Heal Your Life

Sorry I haven't been around as much. I've been fighting a sinus infection that moved into my ears and glands. I'm taking an antibiotic, and feeling a little better. But this has definitely been a challenge—lightheadedness making me out of balance, leading to nausea, and fatigue. Yuk.

So, I hope to be back into the game soon. I just wanted you to know that I'm still here.

Heal Your Life
Before I go here's something I read recently that hit the mark with me: Women who hold onto pounds hold onto their dreams. Kinda odd, but think about it for a minute. For all the dreams you haven't given up on, you've held onto the pounds on your body. Isn't it time to let it go? Check out Heal Your Life for a six-week Diet Wars way to stop emotional eating and end the dieting roller coaster once and for all. 

It's Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day!
This morning while I was taking the kids to school, we saw a rainbow. Right now it's 53 degrees and sunny, but that's supposed to change later today. But it is Groundhog Day and that means we're closing in on spring.

Also, this morning, my nephew got stuck on the ice again—in his car. He wasn't just standing there. And I resisted the urge to run outside to help him. Don't worry. A neighbor helped him. But why this is a big thing for me is: I know I can't save everyone now. I can't keep the people I live from experiencing life. People can and often do find ways to help themselves. I'm not responsible for everyone. I can't be. I can only be responsible for myself. And what a weight off of my shoulders that is. I don't have to live the same day over and over.

Diet has been going OK. I've been eating lots of vegetables and fruit. I've been trying to stick with three meals a day. I'm not counting calories right now, but I am watching portion sizes. Exercise is mostly just moving more. It's a little easier when the kids are around.

I'm still looking for as many dieting and fitness resources that I can find. Let me know if you run across any good ones. I'll let you know what I find as well.

I'll try to post more later, but life has been busy this week.

And that's it for now. 

5 Tips for Sticking with Your Diet

Having trouble sticking to your diet? We all do from time to time. To really be on top of your game, create a plan that fits your lifestyle and takes into account that there will be tough times.

1. Choose a diet that fits your lifestyle. Low carb, low fat, and low calorie diets all have one thing in common: They will work if you stick with them. But if you choose a low carb diet, and deep down you know there's no way you're going to pass by the bread, maybe it's time to reevaluate. Remember, willpower doesn't have as much to do with whether you succeed as your perception of whether the diet is simple and easy to follow. Also, you may feel physically better on one diet over another. Choose the one that's right for you.

2. Set realistic goals. If you're set to go to the beach next month, losing 100 pounds by then probably isn't going to happen. Aim for one to two pounds per week (when you first start your diet, you may lose more than that but weight loss will quickly taper off). I'd say that even three pounds per week is possible under the right—healthy—circumstances.

3. Don't let one slip upset your whole plan. Everybody gives in to a snack attack at one or another. Just because you did too doesn't mean that's the end of the program and now you'll have to start all over again. It was a slip. Pick yourself up and say, "OK. I ate the Snickers bar. So what? I'm still heading toward my goal. A few too many calories, or too much fat, or whatever right now doesn't mean my future is doomed to failure." Sometimes people with weight problems have an all or nothing mentality. But reality is somewhere in between.

4. Find a support group, either online or in your community. Online support programs like Sparkpeople.com have message boards and ways to find people who have similar goals. Other programs like TOPS or OA get you face-to-face with people like you. Pick one that works for you.

5. Set up a system of non-food rewards. Many bloggers out there like Ann have found rewards that mean more to them than allowing themselves to overindulge and stay embedded in bad habits. Choose something that you really want and use that as enticement to reach your goal. Want a handbag? A piece of jewelry? Whatever it is give yourself permission to use that as a reward.

Don't forget: Sticking to a diet is hard for virtually everyone. Don't beat yourself up for an occasional slip. Look for support. And success can be yours.                                                                                                   

Appetite for Destruction

Do you think that sticking to a diet is all about willpower and dedication? Well, not so, according to a study printed in the February 2010 issue of Appetite and posted on Science Direct. While motivation and dedication play a role in diet adherence, diet complexity matters more in whether you will stick with it.

The researcher team, lead by by Juta Mutta, found that people were more likely to stick to diet that was simple and laid out menu plans and recipes like Brigitte, the German diet program. They compared two diet plans, the German recipe plan and Weight Watchers points plan, in a sample group of 390 participants. Perceived rule complexity was the strongest factor in whether the participants stuck with the program.

"Even if you believe you can succeed, thinking the diet is cognitively complex can undermine your efforts," said Mata, now a professor of psychology at Stanford University.

Mata added that dieting is more than just in your head and relies on environmental factors, such as removing the cookies and other snacks from the pantry, as well as choosing a diet plan that will work for you. Should you decide to choose a plan that's more complex, evaluate the diet rules before beginning to make sure it's plan you can stick with. If it requires doing a lot of calculations and monitoring, you may give way to the complexity after a while and "fall off of the wagon."

This is where many dieters resign themselves to failure. In addition, the researchers said that the longer you can stick to your diet plan, the more likely you are to be able to maintain the weight loss in the future.

What about me?
In truth, I've never liked diets that made me think too hard. I've always liked plans that were pretty much laid out for me. And I've done the best when I have sample menus to go by. So, for me, there seems to be something to this research. What do you think?

Food Journal Giveaway

What a great to start a Monday. I'm announcing a giveaway. This food journal includes weight loss tips, and it has another little journal that comes with it—it's small journal intended for people to carry more easily. It's about the size of one of those little horoscope pocketbooks you get at the checkout counter.

So for this giveaway, all you have to do comment on why you think a food journal would benefit you—just a sentence or two will do. For example, "A food journal will really help me on my weight loss journey because it will keep me honest." Anyway, you get the idea. I will post the best comments on my blog.

I stole this idea from Susan. Here blog is Let's Lose Weight This Year. I also stole her journal—well, not literally. I chose one like the one that she uses. This journal came from Books-A-Million. It retails for $14.95.

I've found that writing down everything you eat really makes you more accountable. Although somedays I'm better at it than other days, I think it's helped me eat far less than I typically would. So good luck. I'm looking forward to reading your comments.

P.S. The giveaway ends on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at midnight. Winner announced on Monday, August 23, 2010.

Only in My Dreams

I made it through the first day of my personal challenges in one piece—what did you expect? I walked for 30 minutes when I got home. I wrote three articles—not just one—yesterday. I'm hoping to get ahead on that challenge.

I Dreamed That I Did It
I did not eat any candy, but dreamed that I did. Isn't that weird? When I first quit smoking seven years ago, I used to dream that I smoked a cigarette and messed up the length of time that I was cigarette free and would have to start all over. That's how my "eating candy" dream went last night. I was so disappointed in myself. Then I woke up and realized that I hadn't eaten the candy and everything was OK.

Power of Positive Energy—And Thinking
I've been praying for positive energy. And I think it's working—whether it's psychological or real, it doesn't matter if it's working. Right? I do think there is something to prayer. Larry Dossey, an M.D., believes in prayer and has seen it work. I believe him. So don't knock until you've tried it.

Even though I feel really tired today, I also feel energized. And I have a lot to do. So I need to get to it. More updates as I go along with my personal challenge. Pray for me. Please.

Facing Life Head On

I decided that my blog needs a lot more than witless droning about the same old things everyday. How can I be expect to do well in any kind of journey—let alone a weight-loss one—if I keep myself in a depressed state of mind? I can't. I also decided that I need to set up some challenges for myself.

Now you're probably thinking that I'm talking about weight-loss challenges, but that ain't necessarily so. I decided to set up some life challenges—the kind that will make my life better. How do I know this will work? I prayed to God and He pitied me—and gave me some answers. He said: It's me. I have to do it. And that the fortune I seek will be at the end of a long journey, filled with fraught and perils. OK. I stole that from O' Brother, Where Art Thou? But the message is the same. Anything in life that's worth anything comes to us because we work for it—often really hard, never giving up. And hard work is that much more rewarding.

How is that a plan?
So what am I going to do? First I have to set up some ground rules for my challenges. Just saying that I'm going to do something won't move me to do it. I need a plan. For one thing, any challenge I take on will have to last for 30 days. They say—whoever they are—that if you do something for 30 days, it becomes a habit. So that's my plan for now—at least until I can think of other things that will be necessary for me to get to my goal.

No Candy for You
My first challenge is a weight loss challenge, and it's simple. I can't go to Betty's office to get candy for 30 days—starting today. Sounds easy, but knowing there's a candy dish up there filled with all kinds of chocolate is really tempting. I figure, though, after 30 days I won't want it any more.

Hey, I'm Walking
I will get some kind of exercise everyday for 30 days for at least 30 minutes. I don't have to go to a gym. I can do whatever it is I want to do—walking, videos, or the gym if I choose.

Writing Something Everyday for 30 Days
My next challenge—and I can't believe I'm making this publicly—I will write 30 articles in 30 days for my Suite101 account. I know I can do it. My biggest obstacle in this is me. I let writer's block take over so I can say I can't do it. I know I can get beyond myself.

So those are my challenges for myself.

Still Waiting for Spring

I know. I haven't posted for a while. I haven't had Internet service at home for about two weeks. It's getting frustrating. If I had known what I know today, I never would've switched my service.

I made it to the gym four days last week, and, so far, today this week. I like working out. I'm just having a time getting out of bed. But I'm getting better.

As far as the diet, I'm trying to eat things that are good for me. I figure if I stuff myself with carrots it won't be as bad as miniature Hershey bars. Sometimes, for me anyway, it's just the act of eating something that satisfies me. I am a compulsive eater, no doubt. I'm always in the "what-can-I-eat-next" mode. So i've been going for baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and apples—things that take a while to eat and really are a source of vitamins and fiber. Don't forget fiber. Boy, that has an effect, doesn't it?

So that's where I'm at. But I'm doing OK. I feel OK. Having my girls around me helps my mood. I love them so much. Also, I'm still playing piano—well, learning to play piano. I'm getting better at that, too.

On Sunday, it was 70 degrees. Today. it's snowing. My sinuses are suffering. When will it finally be Spring?

Jumper's Knee Is the Culprit

I was thinking back to when I first started this journey. And i was trying to remember what the breaking point was for me. What made me decide that it time to lose weight? I was tired of being out of control. I was tired of not being able to get around like I wanted. But I feel that way now. And I'm not able to stay motivated. One reason, my leg injury. After some research, I think that it's something I've been in denial about. It's not my hamstring. It's not a muscle cramp. It's my knee. And the pain is now radiating down my leg as well as up my leg. It's on the outside right of my leg, but the back of my knee is where the real pain is. I have all of the symptoms of "jumper's knee." At least there's a name for it.

In younger people, jumper's knee is caused by, well, jumping. In older people, it can be related to osteoarthritis. Guess which one is likely the cause of mine? Really, it's probably a little—or maybe even a lot—of both.

What to do about it? Wrap it and take an anti-inflammatory—which I can't take because I have an ulcer. If it's really bad—surgery. I think I'll start by wrapping it and taking Tylenol.

So that's one thing that's gotten in my way. Another is a plateau that I hit last year. It was a real chain jerker. I started to feel like: What's the use? But now I've gained back 10 of the pounds that I lost. I think today is a new awakening. The shock when I got on the scale this morning was a real motivation booster. I cannot go back to what I was two years ago. It would be too painful.

So how do I start? Like I did two years ago—slowly. First I'll start with the diet. Then I'll walk more—which, believe it or not, is good for osteoarthritis. I'll keep up with the strength training. At the gym, I'll do either the glider elliptical, the rowing machine, or walk on the track. I want to be healthy—not model thin. So my goal is to be healthy.

Mexico's Calling

For some reason, I'm feeling queasy and not really very well. I also feel headachy and bloated. Blah, blah, blah. I'm tired of feeling crappy.

My diet has been going OK, but I am bloated. I don't know why.

I'm still day dreaming about another life. I want to figure out how to make my dreams come true.

The weather is still crappy and sloppy.

Mexico awaits me.

Not so Intimidated Afterall

Made it to the gym again this morning.

My diet has still been going well over the past few days. Yesterday went extremely well because I had things to occupy my thoughts besides food. I think that's what I need. I think the piano class and getting some things done around my house will help me immensely. And when the weather changes for the better, I'll be able to walk the dogs again.

I had my first piano class last night. It was fun. I'm relieved that most of the people in the class have never played the piano before. I don't feel so intimidated. The teacher is very nice, and she says that she won't make anyone play in front of the class if he or she doesn't want to. Thank God. I have some homework. We're not having class next week because the teacher has to take her mother to Texas for eye surgery. So I have time to practice. Maybe I won't feel like such a dork if I can learn how to play the scales well and get the timing down—at least a little better. My goal—I may have said this before—is to play "Linus and Lucy."

OK. So I need to get to work.

Beginning Piano Tonight

In the gym again this morning. I need to get back into this. I think if i can make it through the week, I'll be OK.

The diet has been going OK for a couple of days now.

My piano class starts tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

I don't have a lot to say today. I hope I have more tomorrow.

Resisting Temptation, Struggling with Identity

It snowed here last night so I didn't get up and go to the gym. But I did do an old Power 90 workout. It's about 30 minutes of resistance work. I have to do something everyday, even if I don't go to the gym.

The diet is going well. I resisted several temptations yesterday--like French fries, ice cream, and cookies. I feel like I've lost a lot of fluid--according to the scale at least two pounds. I also have a friend who's helping me. He lost more than 100 pounds about five years ago. He knows how to turn on the guilt trips. But it works. And believe it or not, I appreciate it.

I'm still struggling with self worth. I don't feel like I have much to live for all by myself. My dogs and my girls need me. So I live for them. I guess I need to learn how to live for myself. I got confirmation from WVU's Creative Arts Center about the piano class I signed up for. So I guess it's going to happen, unless there's some unforeseeable event. But believe me, "the journey to me" is a long difficult one.

I've spent most of my life taking care of other people. And most of them haven't appreciated it. They've expected it. And the truth is, I don't think I know how to take care of myself. So I'm working on that. And the piano is helping.

Tomorrow Caleb goes to the vet for the Big Cut. Poor thing has no idea what's going to happen to him. I told him: "Enjoy 'em while you've got 'em." There he is, lounging on the floor, not a care.

I think my baby niece may have an ear infection. I hope she'll be OK. I worry about those babies so much.

OK. I need to get to work.

P.S. The finger is doing well.

Call Me

I made it to the gym today. Woo Hoo. I did 35 minutes on an elliptical. I did some stretching. I have to get back to my routine. I have a friend who is calling me in the morning to make sure I'm up. It helps because I know the phone is going to start ringing, and I'll have to get up to answer it. After one day, so far so good.

I'm making an effort to get my diet under control, too.

So we'll see how this goes.

Since I Got This New Piano. . . .

Since the piano came along, I've been pretty lax in my posting. The nice thing about learning piano is that when I'm practicing, I'm not even thinking about eating. I'm concentrating on the song I'm trying to play. And believe me, at this point it's trying to play. But it's turned into such a wonderful experience. I didn't know it would be this satisfying. And to say something satisfies me besides food is a definite endorsement for learning something new. No matter your age or even your talent, give it a shot. You might be surprised. For the first time in my life, I can read music.

Also if you if take up music at an older age, it may prevent dementia. And if you have a family history of dementia--like an Uncle Joe who started peeing in the refrigerator after he turned 70 or an Aunt Bessie who started wondering around the neighborhood naked--and you're, oh, I don't know, say 50, you might want to consider taking up music.

I have been to the gym, and I'm watching what I'm eating. I haven't weighed myself in a while. But I will in good time. Probably after Christmas. Then I'll check the real damage.

I have to go to an orthopedic surgeon today to have the cyst on finger checked. I don't know if he'll actually do anything about it today or not. I suppose not. He'll probably set up another appointment to do that. I hope he can just drain it rather than an actual surgery.

It just occurred to me that I've actually used the word actual too many times in that last paragraph. But who really cares? I suppose if there's some copy editor out there reading this--M--she might be tempted to edit my post.

Last night I had the old "naked in public" dream. But it was combined with the "having to take a test that you're not prepared for" dream. So I feel exposed and unprepared for it I guess. I did run across this really nice guy who helped me find some clothes, though. So I guess it's not all bad. I was tyring to hide in the dark, and he said, "You're going to have to come out of there." And then I said, "But I'm naked. I don't have any clothes." At first he said, "I don't care. You've got to get out of there." But I begged him to help me, I said, "Can't you find me a big shirt or something to wear? Please." And he did. He actually found me a shirt and some underwear. Who said chivalry is dead? At least it isn't in my dreams.

OK. That's the most I've had to say in a while. I hope whatever happens today with my finger doesn't affect my typing too much. If not, I'll try to let you what happens. TTFN.

I Wish I Could Hibernate

OK. I've had a few questions about resveratrol and soy. They did not work for me. The only things that have worked are reducing the amount I eat and lots of exercise. Sorry. I have not found any miracles. 

Not much else has changed in my life. I'm still stressed. Sticking to any kind of healthy program has been really tough. I wish I could hibernate. I'm working on finding my motivation. But it is not where I left it. 

I was supposed to write seven weird things about myself, but never got around to it. I will try to get to that soon. 

In the mean time, here's an old post with eight weird things:

Over the weekend, I was tagged by Jimmy Moore —that stinker—to play a game in which I have to list eight interesting or peculiar things about myself. So here goes:

1. I was born at home. Not too peculiar, but considering it was in southern West Virginia in the '50s, it's a bit of a tale. My mother did not go to a doctor throughout her entire pregnancy with me. In spite of that, I was born as a healthy nine-pound baby. A midwife named Garnett Farley delivered me. I was born in my parents’ bed. After I was born, my father took me to the “company store” and weighed me on the meat scale. How’s that for a beginning in life? Hmmm. Maybe it was indication of how I would spend my life. On a scale. And in the vicinity of food.

2. You know how people can do that “Live Long and Prosper” thing with their fingers? Well, I can do that with my toes. Now there’s a skill that will come in handy in the future.

3. I did not start college until I was 27 years old. And then I paid my own way through school. It was so exciting buying my books and getting off to school. There is no way I could go back to school now. I’ve tried, but it’s just too much. My hat is off to anyone who could.

4. I’m completely creeped out by root cellars. Those dirt walls and the roots sticking out—can you tell I grew up in the country? Anyway, one of my worst nightmares is being locked in one.

5. I’ve traveled to more than 25 U.S. states, including Vermont, Delaware, New York, New Hampshire, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Utah, Missouri, Nevada, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. I can’t remember if there were any others or not. Most of my travels have been for work, but some for pleasure. I also have been to Canada and Mexico. Woo hoo.

6. I was bitten by a six-foot black snake when I was 18 months old. And I can remember it as if it had happened yesterday. It happened in my grandparents’ front yard. I saw the snake, and thought it was a rope. I wondered about it a little bit, and then I went up and kicked it. The snake bit me on my right knee. I started screaming. My grandfather, who had been in the tub, came running out of his house wrapped in a towel. My mother came screaming from some other direction—armed with a hoe. The snake didn’t live another five minutes. Don’t mess with a child when its mother is nearby. Now, I kind of feel sorry for the snake. But, needless to say, the experience left me scared to death of snakes. One time, I completely froze in my tracks, I couldn’t move, because one of those little green garden snakes slithered across my path.

7. I prefer Diet Coke to Diet Pepsi any day of the week. I don’t think I have to say anything more than that.

8. I have had trouble sleeping ever since I was born. My mother told me that when I was baby, the only way I could go to sleep was to put my head under her arm. Now, I can’t sleep if I’m even slightly stimulated. But I love to dream. I have tried to remember my dreams over the years. I think that dreaming helps me make sense of my life. The book, Our Dreaming Mind, by Robert Van de Castle is one of my favorites.

And that’s it for my list. Nothing great. Now, I'm supposed to tag eight people. But I don't have any idea who to tag. Does it count if I don't tag anyone?

You Traded in My Car? Seriously?

Last night dreamed that Al came back and traded in my car for another one that turned out to be a piece of junk. Apparently these people flew in from Washington, D.C. to buy my car, so there was no way I could get my car back. I was pissed.

"You sold my car?!" I screamed. "You sold my car?! And you sold me a piece of junk that you knew needed shocks?"

"I said it needed bearings," this little B says to me.

"Oh, so that makes all the difference?" I yelled.

I was pissed because my Toyota—even though it had more than 100,000 miles—was a far better car than the one I was now stuck with—some sort of old, gray Buick. Not only was I stuck with a car that I didn't want and wasn't mechanically sound, I had to make payments on it. WTF.

I went to the gym this morning. I'm trying to work back up to my 90-minute workouts. I'll get there. My leg is feeling remarkably better. Yea.

The diet is getting better. I still need to work on it. 

I'm going home for lunch and to spend time with my boys. 

Life is so weird. 

Lightening, Devils, and Yard Sales

I ordered Prevention's Flat Belly Diet. This will make the fourth different diet, err way of eating, that I've tried this year. I'm hope something works soon.

I just woke up from one of the most bizarre dreams I've ever had in my life--yeah I know. I say that every time I have a bizarre dream. And dreams are bizarre things. There's so much detail in my mind right now that I can't really narrow it down. But there was a storm and my house had severe leaks. A water heater in the basement had a surge protector on it, and it was a good thing since lightening was hitting house and ground around the house. A devil lived in the room with the water heater. I hated going in there. So I didn't.

Then I discovered many, many other rooms in the house. Most of them were under ground. Some contained children's clothes laid out as thought there were going to be some kind of yard sale. But I didn't and decided to donate everything to Christian Help. But there were other long hallways that lead to rooms that were partially outside--or lead to outside.

Some painters were just finishing a very unique paint job. I asked them how much they would charge to paint the main rooms of my house, and to my surprise they said only $200 but they couldn't do it until the end of January. I disappointedly said OK but but was happy they could give me such a deal considering the fine work they did. And they said they could have it done in only two days.

OK. The weirdest part was this guy who said he was a minister, but he was trying to arrange an affair with me. At first I was offended but then I thought about it. I never did agree to it. But I did think about it. He was supposed to be married to someone I knew, and he told me his name, and several other people repeated his name, but now I can't remember what it was.

The dogs were also involved and Caleb was playing inside the house's ventilation system. I was trying to get him out. Also, I was trying to make my bed.

And the details go on and on. So I'll try to figure this one out.

I am going back to the gym on Monday. I am not quitting.

1,000 Whinny Excuses

This morning I managed to do 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. I did 20 minutes between 5% and 8% inclines and 10 minutes of gradual cooling down. I did 80 crunches and some stretching. I swear to God, I will get back to the weights on Monday. Yes, I have 1,000 whinny excuses for not doing them today. I have blisters on my hands and one on my little toe. My right hamstring still hurts. Shall I go on?

This weekend I'm planning on at least cleaning my house. I can't stand looking at it anymore. Who can live like this anyway?

My backyard looks like I never touched it. Yesterday's rain brought down more of the remaining leaves. This weekend we're going to get down into the 30s here. So that should bring down the rest of them. Looks like more raking next week.

I saw My Gym Hunk this morning. You know? There has to be a God if there's stuff like that walking around.

My diet is getting much better now that I have this wager with JD . It's funny—but when you add that competitive edge to something, it gives you more motivation. And I am sooo gonna kick his butt.

I Won't Do It, OK. Maybe A Little

Finally, finally, finally, my leg is starting to feel better. It's even more flexible. I hope that by the end of next week, I can resume my more intensive workout. I will keep up the stretching. I've figured out that that's important.

I've still gotta work on the diet. I can't keep pretending it's not important. The good news is that I'm clearly not the over eater I once was.

As for the vice presidential debate: If the winner is the one who had the lowest expectation rating among her own party, and who side-stepped direct questions with vague non-sequester responses about Alaska, hockey moms, Joe Sixpacks, and energy, then Palin is the clear winner. But if you're measuring experience and knowledge, then you gotta give it to Biden. By the way, I, too, can say Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. I learned how to say his name from watching Letterman. (How many times did she say Ahmadinejad?) I also know who the "Dear Leader" of North Korea is from watching Letterman. You know Kim Jong Il and his brother Men Tali Il. Anyway, I digress. OK. I won't get political.

It's Friday. Yea. Am I looking forward to the weekend? You betcha.(Sorry. i couldn't resist.)