Spoiled Brat

Monday, July 18, 2011

This blog has nothing to do with my grandkids. It's me. I'm the brat. I just expect good health to be my right. I deserve it, don't I? And I thought I had fought off this cold. Then this morning I woke up with absolutely no voice at all and difficulty swallowing. The only noises I'm making are coughs.

Don't know if I'll be well enough Saturday to run the third 5K of my 4 race series, and I'm in second place for my age group. At the very least I'm missing training runs. I just have no energy.

Actually, having no energy at this point may be good. If I had any energy, I'd probably throw a temper tantrum!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EDUCGRAD 7/19/2011 12:09PM

Hope you can rest and let your body heal.I drink ginger tea,take vitamin C .Hope you are better soon Comment edited on: 7/19/2011 12:10:48 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

KEKEIKO 7/19/2011 7:59AM

Have some hot chicken soup and rest! A couple days and you should be ready to start training. It's okay to pout when you're feeling down. Feel better soon! Hugs, Keke Report Inappropriate Comment

TBRANCH2 7/18/2011 10:50PM

Take care of YOU and get well soon!!! YOU are what is important!! Hugs, Theresa Report Inappropriate Comment

MONTY68 7/18/2011 10:28PM

Hi Marsha I am sorry that you aren't feeling well, at least you tried to put some humor in the blog. Your number 1 goal now is to get better. I know that you will take care of yourself and focus on the idea that you will be ready for Saturday. Monty Report Inappropriate Comment

SHECHAM 7/18/2011 9:52PM

Feel better and take care... Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 7/18/2011 8:03PM

Sometimes your body just shouts its needs at you: "REST, already!" If you take it easy for the next few days, you might just recover in time for race day. Pump those fluids and rest that voice. You'll come back stronger. Oh, and whining is allowed. I have some to go with it? Lame joke. - Barb Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 7/18/2011 8:01PM

Oh Marsha, I'm so sorry that you're feeling so sick. I guess sometimes we all take our health for granted. There is an old saying, "If you want to see God laugh, tell him about your plans." Hopefully you'll take care of yourself and you'll be feeling better in time for your race on Saturday. Keep drinking that water, hot tea and orange juice. Get some rest and if you don't feel better in a day or so, you may need to visit your family doctor. Take care of you. Hugs, Cyndi Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 7/18/2011 7:34PM

You are NOT a spoiled brat: you're just a bit disappointed, and understandably so. Lots of good advice here, all best in fighting off the virus in time for the next race . . . but if that can't happen, please don't push yourself, just give yourself permission to sit one out. Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 7/18/2011 6:33PM

Oh the joy of a summer cold-seems it just should not happen when it is warm out there. People wonder why I always wipe a shopping cart down-well, I don't want those germs to get me! Hope you are feeling better soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 7/18/2011 5:59PM

Don't be so hard on yourself. A cold is a virus you are unlucky enough to pick up from someone else, usually kids where it runs rampant in through their playgrounds and schools. It has nothing to do with how healthy a lifestyle you are living. It happens to ANYONE!! You know the drill, rest, fluids, lots of Vit C, hot steamy baths, etc., etc,. You may have a chance of it easing in six days..Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MIRAGE727 7/18/2011 5:07PM

Ok, Martha, do what you can to get yourself ready. Vitamins, rest, etc. Play nice and see what happens. If you are ready to rock, do it. BUT don't press yourself. You could do more harm then good. I do wish you the best as I know you're in the last race of your series. Just be a good girl until race day, Brat! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 7/18/2011 4:38PM

It's all about health - your health - you must take care of you first. I am sorry you're not well, and I do pray you are well enough on Saturday, but if not - is it really worth risking further infection? Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUESKY_321 7/18/2011 4:04PM

Feel better soon - try to enjoy the downtime. I don't get sick very often, and I'm not very sympathetic to myself when I am, but if I can be smart enough to give into it, a day on the couch with a good movie, a little nap, and some tlc from the family is heavenly! Report Inappropriate Comment

-PAULA 7/18/2011 3:49PM

Get better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 7/18/2011 1:02PM

Seriously, it's good you're listening to your body! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 7/18/2011 12:36PM

I'm right there with you; I really resent it when I get sick! Hope you're better soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

GATOR12 7/18/2011 12:14PM

Oh, we are so spoiled, you are right. We make plans and God laughs!! Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 7/18/2011 12:03PM

I shouldn't laugh but I got a picture of the temper tantrum Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCYRUBIO 7/18/2011 11:44AM

Thanks for your outlook--wish I hadn't gotten sick--but maybe I deserved it. Glad we both can throw temper or I would be very frustrated. You wouldn't want to be around me. Report Inappropriate Comment

JOHAL52 7/18/2011 11:29AM

Perhaps your body is telling you it wants some rest? You have been going, going, going and perhaps the cold was the only way your body had to tell you it needed some TLC? Not that you don't do a lot of healthy things. It's just that a day or two in bed is sometimes the nicest thing we can do for our bodies Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 7/18/2011 11:19AM

I understand completely - sickness is what happens to other people! That is one of the reasons I struggle with this pre-diabetic stuff but I'm gaining ground! Hope you feel better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

New Trick

Saturday, July 16, 2011

I thought I knew all the "diet" and healthy eating tricks there are, but I just learned a new one. Usually I remember to order salad with dressing on the side, but sometimes I forget. Or there is no choice and the salad already has dressing on it. To reduce the fat and sodium, take your spoon and put water on it. Much of the thick dressing will go to the bottom of the bowl and you can get out the yummy vegetables with far less dressing!

I tried this tip yesterday at Catfish Country. They serve cole slaw with everything. I would guess I reduced my mayo intake by 75% and enjoyed it more than I would have with all that salt and fat. Even an old dieter -- Ooops! cross that out -- Even an experienced healthy eater can learn a new trick!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FROSTY99 7/17/2011 10:21PM

Thanks for sharing-that is a new one for me. Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 7/17/2011 7:52PM

Very interesting! Thanks for the tip! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANEWATKINS 7/17/2011 1:31PM

I'm an old dog . . . always looking for new tricks. That is a good one. Who would have thought? Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 7/17/2011 10:38AM

Love the tip because sometimes I forget to say dressing on the side also. Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 7/17/2011 2:05AM

tip! I had no idea, cause, I too, order dressing on the side..but I too am getting older and more forgetful, here is hoping I will remember this tip when the time comes!! LOL! Report Inappropriate Comment

MONTY68 7/16/2011 11:01PM

Hi Marsha I didn't know that little trick. Thank you for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

LAFEMMEDELALUNE 7/16/2011 9:29PM

That is awesome!!! I am a big salad person, so this trick will *really* come in handy! Perhaps you should post the tip to the "secrets of success" list here on Spark. Comment edited on: 7/16/2011 9:30:33 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 7/16/2011 7:35PM

New to me too! Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 7/16/2011 6:59PM

This one's new to me: thanks!! Especially good for those salads that you can't order with "dressing on the side" -- like coleslaw!! And congrats on your 2 pound weight loss!! WTG!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GATOR12 7/16/2011 2:33PM

That's good to know. I'll remember it!! Thanks for sharing, Brenda Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 7/16/2011 2:15PM

Cool! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 7/16/2011 1:57PM

Thanks - never heard that one either! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 7/16/2011 1:56PM

Great tip! And for those of us who don't care for salad dressing, it might be an alternative to sending it back! Report Inappropriate Comment

KJ4444 7/16/2011 1:48PM

I haven't ever heard of this tip before. I will try it next time I'm out and a salad comes with the dressing. Thanks, Kelly Report Inappropriate Comment

How Good Do I Want to Eat?

Friday, July 15, 2011

The scale said 125.8 this morning, right in my goal weight range of 124-129.9. Yes, I'm happy with that. I've been maintaining more than an 80 pound loss for 19 months now. I'm getting more and more confident that I not only can, but I will, maintain my healthy weight.

BUT, and this is a big BUT, am I happy with the way I am eating? Not completely. On the positive side, I always eat a great variety of fruits and vegetables. I eat enough lean protein and don't eat fatty meats. I have 3 cups of skim milk almost every day. I get plenty of fiber. I eat whole grains every day, and many days have no white refined grains. When I use oil, it is usually extra virgin olive oil or canola, and I rarely heat it.

However, I've found I can maintain my weight and still retain some eating behaviors that are less than ideal. I still nibble a bite or two standing up, usually while I'm cooking or putting food away. I still occasionally finish something that Natalie didn't eat. (Oh, yuck. Did I just admit that?) Sometimes I eat in my car. Sometimes in the evening after supper I intend to have a snack, but end up having three (like a 5th piece of fruit I know I do not need then a sugar free hot chocolate and then 100 calorie popcorn). I still use too much artificial sweetener, although I have cut back. I don't always plan my eating ahead of time.

So, I'm trying to decide. How good do I want to eat? Are there any of these behaviors I really want to change? Or should I just relax and be happy with a normal body weight?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WATERMELLEN 7/16/2011 9:13PM

What your blog suggests to me is simply how much mental effort and consciousness we need to bring to bear to sustain weight loss: and you are doing that. I know you will make the decisions that work for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 7/16/2011 10:28AM

Well maybe you could think of it as "is this in my best interest , is it something I really want or is it mindless eating?" Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUESKY_321 7/16/2011 6:52AM

Good "food" for thought, my friend! Report Inappropriate Comment

LAFEMMEDELALUNE 7/16/2011 12:03AM

Weight is only part of the overall picture (it may be the hardest, most frustrating part, though! LOL). Report Inappropriate Comment

MONTY68 7/15/2011 10:47PM

Hi Marsha I love your blog. I personally feel you have done a awesome job in releasing and now maintaining your goal weight. You are the only person that can make a decision on the food that you eat. It seems as you describe what you do that you are not seeing any increases in weight and as far as defining what you do as something you might consider changing, I think your last question you ask has the answer in it. I have maintained my weight for 3 1/2 years, I track everything I eat and have never been over my range in calories. I will say that some things that I enjoy may not be so healthy, I still chose to eat what I want. I want to enjoy life and do not feel guilty if I decide to have something that might not be defined as healthy. I know that you will make the right decision for you, what ever it may be. Thank you for sharing. Monty R> Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 7/15/2011 8:57PM

Only you can decide what you want to do. I think if it were me, I would give up eating off Natalie's plate. I guess I'd do it for several reasons, one, if she were to come down with a cold or other illness, you would get it and two, I'd rather measure what I eat more closely. If I'm going to spend the calories, I want them to be on something that I really want to eat and I want to know how much I'm eating. Eating off her plate makes that impossible. Just a thought.... Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 7/15/2011 8:34PM

I think you're the only one that can answer that. If it were my list; I'd not eat after Natalie; used to do that a lot and I deserve better than that. If I'm going to have the calories should be something I choose, not what someone else leaves. I'd also ditch the artificial sweetners as much as possible. The rest of the list I just don't see as a problem if the choices are healthy ones. Nothing wrong with relaxing and being happy with a normal body weight! Progress not perfection Marsha. Be well. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 7/15/2011 8:31PM

I shall just wait to see what you decide Report Inappropriate Comment

Simple Ways

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Today the SP DailyBlog has an article detailing a study of successful maintainers. It recommends reminding ourselves of why we lost the weight. My Beck Advantages Response Card has over 20 good reasons. I don't read it every day now, but it sits on my home treadmill tray where I read it at least weekly.

The article also recommends rewarding ourselves for doing the things we need to do to maintain. The SparkPeople trophies as well as kind words and goodies from my SparkFriends are some of my greatest rewards.

I truly intend to be a long term maintainer. Reminding and rewarding are two simple ways I'll help myself succeed.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MANGOKAYAK 7/16/2011 6:14AM

Good for you! Keep on maintaining and don't forget to reward yourself, so many people slip up here. Hugs! Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 7/15/2011 9:13PM

You are so right! When ever we feel frustrated we need to remember how far we've already come and why we originally made the effort to begin with. Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 7/15/2011 12:42PM

Here's to reminding and rewarding! Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 7/15/2011 9:59AM

I agree, especially the reminding part, once at goal that isn't as strong as when we are losing. Report Inappropriate Comment

SEPPIESUSAN 7/15/2011 7:49AM

Thank you for mentioning the article - I'm a day late, but hopefully I can still find it - I can't yet call myself a successful maintainer, but I absolutely want to be one someday, so I want to read this article!! Congrats on being a successful maintainer yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 7/14/2011 10:20PM

So happy I found someone as amazing as you to share this journey with and to maintain! Inspiring someone to go for it is reward enough for me. I enjoy watching my Spark buddies stretch out and grow and have successes in their journeys.. Report Inappropriate Comment

MIRAGE727 7/14/2011 9:31PM

Since I started maintaining, I've learned a lot of what you have mentioned. It does make the journey a lot easier and more exciting to carry on. Glad to be on the walk with you, Marcia! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 7/14/2011 7:44PM

I'm going to maintain going forward forever!! Yeah!! And I'm sure you'll be maintaining right beside me!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 7/14/2011 4:46PM

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RAYLINSTEPHENS 7/14/2011 4:07PM

I too intend to be a long-term maintainer! We can do it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

-PAULA 7/14/2011 3:52PM

It's the great blogs from great mainainers like you that inspire those of us trying to "get there". Thanks for your motivation! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 7/14/2011 3:19PM

Health is my greatest motivator! Life is a lot more fun now. Report Inappropriate Comment

JOHAL52 7/14/2011 2:56PM

I hope to return to maintenance in the next month. I feel exactly as you do. Report Inappropriate Comment

Good Find and Feeling Good

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

I found a step -- like the kind they use in step aerobics -- in our thrift store for $2. So I have new possibilities for exercise in the living room, especially while I'm watching TV. I hope to find some of the square parts (are they called risers?) to make it taller.

If you read yesterday's blog, don't feel too sorry for me. Calling it "lower back pain" is an overstatement. Mild discomfort is more accurate and even that is improving. I had some treatment today and was told I could still run, so I ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill. Felt good!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AQUAGIRL08 7/15/2011 9:22PM

I love thrift stores! I get some of my best "treasures" there! I'm glad you're still running! Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 7/14/2011 8:52AM

Have fun with your new exercise toy! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 7/14/2011 7:43AM

Gotta love those thrift stores! Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 7/14/2011 1:23AM

Great find!! I have had my step for a long time now, and have risers for it, but don't know if you can buy them separately. Check online with the used resale places. Good luck with it and enjoy!! So glad your back wasn't too serious, way to go with the treadmill! Report Inappropriate Comment

TBRANCH2 7/13/2011 9:30PM

great deal on the step! See the fun you can have shopping once you retire!!?? lol Congrats on the run and remember to take it easy on the back...we have to look after our team mascot!!! lol Hugs, Theresa Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 7/13/2011 8:50PM

That is where we got our step! We originally bought ours as an extra step for our 5th wheel and then I started to use it when I started working out at Contours. They are great. Glad the back is feeling better. Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNIEONLI 7/13/2011 8:23PM

Yay!!! Love a bargain!!! Good news on the back! Slow & Steady!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 7/13/2011 7:57PM

I love a great deal -- yay thrift stores!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 7/13/2011 6:25PM

I love thrift shopping and making a great "find"! Have fun! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 7/13/2011 6:08PM

Awesome on the step! I paid way more than that at Amazon.com when I bought mine! WTG on your back! Report Inappropriate Comment

SASSYCHRIS1952 7/13/2011 5:42PM

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