Friday, March 30, 2007

Need YOUR Fashion Help!

Hubby and I have been invited to a formal fund-raising dinner event ($150 a plate). There's no actual invitation, and we've asked two of the event coordinators about the dress. Both have said it is "Black Tie." In my world, that means tuxes for men, long evening dresses for women. However, one of the coordinators said, "Oh, it's quite fancy. It's Black Tie. I saw the photos from last year and some people were wearing tuxes. Most men had really nice suits on."

This tells me that she actually means the event is "Black Tie Optional," despite the fact that she repeatedly referred to it as "Black Tie."

Hubby doesn't own a tux.

My question: Should he wear a tux or a black suit? Is a short cocktail dress appropriate for me, or should I go long? (I hate wearing long dresses... they make me look short.)

What are your thoughts? What would YOU do?

April Goals

After giving it some thought, I finally decided on my April Challenge Goals.
  • Primary Goal: Limit alcoholic beverages to two per week. (Same goal as March. Only this time I hope to accomplish it completely.)
  • Secondary Goal: No weigh-ins! The scale is my nemesis. I'm going to try to go the entire month without stepping on it. Perhaps it will be liberating.
  • Secondary Goal: Think before I speak. I have a terrible habit of blurting out whatever is on my mind... which means I can be blunt, rude and offensive. Sometimes even hurtful. This month I am going to commit to actually thinking about my words--and my motivation behind them--before they leave my mouth.
So that's it. With any luck I'll be a happier, healthier person by the end of April.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Review Of March Goals

Here's a review of my March Goals:
  • (Primary) Limit alcoholic beverages to two per week. I failed at this the first three weeks of March, but did manage to accomplish it during the last week. So I give myself partial credit.
  • (Secondary) Attend one martial arts class per week. Accomplished! A success! I managed to go to class every single Monday in March.
  • (Secondary) Limit cheat meals to two per week. Again, I failed at this the first three weeks, but finished up strong the last week of this month. Partial credit.
Not too bad. One goal met, plus partial credit on the other two. (I'm grading myself on a curve.)

I've been trying to think of April Goals. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as I thought. I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I do want to challenge myself. I may reuse one of my March Goals.

Alternatively, I've thought about goals that focus more on my spiritual or emotional side (instead of my physical health). I'd like to meditate more, for example. I'd also like to learn to be more patient and kind to my fellow human beings--especially the ones I love.

Spring is a time of new beginnings. It gives me hope.

So I'm going to stew on this a bit before making any decisions.

How Would You Spend $127?

As I mentioned in a previous post, I occasionally write PayPerPost.com (PPP) reviews here at In Pursuit Of Fitness. PPP pays people to write reviews--or blatantly advertise--on their blogs.

So far I've earned a total of $127, which should be in my hands within thirty days or so.

And though $127 won't buy me a vacation or even a weekend getaway, it will get me a few luxury items that I normally wouldn't purchase.

I've already purchased my allotted "summer" clothing for the year (I usually allow myself three or four new clothing items every summer and three or four items every winter). However, I'd like to have one or two more dresses. So first I'll use my $127 to buy two cute little sundresses. Now some of you fashion divas may think $127 isn't enough to buy even one dress. But I am a total bargain shopper. I don't mind shopping secondhand, and I often buy clothing on eBay. Generally speaking, I spend about $10-$20 on a dress. Two dresses will cost me about $40.

Next I would really like to buy some new running gear. Nothing fancy, just a few things to make my life easier. I could use a new set of earbuds for my iPod--the headphones I have now sometimes shock me when I get too sweaty. They're not a necessity, but they would make my runs a little more comfortable. I'd also like to invest in a pair of shorts with a fuel pocket so I can carry my Sport Beans and Sharkies. Specialty gear is expensive--and running gear is no exception--so those two items will probably blow about $60 of my PPP cash.

Finally, with the remaining $27, I'll probably buy some new cosmetics. I love trying new lip glosses and lip sticks, plus I could use some new nail polish for the upcoming summer months. Got to keep my toes pretty!

So how would you spend an extra $127?


Food Is Dangerous

And I don't mean the hazard of "This is soooo high in calories."

Last night I had a snack of canned stuffed grape leaves. The ingredients on the can seemed innocent enough: grape leaves, rice, citric acid, salt, pepper, olive oil.

About 10 minutes after eating the snack, my lip started to feel funny. Then it felt like it was swelling. I looked in the mirror and was startled to discover that my lips looked like they belonged to Angelina Jolie. It appeared someone had inserted a tire pump into my bottom lip and was rapidly inflating it to balloon-size.

Clearly I had an allergic reaction to something. It must have been the stuffed grape leaves, although I cannot identify anything in the ingredient list that is suspect. As far as I know, I've never been allergic to any type of food at all.

Hubby--a medical professional--took one look at my swollen lip and said, "Go take a Benadryl now."

So I did.

The result: My lip went back to normal, I got super sleepy, and I feel kinda hungover today. (Antihistamines always have that effect on me.)

The lesson: Food can be dangerous!

Beer, Wine And Booze

As many of you know, I enjoy the occasional glass of wine. And, at times, one or two glasses can turn into three or four. Moreover, there have been times during my life when I've imbibed almost every night of week. In fact, I've even tried "no alcohol" challenges.

Although I've never worried about having an actual addiction--mostly because there have been many periods of my life when I'm a teetotaler for months at a time--I do realize that alcohol addiction is something I should be constantly vigilant about. Since I'm adopted, I don't know my family history. It's quite possible that a predisposition to alcoholism is part of my genetic makeup.

Moreover, I have quite a few friends who are regular, fairly-heavy drinkers. Indeed, I've expressed mild concern to them about the frequency and quantity of their alcoholic beverage consumption.

If I--or a loved one--should ever need help battling an addiction, it's comforting to know we can go to places like The Watershed for help. The Watershed is an addiction treatment program with facilities in Florida and Texas. Designed for both Alcohol and Drug Treatment, the facilities offer medical care, therapy and counseling. If you need help, they have detoxification services and psychiatric care, too.

The website offers lots of help to get you started, including an assessment quiz to determine if you have an addiction problem. There's also a 24-hour 1-800 number you can call for help.

I certainly hope that neither myself nor any of my friends ever need this type of treatment. However, if we should, I'm glad caring, professional services are available at facilities like The Watershed.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Snowball In Spring

Mostly when people talk about things "snowballing," they're referring to bad things, such as:

I just started flirting with my secretary, and the next thing I knew it had snowballed into an affair.

or

I was shopping for one pair of shoes, and before I knew it my shopping trip had snowballed into a thousand dollar credit card bill.

However, my Spring Snowball is a good one.

It started at the beginning of this week, when I decided to be totally dedicated and focused until my summer beach trip. It's an 8-week, down-to-the-wire attempt to try and get really comfortable with my body size and shape.

It started with one meal. One workout.

And it's snowballing into a habit of healthy living.

I've been really happy with my progress thus far. The scale shows two pounds of weight loss. Of course, I haven't actually lost two pounds. But I probably have gotten rid of some of the excess water and bloat that's usually a result of refined carbohydrates and too much salt. Overall, I'm feeling great. Accomplishments (so far) this week include:
  • Resisting the urge to drink too much wine at a friend's house
  • Eating a protein bar instead of a tempting "cheat" meal
  • Sticking with clean, wholesome meals
  • Avoiding refined carbohydrates
  • Completing--and adding to--each daily workout

Toasters And Skinjobs

I am not a sci-fi fan. Hubby, however, loves all things science fiction (as well as tech gadgets and "how it works" TV shows).

Because of this, he's been regularly watching the new Battlestar Galactica series. And, I have to confess, there's something very entertaining about this show. Despite my initial reluctance, I now know all about "Skinjobs" and "Toasters."

Think of "sci-fi" socializing, and you're likely to envision a Star Trek conference (complete with Vulcan ears and Klingon masks). However, the Internet has created an entire new way for science fans to interact. One of the newest possibilities is www.sci-edge.me.com, a community for anyone interested in science hobbies, tech toys and science fiction. The free membership includes things like blogs, photos, message boards and chat! So now it's easy to contact and socialize with other folks who want to debate the merits of classic "Star Trek" versus "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

This Sci-Edge site will launch on April 2. If you're a fan of all things science, this may be a great place for meeting likeminded folks with similar interests.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Soups And Salads

My days tend to be busy--sometimes I work on short deadlines, so I don't have time to cook complicated or time-consuming lunches.

In the fall and winter, I almost always have a container of soup in the fridge. On the weekend I make a big pot that provides me with lunches for most of the week. I try to include a protein (like beans), a whole grain (like brown rice) and a veggie (like wilted spinach) in each soup recipe so that it's a one-pot meal.

Warmer weather, however, makes soup less appealing. As a result, I'll often make salads instead. Favorites include:
  • Couscous Salad: Whole grain couscous mixed with black beans, corn, cilantro, parsley, diced tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper
  • Pasta Primavera Salad: Whole grain bow tie pasta mixed with strips of oven-roasted green pepper, red pepper, yellow pepper, zucchini and carrots, plus fresh grape tomatoes, white beans, olive oil, salt and pepper
  • Three Bean Salad: Kidney, garbanzo and black beans mixed with diced cucumbers, chopped asparagus (lightly steamed), balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper
Now that the days have gotten warmer, I'm looking forward to trading my soups for salads.

Personal Finance Information

I admit it. I enjoy shopping.

One of my favorite things about losing weight is that I get to buy new clothes to show off my new figure.

Unfortunately, my desire to shop is (a lot) bigger than my budget. As a result, I do my best to stay informed about personal finances. By making the best choices when it comes to banking, borrowing and investing my money, I can help stretch my dollar so I have more cash for clothes!

Websites like PayDayLoanLowdown.com are a great way to get educated about personal finance. This site includes information about a budget, a payday loan and credit. Since smart money management can make a big difference in your bottom line, it's a good idea to occasionally review personal finance sites like this to ensure you're making informed choices.

By learning about--and practicing--good money management techniques, I can afford to treat myself to a new pair of shoes or a new skirt every once in a while. It's a great way to reward myself for meeting my weight loss goals!

8 Week Countdown

I have 8 weeks until our beach trip.

And my weight hasn't been budging. (And, no, my clothes don't fit any better.) I do feel as if I've gotten stronger... but I haven't lost any flab!

Eight weeks is enough time to make a significant difference in my appearance. If I could drop 10 pounds of fat in that time, I'd be feeling (and looking) pretty decent. But the only way that'll happen is if I'm totally, 100% focused and dedicated. Which means maybe one small cheat meal each week. Not an easy thing for me to do.

But I don't have a choice. It's either get my tush in gear, or spend another vacation wearing an oversized, baggy tee-shirt on the beach.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Celebratory Meal

I officially have an agent for my book!

So last night we went out for a celebratory meal. For me:
  • Spaghetti with tomato sauce
  • About 4 fried zucchini strips
  • Hunk of white Italian bread
  • Field green salad with balsamic vinegar
  • Three glasses of red wine
So I kinda busted my diet a bit...

Then, this morning, I had an early doctor's appointment. I woke up too late to eat breakfast, so we did the fast food thing. I ordered:
  • Small hash brown potatoes
  • Small coffee
Not exactly the most low-calorie and healthy breakfast.

However, I am not letting these "cheat" meals ruin the rest of my day or week. I am right back on track again! My second meal today was:
  • Tofu "fritatta"
  • Red grapefruit
  • 2 whole grain crispbreads
A nice, healthy pre-exercise meal. And my workout today is a lower body strength training routine, plus I plan to do a little additional cardio to burn some of those extra calories I had last night.

We made a quick stop at the supermarket today, and I loaded up on lots of healthy veggies and fruits. So there are plenty of good-for-me options in my fridge.

I have high hopes for the rest of the week!

Monday, March 19, 2007

"Bar Tan"

A few people asked the definition of a "bar tan" after my 100 Things About Me post.

I Googled the term and was surprised to find no definitions--at least, not as I define the phrase. In my college days, we frequently referred to "bar tans."

UrbanDictionary.com says a "bar room tan" is the redness of an alcoholic's face due to broken blood vessels from years of alcohol abuse. This isn't quite the meaning I attribute to the term.

In my social circle, a "bar tan" is the red flush that accompanies drinking an alcoholic beverage. Here's what ecureme.com says about it:

"On the skin, alcohol causes dilation of surface capillaries (tiny blood vessels), resulting in facial flushing and a pinkish-red hue to the cheeks."

Asian people are more prone to this redness--even after just one or two drinks. (See this Go Ask Alice! article.)

Basically, whenever I have a drink or two, I always end up with a flushed face that I call a "bar tan."

Apples And Pears

My weight has stalled.

Although my muscles seem to be getting bigger and stronger, my belly is still the same size.

My tummy is really my big problem. Unlike most women, who tend to be pear shaped, I am a classic apple. I carry my extra flab right around my stomach (and a bit around my arms).

Sure, my tushy is squishy... at least, squishier than it used to be. But the big problem is the extra rolls around my midsection. I get "muffin top" no matter which pants I wear!

Most people know that spot reduction doesn't work. Unless I resort to surgery, I can't force the fat to melt off my tummy area. Instead, I have to lose body fat in general, and (hopefully), my belly will eventually shrink, too.

But, at the moment, my fat doesn't seem to be going anywhere. It has, apparently, made itself right at home on my body.

Guess I'm going to have to evict it!

NY Travel

Hubby and I do some light traveling--he has to attend conferences for his job. As a result, I always do heavy research prior to our trips. Generally, I have to find things like vegetarian restaurants and a hotel with a gym (or a fitness center that offers one or two day guest passes). I also try to find out about safe running routes, plus activities that might be interesting, like shows or spas.

That's when websites like NYC-Sports-Travel.com come in handy (if I ever visit New York). This site discusses everything relevant to NYC sports & travel, including insider tips about things like sushi restaurants, transportation, museums and hotels. Checking out these types of sites makes it a little bit easier for me to plan our trips.

As someone who tries to maintain a healthy diet, the restaurant reviews are particularly relevant to me. Right now the information is limited--mostly covering the red meat category--but the site has potential.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Photo Challenge

So here it is... documentation of my Friday meals:



I begin every day with two or three cups of tea... usually oolong.




My first meal of the day is not always this hearty, but I am trying to eat a bigger breakfast. Today it was oatmeal with cinnamon, two soy sausage patties and a red grapefruit.













The next meal is my "pre-workout" meal, so I make it fairly carb heavy. Black bean soup (a homemade recipe similar to the soup served at Panera Bread) plus a slice of whole wheat bread. As a note, I drink water throughout the day.




The next meal, post workout, was two parts. Roasted sweet potato and veggies (broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts), plus a handful of nuts (almonds and walnuts).













The next meal was a big bowl of air-popped popcorn, no butter. Popcorn is my only exception to my "no distracted eating" rule. I allow myself the air-popped version while I watch movies. If the bowl looks big... that's because it is. However, I only ate about half of it.




My last meal was two parts: homemade miso soup with tofu and seaweed and a bottle of water. But I was still hungry, so I then ate half a whole wheat pita, some hummus and another glass of water.

So that's it! A day of meals for me.

100 Things About Me

In honor of my 100th post…

100 Things About Me

1. I was born in Seoul, Korea.
2. I was adopted by Caucasian parents.
3. Even though I no longer live in the state, I consider myself a Marylander.
4. I have a brother who's smarter than me.
5. My best friends have always been male.
6. My husband is my very best friend.
7. I need two pillows--one for me head and one to cuddle--when I sleep.
8. I am ambivalent about having children.
9. I tell people that my one dream is to be a published author.
10. But my one dream is really to be a best-selling published author.
11. I am lazy.
12. I sometimes Google old friends and high school pals.
13. I think Sam Elliot is hot.
14. I want to someday run a small-scale farm sanctuary.
15. Plants seem to wither and die when I am responsible for their care.
16. Driving in the rain scares me, and I will do almost anything to avoid it.
17. I hate transportation that requires someone else to be in control, like planes and buses.
18. I often get hives after I exercise.
19. I sweat profusely during exercise, even though I consider myself to be in decent shape.
20. I practice martial arts.
21. I don't stretch often enough.
22. My weight is a concern for me, even though people tell me I look great.
23. My legs are my favorite part of my body.
24. So I often wear high heels and short skirts.
25. I have two dogs.
26. I also have one cat.
27. I drink red wine in the fall and winter, and white wine in the spring and summer.
28. I am a creative problem solver.
29. But I am not "book smart."
30. I don't pay much attention to politics and world events.
31. I secretly watch romantic movies.
32. When I'm around others, I watch action films.
33. I had a crush on Harrison Ford when I was younger. Then he started to look like my dad.
34. I'd like to meet Bruce Willis someday.
35. I never play the lottery.
36. I often have nightmares about vampires and werewolves.
37. My favorite books are either mysteries or suspense novels.
38. I'd rather be muscular than super-skinny.
39. I consider myself more organized than most people.
40. I double-check the locks before I got to bed at night.
41. Although I am a "tree hugger," I drive an SUV because it makes me feel safer.
42. I believe that people who actually hunt, kill, skin and cure their own meat have a right to eat it.
43. My forehead is permanently wrinkled because I often scowl.
44. I was born in 1974. Probably.
45. No one knows my actual birth day because I was abandoned at an orphanage.
46. I believe in my heart, however, that I am an Aries.
47. However, I do not believe in the zodiac.
48. I get embarrassed when people give me gifts.
49. I am not sentimental and rarely keep mementos.
50. I hate clutter.
51. I completely lack artistic skills. I cannot draw, paint, sculpt, crochet or even paste construction paper together in an artistic way.
52. My sense of humor typically involves making fun of others or myself.
53. I am blunt to the point of rudeness on occasion.
54. I treasure my real friends, because they love me despite my faults.
55. I do not get close to people easily, and it takes years before I consider someone a friend.
56. I can do the "Live long and prosper" Vulcan salute with my fingers.
57. Although I can prepare a decent meal, I possess only average cooking skills.
58. I play classical piano.
59. I am not good at video games, but I enjoy them.
60. I read very quickly, and can finish a novel in one evening.
61. I am an ex-smoker.
62. I rarely pump my own gas.
63. A Bible sits beside my bed, but I don't read it often enough.
64. I only have one grandparent who is alive, and I dislike her.
65. I often wish my grandfather was still alive.
66. I wear a cross on my body at all times, usually as a necklace.
67. Pasta is my favorite food.
68. I dislike math, and sometimes count on my fingers.
69. Shopping is an enjoyable hobby for me.
70. Generally, I dislike sweets such as doughnuts, cakes and pastries.
71. However, I like hard candies.
72. I hate talking on the phone.
73. I prefer to watch movies at home rather than go to the theater.
74. I want to run a marathon someday.
75. I have been sky diving.
76. I am a certified SCUBA diver.
77. I am scared of heights.
78. People who only know me superficially think that I am kind, sweet and nice.
79. People who know the real me think that I'm abrasive and demanding.
80. The truth is somewhere in-between.
81. My favorite author used to be Stephen King.
82. But now I no longer have a "favorite."
83. Every time I walk into a liquor store, part of me worries that I am about to interrupt a robbery in progress.
84. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
85. I have a Master's degree in Criminal Justice.
86. All it takes it one alcoholic beverage to give me a "bar tan."
87. I used to be a flirt.
88. These days, I am so self-conscious about my weight that I never flirt with anyone.
89. Although I hate to watch TV, I find myself watching it for hours at a time.
90. I have never been able to follow a budget.
91. My hair is dark brown (although some people call it black).
92. My eyes are also dark brown.
93. I am five foot tall.
94. I hate it when people ask my weight.
95. But I've stopped lying about my age.
96. I dislike salad, but will eat it if necessary.
97. I work from home.
98. As a result, I spend most of my days in my pajamas.
99. I was in my pajamas the entire time I wrote this list.
100. I prefer solitary sports, like running and swimming.

PayPerPost Buzz

Some of you may have noticed that I occasionally do some PayPerPost.com ads. I try to keep them minimal, and I try to only choose the ones that fit into the theme and tone of my blog. I pick the ones that I can relate to my health and fitness lifestyle. (Although on a rare occasion I might choose one that relates to another aspect of my personal life.)

For those of you who might be looking to monetize your blog, PayPerPost is pretty easy to use. You basically choose which websites/services/products you want to review, and then you post the review on your blog. (You do have to follow certain guidelines as set forth by the advertiser.) The company is getting ready to announce some big changes. They haven't yet revealed what those changes might be, but I'm guessing they'll be designed to increase site traffic. Perhaps it'll be an extra incentive program that allows bloggers to earn even more money.

Personally, one of the reasons I try to earn a few bucks through my blog is to save up a "new wardrobe" fund. If--when--I drop these extra pounds and flatten out my tummy, I'll probably want to buy a bunch of cute, sexy clothes to show off my new body! So I'm starting my fund now so I have a stash of cash when it's time to go on my shopping spree.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Choices

Last night Hubby and I had to do some shopping. We're remodeling our bathroom, so Lowes and Home Depot were on the list. And we needed groceries.

By the time we finished at the hardware stores, my tummy was gurgling. I was soooooo hungry!

(Side note: The problem with eating "mini meals" is that when hunger strikes me, it tends to strike fast and furious. Mini meals mostly keep me from getting too hungry--when I plan smart. But when I fail to plain, I sometimes end up ravenous.)

It's always a big mistake to get too hungry. I should carry a snack bar for these times. Unfortunately, I was not prepared.

Hubby offered two choices:

1. The local Mexican restaurant. They bring out a free basket of fried corn tortilla chips and a bowl of their tasty salsa. My typical meal there is Mexican rice and crunchy bean tacos.

2. Ruby Tuesday's. We hate chains, but RT has the best salad bar in the area (and it was right next door to Lowe's.) I sometimes get the burger, but the salad bar can make a full meal for me.

Obviously the smarter choice would have been Ruby Tuesday's salad bar. I opted for the chips and salsa instead.

I guess it's no surprise that my tummy is still flabby.

But at least I didn't drink a Margarita!

About to make a bad decision...

I got some bad news at work today.

Short version: During the past six months or so, I've taken on a lot of extra responsibilities. It's significantly increased my workload.

Well, this week was review time. And I just got the news: a piddly--barely-cost-of-living--raise.

After taxes, I end up making an extra diddly-squat each paycheck.

It's even more insulting because they claim to be "happy" with my work, and there was nothing negative in my review.

I am not very good at negotiating, and I don't like making waves at work. (Probably one of the reasons I get my ass handed to me.)

Fortunately, this news does not make me want to eat a bunch of junk food.

Unfortunately, it makes me want to drink a bottle of wine and smoke a pack of cigarettes.

I'm wavering between screaming and crying, and I am not normally the kind of person that freaks about stuff like this.

But I just feel as if I've been slapped.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Photo Challenge

Michelle has presented us with a new challenge!

She suggests we take photos of everything we eat or drink for a full day, and then post them on our blogs. (She also suggested that we could do it for a weekday and a weekend day!)

At this very moment I have the batteries charging for my digital camera. I'm willing to take on this challenge!

I think, actually, that I'll make tomorrow my "weekday" for photos. If I manage to do a weekend one, too, it'll probably be Saturday.

I'm a little bit nervous about this. Although I have a feeling this will improve my diet tomorrow. In a way, being accountable makes me more focused. I'd be too ashamed to show the photos if I ate an entire pizza, so I have no choice but to stay dedicated.

If it turns out I am more dedicated tomorrow, then I have to wonder if I should find a way to make myself accountable more often.

We Are Having Technical Difficulties...

Or, rather, user error.

I lost a couple of my blog entries! I am not positive, but I think they are gone forever.

Unfortunately, I am not the most computer savvy person.

Ah, well... c'est la vie.

Personal Finances

I often contemplate the idea of limiting restaurant meals. Eating out means extra calories, too much wine, and too much money.

I'm a bit of a spendthrift. As a result, hubby and I don't manage to save as much cash as we'd like. (Mostly because I love to buy shoes.) So the money we do manage to save needs to be stashed in an account that earns as much as possible.

I've found that Internet banks, in general, tend to offer the best interest rates on my savings. However, there are so many to choose from! Fortunately, websites like Savingsaccounts.com make it easy to find the right bank. Compare online banking, find a savings account or checking account and earn more interest today with SavingsAccounts.com, and you could end up with more money at the end of the year.

Some banks are offering up to 6% on high-yield savings accounts, which is a lot more than the measly 1.4% offered by my local bank.

My first step for saving money probably has to start in the shoe store. (No more black sandals!) But the second step is finding the right savings account.

Monday, March 12, 2007

30 Days Without Wine

Although I consider my alcoholic beverage consumption to be just a little over "moderate" levels, I know it's damaging my weight loss goals. I calculate that I drink approximately 2 glasses of wine per day. (Some days I drink none, some days I drink 1 or 2, and on a Saturday night I may drink 3 or 4. It probably averages to 2 per day.)

When I say "glass," I mean a larger-than-6-ounce-serving. So each "glass" is probably 110 calories.

Two per day is 220 calories per day. That means 1,540 calories per week.

1 pound of fat = 3,500 calories.

That means... give or take a Saturday night party... my alcoholic beverage consumption equals a half pound of fat every week.

Or, another way of saying it: Every month I gain--or fail to lose--two pounds because of the alcoholic beverages I drink.

That doesn't include the calories I get from eating all the junk that seems so tempting after I've had a glass or two of wine.

Although all of this is very sobering, perhaps the most disturbing way of looking at this situation is--for me--this:

The wine I drink totally negates all the calories I burn off through exercise each day.

I bust my tushy with running, lifting weights, martial arts, etc. It needs to count for something!

Now that I've finally done the math, I've decided to go on the wagon for 30 days. I started my new goal yesterday. For 30 days, I'm going to be dry. A teetotaler. A non-drinker.

I'm curious to see if it makes a difference in my waistline.

I have a feeling it will.

Running Sunglasses

Summer is on its way, and that means the sun will be brightly shining when I run outside. Although I wear a cap with a brim to shade my face, I often wish I had a pair of sunglasses made specifically for running.

Fortunately, OpticsPlanet.net has a wide selection of sports sunglasses. They're designed to be lightweight, shatter resistant and non-slip--everything I need when running on a sunny day. Some of them have a wraparound design which offers extra protection and easier wear. You can find styles that have interchangeable lenses or other accessories (like convertible goggles) that make them great for people who play multiple sports.

Prices vary for these sports sunglasses, but expect to pay a minimum of about $40 and as much as $350. OpticsPlanet.net does offer free shipping for some purchases, which is a nice perk.

The website also sells other types of sunglasses--such as Aviator Sunglasses and Motorcycle Sunglasses--as well as binoculars, telescopes, laser sights and more.

Although I normally wear cheapo $8 sunglasses ('cause I have a tendency to lose or break them), I may invest in a good pair of running sunglasses. It's probably worth the expense to help preserve my eyesight.

Friday, March 9, 2007

Bathroom Party

Hubby and I are hosting a "bathroom demolition" party on Saturday night. (We're remodeling our bathroom, and are doing some of the demolition work ourselves to save money.) The guests--a.k.a. temporary, unpaid laborers--include three able-bodied guys and a married couple.

The rule among our friends for manual labor projects: The "help" eats and drinks for free. That means, since this is our project, we provide the booze and food.

Hubby wants to go the route of pizza from the local pizza joint (brought to us by our friendly delivery boy). Fortunately, since I don't eat cheese, I won't be eating this pizza. Instead, I'll make my own at home.

We also need to provide snacks and drinks. This probably means pretzels and peanuts. We have microwave popcorn in case anyone gets a serious case of the munchies.

Alcoholic beverages are also part of the payment we owe our "laborers." This means beer, wine and some type of mixed drink (probably margaritas this time). We keep our liquor cabinet stocked with the basics, so guests can also have rum, whiskey or vodka with the mixer of their choice.

So what does all this mean for my waistline?

1 homemade pizza without cheese: I'll keep it small, but the crust is loaded with calories, and I'm using (sugary) jarred sauce.
Pretzels and peanuts: I love these things, so I'm likely to munch them all night long.
Wine: It's my alcoholic beverage of choice, though I plan to "stretch" my portions by mixing white wine with seltzer water.

Overall… Saturday is probably going to make a dent in my calorie budget for the week. But I'll try and burn some fat by swinging the hammer a few extra times during the bathroom demolition.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Finding Time To Exercise

One of the most cited reasons for lack of physical activity is "I have no time to exercise." However, there are plenty of CEOs, politicians, store clerks, nurses and parents who manage to squeeze a regular workout into their schedules.

I'm not the best at managing my time, so I'm always looking for time management advice, like the kind at TimeThoughts.com. The website includes lots of tips and tricks for finding more minutes in the day, and includes information about making lists, setting priorities and dealing with procrastination.

I've often said that working out in the mornings would help me manage my exercise time better. Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to drag my body out of bed at the crack of dawn. However, I have learned to rearrange my priorities to ensure I find time for workouts. If I skip a workout these days, it's not because I don't have the time. (Instead, it's usually because I'm lazy.)

If I learn a few more time management tricks, however, I may be able to find a way to schedule my day so that I can exercise in the morning. And that's a goal I'm anxious to achieve!

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

More Confessions

Currently, inside my belly, are the following items:
  • 1 sandwich
  • 1/2 canister of Pringles
  • 1 dill pickle
  • 3 cookies
I guess, in all honesty, I just lost control this afternoon. I was feeling a bit down, and I decided to stuff my emotions with food.

(And to top it all off, I broke my Lenten sacrifice by eating and reading a magazine at the same time.)

The way I see it... I have two choices:

Option #1: Chalk this up as a lesson learned. Put it in the past and close the door on it. And approach my next meal with a healthy diet attitude instead.

Option #2: Allow this minor setback to derail my diet for the entire evening. Polish off a few glasses of red wine and eat the French fries hubby purchased for dinner. Resolve to start with a clean slate tomorrow.

Under normal circumstances, I would choose Option #1. But I am experiencing unusual mood swings today. (Ladies: You understand what I mean, right?)

On top of it all, I had to skip my strength training workout. Somehow... somewhere... I must've really worked my upper body. Every time I laugh, my ribcage hurts. My back is aching and my shoulders are sore. I don't think I'm physically capable of hoisting weights today.

And, whenever I skip workouts, I always lose a little bit of willpower for the rest of the day.

I may just toss in the towel today and start again tomorrow. Not the smartest idea, I know, but the only option I can face right now.

Beauty

I admit that I am--just a wee little bit--concerned about my appearance.

Ok. The truth is that my appearance is one of the primary reasons I diet and exercise.

Unfortunately, I never paid much attention to my skin in my youth. I didn't use sunscreen. I smoked cigarettes. And I didn't drink 8 glasses of water each day.

As a result, I now have crow's feet around my eyes and "scowling" wrinkles on my forehead. Diet and exercise hasn't minimized these fine lines on my face, so I'm always seeking skin care products that will help turn back the clock.

I've been doing some browsing at Skincare-md.com, which offers numerous Skin Care products. Many are packed with things like vitamins, antioxidants and other ingredients that help smooth, soften and enhance our skin.

I don't expect to find a magic cream that will miraculously erase my wrinkles. But it would be super cool to find a lotion or potion that improved the appearance of my skin, even if the improvement is small.



Confession

So far my March challenge has been a dismal failure. I know it's early... but geeze.

Anyway, rather than drinking two glasses of wine a week, I am drinking two glasses of wine every evening. (I blame two of those evenings on hubby, who insisted we socialize/go out. I wanted to stay in, sit on the couch, and avoid being close to a bottle of wine. Ok, it's not really his fault. I am my own woman, and I control my own destiny. But he is responsible for bringing temptation within arm's reach. Who of us can say "no" when a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie is laid in front of us on the table? But I digress.)

And, again, I've got lots of social events looming ahead this weekend. Ack! The world conspires against me.

I'm afraid I don't have much of a plan. I feel defeated and discouraged. Is it so hard to stay focused?

Even my belly seems to mock me. This morning, when I woke up, it hung over the top of my PJ pants in all it's flabby glory. Oh the humanity!

I thought the beautiful blanket of snow outside would make me feel fresh and new. Instead, I just feel disheartened.

You know what I need? I need to watch a TV show about folks who lose weight. I find them great motivators. Shows like The Biggest Loser and The Discovery Health Body Challenge really spur my motivation. I even like to see weight loss success people on Oprah.

Maybe I'll check out the TV Guide and see if there's anything motivating on TV today.

Flexibility

I've been struggling lately with flexibility--all it took was one stretching session at Tae Kwon Do to show me how inflexible I am.

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to stretch. However, I don't have the cash--or the time--to take a formal yoga class. As a result, I am mostly self-taught (through books and DVDs). Because of this, I try to stick to very basic poses.

I also try to Learn About Yoga Poses and Yoga Health Benefits through various sources, such as websites like Yogawiz.com. The website is full of information about yoga, including detailed descriptions of poses and animated illustrations.

By utilizing resources such as this, I can learn the proper technique and steps for new yoga poses, as well as the benefits of each pose.

I highly recommend yoga for anyone looking to increase both strength and flexibility. It's also a great way to relieve stress. My yoga time is like meditation for me. And though I'm not the "new age" type at all, I find that practicing yoga really does make me more aware of the connection between my body and mind.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Finding Motivation

The alarm clock buzzes. It's cold in the bedroom, but warm under the covers. I can still feel the ache from the previous day's weight lifting session. And the "snooze" button looks so inviting…

Some days it's hard to motivate myself to exercise. Sheer laziness takes over my body, and my brain sends me little messages.

Go sit on the couch. You love the couch. The couch is good.

On those days, I have to find my motivation within. Sometimes I turn to one of these thoughts:

• My body is a gift from God, and it's my responsibility to take care of it.
• Exercising will help lengthen my life.
• My workouts improve my endurance, boost my strength and relieve stress.
• There may be days I don't feel like exercising, but I never regret it once I start.
• I am fortunate to have the strength and health to move my body.
• Each workout I skip is like breaking a promise to myself.
• Physical fitness enhances the quality of my life.
• This summer I will wear a tank top without shame.

It's not always easy to find the motivation to exercise. And I admit that some days I fail. But I consider each failure a lesson learned. The days when my motivational statements don't work, I know it's time to create something new. It's time to search for another form of motivation to get me over the hump.

Walking Versus Running

As many of you know, running is my preferred form of cardio exercise. However, there are times when running just doesn't work. Sometimes I want to take my dogs with me, which requires a more leisurely pace (for mailbox sniffing). Other times hubby wants to come along, and he doesn't find the same joy in running that I do. And lately I've been experiencing some pain in my heel, which may be the result of a heel bone spur caused by running too many miles.

So, every once in a while, I walk instead of run. And though I miss the feeling of my feet pounding the pavement, I rest easy knowing that walking is still great exercise. Benefits from walking vary, depending on your pace. Typically I strive for a fairly brisk pace--something that makes conversation possible, but just barely.

Walking burns calories, boosts your cardiovascular health, and builds endurance. As an added benefit, a walk allows me to pay more attention to my neighborhood. I notice the trees, the houses and the people just a little bit more.

Overall, I find walking a great cross-training activity, so I make the effort to include the occasional walk in my exercise program.

Wind & Breakfast

I thought Spring was right around the corner... but the blustery cold winds have started blowing again.

And they totally blow. In every sense of the word.

I was looking forward to running around the neighborhood today, but it looks like the weather is going to force me onto the treadmill belt. Just like a rat in a cage.

Ok... obviously winter weather is started to affect my outlook on life!

On another note... you know how "experts" say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, since I am totally not a morning person, my breakfast is typically a few hours after I wake. I've tried to break this habit by eating less at night--and thus waking up hungry. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I always start my day with a cup of hot tea, and tea has a way of dulling my appetite.

Anyway, this morning I was not feeling hungry at all, but I tricked myself into eating by serving up lunch food: Minestrone soup. It worked. I ate a cup or so of it.

Sometimes you just gotta go the non-traditional route.

Home Gym Lighting

In the basement of my house, I'm fortunate enough to have a makeshift home gym that includes a treadmill, elliptical machine, recumbent stationary bike, free weights, Olympic weight set, bench with lat pulldown bar, and various accessories (like a jump rope, stability ball and yoga mat). Lest you think I'm wealthy (I'm not), these items were acquired gradually over the course of many years, and some belonged to my husband when he was single.

So what's the problem? Unfortunately, my basement is "unfinished." This means concrete walls, concrete floor, exposed insulation in the ceiling, and other nastiness. Moreover, we have a total of 3 single light bulbs to illuminate the space. Unfortunately, this often means I have to squint to see the panel on the treadmill.

Hubby and I have considered finishing our basement and adding drywall, flooring and new lighting. As a result, I've been eyeing up light fixtures that can be easily installed by my handy husband. I recently checked out the collection available at ShopPremier.com. Since I tend to sweat while I'm exercising (Who doesn't?), I was especially interested in their ceiling fan/light combinations. One of them, the 52" French Quarter, was very attractive in appearance. It was also the least expensive one in the group.

Unfortunately, it will probably be a few years until we get around to making the basement a more pleasant place to exercise. Until then, I'll just sweat amid the cobwebs and concrete.

Monday, March 5, 2007

Weekend Results

Not a complete disaster, but not great.

I drank 3 extra glasses of wine and ate one meal that was not on my plan. Overall, not a bad weekend. However, I did not completely stick with my challenge.

Tae Kwon Do class tonight... and hubby is actually going to go with me! It's "Buddy Night," so we get to bring along a pal. This is the first one he'll attend. I hope he loves it so we have an active activity to enjoy together.

Otherwise, today is "back to the routine." Upper body strength training planned for my workout, plus some cardio (probably a circuit routine). Then TKD class later tonight, so I have plenty of exercise planned for today.

I'm trying to clean up my diet a bit as the time grows closer to my beach vacation. I haven't dropped a single pound yet, so that means I really need to focus. Am going to try cutting back on starches during my last two meals of the day. I have a tendency to overdo the pasta and rice in evening hours. We'll see how it goes.

I only have three months left until the beach. It's pretty much "do or die" point.

Cell Phones For Running

Hubby and I recently needed new cell phones. Ours were old and outdated. His had so many chips and nicks that the phone looked like it doubled as a battering ram. Mine was in better condition--I use it less--but I had a specific need.

As many of you know, I often run outside. By the time I hit 7 miles or so, I'm pretty far from home. My runs take me through various areas--some very rural, just dotted with farmhouses every quarter mile or so. I also run through some housing developments and residential areas. Because I'm a woman--and I often run alone--I like to carry my cell phone with me. But I hate the feel of a bulky phone banging and rubbing against me. And if I'm not wearing a jacket, my pockets are usually limited to tiny little things (that barely fit a bag of Sports Beans).

My local cellular phone store had a poor selection of phones. Everything offered was big and bulky, with extras that I don't need (like MP3 players or full keypads). Fortunately, Wirefly.com offers a huge selection of cell phones for almost every major cellular phone service. Better still, most of the phones are free when you sign a contract.

If you need a phone for running--like me--that's super sleek and small, you can bypass all the techie phones and go for something basic. Some of the RAZR cell phones are super slim and very light. Wirefly.com lists the weight of each phone. Anything under 3.0 ounces is likely to be so light that you won't even realize you're running with it.

On the other hand, if you're a total techie, you probably want a phone that's loaded AND light. Fortunately, you can find plenty of options on Wirefly.com. The Blackberry Pearl is just a little over 3 ounces, and it includes email, Bluetooth, camera, MP3 player and more.

If you're in the market for new cell phones, make sure you check the options at Wirefly.com.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Weekend Survival Plan

Weekend are always a rough patch for me. I'm starting to dread them, since I know it means I'll be faced with food, booze and more food.

We've got social events planned for every weekend in March. If I want to trim down in time for my beach trip, I have to be completely 100% focused for the next three months.

So here's my Weekend Survival Plan:
  • Stick with my challenge goal of drinking only 2 drinks per week. To do this, I'll s-t-r-e-t-c-h alcoholic beverages by drinking white wine spritzers. I'll also drink a glass of water between every 1/2 glass of wine.
  • Never go out hungry. I'll always have a small snack before leaving the house, like an apple and a handful of almonds. This should keep me from being ravenous when we go out to eat.
  • Exercise! Since I'm not drinking a bunch of liquor in the evening, I should be in fine condition to workout through the weekend. No more hangovers, which means no more missed workouts!
Hopefully that will be enough to keep me on track. This weekend is packed with social events, so we'll see how it works.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Cheaper Workout Clothes

When I first started exercising, I only needed one small drawer to store my workout clothes. As my pursuit of fitness continued, I started adding more items to my collection. I now have clothing for winter, spring, summer and fall. I have moisture wicking shirts, thermal wear and super-supportive sports bras. I have socks designed to prevent blisters and cold weather running tights.

In short, I had to move my fitness clothing to a bigger drawer.

However, buying all this workout clothing can cause a big dent in my budget. Because they're "specialized" items, they're usually more expensive than the standard cotton tee-shirt. As a result, I am always looking for bargains, sales and deals to help cut costs.

Since I do a lot of my shopping online, I rely on coupon websites like Coupon Chief to save me money. This website lists all sorts of coupon and discount codes that can be used at online stores, such as 10% off a purchase or free shipping.

The website even includes coupons for one of my favorite sporting goods stores: Sierra Trading Post. Although the store is designed mostly for outdoors sports, they offer a wide selection of basic athletic gear. I've purchased everything from running shorts to moisture wicking shirts at this store. They are almost always offering some sort of coupon or bargain, and you can find a list of Sierra Trading Post deals here.

March Challenge

I had to do some thinking to decide on my March Challenge. I didn't have a problem thinking of possible challenges. Oh no. I had too many challenges I wanted to complete!

I know, however, that bombarding myself with challenges will only make me feel overwhelmed--and I'm likely to accomplish none of them. (See February's distastrous results.) So I finally narrowed them down to the three most important ones for me:

Primary Goal
  • Limit alcoholic beverages to two per week. I enjoy a glass (or two) of wine in the evenings. But I realize that alcohol is pretty much empty calories. And those two daily glasses of wine probably equal 200 calories--which completely negates all the calorie-burning effort of my workouts. (Also, too many glasses of wine gives me the munchies.) So, for the month of March, I'm limiting alcoholic beverages to just two per week.
Secondary Goals
  • Attend one martial arts class per week. Maybe I'll attend more, but this is the minimum attendance I've set for myself.
  • Limit cheat meals to two per week. Two glasses of wine per week, two cheat meals per week. In my opinion, that's enough to avoid feelings of deprivation, but not so much that it completely blows my weight loss efforts.
So that's it! My goals for March.

The Wirefly National Marathon

As some of you may know, I was (up until recently) training for a Half Marathon. However, my sights have always been set on completing a Full Marathon. I don't have much hope of finishing one this year. But since I've never actually seen a marathon, I've considered finding one nearby so I can be a spectator.

Fortunately, the Wirefly National Marathon is being held in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 24, 2007. I'm just a short (90 minute) drive from D.C., so watching this marathon is definitely a possibility for me.

This year is a new course for the marathon. It's also a Boston qualifier, so it's likely to get more than a few elite runners. A quick perusal of last year's results, however, also shows some runners with a pace around 12- or 13-minute miles. So it's likely this marathon brings a mix of casual and competitive marathoners.

The Wirefly National Marathon is being produced by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance. It benefits numerous charities, including the Special Olympics of D.C., the YMCA, and the Joy of Sports Foundation. Sponsors of the marathon include The Washington Times, American Airlines and Michelob Ultra.

The marathon does require entrants to meet some qualifications, such as completing a marathon is 5 hours or less, or completing a 10K in 1:05 or less. There's a Half Marathon, too, for runners who aren't ready (or prefer not) to run the entire length of the full marathon.

This is a relatively new marathon--2007 will be its second year. However, the race appears to be well organized. Free parking is provided to runners and spectators.

If you're visiting from out of town, the race website provides lots of information about local hotels and transportation. The marathon course itself will lead the runners past an interesting array of D.C. sights, including the Potomac River, the Capital Building, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial--with a start and finish at RFK Stadium. I'm fairly familiar with this part of D.C., and I'd say that it's probably going to mostly be a relatively flat course, although runners will encounter a few hills.

Anyone interested in signing up for the Wirefly National Marathon should visit the race website. If you're going to be in the D.C. area on March 24, consider being a spectator. The excitement of the race may motivate you to strap on your running shoes and train for a future event.