It's a pear life

i'm a pear she's a pear

2010-12-19T22:02:00.002-06:00

My sisters and I are all going to be together on Thursday in SC with our mom...this only means one thing,
pear overload!!!!
Genetics plays a huge role in body shape.
And we got the pear shape going on big time.
And we are all working hard against it. Trying to shape it into the best pear possible.
YAY, I ran 3 days in a row and feel amazing. I have done arms weight training and the dreaded.ab-ripperP90X. (otherwise known as my personal whine/cry/bitch/complain time)

pear paring tip #3
If you want to speed up the pear paring process, schedule cardio training two times per day! AM running session, PM biking session...

pearly around anymore

2010-12-13T20:38:00.003-06:00

sooooo sorry!
exams in full swing at school, and so i must work...not blog...
but here i am anyway :) lol
i have eaten badly, sorry to disappoint! It just happens, I never plan for it to happen, just a spur of the moment "cheeseburger?" why YES thank you....lol
BUT
I have run. yea running, it fills my soul with hope. hope of a new day, hope that all is well, hope that i can make it through another day.
i heart running.
that is all.

sickly pear

2010-12-06T16:32:00.003-06:00

ugh...
just when things are zipping along, i get sick!! It started sore throat, cough, stomach and just general yuck-o feeling! I haven't been able to work out at all, which is making me C-r-A-Z-y!!!!!
oh well... it will pass and i will be doing some make up :)

pear paring tip #2
include interval training in your cardio work out!!

pear-ific :) day :)

2010-12-02T16:54:00.002-06:00

some days are long. and horrible. and the eating....well out of control. and the exercise, non-existent.
but today
ahhhhh....so pear-ific!!
I had a great sleep (something that doesn't really happen often, i mean i sleep, but if somehow i wake up in the night, i am awake for hours!! my brain won't stop thinking, planning, organizing...) wow, this post is NOT about sleep...
so anyway, great sleep...very nice good looong run, that was easy. Some runs are easy, some are not.
nice ab work out :)
and eating went well today. very well.
and now what?
keep going baby.
pears ROCK!

Pear Paring tip #1
Do 45 minutes of cardio activity every day :)

i pear-ly understand

2010-11-30T06:34:00.002-06:00

how this body of mine works...
today i actually look like I have run the last 6 days. that i have eaten less the last 6 days. that i have been nicer to myself the last 6 days.
so if it can happen for 6 days, why not 12. or 28 or 64???
it is beyond me.
i go in spurts. working hard, hardly working...

pear-ly ready....

2010-11-28T10:33:00.002-06:00

i DO NOT want to go back to work!! I have so enjoyed my time off, my days with family, my laziness and my running and freedom to work out schedule :)
I am not ready for the "schedule" to come back. the schedule that rules our worlds... ugh!
anyway
bad news for me:
check THIS out... the worst for me is #5... wear high heeled shoes??!!! LOL i only believe in flip flops, running shoes and UGG boots, so this is NOT good for me.
but running today was very good for me and yoga today was very good for me.
gonna keep focusing on the good things!

no pear for thanksgiving

2010-11-26T09:18:00.002-06:00

well made it okay through the day... I really DID NOT eat that much! Had a great healthy breakfast, steel cut oats with banana and pecans and then ate a reasonable thanksgiving meal :) Just got back from a great run again, even though I froze!! I saw some snow on my run :( I feel good though, and I am struggling to decide how to keep everything up when work starts again! Boo!!

another pear-utiful morning!

2010-11-24T11:37:00.003-06:00

sooo GOOD this morning!!!
My run was easy and amazing, and now that I am in the habit of doing it, I don't want to stop!!
My abs were s-o-r-e from yesterday, but alas, I must keep going... so again AB Ripper X! I will conquer you soon!!
A fun day cooking and baking with my side kick (14 yr old daughter) I love her helping me and I love that she loves it!

thanksgiving break

2010-11-23T19:38:00.002-06:00

besides the MANY MANY things I have to be thankful for, one of them is this...
i get to work out everyday FOR SURE (no excuses) everyday for 7 days :)
Today: AB ripper X (P90X ab dvd) and a 5 mile run. nice. really nice. like makes me feel GREAT nice. like makes me think i can wear skinny jeans nice....
okay i sort of got carried away on that last one. no one needs to see skinny jeans yet.
but maybe after day 7 .... hahahaha

remember when....

2010-11-02T11:36:00.002-05:00

my baby sister Molly said this...
well, she is right.
love me the way i am.
take care of me the way i am.
do the best that i can.
my own pep talk.

well pears should not try to be... ummm.... hourglass?

2010-11-01T20:04:00.002-05:00

okay, i dream about being hourglass.
i want to be hour glass... something other than pear.
but i have no idea how to change pear shape.
still p 90 x-ing as well as running.... eating risotto right now, so probably safe to say that i am not really eating as healthy as i should.

i do not want this pear. shape.
re-shape.
now.
!.
.

a little p 90 a lttle running

2010-10-30T08:58:00.002-05:00

and a little food.
=
a better me!
I feel so much better just getting moving again! I had 2 days of p90X and then a great run this morning with my running partner! I love running in the chilly weather :) makes me feel alive!
A little coffee, cheerios w/banana and i am off to Mac's soccer game. Life is good. yes.

day 1

2010-10-26T06:53:00.002-05:00

P90X is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
I started this am and let me tell you, WOW! I didn't know just how out of shape i was! LOL 20 push-ups=hard!
It feels good to get back into it, well good in the sense that my flab was jiggling all over the place, reminding me just how out of shape I have gotten. wow, nothing like a little jiggle to make you want to cry in the morning.
the jiggle will stop, the eating will be good and i will conquer!!!!!!!!!!!!
ps, i am going to try the positive, motivate myself approach this time :)

time to STOP eating the donuts...

2010-10-24T14:25:00.002-05:00

hi
im back, pear shaped and flabby!
ha! I have been taking a break, why? who knows...just cant seem to get it all together, and now it certainly ISNT all together, it is all flabby and out there and, well, i am done with that!
so tomorrow (haha i laugh just saying that) begins THE EXTREME ME.
nah, not really, well, really i am starting something, i just thought i would call it something different.
really it will be the "last ditch effort to not be the fattest sister at thanksmas diet and exercise program" i can't even keep up with my running partner anymore, so i have to go it alone! LOL
t-minus 28 days to thanksmas, watch out!

all things considered...

2010-07-04T19:48:00.003-05:00

exercise... not making any difference

no food...not making any difference

i have a problem... i can't lose weight! get skinni-er...

ugh. not even get rid of pear, but be a thin pear.

going to the gyno, gonna get this figured out.

anyone done the b12 shots?

feel like my metabolism needs a swift kick in the a$$.

ugh.

pears metabolized

2010-05-26T13:03:00.003-05:00

okay, i have been appropriately "tsk tsk'ed" by my baby sister.
We need to love whatever vegetable we might be.
I lost that. I have been through a slump lately...not liking my pear shape. Not wanting the pear shape.
2 things have made this happen...
1. I almost completely stopped working out for 2 months. Just didn't feel like it, didn't want to, didn't think it would matter that much. But OH HOW IT MATTERS TO PEARS!!
2. I am getting old. As in my metabolism has just abruptly stopped working...or so it feels this way.

What does this mean?

I have had to work extra hard in the exercise department in order to get some sort of shape back... and I have really had to follow a stricter diet, one that allows for an, uh uhm, aging woman.

So far...pleased with results.
So far...going well.
So far...

pear demise?

2010-05-11T19:20:00.002-05:00

nope. still here, still fighting, still trying to un-pear.
I am doing great! exercising daily, the whole insanity thing. and let me tell you it is insane. seriously insane.
I am doing mostly well in my eating. I have been stricter (more strict?) on my eating.
clean eating.
i have eaten veggie burgers and spicy black bean burgers.
yum
i am roasting chicken right now, smells good :)
i have given up beer except on weekends.
its a start
don't judge.

pears can b-o-x

2010-03-26T06:49:00.002-05:00

I boxed again on Tuesday morning...probably not a great decision, since I couldn't even move to get out of bed! lol...but I sure felt better Tuesday night! I was talking to my friend who I box with (she is not a pear, she is an apple) and we both decided it is best to get up early and work out in the am. Even getting up in pitch black. Going out in the c-c-c-c-old. It is so worth it later in the day. It feels GREAT! Again with the running on Wednesday and lifting weights on Thursday.... and here we are Friday :) Friday mornings there is no boxing :( no bueno. So I will have to make myself go for a run or something.
Now eating: I command you to get under control TODAY!

sore, bruised pear...

2010-03-22T20:50:00.002-05:00

so..... i really went ALL OUT in boxing today and I am sore. I am sore...it is a fun and beautiful thing! I love to be sore because it makes me feel like i actually did something. I am not sure that is scientific or anything, just my personal feelings.
I did more abs than I have done in 6 months.
I did more cross jab combos than I have ever done...I kicked ass!! And I am super excited and proud of myself.
I also have eaten very little today, based on the fact that I had a crown and it is still SORE. ugh... but feeling positive :)

a pear deduction

2010-03-21T09:59:00.002-05:00

I can eat, or not eat. I can exercise or not exercise.
Nothing changes the pear shape.
But I feel better when I eat better. I feel better when I exercise more. I feel more alive when I am working hard. I am stronger and healthier.
I am running.
I am Insanity-ing.
I am kick boxing.
I am strong.

insanity strikes...

2010-02-03T17:47:00.002-06:00

Well, this pear is insane, it is insane that I am still a pear, and I get insane at the way my clothes fit at the same time I am insanely in love with eating donuts.
Insanity. check it out.
no not in the dictionary, we know what that means check it out here.
starting Monday Feb 8.

pear spice cake with warm praline topping...

2009-10-13T20:21:00.001-05:00

just sayin

"pear-ly" speaking...

2009-10-06T20:45:00.002-05:00

well, i know i have been gone gone g-o-n-e.... and i am trying to come back. I am a pear, still, always, forever and permanently...ever since I have started this blog I have been a pear...and I have tried various things, exercises, eating habits, and listen here people...i have not changed one bit! SERIOUSLY...not one bit. I am a pear. I weigh the exact same amount as I did when I started this blog! What is up??? How does (or should) age play into things???hmmm, these are my thoughts this pear day.

one of many reasons...

2009-07-16T09:43:00.000-05:00

I love food:) I love good food...that is one of the many reasons why I am struggling!! LOL
Anyway, I began yesterday calorie counting. I have never done this before, but a friend of mine did this and lost 20 pounds. Who knows...I just know that I cannot cannot cannot stick to a food limiting diet. I love food, did I already say that??? Anyway, calories....I am going to stick to a low calorie high protein eating system (not diet) and see what happens...:) go me! And Wendy, she is doing it too!!!!

duh...it's about the food.

2009-06-08T07:28:00.002-05:00

So I tried really eating less carbs and
really watching every little thing and
really not eating as much and
really not snacking and really not popping something into my mouth because it was left on my child's plate and
guess what????????
It really helps with the bulge that is manifesting around my middle.:)
Well that and the 6 out of 7 days working out:)
i love summer.

pear p-i-e

2009-05-26T21:33:00.001-05:00

I
cannot
can not
CAN NOT
get this pear under control. I am always falling short. I am the bruised pear, the unripe pear, the one that is not right.

The P90 Pear

2009-05-22T06:55:00.002-05:00

Yep, I bought into the P90X System and I actually like it.
I am still a pear.
I have been getting up at 5:30 every morning 6 days a week for 5 weeks now to get through the P90X system. It is 12 week program. I am noticing changes and it feels good. I can always tone up my arms so easily. This has been the biggest difference in my body shape.
So a pair of "guns" for this pear!

Can a pear turn into an apple?

2009-04-29T09:42:00.002-05:00

I think it can. I'm watching it happen. Will I stop watching and start doing??? Well, I'm trying a bit. Aerobics class is Tuesday and Thursday. So far, I've only made it to one a week. Next week, I WILL make it to both. Today I walked in my woods - it's a bit aerobic, but only a bit. I WILL stretch today and do my back exercises for the chiropractor. I WILL NOT over eat. And I WILL thank God for another day to try it all again!

Tam - LOVE the story about the bikini. Mol - How's the yoga? When you get moved up here, will you teach me?

old update

2008-12-11T20:43:00.002-06:00

so the half marathon was amazing.
i ran it with a friend and finished in just over 2 hours.
i love running now and i feel really antsy when i don't run.
as far as the other goals go... well, i haven't been so good at those.
maybe they will turn into new year's resolutions. :)

goals, goals, goals

2008-08-12T12:55:00.003-05:00

well, i officially signed up for the columbus half marathon. october 19th.

my goals are:

1. getting to the starting line

2. enjoying the race

3. finishing the same day

i did run a 5K a couple weeks ago... it was so fun. and i'm running another one this friday evening! i am really enjoying running, and that's the first time i've run long enough/consistant enough to be able to say that.

other exercise goals:

1. yoga on a regular basis

2. riding my road bike (padded shorts anyone??)

3. 50 crunches a day/10 push-ups a day

food goals:

1. no more soda

2. no more desserts (except jenni's ice cream for the rest of summer:)

3. no more alcohol (with few exceptions, of course:)

4. more fruits, veggies & protein!

5. only 1 coffee drink a day

6. no more processed foods

(that looks like too many "no's". i don't really like that, but not really sure how to be specific without them...)

tam - you coming up here for the race??

Send help

2008-08-07T18:26:00.000-05:00

Roll has somehow turned to pudge, still annoying, but not as protruding...

children are evil

2008-08-03T16:09:00.002-05:00

Did I say that I have a flat stomach???

Today I am in my bikini, and Kennedy comes by and pulls the bottoms up a bit.

Our conversation:
what are you doing?
I think it looks better this way.
why, it seems too high now
well, it covers that roll of fat that you have right there.

nice.

This made me laugh

2008-07-29T10:09:00.001-05:00

"Pear-shaped" is British slang for
something gone wrong with ones plans

Yeah, I'll say something has gone wrong here...

still a pear

2008-07-29T09:58:00.002-05:00

Still here, still a pear.
No exercise happening here, unless you count packing and loading 5000 boxes as exercise. And for some reason I DON'T!!
Some people say cleaning your house is exercise, and I don't really believe that either. For me exercise has to be a time set apart from all other activities, where I can get super sweaty and actually feel like I am accomplishing something. Mopping, great to get your floor clean, but exercise?? not so much.
Again, just this one pears opinion.

Pear Schmare

2008-07-19T07:04:00.002-05:00

Nothing new on the pear front. This pear is not really paring down. More like maintaining pear weight and shape. BUT this pear has been happy with shape lately, as it is getting FIRMER. A firm pear is, after all, what we are all looking for, right?

Why I like being a pear

2008-07-13T08:50:00.001-05:00

I have a flat stomach

well, I guess thats it

things and things

2008-07-10T09:11:00.002-05:00

Well
things are good
I have been to the gym 3 times and
I only ate bad once (sausage biscuit from Mc'D)
I shopped yesterday and bought only tops.
I have the most tops in the record of shoppers.
I watched "what not to wear" and learned a few things.
One of them being: NO ONE can find good jeans that fit right.
Jeans have to be altered to fit.
Stacy said "It doesn't matter what your size/shape, all jeans need to be tailored"
So yes, even if you spend 175.00 on a pair of jeans, be prepared to shell out additional $30.00 for alterations...
or learn to sew
or wear shorts

It is so hard to remember...

2008-07-07T20:26:00.002-05:00

Whenever I get to the store without children (insert rare) and then actually feel thin enough to try on any clothes (insert rare) I can not for the life of me remember what I am "supposed" to buy! So I decided to focus on one thing only...pants for now.

Boot-leg pants – bootcut pants are a dream for pear shaped women. The cut is flattering because it widens below the knee and slightly flares at the bottom. This cut definitely results in an appearance of slimmer thighs and hips. Be sure to purchase the pants in a style that ends before the waist begins – a low rise or extra low rise minimizes the appearance of large hips with a small waist and gives you a more balanced appearance. Wear bootcut pants in dark colors and with a slight heel for a look that elongates your silhouette even more.

I knew it would happen

2008-07-07T09:05:00.002-05:00

Sure, I figured a BAD DAY of eating would come, but I didn't expect it to happen yesterday!!!
Actually, I don't know why I didn't expect it!
Corey left for a week, it was pouring down raining, and NOTHING to do but eat!!!!
The worst includes:
3 pieces of pizza
3 cinna-stix (SOOOOO good from Dominoes)
Ice-cream sundae
but...
Today is a new day, and I will recover!!!!
The gym has been gone to (I know already, I am good)
and the required breakfast has been eaten...

My last 2 days...

2008-07-06T13:07:00.002-05:00

WENT VERY WELL!!!
I continued with the exercise and the eating, I did vary the meals a bit, but was very reasonable, and tried to only eat a small portion.
Everything went well.
Even on Friday, we had boiled shrimp, and roasted potatoes and corn on the cob for dinner.
On Saturday we went out to dinner and I was afraid that I would "be bad" but I had a pulled pork sandwich (minus the bun) and 5 french fries.
This might be the best I have been in a long time.
FOR ME< it is all about the whole package. If I can work out, then I will eat better.
One without the other, doesn't work.

molly

2008-07-05T07:55:00.003-05:00

so, no raw food diet for me right now. maybe when i'm done nursing i'll try it for a month. and i missed the 4 day diet plan. i've been eating pretty normal i think. not great. i'd like to be more strict, but i have so many excuses! and kelly, you're dead on. i usually live outside the USA, so my diet is pretty healthy. when i'm back in country, i have a tendency to eat all my cravings... all the things i used to eat here. for example: coffee drinks, cookies, brownies, ice cream, pizza... these are some of my favorite things.

but, thanks to a friend, i'm trying a crazy idea to eat less sugar (with the idea of becoming sugar-free:), more protein. and also thanks to friends, i am jogging every other day (3-4 miles), and in the gym on the off days. we are considering running the columbus half marathon. am i crazy? what do you think?

kel, what is a good substitute for oatmeal?

I'm back.......

2008-07-03T12:49:00.002-05:00

I'm back on! Today I'm fasting - lots of water and a small amount of coffee so far. Then I will try the required menu. My 15 yr. old daughter came to me wanting to plan one day a week for her and I go go biking, walking, hiking, etc. Thanks, Abby! She's trying to help and support me. We've had so much rain and with a granddaughter coming early, I haven't done very well walking or exercising. But...speaking of butts...mine IS getting a workout everyday in the garden. Squats galore!

Repeat x 3

2008-07-03T08:40:00.002-05:00

Again with the meals...boring!!!! But effective.
I am feeling good, and overall have had a very good 3 days! I have gotten to the gym each day (yesterday a Be-Fit class) and I feel like I haven't missed much!
I do not miss the greasy drive through food, or the bowl of ice-cream at night!
It seems when EVERYTHING comes together (eating right and exercising) then all is well.

Day 2 Going well so far!

2008-07-01T11:53:00.002-05:00

I woke up and went to a tone 15 minute ab class, and a hour of tone and sculpt!

Had the "required" breakfast ( even after making blueberry muffins for the staff at school)

Had the "required" lunch.

For snack I had 2 whole wheat crackers with peanut butter on the (not on the list, but I was at the pool and unprepared)

Had the "required" dinner

Had 1 beer (it's on the list...right???)

Day 1 AGAIN!!

2008-07-01T11:51:00.002-05:00

Great day
I woke up and ran 5 miles
I ate the "required" breakfast.
I ate the "required" lunch.
No snack, I need to go to the produce stand!
Dinner was grilled steak and grilled eggplant.
Dessert was a skinny cow ice cream bar!
I feel good.

2008-06-29T13:10:00.003-05:00

My name is Kelly Davis, and I am a pear. A lazy pear who doesn't really understand this online world so you might not hear from me often...although I am willing to learn.

I've been all over the board with eating and my final conclusion is that we are more likely to make poor choices when we feel, um, victimized. I can't eat right when my three active boys are all clamering for food - I'll just eat a PB & J on white with Cheetos. Tam, your husband is out of town. Wendy, your life has been upside down with hospitals, hours of driving, etc... Molly, you are newly back in the US and having old cravings ? (I made that up). Well, so what. Our pear-shaped bodies do not forgive us or process the food differently just because we are cornered into yet another drive through. SOOOO, we are going to ban together for 4 days (we have a long holiday weekend coming up and I want to be reasonable). We will NOT let our circumstances dictate our eating. We will adopt the boy scout motto and Be Prepared. Every meal, planned ahead, packed into a cooler if we have to. Every meal.

It helps me to eat the same thing breakfast through snack and then vary the dinner. That way I can make all the brown rice on the first days, cut all the veggies, etc... and I won't let myself get starving. This is my menu - any takers?

B'fast - 3 eggs (only 1 yolk) + oatmeal + berries
Lunch - brown rice + deli turkey + edemame
Snack - hummas + veggies & apple slices
Dinner - grilled chicken, fish + veggies (steamed/grilled/stri-fried)
Dessert - sugar-free popsicle (only 15 calories:))

eating and eating and what? eating...

2008-06-23T07:37:00.002-05:00

Well, it is official, there is something wrong with me.
I love food.
For the last three days I have enjoyed whatever foods I have wanted, whatever my kids were having (yes, a bowl of ice cream every night), and I have been completely UNMOTIVATED to do any sort of work out.
I think it is connected to the fact that Corey is out of town and has been since Thursday. I do not "cook" well, I do not do well when he is gone.
He gets back today.

pear photos

2008-06-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

Famous Pears!

2008-06-11T10:41:00.002-05:00

Well, it is good to know that we are in good company! There are very beautiful pear shaped women in this world! A common misconception is that Pear Shaped women are overweight. This is simply untrue! Many people who are skinny are Pear Shaped, like Keira Knightly for example. Very thin girl, but every extra ounce goes right to the upper thigh.
Pear Shaped is similar to Hourglass Shaped, but people with an Hourglass figure have wider hips than upper thigh. Once your thigh measurement is more than hip measurement, you have gone over to the Pear Shaped side of the figure map.
Another misconception is that you have to have very narrow shoulders and small breasts to be Pear Shaped. This is also untrue. The most important thing to classify one as Pear Shaped, is to have wider thighs than hips.

The Pear Suit

2008-06-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

pear appropriate bathing suits

2008-06-02T18:13:00.002-05:00

As always, no matter what your particular body shape may be, the key to a flattering swimsuit is accentuating your positive characteristics ( and everyone has some!) in order to draw attention away from less desirable characteristics. For women with pear shapes, the best swimsuit is one with an eye-catching top in a pattern or bright color and a bottom in a darker color that draws attention away from hips and thighs. To accentuate the bust and upper body, try pairing a halter-style bikini or tankini top with a dark bottom with high cut legs.
To conceal or flatter big thighs, try choosing a swimsuit with a light-colored, attention-grabbing top and a dark-colored, more demure bottom. Extra detail and light color in the top will draw eyes up and away from your thighs. In addition, always choose a bottom with high-cut legs. The high cut will lengthen the appearance of your legs and stop the swimsuit from cutting across an unflattering part of your body. How high do you want to go with a pear shape? That will depend on the firmness of the thighs... I mean, no one wants to show off the jiggly thighs, but the toned thighs can go higher...just be honest with yourself and do what feels comfortable. Do not think that you have to wear something that covers all!!

i´m in!

2008-06-02T11:19:00.002-05:00

so, i´m finally caught up. i guess i missed the invitation to this blog the first time around.
i´m a pear shape too... and i too want to be healthy!
i gave birth march 8th to my only baby boy.
i haven´t started working out since then, but i have been trying to eat healthy and i took two months off sweets (except frozen yogurt every once in a while).
i am moving back to the states this week and am hoping to work out with some girlfriends on a regular basis. i´d like to get in shape, eat well, and lose 10 pounds. i have terrible discipline... which is why i tested myself with no sweets. oh. and i want to try a raw diet for a while.
anyone want to join me on that? anyone have any comments regarding the fact that i´m breasfeeding? will this be healthy for my child? i want to do it for a month. i´ve heard that it´s really hard for the first week or so and then you feel amazing. kinda cleans out your system. (i may decide to keep beans and rice in the diet for complete proteins).
what do you think?

When you know you are sick...

2008-05-24T19:27:00.003-05:00

And I don't mean the throwing up kind.
Yesterday I had just completed a very nice work out and was feeling good, when I ran into a friend (who also used to be an instructor). We were having small chat and then I told her about the new instructor who really worked me out hard, and how sore I was etc... yet I couldn't wait to take her class again, and how I have highlighted her schedule so that I could go to each one of her classes and she said...
"man, you really are sick".
And this is worse, I took that as a compliment!!!
It was better than a guy friend who told me that when I work my legs out they get "big" and how great that is and how he wishes he could have big legs.
I did not take this as a compliment.

Good News for pears

2008-05-21T15:28:00.001-05:00

read on pears!

Take that apples!

the easy route

2008-05-21T15:26:00.000-05:00

Liposuction.
I have to mention this because it invariably pops up somewhere in the conversation when I consult with someone about changing her pear-shaped figure. I, personally, believe that liposuction should only be the “icing on the cake”. I don’t believe in using liposuction as the first option in attacking lower body fat because to maintain that surgically enhanced figure you need good exercise and eating habits. The people who don’t exercise and just do “lipo” do not have those habits well established in their daily life. Often times, the fat returns – maybe not in the place that was originally operated on but in other, sometimes strange, places like the pubic area or the neck. Dr. Robert Eckel of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity reported that half the liposuction patients he studied gained their weight back within a year. The best lipo results I have seen have been on people who worked the hard way to reduce body fat and build lean muscle and then had liposuction to remove small pockets of resistant fat.

the experts have spoken

2008-05-21T15:23:00.002-05:00

Large pears to small pears.The apples in Wadden’s study lost fat mostly in the chest and abdomen so they looked different after losing weight. The pears, meanwhile, lost fat in both their upper and lower body so they maintained their basic shape even when they became smaller.
Wadden observed that “weight loss is often not as noticeable in pear-shaped women because their hips and thighs still look heavy compared to their waists and chests”. He said the pear-shaped women entered his study as large pears and they left as small pears.

One pear's opinion
Tips for reshaping a pear-shaped body.
A pear-shaped woman still needs to do cardiovascular or aerobic exercise to reduce body fat. Build up your stamina so that you can do vigorous aerobic workouts (running, cardio gym machines, aerobic classes, cycling, dancing, etc.) three to six times a week.
Develop sensible eating habits. There is no way you can reduce hip and thigh fat if your daily diet consists of junk food, fast food, creamy or oily food, cakes and pastries, etc. Eat mostly natural high-fiber food like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and if you eat animal protein and dairy products, make sure they are from lean low-fat sources. Eat the sweets and junk food only occasionally and in moderation.
Build muscle mass in the upper body by lifting weights heavy enough to fatigue you in eight to twelve repetitions.
Tone and tighten the muscles in your lower body without building mass by lifting “light” weights for fifteen to twenty repetitions. Do not be afraid to lift weights for your lower body - just don’t lift heavy. I have seen women who were so scared to build bulk in their legs that they would only use one-pound ankle weights. You will not get anywhere with those “baby” weights. I cannot give an absolute number like “never use ankle weights beyond six pounds per leg” because women come in different sizes and heights. You will know the weight is light because you can comfortably lift it fifteen to twenty times. By the last couple of repetitions, it should “cost” you a little something in terms of effort. You are wasting your time if you can lift your legs fifty times without even batting an eyelash.
Be patient. Building muscle mass in the upper body is not as easy as it sounds. You have to learn the right way to lift weights and build up your strength gradually. It takes a while to get strong enough to lift the weight required for your muscles to start getting bigger. The fat on your hips, thighs, and buttocks will not surrender very easily either.
Be realistic. Your body can change shape but it can only change so far. Be happy with what you can change. Don’t get depressed over what you cannot change. For example, you cannot change the width of your hips if you have already trimmed the fat practically down to the bone. The thighs and buttocks will also always be a little fleshier than you would probably prefer

i loVe wedneSday!

2008-05-21T11:27:00.002-05:00

Well pears here is the deal...
today I did a 45 minute boot camp class...and it kicked my boot-y!! After that (b/c I wasn't sore enough) I did a 15 minute ab class then an hour of yoga to top things off.
I FEEL SO GREAT!!!!!!
I really miss working out, and no I do not think I am obsessive about working out, I just really like it. So, some people like to scrapbook and I like to work out. There is no difference, is there? People just like to say I am obsessed because it has to do with weight etc... but truly I like to work out. Call me crazy, maybe, but not obsessive.
I also like to cook everyday and read a little bit everyday, and spend time with my kids everyday....
summer is fun!

Exercise...almost time

2008-05-19T08:53:00.002-05:00

Okay, i already have my workout schedule planned for the next 2 weeks. It is so much easier for me to stick to a work out plan, than a food plan. I love to eat and I love food and I LOVE to work out!
Wednesday morning, cardio work out, 15 minute ab class and yoga.
Thursday morning, cardio work out, 15 minute ab class, and tone and sculpt
Friday morning, cardio x 2, 15 minute ab class
Saturday morning....running on the beach! (I will be in Florida!!!)
Sunday morning, see above
LOOKING GOOD coming up soon!

Friday Night Feast

2008-05-19T08:52:00.000-05:00

2 pieces of Pizza
3 Smores
1/2 bottle of wine.

My poll

2008-05-16T16:28:00.002-05:00

I need to get more people to take my poll.
I have one pear (me) and one hourglass (WHO???)
Today was field day at school, and since I am the PE teacher, this is my event. And we had Fear Factor Field Day! It was fun and funny and GROSS. The kids loved it. I am trying to distract you so that you don't comprehend the next statement. I ate SOOOO BADLY yesterday! There I said it. I am a loser...sorry people. I cannot even make it 8 days.
I mean what is wrong with me?
Can't I be just a little bit ocd, with a small, eating disorder for a short period of time?

Pear Shape + exercise = thin pear?

2008-05-15T10:20:00.002-05:00

So IF I do get any thinner, is it just a thinner pear?
I do think so.
BUT
It is way worth it to be the thin pear than the fat pear.
To me, exercise is necessary, I FEEL good. I feel good even about the bad things.
To me it is a cure of sorts.
I believe in it.

skinny is as skinny does

2008-05-14T20:29:00.002-05:00

GUM is very good. So good to carry in your purse. Sugarless Gum. Extra's Berry gum actually makes you think you are eating something...and when you are driving past Wendy's, that is a VERY GOOD thing!

My sister just gave me a new mantra to chant in my sugar addicted brain when I am stuck in line at Wal-mart with candy on both sides of you:

Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels!

(and yes, I did call her in a panic b/c I was so close to buying a Snickers)
I like that - very good. I can add that to my list. I have a walking mantra, as well. In time to my steps:

Eat healthy
Lose weight
Get sexy
for Dan!

scales, part 2

2008-05-14T20:19:00.002-05:00

Did I mention that I ALWAYS weigh myself?!?! Everyday. I have to because of the transplant. But, that is the total worst thing you can do when you are trying to lose weight. Lose a pound, gain a half, lose a half, gain a pound. Once a week weigh-ins are so much better. I weighed 150.5 this morning. When I look at myself, especially naked, I feel like I must weigh 170 or so. But, in my mind's eye (when I can't see my reflection or naked fat) I weigh 127. My weight from 15 years ago. That's probably why I can continually eat and not, at that moment, feel like I should stop.

Maybe I need to start eating naked and in front of the mirror....

scales

2008-05-14T13:04:00.004-05:00

Did I mention that I NEVER weigh myself??!!!
Never.
I do not have a scale.
At school there is a scale in the teacher's lounge!! I mean what is up with that? Gorge yourself with free hot doughnuts and all sorts of cakes and pies and then if you want to step on the scale.
Thanks for that.
Anyway, I weighed myself this morning. I weigh 136.
When I posted the pictures, the weight assigned to those pictures was what I guessed I weighed, based on my feeling.
I felt 142.
I weigh 136.
Unless the scale at school is off.
In that case I am really 142.
That sucks.

my days 2 thru 4

2008-05-14T12:30:00.003-05:00

Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls.........my mouth is watering! Gosh, please try not to list or describe any delicious foods!

Day 2 - I ate well, but didn't exercise.
Day 3 - I didn't eat as well (still much better than last week!), but did walk for 1.5 hours. It would have been a more efficient workout w/o my chatty, slower friend:).
Today - Day 4 - I am going to do down to our "gym" as soon as I finish this post and workout/lift my lower body. It if were not freezing here in Utica, I'd walk outside again. I'm a wus.
Breakfast was an egg and coffee. Not much, but I was full, so I stopped there.
Lunch was one piece of turkey and cheese on homemade sourdough bread. I still need to grab a piece of fruit and a carrot.

Good thing for me there isn't much food in this house. It's hard not to graze my way through the day when we are home. And it's amazing how tempting it is to eat whatever is there...

Guess what the theme is for today?????

2008-05-14T07:05:00.001-05:00

BE PREPARED!!!!!
If you want to eat healthy and often, be prepared.
This is a true test this morning:
I have to make Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls for work.... Can I really cook and not eat? I don't know. I usually snack when I cook....we will see.

Day 2 DONE

2008-05-14T06:57:00.003-05:00

Day 2 proved a little bit harder, and the main reason is NOT BEING PREPARED!!! I had a rough morning getting everyone ready and talking on the phone to a psycho person (JK) and therefore wasn't prepared for my shake for breakfast. I rummaged around in my gi-normous in style purse and came up with a pack of gum and a small bag of peanuts.
Viola, breakfast.
At the lunch hour I was very ready to eat, and of course being unprepared for lunch, I ate in the school cafeteria (see previous post on how healthy this is). I managed a plate of lettuce with ground beef (?) a small amount of cheese and 4 packets of taco sauce for lunch, and 2 bites of a piece of cake with the brightest pink frosting I have ever seen!
When I got home I had a small bowl of Frosted mini-wheats (gave into a crave) and then a sensible dinner of (I know you cannot guess) a shake!
Exercise = nada
Unless you count the 500 jumping jacks, the 6 laps of running around the gym, the 500 jump roping and the 60 seconds of 6 inches I did in PE with the kids.
I don't.

Day 1 DONE

2008-05-13T06:16:00.002-05:00

I know what you are thinking, "if she blogs this much everyday, it will be a novel by the time she is un-pear shaped". Well you do not have to worry., I will try to combine my blogs and only post once (or twice).
Last night I went to bed feeling GOOD and tired! I went to a 15 minute ab class and a hour class called "Dance Attack". It was FUN and hilarious and hard to dance w/o being drunk! HAHA But trust me, it moved every muscle I have and it did it's job. And a many times I was breathing very hard, so overall a good workout.
My snack yesterday before work out was 3 pieces of smoked turkey rolled up, it was yummy! And then for dinner I had grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta (small amount) and broccoli (large amount), and a beer (at least I bought Michelob Ultra!)
So I slept great, which has been hard for me lately, and although I am a little sore today (argh) I am feeling good and ready to go.
See the problem is, I do not think I am fat when I am working out. My body feels strong and therefore I am good to go. When I do not work out, even for one day, I think "Wow, you've done it now, flab city!" Even though part of my brain knows that is not true, the other part convinces it that it is.
battle of the brains.

Haircuts for Pear Shaped Women

2008-05-12T10:56:00.002-05:00

okay this made me laugh...
there are actually haircuts for pears.
haha

school lunches

2008-05-12T10:36:00.003-05:00

whoa,
maybe when we were kids the food was acceptable, but have you eaten here lately?
1 serving of something fried
4 servings of carbs
1 serving of some canned fruit or vegetable
chocolate milk or water for drink.

Now last week, I told myself that this was an acceptable lunch, and since it only costs $1.00 (for teachers) I was all for it. (can you believe I pay $3.50 for my child to consume this?) Today however, lunch will be different. A lean protein (grilled chicken breast brought from home) and a single serving of cottage cheese and 1/2 banana.
While I am sitting here craving a muffin, I have come up with the following:

My stomach is growling
Under the napkin are 10 muffins
Food that appears harmless is actually bad for you (I mean it is a bran muffin)
Funny how a little muffin has such power
I am not kidding
Nothing good will come from eating a muffin
So I will NOT eat a muffin, and will deliver them to the office for all to eat!

ps: check it out: brown bag naturals

Wendy's First Day

2008-05-12T08:55:00.003-05:00

I am...a pear shape! Whew, I feel like I'm at a meeting. I will trust God to help me accept what I cannot change, but I CAN change this! My short-term vain deadline is July 26th for my 25 year high school reunion. I want to lose 15 pounds of pear-fat in 11 weeks. My long-term health-for-life deadline is in September, when my first grandchild is to be born. Her Great-Nana is looking great and is a smaller pear than I. Nanny Wendy needs to be in as good a shape as Great-Nana!

I will begin with getting control of my food intake, as well. I am filling out a food diary so that I have see the whole day and face it. Whole, real foods only. Drink my quota of water. I'm with you on the week of serious food change. So far: One egg & one banana (protein and carb). I am beginning from ground zero on the aerobics level, so I will start slower. I will walk outside (as soon as the rain stops and the ground isn't mud!) outside or in town when I can.

How many days should I lift? Whole body work out or alternate upper and lower body? Also, what kind of caloric intake can I go to sensibly? I will eat the 5 smaller meals/snacks.

I will post pics (not the naked ones!) as soon as I figure out how to get them on my computer...I guess in my bathing suit...does anyone really want to see that??? But, the July pics will be better!

Pear plans to Pare down!

2008-05-12T08:40:00.002-05:00

How can a Pear best pare down her lower body? My cardio plan has three major components:
1) Long cardio sessions
2) Interval aerobic exercise
3) Order of high-intensity intervals

Pear Paring Tip #1: Do aerobic exercise for a minimum of 45 minutes per day, for as many days per week as you can.
Intervals:
Is it better for you to do "steady-state" cardio at one constant speed, or should you shake it up with varying intensities? "Interval training--absolutely," says Olson. (In interval training, you alternate measured periods of high-intensity and lower-intensity exercise.) Olson explains that interval training typically burns more calories than steady-state cardio does. "The total energy expenditure is the most important thing. As a Pear is working out, her body is going to want to draw fatty acids from her upper body to begin with. You need to get your body over that hump to where it says, Okay, I've used a lot of fat here and I like to take it from the upper body, but now I'm going to have to turn to this other fat storage site. And that is really just dependent on total calories expended," she says.

okay, then...
ps no donuts in the office, but a caramel cake!!! And someone put an entire bag of muffins on my desk, as a "thank you for being my teacher this year" gift....oh the temptations!

more information

2008-05-12T07:34:00.002-05:00

I didn't give you any details about why I am doing the good food thing for the next 8 days, so here you go.
My schedule is so busy with the last week of school etc...that I cannot count on working out. This has been my struggle for the last 2 years. How to schedule work out time and work full time and have 3 busy kids etc... It just hasn't "worked out" that well! So, I have to adjust my eating. This is so hard for me because I LOVE FOOD!!!! I have not had to adjust my eating for the last several years (prior to my full time employment) because I was basically working out full time! So I could continue to eat how and when I wanted without too much thought, because I was burning 1500 calories per day!
Well, I had thoughts about this over the past 2 years, but I couldn't find the discipline to make myself curb my eating habits.
So 8 days of curbing my eating until the workouts can really begin.
I have had a protein shake this morning for breakfast.

Day 1

2008-05-12T06:21:00.003-05:00

Well, I am up and praying. seriously.
I have mapped out the day, what it will look like, what I will eat and when I will exercise.
planning is the key.
that and praying that no one brings hot fresh donuts to school today!!
In my body so far:
1 cup of coffee with 2 splenda and 1 T half and half

pictures

2008-05-11T18:46:00.000-05:00

I had to post some other pictures of me and family to make myself feel better!
whew, that does it.
i feel better.

digital photos

2008-05-11T18:40:00.000-05:00

This is my pear shaped self...will post again after food/exercise revamp occurs!!!
142lbs!!!

tears of laughter

2008-05-11T18:16:00.003-05:00

My sister is so funny, yet so real, and what she says is what a lot of us are thinking, we just didn't say it. We laughed (cried laughing actually) about how instant our minds can lead us to believe that we are fat, or unpleasant, even to our husbands! And how the instant your beloved's hand touches that one fat spot, our minds can completely convince us that we are fat and our husbands do not want us. And really it is more than that, it can take us out of the mood in that one instant. "I am fat and he doesn't want that." When really that hasn't ONCE crossed his mind, he is focused on one thing, and it wasn't that he felt a fat roll.
She took pictures of herself naked on her digital camera.
Front and back.
Brave move.
I will do it tonight, with a bikini, and post them tomorrow.
That is if I can figure out my new (Mother's day gift) digital camera.
I love my sister.

Flatten Your Belly in Just 2 Weeks!Sunday, May 11, 2008 2:02 PM

2008-05-11T17:35:00.002-05:00

LOL
I just received this email...
What about us pear shapes, where is the "flatten your hips, butt and thighs in Just 2 weeks"??
So I replied "Thanks so much but I already have a flat belly, please keep me updated when you learn how to flatten my butt and thighs in 2 short weeks and then I might take you seriously. Until then, please only send this email to "apple" shapes as it sort of pisses us pears off."

Monday, always Monday

2008-05-11T17:27:00.002-05:00

On Monday, that is tomorrow, the day after Mother's Day... it will begin.
The 8 days of being serious and disciplined.
I will eat right for these next 8 days.
I will journal what I eat and be held accountable.
On the 9th day, I will begin serious and (again) disciplined exercise.
I will re-shape this pear shape.
I had it shaped before, and for the last 2 years I have let it slide and jiggle it's way into...
well into a mess. So this is it.
Join me?
Post a picture of you, of your food, of your exercise. Help me and I will help you.
Let's go.