Wow!!! It has been sooooo friggin' long. I have so much to tell.
Where should I begin? Well sadly, I did not meet my weight loss goal for Feb. Let me refresh your memory...the goal was to be down to my goal weight of 175lbs by the time that I attended my annual doctor's appt. on 2/19. The week prior I was at 178lbs. I didn't know if I'd be able to loose the other 3 lbs in just a week, but I felt good that I had made some progress. However, an enjoyable weekend in Las Vegas was my undoing. Can you say made to order Ham and Cheese omelets and plenty 'o liquor?
By the time that Monday rolled around, the scale read a solid 183lbs. Now my regular scale at the read my same 180lbs on Friday, so I'm not sure which is correct. Right now, I'm just going to call it a break even saying that there has been no gain or loss since Christmas. How do I feel about that? Well I don't know. I guess that I'm glad that there isn't any gain, but saddened that I've let two whole months slip away w/o any progress do to general lack of commitment. Ok, that's that. I will try to do better, but I don't have my usual positive spin to put on things. I just have to try harder and commit.
Now...lets talk about body image. I have been trying to understand why I like yoga so much, in spite of the fact I am sooooo bad at it. I am not very flexible. I am not very strong, and I am generally the worse person in the class. Yet I keeping going back, and leaving every session feeling refreshed and fulfilled. However, a couple of weeks ago it hit me. I came into the gym early to get some time in on the elliptical machine. As I was doing my thing, I glanced in the mirror and saw this large, unsexy blob bouncing up and down on the machine. I was saddened, and I felt that I couldn't really see any of my progress from the past several months. Yet, when I got into the yoga class and began going through several of the moves, then I found that I felt quite graceful and elegant. My entire perception of myself was changed. I didn't feel chubby or awkward at all. When I looked in the mirror I was actually pleased and proud of what I saw looking back at me. Clearly I was looking at the same person. Nothing about me had really changed...only what I thought of myself.
Just imagine...while accurate self-awareness is valuable...how different would we feel about ourselves on a day to day basis if we could capture and keep that same pride that I had in myself? I guess I never really placed much value in personal body image. Sure it is something that you always hear about, but I never focused on it very much. How much would our days be different if we could truly love and celebrate the 'skin we're in'. Therefore I recommend that we all stop and take time for one of the cheesiest, yet most commonly recommended rituals around. Whenever you look at yourself in the mirror identify at least one thing that you like about yourself. Don't focus on the belly pudge or the chunky thighs or the cellulite. Instead smile and appreciate the slender neck and shoulders, the firm calves, or the perky boobs. Focus on these things as you go throughout your day, as you enter a room, as you take on the world. I think that it will make a difference.
Ok, in keeping with the positive body image here are a few tips to keep your self-esteem high. As it turns out, a negative body image can impact your sex life. I don't think that any of us want that. Taken from ivillage.com (http://diet.ivillage.com/motivate/mimage/0,,Jessica%20Weiner_b77pvv7g,00.html)
1. Remember that when you love yourself you'll attract more love into your life. Sound simple? That's because it is.
2. You have to make peace with your body. If you don't love it, no one else will.
3. Monitor the use of the "Language of Fat," or any form of body bashing, in your relationships. Make sure it isn't impeding your intimacy and connection.
4. Don't blame your love troubles on your curves — if there are problems in your relationship, it most likely isn't because of your size.
5. Replenish and renew! By treating yourself with more loving kindness, you'll foster a connection that helps you get closer to sensuality and intimacy.
6. Get massages, and give each other massages. Don't underestimate the power of touch.
7. Stay focused on the moment and not what you think you look like. Be present with your lover — it'll enhance the entire experience.
8. Your partner has body insecurities too. Use your love and affection to heal and accept each other's body as is.
9. Build intimacy by focusing on hugging, whispering and sharing intimate thoughts. You are more than your body!
10. Enjoy the pleasure of being loved. There's no bigger turn-on than embracing your sexuality.
That's all for now folks. I'll check back in next week to let you know how I am doing as well as to give you an overview of my next weight loss challenge.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Go Bears!!!!!!!!...or not :-(
Ok, so the Bears failed Chicago, and I definitely failed my diet. Superbowl Sunday was not a good day for many of us trying to eat right. The alcohol and snacks were flowing very very freely this weekend. I most definitely over did it, and I am too ashamed to even recount to you all that I ate. However, I was successful in getting to the gym 3 times last week, and I even did about 30 mins of light yoga on my own Sat. night. I am also heading straight to the gym this evening for 30 mins of cardio and an hour of yoga. That feels like a good start to the week.
My conscience has decided to put together an exercise schedule that runs Sat - Thurs. This helps keep him on track regarding what he needs to work on as well as focused on getting into the gym 6 days a week. This has, of course, motivated me to do the same. Mine is set around a Sat - Thurs schedule, however, given the mid-week work commitments that tend to pop up out of nowhere, I am fully prepared to exercise on Friday to make up the day. Essentially I am planning to do yoga four times a week, Pilate's twice a week, and cardio + weight lifting twice a week. As you can tell, this means that I will be doubling up on some days...either combining yoga with Pilate's or yoga with cardio. It certainly looks and feels ambitious. However, I'm hoping to have a 'shoot for the moon and land among the stars' kind of effect.
My diet has been...ok. Clearly Superbowl Sunday was a flop, but I am on target most meals. I have identified a couple of 'cheats' that I have been allowing myself, so I will have to be more strict. What I would really like to do is be very good/diligent throughout the week w/no cheats, and then allow myself 1 treat over the weekend. This could be 1 small bag of candy once a week or 1 larger cheat like ice cream every other week. I'm going to test myself this week to see if I can eat right and earn a snack by the weekend.
I've also decided that my blog should be about more than just my ramblings. I certainly hope that it motivates you to eat right and exercise, but I also want it to inform and empower you to do so. Therefore, I'm gonna start trying to add in facts, tips, and other general info that I find about healthy living. I'll try to make the info unisex, though there is a chance that it may lean more towards women. I'll do my best, though, to keep it neutral.
Today I'm going to post 5 tips for controlling portion size.
"1. Scoop out the calories. Use two-ounce (1/4 cup) serving spoons for casseroles, rice, potatoes and scooped desserts such as ice cream and pudding. Wansink found that even nutrition professionals served themselves 14.5 percent more ice cream when using a four-ounce scoop versus a two-ounce scoop.
2. Sip from tall, narrow glasses. There's something about height that makes us think we're getting a larger portion. In a recent study, bartenders were asked to pour the same amount of liquid into short, wide glasses and tall, narrow glasses. Sure enough, they poured 20.5 percent more liquid into the short, wide glasses.
3. Use small serving bowls. In another study, graduate students were asked to serve themselves Chex Mix or roasted nuts from large or small serving bowls. Results showed that participants ate 56 percent more from the large bowls. This may be due to the fact that a handful from a small bowl "looks" like an appropriate portion size but a handful from a larger bowl may seem too small. Pair a smaller serving bowl with a smaller serving spoon, and you'll have a double winner.
4. Choose small plates. If you serve a half cup of mashed potatoes on an 11-inch plate, it will look like a very small portion. Serve that same half cup of mashed potatoes on a nine-inch plate, though, and it'll look just right. Switch to smaller plates to eliminate overeating for good.
5. Use specially designed plates and bowls. Want to trim down the calorie content of your next meal? Check out these tools to help you reinforce realistic portion sizes.
The Perfect Portions Weight Loss System (http://www.perfectportions.com/) contains a plastic plate with visual guidelines to divide foods into ideal portion sizes for different meals.
The Portion Doctor (http://www.healthportions.com/index.html) offers a variety of plates, bowls and drinking glasses clearly marked for recommended portion sizes.
Fit & Fresh (http://www.fit-fresh.com/) offers a food scale for measuring correct portion sizes. The company also offers high-tech plastic containers perfect for taking breakfast, lunch or dinner on the go. Detachable ice packs keep food cold, and compartments within the containers help keep foods separate.
Info found at ivillage.com - http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iportions/0,,grieger_9z9dss4l,00.html
Now those who know me are well aware that I'm not trying to spend any extra money right now. However, I definitely like the suggestions regarding using smaller plates/bowls. This is esp. good when I'm eating food that is just 1 dish (like pasta). I'm going to give this a try this week, and see how it works.
Ok, so the Bears failed Chicago, and I definitely failed my diet. Superbowl Sunday was not a good day for many of us trying to eat right. The alcohol and snacks were flowing very very freely this weekend. I most definitely over did it, and I am too ashamed to even recount to you all that I ate. However, I was successful in getting to the gym 3 times last week, and I even did about 30 mins of light yoga on my own Sat. night. I am also heading straight to the gym this evening for 30 mins of cardio and an hour of yoga. That feels like a good start to the week.
My conscience has decided to put together an exercise schedule that runs Sat - Thurs. This helps keep him on track regarding what he needs to work on as well as focused on getting into the gym 6 days a week. This has, of course, motivated me to do the same. Mine is set around a Sat - Thurs schedule, however, given the mid-week work commitments that tend to pop up out of nowhere, I am fully prepared to exercise on Friday to make up the day. Essentially I am planning to do yoga four times a week, Pilate's twice a week, and cardio + weight lifting twice a week. As you can tell, this means that I will be doubling up on some days...either combining yoga with Pilate's or yoga with cardio. It certainly looks and feels ambitious. However, I'm hoping to have a 'shoot for the moon and land among the stars' kind of effect.
My diet has been...ok. Clearly Superbowl Sunday was a flop, but I am on target most meals. I have identified a couple of 'cheats' that I have been allowing myself, so I will have to be more strict. What I would really like to do is be very good/diligent throughout the week w/no cheats, and then allow myself 1 treat over the weekend. This could be 1 small bag of candy once a week or 1 larger cheat like ice cream every other week. I'm going to test myself this week to see if I can eat right and earn a snack by the weekend.
I've also decided that my blog should be about more than just my ramblings. I certainly hope that it motivates you to eat right and exercise, but I also want it to inform and empower you to do so. Therefore, I'm gonna start trying to add in facts, tips, and other general info that I find about healthy living. I'll try to make the info unisex, though there is a chance that it may lean more towards women. I'll do my best, though, to keep it neutral.
Today I'm going to post 5 tips for controlling portion size.
"1. Scoop out the calories. Use two-ounce (1/4 cup) serving spoons for casseroles, rice, potatoes and scooped desserts such as ice cream and pudding. Wansink found that even nutrition professionals served themselves 14.5 percent more ice cream when using a four-ounce scoop versus a two-ounce scoop.
2. Sip from tall, narrow glasses. There's something about height that makes us think we're getting a larger portion. In a recent study, bartenders were asked to pour the same amount of liquid into short, wide glasses and tall, narrow glasses. Sure enough, they poured 20.5 percent more liquid into the short, wide glasses.
3. Use small serving bowls. In another study, graduate students were asked to serve themselves Chex Mix or roasted nuts from large or small serving bowls. Results showed that participants ate 56 percent more from the large bowls. This may be due to the fact that a handful from a small bowl "looks" like an appropriate portion size but a handful from a larger bowl may seem too small. Pair a smaller serving bowl with a smaller serving spoon, and you'll have a double winner.
4. Choose small plates. If you serve a half cup of mashed potatoes on an 11-inch plate, it will look like a very small portion. Serve that same half cup of mashed potatoes on a nine-inch plate, though, and it'll look just right. Switch to smaller plates to eliminate overeating for good.
5. Use specially designed plates and bowls. Want to trim down the calorie content of your next meal? Check out these tools to help you reinforce realistic portion sizes.
The Perfect Portions Weight Loss System (http://www.perfectportions.com/) contains a plastic plate with visual guidelines to divide foods into ideal portion sizes for different meals.
The Portion Doctor (http://www.healthportions.com/index.html) offers a variety of plates, bowls and drinking glasses clearly marked for recommended portion sizes.
Fit & Fresh (http://www.fit-fresh.com/) offers a food scale for measuring correct portion sizes. The company also offers high-tech plastic containers perfect for taking breakfast, lunch or dinner on the go. Detachable ice packs keep food cold, and compartments within the containers help keep foods separate.
Info found at ivillage.com - http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iportions/0,,grieger_9z9dss4l,00.html
Now those who know me are well aware that I'm not trying to spend any extra money right now. However, I definitely like the suggestions regarding using smaller plates/bowls. This is esp. good when I'm eating food that is just 1 dish (like pasta). I'm going to give this a try this week, and see how it works.
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