Chaos In The House

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Truthfully, I sat down to write a most eloquent diatribe on how I am once again suffering through the 2nd Day Sugar Withdrawal Headache, because of my huge binge on cookies on Sunday. I was going to say something really well-worded and inspirational about how staying healthy is worth it and how giving in and bingeing just means I have to go through this feeling of YUCK all over again. And then I was going to say something about the entire reason for my health journey being so I don't have to feel terrible like this...etc etc.

But, instead, the moment I sat down, chaos ensued in our house. My mother-in-law, who has been gone for two weeks got home. The girls (6 and 9) came home from swimming at the YMCA with their friend, who had so sweetly gifted them with a bunch of cute toys and candy. My 4 yr old boy spied the Ring Pop in my 9 yr old's bag and demanded it. She said "no" of course...and he, being totally exhausted and ready for bed, threw the mother of all tantrums and screamed his lungs out. At this very moment, my 6 yr old came to me and asked me to "fix" her hair. You see, she tried to put her gum behind her ear like Violet Beauregard from Willy Wonka. Are you picturing this scene???

It is at precisely this point my husband decided to DO DISHES. WTH???? The whole entire world was falling apart and everyone was screaming and it was just...uggghhh.

Anyway, yay....inspiring words...healthy journey...yippee...whatever. I just want 3 points for this blog. Let's be honest.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JOANNKW 4/11/2012 12:33PM

As a child, I frequently slept w/ gum. Sometimes, the gum migrated to my long hair. If only we'd known - Peanut Butter will take it out. I actually never tried it on hair (and obviously, if you have peanut allergies you can't do this), but i did try it on my dog - she stepped in hot sticky gum and was a mess. She loved the PB approach! (WD-40 works as well, but who wants that on their dog or in their hair!) As for the whole thing - loved it! It is amazing how things just all manage to hit at once! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARVEEME 4/10/2012 9:50PM

A soothing cup of tea, and girl talk. All better now? Report Inappropriate Comment

GETTINGFIT4HIM 4/10/2012 9:35PM

Girl, I hear you! There are so many times I have something in mind I want to say and blog about and just when I sit down to do it that is EXACTLY the time my almost 5 year old son or hubby need me. Ugh!!! There should be extra points for blogs with a sense of humor!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MINDBODYANDGOAL 4/10/2012 9:32PM

I think it is a perfect blog and should be worth triple the points! Report Inappropriate Comment

Disappointed In Myself...But Moving Forward

Monday, April 09, 2012

I'd imagine there will be SO many of these blogs on SparkPeople today. I had one HORRIBLE day yesterday, food-wise. OK, the entire weekend wasn't great.

Actually, Saturday was excellent until I bought those sugar cookie decorating kits for the kids to do on Sunday and my hubby and kids went out and left me all alone in the house. I thought, "Just one...nobody will notice." Well, one turned into 3. Three cookies. And I had also snuck two bite-sized pieces of chocolate at an Easter egg hunt earlier that day. Still...it wasn't HORRIBLE. Just a small blip in my overall magnificent success over the previous week.

Then, Easter. I told myself I'd follow South Beach and wouldn't cave in. But, then those cookies came out again...and I had one. Then, I thought I'd nibble a couple jelly beans and maybe just have a bun with a hot dog...it's just one bun! Managed to have my burger with no bun and did eat a TON of veggies, so those were about my only redeeming choices yesterday. Honestly...I lost track of how many cookies I had yesterday. THAT is bad.

Scale read 5 lbs heavier this morning. I'm sure that's not all "real" weight gain...I had a LOT of grilled food this weekend so I'm sure a lot of it is water gain and salt. But, it's very discouraging because I did SO WELL last week. It's like I sabotaged myself.

There is a bright side...I feel that I've learned a very important lesson. I can't be trusted to "just have a little" without completely falling off the wagon. At the same time, I understand that never having "just a little" will be almost impossible if this is truly a lifestyle change. So, I need to figure out a way to be able to have my bites of cake here and there and eat them too...maybe have my husband help me and only have my "cheats" when he is around to see and help monitor. It's the secret eating that gets way out of hand...and makes me feel the worst later on.

That being said, it's a new day. And today I choose correctly. Even if I did gain 5 lbs for real, which I'm sure I didn't, I wouldn't want to give up now. Why go completely backward? That would be ridiculous. Besides, I can't forget how wonderful it felt to be healthy. I'm not giving up. I'm on this road for as long as it takes.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AWOOD1973 4/11/2012 10:52PM

Way to hold yourself accountable and move on! New day, new healthier choices!! You're doing great!!! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

CHOCOHOLIC2276 4/10/2012 7:30AM

Great job on eating grilled foods and veggies:) As for the cheats, I know what works for me is having single serve cheats. For example I can't buy a pint of ice cream because I will eat it- but I buy the single serve ice cream like the skinny cow ice cream cup and that satisfies my sweet tooth and once it's gone it's gone. I know you will find what works for you:) Report Inappropriate Comment

GETTINGFIT4HIM 4/10/2012 2:14AM

Remember, a setback is a setup for a comeback. Lysa herself says it can take some time to get to the point of strength in moderation when it comes to sweets and trigger foods. It's progress, not perfection. Report Inappropriate Comment

BITTYGIRL51 4/9/2012 8:57PM

Don 't beat yourself up too badly, but recognize your unhealthy habits and change them. I would encourage you to dig into the "word" and your Made to Crave book for more insights. Get involved on the message boards. I think you will find many others struggling with the same issues and what they did to overcome them. I'm cheering for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

TURKEYPEPPERONI 4/9/2012 8:36PM

It's great that this little slip taught you something. Hang in there!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WERNERETTE 4/9/2012 12:52PM

I know just what you're going through! I am learning the same things, that just one bite or taste won't hurt.... but it does! It sends me over the edge and I end up binging on all the wrong foods. I need to learn to incorporate those foods into my eating in a healthier way, so that they don't end up setting me into a binge. I haven't quite figured out how yet, but if you do, let me know! Report Inappropriate Comment

YULLABELLE 4/9/2012 12:17PM

I've had a few days like your weekend. I just pick myself up and keep going. We will all have small set backs, if we didn't we wouldn't be human. we just log our feeling at the time of the slip up and try to learn from the slip up. One weekend will not undue your weeks of wonderful work. Keep moving towards your goals you are worth a healthier you. Report Inappropriate Comment

BARNABUSA1 4/9/2012 12:16PM

I feel your pain. I too cannot have it around. I will give in and justify my actions. Way to go, though, for picking yourself up and dusting yourself off. We have to indulge at times to remind us of why we are doing this to begin with. You said it! "Why go completely backward? That would be ridiculous." I love that thought. Thanks Report Inappropriate Comment

South Beach + Seder = Disaster

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Well, friends...the Jewish Seder was just beautiful. Absolutely loved the story, the tradition, the food and the friends. Just one problem...



As a general rule, when a person has been eating around 1000 - 1200 calories of only veggies and lean protein, it's probably not a good idea to just dive right into a large meal consisting of 4 mandatory glasses of wine.




I was feeling just fine and completely enjoying myself (albeit, I felt a *little* warm, but that's just because I don't handle wine very well. Haha...hint). About the time that the gifelte fish came out, I was pretty buzzed.



Suddenly...and I do mean suddenly...I felt dizzy.



I was stuck in this little table with nowhere to go and my husband was blocking the way out of the table. We were with 5 people we've never met and we were in the middle of a set of blessings. But, I HAD to get away from that table.



I told my hubby, "Get up. Get up NOW." He hesitated and I swear I almost threw him to the ground! Literally tried to run to the restroom and, well, I lost it all. Body could not handle the sugar and alcohol.



I really should have had sparkling grape juice...like a little kid. But I usually can handle a few glasses of wine and these were pretty small. But I forgot about how I basically had an empty stomach and how my body was not ready for that. I felt SO guilty for, well, puking in the middle of my friend's holy dinner.



Luckily, I was able to recover fairly quickly and enjoy the rest of the meal...on the couch...which was right near a window with a cool breeze. It was SO embarrassing.



Hmmm....bright side? I only gained 0.1 lbs.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GETTINGFIT4HIM 4/10/2012 9:38PM

Oh man! That's rough! Chalk it up to life's random moments and move on. Kudos to you for being there for your friend and her traditions, and, trying to keep up with your new healthy eating plan at the same time. Report Inappropriate Comment

TOSHARRI 4/8/2012 5:39AM

Goodness! I'm not very familiar with Seder but also have noticed since removing added sugar from my diet that alcohol affects me in much the same way! Good luck and take care of yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

HISTORYRUNNER 4/8/2012 3:07AM

I admire your courage and sense of humor to share about this. I'm so sorry for what happened. But I hope, and believe, that your friend appreciates that you came to the meal in good faith to honor her hospitality and her faith tradition. And I'm sure you'll never forget Passover for the rest of your life! Hang in there! Report Inappropriate Comment

TIMOTHYNOHE 4/7/2012 11:00PM

Oop. Always eat with alcohol. I also call it the "South Park Diet." Report Inappropriate Comment

Jewish Seder Tonight - the opposite of South Beach, Phase 1!

Friday, April 06, 2012

So, I'm right in the middle of the 2-week Phase 1 portion of the South Beach Diet and tonight I promised my dear friend I would attend her Passover Seder. I am actually not Jewish, but I think it will be extremely interesting and enlightening to be a part of such a cool, cultural tradition. And I know she's very excited to be hosting, so it should be really great.

I am a little worried because she sent me a list of all the foods she is making and, well, I am not lying to you when I say that almost every single food is on the "DO NOT EAT" list for this phase of the South Beach Diet. Including 4 glasses of red wine, which are MANDATORY. Yikes! I calculate that alone to at least 510 calories.

But, truthfully, I'm not worried about calories, as I've been very far under calories this past week b/c of the South Beach Diet. And this actually brings me into my acceptable/normal calorie range. And I did a LOT of exercise yesterday so my body is feeling good. I guess I'm more worried about the fact that the author of South Beach Diet stresses again and again that the first phase is specifically to change your blood chemistry and clean out all the bad carbs and sugar. I am just worried I will undo all the hard work I've put in this week with one meal. Not that I'd gain 12 lbs back or anything...but that it would somehow screw up my blood chemistry.

When I talked to my husband, he said that was ridiculous. And I decided he's right. It is ridiculous. This is a holy weekend and a sacred holiday. It literally would be EXTREMELY rude of me to accept this invitation and then refuse to eat things from this ceremony. Also, I am learning a lifestyle here...not some crash diet. Things like religious holidays will happen quite regularly in life and we need to learn how to best plan for these things and recover afterwards!

The "worst" that could happen, weight-wise, is that I could gain a few pounds back and maybe I'll have to stay on this strict phase of the diet an extra week. That's not the end of the world...and it certainly is worth it if it means I get to celebrate with my family and friends in a way that is honoring to them. It's not a license to go nuts and binge...but it's permission to not be so self-absorbed and anxious about every single bite I put in my mouth.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LDRICHEL 4/6/2012 10:43PM

UPDATE: Absolutely beautiful Seder meal! SO glad we got to experience that! The food was wonderful. But let me just tell/warn you. Do you know what happens when you eat nothing but 1200 calories of lean protein and veggies for 5 days, then drink 4 glasses of wine and eat carbs all at once? , Ummm...let's just say I'm not so worried about my weight! Ugh. So embarrassing! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARVEEME 4/6/2012 7:35PM

Practice moderation, and you'll be just fine through this one meal, even if it does require 4 glasses of wine. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

ILIKETOZUMBA 4/6/2012 4:40PM

I think you're absolutely right - it's a lifestyle, not a diet, and you will have to be able to incorporate holidays and special occasion foods in the future. Honestly, I think the idea of changing your blood chemistry is probably bogus, or at least not precisely accurate. With eating plans like the South Beach diet, my understanding is that you're just trying to keep your blood sugar stable. Eating foods that make it spike for one evening is not going to do anything to ruin/change your blood. But I'm not a doctor, so I can't swear to that. Anyways, I doubt you'd even gain multiple pounds out of this. They say it takes 3500 to burn off or put on a pound. So unless you eat like 10,000 extra calories at this dinner, I think you're good. :) You might see a temporary increase in your weight, but it's just from water retention due to increased sodium intake, or from the food weight itself (lots of food can get backed up in your system, if you know what I mean). Don't even sweat a few pounds on the scale if you see them; it's not a real gain. Have fun! I've never been to any Jewish ceremonies, but I'd love to sometime. I bet they're fascinating and beautiful. I just need to find some Jewish friends! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

I Feel AMAZING Today!

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Oh my goodness. I feel better and better every day! It is ridiculous how HUGE of an impact a healthy diet can have on how your body feels and how you feel about yourself!

I don't SEE any huge change in my body when I look in the mirror but...I don't know...EVERYTHING feels good!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lost 0.8 more lbs yesterday. Total gone: 11.3 lbs. Only 88.7 lb to go!

Only about 14 more lbs to a 10% overall loss. That will be a big deal for me. For the first time ever, this doesn't feel impossible. I think I've crossed some invisible mental barrier and I just feel like a different person!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IAMFRANSGIRL 4/6/2012 2:17PM

Congrats!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KO1215 4/6/2012 10:53AM

Awesome! Way to go!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARVEEME 4/6/2012 6:03AM

YES YES YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHERREMAC 4/5/2012 5:45PM

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ILIKETOZUMBA 4/5/2012 12:58PM

Congratulations!!! I always used to think losing the weight would be impossible, but seeing that number on the scale go down really does something to your mental state, doesn't it? You CAN do this!! It's totally possible! I'm so glad you've crossed that barrier and realized what you are capable of doing, and you might find that you'll end up being capable of even more (in terms of physical ability and eating healthy) than you think now! :) Comment edited on: 4/5/2012 12:59:14 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

KRICKET4 4/5/2012 11:10AM

Those are the days that make it all worth it! Enjoy!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGPAWSUP 4/5/2012 10:40AM

Congrats! Sounds like you're making some great progress. And I LOVE your attitude. Report Inappropriate Comment