consensus

I’ve been working from 5 t0 10 a.m. at the school and then going to Census training from 10 to 7:30 p.m. Plain tuckered.

The only thing I’ve managed is two batches of laundry and one batch of dishes in two days.

We have a group of ten. I’m not proud of myself for noticing right off, but here’s what I see. Besides seeing people and individuals and actually even liking and respecting them, I see three thin people. Then there are two who are pudgy, probably about twenty pounds over a good weight for themselves. And five obese people.

Interesting. It is pretty close to the national stats of 65% obese in America. Just a random group of people in a public gathering, and we’re right on the numbers.

Then I started noticing what they brought to eat. There are pork rinds, chips, pop galore, lots of DIET pop, a few waters. I saw french fries, hey, some Kashi whole grain crackers, and some Taco Time food. The leader brought dozens of HUGE over-sized chocolate chip muffins. There are other muffins, too: poppy seed, apple, oatmeal raisin, banana nut, but I really noticed the chocolate chips ones. I kept my distance though. They are the size of a small wagon!

I took veggies, water, oranges, apples, bananas. I tried to be discreet. I didn’t want to be obvious or noticeable, and even sat at a table by myself off to the right. A couple of girls commented, though, about me bringing “health food.”

The girls who sits right next to me keeps talking about being on a diet. I asked her what she was doing and she said, “Sort of a Slim Fast Diet.” She said she has a shake in the morning, a bar for a snack, repeats that for lunch and afternoon and then has a five-hundred calorie meal for dinner. She said she lost 15 pounds in a week around Christmas but then gained it all back when she quit. Now she just started over again this week. But I’m here to tell you [like you even care!] she eats about six bars a day and had the chocolate chip muffin. Two of them so far this week. She has jerky and a TON of pop. I also saw salt-water taffy going on over at her table.

Wow.

I recognize that kind of denial!

The other really obese girl drinks water all day long. I’ve never even seen her put so much as a piece of gum in her mouth.

Yup. Been there done both.

I feel bad for them because I know that kind of  ”dieting” doesn’t work. At least it doesn’t for me. I guess we all have to figure that out for ourselves, though.

I ate a lot of good fresh raw food all day long and didn’t gain an ounce! Ran home both days for lunch and had two veggie burritos. Had Bruce’s/frozen fruit /yogurt/ walnuts for dinners and breakfasts. Still 141 and loving it! Going on a week now. Lots of exercise and commitment going on here. I don’t understand why right now. It’s a conundrum.

[There are lots of comments on my last post that are quite insightful.]

cardio vs interval training debate

I looked up several articles on this subject this morning for my niece and this is a great one to look over. If you are working out really hard and getting to a plateau, you might want to mix it up a little. If you are working really hard and hurting yourself, you might want to look this over. If you are not working out at all and getting fat and lazy, you might want to look this over. If you are sitting on the couch balancing a laptop on your stomach munching chips with your non-typing hand, you might want to look this over. If you are putting elastic into all of your formerly zipping pants, you might want to look this over. If you are hiding candy in your underwear drawer so the kids can’t have it you might want to look this over.

Just do it.

never mind the chewing

The retainers work well. Instead of grabbing and stuffing, I stop. I think. I analyze. I project how I will feel. I figure things out. And I actually had a great evening.

I like how I feel today as a result of how I took care of myself yesterday.

I know that’s how it works. I don’t know what happens in my mind that tells me to forget about it. Forget about your goals, forget about health and wellness. Forget about inspiring others. Forget about commitments. Forget about me. And it happens so quickly. I can ruin everything in just a few minutes.

The retainers make things slow down. Then it all [my relationship with food] makes better sense to me.

I noticed the other day when I was watching hubby’s TV, [he doesn't have a DVR so you can't skip forward and miss the obnoxious ads] the commercials actually made my jaw tighten and mouth water. And I immediately felt like eating. Something. Anything. Right now. I didn’t want to think if it even tasted good, was healthy or was good for me. It just had to go in my mouth and I had to swallow. Never mind the chewing.

Lesson learned.

This morning I lifted — arms and abs. I had peaches, raspberries, walnuts and yogurt. Weight is coming down a little, nothing I really want to type, but I will. 144.5. Never thought that number would be a ‘coming down’ number. But that’s reality.

Dang it. It’s been eleven months and I’d love to be at my goal [140] next month on the one year mark of this journey. I am willing to do what it takes. [Easy to say!] I’ve had my binge. I’ve had my detour. I’ve had my rebellious streak.

Back to the plan.

I’d love company and a little competition if you’re up to it.

I keep thinking . . . if I could just get my weight under control I could move on to bigger and better things. And this would be a whole different b.l.o.g!

in love!

I am so totally in love.

I went to Wal-Mart two days ago to stock up on h.e.a.l.t.h.y and ran past the frozen department. I usually get 2-3 boxes of Dryers frozen strawberry bars. There are c.h.u.n.k.s of strawberries in them. They only have 80 calories and NO added sugar. They have gotten me through plenty of tough times in the evenings when hubby is chowing down on tripple layer chocolate cake!

They had four new products, which, of course, I bought. Ohmygoodheck!

The Pomegranate and Grape and Coconut and Pineapple and Blueberry —  divine. My old regulars, Strawberry and Lime are still way on top of the list, but the Creamy Coconut. Holy cow! Literally. [Oh, I guess that wouldn't be literally.] It actually has a few too many calories [120] for it to be totally guilt free, but d.e.l.i.s.h!

Daughter, Mikelle, called the other day to ask the nutritional information on the new McDonald’s fruit smoothie.

According to calorielab website, the total calorie count for 1 serving of a fruit smoothie is 278 calories and 42 g of sugar (yes for one serving that is a lot of damn sugar). So depending on the size someone orders, they could be reaching in upwards of 800 calories and 120 g of sugar. I think it is absurd to believe that just because there is fruit in something makes it healthy.

Here are the ingredients: [From Calorie lab.com -- McDonald's Real Fruit Smoothie Nutrition Facts]

Milk, sugar, maltodextrin, vegetable gums, mineral salt, sugar, thickener, gelatine, emulsifier, maltodextrin, flavours, salt, vegetable gum, mineral salt, food acid, colour, apple juice, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, flavour, vegetable gums, food acid

LOTS of added sugar. No, this smoothie is not ‘good’ for you. Eat a bowl of strawberries and save 40 grams of sugar and 250 calories!

McDonald’s should leave fruit smoothies alone!

ha ha

I am cracking up. Yes this very minute I am laughing my head off. I’ve just discovered the most interesting blog. It’s entitled Nephi’s Blog and is very entertaining and a little sarcastic and yet quite accurate! Here’s how Laman introduces himself in the blog

As the oldest son of Lehi and Sariah, this blog should be mine, but Nephi has taken upon himself this right and I have far more important things to do than sit around and drone on about my father’s visions and dreams.  I don’t have much use for them.  They upset our family, the leaders in the community and one day will probably get my father killed.  If Nephi were smart he would leave this to me since I am the firstborn and have the birthright privilege of leadership.  But since Nephi humors my father, my father thinks Nephi is better than me and Lemuel. We will get even, Nephi will realize his mistakes, soon enough.

I love to read clever things. And I wish I were clever enough, myself, to have thought of it. But for now, it’s enough to read someone else’s version of this story. I have clicked all over the pages and found so many interesting things. I wish I had them all printed up and in a book. I wish I had found it the year we were studying this in Gospel Doctrine. Ahem, always a dollar short and a day late, as my dad would say at this point.

And although I am already reading at least 6 blogs [not every day, but often] I’m going to add this one because I think it is so important. I’ll have to take a second look at the other ones and eliminate one off my favorites bookmark.

PS: Let’s see. 143 again today. But I have exercised and I’m optimistic I’ll be getting rid of something sometime soon. Trying hard to not stress, because the exercise has made me feel so much better, even though it’s not really paying off at the scale yet.

more protein

Yah, it’s time. I need more protein. My hair is thinning. I’ve been using some special shampoo Mikelle got for me to stimulate regrowth, but I’m ready to go in another direction as well. I’m not giving up on the shampoo, I just need a bigger boost of help!

I bought whey protein the other day and this morning made a protein shake. Plain yogurt, a scoop of protein powder, a ton of frozen raspberries and some flax seeds. This for my mid-morning snack.

Delish!

Red meat and pork are things I usually avoid and only like to eat fish or chicken. Even though I consume a lot of yogurt and milk, I know it’s time to bump up my protein for several reason besides my hair needs. I’m worried about muscle mass, energy and bone strength. And since I had a little extra time today, [President's Day] I read all about protein supplements. Here’s some of what I found out re-leaned.

Weight

Makers of protein shakes and other supplements often advertise their products as a way to support weight loss. But be careful. They can have the opposite effect. Protein contains calories, so if you take too much via supplements you will gain weight. If used correctly, protein supplements can help you feel full and satisfied for a longer period of time. You will eat less overall, which will help you to lose weight.

Nutrition

The human body needs protein to properly function. The average adult in good health needs between 45 and 55 grams of protein per day. Most Some people get all the protein they need from their regular diet. However, protein supplements can be used if needed to ensure that you are getting enough of this important nutrient. Many protein supplements are fortified with vitamins and minerals, which can also be helpful if you’re not getting them as part of your diet.

Building Muscle

Protein supplements can help to build muscle, although their effect is minimal. Of course, exercise is the best way to build up muscle mass. If you eat protein right after a workout session, it may support your muscle building efforts. Older adults should make sure they get enough protein through diet or supplements, along with adequate exercise, to help maintain their muscle mass. Otherwise, it can be lost easily as they age.

Replacing Meals

The best way to get protein and other nutrients is through eating proper and healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. But if you think you’re too busy to eat, it is better to drink a protein shake than to skip a meal. The protein in the shake and the added nutrients will replace what you missed by not eating regular food.

I’m going to focus on getting those 55 grams of protein every single day for a couple of weeks and document any differences. This, after all, is the only way any of us can responsibly figure out our own path of health and nutrition, by educating ourselves and by testing it on ourselves. We’re our own best guinea pig.

standby

This has been a great day! Fabulous! Despite being totally sleep deprived and having several co-workers ask if I was on new meds or in a car collision, I feel great. I’ve eaten pretty healthy for the last five days — was able to totally avoid two kinds of cheese cake, ‘better than football’ cake, second helpings of orange-pudding desert and the wedding cake altogether. And I weighted 141 this morning. Still not where I want to be on so many levels. Still not exercising like I need to be, but I didn’t stuff myself or get into the sugars and sweets all weekend.

An accomplishment for me!

Maybe I have learned something after all! Maybe I do have a fighting chance to get/keep this under control. And even though hubby still hasn’t taken those last three Giant candy bars to work with him, [like he promised he would!] I didn’t eat them. I didn’t even go into the bedroom after he was asleep and look at them in the dim light of the TV. I didn’t touch them or smell them. I actually forgot about them — and that’s progress!

Right now he’s eating cheese-in-the-crust stuffed pizza and I’m snacking on walnuts. I had two fried-egg sandwiches [whole grain tortilla] and I think I’m going to be OK for the rest of the night. In case I start to lose it, I’ve got an orange and banana on standby.

hee hee hee

check, check and check

Bruce’s hot cereal and steamed apple with cinnamon and 1% milk, CHECK
Stretching and Exercise, CHECK
Dishes put away, and loaded CHECK
Whites dried and folded, CHECK
Levis in the dryer, CHECK [note to self, don't leave tissue in pockets!] [unless it's Puff's Plus]
Towels washing, CHECK
Mowing, CHECK
Tetris, CHECK [oh, that wasn't on the list]
Update:
Levis now folded and all laundry put away, CHECK
Healthy snack: Sunkist orange, strawberries, Wasa bread CHECK

Ok, so far this is fun . . .
See, I said I love lists.

[Really, I know my problem of mindless grazing is from 6 - 10 PM. I'll do fine 'til then.]