A Short Update

Monday, May 14, 2012

Well, I'm in Billings all but Friday this week for a conference. Conferences can be difficult because you sit there all day and do nothing, except snack on whatever you can. Also, the hotel buffets and eating out can pose a real challenge. That being said, there are also some positives of being at a conference. Generally the food they provide has healthy options, it's just a matter of making the choice to take them. The same really goes with eating out. I'm looking to make some good food choices as well as getting a walk in around the hotel or doing some workout moves in my hotel room.

I have not been doing good with food or exercise lately. I think it's because I have to go to North Carolina at the end of the month. I'm sooooo dreading the air travel and basically think to myself F*!k it, I'm not going to fit into that seat no matter what I do. Totally the wrong attitude to have but I get so frustrated with myself for putting myself through this every time I have to fly. Every year I say I'm going to lose weight so I fit on that stupid airplane seat and every year I get close to going and have gained weight.

I know this is no ones fault but my own. In this I definitely see my 'all or nothing' attitude. I know I can eat healthier food in moderate quantities and I can walk, get to the gym and do exercises at home. I just choose not to. I keep looking for a 'tipping point' that doesn't show up. Blah, blah, blah my same old story maybe I should just get off my behind and do it.

  

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KALIGIRL 5/15/2012 8:46AM

Just returned from a conference and can relate - we had breaks and were fortunate enough to move to another room where the exhibitors were - got to talk and walk. I didn't make it to early morning workouts like I planned (paying for it this week), but we just need to go with the flow... Sending my best your way. Namaste Report Inappropriate Comment

Will I ever get a real vacation?

Thursday, May 03, 2012

So, I actually had a good time with my Ma in town. She left yesterday on the train and I was a bit sad but I'm happy to be in my own space again! We did a ton of shopping, she had her first pedi and she also got to meet a lot of my friends in Helena. There weren't any breakdowns and surprisingly she didn't mention my weight once, although I'm sure it was on her mind.

I like family visits (them coming here or me going home) but I don't believe I've ever taken a vacation just for me. When I go home it is certainly not a vacation and although fun, having my Ma here was not the relaxing time away from work I'd desire. I was going to upload a pic of her trip but surprisingly I didn't take any.

Anyway, I'm thinking that this August when I turn 30 (Holy Crap!!) I might go to Seattle. I haven't been there yet and it's not a long drive. I should just suck it up and go and do whatever I want. Seems like a plan to me.... My Ma would like me to come home but I was there in October and over Christmas. 2 visits a year back home is kinda my maximum. I'll have to see.

I'm also thinking more and more about moving back to the midwest. I'm thinking of looking into jobs in Ann Arbor (Michigan) or Ft. Wayne (Indiana). I could just take a ferry over from Michigan and I know a few people in Ft. Wayne which would not be a long drive.

All things to consider...for now I'm just getting back into the old swing of things, working on staying in my calorie range and getting back at the gym or walking outside. I was going to do the SP spring into fitness challenge but you have to do the videos which is fine but I can't watch them on my phone I don't think. I'll have to look into it more.

  

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CURVYMAYA 5/3/2012 2:06PM

Glad you had fun with your mom. If you have never had a vacation just for yourself...DO IT NOW!!! Especially with the big 3-0 around the corner. It is so relaxing and theraputic to vacation and have no one to answere to but yourself. I need them to keep my sanity. Btw, I looove living in the Midwest. And hey if you move to Fort Wayne I can come and visit you, lol. I'm in Chicago. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

CARRIEMT 5/3/2012 12:56PM

You should definitely visit Seattle while you're still in proximity. I always have a good time there. I like visiting my family, but I like exploring new places too. Balancing time and money commitments is the hard part. If only we had two months of vacation time per year and unlimited fun money :) Great to hear you're getting back into your healthy routine. Report Inappropriate Comment

WRITEWAY73 5/3/2012 12:37PM

Mothers are all the same! Report Inappropriate Comment

Oh Mother!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Well, my Ma will be here on Wednesday. She's taking the train over from Wisconsin and when I talked to her last night she was so excited I couldn't even bring her back to a normal level. I'm happy she's excited and I do think we'll have a good time. This is her 3rd time here and we have a lot of shopping and socializing planned. I still have to get some cleaning done and all that before she gets here so the next couple days are going to be hectic!

I already kinda got mad at her because she keeps taking these jabs at my weight. When I was home last time she pretty well cornered me and said I'm 'wasting my life' if I don't get weight loss surgery. This visit she's talking about all the salads we're going to eat and the walks we can take. It drives me crazy and makes me feel insecure around her. It never used to be like that. (It also kinda makes me want to rebel now that I think about it).

I kinda feel like well, when I was young she never did or said anything about my weight. (I was always bigger than the average bear). I was never enrolled in sports or any extracurriculars for that matter. We never cooked a healthy meal together, went grocery shopping, ate as a family or went on any 'physically active vacations'. So, now I feel like its up to me and she doesn't have a say. (I also think this is why incorporating healthy eating and physical activity is so out of the normal realm for me--but I'm getting there).

Yea, I get your concerned. Yea, I know you love me but lay off! My life, my body, my struggle. She compares it with her smoking. 'If I quit you can lose weight'. I pretty well told her when I was home no, in fact, quitting smoking is not like losing weight. You don't need to smoke to live. Every meal all the time I think about losing weight. Obsess even (which is likely part of my problem). I know she's trying to be helpful but I end up resenting it and I don't even want to eat a meal with her anymore. I haven't necessarily told her all this because I don't want to hurt her feelings as I know she has my best interest at heart. I'm just hoping while she's here everything goes smoothly.

  

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KALIGIRL 4/24/2012 8:32AM

Hope you can talk to her about how you feel - she knows your comments are from your heart as are hers. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

_RAMONA 4/23/2012 1:29PM

{{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}} I have NO advice when it comes to mothers (my relationship with my own is horrible at best)... and I pray.every.day that I do better with my own daughter... in fact, every time I have to spend more than a couple of hours with my mother, I feel a lot like you describe. I'd go with the advice from Mrs. I'll have you in my prayers in a special way this week! {{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}} Report Inappropriate Comment

CARRIEMT 4/23/2012 12:44PM

This sounds like more of a reflection of her fear of mortality. Mom's would do anything to for us, but it sounds like she missed a lot of opportunities to show you how to live healthy and she's feeling responsible (perhaps reasonably, but it's to the point where her fear is and affecting you negatively). Acknowledge that she loves you and that she's concerned for your health, then tell her that her actions and words are counter productive- finally give her something that she can do to encourage, assist or otherwise help you with your goal (this may take some thought and contemplation but you have got to give her something to grasp). Good luck and I hope you have a great time with your mom :) Report Inappropriate Comment

NOTABOUTHEFACE 4/23/2012 12:18PM

Maybe you could politely say "you didn't focus on my weight when I was a kid and forming my habits so don't try to make up for lost time now. It just makes me angry when you bring it up now. I know you care but the best way you can show that for me now is to SUPPORT my decision!" Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

Recipe Reviews

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Along with what seemed like a million other things last night, I cooked two great recipes. I didn't take pictures however if you check out their blog you'll see some.

Slow Cooker Mango Almond Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Adapted from: www.theyummylife.com/blog/2011/03/16
0/Overnight%2C+Slow+Cooker%2C+Cherry+A
lmond+Steel-Cut+Oatmeal

I bought some mango from Costco this past weekend and am struggling to eat it. Some of it just isn't ripe and I hate to ditch it so I was looking for something to do with it. This recipe did the trick! I've never made anything but instant oatmeal and it certainly wasn't in a crock pot so I was a little apprehensive but it turned out good. I like the idea of doing this for a week's worth of breakfasts and it's super easy. A couple of things to note: the vanilla almond milk you need to use is awesome! I had a good time sipping on that last night. I used a bit too much almond extract so I'd go easy on that next time and possibly add some cinnamon. Finally, there is no way this takes 7 hours to cook in a crock pot! I put it in about 11pm and I woke up about 3am, checked on it and it was already getting brown on the sides and done so I shut it off the rest of night. Next time I'll have to take this into consideration.

Spicy Mexican Stuffed Shells
From the Mrs! @: successalongtheweigh.blogspot.com/p/
recipe-page.html?recipe_id=6021017

Ever since I saw the Mrs post this I've been wanting to make it. I've never have made stuffed shells and it looked really yummy and interesting to make. I have to admit that as I started stuffing the first shell I looked around and thought it would take me forever! It really didn't though and I think it was worth the work. I used sour cream instead of the cream cheese but think I would not next time because it might be nice to have a thicker substance. I had a hard time seasoning the 'guts'. I used white pepper, salt and red pepper. Next time I would get some chipotle or other mexican seasoning and possibly dice up some jalapeņos really small to add to the mix. Turned out great and I'm looking forward to eating leftover after they've sat for a bit in the enchilada sauce!


Overall two really great recipes which I'm glad I made Monday night because now I don't have to worry about breakfast or dinner for a while. I've been cooking so much lately and I'm enjoying it! I even got invited to this group where each month they pick a type of cuisine and everyone brings something related to it. This month is French so I'm either going to bring french bread (lame) or some sort of french appetizer if I can find one.

Next I have to figure out what to do with that Costco lobster ravioli! Cooking something successful out of your comfort zone sure can be fun!! (yes, I am a geek)

  

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WRITEWAY73 4/25/2012 1:06PM

I love cooking too. I went to the market last night, since I got my workout done in the morning, and I got fresh strawberries, homemade whole wheat tortillas, spinach, watermelon, zuchinni, and some chicken breasts. I am going to make some kabobs tonight using some of the veggies and tomorrow I am going to make wilted spinach salad and some steaks. Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 4/19/2012 9:15AM

they sound Report Inappropriate Comment

CURVYMAYA 4/18/2012 1:02PM

Omg, both those recipes look amazing. I printed that stuffed shell recipe ever since I saw it on the Mrs. blog. I haven't tried because I forgot about it but now it's back in my brain again, lol. I love crockpot steel cut oats. I play around with the different fruit I add to it but it always comes out delicious. For me it always takes about 4 hours to cook them. That's weird that it said 7. Btw, if you ever want to ripen mangoes fast put them in a paper bag and put them some place dark and cool. I usually stick them in a cupboard and a few days later they are perfectly ripe. I keep paper bags on hand just for ripening stuff, lol. Report Inappropriate Comment

NOTABOUTHEFACE 4/17/2012 11:57AM

Yay! So glad you liked it! I like keeping Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime and Chipotle seasonings on hand which I think would go really well with the stuffed shells. If you prefer to use the sour cream or want to give it another shot, half the amount of sour cream and add an egg to it before cooking. It'll firm up while it cooks. Now you really have me looking forward to dinner since I made the 'guts' yesterday! YUM! The culinary group you joined sounds awesome! Report Inappropriate Comment

CARRIEMT 4/17/2012 11:57AM

Something between sour cream and cream cheese- greek yogurt. I've replaced sour cream in almost every recipe with the yogurt and it's worked out really well so far. I use mango in smoothies and like it. Erik bought some fresh stuff that wasn't ripe one time and I had a hard time gnawing it and getting it down the hatch- it was tough! Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

Do you diet?

Monday, April 16, 2012

So I've been thinking lately, maybe I should do some sort of diet/cleanse thing. I feel like I need a jump start. I don't believe I've ever tried a diet in my life. I've gone up and down in weight but I think it was more due to my circumstance than anything (i.e. not having a car and walking everywhere, being in college, etc.). I also don't consider what I've been doing here at SP to be a 'diet'. It's a lifestyle change...not a plan to lose some water weight. I've tried so many things (and one thing I learn is that along this journey you need to try out a lot of different options) so why write this off so quickly?

I guess I have this negative impression of diets....you do something really strict for 3 days till whenever and then what? You just go back to eating whatever and all that work you did was for nothing because you gain the weight back. Well, I'm starting to change my tune. There is this guy I know who has lost 50 lbs doing the Isagenix thing for 4 months. I didn't really think he would sustain it but he has and it's looking appealing. 2 shakes a day and one healthy meal to get things kicked off....why not?

I'm not saying I'd do the Isagenix thing...I just really feel like I want to lose 20 lbs quickly so that I feel more comfortable in my clothes and just in general. I looked some different types of diets online. There is the one with lemondade, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. Ew, no thanks. I could do juicing or smoothies. There's another that is small healthy meals with real cranberry juice mixed in with water throughout the day. I just don't know there are so many! Some definitely seem healthier than others. Especially when they include lots of fruits and veggies and exercise. I'd like to do an easy one that doesn't require me to pay for a book or anything.

I don't know if I'll like a super structured plan or not. Maybe I need to be super strict with myself for a while so that I don't keep slacking off. Maybe it would be a good goal to complete to get me motivate.

Since I don't really know what I'm doing if anyone has any thoughts either way, I'd appreciate it.

  

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BIGDOG1969 4/18/2012 5:34PM

I tried dieting and it doesn't work for me. It's too restrictive and I feel trapped looking forward to the end when I can get back to "normal." You hit the nail on the head when you said that what you are doing here on SP is a lifestyle change. That's what normal should be - a healthy lifestyle that doesn't deprive you. That may be what you need, not a quick 20 lb loss. We'd all love to wake up next Saturday and be 20 lbs lighter, but at what cost? Gradual changes, increases in activity and smart choices (including what you eat and how much) are the way to go. And you can survive and thrive like this. I had to be diagnosed with diabetes to get the message about changing my lifestyle. Is it easy? No. I've had to relearn portion control and sizes; I've had to exercise; I've had to track my nutrition. And it has made all the difference for me. I know I can eat almost anything - in moderation. That isn't easy, either. But I have to, so I will. I also had to change my attitude. It's not a diet, it's my life. I get out of it what I put in, and I was feeding myself a steady stream of junk and denial. "Garbage in, garbage out" is a saying I used to hear a lot. That was me. Not anymore. I have only one body, and if it fails me (or I fail it) then the game is over. And I'm not ready to quit playing yet. Shortcuts, quick fixes and unrealistic goals are not part of the plan. Slow and steady - I'm doing this one meal, one day, and one pound at a time. Comment edited on: 4/18/2012 5:36:02 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

OOLALA53 4/16/2012 5:39PM

Do not go on a tradtional diet. Statistics show that 97% of people who do this weigh more two years later, even if they have initial loss. It is almost a surefire way to gain weight. Don't be fooled by the ads and successes. They are the well-publicized minority while the real consequences are walking around our streets. The other warning is not to swear off any food. That is also associated with later weight gain. I use the No S Diet, but there are other ways. Concentrate on giving up diet head and accept that you have to learn to balance some rich foods with lighter foods such as veggies and fruits. The denser the food, the more slowly you should eat it, savoring every small bite. Take your time with all your meals. One suggestion is to divide your plate into quarters and take at least 5 minutes to eat the food in each quarter. Put your fork down if you need to! If youi love food, take your time and really taste it. Report Inappropriate Comment

CURVYMAYA 4/16/2012 2:25PM

I totally get where you are coming from. Losing 20 lbs or so pretty quickly would be great motivation and you will feel good in your clothes. I got a 10lbs loss after I had surgery at the beginning of the year and it kicked everything off and I kept the ball rolling and have lost another 15 lbs. That being said I have never tried any diets. If I were to do any I would prefer an all natural, organic juicing diet. I did watch this documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead where he did an all juicing diet. He started off with 60 days but kept going because he felt so good and got rid of symptoms of his autoimmune disease. He ended up losing 100 lbs. I saw it on Netflix so if you have that you can watch it. Otherwise Google it. There is so much information, recipes and "regular" people trying it and vlogging about it on youtube. Whatever you decide just know we are all here to support you. Good luck! Comment edited on: 4/16/2012 2:26:17 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

CARRIEMT 4/16/2012 12:58PM

I down an Isagenix shake when I need a complete meal quickly and easily (it has carbs, protiens and fats) but I wouldn't say that I'm doing what your friend is doing. If your buddy is doing the isagenix two shakes and meal thing, he probably started out a kinda hungry until his stomach has shrunk since the start (this might be something to talk with him about). Since he's not going to be doing this until he weighs 0lbs, you might want to also discuss with him what his plans are for when he gets to his maintenance mode. Anything you choose will have an effect on how your body, emotions and mental stability are going to feel/react. My two cents: try a something that's sugar and grain free and still gets you to 1200 calories like Paleo (no refined anything). You can still get full on 1200 cals that's mostly veggies, lean meats, and healthy fats (this takes a crap load of planning) and you'll see results in your energy and body ASAP. I'm glad that you're seeking ways that work for you, I know a lot of people judge others for surgery and other methods, but I think as long as you're trying and you've thought it out- who cares about what other people think! A few of my friends are doing a BodyByVi thing right now (shakes?) which doesn't bother me- the fact that all of them are peddling the shakes on FB bothers me. On the other hand- if that's something you're interested in I could help you get in touch with them. HCG has made a pretty big splash and I know people who've had success with that also (get your facts first because hormones are crazy to mess with!). Whatever you decide you need to have a plan in place for after that time period to set yourself up for a success, right? Cheers- C Report Inappropriate Comment