Tuesday
Makes Me So Sad...
But, like my friend Richard Simmons, I do not say anything to anybody unless they ask me first. And even then, I am careful what I say.
I have always felt a bond with morbidly obese people. I could feel their shame, embarrassment and know how they were feeling walking into a room or restaurant or where ever. Not looking people in the eye or not wanting to attract attention, hoping people wouldn't notice us or make a comment. Hoping we would fit into a chair, seat or down an aisle. Not going to the doctors because of the lectures we would get. Hoping no one would make a comment to our spouse or our children or our parents about our weight, then hearing the comment and the utter horror and embarrassment that they have to put up with comments about our weight.
But now I really feel for them and all of us. It makes me so sad at how we are tricked into thinking we are eating healthy, and we are not.
I feel sad that morbidly obese people are viewed as lazy, no will power, when I now know that isn’t true. It is the so called healthy food we are eating that make us out of control. Granted, there is always an exception to the rule.
How can our government allow so much junk in our foods. High fructose corn syrup is poison. All types of flour is not good for us. Sugar is deadly. Artificial sweetener is poison. And the list goes on…
and don't even get me going on all the quick weight loss, money grabbing empty promise weight loss programs out there!! That is a topic for a whole other post...
Makes me sad. I thought I was feeding my sweet innocent babies so healthy as they were growing up.
I see people in the grocery stores talking about how this is healthy because it is low cal or fat free. Makes me want to cry.
Advertisements for some foods just makes me stare in disbelief!! It is thrown at us from all sides...
I never knew how deceived we were until I went to Julie's classes. I am SO VERY THANKFUL that I was led to Julie’s office and program!
There are so many articles, doctors reports, reports from scientists and so much proof that this is the way to eat. I am amazed.
Makes me want to shout out from the roof tops.
Makes me wish there were more Julie’s around to spread the word and her gift.
Makes me certainly not trust the food industry.
Makes me want to hug all the people out there who are suffering as I did most of my life with their weight.
Thursday
I Thought you said Linda Was Here, I Don't See Her!
Last week I had fun. My dear cousin got married and a picnic turned into a reception/family reunion.
Lots of fun when many Italians get together to celebrate a happy occasion.
So my parents and brother were flying in from Texas. My parents had been there visiting my brother and one of my sisters for 2 weeks. I told them when they got to Bradley airport I would pick them up as I was so excited.
Hadn’t seen my brother for 1 year, and hadn’t seen my parents since Christmas.They all knew I was loosing weight.
I got the text saying they had landed, and they were outside waiting.
I drove up to the waiting area, I saw them and waved, and had to keep driving to find a place to park.
I got out of the car expecting them to be following me.
Where were they?
I saw them looking around waiting for someone.
I called my brother and asked him if they had seen me. He said mom thought she did, but then realized she didn’t.
I told my brother where to walk to. I saw them all approaching and I started waving.
I was so excited! BUT Not one of them waved back.
Hmmm what is up with this.
I see my mom looking all around and I hear her say, "I thought you said Linda was here. I don't see her!"
WHAT?
As they got closer I kept waving and started jumping up and down to get their attention.
I see them look, and they had quite the confused looks on their faces. My dad finally realized that it was me making all the commotion.
The shock that registered on their faces as they came over, and their repeated comment- “I didn’t recognize you” “Wow! We didn’t recognize you!”
Between you and me, my dad had something in his eyes that made them water and he kept hugging me and saying you look good!
I was so happy!
Kind of funny to have my parents not recognize me!
I heard comments all week and at the reunion! Makes a person feel pretty good!!!!
Tuesday
The Pantyhose Dance
Photo source: deviantart.com |
You bend at the waist to gather more of the pantyhose. You pull, tug, twist, bend, groan, jump, jiggle and whatever else you have to do to get those dumb things on.
I was so out of breath getting those dumb things on. And I certainly didn’t want my dear husband to witness my pantyhose jiggle!
So I started wearing knee highs. Oh dear! To me that is such an old lady thing to do, but I could not deal with the pantyhose dance.
Instead, here's what I would do: I would buy control top pantyhose, cut the legs off and wear the pantie part with the knee highs. Not a pretty picture at all!
Last week, I realized my new church skirt needed pantyhose and not knee highs, as there was a small slit on the side that would look hideous with knee highs under them.
I bit the bullet and went to buy pantyhose.
Immediately I wondered What size do I get? I had no clue. The size charts all go by your weight and I don’t know how much I weighed! So, I did the best I could and some old habits do not die quickly, I got control top.
I got home and pulled them out of the package.
WOW--they look so small!
Oh dear, will I get them on?
I didn’t want to do the secret dance, but I had to wear them with my skirt! So I started...
Feet OK.The next thing I knew, I had them up and on--and I wasn’t out of breath!
Calves OK.
Thighs OK.
OK? Wow!
Hips and belly, oh my--they went on without too much dancing.
I didn’t have to dance to get my pantyhose on! This time I didn't have to be a contortionist!
Wow, oh wow--this program is really working for me in more ways than I knew!
Pantyhose, who in the world invented them?
Well at least now I know: I can wear these dumb things and they fit me right!
Another non-scale victory for me! LOL!
Saturday
On Vacation
Perspective
This blurry photo inspired me to buy a new camera. |
While visiting we took a few photos of each other. Nobody can ever take a sharp photo with my iPhone, but I uploaded the photo anyhow because this is what I want to talk about this morning.
I was feeling great that day and then I saw this photo and my mood quickly changed. As blurry as the picture is - all I could see was my belly! Note to self: wear longer blouses with these jeans. I was so bummed about my belly hanging out like that and I felt embarrassed that I left the house in that outfit.
A few days later, I saw the obituary of my friend's husband, George Gladir and that helped pull things into perspective. Life isn't measured by the size of our belly or the size of our body. It's measure by the size of what we do with our lives.
We're all doing incredible things with our lives: changing them for the better and helping each other do the same. Today we focus on our bodies, but at some point, we get to move beyond this focus an on to bigger things in life. That's what I'm excited about, when I find the next big thing I can use all my energy to focus on instead of myself.
A friend once told me "If you don't know what you want, how can you possibly get it?" She's right. And it's time for me to figure out what I want next.
What about you? Do you have the next big thing lined up to do when your weight is no longer the focus of you life? You don't have to know what it is today, but you can start dreaming today. If you can't dream it - it won't happen, so dream big.
Wednesday
This is a Test
My friend's new mantra |
She was encouraged by words from another key friend "this is only a test." My friend embraced these words and created a new mantra for herself, which she carries with her on her iPhone:
This is a testThere we have it - a happy ending for my friend!
Off the Wheel
Reveal to heal
Plan
Hugs
Breathe
My reaction Monday night: I ate two dinners Monday night; all foods on program. I don't have non-program foods in the house; one benefit of living alone. I got caught up in the news until late in the night and again all morning. I couldn't turn it off even there was so little new information. The news was so sensationalized and hypnotic that I couldn't pull myself away. Being in a this kind of hypnotic state like this is akin to getting drunk: both leave you vulnerable to eating out of control.
If you went off program in reaction to Monday's tragedy, it's time to get back in the river right now. No amount of food dissolves pain or changes acts of terrorism. But there is something each of us can do: be successful in our lives, live happy lives, and take care of ourselves and our families - this is our best agent against terrorism.
Each day you stay in the river (on program), you teach yourself new ways to react to what life throws at you. Your automatic response will change over time, because you are training your mind to react in new ways. You will be tested along the way; it is part of the journey.
You should know that after the marathon bombing, good people did random acts of compassion. Things you should read about. Things to help soften the pain, to help us heal from that which we are at a loss of words to express. Here are a few stories you should know about:
Sunday
Get Off the Hamster Wheel
image source: Big & Small: My Cartoon Collection |
Get off the Hamster Wheel (5 seconds)
It's so painful to watch oursleves looking like a rat in a cage, I ended it quickly.
This is next video is me jogging. I did three takes and I crack myself up. I hope you get a good laugh too.
Jogging: Take One (1 minute 57 seconds)
Take Two (36 seconds)
Take Three (1 minute 12 seconds)
If you've been having a hard time getting off the hamster wheel, read this inspiring article
Get Off the Hamster Wheel, in which author Karen Kimsey-House writes deep and profound thoughts about how to see the difference between doing something because it comes from a a genuine desire inside us rather than the hamster wheel approach.
Here's an excerpt from Get Off the Hamster Wheel:
We need to be in action to make dreams real in the world, but action needs to be connected to a larger sense of meaning. Why are you doing what you're doing? Are you doing it because you should or is it coming from inside you from a genuine desire? The Hamster Wheel approach: If I exercise three times a week, I'm "good." Or, if I go to see my mother-in-law twice a month, I'm "good." The Co-Active approach I am advocating for you: I care deeply about my health and well-being, so I devote time to nurture my body. My relationship with my mother-in-law is important to me, therefore I'm going to invest in it. See the difference?Now go outside and get moving in the real world!
Wednesday
Stomach Bugs
Anonymous, March 30, 2013:
This week my family had the stomach bug that lasted for days. Myself included. I am now over two months with the hypnosis and have been doing great...up to this point. I tried just eating chicken broth and staying hydrated with water. I just found that I was not getting my energy back. The thought of eating protein made me nauseous. I finally broke down and started to eat some saltines and drank Pedialyte. I quickly got my energy back but sure enough that made those darn Army men come running out. 3 days off (and I would love to say I just ate saltines but I would be lying) and today I am back on and feeling better.
What is done is done and I hope I have not messed up my hypnosis too much. I live far away and do not want to have to travel (or pay!) for a refresher.
Has anyone else faced this? Is there a way to stay on the plan yet be able to get better?
Tuesday
100 Reasons to Work Out
100 Reasons to Work Out Today; image source SparkPeople |
100 Reasons to Exercise Now
- Because it makes you feel confident
- Because it helps you get stronger
- Because exercise helps combat depression
- Because you'll feel proud of yourself
- Because you have goals you want to reach
- Because you'll feel bad if you don't
- Because you want to move forward, not backward
- Because it burns more calories than not working out
- Because it improves your heart health
- Because you want a great butt
- Because it prevents diabetes
- Because you want to be a good example to your kids
- Because you want to feel good in your clothes
- Because it reduces your risk of cancer
- Because your body was made to move
- Because you want to be an athlete
- Because you want to look better
- Because it lifts your mood
- Because you want to stand taller
- Because it reduces back pain
- Because it feels good
- Because it makes you feel accomplished
- Because you spend most of your day on your butt
- Because swimsuit season is always coming
- Because strong is the new skinny
- Because dieting only works so much
- Because it strengthens your bones, too
- Because it helps you lose weight
- Because it allows you to eat more food
- Because it's the best way to spend "me" time
- Because it helps you de-stress
- Because it's cheaper than therapy
- Because you want a strong core
- Because you want to take care for yourself
- Because you take pride in your body
- Because it strengthens your legs
- Because it helps your clothes fit better
- Because you want to push yourself
- Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
- Because moving your body feels good
- Because it keeps your mind sharp
- Because it helps you beat belly bloat
- Because it helps you sleep better at night
- Because it gives you energy
- Because you want to stay healthy as you age
- Because you want to look younger
- Because you want toned arms
- Because it improves your balance
- Because it burns off last night's dessert
- Because it boosts your immune system
- Because sweat is sexy
- Because you want to live longer
- Because you want to get better at your game
- Because you want to catch some one's eye
- Because exercisers earn more money
- Because you're more likely to eat better when you exercise
- Because you want to shave time off your running pace
- Because you want to breathe easier
- Because you want to see the scale drop
- Because exercise improves your sex life
- Because you are worth it
- Because being fit makes everything in life better
- Because you promised yourself that you would
- Because you deserve a better life
- Because it'll help you drink more water
- Because you want to do real push-ups
- Because it reduces your health care costs
- Because you'll miss fewer days of work
- Because you want to create a new future for yourself
- Because it'll help you like what you see in the mirror
- Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
- Because you want to look and feel incredible
- Because exercising can be fun
- Because it'll give your skin a glow
- Because it's a good way to spend time with your friends
- Because it'll help you prevent the middle-age spread
- Because it reduces your blood pressure
- Because you don't want to let yourself go
- Because you don't want to squeeze into an airplane or roller coaster seat
- Because it strengthens your spirit
- Because it's a cheap way to entertain yourself
- Because you'll be able to reward yourself
- Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
- Because you're tired of being tired
- Because not working out is not going to get you very far
- Because it's a great way to spend time outside
- Because you made a commitment to yourself
- Because you're tired of starting over
- Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
- Because you're not a quitter
- Because it improves your cholesterol
- Because it boosts your metabolism
- Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
- Because if you can do this, you can do anything
- Because a fit body is a healthy body
- Because it beats sitting on the couch
- Because everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
- Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
- Because not working out isn't working out for you
- Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip
source: Daily Spark
Monday
Letting My Inner Animal Out!!!
Activity has never been one of my finer points in my life, but after hearing Julie explain and use the hamster example I realize, it is time to really start. She isn’t magic and it really is up to me to let this animal out.
So spontaneous walking I have started.
The first day I decided my inner animal was a rabbit, I walked with a friend and we walked for over 45 minutes, up and down hills and fast. OH MY!! I was sore for days. YUK!!
The second day my animal was a turtle, I walked with another friend, up and down hills for 20 minutes, much slower and that was better.
The third day, my animal was a dog, no one to walk with but my grandchildren. So with a 1 year old in a carriage and a 3 year old hanging on we walked to my daughter’s house and back to mine. Didn’t time it, as you can imagine, I had my hands full. When we got back to my house I let the kids play outside. I decided my ‘inner animal’ needed to do some yard work and thus made that animal start raking the yard.
That animal, HOWELED, GROWELED, BARKED, and BIT ME as we raked. I am lazy by nature.
But raked we did, and boy I went to bed very early that night…
Yesterday in church, I obviously couldn't exercise, but I did fidget! I felt like a sleeping dog whose legs run while they sleep, or tails wag while laying down. Wasn't a real sweat breaker, but parts of my body were constantly moving. We are in church for 4 hours with an hour and 1/2 lunch/fellowship break, so I really got in some major fidgeting!!! Basically sitting with my legs crossed (do you remember that post when I crossed them for the first time? Don't laugh at my non scale victory?)
Why don’t I like to exercise, who knows!
Do I know it needs to become a part of my life, YES!!
Will I do it to reach my goal size, I HAVE NO CHOICE!
I am writing this and trying to decide what animal will come out today, even though I feel like a slug, maybe I will be a monkey and get my 3 grandchildren and just have fun with them outside. And while out there let the dog out again and do more raking (YUK) but I know I must move.
Like Theresa’s previous post, what am I willing to do to make this goal size happen!! ANYTHING!!! I WANT IT SO BAD I CAN TASTE IT (ok, so taste it probably isn’t the best term to use but you get my gist!)
Hey, if I can learn to eat vegetables and enjoy most of them, I can learn to move this body!
What animal will you be today? Putting it in that kind of perspective for me makes it a little more fun and some day I may even post on here that I like to exercise. Won’t that be a miracle!!! LOL!!! My former weight watchers leader would pass out if she learns I eat veggies now and am trying to exercise!!!!
Have fun with your journey!!! This is a GREAT way to live and loose weight!!!!!
Sunday
I Want it Bad
For me, reaching my goal size (8) means moving, moving, moving. It also means eating clean, like my friend Linda and my size 6 friends who have been clean all along.
I wasn't aware that I wasn't eating clean. There were gray areas that I wasn't aware of; I was eating that are not on program. As you know, there are no gray areas; foods are either on program or they're not on program. So, I didn't know, doesn't work for me anymore! Now that I know about things I was eating that are off program, I'm done eating them. My eyes are open now. I can see! I can see at last!
One area I've been cleaning up is my blog recipes. I've been reviewing my recipes and deleting ones that are not on program. Gone is my recipe for Popsicles, which combined half and half with Siggis yogurt. Sigh. You know something is off program when you sigh at the thought of not having it anymore. Last summer I made these a lot. I knew they were trouble, because I craved them, but I was in complete denial.
Until recently, I did not know half and half was not allowed. I was using it in my coffee and in other recipes. No wonder I was holding my weight during the fall! As of a few weeks ago, I officially too half and half off my option list. When I have coffee I froth my milk and if I drink it out, I pay the extra to have the milk frothed. I haven't had iced coffee, but when I do, it's with milk or not at all.
Back in Dec. I was informed half and half was not allowed, but I was not willing to give it up yet. If I want to reach my goal, I must give it up. My guess is I was able to get away with this for so long because of how heavy I was. Half and half is no longer an option.
Cheese is a condiment. Not only was I eating cheese with meat bite for bite, which I learned a long time ago is not appropriate, but I had recipes with way too much cheese in them. Gone from this blog are most recipes with cheese. Providing I keep the amount of cheese to a tiny bit and the veggie ratio low, my meat pizza recipe is safe. I'll buy only enough cheese to top off the pizza, so I don't have any extra cheese in the house. Recently I made meat pizza with pesto sauce instead of tomato sauce and I think this is a good idea, as it gives the pizza a lot more flavor and I don't add too many veggies with the pesto. (BTW, my pesto is just basil and oil - no nuts.)
What are you willing to sacrifice to reach your goal size? Have you too been in denial and eating foods off program? Did you think you could get away with it and all the while wonder why you're at a plateau for so long?
Give it up! Let go of your free will and get back in the river! Join me and reach your goal size this year!
Saturday
Baggy Blue Jeans
The jeans I bought in January are getting baggy in the thighs and butt - woohoo! And I'm finally wearing the jeans I bought in Dec. Until this week, the only way I could zip the Dec. jeans all the way up was to lay on my bed and hold my breath; sitting down wasn't an option. Now, they look great and I feel fabulous wearing them.
I went to Marshalls last Saturday hoping to find something in a smaller size, but I didn't try anything on because I didn't see anything exciting on the racks. I think TJ Max has better options. I'm still a bit gun shy when it comes trying clothes on; I'm afraid they're still not going to fit. I should probably stick with Macey's and JCP until I'm in a size that I can find easier. Those two stores are more consistent with sizes. I understand TJ & Marshalls tend to run small, which is fine if you're small enough that size doesn't matter. I'm not there yet.
I know: size really does matter. My size 6 and size 8 friends, and I have a lot of friends in 6's and 8's these days, pointed this out to me recently. I thought that when you're a smaller size, you have so many more clothing options. It turns out this isn't true. Who knew? I certainly didn't!
BTW, those jeans that I felt frumpy in two weeks ago - I wore them again last week and this time I felt good in them. Frumpy is sometimes all in our head - or all in my head at least!
Victory comes when we least expect it. We feel as if we've been stuck at the same size one day and the very next day: we drop another size. Sometimes we drop weight and we just can't see it. Our rings are a little loser. Our thighs align with the rest of our body. Our blue jeans become baggy. Our tops accent in the right places instead of clinging in horrible ways. Frumpy turns to DAM!
How's your journey coming along? Anybody else out there dropping weight?
Friday
Tapping
Tapping is a form of self-hypnosis and can be very powerful. I first learned about tapping by another name Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It's a great tool to reduce pain and stress.
Note: I often use the phrase "tap, tap, tap" on this blog. When I write "tap, tap, tap" I'm referencing Julie's concept to "push away" food cravings.
Thursday
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Bacon Deviled Eggs - best ever deviled eggs! |
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 3 slices bacon
- 2 TBSP melted butter (if needed)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 heaping TBSP chopped scallions, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Place eggs in a large sauce pan; add water to cover by 1".
- Bring to a boil, cover, and remove from heat.
- Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Drain.
- Transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water and let cool completely, about 10 minutes; peel.
- Halve lengthwise and remove yolks.
- Coarsely chop bacon.
- Cook in a medium skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp.
- Transfer bacon to paper towels.
- Strain drippings through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl.
- Add melted butter if needed to measure 2 TBSP.
- Finely mash reserved yolks, bacon fat (and/or butter), mayonnaise, mustard, and chopped scallions in a medium bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a large resealable freezer bag; cut 1/2" off one corner.
- Pipe into the whites; garnish with scallions and bacon.
Be sure to cut back on your fats when you eat this.
Monday
New Direction
image source |
Not focusing on my weight loss also means I no longer spend time or energy on promises to start a diet tomorrow or to begin an exercise program tomorrow. This isn't to say I have my exercise routine down, because I don't. It means I know what to do to help keep my body feeling good and when I slack off, so does my mood. Just like the foods we eat, I know mixing up my exercise routine is a good plan too.
I'm feeling good about my core programming being in place, so I've been looking at enhancing my life in other ways. If you've been wondering what's up with all the new age videos I've been posting and where are all my stories about success and challenges in my weight loss journey: it's a plot for a new direction in my life...
Finding my true north sounds exciting, but will take some time. I'm looking at things in my life I no longer need, that I can sell, give away, or donate, to open up space in my life for new things. Not new materialistic things, but new opportunities. Opportunities I have yet to imagine, but given the time and space, I'll see them.
Meanwhile, as I look for my compass among my household treasures, I'm exploring the spiritual side of life. Along the way I have found inspirational videos, meditations, and books. I sometimes get so excited about the videos that I post them to this blog without thinking how they may appear to my readers. I can change this. I can provide context about how they're relevant in my life instead of just posting them without much of an explanation.
Today's story is about reflection and reading. . .
Every book I purchased in the past few years has sat unread in a pile with other forgotten books next to my home desk and my bed. My pattern has been: go into Barnes and Noble, grab a handful of books, read a few chapters in each book, feel inspired, and then put the books back on the shelves. I know if I take them home, I'm never going to read them. I've been reflecting on this and thinking about why it is that I've fallen into this pattern. I can change this too. Hey, if I can drop 6-7 sizes, I can do anything!
I'm really enjoying the book "Be the Miracle, 50 lessons for Making the Impossible Possible" by Regina Brett. It's such an uplifting book of positive stories; I'm all about giving my mind positive reinforcement these days. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for the same. My promise to myself is to read at lease one story a day, which is about 6 pages. Imagine starting each day with a positive story!
While at the bookstore, I read a good chunk of "Take Charge of Your Mind" by John Selby. I didn't buy the book, but there were incredible quotes in there that still haunt me. I just went to Amazon and for less than $6.00 with shipping, the book will be here by the end of the week.
Are any of you reading books of inspiration or listening to online videos that you find helpful on your journey?