Today is the last day of January and my weight is down 7 pounds! I weighed myself this morning and it was the lowest weight my scale displayed all month. I've been a little discouraged lately. I really thought that maybe I had hit a plateau. But low and behold on the last day of the month: a miraculous new low weight.
I got the tape measure out today too. My stomach measures an inch less too.
Next month will be a real test. I know that staying on track for one month is an achievement. However, staying focussed for two months in a row is going to take real willpower. I get bored easily. I am going to have to seek out lots of new recipes and food ideas in order to avoid the temptation to return to my old favorite foods.
I'm also going to try to get in some serious cardio workouts at least twice a week.
Send me your ideas and motivations- Please!!!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Look Ahead!
Tomorrow will be better than today. This is the basic belief that keeps each of us moving towards our goals with expectation.
Today at church, there was a message about joy. I’m sure different people gained different insights from the message. I came away knowing that my joy comes from believing that tomorrow offers more happiness than today.
My perspective on the world has always been that the cup is half full. I’ve always looked ahead with dreams and visions of what the future might bring. Each of us who seeks to eat healthier and more sensibly does so in the hopes that we will ultimately feel and look better. We have to believe that our efforts will lead to success.
This is my shout out to all travelers on the road to Thinville:
Your joy and happiness will be even greater tomorrow and the next day and the day after. Believe in your future dreams and look ahead with anticipation!!
Today at church, there was a message about joy. I’m sure different people gained different insights from the message. I came away knowing that my joy comes from believing that tomorrow offers more happiness than today.
My perspective on the world has always been that the cup is half full. I’ve always looked ahead with dreams and visions of what the future might bring. Each of us who seeks to eat healthier and more sensibly does so in the hopes that we will ultimately feel and look better. We have to believe that our efforts will lead to success.
This is my shout out to all travelers on the road to Thinville:
Your joy and happiness will be even greater tomorrow and the next day and the day after. Believe in your future dreams and look ahead with anticipation!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Spending Calories Wisely
Choosing the calories I eat is a lot like choosing the clothing that I buy.
When I try on different fashions, I ultimately choose the clothing I like the most that costs the least. Choosing the calories I consume is much the same. When I am hungry, do I want to waste my calories on something I know isn’t worth eating or am I spending my calories wisely?
This journey truly is about making choices. I have to choose what I to eat, how much to eat, and how often I eat. Having the right food items in my kitchen makes a big difference. I am learning to spend my calories wisely. When I want something to eat, I choose only the most valuable and worthwhile calories.
When it comes to what we eat, we can all benefit from being wise shoppers. Everybody wants a bargain!
When I try on different fashions, I ultimately choose the clothing I like the most that costs the least. Choosing the calories I consume is much the same. When I am hungry, do I want to waste my calories on something I know isn’t worth eating or am I spending my calories wisely?
This journey truly is about making choices. I have to choose what I to eat, how much to eat, and how often I eat. Having the right food items in my kitchen makes a big difference. I am learning to spend my calories wisely. When I want something to eat, I choose only the most valuable and worthwhile calories.
When it comes to what we eat, we can all benefit from being wise shoppers. Everybody wants a bargain!
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Willpower Win
Today I successfully dodged multiple food temptations. I am a school teacher and this morning we celebrated a birthday in our classroom. Birthday treats almost always consist of sugar filled cookies or cakes. Today it was chocolate and vanilla cupcakes.
The birthday boy passed out his tempting treats and I contemplated my next move. Would I succumb to the offer of a sugary sweet energy high? Could I watch all my students chomp into blue and pink icing covered cupcakes and sit idly by? To my delight, I successfully resisted the allure of the colorful little cakes.
Not long after lunch, the school office buzzed my classroom to remind me that today was our class pizza party. Our class was going to be rewarded for donating the most items during the Christmas food drive. I watched as each student walked up to the pizza table and chose from cheese or pepperoni. Again, I pondered my commitment to a smaller waistline. Once again, I managed to stand firm in my resolve.
I laughed when I joined the other 3rd grade teachers at recess afterwards and they immediately asked if I had survived the pepperoni’s appeal. As I shared my ‘willpower win’ with them, I realized that I truly am serious about this journey to Thinville.
I don’t know if I can keep up this momentum, but today I realized how much I want to make this dream a reality.
Thinville or Bust!
The birthday boy passed out his tempting treats and I contemplated my next move. Would I succumb to the offer of a sugary sweet energy high? Could I watch all my students chomp into blue and pink icing covered cupcakes and sit idly by? To my delight, I successfully resisted the allure of the colorful little cakes.
Not long after lunch, the school office buzzed my classroom to remind me that today was our class pizza party. Our class was going to be rewarded for donating the most items during the Christmas food drive. I watched as each student walked up to the pizza table and chose from cheese or pepperoni. Again, I pondered my commitment to a smaller waistline. Once again, I managed to stand firm in my resolve.
I laughed when I joined the other 3rd grade teachers at recess afterwards and they immediately asked if I had survived the pepperoni’s appeal. As I shared my ‘willpower win’ with them, I realized that I truly am serious about this journey to Thinville.
I don’t know if I can keep up this momentum, but today I realized how much I want to make this dream a reality.
Thinville or Bust!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Stir Fry Queen
I’ve never before spent so much time looking at fresh fruits and vegetables. The produce section keeps calling my name. I can’t find enough items to cook up into a stir fry.
My enjoyment of stir fry recipes has been somewhat surprising. I am a true carnivore and have always planned every meal around a meat entrée. I did not anticipate being so satisfied by the change in my meals and menus. There are even some days when I don’t eat meat at all.
I have also learned that cutting up vegetables does not take much more time than some of my previous menus did. Some of my favorite stir fry veggies are peppers, green beans, mushrooms, eggplant, squash and broccoli. I include onions or scallions in almost every dish since the caramelized final product is delicious. I've even discovered that most stir fry veggies are already cut and packaged in the frozen section of the grocery. Adding some lean cuts of red meat, chicken, shrimp or scallops just adds to the delight of my taste buds.
I am getting equally creative with the flavors I am adding to my recipes. Garlic always adds the right amount of kick. Soy sauce or teriyaki (low sodium is best) and red wine vinegar also add some variety. When I am in the mood for something spicy, I can even add hot sauce.
I discover new vegetables and flavors to add all the time. If this keeps up, I might even invest in a true stir fry skillet. New habits leads to new weight loss!
I am fast becoming the 'Stir Fry Queen'.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
100 Calorie Club
I have become obsessed with checking the calorie count on nearly everything I eat now. Along the way, I have discovered that there are lots of 'calorie bargains' out there. I get very excited when I find a tasty treat that is 100 calories or less. It is like finding a designer purse on the sale rack!
A friend, who is on Weight Watchers, recommended some sweet treats to me. Every time she told me about another item, I asked her about the calories. What I am slowly realizing is that I am becoming a devoted member of the 100 Calorie Club.
There are actually quite a few food items, both sweet and snackable, that have 100 calories or less. You can find many prepackaged 100 calorie snack packs in the cookie and cracker aisles at the grocery. Jell-O Pudding has some yummy flavors that are only 60 calories per cup. I try to keep them in my fridge at all times.
Today, I took my friend's advice and went hunting for some of the items she told me about.
Here are a few of the items that I found:
• Progresso Light Soups – 100 calories PER portion (1 can is 2 portions)
• Vita Tops (in the freezer section)- 100 calories for each muffin top/ great flavors too
• Multi Grain Sandwich Thins- 100 calories each -great for sandwiches and high fiber too
Now that I am a confirmed member of the 100 Calorie Club, I plan to seek out more bargains along the way. I hope others will share their 100 Calorie discoveries as well!
A friend, who is on Weight Watchers, recommended some sweet treats to me. Every time she told me about another item, I asked her about the calories. What I am slowly realizing is that I am becoming a devoted member of the 100 Calorie Club.
There are actually quite a few food items, both sweet and snackable, that have 100 calories or less. You can find many prepackaged 100 calorie snack packs in the cookie and cracker aisles at the grocery. Jell-O Pudding has some yummy flavors that are only 60 calories per cup. I try to keep them in my fridge at all times.
Today, I took my friend's advice and went hunting for some of the items she told me about.
Here are a few of the items that I found:
• Progresso Light Soups – 100 calories PER portion (1 can is 2 portions)
• Vita Tops (in the freezer section)- 100 calories for each muffin top/ great flavors too
• Multi Grain Sandwich Thins- 100 calories each -great for sandwiches and high fiber too
Now that I am a confirmed member of the 100 Calorie Club, I plan to seek out more bargains along the way. I hope others will share their 100 Calorie discoveries as well!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Vitamins
I have decide to add vitamins to my daily regimen. From what I understand, it is wise to include:
1. A multi-vitamin
2. Fish Oil
3. Extra calcium
I've noticed in the past that when I take vitamins regularly, I seem to have more energy. The extra vitamins have to be good for me too.
Note: If you choose to take vitamins too, be careful about taking other medications. I have also learned that some vitamins will interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
Healthy is the goal!
1. A multi-vitamin
2. Fish Oil
3. Extra calcium
I've noticed in the past that when I take vitamins regularly, I seem to have more energy. The extra vitamins have to be good for me too.
Note: If you choose to take vitamins too, be careful about taking other medications. I have also learned that some vitamins will interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
Healthy is the goal!
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