Month-End Review, November

10 Minute Solution: Fat Blasting Dance Mix (Simple Slimmer), 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts (Upper Body), 3 x's

Adaptive Motion Trainer, 4 x's

Bicycling, 2 x's

Boot Camp Class, 2 x's

Raking Leaves, 2 x's

Rock Climbing, 2 x's

Rowing Machine, 2 x's

Shooting Hoops, 3 x's

Spinning Bike, 2 x's

Sport Wall, 1 x

StairMaster, 2 x's

Step Class, 2 x's

Swimming, 6 x's

Treadmill (with bouts of jogging), 7 x's

Tread Wall, 1 x

Turbo Kick Class, 1 x

Walking Outdoors or on Indoor Track, 3 x's

Water Aerobics, 1 x

I had a whole lot of fun this month and I pushed myself, possibly, harder than I've ever pushed myself before.

I delved into classes, a form of exercise that I've previously shunned and I actually went to a step class this afternoon. There was a substitute teacher but I had no comparison because I'd never been to the original teacher's class. She (never caught her name) apologized for her lack of step instruction. We ended up doing quite a few jumping jacks as well as working with weights and a resistance band and we worked out so hard that we fogged up the windows. ;) I definitely dug the waddle move with the resistance band; we all looked like penguins, for sure.

If I only learned one thing this month, it's that class instructors love jumping jacks. And my other valuable lesson? Always keep Epsom salt on hand.

Driven, I'm Driven

I went rock climbing today and I faltered and faltered.

I made it to the top one time and, on every other route, I made it about halfway.

I was even having issues tying a figure eight knot.

All the holds seemed sadistic. I know that I'm capable of doing a 5.6 and a 5.7 and other people were successfully climbing but I just could not get a grip. Off day, I guess. I know that I'm relying on my arms, too, when I should be relying on my legs.

I did feel more comfortable belaying. I haven't been climbing twice in one week before. Even though I like rock climbing, I just haven't been consistently because I don't really have a belay partner. Plus, I'm just all over the place exercise-wise and don't really need yet another membership.

As we all came to the conclusion that there had been enough rock climbing, Patti asked me what I was going to do -- seeing that it's a nice day and all. I said that I was going swimming. In the softest and sweetest voice she said, I think you're crazy but okay.

People, that's enough with the crazy label. Driven. I'm driven.

See, since I didn't make it up many routes, I felt like I didn't have a good workout. I went home and ate and then rounded up my swimming gear.

When I got to the pool, there were quite a few informal flyers. The pool was closed for repairs until further notice. Maybe that was the universe's way of slowing me down today. Of course, I could have gone somewhere else to swim but I really didn't have the energy to go any further...

Here's a cute video about a group of folks getting certified to belay.

A Stir It Up Moment

You seriously have some kind of problem. Forget Crazy Tracy. Crazy 'Drea.

-My friend Lori after I told her about rock climbing after having participated in an intermediate step class the day before.

People have no concept of what the human body is really designed to do. They have no concept of their strength! And they function in a zone that is well below what their potential really is.

-from A Jillian Michaels' interview that appeared in the November 2009 edition of Health Magazine.

Health bestowed Michaels with their America's Healthiest Body honor.

Check Your Body

The Thanksgiving Day boot camp at the Carondelt Rec Plex was packed but, by the end of the class, at least 20 people had dropped out.

Check your body. I didn't really hear why we were checking our bodies because the music was kind of loud but I assumed that the instructor meant it in the mind/body connection way and not check your body because San just wrecked it way.

Oh my, San was all about the jumping jacks and squats. I think we did 100 plus jacks and just as many squats. We also did burpees and I'm going to go ahead and say that burpees are not my favorite form of calisthenics.

The 50 minutes of San's boot camp seemed to last forever and the camp class was the last one to leave the Y. It was weird to see all of the cardio equipment at rest.


I swung by Jay International because I had everything that I needed for sweet potato puree except for a lime. I used olive oil instead of butter and agave nectar instead of honey. Calories-wise, agave and honey are alike but, supposedly, agave's glycemic index is lower than honey's.

Love this little two pound bag of sweet potatoes that I got from Trader Joe's -- not too big and not too small.






I oogled the gingerbread cookies at Jay International because it doesn't hurt to look.

Thanksgiving Day Funnies

There Might Be Falling

Rock climbing was on the table for today but I didn't know what time it was going to jump off.

I got a call at 11:15 for a noon rendezvous -- just at the time that I had put maple syrup and SO Delicious coconut creamer in my nice big coffee mug.

I sat, for awhile, debating whether or not to go even though I had been jonesing to climb the rocks. Part of my dilemma came about because I'm a newbie and I still require tips. I even debated whether or not my presence would be a hassle for the veterans.

Be flexible, I told myself. I also threw in a chill out for good measure. And I did chill out. I finished up my coffee, got ready and grabbed a SportVit bar.

I'm always a little nervous when I've been away from rock climbing for awhile. When I was belaying for Patti, she told me that it was a new route for her so there might be falling. Smart woman even though I'm an alert belayer.

I climbed, mostly, 5.6 routes today but I also tackled a 5.7 route in the corner. I'm so proud of myself. Hopefully, I'll get to 5.8 one of these days.

It was interesting to chitchat with Patti who is lactose intolerant. She does not really eat out or eat other people's food because, people -- myself included -- forget how much food is made with butter et al. As for me, I often decline other folks' food now because people will tell you that they made something that's not bad when they have doused it with oil or butter...

After climbing, I went to get some transition pants at the ScholarShop.


I tried on a size 14 that was too tight but another pair, a 12, was a perfect fit; weird.

I got to the register all prepared to pay $6 dollars when the clerk said $4.50.


Wow, the ScholarShop was having a 25% off sale.

Is Everyone Stable?

Fascinating question, Karen, but I think everyone was stable at the point -- at least on their stability balls.

I can't believe that I avoided classes for so long. I ventured into an intermediate step class today and it completely rocked. I loved it.

I enjoyed the rocking horses, the kicks and the knee lifts. Who knew a little platform could be so much fun and make you work so freakin' hard?

I loved the cadence when everyone was in synch. And the sound of simultaneous feet hitting steps? So motivating.

Karen was like an assassin -- all business and straight-faced. My friend Lori suspects that she is an introvert as opposed to the instructor Tracy who is an out-and-out extrovert.

After all of that stomping and arm swinging, we put up the steps and brought out the mats and stability balls which also entertained me. We did sit-ups and push-ups and we did a child-like pose over the ball. I also liked it when we just bounced on the stability ball.

Step class was so cool and so much fun. I was instantly addicted.

Addicted To Love

Crazy Tracy

For someone who is not into classes, I wanted to try out another one. I called my friend Lori to see if she wanted to go with me. I ruled out Y-Sculpt which didn't have a description but didn't sound like the best option for my sore upper body. For some reason, I imagined that Y-Sculpt involved weights.

I asked Lori if she wanted to go to Turbo Kick. Lori said Tracy's teaching that class. I hadn't even realized it. Tracy was the one who had my body all locked up and on fire Sunday morning.

As I was entering the driveway toward the recreation complex, I thought I saw Lori going in the opposite direction. Oh, no; Lori changed her mind.

As it turned out, Lori did not change her mind and came bouncing into the class Tigger-like.

We did some kicking,(obviously) jabbing and jumping jacks. We also did some rowing and wheels. I really liked the jabbing and rowing.

Although, I must admit, it was challenging to exercise in front of a mirror because I'm still thick and the mirror is a reminder that I can stand to lose about twenty more pounds. Also, I wasn't crazy about the observers outside the glass doors of the studio but I got over it and chalked the watching up to curiosity.

When we got on the ground for wind down time, Tracy had the nerve to have us do some ab work. My little abs were still tender from Saturday's beat down. Despite my tender abs, I elevated my legs, got a lock on my core, made an A with my hands and did what I had to do.

Later on, Lori and I were talking about Turbo Kick. Crazy Tracy is in shape, Lori said. I laughed because that moniker fits her well. Tracy is, of course, crazy in a good way. She seems very informed and passionate about what she does.

Lori and I were discussing our Tuesday fitness options. She wants to take the Yogalates class. I told Lori that I'm down for the yoga but I don't know about the lates.

Boot Camp: The Aftermath

I was planning on going swimming this morning until I woke up and tried to sit upright and found that my upper body (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and teres major or something like that) was on fire with soreness. I immediately nixed the swimming plans.

When I sneezed today, I felt it my abs and braced myself since I usually sneeze in threes. When I laughed, you guessed it; I felt it all in my abs.

When I raised my arms to dress myself, ouch.

Looking over my shoulder while parking caused a whole new awareness of my mid-section.

The treadmill was my friend today.

I guess Tracy didn't lie when she said that she was dishing out a whole body workout.

Do You Know Where Your Core Is?

That was the question posed to the boot camp class by the instructor Tracy.

I'm not one for group exercise but I went to check out the new Carondelet Park Recreation Complex or, as I like to call it, the city-funded YMCA and, since I've been curious about boot camp style classes and one was being offered on Saturday, I didn't think that a better opportunity would present itself. It was really good timing because only eleven people were in class.

Not only did Tracy help locate our cores, she also showed us à la Diana Ross who was the boss.

Tracy, who is a great instructor, struck all the right notes. The class was challenging yet fun.

We tossed around a three pound weight while moving rather rapidly in a circle. My friend Lori was not crazy about the tossing of the ball; I think she might have had a flashback from her dodgeball playing days.

We did that football-jogging-in-place-crouch then sprawled on the floor. We did planks, push-ups, burpees, squatted with our backs against the wall and, at one point, we compressed ourselves ball-like and rolled on the mat. Lori's squat form was excellent according to Tracy who also made the rounds to check our jabbing intensity level with a punching mitt. I love props almost as much as I loved the sensation and echo emitted when I connected with the punching mitt.

I've been rocking steady with exercise for about two and half years now and I almost felt as if I had never done one moment of cardio. I was worn out but definitely in a good way.



Update: After taking the boot camp class, I took a few laps around the track and it seems that another blogger caught me in stride with my new blue Danskin Now top on. It really is a small world after all.

To Be An Old Spoke -- A Long-Term Goal

One of my main goals is to enjoy mobility when I become a senior citizen and I so want to be a road-warrior like these individuals:

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Nooowwwww, how will you navigate through Thanksgiving?

The big day, Thanksgiving, is one week away and I think about it. I do. If I let my mind go in that direction, I think about how I'll miss German chocolate cake, macaroni and cheese and candied yams. I was recently asked the above question by someone I was having a e-mail conversation with and here's my response:


I really approach Thanksgiving the way I approach any other day. However, I do make an exception for sweet potato pie and, even with SP pie, I've found a lower calorie recipe for sweet potato puree. So, I'm even going to put the kibosh on sweet potato pie soon.

I'll eat the turkey and green beans but I'll pass on the dressing, mac and cheese etc.

There's a feature in Fitness magazine called You ate it, negate it. When I see how long it takes to burn off calories for, say, key lime pie, it makes me lose my desire for that item.

I did 65 minutes on the AMT yesterday and it wasn't all fun and games but I gutted it out.

In general, when I think about how much time I've spent in the gym and on my way to the gym, I don't take food lightly anymore. And every book that I read says the same thing: diet and exercise -- you won't be successful unless you pair the two.

And, now, I don't even feel like I'm sacrificing a lot in the taste department if I eat reduced Swiss cheese as opposed to the non-reduced Swiss version.

As early as this week, I decided to clamp down even harder on casual consumption of food. Even my family has gotten on board, to a certain extent, asking me if I'll eat a certain item. Sometimes the answer is no and it's okay for both parties. I used to feel a bit guilty and a bit like I was missing out on something -- especially when the cook made something that I used to fawn over but, in the end, it's quality time that you're spending with that person and not what dish they made.

Several of us are supposed to go out-of-town and I'm already thinking ahead regarding packing lunch and snacks. I fear, though, that there won't be enough room for my almond butter, hummus, Kashi bars and Lesser Evil veggie sticks.

A Jillian Michaels' Motivational Moment (No Falling Down Allowed)

Excerpt from an intense Jillian Michaels' confrontation that was almost too intense to watch. Concerned that Shay would lose the weigh-in and be sent home, Michaels was literally in Shay's face. Shay has lost 83 pounds but is still near the 400 mark.

Out of all the contestants that have been on The Biggest Loser, I think that Shay is going to have an excess skin issue...

You've been through worse. Dig deeper.

When the going gets tough, the tough have to get going...

We don't get to cry. We don't get to lick our wounds...

Get up. Get up. Get up. Do it right.

Get in a plank. Right now.

Drop your ass. Drop it lower into plank.

You will go home. Do you hear me?

Look at me now.

You are going to stop crying and you're going to pull it together.

Do you understand? Stop crying. Get into plank and hold it for 10 seconds.

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3...now, walk your feet to your hands and stand up -- powerfully, please.

Look at me. Look at me. Look at me!

Focus.

You're going to be strong this week and there's not one tear that's going to come out of your eyeball.

Do you understand me? Not one.

I don't want to see tears. I don't want to see you fall down. I don't want to see any drama. You're going to do everything I say and you're going to do it perfectly.

Got it?

Before You Lost The Weight

The questions have started.

How much weight do you plan to lose?

*Shrug*

At what weight are you supposed to be?

*Shrug*

You better find out.

I should say that the commentary has started too.

I liked your face before you lost the weight.

*No comment*

You look better every time I see you and you look younger.

Don't lose the curves.

I miss your cheeks. You look cute either way though.

I've been told more than once that, maybe, I need to sit down which is such a funny assertion. Just what am I doing while sitting down?

Have no fear, people. I can still pinch a couple of inches and, according to the BMI calculator, I am still obese. Plus, I don't lose weight so effortlessly that I'm going to disappear into nothingness.

Momentum is on my side right now and I've got to keep on moving. Yes, there will be neglected things and I just got home about 30 minutes ago from my nighttime swimming but, hey, I actually squeezed in making some peanuts today so when I need that little boost before a workout, I can grab an ounce.

Of course, the peanuts are a little browner than I wanted them to be but...



Keep On Movin'

Sunday Funnies

Ruling Out And Nixing

It took me forever to set foot outside. I wondered what I would do today since my thighs are sore. I ruled out bicycling and climbing stairs. I also nixed swimming because I've been using my arms quite a bit.

I tested out Simple Slimmer, a segment on 10 Minute Solution: Fat Blasting Dance Mix. I didn't really dig it but I want to try out other routines to see if there is something that I might like.

After dancing, I decided to do some old-fashioned outdoor walking and, because it was so nice outside, I went to a basketball court to shoot some hoops.

If you're wondering, shooting hoops burns 349 calories per hour and has other benefits as well:

Shooting - baskets (basketball):

One of the most enjoyable ways to stay in shape, improve agility and muscular strength is by shooting baskets. Shooting baskets simulates the offensive aspects of regular basketball play and requires the player to use depth perception, flexibility, fast reactions and a cunning game plan to avoid being foiled by defensive players.

Overall, it was just nice to be outside and engaged in something unstructured and nice, also, to be unplugged. Of course, my arms are a bit sore now.

Skee-Lo's I Wish

24 Hour Fitness

I decided to get a seven day pass to 24 Hour Fitness and chose the Arnold, MO facility since it has a pool.

I didn’t know it but the 24 Hour Fitness closest to me is a 24 Hour Fitness Active and the one in Arnold is a sport type. I would love to see a Super Sport or Ultra Sport 24 Hour club. The sport one is happening and I can only imagine what kind of toys the ultra sport one possesses.

The immediate downside of choosing the Arnold location is that it is about 20 miles away -- quite a bit of travel time when your fitness regimen is already like secondary employment.

Plentiful -- that’s how I would describe 24 Hour Fitness Sport. It’s like a huge freakin’ playground with a full length basketball court, weight machines for as far as the eye can see, a saltwater pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. It’s well worth the $31.99 charge per month. For a few dollars more, you can have access to all clubs across the country.

There’s plenty of cardio equipment and plenty of lockers. The locker room, by the way, has two flat screen televisions along with ample showers and the locker area is so spacious that you never feel crowded.

I got beside myself last night and hit the rowing machine, StairMaster, basketball court and pool.

The warning on the rowing machine had me cracking up:

Abuse of the chain can cause injury. Really?

I’m not much of a class person but I did participate in a water aerobics class. The instructor didn’t rock my world like the one and only Combat Judy that was at Bally’s but it was sufficient. I really dug the bicycle maneuver. You take a noodle and ride it the length of the pool. I also liked the boxing moves: jabs, uppercuts, etc.

Why do people claim that their pools are heated? 24 Hour's pool was chilly just like the others.

On any given day, it was so nice to hit the pool then the whirlpool followed by a warm shower with oatmeal lavender soap provided by 24 Hour. I kept thinking that a dormitory would make 24 Hour Fitness the complete experience because all I really wanted to do was hit the bed instead of drive home especially after the warmness of the whirlpool.

I do have to say that the employees are persistent, um, stalker-like. I told them, at the beginning, that I belonged to another club (minus the contract) and that I was looking at other facilities. I received call after call about appointments I had made (not). Two other friends also signed up and they received the same stalker treatment.

You have a great club, 24 Hr Fitness, but there’s a fine line between salesmanship and harassment.

I Was Ray Allen

I rowed, climbed, swam and I was Ray freakin' Allen. I was hitting so many three pointers that I shrugged à la Michael Jordan. I want someone to vote for me so that I can participate in the NBA's All Star game -- the three point shootout, please.



I did layups to burn more calories and felt like the joggler. Maybe because the joggler's been on my mind since I spotted him in Forest Park.

I had a funky fitness adventure y'all but, dang, I just got home and I am the fitness equivalent of intoxicated.

$60 For 60

One of my friends surprised me with a gift of $60 on the occasion of my having lost 60 pounds.

Go buy yourself some workout clothes or something, she said.

Friends rock.

So, I did -- buy myself an item of workout clothing. I went to Walmart and got a Danskin Now top because you can never have enough workout clothes especially when your regimen prevents you from getting around to doing the laundry which reminds me of this old joke I heard.

If you leave the laundry in the hamper long enough, the clothes become clean again.

Yucky, I know.

There are lots of people who deplore Walmart but I have to say that Walmart was the one place that I could find workout clothes in my size without having to take out a loan.

When I was larger, I would be so disappointed to go in The Sports Authority or TJ Maxx, for that matter, and not be able to find anything in my size as if larger people didn't exercise.

By the way, I told my friend that I cannot wait to lose 70 pounds.

I Want Muscles

Kudos to Amy for dropping 300+ pounds. I definitely need to start hitting the weights. I don't want to be this ripped but I want some bulk...

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It's so my fault that I now have this Diana Ross song going through my head. Videos have certainly come a long way since this one was made.

A Jillian Michaels' Motivational Moment (Bravery Required)

Jillian, one of The Biggest Loser trainers, is pushing Amanda out of her comfort zone by demanding sprints of undetermined speed when Amanda has a meltdown. What's funny is that Jillian's speechifying usually gets to Amanda and she tells Jillian "shut up, please."

You are not failing here; you quit. There's a difference between quitting and failing...

You know what Amanda, it's gonna require some courage. It's going to require a little bit of bravery...

It doesn't mean that you're going to be fearless. You need to move through the fear...

Well then, step on the treadmill and make it count...

You're capable...

You make it happen. You don't wait for life to happen; you make life happen...

Life doesn't work that way. You've got to pull it together and make a choice right now; if you walk away, you are choosing.

Pull yourself together and we're going to do this one step at a time.

After Amanda walks away, Jillian mutters:

Why are these contestants so freaking difficult this season?

When Amanda talks with Jillian again she apologizes for walking out on her but Jillian lets her know that she walked out on herself.

Comic Strip Relief

American Lung Association Throws Down The Gauntlet

I sometimes think that I am easily stopped in my tracks. I was going through the mail and, while not surprised that the American Lung Association is advertising for the 2010 Master the Met,
I was surprised to see a star with last year's finish time and a tag line that said Beat Your Time: 17:14.

I've done Master the Met two years in a row and I was thinking about sitting out next year but now that the ALA has thrown down a friendly gauntlet, I might very well have to participate.



And The Met, by the way, is the Metropolitan Square building in downtown St. Louis with 43 floors that will take your breath away.

Beyond The Next Ten

Now that I've reached my major goal of losing 60 pounds, I'm thinking about what's next on the agenda.

I would like to lose, at least, another ten pounds and, possibly, more but I really don't want to ponder anything beyond the next ten. It's too much to think about. I also know that the next pounds are going to require some battening down of the hatches.

I'm eating better but there's definitely room for improvement. A post on Bitch Cakes, Weekly Meeting Topic: Eating Healthier the Easier Way, struck a chord with me. She said that you can lose weight by eating junk food. And it is possible because I've done it but the more weight you lose, the more tweaking is required. Plus, I found the weight loss went so much slower for me because of indulgences.

Speaking of food, I made Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans for dinner.

It was a pretty good one bowl meal that was not labor intensive either. I used navy beans instead of cannellini beans. I forgot to see if I had any onions and ended up supplementing a small amount of white onion that had been frozen with a shallot since I hate returning to the store for an item once I've started cooking.

I also used a vegan bouillon cube in place of chicken broth.


I tend to substitute bay scallops for sea scallops whenever a recipe calls for them because I find bay scallops more flavorful.

On another note, congrats to Tara Parker-Pope who is a woman after my heart. She finished 619 out of 625 runners in the New York City Marathon. It's nice to know that I am not the only one in the slow lane.
.

Give The Gift Of Swim

When I went to Target the other day, the Halloween aisle had been wrecked. Over my shoulder, I spotted the Christmas section. It's that time of year again.

It also looks like Swim Outlet is ready for the big holiday.Sometimes I think that I want a waterproof MP3 player. But do I really need one? Swimming presents a rare opportunity to unplug and it's an activity that I find relaxing as all get out. In fact, I'll probably sleep very well tonight since I swam 30 laps -- the most laps that I've ever done.

While getting in my laps, I watched the young dynamic duo. One girl's butterfly stroke is getting better and better. I can always tell when someone has started the fly; it almost sounds tornadic.

I also watched as chatty Kathleen taught a young man how to swim.

I listened as one dad continued to develop his sons' swimming skills. He continued to coax the younger son while reassuring him that he was safe and that he wouldn't let anything happen to him. Even though his son told him I don't think I'm made for this.

I chit chatted with a woman who executes gorgeous dives. I asked her how long it takes her to swim a mile but she insisted that she was not a swimmer but a diver, nay, runner who got into marathons at the urging of her boss. She even qualified for the Boston Marathon. Upon reflection, the runner said: I like running. It's the only time I get to be alone. Otherwise, it's mom, mom.

I probably won't get the water audio system.

It's good to unplug and it's good to engage with people.

‘Drea Minus 60 (Allowances Included)

It took me two years plus six and half months to do it but I finally reached my 60 pound weight loss goal.

My aunt Al, cousin and I were sitting around talking about weight loss. My cousin has recently gotten back in the gym and wants to lose a significant amount of weight to which my Aunt Al said, If I lost 50 pounds, I wouldn’t tell anyone.

At first, I thought it was the usual tactic of not airing one’s dirty laundry but I see my Aunt Al’s point of view.

Sixty pounds is a lot and it signals excess but I’m glad that I’m letting the excess skeleton out of the closet.

When the Bernie Madoff scandal hit, there was a great deal of commentary but only one essay, Geneen Roth’s I was fleeced by Madoff stuck with me.


In the essay, Roth talks about how 30 years of retirement savings went down the drain. She also talks about her decision to be a waitress and maid in order to buy time to write poetry.

Over and over again, I've asked myself: Why didn't I secure the most basic of all things -- shelter itself? Why didn't I pay off my mortgage? And if I don't engage in blame, I see the answer clearly: because I believed in something else more -- I believed in accumulating. And when you believe in accumulating, you see what you don't have, not what you have. My relationship to money was no different from my relationship to food, to love, to fabulous sweaters: I never felt as if I had enough. I was always focused on the bite that was yet to come, not the one in my mouth. I was focused on the way my husband wasn't perfect, not the way he was. And on the sweater I saw in the window, not the one in my closet that I hadn't worn for a year.

Roth’s essay moved me in so many ways but it was also a reminder not to excessively consume food or worry.

In trying to reach my 60 pound milestone during the past two months, I became aggravated because the scale would head north then south then north -- always one pound or two shy of 60. I couldn’t believe my tactics of exercising longer and drinking more water weren’t working. I knew that I had more weight to lose. So, why wasn’t it coming off? In addition, I was literally counting what I was putting in my mouth while making allowances for my recurrent snacking.

What I lost sight of in the last few months was the fact that I’m in great shape. I can tell by my 40 minute stints on the StairMaster. Before, I had to stop the machine and, now, I don’t need to take a break. I’m swimming more laps and I’m better at rock climbing.

I forgot that my body works superbly and has supported me with the excess weight and it has supported me as I’ve gone through the process of shedding the excess weight too. I have practically been on a non-stop regimen for over 800 days.

I forgot about the simple joy of being in motion and reacquainting myself with the athlete that I left behind so long ago.

I was also reminded to be grateful by several bloggers’ Love Your Body Day posts:

FAT!Fat!FAT!—it’s all talk

Exposed: Why I Love My Body

Hopefully, as I continue this journey, I won’t lose sight of the fact that I feel healthier and I’m in a good place – even when the scale is teetering back and forth.

Wonder Acupuncturist?

This page is from a Wellness pocket calendar which has very cool information. The calendars are for marketing purposes but I like them. I got this particular one from Dr. Ginger who is, among other things, an acupuncturist. I went one time to see if I could dodge some unshakable pain.

Dr. Ginger was like an assassin with the needles. Never saw them coming and never felt pain. I did, however, want to sleep like a baby after the treatment and I haven't felt that particular pain anymore. Wonder acupuncturist or coincidence? I don't really know but I'd go again.

Whenever I think about acupuncture, my mind inevitably wanders to this silly commercial: