Do you remember that song? It was the theme song for a TV western back in the 60s or 70s. All I remember are the words, "Head 'em up; move 'em out. Rawhide!" Maybe the name of the program was "Rawhide." Funny that I can't remember the program but I remember that silly song.
If a Borden Collie could help round up and move out these papers, I would rent one. But sadly, papers don't move like cows. They can't be hearded. (Is there such a word as "hearded?") They have to be picked up and moved by me! But I'm heading them up and moving them out. Got another trash can full today. I grabbed armloads of papers from the stack on my desk that is threatening to avalanche, took them to the dining room and sorted them on the table into categories so they can be filed.
As for herding the pounds, I am having a hard time rounding them up. They are very elusive. Wednesday night I was up all night working. I ate all night for energy. I didn't even try to keep track of my calories. Yesterday morning I had gained four pounds!
Yesterday I went on my potato diet. Had 2 fried eggs and two small potatoes for breakfast. I seasoned the 'taters with garlic powder, paprika and just a little bit of olive oil. I ate much less over all that day. This morning I was back down to 259. That seemed like a pretty good loss.
Today I continued with my potato routine. Except today I only ate one potato at breakfast. It really does make me feel satisfied and full. I had a salad of romaine lettuce, a big fat grated carrot, green onions, topped with some grated cheddar cheese for supper. Again, I felt quite full. A few hours later I checked my blood sugar and it was 139. A little high. I wonder if that potato causes the blood sugar to rise or if it was the sweetened yogurt I had between meals.
It will be interesting to see what my weight is in the morning. But then tomorrow afternoon the ladies at my church are having a fall fun day. We are going to be eating Rib Crib BBQ for lunch, will have bible study and other activities, then late afternoon have a dessert. That could be my Achilles heel. H-E-L-PPPPPPP!
Lord, help me to only put into my mouth that which is good for me tomorrow, and every day.
1Co 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 28 - Wednesday Weigh in day! Potatoes are my friend?
The good news is that I did not gain weight on Sunday, which has been my weekly failure point.
Today I am still maintaining 258, which is a 2 pound loss from last week.
At least 50 pounds of paper and junk has gone out my door in the last two days. I'm making progress.
To someone who didn't see me at 280 pounds, I would still look huge at 258. To someone who hadn't seen me pitching and heaving junk out my door, my office would still look like a dump. I cannot let how I look discourage me. I will not look svelte in a few weeks. It takes time and consistency. The same with the clutter in my office - baby steps - will get the clutter out of my office.
POTATOES - STARCHES - could they be my friend? I was watching a program on TV today where a guest doctor was explaining that for thousands of years whole people groups consisted mainly on starches and did so in good health and without being obese.
He said that we have been told that starches are bad because they convert to sugar. We are told to eat less carbohydrates and yet we are a nation of sick, obese people. He said that a graveyard of gladiators was discovered recently. Gladiator's diets consisted of starches, and right before their fights they would eat barley for a day or two. They were called "barley eaters." Scientists have analyzed their bones and their bones were denser and showed to be more healthy than the surrounding population.
He also talked about the 3 Sisters - the diet of the Indians: corn, beans and squash. The Native Americans were healthy and lean. I've often wondered how modern day Native Americans have become obese, diabetic and sickly when they still eat lots of beans and corn tortillas. I don't know if it is the added fat in their diets or the fact that the maize (corn) of even a hundred years ago had much more protein in it than the hybrid corn of today. It could be that they are eating beef (hamburger) which was not a native food.
There are many examples - the whole nation of China has lived for thousands of years on a diet in which the main ingredient was rice. This doctor claimed that the Irish used to live on nothing but potatoes and were healthy and strong.
The point was that starches give us energy and strength. Athletes load up on carbs before a big game or race. He said there was enough protein in a potato to sustain us. During a period (I can't remember - 20 years maybe?) in Ireland, the population doubled while the people were eating almost nothing but potatoes.
Something I have discovered on my own during this time of trying to eat better: when I have a (small to medium) yukon gold potato with my meal, I do not have cravings after I eat. I eat the gold yukons because the brown and red potatoes make my joints ache - even to the smaller joints in my fingers. And doctors say that the gold and sweet potatoes are healing to stomach ulcers. I have a history of ulcers, so I want to eat things that are soothing to my stomach.
Two things I have learned in the past four weeks: A hearty breakfast helps rev up my metabolism, and eating a yellow potato with my meal stops food cravings.
I just bought a new bag of potatoes and will be experimenting with eating a potato one or more times a day. I am not talking about greasy fries or a baked potato with huge globs of butter and sour cream on top. I am talking about a steamed, boiled or baked potato with toppings that are not fattening. This will be a habit I will have to develop as I rarely eat potatoes, believing they were fattening and not good for me.
Today I am still maintaining 258, which is a 2 pound loss from last week.
At least 50 pounds of paper and junk has gone out my door in the last two days. I'm making progress.
To someone who didn't see me at 280 pounds, I would still look huge at 258. To someone who hadn't seen me pitching and heaving junk out my door, my office would still look like a dump. I cannot let how I look discourage me. I will not look svelte in a few weeks. It takes time and consistency. The same with the clutter in my office - baby steps - will get the clutter out of my office.
POTATOES - STARCHES - could they be my friend? I was watching a program on TV today where a guest doctor was explaining that for thousands of years whole people groups consisted mainly on starches and did so in good health and without being obese.
He said that we have been told that starches are bad because they convert to sugar. We are told to eat less carbohydrates and yet we are a nation of sick, obese people. He said that a graveyard of gladiators was discovered recently. Gladiator's diets consisted of starches, and right before their fights they would eat barley for a day or two. They were called "barley eaters." Scientists have analyzed their bones and their bones were denser and showed to be more healthy than the surrounding population.
He also talked about the 3 Sisters - the diet of the Indians: corn, beans and squash. The Native Americans were healthy and lean. I've often wondered how modern day Native Americans have become obese, diabetic and sickly when they still eat lots of beans and corn tortillas. I don't know if it is the added fat in their diets or the fact that the maize (corn) of even a hundred years ago had much more protein in it than the hybrid corn of today. It could be that they are eating beef (hamburger) which was not a native food.
There are many examples - the whole nation of China has lived for thousands of years on a diet in which the main ingredient was rice. This doctor claimed that the Irish used to live on nothing but potatoes and were healthy and strong.
The point was that starches give us energy and strength. Athletes load up on carbs before a big game or race. He said there was enough protein in a potato to sustain us. During a period (I can't remember - 20 years maybe?) in Ireland, the population doubled while the people were eating almost nothing but potatoes.
Something I have discovered on my own during this time of trying to eat better: when I have a (small to medium) yukon gold potato with my meal, I do not have cravings after I eat. I eat the gold yukons because the brown and red potatoes make my joints ache - even to the smaller joints in my fingers. And doctors say that the gold and sweet potatoes are healing to stomach ulcers. I have a history of ulcers, so I want to eat things that are soothing to my stomach.
Two things I have learned in the past four weeks: A hearty breakfast helps rev up my metabolism, and eating a yellow potato with my meal stops food cravings.
I just bought a new bag of potatoes and will be experimenting with eating a potato one or more times a day. I am not talking about greasy fries or a baked potato with huge globs of butter and sour cream on top. I am talking about a steamed, boiled or baked potato with toppings that are not fattening. This will be a habit I will have to develop as I rarely eat potatoes, believing they were fattening and not good for me.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers (and sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:1-4
Monday, October 4, 2010
Day 26 - Sunday - How am I coming with my goal?
What a day! I didn't get much sleep Saturday night. This morning when the phone rang at 8:25 AM, I was exhausted. It was the friend who rides to church with me. She was hoping I was up and jumping around. Hardly. Ugh. She tells me it is very cold outside and I should dress warmly. I check the weather channel and find out it is 39 degrees outside - just 7 degrees above freezing. My whole plans of what I was going to wear must be changed.
I weighed. Back to 258.5 - so it was dehydration that showed the loss on the scales on Saturday.
I wore black velour slacks, a black blouse, topped by a black and white leopard print velour jacket. When we arrive at church one of the greeters called me skinny girl. Of course that made my day!
The strange thing is that I am pleased with the loss and the fact that my slacks were loose in the waist and hips. It is strange because even though most of my adult life I have been overweight, I would have been very dismayed to weigh as much as I do now. When I look at how actually big I still am, it can be discouraging, but I know that if I keep working at eating right, watching my calories and portions, that I will get even smaller and eventually reach my ultimate goal.
Right now, my short term goal is to reach 250. Things have moved so slowly since February that I see each ten pounds as a yard line on a football field. I need to move the ball 100 yards. But I'm not looking at the long football field and seeing how impossible it would be to pass, throw or run the ball 100 yards. I'm going for the first down. (Football fans will understand what I'm talking about.) Every time I reach a 10 pound marker, 270, 260, 250, 240, I have achieved a first down. I can celebrate and aim for the next 10 yards or 10 pounds. I started at 280 in February 2010. Then 3-1/2 weeks ago I started with the 3D group. I was at 263 then, and have lost about 5 pounds at 258. Not a lot of gain, or loss, depending on perspective, but it is progress. But, I made it down to 260! That is 20 pounds lighter than 280. And now I'm aiming for 250. Someday I will be at 200. I am NOT trying. I am doing it.
Now for the clutter in my home. I took the plastic cups to church and gave them to the director of the ministry to the homeless. I also took 6 or 8 kippered snacks and some fish steaks (sardine steaks in a can) to give to the homeless. I can't eat them, they give me indigestion.
There is so much similarity to the clutter in my home and the clutter on my body. It didn't get that way over night and it will not go away over night. It takes baby steps, routines, consistency, and the mindset that this is not something I am trying to do, it is something I am doing and am going to accomplish no matter how long it takes. I have considered the cost, the self discipline, the need to depend upon the Lord for strength to accomplish this, and I am committed.
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish?" Luke 14: 28-30
I weighed. Back to 258.5 - so it was dehydration that showed the loss on the scales on Saturday.
I wore black velour slacks, a black blouse, topped by a black and white leopard print velour jacket. When we arrive at church one of the greeters called me skinny girl. Of course that made my day!
The strange thing is that I am pleased with the loss and the fact that my slacks were loose in the waist and hips. It is strange because even though most of my adult life I have been overweight, I would have been very dismayed to weigh as much as I do now. When I look at how actually big I still am, it can be discouraging, but I know that if I keep working at eating right, watching my calories and portions, that I will get even smaller and eventually reach my ultimate goal.
Right now, my short term goal is to reach 250. Things have moved so slowly since February that I see each ten pounds as a yard line on a football field. I need to move the ball 100 yards. But I'm not looking at the long football field and seeing how impossible it would be to pass, throw or run the ball 100 yards. I'm going for the first down. (Football fans will understand what I'm talking about.) Every time I reach a 10 pound marker, 270, 260, 250, 240, I have achieved a first down. I can celebrate and aim for the next 10 yards or 10 pounds. I started at 280 in February 2010. Then 3-1/2 weeks ago I started with the 3D group. I was at 263 then, and have lost about 5 pounds at 258. Not a lot of gain, or loss, depending on perspective, but it is progress. But, I made it down to 260! That is 20 pounds lighter than 280. And now I'm aiming for 250. Someday I will be at 200. I am NOT trying. I am doing it.
Now for the clutter in my home. I took the plastic cups to church and gave them to the director of the ministry to the homeless. I also took 6 or 8 kippered snacks and some fish steaks (sardine steaks in a can) to give to the homeless. I can't eat them, they give me indigestion.
There is so much similarity to the clutter in my home and the clutter on my body. It didn't get that way over night and it will not go away over night. It takes baby steps, routines, consistency, and the mindset that this is not something I am trying to do, it is something I am doing and am going to accomplish no matter how long it takes. I have considered the cost, the self discipline, the need to depend upon the Lord for strength to accomplish this, and I am committed.
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish?" Luke 14: 28-30
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 25 - Saturday Decluttering body and home
I can't see that anything looks better in my office, but a large wastebasket is so full of paper and magazines that it is too heavy for me to lift. I'm going to have to take things out and put in smaller bags to get to the dumpster. I have filled the shredder basket twice. There is another sack of Toastmaster magazines; and still another sack full of miscellaneous things I'm throwing away.
I was telling a close friend and neighbor about my project, that I had "gifts" I had bought and never given that I needed to declutter. She wanted to see them. So I took two boxes (18.5 pounds) of stuff over for her to look at and got rid of more stuff there. She took what she wanted and insisted on giving me some money for them. She still got a bargain, and I got rid of some of my clutter. There is still some left. Some of the gifts I think I will set aside for Christmas, but the rest must go!
Inside one of the boxes of gift items I found two long sleeves of plastic cups and a purple plastic tablecloth. I can't remember what event those came from. Maybe my family reunion that I hosted in 2004. ha ha. I will put them in my cabinet where I can see them. Perhaps I should offer them to my ladies group at church. Or, I could use them at home and save washing glasses. Any suggestions?
More clutter is coming off my body. I weighed 256.5 today. But I was dehydrated. I could tell by my skin. So, maybe that is not a true weight loss, just water.
Right now I'm hungry and don't know what to eat. I'm out of peanut butter and yogurt. I think I'll scramble some eggs.
Tomorrow is Sunday - the day of the week when I have so often failed. I hope tomorrow I am able to maintain my weight loss.
May you have a blessed Sunday.
I was telling a close friend and neighbor about my project, that I had "gifts" I had bought and never given that I needed to declutter. She wanted to see them. So I took two boxes (18.5 pounds) of stuff over for her to look at and got rid of more stuff there. She took what she wanted and insisted on giving me some money for them. She still got a bargain, and I got rid of some of my clutter. There is still some left. Some of the gifts I think I will set aside for Christmas, but the rest must go!
Inside one of the boxes of gift items I found two long sleeves of plastic cups and a purple plastic tablecloth. I can't remember what event those came from. Maybe my family reunion that I hosted in 2004. ha ha. I will put them in my cabinet where I can see them. Perhaps I should offer them to my ladies group at church. Or, I could use them at home and save washing glasses. Any suggestions?
More clutter is coming off my body. I weighed 256.5 today. But I was dehydrated. I could tell by my skin. So, maybe that is not a true weight loss, just water.
Right now I'm hungry and don't know what to eat. I'm out of peanut butter and yogurt. I think I'll scramble some eggs.
Tomorrow is Sunday - the day of the week when I have so often failed. I hope tomorrow I am able to maintain my weight loss.
May you have a blessed Sunday.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Day 24 - Friday - My Declutter Guru
The 3-D group is not just about losing weight. It's about "Eating well, Living well, and Loving God." I am trying to unclutter body fat by eating better and watching portions; unclutter my mind by throwing down thoughts that are not of God, but come from my accuser and temper, the Devil: and unclutter my home by getting rid of things that I have held on to for far too long. It is the living well part - uncluttering my living space - that I will be talking about today.
The clutter in my home is as hard to reveal as is the pounds on the scale. But this is about being real, facing our selves with the truth and not denial.
The clutter in my home is as hard to reveal as is the pounds on the scale. But this is about being real, facing our selves with the truth and not denial.
I have a very special person in my life with whom I feel safe to tell about my struggles with stuff! He has the same problem that I have but for different reasons. He moved from a large place into a one bedroom apartment three years ago, and still has unpacked boxes everywhere because there is no where to put things.
We have talked about decluttering before. He was at my home in August for the first time in years and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it looked. (I didn't let him in the office - that is where I stuffed everything I couldn't find a place for.) But there were no boxes under the table or desk, no boxes lined against the walls, and no two-drawer filing cabinet in the living room pretending it was a TV stand or end table. It looked really nice. And he said so with admiration. And then said, "Where are the things stacked against the wall that you talked about? It looks fine in here to me." I then said I had worked very hard to get things the way they were. ( And boy, had I worked!)
So tonight we are talking and I tell him that I am thinking about quilts that were given to me by deceased ancestors. The quilts have been used for years and had started breaking down, decaying, and so I quit using them and put them in the cedar chest. I didn't want to get rid of them, no one else would want them, and they weren't nice enough to use. In fact, using them would damage them even more. As we discussed why I hung on to them, it was because of who gave them to me or made them for me when I was just a girl. He helped me to realize that if the quilts were too ragged for me to want to use them on my bed, then I shouldn't keep them. The folks who gave them to me would be glad I got so much use out of them, and would not expect me to keep them forever, especially when they were ragged. He said I can still hold the memory of their love and the quilts they made even though I let them go.
He mentioned again how nice my apartment was in August when he visited. I admitted to him that I had stuffed everything I could not find a place for into my office. He then said I probably had dragged everything back out and cluttered up my home again. I said, "No, I haven't dragged anything out and back into the living areas, but every time I go into my office it is so depressing and overwhelming. I hate going in there. (That is where my computer is, folks, so here I sit in the "dump" writing this to you.)
We talked about all kinds of things that I have been unable to make a decision on letting go. I don't know if I can convey to you what he conveyed to me, but he helped me to realize that these things had been useful in the past and were no longer useful. So, it was alright to get rid of them. He didn't want me spending energy trying to find someone that might benefit from the things I no longer used. He wanted me put them in the trash can and then take them to the dumpster.
I argued that many of these things WERE useful. He said I was confusing functional with useful. Yes, they may still function, but if I am not using them, they are not useful to me. Let them go!
He also said it is a waste of time and energy to try to figure out why I started saving stuff and got myself into this mess. That is another distraction that just wears me down.
We talked for an hour and a half. He closed with a recap of what he had told me before. And then said that when I got off the phone the first thing I saw that I no longer enjoyed or used, to put it in the trash. That making decisions would strengthen my decision maker. I love this guy! LOL
I got off the phone and went to the bathroom. The first thing that caught my eye was a bottle of skin cleanser that was about ten years old. I had found it months ago with still some cleanser in the bottle and had put it upside down in my metal box that contains my daily skin care products. My thinking months ago was to use that last ounce or two so I wouldn't be throwing away money. Tonight I "saw" it, probably for the first time in a long time. It was no longer in my vision. I picked it up and thought about it. If it is ten years old, then it probably has grown bacteria and isn't fit to use. If I haven't used it in all this time, well, you know the drill. Throw it away! I did!
Then I went through the drawers in my bathroom cabinet and found toothpaste tubes that I thought I could squeeze and coax one more bit of toothpaste out of the tube. After throwing away all kinds of little things that had expired or looked gunky, or I hadn't used in a long time, I then contemplated some of the things that are harder to part with in the office.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I plan to attack my throwing away with vigor. I want to be able to come into my office and it feel like a place I want to be, not a place that I would be embarrassed for anyone to see. I want my whole home to be beautiful.
One thing my friend kept repeating to me . . . "It's time to move on. It's a new season in your life. Get rid of the old to make room for the new." I smile when I think about that. Yes, I'm ready for the new season. I want to be ready for the new to come.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
We have talked about decluttering before. He was at my home in August for the first time in years and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it looked. (I didn't let him in the office - that is where I stuffed everything I couldn't find a place for.) But there were no boxes under the table or desk, no boxes lined against the walls, and no two-drawer filing cabinet in the living room pretending it was a TV stand or end table. It looked really nice. And he said so with admiration. And then said, "Where are the things stacked against the wall that you talked about? It looks fine in here to me." I then said I had worked very hard to get things the way they were. ( And boy, had I worked!)
So tonight we are talking and I tell him that I am thinking about quilts that were given to me by deceased ancestors. The quilts have been used for years and had started breaking down, decaying, and so I quit using them and put them in the cedar chest. I didn't want to get rid of them, no one else would want them, and they weren't nice enough to use. In fact, using them would damage them even more. As we discussed why I hung on to them, it was because of who gave them to me or made them for me when I was just a girl. He helped me to realize that if the quilts were too ragged for me to want to use them on my bed, then I shouldn't keep them. The folks who gave them to me would be glad I got so much use out of them, and would not expect me to keep them forever, especially when they were ragged. He said I can still hold the memory of their love and the quilts they made even though I let them go.
He mentioned again how nice my apartment was in August when he visited. I admitted to him that I had stuffed everything I could not find a place for into my office. He then said I probably had dragged everything back out and cluttered up my home again. I said, "No, I haven't dragged anything out and back into the living areas, but every time I go into my office it is so depressing and overwhelming. I hate going in there. (That is where my computer is, folks, so here I sit in the "dump" writing this to you.)
We talked about all kinds of things that I have been unable to make a decision on letting go. I don't know if I can convey to you what he conveyed to me, but he helped me to realize that these things had been useful in the past and were no longer useful. So, it was alright to get rid of them. He didn't want me spending energy trying to find someone that might benefit from the things I no longer used. He wanted me put them in the trash can and then take them to the dumpster.
I argued that many of these things WERE useful. He said I was confusing functional with useful. Yes, they may still function, but if I am not using them, they are not useful to me. Let them go!
He also said it is a waste of time and energy to try to figure out why I started saving stuff and got myself into this mess. That is another distraction that just wears me down.
We talked for an hour and a half. He closed with a recap of what he had told me before. And then said that when I got off the phone the first thing I saw that I no longer enjoyed or used, to put it in the trash. That making decisions would strengthen my decision maker. I love this guy! LOL
I got off the phone and went to the bathroom. The first thing that caught my eye was a bottle of skin cleanser that was about ten years old. I had found it months ago with still some cleanser in the bottle and had put it upside down in my metal box that contains my daily skin care products. My thinking months ago was to use that last ounce or two so I wouldn't be throwing away money. Tonight I "saw" it, probably for the first time in a long time. It was no longer in my vision. I picked it up and thought about it. If it is ten years old, then it probably has grown bacteria and isn't fit to use. If I haven't used it in all this time, well, you know the drill. Throw it away! I did!
Then I went through the drawers in my bathroom cabinet and found toothpaste tubes that I thought I could squeeze and coax one more bit of toothpaste out of the tube. After throwing away all kinds of little things that had expired or looked gunky, or I hadn't used in a long time, I then contemplated some of the things that are harder to part with in the office.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I plan to attack my throwing away with vigor. I want to be able to come into my office and it feel like a place I want to be, not a place that I would be embarrassed for anyone to see. I want my whole home to be beautiful.
One thing my friend kept repeating to me . . . "It's time to move on. It's a new season in your life. Get rid of the old to make room for the new." I smile when I think about that. Yes, I'm ready for the new season. I want to be ready for the new to come.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Day 23 - Thursday I'm back down to 258.5
I am guessing that the big breakfast yesterday did rev up my metabolism. Today, I was back down to 258.5.
I walked about two long blocks today, standing up straight with good posture and was able to do so while walking fairly normally. The last stretch of sidewalk between the two buildings my hip went out. I limped the last 25 or 30 feet. But walking that far standing straight up without the hip going out is good news. I am encouraged.
I walked about two long blocks today, standing up straight with good posture and was able to do so while walking fairly normally. The last stretch of sidewalk between the two buildings my hip went out. I limped the last 25 or 30 feet. But walking that far standing straight up without the hip going out is good news. I am encouraged.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Day 22 - Weds - Beginning Week 4
Today is check in - weigh in day. I wish I could say that the scales are in my favor. They are not. I weigh the same as I did a week ago, 260 pounds. The couple of days that I was at 258 were ruined on Sunday.
Today I started off with a big breakfast, hoping to jump start my metabolism. Two scrambled eggs, 1 piece healthy nut bread, 1 tsp mayo, 1 slice pineapple and 1/2 cup plain yogurt.
My computer is running very slow, so I can't access the website for calorie counts. Can't do much of anything with computer acting this way.
I did get in vegetables and fruits today. But I also ate caramel popcorn while watching a movie.
I cried during the movie, "Letters to Juliet". I had seen it before, and knew what was going to happen, but I still cried. I'm a real softie when it comes to movies that touch the heart. Movies depicting real love, and not necessarily of the romantic version. The scene of the older Claire touching the face of young Sophie so tenderly and then brushing her wet hair was deeply moving. I could feel the love. There was plenty of romance too, as Claire searched for the boy she loved and had ran away from 50 years earlier. But now they both are senior citizens, that is, if he is still alive. And if she finds him, will he remember her?
Of course, all the important characters in this movie were slender. :)
"How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us." I John, 3:1
Today I started off with a big breakfast, hoping to jump start my metabolism. Two scrambled eggs, 1 piece healthy nut bread, 1 tsp mayo, 1 slice pineapple and 1/2 cup plain yogurt.
My computer is running very slow, so I can't access the website for calorie counts. Can't do much of anything with computer acting this way.
I did get in vegetables and fruits today. But I also ate caramel popcorn while watching a movie.
I cried during the movie, "Letters to Juliet". I had seen it before, and knew what was going to happen, but I still cried. I'm a real softie when it comes to movies that touch the heart. Movies depicting real love, and not necessarily of the romantic version. The scene of the older Claire touching the face of young Sophie so tenderly and then brushing her wet hair was deeply moving. I could feel the love. There was plenty of romance too, as Claire searched for the boy she loved and had ran away from 50 years earlier. But now they both are senior citizens, that is, if he is still alive. And if she finds him, will he remember her?
Of course, all the important characters in this movie were slender. :)
"How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us." I John, 3:1
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Day 20 - Monday - another battle but the war isn't over
Last night, before I went to bed, I weighed. I had gained five pounds since morning. UGH!
This morning I weighed two pounds less, 261, but still 2-1/2 pounds over what I had maintained for three days.
For some reason, I cannot even remember breakfast. I remember eating half a banana. And then I got side tracked. The skillet that I was going to use to scramble my egg is still waiting.
Other things I ate today
Lemon yogurt 6 oz 170 calories
1/2 Marie Calendars frozen dinner 250 calories
Peanuts - about 1 oz 160 calories
1/2 Marie Calendars frozen dinner 250 calories
juice (combination of fruit juices) 120
1/2 lemon yogurt 85 calories
1 slice pineapple 35
6 oz plain yogurt 90
1/2 banana (mentioned above) 55
Total Calories 1215
Here is how I understand the calorie vs. weight loss to work. Multiply your weight by 11.
260 X 11 = 2,860. That's how many calories it takes to maintain my weight.
When I eat less than 2,860 calories my body takes notice. When I have accumulated a total deficit of 3,000, whether through exercise or diet, I lose a pound. According to that formula, I should lose a pound approximately every two days.
However, also according to that formula, I ate 15,000 calories over and above 2,860 calories on Sunday. But that is impossible! I ate half a TV dinner today and was full, so I stopped eating. I ate the other half later for another meal. There is no way I could force 17,860 calories of food into my body in one day! I would burst open.
I'm still not eating as well as I should. I got plenty of dairy with the yogurts. I had two fruit servings with the banana and juice. I had carrots and broccoli in the frozen dinner. I had protein in the yogurt, the chicken in the dinner and I had carbs in the yogurts and in the noddles in the dinner. I am lacking in fruit and vegetable servings. Need to eat more raw foods. Somedays I feel lazy, and today was one of those days. I worked on laundry, writing, and other things around the house. I should have taken the time to make a salad or prepare some other vegetables and fruits.
Paul talks about waring with the flesh. "For I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind . . . " Romans 7: 21-23a,b
Thank God, we have forgiveness and tomorrow is a new day.
This morning I weighed two pounds less, 261, but still 2-1/2 pounds over what I had maintained for three days.
For some reason, I cannot even remember breakfast. I remember eating half a banana. And then I got side tracked. The skillet that I was going to use to scramble my egg is still waiting.
Other things I ate today
Lemon yogurt 6 oz 170 calories
1/2 Marie Calendars frozen dinner 250 calories
Peanuts - about 1 oz 160 calories
1/2 Marie Calendars frozen dinner 250 calories
juice (combination of fruit juices) 120
1/2 lemon yogurt 85 calories
1 slice pineapple 35
6 oz plain yogurt 90
1/2 banana (mentioned above) 55
Total Calories 1215
Here is how I understand the calorie vs. weight loss to work. Multiply your weight by 11.
260 X 11 = 2,860. That's how many calories it takes to maintain my weight.
When I eat less than 2,860 calories my body takes notice. When I have accumulated a total deficit of 3,000, whether through exercise or diet, I lose a pound. According to that formula, I should lose a pound approximately every two days.
However, also according to that formula, I ate 15,000 calories over and above 2,860 calories on Sunday. But that is impossible! I ate half a TV dinner today and was full, so I stopped eating. I ate the other half later for another meal. There is no way I could force 17,860 calories of food into my body in one day! I would burst open.
I'm still not eating as well as I should. I got plenty of dairy with the yogurts. I had two fruit servings with the banana and juice. I had carrots and broccoli in the frozen dinner. I had protein in the yogurt, the chicken in the dinner and I had carbs in the yogurts and in the noddles in the dinner. I am lacking in fruit and vegetable servings. Need to eat more raw foods. Somedays I feel lazy, and today was one of those days. I worked on laundry, writing, and other things around the house. I should have taken the time to make a salad or prepare some other vegetables and fruits.
Paul talks about waring with the flesh. "For I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind . . . " Romans 7: 21-23a,b
Thank God, we have forgiveness and tomorrow is a new day.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Day 19 - Sunday - A wonderful day, but did I choose to eat wisely?
Today was a wonderful day. The worship at church was wonderful. Two people wandered into the building after church was over. We offered them pastries and coffee, and made acquaintances. The lady reached to me for a hug. During our talk, I saw tears brimming in her eyes. I said I noticed her tears. She told of her recent losses. The person with her (not related) had also had deaths in the past week. They had to leave, but she asked me for another hug. I hugged and blessed her. And invited her and the other person back.
Went to the hospital to see a neighbor recently diagnosed with acute leukemia. What a blessing to be in her presence. She has been in the hospital three weeks, is taking very strong chemo, yet she radiated with the love of Jesus. What a precious lady. What a privilege to visit her and pray with her.
Someone at church noticed I had lost weight. I was told it showed in my neck and across my shoulders. I thought that was odd, but nice that someone noticed a change in size. Maybe what they noticed was now my neck is wrinkled. Maybe they were too nice or too embarrassed to say, "I see your backside is not the size of an air craft carrier anymore." Probably would made a good destroyer. ha!
Yes, the day was good. However, my eating choices were not so good.
For breakfast I had
1/2 banana, 55 calories
1 slice healthy nut bread, 110 calories
2 slices roasted white turkey breast lunch meat 60
water _____
Total 225 calories
Went to church where coffee and pastries were displayed.
Ate 1/4 oatmeal cookie
1 small brownie
Approx 100 calories
Lunch
McDonalds fish sandwich I only ate
1/2 half of the bun. The sandwich was NOT
tasty. It was greasy and gave me indigestion. UGH! 420 calories
(I deducted 50 calories for not eating 1/2 of bun)
I did not know how many calories were in the fish
sandwich until I got home and researched it. If I had
known how high in calories and how bad in taste,
I would not have made that choice.
water
Supper
1 slice pizza med size slice
it was pretty tasteless so I added
hot pepper cheese and some parmesan
Probably a zillion calories, but I really don't know
6 oz lemon yogurt 170 calories
1/2 banana 52 calories
unknown amounts of shelled peanuts
Total of everything but pizza and peanuts 967 calories
Let's hope the pizza and peanuts did not
exceed 533 calories, but they probably did.
I only drank water except for one glass of diluted juice.
I had no vegetables, not even a pickle on a sandwich.
I had two servings of fruit plus the fruit juice.
I did not eat well today. My body deserves good food. It is hard to eat away from home on a limited budget. Fast food is pretty much nasty food.
Tomorrow is a new day. I will get back on track
then.
I hope I have maintained my weight.
Father, please forgive me for not eating well. Thank you for the joyful encounters I had at church and the hospital and with my neighbors.
Went to the hospital to see a neighbor recently diagnosed with acute leukemia. What a blessing to be in her presence. She has been in the hospital three weeks, is taking very strong chemo, yet she radiated with the love of Jesus. What a precious lady. What a privilege to visit her and pray with her.
Someone at church noticed I had lost weight. I was told it showed in my neck and across my shoulders. I thought that was odd, but nice that someone noticed a change in size. Maybe what they noticed was now my neck is wrinkled. Maybe they were too nice or too embarrassed to say, "I see your backside is not the size of an air craft carrier anymore." Probably would made a good destroyer. ha!
Yes, the day was good. However, my eating choices were not so good.
For breakfast I had
1/2 banana, 55 calories
1 slice healthy nut bread, 110 calories
2 slices roasted white turkey breast lunch meat 60
water _____
Total 225 calories
Went to church where coffee and pastries were displayed.
Ate 1/4 oatmeal cookie
1 small brownie
Approx 100 calories
Lunch
McDonalds fish sandwich I only ate
1/2 half of the bun. The sandwich was NOT
tasty. It was greasy and gave me indigestion. UGH! 420 calories
(I deducted 50 calories for not eating 1/2 of bun)
I did not know how many calories were in the fish
sandwich until I got home and researched it. If I had
known how high in calories and how bad in taste,
I would not have made that choice.
water
Supper
1 slice pizza med size slice
it was pretty tasteless so I added
hot pepper cheese and some parmesan
Probably a zillion calories, but I really don't know
6 oz lemon yogurt 170 calories
1/2 banana 52 calories
unknown amounts of shelled peanuts
Total of everything but pizza and peanuts 967 calories
Let's hope the pizza and peanuts did not
exceed 533 calories, but they probably did.
I only drank water except for one glass of diluted juice.
I had no vegetables, not even a pickle on a sandwich.
I had two servings of fruit plus the fruit juice.
I did not eat well today. My body deserves good food. It is hard to eat away from home on a limited budget. Fast food is pretty much nasty food.
Tomorrow is a new day. I will get back on track
then.
I hope I have maintained my weight.
Father, please forgive me for not eating well. Thank you for the joyful encounters I had at church and the hospital and with my neighbors.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Day 18 - Saturday - Have I reached a milestone on my goal?
So far this week I've lost 1-1/2 pounds and holding. I'm under 260! Weighing in at 258.5 lbs. I've been there before but it didn't take. So waiting until Wednesday at check in to see if I have maintained my goal of getting and staying under 260.
Church starts earlier than usual in the morning, so I'll keep this short and get back with you tomorrow. We will see if I can maintain this weight through Sunday festivities.
May all of you have a blessed Lord's day.
Persevere!
Church starts earlier than usual in the morning, so I'll keep this short and get back with you tomorrow. We will see if I can maintain this weight through Sunday festivities.
May all of you have a blessed Lord's day.
Persevere!
Day 17- Fri. Too Big For My Britches (or Not ?) Part 2
Two Big for My Britches (or Not?) Part 2
I enjoyed the jeans the rest of the winter and spring, but it has been very hot here in the old southwest this summer. Thus, I had not worn my jeans in a couple of months.
Yesterday, Thursday, I needed to run some errands. I pulled the favored Lee jeans out of the closet and put them on. Much to my amazement they were very loose! Verrrrry loose!
But, I wore them anyway. After all, they are still fairly new. By the time I arrived home my jeans were riding "low."
LOOK MOM! I'm not too big for my britches! My britches are too big for me!
Mom is not here to look, but I feel like the kid who is riding her bike and hollering, "Look Mom, no hands!"
I felt the seat of my pants after I came home and they were saggy. Maybe if I put on a baseball cap backwards I could fit in with the local boys around here. I unfastened the front of the jeans and pulled them around to just see how much too big they are. Would you believe that the distance from the button hole to where the button touches the waist band is four inches? I have lost four inches since February! Woo Hooooooooooo!
Four inches in the waist may not seem like a lot in seven months. Twenty pounds may not seem like a lot in seven months. And three pounds in two weeks may not seem like much progress either. But nevertheless, it is progress.
This is very encouraging. Very. I now realize that some things fitting differently is not my imagination, nor caused by the heat of the dryer ruining the elastic. I'm actually getting smaller.
Because I really like those jeans I'm going to wash them and dry them in a hot dryer and hope they shrink to fit. But even if they don't, I am not going back to the size I was. I want to live to be able to do the things I am called by God to do, and I need a healthy body to do that.
You know what the most wonderful thing is about all of this? That I was loved unconditionally by my Father God when I weighed my heaviest weight. When I was my fattest, I was still loved by him. And I was still loved by some others too. You may be one of them.
I'm so thankful for the Lord's great patience with me. His mercy, his loving kindness is forever and ever. Praise his holy name.
Father, please help me to stay my course, to make wise decisions about what I eat, and to take better care of my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord. Amen
Friday, September 24, 2010
Day 16 - Thurs - Too Big For My Britches Part 1
TOO BIG FOR MY BRITCHES
I truly WAS too big for my britches in December. My mother died and then two days later my sister's husband died, both in the same state. I had to fly to another state to attend the funerals. On the airplane I wore my most comfortable jeans, the ones that weren't so tight I had to go into contortions to get them buttoned and zipped. They were dark navy, soft, and so comfortable. It was very cold that morning. I sat in the bulkhead - the seat closest to the front door. I heard one of the attendants say they needed to turn off the heat. Cold air from outside had been pouring inside the door as people loaded onto the plane - then they turned off the heat! I was cold, and so wore my coat inside the plane to Atlanta.
At the Atlanta airport it was so cold that the employees working behind the desks at the gates had on heavy coats, gloves, hats and some even had on earmuffs. I had no idea why there was no heat in the building. I was shaking from the cold. I went to one of the stores and bought a heavy, pink, hoodie with Atlanta printed on the front. I put that on over my clothes, and then my coat on top of that. My coat came down to below my hips. (This information will be useful later.) ha!
That evening we had my mother's viewing, then the family had a celebration of her life at a restaurant. Of course, I was not dressed in jeans, I was dressed appropriately.
The next day was Sunday and mother's funeral. After the funeral and burial was over and we all got back to the motel, most of the family headed for their respective homes, except for me and my family. We went to our rooms to change into comfortable clothes so we could go out to eat.
When the guys showed up at my room, I was dressed in my favorite, comfortable jeans and a sweater. Then one of them said, "Oh, Mom! You can't wear those jeans, you've got a big hole in the back."
I felt around in the general area of my backside, but couldn't feel any holes. "There is a long rip next to your hip pocket. You've got to change. You can't go anywhere with us looking like that!" My sons lamented.
I went into the bathroom, and tried to see my rear in the mirror, but I couldn't see anything ripped. I couldn't feel anything ripped. But, not wanting to embarrass my family, I took the only other pair of jeans I had - the ones I had to practically "melt and pour myself into" pair of black jeans into the bathroom to change. When I took off the ripped pair, I still couldn't see the rip at first. But then there it was, between the hip pocket and the middle seam . . . a long rip. The denim was a stretch denim. The cotton had ripped, but the stretchy stuff was like a webbing between the gap. (But you could see through the webbing!) My hand never felt that far over. And I would have never seen it if I hadn't looked for it!
My gronies! How long had I been walking around with my underwear shining through a rip in my jeans? Had I gone to Braums and other places around home dressed like that? Did it happen on the plane? When I got to Augusta and it was too hot to wear my coat, did I walk around with my . . . ? Oh, this was terrible!
The next day my son took me to my sister's home three hours away on his way back to Florida. Her husband's funeral was the following day. But eventually, I had to wear something besides funeral clothes, and the only choices I had were a pair of jeans that had had a rear end blowout and a pair that were extremely tight. I wore the blowouts around her house, and wore the pair that looked "sprayed on the body" when going outside her home. My sister commented that she could never wear jeans that tight and why would I wear such tight jeans in public? She didn't understand. They were all I had. I had tried to find jeans to fit me back home, but they had changed the style and nothing fit! Nothing! I couldn't get my derriere and my fat thighs into any of the new style jeans!
That girl took me to every fat ladies store in the area, trying to find jeans to fit me. She took me to Walmart, and K-mart. She took me to the mall. There were no jeans to fit this body. None. I did buy some lovely velour slacks and jackets. So that is what I wore most of the time I was there.
But I wanted JEANS! We ordered a pair of Lee jeans over the internet based on my measurements and their description. They made me look like the cable guy - you know the one - whose jeans ride way too low and he is mooning you while he is working on the TV. I had to send them back. Very, very discouraging!
But then we had a breakthrough!
We spent a day shopping with my sister's friends, which included a trip to an outlet store in a town about 40 miles away. We shopped at several stores there and found some pretty blouses for me, but no jeans. Then we went into the Lee's outlet store! I found my jeans! Yes, they fit properly at the waist, the hips, the thighs and the knees! I had to get a tall size, but was deliriously happy to find jeans that fit! They quickly became my favorites.
For the rest of this story - tune in tomorrow. Same station. Whatever time you desire.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday -Day 15- Weigh in Day
I think I need new scales! I have digital scales that show the weight within 0.5 pound. I guess these things wear out, because now I can weigh . . . step off the scales . . . step back on . . . and gain 2 pounds! Something is wrong with that! Breathing air for 10 seconds should NOT cause me to gain weight! I know we have polluted air, but this is ridiculous.
Here's hoping that the 260# barrier has been broken! Weighed 260 yesterday and today. That's three pounds less than when I started 2 weeks ago. That's twenty pounds less than what I weighed in February. Slow progress, but still progress. If I lose just 1-1/2 pounds a week for a year I will weigh 78 pounds less. That would put me under 200 pounds! That would be fabulous.
I ate a whole bag of "healthy" (low fat, low salt, low sugar) popcorn tonight. I hope it didn't ruin my progress.
Please, Lord, let this be a true weight loss and not a fluke of my wishy washy scales.
For those who are praying for me. Thank you!
Persevere!
Here's hoping that the 260# barrier has been broken! Weighed 260 yesterday and today. That's three pounds less than when I started 2 weeks ago. That's twenty pounds less than what I weighed in February. Slow progress, but still progress. If I lose just 1-1/2 pounds a week for a year I will weigh 78 pounds less. That would put me under 200 pounds! That would be fabulous.
I ate a whole bag of "healthy" (low fat, low salt, low sugar) popcorn tonight. I hope it didn't ruin my progress.
Please, Lord, let this be a true weight loss and not a fluke of my wishy washy scales.
For those who are praying for me. Thank you!
Persevere!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Day 14 Tuesday
I'm eating less! I'm finding pleasure not just in a couple of tiny bites of Jello dark chocolate mousse TEMPTATIONS, but in smaller portions of other things. Lemon custard yogurt at Braum's is soooooooooo delicious. But I don't have to eat the whole 6 ounce up - 170 calories - at once. I can eat a few bites and savor the smooth and creamy texture; the tart but sweet, lemon flavor. Then, put the rest back in the refrigerator for later. I can enjoy it several times a day - and never eat more than that one little 6 oz cup.
Maybe someday I'll be able to handle ice cream in my freezer without it seducing me into eating a whole pint of it, or worse, even MORE, in one day.
Reasons for eating ice cream or any frozen treat -
1) I like the feel of cold in my mouth and throat
2) I enjoy the flavor
3) I want the feel and the flavor to continue, so I eat more
4) I'm bored
5) I'm stressed
6) It doesn't taste as good as I thought it would, so I eat more, hoping that will change
Probably no one else but me eats anything for the last reason, but then, maybe someone does.
How I am changing the need to eat ice cream or frozen treats:
1) When I am craving something cold, I drink diluted fruit juice or water with ice in the glass.
2) I can enjoy the flavor of just a couple of bites. Yummy!
3) Eating more is NOT going to make it taste better. My taste buds get numb very quickly. So, if it doesn't have a taste or doesn't taste good - stop eating!
4) When I was a kid and made the unfortunate decision to inform my mother that I was bored, she had a remedy. She put a scrub brush in one of my hands, a bucket of soapy water in the other hand, and told me that since I was bored, I needed to scrub the porch. I learned very quickly not to let her know I was bored. She never said, "Oh, you poor little thing. You are bored. Have some ice cream!" HA! No way! No wonder I was always fit and trim.
So, if I am bored, I need to change what I'm doing and find something else to do - like scrub the bathroom, fold the laundry, write a letter to my senator, go outside and sit in the sun for a while, pull a few weeds, read my bible, create something, do anything but stuff food in my face.
5) If I am stressed I don't have to eat to stuff my feelings down. I can decide what my feelings are - sadness, anger, anxiety, disappointment, rejection? And deal with them accordingly. Exercise helps relieve stress. I know you aren't supposed to exercise before going to bed, but last night I did my back, hip, and core exercises. It relieved stress in my muscles and throughout my body and I was able to quickly go to sleep. I also could listen to some praise and worship music and worship along with it. What a great stress reliever.
6) Stop and ask myself what I am really hungering for and take it to the Lord in prayer. Drink a glass of water. Food should taste good and be good for me. If it doesn't taste good nor is good for me, I need to keep it out of my mouth.
Paul said we are fighting against the "world, the flesh and the devil". My flesh seems to be my worst enemy as it demands attention and wants to sin. Paul also talks about beating our bodies into submission. He is not talking about abuse, but is reminding us that our bodies, our flesh, should not be our boss. The Olympic athletes have their bodies, their flesh in submission. If I am neglecting my spiritual food, my flesh will rise up and be more and more demanding of physical food.
Lord, you are the bread of life; you are the living water. Fill me with your Spirit, forgive me of my sin and where I stumble. Help me to remember that in times of temptations, in times of discouragement, I can run to you and you will rescue me; you will lift me up, and you will fill me. Thank you, Father. Amen.
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6
Maybe someday I'll be able to handle ice cream in my freezer without it seducing me into eating a whole pint of it, or worse, even MORE, in one day.
Reasons for eating ice cream or any frozen treat -
1) I like the feel of cold in my mouth and throat
2) I enjoy the flavor
3) I want the feel and the flavor to continue, so I eat more
4) I'm bored
5) I'm stressed
6) It doesn't taste as good as I thought it would, so I eat more, hoping that will change
Probably no one else but me eats anything for the last reason, but then, maybe someone does.
How I am changing the need to eat ice cream or frozen treats:
1) When I am craving something cold, I drink diluted fruit juice or water with ice in the glass.
2) I can enjoy the flavor of just a couple of bites. Yummy!
3) Eating more is NOT going to make it taste better. My taste buds get numb very quickly. So, if it doesn't have a taste or doesn't taste good - stop eating!
4) When I was a kid and made the unfortunate decision to inform my mother that I was bored, she had a remedy. She put a scrub brush in one of my hands, a bucket of soapy water in the other hand, and told me that since I was bored, I needed to scrub the porch. I learned very quickly not to let her know I was bored. She never said, "Oh, you poor little thing. You are bored. Have some ice cream!" HA! No way! No wonder I was always fit and trim.
So, if I am bored, I need to change what I'm doing and find something else to do - like scrub the bathroom, fold the laundry, write a letter to my senator, go outside and sit in the sun for a while, pull a few weeds, read my bible, create something, do anything but stuff food in my face.
5) If I am stressed I don't have to eat to stuff my feelings down. I can decide what my feelings are - sadness, anger, anxiety, disappointment, rejection? And deal with them accordingly. Exercise helps relieve stress. I know you aren't supposed to exercise before going to bed, but last night I did my back, hip, and core exercises. It relieved stress in my muscles and throughout my body and I was able to quickly go to sleep. I also could listen to some praise and worship music and worship along with it. What a great stress reliever.
6) Stop and ask myself what I am really hungering for and take it to the Lord in prayer. Drink a glass of water. Food should taste good and be good for me. If it doesn't taste good nor is good for me, I need to keep it out of my mouth.
Paul said we are fighting against the "world, the flesh and the devil". My flesh seems to be my worst enemy as it demands attention and wants to sin. Paul also talks about beating our bodies into submission. He is not talking about abuse, but is reminding us that our bodies, our flesh, should not be our boss. The Olympic athletes have their bodies, their flesh in submission. If I am neglecting my spiritual food, my flesh will rise up and be more and more demanding of physical food.
Lord, you are the bread of life; you are the living water. Fill me with your Spirit, forgive me of my sin and where I stumble. Help me to remember that in times of temptations, in times of discouragement, I can run to you and you will rescue me; you will lift me up, and you will fill me. Thank you, Father. Amen.
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6
Monday, September 20, 2010
Slow Progress - I think I've hit a speed bump Saturday/Sunday
It was so disappointing to miss church today. I had a rough Saturday night. I could not get to sleep. I was wired, but had not had any caffeine. Well, maybe that is not true. I did give in to temptations. That is Temptations with a capital "T", made by Jello. Only 60 calories in each tiny container of dark chocolate moose. Mmm mmm! So good! There is not even a half cup serving in each one, but they are so rich that I am satisfied with just a few bites. I have been making one tiny container last a day, or two, or even three. Yay! Go me! I think maybe I had more bites than usual too close to bedtime. :)
Whatever the reason, I was not falling asleep and then I got this raging pain in my foot that went down between my 2nd and 3rd toe on the left foot. I prayed it away. A few minutes later it came back again. I got up and took a prescription pain pill. I hardly ever have to do that, but I was desperate. One thing after another kept me awake until about 6 AM. I finally fell asleep from exhaustion. When the alarm went off, I was in no shape to drive to church. I went back to sleep and got up at 4 PM.
I think I've hit a speed bump. No, that's not what it's called. It's called a plateau - where the scale just is a pound below, a pound above or stuck at the same reading day after day.
Still dancing around 263 - somedays less, somedays more. Sigh. Hope to get down to at least 260 this week and not go above that.
Persevere!
Whatever the reason, I was not falling asleep and then I got this raging pain in my foot that went down between my 2nd and 3rd toe on the left foot. I prayed it away. A few minutes later it came back again. I got up and took a prescription pain pill. I hardly ever have to do that, but I was desperate. One thing after another kept me awake until about 6 AM. I finally fell asleep from exhaustion. When the alarm went off, I was in no shape to drive to church. I went back to sleep and got up at 4 PM.
I think I've hit a speed bump. No, that's not what it's called. It's called a plateau - where the scale just is a pound below, a pound above or stuck at the same reading day after day.
Still dancing around 263 - somedays less, somedays more. Sigh. Hope to get down to at least 260 this week and not go above that.
Persevere!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday - Fighting Hunger and the bad guy temptations
Today was a great day. It was after lunchtime and I was feeling hungry. I was miles from home and had no cash. Went to Walmart and bought two items I needed so I could get cash back. Standing in the checkout, the candy was calling my name!
"Hey! Psst! You over there!
Yes, You! Take a look at us. We are on sale! A candy bar when you are very hungry is a good thing!"
Me: "No. I shouldn't be looking at you. You will get me off track"
Candy: Aww, now, don't be such a prude. We have nuts in us - that is protein, you know, and quite a cheap way to stop those hunger pangs."
Me: "Twenty more minutes will not kill me. I can wait for lunch." I turn my back on them.
I walked out the door and left the Peanut M&Ms, Snickers and their buddies wondering what had happened? Why didn't the old tricks work on me today?
Ate a salad with grilled chicken strips for lunch. Drank water. Lots of water. Felt full, very full. Wanted ice cream. Oh, how I wanted ice cream! Everywhere I went it seemed there was ice cream lurking and calling my name. How come all the bad guys know my name? It's like being whistled at by goons. Did someone post my name in the ice cream freezer, "For a good time call ________"? Horror at the thought!
I wasn't hungry at supper time, but I needed to eat because I was going to a conference and I knew it would be hours before I would be able to eat again. I ate a half sandwich (1 slice healthy nut bread, 2 slices turkey breast lunch meat, mayo, spicy mustard,) 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter, 1 ounce of cheese. More water.
Arrived at conference at 7 PM. It was not over until 10:30. No breaks. I was hungry again! But eating late at night is one of the things that sabotages my weight loss plan. I start the 17 mile drive home. I am tempted to go to McD's for a cone, but I keep driving; I pass by A& W and I remember how good their root beer floats taste, I keep driving. I'm struggling, but I'm not in this alone. I'm asking God to help me not give in to temptation.
On the way home I want to make all kinds of detours to squelch my hunger with ice cream. I remember that Blue Bell has pints on sale at a local grocery. I manage to get past there without stopping. Near home, I remember that QT often has Blue Bell pints on sale, but I determine to drive right past. Finally, there is Braums. Braums is famous for their ice cream, but I shop there for other things. I stop at Braums and buy bananas, yogurt and a nut/seed dietary snack mix (unsalted.) I drool over the long freezer cases of ice creams and frozen yogurts. I calculate how a 3-1/2 pint carton of Braums is cheaper, pint-for-pint, than the Blue Bell pints on sale. But I know I cannot discipline myself to eat only one serving (1/2 cup) a day. I ignore the fountain ice cream delights on sale. I manage to get out of there without having an ice cream crisis! I ignored the naughty ice creams whistling and telling me how good they can make me feel.
At home I reward myself with a serving (3 tablespoons) of the dietary snack mix. 140 calories. I tell myself I need the fiber. I drink more water.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13
I feel happy, joyful, if you will. I'm not drugged with sugar and fat aka ice cream. God is indeed faithful, when temptations come, to provide a way to escape. He has promised that I will not be tempted more than I am able to bear. And I have Holy Spirit living within me. He has the power to overcome sin! All I need to do is to yield to the spirit instead of the flesh . . . and of course, ignore the sweet whispers of the bad guys looking so handsome with their pictures on the ice cream cartons.
Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness. Thank you for a wonderful day.
"Hey! Psst! You over there!
Yes, You! Take a look at us. We are on sale! A candy bar when you are very hungry is a good thing!"
Me: "No. I shouldn't be looking at you. You will get me off track"
Candy: Aww, now, don't be such a prude. We have nuts in us - that is protein, you know, and quite a cheap way to stop those hunger pangs."
Me: "Twenty more minutes will not kill me. I can wait for lunch." I turn my back on them.
I walked out the door and left the Peanut M&Ms, Snickers and their buddies wondering what had happened? Why didn't the old tricks work on me today?
Ate a salad with grilled chicken strips for lunch. Drank water. Lots of water. Felt full, very full. Wanted ice cream. Oh, how I wanted ice cream! Everywhere I went it seemed there was ice cream lurking and calling my name. How come all the bad guys know my name? It's like being whistled at by goons. Did someone post my name in the ice cream freezer, "For a good time call ________"? Horror at the thought!
I wasn't hungry at supper time, but I needed to eat because I was going to a conference and I knew it would be hours before I would be able to eat again. I ate a half sandwich (1 slice healthy nut bread, 2 slices turkey breast lunch meat, mayo, spicy mustard,) 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter, 1 ounce of cheese. More water.
Arrived at conference at 7 PM. It was not over until 10:30. No breaks. I was hungry again! But eating late at night is one of the things that sabotages my weight loss plan. I start the 17 mile drive home. I am tempted to go to McD's for a cone, but I keep driving; I pass by A& W and I remember how good their root beer floats taste, I keep driving. I'm struggling, but I'm not in this alone. I'm asking God to help me not give in to temptation.
On the way home I want to make all kinds of detours to squelch my hunger with ice cream. I remember that Blue Bell has pints on sale at a local grocery. I manage to get past there without stopping. Near home, I remember that QT often has Blue Bell pints on sale, but I determine to drive right past. Finally, there is Braums. Braums is famous for their ice cream, but I shop there for other things. I stop at Braums and buy bananas, yogurt and a nut/seed dietary snack mix (unsalted.) I drool over the long freezer cases of ice creams and frozen yogurts. I calculate how a 3-1/2 pint carton of Braums is cheaper, pint-for-pint, than the Blue Bell pints on sale. But I know I cannot discipline myself to eat only one serving (1/2 cup) a day. I ignore the fountain ice cream delights on sale. I manage to get out of there without having an ice cream crisis! I ignored the naughty ice creams whistling and telling me how good they can make me feel.
At home I reward myself with a serving (3 tablespoons) of the dietary snack mix. 140 calories. I tell myself I need the fiber. I drink more water.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13
I feel happy, joyful, if you will. I'm not drugged with sugar and fat aka ice cream. God is indeed faithful, when temptations come, to provide a way to escape. He has promised that I will not be tempted more than I am able to bear. And I have Holy Spirit living within me. He has the power to overcome sin! All I need to do is to yield to the spirit instead of the flesh . . . and of course, ignore the sweet whispers of the bad guys looking so handsome with their pictures on the ice cream cartons.
Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness. Thank you for a wonderful day.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday - Moving and Shaking
Our theme this week is discipline. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those have been trained by it." Hebrews 11:11
It's always helpful to get encouragement from a friend. This morning a friend that grew up in my home town called to offer encouragement. He suggested googling "Beginning Tabata" for a form of exercise that would help me to lose fat. Well, I googled, "Beginning Tabata" but did not find anything for beginners. At least nothing this beginner thought she could do. Tabata is a type of exercise that is very intense for 20 seconds and then resting for 10 seconds. The same set is repeated until four minutes have passed. That is all you need for the day in your aerobic and anaerobic exercise. It's supposed to be a fat burner extraordinaire!
One type of Tabata was doing kettle bell exercises. I had visions of Salvation Army bell ringers with a bell in each hand, furiously ringing with all they had for twenty seconds and then resting for ten. Hmmm, I don't have a kettle bell, but maybe I could find something similar. I clicked on the link to see a muscle bound man swinging what looked like a bowling ball with both hands. Good grief! I can't even pick up a bowling ball, let alone swing it!
I never found any exercise for beginners. What I found was that pro-athletes have added this type of exercise to their routine to make them super buff and super fast. It seems that the basic, for the beginner, starts off with squats. I also did some research and it is not for obese people, people who are not used to exercising, or people with cardio problems. And squats irritate the hip and knee problems. Well, all of those just eliminated me.
So, how can I get exercise, moving and shaking, into my daily discipline? I have the exercises that I do for my core, back, hips and legs. But they are all done while laying down. They help keep me strong, but burn very little, if any, fat.
You may be asking why exercise is such a problem for me? Walking is a problem because there is something wrong in my right hip, where the hip is coming out of socket. It has improved over what it was a year and a half ago when I had to lean over like a very old person to keep from falling down every 3 - 5 steps. It is painful to walk and the more I walk, the harder it is. The other problem is the heart condition diagnosis. It is called stiff diastolic. When the blood pressure is taken, the top reading is systolic and the bottom is diastolic. The systolic is when the heart is pumping and the diastolic is when the heart is at rest. With stiff diastolic, there is a strong pumping action, which is good. But the heart is stiff and does not relax quickly. The chamber does not get filled with blood before the next beat pumps the blood out. When a person exercises with stiff diastolic, the heart beats rapidly but very little blood is getting pumped through and goes into heart failure with fluid in lungs and extremities.
Prayer is needed to show me how to exercise without aggravating the heart. Exercise is needed to strengthen my heart and body.
Dear Lord, please show me how I can exercise to improve my health without causing harm. I need a revelation. Thank you, Father, for you do care about all the little things.
It's always helpful to get encouragement from a friend. This morning a friend that grew up in my home town called to offer encouragement. He suggested googling "Beginning Tabata" for a form of exercise that would help me to lose fat. Well, I googled, "Beginning Tabata" but did not find anything for beginners. At least nothing this beginner thought she could do. Tabata is a type of exercise that is very intense for 20 seconds and then resting for 10 seconds. The same set is repeated until four minutes have passed. That is all you need for the day in your aerobic and anaerobic exercise. It's supposed to be a fat burner extraordinaire!
One type of Tabata was doing kettle bell exercises. I had visions of Salvation Army bell ringers with a bell in each hand, furiously ringing with all they had for twenty seconds and then resting for ten. Hmmm, I don't have a kettle bell, but maybe I could find something similar. I clicked on the link to see a muscle bound man swinging what looked like a bowling ball with both hands. Good grief! I can't even pick up a bowling ball, let alone swing it!
I never found any exercise for beginners. What I found was that pro-athletes have added this type of exercise to their routine to make them super buff and super fast. It seems that the basic, for the beginner, starts off with squats. I also did some research and it is not for obese people, people who are not used to exercising, or people with cardio problems. And squats irritate the hip and knee problems. Well, all of those just eliminated me.
So, how can I get exercise, moving and shaking, into my daily discipline? I have the exercises that I do for my core, back, hips and legs. But they are all done while laying down. They help keep me strong, but burn very little, if any, fat.
You may be asking why exercise is such a problem for me? Walking is a problem because there is something wrong in my right hip, where the hip is coming out of socket. It has improved over what it was a year and a half ago when I had to lean over like a very old person to keep from falling down every 3 - 5 steps. It is painful to walk and the more I walk, the harder it is. The other problem is the heart condition diagnosis. It is called stiff diastolic. When the blood pressure is taken, the top reading is systolic and the bottom is diastolic. The systolic is when the heart is pumping and the diastolic is when the heart is at rest. With stiff diastolic, there is a strong pumping action, which is good. But the heart is stiff and does not relax quickly. The chamber does not get filled with blood before the next beat pumps the blood out. When a person exercises with stiff diastolic, the heart beats rapidly but very little blood is getting pumped through and goes into heart failure with fluid in lungs and extremities.
Prayer is needed to show me how to exercise without aggravating the heart. Exercise is needed to strengthen my heart and body.
Dear Lord, please show me how I can exercise to improve my health without causing harm. I need a revelation. Thank you, Father, for you do care about all the little things.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Catching up, confessing up,
It's been a week since I started this journey. Things were going good. I was losing about a pound or half pound a day. I had lost two pounds by Sunday.
I was having a wonderful day, Sunday. Friends invited me out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. I ordered a simple meal (on the cheap side of the menu) - just a chile releno, taco and beans combo. I ate just a little that evening at home, not much at all. It was healthy and balanced.
Monday morning I have gained three pounds and weigh more than I started! Why is it that whenever I eat out, I gain weight? 'T'aint fair!
This morning, I am back to 263, right were I started a week ago. At least I am holding and had lost what I gained on Sunday.
When I read about the struggles of the others in the group, I feel compassion. I know how it feels to work all day, come home tired and a family who needs their supper. I can identify with stuffing one's self with food regardless of taste when preparing supper for hungry children. I used to do that. I realized one day when I was stuffing stale crackers down my mouth, that the crackers didn't taste good at all. So, why was I eating them? It dawned on me then, that it could be sawdust I was eating, and I would still be stuffing it in my face. It was stress eating. Maybe. Or maybe I was so tired that my body was asking for food to have the energy to cook supper, do laundry and all the other chores that had to be done before I went to bed. I don't know the answer. But when others in my group have told of similar things they have done this week, I felt compassion and prayed for them.
This is not just about losing weight. It's about praying for others; thinking about others rather than ourselves. And it is also about listening to God. Asking him what we are really hungry for instead of cramming some tasteless junk in our mouths.
Our devotions this past week have been on faith. How does faith fit into getting healthy and losing weight? I think it is realizing that we can't do this in our own strength, because we will fail. But God can help us overcome any temptation, help us become disciplined, help us to depend upon HIM and not upon food or some other addiction to meet our inner needs.
Father, I need you to help me choose the right and good things for my body. Help me to check in with you before I act and to obey when your Spirit nudges me and says, "Don't buy that. Don't eat that." May all I do, whether eating or drinking be for the glory of God. Thank you for giving us the power to live the right way. In Jesus name, Amen
I was having a wonderful day, Sunday. Friends invited me out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. I ordered a simple meal (on the cheap side of the menu) - just a chile releno, taco and beans combo. I ate just a little that evening at home, not much at all. It was healthy and balanced.
Monday morning I have gained three pounds and weigh more than I started! Why is it that whenever I eat out, I gain weight? 'T'aint fair!
This morning, I am back to 263, right were I started a week ago. At least I am holding and had lost what I gained on Sunday.
When I read about the struggles of the others in the group, I feel compassion. I know how it feels to work all day, come home tired and a family who needs their supper. I can identify with stuffing one's self with food regardless of taste when preparing supper for hungry children. I used to do that. I realized one day when I was stuffing stale crackers down my mouth, that the crackers didn't taste good at all. So, why was I eating them? It dawned on me then, that it could be sawdust I was eating, and I would still be stuffing it in my face. It was stress eating. Maybe. Or maybe I was so tired that my body was asking for food to have the energy to cook supper, do laundry and all the other chores that had to be done before I went to bed. I don't know the answer. But when others in my group have told of similar things they have done this week, I felt compassion and prayed for them.
This is not just about losing weight. It's about praying for others; thinking about others rather than ourselves. And it is also about listening to God. Asking him what we are really hungry for instead of cramming some tasteless junk in our mouths.
Our devotions this past week have been on faith. How does faith fit into getting healthy and losing weight? I think it is realizing that we can't do this in our own strength, because we will fail. But God can help us overcome any temptation, help us become disciplined, help us to depend upon HIM and not upon food or some other addiction to meet our inner needs.
Father, I need you to help me choose the right and good things for my body. Help me to check in with you before I act and to obey when your Spirit nudges me and says, "Don't buy that. Don't eat that." May all I do, whether eating or drinking be for the glory of God. Thank you for giving us the power to live the right way. In Jesus name, Amen
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ten Pounds in only Seven Days . . .
YES! Ten pounds GAINED in only 7 days! How in the world did that happen?
It is so easy to be deceived. Well, it is for me, maybe not you.
It all started on a Thursday last month as I celebrated my birthday at a restaurant with friends. It was an all you want to eat buffet, but served cafeteria style so the portions were controlled. I thought I was being very good as I loaded my tray.
Small filet of blackened tilapia
Sweet potato souffle
Mashed potatoes seasoned with cheese, bacon and peppers
Steamed brocolli
Peaches
Jalepeno corn bread
margarine
Pecan pie - after all, it was my birthday
water
I didn't go for seconds, but I did eat everything. I was full. Stuffed! Because it was my birthday the restaurant gave me a slice of red velvet cake to take home. It was only one layer. I took three days to eat it. I was being so good.
The next day, Friday, a friend took me out for more birthday celebration. I had a cobb salad with - you guessed it - more pie! This time I ate a slice of the three berry pie. But, after all, it was my birthday.
Sunday, I went shopping after church because I do not live near Walmart or supermarkets. I go to church 21 miles from my house, so I do my weekly shopping on the way home. I was very hot and thirsty, so I went into a convenience store where they had 32 oz drinks for only 49 cents. I was going to get something that would not be fattening, but most of the drinks were empty or out of order. I asked someone who worked there and asked why they were out of lemonade and such? He said I could have any drink I wanted for free. I could have chosen water (calorie free and good for me) but instead I chose Dr. Pepper. Trying not to consume 32 ounces of liquid candy, I filled it 1/2 full of diet Dr. Pepper and the rest with regular. So, I had a pint of liquid candy and a pint of chemicals that kill brain cells. Wonderful! Surely it wasn't that fattening!
On Monday I was out and about and again, hot and thirsty. I stopped at a totally different convenience store to get something to drink. Hmmm, again, what I had planned to buy was empty. I decided to get a frozen cappuccino, they were on sale too! I stuck the 32 oz up under the nozzle and lifted the handle. The frozen stuff had some ice crystals, but didn't look frozen like the slushies did. I went to the counter to pay and asked if frozen cappuccinos were supposed to be frozen. Since mine wasn't, the clerk said, take it for free! So, I did. It was like drinking chocolate milk. I had gulped it down before I knew it.
Tuesday I had to go to the doctor. After wards I went to another, totally different, convenience store for something to drink. By this time, I was craving a frozen cappuchino. It wasn't frozen, it was watery. Again, I was told I could have it for free.
Somehow my mind is believing that since I haven't paid for these drinks, although I intended to pay for them, that they are not hurting me. Free. FREE. FREE!
Wednesday I go shopping for shoes, which I desperately need. Again, it is hot, over 100 degrees, and I am thirsty. I head for still another convenience store. I want a frozen cappuccino! I am craving it. And this time, it is frozen as it is supposed to be. I pay for it, and enjoy it. Slurp. Slurp. Slurp.
Now that I have had to actually pay for a drink, I feel that I have accomplished my mission. All the free drinks didn't count, just the one I bought
Thursday morning I step on the scale. It has been one week since my birthday. I HAVE GAINED TEN POUNDS! But, how can that be?
Two pieces of pie, red velvet cake, Dr. Pepper, and three 32 oz cappuccinos. And that is just the poison I can remember!
I was horrified to see my weight gain. I shared my sorrows with a friend, who said she had gained 50 pounds drinking cappuccinos when she was in college. That was the only difference in her routine. She was actually eating less, not feeling so hungry after slurping down her cappuccinos. Her doctor told her that those chocolate/coffee drinks were 80 to 90 percent sugar! And they had a fat in them that caused all those calories to settle right on your belly. She gave up her cappuchinos and with long, hard work, finally lost the 50 pounds.
They should post a warning sign over the frozen cappuchino machine: Warning: Drinking this beverage causes rapid weight gain.
I know they are not going to post any such sign. But couldn't they post in small print, somewhere on the front of the machine, that if you drink a 32 OZ cappuccino that you are consuming a zillion calories?
It is so easy to be deceived. Well, it is for me, maybe not you.
It all started on a Thursday last month as I celebrated my birthday at a restaurant with friends. It was an all you want to eat buffet, but served cafeteria style so the portions were controlled. I thought I was being very good as I loaded my tray.
Small filet of blackened tilapia
Sweet potato souffle
Mashed potatoes seasoned with cheese, bacon and peppers
Steamed brocolli
Peaches
Jalepeno corn bread
margarine
Pecan pie - after all, it was my birthday
water
I didn't go for seconds, but I did eat everything. I was full. Stuffed! Because it was my birthday the restaurant gave me a slice of red velvet cake to take home. It was only one layer. I took three days to eat it. I was being so good.
The next day, Friday, a friend took me out for more birthday celebration. I had a cobb salad with - you guessed it - more pie! This time I ate a slice of the three berry pie. But, after all, it was my birthday.
Sunday, I went shopping after church because I do not live near Walmart or supermarkets. I go to church 21 miles from my house, so I do my weekly shopping on the way home. I was very hot and thirsty, so I went into a convenience store where they had 32 oz drinks for only 49 cents. I was going to get something that would not be fattening, but most of the drinks were empty or out of order. I asked someone who worked there and asked why they were out of lemonade and such? He said I could have any drink I wanted for free. I could have chosen water (calorie free and good for me) but instead I chose Dr. Pepper. Trying not to consume 32 ounces of liquid candy, I filled it 1/2 full of diet Dr. Pepper and the rest with regular. So, I had a pint of liquid candy and a pint of chemicals that kill brain cells. Wonderful! Surely it wasn't that fattening!
On Monday I was out and about and again, hot and thirsty. I stopped at a totally different convenience store to get something to drink. Hmmm, again, what I had planned to buy was empty. I decided to get a frozen cappuccino, they were on sale too! I stuck the 32 oz up under the nozzle and lifted the handle. The frozen stuff had some ice crystals, but didn't look frozen like the slushies did. I went to the counter to pay and asked if frozen cappuccinos were supposed to be frozen. Since mine wasn't, the clerk said, take it for free! So, I did. It was like drinking chocolate milk. I had gulped it down before I knew it.
Tuesday I had to go to the doctor. After wards I went to another, totally different, convenience store for something to drink. By this time, I was craving a frozen cappuchino. It wasn't frozen, it was watery. Again, I was told I could have it for free.
Somehow my mind is believing that since I haven't paid for these drinks, although I intended to pay for them, that they are not hurting me. Free. FREE. FREE!
Wednesday I go shopping for shoes, which I desperately need. Again, it is hot, over 100 degrees, and I am thirsty. I head for still another convenience store. I want a frozen cappuccino! I am craving it. And this time, it is frozen as it is supposed to be. I pay for it, and enjoy it. Slurp. Slurp. Slurp.
Now that I have had to actually pay for a drink, I feel that I have accomplished my mission. All the free drinks didn't count, just the one I bought
Thursday morning I step on the scale. It has been one week since my birthday. I HAVE GAINED TEN POUNDS! But, how can that be?
Two pieces of pie, red velvet cake, Dr. Pepper, and three 32 oz cappuccinos. And that is just the poison I can remember!
I was horrified to see my weight gain. I shared my sorrows with a friend, who said she had gained 50 pounds drinking cappuccinos when she was in college. That was the only difference in her routine. She was actually eating less, not feeling so hungry after slurping down her cappuccinos. Her doctor told her that those chocolate/coffee drinks were 80 to 90 percent sugar! And they had a fat in them that caused all those calories to settle right on your belly. She gave up her cappuchinos and with long, hard work, finally lost the 50 pounds.
They should post a warning sign over the frozen cappuchino machine: Warning: Drinking this beverage causes rapid weight gain.
I know they are not going to post any such sign. But couldn't they post in small print, somewhere on the front of the machine, that if you drink a 32 OZ cappuccino that you are consuming a zillion calories?
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Sticking my toe in the water
It's not easy for me to go public with my struggle with excess weight. I don't know why I should have a problem with writing about it where others can read, because it's something that I can't hide. It goes with me wherever I go. It goes with me to the grocery store, to church, and when I take out my trash to the dumpster. Everywhere I go, I am wearing my fat. My clothes can't hide it. It is obvious.
It's probably more obvious to others than it is to me. I avoid full length mirrors. I think I look pretty good from the neck up. But even mirrors can be deceiving, because we only look about 1/2 of our actual size in a normal mirror. That means I only see half of what others see. When I see a photo of me, then I am more aware of how I must look to others. It is very disheartening.
I've been trying unsuccessfully to lose weight. It's taken me nine months to lose 17 pounds. It's not easy because I can't exercise like I'm supposed to in order to lose weight. But, Lord knows, I need to get this fat off so that I don't die young and so I can live my life in the purpose that God designed me to do.
I've joined a group of 12 who are going on a 12 week journey to change our lives. It is not so much about diet, or even losing weight, but it's about eating right, living well, and loving God. And our leader says we can't just stick our toe in the water, we have to jump in and participate.
We also are required to weigh in and publicly post our weight and other statistics. This is not something I want to do, but who am I kidding? Other people SEE this fat. I might as well bite the bullet and take the plunge.
Height 5' 9"
Weight 263
BMI -according to a chart, not any way to correctly measure = 39, category obese.
B/P 116/63
I think I weight more than anyone else in the group. Dear Lord, please help me!
It's probably more obvious to others than it is to me. I avoid full length mirrors. I think I look pretty good from the neck up. But even mirrors can be deceiving, because we only look about 1/2 of our actual size in a normal mirror. That means I only see half of what others see. When I see a photo of me, then I am more aware of how I must look to others. It is very disheartening.
I've been trying unsuccessfully to lose weight. It's taken me nine months to lose 17 pounds. It's not easy because I can't exercise like I'm supposed to in order to lose weight. But, Lord knows, I need to get this fat off so that I don't die young and so I can live my life in the purpose that God designed me to do.
I've joined a group of 12 who are going on a 12 week journey to change our lives. It is not so much about diet, or even losing weight, but it's about eating right, living well, and loving God. And our leader says we can't just stick our toe in the water, we have to jump in and participate.
We also are required to weigh in and publicly post our weight and other statistics. This is not something I want to do, but who am I kidding? Other people SEE this fat. I might as well bite the bullet and take the plunge.
Height 5' 9"
Weight 263
BMI -according to a chart, not any way to correctly measure = 39, category obese.
B/P 116/63
I think I weight more than anyone else in the group. Dear Lord, please help me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)