My Healthy Living Log

It is hard to believe that it is already April and our journey together has come to the end. It seems like only yesterday that we were sitting on that couch sharing our own reasons for taking this trip.

And while this phase of the journey has come to an end, I feel that I am still at start of a much longer trip…one for life. As I began this program, I knew that for me to really be an inspiration for my daughter, this was not about a three month fad diet, this was a life ling adventure. I am pleased to say that everything that I have learned can be a part of a daily routine.

From cooking and eating right, to getting my body moving and keep it moving…these have all been inspirations for my family.

Personally, I am also very satisfied in that some of my favorite clothes are fitting again…just in time for the summer! I am also hearing compliments from my husband now too (I know that they were there before, but I just did not let myself hear them).

I am going to miss you, girls. Let’s pledge to stay connected at a minimum by email and continue to be inspirations for each other!

           When I first began my journey I wanted to be an encouragement to my daughter.  I wanted to be a healthy and happy mother who would inspire her daughter to live an active lifestyle without worry of weight.  I remember how girls talk and how weight was important while in school.  I want her grow healthy and strong without feeling insecure.  I know that being a healthy weight is not the entire solution, but we have always worked on the other aspects and this was the missing link. 

            I began by first increasing my exercise and incorporated slight diet changes for my family.  To my surprise, these changes were embraced wholeheartedly.  My husband started working out daily and my children love the new and exciting dishes that are prepared for them.   Today, both of my children jumped on the treadmill—for funJ

            My new goal is be as active as possible.  Spring is coming and I am looking forward to getting my family outside more.  I want to toss the Frisbee and play soccer in the park. I know these changes will benefit both me and my family.   We are in a new phase of our life and loving every minute of it.

At the beginning of the program I was probably the most scale obsessed of the ladies.  I weighed myself daily and sometimes twice per day.  I have to admit I was neurotic. The scale had always been my barometer of how bad my eating was going that day.  When I was thinner, I would hop on the scale and depending on the number I would eat more or less the next day. I am not sure how scientific it was, but for me it seemed to work.  Until baby number 3.   Then, my weight seemed to take on a life of it’s own.  I would eat, drink and exercise and nothing seemed to change those numbers on the scale.  None of my clothes fit.  I was lost.  I started this program, still numbers obsessed.  I started working out more regularly and monitoring my food intake.  I initially saw a 6lb loss the first month.  Everyday I was dying to jump on the scale always ready to see some sort of change.

I have found that with my increased activity level with all of m workouts my body is calling out for more food more often. As a result I find myself eating more smaller meals throughout the day…this has been a good coping strategy for me. Nevertheless, I still find myself craving more…especially on workout days.

It seems like this approach is something that I can live with which, I guess, is the true measure of overall success for this program. We will see. Stay tuned.

Last week, I spoke with our fitness consultant. I told him of my eating habits. My trying to follow the Best Life Diet. Most specifically, I spoke of my exercise regime. I work full time and have three active, busy kids. So, personally I feel great when I get to the thrice-weekly workouts with the girls. I have tried to throw in 1 or 2 extra days of cardio. Maybe some kickboxing or step with a home video while the kids are eating dinner. I thought that was great. My clothes are fitting better, but the scale is not as forgiving. I was told, given my level of fitness, in order to “step it up”, I should increase my cardio. Not just increase it, but to five days per week, in addition to the 3 weight training sessions.!!!

So, this weekend was really cool.  As the other ladies have already states we had the opportunity to meet with Janis and discuss just about any and all nutrition questions we had.  She is very patient and understanding.  We also spoke briefly with Bob Greene.  It appears as though my biggest challenge would be fitting in additional exercise.  I haven’t decided how to finagle it, but I guess you have to do what you have to do.
It has been stated that those who lose weight I a group tend to lose more weight than those who try it alone.  That has definitely been true for myself.  I am now consistently seeing a change in my clothes and the way they fit.  I know that the progress I have seen is due in large part to my “sisters in the struggle”.  They are there to provide support and encouragement to me when I most need it.  They understand my weakness to chocolate (really most desserts) and have helped me find alternatives.  When I am fading at the gym, they urge me to continue and remind me why we are there.  We all are very different, but in many ways the same.  I ame truly blessed to have happened upon such a great group of ladies.
 
When we are not together, it has really been helpful for me to read the other ladies postings.  From Cece’s determination and strong will to quit smoking to Marna’s simple sensibilities… I can truly say that I am drawing from each of their strengths and wisdom to help me reach my goal.   I know that I am only beginning on a life long journey to be fit and healthy. It feels great to have my friends there with me all the way.

Well I’ve completed five weeks of the program and I am feeling really good. I’ve really got my body moving and the diet is getting under control. Slowly but surely I am starting to see progress. While my weight has not changed significantly, I am starting to see results. I put a pair of pants on yesterday that I had not worn in eons; they fit me nicely. I retook a few of my measurements and found that I have been success.

The toughest thing thus far is still dessert. I work hard and look forward to rewarding myself with a little something. I see this is my Achilles heal and will continue to be so for me. As I reflect back to when I was younger, my fondest memories all seem to include some sort of dessert. Today I look(ed) forward to the days when m husband would stop of at The Cheesecake Factory for a couple slices. We always share them and have leftovers for a second day! As I progress, I won’t give up dessert. I just can’t. Instead I am going to try and limit the decadence to once or twice a month. And for my more regular, everyday desserts, I am starting to eat them earlier in the evening rather than just a couple of hours before I go to bed.

What am I doing?  I ask myself this question daily.  I am exercising almost daily.  I am restricting my calories.  I rarely eat out anymore.  I am scared to eat anything with fat for fear it will end up on my hips.  Why don’t I just quit and enjoy a nice slice of cheesecake?  I’m not really that unhealthy.  Am I?

 
As those thoughts fly through my mind,  I catch myself.  No, I am not gasping for breath with every step and my cholesterol is not sky high….yet.  But, for the first time in my life, I know what a muffin top is.  Worse yet, I know how uncomfortable it feels.   Well, at least I have a new handy, dandy cup holder. J

 
 I would really like to get this under control while it is manageable and without many health risks.  Research states the larger your waist size, the more at risk you are for heart disease.  Overweight teens are coming down with hypertension, a disease once reserved for middle age.   For these reasons (among others) I feel like I had to make this change in my life.  For my health and my family’s health.   

 
Still most days are tough.  Convincing myself to exercise is the quintessential battle of good vs. evil.  I can think a thousand reasons not to exercise.  Some of them are really good.  Though lately, I have found myself exercising more than not.  It is just a little easier when you know you will be with friends and they will push and motivate you.

 
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.  ~Victor Frankl

Super bowl Sunday is quite a day for fans everywhere. The city is buzzing with excitement. Everyone is preparing for parties and hours of vegging out in front of the tv. I don’t really care for football, but I love cirque du soleil (pregame) and Prince will be smoking (halftime). My biggest concern is the food. Football and especially super bowl means food and lots of it.

Because of this I am preparing myself early. I am going to working out (right after this post)… hopefully, I will rev up my system enough to combat those extra calories.

I also plan to get ahead of my hunger. I find that high fiber cereals (>9g fiber/serving) help. I put blueberries of strawberries or both on it with some soymilk. Then, I plan my snacks before I get hungry. I have them waiting for me and when I get to a hunger scale of 4* I eat them. If I wait longer, my choices are guaranteed to be worse.

Like Marna, prior to going to a party or event I try to eat soup or a small salad first. It helps keep me from eating everything at the party, because I am not starved and can make smarter choices.

I am bringing the guacamole!!. The low fat guac. I substitute half of the avocado for low fat cottage cheese. Blend it in the food processor. Then add tomatoes and onions. Add lime and season to taste. It’s awesome and no one will know.

Good luck and Go Bears!!!

Veronica

*- Ok, so what is this hunger scale… Bob Greene formulated a way for us to figure out how hungry we are and when we should eat and when we should push away. I am still learning it and at times forget to adhere to it. Simply put, it is a scale from 1 to 10. 1 is starving about to pass out and 10 is so full full you could vomit. Ok, so stay away from extremes. You should eat at 3-4 (slight hunger-tummy rumbling) and stop at 6 (when you are comfortable.) Easier said than done. This obviously takes some practice.

Today, I am completing Phase One. I am not really sure how I feel. When I first began I was obsessed with the scale. I was counting the weeks, days, hours, and minutes until I weighed myself. Now, I am not sure if I care. Of course, I want to lose weight and fit into clothes that have been long abandoned in my closet. I also don’t want to be too obsessed with numbers. I know that I am exercising and becoming more fit.

This week I have noticed I have a lot of little bad habits.  I don’t know why I bothered to notice or maybe I am starting to realize they may contribute to weight gain.   For me it is some sort of bonus when I get the first parking spot at the mall.  Well, this week I tried to park further and walk .  I have to admit when it is cold and I have kids that are screaming  “pick me up”; the closest parking spot is more than a bonus…. It is like  hitting the lottery.

 
 
Also, I did well with my eating this week.  I didn’t splurge too much.  I did eat some birthday cake.  One piece onlyJ  I did have to catch myself, though.  I like the thin layer of  cake that comes of the  bottom and sticks to the serving plate.  For some reason, it is softer and for me irresistible.  Well, my norm would be to grab a handful of it after all the cake is served.  Well, yesterday I reached for it and as I did a strange feeling came over me.  It was as if someone slapped on the wrist.  I could no longer eat it and after that did not want it.

 
These awakenings have been very interesting and enlightening to me.  It is as if I live in some sort of auto-pilot. Just doing things, because I always have.  Well, it is time for me to take control of the wheel and start righting this ship.

To this point, I feel I have done well.  I have followed Bob Greene’s book to the tee.  I have increased my activity level. I have eaten three meals a day. I have refrained rorm alcohol.   I have even got my husband and daughter exercising regularly.  As I continue to peruse the book, I seem to have missed the chapter on birthday party eating and most specifically birthday cake eating.
As I have said before, I love dessert.  Maybe I have not been clear.  I loooove dessert.  I would rather eat dessert than anything else.  If given the option, I would eat a 1500 cal slice of turtle cheesecake and fast the rest of the day without regret. (ok, that is not healthy, so usually I eat that and everything else).  
I love dessert so much I went to cooking school to become a pastry chef.  Not for a career, but to make the prettiest and most tasty desserts possible.  I can make just about any dessert known to man.  It is a form of relaxation to me.  This is all great, but my downfall is the tasting.  I have never made a cookie, cake or brownie that I have not tasted prior to it leaving my hands. 
Friday is my son’s birthday and he wants one of “mommy’s special cakes”.  I am pleased and honored that my desserts are treasured by others as much as by me.  My one thought is how to make this cake without having a slice.   It has been three weeks without straying from the diet.  To this point, I have been able to hold temptation at bay.  One side of me thinks I should not have even one bite.  The other side of me is figuring out the calories and how long on the treadmill it will take to burn them. 
I need some help.  What should I do?
Veronica

You have really got to watch those hidden calories when eating out.  I love sandwiches especially from those places with really good, freshly baked bread.  Normally, when you choose a deli sandwich you think you are sacrificing or “being good” by not going to a typical “fast food joint”.  Well, think again.  Some of those sandwches can be 8 or 900 calories.  That will definitely break the calorie bank.  I couldn’t believe it.  If I am going to eat that I might as well eat a big juicy burger and know I am eating all those calories and not “sacrifice”. 

After a really intense workout with my girlfriends, we went out to eat.  We decided on Japanese food.   Prior to going, I spoke with Janis.  Janis indicated that the sushi was a safe bet and generally low in calories.  Lucky for me.  I love sushi !! It was fun to get together after a tough workout to talk and eat good, hopefully, low fat food. 

I believe the workouts are getting better.  The afterburn is gone.  They are still tough.  No pain, no gain (or in this case, no lose:).   

Veronica 

P.S.  I went to the doctor today-physical time.  I was so excited (I was going to sneak and accidently look at the scale:).  I didn’t.  I stood on the scale backwards and told the lady not to tell me. (as I am still in phase I of the best Life Diet).

Ok, I must be crazy.  I am just starting Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet (a little over 2 weeks in).  I had a great idea.  “Let’s take the kids to the new indoor waterpark”.  My husband and kids were estatic and so was I, until my daughter asked if I was coming in the water. (here’s to being a positive role model and instilling a positive body image).

Don’t get me wrong, I love to swim and in a former life was very good at it.  It’s just that three kids and several decadent desserts later,  putting on a swimsuit was not an exciting idea to me.  I’d rather pluck out all the hairs on my body one by one.  So, I did.  Well, actually, the one’s on my eyebrows

Ok,  I got over the fact that my body is not in the shape I would llike it to be and put on  a one-piece (I’m not crazy).  I figure I am a work in progress.  I strutted out there with my kids and had one of the best times of my life.  I ran up and down the various water features, squirted the kids with waterhoses, went down all the slides and finally relaxed in the hot tub.  I had a great day and didn’t let my weight hold me back.  I’m not perfect, but here’s to a great first step.

I  am finally finding me.   I am for once taking time for myself…even if it is just to workout.  I have gone from constant pain and muscle cramps to feeling invigorated and less frequent soreness.   I am starting to look forward to my daily workouts.  It is nice to see the ladies and to share the sweat, pain and soon the triumph.  I understand why it has been said that group exercise yields the best results. 
The diet is finally kicking in for me.  I love exploring the recipes in the Best life Diet.  The recipes are quick and easy, which is great for an active and busy family.  Best of all, my kids will eat the meals without much complaint. 
The biggest hurdle for me is my love of dessert.  I love to bake and create new and interesting desserts for my family.  When  I was pregnant, at my request,  my loving and supportive husband, brought me frequent decadent cakes and pies.    I don’t even miss those empty calories… I started eating Yoplait’s Cheesecake and chocolate mousse Whip yogurts.  I consider myself a dessert “sommelier” and these yogurts are unbelievable.
 
 
Ok, I am doing everything by the book.  I am exercising,  I am eating 3 meals a day.  No alcohol.  No eating 2 hours before going to sleep…..Can I weigh myself?   Just kidding.
 
I was talking to my dad today.  He is incredibly fit and active.  He eats well and exercises daily.  He also beats every year in our local 10K. This year I will win:)  He even wears the same clothes he did in high school.  I think he still has some to prove it  He states he does not weigh himself (only for annual physicals).  He just notices how his clothes fit and adjusts accordingly.
Alright,  I want to send shouts out to Lakita, Marna, Anna and Cecelia who are probably lunging as I type.  I also want to send a shout out to Mary Ellen who was my “rock” this morning and kept me going.
Thanks Ya’ll,

Veronica

It was awesome to exercise with ya’ll on sunday.  It is much better to exercise in a group.  I probably would have stopped 10x during the hour had I been by myself or at home.  I am feeling more fit already (or is that just soreness from being out of shape). I can’t wait to do it again.  That is after I muster the strength to climb the 3 flights of stairs.

 Ok, why must I weigh myself daily?  I feel like I must monitor all of the crazy fluctuations.   I have been following The Best Life diet and have not weighed myself since friday, but I sooo want to.   Does anyone else have this problem?  

Veronica

This group is something special to me. By nature I am a very loyal and dedicated person. I am also very disciplined and focused, especially when I have a goal in front of me. The fact that these ladies all share the same goal with me will drive me to succeed even more. Knowing these ladies makes me even more committed to succeeding. Failure is not an option. If they are anything like me (and I think they are) we will hopefully push each other. As far as visitors, I hope I can inspire you too…if even one person can achieve a goal because of me, that will make this all worthwhile.

My goal is to get back to my pre-children physique but to do so by adopting healthy living principles. This goal is important to me because I see this as a way for me to be a positive role model for my family, especially my daughter. Moreover, accomplishing this end via healthy living principles (versus fad diets) is something that we can hopefully sustain for the rest of our lives.

I decided to change my lifestyle because the me I see is not me. I want to feel great about the me I see. This has been a goal for the past 18 months since my younger son was born. I know what foods are healthy and I enjoy exercising. I just need that extra push that will help me with my goals. Also, I hope to learn quick and tasty meals that my family will enjoy.