Friday, January 31, 2014

Where are you willing to go?

"God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go."
Jeffrey R. Holland

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Revamping My Goals

After feeling very overwhelmed by so many things this morning, I've decided I need to be more realistic with my goals. 

Was 45 pounds in seven months do-able? Absolutely. 

Does that feel do-able while trying to maintain a family and my mental well being? Not so much. 

So I have given myself until December 31st to lose the weight needed to get retested for insulin resistance. Then I'm giving myself another year to get to the weight in my "normal" range. This means by my 30th birthday, I'll be at my peak health and weight. And while I hate the idea of taking so long to get the results I want, I know I might actually stick to it if I do it this way. And if the results happen sooner, awesome. 

I don't know. Maybe I'm giving myself an excuse to be lazy and not on top of things. Maybe. But as of this moment, nothing is feeling do-able, including a clean house, folded clothes, a balanced budget, happy family members, and my sanity. 

The Wrong Direction

Today's weigh-in was depressing. I'm doing it again, packing the pounds back on. 

Sad. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Update

So far I'm 2 for 2. I have wanted to eat after dinner both nights but have stayed strong. Pretty pleased. Tonight will make it 3 for 3!

Cheers to mini successes! 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Weekly Goal

So I pretty much failed at the goal to drink only water and milk... 0-4. So I decided to give up that one, for now. 

But it is Sunday. A fresh start. A new beginning. Throwing this out there and seeing how it goes. 

No eating after dinner, until breakfast the next morning comes around. 

Lately, we've made a habit of bowls of ice cream, pretzels, treats, leftovers, whatever we can get our hands on becoming second dinner around ten or so every night. This is horrible for my weight loss journey, which is slowly becoming a weight gain journey. 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Forever Fat

I've hit that wall. You know the one. The wall where you feel like giving up. Wouldn't being fat just be so much easier? Eating whatever you want whenever you want. Not standing on a scale ever. Now the tricky part would be clothes... I'd have to live in a mu'umu'u. That wouldn't be too bad. They look roomy and comfy.

The sad thing is I really haven't done anything special to try and lose weight. I just want to keep eating treats and drinking soda. Oh did I mention I've failed my weekly goal so far? 

Deep breaths. Losing weight is a good thing. I feel better when I'm being good about following my goals. Truth is, I don't feel great after eating treats or junk. Just while eating them. I know I'm addicted. It's easy to convince yourself you deserve a treat when you've had a rough day. When did food become a reward? 

Clearly I need to work on my mental game. I texted my husband yesterday and told him I am choosing to be fat. I don't think he got real excited about that. 

Quite self-talking like a fat person. Be skinny, mentally at least for now. 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Weekly Weigh-in

Truth is, I've been dreading this weigh in all week. I knew it would be a gain. And now I have that hopeless feeling like I'm headed down the rabbit hole where I'm perpetually fat. Ugh. 

But I have to do something. Change something. Because, well, I shouldn't be surprised. I really have done nothing to try and lose weight and the reality is, you can't get something for nothing. I need to start actually following my plan for weight loss. Been a bit of a hypocrite, riding the wave of giving birth and nursing, letting them do all the work. Well they are gone now. Time to buck up! 

Weekly goal: drink water! Lots of it. Some milk. Nothing else. Nada. Zip. No soda. No juice. 

If I'm down next week, that may just be enough motivation to make this weekly goal a monthly goal, then maybe longer. 

Hope your week of weight loss was better than mine. Here's to improvement in the next seven days.

Cheers! 
RS

Friday, January 17, 2014

Secrets to Creating Change

Read this article today and found it helpful. Maybe you will too 

5 secrets to jumpstart change
by Connie Sokol, KSL.com contributor • Jan 17 
SALT LAKE CITY — In my previous article I shared a few reasons why we hesitate to change. In this post enjoy these fives ways to make it happen.

Find the why

Until you know why, from your core, that you’re achieving a particular goal, it won't have staying power. If you simply write “Lose 20 pounds” you will likely find yourself at the freezer with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s within a week.

Instead, give it meaning. Write “Lose 20 pounds to lower my diabetic risk” or “Lose 20 pounds by our anniversary cruise” for clear motivation and visualization.

Author Joseph Assaraf says that visualization is vital because your subconscious mind doesn’t know it is only in your imagination. When you act upon the visualization it can change the course of your life.

Tether it to your life vision

Take time to create a personal life vision or purpose because this connects goals to your big picture. Brainstorm what matters most to you, your ideal life, the kind of person you want to become, etc. As you write these specific thoughts, you'll often discover your goals already within them.

Set juicy goals Set goals that aren't boring, rote, or sawdusty, rather write goals that matter and in a language that's fun and fabulous, such as, “I can't wait to carve out one hour a day to write a book.” This is the same timeframe Joseph Heller used to write his best-selling book "Catch-22."

Create accountability

It doesn't matter how one creates accountability — online, in-person, with a friend, or even by text. Knowing someone is following his or her choices keeps someone making the right ones. Last summer I did a fitness challenge. It was in June and July (possibly the worst time to do such, excepting maybe December).

Although hesitant to blog the experience, I decided to utilize the accountability factor. Thank goodness I did. Due to sleep-deprivation from being up with my baby I was ready to quit by Week 3. However, knowing that women were responding to it kept me focused and creative in achieving my goals.

Enjoy a personal reward

We are not just achieving a goal, but also recreating neural pathways, which can take up to two years to change. It's vital to create a positive neuro-association with regard to goal-setting.

To make it simple, use small, medium, or large rewards not just for completed goals but even for your solid efforts. For example: small (take a bath, read a book); medium (take a class, buy an outfit); or big (take a trip, join a hobby group). As you reward the good, goals will become a happy thought and not a boring must-do.

Try one or all of these secrets to create a personal change.

Connie Sokol is an author, presenter, TV contributor and mother of seven. Contact her at www.conniesokol.com. 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Weekly Weigh-in

Last week, I said I would take any sort of loss. And well, I got my wish. The smallest increment measurable on my scale. I'll take it!

New goal: Next week, show a loss greater than that smallest increment. Heck, be in the *** range. 

I also hope to finish off my Christmas candy in the next day or two, that will help. Though the ice cream in the freezer and the fact that I'm finishing up nursing my baby may not help... We will see. 

Go team! 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Weekly weigh-in

I was very pleased I didn't see a gain this week. I haven't been watching what I eat and those Christmas treats have been irresistible. (Oh Cow Tails, how I love thee.) So hallelujah for staying the same. I'd take that any day over an increase. 

Goal for next week: Lose a little, or a lot. Any amount would be an improvement. 

You are what you eat

Turns out weight loss is simple math. If calories in are less than calories out, you lose weight. Easy peasy, right?

This science teacher from Iowa proved the idea using McDonalds. And while I wouldn't want to take on this experiment myself, I was impressed. What a cool teacher. And what great proof that anyone can lose weight without crazy diets or insane exercise routines. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

'Tis the Season

Happy New Year! Happy Skinny Year! Happy Year of Change! Happy Clean Slate! Happy 2014!

Couldn't be more excited to start this weight loss journey. Baby came a little early so I think my weight is finally settled and ready to be shed. I'm more ready than I've ever been to love my body. Who's with me?

"Number one, like yourself. Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you've got to squeeze you're buns. That's my formula."
Richard Simmons