My Last Big Supper Phase is Finally Over, Just in Time!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Since Thanksgiving just two months ago, I have been struggling to eat healthy and exercise more again. Before that, I had been consistently losing weight each week and feeling better about myself eating the South Beach Lifestyle way and exercising more For Thanksgiving my family and I went to a nice Restaurant for a big and delicious turkey dinner and I stuffed myself to the point where I felt uncomfortable. At that dinner once again my dil told me how much better and thinner I looked. Well, maybe I got smug and just thought without much effort or hard work on my part and even with a little food cheating I would continue to lose weight. Well, as you all know just wanting and wishing it doesn't make it happen for us. I swear, from that day on I slowly lost my Spark and Healthy Focus and started eating basically what I wanted to again with not much thought to the consequences of my unhealthy choices. Plus I just about stopped exercising always coming up with excuses for myself or thinking I will do that later and then later never happened. I was in a downward spiral screaming inside for me to get a grip and get out of this very dark "hole" of abuse I was doing to my body.

It's been long two months with no weight loss and almost too afraid to WI and see what damage I had done to myself with my old unhealthy habits sneaking back in again. I didn't want to know how much weight I was gaining and didn't want to know what the scale said as was actually ashamed of myself and didn't want to post my weight gain in my Team's Weight Loss Challenges anymore. I was in total denial of the harm I was doing to myself both mentally and physically by not being accountable to myself nor to those friends who cared about me. Finally, a few good friends reached out to me and wondered if they could help and just knowing others did care about my well being touched me deeply. I'm usually the strong one for others but this time I needed someone myself to lean on for help and support--and they were there for me.

This week I've been re-reading articles and the South Beach Book again as this plan worked the best for me. It's eating good food with very little processed food on it. When I was on South Beach my sugar and starch cravings were almost non-existent. My Dr. was thrilled with my success and my lab work results were better than ever and my weight hadn't been this low in almost 15 years. Well, this morning, I decided it was high time to get back on the scale to find how just how much weight I had gained. I found out how quickly it is to re-gain 10 pounds and I honestly can't say I was shocked as I expected it to be about that. It's amazing how hard it is to lose 10 pounds but so easy to gain them right back. I wasn't a bit depressed to see how my unhealthy bad habits had affected me as I knew I was finally motivated again to do what I know works well for me, the South Beach Plan and exercising more. I know it will take time to re-lose the pounds but I know I'm ready to do what it takes to make that Happen and move forward again.

This Week I've been making getting Healthy and working to a Happy Weight a top priority again. . .after all no one can do this for us but we for ourselves. I am working on some new doable Goals to achieve. I'm glad to be honest and accountable for my weight gain and to move forward again. My pants were getting tight when they had been loose on me just 2 months ago. If it wasn't for those of you who noticed and cared I'm not sure when it would have hit me in the face like it did. . .but, I know eventually I would have come to the same conclusion myself. As I haven't worked hard for almost 3 years to lose weight only to regain it all back in a short period of time. In some ways I feel we're all a Work in Progress and no one is perfect and I've never even dared think I am in any way. I've even wondered if I hide behind my fat as I've never been one who likes to be the Center of Attention and maybe this is my way to protect myself from being hurt again.

If you have a friend who is struggling with food choices or a healthy lifestyle tell him/her kindly that you care about them and do support them. It's amazing how a caring friend can give us a wake up call about ourselves. Thank you all from the bottom of my Heart as I couldn't go on and do well without all of your encouragement, support and God's Strength.

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I Take this Seriously. . . My Never Quit Pledge!!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012

Today, I promise I will not quit.
I pledge that no matter, how many ups and downs I pass through,
I will continue on my journey.
I pledge to make a NEW START today, and forgive myself for my past, and to stop being so critical of myself.
I pledge to take control of myself, to Stop making excuses, and stop blaming other people or situations.
I pledge to treat myself as I would my Best Friend, because that is who I am.
I pledge to stay in the race and to be a WINNER!

Signed: Jill Suter

Will you join us and post your own Never Quit Pledge?
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A good Spark Friend Posted this Pledge yesterday and I feel exactly the same way as no matter if it takes a Lifetime I will do my best at eating healthy and moving more. I'm in it for the "long haul". I'm actually happier since I joined Spark as rather than losing over 40 pounds I probably would have gained more weight than that. SparkPeople has enriched my life in so many ways and I thank those involved for keeping this a free website. I've made so many caring friends and appreciate and love every single one. I may be slower than a Turtle but in the end I will achieve all my Weight Loss Goals and be far healthier for achieving them.. I feel more confidant about myself now and even have learned to love myself more. I've learned so much from this website and all of you--thank you for being there for me! Overall, I feel better now than before I found Spark. Hugs to all of you trying like me to stop the excuses and keep moving forward. You and I both have what it takes to be Healthier!


I will make a Copy of this for Myself and Post it up in my kitchen where I spend a lot of my day!

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My Son, my Inspiration to Get Healthy in 2012!

Sunday, January 01, 2012

My oldest son, Brent, is 38 years old and has always lived with me. Unfortunately, since he was 15 years old he fights "demons" that I only can imagine would be terrible to deal with. He has a severe mental illness and yet is the most caring and loving son I could ever imagine. He is always there for me and rarely complains about the poor "hand" in life he has had to cope with daily. From the little bit he tells me he lives in a very scary world most of the time. Yet, he is usually cheerful and is the type of guy that would give a cold stranger the shirt off his back. I really admire him and worry about him as due to his mental state he is very dependent on me. He has told me a few times he doesn't think he could go on without me. I know it's not true but it makes me want to be there for him as long as possible. I need and want to lose a lot of weight for myself but also he inspires me to do it for him. He is the most wonderful son I could have ever asked for--he truly is a kind, unselfish and loving person.

I've recently been sick and have had the chills at night so the other night I asked him if he could bring me an extra blanket and he quickly did that. Early the next morning he told me he was cold last night and when I asked him why he said that's because I gave you my blanket. That's just the kind of person and son he is.

I feel I've been selfish in not making more of an effort to always eat healthy and exercise as I'm not only doing it for only myself but for him. With my computer down almost the whole month of December I've slipped back into some of my unhealthy ways--not eating right and very little exercise. So, I have lots of motivation to make 2012 a Healthy year for me and I know I can do this. I'd feel healthier and stronger and be the better for it. My son in lots of ways isn't as demanding of me as I am of him. Sometimes he's the one that reminds me that yes I have the strength to do this Healthy Journey right and be happier at the same time. He's the best reason I can think of to finally get healthier and live a more fulfilled life myself.

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I'm in a Rut and Really Disappointed in Myself

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Until about a month ago I was making WL progress and losing weight at a slow steady pace and then I somehow seemed to lose my enthusiasm even though I was still Sparking like mad and I continued to encourage others to do what I haven't been able to do for myself--eat within my calorie range and exercise more. I usually do eat Healthy but just too much of it! I'm given 1200-1550 calories a day and most days I eat at the upper range or go over it. I'm mainly doing chair marching for my exercise and I know it's better than nothing but it doesn't burn too many calories away. I need to find more cardio and strength training exercises that I enjoy and do them. I will be checking out some new exercise videos on some Team Pages to find something I will and can do on a regular basis.

Until about a month ago I had a great Accountable Buddy and she really helped me focus and "keep on my toes" and I was staying within my calorie range so I was losing weight then. I haven't lost a pound in about a month and it's because I eat too much. I'm doing myself a disservice as I'd feel so much better with less weight on my aching knees and back. My Dr. even told me that losing a significant amount of weight was the best single thing I could do for myself as it would ease up the knee & back pain I deal with daily. I want to be more mobile and be able to really live life again but it seems I'm my own worse enemy.

I was dealing with some sad family news yesterday and you know how I chose to deal with it? I made a batch of homemade Snickerdoodle cookies to drown my sadness. It was a Spark recipe with only 50 calories a cookie but the cookies with that amount of calories must have been quarter size--and mine were about the size of a small saucer! I must have plowed through a half dozen of those cookies and of coarse when I weighed myself this morning I had gained a pound and it kind of shook me up as I know I'll never lose any weight with that "don't care" mentality. We are only given one Life here on Earth and why can't I make it a healthy and good one for myself. I feel I not only am hurting myself but all the people who love me and want me around for a long time.

I am always inspired and encouraged when I read those great success stories and I want that for myself. The choice is up to me. I know no one can do this for me but me. So, this morning I went searching for my Spark book and it's time for me to re-read it and get on the right Track again. Just reading this wonderful book has really helped me in the past set doable goals and give me back my Spark again.

I am in the Fall 5% Challenge and I'm going to make just losing 5% of my weight in a couple of months my biggest goal. For me that means losing 13#s and with the right mental attitude and all the tools on Spark and with a new commitment and all my wonderful supportive friends I know I can do it! I know what to do thanks to Spark now the ball is in my court and I've got to pick it up and run, well maybe jog, with it!!

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Put Live To Be 100 on My Bucket List??

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Even though I don't have Live to be 100 on my Bucket List following is an interesting MSN Health article that gives you good suggestions on how you can achieve that goal. I'm going to list all the things they suggested you to do to achieve that. To be honest, most of them I already do but the ones I don't I'm going to start doing them as I want to be healthier now.

1. Floss Once a Day can add 6.4 years to your Life Span

2. Take a good Multivitamin slows the signs of aging

3. Weigh Yourself Once a Week because Life-Threatening pounds can creep up and stay at a healthy weight. Staying at a Healthy Weight can add 6 to 7 years to your life.

4. 5 Days a Week eat some Nuts. Pistachios are recommended because they have less calories than most nuts and are so healthy. Eating 1 oz or 45 Pistachios at least 5 times a week can add 2 years to your Life.

5. Do Cardio Exercises 5 Days a Week for 30-60 Minutes can help your body be 20 years younger and you may grow new brain cells.

6. Every Day Commit Hara Hachi Bu - Japanese people in Okinawa live an average of 6 or 7 years longer than most of Americans Do. Hara Hachi Bu just means you only eat until your 80% full and stop--not 100% full like so many people do. Okinawas know that Life is worth Living Well and Healthy!

7. Get Enough Sleep but Not Too Much - Sleep between 6-9 hours a night--no less no more can help live a long life. You'll have a trimmer waist and reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

8. Have friends and Socialize with them. Australian Researchers found those people who had a circle of friends outlived folks with the fewest. You can add 3 to 4 years to your life by getting together with friends.

9. Every Year Get a Mammogram.

10. Have Your Cholesterol Checked at every Physical as heart disease is the Leading cause of Death in Women. You can add 6.3 years to your Life by improving your Cholesterol if it's high or keep a normal one.

11. Eat 5 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Daily

12. Exercise Regularly

13. Drink a Moderate Amount of Alcohol (Up to 7 glasses a week)

14. Avoid Smoking

15. Think Positive

16. Eat Fish and/or nuts

17. Get Out in the Sun to get your Vitamin D or take Supplements

18. Munch on Foods High in Vitamin C and E as they are healthy antioxidants

19. Meditate, do deep breathing or tai chi.

I want to do as many of these as I can possibly do as I aim to be healthy of body and mind as I age gracefully.

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