Nowhere to go but DOWN

A chill is in the air

Monday, October 30, 2006 22:05:09

I can't believe that just a few days ago (Sunday) it was 81 degrees here. Now it is in the low 40's.....Brrrr.....I got my exercise in yesterday with 90 minutes of unloading and stacking firewood. We have a wood-burning furnace and it keeps the house toasty warm all winter....provided we do the pre-warming of ourselves by handling all the firewood! I guess you could say it warms us more than once!

I'm still reading Beck -- working on all those sabotaging thoughts that fill my head. Learning that yes, dieting is unfair (in that I have to limit what I eat), but it is what I have chosen to do in order to reach a goal that is important to me.

I stumbled a little yesterday. We went to a birthday party and I did not have time to eat anything before I went there. I had some pizza, but left part of it on my plate (another Beck exercise) and then turned down the ice cream and cake. I felt pretty good about that aspect, even though eating pizza was not on my food plan. Oh well. Today is a new day!

Enjoy the fall! Here in Michigan it is BEAUTIFUL.

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Trickin' The Treats

Monday, October 30, 2006 22:04:08

Halloween is just a week away. We live on a very secluded street -- only two houses on the whole block and we NEVER get many trick-or-treaters. If we get 12 it is a huge year. Yet, EVERY year, without fail, DH insists on buying a huge bag of halloween candy. Always something yummy, always things I like......well, when we were in the store last night and he was perusing the bags and bags of candy, I just looked at him and said firmly, "I am not eating any of that. Pick out what YOU want." Well, he kept at me, "Don't you like the M&Ms? How about the Kitkats?...." on and on. I just picked up a bag of ugly-looking suckers and told him to buy that. It worked. These suckers may make a kid or two salivate, but they hold no power over me. I can't imagine unwrapping one or even eating one. So......I should be safe from the "tricks" of halloween....also the "treats." Just as long as I don't see any chocolate. LOL

Standing firm. No choice.

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The Long Haul

Monday, October 30, 2006 22:03:08

Though it has taken me four long months to lose 25 pounds, I am still committed to doing what it takes to keep on keepin' on. When I started this latest quest back at the end of June, I thought I would be further along by now. My original goal sheet (at 2 lbs a week) would have put me at a loss of 34 pounds by now. But, the upside of all of this is: I HAVE LOST 25 POUNDS.

In my past endeavors at losing, I would have given up weeks ago. I would have told myself that I just couldn't do it and that I really didn't mind being fat (yeah, right).

But, today, I have to give some credit where credit is due. I discovered this website around the end of July and all the support and comraderie I find here has been just what I have needed to stick to it. And more recently, reading the Beck Diet Solution is helping me get my head where it needs to be. And last, but certainly not least, I have a BEST FRIEND (she knows who she is) who has been beside me every step of this journey. Without her, I probably wouldn't have lasted a week.

So there. Thanks to everyone! Let's stick to it!

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Down Two!

Monday, October 30, 2006 22:02:10

I almost didn't weigh in this morning. I was afraid. I hadn't kept a food journal for the last three days. Friday and Saturday were only 2 stars and Sunday was only three. But........I overcame my fear and stepped on the scale and -- to my great surprise: I am down two pounds from last Monday. That puts me at 223. Thank you, Mr. Scale. I must have done something right.

Reading the Beck book has made me realize how much of this weight battle is all in my head. If I can just get my head on straight and do what I need to do, I will have success.

Here's hoping all my friends out there are having a good day, too!

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Moving in the right direction.....

Monday, October 30, 2006 23:08:07

Mr. Scale says 224 today. Five stars for yesterday! It was a very physical day....got the van carpet cut and installed and the graphics design changed and partially installed/removed. DH decided (after days of planning and hours of design work) he liked the van better "plain" than with graphics added. So, I had to remove the design from the back and front. Luckily, I started small and didn't tackle the large side graphics first. I am glad he didn't wait until I was totally done to tell me he didn't like it. Men! He had been included in the design process from the beginning and was pushing me to go ahead with it. Go figure! I still love him, tho, because he actually made my job easier and I could move on to something else.

I've gotten to Day 14 on the Beck book. I am liking it. I now have a little notebook full of tips and stuff to read (Beck suggests reading them at least twice a day). Her suggestions on handling cravings are especially good! I used the techniques yesterday when on a few occasions I was feeling ravenous and wanting Chinese carryout (resisted) and then I wanted something sweet (resisted) and then I wanted beer (resisted). I made it through the whole day as planned and did not stray even though I wanted to. Yay for me!

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I can't stand it.....

Monday, October 30, 2006 23:07:07

......I just was working on a somewhat long post, and BLAM got bounced back to my "account" page.............I guess it will have to wait. I do not have time now to recreate it. Comments(2)

Five Stars!

Monday, October 30, 2006 23:06:09

Yesterday I FINALLY got all my chores done! I got that 30 minute workout in. I renewed my efforts and am promising myself to do this EVERY day. Like a little kid, I felt good putting stars next to all five things I had to do.

Today will be busy. My author is finally getting is rear in gear and now the pressure is on me to complete the manuscript we are working on so it can go for first draft revisions. He was lazy and dragged his feet getting me the final info and now is hot to get it back. Then, I have to design something to go on the sides and back of a large cube van. That idea is rumbling around in my head and I simply must get to that one, too. And, on top of all of that, DH is bugging me to work on the interior of his 1968 van that he/we are restoring. The exterior is almost done and now the interior needs work. I have to make a pattern for the dashboard which we are covering in marine-grade vinyl. I already made a pattern for the carpeting, but we have to wait for a dry day to lay it out on the concrete and cut it.

WHEW! I am tired already! Best get to it........................................

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Going Down

Monday, October 30, 2006 23:05:07

Monday official WI: 225. Down one from last Monday.

Why oh why can't I be satisfied with one? I have to work on complimenting myself and moving on. I had really hoped for a bigger loss, but heck, it is not a gain. Interesting scale note: This week my weight did not go up on any day. Usually I am up and down one, two, three pounds throughout the week. This week, though, it stayed a solid 226 Monday-Thursday, on Friday it dropped to 225 and then stayed there until today. That has to be a good thing. Hear that? It is the sound of one hand patting myself on the back. According to Beck: When I learn to compliment myself for every single thing I do right (instead of concentrating on the wrongs) dieting will be easier.

My week of going back to basics: I did really well on my eating plan, I had breakfast every day, took my vitamin, drank water, but failed in the exercise category. New resolve for this week: Get in the habit of working out consistently. Walk, ride the bike, chase the three-almost-four-year-olds...........something.....ANYTHING.

Here's hoping all my buddies out there have a fabulous week! We deserve it!

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Chore Chart

Monday, October 30, 2006 23:03:08

I did something yesterday: I made a chart (like you do for your children) of five "chores" I must do every day. The dates run across the top and the tasks down the side. My five things are: Eat Breakfast; Take Vitamin; Drink 10-12 8 oz. glasses of water; Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes; Keep a Food Journal. Then, for each task I accomplish, I get a star. Simple? Yes, but I think it may be effective. Yesterday was a four star day for me. I am having low back pain so I did not get in the exercise, but I did all the other things......Today I am going for five stars!

Also, I've gone through the first week of the Beck book. It only took 2 days but it says you can accelerate if you are already dieting. I am learning some good tools to use to help myself keep motivated and thinking in a positive way.

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Is Beck the Solution?

Monday, October 30, 2006 23:02:08

I started reading "The Beck Diet Solution" yesterday. I am hoping to get control of my negative behaviour and thinking so I can stop sabotaging myself and continue to lose.......

The first thing I have learned from it is to stop using the word "cheat" -- call it "unplanned eating" or "overeating". It is just a mistake that can be corrected at the very next meal. I would always just figure if I "cheated" my whole day would be blown and I could go back to the plan in the morning. This book says to go back to your plan the very next meal. Makes sense.

Another tip is to reserve 100-200 calories for an after-dinner snack or treat. Might help in feeling less deprived. I don't know about this one.....I usually do not eat anything after dinner.

As an update, Felix is still M.I.A. I do have a phone number that no one answers, and have left messages......I am contemplating filing a "missing persons report" with the local cop shop. There must be other folks whose guitars disappeared with this guy.

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