On the Book Winner and Gym Barfing

So sorry for the delay in posting the winner of the Younger (Thinner) You Diet by Eric R. Braverman, MD. I've had network "issues" today, in addition to the normal issues with which I live every day. :)

Without further ado...congratulations, Jenera! The random gods have smiled on you and determined that you are the proud owner of our prize. Well, you will be as soon as you send me your shipping info. My brand-spanking-new email address for all things tippy toe is ttdinbox [at] gmail [dot] com.


Re: the gym barf bag. While I would happily (and gratefully) accept the label hardcore, I'm afraid the United Hardcore Workout Union would not accept me for membership. When the bile rises up the back of your throat while trying to stretch the second set of jackknife-on-the-ball from 12 to 15, the current hardcore membership just smirks. And when you take the aforementioned bile as a sign that you're done for the day and drop the third set, well, the truly hardcore point at you and laugh. When you leave the gym after a mere 45 minutes of working out--your personal maximum allotment for strength training--they throw things at you. :)

So far I haven't actually thrown up at the gym or when working with the trainers (and I don't really care to), but I do experience the bile/nausea problem from time to time. I didn't worry about it in the trainer studio, since the bathroom was about 15 steps away and should the worst happen, I could get there in a jiffy. But it occurred to me at the gym on Wednesday, as I was trying to focus on being very still and NOT tossing my breakfast, that the locker room was a lonnnng way from the workout area.

I've noticed the nausea usually occurs in the latter half of the workout, and I've pinpointed two common threads: 1) overheating and/or 2) ab work. I have two possible solutions in mind. When I worked with the trainers, I kept a hand-held, battery-powered fan on standby. I would only use it for a few seconds at a time, and it didn't do much more than move air around my face, but it seemed to help. (Distraction, maybe?) Now I just need to find it and drop it in my gym bag. Also, I'm wondering if I'm breathing properly during my ab/core segment. (That's been a problem in the past.) I'm going to focus on that during tomorrow's workout.

To be on the safe side, I think I'll also tuck an old plastic grocery bag in the pocket of my gym pack, just in case. :)

That's it for me today. Unless you'd like me to describe in loving detail how I've spent the day cleaning out my file cabinet. I didn't think so. What can I say? It's just one exciting day after another here in Cammyland.

I'm staying local for the upcoming holiday and will be checking blogs as time allows, but I'll take this opportunity to wish you a safe and happy Independence Day (U.S.), or a safe and happy Day Between the Third and Fifth of July (Intl).

Progress Check-Tippy Toe 500

I'm catching up on blog reading tonight, but I wanted to record my progress on my personal challenge, The Tippy Toe 500.

After following the various training protocols for two excruciating weeks, I completed my first assessment on Monday morning. The results:

Push-ups (full): I increased by ONE push-up, completing 26 as opposed to 25 in the pre-assessment. Not nearly as much as I hoped for, considering I did 40 push-ups on my last personal training assessment, but it is what it is. I've clearly lost upper body strength since I quit training with the professionals. Part of the problem, as I see it, is that I can't do some of the bench work because I don't have anyone to spot me. I'm going to explore a few of the machines to add in to the mix in addition to the free-weights. The bottom line is that two years ago, I couldn't complete that ONE push-up and now I'm building upward from 26. I'll take it and keep trying.

Sit-ups: Big, big progress! I've been focusing more on core and it shows. I went from 35 to 81 sit-ups in two weeks. My biggest problem is the counting. :)

Squats: More progress. I completed 60 squats, compared to 45 during the assessment.

Overall, I'm quite impressed with myself. :) Disappointed in the push-up results, but I'll try to use that to push a little harder.

My reward download tune for the week was Oh Yeah by Yello. I don't really know why it struck my fancy, but it's working for me.

Today I repeated the last workout of the second week plan, and I'll probably do that again on Friday. If all goes well (meaning: I don't die from it), I'll move on to week 3 next Monday.

One lesson I learned was to do the assessments on Friday so that I have two days rest. Today, with only one day's rest, was brutal. It did, however, give me a great product idea: a gym barf bag! Small (and cute!), foldable wax-lined paper bag to slip into your gym bag for those days when you might dig a little too deep.

What'cha think? I'll let you know the date for auditions for the infomercial. (Hey, if that guy can talk about his bowel movements--not to mention his kid's poo--for a half hour, gym barfing ought to be okay too! With somewhat insincere apologies to any fans.)

Lastly, for my permanent record, the weigh-in was EXACTLY where it was supposed to be. Always a relief when a Cake Day has been observed. :)

And this was supposed to be a quick post. Sigh....

Happy Canada Day to all who celebrate(d)!

Giveaway Post: Younger (Thinner) You Diet

I don't read many diet and/or fitness books. It's not that I don't think they have value; it's more that there are so many, each with its own set of experts and studies to prove their theories. Lacking a degree in bio-anything, I'm often left scratching my head wondering just who's right and how right they might be.

Two of the diet/fitness books I do have are from Rodale (8 Minutes in the Morning by Jorge Cruise and Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding), and I enjoyed both of those, so when the kind folks Rodale contacted me offering a copy of of Younger (Thinner) You Diet by Eric R. Braverman, MD for a giveaway, I gratefully accepted.

I didn't read this book (merely skimmed it), but it seems well-organized and easy to read. The basic premise is that obesity is fundamentally a brain chemical imbalance that can be treated successfully with a combined approach of diet, nutrients, and hormones. Four critical brain chemicals--dopamine, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and serotonin--and how they affect aging, weight loss, and health are discussed in detail, and recommendations and guidelines for ensuring optimum balance of these chemicals are provided.

In my not-reading-but-skimming session, it seemed to me that the nutritional recommendations are similar to those many of us follow (make that "mostly follow" for some of us): avoid sugar, choose lean protein and fiber-rich foods, drink water, eat fruits and vegetables, etc. In that regard, there wasn't much new for me here. What was a nice twist was the rather significant emphasis on using spices as a nutritional supplement. There are even tasty-looking recipes and shopping lists included!

One aspect of this book that makes me uncomfortable is that it includes suggestions for using bioidentical hormones. My discomfort is not in using these hormones, but in my lack of knowledge in this area. Given the recent controversy on the subject, I don't think it's something to be approached hastily. I do like that the author suggests talking to your doctor first, before following that path.

There is, of course, a chapter devoted to exercise, with recommendations for strength training (emphasizing weight-bearing exercise--yaaay!) along with aerobic activity. Again, though, not much new if you've been immersed in this for a couple of years. :)

If I had more time, I'd definitely read this book in greater depth and research some of the new-to-me concepts. It is well-written and easy to follow, even for someone who doesn't have a degree in bio-anything.

Should you be intrigued and want to explore Younger (Thinner) You Diet further, just leave me a 'count me in' comment below! (Oh, and I'm sorry to report that you should also live in the U.S.) I'll accept entries through midnight (US Central) Wednesday, July 1st and then use the random number generator to choose our winner!

Makeover Monday: You Were Saying?

I'm not a stupid person, but if you could hear me talk, you'd probably deduct a few (dozen) IQ points. While sounding a bit like a hick is not, IMO, a character flaw, I have other speaking habits that sometimes get in the way of good communication, and it's an area I would like to work on.

As I was going through boxes last week in preparation for the big garage sale, I found some notes I took at a communications workshop I attended several years ago. So many years, I'd actually forgotten the class. The title at the top of notes is "Conversational Quirks." I like that title, probably because I like quirky people, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't the intent of the workshop.

Anyway, here are the quirks and their "treatment", as I listed them:

Quirk: Too many speech tics like er and uh, like and you know.
Tics like these are usually used when we're planning what to say next and feel a need to fill the silence. Instead, we should slow down our speech, which will allow time to plan ahead. (This is very difficult for me, especially when nervous.)

Quirk: Over-using phrases like "I know exactly what you mean" or "I agree completely"
We often use these when we're uncomfortable with a lull in the conversation and/or we're unsure how we wish to respond. Unfortunately, using them too often can imply a lack of confidence in our own opinions and viewpoints. Nodding and/or smiling are good nonverbal cues that we're listening. Meanwhile, we can (silently) plan our responses.

Quirk: Frequently losing your place mid-sentence
This can be a sign of simple nervousness, or it could imply that you're a perfectionist, always searching for a better word. Unfortunately, many folks would likely view you as a space cadet. Instead of groping for words, go with your first instinct for the best choice, and if you should lose your place, relax and go back to the last words you remember. You might also use verbal bridges, such as "My point is.." or "What I'm trying to say is..."

Quirk: Over-apologizing
It's wonderful to care about offending someone, but saying I'm sorry too many times can make you seem weak or insincere, almost as though you're distancing yourself from you own opinions. So often we don't want to appear argumentative or confrontational, and we resort to phrases like, "I'm sorry, but I just don't see it that way." Instead, consider using a substitute "softener phrase", such as "That's interesting. I see it differently..." If you're the one initiating the discussion, consider a simple "I believe" or "In my opinion", as opposed to "I'm sorry if this offends you..."

Quirk: Finishing other people's sentences
I worked with a woman who did this constantly. She probably thought it showed how hard she was listening, but I always felt as though she was rushing me. A better choice might be those lovely nonverbal cues--nodding and smiling--to show interest and a firm clench of your tongue between your teeth.


I suspect the items I listed weren't all the items discussed but were limited primarily to what I perceived to be my own issues or those of a co-worker. As always, if you have others to toss into the arena, please feel free.

If I should ever have the opportunity to talk to you in person (and I hope I will!), please overlook the fact that I still have most of these quirks. Perhaps if I hadn't buried the notes in the bottom of a box of paperwork, I would have been more successful.

But it's never too late to try again! If anyone exemplifies that, we do! :)

I'll leave you with a teaser...tomorrow just might have another giveaway!

Happy Monday to all!

Since You Asked So Nicely...

Pardon my tardiness in responding to kind questions asked during the week. I've been running like a chicken without a head in preparation for my garage sale today. But more about that in a sec.

First, in the shocked aftermath of my having actually cooked (with my own widdle hands) a meal this week, the ever-lovely Hanlie asked: "What do you normally eat if you don't cook?"

Excellent question, Hanlie. One of the things that always stopped me in previous weight loss efforts was having to prepare my meals. I don't mind stirring or chopping or mixing now and then, but I just plain don't enjoy cooking on a regular basis. As I started my tippy toe journey, I decided to follow what worked for my lifestyle, which means meals on the go much of the time. At home, I eat lots of salads and fruit, tuna, yogurt, cheese, almonds, popcorn, peanut butter, etc. I'm very fortunate to live near several grocery stores that offer healthy prepared foods that I can buy in portions *I* determine. Even my local Kroger (a regional/national big box chain) has gotten it together and now offers a large selection of fresh, whole foods. When I'm on the go, I have easy access to a few restaurants (both local and chain) that offer healthier fare at reasonable prices.

It wouldn't work for everyone, but somehow it works for me. It does take a certain amount of discipline, and some places I now know to stay away from completely. But as the saying goes: Where there's a will, there's (usually) a way.

Next up, the equally lovely Sherre asked where she might find the Pancho's Taco Dressing.

Thank you, Sherre. I should have included a mention of that. Pancho's products are available in the dairy section of many grocery stores in the Mid-South: Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, and Kentucky.

If you don't live in the Mid-South, that doesn't do much good, does it? Well, here's a link to a "Copycat" version of Pancho's Taco Dressing. I might try to make it (I hear some of you laughing!) when my current batch runs out, but I'll cut the amount of sugar in half, at least. Since Pancho's packaging lists sugar as the fourth ingredient, and it doesn't set off my sugar-dar when I eat it, I'm thinking the copycat version might be overdoing the sugar a bit.

And finally, my delightful breakfast buddy Patty questioned my possession of a working stove. Yes, Patty, there IS a Santa Claus, and I do have a stove, a very ugly one, which is one of the reasons I don't use it. If I had a cute cooktop, I might cook more. (I've heard that if you say something enough times, you can actually convince yourself it is true.)

For the record, I also have a double wall oven. It is also ugly, which I can prove without photographs and in two words: harvest gold. It is, however, a wonderful place to store my phone books and my extra crockpot.

Thank you, Patty, for allowing me to assure everyone that I do have appliances. I just have to dust them before using. :D

In TippyToe500 news, I completed the first two weeks of training (pats self on back) and will perform an assessment on Monday. Day 6 (Friday) was a killer, and I'll probably repeat it on Wednesday and Friday of next week before continuing with the training program.

As a reward for my dedication and determination, I am gifting myself with a new download for each week completed. For Week 1, I chose "Boom, Boom, Pow" by the Black-eyed Peas. The lyrics are explicit (the ones I understand, anyway), but this song is PERFECT for me when my energy starts fading on a longer walk.

Still working on my week 2 download. Decisions, decisions...

Winding up what turned out to be a very lengthy post, I'm happy to report that my garage sale was a sweaty, steaming success. With a heat index of 107F, I probably lost 22 pounds, give or take. Since I don't own a scale, that's really a ballpark estimate based on sweat produced and effort expended. It could be a tad high. To combat any potential (or perceived) excessive weight loss, I declared today a Cake Day and had a slice of Strawberry Cake after the sale was over. Ahhhhh!

Tomorrow, I restore my house to its normal pre-sale messiness. I'm also setting aside the afternoon for a) catching up on blog reading, and b) napping.

Hope you're all having a great weekend. Sorry for the longwindedness! It appears to be terminal. :)