I lost 11 pounds in October. So I guess I wasn't as stuck as I thought I was. I was very determined to get back on track and meet my October goal. Managed to do both. I didn't exercise as much as "normal" because in mid-October I slipped on the stairs and re-injured my damaged knee. And last weekend I ate something that didn't agree with me.
And then there was Halloween...I bought candy to give away at work, and really did well ignoring it for most of the day. But at the end of the day I was hungry, there wasn't anything healthy to snack on, ...I ate a little candy bar. Sugar is very addictive (stimulates the pleasure center of the brain that cocaine stimulates) so...I ate another couple of little candy bars. Then they started calling my name. I would walk over to the copier to pick up the copies and I'd see them...and I'd eat a few more. Long story, I ate the rest of them. I thought I would be able to resist but... Today, there is no candy in the shop. There are healthy snacks to eat. I'm back on track. Next year, if I give out candy, I might buy a candy I don't like.
It's November, I have set another goal, it's on my calendar. One of them is to be "present" when I have Thanksgiving dinner. Another is to continue with my yoga 2x/week, plus do my knee exercises and get my poor little damaged knees stronger. Walking the dog is not optional. :-)
I've added the link to Dr. Fuhrman. I really do recommend you read his books!
drfuhrman.com
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
It's Getting Hard
I still have between 30-50 pounds to lose (I've lost 66) but now it's getting hard to lose weight. I am still eating the way I have been eating - mostly vegetable based diet; but for some reason instead of steadily losing 2 pounds a week I'm losing ¼ pound a week. It's hard to know what I need to do. I know they say that it's all calories in and calories out but I do put out a lot of calories.
I could lower my calorie intake, but I don't like to feel hungry all the time. I know I'm not tracking my food as closely as I did in the past (amazing how "lazy" we get as the year goes on) so I guess my first step is to start journaling consistantly again. If I still don't see any consistant weight loss I will have to look at eating less or exercising more. Neither of those options appeal to me.
My goal for the month of October is to be under 190 pounds. That would be a 10 pound loss for the month. I've done it before, in fact I did it the first 6 months of this year. Time to get serious, winter is coming and I know I have a tougher time to lose weight as we head into the dark months and the holidays.
Stay tuned, I'll keep you informed.
I could lower my calorie intake, but I don't like to feel hungry all the time. I know I'm not tracking my food as closely as I did in the past (amazing how "lazy" we get as the year goes on) so I guess my first step is to start journaling consistantly again. If I still don't see any consistant weight loss I will have to look at eating less or exercising more. Neither of those options appeal to me.
My goal for the month of October is to be under 190 pounds. That would be a 10 pound loss for the month. I've done it before, in fact I did it the first 6 months of this year. Time to get serious, winter is coming and I know I have a tougher time to lose weight as we head into the dark months and the holidays.
Stay tuned, I'll keep you informed.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
One Big Goal Down, Several Little Goals To Go
I am under 200 pounds. I haven't been under 200 pounds since 1999 and I didn't stay under for very long.
I still find that I feel so much better when I eat this "new" healthy way. More energy, less pain, more clarity, less cravings. All good things. On my birthday I let myself eat the snacks on the table; bad idea. My stomach let me know that it didn't like digesting those fatty, unhealthy foods and I better feed it healthier from now on. Lessons learned (I hope).
I am enjoying yoga more and more, but I'm still such a beginner and don't move very fast. But the new teacher is so patient and is helping me get into the positions properly. It is also "leaning" out my body. That's so important, since I don't want to be a "saggy-baggy" weight loser.
My HS renunion went well, I wasn't self conscience about still being heavy. Amazing how many of my friends are still in great shape, but I looked great too and since I'm on this wonderful journey I am just getting better and better. Besides I don't look my age (I look so much younger).
My next goal: 189. I would like to be at this weight by the end of October. That's in 5 weeks.
I still find that I feel so much better when I eat this "new" healthy way. More energy, less pain, more clarity, less cravings. All good things. On my birthday I let myself eat the snacks on the table; bad idea. My stomach let me know that it didn't like digesting those fatty, unhealthy foods and I better feed it healthier from now on. Lessons learned (I hope).
I am enjoying yoga more and more, but I'm still such a beginner and don't move very fast. But the new teacher is so patient and is helping me get into the positions properly. It is also "leaning" out my body. That's so important, since I don't want to be a "saggy-baggy" weight loser.
My HS renunion went well, I wasn't self conscience about still being heavy. Amazing how many of my friends are still in great shape, but I looked great too and since I'm on this wonderful journey I am just getting better and better. Besides I don't look my age (I look so much younger).
My next goal: 189. I would like to be at this weight by the end of October. That's in 5 weeks.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Anxiety
This weekend is my 40th HS reunion. Some of these people I haven't seen in 10 years and you would think that I could care less what they "think" about my weight, but I do. The few that I've stayed in touch with I saw 2 years ago and I've lost 55 pounds since then, but still I'm overweight, so I am anxious about their reaction too. Then there is the family, I haven't seen some of them for 2 years and others I saw last year and since I've always been considered "heavy" (even when I wasn't) I am stressed about seeing them too.
WHY DO I CARE???? I'M ALMOST 60 YEARS OLD!!!!
I don't know, I just do. This ought to be an interesting weekend. Too bad I don't drink any more, I think I could use a drink to help me through this.
WHY DO I CARE???? I'M ALMOST 60 YEARS OLD!!!!
I don't know, I just do. This ought to be an interesting weekend. Too bad I don't drink any more, I think I could use a drink to help me through this.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Meeting the Family
In about 2 weeks I'll be heading to my home state to visit the family. I've only told one person in the family that I've lost any weight and I'm a bit scared of a negative reaction or worse yet they don't think I've changed at all. My mother has never seen me as anything but fat even when I was working out in the pool 5 hours daily getting ready to head to Nationals.
I think I look great; I've lost a little over 50 pounds, but I'm still overweight (50 down, 35 to go - to get to "normal" 70 to go to get to where I want to be) and since my sisters are super skinny I'm sure I won't measure up (it seems like I never did).
Knowing me, negative comments could completely derail my progress; it has before. Why do we need the validation from family/friends to keep us motivated? I'm sure there is a logical explination, but I sure don't know what it is.
I also find that family is so good at sabotage. Jealousy?! Maybe it's just my family, but I don't think so.
I think I look great; I've lost a little over 50 pounds, but I'm still overweight (50 down, 35 to go - to get to "normal" 70 to go to get to where I want to be) and since my sisters are super skinny I'm sure I won't measure up (it seems like I never did).
Knowing me, negative comments could completely derail my progress; it has before. Why do we need the validation from family/friends to keep us motivated? I'm sure there is a logical explination, but I sure don't know what it is.
I also find that family is so good at sabotage. Jealousy?! Maybe it's just my family, but I don't think so.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Frustrations
It's very frustrating to be asked how you are losing weight and then when you start to explain how, you are they interupt and tell you how they are trying to lose weight but are not having very much luck. DUH! It's not working, you're doing the same thing over and over which is the definition of insanity! Mine is working (I'm down another 4 pounds this week - total of 55 pounds since January). I will tell you what I'm doing, but please don't tell me your way is better.
Another frustration from this week is the fact that even though the jeans have been unworn for years and they now fit, the threads are still weakened by time and will give way. How embarrassing!
You want to know how I'm losing weight? I'm eating a diet that is MOSTLY fruits and vegetables. I eat a HUGE salad every evening for dinner (sometimes I'll follow the salad with steamed vegetables). My breakfast is steel cut oats, with pineapple, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (adds heat, not taste). The cinnamon helps keep the blood sugar down, the cayenne pepper helps step up the metabolism, steel cut oats are "healthier" because they are processed less, I use dried pineapple because I really like pineapple. For lunch I have fruit (right now it is blueberries and pears) and spinach salad with no dressing.
Right now the dinner salad is spinach with tomatoes, peppers, walnuts, yellow squash or zuchini with a no-oil cilantro dressing that I make.
My average is losing 3½ - 4 pounds a week. The clothes I bought in May are now to big and I'm working my way through all the old clothes I saved (if they are still in fashion and the threads don't give way).
I rarely eat meat, I avoid sugar (and that includes alcohol), no milk or milk products. When I do have sugar, alcohol, etc. I don't lose and if I eat "like I used to" I will gain 3-5 pounds in a week. And yes, I'm getting enough protien and other nutrients. Thanks for caring.
Another frustration from this week is the fact that even though the jeans have been unworn for years and they now fit, the threads are still weakened by time and will give way. How embarrassing!
You want to know how I'm losing weight? I'm eating a diet that is MOSTLY fruits and vegetables. I eat a HUGE salad every evening for dinner (sometimes I'll follow the salad with steamed vegetables). My breakfast is steel cut oats, with pineapple, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (adds heat, not taste). The cinnamon helps keep the blood sugar down, the cayenne pepper helps step up the metabolism, steel cut oats are "healthier" because they are processed less, I use dried pineapple because I really like pineapple. For lunch I have fruit (right now it is blueberries and pears) and spinach salad with no dressing.
Right now the dinner salad is spinach with tomatoes, peppers, walnuts, yellow squash or zuchini with a no-oil cilantro dressing that I make.
My average is losing 3½ - 4 pounds a week. The clothes I bought in May are now to big and I'm working my way through all the old clothes I saved (if they are still in fashion and the threads don't give way).
I rarely eat meat, I avoid sugar (and that includes alcohol), no milk or milk products. When I do have sugar, alcohol, etc. I don't lose and if I eat "like I used to" I will gain 3-5 pounds in a week. And yes, I'm getting enough protien and other nutrients. Thanks for caring.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Embrace New Science
The nice thing about science is...it is always changing. Just because the experts spouted the "standard/accepted wisdom" from years ago as the accepted weight-loss science, just know... THINGS CHANGE!!!!!
I am losing approximately 3- 4 pounds a week. The only time I don't lose is when I decide to add sugar to my diet (sugar is addictive, but that is a separate discussion). I've been told I'm losing too fast and I won't keep it off - REALLY? Why should the speed of my weight loss make a difference in how long I keep it off. I figure the thing that could trip me up is to go back to eating the way I did before.
People who are trying to lose weight frequently ask me how I am doing it. I tell them that I eat almost exclusively fruits and vegetables- raw and cooked, no sugar, no alcohol, very little meat (less than twice a month will I have a dinner or lunch with any meat - and that includes chicken and fish), I only eat when I'm truly hungry. And I avoid the trap of eating "small meals" throughout the day.
That last part is the advice that got me in "trouble". The old wisdom is to eat small meals throughout the day to keep you fueled and staves off "hunger". What it really does is keep your blood sugar up and your insulin too. Too much insulin and you don't burn your fat, you can't. Also, the studies find that when you eat all those meals throughout the day is you tend to underestimate how much you are eating and you eat more than your body needs.
The other part that got me in "trouble" is that a study that says if you want to burn fat you need to exercise on an empty stomach. Again, not the accepted wisdom, but I read about the study. (The same book also gave me some advice about exercising smarter, but again, that is for a separate discussion).
I love reading. I love learning. I love the fact that things change. I found something that works for me and my husband and has worked for others just as easily, but it is "unconventional" because it is new science. Embrace the new science.
I am losing approximately 3- 4 pounds a week. The only time I don't lose is when I decide to add sugar to my diet (sugar is addictive, but that is a separate discussion). I've been told I'm losing too fast and I won't keep it off - REALLY? Why should the speed of my weight loss make a difference in how long I keep it off. I figure the thing that could trip me up is to go back to eating the way I did before.
People who are trying to lose weight frequently ask me how I am doing it. I tell them that I eat almost exclusively fruits and vegetables- raw and cooked, no sugar, no alcohol, very little meat (less than twice a month will I have a dinner or lunch with any meat - and that includes chicken and fish), I only eat when I'm truly hungry. And I avoid the trap of eating "small meals" throughout the day.
That last part is the advice that got me in "trouble". The old wisdom is to eat small meals throughout the day to keep you fueled and staves off "hunger". What it really does is keep your blood sugar up and your insulin too. Too much insulin and you don't burn your fat, you can't. Also, the studies find that when you eat all those meals throughout the day is you tend to underestimate how much you are eating and you eat more than your body needs.
The other part that got me in "trouble" is that a study that says if you want to burn fat you need to exercise on an empty stomach. Again, not the accepted wisdom, but I read about the study. (The same book also gave me some advice about exercising smarter, but again, that is for a separate discussion).
I love reading. I love learning. I love the fact that things change. I found something that works for me and my husband and has worked for others just as easily, but it is "unconventional" because it is new science. Embrace the new science.
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