Out to Lunch, OH NO!

We are having an unexpected out to lunch day. I had my lunch all planned and now things will change. I’m not very good at not sticking to the “plan.” Darn those people that like to “go out to lunch.” Wish me luck.

Do You Reward Yourself for Weight Loss?

When you were a kid, and you did something well, every now and then you got a reward. Like when you received a good report card, you lost a tooth or you helped out around the house. Motivating, right?

I remember helping at my grandmother's restaurant when I was little. We would go really early in the morning, while it was still dark, to make the donuts and pies. Yes, homemade. She would reward me with the donut or pastry of my choice, always warm and fresh and dripping with glaze (sorry if I'm giving you too much of a visual) and we would sit at a booth before the doors were open and she would let me have a 1/2 cup of coffee laden with cream and sugar. My reward for helping.

Is weight loss any different? Obviously our parents or grandparents won't be the ones rewarding us but should we be rewarding ourselves? Will that same logic make our weight-loss journey more pleasant?

I hadn't thought about my special times with my grandmother, who has since passed, for quite awhile. What a great lady. Little did she know that the reward was just being with her and having her teach me things I still remember. Not to mention that maybe part of my weight problems may stem from the donuts and the 1/2 cup of "coffee syrup" and, of course, the reward of "food." Certainly gives me something to think about given my relationship with food and why I am thinking about rewards and whether it might be a motivator, like when I was a kid.

So, I was thinking (always dangerous) that if I could stay "on track" for an entire week (7 whole days) then I would reward myself. With what, I'm not sure. It's an incentive to do better and that's how I justified it in my swampy little mind. Like the dangling carrot in front of the bunny.

So, I have set some mini-goals for myself and wondering if or what would be an appropriate reward. See what you think.

1. Exercise at least 5 times this week. (So far I've cross-country skied twice - About an hour each time)
2. Moderation in food intake (weigh and measure if I'm unsure of portions). Doing good so far but it's early in the week.
3. Be accountable for what goes in my mouth. That means everything that goes in my mouth. (Just to let you know, I have eaten one evil Girl Scout cookie this week. One lonely thin mint and it was for dessert after dinner. The remaining cookies have been placed out of my sight. As we all know, I could find them if I wanted to!)

Rewards??? Share if you reward yourself and let me know what you use as a reward. I might like it so much I'll steal it!!!

I Did Something Today I Thought Was Bad - Yikes!

Well, on the way home from work which was around 6:30 pm or so I remembered that I had purchased a box of WW Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars last week and they were still in the car. Hmmmm, I contemplated. I'm hungry and I could really use a snack. Well, I ate it thinking as I drove that I probably shouldn't be eating this. It will only lead to something no good. But, after getting home, preparing Chicken Parmigiana Over Spaghetti Squash and not eating until 9:30 pm it actually turned out to be a good thing. Even though I thought it was bad at the time. It kept me from eating while I was cooking and I didn't try to find any of my "husband's hidden goodies."

So, I updated my progress chart tonight and I have to say, the last few months resemble a straight line heart monitor with a few upword beats. Downward movement, not so much. My goal is to make it better. Hopefully next week we will see some movement in the right direction.

Long day, I'm tired and in need of some rest. I'm aiming for an early morning cross country ski so I'll keep you posted. Goodnight.

An Atmospheric Phenomenon...

Could it be? Could it possibly be? It must be an Atmospheric Phenomenon but I actually have had a weekend not filled with cookies, candy, Mexican food, etc. I weigh in on Monday mornings and will post the results on my progress chart tomorrow evening. Just wanted to share that because I'm feeling better about things on the weight loss front.

I also have two NSVs to share will all of you.

1. For those of you who have been following my little problem (okay, okay, it's not a little problem) with Girl Scout Cookies which I talked about earlier this week. I have news to report. I did my weekly grocery shopping this afternoon and low and behold who do you think was stationed outside the front door, actually both doors, of Wal Mart? Yeah, you guessed it, the Girl Scouts and their damned evil cookies. I want you to know they came at me like a swarm of mosquitoes looking to suck your blood and leave a welt to remind you later. Their sweet little voices asking in perfect unison, "Mam, would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?" Well, I smiled with confidence and answered, "No thank you I already have several boxes." Can you freaking believe it? I did it, I didn't give in this time. Could it be that I didn't want to give in or is it another Atmospheric Phenomenon?

2. On another front, I have cross-county skied two days in a row (2 miles each day). If Mother Nature isn't going to throw me a bone with the weather, I'll show her. I'll beat her at her own game. I'll just keep skiing until May!!!

So, all in all, the weekend has been pleasant, house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and a little coffee sipping by the fire with the husband and the golden retriever.

I'm Playing Bingo Again

I keep going back to a post of last week where I talk about a Calorie is a Calorie, Right? Well, I'm playing BINGO again and I'm not happy about it. Damn those Girl Scouts and their cookies. I feel like I'm checking out of my weight loss efforts. Starting tomorrow I'm checking back in. I will wake up early exercise and have a good day. I am in control of my weight loss future. But right now I'm not feeling in control. Wish me luck!

I am the PRESIDENT of Overindulging

Okay, if I had been Washington or Lincoln, I probably wouldn't have had access to Girl Scout cookies, right? See where I'm going with this one? Well, I am truly the PRESIDENT of overindulging on the long weekend.

First it was a trip to the city to visit my girls. That, of couse, was an excuse to overindulge. What, go to the city and not eat out, why of course not. Then, sweet little Girls Scouts in full dress attire standing at attention outside every store we seemed to frequent. Don't they know it's Colorado, it's cold and people haven't been exercising properly and shouldn't be tempted by their innocent, wafer thin little cheeks and tiny mouthes smiling and asking, "Mam, wouldn't you like to support our troop and buy a box of Girl Scout cookies?" I didn't want to say to them, "Well, honey, I have been eating way too much the last couple days and feel like a beached whale, my pants are tight and I really shouldn't have any cookies, but thank you." Instead, I hear the words coming from my mouth saying, "Sure, why don't I get a box of Thin Mints and Tagalongs." All the while I'm thinking, by the way, can you just take them out of the box and paste them to my butt and thighs? Thanks, so much.

Notwithstanding the evilness of Girl Scout cookies and mexican food. I then find that the Easter candy is in the grocery stores. Could anybody ask for something more evil than the creation of the Cadbury Mini Egg? Oh, come on weight loss gods, throw me a bone here, will ya!!! So, I smile, and throw them in my cart. They are also now affixed to my thighs and buttocks. This is the way of the weekend and my Monday and Tuesday haven't been much better.

Let's talk about overindulging. Normal, every once and awhile, yes, but this weekend was grandios in overindulgence. I AM FREAKING OUT, HERE, PEOPLE. Sorry to shout but hopefuly somebody is listening. How do I get back to healthy eating after overindulging????

Well, I came across this article when freaking out and it actually makes sense. So, people, here I go, I am going to commit to all my readers to do the following:

1. Relax (this is going to be a tough one but I'm going to try)

2. Add some fiber to your diet. It helps push the "junk" from your body after a binge and will help you feel full. (I'm thinking that if I down an entire box of Fiber One, it might, and I say "might," make a difference)

3. Drink green tea and water during breakfast and lunch to help process the fiber.

4. Have high protein meals for lunch and dinner. (Girl Scout cookies probably don't count, huh?)

5. Have a high protein snack.

6. Go for a walk or do some sit-ups. Exercise if you feel up to it. Don't over do it or it could trigger the binge again.

7. Get 8 hours of sleep.

8. Follow steps 1 through 7 for another day or until you are back on track.

9. Love yourself for caring enough to take care of your body.

I have to say, after typing this post, I'm feeling a little better about the weekend. I have to accept what has happened, be happy I have a chance to start over and focus on what I'm doing right now, this very moment, to correct what has already happened. I may need some encouragement, though, so anybody out there feeling like they want to give advice, please feel free.....

Oh, when I got back to the office this morning, guess what was on my chair? Four boxes of Girl Scout cookies. They were delivered late on Friday after I was gone for the day. Weight loss gods at work again. Don't you just love it.

Has Cupid Shot You With His Arrow Today?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY FELLOW BLOGGERS!

My husband and I have been married 27 years now and we aren't so much into the Valentine's Day hype. You can call us old fuddy duddies, it's okay. I do have some candy for him. He can eat candy every day and not have a problem with his weight. I bought him a can of Mixed Nuts, a box of Dots and a big package of Reese's Peanut Butter Big Cups.

Observation, my husband only eats when he's hungry and stops when he's full. He won't eat just because. I will offer him something and he will say, "No, I think I'm full." Me on the other hand, especially if it's candy, nuts, cookies, cake, would eat it even if I'm full. What is the difference in us that makes that possible? Why does he have the control over food that I don't? His relationship with food is basically he needs it to live and work each day. I have a very different relationship with food. I always want what I perceive as something I shouldn't have. Does that make any sense at all? Me and the husband have made some deals over the years in an attempt to even out the odds of him never gaining weight and me looking at food and doing the opposite. Here are a few of those compromises:

• that we try to reduce our consumption of red meat and lean more toward the chicken and fish and occasionally no meat at all, shhh, a vegetarian dish. I had to work at this last one.
• we have a vegetable with dinner each and every night. I truly have to say this one has been a success. Both of us are now vegetable connoisseurs.
• try to keep candy, cookies and sugar laden treats from entering the house on a regular basis.
• try new recipes.
• he will support me in my weight loss efforts and I will support him in his love for football. (This, of course means that we will eat lowfat snacks while watching!)
• have patience with me when I come home grumpy from weigh in when I've gained.
• never be a food pusher.
• work with me when I get excited about a new food find or cookbook.
• love me no matter whether I've gained and praise me when I have lost.

So, see why we are still Valentines after 27 years. Have you and your Valentine done any weight loss compromising over the years? If so, pray tell...

Hope you and your Valentine have a great V Day.