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Mid-March Weigh In and Measurements

Angela C. — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:06:53 +0000

Aloha, everyone!

I’d like to first thank everyone who has responded to me via e-mail, facebook, twitter and even by phone! (In this world of technology, who knew I could get feedback by phone?) Yes! I have decided to keep this blog, and just renewed my lease with my host, so I’m in this for the long haul.

Speaking of haul, I’ve been carrying a couple of extra inches over the last couple of weeks. I’m not entirely surprised, given my high stress to low workout ratio.

Here’s the strange thing. My weight went down!

This leads me to believe that I’m living proof that “muscle weighs more than fat.” Whew! Look at that body fat percentage. Aye yi yi!

To end on a positive note, I’ve started looking for inspiration in ordinary places. Since the tsunami scare in Hawaii at the end of February, I’ve been noticing the awesome power of Mother Nature.

I hope to incorporate more outdoorsy things in my exercise regimen soon.

Hey, if you’re a facebooker, please click on the link on the very bottom, right side of the page and become a fan of this blog! It’s free!

I wish you the best on your journey. Keep going!

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day!

Angela C. — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:18:25 +0000

Oh, for the love of kettlebells!

I hope that — for those of you who celebrate Valentine’s Day– February 14th was a day to cherish your loved ones; honor yourself; and spend time giving and receiving from the heart.

For me, Valentine’s Day in Hawaii also marked Lunar New Year! My favorite part of celebrating what is termed “Chinese New Year” in Hawaii is the Lion Dance.

Eating lots of treats used to be on the list, but now, I’m looking for more active ways to celebrate all holidays with my friends and family.

Which brings me to the next part of this blog- the “weigh in.” Really, my measurements have not been much different from week to week, so I’ve been eyeing the scale a lot more closely.

What I have noticed is that I’m finally at the point where I will know my weight based on how my clothes fit. Now that’s bordering on obsession. (My trainer would be so happy!)

There’s no significant difference in my weight and measurements from 2 weeks ago. (My trainer would be not so happy…)

At this rate, I’m not going to make it to 179. But remember my mottos:

Don’t Give Up!
and
It’s better to do a little bit of somethin’ than a whoooooole lot of nothin’!

So, “Happy Hearts Day!” Enjoy this season of aloha.

Please send me a comment below… your encouragement makes a huge difference in my attitude, behaviors and motivation!

Isagenix Cleanse Day #1: Doubts and Challenges

Angela C. — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:33:54 +0000

Have you ever noticed that as soon as you set an ambitious goal, obstacles appear?

My hurdle occurred on Day #1 of my Isagenix cleanse this month, in the form of a kid’s bean burrito.

You may be thinking to yourself, “That’s not that hard to say ‘no’ to!” Unless you’re me and you haven’t eaten solid food in 2 days.

Add to that the challenge of living in a household where you come home to dessert baking in the oven or delivered to the door from a loving friend, and you’ve just entered a minefield. Anywhere I step, I’m running into something that could blow this cleanse out of the water: fresh baked banana mufffins, Hawaiian food, a bean burrito. Check it out:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeGIb4xirA

Well, at least I stuck with the original plan, avoided the kalua pig (my downfall last time), had a laugh with my sister about all the food in the house, and moved on.

Sometimes, I just need a minute to review, renegotiate and recommit to my goal.

How about you? What are you taking on and what’s been challenging you? Leave me a reply below!

Leaving 2009 in the dust!

Angela C. — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:09:01 +0000

Hey, kettlepeeps!

Have you ever looked back at small pieces of your life and felt pretty good about it? I find that I usually don’t give myself kudos for small accomplishments, but today, I am.

I’m happy that I haven’t given up on myself in my quest to lose weight and gain healthy habits. I moved my goal date from October 30,2009 (with a 55lb loss) to June 30, 2010 (with a 70 pound loss) and I believe I will do it.

I’ve always lacked a sense of confidence (if you couldn’t tell) when it came to physical activity. I avoided competitive sports, even bowling, until I was well out of college.

I’ve always held at least two jobs, or a job and a side-job, which kept me perpetually running around. I “worked out,” but usually that meant a group class, like high impact aerobics, or my own mix of cardio and body weight training. I’ve only felt comfortable in my own skin with dance, or more specifically (non-competitive) hula.

I started and stopped Weight Watchers after moderate success. I really gave up on working out and meal planning when I was pregnant with my son.

Not surprisingly, these things took a toll on my overall health and well-being.

As of May 2009, I decided to take on something new, set a goal, and strive for it publicly.

I don’t have to be perfect, in fact, who is? But I can hold myself accountable and have some fun while I’m at it. Enter kettlebells.

I started training at FitPro Hawaii, and made some solid gains (or losses) over the past 8 months. It’s been a bumpy ride, and I’m back in the 190s, but I’m still progressing:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FePDEmEL9Rc

My new workout partner, Ty, and I have decided that we are going “ballistic.” To him, this means being able to hike up a mountain wearing a weight vest. For me, this means getting off my tush and making sure I do something, even a little thing, each and every day.

And, there’s friendly competition there. No, I’m not aiming to do as many push ups as he does. But I am working hard to be consistent and show up where I need to be, no complaints.

In 2010, I’m tackling my eating habits. It will be a challenge, Lord help me. But it can be done.

And you-- I’m really curious-- what are you leaving behind, and what are you looking forward to?

Leave me a comment! And thanks for joining me on this journey. Aloha!

A Pound A Week… Or Else!

Angela C. — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:15:51 +0000

I’ve been politely questioned, rudely asked, and even teased about my weight. None of that really made a difference in terms of motivating me to get healthy, in fact, it may have had the opposite effect.

My trainer is taking a different approach — a financial consequence.

Liz and I have agreed. If we don’t come in weighing one pound less consistently every week, our hourly rate will increase by a dollar… permanently!

A pound is a comfortable goal. I’m confident I won’t go into the poor house, and can maintain weight loss of a pound a week. Two pounds a week, however, is my actual goal.

My exercise plan can certainly be improved since I have not been consistent in that regard. Some weeks I’ve had 5 workouts, and most weeks, just three. So, that can be easily fixed.

Healthy eating has not been a priority for me in weeks. Now, this is a touchy area for me. In my word, I say I want to eat healthy, but in deed, I’m not. My healthy integrity has gone out the door!

I’ve recommitted to eating well, one day at a time. I like my food journal on my phone, even if I don’t like its name. I’m always going to be a nerd, so I like seeing the calculations.

Here’s the part that takes real commitment, though– measuring everything– and I mean EVERYTHING I put in my mouth!

Here’s a few examples:

Coffee with 1 tbsp creamer

Examining the Nutrition Facts on Every Single Item

Note to self: a cup of spaghetti is not enough for a cup of sauce

Once I have everything entered in my journal, I’ll be able to recall it without trouble. This week, I find myself spending a lot of time looking up and then entering stats for things like “Organic Veggie Straws” and “BBQ Chicken.”

I’m also keeping track of my workouts on the exercise journal. Does anyone out there know how many kcals are burned in a 30 minute kettlebell workout? I don’t want to use the “weight lifting” stats, because that just doesn’t seem to capture the entire workout.

That just about sums it up. (Get it? SUMS it up? Aw, forget it.) Of course, I’d love to hear from you… it keeps me motivated! Please leave a comment below in the “reply” box. I look forward to reading it!

Mahalo!

Stressful Snacking?

Angela C. — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:38:40 +0000

Hey kettlefolks!

For the past week, I’ve been in various coffee houses around Honolulu, working to a deadline. One of the joys of working for yourself is that you get to work anywhere! (Conversely, you don’t have an office or regular workspace.)

Lately, I’ve been looking at this: And this has been looking at me:

What’s that in your hand, Angela?

I’m glad you asked!

It’s an Ice blended mocha, no sugar added, extreme.

What does extreme mean?

More coffee.

I’m running on less sleep than usual, my eyes are tired and bloodshot, and I just want to complete this project so that I can move on to the next. (Not that I’m complaining– I do love working in the field of education– albeit, independently!)

In the past few days, I had not worked out, had not eaten healthy and nutritious meals, and for a second I thought I was back in finals week during my undergraduate college career.

As I’m sitting here sipping this bittersweet drink, I started to review the other things I’ve been putting into my system. Everything that I’ve had a craving for falls into one of four categories: salty or sweet, crunchy or creamy. Sometimes, it’s two of the four, like crunchy and salty — popcorn, or those veggie tubes we got at COSTCO. But usually, I have a very clear idea of what I want, and I when I’m working up to the last minute, like now, I’ll go and get it.

I think this is stressful snacking; an insidious form of emotional eating. It’s insidious because I almost don’t realize I’m doing it.

For example, the graham cracker I was snacking on with my son. (Sweet and crunchy.) I didn’t have a whole cracker… or wait, did I? I can’t remember, because I wasn’t paying attention. What about the salty barbecue chicken I had for lunch? I usually can’t finish the mini-plate. Today, I ate the whole thing.

About the only thing saving me so far this week is the fact that I did get into the FitPro Hawaii gym today. After swings and suitcase squats with the 16kg kettlebells, Bill busted out the benches. Liz and I did presses and various weight bearing activities with two 12kgs. I’ve been typing all week– my shoulders are taut and my wrists are thrashed! I’m so glad I got in there!

We also got homework for the next four days– complete a total of 200 clean and presses (the long cycle) with two 8 kgs. I can do 100 over two days (yeah, right) or 50 each day. We also have to continue our cardio on our own.

I’ll keep in touch! In the meantime, can you please let me know what kind of healthy snacks you eat that are satisfying?

kettaloha!

Sunday Wrap up- the good, the bad, and the ugly

Angela C. — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:53:31 +0000

Well, here it is, folks. My painstaking progress over the last 13 weeks. On average, I’m losing a pound a week. Last week, I lost EXACTLY one pound.

I suppose that can count as part of the “good” news. My measurements stayed exactly the same, which I will also consider “good,” given all of the “ugly” that happened over the weekend.

Other good news: I worked out on Friday and Saturday, incorporating a brisk walk at the beginning of the day, and a kettlebell workout in the afternoon. Check back often– I have some back posts to enter!

Let’s move on to the “bad.” I did nothing on Sunday. I mean– I slept late, didn’t hike, didn’t workout with the kbs– nothing. I didn’t even try. That’s bad.

I’m also drinking diet soda again. I have been drinking DECAF coffee in the morning, as opposed to my 3-shot latte, but started with the one or two diet cokes/pepsis mid-week.

So how bad is “ugly,” then? I ate three different desserts at my cousin’s graduation party on Friday. I mean, COME ON! Three? Well, yes, a nibble of banana cream pie. A sliver of chocolate cake. And a full-sized serving of gooey bread pudding. Mmmm… I mean, bad girl!

It gets worse. Today? I might as well call it carb-fest Sunday. It started past midnight on Saturday. I was up too late. I had lite popcorn with REAL butter… and parmesan cheese. Some chips. And I’m NOT a midnight snacker.

Today, all I wanted was carbs carbs carbs. Breakfast was an organic chocolate bar. Then, off to CPK, where I diligently ordered a light salad… and finished my son’s fusilli with cheese.

Of course, who can resist the smell of popcorn wafting through Kahala Mall? Not me! More carbs!

Dinner? Pad Thai and eggplant tofu. Not bad, but not a lot of vegetables.

I think the moral of the story is this– I need to eat a full, nutritious, low cal, balanced breakfast, regardless of what time I wake up. Lately, it’s been Fiber One with light soy milk and a boiled egg. That way, I won’t have this urge to eat things that are bad for me.

The other important lesson here is that I can have and enjoy little treats… ocassionally. I am not going into deprivation mode, only to binge eat. I am making a lifelong change here.

I have to remember my former mantra: ”Is eating this worth it?” So far, that’s worked for things like rocky road ice cream, chocolate dobash cake, and even french fries. My logic is this– I can have these things anytime. They will not disappear off the face of the earth.

I can choose to have that margarita or even that bread pudding, but here’s the deal– I need to pay my dues. If I’m going to eat it, then I need to either work it off, or compensate with my other food choices.

Please feel free to share your strategies with me in the comments section. I look forward to hearing from you!

Kettletell's Updated Blogroll!

Angela C. — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:24:37 +0000

Hey, folks!

We finally put together a much more comprehensive list of websites of all things kettlecool. As you can see from the picture, I had a little help.

If you have a blog or website that’s related to mine, and you would like it to be featured here, just e-mail me at info@kettletell.com. Conversely, if your site is linked, but, hey, you don’t want random people checking you out, you can e-mail me, too!

Have a wonderful weekend, with lots of aloha!

Cleanse day two (boo hoo!)

Angela C. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:41:41 +0000

Okay, people, let’s keep it real.

I like food. I’m sure I’ve mentioned that multiple times, both in text and on video. I know you know that I know I’m an emotional eater.

So, imagine this scenario. For two days, you aren’t eating, tasting, enjoying a meal. You are ingesting nutritious stuff, mind you, but you’re not savoring the feeling of eating.

On top of that, all the guck that your body tissues have been storing is also being released. Now, that may have been the reason you decided to undertake this in the first place, but it’s a good time to remind yourself that the grease you had with those french fries and the additives in that processed luncheon meat had to go somewhere… and now they’re coming back out.

What that looks like– or rather, what that feels like to me– takes on two forms. I’m moody, and I want food.

A third thing that I’m experiencing right now is physical pain. It started in my hips, what I imagine an arthritic experiences. I was able to stretch, drink water, and endure. The usual calf pain and right hamstring also bothered me, but I’m used to that, and me and my homie salonpas took care of it.

But this morning, boy oh boy, did I have some serious lower back pain. I was walking like a senior citizen on a Doan’s commercial; a wide-stance shuffle. I could barely carry my child without wincing, his weight alone was hard to bear.

Lying down made it worse. I finally was able to rest with my feet propped on two pillows and my knees bent so my legs were in a diamond shape. Funky, but it helped.

Since I’ve been lethargic, discombobulated, foggy, and just plain tired, I’ve been napping every day with my son. This in particular is frustrating, because I feel so unproductive! And yet, when I’m awake, I feel like I’m sleepwalking.

Today, my sister asked me to make dinner… which just so happened to be one of my favorite things to eat- kalua pig and cabbage. Here I am, putting the ingredients together, feeling the pain in my lower back, and frankly, feeling pretty crabby about it all.

“Why can’t I eat? This is my process, after all. How bad can cabbage be?”

One hour later, I’m eating a small portion of brown and white rice, about 1/4 of a whole cabbage, and about two tablespoons of imu-roasted pork from Waimanalo.

No, I’m not proud. Yes, I feel a little bit guilty. And I have no idea how that’s going to affect the outcome. I know I’ve lost traction in terms of pounds lost- I weighed in at 199.9!!!

Yet, I had to do it. And my back pain went away, for about two hours!

So, yes, this is definitely a process. And I’m learning a lot. I know my threshold. I know my triggers. And all I can do is try to apply what I know as I go through it. After all, that’s what learning is, right?

QSN: I completed the cleanse for the day- finishing my 4th cleanse drink. I’m sticking to it– one week to go!

Pre-Cleanse Day #2, Kettlebell Workout #1

Angela C. — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:08:06 +0000

Hola!

So as you know, I’m completing a 9-day cleanse with the Isagenix program. (No, I’m not a distributor, and I’m not reppin’ the brand. I just want to keep you informed.)

Today is day two of my “pre-cleanse.” Essentially, that means, get ready, here it comes! A pre-cleanse day is a “shake” day. I drink a chocolate meal replacement shake for lunch and dinner. Today, I had grilled ahi and a salad for lunch. I snacked on cashews and sunflower seeds this afternoon, because I wanted something crunchy.

I have given up drinking my iced non-fat 3-shot espresso latte cold turkey. For that, I got a massive, and I do mean, terrible headache. It lasted only an hour, thank goodness, and then I was able to rest.

I’m drinking my last chocolate shake of the evening, but I’m having a hard time finishing it. Frankly, I’ve had a lot of water. I’m full. I’m usually dehydrated– and now– I’m full.

I’d love to hear your tips about how you’ve been successful during a cleanse.

Today, I got back in the gym. I haven’t managed a workout since last Friday. Knowing that I’m pre-cleansing, my trainer gave me a little room today. I started with one-handed thrusters with the 8kg (unlike the usual two-handed), and counted down the ladder from 10 to 5 thrusters on each side.

A “fun” game we played? Let’s swing perfect swings! I completed 20 swings in between my thrusters, but I found that I kept shifting backwards. I do a little hop thing; it seems that I’m allowing my hips to push forward a bit, thereby hyper-extending my back and displacing my weight.

So the game was, “Do perfect swings in one place, or start over again!” Sigh. The first time we played this game, I did a hop back after 13 swings. So, I had to start over again. Let me tell ya– this was the last time I moved out of place!

I was having a hard time controlling my movements; we traced the source to my abs (of all things)! The way that Bill puts it– my abs are not connecting the energy from my lower body into my swings. So, we stopped mid-course to work on abs.

Typically, we don’t do isolated exercises, but today called for it. I started with forearm planks on the rubber ball.

Next we did the “Warrior Goddess” move, which is really a plank and then a turn onto the sides of your feet. Bill asked us to hold it for 5 seconds in each position. I couldn’t do it for more than a few reps.

So, we switched up to very isolated crunches on the ball. We got into a “table” position, lying with our butts and our heads hanging off the ball, and our stomach and thighs flat, like a table. Then, lifting my hips up off the ball, I curl up so that my rib cage area shortens. This isn’t a huge sit up, it’s really a small, but painful, crunch. I could do about 3 of these each time.

We finished our thruster-swing sets, I did a few stretches with the chest expander, and I was pau!

At 10pm tonight, I’m starting to feel a headache coming on. Rather than suffer in silence, I’m going to go ahead and take 2 ibuprofen. It’s allowed. Tomorrow- the cleanse begins!

Thanks for following me! I look forward to hearing from you!