I'm so glad that I finally have time and enough energy to post here! Yowza, yesterday and today were so busy - yikes! And I woke up with no energy. I'm supposed to start at 9am, and I'd be ready to leave at 7:45a, so I thought, Oh I should post in DD -- but then I wouldn't because it's better to just get to work early to get more done.
I'm getting the hang of this drink-water-during-dinner thing, and I don't know if it's going to affect the number on the scale this week, but this is something that I want to keep doing anyway. Like Gains and his 4-week plans, this is a habit that I'd like to do for 4 weeks and see if it affects the scale, so that I have an average from 4 weigh-ins, not just a single weigh-in.
THURSDAY REPORT: Had the 3 glasses of ice water. Had salad w/dressing, a side of baked peppers, and a burger (no bun) w/steak sauce. Could not finish the burger so -- and this is so bad ***see below***-- I asked my husband if he wanted it, and he did, so he finished it. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! But then I woke up hungry this morning. Still -- did not vary my routine, but had coffee and flavored water until I got to work and had breakfast (oatmeal) and 2nd breakfast (protein shake).
FRIDAY REPORT: so I woke up hungry but did pretty well throughout the day. The d*mn title company stopped by with pastries and fruit. I ended up having some of the fruit after lunch. At dinner: had only 2 glasses of water, but was very mindful of the portions I took, and this time, they were smaller than the last time I had the same meal. I wish I would have remembered Happy's recommendation to spice up my food, because then I might have gotten in a 3rd glass of water, but that's OK.
The weather has been much warmer here this week, and I've noticed that my water consumption has increased dramatically. Whereas I was only getting about 80 ounces a day, now I'm well into the 110-120 ounce range. (8 ounces is 1 cup)
I'm not sure thought that ANY of this will help me with the scale. My body is one of those where I do the right thing, and I gain weight. Eat ice cream, drop 2 pounds. But IDK I guess I look at it as a game, a challenge - and that's what I like.
***My husband has to lose a LOT more weight than I do --- 75 pounds at least --- so having him eat what I can't finish isn't helping him any. Had he said no, though, I would have definitely put the remainder of the burger in a container for today's lunch.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
Tonight's drinking-water-during-dinner challenge went well -- and no ice cream cake afterwards, as long as I go right upstairs after I'm done writing here. Tonight, I had only 2 glasses of water (2 cups) because I finished before I needed a third. This doesn't mean that I ate quickly, in my opinion, but just that I took less food.
BUT here is my problem: I got full and I still had food on my plate. What to do??? I feel that I cannot resign my lifelong membership at the Clean Plate Club (lol) -- especially with meat. With meat, I'm ever aware that an animal suffered and died so that I could have meat at my meal. So to throw out good meat is a sin. This is my strong belief.
Same thing happened at lunch, but I just put it back in the container I brought it in for tomorrow's lunch. I guess tonight's meat wasn't enough to really save. I suppose I could have put it in a small container to join with more meat for another meal... But at the time, I panicked. I didn't think this through, and I'm at the table with my husband and son, feeling very full and thinking, "Oh my gosh, what do I do with this meat???"
What I *SHOULD* have done is gotten up to have another glass of water.
It was literally a few more bites, so I just finished what was on my plate. Right now, about an hour later, I feel very comfortable - not stuffed or overfilled at all. BUT I think in the future, I will just put any leftover in a container for me to take to work the next day, even if I have to add to it, which is fine by me.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
i am also a member of the clean plate club which is not the weight loss club lol. the weightloss club would be the "mindful eaters" rather than "clean plate club..." i wouldn't worry about the animal suffering, etc....worry more about YOU :) if YOU are full, it's ok to stop... :)
it's so hard to break habits!
I foresee me using a lot of containers in the future, as I try to slip into this new habit. (smaller portions)
Happy May! Yes, I weighed in today just to monitor my weight throughout the month. I have another challenge going on in Gmail. I don't really fit in with the group, but the homework assignments make me think. Anyway, today's weigh-in was the same as it was on Saturday: 133.5 --- So I won't chanage my tracker.
Very warm here in Chicagoland -- yes, even us way out in the northwest suburbs!
Establishing the drinking-ice-water-during-dinner habit went much better today. In fact, it would have been perfect had we not been celebrating, belatedly, my son's birthday, with Oreo Blizzard ice cream cake for dessert.
I almost forgot the water at dinner, but got up and made myself an 8 ounce glass with ice. Drank that, filled it up again. Got towards the end of the meal and stretched it out by getting up for another cup, which I finished with the last bites of my meal. No seconds, felt full, well done.
But then came the cake, and of course I had to have a slice - yes, I did. I know it wasn't really an obligation, and my choice, but I was prepared for this all day, so be it.
I seem to do OK with ice cream indulgences, believe it or not. The scale either doesn't move or actually goes down. Go figure, right? So I've given up trying to understand ice cream.
Went for a brief walk outside after dinner -- 25 minutes? That's another habit I'm trying to (re-)establish this month.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
weather is nice and sun is out longer...wonderful. i've been adding in the walking also :) i wanted to get involved more with running but just doing more walking has proved most beneficial at the moment!
The running i'm working on but still not in my work week routine...soon..
Ironically people do lose weight because their distributor takes so much time and energy to support them to keep them buying... just don't sign up or buy the business to "save money" on product. I'll go in on a lifestyle blog with you before I would see you do that. Please, please, please. I've seen the inside of these companies.
Very short on time - my son is coming home tonight!!!
I wanted to document that I think I'm on to something here with this drinking more more water, cold water, during meals. I catch myself forgetting to do it several times during a meal. Yesterday, I took seconds instead of drinking more water. I realized it once I had put the meat on my plate. I probably could have saved it for tomorrow, but ate it instead. Didn't do so well at dinner tonight either. Did OK with it at lunch.... Hard to do when I eat lunch at my desk *sigh*
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
Happy Homecoming to your son!!!!! Keep him positive, he can go far!!!!!!! He should look for a job, asap for now, i'd say..and perhaps still work out...or if he doesn't look for a job, he should at least look up when applications are for the civil service type jobs.
My dinner "date" with my husband turned out to be a disaster, but I did learn something about my eating habits that I believe will be very helpful to me in the future.
I don't drink nearly enough water during my meals. And not flavored or carbonated water, but just plain (ice) water. If I were to start each meal by drinking more cold water (cold - by either the temperature of the tap or an ice cube), and took drinks of water between each bite, I would fill up without eating as much. This might sound like "DUH" to you, and I think we all know this recommended habit, but it wasn't until last night when the lightbulb went off and I realized, "Hey, I *don't* do this, and I *could* do this, and it *would* help."
Also, I came to the realization that, during the week, when I come home late, and we're eating dinner at 6:30p, I rush through eating -- and thus, eat more, because I don't give my body the time to feel full naturally -- so that I will have more free time available before going to bed. THAT is counterproductive.
Bottom line, I eat too much, and now I can see what in my habits makes that so. This week, I'm going to challenge myself to consciously change this habit and see where it takes me.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
Hmmm keep on you sound good and I hope you continue your relationship always with your daughter !
I may go visit my parents next weekend :-) being with them I prefer lately to my friends lol but I also miss them :)
No change in weight. Better than a gain. This is a good number, I guess.
I'm feeling very frustrated with everything right now.
MORNING EDIT: Decided to go for a walk outside, to get myself feeling centered and right with the world. Unfortunately, I got stuck in the middle of the opening ceremonies for little league baseball. This, in my opinion, is the epitome of what is wrong with our society right now. But rather than dwell on that, I just thanked my lucky stars that I'm done with that phase. I know I've said it here before, but I'm so glad that my kids opted out of organized sports early. I would encourage my daughter (who is athletically gifted) to try out, just for the experience, and she would tell me, "They don't want you to try out unless you're serious about winning." Wow. Again, the epitome of what's wrong with our society.
Anyway, got some stuff done, including laundry and running my water bottle through the dishwasher. I have a few more things planned, for either today or tomorrow, but want to check with my daughter first, to see if she's willing to do any of them with me and if so, when.
Hey, Horn: Is this me being dependent on others to do things myself? (Yep)
AFTERNOON EDIT: Checked in with my daughter and accomplished the 1st thing I wanted to try, which was to go to our park to try out the new outdoor fitness equipment. This was something that I didn't want to try alone the first time. So it's like gym equipment but outside. The machines are desiged to use your own body weight as resistance. All of the upper body machines work for me, but I'm too short and disproportionate to use the leg machines (quad extension and hamstring curls). And the equipment is not under a shelter, so during the hot, sunny days, it won't be useful, but I'll probably be at work anyways, LOL...
My daughter agreed to go shopping with me tomorrow afternoon, so that we can get bags of salt for the water softener, and then I would do grocery shopping and she would visit her friends. I do not need her to go grocery shopping with me, but I do need someone to go with me to lift the heavy bags of salt. (Mr. Donkey cannot do this, nor can I. So sad...)
I am taking 2 large bags of clothes to the church tonight, and I invited asked the hubby if he wanted to go out to dinner afterwards, which of course I knew he would say yes. So while not very diet friendly, that is my plan for a nice evening.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
I think it's wonderful you can do errands with. Daughter !
It's so nice to do some things with others than to be in your head all day - I hope once again to find that friend or mate that I can do some things with again!
She is your family and it's better she do some things with you than sit home on her booty. In back of my head, I DO wish my parents expected MUCH more of me with errands and assisting and even shopping with them on weekends when I was a kid and up to age 18. I got away with murder and the laziness persists now . So yeah I think it's great she is with you and social with you! Wonderful.
Also going there in evening after work itnwont be too hot!
Another 10 hour day in the books, folks... My boss even admitted that yesterday and today were brutal.
We're expecting our son to return on Monday, since he did not return today. It will be good to see him, but I do wish he had been successful with his endeavor. I really hope he tries again. And of course, it will be an adjustment to have him living with us again.
Although I did not weight train this week, I did use my evenings to do nice things for myself. One night I gave myself a hair treatment. Another night I did a facial treament. I'd like to do my nails tonight --- they are all about the right length that I was aiming for ("sporty short" I guess is what it's called).
Tomorrow is weigh day, but I have no hope, now that I've come to the realization that even though I eat very healthy (95% of the time), I just eat too much.
And so even with the impending wedding on May20th, I still haven't really done much towards improving. I know there is still time to improve for the wedding -- and definitely time to think of May goals... but still, geez!
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
Also you talking about doing your nails - I do mine now :) I do them at home with a file and cut when necessary and clear polish :) big improvement! Thank you.
I had been cutting them too short and picking them bc I was stressing at new job and now they are better and grown out and that personally feels much better. Truth is, it's good to care about your looks. Self presentation.
The above being said, I need to improve my footwear selection but don't yet bc I prefer comfort to heels lol and my work clothes - I feel I will start to wear jeans less I think and try to dress better too - like you did - but honestly it's $$$$ so I'll hold off .... as long as I am neat I think the clothes can come later / once in awhile.
But back to my point - doing nice treatments for yourself is wonderful and will make you feel good :)
Did not get a lunch break today, so no midday walking. Sat at my desk, because I had to stick around for a closing.
So I ate at my desk. And around 2:15p that familiar craving came by. This time, I had my little container of 13 almonds and 33 chocolate chips, with a reheat of the coffee I had leftover from the morning.
And after that, I was pretty much satisfied for the rest of the day until around 6p, still at work... Didn't leave until almost 6:30p...
Tomorrow I'm getting up early again, like I did on Tuesday. Daughter has to be up early to be at the school for a band field trip. So I will stay up, exercise, and get to work early. Hopefully, I will be able to leave around 5p... on a Friday. Please!
Just now finishing up a short bike ride in the basement, as a substitute for the walk I missed at lunch today.
But I learned something important. Sometimes a little sugar treat goes a long way. BUT --- the caveat is that I can't eat the whole bag or box. I don't trust myself enough not to have an emotional point of weakness, where I end up eating everything. I often struggle with the fantasy of being able to eat it all.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
I'm not saying sweets are necessary but carbs are IMO
In spite of being caught up at work yesterday, I still stayed until almost 6:30p.
Sure enough, at 2:16p, started getting that craving. I came prepared today. I had 7 almonds and most of a large apple. In my container of almonds, I brought 33 chocolate chips, at the suggestion of Bear, which is 77 calories, according to the package. But the apple and almonds worked. Then I had raw vegetables and a cheese stick at around 4p. So I consider this a success!
Certain truths became evident to me today, though. I am stuck at this right because of what I eat, i.e I eat too much! Also, if I hadn't made time to change my habits, I could easily weigh 200 lbs., which is where I almost was when I started this journey, this time around.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
I've gotten better at portion control over the past year, but there are still some foods that I pretty much have to avoid because I know that I have no self control (cookies mainly).
Good job on coming prepared with a plan of attack for your snack cravings.
like you, if i didn't learn how to be full on less calories, healthy alternatives, i'd be overweight also.
that being said, lately i find that adding more fat into my diet has helped to lessen cravings !!!
Yesterday was such a disaster of a day at work, that I vowed to do better by me today. I set my alarms much earlier for a start. I usually have 2 alarms: one that goes off at 5:30a and then one that goes off at 5:45a. Then I spend over 20 minutes trying to convince myself that it's worth getting out of bed. In the process of this conversation with myself, I stretch my back out to release some of the tension I get overnight.
Today, I set my alarms for 5:15a and 5:30a and 5:45a. So I turned off my 2nd alarm, stretched out my back, and got up before the 5:45a alarm went off. I was dressed and downstairs to work out by 5:55a. Excellent. Finished working out at around 7:10a and got ready for work. Left the house at 7:45a and made it to work a whole hour early at 8:02a.
Worked my butt off all day until 6:14p. Came home, had dinner, and now I'm going to get ready for bed. I'm going to have to put weight-training aside for a little bit -- didn't do legs yesterday, didn't do upper body today... IDK I might try to do legs tonight, but I'm really tired from the extra long day.
Anyway - I AM CAUGHT UP A WORK.... at least for today.
I came to realize the following today:
At around the 2 o'clock hour, I start getting these really strong cravings for fatty carbs, usually sweet (chocolate) but sometimes salty (chips). Even though I finished lunch less than an hour ago. My lunch today was substantial - around 560 calories - with plenty of protein, fiber, and plant-based carbs (beans). I thought I was going to go out of my mind with this craving. I had 3 choices today: sweet potato, grapefruit, or raw vegetables. I settled for raw vegetables with ranch dressing (for the fat). That carried me through 3:30p and then I felt OK. Not really satisfied, but really full.
What can I do about this? Yesterday, I had microwave popcorn (light). That was the last packet, and I'm not buying more. I've found, in the past, that if I start with the chocolates, it's REALLY hard to stop at just 1 -- it usually carries over to about 4. Then I feel like crap for the rest of the afternoon. I have hot chocolate that I could make, but that's not eating, that's drinking, and that doesn't work. Sugar free candy doesn't work. I'm drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and I suppose I could chug down some more but that's not really satisfying.
I'm sure this is stress related, because at around 2pm is when I start to realize that I've got to address any deadlines that haven't already been met during the day. (I can't really tackle these sooner, unless they come to fruition on their own, because I have until the end of the business day to send out notices.) Chewing gum sometimes helps but not always...
Maybe it's just something that I have to put up with and push through, just by the nature of what it is. I don't know. Half the battle is being able to identify our weaknesses, and so I'm halfway there. Just wish I had a solution to help me get through it.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -3 lbs to go!
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You are doing great at looking and using other options......Great carrying through.....tweeking it here and there as you go will get you where you want to be,,,,,GREAT Donkey!
Thank you!
graindart on 05/05/2018:
The 4 week plans have really helped me stay focused. As long as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I can do almost anything for 28 days. It also allows enough time for me to see if the plan is beneficial. I've been drinking more water over the past few months. Was religious about drinking 128 oz per day for awhile, but have now relaxed and am not really tracking daily amounts anymore.
Now I'm thinking that maybe it's a good idea to mix things up every 4 weeks any way...to keep the metabolism guessing and to keep from getting bored. You're right - I could do anything for 28 days, right? Right!