The next decade....what's in store?
Musings of a yamfooted traveller still trying to shake off those last 20 pounds as she treks across the Caribbean
Prior to 2004 when I did my first Pilates class, I hardly used to work my abs. I found crunches to be incredibly boring and if I could suck in my stomach while dressed and achieve the same result, I thought why bother with crunches.
Since April 2004 I have been hooked on Pilates. Best thing anybody could do because it strengthens your mid section and generally changes the shape of your body. It certainly did for me.
So from then, just going about daily activities I have noticed how much you do need strong abs (and back muscles...which Pilates works on as well). Just think about it...
1. Bending over to pick up something...weak abs means you will tumble over
2. Twisting to grab something beside or behind you....your oblique muscles come into play.
3. Sitting up in bed....I now am able to do this with ease.
4. Changing from the church position to.......ok, I'll stop here. but you get my point?
Whenever I travel, I step on the scale when I leave and when I return. And of course, when I come to the Rock, I go to the gym and use that scale as the mother of all scales.
In the Barbados airport, the scale said 203. Great! Last time I checked I was 205.
So I go to the gym today, step on the scale and guess what.....
199! Yay!
I guess Hot Wukking + Not having time to be bored to eat crap = weight loss!
A win-win situation! *wink*
I'm into brown clothes these days....
A night out with the girls...
In an English garden in Nottingham...
More pics...
Pretty in pink....
Life's a beach....
Let's see if you can spot what's different....remember, this picture is the one that keeps disappearing...
Remember the last time I was here in March for around 2 weeks, I went to the gym all but one day?
Well when I got off the plane in Jamrock last Sunday, I was sniffling, after being perfectly fine the day before. These viruses like airlines you see! Woke up Monday, didn't feel better, bought some DPH antihistamine and took that after I came back from the doctor.
It kind of knocked me out and I woke up at 7pm. The Pilates class is 7:45, but I didn't think it was wise to risk regressing. Sweat and night air = sniffles. So didn't go. Couldn't go Tuesday because it was cricket.
Now today, the class is 7:30pm, and ah ent feel to go! I now know why, as soon as I land, I try and get to the gym because once I start exercising, I have no problems being consistent. I have not been to the gym since I left here on 22 March, can you imagine??????
But am pleased that even without formal exercise, and with regular eating, I only weighed 203 on Monday.
I'm going to go tonight though. I must.
In my online shopping frenzy the other day, I bought two pairs of the same exact jeans. A 537 Levis Low Flare. I had no clue what i was buying really, so when it came I had to figure out how to wear them without looking terrible.
One was a size 16 and the other a 14. One for now....the other for in a few months weeks time. The first thing I had to do was have the waist taken in. Maybe I am just shaped oddly, or maybe them jeans people don't know seh black negro people bottom is a healthy size. Spencer's did that for me and I made the tailor take it in tight....or so I thought.
It's a stretch model so a couple hours after I arrived at cricket, I had to be drawing it up. That's encouraging.
Then there was the problem of the underwear. What would I wear under there? The smallest i have is a size 14 M&S which fits like a bikini bottom. That wasn't low enough, so found the first bathrooom to roll them down so my a**cheeks wouldn't show when I bent down.
So tell me....those of you who go low all the time.....do they make special undies for pants like these? An' mi nuh wear thongs aka b*tty floss!
Well, this morning, I wake up at 3 o'clock. Ah cuss, case I was looking for a good night's sleep and had set the clock for 4:50am.
As I was rolling around in the bed and couldn't fall back asleep, I said 'lemme go to the gym'. Left the house at 4:33am....it was black as night, but this is Grenada so no worries re criminals lurking. Only the dogs barked at me, but they were behind a fence.
Got picked up by Rissa who was headed to the same place. Did 15 mins on the bike, and 30 minutes on the treadmill including some intervals (and now my knees are killing me from the running I think), walked back home and did some yoga and butt exercises.
So one day ah cyant get out of bed, and another day ah get up too early. Tomorrow is afternoon exercise because I have to be at work at 7am, so no time in the morning. I think I may go to the beach too in the evening. It was calling me today but I think the evening will find the water being cooler.
Yesterday, I got up at 5am and went walking for about an hour at 6am. I am finding that things get busy at work and by the time evening come, mi nuh feel fi exercise again. So I am trying to do the morning thing, even though my body does not like exercising at that time of day.
Last night, fell asleep maybe about 10:30. Caught some of American Idol. Set alarm for 5:15am. Lawks it was cold, plus it was raining so I rolled over, and went back to sleep. Got up again at 6:00am, and just did not have the energy. So I rolled over yet again, saying to myself "surely, I deserve a rest since I exercised yesterday?".
But ah ent exercise for bout three days before that and I must fit into the size 14 jeans properly.
I am due in for work at 11am, but I going to go in a little earlier, so I can go to the gym at 5pm, then bathe and change for guest cocktails. I guess I don't really deserve a rest.
Do I look fat or whot?
The rear view of me at work. The backside large, nuh true?
Ok, so here is what happened.
I was in the weights area about to do some upper body work on a bench, when a dude comes over and tells me how he has noticed that I have lost weight. Yeah! He said he been noticing me and then asked if I work at Red Stripe.
Nope, I don't live here.
Where do you live?
Grenada.
Oh, you look like somebody who works at Red Stripe. But anyway, I been noticing you and there is a big change from when I saw you early in the year.
Thanks!
So how long you here for?
I'm leaving on 8 January.
Ok.
So he leaves me to do my thing. A little bit later he walks back over.
I didn't get your name. I'm D____
I'm Yamfoot (no of course I didnt say that, but you know what I mean!)
To be honest you know, I've been watching you a long time. You're a very attractive lady.
(I now look in the mirror in front of me to see what he is seeing. He smiles and says....)
Yeah man, you same one.
Thanks!
But I been noticing that you taking it easy with the weights.
Yes, I don't normally come around to the weights room. Is only because there is no Pilates class why I am here.
Oh, but you should do some weights. Help to sculpt your body.
Well the Pilates has worked for me, as you can see. (me being cheeky). Actually you should try the class. All the men who have come, come once and dont come back.
Why is that?
Because the exercise works your abs in a different way from the thousand of crunches you do.
oh, I don't really do crunches you know. I don't like working my abs (he has a flat stomach though).
Can't remember how that conversation ended but I left shortly after. Oh, he was pushing the weight training because of what it did for him. He said he used to be big.
Anyway, so I go home, and I tell the story at home. Everybody want to know how ah just leave it so....if ah neva get number, find out if him married etc!!!! Well I didnt think that is every man who I meet, I supposed to be looking to date them. When I left to go to the gym a few days after, they said they want to hear about Part 2. My mum was even giving me examples of questions I could ask to subtly find out if he is married or otherwise attached!
BTW. I haven't seen him since. I haven't been particularly looking out. No tree neva did grow in him face, but I just was focused on my workout and am focused on that when I go to the gym. Not finding a date. And remember, I don't date. It's a waste of time. Unless is to a cricket match.
I was working a half day today, so took that as a chance to go to the gym. Before I left the office to walk up there, I told my colleague that I just didn't feel like, but she said to persevere. That I did and went on the treadmill. After 3 minutes, I just couldn't do it anymore. So I left.
One minor celebration though.....
I didn't go and buy ice cream or cake or anything junky like that, which would have been normal after I stepped on the scale and saw that I weigh 92.6 freeeeeeking kilos! Cho bl&$^#d cl$^#%t! You get no reward for eating less sugar, and eating less in general. I'm not starving myself so it is not a result of metabolism slowing down. Maybe though, it is ovulation time (don't you just love it how I give you these details about my body functions?/)and I think I normally put on weight around that time. I sure hope that is the reason.
I went to the natural fruits store, bought a fruit punch without sugar and bought a fish wrap from the eatery next door. When I got home, ate that and some dried apricots and prunes. Now I am going to hang out the clothes, and take up all the dried ones from off the living room bed so I can chill out tonight and watch The Biggest Loser.
Maybe I will get inspiration from people who are way larger than I am....ie OBESE. I am only OVERWEIGHT.
Didn't exercise yesterday (apart from the walk to work) so was determined to go today.
Got up at 6am...well actually the clock alarmed at 6 am and I hit the snooze button twice then still didnt get up. Eventually got out of bed at 6:47am. Had breakfast, instead of the usual water therapy because I wanted to exercise early since it is going to be a late night at work today.
Had intended to head out to the gym at 8:30am, but at about 9:15, I went back into the bed. Didn't sleep a wink but I feel so tired. Maybe the anemia thing is back. I dunno. Maybe I should take some iron tablets just in case.
Anyway, I will still carry my gym clothes to work and hope to bathe after and change back into clothes for cocktails. I dunno, I dunno, but I feeling real tired these days. It's affecting my productivity for sure. Gotta find a cure.
I remembered that I had taped one of my Pilates classes at Spartan. Was looking for it the other night but couldn't find it. While tidying the guest room tonight - the one with the creaking bed.....actually all the beds in the house creak, so no sex....oh, there's the carpet - I found the tape.
So now I listening to it to get some inspiration, and see if there are any exercises on it that I haven't remembered. I keep doing the same exercises on my own here in Grenada and there are hundreds of Pilates exercises. I keep telling my teacher she needs to make a DVD. I'm going to bring it up again next time I see her.
At least the weight budged a bit. But it wasn't due to any hard work on my part, but rather the womanly cycle. I'm now 91.6, down from 93.8. The weight tracker thingy does not recognize decimals.
Lucky Brand jeans See how the part just below the saddle bags doesn't sink in? That's what I need, cause these thunder thighs are in need of hiding!
I wish I could not work from now until 22 October. Then I would be all about fitness and health for the next 6 weeks or so. But you know what? I would be so bored that I would eat down the house.
Anyway, it is US$114 and the Levi's I just bought worked out to US$52, so it would be slightly financially irresponsible to buy these now.
Maybe it will be a Christmas present......in October!
I took a picture of the jeans, and I have it hanging up in the kitchen. Has it stopped me from eating bread at 10:00pm? Nope. But I like looking at it and imagining looking decent in it one day.
I think I better start being accountable to the blog for the things I am doing to try and achieve the revised target. So I will check in every day. I know you probably don't want to see what I eat every day, but ah go still put it. Those who want to click.....click.
FOOD
(approx. 9:30am)
1 Tin Sardine in Lemon Sauce, drained, seasoned with onion, sweet pepper, seasoning pepper and sauces (jerk, hot pepper and pickapeppa)
3 slices of a whole wheat hops bread (ah going to take a picture one day)
Coffee with milk, evap milk and 2 Splenda
Vitamin C liquid with a splash of fruit punch
(approx. 3:30pm)
1 small bowl of fish broth (with miniature dumplings!)
1 fish wrap
1 mixed salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrot, cabbage)
1 slice pineapple tart
2 cups of tea with evap milk and 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Water
(approx 7:45pm)
1 ripe banana
then GYM
15 mins bicycle, 20 mins treadmill, 10 mins dancing (Machel/Alison Hinds remix "Roll it Gyal" and some latin songs), 15 minutes streches
(approx 9:45pm)
1 apple
1 pack Holiday cashew nuts (190 calories)
Water with a splash of fruit punch.
I'm still hungry and I have to take a pill before bed, so I'll probably have a slice of bread with peanut butter (I know...I shouldn't but ah have to)
It is now 3 September. In exactly 7 weeks, I will be 40. I am supposed to fit into a size 14 by then. I am supposed to weigh 180 by then.
No doubt, the family vacation set me back a bit, but I am not complaining because we had a good time. I now have to get back on track and it's just not happening for me, inspite of the looming deadline.
I have approximately 20 pounds to lose. That means I need to lose about 3 pounds per week. Only possible if I starve myself, which I am not prepared to do. Which means I won't meet my deadline, ........which means I will be a ........failure????
It's not comforting that I don't look like my weight. I CAN'T FIT INTO A SIZE 14 JEANS!! That is the bottom line....literally! The bottom big, the belly big, the arms are jiggly.
And today, I had intended to go to the gym at work for 12, work out for 1.5 hours, then go to work at 3. Instead, I am about to lie down on the bed in the living room and watch 'old man' Agassi play maybe his last Grand Slam match. i work until about midnight so no, I can't go afterwards. Note that I didn't exercise yesterday or Friday because on Thursday I did some deadlifts and my leg muscles rebelled.
I am not normally a failure. Only in the weight loss department it seems. Should I just say that maybe this is the weight I am supposed to be? Should I try some other drastic measure like diet pills to squash my appetite? What should I do? Oh what should I do? So afraid of failure, what should I do?
Well, a two week family holiday has come to an end. Everybody left this morning so life is back to normal.
Last Saturday, I had a "soiree" at my pokey apartment for them plus some friends - about 18 people in all. On the menu...
1. Curry Shrimp with big arse roti skins!
2. Jerk Chicken with Grenadian spices with Macaroni and Cheese
3. Ackee and Saltfish with Festival
4. Salad
5. Chocolate cake and ice cream
6. Grapes and apples
There were 18 persons there. I tried not to cook too much food because I live alone, plus I don't eat chicken. Well, I told my Mum and Sis that they were making me buy too much chicken and I was right. So I had quite a bit left over. Luckily, the landlady (the one who mopped out my flooded apartment while I was at work) mentioned that she was smelling the Jerk and so I gave her the rest of it.
We used three Festival Mix boxes. A mistake. I have a whole pot full of mixed out mix in the fridge. That can feed a small village.
Then there are the big arse roti skins. We buy from this Indian guy at work, so since I had had them, and they were nice, I ordered 20 skins from him. I asked if he could do mini-rotis. He say "nah, ah charge di same price and yuh go say it too much". So I took the big arse roti skins just so. They were nice and hot when I picked them up. I cut them in half to serve. Most of what I cut up, was eaten. The rest is in the freezer. No problem there.
Had just two servings of shrimp left over, so no problem there. It's the festival mix that I am concerned about. My sister says to freeze it. Not sure how that would work.
Oh, there was also two 5L containers of fruit juices! That hardly budged. People drank Ting and Ginger Beer, Carib Beer, Red Wine and White wine.
Oh, about the wines....I am not a wine drinker at all. My brother said to buy the Hardys Australian Merlot. Delicious. Then I had known about Pinot Grigio (white) so I bought a Vignale. Delicious. Enjoyed that and then felt the effects the next day, even though I only had two glasses. I don't tolerate alcohol too well.
I can't bear throwing away food, so I am about to go eat some of the ice cream and chocolate cake. Didn't have any on saturday night. Have to bus' my arse in the gym from tomorrow. Too tired today after I had a roti skin for lunch with some left over curry shrimp.
I weighed today, and it said 92kg. So I haven't put on too much weight on this two week break. That's not such a bad thing.
I jes can't seem to break down this belly and I am sure it is the difference between a size 12 and a size 14....
After the previous post, it was a bit timely that the chair that I was just sitting on broke! Is my many pounds to blame, or just old wood?
Well at least I didn't fall *buff* to the ground. We have to be thankful for small mercies don't we?
These past few days have been horrific for my eating. I broke down and bought ice cream, albeit low sugar ice cream at 80 calories per serving. It would be good if I could stick to the serving size though, wouldn't it?
Well, with The Curse arriving today, I will put down the nyamings (bought some more of that lovely delicious whole wheat hops bread this morning....nice and juicy and succulent like me) to PMS and hope that the next couple of days, I will be able to pull things back in line. Thankfully I am sleeping in the hotel from this evening and returning home on Monday, so that should cure things.....I hope! October 22 is fast approaching!
The camera never lies. That is for sure.
We went to TGI Friday's last Sunday to celebrate some successes of my niece and nephew at school. Apart from the very loud music, the experience was generally pleasant and the food got good reviews from all.
After the meal, I asked my brother to take a picture of me. A full frontal picture. No turning to the side to create a slim illusion.
I can't say I was too pleased with what I saw. I'm in a size 16 jeans. I think I need to go to a size 12 for sure. Them hips bloody large. It's going to be starvation for me from when I get back to Grenada until October.
What you think about the photo? (Of course, I suppose I could look at a photo of me in early 2004 and be pleased....everything is relative I guess)
I've gone on and on about how beneficial Pilates has been to me. Here is a little blurb about what it is. Got it from SparkPeople.com.
Pilates
An exercised-based system, Pilates connects the mind, body, and spirit. Its goal is to improve flexibility and strength, creating a balance between the two. Participants gain and develop body awareness through different poses and stretches, which target specific muscle groups.
The overall goal of Pilates is to make a toned body without adding bulk, while lengthening the muscles. Many individuals have found it improves their coordination and relieves stress. Although many exercises can achieve this, Pilates is an interesting way to reach these goals.
Pilates focuses most on the "core", a group of muscles that is often ignored and underdeveloped, including the back and abdominal muscles. In the process, it improves posture and eases back pain. Unlike cardiovascular activity, which tends to emphasize the legs, or weight lifting, which often emphasizes arms and legs, Pilates will create a balanced body.
This is a great exercise program for both beginners and those fitness buffs alike. It’s something that can be tailor-fit to anyone’s specific fitness level, adapting as that person becomes more skilled and flexible. Since it’s low impact, Pilates can assist the rehabilitation process for certain injuries. It’s a great way to become more responsive to your body. It may even create more fluid mobility throughout the day, not just during the exercise session.
Exercise Extra: Pilates appears to be a new exercise trend, a new craze. Actually, this system has been in existence since the 1920s. Pronounced "puh-LAH-teez," it is named after its developer, Joseph Pilates.
That's what the scale said this morning. But I won't get excited and change my weight tracker just yet. When I go to the gym tomorrow night, after a day of eating (which will include Ackee & Saltfish and Breadfruit!) I'll see what it says. If it reads 199, then look out for the change on the tracker.
That will be a great thing....after that, it would be about 20 more pounds to lose by 1 October this year.
Instead of blogging up a storm, I've been walking up a storm.
I walk to work most days, unless somebody stops and gives me a lift, but I declined lifts already cause I need the exercise. The walk is only 20 minutes or so, but if I walk it home as well, that's 40 minutes exercise.
The walk home is uphill so by the time I reach home, I am bussing a big sweat. The other evening, I took off my pants, rolled up my shirt and did some Pilates standing exercises. The tiles are hard and there is no rug, so can't do floor work.
Thankfully though, I have found a place and am supposed to move 1st April. I'll be more settled then, and best of all, I will have internet and TV!!! Whoopie.
Instead of blogging up a storm, I've been walking up a storm.
I walk to work most days, unless somebody stops and gives me a lift, but I declined lifts already cause I need the exercise. The walk is only 20 minutes or so, but if I walk it home as well, that's 40 minutes exercise.
The walk home is uphill so by the time I reach home, I am bussing a big sweat. The other evening, I took off my pants, rolled up my shirt and did some Pilates standing exercises. The tiles are hard and there is no rug, so can't do floor work.
Thankfully though, I have found a place and am supposed to move 1st April. I'll be more settled then, and best of all, I will have internet and TV!!! Whoopie.
While I was calling in my favour today, I was in my friend's office when my cell phone rang.
"Hi, Yamfoot, are you in the bank?"
"Yes"
"Are you wearing black and just went into an office?"
"Yup, that's me"
"Wow! You've lost a lot of weight!"
I'm trying to remember when was the last time I saw him, and if that comment was justified because between then and now I really did lose a lot. Anyway, I still weigh bloody 206 and that is not good enough.
40 by 40 means that I need to be at at least 180 by 22 October 2006. And don't ask me what is happening on that date, or else I will ban you!
I landed yesterday and went to the gym today. Of course, the first thing I did was went on the scale. It said that I now weigh 206 pounds. I find that rather strange because for the three months I was in Grenada, I did exactly three days of exercise.
I was careful sometimes about what I ate. Many nights, all I had was a salad and fruits. But some nights I also had dessert. So it's weird. But I am thankful none the less, because I am closer to being under 200 pounds. Therefore, when the exercise machine said "enter weight", I gleefully put in 206 pounds.
Well maybe it's just people's perception of my size that I can't understand. Last night, several people, about six in fact, one after the other, said "you've lost so much weight!" You look great!" This was from both men and women.
Of course I had to be gracious and say thanks, but to some I did say that I've actually put on weight since I've been here (what's new). Somebody told me it was because I had on a well constructed jacket. I took a picture. What you think? (I'm headless)
I am up early to exercise! Cause for celebration.
I went to bed at about 9:40 last night, set the alarm for 5:30, but woke up naturally at about 4:45. So had my 5 cups of water (first in a long time) and am now heading to the hotel's gym. Rain threatened to sabotage my exercise, but fortunately the shower was short and sharp.
Cheerio.....
I think it was Friday night last, after Pilates, I went around the weights room. I was "setting up my stall" when Uncle Fred (he's an old time body builder, older guy in his 50's) came over to me. He said "I don't know if it's my eyes playing tricks on me but you've gotten smaller." I said, as I always do, "but the scale isn't going down." And as they always do, them fitness instructors, "don't worry about that....your clothes feeling looser?". I said yes. He said well that was the evidence I needed.
How much looser? Well, I tried on a Liz Clairborne beige twill pants I had bought in Florida last year summer which was tight tight, but I always look into the future where clothes are concerned, so I bought it anyway. When I tried it on a few weeks ago, it was ok, but was a bit snug across the butt and I don't like wearing things that emphasize the big ole butt too much. But today, it was just right. A very nice fitting pair of pants....somethings many dressmakers and tailors here just can't seem to get (hence the arguing).
So that will be the outfit for the flight on Sunday. That, paired with a black shirt in size L rather than XXL like I used to wear. Lawks mi feel sweet when di clothes fit.
I been on a couple weight loss blogs lately and I see a lot of people have pictures of themselves, even their faces. I will still keep my face a mystery, but I've decided that I'll show you some pichas of my obese body (so the BMI chart says.....Yamfoot is obese)
These two pictures show what a difference ten years makes. In the 1994 picture to the left, it had been a year since I returned from my first stint in the UK, where I lost 20 pounds in three months and weighed about 170 pounds. I'd like to get back to this size. The January 2004 picture was taken at 229 pounds in Orlando.
The ones below are the Swimsuit Illustrated ones.....me in swimsuit. The Nov 2003 one was taken on a boat in Grenada. The May 2004 one was taken at Holiday Inn, as was the May 2005 one. I can make out subtle changes in the shape of my legs, which have become less cellulite ridden, for which I am extremely grateful. I have Pilates to thank for that.
That is my true weight without my sneakers. I should do like the men do on Biggest Loser and take off all my clothes too!
But my start weight was in the sneakers, so I guess I have to continue using that figure. It was 213.5 today. The big thing about that was I did NO exercise while I was away, and did not walk up and down as much as I normally do.
Why?
Where I was staying, the main road had no sidewalks and the road was rather narrow. So instead of taking the bus, which would have meant more walking, I took taxis or got a ride.
But I am so pleased that I could go away for 9 days, not starve myself and don't gain any weight.
I am way behind though. I had wanted to be at 203 by 18th October. I guess that's not going to happen, but I have no one to blame but me. You get what you put in, and maybe I have not been putting in enough exercise. Well I KNOW I haven't been putting enough cardio and weights.
Next week. Next week. Soon come. Tomorrow.
I was packing today, and as is customary during that exercise, I had to try on clothes to make sure I don't carry anything that don't fit. Then you would hear me saying in Antigua or Barbados "but it fit me the last time I wore it". That is no guarantee that it would fit the next time!
Anyway, so I am there trying on, and what I expect to fit, fit. But then they had more room than previously. I even tried on a size 16 pants suit which I bought in foreign last year August which couldn't 'smell' me. Now please note...it's not size 16 X or W. It's a regular size 16 (according to the tag anyway).
So that fit (and will be worn to a wedding tomorrow with my straight hair which Dr D saw today) and I'm thinking 'I just don't get it. I haven't done anything differently eating wise or exercise wise. Maybe is just a fluke.'
Went to the gym as usual this evening and stepped on the scale. 213.something pounds. Was 215 last time. By the time I had sweat out some of it, I was at 212. But I put what I put on the weight slider thingy because I know it's possible that tomorrow I will go and the scale says something else.
This weight thing funny boy.
Different subject this time. Not about Hollywood marriages tonight.
I was thinking tonight how come it is so easy for me to give up something I absolutely love - meat - and how difficult it is for me to make other food choices that I know are good for me.
Probably it's the thought of smaller fibroids (TMI???) that keeps me going. So is it that I don't want to be slim why I ate that plantain tart and two slices of lychee cake the other night (until I felt ill, really).
I just don't get it. And I do so well during the day then let it all go in the night. Today wasn't such a bad eating day or night though.
For breakfast, I had two slices of rye bread, two slices of veggie cheese (feta flava) and a glass of diluted fruit juice (really diluted...tastes almost like water) with Metamucil (fibre). Later I had some cashew nuts and a banana. Then at about 3pm I had curry veggie mince, one and a half fingers of boiled banana, 1/2 sweet potato, steamed callaloo with saltfish and string beans.
At about 6pm I had an orange, and at about 7:30 I had no-fat unsweetened yoguhurt with canteloupe, an apple, a pear and few grapes, along with a handful of raw cashew nuts. And I'm not going to have anything else for the night.
The lychee cake probably stale by now anyway. But then a few days ago, there was the bun. Have you ever tasted Sterling Bun? Well please don't because you can't stop at one slice. Well at least I can't.
I just don't get it! I was a serious carnivore. Used to take two servings of meat. I have given up that since 28th August. Just about a month. So what the dickance is wrong with me???????????????????????????????
I need a food shrink. I need to be on the Biggest Loser. I need a man! Anything! Something!
I'm talking about marriage. And maybe I know exactly why I not getting married. Or my conditions for getting married are so stringent that no one, or no situation would ever satisfy them.
Renee the actress just got married. Not even six months have passed. Now they have filed for annulment.
Just in case you didn't notice my weight tracker at the top of the page, I thought I'd put it here for you to notice that just for today, I can smile....
This weight thing is too strange. Two days ago when I stepped on the scale it was 216 mash. Tonight 212.4.
So I went to Uncle Fred and asked him if the scale correct. He says he doesn't think it has ever been checked! Is one of them digital ones. So I figured it definitelly is wrong.
On the way home, I stopped at Liguanea Drug and Garden, where I had hopped on the scale a few days ago. Well, what do you know. 212 indeed.
So happy was I that I jogged to the supermarket afterwards, rather than walk.
And you know, it's funny. Just this evening before I went to the gym, I was thinking to myself that this vegetarian thing not working at all. (End of three weeks coming up). I was even considering going back to meat.
I don't know if that is what caused this weight loss, but I'll continue. But I bet you anything next week when oonu check the weight tracker it gone back up to 219!
Anyway, today I can smile.
A few months ago, I commented about Star Jones' weight loss. She's the black presenter on The View on ABC who caused quite a flurry when she married Al Scales Reynolds who people say has had homosexual relationships.
Leading up to the wedding, she started to lose weight, she had a website and really, the wedding was a commercial event.
I commented that her boobies were looking strange, her shoulders too narrow and her gaunter face made her eyes look buggy.
Well I was surprised to turn on today to see that she seems more in proportion now, and is not looking bad at all.
So why can't I be like her and stick to it? Maybe because I don't have and can't afford a personal trainers???? She does Pilates too. Swears by it.
I dug up on google and found her website. She answers some questions about her weight. There have been speculation that she did surgery.
At the post office today, I was mailing two large envelopes. One to Grenada and one to the UK. The one for the UK had only three sheets of paper in it. The cost quoted was $250.
That's way higher than what I paid the last time I mailed something to the UK. So I asked the attendant if the postal rates had gone up. She said yes, and I asked if it was by 100 percent.
She said no. Then she explained it like this..
"The envelope is long you know, so it adds to the weight. It actually weighs 55g. It's just like how a tall person will weigh more".
I said "Oh yeah, I use that as an excuse as to why I weigh 219 (freaking) pounds."
I aiming for 165 eventually (by 22 October 2006).
By 18 October this year, it's 203.
But, according to this weight loss tool, my highest weight according to my frame size should be 154.
Mi ent cyare. Onward march to 165.
I agree with the Mummy in this cartoon....
Imagine this.....
....I left the gym on Sunday at 214 pounds. I decided to eat vegetarian style...well really no meat or poultry...... while I took three days off from exercise. Leg muscles were feeling a bit odd.
I cut back calories tremendously during this time. For example, for breakfast I would have a slice of Ryvita (rye biscuit = 35 calorie), a dollop of fat free cream cheese (30 calories), a ripe banana (approx 100 calories) and a fibre drink (45 calories).
Lunch would be a salad with, for example, lettuce, red kidney beans (approx 110 calories), lima beans (approx 110 calories), cucumber, carrot, sweet pepper, celery.
Dinner would be assortment of cooked vegetables, small piece of sweet potato or 1/2 cup brown rice, and 1/2 cup red kidney beans.
In between those meals I might have had an apple. I drank a couple glasses of fruit juice diluted.
Now that don't even total 1,600 calories. My Basal Metabolic Rate is about 2250 calories. That means I created a deficit without exercise of 600 calories.
So why di &$^#^ the scale go up instead of down, or even stay the same?
I lamented to Mark, one of the instructors. (He wasn't in such a friendly mood today). He said it could be anything. Hydration could be one. So at the end of the work out, I asked him how can I get rid of water weight. He asked why I wanted to get rid of water weight and said that's why I musn't weigh every day (mi nah listen to him pon dat!).
Anyway, he said drink lots of water because that is the body's best diuretic, and I must watch my sodium. I guess them canned beans have more sodium than I was accustomed to.
I'm still going to go meatless for a few more days and see. But maybe I'll have a bit of oxtail tomorrow on the occasion of Father's birthday.
I thought I woulda been at about 213 by now. Instead I'm back up to 216. Cho rass man. (That's about the only swear word I can cuss.....cause it don't sound like a cuss word to me).
Well I missed the opportunity to move her down today. Skipped the gym because I was tired, having not fallen asleep until around 5am this morning, only to have the lawn mower next door start running around 8:45am.
It aint fair. It aint fair. Somebody give this diet slider lady a big heave nuh?
I decided, with my new toy, to record today's blog entry. There is a bit of music to go with it as well.
Let me know if you have difficulty playing the link.
It started off with the feeding of the mutts as usual, and the cleaning up after them. I hope they're grateful. I know Penny is.
Then, after internet and breakfast, it was time to hit the streets. The first stop was the hospital to collect something. And it was during that trip that I had my first pissed off moment for the day. As soon as the light changes to green here, the driver behind starts to blow. Damn impatient bastards, half of whom must have bought their licences.
There were several more such incidents for the day. Mi nah go mek nobaddy stress mi out today though.
After the hospital, it was to New Kingston to interview somebody for an article I am doing on one of these U-19 cricketers. Next was the Pegasus.
During that part of the trip, I got a call to say my sister's flight was going to be delayed from 2:10 until after 4:00pm. The plan, working with the original flight arrival time, was to collect her and then head home and changed for my 5:30pm Pilates class. With this new change, I decided to head back home, change and I reached to the gym by 3:15.
Did 25 mins of cardio (treadmill and bike), then some leg work on the machines, then it was back to the cardio room to complete the 60 minutes of cardio that I had decided to do. Ended up doing 70 minutes. The second stint was elliptical runner, bike and treadmill.
During this time I called the airline twice and eventually the flight was scheduled to land at 5:39pm. Goody. I can do some of the class. So did 15 minutes and then went to the bathroom. When I walked in, a lady was changing for the Pilates class. She said to me "you're losing weight." I said not weight but size. But that wasn't really true, because if you keep looking at my weight slider at the top of the web page, you'll see that I've lost 6 pounds since I came back from Trinidad/Grenada on 19 June.
So things are working and I'm not stressing about food.
Must work harder in August though because I'd like to be down to about 210 by the time I leave for Grenada. Then I'll have 6 weeks or so to get to 203.
So that's how TODAY went. TOMORROW is a public holiday, but of course, the gym is open, so that's where I'll be at some point before 4pm. No class, so I'll do some upper body work.
I tell you, the body is a weird piece of machine.
So you read how I was feeling Monday. Well Tuesday, I got to the gym with enough time to do 15 minutes on the treadmill. I kept one of the West Indies cricketers company, walking on the treadmill beside him. He was running easily.
So far so good.
I breeze through the Pilates class, where everybody else was tired and lethargic. I even managed to do all one hundred of The Hundred (go Google it for explanation).
Afterwards I went and did some chest and back work on the machines. Then it was back to cardio. Twenty minutes on the bicycle, working to 80% of my heart rate for most of the ride. Then, because of my 45 minutes cardio target, I had to do 10 more minutes. Chose the Elliptical, and bus' a big sweat.
No flutter of the heart. No tired and lethargic feeling.
Today I took a day off, so it's full steam ahead tomorrow for hopefully another energetic day at the gym.
Left home later than I had intended for the gym. Wasn't feeling perky at all, but told myself I should go especially since I didn't go yesterday (wasn't feeling well - chest pain) and I had ice cream last night. (Don't tell the Diet Police)
Did 15 minutes on the bicycle and went back down to Level 4 after 10 just felt too hard. Then did some leg work, only just barely. Light weights.
Went back to the cardio room where I intended to do at least 15 minutes more. Got on the Elliptical Runner, still feeling a bit woozy, then felt a ripple through my chest and said 'that's it'.
Went and sat in the reception area and watched some of Days of our Lives, then left.
I know.....I should really go to the Heart specialist, but I waiting on money which hopefully I'll get on Wednesday. Living from hand to mouth is hard but it's what I've chosen so not complaining.
Then when I go, he'll tell me that nothing is wrong with me. Money down the drain.
I feeling ok now though, so no worries. I plan on doing my Pilates class tomorrow morning, plus a bit of cardio.
After not gymming on Wednesday and Thursday, I had to get in one today before Emily flood us (and the gym?) out. So here was the workout today in the order that I did it....
Treadmill 10 mins 3.5mph 0 incline
Weights/Strength training
Leg Press (incline) 45+45+35+35=160 pounds, 3 sets, 12 reps
Calf raises on same machine, 3 sets, 15 reps
Leg curl (lying) 1 set at 3 bars - 12 reps, 2 sets at 2 bars - 12 reps
Leg extensions 2 sets at 70lbs, 10 reps and 1 set at 55 lbs, 10 reps
Seated Chest press, 30 lbs, 3 sets, 12 reps
Dead lift 30 lbs, 3 sets, 12 reps
Stationary lunges, 3 sets 12 reps
Stair climber, 3 mins, Effort level 4
Stationey Bike, 27 mins, ranging from Level 8 - 12 (77 - 80 revolutions per min)
Elliptical runner, 5 mins, Level 4
Tomorrow I expect my hamstrings to be sore!
Hurricane Emily will be lashing us with rain about the time that I should be doing my Pilates class tomorrow. When I was leaving the gym today, I asked the receptionist if they were closing early today (Friday). She said no. They normally close at 10. I asked her about Saturday. She said they weren't sure yet.
I think I'll skip the idea of the gym on Saturday and do a longer workout on Sunday.
Emily, you're screwing up my targets!!!!
Found the following on Onlyonebody. Thought it was mighty funny.
(By the way, I don't curse the scale.)
I found two blogs with West Indian women trying to get fit and healthy. I told you about Reneegetsfit.com already. Now there is SlimSpirited.com. Nneka has a fitness challenge on there called Vegas 100 and I thought I'd post my version of what I will try and do for 100 days (which started yesterday by the way... just by coincidence that I found this today).
And guess what? The 100 days will end on 18th October....just in time for my birthday on the 22nd.
Now this is really going to be challenging because as of September sometime, I am going to be in Grenada (hence the variety in the Challenge). If you look back in the archives for June and July 2004, you'll see how I got derailed when I went and had all that nice food in Grenada. Anyway.....
The Challenge
EXERCISE
* Take at least 3 Pilates classes, do at least 200 minutes of cardio per week and do at least 2 weights sessions (30 mins each) per week. Take at least 1 Yoga class twice per month (until I go to Grenada)
* In Grenada, do at least 200 minutes of cardio per week, at least 4 weights sessions (30 minutes each) and at least 20 minutes of Pilates exercises (on mi own!) at least 3 days per week. Stretch after every session.
EATING, FOOD
* No bun or pastry type food (I can only have ice cream!!)
* Log food each day
* 1600 - 1900 calories per day for 5 days per week. The other 2 days I have to eat normally so that my body knows not to go into starvation mode and hold on to the fat.
* Drink 64 oz of water daily (these are easy points since I drink a lot normally)
* At least 6 servings of fruits/veggies per day
Nneka does a points system but I know I not going to stick to that so I won't even bother try that.
If I follow this, it should result in weight loss of at least 15 pounds. I am now 220 (back up...yup) but some of it might be water weight so lemme estimate that I am really 218. So, I should be weighing 206 (by the scale in Jamaica) by the time I leave Jamaica in early September. Then when I get to Grenada I will weigh the day after I get there and then track it from then, to get down to 203.
Actually, it would be nice if for my birthday I was 200 pounds, so that is what I will aim for.
15 minutes on Stationery Bike, going from Level 8 to 13
Lying chest press
Lying pec flys
Shoulder press
Lateral arm raises
Lat pull downs
Another back exercise which I don't know the name
3 mins Stair Master (a killer machine)
7 mins Elliptical runner
20 mins Treadmill alternating with inclines of 2.5 to 5%, 3.5pmh and jogging 1 minute, walk 1 minute. Jogging was at between 4 and 5.5 mph.
15 mins Stationery Bike
10 mins dancing in the aerobics room and using the step
So I did quite a bit today.
According to Nutridiary.com which has a better list of exercises to choose from, I burned over 500 calories today in my workout. So that means net calories today were 1499. Not bad huh.
Tomorrow is Pilates and a little cardio. Have to work real hard. Real hard Miss Yamfoot.
Oh lawks. Mark at the gym asked me that today as I bounced in for a long session. I sheepishly told him 'not very good'.
'Why?' he asked.
Well I have just not got the eating under control. I went through what I had eaten so far for the day. This was a good day, because I decided to re start writing down what I eat in a proper place. Tittilayo had mentioned FitDay.com and I started using that a long time ago. Couldn't even remember my sign in details to rahtid. Anyway, I finally remembered.
Anyway, he started doing some calculations and I was correct in how many calories I am supposed to be eating per day. I've been eating probably 2.5 times that amount for several weeks. I don't know what triggered the bad eating. Maybe when I went to Trinidad.
Anyway, so far today, I've consumed 1999 calories. So I will look over the list of things eaten today and see where I can cut back on 399 calories. I think I had too much at dinner. Also I can cut back at breakfast.
Mark said "I should take you under my wing you know", to which I said "I can't afford you" but I was thinking something different (:wink:)
Anyway, since someone will be checking on me, I have to make sure and feel good the next time he asks "how's your efforts been going?"
I found this link on Reneegetsfit telling a little about Pilates.
Click here here to read what I've been raving about.
By the way, I think Renee is very brave to put up a picture of her skin showing. I have some before pictures too, in underwear only, but I'll be damned if I put them up for y'all to see! By the way, it looks like they staying at 'before' for ever!
It always happens. When I don't go to the gym, when I go back I have lost weight, meanwhile while I go faithfully 4 or 5 times for the week, I don't lose as much. Chuppidity. Well, maybe less is REALLY more.
I'm now at 210. That's 4 pounds or 5 pounds less than the last time I told you. So from the year start is about 9 pounds init? Me don't remember.
But the weight loss this week was really because I was at cricket. Remember I've always said that I always lose weight when cricket playing.
And guess what? More cricket out of town this weekend. Same place. Lovely Alpart in St Elizabeth.