I have a
WW book about 10 Myth's of Weight Loss that I love and re-read frequently. Obviously the chapter on "Should I focus mostly on Exercise" has had a big impact on me, especially as one of my best friends is a big proponent of "all you have to do to lose weight is exercise enough," and which, I'm sorry to say, may work for some people, but for a lot of us, it's not helpful advice!!
Probably my favorite chapter, though is the one called "Willpower is the key to successful weight loss." It is such a culturally pervasive myth - to lose weight you need motivation and willpower, right? Well, it turns out, not so much, although the mental aspects of weight loss are very important, It turns out that something called "flexible restraint" is more indicative of longterm success. It means moderately controlling your eating. Having enough structure that you're confident you're eating the right amount of food, but enough freedom to avoid feeling trapped and deprived in the long term. It means if you have one big meal or celebration, you haven't "ruined" the whole week.
The other aspect of it is this: I finally realized that my response to SOME foods is very much that of an addict. It's not something I'm proud of, but it is something I need to be aware of and take responsibility for. If I start on the chips or cold cereal or Edy's Slow Churn Chocolate Fudge Chunk Ice Cream, it is VERY hard for me to stop at a reasonable serving. For a lot of things, I've taken the approach that it is easier on me not to have particular things around. Chips in a big bag. A big pan of brownies or cake. That particular ice cream I mentioned. An alcoholic is wise not to keep beer on hand. A person who is quitting smoking probably doesn't need to have a pack in their glove compartment. Similarly, I need to keep the more addicting foods out of my immediate grasp. Or buy them in a packaging that will make it far less tempting for me to "just have a little." This realization has been a huge part of my success this year.
I so agree about the "trigger foods". There are just some foods that I either can't even have around, or AT LEAST I can't start eating or I never stop. Sweet potato chips are one of those items. I do have a bag in the pantry, but I won't open it until tomorrow at my "splurge" meal. As long as they are not open, I am okay. Brownies are another... so we just don't make them or buy them at all. And I think it is just right to compare to any other kind of addiction, because it IS an addiction.
"I'm late I'm late for a very important date" White rabbit Alice in Wonderland.
We're going to the coast,then up to Portland for 2 days for our 20th anniversary. I want to get an early start because we're staying at a total dive in Newport because that's what they gave us for free with the timeshare presentation lol. Anyway I figure the earlier we check in-- the less rotten the room will be. We have been really spoiled with priceline-- just used to nicer places, this is just your typical coastal motel. At any rate I'm bringing a very expensive bottle of champagne I've been saving for the occasion which combined with our comforter we're bringing should make life easier
At any rate the Residence inn will be nice in Portland-- looking forward to that-- I adore Residence Inns. I got it for $35 a night too-- thank you priceline. Harvey's comedy club called us with free tickets too last night-- talk about down to the wire. That'll be something to do in Portland anyway one night. They call every once in awhile if you give them your business card with free tickets-- it's usually when they are filming.
Anyway I'll be away from the boards the rest of the week so I'll pm Luvbaloo and ask to be excused from weighing in. I am doing cow though- bringing my notepad to keep track of food.
One of my biggies was that people always gain back any weight they lose but I've read statistics that prove otherwise.
Have a WONDERFUL time celebrating your anniversary! Twenty years is a big accomplishment! Enjoy the champagne and the time away from everything! And I'm proud of you bringing your food journal! That is what makes this a LIFESTYLE change, not just a "diet".
QOTD: In the news this week has been the myth about diet soda and its impact on health. I used to drink a lot of soda. I don't drink coffee and drink tea every once in a while, more in the winter. I now drink 1-2 cans at the most each day. Most days it's one can. That's my caffeine, that and chocolate! I've changed my liquid of choice to water these days.
Had a pretty good day. Not sure about my caloric intake during the day but fixed DH and me grilled chicken Caesar salads. Did the 3mile WATP this morning and just did the 2 mile. Gonna drink more water and do my crunches and pushups.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day. Plan to get up and do 2 miles on the elliptical and then a bit later the 3 mile WATP. Then I have to take DD2 to preschool and then head to work for a hot stone massage (giving not receiving). Then I have several errands to run before picking up DD2. Today I got offered a chance to do chair massage at a Ladies Night Out event about 30 minutes away tomorrow night from 4-8 so that will be my evening workout.
Only down .2 this week so far. I'm PMSing so no big deal as last time I gained!
Wiped now! Saw Santa, did some Christmas shopping, came home, went to the local playground with a bunch of school and neighborhood kids, then came home to take DD2 to dancing. Now I'm going to type up a rough draft of DD1s book report that's due on Friday. She worked really hard on it the last 2 hours!
Have a great night everyone!
As usual, you are busy, busy, busy! But you are doing GREAT with the exercise! I'm so impressed. You are inspiring me to keep going the "extra mile" so to speak!
Had a little NSV today. My old size pants are now so big that I can take them off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. Even though I only have two pairs of jeans in my new, smaller size, I'm getting rid of the old ones. Not going back to the old size and I'm sure there will be some sales for new ones -- maybe even down another size. I sure would like to wear some pants down another size when I go to WDW in 5 weeks.
Have a great evening all!
WTG on the NSV! I also used that same criteria to determine when things were too big to wear.... when they could come off witout being unbuttoned/unzipped it was time to dump them! As I have continued to lose weight, I keep an ongoing "Goodwill" bag in my closet. As I try to wear things and they are too big, in the bag they go... no questions, no decision... just OUT! And of course, I have had lots of fun shopping for replacements!
I am having more wardrobe challenges over here. I realized today that the shorts that had been a little loose on my this summer, but were still wearable last month for RFTT weekend are now...hopelessly overlarge. It sounds like Lisa and I have the same criteria - when I can pull them off without unbuttoning, they're officially too big to really wear anymore. Unfortunately, that may not work much longer. My hips seem to be shrinking faster than my waist! Anyhow, I am going to be WANTING shorts on my next Disney trip, which is coming up rather shortly, and the fact is, I have none that fit! And it's November. In Minnesota. Shorts are about as plentiful here as tulips. Fortunately, Land's End has some on sale right now. But what size? Tough call based on their size charts. I ordered two different sizes and hope one of them works.
How about the Goodwill, Salvation Army, or another thrift store? I can find off season clothes any time at my local GW. And if you think that you might only wear them for one season (as you are shrinking), then you might not want to spend a lot of money on brand new stuff.
Thanks! My DH didn't realize that I had dropped to a size 10! He was very proud. DD1 is really proud. She put her arms around my waist to show much farther she can reach up her arms when her arms are around me! SHe was excited to see Mom was #1!
Don't think I'll make the top 10 this week. PMS and stress has kept me from a big loss! But I'm fine with that and still enjoying my workouts. I've been tired the last 2 days and am working in the morning and at night tomorrow. I may take the weekend off from workouts to get revitalized. Can't sleep in either day as now I have to take DD1 to get her H1N1 shot at 9:30 on Saturday and teach Sunday school before going to see A Christmas Carol.
Nice job with the weight loss and exercise lately! And a size 10 is SUPER! You have been working so hard... don't worry abut the PMS this week... it is only temporary!
QOTD: I think every single one of us has had to oversome some sort of weight loss myth or idea firmly planted in our heads in our journey to become healthier, What weight loss myth have you had to face and triumph over???
My "myth" is sort of the opposite of most of you! I always believed I could lose weigh WITHOUT exercising! I really dislike exercise and I would rather eat less. And for many years when I was younger, I could sort of get away with that. But now that I am older the weight isn't coming off as easily and am finding incorporating exercise has helped TREMENDOUSLY. PLus it is nice to be FIT and slim and not just slim.
So I have learned that it really needs to be a nice balance of healthy, controlled eating, and moderate to brisk exercise.
But really, this time around, my BIGGEST revelation has been FINALLY realizing that this is a LIFELONG journey. I can't keep telling myself that I can "eat that" or "indulge in this" when I am at the END of my diet. THERE IS NO END!! This is just a healthy eating plan that I will continue to follow for the remainder of my life. And if I want a treat there is NOTHING wrong with finding a healthy way to incorporate it NOW!
There are days when I am hungry with no points left, or I am really craving a super indulgent treat... and on those days it is hard to tell myself that this eating plan is to remain in place for a lifetime. I do have moments where I think about throwing in the towel. But I can usually pull myself together (sometimes after the fall off the wagon... but sometimes before) and remind myself of just how far I have come and how WONDERFUL this life as a slim person is!! I don't cringe when I get dressed, I don't cringe when I go clothes shopping, I don't back away from new situations where I might meet new people, I don't always think that someone is looking at me and thinking about my weight. I stand up straighter, I present myself with more self-confidence, I smile more, I look people in the eye more, I handle new challenges with more confidence. It is such a WIN-WIN situation. I feel better AND I look better. What could be better than that??
My Mom is here visiting and we will have a fun day together scrapbooking and talking and just being together. We don't get this time often, so I am really looking forward to it. I did my workout early this morning so that I wouldn't have to cut into "MOM" time today.
On another note.... DD's guinea pig died yesterday. It may sound a bit like small news, but DD was devastated. If you are the praying time, please send a prayer to DD for her peace with this. And if you don't pray, a bit of PD would go a long way. We had a small funeral and buried her near where my cat was buried about 4 years ago. The other GP seems a bit lost and sad and lonely.... I hope she doesn't die of a broken heart!!
See you all later! Have a THRILLING THURSDAY!..........P
Have a great time!
and a
and a
and a 
to Tracey. Congratulations to you!!! Enjoy. 
