Losing weight is hard.
I won't lie.
And as we age it is harder to get the weight off due to a more sedentary lifestyle, menopause (men and women) and loss of calorie-burning muscle mass.
Add to the fact that humans ache for instant gratification of instant weight loss.
It's so easy to put it on, why shouldn't it come off as quickly?
This has always been the case, and as much as we want to blame it on the Internet we really can't. You can go back in time to the bizarre exercise equipment of the past, or the amphetamine craze of the 70's, or even the Romans with their vomitoriums.
Why do you think women wore corsets?
To enhance their attributes (tiny waist, pushing boobs up and out, and enhancing hips for child-bearing), along with the side effect of improved posture (I dare you to try to slouch while wearing a corset!) and a teeny-tiny appetite, "She eats like a bird, barely taking a bite."
No wonder women fainted so much. It wasn't due to their 'delicate' constitutions, but a too tight corset!
Back on topic.
Weight loss is hard.
Weight loss as an older (read: middle aged) is harder.
But I know I'll feel better when I lose the weight. I know I'll be more active. I'll be more flexible. And I'll have more energy over all.
While I will have some not so good eating days, my goal is to have more good eating days in the long run.
Until later. Have a great Weighty Wednesday!
MAG's
Showing posts with label Weighty Wednesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weighty Wednesday. Show all posts
12/5/18
11/28/18
Losing Weight . . . again
How many of us manage to lose a huge amount of weight, but then end up regaining the aforementioned weight?
*raises hand*
I have to admit that I'm really good at losing weight. Heck, I've managed to lose a lot of weight over my 50+ years.
First it was that pesky ten pounds, which, in turn, morphed into a twenty pound gain and loss, that has now become an off-and-on thirty pound issue.
In the past, I've done well on Weight Watchers. I'm a fan of their weight-loss program. I can lose the weight, but one problem that seems to rear it's ugly head is the fact that I can't seem to MAINTAIN my weight loss.
Weight maintenance is a different mindset than weight loss and I can't seem to wrap my head around the difference. I add back the calories to maintain, but over time I become lazy with my tracking, sloppy with my quantities, and lackadaisical with my weight-ins.
Enter Real Appeal.
There are a few perks to this particular program.
Personally, I do much better with my weight loss when I'm accountable for everything that goes into my mouth by TRACKING everything I eat. I just feel stupid documenting "large spoonful of peanut butter", so I don't eat it.
Like most tracking apps they tend to be cluttered with other people's info, but the more you use certain products, the sooner the app learns to put your foods at the top of the list.
There are a few things I need to remember when I track:
MAGs
*raises hand*
I have to admit that I'm really good at losing weight. Heck, I've managed to lose a lot of weight over my 50+ years.
First it was that pesky ten pounds, which, in turn, morphed into a twenty pound gain and loss, that has now become an off-and-on thirty pound issue.
In the past, I've done well on Weight Watchers. I'm a fan of their weight-loss program. I can lose the weight, but one problem that seems to rear it's ugly head is the fact that I can't seem to MAINTAIN my weight loss.
Weight maintenance is a different mindset than weight loss and I can't seem to wrap my head around the difference. I add back the calories to maintain, but over time I become lazy with my tracking, sloppy with my quantities, and lackadaisical with my weight-ins.
Enter Real Appeal.
There are a few perks to this particular program.
- It's paid for by my insurance--BONUS #1
- Meetings are online/phone--BONUS #2
- It is a comprehensive program that includes nutrition, exercise and motivational encouragement
- Plus the huge package of goodies is a bonus: exercise DVD's, food scale, weighing scale, and assorted booklets
- The program is calorie oriented, but it breaks it down into usable information, such as fiber, protein, sugars, carbohydrates, etc.
- Oh, and did I mention, IT'S FREE?!
Personally, I do much better with my weight loss when I'm accountable for everything that goes into my mouth by TRACKING everything I eat. I just feel stupid documenting "large spoonful of peanut butter", so I don't eat it.
Like most tracking apps they tend to be cluttered with other people's info, but the more you use certain products, the sooner the app learns to put your foods at the top of the list.
There are a few things I need to remember when I track:
- Be honest with yourself--yes, you shoved that cookie in your mouth, it counts.
- Be truthful with your quantities. Count, weigh and measure everything. Over time, we lose the ability to "eyeball" the correct amounts.
- Be forgiving. We all have bad days. Just don't let the bad day turn into a bad week.
- Be realistic. As an older, post-menopausal woman, it is harder to lose weight than it was when I was in my twenties.
MAGs
6/11/15
Lose Ten Pounds in Ten Seconds!
That got your attention, didn't it?
And actually, what I'm about to tell you can do just that . . . IF YOU PAY ATTENTION!
Remember those days of schlumping on the couch watching the Bugs Bunny cartoons?
But then, we countered the effect by playing outside, and at my house, not having excessive amounts of food.
Well, those times have changed with the advent of computers, video gaming systems, and high-fat, high-carb diet. In fact, there's a whole new job classification called ergonomics that address this issue in the workplace.
Pretty soon, humans devolved to look like this:
And if you're the typical American, add between 30-70 pounds per person in this cartoon.
So how do we return to looking like this
o
or this
Well, okay, most of us won't ever look like the people in either of these picture.
Let's get real.
BUT you can improve your image, lose weight, gain self-confidence and improve your attitude in less than ten seconds by do a couple of simple things.
1) Stretch your entire body--unless the government approves the Medieval rack torture device into a viable heightening machine, I won't grow beyond my 5'1" height--and that's if my hair isn't squished down. I'm in my 50's so all I can look forward to is shrinking more due to normal aging spinal compression.
So how do you stretch your body?
It's easy to do. Pretend a string is coming out of the top of your head to lift you up. Now, let's focus on the pieces involved, starting with your head.
No, don't tilt your head back, lift it up. Be proud. Be confident.
Don't jut your chin forward. You look like a chicken looking for food. Your neck should be relatively straight up and down, not angled forward.
There you go. Your chin is level with the ground. And, hey, you only have one double chin, not two! Good for you!
Shoulders should be back and down. When you stretch up, the tendency is to lift your shoulders--DROP THEM. Do a small shoulder roll toward the back. When you do this, you should feel your shoulder blades in the middle of your back. This movement places your upper body over your pelvis where is should be along with your arms at your sides.
This should have also gotten rid of that computer hump on your upper back. Keep working at it. You'll get it.
Breath deep. Stretch tall. Shoulders back. . . hey, your stomach is flatter! Lookie there! Simply improving your posture pulled your stomach into place with all your guts sitting in your pelvic cradle where it's supposed to be!
Now we're looking good!
Watch yourself in the mirror when you start this technique. Normal, slumpy-dumpy, depressed, brow-beaten, hang-dog you instantly changes into a supremely confident, taller and more fit version of you.
Voila! Ten pounds lighter!
Now, comes the hard part.
2) Do this ALL the time--when you sit. When you stand. When you walk. When you drive your car. ALL THE TIME.
Eventually, it will become second nature.
All it takes is a little bit of practice to look and feel better.
Later, Peeps!
And actually, what I'm about to tell you can do just that . . . IF YOU PAY ATTENTION!
Remember those days of schlumping on the couch watching the Bugs Bunny cartoons?
But then, we countered the effect by playing outside, and at my house, not having excessive amounts of food.
Well, those times have changed with the advent of computers, video gaming systems, and high-fat, high-carb diet. In fact, there's a whole new job classification called ergonomics that address this issue in the workplace.
Pretty soon, humans devolved to look like this:
 |
| Courtesy of CartoonChurch.com and Dave Walker |
So how do we return to looking like this
o
Well, okay, most of us won't ever look like the people in either of these picture.
Let's get real.
BUT you can improve your image, lose weight, gain self-confidence and improve your attitude in less than ten seconds by do a couple of simple things.
1) Stretch your entire body--unless the government approves the Medieval rack torture device into a viable heightening machine, I won't grow beyond my 5'1" height--and that's if my hair isn't squished down. I'm in my 50's so all I can look forward to is shrinking more due to normal aging spinal compression.
So how do you stretch your body?
It's easy to do. Pretend a string is coming out of the top of your head to lift you up. Now, let's focus on the pieces involved, starting with your head.
No, don't tilt your head back, lift it up. Be proud. Be confident.
Don't jut your chin forward. You look like a chicken looking for food. Your neck should be relatively straight up and down, not angled forward.
There you go. Your chin is level with the ground. And, hey, you only have one double chin, not two! Good for you!
Shoulders should be back and down. When you stretch up, the tendency is to lift your shoulders--DROP THEM. Do a small shoulder roll toward the back. When you do this, you should feel your shoulder blades in the middle of your back. This movement places your upper body over your pelvis where is should be along with your arms at your sides.
This should have also gotten rid of that computer hump on your upper back. Keep working at it. You'll get it.
Breath deep. Stretch tall. Shoulders back. . . hey, your stomach is flatter! Lookie there! Simply improving your posture pulled your stomach into place with all your guts sitting in your pelvic cradle where it's supposed to be!
Now we're looking good!
Watch yourself in the mirror when you start this technique. Normal, slumpy-dumpy, depressed, brow-beaten, hang-dog you instantly changes into a supremely confident, taller and more fit version of you.
Voila! Ten pounds lighter!
Now, comes the hard part.
2) Do this ALL the time--when you sit. When you stand. When you walk. When you drive your car. ALL THE TIME.
Eventually, it will become second nature.
All it takes is a little bit of practice to look and feel better.
Later, Peeps!
6/10/15
Happiness is . . .
Being the best ME I can possibly be.
So many people go through life unhappy.
I'm too fat.
I'm too short.
I'm too ugly.
My nose is too big.
Heck, there are a couple of industries (plastic surgeons, to name the main one) that prey upon the population who thinks 'fixing' stuff will make them happy.
In case, you wondered, IT DOESN'T.
Happiness has to come from inside yourself.
Other people can't make you happy. And it isn't your job to make others happy. Oh, your new positive attitude might help make others happy, but don't take it personally if you're shot down or called a Pollyanna.
So how does one become happy?
It really isn't hard.
All you have to do is focus on the positive things in your life. Reduce the negativity in your own thoughts, words, and around you.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "One bad apple will ruin the whole bushel." Well, there's a reason, it's sage advice . . . because it's true.
Have you ever people watched a group trash-talking their spouses? Or making mean comments about various people? Yes, I have to say that women tend to be the worst instigators of this.
Negativity breeds negativity.
So how does one become HAPPY?
The first step is to try to remove outside negativity. If you have a friend that tends to be negative or causes you to stress out every time you see her, then you need to distance yourself from this person. Remove them from your contacts. Block them on your texts. Hide their Facebook messages, or even unfriend them.
YOU DO NOT OWE THEM A REASON. You need to worry about your mental health and happiness. Do not allow them to undo the positivity your are sowing by opening the mental door to allow them back in.
The second step is to try to change your own mindset. If you are unhappy in your job or school, then find the positive things at your job or school to keep from dwelling on the negative aspects.
Perhaps you don't like a particular teacher's teaching style? Just try to figure out what they want from you as a student and provide that . . . And get a calendar to count down the days that you have to deal with this particular teacher.
Now, it's time to look inward and meditate over what aspects of your life that make you happy.
Focus on the simple things.
Here are a couple of things that make me happy: walking, making candy, my rose garden, gardening, crocheting, reading, writing, and when I was able to ride--my horse.
When I'm walking I enjoy nature around me. The sound of birds, the burble of the creek, the wind through the trees . . . just nature in general.
Gardening is back-breaking labor, but I can reap the reward of enjoying my backyard oasis.
Making candy is also back-breaking, but it makes me happy making others happy when they eat it. Erm, I wished more people would stroke my ego by telling me how good it is, but I can't have everything, right?
And the list goes on . . .
An interesting change happens when you become happy--more people want to hang with you, your self-confidence sky rockets, your visage and posture change reflecting your inner happiness.
You discover that all those things you hated about yourself don't really matter any longer. You start caring about your health, which in turn, allows you to lose weight. You start exercising because it makes you happy, not because you have to.
And just like negativity breeds negativity, the opposite is also true.
Positivity breeds positivity, which is the secret to happiness.
Think about it.
MAG's
4/15/15
Weighty Wednesday -- Hard Work Pays Off
I've been absent from Wednesday blogging for quite awhile as I feel that I've already said everything that needs to be said about losing weight.
I have.
But the interesting takeaway is that, for some reason, I have to keep relearning those same lessons over and over and . . . over again!
Last week I had a large weight gain +2.6 pounds. I knew it was a fluke number because of a few things I had eaten in the previous couple of days--pizza with pepperoni and prosciutto (sodium anyone??) and pancakes (flour makes me retain water).
I also knew that even though I suspected it was a fluke number, I really needed to focus this week.
I did.
And had a weight loss of -3.4 pounds.
Bringing me to within 7 pounds of my goal weight. Though my goal is to reach my goal weight by the end of school (5 weeks away! Eek!), I would actually like to get to the weight that is on my driver's license, 120 pounds. While this seems like a huge challenge, another 20 pounds, it really isn't too low of a weight for my height. Actually, it's right in the middle of my recommended weight range.
Another interesting thing that I learned about myself, I'm okay if I stay at the top of my weight range.
I look good. I feel good. And I'm old. I don't want to denying myself just to get to the "right" weight for my height. That's just crazy.
Want to know something else that's interesting?
Now that summer is here, it's short season. I have shorts that are sizes 4, 6, 8 AND 10 that all fit me the same way. In fact, some of my size 6 shorts, I've had to safety pin them because they are too large!
Remember, clothes sizes are just numbers, and no two designer/manufacturers use the same number system.
Get to a healthy weight where you feel good and look good.
Clothes sizes are a guideline. Don't get your nose out of joint because of a size. It's just a number.
Time for walkies!
Later, Peeps!
I have.
But the interesting takeaway is that, for some reason, I have to keep relearning those same lessons over and over and . . . over again!
Last week I had a large weight gain +2.6 pounds. I knew it was a fluke number because of a few things I had eaten in the previous couple of days--pizza with pepperoni and prosciutto (sodium anyone??) and pancakes (flour makes me retain water).
I also knew that even though I suspected it was a fluke number, I really needed to focus this week.
I did.
And had a weight loss of -3.4 pounds.
Bringing me to within 7 pounds of my goal weight. Though my goal is to reach my goal weight by the end of school (5 weeks away! Eek!), I would actually like to get to the weight that is on my driver's license, 120 pounds. While this seems like a huge challenge, another 20 pounds, it really isn't too low of a weight for my height. Actually, it's right in the middle of my recommended weight range.
Another interesting thing that I learned about myself, I'm okay if I stay at the top of my weight range.
I look good. I feel good. And I'm old. I don't want to denying myself just to get to the "right" weight for my height. That's just crazy.
Want to know something else that's interesting?
Now that summer is here, it's short season. I have shorts that are sizes 4, 6, 8 AND 10 that all fit me the same way. In fact, some of my size 6 shorts, I've had to safety pin them because they are too large!
Remember, clothes sizes are just numbers, and no two designer/manufacturers use the same number system.
Get to a healthy weight where you feel good and look good.
Clothes sizes are a guideline. Don't get your nose out of joint because of a size. It's just a number.
Time for walkies!
Later, Peeps!
3/11/15
Weighty Wednesday -- Chart the Big Picture
I should have posted last week, but by the time I thought about it, it was Friday!
Last week, I had a nice weight loss of 1.2 pounds, but managed to derail myself this week by a gain of 1.4 pounds. With a net gain of 0.2 pounds.
That's what happens when one purchases a bag of Bunny Bait trail mix and consumes the entire bag the day before weigh-in! Yeah, it's that good.
See? I am human. I do make mistakes. But the key is to 'fess up to those mistakes! AND not let them effect you the rest of the day/week/year/lifetime.
I erred. You will err. It happens. Get over it. And don't let it cloud your judgment and food choices for the rest of the day.
I just need to work on the timing of my naughtiness. The day AFTER weigh-in would have been preferable, but no, I had to go grocery shopping on Monday. Oh well.
Though I had a hiccup in my weight loss journey. That is all it was . . . a hiccup.
* I tried to copy my weight loss chart (documented since June 2011) from Weight Watchers, but they have it encrypted so I'm not able to copy it to show you. Even when I printed it, a pull down was inserted on top of the chart so I couldn't print it, scan it to my email, to put on my computer to clip and paste it here. Even with the pull down, I decided to share it anyway.*
Fact one: It has been over a year since I have weighed this low. No, I'm not at my goal weight, but it is a huge accomplishment.
Fact two: Even with hiccups in our weight loss journey, don't let a hiccup become the trend.
Fact three: Though I'm doing Simply Filling and only really need to document any food that would cost me weekly points. I found out that I need to document EVERYTHING.
Fact four: Prior to starting my weight loss journey in 2011, I had been at this current weight for a very, very long time. Plateaus happen. They happen for a reason. When they do, you need to shake it up.
Fact five: I've been very focused for over ten weeks, which means I've become complacent. Don't allow ennui to sabotage you. Recommit mentally.
The one thing to remember that what we see as setbacks might simply be a blip in the war to get to a healthy weight.
Later, Peeps!
Last week, I had a nice weight loss of 1.2 pounds, but managed to derail myself this week by a gain of 1.4 pounds. With a net gain of 0.2 pounds.
That's what happens when one purchases a bag of Bunny Bait trail mix and consumes the entire bag the day before weigh-in! Yeah, it's that good.
See? I am human. I do make mistakes. But the key is to 'fess up to those mistakes! AND not let them effect you the rest of the day/week/year/lifetime.
I erred. You will err. It happens. Get over it. And don't let it cloud your judgment and food choices for the rest of the day.
I just need to work on the timing of my naughtiness. The day AFTER weigh-in would have been preferable, but no, I had to go grocery shopping on Monday. Oh well.
Though I had a hiccup in my weight loss journey. That is all it was . . . a hiccup.
* I tried to copy my weight loss chart (documented since June 2011) from Weight Watchers, but they have it encrypted so I'm not able to copy it to show you. Even when I printed it, a pull down was inserted on top of the chart so I couldn't print it, scan it to my email, to put on my computer to clip and paste it here. Even with the pull down, I decided to share it anyway.*
Fact one: It has been over a year since I have weighed this low. No, I'm not at my goal weight, but it is a huge accomplishment.
Fact two: Even with hiccups in our weight loss journey, don't let a hiccup become the trend.
Fact three: Though I'm doing Simply Filling and only really need to document any food that would cost me weekly points. I found out that I need to document EVERYTHING.
Fact four: Prior to starting my weight loss journey in 2011, I had been at this current weight for a very, very long time. Plateaus happen. They happen for a reason. When they do, you need to shake it up.
Fact five: I've been very focused for over ten weeks, which means I've become complacent. Don't allow ennui to sabotage you. Recommit mentally.
The one thing to remember that what we see as setbacks might simply be a blip in the war to get to a healthy weight.
Later, Peeps!
2/20/15
Weighty Wednesday-- My Journey, NOT Yours
Oops--I didn't post on the correct day, but then again, I didn't really have much to say two days ago . . . but now I do!
First, though I didn't have an official weigh-in this week (due to hubs taking my car on the icy roads), I did weigh-in at home, which I do anyway especially on weigh-in day.
Not a stellar number, considering I have been clocking in around two pounds a week. But I'm not surprised due to two large meals over the weekend--P.F. Changs on Friday and Fleming's Steakhouse on Valentine's Day.
Still a loss, which is the most important thing. Right?
Confession time: With the yucky weather on Tuesday, I made a pan of shortbread . . . and ate virtually half the pan. This is probably the worst type of cookie one could indulge in since all it contains is flour, sugar and butter.
And then I made pizza for dinner.
AND opened a bottle of wine.
It wasn't a stellar day for me. And no, I didn't calculate how many points I ate while in the process.
So what did I do?
I counted ALL OF MY 49 WEEKLY POINTS the next day.
Yeah, I wasted all my weekly points on one poorly conceived day. It happens. I'm focusing the rest of my week on my allowable Simply Filling technique.
And I weighed myself today, unofficial of course, but to illustrate the point I'm about to make. Even with a horrible Tuesday, by today (Friday) I still managed to lose 0.7 pounds!
Meanwhile, my hubby has been extraordinarily successful on the WW tracking points technique--22 pounds, so far--but he's inserting himself into my process by accusing me of 'cheating' on my technique.
Yes, I had a bad day. Everyone does.
But did I 'cheat'?
No, because I counted the points. . . and I really, really hate that term. It's right up there with 'life style' change, thanks a lot, Dr. Phil.
But even if I hadn't counted the points, I still have an ace up my sleeve--I'm still losing weight!
His teasing/harassing/accusing me of cheating could have had an adverse effect depending on my mindset, but all it did was make me mad enough to prove I wasn't cheating and though I stumbled, I'm still losing weight.
Ultimately though I stumbled, I got right back into the technique and am working it to my advantage.
Don't let anyone cause you to stumble or distract you on YOUR JOURNEY.
This happened to me over a year ago, when someone's ill-timed comment (NOT my hubby--who really is very supportive!) distracted me from my focus. Over a year later, I'm finally coming to terms with my insecurities.
Your challenges aren't anyone else's challenges. Don't let your journey be about them, or allow them to influence your journey.
You are on this weight-loss journey for you, don't forget that.
Later, Peeps!
First, though I didn't have an official weigh-in this week (due to hubs taking my car on the icy roads), I did weigh-in at home, which I do anyway especially on weigh-in day.
I had a loss of 0.7 pounds.
Not a stellar number, considering I have been clocking in around two pounds a week. But I'm not surprised due to two large meals over the weekend--P.F. Changs on Friday and Fleming's Steakhouse on Valentine's Day.
Still a loss, which is the most important thing. Right?
Confession time: With the yucky weather on Tuesday, I made a pan of shortbread . . . and ate virtually half the pan. This is probably the worst type of cookie one could indulge in since all it contains is flour, sugar and butter.
And then I made pizza for dinner.
AND opened a bottle of wine.
It wasn't a stellar day for me. And no, I didn't calculate how many points I ate while in the process.
So what did I do?
I counted ALL OF MY 49 WEEKLY POINTS the next day.
Yeah, I wasted all my weekly points on one poorly conceived day. It happens. I'm focusing the rest of my week on my allowable Simply Filling technique.
And I weighed myself today, unofficial of course, but to illustrate the point I'm about to make. Even with a horrible Tuesday, by today (Friday) I still managed to lose 0.7 pounds!
Meanwhile, my hubby has been extraordinarily successful on the WW tracking points technique--22 pounds, so far--but he's inserting himself into my process by accusing me of 'cheating' on my technique.
Yes, I had a bad day. Everyone does.
But did I 'cheat'?
No, because I counted the points. . . and I really, really hate that term. It's right up there with 'life style' change, thanks a lot, Dr. Phil.
But even if I hadn't counted the points, I still have an ace up my sleeve--I'm still losing weight!
His teasing/harassing/accusing me of cheating could have had an adverse effect depending on my mindset, but all it did was make me mad enough to prove I wasn't cheating and though I stumbled, I'm still losing weight.
Ultimately though I stumbled, I got right back into the technique and am working it to my advantage.
Don't let anyone cause you to stumble or distract you on YOUR JOURNEY.
This happened to me over a year ago, when someone's ill-timed comment (NOT my hubby--who really is very supportive!) distracted me from my focus. Over a year later, I'm finally coming to terms with my insecurities.
Your challenges aren't anyone else's challenges. Don't let your journey be about them, or allow them to influence your journey.
You are on this weight-loss journey for you, don't forget that.
Later, Peeps!
2/11/15
Weighty Wednesday -- Positive vs. Negative
So even though I stumbled a little this last week, I had a GREAT weigh-in and managed to lose 2 more pounds!
Since I refocused (and hubby joined WW), I managed to lose TEN pounds! What I'm doing works for me. Hubs is working the plan a little differently and has managed to lose EIGHTEEN POUNDS!
I've been a WW for over three years, and though I have strayed this last year and regained weight, I am now on the straight and narrow. I have my blinders on, people, and know what my end game is. We all stumble--just don't make a point of stumbling as long or as bad as I did. Immediately get back on that pony when you see yourself sliding off.
Which brings me to today's topic: Positive vs. Negative.
For HOURS, I tried to find the right word: reinforcement, connotation, feedback, concept, blah, blah, blah, but none of the words were right. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is for a WRITER?? Yeah, that.
Years ago, I bought a book on writing that was called, THE 38 MOST COMMON FICTION WRITING MISTAKES, and as I read it, I wanted to go out and commit all 38 mistakes! Not the result they were shooting for with this NEGATIVE title.
Anyhoo, I finally decided that I thrive when someone puts a positive spin on things. Who woulda thunk it, right? Usually, when someone says something negative, "You can't do XYZ." I dig my heels in and figure out how to do XY or Z. But not any more . . . must be my age.
When I knew I was starting to get off track a year ago, I thought, "Oh, I'll just stop eating flour and sugar products." NEGATIVE
Well, that didn't work, now did it? Not by a long shot.
But when I got back on that pony and reconfirmed that I would follow the WW Simply Filling technique. I lost weight. POSITIVE
They both involve a similar concept--no flour/sugar--but they have a HUGE difference in the way the concept is presented.
When I tried to follow just the no flour/sugar concept--I seriously CRAVED flour and sugar products. Because I had denied myself, I really, really wanted it. Which is why this concept failed for me.
Whereas, on Simply Filling, I can eat, and eat, and eat...and EAT. But I'm eating Power Foods, the foods that force my body to work harder to digest, which keeps me feeling fuller longer, but I don't want to eat as much.
It's not that I can't have something made with flour or sugar, but I have to seriously contemplate the idea because it comes out of my Weekly WW points. This appeals to my analytical mind. What do I have to give up to enjoy that one fleeting piece of cake? Is it really worth it?
And I can answer this truthfully, NO.
I made a cake last night. I enjoyed a large slice. Was it worth it? Yeah, right, not in the least. And actually, I have a sugar headache this morning from the overload. I think I'd rather stay away from the sugar/flour in a positive way by eating all the Power Foods that my body craves.
It's a concept that's working for me. The scale might lie, but the clothes don't. Yes, my pants are getting baggier on me, and it's time to go to the lower size.
Later, Peeps!
Since I refocused (and hubby joined WW), I managed to lose TEN pounds! What I'm doing works for me. Hubs is working the plan a little differently and has managed to lose EIGHTEEN POUNDS!
I've been a WW for over three years, and though I have strayed this last year and regained weight, I am now on the straight and narrow. I have my blinders on, people, and know what my end game is. We all stumble--just don't make a point of stumbling as long or as bad as I did. Immediately get back on that pony when you see yourself sliding off.
Which brings me to today's topic: Positive vs. Negative.
For HOURS, I tried to find the right word: reinforcement, connotation, feedback, concept, blah, blah, blah, but none of the words were right. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is for a WRITER?? Yeah, that.
Years ago, I bought a book on writing that was called, THE 38 MOST COMMON FICTION WRITING MISTAKES, and as I read it, I wanted to go out and commit all 38 mistakes! Not the result they were shooting for with this NEGATIVE title.
Anyhoo, I finally decided that I thrive when someone puts a positive spin on things. Who woulda thunk it, right? Usually, when someone says something negative, "You can't do XYZ." I dig my heels in and figure out how to do XY or Z. But not any more . . . must be my age.
When I knew I was starting to get off track a year ago, I thought, "Oh, I'll just stop eating flour and sugar products." NEGATIVE
Well, that didn't work, now did it? Not by a long shot.
But when I got back on that pony and reconfirmed that I would follow the WW Simply Filling technique. I lost weight. POSITIVE
They both involve a similar concept--no flour/sugar--but they have a HUGE difference in the way the concept is presented.
When I tried to follow just the no flour/sugar concept--I seriously CRAVED flour and sugar products. Because I had denied myself, I really, really wanted it. Which is why this concept failed for me.
Whereas, on Simply Filling, I can eat, and eat, and eat...and EAT. But I'm eating Power Foods, the foods that force my body to work harder to digest, which keeps me feeling fuller longer, but I don't want to eat as much.
It's not that I can't have something made with flour or sugar, but I have to seriously contemplate the idea because it comes out of my Weekly WW points. This appeals to my analytical mind. What do I have to give up to enjoy that one fleeting piece of cake? Is it really worth it?
And I can answer this truthfully, NO.
I made a cake last night. I enjoyed a large slice. Was it worth it? Yeah, right, not in the least. And actually, I have a sugar headache this morning from the overload. I think I'd rather stay away from the sugar/flour in a positive way by eating all the Power Foods that my body craves.
It's a concept that's working for me. The scale might lie, but the clothes don't. Yes, my pants are getting baggier on me, and it's time to go to the lower size.
Later, Peeps!
2/4/15
Weighty Wednesday-- Another Successful Week
Well, I had another good weight loss week, as I'm down 2 lbs.! This is about 8 pounds down from when I became serious again about my weight loss five weeks ago.
Yay!
In the last two weeks I've been using the Weight Watcher's Simply Filling technique, which involves eating Power Foods and using my weekly 49 points as needed...and trust me, I needed all 49 points last week plus the 9 activity points that I earned!
Hubby has lost 15 pounds in the same time period by simply counting and tracking his points, but I will point out that he has a lot more daily points than I do!
Just proving that you have to use a technique that works for you. Not all programs or techniques are one size fits all, and don't judge your progress against someone else's success.
One of the key factors in this technique working for me is because I still measure and track.
Why?
Because how will I know what I did wrong, if I do something wrong, unless I document it? I also use the Memo spot on my daily tracker to jot down how I'm feeling, where I might have eaten out at, or just a general comment area if I had cravings and what I did to counteract them.
One of the interesting things I've discovered is that for the most part I've stopped eating sugar, flour-based products, and using artificial sweeteners.
This technique doesn't mean I can't eat them. I can. But the question remains--do I want to pay the price?
And when I look at it that way, the answer is usually no.
Just eating healthy costs me weekly points--in fact, just yesterday, I used 2 points for a little bag of nuts and I counted one point for my chicken tortilla soup. Now, I didn't add the tortilla chips, avocados or cheese, but I figured it probably had enough cornstarch / chicken broth to cost me at least a point.
And the bonus?
Well, I'm not in my size six jeans yet, but I did notice my hips and tummy decreasing in size, which is a good thing!
My goal is to be back at goal by the end of school. If everything continues at the same pace as the last few weeks, I might reach my goal by mid-April.
If you are with me on this journey, I will wish you the best of luck!
Later, Peeps!
Yay!
In the last two weeks I've been using the Weight Watcher's Simply Filling technique, which involves eating Power Foods and using my weekly 49 points as needed...and trust me, I needed all 49 points last week plus the 9 activity points that I earned!
Hubby has lost 15 pounds in the same time period by simply counting and tracking his points, but I will point out that he has a lot more daily points than I do!
42 vs. 26 points is an entire meal's difference!
Just proving that you have to use a technique that works for you. Not all programs or techniques are one size fits all, and don't judge your progress against someone else's success.
One of the key factors in this technique working for me is because I still measure and track.
Why?
Because how will I know what I did wrong, if I do something wrong, unless I document it? I also use the Memo spot on my daily tracker to jot down how I'm feeling, where I might have eaten out at, or just a general comment area if I had cravings and what I did to counteract them.
One of the interesting things I've discovered is that for the most part I've stopped eating sugar, flour-based products, and using artificial sweeteners.
This technique doesn't mean I can't eat them. I can. But the question remains--do I want to pay the price?
And when I look at it that way, the answer is usually no.
Just eating healthy costs me weekly points--in fact, just yesterday, I used 2 points for a little bag of nuts and I counted one point for my chicken tortilla soup. Now, I didn't add the tortilla chips, avocados or cheese, but I figured it probably had enough cornstarch / chicken broth to cost me at least a point.
And the bonus?
Well, I'm not in my size six jeans yet, but I did notice my hips and tummy decreasing in size, which is a good thing!
My goal is to be back at goal by the end of school. If everything continues at the same pace as the last few weeks, I might reach my goal by mid-April.
If you are with me on this journey, I will wish you the best of luck!
Later, Peeps!
1/28/15
Weighty Wednesday -- Mind Games
About ten days ago I started Weight Watcher's Simply Filling technique, and I seem to be doing quite well with it.
Weigh in results=. DOWN 3.2 pounds
So the technique works!
As I mentioned in last week's Weighty Wednesday, Simply Filling involves eating what Weight Watchers has designated as "power foods"--you know all that healthy stuff. Technically, one can eat an unlimited amount of these power foods, but I prefer to weigh and measure them to keep a close eye on the process.
Even though you might have an unlimited amount of power foods, you still need to track the other items you might eat...which is pretty much anything not on the list: salad dressing, non-fat free dairy products, including cheese, fattier cuts of meat (hamburger), a glass of wine, etc. These points are deducted from the 49 weekly points, and trust me, these can disappear quickly!
Friday night (pizza night) finished my weekly points off. See, told you they disappear quickly!
Three days to go before weigh in and I was having to use the activity points that I accrued to make up for all the points I used (a few glasses of wine, a salad (off the Skinnylicious! menu) from the Cheesecake Factory, homemade pizza, Caesar salad).
*Poof!* They're gone! Trust me, it doesn't take much to use them up.
The big question was why this technique works for me, but not the simple tracking with daily points.
It all comes down to head games.
I'm sure I blogged about it before, but sometimes I need to repeat myself because I haven't learned the lesson.
When I was counting points and tracking, I was allotted 26 points per day. So if I wanted to eat Fritos or peanut butter or a granola bar, I could. It would cost me some points, but no big deal.
BUT when one does Simply Filling, you only have your 49 weekly points to use throughout the week. When my hubby and I ate at the Cheesecake Factory and I had one of their Skinnylicious chopped salads, it cost me 6 points. I ate it over two days, but I still counted all the points.
Why?
Because it had blue cheese, corn, beans, and a salad dressing. Those goodies still count.
I made pizza last Friday--EVERYTHING counted. I only had one and a half small slices--thin crust, but we had pepperoni, prosciutto, and three types of cheese. I counted 14 points. It adds up.
Add a 5 oz glass of wine--4 points.
And by Saturday morning, I had used up my weekly points.
It was a good thing I was earning Activity Points by walking!
But the biggest part of the game challenges me with my number one problem--afternoon grazing/boredom.
If I need to eat, I can find all sorts of power foods to eat. Usually the problem isn't hunger. Being on Simply Filling keeps me from grazing inappropriate food items because I don't have enough points to eat them, or I'm too much of a point hoarder to use them!
But it makes me stop and think before I wolf something down.
This is the key for me to lose the weight.
Once I get back to goal, I think I will keep practicing this technique.
If something works, why change it??
Later, Peeps!
Weigh in results=. DOWN 3.2 pounds
So the technique works!
As I mentioned in last week's Weighty Wednesday, Simply Filling involves eating what Weight Watchers has designated as "power foods"--you know all that healthy stuff. Technically, one can eat an unlimited amount of these power foods, but I prefer to weigh and measure them to keep a close eye on the process.
Even though you might have an unlimited amount of power foods, you still need to track the other items you might eat...which is pretty much anything not on the list: salad dressing, non-fat free dairy products, including cheese, fattier cuts of meat (hamburger), a glass of wine, etc. These points are deducted from the 49 weekly points, and trust me, these can disappear quickly!
Friday night (pizza night) finished my weekly points off. See, told you they disappear quickly!
Three days to go before weigh in and I was having to use the activity points that I accrued to make up for all the points I used (a few glasses of wine, a salad (off the Skinnylicious! menu) from the Cheesecake Factory, homemade pizza, Caesar salad).
*Poof!* They're gone! Trust me, it doesn't take much to use them up.
The big question was why this technique works for me, but not the simple tracking with daily points.
It all comes down to head games.
I'm sure I blogged about it before, but sometimes I need to repeat myself because I haven't learned the lesson.
When I was counting points and tracking, I was allotted 26 points per day. So if I wanted to eat Fritos or peanut butter or a granola bar, I could. It would cost me some points, but no big deal.
BUT when one does Simply Filling, you only have your 49 weekly points to use throughout the week. When my hubby and I ate at the Cheesecake Factory and I had one of their Skinnylicious chopped salads, it cost me 6 points. I ate it over two days, but I still counted all the points.
Why?
Because it had blue cheese, corn, beans, and a salad dressing. Those goodies still count.
I made pizza last Friday--EVERYTHING counted. I only had one and a half small slices--thin crust, but we had pepperoni, prosciutto, and three types of cheese. I counted 14 points. It adds up.
Add a 5 oz glass of wine--4 points.
And by Saturday morning, I had used up my weekly points.
It was a good thing I was earning Activity Points by walking!
But the biggest part of the game challenges me with my number one problem--afternoon grazing/boredom.
If I need to eat, I can find all sorts of power foods to eat. Usually the problem isn't hunger. Being on Simply Filling keeps me from grazing inappropriate food items because I don't have enough points to eat them, or I'm too much of a point hoarder to use them!
But it makes me stop and think before I wolf something down.
This is the key for me to lose the weight.
Once I get back to goal, I think I will keep practicing this technique.
If something works, why change it??
Later, Peeps!
1/26/15
Black Coffee
For years, I used to drink my coffee with cream and sweetener, but I don't want to waste the few Weight Watcher points that I had for the week. I decided I needed to change the status quo.
I'm a firm believer that artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain, and that they can lead your body into insulin-resistant diabetes, and cravings.
The biggest problem is that artificial sweeteners taste sweeter than real sugar or honey, which makes you crave more of those products, which makes you eat more, which causes you to gain weight.
It's a vicious cycle.
Most of the time, I don't bother with artificial sweeteners. I don't trade off real sugar products (cookies, cakes, etc) with products made from sweeteners. Why? Because they count just as much, WW point-wise, as the real stuff. If I want something with sugar, I'll simply take the WW point hit. Not a problem.
The problem was my morning coffee.
First, I stopped using cream, and then I halved the amount of sweetener that I used.
And then, yesterday, I had my first cup of black coffee--Starbucks Dark French Roast...I probably should have started with a weak breakfast blend, but I didn't.
Yes, it is strong, but it also has a flavorful nuance that had been hidden under the sweetness.
I prefer dark roasts due to the flavor, now I can enjoy them even more!
Stay healthy!
Later, Peeps!
1/21/15
Weighty Wednesday -- Breathing a Deep Sigh
True confessions here.
Last week after weigh-in, I had some not so good days. Hubby was out of town and I simply had not gained control over my foodie urges. Let's just say Fritos, raw cookie dough and queso were involved.
Not at the same time, or the same day, but the consequences were the same.
When I weighed myself at home on Saturday, I had managed to undo any good that I had done the previous two weeks.
Yeah, not my proudest moment.
So I did the only thing I could do--I changed my Weight Watcher technique from tracking points plus values to Simply Filling.
Two days later, and I feel so in control it isn't even funny.
Why does this technique work for me?
I think because it is restrictive with your food choices.
Here's the deal. When you follow Simply Filling, you don't have to weigh or measure your food. You simply choose Power Foods to keep you satisfied throughout the day. If you eat Power Foods all day, you will notice that you can mark off all your healthy checks for the day, plus you stay satisfied.
In essence, it does keep you from eating non-essential carbs in the form of sugar and flour. You can have whole grain products, but regular grain products will cost you. For example, one cup of brown rice is a power food worth zero points, while one cup of white rice will cost you 5 points out of your weekly points.
Lean meats are always good, but while they are power foods, Weight Watchers also has them listed with their recommended serving size, usually 3-4 ounces. Yes, I can eat a pound of lean chicken, but then again, would I want to? Er, no.
I do take it a step further and actually weigh and measure my food. I do this simply to train my 'eye' for the appropriate quantities for someone of my size. Yes, I can eat a tub of plain Fat Free Greek yogurt, but do I really want to? No.
Just because the Simply Filling technique narrows your food choices down, it doesn't mean I can't eat that piece of pepperoni pizza that's calling my name, or put real fat salad dressing on my lettuce, or use cream in my coffee.
I can.
But there's a price.
The price is in the form of my 49 weekly points. I can easily use up seven of those points on a daily basis even following Simply Filling.
One glass of wine, 5 ounces will eat up 4 points. See? It isn't hard.
So the reason I love the simply filling technique is because it forces me to take control of my food. The choices are fairly restrictive, but I don't feel 'caged' by my food choices.
I wrote this blog on Monday, but I'm setting it to post on Wednesday, which means I hope I have something positive to report from my Tuesday weigh-in.
Addendum: I lost 0.4 pounds. YAY! In other words, I lost the weight I gained last week, plus some!
But here's the deal. Even if I don't have anything positive to report, I still feel Simply Filling the best choice for me.
If weighing and measuring and counting points is frustrating you, or you are on a plateau, then give Simply Filling a shot.
What's there to lose?
Later, Peeps!
Last week after weigh-in, I had some not so good days. Hubby was out of town and I simply had not gained control over my foodie urges. Let's just say Fritos, raw cookie dough and queso were involved.
Not at the same time, or the same day, but the consequences were the same.
When I weighed myself at home on Saturday, I had managed to undo any good that I had done the previous two weeks.
Yeah, not my proudest moment.
So I did the only thing I could do--I changed my Weight Watcher technique from tracking points plus values to Simply Filling.
Two days later, and I feel so in control it isn't even funny.
Why does this technique work for me?
I think because it is restrictive with your food choices.
Here's the deal. When you follow Simply Filling, you don't have to weigh or measure your food. You simply choose Power Foods to keep you satisfied throughout the day. If you eat Power Foods all day, you will notice that you can mark off all your healthy checks for the day, plus you stay satisfied.
In essence, it does keep you from eating non-essential carbs in the form of sugar and flour. You can have whole grain products, but regular grain products will cost you. For example, one cup of brown rice is a power food worth zero points, while one cup of white rice will cost you 5 points out of your weekly points.
Lean meats are always good, but while they are power foods, Weight Watchers also has them listed with their recommended serving size, usually 3-4 ounces. Yes, I can eat a pound of lean chicken, but then again, would I want to? Er, no.
I do take it a step further and actually weigh and measure my food. I do this simply to train my 'eye' for the appropriate quantities for someone of my size. Yes, I can eat a tub of plain Fat Free Greek yogurt, but do I really want to? No.
Just because the Simply Filling technique narrows your food choices down, it doesn't mean I can't eat that piece of pepperoni pizza that's calling my name, or put real fat salad dressing on my lettuce, or use cream in my coffee.
I can.
But there's a price.
The price is in the form of my 49 weekly points. I can easily use up seven of those points on a daily basis even following Simply Filling.
One glass of wine, 5 ounces will eat up 4 points. See? It isn't hard.
So the reason I love the simply filling technique is because it forces me to take control of my food. The choices are fairly restrictive, but I don't feel 'caged' by my food choices.
I wrote this blog on Monday, but I'm setting it to post on Wednesday, which means I hope I have something positive to report from my Tuesday weigh-in.
Addendum: I lost 0.4 pounds. YAY! In other words, I lost the weight I gained last week, plus some!
But here's the deal. Even if I don't have anything positive to report, I still feel Simply Filling the best choice for me.
If weighing and measuring and counting points is frustrating you, or you are on a plateau, then give Simply Filling a shot.
What's there to lose?
Later, Peeps!
1/14/15
Weighty Wednesday -- Tracking Trends
I lost another pound at weigh-in, but managed to undo any good I did last night.
*sigh* Sometimes it happens that way.
But I have the tools: tracking, portion control, knowledge and support to get back in control. Shoot, let's get real, even those people who aren't on Weight Watchers have the 'tools'. You know what you have to do, the key is to actually doing it!
So, what do I mean by tracking trends?
When I track, I provide more information than is technically necessary--if I do a quick add, I will add the time of the add. This gives me an idea of how often I eat along with the quantity.
Here are a few of my observations:
Portions--This is a biggie since our eyes tend to see things differently from reality. Weighing and measuring is the only way to figure this one out. Weighing in grams is more accurate than weighing in ounces. Another problem with portion control is plate size. The smaller the plate makes the smaller amounts of food look like more than it really is, which is better for those of us who enjoy quantity over quality. The fact is that if you eat out, the plates are HUGE, which means you receive more than an appropriate portion, therefore 2-3 servings on your plate instead of one. You have to weigh and measure at home to keep yourself in the right mindset when you eat out.
Tracking--writing everything down is pinnacle to succeeding. When I was at goal, I became lazy. I knew the program. I knew what a portion was. I knew how to lose weight. What I didn't know was how to keep it off. Tracking even at goal, keeps you on the straight and narrow path. If you don't write it down, then you tend to convienently forget that you ate it. True, sometimes we have a bad day and don't track because we don't want to know what we did, but it helps to jot down a note about what happened.
Notes--are important. If you happen to have a busy day: meetings, errands, children, whatever. It helps to jot down what was going on, especially if it causes a non-tracking, overeating type of day. This is especially important in the future if you have another one of those days. Hopefully, a bad day will cause you how to plan NOT to have that type of day in the future.
Hoarding points--I am so guilty of this that it isn't even funny. Having only 26 points is a huge problem especially if your significant other has 43 points. He can eat a 7-10 point breakfast and lunch and still have more points for dinner than I do in ONE DAY! It's frustrating. So I tend to hoard points to allow for more points during dinner. What I need to start doing is figuring out my dinner points and then spread the rest evenly throughout the day.
Not eating until hungry--I also do this, but the problem that I noticed is that while I might not eat until I feel a twinge, I tend to keep eating even when I'm full . . . er, overfull.
What you eat and when you eat--we're told that we need to eat every four hours to keep our blood sugar at a steady rate. This doesn't mean a full meal every four hours, it just means something. One thing I learned is that while a banana might satisfy my hunger in the morning, it doesn't last. Fruits are carbs--good carbs, but still carbs--they are digested quickly, which means they don't hold you as long. I need protein to keep me, and my stomach, from grazing. Protein takes longer to digest, which means it sits in your stomach longer, thus keeping you from hunger.
So as I settle into weight loss mode, I'm analyzing my food choices more than when I wasn't trying to lose weight.
I make good choices, and I also make poor choices, but they are my choices. I'm the one who has to be accountable.
How accountable are you? Document everything and you will notice patterns and trends in your food choices. Sometimes it has to do with the monthly cycle, sometimes the lunar cycle, but the more you are aware of your personal trends, the better you are at making better food choices.
Later, Peeps!
*sigh* Sometimes it happens that way.
But I have the tools: tracking, portion control, knowledge and support to get back in control. Shoot, let's get real, even those people who aren't on Weight Watchers have the 'tools'. You know what you have to do, the key is to actually doing it!
So, what do I mean by tracking trends?
When I track, I provide more information than is technically necessary--if I do a quick add, I will add the time of the add. This gives me an idea of how often I eat along with the quantity.
Here are a few of my observations:
Portions--This is a biggie since our eyes tend to see things differently from reality. Weighing and measuring is the only way to figure this one out. Weighing in grams is more accurate than weighing in ounces. Another problem with portion control is plate size. The smaller the plate makes the smaller amounts of food look like more than it really is, which is better for those of us who enjoy quantity over quality. The fact is that if you eat out, the plates are HUGE, which means you receive more than an appropriate portion, therefore 2-3 servings on your plate instead of one. You have to weigh and measure at home to keep yourself in the right mindset when you eat out.
Tracking--writing everything down is pinnacle to succeeding. When I was at goal, I became lazy. I knew the program. I knew what a portion was. I knew how to lose weight. What I didn't know was how to keep it off. Tracking even at goal, keeps you on the straight and narrow path. If you don't write it down, then you tend to convienently forget that you ate it. True, sometimes we have a bad day and don't track because we don't want to know what we did, but it helps to jot down a note about what happened.
Notes--are important. If you happen to have a busy day: meetings, errands, children, whatever. It helps to jot down what was going on, especially if it causes a non-tracking, overeating type of day. This is especially important in the future if you have another one of those days. Hopefully, a bad day will cause you how to plan NOT to have that type of day in the future.
Hoarding points--I am so guilty of this that it isn't even funny. Having only 26 points is a huge problem especially if your significant other has 43 points. He can eat a 7-10 point breakfast and lunch and still have more points for dinner than I do in ONE DAY! It's frustrating. So I tend to hoard points to allow for more points during dinner. What I need to start doing is figuring out my dinner points and then spread the rest evenly throughout the day.
Not eating until hungry--I also do this, but the problem that I noticed is that while I might not eat until I feel a twinge, I tend to keep eating even when I'm full . . . er, overfull.
What you eat and when you eat--we're told that we need to eat every four hours to keep our blood sugar at a steady rate. This doesn't mean a full meal every four hours, it just means something. One thing I learned is that while a banana might satisfy my hunger in the morning, it doesn't last. Fruits are carbs--good carbs, but still carbs--they are digested quickly, which means they don't hold you as long. I need protein to keep me, and my stomach, from grazing. Protein takes longer to digest, which means it sits in your stomach longer, thus keeping you from hunger.
So as I settle into weight loss mode, I'm analyzing my food choices more than when I wasn't trying to lose weight.
I make good choices, and I also make poor choices, but they are my choices. I'm the one who has to be accountable.
How accountable are you? Document everything and you will notice patterns and trends in your food choices. Sometimes it has to do with the monthly cycle, sometimes the lunar cycle, but the more you are aware of your personal trends, the better you are at making better food choices.
Later, Peeps!
1/7/15
New Year, New Attitude
Wow. One of my objectives for the new year is to be more timely with my blog posts.
Well . . . I'm not doing very well since I had every intention of writing and posting this blog on MONDAY.
Okay, no time to beat myself up. I have too much too do.
There are numerous goals that I've written down for this year, and I decided to clump them under topic.
Health--is on the top of the list. This one required my recommitment to Weight Watchers. This isn't to say that I haven't belonged to WW, because I have been an active member since 2011. Heck, I've even been attending the meetings while I've been gaining weight. There is one key item that I have in my corner this time around--my family. My hubby joined WW and is doing it online. His newness to the system has helped me be very aware of portions and points during this early phase of weight loss. This has also sparked my enthusiasm for getting healthy.
To this end, I managed to lose one pound this last week. That number doesn't really reflect the work I put in, but I know how ambiguous the weight game can be. For all I know its because I managed to eat something high in sodium the previous day, which caused me to retain water. So take it as a number, and don't freak out over the unexpected number.
I have started walking again, but the frigid cold weather and my gimpy knee have made this a non-regular event. I'll be working it in.
Family--as a member of the 'sandwich' generation, I need to nurture both my mother and my daughter, and making time for both of them...and my hubby. We can't forget the man in my life!
Writing-- For Christmas, I asked for Scrivener software, and hubs installed it on my computer. Now, it’s my job to learn it and use it. I have also started using a calendar on my computer again. This will be used to format my monthly goals, along with posting my daily words, or a note to explain why I didn't accomplish anything. Usually this is due to errands or my daughter being home from school. To that end, I want to:
o It’s
time for a major rewrite of GNOME. I know this seems like I’m going backward,
but I think this story needs an overhaul before I publish it in print form—and
that is my goal for this year. Sales on MG ebooks—at least mine--are
non-existent. Oh, I’ve given away copies, but it is as I feared three years
ago---there are so many books out there that it’s difficult for anyone to find
you. This is especially true for me since I tend to hang around romance
writers, and not children’s writers, therefore no cross-referencing. The
frustrating part is that many ‘MG’ stories aren’t really MG, but the author has figured
out some way to cross-reference their stuff through numerous genres.
o I
love blogging, and I want to still do that, but it does suck some creative
energy from a writer. I took an off-and-on hiatus starting last June, but I do
want to return to regularly blogging about stuff.
o Finish
book 4 in the Goblin’s Apprentice series. Yes, I’m still stalled on book 4. I’m
about half way through, but still stalled. I’m hoping that revisiting the first
book will help get me back into that world.
And maybe write a story that I started about seven years ago. All I have is two pages and some notes, but I'm excited about the idea.
Social Media--I need to make a point to limit my time on social media, namely Facebook. Television is also one of my problems. A timer will work--since it will work to complete my writing goals.
Read--I plan to read ...a lot. Last year, I managed to read over 60 books and this year I'd like to read between 40-50 books.
Candy--
I have made some pretty damn impressive candy.
I’ve made 28 different fillings for my filled chocolates, three new ones this
year – lavender honey, Earl Grey, and Creamy stout (yes, from beer). And one
new caramel—maple bacon caramel—for a total of nine types of caramel. And all
the other stuff (toffee, turtles, fudge, pongos, peanut brittle, reindeer poop,
polar bear poop, and now, pecan pralines), but I wish I could figure
out a way to make this a money-making proposition. I will be investigating
through my local chamber of commerce to see if it is feasible to sell it.---And it isn't feasible since the law says you have to work out of commercial kitchen that isn't in your home. *sad face* Oh, well.
I also need to clean up my recipe folders, document all my candy stuff, update my blog and adding links to everything!
So this is a rough list of my goals. Let's hope my new attitude washes over everything I attempt this year!
Later, Peeps!
12/31/14
Weighty Wednesday -- Fighting Apathy
This last year, well, actually two years, I've been fighting the apathy bug in my weight loss, in my writing, and in life in general.
I haven't been excited keeping the weight I lost off, and that my friends, translates into regaining half of the weight I worked so hard to lose.
The apathy bug is insidious. It starts slowly, gnawing its way into your psyche and slowly eroding the good things you have going for you until it has you firmly locked in its deep, dark gaping maw.
Apathy worms its way into your mind, your body and eventually sucks the life out of your soul.
I guess you could say that it's a mild form of depression, this loss of passion.
If I'm not excited about life, then why should anyone around me be excited?
And then, something happened to trigger the realization that being apathetic is kinda boring, self-defeating, and not fun.
It's funny because my trigger was my hubby deciding to join Weight Watchers online. With trying to help him figure out how to count things, portion control, meal planning, etc, I became excited about something again.
I want to lose weight. I want to be healthy. I want my blown knee to heal.
I want to live a full life again.
Weigh-in was yesterday, and though I was way over my goal weight, I was 0.2 pounds less than my previous goal weight on 11/18/14, almost six weeks ago.
Now, don't go thinking I stayed the same weight during this time, after all it was candy making season. Actually, up to three days before weigh-in, I was FIVE pounds over my previous weight.
In just those three days of hubby learning the WW program, I focused my mind back into weight-loss mode.
Yes, it's hard. Yes, I did chug some eggnog . . . but I measured it and counted it. And, trust me, writing down 10 WW PPV's for one cup of eggnog HURT. Ten PPV's is just under half of my daily allotment of 26 PPV's.
I know the road back won't be easy. I know I'll have tough days . . . but I'll also have days where I feel strong and in control. Soon the positive days will outweigh the negative ones.
With this thought in mind, I'll be beating that worm of apathy into the annals of my mind, locking it back into the deep, dark cabinet drawer where it belongs.
As this is the last day of the old year this epiphany is particularly timely-- New mentality, new year.
Later, Peeps!
I haven't been excited keeping the weight I lost off, and that my friends, translates into regaining half of the weight I worked so hard to lose.
The apathy bug is insidious. It starts slowly, gnawing its way into your psyche and slowly eroding the good things you have going for you until it has you firmly locked in its deep, dark gaping maw.
Apathy worms its way into your mind, your body and eventually sucks the life out of your soul.
I guess you could say that it's a mild form of depression, this loss of passion.
If I'm not excited about life, then why should anyone around me be excited?
And then, something happened to trigger the realization that being apathetic is kinda boring, self-defeating, and not fun.
It's funny because my trigger was my hubby deciding to join Weight Watchers online. With trying to help him figure out how to count things, portion control, meal planning, etc, I became excited about something again.
I want to lose weight. I want to be healthy. I want my blown knee to heal.
I want to live a full life again.
Weigh-in was yesterday, and though I was way over my goal weight, I was 0.2 pounds less than my previous goal weight on 11/18/14, almost six weeks ago.
Now, don't go thinking I stayed the same weight during this time, after all it was candy making season. Actually, up to three days before weigh-in, I was FIVE pounds over my previous weight.
In just those three days of hubby learning the WW program, I focused my mind back into weight-loss mode.
Yes, it's hard. Yes, I did chug some eggnog . . . but I measured it and counted it. And, trust me, writing down 10 WW PPV's for one cup of eggnog HURT. Ten PPV's is just under half of my daily allotment of 26 PPV's.
I know the road back won't be easy. I know I'll have tough days . . . but I'll also have days where I feel strong and in control. Soon the positive days will outweigh the negative ones.
With this thought in mind, I'll be beating that worm of apathy into the annals of my mind, locking it back into the deep, dark cabinet drawer where it belongs.
As this is the last day of the old year this epiphany is particularly timely-- New mentality, new year.
Later, Peeps!
10/15/14
Weighty Wednesday--Tired of being an Oompa-Loompa
The only difference between me and an Oompa-Loompa is skin tone. I'm short--check.
I'm round--check.
But I don't have hepatitis.
Well, okay, I don't have green hair either.
And I do have a slightly better fashion sense.
So why do I feel like an Oompa-Loompa?
True confessions here--through apathy, I've managed to regain 20 pounds of my 50 pound weight loss.
Ugh, that hurts to write down. But that's my reality. As I said when I started this weight loss journey, everyone has their own path to follow. I knew that if I changed my behavior too radically, I couldn't keep it up.
But I also knew that I needed to fill up on fruits and veggies.
And over time, I've stopped eating as many fruits and veggies as I should. My goal for this week is to eat my daily goal of fruits and veg--five or six servings worth.
That's it. I'm not planning to rewire my mental hardware all at once. I choose only one thing that I need to work on and focus on that. Too much info, then core meltdown.
See, here's the interesting aspect of this--the more fruits and veg you eat, the less processed food you want to fill the empty void. Whereas, if you eat just processed food, it is digested quickly, which in turn, makes you graze in your pantry.
Trust me on this, It's what I've been doing for over a year since I started putting this weight back on.
Another interesting note is even when I follow the plan in regards to the amount of PPV's allowed per day, I won't lose weight. I maintain weight. It's the addition of the fresh fruits and veg that help me drop this extra weight.
This is why you will hear your WW leaders say that you need to check off your good health guidelines--DAILY. If your intake simply follows that plan, then you will lose the weight.
This is my goal for the week, what's yours?
Later, Peeps!
9/17/14
Weighty Wednesday -- Insight
Ask anyone who has been on Weight Watchers and gained lifetime what the most pivotal part of the process was, and I bet a large majority will pipe up that it's the meetings.
Over a year ago, I gained lifetime status. I had gotten to my goal weight and maintained it up to a point, but then there were the inevitable fluctuations.
But then something happened last November and I simply stopped caring. Oh, I still went to the meetings and watched my weight continue to escalate. I had the tools to fix this. I had the support of my fellow WW members. I had the support of my leader.
I was missing a key support person in the support of my weight loss.
ME.
If I didn't care enough to make the change, nothing anyone else said, or cheered, or did would make a damn bit of difference. I had hit the wall of apathy, and I had no clue how to get out of it.
Until yesterday.
My friends, I will tell you that the meetings are all important, but it isn't the materials presented to us as much as it is the other people sharing their insights that make the biggest impact on us.
The one person who profoundly affected me was Nina (pronounced Nine-A). She made one comment that struck a cord and made me realize where, and WHY, I managed to go wrong. I can't quote it, since I had so many errands and didn't get a chance to write it down, but to paraphrase,
Over a year ago, I gained lifetime status. I had gotten to my goal weight and maintained it up to a point, but then there were the inevitable fluctuations.
But then something happened last November and I simply stopped caring. Oh, I still went to the meetings and watched my weight continue to escalate. I had the tools to fix this. I had the support of my fellow WW members. I had the support of my leader.
I was missing a key support person in the support of my weight loss.
ME.
If I didn't care enough to make the change, nothing anyone else said, or cheered, or did would make a damn bit of difference. I had hit the wall of apathy, and I had no clue how to get out of it.
Until yesterday.
My friends, I will tell you that the meetings are all important, but it isn't the materials presented to us as much as it is the other people sharing their insights that make the biggest impact on us.
The one person who profoundly affected me was Nina (pronounced Nine-A). She made one comment that struck a cord and made me realize where, and WHY, I managed to go wrong. I can't quote it, since I had so many errands and didn't get a chance to write it down, but to paraphrase,
"If we don't care enough to make the effort to lose weight, then we see this attitude showing up in our other behaviors."
And I thought to myself, "Holy crap! That's it!"
I didn't stop to thank Nina after the meeting because I was afraid that I'd burst into tears, but I have to thank her next week. Her comment was exactly what I needed. She provided me with insight that I hadn't realized.
After I got home, I started putting a timeline together, along with looking at my weight loss graph. And though the dates are rough, the curve of my weight gain was directly related to my inability to write. Almost two years ago, I had lost the need to write. There were numerous reasons: a falling out with my cover artist, the gazillion rejections that eventually, and ultimately, say "You're a failure.", and the stagnation of the story I really wanted to write, but wasn't able to find the words.
Now, this didn't mean that I didn't write, I did, but I wasn't really writing the story that I NEEDED to write.
Fast forward a year and twenty pounds heavier, two weeks ago I started writing the story that stalled. Part of the reason was to give my friend, Meg something to read while recovering from chemotherapy. She's been a staunch supporter of mine for a long time and she loves these characters as much as I do.
Writing about this story and these characters has made me happy again. And when one is happy, one doesn't rely on food to satisfy some deep need.
Now, this doesn't mean all my dreams will come true and the weight will simply melt off. Heck no! It will still be a challenge to make those food choices, but with Nina's insight, I suspect I know how I managed to fall down that hill into self-absorbed depression.
And now that I'm back in the game, I think the support of my WW friends will truly help me get back on the right path and continue this weight loss journey.
Later, Peeps!
9/10/14
Weighty Wednesday-- The Biggest Loser
I periodically tune into The Biggest Loser, but I don't routinely watch the entire season.
I'm excited for the people who have made the decision to drop weight. More power to them, but television also tends to skip over some of the very important factors that play into this show.
True, we see controversy. Heck, that's why so many of these 'reality' shows do so well when you put differing personalities into the same room and lock the door (Survivor, Big Brother). But what the audience sees on Biggest Loser are the intense workouts these contestants do.
This show is just not realistic for the average person trying to lose weight. For one, who really has eight to ten hours in their day to work out. That is how those people get those huge drops in the number on the scales. Think about it, it's a full-time job to work out on that show. The only people I know who work out that much have some sort of funding in the form of sponsorships, or are independently wealthy, or they own a gym, or happen to be a trainer to the stars . . . or manage to get a gig on The Biggest Loser.
I know the show has doctors monitoring the contestants. Some of them have to be monitored closely due to their health issues and the consequences of that much exercise on their systems--heart, lungs, and pancreas (considering most of them are teetering on the edge of diabetes).
But the part I wish they would share with the viewing audience is conveniently left off camera.
The nutritional aspect of the challenge of losing that much weight without destroying their muscles and their kidneys in the process.
The quantity of food these people are consuming changes when they start losing large amounts of weight. I want to see the nutrition classes where the chef teaches the contestant how to lean up a meal without losing the flavor. Or how much is too much. Or how many meals should these people eat. Three big meals is unrealistic, since they would be barfing up their food as soon as they started exercising.
Who cooks those meals? How do they learn to do it themselves?
It's all fine and dandy to tout "It's a life style change.", but what happens when they get back home and their a McDonalds calling their name? Or they start hitting the drive-thru at Starbucks? Or they simply don't have time to exercise due to trying to earn a living?
What really happens off camera after they go home?
What happened to the contestants from the first two or three seasons? Where are they now? Have they managed to maintain their weight loss, or did they succumb to the realities of their life.
What do you all think? Am I just spitting into the wind? Or do you think they need to start showing some of the food parts of this show?
Later, Peeps!
I'm excited for the people who have made the decision to drop weight. More power to them, but television also tends to skip over some of the very important factors that play into this show.
True, we see controversy. Heck, that's why so many of these 'reality' shows do so well when you put differing personalities into the same room and lock the door (Survivor, Big Brother). But what the audience sees on Biggest Loser are the intense workouts these contestants do.
This show is just not realistic for the average person trying to lose weight. For one, who really has eight to ten hours in their day to work out. That is how those people get those huge drops in the number on the scales. Think about it, it's a full-time job to work out on that show. The only people I know who work out that much have some sort of funding in the form of sponsorships, or are independently wealthy, or they own a gym, or happen to be a trainer to the stars . . . or manage to get a gig on The Biggest Loser.
I know the show has doctors monitoring the contestants. Some of them have to be monitored closely due to their health issues and the consequences of that much exercise on their systems--heart, lungs, and pancreas (considering most of them are teetering on the edge of diabetes).
But the part I wish they would share with the viewing audience is conveniently left off camera.
The nutritional aspect of the challenge of losing that much weight without destroying their muscles and their kidneys in the process.
The quantity of food these people are consuming changes when they start losing large amounts of weight. I want to see the nutrition classes where the chef teaches the contestant how to lean up a meal without losing the flavor. Or how much is too much. Or how many meals should these people eat. Three big meals is unrealistic, since they would be barfing up their food as soon as they started exercising.
Who cooks those meals? How do they learn to do it themselves?
It's all fine and dandy to tout "It's a life style change.", but what happens when they get back home and their a McDonalds calling their name? Or they start hitting the drive-thru at Starbucks? Or they simply don't have time to exercise due to trying to earn a living?
What really happens off camera after they go home?
What happened to the contestants from the first two or three seasons? Where are they now? Have they managed to maintain their weight loss, or did they succumb to the realities of their life.
What do you all think? Am I just spitting into the wind? Or do you think they need to start showing some of the food parts of this show?
Later, Peeps!
9/4/14
Weighty Wednesday--Fit Bit Scales
Through an odd string of incidences my BIL had a second set of Fitbit Scales, so he gave it to us since he knew we were a Fitbit family.
It is a VERY nice gift!
There are two features that make this scale better than the digital scale we had been using.
1) the round area showing the digital numbers backlights when you get on the scale. I LOVE this feature! I prefer to weigh first thing in the morning and it tends to be dark when I get up, so I would have to use a flashlight to see the number.
2) this scale knows who you are. When the scale is set up your information from your Fitbit is linked to the scale, which means every time you step on the scale and it records your information, it sends that information to your Fitbit stats page.
If you set a weight goal (I did), it will tell you how many pounds to go, and it also gives you a calculated BMI (NOT a number I was happy to look at!). All this information is at the touch of the computer when you look up your sleep patterns, number of steps, number of miles and how many of those steps were truly active.
All-in-all this scale is a very nice and handy tool to have in the bathroom. But the key to any weight-loss tool is to actually use it.
I think I will since I tend to be a very visual person. The graph is exactly what I need to keep me focused!
Later, Peeps!
It is a VERY nice gift!
1) the round area showing the digital numbers backlights when you get on the scale. I LOVE this feature! I prefer to weigh first thing in the morning and it tends to be dark when I get up, so I would have to use a flashlight to see the number.
2) this scale knows who you are. When the scale is set up your information from your Fitbit is linked to the scale, which means every time you step on the scale and it records your information, it sends that information to your Fitbit stats page.
If you set a weight goal (I did), it will tell you how many pounds to go, and it also gives you a calculated BMI (NOT a number I was happy to look at!). All this information is at the touch of the computer when you look up your sleep patterns, number of steps, number of miles and how many of those steps were truly active.
All-in-all this scale is a very nice and handy tool to have in the bathroom. But the key to any weight-loss tool is to actually use it.
I think I will since I tend to be a very visual person. The graph is exactly what I need to keep me focused!
Later, Peeps!
6/11/14
Weighty Wednesday -- Figuring it out . . . Again
I managed to stay the same weight at this week's weigh-in! YAY!
One of the disadvantages of having a big weight loss one week is the chance that you might rebound and GAIN weight the next week. This has happened to me on more occasions than I care to admit. Staying the same is perfect. Now I have a focus to lose before next week's weigh in.
This last week was fairly challenging in all aspects, but the fact that I managed to keep status quo on my weight and sanity is definitely a plus.
With getting up at 5 to get my daughter across town to a 50 meter pool to swim for 2.5 hours (I walk during this time), doctor's appointments, and then swim in the afternoon for 2.5 hours (I sit and watch Judge Judy). I'm busy chauffeuring the kidlet all over the place!
And to top it all off, we found out that the kidlet needs braces. This was a bit of a shocker because when you look at her smile her teeth are perfectly straight. Well, it turns out that her upper jaw is narrower than her lower jaw, resulting in what is called a cross-bite, which means her back teeth don't really close. This has caused her some pain, so we checked it out. Now there are numerous orthodontist appointments added to the queue for the summer.
In my world, summer has very little structure, which can cause a huge impact with one's ability to lose weight. Movies mean popcorn. Hanging at the house might cause grazing the pantry. Doctor's appointments might mean a quick detour to the local Starbucks for a frappa-lappa-ding-dong coffee.
On the plus side, there are more fresh fruits and veggies available, and grilling proteins tends to be lower in calories than casseroles, stews, and soups.
And then there are the vacations or staycations. I've already pointed out the grazing issue if you happen to spend vacation time on the home front, but don't forget the adult beverages that add a gazillion calories to your day.
If you go away on vacation, it gives you a chance to try new foods, enjoy frou-frou cocktails you would never have at home, or simply snack more because it's available. BUT there is usually more activity in the form of sighseeing, playing on the beach, or walking around an amusement park.
So how do you need to approach the unstructured summer?
One of the disadvantages of having a big weight loss one week is the chance that you might rebound and GAIN weight the next week. This has happened to me on more occasions than I care to admit. Staying the same is perfect. Now I have a focus to lose before next week's weigh in.
This last week was fairly challenging in all aspects, but the fact that I managed to keep status quo on my weight and sanity is definitely a plus.
A reminder--This blog will remain sporadic over the summer until school starts on August 14.
And to top it all off, we found out that the kidlet needs braces. This was a bit of a shocker because when you look at her smile her teeth are perfectly straight. Well, it turns out that her upper jaw is narrower than her lower jaw, resulting in what is called a cross-bite, which means her back teeth don't really close. This has caused her some pain, so we checked it out. Now there are numerous orthodontist appointments added to the queue for the summer.
In my world, summer has very little structure, which can cause a huge impact with one's ability to lose weight. Movies mean popcorn. Hanging at the house might cause grazing the pantry. Doctor's appointments might mean a quick detour to the local Starbucks for a frappa-lappa-ding-dong coffee.
On the plus side, there are more fresh fruits and veggies available, and grilling proteins tends to be lower in calories than casseroles, stews, and soups.
And then there are the vacations or staycations. I've already pointed out the grazing issue if you happen to spend vacation time on the home front, but don't forget the adult beverages that add a gazillion calories to your day.
If you go away on vacation, it gives you a chance to try new foods, enjoy frou-frou cocktails you would never have at home, or simply snack more because it's available. BUT there is usually more activity in the form of sighseeing, playing on the beach, or walking around an amusement park.
So how do you need to approach the unstructured summer?
With a plan!
- One--you know that the summer is crazy, so take that into account when you think about your daily meals.
- Two--only on the rare occasion will the whole day go craptastically. Usually you know what is going to happen: doctor's appointments, library day, free movies, window shopping at the mall, etc.
- Take my yesterday, for example: 5 AM get up to take kidlet to swim. . . .actually 5:12--because kidlet and I slept through the alarm. 5:30--leave house. 6--kidlet swims and I walk. 8:40 --head home. I have 40 minutes to shower and get a package to the post office, and then to my 10:00 Weight Watcher meeting. 10:16 -- leave WW to go home to pick kidlet up. 10:30--Both of us have a hair appointment--cut and color for me, highlights and cut for her. 12:45--Pick up kidlet's friend to go to mall. Eat at mall (grilled chicken wrap from Chik-fil-A). Hang at mall for a couple of hours. Bring friend home. She stays for dinner . . .must plan a meal for dinner. Originally hubs and I would have gone for a walk and had a smoothie for dinner, but not any longer. Cook burgers on the grill, in which I proceeded to burn my arm on the hot grill lid (don't ask). Though the day hadn't gone as I had planned. I still had a plan in place. If I had eaten poorly at lunch, I think I would have over eaten at dinner.
- Three--plan for the unexpected. You know what your day will entail, even if it is simply "go to the library". The key is to think your day through before you start to know how you are going to attack it. If you'll be in the car for a long time, take a mini-snack to tide you over.
Vacation is different, but also the same. If you do manage to go on vacation, then you are already making daily plans. You don't have to eat out at every meal, or go nuts with the selections. Go to the store and stock up on yogurt, or fruit, or healthy snacks.
If you do eat out at every meal, don't make all of them point-heavy. Pick an appetizer for your meal. Eat a salad (but watch out for those 'hidden' WW points--bacon, cheese crumbles, pre-dressed salad, etc). Ask for a half plate. Share your meal. Take some home, if you can, for another meal.
And remember, that it's OKAY to leave food on your plate. This is a biggie for me. In a world where every meal is super-sized, we feel like we should clean our plate. That was the way we were raised, but that was also a time when serving sizes were more appropriately portioned. Many times restaurants serve meals that are 2-3 times LARGER than a 'normal' serving.
Don't get caught in the hype. You don't have to finish it. Yes, it's a waste of food and money, and there will always be starving children, but you eating all the food on your plate won't help them.
Later, Peeps!
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