Restart - new start - another start?!

No, I think I'll just say I'm keeping on with what I've already started! If I require myself to "restart" mentally and emotionally, much less physically, every time I have a bad day (week?!), I'll never get on a roll. 

I thought I would feel discouraged because I did have another pretty bad week, starting last Saturday at the teen retreat. I didn't pay much attention to what I ate. I don't think I did too bad, but it was all downhill from there: Chinese buffet, huge deli sandwich, McDonalds, cake last night, etc. I'm not discouraged, though. All our talking and writing is keeping me positive, believing I can do this over time. 

Today I'm going to start journaling again. I'm going to think about what I put in my mouth. I'm going to add 2-3 oz. of protein to my food pyramid and try to keep the hungries at bay. I'm going to focus on portions. I also need to give some thought to a short-term goal. I don't have any clothing issues like your jeans. I think I'll start with under 220 (on my scale) as my short-term goal. (Eeck! I said out loud how much I weigh! Shocking to me to see that number. Oh, well.)

Starting Monday, I am going to start walking just a little each day...or going for a short bike ride. I'm also going to start tackling my *!@?$ boxes my basement is filled with that I've been meaning to get to for 11 months. I hope to focus on those two things in March. Well, those things and my eating... ;-)

Onward and upward!

Loved talking to you!

Cindy, you were such a blessing this morning! I'm sorry I was so scattered at the store. Trying to do too much at once. But I reflected on your retreat story, and was really encouraged! I am reminded of a great sermon we heard from Isaiah the other day. Specifically Is6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said "Here am I. Send me!" I've got the chills Cindy b/c you are living that out at this very moment, and telling me and others of the incredible blessings from the Lord for opening yourself to His will and following it. Amazing! Thank you!

I will post more about the Best Life in a little while. One encouraging thought is that I'm enjoying trying some of these new healthy foods. They taste awesome, and it's nice knowing I'm making choices to live my best life! Love you!

Forward Progress

Hey! I just joined the Bob Greene Best Life Website. It is $19.95 for the first month, and $9.95 each month after, you can cancel whenever. I think this is the program I want to try for a while. I love that when I'm shopping at the store I can find his seal of approval on products. And they've all been good for me and yummy so far. The website has lots of neat areas, you can log in your food intake, journal your emotions (which is why I'm glad we're here too!), chat with other folks in the same boat, get tons of recipes. They also make a meal plan for you for every day, and you can customize it with what you actually eat. The food base is incredible. It has tons of entries, like the Pizza Hut veggie thin crust pizza I ate today. Still way too many calories, but I think this website will help me get real about what I'm eating! I'm going home Monday morning and hope I can get on board quickly with it. Right now my current activity level is to get 90 minutes of exercise a week, I think I can handle that time requirement. It's a slight challenge that I need!

Thanks for the pep post. I enjoyed it, and took it to heart! Love you!

Truths

Our weight cannot define us. Does not define us. Will not define us. 

It does not determine our worth, our beauty, our value. 

A good or bad eating day will not define a good or bad day. 

We will rejoice in all the small successes and only look at our failures in order to learn. Other than that, they are behind us.

Even though change will be slow, we will change. We are capable of it, desire it, deserve it. 

Pep talk! xo 

Total System Crash!

Oh my goodness, I wonder if I have a restart button! The next few days are going to be rough when I go to Springfield to diet. I developed bad eating habits there, but can try to combat it a little by walking in their great neighborhood. I feel too rushed to even pay attention to all this, but I think next week when I get back, or maybe even in Springfield, I want to take some serious uninterrupted time to go over the pyramid and get my journaling going. After that, I think I can implement some real changes. Some good things are that my stomach is somehow shrinking. Like I had Chinese today for lunch, but was stuffed after I ate the egg drop soup and egg roll. I hardly touched my entree, very unusual for me! I am emotional right now, and overeating a bit in response. Please pray for me to find another way to handle situations and feelings! I miss you so much, and yes we need to take the long term view and we're in this for a while! It will be so worth it, however, to feel healthy and strong! We're both beautiful ladies just waiting to get out! Actually, I think we're beautiful anyway, but sometimes I don't know myself lately when I look at pictures. Ugh!!! Focus on the positive... I'm giving myself a pep talk ha ha! I hope so much to talk this weekend. Did I mention the website Eatbetteramerica.com? It has yummy recipe remakes... talk to you soon!

Restart

Well, I'm back in the saddle again (sing it!). ;-) I had a good day yesterday...almost. I did have a few peanuts that I didn't write down. I did, however, count that 1/2 a piece of pizza and the 2 Girl Scout cookies I ate! And...I'm on my 4th day without a headache! Yeah! I hope to walk today, a stroll really, but outside and moving. 

I think this losing weight is going to be very hard! I don't know what the key is going to be for me. Being consistent and building new habits? Keeping my eye on the goal of health? Making progress? Not sure. I may need to give some thought to that. 

I have some good ideas for this week - tasty breakfasts (cereal I like, frozen waffles), easy lunches (make a delicious wrap with store-bought bbq, lots of homemade coleslaw that takes like 5 minutes to make, lots of good vegies which I actually do love), and some healthy dinner options. I do have a couple nights this week I'll be eating out - one at a potluck. That will be a challenge, but I think I'll just try to save as many proteins and carbs as I can. 

Love you!! Let's keep doing this together. xoxo C

Is it only Wednesday?

Aah! I'm not doing too great this week. I keep just forgetting that I'm trying to eat better. How can I forget?! Friday night. Again on Saturday night. Sunday lunch with Tim. Last night. What's up? Somehow I need to stay f.o.c.u.s.e.d!

Today I ate a tiny frozen dinner for lunch that hasn't satisfied me at all. I'll have a struggle this afternoon not snacking on peanuts (!) I bought for a crockpot Thai chicken recipe. Time for milk and yogurt? ;-) Ooh, yum! :-/

Yes, I have to totally avoid some places. KFC, for one. My favorite Chinese buffet - toture! McD's I can do all right, because I really only go there for b'fast, and their egg mcmuffin isn't too bad...if I skip the Coke and hash browns! Oh dear, this is tough. We'll both keep it in perspective, though, and get the hang of it. Yes, that food pyramid is quite a tiny amount of food compared to what I've been eating. The hunger was pretty bad for about 1 1/2 weeks. Then it got better. Don't forget those 3 milk portions a day. They will help keep you full. 

Chin up, stomach in, belts tightened, attitude adjusted, menu planned (sort of) and ... I'm off!