Week 4–big improvement over Weak 1 |
Here I am after 4 weeks of breaking through the pain threshold at the gym, being conscious of what I’m eating, when I’m eating and what will make me feel the best after I eat it. This is the furthest I’ve gotten in a long time to taking care of my nutrition and fitness needs. Is it easy now? Sometimes. When I’m really involved in something else. Sometimes it’s a real challenge not acting on a whim and eating nonstop like I did for so long. And exercise is part of my routine now. I don’t want to start over and go through the initial discomfort of being so sedentary ever again. I’m going to remind myself of that discomfort every time I try to put off exercising. It really is much easier to just go and get through it, then get on with my day or relax for the evening. Giving in to not doing it because I just don’t feel like it (or letting other arbitrary plans get in the way of doing it) is a slippery slope for me. It gets easier and easier to not go. Everyone, please remind me of these words!!!
How do I feel? Pretty doggone good. I have more stamina. I feel more confident because I’m keeping promises to myself (even though it takes the accountability of my group buddies and all of you to keep me honest). And I’ll be darned, I didn’t think my body had changed sizewise but I swear my clothes look and feel a little better this week! My middle is not so Pillsbury doughboyish. I don’t know what the scale says and though I would be a bit disappointed if I didn’t show any decrease in the numbers, I have to achnowledge that I do feel more contented in general. Could it be…?
How are the rest of you doing?
February 1st, 2007 at 8:20 am
I’d love ideas on what to eat. I also am on a weight loss challenge through our local woman’s health club. I am on a no to low carb for this first 2 weeks. This is my second week. I am running out of ideas. I feel all I eat is chicken, turkey, cheese and vegies, fruit and salad. I’d love some more ideas, especially easy stuff. Also any chocolate craving ideas. Especially since the superbowl is this Sunday. I’m from Chicago and being a Bears fan Sunday will be a feast for our family.
What can I bring to help me out? Thanks so much. I love following you ladies and am encouraged to continue with you all!
February 1st, 2007 at 8:34 am
Marna…
You’re a trooper! Yes, the weeks have gotten easier as we progressed… it’s just gonna get better as time goes on, and then all of this is gonna be like a routine! By the end of this we are gonna be like McDonald’s who? oh, OLD McDonald! Yea im a nerdo!
See you Friday!
Anna
February 1st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Hi, Jackie. Here are a couple of ideas that work for me. First of all, I’ve noticed that any meal I eat that starts or includes soup really seems to fill me up more and make me feel more satisfied. As a starter for a meal, I choose clear, not cream, soups. You can get the “creaminess by pureeing the veggies. Be creative. For example, clear chicken or vegetable broth mixed in the blender with steamed broccoli or other veggie you like. Season & eat. Please note that I do not think in terms of low or no carbs–just lower sugar, natural, not “diet” products and easy. Nutritious can be easy. For meals I love chili or black bean soup, for example. Personally, I love Progresso lentil or minestrone soup and sometimes with the lentil soup add steamed or sauteed greens, such as escarole. I only use a bit of olive oil. Shaved parmesan cheese-you shave or grate the real stuff-is great on top.
For a quick snack I love peanut, almond or sunflower butter, no more than a tbsp, on banana or apple.
When I HAVE to have something to munch on while watching TV and really want it to last I get an individual bag (2 1/4 oz.) of sunflower seeds in the shell and sit for quite a while with my hands and taste buds busy.
I love the chocolate mousse whip Yoplait yogurt in the individual container. Love it with a few walnut pieces and sometimes no more than 1/2 banana sliced. Or just freeze the choc. yogurt, tear off the lid and enjoy!
And because I love ice cream, I tried this and love it:
1 6oz. Yoplait original french vanilla yogurt–frozen; scoop out with a spoon into a dessert bowl. Add frozen blueberries and walnut pieces. 1/4 banana slices if you want. I even tried adding a little almond butter (1 tsp) and a few chocolate chips instead of the walnuts. Guess what? I was happy as a clam.
Good luck to you.
Marna
February 1st, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Marna,
Thanks for the ideas! I can substitute all of the nut stuff with raisins, as I am allergic to nuts. OH NUTS. I didn’t know you could freeze the yogurt! Great idea. YUM. And the soups too. Again. Thanks. The no carb thing is NOT my idea, but a plan from the Dr. Phils Ultimate Weight Solution book, which is awesome. Next week I introduce breads, pastas again. So until then I will take your suggestions. Love it and here’s to healthy eating. Jacki
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Hello Marna,
I am feeling so down due to the upcoming Super Bowl festivals and all the food I will be surrounded by: chili, beef stew, filets off the grill, blue cheese burgers, sloppy joes. I do not know how I can control myself! But what really bothers me the most is that my best friend Lulu can eat anything and still look fabulous especially since she started jogging.
My family is no help. They leave food out all day for me to eat. Can you imagine? and they are always tempting me with yummy treats and I just can’t say no.
Please, please help me and if you can before Sunday.
Go Bears!
February 3rd, 2007 at 5:41 am
Dear Mischa,
I just read your message and know how you feel. You brought up several different challenges. Here is some “food for thought”, based only on my own experience and what I have had to think about…You said you felt bad about Sunday, about being surrounded by all the food and not being able to control yourself. I certainly know what it feels like to be “out of control”, but have realized that I always do have the ability to choose–whether to be “in control” or “out of control”. I have learned through this program and its advisors that being “in control” for me means planning. If I know there is an event I want to participate in and I know ahead of time, I can plan my eating to allow for eating richer foods or more food by eating less calories before and after the event. Less calories means higher fiber, very satisfying but lower total calorie choices for each meal. Skipping meals or eating really low calorie, non-nutritious meals doesn’t work for me. I’ll just get too hungry and go way overboard before, during and after the event. Getting my 1 to 2 snacks a day in helps too. So does drinking enough water.
You mentioned that your best friend Lulu eats whatever she wants and still looks good. Mischa, I’ve known friends like that too, but my body is what I have to focus on. I’ve always had to “work” to be on the slimmer side. And the missing key for me is definitely exercise. I’ve found when I put on muscle from weight resistance along with doing some type of effective cardio, I get the best results. No question.
Underlying everything is how I feel emotionally. Am I just eating to eat, or am I hungry. Am I uncomfortable, bored, upset? What is really going on and do I have the support of those around me. I can’t expect my friends and family to not eat what they want or not have it lying around but if they try to convince me to eat more than is reasonable I can just say no. And if they don’t respect my response I wonder what their motives are. I can also walk away from the situation
The Best Life Diet book has a lot of good advice in it. This whole weight loss journey for me is not about deprivation. It’s about making healthier choices most of the time. So I feel and look better all of the time. By living wisely MOST of the time, I can be a little crazy when those special events come along once in a while. And not feel bad or guilty about it.
Good luck to you. And “Go Bears”!