I am lucky that I haven't gained back any weight ... yet.
I fell off the weight loss wagon and binged on Reese's white chocolate peanut butter cups. I am so angry with myself. I went from eating one package to 2 to 4 in just a couple of days. Today I haven't had any and am not going to. I am determined not to continue this downward slide.
It takes 3 months to develop a habit, that's what I've read over and over. But what happens when you do 2 months of healthy eating followed by a 1 month backslide followed by two more healthy months? Will this ever happen for me?
I won't give up.
Last month, in western New York, a school tried out the concept of "power eating" and rewarded students (with prizes yet!) for eating fruits and vegetables. I wonder if it worked? The story is here.
March 15, 2005
March 12, 2005
"Fat Actress"
I have never seen this show because we don't get Showtime. I do remember Kirstie Alley, though, from when she was on Cheers. Not long ago, I saw her in a movie and was shocked at the fat, frumpy character she played. Times change when you aren't a Barbie anymore. I shouldn't have been shocked.
I think she's become the new spokesperson for Jenny Craig or one of those other weight-loss plans. She really wants to lose weight. Good for her -- if she's doing it for the right reasons like becoming healthier.
I'm glad she's doing the series, too. Why shouldn't we have a program about a heavy person struggling to lose weight? So many of us are living that! And so what if she pokes fun at herself? I do that to myself all the time. It deflects the nasty jokes of others. Heavy people are perpetually picked on, especially in school. It's less effective if they are the ones that start the patter.
Fat acceptance groups have issues with the show because of the jokes and the self esteem issues (the character doesn't like having a big beautiful body). They think the show is taking things back instead of forward but I don't agree. Read more about that here. I don't think there's been a show like this before. It's really real.
The only other show I can think of that somewhat addressed the issues of weight loss and fat acceptance was Roseanne and the two stars poked fun at themselves from time to time. So what is the big deal?
I wish I could see this show for myself but I'm not going to order Showtime just to do that.
I think she's become the new spokesperson for Jenny Craig or one of those other weight-loss plans. She really wants to lose weight. Good for her -- if she's doing it for the right reasons like becoming healthier.
I'm glad she's doing the series, too. Why shouldn't we have a program about a heavy person struggling to lose weight? So many of us are living that! And so what if she pokes fun at herself? I do that to myself all the time. It deflects the nasty jokes of others. Heavy people are perpetually picked on, especially in school. It's less effective if they are the ones that start the patter.
Fat acceptance groups have issues with the show because of the jokes and the self esteem issues (the character doesn't like having a big beautiful body). They think the show is taking things back instead of forward but I don't agree. Read more about that here. I don't think there's been a show like this before. It's really real.
The only other show I can think of that somewhat addressed the issues of weight loss and fat acceptance was Roseanne and the two stars poked fun at themselves from time to time. So what is the big deal?
I wish I could see this show for myself but I'm not going to order Showtime just to do that.
March 09, 2005
Diet Pill
Boy, I blew it big time today! I was angry with my stepdaughter (long story) and at the end of the big to-do, what did I do? No, not the Cadbury eggs...this time it was Reese's white chocolate peanut butter cups. I had my hubby go out and buy some for me even though I knew he was tired and even though I knew he'd end up buying junk for everyone. He bought "extras" and as I sat there swallowing them without tasting them, I knew I'd blown it.
When will I learn a better way to cope with stress? And this is even knowing how adversely the weight is affecting my health! Ah, friends say, don't be too hard on yourself. How can I not? I'm not going to beat myself up but I've got to hold myself accountable!
I always used to wish for a magic pill that I could take that would melt all the fat away and keep it off me. Apparently, there is a drug called Accomplia which isn't exactly magic but does seem to help get rid of and keep off a little weight. It sounds like it might be about ten percent, maybe 20 pounds? It's in its second study and so far people taking it have kept some weight off.
If you read the article, you see that it works by blocking out a part of the pleasure center in the brain. Ah! So if the endorphins don't start flowing, I wouldn't necessarily crave the chocolate? Or even if I did, I'd eat less of it? Sounds good ... I'd rather stay off the chocolate entirely because it's most definitely a red light food for me.
Anyway, I would be very happy to get just 10 percent of my weight off to start. I used to walk more when I was 40 lbs lighter and I walked even more when I was 20 lbs lighter than that. I need to get back to a manageable weight so that I can at least exercise.
I wouldn't mind trying a pill for that as long as there's no deadly side effects. Who will ever forget phen-fen?
When will I learn a better way to cope with stress? And this is even knowing how adversely the weight is affecting my health! Ah, friends say, don't be too hard on yourself. How can I not? I'm not going to beat myself up but I've got to hold myself accountable!
I always used to wish for a magic pill that I could take that would melt all the fat away and keep it off me. Apparently, there is a drug called Accomplia which isn't exactly magic but does seem to help get rid of and keep off a little weight. It sounds like it might be about ten percent, maybe 20 pounds? It's in its second study and so far people taking it have kept some weight off.
If you read the article, you see that it works by blocking out a part of the pleasure center in the brain. Ah! So if the endorphins don't start flowing, I wouldn't necessarily crave the chocolate? Or even if I did, I'd eat less of it? Sounds good ... I'd rather stay off the chocolate entirely because it's most definitely a red light food for me.
Anyway, I would be very happy to get just 10 percent of my weight off to start. I used to walk more when I was 40 lbs lighter and I walked even more when I was 20 lbs lighter than that. I need to get back to a manageable weight so that I can at least exercise.
I wouldn't mind trying a pill for that as long as there's no deadly side effects. Who will ever forget phen-fen?
March 08, 2005
Just Say No To Red Light Foods
Nancy Reagan, I need you now! I need you to stand behind me, poke my shoulder when I want to eat those cookies and say "Just say no!"
There are so many reasons I need to just say NO to certain foods. It's not just a matter of looking better or feeling better about myself. Now I have a number of health issues I didn't have 20 years ago:
sleep apnea
fallen arches/torn ligament
high blood pressure
knots in my shoulders from heavy breasts
and now ... a fractured vertebra probably caused by those spasms in my shoulders
I used to go to Weight Watcher meetings and had success, particularly with this one group on Long Island. The leader was absolutely fantastic -- to have a successful meeting you've got to have a terrific leader. Anyway, our leader talked to us one day about our "red light" foods. These are the foods we are hopelessly addicted to; the ones that make us lose total control and just about totally debase ourselves.
I got the concept right away. A red light food is to me what a drink would be to a recovering alcoholic. Have a taste of the red light food and I'm lost in a binge. A prime example: Cadbury eggs. I hate them because I love them so much. The way it usually goes down is like this: I see them in their adorable Easter displays and I think, oh, they're so good, just one won't hurt. I buy one. Ahhhh, it is soooo good!
The next day, I go back to the store and hey, that egg was so good and it's so little I'll just have one more today. And one more tomorrow. And the next day. They're still around on the weekend, hmmm...why not have a treat and get a couple? Oh look ... here are the boxes of 4. One of those will last the weekend ... maybe. Maybe I should get a couple of boxes. Oh look at these quaint little egg boxes filled with these Cadbury eggs. Easter is coming, I deserve a treat, don't I?
Red light foods.
Is it fair that I should have to go through life without tasting another Cadbury egg?
Well ... should an ex-smoker have "just one" cigarette, just this once? Or should the recovering alcoholic have just that one drink? NO.
So far this year, I have refused to go near any Easter candy displays. Easter is at the end of this month. After Easter, the Cadbury eggs will go away for another year.
One day at a time ... one day at a time ...
I got this in my email from Mountain Wings
Stop It=======
There was a comedy sketch I saw on television some time ago.It involved a psychiatrist and patient.
The patient talked about all of his problems, how he was afraid of heights and worried about losing his job and on and on.
The psychiatrist just took notes, nodded his head and listened for the entire session. After the patient finished saying all that he was battling against, the psychiatrist spoke.
He began to explain that his methodology is a little untraditional in the field, but he has had great success with his method and has written books that are well respected. Even though he was charging $150 an hour, he said his formula and analysis really just consisted of two words, just
"Stop It."
The patient went on to explain, "But I am fearful of heights." The psychiatrist responded, "That's why I'm telling you to just stop it." Each thing the patient mentioned the psychiatrist had that one simple solution.
"Stop It."
I know that was just a parody and many of the problems of life are a lot more complicated than that, but many things in life are that simple.
Simple is not the same as easy.
It is just a matter of making up the mind and determining the will strong enough to just stop it.
With some bad habits you can read all the books in the world and get all sorts of counsel, but when it comes down to the end result, you are going to have to just stop it.
If you want to lose weight, sooner or later after all of the diet plans have worn off, some fattening foods you just have to stop eating.
If you want to make better use of your time, there are some time wasters you just have to stop doing.
If you want to save more money, there are some material items you just have to stop buying.
The opposite is also true when procrastinating from establishing good habits. Like Nike's motto you must "Just Do It."
I won't even charge you $150 per hour for this counsel.
~A MountainWings Original~
There are so many reasons I need to just say NO to certain foods. It's not just a matter of looking better or feeling better about myself. Now I have a number of health issues I didn't have 20 years ago:
sleep apnea
fallen arches/torn ligament
high blood pressure
knots in my shoulders from heavy breasts
and now ... a fractured vertebra probably caused by those spasms in my shoulders
I used to go to Weight Watcher meetings and had success, particularly with this one group on Long Island. The leader was absolutely fantastic -- to have a successful meeting you've got to have a terrific leader. Anyway, our leader talked to us one day about our "red light" foods. These are the foods we are hopelessly addicted to; the ones that make us lose total control and just about totally debase ourselves.
I got the concept right away. A red light food is to me what a drink would be to a recovering alcoholic. Have a taste of the red light food and I'm lost in a binge. A prime example: Cadbury eggs. I hate them because I love them so much. The way it usually goes down is like this: I see them in their adorable Easter displays and I think, oh, they're so good, just one won't hurt. I buy one. Ahhhh, it is soooo good!
The next day, I go back to the store and hey, that egg was so good and it's so little I'll just have one more today. And one more tomorrow. And the next day. They're still around on the weekend, hmmm...why not have a treat and get a couple? Oh look ... here are the boxes of 4. One of those will last the weekend ... maybe. Maybe I should get a couple of boxes. Oh look at these quaint little egg boxes filled with these Cadbury eggs. Easter is coming, I deserve a treat, don't I?
Red light foods.
Is it fair that I should have to go through life without tasting another Cadbury egg?
Well ... should an ex-smoker have "just one" cigarette, just this once? Or should the recovering alcoholic have just that one drink? NO.
So far this year, I have refused to go near any Easter candy displays. Easter is at the end of this month. After Easter, the Cadbury eggs will go away for another year.
One day at a time ... one day at a time ...
I got this in my email from Mountain Wings
Stop It=======
There was a comedy sketch I saw on television some time ago.It involved a psychiatrist and patient.
The patient talked about all of his problems, how he was afraid of heights and worried about losing his job and on and on.
The psychiatrist just took notes, nodded his head and listened for the entire session. After the patient finished saying all that he was battling against, the psychiatrist spoke.
He began to explain that his methodology is a little untraditional in the field, but he has had great success with his method and has written books that are well respected. Even though he was charging $150 an hour, he said his formula and analysis really just consisted of two words, just
"Stop It."
The patient went on to explain, "But I am fearful of heights." The psychiatrist responded, "That's why I'm telling you to just stop it." Each thing the patient mentioned the psychiatrist had that one simple solution.
"Stop It."
I know that was just a parody and many of the problems of life are a lot more complicated than that, but many things in life are that simple.
Simple is not the same as easy.
It is just a matter of making up the mind and determining the will strong enough to just stop it.
With some bad habits you can read all the books in the world and get all sorts of counsel, but when it comes down to the end result, you are going to have to just stop it.
If you want to lose weight, sooner or later after all of the diet plans have worn off, some fattening foods you just have to stop eating.
If you want to make better use of your time, there are some time wasters you just have to stop doing.
If you want to save more money, there are some material items you just have to stop buying.
The opposite is also true when procrastinating from establishing good habits. Like Nike's motto you must "Just Do It."
I won't even charge you $150 per hour for this counsel.
~A MountainWings Original~
March 07, 2005
Fighting the dreaded food cravings
I wish I wasn't such a know-it-all. Articles and lectures about fighting off cravings don't help me very much. For instance, there was this article today: Fighting Food Cravings. I'm just no longer impressed; now I am jaded and cynical. So tell me what else is new?
Yes, I know the difference between being really hungry and being in the middle of a craving. It doesn't help. The article even says that ... it says that we should try to plan ahead for the times we might crave food. It doesn't help. The article also says to do what works best for you -- either give in to the craving a little or suffer through it. I'd rather suffer through it because giving in usually means I'll also be craving the next night and the next and the next.
I noticed that I'm not having the same almost agonizing cravings I used to and the difference is prozac. Interesting? I used to take paxil which is in the same family and I would want chocolate so bad I would almost become dizzy with anxiety. I haven't experienced that in months, thank God ... not yet. It could happen again as my body develops a toleration for the prozac.
I know that it would be better for me to give in to a healthier choice other than refined sugary sweets or white flour carbs ... something like dried fruit or whole wheat crackers. I plan ahead and get that stuff as well as low fat cheese crackers and fresh fruit and no-fat yogurt and so on and so on but when the cravings were that bad, heck, I'd go out in a blizzard for ice cream. Well...more like I'd make my husband go out.
Don't be hard on myself? It's hard not to ... especially when I'm demanding ice cream in the middle of a snow storm. I mean, who would put their loved one in harm's way like that? I think it's disgusting and I can't be kind about it.
Today I had a handful of whole grain wheat crackers. I'm proud of myself ... but then, I wasn't having cravings.
Yes, I know the difference between being really hungry and being in the middle of a craving. It doesn't help. The article even says that ... it says that we should try to plan ahead for the times we might crave food. It doesn't help. The article also says to do what works best for you -- either give in to the craving a little or suffer through it. I'd rather suffer through it because giving in usually means I'll also be craving the next night and the next and the next.
I noticed that I'm not having the same almost agonizing cravings I used to and the difference is prozac. Interesting? I used to take paxil which is in the same family and I would want chocolate so bad I would almost become dizzy with anxiety. I haven't experienced that in months, thank God ... not yet. It could happen again as my body develops a toleration for the prozac.
I know that it would be better for me to give in to a healthier choice other than refined sugary sweets or white flour carbs ... something like dried fruit or whole wheat crackers. I plan ahead and get that stuff as well as low fat cheese crackers and fresh fruit and no-fat yogurt and so on and so on but when the cravings were that bad, heck, I'd go out in a blizzard for ice cream. Well...more like I'd make my husband go out.
Don't be hard on myself? It's hard not to ... especially when I'm demanding ice cream in the middle of a snow storm. I mean, who would put their loved one in harm's way like that? I think it's disgusting and I can't be kind about it.
Today I had a handful of whole grain wheat crackers. I'm proud of myself ... but then, I wasn't having cravings.
March 06, 2005
Let's see if this works
I am creating a new blog just to document my weight loss. I've tried weight loss journals before, on Dr. Phil's website and at 3 Fat Chicks and abandoned both. I'm hoping to stick with this one. I wanted to add this ticker to the template and I haven't figured out how to do that yet! I'll just put it here for now and just keep messing around until I get it right.
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