8 posts tagged “diet”

I had lunch with a friend today, but she paid. We tried a new Indian restaurant, but it wasn't that great. I'm glad mom is gone for the weekend so I don't have to resist temptation from her!

I've had thoughts every day about buying something to eat, but it only takes a sec for me to remember the challenge.

I have wrestled with buying Chinese stir-fry from a local grocery store (made fresh in front of you). I feel conflicted, wondering if it doesn't count as eating out (even if I take it home). I figure if I feel conflicted, it counts.

After my Godson's basketball game last night (last one of the season for me - boo!), I made several stops along the way home. But I hadn't had time to eat at home before the game. So I was hungry. It would've been so easy to just grab something. But I prevailed. And ate a candy bar at mom's house while I fed her cats. Maybe that wasn't so much of a win, it being candy and all.

And I am on vacation! Frankly, my brain has been on vacay for a while now. I am so ready to be off. I won't be going anywhere since I just spent $350 on my car (and $90 on the dog), but it will be nice to not be at work.

My big goal for the week? To clean.

• the house
• the car

This is a big task. I want to get everything put away so I feel "clearer" for lack of a better term. I am feeling bogged down by stuff. I think I should just accept that I am stuck with the majority of the stuff while mom is alive because she pretty much won't let me get rid of it. Maybe I just need to buy some industrial size trash bags and sneak it out. Sad, huh? 41 and still hiding shit from my mom. :-)

I'd also like to hit a couple matinees. Mostly Ratatouille and Life Free or Die Harder. I told someone the second one today and she looked at me incredously, "Really??" Yeah. I heart Bruce Willis.

I want to spend some time adding to my pantry and planning out some meals for the following week. The veggie thing is going well and I am moving slowly away from processed foods (although I really heart Amy's). That's really my goal to move to a better overall nutrition plan. Cleaning is part of that. So my kitchen is more condusive to cooking, chopping, etc...

I have to say that everytime I eat a veggie meal I feel really good about myself. It's affecting my psyche way more than I thought it would. One of my friends asked this week if it would bother me if she ate meat in front of me. I told her no, but later teased her about the pile of chicken bones on her plate. She thought I meant it, but I again promised not to go "all PETA" on anyone. I think they're a little on the militant side. They have great info on their website about vegetarianism and veganism, but I almost feel guilty looking at them because I do think the group does as much harm as good.

I am up to seven minute intervals on the elliptical. My legs give out before my heart and breathing does. I've found I kind of enjoy it while watching TV. (Yes, that means it's in the middle of my living room.)

I've been reading a lot. Up to Book Five now. I'm going to wait until after the movie (bought my tickets today) to read Book Six. Which is good, because I've got some books ready at the library.

Oh, and today is my fifth anniversary in this house.

Last month I broke the 10-pound marker. I didn’t go much past it, but I broke it.

It was a stressful month and I caved a lot. Sugar is my nemesis. It’s what I stress eat. Not the best excuse, but it’s really the only one I’ve got.

I bought a bike, but it sits in my second bedroom. See, I don’t think about exercise. Doesn’t even enter my mind. When I come home I put on comfy clothes and that’s that. It doesn’t even enter my mind to take a walk or drag out the bike.

Most evenings I surf the web, play games, watch TV and read. I don’t think much outside that box. If sugar is my nemesis, exercise falls into the abyss of my life.

I had some really positive moments. Having to pin my pants in because they were too baggy. Trying on slacks in a smaller size that zipped and buttoned! My thighs were still a little much for them, but the hurrah was that they were a size smaller and they fit!

Friday I did buy jeans that were a size smaller than my current pair. They are hanging off me in an unattractive way – even I have to admit that. (Usually I am into baggy.) I am going to buy "transition" clothes this time instead of just pinning myself into them. It was too easy to just take the safety pins back out.

I had my first sugared soda in two months today. Man, did it taste good.

Course, then I read about sodas and acids and teeth. Even in the diet stuff. *sigh* Thank heavens for Crystal Light.

Friday was one month since I saw my doctor. I have lost 8.8 pounds. 

Someone asked what I'm doing, but I'm not really sure what that is. I think it starts with my doctor saying, "Lose weight or die." OK, maybe it wasn't that harsh, but let's face it. Cholesterol kills. And women have so many strikes against them already when it comes to heart disease, why should I add to the issue??

So, that news made something inside of me not hungry for sweets, which are my total downfall. I've said no to cakes and Valentine's candy and such with no hesitation.

I have cut down on my portions. For breakfast I have oatmeal, walnuts and cranberries. For lunch I have my frozen dinner or sandwich/salad/something small. Fruit for snack. Cereal or stir-fry veggies or similar for dinner. I've been including fish and more grilled foods to my options. I've been trying to eat more fruit and veggies and less meat.

No eating after 8p. More Kashi items than others because they really don't have the bad stuff. I've been reading labels much more closely and am apt to put it back more than I was two months ago.

I read this article on Twinkies: Um, gross. And a friend recommending this article at the NYTimes (free registration required). 

I looked for bikes at pawn shops yesterday (that was a first for me). I've been looking online at treadmills and ellipitcal machines. I made bids on two but lost. My old Curves closed. So I am being mindful that I need to add in some exercise.

I've been working my way through The Secret and being more mindful of my thoughts.

Now, mind you, I've lost these exact same 10-lbs over and over and over in my lifetime. Probably too many times too count. It's the next 10 that will matter most. If I can lose those, I can lose it all.

We have had some yucky days as of late, but today is sunshine-y and gorgeous! I keep singing to myself . . .

Here Comes The Sun

You know those times when you feel like you are barely keeping your head above water? That's how I've been feeling the past few days. I have so much going on and I don't like feeling like I have too much going on.

This week we start interviews for the executive director position at my animal shelter. Since I am head of the HR committee, I am coordinating everything. We've received about 88 resumes. Some good, some simply crazy (sure, Mr. Tire Salesman).

Another committee member and I have 10 interviews this week. Six in person and four phone interviews. Six are tomorrow, two Tuesday, one each Wednesday and Thursday. Those who move on will meet the rest of the committee before going for a final interview before the board. 

Race is gearing up, so I'm starting to get anxious about that (check out our David Robinson video).

Wednesday night starts my Financial Peace University.

Thursday I have a meeting as an auction committee member for Respite Care.

Thursday night I am going to a law seminar for my neighborhood association.

Then there's figuring out this diet stuff.

Oh, and my job. Which has suddenly gotten busy.

And they were what I expected.

Cholesterol ~ 261 (<200)

Triglycerides ~ 173 (<150)

LDL ~ 187 (<100)

According to the American Heart Association, triglycerides are the fats floating around and the LDL is what makes the plaque.

I have six months to lower my LDL or she puts me on a statin drug. If it had been three points higher, she would've put me on them today.

Thankfully my HDL level was only 53 (40-85). My blood pressure was good. My sugar levels are good. Basically everything except for my weight and cholesterol are fine.

My doctor recommended the Sugar Busters plan as her first choice. Then South Beach. I'll probably go back to South Beach. I've done it before and know what to expect. I'll try to pick up a copy of Sugar Busters at the library to read because she said it does a good job of explaining cholesterol.

What are your resolutions for 2007?

You: On a Diet

To read and finish You! On A Diet. I have this huge collection of diet books that I never finish. I think this is one I need to finish. Maybe I'll learn something along the way.

I keep thinking I need to talk about C25K and then forget once I'm here. I was able to work myself up to running 3-minute segments before the back spasms became too often to continue.

I know I should get back walking. I have my first "adult" physical in February. I think once I see my cholesteral or glucose numbers I'll be motivated to do better by myself.

Right now I'm up five holiday pounds and still have too much half-price post-Christmas sale candy in my house.