Makes Sense To Me

I am still reading the Dr. David Kessler book about overeating and he brings up something that I cannot believe didn’t occur to me before.

As we all have been told—DO NOT cut your calories too drastically because all that happens is your very efficient body just slows your metabolism so you won’t starve to death when there is not plenty of food to eat.  I am actually happy that we have a mechanism like that otherwise our foraging ancestors would have starved to death and I might not have existed.  So that “fail safe” feature is a good thing.

But

why isn’t the reverse true??  If we overeat why doesn’t our metabolism rev up to burn those extra calories??  To my way of thinking this is a major design flaw.  What’s your opinion??

Another Book

Today I started reading "The End Of Overeating."--"Taking Control Of The Insatiable American Appetite" by David A. Kessler, MD.  What have I learned so far?

1.  The 3 food groups are salt, sugar, and fat.  (Of course Rex has been telling me this for years)
2.  The concept of palatability, scientifically speaking.
3.  Homeostatic system--in humans.

As of this moment I am on page 18.  Since there is 251 pages, I have a very long way to go but I am going to try and paraphrase what I have learned so far so I feel I am comprehending information that is essential to my success. 

The 3 food groups are pretty straight forward and I understand them.  The tricky part about them is recognizing these  (ingredients?) in foods that you would not expect to find them.

I always understood the definition of palatable as something that is tasty and that one would enjoy eating.  But, as I learned, in scientific terms, it means the capacity of a food to stimulate the appetite and prompt us to eat more.  Doesn't that just suck??  All I can say is, now I would really appreciate a perfectly working homeostatic system!  Handy tool that would be....

The homeostatic system was believed to be a biological mechanism to create a balance in our bodies between calories consumed and calories burned.  Well hell yes, something biologic that would control our caloric balance.  Wow that sounds like the perfect trait to naturally have within us.  We would all be the weight we were meant to be if that homeostatic system worked as it was believed it was suppose to.

So what happened?  Keep in mind that I have only read 18 pages of this book, but as I understand it, this system worked for centuries, until the 1970's and 80's. That is when food manufactures started adding fat and sugar to a lot of prepackaged food.  It also is when many cooks stopped making everything from scratch.

I will keep reading this book and pass along information that I find useful and important. 

Have I found part of "THE ANSWER"?  I sure hope so....I am running out of time!!

Back With Internet

I am back in the land of daily Internet access.  Got here yesterday and have been doing a lot of catching up with all the bloggers I like to read.  Now I am ready to write one.

I grew up with a calendar (actually more than one) hanging on the wall.  I still like having a calendar hanging on the wall.  The one I bought this year has a theme:  "Live With Intention".  Every month there is s simple, but cool drawing of a plant and words of wisdom.  The words of wisdom  for September are: "At each stage of learning we must give up something, even if it is a way of life that we have always known".  This quote is credited to Ginevee an Austrailian Aboriginal.

As with other months, I found these words  speaking to me and providing me with food for thought.  To me it means that as we gain knowledge, if we accept what me learn, it sometimes makes it us realize our current behavior might not be in our best interest.  Although I must admit sometimes even after we learn something, making behaviorl changes isn't always easy.

For example, I started smoking as a teenager and just quit 8 years ago.  Now of course, I understood that smoking was not in my best interest health wise but it was very tough to give up that behavior.   I also understand that being overweight or obese is not in my best interest health wise either  and losing it is just not easy.  It is a way of life I have always known---and at this stage of learning not easy to correct. 

This stage of leaning and changing is definitely a work in progress.  Hopefully I am making progress!

Dear Diary-5

September 1.2010

Dear Diary….I recall mentioning that I was going to weigh myself on Sept. 1.  I did and this is the result 183.6#.  I have kept off 15.4# and I am thrilled with that.  It could have been so much worse.  I have not weighed myself since June 1 and I weighed 180.8#. I gained 2.8#….I am so lucky.

I didn’t measure my waist but will in a day or so.

Good thing it is fall and summer is over…seems to bring about renewed commitment. 

Dear Diary-4

August 21, 2010

OK so this is as far as I got with this post…and today’s actual date is September 1, 2010.  Do I really remember what happened on Aug. 21?  Maybe not everything, but I do remember a binge, in  fact I remember that it was the start of a THREE day binge.  It just sucks that i HAVE these binges on a way too regular schedule.  Why can’t I eat 1500 calories a day and be done with it.  I just shovel in food.  Doesn’t even have to be something I like.  It seems to be a quantity issue—just shovel until I just physically can’t anymore.  Does this make any sense?

Dear Diary-3

August 20, 2010

Today I took my waist measurement….not going to weigh myself until Sept. 1 but I did want a way to see if I am making progress.  So my waist is 2 inches bigger than it was on April 9th.  Just love waisting (I know this is not the correct spelling) the last 4 MONTHS!!  But there you go…I did waste it.

I also got in my hour of exercise…Wii and walking.  I am so disgusted with myself.  Why do I drop out of exercise when it makes me feel so great?  No sane reason for it.  I feel confident, strong, and powerful when I exercise daily.  What is wrong with me??  Getting back in the exercise groove the last three days has been amazing.  I just don’t understand why I drop the ball so much.

Eating….so how was eating today?  It was good except for the chocolate strawberry piece of cake I had, but even that was better.  It was better because I ate it mindfully, I really took my time and savored each bite.  A vast difference from my usual habit of stuffing it in as fast as I can. Another difference, I enjoyed it instead of feeling guilty….I also stopped with one piece instead of having more.

Progress in my estimation!

Quinoa

I have been trying to incorporate new (to me), healthy foods into my diet.  Quinoa came to my attention, so I decided to try it.

 

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) was called “the mother grain” by the ancient Incas.  It has protein in it,  5 grams in a 1/4 cup serving,   highly unusual for a grain. 

It has a bland flavor which makes it perfect to “doctor” up.  I put onions, red peppers, tomatoes, celery, garlic, and ginger in mine.  Mostly I was using up foods in my fridge-but I thought it tasted great.  It is very versatile and can be used in soups, salads, breads, puddings or as a breakfast cereal.  I have used it as a substitute for rice in a stuffed eggplant dish and also mixed with chicken and mushrooms for another dish. 

Quinoa is something that  will find it’s way to my plate more often.

Dear Diary-2

August 19, 2010

Today I did 30 minutes using the Wii and walked for 30 minutes meeting my goal of an hour of exercise a day for 5 days in a row.  Two down 3 to go…..there will most likely be a day between day 4 and day 5 as we have a wedding to go to on Sunday and other errands that have to be done.  I know that sounds like an excuse and, of course, it is but Saturday night I work until 4 AM on Sunday so getting up before errands and the wedding will be tough.  I don’t know maybe my workout can be in little 10 or 15 minutes bursts throughout the day.  I’ll have to think about it and see what I can come up with.

My eating was within the guidelines I have set up so that wasn’t a problem today.

Dear Diary…..keep me honest and on course…PLEASE!!

See you tomorrow.

Dear Diary

August 18, 2010

Dear Diary,

Today I worked out with the Wii for 30 minutes and walked for 30 minutes.  My Wii informed me it had been SIXTY TWO days since my last Wii session.  Well I can confirm that it was pretty damn accurate.  Damn, why am I back to this point again?  I sort of quit exercising when the temps got to 105 and I just couldn’t whip up the energy although I did walk sporadically.

The last time I was on a scale was June 1 and I weighed 180.8#.  I will not weigh again until September 1 and pray that I don’t weigh 190 something.  That is one reason I am waiting 2 weeks to weigh, because I want a little time to get a head start and not be totally depressed about the number I am sure is there.  To that end I am committed to working out an hour a day for the next 5 days.

So how about the other component of this never ending battle?  My eating for the last couple of days has been between 1200 and 1300 calories.  My goal for the next two weeks (and beyond) is to not exceed 1500 calories on any one day.   This is always the problem part for me and it isn’t that I don’t eat extremely well with lots of vegetables and fruit.  I also usually have fish two or three times a week.  So what is the problem?  I have a sweet tooth that doesn’t quit.  I know a cookie won’t tank my diet but the whole bag will and I don’t seem to be able to stop with one. 

Anyway Dear Diary……help me stay the course.  I know how, it’s just the action part that I have a problem with.  See you tomorrow.

Will You Be Nice To Me?

I am a table games dealer in a casino in Nevada so here is something that I deal with on a daily basis.

WOW…”will you be nice to me”?  I hear that question a LOT.  It always flusters me.  What is really being said?

Do you really mean will I be polite to you?  Of course…why wouldn’t I be?

Do you really mean “will I let you win every hand?  Of course not!!  Anyway you you already know you won’t.  And even if you did, that would be boring and would totally defeat the purpose of gambling.

Quite frankly, if you win OR lose overall, has a lot more to do with you and the other players at the table than it does with me.

This   is what I do…make sure you make your bet correctly and place the proper cards in front of your bet. I also read the hands and correctly determine the winner and of course, pay that winner the right amount.

So if you come to a casino and play at a table game, do yourself a favor.  Know how to play he game and give yourself the best chance of winning by following the guidelines.  It will make your gaming experience better and just maybe profitable……but always remember being lucky really helps and so does a positive mental attitude.

Makes Sense To Me

I have been reading “WOMEN FOOD AND GOD” by Geneen Roth.   I first heard about this book when the author was interviewed by Oprah. The following paragraph from that book is something each and every one of us that struggles with weight or any other obsession needs to read.  Here it is:

“The bottom line, whether you weigh 340 pounds or 150 pounds, is that when you eat when you are not hungry, you are using food as a drug, grappling with boredom or illness or loss or grief or emptiness or loneliness or rejection.  Food is only  the middleman, the means to the end.  Of altering your emotions.  Of making yourself numb.  Of creating a secondary problem when the original problem becomes too uncomfortable.  Of dying slowly rather than coming to terms with your messy, magnificent and very, very short—even at a hundred years old—life.  The means to these ends happens to be food, but it could be alcohol, it could be work, it could be sex, it could be cocaine.  Surfing the Internet.  Talking on the phone.”

That is so profound I have spent all day thinking about it….I do a lot of eating when I am not hungry especially at night.  Wow what a concept ONLY EAT WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY or at the very least, to be honest enough with myself to pinpoint the real reason I am  stuffing cookies I don’t even like in my mouth as fast as I can without choking.  This is something I will be working on A LOT.

Summer Without Internet: Part 2

The other day I mentioned some of the things I have been doing to occupy myself this summer without internet, today I want to think about what I miss.

I miss reading other blogs.  I always learn something and sometimes they give me ideas for content on my blog.  For example, I wrote why I exercise because one of the  bloggers did a poll asking that question.  I don’t know why, but for some reason the answers  they give you to choose from don’t apply to me.  So a post with my reasons for exercising makes sense to me.

I find I like concise blogs that give me food for thought.  Sarah Jio is one of my favorites,  she writes a lot for Glamour magazine.  I read a lot of blogs on “Shine” too.  I enjoys Jen Emmert at www.priorfatgirl.com, although her posts are pretty long.   I actually quit reading a few because they were just too long, too much.  Although I do find that I miss the bloggers themselves and do check in on them, just not as often.

I also feel that I have let myself down with this blog.  I could use livewriter as I am today to write one, but I have not been updating my blog as often as I would like to.  Just seems more difficult to me withort that instant gratification of having it published.  I need to work on that.

I miss the news or I should say the news that interests me.  I am pretty selective about what I want information on.

Otherwise, I am sort of glad I have time to do other things and enjoy the physical space I have available to explore this summer.  I am so lucky!!

Summer Without Internet

So what does one do without Internet  service for the summer?

Number 1 on the list:  Spending A LOT more time outside.  This is pretty easy when you live on 40 acres in the Southwest.  Did I mention that summer temps here can be, and frequently are, over 110?    On the BIG plus side, I get to experience beautiful landscape, very rugged  and with a degree of danger…so far I have had 4 encounters with snakes…..2 rattlers and 2 red racers.  Burros also run  wild around here,  as do jackrabbits, lizards, coyotes, quail, several types of rodents, and a lot of stuff I don’t even know about. Yup I have been spending a lot of time enjoying this place.

Another thing I have been doing is putting together puzzles.  It is a great mind vacation.  They are challenging and allow you to use your eyesight, your ability to recognize complex shapes, and your patience level!!  If you focus on finding the pieces,  your mind clears and it is so nice to get thoughts to go away for a while.    Of course, studying pieces and be tedious and frustrating, but really fun when your find that long sought after piece.

Lean, Strong, Healthy, and Rich

Ever think about what  adjectives you would like used to describe yourself.  For me, I would like lean, strong, healthy, and rich.  At the moment two of them apply: strong and healthy.  Actually healthy is the most important and I am grateful that I am a healthy person.  I am doing whatever I can to stay healthy-exercising, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and fish.  The lean part is getting more attainable due to working out.

Don’t get me wrong, there are other adjectives I would like people to think when the see me--kind, good hearted, generous, and just plain nice but those four are my goal.

Rich—not yet but I keep buy Power Ball tickets!!  Maybe someday!!  Got my fingers crossed.

A Plan For Summer

Now that my vacation is over, I am working on me again.  This weeks goal is to do 20 minutes of yoga every morning when I first get up.  Actually a few months ago, I did do 20 minutes of yoga poses when I first got up--so what the hell happened?  Don't really know, just got lazy and complacent I guess.  Tomorrow is Monday and the traditional day of new beginnings. 

I can, I will!!

P. S,  For the summer I am staying at a place without Internet so my postings will be somewhat sporatic, but they will be made when ever I can.

Is This Old

Does it mean you are old when you have no clue who most of the people are that appear on most red carpets?  Apparently I have lost touch with the young famous people.  I just don't recognize any names.

Today Oprah had on a 16 year old Justin Bieber and 18 year old Charice.  Had no clue who he was but did recognize Charice the minute she sang-who could forget a huge voice like that coming out of that tiny girl?  I had seen her on Oprah's show a couple of years ago.

Anyway-today I am feeling very, very old and out of touch!

A Week!!

Once again I have let a week go by without blogging....

My only excuse, I am on vacation and have not had Internet access everyday.  We have been having a great time, but I am positive the scale will not be happy with me when I get home.  I have been working out though, but it is tough not to eat stuff I shouldn't. 

When I get home I have a plan to get back on track......

I can, I will!

Having Children Is Not About You..

Having children is not about you, or at least not ALL about you.  Does anyone ever wonder if the child you are thinking about having will be emotionally nurtured and physically cared for, in the situation you will be providing?  I know I sure didn't before I became a parent.  Will that child you want be raised in an atmosphere where both parents like and respect each other?  Mine sure weren't. 

I can't believe that this soceity does not find a way to put a stop to this indescriminate population explosion.  This is such a dis-service to  children.  Too many children are being born to children.  My 21 year old grandson has a daughter that is 4 or 5.  HE is still a child and he is not alone, multiply this by hundreds of thousands. 

What a difference it would make if we would all wait to bring a precious life into this world until becoming an adult ourselvers.  I know I would have been a totally different parent.  And I would have tried to be wise in selecting the person to share this experience with.

I was a terrible Mother and since Mother's Day is coming up, I decided to be honest about my experience as a Mother and to try and make people understand that MY CHILDREN are paying a price  because I didn't have a clue about how to care for them.    I never required anything from them and I never taught them to do anything.  I cannot even begin to express how sad I am about this.  We all missed out because I was way too immature.  Needless to say, I do not have one maternal instinct in my body. And I became a single parent at a young age.  These are all facts.

To all of these people that say:

I want to have a baby, I want to have a baby....

Consider what the baby (toddler, preschooler, grade schooler, middle schooler, teenager  because they don't stay a baby),  might want.....

Having a CHILD is not ONLY about YOU!!

Tatoos Are Forever

Tatoos, like daimonds, are forever......UNLESS, of course, you have a LOT of cash and a HIGH tolerance for PAIN.

I sincerely hope all of these pretty young people I see with tatoos on their necks, arms, legs, boobs, and just above the crack of their ass, asked themselves one question first:

If this was a blouse would I want to wear it THE REST OF MY LIFE?

Before giving a tattooist permission to tattoo your skin , (your largest, and most visible organ),  please consider the life long relationship you will have with it.

The Thursday, March 11,2010 post on http://www.msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/ addresses, in a very personal way, the issue of tattoos and tattoo remorse. 

Be sure, be VERY sure if you choose to get a tattoo......because....

TATTOOS ARE FOREVER!!

Free Form

We all have them, days that we just don't make it to the gym and the expected walk around the park didn't happen either.  Today was one of those days.

So here I sit thinking: What I can easily do right here and right now?   I want to something that feels GREAT and something I don't have to think about.  Something that "opens the door and flows through the whole place".

I LOVE body movement. Especially moves that stretch my muscles.  Taking a stretchy band and starting with it in my hands held apart and stretched to the point of very firm tension.  I just move my arms back and forth as much as I can without relaxing the tension.  I can make the band one or two layers, it just changes the effort it takes to engage your arm muscles.  Then I just move my body with the idea of "stretching" your muscles until it feels wonderful.  Your workout follows your imagination - which makes it "free form".  Just try it, I found moving with my stretchy band was really relaxing- nothing is right or wrong-just move and stretch.  Your body will let you know what feels good.

Wow...it really felt great!!  Good idea Mary!!

I can, I will!!

P. S.  In all honesty, I have found  stretching with a stretchy band  is a real "turn on"  if you do it front of your loved one.  I don't necessarily mean right in front of....the same room works!!

I really can, I really will!

Stuck

I am stuck and feel like a fraud!!  I have been going up and down the same 2 pounds for about 6 weeks.  Have you ever heard this definition of insanity:  Doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.?  That is me.  What is my problem? 

I feel comfortable now, even though I know I would feel even more comfortable 10, 15, 20 pounds less.  One thing, my knees have been bothering me and I am sure it is arthritis in them.  I know that each pound you lose will take 4 pounds of pressure off your knees so what is my problem?  I know that my knees need the relief and I would be much happier. 

So here I am and feeling like I am spinning my wheels, but I have to look at the bright side because I have told myself that 2010 is the year I am going to improve myself and be more positive overall.  So in the past I know I would have just thrown in the towel by now and given into all of my cravings.  I am only talking 2 pounds here not 10 or 20 (which is easily doable for me).

The last two day I have taken to carrying around a piece of paper with the following quote from Jen at http://www.priorfatgirl.com/:

One day at a time
One decision at a time
One bite at a time

STAND UP AND FIGHT!!

I am reading this often and it has helped me not to overindulge.

I can, I will!!

Going On Vacation

On Monday April 26th we will be leaving on vacation.  We are going to Wisconsin to see family.  I will be fortunate enough to celebrate my Mother's 89th birthday and Mother's Day with her.  Not to mention visiting with 6 grandchildren and 3 children. 

So do I have a game plan to make it a "healthy" vacation or a "pig out" and gain 10# on vacation"?

Yes I do.

At first I was going to take my bathroom scale with me, but I have changed my mind.  I am going to weigh myself on April 26 and not again until we get back around May 12 or 13.  I am going to trust myself to make healthful choices.   On May 13 or 14 we'll see if I am trustworthy.

I can, I will!!

Lifestyle Changes

I recently read something about how some of us treat the week end as a Holiday!!  Which is to say, we over indulge overselves with  food.  I AM FIRMLY ON THIS LIST!!    I usually have the  lowest weight of the week on Sunday morning -- I have Sunday's and Monday's off.  Tuesday morning is a scale nightmare which I have learned to avoid by not weighing until Friday or Saturday.....when I am closer to Sunday's weight.  This is becomming a bad cycle that I am having trouble breaking.

Today is Monday.

For my snacking monster I counted out one serving of  flat pretzels  (11 for 110 calories.  I am dragging it out.  I ate about half of them with salsa 2 hours ago, after which I put the rest in a container with a 4 sided lid and put them on the kitchen counter (being mindful helped with this),......then got busy with other things.  This is a new and positive behavior for me.  Something I need to encourage-which is why I am writing about it.

What did I do most of the time??  I would put the whole package of pretzels beside me and mindlessly eat the whole bag.

So a while ago my snacking monster was taunting me, distracting me, and making me think about food (I am NOT hungry) so I steamed some broccoli and cauliflower and took a  long time to eat it.  This whole large looking amount of broccoli and cauliflower was about 125 calories!!  Think volume!! This is a new and positive behavior for me. Something I need to encourage-which is why I am writing about it.

What did I do most of the time?  I would decide it was too much work to steam the veggies and grab something prepackaged.  (Even if 100 calorie packs, I am capable of eating all 6 packages in the box).

It is obvious to me that I have the bottom line decision as to what I do....I am making the healthy choice more and more often.  I need to encourage that behavior in myself as much as I would to anyone else making the effort.

I can, I will!!

A Great Read

I think I have mentioned before that Jen at http://www.priorfatgirl.com/ is one of my favorite bloggers.  And if I didn't think this before, I sure would after reading her blogs from 4-12-10 to 4-16-10.  The blog on 4-16 is particularly inspiring.  What she writes makes perfect sense and needs to be said and emphasized over and over.

We have control.

Over what we eat.

Over how we move, how much we move,  and when we move.

Over our attitude.

Over our willingness to do whatever it takes.

Anyway I am very inspired and will reread her post of 4-16 everyday for a while.

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed Week Ending 4-11-10

WOW ....I haven't posted in almost a week!!  It's been a long time since that happened.  One of those weeks that just get away from you.  I have been laid low with a bad sore throat, then a cold.  Sounds like a bad excuse I know, but I did manage to get to the gym 3 times.  Doing that and getting my rest was about all I could manage.

So better late than never.

What caught my eye this past week.

1.  The April 7th blog from Sarah Jio regarding a comparison between a fast food burger and a homemade one.  The study was to show  the "rot" rate of each.  Let's just say, the fast food burger is a lot more photogenic after 11 days in a 68 degree room than a homemade one is.

2.  Six nutrients we should include daily:  fiber, calcium & vitamin D, good fats, protein, water, and green tea.  Something else to strive for.

3.   An article about making your own snack packs, it focused on the "green" wrapper  rather the contents of them.

4.  Vibram five-fingered sprints come in a lot more colors than I have seen on the Web.

5.  Stephen at http://www.whoatemyblog.com/ had this quote in one of his posts and I enjoyed it!!

"Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss you'll land among the stars".  - Brian Littrell

Love that thought!!

I can, I will!!

Pictures

Easter week-end and this weekend we were in Vegas.   When we go to Vegas, Rex takes lots of pictures.

I have a healthy viewpoint of many aspects of life in general and my life in particular.  Mostly I am a pleasant, happy person with many things to be grateful for.  But I have one MAJOR handicap and it is:

I LOOK LIKE HELL IN PICTURES

I always look grumpy, no matter how I try to smile, or laugh or whatever.  I have come to the conclusion that having a good picture taken of yourself is a skill--one I have NEVER learned.  How disgusting is that??

I don't think I can on this one!!

I Like Life To Sparkle and Shine

I often say "I like life to sparkle and shine, and if it doesn't, I don't want to play".  What do I mean by that?

I don't like being constantly barraged by negativetly.  And for some reason, non-stop news and most conversations having negative comments constantly, TV shows like Nancy Grace's  doesn't make life sparkle and shine for me.  Maybe that is why I am basically a loner.  I admit, I like my surroundings to be more calm and positive.

Life sparkles and shines, when I concentrate on the  positive stuff.  I love to cook -looking at recipes, planning meals,buying groceries, and cooking fun dishes is an activity that sparkles and shines for me.

More sparkle and shine:

Spending time with Rex.

Learning about being healthy and other positive information .

Being physically strong.

Learning to appreciate myself and my life.

It is important to realize....sparkle and shine is unique to each  of us.  What trips my trigger might not appeal to you, but that's the way it is suppose to be.  What is your "sparkle and shine"?

I can, I will!!

Sarah Jio

I often refer to health and fitness blogs written by Sarah Jio.  She is a freelance writer that contributes to Glamour magazine. www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/   She is not the only contributor but, by far, the most prolific. 

 I have also seen her posts in the healthy living section of Yahoo.  She recently sold her first novel that I believe will be released sometime in 2011.  I am looking forward to that.

Sarah Jio thank you for adding to my health and fitness knowledge, I have learned a lot from your blogs!!

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed Week Ending 4/4/10

Another week down the tubes.  Here is what I saw this week that caught my interest.

1,  I get a newsletter from Oprah and it had a link to an article by trainer Andrea Metcalf about burning more calories while walking.  Some of the suggestions are heel walking, side walking, crossover or grapevine walking, and waist whittler walking.  A description of these techniques can be found on Oprah's website. 

2.  Lynn at http://www.escapefromobesity/ wrote  a review of "Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life" by Thich Nhat Hahn and Dr. Lilian Cheuong.  This interested me because I have been trying to be more mindful as I eat.  Paying attention makes me fill up faster.

3.  Another book recommended by Oprah.  "Women, Food, and God" by Geneen Roth.  There is an excerpt of the book is in the April issue of Oprah's magazine.  I will be reading that during my trip to the library this week.

I can, I will!!

Will Be Gone

I'm going to be in Vegas for a couple of days....

I know hardly anyone is actually reading this blog, but I want to pretend I have lots of readers that would miss me and think I quit if nothing new was up for a few days.  Just an unexpected couple of days out of town.

Check back in a couple of days..............I didn't quit.

I can, I will!!

March Was A Bust

As far as losing weight goes, March was a bust.  I started the month out at 182.8 and ended at 181.2.  Before March became a reality, I was expecting to battle the 170s.  But nooooooooooooooo, I kept bouncing right back up to the 180s.  Not even 2 pounds, how disgusting is that?  What makes it even worse is that my low during March was 177.0 so I had to opportunity to have a great month, but I BLEW IT!!

April will be better, as God is my witness....

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed W/E 3-29-10

Another week to recap.

1.  The muscles I was feeling a couple of weeks ago are "rectus abdominis".  I remembered to get a book on anatomy from the library last week.  I will keep it checked out for the time being.....I may need more part names. 

2.  I am getting older, faster, every year....my birthday is next week!  Didn't I just have one???  The years seem to be on "fast forward".  I will be 60...not sure what to make of that!!  But it's better than dead!!

3. I noticed most bloggers I read eat oatmeal for breakfast..so I have learned how to eat oatmeal also.  I eat steel cut--more palatable I think

So it goes!

I can, I will!!

I Was Inspired!!

A few days ago, I posted about being out of control.  I mentioned that I was going to go back and re-read some of MY posts.  I am so glad I did.  January was a particularly good month for blogs.  Most of them did in fact inspire me.

Yup, I can and will inspire myself.

The last 3 or 4 days have been great and I have been to the gym twice.  I have to remember to cheer myself on.......because...I am the only person I live with 24/7 and I have my own best interest at heart and I have to quit indulging myself with food.

I believe in indulging myself, but with not with food. 

I want to feel good.  I want to be healthy.  I want to live a purposeful life. 

I can , I will!!

Cellulite Anyone?

My legs look AWFUL!!  They are lumpy, bumpy, and have some loose skin on them (happy to have lost some weight, but this skin is a challenge).  On top of that, no matter how often I put lotion on them, the skin on my legs seems dry.  So what can I do about this??

I don't know if it will make much of a difference or not, but I have decided to massage my legs each evening with safflower oil.  I am massaging toward my heart.  Will this improve my cellulite?  I don't have a clue, but I can't help but feel it won't do any harm.  AND if nothing else I think my skin will look a lot less dry.  I'll keep you posted on how this turns out.

I guess this falls in the category of improving my body.

I can, I will!!

What I Noticed Week Ending 3-21-10

I like to recap what catches my attention each week.  Here are some of the things I noticed last week.

CHECK AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR INFO ON ANOTHER GREAT GIVEAWAY!!

1.  Sarah Jio blogged about a yogurt I have been eating for about 3 or 4 months.  It is  "Oikos" organic Greek yogurt by Stonyfield.  I have seen it in plain, blueberry, honey, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

I really like the vanilla because I stir cinnamon in it.  Dr. Oz says to eat cinnamon daily.

2.  Another thing I learned on Dr. Oz...make a mask using 2 tablespoons raw honey and mix it wih 1 tablespoon of clay.  Thin it with water and smear it on your face.  This moisturizing mask draws the impurities and toxins out of your skin.  Leave on for 15 minutes.                                                                                                                

3.  French people tend to eat slowly and really savor their food.  It is mindful eating and a habit that needs to be generated by all of us.                                                     

I guess we all should stop and smell the roses!!

I can, I will!!

Jen, at http://www.priorfatgirl.com/ is giving away a yoga video.  Must enter by midnight tonight!!

But I'm Going To.

Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I said- "No I don't want to"?  Well today I came to the conclusion that I need to.  And why do I need to?  Because I am not eating enough.  Ya that's right, I am not eating enough and it is affecting my progress.  I need to keep eating between 1200 and 1500 calories a day but I am not doing that, at least that is what I have decided.  So I am going back to basics and journaling. 

I will journal this week.  I know I am never going to be a daily journaler  but a week at a time is doable for me.  So that is what I am doing this week.

I have been so frustrated the last couple of days, my Internet connection keeps kicking me off and I can't make get to my blogging pages for more than a minute or two at a time.  Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

I can, I will!!

In Control

Last week, I felt strong and in control.  I was superwoman, I couldn't be tempted by mere food, I worked out a lot.  I was strong......this week....not so much.

What is the difference?  I don't have TOM  anymore so that isn't it.  The weather is great, sunny and warm, so that isn't depressing me.  What is making me feel like I am spinning out of control and overeating?  I have only gained 2 pounds so I haven't gone over the moon but I still feel disappointed in myself for backsliding at all.  I absolutely hate to have to loose the same pounds over and over.  Talk about inefficient.

This is like fighting a war.  You can never relax your vigilance.  It's why maintaining weight loss is so hard because you are never finished.  It  also is not easy to commit, because real success is committment  FOREVER!!! Not only that, I have become comfortable with a 20# weight loss.  Not at all logical.....if 20# feels this much better, how incredible will 30#, 40#, or 50# feel?  I have to really fight to not lose sight of the ultimate goal.  THIS SHIT NEVER ENDS!!  Frustration is running rampant within me.  I've decided to go back and read some of my previous blogs to re-motivate myself and to remind myself of actions that are successful. 

Because......

I can AND I will!!

Overload

My God there is a lot of information out there!  I am trying to find a new way in 2010.  That isn't exactly accurate, I have read all of my life and have always been interested in self improvement.  I've wanted to improve myself and am reading a lot of material on a variety of  topics.  Mostly, the overall theme is health, fitness, positive mental attitude.  All geared toward improving myself and my life.  BUT, there is just way too much. 

I can only absorb and act on so much.  I have to sift through a lot of information and decide what makes sense for me and my lifestyle.  I do have to say I am making overall progress which is my aim. 

I can, I will!!

A Nice Ass

I got a NSV (non scale victory) thrown my way today.  Rex told me I had a nice ass..that it looks smaller.  Wow, my Yoga trainer on Wii Fit Plus says some poses improve your gluts.....I think that was his way of  saying you would get "a nice ass".   Works for me!!

I can, I will!!

Another Weeks Wrap-up 3-14-10

This week was sort of lean as far as what caught my eye but here goes.

Resveratrol is an important nutrient that comes from red grape skins.  It is found to have the following health benefits:  Improves heart health, reduces risk of cancer and other diseases. It also slows aging and some diseases associated with aging.  WOW--how can we ignore this wonderful stuff??  I decided to get mine via a glass of red wine daily.  I take way too many pills already. (none prescription, all supplements).

I found feedjit.com to add a widget to my blog that tells me where my readers are coming from.  So far it's just me and strength faith hope at http://www.roadto50andhealth.blogger.com/.  She just started a blog to chronicle her weight loss journey and has been kind enough to become a follower. THANK YOU!  I found a reference to her on http://www.fab50.blogspot.com/. 

The community of women out there all working on this goal is amazing.  Most are articulate and  creative.  Really cool!! I realized, I need to find blogs that are interesting to me, from a variety of age groups.  I find it interesting to hear different points of view.

Another week has flown by, where does all of this time go?? 

I can, I will!!

I LOVE To Dance!!

I came home from work tonight (Saturday) and had a couple glasses of wine-a new one I have been wanting to try.  Then, since there wasn't anything on TV I wanted to see, I decided to listen to the 60s and 70s radio stations.  The music was great and made me want to dance. OK so I got up and danced for 1.5 hours!!  Now that is what I call BONUS exercise......effortless and so much fun I was shocked at how much time had gone by.

Oh and by the way, I was a fabulous dancer in the 60s and 70s......and I am a fabulous dancer now!!

I can, I will!!

A giveaway:
Where: http://www.embracingbalance.com/
When:  blog dated March 15, 2010

Enter for a chance to win!!

I can, I will!!

No I Don't Want To

This blog is about my journey to improve myself and my life.  Part of that journey is  trying a variety of techniques to attain positive results.  I have been on a diet as long as I can remember. I am not good at it because I don't want to journal, I don't want to count calories, and  I don't want to count reps while exercising.  So I have decided I don't want to be "on a diet" but I do want certain results. 

This is how I want to achieve the results I am interested in.

Cooking and food.  I select a recipe based on whether or not I have the ingredients, it sounds interesting or challenging to make, and if the ingredients are "healthy".  I choose to eat  proper portions.  I follow the recipe and divide it up and take it for my lunch at work.  Eating the same thing everyday is not that big a deal to me.  Next week I will find another recipe that sounds good.  I just want achieving results to be the result of the  decisions I have to make on a daily basis no matter what my lifestyle is. I don't want to feel like I have to find extra time or make extra work for myself.  It has to be easy and efficient.

Moving or exercise.  I make time most weeks to go the gym and do Wii Fit Plus.  In addition, I use a stretchy band for only minutes at a time, I might run or march in place if I have 1 or 2 minutes left on my timer or during commercials.  The point is, I stretch, run in place, lift a dumbbell or two while just moving around the house.  It all adds up and at least I don't ever do "nothing". 

The bottom line on moving:  Move your body in such a way as it feel good to you.  Hold yoga poses, stretch, stretch, and stretch some more, run.  Do whatever "off the to top of your head" moves you can whenever your have a minute or two.  Start today......and remember:  doing SOMETHING is better than doing NOTHING.

Another thought:  Success breeds success!!

I just want to make life  simple and efficient.

Remember, your success is NOT measured by how much time you spent journaling, counting calories, but by the change in attitude, food choices, and how your body moves and looks.  In other words: visible results!!

I can, I will!!

How Do You Visualize Obesity?

When I see an obese or morbidly obese person, I visualize them as a normal sized person encased in a mountain of   lard.  Layer upon layer of fat surrounding and trapping their bodies.  Sadly I don't have far to look.....my son is morbidly obese.  Because of this he has had a very sad and lonely life.  I wish he would find a way to break out of obesity but, as yet, he has not.
 
I have been obese most of my life and  am currently working hard on getting rid of my layers.  I am feeling better and better about my results.  It's not fast enough but it is there. I am noticing changes and  they are improving my life.  Removing layers is fun and exciting.  It is a lot of hard work.  Actually as I say it is a lot of hard work, I realize that no, it is a way of life.  A way of life that requires one to be "mindful" of what and how much you are eating and how you are moving your body.  To be successful, I think it is essential that mindful eating and exercising become second nature.  Just one more thing to add to your daily schedule.

Obesity and morbid obesity are horrible problems and giant burdens to live with.  I don't care what anyone says..nobody wants to have this problem and unfortunately, it has become "runaway".  The problem is rampant in our society.  How did it get to be so incredibly common place?  Why did our society become so fat?  I suspect the reasons are as diverse as the people that are carrying around these tons of unwanted pounds.  I grew up on a farm and my daily life included physical activity, unfortunately, I see today's kids as not having physical activity as part of their daily life.  On top of that, way too many people decide that "take out" food is "what's for dinner", breakfast, and lunch too for that matter.  And most of that food is high fat, carb loaded, "super" sized portioned, or just plain unhealthy.  There is certainly no shortage of reasons of why we got in this sorry state but what are we going to do about it?  There is a ton of information out there to tell us what to do.  The problem, as I see it, is we all have to get over our laziness and our lack of commitment and our willingness to make excuses.  If you want to change your "obesity" status, you have to make the commitment and change the way you live your life.  It is not easy (at first) but it is DO-ABLE!!

I can, I will!!

You can too!!  Will you??


I can, I will!!

Exercise-Why Do It?

I read a blog the other day that asked the question:  Why do you really exercise?  So I started thinking about how I would answer.

I exercise so my body will move easily, look fit,  and be strong.  I have spent a lot of time in an atmosphere that allows me to observe people, a lot of them senior citizens.  Because of my observations, I decided that I don't want to amble, I don't want to shuffle, and I don't want to be bent and stooped. (Quite honestly, observing senior citizens smoking, was good incentive to quit before I became one).  Seeing what your fate could be  at an older age can  give you a lot to think about when you are faced with choices.  More and more, the healthy choices look to be the ones for me.

I exercise because I can.  Seeing people with a wide variety of physical disabilities made me realize how very lucky I am to be healthy.  I can no longer squander that  good health by not nurturing it and taking care of myself.  I have come to believe what we pay attention to, give thought to, and work at, is what will be reflected in the lifestyle we are able to live.  I intend to be as healthy as I possibly can.  I am willing and determined to work at it.

I exercise because I want to always be capable.  I want to take care of my life myself.

I exercise because I want to give my body every opportunity to feel great and look good.  My body is a wonderful machine and I have come to understand that exercise and whole foods are the fuel it needs for optimum performance.  It needs to be appreciated.

I can, I will!!

Random Thoughts W/E 3-7-10

OK so this week, I'm not sure if I noticed things, or just had random thoughts.  Here goes.

While out walking, I noticed muscles in my ab area, not really sure what they are called - I need to look up muscle names.  As I feel them, I want to visualize them.  Precisely which ones have escaped the bonds of blubber and are finally doing their intended job?  It is so cool!  It's like removing layers....now I can't wait until the next layer goes away!!

I noticed that several bloggers list the nutrients values  of  foods, for example, walnuts have omega 3 oil.
Is it important to you to know this?  If someone like Dr. Oz endorses the addition of, say walnuts , to your diet would that be enough information for you to include them?  Would knowing the specific nutritional information be important to you or is it just enough to just know something is good for you? 

One result of exercising consistently and regularly is a different physical carriage, I am a lot more aware  of my posture.  Oprah referred to this effect as one's "strut".  I would add more self confidence to the list of benefits as well.

That is what I noticed this week.

I can, I will!!

Vibram Five-Fingured Shoes

I recently posted about my Vibram Five-Fingered Sprint shoes.  After wearing them for a while, I must confess that I absolutely LOVE them and am thinking about getting another pair.  I put them on within 10 to 15 of getting up in the morning and don't take them off until I either go to work or bed.

I wanted these shoes because I kind of thought I might be able to run (God knows why I thought that!)  Dr. Oz had them on his show and demonstrated how our ancestors ran for hours barefooted.  It looked doable to me.  I even thought it might be fun to train for a 5K-not going to do that.  Anyway I DO run in them.  I don't, and most likely won't,  ever do long distance running, but I do a lot of little sprints and I feel they benefit me in many ways.  The sprints vary in time from 30 seconds to 4 or 5 minutes. 

Who knew I would  EVER feel this way about running???  I sure didn't.

I can, I will!!

Stretchy Bands

I am becoming a "fidget-er".  It is part of my "move more" campaign.   Lately I have been using stretchy bands while reading on line.

You can do a lot of different exercises with a stretchy band.  Just use your imagination and move your body however it feels good.  I have even started taking one to work with me to use during my breaks.  Everything I have read indicates that doing little things during your normal day will add up so I am trying to do something whenever I can.  I still make time for exercising like using the Wii Fit Plus and going to the gym but incorporating movement while doing other things is a bonus.

ALSO I am adding a link to the current "momontherun" blog.  She has a great giveaway:

http://www.healthymomontherun.com/

REMEMBER to enter before Monday.

I can, I will!!                                                                                                                         

Lifestyle Change

I keep striving to change my lifestyle, I want it  to reflect the  healthy decisions I have been making.  Recently I have been making turkey burgers. The recipe is one of Rachel Ray's.  Using the same ingredients as she did, my yield is 10 to 12, but hers makes 4.  So I gotta think mine are pretty low calorie .

The bun is grilled portabello mushroom caps.  Very, very good and healthy.     I have made this recipe several times and keep changing the ingredients I mix with the ground turkey breast.  For example, if I want it to be spicy, I mix in niblet corn, black beans, cumin, salsa, and cilantro.  Of course I also add bread crumbs and an egg so the meat will hold together, but you can make them any way you want.  I rarely eat beef anymore.  The one thing I got hungry for was hamburgers, now I have solved this problem with turkey burgers.

I can, I will!!                                     

An Essential Message

Louise Hay.....You Can Heal Your Life.  A guide to lovingly improve your life.  I mention this book because it stresses loving and encouraging yourself and that is an important skill for each of us to learn.

The bog by Stephen at http://www.whoatemyblog.com/ on 2-24 shares the message given to him by his trainer regarding setting and achieving fitness & weight loss goals.

As I understand it, the long and short of improving your life on many different levels begins with becoming  our own  CHEERLEADER.  We have to compliment each and every success we have  AND we have to love ourselves. 

Another part of this formula is :  success builds on success.  That is why it is so important to notice when things go right, each and every time.  I have first hand proof that this is true.  When I quit smoking over 7 years ago, I started counting minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and eventually years.  It went, every minute built on other minutes, then you're talking hours, then day, months, and years.  I really didn't want to have to start over with the first minute again.  I never, ever took another puff on a cigarette once I got past the first minutes.  I just kept encouraging myself more and more with every passage of time. The result of this "self encouragement":  A non-smoker for over 7 years!! 

That same encouragement can help you succeed!!

I can, I will!!

Things Of Interest W/E 2-28-10

I like to think back to what I noticed this week.

1.  My shadow looks thinner.

2.  Bitter Melon-A vegetable I have never heard of, and is suppose to fight breast cancer cells.  The picture I saw looked like a shriveled cucumber with nubby spikes on it.

3.  A Sarah Jio blog recommending these four foods for runners: almonds, oranges, sweet potatoes, and tuna.  I have no problem with anything but tuna.  I do eat a lot of salmon hopefully that will be a good substitute..

4.  I realized why people have bald cats.

Sometimes what catches my attention is interesting to me.  Does that sound stupid??  Goes back to paying attention-you just might learn something.  How right your were Dad!

I can, I will!!

Goals!!

I made some goals for myself this week. 

Goal 1.  Reach a combined total of 20 workout hours on the Wii Fit Plus program.  I reached that Saturday  morning.  Can anyone tell me what happened to the time "piggy bank"  when I hit 20 hours?

Goal 2.  Workout at the gym at least twice.  I did and each time I worked out about an hour and a half.

Goal 3.  Be under 180# by Mar. 1.  Don't know about that one yet but I am within 0.4#

Achieving these goals is actually something new for me.  I usually am much more successful at setting goals than achieving them.  I finally realized that taking the steps to allow me to meet my goals, coincides with general day to day living-eating, sleeping, working, etc. to some degree.  A lot  can be achieved by  making the healthy "choice", situation by situaion, such as parking in the furtherest space of the parking lot, steaming salmon for lunch,  or stretching while standing "dead".   Even giving myself a "pep" talk while I brush my teeth in the morning as I am doing calf raises.  You just have to start somewhere and notice what happens when you choose healthy and fit.  Success builds on success, but you do have to pay attention and notice every positive thing that happens.  Some changes are kind of subtle.

I can, I will!!

Onward and Downward

I don't really mention my weight much.  I'm trying not to have the scale be the "be all, end all" for me.  Having said that, I do weigh myself everyday.  My morning ritual is: wake up, pee, get naked, and stand on the scale.  Today the number is: 181.0#.  On November 3 the number was: 199.0#.  It is slow progress but it IS progress.  To date I have lost 18#.  I have a calendar hanging on the wall by my desk.  I write down my weight everyday and I am happy to say that the entire month of February I never showed a 9 as the second digit for my weight.  That makes me really, really proud of myself.  I also feel having this visible reminder  close at hand is beneficial.  I can see the successes building on each other.  It encourages me to keep making better choices!!

I also took my measurements this week.  Since Jan 30, I am down 1" in my chest, waist, and hips.  I am not happy it is only 3 total inches seems like it should be more.  I don't know where I would find out if this is too little an amount after 18# in 3+ months.  Wait that isn't right because the 3" are since Jan. 30, less than a month ago.  Ok I guess it is alright. It is success, I am moving in the right direction!

I can, I will!!

Sexy

We have always heard "sex sells".  And it must, everyone seems to want sexy.  Every starlet, singer, etc. is described as "sexy".  I think the word "sexy" must be the most overused adjective in the world. 

Is anyone else as sick of our "sex sells" environment  (culture) as I am?  Does this mentality in our culture have any impact on the fact that the age kids start engaging in sex keeps getting younger?  Just a thought.

I think we should start a campaign.  We should offer an alternative to "sex sales".  God knows that would be a nice change.  So I am thinking, how could we possibly come up with something to rival the success of "sex sells"?  That has been number one for as long as I can remember.

I know--how about "fit".  That gets my attention because "fit" makes me think of effort, dedication, and  commitment. All positive traits.  You don't just get "fit" it takes effort, dedication, and commitment. The irony?  A "fit" body is "sexy" as hell!!

Wouldn't you rather have kids thinking "fit" rather than "sexy"??  I would.

I can, I will!!

A Favorite

I read several blogs daily.  One of my favorites is http://www.priorfatgirl.com/ by Jen Emert.  I admire the way she has tackled her weightloss journey and how she expresses that journey.  Her insight is very valuable to me and I usually learn useful information.  She is also having one of those famous "give-aways".

The give away is from http://www.exercisetv.com/ .  Several items will be given so don't forget to enter!!

I can, I will!!

Things of Interest

Things that caught my interest this week:

1. FitBit.  Apparently this product (http://www.fitbit.com/) is worn on your body.  It sounds like a pedometer on steroids.  It records distance and calories burned plus keeps track of how long it takes for you to fall asleep.  Then it records how many times you wake up during the night.  This information can be downloaded to your computer.  Like I said, a multitasking little gadget.

2.  A Timer:  On Dr. OZ a lady said she used a kitchen timer to set every 3 or 4 hours to remind her when to eat a snack or meal.  Freed up her mind to not have to think about food in between.That might be something I'll try.

3.  Mighty Leaf!  Chocolate mint truffle tea.  Does that not sound like something to try?   It definitely did to me and boy am I glad!!  I found it at Whole Foods in Vegas.

4.  Strechy Bands.  I saw someone somewhere using one and it reminded me I have some.  I got one out and have been using it .  I use it when I am sitting at my computer.  I stretch something  (leg, arm, or arms) while I read  articles, blogs, newspapers, whatever.  One of the times, I can workout a little at a time.  In order for this to work, for me exercise has to be incorporated in my daily life. 

There is so much information out there.  Sometimes you can learn at lot by just paying attention .  It's good to find things to think about, even if it is only for a minute or two.

My Dad always told me: "Pay attention, you might learn something".  He was so right.

I can, I will!!

Changes

I think I mentioned how impressed I was with my progress pictures.  Since I could definitely see the difference 12+ pounds made, I started noticing differences that don't show up on a scale. 

I stand taller, my posture is better and it makes a difference. Good posture makes one appear more energetic than most people AND it feels GOOD!!

My abs are stronger,  they feel smaller, tighter, flatter.  They feel different!  The distance between my belly button and spine feels shorter.

My arms hang straight down from my shoulders.  They no longer hang further from my body (at hip level) like they used to.  I need to take my measurements sometime this week.

The total of these differences makes me feel a confidence of sorts.  It's important to notice the little changes as they happen.  It's also so much fun, these changes are adding up!!  Not sure where this ride is going, but it is interesting.

I can, I will!!

Trader Joe's Steel Cut Oats

I have never liked oatmeal.  The consistency is sort of gross to me.  When I heard Oprah talk about steel cut oats I decided to give them a try again.  The best thing I can say, it's edible. For some reason I did not find it easy to make. The length of time needed to cook it, made controlling the temperature difficult. So I probably haven't had any for at least a couple of years.

At Trader Joe's recently I noticed this product:

For some reason, I decided to try it again, especially since it was precooked and frozen.  The package had two servings in it and if I remember correctly cost $1.99.  And  was ready to eat in 2-3 minutes.  It was flavored with brown sugar and maple syrup so it wasn't just bland oatmeal. 

The finished product looked like this.  My opinion of this product is favorable and I will try it again.  It is kind of expensive but, for me, it would be just an occasional treat.  I don't hate oatmeal anymore!!                                                                             

I can, I will!! 

Efficiency or Multi-tasking?

I don't want to keep a food journal.  I have been on WW in the past and kept a food journal with points, I have also just counted calories.  In all honesty, you can definitely succeed  with either system.  But that is much too labor intensive for me.  I am good at it for a short period of time and then it just gradually stops.  So NO more journaling. 

Having said that, I understand the importance and function of journaling, it's just not for me.  I like things to be efficient and since I have memorized portions sizes and have an understanding what my body feels like after ingesting 1200 to 1500 calories, I've decided to just listen to my body, and free up the time I used journaling-that makes sense to me, I think it is efficient.

Maybe this is "lifestyle comprehension" AND "implementation".  God I hope so!!

I can, I will!!

A give away to plug!!  I love give aways, and hope to win one someday.
This one is from Sarah at http://www.healthymomontherun.com/.  The product give away is for Homemade Dressing from http://www.homemadedressings.com/.  I visited their website and the recipes using these dressings sound yummy.  So go enter but keep this in mind.....it's MY turn to win!!

Implement

Do you ever feel like: if I  have the knowledge, I should reap  major benefits just because I understand the concept?  I finally realized that I have spent decades, feeling that way, and FINALLY realized something was missing. The missing component in that equation: implementation.  There is no free ride.....especially when it comes to fitness.  You either are or you aren't....or, hopefully, some point in between. 

I sure wish this light bulb had gone off over my head about 25 years ago.....but better late than never.  This process has been incubating inside me and now I am in the process of hatching.  Being a childhood farm girl, I think in agricultural terms sometimes.  I have gradually incorporated a lot of healthy habits into my life over the span of several years. So at this point in time, I am not starting at zero.  That is so advantageous to my goals and I am so very grateful.

Three adjectives I am striving for:  lean, strong, and healthy.

I can, I will!!

One Battle At A Time...

I've been thinking about "lifestyle change" and what it actually means.  My eating has been really good lately.  I have not given in to late night snacking-OK-maybe twice, but that is actually in a months time.  Because I have improved  the amount of late night snacking significantly I  feel I am building "lifestyle changes" into my life.  It is important to give proper attention to every "battle" won.  They will build on each other.

Success builds on success.  So very, very true!!

I can, I will!!

P.S.  I limited myself to one Hershey's kiss!!

I really can, I really will!

A Give Away!!

I love reading blogs.  I recently found one I really like by Kristin http://www.iowagirleats.com/.   She has a give away on her site.  It is for $50 in merchandise from http://www.iherb.com/.  I went to their website yesterday and was impressed by the vast number of products they offer.  I will be ordering from them as they have a lot of the supplements that I currently take and some I have been meaning to try.  Good luck to all who enter the give away!!

I can, I will!!

Tired Of It!!

I read something on line about a woman complaining that she was sick of every article on "Shine" being about dieting and losing weight.  I agree with her, sort of.

Obviously weight articles are popular: they sell magazines, books, and attract people to web sites.  So there is no incentive to change the lure currently used to attract people.  This one works.

Since this lure works so well, why is the population heavier than ever?  I have a hard time believing it is due to lack of information.  I think it is time to try something new. 

What could possibly be new in the weight world?  I think we all have to put the emphasis on something else.  I hope I can explain this the exact way I mean it.  To do that, I am defining "byproduct" as I am using it.

Byproduct:  a secondary and sometimes, unexpected or unintended, result.

Weight gain is a "byproduct" of eating too much and eating food with little or no nutritional value.

Weight gain  is a "byproduct" of not moving, not keeping your body flexible, and in general taking your body for granted.

I feel the focus should be on making progress along these lines in one's life.

1.  Eating healthy, whole foods in reasonable quantities
2.  Cooking your own food 65 to 90% of the time.
3.  Move your body in various ways that includes cardio, strength training, stretching.  Some of these ways can be incorporated in just day to day living, not requiring extra time.
4.  Live your life and stop obsessing about dieting, weight loss, and food.

I believe as I make progress in these four areas, weight loss will become a "byproduct" of my honest and sincere efforts.

I can, I will!!

Progress..

I had Rex take pictures on Monday.  I still have not figured out how to get them side by side but here they are.

This was taken in November.

Taken in December.  Remember my last  blog?  The one in which I wondered about my backside view....I could scream looking at my bed hair.  That is really unattractive.  I will now quit jumping out of bed, putting on these clothes, and having Rex take my pictures. From now on, FIRST, I will comb my hair!!                  

This was one taken Monday (2-7) and I think I see progress through my backside.  This is encouraging!!      The weight difference between picture 1 and 3 is 12.4#.  The difference that 12.4# has made in my backside amazes me.  I can't wait to see how much difference another 12# makes!                                                     

This is just crazy, I won't put up progress pictures up until I can figure out how to get them side by side.

I can, I will!!                                                                                                                                      

Inside Out

At work I have the opportunity to "people watch" once in a while.  Have you ever wondered about what you notice, while "people watching"?  This is what I usually notice.  I love fashion and usually notice clothing pretty quickly.  I also notice how people move--if you notice clothes, you notice movement.  That leads me to pay attention to body type and overall appearance.

One area I have been noticing more and more, is a person's  top to bottom back side.  I often wonder if people ever consider how they look from behind.  Ironically, today I decided to use mirrors and check out my backside.  WOW......I am not impressed.  I honestly thought my backside would be bette,r but when I took an honest look at recent pictures taken in Vegas, I thought maybe not.   Looking confirmed that suspicion.  I am so grateful for all of this motivation I keep finding lately. 

Now I need to make my outside "look" coincide with the way I feel inside.  So do I say, inside out or outside in?

I can, I will!!

Lifestyle Changes

I am making lifestyle changes to become as healthy as I can possibly be.  The older I get, the more aware I become of just how much my actions influence the life I can live from a health standpoint.  Would have been nice if I had made these changes one, five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago but I didn't.  

In the last 2 weeks, I have made a stir-fry using tofu and black bean soup.  Both were delicious and  I will be making more and more changes as I find things that appeal to me with ingredients I want to try.  In the ingredient I want to try category is: sun choke.

I was in Whole Foods last weekend and bought some after asking a guy in the produce department what the hell they were.  Sun choke added a fresh taste and crunchy texture to my salad.  The flavor is pretty bland but still fresh tasting somehow.   Since I really likes the texture, I will definitely buy them again when I am someplace they have them.  Love crunchy!!

I  have pictures of a new food item I tried from Trader Joe's.  Love, love, love Trader Joe's.  A very surprising item for me.

I can, I will!!

Women Who Love Their Bodies

Today I read a blog about women who love their bodies.   I think the blog is by Sarah Jio.  So I started thinking about how I love my body.  Here is what I have come up with so far.

1.  Since I've had them, I have loved my breasts.  The one thing I have always liked best about them is the fact they are small.  When I was young having big boobs would have totally embarrassed me.  Thank You God for giving small breasts. Now that I am no longer young, having big boobs would totally embarrass me. Some things never change.  Although I admit that I might have had another opinion about this between these two stages of my life.

2. I used to think that my thighs were very large, actually down right fat.  Since I have walked and exercised with various degrees of commitment for 40 years, I now think my  legs are strong and  nice looking.

3.  I have great posture, at least my trainer on WII Fit Plus tells me several times a week that I do.

4.  I am coordinated, what a great muscle system and skeletal system my body must have.

5.  The things my body can do amazes me and for the healthfulness of it, I am truly grateful.

Realizing these positive things about my body, has made me want to treat it better.  I think that is what's  motivating me at this point in time

Frequency and repetition is key.

I can, I will!!

Ruby

There is a reality show on one of the cable networks about an obese lady, named Ruby, and her journey to a healthier life.  I have seen bit and pieces of this show. I have never watched an entire episode or even half of one.  It is one of those shows you pause over while channel surfing so I am aware of it and know who Ruby is.

Today Ruby was on Oprah for the second time.  I learned things about Ruby that I totally didn't know.  First of all I had NO clue she started this journey at 716#.  That is a weight that is beyond my ability to comprehend. The times I saw her show she had probably already lost 150 to 200#.   Ruby walked onto Oprah's stage today wearing jeans and looking really good.  She is under 350# which is, admittedly, still obese, but such a stunning change it is hard to feel that way.  She also has quite a gorgeous face.  Anyway, her journey, is going  in directions that I am sure she had no clue about before.  This actually is quite a fascinating story.  I'm not going to watch the show but will look her up online occasionally.

I love people that are working on this journey and give us all insight about it.  I know every one's journey is unique to them but knowing that other people are having just as complicated a journey as someone else is encouraging, I think.  I am encouraged by Ruby's journey, not just for her, but for myself as well.

I can, I will!!

.

Vibram Sprints

About six months ago, I read about Vibram FiveFingered Sprints on a blog.  I think the blog was written by Sarah Jio, but am not sure.  I was interested enough to go to their website:  http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/.  After six months of looking at their website, I decided--Yes I WANT THOSE SHOES!!

The store locater indicated there was a vendor in Las Vegas - fortunately, that is but a hop, skip, and a jump from here.  So I called to see if they had the style I wanted.  Nope but he was expecting a large shipment in the next week. We scheduled a trip to Vegas.

Here they are:

I got these shoes yesterday and wore them to the gym today.  For the first time I was able to run for 14 minutes on the treadmill.  The most I have done previously is 2 minutes so I am pumped!! 

I want to run and I saw these shoes on the Dr. Oz show, he demonstrated running the way our ancestors did.  Short strides with more pressure on the front of your foot.  It just looked right to me so I am trying that.

And one of the best things about going to Vegas for two day, I maintained my weight!!

I can, I will!!

WOW-----A Compliment

One of the neighbors commented on my weight loss.  That made me feel really good, but as usual I tried to downplay the compliment.  Why would I do that?  I have lost 12.6# since early November.  That is a safe rate of loss. I would prefer faster but I am happy with this rate if I don't do any backsliding. 

This is what I am thinking.  My goal was to lose 50#.  I have lost 12.6#, which is 25% of what I want to lose.  That is really wonderful, if I feel this good after losing 25% of my goal, I can't wait to get to  my goal.

So the compliment made me actually mindful of accomplishing that milestone and appreciating my dedication to get to this point.  I also feel  there won't be any backsliding...because I just feel different about the whole process right now.  And that is something I have to really think about before I blog on it.

So right now I am just thinking.....

I can, I will!!

Chair Workout on Dr. OZ

I was watching Dr. Oz today and saw a group of women doing "chair" exercises.  The idea was to workout using a chair since everybody has one.  I thought they were great exercises and done pretty easily with variations built in to increase the difficulty for a more advance exerciser. 

I was also another site that had an interview with Denise Austin.  She was talking about her eating plan but also about what she called "fidgetcise".   These are moves you do while, brushing your teeth, talking on the phone, waiting for the water to boil, etc,etc. 

Doing moves during dead time at work has been of interest to me for quite a while.  In fact, I exercise at work whenever I can.  I think most people have opportunities to slip in a pose, move, or stretch here and there during their work day.  When it comes to moving the body, it all adds up.  I like this trend!!

I can, I will!!

I Am A Very Lucky Person

In a recent post, I mentioned the fact that I am unusual because I never gone over my highest weight.  Articles I read indicate that "yo-yo" dieters usually gain everything they lose plus when they are on the upswing and today I figured out why:

Exercising pretty consistently and eating healthfully between 55 and 80% of the time has saved me from extreme obesity.  How lucky that I  incorporated healthy eating and exercise in my life when I did.  Now I just have to increase the percentage of time I follow those healthy habits.

Since the reason is so simple, shouldn't I have figured this out before.  Better late than never!! 

OR

My Mother's favorite " You can't learn any younger".

The one I am using:

I can, I will!!

Gone For a Few

We have been in Laughlin since Friday visiting with Rex's brother and celebrating Rex's birthday.  Love the hotel we are in they have FIT TV and so have been working out with that  and taking the stairs down from the 12th floor.  No I haven't been taking them up....I know what a cop out.  Maybe I will once before we leave tomorrow.

I'm just keeping on keeping on.

I can, I will!!

Simple? Ya Right!

I have spent a lot of time trying to be successful at weight loss, in fact I have spent years and years.  Apparently so have a lot of other people, considering that weight loss products are over a billion dollar industry .  If it took money to solve the problem...we'd all be thin.

What do all of us "weight challenged" people want?  We want to take a pill or a drink and BAM be transformed into someone with a perfect figure and weight.  Yup that is what we want -no muss, no fuss-with fabulous results.  We live in the age of "instant" gratification and by golly, we want it NOW.  Why isn't that possible (after all, they can put a man on the moon)??  Why does it have to be so hard??  Why does the challenge NEVER end??

I think we all have to learn something.  Instant gratification DOES NOT exist when it comes to weight loss.  It is a LONG, HARD process that has to come together on many different levels.  I marvel at the many different  experiences the various bloggers I read are having and have had along their journeys.  In all sincerity, I am in total awe of some of these young women.  Their personalities come through and  they sound like the kind of  people you'd like to know.

From many different sources, I am learning the following "rules for success" regarding weight loss.  Following them will most likely ensure your success with this problem.

1.  Move more, eat less.......just no way around this.  As far as eating less, it means healthy foods the vast majority of the time.  Moving---start somewhere and as you progress  keep "upping" the ante.

2.  Hard work and determination.......weight loss doesn't just happen.  It takes of LOT of hard work (both mental and physical) and determination.  You have to have the absolute desire to conquer that layer of fat on your body.

Now I haven't conquered these "rules", but I honestly think I am making progress, internally if nowhere else.

Everyday is a revelation!

I can, I will!!