I've got work to do!!!!

After CrossFit on Friday, I took a look at body measurements. There are several measurements to take into consideration. According to the hand-held instrument, my body fat percentage is 28.8%. This is "high" according to the machine, and "Over Fat" according to the nutrition hand-out. I will need to go down several percentage points before I fall into the 21-24% "healthy" range. Next, I took a look at waist and hip measurements: my waist is 34" and my hips are 39". According to the nutrition hand-out, anything over a 33.8" waist is "obese". According to Dr. Oz, one of the 5 numbers you need to pay attention to is your waist measurement. Anything 35" and over for a female increases risk for chronic disease (i.e. diabetes). I am getting near that 35" mark!!!! (FYI Dr. Oz number for men is 40" waist). The handout suggests that a 26" waist for a female is ideal, and Dr. Oz suggests a 32.5" waist. Either way, I am currently not in a good category!!!! My waist-to-hip ratio is 0.86. this is the apple vs. pear shape. Those who are "apple" shaped tend to carry their weight in the abdomen and this increases risk for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. According to the hand-out, I am on the cusp between "average" and "at risk", whereas sources on the internet clearly put me in the "high risk" category. Finally, I took a look at my BMI, which is 25.23. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered "overweight". Thankfully, I am towards the bottom of this one. Considering all of this, I think my first goal will be to lose one inch off of my waist, since my waist-to-hip ratio seems to be the most serious measurement of health status. Loosing an inch will drop me into the "moderate" risk category in the waist-to-hip ratio. I'm sure if I lose an inch off of my waist, my body fat % my decrease, too. Surely an inch of belly fat weighs something?????? I'm guessing maybe my weight will drop too? Maybe loosing that inch will drop my into the "normal" weight category. Setting a goal to lose an inch off my waist at the start of Thanksgiving week...ROTFLMBO Well, We'll see.

$20,500 down in 14 months!!!

Those of you who know me well know that I'm a huge Dave Ramsey fan! Yes, I drank the Kool-aid 14 months ago :) In those 14 months I've paid down $20,500 in debt. This last debt is the slowest to be paid off as it is the largest. Got $6000 left and gonna "kick the old lady (Sallie Mae) to the curb". For those of you interested in becoming debt free, I highly recommend reading "The total money makeover" by Dave Ramsey. My Sunday School class read this as a group. It is an excellent book that lays out all of the principles. There is also have a class called Financial Peace University. Once you pay, you and your family have a lifetime membership. I attended once, but had trouble getting up to the big city in the evenings. I'm going to watch the website for a more local class. I was one of many laid off in February 2012. I was probably the only one in the group not stressed/freaking out---because I had a plan, an emergency fund, and had paid off most of my debts. I saw being laid off as an opportunity to do something more. I was blessed with another job that allowed me more time with my boys. This job will be ending this December...but because I am not leveraged to my eyeballs, I can be somewhat picky in what job I select. Being a single mom (a single income family)the finances can be terrifying. Getting a grip on what's going out vs. what's coming in has allowed me to have "financial peace"...and a lot let stress in life.

Weight is up...must get on track

About 2 years ago my weight crept up from its low point (135) to what I consider the maximum I'd want it to be...or my "high point" (140). This 5 pound range would allow for fluctuations between time of month, time of day, and dehydration vs. hydration. This "high point" is when I should have become worried and become more focused...but I didn't. I've been lax and over the past year and it has crept up to over 140 pounds...fluctuating between 140 and 145 pounds. In recent weeks, my weight has been as high as 150! This is what happens when one DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION and STAY FOCUSED. 15 pounds can come back. I was down to a size 8. Though I can still cram myself into an 8, a size 10 fits much better. I can tell my face is fuller, too, just by looking at pictures. I still exercise, and my endurance is much better...I just need to focus on diet. I am using the calorie counter app on my smart phone. "IF YOU BITE IT, WRITE IT!!!!"