I’m doing great, just haven’t had time to post. And now we are leaving on a trip for two plus weeks to hit as many graduations and weddings (including an 88 yo aunt’s!) as we can fit in. I’ll write when I get time.
not feeling great …
2013
I got sick about 4 am this morning … gastro … yuck. I’m still not feeling well, so just doing a quick post since I haven’t posted since last Wednesday. Really haven’t had a lot to post, but things are going well. I’m not ki!ling it in the weight loss department, but I am losing (albeit very, very slowly). Hopefully I’ll be back over the week-end and can post a few comments on your blogs.
Sugar …
2013
Did fine today … no cravings, no signs of carb-flu. Wednesday are always my four-exercise days … 5K, 1 hour Pilates, 10 miles biking, and 30 minutes swimming. I was a tiny bit light-headed when we headed out at 6 this morning, but it soon passed. Didn’t have any problems with any of the other exercises. I did add in a couple of eggs for extra protein this morning between the 5K and Pilates and then had some chicken and green beans between Pilates and biking.
One of things I hadn’t been doing while using WW is paying attention to the sugar content of foods. WW emphasizes low to no-fat foods (many of which are zero points), but now that I’m checking the sugar content I’m finding lots of sugar. Like Chobani Greek yogurt … 15 grams … wow. I eat very few processed foods anyway, but I won’t be eating any of them that have that kind of sugar content. Salad dressings are another item that they up the sugar when they take out the fat … usually I have vinegar and EVOO, but every once in a while I want something with a little different flavor. Again, though, if it’s high in sugar then I’m not even going there. I mean, there’s not much sense in avoiding a natural food like fruit, just to have the same or more sugar in a processed food like yogurt or salad dressing (especially since fructose is treated different from sucrose by the body).
Day Two
2013
Haven’t had any problems with avoiding the sugar and starch (including fruit), but my third day is usually the day I get headaches and residual cravings if I’m going to get them. Even had my neighbor come over and tell me she was going to the cupcake store and could she pick up some for me. (And yes this is the neighbor whom I accompanied to WW.)
I was telling her the devolution of my WW experience. How I start okay; only counting the higher fat in the food I’m eating. Next thing I’m eating fruit like it’s going out of style because it’s “free”. Then I’m eating potatoes because they are “free”. Then I’m counting my activity points because I can. And because I have these extra points, I’m having a cookie here and donut there. But only once a week to start. Then more than once a week and then every day.
Luckily this time I stopped with the “free fruit and potatoes” and didn’t progress (or degress) to the cookies and donuts, but that’s the path I was headed down.
Basically the plan now is:
Unlimited protein.
2 cups of leafy green vegetables a day
1 cup of other vegetables ( not potatoes and not carrots but onions and mushrooms and tomatoes are okay)
2 cups of bouillon as needed for sodium replenishment
up to 4 ounces of cheese, including cream cheese (carb count less than 1 gram per serving)
up to 4 TBSP of heavy, light or sour cream per day
up to 4 TBSP of Hellmann’s mayonnaise per day
Restrictions: No sugars, no starches.
Eat when hungry, stop when full.
The whole “eat when hungry and stop when full” is working now that I’m restricting fruit, sugar and starch. It definitely was not working three days ago before I did the hard reset. And I already feel more energetic.
Onward and downward.
time for a tune-up …
2013
I need to do a hard reset with my diet. No more fruit in the short-term. I just don’t seem to be able to handle the sweetness without wanting more and more and more. And I’m stepping away from the whole weight watchers thing too; because fruit is technically* “free” (I say technically because they do caution you not to overdo it and keep your servings reasonable) I felt it was okay to eat more and more and more.
Fortunately I haven’t gained, just been playing with the same three pounds up and down for the last couple of weeks.
So I spent the week-end re-reading Gary Taubes’ book, “Why we get fat: and what to do about it” and reacquainting myself with the basic principles that work for me. No need for me to go into detail; Gwen’s done a thorough job of explaining the majority of concepts.
Basically I need to follow a low-carb, no-sugar, no flour (or rice or potatoes) plan. No fruit. Not even berries (not that I was eating berries anyway … apples, oranges, bananas, and pineapple were my fruits of choice.) End of story. No way around it.
I’ve kind of come full circle here. The last time I lost a significant amount of weight I did it following low-carb, no flour, no sugar. However the minute I started eating the sugar again I regained all but 10 pounds of the 50 I’d lost.
So this time I decided I wasn’t going to be as restrictive with my eating to try to avoid the regain. What happened this time around is that I lost 40 pounds over a year or so and then have been playing with the same couple of pounds since then. When I tighten up my eating, I start losing again; as soon as I allow any sweets (including fruit) back in I gain.
All this says to me that I can’t allow the sweets back in. At 188 pounds I’m 34 pounds from normal BMI (I’m 5’6″). Not going back on the sugar train is the only way I know to get there and stay there.
Really what I need to do is what Gwen’s done and just accept that they are bad, bad, bad for me and be done with them.
What a week …
2013
Boston hit a little too close to home. I had three kids running in it; fortunately they had all finished more than an hour before so were about a block away waiting for other friends. I could tell what time the last one had finished, so knew they wouldn’t be near where the expl0si0n happened. I also knew they wouldn’t have their phones with them, so wasn’t sure how long it would take for them to contact me. Blessings on the kind man from Texas who offered his cellphone to my kids so they could contact me. And on the kind person who offered them a ride to the apartment where they were staying.
I spent all of Monday afternoon contacting all of their families (mine was the only phone number any of them had memorized). Thank G0d for Facebo0k too; I was able to post on all of their pages to let their friends know they were all okay. Taxes took a back seat, although I did get everybody’s done who hadn’t already filed an extension.
It feels strange that it’s only been a week. I can’t imagine how devastated the families of those killeD and injured feel.
I just couldn’t get back to blogging; in fact I wondered if maybe I’d just give it up all together. It all seemed so trivial compared to what happened in B0ston and then Texas.
But life does go on. I’m going to go see what’s been happening, catch up on everybody’s blogs, and maybe even leave a comment or two. :)
drive by posting …
2013
Week before April 15th and I am slammed with trying to get everybody’s taxes finished on time. I’ll be back next week. :)
tgiTh …
2013
That’s thank goodness it’s Thursday, in case you’re puzzled. I know, I can’t believe it’s already Thursday either. Seems like it was just Sunday …
Yesterday was a great day. One of those days when everything is working and you feel great and you have tons of energy and think this is the easiest thing in the world. I even did 20 miles on the bike just because I could. I ate only as much as I wanted and wasn’t hungry all day long. And I really am thinking the days of wanting sugar-stuff are over.
Yeah, not so much. I go to the grocery store this morning and all I can think about are yummy ct (I don’t even want to type it out because I know it will get back in my brain again and I just got rid of it). I did manage to get out of there with just the things I needed, but it wasn’t easy.
There really wasn’t anything food-wise that I can blame this on … I’ve been eating totally clean. And really it wasn’t that hard to say no to it, it’s just funny that I think I have everything under control and I’m reminded that I have to stay vigilant. Always.
Meanwhile today is Mac’s 60th birthday (can I have a big “wahoo”?) I made him a carrot cake which is his all-time favorite and I despise, especially with raisins and nuts in it (which I did add). The only decent part of carrot cake to me is the cream cheese frosting and I know that would taste way too sugary, so it won’t be a problem.
Weight stayed the same this week. My scale (which is honestly 40 plus years old) only measures pounds, not ounces, so I guess I could have lost something, but it is what it is and thinking it should be something else isn’t going to make it so.
Happy Easter!
2013
Just popping in for a quick post. Kids came by this morning to hunt for Easter eggs. Luckily they then took all the goodies to their various homes. So, so far so good with avoiding the Easter candy. Haven’t made the dinner rolls yet … they only take 30 minutes plus baking time so get made just before dinner time. One of the kid’s neighbors has a greenhouse and sent some romaine lettuce, squash and cauliflower for dinner (I already had tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, strawberries, potatoes and tomatoes from my farmer). Decided I was going to make roasted vegetables (broccoli, onions, potatoes, squash and cauliflower) rather than scalloped or mashed potatoes, along with a beautiful green salad. The thing I like about doing roasted vegetables that way is that people can eat what they like and leave what they don’t.
Pilates session on Friday was great … really feel it in the back of my legs and my stomach yesterday and today. I’d like to keep going, but it’s pretty expensive … will have to take another look at my budget and see exactly what I could afford. I’d like to keep doing it once a week.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter …
Not even going there …
2013
The last 7 Easters we were in the great north country. Which meant that mac had a three day week-end, so we’d head to the cabin on Thursday evening (if the roads were clear) and then drive back after church on Sunday. No Easter egg candy for us … we were on the road. We didn’t even eat a special Easter dinner as everything was always closed by the time we got back to Canada.
Well, this year we’re hosting the family Easter, so Mac decides he needs to buy Easter candy and plastic eggs so he can hide them. Wow, when that man buys candy, he’s serious. Honestly I walked into the kitchen and saw the packages and packages of candy and thought, “I am in serious trouble here.”
Just kidding. I did realize though that one taste would do me in, so I was better off not even going there. I let Mac do it all, including hiding the eggs. Meanwhile I tried to not remember what exactly he’d bought and even more I’m trying not to think about where he’d put the left-overs if there were any.
Appetite is back this week … I did have a whoosh on the scale, but it popped back up again the last two days, so I’m down two pounds for the week which is great. I’m trying to plan the food carefully for Easter … lots of fresh fruit and vegetables for me. I’ll make dinner rolls, but don’t plan on having any. Again I’m so much better off if I don’t even eat one. Ham and turkey for protein. Not sure what kind of potatoes I’m making … probably scalloped, which I don’t care to eat. Dessert is going to be ice cream cupcakes that I’ve already made and are in the freezer or fresh strawberries and cream (which will be my choice). My local produce guy is dropping off the strawberries and most of the vegetables tomorrow (hooray for local farmers who deliver!). Saturday will be prepping the vegetables and making the rolls, so Sunday can just be family time.
Pilates again tomorrow. Can’t wait!
Pilates …
2013
finally made it my Pilates session and I loved it. Interesting to work with someone who is showing you how each of your muscles works or rests other muscles. I’ve got 3 sessions left on my coupon, but I think I’ll keep going after that.
I’m fighting bronchitis right now … it started as a cold, then went into my sinuses, and now my bronchial tubes are inflamed (i.e. I cough and cough and cough). I’m already on penicillin and ster0ids for the sinus infection, so I’m pretty sure it’s not bacterial.
Everything tastes exactly the same with this sinus/cold thing, so my simple foods have been really simple … eating just to get some nourishment because there’s no enjoyment of food going on.
Despite not eating a lot, though, I have tons of energy until about 2 pm due to the meds I’m taking. I mean I’m flipping mattresses and moving furniture and digging up the garden, and then I collapse.
I realized the other day, though, that every time we move to a new place, I get colds and stuff for at least the first six months. Just adjusting to new germs, I guess.
Haven’t weighed because I know it’s down … haha bet you’d never thought you hear someone say that. But I retain water so easily, it can come back much quicker than it leaves. I’ll just wait until my regular day on Monday.
weigh in …
2013
down another .5 pounds. I’ll take it gladly.
I know I can absolutely tighten up my program. I feel like such a slacker, especially compared to some people whom I’ll leave unnamed. But then I remember I’m not going to compare myself to anybody else. I’m me and I lose the way I lose and I work the program the way the program works for me.
That’s not to say I can’t do better, because I can.
My biggest challenge is sugar. Always has been, probably always will be. For the most part I avoid it because a) I know it’s got no nutritional value and b) it is definitely a trigger for me. Knowing both of those things, though, doesn’t mean I don’t want it. Because if my world was perfect, chocolate cupcakes would be the new broccoli.
Days like that …
2013
The other day I felt like I was hungry all day long. Today, not so much. In fact I wasn’t hungry all day and didn’t even eat my first meal of the day until 1 pm when I had a small (homemade) hamburger (plain, no bun) with some carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes and an orange. Then we had dinner about 6:30 … left over chicken and a salad with romaine, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and shredded carrots with a little bit of olive oil and vinegar on top. And I wasn’t particularly busy either which is usually why I forget to eat; just never did get hungry.
I’m just glad the hungry days are balanced out by the not-hungry days!
No thanks …
2013
Well, after all that build-up, I ended up not having a cupcake. We had the party here and I made barbecued chicken, cauliflower potato salad (subbed cauliflower for the potato in the potato salad), green salad. Chicken was delicious and the cupcake wasn’t all that appealing by the time I finished dinner. No major deal, just chose not to have one.
Down half a pound for the last week, which is, hard as it is to believe I’m sure, really good for me. That said, I’ve been feeling like I’ve been in the 180′s forever. And sure enough I have. But I’m not going to worry about that. As long as I keep losing, no matter how slow or fast or standing still for while, I know eventually I will break that barrier.
My Pilates session was scheduled for today, but the instructor called and said she needed to cancel. She’s supposed to call me to reschedule, but I haven’t heard from her yet, so I’ll probably call her tomorrow. I was all psyched for it too.
Today was one of those days where I was hungry. Didn’t have anything yesterday that would have triggered it, so I figure it’s either thirst or need for more calories. I went with thirst and did okay. I’m finding as time goes on that I’m okay feeling hungry sometimes.
Getting it done …
2013
Thanks to my last post naming all the stuff I needed to get done, I actually accomplished quite a bit. It’s not that I didn’t have it written down elsewhere, because I did so obviously just writing it down wasn’t getting done. But writing it in a post made it all seem suddenly organized and thus in my world manageable.
I scheduled my first Pilates class. Initially I was going to go for an hour, but then decided I’d start with a half hour session. That doesn’t seem as overwhelming to me. I have no idea what is going to happen because I’ve never had a class and it’s been a couple of years since I’ve done the Pilates DVD. (And I have no idea if the DVD is at all indicative of what the class will be like anyway.)
I’m still liking the WW PP and most especially the simply filing option. It makes a lot of sense to me to track the stuff outside of my basic protein, fruits and vegetables. My friend still hasn’t gone back, even though she paid for 3 months. Honestly that would never, ever work for me. Even if I hated it I’d go back just because I’d paid for it. She said it is just too much pressure to get weighed every week and maybe she’d go back in a month.
I am finally seeing some definition in my calves. I know if I was running, I would have seen it sooner. Of course if I’d been running, I probably would have quit before now too. As it is by Friday I get a few twinges in my feet (plantar fasciitis type twinges), so I’m glad to have a couple of days off.
I’m trying to balance doing as much exercise as I can with keeping everything healthy. I do think I’m better off starting slowly. Meanwhile one of my daughters who is training for Boston called and said both her feet were bleeding from doing her 18 miles today. She said she was fine until about mile 13 and then her feet started to hurt. And I’m thinking, “blech”, but was all “oh, honey, that’s too bad.” If it was me, I would never run again if I thought there was any possibility I’d end up with bloody feet.
Eating-wise I’m still pretty much avoiding the sugar/flour thing. I might make an exception for this week-end as they are having my favorite cupcakes that I didn’t know were even here (I’ve only ever had them in Canada) for the birthday party. It was kind of funny because I had offered to make a cake, but she said no she got Crave cupcakes (don’t click on the link unless you do NOT get triggered by yummy pictures) for her birthday every year. That it was her once a year indulgence. And then I found out that her favorites were chocolate/chocolate and I was all in. So I’m banking points (calories) for tomorrow. It’s really nice to have this freedom; to not feel like I will have fallen off plan if I do decide to indulge. And it feels great to actually plan for it, because then I’m making the choice, not letting the choice just happen.
Best of all the idea of having a treat is absolutely not making me crave.
scattered …
2013
Feeling a bit scattered today. Not sure if it’s because I’ve got a lot of little things I need to take care … things like phone calls to make, a button to sew on, paper to review. I seem to be just jumping from one thing to another. (Hence my appearance here … 
).
I am so happy that I just get up and walk every morning. No drama, no wondering if I should. Because otherwise I’m not sure I’d get it done.
I think I must still be getting over my cold. Yesterday I was trying to review a paper and must have spaced out because I heard this noise and was wondering why I could hear it in the back bedroom. The thing was I wasn’t in the back bedroom, I was in my study (where I should be able to hear the sound). I had a surge of energy on Sunday … got the whole house cleaned and laundry done, along with getting to the orchard to pick strawberries (which were delicious), but since then have been fading in the afternoon. Which means I’ve been lucky to get in my 10,000 steps, much less twelve to fifteen thousand.
I still haven’t scheduled my Pilates visits (one of the many phone calls I need to make). I actually looked to see if I could just cancel it, but it’s too late and she’d lose her money, so I won’t.
I also thought of a way that might be able to recover my lost year (or whatever) of blog posts, but it’s not working as easily as I hoped it might. Still have one more place to check … and just realized where it was I should look. Hooray for me! It really bothers me that I have this gap.
I’ve also been thinking about getting the early years written down. One of the nieces is doing this with my mom right now, but honestly at close to 90 years old she has really forgotten a lot. My in-laws did this while they were younger and my kids are very grateful to have stories about their grandparents written down. I guess I’m thinking if I just start writing something every day it would all get done as close to painlessly as possible. Of course the way my mom is doing it there is nobody to contradict her version of things (very appealing 
).
Food is going well. I am eating a few foods occasionally that I usually avoid completely when I dieting. Things like bananas and potatoes. (haha … bet you thought I was going to say cupcakes and candy). Had tuna salad with celery for lunch today and was thinking that crackers (which I used to have) sounded excellent. I didn’t though, because I wasn’t willing to spend my precious points on them.
I’m kind of surprised at how little it’s irritating me to be tracking things for WW. Of course that’s not to say tomorrow it may become the most difficult thing I’ve had to do all week.
I don’t think I’ll go out biking today … it’s really windy out there to the point where we have traffic lights out.
I’ve got a lot of grandkid birthdays this month and none of them are being very forthcoming with suggestions. Most of them are coming here for their spring breaks and I could wait until then, but I prefer to send them something. (I mean what kid doesn’t love to get mail???) I may have to drag myself to the mall just to see if I can come up with some ideas.
And I need to back up my blog at my host. I guess I really should have put this first on my list …
See … I told you I was scattered today!
recovering …
2013
I’m happy to have made it through the last two days. Hardly ate and barely functioned. I still went out every morning, although there were a couple of times when I thought Mac was going to have to grab my hand and drag me home. I think the only reason I was able to go out was because this was the kind of cold where lying down was more comfortable than standing up (drainage issues, you know) and so I got a great night’s sleep. If I’d wanted to do it in the afternoon, I’m sure I would have passed because I kept feeling worse and worse as the day went on from not being able to breathe.
I’m down 4 pounds for the month of February which I’m thrilled about. A pound a week is amazing for me … I’m sure it will slow down, but it’s nice to finally have a decent loss.
WW is going well. I do have a few issues with the program, but none of them affect me. I don’t eat the high-sugar, low-fat stuff anyway (or high-sugar, high-fat for that matter), so it’s irrelevant to me.
Rant ahead: Am I the only one who thinks you should NOT ask other people to go buy you candy or pop or ice cream or cupcakes (Or whatever your downfall is)? If you want to eat the stuff, at least have the guts to go buy it yourself, don’t be dragging other people into it. Psychologically what you’re doing is saying it’s okay if I eat it if you buy it for me because you have given me “permission” by buying it. Talk about passive-aggressive behavior. Take responsibility for your actions. I’ve got nothing to say about the husband’s part in this … frankly I think he’s just going along to get along. (FYI, this is another part I DON’T like about WW … listening to other people’s excuses … trust me, I have enough excuses of my own.)
We’re off to take the grandkids to pick fresh strawberries. One of the local farmers just emailed and said they are ready. No strawberry jam, though (which I ALWAYS used to make when I had access to fresh strawberries). I suspect there’s enough people around that no matter how many we pick they’ll be eaten soon enough.
darn kids …
2013
gave me another cold. This is what I get for not being exposed to kids’ germs on a daily basis previously. Now that I am exposed daily I need to up my immunity. I did drag myself out of bed this morning and did my 5K (along with my weights and squats afterwards.)
I’m going to step outside my comfort zone and take a couple of private Pilates classes. One of my daughter-in-laws got me a certificate for four lessons. I’m SO not much on somebody else telling me what to do, but I’m willing to try. If I like it I might add it into the rotation.
It’s still a little cold to swim which is good because my swimsuit was backordered.
And I got talked into going to Weight Watchers with a friend. She really didn’t want to go alone, so I said I’d go to the first meeting with her. Now she’s dropped out and I’m still going … go figure. I’m doing the simply filling which means I only count anything outside of lean protein, vegetables and fruits … perfect for me. The basic tenet of the simply filling is that you eat enough (of the PVF) to be satisfied … a good thing to work on. It also requires me to make conscious choices of “other” food which is what I need to do. This way I’m neither “on” nor “off”, but just doing.
And for the most part my “other” has been things like 1/2 tablespoon of cream in my eggs instead of milk. Or some olive oil. Or almonds.
We haven’t eaten out in weeks. Every once in a while we’ll talk about it and then decide that we’d really rather eat at home. Anything I’d want to eat out I can make at home and it tastes better. (It does help that I like to cook … must be pain when you don’t like to cook or don’t have the time.)
fruit
2013
I realized I’m struggling with going from having access to almost no fresh fruit to having it hanging off the trees. :) Now it’s melon season and they are SO good. And then one of the cousins came back from Hawaii with fresh pineapple and bananas picked the same day. Yum. Between the oranges and melons and the bananas and the pineapple, I’m getting way too many sugary carbs.
They are definitely not as bad as flour and sugar, but they are way too easy to overeat. Imagine my shock when I reminded myself (by finally looking it up) that one serving of cantaloup is not one whole cantaloup but 1/8th of a cantaloup. I was probably eating a minimum of 10 servings of fruit a day. I need to back away from the fruit and go find some vegetables. And protein that isn’t nuts. Because those are way too easy to overeat also.
Our scale needs a new battery and I haven’t gotten around to getting it so no weighing in. I am, however, happily back in my size 12 jeans. I just ordered a new swimsuit and am afraid it’s going to be too big (I ordered a 12, but they run big). I’m excited to add swimming to my walking, biking, and weights.
Basically …
2013
We started off with rain on Monday and Tuesday. The hard driving kind that soaks clean through if you get caught out in it. Which we did. It was okay, though. I don’t mind walking in the rain (if I get caught in it … I haven’t reached the point where I’d deliberately head out into a rain storm). Same thing with biking … don’t mind if I do get caught in the rain, but I’m not thinking riding in the rain is a good idea. At least it means we aren’t in a drought any longer … for which I think everybody should thank me because it didn’t really start raining regularly until I decided to do daily bike rides.
No rain this morning and the temperature was perfect (47 degrees). Loved, loved, loved being outside again. And the day was bright and sunny, although the temperature never got above 55 degrees. It was while I was basking in the sunshine that I realized I’d been in kind of a bad mood the last two days … related I’m sure to the lack of sunshine. It hit me kind of hard because we had not had two days in a row with rain since we moved here and so I was thinking (feeling) every day should have sunshine.
Food was limited today what with it being Ash Wednesday. I had salad for one meal and fish and vegetables for the other. And of course thinking I’m making this huge sacrifice when truly most days I only eat two meals (although I usually have protein at both meals).
We’ll pass on Valentine’s Day, as much because it’s Lent as because we never have celebrated it as a couple. When the kids were little I used to do special things for them and still send a little something to each of the grandkids.
I’m feeling kind of blah about my eating, instead of my usual, rah-rah, look how well I’m eating. Maybe this is a good thing? I just can’t seem to get that excited about proteins, vegetables and fruits. And since I’m going basic with my eating, my cooking has been basic too. In fact I seldom think about food until it’s time to eat. I am thinking I’ll make a vegetable soup in the crockpot tomorrow.
Wanting …
2013
Things have been going boringly well. Nothing exciting happening. No great words of wisdom to impart.
I did get a flat tire yesterday which was annoying. I was about 5 miles from home when it happened, so instead of walking 3 miles and biking 10, I ended up walking 8 and biking 5. My feet are pretty unhappy with having to walk those five miles too … it did make me realize that my decision to keep my walking between 3 and 4 miles was the right one for me.
My flat tire was due to the frame rubbing against the tire. I guess I’m putting too much air into my tires (or so my “I ride 50 miles for fun” son told me.)
Had one of those days where I wanted chocolate cake. With lots of buttercream frosting.
Now some would say you have a small bite of what you desire. Nope, doesn’t work for me, as one bite (or even small piece) just makes me want more and more and more.
Or you substitute. Maybe an ounce of dark chocolate. That would probably work if what I wanted was chocolate, which I partially did, but mostly I wanted the sugar and flour.
So I did what works for me (which is always the best thing to do anyway) and I didn’t have anything. I wasn’t hungry, I was “wanting” and really there’s no satisfying wanting. The wanting passed, as it always does, particularly if I focus on something else.
Strangely enough, most of the time my “wanting” happens when I’m not really very hungry. If I do have true hunger (haven’t eat in four or more hours type), then I’m hungry for something of substance. Knowing that makes it easier to ignore that wanting feeling.
I did my planks and squats all week on alternate days. Hooray for me. And outside of one day with heavy rain I’ve gotten in my bike riding daily.
I’m such a klutz. Really. I have been all my life. I tripped over my on feet in a store the other day and went stumbling across the floor. Luckily I caught myself before I hurt anything. The last time I tripped like that I fell into a door and ended up with bruises up and down one side of my body. Sometimes when I watch my two-year old grandsons running and playing and then, splat, they are flat on the ground, I recognize myself. Still. To this very day. Only I manage to catch myself while they haven’t learned how to yet.
Never had a problem biking, though, for some reason. I do get a little nervous passing other people on the bike path, but the more I ride the more confident I get. I don’t clip in, though; that’s totally beyond my comfort zone. Maybe someday … One of my daughters told me that I should learn how to fall off my bike and then I wouldn’t be bothered by the clips and could ride faster. As fun as that sounds, I’ll pass. I really would rather be clip-less and slower.
Rainy days and Mondays
2013
I finally decided I was going to have to ride in the rain if I was going to bike again. Seems like as soon as I decide to go out, the rain clouds roll in. And then I decide not to go. And then it doesn’t rain. Go figure.
So today I went out for ten miles. It drizzled for about the last five, which was fine. Perfect in fact because I pretty much had the bike trail to myself.
I really want to get back to doing my 50 bike miles during the week. Every week-end it seems like we have something going on or company here and it’s hard to get out for 25 miles each day. Plus I think it’s better on my body to do 10 miles for five days rather than 25 miles in one day.
Yesterday I fell into a box of donuts. And the funny thing is I don’t really care that much for donuts. I had a bite of one (because I could) and once I tasted that sugar I was gone. Fortunately there were a limited number of donuts, so I only had one. And also fortunately I didn’t end up with any cravings. Unfortunately, that donut tasted really, really good. (It’s so much better when you think something is going to taste marvelous and then it doesn’t. Then it’s so much easier to say to yourself that you aren’t going to make the mistake of eating that again.)
Weight stayed the same this morning, so I don’t think I did any damage with the donut foray.
I’ve been doing really well with drinking my water and eating my vegetables. Except for today. For some reason I wasn’t really hungry today. Only had one very small serving of homemade coleslaw for vegetables. Just didn’t get around to eating any of the other yummy fresh vegetables I have in the house. I’ll do better tomorrow.
Also did 5K walking, weights (arms) and 2 minute plank. And I did eat my protein so the day wasn’t a total fail food-wise. Looks like it might be raining tomorrow morning, so I may end up doing the ski machine.
January
2013
First of all, I can’t believe it’s already February. This month has just flown by. But I know it really is February because the family and friends’ requests for help with their tax returns are rolling in. Every year I think that I’ll have less people, but just as I get one group comfortable with doing their own taxes, another bunch of nieces and nephews enter the work force and want help. I’m happy to do it; it just means I don’t do much else during February.
First two weeks of January we were on vacation … eating wasn’t where it should be and there wasn’t much exercise going on. Three weeks ago when we got home we started walking the very next morning. Hooray for us! We had a couple of rainy days, but that just meant I did my 5K on the ski machine instead. Biking has really slowed down between work and the rain (and the wind … I don’t mind walking in the wind, but I really dislike biking in it). I did manage to average 10,000 steps a day since we’ve been back (I didn’t take my fitbit with me while we were traveling.) That doesn’t count any of the biking I did get done. It’s been pretty easy getting the walking in since the weather is so nice 90% of the time. I get in extra steps (besides the 5K) with making sure I park in the far recesses of the parking lot and putting my printer at the opposite end of the house from my office. Little things do add up!
Weight-wise I ended the month down a couple of pounds. I’m hoping that tightening up the eating will yield me at least 4 pounds next month. Even in the best of times I’m a really slow loser. I’m sure I have the metabolism of a slug (as evidenced by the fact that I went days without eating when I was sick and didn’t really feel hungry … I’m very good at conserving my energy (calories)).
What would I like my February to look like? Besides dropping at least four pounds, I’d like to get back biking a minimum of 25 miles a week. Keep up with the 5K 5 days a week. Keep up with the weights. Make sure I get up and walk around every hour when I’m working (I tend to get absorbed and before I know it a couple of hours have gone by without my having moved a muscle). Only have carby things at a maximum of one meal a week. (which means saying no even if somebody’s just cooked up a batch of mouth-watering biscuits).
Oh and I’d also like to do the 30 day plank challenge. I meant to start it this week, but I keep forgetting to do it. Planks are really good for the core (and squats are good for the a$$ … I try to do some every day, but I haven’t been consistent with those.)
So planks and squats in February. Just need to add them to my weight lifting days … squats on the leg days and planks on the arm days. Because it seems like planks should be good for the upper body too, right?
In my mind I picture myself using my calendar to track my eating and my exercise. In reality, my calendar gets buried under all the papers on my desk. :(
Day 2
2013
Did much better today. Wasn’t near as hungry (or thinking I was hungry) as yesterday.
For some reason a couple of weeks ago I thought I wasn’t drinking enough water. So I measured each of my water bottles (I have three I fill each night and put in the refrigerator) and each one holds 24 oz. And I usually drink 3 to 4 of them. So, yeah, I think I’m okay on the water intake. Regardless of whether it’s 30 degrees (last week) or 72 degrees (this morning) when we head out at 6 am, I always drink about 48 oz when I get home. I do try to get most of my water in early in the day so I’m not up multiple times during the night and getting 48 oz right off helps. I occasionally have an iced tea (unsweetened by choice), but mostly I drink water.
I’ve been eating Greek yogurt for breakfast the past couple of days, but I think I’ll finish up what I have and not buy more. I don’t like the plain and the ones with fruit in them taste too sweet. I pictured myself making my own, but realistically that’s probably not going to happen.
I had a handful of cashews this morning which I think helped me not feel like I was starving like yesterday. I normally don’t eat a lot of nuts … I’m more sweet than salty in my taste preferences.
I’m trying to be very basic in my eating … lc vegetables at every meal, two fruits a day, about 10 ounces of protein, and one serving of milk (hence the Greek yogurt). Last time I did this successfully, I stayed away from flour and sugar at least six days a week, usually having one day when I had a potato or banana or, once I was losing and feeling strong, a cookie or cupcake. Of course at that point I’m usually happy with just one cookie or part of a cupcake (or even better neither one!) But that’s to worry about in the future. Right now I just need to get a couple of weeks of clean eating.
Focus
2013
I realize I need to get focused again. I’m just kind of drifting along as far as the eating goes. Not eating poorly, just not being very vigilant about serving sizes. Exercise is good, but exercise alone is absolutely not going to get me where I want to be.
And of course as soon as I decided to get with the program, I felt like I was SO hungry. This even after I’d eaten a good clean meal. And I’m thinking of foods (like cupcakes and cookies) that I haven’t eaten in months. I did stay on track, but it wasn’t easy.
A funny thing happened last night, though. We had company and dinner was spot on … roasted pork tenderloin with fresh roasted green beans and salad. Dessert was fresh strawberries and cream (I passed on the cream … I’m not a fan of unsweetened cream … guess I’ve had too much cool whip in my past life). Our company then pulls out a box of chocolates. And I’m thinking “wow, it would really be rude of me to not have at least one”. Then I saw where they were from (a Canadian Chocolatier) and realized I didn’t like them at all. And all of sudden it didn’t feel rude at all to say, “no, thanks”. Just goes to show that the “it would be rude not to eat that” reasoning really is just one more reason to allow myself to indulge, not a real concern for somebody else’s feelings. (Rude would have been for me to have said, “yuck, no”. :X )
