Target Heart Rate

Since the fancy new treadmills in my gym measure your heart rate pretty easily, I thought it would be good to look up some info on target heart rate so I have an idea what I'm looking at. Here's a chart and some info from the American Heart Association about target heart rate ranges for different ages. My target range is 95 - 162 beats per minute, so it seems like I was doing a pretty good job today with an average rate of 142 and a max of 148. Good to know!

Motivating Tunes

Y'all know that I'm still very much a beginner at the gym. Heck, the hardest part of exercise is forcing myself to go to the gym in the first place!

But, today I did it. And it was a little bit of a worst-case scenario, cuz when I got in there it was really crowded and all of my favorite machines were being used by tiny little fit twentysomethings.

I soldiered on, though, and pushed myself to do the most I've done in a long time - programs on both the bike AND the treadmill. Go me!

Part of the reason I was happy to stay down there was.... you guessed it! A new iTunes playlist! Here were today's motivating tunes, both from the warm-up all the way to the cool-down:

- Another Saturday Night - Cat Stevens
- Complicated - Avril Lavigne
- Desert Rose - Sting
- An Englishman in New York - Sting
- Extraordinary - Liz Phair
- Mr. Brightside - The Killers
- Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
- Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak - Macy Gray
- SexyBack - Justin Timberlake
- Some Fantastic - Barenaked Ladies
- The River is Wild - The Killers
- Used to Love U - John Legen
- Where is the Love? - Black-Eyed Peas

Good stuff! Nothing helps keep you moving like a few good songs....

Well, It Could've Been Worse

So I'm down all of 2 pounds total. For the year. Bah humbug.

The good news is that I didn't gain anything over the last week at my parents' house, which is hard to do considering the way that they eat. (Platters, not plates.)

Watch here soon for more discussion of what I plan to do differently in 2007, but I'm not giving up. It's another year with new challenges!

The Season is the Reason

It's been a few weeks since I weighed in..... but this morning, the scale told me I'm up 2 pounds. :-( It could've been a lot worse, actually, because the last few weeks have not been stellar in terms of my self-control. But I've been a little better in the last few days since the 1-2 punch of having 2 doctor's appointments, and thus 2 doctors' lectures, mid-week. And all the great new groceries I have should help.

So, while I will participate in holiday festivities responsibly, my challenge will be to avoid all the cookies and candies sitting around the office for the next 2 weeks. And maybe I'll switch to tall lattes instead of grande for a while....

Warm Potato Goodness!

I have Onyah to thank for this great idea:

Take a regular old russet potato, cook it in the microwave oven on high for 7-10 min (based on the power of your microwave and the size of the potato). While it's cooling, zap one of those little Green Giant low fat broccoli and cheese packs. (I used the single serving size, but you could use the regular size with a big potato, too.) Then cut open the potato, pour the broccoli and cheese all over, and start shoveling it into your mouth. BIG YUM!

And potatoes are crazy-good for you. Plus you get your veggies from the broccoli and the cheese sauce is a good lowfat source of dairy. This one is a big-time winner! And it's so hot and comforting, it's perfect for a cold winter's night.

New Ideas

I recently shelled out some dough to purchase The Biggest Loser cookbook, hoping to find some inspiration for some new healthy meals I could make at home. And guess what? There are actually a bunch of great, EASY recipes that could help get me out of the boring frozen-entree and pasta routine I've been stuck in!

First up, it's such an easy idea.... but I'd never thought of it so to me it's truly revolutionary: WRAPS! The cookbook had a simple recipe for a turkey-and-cream cheese wrap, but I've jazzed it up a little bit with some fresh produce. (Thank you, Mr. Safeway Delivery Man!)

I used a Mission brand heart-healthy, crazy low fat whole wheat tortilla. I then spread about 1 tbsp of light garden veggie cream cheese and topped it with 4 slices of Healthy Choice low fat honey roasted/smoked turkey. Then, a whole pile of alfalfa sprouts and about 1/2 of a vine-ripened tomato.

I took a bunch of pictures to share, but apparently Blogger's being a b****tch today and won't let me upload them. But I learned 2 tidbits for next time when making this wrap -- first of all, cut the tomato into very thin slices, otherwise the wrap won't roll and things will fall out; and secondly, use a little dab of cream cheese as the "glue" to seal the sides of the wrap together once it's all rolled up. Important things to know!

This was such a super-easy yummy lunch! Oh yes, there will be more wraps in my future!

Squeeze!!!!

Wow. Nothing is quite as motivating as buying a great new pair of jeans that are just a wee bit too tight.....!!!!!

No Foolin'

Well, kids, I was reminded today that this really isn't just fun and games. I got the lecture from my doctor about needing to lose weight and exercise more, but this time she had some evidence to back up the lecture. My blood pressure is higher than it should be for someone my age - and that's not a good sign. :-(

So I have to officially declare war on sodium. And I really do have to get back on track with what I've been trying somewhat unsuccessfully to do here.

And I hate that I was told this during the holidays! There will be so many temptations over the next few weeks.... but I'll try to be strong! I want those numbers on my chart to go down.

Bah Humbug

The holiday season is upon us. Which means lots of parties, lots of treats, lots of warm comfort food and hidden bites of chocolate throughout the day..... aaargh.

It's also been event season at work lately. I have had more catered food than I care to admit - including several days of fine cheeses (mmmmm....roquefort....mmmmmm.....goat cheese!), several days of bagels and carb-heavy breakfast platters, several days of multi-course meals and little finger food desserts.

And I'm feeling yucky for it. Tomorrow, I'd really love to just eat some soup.