I woke up with new resolve.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 12:33:48 EST

I woke up on tine this morning, and the first thought in my mind was, I can make this a great healthy day. It's the start of a new week, and I can make that a healthy week. It's all up to me, full of healthy choices. So I have a plan...
protein, veggies for breakfast. ( omelet)
Chores for my NEAT.
Bike ride for exercise.
protein, veggies for lunch ( chicken and salad)
More chores for NEAT.
Carb, protein, veggies for dinner ( lentils puttanesca, rice)

Random thoughts about food addiction, disordered eating, night binges

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 19:41:06 EST

I've read a few of the articles on emotional eating. I've posted a few message boards about my night time binges. I have all these rambling thoughts in my head. The first major thought is that I have a food addiction. I have a disordered relationship with food. I do great for breakfast, have a plan. eat a healthy lunch, at home to save money, eat my afternoon snack, dinner is planned but after I go to bed, after I have had my protein snack which is tracked and accounted for, I eat. I have...

I didnt plan for it...

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:43:38 EST

My plan to focus on yesterday went great. I conquered the family pizza party and returned home very tired. I had my PM snack and went to bed... I didn't plan for the leftover pizza that my son brought home, left out and I ate at midnight.

Today's plan... Wake up early, Sparked, gym, breakfast, more spark... all done and completed. go to work, get my NEAT steps in, and stand up when on the phone. Lunch is a chicken salad, plan to do laundry during lunch, more work go to my home...

SparkCoach Sparked me...

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 10:33:19 EST

You can't get there without paying your dues. A simple statement that changed my outlook. See, I've been faltering. It started as an off day, then I got my period, and had cramps and craved red meat and found myself choosing to go off program. I ate the typical SAD diet ( standard american diet, acronym borrowed from spark solution.) but I expected different results. and i think that sums up my problem. I kept doing the same thing ( falling off the program, skipping workouts, eating of...

OFF DAY

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:32:26 EST

I woke up today on the wrong side of the bed. I didn't make it to the gym, I didn't eat a healthy breakfast, I ate fast food for lunch and then Topped the day off with Kraft macaroni and cheese. I just didn't have the fight in me today.

I didn't think it would matter, it was just one day. Then I read my Spark coach for the day, the day after. Spark Guy says" When you think that a choice to eat a certain food or skip a workout only has an impact in the immediate future, remember a...

My week one review of Spark Solution

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:32:43 EST

I have been on Spark for over a year, and trying to live a healthy lifestyle since September 2011. I have only lost 25 pounds. I have been two to three pounds away from my 10% lost goal so many times, only to gain a pound back. I decided to try "The Spark Solution" Program to break that cycle. I had set my smart goals of eating within my calorie range, and of exercising 300 minutes a while ago, and I figured that this is a way to learn new ways to met that.

I';s been a long f...

DAY 5 and 6 finds me enjoying the process and letting go of perfection.

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:03:50 EST

I was sidelined by mental health, and spent the last day in bed asleep. there is always the aftermath of mania. I feel bad about it, am behind at work, but am learning to listen to my body and my body told me to sleep. I could get very discouraged at day 6, finding that my kids wont eat the dinners, and have eaten most of the snack foods. There is no money to grocery shop until next Saturday so I am going to have to go off the scheduled plan. But I am not going to use this an excuse to go a...

day 4 of the challenge.

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:22:01 EST

I am awake, early, back on the med schedule and feel prepared for the day. My plan is to strength train at the gym, after I play taxi to the child, come home, get ready for an awesome productive day at work with my intern, and come home to make last night;s dinner plan ( since I didn't cook last night and the hamburger is defrosted). My plan for NEAT is to walk to and from work, walk home for lunch, and to stand up whenever the phone rings. My intern might think I am a little crazy, but it...

At the Mercy of others, day 3.

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:36:19 EST

I take meds to ward of mania, having been diagnosed bi-polar when I was 18. It was time to refill them, so I called it in to the pharmacy last tuesday. I went to pick up the meds on saturday. they weren't ready, the pharmacy blamed the doctor the doctor blamed the pharmacy. I panicked, and the pharmacy gave me three, and told me to call my doctor to remind them to call in the refill. I forgot. Lat night was the first night without meds. I woke up to aura lights, the beginning of a migr...

SparkSolution day 2 was a challenge.

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:55:05 EST

First, I ate more last night, an apple and peanut butter and then a banana. My legs ached, and I turned to food for comfort. I didn't sleep well, and then overslept so no gym. My boss wanted us to go out for lunch so I figured I would make good choices, but have to eat off plan. My road trip meant that I didn't get any NEAT, or much water. I thought lunch was going to be Indian food, and I planned on a vegetable curry but it turned out to be deli food. I choose a chef salad with a vina...

SPARK SOLUTION DAY 1 Challenge.

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:56:50 EST

Yesterday I prepped for the week, shopping ( spent way more on groceries than normal) and made sure I had work out clothes. I woke up early, excited for the challenge. Water, Breakfast, meds, tea, sparking all happened before I went to the gym. 20 minutes of elliptical, dash home to shower.. off to work. To get my NEAT in, I got up and walked to the bathroom every hour or so. I walked home for lunch ( it started to rain.. bummer). I have chicken defrosting for the one skillet southweste...

Preparing for Day 1.

Sun, 12 May 2013 21:51:31 EST

I decided to do the Spark Solution Challenge, where I will follow the meal plan and exercise plan outlined in the book. I;m excited, I 've told all my children and husband about it, but I dont think they share the same excitement. I bought a new set of measuring cups. I pledge to use them for the next two weeks. My goal is to lose the last little bit before the 10% loss, which is in 5 pounds. The challenge starts tomorrow. Maybe I can talk my friend Catlady into joining me.

My present to me...

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:25:43 EST

I found my mother's day present. A pre-potted herb garden. I tried to grow herbs from seeds but they didnt sprout. this is already potted, growing and ready for me to purchase. I think I will make one of my urchins purchase it for me. Other mother's day presents to me; I am requesting that Steve make eggcups, asparagus and fruit salad for breakfast, and then that the three urchins and Steve help me put in the garden, which might require new tools from Home Depot or Lowes.

one at a time

Fri, 3 May 2013 18:00:01 EST

stolen from coach nicole....
One step.
One minute.
One mile.
One workout.
One choice.
One bite.
One meal.
One hour.
One day.
One week.
One pound.

The 12K To Do list.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:03:02 EST

I am going out of town for three days, to walk a 12K and enjoy a SPA day. My head is full of things to do to get ready, and to be gone for three days so I decided to make a list.
1) make next week menu, and groc shop for the week, spa weekend.
2) do laundry for week.
3) pack suitcase and food for weekend
4) make banana oatmeal cookies
5) call spa and confirm appointment, get directions
6) charge camera
7) clean out car
8) charge fit bit
9) refill...

May Goals.

Wed, 1 May 2013 13:28:12 EST

I ended April with a binge, a serious need for comfort food. Today, is May and a new month and while I want to go eat macaroni and cheese comfort fat for you food, I am going to eat chicken soup and veggies, oranges till I feel better from this rotten cold. I will not let this snotty cold get me down and sabatoge my May goals.
1) 300 fitness minutes a week. 38,000 steps a week. Completion of the 12K. Completion of a 5k run.
2) I will eat within my calorie range.
3) I will eat ...

My happy Weight Goals

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:49:36 EST

My Spark Coach action plan is to create a list of non scale goals that will define when I am happy, fit and healthy.
1) MY A1C will be in the 4 range, without the help of meds.
2) no more blood pressure meds, cholestrol meds with readings in the normal range.
3) I can wear the Monet dress in my closet, and can buy a hippy TieDyed dress off the rack at the farmers market.
4) I will have improved muscle definition, and will lose the two fat rolls in my mid section.
5)...

it's a conspiracy

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:28:24 EST

I've decided that there is a two prong conspiracy in our culture, and I am renouncing it thoroughly. First, I have decided that the media cultural really wants us to be fat and unhappy about it. See, everywhere I turn during the day, I get bombarded with images of fat for you, really unhealthy food that the media tells me I have to eat NOW in Large glutinous quantities. Rarely do I see an billboard for organic broccoli, lightly steamed with some garlic. It's a supersize me world with lat...

I get to go out to dinner....

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:51:25 EST

My husband is taking me to nearby Wenatchee ( about 90 minutes away) for an anniversary dinner. I picked mongolian grill. I think it's the healthiest choice I could make. Other options are salads at red robin, soup at Olive garden or a steak at some grill. Dinner will be followed by errands for the daycare, Costco supersize me shopping and a trip to the paint store.

Sparkcoach action PLAN.. revamping.

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 12:23:08 EST

My sparkcoach action plan is to really look at my program, and make revisions. I used Reports to get the data. So, the first thing is my calorie range. I consistently eat over my range. So the first goal is to eat within my calorie range. Nighttime eating is my issue. I will move a morning snack to a bedtime snack. Second thing is my fitness minutes. I average above 300 minutes a week, so I am good with that part of my program. I love my fitbit, and set a weekly goal of 6,000 steps 5 d...

Exciting Motivation.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 21:06:41 EST

I read a blog by Coach Dean about rewards, and decided to revamp my system. I had rewards planned but they were scale based. My goal, of staying in my calorie range and exercising 300 minutes a week weren't tied to a reward. My next reward, which is already paid for and booked, is a spa day after I complete the 12 K walk. I had figured that I would be at 10% by then, so that's what I set out as the goal / reward. But I don't want it tied to the scale, and I totally plan on having the SPA ...

March re-cap, April Fools...

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 15:55:38 EST

I ended march on a high note, walking a 10K on Saturday. Easter Sunday, and the family buffet blew my calories. I thought I would start April off right. It was the last weigh for work's biggest loser, and while I was done from January by 6 lbs, and I moved my BMI two points, I was 4 pounds up from home last week. I blame Easter, change of scale and oh ya, TOM. I have TOM munchies, TOM cramps and a generally pissy mood yesterday. My sleep schedule is off, I had to nap until 2am, then take ...

A NEW SIZE

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:38:00 EST

So today was bittersweet, it was the last day I would get off with the change in schedule. I am sad, I really like having a whole day off mid week to run errands, work out longer and sleep in. But we all have to give one for the team, and with the opening of the daycare and my husband status change to self employed, I need to revert to a 7-4 schedule with parenting duties before and after work. I ran through my errands today with the constant thought, I'm giving this up. BUT a really coo...

Happy Anniversary to ME.

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:57:10 EST

It's been a year since I joined Spark people. 20 pounds gone. But the important thing is not that which I have lost, but that which I have gained.
* I feel better. I've gained health. I rarely get a migraine now. My A1C went from 14 to 6. I went from insulin dependent to only oral medicines to manage my diabetes. I am still plagued by IBS, and when I relapse, I can really see the difference.
* I am more active. I am a regular at the club, and and I have projects at home. Pare...

relapsed.

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 11:50:47 EST

I am not sure what the trigger was, I blew my routine tuesday, and then wednesday was caught up in house errands, thursday I just fell into it, and by friday I was sick, curled up in a ball feeling yucky, very much like before I found Spark and attempted this healthy journey. I know in my head that I can't do restaurant the way I used to, I know that I need my routine, that I need to put myself first for a minimum of a hour a day. I know it all, but sometimes I get tired of the routine, tir...

A high calorie lesson

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:42:44 EST

yesterday was a day of what not to do. I overslept, so I didn't get to spark in the morning, left for work before doing my whole routine, including packing snacks. I thought I had nuts at work, but discovered at 10 am that I was out. Hungry, I fell to temptation and went out to Mexican for lunch. thousands of calories later, I re-affirmed that I really cant do restaurants. then my kids got sick and I had to take them to the doctor ( a course of antibiotics and they will be fine) but it too...

binge which lead to a light bulb moment

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:40:54 EST

I had a decision to make, and while I made it, I felt like pouting and felt maligned and blew off the gym. See, my husband is starting a new career, We have bought a daycare and as of April 1, he will be the director. The hours of operation are 6:00 to 6:30, and he plans on being away from the house 5 am to 7pm. To do this, he quit his state public service job ( a decision I supported) but I had to demote from a supervisor position to a line worker position. Supervisors have payment auth...

I tried the Sauna.. it was nice

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:12:48 EST

My gym has installed a sauna, a dry one and today after treadmilling for 45 minutes, I sat in the sauna for 10. Reading the message boards about them, I learn that it's a nice way to relax, but it doesn't burn calories. Does anyone know the other health benefits of a sauna?

Being out of town was hard on the weekly goals. I ate a tad over the calorie range. Monday, I had two hours between appointments and went for a walk in a local park. Yesterday I mostly drove, which wipes me ou...

next weeks goals.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 02:04:29 EST

I participate in 4 weekly challenges. First is the calorie deficit challenge from BY THE NUMBERS team. Next week, I hope to have a daily calorie deficit of 2,000 calories. This means I need to end up eating within my calorie range. I have to go out of town Monday, and will try and make wise traveling choices. I can pack most of my food for Monday, and tuesday which controls the calories. The second weekly challenge is the number of daily walking steps. I have a lofty goal of 10,000 dail...

how to increase my steps?

Sat, 9 Mar 2013 15:58:20 EST

Each week I set a goal of 10,000 daily steps. I rarely met it. I have a very sedentary job, in an office that has no stairs. I usually get about 2,000 steps each day from work. I walk each hour to the back bathroom and back. I walk on my 15 minutes breaks. Then I will treadmill or walk outside for as long as I can, usually about 40 minutes, trying to reach the magic number of 10,000. Most days I get about 6,000. So I am looking for ways to increase my steps. I will try parking the fur...

Have you written your story?

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 21:18:35 EST

My husband has asked me to write his biography, to promote the opening of our daycare. It got me thinking about my story. Then I read Dean Anderson's story. I think writing our success story is a good way to plan for the future.

I was a chubby baby, the little sister who wasn't so little. My mother noticed, and treated me differently than my sister, like "Kris can have ice cream, you can't" So I learned to sneak ice cream. I developed issues with neglect and deprivation. If fa...

SUPERWOMEN!

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 22:36:30 EST

Today was strength training, and I did two sets of supermans, holding for about 20 seconds. We mostly worked on arms, with some core and leg action thrown in. I didn't treadmill as long, as my friend was more interested in weights, but did get 15 minutes in. tomorrow, I will need to go over 10,000 steps to balance it out. I increased my incline to 3, to mimic more outside hiking.

Counting the fruits and veggies and superfoods.. banana (1) eggplant, squash, tomato ( 4) romaine l...

Daily round up and a superfood accounting

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 22:55:16 EST

I made my goal of 7 fruits and veggies... a banana and yogurt for breakfast (superfood), salmon,( superfood) tomato, lettuce for lunch, veggie soup and toast for snack ( superfood) lentils puttensca and brocolli for dinner ( superfood lentil, eggplant, squash and tomato)// My calorie range was within limits, and I haven't been a coach potato this evening. My fitness minutes were none existent, but housecleaning should count for something. All in all it was a good day, I wish I had another t...

A new twist to the same goals....

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 18:57:03 EST

I was reading in a fitness magazine today that healthy people aim for 7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. And then there was an article on superfoods. My twist is to aim for 7 servings a day, superfoods. Looking at the list, I don't see a fruit or veggie that is not on it. I usually do the plate method and don't count servings but I am going to try and focus on this for a while. Simply put, it's two servings per meal, plus snacks. It means fruit with my yogurt, apples with my oatme...

it's a good kind of sore...

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 14:11:33 EST

I had a great day Wednesday. I stayed in my calorie range, and did a great treadmill wieght routine at the gym. I qualified for a new lower rate at the gym, and bought my supplements. Thursday, I was a little sore, and it was raining so I decline to go walking. Today, I oversleep but feel great and am ready for a good day.

On one hand, Life is pretty stressfull. My job is lower in job satisfaction than it has every been, my husand and I are taking a huge financial risk, there a...

the aftermath of a binge, sorta

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 17:26:00 EST

I was unsettled yesterday, and slighting off my day. The night past, and I woke up to a sunday that could have been great, but I need to rescue. I didn't binge persay, I just ate breakfast , a little bit of that, of this and when I totaled my calories, I was way over budget. Plus, I opted to stay in bed and read instead of going to the gym, so I am down steps for the day.. but the best way to get over a misstep is to step right. I made a large salad of healthy greens, various colorful veggi...

tarrot reading card and a manic episode..

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:16:10 EST

yesterday, I was perusing the Spokane public market, and this hippie lady asked if I wanted a free one card tarrot reading. I said sure ( free was the key word). I pulled the magic prayer card and she proceeded to tell me that not all prayers work, that you have to empty yourself of all your demons, give freely of yourself and then the prayers would be answered. Then, later that night, when I was having a bad episode, I stumbled on my prayers, and thought, is there truth here, do I not gi...

A-z getting to know you blog..

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:49:49 EST

Stolen from fellow sparker BabySox...

A- Available or married - happily married
B - Book I'm reading right now - Shadow Killer
C- Cake or pie - Cake
D -Drink- tea.
E - Essential item - steamer
F - Favorite colour - green
G- Games to play/watch - zAngry birds
H- Home town - Oso, Washington
I- Indulgence - chocolate
J- Job-public child welfare social worker
K- Kids/name-Hannah, Jacob, Bailey
L- Life is incomplete without - satur...

FATTIDUDE SPARK COACH MUSSING

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:32:19 EST

today's spark coach was about the all or nothing attitude. What happens when faced with a small slip up, and you give up completely. It's timely, because last night, when faced with going out to dinner instead of eating the planned meal at home, I choose to go with the flow and ended up with Super China All you can Eat Buffet. My first plate showed restraint, beef with broccolli and some noodles. But sitting there, watching the boys eat plate after plate, I gave in and went back for seconds....

Saturday musings.

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 16:27:31 EST

Today is the day I do the big shopping. Today, I also went shopping for my MIL, who is going through cancer treatments. I brought my son to help with the heavy lifting, but having company threw me off my routine, and took double the time and now that I've unloaded everything, I see I forgot various things and will have to go back. But it was nice to see MIL up and about, and getting her taste buds back. Apparently, she wants to eat cookies and doughnuts and watermelon but at least she wan...

HCG should I or shouldn't I?

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:06:48 EST

Two co-workers have lost a tremendous amount of weight with the HCG diet injections. And it's really tempting. For 65 dollars a month, plus the cost of a doctor's visit, I can loss a pound a day. Tempting. The research on Spark people tell me that it's bogus, that the hormone does nothing to your metabolism, that 's it the very restrictive 500 calorie diet that causes the weight loss. but it's tempting. As is the green tea, or raspberry ketones, or vinegar to right my blood sugars. Despe...

today is the start of the lenten season... and a good day to revamp the goals.

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:51:00 EST

My reason for behavioral change. 1) to reflect God's glory.2) to be healthy, live the way God intended his creation to live 3) to get my blood sugar in control and lose weight. My specific goal: I will engage my steps toward health each day, aiming for 20/25. I will get a record of them in Sparks people community journal. I will record calories, carbs and nutrients in Sparkpeople. I will focus on 10,000 steps. I will do daily projects in place of the couch. I will drink my water.
<...

Discouraged ramblings and a WUB #4

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 02:55:51 EST

January was not the month I had planned. I started my re-commitment on the 31 of December, but wasn't able to keep with it long. I planned a detox, and while I keep with it for the food portion, I never made the 10 minute activity streak, the jump start challenge, the Wii challenge or the 10,000 steps with any consistency. Toward the end of the month, I got derailed by PMS and I gave up food wise. So February finds me starting over. AGAIN. I spent the first day in bed, feeling sorry for m...

WUB # 3 and a spark coach action plan

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:15:47 EST

As I predicted, being out of town was a great challenge. I tracked it, and stayed within calorie range but the weather ( bad snow) made the 10 minute walk impossible. This week, I should be back on track.

Spark Coach Action plan is to plan to shake up my work out. I am such a creature of habbit. I treadmill. So, I'm increasing my speed to 3 pmh. I added the WII to a daily routine, and I will use a spark people video for home workouts.

WUB # 2

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:55:53 EST

Weekly Update Blog #2...and the SparkCoach Action step is to mark my progress as a way to motivate.. so what Have I noticed as changes since I started, fall of 2010?

While the scale is moving very slowly, I think I am definitely healthier. My fasting blood sugar and A1C show that my diabetes is under control. I am off insulin, and control it with oral meds and diet and exercise. For the most part, I have more energy, and sleep 8 hours a night. Except for last week, where I had on...

Spark Coach Action Step- How do you Know?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:37:25 EST

How do you know your doing ok if the SCALE is broken?

The Spark Coach action plan today was to blog about how I would know if I was healthy, if I couldn't step on the scale. I cant step on the scale for the next couple of months because I donted my scale to the work's biggest loser contest. I can step on it at work but that isnt the same as naked fresh from the shower. SO, how do I know if I have had a healthy day?

The biggest indicator of health is my fasting blood ...

MRSKATEDUVALL's SparkPeople Blog

My 50 questions....

Mu husband is such as A$$

REVAMPING THE SMART GOALS.

What a week! Bad news, Stress, off program.. back on...