Category: Healthy Living

  • The OC WarmLine

     

    namioc-logo

     

    I was at the doctor’s office the other day when I saw a card for the OC WarmLine.

    Sponsored by the National Alliance of Mental Illness-Orange County, the WarmLine is staffed by “warm, friendly voices” who can provide help with substance abuse or mental health concerns (including depression), provide referrals for mental health services, and (this is the best part) just listen and talk to the person who is lonely and confused.

    The service is only available to Orange County, California residents.

    The numbers are:

    714-991-6412

    877-910-9276

    Learn more (or live chat with a trained operator) at their website: www.namioc.org

    Remember: if you or someone you love is suicidal, call 911.

     

  • End of Week Two Stats

    It’s been a pretty good week. The weight loss really slowed down (bummer), but I am keeping up with INSANITY and kicking butt. The toe feels fine, but my patellar tendonitis is creeping back. But that’s nothing that a little ice can’t cure.

    Stats:

    Weight – 143.2 (down almost 10 lbs total)

    Wore blue polka-dotted slacks that have been collecting dust – and they fit like a dream. YAY

    Mike is down almost 10 lbs, too. The difference is pretty noticeable. Rock on!

  • End of week one

    Ahhh … the glory of the week one weigh-in. It doesn’t get better than this (really, it doesn’t. Now the weight loss is going to be slooooooooow).

    “Healthy Living” with Mike has been awesome. It makes dieting a million times easier. The first couple of days were rough—you know, the usual headache from less caffeine and knowing that there is no glass of wine waiting at the end of the day,. But the payoff has been more than worth it. I have TONS of energy. Energy is good. I’ve tackled projects that I have been avoiding for months. Ivy out front? Gone! Bad kitchen storage? Fixed!

    Exercise has been great, too. I think it’s a huge part of my success. I see trouble on the horizon, though: I bunion I have just developed is starting to hurt (I feel like my grandma with all of these “old people” problems). Fortunately, I can just do more Les Mills and less Insanity.

    The stats:

    Weight: 145 (down 7.2 lbs!)

    Everything is fitting better!

    Mike’s weigh-in is tomorrow. He probably lost 3 pounds just reading the diet guide. Damn those men.

  • And now for something completely different

    It’s time for a new round of HEALTHY LIVING. (cue game show intro music!)

    It’s been a rough year for me health-wise, and all of the good strides I made last summer died in the exhaustion of a 3-month bout of shingles. Then there were the sinus infections. Followed by the flu. Basically, it sucked, and I was too tired to do the things that I needed to do to maintain.

    But the time for excuses is OVER. And since I’m posting here (for the 3 people who read this blog), I am forcing myself to be accountable in cyberspace.

    So here’s the plan:

    Dump Extraneous Stress! DONE!

    I had to put my MBA aside and push back on a bunch of other projects. And you know what? I am SO much happier. Go figure.

    Exercise!

    I am doing a slightly modified Insanity program. It’s one of my favorite Beachbody workouts and the only workout where I have seen results from day one. I’m mixing it in with my new all-time favorite, Les Mills Combat, because those workouts fire me up. And Dan Cohen is one funny and strong dude.

    Eating Right!

    This has always been my downfall. I can give you every excuse, but now, it’s gonna be different. Why? Because I FINALLY HAVE A PARTNER IN THE HOUSE: My husband Mike. It’s so hard when you are trying to eat right and your well-meaning spouse says “Let’s get Mexican. Don’t worry, I won’t force you to eat …”

    We are following a specific eating plan, but I’m not going to endorse it or talk about it here until I am past week one. But let’s say this: It’s low-carb, low-cal and high energy. And EASY and PORTABLE. Portability is HUGE for me, especially since I have trips to Hawaii (work-related), Louisiana, San Francisco, Seattle and Canada in the next two months. My eventual plan is to go paleo, and this will put me on the right track. (And paleo no-travel-well-eo)

    Last summer, I had great success with the Ultimate Reset. But it’s impossible to take on the road. But if you love to cook and will be home for 21 days straight, give it a shot.

    So here we go!

    Day One Stats:

    • Weight: 152.2 (I am 5-foot-6)
    • Favorite summer shorts: Can’t get up over hips
    • Dress pants: Fasten. Barely. And in a very unflattering manner.

    Goals:

    • Fit comfortably into all summer shorts!
    • Get back to last summer’s weight with muscle tone
    • Feel good in my skin
    • Have visible abs (total life-time goal here)
    I do have to admit: when it comes to my goals, I am pretty lucky. My blood pressure is a steady 90/60 and my cholesterol is in the uber-healthy range. But when my weight is down, my hormones (yeah, I had to go there) are much more balanced and my cycles are kinder and gentler. That’s motivation enough to drop 10 pounds.