Trying to-Cut the Crap-!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

I just read a blog-- (Mark's)--"'Just cut the crap and do it""--he sorta says-
When he is tempted to eat what he feels he shouldn't , he goes for a walk--
He grocery shops once a week now--
Funny--coz I try to do that now too--It seems to cut out the bad stuff in my cupboards-I do try to exercise daily--but--I do take one day off from the Dreadmill--
His blog made me wonder how else my life has changed since I began Spark--

Well, I don't drink diet coke -at all---
I eat more vegetables--fruits too---
I move more----I consciously try to be happy and grateful for every day--
I do look at food differently---like--""Do I really want to eat that""--and if not, I dump it---and substitute with some healthier food--
I am still working on , not eating in the evening--or substituting healthy food and including it in my calorie count-This has taken me a long time to do--and I'm still not good at it---
I don't buy ice cream anymore--as I KNOW I will eat it -mindlessly---

So--after 2 yrs on here, I am STILL working at this---changing my way of living--
I have watched people die, as I struggle along here---one lady (Extremely overweight) waiting for her stomach taping--died in her sleep--
My daughter's Father-in -law is now diabetic---and a night ice cream eater as I used to be)--My own son, (overweight) is now on blood pressure medication at 40 yrs old)-
I have no choice, I realize-----If I am going to live , and live healthy, as Mark says, I must just cut the crap, and do it!-

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 6/14/2012 7:34PM

How are you doing with strength training? Strong muscles burn more calories. My focus this summer will be on strength training. I am doing some videos I found on Spark People and also some beginning Pilates. There are days when I don't do as well with "cutting the crap" but for the most part I do pretty good. Long walk today. Pilates tomorrow. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

1CRAZYDOG 6/14/2012 12:49PM

That's why this is a journey . . . it's constantly evolving, taking different twists and turns as you get to your destination. You're determined so it will happen. Wow, I hope your son takes care of himself!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WAYSOFGRACE 6/14/2012 10:33AM

Here here! You have a wonderful attitude, and inspire me to do the same...I am going to cut the crap and just do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAT609 6/14/2012 9:16AM

Good morning, Lynda! I need to do the same thing and cut the crap! I have been so bad lately! I was blaming it on the birthday excuse! My new goal is to get up early again and get moving. I have been lazy and sleeping late. Then I run out of time to do the healthy things. We can do this! Have a great day. Thanks for the reminder! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEDDYTEDDY 6/14/2012 7:20AM

Thanks for a blog with "some teeth." Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 6/14/2012 7:13AM

Great motivational reality check! Thanks! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAUR88N 6/14/2012 7:12AM

Keep up the great work. Yoou seem to be on the right path! Report Inappropriate Comment

Be kind to a Dog Day!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Me and my dogs eh??---Yesterday, cutting grass, I looked over at husband pushing the lawn mower--and right beside him, walking at his heels, was Tess, The GSDOG---so cute to see---seems she has become his dog-

Tess on the dock

This morning , my journal fell open to May 8th--and---on that day, my weight was 207-
This morning I weigh 202--(wish I was below the 200)----but----
I AM down from last month----
Sometimes I forget that--The weight loss is so slow--
So-----I opened the Spark book-P156--titled, ""Ways to Keep Going for the Long Haul""--It says-----
#1--write on a calender and keep that calender in front of yer face
#2--Email to yourself your own encouragement--Neato!
#3--Journal
#4--Report to a buddy--Well, that is what I am doing now

But--right now , a gal must get moving--Tis a lovely day out there, and we are a part of it--! Be kind to a dog out there--Don't shut them in your car---Don't put them in the back of a pick-up truck----Hug them---- and keep them close--You are part of their pack-

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 6/13/2012 8:08PM

Slow and steady does win the race. I have to agree with Barb that it is best to loose it slowly. Hang in there. Loved your blog today. Our Miss Macki is not doing well so she will be seeing the Vet on Friday. Can't really put a finger on it but she is not herself and she is loosing weight. I will keep you posted. Huggers, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

CEILIE2 6/13/2012 12:14PM

love your blog Have a great day. Report Inappropriate Comment

1CRAZYDOG 6/13/2012 11:56AM

Slow and steady wins the race. Your pictures are ADOREABLE! Thanks for sharing this blog. HUGS! Report Inappropriate Comment

GUCCI9300 6/13/2012 8:21AM

So cute!!!! Thank you for the smile this morning!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WAYSOFGRACE 6/13/2012 8:06AM

Tess is adorable! I miss being around Cookie (my fiance's mother's dog) so much right now. I can't wait to make the move and be with her all the time! The weight may be coming off slowly, but it's staying off and that's the best part! Keep up the good work, and have a wonderful day! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 6/13/2012 7:58AM

Take heart - the studies show it stays off longer when it comes off slowly. You are doing it right! Report Inappropriate Comment

DOLLBABE56 6/13/2012 7:25AM

First of all, I LOVE the pictures (and your background). Second of all, great reminders. May be a good idea for me to reread The Spark. Need the encouragement and guidance right now. I'm happy you are losing the weight. Remember, "slow and steady wins the race". Now to apply that saying to myself. Hope your day is wonderful! Report Inappropriate Comment

Be Positive-

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

This morning my weight is bouncing around----
Yesterday it was ""down""--and yesterday I did everything right--hoping to see the scales go even lower to-day---
BUT-----The scales are up----perfect reason to not get weighed daily , me thinks--

It says in the Spark Book, P.60----Be Motivated--Accentuate the Positive---that even a pessimist can become an optimist with enough practice--that you must train your mind to turn in an upbeat direction.
Say things like-----
I am a survivor
I am worth the effort it takes to exercise.
I am healthy and strong.
I enjoy being healthy.
My body is becoming stronger, slimmer , and healthier every day.
Practice seeing your glass --and plate-not as half empty, but as half full--

Some days , it's tough to remember how long this journey is--
Hang in--hang in----perseverance----consistency----Posit
ive thoughts --
The Dreadmill is calling--The Germans (as in dogs)- are looking at me, waiting to go out--It's Tuesday---I CAN do this!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 6/12/2012 4:16PM

I agree - that photo says it all. Keep on keeping on - you will get there. I biked a half marathon today (100 minutes - 13.1 miles) and walked 20 minutes - 1 mile. Biking by far is my favorite cardio. Tomorrow strength training with Pilates. It feels good to be back to the exercise this week and am already feeling stronger. Take care and keep with the positive attitude. It will be your key to success. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

1CRAZYDOG 6/12/2012 8:22AM

That picture says it all! sometimes we have to have the tenacity of a pit bull . . . and we DO! YOU do. Probably a good idea to ditch the scale, at least for a few days. It's hard. HUGS Report Inappropriate Comment

WAYSOFGRACE 6/12/2012 7:53AM

You absolutely can do this! I do not weigh myself every day for the simple reason that the weight can and does fluctuate every single day to some degree. To get away from the temptation, I hid the scale out of sight and it comes out once every couple of weeks. I wrote about attitude yesterday in my blog! Amazing how great minds thing alike! Have a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 6/12/2012 7:20AM

I have really had to WORK to not let the scale determine my mood. Especially now, at maintenance, because one's weight *does* vary a little up and down... just because it's UP today, does not mean your program or YOU are failing. Maybe there's a little water retention. Perhaps you ate LESS than you needed and your body is holding on because of it. Bodies are weird that way. So, chin up... keep on fighting the fight for your health! Because YOU are worth it. Dreadmill, beware, Lynda is going to work the heck outta you today! Report Inappropriate Comment

BD3269PM 6/12/2012 7:10AM

Yes you can!! Remember that you are worth every bit of effort Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDAMARIEZ1 6/12/2012 7:09AM

Go for it! is my attitute! love the dogs! beautiful!!! Have a grand day Lynda!!! hugs linda Report Inappropriate Comment

GARDENCHRIS 6/12/2012 7:08AM

yes you can! I really like the determined face! Report Inappropriate Comment

Commitment, Courage-Honesty-Optimism-Patience- etc etc etc

Monday, June 11, 2012

Dieting without a lifestyle change is like patching a flat tire.--
It says that, on Page 38 of our ""SPARK"" book--
You can put a temporary fix on the damaged area to get the car rolling again. But you'll end up patching it again later down the road--just as you'll probably have to diet again at some point. Millions of frustrated dieters have made it a practice of patching tires again and again, and are still struggling.
Yo-yo dieting places a strain on our heart and stresses our immune system.
Calories in, minus calories out, is how SPARK works--plus a lifestyle change which may take years to reach a healthy weight--but---we shall reach our goal once and for all!

I love this page----It will take years---because we HAVE to break the bad habits---
Woo Woo! That's me!!! (with the years)---
To-day--this morning----I weigh 201--so close to ONEDERLAND---
It's hot-----the AC is running---the DEER flies are on the dock--the wash is waiting to go to the Solar dryer--the Germans are chomping at the bit to go out--the Dreadmill is calling--ANOTHER DAY!!!!
WOO WOO!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 6/11/2012 3:39PM

Good afternoon Linda. Keep on keeping on...you will get there. So close to onderland - so excited for you. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

BELLACUDDLES 6/11/2012 11:27AM

I can feel your upbeatness!!! YOU GO GIRL!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

1CRAZYDOG 6/11/2012 11:11AM

Thanks for this blog!!! It is hard to have patience with ourselves and realize it took us a long tim to get where we are/were at when we joined SP and it will take awhile to get to our foal. BUT we'll get there. Almost @ one0-derland! You can do it. You can do it. You can do it!!! HUGS, my virtual sister! Report Inappropriate Comment

WAYSOFGRACE 6/11/2012 8:35AM

I am with you on the years part. We will get there!!! Have a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 6/11/2012 7:31AM

YEARS to get there, yep, me, too! Another motivating and fresh blog. Spark on! Report Inappropriate Comment

GARDENCHRIS 6/11/2012 7:20AM

morning! Have a wonderful day! Report Inappropriate Comment

BD3269PM 6/11/2012 7:12AM

Keep the faith! You will reach onederland. Have a great day Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDAMARIEZ1 6/11/2012 7:05AM

Good Morning Lynda! Have a seet day for yourself! hugs linda Report Inappropriate Comment

Memories-on a Sunday!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

It's Sunday------relaxin, day----
It doesn't mean that I don't Spark--but-----it does mean that I do everything slower--
""Soon come"", as they say in Jamaica-----which means--I'll be there --or I'll do that--when ever I can-

Husband is Jamaican---He was born in Lucea, Jamaica. He is Chinese.
When we would return to Jamaica to visit, I remember, on Sundays, cars pulling into the compound--full of little Chinese kids. Sunday was ""family Day"" there, and relatives from all over the island, used to visit his Mom--They called her ""Apo""---which means old lady, in their dialect.
Chinese people in Jamaica, used to be the business people of the island.-His family owned the Grocery, the Bakery, the Gas Station, and ran a wholesale grocery business for that part of Jamaica.
There was always lots of food--lots of maids (help was cheap)--and on Sunday we would pack towels and lunch, and a few kids, and head over to Negril Beach. There were no hotels at Negril then--just open beach--
-
some of husband's family in Montego Bay
I met husband in Ottawa at the Civic Hospital--I am a reg Nurse--He was Interning--

Memories eh?---
But--The sun is out--It's hot already--the solar dryer is ready to use----so----I'm offa here---Drink water Sparklers----Be happy--Don't let the B------- get you down---to-day!-
Come on over and ""loll"" on the dock!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 6/10/2012 6:09PM

Great memories. I don't know what has been wrong with me the past couple of weeks. I have just lost my motivation and am not giving it my all. I plan on getting back on track this week. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

1CRAZYDOG 6/10/2012 11:39AM

Sweet memories my dear . . . SWEET memories. Mom would take us kids to church. Dad stayed behind and made a wonderful breakfast . . . pancakes, waffles, french toast . . . whatever he made was heavenly! He was and is a wonderful cook. I can remember the walk home from church (about 1-1/2 miles from home). Almost as soon as we got out the church doors one of us kids would say, "I smell the pancakes" or "Bet it's french toast today." ALWAYS anticipated a wonderful family breakfast. Then it was out to the forest preserve to get together with friends and play volley ball. Such fun! Thanks for evoking wonderful Sunday memories. Wonder what Dad made for breakfast this morning? Bet it's french toast! Report Inappropriate Comment

PYNETREE 6/10/2012 8:13AM

Going to close my eyes, breath deep, and relax , virtually, on your dock! Thanks for the invite! Hope you have a splended Sunday too! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 6/10/2012 7:50AM

Love that dock! And the sunflower, too... busy bee, there! Enjoy the day! Report Inappropriate Comment