Monday, June 15, 2009
Granddaughter's Birthday
Haven't written much or thought much about weight loss efforts. Daughter, sister, her husband and my mother visiting from Seattle, big birthday party for the 1 year old granddaughter over the weekend. Lots of food, socializing. It's so hard for me to resist the goodies all about - chips, (Kettle brand my favorite), deviled eggs, ice cream, yada, yada all the usual stuff. Why is it so difficult to say no and stay true to the diet all day, every day? This morning I had leftover scone from breakfast yesterday, and then later some bacon. Seems the carbs trigger some kind of craving for something else. I believe that is related to blood sugar levels that may be spiking and dropping quickly. I find that if I eat more protein items, I have less of the craving, searching of the kitchen cabinets - after a few days of commitment. Why is it so difficult for some and not for others?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Brain hijacking
Do you think your brain is hijacking your efforts to lose or maintain your weight? More and more articles are coming out about how the brain impacts our ability to stay on track . Now the challenge is to control or alter our behavior when the brain is trying to take control. I find that if I keep my hands busy, such as crafting or crocheting, my hands can't be stuffing my face :) It works for chips, popcorn (one of my favs), but not for the M&M's that don't get the hands dirty and can be popped into the mouth. Solution - don't buy them!!!!! I do like to walk with my dogs and have, on occasion, been tempted to take a couple of bite-sized pieces of chocolate. Problem with that is they melt in my pocket and I'm afraid I might choke while I'm walking. See how my brain is working against me. At least now I'm more aware of this and can hopefully fight it.
Relating to Kirstie Alley
I CAN relate to Kirstie Alley's weight loss struggle. What is the deal?? It is a simple calories in versus calories out proposition to lost weight! But there must be more to it than that. How does our body get so out of whack that it can't keep a normal weight without a huge struggle?
Well, it probably is a rhetorical question. Obviously lack of exercise, lack of control, too many temptations, portion sizes too large, not enough exercise (yep, wrote that one twice). Think back when our grandparents or maybe even great grandparents were alive. No local grocery stores to run to for our bread and milk. They had to make it themselves, raise it, grow it or trade for it. They didn't have cars, trucks and motorcycles to get anywhere. They had the horses but even riding a horse can be considered exercise - using muscles to balance yourself. There weren't any tractors to help get the fields plowed - they had to walk behind a couple of mules or oxen or horses. Well, you get my drift. Back to my journey.
On 5/26/2009, I decided to lose the weight - again. Started my weight loss plan at 223 lbs. on 5/28, I was at 220.8. I was eating my morning weight loss shake, taking my vitamins and such and having a nice salad (very filling) with some kind of protein (steak, chicken or fish). And I was not inclined to go to the cubbard in response to some craving. On Friday, 5/29, I went for pizza, then ice cream with my family. So I've blown it. The cravings started again and the weekend was .... well, you know. Off the "routine" and struggling to get back on it. Saturday 5/30, I weighed 224.8, today I weigh 224.2. Goes to show how diligent you have to be. I'm back on the program today so we'll see how it goes. Let me know how you're doing.
Well, it probably is a rhetorical question. Obviously lack of exercise, lack of control, too many temptations, portion sizes too large, not enough exercise (yep, wrote that one twice). Think back when our grandparents or maybe even great grandparents were alive. No local grocery stores to run to for our bread and milk. They had to make it themselves, raise it, grow it or trade for it. They didn't have cars, trucks and motorcycles to get anywhere. They had the horses but even riding a horse can be considered exercise - using muscles to balance yourself. There weren't any tractors to help get the fields plowed - they had to walk behind a couple of mules or oxen or horses. Well, you get my drift. Back to my journey.
On 5/26/2009, I decided to lose the weight - again. Started my weight loss plan at 223 lbs. on 5/28, I was at 220.8. I was eating my morning weight loss shake, taking my vitamins and such and having a nice salad (very filling) with some kind of protein (steak, chicken or fish). And I was not inclined to go to the cubbard in response to some craving. On Friday, 5/29, I went for pizza, then ice cream with my family. So I've blown it. The cravings started again and the weekend was .... well, you know. Off the "routine" and struggling to get back on it. Saturday 5/30, I weighed 224.8, today I weigh 224.2. Goes to show how diligent you have to be. I'm back on the program today so we'll see how it goes. Let me know how you're doing.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Today I decided I'm starting a journal of my story as I, once again, try to lose weight and feel good about myself again. I've done it before but for some reason just can't keep the weight from coming back on. Part of it is because whenever I've lost a good amount of weight, I've been quite active. One time I was clogging, which I absolutely loved, and being a high enery activity, I dropped weight quickly without even trying. Alas, my energy level doesn't go there anymore. Another time I lost weight seemingly quickly and effortlessly I was not working and spent a couple hours a day walking up and down hills in the countryside where I lived. Get back to work, the exercise accordingly tapers off and the weight gradually creeps back on. No matter that I've said, never again will I let myself get so heavy. So how come?
I've tried the calorie counting thing, which works as any good dietitian will tell you. It's calories in versus calories out which determines whether you gain weight, lose weight or stay the same. No getting around it. The program can be Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem or any one of the many diets out there. Bottom line - calories in versus calories out. Have you ever noticed that on many weight loss programs or products, it always includes a "sensible" diet and exercise? No magic here. Anyway, it's been said that writing it down makes a difference. No worries - I'm not going to track every crumb I eat here. I'm just going to write whatever comes to mind, maybe throw in information I've gleaned from my professional journals. Whatever. Feel free to comment, join me and maybe we can be successful together.
I've tried the calorie counting thing, which works as any good dietitian will tell you. It's calories in versus calories out which determines whether you gain weight, lose weight or stay the same. No getting around it. The program can be Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem or any one of the many diets out there. Bottom line - calories in versus calories out. Have you ever noticed that on many weight loss programs or products, it always includes a "sensible" diet and exercise? No magic here. Anyway, it's been said that writing it down makes a difference. No worries - I'm not going to track every crumb I eat here. I'm just going to write whatever comes to mind, maybe throw in information I've gleaned from my professional journals. Whatever. Feel free to comment, join me and maybe we can be successful together.
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