I Fail - But Only Temporarily

I just wanted to make a quick update.  I did not meet my goals of making my goals yesterday.  I did not workout.  I did not log my food.  I did spend then entire day in the hospital praying and waiting for my dad to get out of triple bypass heart surgery.  It was a day that was 72 hours long and I had a lot of time to think about the mortality of the ones I love as well as mine. 

Dad came through the surgery fine.  Now comes the task of rebuilding his strength, recovering and changing his habits.   I am praying for those things as well.  I know he can do it but I know it won't be easy.  I'll do whatever I can to help.  And, with anything, actions speak louder than words.  The best thing I can do is take care of myself, research healthy recipes and encourage him to do his best.

Even though it was my dad in the hospital room and not me, I feel as if I've been given a second chance and a huge wake up call.  It was so hard to see a usually robust man that filled the room being so still and looking so fragile after his surgery.  I know he will once again be large as life and am looking forward to seeing him chasing the kids and feeling so much better than he ever realized he could.

Time to get serious about being healthy and quit going through the motions.  Alright folks, here it is:  Weight:  140.  Body fat:  27.5%.  BMI:  22.6.  Goals:  Weight:  125.  Body fat:  21%. 

Goals for this week (Thurs-Wed):  Video every day. Walking 3 miles with family at least 4 days.  Log food.  No more than 3 alcoholic beverages this week.  Get healthier recipes.  Lose 1.5 pounds.

I'll keep you posted on my goals, my dad, and my recipes.

Would love to hear your goals as well!

Keeping It Real

"My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose -- somehow we win out."
Ronald Reagan 

Okay - I'll admit I've lost sight a little bit of what I'm doing.  I tried my jeans on after a couple weeks of trimming back and guess what?  They still don't fit.  I've become a little lost and can't see the forest for the trees.  Time to get back to basics:  Setting goals.

I've been faithful to my Jillian video.  Today is Day 7 and I'm headed downstairs as soon as I finish this blog entry to hit it.  Even after having a few drinks Friday night (which I definitely did not have in my calorie budget) I have maintained doing the video every day.  I know it's time to let go of the glory days, but, as I told hubby last night, I will be glad when working out is just something I do again.  I'll be glad when it becomes a habit again - just second nature.  Not something to be dreaded or scheduled in - just part of my day, much like checking the mail or making lunch.

So, my goals are this: tomorrow I am going to post a ticker with my weight and my goal weight.  As Jillian says, "No more phoning it in."  I've got to do this.  If I am truly committed to my journey, then it's time to start posting some numbers.  I will log my goals ever Wednesday and hold myself accountable every Tuesday with weigh ins and measurements.  If you guys can clearly see my muffin top, there's no reason I should hide those numbers, is there?  That's just plain silly.  

I am also going to get back to logging my food.  Those animal crackers that I munch when getting the kids a snack still have calories!  Time to start writing it down again.  Stress is no excuse.  This is life and it needs to be a healthy one.  I only have one chance at this.  I only get one body in life.  I want it to be a good one!

I will planning a Thintervention meeting this weekend.  If you're interesting in coming, just shoot me an email.  I also still need some people to walk for the Making Strides against breast cancer.  If I can get 12 people total, we can make our own team and rock that walk!

Now, I hear Jillian calling and my jeans calling louder than ever as it gets cooler.  I will NOT buy bigger jeans.  I refuse.  So, time to get to work.

Pushing Through The "Don't Wanna"s and "Don't Feel Like It"s...

If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash

Day 3 of the Shred is over.  And I am seriously thanking God it is.  This morning when the alarm went off, I hit snooze.  3 times.  I really just didn't feel like it.  I'm sore.  I was so tired and honestly I just wanted to snuggle up with hubby and wake up sometime mid afternoon.

But I've made a commitment to me and to you.  I'm rooting for all of you who are Journeying Jeanward with me and I know you're rooting for me.  Contrary to the belief of most of the girls in my high school gym class, people don't like to see others fail.  I rejoice in my victories as well as others.  A dear friend of mine has lost 52 pounds!!!!  Now THAT'S an accomplishment!!!!  I'm so proud of her!  People like to see and hear about people doing well and doing good things.  We don't have enough of that in this world.  And I want to tell you and show you that I'm doing well and good.


So I dragged myself out of bed with my BEFORE picture burning in my brain.  I put on my sneakers, and here comes hubby too.  YAY!  He usually gets all his exercise playing basketball and chasing the kids.  But he decided to join me and Jillian this morning.  I was so happy he joined me.  He made the difference this morning for sure.  I needed the extra motivation.  I love my hubby!


We got through the workout and before I knew it, Day 3 was done.  I do feel the burn, but it feels wonderful.  It feels like Accomplishment and Progress.  I've miss that feeling!  Lately I've just been walking around with Complacency and Lethargy.


Next time you don't want to work out, remember who's in charge.  Don't let it be the old you.  The old you never did you any favors.  Change takes time.  And if you're worrying about how long it's going to take to lose weight, then STOP!  The time is going to pass anyway.  You might as well pass it by getting healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.


I love quotes, and here's one that's over used but so true:  No one told you it was going to be easy, but they did say it would be worth it.  Well having been there, I know it's worth it.  And that's why we keep our eyes looking forward and staying focused.  Find that voice in you that says, "I'm done with the glory days and I'm done with the lethargy.  Let's get going."  And then go.

I Discover Another Trigger

A woman under stress is not immediately concerned with finding solutions to her problems but rather seeks relief by expressing herself and being understood. - John Gray

Well, I am a little stressed.  I have for some reason decided to rip my house apart from top to bottom and do some spring cleaning in September.  If I were seven months pregnant I would totally understand this bizarre behavior as a nesting syndrome, but that is clearly not the case.

So, I have got the kids rooms torn apart, the kitchen is a disaster, for some reason my 2 and 3 year olds will not do laundry for me (so that's piling up), I just started a new exercise video that I made a commitment to, and it's almost 2:30 and I still haven't showered yet. Hubby would love to help, but he has no clue about what my "system" is and I swear at this point if someone puts something in the wrong place, I may seriously lose it. My patience is a little thin because everything is discombobulated and it's freaking me out, here!  

The kids are starting to think, "Wow, my mom has lost her mind."  I just know they are.  I can't even finish a sentence at some moments.  I told my baby girl to take her kitchen to the cup and she just better hurry up about it.  She looked at me like I was a moron.  Deep breath........

And, since I'm so freakin' stressed, goodies are starting to look real good.  Why???  I'm not hungry!!!!!  I'm frustrated that my jeans don't fit in the first place so why oh why do I want to shove an entire container of Pringles or Ho-Ho's into my drooling mouth????  What will that solve????  A big FAT nothing. Is it any coincidence that STRESSED spells DESSERTS backward?  I think not.

So, here I am taking breaths and remembering that there are no deadlines.  I'd like to have my house back, sure, but not at the cost of what little sanity this mommy of 2 kids 13 months apart has left. I will take my time, get things done, (quite possibly have a glass of red wine for the tannins this evening), say a little prayer (okay, a big one) and keep breathing in and out.  I will remember these days because one day I will miss them.  And I will laugh at myself when I say stupid things.

I will NOT eat those cookies because they are not a solution.  Oh - and now I WILL get busy again!!!

Thanks for letting me vent, ladies!!  I needed it!

I Take On Jillian Michaels

I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
-Marsha Doble

One of my favorite shows came on last night - The Biggest Loser.  I have even gotten my metabolically supercharged husband into it.  We watched the season opener last night and I cried a couple times.  Everyone has a story.  It's sad to think that some of these people really do want to change and get help but instead they are ridiculed to embarrassment to seek it. Cheers for those who want to and are changing their lives!

I love this show because it is such an inspiration.  It's amazing to watch seemingly hopeless people bust down their own walls and go farther than they (or anyone else) ever thought possible.  That motivation absolutely carries over to me.  Moms and dads and sons and daughters were on this show together bearing their souls (and their bellies) for all to see.  That is the first step to changing.

Jillian Michaels is a trainer on the show.  She is tough.  She is crazy.  She is relentless.  She is scary.  She is hard as nails.  But she gets results and she is sincere.  I recently purchased her video:  30 Day Shred.

Today is day 1.  I will take my photo today (and again, will NOT share it before I have the "After" photo).  My commitment starts today and I will do this everyday for 30 days.  I have taken my measurements and we'll see where I'm at in 30 days.  I usually work out in the morning, but just was able to play the DVD this afternoon SO - here I go.

I highly encourage anyone following my journey to get this video.  I got it off ebay for around $8 including shipping.  Time to get moving....  Jillian - it's on!!!!

Hungry Hungry Hippo Me

Rule your mind or it will rule you. - Horace


I love food.  I mean, I REALLY love food.  The only thing I've come across that I don't care for is Brussels sprouts.  And even then, I once had them caramelized at a nice Italian restaurant and my opinion changed somewhat.

I love chocolate, cheese, bread, ice cream, potato chips, hamburgers, homemade mac and cheese, anything with a good white or red sauce, pizza, fried whatever, and even chicken livers.  (Hopefully I didn't lose any followers at that admission.)  Knowing that not one of things is in my (or my jeans) best interest, I abstain and indulge in a chocolate here there, maybe one pizza night every few weeks, and the occasional bite off my husband's plate because he can eat 15 cheeseburgers with cheese fries and wash it down with a 48 ounce milkshake and lose a pound.  Frustrating is not even the word that describes this phenomenon.

Anyway, like I said.  I know the "bad" foods and stay away from them for the most part.  So then, you ask, what seems to be the problem??

I EAT TOO MUCH OF EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!!!

I went through a spell where I completely forgot that portion size DOES matter and that even though if I only eat 1 serving of  Oreos a day, after 10 days I've eaten 30 of those little cookies and have ingested 1600 calories, 70 grams of fat (20 of which is saturated) and 140 grams of sugar.  Ritz crackers were another source of several summertime calories.  Serving size of Ritz crackers: 5 crackers.  Are you kidding me???  I can fit about 15 in my hand!!!  Didn't someone say that your hand is a serving???  Oh - maybe that was a serving of lean protein.  Anyway, I could finish a sleeve of Ritz crackers in about a day and a half.  I really didn't mean to.  I'd just walk by the pantry, feel that familiar little tingle in my belly, reach in, grab a handful of crackers, and not even think about what I was doing.

And yes, usually, that little tingle in my belly was nothing even remotely close to hunger. It was a feeling of, "MMMMM...... We have Ritz crackers and they're not coated with chocolate so that means they have absolutely no calories and they're even whole wheat so I'm actually eating something that my body needs."

I'm so good at validating myself.

Another problem I have (which I am correcting) is that I have forgotten how to eat.  I've got an almost 3 and and almost 4 year old.  Time is a luxury more precious than diamonds or Aston Martins in this house.  Back in my glory days, I would take a bite, PUT THE FORK/SPOON DOWN, chew my food, take a sip of water, BREATHE, take another bite, and repeat the process.  My belly would get full and because I was eating slowly, I could actually stop before I stuffed myself.  I would take my last bite, turn the fork over on my plate and be done.  After I turned my fork over, I wouldn't touch it again.

However, after 2 kids, I would eat in the kitchen sometimes making their food (and taking bites of it just to make sure it was cool enough - wink, wink), then I'd sit down with hubby and frantically eat everything on my plate and whatever was left on their plates (because there are starving children somewhere but I just realized that yes, even though there are starving children out there, me stuffing myself is not going to help them at all anyway) and then sometimes get more food for me because my brain had not registered that I was full and to please stop eating before my stomach got so enlarged that waistband of my pants completely cut into my flesh.

I am putting down my fork now in between bites.  But sometimes I so have to temperature check the kids' food - especially if they are having chicken nuggets or pizza, anything else I'm sure is cool enough.  I have banned Oreos and Ritz crackers from my pantry - that is until I get myself back under control.  I start with the veggies on my plate then I work to the more calorie-dense food.  I use a smaller plate like kids do.  Hubby is the only one in the house that eats from the dinner plates.  Not me.  Not anymore.  But most important, I make myself identify first if that tingle in my belly is hunger or habit.

I found some great advice from Joy Bauer.  This is a wonderful article:

Emotional eating is when you eat in response to feelings rather than hunger, usually as a way to suppress or relieve negative emotions.  Stress, anxiety, sadness, boredom, anger, loneliness, relationship problems and poor self-esteem can all trigger emotional eating.  When emotions determine your eating habits rather than your stomach, it can quickly lead to overeating, weight gain and guilt.

If you find yourself regularly eating in response to emotions, try to break the habit with some of my strategies below.
Learn to recognize your hunger Before you automatically pop something into your mouth.  Rate your hunger on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being ravenous and 5 being full. Make every effort to avoid eating when you’re a 4 or a 5.
Find alternatives to eating Prepare a list of activities that are personally appealing and handy. Perhaps go for a walk, call a friend, listen to nostalgic music (anything that brings you back to a happy time), take a hot shower or bath, clean your house, polish your nails, surf the Internet, schedule outstanding appointments, watch something on TiVo, clean your purse, organize your closet, look through a photo album, etc.
Keep a food journal Logging your food will help to identify your toughest timeframes. It will also make you accountable, so perhaps you’ll be less apt to reach for unnecessary food.
Three-food interference Make the commitment to first eat three specific healthy foods before starting on comfort foods (i.e., an apple, handful of baby carrots and a nonfat yogurt). If after that, you still want to continue with your comfort foods, give yourself permission. However, most of the time, the three foods are enough to stop you from moving on.
Exercise regularly Daily exercise relieves stress and puts you in a positive mindset, which provides greater strength to pass on the unhealthy fare.  
Get enough sleep Research shows that sleep deprivation can increase hunger by decreasing leptin levels, the appetite-regulating hormone that signals fullness. Furthermore, with adequate sleep, you’ll be less tired and have more resolve to fight off the urge to grab foods for comfort.
Joy Bauer is the author of “Food Cures.”  For more information on healthy eating, check out Joy’s Web site at www.joybauernutrition.com

Letting Go of the Glory Days

Glory Days
Glory days, well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days...
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
- Bruce Springsteen


Just last year Ryan and I participated in the Triple Crown of running in Louisville.  The first race was a 5K. We finished at 30:55.  Two weeks later was the 10K.  We kept about the same pace.  And three weeks after that was the 10 miler.  We jogged the entire thing, even keeping the same pace through Iroquois Park!  We were fit.  My size 4's were so loose I needed a belt most of the time.  I ate well.  I worked out.  I could walk into my closet and knew that whatever I walked with was going to fit.

Glory days........

Well, I've told you the story of muffin toppin' over my jeans.  This morning after my workout, I jogged around the block and it was hard.  I kept looking for the end and wondering if I should take a shortcut back to my house.

Glory days, they'll pass you by.

When I first realized that I was a mere mortal after all and even though I had been very fit, I couldn't eat and drink whatever I wanted in addition to letting my workouts go un-done, I was frustrated.  The day my jeans didn't button comfortably, I made the decision to simply get back to my glory days and start working out again and go right back to eating what I was before that kept those jeans so comfortably loose (if only I could remember what that was).

So I headed downstairs at 6:30 a.m. (begrudgingly, griping, complaining, tired (and why was I tired??? I USED to be able to hop out of bed at 5:00 a.m. to workout with no problem!) and unfathomably unmotivated.)  I got on the treadmill and keyed up my warm up from my glory days.... and I could NOT keep up.  What was going on here????  I ran 10 miles before!  Uphill!  Both ways!!  In the snow!!  In a snowstorm!!  Barefoot!!!!!  (Okay, not really, but do you see where I'm going with this??)

I was pretty upset and have to tell you that I turned off the treadmill in disgust and tried my bike.  Had my equipment completely rusted out, making the wheel almost impossible to turn when just a short year ago it had been so easy??  That was enough of that I decided.  I tried the elliptical. No better.  Had the polarity of the earth gotten so knocked off balance that the smooth motion and rhythm of my stride had been halted forever????  I almost picked up some free weights before I thought better of that.  And thank goodness!  I probably would have opened up some portal to a strange parallel bizaro universe where it would forever and permanently be Opposite World.

So I went back upstairs, defeated and frustrated and confused.  I was almost tempted to douse myself with water so Ryan believed that I worked up a sweat working out!  Why was it so hard to do the things I used?  I mean, I know after I had Riley and Boo it took a little while to get in shape but they were almost 4 and almost 3 now!  I was active!  I chased after them all day and took care of the house and made dinner and helped Ryan with home improvements and all that other stuff we did.  What happened?

I hate to admit this, but it was a few days before I tried working out again.  I was thinking that if I just did better eating, then it wouldn't be so hard to workout.  Well, the same thing happened.  I tried a couple days later, making lofty goals of 45 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes with weights.  After 10 minutes, I was done and in mental anguish.

It took a couple more days (and lots of prayers) for me to realize that I'm not that person I was anymore.  Furthermore, I shouldn't want to be that person.  I had to let that person go.  That person didn't stay true to herself (or her jeans either).  That person gave up good habits and the drive to be better in exchange for complacency and laziness.

I started all over and made small attainable goals.  Making a goal of 15 minutes on the treadmill and staying on 20 is a much better accomplishment than making a goal of 45 and staying on for 20 in my book.  I'd rather be excited enough about reaching one goal to continue making more than to be frustrated with failure and give up all together.

My strength I know will return.  I don't discount or downplay my achievements of before, but I will not use them as a yardstick now.  I revel in the small things and know that as my accomplishments get bigger, my waist will eventually get smaller.

A Sincere Apology!

My view is that life unfolds at its own rhythm. I have never lived a life that I thought I could plan out. And I'm just trying to do the best I can every day. I find I have a lot to get done between the time I get up and the time I go to bed.
Hillary Rodham Clinton

 I extend my most sincere apologies to my faithful and fellow journeyers!  Over the past weekend, I was getting ready for a bake sale for the Cookies for Kids Cancer.  We did pretty well.  There was less traffic than I was hoping for but all in all, we did okay making over $100.  I was really wanting more but at least Glad is doubling my contribution!

So, between baking, getting things ready for a yard sale, being Mommy and Honey, and trying to make time to keep at least a few household things in order, I let you down.  And honestly, I let me down a little too.  Here I am trying to convince folks that they need to join me on this journey and I skip out for a few days.  I promise to do better. 

Some Tools for Our Arsenal

Okay - I found the neatest ever!  Really, ever!!! This is such a cool tool and it takes about 5 minutes to sign up.  Shape - Virtual Trainer

You don't have to shell out big bucks for a trainer. Our Virtual Trainer gives you a personalized fitness routine based on your goals and allows you to track your meals—for free! Whether you want to slim down or tone up, we'll provide you with an exercise schedule and walk you through the routines. You can log your meals, track your caloric intake and see the nutritional breakdown of your favorite foods. Our food database contains more than 20,000 items, from SHAPE recipes and major restaurant menus to common food and supermarket brands. Let the Virtual Trainer help you reach your goals! 

It really is a great website.  I joined last night, put in my goals, did the health assessment which took 2 minutes and took my measurements to determine my body fat percentage.  Um, yikes. 

This is super easy to use and I highly recommend it.  When you join, you can see my profile here.  Hope to see you there!

And I'm still getting recipes together so get me your favorite healthy ones!  Plus, let's take a look at some not so healthy ones too.   Maybe we can slim them down. 

Make sure you join our facebook group: Girls Journeying Jeanward!!

Choosing Health

"A diet is when you watch what you eat and wish you could eat what you watch."

— Hermione Gingold

I have decided I don't like the word diet.  It sounds too restrictive. In fact, diets are totally restrictive.  That is why I don't want to be on diet - ever.  As I said yesterday, time to change some thinking.

I am hosting a bake sale for Cookies for Kids' Cancer.  The bake sale is Saturday and I'm trying to get some cookies made a little at a time.  (I've never hosted a bake sale.  And I don't know any child with cancer - which would be the reason I'm having this bake sale.  I don't ever want to have to know a child with cancer.) 

Now I love cookies, cakes, ice cream, in fact, unless you're talking about sodas, I love everything with sugar and/ or chocolate.  With a passion.  Okay, with many passions.

Anyway - I made some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies yesterday with the kids.  They love them.  And since starting my Journey Jeansward, I (laughing at myself) somehow though I would immune to the smell of those rich, fluffy cakelike cookies that were calling my name like Homer's sirens.  (Sorry, got a little drool on the keyboard.  Slight pause.....)

Suddenly the victim-oriented thinking came into play and I began to feel sorry for myself that I don't have the metabolism like my husband and I can't lose five pounds when I snap my fingers and I have this stupid sweet tooth that takes up my entire mouth and....  whoa...  Let's just leave that tangent right there.

So I made a choice.  I said to myself not, "I can't have a cookie."  Instead I said, "I choose not to."  It was actually somewhat of climactic moment.  We can choose to be victims or we can choose to have power and be in charge.  Just practice that little line next time temptation knocks.  Choose you.  Choose your health.  Choose power.

Discipline

To promise not to do a thing is the surest way in the world to make a body want to go and do that very thing.  ~Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1876
 

The biggest change that needs to happen with me is a change in thinking rather than in my waistline.  I can change my thinking TODAY, right now, instantly.  The fit of my jeans, however will have to wait a while.  

I've found myself saying lately that, "One cookie won't hurt."  But will it help?  Um, not only no, but hell no.  There is a quote that has been attributed to Churchill: Discipline is just choosing between what you want NOW, and what you want MOST.  There have been several times when I've wanted things now and should have remembered what I want most.  This morning I definitely wanted more sleep now, but then thought about what I wanted most.  My health.  (All right, all right.  And my jeans.)

It's very simplistic that thinking asking one simple question at the right times can change a person, but it can.  Before I make a meal, grab a handful of chips, veg on the couch or continue to eat for no reason,  I will ask myself, "Is this going to help me reach my goal?"  Hopefully that will lead to more yeses than nos!

I discovered a free online calorie counter and food journal.  It definitely helps.  If you have to write it down, somehow it's more official.  Works well for me anyway!  I encourage you to check it out.

Also - I recently checked out a book from the library.  It's fantastic and I love it.  The No Fad Diet.  After all, this is a quest for health.  I'll be referencing that book a lot!  If you've got access to a library or amazon.com, I highly recommend this book.

I will be spending this evening starting a database with healthy meals (especially ones that can be made in bulk because I look the fix and freeze method of cooking - but that's a whole nother blog topic.)  I'll have a link to some the database I create.  Also - I'd like to see how to create a forum where folks can ask questions and maybe get some answers.

But now, it's time to go be Mommy.  The kids have finished breakfast and are ready to be entertained.  And yes, that burns calories too!

Gettng (Re)Started

When I buy cookies I eat just four and throw the rest away.  But first I spray them with Raid so I won't dig them out of the garbage later.  Be careful, though, because that Raid really doesn't taste that bad.  ~Janette Barber


It's been a good evening (well, at least mostly okay.  As of this writing, Penn State is down (not acceptable.) UK is down (totally unacceptable)  U of L won (good job), Notre Dame lost (HAHA Kelly), UC won (great job guys!) and I worked out this morning (YAY ME!)).

As I was writing my goals, I realized a couple things.  I have to look beyond  eating right to looking at the right reasons to being healthy.  At one time, had you asked me, I would rather be a size 4 but a cardiovascular disaster than be a size 8 but completely healthy.


Maybe just having the goal of getting back into my jeans is shallow.  Maybe I should concentrate on being healthy.  (Would it be bad if said that I'm still hoping that being healthy will lead me back to my jeans though???)


Of course I want to look good.  For my husband, for me, for my kids.  But I need to focus on the long term.  I want to see my kids grow up.  I want to help my daughter plan a wedding.  I want to be there for my son.  I want to be a good mother and (God willing) a grandmother.


That is why I need to do this.  At least the biggest reason.  I've decided it's not so bad if it takes longer than I'd like for me to get back into my jeans.  But I can't help saying I'm hoping I can be a grandma AND rock the size 4 jeans.


But mostly, I just want to be healthy.  I don't want to tell my kids I'm too tired to play soccer or too tired to help them with homework or too tired to talk after they've had a bad day.


SO, it is with this new found strength I move forward.  I am proud to say that when we ordered pizza last night, I had a salad instead.  Baby steps.  That's where we all start.


I hope more people join me on my journey.  But actually, a few friends have.  I hope you join US on our journey.

(UK scored twice!  I have a feeling.... tonight's gonna be a good, good night!)

Application is Everything

I recently had my annual physical examination, which I get once every seven years, and when the nurse weighed me, I was shocked to discover how much stronger the Earth's gravitational pull has become since 1990. ~Dave Barry

It really is amazing that two of the biggest industries revolve around junk food and weight loss. People spend billions of dollars of year on both. It's amazing.

My biggest problem is that I eat when I'm not hungry because .... um... well... hmmm..... I'll have to get back with you on that. My second biggest problem is that I continue eat even after I'm full because.... um... well... um.... Because I'm the mom and I say so. Oh wait, that "because" won't work for this. It rarely works on the kids anyway so I should really just strike it from my book of popular phrases.

And my third biggest problem is that I've gotten lazy and don't work out regularly because I don't have the energy that I used to because I gained some weight and since I've gained some weight I don't have as much energy as I need to workout regularly so I got lazy. HUH? It made sense in my brain, I think.

For all my reasons (and lack of good excuses) it comes down to this. I know where I am. I know how I got here and I know what it will take to get me back. I know all this!! But now it comes down to application. I mean, a person can KNOW how to use the toilet, but if you don't apply that knowledge, you'll just be sitting in a big pile of crap at the end of the day.

So, time to apply the knowledge. First to make a list - on paper, in writing - of why I'm journeying jeansward. And I mean a list of whys beyond the obvious fact that I refuse to buy jeans bigger than the ones I have. I have no problem having to buy anything smaller than I already have, however.

Second - add to that list a list of triggers that cause me to overeat, continue when I'm full, and when I feel lazy.

Third - a couple of realistic and specific goals. Add to that a reward that I will give myself after reaching that goat and maintaining it for at least 3 months. (NOTE TO SELF: A gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream from Greaters is NOT an acceptable reward.) And I do this to visualize myself attaining this goal.

Fourth - I will begin to compile a resource database of recipes and exercises to help me accomplish this.

Fifth. I will do this today and I will begin my journey now.

For those of you who are journey jeanward with me, your homework is to do steps 1-3. We'll work on 4 together at the first meeting. Let me know if Sunday afternoon around 2:30 would work for everyone? We'll meet for an hour, make all the necessary introductions, discuss our goals, make a plan of what we can change for the next week, and sign a contract to ourselves, that we will do our best to keep our plan for the week.

If you can't make it, go ahead and make your list. After our meeting on Sunday, I'll update the blog on some tools and tips to help you make your week. This is going to be a great forum for asking for advice and giving encouragement!!!

And to my jeans I say, get ready!!! I'm comin' to getcha!

How It Came to Pass

It happened the other day. My jeans, who had stuck with me for the past year and half since I finally lost the baby weight from Katelyn, betrayed me. No longer did I see the relaxed and somewhat baggy fit. Instead, I saw rolls and lines. NOT GOOD. I knew that I had slowly been gaining a pound or two here or there but this was crazy! I guess it was I who I had done the betraying.

First, let me back up to the beginning. Actually, not sure if there's time (or interest) for that, so I'll skip to the middle.

Before Riley was born, I was proud to sport my 2 piece bikini and didn't even need to wear a cover up. Now I was no Victoria's Secret double by any means, but on the Ohio River, I felt relatively comfortable and maybe even a little confident. I worked out twice a day about 5 times a week and could walk into my closet knowing that everything fit and looked decent.

Exhibit A: 2005


Then I got - in a word - knocked up. (Okay - that's 2 words. I know. Moving on.) Shortly after finding out about the bun in the oven, I began to EAT. Whatever held all my common sense and nutrition knowledge shut off in my brain. The first couple months I gained 10 pounds.... with no end in sight. At first I was proud of my belly bulge until when I went for my 3 month check up the doctor told me that the baby was nowhere near that big and that my bulge was a direct result of almost daily Blizzards and mass consumption of previously taboo bread.

I should have heeded the warning, but instead I was so upset I had to head directly to Dairy Queen. Fast forward to December 24, 2006 and I had gained 65 pounds. Riley only weighed 8. I was hoping the placenta would tip the scales at at least 20 or so pounds, but I had no such luck.

I worked hard though after he was born. I was desperate to get back into my prebaby clothes. I lost 50 pounds the first 5 months and then got a shocker. Riley was going to be a big brother. I swore that this time I would not gain 65 pounds. And you can bet I didn't. I gained 75. I guess I should have been more specific with my goals.

Exhibit B: January 31, 2008. I post for this for 2 reasons. 1, to get the full effect of what gaining 75 pounds can do and 2, to prove that at one time I had boobs.


Anyway, again, I worked hard and by the time Boo was turning one, I was completely back into all my prebaby wardrobe and even weighed less than pre-Riley. Ryan and I were working out, running races, and limited our Bud Lite consumption to weekends.

Exhibit C: March 2009


BUT, sure as I'm sitting here (which reminds me, CRAP! I SHOULD BE WORKING OUT!) I've got about 18 pounds to lose. I got lazy and rediscovered Ritz crackers, Oreo cookies and have been to too many cookouts with too much good food!

Exhibit D: Early August. Notice the unsightly belly bulge, the extra chin, and ill fitting shorts (which were far too big last summer.)

So, it begins now. Back to my jeans, back to my health, and back to me.

Thanks to my friends who have decided to go on this journey with me. I'll be posting some recipes, maybe some exercises, and an agenda for our first THINTERVENTION meeting - which will be soon. I will not let my husband see me naked until I get this weight off. Well, that's not entirely true. I will not let my husband see me naked with the lights on until these 18 pounds are history!!!!!!!

If you'd like to add posts to this blog, shoot me an email at dana.diehlman@gmail.com and I'll add you to the admin list.

Time to work off the donuts!!!!