Since I started this journey in January 2010, I don't think I've had a single day where I ate whatever I wanted. Even when I splurge, it's measured and calculated. I tell myself that I'll just eat a little bit. Or a few bites won't hurt.
Well, that's not exactly true. The more I eat unhealthy foods, the more I want. I really believe that to be true. Limiting sugar this past week was difficult, but worth it. I felt so much better all week, and, of course, I lost weight.
But keeping it up requires constant vigilance. For example, I let my guard down Saturday and had gelato for lunch. It was so creamy and yummy. But I regretted it immediately. I felt guilty for eating it, but then I also felt bad from the effects of the sugar. And maybe it was psychological, but all I wanted to do after eating it was eat more. I ended up making a chocolate milkshake after dinner. (I did use lowfat ice cream, but still ...)
Some days, sticking with my new way of eating feels like so much work. In the grocery store yesterday, I almost bought a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese. Seriously. I have to admit that I actually looked at all of the mac and cheese selections for about 30 seconds. I moved on, but I hate that I was even tempted.
What bothers me is how much I have to think about what I'm eating. I've said it before. If I plan, I stay on track. So that's what I'm doing now. Planning for today and the rest of the week when all I can think about is how I'd like to have pancakes and bacon for breakfast.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Weekly weigh-in: I know what it takes
Last week's weight: 187.2
This week's weight: 185.8
Difference: -1.4
Total weight lost since January 2010: 86
It was a good week. It seems that my resolve to eat better and exercise more paid off. But it was a difficult week. I didn't feel hungry, but I wanted to eat so much more. I really had to fight the urge to snack. Cutting back severely on sugar also wasn't easy. And the exercise part ... well, let's just say that my legs hurt, my ankles hurt, my feet hurt. But I jogged/walked five days in a row and I followed the Couch to 5K plan.
Enough with the complaining. I'm thrilled I lost weight. I feel really good mentally and physically. And I kept up my end of the bargain (jogging this morning) so I can keep the new shoes I bought yesterday. I guess the bribe worked.
Now I just have to do it for another week. At least I now know what it takes to be successful again.
This week's weight: 185.8
Difference: -1.4
Total weight lost since January 2010: 86
It was a good week. It seems that my resolve to eat better and exercise more paid off. But it was a difficult week. I didn't feel hungry, but I wanted to eat so much more. I really had to fight the urge to snack. Cutting back severely on sugar also wasn't easy. And the exercise part ... well, let's just say that my legs hurt, my ankles hurt, my feet hurt. But I jogged/walked five days in a row and I followed the Couch to 5K plan.
Enough with the complaining. I'm thrilled I lost weight. I feel really good mentally and physically. And I kept up my end of the bargain (jogging this morning) so I can keep the new shoes I bought yesterday. I guess the bribe worked.
Now I just have to do it for another week. At least I now know what it takes to be successful again.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bribing myself
I'm undecided about whether I did the right thing, but it did stop me from eating this afternoon. We were having a farewell celebration in the newsroom for our interns, so we had cake and pizza. I'd been dreading this afternoon all week.
Pizza!!!! I've been craving it for weeks. I felt fairly certain I could pass up the cake. It's never been one of my favorite foods. But I knew I couldn't resist the pizza. So I planned ahead. I ate light for lunch and convinced myself in advance that I would not eat more than two pieces.
I was so tempted to go back for more. And the chocolate cake almost got the better of me. But I stuck to my plan. When I left work, instead of going home where I'd be tempted to eat more, I headed to the mall. I figured I deserved a reward. I finally bought new shoes.
Although they were on sale, I had no business spending money on them. So I decided the only way I can keep them is if I get up early tomorrow morning and follow my Couch to 5K program. I've been on track all week with my eating and exercise. I don't want to blow it now. I figure if bribing myself with new shoes works, it's totally worth it.
Pizza!!!! I've been craving it for weeks. I felt fairly certain I could pass up the cake. It's never been one of my favorite foods. But I knew I couldn't resist the pizza. So I planned ahead. I ate light for lunch and convinced myself in advance that I would not eat more than two pieces.
I was so tempted to go back for more. And the chocolate cake almost got the better of me. But I stuck to my plan. When I left work, instead of going home where I'd be tempted to eat more, I headed to the mall. I figured I deserved a reward. I finally bought new shoes.
Although they were on sale, I had no business spending money on them. So I decided the only way I can keep them is if I get up early tomorrow morning and follow my Couch to 5K program. I've been on track all week with my eating and exercise. I don't want to blow it now. I figure if bribing myself with new shoes works, it's totally worth it.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Idle hands
It's day three of my attempt to significantly limit how much sugar I eat and I'm feeling a bit jittery this afternoon. It's too early for dinner, but I'm tempted to have a snack. Something chocolate.
I'm hoping by blogging about it, I'll be able to resist temptation. I've noticed these past three days that sticking to my new eating plan is much easier when I stay busy. Luckily, I've had plenty to do at work. Lots of meetings and other work.
When I get home, though, it gets harder. I'm tired (probably the sugar withdrawal), so I plop down on the couch and flip on the TV. Then I start thinking about food.
I made it through Monday and Tuesday night because I had leftovers for dinner and I went to bed early. I still had snacks at night, but waiting until after I'd gone to bed helped me limit what I ate. Today is a different story. Nothing planned for dinner.
I've got chicken thawing but I still don't even know how I'm going to prepare it or what I'm going to have with it. I want pasta. A small serving would keep me well within my Weight Watchers points allotment, but I'm worried that a small amount will just make me want more.
So I've got mushrooms, peas, brussels sprouts, black-eyed peas and corn. Hmmm ... none of that sounds very appealing with the chicken. I've also got eggs and cheese and frozen sweet potato pancakes. Would it be completely strange to make an omelet with the eggs, mushrooms and cheese and then have chicken on the side? Or maybe I could throw the chicken and peas in with the eggs, cheese and mushrooms and make a frittata. That could be OK.
Yes, I know I was just thinking outloud. I needed to talk myself through it. I feel better. I have a plan. Frittata it is. Plus, it will take time to get everything prepared, which should keep me busy and stop me from eating before dinner gets ready.
I'm hoping by blogging about it, I'll be able to resist temptation. I've noticed these past three days that sticking to my new eating plan is much easier when I stay busy. Luckily, I've had plenty to do at work. Lots of meetings and other work.
When I get home, though, it gets harder. I'm tired (probably the sugar withdrawal), so I plop down on the couch and flip on the TV. Then I start thinking about food.
I made it through Monday and Tuesday night because I had leftovers for dinner and I went to bed early. I still had snacks at night, but waiting until after I'd gone to bed helped me limit what I ate. Today is a different story. Nothing planned for dinner.
I've got chicken thawing but I still don't even know how I'm going to prepare it or what I'm going to have with it. I want pasta. A small serving would keep me well within my Weight Watchers points allotment, but I'm worried that a small amount will just make me want more.
So I've got mushrooms, peas, brussels sprouts, black-eyed peas and corn. Hmmm ... none of that sounds very appealing with the chicken. I've also got eggs and cheese and frozen sweet potato pancakes. Would it be completely strange to make an omelet with the eggs, mushrooms and cheese and then have chicken on the side? Or maybe I could throw the chicken and peas in with the eggs, cheese and mushrooms and make a frittata. That could be OK.
Yes, I know I was just thinking outloud. I needed to talk myself through it. I feel better. I have a plan. Frittata it is. Plus, it will take time to get everything prepared, which should keep me busy and stop me from eating before dinner gets ready.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
It's working!
I don't want to get too excited because it is only day two. But my attempts to cut back severely on sugar seem to be working. I felt great yesterday and managed to eat very little sugar, except for fruit. The same is true so far today.
And, the best news, the scale is cooperating again. I know it's early in the week and things could change before Friday's weigh-in. But I like what I see so far. I just need to stick with it.
Honestly, though, I don't feel nearly as hungry as I did. A few days ago, I would have been starving by this time of day and barely able to wait until dinner. I'm hungry right now, but I'm not in a rush to fix dinner. And I simply feel good.
Also, tomorrow will be my second day on the Couch to 5K program. I'm actually feeling kind of excited about giving it another try in the morning. I hope I feel that way when the alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m.
And, the best news, the scale is cooperating again. I know it's early in the week and things could change before Friday's weigh-in. But I like what I see so far. I just need to stick with it.
Honestly, though, I don't feel nearly as hungry as I did. A few days ago, I would have been starving by this time of day and barely able to wait until dinner. I'm hungry right now, but I'm not in a rush to fix dinner. And I simply feel good.
Also, tomorrow will be my second day on the Couch to 5K program. I'm actually feeling kind of excited about giving it another try in the morning. I hope I feel that way when the alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sugar withdrawal
I've talked before about the negative effects of sugar. Eating it makes me hyper and not eating it makes me jittery. Although I have no scientific research to back me, I also think eating sugar makes me hungrier.
I believe one of the reasons I was so successful in the beginning of my journey is that I seriously cut back on sugar. Before I started trying to lose weight, my diet was loaded with sugar -- soft drinks, candy, ice cream, cookies, etc. When I joined Weight Watchers in January 2010, though, I eliminated most of these.
I'd still have a treat after dinner, but that usually consisted of a Weight Watchers popsicle or ice cream sandwich. Over time, I've noticed that I've gradually introduced sugar back into my diet. I eat lowfat ice cream and frozen yogurt with sugar. I eat the 100 calorie snacks (mostly cookies) with sugar. I've even been eating cereal with sugar. With all of these foods, I've tried to eat healthy amounts and stay within my Weight Watchers points allotment.
But the sugar just isn't good for me. The more I eat of it, the more I want. It's truly addictive.
So I've renewed my effort to cut back. I don't think I can eliminate sugar entirely because it's in everything. Well, it seems that way. Today, for example, I switched to plain oatmeal for breakfast. Blah! I had to add a little Splenda just so I could eat it.
The good news is that I noticed I didn't need a snack before lunch, which had become routine. The bad news is that my Lean Cuisine I brought for lunch had sugar listed as one of the ingredients. I ate it anyway. Then, for dinner tonight, I had leftover barbecue chicken. Well, the barbecue had sugar (but not high fructose corn syrup). And my frozen brussels sprouts had sugar. I think these were minor amounts, certainly compared to what I have been eating.
Plus, I am still eating fruit. I know it has sugar, but it's natural and doesn't seem to have the same effect on me as sweets. I think it's the processed sugar that's the problem. So for snacks today I've had fresh cherries, a banana and two rice cakes.
Usually at this time of night is when I really want to munch on something. But I actually still feel full from dinner. I'm a little jittery from cutting back on the sugar today, but I feel good. Unless you've experienced ups and downs in your blood sugar, it's hard for me to explain.
I think that if I could string a couple of days together like this one, I would feel amazing. The key is going to be getting through the next three hours without giving in to my sugar cravings, which are sure to come. But I'm already plotting what I will eat for a snack later this evening ... maybe a nonfat smoothie. The protein from the yogurt, which doesn't include sugar, but does list cane juice (which is essentially like sugar but not processed), should satisfy me.
If you have any suggestions for sugar-free snacks, please pass them along. BTW, I'm trying to avoid artificial sweeteners. I use one Splenda in my coffee and a half a packet in a cup of hot tea at night. Oh, and I bought frozen (unsweetened) fruit to mix with my oatmeal tomorrow so I wouldn't need to add Splenda to that again.
I believe one of the reasons I was so successful in the beginning of my journey is that I seriously cut back on sugar. Before I started trying to lose weight, my diet was loaded with sugar -- soft drinks, candy, ice cream, cookies, etc. When I joined Weight Watchers in January 2010, though, I eliminated most of these.
I'd still have a treat after dinner, but that usually consisted of a Weight Watchers popsicle or ice cream sandwich. Over time, I've noticed that I've gradually introduced sugar back into my diet. I eat lowfat ice cream and frozen yogurt with sugar. I eat the 100 calorie snacks (mostly cookies) with sugar. I've even been eating cereal with sugar. With all of these foods, I've tried to eat healthy amounts and stay within my Weight Watchers points allotment.
But the sugar just isn't good for me. The more I eat of it, the more I want. It's truly addictive.
So I've renewed my effort to cut back. I don't think I can eliminate sugar entirely because it's in everything. Well, it seems that way. Today, for example, I switched to plain oatmeal for breakfast. Blah! I had to add a little Splenda just so I could eat it.
The good news is that I noticed I didn't need a snack before lunch, which had become routine. The bad news is that my Lean Cuisine I brought for lunch had sugar listed as one of the ingredients. I ate it anyway. Then, for dinner tonight, I had leftover barbecue chicken. Well, the barbecue had sugar (but not high fructose corn syrup). And my frozen brussels sprouts had sugar. I think these were minor amounts, certainly compared to what I have been eating.
Plus, I am still eating fruit. I know it has sugar, but it's natural and doesn't seem to have the same effect on me as sweets. I think it's the processed sugar that's the problem. So for snacks today I've had fresh cherries, a banana and two rice cakes.
Usually at this time of night is when I really want to munch on something. But I actually still feel full from dinner. I'm a little jittery from cutting back on the sugar today, but I feel good. Unless you've experienced ups and downs in your blood sugar, it's hard for me to explain.
I think that if I could string a couple of days together like this one, I would feel amazing. The key is going to be getting through the next three hours without giving in to my sugar cravings, which are sure to come. But I'm already plotting what I will eat for a snack later this evening ... maybe a nonfat smoothie. The protein from the yogurt, which doesn't include sugar, but does list cane juice (which is essentially like sugar but not processed), should satisfy me.
If you have any suggestions for sugar-free snacks, please pass them along. BTW, I'm trying to avoid artificial sweeteners. I use one Splenda in my coffee and a half a packet in a cup of hot tea at night. Oh, and I bought frozen (unsweetened) fruit to mix with my oatmeal tomorrow so I wouldn't need to add Splenda to that again.
Couch to 5K training has begun
When the alarm went off this morning, I must have really been asleep. At first, I didn't even realize what time it was or what day it was. A few minutes later, I realized I was supposed to be getting up to start my Couch to 5K training.
I was tempted to delay it, but then I got on the scale and noticed that I gained two pounds over the weekend. Really? Ugh! So I headed outside. Immediately, I felt the hot sticky air and saw lots of dark clouds. After hardly a drop of rain in weeks, was it really going to be raining this morning?
But I was determined. I walked for five minutes as the program says I should. Then I was supposed to jog for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds -- for a total of 20 minutes. I didn't have a timer, so I jogged for 60 steps, then walked for 90 steps. After 10 minutes, I felt sprinkles. Luckily, I was close to home. It drizzled for about 5 minutes and stopped. So I headed back outside. I continued the jogging/walking for 10 more minutes. Then I walked a cool-down lap around my neighborhood. It started to drizzle again just as I was finishing but I was so sweaty and hot that it actually felt nice.
On one hand, it was harder than I expected. But on the other hand, it wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be in my mind. Physically, I can tell that the jogging worked muscles I'm not used to working. My legs are a little sore, but they don't hurt. It was easier because I worried that I wouldn't even be able to get through the first day. (I'm sure the short break in the middle helped.)
So the plan calls for doing this three times a week with a day break in between. My plan is to do it Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Is it OK to still walk my usual laps on Tuesdays and Thursdays? I don't see why it would hurt. I know I don't want to overdo it, but I find that I really enjoy the walking before work and I want to keep it up as much as possible.
I was tempted to delay it, but then I got on the scale and noticed that I gained two pounds over the weekend. Really? Ugh! So I headed outside. Immediately, I felt the hot sticky air and saw lots of dark clouds. After hardly a drop of rain in weeks, was it really going to be raining this morning?
But I was determined. I walked for five minutes as the program says I should. Then I was supposed to jog for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds -- for a total of 20 minutes. I didn't have a timer, so I jogged for 60 steps, then walked for 90 steps. After 10 minutes, I felt sprinkles. Luckily, I was close to home. It drizzled for about 5 minutes and stopped. So I headed back outside. I continued the jogging/walking for 10 more minutes. Then I walked a cool-down lap around my neighborhood. It started to drizzle again just as I was finishing but I was so sweaty and hot that it actually felt nice.
On one hand, it was harder than I expected. But on the other hand, it wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be in my mind. Physically, I can tell that the jogging worked muscles I'm not used to working. My legs are a little sore, but they don't hurt. It was easier because I worried that I wouldn't even be able to get through the first day. (I'm sure the short break in the middle helped.)
So the plan calls for doing this three times a week with a day break in between. My plan is to do it Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Is it OK to still walk my usual laps on Tuesdays and Thursdays? I don't see why it would hurt. I know I don't want to overdo it, but I find that I really enjoy the walking before work and I want to keep it up as much as possible.
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