chugging along

So I had to drive my stepdaughter (aka Buttercup) home by myself on Monday, 3 1/2 hours each way. I had very busy day (taking care of kids, getting my work done, & driving) and didn't know how I was going to fit my minimum of 30 minutes walking in. After seeing the stacked traffic on 75 South (the way home), I decided this would be a perfect time to stop in an Alabama park and get my walk in. I chose one that happened to be marked. It was the size of a football field so 1 lap equaled 1/4 mile. I've been wanting a pedometer but have been frozen in indecision with how many choices there are. This was the perfect opportunity to count my steps since I had a marker at 1/4 mile that was clear, unlike walking in my neighborhood or at the park where I often miss the mile markers. I counted only 485 steps for 1/4 mile which equals 3,880 steps for 2 miles or for me, 30 minute of walking.

I've had a lofty goal of reaching 10,000 steps a day like YOU: On a Diet recommends but this means I would have to walk 5 to 5 1/2 miles to reach this goal (if my math is correct). I think it was Dr Pam Peek (sp?) that said 10,000 steps averages to about 4 miles for most people. Does this mean I'm working that much less just because I take longer strides? I'm able to maintain a mile every 15 minutes (4 mph). I don't know how I can go any faster or muster up more than hour a day for exercise. I have a pretty sedentary job so I think my steps throughout the day is negligent.

Maybe I'm getting too bogged down in the numbers. I usually do whether it's counting carbs, calories, or miles and time spent on exercise. Just needed to get that off my chest so I can focus on the big picture.

just a few

I only have a few moments before the boy wakes from his nap. I've been plugging along slowly but surely. I vowed this time to take the weight loss slowly. I know how to lose weight fast. I've just never been able to stick to a plan that keeps it off. I'm doing my own thing with my own rules that basically go like this:
- Eat whole grains, more veggies and fruits and lean meats. Veggies are my new mainstay
- Exercise every day with a minimum of 30 minutes walking and some Yoga
- If I eat something other than whole grains, veggies, fruits, and lean meats, I measure it out and watch my portions! This includes fried foods, fatty meats, desserts, and alcohol, which are only allowed on occasion and usually planned.

So far, this has really been working for me. I finally heeded the old advice of using a smaller plate and it works, especially for the bad-for-me foods.

I've lost about 10 pounds, 2.5" from the waist, and about 4 inches from the hips in about 5 weeks time. Those are the only places I measured in my effort not to focus too much on the numbers but still have a guide to see my progress.

I changed my eating habits first and then added the exercise back in. The biggest challenge is filtering out all the data on weight loss. It's too much. Too many studies conflicting with each other and studies that don't make it a good study (i.e. leaving out certain populations, data, etc.). I finally took everything I've been trained on, read, and studied and decided it's time to figure out what works for me. What can I live with? I'm pretty sure this is it. It's rather simplified but I've gotten results and I feel good for the first time in about 2 years. Who could believe I was ever a fitness instructor? I'm really trying to hone in on what motivates me too.