the fog

It's not everywhere, but it is definitely over "there" a lot. My job is the city, shrouded in fog but just like this photo, it's beautiful over in Sausalito. I'll be fine if I can keep in mind that it's usually foggier in the city, and remember not to spend too much time there.

Doing a lunchtime ride today... kind of my very own day trip to Sausalito. ;)

Colorado BikeMS

I did half of the Colorado BikeMS 2-day ride this weekend. 66 miles on a bike, which I believe is my farthest distance yet, by one mile! It was a really fun ride, very well supported and I was with lots of friends. I forgot how much fun it was to ride with other people!

I love this photo of me at the finish. I was really happy with how I did. It was just a beautiful, fun day and I had a really nice ride. And then when I finally looked at the pics, I couldn't believe how overweight I looked in all of them - until I saw this one, and I was like "Oh my gosh, is that really ME? How did you make me look so thin in it?!?!"

So. Yeah. The ride was easy. Truly, I barely felt like I was trying. Totally could have ridden back the second day, but was happy to just hang out with Mr. Blueberry Pancakes for a few hours.

There's a lot of life stress going on at the moment. It sort of led me to make poor decisions on Saturday, despite my major bike ride. In the end I did ok. I did recognize it as it happened, and started tracking, and moved on with better decisions overall. It is amazing how much you can eat if you aren't paying attention. For a little bit, I consciously chose not to pay attention, but I don't want to do that anymore.

I'm so happy I did this ride, and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Before the Ride

I'm down a few pounds from where I was when I said I wanted to be lighter for the Bike MS ride! That is something.

I have been tracking WW style for two weeks. It's been good. I've been drinking a LOT less alcohol since starting to track. I've also been a lot more mindful and conscious of what I am eating. This is now a priority, rather than an afterthought with a "hope for the best!" mentality. DH and I have been trying to save money so have been eating in a lot, which has helped my WW efforts.

I kind of feel like I'm going to get to goal this summer. Like, there's no "clutter" or things to get in my way, I'm not really thinking about it, I'm just doing it. I can actually see my goal and I want to take (and am taking!) the steps to get there. That's been missing for a while. I am pretty sure that going to meetings and tracking has helped. I also have a "summer sticker sheet" inside my bathroom cabinet. It's a nice visual and a way to keep me (literally) focused on my goals.

I guess I feel that it's now out there in the universe and it's just gonna happen. :)

the birth of venus

The Botticelli painting... my body resembles hers. I find this interesting.

My clothes are tight and I'm not loving how I look in them. My weight is the same. I'm not exactly in a space where I'm doing anything about this, though I have been to the gym for weights and spin already this week, and am operating on "whole food consciousness" where I try to just eat real food. (I allow dark chocolate and black licorice, too...)

I'd like to be lighter for the MS150 ride, and also want to fit nicely into my clothes. Weights workouts and eating well will do this by the end of June...

180.2 and this week

I'm doing a little better than I thought. I even ate sfogliatelle and lost weight. On average, I lost a pound per week over the last 3 weeks. Go me.

The plan is to keep this going through August.

I think it's important that I recognize my ability to subconsciously do what I need to do. I didn't track but I did listen to my body. I ate what I wanted, but only what felt right. I split a lot of things with Mr. Blueberry Pancakes. I ate slowly and enjoyed the food and the people I shared it with. As a result, I'm near my 'comfortable' weight - the weight it doesn't take a lot of effort to stay at.

I do think I'll need to step it up to get below this point. After being at the gym Monday, I was too tired the rest of the week. But I'm caught up now and feel like I can do the work.

Being MINDFUL about my food choices worked for me. And now, to carry it forward through the summer....

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Weight is according to Weight Watchers. My own scale said 177.8.  

morning workout

I'm back in the Land of the Living. Went to Philly on Thurs. to visit my Grandma and have a 20-year reunion for my Dad Vail's medal. We walked a lot, thank goodness, because of course we ate a lot. I did... poorly with food, overall. But I decided that when I get back I'm getting up and doing MORNING WORKOUTS, so that's what I did today! This pic is of me on the way home, after I did my 30 minute Schuykill-inspired erg workout. Nothing crazy, just 30 minutes with 5 1-minute-on pieces throughout the last 10 minutes. I'm using this week to get myself used to doing morning workouts. I almost didn't go, but then I said GET OUT OF BED and I got dressed and I'm happy I made it to the gym!

B: egg, 1 oz. cheese, 1/2 a big orange

S: almonds (16ish)

L: A grandma sandwich. Roll, cold cuts, cheese, veggies, oil and vinegar

S: A small lemon cookie from Testa's bakery.

D: TBD I think we're going out.

What do I think of this? It's... a start. I don't want to waste food, so I won't. I'll also be a good bit healthier after today, back to the basics of real food, less alcohol, etc. Will watch it on dinner. I do want to be in better shape before heading abroad... and for Danielle's wedding.

The good thing about being away was I didn't really drink at all. Just wine with meals, and maybe 6 oz at a time at the most.

I do have a caffeine addiction. I am cutting back, starting today.

I am so happy to be healthy!!!!

still sick... sort of...

Yesterday I woke up with pink eye in BOTH eyes. Sheesh kabeeshka! I went to the dr, and today I'm still home because I have crazy zombie eyes. I hope the drops start kicking in soon... oh yeah this comes on the heels of the laryngitis I had this weekend. This is just a really crazy sick run and I'm ready to be feeling GREAT again!

As for weight loss, I can't say I'm focused on that this week. I am making pretty good food choices, though I've had a lot of extra sugar with all the honey/lemon drinks and frozen yogurt. I think whatever happens on the scale (whichever way it goes) would just be a sickness-related anomaly anyhow. If I'm burning any extra calories, it's due to laundry and errands. That's the extent of my exercise.

Right now I'm just focusing on getting better. Truly, that's all I want to do. Dr. said I'm clear to go to work, etc - that I'm contagious, but just be conscious. He also said I can travel. Guess we'll see how I do today and tomorrow.