Excuses. I hate excuses. They are so flimsy, yet I cling to them. Bah!
I had three weeks (21 days to change a habit, right?) of fantastic follow-through on monitoring my calories. Then, Week Four was a week of power rearranging of three rooms of the house which gave me lots of good exercise, but lots of calories. It went downhill from there.
Then we come to this week (Week Five). Newest excuse? Husband has been working the night shift and is home all day, but needing to sleep for part of the day. For some reason I'm allowing this to be a problem in the eating department. I've been cooking good meals all along, but I keep randomly grazing those extra calories and visiting the McD's drive-thru for Sweet Tea. I could try to blame it on the schedule, but that's really not the reason.
Mainly, I've lost sight of my long-term goal and letting instant gratification (Easter candy and Sweet Tea!) get in the way.
I've maintained my 3 pounds lost, but I'm up an inch.
And Aunt Flo has come for a visit. Chocolate cravings magnified!
The only thing that can get this turned around is willpower. I have no problem telling my son "no" if something isn't good for him. Should I call my mother and have her tell me "no?" I doubt it would help--I probably wouldn't listen to her, either!
On a positive note, we started some herb plants this morning. And, though it was 20 degrees on Saturday morning, it looks like we'll be in the 70s for a couple of days by the end of the week.
Spring is coming! A return of outdoor activity.
The willpower needs to return, too.
3/23/10
Week 4 Stats
I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to post my stats! First the numbers:
Considering I fell off the wagon last week, there was apparently no damage done. The three pounds are still gone and the inches haven't changed either. I attribute that to the fact that I worked myself to the bone hauling furniture all over Kingdom come!
(Speaking of "Kingdom come," I've been saying that phrase since I was little as it's a "southern" kind of thing. It wasn't until I typed it that I wondered about its origin. I suspected it was referring to the Bible, but now I have the definitive answer: It's referring to the Lord's Prayer where Jesus says, "Thy will be done; Thy Kingdom come. . ." How's that for a little trivia?)
Back on topic. I'm maintaining my exercise level so far this week. I haven't been keeping track of my calories (again due to busyness), but will jump in tomorrow with some numbers.
Now, I'd like to address an area that could be a problem when trying to lose weight. Sure, I'm over 40. That alone makes it more of a challenge. Hormones? Check. Too much of a sweet tooth? Unfortunately, yes. But there's another area:
Sleep.
Here is just ONE of a whole lot of articles that talk about the connection between enough sleep and weight loss: WebMD--Sleep More, Weigh Less. I have also read (many places) that the sleep you get BEFORE midnight is more beneficial. Studies have suggested that 1 hour before 12am is equal to 4 hours after 12pm. The Importance of Sleep is a link that talks about that.
I can vouch that I was READY for bed every night last week. There was no 30 minutes to an hour to finally drop off to sleep, either. I was out cold within a few minutes after hitting the pillow--and I was seeking that pillow around 8pm! Interestingly, it was actually easier for me to get up at my usual time between 6 and 6:30, even though I was so bodily tired the night before.
It's 9:49 now and I'm heading to bed shortly. I'm liking feeling more rested. I'm hoping that more sleep before midnight will translate into some help with all this calorie counting and exercising!
So, good night, y'all!
Considering I fell off the wagon last week, there was apparently no damage done. The three pounds are still gone and the inches haven't changed either. I attribute that to the fact that I worked myself to the bone hauling furniture all over Kingdom come!
(Speaking of "Kingdom come," I've been saying that phrase since I was little as it's a "southern" kind of thing. It wasn't until I typed it that I wondered about its origin. I suspected it was referring to the Bible, but now I have the definitive answer: It's referring to the Lord's Prayer where Jesus says, "Thy will be done; Thy Kingdom come. . ." How's that for a little trivia?)
Back on topic. I'm maintaining my exercise level so far this week. I haven't been keeping track of my calories (again due to busyness), but will jump in tomorrow with some numbers.
Now, I'd like to address an area that could be a problem when trying to lose weight. Sure, I'm over 40. That alone makes it more of a challenge. Hormones? Check. Too much of a sweet tooth? Unfortunately, yes. But there's another area:
Sleep.
Here is just ONE of a whole lot of articles that talk about the connection between enough sleep and weight loss: WebMD--Sleep More, Weigh Less. I have also read (many places) that the sleep you get BEFORE midnight is more beneficial. Studies have suggested that 1 hour before 12am is equal to 4 hours after 12pm. The Importance of Sleep is a link that talks about that.
I can vouch that I was READY for bed every night last week. There was no 30 minutes to an hour to finally drop off to sleep, either. I was out cold within a few minutes after hitting the pillow--and I was seeking that pillow around 8pm! Interestingly, it was actually easier for me to get up at my usual time between 6 and 6:30, even though I was so bodily tired the night before.
It's 9:49 now and I'm heading to bed shortly. I'm liking feeling more rested. I'm hoping that more sleep before midnight will translate into some help with all this calorie counting and exercising!
So, good night, y'all!
3/18/10
Do-overs count, don't they?
Evidently Week Four is going to have to be a do-over!
It wasn't the lowered calorie cap (1400 calories) that was the problem. I have spent the week moving my Son's room from upstairs to the first floor. That has involved hours (each day and into the night) of sorting, hauling stuff, decluttering, carrying (heavy) furniture, cleaning, etc. as well as rearranging our basement to make all this work.
In all of that there was bad and there was good. First, the bad. I had NO time to plan, shop for or monitor the meals, which resulted in the higher calories.
But, then we have the good:
It wasn't the lowered calorie cap (1400 calories) that was the problem. I have spent the week moving my Son's room from upstairs to the first floor. That has involved hours (each day and into the night) of sorting, hauling stuff, decluttering, carrying (heavy) furniture, cleaning, etc. as well as rearranging our basement to make all this work.
In all of that there was bad and there was good. First, the bad. I had NO time to plan, shop for or monitor the meals, which resulted in the higher calories.
But, then we have the good:
- I still never went over 1800 calories, even without monitoring. I just added things up at the end of the day. A month ago I was consuming close to 3000 calories a day, so I'm not too upset though there will probably not be a change on the scale on Monday.
- I would HOPE that all that hauling up and down stairs (sometimes two flights) would have burned some calories!
- Now that it's done, I'm ready to get back on track.
So, I declare Week Four to begin (again) on Monday, 3/22.
(Just so you KNOW that I really, really exercised, I took my Son from a 228 sf room down to an 80 sf room. It doesn't look (too) crowded, either! I'll probably post about it HERE soon, just to share the miracle LOL!)
3/15/10
3/15 Weigh-in
I can tell that there is less *something* around my waistline. It just feels "less." It's a good thing that I feel that because my scale and my measuring tape are registering big ol' ZEROS as far as pound and inch loss.
I believe I'll see some downward movement in those two numbers next time because I am over being sick, I'm reducing my calories to 1400 AND (most importantly) I'm planning on five days of exercise this week.
At the bottom of my sidebar is my exercise plan. I gave my reasoning for my intended plan HERE.
I'll do that for a couple of weeks and then tweak again!
Pounds lost: 0
Inches lost: 0
I believe I'll see some downward movement in those two numbers next time because I am over being sick, I'm reducing my calories to 1400 AND (most importantly) I'm planning on five days of exercise this week.
At the bottom of my sidebar is my exercise plan. I gave my reasoning for my intended plan HERE.
I'll do that for a couple of weeks and then tweak again!
Pounds lost: 0
Inches lost: 0
3/13/10
Evaluation: It's been three weeks
Tomorrow will complete three weeks since I began (again) to diet. I decided to do an evaluation of my progress and my methods and tweak things a bit:
Slow is working for me:
First of all, I highly recommend SLOWLY reducing the calories. I have to say that starting at 2000 calories a day and finishing at 1600 calories a day over three weeks has been painless. Yes, you read that correctly. Counting calories has been fairly easy, and being aware of the amount of calories in the foods has sort of empowered me. I know that I can have some of the things I want (zero deprivation) as long as I work it into the total for the day.
Deprivation breeds rebellion:
In the past, when I've followed a particular diet as it was laid out, I found myself being a bit of a martyr. "Poor, poor me. I can't have this and I can't have that. Blah. Blah." My best effort at a diet that required major levels of my opinion of deprivation (not getting what I want!) was when I followed the Fat Flush Diet for 2 1/2 months. I lost 23 pounds. I loved the result, but I was flat out grouchy and pathetic. Finally, I caved and began to rebelliously binge on anything I wanted. Guess what happened?
Exercise alone won't provide weight loss. Neither will diet alone:
About two years ago I exercised six days a week, three using weights, and three doing aerobic exercise. I did that faithfully for 16 weeks. I didn't lose and ounce or an inch. Not even one. The reason? I didn't change my eating habits at all. This time I have reduced my calories faithfully. I have exercised twice. I've lost three pounds and two inches, but I know that I would see better results if I would------exercise AND diet.
You get less calories in nutrient dense food:
I already knew that. I think everyone knows that. It certainly was highlighted this week when I had a day of 1395 total calories thanks to two large Mexican salads as part of my food intake, and had a day of 1798 that got that high thanks to 280 of the calories coming from a Snickers bar. On the day I had all that salad, I also had 9 chocolate Kisses. My chocolate needs were satisfied, and my tummy was full--but of good things.
Water is my friend:
I've discovered that the more I drink water, the more of a taste I'm developing for it. I'm aware that "studies have shown" that adding lime or lemon juice to the water actually makes it work better in our bodies. I'm not there yet. I like the clean taste of fresh, filtered water. Perhaps as the weather changes I'll give the citrus a try.
Starting Monday, my new calorie total cap will be 1400. I intend to exercise to see if I can increase the effectiveness of reducing those calories. I'm feeling pretty excited about it!
Slow is working for me:
First of all, I highly recommend SLOWLY reducing the calories. I have to say that starting at 2000 calories a day and finishing at 1600 calories a day over three weeks has been painless. Yes, you read that correctly. Counting calories has been fairly easy, and being aware of the amount of calories in the foods has sort of empowered me. I know that I can have some of the things I want (zero deprivation) as long as I work it into the total for the day.
Deprivation breeds rebellion:
In the past, when I've followed a particular diet as it was laid out, I found myself being a bit of a martyr. "Poor, poor me. I can't have this and I can't have that. Blah. Blah." My best effort at a diet that required major levels of my opinion of deprivation (not getting what I want!) was when I followed the Fat Flush Diet for 2 1/2 months. I lost 23 pounds. I loved the result, but I was flat out grouchy and pathetic. Finally, I caved and began to rebelliously binge on anything I wanted. Guess what happened?
Exercise alone won't provide weight loss. Neither will diet alone:
About two years ago I exercised six days a week, three using weights, and three doing aerobic exercise. I did that faithfully for 16 weeks. I didn't lose and ounce or an inch. Not even one. The reason? I didn't change my eating habits at all. This time I have reduced my calories faithfully. I have exercised twice. I've lost three pounds and two inches, but I know that I would see better results if I would------exercise AND diet.
You get less calories in nutrient dense food:
I already knew that. I think everyone knows that. It certainly was highlighted this week when I had a day of 1395 total calories thanks to two large Mexican salads as part of my food intake, and had a day of 1798 that got that high thanks to 280 of the calories coming from a Snickers bar. On the day I had all that salad, I also had 9 chocolate Kisses. My chocolate needs were satisfied, and my tummy was full--but of good things.
Water is my friend:
I've discovered that the more I drink water, the more of a taste I'm developing for it. I'm aware that "studies have shown" that adding lime or lemon juice to the water actually makes it work better in our bodies. I'm not there yet. I like the clean taste of fresh, filtered water. Perhaps as the weather changes I'll give the citrus a try.
Starting Monday, my new calorie total cap will be 1400. I intend to exercise to see if I can increase the effectiveness of reducing those calories. I'm feeling pretty excited about it!
3/8/10
Monday's Stats
I'm still coughing and coughing, but it seems to be getting better. No excuses this week about exercising. In fact, as soon as I post this, I'm off for my walk.
My scale is acting up. I stepped on it and it said no pounds lost; then I stepped on it again and it said I've lost 5 pounds. Rather than choosing which I believe (you KNOW which one I would choose!), I think I'm going to have to do my weigh-ins somewhere else.
A new scale is not in the budget right now, but there is an animal hospital around the corner. They have a big ol' digital scale that is out front in the waiting room. Yes, it has come to this!
So, rather than guessing, I'll try to get up there today and get an accurate reading.
Measuring shows another inch overall, but that's still not very much. I believe adding in the exercise (finally) will help that number begin to change.
This week's calorie cap goal is 1600 calories. I'm a little nervous about that as it means it will be more difficult than the last two weeks have been. They were a piece of cake! (Oops, sorry.)
I hope I don't weigh as much as a Great Dane.
My scale is acting up. I stepped on it and it said no pounds lost; then I stepped on it again and it said I've lost 5 pounds. Rather than choosing which I believe (you KNOW which one I would choose!), I think I'm going to have to do my weigh-ins somewhere else.
A new scale is not in the budget right now, but there is an animal hospital around the corner. They have a big ol' digital scale that is out front in the waiting room. Yes, it has come to this!
So, rather than guessing, I'll try to get up there today and get an accurate reading.
Measuring shows another inch overall, but that's still not very much. I believe adding in the exercise (finally) will help that number begin to change.
This week's calorie cap goal is 1600 calories. I'm a little nervous about that as it means it will be more difficult than the last two weeks have been. They were a piece of cake! (Oops, sorry.)
I hope I don't weigh as much as a Great Dane.
3/3/10
*whimper* . . . I'm sick!
I've been trying to ignore it, but the sad truth is that I'm sick. I've been coughing since Saturday night and it has gotten worse.I've tried my best to keep up with good food choices and keeping my calories at a good point. I've even kept my water intake up.
Exercise? It's always the first to go!
It's only 7:30, but I really should just go to bed. It hasn't helped that we've been reading about the Black Plague in our homeschooling today!
Or maybe it has. We have SO much more available to us to deal with things than they did then. I can't imagine losing whole families and whole towns like those people had to experience.
I'm grateful for Vick's and whoever now makes them LOL!
3/1/10
You're Fat Because . . .
My 1955 Good Housekeeping Cookbook is chock-full of all types of information. Not surprisingly, it also had a section entitled, "Your Weight."
The introductory paragraph says:
During childhood and youth, it's desirable to weigh somewhat more than the average for your height and age.
By middle age, it is better to maintain the ideal weight for a twenty-five-year-old of your height and sex. After twenty-five, you tend to slow down your activities, yet your appetitie may remain as hearty and you may eat more than you should. Unless you are among those few who stay thin no matter what, you gain.
As you grow older, you should not exceed this ideal weight.
Sure. Not a problem.
Except that I have a problem. The problem I have is spelled out in this ad from 1955. It just lays it out straight:
The introductory paragraph says:
During childhood and youth, it's desirable to weigh somewhat more than the average for your height and age.
By middle age, it is better to maintain the ideal weight for a twenty-five-year-old of your height and sex. After twenty-five, you tend to slow down your activities, yet your appetitie may remain as hearty and you may eat more than you should. Unless you are among those few who stay thin no matter what, you gain.
As you grow older, you should not exceed this ideal weight.
Sure. Not a problem.
Except that I have a problem. The problem I have is spelled out in this ad from 1955. It just lays it out straight:
I found this ad at a new site called, "American Women Didn't Get Fat!" You must go and check it out--it's great! Click on the ad above for the post about that ad.
I found HER through Tessa's weight-loss blog HERE. Tessa's already lost over 6 pounds! Congratulations, Tessa!
Oh yes. Today is MY weigh-in day, isn't it?
Well, the scales are telling me I've lost 2 pounds and the measuring tape totals at 1 inch! So far, so good.
2/28/10
Sunday
Today was my last day of week one. Tomorrow is W-Day (Weigh-in Day). I'm hoping there is SOME progress as I have definitely consumed fewer calories than normal. Beginning Monday, my calorie-cap-goal will be 1800. I will also MAKE IT A POINT to exercise.
Tonight I decided to have popcorn with the guys (son and husband). It was so NOT worth the extra 100 calories with just salt on it! Live and learn.
Calorie Count: 1947
Water: 4 glasses
Exercise: It's Sunday. It's supposed to be a day of rest. Ignore the fact that I made last week a WEEK of rest from exercising!
Tonight I decided to have popcorn with the guys (son and husband). It was so NOT worth the extra 100 calories with just salt on it! Live and learn.
Calorie Count: 1947
Water: 4 glasses
Exercise: It's Sunday. It's supposed to be a day of rest. Ignore the fact that I made last week a WEEK of rest from exercising!
Saturday
On Saturday we were home all day and I cooked like a maniac. My 1955 Good Housekeeping Cookbook hasn't seen this much action in decades, I'm sure!I had the following things to accomplish:
- Saturday night's dessert (Hot-Milk Spongecake)
- The filling for the dessert (Clear Lime Filling)
- Sweet tea for a neighbor (She just had a baby and we're taking the tea with pizza and salad for a meal on Sunday)
- French toast for Sunday's breakfast (instead of stopping at the convenience store on the way to church)
- Saturday night's supper and Sunday's lunch (Potato Chowder)
I discovered two things that I need in my kitchen. One is a zester. (It was very hard to zest the lime on my grater and my knuckle became a casualty.) I also need a stand mixer. For the spongecake I had to use my hand mixer and blend it for five minutes on high. My forearm became a casualty in that activity.
I'd like to comment on the spongecake. I have never made a spongecake, but I have made an angel food cake. They are not the same. Spongecake is, well, sponge-like! It was very moist and it was fun to make. The Clear Lime Filling had lots of flavor, but was pretty gelatinous. I had hoped that it would soak into the spongecake, but it sort of just mounded up and sat there. They were both good, though.
The Potato Chowder was low in calories, but too liquid-y. We like soups that hold the spoon vertically when it is inserted.
I had TWO servings of the spongecake, so my calories were more than they would have been, but still under the 2000 calorie cap I set for last week. It was too limey and good to resist!
Calorie count: 1852
Water: 6 glasses
Exercise: Still a resounding no. I need to do something about this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
