May 5, 2014

Posted on May 5, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

Last week was a pretty awesome week. I lost another 2lbs (yay!) and gained a bit of strength: physically and mentally! The most exciting thing about last week was how I surprised myself. I work on the third floor on my building. The stairs are the kind that have two sets in between each floor. Well, I ran down to my car one day but forgot to take my security badge with me to get back into the building. So I had to walk all the was around the building to security and ask to be let in. The security guard requested I run up to my desk and grab my badge to bring back down to him or he would have to deactivate it. I agreed and took the quickest way up to my desk: the stairs. I ran up all 6 flights of stairs to the third floor and didn’t realize until I got to my desk that “I just RAN up those stairs! And I’m barely winded!” Now this may not sound like a very big event, but to me it was the confirmation I needed that my workouts are benefitting me! Before going to the gym I would be huffing and puffing before getting to the 2nd floor. But I just RAN up the stairs without giving it a thought! Did I mention I RAN up the stairs?

Saturday is my weigh-in day with my hubby. Another awesome moment when I stepped on the scale and saw that another 2lbs are gone! My wieght loss has been stalled for about a month or so. Even though I’m losing inches, it’s still a bit frustrating to not see the scale move. But Saturday’s weigh-in made me grin from ear to ear. High fives all around at my house. I also picked up some workout equipment to have at home for the days I can’t make it to the gym. Nothing fancy. Just some hand wieghts, pilates balls, yoga mat, and a few other pieces. Now there is not excuses. I have no where to hide!

Liz

April 25, 2014

Posted on April 25, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

Oooohhhhh, my aching body! This week has been a rough one for me. Not in a bad way. Last week I took a few days off of work which led to me taking a few days off from working out. Four days to be exact. I didn’t think much of it until I hit the gym on Monday. Wow, was I surprised! I was exhausted and not as strong as I was the week before. I had no idea skipping a week of excercise could have such an extreme consequence. Tuesday was much worse. Lauren (my trainer) not only worked me hard, but gave me some new excersises on top of my regular workout. Core and arm excersises. I thought I was going to drop dead right there in the gym. Can’t say I didn’t deserve it. She also explained to me that it only takes the body four days to lose muscle mass! I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!!!! No wonder I woke up feeling like I was hit by a truck. But, again, it’s all good! It’s ALL sore, but it’s all good!

Since starting with a trainer I’ve learned many new excerises. Almost to the point that I forget about some and don’t do them. So I think what I have in mind is to bring a gym journal with me. I will list all of my excersises, reps, and the days I’ve done them and keep track of my progress. Lauren has a journal on me that she keeps to monitor my progress. But I think having one for myself to take on the the days I don’t train with her will keep me motivated and also help me remember which ones I haven’t done in a while. I think I will get on that project this weekend!

As for my nutrition, well, that’s still a bit of a challenge. You see, during my week off I partook in a bit of alcoholic debauchery. Being a beer blogger as well as writing this blog, there are many new beers out now that I have wanted to try. Living in the PNW (Pacific North West) it’s also very easy to obtain. So I consumed far too much beer, and far too many calories. Not a good plan. So back to basics. I have not logged food as much as I would have liked this week but this is a learning process. I would like to think everything will go swimmingly on my journey. But I’m realistic enough to know that it won’t. I will suffer through some bumps on the road but how I react to those bumps is what will dictate my success. I can either 1) beat myself up, or 2) dust myself off, learn from it, and move on. I choose the latter.

Liz

April 14, 2014

Posted on April 14, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

So, I discussed my stalling weight loss with my trainer, Lauren. She has been taking a look at my meals and we think we nailed the problem…or should I say “problems.” As many of you are aware, I’m a snacker. I eat when I’m bored, sad, happy, relaxed, pretty much any time there is food avail. I have been this way my entire life. It didn’t become a problem until I hit my late twenties. Now, it seems as though I look at a piece of candy and I gain a pound. Such is my burden.

First issue: So, I have had a really bad sweet tooth lately and I maintain a pretty impressive candy dish at work. While this is usually not an issue (I rarely sample my candy dish goods), lately my sweet tooth has become overbearing and I have been partaking in the evil ritual of snacking. Especially when it comes to chocolate & peanut butter. Reese’s Peanut Butter eggs? Forget about it!!!

Second issue: my beer consumption needs to taper off a bit. Now this one will be a little bit difficult for me. You see, I also write a beer blog and part of that blog is trying new beers, new pubs, and new breweries. My consumption is nothing to worry about habit-wise (4-5 beers a week max) but it IS an awful lot of empty calories. I don’t drink at all during the week. On Saturday I will have a beer with lunch and one with dinner. I may have a third later in the evening while relaxing with my hubby. On Sunday I will have one with lunch and maybe one with dinner and that’s about it. Now, that may not sound like a lot but when you break down the calories it really adds up! The average calorie count on a pint of beer is about 180-250 calories. That means I’m drinking 900-1250 calories a weekend. That’s almost about my calorie allotment for an entire day! That needs to change and quick.

Third issue: Not enough fresh food. I do eat, what I consider, a lot of fruit and veggie. But not nearly as much as I should be. I DO eat processed, frozen foods simply out of convenience. After all, I have a full-time job (with the occasional overtime), I write 2 blogs, I’m an amateur photographer, and amateur seamstress. Plus I have a house to keep clean. Time is very precious to me and there is never enough in a day to get everything done. So I don’t always have time to prepare anything and microwave meals are quick and easy. I usually buy Weight Watchers brand or other “healthy” brands. The deal is, these are NOT healthy as a staple. They are OK when you are in a pinch, but one should not live off of these meals. They are processed and chock full of sodium! Lauren feels I need more fresh food, lean proteins, and nuts in my diet and that should kick-start my weight loss again.

You see, I knew before I asked her that I needed to change these issues. The problem was it was easier not to recognize and accept them when I was the only one pointing it out. Having my trainer point this out has made me come to terms with what needs to happen, come to terms with it, and make the necessary changes to be successful. First day on the tweaked diet started today. I will keep you posted.

Liz

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April 9, 2014

Posted on April 9, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

You never realize how weak you are until you try your first proper push-up. That reality has hit me big time since going to the gym. I love my trainer, Lauren, but she is kicking my ass! Thank God because apparently I’m as weak as a kitten. I have to laugh during my workouts with her because she makes everything look easy. When I step up to try the new excercise, I suddenly have the strength, coordination, and stamina of a newborn colt. When I go home, I’m sweatty, sore, and reeaaallllyyy tired. But, I wouldn’t trade those feelings for the world right now! It’s true! Everyday I feel myself getting stronger and leaner. My clothes are a bit loose and I’m liking what I see in the mirror. I just have one hangup right now. The scale hasn’t budged in a while.

It’s kind of frustrating to workout at the gym 5 days a week and not lose any wieght. While I know I’m gainging muscle mass, it would be nice to shed some of the fat. I talked with my trainer last night and we are linked up to the gym’s website: www.anytimehealth.com. I can log my meals and workouts and chat with other Antytime Fitness memebers or trainers. Lauren will be checking my page to see what I’m eating during the day and determine if something needs to be tweeked. First thing she DID mention was that I need more fruit and veggie in my diet. She is also concerned that I’m becoming afraid of food again. What do I mean by “afraid of food?” Lately I have noticed myself questioning everything I eat. Now, that may not sound like a bad thing, in my case it’s a bit extreme. While I’m somewhat of a healthy eater, I’m afraid to eat ANYTHING for fear of gaining what weight I have worked so hard to lose. I feel guilty when I eat a handful of crackers for dinner (and nothing else). I will purposely not eat on certain days because I feel like I ate too much the day before. Unhealthy habit to get myself into. I had the same issue when I was in Weight Watchers, but I’m working to not be so psychotic when it comes to eating habits. And it really helps having a trainer walk with be step by step.

I tell you, having a personal trainer has made all of the difference in the world to me. I finally have someone next to me showing me how to excercise properly and genuinly concerned with my health and well being. I knew my journey back to health was not going to be an easy one. But it sure is a bit better having someone in your corner!

Liz

March 16, 2014

Posted on March 16, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

It’s been a while since my last entry but a lot has gone on! All good things. Since starting fresh on my journey back in January I have dropped about 12lbs! I go to the gym about 3-4 times a week and have invested in a personal trainer. The trainer is a bit pricey but we’ll worth it. For the first time in, we’ll, my entire life I actually look forward to going to the gym. I have said in a couple of my past posts that I have never been an athletic person. I still don’t consider myself one. But I am really enjoying my workouts and feel stronger ever day. My clothes (especially my pants) have become loose, and I actually like what I see in the mirror. Now, I have been a member of gyms before and hated the thought of going. So why is this time any different? It has to do with the choice of gyms.

The first three gyms I joined were the typical “meat market” types. You know, the places where only the already fit go and (unintentionally or not) tend to make people like me feel like crap for even walking in the door. I always felt like I had no right being there because I didn’t look like those other women! Someone with curves was never really a welcome creature in those places. Another issue I with those gyms was the gawking. Having a larger bust (34DD) I was stared at quite a bit during my workouts and it really makes it uncomfortable to want to keep bouncing on the treadmill. The 4th gym I joined was a women’s only gym. I won’t say the name of the establishment but I will put it to you this way, at 42 I was the youngest person there! Again, not the gym for me.

In January, I joined Anytime Fitness and took up the offer for a personal trainer. I was matched up to my darling trainer, Lauren, and she has been absolutely instrumental in my physical and mental workout. Mental? Yes, mental workout. What I have discovered is that a big part of physical health is your mental well-being. When you are happy with what you are doing and where you are mentally, your physical health improves. Lauren challenges me on a physical and mental level. Just when I think I can’t give one more push up, she encourages me and I always seem to give one more! She tells me that I can do what I think can’t be done and understands what I’m going through. Best investment I’ve ever made!

Liz

February 6, 2014

Posted on February 6, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

Wow! A lot has gone on since my last entry. And ALL for the good. I cancelled my Weight Watcher’s membership, joined a gym, and dropped more weight. I’m now down to 142lbs and feel great! So, first things first.

Now I know many of you are probably asking yourself “why did she quite Weight Watchers?” It’s not because the program doesn’t work. Actually quite the opposite. It’s the best program out there. But I wasn’t attending the meetings due to scheduling conflicts and was doing a horrible job at tracking. Spending the money for monthly fees seemed like a terrible waste of money. I took my membership down to online only but wasn’t tracking. So I decided to cancel all together. I don’t regret my decision though some out there may be disappointed. This is what is working for me.

I joined Anytime Fitness and signed up with a personal trainer: Lauren. It’s incredible when you realize how out of shape you are when simple exercises kick your butt! I’m sore, but in a good way! For the first time in my life I actually enjoy going to the gym! But I did learn a lesson the hard way. My first workout session was a bit of a disaster. I didn’t eat during the day and collapsed about ten minutes into my workout. My bad!!! But, once I ate a protein bar I finished my workout. What did I learn? EATING AN HOUR BEFORE YOUR WORKOUT IS KEY! I meet with her every Tuesday and do cardio 3 times a week. I will start logging my workouts and progress on my Facebook page.

Things are going great and I haven’t felt this good in a very long time. My motivation has skyrocketed and my inner pin-up is grinning from ear to ear.

Liz

January 19, 2014

Posted on January 19, 2014 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

New year, new attitude! I know I haven’t written in a while. In all honesty, my heart wasn’t in it. Which is probably why my weight loss in 2013 was unsuccessful. Yes, I said it! I did not have my heart or head in the journey at all. I had good intentions but didn’t commit the way I should have. Time to move forward.

Last year was a very stressful year for me. Family issues back home in California, stresses at work, and my personal health problems plagued me all year-long. And what do I do when I stress? I eat and sit around and throw a pity party. Well, last month was a huge turning point for me. I “celebrated” my 45th birthday on December 2nd when life hit me like a ton of bricks. “Where am I in my life?”, “Where am I going?”, “What am I doing?”, “What do I want to do?” These were all questions that started haunting me. I’m not getting any younger and I realized that I need to change things and change them soon!

So here I am, 45 years old, unhappy in her office job that everyone else thought would be best for me, wondering “what if?” Sorry kids, but we only get one go around in this life. I want to make the most of my time here on this big, blue marble so I’m rethinking my current situation and looking to make changes. Getting in shape is one of those changes.

Since December I have watched my portion sizes, stopped snacking, I stop eating when I’m satisfied, and I have been moving around a lot more. As of weigh-in yesterday I have lost 9lbs! I am now down to 146.2 and I feel great! 5% of my weight is gone and not welcome back. My inner pin-up has an ear to ear grin and she’s picking out dresses. I still have a lot of work to do both physically and emotionally but I’m more motivated now than I have been in years. My heart is back in! My goal for this year is to reach my goal weight of 115lbs, write on this blog more, and just be fabulous!

Liz

November 23, 2013

Posted on November 23, 2013 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

Today, weigh-in was better than expected. Down another pound! I’m glad I went to my meeting because I really didn’t want to. You see, I have been a bad girl and my inner pin-up is really pissed at me. As of 8:00 am today I was seriously considering quitting Weight Watchers. My decision in no way had anything to do with the program. It’s me and my life. I have been putting in 10-12 hours a day at work due to our mandatory overtime. Food choices when you are on a busy schedule get much more difficult. My meetings are on Saturday mornings At 8:30 am….one of my only days to sleep in yet I still have to get up early. And to be honest I have been (pardon my language) “half-assing” the program by only tracking part of the time. I haven’t been able to break the 150lb mark since starting WW 8 years ago. It’s not WW’s fault. It’s mine. 110% mine. So, I was seriously considering quitting the program until time and my own self-talk would permit me to stay focused on the program

So I walked into my meeting today and something very unexpected happened. My WW lead, David, began our meeting by handing out little “towels” to each member. Tiny, but symbolic, these small snippets of fabric are to remind us that we all “throw in the towel” at times. We all have our reasons: time, money, physical and mental energy, etc. He said if we are thinking about throwing in the towel, he understands. He’s been there. He just asks that we talk with him or any other WW lead first to discuss our feelings about stopping the program. As I sat there listening to David I thought to myself “how did he know?” Very odd. Out of all of the WW meeting I’ve been to, this was perhaps one of the most important ones. As the “towels” were passed around we were instructed to choose any one we wanted and keep it with us as a reminder that it’s OK to throw in the towel. I chose a towel that had a little bee hive. To me bee hives represent a community. Bees work together and take care of each other. I’m not alone on my journey. I have my WW community there to help every step of the way. And David is the king bee (do bees have kings?). He has felt the way I do. I swear David I psychic!

So, am I throwing in the towel? Not today.

Liz

November 4, 2013

Posted on November 4, 2013 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

Weigh-in on Saturday was disappointing but not surprising. I gained 1.8lbs. But I’m OK with that. I have been a lot more active lately with all of the house reorganizing. I feel energetic and want to keep moving. I know my weight is going to fluctuate from week to week and I think I have finally accepted that. I just have to reflect on the last week, make some adjustments, and move forward.

I have been tracking more and more and have really paid attention to my points. It’s getting easier to eat only when I’m hungry and not when I’m bored.

Hubby and I cleaned the garage yesterday. Just as I felt spiritually cleansed when I cleaned out my closet, I feel spiritually and emotionally lighter by getting rid of the crap in the garage. I’m very sore today from all of the rearranging, moving, cleaning and vacuuming I did. It’s a good kind of sore because I can feel the muscles working. Although I think I overdid it a bit (I’m talking really sore today) I want to keep moving, keep cleaning, keep sorting, keep purging, and streamline my life. Things are coming more into focus and I can concentrate much easier now. What’s next? I think we will tackle the front yard and porch before the winter freeze.

Liz

October 31, 2013 – Happy Halloween!!!!

Posted on October 31, 2013 by takingbackmyinnerpinup

Wow! It’s been a while since my last post.Lot’s going on and I just haven’t had a chance. My trip to AK was amazing! I was pretty proud of myself when it came time for meals. I ate until I was satisfied (although I did indulge in more carbs than I’m used to). Our shore activities included a ton of walking and moving. Imagine my surprise when we came home and I stepped on the scale at my Weight Watchers meeting to see that I maintained!! The smile on my face couldn’t have been any bigger. 🙂

Lately, I have been spending much of my free time working around the house. Painted our bathroom, working in the yard, rearranging other rooms in the house, just lots of activity. I feel really good and energetic. I am sorry to say that I haven’t been to a meeting in a few (actually more than a few) weeks, but I have been tracking as much as I can and have been really mindful of my food choices. My clothes are fitting rather loosely and I physically feel great! I will be going to my Weight Watchers meeting this Sat and even if the scale hasn’t moved much (fingers crossed that it has) I’m optimistic. I haven’t felt this good in a long time and I know more activity will only lead me in the direction I need to go.

Halloween presents a bit of a challenge for many of us. All of the candy that is thrown our way is enough to make even the scariest of witches shiver with fear. But I’m not worried. I have noticed my will power is getting stronger by the day and it’s become a lot easier for me to turn down my beloved chocolate or other sweet treats. Of course I have a piece of candy or cookie every now and then. But I’m becoming more accustomed to stepping back for a second and thinking if I need it, or even really want it. After taking the time to think, more times than not, I say no. Yay me!

Hopefully, my schedule will clear a bit more and I can find the time to write and keep up with my blog. How are you folks doing?

Liz

Taking Back My Inner Pin-up

My journey back to health and happiness

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