I was pondering this today. I'm doing all this work to feed my body right. But lately, what have I been feeding my brain? What have I been feeding my thoughts? I have to admit, the answer lately is junk!!!!
It's so easy in this process to get caught up in all the negative reasons we want to lose weight. We look in the mirror and say, I look disgusting! I'm so fat!!! We walk around during the day constantly beating ourselves up, "why did I do that, that was so stupid!" or "Why am I such an idiot!" ... I could go on, but I'm guessing you've filled in the blanks as often as I have in the past!
I've noticed during this weight loss journey, that I do so much better when I'm feeding my thoughts good things... postive things. And interestingly enough, when I'm beating myself up, or feeding my thoughts "bad" things, that's when I crave things I shouldn't have.... or end up eating something I shouldn't... or end up parked on the couch glaring at the rain outside, instead of getting up and moving!
So I'm working on that this week - getting back to the positive. I was doing really well in the beginning, but now that it's been a few weeks, I've slowed a bit, and have caught myself (or shall I say, just let it go!) more than once, beating myself up, or calling myself stupid, or complaining about my weight. Lets face it, complaining never did anyone any good! Ok, it might have felt good at the time, but it didn't change anything, did it? lol. So this week, my focus is to really be kind to myself. Instead of saying, "I hate the way my thighs rub together.." I'm going to say, "I love the way it feels to move easier!" instead of saying, "I already blew it, so I'm going to have that hot dog, I just don't care!" ..... "I acknowledge that this wasn't the best choice, but I've done really well with everything else, so I'm going to finish the day right!"
And then there's the rebel - who has firmly parked on my left shoulder, and is whispering semi sweet morsals in my ear. To my rebel, and to "TOM", I say, I know this is tough for you, so I'm going to make things easier by eating everything I'm supposed to today. I do know, that if I eat all my fruits and veggies, guess what? I don't crave that other stuff!!! Chemical reaction? I don't know. But I do know that the "TOM" cravings are terrible if I leave that window open - by not eating balanced. Then the rebel moves in and starts throwing a chocolate/salt/sweet fit, and that's when I can get into trouble. By getting in my salad, and fruits, it offsets the cravings because my body is getting what it needs. Really, that's all a craving is...... it's your body needing something. Whether it's sleep, or water, or that fruit or veggie... it will trick you into trying everything in your fridge, when really what I needed to do was just GO TO BED. Or, actually eat that salad in the first place.
So........ I'm going to do right by my body this week, give it what it needs, and hopefully it won't try to trick me with what it thinks it wants... if it does, I'll be ready. And all that mood swing negative attitude stuff, well, we're effectively kicking it to the curb right now!!!! Good riddance!!!! I love myself... I love myself.... lol.
Be good to yourselves........... you, are the only "you" that you have! You deserve some time to yourself. You deserve to treat your body great. And I think we all deserve a day at the spa or a good massage!!!!!
Here's to my self proclaimed "Self Appreciation Week"!!!!! Tell me one thing you'll do this week, to show appreciation for yourself. And no, I'm not talking buying a box of bon bon's! LOL! For me? I'm going to give myself a mani/pedi, because I've neglected doing that lately. What are you going to do? :)
Yes. It's a big holiday today! I am sure I will encounter, at least once today, the glorious tempataion that Sinco De Mayo (I know I can't spell!) is....
So what's your plan? What is your strategy? I've decided that I already had my "Sinco de Mayo" all week last week LOL. So, if I am faced with tempatation today, for me, my plan is to just say "no". Not to the festivities - not to the friends - but to the margarita's and the chips. This is definitely a challenge - I know when these days come around, it's so easy to throw everything to the wind, and say, "tomorrow will be better". But I know that I need to go in with my armour on - at least that way, if I go in with a plan - then if things do happen to fall apart, I've minimized at least some of the damage.
Awareness. That is key for a day like today. Awareness of how my body feels. Is that margarita going to be more fulfilling, than the way my body feels right now? Will I never get to have a margarita again??? Oh no, I'll never see Sinco De Mayo again!!! No - we know that answer isn't true. We know it will come around again. Memorial Day is coming - the 4th is coming... then Labor Day... then Halloween... then... no, I can't even speak it lol. Tempatation, tempation!
My friends, just say "no". lol. Seriously - we can have that margarita anytime we want. We can have those chips, anytime we choose. If you choose to do it today - that's ok. But have a plan. Know your limit - and enforce it today :) It might look like this: Ok, I'm having 2 margaritas, and one taco. In exchange, I am going to excersize this morning an extra 30 minutes. Or,.. I'm going to excersize tonight - (but face it, after two margarita's? Probably not!" lol. So. If you choose to indulge, do yourself a favor, and have a plan - have a limit - and then enjoy yourself :) We have to break the idea that food is love - that food means fun. It's the people - the places - that are the true fun. The food is just something that's there. If you're a non-smoker, you know that you can have fun without sticking a ciggarette in your mouth. As "thin-minded" individuals, we now know, that we can have plenty of fun without drinking 5 margaritas, and eating our way through a party. Because really, when you get down to it, the party - is people! So enjoy your friends, and enjoy the sunshine, and go armed with a plan to succeed. :)
See? You feel less guilt already! :)
Happy Sinco De Mayo! (And for goodness sake, would someone please tell me how to spell it? lol!!!!)
Wow - what a great morning! Another 4 pound loss this week - and I broke 220 - barely, but I'll take it! 219.8!!! Oh yeah, Onderland is on the horizon. I haven't been this weight since after my second son was born - 15 years ago.
Last week I wore a belt for the first time. I fit into a skirt that I haven't worn in at least 2 years - ( it's a classic skirt, so not out of style lol) And, I was able to finally fit into a new bra I'd purchased before I started the program, it said it was a 42D, but there's no way it was. More like a 38 or 40D - I guess that's what I get for buying a cheap bra! But it's pretty, and this week, I was able to wear it comfortably!!! So my back cleavage is quickly dissappearing!!!!
So.. what do I do for a reward. Hmmm. I think this calls for a new outfit. I haven't bought any clothes yet - but all mine are now getting way too big to wear... I could get away with it for a while, but now I'm wanting to wear more "fitted" things, because I can finally see my waist! So maybe a new pair of nice jeans. Or maybe a new pair of slacks and a pretty spring top. Or maybe... a dress. And some decent shoes to go with it. But yes, I think a new outfit is in order!!!!
I'm so excited! I hope you guys all had a great week too - I wish I could just wave a wand and we'd all be at our goals, but hey, this journey is actually kind of fun at times - especially when you get to see the results!
My back is still out, but doing much better this morning. Thanks for your well wishes, I'm hoping to be back "up' and running soon. This WI sure helped!!!
Well, I've really done it. I don't know what I did, I'm guessing it's from all the lifting earlier on this week and maybe too much bellydancing after the fact, but my back is completely out. If I move just a fraction the wrong way, I get "zapped" - like an electric shock going through my spine. Top that off with a very big "popping" that I can't tell if it's coming from my back or hip - but feels like it's in my spine - it's popping when I walk. You can feel the vibration - my husband was able to feel it tonight. I see doc on Monday, but I may have to call tomorrow, this pain is unbearable.
Eating has sucked all week - I've stuck with the plan, but I've pretty much almost eaten a loaf of bread and a stick of butter this week. What is wrong with me? I know what's wrong - when I hurt, I can't control the cravings - anything I can find to relieve the pain, which of course, it doesn't. Today was finally better - but so stupid after doing so well so long, to have a week like this. I think the back thing could be related to TOM, the cravings sure are acting like it - and this back pain when it's not "shocking" me, is a constant ache, and sometimes a throb - but it extends around the to the front of both my hips. Almost like back labor or something - I haven't hurt like this, well, since my accident, and it scares me. I can't deal with another herniated disc - there's no way I'm letting anyone go in there and operate, not now that I'm walking - so this is hard. I usually just get through it, but I'm having a really tough time right now. I can barely walk, much less sit here through my usual novel writing :( But, it hurts, and I can't sleep - can't lie in a position where I'm comfortable, so I'm sort of stuck. Argh. Danger - because then I'm bored at the same time, and wanting to eat. I guess I just need to go to bed - that's what my body wants, and why I'd eat - not because I'm hungry, but because I need sleep.
Just having a rough time, and wanted to check in. Your support is always so good, and helps me get back on track when I need to, so thanks :)
Please say a little prayer, that this goes away soon, and that the popping is nothing major or weird. (Well, it's definately weird - but oddly, the popping doesn't hurt, it's this other that's driving me nuts).
Hope you're all doing good though - everyone has been doing so well, keep up the good work you guys. I know we can do this :)
Wow. Ok. Something is wrong. lol. I lost another pound this morning! The problem is that I've been misbehaving - I've been having a piece of ww bread, ok, that's not bad - but butter isn't the best choice. The binge monster has a hold on me right now, I think it's TOM, and thing is, TOM never showed up when I thought it was going to before. I wonder if the weight loss and the excersize could mess up my cycle - I just want it done and over with. I feel bloated and the cravings are driving me nuts.
But I guess the good news is that I'm 222 today.......which is usually a pound less on the JC scale, so we'll see. I bellydanced last night for about 50 minutes, and it felt great, but I'm really sore this morning. I haven't been hitting the BD as much as I should, but I do notice, I'm much better at it, especially the isolations! The back pain is also a sign of TOM, so I'm really a bit confused right now as to whether my body is just rebelling, or if this is infact TOM trying to make an appearance. And I'm babbling.
I just know, that despite the loss, I've got to get a handle on these cravings, and this rebel attitude - it's not good to "cheat" and still see a loss, because I am going to think I can get away with it all the time - and if not that, I know me - I'll try to push the envelope to see what I can get away with. I mostly just don't understand the cravings, because I haven't felt hungry or craved anything this entire time - and right now I'm very hungry, and craving things. I know the things to do, but I've always had problems applying them myself. So I'm going to go back to the JC "Touchstones" - they're a great little tool, and watch the video that addresses binging and cravings, and see if I can't put a stop to this. I'll explain the touchstones more next time - but basically they're 5 pretty glass stones with writing on them.. to remind you how wonderful you are, and to keep you focused. You pull one out , and they all have a different thing they address - you pull out the one that pertains to the situation, and keep that with you as a reminder to stay focused on that area. It sounds silly, but things like that really can help you. Sometimes a picture can help - a friend offered to take a pic of me and photoshop it down to what I will look like at my goal weight! I haven't done it yet, but what would that be like, to have a real picture of you, at the weight maybe you can't even imagine yet? I'm going to do that, and see if it helps. :) I'll post it if I get it soon. And if you have a friend who knows how to photoshop, see if they'll do it for you. It might be a great motivation!
Hope you're all having a good week! Any suggestions are welcome, as far as cravings and binging go - what helps you? Because I need to put a stop to this - before it gets out of hand completely!!!!
Today I am reminded about things I've learned from "The Secret". I have been letting that way of thinking go by the wayside lately, and I realize that may be why I've been struggling. As they say, you need to "keep your eye on the sparrow"....
So today.... no more I "will be", or "I can't wait to be.." Today, I AM. Think of what you want... believe you already have it.... feel what it feels like, smells like, sounds like... looks like.... feel it with passion, and with the gratitude you would feel when it's "in your hands".
I am strong........ I am confident. I am thin..... I am beautiful. I am at my goal weight - I weigh 140. I am a size 7. My clothes feel wonderful - my body feels strong and energized and healthy, and when the clothes go on, the just slide on and fit perfectly. I look in the mirror, and wow, I'm amazed. What does it feel like? What are people saying? How are they reacting to you? What are you doing? for me - I am living an active lifestyle. I am horseback riding - hiking on Mt. Ranier. I am walking in a "marathon". I am not getting winded, and my body responds so easily. I am wearing anything I want out of the catalog - and I no longer fear Victoria's Secret or AB Lambin!!! I take pride in my appearance, I get my hair done, I do my nails, and I spoil myself at the spa regularily.
And then there's the question. Why don't I do that now? It's time to start living the life I picture - there's no reason to wait. And as I start living that life, everything else will - the weight loss - will be attracted to me, there's no other way around it if I'm living that life. If I'm eating like a "thin" person. I am so thankful that I AM ALL THESE THINGS!!!!!
I "Will Be" is in the future...............but "I Am"... is now. Tomorrow is tomorrow, and guess what. Tomorrow never comes. And as I always say, today is a gift, and that's why they call it the Present. Today is all we've got - today I'm going to live life to the fullest.
Unbelievable! There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to this weight loss game. This is probably the "worst" week I've had, as far as sticking to the JC menu - not so much trading things for my own food as just not getting all my food in. (we need to solve that little dilema) I admit to two pretty bad cheats this week; stress, lack of sleep and not getting my food in lead to a night of hard work, and missed lunch/snack/fruit By the time I got home it was really late, and I was supposed to cook my JC pizza in the oven. Of course it was pizza night, they'd already ordered pizza, and they left it out - grrr. I was just too tired, and lazy - I grabbed a piece of pepperoni, telling myself just one won't hurt me. One became two... two became three.. but I just didn't care. I was completely out of it with being tired, frustration, and physically exhausted. I expected the scale to reflect my "binge", but the next morning I'd dropped almost 2 pounds!
Anyway... despite having a couple slip ups this week, I worked my behind literally off moving my mom. Official JC weigh in today was a 3.9 pound loss!!!! I am now just a few ounces away from 20 pounds. This week my goal is to break that 20, and to hopefully break the 20's altogether. I also plan to get in 3 days of excersize, and to get my food in! I don't know why that's been so hard lately, but it's really important to eat everything on your day. I know with my couple "cheats" this week, I'm really going to have to be careful next week so it doesn't show up on the scale next Sunday.
I hope all of you have had a fantastic week - it sounds like you're all getting back on the right track, and seeing some progress. We've had our little break now - time to get crackin and fired up!!! I'm going to try to get some rest - this weekend has been exhausting emotionally and physically. Go out and get yourself a NON-food reward this week! You're all due!!! Mine was a pretty pink boquet of "Oriental Stargazer Lillies". I just love them - they smell so wonderful, and last much longer than roses!!!! When I break into the teens, my reward is going to be some kind of beautiful exotic plant for the house or the yard - something like will keep blooming and remind me that I am too - I still don't know what to do for when I break into "Onederland". After next week, (when I get into the teens) I know that will propel me into high gear to reach Onederland .. we've got some hard work ahead, but it's so very worth it! Don't you feel great? Don't you feel thinner? I have so much more energy. If mom had tried to move 2 months ago, before I started losing this weight, my back would have been completely out by the end of the first day - and I would have never been able to get through this. My husband has gotten in on this too - we keep a chart on the fridge where we weigh in every day and write down our excersize. We're both at the same weight, and me catching him has really motivated him to work harder (and drink less beer! Bonus!) It's great - and he's really supporting me more than he's ever done. He tells me this week he can really see my loss - he told me I was getting skinny the other day. :)
Here's to another fantastic week everyone. And if you're struggling - don't give up! It's a beautiful day - take advantage of it - eat on pretty plates - buy yourself some flowers - drink your water - eat your salad lol. It will happen!!! Go for a nice scenic walk somewhere. Enjoy this - your doing something wonderful for yourself, and the scale will have to give up and show it eventually!!!! Good Luck this week, and keep up the great work!!!!
Ok kids,. This is war. No more Mr. Nice Guy. I've been stuck at 227 for the past 4 days - this morning with no rhyme or reason, it finally dropped! 225 - infact, wavering between 225 and 224!!!! Ok. I'll eat my salads. It apparently makes some mystical difference! Are you getting all your fruits and veggies in? If not, join forces with me, and lets smash the scale this week!
So .... with victory close at hand..... we aren't going to let that number get away before official weigh in - time to go to battle and get off the couch. I've stayed away from excersize this week - now I'm almost afraid to hit it because I know it will send the scale to the up side - even if it's temporary. This seems to prove the theory that yes, you need to eat. Yesterday was the first real day I got all my food in - and this morning we have a big drop, and a pound away from those elusive 20 lost pounds that I want to see so badly.
So to my friends out there ready to give in - don't do it. You're one day away from seeing "the drop"! Hit the "diet" part hard for a day, and see what happens (if you aren't already, or if you've been a little lax lately) - if you're not eating all your food for the day - try to get it in! If excersize seems to make the difference for you, get some extra moves in! I'm tired of floating here in the land of above 225.. Now I can see the line for that goal blurring - almost across.......
Repeat after me...... "I WILL eat my salad today... I WILL eat my salad today..."!!!
We can do this gang - lets hit it hard and hit it low this week! I'll see you on the other side of 225..........
Is it just me, or have the last couple weeks been kinda tough for all of us? I swear - being sick, "TOM" looming - and has now changed it's mind apparently, and I'm slinging down the diet soda's, coffee, and the smoking is completely out of control. I think it's because I started thinking about it too much - and it was one habit to quit too many right now. I was actually pretty good until my family rolled into town on a night's notice, wanting to clean out Mom's house and move everything right NOW. I had a mini melt down - and this week is going to be rough, going over to help Mom and sis pack, and try to find room for all the furniture that is apparently coming to my house - and trying to work and clean everything out there as well in time for the next session of class. Stress stress stress - being sick has really messed up my excersize, not to mention my eating - I'm not eating off program as much as I'm not eating all my food. I'm not gaining, but I'm only losing ounces at the moment, which really frustrates me, even though it's normal. This should be a "big jump" week again if the pattern holds true - but with "TOM" looming, I feel like a giant blotto blowfish, and I want to eat a bottle of Johnny's seasoning salt. I have a plan though. In the morning, I'm going to hit the pilates, and the belly dance drills, that always makes me happy. And calm. Calm is good. Calm is my friend lol. I got a couple new DVD's today - now if I'd just start using all of them! I got "Brazillian cardio dance" which looks like fun - and work. I also got the "Biggest Loser" cardio workout - and of course, I had to get another Bellydance dvd. This one is by the Bellydance Superstars, 4 of them I've never seen - it's beggining - but again, it's as hard as you make it. And every "beginner" dvd I've gotten, shows a new fresh take on these moves I already know - it's really helping break things down to the basic drills, and things that make up the moves themselves, and I feel so much more graceful and "accurate" now after seeing some of the other's styles. Plus, I get bored easy. So variety is good! I think I'm good on the workout dvd's for a while - now I just need to make sure I'm using them!!! Had a great food day - had my favorite dinner tonight, the JC "fish and chips" - mmmmmm malt vinegar lol. I love me some malt vinegar - and cooking them in the oven is the best! But it's now 11:40, and I haven't had my chocolate cake! I'm just too tired, and need to get up early to workout and work, and go to moms, and worry about my son who's still sick - but he's much better, thanks for all your kind words and concern, and your support. I don't know what I'd do without all of you - and I do so much better being able to "journal" to all of you lol. (I know, I'm soooo long winded!!!!) So on that note - I'm going to take my shimmy-self to bed and try to sleep. (As I finish my 3rd diet pepsi - no wonder I feel so blotto! ARGH!!!) And NO coffee tomorrow darn it. I've really gotten back into a bad habit of drinking way too much caffeine. I've learned, that's when I get those "hot flashes"! So I guess one good thing has come of it - I know the cause, so now I KNOW better lol.
Have a great night/day tomorrow! I'll be back when I can..... Hang in there and keep up the great work you guys - don't let a little "bad" moment get you down. Remember: "The past is history - tomorrow's a mystery - today is a GIFT.... that's why they call it, the Present"
Sorry I haven't been around - this week has been very tough. My son has been home sick all week with bronchitits - and Friday I came down with what seems to be the stomach flu. Needless to say, the last 3 days have been terrible as far as trying to stay on the program. Yesterday everything I ate would just come back to "visit", and I finally gave up and ate toast instead of JC food. Today I made it through breakfast, tried for lunch - the chicken salad just wasn't agreeing, so dumped it, and had half a turkey sandwich on WW bread. I managed to keep that down. Lasagna, (JC) seems to be staying down, but I'm really nauseated again, so not so good. I'm still drinking the water, as much as I can, and taking the vitamins, but who knows how much stayed with me. Add to it that TOM is trying to make an appearance, and that's not helping. That means a full day of nasty cramps ahead of me. I actually had to cancel singing at church tomorrow - I've never had to do that, and I feel awful about it. My partner is going to brave it alone - but I feel horrible. My mom and sis also made an impromptu visit - announced Thurs night they were on their way up in the morning to clean out the house so it can get sold - omg!!!! This is the worst weekend in history as far as me being around - of course now being sick, I'm around but stuck here - and I know I need to be there to help sort what's getting thrown out, or going home with "who", a lot of my stuff is still there... but it will just have to wait - unfortunately, they aren't waiting. So I'm stressed about that. AND it's snowing again!!!! Good grief - more in the forecast and continuing and several areas!!!! This is ridiculous! It's supposed to be spring!
Well, feeling pretty sick again, so going to go lay down. I'll post again soon - I did get my food today and weighed in - thankfully I was ok long enough to go do that. So I am set up to be on track if I can just calm my stomach down. I didn't lose much - 7 ounces - but that's almost a pound, and better than nothing, considering I've been "off" track the last 3 days. No salads or veggies, just can't stomach it. Have a good night...... I'll check in tomorrow.
