Author: keepingupwithkate91

30 Day #SHIFT Update

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On 9/18, I added a page (see my daily results too) regarding a 30 SHIFT challenge for myself.  It included the following goals per day:

  1. Water, Coffee or Tea only – no Diet Pepsi or Diet Dr. Pepper
  2. No bread at breakfast
  3. Limit AM coffee to 2 cups
  4. No dessert
  5. Exercise 4xs/week or more

So how did I do?  Per my calculations – 90% – not too bad.  I only caved once in the 30 days on my daily 4 goals – and it was dessert last Saturday while tailgating.  Was I annoyed with myself when I did it – yes – did I regret the sugary, pecan pie little shortbread pieces – NO WAY!  They were super delicious.  Do I wish I scored a 100% – sure – but we aren’t perfect.  We learn the most by stumbling and picking ourselves back up.

The toughest week was the last week (and if I recall – I think when I did the CLEAN program it was the toughest too).  I wonder why that is?  Is it because you see the light at the end of the tunnel?  And know we give ourselves permission to have all the off limit items tomorrow.  I wonder how I will recact tomorrow morning – will I have more than 2 cups a coffee?, a breakfast sandwich?, will I cave and open one of those Diet Pepsis in my fridge?  I know I’m having dessert tomorrow – picking up cupcakes for my brother’s bdayd – and I’m having one of them!  🙂

So what did I learn?  I really think (for me) depriving myself isn’t they way to go (or maybe it isn’t 4 things at once – maybe another experiment for the future).  I think my SHIFT is really focusing on the good things I eat and do and enjoying lifes little events that pop up.  And my mantra is ‘Slow and Steady WINS the Race’ and another good one – ‘It’s a Marathon – not a Sprint’ (goes well too when you tailgate all day too :-))

PS:  The other thing for me – limiting or deprving – didn’t move the scale – the positive – it didn’t go up either.  🙂

 

I’m Electric…

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Either that of I just have dumb luck with electronics.

Remember my post about my UP Band by Jawbone and how much I loved it – well I haven’t posted much on it so because it died within a month. And then it took me another month to call Jawbone. I will tell you the experience with their customer service was awesome! I think part of the reason I was putting off calling them is I didn’t want a hassle (I had read some posts on their Facebook page that wasn’t that great).  I told them what the issues was, what I did to try and fix it and they offered to send me a new band (easy peasy).  Even asked if I wanted the same color – so I took the opportunity to get a more neutral grey – in between black and the light taupe grey I had.  It arrived a day early and it is charging now – I’m so excited to start using it again!  I really love that you can track your sleep (which is so important for me lately) and your steps – which I need to do more of to help with some stress management.

Ok so back to why I think I’m electric – this isn’t the first electronic device that stopped working within a month.  Within a month the external speaker of my iPhone stopped working – Apple sent me a new one – and more than a year later everything is fine.  Earlier this year I got an iPad and within a month it started freezing up.  I did multiple hard and soft resets and even complained that I hated my iPad.  A friend actually mentioned, ‘she never heard anyone say they hated their iPad’ – well I did.  I now have a new one and all seems to be ok.  So either I’m electric or I just have really dumb luck and get the lemons the first time around on electronics. 🙂

Winning is AWESOME

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Some of you may or may not know – I’m a huge college football fan. I have season tickets to Penn State and I go to most home games. However, I was not looking forward to the drive on Friday night after work. Work has been super busy and I was stressing out.  Even as I was getting into the car Friday night – I still wasn’t in a Penn State football mood.  And as I was making the drive Friday night – it didn’t get much better – my 4 hour drive took over 5 hours (with some torrental rain that added to some stress).

So in case you missed it – unranked Penn State (coming off an embarrassing loss to Indiana the week before-which I witnessed first hand) defeated #18 MI in front of almost 108K screaming fans in a ‘WhiteOut’ in 4 OTs. I’m a proud 10+ year North End Zone Season Ticket holder – and pleased to say both OT wins I’ve seen in Beaver Stadium have been in the North End Zone. So in case you missed the game – here is a view of the winning touchdown (and Bill Belton is from NJ):

As the announcer stated – a game that will not be forgotten – we all stayed in the stadium after the Alma Mater savoring the victory. The drive home on Sunday was much better – I’m so glad I made the trip – well worth it to see this team come out on top!  And I will never get sick of watching this video either!!

PS:  My voice is still recovering!

Pep Talks

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I found myself in the car driving to see my nutritionist this morning giving myself a pep talk. If you recall from my post on 8/10 – my goal for this appointment was .7 down.

The past 6 weeks have been a little challenging – limited work outs, an unusual amount of dessert eating (too many trips to a local cupcakery) and football season started.  As I’ve mentioned before I weigh myself every day (in the AM) to help keep myself accountable and I can tell you the last 6 weeks I wasn’t seeing much movement.  I started seeing some movement about a week or so ago (and in the right direction).  Now I reported last weekend that I was down but there was a part of me that was worried either my scale was off (it has happened before) or for some bizarre reason I had regressed in a week.

So back to the Pep Talk I gave myself on the ride over – “no matter what happens, keep a positive attitude”.  “You’ve come a long way.  If you gained weight – don’t get discouraged – you have all the right tools to get back on track”.  “If you lost weight – you are doing a great job – keep it up.” Of course, the latter conversation is a much easier one to have!

After my Pep Talk, I was ready – I went in with a great attitude (and checked out of the stress from the week to focus on me).  It was a really great appointment not just because of the results – which don’t worry, I’ll tell you.  But it was more about the discussion.  As you’ve noticed, I’m a numbers person, but I was given a little different perspective today.  While numbers are important – they aren’t the only thing – feeling better, looking better (hair, skin, etc), how you clothes fit, making sure you are living your life and not missing out are part of this journey.  I probably need to remind myself that every once in awhile (although I’ll always be a numbers person) – it was still important to hear.  And I don’t feel like I’m missing out on things – which is a good thing!

I’m please to announce I busted through that .7 lbs and dropped 2 lbs for a total of 25 lbs down since May 2012!  And even better – I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen this number in 3 years (and I’ve gone down a jean size – double bonus)!  I feel great and I’m so happy.  My journey is far from over, but I’m confident I’m going to continue to see success and have a feeling my five minute drive every 6 weeks will have a pep talk involved (even if I falter – I know I will be OK).

Have a great night!

Happy 100!

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Happy 100th Birthday Mom-Mom!  I can’t believe it has been 11 years since you joined Pop-Pop.

I have so many fond memories growing up from our trips to LBI, spending a week with you during summer vacation, to all the wonderful Barbie clothes you made for me, to eating Thomas’ English muffins with your homemade strawberry jam watching the birds feed at the window (to this day I know what a Tufted Titmouse looks like), knowing there was always Breyer’s ice cream in the freezer (although not very good anymore), our Thanksgiving traditions (I’m still pretty much in charge of setting the table, the relish dish and cranberry sauce) and so many others.

The memories didn’t stop in childhood, they continued as an adult.  I always enjoyed our rides up to my parents house at Christmas (listening to the Christmas carols) when I was living in NJ, VA and even Dallas (and of course the pizza before the drive), Ash Wednesday McDonald’s Fish Sandwich run, sorting the homemade Christmas ornaments (with your watchful eye making sure I was splitting them up fairly – my tree has my beautiful ornaments on it every year) and so many others.

My beautiful Christmas tree with many of my Mom-Mom's (and Pop-Pop's) ornaments

My beautiful Christmas tree with many of my Mom-Mom’s (and Pop-Pop’s) ornaments

 

I have little reminders throughout my house so you are always nearby wheather it is things you made, some of your knick knacks and of course my favorite – the diamond earrings Pop- Pop gave you – one of my most cherished items because I know how much you loved them – I love them as well.

I think of you often whether I see or hear something that reminds me of you or something you would say or do.  It makes me smile.

My Sweet 16 with my Mom-Mom - we must be related with that head tilt.

My Sweet 16 with my Mom-Mom – we must be related with that head tilt.

Happy Birthday and I hope you are enjoying a nice cold one with Pop-Pop!  🙂

Stress – I posted it the first time without the Title – Ugh!

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Things are super busy at work (but who isn’t these days) – my stress level is building (so much so I’ve had moments of being overwhelmed – for the most part I think that has passed). I’ve actually been able to really keep my stress level in check for awhile so I’m having a hard time dealing with it right now.  And you can see it in my face – ugh – mini break-out – I’m too old for break-outs!

I knew going into this week it was going to be crazy so I did look at my schedule on Sunday and schedule out my workouts (plus I knew some timing of some of the deliverables were in my favor – getting my Monday night workout in helped).  And today was the toughest day so far and I knew I needed my HardBody.  I was so happy I was able to get my Hurricane and Finisher Workout in this evening.  It was a great workout and my stress is down a little bit (and I was able to forget about things for 45 mins).

The Hurricane Workout was 3 exercises (1 cardio / 2 strength) – you do each exercise 3 times (based on the # of reps) and there are 3 stations.  Once you are finished there is a Finisher workout which was 4 exercises that you do 10, 9, 8,…etc reps until 1.  I’m so pleased that I actually completed my Finisher Workout – it hasn’t happened in a long time for me if ever – I really don’t recall.

Back to work.  Have a great night!

My Coffee Habit :-)

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I didn’t start drinking coffee until I moved to Dallas – and it wasn’t even coffee – Starbucks Cappuccinos and eventually Lattes from the DoubleTree connected to our office (I used to drink Diet Soda in the AM).

Last year I was making an 6-8 cup pot of coffee and probably drinking most of it. I bought myself a nice big Kuerig for Christmas (I have a personal one just for a single cup) and I reduced my coffee habit in the morning. However, I was still probably drinking 4 – 5 cups in the morning (not counting my afternoon pick me up).

If you will recall, when I started this blog it was to capture my observations when I started the Clean program.  One of the items you no longer have is coffee.  I just went back and read my blog from around that time about how I wasn’t really missing it and it didn’t really taste that great.  Well I do love my coffee – including the taste!

However, after reading The Shift, I decided to tweak some of the things I’ve been doing – one of which was unlimited coffee in the morning.  I don’t add sugar, but I am a heavy pourer of the light cream in the coffee.  I decided to limit myself to 2 cups in the AM and measure out the light cream.  So far so good – I’m only in a few days.  I will tell you since I know I can only have 2 cups I really make that last one last a long time!

And for those that know me – I can’t give up coffee completely – what would I do with all of my coffee mugs (that should be a blog too – ‘My Coffee Mug Habit’)?!

A gift from my co-workers after I resigned from my Advertising Sales job - circa 1991 - they liked how I took control of the situation!

A gift from my co-workers after I resigned from my Advertising Sales job – circa 1991 – they liked how I took control of the situation!

Fall Transformation

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Today was the first day of the 6 week fall transformation! I started my prep for the week yesterday – drank 70 ozs of water, 8 hours of sleep, completed my shopping for the week and got myself a new pair of sneakers!

Aren't they pretty? :-)

Aren’t they pretty? 🙂

I’m really picky about my sneakers – I bought a pair before vacation (and I’m kicking myself I didn’t return them).  They are Brooks and they just don’t fit me right – and they weren’t cheap – I think I’ve worn them maybe 5 times -argh!  I am happy now- I’m back in a pair of Asics – so reminds me of college and they do seem to fit me the best.  And no special inserts from the running stores – just plain old simple Dr. Scholl’s Active Support inserts for my high arches – go figure!

We had a great workout tonight and I’m please to say my feet – in particular my arches weren’t bothering me – WAHOO!!  Fingers crossed it continues.

Stay tuned for more updates during the Fall Transformation – I’d like to say I’ll post something everyday – I just don’t think that will be reality – but I’ll give it a shot.  Until next time – have a great evening!

 

 

 

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

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I have a degree in Marketing, however, I’ve spent most of my career dealing with numbers. I have some Marketing functions on my team and I remind my team all the time – no matter how great your concept is in the end – the numbers rule.

My personal journey is no different – some people have noticed my weight loss, some haven’t, they’ve noticed a glow in my complexion or something is different they just can’t put their finger on it. It is a great feeling! (and THANK YOU!)

Yesterday morning I had my pre 6 week Fall Transformation measurements and Body Metrix (this uses a sonogram type tool to measure you body fat – a lot more accurate than the device you hold in your hands).

The last time I had my measurements and Body Metrix done was early June.  To say I wasn’t happy with the results is an understatement – it was such a let down.  I had finally started feeling better post Lyme disease and I was doing all the right things – Hard Body workout, getting enough sleep, drinking my water and eating right.  Most of my numbers went up except my weight.

Unbeknownst to me, a blessing in disguise happened – right before the end of June my knee started really bothering me and my hip was twinging a bit.  I stopped my Hard Body workouts before vacation and while on vacation I joined the gym where I went 3xs the first week and 4 xs the second week to yoga and pilates classes only.  When I came back from vacation – I was keeping a similar routine.  I found out my hip issue was my SI band and I only just started back my Hard Body workouts last week for 1 day and back this week for 2 days (with keeping the impact modified).

Since my last Body Metrix, I’ve dropped 9 lbs, reduced my body fat by .7%, BMI dropped 1.7, lost 4.3 inches and reduced my risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes by 1.6 points (with the drop in diabetes being the biggest drop).  🙂

It was a great day yesterday!  Looking forward to the next chapter of my journey as the 6 week Fall Transformation starts tomorrow.