I may be prejudice here since I am a writer and have made a living by my skill so of course I'm going to say there is power in the pen. But beyond that the power that the pen has when speaking of weight loss is that you know for sure what you have done from the exercises you do to the calories you consume. In the past, I have been a bit obsessed about writing every little bitty thing down and the result was that I burned out.
This time around, I'm trying to be a little laid back about documenting my journey through weight loss. I have a chart on the back of my door where I put a star when i complete an exercise or some other thing that I'm requiring of myself.
Be aware of what you are eating. Never eat mindlessly because that is when we get in trouble. Or if there is a time when your jaws are restless, you can have a bag of celery or carrots to chew away on mindlessly.
The pen does have power because when you see on paper what you have actually eaten, it may be much more that you would have guessed. So if you do not write down everything you eat then develop an eye for amounts. It is so important to keep your "food radar" on at all times. Be aware so food doesn't get the upper hand.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
It's More Than Numbers
Sometimes we're held hostage to numbers in all parts of our lives. Maybe it is the numbers on the scale when we step on it in the morning. Maybe it is the number on the food scale saying something measures at 4 ounces or 6 ounces. Or how many measuring spoons and cups do we store in our kitchen drawer?
About three years ago I set out to lose weight and was successful, I might add. But numbers ruled my day -- walking 8-10,000 steps daily, doing 3 sets of leg lifts, sit ups and any number of other muscle training exercises at the gym. Eating 1500 calories. It was good, I lost 55 pounds. But as soon as I stopped counting, the numbers on the scale multiplied like there was no tomorrow. Today, I've managed to recapture all but 12 of those pounds I lost.
Does it have to be that way? I don't think so. When my daughter and her long-time boyfriend announced they were going to get married in the spring of 2012, I took one look at myself and decided I would NOT be a fat mother-of-the-bride. So here goes again or maybe it will be different this time.
I started examining weight and weight loss and weight gain. Why do some gain and others maintain the same weight for years? I came to this conclusion. There are some things that my body is inefficient in doing. My fat-burning thermostat is not working right. My body does not metabolize sugar or carbs. In other words, I need a tune-up; I need some adjustments to my system.
So it's not all about numbers. I'm attempting to retrain my thinking. I'm taking supplements that are giving my thermostat a bolt of lightening. I'm creating a lifestyle of activity. I do not JUST go walk or lift weights. I bought a push lawnmower. I live in a small town so I never drive anywhere that I can walk to. I walk to the bank. I walk to the post office. I walk to the grocery store.
I will win this battle and I will be 70 pounds lighter in April 2012 when my daughter walks down the aisle in her wedding gown. I will, just watch me!
About three years ago I set out to lose weight and was successful, I might add. But numbers ruled my day -- walking 8-10,000 steps daily, doing 3 sets of leg lifts, sit ups and any number of other muscle training exercises at the gym. Eating 1500 calories. It was good, I lost 55 pounds. But as soon as I stopped counting, the numbers on the scale multiplied like there was no tomorrow. Today, I've managed to recapture all but 12 of those pounds I lost.
Does it have to be that way? I don't think so. When my daughter and her long-time boyfriend announced they were going to get married in the spring of 2012, I took one look at myself and decided I would NOT be a fat mother-of-the-bride. So here goes again or maybe it will be different this time.
I started examining weight and weight loss and weight gain. Why do some gain and others maintain the same weight for years? I came to this conclusion. There are some things that my body is inefficient in doing. My fat-burning thermostat is not working right. My body does not metabolize sugar or carbs. In other words, I need a tune-up; I need some adjustments to my system.
So it's not all about numbers. I'm attempting to retrain my thinking. I'm taking supplements that are giving my thermostat a bolt of lightening. I'm creating a lifestyle of activity. I do not JUST go walk or lift weights. I bought a push lawnmower. I live in a small town so I never drive anywhere that I can walk to. I walk to the bank. I walk to the post office. I walk to the grocery store.
I will win this battle and I will be 70 pounds lighter in April 2012 when my daughter walks down the aisle in her wedding gown. I will, just watch me!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
More Lessons Learned
Weight loss is definitely not a sprint even though we would love for it to be so. I have set out on a marathon that I dare not get bored with. I had an interesting experience this week as I was assigned to write 23 blog entries for a business that dealt with substance abuse. All 23 blog entries had the key word of substance abuse so I became knowledgeable about all aspects of substance abuse. One thing that I learned is that I may not be abusing alcohol or drugs but I'm just as much an addict as the alcoholic or the drug addict.
In the middle of the afternoon after working hard, I suddenly have this all-consuming urge for a malt or a sundae, etc and in fact tell myself the I deserve it. I do not deserve it and have no right to think that I cannot live without it or that in some way it'll make the rest of the day easier.
I saw distinctly, this week that I was no different than the alcoholic thinking she needed one more vodka or beer or the drug addict needing one more hit of cocaine. I had no right to think that I NEEDED one more high sugar or high fat package of cookies, ice cream soda or malt or sundae.
It was interesting how that moment of clarity hit a re-programming button in my mind and soul. Thursday, I was doing my second job of merchandising and about 9:30 pm, I got some fast food but then I so wanted an ice cream. Then I listened again to my self talk. Here was the conversation, " I need an ice cream to get me through the rest of the night." How different is that from a drug addict saying in order to get through the stress of the day he just HAD TO HAVE a jolt of his favorite drug.
There was absolutely no difference and you know what? I did not buy an ice cream and I made it through the night just fine, just hunky dory fine!.
In the middle of the afternoon after working hard, I suddenly have this all-consuming urge for a malt or a sundae, etc and in fact tell myself the I deserve it. I do not deserve it and have no right to think that I cannot live without it or that in some way it'll make the rest of the day easier.
I saw distinctly, this week that I was no different than the alcoholic thinking she needed one more vodka or beer or the drug addict needing one more hit of cocaine. I had no right to think that I NEEDED one more high sugar or high fat package of cookies, ice cream soda or malt or sundae.
It was interesting how that moment of clarity hit a re-programming button in my mind and soul. Thursday, I was doing my second job of merchandising and about 9:30 pm, I got some fast food but then I so wanted an ice cream. Then I listened again to my self talk. Here was the conversation, " I need an ice cream to get me through the rest of the night." How different is that from a drug addict saying in order to get through the stress of the day he just HAD TO HAVE a jolt of his favorite drug.
There was absolutely no difference and you know what? I did not buy an ice cream and I made it through the night just fine, just hunky dory fine!.
Friday, July 9, 2010
My Weight Management Campaign
Every time I begin to lose weight, I get inspired to write a book to record my experiences and to be an encouragement to others who decided to launch on this same campaign. Then I get all engrossed in my plan and my failures and successes and just decide it's easier to not rationalize about it in a book.
It seems sometimes that I fail more than I succeed but then maybe that is just my perspective. I am of the persuasion that I'm failed unless I've totally completed my goal. But I got a good piece of advice last week. If I'm that type of person then I need to create very small goals.
That seems simple enough but it isn't when it is about weight loss -- my greatest challenge. I've succeeded in a great many endeavors in my life but for some reason long-term weight loss just continues to slip through my fingers.
In 2007, I set out to lose weight and went after it with a passion. I created my own plan, did surveys online to find out how many calories I needed to eat and how much cardio I needed to do. I lost weight and over the next 18 months, I lost 55 pounds. Then I suddenly I was totally burned out. Did not want to exercise, did not have any drive to get to the gym and was careful about my food plan but not rigid.
The weight began coming back immediately and by 2010, I had gained back 45 of the 55 pounds I had lost. What do I do now? Well, there is only one thing to do. Put a plan together and begin executing it.
My daughter and her boyfriend announced their engagement and when I looked at myself later in the day, I scowled at myself and said, "No way, are you going to be a fat mother of the bride.
It is 21 months till the wedding and I have been on my Weight Loss Plan (WLP)for one month. I've lost 4 pounds. I've also learned a lot and am settling in for the long haul. I'm on a marathon so I'm starting out slow and steady.
Follow me on my journey and give me your thoughts. If you are reading this and you also need to lose weight, join me in the march to a healthier lifestyle. Let's share our successes and enjoy each other through our disappointments.
It seems sometimes that I fail more than I succeed but then maybe that is just my perspective. I am of the persuasion that I'm failed unless I've totally completed my goal. But I got a good piece of advice last week. If I'm that type of person then I need to create very small goals.
That seems simple enough but it isn't when it is about weight loss -- my greatest challenge. I've succeeded in a great many endeavors in my life but for some reason long-term weight loss just continues to slip through my fingers.
In 2007, I set out to lose weight and went after it with a passion. I created my own plan, did surveys online to find out how many calories I needed to eat and how much cardio I needed to do. I lost weight and over the next 18 months, I lost 55 pounds. Then I suddenly I was totally burned out. Did not want to exercise, did not have any drive to get to the gym and was careful about my food plan but not rigid.
The weight began coming back immediately and by 2010, I had gained back 45 of the 55 pounds I had lost. What do I do now? Well, there is only one thing to do. Put a plan together and begin executing it.
My daughter and her boyfriend announced their engagement and when I looked at myself later in the day, I scowled at myself and said, "No way, are you going to be a fat mother of the bride.
It is 21 months till the wedding and I have been on my Weight Loss Plan (WLP)for one month. I've lost 4 pounds. I've also learned a lot and am settling in for the long haul. I'm on a marathon so I'm starting out slow and steady.
Follow me on my journey and give me your thoughts. If you are reading this and you also need to lose weight, join me in the march to a healthier lifestyle. Let's share our successes and enjoy each other through our disappointments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)