Day 8! Still rolling ...

Despite my not as consistent posts, my eating is definitely a lot better. Although, I am eager to have a little treat come Wednesday. It's the last three days of National Novel Writing Month, and I have 19,000 words to hit my 50,000 word goal. The good news is that my chronic infection is practically gone, and it is very likely I'll be in the gym come Dec. 1st. Everything is coming together. I would have liked to have started like gang busters on Day One like this, but as long as I'm headed where I need to be, I'll take it!

Can it be Day 6?

Yikes! This is not a good start regarding my blogging for this mission, but oddly just being on "the mission" has kept my eating in check. I had planned to make Wednesdays my "free days," I was thinking I would wait until the second week of the mission to start that. UM! My brain heard Wednesday is the free day, and I had some treats and by treats I mean a Snickers Bar and two extra slices of whole wheat toast with sugar free blueberry jam on it. Not too bad with the toast, but the Snickers is well... a BIG treat.

However, I'm relieved that the free day didn't turn into free TWO days or "to heck with this new mission" despite the fact that I'm not blogging as much. It was my Mom's birthday yesterday, and we went to dinner, and I made sure she had a slice of cake, but I just had my decaf nonfat latte. VICTORY! However, I think my next treat on Wednesday WILL be a slice of that Black Forest Cake from the San Rival cakes. LOL

The cough is still here, but I'm hoping by the weekend it will fade. I've stepped on the scale, and it looks like I've lost a pound or two already. (We just have one of those old dial scales, not digital scales.) It's probably water weight from my period, but I'm happy to see that my free day didn't push the scale over.

I've GOT to work out this picture situation, but I wanted to blog before I fell off the earth. I'm way behind on the National Novel Writing Month, so I better get to work.

Day 2: Five Year Anniversary Mission

I have to admit I am a bit ill-prepared for this mission. I'm having outfit issues. I only have sweat pants to work out in, but I'm sure I have a least a pair of shorts around here somewhere to take a photo. But, I will say that starting this mission has already made a difference in my diet. I've been watching my glycemic index and consumption of simple carbs as instructed to by my doctor. I got through all of yesterday without ANY sugar. Well except the natural sugars found in a banana. Woo-hoo. I took my stats today (not yesterday), but as the motto on my blog says that is enough. My cough is still in full swing, so I'm not cleared for the gym yet, but I'm assured it will be soon. I DID, however, check out the local gym here in the Philippines and bought the prerequisite new sneakers (they do not allow any shoes that have been worn on the street to be worn in the gym)to wear once I start.

Here are my measurements. Since they're about the same on right and left, I'm just going to type in the right:

Bust: 43"
Waist: 37 3/4"*
Hips: 45 1/2

Right arm: 14"
Right thigh 34 1/2"

Weight: 188**

*Increased abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and CVD. Women with waist measurements over 35 are considered a high risk. Plus my PCOS, also makes me a candidate for type 2 diabetes. Luckily, I was recently screened and don't have it yet. There's hope!

**Using my height (5'6") and weight measurements and an online BMI calculator, my BMI is 30.3, which is considered obese. Anything over 30 is obese.

We're Back!!! New 90 Day Mission with Suzette!

Original shredder, SUZETTE, wrote to me on Facebook to let me know that it was a five years since our first "shredder mission." She came up with the great idea of doing a five-year anniversary shred. It's crazy. So much has happened in five years, and yet, here I am in the Philippines typing from the exact same room that I was in on the first mission. It's like it was meant to be!

I'll take a picture later, tonight. I don't even have a swimsuit that fits anymore. Since my first mission over five years ago, I've managed to remain back injury free, and started a whole new business BUT ...

I've GAINED all the weight back plus about six more pounds. I just recently was diagnosed with PCOS, which helped explain my insulin resistance issues (I thought I was shaking and sweating because I was anxious turns out it my blood sugar was out of whack) and my weight struggle. Armed with new dietary knowledge (gotta watch the glycemic index of my food) and advice from doctor, I'm back in the Philippines and ready to go full steam ahead into good health.

I'm not discouraged about my weight gain as much any more. Before it really bummed me out, but now I'm feeling happy and motivated. It really helps that I finally figured out what was going on with me health wise. It took a bunch of time just to be able to get health insurance to get go to the doctor, then, I was misdiagnosed for a while and then FINALLY we figured it out.

I'm also finishing the NanoWrimo (You write a 50,000 word novel in a month), so these first few weeks will be action packed.

Later today, I'll update this post with a photo and my starting stats and find something to wear so I can post a photo. Bye for now.