OptiFast - end of week 9

gained. 1.5 pounds. good grief. ah, well. sometimes you eat the bar... i apparently ate at least half of it.

Gutters and strikes.

OptiFast - end of week 8

down 3.3 this week to 278.3

OptiFast - end of week 7

down 3.6 this week. 

current weight 281.6

OptiFast week 7 - day 6

another week about to close. we're almost to the halfway point as far as full product goes. I'm still having trouble imagining how I will be successful in avoiding food while we're in Mexico next month for Alicia's baptism, although I do plan to either ship powder ahead of time or pack 'em in my suitcase. Will I be able to turn down every food opportunity that arises? Somehow I don't think so. Not only is mexican food my favorite, but we will be spending the majority of our time in Puebla which is a gastronomical wonderland, apparently. And I have already tasted Jorge's mother's cooking last Thanksgiving, chiles en nogado, tamales... ay de mi! Dios mio, ayuda me. There's nothing wrong with having a plan and the tools to follow it. If there are transgressions, they will be protein based, thank god mexican cuisine is heavy on the meats. and there will be walking, so much walking and maybe even some dancing. NOT planning on veering off plan but won't be surprised if I choose to now again over the course of the 8 days. Another worry is access to bottled water/storing and carrying said water. The good thing about powder vs. pre made shakes is you can travel light, the bad thing is, obviously, you need water. Potable drinking water. hmmm. Whatever happens I am determined I will not gain weight. not even an ounce. I will meet my caloric needs and I will burn as much as I can. I will do my best.

back at the gym today, it was 100 degrees in Concord today, thankfully the gym was cool and comfortable 'cause I was sweating like a beast. I did 30 mins on the treadmill at 2.5 mph speed and an elevation of 7. then the 20 minute group aerobic exercise with 3 lb weights. then the bike thingy for 20 and lastly the bike pedal/arm cycler thing for 10. wiped. my. butt. out. One of the respiratory therapists stopped to check on me, was I okay - was I drinking water? (are you having an M.I.? should we call 911?) ;)

I can tell my muscles are defrosting and just my general posture feels sturdier and more solid. that makes 4 days in a row of intentional exercise and 5 days out of 7.  i just don't even know what. i mean i can't even. believe. just wow. glad to be wrapping up this week. did i already mention almost 12,000 steps Saturday? wow.

OptiFast week 7 - day 4

So, the baptism class was good. and brief. then we went to union square and got our frames picked and eyeglasses ordered. Jason got some really nice ones that have a retro look to them, almost straight outta the 80's. maybe more 70's. (pic below). of course i am kidding. he got some nice ones.

Made it to the Giants/Mets game tonight, it was a sleepy game for a bit then they came from behind and won, a lot of fun. and 2.8 miles round trip walk to the park. My FitBit let me know I made it over 10,000 steps for the first time. yay me. that's cool. unfortunately i decided to wear my new Keen shoes for the first time today, though, managed to work up a couple good blisters. le sigh.

i set my daily goal at 5,000 steps. we'll see how this week goes.

Also, more exercise on the horizon (damn, three days in a row). Ann, our group leader is leading an exercise group tmw at Crissy Field. show us some things we can do at any level of fitness, she's really good at showing us modifications to standard exercises (standing push ups against a wall, chair sitting squats, etc). and it's at 10am, so I even get to sleep in and chill for a bit before heading out. i have no excuse not to go, I love Crissy Field for walking, beautiful views of the GG Bridge, cool breeze, should be a lovely day. sure, why not. I couldn't make these changes for years - all of a sudden here I am - just doing it. if i stop to think about it too long, it would trip me out. so i'll just keep moving.

OptiFast week 7 - day 3

Back at the Mt. D gym with mom today, did the treadmill at 2.5 speed and elevation 6-8 for half hour but also the group exercises with 3 lb. weights for 20 mins and the "arm bicycle" thing for 10 and the NuStep stepper for 10. back on Monday, hope to up it. or at least keep it up. got our baptism/godparents class at St. Patrick's tomorrow. possibly a Giant's game Sat. night or Sunday afternoon. 

OptiFast - week 6 weigh in

I'm way in. It was a good week at the scale - I lost 5.4 lbs. my pants are sagging like an urban teenager. ;)

Numbers as of today:

Highest weight (2 weeks prior to starting OptiFast) 313
Weight at start of OptiFast Product 306.2
Current weight 285.2

my first thought was to celebrate with a Gordo burrito. no kidding. instead I went to Safeway and stocked up on drinks and a few things for Jason. I stood in the deli section for a good 5 minutes salivating over the salads. Fresh spinach with bacon and egg or Turkey and Ham with cheese? I totally intended to buy one. and eat it. then I noticed the expiration date of today at 6pm. It was after 7pm. told myself they were probably wilty and not worth it. and walked away. wow. 

eff yeah. i'm delighting in this feeling because I know they won't all be banner weeks.... 
or will they? stay tuned.

OptiFast week 6 - day 6

Had a good day today again, with Mom at the Mt. D pulmonary rehab gym. Lots of treadmill with good incline, some rowing and then group led exercises and small hand held weights. it's quite the scene, majority geriatrics and about half are wearing oxygen. it's quite the sight and perspective, hard to not go for it with gusto and make it happen when you're exercising next to someone hooked up to oxygen who's keeping pace (or better) with you. it's very inspiring. and humbling. they are also really nice people, and really enjoy seeing and greeting each other. i get a kick out of how they all call each other kiddo. maybe they can't remember each other's names. ;)

Last week I said I was hoping for bigger numbers this week. 

I'm kinda laughing at that now, 'cause I've been thinking lately (as I've been exercising my butt off) that's this thing is not a matter of hope. it's a matter of hard work. and focus. and making it happen.

and i been doin' it. we'll see what tomorrow's weigh in brings. but no matter the number, i'm feeling great! and what i've done this week in terms of movement and exercise is not special or lofty. I mean, it's totally repeatable. It was more than I did last week and the week before and the week before that... but it's not something that I can't or won't do again next week. ;) so that feels good. it's totally doable, it's just my choice. and lately I've been making some really good choices. 

favorite motivating thing i read this week: