Being Deliberate

Katie J linked to the Christine's blog the Deliberate Life. She linked to a particular post titled "How to Lose 100 Pounds Cheap and Easy." After I read this post, I realized that I haven't been taking my weight loss journey all that seriously. If I want to lose weight, it's up to me to make the right choices and decisions. I know I have to eat less and move more. I know, in truth, there are no miracles. And I am the only one who can lose the weight—no one can do it for me. Even if I were filthy rich and could hire people to do most anything, I still couldn't hire someone to lose weight for me.

Christine recognized that you have to be brutally honest with yourself to succeed. You can't sneak bites of brownie and expect to lose weight. You have to exercise; she chose to walk. Exercise doesn't have to cost a thing. There really are no excuses. So I think I'm getting to a new place—a new mind set. I've been deliberately moving more, no matter how little, just to do it. I'm more conscious of every bite I put in my mouth. I also have a better understanding of why I continue to overeat despite what I know. So now I'm working on moving forward.

P.S. It depends on what's really important to you.

Baby Oil Allergy
Of all things to be allergic to, I'm allergic to baby oil. How do I know? I was using it to soothe dry, winter skin. But I kept getting itchier until finally I developed a full, blown rash. It's just now going away. I had no idea you could be allergic to baby oil. Isn't it made from hypoallergenic ingredients? Well, take a look at the label. Right there it says, "If rash develops, discontinue use." Seriously. So beware of that strange winter rash. It may be from baby oil.

Later—

13 Weight Loss Blogs for Motivation and Inspiration

I look for motivation in the blogs I read. I also identify with the struggles of those who write them. These are the top 12 blogs that I read and lurk on almost everyday. I hope you find some encouragement from them.

1. Ann Is Living Large No More. Ann has become a real confidant and inspiration. I consider her a friend.
2. I just started reading Mindful Martini Mouse. This is the story of a woman who is trying to lose weight while living on the road. She and her husband are long-haul truckers. Imagine the challenges of this lifestyle.
3. A Crazy Little Thing Called Life is truly inspiring. This young lady has already lost quite a bit of weight. But she is also looking for inspiration. Stop by and give her some encouragement.
4. SkinnyHollie. What a journey this lady has had. Health issues, a divorce, and being a single mom haven't stopped this lady from losing more than 60 pounds. Stop by to give her your support.
5. I really identify with Losing Weight After 45 Is a Bitch. Boy, do I ever know that. Lose the weight while you're young. It just gets harder the longer you wait.
6. I read The Heart Scan Blog because it reminds of why I need to lose weight. It also provides great information about heart disease.
7. Jacksh*t Gettin' Fit is just plain funny. What else can I say?
8. My Journey to Fit: A Forty-Somethings Weight Loss Journey inspires me. I know there's still hope.
9. I identify with 266. She's lost a lot weight and journals her struggles along the way. I hope she inspires you, too.
10. What is there to say about Paula Wanna Cracker? She continues to hang around my blog even though I haven't had much success in over a year. But her blog is great. Stop by to give it a read. I'm sure you'll find something to motivate you.
11. Katie J is on Her Way. I just love Katie. She's a warm, friendly woman who chronicles her successes and failures with equal depth.
12. The Bloggest Loser is one of the first weight loss blogs I started reading. I still read it. You can find recipes and inspiration here.
13. A Walk in the Park. Eeek. I almost forgot about Susan. Please forgive me, Susan. This lady has been there for me through a lot of stuff. She is having some concerns of her own right now. Stop by her blog to say hello and let her know you're there for her. Believe me, she'd do the same for you.

This only part of my reading list. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do. Enjoy!

How do I get past a set point?

Well, I actually left the house today. So I guess that's one success. I went to the gym, I did 35 minutes on an elliptical and then I did some sit ups and used a medicine ball for a while. I am so bored with trying to figure out what to do by myself. And I have a hamstring injury. No I'm not going to quit. I've come too far for that. I just need to figure out how to get past a set point.

I've been at the same weight for a really long time now. I don't know how to get past it. I keep thinking there must be some secret out there that I don't know about. I guess I'll have to increase my exercise intensity and cut out eating too much. I know I'm eating way too much. I guess the first step is in admitting it. Fortunately I'm not eating a bunch of crap. I am overeating things that are good for me. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

My right index finger has a big bump in the first knuckle. I think it's related to arthritis, but it might be a bone spur. All I know is that I've wanted to take a hammer and smash it. I know that would only make things worse—but man sometimes it bugs me.

Not much else is going on. So until tomorrow. . . .

P.S. Has anyone heard of the Shangri La Diet?