Today I was in collaboration meetings all day in my principal's office. It's a great time where we get to look at growth our students are making and put plans in place for those who need extra help. I love being able to collaborate with colleagues in this way. It was all of the candy and popcorn that caused the day to be a bit of a challenge. A couple of people even went to grab Sonic for lunch. I am working out with Kelly and want to make the most of the time I have with her so I am working really hard to follow all of the rules especially with the diet.
I went to the gym after work to do my strength training workout for the first time on my own. The sheet Kelly gave me that has everything on it with the amount of reps and weight??? Yep. Forgot that. I remembered it all though. As part of this workout there are one minute recovery sessions. I'm not sure why they are called recovery because I feel like I'm going to croak each time. A minute of mountain climbers or a minute of plyo jumps on the step. On my fourth day of cardio I'm supposed to be on the Helix for thirty minutes. The only way to describe this thing called the Helix is for you to imagine yourself pedaling a bicycle sideways. I tried it the other night and said there was no way I could do it for thirty minutes. Kelly assured me that was okay and told me when I had to take a break to run to the bike and do that for a minute and then go back to the Helix. I had the brainy idea tonight to do a minute on the Helix as one of my recovery sessions. I made it. For those of you who know how uncoordinated I am, I can't think about it. I have to get on and go. I did two one minute recovery sessions and then decided at the end of the workout I would do the Helix for as long as it took The Black Eyed Peas to sing "Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night". Kinda forgot I had a remix of the song on my playlist. Six minutes later the song was finally over. Sweat was pouring off of my face, but I survived!!! WOOT HOOT! Go Me!!!
My friend Zedena posted to me tonight about a sign she saw at her gym. I think it's so fitting and true...
"Sweat is your fat crying"
I smile as I type, but at the same time I think...I have a lot more sweating to do...
What about you? Are you getting your sweat on?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hunger Pains and Inspiration
I didn't eat well over the weekend. I would give myself an F if I had to fill out a report card. Yesterday morning I woke up with renewed vigor ready to attack the food demons that plague me. I packed my lunch of asparagus and chicken along with two snacks, started the day off with oatmeal and finished strong with chicken and a salad. There was only one problem. I was so hungry all day I couldn't stand it. Friends, I am not talking about the kind of hunger in your brain where you "think" you want something to eat. I'm talking about the kind of hunger where your stomach is growling and you actually feel the hunger pains. You have trouble focusing because you are so hungry. I was counting down the minutes between times to eat. Thank God I met with Trainer Kelly tonight. She encouraged me to mix a protein and a carb for each of my meals and snacks. In this way I am increasing my metabolism and my body will feel full longer. Aha! I will be forging on with my new plan.
I had a good workout with Kelly tonight. We also talked about the pain in the neck. I told her that since one of my goals is to run a 5k I get going on a routine where I am incorporating running and after a couple of days my neck hurts so bad I can't run and have to force myself to do anything at all. According to her, the impact of running is actually not good for my condition and she advised me to lay off the running for now until the neck is under control. Please don't think for one second I am upset by this. Just the opposite. I am excited to take the pressure off of myself. I know have a plan for working out as far as when and how frequently to do cardio and when and how frequently to do strength. It is my intention of mixing it up a bit and three days a week getting two workouts in. This is a goal and if I achieve it I will be lighting that metabolism up.
Today was a most uncomfortable one. I had to go through recertification for proper techniques in restraint. The entire day puts me on sensory overload. The only way for the training to occur is for the trainer to demonstrate and then with another person you practice. In the morning session it's about releases and you are with one partner. This wasn't so bad because my principal and I were partners. We had quite the fun time taking out aggression on each other. Please understand we have no aggression directed at each other...just the aggression that builds up from the stress of everyday life. The afternoon session involves being restrained by and restraining everyone in the session multiple times to practice/learn new restraints. I like meeting other people. I enjoy interacting with other people. The three hours of touching tests my personal space senses for sure.
Even with all of that I left the training flying high! One of the trainers complimented me on how small I'm getting. She also told me how inspiring my blog is to her. Again, I never cease to be amazed when people say I inspire them. WHAT??? I'm really struggling with the fact that the scales still aren't going down as fast as I would like. It was so encouraging and inspiring to me for her to say that. And then...in the middle of me being restrained by someone I've known for a few years...she pauses and says..."Tammy's getting skinny!" The words from both of these ladies might be just what I needed to hear until that number starts to move again!
Thanks, Friends.
As I'm writing this, I realize that as I notice others losing weight I need to be more intentional about giving them verbal praise. If it means as much to me as it does to them then it's pretty darn important!
So one of my biggest followers, mom, has had a tooth problem for the last couple of weeks. I think it started on New Years Day. Tooth pain. She had the name of three dentists and went to see the one who could get her in first. A root canal and crown were necessary. It is rare for mom to let pain get her down. She lives with it every day. I could hear how bad she hurt over the phone. They started the root canal, where she was in the chair for almost two hours, finished up for the day, and told her it would be another week and they would finish the job. She hurt so bad and I felt so bad for her. All during December she had been telling me that after the first of the year she was going to get started on her diet and exercise again. I joked with her and told her that only being able to eat soft food was a good way to start a diet. The dentist called her the next day with a cancellation and was able to finish the root canal, but she had to wait until today to get the crown. (I had forgotten today was the day because she really doesn't complain.) So for three weeks she has been on a diet of soft food! I left the gym and called her. "Watcha doin?" Please understand that when she answered I could HEAR the smile in her voice. "Just finished eating fried chicken." "What? That's ironic since I just came from a workout with my trainer and a discussion about diet." "Hey! I finally got my crown on and I wanted fried chicken and I've been eating soft food for three weeks so I had me some fried chicken!" Touche! Tammy Touche!
That's all for now. I'm going to get my food ready for tomorrow. (It's my hope to have a good loss next week! A little jumpstart if you will...)
Just a little message for one of my followers...
VR (You know who you are!) Even if it's a thirty minute walk three times a week, you need to be doing some sort of exercise. It doesn't matter if you have weight issues or not. You care a lot about all of those little hearts out there. Those families need you. You owe it to your own heart, yourself, your family, and all of the others you touch to keep yourself healthy! ;)
I had a good workout with Kelly tonight. We also talked about the pain in the neck. I told her that since one of my goals is to run a 5k I get going on a routine where I am incorporating running and after a couple of days my neck hurts so bad I can't run and have to force myself to do anything at all. According to her, the impact of running is actually not good for my condition and she advised me to lay off the running for now until the neck is under control. Please don't think for one second I am upset by this. Just the opposite. I am excited to take the pressure off of myself. I know have a plan for working out as far as when and how frequently to do cardio and when and how frequently to do strength. It is my intention of mixing it up a bit and three days a week getting two workouts in. This is a goal and if I achieve it I will be lighting that metabolism up.
Today was a most uncomfortable one. I had to go through recertification for proper techniques in restraint. The entire day puts me on sensory overload. The only way for the training to occur is for the trainer to demonstrate and then with another person you practice. In the morning session it's about releases and you are with one partner. This wasn't so bad because my principal and I were partners. We had quite the fun time taking out aggression on each other. Please understand we have no aggression directed at each other...just the aggression that builds up from the stress of everyday life. The afternoon session involves being restrained by and restraining everyone in the session multiple times to practice/learn new restraints. I like meeting other people. I enjoy interacting with other people. The three hours of touching tests my personal space senses for sure.
Even with all of that I left the training flying high! One of the trainers complimented me on how small I'm getting. She also told me how inspiring my blog is to her. Again, I never cease to be amazed when people say I inspire them. WHAT??? I'm really struggling with the fact that the scales still aren't going down as fast as I would like. It was so encouraging and inspiring to me for her to say that. And then...in the middle of me being restrained by someone I've known for a few years...she pauses and says..."Tammy's getting skinny!" The words from both of these ladies might be just what I needed to hear until that number starts to move again!
Thanks, Friends.
As I'm writing this, I realize that as I notice others losing weight I need to be more intentional about giving them verbal praise. If it means as much to me as it does to them then it's pretty darn important!
So one of my biggest followers, mom, has had a tooth problem for the last couple of weeks. I think it started on New Years Day. Tooth pain. She had the name of three dentists and went to see the one who could get her in first. A root canal and crown were necessary. It is rare for mom to let pain get her down. She lives with it every day. I could hear how bad she hurt over the phone. They started the root canal, where she was in the chair for almost two hours, finished up for the day, and told her it would be another week and they would finish the job. She hurt so bad and I felt so bad for her. All during December she had been telling me that after the first of the year she was going to get started on her diet and exercise again. I joked with her and told her that only being able to eat soft food was a good way to start a diet. The dentist called her the next day with a cancellation and was able to finish the root canal, but she had to wait until today to get the crown. (I had forgotten today was the day because she really doesn't complain.) So for three weeks she has been on a diet of soft food! I left the gym and called her. "Watcha doin?" Please understand that when she answered I could HEAR the smile in her voice. "Just finished eating fried chicken." "What? That's ironic since I just came from a workout with my trainer and a discussion about diet." "Hey! I finally got my crown on and I wanted fried chicken and I've been eating soft food for three weeks so I had me some fried chicken!" Touche! Tammy Touche!
That's all for now. I'm going to get my food ready for tomorrow. (It's my hope to have a good loss next week! A little jumpstart if you will...)
Just a little message for one of my followers...
VR (You know who you are!) Even if it's a thirty minute walk three times a week, you need to be doing some sort of exercise. It doesn't matter if you have weight issues or not. You care a lot about all of those little hearts out there. Those families need you. You owe it to your own heart, yourself, your family, and all of the others you touch to keep yourself healthy! ;)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Degenerated
All of these posts you have read about my neck and shoulder pain. Finally! A diagnosis. The doctor called me this week to tell me the results of my xrays show I have degeneration of discs C5, C6, and C7 with C7 pressing on a nerve. Of course I had to research this to find out how one gets disc degneration. It can happen with age. It can be caused by a major trauma (car accident) or a minor trauma (a fall) or in some cases just by getting out of bed wrong. I can hear you all laughing. As my friend Amy said, "This could have started the moment I was mobile." Mom thinks with all of my accidents there would be no way to pinpoint how this process started. For now (and insurance purposes) I am working with a physical therapist to alleviate pain. Doc also told me to keep up with the ice. Really challenging when it's 17 degrees outside.
I've met with my new trainer two times. The second time we hit it. I woke up the morning after and wasn't sore at all. It was about 12:30 the following afternoon when the abdominal muscles and legs started speaking to me. Almost as though they were laughing and saying, "Hi! We're still here. Don't you love a little burn?"
I can't wait for this week's workouts. I missed two workouts last week because of the stomach flu. YUCK!
No news on the job search. More application opportunities. No interviews scheduled yet.
I've been watching some other weight loss blogs. Love finding inspiration to keep me going.
Monday, January 9, 2012
First Caffeine and Now Sugar
I've made it a complete week with no caffeine!!! I have to tell you there were times last week when I almost caved. I broke the habit of going to QT pretty quickly. I fill my water bottle up with decaf tea and head out the door. It's amazing how much more time I have in the mornings. I did feel myself wanting to munch a little bit more. Not sure what that was about. Maybe it had to do with the caffeine coming out of my body. Who knows. There were a couple of times I thought it would help with a headache or make me more alert, but I had made up my mind and I stuck to it.
I've mentioned before my neck and shoulder pain. Two months ago it was really bad and I went to the doctor. I received an injection in the base of my skull because that's where I end up with a headache. He gave me some pain pills and a muscle relaxer. A month later the doctor gave me an injection in my shoulder. That injection hurt and I didn't feel much relief at all. I've also been going to the chiropractor and massage therapist. I carry so much stress across the back of my shoulders. When it all tightens up it's like the base of my skull is in a vice of some sort. This past week the headache was so bad I was puking. Wednesday night I was in tears it hurt so bad. Thursday morning I woke up and everything was extremely sore. I went to the chiropractor on Thursday night and she adjusted way up into the back of my head and gave me instructions to come home lay on ice and sleep. Yet, I still had a headache that was still lingering Friday morning. I caved and called the doctor. By the time I reached his office I was in tears. He sent me with an order of xrays, an order for physical therapy, stronger drugs (REALLY STRONG! Could sell them on the street STRONG!), and told me to go home to ice and sleep. Doesn't this sound entertaining? "Tammy, I want you to leave the ice on and when it starts to burn you know it's working so have another ice pack ready to go." Yet, I've been doing it and getting a little relief. I took a two and a half hour nap yesterday with ice. It required lots of blankets, but I'm trying to follow directions. I had the xrays today and will schedule physical therapy tomorrow.
I'm supposed to start with my new trainer tomorrow. I called her near tears. I LOVE her already. She told me to not worry about it. We are going to meet tomorrow and work lower body AND she's going to give me some exercises and stretches to help with my neck. Very exciting. I'm so tired of it hurting that anytime someone gives me something to try I'm on it. I just want the pain to stop. I'm very excited to get back into the routine of training. Each time I talk to Kelly she tells me how proud she is of me that I'm still working out so hard. I have been working out, but I know I will challenge myself more with a trainer by my side.
A friend of mine posted on FB yesterday that she was giving up sugar for 21 days. This got me thinking...sooooo today was my first day without sugar. I think my body is going to go through a complete shock. I try to watch what I eat every day, but over the holidays there was so much sugar and I haven't completely quit eating it. I'm making it my goal to make it until the end of the month. January 31st with no sugar. I wasn't even thinking about it really until I just started writing about it. Now I'm suddenly wanting ice cream...
I've mentioned before my neck and shoulder pain. Two months ago it was really bad and I went to the doctor. I received an injection in the base of my skull because that's where I end up with a headache. He gave me some pain pills and a muscle relaxer. A month later the doctor gave me an injection in my shoulder. That injection hurt and I didn't feel much relief at all. I've also been going to the chiropractor and massage therapist. I carry so much stress across the back of my shoulders. When it all tightens up it's like the base of my skull is in a vice of some sort. This past week the headache was so bad I was puking. Wednesday night I was in tears it hurt so bad. Thursday morning I woke up and everything was extremely sore. I went to the chiropractor on Thursday night and she adjusted way up into the back of my head and gave me instructions to come home lay on ice and sleep. Yet, I still had a headache that was still lingering Friday morning. I caved and called the doctor. By the time I reached his office I was in tears. He sent me with an order of xrays, an order for physical therapy, stronger drugs (REALLY STRONG! Could sell them on the street STRONG!), and told me to go home to ice and sleep. Doesn't this sound entertaining? "Tammy, I want you to leave the ice on and when it starts to burn you know it's working so have another ice pack ready to go." Yet, I've been doing it and getting a little relief. I took a two and a half hour nap yesterday with ice. It required lots of blankets, but I'm trying to follow directions. I had the xrays today and will schedule physical therapy tomorrow.
I'm supposed to start with my new trainer tomorrow. I called her near tears. I LOVE her already. She told me to not worry about it. We are going to meet tomorrow and work lower body AND she's going to give me some exercises and stretches to help with my neck. Very exciting. I'm so tired of it hurting that anytime someone gives me something to try I'm on it. I just want the pain to stop. I'm very excited to get back into the routine of training. Each time I talk to Kelly she tells me how proud she is of me that I'm still working out so hard. I have been working out, but I know I will challenge myself more with a trainer by my side.
A friend of mine posted on FB yesterday that she was giving up sugar for 21 days. This got me thinking...sooooo today was my first day without sugar. I think my body is going to go through a complete shock. I try to watch what I eat every day, but over the holidays there was so much sugar and I haven't completely quit eating it. I'm making it my goal to make it until the end of the month. January 31st with no sugar. I wasn't even thinking about it really until I just started writing about it. Now I'm suddenly wanting ice cream...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Welcome 2012
I cannot believe it's 2012. It seems like only yesterday I began this blog. I'm going on two years now. Time really does fly by!
Over the past few weeks I've been pondering a New Year's Resolution. Of course, I want to continue with weight loss. I have about 50 more pounds to go. That one is a given. I wanted something more. it finally came to me. Each morning on my way to work I stop at Quik Trip and purchase a 52 oz iced tea. Trainer Mike had talked to me about how bad this caffeine is for me. I had looked at him like he was CRAZY. I knew he was right. Especially, since I usually refill the tea at least once. That's a lot of caffeine. Today was my first day back to work. I woke up before the alarm. there was dialogue going on in my head that went something like this...
"The kids don't come back today. You could go ahead and get the tea today and start tomorrow."
"Why quit cold turkey? You could just cut down to a 32 oz and it would be better than no tea at all."
"You are already working really hard at weight loss. Why deprive yourself of this too?"
I didn't listen to these thoughts. I fixed myself a small bottle of decaf tea and got in my car. As I started to back out of the driveway I realized I had a crucial decision to make. There are two ways to get to work from my house. One way goes right by the QT. The other direction is quicker access to the highway and there is no temptation involved. I made that decision and went the route that did not involve tea. I arrived at work and kept waiting for the headache to occur. There was no headache. There was problems with forming thoughts and getting them out of my head. I can successfully say there was one day down. Tomorrow is a completely new story. I have to break this habit for sure. I have a wise friend who told me to put the money I would have spent in a special place and then I could buy something with it. Well, I have the container ready and I'm putting 1.25 a day in there. Haven't decided what I will buy, but I have to make it until at least February 3rd. That is 30 days. This is actually going to save me more money than that. I won't be paying for refills AND...often I would just grab breakfast while I was there. Usually a protein bar, but those things are expensive. Today I cut myself some slack and had a pop tart. Tomorrow it's oatmeal or eggs. This one resolution could have a big impact on my weight loss goals. :)
The two weeks before Christmas I barely made it to the gym. I had something almost every night after work. I need to get myself in the habit of doing a morning workout on those days, but UGH! I'm soooo NOT a morning person. I like the snooze button. It's my friend. I did hit the gym again two days after Christmas. I've been going regularly ever since. Yes, I realize this is only a few days, but I'm back on track for sure. AND...I'm going to be starting with a new trainer. I can't wait to learn more and get challenged again. EXCITED!!!
(Okay, a little nervous too!)
In breaking news: I want to be a principal. I am certified and just waiting for an opportunity. Last year there were no openings in a driving area until June. However, there have already been three openings in neighboring districts over winter break. I have applied for all three and am on the hunt for more. If you are a praying person, I ask you to pray for this to open up for me. I feel so ready. I do believe God will put me where he needs me. I'll keep you posted on upcoming events.
Do any of you have those people in your life who drive you bonkers? Maybe they are part of your family or someone you work with? I'm talking about someone who drains you emotionally because they are such high maintenance? Perhaps they have no empathy and are only interested in speaking about their world? Perhaps they don't take social cues and have the loudest voice ever and need to dominate the conversation? Yet, obligations be they familial or work cause you to have to interact with them. After interaction you feel drained. We used to do this thing at my former school where you filled each other's buckets. The type of people of whom I am speaking never fill your bucket or when they do it's not sincere. My point of bringing this up on my blog is because I do have a couple of these people in my life. I'm trying to figure out how to not let them get to me. It's difficult for me. A struggle for sure. As I'm analyzing things that get in the way of my success I realize that sometimes it can be an interaction that leaves me drained. I then feel negative. Sometimes I can turn this around at the gym. I can focus on the interaction and will actually work out harder and get rid of the stress. I need to do more of this rather than letting the interaction eat at me and cause me to lose focus. I think I've just answered the question for myself! I'm going to take those negative experiences and use them to push me harder.
So my goals for 2012
1) Continue on the weight loss journey. More pounds and more inches. Push myself harder with cardio.
2) Give up the iced tea
3) Get back into the routine of blogging at least weekly.
I'm signing off for now so I can fully concentrate on the first episode of the new season of the Biggest Loser. WOOT HOOT!!! If you are looking for inspiration you will find it here. Not to mention, I LOVE BOB HARPER!!!
Over the past few weeks I've been pondering a New Year's Resolution. Of course, I want to continue with weight loss. I have about 50 more pounds to go. That one is a given. I wanted something more. it finally came to me. Each morning on my way to work I stop at Quik Trip and purchase a 52 oz iced tea. Trainer Mike had talked to me about how bad this caffeine is for me. I had looked at him like he was CRAZY. I knew he was right. Especially, since I usually refill the tea at least once. That's a lot of caffeine. Today was my first day back to work. I woke up before the alarm. there was dialogue going on in my head that went something like this...
"The kids don't come back today. You could go ahead and get the tea today and start tomorrow."
"Why quit cold turkey? You could just cut down to a 32 oz and it would be better than no tea at all."
"You are already working really hard at weight loss. Why deprive yourself of this too?"
I didn't listen to these thoughts. I fixed myself a small bottle of decaf tea and got in my car. As I started to back out of the driveway I realized I had a crucial decision to make. There are two ways to get to work from my house. One way goes right by the QT. The other direction is quicker access to the highway and there is no temptation involved. I made that decision and went the route that did not involve tea. I arrived at work and kept waiting for the headache to occur. There was no headache. There was problems with forming thoughts and getting them out of my head. I can successfully say there was one day down. Tomorrow is a completely new story. I have to break this habit for sure. I have a wise friend who told me to put the money I would have spent in a special place and then I could buy something with it. Well, I have the container ready and I'm putting 1.25 a day in there. Haven't decided what I will buy, but I have to make it until at least February 3rd. That is 30 days. This is actually going to save me more money than that. I won't be paying for refills AND...often I would just grab breakfast while I was there. Usually a protein bar, but those things are expensive. Today I cut myself some slack and had a pop tart. Tomorrow it's oatmeal or eggs. This one resolution could have a big impact on my weight loss goals. :)
The two weeks before Christmas I barely made it to the gym. I had something almost every night after work. I need to get myself in the habit of doing a morning workout on those days, but UGH! I'm soooo NOT a morning person. I like the snooze button. It's my friend. I did hit the gym again two days after Christmas. I've been going regularly ever since. Yes, I realize this is only a few days, but I'm back on track for sure. AND...I'm going to be starting with a new trainer. I can't wait to learn more and get challenged again. EXCITED!!!
(Okay, a little nervous too!)
In breaking news: I want to be a principal. I am certified and just waiting for an opportunity. Last year there were no openings in a driving area until June. However, there have already been three openings in neighboring districts over winter break. I have applied for all three and am on the hunt for more. If you are a praying person, I ask you to pray for this to open up for me. I feel so ready. I do believe God will put me where he needs me. I'll keep you posted on upcoming events.
Do any of you have those people in your life who drive you bonkers? Maybe they are part of your family or someone you work with? I'm talking about someone who drains you emotionally because they are such high maintenance? Perhaps they have no empathy and are only interested in speaking about their world? Perhaps they don't take social cues and have the loudest voice ever and need to dominate the conversation? Yet, obligations be they familial or work cause you to have to interact with them. After interaction you feel drained. We used to do this thing at my former school where you filled each other's buckets. The type of people of whom I am speaking never fill your bucket or when they do it's not sincere. My point of bringing this up on my blog is because I do have a couple of these people in my life. I'm trying to figure out how to not let them get to me. It's difficult for me. A struggle for sure. As I'm analyzing things that get in the way of my success I realize that sometimes it can be an interaction that leaves me drained. I then feel negative. Sometimes I can turn this around at the gym. I can focus on the interaction and will actually work out harder and get rid of the stress. I need to do more of this rather than letting the interaction eat at me and cause me to lose focus. I think I've just answered the question for myself! I'm going to take those negative experiences and use them to push me harder.
So my goals for 2012
1) Continue on the weight loss journey. More pounds and more inches. Push myself harder with cardio.
2) Give up the iced tea
3) Get back into the routine of blogging at least weekly.
I'm signing off for now so I can fully concentrate on the first episode of the new season of the Biggest Loser. WOOT HOOT!!! If you are looking for inspiration you will find it here. Not to mention, I LOVE BOB HARPER!!!
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