Nope - juice fast didn't happen. Hoping to start tomorrow morning. Though, it's been really chilly the last few mornings so the last thing I want is cold juice. I think I might opt for a couple glasses of juice chased with a steaming cup of green tea. We have TONS of apples and a huge bag of carrots (plus some greens, grapes, etc) so I think we can do it. I just need the motivation.
That said, a friend of mine just invited me to join him on My Fitness Pal. I used to use Sparkpeople with some success, but frankly, it's really hard to fit in the time to record all my food and all my workouts (well, ok, it's not so hard to record my lack of workouts.) But since I know he'll be keeping an eye on me (and vice versa) it's pretty good motivation to just do it already. And I know that tracking is good for me. I'm FAR more likely to actually stick to 2 oz of pasta if I wrote it down already. And I'm FAR more likely to put in at least 20 min on the elliptical if I calculated for the calories already (although, the program probably expects more than the casual stride I take on the machine - but hey, I've got a sinus infection, at least it's something!).
SO that being said, would anyone else like to join me on My Fitness Pal? No, it won't tell me how much you weigh or even what you're eating - but it will tell me if you're working out and meeting your calorie goals. And you can keep track of me, too! The more people tracking me, the better because goodness knows I sure need a lot of accountability to put down the chocolate and lace up my sneakers. I've still got 10-15 lbs to lose -won't you join me on the journey?
If you'd like an invite, send me your email and I'll shoot it on over! Let's get fit, y'all!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Crave Crave Crave
Oh my stars it's been a rough couple of weeks! I have had one nasty craving after another (seriously, if I didn't know it was impossible, I'd think I was pregnant). First Snickers, then Panda Express, then today I've been dying for homemade donuts. And unfortunately, it's all too easy to give in. Here are this week's triumphs and pitfalls.
Triumphs:
1) Today I have eaten really well. I woke up feeling sick, I think because all the awful eating has caught up to me. So I've had lots of fruits and veggies and eggs and it really feels amazing! Sometimes my body also craves healthy foods - those are the cravings I need to listen to.
2) We took a nice brisk walk last night. I even had the urge to run, though I didn't. I'm hoping that tonight I'll go for it and try to get in a couple miles of run/walks. I'd stopped working out at night because I thought it was interfering with my sleep, but I slept like a baby last night! Here's hoping.
3) I'm planning a juice fast for a couple days next week. I feel starved for nutrients and gorged on junk and I think I really need to 'reboot' my body. Hoping it works out the way I'm planning - I think I'll feel a lot better.
Pitfalls:
1) Sleeping and being lazy and not working out. I have had NO energy the last couple of weeks and I need to kick start my workouts again.
2) Eating junk junk junk. Cornbread, biscuits, chocolate(!!!), take-out food, potato salad and hot-dogs - no wonder I feel awful! And I think I've gained a few pounds back, too. I feel fat and yucky - the way I always do when I cave in and quit being healthy.
What I'm planning:
1) Work out every evening and make that my priority. If I have to get the kids to bed 20 min sooner, so be it. If I can get back in the habit, I'll have more energy during the day. And getting up in the morning to work out just isn't happening.
2) Juice fast. Juice for 2-3 meals a day for 2-3 days. Flush out my system, beat these cravings, then start eating healthier again.
3) Get more sun. Winter makes me want to hibernate - which means I want to fill up on carbs, then sleep for a week. Ooooof. More sun and lots of up-beat music helps to wake me up and get me going - so that's my goal!
That's where I am right now - I notoriously gain 10 lbs of "insulation" every winter - this winter I want to be different - I want to take 15 lbs OFF - so here I go!
Triumphs:
1) Today I have eaten really well. I woke up feeling sick, I think because all the awful eating has caught up to me. So I've had lots of fruits and veggies and eggs and it really feels amazing! Sometimes my body also craves healthy foods - those are the cravings I need to listen to.
2) We took a nice brisk walk last night. I even had the urge to run, though I didn't. I'm hoping that tonight I'll go for it and try to get in a couple miles of run/walks. I'd stopped working out at night because I thought it was interfering with my sleep, but I slept like a baby last night! Here's hoping.
3) I'm planning a juice fast for a couple days next week. I feel starved for nutrients and gorged on junk and I think I really need to 'reboot' my body. Hoping it works out the way I'm planning - I think I'll feel a lot better.
Pitfalls:
1) Sleeping and being lazy and not working out. I have had NO energy the last couple of weeks and I need to kick start my workouts again.
2) Eating junk junk junk. Cornbread, biscuits, chocolate(!!!), take-out food, potato salad and hot-dogs - no wonder I feel awful! And I think I've gained a few pounds back, too. I feel fat and yucky - the way I always do when I cave in and quit being healthy.
What I'm planning:
1) Work out every evening and make that my priority. If I have to get the kids to bed 20 min sooner, so be it. If I can get back in the habit, I'll have more energy during the day. And getting up in the morning to work out just isn't happening.
2) Juice fast. Juice for 2-3 meals a day for 2-3 days. Flush out my system, beat these cravings, then start eating healthier again.
3) Get more sun. Winter makes me want to hibernate - which means I want to fill up on carbs, then sleep for a week. Ooooof. More sun and lots of up-beat music helps to wake me up and get me going - so that's my goal!
That's where I am right now - I notoriously gain 10 lbs of "insulation" every winter - this winter I want to be different - I want to take 15 lbs OFF - so here I go!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Quit Whining And Buy Some Spanx
A tough love letter to myself.
Dearest Mama-
You are not 18 anymore. You're not in college. You don't walk miles a day to class. It isn't convenient to skip meals. You should not be wearing college-girl clothes. No one expects you to squeeze back into that size 2 dress you bought when you were 16. You look at yourself and see lumps. Other people look at you and see curves. Some men love hips. Your husband loves hips. Still can't look past those lumps in the mirror? Go out and buy some Spanx. No more lumps, just curves. Eat well. Get your bum out of bed and exercise. Still can't squeeze into the size 2? Sell it to a college girl and buy yourself some hot "mom" clothes. You've had 3 kids - dress like it. No, not frumpy. Modest. Elegant. Nothing too short. Nothing too tight. Tunic tops are "in" - go harness that trend! Then look in the mirror, love what you see, and slap on your best accessory - the "I love myself" smile. Your parents didn't shell out big bucks for braces to hide those pretty teeth behind a frown. And quit whining! The most beautiful people are the most positive people. Stand up tall (good posture hides lumps, too) and be kind and gentle. Everything else you can hide with a great wardrobe.
Love-
Your conscience
Dearest Mama-
You are not 18 anymore. You're not in college. You don't walk miles a day to class. It isn't convenient to skip meals. You should not be wearing college-girl clothes. No one expects you to squeeze back into that size 2 dress you bought when you were 16. You look at yourself and see lumps. Other people look at you and see curves. Some men love hips. Your husband loves hips. Still can't look past those lumps in the mirror? Go out and buy some Spanx. No more lumps, just curves. Eat well. Get your bum out of bed and exercise. Still can't squeeze into the size 2? Sell it to a college girl and buy yourself some hot "mom" clothes. You've had 3 kids - dress like it. No, not frumpy. Modest. Elegant. Nothing too short. Nothing too tight. Tunic tops are "in" - go harness that trend! Then look in the mirror, love what you see, and slap on your best accessory - the "I love myself" smile. Your parents didn't shell out big bucks for braces to hide those pretty teeth behind a frown. And quit whining! The most beautiful people are the most positive people. Stand up tall (good posture hides lumps, too) and be kind and gentle. Everything else you can hide with a great wardrobe.
Love-
Your conscience
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Back At It
Clearly I haven't had time to post in a while. But I think it would do me good to do some updates just so I can keep track of what I need to work on. So here goes:
Today's triumphs:
Today's pitfalls:
Today's triumphs:
- Didn't take the kids to Panda Express like I'd intended. Went to Doc Greens and had a salad (and ok, a small side of cheesy mashed potatoes) instead.
- Got up at 6 and did both my devotional and 30 min on the elliptical.
- Making healthy veggie stir-fry and rice/quinoa for dinner.
Today's pitfalls:
- Ate WAY too much froyo at Peachwave.
- Spent more than I intended because we ate out both lunch and snack.
- Ate half a dozen chocolate covered caramels while I cooked dinner.
- Plan ahead better so I don't wind up eating out to kill time.
- Chew gum while I cook.
- Stick to the getting up and working out - actually felt really good even though I was desperate for my afternoon nap.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Our Daily Bread
As we were doing our Lord's prayer in church last week, I was suddenly struck by the phrase "Give us this day our daily bread." The prayer doesn't say "give us this day our lasagna and garlic bread" or "give us this day our gooey chocolate cake" - it says "our daily bread." We are asking God to provide us with the nourishment that our bodies need to do His work.
How often do I go throughout my days with a feeling of entitlement and deprivation. I am entitled to having a weekend off and am deprived when I must stay home to do housework. I am entitled to sleeping in when I like and am deprived when I have to rise early to exercise. And most commonly, I am entitled to eating whatever I feel I would most enjoy, and am deprived when I have to eat all that healthy stuff. This attitude is making me nothing but fat and cranky and I think it's time for a change.
I spoke with a friend recently who mentioned that she and her husband are doing the Daniel Diet. As in, eating what Daniel in the Bible would have eaten. Daniel, who had to fight for his right to eat healthy foods in the natural state God created them. Daniel who willingly and gladly turned down the rich foods of the king's people. Daniel who was noticeably the strongest and healthiest servant in the court. This diet is, essentially, much like the Big Diet hubby and I did a couple months ago. Lots of fruits, nuts, grains - anything that can be harvested. No eggs like I was eating, though. Their diet lasts 10 days and she said that though she's hungry, she's feeling amazing. It made me think long and hard about how I've been feeling lately. Fat, lazy, generally 'off.'
We've been splurging a lot, lately. We've gone on date nights and stuffed ourselves at buffets. We've invited friends over for 'fried nights' full of greasy, breaded foods. I've been eating s'mores like they're going out of style. And I'm paying for it. I don't think the Lord minds if we treat ourselves to something decadent now and then. But His word is filled with reminders to be self controlled and avoid gluttony. The Lord gives us commands for our own good and He knows best what will make our bodies strong, healthy, and ready to do His work.
I've already got my menu planned out for the week, and it's not great. We've got a night of eating out and some meatloaf and leftover fried-food on there. But I do intend to eat as cleanly as I can this week, and once it's over - well I just need to do my best to be like Daniel 90% of the time, and the king 10% or less. I think treats are a good thing. They help me from feeling totally deprived and then stuffing myself with anything and everything I can find. But I need to remember that treats are just that - something special to spoil myself with now and then. I am not entitled to eating whatever will taste best at any given moment. I am not deprived if I eat healthy, whole foods that will increase my energy, boost my weight loss and improve my mood. I need to spend more time thanking the Lord that I have the resources to eat as He intends instead of grumbling that I never get to cook anything 'yummy.' Any time I start to complain that healthy food is boring I should thaw out a bag of raspberries. Oh. Yum. It's summer. Fruits and veggies are abundant and (relatively) cheap. So let's all celebrate the season by having a Daniel feast! Who's with me?
How often do I go throughout my days with a feeling of entitlement and deprivation. I am entitled to having a weekend off and am deprived when I must stay home to do housework. I am entitled to sleeping in when I like and am deprived when I have to rise early to exercise. And most commonly, I am entitled to eating whatever I feel I would most enjoy, and am deprived when I have to eat all that healthy stuff. This attitude is making me nothing but fat and cranky and I think it's time for a change.
I spoke with a friend recently who mentioned that she and her husband are doing the Daniel Diet. As in, eating what Daniel in the Bible would have eaten. Daniel, who had to fight for his right to eat healthy foods in the natural state God created them. Daniel who willingly and gladly turned down the rich foods of the king's people. Daniel who was noticeably the strongest and healthiest servant in the court. This diet is, essentially, much like the Big Diet hubby and I did a couple months ago. Lots of fruits, nuts, grains - anything that can be harvested. No eggs like I was eating, though. Their diet lasts 10 days and she said that though she's hungry, she's feeling amazing. It made me think long and hard about how I've been feeling lately. Fat, lazy, generally 'off.'
We've been splurging a lot, lately. We've gone on date nights and stuffed ourselves at buffets. We've invited friends over for 'fried nights' full of greasy, breaded foods. I've been eating s'mores like they're going out of style. And I'm paying for it. I don't think the Lord minds if we treat ourselves to something decadent now and then. But His word is filled with reminders to be self controlled and avoid gluttony. The Lord gives us commands for our own good and He knows best what will make our bodies strong, healthy, and ready to do His work.
I've already got my menu planned out for the week, and it's not great. We've got a night of eating out and some meatloaf and leftover fried-food on there. But I do intend to eat as cleanly as I can this week, and once it's over - well I just need to do my best to be like Daniel 90% of the time, and the king 10% or less. I think treats are a good thing. They help me from feeling totally deprived and then stuffing myself with anything and everything I can find. But I need to remember that treats are just that - something special to spoil myself with now and then. I am not entitled to eating whatever will taste best at any given moment. I am not deprived if I eat healthy, whole foods that will increase my energy, boost my weight loss and improve my mood. I need to spend more time thanking the Lord that I have the resources to eat as He intends instead of grumbling that I never get to cook anything 'yummy.' Any time I start to complain that healthy food is boring I should thaw out a bag of raspberries. Oh. Yum. It's summer. Fruits and veggies are abundant and (relatively) cheap. So let's all celebrate the season by having a Daniel feast! Who's with me?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Couple Quick Goals
It's late so this will be quick. Couple new goals.
1) I really really need to work on getting up at 6 so I can go run/walk/work out in some manner while hubby is getting ready (so someone is with the sleeping kiddos) then get showered before they wake. I think I'll feel a lot better if I get my day started well before the wee ones are up, even if it means waking WAY too early. And then I can't have the "I'm too tired to work out/ don't want to be up all night" excuse like I do at night.
2) Seeing friends in Miami this December. Will probably involve donning a swimsuit at some point. Don't mind being chubby around family - but friends are another story. Top that with the fact that I usually gain 10 lbs each winter and it's a recipe for disaster. So, the goal is - get down to my ideal weight and add a little muscle by December. If I'm around 123 now, that means losing 13 lbs in 5 months - just under 3 lbs a month. Can do!
So here I go! Wish me luck. And if you have any good ab/arm/butt strengthening moves you want to share - please do :)
1) I really really need to work on getting up at 6 so I can go run/walk/work out in some manner while hubby is getting ready (so someone is with the sleeping kiddos) then get showered before they wake. I think I'll feel a lot better if I get my day started well before the wee ones are up, even if it means waking WAY too early. And then I can't have the "I'm too tired to work out/ don't want to be up all night" excuse like I do at night.
2) Seeing friends in Miami this December. Will probably involve donning a swimsuit at some point. Don't mind being chubby around family - but friends are another story. Top that with the fact that I usually gain 10 lbs each winter and it's a recipe for disaster. So, the goal is - get down to my ideal weight and add a little muscle by December. If I'm around 123 now, that means losing 13 lbs in 5 months - just under 3 lbs a month. Can do!
So here I go! Wish me luck. And if you have any good ab/arm/butt strengthening moves you want to share - please do :)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Triumphs and Pitfalls
It's been a crazy few weeks. Still stuck in the low 120s. Here's what's been going on with me.
1) Had Mexican food the other night on our usual Friday night out. This time, though, I savored it. I mean, really ate it slowly and paid attention to every bite. And when I was full, I stopped. And though I ate almost the entire plate of food, I didn't feel guilty about it, because I really had been very hungry and wasn't stuffed when I was done. And man, that cheese enchilada was heaven. And since I paid close attention to what I was eating, I don't feel like I'll need to indulge again like that soon.
2) Although, tonight we had 'fried night.' We've been planning this for ages. We breaded and fried eggplant, mozzarella sticks and cucumbers and summer squash. It was yummy. And I'd meant to eat super clean all day to leave room for it. But of course I wound up shopping all afternoon for groceries (never food shop hungry! eeek $$$$$ trip) and was ravenous when I got home so I had a turkey and cheese rice cake sandwich. But I had a huge pile of peaches and snow peas with it. But I chased it with the rest of my enormous chocolate bar because I wanted it gone - I really do think I'm allergic to chocolate and it makes me depressed. So no more chocolate for me except on special occasions. At least fried foods are heavy, so I didn't even finish a whole plate full. And I noshed some baby carrots and more snap peas on the side. Not a total fail I guess.
3) I made ice cream cake for my son's 2nd birthday. We were eating so much of it (somehow we had a ton of leftovers) we decided to let it melt and toss it. It hurt our wallets, but at least it didn't hurt our hearts (or hips :p).
4) I've been skinny obsessed again lately. Like, watching my favorite celebs literally gets me to stop eating. And sometimes it even makes me work out hard. So far, it's still been healthy - I'm making good choices. But if it gets obsessive, I'm going to have to media fast for a while. Because right now, these girls look good to me:
And I caught myself looking at a picture of Marie Osmond, who wears a size 2, and thinking "wow, she's kinda chubby" (um, no honey, those are called curves, and they're a good thing). And so the battle continues. I guess I've still got 15 lbs before I need to worry. And I really would like to fit back into my wedding rings (which are tight on my pinkie right now). I just need to remember that healthy is the goal and scary skinny is just stupid. Bleh.
So that's what's been happening with me and weight and body image lately. And if you talk to me, remind me that curves are good. Remind me that muscles are better. Remind me to get my tush and my toddlers out that door to take a walk in the morning (preferably before it gets blazing hot out - so I guess I'll be getting up at 5 am). Yeah.
1) Had Mexican food the other night on our usual Friday night out. This time, though, I savored it. I mean, really ate it slowly and paid attention to every bite. And when I was full, I stopped. And though I ate almost the entire plate of food, I didn't feel guilty about it, because I really had been very hungry and wasn't stuffed when I was done. And man, that cheese enchilada was heaven. And since I paid close attention to what I was eating, I don't feel like I'll need to indulge again like that soon.
2) Although, tonight we had 'fried night.' We've been planning this for ages. We breaded and fried eggplant, mozzarella sticks and cucumbers and summer squash. It was yummy. And I'd meant to eat super clean all day to leave room for it. But of course I wound up shopping all afternoon for groceries (never food shop hungry! eeek $$$$$ trip) and was ravenous when I got home so I had a turkey and cheese rice cake sandwich. But I had a huge pile of peaches and snow peas with it. But I chased it with the rest of my enormous chocolate bar because I wanted it gone - I really do think I'm allergic to chocolate and it makes me depressed. So no more chocolate for me except on special occasions. At least fried foods are heavy, so I didn't even finish a whole plate full. And I noshed some baby carrots and more snap peas on the side. Not a total fail I guess.
3) I made ice cream cake for my son's 2nd birthday. We were eating so much of it (somehow we had a ton of leftovers) we decided to let it melt and toss it. It hurt our wallets, but at least it didn't hurt our hearts (or hips :p).
4) I've been skinny obsessed again lately. Like, watching my favorite celebs literally gets me to stop eating. And sometimes it even makes me work out hard. So far, it's still been healthy - I'm making good choices. But if it gets obsessive, I'm going to have to media fast for a while. Because right now, these girls look good to me:
And I caught myself looking at a picture of Marie Osmond, who wears a size 2, and thinking "wow, she's kinda chubby" (um, no honey, those are called curves, and they're a good thing). And so the battle continues. I guess I've still got 15 lbs before I need to worry. And I really would like to fit back into my wedding rings (which are tight on my pinkie right now). I just need to remember that healthy is the goal and scary skinny is just stupid. Bleh.
So that's what's been happening with me and weight and body image lately. And if you talk to me, remind me that curves are good. Remind me that muscles are better. Remind me to get my tush and my toddlers out that door to take a walk in the morning (preferably before it gets blazing hot out - so I guess I'll be getting up at 5 am). Yeah.
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