Get Your Gear On!

I have found that if I immediately change out of my work  clothes and into my workout gear, I am more likely to exercise.  There is so much to do when I walk in the door.  I have to check the kids' homework, sign their homework sheets, and listen to their fun stories about school.  Pets need to be taken care of, dinner plans need to be started,  laundry put in the washer, and the list goes on...  You get the idea.

I'm so wiped out after a hard day at work and taking care of my family in the evening that I can easily find an excuse not to workout.  In the past, I would even say I was too tired to change clothes to workout.  Pathetic -  I know. 

I have taken one of those excuses out of the equation by changing my clothes first thing.  Then I take care of everyone else.  It is several hours later before I actually workout but having the gear on makes it easier to get moving.  Get your gear on!

Update

Update on the snacking issue:  big improvements this week!  Each day I had only ONE healthy afternoon snack.  After work and before dinner is ready, is the hardest time of the day for me.  I am finally getting snacking back under control this week. 

This is what I had each day: a fiber one 90 calorie bar and a bottle of water on my drive home from work.  By the time I made it home, I wasn't feeling that hungry.  Keep your fingers crossed that I can stay on track next week.  Just take it one day at a time!

My Achilles' Heel

My Achilles' heel for weight loss has been afternoon snacks. Since the age of five, I have been a student, teacher, or both.  I always think that an after school snack is a necessity.  For awhile I was sticking to just one, healthy, afternoon snack but lately I have been eating too many snacks.   By the time I get home, I am ravenously hungry. There is so much to do between getting home from work and actually making dinner. Lately, I have found myself overeating during that time between getting home from work and setting down to the dinner table.

I had a friend once tell me, "let the food do its job." This is what she meant:  don't keep eating until you are stuffed.  The food needs time to work and tell your brain that you have eaten enough. I am letting my hunger get out of control in the afternoon, and I keep getting several small snacks in order to feel quickly satisfied. 

My goal this week is to have ONE healthy snack during this time.  I am going to  be sure to drink a bottle or two of water while I'm waiting for the food "to do its job."  I usually reward myself with a diet coke after work but I will now wait until dinner to drink it.  I really think the soda adds to the hunger issue. 

I've also prepared a list of acceptable snacks: a handful of almonds ( a personal favorite), Fiber One 90 calorie bars, a serving of Cheerios, a serving of cold-cut turkey, or a piece of string cheese. 

Any comments on healthy snacking is appreciated :)

One bad choice doesn't have to lead to another

Usually, once I make one bad food choice it leads to another bad choice: not to exercise.  Tonight was a test of breaking that habit.  My husband and kids really wanted to eat Chinese food which for me is a bad choice.  I love the food at our local Chinese restaurant but not anything on the menu that is healthy.  The kids and I like to split the orange chicken dish three ways.  You know that is still a lot of food at these restaurants. 

Ok, so I made a bad food choice and I was already thinking that I might as well skip working out.  I had blown the day, right?  I was flip-flopping the choice in my head on the drive home.  I ate way too many calories, so why bother.

But...after much debate in my head I decided to workout.  Yes, I made a bad food choice but that didn't mean I had to make another bad choice.  It took a strong pep talk from myself to change into my workout clothes and just do it!  I was so proud of myself for making a good choice that I stepped up the intensity of my workout  :)

Keep moving

Two things that I want to keep moving: my weight (downwards of course) and my body.  I finally broke through my weight plateau and lost a pound this week.  I was staying the same throughout the holidays.  I guess that is ok since holiday eating is such a challenge.  I am hopeful that my weight will now keep moving in the right direction. 


Item #2 to keep moving:   my body.  I can get easily bored with a specific  workout so I have to keep changing it up.  Today I walked four miles outside.  My son rode his bike next to me, so I fit in a workout and quality time with him too.  This winter I am using my Wii fit board,  Biggest Loser DVD, and yoga to stay active.  I will always prefer to do a fast walk outside when weather and time permits. 

Please Don't Pass the Bread

One old habit that has been very difficult for me to break is saying no to bread.  I mean the basket that comes out at almost every restaurant before the meal is served.  In the past I would have definitely eaten a piece or two.  One major weakness: breadsticks at the Olive Garden. We don't live near the restaurant so getting to eat there is always a treat.  Surely that means that I deserve to have one, right?

Yesterday, I passed on the breadsticks at Olive Garden.  It wasn't easy.    The bread looked and smelled delicious!  However, I've been trying to reset my brain when it comes to bread: I don't need it because my meal is plenty to make me feel full.  I was actually finishing my meal when I realized that I hadn't picked up a breadstick.  Score one for me!

Biggest Loser DVD

I finally had a chance to work through my new Biggest Loser DVD workout. Ouch!  There were many former contestants doing the exercises with the three trainers.  I thought if they can do it so can I!  Well, I did it and now I hurt. 

Seriously, my leg muscles are still burning.  I would say the best benefit from the DVD was the lower body workout.  What is the old saying about exercise, if it is burning/hurting then it is working.  I hope to see some positive results on weigh in day this weekend :)

Keep moving,
Liz

Is it really just a number?

A friend and I just had a conversation about how important it is or isn't when it comes to one's weight.  Is it really just a number?   I think it is important to know "the number" but also not let it define your day.  I have been in both places: not caring and being obsessed. 

Not caring can lead to too much weight gain.  There can be many excuses for not weighing: too busy, bad food choices, not exercising enough, not wanting to be disappointed and the list goes on...  I have found for myself that not weighing means I usually feel guilty about my food and exercise choices.  That is why I am making myself weigh every Saturday morning.  Once a week allows for accountability without getting stressed every morning about "that number."

On the other side, I can also be too obsessed with the number.  In the past, I would let that number define how I felt about myself for the day.  I try not to get that caught up in the number anymore.

 My friend and I concluded that weighing is good for accountability but NO we are not just a number. 

Still on My Journey

I have decided to start a blog to keep myself motivated on my weight loss journey. During the last year, I have lost 75 pounds.  I want to stay active and pick up some other forms of exercise.

My preference is to walk outdoors, but during the winter that isn't always possible.  It felt great to walk today after being hit hard with the flu bug this week.  My dog, Noel, and I hit four miles today!

I do use the Wii fit board a lot when it is too cold outside.  Today, I purchased one of the DVDs for "Biggest Loser."  It is important to just keep moving.