My diet and weight loss journey isn't something I've blogged about at all, I don't think, but it's something that has been an ongoing battle for me since.... well.. since having children 14 years ago. I've tried every 'diet' out there, Weight Watchers (lost 20 pounds and my cholesterol shot through the roof), Atkins (who can eat like that for life?) South Beach (still better, but yikes.. low energy levels) Lean for Life (probably do-able, but I just wasn't at a place in my life where I was able to do it consistently and I always felt deprived and hungry). Now, the latest craze to hit the diet world is the Flat Belly Diet based on the idea of eating MonoUnsaturated Fats at every meal (4 400 calorie meals per day to be exact). I looked at the foods that are good sources of MUFA's (olives, olive oil, nuts and seeds, avocados and dark chocolate) and decided I could live the rest of my life eating one of those at every meal. Now, my day doesn't really lend itself to 4 meals a day, so I've cut the 4th meal into two 200 calorie snacks (which works better for my life) and I think it will be ok... we'll see. Yesterday was my first day trying this and here are my observations:
1. When it was time for my 10:30 snack, I wasn't starving.
2. I almost couldn't finish my lunch.
3. Afternoon snack was satisfying and I didn't eat dinner until 6:30 (normally I'm ravenous by 5:00)
4. None of the food in the concessions stand was temping to me last night (that may be due to the fact that I'm entirely sick of the smell of popcorn, hot dogs and nacho cheese)
5. My attitude about food is better, my attitude about most things in general is getting better all the time (I don't attribute all of that to the diet, but not feeling hungry and headachy sure helps my disposition).
So.. this is something I can live with. I'm hoping it works as well as it's supposed to.
Have a MUFAlous weekend!! :)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Slogging
I don't know if it's due to the extremely high temperatures a week ago (70's and 80's) followed by the extremely low temperatures this week (the high yesterday was 13) or exactly what it is that has me down, but down I am. I think of all the things I could be/should be doing and I have NO motivation to do them. I try to eat more healthy foods and end up sabotaging myself by the end of the day. I feel like I'm walking up hill through freezing molasses with a 50 pound pack on my back. Everything about me feels heavy right now. My head, my heart, my body, my mind, my very soul all feel weighed down. I need a break. I need some levity. I need some aspirin.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Still Healing
Time will heal all wounds it's true, and things are better every day. I was listening to pandora radio this morning and the song "Thank You" by Alanis Morisette came on.. and some of the lyrics really struck me...
The Bible says to give thanks continually. I'm not sure I ever thought to thank terror or frailty or consequence or disillusionment like the song says.. but those are all things that brought me to where I am. For the most part, where I am is a good thing. I still get lonely, I still get down, I still feel overwhelmed.. but that's normal isn't it? Doesn't everyone, no matter what their situation, feel those things at times? I'm so fortunate to have God's presence, the love of an amazing man, my family, and great friends to help me through those times when I feel overwhelmed. You all know who you are.. and I thank each one of you for the role you've taken in my healing in the past year. I'm not 'done' yet.. but I'm so much better. I've come a long way baby!! :)
Thank you terror
Thank you disillusionment
Thank you frailty
Thank you consequence
Thank you thank you silence
How about me not blaming you for everything
How about me enjoying the moment for once
How about how good it feels to finally forgive you
How about grieving it all one at a time
The moment I let go of it was
The moment I got more than I could handle
The moment I jumped off of it was
The moment I touched down
The Bible says to give thanks continually. I'm not sure I ever thought to thank terror or frailty or consequence or disillusionment like the song says.. but those are all things that brought me to where I am. For the most part, where I am is a good thing. I still get lonely, I still get down, I still feel overwhelmed.. but that's normal isn't it? Doesn't everyone, no matter what their situation, feel those things at times? I'm so fortunate to have God's presence, the love of an amazing man, my family, and great friends to help me through those times when I feel overwhelmed. You all know who you are.. and I thank each one of you for the role you've taken in my healing in the past year. I'm not 'done' yet.. but I'm so much better. I've come a long way baby!! :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Second Half
So, today I officially started the second half of the school year. My classes are much smaller than first semester, with the exception of digital video production (23 on the roster), which apparently I've already scared two kids out of (they were thinking this was going to be a class they just goofed off in I guess) So, all in all, things should be much less stressful for me curriculum wise this semester, which is good because things will really ramp up for FBLA and the Class of 2010 for me this spring. *whew* I love it when things are less stressful than you anticipated them to be.
Friday, January 2, 2009
2009 Goals
Ok, I'm sure the blogsphere is filled with New Year's resolutions posts. But, just so I have something to look back at and say It all started here.. These are my goals for 2009. The overall goal is to take better care of myself.. the specific steps are:
1. Drink more water. (I'm horrible at staying hydrated and as a result have horrible headaches and I'm sure I'll feel better in general if I drink more water.)
2. Take my vitamins. (Again, I'm terrible at doing this, and need to start taking better care of myself in general, afterall, this is the only body I've got!) :)
3. Drop some weight. (I'm not going to put a number on it, because I'll get obsessive about it and start sabotaging myself.. but in general, I'd like to weigh less than I do now.)
4. Read fun books. (Last year I read probably 5 or 6 self-help type books, which was fine, but I miss reading for the enjoyment of it rather than for self-improvement).
That's about it.. :)
1. Drink more water. (I'm horrible at staying hydrated and as a result have horrible headaches and I'm sure I'll feel better in general if I drink more water.)
2. Take my vitamins. (Again, I'm terrible at doing this, and need to start taking better care of myself in general, afterall, this is the only body I've got!) :)
3. Drop some weight. (I'm not going to put a number on it, because I'll get obsessive about it and start sabotaging myself.. but in general, I'd like to weigh less than I do now.)
4. Read fun books. (Last year I read probably 5 or 6 self-help type books, which was fine, but I miss reading for the enjoyment of it rather than for self-improvement).
That's about it.. :)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Back to Reality
After spending an amazing week in the warm sunny (ok, it was downright hot) Florida weather, I'm now once again back to reality in Colorado. The kids and I did Christmas on the 29th and today is our 'down' day before celebrating my son's birthday tomorrow with family. Then it's a whirlwind of friends over the weekend until school starts again on the 5th. I can't believe how quickly it's gone already. I've been in my new house officially for a year now and I'm so thankful that I have fewer and fewer sad milestones to pass by. From now on, the memories of 'what I was doing at this time last year' will be happier ones. *deeply contented sigh*
Thursday, December 18, 2008
48 of 99
So, I don't have a lot to talk about right now. Life is good. I'm plugging along getting things finished up for the semester at school and looking forward to some relaxation over the holidays. Here's some thoughts to ponder. Read through the list and see how many you've done!
1. Started your own blog (um.. you're here aren't you?)
2. Slept under the stars (technically we all sleep under the stars.. but I've done it without anything between me and the stars before).
3. Played in a band MS band (clarinet and trumpet) High School Jazz Band (keyboards) and Chuch Worship Band (keyboards/vocals)
4. Visited Hawaii May 2007
5. Watched a meteor shower with my children on the roof.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo I used to sing in church all the time.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning. I'm pretty sure I have
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill I have when my kids are sick. Someone has to stay home and make sure they're ok. :)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset both in the same day.
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied and wasn't satisfied anyway, because money isn't the key to satisfaction or happiness.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business I did all the paperwork and worked for my ex so I guess I 'started' it with him.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma I donated for preemies when I lived in Co Spgs. I feel guilty if I don't since I'm a universal donor.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check ugh.. yeah. But not in over a year.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
85. Read the entire Bible in a year.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating fish count right?
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby Three of the most beautiful ones in the world!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
If you want to play, leave me a comment so I know to come read yours. Cut and paste, bold the ones you've done. Additional anecdotal comments are optional.
1. Started your own blog (um.. you're here aren't you?)
2. Slept under the stars (technically we all sleep under the stars.. but I've done it without anything between me and the stars before).
3. Played in a band MS band (clarinet and trumpet) High School Jazz Band (keyboards) and Chuch Worship Band (keyboards/vocals)
4. Visited Hawaii May 2007
5. Watched a meteor shower with my children on the roof.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo I used to sing in church all the time.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning. I'm pretty sure I have
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill I have when my kids are sick. Someone has to stay home and make sure they're ok. :)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset both in the same day.
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied and wasn't satisfied anyway, because money isn't the key to satisfaction or happiness.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business I did all the paperwork and worked for my ex so I guess I 'started' it with him.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma I donated for preemies when I lived in Co Spgs. I feel guilty if I don't since I'm a universal donor.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check ugh.. yeah. But not in over a year.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
85. Read the entire Bible in a year.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating fish count right?
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby Three of the most beautiful ones in the world!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
If you want to play, leave me a comment so I know to come read yours. Cut and paste, bold the ones you've done. Additional anecdotal comments are optional.
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