Wednesday
Tuesday
Shame on Shame
Jennie's comment the other day spurred a thought in my little head. I hope and try to create a feeling of togetherness and understanding no matter what stage in the journey you are on. Someone just starting may think that Molly (random name) several years into the journey has it made. The look from someone's place to Molly's place may look so out of reach that it is beyond trying. But, Molly's journey ahead of her, to her, looks endless as well. That common feeling can bind us and help to motivate or it can put a wedge in between - we choose which.
So, to those that have a hundred pounds I do not look down on you. Believe me I am busy downing on myself. I hope I can say something that can motivate you and your success helps motivate me. I feel so strongly about losing the shame factor in this journey. People are only "better" if you give them that title. If you struggle ask someone you look up to in that area. Push yourself beyond the fear and you will learn and gain power!
So, to those that have a hundred pounds I do not look down on you. Believe me I am busy downing on myself. I hope I can say something that can motivate you and your success helps motivate me. I feel so strongly about losing the shame factor in this journey. People are only "better" if you give them that title. If you struggle ask someone you look up to in that area. Push yourself beyond the fear and you will learn and gain power!
Monday
Consequently
A few weeks ago we sat down our kids for a little family meeting - we try to do this weekly. I told them I wanted to take all that they have learned about good and bad and right and wrong and throw it out the window. I told them that what really matters are the consequences and if they are desirable or not. This was spurred by a discussion on lying. There isn't a clear cut line on that one. While it is lying to tell someone on the phone that mom is in the tub when she is not really home, the positive consequences of that choice to "lie" outweighs the negative ones. Does that make sense? As we continued to talk we thought about a dozen or so choices, mostly negative choices, and their consequences. "You could choose to take drugs or cheat on the test, but you cannot choose the consequences and the chances are high that they would not be positive".
I wanted to take the conversation a little further. I set out five different flavors of Dippin' Dots. I let one kid pick one that he wanted to taste. He did, I asked him if it was good - if he was happy with his choice. I then pointed out that a consequence of his choice was that he got to taste that particular flavor. That was a consequence - a positive one. Also, that he missed out on four other flavors. I asked him what he thought about that consequence, after a minute he could see that there was power in being able to make a choice - a great consequence. Also, that enjoying what he chose was... enjoyable. He really wasn't thinking about what he was missing.
I think this concept directly relates to eating well. Get the good and bad out of your thinking. The cycle of good happy and bad sad creates an emotional cycle that begs for weight to pack on. The consequence of eating a double cheeseburger has its negative consequences for sure but once in a while there is a time when a positive will outweigh them. Careful, there is a thin line here. You might be fooled into thinking "you are having a bad day and a double cheese will make it all better". That takes some more thinking. Only you can really make that choice and deal with its consequences both good and bad.
I wanted to take the conversation a little further. I set out five different flavors of Dippin' Dots. I let one kid pick one that he wanted to taste. He did, I asked him if it was good - if he was happy with his choice. I then pointed out that a consequence of his choice was that he got to taste that particular flavor. That was a consequence - a positive one. Also, that he missed out on four other flavors. I asked him what he thought about that consequence, after a minute he could see that there was power in being able to make a choice - a great consequence. Also, that enjoying what he chose was... enjoyable. He really wasn't thinking about what he was missing.
I think this concept directly relates to eating well. Get the good and bad out of your thinking. The cycle of good happy and bad sad creates an emotional cycle that begs for weight to pack on. The consequence of eating a double cheeseburger has its negative consequences for sure but once in a while there is a time when a positive will outweigh them. Careful, there is a thin line here. You might be fooled into thinking "you are having a bad day and a double cheese will make it all better". That takes some more thinking. Only you can really make that choice and deal with its consequences both good and bad.
Saturday
School Lunch
Check out this clip from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and then pack your kids lunch at least a few times a week. Watch all of the Food Revolution episodes on Hulu.
Friday
Day 30!!!
This 30 day challenge has taught me a lot. I started at 134.2 and ended at 134.4. My average weight is 134.2. I thought that was very interesting. There are a few lessons to take away. First, I ate what I wanted. I did not starve myself or even deprive myself. I watched it and made judgments on what, when and how I ate but it was all worth it. I wished that I could have dropped a few pounds but I didn't. I have two choices now. I can either go strict for a while and hope that I can break through the plateau or I can be happy where I am at. I never want my self worth to come from numbers so I will choose to be happy.
Last night was my hubby's last night of a class he has been taking and we celebrated with a late movie. We saw Date Night , the perfect choice for the mood I was in. I was feeling a little emotional (see yesterday's log for an understanding) not getting the popcorn (I was practically raised on popcorn - really it is true) but, I made it to the previews and I was fine. I have to say the guy's laughter behind us was half the fun. I did have a bite of my husbands carnitas taco we picked up on the way home. BTW, so unfair. His meal calories are at least half of my day's worth. Arrrg!
My advice from this experience would be to really sit back, evaluate your life. What really is possible and feasible? Don't set expectations too high. Don't continually beat yourself up day after day. I hated it that a 135 sent panic through my body and a 132 would send a craving for a Big Mac. I don't have to settle for those emotions - they can change. If I can get on the scale once a week (or not) and just have it be a check-in and nothing more - how could that be bad? No matter what the scale says, it's happy when I am happy and that is the true battle. Feeling your best at your best.
I will continue to add a day here and there about what is going on but, I will stick with motivating, encouraging and hopefully educating. If there are any recipes you want or questions, you can comment (anonymous if you like) or email me by clicking on my profile. Cheers everyone!
PS
Today I am giving myself a day off from exercise - just a little treat for enduring a long marathon:D
Last night was my hubby's last night of a class he has been taking and we celebrated with a late movie. We saw Date Night , the perfect choice for the mood I was in. I was feeling a little emotional (see yesterday's log for an understanding) not getting the popcorn (I was practically raised on popcorn - really it is true) but, I made it to the previews and I was fine. I have to say the guy's laughter behind us was half the fun. I did have a bite of my husbands carnitas taco we picked up on the way home. BTW, so unfair. His meal calories are at least half of my day's worth. Arrrg!
My advice from this experience would be to really sit back, evaluate your life. What really is possible and feasible? Don't set expectations too high. Don't continually beat yourself up day after day. I hated it that a 135 sent panic through my body and a 132 would send a craving for a Big Mac. I don't have to settle for those emotions - they can change. If I can get on the scale once a week (or not) and just have it be a check-in and nothing more - how could that be bad? No matter what the scale says, it's happy when I am happy and that is the true battle. Feeling your best at your best.
I will continue to add a day here and there about what is going on but, I will stick with motivating, encouraging and hopefully educating. If there are any recipes you want or questions, you can comment (anonymous if you like) or email me by clicking on my profile. Cheers everyone!
PS
Today I am giving myself a day off from exercise - just a little treat for enduring a long marathon:D
Thursday
Day 29
Today's weight 134.2
Breakfast - two pieces of fiber bread toast with peanut butter and honey
It was only in the last year that I added the peanut butter. I would prefer just the honey but the fat and protein in the peanut butter helps to break down the sugars slower. When we eat any kind of sugar whether from a starch (rice, four), vegetable, fruit or from anything sweet (or not, anything processed has a lot of sugar as well) our body panics a little with the rush of sugar and sends out insulin which kind of neutralizes the sugar. Any leftover insulin wants its sugar and will send all kinds of cravings through your head. Things like fat and fiber help the body to not panic and the sugars get broken down slower.
292 calories
Lunch - broccoli salad, almond crackers and a slice of ham
287 calories
Snack - A handful of Craisins and a Chex turtle bar -holy yum! Why did I not know about these things?
260 calories
Dinner - bbq beef sandwich and more broccoli salad
545 calories
A whole lot of craziness- some Dots, some Twizzler pull-n-pills (yikie spikie the calories!!!), some cotton candy and some cream cheese frosting. My son had to decorate a cake in the shape of Colorado and decorate it with candy wha wha whaaaaaaaaaa. I also downed some chips to counteract the sweet. The good news is that I have no desire to eat much of anything for a while.
603 calories
By my estimates on myfitnesspal.com I still have a couple of hundred calories before I break even but I am pretty much calling today a wash. I haven't inhaled candy like that in a while and since I don't feel so well I will not be repeating it anytime soon.
Breakfast - two pieces of fiber bread toast with peanut butter and honey
It was only in the last year that I added the peanut butter. I would prefer just the honey but the fat and protein in the peanut butter helps to break down the sugars slower. When we eat any kind of sugar whether from a starch (rice, four), vegetable, fruit or from anything sweet (or not, anything processed has a lot of sugar as well) our body panics a little with the rush of sugar and sends out insulin which kind of neutralizes the sugar. Any leftover insulin wants its sugar and will send all kinds of cravings through your head. Things like fat and fiber help the body to not panic and the sugars get broken down slower.
292 calories
Lunch - broccoli salad, almond crackers and a slice of ham
287 calories
Snack - A handful of Craisins and a Chex turtle bar -holy yum! Why did I not know about these things?
260 calories
Dinner - bbq beef sandwich and more broccoli salad
545 calories
A whole lot of craziness- some Dots, some Twizzler pull-n-pills (yikie spikie the calories!!!), some cotton candy and some cream cheese frosting. My son had to decorate a cake in the shape of Colorado and decorate it with candy wha wha whaaaaaaaaaa. I also downed some chips to counteract the sweet. The good news is that I have no desire to eat much of anything for a while.
603 calories
By my estimates on myfitnesspal.com I still have a couple of hundred calories before I break even but I am pretty much calling today a wash. I haven't inhaled candy like that in a while and since I don't feel so well I will not be repeating it anytime soon.
Wednesday
Day 28
Today's weight 135.4 - ouch!
See what I mean about salt, especially late at night. Oh well, it was worth it.
Breakfast - from scratch blueberry waffles (my dad bought me a huge amount of fresh blueberries when they were on sale last fall and we froze them) with brown sugar syrup
427 calories another ouch!
Lunch - Albacore tuna with mayo, almond crackers and broccoli salad
362 calories
Snack - maple syrup cookies and a few tootsie rolls
174 calories
Dinner - caribbean chicken with rice
516 calories
dessert - chex turtle bar, a caffeine free Dr Pepper and a bubble bath ahhh!
Today I burned 531 more calories than I ate.
See what I mean about salt, especially late at night. Oh well, it was worth it.
Breakfast - from scratch blueberry waffles (my dad bought me a huge amount of fresh blueberries when they were on sale last fall and we froze them) with brown sugar syrup
427 calories another ouch!
Lunch - Albacore tuna with mayo, almond crackers and broccoli salad
362 calories
Snack - maple syrup cookies and a few tootsie rolls
174 calories
Dinner - caribbean chicken with rice
516 calories
dessert - chex turtle bar, a caffeine free Dr Pepper and a bubble bath ahhh!
Today I burned 531 more calories than I ate.
Day 27
Today's weight 133.4
Last night I ended up having a good size handful of Lays lightly salted chips. They were so good and hit the spot. I was craving salt big time and could have eaten the whole bag - oh how I wanted to. But, I have learned the fulfillment of the craving is really a dangling carrot. Rarely do I feel satisfied. Usually my brain is busy busy and downing a bag of chips only directs my brain to other matters - a yucky tummy or a whole lot of guilt, which does help the busy brain. My youngest son used to come to me when he was hurt. Those hurts that just take a few minutes and they are gone but to him, and to me, those minutes would last a lifetime. Once I said "run in a circle and it will help". He did and it did! He is a big seven years old and it doesn't work as well now for him but last night I tried it for myself just for kicks. Surprisingly it worked. Run around a table or just in a big circle for 1 or 2 minutes and your brain will reboot and BING, the craving is gone. Try it!
Breakfast - Silk Chocolate strawberry soy shake with protein powder (yeah! I remembered)
254 calories
Lunch - chicken vegetable soup, two bread sticks, a sugar cookies and 1/2 a brownie.
515 calories
Snack - activia light yogurt
70 calories
Dinner - spaghetti with meat sauce, mixed veggies and some garlic bread
736 calories
Dessert - after the kids were in bed my husband and I snuck (hum? not a real word guess) out to the park and enjoyed the nice weather and a good heart to heart. It was heaven. It was even better with some 7-11 nachos and a diet coke:)
I still managed to burn 250 calories more than I ate.
Last night I ended up having a good size handful of Lays lightly salted chips. They were so good and hit the spot. I was craving salt big time and could have eaten the whole bag - oh how I wanted to. But, I have learned the fulfillment of the craving is really a dangling carrot. Rarely do I feel satisfied. Usually my brain is busy busy and downing a bag of chips only directs my brain to other matters - a yucky tummy or a whole lot of guilt, which does help the busy brain. My youngest son used to come to me when he was hurt. Those hurts that just take a few minutes and they are gone but to him, and to me, those minutes would last a lifetime. Once I said "run in a circle and it will help". He did and it did! He is a big seven years old and it doesn't work as well now for him but last night I tried it for myself just for kicks. Surprisingly it worked. Run around a table or just in a big circle for 1 or 2 minutes and your brain will reboot and BING, the craving is gone. Try it!
Breakfast - Silk Chocolate strawberry soy shake with protein powder (yeah! I remembered)
254 calories
Lunch - chicken vegetable soup, two bread sticks, a sugar cookies and 1/2 a brownie.
515 calories
Snack - activia light yogurt
70 calories
Dinner - spaghetti with meat sauce, mixed veggies and some garlic bread
736 calories
Dessert - after the kids were in bed my husband and I snuck (hum? not a real word guess) out to the park and enjoyed the nice weather and a good heart to heart. It was heaven. It was even better with some 7-11 nachos and a diet coke:)
I still managed to burn 250 calories more than I ate.
Monday
Day 26
Today's weight 133.8
See, eating out makes such a difference for me. My calories were higher yesterday than both Friday and Saturday and my weight is less today than those days:/
Breakfast - my Silk Chocolate strawberry shake
215 calories
Lunch - homemade salad and a fresh cooked tortilla
362 calories
Snack - a caffeine free diet Dr Pepper (caffeine would have been helpful) and two Lorna Doone shortbread cookies
70 calories
Dinner - Chicken cordon Bleu, a baked potato with fat free cottage cheese and frozen peas
622 calories
Dessert - no bake cookies
263 calories
I ended the day burning 600 calories more than I ate.
See, eating out makes such a difference for me. My calories were higher yesterday than both Friday and Saturday and my weight is less today than those days:/
Breakfast - my Silk Chocolate strawberry shake
215 calories
Lunch - homemade salad and a fresh cooked tortilla
362 calories
Snack - a caffeine free diet Dr Pepper (caffeine would have been helpful) and two Lorna Doone shortbread cookies
70 calories
Dinner - Chicken cordon Bleu, a baked potato with fat free cottage cheese and frozen peas
622 calories
Dessert - no bake cookies
263 calories
I ended the day burning 600 calories more than I ate.
Sunday
Day 25
Today's weight 134.4
Breakfast - blender pancakes again
358 calories
Lunch - Taco bake, some trail mix and one bite of a Toblerone bar
751 calories
Dinner - Chocolate chip cookies and a handful of chips
850 calories
Tonight we went on a walk which put me about even on my calories. I burned and I ate! Who says you can't pig out a little?
Breakfast - blender pancakes again
358 calories
Lunch - Taco bake, some trail mix and one bite of a Toblerone bar
751 calories
Dinner - Chocolate chip cookies and a handful of chips
850 calories
Tonight we went on a walk which put me about even on my calories. I burned and I ate! Who says you can't pig out a little?
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