us the chance to look NICE.
WHEW! Rant off. I think I need to go lie down.
But actually, I will be sad when I no longer fit in my favorite pair of jeans because THEY FIT. They fit wonderfully, designed for people who are shaped like me- an hourglass with most of the time run out.
I got these jeans at Lane Bryant. They now have a new sizing program for their jeans and some of their slacks. Instead of what I used to be, I'm now a "blue 2 average"
Yup. I'm a size 2. Whoop! Brilliant.
There's also "red" and "yellow" for body shapes- blue is for hourglass, red is for apple, yellow is for straight up and down. I think. I just look for the blue dot, so the other colors don't really enter my radar.
Lane Bryant costs more than Wal Mart. Quality costs more than throwaway. But I tell you what- I have never had a pair of jeans that fit as well as those do, and I'm willing to shell out $50-60 for them, as opposed to $25 for crappy jeans that don't fit and I end up hating.
That said- I really look forward to the time when I can shop at Target or Hot Topic or some other "normal" clothing store and not have to paw through the dregs of the 3 plus sized styles they deign to offer. What's UP with that?
Seriously- the average sized woman is now over a size 14, yet major affordable retailers STILL concentrate on the 12 and below market. No WONDER fat women have self esteem problems- we have the choice of paying more for quality clothes or wearing ugly ass muumuus. Sweat pants and shirts with Tweety Bird on them. Shapeless formless blobs that someone thought would be good to use to camouflage the fact that we're bigger than Twiggy. You know what camouflages that? (well, besides not being bigger than Twiggy) Well tailored clothes. Clothes that fit. Sure- we'll never look like a size 3 if we're a size 22, but at least give us the chance to look NICE.
WHEW! Rant off. I think I need to go lie down.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Cornucopia
I have a lot of things I want to cover in this post- I'll try to keep the points brief, yet scintillating.
1. Why "Twice the Man I Used to Be" for the title? Well, "Half the Man I Used to Be" is a song by Nirvana. Also, in the first Men In Black movie, Will Smith's character gets into it with another cop who's, shall we say, portly. The cop starts in on Smith, saying something like "If you were half the man I was..." and Smith interrupts with something like "I AM half the man you are. Gotta get your tubby ass on the stairmaster." So. Twice the Man.
2. People talk about how difficult it is for them around Halloween. Too much candy around. Surprisingly enough, that hasn't been an issue for me this year. I haven't been craving sweets. I think since last Wednesday I may have had 4 pieces of Halloween candy total. Now, we had a cheese ball witch's hat with crackers at the party at work last week and I could have eaten the whole dang thing. What's your food trigger?
3. GOAL POST! Did you make yours today? I did- just over 2 quarts of water and a 15 minute walk brisk enough to break a little sweat. Then I rode my bike home. I'm starting to feel a little shin splint-y, but that could be from the pre-diabetes. Surprisingly enough they're linked. A few more days of good walking should cure them. (good meaning easy yet aerobic, not damaging)
4. I forget what my other points were. If you wonder why, read the post from yesterday about my veggies.
1. Why "Twice the Man I Used to Be" for the title? Well, "Half the Man I Used to Be" is a song by Nirvana. Also, in the first Men In Black movie, Will Smith's character gets into it with another cop who's, shall we say, portly. The cop starts in on Smith, saying something like "If you were half the man I was..." and Smith interrupts with something like "I AM half the man you are. Gotta get your tubby ass on the stairmaster." So. Twice the Man.
2. People talk about how difficult it is for them around Halloween. Too much candy around. Surprisingly enough, that hasn't been an issue for me this year. I haven't been craving sweets. I think since last Wednesday I may have had 4 pieces of Halloween candy total. Now, we had a cheese ball witch's hat with crackers at the party at work last week and I could have eaten the whole dang thing. What's your food trigger?
3. GOAL POST! Did you make yours today? I did- just over 2 quarts of water and a 15 minute walk brisk enough to break a little sweat. Then I rode my bike home. I'm starting to feel a little shin splint-y, but that could be from the pre-diabetes. Surprisingly enough they're linked. A few more days of good walking should cure them. (good meaning easy yet aerobic, not damaging)
4. I forget what my other points were. If you wonder why, read the post from yesterday about my veggies.
Oktoberfest!
Can't catch a break.
I packed a beautiful lunch, as described in my last post. I totally forgot that today is a "David Lunch" day, when we have a fundraiser lunch at work, with the proceeds going to a local charity.
The lunches are usually themed, and today's theme is "Oktoberfest" which means brats, bierock casserole, German potato salad, beer...
That's ok. I can pass on the potato salOMG that's good. Well, I usually prefer my bierocks to be individual instead of casserAHHH tasty! The brats are non-negotiable, but I'm not eating the bun. Seriously. No bun.
So my yummy lunch will wait til tomorrow. That's ok. I already ate the fruit salad anyway- with yogurt.
Time for walkies!
PS- I didn't have any beer either. Bud Light? Puh-leese!
I packed a beautiful lunch, as described in my last post. I totally forgot that today is a "David Lunch" day, when we have a fundraiser lunch at work, with the proceeds going to a local charity.
The lunches are usually themed, and today's theme is "Oktoberfest" which means brats, bierock casserole, German potato salad, beer...
That's ok. I can pass on the potato salOMG that's good. Well, I usually prefer my bierocks to be individual instead of casserAHHH tasty! The brats are non-negotiable, but I'm not eating the bun. Seriously. No bun.
So my yummy lunch will wait til tomorrow. That's ok. I already ate the fruit salad anyway- with yogurt.
Time for walkies!
PS- I didn't have any beer either. Bud Light? Puh-leese!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Goal Post
Did I make my two daily goals today?
1) Drink at least 2 quarts of water. No. Close, but no.
2) 15 minutes of steady walking. Yes. I've also discovered that while picturesque, brick sidewalks aren't so good for steady walking. So tomorrow will be a different route.
I also rode my bike to work, but not home as it was raining. I'm goal oriented, not obsessed.
On a totally egotistical note, I was asked today if I'd lost a lot of weight (yes- 9lbs, but I credited the recent eyebrow wax with most of the difference in look) AND I was told that my grey streak of hair gives me a certain "je ne sais quoi" and that it's very stunning. This from a charming man with a British accent, so I swooned. Giddy. Nearly speechless. Nearly. ;)
And that's that.
OH! I already packed my lunch for tomorrow. Brown rice, green beans, "crab" salad (too much mayo, but maybe I can scrape it off) and a salad made of red grapes, green grapes, raspberries and blackberries. YUM. I have some plain yogurt at work that I may incorporate, but maybe not.
How are your daily goals coming?
1) Drink at least 2 quarts of water. No. Close, but no.
2) 15 minutes of steady walking. Yes. I've also discovered that while picturesque, brick sidewalks aren't so good for steady walking. So tomorrow will be a different route.
I also rode my bike to work, but not home as it was raining. I'm goal oriented, not obsessed.
On a totally egotistical note, I was asked today if I'd lost a lot of weight (yes- 9lbs, but I credited the recent eyebrow wax with most of the difference in look) AND I was told that my grey streak of hair gives me a certain "je ne sais quoi" and that it's very stunning. This from a charming man with a British accent, so I swooned. Giddy. Nearly speechless. Nearly. ;)
And that's that.
OH! I already packed my lunch for tomorrow. Brown rice, green beans, "crab" salad (too much mayo, but maybe I can scrape it off) and a salad made of red grapes, green grapes, raspberries and blackberries. YUM. I have some plain yogurt at work that I may incorporate, but maybe not.
How are your daily goals coming?
What's in your lunchbox?
I forgot my veggies. *sigh* I got my fruit (fresh cherries, frozen back in early summer when they were cheap and plentiful at the store) but I forgot my veggies.
One of the most frustrating things I run in to on a daily basis is my own brain. See- I have ADD. I've had it my whole life, but was diagnosed as an adult, about 20 years ago. In my youth I was fortunate enough to have my non-ADD mom organizing everything. But now... yikes.
And so I remember the cherries but forget the green beans. Even though they sit roughly 6" apart in the freezer.
Make a list? Sure I made a list. It said "make lunch" not "get fruit, get veggies, get rice, get leftover bbq" Looks like I'm going to have to go with smaller chunks on my list. hrm.
What's in your lunch today? Can I have some of your veggies?
One of the most frustrating things I run in to on a daily basis is my own brain. See- I have ADD. I've had it my whole life, but was diagnosed as an adult, about 20 years ago. In my youth I was fortunate enough to have my non-ADD mom organizing everything. But now... yikes.
And so I remember the cherries but forget the green beans. Even though they sit roughly 6" apart in the freezer.
Make a list? Sure I made a list. It said "make lunch" not "get fruit, get veggies, get rice, get leftover bbq" Looks like I'm going to have to go with smaller chunks on my list. hrm.
What's in your lunch today? Can I have some of your veggies?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
And a squirrel shall lead them
Let me get this out of the way first: the following video is absolutely not appropriate for children, and if you listen at work I will not be held responsible if HR comes down on you because your fellow employees don't like the idea of being called foul names by an animated squirrel.
You've been warned.
And so... Foamy, on Fatkins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn-MlHlDhHs
THE CARTOON SQUIRREL CURSES. A LOT.
You've been warned.
And so... Foamy, on Fatkins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn-MlHlDhHs
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