Friday, December 07, 2007

Completed Week One!

Merry Christmas to me! I'm giving myself a wonderful Christmas Gift! Want to know what it is? Ok Ok...I'll tell you. It's a healther body. Yup that's what I want for Christmas. A Firmer smaller waist, firmer smaller hips, and an increased energy level.
Week one and still going. No I didn't measure or weigh this morning. I did work out on the elliptical 7 times, red exerciser 7 times, oxycise 3 times. Last week my elliptical goal was a half mile a day. which works out to right around .8 Kilometer. My elliptical's distance is in KMS.

I decided to just bounce it up to 1 KMS and go from there. So I will be adding 1 Kms per week through 1/2 marathon weekend. This week it's 2 Kms per day. I added another minute to The red exerciser too. Last week was 1 minute. This week it's 2 minutes.

I am still using the Oxycise commuter routine. I am staying with it this week, at 1 full routine per day. I may do a Level 1 routine in there but haven't decided as of yet. I can feel the difference in my back and abs already. happy dance happy dance...


I've been using the Forte Diet Shake for breakfast. I like the way it tastes and it get rid of my early morning hunger and gives me an energy boost.


I'm thankful for the elliptcal, it's snowing outside here today. I'll be working out in the snow taking care of the kennels. Frankly, I appreciate not having to train in it as well. The days are so short now I run out of daylight before I'm done as it is.


I really like the red exerciser. It's working really well for me. However if you are over 250 pounds. Upgrade go for the heavier duty one. You will be glad you did. I have the mid range one that goes up to 300 pounds. They have one that is even heavier duty- it goes to 375 lbs. Mine is a good solid piece of equipment. When I'm not using to work out I use it as a stool.

Oxycise is a phenominal fitness/health/weightloss tool. It is low to no impact and extremely effective. Frankly if you are going to pick just one thing to do, do Oxycise!

Gotta run... have a great weekend!

Life is a journey...enjoy the trip...
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Lost 3.5 inches

Good morning: I got on the scale today. Weight is up to 282lbs.However I lost 3.5 inches since I measured the last time. I gained 2 pounds and lost 3.5 inches. Weight fluctuations can be a brain twister.

I set some inch loss goals. 4 inches off my hips and 4 inches off my waist by Christmas 2008. How am I going to accomplish this challenge: oxycise, red exciser, elliptical. Whoo Whoo Whoo… get this train a running… Whoo Whoo Whoo … get this train a running.

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I bounced up to 282 lbs from 280. That’s a 2 pound gain. Time to turn it around. I am not allowing my behavior to slip into a self destructive spiral around food.

I was very stressed over the Thanksgiving Holiday and reverted to some old behavior. Burying my feelings in food. You know that does not feel good to me any more. Makes me sick to my stomach and feel like a puff ball. Frankly I don’t like feeling that way.

I am excited about my Christmas Challenge. This challenge will help to condition my body to walk the half marathon Memorial Day Weekend.

Actually I set 3 goals:
1. 4 inches off hips & 4 inches off waist by Christmas (December 25 2007)
2. 4 additional inches of hips and 4 additional inches off waist by my birthday (February 5, 2008) that would make 8 inches off my waist and 8 inches off my hips total by my birthday.
3. be prepared to walk half marathon by Memorial Day Weekend 2008. (Actual race day is May 25th 2008)

My walking plan to accomplish this distance (13.1 miles/21.08 km) is to start at .5 mi/.8047 km and ad .5 miles to the distance each week up to race week. Through this winter I am using my elliptical to train. That way getting my walk in during daylight hours is not an issue. The cold won’t be an issue either. I will be walking outside of course, taking care of my dogs and working on the ranch, this will help to condition me to the uneven terrain of the race.

Ok I’m getting excited… lol… No Excuses!

Life is a journey...enjoy the trip...
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Friday, November 16, 2007

Eat to Live or Live to Eat, The choice is Yours!


Ok it's true, when you are getting in condition; Changing your body composition, building muscle, losing fat, getting healthy, sometimes your actual weight increases.

No that's not an excuse to go binge, stuff your face or whatever. Muscle weighs more than fat does. Fat takes up 5 times the space muscle does. Fat burns much fewer calories than muscle does.

As I said, sometimes your actual weight increases. Keep on working out and your fat content will decrease. Your weight will decrease as well; that is if you have more fat to lose. Ok now that's not an excuse either.

The most important thing in losing weight, becoming healthy, any kind of training or life changes is (drum roll please) your mindset.

I used to Live to Eat, now I Eat to Live. Understand the difference? Yes? No? I can’t answer that question for you, only you can. When you understand the difference losing weight is no longer an issue.

No I don’t mean you will become healthy overnight. What I do mean is that when you understand that food is fuel for your body so you can live, not a coping mechanism to bury your emotions, or a place to hide. Or any number of other things, the list could go on and on.

You can actually enjoy what you eat, you are not limited in your selections.

You don’t have to use The Forte Diet to lose weight. Wow did I say that? Yes I did. Yes I market The Forte Diet. That said yes I use it. I like it. It makes for a quick and easy meal for me. I tastes good, is full of vitamins and minerals, keeps my energy levels at a good level, and my body feels good when I drink it for a quick meal.

That said, no it’s not the only thing I eat. I enjoy a good grilled steak too. Actually I enjoy meals now. No guilt over whatever I happen to eat. Woo Hoo! I used to freak over every bite. I eat to live now. I also listen to my body. Listen, your body will tell you when it’s had enough.

Yes you can ignore it and keep eating. You know that already, all you have to do is look around at all the obese people eating themselves to death to see that.

On the flip side-folks: starving yourself to death is not any healthier than eating yourself into size of a bloated walrus. Neither extreme is healthy!

I weighed in this morning. I gained 2 pounds. I knew I was going to gain, I’ve been lifting very heavy, working my muscles to exhaustion. No not in a gym, I’ve been working on the kennel getting it winterized. That involves lifting 13 foot sheets of tin, bales of straw, tires, posts, 2 by 4’s, and so on. At this point the Robbins Run Ranch: Pomeranian Kennel workout is all I can handle. Woof baby.

I can feel and see the difference in my body. It’s a good thing I have some suspenders or my jeans would be falling off. They look like baggy clown pants as it is. Lol.

Truth be told I’m looking forward to a new wardrobe as my size continues to drop. I’m also looking forward to being able to walk the Medicine Bow Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Sunday, May 25th, 2008.

It’s been a long journey from extreme illness to this point. It feels good being able to pick up a 13 foot sheet of tin, or a post driver. After surgery I couldn’t even lift a coffee pot. Forget picking up my Pomeranians. That was sheer torture.

My abs have healed back together, they were cut from my navel to bikini line. Now my body is getting stronger, and stronger. The fat is coming off my waist. I’m on my way to six pack abs.

It will take at least a year to work the fat off. I don’t want to take it off really fast, because I do not want my skin to be hanging all over the place. The goal is to lose fat at a steady healthy pace.

That said hopefully my skin will tighten up so I will not have to have it surgically removed. That said: if I have to have some removed, then so be it. But, I am going to do whatever I can to make that unnecessary, and still reduce my body size.

Life is a journey… enjoy the trip
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307.788.0202

Friday, October 26, 2007

Whoo Hoo... I lost 3 lbs... that makes 21 lbs down!

I am a happy camper! Yes it's true... losing another 3 pounds puts a smile on my face...lol... 21 pounds lost so far. Yeah ok, I’m excited. I hadn’t been on the scale in a bit and I was concerned that I had gained. Happily I did not.

The process of moving the rescue dogs to our property has been an extremely stressful one. Unfortunately I allowed my state of mind to bounce all over the place. Bottom line, Mindset is the most important thing in getting healthy, losing weight, anything you attempt to do.

I am using the forte’ diet to help things along. It tastes great and is a quick meal replacement. My energy level is staying pretty high as well. This is a good thing since there is much to do…

Check it out… If I can lose weight using this so can you!


It's pretty exciting to me watching the pounds roll off. Feeling good while losing weight is a much appreciated added bonus!

For those of you with business on your minds. This is an excellent business opportunity! Take a look, it can add an additional stream of income to your business portfolio. Or if you are just starting in the home business arena it is an excellent opportunity to launch yourself into financial freedom!

Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

307.788.0202 USA MT

Monday, October 08, 2007

Whoo... Hoo....I lost inches!


Whoo… Hoo… I am thrilled! No I haven’t gotten on the scale. I was pretty discouraged after dipping dogs in permethrin dip; I swelled up like a puffer fish. I felt like I had gained a bunch of fat and was pretty bummed. Of course it was just a reaction to the permethrin. That stuff is effective but sure does a number on me. Ugh! (see life is a journey blog for details-working on rescue dogs)

Anyway this morning I was looking for some work clothes to put on. The jeans I’d been wearing are like clown pants on me now and I keep stepping on the bottoms of the legs even with my monster suspenders on. Soooooo… I tried my bib overalls. Truthfully I was terrified to try them.

I hadn’t been able to wear them since my surgery in September 2005. Na na..na na... Boo Boo… guess what I have on. They fit! I have a pair of them on right now. YAY!!!!

I’m losing inches… happy camper am I!

Gotta run… my afternoon workout of taking care of Pomeranians, building electric fence, windbreaks, etc it calling my name.

Life is a journey…enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Happy Hairballs

Friday, September 07, 2007

Morning Folks... lost another pound

Whoo hoo... another pound has fallen off my butt! I actually had another word in mind, I think you all know what that was.

Along with that pound 1 1/2 inches came of my fanny. Yay! That leaves me 18 inches to go on the butt front ... so to speak.

I have 131 pounds to lose to get to my goal weight. Actually I'm not too sure about the goal weight. With the muscle mass I carry I was thinking I may be heavier. But I'm going to go for it and evaluate things as I get closer to goal. Frankly I think I could carry a decent amount of muscle mass at 5 ft 7 inches tall and still weigh 150 lbs.
But if my measurements are in line where I want them, and my weight is a bit more... then frankly I don't care.

Feeling good, and having my measurements down to size is what's important to me.

In truth I'd like to just whack off this fat and be done with it. Grrrrr... wee bit frustrated with it. However I am losing it.... no not my mind. The fat!

I want to avoid surgery if I can. So, it's pace myself and workout and hopefully the skin will draw up and tighten up so I'm not living in a walking skin sail. If it doesn't tighten up it's coming off. If I can find a surgeon with excellent credentials, and he/she says it's relatively safe to do.

I saw a woman on a local TV station the other day that is about the same age I am that had lost over 80 pounds. She was in bicycle shorts and a little work out top. I was very interested since this skin thing has been an issue of some concern for me. Anyway she looked pretty good. She had a much smaller frame than I do, and her skin had tightened back up.

Gotta get out to the kennels, muck out the whelping house and do a scrub down. I have some beautiful Pomeranian puppies and young adults; and I want to get some photo stories done.

The heat this summer kicked my butt when I was out working in it. Took about all I had just to take care of the dogs. I'd come in from feeding watering, and so on and just crash. It's cooling off a bit and I'm getting into better condition so I'm getting more done.

That's another reason I want this fat off my body. I want into good physical condition too. Grrrr, between that stinking West Nile, adhesions, infections, and the surgery to clean out the mess my body nearly bit the dust. Literally... body bag anyone.

One way or the other I'm getting this body into condition. I really dislike...not a strong enough word!... being out of shape. ugh!

I want to complete that marathon in the spring so bad I can taste it! There has to be a way to get my dogs taken care of and get some distance training in as well. Has to be... make it happen.

Work crew is supposed to be here in the morning to help prepare for an influx of 50 to 55 poms that are coming in to be taken care of. No I'm not breeding them. The belong to a senior lady that can not take care of them in the winter, and can not bear to let them go to new homes. So here they come. I hope the crew shows up and is actually functional.

One day... one pen at a time....one way or the other I'll get it done.

Gotta run...or rather walk fast...lol..
Life is a journey... obstacles or adventures it's up to you...
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Brain Twister

Wow… Even though I had to decided to not let it bother me. It did.That weight bounce did a number on my attitude. Truthfully it frustrated and pissed me off. But you know it was a HELLO … pay attention to what you are doing. Part of it was due to fluid retention from working out. However, most of it was from an ice cream binge. Ok there it is the truth is out.

On the high side I got on the scale this morning, and voila! 282 lbs. I lost what I’d gained and dropped an additional pound as well, YAY!

I’m seeing some bobbles in my progress, lose some, gain a bit, and lose again. Happily it’s a healthy progression in the right direction. The right direction in my mind being losing weight. So far I’ve lost 17 pounds.

I finally picked up the tape measure and checked my hips measurement. I”ve lost 1.5 inches off my hips from the last time I’d measured. Truthfully I didn’ t measure them at 299. But I could barely get my biggest jeans on so I know I’ve lost more than an inch and a half. But I am 1.5 inches smaller than I was in January of this year. I weighed 285 then, shot up to 299, and now am down to 282. I’m going to work for a 7 inch loss on my hips by my anniversary. I plan to use oxycise to do this. I’m not sure it will take that much off by October 26th 2007 but it will be interesting to see.

Gotta run, full day ahead. I’ve already done several hours on the computer, now it’s get changed and out the door to go buy dog food and unload it. That will be a workout, especially if David doesn’t help. I’ll be buying a bit over 1000 pounds of feed.

My workout yesterday consisted of dragging the 150 ft water hose, and moving 11 or 12 stock panels. Carrying them one at a time to where I’ll be putting up some more dog pens. Gotta get the pens up and prepared for winter before the end of September.

There are around 50 dogs coming in to board for the winter. Whoo Hoo… it’s the dog care workout.

Life is a journey… enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Boing...bounce...


Boing… Yep that’s right my weight bounced. Actually it’s not surprising. No I didn’t go on an eating frenzy. What I did do was build a kennel run, and I am sore. Once the soreness eases off and some of the swelling goes down the weight will drop back off. My hands are even puffy from using the post driver.

In the long run this will result in a firmer more muscular streamlined body. Right now, it’s in the development stage.

Truthfully I’m pretty happy that I can use the post driver. It’s a steel tube with handles that weighs around 40 lbs that is used to drive steel posts in the ground. It makes me smile that I can use it, and that I can carry the 16 ft by 52 inch welded wire cattle panels that make up the framework of the fence. As well as, being able to move the rolls of wire that are cut and hog ringed onto the panels. Pretty exciting stuff to me since not so very long ago I could not pick up my cast iron frying pan. I have come a long way towards getting physically fit again. Using the post driver is like doing a military press. As well as doing some curls. Hog ringing the wire to the panels involves squats, lunges, stretches and bends. Carrying the cattle panels involves resistance work, dead lifts, and walking aerobic work. The actual hog ringing process works forearms. Whoo hoo …it’s the fence building workout.

I started reading a book that looks really good, has been really good so far. It’s called Winning After Losing by Stacey Halprin. She has a quote on the back of the cover that really struck a chord with me.

Winning After Losing: Keep Off the Weight You've Lost--Forever Quote: “The reason most people gain back the weight they’ve lost and the reason others are able to keep it off comes down to one simple but profound truth. You are not what you eat. You are what you think. The secret to wining after losing is in your mind.”

I couldn’t agree with her more. here is a link to her book at Amazon. I strongly recommend it.

Life is a journey...enjoy a good book along the way... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307.788.0202 USA Mountain Time

Friday, August 10, 2007

Shake it...Quake it... Wiggle that Butt!

Just a thought or two… I was having my morning coffee and listening to the Today show and Kool and the Gang came on. A little a.m. concert… under a tent in the rain no less…lol.

At any rate I was thinking about working out. And here came celebration and get down on it.

Lo and behold a lightbulb went off in my mind… So working out can be a drudge.

Oh come on you know why you put it off. Dread it, sit on your butt.

Ok fun solution time. Pick some music you like. Something with some energy. And shake it.
That’s right wiggle it, jiggle it, swing it back and forth. Have a good time, even it it’s just to half a song.
Dance baby dance… whether you have 5 pounds to lose, or are stuck in a chair with 300 hundred plus to lose.
Wiggle what ever you can wiggle. Party baby party… Stuck in your office all day… wiggle in your chair.
Whoo Hoo… it’s a great fat off party… shake it … quake it… Party on.

Do what you can. Have a good time.

Doesn’t matter what shape you are in or what age you are… it’s a feel good party. Be happy… wiggle that butt!

Ok that’s my thought for the day…

Life is a journey… dance dance dance… Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307.788.022 USA Mountain Time

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Happy day on the High Plains...

Whoo Hoo…. I lost another 4 pounds. I’m down to 283. I am truly enjoying watching this fat fall off my body. He He … it’s true… it’s true… I no longer live to eat. I eat to live.

That sounds so simple. The ironic thing is that it is simple. A simple change in mindset. Truthfully it amazes me. For years I’d struggled with weight. Trying to lose weight. Seeing my body as obese, even when it wasn’t.

I remember food issues even when I was a child. Always wanting more, eating until I couldn’t hold another bite. I wasn’t an obese child but I wasn’t a slender kid either. But I was so active I didn’t get fat then.

I do remember when my body perception changed. I was under 9 years old. I don’t remember the exact age, but I know I was under 9 because we were still living in the little house on the hill and grandma was still alive.

I was standing in our driveway, with another person. I’m not going to say who. A teenager that did have a serious weight problem. I remember her saying, take your shirt out, you are too fat to wear it that way. Cover your belly up. I believed her. I un-tucked my shirt. A pivotal moment in a young girl’s life, my life.

I went from a happy little girl, to one obsessed by weight seeing herself as fat. Here is the kicker. If you believe you have a weight problem, you mind will make it come true.

Am I angry at the person that triggered years of mental and physical anguish. When I first realized what triggered my weight issues I was. I’m not any more. She was just another tortured teenager. Making her own life hell on earth and passing it along. Was it spiteful. I don’t know. Doesn’t matter. I like who I am today and dealing with those issues is part of who I am.

Can a single comment change a child’s life forever. Yes, no, maybe, it’s not for me to say.

What I can say is that years of compulsive eating, starvation dieting, trying every diet out there, binging, and so on is over. Good by I miss you not!

It’s about belief… about faith. No not shoving a gallon of ice-cream down your throat and “believing” you won’t gain fat from it. Of course you will. That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.

The principles I’m talking about can be found in the Bible; actually you can find them in every major religious teaching. Tony Robbins teaches them. The Secret teaches them.

I could go on and on, however it’s already 7:39 a.m. my time and I want to get this posted, take care of some online business issues, make some phone calls, take care of my kennels, do some paperwork, take some photos, and so on and so on…

Life is a journey...enjoy the trip…Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307-788-0202 USA Mountain Time

P.S. I've included a few links below... just click on the book to be able to hear a sample...




Sunday, July 22, 2007

Sunburned Nose and Toasted Toes


It's been 100 or above for weeks. Truthfully I feel cooked. Well done... ugh... on an up note I got on the scale this morning. Didn't want to. My husband talked me into it, I was feeling like jabba the hutt before the remake... on one of his bloated days. Then what do my surprised eyes see. I lost 3 pounds. YAY! So my workout plan is working. My workout plan at this point is ... WORK... pull the water hose, clean the kennel, groom the dog. Drink fluids like they are going out of style... only a slight exaggeration. I'm drinking quite a bit because it's hot, I'm working and I'm sweating like a horse on a cattle drive. geez...


I want to do oxycise in the evenings. Before I can do that I need to clear space on my office floor. I have tubs of work stacked in there.... as I get the work done I'll have more room, and I sent for a belly dancing dvd.


I've always wanted to learn how to belly dance. and dancing off some fat appeals to me. should be fun. As far as lifting weights. for now that consists of dragging the water hose (150 ft full of water) dragging/lifting stock panels (heavy welded wire 52 inches high, 16 ft long) loading cement pieces and cement blocks on my pick up truck, unloading them here, stacking the blocks, and working the pieces into walkways. unloading wooden pallets off my pickup truck and trailer. dragging my feed cart with 50 to 100 lbs of feed on it.


Repetive motion from dog grooming, raking kennels, mucking out the whelping house, etc. Once I get some projects well underway to completed, and we get more into winter I want to get back on the bow-flex. I like the way lifting weights makes my body feel. I want to go after my heavy bag a bit too. That is so nice if I've had a frustrating day. He he... I can just beat the snot out of it and not be concerned about hurting someone or lawsuits...lol...


I'm not getting much distance work in at all. Just walking up the hill and back around the kennels. I'm going to have to set aside a bit of time specifically for distance. Take one of the mastiffs with me and work them a bit while I'm at it. If I start dragging my legs then they can pull me home. plus it will give me some upper body work handling their leads. It will have to be early in the morning though. the heat is to much otherwise.


Today's Workout: drag water hose. groom dogtake photographs. I know that sounds strange. but dragging the hose is walking and resistance work. Grooming is repetive upperbody and arm workout. taking photos involves knee bends, and walking, as well as holding position in a partially bent knee position.
Ok my goal is to get fit. Healthy... be able to enjoy life in this body. Since it's the only body I have this go around. I'd like to be able to enjoy it. Frankly dragging around an extra 100 plus pounds does not give me much enjoyment.

How did I get to 100 plus pounds overfat.
In a nut shell. I saw myself as obese when I wasn't. I ate compulsively until I was. Got sick, west nile crud, had major surgery necessary but completely trashed my abs. Messy hysterectomy, lots of toxins drained into my body. Recovery has taken a couple of years. But I am recovering, and getting into condition one day one step at a time.

I see myself as I am now. I have no desire to be a bobble head doll (so skinny that I look like a bobble head). Compulsive eating is behind me. Happily no longer an issue. Yes I know sounds flip, it's not, took a good bit of work to accomplish that little feat. Now I journal instead of eating myself to death.
Happily I eat to live...rather than live to eat.
I want to be able to walk a marathon. I've picked out one the end of May 2008. I don't care where I finish in the race as long as it's not dead last. So I picked one that has an ultramarathon along with it.
Hopefully I should be able to finish before the last ultramarathoner gets in.
It would be great to have someone to train with. If not locally... then over the internet.
Completing a marathon is not a new goal. It's been on my life list for a long time. It's not about winning a race. It's about getting healthy, and actually being able to enjoy walking.
A walk around a fair, going shopping, having a spring in my step ...rather than every step being an effort filled with pain and frustration.

How am I doing? I'm overwhelmed but making it anyway. One day at a time...
Life is a journey... one step at a time... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Get up... Move your Butt


I couldn't resist this picture... lol...

Wiggle... jiggle... jump and giggle... in truth after grooming for a few hours it was spagetti arms and a serious whine the next day. Yeouch... that's right yeouch... more like a yelp and ouch... still sore today but not as much. Muscles are getting stronger, more endurance. The first Karate kid movie kept running through my mind as I was brushing, and clipping, and brushing and clipping. The wax on wax of scenes, and the paint the fence. Hey if you haven't seen it, go rent it. Its a great movie. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it...lol...

I haven’t been messing with the scale much. Note I said much...lol... I did weigh, it said I had stayed the same. Actually I get on the scale about once a week. Looking back over the past 2 months it's looks like my weight has stabilized. I was gaining fast for a while there. Had to address some issues. Both physical, mental, and emotional. I am no longer taking some perscription drugs that were causing some major health issues. Tends to tork me off. Use a drug because your doc perscribed it and it ends up doing more damage in the long run than good. That's all I'm saying on that right now. I get so annoyed when I think about it I fume and rant.

I know I’m getting smaller because my clothes are getting looser. Weight wise, my body composition is changing. Burning off fat, and building muscle. Fat takes up 5 times the space of muscle, on the flip side muscle weighs 5 times as much as fat does. Sound like a no win situation. It may sound that way but it’s not. You need muscle to function. Fat is merely excess fuel stores. It doesn’t help you to function unless you are out of fuel. I can feel my abs getting stronger, across my back and shoulders, my arms. When I flex my arms you can see the muscles moving, even with the fat layer on the outside.

Hopefully my skin will draw up as my size continues to decrease.

I really want to be able to walk a marathon. I want the physical capability to do that, and actually enjoy the day. Not a torture test.

I want to be able to ride a century in a day as well. When I am actually able to take a vacation I want to take a bicycle tour, and be able to enjoy the ride.

I am sooooo not interested in the waif thin stick figure bobble head doll nonsense. I have no desire to be weak and lightheaded. What a boring way to live.

I want to be able to enjoy being physically active. I can already feel my strength building. I took a look at a picture my husband took of my dad and myself standing side by side. I was pleasantly surprised to notice that I could see changes in my body and face already.

I have measurements on record, and do not plan on measuring until the end of the summer.

I am pacing myself a bit. Actually that’s not quite true I’m working flat out on this kennel and ranch this summer. Periodically I have to take some time to just chill out and let my body rest. I am making an effort to not fry my mind looking at the whole of everything that needs to be done. And at the same time stay on target. Looking at the whole can really overwhelm.

Translated… if you have 100 pounds of excess lard hanging on your butt, and can barely walk across the room. Focus on one step at a time. Small changes. Not a total shock. Build to the marathon… by first getting off the couch. If you can walk across the room do that. Then take 3 more steps. And so on and so on.

Rather than “ I can’t do this it’s too much” ask yourself “how can I do this (whatever your goal may be) and enjoy the process” Live your life.

Life is a journey... one step at a time... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Frustrated


I'm not sure how I managed this. But I managed to gain 2 pounds this week. Bloody frustrating. Actually it's par for the course this week. Maybe I should post a fat forever blog. Fat Frustrated and Angry blog. how's that. Lousy attitude today. I was so excited about those few pounds coming off. I haven't binged either. Stress is unbelievbly high, maybe that has something to do with it. Frankly I'm to the point that .... I'm just done. Truthfully that's how I feel ... just done. Cooked, finished, over, tired of trying, giving up, there that ought to be enough frustrated negative shit to cause shockwaves across my entire life. Yes I'm upset. Yes it has to do with more than gaining 2 pounds. Although that was the straw that broke the camel's back. AAAARRRRRAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
Life is a journey... some trips suck... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Didn't Bounce...Yay!


I weighed in yesterday. 292 lbs. didn’t bounce. That’s a good thing. I need to look for good things today. I’m tired and achy from moving pallets and cement blocks yesterday. OUCH! On the up side continuing to move them will work off the fat and build my strength. This is a good thing.
I was going to haul more pallets and cement blocks, as well as pieces of cement for walkways today. However, the wind is blowing so hard it would flip the trailor soooooo... no hauling today.
Brrrr... it's a cold wet wind. Wouldn't be bad out except for that bloody wind. ugh. blowing so hard it's difficult to keep my feet under me.
I can feel my body tightening up. I haven't measured in a while. I don't think I'm going to until I'm down around 280 lbs. My main focus is feeling better, getting in shape. Keep working out and eating right and the fat will keep coming off. Keep working my muscles and they will get stronger and stronger. I like that. Yes I do.
Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Good Morning To Ya!




I'm feeling much better. Was feeling and looking pretty scary cruddy. Face swelled up...eyes all red like pissed off stoplights.. nearly swelled shut. Yes I went to the doctor. I'm already on allergy stuff... so she tried steroids and antibiotics. It hurt to close my eyes... especially my right eye... not any more. What a relief.

I stepped on the scale this morning. I had gained up to 299 lbs on my scale. He He… 7 pounds down. 292 lbs on that same scale this morning. 7 Pounds down! I’m losing fat… Good by fat… rat-a-tat-tat… Actually part of that's probably swelling going down. Frankly I don't care... it's that much less weight I have to carry around. My hands aren't swelled anymore either.

Work out routine… isometrics in the car to and from the airport. Actually that helps to keep me awake on that 400 mile commute.



Yard work, kennel work, … want to get on the elliptical, red exerciser, and get going with oxycise again. I like the way lifting weights makes me feel. No not initially but I like the results and the way it makes me feel to have my strength building again.

This has been a loooonnnngggg recovery processs… happily I can finally see and feel progress. Have a way to go… to get my body to the physically fit state I want it in. But I’m on my way.

Building the snow fences, kennel cottages, decks, running yards, … blank spot… I lost the word for the slatted shades.. I’m looking forward to trying my hand at some walkways and furniture too. It’s a productive creative workout… lol… rather than only hitting the bow-flex … don’t get me wrong… I love the bow-flex.

I bought a signature tree the other day. No the tree is not called a signature tree… by that I mean it is a tree to stand by itself in the center of the circle drive. I believe it’s an Austrian Pine… could be an Eastern Pine. I knew but forgot. I’ll check where I bought it. I love those big craggy evergreen trees…

I’m going to plant it and put a windbreak/ snow fence on the southwest and northwest side of it. As well as put a little fence around it to keep the rabbits from eating it’s bark.

Bought a few tomato and pepper plants and a couple of squash. And some landscape fabric… thank you very much. I’m not dealing with the weeds this year …not like I have before.

Junior is in his new home. Beautiful dog… wow… what a coat. I took him to the airport on Friday. He did great. It wasn’t just his coat that was beautiful… he’s a wonderful loving spirit…
I’ve been working on my main page… as well as The Arfing News… Puppy pictures going up… beautiful little hairballs… I started the great spring hair off Friday after I came home from DIA (airport) . I took a bucket of hair off of Nasty Boy with the slicker brush. Those work sooooo nice… just don’t drag it across their skin. He has a lot more hair that needs pulled… I imagine I pulled about half of what needs to come out. I think I’ll work that way… Remove what’s already loosened … leave the rest till it releases. Much easier on my happy hairballs and myself as well.
David (hubby) goes on vacation tomorrow. Dad is coming for a visit from Minnesota mid month… Gotta go run the mama hairballs… and do basic kennel chores… then jump back on this computer and work on site … RobbinsRun:Living the Dream
Life is a journey… enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307-788-0202

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Tired Achy Crabby... Need some Coffee NOW

Ok who punched me in the stomach... ugh... that's what my insides feel like this morning... I crashed last night after supper. Had a miserable gastric attack. I know what brought it on. I over ate. I had steak and salad for supper and ice cream for dessert. Nothing wrong with what I ate. Just ate too much of it and my system went nuts. I let myself get too hungry then didn’t handle it very well. Thankfully I had some Imodium I’m still really tired. I woke up at 3:30 this morning. Frankly I think I’m going back to sleep for a little while. Truth be known I really don’t have time too… but I’m still so tired and sleepy I’m not functioning well. Maybe another half hour would do me good… or an early morning walk up to the kennels. Need to edit photos and get them posted … arf arf arf… cute little monsters…. I’m aching all over the place from the yard and kennel work. Just dragging this fat around is miserable. I will not miss it when it’s gone. I always feel like crud after a gastric attack. Not a lot of positive flowing words coming out of me this morning. Ok focus… push past the pain and tired and focus. Ok… question of the day… how do I feel better … how do I get these pictures edited and on line… how do I get all the grooming done… yards mowed… paperwork done… answer: one step at a time.
Life is a journey... phhhhtttt.... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Friday, May 18, 2007

bit the bullet and got on the scale


Ok I got on the scale this morning… it said 297 lbs. went for a walk with hubby and Min Min yesterday evening after supper. We used to do that quite a bit when we lived in town. It was a nice stroll. Although the mosquitoes are coming out. They weren’t after me so much, but they sure went after David.

Well I hadn’t planned on a 2 pound gain this week. Frankly I could have done without that. The question is how I lose fat in a healthy manner. What can I do right this week… this day… this minute in my quest for a healthy body.

Heat gald is a bit miserable. Any input as to how to heal that up would be greatly appreciated. I’m using some stuff which I do not have in front of me…and can’t remember how to spell… hope it works…

Scent free antiperspirant works pretty well in some areas… gotta run… getting pretty warm out and kennel care is calling my name…

I actually do know what happened last week… I allowed some emotional stuff to trigger an eating free for all… so what do I ask myself this week… how do I deal with stress in a healthy productive manner.

Life is a journey… enjoy the trip…Mary E. Robbins & the
Hairballs

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Swelled up... working on attitude change...




I got on the scale this morning and rapidly got off again. My face and hands are swelled… so of course I’m heavier. Feel like a total puff ball. Had a few rough days this week, where I slid off in to a depressed state. I tend to eat more when I’m like that… vicious cycle. Feel crappy… stuff face.. Feel worse… stuff face some more.

Ok it’s time to break the cycle. How do I do that? Hmmm… I think a daily outline of activities will help. I know it will help to get me on track as far as getting my kennel work, office work, working out, etc done. Which will in turn help with a sense of accomplishment. Feeding a sense of well being… upward cycle… which actually leads to fat loss…

Must Change Mindset: rather than feeling just awful.
Live in an attitude of gratitude:
5 things I’m thankful for
1. I got a haircut this week
2. Geese and Turkeys are doing well… really growing fast…mom was wrong about turning them loose. I turned my little turkeys loose and they are doing great. About time to turn the geese loose too.
3. I live on a ranch… I’ve always wanted a ranch… now I have one… well me and the bank. But I’m here now.
4. It’s springtime… spring and fall are my favorite times of year
5. My puppies are absolutely beautiful. Wow… such beautiful healthy dogs. There is a little cream sable male that I would love to put in show.

Ok that’s 5 things… there are more… I feel better already… life is good.
Life is a journey… each and every day is a gift to be thankful for… Mary E. Robbins & the
Hairballs

Monday, May 14, 2007

Ow... not has hot today...


I got on the scale this morning… ugh…didn’t gain but I didn’t lose either. I’m either not moving as much as I thought… building significant muscle… or eating more than I thought… maybe a combination of all three… at any rate I am going to start writing down everything that I munch on. From the 2 tiny baby carrots this morning and coffee… and so on. Nights are my hungry time. No big surprise there. Must be making some changes… because I am aching everywhere. No not the flu… I did overheat yesterday… but no flu. I’ll eat lunch with David. Ok… post this and out the door… behind my house… the kennel is about half way up… I’m going to make a point of walking that hill at least once a day… I ‘ve walked it the past 2 days… the well and pump is at the top of that hill… of all places to be… but there it is… beautiful view from up there… I can see all the way to Laramie Peak… to the west… Table Mountain to the south… Wild Cat Hills to the south east…
Life is a journey… sometimes it’s trudging up hill…
Mary & the Hairballs

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

May 9th... wake up and get healthy...

Beautiful morning… late start for me today though. I didn’t get up till 7:30. Needed to get some sleep. Didn’t go to bet till a bit after 2:00 a.m. I did however get the menus all posted on my blogs. So that was a good thing.

Wow…got on the scale… 295 lbs. It’s official. I don’t like fat. You know I have no desire to be a bobble head… you know… so skinny your head looks like the head on a bobble head doll. But I have at least 100 pounds too much hanging on me. I really don’t like being this out of shape… magic wand anyone… zap… in peeerrrrffffeeeccccttt condition… ha… only if my being is downloaded into a cyborg body.

So… how do I do this.
No magic formulas… fat is not all gone tomorrow.
Seriously… OK here’s my plan.2 pounds of fat a week. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I lose 2 pounds a week. Not an excuse… OK… I want a good amount of muscle mass to live my chosen lifestyle… soooo… rebuilding muscle mass will cause the actual weight to see saw… I knew I’d get heavier then start going down in weight… that’s where I am now. I didn’t realize just how
out of shape I really am. Pppphhhttttt! Ok…. One day one step at a time. I can stand to sit in my office chair again without my back swelling up and partially paralyzing my hands and arms… so there is progress. Painful progress… but progress just the same. I can walk to the mail box and back and still do kennel chores… more progress… after surgery I couldn’t even lift my cast iron kettles. Forget lifting 40 and 50 pound feed bags… I can lift them now. More progress. Now to get rid of these fat rolls… I’m not swelling up as bad as I was. The pants I was wearing are trying to fall off… but I’m not small enough yet to fit in my others… so hello suspenders. Ok… so there is progress… Now focus on one day at a time. One step at a time… kind of like grooming one dog at a time… raking out one dog pen at a time… forking out the straw in the runs… shoveling out the fowl house… one shovel at a time… it’s the dog brush…dog poop… chicken poop workout… oh don’t forget the fence building… and mowing… I’m either going to get into shape or die. Probably feel like I’m a dead piece of hamburger quite a few times… already been that way… it will get better… I remember feeling good after walking a half marathon distance… I want that again. Actually I want to walk a full marathon…not an ultra… but the full… and ride my bicycle a century ride. I’d love to go on a bicycle tour of the continental divide… that would be too cool…

Ok so there is some motivation… focus on the positive… live life…don’t wait for life… live it now … because now is actually all you have!

Life is a journey…enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & The Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians

Monday, April 23, 2007

Busy Day... Finally Back Online...


This is a bit of a celebration post. I'm finally back on line without fighting with my isp... I changed isp's once again. Direct to satelitte now. Knock wood it seems to be working. So far so good...
On the weightloss and fitness front. I am actually making some progress.
I've been journaling what I'm eating and what has been going on in my life. I've been working on oxycise. And working on my kennels. Between working on the internet and working with the dogs... that's pretty much my life at this point... oh yeah and fighting with my isp. Thankfully this one seems to be working. I switched to WildBlue. I am out on a ranch and the point to point isps that I tried working with weren't reliable.
Back to fat loss... goal... lose 4 inches off my waist by the end of May!
Ok gotta run...
Life is a journey...enjoy the trip... Mary and the Hairballs

Friday, January 26, 2007

The sun is shining... hopefully more snow melts off today ...although my drive way is a river now... a muddy river




Yard and driveway photos... snow frozen mud.. one of life's adventures... lol...




This morning is a bright and shiny morning outside… and one of those days that I miss my hot tub on... our previous… before ranch home had a hot tub that was a wonderful blessing on sore muscle days…lol…



I mucked out my whelping house yesterday… I had been layering down bedding through that cold cold weather and I pulled it all yesterday… and of course put down fresh clean bedding… it was a joy to spend some more time with my hairballs too…

Sore puppy that’s me today… lol… make my self move or I’m going to be stiff stiff stiff…





I meandered onto the scale this morning out of curiosity… and had dropped down 3 pounds…from yesterday morning… 287 this morning… I know that my weight will bounce … bounce… bounce… the point is to have it bounce downward over all… I’ve seen it bounce between 10 and 15 pounds in a day before… that doesn’t happen very often… but 5 to 7 pounds is not uncommon for me… bounces up… and takes a few days to come back off usually…

Ok.. I’m not gaining and losing that much fat on a daily basis. It’s swelling, fluid retention.

It used to just make me crazy. Back when I was actually at a good weight for my frame… 145 lbs and thought I was obese… I was fixated on the scale and getting my waist down to 26 inches rather than the 28 that it was… I used to run 2 to 5 miles a night… be in the pool several times a week… lift weights… and get on the scale and freak out… not eat… or eat everything in sight…



Its amazing just how much we can torture ourselves over a twisted body image… and not understanding what is actually happening



The plan for today… or at least part of it…
Oxycise
Epsom salt & Essential Oil bath
Let Mother dogs out for most of the day…
Cook breakfast for hubby
Hand Cart Straw bales to the ex pens… as the snow is melting water is pooling and making a mess…
Order Healthy Pet Net Feed
If time allows go to town for supplies
Photograph Sylvie’s new babies
Snap some quick photos of puppies
Work on computer
Make appt for Hubby
Dishes
Laundry
Elliptical…



Life is a journey… enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307-788-0202
Mountain Standard Time

Thursday, January 25, 2007

One step forward five steps back... here I come... yee haaaaaaaaaa.....


Ok… I got so tied up in putting my online systems together that I neglected everything else. Managed to blow up several pounds… not sure if it’s fat gain or the initial muscle growth from working out a bit… curling ice buckets and sledge hammers…dragging that hose through the snow and ice. Any way you look at it I bounced 5 lbs. Hello 290. I’m not going to freak. Just keep on keeping on.

Beats me up pretty good… at least that’s what it feels like… I’m going to be sooooooooo glad when I start seeing the inches come off… I need to be consistent with the oxycise to really see any improvement in that area… wouldn’t think such a benign looking exercise could make you so bloody sore.

Ok… so here goes… anyone that has ever dealt with getting into shape or weight loss issues … knows it is a mental battle… so armor’s on… charge…

Friday, January 19, 2007

Haven't been Training outside


My training efforts have been limited to taking care of my kennel... dragging around a 150 foot water hose "full of water" over ice and snow... slip sliding my way along... and carrying buckets of dog food. I've been doing oxycise too... so I am making some progress... and I can tell a difference in my attitude towards food. As well as in other areas of my life. Yes I know that sounds like a sales pitch... maybe it is... lol... but the intent is to share something that I found to be useful. Just a note... I don't sell Oxycise... I do think it is a great exercise program... you can find it at http://www.oxycise.com

I know there are many that just love the snow... it is beautiful. But I am soooooooooooo ready for warmer weather.

My Birthday is Feb 5th. I want to have some pounds off before then.

Gotta get going... afternoon/evening dog chores are calling my name...

Life is a Journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Lost a Pound!

Ok… here we go. Weighed in this morning… lost a pound… yay! 285 today. Last night was rough after taking somewhat care of the dogs. Man that just kicks my ass. Excuse the language... but that's exactly what it did. Geez... dragging around a 150 foot long rubber hose full of water is no big deal for me when it's not burried in crusted frozen snow.

The water temp melts the hose down through the snow and the wind blows (and blows and blows and blows) snow over the top of it... then the whole mass freezes into place... so it's take a couple of steps... and pull with everything you have to break the hose loose. It's one of those heavy industrial strength black hoses... good thing or I would have torn it a part...

I tried using my feed cart yesterday evening... whoa baby... just enough melt in the snow for the wheels to fall through... so it's dragging a 120 pound weight up out of the snow... across the top... fall and stick back in the snow...

Wow... talk about a work out... it' took me a couple of hours to get the dogs tended... I am happy to be able to say they are doing great... wow... do they have heavy coats... little furballs bouncing all over the place... playing in the snow...


On the bright side kennel care is working as training. Soooooo as I keep at it I should continue to get into better and better condition. I have a long way to go to get into the condition I'm working for. To be able to take part in the Wyoming Marathon May 27th, 2007 I'm signing up through Active.com if anyone wants to come along... be great to meet and walk as a group... By the way... I'm working towards the half marathon distance this year. I'm walking it... working with my kennel... and an elliptical... as well as oxycise...

The snow is melting…now we have massive snow… along side squishy.. .very slippery mud… yeee haawww… Those stock yard boots I bought a few years ago are really coming in handy. Plus they are like walking with weights on my feet and ankles. At this point it’s get into shape or die trying.

You know the biggest part of fat loss and/or conditioning is mindset. Getting your mind around what you are doing makes all the difference in the world. In life in general… personal life… weight loss… business… across the board…


What you do is up to you…

Life is a journey… enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
The Business End
Robbins Run Ranch Enterprises
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