Wii! And more!

It's been nearly a month since I last updated. I'm finding that now that I don't have my full day to dedicate to twitter and blogger, I often forget to post! There hasn't been too much news here, but here's what I have:

I finally bought a Wii, along with Wii Fit Plus and a couple of other games. I'm absolutely loving it! I've been trying to do between 20 and 45 minutes every day on Wii Fit, and I've lost about 2 pounds or so over the last week. I'll start up my official weigh ins again next week. (This past weekend we were at a house warming party and stayed the night, and this upcoming weekend we'll be in Glasgow for a wedding, volcanic ash permitting.)

What really works for me is both the variety of activities as well as the competition aspect. When working through individual activities, you can compare your score with scores you achieved in the past, as well as the scores of the other people using Wii Fit on your system (like my husband). I've also made a general rule for myself that unless it's a game that uses conventional controls, I must stand in order to play it and move the way one is intended (rather than sitting on the couch waggling the Wii-mote).

I've also started using the stairs at work whenever I head up to the canteen to get coffee or a diet soda. This is generally two to three times a day. I began doing that on Tuesday last week and have only taken the elevator up (but not down) a few times since: all on Wednesday, as my arthritic knee was acting up and I didn't want to stress it more than I had to.

All in all, I've been doing pretty well lately, considering I sit on my butt at a desk all day at work.

In terms of food, it's been about the same. There are occasional forays into junk (pizza now and then, that sort of thing), but for the most part we've been eating good food. I do still usually have a bit of chocolate most days, but it's a few squares as opposed to a whole bar.

Jo commented suggesting I try growing my own spaghetti squash a few posts back... I might look into it after this weekend. Because spaghetti squash is awesome.

Also: The Race for Life 5k is fast approaching! If you'd like to sponsor me, pleas click the button on the sidebar. It's for the great cause of Cancer Research UK.

That's about it for today. I'll either report back this weekend (if the ash from the volcano in Iceland prevents us from making it to the wedding... fingers crossed this doesn't happen), but more likely it will be on the weekend after. See you all then!

Race for Life 5k

I've finally signed up for the Race for Life 5k in Milton Keynes! I kept putting it off for a few weeks, but now it's done. It takes place on the 6th of June, so I have plenty of time to train... I know I can WALK five kilometers, but I'd love it if I could jog or run, at least for part of it.*

I've added a button on the sidebar, if you'd like to sponsor me. It's for a great cause: Cancer Research UK.

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Today has been a good day. I've eaten well, drunk more water than I have in a long time (about 6 pint glasses full!), and I managed to do both weight lifting and cardio. I'm really happy about that. Just need to keep it up!

I also listened to the latest Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone podcast, which was great. They answered my question about protein powder (I've decided to stick to real food), and I learned a few other things as well. Have a listen if you haven't yet.


*The only thing I'm concerned about is my arthritic knee. I may have to just power walk it in the end, but I'm going to try to jog/run as best I can without injuring myself or making my knee worse... With any luck, by then my legs will be small enough that I can wear once of those slide on knee support thingies.

Feeling a bit 'meh.'

Yesterday was my birthday, and the end of the chocolate ban. I enjoyed a couple of small pieces of chocolate, as well as Cake-in-five-minutes*, because birthdays need cake. I didn't go hog wild and down several bars of chocolate on my own. So in that sense, it was a bit of a triumph. I did happen to drink a little over half of a bottle of wine on my own during the course of the evening, though. Oops!

Today, though, was my weigh in at the medical centre. It was less than inspiring. According to that scale, I'm just a half a kilo down from two weeks ago. Granted, this is in the afternoon, with clothes on, but it's still discouraging. I suppose, though, that it should be.

I'm doing really well with my weight lifting program, but I'm not getting in near enough cardio. And though I am eating generally healthy things, I'm still eating too much. I really should switch to Splenda in my coffee, or at least cut down on the sugar I use. I need to up my water intake. I used to be really good about drinking loads of water every day, but lately I'm lucky if I manage to get two or three pint glasses down.

What it all comes down to is that I need to step up my game. I'm trying not to beat myself up over this, because it's not worth it. "Trying" being the operative word. I'll still have my official stat update weigh in on Friday morning, so we'll see how I do then. If I have a gain (which I'm pretty much expecting), then so be it. I'll work harder.

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On the good side of things, I have a job interview tomorrow for a part time manager position at a nearby charity shop. I have good feelings about it. If I get it, I'll be able to afford to join the gym down the road. That would completely solve my lack of cardio problem... I'm one of those weird people that LOVES zoning out on an elliptical machine (or a stationary bike) with a good audio book (David Sedaris books have been some of the best gym companions I've ever had) and really pushing myself with the interval training programs. Not to mention the fact that because ellipticals are low impact, I can go on for ages without my arthritic left knee flaring up (unlike with running).

That job will also get me out of the house more, and I'll meet a hell of a lot more people, which I could really use for my sanity. Cross your fingers for me!

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In the meantime though, I need to get some more exercise video goodness happening. I have the New York City Ballet Workout (volumes one and two) and that should be okay once a week or so, but I'd like some others for some variety. Maybe I can take up Tae Bo again. I've tried Pump It Up from Ministry of Sound, but it's a bit advanced for me at the moment and the movements are a bit too quick. Does anyone else have recommendations?



*I'll post the modified recipe I use, as well as a link back to the original, at some point in the next couple of days.