RAYLINSTEPHENS on Page 39!

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Here I am just reading along, amongst all the gems in The Spark, looking for things to apply to my life, when there it is! My SparkFriend, RAYLINSTEPHENS, quoted on page 39! And what she had to say about trusting SparkPeople and eating enough to not trigger binges is truly profound. Definitely applies to me.

If you haven't already, be sure to get the book. Read Linda's wise words and much more.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MONGO2TEN 1/13/2010 5:23AM

I have the book, but haven't had time to read it yet. I'm hoping to start with a chapter a day. Looking forward to finding the quote by Raylinstephens:) ~Nancy Report Inappropriate Comment

WALKINGANNIE 1/10/2010 10:43AM

Yay! We're friends with a proper celeb! Sadly, the UK has not been Sparked yet in book form. All Amazon pre-orders have been delayed with no revised delivery date. Bah! Report Inappropriate Comment

PEGGYANNSCH 1/10/2010 9:20AM

I have not got the book yet .Don't have the money right now Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 1/9/2010 12:52PM

Thank you OldMom! I only speak the truth! When I let go and let Spark show me the way, my binges became a thing of the past. SparkPeople works!! Love you, Linda Report Inappropriate Comment

JCORYCMA 1/9/2010 12:02PM

I wasn't sure at first if the book would offer me anything I hadn't already found on the website but I'm so glad I read it! I've picked up tremendous advice and I find myself re-reading the section on goal setting over and over. I've been really sick for several weeks and I even made a vision collage of healthy images and I swear it helped. I too found a friends quote in the book and that made it extra exciting! Joanne Report Inappropriate Comment

The Days of Punitive Dieting and Deprivation are Over!

Friday, January 08, 2010

That phrase, "The Days of Punitive Dieting and Deprivation are Over", just keeps going through my head. I'll have to look it up in The Spark and see if I got it word for word, but I know I got the gist.

It's not positive enough to be my affirmation or mantra, but for today it feels like a celebration! Truly I am done with focusing on the negatives of food and what I can't have, but will focus on all the positive characteristics of the healthy foods I choose, along with a few moderate indulgences from time to time.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KRITTERKEEPERS 1/9/2010 12:05PM

Well said. It's amazing how truly delicious healthy foods are once we break the habit of reaching for the refined/processed foods that are quick to prepare. What we discover is that with healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetable, you can eat and satisfy your hunger, rather than count calories! Thank you! Report Inappropriate Comment

PEGGYANNSCH 1/9/2010 8:46AM

old habits are hard to change Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 1/9/2010 8:26AM

You have such a great attitude! If we all lost our negative connotations for food, we'd be a lot more healthy! Report Inappropriate Comment

FRAN0426 1/9/2010 1:44AM

We should all toss out the negative ideas of food out of our minds and concentrate on the positives. Ah, sadly old habits are difficult to change as quickly as we would like. Thankfully we that have this wonderful site get a lot of terrific help to cope with such ideas. Report Inappropriate Comment

WALKINGANNIE 1/8/2010 12:47PM

Well said! Now that I've seen this written in your blog, it's made me realise that I haven't felt deprived recently - even over Christmas - and have felt more able to incorporate some treats without going off the rails. For me I think it's about fitting indulges into the calorie range rather than adding them to it. I think I'm still a bit nervous about slipping back into bad habits of thinking that, 'a little of this won't matter' and then getting carried away. Your increasing confidence is making me feel more sure-footed though. Thanks as ever. Report Inappropriate Comment

The Spark has Arrived!

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Yesterday it finally came. I finally received The Spark by Chris Downie. I've just read over intro, chapt 1 & 2 of so far. First impressions: easy read, interesting, motivating, and it makes so much sense.

I liked SparkGuy's explanation of how he used a collage and visuals to keep motivation high. I was surprised that 10 minutes workouts were helpful to him when his life focused on work. I thought that 10 minute videos on SparkPeople were due to technical limitations, but maybe not. I understand the thrill of helping someone else and how Pat inspired him to help all of us. Thanks, Pat. Thanks, SparkGuy.

What he had to say about giving yourself permission to fail is profound. And his declaration that days of punitive dieting and deprivation are over should be celebrated!! Thanks, again and again, SparkGuy!

  

Skinny Person with a Fat Shadow

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

I hit the bottom of my chosen weight range earlier this week. It should be celebration time. However, I didn't want to go any lower, so after a day of healthy eating and exercise I thought I would indulge in a little candy. The chocolate candy had been sitting there 10 days since a guest brought it at Christmas and I hadn't had any.

Well, I'm sorry to report that I didn't stop after a reasonable portion. I had much more than I intended. I guess this experience was meant to keep me humble -- to remind me that eating right will be a challenge for me probably all of my days.

Now that doesn't mean that I can't do it. I can. If fact, I will. So, although I may look like a skinny person now, I can't forget I have a fat shadow.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FRAN0426 1/7/2010 12:06AM

So you celebrated a bit overboard with the candy in celabration of reaching within your goal area. first of all, for reaching a milestone. Secondly, old habits are so difficult to overcome, but you know how you will need to handle that-- and go ahead ans endulge once in awhile, youv'e earned it,because you will keep yourself in check. Report Inappropriate Comment

WALKINGANNIE 1/6/2010 3:55PM

Wise as ever. I still haven't dared to stop tracking and I'm not sure that I ever will. I really admire those people who seem to be able to 'listen to their bodies' so that they know when to stop eating but my body doesn't seem to have an inbuilt full-o-meter. It's good that there are so many of us in a similar position who can share concerns and observations and keep each other focused. Congratulations on reaching your lower limit - and on not letting deflation get you down! Now wonder you're proud. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOALIEGRANDMA3 1/6/2010 2:01PM

That is a big challenge, and a problem I worry about too. I don't think I will ever be able to judge what to eat without counting my ww points and using the spark nutrition counter. I NEVER want to go back where I started, and have a real fear of that. Good for you for realizing about the candy before it got out of hand. Martha Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 1/6/2010 1:21PM

Well said Marsha! Where you've been in the past definitely affects who you are now and how you approach things in the future. You've come a long way and should be proud of yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 1/6/2010 9:51AM

I love it! We are all human, after all! Thanks for the reality check! Report Inappropriate Comment

ALANOFLINY 1/6/2010 9:15AM

Don't sweat it - it often takes a while for our minds to catch up with out bodies when it comes to recognizing and dealing with our weight loss and maintenance. WHat's important is that you're aware of it. So what if you have a few bad days or weeks over the next period of time? You know what you need to do to stay on track (or get back on track) and you'll do it. And eventually, your brain will catch up with your body. Congrats on your success so far!! Alan Report Inappropriate Comment

Useful Trivia

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

I just read on SparkPeople today - actually, in the trivia quiz - that adding milk to tea destroys antioxidant properties. What a revelation! I've been drinking skim milk in my tea for years thinking I was adding good nutrition. The practical things you learn on SparkPeople!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEGGYANNSCH 1/6/2010 10:01AM

I didn't know that Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 1/5/2010 4:25PM

Isn't it amazing the little titbit's that we can pick up? According to what I've read recently, the more plain you eat your food, the better for your vitamin intake! Report Inappropriate Comment

PO_PAZZA 1/5/2010 3:48PM

My Irish-born neighbor got me started with milk in tea a few years ago. Then I read the same thing you did and have since backed off. My friend, who doesn't care a hoot about nutrients and antioxidants, refuses to give up her lifelong habit, and that's fine. I just want everything that's coming to me. Oh, and the oxalic acid in spinach will bind with calcium to make it less available to the body, too, if taken at the same time. By the way, last week, I added a bit of Torani sugar-free almond roca syrup to my daily homemade cappuccino. Ohhh yeahhhh. Think I'll try it with tea this afternoon. Instead of milk. Mary Report Inappropriate Comment

WALKINGANNIE 1/5/2010 12:15PM

More useful info. Thanks Oldmom. When I was last in hospital the medics said I could only have skimmed milk but the hospital only had full fat (!) milk for tea and coffee. My family brought skimmed milk in for me but it was a hassle getting it stored and brought to my room when hot drinks were served as I was being barrier nursed. As a result I started to drink green tea which I thought was preferable to black tea without milk. I've now developed a habit of drinking 1 or 2 green teas a day as it's quite refreshing and good for antioxidants. (I adore full-caffeine coffee too but a girl's got to have some vices.) Got to agree about the trivia quiz. I've learnt all sorts. Report Inappropriate Comment

KEEDLY 1/5/2010 8:19AM

Well, I didn't know that. I used to add milk to my tea before all the flavored teas became available. Not I like the taste of those better. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUDY4652 1/5/2010 8:10AM

I didn't know that either! I drink more coffee now and hardly no tea at all, but I expect that someone will say that that's not good for us either! I just look at the inside of my mug when I've drunk the contents. Coffee stains come off a LOT easier than tea stains! ... I just think what it might be doing to my insides!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ASHWOOD0531 1/5/2010 8:07AM

Oops! Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

BARNFISH 1/5/2010 7:59AM

Wow, I didn't know that either. Thanks for sharing that info! Report Inappropriate Comment