Soccer Sunday's: Rain Rain Go Away!

This weekend in soccer I got to do something a little different. I got to sit down and watch a game instead of play.

During my woman's game on Saturday it started to rain. Do you know how fun it is to try and pass the ball and run on grass that should have been cut three weeks ago? How about running on that grass in the rain? Apparently the school that owns the fields wants to achieve some sort of wild untamed meadow effect on their soccer fields. So essentially we were playing on drenched shag carpeting. Not fun. Passes just stop rolling for no reason, the ball slips off your feet and out of your hands on throw ins, and the worst part: soggy wet socks! Yuck! Probably my least favorite thing in the world next to the Republican party and the Hills is running in wet socks. Can we say blisters? Ugh. Unfortunately we lost 1-0.

And also unfortunately due to the rain that did not let up all afternoon, night and into early the next morning my Sunday game was canceled because the county closed the field we were to play on due to flooding. Bummer.

But all was not lost in Team Six Pack's soccer world this weekend. My uncle called up at the last minute on Sunday and offered me two tickets to DC United's game. I almost wasn't going to go because it was so last minute and I couldn't find someone to take the other ticket, but the words "field seats" had me jumping in the car for the hour drive to RFK stadium.

Did I mention I was close?

I mean really close?

Unfortunately DC fell 2-1 to San Jose. Due to traffic and a slight detour caused by getting lost because idiots decided to change the highway signs around and I missed the exit... I arrived close to the end of the first half with DC up 1-0. DC's starting keeper left the game sometime in the second half due to a shoulder injury. After that San Jose was allowed a free kick. The penalty was out side of the box but they were perfectly lined up in front of the goal so it was a pretty good opportunity for them to score. The ball just sailed into the back of the net on the right hand side, our substitute keeper was standing all the way to the left looking a bit stunned and pissed. Hell I would be too. Score is now tied 1-1. I'd say possession was 50/50 throughout, DC did make a few more attempts on goal, but were unlucky. San Jose came down the field on the attack and took a shot which hit the cross bar and ricocheted back out into play. DC defenders weren't fast enough to clear it and San Jose took another shot. This time our keeper was down because of the dive he took to try and stop the first shot, San Jose's second shot went right in before he could react again. Tough luck for DC, but a good game. Oh, and did I mention... awesome seats!

Nice tat's Santino

p.s. all photos taken by me please on my crappy point and shoot do not reuse with out permission. Thanks.

Food to Fuel Your Workout

So I was posed with a question a while ago from K_InTheFlo:

What types of food should you eat that are best to fuel your work outs?

Good Question! A good question to which I had no answer because I was still trying to figure it all out for myself for my work outs. So I said I'd have to do some research and get back to her......

Team Six Pack works at answering your hard hitting questions!!

I had to think about it for a while....


Then of course there were periods of severe distraction.....

I thought perhaps buying a book on the subject might help......

Phfffft! Who does research like that anymore??

So then I turned to the tool that I should have started with all along....

Of course it's true! I read it on the interwebs!

And now Viola! (almost two stinkin' months later) I have some answers!

To make this post easier to follow I'm going to break it down into sections:

1. Eating BEFORE Exercise & How Much
2. Types of Foods to Eat (Carbs & Proteins)
3. Water Breaks!
4. Eating AFTER Exercise
5. How Many Meals A Day Should I Eat?

Here's a great Q&A article from the New York Times Health Section to get us started:

"Eating to Fuel Exercise"

1. EATING BEFORE EXERCISE AND HOW MUCH

How important is the timing and type of food and fluid when it comes to exercise?

I take the approach of thinking of food as part of your equipment. People are not going to run well with one running shoe or ride with a flat tire on their bike. Your food is just like your running shoes or your skis. It really is the inner equipment. If you think of it this way, you usually have a better outcome when you’re physically active.

What’s the most common mistake you see new exercisers make when it comes to food?

There are two common mistakes. Often somebody is not having anything before exercise, and then the problem is you’re not putting fuel into your body. You’ll be more tired and weaker, and you’re not going to be as fast.
The second issue is someone eats too much. They don’t want to have a problem, so they load up with food, and then their stomach is too full. It’s really a fine line for getting it right.

From my own personal experience I have to say that this is DEFINITELY TRUE! It is a very fine line. If I work out on an empty stomach I don't have as much energy and eventually I feel nauseous. But on the same note, I also know that if I eat a large meal even two hours before I'm ready to play a soccer game, I feel sluggish and nauseous! I know that I can only eat very small meals before working out.

For example 1/2 a PB&J sandwich on whole grain toast or 1/2 a of Pemmican bar or a small bowl of cereal with non-fat milk, or 1 small banana.

Here's more info on small meals:

At what point before exercise should we be eating?

I like it to be an hour before exercise. We’re just talking about a fist-sized amount of food. That gives the body enough food to be available as an energy source but not so much that you’ll have an upset stomach. So if you’re going to exercise at 3 p.m., you need to start thinking about it at 2 p.m.

Can you explain more about what you mean by a “fist-size” of food?

That’s just a good visual for the amount. It could be something along the lines of a granola bar. I’m not a fan of the low carb bars. You need carbs as an energy source. We can’t really just do a protein bar. You want something in the 150 to 200 calorie range. That’s not enormous. Maybe a peanut butter and jelly wrap cut into little pieces, a fist-sized amount of trail mix. The goal is to put some carbohydrate in the body before exercise as well as a little bit of protein.

What if I’m planning a long run or bike ride that’s going to keep me out for a few hours? Should I eat more?

If we put too much food in the stomach in advance of exercise, it takes too long to empty and that defeats the purpose. We want something that will empty fairly quickly. If you’re exercising in excess of one hour, then you need to fuel during the exercise. For workouts lasting more than an hour, aim for about 30 to 60 grams of carbs per hour. We’re not going to be camels here. Some people use gels, honey or even sugar cubes or a sports drink.

2. WHAT TYPES OF FOODS TO EAT (Complex Carbs & Lean Proteins)

Why is it that peanut butter sandwiches come up so often as good fuel for exercise?

It’s about having carbohydrate with some protein. It’s inexpensive and nonperishable. That’s a big deal for people, depending on the time of day and year. They’re exercising and they don’t want something that will spoil. Peanut butter is an easy thing to keep around.

More Details on Carbohydrates & Proteins

Here's some info from the Mayo Clinic on Carbs & Proteins!

Carbohydrates: Your body's chief source of fuel
You'll feel better when you exercise if you eat foods high in carbohydrates and low in fat. Your body stores excess carbohydrates as glycogen — primarily in your muscles and liver. Your muscles use stored glycogen when needed for energy.
A diet containing at least 50 percent of calories from carbohydrates allows your body to store glycogen, but if you're a long-distance runner or you exercise for long periods of time, you might want to consume more carbohydrates regularly and consider carbohydrate loading before a big athletic event.

• Good carbohydrate sources include cereals, breads, vegetables, pasta, rice and fruit.
• Foods high in fiber and fructose right before an intense workout may cause problems. High-fiber foods, such as beans and lentils, bran cereals and fruit, may give you gas or cause cramping. Fructose, a simple sugar found in fruit, can increase the tendency for diarrhea with high-intensity exercise.
• Consider beverage sources if you don't like to eat solid foods before exercising. You can drink your carbohydrates in sports beverages or fruit juices. Do what feels best to you.
  
  Source: Mayoclinic.com

(this I why I'm a firm believer that low carb diets are unrealistic or don't work for healthy weight loss! Balance of fruits, veges, lean proteins and carbs is key!)

So what Types of Carbs should you eat???

Stay away from refined Carbs or Carbs with added sugar! Such as white bread, cookies, cakes and candies etc.

Say YES to the Complex Carbs you find in whole grains! Such as whole grain wheat bread, or other products made with whole grain wheat flour.

List of Complex Carb grains: Bran, Wheatgerm, Barley, Maize, Buckwheat, Cornmeal, Oatmeal

Here's some more info from CDC.gov:
Healthier foods higher in carbohydrates include ones that provide dietary fiber and whole grains as well as those without added sugars.

What about foods higher in carbohydrates such as sodas and candies that also contain added sugars? Those are the ones that add extra calories but not many nutrients to your diet.

Quick Q& A
I've heard there are "good" carbs and "bad" carbs? Can you provide me more information?
Some diet books use "bad" carbs to talk about foods with refined carbohydrates (i.e., meaning they're made from white flour and added sugars). Examples include white bread, cakes, and cookies. "Good" carbs is used to describe foods that have more fiber and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are carbohydrates that take longer to break down into glucose. These terms aren't used in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Instead, the guidelines recommend choosing fiber-rich carbohydrate choices from the vegetable, fruit, and grain groups and avoid added sugars. It is also recommended that at least half of your daily grain choices are whole grains.

And Now on to Proteins!

Protein and fats: Important, but not your body's top fuel choice
Protein isn't your body's food of choice for fueling exercise, but it does play a role in muscle repair and growth. Most people can easily get the protein they need from food sources and don't need additional protein supplements. Good protein sources include:

• Meat
• Dairy products
• Nuts

Fat is an important, although smaller, part of your diet. Fats, as well as carbohydrates, can provide fuel for your muscles during exercise. Try to get most of your fat from unsaturated sources such as:

• Nuts
• Fatty fish
• Vegetable oils

Avoid fatty foods just before exercising, though. Fats remain in your stomach longer, causing you to feel less comfortable.
Source: Mayoclinic.com

What types of Proteins Should I eat?

Stay away from fatty proteins such as beef (any prime cut), ground beef, or pork

Say YES to lean proteins such as chicken or turkey breast meat, fish, eggs, beans, canned tuna in water, and cottage cheese

3. WATER BREAKS!

What about water? How much should we be drinking?

About an hour before the workout you should have about 20 ounces of liquid. It takes about 60 minutes for that much liquid to leave the stomach and make its way into the muscle. If you have liquid ahead of time, you’ll be better hydrated when you start to be physically active.

What do we need to know about replenishing fluids as we exercise?

Everybody has a different sweat rate, so there isn’t one amount of liquid that someone is going to need while they exercise. Most people consume about 8 ounces per hour – that’s insufficient across the board. Your needs can range from 14 ounces to 40 ounces per hour depending on your sweat rate. Those people who are copious sweaters need to make an effort to get more fluid in while they exercise. I’m a runner, and I can’t depend on water fountains, so either someone is carrying water or you bring money. Store keepers always love that when you give them sweaty bills!

But nobody can be a camel. If you aren’t taking fluid in you have a risk of heat injury and joint injury, and strength, speed and stamina diminish.

This is an important part of any training. Put fluid back into the body during exercise.

Should we keep sipping fluids while we’re exercising?

How we drink can make a difference in how optimally we hydrate our body. A lot of people sip liquids, but gulping is better. Gulps of fluid leave the stomach more rapidly. It’s important to do this. It seems counterintuitive, it seems like gulping would cause a cramp. People are more likely to have stomach cramps sipping because fluid stays in their gut too long.
When you take more fluid in, gulps as opposed to sips, you have a greater volume of fluid in the stomach. That stimulates the activity of the stretch receptors in the stomach, which then increase intra-gastric pressure and promote faster emptying. This is why gulping is preferred.

4. EATING AFTER EXERCISING

Does the timing of your food after you’re finished exercising make any difference?

Post exercise, my rule of thumb, I like for people to eat something within 15 minutes. The reason for that is that the enzymes that help the body re-synthesize muscle glycogen are really most active in that first 15 minutes. The longer we wait to eat something, the longer it takes to recover.
If people are really embarking on an exercise program and want to prevent that delayed-onset muscle soreness, refueling is part of it. Again, it’s a small amount – a fist-sized quantity. Low-fat chocolate milk works very well. The goal is not a post-exercise meal. It’s really a post-exercise appetizer to help the body recover as quickly as it can. You can do trail mix, or make a peanut butter sandwich. Eat half before and half after.

5. HOW MANY MEALS A DAY SHOULD I EAT??

Do you have any recommendations about the frequency of meals for people who exercise regularly?

If you have breakfast, lunch and dinner and a pre- and post-exercise snack, that’s at least five times a day of eating. When people are physically active, anything under three meals a day is not going to be enough.

Ok there you have it! Now that you're super informed and smart on this topic here's the most important thing to remember:

Every body is different!!! Modify this information to work with YOUR body!

You may require more or less food, or more or less water, or more or less time between meals and work outs. Take this information and make it work (as Tim Gunn would say) for your needs.!


Resources for further reading:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/hq00594_d

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/index.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calories/WT00011

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/eating-to-fuel-exercise/

http://www.weightlossforall.com/complex-carbs.htm

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/fd_exch.htm

Soccer Sunday's: When Balls Play & Not Brains

Yep, I know it's Tuesday & I'm late posting this one, but I needed time to process the soccer events this weekend.

I'm not sure how else to describe this weekend's co-ed game as anything other than bizarre!

I've never seen so many yellow and then red cards fly at a rec level game. Especially considering that none of the cards were really warranted. None of the fouls called were for disrespectful or dangerous play towards other players. To me that warrants cards. These fouls were called for a collision, which happens. Hell, even I collided with another player earlier in the game. It's a contact sport, we're not supposed to curtsy and say "Good Day, Sir" as we let the other team blow by us with the ball. Sometimes we run into each other. This same ref called me on a charging foul during Saturday's ladies game. I had possession of the ball, I was moving up the field and a girl who was probably 110 pounds wet came running at me from the side. I passed the ball just before she slammed into me and dramatically fell over. Sorry, but you all know my weight since I've announced it on the blog, someone who is 110 pounds isn't going to knock me over...they bounce off of me, that's just physics ;). However, I was called on a charging foul. Fair? Not in my opinion. But I don't argue with the refs... apparently not everyone share's my philosophy... I'll explain more later.

The other yellow card of the co-ed game (actually issued first) was issued because one of our guys kicked the ball after the whistle was blown for a foul. Apparently he had done it previously in the game and been warned. I watched the whole thing it really wasn't that big of a deal, but considering the previous warning I guess the ref had had enough.

This is when trouble started brewing. I was subbed out when the guy who got the first card of the game was sitting on the side lines pissing and moaning about how unfair it was and that it was a bull shit call. (we have a "hot head" rule in the league for yellow cards, you have to sit out for 10 minutes and calm down). Hey I agree it was a bull shit call, but arguing it isn't going to take the yellow card away. I suggested that he just let it slide, because if a player mouths off or argue's with the ref, the ref is going to remember that player and watch every move they make on the field just looking for a foul at the next game and the next game and so on. I think it's best to just keep your head down, your mouth shut and play the game. He didn't seem to care for my advice. I said my piece and walked away to cheer on my team mates on the field.

When the second yellow card of the game was issued against our team mate for the collision that's when all hell broke loose.

Seriously... who let you out on the field?

I suppose one or both of the guys on our team who were issued cards demanded an explanation for the calls. The ref started arguing with them. At one point they started walking off the field, but something must have been said and tempers flared even further. The ref started yelling at the other teams captain, then he started throwing out red cards, and then he decided to CALL the game with only about three minutes left on the clock! WHAT!???

Meanwhile the other 19 people on the field, myself included, were ready to finish the game. After the screaming match back and forth between the ref our two players and confusingly the other teams captain, the rest of us were left there wondering what the hell was going on?? Suddenly we were shaking hands and that was it.

So now we're left wondering if our 4-2 lead with only a few minutes left in the game even counts? We played fairly and earned those goals and that lead. Whose fault was it that the game was called?? It might go down in history as one of the great rec soccer mysteries. *sarcasm alert*

I'd never ever seen anything quite like it happen on the pitch. Especially at a rec level which is friendly/competitive play. I guess men get pissy and sportsmanship is thrown aside when their ego's get stomped on...


In other soccer news my Ladies team won 2-0 with no serious fouls or bad tempers to report! Go ladies! Go!



Images from radio.webblogs, nycbridgerunners.com & thenewts.net

Sidelined!

Hello followers or casual readers! Its been over a week since I've posted. I have excuses though!! Let me tell you a little about how the past week has been for me:

Monday 9/7 (labor day) - Went to a movie, stood up afterwards... "Hrm that's odd my knee hurts... whatever."

Tuesday 9/8 - 5:30 AM Boot Camp, knee still bothering me... wierd? Went and saw Kings of Leon that evening, consumed copious amounts of boxed wine and flavored vodka. Knee pain what knee pain?? Wheeee!

Wednesday 9/9 - Ran 3 miles. Knee really bothering me.. WTF! Went to drug store and purchase a band.

Thursday 9/10 - 5:30 AM Boot Camp, knee is really bothering me. Wearing the band during my work out and I still had to modify every exercise to stay off my left knee, could not sprint at all. Not looking good for soccer games this weekend. Iced my knee for half an hour after the work out, wore ace bandage and band all day. Sent warning email to soccer captains that I didn't think I would be able to play this weekend.

Friday 9/11 - 4:45 Am Alarm goes off for boot camp. Knee is bothering me big time. I decide to lay off of it. There's a slight tickle in my throat. I go back to sleep for a few hours.

Friday Noon: It's pouring down rain and cold, had to go run some errands for the j.o.b. in this shit weather. Throat still bothering me. Knee is wrapped/banded.

Friday 2:30 PM: Throat problem turns into cough, I'm getting light headed, and my back is starting to hurt Ruh Rohh! not a good sign.

Friday 3:30 PM: Feeling pretty delirious, ache in knee is replaced by aches all over my body, very light headed throat hurting really bad and coughing more.

Friday 4:30 PM: Leaving the office early had to call my mom to drive me home because I was so light headed. Took ibprophen and passed out. Woke up with really bad cough and burning in chest.

Saturday 9/12 - Super sick, delirious in bed all day. Knee pain? Ha! I ache every where! Probably have a fever but I don't own a thermometer. Definitely not playing soccer.

 Sunday 9/13 - I purchase a thermometer. I have a FEVER! ACK! What the hell? I never get sick!

 I have a fever and the only prescription is... MORE COWBELL!!

Monday 9/14 - Went to Dr. spent the day in bed sleeping and coughing. Told the boot camp people about my cold and they said I should probably take the week off that way I'd let my knee rest too. What!? a whole week with no exercising. Well, to be honest the way I was feeling I wasn't about to argue with them.

Tuesday 9/15 - Tried to go into work but they sent me home. Co-worker told me he didn't want my "swine flu". Spent day in bed resting and coughing.

Wednesday 9/16 - Back to work (um, yay?) starting to feel human again! I want my routine back!


So there you have it that was my week in a nut shell. Knee pain and then a sudden nasty cold. Fuck me! I have definitely been sidelined from any kind of working out.

The whole experience made me wonder... what are the dangers of working out if you're sick or slightly injured? I found an interesting article in Runner's World about working out with a cold:

David Nieman, Ph.D., who heads the Human Performance Laboratory at Appalachian State University, and has run 58 marathons and ultras, uses the "neck rule." Symptoms below the neck (chest cold, bronchial infection, body ache) require time off, while symptoms above the neck (runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing) don't pose a risk to runners continuing workouts.

This view is supported by research done at Ball State University by Tom Weidner, Ph.D., director of athletic training research. In one study, Weidner took two groups of 30 runners each and inoculated them with the common cold. One group ran 30 to 40 minutes every day for a week. The other group was sedentary. According to Weidner, "the two groups didn't differ in the length or severity of their colds." In another study, he found that running with a cold didn't compromise performance. He concluded that running with a head cold--as long as you don't push beyond accustomed workouts--is beneficial in maintaining fitness and psychological well-being.

So yea that seems pretty obvious if you have an upper respiratory infection you're probably going to have a problem breathing while you're trying to get in your cardio.

How about when you have a FEVAH!??

Temperature Control
If you're still in doubt about whether it's safe to run or not, take your temperature. If it's above 99 degrees, skip your run. "Some people think that they can 'sweat out' a fever by running," says Nieman. "That's wrong. Running won't help your immune system fight the fever."

Nieman saw this firsthand when his running partner once ran a marathon with a 101-degree fever. Soon after, the runner developed severe and persistent symptoms similar to those of chronic fatigue syndrome. "Every day he'd wake up feeling creaky and arthritic," says Nieman. "When he tried to run, he'd stumble and fall." Eventually doctors concluded he had a "postviral syndrome," a latent condition that was exacerbated by the race.

Although this syndrome is rare, it's an example of the risk you take by running while ill. "Running with a fever makes the fever and flu-like symptoms worse," says Nieman, "and it can lead to other complications." During exercise, your heart pumps a large amount of blood from your muscles to your skin, dissipating the heat your body generates. If you have a fever, your temperature will rise even higher, and your heart will be put under greater strain to keep your temperature from soaring. In some cases, this can produce an irregular heartbeat. Also, a virus can cause your muscles to feel sore and achy; exercising when your muscles are already compromised could lead to injury.

Nieman recommends that runners with a fever or the flu hold off until the day after the symptoms disappear--and then go for a short, easy run. Runners should wait one to two weeks before resuming their pre-illness intensity and mileage. Otherwise, you risk a relapse, he says.

Above all, obey your body and the thermometer--not your training program.

OK got it I need to take time off until my burning cough goes away. (Which I swear better be by Friday because I don't want to miss two weeks of soccer!!!!!)

So what about the knee pain??

I'm almost certain that my knee pain was iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) based on the location of the pain. This is just self diagnosis but my boot camp trainer agreed. Say what??

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is most common in athletes who participate in long-distance running. Studies have indicated a 4.3-7.5% occurrence rate for ITBS in long-distance runners. ITBS is less common in shorter-distance or sprint-distance runners. The higher rate in long-distance runners is primarily because of the increased stance phase during longer-distance running. ITBS also has been reported in military recruits, cyclists, and tennis players. The frequency of ITBS is also increased in adolescents undergoing the rapid growth phase. (Source: eMedicine)

It's pretty common and caused by over use. It was recommended that I use a foam roller or stick to loosen up the muscles along my outer thighs.

Here's some other recommendations by Runners World:

Stretch

Many yoga poses stretch the ITB, but some are too intense for tight leg muscles. Here's a gentler move: Lie down, arms extended out, knees bent, right knee crossed over your left. Drop both knees to the left as you roll to the left hip. Rest your right foot on the ground and keep your right shoulder down. Hold for two to three minutes. (Connective tissue needs time to release.) Repeat on the other side.

Strengthen

On a run, your thigh moves inward after your foot hits the ground. Too much of this can cause ITBS. But if you strengthen your glutes, they can off set this inward motion. Lie on your right side. Bend your left knee and rest your left ankle just below the right knee. Keep your ankle there; lift your left knee; lower. Do two sets of eight reps on each leg. Too easy? Put an ankle weight just above the knee.

Massage

Deep-tissue work can alleviate tightness in the ITB. Partner massage: Lie on your side with your knees bent. Have your partner put his forearm on your outer thigh and push. As the area loosens, apply more pressure. Solo massage: Sit on the ground and pull your foot toward your glutes. Rotate your knee inward and gently knead (squeeze and pull) the outside of the thigh. Work from your hip to your knee.

and of course there's the recipe for a lot of common sports injuries... RICE:


Rest


Ice


Compression


Elevation


So far for my knee I have been resting, icing, compressing with an ace bandage and a band and elevating by placing a pillow under my knee which also helps keep it in a more relaxed position instead of stick straight against the surface of my bed or couch.

p.s. if you are seriously ill or injured please don't self diagnose... go to a Doctor!!

I Have Exorcised My Closet!

Since I started my weight loss journey every few months I have needed to buy new clothes as my older ones became too big.

I started my weight loss in April 2008 and in the year and four months since, I hadn't gotten around to getting rid of a single article of clothing. Why was I holding on to my big clothes??

Deep in the back of my mind, a tiny voice was always wondering what if I suddenly got big again? Would I need those clothes again?

But then I got to thinking... TEAM SIX PACK ARE YOU F-ing NUTS!?!? You haven't been working hard all this time for nothing! You wouldn't allow yourself to fall back into old habits, you don't exercise 6 days a week for nothing! What the hell do you need all those fat clothes for?? (And why the hell are you blogging in 2nd person??)

So I did it, I Exorcised My Closet...

had a Closet Cleansing....

Fat clothes (and shoes and ugly purses) from my previous life are GONE! you'd be surprised at some of the things lurking there....

Remember this???

I posted this picture in my first post on the blog

This was the bridesmaid dress I wore in 2006....

It was still in the back of my closet next to my college cap and gown and last years Halloween costume....

The Sis and I did a fashion shoot before it was bagged up for the good will, hopefully someone might need a cheep prom dress.

If you notice the picture from 2006 that dress fell about mid-calf on me because I filled it out.

Now it was down to my ankles.
So long brides maid dress, good riddance!

I also came across a pair of size 20 blue jeans....

These were literally falling off of me. The Sis even tried to jump inside but I still have 30 more pounds that I want to lose.

These I didn't get rid of. I want to show them off to my fellow boot campers when I reach my weight loss goal.

Plus I'll be able to say to others, look where I was! Look what is possible! This doesn't just happen on Oprah!


So my closet has now been properly cleaned. I feel a huge burden (and several pounds of clothes) has been lifted off my shoulders. I have a $75 gift card to Anthropolgie (aka my personal brand of fashion heroin) that I need to spend on some new fall fashion (however at Anthro that usually only equals one shirt so looks like i'll be hitting up TJMaxx for some left overs too), in last years fall clothes I was a good 35lbs heavier at the time so those are now gone.

This makes it official now, they're gone and I AM NEVER GOING TO FIT IN THOSE CLOTHES AGAIN!!!

Now that I have space in my closet, there's clearly more important things I need to fill it with....SMALLER CLOTHES!!! :)

p.s.If you're new to this blog and you're wondering how I got from 2006 me to 2009 me READ THIS POST!! :)

Soccer Sunday's: A hard fought loss

Soccer Sunday's Week 2 -

Well this Sunday's game was a hard fought loss (3-2). Two of the goals scored by the other team were cheep, undeserved goals that accidentally rolled in with out any real attempts at taking a shot at goal. While our two goals were beautifully scored by our talented forwards. So if you want to count quality we won by a point ;)

I think over all we took more shots on goal, but we weren't connecting with the back of the net. A lot sailed high, several hit the posts -- I always watch in agony over those shots, they always look like they're going in and if the ball were ever so slightly off from where it was they would have been goals.

Over all I'm not too disappointed with my performance. I did make one big mistake, a pass was coming right to me and it slipped just past my foot and went out of bounds. I always hate it when I make mistakes, mentally it's sometimes tough to get yourself back in the game. I think the natural tendency is to beat your self up for a bit, but you have to snap out of it because the game doesn't stop. Fortunately, after the throw in I gave up our stopper did a nice play where he kept possession of the ball but let it roll out with out touching it so that we could have a goal kick. Then I was able to bounce back because a similar pass was made to me and this time I didn't miss it and I was able to pass it directly up the line to one of our mids.

So like I said over all I'm not disappointed with my performance. I think I did more good defending through out the match and only made that one mistake which ended up not hurting us just wasting a little time. It was a hard fought game, and I'm very happy with how well we played, but unfortunately we fell by 1 point. It's only game two of the season and we're 1 - 1. Plenty of time left to keep on winning!

Current Status: It's Not All About the Scale!

It's been about a month since I've posted one of this so with out further ado:

here is yet another segment on this blog where I rant/ramble:

Current Mood: Motivated, excited!

Current Weight: 197 (down 12 pounds since I started the blog June 26th, my first day of boot camp. Total weight loss since April 2008 is 78lbs!)

If you notice the last time I posted one of these status updates was about a month ago like I said, but I also only lost 1 lb in that month, however I had my measurements taken this morning and I am down over all 4.75 inches of body fat (!!!!!:D) since the last time I had my measurements in mid July!!! I lost an inch on my waist, half an inch on my thigh, and inch from my shoulders...I can't remember the other numbers because I don't have a copy of the chart, but holy crap I'm excited!!! I had been noticing that the new dressy work pants I bought 2 months ago were starting to turn into droopy drawers on me (Note: you'll be spending a lot of money on new clothes during weight loss!)

SO it's NOT all about the numbers on the scale sometimes it's about the way you look and how your clothes start to fit you. Muscle weighs more than fat so you might be bulking up the muscle and dropping off the fat but you won't see the scale numbers shift much. So I need to make sure I don't get obsessed with the scale numbers and just keep doing what I'm doing because I know it works!

Currently Thinking about: Losing the next 4.75 inches of fat!

Currently NOT thinking about: Hrm.... I'm at work for the next 7.5 hours so I'm not trying to think about that.

Currently looking online at: Nothing right now sadly, trying to make this post super fast!
Currently looking forward to: planning a potential vacation to England, Ireland and Scotland. The Sister and I are trying to plan our next traveling adventure...

Currently wishing that: I had more blog followers! I want to spread the word about healthy habits to more people!

Currently listening to: Radiohead, the Bends