Inspirational Quote of the Day

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

So true :)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 7/6/2012 1:27AM

Nothing in life seems to go smoothly all of the time so we should expect a hurdle now and then. Our strength comes from our effort when we overcome those hurdles. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

Confessions...

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

I haven't been doing as well as I could have the next couple of weeks. I've been tracking my meals on most days and stayed within my calorie range most of the time, but I haven't been eating as healthy as I'd like. I've gone for walks, but I haven't really been working out as hard as I could and should have. I've been slipping and making dumb choices. I haven't lost or gained any weight in two weeks or so, and I think it's time I start working hard towards my goals again.

It's July, and this month I'm really going to be focusing on staying within my calorie range and getting enough fruits and veggies a day. I'll go for a long walk/jog/bike ride every day and just eat right and exercise like I know I want to! I know how good it makes me feel when I meet my goals consistently and keep taking steps towards the future I want.

I'll start a short 14-day streak. I'll set two simple goals for myself and track them for two weeks. If I meet my goals every day, I'll reward myself for a job well done. My goals are (as stated above): 1) Go for a walk/jog/bike ride every day AND 2) Stay within my calorie range and track my meals every day. I'm sure this streak will keep me focused and motivated and give me the kick that I need to get my act together again! I WANT TO GET OUT OF THE 160'S ALREADY! :)

On a whole different note, I'm starting a new job tomorrow! I'm now done with the internship at the hotel and I'm now going to start a summer job at an art museum. I'm excited!! I don't know what to wear to work though... It's my first day and I want to make a good impression, but then again I don't want to look over-dressed either. I'll figure something out!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 7/6/2012 2:08AM

The site just ate my rely. What I wanted to point out is that it is difficult for any of us to go full speed all the time. Sometimes our bodies and our minds need to rest and regenerate new energy that will allow us to once again go full out toward our goals. I'm confident you will be in the 150s soon. Stay focused and positive. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

SARAHSSUNSHINE 7/4/2012 7:28AM

Great goals, and they're easy enough to achieve without trying to do everything at once! I think I'll take up these goals right along with you. :) A short two-week streak is just what I need. And when I reach it, I'll reward myself! And set me up some more goals. Great idea! And other commenters are right--even though you're not as happy with your routine as you'd like to be, you haven't gained anything. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

LIZ1147 7/4/2012 3:36AM

We all have our ups and downs...we are all human. You haven't gained anything, and even if you had tomorrow is a new day. You've got this! Congrats on the new job! Report Inappropriate Comment

PASKALINI 7/4/2012 1:30AM

I think it will be very easy for you to get back on track. Enjoy your new summer job! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANEWME3536 7/3/2012 4:52PM

Good luck at the new job, it sounds like lots of fun! Report Inappropriate Comment

RBETYOURASS 7/3/2012 4:50PM

Take each day in baby steps and you can do it! I'm so ready to get out of the 160's myself! Stick to it, you can do it! ~Rana Report Inappropriate Comment

Inspirational Quote of the Day

Friday, June 29, 2012

How powerful is that?!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 7/6/2012 1:24AM

Yes, to be physically strong we must be mentally strong. We can do it! -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNA89 6/29/2012 6:02PM

wisdom......... Report Inappropriate Comment

CAT609 6/29/2012 5:44PM

I like this quote! Thanks for sharing it. Report Inappropriate Comment

Thoughts about emotional eating

Friday, June 29, 2012

I've been having the worst cravings today. I know it's got a lot to do with the fact that it's the time of the month for me and I always get crazy cravings then. But I know the fact that I had a lousy day at work doesn't help either! That made me think about emotional eating, and some of the things in my life that make me want to turn to food for comfort.

First of all, I realize that my anxiety has been a huge reason for my emotional eating in the past. I've been suffering from anxiety for a few years now (ever since I started gaining weight) and eating my 'safe foods' (aka unhealthy foods) made me feel safe and, strangely enough, in control. Whenever things seemed to be out of my control and I felt like I was forced out of my comfort zone, I started miraculously craving for chocolate. Ever since I started following the SparkDiet and making healthy changes in my life, I've slowly overcome my anxiety. I haven't had any anxiety attacks in months and whenever I come across a situation that used to make me nervous and uncomfortable, I find that I am able to deal with the emotions that come with it. When I started my internship as a hotel receptionist (I only have a couple of days left by the way!) I wasn't sure what to expect. I used to be so anxious at some point that dealing with a lot of people while being in a strange environment with people I don't know doing a job I haven't had any training for made me so nervous! But I'm proud to say that I've been doing an amazing job! I'm surprised at how well I have been doing considering my history with anxiety. I'm an introvert by nature, which basically means that I'm the quiet thinker type rather than the loud social butterfly type. I need to time adjust to new things and I like to observe first in new situations. I've come to accept that, FINALLY. I used to beat myself up for being the way I am, but I now realize that it's okay, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Realizing this has made me more patient with myself and it has also given me a lot more ammo to deal with my emotions.

Boredom, depression and anxiety have been the three biggest triggers for emotional eating for me in the past. Today, when things at work seemed more than chaotic, I was reminded again of how I used to turn to food for comfort. I had a bad day at work and by the end of the day, all I could think about was drowning my sorrows in a bag of chips. Once I realized I was feeling this way, I immediately recognized this as an emotional eating tendency and was able to take a step back before going crazy with food. I didn't binge or give into my cravings. Instead, I recognized why I was having those cravings in the first place and tried to deal with the emotions that caused them. I think it worked! Six months or a year later, I would not have been able to do the same.

PROGRESS!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 6/29/2012 11:28PM

Add loneliness to your three triggers -- boredom, depression and anxiety -- and you have my main triggers. But every time we fight against them an win we become emotionally stronger. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

KRISZTA11 6/29/2012 5:16PM

I'm an introvert too, I know what you mean... I feel much better too since I realized this is how my mind works and accepted myself as I am : ) Report Inappropriate Comment

Inspirational Quote of the Day

Thursday, June 28, 2012

First of all, I want to thank you all for the kind comments on my last entry! I love how nice and supportive everyone is around here. I couldn't do this without you!

Second, I love that picture and quote! It reminds me that every step we take brings us closer to our goal. There might be missteps and detours along the way, but that's life. I no longer expect perfection and take every day as it comes. When I slip up or make a mistake, I always try to look at it objectively and learn something valuable. I used to be such a perfectionist and it always set me up for failure! These days, I look at things differently. Life is not always perfect. We make mistakes, things happen. The important thing is to always, always, always keep moving on!

Oh and by the way, my boyfriend and I booked a two-week vacation to Greece today! We're going to Parga in August and I can barely wait. It'll be fabulous!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 6/29/2012 11:31PM

Annie, I'm inspired by your new positive attitude this year and encouraged by your weight loss progress. I hope you two have a grand time in Greece and look forward to the pictures you'll share with us. Enjoy. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

LIZ1147 6/29/2012 4:34AM

That is a great quote! It seems like so many people are all or nothing...including me. But one little slip-up isn't enough reason to throw in the towel. It's a process...I didn't gain the weight overnight, so it's not going to com off overnight. Greece sounds amazing! I hope you post pics! Report Inappropriate Comment

PASKALINI 6/29/2012 1:11AM

HOORAY I can't wait to see pictures!!! Greece is so beautiful. I'm hoping to to take my family there next summer. Report Inappropriate Comment

TENGELS82 6/28/2012 5:00PM

That quote really resonates with me. I've spent the past 5 weeks being *thisclose* to the 150's. Every week I'd think positively and say this week is the week I'll finally break past that 160 lb mark. If I was striving for perfection, I may have just given up. My weight wasn't dropping like it's "supposed" to each week. Instead of giving up I focused on other ways to make progress. I focused on my food choices and getting in a certain number of exercises each minute and just decided to give my body time. Even though my journey isn't perfect I certainly was making progress toward living a healthier life and that's the important thing. As for Greece, I'm SO JEALOUS!! Whenever someone asks where I want to go on vacation, Greece is always the first place I think of. The blue water and old white buildings, ugh. Definitely something for you to look forward to! Report Inappropriate Comment

HEARTS116 6/28/2012 3:20PM

Love this quote Report Inappropriate Comment

NIKKIPAL2003 6/28/2012 2:35PM

Great Attitude and I love your quote! Oh yeah and Greece sounds like such a beautiful place to visit...I hope you have a wonderful vacay! Report Inappropriate Comment