Relevance of Spark People

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

My computer crashed about 5 days ago and I have been bereft. I just got a new one today. However, the previous 5 days without SP has been horrid. I have no cotrol. Since I couldn't (well, I guess I could have) track points, it meant I didn't have to eat right. Could that be right? I didn't exactly overeat but I definitely didn't eat the right foods. And exercise? I've blogged before about how much I detest exercise. Well, guess what? Since I didn't have to enter my time, I didn't exercise. I have no will power, no self control. What does this tell me? I need SP for the rest of my life. Even if I ever get to my goal. Because one thing is for sure. Without SP in my life, I screw up royally.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SALDABA6 10/15/2009 8:55AM

LOL Ger all you are doing is passing your accountability to you over to sp. I know how that is. I went to weight watchers several years ago and did well. I could no longer afford it so, stopped tracking what I was eating, stopped measuring everything and slowly but surely put the weight back on and then some. Tracking your food and exercise on the site is almost like having to turn homework in on time, don't ya think? The thing is, even though you track your exercise and food here, you are ultimately accountable to yourself. The only one that sees it is you. I think the whole thing is, you don't see the minutes add up on your fitness tracker when the comp is down. But you can still do that. Get yourself a cheap pad of paper and pencil and keep track of everything. Get a whiteboard if you have to and put it on the wall. Just a couple of suggestions if you comp goes down or internet that you can't get on sp. Keep yourself accountable to you. Good luck on your journey Report Inappropriate Comment

ARMYWIFE4GOD 10/14/2009 9:06PM

I know what you mean here. But you are not the only one, you're not alone! Don't give up when you have no computer and no SP to go by. If it ever happens again, take and write down the things you eat, you can still eat healthy with or without SP and your PC. Same with the exercise and tracking fitness. Write down your exercise, how many sets you did and how many reps if it was a strength training exercise and for cardio write down what you did and how many minutes you did. Like some of these ladies said, you don't need your pc or SP to live a healthy lifestyle. If you want to be healthy, you've got to make changes, think and search deep within you and ask yourself, if you are ready to make some sacrifices to get what you want. What are the reasons you want this lifestyle change, make some specific goals. Set a weight goal and set a time limit to reach it by. I too used to detest exercise, but now I love it. Thanks to 2 of my SP teams Fresno being one of them. I get on those teams and take part in the exercise challenges. Set goals and don't look back. Never give up on yourself and what you CAN do. Never doubt yourself and what you can do. Never say "I CAN'T" because you CAN! You are so WORTH all of the effort you put into this lifestyle change journey! And it takes 1 day at a time it won't happen overnight! Don't beat yourself up over little setbacks. Just realize what you did and accept it. Set yourself small goals to reach, don't leave your ultimate goal as your only goal to reach. But set short goals, once you have reached a goal, reward yourself with a small item that you've wanted for some time, whether it be a piece of clothing or some household item or a book. YOU CAN DO THIS! Trust me I've been at this point that you are at... many times myself! "There's a difference between interest & commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results. - Kenneth Blanchard SP Translation - Are you interested in your goals, or are you fully committed? One of the most common complaints among goal setters nowadays is that there’s just not enough time to get to the ones that “really matter.” The real culprit is that most people don’t raise their goals beyond the level of general interest. They’re waiting for a vague time in the future when other things won’t get in the way or when they wrap things up. In other words, when it’s more convenient. And of course, that time never comes, does it? If your goals are truly that important to you, don’t let anything stand in your way. You have the power to say ‘no’ and to set your priorities. Make that commitment and you automatically create an obligation that you’re bound to fulfill. Comment edited on: 10/14/2009 9:08:59 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

DOPKIGIRL 10/14/2009 8:24PM

I know what you mean. I sometimes feel lost when I can't have access to my computer and want to log things. I guess I need to have the visual to say that I am doing good....just like the scale. I need to numbers. I hope to eventually get away from that, but for now that is what comforts me. Keep your head up, things will get better and you can get back on track now. :) Dopkigirl Report Inappropriate Comment

ALICIA214 10/14/2009 8:15PM

It is amazing isnt it how creative we get with our excuses, when we dont want to do something, isnt it. We only end up fooling ourselves, and sooner or later we have to get back on track..So Good Luck , and have fun. Report Inappropriate Comment

ALICIA214 10/14/2009 8:15PM

It is amazing isnt it how creative we get with our excuses, when we dont want to do something, isnt it. We only end up fooling ourselves, and sooner or later we have to get back on track..So Good Luck , and have fun. Report Inappropriate Comment

JAZZIELORI 10/14/2009 7:30PM

Hey! Read your post..sometimes we lose track.. the greatest thing is now you have a comp..a few weeks ago I was sick from the flu shot and I thought it was a good reason to buy comfort foods..well after the comfort foods were eaten I felt worse..but I got back up and have stayed on track even losing weight again..I love SP too and I'm glad you are able to once again use it as a tool in your journey! Lori Report Inappropriate Comment

Got fat eating crap

Thursday, October 08, 2009

I use to work for my father. The business was way out in the country and I was usually the only one in the office. All my work was done by 11:00 and the rest of the day was for answering telephones. I was all alone and lonely. My father used to go to an outlet store and buy the most awful cookies for when the men started coming back in the afternoon. Because I was lonely, I would sit at my desk and eat the cookies. They were so horrible! Every week my dad would say, "Boy, those guys sure like these cookies. They go through them so quickly." And he'd buy more and I'd eat more. That's not the only thing that got me fat but it sure contributed.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ARMYWIFE4GOD 10/11/2009 6:24PM

You did great noticing your downfall. Now just try to work to improve your lifestyle and change what needs to be changed, like breaking those bad habits. You CAN make it happen! Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 10/9/2009 4:28PM

Great lesson -- I try to stop myself as ask, "is it worth the calories?" Every Friday in my office there are dozens of donuts in the break room for us. Again, I decided they are not worth the calories. Report Inappropriate Comment

GEINAHG0757 10/8/2009 3:43PM

If I'm going to splurge my calories on a , it's going to be a GOOD cookie!!! Funny how we use food to combat emotions, not hunger. Report Inappropriate Comment

ALPOPLUP 10/8/2009 3:30PM

sounds familiar Report Inappropriate Comment

Evening out

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

I asked my grandson this a.m. to give me something to blog about and he said "pie." I said great! but started thinking. And I came up with the idea of evening out food. I will explain, but I did this all my life. As an adult, I found out my sister did the same thing. We would see some food sitting around--usually a pie or cake--and think that it needed evening out. Maybe the last slice was uneven or lopsided or something. We would use a knife or fork, even it out, and then eat what we had cut off. It was never a large piece, but over the day we would eat a big part of it. She was at my house once and "evened out" a pie. I told her it wasn't even and proceeded to cut it some more. We ended up evening it out into our stomachs. No wonder we were always overweight!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CABINDOG 10/7/2009 5:45PM

This is so familiar... Report Inappropriate Comment

BUZZARD7 10/7/2009 1:04PM

Boy I could relate to that. Last Sunday I practically ate a whole bag of pretzels by myself. Carbs are my downfall. I finally said to myself STOP!!! What the devil am I doing to myself? The next day I started on a clean slate. For dinner I grilled salmon, a big salad, broccoli and a small brown rice pilaf. I was satisfied with. There will be hiccoughs along the way to weight loss. You just have to start fresh. Good luck!! Marilyn Report Inappropriate Comment

Phat is out, sick is in!

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

While riding with my grandson he said, "Look at that sick car!" I quickly glanced, expecting to see a wreck. I told him I didn't see a clunker or wrecked car. He said (patiently) that sick meant cool or good or groovy or whatever. I asked him when phat went out of style. He just looked at me as if I couldn't keep up with the times (I can't!). He said for me to just stick with him and he'd teach me "cool."

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TN_HAMMOCK 10/6/2009 10:35PM

I am forever throwing some of the cool terms of my youth at my kids. Delightful terms like "let's get jiggy wit it" is always sure to get the eyes rolling. Report Inappropriate Comment

AYDAN@MADSMOM 10/6/2009 3:41PM

That is too cute! Kids are adorable and funny. I wish we could all stay that way forever! Report Inappropriate Comment

Weather and exercise

Monday, October 05, 2009

Isn't it amazing what a change in weather can do to make you feel more (or less) like exercising? We've had high 90s and 100s all summer and I did NOT feel like exercising. However, I got up at 5:30 a.m. every day and went for a walk. It was still warm most of the time. And then strength training was unbearable, but doable. Now it's in the 70s with a cool breeze and I could walk all the time. Except for my grandbabies being here every day, I WOULD be out walking. They go with me for short quick walks but they are not up to looooooong walks yet--they are just 3 & 1. However, we do get some exercise in. Anyway, the weather can make a big difference.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HARMONYBLUE 10/6/2009 12:24AM

I am sooo glad Fall is here and the hot, humid Summer is finally over--great weather for biking and jogging and hiking and generally enjoying the great outdoors! Report Inappropriate Comment

EDWARDS1411 10/5/2009 10:53PM

Yes - this is a great time of the year for exercising isn't it with temps being more moderate!! Enjoy!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GEINAHG0757 10/5/2009 7:29PM

Yay! It has finally cooled off for you. I haven't seen you for a few days. Did you have a good weekend? This was my Sunday to work...but that's okay because the weekend crew is awesome. Pop the grands in a stroller and take off with them...they would probably enjoy it. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNSTOECKL 10/5/2009 7:07PM

I know what you mean. I don't want to move when it is hot outside but the cool weather encourages me to get up and out. Thanks for your blog, ann Report Inappropriate Comment