I don’t know if any of you out there are like me, but I have a mind that never sleeps. Even when I’m sleeping I’m dreaming of solutions to problems, how to get past an obstacle.  I am always thinking. I have been told there are people out there that are like me, thinkers, and then there are people out there that are do-ers. I will over think some of the simplest things. I feel I need to know everything there is to know about something, before I can incorporate it into my life. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Like this C25K,  Couch to 5K running plan. I like the idea of it, but I didn’t take into consideration me doing this. Time involved, new shoes( for running) my size. Then I get on my recumbent bike tonight, which I researched forever. I really enjoy it. It’s non impact, it’s convenient, I already own it, and I’m ready to push right past it onto something new. I have to stop myself from this behavior. This is why I own Suzanne Somers exercise machine, Tony Little’s exercise machine, Ab Roller, The Bean, you name it…….. Today I must stop. I am revisiting my blog from yesterday, and my new plan is to use what I have- Now most of these items I got, and didn’t enjoy them, so they are now in the basement. BUT I DO love my recumbent bike, and I do enjoy walking. My size is no conducive to running right now. I have to be honest. I like the idea of running, but am I really a runner.? Do I have to be a “anything”? I want to be fit, healthy, and happy. I can see so clearly, that I can incorporate my recumbent and walking today and forward.. I don’t need to work up to anything, I can just do. Why do I need to challenge myself past my comfort level? Guess what? I don’t. So I am excited to say, screw the running for now. I don’t need that kind of impact on my already over-stressed joints.  I hope I dont come across crazy, I’m just working thru that “thinking” brain of mine. This seems so much more reasonable of a solution to exercise. I don’t need to keep up with the Jones’, I need to find what works for me.  

I received an email from a friend of mine, who has offered to be my “coach” for my new training.  She read that I didnt get my walk in today, and urged me to get my sneakers on, and go walk for 5 minutes, so the day wasnt lost. I negotiated - 10 minutes on the recumbent bike. Coach accepted. I got on my bike, and rode. On for 10 minutes, then I was watching calories burned, then distance, and I kept switching my focus, which kept me on longer. 30 minutes later, I had ridden 5.6 miles at a rate of 10-12 mph, burned 143 calories and am thankful for the encouragement I got from my coach, Jen. I definitely had my heart-rate up, and could this mean that I burn more calories thru the night?? I am very happy now. I strayed from my plan, but isn’t that just life. I am slowly learning that having a plan, doesnt mean it’s set in stone. In all area’s in my life, this lesson must be applied.  While riding, I socialized with the children, sang along to the music dear DH was listening to. I was an interactive part of the room. Not to mention, a positive role model to the children. Yup, I’m pretty damn pleased with myself. I DID IT!  I’m grateful for my blog and the friends I have made, I am grateful for my “coach”, I am grateful for my job, and for my yoga opportunities that begin this Friday. I am most grateful for the love I have in my life- for the people I know, directly and cyberly( is that a word? Is now!! )                                                                                                      

I am sad to say, I got all tied up in my training and didnt get out to walk today. I am a little bummed out.  I am going to make more of an effort tomorrow, as my bag w/ sneakers and ipod went to work with me this morning, it was 3:30 before I knew it, and I had to leave on time at 4:30 to pick up my son. The time change has messed me up a little. I was up too late last night( after midnight) and then got up late(6:30am) this morning. The whole day seemed off. I’m thrilled work went by quickly, but too quickly, cause I missed my walk. So far this week, I was able to keep the protein over the carbs. It is not as easy as it seems. Today is a bust in that regard, cause we are having shrimp and broccoli fettucini alfredo- Mmmmmmm. I’m not going to worry about it, as I was good all day. I will make sure to use portion control, but I’m really looking forward to it. So, I must end now, cause I have to go make it. I think that is the hardest part of returning to work, is to come home after a long day, only to have to continue doing the “domestic duties”. YUCK!  And, Robyn, these duties are redundant!!! I’m behind you all the way. Catch you later.

So, in all of my computer time yesterday, I came across another blog that “spoke to me”. I have been on a search for something to incorporate in the form of exercise, but nothing has really woo’d me. The blog spoke of the Couch to 5K running plan. It is a beginner’s (that’s me) running schedule, that is based on combining walking and running. I am going to walk daily for the next 2 weeks, and then start the scheduled plan.  I ran in high school and some in college, but that’s where it ended. I have always wanted to get back into it, but because I couldn’t run the whole time, I would often quit. So I am optimistic, this is going to work. I will keep a log on here somewhere (that’s my next challenge of the day). If you would like to know more, check out Couch to 5k program  http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml 

I have spent the better part of the day trying to make some significant changes- and it seems my options on 3fc are limited. With that said, so are my technical skills, so I have decided to stay here, and make this the best blog it can be.  I figured out most of you are now on blogspot, which just confused me more. I have a Mac and it seemed to compete with the microsoft way, so her I am, happy to have a clue. I thought today, I would reintroduce myself, and as much as this is about weight loss,  this is about life. I am going to begin to share photo’s, recipes, and anything I find interesting and do my best to keep up with the more technical “Jones”. I love visiting other sites, and I see so many cool add ons, and just wanted mine to have a little more character. When we all meet our goals,  we will all still need things to chat about, right?  So, having made friends in the last 61 days, I would enjoy hearing more from you as well. Please feel free to share a story, or post a favorite pic. This blog is another extension of me, and where I haven’t met any of you, I consider you all friends. So, with that said, I’d like to introduce myself, my name as you all know is Sandy. I grew up on Nantucket, MA, went to college at Univ. of Oklahoma in Norman, OK.  Spent 3 years in NC, then moved to CT in 1991, and have been here ever since. My mom passed away 10 yrs ago. I was her only child. I was married for 19 yrs,  now divorced.  I have two daughters, 17 & 14, and a son, 9, who I am in love with. They are my pride and joy, even with their ongoing “drama”.  I met my soul-mate almost 3 yrs ago, and we share a home together.  I have worked all my adult life til last July, when I took some time off to be with the children.  It was a great 7 months , and just over a week ago, I went back to work full time. I work for a large insurance company in CT, insurance capital of the world.  I  have my Reiki practitioners certification, which I share with friends and family. There is a real healing power in energy work. I’m convinced!!!!   I am starting a yoga teachers training certification class this coming week, which I am very excited about.  It is called ZenYoga, and it is ” A path to enlightenment through breathing, movement, and meditation”. It is definitely not your typical yoga. I think that is what drew me to it first. I cannot get into pretzel poses. Never could. This is about conscious living, about the importance of breath-work, movement, and meditation. It’s a practice that anyone can do, and my hope is to share it with others who have been too afraid, too self conscious,  too intimidated to try yoga.  I would love to offer it to women like us on this blog, who I think would benefit immensely. I would like to offer this to children as well.  There have been countless articles written about the stress todays children experience.  This is a tool, that given to a child at a young age, they can use for the rest of their lives.  How awesome!!!!!!     My day job pays the bills. I enjoy the people I work with, I have great benefits, with plenty of vacation time. I have a 401K and will be vested this year. So there HAS to be a place for this job in my life right now.  I will complete my teacher training and let it lead me where I’m needed.  I am very passionate about yoga and it’s benefits.  One day I will dedicate myself to yoga full time, but that isn’t an option quite yet.  I also have a love of photography.  My mom bought me my first 35mm camera,  a Pentax K1000 in 1980, which I still have today. Last year I bought a Fuji digital 8mp,  bla bla bla. I wrestle with the camera, get very angry with it and  find myself really missing my film camera. My plan is to go back to the film camera. Now I can have the photo’s put on a CD,  which keeps the cost down a little. Not as convenient as the digital, but a lot more user friendly for me.  Photography to me has a lot to do with emotions. I want to look at my work and feel something. I don’t get that with the pictures I take with the digital. I’m also big into black and white. I will share my work in the near future.I’m 46 years old,  5′8″ tall , and started this journey at 207 lbs.  Today I weigh 197, and have been doing a lot of research into the ratio of carbs,proteins,fats. I log these stats each week. My belief is, as confirmed by reading “The Metabolic Typing Diet”, by William Wolcott & Trish Fahey, that I am a protein type. Which means I need higher protein % over carbs.  This has been tough to do, and to date I haven’t had a successful week yet. That all changes now. I hope to report on Fridays weigh in, results from a successful week.I know I have repeated a lot of what has been written over the last 60 days, but I wanted to summarize and start fresh. I’m attaching a photo of myself. It’s only a head shot, as I “take” photos , I don’t get any “taken” of me.  Honestly, when I see a camera, I run the other way. I just dont like how I look in photo’s. I think I have special glasses when I look in the mirror, cause I dont think I look THAT big, but then the photo says different. It’s not like TV, and the camera adds 10 lbs? DAMN.. Thanks to all of you that stopped by ……….. See you back here soon!   

 OUCH! Horrible numbers this week.  Calories per day are up.  Carbs are way too high.  I take this information as a big learning curve.  Next week shall reflect a change in pattern that hopefully yields results.  It makes sense to me, I just hope I’m not grasping at straws for a solution.                                                                                                                                                                  Carbs/Protein/ Fats   51%/18%/31%                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Avg. calories per day- 1416  cals                                                                                                                                                        My fat avg. is consistent, but you can see a total imbalance of carbs vs protein.  Now that I am stocked up with protein, I am anxious to see what happens.  I am a living experiment and  I’m optimistic.  We’ll see next week.

WOW, day 60. Sorry I didnt get on here this morning as I had promised. I couldnt remember my log on stuff.  Here at home, it just pops up, no need to log on. And believe me, 60 days ago I would have given a password, that I forgot 59 days ago.  lol  OK, my official weigh in this morning was 197. So up about 1/2 lb-ish.  I’m really not concerned cause I have had a week solid of carbs much higher than protein.  I consider myself lucky to have not gained more. As Tony has mentioned- we have had a few days of really nice weather, in the high 40’s-low 50’s. I am looking forward to that and warmer on a more consistent basis. I can go outside at work and walk. There is plenty of parking lot to cover, and I can enjoy the fresh air.  Plug in my Ipod and go for 30 minutes. I really cant wait for the weather to change.So on my way home from work, I went to the grocery store. Stocked up on deli meat, pork chops, turkey sausage, and even  steak for tomorrow night. Mmmmm……. Fresh fruit, sweet potatoes, and frozen veggies.  I did pick up more of the Jamaican beef patties.  Some soup for lunches, hearty vegetable by Wolfgang Puck. It’s really good. Some oatmeal, and rice cakes, and yogurt. I treated myself to a Pom drink w/ white tea. It was really tasty, but I literally gulped it down in 2 gulps. I dont know if it was JUST SO GOOD, or I was really thirsty, but wished  I had sipped it and made it last.  Well, I’m going to call it a night. Great job everyone on losing this week. I promise I’ll be joining you this upcoming week.  See you around the blog’s this weekend.  

I didnt realize until right this moment, I didnt post yesterday. I thought I did. :–(   Well, it’s been another tough week. I did not follow my own advise and up my protein for the week, and I dont believe the scale is any different that 2 weeks ago. I will weigh in in the morning, and post when I get to work.  I’m not too upset, cause I really believe it is the lack of protein vs too many carbs.  So my plan is to shop properly, and stock up on meats and veggies and fruit.  I have had a lot of bread this week. I’m thankful the scale hasnt gone up. See, I can find the positive in all of this.   :–)    I had a hunger moment today at work… took a dollar to the vending machine, and looked. walked away with the dollar still in my pocket. I went to my desk and had a 100 calorie vanilla pudding. hit the spot.  I’m thinking of changing up my blog a little. I’m finding mine is a little boring. Still not sure what I’m going to do, but on Saturday I will try something new, cause it’s suppose to rain all day. Actually due to my challenged skills , it wont be flashy, it just may contain different subject matter than it has. So tune in everyone!!!    Work went well.  Looks like I will be “training” for a while. I may even get to go to Chicago for a week in the future. I’d like to wait til the weather warms up and maybe take in a baseball game vs Red Sox. I havent traveled by airplane in close to 20 yrs. WOW!Have a great day! See you at weigh in tomorrow.  

Well, it happened today. The dreaded food day at work. They dont mess around. There was a catered breakfast, which I only ate fruit, and a catered lunch, which I had one square of chicken/broccoli pizza and salad- then more fruit. I am very pleased I didnt fall victim. I think they had cake, but I didnt go look. I drank plenty of water, had my own banana and yogurt, and “just said NO”. I need to wear my pedometer again. See if I am still logging the same ammount. I am at my desk much more now, as I have a computer. I sit in a group, so accessing my blog may be tough. I was able to today, but didnt want to press my luck. My clothes have been feeling a lot looser.  I will weigh in this Fri, as I skipped last week, but my eating at dinner hasnt been great. Not horrible, but room for improvement. Until I get paid, we are really on a tight budget, so I will do the best with what I have. I am not worried. I have the right mindset, I have been put to the ultimate test today at work, and fared well.  So, I think it’s a process, and there will be great weeks and ok weeks. I refuse to think otherwise.Work today, Hmmmmmm…… got on the computer, like I mentioned. Signed up for direct deposit, benefits, all that stuff. Got going on my “formal” training on the computer. Luckily it is more of a refresher.  I guess I can say, I am settling in. Look forward now, to going to read all your blogs for the day. See ya! 

A late entry tonight- A lot of running around today, and I’m exhausted. Work was good, and I got more training in. Still some down time there, but I keep busy.  I should have computer access tomorrow, finally,  things are moving right along. Didn’t get home til about 6:30pm, cooked dinner, and watched about an hour of TV, and now getting ready to hit the hay. We are going to be dog sitting again this week. The two dogs keep us active, so lets hope the weather stays free from precipitation. I am finding it very easy to get thru the day with the nutritious foods I pack each morning. I eat thru out the day, and am never “starving”. I had a very bad, in carbs, dinner, but I was so tired, I couldnt be bothered. It’s one meal. I’m going to get a good nights sleep, so tomorrow’s meal will be better.Hope all of you are doing well.  Hopefully I will have more to share tomorrow.