Friday night we had a blackout. The lights went out at 7:30pm (prime time!) and didn't come on again until 11pm. I had just finished dinner, had a roaring fire going and was completely snuggled in for the night. There was a storm a brewing outside so I was ready for an evening watching movies and catching up on my recorded shows. Thankfully I have plenty of candles and I knew where the matches were, but my flashlights all needed batteries. I was mostly prepared, but would I have been prepared if this were a real disaster like an earthquake? Not really. I'm pretty proud of the fact that I was a Girl Scout. It made a real impact on me. I'm usually the one who always has a bandaid in her purse. I like the motto "always prepared" and I still help old ladies across the street. It made me think about what I have to do to get ready. Bottled water, food for me AND for Riley and the cats, batteries, a wrench by the gas valve and a bag packed with a pair of shoes, socks, underwear, sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Sounds like a lot, right? These are just the basics. Think about it, what would you to survive a week?
It's really helped me to be successful in my new eating plan. In the morning, before I go to work, I get all my food ready for the eight hour day. Everything I eat will generally be in that bag. An apple and banana for a snack that I usually pair with Sunflower seed butter and little prepackaged pieces of cheese I keep at work, Arugula (I keep Grape seed oil and Rice vinegar at work as well), Lean Cuisine and these great single serving veggie containers from Green Giant that are an awesome addition to a meal or alone between meals and a little something sweet, either a WW 2 point bar or a little square of chocolate. I'm also fortunate to have a Starbucks at work so if I need a pick me up I can get a short latte. By the way, did you know that Starbucks has a "short" option? It's a perfect size if you don't want a lot of milk. It's a lot of food, but it's what I need to get through my day. I know what I have to eat and can manage it better that if I were just flying by the seat of my pants. I try to eat every 1 1/2 to 2 hours and try not to get too hungry. When I get home I tend to eat dinner earlier in the night which is so much better for me. Although I am snacking all day long, it's on things that are healthier for me and not just food that's filling me up.
Being prepared not only makes me feel in control, but it gives me a sense of accomplishment because it works! I'm less than a pound away from my 10lb total loss. I have a black tie event tonight so we'll see what tomorrows weigh in brings. I hope to be onto my next goal of 5 more pounds!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Point Envy
My friend started WW about a week after me. We’ve been comparing notes and recipes and just giving each other lots of encouragement. The problem is that my friend gets almost twice as many points as I do! I have trouble just keeping mine at 29, but my friend gets a whole 52 a week! Plain and simple, I have point envy. We laugh about it, but it’s been hard trying to figure out how my friend can eat all their points. It’s interesting how difficult it is to eat 52 points and be healthy. I mean, eat a few candy bars and cheese burger and you’ve got it covered, but to eat 52 healthy points is a challenge. Now here a few things I didn’t tell you. My friend is a man. Men have it a little easier than woman do. They cut out desserts for a week and lose 5lbs. I can imagine how hard it is when your trying to lose weight and your partner isn’t. It’s difficult enough with my own temptations, but ad another person’s to the equation and yikes!
Helping out my friend is really great for me. It’s as if I’m also speaking to my “inner” self and confirming that the plan works, as long as you’re doing it. It’s also nice to have someone to talk to about new food finds and recipes. I made some delicious Cherry Brownies from a recipe I got from Hungry Girl and he’s making some great meals from these Shirataki noodles that are zero points! I found out about the Green Giant steamers from him and then I found the single serving size. They are a great way to get your vegetables and they are a tasty 1 point serving. This weekend we’re both going out to eat so we helped each other figure out what the best options are.
One of my goals is to be off my high blood pressure medications. It’s not about losing weight as much as it is about being healthy. We’re really motivating each other. What a great gift you can give a friend. It’s no calories and fits every size. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Helping out my friend is really great for me. It’s as if I’m also speaking to my “inner” self and confirming that the plan works, as long as you’re doing it. It’s also nice to have someone to talk to about new food finds and recipes. I made some delicious Cherry Brownies from a recipe I got from Hungry Girl and he’s making some great meals from these Shirataki noodles that are zero points! I found out about the Green Giant steamers from him and then I found the single serving size. They are a great way to get your vegetables and they are a tasty 1 point serving. This weekend we’re both going out to eat so we helped each other figure out what the best options are.
One of my goals is to be off my high blood pressure medications. It’s not about losing weight as much as it is about being healthy. We’re really motivating each other. What a great gift you can give a friend. It’s no calories and fits every size. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Oprah Factor
A few years ago when Oprah was celebrating her 50th birthday, she got into incredible shape. She said that she didn't want to be "fat and 50!" Her desire and motivation over rode her years of struggling with her weight and she looked amazing. I remember talking to my therapist about Oprah and how she motivated herself to lose weight. My therapist said 5 little words that struck me: "Do not compare yourself to Oprah". She proceeded to explain that Oprah is not like you and me. She never has to go to the market and shop for food, (she doesn't even have to drive!) she doesn't have to prepare a meal, (not to say she never cooks, but she did have her trainer/nutrition Bob live with her) and she doesn't have the same stresses that the average woman has. Not that she doesn't have problems, but her life is managed a lot more closely that mine is. Her point was that Oprah talks to her audience as if they are all in the same boat with her, unfortunately she's in a yacht and I'm in a row boat. I know she still struggles with her weight, but she went through a period, when she was thin, where she didn't have much empathy anyone. That's when I stopped watching her. It was as if she had conquered her demons and had little patience for those still fighting their demons. Of course, as we all know, Oprah's weight came back. This time she blamed it on her thyroid. Accountability is all I ask for. So if Oprah still struggles, and let's face it, she can pay somebody to feed her by hand, what chance do I have? I think it just goes to show that even if you have all the money in the world, there are some things that we all still have in common. I realized that I was not being empathetic to Oprah. Weight struggle is universal. It knows no boundaries.
It got me to thinking about how we compare ourselves to other people. Why can my friend Tyson eat an entire bag of cookies and gain no weight and I eat two and I gain a pound? You know why? Because, as my mother always said, life's not fair. It really helps when you're having a pity party for yourself to repeat those words. I have no control over the fact that Tyson can eat whatever he wants, but I do have control over what I put in my mouth. So life isn't fair. Boo Hoo! Now pick yourself off the floor and take that cookie out of your mouth and stop blaming everyone else. It's no ones fault that my metabolism isn't that of a super model. The fact of the matter is that I come from a long line of curvy women so lucky me! I will embrace those curves, I just want them in the right places.
So my message to you and Oprah and myself is to take responsibility for yourself, be kind to yourself and stop comparing yourself to other people. Life is tough enough without beating yourself up. If you fall off the horse, dust yourself off and get right back on and while your at it, don't forget to forgive the horse.
It got me to thinking about how we compare ourselves to other people. Why can my friend Tyson eat an entire bag of cookies and gain no weight and I eat two and I gain a pound? You know why? Because, as my mother always said, life's not fair. It really helps when you're having a pity party for yourself to repeat those words. I have no control over the fact that Tyson can eat whatever he wants, but I do have control over what I put in my mouth. So life isn't fair. Boo Hoo! Now pick yourself off the floor and take that cookie out of your mouth and stop blaming everyone else. It's no ones fault that my metabolism isn't that of a super model. The fact of the matter is that I come from a long line of curvy women so lucky me! I will embrace those curves, I just want them in the right places.
So my message to you and Oprah and myself is to take responsibility for yourself, be kind to yourself and stop comparing yourself to other people. Life is tough enough without beating yourself up. If you fall off the horse, dust yourself off and get right back on and while your at it, don't forget to forgive the horse.
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