Woke up to snow this morning and it was still snowing as I drove to church. No matter what church you attend, it's always uplifting to hear familiar songs (How Great Thou Art) and to feel a familiar Christian spirit when you attend a new church. The people today were warm and caring. I shook a multitude of hands and sat next to strangers who shared a common belief. I saw some familiar faces from school and the smiles were assuring. I enjoyed my first Sunday at a new church.
After church I headed back to Grandma Shorty's to spend my last night there. She had homemade hamburger and cabbage vegetable soup made. It hit the spot on a cold day and had healthy nutrients as well. My throat has been getting a little sore and I don't know if that's from back to back days of basketball games, or if I'm finally coming down with the cold that my players have been passing around. Regardless, I made myself some lemon honey water to sooth and clean the throat of germs. I just warm (not boil) a cup of water for one minute in the microwave then I squirt in some lemon juice and add enough honey so it's not too bitter. It cures my throat every time. It also tastes good on a cold day. I'm going to have toast and hot chocolate for supper tonight (go light since I went heavy yesterday).
Final game tomorrow. The championship. It's always bittersweet when a season ends. There's such a bond that develops between the players and with a coach, that it is like splitting up a family when the season ends. I know I can go cheer them on in other sports and watch them grow over the years and I am blessed for being a part of their life even if just for a season.
I'll use my new free time to get my rental fixed up and to start on the spring play. There's always something to keep me busy. And of course I'll have to fix up some of the spare bedrooms so my grandkids can come stay with me now. I am very excited for all that is new and all that has been so far. I should also have a lot more time to exercise and I'll be one block from the gym. Good things coming (including Valentine's Day). :) I'll see if I can find some low calorie treats.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
DAY THIRTY- January 30, 2010
I had the spinach and eggs again this morning. I know it's not good to eat so many eggs though so I need to go back to oatmeal or have cereal tomorrow. I sent the husband to get the romaine lettuce at our small town grocery store so I could make my lettuce wrap sandwich (clever not to use bread), but he came back empty-handed. Apparently I have to go to the big city for fancy lettuce! No time for that because I had to head to my game, so ended up eating at Subway again after the game. This time the girls had to covet my cheetah bag from the kids meal. It's sitting next to my turtle bag. I gave the "fruit punch" box it came with to one of my players because those little boxes 1) don't have enough to quench your thirst anyway and 2) they were 100 calories. I just had a few sips of the husband's cranberry juice instead. For dinner we went out and I ordered a hamburger then took it off the bun. They also had fries that were supposedly baked and they kind of tasted like it, but I was missing my vegetables.
Tomorrow I'm going to a new church by my new house that I just signed a rental contract on until we can sell our house(s) and buy one wherever we land. I'm excited to have my daughter and her family come live with me. It's a big house so little Rello will have lots of space to run. Most of all it'll be nice to be within walking distance of my work. It'll be a new chapter in my life. More people to meet and learn from and more adventures to take part in. Life is the greatest adventure. It's exciting, mysterious, and so rewarding. I think of all the places we've been and all the people who have touched our lives along the way and I know that we have been so blessed because of it. Each person is a lesson in my life. Some are lessons of patience and/or tolerance, others are just reminders of why we're here.
I love being in love with my high school sweetheart.... still and I love that he let's me be me. Now that's a problem sometimes when I'm trying to lose weight (if I want chocolate or donuts he'd just go get it for me), but most of the time, it's a good thing. Speaking of chocolate. My husband is always drinking his pint of chocolate milk when we're on the road and yesterday I pointed out that he's looking at downing 800 calories for his indulgence. Just to keep it in perspective for him I told him 8 double-stuff oreos would be fewer calories! He put the milk back..... progress... :)
Tomorrow I'm going to a new church by my new house that I just signed a rental contract on until we can sell our house(s) and buy one wherever we land. I'm excited to have my daughter and her family come live with me. It's a big house so little Rello will have lots of space to run. Most of all it'll be nice to be within walking distance of my work. It'll be a new chapter in my life. More people to meet and learn from and more adventures to take part in. Life is the greatest adventure. It's exciting, mysterious, and so rewarding. I think of all the places we've been and all the people who have touched our lives along the way and I know that we have been so blessed because of it. Each person is a lesson in my life. Some are lessons of patience and/or tolerance, others are just reminders of why we're here.
I love being in love with my high school sweetheart.... still and I love that he let's me be me. Now that's a problem sometimes when I'm trying to lose weight (if I want chocolate or donuts he'd just go get it for me), but most of the time, it's a good thing. Speaking of chocolate. My husband is always drinking his pint of chocolate milk when we're on the road and yesterday I pointed out that he's looking at downing 800 calories for his indulgence. Just to keep it in perspective for him I told him 8 double-stuff oreos would be fewer calories! He put the milk back..... progress... :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
DAY TWENTY NINE- January 29, 2010
Well we definitely don't need three houses, so I'm moving into a rental until one of the other two sell. I'll be just two blocks from work! Woohoo! I haven't lived in a rental since 10 years ago when we lived in a little (I use the word very literally)apartment with our two youngest who were still in high school. We lived there long enough to buy a house and get moved, but needed somewhere to stay in transition (kind of like now). Big difference though.... that entire apartment was the same size as the living/dining room in the house we're moving in to now. In the other apartment's kitchen you had a stove, A counter, and a fridge... no sitting down. In the bathroom, if you opened the door when someone was sitting on the toilet... you hit them (which happened unfortunately)! Mandy and Jas had to share a bedroom (bunk beds) so it was princess slobbette v. control freak perfectionist and it was not pretty. That is all I will say. So.... this rental is huge and I am excited to have the grandkids over.
I found my new favorite breakfast food (when I have time to cook). The one egg spinach omelet. You can add another egg white if you want it bigger, but one egg was plenty. I used Pam spray (my new best friend) and broke the egg in the skillet then broke the yoke. When it started cooking a little I messed it up and threw in a handful of raw spinach. I messed that around a couple of minutes (Kali said you can add onions and green peppers too but I didn't have time), instead of ham cubed I just tore the fat off of a strip of bacon and chopped up the remaining good meat off the strip and sprinkled it end there and stirred again, then I added a little low-fat cheese and it took a few seconds to melt and I slid it onto my plate. It was SO good. I've never had spinach in an omelet before. Okay, it was more like scrambled egges, but I was in a hurry. Still it was really good and filling. Try it.
I was grumpy today without my snack between breakfast and lunch. I eat breakfast at 6am, so by 10 am, I am ready for a piece of fruit or a few raw nuts. But, I obeyed. They had a potato bar at the game and same great veggie type salads. I confess I ate a brownie (sorry Kali) and I promise to work it off tomorrow. The hubby had an Icee and made me take a sip (just so I could remember).
Had a game tonight. Feel like a trucker who's been on the road a lot with all these games. It doesn't do a lot to promote exercising and you constantly think, "Oh, I better grab something to eat." I wonder how truckers fit exercise in. I don't really want them exercising while they're driving, but when do they exercise? Why do I think of these things? I'm tired. I need to go to bed. Tournaments start tomorrow.
I am headed to do crunches right now.
I found my new favorite breakfast food (when I have time to cook). The one egg spinach omelet. You can add another egg white if you want it bigger, but one egg was plenty. I used Pam spray (my new best friend) and broke the egg in the skillet then broke the yoke. When it started cooking a little I messed it up and threw in a handful of raw spinach. I messed that around a couple of minutes (Kali said you can add onions and green peppers too but I didn't have time), instead of ham cubed I just tore the fat off of a strip of bacon and chopped up the remaining good meat off the strip and sprinkled it end there and stirred again, then I added a little low-fat cheese and it took a few seconds to melt and I slid it onto my plate. It was SO good. I've never had spinach in an omelet before. Okay, it was more like scrambled egges, but I was in a hurry. Still it was really good and filling. Try it.
I was grumpy today without my snack between breakfast and lunch. I eat breakfast at 6am, so by 10 am, I am ready for a piece of fruit or a few raw nuts. But, I obeyed. They had a potato bar at the game and same great veggie type salads. I confess I ate a brownie (sorry Kali) and I promise to work it off tomorrow. The hubby had an Icee and made me take a sip (just so I could remember).
Had a game tonight. Feel like a trucker who's been on the road a lot with all these games. It doesn't do a lot to promote exercising and you constantly think, "Oh, I better grab something to eat." I wonder how truckers fit exercise in. I don't really want them exercising while they're driving, but when do they exercise? Why do I think of these things? I'm tired. I need to go to bed. Tournaments start tomorrow.
I am headed to do crunches right now.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
DAY TWENTY EIGHT- January 28, 2010
I found out something today that is still just shocking to me.... a cup of flour has 455 calories!!! In my mind I've always just pictured it as low calories because it's just wheat powder. Okay, to me it's just wheat powder.
They had potato soup on the lunch menu at school today and I thought about saving my salad for dinner since I was going to go watch the boys game tonight and I wanted to eat soup for lunch (sorry Linda) so I looked up how many calories there are in potato soup. It varied from 220-345 on average. Then I looked up low calorie potato soup recipes. The first one I went to had the recipe and didn't list the calories but they called it low-calorie potato soup. Go figure. After searching through the different recipes (I don't consider hashbrowns with a cream of something soup to be potato soup-- sorry), I just decided to see how much my own potato soup would add up to in calories. I start with 2 strips of bacon snipped up in little squares and chopped onions and celery and I cook them all together until the bacon is browning then I add the diced up potatoes (4) and cook them a little bit. Next I add just enough water to cover the potatoes and then I let it boil gently until the potatoes are soft but not mushy. I drain a can or bag of corn and add to it along with 2 cups of of cold 2% milk with 2blsp of flour already stirred up and dissolved in the milk. I stir as I add the milk because of the flour. I think your soup would be fine without the flour too-- just add 1 cup of milk instead. the potato water makes it thick anyway. If you don't add the flour and just do one cup of milk you save yourself about 100 calories. All together you're looking at 700 calories for the whole pot but divide by 4 for per person calories. I used to add a can of evaporated milk instead of regular milk but the small 12 oz can (which is what I usually add is 480 calories!!!!). Just stick to 2 or 1% milk at 100-120 calories per cup instead!!
So that was a long way around saying I ate a cup of potato soup for lunch.
I had morning practice so I ate a banana real quick before the bell rang, but that was it. I did get my apple in for an afternoon snack. The big deal today was the weigh-in of course. I dreaded it because I don't feel like I've lost much more than last week. It wasn't much but I lost 2lbs again. I'm at 157. I know it's not much, but I'm okay with 2lbs a week as long as I'm liking what I eat and I'm not killing myself on the exercise (which I'm not). In fact, I really need to focus on that part once basketball is over and find things that naturally fit into what I like to do.... like sip hot chocolate while lounging by the fire. :) I'll work on it.
They had potato soup on the lunch menu at school today and I thought about saving my salad for dinner since I was going to go watch the boys game tonight and I wanted to eat soup for lunch (sorry Linda) so I looked up how many calories there are in potato soup. It varied from 220-345 on average. Then I looked up low calorie potato soup recipes. The first one I went to had the recipe and didn't list the calories but they called it low-calorie potato soup. Go figure. After searching through the different recipes (I don't consider hashbrowns with a cream of something soup to be potato soup-- sorry), I just decided to see how much my own potato soup would add up to in calories. I start with 2 strips of bacon snipped up in little squares and chopped onions and celery and I cook them all together until the bacon is browning then I add the diced up potatoes (4) and cook them a little bit. Next I add just enough water to cover the potatoes and then I let it boil gently until the potatoes are soft but not mushy. I drain a can or bag of corn and add to it along with 2 cups of of cold 2% milk with 2blsp of flour already stirred up and dissolved in the milk. I stir as I add the milk because of the flour. I think your soup would be fine without the flour too-- just add 1 cup of milk instead. the potato water makes it thick anyway. If you don't add the flour and just do one cup of milk you save yourself about 100 calories. All together you're looking at 700 calories for the whole pot but divide by 4 for per person calories. I used to add a can of evaporated milk instead of regular milk but the small 12 oz can (which is what I usually add is 480 calories!!!!). Just stick to 2 or 1% milk at 100-120 calories per cup instead!!
So that was a long way around saying I ate a cup of potato soup for lunch.
I had morning practice so I ate a banana real quick before the bell rang, but that was it. I did get my apple in for an afternoon snack. The big deal today was the weigh-in of course. I dreaded it because I don't feel like I've lost much more than last week. It wasn't much but I lost 2lbs again. I'm at 157. I know it's not much, but I'm okay with 2lbs a week as long as I'm liking what I eat and I'm not killing myself on the exercise (which I'm not). In fact, I really need to focus on that part once basketball is over and find things that naturally fit into what I like to do.... like sip hot chocolate while lounging by the fire. :) I'll work on it.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
DAY TWENY SEVEN- January 27, 2010
An entire sweet potato or 1 tblsp of peanut butter? That was the question for me today. Both had 100 calories. The peanut butter was homemade and I ate a teaspoon just to try it. It was hands down the best I've ever eaten. I could see how a teenager or an active athlete could benefit from eating a little of this during the day, but calorie-wise this older person (me) chose the sweet potato to go with the delicious fish recipe Raundee had me make today. I got two out of three right on the menu today. I still can't find the items for the lunch recipe Raundee, but I had a spinach salad with chicken, craisins, cherry tomatoes and lite dressing. I had chips and salsa for one snack today and for my other one Kali brought me these light snack crackers (they're very thin and crispy)along with Hummus (which I had never eaten before). So let's talk about dips shall we?
Hummus 25 calories per tblsp – I’m going to try it as a sandwich spread, but I like salsa or just plain chips better. I think the Hummus would be great as a spread though. So here's my DIP TIPS: When eating foods that you dip—1) try to lose the “dip” all together 2) if you dip, don’t scoop big piles on—you could easily put a full tblsp on EACH cracker or chip. That could add up calories big time. You might think, "Oh, I'll just have 6 chips, but if you scoop the thing w/tbsp. every time you're looking at 150 calories (Hummus example) just for your dip! Yikes! And that's a low-cal dip. 3) If you do dip, getting just enough to get the taste and still enjoy the original food you’re eating will help you develop healthier eating habits, and it will save you a ton of calories. One last thing on the chips—determine about how many you’re going to have ahead of time (so you don’t overeat) then IF you add a dip, barely dip. Once the chips/crackers are gone, you’ll still be full and you won’t eat as many calories.
ANOTHER SCOOP on chips and dips-- I think Tostito Scoop chips are a bad choice (by the way, look for whole grain when buying chips and baked if pleasing). They are a recipe for major dipping. Think about it.... you can easily put a tblsp. of any type of dip in ONE chip. Even salsa has about 20 calories per tblsp. I'd go with the flat chips and just "dip" your chip instead of "scooping" your dip. Just a thought....
Another thought (not about food).... It is one thing to forgive, it is another to allow yourself to remain in an abusive or destructive situation or environment. I've seen too many people do that and it's sad. Yes, we should forgive, but that doesn't mean we go back for more. Sometimes, no matter how much you love someone or something, you have to remove yourself. People can change, but once a pattern is established over time, we have to be careful about forgiveness being confused with giving up our right to not be abused or to stand up and say "this is wrong". Yes forgive, and in some situations-- get some help to work it out-- but no, don't allow yourself to remain in situations that bring you down emotionally, physically, and spiritually. When Christ visited the temples during his ministry and saw the moneychangers "selling religion" and mocking that which is sacred, what did he do? How did he feel? I'm guessing he wasn't real happy since the Bible tells us he started upturning tables (pardon the very obvious paraphrase).
I've also been reading a lot about how our innerself drives our eating habits and we like to kid about eating a pint of ice cream when we're stressed (I like Moosetracks), but there's a lot to that. I'm not saying don't eat the ice cream-- I'm just saying do it as a treat-- not a comfort. Do they make sugar-free Moostracks? Why did I have to think of Moosetracks right before bed! I already did my workout, but I might do 20 crunches to get my mind off the Moosetracks.
Life is good. It was another good day. I am blessed with a great job, wonderful co-workers and students, the best family anyone could ask for and a husband who has loved me through thick and thin (get it). Love you sweetie! :) Oh, and my current and former players (I don't want them to pout). :)
Hummus 25 calories per tblsp – I’m going to try it as a sandwich spread, but I like salsa or just plain chips better. I think the Hummus would be great as a spread though. So here's my DIP TIPS: When eating foods that you dip—1) try to lose the “dip” all together 2) if you dip, don’t scoop big piles on—you could easily put a full tblsp on EACH cracker or chip. That could add up calories big time. You might think, "Oh, I'll just have 6 chips, but if you scoop the thing w/tbsp. every time you're looking at 150 calories (Hummus example) just for your dip! Yikes! And that's a low-cal dip. 3) If you do dip, getting just enough to get the taste and still enjoy the original food you’re eating will help you develop healthier eating habits, and it will save you a ton of calories. One last thing on the chips—determine about how many you’re going to have ahead of time (so you don’t overeat) then IF you add a dip, barely dip. Once the chips/crackers are gone, you’ll still be full and you won’t eat as many calories.
ANOTHER SCOOP on chips and dips-- I think Tostito Scoop chips are a bad choice (by the way, look for whole grain when buying chips and baked if pleasing). They are a recipe for major dipping. Think about it.... you can easily put a tblsp. of any type of dip in ONE chip. Even salsa has about 20 calories per tblsp. I'd go with the flat chips and just "dip" your chip instead of "scooping" your dip. Just a thought....
Another thought (not about food).... It is one thing to forgive, it is another to allow yourself to remain in an abusive or destructive situation or environment. I've seen too many people do that and it's sad. Yes, we should forgive, but that doesn't mean we go back for more. Sometimes, no matter how much you love someone or something, you have to remove yourself. People can change, but once a pattern is established over time, we have to be careful about forgiveness being confused with giving up our right to not be abused or to stand up and say "this is wrong". Yes forgive, and in some situations-- get some help to work it out-- but no, don't allow yourself to remain in situations that bring you down emotionally, physically, and spiritually. When Christ visited the temples during his ministry and saw the moneychangers "selling religion" and mocking that which is sacred, what did he do? How did he feel? I'm guessing he wasn't real happy since the Bible tells us he started upturning tables (pardon the very obvious paraphrase).
I've also been reading a lot about how our innerself drives our eating habits and we like to kid about eating a pint of ice cream when we're stressed (I like Moosetracks), but there's a lot to that. I'm not saying don't eat the ice cream-- I'm just saying do it as a treat-- not a comfort. Do they make sugar-free Moostracks? Why did I have to think of Moosetracks right before bed! I already did my workout, but I might do 20 crunches to get my mind off the Moosetracks.
Life is good. It was another good day. I am blessed with a great job, wonderful co-workers and students, the best family anyone could ask for and a husband who has loved me through thick and thin (get it). Love you sweetie! :) Oh, and my current and former players (I don't want them to pout). :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
DAY TWENTY SIX- January 26, 2010
My baby turned 29 today. I was watching him sitting there next to me, helping me coach on his birthday and my heart was touched. I love my children. They are the most important and biggest accomplishment I have ever and will ever achieve.... There is just nothing-- no career, no material success, no trophy, no recognition that will ever come close to the joy of being a mother.
So I started out a little slow today. I let myself sleep in until 6am and felt like I was running behind all day. I'm not going to do that again. I like it better when I don't have to rush. I had my "processed" instant oatmeal for breakfast and I've started eating it without the milk. I just sprinkle a little cinnamon on it. It might sound gross, but I like it. I didn't have time for toast. I miss my toast.... I did remember to grab a Healthy Choice meal and I decided to eat slowly and stop eating when I felt full. Guess what... I ate about half the meal (it was a bigger one). It was only 320 calories to start with so I ended up eating 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with some pineapple in it an hour later. I'm telling you, keep the cottage cheese in the fridge. Unless you hate it (and some people do), it's very filling.
At the game they were selling tacos that they were making right there. I asked them if they could fry my corn shell on the end of the grill without oil. They even wiped that part of the grill off. I just added tomatoes and salsa to the meat and a little bit of cheese. I was pretty proud when I walked back to the stands to eat. I mean they wiped the oil off the grill and everything. Kali spotted my plate and I was grounded from the shells. I even told her they weren't cooked in oil. She wouldn't budge. Her poor (far in the future) children are never going to know the joy of donuts! I will sneak them some. :) I did enjoy the meat, cheese and tomatoes though. It was better than a hotdog or something equally nutritious. I was feeling quite disciplined for not eating the shells and guess what they did at half time of the game?! They auctioned off cupcakes, brownies, cookies, pies, cakes, and did I mention brownies!? It was a fundraiser. You have to be charitable. I felt safe as Kali headed to the locker room (1/2 time of her game) and I could almost taste the brownie or pie. It was for a good cause. Suddenly, the same children who told me the shells were just fine and I should have eaten them, were now turning against me. No! You can buy those! Each item disappeared and each time I thought about raising my hand, they lectured me. I will remember them.... and the brownies that could have been.
In retaliation for not allowing me one small brownie, I am not exercising tonight. Okay, that and I'm just tired. I will do my crunches in bed that I've been doing every night and do the Pilates in the morning before I shower. Oh, and one last thing... I have been drinking decaf tea, but I never drink it "hot" as listed, I drink it "warm" as I heard this is better for you. Tonight Kali and I had this discussion tea: bad/good (even if decaf). I am posting a link to an interesting article about the very subject. If you drink any warm drink it should not hit 70 degrees or above. This includes hot chocolate, hot lemonade (which I make homemade for my sore throats a few times a year), and hot cider. It's the temperature that causes the damage. Here is the link: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/hot-tea-and-cancer.html
So I started out a little slow today. I let myself sleep in until 6am and felt like I was running behind all day. I'm not going to do that again. I like it better when I don't have to rush. I had my "processed" instant oatmeal for breakfast and I've started eating it without the milk. I just sprinkle a little cinnamon on it. It might sound gross, but I like it. I didn't have time for toast. I miss my toast.... I did remember to grab a Healthy Choice meal and I decided to eat slowly and stop eating when I felt full. Guess what... I ate about half the meal (it was a bigger one). It was only 320 calories to start with so I ended up eating 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with some pineapple in it an hour later. I'm telling you, keep the cottage cheese in the fridge. Unless you hate it (and some people do), it's very filling.
At the game they were selling tacos that they were making right there. I asked them if they could fry my corn shell on the end of the grill without oil. They even wiped that part of the grill off. I just added tomatoes and salsa to the meat and a little bit of cheese. I was pretty proud when I walked back to the stands to eat. I mean they wiped the oil off the grill and everything. Kali spotted my plate and I was grounded from the shells. I even told her they weren't cooked in oil. She wouldn't budge. Her poor (far in the future) children are never going to know the joy of donuts! I will sneak them some. :) I did enjoy the meat, cheese and tomatoes though. It was better than a hotdog or something equally nutritious. I was feeling quite disciplined for not eating the shells and guess what they did at half time of the game?! They auctioned off cupcakes, brownies, cookies, pies, cakes, and did I mention brownies!? It was a fundraiser. You have to be charitable. I felt safe as Kali headed to the locker room (1/2 time of her game) and I could almost taste the brownie or pie. It was for a good cause. Suddenly, the same children who told me the shells were just fine and I should have eaten them, were now turning against me. No! You can buy those! Each item disappeared and each time I thought about raising my hand, they lectured me. I will remember them.... and the brownies that could have been.
In retaliation for not allowing me one small brownie, I am not exercising tonight. Okay, that and I'm just tired. I will do my crunches in bed that I've been doing every night and do the Pilates in the morning before I shower. Oh, and one last thing... I have been drinking decaf tea, but I never drink it "hot" as listed, I drink it "warm" as I heard this is better for you. Tonight Kali and I had this discussion tea: bad/good (even if decaf). I am posting a link to an interesting article about the very subject. If you drink any warm drink it should not hit 70 degrees or above. This includes hot chocolate, hot lemonade (which I make homemade for my sore throats a few times a year), and hot cider. It's the temperature that causes the damage. Here is the link: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/hot-tea-and-cancer.html
Monday, January 25, 2010
DAY TWENTY FIVE- January 25, 2010
I tried to psyche myslef out today and think "Mondays are awesome!" No really, I decided just to try it and see if it'd help. It did. They weren't awesome, but I didn't allow myself to think or say "ugh, it's Monday" one time today and the day went pretty quickly. I also decided to get to work even earlier so I could have some chill time before I actually started working and it really helped me. I organized things and didn't feel rushed or tired.
I'm really starting to sort through all this healthy food stuff and dieting, and exercising and I can start to see what does and doesn't work for me in a realistic way. I am also seeing that we can get way too set in our eating habits and simply not wander outside of our "food comfort" zone to try new things. We're lazy. I am actually developing different tastes. For example, things I haven't eaten in quite a while and try tend to taste too salty now, or too heavy in my stomach. Some things are just way too sweet too. I'm not going to go all crazy and never have sugar or salt or processed food again (call me normal), but I have certainly found a lot of replacements for it that are WAY less calories and seriously taste just as good.
Grandma went all healthy on me tonight and fried (with Pam) some stir-fry veggies she got from Cost-co. The brand is Kirkland signature and it was a very unusual blend. It had the minicorns, portabella mushrooms, carrot shreds, sugar snaps, broccoli, red peppers, scallions or something, and these little green round bean things. The texture and taste was really different and filling. I cut up some chicken breast strips and fried in it and that's all we had. It was really good. I wanted to do the chicken and veggies like Jac suggested, but I was not going for the cream of chicken soup when I saw the calories and sodium. Sorry. I still need to find some healthy crock pot meals.
The Healthy Choice meals are good and fillng for me. Just don't eat the dessert. Not that good and it contains a lot of the calories. Without the dessert, you're under 300 on a lot of those (that have dessert). I ate an orange and banana as my snacks today. Water is my best friend. I didn't forget my waterbottle either.
Okay, so the exercise plan today had to be modified for us old people. I only did 10 leg lunges (total not each) the first time through and could do all the rest of the stuff, then realized .... I HAD TO DO IT THREE TIMES! So for us older people with popping knees and sagging parts... Just do 10 total on the leg lunges and be sure you don't extend your knees past your toes. Always sink your hips and "sit in your chair" when lunging or squatting. I put my arms both out in front of me when I squat (20) then rest them on my thigh each time I stand up. We'll call it old people squats. 10 pushups each time (not 15) and do girl ones if your arms can't do it. I did the flutter kicks (20) laying on my bed and the Russian Twists (20). It was easy on my back this way. I would recommend doing something else between lunges and squats (maybe some gentle tai chai arm movements) and don't forget to stretch before and after. I liked everything but the lunges. My knees just don't do well with those anymore. Tomorrow is Mandy and Pilates, so I'll get my stretching then. Hopefully if you're reading this you're starting to figure out what works for you too. I had no idea I had so many options. I've also noticed that I pay attention to my posture a lot more and just pulling my belly button back to my back when I sit up makes a huge difference. Now if I could just figure out how to get my "love handles" to suck to the back!
I'm really starting to sort through all this healthy food stuff and dieting, and exercising and I can start to see what does and doesn't work for me in a realistic way. I am also seeing that we can get way too set in our eating habits and simply not wander outside of our "food comfort" zone to try new things. We're lazy. I am actually developing different tastes. For example, things I haven't eaten in quite a while and try tend to taste too salty now, or too heavy in my stomach. Some things are just way too sweet too. I'm not going to go all crazy and never have sugar or salt or processed food again (call me normal), but I have certainly found a lot of replacements for it that are WAY less calories and seriously taste just as good.
Grandma went all healthy on me tonight and fried (with Pam) some stir-fry veggies she got from Cost-co. The brand is Kirkland signature and it was a very unusual blend. It had the minicorns, portabella mushrooms, carrot shreds, sugar snaps, broccoli, red peppers, scallions or something, and these little green round bean things. The texture and taste was really different and filling. I cut up some chicken breast strips and fried in it and that's all we had. It was really good. I wanted to do the chicken and veggies like Jac suggested, but I was not going for the cream of chicken soup when I saw the calories and sodium. Sorry. I still need to find some healthy crock pot meals.
The Healthy Choice meals are good and fillng for me. Just don't eat the dessert. Not that good and it contains a lot of the calories. Without the dessert, you're under 300 on a lot of those (that have dessert). I ate an orange and banana as my snacks today. Water is my best friend. I didn't forget my waterbottle either.
Okay, so the exercise plan today had to be modified for us old people. I only did 10 leg lunges (total not each) the first time through and could do all the rest of the stuff, then realized .... I HAD TO DO IT THREE TIMES! So for us older people with popping knees and sagging parts... Just do 10 total on the leg lunges and be sure you don't extend your knees past your toes. Always sink your hips and "sit in your chair" when lunging or squatting. I put my arms both out in front of me when I squat (20) then rest them on my thigh each time I stand up. We'll call it old people squats. 10 pushups each time (not 15) and do girl ones if your arms can't do it. I did the flutter kicks (20) laying on my bed and the Russian Twists (20). It was easy on my back this way. I would recommend doing something else between lunges and squats (maybe some gentle tai chai arm movements) and don't forget to stretch before and after. I liked everything but the lunges. My knees just don't do well with those anymore. Tomorrow is Mandy and Pilates, so I'll get my stretching then. Hopefully if you're reading this you're starting to figure out what works for you too. I had no idea I had so many options. I've also noticed that I pay attention to my posture a lot more and just pulling my belly button back to my back when I sit up makes a huge difference. Now if I could just figure out how to get my "love handles" to suck to the back!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Spiritual Video on Youtube
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsnAjZ8mfoYw&h=13fe74c5b81355f2521e712df5d9bd88
This was great! I loved it so much I thought I'd share it again in case you missed it last time.
This was great! I loved it so much I thought I'd share it again in case you missed it last time.
DAY TWENTY FOUR- January 24, 2010
Decided to blog early today so I can get to bed at a decent hour. I slept in again (which is funny since I get up at 5:30 every morning during the week). I guess I just know it's Sunday and I can. I needed to sleep. At the end of the season, I always started dragging a little. I decided I needed to fill up my spiritual cup more than normal today so I attended my church and my boys' church today. I did get some answers for some things I've been pondering, so I'm glad I did it. I also keep thinking how quickly our life can change over night with a sudden tragedy.
So any little problems I'm facing now... they're just not that big of a deal. If I had a list to choose from, they'd probably be on the "easy" list compared to what others are facing.
Since I rolled out late I ate Sunday breakfast on the run again (toast and hot chocolate- 220 calories). I read somewhere that your digestive system doesn't start working until we give it some food in the morning though, so it's important that we don't skip breakfast even if it's just a banana or a piece of whole wheat toast. I've had very few stomach problems since I started watching the type of food I've been eating. After church I had a small portion of steak and Grandma made some great stir fry vegetables. I added a small side salad (spinach and tomatoes with zesty Italian) and that was it. I had a very small piece of cobbler, but found myself picking out the fruit and leaving the cake part. I seem to crave the fruit and huckleberries are yummy! I think I'll make the smoothie later and it'll be my dinner because we just don't eat much Sunday evenings since we tend to have a big lunch after church. There's always celery sticks or herbal tea if I get too hungry.
It's a beautiful day out. The sun is shining. My grandkids and kids are all healthy and okay. I am married to the love of my life and I am making healthier eating choices. I still have some things to work on to take better care of myself, and there will be some stress challenges this week, but my spiritual cup is full again and I think I can handle it.... not alone... but that's the point... I'm not. :)
Tomorrow's coach is .... JAC!
So any little problems I'm facing now... they're just not that big of a deal. If I had a list to choose from, they'd probably be on the "easy" list compared to what others are facing.
Since I rolled out late I ate Sunday breakfast on the run again (toast and hot chocolate- 220 calories). I read somewhere that your digestive system doesn't start working until we give it some food in the morning though, so it's important that we don't skip breakfast even if it's just a banana or a piece of whole wheat toast. I've had very few stomach problems since I started watching the type of food I've been eating. After church I had a small portion of steak and Grandma made some great stir fry vegetables. I added a small side salad (spinach and tomatoes with zesty Italian) and that was it. I had a very small piece of cobbler, but found myself picking out the fruit and leaving the cake part. I seem to crave the fruit and huckleberries are yummy! I think I'll make the smoothie later and it'll be my dinner because we just don't eat much Sunday evenings since we tend to have a big lunch after church. There's always celery sticks or herbal tea if I get too hungry.
It's a beautiful day out. The sun is shining. My grandkids and kids are all healthy and okay. I am married to the love of my life and I am making healthier eating choices. I still have some things to work on to take better care of myself, and there will be some stress challenges this week, but my spiritual cup is full again and I think I can handle it.... not alone... but that's the point... I'm not. :)
Tomorrow's coach is .... JAC!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
DAY TWENTY THREE- January 23, 2010
Little Rello slept on my head again last night (and he talks in his sleep) so I consider that some type of a "grandma workout" because I'm sure it burned calories as many times as I got up and scooted him back up onto the pillow or removed him from my head. He's so cute though that when he woke up with his little face grinning at me, it was all worth it.
So Kali, I don't see your comments on here?? She lectured me tonight about eating processed instant oatmeal (one of my favorite morning meals). I couldn't find cheerios and the thought of loading the small child, strapping him into the carseat, packing his 3 mo. survival kit, all just to go get a box of cheerios.... was too much. So I ate my oatmeal. What can I say? Kali said I had to go get the real oats. Why? I love the instant oatmeal.
We had some unexpected sad news this morning about one of my son-in-law's relatives and it kind of put us all in a spin and saddened our day. Amidst it all, I wasn't so good with sticking to the menu (that and chasing a two-year-old around). I was on the road a lot. I remembered that it was something to do with chicken and salad somewhere on the menu. I had to meet Rello's mommy and daddy in another town so we met at Artic Circle. He loves the courtesy cones (so do I!) so he started saying "ice cream" as soon as I pulled in. Okay, so we take the grandkids on ice cream runs in the summer (I blame grandpa). I thought, "Okay, I can do this." I asked her if she had anything that wasn't deep fat fried and wasn't a salad. She thought for several minutes then I heard someone in the background tell her the answer. They had a grilled chicken sandwich with no breading (I hate breading). Then I asked what kind of lettuce they have (not a fan of iceberg as mentioned before). I ended up with a grilled chicken sandwich with tomatoes on it and little else, but it tasted good. It was really heavy in my stomach though (like the ham sandwich last week), so I think I'll ask them to cut it in half next time or just lose the bun because I didn't like the bun and threw most of it away. That was at lunch time and I didn't have anything with it.
Had an away game again and with all the "stuff" going on today, forgot to pack my lunch. I forgot several things today just thinking about the sad stuff going on in other people's lives today-- a lot of tragedy. My heart goes out to them. It was good being around my players. They always touch my heart and make me smile-- both the past players and the current ones. Subway happened to be right by the gym, so I was saved. I ordered the 4" in the kids meal (no cheese) and had the apple slices. It came with a really cute cloth turtle carry bag and toy and the players were coveting my bag and toy all the way back to the gym. I also told them I was going to count the walk to subway as part of my exercise. Okay, so I also did some of Whit's workout (most of it) after I got home, but I couldn't figure out the swivel change squat. I also felt it might have injured me even if I had figured it out... so yeah... I skipped that one.
A food lesson today though that I think is important to share with everyone. Don't leave home without your water bottle. I found myself accepting a gatorade because my throat got really dry during the game, and I drank 1% milk with my kids meal but it was more than 8oz. Together they were 210 calories. Think about everything you drink in a day and add up the calories. You might be surprised. That's probably the easiest place to cut calories and the quickest way to let them add up without realizing it. Lesson learned: Don't forget the water bottle, or go buy one if you do. I am SO glad tomorrow is Sunday (day of rest). It has been a long and emotionally draining week. I'm taking a nap tomorrow and I'm eating some of Grandma Shorty's huckleberry/peach cobbler tomorrow. I might have to do more jumping jacks, but I'm eating a piece.
So Kali, I don't see your comments on here?? She lectured me tonight about eating processed instant oatmeal (one of my favorite morning meals). I couldn't find cheerios and the thought of loading the small child, strapping him into the carseat, packing his 3 mo. survival kit, all just to go get a box of cheerios.... was too much. So I ate my oatmeal. What can I say? Kali said I had to go get the real oats. Why? I love the instant oatmeal.
We had some unexpected sad news this morning about one of my son-in-law's relatives and it kind of put us all in a spin and saddened our day. Amidst it all, I wasn't so good with sticking to the menu (that and chasing a two-year-old around). I was on the road a lot. I remembered that it was something to do with chicken and salad somewhere on the menu. I had to meet Rello's mommy and daddy in another town so we met at Artic Circle. He loves the courtesy cones (so do I!) so he started saying "ice cream" as soon as I pulled in. Okay, so we take the grandkids on ice cream runs in the summer (I blame grandpa). I thought, "Okay, I can do this." I asked her if she had anything that wasn't deep fat fried and wasn't a salad. She thought for several minutes then I heard someone in the background tell her the answer. They had a grilled chicken sandwich with no breading (I hate breading). Then I asked what kind of lettuce they have (not a fan of iceberg as mentioned before). I ended up with a grilled chicken sandwich with tomatoes on it and little else, but it tasted good. It was really heavy in my stomach though (like the ham sandwich last week), so I think I'll ask them to cut it in half next time or just lose the bun because I didn't like the bun and threw most of it away. That was at lunch time and I didn't have anything with it.
Had an away game again and with all the "stuff" going on today, forgot to pack my lunch. I forgot several things today just thinking about the sad stuff going on in other people's lives today-- a lot of tragedy. My heart goes out to them. It was good being around my players. They always touch my heart and make me smile-- both the past players and the current ones. Subway happened to be right by the gym, so I was saved. I ordered the 4" in the kids meal (no cheese) and had the apple slices. It came with a really cute cloth turtle carry bag and toy and the players were coveting my bag and toy all the way back to the gym. I also told them I was going to count the walk to subway as part of my exercise. Okay, so I also did some of Whit's workout (most of it) after I got home, but I couldn't figure out the swivel change squat. I also felt it might have injured me even if I had figured it out... so yeah... I skipped that one.
A food lesson today though that I think is important to share with everyone. Don't leave home without your water bottle. I found myself accepting a gatorade because my throat got really dry during the game, and I drank 1% milk with my kids meal but it was more than 8oz. Together they were 210 calories. Think about everything you drink in a day and add up the calories. You might be surprised. That's probably the easiest place to cut calories and the quickest way to let them add up without realizing it. Lesson learned: Don't forget the water bottle, or go buy one if you do. I am SO glad tomorrow is Sunday (day of rest). It has been a long and emotionally draining week. I'm taking a nap tomorrow and I'm eating some of Grandma Shorty's huckleberry/peach cobbler tomorrow. I might have to do more jumping jacks, but I'm eating a piece.
DAY TWENTY TWO- January 22, 2010
Some days you feel like the donkey on Shrek... you know when Shrek tells him he has to sleep outside and he sings his little song. Dieting and/or "eating healthy" can have times like that. Life can have times like that. Of course the donkey got over it quickly due to his great sense of humor, so I'd say if you're going to pursue a change in your life, you better have, or develop, a great sense of humor to get you through it. Plus, he always had a friend (Shrek) who stuck with him even when Donkey's habits (we'll compare it to dieting/eating healthy) drove him nuts. Admit it... when you try to make a change like this, some of your friends and family get a little testy or tired of it if you stick to it more than just a couple of weeks. They want you to eat that big piece of chocolate cake with them or to stop looking at the food labels.
We'll, we can have our cake and eat it too, but we have to learn to earn. If I want the cake, I have to consider the total picture of what I've eaten (both calorie and content/sugar-wise), and I have to be willing to exercise. If I do that, no problem-- eat the cake. You just can't have your cake and eat it every day. That's self indulgent (and fattening).
Oh, and I forgot to weigh myself yesterday because it was a very hectic day. However, I don't think I shared that I decided to weigh myself somewhere that someone else has to read the scale with me and they are recording it for me (that accountability thing again). Now I know some of you are saying "no way!" but suck it up. It is what it is! So anyway, I weighed myself in the wrestling room and the P.E. teacher is keeping my weight log for me. He even gives me pep talks which is kind of funny, but actually pretty helpful. Today was wrestler weigh-ins so here I am in line with the wrestlers and they're all looking at me. I have some of them in class though, plus some of them know I'm weighing on the scale down there, so the word spread quickly as to why I was in line. When I stepped on the scale, I had to preface it (this is a woman-thing) with how my husband had just been down and I ate out and ate more than normal and I'd probably gained weight this week (which I really believed would happen like when Jackie went on vacation), so when the scale read 159 I about fell over. I got several pats on the back and you would have thought I'd lost 10 lbs. instead of 2. It really showed me that it's more about "what" I eat though and how often I exercised than even the calories. I never thought I'd be so happy about just losing 2 lbs.... but I was. I think the sludge chili from the night before "cleansing" my system helped too. Sorry, had to say it. It was the truth. So, if anyone's out there doing this with me, don't give up, just keep doing it... even if you feel like the donkey sometimes... :)
We'll, we can have our cake and eat it too, but we have to learn to earn. If I want the cake, I have to consider the total picture of what I've eaten (both calorie and content/sugar-wise), and I have to be willing to exercise. If I do that, no problem-- eat the cake. You just can't have your cake and eat it every day. That's self indulgent (and fattening).
Oh, and I forgot to weigh myself yesterday because it was a very hectic day. However, I don't think I shared that I decided to weigh myself somewhere that someone else has to read the scale with me and they are recording it for me (that accountability thing again). Now I know some of you are saying "no way!" but suck it up. It is what it is! So anyway, I weighed myself in the wrestling room and the P.E. teacher is keeping my weight log for me. He even gives me pep talks which is kind of funny, but actually pretty helpful. Today was wrestler weigh-ins so here I am in line with the wrestlers and they're all looking at me. I have some of them in class though, plus some of them know I'm weighing on the scale down there, so the word spread quickly as to why I was in line. When I stepped on the scale, I had to preface it (this is a woman-thing) with how my husband had just been down and I ate out and ate more than normal and I'd probably gained weight this week (which I really believed would happen like when Jackie went on vacation), so when the scale read 159 I about fell over. I got several pats on the back and you would have thought I'd lost 10 lbs. instead of 2. It really showed me that it's more about "what" I eat though and how often I exercised than even the calories. I never thought I'd be so happy about just losing 2 lbs.... but I was. I think the sludge chili from the night before "cleansing" my system helped too. Sorry, had to say it. It was the truth. So, if anyone's out there doing this with me, don't give up, just keep doing it... even if you feel like the donkey sometimes... :)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
DAY TWENTY ONE- January 21, 2010
In five days, my first child turns 29. Some days I still wish I could just put on the brakes and do nothing but enjoy my children. No phones, no jobs, no rushing all these different directions, and today I realized something. I could put on the brakes. I could slow down. We all can.
Something else that will slow you down--- sludge chili. I had never had it before tonight. I wanted something healthy for dinner from the concession stand (oxymoron, I know), and I was so happy they had chili at an away game.... until I ate it. I think I have 20lbs sitting in my stomach screaming to get out. It was only one cup but if you turned the spoon upside down, the chili didn't budge! The spoon almost broke, but the chili didn't budge. "Don't eat it!" you're thinking. Okay, I had two bucks left and I spent it on chili. I hadn't ate since my rabbit food salad at lunch. I may regret it tonight... but I ate most of it. I'm sure I gained weight just eating it. What was I thinking!? I need to get with it and plan ahead again. I have an away game Saturday... 50 crunches if I forget to take healthy food to eat between games. No concession food.
I picked up little Rello on the way home and he's spending the night with me. I needed his little cheesy grin and baby hugs after tonight. He's such a cutie! I may change my mind after he sleeps on my head all night, but right now, he's a little angel. Tomorrow, I'm trying to make myself try something "new" every meal, so instead of having a coach, I am challenging everyone else to try at least one of the new recipes I'm posting for Friday and let me know what you think.
Something else that will slow you down--- sludge chili. I had never had it before tonight. I wanted something healthy for dinner from the concession stand (oxymoron, I know), and I was so happy they had chili at an away game.... until I ate it. I think I have 20lbs sitting in my stomach screaming to get out. It was only one cup but if you turned the spoon upside down, the chili didn't budge! The spoon almost broke, but the chili didn't budge. "Don't eat it!" you're thinking. Okay, I had two bucks left and I spent it on chili. I hadn't ate since my rabbit food salad at lunch. I may regret it tonight... but I ate most of it. I'm sure I gained weight just eating it. What was I thinking!? I need to get with it and plan ahead again. I have an away game Saturday... 50 crunches if I forget to take healthy food to eat between games. No concession food.
I picked up little Rello on the way home and he's spending the night with me. I needed his little cheesy grin and baby hugs after tonight. He's such a cutie! I may change my mind after he sleeps on my head all night, but right now, he's a little angel. Tomorrow, I'm trying to make myself try something "new" every meal, so instead of having a coach, I am challenging everyone else to try at least one of the new recipes I'm posting for Friday and let me know what you think.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
DAY TWENTY- January 20, 2010
I got to see little Rello today. He is such a cutie! I miss him so much. I am ready to have a house so they can come live with me. I got to see baby Maddy and Daisha Sue too. You can tell little Maddy is starting to develop a personality already and she just looks at you like who are you? Then she either eats or goes to sleep. I envy her... what a job. :)
Several people have commented on the Tai Chi. I'm glad some of you are trying it. It's really easy and I can see how it helps strengthen your core and calm your mind. Between the Yoga and Tai Chi I'm developing quite the taste for oriental music too! I still can't develop the taste for the herbal teas though. Gag me with a spoon (70's comment for you youngsters).
I had my banana for breakfast, ate a hard boiled egg as my snack, and about freaked out when they didn't have chili today like they usually do. I found some peaches on the salad bar and added those to cottage cheese, then took 1/2 cup of green peas. That was it! I was not a happy camper. I was ready for chili. After practice, I went to see the grandkids and ate supper at Anne and Jason's. They knew what was on my blog for the menu, so I had squash and a green salad waiting when I got there. Now that's support.
The best moment of my day was putting Rello to sleep, laying there rubbing his little head while he finally dozed off holding my finger. Suddenly, everything else seemed pretty unimportant and petty. Boy did I need that!
Mandy looks so cute with her little pregnant belly and she even showed me how to customize my blog some more. You may see changes in the near future. I won't promise they'll be pretty, but if you experience technical difficulties, I may have something to do with that. Okay, so I'm stalling.... tomorrow is weigh in time (Thursdays) and I know I ate more than normal when the hubby was down this week. If I can just maintain the 161, I will be happy for this week. If not, I will cry and eat a donut. Okay, somebody stop me.... :)
Several people have commented on the Tai Chi. I'm glad some of you are trying it. It's really easy and I can see how it helps strengthen your core and calm your mind. Between the Yoga and Tai Chi I'm developing quite the taste for oriental music too! I still can't develop the taste for the herbal teas though. Gag me with a spoon (70's comment for you youngsters).
I had my banana for breakfast, ate a hard boiled egg as my snack, and about freaked out when they didn't have chili today like they usually do. I found some peaches on the salad bar and added those to cottage cheese, then took 1/2 cup of green peas. That was it! I was not a happy camper. I was ready for chili. After practice, I went to see the grandkids and ate supper at Anne and Jason's. They knew what was on my blog for the menu, so I had squash and a green salad waiting when I got there. Now that's support.
The best moment of my day was putting Rello to sleep, laying there rubbing his little head while he finally dozed off holding my finger. Suddenly, everything else seemed pretty unimportant and petty. Boy did I need that!
Mandy looks so cute with her little pregnant belly and she even showed me how to customize my blog some more. You may see changes in the near future. I won't promise they'll be pretty, but if you experience technical difficulties, I may have something to do with that. Okay, so I'm stalling.... tomorrow is weigh in time (Thursdays) and I know I ate more than normal when the hubby was down this week. If I can just maintain the 161, I will be happy for this week. If not, I will cry and eat a donut. Okay, somebody stop me.... :)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
DAY NINETEEN- January 19, 2010
Some days I feel like pre-ball Cinderella. I'm sure we all have days like that. The most important thing is people. We can't take care of others though unless we take care of ourselves. The balance thing again. Up by 5am and on the road by 5:30. Some new students today. Half way through the school year already. Hard to believe.
I ate a banana and lite yogurt for breakfast. The yogurt had that nasty fake sweetener taste. I couldn't finish it. The rest is going in the trash. Yuck. Lunch was good though. I mixed fruit with cottage cheese and had a green salad w/tomatoes and black beans. For snacks I just had almonds. For dinner I had a ham sandwich and shredded potatoes (1 cup) fried in Pam (0 calories). The sandwich was too big. It's just one of those normal slices of multi-grain fancy breads (which is fine for toast) but they're so wide you put too much stuff on them. Note to self-- half a sandwich. My stomach felt too full.
I did the Tai Chi. I really liked it. I liked the music and focus too. I watched American Idol. That usually takes my mind of stresses of the day. I have many stressful doubts though. Our spiritual strifes certainly pull on the energy we have to reach our physical energy and potential. That's why we all need each other to lift and "coach" us through the little storms in life. I think I'll go see my grandkids tomorrow. They always heal my heart.
I ate a banana and lite yogurt for breakfast. The yogurt had that nasty fake sweetener taste. I couldn't finish it. The rest is going in the trash. Yuck. Lunch was good though. I mixed fruit with cottage cheese and had a green salad w/tomatoes and black beans. For snacks I just had almonds. For dinner I had a ham sandwich and shredded potatoes (1 cup) fried in Pam (0 calories). The sandwich was too big. It's just one of those normal slices of multi-grain fancy breads (which is fine for toast) but they're so wide you put too much stuff on them. Note to self-- half a sandwich. My stomach felt too full.
I did the Tai Chi. I really liked it. I liked the music and focus too. I watched American Idol. That usually takes my mind of stresses of the day. I have many stressful doubts though. Our spiritual strifes certainly pull on the energy we have to reach our physical energy and potential. That's why we all need each other to lift and "coach" us through the little storms in life. I think I'll go see my grandkids tomorrow. They always heal my heart.
Monday, January 18, 2010
DAY EIGHTEEN- January 18, 2010
How do you stop a runaway train? If you said "jump in front of it" you just threw yourself under the train (or bus) and it kept going. There's a lesson in that. Am I the only one who has thrown myself in front of the train thinking I could somehow stop it? So how do you stop it? Communication. You can communicate that there is a problem, but the people on the train and the operators in control of the switches are the only ones who can stop the train.
So breakfast was a challenge to find something green. It was a day of "cheating" I am ashamed to admit. I ate a banana that was still a little green :) for breakfast. For lunch I had team lunch again so I had pulled pork and pasta salad. I drank water and didn't have dessert so that was the positive. I also had my carbs (pasta). For dinner, I completely spaced bringing my dinner to the game and I've been so good about it. I was foodless and that's dangerous. My husband made oatmeal craisin cookies for the girls so ate two small ones on the way to the game and called it my "grains" snack. :) I kept telling myself, "there's no corn syrup in it at least". Between games I ate 1/2 bag of popcorn (vegetable) and a couple of the girls brought me a weight watcher ice cream bar (dairy) that they promised me only had 100 calories. It was pretty good. I drank water again. I looked up the calories on the oil-popped popcorn and it's 110 for 2 cups. I didn't eat more than that so I'm feeling better about myself. Of course I probably need to add a few calories for the butter, but I know I didn't hit 300 calories. . So not a very healthy dinner, but at least I didn't go all crazy.
Okay, I just looked up oatmeal raisin cookies and I'm never buying them again. The store-bought ones are around 350 calories. However, the homemade ones seem to range anywhere from 90-155 calories PER COOKIE. So when you sit there and eat three or four you're eating enough calories for a whole dinner. Now if I was going to exercise that off-- maybe I could do that... but I'm not doing anything but Tai Chi tonight and it'll relax and stretch me, but I'm not envisioning the calories melting away (or the two cookies), so note to self: Go easy on the cookies-- even homemade ones.
It was a stressful day and I seem to crave sugar when I'm under a lot of stress. It's very obviously a comfort food for me. Last night we woke up to Grandma hollering. The water heater caught on fire in the room near her bedroom. It was a small fire, but she was very shaken until we got it put out. She had a new one installed today. My husband had to hit the road again, so I am sad. Thus I need sugar. On another stress note, some people focus so much energy on the negative that they can't see the positive. At my age, I just want to enjoy each day. Keep it simple. Smell the roses. You get the picture. On a brighter note, wasn't the sunshine a beautiful thing today? I almost thought of spring-- my favorite time of the year. Speaking of spring, I need to "spring" out of bed early for morning practice, so I better get to bed.
So breakfast was a challenge to find something green. It was a day of "cheating" I am ashamed to admit. I ate a banana that was still a little green :) for breakfast. For lunch I had team lunch again so I had pulled pork and pasta salad. I drank water and didn't have dessert so that was the positive. I also had my carbs (pasta). For dinner, I completely spaced bringing my dinner to the game and I've been so good about it. I was foodless and that's dangerous. My husband made oatmeal craisin cookies for the girls so ate two small ones on the way to the game and called it my "grains" snack. :) I kept telling myself, "there's no corn syrup in it at least". Between games I ate 1/2 bag of popcorn (vegetable) and a couple of the girls brought me a weight watcher ice cream bar (dairy) that they promised me only had 100 calories. It was pretty good. I drank water again. I looked up the calories on the oil-popped popcorn and it's 110 for 2 cups. I didn't eat more than that so I'm feeling better about myself. Of course I probably need to add a few calories for the butter, but I know I didn't hit 300 calories. . So not a very healthy dinner, but at least I didn't go all crazy.
Okay, I just looked up oatmeal raisin cookies and I'm never buying them again. The store-bought ones are around 350 calories. However, the homemade ones seem to range anywhere from 90-155 calories PER COOKIE. So when you sit there and eat three or four you're eating enough calories for a whole dinner. Now if I was going to exercise that off-- maybe I could do that... but I'm not doing anything but Tai Chi tonight and it'll relax and stretch me, but I'm not envisioning the calories melting away (or the two cookies), so note to self: Go easy on the cookies-- even homemade ones.
It was a stressful day and I seem to crave sugar when I'm under a lot of stress. It's very obviously a comfort food for me. Last night we woke up to Grandma hollering. The water heater caught on fire in the room near her bedroom. It was a small fire, but she was very shaken until we got it put out. She had a new one installed today. My husband had to hit the road again, so I am sad. Thus I need sugar. On another stress note, some people focus so much energy on the negative that they can't see the positive. At my age, I just want to enjoy each day. Keep it simple. Smell the roses. You get the picture. On a brighter note, wasn't the sunshine a beautiful thing today? I almost thought of spring-- my favorite time of the year. Speaking of spring, I need to "spring" out of bed early for morning practice, so I better get to bed.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
DAY SEVENTEEN- January 17, 2010
Sundays always seem to cause me to reflect. Maybe because that's the only day I slow down. I don't know how people who go-go-go on Sundays ever have time to contemplate things or reflect on their life. Not sure that's healthy-- no reflection.
At any rate, here's my thought for the day:
People say you can never go back home. That is so far from the truth. Every time I smell a dairy farm I am home, back at Melba, in the old barn with my orange pineapple cup and steaming hot milk. I know some of you are gagging. Wait, that means someone would be reading this. Okay, IF more than myself were reading this, someone would be gagging, but for me it's a very special memory. I didn't think so at the time, but it is. Every time I see someone building an ice fort, I remember the igloo that Ralf taught me to make when we lived in Alaska. We were in the 3rd grade and in my mind, I go back home to Alaska. Ralf died last year.
Every time I hear the wind just gently blowing through the trees and it's all quiet except for that, I go back home to the farm again and sleeping under the tree on an old mattress. Every time I see fireflies, I think, "That's nothing. You should see the ones in Texas." And I go back home to when I lived in the barracks in Texas. So many things take us home. A smell, a sight, a moment. It's great that we can go back home.
I also discovered another low-calorie approach to breakfast: wake up late and have just enough time to take a shower, get dressed, and rush out the door to church. Total calories- 0. It's a good thing. Grandma went on another grocery shopping trip and came back with coconut cream pie because she knows my husband (her grandson) likes it. Nevermind that I had already planned the 100 calorie angelfood and blackberries for dessert. AND she got out a pan to start baking a Texas chocolate cake. I headed her off and she conceded, but then I turned around and she's putting a ham in the oven. I stuck the pork chops back in the freezer. I did stick to my menu pretty well other than the ham instead of pork chops. I didn't even sample the pie. Between grandma and the husband I've probably already gained back the measly 4 lbs. I've lost! I still love them though.
Raundee's the boss tomorrow. I don't have work tomorrow, but I do have a game, so I'll have to plan wisely. May the force be with me... and you. (dated myself and good with it!)
At any rate, here's my thought for the day:
People say you can never go back home. That is so far from the truth. Every time I smell a dairy farm I am home, back at Melba, in the old barn with my orange pineapple cup and steaming hot milk. I know some of you are gagging. Wait, that means someone would be reading this. Okay, IF more than myself were reading this, someone would be gagging, but for me it's a very special memory. I didn't think so at the time, but it is. Every time I see someone building an ice fort, I remember the igloo that Ralf taught me to make when we lived in Alaska. We were in the 3rd grade and in my mind, I go back home to Alaska. Ralf died last year.
Every time I hear the wind just gently blowing through the trees and it's all quiet except for that, I go back home to the farm again and sleeping under the tree on an old mattress. Every time I see fireflies, I think, "That's nothing. You should see the ones in Texas." And I go back home to when I lived in the barracks in Texas. So many things take us home. A smell, a sight, a moment. It's great that we can go back home.
I also discovered another low-calorie approach to breakfast: wake up late and have just enough time to take a shower, get dressed, and rush out the door to church. Total calories- 0. It's a good thing. Grandma went on another grocery shopping trip and came back with coconut cream pie because she knows my husband (her grandson) likes it. Nevermind that I had already planned the 100 calorie angelfood and blackberries for dessert. AND she got out a pan to start baking a Texas chocolate cake. I headed her off and she conceded, but then I turned around and she's putting a ham in the oven. I stuck the pork chops back in the freezer. I did stick to my menu pretty well other than the ham instead of pork chops. I didn't even sample the pie. Between grandma and the husband I've probably already gained back the measly 4 lbs. I've lost! I still love them though.
Raundee's the boss tomorrow. I don't have work tomorrow, but I do have a game, so I'll have to plan wisely. May the force be with me... and you. (dated myself and good with it!)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Spiritual Video on Youtube
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsnAjZ8mfoYw&h=13fe74c5b81355f2521e712df5d9bd88
This was great! I loved it.
This was great! I loved it.
DAY SIXTEEN- January 16, 2010
It was so warm today I almost started thinking about spring. It still wasn't warm enough to run 2 miles though (Shannon):0. I didn't get a chance to try Anne's Gyrokinesis last night, so I tried that instead today. http://www.prevention.com/health/news-voices/videos?videoID=1e8cd12d7cc25210VgnVCM10000030281eac
I never thought sitting in a chair and crossing your left leg up onto your right thigh (with right foot flat on the ground and no leaning back) was that big of a deal. Man I felt unflexible! It was a great way just to stretch while sitting in a chair the whole time. I don't think I lost any calories over it and you have to do the whole series to feel like you've got the whole impact, but it would be a great way to strengthen your back and to stretch muscles just sitting there (like on a lunch break or something. If you want to lose calories or break a sweat, you'll have to look for Jillian or get out and move! This one's more about stretching.
Even though it was Saturday, and even though my husband does things like order pizza for everyone for lunch and eat chocolate pie for breakfast... I was strong. I stuck to my oatmeal w/fresh fruit as Shannon directed and had a lovely sandwich for lunch. I even treated myself to a few potato chips (no trans fats) for my afternoon carbs. We spent the afternoon visiting our children and grandchildren so that was relaxing. We learned how to play liar's dice and I don't know if it's good or bad (in this case) that I wasn't a very good liar. Each player has 5 dice. It was a great mind/math game and if you'd like to know more... just ask me. It was really fun.
Baby Jilly and Baby Maddy are both just adorable. The other grandkids are too of course, but the babies still just let you sit and hold them-- which is what Grandma Shorty did (we took her along).
When we got home in the evening I fixed my spinach salad and really didn't feel like eating a big heavy meal. I also wanted to have room for dessert because I wanted to have my husband try the sugar free angel food cake w/berries and lite cool-whip from Paul's. I could tell he was skeptical (this is the man who eats pie for breakfast) but he ate it and said he really liked it. He couldn't believe it tasted just like angelfood cake.... and I thought I was a sugarholic. I'm going to have to buy my own Jillian video. So far, it's been my best workout. That and shooting around for 20 minutes without stopping my feet. I need to do those types of cardio workouts 3X a week with 1 day of Yoga, 1 day of Pilates, and 1 day of natural exercise (like walking, biking, swimming, or hiking, etc.). I've almost got this figured out and I'm not even at the end of my first month! Raundee is Monday's coach and she has some great advice that I think is very unique and will help any type of eater/exerciser. Stay tuned.... and good night.
I never thought sitting in a chair and crossing your left leg up onto your right thigh (with right foot flat on the ground and no leaning back) was that big of a deal. Man I felt unflexible! It was a great way just to stretch while sitting in a chair the whole time. I don't think I lost any calories over it and you have to do the whole series to feel like you've got the whole impact, but it would be a great way to strengthen your back and to stretch muscles just sitting there (like on a lunch break or something. If you want to lose calories or break a sweat, you'll have to look for Jillian or get out and move! This one's more about stretching.
Even though it was Saturday, and even though my husband does things like order pizza for everyone for lunch and eat chocolate pie for breakfast... I was strong. I stuck to my oatmeal w/fresh fruit as Shannon directed and had a lovely sandwich for lunch. I even treated myself to a few potato chips (no trans fats) for my afternoon carbs. We spent the afternoon visiting our children and grandchildren so that was relaxing. We learned how to play liar's dice and I don't know if it's good or bad (in this case) that I wasn't a very good liar. Each player has 5 dice. It was a great mind/math game and if you'd like to know more... just ask me. It was really fun.
Baby Jilly and Baby Maddy are both just adorable. The other grandkids are too of course, but the babies still just let you sit and hold them-- which is what Grandma Shorty did (we took her along).
When we got home in the evening I fixed my spinach salad and really didn't feel like eating a big heavy meal. I also wanted to have room for dessert because I wanted to have my husband try the sugar free angel food cake w/berries and lite cool-whip from Paul's. I could tell he was skeptical (this is the man who eats pie for breakfast) but he ate it and said he really liked it. He couldn't believe it tasted just like angelfood cake.... and I thought I was a sugarholic. I'm going to have to buy my own Jillian video. So far, it's been my best workout. That and shooting around for 20 minutes without stopping my feet. I need to do those types of cardio workouts 3X a week with 1 day of Yoga, 1 day of Pilates, and 1 day of natural exercise (like walking, biking, swimming, or hiking, etc.). I've almost got this figured out and I'm not even at the end of my first month! Raundee is Monday's coach and she has some great advice that I think is very unique and will help any type of eater/exerciser. Stay tuned.... and good night.
Friday, January 15, 2010
DAY FIFTEEN- January 15, 2010
It's amazing how much one person can influence my eating habits so much. Last night he took me to applebees and tonight he stopped and got me my favorite hot chocolate (after 8pm) because he knows I love hot chocolate after a long night. The husband is killing my healthy habits here. Okay, but I'm keeping him so I'll have to learn to balance here. I stuck to the breakfast and lunch, but the husband forgot to bring the spaghetti. Luckily I had part of my steak leftover from last night. So, since I had a game again tonight, I was cutting up the rest of my steak and eating the rest of the broccoli between games. The concession stand lady (I need to find out her name) even put it in their microwave for me because she knows about the diet. It was a great dinner. I love that Anne told me to go get the Reeses, but did you just read the part where they're letting me heat my food in their microwave even though I smuggled my food into the game. Okay, I just walked right in, but still it was very sweet of her to support me. How on earth could I say, oh, and by the way can I have a healthy Reeses!?
The thought of the Reeses brought on the chocolate attack driving home and I mentioned how hot chocolate sounded so good and next thing I know he's pulling into a gas station and comes out with hot chocolate. How "sweet" is that. Okay, that was definitely a history teacher joke, or a Jason joke. So I fell off the wagon and had hot chocolate after 8pm. I totally blame my husband though. I will do extra push-ups tomorrow. I also want to thank Shannon for my relaxation tip for tomorrow. It's a video on youtube. I love it. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsnAjZ8mfoYw&h=13fe74c5b81355f2521e712df5d9bd88
The thought of the Reeses brought on the chocolate attack driving home and I mentioned how hot chocolate sounded so good and next thing I know he's pulling into a gas station and comes out with hot chocolate. How "sweet" is that. Okay, that was definitely a history teacher joke, or a Jason joke. So I fell off the wagon and had hot chocolate after 8pm. I totally blame my husband though. I will do extra push-ups tomorrow. I also want to thank Shannon for my relaxation tip for tomorrow. It's a video on youtube. I love it. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsnAjZ8mfoYw&h=13fe74c5b81355f2521e712df5d9bd88
Thursday, January 14, 2010
DAY FOURTEEN- January 14, 2010
Today I really reflected on how different (and blessed) my life has been because of coaching. The kids I've coached over the years have enriched my life so much. So many kids I've taught have made me more patient and have filled my life with endless memories. I simply don't say thank you enough for all these things in my life. I'm adding that to my mental list: wake up and say "thank you" for another beautiful day. On days I'm feeling sore or missing my donuts, I need to remember this even more!
Today I decided to start my day with exercise and I tailored it to something that I like to do. I went to the gym and not a soul was there yet. For 20 minutes I simply shot the ball, rebounding it and switching positions. I didn't allow myself to stop my feet except to shoot. I didn't speed around all crazy, but I kept my feet going the entire time. Shoot, rebound, dribble out (or put-back), and do it again. This might not sound like much, but you try it for 20 minutes and I guarantee you'll break a sweat. Plus, you get to shoot the ball! After that, I went for the 1/2c of yogurt w/granola for breakfast. Lunch was rabbit food and some baked chips-- no meat again. I saved it for dinner (w/my sweetie) at Applebees. They have a section of their menu now that under 500 calories. I had steamed broccoli, steamed red potatoes (very small amount) and a small steak. I couldn't eat but half. It was SO good. The best part was sharing it with my husband though. :) The husband who assures me every five minutes that I don't need to diet! Good try. It's not just about losing weight, it's about learning to eat healthier.
Okay, so I weighed myself and I've only lost 4 pounds total! The good news is, I can feel a big difference in my muscles and I've noticed how much better my posture is since I started doing the Pilates and Yoga. Anne has promised me chocolate tomorrow, and even though I've only lost 4 pounds... I SO deserve it. I'm doing the positive talk to myself that Erica taught me. See... I am learning! :0
Today I decided to start my day with exercise and I tailored it to something that I like to do. I went to the gym and not a soul was there yet. For 20 minutes I simply shot the ball, rebounding it and switching positions. I didn't allow myself to stop my feet except to shoot. I didn't speed around all crazy, but I kept my feet going the entire time. Shoot, rebound, dribble out (or put-back), and do it again. This might not sound like much, but you try it for 20 minutes and I guarantee you'll break a sweat. Plus, you get to shoot the ball! After that, I went for the 1/2c of yogurt w/granola for breakfast. Lunch was rabbit food and some baked chips-- no meat again. I saved it for dinner (w/my sweetie) at Applebees. They have a section of their menu now that under 500 calories. I had steamed broccoli, steamed red potatoes (very small amount) and a small steak. I couldn't eat but half. It was SO good. The best part was sharing it with my husband though. :) The husband who assures me every five minutes that I don't need to diet! Good try. It's not just about losing weight, it's about learning to eat healthier.
Okay, so I weighed myself and I've only lost 4 pounds total! The good news is, I can feel a big difference in my muscles and I've noticed how much better my posture is since I started doing the Pilates and Yoga. Anne has promised me chocolate tomorrow, and even though I've only lost 4 pounds... I SO deserve it. I'm doing the positive talk to myself that Erica taught me. See... I am learning! :0
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
DAY THIRTEEN- January 13, 2010
Question of the day: Are we raising a society of Bart Simpsons? Just a thought.
So I had some "guided" directives for my menu today, but basically had to come up with it within those guidelines. I had cream of wheat (it's growing on me) and a banana for breakfast. I decided to see if I could eat healthy from the cafeteria and I was able to choose from two different lines so I ended up with some potatoes (the carb part), some broccoli, and some fresh celery and cucumbers. I skipped the chicken nuggets completely. Now before you go thinking I went overboard on the veggies (Erica said I had to have 2 today), I also remembered that I had to have 2 fresh fruits and that I got a dessert. I decided to take the challenge to make a dessert under 100 calories.
Here's what I ended up with (and I would eat it again). I went to Paul's and bought one of those sugar-free angelfood cakes. I cut it into 12 slices. I also bought a package of frozen blackberries (no sugar added), and a tub of lite cool-whip. I drizzled a couple tablespoons of berries w/natural syrup over the top and dobbed 2 tblsp. of the cool-whip on top. I served it to 11 friends (and ate one myself). It was REALLY good and only 90 calories.
For dinner Grandma Shorty has been working hard to cook something I'll eat. She whipped up a rice dish with some veggies in it and the leftover chicken. It was really good too. She had baked some biscuits and I passed on those, but it was sweet of her and she didn't even offer me another chocolate (I think she ate them all :)! I loved the "unwind" Arbonne lotion last night. Thanks Erica. I have very sensitive skin, so I thought I'd either break out or get a headache from the smell, but neither of those things happened. I went right to sleep (of course I was tired) and my hands were very soft this morning. I tried to drink the 8 cups of water, but it was pushing it to drink three water bottles (6 cups) today. Sorry. I used the fizz tab in the last one I drank, but I can't handle that sugar substitute taste. It leaves a nasty after-taste in my mouth. Can't do the fizz tabs, but I am trying all the other stuff too.
I did the Leslie Sansone Pilates workout though. It is getting easier. I think a combination of Yoga, Pilates, and Jillian workout will end up in my permanent lifestyle when this is all over. I might add the wii fit too. I'll be trying it tomorrow. I'm wii-challenged so this could be interesting, but I'm sure the 4 year-old grandson will teach me how to do it! I weigh myself again tomorrow and I'm worried that Jackie is going to beat me again. Jackie, go eat a donut. I'm sending you a box of chocolates for Valentine's too. :) :)
So I had some "guided" directives for my menu today, but basically had to come up with it within those guidelines. I had cream of wheat (it's growing on me) and a banana for breakfast. I decided to see if I could eat healthy from the cafeteria and I was able to choose from two different lines so I ended up with some potatoes (the carb part), some broccoli, and some fresh celery and cucumbers. I skipped the chicken nuggets completely. Now before you go thinking I went overboard on the veggies (Erica said I had to have 2 today), I also remembered that I had to have 2 fresh fruits and that I got a dessert. I decided to take the challenge to make a dessert under 100 calories.
Here's what I ended up with (and I would eat it again). I went to Paul's and bought one of those sugar-free angelfood cakes. I cut it into 12 slices. I also bought a package of frozen blackberries (no sugar added), and a tub of lite cool-whip. I drizzled a couple tablespoons of berries w/natural syrup over the top and dobbed 2 tblsp. of the cool-whip on top. I served it to 11 friends (and ate one myself). It was REALLY good and only 90 calories.
For dinner Grandma Shorty has been working hard to cook something I'll eat. She whipped up a rice dish with some veggies in it and the leftover chicken. It was really good too. She had baked some biscuits and I passed on those, but it was sweet of her and she didn't even offer me another chocolate (I think she ate them all :)! I loved the "unwind" Arbonne lotion last night. Thanks Erica. I have very sensitive skin, so I thought I'd either break out or get a headache from the smell, but neither of those things happened. I went right to sleep (of course I was tired) and my hands were very soft this morning. I tried to drink the 8 cups of water, but it was pushing it to drink three water bottles (6 cups) today. Sorry. I used the fizz tab in the last one I drank, but I can't handle that sugar substitute taste. It leaves a nasty after-taste in my mouth. Can't do the fizz tabs, but I am trying all the other stuff too.
I did the Leslie Sansone Pilates workout though. It is getting easier. I think a combination of Yoga, Pilates, and Jillian workout will end up in my permanent lifestyle when this is all over. I might add the wii fit too. I'll be trying it tomorrow. I'm wii-challenged so this could be interesting, but I'm sure the 4 year-old grandson will teach me how to do it! I weigh myself again tomorrow and I'm worried that Jackie is going to beat me again. Jackie, go eat a donut. I'm sending you a box of chocolates for Valentine's too. :) :)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
DAY TWELVE- January 12, 2010
You know you care about people when you look them in the eyes when they speak and you give them time to speak. Just had to throw that out there. I subbed for an elementary teacher a while back because we were out early and she wanted to go watch the state football game. I noticed when the little kids all came in from recess to see who their sub was, they looked me right in the eyes-- each one of them as they came in single file. They were looking to see if I cared. I could feel it. Bless their little hearts. And when they talked, they looked straight at you. So, the next day when I went back to my own class (of teenagers) I thought "I'm going to wait at the door and see how many look me in the eyes, but more importantly, I'm going to look them in the eyes when I talk to them." What a learning lesson that was! It's not just that teenagers stop caring; it's that we don't expect them to. If we take the time to look for it, they still want us to see inside and they want to know someone cares. I challenge you (okay all two of you)to take more time to look in the eyes of those you meet each day in your journey of daily life and really pause as you do it. Oh, and listen (with your eyes) after you ask them how they are, etc.
Okay, so had an away game. Packed the healthy spinach salad. It was a long night with this week being finals so I know all the kids are dragging. I'm dragging. I'm glad I finally went and got Erica's stuff that she mailed so I can try fizz tabs and bath soaks. I've never heard of Arbonne, but if Coach Erica wants me to try it, I'm gonna do it. I'll try the Pilates DVD too, but tonight, I'm going straight to bed.
Okay, so had an away game. Packed the healthy spinach salad. It was a long night with this week being finals so I know all the kids are dragging. I'm dragging. I'm glad I finally went and got Erica's stuff that she mailed so I can try fizz tabs and bath soaks. I've never heard of Arbonne, but if Coach Erica wants me to try it, I'm gonna do it. I'll try the Pilates DVD too, but tonight, I'm going straight to bed.
Monday, January 11, 2010
DAY 11- January 11, 2010
I like to come up with my own quotes. Here's an obvious one that I'm sure someone else has thought of before: The problem with people who think they know it all-- is that they think they know it all. Hmmmm. Unfortunately, those people don't see it is "their" problem. Go figure.
So I've decided to put a little info about the coaches (without using last names)just to give everyone an idea of what I'd dealing with here. I'll start with today's coach-- Whit T/G-- Former State Player of the Year and went on to play for CSI. She is not only beautiful on the outside, she is equally beautiful on the inside. Now that is the true accomplishment! I just posted a link she sent me, but she gave me a breakdown of the reps. I see now that I've watched the link, that I should have posted her detailed list. However, you could just repeat what he was doing. I thought the karate type kick over the end of the bed was interesting. I just used my computer chair. Whenever I got lost, I threw in a Jillian move to keep moving. I can't do the knee tucks to the chest. At my age the chest is already at the knees! (excuse the old lady remark young ones). I also stretched first and threw in some of the yoga stretches after. I am starting to see what type of program would be best for me at my age and with my former injuries. We all have to do that. Everything is getting easier. Jackie, you should just do the Yoga until your back is cleared. I hope you didn't try tonight's workout. You can always go walking. It's cheap, easy, and easy on your body. Plus, it works. Not as fast as these other things, but it works.
I also had a breakthrough with Grandma Shorty. She asked what healthy food "we" needed to eat tonight. She put away the hotdogs and Twinkies. I told her what was on the menu and she informed me that plain spaghetti would be a lot healthier and a lot easier. I looked it up and she was right (calorie-wise), so I humored her and didn't have the heart to tell her I was REALLY looking forward to Whit's recipe. At least I got my red meat and she is trying to behave herself. Then when the news came on she whipped out that bag of chocolates. She informed me that she'd been reading and read that dark chocolate was good for you. It was one of those Russell Stover thin squares. I melted (yes, I just did a Greg joke). I ate one. She said she isn't eating that sugar-free jell-o stuff. I, on the other hand, will save it and eat it when Whit's the coach. Maybe I'll even get her to try it as long as we're out of Twinkies and chocolate! :) Oh, and Kali, I survived. Of course we'll see how I feel in the morning.
So I've decided to put a little info about the coaches (without using last names)just to give everyone an idea of what I'd dealing with here. I'll start with today's coach-- Whit T/G-- Former State Player of the Year and went on to play for CSI. She is not only beautiful on the outside, she is equally beautiful on the inside. Now that is the true accomplishment! I just posted a link she sent me, but she gave me a breakdown of the reps. I see now that I've watched the link, that I should have posted her detailed list. However, you could just repeat what he was doing. I thought the karate type kick over the end of the bed was interesting. I just used my computer chair. Whenever I got lost, I threw in a Jillian move to keep moving. I can't do the knee tucks to the chest. At my age the chest is already at the knees! (excuse the old lady remark young ones). I also stretched first and threw in some of the yoga stretches after. I am starting to see what type of program would be best for me at my age and with my former injuries. We all have to do that. Everything is getting easier. Jackie, you should just do the Yoga until your back is cleared. I hope you didn't try tonight's workout. You can always go walking. It's cheap, easy, and easy on your body. Plus, it works. Not as fast as these other things, but it works.
I also had a breakthrough with Grandma Shorty. She asked what healthy food "we" needed to eat tonight. She put away the hotdogs and Twinkies. I told her what was on the menu and she informed me that plain spaghetti would be a lot healthier and a lot easier. I looked it up and she was right (calorie-wise), so I humored her and didn't have the heart to tell her I was REALLY looking forward to Whit's recipe. At least I got my red meat and she is trying to behave herself. Then when the news came on she whipped out that bag of chocolates. She informed me that she'd been reading and read that dark chocolate was good for you. It was one of those Russell Stover thin squares. I melted (yes, I just did a Greg joke). I ate one. She said she isn't eating that sugar-free jell-o stuff. I, on the other hand, will save it and eat it when Whit's the coach. Maybe I'll even get her to try it as long as we're out of Twinkies and chocolate! :) Oh, and Kali, I survived. Of course we'll see how I feel in the morning.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
DAY TEN- January 10, 2010
Well it's working. I'm starting to develop some actual habits. It's good to have a day where I have to coach myself and demonstrate self discipline (or lack thereof)! You start asking yourself, "Do I really need two pieces of toast?" Variety is a good thing too. Mix up the grains, fruits, dairy products, meat, etc. We get into these habits where we eat the same thing all the time. I grab a piece of toast, or bowl of cereal, or nothing at all as I run out the door. I'm not in charge of me at all. I'm letting my schedule control me instead of controlling my schedule. See... I am learning. I know my family thinks I'm a workoholic and slave driver, so maybe I'll even learn to lighten up.... like Jillian from my workout. :) :)
Kali asked me which level I did last week. I said the first one and I saw that "are you kidding me" look in her eyes. I can't wait till she's 47... I know some of you are nodding about that comment. So speaking of the Jillian workout. If you don't have the video I'll break it down more specifically. She uses windmills (remember those from high school in the 70's), and a few other old school stretches to warm up. Then she uses very basic exercise that anyone can do at home. Jumping Jacks, push-ups, grab the cans of soup and do up and down squats while bench pressing the cans, then imaginary jump rope, crunches, bicycles, boxing while squatting, buttkicks, pelvic lifts, and stretching for warming down. She keeps the cardio alternating (buttkicks and jumping jacks may not seem like much, but they are) between the strength and ab part. She never stops. I like it because it's simple and balanced, but it definitely hits all the areas and makes you sweat. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Love yourself and buy it. There are two harder levels for my younger bloggers or those who are simply in better shape than I am.
Grandma Shorty went for a Sunday outing with Mitch and Carolyn and I'm sure they will never forget the image of me attempting this level one with my cans of soup and my spongebob pj bottoms when they surprised me by coming home earlier than I thought they would. This is why I keep it in the bedroom. Jillian was just so real on the big screen... After they left Grandma was looking through her newest late Christmas presents (she wasn't home for Christmas) and discovered a package of chocolates. "Let's eat some!" she said. For the record, I didn't but I think Grandma would even offer one to Jillian. When I recited the Twinkie story to Carolyn during their stay, Grandma nodded proudly and said, "Yep, I've eaten three."
Heaven help me. (It's Sunday so I can say that). Oh, and I took a nap today. It's a great relaxation tip and zero calories. :)
Kali asked me which level I did last week. I said the first one and I saw that "are you kidding me" look in her eyes. I can't wait till she's 47... I know some of you are nodding about that comment. So speaking of the Jillian workout. If you don't have the video I'll break it down more specifically. She uses windmills (remember those from high school in the 70's), and a few other old school stretches to warm up. Then she uses very basic exercise that anyone can do at home. Jumping Jacks, push-ups, grab the cans of soup and do up and down squats while bench pressing the cans, then imaginary jump rope, crunches, bicycles, boxing while squatting, buttkicks, pelvic lifts, and stretching for warming down. She keeps the cardio alternating (buttkicks and jumping jacks may not seem like much, but they are) between the strength and ab part. She never stops. I like it because it's simple and balanced, but it definitely hits all the areas and makes you sweat. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Love yourself and buy it. There are two harder levels for my younger bloggers or those who are simply in better shape than I am.
Grandma Shorty went for a Sunday outing with Mitch and Carolyn and I'm sure they will never forget the image of me attempting this level one with my cans of soup and my spongebob pj bottoms when they surprised me by coming home earlier than I thought they would. This is why I keep it in the bedroom. Jillian was just so real on the big screen... After they left Grandma was looking through her newest late Christmas presents (she wasn't home for Christmas) and discovered a package of chocolates. "Let's eat some!" she said. For the record, I didn't but I think Grandma would even offer one to Jillian. When I recited the Twinkie story to Carolyn during their stay, Grandma nodded proudly and said, "Yep, I've eaten three."
Heaven help me. (It's Sunday so I can say that). Oh, and I took a nap today. It's a great relaxation tip and zero calories. :)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
DAY NINE- January 9, 2010
Today was a day of modifications. I had a team breakfast to attend this morning and I was really hoping they had toast and eggs. They did have toast, but it was french toast. They didn't have eggs. They had OJ and they had super fantastic bacon!! I will just say right here that I am learning to pace myself, so the fact that I ate one piece of bacon might sound bad, but I ate ONE piece of bacon. See my point. And the french toast had the toast and egg, so other than the little bit of syrup, I wasn't too far off on that. I knew I'd work it off at the game and I promised myself I would eat healthy at lunch and supper and I did.
For lunch I wanted to eat a salad and I wanted to come up with something based on ingredients everyone's been throwing at me all week, so I came up with one. My favorite salad at Applebees is a spinach salad with shrimp, almonds, and raspberry vinegarette. Yum! So, I thought I'd try to make one like it. Problem was, I didn't have shrimp, almonds, or raspberry vinegarette. I had the Dole spinach in the bag so I started with that (2 cups). I cut up 4 baby carrots. I sprinkled on 1/3 cup of craisins because I love them. Then I cut up 1/2 an apple (peeled) and 1/2 tomato and threw those in with it. Next, I thought I'd try to duplicate the raspberry vinegarette so I took 2 tbsp of Zesty Italian and mixed it with 1 tbsp of raspberry jam. Yep! Jam! It was one of the best salads I've ever had. I love sweet and sour so if you like that and like a little crunch, I think you would like this. It made plenty of salad for one person too. That was my whole lunch. It was 320 calories which included the yummy dressing. I'm adding the calorieking.com link to my blog because I use it all the time to see how many calories something is.
Then I packed my lunch for the game. I made a tunafish sandwich on whole wheat and threw in a cheese stick, small orange, and a bottle of water. I ate between games and didn't even glance at the concession stand. More importantly, I wasn't hungry. So I didn't stick exactly to the menu today, but I modified to the events of my day and ate a lot healthier than I normally would have a few weeks ago on a similar day. Oh and rocking baby Maddy was a great relaxation thing. :)
One final thought-- I talk to my team about synergy a lot (they call it "flow") and it's when everything just clicks and the team just flows in harmony. Even at a fast pace they just transition smoothly-- they flow. I had the thought driving home from the game tonight that our lives are like that. When we balance them and eat healthy, get enough sleep, live honestly, and exercise, we feel the synergy in our life. We flow. Of course our relationship with a higher power makes that synergy in life even better, but we feel awesome when we "flow" with life instead of fighting it so much.
Okay, have to end on a funny. Jackie is always posting funny things on her facebook. The other day it said "Jackie is.... training her pet rock." Made you smile, didn't it.
For lunch I wanted to eat a salad and I wanted to come up with something based on ingredients everyone's been throwing at me all week, so I came up with one. My favorite salad at Applebees is a spinach salad with shrimp, almonds, and raspberry vinegarette. Yum! So, I thought I'd try to make one like it. Problem was, I didn't have shrimp, almonds, or raspberry vinegarette. I had the Dole spinach in the bag so I started with that (2 cups). I cut up 4 baby carrots. I sprinkled on 1/3 cup of craisins because I love them. Then I cut up 1/2 an apple (peeled) and 1/2 tomato and threw those in with it. Next, I thought I'd try to duplicate the raspberry vinegarette so I took 2 tbsp of Zesty Italian and mixed it with 1 tbsp of raspberry jam. Yep! Jam! It was one of the best salads I've ever had. I love sweet and sour so if you like that and like a little crunch, I think you would like this. It made plenty of salad for one person too. That was my whole lunch. It was 320 calories which included the yummy dressing. I'm adding the calorieking.com link to my blog because I use it all the time to see how many calories something is.
Then I packed my lunch for the game. I made a tunafish sandwich on whole wheat and threw in a cheese stick, small orange, and a bottle of water. I ate between games and didn't even glance at the concession stand. More importantly, I wasn't hungry. So I didn't stick exactly to the menu today, but I modified to the events of my day and ate a lot healthier than I normally would have a few weeks ago on a similar day. Oh and rocking baby Maddy was a great relaxation thing. :)
One final thought-- I talk to my team about synergy a lot (they call it "flow") and it's when everything just clicks and the team just flows in harmony. Even at a fast pace they just transition smoothly-- they flow. I had the thought driving home from the game tonight that our lives are like that. When we balance them and eat healthy, get enough sleep, live honestly, and exercise, we feel the synergy in our life. We flow. Of course our relationship with a higher power makes that synergy in life even better, but we feel awesome when we "flow" with life instead of fighting it so much.
Okay, have to end on a funny. Jackie is always posting funny things on her facebook. The other day it said "Jackie is.... training her pet rock." Made you smile, didn't it.
Friday, January 8, 2010
DAY EIGHT- January 8, 2010
I love Fridays! Anne made them even better by allowing me "dessert" and it wasn't even like a piece of fruit-- it was "anything"! I was sitting at a basketball game next to one of my fellow teachers (who knows I'm doing this healthy eating thing) and I was sharing that I would get to eat a sweet tonight, but that I had to chew it 20 times. She looked at me like...what?! Then she proceeded to try chewing her gum 20 times. "Nope, couldn't do it," she said. "Maybe 15, but 10 would be better." I thought about making a beeline to the concession stand for a Reeses, but I just couldn't do it. All my girls know I'm doing this and so do a lot of our staff members. It's silly, but I kept thinking that I'd be letting people down if they saw me eating a Reeses even though it was totally legal.
So, I headed home and I thought I'd eat a piece of banana bread or something, but I open the fridge and Grandma Shorty had gone downtown and there sat a box of twinkies in the fridge! Who puts Twinkies in the fridge!? The red ones I love no less! "Grandma," I asked, "where did these twinkies come from?" She shrugged liked a guilty 5-year-old and said, "I couldn't help it. I went to the store and they were at the end of the aisle on sale." There were just a few pieces of homemade fudge left and I kept debating... twinkie-- fudge. I looked at the Twinkie package.. 320 calories for two (they're small)!!! I announced it to Grandma. She looked defeated. "Sorry". Then she added, "Just eat one then." This is the kind of help I'm getting people! I ate the smallest piece of fudge on the plate. It really was small and sorry Anne, but I did about 5 chews and it dissolved. Just thinking about taking me time and eating it did help though, so it's a great point. And I really didn't need another bite.... especially since Jackie's ahead of me on the pound lossage (yes, I made up another word), but I'm glad she's doing this with me. Of course I think she's crazy thinking I can do half the deck tomorrow, but she is a pound ahead of me, so I better listen.
So, I headed home and I thought I'd eat a piece of banana bread or something, but I open the fridge and Grandma Shorty had gone downtown and there sat a box of twinkies in the fridge! Who puts Twinkies in the fridge!? The red ones I love no less! "Grandma," I asked, "where did these twinkies come from?" She shrugged liked a guilty 5-year-old and said, "I couldn't help it. I went to the store and they were at the end of the aisle on sale." There were just a few pieces of homemade fudge left and I kept debating... twinkie-- fudge. I looked at the Twinkie package.. 320 calories for two (they're small)!!! I announced it to Grandma. She looked defeated. "Sorry". Then she added, "Just eat one then." This is the kind of help I'm getting people! I ate the smallest piece of fudge on the plate. It really was small and sorry Anne, but I did about 5 chews and it dissolved. Just thinking about taking me time and eating it did help though, so it's a great point. And I really didn't need another bite.... especially since Jackie's ahead of me on the pound lossage (yes, I made up another word), but I'm glad she's doing this with me. Of course I think she's crazy thinking I can do half the deck tomorrow, but she is a pound ahead of me, so I better listen.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A Great Recipe Link for Making Comfort Food Healthy
http://newsletters.eatingwell.com/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=122462
DAY SEVEN- January 7, 2010
Okay, I had to go to the doctor today and I knew they'd weigh me so I was anxious to see what I had lost. I realize it's just a week, but still.... Well, I have got to exercise a little bit longer or harder because I've only lost 2 pounds! I know it's not just about the weight, but seriously, I've got to work harder.
On a happier note, I have never had cottage cheese on a baked potato and it was really good. That was something I could definitely keep in my real life menu. I'm making this list as I go through this of things that I like and don't like. Breakfast has been pretty easy. Lunch has been fine too even though sandwiches can get old. Dinner has been the main one that I am struggling with because I am a meat eater. And although I love fish, I can only do so much chicken. I like my red meat. There's got to be a way to balance that a little more. Spaghetti, tacos, a lean hamburger patty, a small steak. Okay... I'm making myself hungry right before bed, so I'll stop.
Had a game tonight so I did the whole get up 15 minutes earlier and do the Pilates stretching thing. I took a potato with me and baked in the microwave after school and had it for dinner w/cottage cheese. I felt very prepared. The problem is, because you're up and going and pacing, and yelling, etc. when you sit down in between games your stomach starts saying things like, "You have 15 minutes and I know the concession stand is right there." Okay, so I broke down and had 1/2 bag of popcorn (before 8pm) because I have to eat something in between the three games. So... new note to self: Take a ziploc bag of the "snacks" listed and not just the dinner items.
So there it is... a day of ups and downs. I hope next Thursday I produce a little better numbers. Oh and 5 things positive about myself.. that was too weird/awkward for me, maybe because I did it in the morning before I got in the shower. I will try it after I beautify myself next time. :)
On a happier note, I have never had cottage cheese on a baked potato and it was really good. That was something I could definitely keep in my real life menu. I'm making this list as I go through this of things that I like and don't like. Breakfast has been pretty easy. Lunch has been fine too even though sandwiches can get old. Dinner has been the main one that I am struggling with because I am a meat eater. And although I love fish, I can only do so much chicken. I like my red meat. There's got to be a way to balance that a little more. Spaghetti, tacos, a lean hamburger patty, a small steak. Okay... I'm making myself hungry right before bed, so I'll stop.
Had a game tonight so I did the whole get up 15 minutes earlier and do the Pilates stretching thing. I took a potato with me and baked in the microwave after school and had it for dinner w/cottage cheese. I felt very prepared. The problem is, because you're up and going and pacing, and yelling, etc. when you sit down in between games your stomach starts saying things like, "You have 15 minutes and I know the concession stand is right there." Okay, so I broke down and had 1/2 bag of popcorn (before 8pm) because I have to eat something in between the three games. So... new note to self: Take a ziploc bag of the "snacks" listed and not just the dinner items.
So there it is... a day of ups and downs. I hope next Thursday I produce a little better numbers. Oh and 5 things positive about myself.. that was too weird/awkward for me, maybe because I did it in the morning before I got in the shower. I will try it after I beautify myself next time. :)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
DAY SIX- January 6, 2010
Well, I'm back to food issues again. Come on people-- I need meat! And not just fish and chicken. Can I please have red meat? :) Please. I do have to say that Kali's snack of Salsa and some baked crackers she got at Sam's club was a treat today. And, I liked cooking my own meal, but I got home right before 8 so I just microwaved my salmon and veggies real quick. Didn't have time to fry a steak or anything. Wait, I just looked at Erica's menu for tomorrow and I see that I get a baked potato AND cottage cheese. Bless you child. I now have the mental strength to put on the Jillian exercise video Kali blessed me with for today. I'll be right back... and if I'm not, you'll know I did not survive the video.
It's actually the next morning as I finish this. Obviously I didn't die from it, but I am definitely rediscovering my muscles. One thing I have to emphasize-- especially for us "older" people-- is that we have to always stretch before and after. You should also push yourself, but even that is at your pace as you "rediscover" your body, your limits, and old injuries. I always want to just jump in and go as hard as I can like it's a competition. I'm competitve. But, I have to pace myself. My right hip and neck are my reminders. I have been doing a pretty good job of pacing. I would also say that it's not a bad idea to do this in front of a mirror if you're bedroom exerciser like myself. Now if you're all buff and energetic then you can take that your buffness out in public at an exercise facility or move it to a class with other people, or whatever you want... but I'm still at the "bedroom with the door closed level". I'll let you know when I move up and when I weigh myself again. :)
It's actually the next morning as I finish this. Obviously I didn't die from it, but I am definitely rediscovering my muscles. One thing I have to emphasize-- especially for us "older" people-- is that we have to always stretch before and after. You should also push yourself, but even that is at your pace as you "rediscover" your body, your limits, and old injuries. I always want to just jump in and go as hard as I can like it's a competition. I'm competitve. But, I have to pace myself. My right hip and neck are my reminders. I have been doing a pretty good job of pacing. I would also say that it's not a bad idea to do this in front of a mirror if you're bedroom exerciser like myself. Now if you're all buff and energetic then you can take that your buffness out in public at an exercise facility or move it to a class with other people, or whatever you want... but I'm still at the "bedroom with the door closed level". I'll let you know when I move up and when I weigh myself again. :)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
DAY FIVE- January 5, 2010
Well I'm going to have to manage my time better if I'm going to get exercise in on days like today. When I'm on the road by 6:30am and I get home at 10pm (had an away game), I am tired and it's hard to find time to exercise. I'm disappointed in myself for not doing the assigned exercise for today. That's what this is for though, to see how to make healthy choices fit. Instead of sleeping in till 5:45 when I know I have a long day ahead of me, I can simply get up 15 minutes earlier and exercise for that 15 minutes-- maybe the Yoga stretches and a few crunches-- something lighter on busy days. I am going to do Janet's workout though so you will see it again soon.
On a positive note, I did plan ahead knowing I had an away game and would be tempted by the highly nutritious concession stand hotdog and nachos. At noon I had my rice meal with me from the night before, but I went down to our nice lunch ladies and purchased a salad and some fruit for my dinner. I ate it between games. I also ate the celery today. I just have to say about loading up on too many raw veggies-- bloat city (nice way to put it). Kali (tomorrow's coach) makes a point about iceberg lettuce that I have always believed-- pointless. So anyway, I got through it and ate healthy, but stunk it up on the exercise. Not a very good example today. I promise to do better. Tomorrow is the gift that keeps giving. :)
On a positive note, I did plan ahead knowing I had an away game and would be tempted by the highly nutritious concession stand hotdog and nachos. At noon I had my rice meal with me from the night before, but I went down to our nice lunch ladies and purchased a salad and some fruit for my dinner. I ate it between games. I also ate the celery today. I just have to say about loading up on too many raw veggies-- bloat city (nice way to put it). Kali (tomorrow's coach) makes a point about iceberg lettuce that I have always believed-- pointless. So anyway, I got through it and ate healthy, but stunk it up on the exercise. Not a very good example today. I promise to do better. Tomorrow is the gift that keeps giving. :)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Making it Interesting
Here's another video I found very interesting. I hope you opened the last link (perfect women) because it's very funny and we all need a laugh (and I'm not easily amused-- ask my husband!) :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw
DAY FOUR- January 4, 2010
The food thing is not really bothering me anymore. My biggest fear all day has been coming home and trying to do Yoga for the first time. Big surprise...... I Loved It! Even old people can do this without hurting. I can also see how beneficial all the stretching is. Plus, it's low impact. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I need to get an exercise mat though because I just did it on the carpet and it was a little hard on the knees-- not bad though. I didn't need a video either. I just googled it and instantly found it on u-tube. My computer screen is big enough I just faced it toward me and followed along. The music with it makes you focus too. Here is the link I used. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7drLSbrHft0 I'd do it twice. I had to just to get the moves right! :) I also looked at the morning video on there and I think I'll try it. So if anyone else who's never done Yoga before, gives it a try, let me know what you think.
Speaking of that. I guess I hit the "don't allow comments" button (my daughter informed me and corrected it) when I posted my last two blogs. So.... quit sending me emails, I know you couldn't post a comment, and yes I'm a blogtard right now and it was my fault. It's all fixed now though so comment away.
The first day back from break was a killer as usual. Didn't have time to think about the last of grandma's pie or anything. After late practice (bball) I made sure I got home and ate before the no-no hour (8pm) and watched the Boise State game until half time. Which reminds me, I need to get back.
Okay...BRONCOS WON! :) :) I didn't want to end my post without thanking everyone for all these new ideas about health, eating, exercise, stress, and finding balance. Today's coach, Raundee took her menu concepts from the Chinese. Here's a quote from what she told me: "I'm basing the menu off of Chinese wisdom. They believe that the day goes through a cycle and that our bodies use specific things best at specific times of day." This goes right in hand with what Janet (tomorrow's coach) is saying about her menu and the importance of WHEN we eat. Finally, I received an email from another friend, Cindy, who is all about balance and the formulas associated with it. She will be on another day, but they're all saying the same thing. I am being well-coached. Thank you!
Speaking of that. I guess I hit the "don't allow comments" button (my daughter informed me and corrected it) when I posted my last two blogs. So.... quit sending me emails, I know you couldn't post a comment, and yes I'm a blogtard right now and it was my fault. It's all fixed now though so comment away.
The first day back from break was a killer as usual. Didn't have time to think about the last of grandma's pie or anything. After late practice (bball) I made sure I got home and ate before the no-no hour (8pm) and watched the Boise State game until half time. Which reminds me, I need to get back.
Okay...BRONCOS WON! :) :) I didn't want to end my post without thanking everyone for all these new ideas about health, eating, exercise, stress, and finding balance. Today's coach, Raundee took her menu concepts from the Chinese. Here's a quote from what she told me: "I'm basing the menu off of Chinese wisdom. They believe that the day goes through a cycle and that our bodies use specific things best at specific times of day." This goes right in hand with what Janet (tomorrow's coach) is saying about her menu and the importance of WHEN we eat. Finally, I received an email from another friend, Cindy, who is all about balance and the formulas associated with it. She will be on another day, but they're all saying the same thing. I am being well-coached. Thank you!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
DAY THREE- January 3rd, 2010
Well today was interesting. You would think that since I am in charge of myself I'd lighten up, add a lot more sugar to my menu, skip the exercise part... What is wrong with me. I did eat the small sliver of apple pie, but I said no to homemade red velvet cake. And, when everyone else was eating their second helping of Grandma Shorty's pie, I said no. Okay, before I sound too wonderful to myself... I need to work on "how" I say no. I should not say it like the world is ending (that is how I said it today). I need to work on my attitude. If I wanted the red velvet cake, then I need to get busy putting exercise back into my world so I can have that stuff more often.
On a brighter note, the reading part really helped me today. While Whitney B. was falling asleep during Sunday School (yes, I just told on you) I was actually paying attention. I also read from another good book when I got home. Here's a couple of lines out of it and something to keep in mind as I take this journey to change. "Physical beauty becomes the message of life's story rather than a mere detail.... Desiring acceptance from the world, we undertake any number of measures to look like the world says we should look." As I read this I thought it was important to explain why I'm doing this. I think we need balance. I'm not trying to be "skinny" or a model though I realize I'm just so close to model material. :) The quotes above are so true BUT this is no excuse for the rising obesity rate in our country. We are comfort eaters. I am a comfort eater. Through this journey I want to find the balance between enjoying my piece of cake, but not making it my goal. I also don't intend to try to retain my prior youth's body (it went south many moons ago), but I do want to find balance. And, it's not just about the food.
Today at church a guy talked about how he was making a New Year's list and his wife took it from him and added some things for him :) then his three kids took a turn :). While it was funny (and it was because I know them) he said it made him realize that sometimes our changes come by listening to what others think we need or just giving of our time to the people in our life who matter the most. Ahhhhh moment. It was such a great realization. You are helping me, so I'm sure that's a checkmark somewhere on your New Year's list. So back to balance, we're not perfect, but my love for this life is. Grandma Shorty was sitting in her chair yesterday and out of the blue she said, "You know, some of my older friends (remember she's 87) just don't really like life anymore..... but I really do. Sure we have some pains, but I just love it!" You know, I think that's why she's 87 and still around. Something to be learned from that.
Okay, so I snuck a small piece of Greg's banana bread today. Other than that, I did pretty well. I go back to work tomorrow. That will be the real test. Raundi, my husband's sister is my coach tomorrow and she says I have to do Yoga. I've never done yoga, so I have to go to u-tube and find something that shows me what to do. If it resembles a pretzel of any sort, I will definitely modify. I will share some of her words of wisdom tomorrow night because they were really good. Thanks Raundee.
On a brighter note, the reading part really helped me today. While Whitney B. was falling asleep during Sunday School (yes, I just told on you) I was actually paying attention. I also read from another good book when I got home. Here's a couple of lines out of it and something to keep in mind as I take this journey to change. "Physical beauty becomes the message of life's story rather than a mere detail.... Desiring acceptance from the world, we undertake any number of measures to look like the world says we should look." As I read this I thought it was important to explain why I'm doing this. I think we need balance. I'm not trying to be "skinny" or a model though I realize I'm just so close to model material. :) The quotes above are so true BUT this is no excuse for the rising obesity rate in our country. We are comfort eaters. I am a comfort eater. Through this journey I want to find the balance between enjoying my piece of cake, but not making it my goal. I also don't intend to try to retain my prior youth's body (it went south many moons ago), but I do want to find balance. And, it's not just about the food.
Today at church a guy talked about how he was making a New Year's list and his wife took it from him and added some things for him :) then his three kids took a turn :). While it was funny (and it was because I know them) he said it made him realize that sometimes our changes come by listening to what others think we need or just giving of our time to the people in our life who matter the most. Ahhhhh moment. It was such a great realization. You are helping me, so I'm sure that's a checkmark somewhere on your New Year's list. So back to balance, we're not perfect, but my love for this life is. Grandma Shorty was sitting in her chair yesterday and out of the blue she said, "You know, some of my older friends (remember she's 87) just don't really like life anymore..... but I really do. Sure we have some pains, but I just love it!" You know, I think that's why she's 87 and still around. Something to be learned from that.
Okay, so I snuck a small piece of Greg's banana bread today. Other than that, I did pretty well. I go back to work tomorrow. That will be the real test. Raundi, my husband's sister is my coach tomorrow and she says I have to do Yoga. I've never done yoga, so I have to go to u-tube and find something that shows me what to do. If it resembles a pretzel of any sort, I will definitely modify. I will share some of her words of wisdom tomorrow night because they were really good. Thanks Raundee.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
DAY TWO- January 2, 2010
Day two??? Are you kidding me?! It feels like week two. Is anyone out there doing this with me? I need some sympathy! First of all, try finding no calorie butter in a city where main street takes approximately two minutes (without speeding) to get through! Didn't happen. And cream of wheat felt like baby food in my mouth. Don't get me wrong, it didn't taste bad, but it felt like mush. However, once I checked the calorie count (100) I appreciated it a lot more. So, yes, I had real butter on my toast (sorry Jackie). And I'm quickly learning to pick a piece of fruit and throw it in my pocket whenever I head out the door. I lllllove my snack! I've also become attached to my water bottle. It is my new best friend. After yesterday's traumatic disaster of missing lunch I resolved to make sure I didn't skip it today. I decided I was sick of lunch meat, so I had a tuna fish sandwich. I didn't have a small bag of chips, only a big one, so I looked on the back to see how many calories 10 of them would cost me. I ate 10. I was so looking forward to the smoothie as my snack, but once again, I headed to town to watch Jason's game (they won :) and just had to stay for the varsity game too. I was smarter this time though (I remembered I can't eat after 8pm) and I ran home to Jason's house during the JV game to have dinner. I didn't want to dirty her kitchen so I had a sandwich. I will definitely not be eating a sandwich tomorrow. Oh, and I hope that some of my "coaches" start giving me something besides a sandwich for lunch (hint, hint). I do love them, but twice a week max. When I got home it was 9:45pm and I still hadn't done my exercises. Yes, I sucked it up and did them. I love the card thing, but we need to include this WARNING before all exercises from now on: REMEMBER TO STRETCH FIRST! I stopped half way through because I felt my muscles getting tight. I did the crunches laying on my bed because of my hip and it was just fine. We'll call that fine for anyone over 45! :) I didn't get to the bubble bath so I'm going to do it tomorrow along with the smoothie. I should take it tonight after doing the card thing, but I'm too tired. Going to bed stinky... EEWWWWW. Luckily, I am writing this to myself, so no one's world will be altered by me going to bed a wee bit stinky. Just writing it down is helping me stick to it though, so that's what counts. Plus, all of you who are coaching me...... THANK YOU! It really is already helping just knowing I'm answering to someone else. Tomorrow (Sunday) I coach myself. Ruby made apple pie, so if you are doing this with me..... guess what's for dessert. I won't go hogwild tomorrow, but I am having a little piece of pie!
Friday, January 1, 2010
DAY ONE- January 1, 2010
Breakfast was pretty easy. I had my egg and toast. Luckily I had an orange in the car because we ate a later breakfast (about 10am) so when we headed to town about 12:30 I wasn't really ready for lunch. We took Grandma Shorty to see the new baby then we headed to Boise to see everyone else who's down visiting. When we were leaving Gidget and Kayla's, Grandma Shorty wanted to know why Gidget thought she needed a facelift. She thought she looked just fine. I thought about it a minute then realized she had overheard us talking about facebook. Gidget wanted to get on facebook. We tried to explain facebook to her, but we just pretty much told her it wasn't a facelift because she still didn't understand other than she knows she's not getting a facelift. Meantime, the visiting was great, but I missed lunch! We were home by 5pm so I just finished my stir fry. I didn't get to eat any of Greg's homemade banana bread with the craisins I love either. Thanks Anne! :) I enjoyed the rain all night long. I always sleep better when it rains--nature's music. I whooped up on Greg w/the Suduko puzzle. He hid the last one from me. I ate my yogurt for dessert (while Greg chomped down the homemade apple cobbler). I figured I could have the yogurt since I didn't get lunch. I am starting this journey at 165 lbs. I wasn't going to put it on here for all to see, but apparently I'm the only one seeing it anyway, so as long as it's in writing (even to myself) I feel more accountable. It was also easy to get in 15 minutes of walking today. I'm feeling pretty good about day one but I'm going to eat breakfast on time from now on so I don't skip lunch. I want to be skinnier, but not that bad! :)
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