Penelope Trunk
I like her blog. A lot.
Amazing 2015
Great, as usual, post from Zen Habits.
It has been a slow start to 2015.
I'm finding a new passion in Vintage Trailers - obtaining one, re-doing it myself, then traveling around in it and making money teaching craft classes to senior citizens in the variety of residences they live in (mobile home retirement communities to assisted living care facilities); singing and performing at the same locations, and having some kind of online business that pays me.
Intentional is my word for 2015.
Not exactly sure what this means for me, intentional... but it has something to do with creating an intentional life without extra 'stuff' - sort of like minimalism, but not really. "Will it fit in my tiny house?" is still a strong motivator for me to get rid of excess stuff, however.
Currently I'm a Realtor - started the process in June last year, and well... the jury is still out. I'm certainly not passionate about it, and yet there are aspects of it I enjoy. I've learned a lot - and will be taking a Negotiation course, which I believe will be helpful regardless of what I end up doing.
Bible Thought for the day:
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." ~ Proverbs 19:21
It reminds me that taking it all to God - praying, meditating, sending it out to the universe - whichever phrase resonates with you - that is what I think I mean by intentional. Giving more thought and energy behind positive outcomes, and always being thankful for the situation I am in.
Showing posts with label Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Planning. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Busy Busy!
Long time no post....
First ~ a sunrise
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The sunrise this morning was at 7:14am ~ it was not a spectacular one, as there was a few mornings ago... but I want to make it a goal of mine to be sure I'm up and outside (if it isn't raining) a few minutes before the sunrise and take a picture, and post it somewhere (here, Facebook, Google+ or Twitter). It is difficult for me to be an early riser, but I am better than I was a few years ago.
I'm reading on my Kindle "The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)" by Hal Elrod. Before reading this book, I have already read a number of articles along the vein of "what successful people do that most of us don't" from LifeHack or similar all say the same thing - get up early and Pray/Meditate, Exercise, Focus on your Goals, Review your day ahead, etc... I like "Miracle Morning" because it digs a little deeper (not much) into the nuts and bolts of HOW (though there is a lot [a LOT] of 'this is why you will love this book...' and 'when you do the things I'm going to tell you about, you will love...' which drives me crazy. I've bought the book, stop selling it to me!).
In my thought process, this is similar to one of Gretchin Rubin's Secrets of Adulthood (from the Happiness Project): "What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE."
How I do what I do today matters... because I will either build on it tomorrow, or have to lay the foundation again. For me, getting up at 5AM means going to sleep before 11PM. My stomach hurts when I don't get enough sleep, and I am so busy doing singing stuff I can't afford to get sick, and without enough sleep, historically I get sick. So, saying "no" to watching the second newer Star Trek (which we started watching at 9:50pm) is where my self-discipline has to kick in.
That being said, one of the strategies is to affirm to myself, before going to sleep, that the amount of sleep I'm going to have is going to be perfect, that I'll have exactly the amount of sleep I need and will feel rested and energized in the morning. When I plant that thought in my brain before going to sleep (instead of counting on my fingers how much sleep I should get, and lamenting that it is never enough, and berating myself for my lack of self-discipline), I do wake up with a kickier step.
I woke up at 5:25 this morning, I didn't snooze - and got up and came in to organize calendars and write goals, do some things on my 'To Do' list. My Real Estate mentor and I have purchased "Passion Planners" and I've been looking at that a little... it is exactly the kind of planner I've been looking for and I'm incredibly excited about it!
So my point... I haven't really applied myself to working the Real Estate business. My floating along time has come to an end, I have some tools I need to use, and we've started an Accountability Group, which - for tomorrow I'm supposed to have my goals written down. So many goals, so little time, right?! Work-related goals. My Why to motivate me toward Real Estate is Independence and Flexibility. Both things are necessary for me to do what I love which is sing.
Singing/Performing is my passion. Why am I not pursuing it?
First ~ a sunrise
The sunrise this morning was at 7:14am ~ it was not a spectacular one, as there was a few mornings ago... but I want to make it a goal of mine to be sure I'm up and outside (if it isn't raining) a few minutes before the sunrise and take a picture, and post it somewhere (here, Facebook, Google+ or Twitter). It is difficult for me to be an early riser, but I am better than I was a few years ago.
I'm reading on my Kindle "The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)" by Hal Elrod. Before reading this book, I have already read a number of articles along the vein of "what successful people do that most of us don't" from LifeHack or similar all say the same thing - get up early and Pray/Meditate, Exercise, Focus on your Goals, Review your day ahead, etc... I like "Miracle Morning" because it digs a little deeper (not much) into the nuts and bolts of HOW (though there is a lot [a LOT] of 'this is why you will love this book...' and 'when you do the things I'm going to tell you about, you will love...' which drives me crazy. I've bought the book, stop selling it to me!).
One quote I love from the book: "How you do anything is how you do everything."
In my thought process, this is similar to one of Gretchin Rubin's Secrets of Adulthood (from the Happiness Project): "What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE."
How I do what I do today matters... because I will either build on it tomorrow, or have to lay the foundation again. For me, getting up at 5AM means going to sleep before 11PM. My stomach hurts when I don't get enough sleep, and I am so busy doing singing stuff I can't afford to get sick, and without enough sleep, historically I get sick. So, saying "no" to watching the second newer Star Trek (which we started watching at 9:50pm) is where my self-discipline has to kick in.
That being said, one of the strategies is to affirm to myself, before going to sleep, that the amount of sleep I'm going to have is going to be perfect, that I'll have exactly the amount of sleep I need and will feel rested and energized in the morning. When I plant that thought in my brain before going to sleep (instead of counting on my fingers how much sleep I should get, and lamenting that it is never enough, and berating myself for my lack of self-discipline), I do wake up with a kickier step.
I woke up at 5:25 this morning, I didn't snooze - and got up and came in to organize calendars and write goals, do some things on my 'To Do' list. My Real Estate mentor and I have purchased "Passion Planners" and I've been looking at that a little... it is exactly the kind of planner I've been looking for and I'm incredibly excited about it!
So my point... I haven't really applied myself to working the Real Estate business. My floating along time has come to an end, I have some tools I need to use, and we've started an Accountability Group, which - for tomorrow I'm supposed to have my goals written down. So many goals, so little time, right?! Work-related goals. My Why to motivate me toward Real Estate is Independence and Flexibility. Both things are necessary for me to do what I love which is sing.
Singing/Performing is my passion. Why am I not pursuing it?
Saturday, October 11, 2014
My Month So Far
A long, boring post of what I've done since the beginning of October, 2014. I'm so distracted in the clutter and being overwhelmed, I just thought I'd list, rather than create. But, it is in the spirit of trying to write more regularly... which I've been horribly irregular about, here's my month so far:
10/1 - Met a friend at the Good Egg for 8am breakfast and to receive the goodies from my Origami Owl party (held on 9/21) to give to my friends who bought some pretty jewelry goodies! I've known this gal since my second time around at American Airlines Reservations employment (SWRO). She and I went through the coaching program together, and she's still working for them! At home, but still... I admire that tenacity!
10/2 - Haircut... I thought I was going to let my hair grow into a shaped bob, but can't deal with that right now... I started this day with writing down goals for the next week... taking time to write a "To Do List" and timing how long that took (7 minutes)... how long it would take to follow my Social Media plan (started with 15 minutes, but it went into 1 hour - and from what I've done today, I need to have a Serious Chat with myself about how I work this into my business plan... because days go by and I do nothing else). I wrote down a huge list of things to do, and I got some stuff done (like organizing tickets to the Tucson Desert Harmony October 18th Cabaret Show and getting my table of 8 guests done). I did talk to my tax guy, who advised - "Every time you take out your wallet and pay for something, write it down." He also suggested paying 20% of my Real Estate pay (commission checks) to the IRS every. single. check. Which I think is a good idea for me. I think I spent a lot of time organizing my friends and groups in Facebook...
I texted a friend from ARC, talked to another friend about voice lessons for her daughter.
10/3 - I worked a lot on the Facebook messages about starting out in Real Estate. I received a possible lead. I worked on my personal excel spreadsheet of people I know, and how I can get their information to add to my RE Contact Management System. I did laundry. I sorted my "To Do List" A1, A2 etc... I did start something for my first Open House which was held 10/5.
10/4 - Followed up with the potential lead from the Facebook Message, researched some house stuff. Had a long conversation with my mentor person about the Open House, changed my voicemail message. Went to a friend's and picked up a few things that I ordered from Stampin' Up. That night himself and I watched "Life of Pi" and "Lincoln" ~ I enjoyed both movies quite a bit. I made lists of what to bring to the Open House.
10/5 - went to the College Class for church, grabbed some donuts and left, since the Open House started at 1pm. I called AT&T about my phone Hotspot, which they refreshed, or whatever, and it now works. The Open House was very educational. I have so much to learn. Potential leads - can't buy a house until January, not sure how often to contact, but did put them in the CRM for RE and sent out one email.
10/6 - Went to the RE Office and the "Map to Success" they have for the new agents. Made Zombie Finger Breadsticks for the Bunco that night (I was subbing).
10/7 - Office Meeting in the morning, met a friend for lunch at Chipotle, went back to the office for the tour of Procedures from the Office Administrator, who has been around for 20 years. (Which reminds me I need to do some serious thank you notes!) I deposited a check to the bank for show tickets. I wrote down in my "write everything down" notebook that I need to focus on [1] aspect of Real Estate a week to LEARN. Contracts (there are a bunch, so one week = Contracts and break it down to individual buyers, sellers, addendums, cures, etc...), Home Warranties, MLS etc.
10/8 - I started losing track of the days/dates on this day... I was supposed to go up and preview the house for the Open House tomorrow (Sunday, 10/12) - but it rained and my friend who lives up there had a hard time getting home, so I was thwarted. I don't think I left the house. But I did shower and dress as if I was. This is huge for me (!) This day was a 3 (quite bad) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best. I broke down and had a crying jag. Just so completely overwhelmed with new career, messy house, so many things I want to accomplish. I ran out of pages in my "write everything down" notebook and well, basically Lost the Plot. I started watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix, and had a mini-fest. My brain needed the break... but this cycle needs to stop.
10/9 - Was on the phone for a while with a couple of different people - one called me for computer help, which is flattering. Another I called with a question about dues for my Tucson Chorus. Discussed branding and Message for this chorus, and how we really have to take our vibrant and fun hobby to a less-retired age group. I met another ARC friend at Starbucks and caught up on some of the goings on there...
10/10 - REBarCamp from 8 to 3 (I left earlier) - a whole day networking and going to break out sessions focused on Social Media and Technology in the field of Real Estate. Free food... goodies (pens, pads of paper, t-shirts, bags) and lots of new business cards. I have a new Facebook friend, and learned that I want to download and use Evernote. It was a good day, but I really struggle with mass networking like that. *REBarCamp - Real Estate BarCamp - BarCamp is such unhelpful name to understand what a great thing this is. "BarCamp is an international network of user-generated conferences primarily focused around technology and the web. They are open, participatory workshop-events, the content of which is provided by participants...The format has also been used for a variety of other topics, including public transit, health care, education, and political organizing. The BarCamp format has also been adapted for specific industries like banking, education, real estate and social media." (wikipedia) Himself and I went to dinner to one of my favorite local restaurants, The Blue Willow, with some friends, and had a great night. We came home and then watched Bones, then Criminal Minds. Went to bed pretty early.
Long Post!
So that is what I did. I feel like the list of what I didn't do far far supersedes anything I did. I've been tweeting more @hav2sing is my Twitter handle.
There is no wrap-up or conclusion. It is today, and I have to start a new "write everything down" notebook, put my mileage and receipts together, pay some bills, finish laundry, etc.
10/1 - Met a friend at the Good Egg for 8am breakfast and to receive the goodies from my Origami Owl party (held on 9/21) to give to my friends who bought some pretty jewelry goodies! I've known this gal since my second time around at American Airlines Reservations employment (SWRO). She and I went through the coaching program together, and she's still working for them! At home, but still... I admire that tenacity!
10/2 - Haircut... I thought I was going to let my hair grow into a shaped bob, but can't deal with that right now... I started this day with writing down goals for the next week... taking time to write a "To Do List" and timing how long that took (7 minutes)... how long it would take to follow my Social Media plan (started with 15 minutes, but it went into 1 hour - and from what I've done today, I need to have a Serious Chat with myself about how I work this into my business plan... because days go by and I do nothing else). I wrote down a huge list of things to do, and I got some stuff done (like organizing tickets to the Tucson Desert Harmony October 18th Cabaret Show and getting my table of 8 guests done). I did talk to my tax guy, who advised - "Every time you take out your wallet and pay for something, write it down." He also suggested paying 20% of my Real Estate pay (commission checks) to the IRS every. single. check. Which I think is a good idea for me. I think I spent a lot of time organizing my friends and groups in Facebook...
I texted a friend from ARC, talked to another friend about voice lessons for her daughter.
10/3 - I worked a lot on the Facebook messages about starting out in Real Estate. I received a possible lead. I worked on my personal excel spreadsheet of people I know, and how I can get their information to add to my RE Contact Management System. I did laundry. I sorted my "To Do List" A1, A2 etc... I did start something for my first Open House which was held 10/5.
10/4 - Followed up with the potential lead from the Facebook Message, researched some house stuff. Had a long conversation with my mentor person about the Open House, changed my voicemail message. Went to a friend's and picked up a few things that I ordered from Stampin' Up. That night himself and I watched "Life of Pi" and "Lincoln" ~ I enjoyed both movies quite a bit. I made lists of what to bring to the Open House.
10/5 - went to the College Class for church, grabbed some donuts and left, since the Open House started at 1pm. I called AT&T about my phone Hotspot, which they refreshed, or whatever, and it now works. The Open House was very educational. I have so much to learn. Potential leads - can't buy a house until January, not sure how often to contact, but did put them in the CRM for RE and sent out one email.
10/6 - Went to the RE Office and the "Map to Success" they have for the new agents. Made Zombie Finger Breadsticks for the Bunco that night (I was subbing).
10/7 - Office Meeting in the morning, met a friend for lunch at Chipotle, went back to the office for the tour of Procedures from the Office Administrator, who has been around for 20 years. (Which reminds me I need to do some serious thank you notes!) I deposited a check to the bank for show tickets. I wrote down in my "write everything down" notebook that I need to focus on [1] aspect of Real Estate a week to LEARN. Contracts (there are a bunch, so one week = Contracts and break it down to individual buyers, sellers, addendums, cures, etc...), Home Warranties, MLS etc.
10/8 - I started losing track of the days/dates on this day... I was supposed to go up and preview the house for the Open House tomorrow (Sunday, 10/12) - but it rained and my friend who lives up there had a hard time getting home, so I was thwarted. I don't think I left the house. But I did shower and dress as if I was. This is huge for me (!) This day was a 3 (quite bad) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best. I broke down and had a crying jag. Just so completely overwhelmed with new career, messy house, so many things I want to accomplish. I ran out of pages in my "write everything down" notebook and well, basically Lost the Plot. I started watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix, and had a mini-fest. My brain needed the break... but this cycle needs to stop.
10/9 - Was on the phone for a while with a couple of different people - one called me for computer help, which is flattering. Another I called with a question about dues for my Tucson Chorus. Discussed branding and Message for this chorus, and how we really have to take our vibrant and fun hobby to a less-retired age group. I met another ARC friend at Starbucks and caught up on some of the goings on there...
10/10 - REBarCamp from 8 to 3 (I left earlier) - a whole day networking and going to break out sessions focused on Social Media and Technology in the field of Real Estate. Free food... goodies (pens, pads of paper, t-shirts, bags) and lots of new business cards. I have a new Facebook friend, and learned that I want to download and use Evernote. It was a good day, but I really struggle with mass networking like that. *REBarCamp - Real Estate BarCamp - BarCamp is such unhelpful name to understand what a great thing this is. "BarCamp is an international network of user-generated conferences primarily focused around technology and the web. They are open, participatory workshop-events, the content of which is provided by participants...The format has also been used for a variety of other topics, including public transit, health care, education, and political organizing. The BarCamp format has also been adapted for specific industries like banking, education, real estate and social media." (wikipedia) Himself and I went to dinner to one of my favorite local restaurants, The Blue Willow, with some friends, and had a great night. We came home and then watched Bones, then Criminal Minds. Went to bed pretty early.
Long Post!
So that is what I did. I feel like the list of what I didn't do far far supersedes anything I did. I've been tweeting more @hav2sing is my Twitter handle.
There is no wrap-up or conclusion. It is today, and I have to start a new "write everything down" notebook, put my mileage and receipts together, pay some bills, finish laundry, etc.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
A Month of Sundays
Starting today, and for the next 4 Sundays in August, I don't have to go in to work. In essence, I have a "Month of Sundays" - literally, as opposed to every day of the month being a Sunday, which would be more mathematical than I care about right now.
I'm just focusing on the extra time this month.
One of the weekends I'll be out of town ~ so I'm including today in the "4 Work-Free" Sundays idea.
Time. Having some time to myself this weekend has been amazing. I took Friday off because I believe I've had too much interaction with others, for others and (by my own choice), fulfilling obligations to others. I still have some of that today to do, but there is time for some contemplation, and I am taking full advantage of it.
Himself and I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" last night, then we watched "Forks Over Knives" and I cried when he declared, "I'm on board," after 'Forks Over Knives' credits rolled. I've been wanting him on board for so long, and while I am the who who never broached the subject, the testimony of a mutual friend who has been juicing for awhile gave me the crack in the door that I felt I needed to start the conversation.
I don't believe we'll be full-fledged vegans, but I think (am hoping) 85% plant-based/15% animal... a lifestyle with "Animal Products on the Side" kind of mentality is where we are headed. Cut out the processed food. Spend more time preparing our own food (this is where I get stuck... not just that I can't be bothered, but there are so many other things I want to get done in a day... which needs to change) and not opening a box or a can or even defrosting. Spending more money on quality (organic, local) produce and meats.
One thing I have to say... (after watching a video where someone says... "and easy!" ~ With all the changes that will be coming... it might be simple, but it isn't easy. That, I believe, is a lie. Juicing for 15 days... won't be easy. But (and this is huge for my lazy butt) it is simple, and doesn't take a lot of time and or planning... which I look forward to.
The Engine 2 Diet - Rip Esselstyn's branch off from his dad's research and way of living that was documented in Forks Over Knives looks like a good way to start. They've partnered with Whole Foods... now to go find a reasonable juicer!
* * *
And I'm working toward going back to school for Music Therapy. Lots to do... very excited about parts of it. But the nutrition/holistic health thing really appeals to me too.
I'm just focusing on the extra time this month.
One of the weekends I'll be out of town ~ so I'm including today in the "4 Work-Free" Sundays idea.
Time. Having some time to myself this weekend has been amazing. I took Friday off because I believe I've had too much interaction with others, for others and (by my own choice), fulfilling obligations to others. I still have some of that today to do, but there is time for some contemplation, and I am taking full advantage of it.
Himself and I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" last night, then we watched "Forks Over Knives" and I cried when he declared, "I'm on board," after 'Forks Over Knives' credits rolled. I've been wanting him on board for so long, and while I am the who who never broached the subject, the testimony of a mutual friend who has been juicing for awhile gave me the crack in the door that I felt I needed to start the conversation.
I don't believe we'll be full-fledged vegans, but I think (am hoping) 85% plant-based/15% animal... a lifestyle with "Animal Products on the Side" kind of mentality is where we are headed. Cut out the processed food. Spend more time preparing our own food (this is where I get stuck... not just that I can't be bothered, but there are so many other things I want to get done in a day... which needs to change) and not opening a box or a can or even defrosting. Spending more money on quality (organic, local) produce and meats.
One thing I have to say... (after watching a video where someone says... "and easy!" ~ With all the changes that will be coming... it might be simple, but it isn't easy. That, I believe, is a lie. Juicing for 15 days... won't be easy. But (and this is huge for my lazy butt) it is simple, and doesn't take a lot of time and or planning... which I look forward to.
The Engine 2 Diet - Rip Esselstyn's branch off from his dad's research and way of living that was documented in Forks Over Knives looks like a good way to start. They've partnered with Whole Foods... now to go find a reasonable juicer!
* * *
And I'm working toward going back to school for Music Therapy. Lots to do... very excited about parts of it. But the nutrition/holistic health thing really appeals to me too.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Action vs Distraction
I put in my Gratitude Jar today ... "I am thankful for the internet (and all that it has exposed me to)."
I met my husband online, of course... he's one major thing I'm thankful for. But besides himself, I was thinking about all the sub-cultures that now have a voice and an audience because of the internet. And that some people are incredible visionaries... and that they take action on their vision.
* * *
This year I will take action on a vision. As of yet this vision is blurry. It is brightly-colored, and full of glitter and glistening dew in the morning... it is being looked at through a filter, which makes it very soft-focused. I spent some time really thinking about what course of action I want to take this year - and while the road is extremely wide, and meandering still a bit, it is going in a single (if albeit a scenic) direction.
I wasn't feeling very good today, and I left work early and came home to sit in my recliner with a heating pad and the Netbook, with HGTV on the telly, and snooze if I needed to. I re-discovered a fascination I've had for a few years: the Tiny House Movement.
In my internet travels this afternoon ~ in and amongst the tiny house websites and blogs, I came across this quote,
"What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it."wow, huh?
Follow up questions:
- What is valuable enough in my life that I would exchange a part of my life for it?
- Who are the people that are valuable enough in my life to spend it with?
- If something isn't worth this gift of a day, then what, instead, should it be replaced with?
BUT -- I found a great question to ask myself as I go through and try to simplify my collection(s) of stuff... "If I were going to live in a tiny house... would this item stay or go?" It isn't asking me if I love it, or if it is useful, or some of the other emotional questions that cause me distraction instead of action. It is straightforward, it has 'hacked away the unessential.'
* * *
Photo Day 3 (hearts) and Photo Day 4 (The View From Here)
 |
| Looking at my collection of Heart Stamps helped me downsize my stamps! 3 sets and a couple of loose ones... Very Proud! |
 |
* * *
Decreasing
I have a bag of tops and some jewelry and a pair of shoes (never, ever worn) in a bag to give away. I'm struggling with keeping it until the Chorus Rummage Sale (March, I think), or just taking it to Goodwill Now!
* * *
One more thought for the day... What makes you happy? Not what you think makes you happy... what actually brings happiness to you?
My answers surprised me.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Accountability & De-Toxing
Have to get back to blogging regularly & tracking my food. I was up 6 lbs from last Medifast Weigh in this last week -- and while there were legitimate reasons to be up (after eating my main meal, hot and water-retaining weather), there is absolutely no denying that I went off the wagon and have not seriously attempted to get back on.
So, I started the Medfiast De-tox today... My friend has done it twice since she started (she began MF in January this year) and loves it. I'm quite head-achey and didn't sleep well, and left work after an hour and a 1/2 because I felt so sick.... I woke up at 3:30 am and only fell back asleep around 5am, to get up at 5:30. My head ached, my stomach felt sick, and I had no concentration.
The paperwork they give you at the Center is kind of confusing -- not easy to know exactly what I'm supposed to do, or when -- and after the strictness of the 5-and-1 Weight Loss so-very-well-laid-out-for-you information, I'm a little frustrated.
There's some new faces at my Weight Loss Center, and D did a really great job of outlining the papers that I need to pay the most attention to...There are Detox supplements that I'm supposed to take twice a day -- along with the regular regular vitamins... then I'm allowed vegetables, fruit and whole grains (Hallelujah!), 3 to 4 servings a day -- NO Dairy (eggs, cheese, milk, etc), Meat, Poultry, Fish/Seafood, Salt, Sugar, Caffeine (can wean off caffeine for these first 2 days, so had some green tea today), Alcohol, Unbleached White Flour. No nuts or peanut butter, either. bummer.
Distilled water... and day 3 & 4 are lemon juice and maple syrup liquid-only days.
Today I started out with 3/4 cup of Kashi Go-Lean Cinammon cereal (YUM!), I think about a cup of Almond Milk (which I'm not sure where that counts in the Veggie, Fruit, Whole Grain line up), 1/2-cup of blue berries... and about 5 strawberries. YUM YUM YUMMY!! I've not (legally) had fruit for over 18 months. I did have about 6 delicious fruit-stand-in-Gilroy strawberries on a day the first week June on the road trip with mom -- but that was the first time I'd 'cheated' with fruit, so having fruit is wonderful... and what a fabulous time of year to start! It took all my supplements, but forgot I was supposed to be drinking distilled water -- so had my normal water with vitamin C crystals (probably around 20 oz before leaving the house).
At work, I had one packet of MF crackers (1/2 a whole grain), to see if that would settle my stomach... I fixed myself water with green pomegranate tea and Vitamin C crystals... and really was missing my coffee! Eating didn't help -- I was miserable.
On the way home I ate a few more blue berries, and another serving of the Kashi cereal, which I'd taken to work for a snack. And then I started to feel slightly indigestion-ey... the cereal is the culprit, I'm pretty sure...
I was home by 9am, and slept until 1:30 pm -- still headachey, but not the weird stomach feeling, which was good. I had 7 more strawberries, 2 packets of the MF Soy bites (1 whole grain serving), a small low-sodium V-8 (1/2 veggie serving), 1 cup of celery (1/2 a veggie serving), and 1 cup of green grapes (1 fruit serving). I then cooked a cup of brown rice in the steamer, and served up 1 cup on a small plate -- and 1 cup of brown rice is HUGE... so I've been nibbling on that all afternoon.
It is 6:25pm, and I only have 2 veggies and a fruit left for the day -- and the rest of the brown rice.
I was given two food diaries... one is the normal MF one, and one is for the detox.
I hate being unsure of things. Which is an issue outside of the realm of food -- most of life is unsure... no wonder I'm anxiou and frustrated. meh.
* * *
Back to blogging.
It feels good, and I've missed it.
* * *
In case you're wondering. Yes, I'm hungry. But I'm supposed to lose between 5 and 8 pounds on the de-tox... so watch this space. I think this will get me back to seeing the numbers go down, which will help keep me motivated to stay AWAY from the dark chocolate covered almonds. Regardless that a serving is only 18 carbs... who eats just 9? People who are not mindless eaters, that's who.
So, I started the Medfiast De-tox today... My friend has done it twice since she started (she began MF in January this year) and loves it. I'm quite head-achey and didn't sleep well, and left work after an hour and a 1/2 because I felt so sick.... I woke up at 3:30 am and only fell back asleep around 5am, to get up at 5:30. My head ached, my stomach felt sick, and I had no concentration.
The paperwork they give you at the Center is kind of confusing -- not easy to know exactly what I'm supposed to do, or when -- and after the strictness of the 5-and-1 Weight Loss so-very-well-laid-out-for-you information, I'm a little frustrated.
There's some new faces at my Weight Loss Center, and D did a really great job of outlining the papers that I need to pay the most attention to...There are Detox supplements that I'm supposed to take twice a day -- along with the regular regular vitamins... then I'm allowed vegetables, fruit and whole grains (Hallelujah!), 3 to 4 servings a day -- NO Dairy (eggs, cheese, milk, etc), Meat, Poultry, Fish/Seafood, Salt, Sugar, Caffeine (can wean off caffeine for these first 2 days, so had some green tea today), Alcohol, Unbleached White Flour. No nuts or peanut butter, either. bummer.
Distilled water... and day 3 & 4 are lemon juice and maple syrup liquid-only days.
Today I started out with 3/4 cup of Kashi Go-Lean Cinammon cereal (YUM!), I think about a cup of Almond Milk (which I'm not sure where that counts in the Veggie, Fruit, Whole Grain line up), 1/2-cup of blue berries... and about 5 strawberries. YUM YUM YUMMY!! I've not (legally) had fruit for over 18 months. I did have about 6 delicious fruit-stand-in-Gilroy strawberries on a day the first week June on the road trip with mom -- but that was the first time I'd 'cheated' with fruit, so having fruit is wonderful... and what a fabulous time of year to start! It took all my supplements, but forgot I was supposed to be drinking distilled water -- so had my normal water with vitamin C crystals (probably around 20 oz before leaving the house).
At work, I had one packet of MF crackers (1/2 a whole grain), to see if that would settle my stomach... I fixed myself water with green pomegranate tea and Vitamin C crystals... and really was missing my coffee! Eating didn't help -- I was miserable.
On the way home I ate a few more blue berries, and another serving of the Kashi cereal, which I'd taken to work for a snack. And then I started to feel slightly indigestion-ey... the cereal is the culprit, I'm pretty sure...
I was home by 9am, and slept until 1:30 pm -- still headachey, but not the weird stomach feeling, which was good. I had 7 more strawberries, 2 packets of the MF Soy bites (1 whole grain serving), a small low-sodium V-8 (1/2 veggie serving), 1 cup of celery (1/2 a veggie serving), and 1 cup of green grapes (1 fruit serving). I then cooked a cup of brown rice in the steamer, and served up 1 cup on a small plate -- and 1 cup of brown rice is HUGE... so I've been nibbling on that all afternoon.
It is 6:25pm, and I only have 2 veggies and a fruit left for the day -- and the rest of the brown rice.
I was given two food diaries... one is the normal MF one, and one is for the detox.
I hate being unsure of things. Which is an issue outside of the realm of food -- most of life is unsure... no wonder I'm anxiou and frustrated. meh.
* * *
Back to blogging.
It feels good, and I've missed it.
* * *
In case you're wondering. Yes, I'm hungry. But I'm supposed to lose between 5 and 8 pounds on the de-tox... so watch this space. I think this will get me back to seeing the numbers go down, which will help keep me motivated to stay AWAY from the dark chocolate covered almonds. Regardless that a serving is only 18 carbs... who eats just 9? People who are not mindless eaters, that's who.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Day 1 of Restart -- Sept 1 is goal date for Goal Weight
I'm just sayin'.
Time to stop dilly dallying around.
MF Scale = 240.8 today. Makes my loss 97 lbs. Phlsdplthmpthss! (that's a strawberry, in case you needed a translation).
I bought more shakes - and I plan to have 3 shakes a day, plus a soup and a bar -- my extra's will be cream in my coffee, and a measured amount of almond butter and celery. I may even go back to pickles!
And a plan to work out my arms. They're ick.
Freedom in Obedience... when I know the rules, I don't have to worry about choices.
Heading to bed now. REALLY need to make getting up EVERY DAY at 5am a priority.
every. day.
Time to stop dilly dallying around.
MF Scale = 240.8 today. Makes my loss 97 lbs. Phlsdplthmpthss! (that's a strawberry, in case you needed a translation).
I bought more shakes - and I plan to have 3 shakes a day, plus a soup and a bar -- my extra's will be cream in my coffee, and a measured amount of almond butter and celery. I may even go back to pickles!
And a plan to work out my arms. They're ick.
Freedom in Obedience... when I know the rules, I don't have to worry about choices.
Heading to bed now. REALLY need to make getting up EVERY DAY at 5am a priority.
every. day.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Mid-February Re-Start
I was up 3 lbs at Medifast yesterday. Knew it would be bad.
No surprise... though this past Monday I saw a new (low) number on my home scale... I then went out and bought "treats" for my team at work = Butterfinger hearts and Dark Chocolate Dove hearts... and well, they got a few of the Butterfinger hearts.
I also inhaled a tin of semi-deluxe nuts (less than 50% peanut mix) in a couple of days... and combine high salt with not enough water... having a sugar binge - all that equaled the 3 lb gain. Well, I have to say it stops today.
Yesterday, driving home -- I bought roasted almonds and bag of Lindt's Chocolate truffles - which are my favorite. 3 truffles = 15 carbs... but of course I didn't limit myself to only 3. I just called the day a loss and rather than go have a couple of slices of pizza... or some salsa & chips... I enjoyed the sugar; then crashed.
* * *
Last night I once again was thinking about what kind of life is what I want to live
[my mind is racing right now and it is a bit difficult to be coherent when so many thoughts are competing to be first... just a warning that the following may or may not make sense.]
and I had the thought that I need to be a grown up.
(I think) a lot of what I'm struggling with is my inner child not wanting to give up anything. (scrapbooking, memorabilia, stamping, crafting, projects, sewing, Martha Stewart-esque plans for my home and life)
I don't want to have to make a choice. I want it all.
And it isn't the first time I've had the thought, but it is the first time I've had it so incredibly internal -- not just like I was looking at the thought and understanding the concept intellectually and saying, "I see... interesting and quite true..." as if from afar... like an objective counselor talking with a counselee... but rather -- having it come from a bubbling place inside of me. Without Resentment. It was with Acceptance.
HUGE!
What I want is changing... and the letting go of past dreams in order to create and make real the new ones I think puts me in a place of mourning. Mourning the death of past dreams, which I'm still (very much so) attached to, and love dearly; and if there was enough time in the day I still totally want to do (!) But the reality of needing to make some difficult choices creeps in more and more each day, and I'm still in the process of trying to get clear on what it is I want my (our) life to look like.
So I've been trying tothink of things that will actually get me excited to get up in the morning put together a list of things to think about before I fall asleep that I will remember in the morning so I'll actually get up... and be productive... some reasons to get up consistently at 5am.
I struggle with being specific in this area. Having a list of housework that I need to accomplish isn't doing the trick. Surprise. Not.
Doing music is one of them... but in order for me to get up, start the kettle for coffee/tea and actually come in and be productive - I need the space to work (which is definitely NOT something I have around me at the moment) and some outlined goals on which to focus.
* * *
And I have to express my extreme sadness and grief of the too early death of one of Pop Music's greatest voices. Whitney Houston died yesterday at age 48 -- details about it I haven't seen yet, but I would guess that her later drug use and addiction came from a place of trying to escape the pressure and expectation that a needy (greedy) business demanded. And from what sounds like a tormenting love relationship.
What a gift she was blessed with, such a tragic, tragic end to her life. My prayers are with her family :(
* * *
I'm so blessed... and incredibly thankful. Thank You.
* * *
eta:
PS -- is is 02-12-2012. Cool. Thanks Ben
No surprise... though this past Monday I saw a new (low) number on my home scale... I then went out and bought "treats" for my team at work = Butterfinger hearts and Dark Chocolate Dove hearts... and well, they got a few of the Butterfinger hearts.
I also inhaled a tin of semi-deluxe nuts (less than 50% peanut mix) in a couple of days... and combine high salt with not enough water... having a sugar binge - all that equaled the 3 lb gain. Well, I have to say it stops today.
Yesterday, driving home -- I bought roasted almonds and bag of Lindt's Chocolate truffles - which are my favorite. 3 truffles = 15 carbs... but of course I didn't limit myself to only 3. I just called the day a loss and rather than go have a couple of slices of pizza... or some salsa & chips... I enjoyed the sugar; then crashed.
* * *
Last night I once again was thinking about what kind of life is what I want to live
[my mind is racing right now and it is a bit difficult to be coherent when so many thoughts are competing to be first... just a warning that the following may or may not make sense.]
and I had the thought that I need to be a grown up.
(I think) a lot of what I'm struggling with is my inner child not wanting to give up anything. (scrapbooking, memorabilia, stamping, crafting, projects, sewing, Martha Stewart-esque plans for my home and life)
I don't want to have to make a choice. I want it all.
And it isn't the first time I've had the thought, but it is the first time I've had it so incredibly internal -- not just like I was looking at the thought and understanding the concept intellectually and saying, "I see... interesting and quite true..." as if from afar... like an objective counselor talking with a counselee... but rather -- having it come from a bubbling place inside of me. Without Resentment. It was with Acceptance.
HUGE!
Can we hear a big WOOT!!!???!!!
* * *
What I want is changing... and the letting go of past dreams in order to create and make real the new ones I think puts me in a place of mourning. Mourning the death of past dreams, which I'm still (very much so) attached to, and love dearly; and if there was enough time in the day I still totally want to do (!) But the reality of needing to make some difficult choices creeps in more and more each day, and I'm still in the process of trying to get clear on what it is I want my (our) life to look like.
- Health & Fitness -- (still looking to add another 30 minutes of walking a week, and two or three days of resistance fitness activity)
- Home & Husband -- Simplifying. Clearing the stuff. Cooking healthier. Planning time together. Growing a Kitchen Garden. Having a herb garden.
- Job/Career -- still working on how to want this as a higher priority in reality
- Family & Relationships (has moved up the priority list) -- taking a balance of time off between family and chorus/quartet events. Keeping a few meaningful card-making supplies for creating a few meaningful projects.
- Quartet -- Be a member of Club 21 (means winning a regional contest and a shot at competing at International)
- Chorus -- Be a member of a Top 10 Chorus.
So I've been trying to
I struggle with being specific in this area. Having a list of housework that I need to accomplish isn't doing the trick. Surprise. Not.
Doing music is one of them... but in order for me to get up, start the kettle for coffee/tea and actually come in and be productive - I need the space to work (which is definitely NOT something I have around me at the moment) and some outlined goals on which to focus.
* * *
And I have to express my extreme sadness and grief of the too early death of one of Pop Music's greatest voices. Whitney Houston died yesterday at age 48 -- details about it I haven't seen yet, but I would guess that her later drug use and addiction came from a place of trying to escape the pressure and expectation that a needy (greedy) business demanded. And from what sounds like a tormenting love relationship.
What a gift she was blessed with, such a tragic, tragic end to her life. My prayers are with her family :(
* * *
I'm so blessed... and incredibly thankful. Thank You.
* * *
eta:
PS -- is is 02-12-2012. Cool. Thanks Ben
Friday, December 30, 2011
Happy Faces Pretending... All the While Attacking Ourselves with Words We'd Never Dream of Saying to Anyone Else...
Love this from Ellen over at "Fat Girl Wearing Thing" about 'Ditch the Weight; Lose the Hate' challenge 2012.
She says this...
I put in red the part that really really called me out. So many things going through my mind right now about the close of another year... another great post from Ellen is about Reflecting on the past year and seeing what we have achieved. Yes, I've lost 100 lbs. I am not done, but right now am acting as if I were... what the hell? And when I look at these reflection questions and answers, I just feel like I'm not enough... there's so much more to do and to improve upon. And the overwhelm begins. And the 'why bother?' creeps in, and I've not even noticed it until there's a big, cold draft in my supposedly safe and warm and loving spirit.
We all have to find our own way... we ask others, we consult, we research. We ponder, we discuss, we have coffee and perhaps even some chocolate. We feel guilty, we feel success... often I feel those in the same instant. We vent. We Try... we might fail - sometimes we prosper. We grow... or at least we think we are growing. We hope perhaps *this* will help... or maybe *that* -- a new calendar, a new motivational statement... a new mantra... a new friend...but it is only when I realize that I. am. enough. that the spiralling self-destructive thought pattern is disrupted.
I believe in God. A Creator - who created me exactly as I am meant to be. That doesn't mean there isn't anything to improve on - that is part of the challenge (and what I believe to be part of the meaning) of life. I have so much trouble remembering on a daily, constant basis that part of the journey is making mistakes, and accepting yourself anyway; falling down, and getting up again; learning the hard way, and yet still forgiving yourself.
All so much easier said (and written) than done (and lived). I have to keep reminding myself that I Am Enough.
I am good enough. Smart enough. Talented enough. Friendly enough. Loving enough. Thoughtful enough. Detached enough. Emotional enough. Disciplined enough. Tough enough. Soft enough. Opinionated enough. Self-reliant enough. Savvy enough. Humble enough. Intelligent enough. Reading enough. Watching enough. Thankful enough. Inspired enough. Planning enough. Sleeping enough (ha ha!). Aware enough. Eating enough. Exercising enough. Thinking enough. Writing enough. Daydreaming enough. Walking enough. Cooking enough. Cleaning enough. Singing enough. Praying enough (never enough of this, I'm afraid). Grateful enough.
Enough starts to look misspelled after awhile.
Enough.
Enough is enough.
She says this...
Have you ever noticed that the tools needed to repair ourselves on the outside are plentiful and readily available? They come in the form of diets, exercise equipment, menu plans, gyms, diet aids, gadgets, specialized shoes and clothing – you name it. We can’t hide our weight from others and that too becomes a motivator. But feelings of regret, hopelessness, fear, humiliation, anger, self ridicule and belittlement are so much easier to hide; to pretend they don’t exist. The tools we need to fix those areas of our lives aren’t so readily available. So, we put on happy faces and pretend that we don’t mentally and emotionally attack ourselves with words we’d never dream of uttering to someone else.
I put in red the part that really really called me out. So many things going through my mind right now about the close of another year... another great post from Ellen is about Reflecting on the past year and seeing what we have achieved. Yes, I've lost 100 lbs. I am not done, but right now am acting as if I were... what the hell? And when I look at these reflection questions and answers, I just feel like I'm not enough... there's so much more to do and to improve upon. And the overwhelm begins. And the 'why bother?' creeps in, and I've not even noticed it until there's a big, cold draft in my supposedly safe and warm and loving spirit.
We all have to find our own way... we ask others, we consult, we research. We ponder, we discuss, we have coffee and perhaps even some chocolate. We feel guilty, we feel success... often I feel those in the same instant. We vent. We Try... we might fail - sometimes we prosper. We grow... or at least we think we are growing. We hope perhaps *this* will help... or maybe *that* -- a new calendar, a new motivational statement... a new mantra... a new friend...but it is only when I realize that I. am. enough. that the spiralling self-destructive thought pattern is disrupted.
I believe in God. A Creator - who created me exactly as I am meant to be. That doesn't mean there isn't anything to improve on - that is part of the challenge (and what I believe to be part of the meaning) of life. I have so much trouble remembering on a daily, constant basis that part of the journey is making mistakes, and accepting yourself anyway; falling down, and getting up again; learning the hard way, and yet still forgiving yourself.
All so much easier said (and written) than done (and lived). I have to keep reminding myself that I Am Enough.
I am good enough. Smart enough. Talented enough. Friendly enough. Loving enough. Thoughtful enough. Detached enough. Emotional enough. Disciplined enough. Tough enough. Soft enough. Opinionated enough. Self-reliant enough. Savvy enough. Humble enough. Intelligent enough. Reading enough. Watching enough. Thankful enough. Inspired enough. Planning enough. Sleeping enough (ha ha!). Aware enough. Eating enough. Exercising enough. Thinking enough. Writing enough. Daydreaming enough. Walking enough. Cooking enough. Cleaning enough. Singing enough. Praying enough (never enough of this, I'm afraid). Grateful enough.
Enough starts to look misspelled after awhile.
Enough.
Enough is enough.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Day 253 ~ 93 Pounds Down!
7 lbs away from 100 pounds lost!
* * *
This has been (and continues to be) the year of cleaning out my head, clearing away pounds, and establishing new (healthy & fitness-oriented) habits.
I'm so tired of living with so much stuff. Soon it will be the year of 'bye bye buy' and 'Curtail the Clutter... by Curtailing the Crafts.' This is the beginning of a plan -- and it will probably start with the 100-lbs gone party happening in about a month.
My new theme: keeping my house 'spur of the moment party' ready.
* * *
9/11. 10 years later. Still stings. Still hurts. No words.
* * *
This has been (and continues to be) the year of cleaning out my head, clearing away pounds, and establishing new (healthy & fitness-oriented) habits.
I'm so tired of living with so much stuff. Soon it will be the year of 'bye bye buy' and 'Curtail the Clutter... by Curtailing the Crafts.' This is the beginning of a plan -- and it will probably start with the 100-lbs gone party happening in about a month.
My new theme: keeping my house 'spur of the moment party' ready.
* * *
9/11. 10 years later. Still stings. Still hurts. No words.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Day 225
At Medifast yesterday I was down 2.5 lbs for a total of 88 lbs down. While I was only down 2 lbs over two weeks, my body scan showed that I have lost 7 lbs of body fat. The walking 6 miles a week is helping!!
This morning on MY scale I saw a new number ~ 244.8. Discussion with my MF counselor yesterday was focused on ... staying focused. Journalling. Making a plan of eating for the week... and I promised to get back to blogging every day -- putting this BACK on top of the priority plan.
Yes, life has things coming at us all the time, things which want to move us [DISTRACT!] from one direction to another... things that look more fun, or look like a better idea "in the long run," or... in my case... "Look! Shiny!" And before we know it, we've stopped the good habits we're trying to build.
And while I'm giving myself grace and forgiveness when I stumble for a time... that doesn't mean that my Health/Fitness actions move from the number #1 spot in my priority plan/schedule for the day, week, month, year, decade... LIFE!!
And God needs to be overall, in all goals, in all actions, in all plans... and I've lost sight of how helpful it is to take time every day to just "Be Still and know that He Is God" -- to release my worries, my stresses, my anxiousness to Him.
As the Fabulous Renee Porzel said last weekend about chorus members on the risers... "[the director/choreographer's directions] release us from having an opinion." ~ I think this relates fabulously to God and what He wants for us... His desire for us to follow Christ... (and the "Plan for Life" that is called the Bible) releases us from having to think about it. Being obedient actually does give us a bit of freedom.
And this works for food, for exercise, for studying... just being obedient to the plan you're following, without argument, without cajoling, without bargaining... simplicity at its finest, really.
Ah... easier said than done, but what a good reminder for me today.
A number of years ago I lost 25 lbs doing the Weigh Down Workshop (Gwen Shamblin). I think the foundation of the program (eat when you're hungry, stop when you're satisfied... and when you want to eat from any other reason other than fuel and energy for the body, then turn to God and His Word to fill that emotional hole.) is sound, though I think there was too much guilt, and then the program lost its way when her church started up (!)... ANYWAY... my point was -- Finding Freedom in Obedience was a mainstay of the philosophy, and 'being released' from having to argue or have an opinion is extremely freeing.
* * *
Yesterday was very busy... 4 hours on the road to Chandler... met my mom & step-dad for a brief visit and coffee after the MF appointment... then Craft Class (Fragrance Diffusers)... then picked up the soap we made in July... then dinner with a good friend... then home to my cute hubby and catching up on Project Runway.
* * *
My friend's been a widow 3 years today... I can't believe it has been 3 years since that tragic bicycle accident that took away the life of a vibrant, energetic, God-loving, enthusiastic, intelligent, oreo-cookie-loving husband, father & grandfather.
We never know what the day will bring. It just reminds me again of what is important -- people and relationships -- not objects and possessions.
This morning on MY scale I saw a new number ~ 244.8. Discussion with my MF counselor yesterday was focused on ... staying focused. Journalling. Making a plan of eating for the week... and I promised to get back to blogging every day -- putting this BACK on top of the priority plan.
Yes, life has things coming at us all the time, things which want to move us [DISTRACT!] from one direction to another... things that look more fun, or look like a better idea "in the long run," or... in my case... "Look! Shiny!" And before we know it, we've stopped the good habits we're trying to build.
And while I'm giving myself grace and forgiveness when I stumble for a time... that doesn't mean that my Health/Fitness actions move from the number #1 spot in my priority plan/schedule for the day, week, month, year, decade... LIFE!!
And God needs to be overall, in all goals, in all actions, in all plans... and I've lost sight of how helpful it is to take time every day to just "Be Still and know that He Is God" -- to release my worries, my stresses, my anxiousness to Him.
As the Fabulous Renee Porzel said last weekend about chorus members on the risers... "[the director/choreographer's directions] release us from having an opinion." ~ I think this relates fabulously to God and what He wants for us... His desire for us to follow Christ... (and the "Plan for Life" that is called the Bible) releases us from having to think about it. Being obedient actually does give us a bit of freedom.
And this works for food, for exercise, for studying... just being obedient to the plan you're following, without argument, without cajoling, without bargaining... simplicity at its finest, really.
Ah... easier said than done, but what a good reminder for me today.
A number of years ago I lost 25 lbs doing the Weigh Down Workshop (Gwen Shamblin). I think the foundation of the program (eat when you're hungry, stop when you're satisfied... and when you want to eat from any other reason other than fuel and energy for the body, then turn to God and His Word to fill that emotional hole.) is sound, though I think there was too much guilt, and then the program lost its way when her church started up (!)... ANYWAY... my point was -- Finding Freedom in Obedience was a mainstay of the philosophy, and 'being released' from having to argue or have an opinion is extremely freeing.
* * *
Yesterday was very busy... 4 hours on the road to Chandler... met my mom & step-dad for a brief visit and coffee after the MF appointment... then Craft Class (Fragrance Diffusers)... then picked up the soap we made in July... then dinner with a good friend... then home to my cute hubby and catching up on Project Runway.
* * *
My friend's been a widow 3 years today... I can't believe it has been 3 years since that tragic bicycle accident that took away the life of a vibrant, energetic, God-loving, enthusiastic, intelligent, oreo-cookie-loving husband, father & grandfather.
We never know what the day will bring. It just reminds me again of what is important -- people and relationships -- not objects and possessions.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Day 116 = A New LOW Number on the scale!!
YAY YAY YAY!!!
April has been the land of the same 4 lbs going up and down, up and down, U P and D O W N... just about driving me crazy!
I started walking this week... since last Friday I've walked 9.06 miles -- YAY ME!! :D
The endorphins make such a difference... I'm also saying a positive affirmation before I go to sleep every night, about how I love waking up early and working up a sweat in the morning... with joy and gratitude, etc... and the last thought I have before going to sleep is a conscious thought ... *I WANT to be fit, I WANT to get up early and welcome the sunrise... I want to get a jump start on my day and be happy and glad about it.*
Cuz really, it is just about changing our mind.
So much easier said than done.
* * *
I had a shift in understanding... I've said, I've read, I've known, I've understood... that putting fitness and exercise, if we really want to change, HAS to be the first priority... above social, above housework... for me it means fitness above chorus and quartet fun and those goals. If I don't have my health, I won't be able to have the energy and stamina for someday directing a chorus, winning regional quartet contest, learning to arrange music in the barbershop (a cappella - 4-part) style, let alone just standing on the risers for 3 1/2 hours once a week (!).
Somewhere in my molecules, at a core level, I finally reached the point of heart understanding. You know how sometimes you *know* something, and you understand the concept... your brain totally gets it. But it can be a long, difficult, arduous journey for that thought or concept to travel to your heart... where you 'get it.'
It is sort of a subtle change, I also refer to this as the switch being flipped... something in the inner core of my being changes significantly... and I think it is a direct result of "putting the right thoughts in the right bucket enough times," for that balance of buckets to change... which is what leads me to say it is as simple as changing your mind. But changing our mind is certainly not EASY. Simple does NOT equal easy. Really and Truly making a change in our life is so very very hard... STAYING and KEEPING UP the changes is hard too.
* * *
So, I was reminded at my Medifast clinic visit on Wednesday that I'm not supposed to exercise more than 45 minutes per day. So... walk-running a half-marathon is out of my reach this year. I'm pretty sure I can't do 13.1 miles in 45 minutes *laughing hysterically at the thought...*
So, I'm going to still do the Gabe Zimmerman triple crown, but the 5K fun walks instead. I think I'll be able to get to 3 miles in about 45 minutes... especially if I don't take the dog on every single walk with me... The half-marathon will have to wait until I'm in transition and maintenance of Medifast... which, fingers crossed, will be next March!
* * *
Medifast Clinic Visit on Wednesday, April 27th
So..... I'm down 59.4 lbs in 16 weeks... that is an average of 3.7 lbs per week.
I was actually up .8 lbs from two weeks ago when I weighed in... BUT, my inches lost since the last time I 'd been measured was -26.25 for a total inches loss of 82.75!!
and this morning on my home scale, I am down 3 lbs since yesterday's weighing, and 5 lbs since Monday.
I'm over a third of the way to my goal.
* * *
I bought the MF cookbook this last time, as it is time to come up with some different meals. I wrote down my L&Gs that I've been eating, and it seems I rotate between 9 different things... so I want to add another 9 or 10 to that number, at least so I can get a pretty good rotation going.
* * *
Himself is recovering nicely from Gallbladder surgery a week ago Monday. The toughest part so far has been the recovering from the hernia repair... that is the part that the Doc said would take two years for it to be really normal. They put in a wire mesh thingey, and we don't think it is something that will dissolve, but rather, it will be 'grown around' by his body... so the foreign object is what is taking so long to feel 'normal.'
* * *
My last day at work will be today -- going in to clean up some messes that I've left in my "To Do" files, and to finish up the Office Procedures Manual that I started. The new gal I think will be a great fit for them, and I hope that this relationship lasts for a long time!
* * *
I've been really really busy with just doing the plan, and have missed blogging more regularly about it. With my priorities sort of newly aligned, daily blogging may be something that doesn't fit within my daily habits right now... but once some of the other responsibilities I have are done and finished, then I'll stick it back in :-)
* * *
I've not done an April picture, so maybe I'll have himself take some photos later today... and then I'll log the numbers of the inches lost on the progress page as well.
* * *
If you're still reading.. thanks!! And I'm so thankful for anyone who stops by and reads... and I ♥ it when someone takes a couple minutes to just say "hi" and leaves me a comment.... *such a subtle hint, no?*
Have a great weekend everyone!!
April has been the land of the same 4 lbs going up and down, up and down, U P and D O W N... just about driving me crazy!
I started walking this week... since last Friday I've walked 9.06 miles -- YAY ME!! :D
The endorphins make such a difference... I'm also saying a positive affirmation before I go to sleep every night, about how I love waking up early and working up a sweat in the morning... with joy and gratitude, etc... and the last thought I have before going to sleep is a conscious thought ... *I WANT to be fit, I WANT to get up early and welcome the sunrise... I want to get a jump start on my day and be happy and glad about it.*
Cuz really, it is just about changing our mind.
So much easier said than done.
* * *
I had a shift in understanding... I've said, I've read, I've known, I've understood... that putting fitness and exercise, if we really want to change, HAS to be the first priority... above social, above housework... for me it means fitness above chorus and quartet fun and those goals. If I don't have my health, I won't be able to have the energy and stamina for someday directing a chorus, winning regional quartet contest, learning to arrange music in the barbershop (a cappella - 4-part) style, let alone just standing on the risers for 3 1/2 hours once a week (!).
Somewhere in my molecules, at a core level, I finally reached the point of heart understanding. You know how sometimes you *know* something, and you understand the concept... your brain totally gets it. But it can be a long, difficult, arduous journey for that thought or concept to travel to your heart... where you 'get it.'
It is sort of a subtle change, I also refer to this as the switch being flipped... something in the inner core of my being changes significantly... and I think it is a direct result of "putting the right thoughts in the right bucket enough times," for that balance of buckets to change... which is what leads me to say it is as simple as changing your mind. But changing our mind is certainly not EASY. Simple does NOT equal easy. Really and Truly making a change in our life is so very very hard... STAYING and KEEPING UP the changes is hard too.
* * *
So, I was reminded at my Medifast clinic visit on Wednesday that I'm not supposed to exercise more than 45 minutes per day. So... walk-running a half-marathon is out of my reach this year. I'm pretty sure I can't do 13.1 miles in 45 minutes *laughing hysterically at the thought...*
So, I'm going to still do the Gabe Zimmerman triple crown, but the 5K fun walks instead. I think I'll be able to get to 3 miles in about 45 minutes... especially if I don't take the dog on every single walk with me... The half-marathon will have to wait until I'm in transition and maintenance of Medifast... which, fingers crossed, will be next March!
* * *
Medifast Clinic Visit on Wednesday, April 27th
So..... I'm down 59.4 lbs in 16 weeks... that is an average of 3.7 lbs per week.
I was actually up .8 lbs from two weeks ago when I weighed in... BUT, my inches lost since the last time I 'd been measured was -26.25 for a total inches loss of 82.75!!
and this morning on my home scale, I am down 3 lbs since yesterday's weighing, and 5 lbs since Monday.
I'm over a third of the way to my goal.
* * *
I bought the MF cookbook this last time, as it is time to come up with some different meals. I wrote down my L&Gs that I've been eating, and it seems I rotate between 9 different things... so I want to add another 9 or 10 to that number, at least so I can get a pretty good rotation going.
* * *
Himself is recovering nicely from Gallbladder surgery a week ago Monday. The toughest part so far has been the recovering from the hernia repair... that is the part that the Doc said would take two years for it to be really normal. They put in a wire mesh thingey, and we don't think it is something that will dissolve, but rather, it will be 'grown around' by his body... so the foreign object is what is taking so long to feel 'normal.'
* * *
My last day at work will be today -- going in to clean up some messes that I've left in my "To Do" files, and to finish up the Office Procedures Manual that I started. The new gal I think will be a great fit for them, and I hope that this relationship lasts for a long time!
* * *
I've been really really busy with just doing the plan, and have missed blogging more regularly about it. With my priorities sort of newly aligned, daily blogging may be something that doesn't fit within my daily habits right now... but once some of the other responsibilities I have are done and finished, then I'll stick it back in :-)
* * *
I've not done an April picture, so maybe I'll have himself take some photos later today... and then I'll log the numbers of the inches lost on the progress page as well.
* * *
If you're still reading.. thanks!! And I'm so thankful for anyone who stops by and reads... and I ♥ it when someone takes a couple minutes to just say "hi" and leaves me a comment.... *such a subtle hint, no?*
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 109 ~ Time For A Real Reason To Get Up In The Morning
Well... today I've decided to begin to commence to start (*hee hee*) training for a half-marathon in Tucson in December. I'll be mostly walking/jogging (at least, that is what I believe I'll be doing at this point in my weight loss journey) per Jeff Galloway's "Run Injury Free" methodology ..... he invented the "Galloway RUN-WALK-RUN™, low mileage, three-day marathoner training schedule [with a] ... 98% success rate." And when I'm in better condition to actually start training, I can download ipod sessions with the intervals all worked out for me. I ♥ Technology. (at least, I ♥ it today... it is a love/hate relationship with technology...)
Just getting up in the morning to exercise hasn't really been pushing the right buttons to actually *get me to bed on time* and *get my you-know-what* out of my comfy-cozy snooze-fest bed. I know I need another reason that is more specific than "to be in better shape" or "to be fit" or "to lose weight faster." For me, this would be a HUGE change in my life... and I'm committed to making this goal the number one priority (after sticking on the Medifast Diet 5 and 1 plan!!).
So: Tucson's Marathon (which is a Boston Marathon Qualifier, in case anyone wants to know) is Sunday, December 11, 2011. Holy Moly, I just clicked the "Register" button and it costs $70.00! With a Registration Fee of $4.84 and I have to purchase by the end of June. I guess I'm just in time to put my feet where my mouth is (and have the money follow).
Because I'm not in any sort of fitness condition to actually begin a training program... the Jeff Galloway site has an 8-week conditioning program -- I'll be just walking for now... I don't want to start jogging until I'm 25 lbs or less away from my goal weight. As it is now, I'm 3 lbs from the weight limit on the elliptical we still have in the box... which I'm soooo excited to be so close to putting it together!
* * *
Eating: I'm up .8 lbs -- but still down (?!) if that makes any sense. I wrote out my list of "Tried and True" Lean & Green recipes and posted them on the fridge, (there are 9 of them) -- and over the next couple of days plan to try 4 new ones, and then find/try another 10 for a good rotation of meal options. Having the list on the fridge will hopefully help me write out the grocery list and plan a little better.
* * *
I start training with my new job on May 9th ~ I called the company and received confirmation that yes, I've been accepted as a new hire. I'm relieved, excited, kinda bummed about a real schedule that will have to be followed, but ultimately Very Very thankful, grateful and happy to have a larger paycheck in my future.
This was another reason to simplify my "GET UP EARLY AND EXERCISE" goal ~ if I'm working at 8am and it takes me 20+ minutes to get to work... I really need to start getting up at 5am (at the latest) so I can meet my running buddy nearby (i.e., get dressed and in the car), do the workout, get home, walk the dog, get showered and ready for work and leave with plenty of time. Call Center = No Likey Tardy Peeps.
* * *
I feel good today... I've been feeling really crappy the last couple of weeks -- headaches, shoulder aches, despondent thoughts, spirits down, bored with MF (due to my inability to move past the -54 lb mark, I'm sure...), and frustrated with myself and lack of follow-through with the getting up.
I feel like I've turned over a mental leaf. I know there are people who are out there keeping me in their thoughts and prayers, and rooting for me... and I'm so thankful and grateful for you ♥.
Happy Good Friday...
* * *
Oh Yeah!!!! ~ One More Thing...
I tried on clothes that haven't fit me for awhile last night, hoping I'd have something "new" for Easter Sunday... and a blouse that really didn't fit when mom bought it for me, which I tried on about a month 1/2 ago and still was too snug... is something I think will be perfect for Easter Sunday!! WOOT!!
A favorite skirt that I've kept for ages fit too! Still a little snug around the waist, but it is a pull over/pull on skirt ~ and just being able to slip it over my head AND back off again without dislocating anything was a major feat! I can't wait to shop and find a couple of tops to go with it :-)
Just getting up in the morning to exercise hasn't really been pushing the right buttons to actually *get me to bed on time* and *get my you-know-what* out of my comfy-cozy snooze-fest bed. I know I need another reason that is more specific than "to be in better shape" or "to be fit" or "to lose weight faster." For me, this would be a HUGE change in my life... and I'm committed to making this goal the number one priority (after sticking on the Medifast Diet 5 and 1 plan!!).
So: Tucson's Marathon (which is a Boston Marathon Qualifier, in case anyone wants to know) is Sunday, December 11, 2011. Holy Moly, I just clicked the "Register" button and it costs $70.00! With a Registration Fee of $4.84 and I have to purchase by the end of June. I guess I'm just in time to put my feet where my mouth is (and have the money follow).
Because I'm not in any sort of fitness condition to actually begin a training program... the Jeff Galloway site has an 8-week conditioning program -- I'll be just walking for now... I don't want to start jogging until I'm 25 lbs or less away from my goal weight. As it is now, I'm 3 lbs from the weight limit on the elliptical we still have in the box... which I'm soooo excited to be so close to putting it together!
* * *
Eating: I'm up .8 lbs -- but still down (?!) if that makes any sense. I wrote out my list of "Tried and True" Lean & Green recipes and posted them on the fridge, (there are 9 of them) -- and over the next couple of days plan to try 4 new ones, and then find/try another 10 for a good rotation of meal options. Having the list on the fridge will hopefully help me write out the grocery list and plan a little better.
* * *
I start training with my new job on May 9th ~ I called the company and received confirmation that yes, I've been accepted as a new hire. I'm relieved, excited, kinda bummed about a real schedule that will have to be followed, but ultimately Very Very thankful, grateful and happy to have a larger paycheck in my future.
This was another reason to simplify my "GET UP EARLY AND EXERCISE" goal ~ if I'm working at 8am and it takes me 20+ minutes to get to work... I really need to start getting up at 5am (at the latest) so I can meet my running buddy nearby (i.e., get dressed and in the car), do the workout, get home, walk the dog, get showered and ready for work and leave with plenty of time. Call Center = No Likey Tardy Peeps.
* * *
I feel good today... I've been feeling really crappy the last couple of weeks -- headaches, shoulder aches, despondent thoughts, spirits down, bored with MF (due to my inability to move past the -54 lb mark, I'm sure...), and frustrated with myself and lack of follow-through with the getting up.
I feel like I've turned over a mental leaf. I know there are people who are out there keeping me in their thoughts and prayers, and rooting for me... and I'm so thankful and grateful for you ♥.
Happy Good Friday...
* * *
Oh Yeah!!!! ~ One More Thing...
I tried on clothes that haven't fit me for awhile last night, hoping I'd have something "new" for Easter Sunday... and a blouse that really didn't fit when mom bought it for me, which I tried on about a month 1/2 ago and still was too snug... is something I think will be perfect for Easter Sunday!! WOOT!!
A favorite skirt that I've kept for ages fit too! Still a little snug around the waist, but it is a pull over/pull on skirt ~ and just being able to slip it over my head AND back off again without dislocating anything was a major feat! I can't wait to shop and find a couple of tops to go with it :-)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Day 52 ~ A Good Day
I didn't post yesterday because there was a lot going on ~ and in order to "get prepared" for my New Habit starting Tuesday, I got up at 5:30 am yesterday - went to bed way too late last night and got up at 6:30 am this morning.
I did some work for work (working on the newsletter takes more focus than most of the jobs in the office, and with so many interruptions and distractions I struggle getting it done on time) for about 3 hours this morning. I cleaned the master bedroom bathroom - which was a good hour, and I took the pumice stone to the toilets.
You know how it is when something has been bothering you for what seems like FOREVER... and you have the tools to get the job done ~ but for whatever reason ~ it seems bigger than it is, or there doesn't seem to be the "right" 15 minutes to make a start...? [Like I know what the "right" 15 minutes to clean the toilets means...?!?]
Anyhoo.... Phase I of the Master bedroom bathroom is complete ~ Fridays will be the day to keep up with it. It isn't a "Master Bathroom" because it is barely 16 square feet big. with a shower for one, and it barely fits one.
Today has been productive, but still so many things to do...!
Getting up early really is key -- especially if I'm able to get some stuff done!
* * * * *
Had a good quartet rehearsal last night - it went long! We started looking at the Star Spangled Banner as Spring Training is coming...! And we'll be learning "O Canada" since lots of teams that come to play are from the Great White North.
* * * * *
Saw my mom and step-dad Wednesday night and we went to dinner at Red Lobster -- I had the Full Plate of Mahi Mahi which was amazing! With a double order of Broccoli, which was probably too much when included with the Cesar salad I had -- and I indulged in the Cesar dressing. The scale was up two lbs yesterday morning, but I'm 99.9% sure it was salt -- I don't think the fish was plain grilled... and the dressing was probably way high too. Dang it was good ;-)
This morning the scale was down a pound from yesterday, so I'm not stressing about it.
* * * * *
I didn't go to chorus this week -- it has been super busy and there isn't any let up between now and contest in April, so I took a personal day. . . I'm doing chorus 'work' alright, but having that night in was a treat. I do miss it when I don't go, however! ♪ ♫ ♪
* * * * *
My aunt gave me a pair of smaller trousers ~ someone else gave me a pair that doesn't fit her right, either -- and so I have at least two pairs of pants to wear in a couple weeks. Yay!
* * * * *
De-cluttering ~ ~ I've gone through a few piles and am putting together stuff to get rid of; wondering if we have enough for a Yard Sale - by April 1st... Or if I should just take it all to the Good Will.
* * * * *
I had some gratifying news about a former boss. I was in a bit of turmoil for 24 hours mulling it over in my mind. There were things that happened which spun me out of the position, and me being who I am caused some distress, I know. The influence this person had on my life has definitely been positive - I wouldn't be where I am now (emotionally improving) without the kick-in-the-butt I received from this person. I'm extremely grateful for the experience, and pray everything works out in the life and situation of this person.
* * * * *
Nothing else new to report, really -- just keepin' on and looking forward to the new habit starting next week!
I did some work for work (working on the newsletter takes more focus than most of the jobs in the office, and with so many interruptions and distractions I struggle getting it done on time) for about 3 hours this morning. I cleaned the master bedroom bathroom - which was a good hour, and I took the pumice stone to the toilets.
You know how it is when something has been bothering you for what seems like FOREVER... and you have the tools to get the job done ~ but for whatever reason ~ it seems bigger than it is, or there doesn't seem to be the "right" 15 minutes to make a start...? [Like I know what the "right" 15 minutes to clean the toilets means...?!?]
Anyhoo.... Phase I of the Master bedroom bathroom is complete ~ Fridays will be the day to keep up with it. It isn't a "Master Bathroom" because it is barely 16 square feet big. with a shower for one, and it barely fits one.
- Towels Laundered - check
- Laundry Load 2 - check
- Proteins marinating - check
- dresser dusted - check
- Recycling Out - check
- Trash Bins emptied - check
- Packages to Scotland packed (done for a couple weeks) - but started filling out the address labels - check (this is a process because I already taped up one and have to think back to what I put in it - and now they want to know how much each item weighs... jeez! 4 men's t-shirts = ?; women's socks (3 pr) = ? the total box weighs 7.4 lbs on my kitchen scale... and the box must weigh something... Anyway ~ you get the idea!
Today has been productive, but still so many things to do...!
Getting up early really is key -- especially if I'm able to get some stuff done!
* * * * *
Had a good quartet rehearsal last night - it went long! We started looking at the Star Spangled Banner as Spring Training is coming...! And we'll be learning "O Canada" since lots of teams that come to play are from the Great White North.
* * * * *
Saw my mom and step-dad Wednesday night and we went to dinner at Red Lobster -- I had the Full Plate of Mahi Mahi which was amazing! With a double order of Broccoli, which was probably too much when included with the Cesar salad I had -- and I indulged in the Cesar dressing. The scale was up two lbs yesterday morning, but I'm 99.9% sure it was salt -- I don't think the fish was plain grilled... and the dressing was probably way high too. Dang it was good ;-)
This morning the scale was down a pound from yesterday, so I'm not stressing about it.
* * * * *
I didn't go to chorus this week -- it has been super busy and there isn't any let up between now and contest in April, so I took a personal day. . . I'm doing chorus 'work' alright, but having that night in was a treat. I do miss it when I don't go, however! ♪ ♫ ♪
* * * * *
My aunt gave me a pair of smaller trousers ~ someone else gave me a pair that doesn't fit her right, either -- and so I have at least two pairs of pants to wear in a couple weeks. Yay!
* * * * *
De-cluttering ~ ~ I've gone through a few piles and am putting together stuff to get rid of; wondering if we have enough for a Yard Sale - by April 1st... Or if I should just take it all to the Good Will.
* * * * *
I had some gratifying news about a former boss. I was in a bit of turmoil for 24 hours mulling it over in my mind. There were things that happened which spun me out of the position, and me being who I am caused some distress, I know. The influence this person had on my life has definitely been positive - I wouldn't be where I am now (emotionally improving) without the kick-in-the-butt I received from this person. I'm extremely grateful for the experience, and pray everything works out in the life and situation of this person.
* * * * *
Nothing else new to report, really -- just keepin' on and looking forward to the new habit starting next week!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Day 50 -- Whoo Boy ! ! F I F T Y Days . . .
and in 50 days by my scale I've lost 38 lbs. *Happy Dancin' Happin' RIGHT NOW Folks!!*
Today is much better than yesterday, the day before that, and the day before that.
I had eggs last night for dinner (two eggs + 1 Cup of Egg Beaters with some additional protein in the form of Cheese!) and it tasted a bit more normal than the icky tofu I had the other night... I didn't spice it all up, it was simple and delicious!
* * * * *
So ... a friend posted a Facebook Link on this NY Times article about how McDonald's "Healthy" option of Oatmeal is slightly less than a load of manure... makes me so sad. Really, world, we should be back-lashing against the Golden Arches in so many ways. Granted, while I lived out of the states Mickey D's French Fries were a golden and wonderful thing... but now I'm a converted 'Chip Shop Chips' are the BEST... so the famous french fries don't even do it for me anymore.
It just makes me sad that they're marketing it as a healthy option but yes, it has more sugar than a snickers bar... according to the article:
Here is the link to the nutrition in a regular sized (2 oz) Snickers Bar. (271 calories, 13.6 g fat, 4.3 g protein, 150 mg sodium, 34.5 g carbs, 28.8 g sugars, 1.3 g fiber)
Here is a link to the 'Self' Nutrition site which I've linked to the Quaker Oats Instant 'Apples & Cinnamon' oatmeal... and even IT is better than McD's .
and Here is Quaker Oats quick cooking oats, Dry Nutrition Info ~ still high in carbs, but not sugar!
After looking at the numbers myself -- besides the fat that is so much more in the Snickers... it is about equal... and I am satisfied from a snickers for awhile, too -- it sticks with me. It is the 'better' option for a low-carb eating program, which just cracks me up.
* * * * *
I may have mentioned in a previous post how much I enjoy my morning MF oatmeal and would like to continue that tradition in the future. . . and I found a great site that gives a step by step process with a cost analysis as well. The site is "The Simple Dollar" and what a great website overall, let alone for this very in-depth step-by-step guide and overview to creating your own 'instant' oatmeal that truly is 'have it your way' and MUCH healthier than McD's!
I don't need the CoffeeMate or non-dairy anything (though as an occasional treat it might be a nice change, especially with the flavor options out there now)... I also thought trying Ovaltine with it might be interesting!
I think I have some Quaker Rolled Oats, and I know I have the other ingredients (cinnamon, stevia and/or Splenda) and I won't be adding any fruit for awhile, but I'm curious to try this as a future recipe for when I'm weaned off the MF foods! My goal would be to bulk up the protein probably with Flax seeds (lower carbs than Oat Bran).
The nutrition info for the Peach Oatmeal for MF is: (Serving Size is 34.1 g)
Calories: 110
Total Fat 1.5 g
Sodium 180 mg
total Carb 16 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sugars 2 g
Protein 11 g
* * * * *
What else... I've been thinking about business and money... and am being quite introspective at the moment ~ creating the job of your dreams, etc... and thinking about my new focus starting on March 1st which will be going to bed earlier to get up at 5am EVERY MORNING in order to incorporate exercise into my routine.
My new favorite quote: The #1 Secret to being an adult is: "What you do every day is more important than what you do once in awhile." I got this from "The Happiness Project" Blog by Gretchen Rubin, author of the book, "The Happiness Project."
I've written it on two sticky notes - one for the bathroom mirror and one by my alarm clock by my bed. This next focus is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, I think. I like sleep. I like the warm bed. I like feeling the rush of adrenaline when I'm pushed for time (late!). Did I say I like sleep...? Cuz yeah, I really like sleep. I don't like doing the things I'm getting up to do -- i.e., house chores - laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, taking out the trash, etc... I don't particularly like exercising. I've been a night owl all my life and I LIKE IT THAT WAY -- but I have to be a grown up now, I guess. At least until I can make money at my passions and loves, which is what my new blog is going to be about (hey, that was subtle, eh?!) It is still a baby at the moment, but all will be revealed soon).
I need to change my mind, I know - simple, but not easy. To remember the reasons I LIKE to get up... see the sunrise (I love seeing the sunrise with a steaming cup of tea and hearing the birds twirping so very loudly in the morning... very nice!). ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... [long pause]
what else do I like? I like having time to write a good blog post (this one is being done in the afternoon, when I should be doing other things). I like having time to review my goals and 'to do' list for the day/week. I like having time to pray and read the bible. I like having time to get the house chores OUT OF THE WAY so I can do the things I love (and hope to make money at) in the afternoons ~ guilt-free!
Ultimately, getting up earlier will result in having more energy (by putting exercise in my life) and being more productive in all areas of my life. As Steve Pavlina has said, "Fire that person who says it is okay to go back to sleep in the morning!" ~ and tell myself if I'm super tired in the afternoon, I can always have a nap!
Today is much better than yesterday, the day before that, and the day before that.
I had eggs last night for dinner (two eggs + 1 Cup of Egg Beaters with some additional protein in the form of Cheese!) and it tasted a bit more normal than the icky tofu I had the other night... I didn't spice it all up, it was simple and delicious!
* * * * *
So ... a friend posted a Facebook Link on this NY Times article about how McDonald's "Healthy" option of Oatmeal is slightly less than a load of manure... makes me so sad. Really, world, we should be back-lashing against the Golden Arches in so many ways. Granted, while I lived out of the states Mickey D's French Fries were a golden and wonderful thing... but now I'm a converted 'Chip Shop Chips' are the BEST... so the famous french fries don't even do it for me anymore.
It just makes me sad that they're marketing it as a healthy option but yes, it has more sugar than a snickers bar... according to the article:
The aspect one cannot argue is nutrition: Incredibly, the McDonald’s product contains more sugar than a Snickers bar and only 10 fewer calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger or Egg McMuffin. (Even without the brown sugar it has more calories than a McDonald’s hamburger.)Here is the link to the McDonald's Nutrition Info for the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal (with diced apples and cranberry raisin blend but no cream). (270 calories; 2.5 g fat, 5 g protein, 150 mg sodium, 57 g carbs, 31 g sugars, 5 g fiber
The bottom-line question is, “Why?” Why would McDonald’s, which appears every now and then to try to persuade us that it is adding “healthier” foods to its menu, take a venerable ingredient like oatmeal and turn it into expensive junk food? Why create a hideous concoction of 21 ingredients, many of them chemical and/or unnecessary? Why not try, for once, to keep it honest?
Here is the link to the nutrition in a regular sized (2 oz) Snickers Bar. (271 calories, 13.6 g fat, 4.3 g protein, 150 mg sodium, 34.5 g carbs, 28.8 g sugars, 1.3 g fiber)
Here is a link to the 'Self' Nutrition site which I've linked to the Quaker Oats Instant 'Apples & Cinnamon' oatmeal... and even IT is better than McD's .
and Here is Quaker Oats quick cooking oats, Dry Nutrition Info ~ still high in carbs, but not sugar!
After looking at the numbers myself -- besides the fat that is so much more in the Snickers... it is about equal... and I am satisfied from a snickers for awhile, too -- it sticks with me. It is the 'better' option for a low-carb eating program, which just cracks me up.
* * * * *
I may have mentioned in a previous post how much I enjoy my morning MF oatmeal and would like to continue that tradition in the future. . . and I found a great site that gives a step by step process with a cost analysis as well. The site is "The Simple Dollar" and what a great website overall, let alone for this very in-depth step-by-step guide and overview to creating your own 'instant' oatmeal that truly is 'have it your way' and MUCH healthier than McD's!
I don't need the CoffeeMate or non-dairy anything (though as an occasional treat it might be a nice change, especially with the flavor options out there now)... I also thought trying Ovaltine with it might be interesting!
I think I have some Quaker Rolled Oats, and I know I have the other ingredients (cinnamon, stevia and/or Splenda) and I won't be adding any fruit for awhile, but I'm curious to try this as a future recipe for when I'm weaned off the MF foods! My goal would be to bulk up the protein probably with Flax seeds (lower carbs than Oat Bran).
The nutrition info for the Peach Oatmeal for MF is: (Serving Size is 34.1 g)
Calories: 110
Total Fat 1.5 g
Sodium 180 mg
total Carb 16 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sugars 2 g
Protein 11 g
* * * * *
What else... I've been thinking about business and money... and am being quite introspective at the moment ~ creating the job of your dreams, etc... and thinking about my new focus starting on March 1st which will be going to bed earlier to get up at 5am EVERY MORNING in order to incorporate exercise into my routine.
My new favorite quote: The #1 Secret to being an adult is: "What you do every day is more important than what you do once in awhile." I got this from "The Happiness Project" Blog by Gretchen Rubin, author of the book, "The Happiness Project."
I've written it on two sticky notes - one for the bathroom mirror and one by my alarm clock by my bed. This next focus is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, I think. I like sleep. I like the warm bed. I like feeling the rush of adrenaline when I'm pushed for time (late!). Did I say I like sleep...? Cuz yeah, I really like sleep. I don't like doing the things I'm getting up to do -- i.e., house chores - laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, taking out the trash, etc... I don't particularly like exercising. I've been a night owl all my life and I LIKE IT THAT WAY -- but I have to be a grown up now, I guess. At least until I can make money at my passions and loves, which is what my new blog is going to be about (hey, that was subtle, eh?!) It is still a baby at the moment, but all will be revealed soon).
I need to change my mind, I know - simple, but not easy. To remember the reasons I LIKE to get up... see the sunrise (I love seeing the sunrise with a steaming cup of tea and hearing the birds twirping so very loudly in the morning... very nice!). ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... [long pause]
what else do I like? I like having time to write a good blog post (this one is being done in the afternoon, when I should be doing other things). I like having time to review my goals and 'to do' list for the day/week. I like having time to pray and read the bible. I like having time to get the house chores OUT OF THE WAY so I can do the things I love (and hope to make money at) in the afternoons ~ guilt-free!
Ultimately, getting up earlier will result in having more energy (by putting exercise in my life) and being more productive in all areas of my life. As Steve Pavlina has said, "Fire that person who says it is okay to go back to sleep in the morning!" ~ and tell myself if I'm super tired in the afternoon, I can always have a nap!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Day 48 ~ Yes, what a Monday!
I'm losing focus. Haven't been detailed on my food list, and that is very dangerous.
Bored of the routine. Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored.
One week left before the shift to a new habit/focus... which will be the combination of going to bed early to get up early. For Two Months. Regardless of what obstacles I may put in my way.
Getting some productivity done in the morning is KEY! Planning my eating day in the MORNING is Essential to my success in this weight loss as well as the maintaining the weight loss that comes later, which I understand is more difficult than losing the weight.
* * * * *
Time Out for a Snack:
100 Calorie snack = 2 slices of deli ham (Per slice: 30 calories, 380 mg sodium, 0 carbs, 1.5 g fat) with 1 Laughing Cow Cheese wedge (35 calories, 260 mg sodium, 1 g carb, 2 g fat), tonight I added 2 small leaves of Romaine lettuce (per leaf (?) = 10 calories, 2.27 mg sodium, .67 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0 g fat) which brought the calorie total up to a whopping 115 cal, 1,020 ms sodium (high!), 2.34 g carbs, 5 g fat). For me this is a very satisfying mouthful that can hold me for awhile. I mash the cheese in the ham, lay on the lettuce and roll up to eat.
* * * * *
I'm going to make more turnip fries and turkey burgers, because I'm missing that 'normalcy' a little. Tonight is Mahi Mahi - YUM, but I really am craving some brown rice... Out of cauliflower and don't feel like fooling with ricing or grating or whatever to it to create a "rice like" texture/consistency.
Last night's dinner was icky... I didn't marinate the Tofu, which is a mistake -- the veggies were good, but the lack of deep flavor convinced me that some soy sauce would be okay -- and the sodium yesterday was higher, which showed up as a "plus 1" on the scale this morning. I suspected it would do that, however, so I was prepared.
I'm feeling deadlines creeping up and my procrastination tendencies are at an all time high it seems, as I'm having fun thinking about my new room... and not clearing the clutter, taking the (insert expletive here) tree down, putting away my craft supplies and generally being bored with house chores.
This is where I have to sit myself down and give myself a pep talk... how much easier it is when I plan, and things are done, and just spend 15 minutes (at this point I'm doing just 7 minutes...!) doing one thing. I unloaded the dishwasher this morning (after turning the alarm off at 6:30 and sleeping until 7:45ish), and the kitchen is in pretty good shape... but I've not planned my meals or shopping and feel the anxiety building.
It is probably time to experiment with the MF foods to make "bread" and "pizza" etc... see how that goes.
I am, however, wearing a pair of pants that I've not worn in over a year (maybe longer) because I always felt 'fat' in them - they're a sage green knit elastic-waisted pair of pants and there's a top that I wear with them, and I can tell I'm losing. So YAY!!!
Keeping the Visualization Up is another thing I need to do first thing in the morning, along with being grateful and thankful and appreciating all that I have and all the blessings in my (our) life.
♥
Bored of the routine. Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored.
One week left before the shift to a new habit/focus... which will be the combination of going to bed early to get up early. For Two Months. Regardless of what obstacles I may put in my way.
Getting some productivity done in the morning is KEY! Planning my eating day in the MORNING is Essential to my success in this weight loss as well as the maintaining the weight loss that comes later, which I understand is more difficult than losing the weight.
* * * * *
Time Out for a Snack:
100 Calorie snack = 2 slices of deli ham (Per slice: 30 calories, 380 mg sodium, 0 carbs, 1.5 g fat) with 1 Laughing Cow Cheese wedge (35 calories, 260 mg sodium, 1 g carb, 2 g fat), tonight I added 2 small leaves of Romaine lettuce (per leaf (?) = 10 calories, 2.27 mg sodium, .67 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0 g fat) which brought the calorie total up to a whopping 115 cal, 1,020 ms sodium (high!), 2.34 g carbs, 5 g fat). For me this is a very satisfying mouthful that can hold me for awhile. I mash the cheese in the ham, lay on the lettuce and roll up to eat.
* * * * *
I'm going to make more turnip fries and turkey burgers, because I'm missing that 'normalcy' a little. Tonight is Mahi Mahi - YUM, but I really am craving some brown rice... Out of cauliflower and don't feel like fooling with ricing or grating or whatever to it to create a "rice like" texture/consistency.
Last night's dinner was icky... I didn't marinate the Tofu, which is a mistake -- the veggies were good, but the lack of deep flavor convinced me that some soy sauce would be okay -- and the sodium yesterday was higher, which showed up as a "plus 1" on the scale this morning. I suspected it would do that, however, so I was prepared.
I'm feeling deadlines creeping up and my procrastination tendencies are at an all time high it seems, as I'm having fun thinking about my new room... and not clearing the clutter, taking the (insert expletive here) tree down, putting away my craft supplies and generally being bored with house chores.
This is where I have to sit myself down and give myself a pep talk... how much easier it is when I plan, and things are done, and just spend 15 minutes (at this point I'm doing just 7 minutes...!) doing one thing. I unloaded the dishwasher this morning (after turning the alarm off at 6:30 and sleeping until 7:45ish), and the kitchen is in pretty good shape... but I've not planned my meals or shopping and feel the anxiety building.
It is probably time to experiment with the MF foods to make "bread" and "pizza" etc... see how that goes.
I am, however, wearing a pair of pants that I've not worn in over a year (maybe longer) because I always felt 'fat' in them - they're a sage green knit elastic-waisted pair of pants and there's a top that I wear with them, and I can tell I'm losing. So YAY!!!
Keeping the Visualization Up is another thing I need to do first thing in the morning, along with being grateful and thankful and appreciating all that I have and all the blessings in my (our) life.
♥
Friday, February 11, 2011
Day 38 & 39
After my last long post, I needed a break!
I've cleaned my house (well, tidied would be more accurate, let's not go crazy! ha!)
I've done laundry
I've done some music
I've done some putting away of the craft stuff
I've gone through stuff to put in the "donate" pile for my chorus rummage sale
I've stayed on plan!
I've not gained anything!
I've thought about the new craft/office/studio space that will soon have a full ceiling installed!
I've called a friend and arranged to meet for a warm beverage
I hung out with a great friend yesterday and we schemed and plotted all sorts of wonderful plans and things
I've written down what MF Meals I've made in the start of a Menu Rotation Plan
I still have to mail a package and take the tree down (ugh!) -- but when I take the tree down, I'll be ridding myself of decorations that I no longer want or need... maybe I can do that tonight while watching tv with himself.
Life is Good! And I'm so incredibly thankful for this gift of Medifast and the energy I feel... the beautiful weather in Southern Arizona (sunny and cold is my favorite time of year!) adds to my energy.
I've cleaned my house (well, tidied would be more accurate, let's not go crazy! ha!)
I've done laundry
I've done some music
I've done some putting away of the craft stuff
I've gone through stuff to put in the "donate" pile for my chorus rummage sale
I've stayed on plan!
I've not gained anything!
I've thought about the new craft/office/studio space that will soon have a full ceiling installed!
I've called a friend and arranged to meet for a warm beverage
I hung out with a great friend yesterday and we schemed and plotted all sorts of wonderful plans and things
I've written down what MF Meals I've made in the start of a Menu Rotation Plan
I still have to mail a package and take the tree down (ugh!) -- but when I take the tree down, I'll be ridding myself of decorations that I no longer want or need... maybe I can do that tonight while watching tv with himself.
Life is Good! And I'm so incredibly thankful for this gift of Medifast and the energy I feel... the beautiful weather in Southern Arizona (sunny and cold is my favorite time of year!) adds to my energy.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Day 37 ~ Whoopeeeeee!!
This morning was a gorgeous number on the scale! Down 3 lbs... and I've not seen this number in a long... L.O.N.G time!!
A number of thoughts have occurred to me to write about... wonder if I can remember any of them now (*lol*)!
Some Keys to my success so far
Key: Getting in my 32 oz of water in the morning before 9am. This keeps me pretty satisfied hunger-wise. I notice if I have a headache, or have some anxiety (aka stress), I chew gum to "chew-off" some of that excess energy. This gum thing has been a huge "A-Ha!" for me.
Key: Planning my dinner in the morning (in other words, in advance!). Seems like the whole planning thing is a Duh(!) ~ and I've mentioned planning before... I have a couple 'go to' meals for when I can't be bothered planning my Lean & Green... (Mahi Mahi marinated in my favorite marinade and grilled on the GFG, with Spinach, Romaine & Broccoli or other raw veggie with Wishbone Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, maybe some almonds, or Parmesan cheese, even a TB of real bacon bits if I'm feeling like I need some variety is one; Beef Zucchini Skillet Meal is another.)
Key: Blogging and tracking everything. Much easier when MF does all the work for you! But tracking all condiments, SALT(!), fats... snacks... it all counts. Blogging helps me reflect on what is happening, because it is happening fast! To be able to look back and see how far I've come, what I've learned, how I've been feeling -- it all is helpful in learning more about myself and how I got to this 300+ pound place in the first place.
Key: Accountability. Leo Babuta is right. Even though there aren't a lot of comments (*sad face here*), I know people are looking... and cheering... and reading... making their own judgements... and just knowing that I'm not just answering to myself is one of my personal motivations. I tend not to keep my word to myself, but keeping my word to others is place much higher on my priority scale... though this is slowly (oh so very very slowly) changing.
Key: Keeping the food 'fresh' -- finding things I can do on MF with the MF Foods, MF-Friendly recipes; I'm putting together a resource of everything I've found that looks worth trying -- so far it is a 32 page document(!).
Key: Reading other weight loss blogs. Real People are Really Inspiring. Full Stop. Just knowing there are a lot of us out there trying to [1] Lose then [2] Maintain... we are excellent company!
Key: Focus. Blogging/Logging helps keep me focused. Knowing that this (MF Losing Weight Plan) is all I have to focus on for two months (as I'm following the 6changes.com philosophy), and 'getting into my groove and good habits' I think has been the most important thing. Seeing my pants falling down around my ankles is the vision I keep in front of me all the time. *Big Grin!*
* * *
Lucerne Cottage Cheese has a 'no-salt' added option. Today I bought one container of that, and one of non-fat... taste-tested today and the no-salt one is quite vile, to be honest. I mixed the two together, which will still reduce the salt and fat of both of them, and hoping the taste will improve after they've had time to 'mingle.'
Will give a progress report later.
* * *
I took progress pictures today... 30 lbs gone! Will get those updated to the Progress Page as soon as this post is done.
* * *
Asked the question today of my MF Counselor regarding Vegan Mozarella cheese (made from Tofu)... Situation was this ~ Monday I was starving and had all my protein at lunch ~ so Portabella Pizzas it was, and instead of regular cheese (which is counted as a protein), I used the Tofu Cheese (which actually tastes pretty good, and as you see in the photo, melted pretty good under the broiler, too!), thinking that Tofu can can go either way as a "Lean" or a "Green."
Shirataki Noodles are considered by MF to be a "Green" -- but they are made from Tofu.
Tofu is considered a "Lean" (non-meat option) -- also made of Tofu.
In My World, I think if you have all your protein and want to use 2 TB of Tofu Cheese as part of your Green Meal, it should count as a Green ;-)
In MF World, it is counted as a Lean -- good reasoning behind it, actually -- counting as a Lean then still requires one to have the appropriate number of servings of Green, which has more fiber, needed nutrients etc...
That Being Said -- Shirataki Noodles should then be considered a Lean (for the sake of pure consistency).
Just my processing thoughts ;-) It's all good... because if you're going to "go off plan" or "have too much of something" it is better to err on the side of Protein!!
*Flavor Profile = Perhaps a Bit Too Much Watching of the "Top Chef" I'd say, eh? *LOL*
A number of thoughts have occurred to me to write about... wonder if I can remember any of them now (*lol*)!
Some Keys to my success so far
Key: Getting in my 32 oz of water in the morning before 9am. This keeps me pretty satisfied hunger-wise. I notice if I have a headache, or have some anxiety (aka stress), I chew gum to "chew-off" some of that excess energy. This gum thing has been a huge "A-Ha!" for me.
Key: Planning my dinner in the morning (in other words, in advance!). Seems like the whole planning thing is a Duh(!) ~ and I've mentioned planning before... I have a couple 'go to' meals for when I can't be bothered planning my Lean & Green... (Mahi Mahi marinated in my favorite marinade and grilled on the GFG, with Spinach, Romaine & Broccoli or other raw veggie with Wishbone Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, maybe some almonds, or Parmesan cheese, even a TB of real bacon bits if I'm feeling like I need some variety is one; Beef Zucchini Skillet Meal is another.)
Key: Blogging and tracking everything. Much easier when MF does all the work for you! But tracking all condiments, SALT(!), fats... snacks... it all counts. Blogging helps me reflect on what is happening, because it is happening fast! To be able to look back and see how far I've come, what I've learned, how I've been feeling -- it all is helpful in learning more about myself and how I got to this 300+ pound place in the first place.
Key: Accountability. Leo Babuta is right. Even though there aren't a lot of comments (*sad face here*), I know people are looking... and cheering... and reading... making their own judgements... and just knowing that I'm not just answering to myself is one of my personal motivations. I tend not to keep my word to myself, but keeping my word to others is place much higher on my priority scale... though this is slowly (oh so very very slowly) changing.
Key: Keeping the food 'fresh' -- finding things I can do on MF with the MF Foods, MF-Friendly recipes; I'm putting together a resource of everything I've found that looks worth trying -- so far it is a 32 page document(!).
Key: Reading other weight loss blogs. Real People are Really Inspiring. Full Stop. Just knowing there are a lot of us out there trying to [1] Lose then [2] Maintain... we are excellent company!
Key: Focus. Blogging/Logging helps keep me focused. Knowing that this (MF Losing Weight Plan) is all I have to focus on for two months (as I'm following the 6changes.com philosophy), and 'getting into my groove and good habits' I think has been the most important thing. Seeing my pants falling down around my ankles is the vision I keep in front of me all the time. *Big Grin!*
* * *
Lucerne Cottage Cheese has a 'no-salt' added option. Today I bought one container of that, and one of non-fat... taste-tested today and the no-salt one is quite vile, to be honest. I mixed the two together, which will still reduce the salt and fat of both of them, and hoping the taste will improve after they've had time to 'mingle.'
* * *
I took progress pictures today... 30 lbs gone! Will get those updated to the Progress Page as soon as this post is done.
* * *
Asked the question today of my MF Counselor regarding Vegan Mozarella cheese (made from Tofu)... Situation was this ~ Monday I was starving and had all my protein at lunch ~ so Portabella Pizzas it was, and instead of regular cheese (which is counted as a protein), I used the Tofu Cheese (which actually tastes pretty good, and as you see in the photo, melted pretty good under the broiler, too!), thinking that Tofu can can go either way as a "Lean" or a "Green."
Shirataki Noodles are considered by MF to be a "Green" -- but they are made from Tofu.
Tofu is considered a "Lean" (non-meat option) -- also made of Tofu.
In My World, I think if you have all your protein and want to use 2 TB of Tofu Cheese as part of your Green Meal, it should count as a Green ;-)
In MF World, it is counted as a Lean -- good reasoning behind it, actually -- counting as a Lean then still requires one to have the appropriate number of servings of Green, which has more fiber, needed nutrients etc...
That Being Said -- Shirataki Noodles should then be considered a Lean (for the sake of pure consistency).
Just my processing thoughts ;-) It's all good... because if you're going to "go off plan" or "have too much of something" it is better to err on the side of Protein!!
You can see the Zucchini peeking out from under the cheese. I stir-friend the zuke in a flavor profile* to be spicier... so I'd maybe have a sensation of meat (I don't particularly like pepperoni).
*Flavor Profile = Perhaps a Bit Too Much Watching of the "Top Chef" I'd say, eh? *LOL*
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 30 ~ Wow! 30 Days!!!
On January 31 the scale read 27 lbs down. Today is 5 lbs higher than that... I'm sure it is a combination of things, beginning with the amount of sodium! So, I did a count of the MF Meals sodium, and the sodium in the foods I had. But first...
For most people, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council recommends 2,200 mg of sodium as a desirable intake. That is equivalent to ONE TEASPOON of salt. (The average person has 20 times that amount, approximately 1 TB of salt every day)
So here's the counts (from what I ate yesterday):
MF Oatmeal...135 mg Sodium
MF Chili...260 mg
MF Lemon Crunch...160 mg
1 oz Farmer Cheese...120 mg
pickle spear... 220 mg
Zucchini (1/2 C)... >01 mg
Cauliflower (per 50g)... 008 mg
Asparagus (per 50g)... 006 mg
Spinach (per 1/2 C)... 022 mg
TJ's Red Wine and
Olive Oil Vinaigrette... (2 tsp or 62 mg consumed) [190 mg (2 TB) serving size amount]
Wishbone Balsamic... (2 tsp or 92 mg consumed) [(280 mg (2 TB) serving size amount]
Pork Pattie... 053 mg (per 100 g = 3.5 oz)
Garlic Garni... (>1/4 tsp consumed or 20 mg +/-) [80 mg 1/4 tsp serving size amount)
MF Peanut Butter Crunch... 220 mg
MF Cappuccino... 110 mg
A Total of 1489 mg of Sodium for the day. That is 711 mg below the recommended amount.
I was down 1 lb from yesterday... (yay!) BUT --- still up 5lbs from MONDAY! (Which was 5 lbs down from Saturday, which was 3 lbs up from Friday, which was 3 lbs down from Thursday, which was 1 lb up from Wednesday, January 27th; which was the last 'steady' day which held two days in a row) Did you keep up? *lol*
I'm sure there are other things coming in to play -- more condiments than I should be allowing myself ~ however -- this little game that my body is playing with salt is definitely a lesson being learned that I'd never paid any attention to! One of the Healthy websites I found while looking for naturally occurring sodium in foods said that many of us carry an extra 20 - 30 lbs of water weight just because of the high amount of salt in the American Diet. Yikes!
So, I *know* that my first month on Medifast has been a loss of mostly water weight! As a friend said... "[I'm] peeing all my weight away!" and now I see that.
I'm a little disconcerted about this realization. A month just to get the salt washed away from my body? While it is a good thing, and my brain engaged in actually having to Pay Attention to this aspect of my food label reading is most certainly a positive thing... I'm bummin' a little.
That being said, my resolve is not dissipated one little bit. My visualization of my pants falling down around my ankles is still very much at the front of my mind (*grins!*).
So -- My Plan, you ask?
I've put together a document of low-salt marinades, rubs & seasoning mixes from a variety of sources, along with some home made dressing recipes. I'll be printing that out and taste testing over the next month to find my favorites, and will try and change hubby's salt cravings, as he's probably retaining some fluid, too (he is a salt fiend, actually).
After reading the labels of my salad dressings that I'm using -- I didn't like the TJs Organic Red Wine & Olive Oil dressing on my salad, but it is FABULOUS over grilled veggies (I grilled Asparagus and Cauliflower yesterday for dinner), and pretty low in sodium for a salad dressing! Health Fat, though higher in fat that preferred at this point [2 TB is 140 cal, 15g Fat, 190 mg Sodium, 0 carbs]... will be asking about it at my MF Center appointment tomorrow.
* * *
I'm finding that dinner with Mahi Mahi seems to give me the bulk amount of food with a very great scale result in the mornings. I bought some Tuna, so am eager to try that this week.
The Shirataki Noodles are definitely noodle-y ~ but there is no way my brain is going to call them pasta... closer to Ramen noodles, I thought. The ones I boiled in the VERY HIGH SODIUM Chicken Broth (so wasn't paying attention!) were tasty - very rubbery, but I didn't mind that. I took about 3 oz and stir fried them in the 'leftover bits' from the pan I in which I stir-fried the tofu and vegetables (note to self - "Soyaki" from TJs is tasty stuff but Totally. Off. Limits. Full Stop!), and crisping them up made them totally YUM!
The fish smell that everyone says is so awful (or, the "authentic" smell, as the label refers to it... ha ha ha!!!!), was totally less than what I was expecting after reading so much about it. Rinsing a few minutes under warm water, then boiling in (next time Low Sodium/No Salt Broth) with a minced clove of garlic gave them great flavor!
A New Beautiful Me Blog has some great recipes, and I have another package of them, and CodyJo has put a recipe up for Spinach Chicken "Noodle" soup, so I'll probably try that this weekend.
* * *
I've put other things first in the last couple of days -- I was in charge of testing the new chorus Video Cameras and setting them up, and downloading and editing the footage of the amazing coaching we had this weekend. I did plan ahead by looking at the menu at Chuy's and seeing what food on their menu I could have and still stay on plan (Yay For Me!)
I will have been out 3 nights of 5 this week (one night is driving up to my MF Appointment, so while that is within my 'Focus' - it is still 4 hours in the car plus 2 hours in Phoenix area having my appointment and spending time with my mom), and haven't come close to going to bed on time and getting up at 5am.
This morning I started writing this around 6:30 am - it is now 8:10 am and I've got to get the shower in this morning!!
Food Log Updates tonight!
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