Blogs > Lighten Up With Karin

Karin Henschel, 54, of Mentor is a member of The News-Herald's Lighten Up in 2013 weight-loss contest.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Decisions, Decisions

Today, I knew that I would be trapped in a classroom for more than 13 hours due to conferences. My first thought was "WHAT WILL I DO FOR DINNER?" (priorities) I needed to make an executive decision quickly if I was going to survive this day. I packed a healthy lunch and then proceeded to stop at Subway, which is just around the corner, to purchase a footlong Buffalo Chicken sub. My plan was to eat half for my dinner and share the other half with my significant other. Well, that didn't go as planned. Buffalo Boy appealled to me more than my "Healthy Lunch" so I had half for lunch and half for dinner. Sorry Dave! I had good intentions to share, but I'm weak. The good note is that I have a "healthy lunch" all set to go for tomorrow in the refig at school.

Morning Tea

I love my morning tea but I learned a valuable lesson today. I knew that I had a 13 hour day ahead of me due to parent conferences and my options to workout were not looking so great. Dave offered to walk the Beast/Race while I hopped on the spin bike and put in some serious mileage. Well, being the multi-tasker that I am, I decided to have my beloved morning cup of tea while spinning. I don't recommend anyone try this stunt due to the fact that I splashed most of my cup down the front of my sweatshirt. Lesson learned!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Weekends

I love my weekends but the lack of structure is a killer for dieting. I need the restraints of being locked in a classroom,for six and a half hours,with 29 precious, hormonal cherubs to curb my appetite and restrict my access to food. Life can be so cruel!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Home Stretch

Tomorrow is my first official weigh in after a month of Lighten Up. Let's see what's on my list of things to do to get ready. I have boxing and TRX classes, run a 1.5 K (getting ready for my 5K with Kate), double sauna time, give blood, shave, get a haircut, remove all unneccessary jewelry,and finally jump on the scale. I'm hoping for just a few pounds, nothing Earth shattering. I've been rather good this month but I'll be better during month #2.

Crunch, Crunch!

I just ate the crunchiest "omlette" ever. I used two eggs and all of the leftover veggies from last night's salad. I've never had an "omelette" with carrots, cucumbers, and the rest of the garden in it. My breakfast was basically a salad with scrambled eggs hidden somewhere within it. Must say it was tasty!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Weekends are the worst!

I love weekends but trying to watch what you eat and drink is a supreme challenge. I make sure that I do an extra long and hard workout on Saturday and Sunday mornings so that I can indulge some. My college son, Kevin, was home for the weekend and boy can he eat.Every time he opened the refrigerator, something went between a bagel. In the olden days, I could keep up with him. The only problem was that he never gained an ounce and I on the other hand was rapidly adding to my waistline,thighs, stomach, arms... get the idea. Well this weekend, I sorta stayed control so I had no regrets on Monday. I guess the weekend weigh in will tell the truth.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Saved again!

Oatmeal was on my breakfast menu. While prepping the bowl for the microwave, I went in search of a FEW chocolate chips to throw in for a treat. Well, the bag was no where to be found. My husband is in the process of re-doing our pantry and things are somewhat out of place. I saw the bag of chips last night and this morning, POOF!, gone. I looked in every cabinet and drawer without success. Finally, I had to settle for a sliced banana as a replacement. Once again, Dave has saved me from myself. How did he know that I would want/need them this morning?

Seriously!

I went to a TRX class last night only to find out that I was the only one interested in truly exercising and also the oldest female of the group. The class was filled with 20 something females dressed in their finest Victoria Secret garb, hair and makeup perfect and accessorized with jewels. The instructor obviously enjoyed the attention but remained professional. One of the more extreme flakes announced that she had a seven day pass and she was dedicating all seven to this particular instructor. The others were asking for constant help in correct form and positioning. The instructor would oblige them and regularly looked at me with a "I can't help it that they love me grin". All said, it was a great workout and I'm glad I went.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

I hate running but . . . .

Today, I ran two miles on the treadmill and was painfully reminded that I hate to run. I regularly engage in a plethora of physical fitness classes and love them all but running is not my friend. The reason I am torturing myself with running is because I asked my daughter if there were any 5K races in Mexico Beach over Spring Break while I'm visiting her. Leave it to Kate for finding one. I hate the training for a 5K but I love Race Day and the T shirt. I have to confess that I will do just about anything for a T shirt. Kate is putting extreme pressure on me because she has taken up running with a vengeance and gives me daily updates on her increased mileage and lightening speed. No Pressure! I feel much better since I vented! Thank you for listening.

Cabanas Week 2

We enjoyed another great meal at Cabanas. I had the Fiesta Chicken and boy did it have a kick to it. I feel like I got an enormous plateful for only 545 calories. Check off menu item #2. Working my way down the list. Such a lofty goal but I'm up for the challenge. I forgot to see what #3 is so I will have to ponder for a whole week. Thanks Cabanas!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Weekend in Pittsburgh

I just returned from a weekend in Pittsburgh visiting my mom, sister and nieces. This made me realize how lucky I am to have moved away from that lifestyle. They are great people but don't have a clue about living a healthy lifestyle. Every meal is eaten in a restaurant or a fast food establishment and exercise is nonexistent. I would be a beluga whale if I lived there and not know any different. I actually enjoy creating and cooking healthy meals at home. OK, I enjoy watching Dave do all of the work. I cook when I can push him out of the kitchen. Spoiled, yes!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

First Cabana Tuesday

Today was the first of many Cabana Tuesdays. What a treat! It started out with me staring across the table as my husband was served a ginormous Texas Ranch Burger with Fries. Enough of his meal! I ordered the Chicken Scalopini with roasted potatoes. My meal was a delicious 455 calorie experience. It was a lightly floured and seasoned chicken breast that had been simmered with fresh basil, brocoli, garlic, mushrooms and onions, topped with a light lemon and garlic sauce. (I copied that off the menu.) What a taste treat and totally satisfying! My plan is to work my way down the list of nine meals under 600 calories and then I work back up. Lofty goal but I'm up for the challenge. Only seven more days until I can experience the Fiesta Chicken! Thank you Cabanas!!!!

Eye Opener!

I finally got the Vitabot program to work for me yesterday. Very interesting and revealing! I saw my calorie range and thought that I'll never eat that much in a single day. Boy was I in for a shocker! As I added my food, I watched the daily balance get smaller and smaller and I was just finishing up lunch. It made me re-evaluate my food choices because by the end of the day I was at the upper limit and I truly thought I had a good day. After that reality check, today went much better and my total was not nearly as high. Damn calorie counter!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Saved!

During a weak moment, I remembered that one of my students had given me a package of chocolate covered popcorn for a Christmas gift. I snuck down to the kitchen and quietly opened the cabinet door. To my dismay and horror, the popcorn was gone. I called out to my husband and questioned him about the popcorn's whereabouts. He confessed to eating it because he thought that it was off limits to me. In retrospect, he did me a giant favor. Thank you Dave for saving me from myself!

Reality Hits!

I went for my assessment on Monday. The Vitabot program is really interesting and I plan to get it up and going this weekend. The reality check came when I was told according to "almighty charts" that I still need to lose 60 pounds. I laughed at that because that is incredibly unrealistic for me. I'm sure that I weighed 116 somewhere in my early elementary days. My egg at conception weighed five pounds.
I'll do the math, 50 pounds(previously lost) + 60 more pounds = 110 pounds. That's half of my previous body. The gentleman did some creative figuring and allowed me an additional 20 pounds. I want to get to a weight that I can realistically maintain. Enough ranting!