Status Check

First of all, I nearly panicked this morning. I started my day as usual - by firing up the Wii.

Only nothing happened.

Now, I've been gone for 4 days and I knew it was working before I left. I hit every button, pulled the plug and replugged, you name it.

Then I asked Billy to look at it for me. In reality I thought he'd confess that he did something accidentally to it while I was gone - hit it with the vacuum or something - but he didn't. He even started working on it while I was at work. When I came home for lunch I tried the one last thing. I moved it to another plug.

Worked like a charm.

We didn't think of this before because the Wii, surround sound, television, satellite, and everything else is plugged into the same multi-outlet unit so it didn't seem reasonable that everything would work except that one thing.

But that was it. Apparently the middle two of the six outlets had gone bad.

So, with the crisis adverted, I went on about my afternoon and exercised tonight.

All of that to say nothing really.

The main point of all this was to check on my progress. I noted one day last week that I was on Day 490 of using the Wii. There were gaps, of course, but I'd had started using it 490 days ago.

On that day, I had logged 100 hours on the Wii itself and 223 and half hours of total activity. That averaged out to 27 minutes a day.

I think that's pretty cool. The guidelines are 30 minutes a day, about 3 days a week.

So, I'm on target.

When you think about all the days that I didn't get to exercise in the last 16ish months, I'm really rather proud of myself. It says to me that I am making the most of the opportunities when they present themselves.

All I have to do now is keep it up. Ramp it up a little. I know that I tend to slack off some in the heat of summer so today's cooler temperatures were very welcome. I even walked to a meeting today and started planning how many days next week I could walk to work and home again.

I'm still looking for something else to add to the mix. Apparently I need to stretch or something more before I jog because the last few times I've done it have resulted in a painful hip for a few days following.

I am still looking into the ballet but I want to wait until I can reasonably do all 6 weeks. I don't want to get started if I can't give it 100% attendance and effort.

Anyway. Things are looking good.

I'll keep you posted.

Thought for Today

From Denise Austin's newsletter this morning. Wish I had thought of it!


"The road to success has many tempting parking places and rest stops. Just keep going!"
- Denise

How Time Flies

I think this is the longest I've gone without an update. Or at least a note telling you why I haven't updated.

This has been a rough week in the Tanksley household. There was hip and back pain (mine) and a seizure week for Riley. I posted on my other blog under the influence of pain pills on Monday and just hoped for the best. On Wednesday night Riley was back home but was awake and pacing all night long. And I mean that literally. We were so exhausted by Thursday night that I went to bed at 8:30. All of the sudden it is Saturday.

With everything else going on I haven't monitored myself too well this week. That is not necessarily a bad thing since it indicates, at least to me, that I still have my priorities straight.

Family first.

But, I am trying to set a new goal. I think I need one. As I have said before, losing the weight was easy compared to maintaining it. My original goal was 53 pounds. I did hit that, once, and have continued to hover between 48 and 51. But just trying to lose a couple of pounds, while yes it has proved to be challenging, isn't really the goal I need.

On the flip side, I am no longer convinced that I need to hit my "ideal" weight either. My ideal weight is 64 pounds from where I started. Another 14 pounds away.

I honestly think that would be too small. I don't know why I say that except I really think it would be. I look at myself in the mirror and like what I see. Wouldn't mind seeing a little less but I am nothing if not reasonable.

I also know this would entail ramping up the exercise since I can see no way that I can eat less and still be relatively healthy. Your body does have certain needs that have to be met.

So, my first goal will be to determine my next goal. Then I can decide how to work towards it.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Stay tuned!

No Permanent Damage

OK, the verdict came in. I checked with the Wii on Monday - wanted to wait until after my mother-in-law had left the house and after enjoying a post-vacation weekend.

I did gain 2 pounds in the 9 days. Not bad. Especially considering all the factors working against me last week.

As of this morning I had lost 2.9 so I'm actually better off than when I left.

So, here is what I've learned: I can go enjoy myself. I was totally conscious of the choices I was making but I didn't obsess on it the whole time. I was able to have fun and still fall back on the new habits I've developed. I've also learned that I can get back on the program when needed.

I can allow myself the leeway I need, when I need it, and still maintain my healthier lifestyle while out of my regular environment. It may not sound like much but that really is a big deal for me. I tend to be a Type A personality and a feeling of control is a major component. We don't like when things get outside of our comfort zone and we don't feel like we can control the situation. Well, now I know I can.

That is worth almost as much as losing the 2.9 pounds!

I'll Take That To Go

Eating while traveling has to be my biggest challenge. I'm out of my routine. I don't perceive that I have as much control over my choices.

This vacation week has been a rough one. We've eaten dinner at 9:30 and 10 at night (normally doesn't happen past 6 PM) and I think I've eaten more french fries this week than in the last 6 months collectively.

On the plus side, I walked an awful lot. Especially the last two days. During tennis we sat for hours and hours at a time, but climbed a lot of stairs. Yesterday and today we walked miles and miles. Hopefully there will be some offset there.

I'm not looking forward to stepping on the scales this weekend and seeing the damage. But here's the thing. I can't beat myself up. If losing weight or maintaining a lifestyle seems to be a chore then it is work and work isn't fun. The occasional indulgence is needed and necessary.

I just can't make a habit of it.