New Year's Resolution Solution Part 2 Continued

I have to tell you, lifestyle changes are so-o-o-o-o-o-o hard. Right about now all I want to do is sit down and eat an entire gallon of ice cream. Well, maybe not; but even though I like the food I am eating, I miss donuts and tossing back a movie size box of Junior Mints in one sitting. My poor Schwan's driver must hate me right about now. I've drastically reduced what I purchase from them. 

Saturday night I made mini spinach, mushroom and cheese muffins from a recipe I found in the Big Y Life in Balance. magazine. They were good, but not something I would want all the time. I like my muffins sweet. Other than that, breakfast has been hard-boiled eggs and yogurt or oatmeal with fruits and nuts. 

When I've been eating out I've stuck to salads or light meals. I joked with my husband when we took the girls out to eat on Sunday that it was a sorry state of affairs when my meal was the healthiest one on the the table. His diet is usually better than mine. 

Suppertime has been rough because my schedule has been nutty. Tonight I made myself a meatball grinder on a whole wheat pita with American cheese and salad greens. It was awesome. 

I worked out yesterday and today, but I've been keeping it a bit light because I'm not feeling one hundred percent. I did a butt workout today and my legs have felt like jelly ever since. I plan to take a day off tomorrow because I have an early house inspection. Probably for the best anyway.

They are starting up another Facebook group in February like the one I've been participating in. We get workout routines and recipes on a daily basis. We don't have to, but to keep us motivated they ask us to post workout photos and pictures of our meals and snacks. Let me know if you would like to join us.

New Year's Resolution Solution Part 2

It's been an interesting week as far as the New Year's Resolution Solution Part 2 goes. I've only worked out two days because the doctor diagnosed me with tennis elbow and my work schedule has been nuts. Bummer! I can still workout, but I need to be careful. If there is any pain, I need to stop. So, no lifting weights because that kills and no planks because that doesn't feel good either.

The exciting news is this:

Doctor's visit on 12/29/15: weight 124 lb 6.4 oz, BP 120/70, Pulse 64 and BMI 23.13.

Yesterday's visit: weight 117 lb. 9.6 oz, BP 94/62, Pulse 60 and BMI 21.86.

My blood pressure always runs low, so I was surprised when it was up at the end of December. Not sure if it had something to do with the infection I was fighting.

Many people have asked me why I am working out and watching what I eat. They don't see me as overweight. Here's the scoop:

I spent the majority of my life underweight. It wasn't until I had the Lil' Princess that I kept ten extra pounds. Then I got older and then I started with menopause. The last few years I've been close to the top of the normal scale for my height and I simply didn't like my BMI number.

In addition, when tracking my cholesterol numbers and blood pressure over the last few years, I've noticed them creeping up. Not to mention I can see the slow changes in my body: rounder middle, bloating, thicker legs and arms, and flabby skin. Toss in the osteopenia and I knew I had to make some lifestyle changes.

I've cheated a couple times this week: a soda or two and a pastry today. I don't feel well when I do it, so I can see my body is getting used to my eating healthier foods and drinking more water. That will definitely help, because when you feel better, you want to continue the habits that are making you feel good.

Keeping on track with the workout is tough because it's the first thing to go when my schedule gets busy. I want to stick to it, though, because I can see the results.

Wishing me luck!

New Year's Resolution Solution Part 2

Today starts New Year's Resolution Solution Part 2--another week of working out, eating right, and staying on track.

My participation in the New Year's Resolution Solution the first week of January led to me changing my diet, drinking more water, exercising five days, and losing three pounds.

I'm definitely finding it harder to keep up with the exercise now that I am back into a regular work schedule with some early morning appointments. I time blocked my calendar this week for 7:45 to 8:15 workout time, so we'll see how I do.

If you would like to join us, please visit the Facebook group here.