The new, slightly-improved… me. April 18, 2008

I’m trying to do whatever it takes to make myself happier with.. well, myself. In the last few years I have had a lot of confidence in myself, something that was treasured since my high school and pre-high school days were full of nothing but a huge lack of it. Of course I have always had my fat days (who hasn’t?), but I had an awful lot more of “I’m the shit” days.

Lately, I’ve found that has flipped. There are a lot more fat days than there are “I’m the shit” days. Part of it is definitely the whole nesting thing–for the first time, I’m cooking for two people, and I’ll be honest: I love it! I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in cooking and baking now that I have someone to appreciate it. Plus it’s just easier to cook for two people than it is for one. But with that has come a good number of extra pounds. I’ve been struggling slightly with my weight in the past few years, but only now have I truly felt that I need to do something. I know it’s a tough order to get back to the way I was in high school, but I’m going to give it hell! At least, I’m going to do that MY way. A happy way. No depriving, no sitting on my craving (and none of that “If you’re craving chocolate, eat broccoli instead!” crap).

I’m going to try and keep a log of things I’ve been doing and how my plans are going on this blog. Plus this post will be an outline of what I have done already, and how I’m going to go about Operation Make Katie Happy with Katie.

First, I’ve started running. This is slow-going considering my leg injury nine years ago that leaves me with a lot of pain. But I found a “Couch to 5k” plan online, and I’m going to do my best to stick with it as best as possible. It’s three times a week for nine weeks, each week getting slightly more difficult than the last. If I find I’m struggling with it though, I’m not going to worry. I’m simply going to repeat a week and keep going. Eventually I think I can make it.

Next on the list is toning. The running is great, but my arms could use a little help in getting a bit more shapely again (I once had someone tell me how great my arms were). So the weight training has begun as well. I’m not going all-out crazy, but I think two to three times a week should do just fine for now. I’m starting fresh, and I don’t want to overdo it.

After that comes some plain old cardio. With running only three days a week and generally only 25 minutes, I could use just a little extra nudge in getting myself shaped up and feeling healthy. The perfect way to do this is a little low-impact cardio on a stationary bike or eliptical. I’m not looking to over exert myself, but I don’t think a half hour a few days of this a week is going to kill me either!

So the above is my big plan. Of course, I have also done my best to adopt healthier food choices. However, here’s the big difference between me and a lot of other “dieters”: I’m not dieting. I’m not going to deny myself a cookie if I’m really wanting it, and I’m not planning on entirely giving up soda or other non-healthy options as well. Let’s me honest: I LOVE soda. I’d rather spend 150 calories on a can of Coke or Pepsi than spend the same number of calories on a snack. This whole thing is about making ME happy with ME, and so why should I deny things that do make me happy? I’m just incorporating little changes. For example, I’ve nixed the unhealthy snacks at work. I currenlty have some items such as grapes, apples, Special K cereal, yogurt, applesauce, and snack-size pieces of low-fat cheese at the office. No more cheetos, cookies, etc. If they’re not here, I can’t eat them.

I’m also making dinner a bit healthier. I’m using more light ingredients, cooking lighter meals, and experimenting with various healthy options that aren’t too weird that Jake won’t eat them (I have to keep him in mind, too!). I’m finding it a rather fun challenge to make healthier meals without sacrificing all the taste. So far I’ve done very well. Once again though, I’m making myself happy. When I made a roast earlier this week, I decided to not skimp on the gravy, and instead of substituting a lower-fat option, I used real butter. The reason for this is because I make killer gravy, and I didn’t want to sacrifice that.

So not totally denying myself things I want is probably going to hold up some of the weight-loss. I’m aware of this. But overall, I’m making healthier choices. Plus, instead of sitting around on the couch moping about how I’m blowing up like a balloon, I’m DOING something about it. So even if results don’t come immediately, at least I can be satisfied to know that I’m trying. And every extra step I take each day is going to push me closer to my goal of being happy with myself.

Cheney’s glasses April 11, 2008

Okay, so I’m the first to admit I’m not Dick Cheney’s biggest fan. However, the latest “controversy” going around the web is a load of crap. First, who actually studies reflections in glasses? I understand he’s a public figure, but geez. The fact that this was headline news is ridiculous!

For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, please take a look at this picture: http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/photoessays/outdoors/06.html. It is Cheney on a recent fishing trip, and he’s looking very happy. However, there is controversy about the image in his glasses (if you click on the picture, it will zoom in). Many people are convinced that this is a naked person in a tree.

Okay, I know he’s not exactly the most “politically correct” politician. I mean, let’s not forget the quail hunting trip. But seriously.. a naked person in a tree? Mmhmm.. it looks a heck of a lot like his HAND holding a FISHING ROD to me. I could maybe see where everyone is saying, “I see butt cheeks!” But in the end, no. It’s knuckles. Sorry to disappoint everyone looking for a crazy scandal. An old man with too much money went fishing, with the only naked ones present being the fish.

The Dog and I April 5, 2008

I’ve lost over two pounds in the last week, a feat for me that is somewhat impressive overall. I’m a little scared it’s nothing but water weight, but hey. A pound is a pound and I’m sure not going to complain about it.

I’ve been trying to exercise more too–okay, so Nintendo Wii Sports isn’t exactly high-intensity, but it’s me moving and not sitting my butt on the couch! Besides, anyone who has tried doing baseball on there understands that you can get your arms a decent little workout after 15 or 20 minutes of that. Either that or I’m so weak that it feels like it.. not sure which. Either way though, I’m being modest. I’ve actually been more proactive about taking the dog out on regular walks, and this morning I even got up and rollerbladed for 20 minutes. Unfortunately, my rollerblades are insanely old and about a half-size too small, which for a normal person wouldn’t be a huge issue. But for a person with a permanently slightly swollen left calf due to a little horseback riding incident nine years ago, a half-size too small pair of rollerblades is like trying to squeeze into those jeans you wore in high school while convincing yourself that they still look just as good now as they did then (and for all you skinny bitches, hush! I don’t want to hear it!). In other words: On a good day I can manage to do it, but it’s not exactly comfortable. After those 20 minutes were up, I was in complete agony. Thank you, Barney the horse, for giving me a lifetime of pain and irritations.

Speaking of the bum leg, yesterday I had to sit in the doctor’s office for about an hour, and then the hospital for another two to get the leg looked and and x-rays taken. I will admit, despite how much this utterly sucked, I’m really looking forward to going back to the doctor on Monday to see the x-rays. I haven’t seen what my bone looks like in years, so this should be fun! Or at least, it will be fun until they tell me that in order to live a semi-normal life, they’re going to need to rebreak my leg and set it properly. Cringe.

Bored yet of my medical crap? Thought so. Blackie and I are by ourselves this weekend because Jake went to a fishing tournament with his best friend. It’s been really, really boring around here. However, the dog and I have been passing the time by doing fun things like watching chick flicks that Jake would never watch, instead possibly preferring to cut out his own eyes (but personally, I thought Enchanted was cute!). I might not be giving him enough credit though–to my absolute delight, he actually enjoys some good chick flicks. Not all, but some. And I can’t ask for more than that!

Aside from the chick flicks, Blackie and I are just relaxing and not doing a whole lot. We’ll be going on a walk later, and tomorrow he starts class. That’s right, my dog is going to school! He’s going to learn how to become a Canine Good Citizen and a Therapy Dog. I’m very excited about that. I think he’ll do great.

Anyway, let’s hope the boys come home from the fishing tournament victorious. It’d be a wonderful thing to be able to book our honeymoon and pay for it in cash.