It's now history

What a lovely dinner we had tonight. Our hospital chef really did his thing for us. The presentation was just gorgeous! And the food was delicious--I had the salmon and I loved every bite from the salad to the dessert. So many thanks for that lovely dinner.

It was very humbling for Bonnie and me to win the second place. Losing the weight and having the trainer was way more than enough reward for our efforts. So many worked so hard and did so very, very well. In my book every single participant was a winner. I loved that Traci talked about the accomplishments of each of the teams--it was really great to note that every single team worked hard and accomplished a lot. Now I think that says a lot about the leaders of this program.

I plan to spend the remainder of my life a lot thinner and more active than I was when this Challenge began. For that, I have to thank the program and everyone who had anything to do with it.

I hope to see everyone at Kathy and Eric's on June 12 at 4:00!

I can't believe it is almost over. What a wonderful adventure this has been. I had a wonderful team mate--Bonnie could not have been a better partner and I am so proud of her. She has cheered, encouraged, cautioned, reminded me all the way. She has improved her endurance and strength so much. I can't imagine doing this sort of thing without such a wonderful partner to keep me going.

And then our trainer, Shan'tel was the best, a real key to the entire success of the program for us. And Traci and Riley always ready to answer questions, encourage, and help any way they could. Mindy's meetings kept us focused and I loved seeing all the participants each week, especially since seeing everyone was hit and miss in the gym.

And my son, Jeff, ran/walked the 5K with me, coaching all along the way--I was really lucky he could do that for me. I told him he was the one who deserved the ribbon. But now only the dinner on Wednesday is left. I am glad we are getting together at the Vorlages in June. They were so great to volunteer to host us.

I wish this program was available to everyone who wanted it. It has made a huge difference in my life. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone Wednesday!!

Sadly, we're at the 100th day.

According to Eric's chart, today was day 100. The Race for Red was this morning, Monday we weigh out, and Wednesday we have the final dinner. After that, I am really looking forward to the pot luck dinner at Eric and Christi's. This has been one of the memorable experiences of my life and I am glad there are a few more days to savor it.

I thought the Race for Red this morning was a great introduction for us into the world of those public races that we see going on all the time through the warmer months. I always thought that was another world from me, but now I think it would be a lot of fun to look forward to participating in some of them.

And I ask you, was anybody surprised that Julieanne had the fastest time? That lady amazes me with her absolutely Olympic type athletic body and upbeat attitude! Our trainers are an impressive group--that is for certain.

Until Monday morning...

Final training session

We had our last training session with Shan'tel tonight. I am really going to miss those learning/training/working sessions with her. But here's hoping that I can remember and build on what I have learned. I think one important thing I have learned is to just take whatever minutes I can find and MOVE. Like someone said, "It's all good."

The weight training has been a new chapter in my life. I have never really understood how to go about it, and never understood the importance. But Shan'tel has been wonderful to help us understand what to do and why. She has exposed us to varied routines that can give a good workout whether we're home or in a gym. So no excuses.

And above all--I plan to stay aware of what goes into my stomach. Writing down everything I eat has been a real eye-opener. It is so easy to eat the wrong thing, too much of a good thing, not count the samples I eat at Costco, or graze on the food I am preparing for the family. Like the exercise--it all counts, my body will record it whether my journal does or not.

Anyway, I am most grateful for this wonderful experience we have all had. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this group. Next stop: Race for Red !!

Stay the course

For some reason today was a real challenge for me. I totally fell off the wagon!! I don't know what got into me! Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day. I am going to go to bed now and hopefully wake up to a new beginning in the morning. I wonder if it was the rain--somehow, I am glad I don't live in the Northwest. I would really have to talk to myself hard to overcome those dreary days like we had today.

I guess this is an "endure to the end" challenge at this point. Unfortunately it is not the end for me. I need to stay the course at least through the summer before I can possibly hit maintenance. So...Good luck everyone.

Final week just hours away!

I am sure glad I got chosen to do this Challenge. It will be like Christmas to get our final numbers. I do hope my blood pressure, percentage fat, and cholesterol are down. But regardless of what those number say, I feel like I have a much better body. I am so glad for the weight I have lost--I hope I never pack those pounds back on.

I finally got to do some yard work today. I really like working in the yard, but somehow I have caught a cold and it really tested my determination to get anything done today. Anyway, I didn't dig up very many dandelions--I just mowed over them. So they will for sure be smiling at me again in a couple of days. Such is life. I have gone many years without catching a cold, but just as spring has finally arrived I have a lulu. I hope it goes away before next Saturday or Bonnie may have to drag me on the 5K.

Good luck to everyone in the final days of our adventure !!

Lot's of Heart Challenge folks at the gym tonight

It felt so good to see everyone there--Kendra, the Winters, the Murrays, Michele and Betty, and Eric. It was a great night and I have never seen so many of us there at once. That's ten of us in all--half our group. Bonnie and I had a good workout with Shan'tel. I just hope I can remember how to continue with all the good exercises after we finish with Shan'tel. I am definitely stronger. And I ran at 5.5 mph for one minute--never thought I'd do that! And I have a very bothersome bad cold besides.

Shan'tel said to get the best body we can have, three more months should do it. So I for sure intend to hang in there until my weight is where it needs to be. When I watched the KBYU program on TV yesterday and saw us exercising I decided then and there that I have a long way yet to go. I am glad the weather is coming into the warm season as it will be easier to get out and exercise.

So good luck everybody as we come into the home stretch. I know we're all doing our best to make our trainers look good and feel like they have helped one small portion of the people's health in Utah County. I hope we all do well enough that the program will continue for more people next year.

Saw Brittany today

I ran into Brittany today at Costco. It was so good to see one of my new "Heart Challenge" friends in a different setting!! She had her two adorable preschoolers with her. What a trooper she is to keep up with them and the Heart Challenge.

I really wanted to be outside today, but with all the rain I decided it would be more prudent to get on the treadmill instead. I surely don't want to catch cold. One thing I like about the treadmill is that I can read at 3 mph and not worry about the weather. Of course that's not too good for interval training.

Eleven days till we Race for Red!! CAN YOU BELIEVE? Good luck everybody!!

Fun journey

I am looking forward to meeting some of our group to walk the 5K route tomorrow. I feel so lucky that I got to know so many of our group. What a fun journey this has been--I would not trade it.

Good luck everybody !!

Shooting rattle snakes

We had a great exercise class with Shan'tel on Saturday. She told us a story about a cowboy and we really worked hard riding that horse, shooting rattle snakes, bailing hay, roping cattle, milking cows, etc., and would you believe, we got a great workout.

And something has motivated me to dust off my treadmill and start doing some cardio training on it. It is not nearly so boring when I crank it up as fast as I can go for a couple of minutes then catch my breath and go again. I am still breathing hard!! I just wish I could go faster--my run is Kendra's walk--oh well. But I now know that it is very do-able to improve, so that is my next goal--learn to run, really run.

I love to see how folks are improving. More than anything else, seeing others trim up and improve encourages me. So thank you fellow travelers on this Challenge.

Only two and a half weeks to go!

Only two and a half weeks left till we do the Race for Red!!! I was shocked when I just now looked at the calendar. I am not where I wanted to be at this point, but I am certainly in a lot better shape than when I started this Challenge. I plan to have the rest of this excess baggage gone by the end of summer...that is about the soonest I can realistically hope for.

We had a great workout with Shan'tel on Monday. I just did my weight type workout at home and I felt really good about what I had remembered. Shan'tel has worked hard to give us exercises that we can do at home.

I have been trying hard not to fudge on my food intake because it always shows up on the scales. I am trying to get rid of a couple of really stubborn pounds this week.

Here's wishing everyone a great finish to this Challenge.

Scales in rebellion

This has been a discouraging week on the scales for me. And my exercising has suffered also. Hmmm, maybe there is a connection. Sometimes I just want this weight off so bad I can taste it, but losing weight seems to be no quick deal, and sometimes, it just isn't a deal at all. Those fat cells think they have a right to be where they are and now they are in rebellion, demanding permanent residence.

Just check out all the samples at Costco, have a few goodies with the grandchildren, eat their left over pancakes, eat those potatoes I fixed my husband that he didn't want, etc., etc., etc..

But believe me, I am going to boot those fat cells out somehow, someway, forever !!! Good luck everybody with your struggles, and, please, wish me the same.

Super Chef Austin

We had a really entertaining meeting this morning with the hospital chef, Mike Austin. He cooked up a great lettuce leaf, but more than that, he talked with us about dieting in a light, jovial way. He has had his challenges and he told us about them. I think we all could identify with his struggles. I could have easily listened to him for another hour.

Thank you Mindy for scheduling Chef Austin for us. I am going to miss these morning meetings with only one more left. It has been super getting to know such great people all fighting the same struggle I am having.

Hospital chef

Somebody said we are going to get to sample some food tomorrow morning in the nutrition class. Now there is something I am good at--sampling food. Mindy said the hospital chef will be teaching our class--what a treat!!

I ate and ate today and I am still hungry!! Some days are like that. Last Saturday I had a hot dog--I love hot dogs, or I did until the scales screamed at me the next morning. I wish I had the metabolism to eat and eat and snub the scales, but I don't.

Oh well, we're all in this together, so I guess I am not alone with my battles. Good luck, everybody !!

I have found it very hard to get my exercise in this week and I need to do some serious house cleaning. If I can just get myself organized maybe I can merge the two activities like Ali talked about in one of her blogs.

We moved our exercise training days to Monday and Thursday. I find I like the timing of the training better this way--there is more time for my knees to recover between sessions.

I surely see a lot of progress when I look around at everybody. Good work !!!

Traci

And a special thanks to Traci and Riley who are always ready to help and encourage.

Week 11 begins

Today we started week 11 with our workout with Shan'tel. Our workouts are changing a lot--new ways to exercise our muscles. We are doing a lot of exercises that we can do at home without having to go to the gym. We're trying hard to keep the muscle names straight. It is great of Shan'tel to teach us these alternate exercises since it is not always possible or easy to get to a gym; now there is no excuse.

And tonight, after our workout, I am tired for sure and feel like I could sleep for a week. But it is a good tired. It was great seeing Dennis and Marlene Murray there tonight working hard. And Traci was there teaching her son and his friend. I am really glad to have met so many great people in this Challenge. We are in the countdown now--only three weeks left after this one. Here's hoping everybody has a great Week 11!

This has been a super special week--our first grandchild to graduate from college donned her cap and gown this week at BYU. And there are several more currently in or just entering college, so we feel mighty proud of them all.

Only four weeks left for me to manage that push-up; I don't have it yet, but I am working on it. Julianne worked us hard this morning in Zumba class and I also learned the difference between the mambo and cha-cha. I particularly enjoyed the beat of the Latin music. Only one more exercise class left and I think our trainer Shan'tel is going to lead it.

Mindy's class

I certainly appreciated some of the comments in Mindy's class this morning--I especially appreciate Marlene telling us about the bone scanning going on tomorrow. Mary Halverson's bountiful baskets are certainly something to look into. What a great place to exchange information. And Mindy always brings us some information and handouts to digest. And thanks to Brenda and Brittany for the treats they so often have favored us with.

What a great group we have. I am truly going to miss the time we spend together...just four more weeks, can you believe it?! I am grateful for the change in my body. It is a long way from where I would like it to be, but it is also a whole lot better than I began with. What a treasure we were given !! And we're all in this together !!

Thanks to our trainers, especially Shan'tel

We just had another hard but great workout with Shan'tel. She keeps changing our routines so there is no slacking off. I have really appreciated the way she keeps us on our toes and keeps track our progress. She is one dedicated trainer.

Tonight she reminded us that if we want to keep up the progress, we have to continue to work out after we complete this Challenge. She is making sure we know the names of the exercises and what muscles the exercises target.

This is a busy time for the BYU trainers--so many are graduating--yet they keep our Challenge going. I am grateful that they took their time to do their interning with us; I would never have understood or done weight training without a good trainer.

Normal blood pressure

My blood pressure is now normal--that is even better than whatever pounds I have lost. I have worked hard, but without this program I would never have accomplished this feat. I am so thankful. When Riley checked my blood pressure machine (I was sure it was broken) and determined that it was correct, I could have danced a jig right then.

I know blood pressure may not seem like a big deal to some people, but to me it is a big deal--everyone in my family has fought high blood pressure. I am the only one of my brothers and sisters not on medication for it, but Traci said I probably should have been.

I have no idea what my cholesterol is doing, but just to get the blood pressure in the normal range is way more than I had expected. I think I know how Marlene must have felt when the nurse told her that her pressure was normal. I hope everybody is finding their own successes/prizes as we travel this last stretch together.

A beautiful day!

What a gorgeous day we had today! I could not help going for a nice, long walk to see my three-year-old grand-daughter this evening. The temperature was absolutely perfect. It reminded me of when we lived in Hawaii.

I had a very tired week last week, but I read that hand-out on sleep Mindy gave us and and decided I had better catch up on my sleep before I went off on a food binge. So I spent some wonderful hours sleeping yesterday. Our yard with its dandelion chorus is not very grateful for the neglect. Oh well, the weeds will wait--this much I know for sure.

Happy springtime, everybody!! I am so glad spring finally came to Utah.

Wonderful class by Alicia

I was so very tired this morning when I got up that I really did not want to go exercise with the class. But I am so glad I went. Alicia led another wonderful class. That lady is talented. She coaxed so much energy out of me that I was sweating and loving it. And somehow she makes me feel like I am so good at exercising that I want to do more. Thank you Alicia.

Then I went home and slept for three hours. Hopefully I am about caught up on sleep while my roses need cutting, grass is overgrown, and dandelions think I am running a protective reserve for them.

What a beautiful day it is today. I hope everyone can enjoy it to the fullest.

Working hard on tax day

Boy am I tired. But at least I got my income tax extension mailed and post marked today.

Shan'tel really worked us hard tonight. I feel so much stronger than I did, but I want to be able to do a decent push-up and I am not there yet. I have NEVER been able to do one. But every week I get a little closer--at least in my mind. Shan'tel said my crunches were greatly improved. That made me feel better because I thought they were better also.

If ever there was a little by little progress report, that is a description of my efforts. I want to get stronger, faster, but I think that is not how it works.

Good luck everybody.

Yummy papaya

Buy Low had some wonderful papaya today in their produce section--the best looking and tasting I have seen in a very long time. Papaya is a super source of vitamins, especially Vitamin C--good things for this heart challenge.

I find it a challenge to keep my food intake in the super nutritious range so I can feel good for the weight training and aerobic exercise. It seems there is always some temptation like pastry, ice cream, etc. calling my name and polluting my brain. I keep thinking, it will still be there waiting for me if I ever shed all this excess weight. Then I can eat moderately and not feel so guilty. And so it goes, one day at a time.

Good luck everybody, we're all in this together!

61st day of Challenge

We just returned from our training session with Shan'tel. She informed us that today is the 61st day of the challenge. Somehow it didn't register with me that we were that far past the middle of the course...so just 39 days left and we do the Race for Red.

I would like to have more time to get stronger. I just don't have the upper body strength I wish I had, but I definitely have more than I started with. When I walk I definitely feel I am stronger. And I can read on the tread mill at 3 MPH up from 2.5 MPH. I do like to read on the tread mill.

Tired as I am tonight, I love being in this program. I love the challenge to make myself healthier. I love the deadline because it keeps me focused. I love participating with my daughter, Bonnie. I think the partner idea is brilliant. And I love the way Shan'tel works so hard with us. I appreciate the effort Mindy is putting into trying to help us better ourselves. All in all, I feel we're all pretty lucky!

Exercise on a beautiful spring day.

Early this morning I walked with Bonnie and Lori a bit over three miles. We had a wonderful walk. I love the early part of the day when mostly only the birds are awake and the earth seems so peaceful. I love to watch the little buds on the trees and bushes swell as they get ready to burst forth. But mostly I love the company of my daughters as we walk and talk.

I am feeling more strength in my legs--what a good but strange feeling it is. I find that I am starting to WANT to exercise. Of course, I still don't feel any urgency to do that ball walk with my hands walking on the floor dragging my body along the top of the ball. Maybe someday I won't feel that is torture, but not today. It is worse than the plank!

Zoo Visit

Had a fun day today at the zoo with two daughters and three grand-daughters. Walked and watched the animals. It is always great to have a lot of distractions while I try to get a bit more fit. I noticed that I didn't tire like usual when I do something like visit the zoo...must be all this training. Normally I would have passed on the zoo trip, but since starting the program I try to take advantage of every opportunity to be active. Big change for me.

I am extremely grateful that it is finally starting to feel like spring. I am looking forward to riding my bike, gardening, and taking some long hikes.

Vegetables

In all my trying to find out about nutrition I have found one big bargain in the food department--vegetables. They have lots of carbohydrates, protein, minerals and vitamins for very few calories--calorie dense is the term I keep seeing. I tried it out, and sure enough, I can't hold all the calories I am allowed if I just eat non-starchy vegetables. So that is a good thing because I can also eat some things that aren't quite so calorie dense. I love fruit, but I am careful because it can add up pretty fast. And potatoes and bread go hard on the calories. I really love apple strudel, but I won't be eating that this week. Anyway, calorie dense foods are my new discovery for the week.

Good luck everybody.

Government web site

According to my calculations this is the eighth week of the challenge. It has been a lot of work, but also a lot of satisfaction to find my clothes fitting better. I would never have been this focused without the Heart Challenge.

We had a really good workout tonight at the gym with Shan'tel. I tried to get some of the tough things like the ball walk done at home before I got there. That made the workout a bit easier. Lots of fellow heart challengers were there also which really is encouraging.

I have been looking up some of the nutrition information on the government web site and was amazed at how much information is available. Our government has really done a lot of research figuring out the nutritional content of the foods we eat. I have decided to try to track the main nutrients in what I eat--a real revelation. Even though I try hard to choose foods that are nutrient dense, it is still a challenge to balance the nutrients. I find it all very interesting.

Food planner

http://www.mypyramid.gov/professionals/food_tracking_wksht.html

I just found this site. It has a wonderful food/exercise planner for whatever calorie level you are trying to adhere to. I hope it helps.

New ability

Would you believe--I found out today that I can finally cross my legs again after yea many years. Now that was a nice Easter gift if I ever had one. But it really wasn't a gift. I worked mighty hard to lose enough weight that my legs could do that.

And another good thing tonight... My son fixed my food scale; it needed a new battery. That will help me keep better track of portions--I think I estimate poorly sometimes.

I hope everybody had a good Easter and did better than I did on their food intake.

nutritional scales

Tonight I have been checking the Internet to learn about nutritional scales so I can quit guessing how big my servings are. There are several nutritional scales that weigh the item and give you the total of the nutrients in it as well as the calories. I had never heard of such a thing until a lady mentioned it to me at Williams and Sonoma.

These scales were commented on by several people on the Internet who are diabetic and they said they really make a difference for weight control as well as figuring out insulin requirements. It seems rather imprecise to try to count carbohydrates, etc. when I don't know how big around that 5" long sweet potato really is. So I would like to weigh it and get all the nutritional information at the same time.

Anyway, if anybody reads this and knows anything about nutritional scales, I am in the mood to learn all I can. As I approach my 70th birthday this year, I am trying to be as healthy as I can be.

Thanks and good luck everybody.

Mid-Challenge slump

I am in a mid-challenge slump it seems. My whole body seems to be in a state of rebellion that I am fighting hard to get past. Food has become incredibly enticing--the wrong food that is--and exercise doubly hard to focus on. I think I let myself get too tired by missing sleep. We were told how critical sleep is, and now I believe it.

Nevertheless, I really got a lot out of Mindy's class this morning. It was helpful to hear her experience about the vitamin D problems. She made me more careful to try to balance my nutrients. I also enjoyed the little sample recipe she made for us.

So now I'm going to try to catch up on sleep this Easter week-end. So Happy Easter everyone !!

Exercise, an ever changing adventure

We had a hard workout with Shan'tel last night. We are going later now--finished at 9:20 pm. Then I couldn't sleep--stared at the ceiling until after 1:00 in the morning. It's interesting that when I swim I don't get the same effect. But with any exercise other than swimming it kills my sleep if I do it within an hour of bedtime. I have read that I am not alone in having this problem. I hope it goes away.

I am certainly enjoying finally fitting into some more of my clothes, but my abs are a huge problem. It seems I gain first in my tummy and lose last in my tummy...but I am thankful that I don't have a worse health problem so I shouldn't complain.

I am coming a bit closer to doing a push up, but I would be a lot better if I could lose more weight. But walking that ball with my hands is the worse torture I could imagine for the gym until Shan'tel had me do those leg lifts where the weight is on top of your ankles. WOW does that hurt. Our routine for the weights is changing, getting more interesting, and a lot harder. Sometimes I am not sure my body will cooperate, but it finally does make an effort--imperfect as it is.

Good luck to all.

Exercise as a new way of life.

I think today is the half way point--WOW ! From now on we are on the down hill slope to a new way of living. I think I have finally settled in on a personal exercise routine.

I plan most of my exercise at home because if I have to go somewhere alone, I find excuses. But if somebody is game for exercising with me, I love it. I like to be with others. I think that is why the gym is so enjoyable--we see others in the Challenge working their hardest and it is not so hard when there is company. I really look forward to training with Shan'tel and my daughters and other Challenge members at the gym.

Exercising is definitely a new routine for me as I suspect it is for many of us. But we're all in this Challenge together, so good luck everybody !!

What a day !!

Bonnie and I went to the mall to walk today for our exercise. Somehow the time goes faster when we can see what is in the shops and do a bit of people watching. Two hours seemed like 15 minutes. Of course, my husband would not agree--he finds mall walking just short of waterboarding.

And, if I figured correctly, tomorrow is half way on the Challenge. It has gone fast--I am amazed at how fast. And I do feel a lot better, my clothes fit better, and I have learned quite a bit about getting and staying in shape. Especially about the importance of weight training.

Like they say on "Red Green Show"--"Remember, we're all in this together." So good luck everybody !

Nearly half way.

Had another good workout tonight with Shan'tel. Doing the hand walking on the ball was a bit easier tonight, but still a huge challenge. My blood pressure is testing at about 20 points lower than when we started, but it is still high. I hope to have it normal by the end of the Challenge.

I am looking forward to seeing everybody in the morning at Mindy's food class. It was great seeing folks at the gym tonight. Everybody seems to be making a lot of progress. I believe Sunday is the half way point. Good luck to all.

Workouts

Workouts are getting harder--especially when you start out tired. Bonnie and I did a hard swim the day before training with Shan'tel. Swimming must really tire muscles because I didn't do much impressing Shan'tel last night. From now on, I am going to swim when I have a day to recover before I meet Shan'tel for training. But all around, I do feel a lot stronger and can almost find my waist.

I was also happy Shan'tel told us that we can do abs every day. I sure need to, I wasn't sure I even had abs left when this Challenge started. Now they are starting to perhaps work--I'm not entirely sure. But I think I have abs. I can do crunches better than I did when we started, but that doesn't say a lot.

But the real killer for me is walking that ball with my hands. That is the hardest thing I do--and it kills my wrists. Obviously, that must be the thing I need most.

Anyway, I am surely grateful I was chosen to be a part of this struggle. Incidentally, I couldn't get on twitter last night. The site said that it was completely overloaded.

The days are ticking away pretty fast.

I just went in the kitchen where my husband's peach pie was calling my name. I am going to try to make it through the day without giving in to it. I tried to give it to my grandsons this morning--no luck. I wish I had their appetite--I would be skinny. It seems just the smell goes straight to my abs, and it doesn't really taste as good as my horrible, fat picture on the refrigerator looks bad. (My husband asked why in the world did I put that picture out for everybody to see.)

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to gain weight and how hard it is to lose it? Silly question. One thing is for sure, the scales don't miss a thing and they are without mercy! I should have sent that pie to work with my husband.

But on the bright side, I am down 44 pounds from my heaviest a few

Have a wonderful day, may you be delivered from temptation !

Good class this morning

I enjoyed Mindy's class this morning. We got to hear practical ways people are dealing with the guide lines and information we have been given. It was extremely helpful to hear how some of us are coping with children who are picky eaters, husbands addicted to all the wrong foods, etc....people who could not possibly care less about calories, proteins, fats, and carbohydrate counting. The recipes will undoubtedly be a real help as we sometimes feel like this is an impossible struggle on the home front.

As far as coping mechanisms go, I have found that if--after eating my final meal for the day--I do very careful flossing, then brush my teeth, then carefully rinse my teeth and gums with a water pick, I have no desire to contaminate my mouth with food again before bed. The procedure is just too involved to repeat again at bed time.

My worst food weakness is after 5:00 pm when my husband is home and ready for dinner and ice cream with fudge sauce. But it is easier to resist if I think about the brushing my teeth again routine. So Good luck everybody !

Another great workout

Just finished our workout with Shan'tel. It's getting tougher--new exercises, more weight, and more reps. No rest for the weary for sure. But today for the first time in literally years, I felt like I have a waist, not the one I want, but at least I found a place that seems to shrink in a little around my middle. I think I am getting a little fitter than I was. I have never been able to do a push-up, but my goal is to be able to do one by the end of the program.

Brittany and Brenda, and Betty and Michele were there tonight working so hard at the gym. It is really encouraging to me to see other participants working out. I don't exactly know why it encourages me so, but it does.

Good luck everybody!

Pilates DVD

Today was good. I managed to both get in my exercise and stay on my diet. The world is good--at least today. One day at a time does it--today we are one third of the way to our 100 days if I counted right.

I really like to exercise at home when I don't have a trainer. I have found that a good peppy beat on my CD player does wonders for my heart rate. And stairs are my hardest challenge--they really exhaust me. So I am working on that at home when I can't get to the gym.

I also got a Pilates DVD at Costco that I can actually do, wonder of wonders. I usually end up watching those super fit ladies do their thing and wishing I had saved my money. I noticed today the Pilates DVD are all gone, but they have Yoga and Tai Chi. I haven't tried the yoga yet--the last yoga class I attended left me feeling like my body was made wrong.

We work with Shan'tel again tomorrow. I can hardly wait. I feel very spoiled with all this attention. Before you know it, we will be back exercising on our own, but with our better bodies. I have a lot of fat clothes clogging up my closet. I would get rid of them, but unfortunately, they still fit. But they are getting looser--I think I have been buying my clothes too tight--otherwise they wouldn't still fit me--think?? Anyway, I feel skinnier even if my clothes do still fit.

Good luck everybody. See you in the gym or Friday morning.

Killer ball

We just finished another great workout with Shan'tel. I am tired, good tired. I am getting stronger and that is very exciting to me. Shan'tel keeps the challenges coming and varied, so there is no danger getting complacent.

Have you seen some of the things they think up to do on that big round ball? Believe me, I found out tonight it can be a real challenge. I have had one of those balls at home for years, but tonight I was given a whole new way of thinking and exercising with it, and it is one difficult, killer exercise. Undoubtedly exactly what I need.

I sure get energised when I go to the gym and see our fellow challengers working so hard. I love working out in the gym, but I keep thinking how much easier it will be when I shed all this excess baggage around my middle.

Good luck everybody!!!

This week we will be 1/3 of the way through the Challenge--half way on the 28th. I have really enjoyed it, and it has made me very aware of how important exercise and careful food plans are to my health. I really feel better than I have for a long time. I feel very lucky to have my clothes fitting so much better--all because I got chosen for this Challenge.

I read that fitness is 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise. The article said it is absolutely imperative that we control what we put into our bodies if we want the best body we can have. I have noticed Julianne eating raw veggies, not junk food, in the gym--well, I cannot imagine anyone being more fit or energetic than Julianne. I'm taking a cue from her.

So I am beginning this part of the journey with renewed resolution to be the fittest person I can be come my 70th birthday in June. Good luck, everybody. Thanks for your encouragement and help. Thanks for your smiling, sweaty faces that encourage me in the gym.

Struggles

Well, I now have more empathy for folks with health problems to deal with. My knees have started acting up. I am not sure what triggers it, but if anybody knows what makes knees hurt when you go down stairs I would like to know.

I had a struggle today with some apple strudel. Mindy said we are better off eating something if it is about to drive us crazy. Well, it was. I was trying to help Bonnie man her Rhino Rock fence booth at the South Town Lawn and Garden show, but I wasn't much use in the booth. So I left the booth and found that crazy apple strudel and it bothered me until I bought it and ate every morsel. It was delicious! But Mindy was right. I got over the craving, but I'll probably regret it when I step on the scales.

I hope everybody has a great week-end and can stay focused on our challenge. I am sure trying, but sometimes I just fall off the bandwagon. So good luck everybody.

No TV snacks

Just finished the workout with Shan'tel tonight. Great work out.

I am still adjusting my food. I think the worst thing I do is eat late at night. So that is my new challenge: Quit eating after 6:00 pm. Tonight I got my husband his favorite chocolate ice cream with fudge sauce while he watched TV, and I had NONE. Not even one little taste of the residue on the ice cream scoop. Like they say, one day at a time...one hour at a time for me.

I keep seeing the Winters and the Bawdens at the gym--and sometimes Brittany. I feel so encouraged when I see them there. They all work so hard. Thank you so much for inspiring me to work hard.

Great exercise class today

I just got home from Alicia's exercise class at the hospital. She really did a great job tailoring the class to our needs. Everyone participated, even the men. We all learned every single step she taught. She had us take turns being on the front line. My knees are none the worse for wear, but I am tired--good tired. My sweatband was wet when I finished the class. Everyone seemed to have a good time, I sure did. I could do this class every week and I would gladly make the effort to find the time to be there. I really enjoyed the class, so thank you Alicia. And would you believe, our trainer, Shan'tel, was there participating in the class. She is one dedicated trainer. Thank you Shan'tel.

Hard work but worth it.

Just had another great workout with Shan'tel. Workouts are getting more challenging and I am really tired after tonight, tired, but good tired. I have always, before the Challenge, hated weights. Now I look forward to finishing the aerobic part so I can see if I have progressed on the weights.

I have sure learned that if I want to lose weight I have, HAVE to plan my meals and not graze in the kitchen. If I plan I am OK, if I don't I am a disaster in the kitchen. Oh well. Sometimes I feel like Oprah--I know what to do, that is not the problem.

Saw Matt, Brittany, Christi and Jeff tonight. They are all going great!! And, of course, our Tickled Pink team. It feels so good to see so many there.

Our wonderful trainer, Shan'tel

I can't say enough about how much I appreciate our trainer, Shan'tel Christensen. She is a jewel. She moniters us ever so closely to keep us in our heart zone. She very carefully encourages and compliments all the while with our heart rate uppermost in her mind. She backs us off when our rate gets too high. Her total concentration makes me feel like Bonnie and I are the most important people in the world when we workout with her.

This program is for sure a challenge, but I feel stronger already. It makes me happy when I see other participants working so hard in the gym--it is like we have a special bond with being in this program. Additionally, I also look forward to reading everybody's blogs before I post.

Thank you Traci for scheduling a beginner class for us this Saturday. I am looking forward to it.

So Good luck to everybody !! I am proud to be part of this group !

Julianne's kale recipe

Julianna's kale recipe

Somebody (I wish I could remember who) said that Julianna tosses kale with olive oil and bakes it in the oven and eats it like chips. I would love to have a bit more information on that. According to what I have read, kale is one of the superfoods and also is known to halve the incidence of macular degeneration as people age. It is pretty good if you steam it until it turns bright green then toss it with some balsamic vinegar. I would really like an additional way to prepare it that was tasty. My husband won't touch it the way I prepare it.

cabbage soup

A big help today has been this cabbage soup:

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 medium carrots, diced
1 head cabbage, shredded
1 can of green beans, or frozen is also better, I think
1 can sweet corn, I also prefer frozen
1 can beans, pinto, etc. which I make ahead and freeze in small portions

Simmer over medium heat until tender.

1 cup = 125 calories, 26.4 carbs, 8.3 g fiber, 6.4 g protein

I try to make a big pot full and refrigerate to have on hand. It helps to fill the non-starchy part of my plate without having to make a salad. It is also quite filling and nutritious. You can put all kinds of flavorings in it, or it is quite to my taste without any other seasonings than the vegetables blending together. Most people with an open mind like it, but you might have trouble with a meat and potatoes husband like mine, or a teenager.

avoiding temptation

This week I felt more like I am getting into a routine with the food and exercise. I am starting to know what gets me in trouble with the food. Tonight I didn't plan my food, I just grazed in the kitchen as children and grandchildren stopped in. I got into the worst trouble with a granddaughter's brownies. I have to think ahead better next week.

I have committed to exercise early in the morning. Otherwise, something always comes up to get in the way, and personal exercise has to be postponed which is disastrous to the effort.

I love walking with my daughters. One of my BYU granddaughters went with us on Saturday. We make it 5.4 miles in Provo Canyon. She is very fit, but she and Lori just strolled along as I huffed and puffed. They are so patient.

web site

I meant to mention earlier: There is a wonderful website for anyone who is interested. It is www.sparkpeople.com. It is totally free and has all kinds of health information. You can look up hundreds of foods for nutrition content as well as keep a log. It is a large site and was started by one of the original owners of eBay as a way to give back to the public. Loseit is another free site that I use a lot. I need all the help I can get, so thought I would pass it on.

food help

Today was a good day. We got our food/meal assignments this morning with the exchange lists, calories we are to eat. A lot of emphasis was put on the food categories showing us how to figure exchanges. The literature we have received is most helpful, since there is plenty for me to learn about food, but I feel I am finally onto a food plan that I can stay on for the long haul. Dividing the plate into four quadrants was especially helpful.

I really enjoy the workouts with our trainer, Shan'tel. I feel myself getting stronger and that is a great feeling. I really look forward to the walks with my daughter, Lori,(Bonnie has to get kids to school when Lori can walk) and meeting Bonnie and Shan'tel for training.

I wish that everybody who would like to do this program would be able to. I wish something like this would somehow get in the health plan they are discussing in Washington. I think it would be a real money saver as well as a life and health saver.

better day

Today was really good. I finally read the food directions and put them to use. In other words, I divided my plate into four sections like the flier says, filled two of them with veggies, one with starch, and one with protein. I also changed plate sizes--eight inches rather than 12 inches. It worked really well and I didn't get the munchies like normal. I am surprised how well it worked. I thought I was doing really well on the food--at least the best I knew how. But this new idea really did make a difference. It also helped me mentally because I knew I was well fed and not deprived so I had no reason for comfort food. But that's a lot of veggies--half the meal! The program is sinking into this brain slowly.

I think my problem has been too many starch foods. Bread, potatoes, etc.. I love, love fruit, too. And though it is good, I think I was overdoing it. Tomorrow we get our diets. I am glad because I really want to do this thing correctly.

I love meeting the participants at the gym. It is so great seeing so many trying so hard. Good for you'all. You are such a inspiration to me. Thank you for trying so hard. Brittany Snow made the time fly for me on the bicycle. And who can imagine what Matthew Bowden has accomplished loosing all that weight. I feel so lucky to get to know the folks in this program. Thank you !!

tough few days

Well, I have had a couple of challenging days as far as the food goes. But I am exercising and that is taking a lot of time. Going to bed on time is one of my main challenges because I need to exercise early in the morning or I don't seem to get it done. I will call this my struggle week. I am still adjusting to the routine of it all. I am hitting one of those points where I am really having to talk with myself about this 100-day-Challenge for the long haul.

I am surely looking forward to getting some guidance on the diet part of the challenge. Right now the munchies have won on too many days, and that is not good.

I sure appreciate our trainer, Shan'tel. She is just wonderful. I am glad for the kick boxing class on Saturday. That should be a hoot with my creaky joints. But I plan to give it a try. It can't be any worse than the last Yoga class I tried--that "down dog" pose, among others, was just not meant for me.

I sure loved seeing the Bawdens and Winters at the gym on Tuesday night. Both of those two teams are a real inspiration. Good luck to everybody !

Exercise in the snow

I went with Bonnie and Lori, two of my daughters, for a wonderful, cold walk in the snow this morning along the Provo River. It was beautiful. I am so grateful to have them exercising with me so we can cheer each other on. I am pretty tired--they are younger and more fit than I am. But they are wonderfully patient with me. When we finished we stopped in at Lori's house and had a wonderful herbal peppermint tea in her lovely china tea cups. I felt just like I was in a Jane Austin novel.

I have managed to keep my food diary up to date and as I go. But the little books the dietitian gave us don't work for me. I have a notebook and use a page for each day. That way I don't have to worry if I eat a lot of different low calorie things, which I usually do. I also track my exercise and weight on the same page as the food since there is plenty of room.

All in all, today was a good day for me. I certainly appreciate reading the blogs everyone writes. They really let me know that others are doing it and so can I. Thanks for your help.

Write it down!

We met the dietitian this morning. I surely had a revelation by writing down everything I eat. I know now that I eat for entertainment. When I am bored, I eat. I don't consciously walk into the kitchen, I do it on automatic pilot--my body just goes to the frig or freezer with my brain almost unaware. CRAZY ! Now I ask myself "What on earth am I doing in the kitchen?" !! I don't want to write down ice cream and cookies.

And, for sure, there are rewards there, just calling my name. My husband LOVES ice cream with fudge sauce and bananas and nuts with chocolate chip cookies. And without those treats, he feels deprived and that is no good for me because I love him and want to make him happy. So I am constantly planning strategies to circumvent the siren sound of yummy treats for myself. So far I have done OK, but that is my struggle.

I have read that one's diet begins at the grocery store. I totally believe it.

Anyway, it was great to see nearly everyone at the meeting this morning. I love this adventure we are on together. I loved hearing the comments and questions this morning and I love the blogs everyone writes. They give me encouragement and insight into myself. You make me feel not alone in this modern battle of too much edible temptation. Thanks to everyone for their involvement, enthusiasm, and willingness to share of themselves.

Temptation overcome

Well, today was one of those challenge days, but I made it through so I feel pretty good about myself. I went with Bonnie and another daughter to a restaurant with lots of temptation of the worst kind for me--luscious baked things. But I was satisfied with a bowl of fruit while the carrot cake was screaming my name. Bonnie had the same problem, but she was also very good. And on top of that, I got in my hour of aerobic exercise. One day at a time it goes, and in 94 more we will reap the reward of our efforts--good or otherwise. But I will sleep well tonight.

Whatever I do, I am determined not to squander this opportunity to get in shape. I am really looking forward to the dietitian class in the morning. I have a lot to learn.

Second time with trainer

I just returned from the gym where Bonnie and I had a wonderful workout with our BYU trainer, Shan'tel Christensen. She is a jewel and so enthusiastic for our workout. I actually enjoyed the entire workout because I felt like I was on my way to a better body. It felt good to work hard, but the workout was not too hard--it was just right. It is so helpful to have someone guiding my exercise so I finally understand what I should be doing and how I should be doing it. A thousand thanks to whoever made this possible. Also, I am watching and recording what I eat. It is a revelation as far as calories go. No matter how healthy the food I choose, I still want to eat more than I need. I look forward to Friday morning with the dietitian.

So far, so good.

Today I managed to stay on my diet--I emphasize MY diet. I am anxious to meet with the dietitian on Friday to see what I should be eating. But I have cut my calories and am not eating any junk. I just hope my weight (hopefully weight loss) will reflect my determination.

I am recording every morsel that goes into my mouth and that is the first challenge that I am struggling with. Sometimes I guess about the portion size and I hope I am right. I am using a notebook and a piece of notebook paper to log each day. Sometimes I skip eating something because I don't want to go to the trouble to write it down--maybe that is part of the idea.

Tomorrow we have our second session with our trainer. I am very much looking forward to that. I have always hated weight training, but I think this time I will be OK with it. I really appreciate the way the trainers went about teaching us and that does make a difference.

I feel very privileged to be in this heart challenge--if I can stay on course, which I am determined to do--I feel like I won the lottery.

1st training session

Today we met our assigned trainer from BYU, Shan'tel Christensen, and received our evaluations from Traci Heiner. There was another trainer helping Traci, and I feel terrible that I forgot her name. She was also extremely helpful.

I was impressed with how carefully they evaluated us on each piece of equipment. Traci just inspires me to want to do better. I especially appreciate being shown how to do the weight lifting exercises correctly. I totally look forward to our next training session with Shan'tel.

I have told several people about the program and they all think it is wonderful and would like to participate. Kathy Bankhead who did the challenge last year told me it was wonderful and she did not exaggerate. She looks so good she is a walking advertisement for the challenge. I feel very, very lucky to have been chosen. I hope there is some way I can give back in return for all this help they are giving me.

3rd day, so far so good

I am determined to stick with this program no matter what. Well, yesterday I did well.I spent the day at my sons' Kirkham Motorsports open house. I helped out in the kitchen along side Magleby's German chocolate cake, BYU funeral potatoes, and BYU barbecue beef, all calling my name ever so loudly. But there were also lots of veggies. I ate the veggies and let the rest go except for a pinch of the cake, a tsp of the barbecue beef, and a tablespoon of the potatoes. I just had to find out the taste and that was enough. Amazingly, I managed to handle it, but it was only the heart challenge that made that possible. I keep this 100 days foremost in my mind at all times.

I notice that I am stopping myself from munching in the kitchen. I can see that I was munching unaware of what I was doing--a cracker here, banana sandwich there, (I'm from the South) and lots of ice cream. Well, now I am making myself grab a carrot or some veggie and it is not so enticing to graze in the kitchen as it was. Thank goodness. Only 98 days left to change the way I think about food. Right now I am forcing myself to do the best I know how. I am anxious to get with the trainer and dietitian. But I am writing every morsel I eat down in a notebook.

I also did about an hour today of exercising to music in my house. I did some resistance pulling on bands with my arms while I ran around the house. The resistance training only lasted about 20 minutes, but at least I did it.

The hospital staff gave us a great start today.

The first meeting of the 100 day heart challenge was today. I am very enthusiastic about the prospects for improving my family's health by learning from and working with the staff at the hospital. I found today's meeting as well as their public meeting on the 5th of this month especially helpful. It was eye opening to listen to the heart surgeons. I am very glad to see the hospital focusing on getting and keeping people healthy.