December Goals

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

A new month is here and I need to sit down and makes some goals. Goals will be harder to keep this time of year because of seasonal depression and all the treats in the stores. This is my birthday month and I want to treat myself in some way every day. In the past it was with food treats of some kind. A candy bar here, a cookie there maybe a little slice or two of pie, No No not this year.

I started out this month by treating myself to a nice long walk through the neighborhood. I looked at all the leaves falling. I even kicked a pile of leaves that was on the side walk. Now this is what I call fun. Just to act like a kid every now and then, and forget that I am going to be 56 at the end of this month.

Now then on to my goals for this month.

1. Being binge free for 21 days. I tried this last month and made it to 14 days. I am going to do the 21 days this month, or at least try.

2. Lose 4 pounds, that will take me down to 170. I am really trying to lose 5 pounds a month but thought I would give myself a break and see if 4 is what I do.

3. Eat 5 vegetables and fruit a day. I have been eating 4 so I am going to add one more. I think I can do this by adding soup to dinner. Right now I eat a salad and two vegetables, and for desert I have some fruit.

Okay that should do it for this month see you next month if not sooner.

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My NSV=Non Scale Victory

Thursday, November 29, 2012

I am getting healthier every day. I am able to exercise for long periods of time without getting winded. I am able to walk longer with out even thinking about it. I sleep better at night and don't feel like taking little naps during the day. My blood sugar is normal and I don't have to take pills any more. One other pill I am off is for blood pressure, that is no longer high.

These little NSV are because I am taking better care of myself. I am eating healthier foods like tons of fruit and vegetable. I am eating less sugary foods. I think before I eat any thing. I try to eat foods that are lower in calorie and higher in volume. In stead of eating two or three candy bars a day I eat fruits that are in season or canned in juice.

I am eating less red meat and more fish and chicken. I have tried recipes for making chicken lower calorie and taster. I find the recipes here in Sparkrecipes. There are loads of tasty ways to make chicken, my favorite is oven fried chicken. I have even made up my owen recipes for lower calorie foods. I am having fun with it.

I am exercising all most every day in some form or an other. I find exercise where ever I can. And because I am losing weight it is becoming easier to do. When I first started out I was breathless after climbing one flight of stars. Now I think nothing of running up five flights.

I have gone from a size 20 jeans to a size 10. When I hold up my pants I find it hard to believe I fix in this small size. I have always worn jeans bigger then anyone in my family now I wear a size smaller then my mom use to wear. And I am not done yet. I am on a journey to get healthier and I am having fun doing it.

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Why do I do it?

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Steadily losing weight for me is not easy. I take a few pounds off and then I put a few on. There are different reasons why I put back the weight, stress, boredom, but mainly it boils down to the same thing, going back to old eating and exercise habits. I know better, I have read many articles about this same thing so why do I do it?

I am not perfect, no one is. We all make mistakes in this journey to get healthier. How does it go one step backwards two steps forward. I learn from my mistakes and go on. I am going to get healthy that is what I really want more then any thing in life.

Every day I get up and log in to Spark People to learn more and more about how to do just that. I read about nutrition, fitness, wellness and motivation. I learn some thing new and I use it in my day to day living. I check in to my Spark teams and get support from the members. I check my activity feed and see what my Spark friends are doing and read blogs they have written. I check my blog to see the comments from members then I thank them for their support. This is part of my journey.

Most every day I check out new fitness videos, on Spark People and do at least three 10 minute ones. I find them easy to do and fun. I want to do strength training 3x a week but find myself going days with out doing it. I don't know why I do this, I have given myself excuses after excuse but it just doesn't help. I keep asking myself why? Why?

The answer always boils down to I am not perfect, who is?

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I Did Not Over eat on Thanksgiving

Friday, November 23, 2012

It was the perfect day to indulge in over eating. Every body over eats on the holidays it is traditional. People wear pants that are loose or open that top button. Everyone makes a large meal with all your favorite foods to just feed your face and delight your senses. Tables groan with all the food that is set out to eat. Every thing looks and smells so good how can you not over eat.

It is simple how you can not over eat. Plan what you really want to eat. Don't eat it just because Grandma made it. Eat it because you have planned to eat it. And if it is high calorie just take a small amount to get that taste you crave.

Spend time talking to your family and friends or if you are eating alone listen to some nice slow music. Always remember to put your fork down between bites. Some one told me to savor every bite because when the food on your plate is gone the meal is over.

I planned what I was having for thanksgiving and was lucky enough to cook the meal. I made every thing with the best ingredients. I used lower calorie recipes to make the traditional foods served on Thanksgiving. At meal time I took small portions of what I really loved. I put my fork down between bites. I talked with my Hubby and I pushed my plate away when I was full. I had only eaten half my plate full. I left the table, went and watched a movie.

I love pumpkin pie and made myself a deal. If I did not pig out on the pie I would have one piece a day for 4 days. I sliced the pie into 8 pieces for my Hubby and me. I took one piece and went and set on the couch in the living room. I was watching "Last Holiday" my favorite movie. I put the pie down on the coffee table with my cup of coffee, 4 creams no sugar. On commercials I would take one small bite and savor it slowly. I really enjoyed that pie.

I had planned my meal and my day. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope yours was too.

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It Is My Party

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I am retired and miss all the parting that went along with this time of year. I missed all the goodies that were brought in by other teachers. I miss making pumpkin pie with my class. Teaching 6 year old about Thanksgiving always include popcorn and pumpkin pie.

The other teachers and myself would have a pot luck at lunch time with all sorts of goodies. We would have the usual things, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberries sauce,rolls, sweet potatoes and of course green bean casserole.

We had teachers from other counties who would add their touches to the party. Such things as egg rolls, sushi, fried rice, and things I had no idea what they were called but boy were they good.

Now don't forget that dessert table. with pumpkin pie, loaf and cake, pecan pie, apple pie and chocolate cake. There were so many other things but I am getting a tummy ache just thinking of them.

I miss parties like that now that I am retired. My days are filled with talking to my Spark team mates, reading articles, doing exercise videos, looking up new recipes to try and of course giving support to my many Spark friends.

So today feeling that I needed a party too I went to the store and got a small vegetable tray and a sparkling water. I am sitting in my home office having my owen party and you are all invited. Spark on!!!

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