Okay...Week 27 of weight loss! Can I hear a what, what! Another pound down, my friends!
This week at my group we talked about an article by Jan Shepard called "What's Eating You: 5 Food Thoughts and Their Effects." This article really touched me, because I saw many of my own issues reflected there.
In summary, they are:
1. Polarized thinking: thinking that everything is either all or nothing or black and white. "I ate one cookie, why not eat the whole bag?"
2.Emotional reasoning: everything you feel must be true. "A person like me doesn't belong at the gym." or "No one will love me, because I am big and stupid.
3. Filtering: perceiving only the negative and not the positive. "I may have nice hair, but notice my hairdresser is trying to cut for my "round" face."
4. Blaming: Blaming yourself or others for problems instead of working to solve them. "My spouse always keeps cookies in the house, that is why I am fat."
5. Controlling Fallacies: thinking that other people are in control of your actions or that you have no control. "I don't have time to exercise."
I can't tell you how many times I allowed my thinking to prevent me from happiness and success, not just in terms of losing weight either. I used to think of myself as a worthless person, whom others were simply tolerating. In truth, I do have that feeling sometimes still. However, I have learned to address that idea head on and feel the feeling, rather than internalize it.
The one simple way this thinking has stopped me in the past is in terms of exercise. I never thought of myself as really capable of doing something like running. I was convinced that I would never be "like those crazy people" jogging along at six in the morning. In truth, I had convinced myself that I was not capable of doing it. That is an example of polarized thinking. "If I can't run; I can't exercise at all." Now, I am one of those people, and I am sure there are people who think I am completely nuts as they drive along and see me walking/running in the early morning hours.
I hear similar types of thinking all the time. "I can't go the gym with all those skinny people." Skinny people are at the gym, but so are a lot of other types of people. Just because you are not perfect, doesn't mean you can't go to a gym. As I told my amazing mother, "no one is looking at you at the gym--they are paying attention to themselves!" (By the way, thinking that others are judging you is an example of "personalization" thinking.)
I'll never forget when I really starting thinking differently about myself in the world. It was the day after my anniversary, when the scale crept up half a pound. I had to dig deep and ask myself, "Why am I so upset by this? Why do I feel so depressed?" I realized that I really needed to actively talk myself out of my negativity and find my "power of positive thinking." I began to really understand that I have achieved so much and am not doomed to failure. I can plan for and expect success in this world. Weight up or down, what matters is how I treat myself and others. If I do good, I can expect to do well. If I eat right and exercise; I will be okay if I fall of the wagon once and a while (like I did on Saturday....I ate so much I got sick! Lesson learned!)
As my stepmom would say, "thoughts are things."
Okay... here are the numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 161
Goal weight: 140
The goals:
Outer goal: What can I say? I am feeling pretty good right now!
Inner goal: oooommmmmm!
See you next week!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Two More Weeks to Go!
Wow! I think Kaiser deserves a medal! This is my 26th straight week of weight loss on their Medical Weight Loss Program. (Watch, I'll gain weight next week--LOL!) Granted a few of those weeks, like this one was a 1/2 a pound, but that is still better than a poke in the eye!
I was telling my class tonight how instrumental they were in helping me make all kinds of important changes in my life. It is not an exaggeration to say that I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. The weight loss in a wonderful byproduct of me feeling like I control my life, not that others are controlling it for me.
So, I started a new job (part of me changing things in my life), and I routinely put in 10,000 steps by 2:15 pm on my pedometer! WOW! It's amazing what being lighter on your feet can do. Here is how I do it:
I walk to and from the office to check my box at every break.
I walk to and from the front of my classroom to the back at least five times every class period.
I walk to and from my car twice a day.
I walk around the school on my break.
Basically, I take ANY excuse to walk around, including going to copy machine twice or three times, instead of just doing it all in one fell swoop--yes, it may seem like I am wasting time, but I am getting those steps in!
Although I have made great strides (pun intended) in the diet and exercise area, I am getting concerned, as the end of my class is coming, that I will backslide into my former bad habits. Already I am noticing a strange addiction to low calorie pudding--to the point that I did not buy any today at the store so I wouldn't eat two or three a day. I was journalling my food, noticing that Jello is my go to food when I am tired, stressed, and/or worried. Even though it does not take me over my calorie count for the day, it's the habit that counts--not the food. Managing one's stress through food is a bad idea, whether you are using chocolate cake or carrots.
At any rate, here are the numbers:
Starting Weight: 224
Current Weight: 162
Goal Weight: 140
Goal Time!
Outer Goal: I want to have fabulous, Jennifer Aniston-like arms!
Inner Goal: To nuture a peaceful space in my heart, and, of course...WORLD PEACE!
See you next week!
I was telling my class tonight how instrumental they were in helping me make all kinds of important changes in my life. It is not an exaggeration to say that I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. The weight loss in a wonderful byproduct of me feeling like I control my life, not that others are controlling it for me.
So, I started a new job (part of me changing things in my life), and I routinely put in 10,000 steps by 2:15 pm on my pedometer! WOW! It's amazing what being lighter on your feet can do. Here is how I do it:
I walk to and from the office to check my box at every break.
I walk to and from the front of my classroom to the back at least five times every class period.
I walk to and from my car twice a day.
I walk around the school on my break.
Basically, I take ANY excuse to walk around, including going to copy machine twice or three times, instead of just doing it all in one fell swoop--yes, it may seem like I am wasting time, but I am getting those steps in!
Although I have made great strides (pun intended) in the diet and exercise area, I am getting concerned, as the end of my class is coming, that I will backslide into my former bad habits. Already I am noticing a strange addiction to low calorie pudding--to the point that I did not buy any today at the store so I wouldn't eat two or three a day. I was journalling my food, noticing that Jello is my go to food when I am tired, stressed, and/or worried. Even though it does not take me over my calorie count for the day, it's the habit that counts--not the food. Managing one's stress through food is a bad idea, whether you are using chocolate cake or carrots.
At any rate, here are the numbers:
Starting Weight: 224
Current Weight: 162
Goal Weight: 140
Goal Time!
Outer Goal: I want to have fabulous, Jennifer Aniston-like arms!
Inner Goal: To nuture a peaceful space in my heart, and, of course...WORLD PEACE!
See you next week!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
In the Zone!
Great week this week! I lost 3.5 pounds! Since my BMR is at 1500 calories, that's quite a feat!
Brainstorming with a friend from my weight loss class for reasons for my big loss this week, we came up with....protein! Since I am training for a 5K I am adding a bit more protein into my diet.
Some other things I did differently this week:
I drink more water in the morning.
I no longer eat after 8 PM unless I am genuinely hungry.
In other news...
I started my new job today. It was strange since no one there ever knew me when I was 234. I've come to identify myself as a "fat girl" for so long; it's weird not to have people surprised to see what I look like. My new staff tee shirt is also TWO sizes smaller than the last one I got last year.
I've decided to start this job right by stocking my mini-fridge with healthy snacks and water. It really does help, since the closest food to my job is all junk food. My job is all consuming sometimes, so it's nice to be able to reach into the fridge for a low cal snack instead of donuts in the staff room when hunger strikes. Keeping to a five meal a day plan helps curb hunger as well. I bring two snacks along with my sandwich, so I never feel hungry. Planning is key!
This week's temptation: PTSA breakfast! (However, they had non-fat yogurt--yay!)
Okay here are the numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 162.5
Goal weight: 140
Outer goal: I want be in a size 10 dress by Christmas.
Inner goal: I think I need to readjust my body image--so my goal is to see myself as I really am.
See you next week!
Brainstorming with a friend from my weight loss class for reasons for my big loss this week, we came up with....protein! Since I am training for a 5K I am adding a bit more protein into my diet.
Some other things I did differently this week:
I drink more water in the morning.
I no longer eat after 8 PM unless I am genuinely hungry.
In other news...
I started my new job today. It was strange since no one there ever knew me when I was 234. I've come to identify myself as a "fat girl" for so long; it's weird not to have people surprised to see what I look like. My new staff tee shirt is also TWO sizes smaller than the last one I got last year.
I've decided to start this job right by stocking my mini-fridge with healthy snacks and water. It really does help, since the closest food to my job is all junk food. My job is all consuming sometimes, so it's nice to be able to reach into the fridge for a low cal snack instead of donuts in the staff room when hunger strikes. Keeping to a five meal a day plan helps curb hunger as well. I bring two snacks along with my sandwich, so I never feel hungry. Planning is key!
This week's temptation: PTSA breakfast! (However, they had non-fat yogurt--yay!)
Okay here are the numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 162.5
Goal weight: 140
Outer goal: I want be in a size 10 dress by Christmas.
Inner goal: I think I need to readjust my body image--so my goal is to see myself as I really am.
See you next week!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Slow and steady wins the race...
Another pound down!
We've been having a heat wave here in the lovely San Francisco Bay Area, which reminded me to talk about water.
You remember water, right? Water consumption is essential to weight loss, and most people in the United States are dehydrated. Yep, that means you are probably dehydrated. When I was eating Optifast only, I was drinking a gallon of water a day, and my blood tests still showed me to be slightly dehydrated.
So, what are some signs of dehydration?
1. Thirst. If you feel slightly thirsty, your body REALLY needs water!
2. Hunger. If you feel hungry, even though you have eaten in the last three hours, you are probably thirsty. The sensors in your brain for hunger and thirst are right next to each other and overlap.
3. This one is gross, so beware. Yellow pee. That's right! Your pee should be almost clear. If your pee is anything other than pale yellow, you don't drink enough water.
4. Dry skin. Your skin should not be flaky, unless you have a skin condition like eczema.
5. Really loose skin. Your skin should plump up a little, unless you are above the age of 90. Even people in their 70's and 80's should have some basic elasticity in their skin.
The rule of thumb is 8-8 ounces of water a day...if your BMI is in the normal range. Be careful, caffeinated drinks have a diuretic effect--so limit caffeine. For those of us who are in the high normal, overweight, or obese categories, you should drink an extra 8 ounces of water for every 25 pounds you are overweight. So, at 230 pounds, I needed to drink 5 extra glasses of water a day. Now, I need to drink 10 glasses of water a day.
You should also eat your water. Fresh fruits and veggies have water in them, so munch away--especially if you are getting hunger signals. Sometimes water rich food can stop both hunger and thirst signals.
The numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 166
Goal weight: 140
The goals:
Outer goal--I want to wear a size 8.
Inner goal--to stay strong and focused during my hernia surgery!
We've been having a heat wave here in the lovely San Francisco Bay Area, which reminded me to talk about water.
You remember water, right? Water consumption is essential to weight loss, and most people in the United States are dehydrated. Yep, that means you are probably dehydrated. When I was eating Optifast only, I was drinking a gallon of water a day, and my blood tests still showed me to be slightly dehydrated.
So, what are some signs of dehydration?
1. Thirst. If you feel slightly thirsty, your body REALLY needs water!
2. Hunger. If you feel hungry, even though you have eaten in the last three hours, you are probably thirsty. The sensors in your brain for hunger and thirst are right next to each other and overlap.
3. This one is gross, so beware. Yellow pee. That's right! Your pee should be almost clear. If your pee is anything other than pale yellow, you don't drink enough water.
4. Dry skin. Your skin should not be flaky, unless you have a skin condition like eczema.
5. Really loose skin. Your skin should plump up a little, unless you are above the age of 90. Even people in their 70's and 80's should have some basic elasticity in their skin.
The rule of thumb is 8-8 ounces of water a day...if your BMI is in the normal range. Be careful, caffeinated drinks have a diuretic effect--so limit caffeine. For those of us who are in the high normal, overweight, or obese categories, you should drink an extra 8 ounces of water for every 25 pounds you are overweight. So, at 230 pounds, I needed to drink 5 extra glasses of water a day. Now, I need to drink 10 glasses of water a day.
You should also eat your water. Fresh fruits and veggies have water in them, so munch away--especially if you are getting hunger signals. Sometimes water rich food can stop both hunger and thirst signals.
The numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 166
Goal weight: 140
The goals:
Outer goal--I want to wear a size 8.
Inner goal--to stay strong and focused during my hernia surgery!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Vacation...blessing or curse?
While on vacation in Seattle with my Mom, I lost 2.5 pounds. That's right, 2.5 pounds!
For many of us, trips or simple "stay-cations" are rife with pitfalls for any serious dieter. You eat out all the time, plus you cannot really stay on your normal sleep, water, and exercise routine. I had the same problems, but I made two goals for myself for my vacation. Exercise every single day. Not just walk around, do something that actually raised my heart rate (which is actually really hard for me now, since my resting heart rate is 41!). My other goal was to stick to 1200 calories a day. Here's how I did it.
Exercise: Before my folks got up in the morning, I woke up and walked two miles. Granted, I wasn't jogging most of the time, but I was taking a path that had inclines and required some effort. The hardest part about this aspect wasn't getting up, since my parents don't wake up very early. The hardest part was packing. I was the girl who went to Europe for a week with a school backpack--yeah--I am the lightest packer I know. This was the first trip I took where I had a difficult time fitting everything into a carry on bag! In part, I wanted to bring more fabulous clothes, since I am looking better. However, I needed to bring at least enough clothes to workout in as well. However, it seemed worth it to take a larger bag and check it, so I could have a good chance at meeting my goals on my trip.
Why (you may ask) didn't I just wash my workout clothes at my Mom's? Good question! Fitness asked successful, long term exercisers some of their tricks, and one of them was to have clean exercise clothes available to you AT ALL TIMES. I didn't want to have the excuse of not having clean clothes. In actuality, a few extra tee shirts and leggings didn't take up much room anyway. It was really worth it! What was funny, is that I didn't actually end up packing enough, so my Mom was nice enough to take me to Kohl's to pick up a few extra shirts. It's all a learning process!
1200 Calories: Staying on track with this goal was the hardest. Not because we were eating out a lot (which we were), but because my parents have ONE, one cup measuring cup! Thank God they had a food scale!!! Making food at their house was challenging. I am so grateful to my mother, who took me to the grocery store after she picked me up from the airport (we didn't even go home first!), so I was able to get a lot of pre-measured things (like yogurt and English muffins).
Actually, my family's support was invaluable, as they did not bat an eyelash when I asked for the 57 millionth time whether or not a restaurant had their nutritional information available. It must have been strange eating food with a person who takes five minutes to order dinner ("All dressing and sauces on the side"..."I am sorry are those vegetables steamed or sauteed?" yadda, yadda, yadda). I actually talked to three people (two of whom were managers) about the exact way they prepared their "spa chicken." Some servers will just tell you want they think you want to hear, not give you the truth about how the food is made. Persistence and big tips are key to make sure your food is prepared the way you want it.
When a restaurant does not offer their nutritional information, here is what I do to ensure success:
1. I do not order anything with "crispy" in the description.
2. I do not order any "entree sized" salad. Salads are loaded with extra calories. I order side or green salads only.
3. I will order food that is identifiable--no stews, curries, or sauces. Why? So, I can estimate how much of what I am eating.
4. I always assume that there is 100 calories of hidden fats in any restaurant meal, unless I have good reason not to.
5. I order things dry cooked and steamed. Yes, it's not as tasty as your companion's food, but you will lose weight.
6. Order a la carte if possible--that way, if you just want to eat one egg and English muffin, you are not tempted by the rest of the food in a regular sized breakfast. This technique is harder at dinner time, but still possible.
7. Order the appetizer size of something.
8. Look up the nutritional information of the restaurant before you order--when the server sees the calorie book in your hand, he or she know you are serious.
9. Don't be chintzy--a lot of people don't realize this, but servers often get paid less than minimum wage and live off tips (yep it's legal). If you order something that is off the menu or complicated, tip 20%. Or, in the case of you Optifast folks, leave a the tip you would have left, had you not brought your own food.
10. If you think the server is uninformed or lying to you, just confirm your needs. "Are you sure that fish is cooked without butter? It's really important to me to make sure. I will have to send it back if there is butter on there." The server doesn't want the hassle of you sending back food, so he or she will make sure to talk to the kitchen.
To wrap up, my vacation was a blessing, since I got to hang with my folks and challenge myself in new ways!
Anyway, here are the numbers!
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 167
Goal weight: 140
Outer Goal: Right now, I am looking pretty good, like a chunky Christie Brinkley with glasses--so I perhaps....Elle McPherson on the cover of Sports Illustrated?
Inner Goal: To make sure I treat myself, because I achieved two major goals this week and...say it with me...WORLD PEACE!
For many of us, trips or simple "stay-cations" are rife with pitfalls for any serious dieter. You eat out all the time, plus you cannot really stay on your normal sleep, water, and exercise routine. I had the same problems, but I made two goals for myself for my vacation. Exercise every single day. Not just walk around, do something that actually raised my heart rate (which is actually really hard for me now, since my resting heart rate is 41!). My other goal was to stick to 1200 calories a day. Here's how I did it.
Exercise: Before my folks got up in the morning, I woke up and walked two miles. Granted, I wasn't jogging most of the time, but I was taking a path that had inclines and required some effort. The hardest part about this aspect wasn't getting up, since my parents don't wake up very early. The hardest part was packing. I was the girl who went to Europe for a week with a school backpack--yeah--I am the lightest packer I know. This was the first trip I took where I had a difficult time fitting everything into a carry on bag! In part, I wanted to bring more fabulous clothes, since I am looking better. However, I needed to bring at least enough clothes to workout in as well. However, it seemed worth it to take a larger bag and check it, so I could have a good chance at meeting my goals on my trip.
Why (you may ask) didn't I just wash my workout clothes at my Mom's? Good question! Fitness asked successful, long term exercisers some of their tricks, and one of them was to have clean exercise clothes available to you AT ALL TIMES. I didn't want to have the excuse of not having clean clothes. In actuality, a few extra tee shirts and leggings didn't take up much room anyway. It was really worth it! What was funny, is that I didn't actually end up packing enough, so my Mom was nice enough to take me to Kohl's to pick up a few extra shirts. It's all a learning process!
1200 Calories: Staying on track with this goal was the hardest. Not because we were eating out a lot (which we were), but because my parents have ONE, one cup measuring cup! Thank God they had a food scale!!! Making food at their house was challenging. I am so grateful to my mother, who took me to the grocery store after she picked me up from the airport (we didn't even go home first!), so I was able to get a lot of pre-measured things (like yogurt and English muffins).
Actually, my family's support was invaluable, as they did not bat an eyelash when I asked for the 57 millionth time whether or not a restaurant had their nutritional information available. It must have been strange eating food with a person who takes five minutes to order dinner ("All dressing and sauces on the side"..."I am sorry are those vegetables steamed or sauteed?" yadda, yadda, yadda). I actually talked to three people (two of whom were managers) about the exact way they prepared their "spa chicken." Some servers will just tell you want they think you want to hear, not give you the truth about how the food is made. Persistence and big tips are key to make sure your food is prepared the way you want it.
When a restaurant does not offer their nutritional information, here is what I do to ensure success:
1. I do not order anything with "crispy" in the description.
2. I do not order any "entree sized" salad. Salads are loaded with extra calories. I order side or green salads only.
3. I will order food that is identifiable--no stews, curries, or sauces. Why? So, I can estimate how much of what I am eating.
4. I always assume that there is 100 calories of hidden fats in any restaurant meal, unless I have good reason not to.
5. I order things dry cooked and steamed. Yes, it's not as tasty as your companion's food, but you will lose weight.
6. Order a la carte if possible--that way, if you just want to eat one egg and English muffin, you are not tempted by the rest of the food in a regular sized breakfast. This technique is harder at dinner time, but still possible.
7. Order the appetizer size of something.
8. Look up the nutritional information of the restaurant before you order--when the server sees the calorie book in your hand, he or she know you are serious.
9. Don't be chintzy--a lot of people don't realize this, but servers often get paid less than minimum wage and live off tips (yep it's legal). If you order something that is off the menu or complicated, tip 20%. Or, in the case of you Optifast folks, leave a the tip you would have left, had you not brought your own food.
10. If you think the server is uninformed or lying to you, just confirm your needs. "Are you sure that fish is cooked without butter? It's really important to me to make sure. I will have to send it back if there is butter on there." The server doesn't want the hassle of you sending back food, so he or she will make sure to talk to the kitchen.
To wrap up, my vacation was a blessing, since I got to hang with my folks and challenge myself in new ways!
Anyway, here are the numbers!
Starting weight: 224
Current weight: 167
Goal weight: 140
Outer Goal: Right now, I am looking pretty good, like a chunky Christie Brinkley with glasses--so I perhaps....Elle McPherson on the cover of Sports Illustrated?
Inner Goal: To make sure I treat myself, because I achieved two major goals this week and...say it with me...WORLD PEACE!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Another Pound Bites the Dust!
Did she or didn't she? Yes she did!!! I FINALLY broke the elusive 170 barrier! I weighed in early this week, due to my trip to Seattle. I was worried, but the result I wanted happened!
It's official...I am in the 160's! So I was thinking of what was going on the last time I was under 170 pounds. Here is my list:
1. The Berlin Wall came down.
2. I paid to see Cinderella in concert.
3. Cell phones were the size of large bricks.
4. I honestly thought that I would die alone surrounded by cats due to my strange addiction to Mojo Nixon.
5. A schoolmate of mine, Randall, did a report on something called "compact discs," and I thought he was crazy that ANYTHING could replace my trusty cassettes.
6. I had to go into the bank to make a deposit to my account.
Please post the lists of what was going on in your life the last time you were at or near or goal weight; I would love to read them!
On a separate note, this was my first week eating zero Optifast. Obviously, it went well as I lost two pounds of fat. I think the hardest part is weighing and measuring everything that goes into my mouth. However, I did relax a bit for my anniversary and I ate almost 1600 calories that day. It was the first time EVER I went over calories, plus I had a glass of wine (which wasn't very good, actually). Other than the wine, my calories were from excellent, nutritious food--so no guilt allowed. For those of you who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out the cafe at the De Young Museum (it's part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco). They have a lot of delicious and healthy food there that is locally sourced. Their coffee is divine!
A tip for those of you out and about on restricted diets: I started asking about vegan options (not vegetarian, which are often loaded with fats) for snacks and treats. Vegan food does not have any animal fats, which often makes it lower in calories. Like many vegetarian foods, some packaged vegan stuff has a lot of sugar, but no egg or butter. For example, a typical vegan cupcake has 150-200 calories, whereas a regular cupcake has 450-600 calories. Vegan food is surprisingly yummy (and I love me some meat, so I was expecting tasteless cardboard). In fact, I go vegetarian 3-4 days a week right now, as it helps me stay on my 1200 calories a day yet still eat abundantly.
Another tip for those of us on transition or maintenance... it turns out Subway does have numerous healthy options for a wide variety of diets (they pushed Subway RELENTLESSLY on the Biggest Loser, so it was sort of a turn off for me). However, while there, my poor hubby fell into the "healthy" menu trap, when he failed to notice that the calorie counts did not include all that makes a sandwich so yummy (like mayo). What's great about Subway is that they will make your food how you tell them. Yes, I paid a 4 bucks for what amounted to two cups of lettuce, a tomato, and one ounce of roast beef BUT I stayed on my plan;and that made the four bucks worth it.
Here are the numbers:
Starting Weight: 224
Current Weight: 169.5
Goal Weight: 140
Here are my goals:
Outer Goal: I want to run the 5K I signed up for the entire time....NO WALKING (and look like a young Elle McPherson while doing it...sigh... I can dream!)
Inner Goal: I need to feel my success and not dwell on my failures....and of course...world peace!
Peace out to you all and post some comments!
It's official...I am in the 160's! So I was thinking of what was going on the last time I was under 170 pounds. Here is my list:
1. The Berlin Wall came down.
2. I paid to see Cinderella in concert.
3. Cell phones were the size of large bricks.
4. I honestly thought that I would die alone surrounded by cats due to my strange addiction to Mojo Nixon.
5. A schoolmate of mine, Randall, did a report on something called "compact discs," and I thought he was crazy that ANYTHING could replace my trusty cassettes.
6. I had to go into the bank to make a deposit to my account.
Please post the lists of what was going on in your life the last time you were at or near or goal weight; I would love to read them!
On a separate note, this was my first week eating zero Optifast. Obviously, it went well as I lost two pounds of fat. I think the hardest part is weighing and measuring everything that goes into my mouth. However, I did relax a bit for my anniversary and I ate almost 1600 calories that day. It was the first time EVER I went over calories, plus I had a glass of wine (which wasn't very good, actually). Other than the wine, my calories were from excellent, nutritious food--so no guilt allowed. For those of you who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out the cafe at the De Young Museum (it's part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco). They have a lot of delicious and healthy food there that is locally sourced. Their coffee is divine!
A tip for those of you out and about on restricted diets: I started asking about vegan options (not vegetarian, which are often loaded with fats) for snacks and treats. Vegan food does not have any animal fats, which often makes it lower in calories. Like many vegetarian foods, some packaged vegan stuff has a lot of sugar, but no egg or butter. For example, a typical vegan cupcake has 150-200 calories, whereas a regular cupcake has 450-600 calories. Vegan food is surprisingly yummy (and I love me some meat, so I was expecting tasteless cardboard). In fact, I go vegetarian 3-4 days a week right now, as it helps me stay on my 1200 calories a day yet still eat abundantly.
Another tip for those of us on transition or maintenance... it turns out Subway does have numerous healthy options for a wide variety of diets (they pushed Subway RELENTLESSLY on the Biggest Loser, so it was sort of a turn off for me). However, while there, my poor hubby fell into the "healthy" menu trap, when he failed to notice that the calorie counts did not include all that makes a sandwich so yummy (like mayo). What's great about Subway is that they will make your food how you tell them. Yes, I paid a 4 bucks for what amounted to two cups of lettuce, a tomato, and one ounce of roast beef BUT I stayed on my plan;and that made the four bucks worth it.
Here are the numbers:
Starting Weight: 224
Current Weight: 169.5
Goal Weight: 140
Here are my goals:
Outer Goal: I want to run the 5K I signed up for the entire time....NO WALKING (and look like a young Elle McPherson while doing it...sigh... I can dream!)
Inner Goal: I need to feel my success and not dwell on my failures....and of course...world peace!
Peace out to you all and post some comments!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
I think I can...I think I can...
Remember "The Little Engine That Could"? It was one of my favorite stories as a child. It's about a little engine trying to get up a BIG mountain. For many of us, weight loss feels like a really big mountain sometimes. It definitely feels that way to me right now.
For the last three weeks, my weight loss has been really slow--don't get me wrong--I am grateful that I am losing weight. This week's was a whopping .5 pounds. However, it's hard to adjust to the sudden snail's pace that things are going. I keep reminding myself that I look and feel good--that's what's important.
My friends in my MWL class are experiencing the same thing and even gaining weight. So, I did as Anne (our dietitian) suggested and looked at my food journal. Lo! Even though my calories were on point and the exercise was there, I noticed I was drinking less water and eating more processed foods (mainly sugar-free chocolate pudding). So, this week I am rigorously monitoring my water intake and limiting my processed treats to one a day (as opposed to more than one--okay I was having two or three a day, I admit it!). I am also trying to get more calories in before 1 PM. I was sort of calorie loading at the end of the day--not a good thing.
I guess what they say is true! Food journaling really does help you figure out where you are going wrong!
Okay time for the numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight 170.5
Goal weight: 140
Outer Goal: Size 10 jeans
Inner Goal: feeling like I deserve good things...and world peace!
For the last three weeks, my weight loss has been really slow--don't get me wrong--I am grateful that I am losing weight. This week's was a whopping .5 pounds. However, it's hard to adjust to the sudden snail's pace that things are going. I keep reminding myself that I look and feel good--that's what's important.
My friends in my MWL class are experiencing the same thing and even gaining weight. So, I did as Anne (our dietitian) suggested and looked at my food journal. Lo! Even though my calories were on point and the exercise was there, I noticed I was drinking less water and eating more processed foods (mainly sugar-free chocolate pudding). So, this week I am rigorously monitoring my water intake and limiting my processed treats to one a day (as opposed to more than one--okay I was having two or three a day, I admit it!). I am also trying to get more calories in before 1 PM. I was sort of calorie loading at the end of the day--not a good thing.
I guess what they say is true! Food journaling really does help you figure out where you are going wrong!
Okay time for the numbers:
Starting weight: 224
Current weight 170.5
Goal weight: 140
Outer Goal: Size 10 jeans
Inner Goal: feeling like I deserve good things...and world peace!
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