I tempted fate...

There are all sorts of great ways to kick off the weekend:

• Breakfast in Bed...
• Something else in bed...
• Coffee by the fire...
• A great run...
• A Snuggie and your favorite Christmas movie..

But today, I decided to kick off the weekend by paying a visit to StS. For those of you new to my blog, StS is Satan the Scale. Think of it as a visit to the gyno, or the dentist, or the tax collector, basically hell....more or less.
So, off to the guest bath I go. (because StS doesn't really live with us, he's just a guest...and an unwelcome one at that) I suspected I knew what StS would say, we've had this conversation before, many...many...times, but it was my form of confession, so I walked the long dark hallway, wearing nothing but my boots....no wait...everything but my boots (because all good fluffy women know that boots weigh like 10 lbs and clearly we don't want to have to break out the defibrillator on a bright Saturday morning) I slowly...stealthily approach him....and gently stepped on (because all good fluffy women know that if you step on "gently", it will clearly register a smaller number. Sucking in also helps).
Holy Guacamole!! I'm down...like...down below one of "THOSE" numbers. The ones on the scale that years ago you thought you'd NEVER see.... between the cleavage of your boobs as you look down trying desperately to find your feet. Keep in mind...I am fully dressed. So, what does every fully dressed fluffy woman do after she's stepped on the scale....
I strip.
Holy Sh*t - I'm even lower than that!!! OK - so not like, "let's go out and buy a bikini" low or "let's stand naked in front of a mirror" low or even "let's tell people what *the number* is" low. But it is "Thank you God, I never have to put that number down again before taking a helicopter tour so the pilot can "balance the load" low.

Dear TrekDesk....I still love you.

Laura

Dear Trekdesk and Treadmill

I don't often write love letters, but today I'll make an exception.

• I love the way you take up my entire study and make me really guilty if I try to sit at the old fashioned desk. That is just the prodding I need.
• I love the way I completely forget about the fact that I'm walking on you for hours on end.
• I love how you keep me from strangling the moron on the other end of the phone that somehow gets to still be employed and making a hefty salary while clearly not having a clue how to do their job.
• I love the way I can completely make a mess of you, AND have room for my Starbucks, AND my scented candle (which is clearly a work priority)!
• I love how you almost completely knock me on my a$$ when my program ends and I you suddenly stop with a jolt. Guess your beeping is no longer annoying me, since I don't hear it.
• I love how quiet you are.
• I love the way you make me look like I've got some form of autism on the video conferences since only my chest up is shared with my fellow meeting goers.
• I love logging the brainless 2-4 miles a day.

If I could ask for one thing.....could you maybe start shaving off some of this backside? Really, I'd greatly appreciate it. Blah Blah muscle buildup, Blah Blah stamina, Blah blah stress relief. I know - but I'd really like a smaller gut and butt.

Thanks.

Your new best friend,
Laura

I don't do Deserts

Desserts..yes...oh YES!! Deserts...no thanks.

I missed my TrekDesk last week. Well, ok, maybe I didn't really miss it. I preferred the deep tissue massage to the hours and hours of meetings that I normally get to "enjoy" each day. Last week, I got to play wife for 4 days and accompany Ron to the Unitrin Executive retreat in Tuscon. This happens every 5 years. 5 years ago we were at the Broadmoor in Colorado. I can, with 100% certainty say that I prefer the Colorado to Arizona. It is just so much dirt...and it is so...so....dirty. I mean, I can see like nice smooth pretty sand - I'm all for that. But this was just ugly dirty dirt. Now, my friend Sonja Harsch thinks I'm completely nuts. She says it is beautiful there. So, I kept looking. The only time I felt "beauty" was late into the sunset, when it was too dark to see how dirty things were...and there was only a hint of burning light left in the sky and and you'd see the silhouette of an old cactus with its arms reaching to the sky as if in prayer...now that was pretty. But that's kind of not fair. That is like saying the woman at the bar you met was pretty....in the dark....with very very low lighting...and only if you caught her silhouette...with beer goggles on. So, I'm sticking with my assessment. Tuscon was ugly. I will give in on the fact that the clear dry air made for some ROCKING GREAT hair days. Which Ron liked ;-) I think...

So, between being gone to Arizona and having many in the office meetings last week....I got very little TrekDesk time in. That was a big bummer. I did get to ride on a dusty trail following the backside of Ron's horse and eating dirt the whole way. Is that exercise? I did eat 3 catered meals a day for 4 days straight....oh crap.....guess I'm going to have to pay a visit to STS (Satan The Scale).

Today, I started the day off right with a call with Ireland. They (ok - Thomas Lambert!) did sway with me as the video I was sending while walking made me look like I was rocking back and forth, but they were surprised that I was able to walk, talk and type. (What does that say about my coworkers' confidence in my ability to multi-task?) ;-) I've gotten my 4 miles in, so I'm parking my treadmill for the day. My right ankle that I keep re-injuring is still sore. That sucks. Wish I was fully well.

So, here's to my goal this week of making sure I get in 4 miles EVERY day. Will report back on Friday....at least I'm in Texas...where we have less dirty dirt....

Back in the Saddle...and a little "Fluffy Girl" insider information

Yee Haw!
Twisted my ankles...surprising NOT on the treadmill, but instead while taking out the trash two weeks ago. I have walked 30 minutes at a time at my TrekDesk, but I've been in lots of pain. I'm so excited to announce that I walked ALL OVER the neighborhood last night with Catherine and I think my ankles are healed!!
So, today, I'm back in the saddle!!! I'll post again with the stats of the day. I'm really super behind at work, so I can't be more creative right now....but you know...that is what this journey is all about. Highs and lows, steady slow progress....so for those that have only read this or who don't know me well enough...I'll clarify some things.

Handbook to being a friend to a "FLUFFY GIRL"
1) I am not scale obsessed. I know to put stock in how I feel, not what Satan the Scale says. I still think that knowing that number is a valuable tool.
2) I'm not sharing this information because I think this one issue I have...my physical fitness...is in any way, on the same radar of a problem as those that are battling cancer, loss or other big struggles. I have perspective that my life is great....READ MY PROFILE if you think that because I've chosen to blog about THIS, that I don't have this in perspective.
3) I know this doesn't occur over night. I know that I have been sitting on my rear for 17 years of working in the high tech industry and that in 17 days, or 17 months, my physical issues may not be reversed.
4) I know that my kids need a healthy mom and I don't need to be a self sacrificing lamb. I am not in this situation out of martyrdom. I believe fully in having my kids see that being a good parent means taking care of myself too. I just had not found the right key to my life, with my particular life style.
5) Dear SAHM friends. I love you. I admire you. I find the type of life you have to be wonderful. But, please oh please, do not tell me how I need to join you for your 10am class that you love and can't I just schedule that in my work day. It really is quite insensitive.
6) A little known fact....overweight people are NOT stupid. We KNOW about calories in/calories out. We KNOW that you can't eat 4000 calories, burn 500 and think you are not going to gain. We KNOW how many points, calories, carb grams, sugars, fat grams, etc are in every food. The poor choices are not being made out of ignorance. So, thanks but no thanks on the information on Weight Watchers, calories per day, Body for Life, P90X, etc. I, by the way, own all of that, have been on all of that and then some. Please please please - dear skinny, fit, friends....do all of your fluffly girl friends a favor, and don't assume we have gained all of this weight because we are ignorant.

I am now going to get off my soap box. I know that when you decide to blog something, you open yourself up to lots of judgment and criticism. So, I do take your input dear friends. Just know....I will respond....that is just who I am.

Laura

1 long week - 3 less pounds!

This was one of those weeks....Monday and Tuesday I felt like I was getting sick. I didn't walk at all on Monday and only for a couple of 30 minute stints on Tuesday. Not sure if it is my lovely thyroid issue causing me to feel like I've got one foot in the grave or just the stress of a really hectic work week, a husband working insane hours or the knowledge that every evening of my week was filled with being MOM THE TAXI, but whatever the reason, I felt like poop.

Hump day came and I forced myself...I walked 3 miles each day Wed, Thur and Friday. Not the increase to my stamina that I was hoping for. :-(
I was feeling pretty gloomy this evening here at 7:45, as I just finished up my work day and about to switch gears into grocery shopping, laundry washing, dinner fixing mom, so as all good Catholic girls do when they are already completely down on themselves, I decided to step on Satan the Scale. OH WHAT JOY!! I have actually lost 3 pounds!!!!! Glory Hallelujah!! This is like a freakin' minor miracle in my world.

Happy Friday Everyone!!
LB

Satan lives

Finally bought batteries for Satan today....you know...Satan the scale. As expected, that evil vile piece of machinery did not miraculously put me back to my awesome fit weight of '05 after only a week of walking while working. (Hey - a girl can believe in miracles, can't she?). Well, it took me 5 years to put on this extra 50...guess it'll take some time to take it off.

Walking While Working update -
Did 4.5 miles this morning. Pace is steady at 1.2 and I'm pretty sure I can go faster and not impact my typing speed, nor my ability to multi-task. I'm actually finding it wasteful to sit down now. My goal for Monday will be to hit 6 miles. I think I can do that pretty easily now.

TrekDesk Height - I had read reviews that being the vertically challenged girl that I am (at a whopping 5 feet 1 3/4 inches (and don't forget the 3/4!!!)) that the TrekDesk would be too tall for me. I have it on the lowest setting, but I think I could actually move it up a notch. I'm sure YMMV based on the height of the deck of your treadmill, but for my Sole F80, it is perfectly fine for us squatty bodies.

Happy Friday! I wish I could say that I have some really cool plans for the weekend like some other bloggers out there, but looks like my version of GTL will be Grocery, Taxi and Laundry again. Ron did ask me if I wanted to hit the Rangers game tomorrow....I'm hoping that wasn't a tease and we are really going!! Gotta have me some baseball and my other favorite team, Ben and his Dallas Patriots, are off this weekend.

Back to Walking While Working (W3) - or maybe Woman Walking While Working (w4)...
Wacky Woman Walking While Working for Weightloss

OK I digress...again
LB

My first "5K in a Day"!

I know. I already posted for today, but that was really last night's post that I was too tired to write last night. Forgive my laziness.....

I finally got to WFH today. I was scheduled to go into the office to do YET ANOTHER Telepresence meeting, but thankfully, I was able to beg out of it. I swear, I haven't been really NEEDED in the office in weeks, and now that I go and get a great setup going at home it seems like every day someone wants a F2F meeting. Karma....

Anyway, today, like most M-Th of my week was back to back meetings. That works to my advantage. I just put on my headset, dialed into my conference calls and started my treadmill. Today, I travelled at a slow 1.0 all day. I was doing 1.2 the last couple of days, but was feeling pretty drained this morning. Before I knew it I had gone 3.64 miles. That's a 5K and some change!! Woo hoo! Granted, it was slow, but I can honestly say that I didn't think about it AT ALL!!

This is pretty stinking cool. I like oblivious exercise. It works with my mentality! Maybe that is my signature....

Oblivious to my workout,
LB
meh? I'll keep working on that.

The TrekDesk is HERE!!!

As Bridget Jones would say "I'm V. Happy"!
v cool!!
TrekDesk arrived at about 5pm yesterday evening...UPS guy came by stealth. I actually figured out that the massive box was on my porch by checking Amazon's "Where's my crap?" link!
I was so excited I told the kids to feed themselves so I could assemble my new toy. Opened box, unloaded all the many parts. Started the timer...5:37
v sad!!
Instructions for the TrekDesk assembly included Step 1, Step 2 (then Step 1 and 2 again) and lastly Step 10. I thought, "hey - I'm a smart gal. I'll just pretend like I'm a guy and put it together without instructions."
v. v. sad!
Quickly figure out that not only did I get the shaft on instructions (which thanks to Facebook, I got via email from the dude monitoring FB at TrekDesk, but one of my upper support bars was oddly sized and wouldn't fit into any bracket. It was only off by just enough to make it impossible to fit.
Called 1-800-complain and talked to v. nice gentleman who suggested I try ice and WD40. Being the Texas girl, I, of course, had WD-40 on hand. Iced that bad boy for 40 minutes and with some muscles that I didn't know I had...got that sucker together.
It is now 7:30pm.
v. hungry...v. grumpy kids....v. tired.

But LOOK!!! It is up!

I couldn't wait to use it all day Thursday! Good Night!

State Fair and Office Walking

AWESOME State Fair weather today!
I took part of the day off to visit the State Fair of Texas and we walked around the State Fair from 10-2 and then I started my office walking day at 3pm.
I have already walked 99 minutes, 1.89 miles and burned calories 244, so I started my series over and I've done another 78 minutes, 1.52 miles and burned calories 210.

My hips are a lot less sore today and I already feel "stronger". I can't explain that strength after only 3 days of walking, but I guess the easiest way is that I don't feel like "grabbing a chair" everywhere I go. There were days that my mental attitude was that if I was in another town and not worried about being seen, I would have grabbed one of those motorized chairs at Target!!! I already don't feel like that. I walked around the state fair all morning and never once started to look around for a bench.
So, back to the state fair....here's our review:

1. Food:

• Fried Chocolate is a MUST, but you MUST share it because it is insanely rich. We bought one, but had 6 forks dipping into it and that was just right.
• Fried PB&J - didn't realize it had banana in there too - not so much our favorite.
• Fried cookie dough - way too sweet for us.
  
• Watch the soft drink prices...some popular places, like the fried chocolate place would charge 8 tickets, but right next door, the drinks would be 6 tickets. We were sad to say we missed that.
• Fletcher's corndog - I had the jalepeno one - very good, but at that point, after having bites of this and that fried food, I thought I was going to hurl. I was needing a salad at this stage in the day.

1. Rides

• Windsurf 10 tix- very good for 12+ - flips you over and teases you with water
  
• Starship 10 tix- favorite from 7-13 - centrifigal force kind of ride
• Big Swings 10 tix- nice, easy going, even for folks that don't like rides
• Storm 10 tix -little rough for the 7 year olds, but the 13 year olds liked it - lots of spinning
• Love Bugs 10 tix - favorite from 7-13 - if you are on the outside, you are squished like a bug, that must be where they get the name from
• Many more that I forgot the names of.....there were none that my kids said they didn't like.

1. Activities/Events

• Loved the dog show
• Best petting zoo we've ever been to, but INSANELY crowded. Like scary crowded. The Giraffe cornered our girls in a little area and then stole someone's map and started eating it. People started to crush in to see all of the excitement. That was not so fun. But the cool part is that they pet a giraffe, ostrich, pig, alpaca, camel, cow, goats, etc...they had a blast!

I am still walking...typing at full pace, doing conference calls, IM's, texting on my cell, yelling at the dog to stop barking, editing my Vision, Strategy and Execution for FY'11.

Bring it...
Oh - and now I'm walking at 1.2 all day...whereas Thur I started at .=0.6
;-)
LB

Holy Guacamole I'm sore!

OK, I knew this was going to get me in shape, but I didn't expect my calves and my hammys to be this sore on Day 2. It is Friday, the day of the week that I have the fewest conference calls. I found it harder to not think about my sore legs when I didn't have the non-stop meetings. I only walked for 3 hours again. I'm thankful for the weekend so I can have a little muscle recovery.

My chore for the weekend is to get my scale battery. I haven't stepped on that evil thing in a really, really, really long time, but if I'm going to measure my progress, gotta have SATAN back working again. (Can you tell what kind of relationship with the scale I've developed over the last few years?!?!)

My TrekDesk is scheduled to arrive Wednesday. CAN NOT WAIT! I'm so excited to have a fully functioning setup. The ironing board was funny, but not so stable, and I'm pretty sure Cisco is going to have kittens if I knock my new Mac and the latest video IP phone on the floor. If you haven't seen a TrekDesk, check it out at this link.

Catherine did a 30 minute run on the treadmill this evening. She loved rocking out and running. I had to make her get off of it, so I could do other things (Didn't want to leave a 7 year old on the treadmill unsupervised - especially one as competitive as her!! She had just finished an hour of pitching and hitting drills for softball. ) I think this is going to be fun for everyone, especially during the winter months that our family HATES so much. We are summer/outdoor people!!!

Well, we're off to the Tara Sawyer baseball tournament this weekend. Ben and his team, the Dallas Patriots are playing Saturday at 4pm and 6pm. Catherine has softball practice from 12-2....a day of ball...the story of my life. With Ron on crutches, me thinks this is going to be a tiring weekend of ball.

I'm thinking I need a motto...like Dory from "Finding Nemo" ..."Just keep swimming, swimming..."
Maybe mine should be "Just keep walking...."
Or "One step at a time"
or "Baby steps"
or ????
LB

First full Day - Walking and Working

I'm done. Finished. Spent.
I'm tired of running through the list of excuses that I have for why I am no longer in shape. I turned 40 in February

and I was beyond depressed that I had lost everything related to my fitness - my strength, my weight, my desire to eat right. It was all gone. Since February, I did a big retrospective on why the things I was trying weren't working. So, here it is....my last list of excuses.

• Weight Watchers - no time for meetings, no time for extensive food prep and logging
• Nutritionist - even eating right, with no time for exercise.
• You should exercise in the morning - where I am now, I can barely get up when the alarm goes off at 6:15 for me to get both kids off to school, getting up earlier has not been something I could do in the last few years. I did it 8 years ago - I got up at 5am and met a trainer 3 days a week, worked out 6 days a week. I just physically can not get up at that time anymore.
• You should exercise at night - When? With a select baseball player, softball player, musician and two kids in a academically gifted program with homework nightly, my exercise was never fitting in.
• Exercise felt like a jail sentence - when I did do it, I felt like I was being punished. After a 9-12 hour work day, I missed my family, so to then go spend an hour at the gym, I felt like I was being punished for failed genetics and some lapses in judgment on food choices (for a few years!!) Sure, I loved how I felt AFTER the workout, but during it and before it, I was seething with resentment and obsessively jealous of all of you people who can share that dinner table at Desperados with me, but still remain a healthy weight!
  
• I work all day and I am out of gas at the end of the day. The one or two days on occasion that we don't have to be somewhere, I'm doing house chores or collapsing from pure exhaustion.
  

Whew...I think that is all of them.

So, what am I going to do?
Wednesday, Sept. 28th, 2010, my Sole F80 treadmill arrived. My TrekDesk is on order and should be hear shortly. I'm going to walk all day WHILE I work.
Faith: I really don't know if this is going to work. I have had back pain and leg pain for the last 7 years that, at times, has had me living on pain medications. But I am going to have faith.

• Faith that the good Lord is going to guide me each day to make the right choices.
• Faith that the voice in me is strong. That the part of me that is crying to get out wins out over the part of me that is exhausted and sore and feels like I "deserve" a break.
  
• Faith in my family and friends and coworkers, that they will support me and resist the urge to make fun of my choice.
• Faith in this setup -this treadmill and trekdesk are going be the right physical and ergonomic setup.

Yesterday, Sept. 29th, 2010
I walked for about 3.5 hours at between 0.6 and 1.0. I don't have my TrekDesk yet, so I took my ironing board and rigged it over the bars of the treadmill.

This is definitely not stable, but I am typing like a mad women, doing my conference calls, listening to my itunes connected to the treadmill in between and I walked 3.5 miles and burned about 1000 calories. I can't say for sure, because I forgot to write it all down. So, this morning, I've decided to LOG AND BLOG! I'll let you know how this all goes.