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Introduction Text June 2012: Work continues to be very busy, but also fun and challenging. (As opposed to just challenging!) Best thing I've done in 20 years was go back to being an engineer. BUT-- less time to exercise, and even though I cut way back on food, the weight seems to creep up. So I know there's work to be done. Plan for the summer-- cut way back on simple carbs of all kinds, add more veggies and salads. Work out with more intensity. That's it ... but that's a lot. November 2010: A windy summer and a busy work schedule combined to foil my best efforts to ride a lot. Day after day of crappy, windy weather. So needless to say, my weight's up a good 5 lbs. Now weighing at 175. I need to eat less but it's hard. February 2010: Not exercising as much as I should, but with spring just around the corner I started riding my bike out at work again. The new job is fun but usually very busy, so sometimes it's hard to grab the time. Fortunately people are pretty supportive of giving you workout time. I just wish the gym was a little cleaner and more girl-friendly. There is a lot of equipment but most of it I can't use, and there are very few smaller free weights. As of October 2009, I will be getting time at work to exercise. Three hours a week of PAID time out of my work schedule. If I didn't take full advantage, I would be disrespecting the efforts, support, and encouragement of my Spark community. SO. It's time to do the plan. July 2009: I am celebrating the beginning of my third year as a Spark Person. At the same time, I'll be starting a new, exciting job with old friends and hopefully lots of new ones. I look forward to having more personal time to spend on exercise! Sept 2008: Despite all the hard exercise over last summer, my body stubbornly gained weight. Now that school is back in, I joined a local gym that is only a mile from my carpool rendezvous--no excuses not to go 2-3 times a week. While the weather stays warm, I'll be trying to still get in a couple of days of pool. It is just so much easier on my feet and so refreshing! When the weather gets colder I guess it's back to the elliptical machine. But with DH working so much, it's perfect time for exercising and eating right. Pris is right --- more fruits and veggies, especially fruits. So I've started making fruit smoothies with protein sometimes for a meal. About 300 calories, maybe a tad more, but all good for you. I am getting a Bodybugg and can hardly wait to see the TRUTH. Dec 2008 update: With help from the BodyBugg, I've lost most of the weight I gained over summer. In fact, I'd say I lost all of the fat and gained some muscle. I joined a small local gym and go there religiously twice a week. I've been riding my bike, taking walks, and in general trying to stay more active. I've seen that it's the little minutes that really add up over the day. Housework burns a LOT of calories! But the Bugg showed me that an hour of exercise just isn't enough. You have to stay off the computer. Sitting down for hours at a time just drops you right down to your bmr, and that isn't enough to lose weight on. Jan. 2009 update: No "resolutions" but a renewed commitment to taking better care of my body. I started a mileage tracker for exercise and I will enjoy watching the miles increase week by week. Since I've begun enjoying wine a little too much, I have decided to forego any alcohol during the week and see if that helps with weight loss too. June '09 Update: Changing jobs, dealing with cardiac issues that may not even exist, this spring has been too stressful! The weather for the first two weeks of June has been like something you'd expect in northern Scotland rather than Southern California. Going to Canada is not going to be a reprieve from the heat like it would have been last year! It will be great if the weather is the same. Mile tracking 2009: (rev. 9/27/09) walking: 129 cycling: 363 other: swimming: 2 elliptical: 3

1. Exercise every day. Cardio, cardio, cardio! Weights! Weights! 2. Log the food and exercise. 3. Make better choices! 4. ditch the alcohol.

What about that Bikini diet? It's all about portion control. Yeah, OK, good choices too, but you have to go into this like 'the rest of your life.' Am I giving up chocolate for life? Am I never to eat another cookie? So yeah, portion control and BUDGET.

I am 51 and recently left my job as a 2nd grade teacher where massive layoffs have made it impossible to do a good job. My new position will be in flight test, back working with old friends from the BC (Before Children) days. I have 2 children, a boy age 20 and a girl age 18. Both are now in college, both are musicians. I am so proud of them!

Favorite exercise: cycling, weather permitting Work out with weights twice a week: once intense UB, once intense LB. Cardio almost every single day. Abs and core both weight days.

Add a Link Ann “Think highly of yourself because the world takes you at your own estimate.”
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