Tree of Life

And in the End...............

2010-07-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

Time to say goodbye to this blog too. You can read my last post on 'Swimming in this Sea of Life' by clicking here.

By the way, I reached my goal of being under 200 already by the end of the year. It's unfortunately not due to exercise, but it is due to eating right and being pretty cautious as to what I put into my mouth as it effects not only me, but also my little girl.

Another goal I reached is that I bought myself a pair of heels I have yet to wear. Wait! I take that back, I did wear them out to eat with my hubby on our night out for our anniversary in March. Not sure when they will make a second appearance. LOL

If you would like to follow my adventures of 'mommyhood' at my new blog, email me at the following address:
avecvous at comcast dot come or drop a comment here with your email address and I will send you the link.

I wish you all a wonderful and productive adventure in creating your own Tree of Life to be the healthiest and happiest it can be.

Improvising

2010-04-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

I started into more exercise this week. I have been jonsing to increase my heart rate by running outside or doing the eliptical, but I just haven't gotten around to it. One would think that I would have a lot of time not working, however baby has pretty much taken up most of it. That and laundry, dishes, planning dinner, and cleaning.

While I was on the floor playing with baby one day, I realized I could be doing push ups, plank, leg raises and entertain Didi all at the same time. So during her floor fun time, I improvised and did all of my little exercises right around her and she laughs at me. I would like to get a used bouncy chair for cheap to put in my workout room. That way I can do the eliptical and weights while she sits there and watches me. At this age, she is very good at entertaining herself, just by watching and listening to me.

I weighed myself this weekend, I am hovering around 206. I would love to get under 200, which is ultimately my yearly goal. I would like to get under 200 by summer though. I think if I increase my exercise and not my caloric intake, I can do it and not make my milk supply suffer. She is still getting the goods, since I'm not exactly under weight or anything, I have plenty of spare food sitting on my bod.

Plus I want the energy to keep up with her once she starts crawling and walking. That will be the true test! Exercise makes me feel good and energized, sometimes we all forget this on long days and we just want to sit in front of the TV on the couch. But I tell myself to at least go out for a walk, which always encourages me to want to do more, like a few push ups or crunches. After the pregnancy and the C- Section, I have a lot of core work to catch up on, especially if I want another kid.

One thing that is important to me is to be in better shape for my next pregnancy. I want to start out at a lower weight than I did this one and keep up on exercise because I truly believe that is what helped me recover from the surgery pretty quickly. I also want to possibly avoid getting gestational diabetes again, which I know is not always possible. We'll see though!

Share how you got back into shape or are planning to even if you didn't have a kid. I would love to hear some encouraging and motivating stories as we move deeper into spring and soon into summer!

La Sirena

Exercise, what's that?

2010-03-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

This week I will hit 6 weeks postpartum, which is apparently the magic number when it is ok to start an exercise routine and marital relations. Good timing, since it's our 3 year anniversary this week. Ha!

Not that caring for a baby isn't exercise itself, we've been taking about 4 walks per week and carrying around ten extra pounds everywhere is building my arms a little. I would like to start adding in weights for my arms and core strengthening, since I am Flabby McFlabsters. One postpartum yoga session would also be awesome. I'm not up for any cardio just yet, but when I am, I would like to do a video like boxing or dancing, something fun before I start running again.

My starting weight when I got pregnant was around 212. I gained up to 238. I am now at 208, just weighed myself today. I would like to thank my friend Breast Feeding for this weight loss, since it burns 500 calories a day. I am trying to eat really well, especially to supply baby with the best nutrients. I had to cut out all dairy because of baby's intolerance, looks like I might be cutting out corn too, since it seems she is also sensitive to that. I did a test for it this weekend. Ugh! Oh well, it's just til she's 6 months old then I can try them again when her digestive track is more matured.

Here's to a great spring week and hoping I can get some aforementioned exercises in between feedings, napping, and dirty diapers......LOL

Healing

2010-02-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

Didi Love is one week old today! I haven't had time or energy to update any blogs until today. Dan is napping with the tadpole on the couch right now. It has been a crazy, wild, and beautiful ride, let me tell you. I will be sharing the birth story, however we all have more healing to do, both physically and emotionally. Didi is doing amazing. She is so beyond wonderful, so beyond my hopes and dreams, so beyond any star in this universe I may have ever reached out to touch. I love her and Dan, my little family, beyond words.

Along this healing path, I had a bit of a scare last night. Not with the baby, but with myself. I have pushing it way too hard, getting up improperly, not eating right, not drinking enough, not napping or sleeping, etc. I have been doing too much, when I should be resting and recovering. I've been experiencing a sharp pain in the left side of my incision. It was on the top of pain scale where all I wanted to do was cry and lay there. I could barely nurse Didi. This was coupled with the constipation which was caused by the epidural shutting down all of my organs. The hard stools are building and hurting my insides a lot.

Anyway, so last night I got up to go to the bathroom and the pain meds were not helping at all. I sat down and some blood starting flowing out, I thought it was a lot, but when I spoke with the nurse this morning, she said it was normal and I could bleed for up to 6 weeks, be it a vaginal delivery or a C-Section. However, I got the chills so bad, it felt like knives cutting through my body and breasts. I got back into bed and my violent shaking woke up Dan. We spent the next three hours trying to recover. It was scary. However I don't think it's an infection or anything because my temperature is fine and the incision still looks good. It was a combo of fear, pain, guilt, exhaustion, etc.

I spoke to the nurse this morning and she said it sounds like I am not drink enough fluids. I am dehydrated and that is causing hard stools, pain, more blood from pushing on my surgery area and uterus. When you breast feed, your body puts all essential nutrients and fluids in the milk first and then in your body. Well, I was not treating my body very well, just getting enough for my baby girl. I took a step back and said I HAVE to slow down, rest, eat, and drink a TON more water. It was so scary last night and this morning that Dan called into work to stay with me today. I am soooo beyond thankful for that. He is such a wonderful, dedicated, hard working, loving, supportive husband, I have no idea what I would do without him. He has made me meals, brought water, covered me in blankets, changed all dirty diapers, ran errands, and is now napping on the couch with Miss Didi. It was also an extremely long night for him, caring for both his girls.

It's just hard because I don't have much help during the week days. It takes a good two weeks to even heal slightly from this surgery. I'm not allowed to drive for two weeks, which I wouldn't want to on pain meds and feeling this way. There is so much to share with everyone and I am looking forward to coming back on here. It is very therapeutic for me to write, be it if anyone reads it or not.

I'll get through it. If I can labor for two days on all types of induction drugs then go into surgery, I can endure a little bit of pain.

La Sirena and the sweet one week old Tadpole

Just a quick update

2010-02-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update. They decided to induce a day early. Baby's fluid was low and the measurement is big. They think she will be about 9.5 lbs. Here's hoping for the best. More info to come soon!

Send blessings our way~ La Sirena and Baby Tadpole

40 Weeks - Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

I am officially past my due date now, 40 weeks. Some believe that labor starts because the baby releases a hormone indicating to your body that she is ready to come out. So far that has not been the case with this baby. We went to Estes yesterday to try to get things going again. We walked about three miles at the lake, went and had a greasy lunch, then went downtown to get our mountain cookies. My uterus did get hard quit a few times, but nothing in regular intervals. I never thought I would say this, but I welcomed the pain. I welcomed the tightening and the small back aches, thinking this could be it and that we would be kissing baby's tiny face soon. All the way down the mountain, it felt tight, then would release. Plus baby was on my cervix practically all day.

We got home and relaxed and the tightening kind of faded. I had my pot of raspberry red leaf tea and it was gone completely. I actually slept amazingly well last night. Every time I get up to pee or do something in the house, my pelvis feels fuller and like she is just hanging on in there. She's not moving as much, mostly after dinner until bedtime these days. I know she barely has any room though. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday morning for yet another non stress test. She's going to check me once again and then we're discussing the induction for Wednesday. She said it's been super busy there so maybe it will be Wednesday, we'll see.

We woke up to snow this morning, maybe about two or three inches. Now the sun's out and it is beautiful. My boobs kind of hurt, so I can tell the pressure is heavier than normal - which is said to bring babies.....not mine though. She's super comfy in there. I'm trying to decide what to do today. Every weekend I have been running errands, cleaning, walking, chores, etc. My mom is up in Ft Collins getting in some time with my other sister, so I kind of have the day to myself. One part of me just wants to go back to bed for a while and read my book, then watch a movie and lay on the couch. Another part of me wants to sew something, emboss a few cards, and then clean a few rooms. I can't decide if I should expend or save my energy at this point. Maybe I should do both. Maybe I should cut the pattern for my skirt, make the cards, then take a nap, then clean. Hmmm. I don't know.

To all a beautiful love filled Valentine's Day.
La Sirena and Baby Tadpole

Due Day

2010-02-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today or yesterday would have been a great day for a birthday, the numbers are very appealing. However, baby and universe are not yet ready to meet and I need to trust that. My due date is today, which is great, however first born babies usually come late. All fine and dandy, but I’m under two pressures at this point. First, with my diagnosis of gestational diabetes, they don’t want me to go over more than like three days. Second, my mom is coming on 2/11 and she has to leave 2/23, so of course I want ample time with her and baby. So if I don’t go into labor, it will be a race for induction to meet both deadlines. Ugh!

All of my being is hoping to go into natural labor. Of course, this is the ideal situation. This is what I want to experience. I hate the thought of being chemically induced. I want to wait 41.5 weeks before that would be an option, but mom would be gone on the day they would agree to that (which the doctor would never agree to that). There are several reasons I do not want a chemically induced labor, which scare me. If I am not effaced enough, they will use a pill called Cytotec which has been proven to cause plancenta previa and hemorrhaging (not in all cases of course). I asked my doctor for other choices, because there are, such as prostaglandin gel (this is similar to evening primrose oil and what is found in semen). She skirted answering the question. After the cervix is effaced enough, they would chemically induce with Pitocin. Pitocin is a chemical replica of Oxytocin, the natural hormone in a woman's body that cause contractions.

It is very hard to have a natural labor on pitocin because you are continuously hooked to an IV, an external fetal monitor, and contraction monitor. Pitocin also makes the contractions harder, faster, and closer together compared to natural contractions. You are forced to stay in the bed and do not have freedom of movement. Not having the freedom of movement and the use of water makes it very hard for a woman that was planning natural childbirth to deal with the pain and about 90% end up with an epidural. Then you end up with a catheter and no feeling from the waste down, which effects baby and stunts the breastfeeding from the start. Most babies born under epidural or C-Section end up having breastfeeding problems, not all, but most. I brought all of this up with my doctor and she didn't agree with me and didn't offer any explanation as to why. I was the one with the research in hand. Anyway, she said I would have use of the birth ball and walking in the room, but I didn't believe her.

There are other issues with the use of pitocin. It increase the risk for a C-Section. Due to the contractions being harder and stronger, there have been cases of the placenta separating from the uterus wall before the baby is born, causing heavy bleeding and fetal distress. The baby is also more likely to have a bowel movement in utero, which can also cause distress and complications after birth. Then the baby would be taken away from us and put in ICU. There would be NO bonding time, NO breastfeeding time, nothing. That makes me sad to think about. There is also a chance of fetal distress due to lack of oxygen because of the harder and stronger contractions with no break or intervals like in natural birth, hence the continuous fetal monitoring. The situation usually ends in a C-Section.

Oh so many things to think about. Like my hubby pointed out, sometimes it feels like we're preparing for war. Seriously, we have taken almost no time to realize and daydream about the new life we are bringing into this world. It feels like it has been all preparation and now the questions we ask ourselves of "How and will Sirena go into labor? What will baby's birth story be to share? Will we be prepared? What will be suggested?" So many questions. It's the interventions that are scary, the unknown and what someone will try to do or suggest that we may not be comfortable with. Ultimately, I am in charge of my own body and make my own decisions, I also have great advocates with me that know me and the situation at hand: Hubby Dan and Doula Michelle. I also have a great support team, Mom and Hil and Aunt Pat. Sometimes I wonder though: Is ignorance truly bliss? Maybe I know too much at this point.

I am trying to find a good balance in all of this and hopefully there will be good news today at my appointment. I am more and more excited to see my little baby and hold her and love her. That's what matters. Dan and I will be there for her, no matter what path this labor takes. As long as she feels our love and a connection, we will be there. I have an appointment today, if I am dilated and effaced enough they will try a natural labor induction. It is sweeping of the membranes. It's when the doctor will push the bag of waters away from the cervix and sweep the mucus plug. If the body agrees and is ready, I should go into labor within 24 - 48 hours. This sounds like a much less invasive way to start labor. I've also tried walking a lot. Saturday I did 5.5 miles, Tuesday and Wednesday night I did 3.5 miles each. Hopefully this has brought baby down and effaced me and dilated me more. I have had a few contractions in the past three days, but just braxton hicks.

Well, I am off. Wish me luck, I will post an update this afternoon..................

La Sirena and Baby Tadpole

39 Weeks and the worst heartburn ever

2010-02-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

I officially can't stand the heartburn anymore. No seriously, I have like three Tums a day, but I want way more than that. I don't even know what to do, sometimes I just want to cry. Thankfully I have only experienced this extreme of heartburn the past two and half weeks, some women have it a lot longer. This being my 39th week, my due date is 2/11, however since the doctor's office goes Sunday to Sunday, they have my due date as 2/14. So technically, my full 40th week would end on 2/18 (or 2/21 per the doctor's office). Since I have gestational diabetes, they will check me on 2/11 and if I am dilated enough, they will scrape my membranes, which should naturally induce labor. If I am not dilated enough, they will chemically induce the week of 2/14 (cringe).

I do not believe in induction until at least the 41st week is through. I think babies know when it is right to enter the world and I trust that my body knows when it is right too, however I also don't want to put her under any stress that is not warranted. I have to go twice a week to these non-stress tests, which keep showing me and the doctor that she is perfectly fine. Everything is coming along, I mean I haven't even gone over the due the date yet. However the doctor does think she will be big by next week, like 9.5 lbs. But if you look online, a 'normal' size baby is considered anywhere from 7.5 - 9.5 lbs, so I am not worried.

I am ok with them checking me this Thursday and scraping membranes. I feel kind of pressured to let them do it, because my mom is coming in and she only has a certain amount of days she can stay and we surely could use her help once baby is here. I'm ok with the natural induction, but if I am not dilated enough, I just know what's coming the next week and it's not going to be fun. It will be sometime the week of 2/14, they will decide on a date this Thursday. It makes me sad that some doctor should be able to choose my baby's birthdate, it goes against the laws of the universe, I so highly and rightly believe in. Or maybe the universe is speaking through the doctor? I don't know, it's too much to think about really and too sad.

This past Saturday I walked 5.5 miles. I would do this every evening, but now since the snow decided to show up, there's no chance of walking outside. Ugh! It doesn't snow for almost two months and then when I need the sidewalks to be clear and the temp to be warm, it decided to snow non stop for two days!! Darn it!! I'm going to look up some stuff on doing the eliptical, maybe that would help? I just don't think it is as good as walking because it is so low impact and walking would really help my hips. I guess anything helps though.

Swimming in this sea of life,
La Sirena and baby tadpole

I Caved

2010-02-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

I had my second doctor's appointment this week. It went ok, baby is not active in the mornings, so it takes a long time on those NST tests. On Monday the doctoer asked if I wanted to be checked and I declined. But today, since I wasn't feeling well the last couple of days, I was interested to see maybe if something was happening. She checked and really there is not much happening. There is a slight bit of progress. I am about 33% effaced, which is the thinning of the cervix. I am 1cm dilated, which it needs to be 10cm in order to have the baby. Then baby is at stage -2. This one is a bit harder to explain. Baby is dropping from being high, to being in the pelvis. At stage -3, it means she is technically not dropped, the uterus is still high in the body. So -2 is a progress, even though it feels like she is literally in my cervix and about to fall out at night. The stages go -3, -2, -1, 0, 1,2,3, you can guess what the 1,2,3 are, she is in the pelvis and crowning.

I called and let my mom know because she was planning on coming out this Saturday. Well, doctor said it could be 2 weeks. Everything looks fine, she's coming along nicely. I'm thinking my mom should change her ticket to Saturday 2/13 now, since she can only stay two weeks, what if I had the baby on 2/15? That would stink to only have mom there for a few days to help. Plus I'll be working the entire time she is here if I don't have the baby, because I don't have any days to just take off. I have to work right up to "go time". Then baby comes and I am off work for 12 weeks.

Babies come when they want to, when the time is right. We'll see!
La Sirena and cozy Tadpole

38 Weeks

2010-01-31T08:13:00.000-08:00

38 weeks, baby is now considered fully developed. Well her lungs are still developing, but if she was born, they would most likely function. I'm kind of down today. The pain my groin is gone. She feels as if she's gone back up, like when she was sitting low in the pelvis, she decided "hmm, maybe being on mama's stomach is more fun, I don't feel like coming out anytime soon." The heart burn has been almost unbearable. I had three tums and two fizzy waters yesterday.

I thought maybe my cervix would be dilating now, but the major signs are not there. The mucus plug I have not yet lost and there is no pinkish bloody show. I thought with all these induction things, there would be some progress. Nope. Nothing. I no longer feel like I've done a ton of squats and my bladder is not so squished. So weird. Well, I'll just keep on keeping on with the tonics and oils and other fun things I shouldn't mention. LOL

Yesterday was a lot of fun. We went to Estes Park, walked around town, ate at a nice place, walked around The Stanley Hotel and drank tea and coffee on their front deck. Here are a few pics to share.

Today we're headed to Costco to stock up on food items. We bought this freezer and will be filling it so that we are good for at least a month of staple items like meats and breads and things. We can always run to the store to get milk, yogurt, eggs, etc.......

We're also going to a Motherhood Maternity store for me to check out the nursing bras (which is no fun, blah!). Then maybe we'll hit up Target to get some essentials for baby that we have not yet bought.

I'll keep you updated:)
La Sirena and Baby Tadpole

Headin' to the Mountains

2010-01-30T05:42:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am, 6:30 on a Saturday morning. I couldn't sleep anymore. I had a horrible nightmare, then I turned in bed and I thought my bladder had been torn out. Baby is getting way lower and every turn in bed is a huge challenge. It feels like I have been doing a thousand squats, when in fact I've only done like two to change the laundry from the washer to the dryer. I read that this feeling is a good sign that she is dropping into the pelvis.

Yesterday I felt her feet in my left ribs for the first time. I think she may be turning around, for optimal positioning, she should be facing my spine with her back against my bellybutton. She is definitely running out of room and I am ready to meet her. It's hard to believe I won't be pregnant in two weeks, or a little longer if they let me go past 40 weeks. I don't know, I can now see why most women don't want to wait any longer. I mean, I know we should let her come when she's ready, but what about when I'm ready? Ha!

We're driving up to Estes Park today, the weather is supposed to be beautiful. There is this nice public lake in town and they have trails around it, I would like to hop onto that and get some walking in. Then we are thinking of eating at The Stanley Hotel for lunch. For all my years I've lived in CO and visited Estes Park, I've never ventured over to this famous hotel. The dining experience is pretty pricey, but we're celebrating. We're celebrating our last dinner together as a twosome and also it's our 12 year anniversary together on Sunday.

The full moon was absolutely gorgeous last night! It was considered a Perigee Moon, the largest and brightest and clostest moon we will see in 2010. Mars was also straight in alignment with Earth and the Sun and was therefore at its brightest too. You couldn't miss it, it was bright orange and beautiful. Jupiter's moons were also visible yesterday evening as they were in straight alignment with that planet and the sun. Geesh, with all these planets in alignment, I would think a baby would want to be born. But then again, maybe not yet. I did have a talk with her and said I would like for her to have a February birthday, but come anytime sweet little tadpole.

Let's see, other signs of labor approaching. I feel her knockin' at the door sometimes, she's been rubbing up against the cervix, which is a strange feeling. Then I've had some nausea and loose stools. I've had a ton of energy and I've been 'nesting' a little bit. I haven't done any cleaning, haven't had that urge and to tell you the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if that urge never came. I don't mind cleaning, but really, come on. My urge has been to bake things, breads, brownies, cookies. It's crazy.

It's about seven in the morning now, I've eaten breakfast and I guess I'll go shower, maybe that will wake hubby. I got up so early, when I was getting my robe, he asked "Are you ok? Is everything ok?" I think he thought I was in labor. I answered "yes, I'm fine, but I'm starving and my bladder hurts." Which is my typical morning.....LOL

To all a perigee weekend filled with planet alignments and good energy,
La Sirena and Soon to be Born Tadpole

37 Weeks

2010-01-25T18:40:00.000-08:00

Yep, I'm still here, 37 weeks along. After this week, the baby will be considered fully developed at 38 weeks. It's a big milestone in case I go into labor early, they don't mind babies being born after 38 weeks. My doula Michelle gave me some things to do in order to prepare for labor. These things should only be done after 36 weeks gestation. They will encourage labor and optimal fetal positioning - meaning head down and facing backwards for the birth. I'm working on inducing my own labor because from what the doctor described, being induced in the hospital seems like a bit of a nightmare.

1) Evening Primrose Oil, 500 mg twice a day, by mouth - this oil is full of prostaglandins, which readies the cervix for labor. These prostaglandins are also found in semen, that is why sex is very good for inducing labor also.
2) Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, 4 cups per day - this is a uterine tonic, which was used by Native Americans to help the uterus 'focus' on contractions. It is also used after the birth to help tone the uterus down to it's normal size. It tastes delicious and can also be used for menstration, because it helps with the pain.
3) Nipple stimulation, only one at a time as this is very effective, especially when you are contracting. It can help regulate contractions if they are sporadic.

If none of these work to induce labor there are other things like acupuncture, massage of pressure points, sweeping or stretching of the membranes, chiropractic care, and castor oil. If I'm not in labor in about a week and a half, I will resort to these other methods. They tend to be a bit more effective.........

I'm hoping the full moon will work it's magic this weekend. Everyone keep me in mind, send good energies.

La Sirena and Tadpole

Ultrasounds, NSTs, and Cravings

2010-01-21T18:06:00.000-08:00

I am finally done with my two appointments this week. Phewwy! Monday we had a 36 week ultrasound and it was so sweet. She is head down, actually her head is in my right hip, she needs to move a bit more to the middle, but they said her positioning is good. Per her measurements, they are estimating her to be about 7.5 lbs right now. So they think she will be about 9 lbs at 40 weeks. Which is doable, both my mom and Dan's mom birthed larger babies. I am confident I can. I am also confident that these 'measurements' aren't always right. Here are a couple sweet pictures to share.....

I had my first non-stress test on Monday after the ultrasound. I sat in a fake leather recliner with two belts strapped to my stomach. One is a doppler to measure the baby's heart beat and the other one measures contractions. I wasn't having contractions so that line was straight. The baby was very active on Monday, so she was all over the place. The read out was fine, what they are looking for is a base heartbeat, which her's was hovering around 145 and then when she moves, they want the heartbeat to shoot up about 15 points to 160, which it did.

Today was a different story. First of all, they called me in about 2 hours early because the scheduler accidently scheduled me only with the nurse practioner through my delivery. The doctor noticed this and had to change all of my appointments......again. Anywho, I got there and they strapped me to that machine for an hour! ONE HOUR! I was so fed up by the end. Baby was quiet today, just moving around ever so often, but I watched that monitor and saw every heart beat. I knew it was moving around fine. I think they did that because the doctor was too busy to come in, so they used the baby as an excuse to keep me waiting. Well, I complained (I was having back pain - first time in my pregnancy). It was because I wasn't allowed to move around, I was laying on my back and I had to go to the bathroom really bad.

I used the restroom and then they wanted to do a Group B Strep Test. Read about those here. Every woman has them now and I find out the results on Monday. If I have it, I have to start antibiotics or I won't be allowed to birth vaginally - just another lame intervention. As my mom stated tonight "how the hell did the human race survive if they keep coming up with all these tests?!". After that the doctor finally came in and we talked about induction, she said she doesn't want me to go past 41 weeks, which is different from what they told me Monday. They said they didn't want me to go past 39 weeks, not sure what happened in two days for them to change their mind. Then we discussed my birth plan. She was pretty open to it, except for a few things.

For the birth of the baby, she likes to have the cord cut kind of fast. I told her I want it to stop pulsing because I want to make sure the baby has all of those nutrients and blood being cut from the placenta. She was very hesitant about it. Then she said it is standard protocol to put a woman on pitocin to deliver the placenta and to massage the uterus. I said no, it is stated on my birth plan, no pitocin and no massage unless I am hemorrhaging and it is medically necessary. She said to remind her because it is her routine and she may forget. I told her that's why I have an awesome Doula, she'll be reminding her of many many things.

Other than that, it looked pretty good to her. We'll see how it goes. I just REALLY REALLY don't want to be induced, then I'll be stuck to monitors and IVs and machines and have no freedom of movement. I want this to happen naturally, so I am hoping with the full moon on the weekend of January 30th, every push their energies towards me, imagine me in labor. Full moons effect labor because we humans are made up of about 80% water and baby is floating around in water - therefore my body should create a tide and the water could break, throwing me into labor. Read more information here if interested. Of course this doesn't always happen, but I am hoping so! I think a birthday of 2-1-2010 or 2-2-2010 would be awesome numbers wise. More on natural labor on the full moon weekend.

I've been craving milk products a lot lately. I almost can't get enough milk and I want to eat whole blocks of cheese, which is not good for the bowels. It's kind of weird, I would think I should be craving red meat or something. I've also wanted brownies and sweet things, which I am not indulging in.....ok maybe I made some brownies two weeks ago, but I'm sticking with my dark chocolate and oatmeal Kashi cookies to fulfill my sweet tooth. I confess though, last night I made chocolate milk and it was delicious.

To all a Happy Friday, TGIF tomorrow!
La Sirena and the not so tiny tadpole

36 weeks

2010-01-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

Even though I don't feel like paying for an extra ultrasound (insurance doesn't cover them), I'm excited to go tomorrow. They want me to have one to see were baby might be weight wise because of my gestational diabetes. They also want to measure the amniotic fluid and check on the viability and placement of the placenta. I also get to find out what position she is in, head down, feet first, or transverse. I have no idea, I mean I feel her move all over and can't tell if it's a foot, arm, elbow, butt, or head. I know they can change positions in these next weeks, I'm just excited to get to know now. Also baby's face should not be as skeletal and creepy looking at this point. She should have fat on her and look very close to what she'll look like at birth.

Here's some info on 36 weeks. I also have my non stress test on Thursday. Thank god my laptop came in at work. I have to test it at home today to make sure everything connects because I'll be using that a lot so I don't have to drive as much, plus it will be nice when it snows.

There are still things hanging over my head that have to get completed soon. Pediatrician interviews, hospital bag / list, songs on Ipod, belly cast, henna belly, copies of insurance cards, important numbers and birth plan. I still don't have a nursing bra, but really, I could care less about that at this time. I'll get that when I can. I'll deal if baby comes and I don't have it. But the other stuff has to be done before baby greets us.

It's time for walk with the hubby and Jorge. To all a great week!
La Sirena and tiny tadpole

35 weeks, time to pack the bag!

2010-01-10T11:06:00.000-08:00

I've hit 35 weeks and now it's time to make the hospital list to pack the bag! Ok, not everything will go in the bag right away, but at least we will have a list of what to bring. This week, we're also ordering our starter set of cloth diapers. We're not sure what size she will be, but I'm thinking newborn diapers may be too small to start. At least we have a pretty good supply of those from the parties to get started if she does need them. Along with the cloth diapers, we're order 2 pail liners, 2 wet bags for transport when we travel, and a toilet sprayer all from Living Earth Babies. We decided on the pocket one size diapers from Live Gro Baby and a set from Rocky Mountain Diapers. That will give us a good start and once we know which kind work best, we will order more.

This week I will also attend a La Leche meeting in town. My doula recommended I go before I deliver and so did the leader when I called her. She said it is a good opportunity to hear the discussions, get advice prior to starting breastfeeding, and meet some moms around town.

Dan put together the stroller last night and I LOVE it. It has an MP3 hook up with tiny hidden speakers and even a pedometer! Thank you Adrienne for getting that for us, it is going to be awesome! We just a few more essentials to get like bedding and the care seat. Everything else we'll improvise.

Baby is super active today rolling around, kicking, squirming. I can feel her go down to my cervix sometimes, seems scratchy. Maybe she wants to come out?! Ha! No, she's got to stay in there for at least three more weeks. I promised a look at the birth plan. This is what we will give to the doctor and the hospital once we arrive. It's not always followed, however it's good to have your wishes displayed. I am making an artistic frame to put around it. One will be hung on the hospital door and one will be hung in the room. We're pretty sure this is finalized, however it we are advised of any more curve balls in the future (i.e. your baby is currently breech), then it may change a bit.

Mother & Father: Sirena & Dan

Doula: Michelle

Support: Hilary

Doctor: Dr. Amy Johnson – Full Circle Health

First Stage:

Natural child birth, please make no offers of medication unless medically necessary

Limit vaginal exams, please advise Doula Michelle of progress, she will advise Sirena and Dan

Sirena able to move and change positions (i.e. tub, shower, ball, bed, squat bar, etc.)

Minimal external fetal monitoring – Sirena would like freedom of movement to relax

Relaxed and quiet birthing environment, dimly lit, only essential staff present

Prefer no I.V., Hep-lock is fine, if necessary

Coaches and support with Sirena the entire time

Second Stage:

Would like to use squat bar for pushing, would like chance to change positions if necessary

Guidance during pushing stage, warm compresses, massage, in order to avoid tearing and especially avoiding an episiotomy

Baby placed on Sirena’s chest immediately after birth

Umbilical cord remain intact for at least 15 – 20 minutes or until stops pulsating

Dan will cut the cord

Family bonding time for at least 45 minutes after birth before non-essential newborn procedures are performed (weight, length, bathing, eye drops, Vitamin K shot, etc)

Third Stage:

Spontaneous delivery of the placenta, without the use of pitocin, massage, pushing, pulling, etc. Unless pitocin is medically necessary and discussed with the family first.

Placenta to be placed on art paper to make a ‘print’. We would like to take the placenta with us when we leave the hospital

Baby Care:

Please perform all newborn evaluations / procedures in the room with us

Please do not give baby formula or glucose water unless discussed with the family as she is to be exclusively breastfed

Breastfeed immediately after birth before any newborn procedures are performed

Medical Assistance may be offered when necessary:

Pitocin, Epidural

C- Section (If necessary, one coach will stay with Sirena and one coach will go with baby. All newborn procedures mentioned will remain the same as requested)

Episiotomy (Sirena would rather tear naturally and avoid episiotomy. Would like to use massage, warm compress, pushing guidance if possible. If necessary, she prefer’s pressure episiotomy.)

Pregnancy Dreams and Birth Centers

2010-01-09T18:07:00.001-08:00

Well, my sister Stef is taking care of my pregnancy dreams for me. I've only had one and it was of breastfeeding the little one. Stef on the other hand has had three now. I think she's somehow psychically connected to the tadpole because her due date is on Stef's birthday 2-11-10. The first dream, she was holding the baby while visiting with some of her friends. She told her friends that this is her grandma over and over. This is very striking to me because I've had these feeling of a connection all along that grandma is channeling through. We are going to name her Didi, loosely based off grandma's name Dolores, everyone called her Dee and Deedee is also a shortened version. Plus grandma's birthday was 2-22, another February connection.

The second dream, Stef was hanging out with our grandpa who just passed away in August. Grandpa told her that he wanted to get a tattoo - which is kind of crazy for our gramps because he didn't have any. When they went to the tattoo parlor, he got a tattoo, I think she said on his arm. Guess what is said? It was my grandma's name "Dolores H". So crazy, these dreams happened two days in a row.

So then tonight Stef told me about a dream she had last night. I was giving birth in a driveway and also laboring in a basement. The driveway she said had a bunch of candles, everyone was lighting them for the birth. This is significant because my other sister Hil had put together these great little baby shower gifts with candles and asked everyone to light them once they find out I am in labor. The basement connection is also meaningful in the fact that I was planning on laboring in my basement room first. This room is very calming to me, it's where I workout, do yoga and meditate. I have a glowing salt rock and incense down there. The funny part is, she mentioned me hanging from a bar and I was telling her that it is good for labor, bringing the baby down. That's interesting, because Dan's chin up bar is in there and sometimes I hang from it to stretch. Hanging from a rope or a bar is a very ancient and primal birthing position. Some cultures still use it and actually the birth center I visited today had a hanging swing / rope to labor from.

This leads me into my visit today. I had to get a different perspective on this whole gestational diabetes situation. I sort of knew about this birth center in south Denver. In the beginning, I was semi-considering it, but it's an hour drive from my home and I wanted something a little closer, just in case. However this weekend, Dan and I decided to go as perspective clients and do the tour and ask questions. I didn't want to necessarily birth there, I just wanted a second opinion on how someplace else viewed gestational diabetes. During the tour, I asked them what they considered high risk, because they will not allow high risk births here. Guess what? They said gestational diabetes first. My heart sank. Yep, apparently, this is a bigger deal than I thought it was. I was a bit crushed, but I was also a bit relieved to find out that maybe I should give my doctor a little more trust. Maybe I'm not just being victimized by the insurance companies wanting money for all these tests.

It's just such a hard balance because no one wants to be labeled. So there you have it. No birth centers for me, they won't even allow a second baby to be birthed there if the first was GD. There is one more place I am going to visit next week. It is in Boulder and the doctor is in network with my insurance. The doctor is the head of a nurse midwives center, which is in the hospital. I'm going to try to get an appointment, show them my file and just say I want a second opinion. If they are of the same opinion that all of these tests and things are necessary and they would do the same, then I will stay with my current doctor. If they treat it differently and advise the numerous bi-weekly tests are not necessary, then I will switch to them. Yes, it will probably be an insurance nightmare, but it would be worth it for peace of mind.

I think the best thing a woman can do is educate herself and seek knowledge. Always feel free to get a second opinion. It's worth it, even if you are wrong in your perspective, as I learned today. That GD is something to be somewhat concerned about. Apparently, there are other places, even free standing birth centers that feel it is too high risk to take on the birth. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm being shoveled in the C-Section room next week by my current provider. I know two women that had GD, used my same doctor, and they both birthed naturally normal sized babies. There is hope, there is just a little more caution used.

34 Weeks

2010-01-06T15:43:00.001-08:00

It is snowing here and I just got back from my appointment. Blood pressure, weight, fundus, everything looks great. They are going to start making me come in starting at my 36 week mark twice a week for this thing called a Non-Stress Test. This test is where you sit for 30 minutes strapped to a monitor while they listen to the baby's heartbeat while it moves. Um, yah, the doctor said it is just to make sure everything is ok since I have this high risk diagnosis of gestational diabetes. In the same breathe, I asked her "where would you say I am in the scheme of things with this GD?" Where she stated " Oh your numbers are normal, looking good, nothing wrong".

Then why the hell do I have to STRESS myself out trying to come in twice a week, rearrange my work schedule for these damn NSTs? Well, they scheduled them, but that doesn't mean I'm going. They are not covered under the Global Pregnancy Fee, nor are ultrasounds and my insurance doesn't cover any of it. Hear that? They cover nothing and at $72 twice a week, plus one more U/S for $500 for a total of four weeks, plus $70 for 100 blood glucose strips when I have to test 4 times a day (I've already spent $140 on these), yep, that makes baby unaffordable. Maybe Dan and I should consider adoption so that we can afford to pay all these frickin' bills? All of the fun is being sucked right out of being pregnant and having a baby. I need to look into different options for the second kid, like a midwife and a birth center. I'm done with this damn hospital doctor shit.

Again, like I said, that doesn't mean I have to go in to these appointments. I know I'll feel guilty if I don't, but there is NOTHING wrong and they say one thing (your great! everything lookin' right on track!) and do another (We fear your baby is in distress, you have to come twice a week to get these non stress tests, strapped to a machine for 30 harrowing minutes, hoping they say she isn't dead). Anyway, I'm just super stressed out, once again, and as they were standing there scheduling my appointments I started balling my eyes out. What do you expect from an eight month pregnant woman on a snowy day having mood swings? They deserved that show for sure.

I've asked about my laptop at work, it is so essential now that I get it by my 36th week mark because there is no way I can keep driving back and forth, changing around my schedule, trying to fit 40 hours a week in. It is really really wearing me out. If I had my laptop, I could work from home. It is starting to piss me off. Tomorrow, I'm telling my boss about all these new appointments and we'll see what she has to say then.

Other than that, I am feeling great physically, just a little more tired, a little nausea, my hands are tingly, but nothing adverse going on. I am still doing the eliptical and walking when it's not freezing and snowy out. Baby is moving great. We have a meeting with the doula tonight. I don't really feel up to it, I'm going to have to tell her everything. Wish I could just send her an email instead. Here is a picture at 34 weeks.

33 Weeks

2009-12-30T08:02:00.000-08:00

I love numbers like 33, 333, 22, 222, 11, 111. They have been showing up in my life since I got pregnant. So much so, that I noticed the pattern and looked up what it meant. Here is some information on seeing repetitive numbers. I used to see them repeated 111, 222, 333, 444, 555, all the way through 999, but now it’s more only 111 through 555. I just say there’s a higher power watching over me during this time and this is the way the universe is communicating to me. I used to be freaked out about how many times I saw these numbers – once or twice every hour all day until bedtime, however now I am comforted by it.

I’ve been pretty lucky so far in the fact that I haven’t had to deal with too many bad symptoms of pregnancy. I’m in my third trimester and have had minimal swelling. The worst has been at the end of the day, I have some sock lines, but thank god no cankles yet. My right hand has been tingly all day for the past three or four days. I believe it is pregnancy induced carpal tunnel, information can be found here. The past couple nights my hips have been hurting again. That hormone Relaxin must be in overdrive again, like in the second semester for a week or two. The pubic bone should be separating and the hip bones widening in order for baby to come down and begin her decent. The pain goes away eventually, or at least I hope it will this time too. I toss and turn all night trying to find a comfortable position. I had a lot of perineum pain last week, it felt like a charley horse in the girly parts. I touched that muscle and it was super super tight, like it would just pull apart any second. I thought “how the hell am I supposed to relax this muscle enough not to tear when birthing?” I looked online and found women with the same issues, it just meant baby is getting a bit lower and causing some pressure on the girly parts.

I took an Epsom Salt bath about three days in a row, that helped with the pain a lot. Then sexual relations helps keep everything loose down there, it massages the perineum (sorry, TMI, but it all comes with the package). We’re going to start with the real perineum massage around 37 weeks to start loosening the area. Ugh, I know, it’s gross, but it’s better than having a giant tear in your va-jay-jay, right? Anywho, not many other symptoms going on. I starting taking Glyburide about a week ago, it has pushed my numbers from 130’s to 80’s and 90’s in the morning. I hope they’re frickin’ satisified.

My appointment yesterday went well. I am measuring 34 cm on the fundus (pubic bone to top of uterus) and I am 33 weeks three days along, so the measurement is pretty much right on track. Next week they want me to start the Non-Stress Test, which is when you sit for 20 minutes in the office strapped to a belt that measures the baby’s heart beat and movements. Sounds like a ton of fun to me, NOT. I really don’t think it is necessary this early. I am going to suggest to them to wait two more weeks because there is no need. I am measuring great, blood pressure is great, weight gain is great, baby’s movement is great, the only thing they are concerned about is the gestational diabetes. Actually, to tell you a little secret, if I don’t remind them what the appointment is for each time, they forget and never ask. It’s like they don’t write this stuff down. The nurse actually told me yesterday “make sure you remember to tell them next week to start your non-stress tests”. Well, sorry I won’t because I believe if it’s that important then they should write it in the file and remember it themselves. Right?

Tea Parties and Diaper Demos

2009-12-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, my Aunt and Sister held a tea party baby shower for me at the Hilltop Inn. They have full tea service, where we got to try a couple different teas, enjoyed home made scones with jam and cream and little finger sandwiches and sweets. It was so delicious. I had NEVER had scones like that, especially with the jam and cream. My friend Adrienne was in town visiting from Portland, ME and she pointed out this cream at a specialty cheese store here in town. I think it was called Devonshire cream. I have to get some for Christmas day morning. I have this yummy pastry I'm going to bake and I think it will go perfect with it.

Anywho, back to the party. We all dressed up like proper english ladies. Here are a few fotos.

The table was all set. I would love to get a tea set, there is one in northern Germany called "Rot Dresmer". It is a very popular tea set that many families use there. You wouldn't think it, but northern Germany is pretty well known for their teas and service too.

Check out that hat! Hil hand sewed tiny pacifiers and pink clothes pins all over it. There was even a big button that said 'Mom to Be'. It was sooooo sweet. Hil has this nack for putting together parties, she even remembered a trash bag for the wrapping paper and scissors.

We got some very awesome gifts. Much needed since we pretty much had close to nothing, I hate to say it, but thank god for baby showers. I'm feeling a bit more prepared and better now. The cute little outfits and socks are just adorable, plus the stroller and breast feeding gift sets are so essential. It's awesome everyone is so loving and supportive. Thanks to all! :)

Then last Wednesday Dan and I attended a diaper demo. If anyone is thinking of doing cloth diapers, I would strongly recommend a diaper class. A local woman who owns Living Earth Babies holds this class once a month. Seriously check out her website if you have any questions about cloth diapers. She was awesome, she went through all types of cloth.

From the chinese three fold. This is just a sized piece of quilted cloth, folded and held together with a snappy. Then a plastic type of diaper cover would go over it. Here's a foto of the cloth and the snappy:

To the fitted or pocket diapers. They are a diaper cover, which has an opening that you can slip in a cloth pad. These are good for when baby is more mobile.

Then there's the all-in-ones, which is the diaper cover with the cloth already inside of it. There is a pocket for an extra insert for naps and evenings. Some are also size adjustable, which is nice because then we could use them for a longer time.

Dan and I are still deciding what will be best for us. We were thinking of doing the chinese three fold for the newborn to about 20 lbs and then maybe go onto something like this:

It's by Gro Baby, it is a one size diaper with a pocket for an insert. They are adjustable and easy to use. There is also a nice kit you can get that includes almost everything you will need to get started.

Cloth diapers are so different from my Mom's era of babies in the seventies and early eighties. They are now easier to use and there is a TON to choose from. Accessories are going to make it easier and more convenient for us to use too, such as the toilet sprayer and the wet bags to carry the diapers in. I'll need to be carrying them from the daycare because our child care center does allow and encourages cloth diapers.

Well, that was just a sampling of what we learned. We're still going through all of the information. For one thing, using cloth diapers saves money and no, it is not that expensive to wash. We have an energy saving washer and we will line dry once the weather is nice and warmer. It is estimated that for one child, you will do cloth diaper laundry every three days, that is definitely doable. We are thinking of doing cloth wipes too, but we'll see about that.

To all a lovely holiday week,
La Sirena and her little tadpole

31 Weeks

2009-12-14T15:38:00.000-08:00

31 weeks and counting. Here is some fun information and a 3D picture. Baby should be about 16 inches long and weigh about 3.5 – 4 lbs now. The lungs are the only organ that is underdeveloped and needs these next 9 weeks in the womb to become mature. I’ve been feeling pretty good, a little less tired since I quit exercising in the morning. It made my blood sugar numbers go up a little in the morning, but at 8 months pregnant, I was so exhausted working out two times a day I had to cut it down. I don’t even do that when I’m not carrying a baby! Mentally it has helped me too, even though I’m a little worried about the blood sugars in the morning.

The GD nurse said to add more carbs to dinner and snack, along with a little more protein and then a glass of milk in the middle of the night. I did that, but it made the numbers go up a little, which I thought was weird. So I am back to just eating my regular amount of carbs for dinner and late night snack and I am skipping the 3:30am milk. It brought the numbers down 10 points. So weird that it fluctuates so much. I tend the eat about the same thing, but the numbers fluctuate so much.

Saturday I thought the blood sugar would go crazy with the baby shower tea party food. There was a lot of white flour and sugars, but they stayed within normal range. I have my next doctor’s appointment this Friday. I know she will want to put me on that pill, which I am nervous about because there really hasn’t been a lot of studies done to support and advise what the long term effects will be on mother and baby. They used to just put the mom on insulin shots, but now this oral pill is available. They know short term it seems to be ‘ok’. My main concern is baby’s blood sugar once she is born, it could be really low because of this pill, which then they would give her glucose water or formula right away if my milk doesn’t come in. But milk doesn’t come in until about 2 – 3 days after the birth. I would hope the colosterum would suffice (which is a liquid that comes in before the milk), but we’ll see. I’ll talk to them about it on Friday.

Tadpole has been swimming around pretty good in there. She has her days though where she is more active than others. Some days she’ll just do a few movements after meals and at bedtime, and then other days she seems to want to try out for the gymnastics team. I thought she should be moving all the time everyday, but that’s not the case. Babies also have moods, good days and bad days, just like us when we have a lot of energy as opposed to low energy. We’re going to be scheduling a third ultrasound for around 37 weeks, to track her growth because of this diabetes thing. I’ll have to pay 30% out of pocket, but it’s worth it. I would like to see what she looks like at that point……..

La Sirena and the little tadpole

30 Week Update

2009-12-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

10 Weeks and counting, I hit a milestone this week – 30 weeks! Here is some information on 30 weeks, I love the 3D picture they have, plus here is some info on the American Pregnancy Association Website for 30 weeks. Dan and I finished taking down the wallpaper and painting the hallway, dining room, living room and foyer this past weekend. We’re going to decorate for Christmas this coming weekend. My friend Jackie said I am nesting, but really I don’t feel like that yet. The ‘baby’s room’ is a mess, it still looks like a guest room, which it partially is. I’m thinking come Christmas time, mom will be here and then we can get some stuff in order. We need to get a dresser to start storing stuff because the things that we have been given are currently stacked in the co-sleeper bassinet and in a tote in the closet. I would like for the room to be a bit more cuter, if you know what I mean. I would also like to maybe get a glider, we’ll be checking Craigslist for some options soon.

It has been unbearably cold here, hasn’t gotten above 10 degrees in weeks. This is unseasonably cold for here, usually it ranges from 40 – 45 degrees, but this cold snap just won’t go away. I love the cold, but tt makes it really hard to go outside for a walk, so I’ve been doing the elliptical. Last week I was super on schedule, elliptical in the morning and then at night, but come the weekend and finishing painting, Sunday I just ran out of steam. I was wasted tired, I took an hour and a half nap and Dan finished the ceiling painting and hung everything. I felt like a tired blob, just sitting on the couch watching. Oh well. Then Monday no exercise, I was so tired I went into the hallway lounge at work and took a power nap for 10 minutes. It was so worth it!! I wish we were wealthy, then I could go to part time and have time to rest. But no, it’s been long drives through snow and freezing cold to get to work. Blah, the drives are what are taking so much more of my time, usually it’s only 30 minutes each way, but with the snow and slick roads, it’s taking about 45 – 60 minutes.

Update on the diabetes, I can’t get my morning numbers down to under 100. I’ve done what they’ve asked, added more carbs to dinner, bigger snack and more carbs at night before bed, glass of milk in the middle of the night, 30 minutes of exercise in the morning and at night. Ugh! That number is so annoying, it ranges from 110 – 140. The other numbers are fine they said, it’s just the morning one. Because since a person is fasting at night, not having anything to eat from say 9:30pm until 6:30am, the number should be low because there is no food in your system. However in a diabetic, the body gets confused and the liver kicks in to make up for the sugars that it thinks should be coming in – therefore high numbers in the morning.

I just wish I knew if this truly was such a huge deal because I know they are going to want me to go on that Glyburide pill. Do the benefits really outweigh the risks? What are the risks? I spoke with my diabete’s educators and they said many pregnant woman have taken this pill and it is fine, however I tried to look up studies that have been done and I can’t find any. I only found a couple that were done in rats and it effected the baby’s bones. I also read that the baby could be born with dangerously low blood sugar and would have to have sugar water IV. Which this also effects the mom, because it makes my blood sugar really low, I have to carry snacks around all of the time. Geesh. I don’t want that at all. I haven’t really heard any benefits other than keeping the baby at a healthy weight to be able to vaginally birth it. But baby is not considered ‘massive’ at this point. My fundus is measuring right on schedule – 30 cm – 30 weeks I don’t know, it’s all so confusing.

Ten more weeks, feeling pretty good other than a little more tired and actually had some nausea lately. It’s almost like the first trimester symptoms want to come back. Oh gosh, I hope not…..

La Sirena and the little tadpole

28 Weeks

2009-11-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

Oops, I accidently put my baby post on my other blog last night, I must have been out of it since it was later than I usually stay up. So I reposted today on Tree of Life. Enjoy!

Today is the start of 28 weeks and I have reached a new milestone, no doctor's appointments this week! Ha! For the past four weeks, I have had to go to the doctor's once a week. Blah, that really messes with the routine. Plus then I have to work late on the other nights, which brings me home late and then I miss my yoga or eliptical time.

However, with my new blood sugar testing I've been getting up in the morning and doing the eliptical. I did an experiment this weekend. I took my blood sugar before I did the eliptical and then after. It actually lowered it by about 10 -12 points. That really confirmed to me that I should be doing some morning workouts to get the blood pumping and the sugars down. This weekend hubby and I went to go see 2012, it was pretty cool, a must see for the big screen. Well, we had movie theatre popcorn. We only go see about two movies a year in the theatre so I didn't feel guilty having some yummy popcorn. However when I got home and tested the blood sugar, it was pretty high at 143. I balanced it with two hours of yard work and a low carb dinner. Blood sugar was back to normal by bedtime.

I've been getting normal numbers, they consider anywhere between 60 - 120 'normal'. At 80 though sometimes I feel really tired and hungry. Mine has only gotten to 80 one time in four days. The other times I'm hovering around 90 - 110. This makes me feel better after all the fear it caused by them creating so much anxiety and telling me I have gestational diabetes. It seems that if I had it full blown, my blood sugar would be testing WAY out of the range of 'normal'. A woman I talked to at work said that her's never went down below 200 and they made her get on the pill. Well, if they say mine is still too high, I'll tell them where to put that pill and find a new practice.

A new week with Thanksgiving coming up. We have our third meeting with our doula Michelle Wednesday night. I really need to get on here to talk about our homework and the birth art project. Mine's almost done, but Dan's been procrastinating.....LOL.

I better get going. It's 10:30 and it's a miracle I am even up at this time. Must have been the chai I had at 7pm, but it was worth it. Sometimes it's nice to be able to actually stay up until a later time instead of falling into bed at 9pm in a deep sleep.

La Sirena and my little tadpole

Before & After

2009-11-20T08:27:00.000-08:00

I had my gestational diabetes class this week on Wednesday. I had written a post before the class on Tuesday and one after the class on Thursday. As you can see, I was not in a good place on Tuesday, but after the class, some much needed soul searching, and loving support from hubby, I am doing much better now. Here are the posts I have been meaning to put on here!

Before – written on 11/17/09
I’m really trying to find a good place in my heart for this. I struggle because I have a huge problem trusting doctors. I always feel like they are so impersonal, looking at my numbers against a ‘norm’, which may not be the norm for all people. I’ve heard horror stories about how insurance companies have a huge influence on statistics and procedures doctors use, that I am frightened that my care is not the best care for me, but rather for the insurance company. How does one start to trust what is going on?

I went from low risk, easy pregnancy to high-risk high-alert pregnancy in the eyes of my Dr. All with just a test of borderline numbers which say I have gestational diabetes. My first meeting with my diabetes nurse is tomorrow. It’s two hours long, they will go over meal plans and glucose testing. The nurse said that if I can’t control this disease with a meal plan and exercise, then I will have to start taking some pill. And if the pill doesn’t work, then insulin shots. This may not sound like a big a deal, but what woman wants to go on a diet when they are pregnant? What woman wants to be told to get in an hour of rigorous, yet not-too-rigorous, exercise every single day when they are in their third trimester? What woman wants to be told to eat at the same time everyday and check her glucose levels four times a day while holding a full time job? I know I’m freaking out because I keep thinking “What if I fail? What if I can’t control it through diet and exercise? What if my baby turns out to be macro size and I can’t vaginally birth it? What if they make me get induced too early thinking the baby is big which causes complications for my baby? What if the baby is still born? What if, what if, what if, what if?” My insurance doesn’t cover ultrasounds so I have to pay $330 every time they do one and with GD, they do a couple in the last month to check the baby’s size. I can’t afford $330 each time. What if I deny the U/S and my Dr. turns around and denies me care saying I am putting my baby at risk by not allowing U/S I can’t afford? UGH!

Plus this is all happening in the last trimester where things do get a little harder like sleeping, walking, heart burn, etc. Plus the holidays and my showers are coming up and I can’t partake in anything a person considered ‘normal’ will get to partake in. This sucks and I hate it. Change is hard, especially hard when you know you are eating for two. I was trying to eat a balanced diet, getting all food groups in and exercise, but I was also allowing my body to tell me when it’s tired, when it’s hungry, what it’s craving. Now I have to be a meal plan and exercise nazi and this does not fit into my idea of pregnancy. It causes me way too much stress and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the constant “Oh I am so sorry to hear that” or the “I’m sorry you are dealing with such a bad diagnosis” or the “I’m sorry you are suffering from this disease”. Well, the only suffering I’ve been doing is mental, physically I’m feeling great, despite the occasional hip pain at night. I haven’t had any ‘symptoms’ per se.

I wish I could find a non-angry place about this. I hate it too because it’s a huge warning sign that I will have diabetes as I get older, or maybe this GD will never go away, it will just transform itself into regular Type II diabetes. I feel like such a loser, a diagnosis, a pre-existing condition, a number. I no longer feel like the beautiful curvy woman that is awed by the magic and wonderment of pregnancy and birth. A little bit of my excitement has been turned into dread. We’ll see what happens tomorrow though.

After – written on 11/19/09
The clouds have lifted and I can see the horizon. It’s a bit brighter than I thought it was, especially when I was in a dark place Tuesday. I went to my gestational diabetes education class yesterday which was held privately with a registered nurse and a dietician at the hospital, both very nice and empathetic women. The nurse went over the science behind all diabetes, Type I, Type II, and gestational diabetes (GD). The nurse gave me a glucose testing meter from Walgreens, which I need to buy the strips and lancets (pokey needles) for. She showed me how to do it. I have to test my urine in the morning for ketones, then test my blood before breakfast, 2 hours after breakfast, 2 hours after lunch, and 2 hours after dinner. It is a lot of scheduling. She also would like for me to exercise in the morning, take a half hour walk after lunch, and a half hour walk after dinner. More on my new routine later.

In looking at my numbers, they both agreed that I am borderline and this can easily be regulated through diet and exercise. The dietician looked at my food intake the past 5 days and said I was already doing relatively good. She rearranged eating fruit and yogurt to the afternoons and eliminated all candy. She said I could keep having my Kashi cookie and milk at night, I love those cookies! They keep me regular and it’s so nice to have a dessert at night. We also discussed the holidays. She said to just eat all day and not all at once, make good choices, take a long walk after the meal, and maybe forget my meter……. I was happy to hear that because I was scared about what would happen with the holidays and my showers coming up. At least I know what I can have, not have, and what I need to limit now.

As for a schedule. Let me just say Virgos do well with a schedule, however on the flip side we have a tendency to go crazy if they are not perfectly followed. We are perfectionists at heart and that is what I have been working on for many years now, letting go of the rigid structure and beating myself up for going astray or not following it. I have given myself enough flexibility to be comfortable. As of yesterday I had to introduce a very structured and rigid schedule that I have to follow up through six weeks after baby’s birth – apparently that is when the sugar levels should go back to ‘normal’. I wanted to share what this schedule looks like, I tried to find other women’s blogs and posts about GD and their schedules, but there wasn’t much out there. Maybe it’s from embarrassment because it is kind of embarrassing to say you have diabetes as a pregnant woman and have to follow a diet…….

Good thing is, they are not limiting calories, they are limiting carbohydrate intake and when to eat them. They said I was already pretty much on a good eating routine, which was nice to hear. The dietician said some women are scared to eat the carbs and they will bring in their schedules and food logs and not have eaten breakfast or just eat lunch and a snack in the evening. Nope, not me, I was trying to eat balanced anyway, plus exercise, so really, this new routine isn’t so bad, I just have to make sure to follow it, no matter what.

I sat down this morning and it took me a half hour to plan out my day’s worth of eating. It shouldn’t be that way soon, once I get used to knowing the carb counts and foods, I can do all the planning on the weekend and have everything ready to go. So here is a typical schedule they want me to follow, which is based loosely off what I was already doing – except for the morning exercise:

6am: Wake and check Ketones in Urine
6am – 6:30am: 15 minutes elliptical, stretch and some weights
6:45: Check fasting blood sugar and record in book
8am: Eat breakfast - 30 grams of carbs, plus protein
10am: Check blood sugar and record in book
10:15am: Eat snack – 15 grams of carbs plus protein
12pm: Eat Lunch – 45 grams of carbs plus protein and veggies and fats
2pm: Check blood sugar and record in book
2:30pm: Eat snack – 15 grams of carbs plus protein
5pm - 5:30pm : yoga, stretch, breathing
6:30pm: Eat dinner – 45 grams of carbs plus protein and veggies and fats
7pm: Half hour brisk walk
8:30pm: Check blood sugar and record in book
9pm: Eat snack – 30 grams of carbs plus protein

When someone has diabetes, any type, eating a snack in the evenings will help keep their fasting blood sugar from spiking over night. A person eats all day, however at night you can go without food for 8 – 10 hours, which is when your liver would kick into producing your blood sugar for you and sometimes can’t regulate as well as food and therefore, a spike in blood sugar will happen come morning. Interesting as I had never know that. So for most people a small late night snack is actually a good thing……..

As for the extensive amount of exercise, I will keep up the walking. With working all day, I will try to walk at lunch although that may not always happen because of meetings. My department has been really great about this, they are making it especially fun too because they are making sure I am eating my snacks and they think it’s cool how I check my blood sugar with the little meter. I totally was embarrassed all day, but they have lightened the mood. Plus we have a couple ladies in my team that have similar issues, they are either allergic to something or they have some health things they need to watch closely. I don’t feel so alone.

It’s a bit of a struggle and today I am feeling relatively positive. I know this will change with days to come and I will have bad days where it’s hard to follow the schedule and I’ll feel bad for going astray, but that’s something to work on. If the majority of days are done right, then I won’t feel so bad about a few bad days. I am anticipating what my Dr will say in two weeks, I have an appointment with her the day after my check up with the dietician and nurse. They will be reporting my numbers back to my Dr. I have a lot of questions and comments for her and I need some feedback from her. From what I’ve heard from two other woman that used that practice and also had GD, they are pretty good about being lenient and not too freaked out about it, especially if my numbers are good. They both gave birth naturally to 7.5 and 8 lb babies. That was some good news I had to hear!

This has been an adventure and an eye opener. I can remember my grandma checking her sugars all the time and her little book she had to write in. She had type II diabetes and had to take insulin shots. I think back to what it must have been like for her, she was diagnosed much later in life. I think about her a lot when I do this and ask myself “do you want to be doing this the rest of your life?” No of course not, but it is in my genetic makeup and what I can do now, will only help prevent it in the future.

Hello Third Trimester!

2009-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

27 weeks starts today, hello third and final trimester! Is it becoming more real every day? YES. Am I starting to freak out a little bit? YES. Can I believe this is really happening? YES.

There have been some pretty fun things happening lately and some not so fun things. Hmm, what first to discuss? Let's do not-so-fun so we end this blog post with a positive BANG! I heard back from my three hour glucose test and yes, thank you heritage and age, I have gestational diabetes. According to the nurse, mine really isn't that bad compared to other women who have had a lot worse numbers. When I looked up my numbers on a few websites, I am just barely above abnormal. I have to go to a two hour diabetes class with this nurse on Wednesday 2-4pm. She runs a private diabetes education class at the hospital. Of course my insurance won't cover it because I haven't reached my deductible and I have to pay $130 out of pocket. I don't know if that even covers the glucometer though. Yes, you heard it, they are making me test my blood sugar four times a day. The nurse said this could be temporary though because if I prove during my two weeks that my meal plan and testing and my blood sugar looks good, I won't have to then everyday. But who knows, I'll learn more this week. I'm a bit freaked out because I don't want to go on pills or insulin though. I hate that while I am pregnant, I've been exercising and watching what I was eating and I still have to crack down even harder. It sucks because we are heading into the fun holidays and I have other things to focus on and now this will most likely take over my frickin' life up until baby is born. Shoot, the stress of having to do this probably effects baby more than a little sugar rush.

On to brighter things. Someone actually touched my tummy the other day at work, it was so cute, then she leaned down and started talking to it. I think it's funny and I like it whereas I know some other women hate it. I was at Kohl's yesterday and the cashier asked me when I was due. That was the first public stranger that has asked or recognized I was pregnant. So fun! Then this is crazy. Friday night baby was especially active, she was all over the place. I wish she was like that everyday because it is so reassuring. Dan has this super powerful flashlight, it has a very small tip, I think it's for electrical work or something. Well, since we've read baby can now see and hear, he put it to my tummy and guess what?! She kicked at it!! Maybe it was just coincidence, but that was pretty darn cool!!

At Border's I got myself a pregnancy journal called The Belly Book. I thought it would be fun to track the pregnancy in a book, where I can put the ultrasound pics and jot down a bunch of stuff. They prompt the mama to answer all kinds of questions, some things I have forgotten about and would love to remember one day. I thought it would be fun to share at my showers too. Speaking of showers, my sister Hil made these absolutely beautiful invites to my baby shower on December 12th. My aunt is holding an authentic English tea service for it. One of my best friends Adrienne will also be visiting that weekend and I can't wait. They are also going to hold a Blessingway on December 27th. It's getting so exciting!

Here's a 27 week picture!

Well, I've got tons more to write about, but I've had just enough of this computer this morning. Time to move onto housework and chores that must get done this wintry Sunday. I'll be back to write about my Doula classes, the homework I've been doing for them, birth art, and I would love to share some of the books I've been reading.

La Sirena and her wee little tadpole

Tuesday Morning Filled with Needles!

2009-11-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

Tuesday morning I arrived at the Dr’s office at 8:30. The nurse pricked my finger to draw a little bit of blood and said that if the sugar levels were high, I wouldn’t have to do the glucose test. They would just confirm I have gestational diabetes and send me to nutritional counseling. Thank god they were low though because I would rather do the test than have this from just fasting. She then drew a vial of blood and had me drink about 12 oz of glucose. I sucked it down. She said that was the fastest she had ever seen anyone drink it. I told her I pretended it was an Irish car bomb, she about died, probably thinking I’m a drinker now. Ha! I didn’t go on and tell her I was craving one because they taste like a milkshake! Next St Patty’s day I’ll be enjoying one for sure!

Then I had to go back to their office at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 to have blood drawn. This is all done while fasting, only water was allowed. I didn’t feel too bad at first, but then I was really tired near the end. The office is connected to the hospital so I just stayed in the hospital lobby during the time between blood draws. They have a fireplace in there, I sat and read and watched the people go by. It was pretty relaxing. I am glad it’s over though and I should have the results on Friday. If they do find that I have it then I have to classes on nutrition and education for it.

Sleeping is getting a bit more uncomfortable. Pregnant women can only sleep on their sides, preferrably the left side so the uterus doesn't squish the liver. This is hard though because the pressure on my hips is almost unbareable by 3am. There is this hormone called relaxin that makes your bones softer when pregnant, preparing the pelvis and hips area to open up and be flexible in order to slide a baby through. Well, that makes for a long and painful night. Sleeping on the sides is essential because sleeping on the stomach hurts and then sleeping on the back can cut off blood flow to you and the baby in the vena cava - the artery going from the heart to the legs. Ugh! Since my bed has these backrest things, I sometimes sit up with my pillows and look out, just resting, letting my hips settle down and then about a half hour later I slide back down to my left side and sleep about another hour, then switch sides and sleep another hour or so. All this tossing and turning makes for a very long night. I do feel a little tired during the day, but not too bad that I can't function. I guess it's just practice for what's to come. Ha! Poor hubby, I always ask if I am bothering him, but from the sound of it, he doesn't even notice. Most of the time he is just snoring away.

We have our second meeting with our Doula Michelle tonight. I haven't been doing all of my homework though and I feel bad. I'm just going to be honest with her that it's been a long and trying two weeks. With two Dr's appointments, friends in town, tons of stuff to get done, yardwork, and a full time job, it was hard to focus on exercising, kegels, pelvic rocks, tailor sitting, squatting, and logging my food intake, not to mention all of the workbook activities. But I did get a few walks in and most of my kegels. My schedule has not been conducive to keeping a routine. Plus we've had to take the van into the shop a few times for a few minor things for winter and we had a huge blizzard. Anyway, I hope she's understanding, which she probably will be as she's been through it all herself.

La Sirena and her little tadpole

26 Weeks.....Missed 25 Weeks!

2009-11-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

26 weeks now. I was going to write a 25 weeks post after my Dr's apt last Wednesday, but I got some stinky news and couldn't muster up the motivation to post. For some 25 week development information, click here. This week starts my 26 weeks. I unfortunately have to go back to the Dr. this Tuesday because last week I didn't pass their glucose test. I got a 170, which 140 and under is considered passing. At least I didn't have a 200 because that means it's full on gestational diabetes. If your not sure what this is, it is a temporary form of diabetes some women get while pregnant. It can cause some health issues and needs to be monitored. But it can be helped with diet and exercise. Geesh, I'm talking as if I already have it.

I've gotta tell you the truth, I really thought I would pass that test. I feel like I've failed myself and my baby. I am disappointed because I eat pretty good and exercise and have so called symptoms, which yes, I know, some women don't. So now on Tuesday, I have to go in at 8:30am and stay until noon, drinking glucose and having my blood taken four times. This totally sucks. I really really really hope I pass because I have zero symptoms and I am feeling great. I don't want to be put into the category 'high risk', because Dr's can turn that around on you, use it as an excuse to do a cesarean.

One reason I am upset too is that they said my hemoglobin was low at 12.3 and I should start taking an iron supplement. Well, from what I have read on the American Pregnancy Association website (and a million other websites and books), any score between 12 - 14 is a normal level. I called my Dr back and spoke with the nurse who acknowledged that yes, 12.3 is a normal level, it's just low normal and they like to supplement when that's the case. Ok, no, sorry. I'm not anemic. I'm not going to go spend a bunch of money on iron supplements, which make most women nauseated. They didn't even suggest iron rich foods or anything, just go get yourself a pill. Now, if my future blood tests are to show lower levels or that it does keep decreasing, yes, of course I will supplement, especially since you need a good level for delivery.

That is just another reason why I don't like or trust Dr.'s. I do have a slight tolerance for mine, but I would much rather be using a midwife. However since insurance doesn't have any in network in my county, that's impossible. Gotta love insurance, hopefully one day we'll have better more affordable options.

It was a rough week last week to say the least. I am sorry to say, but I'm not looking forward to this week either, but attitude is everything. Seriously, it's everything and if I want to make this week tolerable, I'm going to have to buck up and make it more positive. The hormones have been in overload these past weeks so I've been more sensitive to things, crying and feeling stressed. I have some really great things to write about though soon and I know that will lift my spirits. I'm going to take it day by day. Breathe in breathe out.......

Stretch, laugh, love, sleep, and exercise........
La Sirena and her tiny tadpole

Halloween Scary

2009-10-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

Something scary to share with you on Halloween. I was reading this blog Stand and Deliver and she had this sign posted. This frightens me that hospitals can actually turn you away for wanting to have a natural child birth or be assisted by a doula. As women, we should be able to choose any way we want to birth our children.

This sign to me, is Halloween scary!

Hospital Tour

2009-10-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

Last week Dan and I took the tour of The Birth Place at the hospital. I was nervous. Everything I have read about, heard about, and seen about hospitals has been all negative. I was ready for a fight, armed with a thousand questions. If you’ve ever seen the Business of Being Born or read Ina May Gaskin’s Spiritual Midwifery or Guide to Childbirth, you know what I am talking about.

The tour was super busy, there were probably 15 couples. Let’s just say, I needed this tour to settle my nerves and I was pleasantly surprised, so was Dan. First they took us to the Labor and Delivery rooms on the west side of the floor. The rooms are nice and private. There are no machines out in the open, it looks like a hotel room. The monitoring computers, IVs, and oxygen are all hidden in a giant armoire around the bed. The floors are hardwood, there is a couch that folds out to a bed and also a rocking chair. The bathrooms are private with a shower, jetted jacuzzi tub and toilet. There is also a TV with cable, DVD player and free WI FI internet. The bed breaks down to either push on your back or to use a squat bar. I am leaning towards the squat bar method, but we’ll see. Then once the baby is born they promote placing her right on my chest to bond immediately and start nursing right away. They believe in family oriented labor and delivery and promote rooming in – which means there is a bassinet that is left directly in the room so the baby never goes to a ‘nursery’. The ‘nursery’ is for high risk infants that need special treatment or care.

Once the labor and delivery are over, everyone rests, relaxes, the nurses will take the Apgar test of the baby, weigh her, clean her, swaddle her and then we will all be moved to the east side of the birthing floor to recover on our own private room. I was also pleasantly surprised we can request early check out if everything goes well. There is a complimentary massage the next day. The floors smelled fine, not really like a hospital, thank god. The lights were very dim and there was no rushing around even though they said they were busy, didn’t look like it. They also advised that there are birth balls and options for laboring like positioning, walking, tub, shower, etc. Since I am going natural, I don’t have to be monitored full time like a woman getting an epidural. I will only have to be checked every 30 minutes, unless something takes a turn for the worst. I will have the freedom to move around.

It was a good visit. They talked a lot about what to expect, how to check in, pre-register, how to order food, and everything about the rooms. It makes me less nervous, but it’s still a hospital.

24 Weeks - Childbirth Prep Class Starts

2009-10-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

24 weeks, I still am kind of surprised I am now starting into 24 weeks. Seems like yesterday we were standing in our old bathroom reading the pregnancy test. This week is a big week. I need to pre-register at the hospital, we have our first childbirth preparation class with the doula (Bradley Method Information here), and we need to finish up the registry. I can't believe there is so much to do to have a baby. It seems insane, sometimes I wish I was a cave woman and I wouldn't have to worry about all this stuff. In the following weeks, we have to research pediatricians, vaccines, life insurance, start a 401K, child care, breastfeeding classes and so on and so on and so on. I wish I didn't have to do all of this stuff. I wish I could just spend my days exercising, meditating, doing yoga, reading, but all of this other stuff only allows me a small portion of the day to really have fun and enjoy being pregnant.

The only fun thing we did do this weekend was the registry, even though it was a bit overwhelming. We are registering at two stores, the typical stores Babies R Us and Target. They seemed like they had everything, Babies R Us had a little more variety. We had and have no idea what to get. It took an hour to decide on a stroller and an infant car seat. It was crazy. Then we looked at pack'n'plays, co-sleepers, high chairs, boppies, bumbos, layettes, so many things. At the end of two hours walking around the store we only had 6 items and a headache. When we got home I looked through this book they gave us and there was so many things listed as 'essentials'. I just want to have someone who knows how to do this go and choose these things for us.

What makes me the most nervous is figuring out this breastfeeding thing. I have to choose a breast pump and I have no idea. There are like 20 different varieties, plus I don't know if you keep the milk cold or warm or how long it lasts, do I get bottles and nipples? inserts? I have no clue. I have to find a breastfeeding class especially designed for women who are forced back to work when baby is 10 weeks old and need to put a machine to their breast to suck out the milk instead of the baby doing what it is born to do. If the baby is breastfed from the breast to start and is forced to drink from a bottle starting at ten weeks, will she take the breast and the bottle? Or will she only want the bottle? Yes, I admit, I'm nervous and I'm bitter and I'm sad about it, but I guess this is what the majority of working women have to do. We just have to do it and make the best of it. No choice. Did you know in Denmark, women are provided one year maternity leave paid? Thanks America for nothing!

On another note, here are a couple pics. One of me at 24 weeks and a few of Jorge. He climbed into the baby cradle my uncle's father made for my Grandma's kids. It is so cute.

Exercise is going pretty good. I have been doing yoga twice a week, walking at least 5 days a week, and eliptical one day a week plus weights. It's been hard to keep a total routine and I have skipped days, but like I said, there has been a lot to do that has taken away from my body and mind health. However, I am focused and want to make it more of a priority now, it can only help in the end.

Plan for this week:
Monday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Tuesday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Wednesday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Thursday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Friday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga30 minute walk
Weekend - Not sure yet!

Swimming in this sea of life with my little tadpole,
La Sirena

The Most Wonderful Thing (so far)

2009-10-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

Dan felt the baby kick for the first time last night. He said he was surprised she kicked so hard. Little Miss Dinky was practicing her boxing skills along with her gymnastics skills last night before bed.

I think it is the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing and exciting thing to feel baby move inside my body. It fills me with waves of love during each movement. I’m changing, not only physically, but also emotionally.

To my little tadpole, stay strong and healthy my love, less than 17 weeks to go.

23 Weeks and Doula Interviews

2009-10-20T09:43:00.001-07:00

Well, you might have already read on my other blog that I forgot the groceries in the van for about 6 hours last Tuesday night. I am forgetting A LOT of things these days. Sunglasses, keys, books, calls to make, bills to pay and even words in sentences. I’ll be talking away at work and then BAM! I forget what I am even talking about. Not good. I sometimes get really dreamy and will just start thinking about something and forget about completing what task I was trying to do at hand. I also drop things a lot. This is not like me. I am pretty quick at grabbing something, but now, I just look down and say oh shoot, I dropped that. Then I wonder how I’m going to pick it up because I don’t want to squish baby. Squats are essential these days.

I took a picture on Sunday, but I don’t think I look any different. I’ll post it this week if I get around to it. Or maybe I’ll wait for next week’s pic at 24 weeks. Click here for some information on 23 weeks. Baby should weigh about a pound now and is about 11 inches long. I can feel her more and more each day. I can’t wait for Dan to feel her kicks. Sometimes when she is active at night, I will have Dan put his hand on my belly, but nothing. Sometimes she stops and Dan says “that proves I have a calming hand”. So cute. The kicks just aren’t strong enough yet for them to be felt on the outside. Most of the kicks are under my belly button, sometime around my pubic bone. I can also feel her kick to the back, on my bowels. That is the weirdest feeling. Some days she is more active than others. Last Saturday she wasn’t moving much like the days before and I got nervous. They always talk about making sure the baby moves the same each day and to alert your Dr. if the movements aren’t as active or diminish. It’s nerve racking, but I decided just to go with the flow and relax about it. The reason she wasn’t as active Saturday is probably because I was up and moving around a lot, which puts baby to sleep because it’s like being rocked. When I sit in a chair all day, she floats around kickin’ and havin’ fun.

This past weekend hubby and I interviewed three doulas. Doula “A” is an Aries. She has classes available along with her doula services. She teaches the Bradley Method, which is the way I am leaning towards in regards to preparation. The Bradley Method focuses on natural childbirth, breathing, relaxation, animal instinct. Doula “B” is a Taurus. She only has doula services available, no childbirth preparation classes. She is also pregnant and would be seven months along at my birth. Doula “C” is an Aries. She offers all kinds of goodies in her doula and childbirth preparation packaged. She has a one weekend prep class, which is based off of yoga, chanting and focusing on being in the moment. She also provides reiki, massage, and aromatherapy in the package. She is the most expensive of the three, but because she has a lot of extras. She spoke a lot about being intuitive, working with energy fields, and being empathic. Doula “C” has never given birth herself, so this profession has to be a calling. She is very young, probably early twenties and hasn’t had that much experience. Doula “A” has been a doula for about 20 years, I think she said something like over 300 clients and offered a ton of references. Doula “B” was a trauma therapist, but got into doula work after she helped numerous mothers heal from bad and traumatic birth experiences. She has had a handful of clients.

I checked our sign compatibility and Aries – Virgo works pretty good together, not the perfect combo, but tolerable. Virgos generally know exactly what they want and Aries can deliver. Aries is also the first sign in the zodiac, the birth sign. I thought this was a good omen. The Virgo – Taurus compatibility is very good. Two earth signs that are mechanically minded and practical. However, Doula “B”, who is also pregnant didn’t sound like she had much of a plan other than to just be there and support me. Which is nice, but my Virgo mind needs some classes, homework, and reading materials. We decided Doula “B” was not for us. So we had to decide between on Doula “A” or Doula “C”. I liked Doula “C”’s website a lot, so professional, so organized. But when I tried to contact her via email there was no response. Then I left her a voicemail and she called back four days later, whereas Doula “A” called back in an hour. When we spoke with Doula “C” she was kind of flighty, not concentrated or organized in her thoughts. I asked her about how we schedule all of these extras in her Doula package and she just said “well, we’ll get them on the calendar. By the way I’m taking off in December to go home to OK for a few weeks”. During our meeting she was kind of distracted, she admitted to having a migraine. Well, that about did it. No offense, but I can’t handle someone who doesn’t call back, won’t offer up a plan and is not committed to putting dates on a calendar. I only have 17 weeks left and I need a plan!!

Doula “a” it is then. She is kind, warm, and calming. She is also organized, has an action plan and provided an agreement up front. I am going to call her this week and set everything up. We are going to also take her Bradley Method class.

Educate Yourself

2009-10-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

What gets me the most are these woman that have never gone through this experience and feel as if they know everything! I mean, those types that can't back up their so called 'facts' or the ones that want to tell you how to do something or what to eat or what not to eat and yadda yadda yadda. Well, I've had it. I just tell them, maybe you should check your facts with a valid source and not shows like ER or House or something you saw on the mainstream media.

For three years I have been reading about and studying pregnancy and birth. I knew I had to be prepared for when it happened. I read blogs, I watched documentaries, I spoke with tons of women that have gone through this experience, and I've read books, websites, articles, etc etc. I know we can't believe everything we read and everything we hear, but I do beleive in educating myself to understand better than I would have yesterday.

Besides some of the women at work telling me what not to eat, there was one that said "Don't be a hero take the drugs. The birth will be much more enjoyable." Ok, that is after she had asked me what type of birth I was planning and I said a natural birth, I then informed her of the research I had done on epidurals slowing down labor, causing spinal headaches for the rest of your life, baby's side effects, possible paralysis, no feeling in your lower body so you never know when to push unless you feel like watching a contraction monitor. Sound like fun? NOT! Everyone knows there own pain thresh hold and more power to woman who make that informed decision, but for this person to say that with a snooty know-it-all attitude, I about wanted to kick her in the face. Ok, that was a mood swing though! Ha!

I have decided that I will have a natural birth. However, if I am induced with pitocin or oxytocin, which cause contractions to be a thousand times worse, then I would consider an epidural, but that also increases your chances for a cesarean. Then there's the question of using a doula, which I understand a lot of people really don't understand since it is fairly new in our society. My first reaction to getting pregnant was that I wanted to use a midwife. Well, thanks to my horrible insurance I have no option for a midwife, they won't even pay as out of network, they said it is too risky. So my second best choice is to use an obstetrician with the aid of a doula. Since doula's are somewhat new on the seen of childbirth, especially there use in hospitals, I wanted to provide some information as to what a doula is and why they are helpful.

A doula is trained and experienced in supporting women and their partners during childbirth. The doula's role is to help a woman have the most satisfying birth possible - as you would define it and as it unfolds. She learns the woman's wishes for a birth plan and remains with you during the labor, birth, and then for about two hours after the birth. Doulas also are very helpful in helping you ask the right questions to get correct information you need to make an informed decision about your care. The doula is the mother's advocate and is focused on the mother's expected birth experience and also help you transition if anything should go wrong and astray from you planned birth experience. She is there for support.

Benefits of hiring a doula:

Improved physical and psychological outcomes for mother and baby
25% shorter labors
40% reduction in use of induction meds
50% reduction of cesareans
30% less forcept and vacuum extraction
60% reduction for epidurals
fewer requests for pain medication because she can help with breathing techniques, positions, massage, etc
Better postpartum outcomes
More successful breastfeeding

Ok, that is just a few things. For my first child, I want to use a doula. A typical doula will interview the hubby and wife first and we interview her to make sure it is a good fit with each others personality. Then she meets with the woman two or three more times to get to know each other and discuss plans and expectations. Then she is on call and with the woman for the entire labor and birth. My Dr. highly recommended using a doula, which was my first impression that she is a considerate Dr., plus that and she probably doesn't want to have to do all the work. She's really just there for the pushing part anyway.

Does this make me a weak woman? Hell no, this make me an informed woman. I have wonderful support that will be there in the hospital; Dan, Hil, Aunt Pat, and maybe my mom if she can fly out in time. But maybe when all these people are in the room, I'll change my mind and want to be alone. No one knows what they will be like when labor kicks in. Will I scream? Will I cry? Will I turn completely inward and ignore everyone else there? Will I glow? Will I laugh? I don't know. That is why on this first round, I do feel like I want that support, not only from my family, but also from a trained labor coach.

I'll be interviewing doulas in the next couple of weeks. Wish me luck!

22 Weeks and a catch up!

2009-10-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

I am taking a break this afternoon from cleaning to write the weekly baby blog post. This weekend I have had a lot to do, I've been putting a lot of stuff off that has been on my list for months! I hate that feeling when the list has gotten to 35 things to do and then I feel totally overwhelmed. I'm riding this good energy wave to get this stuff done. Plus I am feeling great these days. No more weird food dislikes, no more nausea, no more extreme needs for naps. I can actually try to maintain my household.

This week marks 22 weeks. I usually get my weekly funny update from this website. Then I'll check the American Pregnancy Association and choose the week I am in. I like to check in and just see what might be going on this week, see the development of the baby and read about the changes in my body to relate. Since I can't post every weekly update on here since May, I thought it would be fun just to note some monthly highlights and provide a little science into the conception of this little tadpole.

How most midwives and obstetricians find the due date is by the first date of your last monthly period. I was tracking my period very closely for a year on the calendar, so I know that the first day of my last period was on Mother's Day May 10th, 2009 - fitting huh? Ok this is where it might get weird. I know we were unprotected on May 20th, 21st, and 22nd - which was my exact best time for ovulation. Dan also knows this because we studied and knew how the whole cycle worked. Guess what? First time's a charm! We thought we would 'try' for a year because my family Dr. said it could take up to a year to conceive. No way did we think it would happen on the first try.

Month one was May to June. No symptoms at all and plus I didn't know I was pregnant yet because you have to wait until around your next period time to truly know. I was so scared I would do something to prevent the pregnancy that I stopped working out. Well, not completely, I did the eliptical a few times, but I stopped running, weights, and yoga. Which now that I think back, that was so stupid. Women can work out and I know that, I was just having a mental block. The first month is when the egg is fertilized and a blastocyst forms. It embeds itself into the uterine wall, the umbilical cord starts to form, and the nerves and muscles start to form. Then the organs, limb buds, and a head with a mouth and eyes appear. The entire size of this little thing is 1/4 inch in diameter.

Month two was June to July. Dan and I went to my Aunt's cabin on a full moon and we had this whole morning ritual planned where I would pee on the stick and then we would celebrate when we saw the good news. That didn't go as planned! I woke up at about 5am, too excited to get the results. Well, the wind was about 45 miles per hour, I was standing out in the middle of mountains at the cabin, trying to pee on the stick, but most of it went all of my coat and legs! We waited and nothing - actually I think three lines showed up and then the whole thing went blue. We were bummed, but it didn't stop us. That night we went and got the digital read out screen and did it in the morning in the calmness of our bathroom. Pregnant!

Month two brought symptoms. Nausea, food cravings for sweets likes donuts and ice cream, breast swelling and discoloration, extreme smells (like I could smell anything and everything! it was so weird, but awesome). I also had to pee a lot and was constantly tired. It did not help that we were in the middle of making an offer on a house. I was not feeling good at all, I hated vegetables and meat. All I wanted was milk, ice cream, crackers, and cereal. It was pretty hard since I try to eat right and I was feeling guilty for wanting those kids of foods all the time. I read in Deepak Chopra's Book Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives that women might have food aversions in order to keep them away from foods that might triggered sickness and miscarriage, in case those foods are carrying any parasites and things. So to not want vegetables and meat is totally normal. He also said women would crave higher that normal caloric foods like breads and sweets because their bodies are expending a huge amount of energy in order to create a new life in the beginning - the time that is most sensitive and vital.

Month two development is when the limb buds start to sprout and look more recognizable. The facial features become more obvious because by the 10th week, the embryonic stage is over and fetal stage if now starting. At this time the fetus is now floating freely around in the amniotic sac. The size by the end of nine weeks is about the size of a small grape.

Month three was July to August, I was still experiencing a lot the symptoms. I was also going mentally crazy and having mood swings like non-other! Poor Dan and poor people I was working with, who had no idea what was going on. This month we had finally bought the house and needed to pack and move in one weekend. It was rough. Not only was I super tired and not motivated, I didn't want to eat. But we got through it! I look back on it now and maybe it was best that I was busied with something else to think about because I think I would have driven myself crazy thinking about baby all of the time.

For the development in month three, the end of the first trimester, the baby's organs and limbs are completely formed. The placenta is functioning fully and this means that hormones are now leveling out, returning my mood to it's regularly scheduled showtime. At this month, baby starts to practice sucking and the skeleton is completely formed, but made of soft cartilage. The genitals are also now developed and could possibly been seen through ultrasound if the baby is positioned right, which are's was not at 14 weeks when we went in the first time. The size of baby at the end of month three is about 3 inches long, the size of a Vienna sausage.

Month four was August to September which was great. I was feeling better, we were all moved in, however not yet unpacked. I had told my entire family in month three and then we told friends and coworkers in month four. It was SO NICE to finally get to share this with everyone!

Month four is the start of the second trimester. All of the major organs are working, and the heart beat is usually between 120-160. The first heartbeat we heard was about 123, then when I went in four weeks later it was 161. Now just a week ago, it was 158. During month four, the eyebrows and eyelashes start to grow. The eyes and ears are starting to develop more fully. The baby might be able to distinguish light as a reddish glow and getting more used to the sound of the mom's heartbeat. Also, the hair starts to grow now, plus the fingernails and toenails. Baby is also starting to move a lot more. This is when women might start to feel fluttering or quickening. I felt my first movement at 14 weeks, then at 15 and 16 weeks, I started to feel it a little more. Now into my 22nd week, I would say I feel it about 15 times a day, mostly after meals and when I am very relaxed.

Well, that's enough catch up for now! I will be sharing the books I am reading next time.

Last week was not good for exercise. We were so busy with appointments and working overtime, I did not keep to a schedule. Plus it got very very cold, so walking outside was not seeming very pleasurable. This week, however I have decided to make it my week! I need time to myself to concentrate and get together a birth plan and routine. I am going to choose a doula this week and schedule an appointment to visit the Birth center at the local hospital where I will be delivering. I am going to work 7 - 3:30. That way I will be home by 4 in order to feed the dog, workout, fix dinner, then go for an evening walk. Dan gets home around 5:30 so this will be nice to have a little over an hour to myself to concentrate.

Plan for this week:
Monday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Tuesday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Wednesday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Thursday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Friday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga30 minute walk
Weekend - Depending on the weather, hopefully a long bike ride!

Swimming in this sea of life with my little tadpole,
La Sirena

It's A............

2009-10-08T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was heavily anticipated – finding out the gender and tracking the progress of the baby. I thought it was a boy, Dan thought it was s boy, friends family, and co-workers all thought the same. To our surprise, a little girl! Really, we would take either so we are happy either way. The ultrasound technician checked three times and she said she is rarely wrong. Wow. I guess knowing is really good, but it is also really starting to sink in. I had my first panic dream last night. I dreamt that I went in for my 21 week check up and they decided to go ahead and induce me. That’s one of my fears, to be induced. I’ve heard horror stories about the pitocin causing hemorrhaging because it makes contractions a thousand times worse. I mean, aren’t they bad enough? But I am planning a natural birth and when the pitocin puts a woman on the verge of hemorrhage, that sounds like my worst nightmare. So I dreamt that they were making me have the baby, but Dan and I don’t have anything in order. We have zero supplies right now, no registry, no pediatrician, no co-sleeper, no diapers, no stroller, no car seat, no NOTHING. Women at work are acting like they are absolutely appalled that I don’t have anything. Ok, I lied. I have two pairs of newborn socks, one pink, one blue. I have a pair of British flag leg warmers and one small teddy bear.

I didn’t realize how much people are so quick to comment. I welcome advice, I welcome discussions, but geesh. I was talking to my boss the other day and she was complimenting me on not looking pregnant (how weird is that?) and then she added in the fact that she was surprised though, because of the way I have been eating. What the? I am not really eating much different. In the first trimester I wanted ice cream a lot and also some sweets, but it wasn’t every day. Plus I always bring my lunch, never eat out, take vitamins, drink tons of water. I was wondering where that comment was coming from. Then there are the women that feel the need to question what you are eating. I was having sausage the other day and a woman said that we shouldn’t eat sausage when pregnant. Then I was having a subway sandwich, which they bought for us at work, and someone said I should bring my own lunch to be safe since deli meats are unsafe. Ok yes, I have heard that before, but come on! A girl’s gotta eat. I’ve heated a few meats during my pregnancy, but my online research has told me just be safe. Then I was having a chocolate candy after lunch at my desk and a woman walked by and said “do you really think you should be eating that?” I almost punched her in the face. I think baby should be exposed to everything – ok minus anything raw which is really bad – or the baby will come out allergic to everything.

Then there’s the people that look directly at your stomach while talking to you or walking by – every time. Even men, well the men that know you are pregnant. I don’t mind that much, I think it’s cute. However right now, I am wondering if they are thinking when I’m actually going to look pregnant. I always ask Dan “do I look pregnant or fat?” Tough question for a husband of a pregnant woman with mood swings! LOL

The Dr. gave us the paperwork to register with the hospital yesterday and also the glucose drink for the diabetes test. It’s getting so real now. We also need to choose a doula, a pediatrician, child care, baby classes, hospital tours, breast feeding classes. Geesh! I am just not feeling too motivated for all of that right now. I’m going to take it one step at a time since right now, it seems all so overwhelming and not so fun.

On the good side, baby is growing great. She is about five days larger than average at this time, which is totally fine. I told the Dr. I am Poilish so of course I'm growing a nice size child in there! My blood pressure is still looking good and my weight gain is spot on. I am proud of myself. When I first got pregnant I had a fear that I would immediately become a giant blimp, with vericose veins, cellulite and flab. Well, I am slowing turning into that at this rate! Ha! No just kidding. I am feeling really good. I know the third trimester is when most of the weight is gained. As long as I keep eating healthy and exercising, I am not worried about it. It's all about perception anyway.

Climbing this Tree of Life, one step at a time with my little tadpole,
La Siren

21 Weeks - Baby ultrasound week

2009-10-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

This week we find out the gender of the baby, we also find out if baby is growing "on schedule". They can also tell if there is enough amniotic fluid, which I have been reading about lately. I am hoping since we live in a dry climate, everything looks good. Sometimes I wake up thirsty, which is a sign of dehydration. I have been drinking about 2.5 litres of water a day.

Last week went pretty well. I got all of my walks in. I only got one day of yoga in and two days of eliptical. I was mad at myself for slacking off my plan, but then I knew in my heart I did everything I could do physically and mentally. Our friends ended up not coming this weekend so we went up to Fort Collins to stay the night with Hil and Tone. We went for a 1.3 mile hike up in the state park. It was gorgeous outside, just awesome! It felt so good to connect with nature and get some Vit D.

Here's a pic of the 21st week, not much different from last week....

This weekend I bought a few things to help out with some of my issues....Not fun to say but my feet and armpits itch like crazy. It's due to the hormones and the sugars and all these things redistributing amongst my body parts. I read something scientific about it and all I know is that it is not fun. I bought some different deodorant, some foot spray and as a special treat some Palmer's cocoa shea butter lotion. All of it has helped a lot. The chemicals in my body are going crazy and I know in order to be comfortable, I need to take care of it.

Plan for this week:
Monday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Tuesday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Wednesday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Thursday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Friday - 30 minute walk
Weekend - Our friends said maybe this weekend they will visit,,,,,if not, then I plan on winterizing the yard.

Swimming in this sea of life with my little tadpole,
La Sirena

Welcome Baby to the Tree of Life Blog!

2009-09-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

WOW! My last post on here was from June 14, 2009! The post before that I was talking about training for a 10K. My life has changed so much since then, well in terms of exercise at least. I don't want to take away the health and exercise from my health blog and make this just a "coochy coo baby blog, oh such a sweet little baby post blog". Hell no! This blog is still my health blog, my Tree of Life, which is bringing another little life into this world. And I couldn't do it without exercising my body and my mind, eating healthy, and discussing everything in-between.

I am going to be totally honest with anyone that wants to read about it. Not only will I blog about my ever changing body, my exercise, but also my pregnancy and my thoughts on this whole subject. You will leave this blog either not ever wanting to read about this stuff again, or be so interested that you might have learned something you never knew, or well, you may just want to see the very unflattering pictures that, yes, I will be posting of the ever growing stomach.

I am 20 weeks pregnant today, which I guess you could say I am moving into my fifth month. I've thought about writing a post in the last four months, but with everything going on, I haven't had the strength nor the gathered thoughts and motivation to share. I promised myself a long time ago, when I first became interested in getting pregnant and educating myself on the whole process that I would share my experience on my blog one day. I owe it to any woman that stumbles across this, any woman in my family, any friend of mine that is interested in knowing, because that is how I became so informed about pregnancy.

Did I ever tell you that Dan and I said we never wanted kids? Ok, that was like 8 years ago when we were gallivanting from city to city, country to country, partying, clubbing, enjoying and growing with each other. Then we settled down a bit, got married and our friends and co-workers started having babies. We sat down one day and we just started talking about it and we couldn't stop. We knew then that we wanted to share our lives with a little soul, or two, or three for that matter. A friend of mine got pregnant at work and she opened my eyes to the whole process. She showed me websites, birth stories, books, discussions, everything and I was hooked! That was about three years ago.

Ever since then I've been reading books and these websites and educating myself. I remember standing next to her at work laughing and saying "I'll never have a kid without an epidural! Ha! yah right, better yet, just slice me open and grab him out of there!". OH HOW THE TIDES HAVE TURNED. After reading about several woman's experiences, talking to mothers, researching, etc etc, I'm more on the path now of natural childbirth, no induction, only a C-Section if it is a life or death situation. I've read about what epidurals can do to woman and babies and the labor process, which have lasting effects throughout their lifetimes, inductions causing hemorrhaging, and C-Sections that didn't ever have to happen. Don't get me wrong, I am all about choosing your own path and if those are the paths you chose or you will choose in the future to follow, you know yourself best. To each his own and I am talking about me and my experience on here.

Do I know how my labor and delivery will turn out? No of course not, none of us do. And that is why I am a realist and know anything can happen. This is my path to travel down and it's my preparation over these past months and the months to come that will help me heal in any way possible however this birth turns out. Read with me through this experience, feel free to share yours! Share your thoughts with me as you walk down my path too.

My plan for this blog is to post weekly. My exercise schedule and development of the baby, and of course the pictures! Just a few things to note............

Here is picture of me at 16 weeks, gosh this is going to be hard as these are going to be very unflattering pictures. I mean, just four months ago I was losing weight and now I am gaining weight! Such a different mind set, but in the end it's worth it. I know I can lose the weight again, as I showed myself in just the beginning of this year. Maybe that's why I started a health blog and lost about 25 pounds? Anyway, here's that pic of me at 16 weeks:

Then here is the next picture today at 20 weeks. I can still fit into most of my clothes, but they are getting a little more tight. I think it looks like like I am carrying high, but it could be too soon to tell.

I would like to do a catch up post soon of my first four months, especially to describe the first trimester. My next Dr.'s appointment is October 6th and we get to find out the gender, that's next week.

Exercise for week of 9/27:
Monday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Tuesday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Wednesday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Thursday - 30 minute walk, 60 minutes Baby Ready Yoga
Friday - 30 minute walk, 15 minute elliptical, weights, 10 leg lifts each side, 10 squats
Weekend - Friends are visiting so we will spend most of the time chasing after their twins! Oh and cuddling the three month old.....

To all a lovely week!

Currently On Hiatus

2009-06-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

Well kids, you've probably noticed I've stopped posting on my health blog. Do not worry! I will be back! I have not given up!

I have only pulled a muscled in back and can not exercise strenuously for six weeks. Unfortunately about the only thing I can do is walk, which I will be doing six days a week, with my stretches for my back. I will also be doing my 15 minute yoga twice a week also, which was deemed ok and will only help with the back pain. So will massages from hubby.......hubby, are you ready this?

I blame it all on bad sports bras and too large breasts. I'll be back in July and I have some HUGE plans coming your way!

Plan for week 23 of 52

2009-05-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Since I missed making a plan for last week (22), I am going to start fresh with new plan for week 23. The year is almost half way over and I want to also start just doing one blog post on Sundays to reflect on the past week and plan for the week ahead. This summer is starting to fill up with activites, festivals, camping, and possibly moving if we ever find a house. I want to keep the posts to a minimum to spend maximum time outside.

Sunday weigh in: 207.6

Last week was our final week at the gym and guess what, we only went once. Oh well, I was tired of it anyway. I wanted to be outside and that is exactly what I did. I went for a long walk everyday. I didn't run because I've had a really bad stomach ache for the past week, cramps, you know girly stuff. However I did briskly walk and get my heart beat up and walked the cramps away. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous at times, with storm clouds in the background and golden streaks at sunset. Temp has been about 75 degrees, my kind of weather.

My half marathon training is on hold right now. Week 21 I did awesome, I ran all of the mileage, but then my left knee started to act up. I need to get used to running outside so I am going to take it really easy and do walk run intervals for the summer. Then come the end off July, I am going to step it up a notch. To be continued.

Here's the plan for next week:
Plan for the week:

Sunday: 3 mile walk w/ Jorge
Monday: 60 minute yoga, walk Jorge 30 minutes
Tuesday: 3 mile run /walk interval, weights, core
Wednesday: 60 minute bike ride (maybe to work?), 15 min walk w/ Jorge
Thursday: 2 mile run / walk interval, weight, core
Friday: rest
Saturday: Something outside, maybe a hike!

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: BBQ Pork Rib with cucumber and tomato salad
Monday: Tuna salad
Tuesday: Chicken bake with peas
Wednesday: Cous Cous and veggies
Thursday: Chicken salad
Friday: Fish and rice
Saturday: Grill something

Missed Reflection of Week 21 and Plan for Week 22

2009-05-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, Memorial Day weekend really through me off. I did end up weighing myself last Sunday and I was going to do a blog post. However with all of the festivities and things, I totally missed it!

Weigh in last Sunday was 210. That's no surprise due to the party weekend. Well, I will just start fresh with a plan for week 23.

Plan for Week 21 of 52

2009-05-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Plan for the week:

Sunday: 2.6 mile run, weights, core
Monday: 60 minute yoga, walk Jorge 30 minutes
Tuesday: 3 mile run interval, weights, core
Wednesday: 60 minute bike ride (maybe to work?), 15 min walk w/ Jorge
Thursday: 3 mile run interval, weight, core
Friday: rest
Saturday: Something outside

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Artichokes and salad
Monday: Green Chili Bowl
Tuesday: Tuna Salad
Wednesday: Cous Cous and veggies
Thursday: Pasta
Friday: Fish and rice
Saturday: Grill something

Reflection on Week 20 of 52

2009-05-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Weigh In: 206

After this week, I am a bit surprised I am down 3 lbs. I really thought I was hitting a plateau. I do think I still am though, because I've been somewhat bored with my workouts. This past week went really well. I accomplished the whole plan, except for Thursday, I didn't do the AM Yoga, no biggy though, I took a really long walk with hubby and Jorge. Food this week also went pretty well, I did snack outside of my plan on some chocolates, cashews, and a few extra glasses of wine, but nothing too bad.

At work on Wednesday, I noticed something on the printer. It was a half marathon training plan for novices. I glanced through it and then put it in the tray for it's owner. Thursday it was still sitting there. Friday, yep, still there. It sparked my interest again and I took it home. I've read through it a few times, thinking about wanting to change around my workouts and I think maybe this will be the way to go. I love running and about two and half years ago, I did the Couch to 5K training plan. It was great to build endurance. Now I am at about 2.5 miles three days a week.

This novice training plan for the half marathon I found came from Hal Higdon's website. The farthest race I have ever done is the Bolder Boulder 10K, which is a little over 6 miles. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. Now, you might be thinking I am crazy and yes, I am a little, but I am not doing this plan to the exact points. I will be doubling this training program, meaning that I am making his 12 week plan into a 24 week plan. I am taking it super slow.

One thing that I like about this plan is that Hal talks about walking and how important it is for a runner to incorporate walking. He states:

"Walking is an excellent exercise that a lot of runners overlook in their training. I don't specify walking breaks, but feel free to walk during your running workouts any time you feel tired or need to shift gears. When you go to the starting line in your twelfth week, nobody will care whether you run the full Half Marathon; they're more concerned that you finish! If this means walking every step in practice and in the race, do it!"

I think this is a great way to look at. I fully beleive in interval training, running five mintues, walking five minutes, etc and building endurance the whole time. On the treadmill I am up t0 running a full 30 minutes. However outside is a totally different story, I've only run 1.5 miles straight, which was about 13 minutes. I haven't tried anything further yet because we still have the membership, but slowly and surely I'll get there. It is a whole different animal being outside. Today Dan and I ran to the gym, which was 1.3 miles, did weights and core and then ran home. It was great. I felt totally fine. Plus it was so different running on pavement instead of gravel. I really like pavement a lot more. It seemed a bit easier, I don't know why.

Well, we'll see how it goes. I'm taking it weekly. I'll be planning it out as usual. I'm excited too because we're switching up the days for our hard workouts. Check out the plan for next week!

Plan for Week 20 of 52

2009-05-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hmm, I'm not feeling up to planning today. I'm just going to do the basics to stick in the routine. One thing I did mention to my husband is that I think we should start eating later than 6pm. I am starving by the time 8 or 8:30 rolls around and want a snack, then snacking gets out of control having popcorn or cashews every night. I wake up feeling full and that is not good. Digestion is a lot slower when you are asleep. I told him I would like to eat around 7 or 7:30, that way I stay full longer and then I start getting ready for bed at 9, it wouldn't bother me. Anyway, I don't know. We'll see how it goes.

Plan for the week:

Sunday: Rest
Monday: Eliptical 30 minutes, stretch, core, weights - in gym
Tuesday: 60 minute yoga, walk Jorge 30 minutes
Wednesday: Run interval 30 minutes, free weights, core, stretch - in gym
Thursday: AM Yoga, 30 min walk w/ Jorge - at home and outside
Friday: Eliptical 30 minutes , free weights, core, stretch - in gym
Saturday: Something outside

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: BBQ pork sandwhiches
Monday: Salad
Tuesday: Cous Cous and veggies
Wednesday: Salad
Thursday: Chicken and Rice
Friday: Pasta
Saturday: Grill something

Reflection on Week 19 of 52

2009-05-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Sunday Weigh In: 209.6

Gained a little this week, I attribute that to this past week's snacking and maybe a little bit more wine drinking than necessary. I did however have some great workouts this week. Tuesday I didn't ride my bike to work, we had plans after work so I wasn't able to. I also skipped yoga Thursday, which I could feel and am now paying for it. My body needs yoga at least twice a week to stretch and my mind needs it for the focus.

Yesterday was so beautiful outside. We went for a 3 mile walk and came back to the house and did a bunch of yard work. Later that afternoon we went on a 7 mile bike ride. Today it is rainy and cloudy, which I welcome in order to have an excuse to stay inside and relax. I'm a little sore from everything yesterday. Oh yah, forgot to mention, unless you read my last post, I ran outside Friday. Big step for me! My lungs felt different and my left knee started to hurt, but I'm going to start building from here. I know I can do it, I can run outside and enjoy it.

Map My Run

2009-05-08T18:20:00.001-07:00

I decided to not go to the gym today and try a run outside. I found a route on map my run that was 1.5 miles.

1st outdoor run 5/8/09
Find more Runs in Louisville, Colorado

It was a good start to running and exercising outside. I walked a couple minutes for a warm up and walked for a cool down. I only did a little bit of stretching pre-run, which was a mistake because my left knee started to hurt. I got a side cramp at the end, but I think that is because I had a snack a little bit before the run and plus running outside is different than running inside on the treadmill. It felt great though, I got to run on all different terrains and felt like an athlete. I even saw a great blue heron on the trail. So beautiful and better than staring at the TV at the gym.

Plan for Week 19 of 52

2009-05-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

I can't remember if I told everyone that we canceled our gym membership, probably on my other blog I had when I wrote about putting together our budget. Well, we did and our last day is May 31st. We are saving money, but we are also not sure if we will be living near by, since we are looking at houses in other cities. We thought we would just cancel now, hoping we'll be moved out of town by July.

This means I need to come up with a new plan of action since the gym will not be available. I am not happy about running outside, I like the treadmill because I can see my heart rate, distance, speed and time. I will create a plan of action to easily transition into working out outdoors. What activities do we enjoy outside? Biking, hiking, walking, roller blading, gardening, and running.

For running, I will need to ease myself into it because running on the streets and trails is different than running on the belt of a treadmill. There are many more factors that go into it, rocks, cracks, curbs, kids, grass, gravel. This actually will be a great change for me, it will make me stronger having to decipher the different terrain and inclines. I will start with only intervals, my favorite. For biking, I will start riding to work. I love hiking and walking, that's easy for me to do. Hubby loves roller blading, I can do it too, I just don't love it. The more I do it, the easier it will become though. It is a great work out. Gardening and working in the yard is mentally cleansing for me and also very physical, I consider it a good work out for mind and body.

Now for the plan. I have four weeks until the membership is over and need to take full advantage of it. I am thinking this week and next, three days in the gym, two days outside; for example, Monday, Wednesday, Friday in gym, ride bike Tuesday, run or roller blade outside Saturday. Then the last two weeks of the month, two days in gym, three days outside; for example. Monday, Wednesday in gym, ride bike Tuesday, run outside Friday, walk or roller blade Saturday.

Plan for the week:

Sunday: Run interval 30 minutes, stretch and core - in gym
Monday: Eliptical 15 minutes, Treadmill 15 minutes, stretch, core, weights - in gym
Tuesday: Ride bike to work - 8 miles round trip - outside
Wednesday: Run interval 30 minutes, free weights, core, stretch - in gym
Thursday: AM Yoga, 30 min walk w/ Jorge - at home and outside
Friday: Eliptical 30 minutes , free weights, core, stretch - in gym
Saturday: Something outside - there is an MS Walk we might attend in Boulder - 3 miles - outside

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: homemade french bread, corn chowder, grilled asparagus
Monday: Qdoba - going to see houses and my aunt is coming with, she's having a 'jones' for the 'dobe
Tuesday: Tuna Salad
Wednesday: Salad with bacon
Thursday: Artichokes
Friday: Naked Burgers
Saturday: Grill something

Reflection on Week 18 of 52

2009-05-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

Weigh In: 207.8

Good week for exercising, I'm feeling more and more back on target and routine oriented. For a while there, I literally had to drag myself to the gym. Coming off vacation, then flu, busy work schedule, injured knees and three blizzards, I struggled to find the motivation to workout. In knowing how I hold myself to the highest expectations and that if I don't reach for perfect or 100%, I would get down on myself. Working with this strive for perfection, I have really started to understand my thought process and that no one is perfect and can never reach perfection. Plus it was putting too much stress on my life. It has taken me about 5 years, but I have come a long way to find a healthy level of pushing myself.

During the hard month of April, I allowed myself time to take it easy, get back into the workout routine slowly. I needed time to heal my mind and my body. I decreased my cardio to 30 minutes four days a week and took more walks, something I needed. This way I didn't give up on everything because I couldn't do as much as before. Last week was great, Thursday I skipped yoga and just walked the dog, Friday I skipped weights, because honestly I forgot about them. Saturday we rode about 5 miles on bikes around Ft Collins, it was awesome! We even raced the trolley down Mountain Avenue, so fun!

Plan for Week 18 of 52

2009-04-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Simple plan for the week:

Sunday: 15 treadmill interval, 15 minute arc trainer, 15 minute eliptical, 30 minute walk w/ Jorge
Monday: arc trainer 15 minutes, treadmill 15 minutes, free weights, core, stretch, 20 minute walk w/ Jorge
Tuesday: AM Yoga, 30 min walk w/ Jorge
Wednesday: Eliptical 20 minutes, treadmill 20 minutes, free weights, core, stretch
Thursday: AM Yoga, 30 min walk w/ Jorge
Friday: Eliptical 30 minutes , free weights, core, stretch
Saturday: Something outside

Dinner plan for the week:

Monday: Salad
Tuesday: Mexican Bean Bowl
Wednesday: Veggies and Rice
Thursday: Salmon and veggy
Friday: Not sure yet, we'll be in Ft Collins with Hil and Tone
Saturday: Would like to grill something

Reflection on Week 17 of 52

2009-04-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday Weigh In: 208.6

I didn't get to write on Sunday because I was so busy attending a conference for work, working out in the gym, and driving around Longmont looking at houses. It was a good week last week, I did all of my workouts, except for on Friday, I skipped it. Oops, oh well, it was such a weird and busy week anyway.

Just a note on cardio, I am taking it easy. I am doing anywhere from 30 - 45 minutes three days a week, but in intervals; 15 minutes on the eliptical, 15 minutes on the arc training, 15 minutes on the treadmill. I am scared about my knees hurting again, so I am easing back into it and stretching a lot. I also increase my arm weights by 2 pounds, I needed it, I can finally feel a little achiness again. This is a good sign that I am challenging those muscles.

Plan for Week 17 of 52

2009-04-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

Again, not feeling it, trying to get back into a routine. My schedule is really weird this week at work because I have to attend about nine hours of a conference starting Friday night through Sunday. Their won't pay overtime so I am working Monday through Thursday 9am - 4pm and Friday 9am - 3pm. I will have enough time to go to the gym this week and ease myself back in.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: 30 minute walk with Jorge
Monday: Eliptical 30 minutes , free weights, core, stretch
Tuesday: AM Yoga, 30 min walk w/ Jorge
Wednesday: Eliptical 30 minutes , free weights, core, stretch
Thursday: AM Yoga, 30 min walk w/ Jorge
Friday: Eliptical 30 minutes , free weights, core, stretch
Saturday: Something outside

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Cous Cous and veggies
Monday: Chicken Salad
Tuesday: Ham on Salad
Wednesday: Turkey breast and salad
Thursday: Tuna Salad
Friday: Rice and veggies
Saturday: Not sure yet

Reflection on Week 16 of 52

2009-04-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

Weigh In: 210.8

Last week was another bad week. Finally, when I was feeling like 90% on Tuesday, we went for a long walk with Jorge. Then that night I was in horrible pain with cramps. Wednesday and Thursday I was down and out, I couldn't even motivate to exercise with my cramps and some nausea. Friday there was a huge snow storm and the roads were too bad to drive. So Saturday I just laid around and read and slept. I am so out of routine and feeling like crap. I am working on building the motivation to start all over again, after about three weeks off =(

Plan for Week 16 of 52

2009-04-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Sitting here still a little under the weather, I can't even fathom working out and exacerbating this illness. I'm going to play it by ear and see how I feel. I'm thinking about just doing some walking and yoga this week.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Rest
Monday: Walk Jorge
Tuesday: AM Yoga
Wednesday: Walk Jorge
Thursday: 60 Min Yoga w/ Shiva Rea
Friday: If I am 100% - then gym workout, eliptical and arc trainer, plus core and weights
Saturday: Bike Ride or Hike, something outside

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Easter Dinner
Monday: Salad w/ leftover ham
Tuesday: Tun Salad
Wednesday: Chicken and Rice
Thursday: Cous Cous and veggies
Friday: Pork Chops and Brussel Sprouts
Saturday: Not sure yet

Reflection on Week 15 of 52

2009-04-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weigh In: 208

Well, I maintained even though I got sick mid-stream this week and haven't worked out since Tuesday. Last Sunday was good, I got back into the gym having fun, doing three different exercises. Then Monday I went in and just did the eliptical, I was skipping the treadmill due to my knee. I upped my free weights to 8lbs and really felt it this time. Tuesday I did Kundalini yoga and had an awesome time. I felt stronger than the last time. Then Wednesday on the way to the gym I felt my breathing my shallow and I had been coughing all day. I wanted to go after work since Dan wasn't coming. We usually work out in the mornings, but when Dan doesn't go (he was sick) I go after work. I had been feeling kind of weird all day. I read my intuition and decided to turn right around and go home. I was right, Thursday I was feeling a little worse and then come Friday I was down for the count.

I was so soar due to Kundalini yoga, I couldn't tell if it was from the workout or the sickness. Ha! Don't want to go through that again. I do admit, I seriously miss working out. This sucks. I haven't been able to get a great workout in for about three weeks now. Sad to say too that it's coming down to canceling our gym membership. We have to cut it in order to save money and that makes me sad and scared. I'm scared I'll go back to my starting weight, I admit. However I beleive if I make a good plan and stick with it, that won't happen. I have to take advantage of the great outdoors since it's getting so nice out. I must be inventive. We'll be cancelling Monday, which will actually give us through the end of May since we had to pay the last month.

April and May will be transition months, working out in the gym and integrating new outdoor workouts. I hate to run outside, but my love of the runner's high will make me get outside and run anyway. I'll find a love of running in the outdoors, I know I will. It will take time. More to come on the transition later.

Plan for Week 15 of 52

2009-04-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Back to a new routine, sort of. I have to tell the truth and say it was nice not going to the gym for a whole week, however I could tell that all of my energy was trying to get out somehow. I'm proud to say I am so used to going to the gym and working out, that my body actually expected it and missed it! It was nice to go over there today and get my heart rate up, despite the massive knee pain.

I still don't want to push it too hard this week, I am working on finding a good balance for my time, meaning not being at the gym 6 days a week. Mentally, I can go only 4 or 5 times, physically I could go everyday really, but I enjoy my time at home and outside. Last week it was nice having Wednesday through Friday be "short" days, not going to the gym and only working 8 hours at the office.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Bike 15 min, Eliptical 15 min, Treadmill Run 15 min, Core
Monday: Arc Trainer 15 min, Eliptical 15 min, Treadmill Run 15 min, Free weights, Core
Tuesday: Kundalini Yoga 60 min
Wednesday: Eliptical 25 min, Treadmill Run 20 min, Free weights, Core
Thursday: 15 minute A.M. yoga, 45 min walk w/ Jorge
Friday: Eliptical 15 min, Treadmill Run 45 min, Free weights, Core
Saturday: Bike Ride, Snowshoe, or a Hike

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Salad w/ bacon and tomato
Monday: Salad w/ Ham and tomato
Tuesday: Rice and veggies
Wednesday: Tuna Salad
Thursday: Cous Cous and veggies
Friday: Chicken and peas
Saturday: Something in the crock pot sounds good, not sure what yet though

Reflection on Week 14 of 52

2009-04-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday Weigh In: 208.8

In two weeks I have lost 3 pounds, surprising since I didn't go to the gym for more than a week. Ok, my plan for last week fell through the cracks. At the resort I did do yoga once and stretched a few times, plus we went for a few walks while there, nice and relaxing. This past Wednesday through Saturday I didn't go back to the gym. I had no motivation or maybe I was just enjoying not being in pain and aching all of the time. He he he. However, today, Sunday I did head to the gym and eased myself back into it. I did 15 minutes on the bike, 15 minutes on the eliptical, and 15 minutes running on the treadmill.

Unfortunately, my right knee is still killing me. This is starting to really irritate me, it makes my running workout harder because it feels like my knee is going to give and sometimes it doesn't and I panic and hit the pause button. My heart rate and lung capacity is great, I want to be able to push myself and go longer so this knee thing better shape up. I am going to do a bunch of research tonight, find some stretches, etc.

Plan for Week 14 of 52

2009-03-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

We will be in Pagosa Springs from Saturday until Tuesday. My workout plan will be a bit slim this week. While at Pagosa, I plan on stretching a lot, doing some yoga and meditating. It will be totally relaxing. I am considering week 14 to be a transition week into the second quarter of this year. I am moving into a new phase.

Plan for the week:

Saturday through Tuesday: stretching, walk along the river, yoga, meditation
Wednesday: 30 minutes treadmill, free weights and core
Thursday: 45 minute walk with Jorge, 15 minute AM yoga
Friday: 3o minutes eliptical, 3o minute treadmill, free weights, core
Saturday: heading to cabin, so a hike at the cabin
Sunday: hike at the cabin

No dinner plan for the week, we won't be home for most of it, and I'm not sure what we'll be doing for dinner, easy and fresh is what I am thinking.
Here's to a great transition week!

Reflection on Week 13 of 52

2009-03-27T10:35:00.001-07:00

No Weigh In This Week

It's Friday morning and we are about to hit the road for our trip to Pagosa Springs. I wanted to take a few minutes to enter my posts for week 13 and my plan for week 14. As you can see, there is no weigh in this week, I'm skipping it and waiting for week 14 weigh in next weekend. This past week I wasn't able to ride my bike to work at all. Monday morning I didn't because I was up all night with cramps. Then Tuesday morning I didn't because I slept about 10 hours due to the night before and I had no energy. However on Tuesday night, I went to the gym and ran 20 minutes and did the eliptical 20 minutes. Wednesday I just walked the dog for exercise, I didn't ride that morning because I had errands to do at lunch and after work. Then Thursday was the blizzard. Ha! What a crazy week.

Today I did intervals on the treadmill for 30 minutes. It felt great since I am tense, worrying about the drive to Alamosa today. The blizzard has passed and roads look clear to Colorado Springs, however from Colorado Springs to Alamosa, it is still looking cloudy and snow packed. We will take our time and be very careful.

Plan for Week 13 of 52

2009-03-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

This week is going to be hard, I am already preparing myself to be strong and keep my head on straight. Before vacations, I sometimes check out of my mind a few days early, ignoring routines, not eating well, and screwing off at work, only in anticipation of sitting in a hot springs, next to a raging river at sunset, with red wine hidden in my coffee cup........ok enough of the day dream.

I have to work four-tens this week because I am taking Friday off. The last time I worked four ten hour days, I worked 6:30am - 5pm, this week I decided to do 7am to 5:30pm, this is going to royally suck, but I have to. My plan was to ride my bike all four days to work, that means getting up at 5:30am to start to work by 6am. However, it is supposed to snow tonight. I am not believing it will snow tonight though. Why you ask? Because it hasn't snowed all winter! Unless you count the trace amount from last month, not even enough to register.

We'll see though. If I don't ride my bike, then I will go to the gym after work. However, I could do a couple really long walks with Jorge and Dan. Friday before we head into the mountains, Dan said we will have our last chance workout. Ever watch Biggest Loser? This Friday is probably the last time we will work out until we get back from the hot springs. I am bringing my yoga DVDs though. So I may not be posting this coming weekend, maybe, only if I a can pull myself away from the Venetian water fall of 103 degrees in pool 22 at Pagosa Hot Springs, trust me it is utterly heavenly. I can already feel my body there.

Work is also going to be sooooo busy this week. I have three projects I am working on, plus I have to recruit a whole bunch more providers into our network, lots and lots and lots to do. Here's to keeping my head on straight and getting some exercise, in order to keep the stress down.

Tentative Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Tennis 30 minutes, Bike Ride 45 minutes, Walk 30 minutes, House cleaning all day!
Monday: Bike ride to and from work - 45 minutes, core and weights
Tuesday: Bike ride to and from work - 45 minutes
Wednesday: Bike ride to and from work - 45 minutes, core and weights
Thursday: Bike ride to and from work - 45 minutes
Friday: 6.5 miles on treadmill, core and weights
Saturday: stroll on the bike path in Pagosa, maybe a yoga DVD?

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Crock pot chicken, celery, red potato, onion, mushrooms
Monday: shredded pork on salad
Tuesday: chicken salad
Wednesday: BBQ pork open face sandwhich
Thursday: veggies and cous couse
Friday: Not sure?
Saturday: Not sure?

Reflection on Week 12 of 52

2009-03-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday Weigh In: 211.6

Wow, what a day, what a weekend. I am so physically tired, my body is aching. My mind is the opposite of my body, it is strong and I am feeling good. This weekend was a sort of cleansing, a preparation for moving onto my next phase this year. First let me reflect on last week.

I did great in my exercise, I skipped Friday, but made up for it on Saturday by running a 10K. I ran 6.5 miles in 85 minutes. Around mile three though I had to walk at a 3.5 because my right knee was on fire, I literally buckled on the treadmill and had to pause for a moment in order to stretch. It was so weird. I hate having this knee pain. I just told myself, two more miles, one more mile, next weekend you can heal at the hot springs. The 6.5 miles was great, it was something I have been looking forward too, despite the knee pain. I know I can work through this. I took some meds, did a self massage, and rubbed on arnica gel. It feels good now, but hurt a little bit today while I was playing tennis. We rode our bikes around town today, played tennis for about 30 minutes, and took a 30 minute walk. It was a great fun day. I also cleaned the house, which took all day, blah! I took a two hour break though to do those aforementioned fun things.

I would like to say that my core exercises were awesome this week. I also upped the weight on my free weights from 5 lbs to 8lbs for my arms. It felt great to go up three pounds, a better work out. Even though I felt totally on target this week, I gained three pounds. It's understandable though due to last week's party extravagenaza and then last past Friday we ordered in lunch at work, plus I had some drinks and snacks this week. No problem, exercise was awesome, I just didn't do to well on food. These next three weeks will be very hard too. Next weekend, we are going to Pagosa Hot Springs for three nights for our anniversary. Of course there will be lots of wine and lots of chocolate, amongst other indulgent yummy foods. I will try to restrain myself. Then my mom is coming in the weekend after that, we usually go out to eat a lot, but I will try to keep on track. If I keep the exercise going, I should be fine.

Like I mentioned, I think I am moving into a new phase. I feel like in my day to day food selection, I am making better choices and I am also understanding nutrition. I am enjoying this process in seeing what works for me and what doesn't. More on my next phase later. On to next week's plan.

Plan for Week 12 of 52

2009-03-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

My workouts have been getting too long during the week and I have had to skip free weights or core just in order to get to work in the morning by 8:30am. If I get to work later, I have to stay later and that is not fun. I hate staying at work later than 5:30pm. I also don't like to wake up before 6am, if I do my whole day is shot. Focus this week is on getting in more aerobic exercise in shorter time periods. This means that I want to get in five aerobic sessions at 30 to 40 minutes each. Since I am not going to do 60 minutes of cardio three days a week, I will need to push the intensity for my shorter sessions for these next five days. I think this is the best way to get in my planned weights, core training, and short yoga sessions. Here's the plan.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Day off
Monday: 40 minute treadmill interval, free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Tuesday: 15 minute A.M. yoga, 30 minute arc trainer
Wednesday: 40 minute treadmill interval, free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Thursday: 15 minute A.M. yoga, 30 minute eliptical
Friday: 40 minute treadmill interval, free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Saturday: maybe a long hike or a bike ride

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Sadly we had Totino's pizza. I know that is so bad, but Dan and I make an exception about twice a year to indulge
Monday: taco salad minus the chips
Tuesday: salad with turkey breast
Wednesday: tuna salad
Thursday: pulled pork and green beans
Friday: pulled pork and peas
Saturday: roast chicken?

Reflection on Week 11 of 52

2009-03-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

Friday Weigh In: 208.6

As you can see, I weighed in on Friday instead of Sunday. I knew that I wouldn't be able to weigh in today because we stayed the night in Ft Collins at my sister's house for her boyfriend's birthday party. It was a lot of fun this weekend, however I totally splurged on partying. A lot of wine, chocolate, chips, and dips. It was worth it though, so fun and delicious. I did get in a 45 minute walk Saturday morning and I'm counting our 15 minute bike ride to the bar Saturday as exercise. Ha!

Last week did not go as planned, I tried out a new routine and it just didn't feel right. Here's the breakdown of what really happened:

Sunday: 20 minute arc trainer, 40 minute run/walk interval treadmill
Monday: 15 minute morning Yoga with Rodney Yee, 30 minute walk w/ Jorge
Tuesday: 20 minute arc trainer, 40 minute run/walk interval treadmill free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Wednesday: 60 minute Yoga, 30 minute walk w/ Jorge
Thursday: 30 minute walk w/ Jorge
Friday: 30 minute arc trainer, 30 minute run/walk interval treadmill, free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Saturday: 45 minute walk, 30 min bike ride

It wasn't too bad, I just feel as if I didn't get my heart rate up enough times during the week. This coming week, I am changing up my routine again, in order to get in more aerobic exercise. We'll see on next's weigh in if this loss to 208 lbs will stick, since this weekend was such a wash with the party and all. Trust me, Sunday's eating was not......good.......at........all.........either.

Plan for Week 11 of 52

2009-03-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

This week is all about the focus on my emotions and eating / drinking. There are some tough times ahead and I need to stay on top of things and know and understand that the extra glass of wine in the evening will not make my problems go away. I have to remember that making the choice of eating the extra chocolates will not make the bank answer us any faster. The exercise part for me comes almost easy, meaning I am usually very motivated to go to the gym or get outside and get my heart rate up. Once I am there, I do it. I confess though, that my energy level is not always the same Bad Day = Low Energy and I do account for that and push a little harder or go a little longer.

Last week I had a lot of extras that are usually not in our house. I baked homemade pretzels and Dan also made this super sweet homemade chai, which we drink cold with milk. We never have milk in the house, so having a chai or two a day last week added extra calories I don't normally consume. Don't be worried though I get my calcium through cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese. This week's focus will be on only one glass of wine a night and no cocktails until Tone's party next Saturday (one glass of wine a night is proven to increase HDL - the good cholestorol), popcorn for a snack on Thursday night, and lots of protein and veggies. My exercise focus will be on going my free weights and my new core exercises.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: 20 minute arc trainer, 40 minute run/walk interval treadmill, free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Monday: 15 minute morning Yoga with Rodney Yee, 30 minutes eliptical, 30 minute walk w/ Jorge
Tuesday: 20 minute arc trainer, 40 minute run/walk interval treadmill free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Wednesday: 60 minute Yoga, 30 minute walk w/ Jorge
Thursday: 20 minute arc trainer, 40 minute run/walk interval treadmill free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min
Friday: 1 hour hike at Davidson Mesa or Marshall Mesa w/ Jorge
Saturday: 20 minute eliptical, 40 minute run/walk interval treadmill free weights for arms, core exercises, stretch 15 min

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Dinner at Aunt Pat's: Turkey, Peas, Mashed potatoes and gravy, with pumpkin bars for dessert (wow, I really need to make good portion size choices on this meal. LOL)
Monday: Blacks Beans and Basmati Rice with salsa and cheese
Tuesday: Brussel Sprouts and Pork Loin
Wednesday: Green Bean Casserole with left over pork loin
Thursday: Tuna Salad
Friday: Turkey lunch meat on salad
Saturday: Heading to the FC for Tone's B-day. I think there will be a lot of snacking and drinking going on, better focus though and make good choices.

Reflection on Week 10 of 52

2009-03-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday Weight In: 211.6
Measurements:
Bust: 45 1/2"
Belly: 42"

I haven't posted my measurements in a really long time, since Week 5's reflection to be exact. I am down almost three inches on my bust and one inch on my belly. I can definitely tell in the way my clothes are fitting me. I wish I would have taken my hips measurement because my pants are all almost falling off me at this point. Good thing I can sew, because I was doing alterations all weekend. I just can't afford new pants at this time, maybe when I hit 200 lbs I will get a new pair of jeans. Actually I think I will hit Goodwill and Savers at that time to get like $5 jeans. We are saving money to go towards a house right now and I don't want to buy any extras, if you know what I mean.

This week I splurged on some food and alcohol. It was not a good eating week for me. Since I made homemade pretzels last weekend, we had one every night for four nights with dinner. Then I had drinks every night, a couple of glasses of wine here, a cocktail there, darn it! It was kind of a tough week at work, big projects, and then not hearing from the bank for our possible home loan, and some other stuff that made the week kind of crappy. Well, I ate and drank my emotions away. I stayed on track with my planned dinners and meals, however, I did snack a little on popcorn and chocolates. It's the alcohol that added the extra calories this week. If I would have cut that down, I would have had better results today.

I did reach some awesome milestones this week though that I would love to share:

I can now cross my legs without struggling and having to push the top one over the bottom. Umm, you'll know what I mean if you have ever weighed a lot. I want to be able to cross my legs without looking like a man. Big plus for me!
I ran 35 minutes straight at 4.5 on the treadmill!
I ran a 12 minutes mile (5.0 on the treadmill), walked for three minutes and then ran a 12 minute mile again!

Since it was a crappy week in regards to snacking and the splurging of alcohol, I am happy and proud to share those milestones. The week was not a total failure. Ha! Oh yah, forgot to mention, I only did my weights one time this week. Strength training is so important and I am kicking myself for not getting it in. Lately I have been very focused on my cardio and my core. I learned some new core moves and have been doing those, but I really need to get my arm weights in. So important!

Plan for Week 10 of 52

2009-03-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

I had a goal of getting down to 200 for our anniversary weekend at Pagosa Hot Springs, that weekend is now four weeks away. If I want to be down to 200, I would need to lose 12.5 pounds. That's a little over 3 pounds a week. I don't want to say that it's not doable, but given what these last 9 weeks have been like, weight loss is not the same every week, it is not predictable and plus, life sometimes doesn't allow me to stay completely on track. These aren't excuses, I'm just saying that if I'm not down to 200 by the end of March, I'm not going to hate myself. I think I have been doing great and if I'm at least below 210 by then, that would be super awesome. Some of my pants are fitting anymore and my shirts are looking way better, I don't get winded walking up the stairs at work and my heart rate is better than it was 9 weeks ago, these are all great measures I love to see, not just a number on the scale.

If I look at the year ahead, my ultimate goal was to lose 50 pounds to get down to 175. That means, by mid June I should be somewhere near 200, which would be half way to my goal, so I've been making great progress. I haven't hit any crazy plateaus yet which I know will happen and will need to be reckoned with, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Now on to planning for the week.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Hour hike at Waneeka Lake, 30 minute eliptical, 15 minute run treadmill 5.0
Monday: 30 minutes eliptical, 30 minutes treadmill run /walk interval, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Tuesday: Shiva Yoga 50 minutes, 30 minute walk with Jorge
Wednesday: 30 minute eliptical, 30 minute treadmill run /walk interval, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Thursday: Shiva Yoga 50 minutes, 30 minute walk with Jorge
Friday: 15 minute stair stepper, 15 minute rower, 30 minute treadmill run /walk interval, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Saturday: Snowshoe at Brainard Lake or hike at Marshall Mesa

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Grilled Pork Chops and Peas
Monday: Homemade Chili
Tuesday: Salad w/ tomato, sunflower seeds, cheese, garbonzo beans
Wednesday: Cous Cous and veggies
Thursday: Tuna Salad
Friday: Shepards Pie
Saturday: Roast Chicken (didn't get to this weekend, so trying for next weekend)

Reflection on Week 9 of 52

2009-03-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 212.6

Wow, I did not expect to see that number this morning. If anything I expected to go up a pound, even though my clothes have been telling me different. This past week I did not stay on schedule, working the four tens really messed up my workouts. However, on the days that I did workout, I reached some awesome new limits and pushed hard. So let me tell you about my week.

Last Sunday, we did as planned. The hike was great, did it in about 50 minutes, then we rode our bikes to the gym. I did a 45 minute run/walk interval and stepped it up a notch this time. I walked 2 minutes at 3.5, ran 2 minutes at 4.5, ran 2 minutes at 5.5, ran 2 minutes at 4.5, and then walked 2 minutes at 3.5, then started all over with the steps until 45 minutes was done.

Monday I took off because I was meeting a girlfriend at the Dragonfly Cafe, which serves the most delicious spicy chai I have ever tasted, well worth it! Tuesday was an emotional day for me, I did not feel like working out. However, I did. I planned to do 30 minutes eliptical, 30 minutes treadmill and weights, but after a grueling ten hour day filled with too many things, I just did the eliptical half heartedly (heart rate did get up to 150 though surprisingly).

Wednesday, no yoga, just walked the dog for a half hour. Thursday I had planned the eliptical and run/walk and weights again, but skipped it, didn't do anything. So then comes Friday, my day off. I wanted to hike and go to the gym and meditate. Didn't really turn out that way. We went to the gym in the morning, I did 30 minutes on the eliptical at a higher level than ever - 7. Then I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and guess what?! I ran at 4.5 for the ENTIRE 30 MINUTES!!!! It was freakin' awesome. I walked home from the gym then, which took me about 30 minutes. Saturday I did get in a ten minute chant session, which was followed by an hour and half walk throughout our neighborhood trails.

Overall, I thought I had a slacker week because I didn't workout everyday, when in actuality, since I didn't go to the gym everyday, I pushed it and worked harder on the days that I did go. I realized that after a ten hour day at work, there isn't much I really want to do. Plus at night it is harder to get motivated to head to the gym, I just want to go home, make dinner and relax. Plus it is really busy there in the evenings, I would much rather go in the mornings. Plus I am more of a morning person, having to put effort into something after 3pm anyday is hard for me.

Eating this week I also thought was a total blow out. I didn't stay on course very well, since I wasn't worrying about restricting myself, I let my guard down and relaxed about it. I don't count calories or anything, but this week I allowed myself some extra wine, chocolates, and some Sunflower chips. The body works in mysterious ways, and so does the mind. Maybe mixing up the routine had something to do with it too. There is one thing I did do different this week in regards to food; I introduced a whole grain into my morning diet. I usually have yogurt in the mornings, with frozen blueberries and a little granola (once or twice a week for the granola), however since my HDL was low, I should be eating my grains to raise (amongst other things). I'm eating a half cup of something similar to Grape Nuts cereal in the yogurt. It keeps me full longer and has helped with digestion. I am hoping it will help raise my HDL also in the long run.

Plan for Week 9 of 52

2009-02-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

A new week and a new plan. I've been feeling kind of burnt out going to the gym 5 days a week. I think I will only go 4 days this week, which will be a good switch up. Monday I am meeting a girlfriend after work for tea so I will not be working out after work. I am working four ten hour days this week, so my workout is pushed to after work. My schedule will be 6:30am - 5pm. I guess I could get up at 4am and go to the gym, but.......I love my sleep too much. I will workout at 5:30pm - 6:45pm and then come home to start dinner. It will be fun having a new schedule this week! I love to switch it up sometimes.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Hour hike at Davidson Mesa, 20 min bike ride to gym, 45 minutes treadmill run /walk interval
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Eliptical 30 minutes (level 7), Run/Walk Interval 30 minutes, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Wednesday: Shiva Yoga 50 minutes and 30 minutes walk with Jorge
Thursday: Eliptical 30 minutes (level 7), Run/Walk Interval 30 minutes, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Friday: Off of work, so I would like to maybe go to Marshall Mesa or someplace outside - 2 hour hike. Arc trainer at the gym 30 minutes in the morning. Meditate 20 minutes
Saturday: Snowshoe?

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Naked Bratwurst and Steamed Broccoli
Monday: Tuna Salad
Tuesday: Zataran's Red Beans and Rice and side salad
Wednesday: Pork Chops and peas
Thursday: Chicken with paprika sauce over rice
Friday: Asian peanut chicken and veggies with rice noodles
Saturday: Roast Chicken

As you can see on the exercise schedule, I have added in a meditation session on Friday. I would like to start adding these in as scheduled sessions, because it is much like establishing my exercise routine. Meditation should also be scheduled and become part of my routine. There are several different ways to meditate; in silence, chanting, with music, walking, gardening, in yoga relaxation poses, etc. My favorite way I have come across in the past is sitting cross legged and chanting "Om mani padme hum" for every bead on my homemade prayer beads. That's roughly 108 times. It focuses me, I think of nothing else, but concentrating on those words. This is a good resource of it meaning of "Om mani padme hum". I also love to listen to the CDs of Hindu and Buddhist chants I have, I load them into my Shuffle and sit with my eyes closed focusing on the words and music. It is very calming. A good start to a new tradition.

Reflection on Week 8 of 52

2009-02-22T08:23:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 215.6

Last week I derailed a few times on the eating healthy, but my exercise went really well. Last Sunday my plan was to try to the balance ball video and do PM yoga. That didn't happen. Monday and Wednesday were awesome. I ran Monday for 15 minutes straight, Wednesday for 18 minutes straight, and Friday for 15 minutes straight. This is big for me because I prefer to do run walk intervals. I just felt like running, so I did it and it felt great. On those days I also did the eliptical for 30 minutes and rowed ten minutes. The eliptical is an awesome warm up for the treadmill I have found. Tuesday I did Kundalini yoga, no eliptical. However we did take Jorge out for a long walk. Thursday I did yoga and we also walked Jorge. Yesterday, Saturday, I took off. We had a lot of errands to run and also wanted to see a movie.

Today is a start to a new week. We will go for an hour hike and do some weights. Since I won't be working out on Monday, we're planning on riding our bikes to the gym and getting in some cardio. I'm working four tens this week, should be interesting for the work out schedule. I'll be working out after work at 5:30pm instead of the morning since I need to be into work by 6:30am. Should be interesting.

Eating this week was a bit crazy. We stuck to the meal plans, but on top of that we had popcorn a few times, peanuts, crackers, and a few other things. It was emotional eating and I realize that. At least it was wasn't french fries or doritoes. We only have healthy snacks in the house. Still doesn't justify it. My weight pretty much stayed the same, no gain, no loss. This I will take!

15 Minutes This Morning

2009-02-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

So this morning we rolled out of bed and made it to the gym by 6:45am. I got on the elliptical and exercised at level 5 for 30 minutes. At the end my heart rate was only 135. That is not good enough. I need to notch it up a level now to like 6 or 7 because I am not getting my heart rate up enough.

However……..since I had planned to do 45 minutes of cardio today, I decided to jump on the treadmill. I really wasn’t that tired from the elliptical so I pumped up the treadmill to 4.5 (I usually run at 5.0). I decided I would just run as long as I could and then walk. Well, I only planned to do the treadmill for 15 minutes and I ran the whole time! I am super excited. This is really good for me because I hate running the whole time, I usually want to only do intervals, but since I notched it down to 4.5 I was able to run the entire 15 minutes. I will do this in spurts and see how it works for me. It felt awesome to get my heart rate up finally, I really could have gone longer, but I didn’t want to push it. I was wearing my old exercise shoes because I couldn’t wear my new ones. On Saturday I got a huge blister from snowshoeing and my new shoes touched it, whereas my old shoes do not.

Anyway, just thought I’d share the exciting news.

Plan for Week 8 of 52

2009-02-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

My focus this week is keeping my heart rate up past 145 during cardio for 45 minutes. I also rented a video for my balance ball and I am going to try that, hoping it will provide a good core challenge, which I really really need.

Workout plan for the week:

Sunday: Balance Ball video, PM Yoga
Monday, Wednesday: Eliptical 45 minutes, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Tuesday: Kundalini Yoga 50 minutes and arc trainer 30 minutes
Thursday: Shiva Rea's Yoga 60 minutes and 30 minute brisk walk with Jorge
Friday: 30 minute treadmill run / walk interval, 30 minute eliptical, free weights for arms, 25 crunches, 25 leg lifts, stretch 15 min
Saturday: walk/hike outside 6o minutes or more

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: BBQ Pork and peas
Monday: Salad with left over BBQ pork, tomato, onion, sunflower seeds, cheese
Tuesday: Taco Salad with seasoned ground beef, tomato, onion, cheese
Wednesday: Veggie salad with tomato, pepper, onion, sunflower seeds, cheese
Thursday: Chicken with paprika sauce over rice
Friday: Whole Wheat Pasta
Saturday: Not sure yet, hopefully something in the crock pot

Reflection on Week 7 of 52

2009-02-15T08:47:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 215.8

As I sit here to write this, I don't want to. I'm feeling very introverted this weekend. I'm feeling pessimistic towards weight loss. Sometimes I just don't understand and sometimes I just don't want to care anymore. The good thing is though, that I do care and I care a lot. In the past I would have given up by now, but since I am older and more understanding of the phrase "We are what we eat", I will not give up. I will continue to learn what foods are best for me, what food provide the best energy, the best nutrition. I am certainly learning how much courage, strength, and endurance I do have. I am respecting my body and my mind, trying new things both in foods and exercise. I am most proud of myself for no negative talk towards my body and allowing myself those special treats once in a while like wine, chocolate, and pizzasta at Aunt Pat's on Friday night (trust me, you don't even want to know how many calories are in that!).

I'm not obsessive, however I do need to be stern with myself or I would give in to the excuses (oh this little bag of chips isn't bad, it's too cold to go to the gym, I had a busy day, etc etc etc). It's getting so much easier with establishing this routine and eating well. My body actually craves the exercise and veggies and protein. I've been craving salt lately, maybe because of all the sweating and the large amounts of water and tea I am drinking.

As you can see, I am down three pounds since last week, that means I am down 12 pounds total from my very first weigh in. I am celebrating by getting a new pair of exercise shoes. I absolutely love my New Balance, however they are a year old and have almost no tread and no cushioning left. I am hoping Kohl's has an affordable pair in stock this weekend. I have a 15% off coupon. I think this should help with my knees, which are amazingly better since last week by the way. I read that knee pain can also be caused by tight hamstrings. So I stretched a lot last week and did a massage on my legs a couple times last week with coconut oil and arnica. I also only ran one day and the rest of the days I did eliptical and arc trainer. This leads me to my reflection on last week.

Monday and Wednesday were great. I did the eliptical 45 minutes both of those days, along with my stretching, free weights for arms, and some crunches. I did not row however, didn't have enough time. I headed Stacy's advice (see comment below post) and have decided to eliminate lunges all together. My body weight is too heavy at this point to put all of that stress on my joints. I love the eliptical and will also try it backwards, which should switch it up a bit. Tuesday was so hilarious. Like I said, I wanted to rent some different videos from the library. I ended up renting Kundalini Yoga with Gurmuhk. Check out this video (however this little example does not do Kundalini Yoga justice!!):

Kundalini Yoga is NOT like the regular Hatha or Vinyasa yoga I usually do. Those two types are focused more on breath, poses, deep stretching, whereas Kundalini yoga is faster paced, no poses, and your heart rate is increased almost immediately. I felt like I got an amazing work out and it was awesome to try a new type of yoga. I was definitley looking for more of a challenge and that was it! What was so funny is that Dan got up with me and tried it out. He never gets up to do yoga, so I am not sure what sparked him to try this out. With some of the embarrasing motions and breathing exercises, we about die laughing after the video was over. He was sore for three days if that says anything.

After Kundalini yoga last Tuesday I headed to the gym and did the arc trainer for 45 minutes. Thursday was a wash. I went to the doctor in the morning for a physical so I didn't get a work out in. Hubby and I walked the dog after work, that was it. Friday I did 30 minutes on the eliptical and then wanted to try out running again after my knee issues last week. It went well, I did a walk / run interval for 20 minutes. I was nervous, but my knees actually felt fine. I also got in some crunches and free weights. Saturday was super awesome. Dan and I went up to Brainard Lake and did a three hour 3.5 mile round trip snowshoe hike. It was beautiful and took a lot of effort, which burned a lot of calories I presume. Plus, my dog Jorge doesn't like to be in the snow that much, he is too small and has minimal fur to keep him warm. In that case he gets cold and we put him in my Pearl Izumi backpack with a blanket and then I hike him. He weighs about 15 pounds, so that's a good reminder of my weight loss. I lose 12 pounds, but then hike him around weighing 15 punds in my backpack. Great workout too!

Overall, a good week.

Plan for Week 7 of 52

2009-02-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

Since my knees are killing me this week, I have decided to not do the run/walk interval. I am going to do the eliptical and the Cybex arc trainer instead. It will take the pressure off of my knees. I really want to focus more on my core and use my exercise ball more, but I have not done the research to really put together a routine. I looked at the library and put a few DVDs on hold, so maybe this will help in developing an action plan. I am staying away from squats and lunges this week, my knees just can't take it. I want to try a new form of yoga, it is called Kundalini yoga and the library has a DVD, I put a hold on it because it was in yet.

My focus this week is stretching, free weights for my arms, and keeping my heart rate up past 150 on the eliptical and cross trainer for 45 minutes.

Workout plan for the week:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Eliptical 45 minutes, 15 minutes row, free weights for arms, stretch 15 min
Tuesday and Thursday: Yoga 45 minutes and arc trainer 45 minute
Saturday: walk/hike outside 3o minutes or more
Sunday Off

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Going out with friends
Monday: Pork Chops and Peas
Tuesday: Naked Burger and Brussel Sprouts
Wednesday: Mushroom Sauce and Rice
Thursday: Tuna of Chicken Salad (not sure which yet)
Friday: Whole Wheat Pasta
Saturday: BBQ Pork Ribs

Reflection on Week 6 of 52

2009-02-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 218.4

I am down .2 ounces and this is definitely not a loss. Anything under a 1 pound loss is to me just water weight. This week was a wash. Last Sunday I just had this intuitive feeling that I wouldn't lose anything. It was hard this past week. I wasn't as tired as a few weeks ago, I was just dealing with some things. For one, Aunt Flo came to visit, which I only missed yoga and eliptical on Thursday because of it. I was experiencing some back pain and a slacker attitude because of it. Plus I only do yoga poses to comfort the pain, never a full routine to avoid inversion poses. However on Friday, I made up for missing Thursday with doing my run/walk interval for an hour instead of only 30 minutes. It was awesome. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were great, I did what I had planned. Saturday, we did a two hour hike on Marshall Mesa.

So why didn't I lose anything? Well, one is the water retention from my hormones and two, I indulged a little this week. I had peanuts a few nights as a snack, popcorn one night, and four glasses of wine over five days. Yep, it was indulgence, my will power broke down. I'm ok with that though. I did better than my last monthly, because sometimes I could sit down and drink a bottle of wine and eat a bag of potatoes chips, know what I mean ladies?

My exercise was spot on though and I am proud of that. I felt really strong this week, despite the fact my knees have decided to divorce me. They are angry little knees, in complete and utter pain for six days now. What the hell happened? Am I pushing it too hard? Do I weigh too much for my frame size and now it is crushing my knees? Is it my shoes? They are only a year old. Yes, they look a little worn out, but only one year old. I don't know. Hil suggested arthiritis since it is common in our family, but now, at 30? During the hike, I thought I was going to fall down the mesa and roll into the highway, if I moved my knees just slightly to the right or left. If I walk straight they are 'ok', but if I squat, they feel like they are going to give out. Maybe they're not strong enough yet.

I do beleive in healing and I DON'T beleive in "No Pain No Gain". I think when something hurts, your body is trying to tell you something. Instead of resting at the very sign of pain, I still did my routine. However, I did take a few ibuprofen, I elevated, I iced, I rubbed arnic on them, and I also massaged today with coconut oil. It has helped yes, but they still feel a little wobbily. The question is, should I take more time off? Should I change around my routine and do something different and less running? Well, in order to keep my heart rate up, I think I will do less running and more eliptical and cross training this coming week.

A buddhist saying I like to repeat to myself is "Pain is Given, Suffering is Optional". This comes into play in physical and emotional pain.

Plan for Week 6 of 52

2009-02-01T11:13:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's February! It's also week 6 of the new year and I am proud to have been sharing this health blog. It's really helped keep me on track and staying positive about it. I love seeing the results of my hard work. Making these changes in my life has opened my eyes to how important eating healthy and exercising really is and also what a huge difference it makes. I have increased energy and it's showing in my attitude, my home, and my life.

In my reflection post, I wrote a little about if I should increase the amount of time I exercise versus increasing the amount of energy output. This is hard to explain, I don't know what it's called, maybe level of exertion. Let me explain. Right now I've been running at 5.0 on the treadmill for 2.5 minutes and then walking at 3.5 for 2.5 minutes for 30 minutes straight. Raising the level of exertion would be to up the running to 5.2 and the walking to 3.7 and keep the times the same at 2.5 minutes each for 30 minutes. This will be a good change to work a little harder. I would like to also increase my core workout this week. I need more core exercises, I have an exercise ball so I will do a few things on that too.

Workout plan for the week:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Run/walk interval 30 minutes (Walk 2.5 minutes at 3.7 mph and Run 2.5 minutes at 5.2 mph), free weights for arms, stretch 15 min, 12 side lunges, 12 front lunges, 20 crunches, 5 push ups, exercise ball (bridge and strength)
Tuesday and Thursday: Yoga 45 minutes and elliptical or arc trainer 45 minute
Saturday: AM yoga, walk/hike outside 3o minutes or more
Sunday Off

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Homemade bread with peanut butter and Dan's homemade chili
Monday: Leftover bread and chili
Tuesday: Salad with turkey, cheese, tomato, red onion, asian peanut vinaigrette
Wednesday: Salad with tuna, tomato, red onion and mozzarella cheese
Thursday: Bagel Sandwich with egg, ham, and cheese
Friday: Basmati rice with vegetables and edamame
Saturday: Going out to dinner with friends

Reflection on Week 5 of 52

2009-02-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 218.6
Bust: 48"
Belly: 43"

Despite eating more calories than normal on Friday and Saturday, I actually lost 3.6 pounds last week. I lost one inch from my belly since two weeks ago. I had a good week in exercise last week. I put in more cardio as planned, I even put in a little more, going beyond 30 minutes to an hour of cardio on Tuesday night and then 45 minutes of cardio on Thursday and 40 minutes on Friday. I think this really upped my metabolism. Saturday my sister Hil and I went on an hour and half hike on Marshall Mesa (against the 40 mile per hour winds which were killer, but fun!). I was going to take Saturday off from exercise, but instead I am taking today off. I think we'll take Jorge out for a little walk, but I seriously need a day to recover. My right knee was hurting a little yesterday, it felt swollen and tender inside. Last night I put it up and rubbed arnica on it. I buy it as an ointment and it works magically! This morning my knee feels way better. I will also stretch today, I really would like to do one of my favorite yoga tapes to get a deep stretch, but I know that I shouldn't push it.

It is important to keep your body guessing. Not staying with an exact routine everyday or your body will get used to it. For example, if you run every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for 30 minutes and do the same free weight arm exercises right afterwards, your body will get used to the routine and think it's just going through the motions. You need to spice it up a bit, like interval running with walking, cross training on bikes or ellipticals, and changing up the time of day you exercise. I usually workout in the mornings, but this week, I did cardio on Tuesday night and Friday night. I also went for a hike Saturday since it was so nice out and decided not to stay inside on machines.

My question is though "Should I increase times at this point? Or should I increase energy output?" I like the times I am doing, 30 minutes to 45 minutes on average for cardio is great for me. It's not too lengthy, since let's face, we all have other things to do than stay in the gym all morning. I'm thinking I might up the energy output, by running on the treadmill at 5.2 and walking at 3.7. I want to keep pushing it, but not over doing it resulting in an injury.

Eating last week went well, I did allow myself a few special things; Boulder Potato Chips (one snack bag, hey they're all natural, so I decided it was ok), Friday night we ate out at Tibet Restaurant for our 11 year anniversary. So delicious! I really stayed away from chocolate this week, I think I had one Andes Mint. I had about four glasses of wine over a five day period and a vodka tonic Thursday night. Saturday we had mimosas since my sister and boyfriend stayed the night and we celebrated her getting a job.

Ok, so I splurged this week, but it doesn't bother me. I didn't eat in excess and I enjoyed myself. It's about me being mindful about what I am eating, making good choices, cutting portion sizes and also being happy. If you regret and hate everything you put in your mouth, your body will psychosomatically react to not letting it go, to keeping it all inside. I am happy to make these important changes in my life and look forward to the wonderful changes in my routine. One thing people on 'diets' do not understand is that your body absolutely needs food and from all food groups. By cutting out a certain food group, let's say carbs, your body will react yes and you may lose a lot of weight (but gain it all back plus more later when they bring it back into their lives, trust me I did it about 7 years ago!). What about the nutrients you get from grains? the excellent fiber needed to keep digestion regular? You are also cutting out a vital energy source your body uses to do all of the exercise. Balancing your food groups is a better decision to make and eating better options such as whole grains instead of bleached white flour is also good.

Heart Rates and Extreme Hunger

2009-01-30T21:47:00.000-08:00

This week I have had a slight decrease in energy. My muscles have been sore and they feel heavy. Such a strange feeling to try to get my legs going and my arms to do weights. I’ve kept doing my routine however, not letting this slow me down too much. I’ve noticed a difference in my heart rate. I am recovering faster now, meaning that when I am running, my heart will go to around 155, then I slow down for the walk portion of my interval and I recover to around 135 faster. My resting heart rate has also slowed. This is a good sign of progress.

I’ve also noticed that I’ve been extremely hungry this week. I’m having a few cravings here and there, but overall, I am just hungry. If I decide to have a snack, it’s something good like protein or fiber or within calorie limitations. I’ve done well this week avoiding alcohol in the evenings. I only had a few glasses of wine last night (I splurged). One thing I have been crazing is protein, like meat. Weird, because I never crave that, maybe some taco meat once in a while. Maybe my muscles are trying to tell me something. Tuesday night when I got off of the eliptical, I was SO thirsty. It felt like I was in a desert and I couldn’t drink enough water. I stopped at the store after the gym and bought some Recharge. This stuff is all natural and has no High Fructose Corn Syrup like Gatorade, Powerade, and SoBe. I avoid HFCS as much as possible. After I drank that Recharge, I felt a lot less thirsty and a lot better. I’m taking in about 75 ounces of water a day, but that may not be enough in this climate.

We’ve been working out a lot in the mornings, I don’t know if I really like this. It’s hard to get up, get dressed and go to the gym in the morning. I feel like when I work out at night I have a lot more energy to push it hard, but in the mornings I just want to go through the motions and get it done. It might be because I am afraid of getting to work too late and having to stay too late to get in an 8 hour day. It’s all mental. However, mixing it up would be a good idea so that my body doesn't get used to one routine and needs to work hard.

Plan for Week 5 of 52

2009-01-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

This past week I thought about how awesome it would be to get down to 200 pounds for my 2nd wedding anniversary trip to Pagosa Springs Resort. We are going March 28th - March 31st. I have a lot of work to do if I want to drop 22 pounds in 9 weeks. That would be the equivalent of losing 2.5 pounds a week. I am averaging that in just these past two weeks. I would definitely have to get a new bathing suit then. Oh too bad!!! I really need one badly, I don't want to wear the same suit I've been wearing the past three years. It's nice, but when I'm 20 pounds lighter, that suit may not fit. I think it's pretty realistic and safe to lose 2.5 pounds a week.

My focus is going to HAVE to be on the cardio portion of my workouts. I can't just do three days of this per week and hope to lose weight. I am going to have to up it to five days a week, no questions asked. Now, I'm not a gym nut and if I start to feel overwhelmed, I can get a bad attitude about working out. I'm going to keep this in check and remind myself of the benefits of losing weight and that working out is NOT A PUNISHMENT. Staying positive about it is most important to my progress.

Along with fives days of cardio, it is important to keep up with the free weights, lunges, stretching, and yoga. I love yoga, the way it makes me feel and the stretch I get deep into my inner core of my body and my mind. Here's the plan for the week. Since it's snowing and cold, I won't be riding my bike. I am increasing my run time to 3 minutes and decreasing my walk to 2 minutes. The other day at the rec enter I noticed I was running longer than 2 minutes without evening noticing, this means I need to up it because I am getting healthier and need more of a challenge.

Workout plan for the week:

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday: Run/walk interval 30 minutes (Walk 2 minutes at 3.5mph and Run 3 minutes at 5.0 mph), free weights, stretch 15 min, 12 side lunges, 12 front lunges, 20 crunches, 5 push ups
Tuesday and Thursday: Yoga 45 minutes and elliptical or arc trainer 30 minutes
Friday: 30 minute brisk walk with Jorge
Sunday: AM yoga, walk/hike outside 3o minutes or more

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Mexican bean bowl with basmati rice and taco seasoned ground beef
Monday: Salad with ham, cheese, tomato, spinach, red pepper, vidalia onion vinaigrette
Tuesday: Salad with red pepper, cheese, tomato, spinach, asian peanut vinaigrette
Wednesday: Grilled chicken drumsticks with brussel sprouts
Thursday: Salad with turkey, cheese, tomato, spinach, asian peanut vinaigrette
Friday: Going out to dinner for our 11 yr anniversary so we're not sure yet
Saturday: Grilled pork chops and green beans (tentative)

Reflection on Week 4 of 52

2009-01-25T12:21:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weight In: 222.2

Last week was kind of a crap shoot. I feel like I didn't do very well and that is definitely all in my head. I need to give myself credit because I did lose 1 pound. Was it only water weight? I don't know. I think I made good food choices and took in less calories, maybe too few and my body didn't know what was happening? Probably not though, since I did take in chocolates all week, maybe like two Dove dark choco-minis a day and I had a glass of wine every night. I'm trying to think of what I can do better and being mindful of this and not overly concerned is the best option. It was my Aunt's birthday yesterday so we went out to eat and also had dessert so that was probably not a good idea, however you have to indulge sometimes. I'll make up for it on another day and get in extra cardio. It's a simple equation: burn more calories than you take in, safely.

Speaking of the exercise, I stayed on track this past week for the most part. Monday and Tuesday were awesome. After riding my bike on Tuesday, I didn't want to get out of bed Wednesday morning to do the run and walk interval. Instead, Dan and I walked Jorge for 30 minutes and then I did my stretching and weights as planned. Thursday I did my yoga and we walked 30 minutes. I didn't ride my bike because it was supposed to get colder and windier. Since I didn't get my cardio in on Wednesday, I went to the gym Friday and did 45 minutes of the run/walk interval and 15 minutes on the elliptical. Saturday we went for a 45 minutes walk and I did the stretching and weights as planned. I didn't get to ride my bike though, no biggy, it was way cold.

Today, Sunday, I skipped the yoga. We ended up joining a new gym Friday night so we went there today. I did this new machine called the arc trainer for 30 minutes and the elliptical for 30 minutes. I like this new gym because there are no kids running around and playing on the machines and also because you usually get the machine you want. Plus it's open 24 hours, which is nice since I like to go early in the morning and don't have to wait for it to open. The way they can keep it open 24 hours is that everything is done on finger prints. There is no card, they scan your finger. It's like a gym for James Bond, ha!

I have really decreased my intake of salt. Every time I grab for it, I think about if I really need it. I've also decreased my intake of cheese, which has helped my digestion. A couple things I want to focus on this week is laying off the glass of wine every night, limit it to like 4 nights and also lay off having two pieces of chocolate every night. Ok, well, I usually have two dark chocolate pieces, I will go with only one. Baby steps, rights? LOL!

You Know You're Out of Shape When............

2009-01-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

You know you’re out of shape when a runner catches up to you on your bike ride to work.

Tuesday morning I geared up and headed down the trail to work. I road about a block or two and then all of sudden I heard foot steps behind me. I looked around and there is a man dressed all in his running gear catching up with me. I turned back around and thought “What the H$#&!” I tried to speed up a bit and let me tell you, in Colorado on these foothills at 5700 feet above sea level the phrase ‘Speed Up’ does not exist.

I pedaled and pedaled and I got about a block in front of him, but after 2 miles of him following me, I looked around and he wasn’t there anymore. I had arrived at a major road so he must have turned around. It didn’t scare me, it just frustrated me. Why couldn’t he have just backed off a bit instead of running 8 miles per hour to stay with my bike? I secretly think he was trying to prove something, I could almost here his gitty laughter watching me try to pedal harder to get more in front of him. That’s the problem here in this county: Exercise Maniacs. These people are hard core and any challenge that is presented they take it. This county is none for it’s professional athletes and there’s this stigma about being out of shape.

I tell ya. Next time, I’ll slow down, get behind him and follow him. Let’s see how he likes that! Ha!

Plan for Week 4 of 52

2009-01-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

This week is going to be somewhat similar to last week. I don't feel like I want to increase my interval times on the run/walk and my weights just yet. I feel like I am still getting a good workout on the weights at the amount I am at. Since it's going to be so nice out this week, I am thinking I will ride my bike to work on Tuesday and Thursday after yoga.

Last week I was very conscious about the amount of salt and cheese I was taking in. Every time I would go for the salt at lunch and dinner, I would make myself take a taste of my meal again. Did I really need that added salt? Nope. I passed. Also, I would usually have a string cheese per day, maybe two, nope not this week I passed. I had two string cheeses last week. I thought about my poor intestines every time I went to add cheese to something. I cut my salad cheese intake to half the amount. I didn't feel deprived, if anything I didn't feel bound up and that's what matters. Plus I noticed I didn't wake up last week feeling as thirsty due to the decrease in salt. Good observations for me this week! I will keep it up next week, I have cheese planned for almost every meal, however I am going to limit it.

Workout plan for the week:

Monday and Wednesday: Run/walk interval 30 minutes (Walk 3 minutes at 3.5mph and Run 2 minutes at 5.0 mph), free weights, stretch 15 min, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, 10 crunches, 5 push ups
Tuesday and Thursday: Yoga 45 minutes and ride bike to work (45 minutes), 15 minute walk with Jorge
Friday: 30 minute brisk walk with Jorge
Saturday: Run/walk interval 30 minutes (Walk 3 minutes at 3.5mph and Run 2 minutes at 5.0 mph), free weights, stretch 15 min, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, 10 crunches, 5 push ups, Ride bike to workout center 35 minutes round trip
Sunday: AM yoga, walk/hike outside at least 3o minutes

Dinner plan for the week:

Sunday: Hamburgers on the grill with bacon, 1 cheese slice, avocado, tomato on whole grain bread
Monday: Salad with grilled pork, avocado, almonds, cheese, tomato and carrots, vidalia onion vinaigrette
Tuesday: Salad with turkey, cheese, garbanzo beans, tomato, carrots, asian peanut vinaigrette
Wednesday: Tilapia fish, roasted almonds and peas
Thursday: Steamed veggies and basmati rice
Friday: Black Beans, basmati rice, cheese, pepper
Saturday: Not sure yet!

Reflection on Week 3 of 52

2009-01-18T12:02:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 223.8

Bust: 48.5"
Belly: 44"

I've decided to put my 'Sunday Weigh In' on my reflection post instead of the planning posts now. As you can see I lost 4 pounds this past week! I also took measurements and lost an 1.5" from my bust and 1" from my belly.

This past week has really opened my eyes. I went to the gym three times, which was nice to use a treadmill. I like the treadmill showing me the exact distance I have gone and also my heart rate. When I'm outside exercising, I don't always know those two things. I found a cool website which I added the link to on the right hand side called Map My Run. This can tell you distances of certain routes in your city that people have run. That way I can pick one, run/walk it, and know the exact distance I am going. This is also good for bike riding.

Exercise this week was awesome, Monday and Wednesday I did as planned. Friday I didn't however, we just went for a 30 minute walk with Jorge, HOWEVER I did do Friday's exercises on Saturday. We rode our bikes to the rec center, worked out and rode home. It was awesome. Tuesday and Thursday went as planned with yoga and walking. Today, Sunday, we walked around Waneka Lake (which is very beautiful with an amazingly clear view of the Rocky Mountains), stretched ,and did some of the exercises they had along the 1.2 mile trail. Took about 30 minutes. I also had Dan do AM yoga with me this morning, which is only 15 minutes, but it provides a good stretch and meditation to start the day. I definitely accomplished my exercise goals for week 3.

Did I say that they are doing a wellness challenge in my department at work? At first I was skeptical of it all, I admit that I don't really want people to know I am working out and stuff. Weird huh? To me, it's like admitting that I have a problem, like telling people you take drugs. However, my opinion has changed a lot towards that. After everyone was talking about gaining points (that's our challenge, we get points for certain activities or life style changes), I got more motivated. We all talk about what we do, when we do it, how we do it, etc. I like to hear about everyone's accomplishments and their struggles, it's a nice support group. This one woman has a trainer and she comes in everyday talking about what he teaches her, free tips for me! One thing she did talk about is how hard it is for her to reach 1600 calories a day. She is tiny and never eats. She's just quit smoking that is partly why she never ate, wasn't hungry. Anyway, to make a long story short, now that she quit, she is scared she will use food as a substitute and is watching that she doesn't. I started to wonder how many calories I am taking in. If she can't make it to 1600 calories a day, I thought then that I must be eating like 4000 calories a day.

I did an experiment this weekend. Saturday I counted all of the calories I took in, no restrictions and no diet plan. I just ate and drank what I would usually have for the weekend, because I was very curious. I am not a calorie counter and don't want to get obsessed with it. However I was very interested. So I did it. For Saturday I had 2,747 calories. Ok, that is a lot, but there were some things I had yesterday that I usually never have, for example Bailey's Liquor in a coke (tastes like a milk shake), that is 550 calories right there! I also had 1/3 cup of a Tecate which was 35 calories. I haven't had beer in like 4 months, so after I had a little of it, I felt sick and gave the rest to Dan. So really, I would say my average day would be 2200-2400 calories normally. I am going to count the rest of the week and just see though.

This has really opened my eyes. I found this cool Weight Maintenance Calculator and wanted to see how much a 225 pound woman would need to eat to maintain 225 pounds (not that I would want to, I just wanted to see it and other examples too). With moderate exercise, I would need to consume around 2600 calories. Interesting, because I do consume just a little less maybe than that and I have been maintaining my weight. Then I read a little further and it said this:

By consuming these calories on an average daily basis, you should maintain your weight. However, if you are looking to lose weight, here are some tips:

Most health professionals recommend slow weight loss as the safest and most effective approach. A sensible weight-loss program allows you to lose weight gradually -- about one-half to one pound per week. Gradual weight loss promotes long-term loss of body fat, not just water weight that can be quickly regained.

To lose one pound, a person must burn 3,500 calories more than are consumed (500 calories per day over the course of a week). For example, reducing calories by 300 per day and increasing daily activity to burn off an additional 200 calories should result in a weight loss of one pound per week.

Here is an example of how the calculator can help you. If your daily calorie needs were calculated as 2500 calories and you desire to lose weight, you could:

1. Consume 2200 calories. (That's 300 calories less than this example diet), and
2. Burn 200 calories through activity, to result in a 2000-calorie diet!

After reading that, it gave me more insight into how many calories I need to consume and how many I need to burn. I'm going to look at this week's food choices and calorie counts and just see what I could eliminate, what I can substitute and so on. Cutting 300 - 500 calories should not be a problem. By using the Get Moving Calculator, it gave me an idea of how many calories I am burning with different types of exercises. I liked these website links above because they are simple to read and simple to understand (they are all added on to the right). I must have been doing something right last week. One thing I never want to do is deprive myself because I'll just want that item even more. I believe in balance and not cutting out whole food groups from my diet, that wouldn't be very smart. I want to eat healthfully and make good decisions. I know that by decreasing calories consumed and increasing exercise, burning calories, then I will lose weight. I also know that losing weight needs to happen at a healthy pace.

My tree of knowledge if growing. My tree of life is getting healthier.
la Sirena

Almost Used an Excuse Today

2009-01-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

My plan for today was to start a running interval, however we woke to about 4 inches of snow on the ground and it was still snowing. I stretched in the morning and did my weights, lunges, crunches, and push ups (!). I went into work a half early so I could leave at 4:30pm so that after work I could go to the rec center. I still have 6 punches left from a 20 punch pass I bought a while ago. Even though it was super packed I found an elliptical and did that at level 5 for 30 minutes, kept my heart rate in between 145 and 160 the whole time. It felt so good to sweat and get my heart rate up.

Sometimes I hate about gyms, everyone goes in the morning before work or right after work, therefore there are never any machines available. One thing about this city rec center is that they only have 4 treadmills. Can you believe that!!?? They want you to pay $400 a year, but there are only 4 treadmills! That sucks. They only have 4 ellipticals too. Well, the YMCA is pretty good, they have like 8 treadmills and 7 ellipticals, which are usually being used, but they rotate well. We used to go to Fitness 19, they have like 10 treadmills and 12 ellipticals, which there usually was one open to use and never a wait. Working out at a gym versus working out outside, I'm always trying to find a good balance. I love being outside, but sometimes a gym is just so nice to use. When I start using a treadmill I get addicted. I really enjoy having it timed and telling me exactly how far I've gone, plus my heart rate is pretty exact. I wish I could just buy a nice treadmill to have at the house.

I'm happy I followed through today.

Plan for Week 3 of 52

2009-01-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

Sunday Weigh In: 227.4

Wow, I lost a whole .2 ounces, amazing! Just kidding, that is not amazing. I know I didn't lose anything because how could I when I didn't increase my energy output very much than when I've been doing? The only thing new I added was more weights and lunges. It's ok though, I have to start somewhere. Plus I didn't change any of my eating habits. I know there are things I need to work on and this week I am going to decrease my intake of cheese and salt. I noticed last week that these two items are always present in my meals. My portion size is another thing. My breakfast and lunch are normal, but when it comes to dinner, I probably have what most would consider two dinners. Alcohol is another thing. We probably have a glass of wine or a cocktail about five nights a week. I know it's not bad to have a glass of wine, but the added calories is not good. Also, in this dry climate especially in winter, it really dries me out. I'm going to work on that too.

Dinner Plan for the week:

Sunday - grilled pork loin with green beans
Monday - Salad with pork loin
Tuesday - Salad with tuna
Wednesday - Salad with just veggies
Thursday - Salad with lunch meat
Friday - Grilled hamburgers, without a bun, with rice and beans
Saturday - not sure yet!

Workout Plan for the week:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: Run / Walk Interval (3 min walk, 2 min run for 30 minutes), free weights, stretch 15 min, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, 10 crunches, 5 push ups
Tuesday and Thursday: 30 Minute Brisk Walk, AM Yoga which is 30 minutes
Saturday: If it's nice, I would like to do an hour bike ride and then stretch 15 minutes. Walk or Hike for at least 30 minutes with Jorge.
Sunday: Walk 30 minutes, reflection

Reflection on Week 2 of 52

2009-01-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

This past week went really well, my plan was not that elaborate and I didn't stick too it real close, but overall, I feel like I accomplished something. My plan for last Monday was to walk 30 min, 15 min stretch, 5 push ups, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, free weights. I did this, except the push ups, but I did add 10 crunches. Tuesday I accomplished that 1 hour yoga, but the walk was only 15 minutes after work with the dog. On Wednesday I walked 30 min, 15 min stretch, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, free weights, but no push ups as planned, added 10 crunches though. Thursday I didn't do the 1 hour yoga or walk 3o minutes, instead I road my bike to work, which was a total of 45 minutes. It's been so nice out, I decided I wanted to jump on my new bike. I haven't ridden to work since this past summer, so it was a bit of a workout. Friday I was derailed by my emotions and come that evening, just as suspected, Mother Nature came for a visit. However, I still went for a walk that Friday evening and on Saturday morning. I didn't do the 15 min stretch, 5 push ups, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, or free weights on Friday. Saturday we didn't end up hiking or snow shoeing 1.5 hours, nor did I do the am or pm yoga, instead we went for a 40 minute walk.

Today, Sunday we went for a 30 minute walk, we're thinking of going for a bike ride later. I ended up stretching for about 15 minutes and did 20 crunches, not too bad since today I was just going to do reflection. I think I'm off to a pretty good start. I didn't stick to the exact routine and ended up moving some things around, but whenever an excuse came up in my mind, I really recognized it. I wanted to understand WHY I using that excuse and HOW I could work through it and throw it to the side, ignoring it. Some excuses that came up this week: too cold, it's the weekend, it's Friday, I want to sleep in, cramps. Ever had these excuses yourself? Ha LOL! Most likely, huh? It's my challenge to laugh at these excuses and keep to my routine.

The meal plan for last week went really well. We had salads as planned for Monday through Thursday. Friday night we didn't end up grilling pork chops. I made a pasta we needed to use up. Tonight we're having grilled pork loin, which will provide a good amount of left overs for this week's salads. Saturday we ended up going to Olive Garden because we had a gift certificate. I think my eating habits really could have gone better this past week. I need to work on less cheese and less salt intake. I noticed I use a lot of these. I did get my 64 ounces of water in everyday, but I counter acted that with a glass of wine or a gin and tonic a few evenings after dinner. Well, baby steps is what I'm telling myself. Baby steps.

I noticed that my back felt looser and my muscles started to really relax. I love when my back cracks loosely, the pressure is gone. Like they say in yoga "Your only as old as your spine is flexible". Next week I need to do more. I can take more. I need to start more aerobic, like interval running, which I love. Dan and I talked about it today on our walk. I told him I needed more of a challenge, like when we trained for those races. The problem is taking the dog because he loves to stop and pee on everything and sniff everything. Which is not a problem when leisurely walking, but it is a problem when wanting to follow intervals of running and walking. So, we decided that we would workout without him in the morning, three days a week and walk him after work on these days instead. We like to go out to get air before dinner anyway and walk around the park, so this will work out well. On the Tuesdays and Thursday before I do yoga, we will walk him 30 minutes in the morning. This way he is still getting outside and I (well, we, Dan and I) can have some time alone getting our workout in.

That's another thing. Dan and I exercising together. I used to work out on my own until about 2 years ago when I begged Dan to train for a 5K with me. He did and he loved it. He loved it so much, we ended up training for a few more 5Ks and also for the Boulder Bolder 10K. He is really good at running, his times always improve, mine do to, but I think he would do a lot better without me holding him back. So I deal with that feeling when training with him, always thinking I am going too slow, when running really is an individual sport. We talked about that and he doesn't think he would even train unless I was with him, so that made me feel better that he didn't think I was holding him back. I am more like his motivation to get out there and actually do it. Plus it is easier for him to run because I weigh a lot more than him, so in actuality I have to work twice as hard to keep up. We'll see where this takes us. I like that he wants to workout together, it's sweet. I also like that he respects the need that sometimes I just want to go alone too though. We're going to take it week by week. Baby Steps.

Plan for Week 2 of 52

2009-01-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

There are 52 weeks in a year, I'll be naming my posts Plan for Week 2 of 52 and Reflection on Week 2 of 52 and so on. This way I will have a planning post for the week to come and one reflection post of the past week. Since I didn't have any goals for Week 1, which started last Thursday on the first day of year, I will have no reflection post for it.

Sunday Weigh In: 227.6
Measurements:
Bust 50"
Belly 45"
Thighs 24 1/2 "
Biceps 14"
Calves 17"

Now you know. Oh god, I feel so exposed, like I just walked naked into the airport.

Plan for the week:
Monday Walk 30 min, 15 min stretch, 5 push ups, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, free weights
Tuesday 1 hour yoga, walk 3o minutes
Wednesday Walk 30 min, 15 min stretch, 5 push ups, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, free weights
Thursday 1 hour yoga, walk 3o minutes
Friday Walk 30 min, 15 min stretch, 5 push ups, 10 side lunges, 10 front lunges, free weights
Saturday hike or snow shoe 1.5 hours, am or pm yoga
Sunday - reflection

Meal Plan for the week (starting with only listing dinners):
Monday - Thursday salads with tomato, sunflower seeds, meat or fish, cheese, green pepper, and maybe an egg
Friday night, grill pork chops and have green beans or peas on the side
Saturday - we'll see, honestly I'm too tired to think about that right now

Plan for the health blog

2009-01-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

It's the new year, a time to focus on new goals. I started this health blog a while back, taking all this time to think how I wanted to approach it, what I wanted to write, what I wanted to admit or disclose. This blog will only be about health, eating, and exercising. I'm not that type of woman to count calories, I think it takes too much time, however I am seriously considering writing down what I eat during the day. I think that will make me realize what I am eating and when and make me realize the responsibility for my choices when they're written down.

Since last year I never disclosed my weight and measurements and rarely advised my exact plans and accomplishments in regards to exercise. I will be posting weekly, most likely on a Sunday evening, my goals for the week and a meal plan. I will also reflect on the past week and how I did. One thing I was nervous about was that I would put pressure on myself to write everyday, which I don't think is a good goal for me. I think writing once a week as a goal is a great first step. if I feel like I want to write an extra post about something I need to get off my chest, you know me, I certainly will. This will be a good start.

Now, I might be starting off a little slow, be warned. This might be a bit boring at first as I get my footing and see where this blog will take me. Also be warned that this might get a bit personal, I like to pour my heart out at times and being brutally honest may not be your thing to read, but hey, you're choosing to read it right? One thing I know is that I am not alone. Us women go through this a lot and I find my strength by reading other's blogs, it brings me back to reality knowing that we struggle with the same situations and we share in the same accomplishments. Go Us!

Climbing up my tree of life,
La Sirena

Now's the Time, It's 2009!

The Law of Intention and Desire

2008-11-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

I frequent the Chopra Center website for daily inspirational quotes and research on Ayurveda and came across this yesterday. Everyday they have a daily law and yesterday was the Law of Intention and Desire. It goes through a little exercise to meditate on and also offers a quote. Yesterday's quote was:

"The distance isn't important; it is only the first step that is difficult" - Marquise de Deffand

This quote couldn't be closer to the truth. I want to take that first step in my health blog, and like I said over at my Swimming in this Sea of Life blog, it is difficult for me to list where I am at right now, what my action plan is, and where my head is in regards to my health because I am afraid if I put it all out there and fail, it will crush me. However, I have to put it all out there, because that is the only way to grow, track progress, and learn from mistakes. No one is a failure and it is childish of me to not have enough trust in myself and my strengths.

The Law of Intention and Desire really made me think. The website stated "Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment . . . intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality have infinite organizing power. And when we introduce an intention in the fertile ground of pure potentiality, we put this infinite organizing power to work for us."

The exercise:

1) make a list of all my desires, carry this list with me wherever I go. Look at it, meditate on it everyday.

2) When things don't go my way on my route of intention and desire, I will understand that there is a cosmic reason for this and the universe has a grand plan in effect.

3) Practice being in the moment and don't let obstacles consume me or 'dissipate the quality of my attention in the present moment' (Chopra). I will accept me for who I am in the moment and create my future through my intentions and desires list.

My first step:
My desire is to reach and maintain a healthy weight and mind / body balance by using tools such as Ayurveda, yoga, exercise, and meditation. I intend to create and live in a healthy lifestyle to one day have children of my own. I want to be a wonderful example to not only them, but to myself as well.

Tree of Life

2008-10-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

Tree of Life. This statement has many meanings in different cultures. When I think of the Tree of Life, I think of my family tree, my mom, my sisters, my aunts and uncles, my grandma and grandpa, and then I also think about the new family tree I am starting with my husband Dan. The Tree has many branches in every family and some branches grow old and pass away, some new buds start to grow and become bigger branches. The Tree of Life goes through many seasons, many changes, periods of growth, periods of death, however it’s roots are always firmly planted in the ground of humanity and this universe.

Another meaning of the Tree of Life is in one’s body. This tree is sometimes depicted by the nervous system, the circulatory system, and the organs. There is also a spiritual depiction of the Tree, which is the chakras and their connection to our lives through the Kundalini life force.

My feet are the roots, grounded and stabilized by this earth.

My legs are the connection of the roots to the trunk taking me along my journey.

My core is the trunk.

My arms are the branches.

My head is the life source of my tree.

I need to feed and water my tree to grow and stay physically strong. I need to respect my body and it’s abilities. Right now my tree is in dire need of special attention. I am at that stage of life where I am laying the foundation for my future health and my future Tree of Life, my own and my family’s. I want to be in good health to have healthy pregnancies, to have energy for my family, to love my body and stimulate my mind.

In this journey, I am not alone, I know this because we are all inner connected. We all have experiences of our own and journey amongst each other trees. Let us walk this path together. You can follow along with me, share your own experiences if you like, or just read along with mine as time goes by.

To all a beautiful, empowering, and enlightened time in finding their Tree’s path,

La Sirena