Happy 2012! I am writing to you from the next checkpoint on my journey. I had mentioned that by the turning of the year I would like to be in a new dress size and some more pounds lighter. As it stands, unfortunately, I have not made that goal. I did maintain my previous weight of 215, even through the height of Christmas pigging so I am not too down about it.
This fall and winter have been challenging for me to try and stick to the program. The inevitable gloom that happens when the season turns grey is a clear trigger for my emotional eating habits. Drop me in the middle of a very tempting Bakers Market followed by holiday cookie season and voila! Lack of willpower.
Well, now there are no more excuses. I am back in business and ready to commit. I have started by making a list of all the lovely foods that I am allowed to have and there are so many combinations available that I am not likely to get bored. I have taken a couple of books out of the library with healthy and fresh recipes for predominantly vegetarian food. I feel ready and excited again. My last challenge is to figure out when I will get to work out. I am realizing that the diet is just not enough if I want to succeed. Exercise is crucial and it is not exactly the season for daily walks with the double stroller.
And so I venture once more into the fray as it were. Let us see if I can lose 25 more pounds in the coming three months.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Sunday, 16 October 2011
I made it to the first milestone!
The next landmark will be to get into a new size of clothes by New Years. Let us see how that progresses...
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Long time and the Weight is not yet over...
Wow, how quickly two months can breeze by. I must be honest and say that I have not been very good at my program of late. I am preparing for the Vancouver Baker's Market and I have been up to my eyeballs in candy, cakes and pies (oh MY!). It would be irresponsible of me to sell my wares without having tried them first, right? Ah who am I kidding. Off the wagon again but luckily still losing pounds.
I am currently at 215 lbs and about 38 inches around. I am happy about that and I attest my modest success to three things: subconscious adherence to the Strict Week rules much of the time, portion control, and Curves Fitness. I have been on my program for four months now and many of the lifestyle changes that I found so hard at the beginning are almost (I say ALMOST okay, I'm not a hypocrite) second nature. It is easier anyway.
Portion control is a big one. Some people lose tons of weight on portion control alone. I have been eating just enough to slake my hunger, not to the point of feeling full. I eat several times in the day, pretty much when my daughter eats, and I find that if I get it right I am never really hungry.
Finally, Curves. Horray! I have been looking forward to starting a workout schedule and it is really working for me. I am lucky to have the kind of muscles that build quickly and the more muscle one has, the more fat is burned. I have only just started but I can see it as being a very good way for me to get in shape. Thanks to Mom and Dad for gifting me the membership!
So I am going to forgive myself for any transgressions that happen this month with Thanksgiving, the Baker's Market and Hallowe'en fast approaching. November is when I tighten the belt in preparation for Christmas feasting. Believe me, the way we do Christmas I will need the seven weeks of good behaviour!
I am currently at 215 lbs and about 38 inches around. I am happy about that and I attest my modest success to three things: subconscious adherence to the Strict Week rules much of the time, portion control, and Curves Fitness. I have been on my program for four months now and many of the lifestyle changes that I found so hard at the beginning are almost (I say ALMOST okay, I'm not a hypocrite) second nature. It is easier anyway.
Portion control is a big one. Some people lose tons of weight on portion control alone. I have been eating just enough to slake my hunger, not to the point of feeling full. I eat several times in the day, pretty much when my daughter eats, and I find that if I get it right I am never really hungry.
Finally, Curves. Horray! I have been looking forward to starting a workout schedule and it is really working for me. I am lucky to have the kind of muscles that build quickly and the more muscle one has, the more fat is burned. I have only just started but I can see it as being a very good way for me to get in shape. Thanks to Mom and Dad for gifting me the membership!
So I am going to forgive myself for any transgressions that happen this month with Thanksgiving, the Baker's Market and Hallowe'en fast approaching. November is when I tighten the belt in preparation for Christmas feasting. Believe me, the way we do Christmas I will need the seven weeks of good behaviour!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Plateaus and Challenges
It has been a while since I have posted. Not that I haven't wanted to but I have had remarkably little to say. I have discovered that July contains a LOT of cake filled birthday parties and ice cream on hot days. I have fallen off the wagon, chased it down the road, and then stood in the middle of the road waving my arm at the retreating cloud of dust.
Even so, I am still holding at 223 lbs and my waist measures 39 inches. I am boarding the wagon once again because that is what you do every time you fall. I have been learning that this path that I am following is not a cakewalk (both literally and figuratively). I have triggers and pitfalls, moments of strength and of weakness- sounds like a video game.
In all honesty I have not pulled myself together to make weekly meal plans so the Four Lists have not really been adhered to very solidly. I have been good about keeping to Strict Week rules for the most part and I have got to say how much better my general health is. When you cut out irritants like dairy, gluten and sugar for the majority of your weekly fare your general well being increases greatly.
I have found a pattern of certain challenges that have come up in the past month.
1: Birthday parties, afternoon tea visits, going out to eat.
It is very hard to navigate social activities, especially with traditional fare such as cake, cookies, bread etc. I have a strange balance of not wanting to offend anyone and validating a cheat (oh well, it is a party after all...)
2: Budgetary concerns
There are times in the month when the grocery budget dwindles to a point where the supper options are limited to frozen perogies, pizza, or pasta.
3: Parenting
If we are running out to the park and I am making peanut butter sandwiches anyway I am not going to steam up veggies and quinoa for myself. I do replace the jam for a banana or an apple though.
While I have an idea how to navigate these challenges, I need to organization skills to do so. Working on that...
Even so, I am still holding at 223 lbs and my waist measures 39 inches. I am boarding the wagon once again because that is what you do every time you fall. I have been learning that this path that I am following is not a cakewalk (both literally and figuratively). I have triggers and pitfalls, moments of strength and of weakness- sounds like a video game.
In all honesty I have not pulled myself together to make weekly meal plans so the Four Lists have not really been adhered to very solidly. I have been good about keeping to Strict Week rules for the most part and I have got to say how much better my general health is. When you cut out irritants like dairy, gluten and sugar for the majority of your weekly fare your general well being increases greatly.
I have found a pattern of certain challenges that have come up in the past month.
1: Birthday parties, afternoon tea visits, going out to eat.
It is very hard to navigate social activities, especially with traditional fare such as cake, cookies, bread etc. I have a strange balance of not wanting to offend anyone and validating a cheat (oh well, it is a party after all...)
2: Budgetary concerns
There are times in the month when the grocery budget dwindles to a point where the supper options are limited to frozen perogies, pizza, or pasta.
3: Parenting
If we are running out to the park and I am making peanut butter sandwiches anyway I am not going to steam up veggies and quinoa for myself. I do replace the jam for a banana or an apple though.
While I have an idea how to navigate these challenges, I need to organization skills to do so. Working on that...
Monday, 11 July 2011
Ahhh Steak!
I have to tell you about steak. Steaks have always been my Achilles Heel. I can cook pretty much anything but I was always stumped by steak, making them invariably wooden and flavorless. Tonight was quite different. I looked up the Good Eats episode on steaks and it featured a technique that makes a perfect steak in about 7 minutes. When I tried it it also produced billows of white smoke that filled my home, but also two delicious steaks that could be cut by a butter knife. Next time I will use the barbecue.
Here is something nice that you can have as your once-a-week red meat splurge.
Have your steak(s) at room temperature when you start. They recommended rib-eye but I used top sirloin and it worked beautifully. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees (not the broiler) and put a cast iron skillet on the burner at almost maximum heat. Season your steaks with a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Lightly drizzle both sides with a little canola oil. Now, turn on your stovetop fan.
Slap the steak(s) into your HOT pan and LEAVE IT ALONE for 30 seconds, flip and wait another 30 seconds. Don't mess with it.
Pop the whole thing into your volcano hot oven for two minutes, flip the steak(s) and bake another two minutes. Remove the pan and now it is time to rest the meat.
Invert a saucer on a dinner plate and put your steak on top, then cover loosely with foil. Do this with each individual piece of meat. Let rest for ten minutes or so while you fan all the smoke out of your doors and windows and worry your neighbors (just kidding).
Remove the saucer and break out the Worcestershire.
Serve with a nice green salad and some brown rice. These steaks are cooked with such high heat that most of the fat is seared away, leaving just a nice juicy steak for you to enjoy.
Here is something nice that you can have as your once-a-week red meat splurge.
Have your steak(s) at room temperature when you start. They recommended rib-eye but I used top sirloin and it worked beautifully. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees (not the broiler) and put a cast iron skillet on the burner at almost maximum heat. Season your steaks with a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Lightly drizzle both sides with a little canola oil. Now, turn on your stovetop fan.
Slap the steak(s) into your HOT pan and LEAVE IT ALONE for 30 seconds, flip and wait another 30 seconds. Don't mess with it.
Pop the whole thing into your volcano hot oven for two minutes, flip the steak(s) and bake another two minutes. Remove the pan and now it is time to rest the meat.
Invert a saucer on a dinner plate and put your steak on top, then cover loosely with foil. Do this with each individual piece of meat. Let rest for ten minutes or so while you fan all the smoke out of your doors and windows and worry your neighbors (just kidding).
Remove the saucer and break out the Worcestershire.
Serve with a nice green salad and some brown rice. These steaks are cooked with such high heat that most of the fat is seared away, leaving just a nice juicy steak for you to enjoy.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Wednesday Weigh-In and the Wonders of Walking
Hurrah! Progress! This morning I weighed in at 225 lbs and my waist measurement went down to 41 inches! We are now rolling! Despite my recent mishaps involving cake I am pleased to see that I am getting results. I attribute this success to my regular and rigorous walking regimen. Wednesdays and Fridays I have a good long walk of an hour at least and the rest of the time I manage to get about that much. It also helps that I have a really heavy and unwieldy double stroller to lug around.
It is so important to have a walking partner who will keep you on task. Two weeks ago on a Friday it was just pouring rain and I really didn't want to do the "big walk" but my walking buddy prodded me along and, although I got soaked, I had a good time and I felt very righteous for doing it.
So, fill up a water bottle or two, bring a sunshade for the kids in the stroller, and slap on the sunscreen. Also walk in the morning before it gets too hot- we are not going for unbearable here.
It is so important to have a walking partner who will keep you on task. Two weeks ago on a Friday it was just pouring rain and I really didn't want to do the "big walk" but my walking buddy prodded me along and, although I got soaked, I had a good time and I felt very righteous for doing it.
So, fill up a water bottle or two, bring a sunshade for the kids in the stroller, and slap on the sunscreen. Also walk in the morning before it gets too hot- we are not going for unbearable here.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
A Worrying Development
I shocked myself yesterday. Over the past week or so my resolve has been tested as I am sure is the natural rhythm of any drastic lifestyle change. I have been facing stresses within my family: husband ill, baby teething, and toddler being, well, her age. I have not been sleeping properly and have been feeling generally strained. This was not a good environment to also have the temptation of a table full of chocolate cupcakes (a commission from my landlady).
Well, confession time. I was icing cupcakes yesterday and completely lost control of myself. Before I knew it I was slapping gobs of icing on a leftover slab of cake and shoving it into my face. It was like I was watching myself doing it and trying to protest. Afterward I was so disgusted with myself. I actually went into the washroom and tried to make myself throw it all up. That is when I took a mental step back and said to myself "what the hell are you doing?!". I am NOT that person.
I suppose that this is rather skewed sign of commitment on my part. A month ago I would have shrugged my shoulders and somehow validated my little gorge session. It's just that I have been so good since I started this path and to find myself doing something so out of character is really disconcerting.
I am realizing more and more the unhealthy relationship that I have with food when I am overtired and stressed. I am strongly aware of my habit of comfort eating and it has been getting the better of me for too long. The worst part of it is that because I feel down about what has happened, I want to eat more junk, even though I know that will only make things worse.
I am tempted to lock things down even more severely but I am worried that it will stop being a positive experience. I think I will just do my best to stay the course with Strict Week during the week and a bit more relaxed on the weekends. I have not been keeping up with the Four Lists so I am going to start writing weekly meal plans. I think that will be the easy push to get myself back on track.
Above all, I am determined not to let this get me down. It was a valuable learning experience about my own weaknesses and limits and I can now say that I know where I need to watch myself and to care for myself. If I feel weak then I know there are other things afoot and I need to look after myself a little better.
Well, confession time. I was icing cupcakes yesterday and completely lost control of myself. Before I knew it I was slapping gobs of icing on a leftover slab of cake and shoving it into my face. It was like I was watching myself doing it and trying to protest. Afterward I was so disgusted with myself. I actually went into the washroom and tried to make myself throw it all up. That is when I took a mental step back and said to myself "what the hell are you doing?!". I am NOT that person.
I suppose that this is rather skewed sign of commitment on my part. A month ago I would have shrugged my shoulders and somehow validated my little gorge session. It's just that I have been so good since I started this path and to find myself doing something so out of character is really disconcerting.
I am realizing more and more the unhealthy relationship that I have with food when I am overtired and stressed. I am strongly aware of my habit of comfort eating and it has been getting the better of me for too long. The worst part of it is that because I feel down about what has happened, I want to eat more junk, even though I know that will only make things worse.
I am tempted to lock things down even more severely but I am worried that it will stop being a positive experience. I think I will just do my best to stay the course with Strict Week during the week and a bit more relaxed on the weekends. I have not been keeping up with the Four Lists so I am going to start writing weekly meal plans. I think that will be the easy push to get myself back on track.
Above all, I am determined not to let this get me down. It was a valuable learning experience about my own weaknesses and limits and I can now say that I know where I need to watch myself and to care for myself. If I feel weak then I know there are other things afoot and I need to look after myself a little better.
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