In Search of my Body...Not The One I Ate.. #4 "Inspiring Others... 1 Tiara at a Time"

[SeptemberGirl]

Kat, I wish you could come, too! Anytime you feel like, hop on a plane.

E, Amy, Thank you girls.

xoxo

 

[3DisneyKids]

Sarah--good for you for going to a real running store and getting fitted for shoes! I can't run in Nikes, so I am anxious to hear how they work for you. And yes! Running stores have running groups for runners at all levels. From beginners right up through those looking to run a sub-3 marathon. I say definitely go! Runners are THE most supportive group. And welcome newcomers all the time.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Paula…this is for you. You have been on my mind a lot lately. I just can’t even find the words to tell you how impressed I am with you. Truly! It is so obvious both here and in our PMs that you have changed and that you now have a healthy relationship with food. You do! Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t have the occasional bout of emotional eating (hell, we ALL do), but even in the rare times that this happens for you, you totally recognize it for what it is and then move on. Mind blowing. You have turned the corner and are now on a new path. I can tell. I feel it for you, if that makes sense. Like, I always know when I am truly ON and going to stay on. That is how I feel about you right now. You are so there. Doing it. And you get it. You really, really get it.

And this has trickled down into other areas of your life. Your training…my God! You are doing killer workouts and loving it! How cool is that? And your goal of doing the bike tour is awesome. These are things that you never would have considered doing this time last year.

Even this issue with the coffee guy from this morning. Last year, you would not have had the self-awareness and self-respect to think, “I don’t think this guy is right for me. I deserve the best and it isn’t him.” Again, just amazing.

I am so grateful that we got to hang out and have fun together. And even more grateful that you are my friend.

 

[goofyfan-12]

Paula…this is for you. You have been on my mind a lot lately. I just can’t even find the words to tell you how impressed I am with you. Truly! It is so obvious both here and in our PMs that you have changed and that you now have a healthy relationship with food. You do! Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t have the occasional bout of emotional eating (hell, we ALL do), but even in the rare times that this happens for you, you totally recognize it for what it is and then move on. Mind blowing. You have turned the corner and are now on a new path. I can tell. I feel it for you, if that makes sense. Like, I always know when I am truly ON and going to stay on. That is how I feel about you right now. You are so there. Doing it. And you get it. You really, really get it.

And this has trickled down into other areas of your life. Your training…my God! You are doing killer workouts and loving it! How cool is that? And your goal of doing the bike tour is awesome. These are things that you never would have considered doing this time last year.

Even this issue with the coffee guy from this morning. Last year, you would not have had the self-awareness and self-respect to think, “I don’t think this guy is right for me. I deserve the best and it isn’t him.” Again, just amazing.

I am so grateful that we got to hang out and have fun together. And even more grateful that you are my friend.

Um... thanks for making me cry Erika... In a good way of course. This new year has been quite a turning point for me. I can't quite explain it, but things are just clicking and for all the right reasons. I am still not quite used to this new me, but I am getting there. My sister and I were talking tonight and I think it comes from the fact that I was so used to being invisible physically that the fact people are noticing my body is just plain foreign to me. I think LisaV talked about this a while back and maybe Liz too. I am slowly getting used to this concept, but it is foreign. I will say that I am totally loving where I am mentally right now. I do feel like I am on top of my game and ready to conquer the world.

Now, we just need to find some time to get together again. I think we are in need of a night out with some tequila....

Thanks for the confidence booster. Your friendship has been a true blessing to me and my life.

 

[adsrtw]

Good Evening Everybody!!!

I am no longer a brunette. I have some wicked looking blonde highlights going on now and a cute cute cut.

Be back sooon!

 

[MunkyMe13]

Sarah--good for you for going to a real running store and getting fitted for shoes! I can't run in Nikes, so I am anxious to hear how they work for you. And yes! Running stores have running groups for runners at all levels. From beginners right up through those looking to run a sub-3 marathon. I say definitely go! Runners are THE most supportive group. And welcome newcomers all the time.

I am excited to start... With the cramps I am currently experiencing I may not work out tonight which is strangely disappointing to me... Tho who knows maybe I'll pull through and just do it... LOL...

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Funkin' Sucks.

hahahahaha - classic

Kat - yes I think part of it is SAD, and the rest is just me, in my head.

You are so there. Doing it. And you get it. You really, really get it.

Word. Well said EriKa! Paula - I'd hate you if I didn't love you.

Good Evening Everybody!!!

I am no longer a brunette. I have some wicked looking blonde highlights going on now and a cute cute cut.

Be back sooon!

Are you going to give us a pic? Perty please?

Sarah - your losses are AWESOME! Those are always so great and inspiring to see.

Kat - I glazed over your loss too. That is great. I love it when you are on.

Sunny - great job on your loss also!

I am stuck infront of the tv this evening. Transferring a series that was taped on TIVO to vcr tape. 2 times! Do any of you have a dvd recorder? Advice?

Off to fanfic for another Edward/Bella hit.

Amy - don't know if I mentioned how precious little D is in the valentine bag. Today I went shopping. Mad is now in the 6x 7-14 section, and I saw the baby clothes, all so very precious, and thought of her.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Hi Gang,

Thanks for the hugs. It's not just about Nick. Or the winter, although Kat, you are right on about that. It's also celebrating my mom's birthday while she goes through chemo for the fifth time, looking at that in the face. Not having a job and what that means, money wise. You know, these minor life things.

It's just hitting all at once. It's hard.

Kat, I might just be calling you sobbing - if you can't understand someone, it's me!

Yes, yes, this will pass. I know. Doesn't mean it doesn't suck.

So. Where's my fleece bra? huh???

You know, I *hate* not knowing what to say. And right now, I just don't know the words. Except sorry that things are so cruddy for you right now.

I will say that I am totally loving where I am mentally right now. I do feel like I am on top of my game and ready to conquer the world.

Love that you are on top of the world!

Now, we just need to find some time to get together again. I think we are in need of a night out with some tequila....

whoo boy. Look out. Liz- I think I just found Paula's song!

hahahahaha - classic

I knew you'd appreciate that.



I had a lovely evening out with friends tonight. But I ate waaaayyy to much. Gross stuff. Pizza. Sweets. I feel like I have a sugar headache right now.

Today-

Food - free for all
exercise - none at all
alcohol - still none. The one GOOD thing I've done for my body today

 

[goofyfan-12]

You know, I *hate* not knowing what to say. And right now, I just don't know the words. Except sorry that things are so cruddy for you right now.



whoo boy. Look out. Liz- I think I just found Paula's song!




I knew you'd appreciate that.



I had a lovely evening out with friends tonight. But I ate waaaayyy to much. Gross stuff. Pizza. Sweets. I feel like I have a sugar headache right now.

Today-

Food - free for all
exercise - none at all
alcohol - still none. The one GOOD thing I've done for my body today

two tequila shots in a six year period do not make a tequila theme song appropriate for me....

 

[adsrtw]

Nobody woke up the thread yet? What is up with that???

WAKE UP!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

You just beat me to it!!!


Erika - I was thinking about your craptastic run yesterday. How's that hamstring feeling?


Nothing big planned for today. The usual "Sunday stuff" around here. Slept in and didn't get my run in AGAIN. Two days in a row. I think my body just needed a break.

Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[3DisneyKids]

The ham is KILLING me today. Truly...from my hip, down the back of my leg (ham) to my knee. The whole leg. I have a theory...I have been running outside a lot and the roads are really uneven (we don't salt the roads here, so there is a lot of ice, slush, snow build-up, etc.). And I think the constant negotiating of that (and just being on these uneven surfaces in general) has caused me to alter my gait in a weird way and thus end up sore. I don't know. I have never done trail runs--which is exactly what my running is like these days--so it is still just a theory.

I am heading out for a run right now though--pain and all. No, I am not being an idiot. This is just my little run with Cammie. 2.6 miles or so and we take 2-3 walk breaks. I think it will actually loosen this up a bit. We'll see.

Family day here, as always. After our mother/daughter run, we are all going for a quick snowshoe trek (1.5 miles) and then bowling, I think. With the disco lights. The kids LOVE it.

Have a great day!

P.S. OMG funny...this just happened while I was typing. Kelly is doing "pretend play" right now. And she has this very real looking cell phone that she just loves. And she made it ring, picked up and said, "Hello? Oh HI Liz! Mommy can't talk to you right now, but I can..." HI LAR IOUS. Talk much?

 

[adsrtw]

E be careful, your hammie isn't sounding too good now.


Ok, this is the first time for me to post a pic (hope I did it right). Here's my new do, but I don't think the pic does it justice. It's from my phone and it's in the bathroom (had to look at myself in the mirror, lol). This is 1000% a mental thing for me. I can't do pics. It's painful for me, so I am going away for a bit.

Alright ladies, post alot so I don't have to look at myself.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Ok, this is the first time for me to post a pic (hope I did it right). Here's my new do, but I don't think the pic does it justice. It's from my phone and it's in the bathroom (had to look at myself in the mirror, lol). This is 1000% a mental thing for me. I can't do pics. It's painful for me, so I am going away for a bit.

Beautiful pic for a beautiful woman!

Quick update for me. Baylor is doing well on his skates and am super proud of his agility back out there. Treyner tied Shattuck Prep school last night 2-2 and this was awesome. They have kids from all over the states and one from Ghana playing. They were 2nd in the nation last year for U17. Talked to a mom from Vermont who was there and her son is going to play for Vermont next year. They were shocked that at $25,000 a year for high school and $25,000 a year for soccer costs are kids held em! So proud of the whole teams effort. It also bropught up the idea of prep schools and if I would have sent the kids to one if that was a possibility. I - personally don't think I could have. Great for some but flying in to see my 6th grader or 11th grader afew times a year minus holidays like a college program is not for me.

As far as food goes - was at 1700 yesterday. I have a question for those on WW - how many calories does your points average for the day and then how many extra do they give you for the "bonus" points you can use throughout the week? I am just trying to figure out if I know that i have a big dinner or something coming up and need to adjust for it - how do I allow for it strictly using calories? KWIM?

I am supposed to stay between 1200-1500 a day but should I shorten it to lets say 800 a day if I know that the next day will probably be higher? I don'yt want to go for more than I should but there are days I will be high and I do not want to kill myslef for that either. I know my old self was at 3,000 easily a day so anything lower is better. I just want a tracking method to follow and allot for life's extras.

Thanks for any advice!

Skyler here this weekend and I will head to the Y after the noon hockey game (had one at 8am already)

Our Y was just built in the last few years and really nice. 2 levels and a 0 entry pool too. There is sanitizer and cloths for everyone to use on the equipment after you use it - I also sanitize before just in case someone forgot. I know some of you hate the Y - but ours is awesome.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

The ham is KILLING me today.

Totally preaching to the choir here....but be smart. Advil, ice, stretch.

And fwiw - I agree with your "theory". During one of my stints in PT, they suggested that if I feel I *must* run on the road, then try to find quiet streets where I could run in the travel lane where it's more level. That's why I primarily run on the bike path or the local nature preserve trails when I run outside now.

Alright ladies, post alot so I don't have to look at myself.

Great picture Amiee. Thanks for sharing!

I have a question for those on WW - how many calories does your points average for the day and then how many extra do they give you for the "bonus" points you can use throughout the week? I am just trying to figure out if I know that i have a big dinner or something coming up and need to adjust for it - how do I allow for it strictly using calories? KWIM?

This is what I find is right for me. I do track with WW points, but also know that my points typically translate to between 1650-1800 calories. I don't use "bonus points" for a particular day or meal. I spread them out evenly over the course of the week so that every day I am alloted the same number of points. My plan has to be something that I can live with. Forever. I am not in this for the short term, or a quick fix. This is a life style choice for me. And this is what makes it managable.

I also excercise like a maniac, so I need that many calories, even to lose weight successfully. Slowly, true, but that's how I'm successful. Again. I can not personally handle mega deprivation.

I am not a believer at all in undereating and saving calories so that I can have a huge blow out of a day. Doesn't work for me. I eat what I eat every day, and if I have a big "thing" planned I just let it happen. I eat the foods I want, but in moderation. Then I move on. Undereating just leads to cravings and binging for me. Some people can do it, and be successful. I can't.

Sadly, there is no one method that is sure-fire for everyone. Trial and error, learning more about yourself, your habits, triggers, nutritional needs - that's the way you are going to work your personal puzzle out.

 

[HockeyKat]

Nobody woke up the thread yet? What is up with that???

WAKE UP!

I thought this was your sleep-in day!!

You are beautiful!! Next step, get Amiee to love herself...

The ham is KILLING me today. Truly...from my hip, down the back of my leg (ham) to my knee. The whole leg. I have a theory...I have been running outside a lot and the roads are really uneven (we don't salt the roads here, so there is a lot of ice, slush, snow build-up, etc.). And I think the constant negotiating of that (and just being on these uneven surfaces in general) has caused me to alter my gait in a weird way and thus end up sore. I don't know. I have never done trail runs--which is exactly what my running is like these days--so it is still just a theory.

I am heading out for a run right now though--pain and all. No, I am not being an idiot. This is just my little run with Cammie. 2.6 miles or so and we take 2-3 walk breaks. I think it will actually loosen this up a bit. We'll see.

Family day here, as always. After our mother/daughter run, we are all going for a quick snowshoe trek (1.5 miles) and then bowling, I think. With the disco lights. The kids LOVE it.

Have a great day!

P.S. OMG funny...this just happened while I was typing. Kelly is doing "pretend play" right now. And she has this very real looking cell phone that she just loves. And she made it ring, picked up and said, "Hello? Oh HI Liz! Mommy can't talk to you right now, but I can..." HI LAR IOUS. Talk much?

Hope it feels better! And at Kelly's comment.


Forgot my checkin for yesterday:
1) Calories, under 1200 (too far under, but oh well, I wasn't hungry). Under 20g carbs. Check
2) Exercise, 30 min walk, 30 min on stepper. Check
3) Water, 96 oz. Check
4) Alcohol, none (even w/ D drinking wine, darn him). Check

 

[3DisneyKids]

Amiee, you are exactly how I pictured you! Too cute! Love the hair.

Dawn--WW points don't just translate to calories becuase WW uses the formula that looks at the whole picture, not just calories. They count calories, fiber, and fat grams. So, looking at your food from the past few days, while you may have been fine and within (or close to) your calorie range, chances are that if you were counting points you would be way, way over.

This is not intended as a slam. I think it is great that you are tracking! That alone is a huge step, so give yourself a big ol' pat on the back.

But this is the strength and beauty of the WW program. It really teaches you what food are better choices and which one are not so hot. A healthy food that may be higher in calories will be LESS points than junk that may be lower in calories but has no fiber and lots of fat. You have done WW, so I am sure you get the idea.

If you like the idea of a splurge night (and that is a personal thing. Liz likes this, where it doesn't really work well for Nancy), but if you think it would work for you, then I would say just do WW. You don't have to pay for it. You already have all of the info. at home and you know what your points should be. And it doesn't change anything that you are doing now other than you count points instead of countine calories. Shouldn't change what you have been doing at all. But what it WILL do is give you a better perspective of foods to eat and foods that maybe aren't worth it. For example, that pretzel dog thing the other day (and I have to admit that I have no idea what this is), but if you calcualted the points on that instead of just the calories you might have said to yourself, "Gee, that is a lot of points in this thing just isn't worth it." And similarly, if there is something out there that you really, really want you can see, "Yes, it is high in points, but it is totally worth it to me."

Even though I don't do WW, I totally believe in and respect the program because (1) it teaches you how to live in your own life. Reality. We will always be faced with special events, week-ends away, vacations, holidays, and parties. WW helps you to live realistically. (2) it teaches healthier choices vs. less healthy choices. Again, healthier foods are going to be lower in points. And it makes you really question whether eating something is worth it or not. This is where it beats just plain ol' calorie counting. (3) It teaches you about portion control and really paying attention to serving sizes and what a proper serving size is. (4) It allows you to splurge once in a while, which is important and again, REAL.

Now, plain calorie-counting can definitely be a great way to go. Kat is a shining example of that. But Kat has learned how to get the most for her caloric buck, so to speak. She wants to eat a good amount of food (instead of a small amount of junk). And if you want to bulk up the amount you eat, the only way to do that is with lots of veggies added in. And since you are taking baby steps (which is good and what you should be doing) then WW may just be a better all around option for you. And just do it at home the way you are doing calorie-counting. Nothing really has to change.

 

[MunkyMe13]

Good Morning All!

The weather is rainy and gloomy here today... Doubtful I'll get to go try my new shoes outside... Don't want to ruin them the first day lol... Though it doesn't look like its raining now... Maybe I'll take my old nikes and go for a power walk with some hand weights... wait no... just started pouring crap! OH wait now its stopped... I hate Arizona! We'll see... Anyway I'm outta here! Ttyl!!

 

[HockeyKat]

Erika, you are a goddess. I couldn't have even come close to putting my thoughts into words like that, and I couldn't agree more.

I think WW is a great program. I have considered switching to it many times, but calorie-counting works for me. It works for me because I am anal to a fault, research the living crap out of everything, and love math and puzzles and formulas. To me, this is all like a game, and it helps keep me on to try to figure out the best way to play it.

Plus, even though I can be a junk-eating fiend and LOVE me some cheese fries, I really do want to be healthy, and read and research and try to make sure that I am getting a good nutrient balance.

One of the reasons I was okay with Mr Kat's decision to try low-carb, is that I thought, and was right, that it would push us to find healthier choices and avoid junk. We, and especially him, had gotten into ruts of choosing easy, quick, not very healthy but still low-calorie choices.

However, you HAVE to buy things in their unprocessed state on low-carb the way we are doing it, because I am only allowing subtraction of "net" carbs from real plant fiber (from a vegetable that is still in the same form that it was when it was living). And we have made a commitment to get in our 5 veggie servings a day every day, and not do high-fat all-meat all-cheese low carb because, well, that just can't be healthy.

It makes life harder, but in the long run I think it will be better. When we go off the strict low-carb program in March, we will have an arsenal of good low-calorie foods to turn to that we are accustomed to shopping for and cooking.

 

[goofyfan-12]

Hi everyone...

Amiee - I am loving the hair and you are too cute for words.. Those blue eyes are awesome. I am with Kat - next step is to get you to love yourself. This bunch will get you there - believe me. They have done wonders for me.

Erika - great advice on calories vs. WW. Half the battle is getting to know what the good choices are when you are faced with them. It takes time, so Dawn - take that big ole pat on the back for starting with tracking. Becoming aware of what your are eating is a huge first step.

I am off to get my cardio workout in for the day so I'll check in with you all later,
Paula