Enough is Enough!

[NotesMaeve]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

I thought of you last night on my walk. I said, "This one's for Notes." I walked to the grocery store about 10 blocks from my house, did a little shopping and walked back. Not much, but I felt pretty good afterward.

I thought of you, too. I had a good run and picked up my pace for you.

The boy was making a dinner of pork chops and baked potatoes, so I asked for some sauteed squash to go with my potato. Very good. I still haven't had a soda, but I did eat a cookie last night. It was fresh out of the oven and delicious. Just enough to make me think I've been pigging out.

I love fresh cookies! I've cut out morning lattes, as I'm prone to get them a couple times a week, and have been having breakfast. A cup of hot chocolate is better than nothing, right?

Not sure what's on for lunch today. But I still have lots of healthy snacks stocked here at work.

I did dishes last night, but that's all. I was pretty tired and decided since I'd done my walk I would relax a little.

One thing I am completely addicted to that's low cal for lunch, if you need a fix: Quiznos Italian Caprese without cheese on wheat. You can really cut the fat and ask them to leave off the pesto.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

That sandwich sounds delicious. I think there's a Quiznos not too far from work. Maybe I'll get that for lunch.

Glad to hear you had a good run. I think my walk helped me be less sore from our river adventure the other day. It also helped me clear my head a little.

Hot chocolate is so good, but I don't dare drink it here, now. It's way too hot!

[Honeywith4bees]

Congratulations on setting your goals! I have been thinking about the same thing lately because I am totally addicted to SUGAR! But, I was going to ask you if you have considered some weight training exercise. From what I understand, as we age we lose muscle which slows our metabolism. I was doing a lot of running, but really noticed some nice results when I added weight training. Good luck!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Honey. I would like to do some weight training as I know muscle is beneficial in weight loss. Also, I like the toned look. I am starting with walking simply because it's free and easy to get back into the swing of things. I was planning to buy some free weights of different sizes and begin with that shortly. Thanks for your encouragement and best of luck iwth your goals. I know sugar is a tough habit to break. I am more of a salty, fried food addict. I have found that if I pay close attention to how I feel when I eat certain foods, it allows me to see how the taste is not worth the aftermath. Maybe that will help?

[NotesMaeve]

*Bump.*

How's it going, missy? I thought of you on my run yesterday!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Yesterday was my cheat day! I went a little crazy so I promised myself that was my only day this week to do so.

Thanks for keeping me accountable!

I am going to walk today. I'll think of you!

[NotesMaeve]

Sweet! I just had a brief bike ride tonight, but thought of you!

I think we all need a cheat day. I'll also think of you when I'm eating a brownie tomorrow. Craving one like crazy! (PMS, anyone?)

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I made brownies for the boy to take to work in his lunch. They smelled delicious, but I didn't have one...next cheat day I definitely will!

I should get a bike. I always used to love bike riding.

[NotesMaeve]

Are you familiar with the Body for Life program? They recommend one free day.

This woman just has an interesting outlook on eating that I thought might appeal. It's not for me, but it might work for others.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I always liked the idea of a free day. At least at first while you're transitioning to more healthful eating. Later, it might just be a free meal every couple of weeks, but it helps to have that time when you aren't "on".

I went to the coast this weekend so I swam in the ocean and took several walks up and down the jetty. Very fun. Today I'm tired!

[AtriumGuy]

hi Aspiring--
I just read through this whole post and it looks like you got some GREAT responses. My one recommendation to you is this: keep everything the exact same but ONLY drink water for the next month. No soda (especially bad), coffee, juice, or anything else. This one little thing can significantly reduce the amount of calories you intake and make you feel SO much better.
Also, be careful not too make too many drastic changes as you alter your eating habits. You need small wins to start...and being hard on yourself will not help the cause!
Good luck...

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Just a little update. Today I started off with a serving of oatmeal with a little salt and butter and a cup of chocolate soymilk. For a mid-morning snack, I had peach yogurt. For lunch, I had a turkey, cheese wrap (honey whole wheat wrap) that I made at home as well as a handfull of pretzels, a nectarine and a gatorade. I had a mini-Reese's peanut butter cup for desert. So, pretty good but for the gatorade and Reese's.

The house has been kept pretty clean. I try to do some each day like I planned and so far that's working out.

The exercise is where I am falling behind most. That's where I need to focus right now and just do it.

Not sure what's for dinner. I feel pretty good today about what I've eaten so far. I will take a walk this afternoon.

[NotesMaeve]

If you're craving chocolate, something I love is oatmeal with hot cocoa powder mixed in. I am glad the eating is going well! You'll get there on the exercise! :-)

[jbsmith]

We all reach a stage in our lives when we just can't seem to burn it off as fast as we used to -- it often creaps up on us and suddenly we are 10-20 pounds overweight and must take action.

In addition to the actions you have listed above - I would suggest two additional recommendations:

1. Find an exercise program that is organized - where you build up expectations or friendships to help you keep your schedules. These could be aerobics classes or a neighborhood jogging group. Works better than trying it on your own.

2. Work in meditation and/or yoga into your schedule at least 3 times each week (daily meditation works better). There is strong evidence that negative thinking and stress can actually prevent your body from working as well as it should (digestion, pancreas, immune system) with the potential impact of greater fat storage. So - give some time to de-stressing as well as diet and exercise.

Jeff

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Jeff. I will definitely take your recommendations to heart.

[Honeywith4bees]

I've had an interesting experience with Yoga lately. Last year at this time I was going to a gym and doing weight training three to four times a week. In April I got pneumonia and pulled some rib muscles from coughing and so I stopped going to the gym. Around that time I started Yoga, just two or three times a week. This weekend I was telling my boyfriend that I was thinking of joining the gym again but had mixed feelings about it because I am actually pretty pleased with the shape of my body (less stomache fat, arms and legs still toned looking.) He agreed that he thinks that I look better now than when I was doing the weight training, and not because he doesn't like the toned look. So, I think that the stress/cortisol/tummy fat link is being helped, in my case, with the Yoga.