Wednesday 25 June 2008

The Lightbulb Again

It has been two weeks and I wanted to check-in. This morning I was at 152 lbs. This is exciting to me but I have been here twice. Last Thursday, I was at 152 as well. However, with the week-end, I had 2 or 3 meals away from my no carbs fare and then by Monday I'm back at 154 lbs.

I would like to give myself the privilege of having 2-3 free meals a week (meaning I get sugar or carbs or wine or a combination.) However, if it keeps costing me in the pounds, I may reduce it to 1 until I get a little closer to my goal weight.

I had some success at being wise with meal choices. We were at our Sunday School Picnic on Sunday and there were sandwiches and salads galore. I stayed away from carbs (no sandwiches or potatoe or pasta salad - no dessert) I was proud of myself. However, I then came home and ate 2 pieces of Rhubarb, raspberry pie I had made the day before. It had meringue on top, nice and thick, and rhubarb and raspberries that I had picked from my father-in-law's garden and frozen from last season. The crust was a shortbread one which I really enjoy. Every bite was immensely decadent.

The night before I had indulged because we were at a friends so it was 2 days in a row of indulgence thus the additional 2 lbs. on Monday a.m.

I am maintaining 4 times a week of formal exercise. I walk once a week for 1 and a half hours and the other 3 times, I do interval training with a total of 9 minutes jogging and 32 minutes brisk walking each time.

All in all, I am pleased with my progress. I would like to be at 150 lbs. by July 1 and then at 145 lbs. by August 1.

The high end of my range for my BMI is 145 lbs. so that is my first target. I am, afterall, only 5'3". I will still keep pushing towards my final goal of between 130-135 lbs.

My goal this week-end is to only indulge in one meal off the plan - no more and then we'll hope the scales pay me back!

That's all from the Light bulb

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Check In

152.6 today. A grand .2 of a pound less than last week.

I did go for walks with two friends and one daughter!

I tried to follow the principle of eating protein when hungry, rather than sugary stuff. I felt satisfied and I think that I just need to be careful not to eat too many nuts.

I feel stuck. I've been at this weight for weeks. I have "stopped the slide," yes, and I feel good about that, but I also have 7 more pounds to go and they are sticking to me like glue.

I know that I need to get more focused and careful and boost the exercise.

Tuesday 17 June 2008

I Survived Write! Canada



Photo by Susan Stewart

Well, that's me the 4th from the left, in black, on a fitness break led by Kimberley Payne at Write! Canada in Guelph last week.

I was surprised, when I saw the photos taken during the conference, that I didn't look too bulky. The 9 pounds I've lost has made a difference.

This morning I'm 152.8, which I am happy with considering where I've been, Thursday morning to late Saturday evening--a writer's conference with quantities of muffins at breaks, and delicious and generous meals.

What saved me was a little variation on the first words of Psalm 23, which came to me the day I was getting ready to leave for the conference; "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...to eat everything in sight."

I found those words calmed me down and helped me to make choices rather than eat "everything." I ate bacon and other meat, eggs, fruit, vegetables and even dessert, but avoided muffins and bread and fried potatoes, because I really don't care for them much. In the past I would probably have eaten them just because they were on offer! :)

On one break I arrived after all of the snacks had gone and hungry people were still circling, looking for food, so I ran to our room, where I had a "stash;" I always travel with a "stash" :), and brought out containers of almonds and pretzels to share. People loved them, especially the almonds (the kind you buy in big bags at Costco).

At one meal I was in conversation when the bread came around, and the man on my other side said, when I stopped talking, that he had taken a multigrain slice of bread for me because I looked like "the kind of person who would like healthy." I took that as a great compliment!

Yesterday I went for lunch and a walk with "the lightbulb!" Back at her house she showed me a book she's reading on what foods different body (or blood ?) types should eat. I took the quiz and found that I need to eat protein and good fat, and avoid sweet things, but will crave them. Good to know; will aim to do that. My BMI (body mass index) is 24; at the high end of my range. I'm aiming to lose 7 pounds and get more exercise, as well as focusing more on protein and avoiding sugar.

Onward my fellow stoppers of the slide!
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Tuesday 10 June 2008

The Pear Checking In!

152.2 this morning thank goodness!

My resolve to hold to the 22 points didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I had several business lunches and special occasions and didn't do as well as my lightbulb friend as reigning in my appetite for fat and flour! It doesn't sound quite as appetizing when I put it like that does it?

Fortunately 'tis the season of abundant fresh fruit and veggies and that has been my saving grace this week. I love vegetables although not the work of chopping, dicing and slicing. I've done it anyway and it has helped me to edge down to within one pound of where I was before my vacation. Was the indulgence worth it on vacation? Well, I'm going for the long haul, but I have to say that I'm realizing that my life is filled with lunches and dinners and special occasions and I have to find a way of navigating those with joy and enjoyment, but in consistency with my goal of a weight that I feel happy with. I'll be giving thought to how to do that this week, starting today when I just happen to have a lunch meeting.

I'm attending a three day conference this week, so that will be a perfect time to sink or swim. Any tips on how to swim through one of those things?

Exercise? Does shopping count? :) Room for improvement there, obviously!

Meanwhile, I am thrilled at Shan's determined exercise and the lightbulb's victories this week.

Monday 9 June 2008

From the LIghtbulb - Week 15 Check-In

This has been a good week for me. Hooray!

Although I only exercised 3 times, they were good ones. My first two walks of the week were interval training. I ran 3 times for 3 minutes each time and total exercise time was 35 min. each time. I also walked very briskly on Saturday morning for one and a half hours (so briskly, my toosh hurt afterwards). In addition, family activities this week did include walking all day at Canada's Wonderland, sometimes pushing a double stroller, and walking all morning at Cookstown's Annual Wing Ding. Family activities also included me demonstrating hopping in a sack for a sack race and other equally strenuous demonstrations for a Home School Family Outdoor Games night. All I can say is, "The old gray mare ain't what she used to be!"

I stuck rigidly to my "no carbs after 1:00 p.m. rule", which meant passing up a rhubarb spice cake one evening and a chocolate fudge cake another evening. It meant passing up freshly baked bread twice and mango, curried rice once ....mmm my favourite. The sacrifices were worth it.

I LOST 5 lbs. THIS WEEK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am now at 155 lbs. - finally one pound less than my pre-trip weight May 1.

It has been the jump-start I have needed. Emotionally, I am no longer discouraged but encouraged. Although I may not continue to lose weight this dramatically, I am motivated to persevere. I will continue on the "no carbs after 1:00 p.m. rule" as a regular lifestyle change for now. However, on special occasions I will treat myself. Jason and I are celebrating our 11th year anniversary on Saturday and we're going to Toronto for the afternoon and evening. A wonderful dinner at a restaurant is planned and I will have no food restrictions and celebrate heartily. I hope I don't pay too heavily for this indulgence.

I am tempted to make ambitious weight-loss goals with my results from last week, however I will not. My conservative goal is to lose 5 pounds over the next 3 weeks (averages out to just over 1 1/2 lbs. each week). This will put me at 150 lbs. going into July. My long range goal is to weigh between 130-135 lbs. This means I need to lose another 20-25 lbs. so I'm not even half way done my journey.

We'll see. I am continuing to celebrate the victory for this week.

I still remain, as yet,
Your Effervescent Lightbulb

Tuesday 3 June 2008

What Got Me Here

There's a book that I haven't read, with an amazing title that makes me want to read it: What Got You Here Won't Get You There.

Well, that's a word for me this morning.

I'm 154 this morning, and I know that I have to get serious to get beyond where I am. More of what I'm doing may maintain this weight at best. Is that what I want? No. So....

On 4 days a week (excluding Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays) I am going to stick to 22 points. On the the other 3 days, which are celebratory in terms of "community," I won't worry about the number 22, but I will fly straight, I promise, and not be a total numbskull when it comes to eating. I'll see how this works.

Exercise has been abysmal. I need much improvement. I will go for AT LEAST 3 exercise sessions.

These goals are measurable and achievable. I just have to do it--that's the trick! :) But I WANT to get beyond this silly mountain circling thing and so I HAVE to show some spunk!

THE COPING DIET

This is not my Tuesday check in, but my friend Irene sent it to me and I thought it was funny. In fact I think I've been on this Coping Diet...

This is specially formulated diet designed to help women cope with the stress that builds during the day.

Breakfast
1 grapefruit1 slice whole wheat toast1 cup skim milk

Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken, 1 cup spinach, 1 cup herbal tea, 1 Hershey's kiss

Afternoon Snack
The rest of the Hershey kisses in the bag, 1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips

Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)2 loaves garlic bread 1 family size supreme pizza 3 Snickers Bars

Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from thefreezer)

Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.

Monday 2 June 2008

Weekly Check-In

This morning was a discouraging weigh-in. Last week I was 157 lbs. at the end of the week. One pound away from my pre-trip weight, May 1. This morning, June 2, I found myself at 159 lbs. We had a busy week-end, late nights and outings, and an all-day trip to Canada's Wonderland on Sunday.

I have found that poor eating for me for one or two days accounts in me right now gaining 5 lbs. It is a discouraging battle. I exercised 4 times last week - all brisk walks and interval training with jogging for 3, 3 minute bursts.

Because of pain and tingling in my right hand, as yet undiagnosed, I took a break from weights. I felt that the curls, tricep lifts and all arm lifting may further injure my hand. In a positive vein, the pain and 'tingling' has been more infrequent.

I am currently eliminating carbs after 1:00 p.m. from my diet. I have begun today.

If I can lose 10 lbs. in the next 6 weeks, I think I might break this cycle and put myself in a better mental space for continuing. My weight -gain right now is super sensitive to any increase in calories which lends itself to no 'treats' or 'fun' eating. I can do this for the short-run but not the long-haul.

I'm not sure how much is attributed to hormones and the change-of-life but it is extremely difficult for me to lose weight and for all the hard work I am doing I would hope to see me do more than maintain.

Thanks for sticking with me! I am so thankful for the accountability and support. This month has been extremely difficult.

Still shining,
Lightbulb