All in My Mind

For as long as I can remember, I have loved food. I especially love junk food...you know burgers, pizza, and let's not forget cheesteaks. While my new eating plan does include these items, they are the much healthier versions. I especially miss eating junk food on Fridays. There is nothing better than ending a long, hard week with a pizza, some wings, and an icy cold soda. There have been a few times when my junk food cravings have almost sent me over the edge. So now when I get such a craving, I just go ahead and indulge...

That's right, I focus in on that burger, I think about how it would look, smell and taste. I think about the piping hot fries to go with it. I imagine how good it would feel to wash it all down with a Pepsi. I even think about the sweet treat I would eat to top it all off. After a minute or so of this mental indulgence, my craving is satisfied!

What I have come to realize is that the fantasy of junk food is much better than the reality. How many times have you satisfied a junk food craving only to feel miserable shortly after? By indulging mentally I allow myself to enjoy my food fantasy without the harsh consequences of actually eating it. This is a small but effective strategy that helps me on my weigh.

From Anxious to Thankful

As you probably could tell, I had so much anxiety about Thanksgiving. This was the first true test of how much discipline and self-control I have when it comes to food. I mean how on earth was I going to control myself while being surrounded by all the great food, lovingly prepared by my family? How was I going to counter the pressure-filled glances and comments like "that's all you're gonna eat?" The thought of all this was certainly panic-inducing! But, I didn't panic...I simply came up with a plan.

I am so excited to report that I actually stuck to the plan! I had an enjoyable, yet reasonable portion of dinner and dessert on Thursday and it was delicious! On Friday, I had my diet-to-go for breakfast and lunch and I allowed myself one final plate of leftovers. For exercise, I put on the new Bebe and Cece CD after dinner and we all danced and had a good time! On Friday, I remained active by going to the mall and I even went bowling. Today, just as planned, I am back to my regular eating and exercise plan. When I stepped on the scale this morning, I hadn't gained a single pound!

This is a huge triumph for me because I was able to thoroughly enjoy the holiday with my family while still remaining on my weigh! There was so much to be thankful for this year--my dad is doing great, we are all moving forward personally and professionally, the kids are all healthy and growing and we remain so happy as a family! Truly, the Lord continues to bless us. On a more personal note, I am so thankful for this weight loss journey and all that I have accomplished in such a short time. I am thankful for every bit of weight that I have lost--physically, emotionally and mentally. I feel so blessed and inspired to continue on my weigh.

Surviving Thanksgiving

So the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us and I am a little nervous! This is the first major holiday since I started my exercise and eating plan. I have been doing so well and I don't want to start regressing. To make sure I stay on track, I have come up with a step-by-step plan.

1. Realize that this is a holiday. I am going to enjoy this time with my family and I am going to enjoy the food. On Thursday, I am not going to overindulge, but I am certainly not going to deprive myself. I will eat one reasonable plate and I will enjoy a reasonable portion of dessert. Instead of loading up on high-calorie drinks, I will enjoy my usual flavored water.


2. Get back to the eating plan. Instead of eating a plate of leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday, I will go back to my diet-to-go for at least two of my meals for that day. In other words, I will allow myself one reasonable plate of leftovers on Friday.


3. Stay active. Since I will be away from my usual workout, I will have to be creative. But with all the holiday sales going on, I am sure that I will do a great deal of mall-walking!


4. Jump right back into the routine. Sometimes the "holiday spirit" has a way of lingering and before you know it, January 1st is here. The last thing I want to be doing on January 1st is to be making the same old tired weight loss resolution. With this in mind, by Saturday, I will be back to my usual exercise and eating plan.

One thing I have learned is that even the best laid plans sometimes fall short. So, I will follow the plan with my best effort but I will remain flexible should the unexpected happen. I will expect to gain a pound or two but I will work out extra hard over the next few days to keep any weight gain to a minimum. No matter what happens during the holiday, I will not let it keep me from moving forward on my weigh!

Showing Some (Self)Appreciation

The last time I wrote, I was not a happy camper. I was feeling sorry for myself and I must admit that it felt good. But in the midst of my pity party, I read one of my previous blog posts and had an instant reality check. (I knew this blog was a good idea!)In that post, I wrote about weight loss being more than counting pounds. In that post I decided to use my weight loss journey as a time for self-knowledge and self-appreciation. After reading that post, I ended the pity party and sent self-pity on its way!

Since starting this journey back in July, I have learned so much about myself. More important, I have used what I learned to really get on track with my weight loss. I have never been so consistent with my exercise and eating plan. I can honestly say that I have changed my lifestyle. What I have yet to do is take some time to appreciate me and all that I have accomplished so far. With that in mind, here are some things I appreciate about me:

1. I am a reflective person. I am constantly thinking about who I am and what I do with the goal of becoming a better person .

2. I am an inspirational person. I have the ability to bring out the best in my family, my friends, and my students. Even my being open and candid about my weight loss journey has inspired so many to start a journey of their own.

3. I am a loving person. I love people. I love to make them laugh, to listen to their issues, to help them find solutions, and to share my faith. Most of all I love praying and believing God for miracles on behalf of others.

4. I am a good wife and mother. I give my family my all! There is nothing within me that I withhold from them. I see daily how much I add to lives of my husband and my children.

There is so much more that I can say--not out of vanity, but in awe of all that God has put in me. So as I continue on my weigh, I want to appreciate myself more. I encourage you to do the same. Each day we all exercise our greatness--at home, at school, at work. We may look at it as nothing more than simply living life, but we are great indeed!

Green With Envy

Lately, I have been having some less than inspired days. While I certainly don't at all feel like going back to my old eating habits, I am feeling a bit discouraged. In fact, tonight, I am just plain old mad!

I know that I am not supposed to do this but I keep comparing myself to my beloved husband. Since January, he has lost over 90 pounds! Yes, you read correctly--over 90 pounds! No, he didn't get the popular weight loss surgery and he didn't starve himself. He simply made some drastic lifestyle changes. He cut out all the junk food, significantly decreased his calorie intake and started exercising. And voila! he is down almost 100 pounds. He looks great, feels great and I am so proud of him. He is bombarded with compliments everywhere we go and he is glowing with pride.

So why am I so upset you ask...the answer is simple...I want to have lost over 90 pounds too! Why is weight loss so easy for men?! All they do is think about losing weight and they drop down a pant size. It is so not fair. Sometimes being a woman is such a raw deal!

I know, I know, I am on my weigh, but I want to be there now! I am happy for my 17 pounds but I feel like I have so far to go! Don't worry, I am keeping at it. I am not giving up. I know that I will get there in due time. As positive as I try to stay, I am having one of those days and I just needed to vent!

On My Weigh Back

I am sure that you realized that is has been a long time since I last updated my blog. Have no fear...all is well with me. I have just been busy, busy, busy! Aside from being a working wife and mother, I have done two major conferences and have been working diligently on my research. Although I have been busy, I have missed blogging.

Don't get me wrong, I have tried to blog over the past month. I would log on, start writing and then become overwhelmed with all I had to do. And of course, me and my perfectionist tendencies would not allow me to just write without much thought. I mean if I can't write perfectly, why write at all? Right?...

Well, I have realized that I really do enjoy blogging. It is my release from all the stress of my daily grind. Blogging, unlike my professional writing, is free and unstructured. This blog is especially important to me because this is how I process my ongoing weight loss journey. I enjoy sharing my ups and downs--it keeps me grounded and keeps me accountable. Since I do not have a lot of extra time these days, I have decided to shorten my entries. I would rather write a few short entries each month than to not write at all.

I am proud to report that while I have been too busy to blog, I have still maintained my exercise and eating plan. I am down 17 pounds and have lost three inches off of my waist! Rest assured, I am still well on my weigh and I will be doing a lot more blogging to keep you posted on my progress.