Comments (19)

By kilax, March 4, 2009 5:16 am

It looks like I am having another random Wednesday. Maybe I should copy Kevin and start doing “Snippet Wednesdays” if this turns into a habit – I just don’t know if I can promise snippets though!

My Office’s Biggest Loser Challenge Update: Week 6

It’s week 6 of the Biggest Loser Challenge, and I’ve lost 6.56% of my starting weight. I’ve been taking it nice and slow. So even though I am trying to lose weight, I don’t feel like I am living the lifestyle of someone who is trying to lose weight. Does that make any sense? What I am saying is, I DON’T feel like I am on a diet!

Weigh-ins Don’t Work for Everyone

Every Tuesday, the Sun-Times has a Q&A column by Mehmet Oz, M.D. and Michael Roizen, M.D. Apparently we are supposed to be impressed because the first guy is associated with Oprah, and the second guy worked at a prestigious hospital.

Anyway. Today’s first question was about programs that require weekly weigh-ins, and whether they are more successful than programs that don’t.

I found their response interesting – basically, you get out of it what you put into it. If a weekly weigh-in causes you to rethink your efforts and put new vigor into your eating and exercise, that’s good. If a weekly weigh-in causes you to “drown your disappointment in a pint of dark-chocolate ice cream,” that’s bad.

Overall, they said you should be measuring inches, not pounds. I wish I would have measured myself before I started my Office’s Biggest Loser Challenge!

Do you think weekly, private, weigh-ins would work for you?

MyPlate Doesn’t Work for Me

One week on my Office’s Biggest Loser Challenge, I decided I was frustrated (because of a very small gain!) and I signed up for the food diary site, MyPlate. I used it for three days. That was enough. I ate very well those three days, but the headache and constant stress of thinking about food was too much for me. I know that so many people recommend keeping a food diary, but I just can’t do it. It makes me want to rebel.

It was a silly three days, but it helped me get to the point of realizing that my body weight naturally fluctuates and it’s not a big deal.

The Sweet Portion of Lent and Guilt-Ridden Dreams

The Girl Scout Cookies have landed. And they’re everywhere in my office. Let me repeat: I feel relieved to walk by these and not feel tempted by them. Because. They. Are. Everywhere. I. Turn.

My first week of not eating sugary treats went very well. I shared a blueberry muffin with Steven on Sunday and that was it. I think I could have gone the whole day without that muffin, but I could tell he really wanted it.

On Monday night, I had a nightmare that I was gorging on sweets. This tells me I must be serious about it. Sometimes, I have nightmares that I am eating meat and feel very guilty in the dream. Steven has these dreams too. Maybe all vegetarians do? I’ve never craved meat the 8 years I’ve been a vegetarian, but I will have this dream every once in awhile. Well, the sugar dream made me feel the same way – guilty.

I wonder if my sister Christina, who is also a used to be a vegetarian, has had those dreams. Christina, if you are reading this, I also had a dream Monday night that you and Steven and I were at Grandma’s Pete’s old house with the whole fam. The three of us were upset because they were making huge egg mcmuffins, but wouldn’t make them without canadian bacon on them for us. Aunt Linda was making them (of course…). I took one from her and threw a egg on the ceiling and it stuck. I thought dad was going to yell at me, but he laughed. Then we got mad and left!

Thanks Tori!

Tori, thank you for sending me the awesome Thyroid Cancer Awareness wristband. I am going to wear it and tell everyone who asks about it your story and how awesome you are!

(P.S. Data is jealous)

That Nasty Bruise

Thought you’d go a whole week without a fencing post? HA! Not so fast! I was sad not to have fencing class Monday night. Although, it may have hurt if someone hit me in my bruised spot.

The first week of the bruise I thought it was cool. Now I just want it to go away so I can wear a short sleeved shirt and not have to explain to people that I am taking a fencing class (although, it is a good conversation starter!).

Bonus (if you made it this far!)

Has anyone else seen the Terminator Salvation trailer (at bottom of link)? SWEET! Can’t wait for May 21st! I love your potty-mouth Christian Bale!

Comments (11)

By kilax, February 24, 2009 5:28 am

Now I match my husband.

Battle wounds! I love bruises!!!

The giggling instigator was absent from fencing, and Steven was with a group of guys with smaller egos, giving actual constructive criticism to one another, so this week went much better.

I was in a group with three other women, and Tony, one of the experienced players. He beat everyone, 5-0. All along, I’ve been wondering why people are apologizing to one another when they stab them. I mean, that’s the game, right? How much could it hurt? Well, Tony hit me so hard on my right arm that he immediately apologized, and I immediately felt a stinging pain, like I couldn’t keep going. But he had to score one more point to beat me. Ha. He lunged so hard at me when he hit me, his sword bent into a huge curve. There was so much force behind the hit… I want to hit like that!

I almost redeemed myself against Tony in the final match, 5-4, but that was definitely luck. I felt a bit off tonight. I want to spend more time practicing the basics, but our instructor just wants us to fence in little tournaments against one another. And I didn’t see the instructor giving any feedback last night. I am not sure what he was doing. Tony gave me some good pointers though – protect my arm behind my bell guard, keep my right foot pointed forward, always have your sword straight out in front of you, etc.

Are you sick of reading about fencing? Well, you’re in luck – we don’t have fencing class next Monday! So you all get a break. Sorry, no break from running posts though. That is just my life.

Since we don’t have class, I am going to practice with Data next week. Maybe that will help him release some of his pent-up energy.

En garde Data! Muah ha ha!

Comments (7)

By kilax, February 21, 2009 11:25 pm

We had our fourth fencing class last Monday. The professor was gone, so we just did a full hour and a half of open fencing. We were split into two groups – men and women.

Steven and I both noticed distinct characteristics about our groups that annoyed us a bit. Of the 6 women in my group, 3 were not taking the class very seriously. Yes, I am there to have fun, but they were giggling and calling out at each other while they were fencing. Then, when they would judge, they wouldn’t really pay attention to what was going on. When one fencer hits the other, the judge is supposed to say “halt.” Well, if you are screwing around, you might forget to do that. And as amateur fencers, we are just going to keep going, because we are not sure if we are getting direct hits or not. So… that was frustrating.

But, while fencing the other giggling women, I was able to pick up on some things I need to improve on – mainly my focus. A lot of people are still just blindly jabbing at one another, not strategizing much, or even paying attention to the opponent’s moves. I realized this early on, and spent the rest of the night really focusing on what my opponent was doing, rather than just trying to move in fast and stab them.

Steven had a different annoyance than I did. Apparently, some of this fellow male fencers have an inflated ego, and spent all of their time between matches talking up their “skills” and “style.” These students are at the same level as us – beginners, only four classes. So the only word that could describe their style would be “sloppy.” Of course, that is just talk, but it was still annoying Steven a bit (I know it would bother ME).

And apparently, some of the men are being very competitive, and making it a lot less fun. Fencing is a “gentleman’s sport” – you’re expected to show courtesy to your fellow fencer – saluting them with your sword, shaking their hand, etc. Well, everyone is doing that (I think), but some people are letting the wining get to their heads. Steven said one advanced player beat another advanced player and was doing fist pumps in the air for almost a minute. Just being around him made Steven feel uncomfortable because he knew this guy was so full of himself.

I understand competition. I understand wanting to win. I do have a tendency to turn into a competitive ass from time to time. But some people just take it TOO FAR. They make EVERYTHING into a competition. Everything in life. You know these people. You’re talking to them about a goal or accomplishment you made, and all of a sudden, it becomes a competition about how they compare to you. I find this petty. And pointless.

Anyway, on Monday night, Steven wasn’t really feeling up to fencing class because he was so sore from skiing (he still has bruises covering most of his legs!). I tried to be encouraging, telling him just to take it easy and focus on the footwork and moves the professor taught us.

After class, he came up to me and showed me this:

A photo of Steven’s arm the night he got hit.

So, besides the bruises from skiing, he now has some new ones from fencing – this huge scrape on his arm, as well as another inside his elbow, and more bruises on his legs. He looks like he got into a serious fight. Or something.