Feeling Hungry

Friday, August 12, 2011

I have a confession. Well not exactly a confession, but it feels like a confession. Remember how my awesome Wellness Coach moved on to a new job and left me, stating I was good to go on my own and needed no further advice from her colleagues? And how I followed up after she left with her boss to see if I could be reassigned to someone new to keep me going? Well, I did get assigned to someone new, Darlene, and I've been 'meeting' with her via phone once a week for 30 minutes per time since probably mid-July and she's been giving me some advice. But, I have to say, I'm not feeling like I'm clicking with her like I did with Ann, the last coach.

Of course Ann and I felt like best buddies when she flew out from Chicago to meet me on her last day before quitting to congratulate me and give me a big hug (how above and beyond is that??) so I was really spoiled! Anyway, Darlene has assured me that at 5'5" and 129# I can not possibly be 'done' with my weight loss and should keep pressing away until I hit 125 (and then reassess). And...here's the issue...she's made changes to what I'm eating, mainly cutting way back on my carbs. But here's what I'm thinking - I've lost 40 pounds (pretty successful, I'd say) over the past months by 'front loading fiber' as Ann instructed. That included starting the day with either her favorite, Bob's Red Mill High Fiber Cereal (which I love) or oatmeal with flaxseed. Darlene thinks these things have too many carbs and suggested I cut them out. But the thing is...they filled me up and satisfied me. And I was losing better than I am now. And now I am JUST STARVING most of the day! During all the months when I was losing like clockwork (under Ann's guidance) I was honestly never hungry. But now I am. It isn't a good situation. I think I should trust my body and go back to the front-loading of fiber - even if it does mean more carbs. I honestly don't think carbs are a big deal for me...and according to my Spark tracker, I'm waaaay under now. And I know I'm way back on fiber. I'm not liking this.

So I confess that I think I may take Darlene's advice with a big old grain of salt and try to go back to my prior pattern and see if I can indeed shed a few more pounds. Because...when I am starving I am noticing that I am actually eating things that I never would have considered a few weeks ago (when I wasn't STARVING half the day). After 10 months of avoiding the office peanut M&M bowl, I found myself reaching in TWICE this week. Definite evidence of desperation.

I will begin the 'blowing off Darlene's advice' approach tomorrow and see what happens.

You need to listen to your own body, right??

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FROSTY99 8/12/2011 2:34PM

I think your body knows best! Some people get set on one thing and what works for one may not work for another. You had success with what you were doing and as my DH's doc says-don't mess with something when it is working!!!! Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

Walking and Sparking

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Today a colleague at work (who considers me her Wellness Coach - how funny is that?) explained her plan to scale a large incline from the beach up to the Ritz Carlton 4 times as a major goal for herself (she's really just getting started with her stepped up exercise routine). She's recently moved to my area (Laguna Niguel/Dana Point vs Newport Beach where she previously lived and she's hinted strongly many times that she'd like to walk with me. Now you know my stringent exercise/gym class routine - and that I enjoy working out with my daughter - but I got to thinking that since the rest of my family went to Disneyland today (see yesterday's blog) and I really don't enjoy my step class all that much...that perhaps I'd join her on this walk.

She was thrilled and didn't mind that I needed to bring along Beau (our dog who got stuck home with no walk all day due to the above-mentioned Disneyland venture which involved DH). We scaled the incline 4 times only - as it turns out - Beau is accustomed apparently to running the steps (vs taking the less steep paved incline) up to the Ritz Carlton - I know my husband runs steps with him while I'm at work. Now I know this is one of the places they go as Beau made a beeline for the steps and I ended up taking them 2 at a time to keep up with him. Invigorating and the view is magnificent from the top - ocean with crashing waves and beautiful craggy rock formations and tidepools below. As you can imagine, the grounds of the Ritz are also marvelous. So my friend and I met at the top, twice together and twice only after Beau and I had sprinted.

We then walked along the beach at a nice clip and overall logged almost 7 miles. I think that was a better use of time than the step class. So nice to smell the fresh ocean air and hear the crash of the waves. She would really like me to make a habit of this. Perhaps I'll make it my new Weds. night routine after my daughter's gym membership runs out. It was fun to inspire my 'real life' Spark Friend in the flesh as well. She read and returned The Spark last week and she seems ignited. Unfortunately she's not interested in the website....but I do intend to keep her Sparked! She says she has 50 pounds to lose...I wish her the best and I'm happy to help!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SLFGOLF 8/11/2011 1:38AM

What a wonderful thing to do. Looks like it benefited you both. WTG Report Inappropriate Comment

Disneyland Tomorrow

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

So my family announced that they are going to Disneyland tomorrow - leaving early in the morning-and DH even convinced DS to go. DS's BFF is having a birthday and they decided it would be a fun way to celebrate.

Part of me wishes I could take the day off work (I can't) but most of me is happy to miss out as we had season passes to The Happiest Place On Earth for the years of the kids being born to about 10...we spent WAAAAAY too much time there for my taste. In fact one year (after about 3 years straight of this) when they decided it was a great idea to take me there for Mother's Day I had to point out that it really would be about the last place I would choose to be a special place for me. I'd much much much rather get out onto the ocean in hopes of seeing some dolphins or take a hike to a new unexplored peak. Disneyland has so many lines and I've been on all of the rides too many times to be counted-so standing in line just seems an utter waste of precious time. It is sad that it just doesn't seem special to me anymore.

I wish them all a wonderful time but am thinking perhaps it's best that they venture out on this journey without me.

Besides, Step Class tomorrow night can't be missed and neither can hot yoga sculpt...I am kidding, don't fret - I'm not that obsessed with exercise. I could bring myself to take a day off from the gym...just not for Disneyland. And my boss is off this week so taking any time off work is not an option at all. Just thinkin'

  

Workout with DD - Lots of Fun

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

My DD worked out with me tonight and it was a lot of fun...I'm glad I got her the membership for the month. Really hoped she'd use it much more than she has, but hopefully she will in the last few weeks before it expires. This is a bit of a boutique gym so the monthly fee is pretty outrageous and I considered it a special summer treat to have her join me as a member for a month. It is fun to be able to work out together. Tonight we took a body pump class followed by hot yoga sculpt - a nice combination!

Tomorrow is Zumba - really a fun class. She plans to take dance as one of her electives next year - in, catch this, high school - OMG can't believe my baby will be a freshman.

Speaking of babies, my SIL shared her big news of the day -- she and my brother are pregnant! She said I'd be surprised by the 'news' she texted me that she had to share -- and I sure am...we all are! Including them! Their daughter (who is amazing) is going to be a sophomore in college (7 year program leading to Dr of Physical Therapy) and their son is 12 - yes, these kids are all with my brother - looks like they take the cake for spreading their family out over the decades - one every 10 years or so. OMG! She's 44...will be 45 by due date...so here's hoping all goes well and that there are no complications. She's very healthy but admitted she hasn't had a full physical since 2007. Guess it's time to correct that little oversight, eh?

She's really handling this very well. So happy, contented and calm. She says she thinks maybe she's still in shock. Maybe. I think I'd be freaking out about how old I'd be when this child finishes high school and wonder if retirement would be deferred until I was 80? Thankfully they don't think like me.

I treasure my kids just the way they are and feel that our family is quite complete. No more surprises...and in the meantime I'll enjoy working out with DD.

Life is like a box of chocolates, you just never know what you're going to get!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FITFABME 8/10/2011 1:13AM

Ah, yes, well they really don't have me around as they live in upstate NY and I live in Southern California - lol! Worst thing is that my parents lived in upstate NY until about a month ago when they moved to their newly built house in Florida (dad finally retired) after selling our childhood home. So they've been abandoned by family more or less. Even my SIL's parents have moved to Florida in the last few years. But they'll do very well either way. She actually said she plans to visit me in CA after the baby is born - she is really getting ahead of herself I'd say - being only 9 weeks pregnant. Thanks for the well wishes! Report Inappropriate Comment

CONTENTCHRIS 8/10/2011 1:05AM

That is a spread out bunch of babies for sure. Good thing they got you around . What a support I bet you are! Prayers all goes well. Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 8/9/2011 7:42PM

Have a blast with your DD. I always wanted a DD but settled for 2 DS! Neither live close nor do my stepchildren so enjoy this time, it passes quickly. Good luck to your brother and S-I-L. I would probably shoot myself, but that is me, I rather think like you. My mother had my brothers when she was 42 and 44 and it was hard on her but that was many years ago. Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

2WHEELEDSHARON 8/9/2011 5:42PM

Isn't that the truth! I hope all goes well for them. Have fun at zumba! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEWAYSTREET 8/9/2011 9:17AM

Girlie time...u lucky girl!!! LOL... your brother is so the opposite of me!!!! Aunty C..... Report Inappropriate Comment

Oatmeal Cookies, Oh No!

Monday, August 08, 2011

Today the scale smiled up at me...a new low was registered. Woo Hoo! I'm marching slowly to goal. The day was going great nutrition-wise with all healthy intake and mega working out...until....did I mention how pleased I was that DS returned from his sailing trip? I am thrilled, really. But. And this could mean big butt....play on words, couldn't resist...first he asked me to make him pancakes (and I had a bite) and then at around 9PM he decided that it was absolutely necessary that he make oatmeal cookies.

Now, mind you, he makes some killer oatmeal cookies. He calls them disappearing...because they literally disappear in no time. They are DH's favorite cookie and I make a point not to make them as it is frightening to watch the gluttony. They literally don't usually make it overnight - they are just too tempting for my otherwise health-conscious family. You get the drift.

So I went off for a walk with the dog as DS set off to bake. When I came back home they were nearly gone, although a sheet remained in the oven. Those came out perfectly cooked and smelling wonderful.

DS had to point out that he used my Saigon cinnamon and stated that he was convinced that this was the best batch he's ever made.

Had I mentioned that I hit a new low on the scale today? And that I've been really good?? A good Sparker? He taunted me with a cookie on a plate set out just for me and told me that I really am getting too skinny.

Is DS a sabotager? I hope not! I think he was just being cute -- and it worked...and I succumbed. And it was a fabulously tasty cookie - very big one at that. He also reminded me that he used whole wheat flour (of course that's the only kind in the house) - but I could tell he used both white sugar and brown sugar -- I would never use as much as the recipe calls for. Remind me that I should just throw out the remaining white sugar...right?

I may not be too happy in the morning or later in the week if I see a reversal in the scale. Hopefully one cookie won't be the end of the world. It did take me a week to recover from the lasagna binge though -- really, I'm not kidding.

You know how that goes in these final pounds...it's tough to lose them. Either way, I am still thrilled to have DS back home. It's not his fault I lost my willpower. And, just maybe, it's better to indulge once in a while. I can look at it as a celebration of his return!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FROSTY99 8/8/2011 7:55PM

Hey, you ate it, enjoy it when you do it, every last morsel and then just don't do it again for awhile-life isn't about never having things we like-it is doing it in moderation. Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 8/8/2011 7:58AM

The time you had with your son is more important than the # on that scale. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETYOUNGTHING 8/8/2011 5:56AM

So you lived life a little. You had a great bonding experience with your son and the scale is, well, only a scale. You're doing great! Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

VETTRANGER 8/8/2011 1:18AM

Gotta have a treat occasionally. Tonight I made the world's smallest banana split (about 210 calories) LOL. I used to eat three oatmeal cookies at a time as afternoon snacks. Once I started this and realized that was 225 calories, I switched to eating grae tomatos for snacks (2 calories each). Report Inappropriate Comment