Several of you pointed out my new weight -- 131! I wish!
Actually, that is very close to where I want to be eventually, so it must have been wishful thinking on my part.
I am unfortunately still at 231, but still working on it!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
The "Aha" Moment
I've talked quite a bit this past month about how stuck I have been as well as how discouraged and depressed it has made me. I realized that I had somehow switched from "lifestyle change" to "diet think."
Alan and I talked and prayed about it today, because he has had problems, too. A little while later, he came up with the answer. Both of us had cut back on our breakfast calorie intake.
By the time I did my morning exercise, I was out of fuel and never got "caught up" with my energy levels for the rest of the day. So I ended up eating more yet still feeling too tired to work as hard as I had been.
That old saying of "Eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch and a pauper at dinner." still makes a lot of sense as a guideline. We increased our calorie intake by just 100 calories at breakfast this morning, and my energy level was better all day!
That having been said, I still fell on my face at dinnertime. We were watching TV, and mindless eating set in again. Oops! Thank heavens that tomorrow is another day, God willing.
Report Card:
Weight: 131
Calories in: 2295
Calories burned: 226
Exercise time: 75 minutes, 9291 steps, 3.37 miles
Average BS: 128
Alan and I talked and prayed about it today, because he has had problems, too. A little while later, he came up with the answer. Both of us had cut back on our breakfast calorie intake.
By the time I did my morning exercise, I was out of fuel and never got "caught up" with my energy levels for the rest of the day. So I ended up eating more yet still feeling too tired to work as hard as I had been.
That old saying of "Eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch and a pauper at dinner." still makes a lot of sense as a guideline. We increased our calorie intake by just 100 calories at breakfast this morning, and my energy level was better all day!
That having been said, I still fell on my face at dinnertime. We were watching TV, and mindless eating set in again. Oops! Thank heavens that tomorrow is another day, God willing.
Report Card:
Weight: 131
Calories in: 2295
Calories burned: 226
Exercise time: 75 minutes, 9291 steps, 3.37 miles
Average BS: 128
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Ready for a New Day
I am feeling good this morning and ready for a new day of eating healthy and moving my body.
Yesterday:
Weight: 231
Calories In: 1740 Calories Burned: 415 Total Calories: 1325
Exercise minutes: 65 Steps: 9617 Miles: 3.49
Average BS: 146
Yesterday:
Weight: 231
Calories In: 1740 Calories Burned: 415 Total Calories: 1325
Exercise minutes: 65 Steps: 9617 Miles: 3.49
Average BS: 146
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Mini Vacation
If you are wondering where I have been for the last few days, I took a mini vacation from worrying about weight loss while I figured out what was cramping my progress. Stepping away from the problem for a while helped a lot.
I realized that sometime in April, I switched my brain from "life plan" to the deadly "diet think".
For those of you who are Christians, you will understand when I say that I switched from living freely under God's grace to self-righteously living rigidly under the Law.
In other words, I stopped freely embracing daily choices for a healthier life and enjoying the process. That process was a free expression of my love of God, my family, and myself. Instead I was rigidly trying to stick to diet and exercise "rules" and beating myself up when I didn't get instant results. For me, that is a sure fire road to self-sabotage and failure, and this time wasn't any different.
So I have readjusted my attitude once again. I know that will be an ongoing process. It is just so easy to slip back into those old thought patterns and behaviors!
In the meantime, Alan and I had a great weekend. We drove down to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Sunday and had a great day. We had never been there and were surprised at the large botanical garden section as well as the animal exhibits. We didn't worry about calories, but I took my pedometer and found that we walked over 5 miles during the day.
I found during that day and the days since that I can see a marked increase in my strength and endurance in walking. My pants are also getting really loose!
Talk to you all again tomorrow!
I realized that sometime in April, I switched my brain from "life plan" to the deadly "diet think".
For those of you who are Christians, you will understand when I say that I switched from living freely under God's grace to self-righteously living rigidly under the Law.
In other words, I stopped freely embracing daily choices for a healthier life and enjoying the process. That process was a free expression of my love of God, my family, and myself. Instead I was rigidly trying to stick to diet and exercise "rules" and beating myself up when I didn't get instant results. For me, that is a sure fire road to self-sabotage and failure, and this time wasn't any different.
So I have readjusted my attitude once again. I know that will be an ongoing process. It is just so easy to slip back into those old thought patterns and behaviors!
In the meantime, Alan and I had a great weekend. We drove down to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Sunday and had a great day. We had never been there and were surprised at the large botanical garden section as well as the animal exhibits. We didn't worry about calories, but I took my pedometer and found that we walked over 5 miles during the day.
I found during that day and the days since that I can see a marked increase in my strength and endurance in walking. My pants are also getting really loose!
Talk to you all again tomorrow!
Friday, May 20, 2011
A Good Friday
Well, I made some changes based on my talk with Alan this morning. We will see over the next few days if they show up on the scale! Overall, it was a good day with my exercise balanced throughout the day and smaller meals.
Weight: 232
Calories: 1380
Exercise minutes: 95 Walking, recumbant bike, and treadmill
Average BS: 121 Much better!
Weight: 232
Calories: 1380
Exercise minutes: 95 Walking, recumbant bike, and treadmill
Average BS: 121 Much better!
Getting Unstuck
OK -- I've been stuck at around 231 for almost 4 weeks now. Enough already!
Alan and I talked this morning about what might be the problem, now that I am exercising again.
It really comes down to too many calories which is due to too much insulin. It is obviously time to lower the insulin again and exercise harder for a while to get my blood sugars down -- but then I will be able to lower the calories and get off dead center and lose some more weight. I hope!
Wednesday: Thursday:
Weight: 228 (A fluke?) 232 (stuck, stuck, stuck)
Calories: 1520 1670 (still too high)
Exercise minutes: 60 90 (going up)
Average BS: 137 128 (still a little high)
Alan and I talked this morning about what might be the problem, now that I am exercising again.
It really comes down to too many calories which is due to too much insulin. It is obviously time to lower the insulin again and exercise harder for a while to get my blood sugars down -- but then I will be able to lower the calories and get off dead center and lose some more weight. I hope!
Wednesday: Thursday:
Weight: 228 (A fluke?) 232 (stuck, stuck, stuck)
Calories: 1520 1670 (still too high)
Exercise minutes: 60 90 (going up)
Average BS: 137 128 (still a little high)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Lovely Rainy Day
We had a nice gentle rain today -- always refreshing. And it was quite cool this morning, which was perfect for working out with the windows open in the exercise room. An older Chinese gentleman kept me company on the recumbant bike next to mine.
Most of the older Chinese in the apartment complex were born on the mainland and know only a little English. In fact, I have enjoyed listening to their English lessons in the study room next to the exercise room. It is a little like first grade for the 70 something crowd! They are always very friendly, though, and we can usually make ourselves understood to each other in simple terms.
Report Card:
Weight: 232
Calories: 1530
Exercise minutes: 35 3,526 steps
Average BS: 151 I kind of bounced around a bit on that today
My hubby is working late again today, so I am going to relax and wait for him to get home.
Most of the older Chinese in the apartment complex were born on the mainland and know only a little English. In fact, I have enjoyed listening to their English lessons in the study room next to the exercise room. It is a little like first grade for the 70 something crowd! They are always very friendly, though, and we can usually make ourselves understood to each other in simple terms.
Report Card:
Weight: 232
Calories: 1530
Exercise minutes: 35 3,526 steps
Average BS: 151 I kind of bounced around a bit on that today
My hubby is working late again today, so I am going to relax and wait for him to get home.
Monday, May 16, 2011
New Monday, New Week
Today went pretty well. My foot was healed enough for a 30 minute walk with my hubby this morning. And I got my calories down to a more reasonable effort.
The funny thing was that I was tired around 10 AM and decided to take an hour long nap. I didn't wake up until 4 in the afternoon! I guess I was more tired than I thought!
I have had that happen several times in the last few months. The only reason I can think of is that my body is going through changes that aren't obvious to me. Has anyone else had anything similar happen?
I hope all of you are starting out a great week, too!
Report Card:
Weight: 231
Calories: 1230
Exercise minutes: 30
Average BS: 127
The funny thing was that I was tired around 10 AM and decided to take an hour long nap. I didn't wake up until 4 in the afternoon! I guess I was more tired than I thought!
I have had that happen several times in the last few months. The only reason I can think of is that my body is going through changes that aren't obvious to me. Has anyone else had anything similar happen?
I hope all of you are starting out a great week, too!
Report Card:
Weight: 231
Calories: 1230
Exercise minutes: 30
Average BS: 127
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Emotional Eating Strikes Again!
I had problems with emotional eating this weekend. At least I ate fewer calories "binging" than I used to do, so my weight stayed at 231 pounds. And after a long talk with my hubby, we got straightened out what was bugging me so badly. Whew! I am glad that is over with. It messed up my sleeping as well as my eating.
My foot is just about healed up, so I plan to begin short walks again tomorrow. I am looking forward to walking again -- I missed it! I also want to get a bit stricter with my calories than I have been.
Hope you all have a great week!
My foot is just about healed up, so I plan to begin short walks again tomorrow. I am looking forward to walking again -- I missed it! I also want to get a bit stricter with my calories than I have been.
Hope you all have a great week!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Back on Line
I am back on line after getting a few days behind.
Basically, this week has gone pretty well except for the exercise. I kept my calories about the same as the week before, and I am down to 231 pounds. Without as much exercise, my blood sugars did spike a bit more -- but not as bad as in the past.
I have had a hard time getting one of the blisters to heal up properly. That has made walking for any distance nearly impossible. I had to drain it again today. I finally cut away some of the calloused skin that was on top. Ick! Hopefully, the skin underneath will have a chance to heal up now, and I will get back on track this coming week.
While I have been on exercise hiatus, my husband has been walking to work every day this week! He walks 4 miles to work in the morning, and then gets a ride home. Wow! His legs are really showing the build up of muscles. I notice a difference in how my pants fit, too. The waistband is certainly loose now.
We got the A1C report from the doctor. Mine was down to 6.8 and Alan's was at 5.8. Not bad at all!
Have a good night, and I will be back on line tomorrow!
Basically, this week has gone pretty well except for the exercise. I kept my calories about the same as the week before, and I am down to 231 pounds. Without as much exercise, my blood sugars did spike a bit more -- but not as bad as in the past.
I have had a hard time getting one of the blisters to heal up properly. That has made walking for any distance nearly impossible. I had to drain it again today. I finally cut away some of the calloused skin that was on top. Ick! Hopefully, the skin underneath will have a chance to heal up now, and I will get back on track this coming week.
While I have been on exercise hiatus, my husband has been walking to work every day this week! He walks 4 miles to work in the morning, and then gets a ride home. Wow! His legs are really showing the build up of muscles. I notice a difference in how my pants fit, too. The waistband is certainly loose now.
We got the A1C report from the doctor. Mine was down to 6.8 and Alan's was at 5.8. Not bad at all!
Have a good night, and I will be back on line tomorrow!
Better Choices Mean Better Results
This article is from my AccuChek newsletter and has really good tips for lowering your calorie intake..
Better choices mean better results
There's no question about it—losing weight is tough. But if you really commit to some changes, you'll start to see results. And that's the best encouragement of all.
You probably already have a good idea which foods and eating habits get you into trouble and what a nutritious meal plan looks like.
So instead of focusing on what to eat, here are 12 strategies that can help you make better choices and beat those ever-present cravings. Some of these ideas are easy to adopt—some are a little tougher.
Pick 3 of these strategies to start using today. Then add more and more to your routine. Remember—don't try to do everything at once. Start slow and give yourself a chance to really win (or lose—pounds, that is).
There's no question about it—losing weight is tough. But if you really commit to some changes, you'll start to see results. And that's the best encouragement of all.
You probably already have a good idea which foods and eating habits get you into trouble and what a nutritious meal plan looks like.
So instead of focusing on what to eat, here are 12 strategies that can help you make better choices and beat those ever-present cravings. Some of these ideas are easy to adopt—some are a little tougher.
Pick 3 of these strategies to start using today. Then add more and more to your routine. Remember—don't try to do everything at once. Start slow and give yourself a chance to really win (or lose—pounds, that is).
Weigh your food. Get an inexpensive food scale and measure every serving. This can be a real eye-opener, especially when you start measuring things like pasta and breakfast cereal.
Use the 10-minute rule. If you crave a between-meal snack that's not on your meal plan or an indulgence you know you shouldn't eat, think about it for 10 minutes while you consider the pros and cons of giving in. You may forget all about it.
Write every bite. Start a food journal and keep track of everything that goes into your mouth. It'll help you watch the fat, calories and variety you take in to see if you should seek a better balance.
Arrange your plate. Devote approximately 1/4 of your plate to starches, 1/4 to protein and 1/2 to vegetables. Even better, don't let them touch. That'll keep you from piling on too much.
Eat in one place. Don't eat at your desk, in front of the television or standing up at the counter. Always sit down and eat slowly, savoring every bite.
Stick to your list. If it isn't on your grocery list, it doesn't go in your shopping cart. After all, keeping temptation out of the house is half the battle.
Chew sugarless gum. When you're at the grocery store or cooking at home, chewing gum can keep you from giving into cravings and taking little "tastes" as you go.
Leave some behind. Take less food or try to leave some of your food on your plate. Many of us were brought up to clean our plates, so you have to retrain yourself not to think about waste, but about waist.
Choose high-fiber. Just about anything from the bakery section will have a wheat, bran or high-fiber version. These are often more flavorful and can keep you feeling "full" longer.
Don't lick the spoon. Bites, licks, and tastes are not calorie-free, so try to minimize tasting when you're cooking.
Carry water everywhere. Water can squelch hunger pangs and it's great for your overall health. Plus, dehydration can feel a lot like hunger, making you eat when you're actually thirsty.
Reach for filling foods. Oatmeal, oranges and soup are three foods that can help you feel "full" longer than other choices. In fact, a study at the University of Pennsylvania found that people consumed an average of 20% fewer calories when they started their meals with soup. Just stick with a broth-based (not cream-based) kind.
Whatever you do, don't "diet." Make new changes that you can live with for a lifetime, adding new approaches as others become habit. We promise you'll see the results.Monday, May 9, 2011
Doing Something Crazy
Well, today I did something crazy and I am glad that I did -- sore feet, blisters and all! I decided to walk with Alan to work -- an 8 mile round trip.
Now I did 4 miles yesterday, but before that, I hadn't walked more than about 2 miles in a day in many years. So, for me, that was a very long hike!
Today it took me about 4 hours to do the 8 miles (not counting 2 breaks of about 20 minutes each).
Yes, I got some doozy blisters on my right foot. Yes, my legs are stiff (although not as sore as I thought they might be at this point.) But what a great sense of accomplishment I am feeling! I can't wait for my feet to heal up so I can do it again!
Report Card:
Weight: 232
Calories: 1,850 919 calories burned
Exercise Minutes: 240 21,413 steps, 8 miles
Average BS: 127
Now I did 4 miles yesterday, but before that, I hadn't walked more than about 2 miles in a day in many years. So, for me, that was a very long hike!
Today it took me about 4 hours to do the 8 miles (not counting 2 breaks of about 20 minutes each).
Yes, I got some doozy blisters on my right foot. Yes, my legs are stiff (although not as sore as I thought they might be at this point.) But what a great sense of accomplishment I am feeling! I can't wait for my feet to heal up so I can do it again!
Report Card:
Weight: 232
Calories: 1,850 919 calories burned
Exercise Minutes: 240 21,413 steps, 8 miles
Average BS: 127
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Focusing on the Positive
I was feeling really negative yesterday, but today is a new day. I stopped and took stock of the positive things that happened last week.
I got some major exercise in, I was able to reduce my insulin again, my blood sugar numbers just keep getting more stable, and my pants are getting looser. I think that far outweighs some days with higher calories!
Today Alan and I went on a terrific walk -- 4.75 miles! Two months ago I couldn't have gone nearly that far, let alone keep up the pace that we did today. Hooray!
We also decided that I would walk with him to work in the mornings and see how that went. It is 4 miles to get there. I would love to walk to work with him and then walk home -- and then do it again in the afternoon. Wouldn't that be an accomplishment! I will let you know the results....
Weight: Still 232
Calories: Mother's Day eating out again, so high -- 2550
Exercise: 120 minutes, 13,117 steps, 4.75 miles
Average BS: 128
I got some major exercise in, I was able to reduce my insulin again, my blood sugar numbers just keep getting more stable, and my pants are getting looser. I think that far outweighs some days with higher calories!
Today Alan and I went on a terrific walk -- 4.75 miles! Two months ago I couldn't have gone nearly that far, let alone keep up the pace that we did today. Hooray!
We also decided that I would walk with him to work in the mornings and see how that went. It is 4 miles to get there. I would love to walk to work with him and then walk home -- and then do it again in the afternoon. Wouldn't that be an accomplishment! I will let you know the results....
Weight: Still 232
Calories: Mother's Day eating out again, so high -- 2550
Exercise: 120 minutes, 13,117 steps, 4.75 miles
Average BS: 128
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Not a great week
This has not been a great week. While some days I did great on exercise, others I did zip because of a foot injury and stomach cramps. I should have and could have worked around it, but I didn't.
My calorie intake was even worse this week. I am really upset with myself on that one. I started out so-so and went downhill from there. Yuck!!
So -- What went wrong? I just let myself fall back into old habits -- Why? Obviously, I was self sabotaging. Why do I do that?
I am going to have to do some more thinking about that. In the meantime, I need to get back with the program and stop beating myself up about one bad week. It is not the end of everything -- it is just one bad week. It does not mean that I cannot get back on track and succeed -- it is just one bad week. So I should stop making a mountain out of a molehill, right? Right!
Thursday: Friday: Saturday:
Weight: 232 233 232
Calories: 1510 1300 1920
Exercise: 105 0 30
Average BS: 132 136 149
My calorie intake was even worse this week. I am really upset with myself on that one. I started out so-so and went downhill from there. Yuck!!
So -- What went wrong? I just let myself fall back into old habits -- Why? Obviously, I was self sabotaging. Why do I do that?
I am going to have to do some more thinking about that. In the meantime, I need to get back with the program and stop beating myself up about one bad week. It is not the end of everything -- it is just one bad week. It does not mean that I cannot get back on track and succeed -- it is just one bad week. So I should stop making a mountain out of a molehill, right? Right!
Thursday: Friday: Saturday:
Weight: 232 233 232
Calories: 1510 1300 1920
Exercise: 105 0 30
Average BS: 132 136 149
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wierd Days
The last two days have been wierd for me. On Tuesday, I really stepped up the exercise a lot.
But then we ended up going out to eat for dinner -- never a good, and this was really bad.
This morning I had actually gone back down in weight to 232 lbs. So that was a good.
But I was physically exhausted. I went back to bed at 10:30 AM and slept until 3:30 PM!! And I have been dragging my tail this evening. So I am not sure what is going on.
Oh, well -- better luck tomorrow!
Tuesday: Wednesday:
Weight: 234 Weight: 232
Calories: 2,650 Yikes!! Calories: 1,520
Exercise: 155 minutes Exercise: 50 minutes
Avg. BS: 122 Avg. BS: 112
But then we ended up going out to eat for dinner -- never a good, and this was really bad.
This morning I had actually gone back down in weight to 232 lbs. So that was a good.
But I was physically exhausted. I went back to bed at 10:30 AM and slept until 3:30 PM!! And I have been dragging my tail this evening. So I am not sure what is going on.
Oh, well -- better luck tomorrow!
Tuesday: Wednesday:
Weight: 234 Weight: 232
Calories: 2,650 Yikes!! Calories: 1,520
Exercise: 155 minutes Exercise: 50 minutes
Avg. BS: 122 Avg. BS: 112
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Upping the Ante
I decided it was time to up the ante, now that I have my doctor's hearty approval. I want to try to work off as many calories as I take in each day. I know that will take a lot of hours of work, but it would be nice to get some of this weight off in "Biggest Loser" style. So I plan to do a lot of walking today -- counting my steps and calories burned.
Yesterday's Report Card:
Weight: 232
Calories: 1,580
Exercise Minutes: 60
Average BS: 119
Yesterday's Report Card:
Weight: 232
Calories: 1,580
Exercise Minutes: 60
Average BS: 119
Sunday, May 1, 2011
An Active Sunday
My hubby and I have talked a lot this weekend about what the doctors told us and what we want our next steps in the process to be. I am so glad that he is taking the lead in our journey together!
Today we enjoyed a great day outdoors. We took a two mile hike in the morning and then swam twice later in the day. It was nice being out in the sunshine with each other.
Report Card:
Weight: 233
Calories: 1,540
Exercise Minutes: 105
Average BS: 113
Today we enjoyed a great day outdoors. We took a two mile hike in the morning and then swam twice later in the day. It was nice being out in the sunshine with each other.
Report Card:
Weight: 233
Calories: 1,540
Exercise Minutes: 105
Average BS: 113
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