Up before 6am on a Saturday.

Whyyyy am I up so early on a non-work day? This is actually way earlier than I get up during the week. My stupid nasal passages are semi-blocked and seriously impeding my breathing patterns. Makes for crap sleep. Anyway.

Since I'm up, I might as well update- the last blog I posted is me with a funny tanline. We're WAY out of tanline weather in Ohio (unless you're hitting the tanning beds.) The weather just took a major turn and there's lotsa snow. I don't mind it too much right now, but come March and April I'll be way over it.

So I went to a specialist yesterday for my thyroid because I am SO aggravated about not being able to lose a pound. I thought maybe my medication needed to be tweaked or something. It's been well over a year that I've had this problem- and I've been so very conscientious about watching food intake and exercising... with no positive result. Ever since I finished P90X my weight has hovered around the same number no matter WHAT I do. I even fasted for a weekend and I only lost 1.8 lbs, and immediately gained it back. I didn't care for the fasting. Won't be doing that again. Anyway, the doc checked labwork that I had done and actually said my TSH level (thyroid hormone) is a bit off. He felt around my neck and said the gland itself is slightly enlarged. We talked extensively-which was nice since he didn't kick me out of the room after 10 minutes- and he said how even if the TSH level is off just a bit it can cause somebody to not lose a pound. I was silently thanking him profusely for saying it. FINALLY a doctor confirmed what I thought was happening. I've been to several other endocrinologists and a few general practitioners and they made me feel kind of stupid and as if I was making things up for a "quick fix" for weight loss. That's SO not the case. I just don't want my freakin' body to work against me during my weight loss efforts! I am more than willing to put in the exercise and hard work- I just want results! It's totally wrong I wasn't getting any. This doc actually asked about my workout regimens and my lifestyle. I think he realized I wasn't trying to blow smoke up his ass, I just want my body to function properly. He upped my dosage of Synthroid. I'm so hoping this does the trick. We'll see how the next few months go... follow up with the doc is in April.

Speaking of workout regimens, I did buy another. I know it's been out for a while, but I decided to get Chalean Extreme. I just really like Chalene as an instructor (Turbo Jam is a fave workout). I know in some of my video blogs I said I was going to get Insanity from Beachbody, but here's the deal: I'm having a really hard time doing workouts that aren't *fun* these days. I bought Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism- which is basically all interval drills- and I literally wanted to cry. Granted, the workouts were hard, but I actually burned less calories than when I do my dance class and it was only about 25% as fun. I have a feeling that Insanity is 0% fun. I'm just not at a spot in my life where I want to take on a workout like that. I'm optimistic for Chalean Extreme- and I'm hoping with the boost in my thyroid meds that I'll actually see results! Sadly, I've been sick since New Year's Eve so I have been unable to start the program. I'm hoping to next week! I also will post a blog on YouTube sometime within the next month or so. I think there are a few crazies out there who actually miss seeing my face. lol

I should go lay back down and try to get a little more sleep. I have a big day today (an important bowling match awaits me!) I suck at bowling, and I'll lose regardless of being tired or not. But still, a few more zzz's couldn't possibly hurt.

Facing fitness fears.

Fitness fears. I don't have many of 'em. I welcomed the P90X 90-day challenge. I kicked the crap out of Turbo Jam. I've also taken step aerobics, spinning, BOSU, bootcamp cardio, and various strength training classes- I've even been running a little this summer! With all of this being said, there is one area of fitness that has equally intrigued *and* scared the crap out of me. This particular area is... dance. It's a tricky thing for me, because I sincerely admire/envy those with rhythm and I get really addicted to any dancing show on TV. Sadly, I severely lack rhythm and grace. Well, I have decided enough is enough and I am going to give it a shot and not care if I look the fool. :) The first series I am doing is a fusion style dance fitness class- hip hop belly it's called. Should be verrry interesting! After this series, I may tackle ballroom. Again, something I'm totally intrigued by but have been too scared to try. It sounds like so much fun, and will be great exercise too!

My first hip hop belly class is next Tuesday (September 8th.) I'm pumped and I will NOT back out. Will not back out.... will NOT back out...

Right. I won't back out. :)

More later!

SPLURGE!

Ok, I seriously need to stop splurging on weight loss stuff. For real.

What is this time, you ask?

A bodybugg.

Yes, the insanely expensive little device they use on The Biggest Loser to track calorie burn throughout the day. I felt almost pushed into it, because there was a sale that ended at midnight today- and I just found out at like 9pm! The sale saved me about $70, so it was pretty much now or never. My finger hovered over the "process" button for a while. It was still a pretty good chunk of money to spend and I was indecisive. But ultimately I clicked... and I know I'll be excited when it arrives. I just wrote someone back earlier today who was inquiring about my weight loss and my struggles. I specifically said I struggle mostly with finding the right balance between nutrition (calories) and exercise. The very words I typed just an hour or so prior to being on the bodybugg site played back through my mind... maybe this little device will be the answer to that very problem.

We'll see.

I ended up getting the armband, digital display, and 6 months of online access to their web site. You upload all the info from the device (calories burned, steps walked etc.) to the website, and you also enter the calories you eat. It's a basic calories-in calories-out approach, but in a high-tech, highly accurate way.

Once I get it and start using it, I'll definitely post a blog with my thoughts. :)

Discoveries.

Hi all.

I know it's been a while. I suck. :P I really go through cycles where I don't check or update anything online.

So anyway... everything is going pretty well, and I made a few discoveries recently.

One of said discoveries is that I found out I *really* like to power walk. Never in a million did I think I would enjoy fitness walking so much, but I really, really do! I'll admit, I always scoffed a bit at the idea of walking for exercise because I love high-impact crazy workouts (kickboxing, P90X, step aerobics etc) or going out and riding my bike. I didn't think I would get the calorie burn I wanted with walking, but I totally do! I get a good sweat on! I've done some 2 hour walks (walking quickly), some interval (mostly fast walking, with some jogging for 90 second to 2 minute intervals), and power walking along to a program with a walking coach that I put on my ipod. I got the walking kit for free when I signed up for Weight Watchers and I never thought I'd use it. And yes, the coach you listen to is a bit dorky... but she tells you when to increase the pace, when to pump your arms, etc. I always do better with fitness programs when I have someone telling me exactly what to do... I push harder than when I work out by myself. After I did all the walking, I was surprised to find I was sore the next day or two. With all the working out I do, I didn't think a measly walk would affect my muscles so much. It totally did. So I'll be working in walks/running with Turbo Jam over the next few weeks.

Another discovery is that I may have found part of the culprit of my mystery weight gains over the past 3 weeks. One of my medications changed, and it correlates exactly with when my weight started to increase. I was on this different brand of medication for three weeks, and was done with it on Saturday. It'll be interesting to see if my weight goes back down now, since I've been doing everything else right.

I'm starting a little something-something new at the end of this week with my nutrition too. More on that later! I'm excited!

I've got the illnesses!!

So, I've been sick since Sunday night. Not the "feel like I'm gonna die" sick, but the annoying "I'm incredibly tired/achy/clammy" sick. I've felt too weak to work out the past couple of days and it feels strange to not have broken an exercise-induced sweat lately. The exercise variety is much more satisfying than a sickness-induced sweat. That's just gross.

I hope I don't get too off track during this week. I fell asleep after work yesterday so I missed Weight Watchers- I plan to go tomorrow to make it up. This weekend (Fri-Sun) I'm supposed to be going with several girlfriends to southern Ohio for a spa-treatment getaway. It will be fun (provided I feel better), but won't really allow much time to work out. I just need to be sure I keep my nutrition in check since I won't be able to burn the amount of calories I normally do. I seem to be having a very hard time losing the pounds lately anyhow- I do have hypothyroidism, and I haven't had my levels checked in over a year. I'm going to go to the doc to be sure everything is still ok with that- sometimes dosages need to be increased or tweaked. I don't try to blame my slow weight loss on my thyroid at all... but it can definitely be detrimental if my thyroid hormone levels aren't where they should be.

I'm so happy spring is around the corner. Like, really happy. It really gets me down when winter weather extends all the way through April- and I truly hope that's not the case this year. I want to get going with this running thing. Mother Nature just needs to cooperate with me so I can hit the trails! *shakes fist*

That's all for now. Hope you all are well, and thanks as always for your endless support.