Not guilty

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Yesterday, I went WAY over on my nutritional balances. But you know what, I'm just not guilty.

I'm an on-again, off-again Sparker, I admit it now. Actually, this time around I "relit the Spark" because I woke up one morning looking great, stepped on the scales, and realized that not only was I holding on to my previous success from Spark People, but I'd actually been making gains (or rather losses, of pounds), and it simply made me think, "Wow, I'm doing great and I bet I could do even better with the help and support at SparkPeople!"

So, by knowing that I have already made some lifestyle changes that are sticking with me and that I've had success and been able to manage even when I wasn't meticulously tracking every calorie in and out, I have faith that my body is learning what it needs (and what it doesn't), and that I'm becoming better at listening to it.

So, last night, when I was putting away groceries and my body told me, "You know what, why don't you put off that healthy chicken stir fry you'd planned for tonight, I really want some SOS, and you just got that ground beef so you won't even have to thaw it," I listened. I knew it would throw me way over my calorie allowance for the day, but I made the decision even after all those facts were in.

I didn't feel bloated or overburdened after - and I still have faith that there was something in that meal that my body was missing.

Now, back on track, until my body provides the next update!

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Who's standing in my way?

Thursday, April 08, 2010

"Most barriers to your success are man-made. And most often, you're the man who made them."

- Frank Tyger

This morning, the above quote was facing me in my "Healthy Inspirations" e-mail from Spark People. It really gave me something to think about this morning, about who is standing in the way to my success.

Weight loss success? Yes, I'm in my own way, here. I find all kinds of things that I "have to" do - have to cook dinner, although my husband offers or even tells me he's fine with something light. I "have to" get dinner in town, because I've had a bad day and don't want to face cooking. The list of things I "have to" do seems to stretch each day, and then the list of things that I really need to do - like working in the time for exercising, making certain that when I'm making meals they are on healthy meal plans, etc., gets pushed aside - by me! Now that I know exactly who is standing in my way, I have one less excuse.

Personal success? Definitely in my own way here, too. I tell myself that I'm "needed" to help at my current job, even when difficult times make it look like it would be wiser to find something else to do. Do I know what else I'm interested in doing? Yes, a recent experience with a close friend has shown me that getting a master's degree and certification as a speech language pathologist could be very fulfilling for me. But I keep finding reasons not to go talk to the university to find out what I'll need to do to bruch up after my bachelor's and be ready for the next series of admissions for the master's program. Who's in my way? Me again!

Quitting smoking? Guess what, I'm in the way, there. Who tells me that I'll just keep smoking for right now, until I can find a time that's a little less stressful? Who tells me that I need a cigarette to deal with something in my life today? That me, too.

Today's healthy inspiration has given me an opportunity to look at the way I'm in my own way in many aspects of my life. It's time I started pushing myself out of the way, and moving on to the better person I know I can become.

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Tired of cigarettes

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

That's right ... I'm tired of cigarettes. And probably tired, because of cigarettes, because of all of the oxygen they're depriving me from. And tired of waking up coughing in the morning, reaching for the very thing that continues this yucky cycle. I need to quit, I know I do.

On a positive note, I thank the people out there who have finally started making positive commercials that might actually encourage me to quit, rather than trying to scare me with the awful statistics that I already know and tell me all the rotten things I already know about smoking.

I don't even remember whether it was a public service or whether it was for a drug or for a nicotine-replacement aid ... But I remember seeing a commercial last night where an older woman was blowing up a huge balloon, then, when she got it blown up, a little girl cheered, "Grandma, you did it!" and when she took the balloon, all the air came rushing out of it.

Inspiring.

I think those of us who haven't yet been able to quit the habit need more positive images like these - something to show how great our life can be without cigarettes, rather than just constantly reminding us how terrible life is with them.

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Ordering off the "light" menu ...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

My husband called and asked me if I wanted dinner out last night as I was shopping. As I'd planned on picking something up on the way home, anyway, it didn't sound like a bad idea. I'd just watch my selections, as I am working on trying to bring more balance to my meals. My usual habits of scarfing a breakfast as quickly as possible in the mornings and trying to remember to bring something with for lunch usually end up in calorie-laden evenings, even if I'm within my calorie count for the day.

He asked about IHOP, which sounded A-OK with me, and so off we went. I perused the calorie laden offerings on the seasonal menu, and must admit, the pumpkin pancakes did have a bit of a calling. And although I knew I probably had enough left in the day to have the smallest version, at least, I decided that it was more important to restore balance, rather than jsut stay within calorie range (I actually finished significantly under, but hope that will leave me room to increase my breakfast calories accordingly tomorrow!).
So, I ordered off the "For Me" menu, and was quite satisfied with the yummy omelette and a side of fruit.

It wasn't until I was driving home that I stopped to consider that maybe I felt a little self-concious about my choice.

When my husband asked what I was getting, I slipped by his question as the waitress came by answering, "I'm ready to order," and simply giving her my order.

He's been very supportive of my weight-loss efforts and complimentary on my progress, although I know he thinks it's a bunch of malarky. But he always tells me, "Obviously, it's working for you, so keep doing whatever you enjoy."

Then I realized, somewhere within me there's a part that wonders, "Does the waitress think, 'Gee, it's gonna take a lot more than this one better decision to take off that weight?'"

I think I'd feel more comfortable if healthier items were spread throughout the menu, instead of sequestered to the back page in a special section for us "fatties." Although I appreciate and applaud the efforts restauraunts are making to offer healthier selections; it would be nice for them to recognize that many people are making complete lifestyle changes. These don't have to be items that are only of interest to people who are "dieting."
Also, I've observed that when I'm with other people who are "dieting," they seem hesitant to order anything from these selections. Maybe these items simply don't have the same appeal as stuffed french toast (of which, I must admit, I've been a victim in the past). But could it be, too, that they worry about what others will think when they order off the "special" menu.

All in all, it was a really good meal, and probably a decision I'll make again. According to the information here at SparkPeople, I'd even seriously underestimated the calorie counts in my dinner (although they brought me even closer in line to my goals of eating evenly), so I felt like it was a good amount of food for the calories.

But I just wonder if the next time, I'll be thinking, "I really enjoyed this meal before, and I think I'll order it again," or if I'll be thinking, "I should really order something off the 'fatties' menu."

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Large? Ha ha!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Over the weekend, I was going through a few clothes I'd picked up at the women's shelter thrift store some months back. When I'd made the purchase, it was with the anticipation that I would be losing some weight, and they had a fabulous sale of buy 2, get 3 free, so I'd picked up sizes up to a couple of sizes smaller than what I was currently in, so that I'd have them when the time was right.

As I was preparing for a Halloween party with friends (which was unfortunately canceled), I decided that one of those pairs of pants hanging in my closet was just right. I remember when I bought it that the tag had been removed and it was just marked "women's large."

"Perfect," I thought. "They might even be a little baggy now, but for one night, I can make them work."

Not a chance! I'm down to size 14 now, and while I was able to pull the pants up over my hips now (a major accomplishment, since only six months ago I wouldn't have even been to get a pair of size 14s up to my hips), they were a definite no-go.

I remember that at the time I purchased them, I held them up at the waist to my other acquisitions, and they seemed to be much closer. Probably someone at the thrift store trying to determine the size had made the exact same move when they deemed these pants a large.

But, they are a nice pair of pants to keep for my upcoming goals ...

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