Over the past day or two I have received quite a few comments/emails/texts with suggestions on how to get back on track and stay on track.
The has helped me immensely. The good news is that I was extremely healthy yesterday!
I think that perhaps the most impactful piece of feedback I received is that I have to remember I still have a life to live, I am not perfect, and sometimes that invloves resetting my own expectations and being prepared for the fact that there may be weeks of weight maintenance or even a little weight gain.
I have always known that the upcoming week would be a week where that was my reality. The week we hold our Martini party is always, by choice, a "non wieght loss friendly" week. It doesn't mean that I have to pig out all week but it does mean that odds are I will gain a little this week.
It is unfortunate that the week preceding this week also turned into a food fest, but you know what? That is reality and it is what it is.
So I will be as healthy as I can this week and if there is some weight gain in the process, then there is some weight gain in the process.
I have to be REAL careful that it doesn't turn into three weeks though so I may be looking for some serious support after this upcoming weekend is over.
Be healthy!
Alan
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Enough is Enough Is Enough!
The weekend was a step back in time in so many ways. I went to our high school reunion Friday night, and as much as I had little desire to "remember" the high school years, it was so nice to see my old friends and teachers again. Most of them I hadn't seen in over 30 years. How did that happen?
I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was secretly hoping that some of the "good looking" ones in highschool now looked like they had been hit by a truck, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Pretty much everyone I saw looked damn fine!
Highlights were seeing my good friends Sue L'ortye, her husband Ivan, John Bynum, and Lynn Phelan, but seeing people like Judith Mosel (who looked fabulous) and John Duncan after all these years was a real treat. I really hope we all stay in touch.
There was one guy I was hoping to see but I didn't. He was one of the bullies in High School and I thought that if I saw him I would tell him what I thought of him, but he wasn't there. I wasn't disappointed though because apparently he couldn't make it because he is in prison! LOLLOL I LOVE IT!!!
I wish I could say after my "Binge Friday" things got better food-wise but they really didn't. Between the Mandarin Restaurant, Pulled Pork sandwiches, copious amounts of beer and a great birthday party last night it has pretty much been a few days of being WAY off plan.
Under normal circumstances I would be a little concerned and put it down to an unusual weekend that is now over.
My concern, however, is not this week it is next week.
You see, once a year we have a huge Martini Party with about 100 people. I have always considered it "my day" and I always will. There is nothing that will ever stop me from having that one day a year.
That "one day" is next Saturday.
The problem is that the "one day" is never one day. This year we have a new bartender and although he has bar tended before he has never made the drinks from the specific Martini Menu we have so he is coming over for a "martini tasting night" next Thursday (which is also my birthday) to make sure he gets the mixes right (we are talking girlie martini's here...like chocolate Martini's etc.).
Friday night friends will come in from out of town and we will all go out for dinner, Saturday is the party, and Sunday is the day where I do everything I can to throw out leftovers before I eat them.
The end result is I am heading into a tough week after a tough week and that is a little scary.
My step back in time was not just to the 70s/80s this weekend, It was a step back to old eating habits.
Somebody is clearly trying to tell me something though because ever since I woke up this morning that 1979 Barbra Streisand/Donna Summers song "No More Tears" has been running through my head with the lines "Enough is Enough is Enough....if you've had your fill, get the check, pay the bill..you can do it"!
So what is my plan? It is to STOP the poor decision making right now. Today is a day of healthy eating, as is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I will recognize the challenges for Thursday Friday, and Sunday and devise a plan to get through them. My "one day" next week, which is Saturday, however, is still going to be "My Day". No one is taking that one away :-)
Be healthy!
Alan
I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was secretly hoping that some of the "good looking" ones in highschool now looked like they had been hit by a truck, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Pretty much everyone I saw looked damn fine!
Highlights were seeing my good friends Sue L'ortye, her husband Ivan, John Bynum, and Lynn Phelan, but seeing people like Judith Mosel (who looked fabulous) and John Duncan after all these years was a real treat. I really hope we all stay in touch.
There was one guy I was hoping to see but I didn't. He was one of the bullies in High School and I thought that if I saw him I would tell him what I thought of him, but he wasn't there. I wasn't disappointed though because apparently he couldn't make it because he is in prison! LOLLOL I LOVE IT!!!
I wish I could say after my "Binge Friday" things got better food-wise but they really didn't. Between the Mandarin Restaurant, Pulled Pork sandwiches, copious amounts of beer and a great birthday party last night it has pretty much been a few days of being WAY off plan.
Under normal circumstances I would be a little concerned and put it down to an unusual weekend that is now over.
My concern, however, is not this week it is next week.
You see, once a year we have a huge Martini Party with about 100 people. I have always considered it "my day" and I always will. There is nothing that will ever stop me from having that one day a year.
That "one day" is next Saturday.
The problem is that the "one day" is never one day. This year we have a new bartender and although he has bar tended before he has never made the drinks from the specific Martini Menu we have so he is coming over for a "martini tasting night" next Thursday (which is also my birthday) to make sure he gets the mixes right (we are talking girlie martini's here...like chocolate Martini's etc.).
Friday night friends will come in from out of town and we will all go out for dinner, Saturday is the party, and Sunday is the day where I do everything I can to throw out leftovers before I eat them.
The end result is I am heading into a tough week after a tough week and that is a little scary.
My step back in time was not just to the 70s/80s this weekend, It was a step back to old eating habits.
Somebody is clearly trying to tell me something though because ever since I woke up this morning that 1979 Barbra Streisand/Donna Summers song "No More Tears" has been running through my head with the lines "Enough is Enough is Enough....if you've had your fill, get the check, pay the bill..you can do it"!
So what is my plan? It is to STOP the poor decision making right now. Today is a day of healthy eating, as is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I will recognize the challenges for Thursday Friday, and Sunday and devise a plan to get through them. My "one day" next week, which is Saturday, however, is still going to be "My Day". No one is taking that one away :-)
Be healthy!
Alan
Friday, May 28, 2010
High School Reunion Today - So Why Did I F**K IT UP!
Today is the day I have to face the friends from High School. The ones I loved, the ones I hated, and the bullies who made everyone's life hell.
I will also be facing the ones who looked like a million bucks back then and part of me is secretly hoping they look like a truck ran over them now.
It's a day you want to look your best right?
So why the hell did I do it? One day before going I had a MAJOR melt down.
The day started out good but then I went to the Eaton Centre to shop. Apparently it was food I wanted to shop for.
I had:
1) A Large Dairy Queen Turtle Sunday
2) A Big Mac Combo (I am used to automatically saying "No" when they ask if I want to "biggie" size it but they tricked me. The girl just said "that's with a large fries right?". In a moment of "non-thinking" I thought..."that's the way it always comes isn't it?" and I was stupid enough to say "YES".
3) A large coke even though I already had one with the combo mentioned above.
Three hours later I had Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai and a Beer.
The whole time I was telling myself "I still have six days until weigh-in". I can lie on my blog tomorrow and no one will know.
The problem is lying defeats the purpose.
So there it is. Out in the Open.
I am in a race for time now so will figure out someway to track it later, but disaster is disaster is disaster.
I am out of the city today. Have an appointment to take my car in for repair in Hamilton (near where the reunion is) at 8:00AM because I hate BMW Toronto. I will then spend the day in Hamilton (and will definitely find a gym), go to the reunion tonight, and come back to Toronto tomorrow morning.
That means only food "out" for the next 24 hours.
My blog may be later in the day tomorrow depending on when I get back.
I want to do my best but still want to be able able to have fun tonight. Also have a house party tomorrow night for a friend's birthday. May the spirits help me!
In spite of it all I refuse to get myself down. I just have to buck up and stop the stupidity.
If nothing else it makes me aware that not eating enough for a couple of days definitely has its ramifications.
Be healthy!
Alan
I will also be facing the ones who looked like a million bucks back then and part of me is secretly hoping they look like a truck ran over them now.
It's a day you want to look your best right?
So why the hell did I do it? One day before going I had a MAJOR melt down.
The day started out good but then I went to the Eaton Centre to shop. Apparently it was food I wanted to shop for.
I had:
1) A Large Dairy Queen Turtle Sunday
2) A Big Mac Combo (I am used to automatically saying "No" when they ask if I want to "biggie" size it but they tricked me. The girl just said "that's with a large fries right?". In a moment of "non-thinking" I thought..."that's the way it always comes isn't it?" and I was stupid enough to say "YES".
3) A large coke even though I already had one with the combo mentioned above.
Three hours later I had Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai and a Beer.
The whole time I was telling myself "I still have six days until weigh-in". I can lie on my blog tomorrow and no one will know.
The problem is lying defeats the purpose.
So there it is. Out in the Open.
I am in a race for time now so will figure out someway to track it later, but disaster is disaster is disaster.
I am out of the city today. Have an appointment to take my car in for repair in Hamilton (near where the reunion is) at 8:00AM because I hate BMW Toronto. I will then spend the day in Hamilton (and will definitely find a gym), go to the reunion tonight, and come back to Toronto tomorrow morning.
That means only food "out" for the next 24 hours.
My blog may be later in the day tomorrow depending on when I get back.
I want to do my best but still want to be able able to have fun tonight. Also have a house party tomorrow night for a friend's birthday. May the spirits help me!
In spite of it all I refuse to get myself down. I just have to buck up and stop the stupidity.
If nothing else it makes me aware that not eating enough for a couple of days definitely has its ramifications.
Be healthy!
Alan
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Down 2.6! Happy and Stupid But Mostly Happy
I weighed-in at Weight Watchers last night and I was down 2.6 pounds....yeah!!!! That puts me at 195.4 pounds which leaves me with 16.4 pounds to go if I wish to reach the government (and Weight Watcher's) maximum "healthy" weight for my height. I'm still not sure I want to lose that much but I do still have more to lose so I will keep working at it and see where it makes sense to stop.
I am really happy about this and although some of you may read the rest of this blog and think "but it doesn't count" I am absolutely counting it. I earned it!
Why would some say it doesn't count? Because in a way I cheated. Although I wasn't that hungry I basically starved myself on weigh-in day.
The plan wasn't to starve myself but the thought of weighing-in definitely played a huge factor.
It started with breakfast...or lack thereof. Even though last week's WW meeting was about the importance of eating breakfast, and we were supposed to make a commitment to eat breakfast every morning last week, I knew I was going out for lunch yesterday, and it was weigh-in day, so I skipped breakfast.
Lunch time came around and I thought. "I can be really good and that way it won't effect the scales", so I ordered a chef salad with salad dressing on the side and only dipped my fork in the dressing once.
The end result was that by the time I got to WW to weigh-in at 5pm I had had a zero point day and that resulted in success on the scales.
The stupid thing is though, not eating on weigh-in day only works once. If I don't eat next Wednesday I only break even. I think the key is to eat the same thing EVERY Wednesday. That way the food in my stomach is the same when I step on the scale each week. By doing this I remove the "Wednesday Food" factor WITHOUT starving myself.
Sounds good right? So why, as I am typing this, is a voice in my head saying "Alan you have to do this but not for two weeks as the next two weeks are going to be really hard food challenge weeks and you can't afford to change the schedule to "add" food on a Wednesday until the two weeks are over". Everything in me knows that this is the wrong answer but I still don't think I will change anything for two weeks. It really is amazing how much of an idiot I can be.
At least I can laugh at myself :-)
The problem with starvation Wednesdays is what happens AFTER you weigh-in.
It was HOT yesterday so on the way in to the meeting I got myself an extra large iced Cappuccino with a Carmel shot thinking "I have had zero points today so I can afford this treat". Man was it good. I only allowed myself two small sips before stepping on the scales though.
Then after weighing-in I went and got a 1 1/2 cup serving of Chilli from the "Goodness Me" store. "I'm still ok" I'm thinking.
Driving home I got hungry and decided I was going to get a Wendy's Double Burger with Cheese. I pulled up in front of Wendy's, came to my senses, didn't drive in, and went home. Great!
At home I made two small sandwiches, with Weight Watchers bread. and am feeling pretty good about myself.
The only problem is we went over to the neighbours and watched the final results for American Idol. Six chocolates and a bottle of wine later I found myself 16 points over my daily allowance.
So starving myself meant I went from zero points at 5pm to 48 points at the end of the night.
The big question is "Have I learned anything?" The obvious answer is "yes" but mentally I am not there so the truthful answer is "maybe".
Today is a brand new week with a brand new tracker and a brand new start, so I am off to the gym to work last night off.
Be healthy!
Alan
I am really happy about this and although some of you may read the rest of this blog and think "but it doesn't count" I am absolutely counting it. I earned it!
Why would some say it doesn't count? Because in a way I cheated. Although I wasn't that hungry I basically starved myself on weigh-in day.
The plan wasn't to starve myself but the thought of weighing-in definitely played a huge factor.
It started with breakfast...or lack thereof. Even though last week's WW meeting was about the importance of eating breakfast, and we were supposed to make a commitment to eat breakfast every morning last week, I knew I was going out for lunch yesterday, and it was weigh-in day, so I skipped breakfast.
Lunch time came around and I thought. "I can be really good and that way it won't effect the scales", so I ordered a chef salad with salad dressing on the side and only dipped my fork in the dressing once.
The end result was that by the time I got to WW to weigh-in at 5pm I had had a zero point day and that resulted in success on the scales.
The stupid thing is though, not eating on weigh-in day only works once. If I don't eat next Wednesday I only break even. I think the key is to eat the same thing EVERY Wednesday. That way the food in my stomach is the same when I step on the scale each week. By doing this I remove the "Wednesday Food" factor WITHOUT starving myself.
Sounds good right? So why, as I am typing this, is a voice in my head saying "Alan you have to do this but not for two weeks as the next two weeks are going to be really hard food challenge weeks and you can't afford to change the schedule to "add" food on a Wednesday until the two weeks are over". Everything in me knows that this is the wrong answer but I still don't think I will change anything for two weeks. It really is amazing how much of an idiot I can be.
At least I can laugh at myself :-)
The problem with starvation Wednesdays is what happens AFTER you weigh-in.
It was HOT yesterday so on the way in to the meeting I got myself an extra large iced Cappuccino with a Carmel shot thinking "I have had zero points today so I can afford this treat". Man was it good. I only allowed myself two small sips before stepping on the scales though.
Then after weighing-in I went and got a 1 1/2 cup serving of Chilli from the "Goodness Me" store. "I'm still ok" I'm thinking.
Driving home I got hungry and decided I was going to get a Wendy's Double Burger with Cheese. I pulled up in front of Wendy's, came to my senses, didn't drive in, and went home. Great!
At home I made two small sandwiches, with Weight Watchers bread. and am feeling pretty good about myself.
The only problem is we went over to the neighbours and watched the final results for American Idol. Six chocolates and a bottle of wine later I found myself 16 points over my daily allowance.
So starving myself meant I went from zero points at 5pm to 48 points at the end of the night.
The big question is "Have I learned anything?" The obvious answer is "yes" but mentally I am not there so the truthful answer is "maybe".
Today is a brand new week with a brand new tracker and a brand new start, so I am off to the gym to work last night off.
Be healthy!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sometimes We Don't Eat Enough
Yesterday was a crazy day and I got so busy I didn't eat enough.
On the surface that sounds like the perfect situation for weight loss but the reality is it ends up placing you in that danger zone where you may eat everything in site the next day.
I think I will be ok as I have to weigh-in tonight so I am likely to behave but that doesn't mean it is smart. I am really good at starving and bingeing so I have to be careful.
Those looking at my tracker might freak because I ate four eggs for breakfast. That doesn't worry me in the least. It is full of protein and I had just worked out so I needed it and I don't have a cholesterol issue. Besides there is growing questionability in how dangerous cholesterol is in about 70% of the population. It appears most of the cholesterol is made by the body and 70% of us have bodies that will make less cholesterol if you are getting more through food. Of course I am betting on being in the 70%.
Today is another busy day. I was up doing work at 4:30AM and am going to make a run to the gym now and then it is off to the races.
Have a great day everyone and be healthy!
Alan
On the surface that sounds like the perfect situation for weight loss but the reality is it ends up placing you in that danger zone where you may eat everything in site the next day.
I think I will be ok as I have to weigh-in tonight so I am likely to behave but that doesn't mean it is smart. I am really good at starving and bingeing so I have to be careful.
Those looking at my tracker might freak because I ate four eggs for breakfast. That doesn't worry me in the least. It is full of protein and I had just worked out so I needed it and I don't have a cholesterol issue. Besides there is growing questionability in how dangerous cholesterol is in about 70% of the population. It appears most of the cholesterol is made by the body and 70% of us have bodies that will make less cholesterol if you are getting more through food. Of course I am betting on being in the 70%.
Today is another busy day. I was up doing work at 4:30AM and am going to make a run to the gym now and then it is off to the races.
Have a great day everyone and be healthy!
Alan
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Those Three Special Words We Long To Hear
Don't you long to hear those words? The ones that make you feel warm inside and extra special. I heard them the other day. I went to meet a client I hadn't seen in a year and as soon as I saw her she made my heart melt when those beautiful words were uttered from her lips:
"You've Lost Weight!"
I think those are the most precious words in the english language. They made me feel good for the entire day.
Seriously though, I do feel great. The tummy has disappeared to the point where it is hardly visible under the summer clothes and the muscles are building up. It is an absolutely AWESOME feeling.
When I lost the 50 pounds the last time around (I have done it several times) I went out and bought really nice (and expensive) summer clothes because I deserved it.
Although my weight has been up and down over the past 4 years it has never been down in the summer, so this is the first summer in a long time I can fit in the clothes I like.
Actually, last summer I think I was the same weight as I am now, but working out has meant that it is proportioned better over the body so everything fits. As my friends in the UK would say. Brilliant!
Yesterday was a day of "strength" for me. More important than what I had (although I did stay on track) it is what I didn't have that is really important. We were soooooo close to having dinner at our favourite burger and fries place last night but we resisted, and then we visited our neighbours and they offered us ice cream but I declined.
Feeling very proud of myself at the moment and ready to begin another GREAT day :-)
Be healthy!
Alan
"You've Lost Weight!"
I think those are the most precious words in the english language. They made me feel good for the entire day.
Seriously though, I do feel great. The tummy has disappeared to the point where it is hardly visible under the summer clothes and the muscles are building up. It is an absolutely AWESOME feeling.
When I lost the 50 pounds the last time around (I have done it several times) I went out and bought really nice (and expensive) summer clothes because I deserved it.
Although my weight has been up and down over the past 4 years it has never been down in the summer, so this is the first summer in a long time I can fit in the clothes I like.
Actually, last summer I think I was the same weight as I am now, but working out has meant that it is proportioned better over the body so everything fits. As my friends in the UK would say. Brilliant!
Yesterday was a day of "strength" for me. More important than what I had (although I did stay on track) it is what I didn't have that is really important. We were soooooo close to having dinner at our favourite burger and fries place last night but we resisted, and then we visited our neighbours and they offered us ice cream but I declined.
Feeling very proud of myself at the moment and ready to begin another GREAT day :-)
Be healthy!
Monday, May 24, 2010
PARTY WAS OUT OF CONTROL! NO REGRETS
Last night Jamie and I went to a party. Well...actually we went to two parties because we ended up at an "after party" next door.
My friend Mark's parties are not typical. To give you an idea of the type of person Mark is, when you get to his apartment and look for his name to buzz yourself up you will not see his name, nor will you see the word "Occupied". Instead you simply see the letters "HRH". Those who know him don't even have to guess...we know instinctively it stands for "His Royal Highness" (or maybe "Her Royal Highness"...that part I am not sure of) LOL.
Anyway, HRH was having a birthday party for Queen Victoria. There were British Flags and memorabilia all over the place, we all had to wear pins that had the Canadian and British flags on them, and at 10pm he set off about $1000 worth of fireworks off of the roof of the building across the street. Not your average party.
The food at Mark's party is like stepping back to when you were young. I love it. There were bowls of jube jubes, chocolates, peanuts, sugar coated jelly candies, cheesees, those onion ring chips...all the old crap we used to love. The dinner is potluck, but not a salad or veggie tray at this party. There is chilli and lamb balls, and pizza, and white bread rolls, and....you get the idea. LOL. There was some shrimp so I can't say there wasn't a healthy option.
The thing about Mark's parties though is that it is exactly this step back in time that makes it wonderful. It is a great place to be and a great place to eat...and eat I did.
I wasn't "more careful" like I said I would try to be in yesterday's blog but I don't regret it in the least. I had a great time! I still have a feeling I will be ok by Wednesday but if I am "up" weight-wise that is cool...it is one week in a long journey and I will be right back on track today.
Speaking of tracking. How does one "track" the points of a night like that? I think Weight Watchers would say "do the best you can at estimating" but I think I have a better approach.
From my perspective it doesn't matter if I ate 70 points or 700 points. The result is the same. I have to be back on track today, I have to eat my total 32 point allowance today, and I have used up all of my weekly points, exercise points earned, and exercise points I will earn until my next weigh-in.
So I calculated my "points" for the party as follows:
Points allowed for the day is 32 - 12 points eaten pre-party = 20 points remaining for day
20 points + 38 allowable weekly points remaining (I earned 8 activity points yesterday) = 58 points
58 points + 12 more activity points I will earn over next three days = 70 points.
Therefore I have decided to count the points eaten at the party as 70 points. It is as good a figure as any and it still leaves me with the belief that I can bring myself back into "check" again if I eat normal and exercise until my weigh-in Wednesday. That is, after all, the ultimate goal at the end of the week.
This is turning into another really long blog so I apologize for that but I can't end without talking about my "Kettle Bell" work out at 5pm yesterday on my friend Anthony's lawn. It was amazing! I think I held my own against Anthony and his friends and feel great about it. That work-out combined with my morning workout gave me 8 exercise points for the day. I don't think I have ever done that much before.
Clearly...with the evening that followed...I needed it.
Be healthy!
Alan
My friend Mark's parties are not typical. To give you an idea of the type of person Mark is, when you get to his apartment and look for his name to buzz yourself up you will not see his name, nor will you see the word "Occupied". Instead you simply see the letters "HRH". Those who know him don't even have to guess...we know instinctively it stands for "His Royal Highness" (or maybe "Her Royal Highness"...that part I am not sure of) LOL.
Anyway, HRH was having a birthday party for Queen Victoria. There were British Flags and memorabilia all over the place, we all had to wear pins that had the Canadian and British flags on them, and at 10pm he set off about $1000 worth of fireworks off of the roof of the building across the street. Not your average party.
The food at Mark's party is like stepping back to when you were young. I love it. There were bowls of jube jubes, chocolates, peanuts, sugar coated jelly candies, cheesees, those onion ring chips...all the old crap we used to love. The dinner is potluck, but not a salad or veggie tray at this party. There is chilli and lamb balls, and pizza, and white bread rolls, and....you get the idea. LOL. There was some shrimp so I can't say there wasn't a healthy option.
The thing about Mark's parties though is that it is exactly this step back in time that makes it wonderful. It is a great place to be and a great place to eat...and eat I did.
I wasn't "more careful" like I said I would try to be in yesterday's blog but I don't regret it in the least. I had a great time! I still have a feeling I will be ok by Wednesday but if I am "up" weight-wise that is cool...it is one week in a long journey and I will be right back on track today.
Speaking of tracking. How does one "track" the points of a night like that? I think Weight Watchers would say "do the best you can at estimating" but I think I have a better approach.
From my perspective it doesn't matter if I ate 70 points or 700 points. The result is the same. I have to be back on track today, I have to eat my total 32 point allowance today, and I have used up all of my weekly points, exercise points earned, and exercise points I will earn until my next weigh-in.
So I calculated my "points" for the party as follows:
Points allowed for the day is 32 - 12 points eaten pre-party = 20 points remaining for day
20 points + 38 allowable weekly points remaining (I earned 8 activity points yesterday) = 58 points
58 points + 12 more activity points I will earn over next three days = 70 points.
Therefore I have decided to count the points eaten at the party as 70 points. It is as good a figure as any and it still leaves me with the belief that I can bring myself back into "check" again if I eat normal and exercise until my weigh-in Wednesday. That is, after all, the ultimate goal at the end of the week.
This is turning into another really long blog so I apologize for that but I can't end without talking about my "Kettle Bell" work out at 5pm yesterday on my friend Anthony's lawn. It was amazing! I think I held my own against Anthony and his friends and feel great about it. That work-out combined with my morning workout gave me 8 exercise points for the day. I don't think I have ever done that much before.
Clearly...with the evening that followed...I needed it.
Be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Uh oh...forgot it's a long weekend...actually I forgot a lot!
Do you ever think your getting old? Well this weekend the signs are showing up. I rarely (if ever) forget anything work related and Friday I ALMOST missed meeting a client, and in yesterday's blog I was talking about a big party I was going to last night. The only problem is the party wasn't last night. It's tonight!
At first I thought...that is kind of odd to have a party on a Sunday Night....and then it hit me. It's a long weekend! God Bless Queen Victoria.
It's not that I didn't know it was along weekend. My friend Cara and I emailed about it Friday night.
I just didn't think about what that really meant. Yes it means an "extra day" but it also means an extra day of challenges with food. After all, long weekends were meant to have fun and socialize, and I don't intend to give any of that up.
So I did end up having dinner with friends last night, and 4 low cal beers, but it was a fun night. In Weight Watcher's terms I was 11 points over my daily allowance at the end of the day but that is cool.
It means two things:
1) I need to pump up my exercise (I took a healthy day off from exercise yesterday).
2) I can't have "quite" as carefree a time food-wise at tonight's party as I had originally planned. I can still indulge a bit though.
In addition to my normal 32 point allowance for today, I still have 30 weekly points (after combining my weekly allowance and my activiy points earned and not yet used).
I also have 4 more days before weigh-in and I will exercise each day to make sure things stay "in balance" and I gain some additional activity points.
Today is going to be a killer exercise day for me. I'm actually a little scared. This morning will be a normal weight lifting work-out at the gym (heading there in five minutes) but 5pm tonight will be a killer. My friend Anthony invited me over to his place at 5pm. He and some friends are going to do "Kettle Bell" work-outs on the lawn. He has kettle bells ranging from 50 to 100 pounds and they are going to be doing tons of different execises.
The problem is Anthony's friends tend to be big muscle boys. I am going to look like the guy who gets sand kicked in his face at the beach! LOL
It is going to be real tough but I am excited about doing it. It is a real challenge.
Getting back to my original question. Do I feel old?
Hell NO!
I actually feel 20 years younger than I did ten years ago. I am fitting into my summer clothes and I can once again cut my toe nails without panting for breath after bending over.
I am 28 again and no one is going to convince me differently :-).
Daily tracker is attached
Be healthy!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Only Thing That Really Works Is Believing In Yourself
Well... I had my final hypnotism appointment yesterday. I really wish I could say I believe in it, and I really thought it might make a difference, but for me, anyway, I just don't believe it worked. It helped me stay aware, but no more than this blog does.
For the most part it was nice just to "stop the world" for an hour and lie back on a reclining chair.
At the end of the day, I guess I have come to the conclusion that no one, no matter how skilled, can make you succeed. All the support in the world is at your finger tips but YOU have to want it and YOU have to believe you can do it. That comes from inside...not from a hypnotist.
I almost feel bad saying that though as I quite liked my hypnotist and I believe that she believes in her craft. Who knows...maybe it does work for some...or maybe it worked for me and I just don't know it.
Today was, perhaps not nutritious, but was successful from a weight loss perspective...given the circumstances I ended up in.
I had a good breakfast, and had planned to make a really healthy lunch, but at 10:30AM I realized the appointment I thought I had at 12:00 was actually at 11:00. OOPS! I raced out the door with lunch preparation plans out the window. After my 11:00 I didn't have time to go back home before my 1:15 appointment so I found myself in a food court.
Yes...I know...there is salad there...but I was HUNGRY and salad wasn't going to cut it. I remembered that a Harvey's Angus Burger is HUGE and is 9 points in "weight watchers lingo" so I had that and it did the trick.
Only problem was I forgot we were also having BBQ'd burgers for dinner. I picked up a frozen turkey burger for myself on the way home. I threw that on the BBQ and managed to fit the entire day into "plan".
It was Friday night and we were with company so I had 4 beers but I had the Canadian 67 Calorie beers.
I am allowed 32 points a day, plus I had 3 activity points I earned at the gym this morning and I ate and drank my way through 35 points which balances out perfect!
Tonight is a party at a friends, and I don't particularly want to watch what I eat TOO much. I still have my 35 extra weekly points to work with, plus 6 outstanding "activity points" and I also have the points I would use for dinner tomorrow anyway so all should work out great from a Weight Watchers perspective.
At least that is the plan. Tracker for yesterday is posted below
Be healthy!
Alan
For the most part it was nice just to "stop the world" for an hour and lie back on a reclining chair.
At the end of the day, I guess I have come to the conclusion that no one, no matter how skilled, can make you succeed. All the support in the world is at your finger tips but YOU have to want it and YOU have to believe you can do it. That comes from inside...not from a hypnotist.
I almost feel bad saying that though as I quite liked my hypnotist and I believe that she believes in her craft. Who knows...maybe it does work for some...or maybe it worked for me and I just don't know it.
Today was, perhaps not nutritious, but was successful from a weight loss perspective...given the circumstances I ended up in.
I had a good breakfast, and had planned to make a really healthy lunch, but at 10:30AM I realized the appointment I thought I had at 12:00 was actually at 11:00. OOPS! I raced out the door with lunch preparation plans out the window. After my 11:00 I didn't have time to go back home before my 1:15 appointment so I found myself in a food court.
Yes...I know...there is salad there...but I was HUNGRY and salad wasn't going to cut it. I remembered that a Harvey's Angus Burger is HUGE and is 9 points in "weight watchers lingo" so I had that and it did the trick.
Only problem was I forgot we were also having BBQ'd burgers for dinner. I picked up a frozen turkey burger for myself on the way home. I threw that on the BBQ and managed to fit the entire day into "plan".
It was Friday night and we were with company so I had 4 beers but I had the Canadian 67 Calorie beers.
I am allowed 32 points a day, plus I had 3 activity points I earned at the gym this morning and I ate and drank my way through 35 points which balances out perfect!
Tonight is a party at a friends, and I don't particularly want to watch what I eat TOO much. I still have my 35 extra weekly points to work with, plus 6 outstanding "activity points" and I also have the points I would use for dinner tomorrow anyway so all should work out great from a Weight Watchers perspective.
At least that is the plan. Tracker for yesterday is posted below
Be healthy!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tracking - Day 1
Hey Everyone!
Yesterday was my first day tracking in a long time and my first time trying to post an attachment so forgive me if this blog doesn't display correctly.
I actually had a really good day yesterday food-wise.
We change internet providers and that always seems to be a nightmare. I spent so much time on the phone with tech support and trying to get everything working that there wasn't time to eat crap!
As this is my first time posting my tracker I will explain a little bit about how it works. If you want to know how many points specific things are, however, you will have to join WW. I can't give away all their secrets!
They have two plans and although I prefer the plan they call the "filling foods" plan (which I think emphasizes healthier eating more and counting points less) I am going to do the one they primarily focus on which is the "Momentum Plan" for now. In that plan you track everything and it gets you used to portion sizes. For this reason they have everyone start out on the Momentum Plan.
Essentially you respond to a few simple questions, and that information is combined with your age, gender, and current weight to arrive at a daily points total.
The ides is to use all of your daily points each day, and then use an extra 35 points for "indulging" when you would like to.
If you exercise you get more points depending on how much exercise you really do, and you can eat these points, but one needs to be aware that if they eat these activity points, the exercise won't contribute to additional weight loss.
You are also supposed to eat a certain number of servings from each food group. These are the "healthy guidelines" and are pretty much designed to follow each countries "food guide".
I'm not a big believer in following the "food guide" as I believe it is influenced by corporations, but I do believe that most people will be healthier than they would be otherwise if they follow it. When it comes down to following the food guide or eating fast food every night I quickly turn in favour of the food guide.
That is the summary version. Won't say anymore or weight watchers might sue me!
So my food eating for the day is in the image that is hopefully attached.
The things that stand out for me are:
1) Coffee. I drink at least two extra large coffees a day. I was shocked when I looked it up today and found out that each cup is 20 oz! So...I need to work on this...and I will...but not yet...I am doing enough already but I will get there.
2) Egg Creation Omelet: I am not sure everyone knows what this is but essentially it comes in a carton and is pre-made, processed, and low calorie. I really don't think I should have this, but right now I am ok with it. First I want to get to goal while being relatively healthy...then, hopefully, I will focus on staying away from anything processed.
3) Coconut Oil (Extra Virgin): Some will freak at the thought of eating this but I have done my research and it is heat stable and a medium string fat so it digests much better than other fats. When possible I will cook with this EVERYTIME.
4) Exercise: I did a lot today (20 minutes cardio and 80 minutes weight lifting) and gained 6 activity points I can use for another day (or not). Just don't expect me to do that much exercise everyday! LOL
5) Protein: Didn't have meat today but I had a protein shake and Tofu so I am not too concerned. Shoot! I forgot to put the Tofu on my tracker! Will do it now but the image attached to this will not show it. Add 2.5 more points for Tofu.
6) Total points eaten. I didn't eat enough. I really believe it is important to eat ALL your daily points and after correcting the TOFU mistake I still have 3.5 points left. Eating too little can just make your metabolism drop. I usually have no trouble eating my points so I'm not too concerned.
Technically I didn't have enough milk but I am not really convinced that it isn't better to get your calcium from other sources anyway so I am cool with that too. I usually drink Goat's milk as your body can digest it better but we didn't have any in the house today.
So that is the scoop for today!
I promise that this blog will not become a daily detailed analysis of what went in my mouth but since it is the first day of tracking properly in a long time and not everyone knows what that is, I though it would be worthwhile to go through.
Be healthy!
Alan
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Success! Support! Success!
I made it! I finally crossed the line and was under 200 pounds at my weigh-in last night! I was down 2.0 pounds which puts me at 198.4 pounds. Yeah!!!!!
I admit I switched to light summer clothes (including shorts) but the scale said I'm down and I am taking it!
I was going to call today's blog "Success! Success! Success!" but my Weight Watchers leader, the amazing Cindy, started the meeting by asking the group if anyone made use of support this week. Guess who had their hand up first!
Did I have support? I had support of bloggers, I had support of my spouse, I had support of "private emailers" who read the blog, I had the support of my nutritionist/training bud Anthony,and I had support from my Weight Watchers group. In short, I had support coming out my Yin Yang! Thank you all so much!
When I got home Jamie asked me how I did, and when I told him I lost 2 pounds his response was "Did you talk too much?". You see...he knows me...and I can embarrass him. If my fellow Weight Watchers pay attention they will notice that when I am losing weight you can't shut me up in the meeting...but I am surprisingly quiet when it goes the other way. So when I lose weight he thinks of me yapping my head off and gets embarrassed even though he is not even there! LOL
I don't mind embarrassing myself. As I have said before...I am my mother's son...it kinda goes with the territory.
So what is the plan for this week? It is called "doing the plan". I haven't been very good at "tracking" which we are supposed to do so I am going to track this week. If I can figure out how, I will post my tracking diary with my daily blog for the next 7 days.
I already know Friday and Saturday night will be rough but hopefully I can keep all in balance. So tracking...here we come!
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. I am REALLY excited this morning. A very good friend of mine told me she is joining me on the road to health. I am so very proud of her and excited for her. We can do it together!
I admit I switched to light summer clothes (including shorts) but the scale said I'm down and I am taking it!
I was going to call today's blog "Success! Success! Success!" but my Weight Watchers leader, the amazing Cindy, started the meeting by asking the group if anyone made use of support this week. Guess who had their hand up first!
Did I have support? I had support of bloggers, I had support of my spouse, I had support of "private emailers" who read the blog, I had the support of my nutritionist/training bud Anthony,and I had support from my Weight Watchers group. In short, I had support coming out my Yin Yang! Thank you all so much!
When I got home Jamie asked me how I did, and when I told him I lost 2 pounds his response was "Did you talk too much?". You see...he knows me...and I can embarrass him. If my fellow Weight Watchers pay attention they will notice that when I am losing weight you can't shut me up in the meeting...but I am surprisingly quiet when it goes the other way. So when I lose weight he thinks of me yapping my head off and gets embarrassed even though he is not even there! LOL
I don't mind embarrassing myself. As I have said before...I am my mother's son...it kinda goes with the territory.
So what is the plan for this week? It is called "doing the plan". I haven't been very good at "tracking" which we are supposed to do so I am going to track this week. If I can figure out how, I will post my tracking diary with my daily blog for the next 7 days.
I already know Friday and Saturday night will be rough but hopefully I can keep all in balance. So tracking...here we come!
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. I am REALLY excited this morning. A very good friend of mine told me she is joining me on the road to health. I am so very proud of her and excited for her. We can do it together!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"I'LL TEACH YOU TO EAT A MCFLURRY!!!"
Those were the words I heard as I arrived at the gym yesterday to work out with my buddy Anthony. He was going to whip me into shape after reading my "McDonalds" confession on my blog a couple of days ago.
I thought I only had to do the "penance" of two days of vegetables and clean protein...but no...he had to whip my butt in the gym too (not literally of course...sigh)
Boy did he teach me. I think I will be sore for three days to come!
When you think about it though, exercise is really the only option for "undoing" damage. Sure getting right back on track is imperative but that just stops the damage.
Exercising can actually raise your metabolic rate causing you to burn calories faster, hopefully burning some of the junk that was eaten.
I have learned the hard way that eating more because you worked out doesn't really work. Not for weight loss anyway.
Exercising more because you screwed up, however, can and will help.
So yes I ate the McFlurry (and a Big Mac) a few days ago, yes I am eating vegetables and proteins for two days and YES I am exercising.
I think if nothing else all this work I have had to do will make me think twice about how badly I want that McFlurry next time around. Maybe I should "visualize" all this effort the next time I want to pig out several times in a week.
It is weigh-in day today and I am once again finding myself teetering at that 200 pound point. If there is a "higher being" up there please help me cross the line!
I won't be devastated if I am not though as I know why, and the motivation is high again...still...it would be real nice if it happened.
Wish me luck and be healthy!
Alan
I thought I only had to do the "penance" of two days of vegetables and clean protein...but no...he had to whip my butt in the gym too (not literally of course...sigh)
Boy did he teach me. I think I will be sore for three days to come!
When you think about it though, exercise is really the only option for "undoing" damage. Sure getting right back on track is imperative but that just stops the damage.
Exercising can actually raise your metabolic rate causing you to burn calories faster, hopefully burning some of the junk that was eaten.
I have learned the hard way that eating more because you worked out doesn't really work. Not for weight loss anyway.
Exercising more because you screwed up, however, can and will help.
So yes I ate the McFlurry (and a Big Mac) a few days ago, yes I am eating vegetables and proteins for two days and YES I am exercising.
I think if nothing else all this work I have had to do will make me think twice about how badly I want that McFlurry next time around. Maybe I should "visualize" all this effort the next time I want to pig out several times in a week.
It is weigh-in day today and I am once again finding myself teetering at that 200 pound point. If there is a "higher being" up there please help me cross the line!
I won't be devastated if I am not though as I know why, and the motivation is high again...still...it would be real nice if it happened.
Wish me luck and be healthy!
Alan
Reflecting on 31 Days of Blogging
Yesterday I wrote my 31st blog. That's an entire month!
I think at this point it makes sense to reflect on the last month and see what I have learned and determine if it makes to continue.
When I reflect on the past month and ask myself the question: Did I really learn that much that was new? I have to be honest and say the answer it no.
Let's face it, most of us who have struggled with weight issues have been struggling for a very long time. There simply isn't that much "new" to learn.
So does it make sense to continue? I think the answer is yes (with apologies to those who are getting sick of seeing this blog).
The reasons are many:
1) Writing this blog for 31 days has kept me aware of what I am putting in my mouth for 31 days. It hasn't kept me perfect, but it has kept me aware.
2) Sometimes being reminded of what you already know is just as important as learning something new. Documenting the things I know already has kept "awareness" at the forefront and that helps a lot.
3) It is really cool to see posts of encouragement from people directly on this blog, on facebook, and through private emails.
4) I am truly touched by people telling me that this blog is encouraging them. If that is the case then the time it takes is most definitely worthwhile.
Although I have yet to receive a complaint about this being annoying (Todd...I know you are going to be tempted to complain now) if the repetitive facebook posts out there are driving anyone nuts please know it is easy to state on facebook that you don't wish to see my posts. I won't be offended in the least :-). This is intended to help me, and those out there struggling like me, but that may not be YOU and that is totally cool.
So I am happy to say the blog will continue :-)
After my earlier blog confessing my trip to McDonalds, I promised my friend that I would perform two days of "penance" meaning fresh fruits and vegetables, and "clean protein" only for two days. Those two days begin right now.
Wish me luck, and be healthy!
Alan
I think at this point it makes sense to reflect on the last month and see what I have learned and determine if it makes to continue.
When I reflect on the past month and ask myself the question: Did I really learn that much that was new? I have to be honest and say the answer it no.
Let's face it, most of us who have struggled with weight issues have been struggling for a very long time. There simply isn't that much "new" to learn.
So does it make sense to continue? I think the answer is yes (with apologies to those who are getting sick of seeing this blog).
The reasons are many:
1) Writing this blog for 31 days has kept me aware of what I am putting in my mouth for 31 days. It hasn't kept me perfect, but it has kept me aware.
2) Sometimes being reminded of what you already know is just as important as learning something new. Documenting the things I know already has kept "awareness" at the forefront and that helps a lot.
3) It is really cool to see posts of encouragement from people directly on this blog, on facebook, and through private emails.
4) I am truly touched by people telling me that this blog is encouraging them. If that is the case then the time it takes is most definitely worthwhile.
Although I have yet to receive a complaint about this being annoying (Todd...I know you are going to be tempted to complain now) if the repetitive facebook posts out there are driving anyone nuts please know it is easy to state on facebook that you don't wish to see my posts. I won't be offended in the least :-). This is intended to help me, and those out there struggling like me, but that may not be YOU and that is totally cool.
So I am happy to say the blog will continue :-)
After my earlier blog confessing my trip to McDonalds, I promised my friend that I would perform two days of "penance" meaning fresh fruits and vegetables, and "clean protein" only for two days. Those two days begin right now.
Wish me luck, and be healthy!
Alan
Monday, May 17, 2010
How Does One Visualize?
Pretty much everything you read nowadays tells you to "visualize" what you want and it will become a reality. "The Secret" tells you to create a "Vision Board", Franklin Covey tells you to "begin with the end in mind", and even world class athletes say their sporting event is played in their mind long before it is played in the physical world.
I am not sure that I buy that "whatever you want will be yours if you just envision it", but I sure as hell believe that that whatever you want WON'T be yours if you can't envision it.
For me this raised the question of what is it ok to envision, or even think?
Many believe that you cannot focus on the negative. If you think "I don't want to be late" your mind will only pick up on "late" and there is a good chance you will be late.
How does this relate to food?
A friend told me a few days ago that I had to visualize what food does in my body, and then, if you read yesterday's blog, it was suggested that if one gets the urge to go into McDonalds they should think of the new McDonald's action figures: "Clogged Art" and "Luke Skyhigh Blood Pressure".
On the one hand this makes total sense to me, and probably will help. On the other hand, aren't all these "visualization people" saying what you envision is what you will become? So if I envision myself getting clogged arteries or just getting fat from eating a Big Mac, aren't I causing that to occur because that was what I envisioned?
The question intrigued me enough to ask my nutritionist/trainer friend Anthony, who I know is a big believer in "affirmations".
He said the trick lies in what you place your primary focus on. When he eats protein, for instance, he visualizes that protein becoming muscle on his body. He says that when you contemplate eating something that is not good for you it is ok to see what that food would do to your body but you CANNOT make it the focus. The key is to find an alternative food that you could eat instead, and focus on the good things that THAT alternative food will do for you. Picture an apple going through your body and strengthening your heart.
Yesterday I decided to give this a shot. It worked for a day anyway! I was extremely healthy yesterday :-)
I will keep working on it and see if it doesn't work almost everyday.
Thanks to Karen and Anthony for making me realize that this can be yet another amazing tool to keep in my tool belt. I find I need different tools on different days so the more tools the better.
Be healthy!
Alan
I am not sure that I buy that "whatever you want will be yours if you just envision it", but I sure as hell believe that that whatever you want WON'T be yours if you can't envision it.
For me this raised the question of what is it ok to envision, or even think?
Many believe that you cannot focus on the negative. If you think "I don't want to be late" your mind will only pick up on "late" and there is a good chance you will be late.
How does this relate to food?
A friend told me a few days ago that I had to visualize what food does in my body, and then, if you read yesterday's blog, it was suggested that if one gets the urge to go into McDonalds they should think of the new McDonald's action figures: "Clogged Art" and "Luke Skyhigh Blood Pressure".
On the one hand this makes total sense to me, and probably will help. On the other hand, aren't all these "visualization people" saying what you envision is what you will become? So if I envision myself getting clogged arteries or just getting fat from eating a Big Mac, aren't I causing that to occur because that was what I envisioned?
The question intrigued me enough to ask my nutritionist/trainer friend Anthony, who I know is a big believer in "affirmations".
He said the trick lies in what you place your primary focus on. When he eats protein, for instance, he visualizes that protein becoming muscle on his body. He says that when you contemplate eating something that is not good for you it is ok to see what that food would do to your body but you CANNOT make it the focus. The key is to find an alternative food that you could eat instead, and focus on the good things that THAT alternative food will do for you. Picture an apple going through your body and strengthening your heart.
Yesterday I decided to give this a shot. It worked for a day anyway! I was extremely healthy yesterday :-)
I will keep working on it and see if it doesn't work almost everyday.
Thanks to Karen and Anthony for making me realize that this can be yet another amazing tool to keep in my tool belt. I find I need different tools on different days so the more tools the better.
Be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Everyday
Do you cry? I do. I don't cry when real tragedy strikes...I am the one who holds it together. I am "the rock"...but put a stupid commercial on TV designed to melt your heart and the tear ducts go to town. It wasn't always that way...I went for about 7 years without being able to shed a tear. My friend Tim, who I consider my brother, is one of the few people who know that story...maybe someday it will be something to share.
A long time ago when I watched the movie "The Sixth Sense", there was a scene where the kid in the movie, who could see ghosts, told his mom that his dead Grandmother had told him to tell her she was proud of her "everyday". Let me tell you that at that moment in time Niagara Falls broke out in my eyes. If you have watched the movie you will know why I broke down like a sobbing kid.
Last night I was watching "GLEE" (god I'm gay! LOL) which almost always makes me cry,and I said to Jamie, in the midst of my tears: "Do you regret being with me"? It was a "set-up" question. The type of question that my University Drama teacher, Liz Inman, would have called "fishing for compliments", but all I got was hysterical laughter and the response "everyday". Apparently he had been waiting to feed me that response ever since the movie came out! It was all in good humour and we laughed a lot through our already flowing tears.
Isn't "everyday" what makes it hard though? It's so easy to be good for "one day", or for "one week".
In my last blog I admitted going out for dinner and having no regrets. I had meatloaf and mashed potatoes and 3 beers. It was my "treat" night, and as long as I recognized that all was good.
It made sense at the time, but then yesterday I had an Egg Salad Sandwich, a Big Mac and a Rolo "mint" McFlurry.
This is the danger point.
This is the point at which one day, has become two days, and it is so easy for two days to become "everyday".
I said when I started this blog I would confess every trip to Burger King, McDonalds etc. so I am remaining true to my word.
Hopefully this will help me stop.
Maybe someday "everyday" will be "healthy day".
Be healthy!
Alan
A long time ago when I watched the movie "The Sixth Sense", there was a scene where the kid in the movie, who could see ghosts, told his mom that his dead Grandmother had told him to tell her she was proud of her "everyday". Let me tell you that at that moment in time Niagara Falls broke out in my eyes. If you have watched the movie you will know why I broke down like a sobbing kid.
Last night I was watching "GLEE" (god I'm gay! LOL) which almost always makes me cry,and I said to Jamie, in the midst of my tears: "Do you regret being with me"? It was a "set-up" question. The type of question that my University Drama teacher, Liz Inman, would have called "fishing for compliments", but all I got was hysterical laughter and the response "everyday". Apparently he had been waiting to feed me that response ever since the movie came out! It was all in good humour and we laughed a lot through our already flowing tears.
Isn't "everyday" what makes it hard though? It's so easy to be good for "one day", or for "one week".
In my last blog I admitted going out for dinner and having no regrets. I had meatloaf and mashed potatoes and 3 beers. It was my "treat" night, and as long as I recognized that all was good.
It made sense at the time, but then yesterday I had an Egg Salad Sandwich, a Big Mac and a Rolo "mint" McFlurry.
This is the danger point.
This is the point at which one day, has become two days, and it is so easy for two days to become "everyday".
I said when I started this blog I would confess every trip to Burger King, McDonalds etc. so I am remaining true to my word.
Hopefully this will help me stop.
Maybe someday "everyday" will be "healthy day".
Be healthy!
Alan
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Cleaning up YOUR Environment - and I don't mean your kitchen :-)
I have thought about writing about this subject for a while but have held off as it may not be the most "appropriate" thing to talk about. I know this is a part of feeling good about oneself that we would NEVER talk about in a Weight Watcher's Meeting.
Even as I am typing it I am wondering if I will hit "publish" at the end or write something else.
I do think it is an important part of feeling good about oneself though and feeling good about oneself provides motivation.
I am talking about cleaning up your personal "environment".
I have been to so many meetings where we have talked about having a clean home and having the kitchen stocked properly, but nobody ever talks about the sensitive topic of having a clean body.
I mean grooming here folks...not taking a shower. I trust you all do that.
I realize that there are some people our there who never groom and there are some people out there who do this like clockwork and don't need to worry. These two groups of people can probably ignore this blog. If you never do it and it doesn't bother you then don't worry about it.
I suspect there are people like me though who clean up the "nether regions" and the rest of the body when they are feeling on top of things, and then tend to "let it slide" when they are busy.
Or perhaps an individual is between relationships right now and figures no one else will see anyway. Are you sure you will have time to clean up when that lucky moment arrives?
I have let myself slip from time to time and I do think it effects the way you feel. It is a reflection of how on top of the game you are. I think that sliding in this area is a stepping stone to sliding in life.
Do any of us really want to look like a National Forrest?
I think if you want to feel better about yourself you have to know you look better...everywhere.
There I typed it. Will I hit send?
I think so. I'm off to shave now :-)
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. I can't end this blog without admitting that I went out for dinner last night and had a spring roll, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and three beers. Do I regret it? Not for a second! I had a great time. I just have to recognize that my treat night is now over.
P.P.S.: Jamie is making fun of me in the background. He says I should call this my "blob" instead of my "blog" LOL
Even as I am typing it I am wondering if I will hit "publish" at the end or write something else.
I do think it is an important part of feeling good about oneself though and feeling good about oneself provides motivation.
I am talking about cleaning up your personal "environment".
I have been to so many meetings where we have talked about having a clean home and having the kitchen stocked properly, but nobody ever talks about the sensitive topic of having a clean body.
I mean grooming here folks...not taking a shower. I trust you all do that.
I realize that there are some people our there who never groom and there are some people out there who do this like clockwork and don't need to worry. These two groups of people can probably ignore this blog. If you never do it and it doesn't bother you then don't worry about it.
I suspect there are people like me though who clean up the "nether regions" and the rest of the body when they are feeling on top of things, and then tend to "let it slide" when they are busy.
Or perhaps an individual is between relationships right now and figures no one else will see anyway. Are you sure you will have time to clean up when that lucky moment arrives?
I have let myself slip from time to time and I do think it effects the way you feel. It is a reflection of how on top of the game you are. I think that sliding in this area is a stepping stone to sliding in life.
Do any of us really want to look like a National Forrest?
I think if you want to feel better about yourself you have to know you look better...everywhere.
There I typed it. Will I hit send?
I think so. I'm off to shave now :-)
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. I can't end this blog without admitting that I went out for dinner last night and had a spring roll, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and three beers. Do I regret it? Not for a second! I had a great time. I just have to recognize that my treat night is now over.
P.P.S.: Jamie is making fun of me in the background. He says I should call this my "blob" instead of my "blog" LOL
Friday, May 14, 2010
Finding Balance
Yesterday was a tough day for me. I had to make a decision I really did not want to make. I realized that I was completely burnt out.
Actually, I think I have known that for a while but have been in denial. Slowly but surely though...I had no choice but to face it.
The last few weeks have been pretty crazy. I have been doing the blog, going to the gym, working every day, going to Weight Watchers, sitting in Nutrition Courses two days a week, and then spending at least a third full day studying. I wonder why I got sick? My days have been starting as early as 3:30am because I wanted to do everything and refused to let my clients suffer in the process. The end result, however, was that I was the one that suffered.
This past week it really came to a head. I found myself doing Real Estate work on my laptop in nutrition class on Tuesday. Real Estate must always come first but what is the point of paying for a course is your not really "present".
I had a test scheduled for Thursday (yesterday) and an assignment due as well, but work was the priority of the day Wednesday so when I got home in the evening I studied until about 11pm, went to bed and set my alarm for 3:30AM.
When I woke up, not only did I still need to study for the test but I hadn't even started my assignment. At first I thought "no problem". They are kind of "honour system" assignments because the answers are actually in the back of the textbook. So I started copying the answers from the back of my textbook onto my assignment.
As I was doing this reality clicked in. I realized I was not learning ANYTHING by doing this and I was becoming a basket case. So I made the decision to drop the Anatomy and Physiology course.
I am absolutely NOT dropping the program. Just accepting the fact that it might take longer than I thought to complete the program, and sometimes, work will be too busy and I will have to take a break from school.
I don't like quitting (and I am NOT quitting) but my health was declining in pursuit of health...if that makes any sense.
Balance is vital and I need to find it again.
I will miss my friends in the course, and the Institute of Holistic Nutrition itself, very much, but I know I will be back. I will either return Mid-June or Mid-July depending on how crazy Real Estate is.
It was a harder decision then you might understand. Bonds are formed when you undertake things and become part of a group. Sometimes those bonds are hard to break, even if it is only temporarily.
To my friends at the Institute: I miss you already!
Be healthy,
Alan
Actually, I think I have known that for a while but have been in denial. Slowly but surely though...I had no choice but to face it.
The last few weeks have been pretty crazy. I have been doing the blog, going to the gym, working every day, going to Weight Watchers, sitting in Nutrition Courses two days a week, and then spending at least a third full day studying. I wonder why I got sick? My days have been starting as early as 3:30am because I wanted to do everything and refused to let my clients suffer in the process. The end result, however, was that I was the one that suffered.
This past week it really came to a head. I found myself doing Real Estate work on my laptop in nutrition class on Tuesday. Real Estate must always come first but what is the point of paying for a course is your not really "present".
I had a test scheduled for Thursday (yesterday) and an assignment due as well, but work was the priority of the day Wednesday so when I got home in the evening I studied until about 11pm, went to bed and set my alarm for 3:30AM.
When I woke up, not only did I still need to study for the test but I hadn't even started my assignment. At first I thought "no problem". They are kind of "honour system" assignments because the answers are actually in the back of the textbook. So I started copying the answers from the back of my textbook onto my assignment.
As I was doing this reality clicked in. I realized I was not learning ANYTHING by doing this and I was becoming a basket case. So I made the decision to drop the Anatomy and Physiology course.
I am absolutely NOT dropping the program. Just accepting the fact that it might take longer than I thought to complete the program, and sometimes, work will be too busy and I will have to take a break from school.
I don't like quitting (and I am NOT quitting) but my health was declining in pursuit of health...if that makes any sense.
Balance is vital and I need to find it again.
I will miss my friends in the course, and the Institute of Holistic Nutrition itself, very much, but I know I will be back. I will either return Mid-June or Mid-July depending on how crazy Real Estate is.
It was a harder decision then you might understand. Bonds are formed when you undertake things and become part of a group. Sometimes those bonds are hard to break, even if it is only temporarily.
To my friends at the Institute: I miss you already!
Be healthy,
Alan
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Weighed-In: I should be really happy but I'm not :-(
Although I will post this blog Thursday morning May 13th (just to be consistent with my daily blog routine) I am actually writing it on Wednesday evening May 12th.
I think tomorrow morning I will be feeling great again but this blog is supposed to be about "truth" so I want to write it now when my emotions are still "raw".
I weighed in tonight and I am "down". I should be really happy because I am down 1.6 pounds and that is a really good, and safe, number.
The problem is I set myself up.
I was SURE that I was FINALLY going to go back below the 200 pound mark this week. I even pretty much had my "success" blog written in my head.
Everything was looking good and I thought being sick this week would have "spilled" any excess pounds out of me so I was set for success!
I even cheated just before I left for Weight Watchers and weighed in at home. My scale said 199.5 pounds. Whooppee!!!
So off I went to Weight Watchers. I got on the scale...watched it go to 200.4...then had a glimpse of hope as it ever so briefly dropped to 200.2 before rebounding and settling back to 200.4 pounds. Believe me...their scales are the accurate ones.
Man was I frustrated. No...not frustrated...I actually felt a wave of depression come over me. Isn't it amazing how emotions can get to us...even when we have good news? They will if we let them.
The point of this blog isn't to feel sorry for myself. I know people who struggle with weight will get what I am saying...success doesn't always feel good...especially if you set your goals too high. If you are reading this and don't struggle with weight issues, perhaps it will resonate with other things going on in your life...or perhaps you will think I am just a complete idiot. If the latter is true you may be right! LOL
I know all the right answers. I know this week's weight loss was a "safe" rate of weight loss, I know that without my clothes on I actually WOULD be under 200 pounds, I know that that number is just an arbitrary figure, and I know that being sick can throw everything off anyway. I also know that this journey is primarily supposed to be about HEALTH!
I guess the purpose of writing this is because it is therapeutic for me (I am actually feeling better already) and to make the point that we can all be totally illogical sometimes and when we are we simply need to recognize that we are, and move on.
I know when I read this tomorrow morning I am going to feel different and want to change it before posting it but that wouldn't be "real" so this is going to be posted the way it is written right now with no changes.
Here's to next week and be healthy!
Alan
I think tomorrow morning I will be feeling great again but this blog is supposed to be about "truth" so I want to write it now when my emotions are still "raw".
I weighed in tonight and I am "down". I should be really happy because I am down 1.6 pounds and that is a really good, and safe, number.
The problem is I set myself up.
I was SURE that I was FINALLY going to go back below the 200 pound mark this week. I even pretty much had my "success" blog written in my head.
Everything was looking good and I thought being sick this week would have "spilled" any excess pounds out of me so I was set for success!
I even cheated just before I left for Weight Watchers and weighed in at home. My scale said 199.5 pounds. Whooppee!!!
So off I went to Weight Watchers. I got on the scale...watched it go to 200.4...then had a glimpse of hope as it ever so briefly dropped to 200.2 before rebounding and settling back to 200.4 pounds. Believe me...their scales are the accurate ones.
Man was I frustrated. No...not frustrated...I actually felt a wave of depression come over me. Isn't it amazing how emotions can get to us...even when we have good news? They will if we let them.
The point of this blog isn't to feel sorry for myself. I know people who struggle with weight will get what I am saying...success doesn't always feel good...especially if you set your goals too high. If you are reading this and don't struggle with weight issues, perhaps it will resonate with other things going on in your life...or perhaps you will think I am just a complete idiot. If the latter is true you may be right! LOL
I know all the right answers. I know this week's weight loss was a "safe" rate of weight loss, I know that without my clothes on I actually WOULD be under 200 pounds, I know that that number is just an arbitrary figure, and I know that being sick can throw everything off anyway. I also know that this journey is primarily supposed to be about HEALTH!
I guess the purpose of writing this is because it is therapeutic for me (I am actually feeling better already) and to make the point that we can all be totally illogical sometimes and when we are we simply need to recognize that we are, and move on.
I know when I read this tomorrow morning I am going to feel different and want to change it before posting it but that wouldn't be "real" so this is going to be posted the way it is written right now with no changes.
Here's to next week and be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
If Sherri Shepherd Can Do It I Can too!
Who remembers last year when Sherrie Shepherd vowed that on a certain date she would walk out in public, in her swimsuit, on "The View" and then spent the next few months working toward having a body she felt comfortable enough to do it in.
Was her body perfect when she did it? Hell No! Did she make a commitment, keep it, and look great? Absolutely!
My friend Anthony has been encouraging me to lose weight because summer is coming and "it is time to take the shirts off"!
Let me tell you taking my shirt off in public has never been something anyone would particularly want to see (especially myself).
But I figure...hey...I have been working out and have decent arms and even a bit of a chest now...if I just lost that tummy I might actually be able to pull it off!
I don't think it is ever something you will be catching me doing on a regular basis (I'm going to be 50 in a couple of years for god's sake!), but I am going to take the path of Sherri Shepherd (and Kirstie Alley, except that story hasn't ended too well...but still may not have ended...I am pulling for you Kirstie!!).
On Pride Day here, which is Sunday July 4th, 2010, I am going to take my shirt off and walk the entire length of the Pride Festival along Church Street, from Carlton Street to Bloor Street. I will get a picture taken and post it, good or bad, on this blog.
I think my heart rate is rising at exponential rates as I am typing this. That should burn calories right?
People always talk about setting goals. My "goal" has been one of two things for years: It is either:
1) Get back to goal weight
or
2) Stay at goal weight
I need something different that is going to inspire me.
So I will do it and if anyone wants to come along for the walk they are more than welcome. I know I have friends who would LOVE to watch me make a fool of myself!
In the meantime I am wondering if anyone else out there has set a SPECIFIC goal?
You don't have to set one on this blog (unless you want to), but SET ONE! Maybe it won't even be about weight loss or health, but make it a positive one.
I just want to direct myself in a more positive direction and placing this challenge on myself will help me do it.
Apologies in advance to all those who might actually witness this spectacle! LOL
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. If anyone read my blog yesterday and was wondering what I ended up doing for dinner since I was out working and hadn't planned anything, I got a crab wrap. It was a fairly thin wrap with crab (the artificial kind) with lettuce and no mayo. From a calorie perspective it was a good choice...and delicious!
Was her body perfect when she did it? Hell No! Did she make a commitment, keep it, and look great? Absolutely!
My friend Anthony has been encouraging me to lose weight because summer is coming and "it is time to take the shirts off"!
Let me tell you taking my shirt off in public has never been something anyone would particularly want to see (especially myself).
But I figure...hey...I have been working out and have decent arms and even a bit of a chest now...if I just lost that tummy I might actually be able to pull it off!
I don't think it is ever something you will be catching me doing on a regular basis (I'm going to be 50 in a couple of years for god's sake!), but I am going to take the path of Sherri Shepherd (and Kirstie Alley, except that story hasn't ended too well...but still may not have ended...I am pulling for you Kirstie!!).
On Pride Day here, which is Sunday July 4th, 2010, I am going to take my shirt off and walk the entire length of the Pride Festival along Church Street, from Carlton Street to Bloor Street. I will get a picture taken and post it, good or bad, on this blog.
I think my heart rate is rising at exponential rates as I am typing this. That should burn calories right?
People always talk about setting goals. My "goal" has been one of two things for years: It is either:
1) Get back to goal weight
or
2) Stay at goal weight
I need something different that is going to inspire me.
So I will do it and if anyone wants to come along for the walk they are more than welcome. I know I have friends who would LOVE to watch me make a fool of myself!
In the meantime I am wondering if anyone else out there has set a SPECIFIC goal?
You don't have to set one on this blog (unless you want to), but SET ONE! Maybe it won't even be about weight loss or health, but make it a positive one.
I just want to direct myself in a more positive direction and placing this challenge on myself will help me do it.
Apologies in advance to all those who might actually witness this spectacle! LOL
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. If anyone read my blog yesterday and was wondering what I ended up doing for dinner since I was out working and hadn't planned anything, I got a crab wrap. It was a fairly thin wrap with crab (the artificial kind) with lettuce and no mayo. From a calorie perspective it was a good choice...and delicious!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
When Time Overwhelms You
I am sitting in my Anatomy and Physiology class as I type this. It is "pre-class" time and the budding nutritionists who have arrived early are discussing how they can't wait for this program to be over so they can eat healthy again.
It seems that even nutritionists struggle with time vs health.
I know I struggle with it.
Today for instance I will be finished my class at 2pm, will be working out at 2:40pm (I have to do this because I have been sick and haven't worked out for a week...for me that can be disaster), have an appointment with a Real Estate Client at 5:15, another one at 6:30 and the third one at 7:30. By the time I get home today it will be 8:30 tonight.
Have I prepared for this? Of course not! That would involve planning and of course, time.
So...I will make the best choices I can. At least the Nutrition Program offers Organic Soup at lunch time so that will be taken care of. What will I do for dinner? We will see...but I vow right now to make a healthy choice.
The funny thing is that it really doesn't take THAT long to plan ahead. You just have to actually do it!
I have found that when I do prepare meals ahead I make too much and end up with several batches in the freezer for use another day.
Once I managed to find a day to prepare a few dishes and actally ended up with enough food portion-wise to feed myself for a couple of weeks.
I think it is a matter of deciding how important it is to you. Most of us will say it is, and then we put it on the bottom of the list.
Guess what? When we do that it doesn't happen!
So I think it is time to accept the facts. Yes it does take time, yes it is important, and NO there is no excuse for not doing it.
If something has to give it HAS to be something else.
I just hope I listen to my own words in the future.
Be healthy everyone!
Alan
P.S, Yesterday was a great and healthy day!
It seems that even nutritionists struggle with time vs health.
I know I struggle with it.
Today for instance I will be finished my class at 2pm, will be working out at 2:40pm (I have to do this because I have been sick and haven't worked out for a week...for me that can be disaster), have an appointment with a Real Estate Client at 5:15, another one at 6:30 and the third one at 7:30. By the time I get home today it will be 8:30 tonight.
Have I prepared for this? Of course not! That would involve planning and of course, time.
So...I will make the best choices I can. At least the Nutrition Program offers Organic Soup at lunch time so that will be taken care of. What will I do for dinner? We will see...but I vow right now to make a healthy choice.
The funny thing is that it really doesn't take THAT long to plan ahead. You just have to actually do it!
I have found that when I do prepare meals ahead I make too much and end up with several batches in the freezer for use another day.
Once I managed to find a day to prepare a few dishes and actally ended up with enough food portion-wise to feed myself for a couple of weeks.
I think it is a matter of deciding how important it is to you. Most of us will say it is, and then we put it on the bottom of the list.
Guess what? When we do that it doesn't happen!
So I think it is time to accept the facts. Yes it does take time, yes it is important, and NO there is no excuse for not doing it.
If something has to give it HAS to be something else.
I just hope I listen to my own words in the future.
Be healthy everyone!
Alan
P.S, Yesterday was a great and healthy day!
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Dangers Of BLT's
Hi everyone.
The good news is I am on the road to recovery...feeling a lot better today.
I really have to watch what I eat as my appetite comes back. I am taking my Blogger friends Anthony and Karen's advice and focusing on water, vegetables, lemons, and avocados today.
Yesterday I fell victim to the horrible BLTs. No not "Bacon, Lettuce and Tomatoes"...but "Bites, Licks, and Tastes".
I really didn't feel like eating too much, but that didn't mean I didn't want to eat at all so I had a nibble here, a bite there, etc.
The problem is most of those nibbles and bites were on Peak Frean and chocolate covered Digestive Cookies. I know..they shouldn't even be in the house but they were. Even though there was only "one here" and "one there", with the help of Jamie they are now all gone.
So here I sit...wondering how I could have no appetite for a real meal and yet manage to slowly scarf down cookies.
I tell you...those "bites, licks and tastes" will nip you in the butt every time. Gotta watch em!
I think the problem was I had them with Tea. The tea made me feel better and the cookies just made it a complete package.
Today I must smarten up. No more cookies on my healthy road to recovery.
I can't wait to write about how good I was today, when I write my blog tommorrow.
Be healthy!
Alan
The good news is I am on the road to recovery...feeling a lot better today.
I really have to watch what I eat as my appetite comes back. I am taking my Blogger friends Anthony and Karen's advice and focusing on water, vegetables, lemons, and avocados today.
Yesterday I fell victim to the horrible BLTs. No not "Bacon, Lettuce and Tomatoes"...but "Bites, Licks, and Tastes".
I really didn't feel like eating too much, but that didn't mean I didn't want to eat at all so I had a nibble here, a bite there, etc.
The problem is most of those nibbles and bites were on Peak Frean and chocolate covered Digestive Cookies. I know..they shouldn't even be in the house but they were. Even though there was only "one here" and "one there", with the help of Jamie they are now all gone.
So here I sit...wondering how I could have no appetite for a real meal and yet manage to slowly scarf down cookies.
I tell you...those "bites, licks and tastes" will nip you in the butt every time. Gotta watch em!
I think the problem was I had them with Tea. The tea made me feel better and the cookies just made it a complete package.
Today I must smarten up. No more cookies on my healthy road to recovery.
I can't wait to write about how good I was today, when I write my blog tommorrow.
Be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Still Sick...Bummer Man
Morning All. Going to be a short blog today cause I feel like crap.
Right now there is ZERO doubt in my mind that my weight will be down Wednesday. There is nothing left in me LOL.
That is...unless I feel better BEFORE Wednesday.
The real real risk is when I start to feel better. Man am I going to need your support then.
I know the cycle. I get sick...don't want to eat, lose weight, start to feel better, suddenly get uncontrollably ravenous....eat everything in site.
When I start blogging that I am feeling better PLEASE get on my case about eating healthy. DON'T LET ME FOLLOW MY USUAL PATTERN! It is the road to hell! :-)
Anyway...this has to be s short one as it is still a "work day" for me, and getting everything done is taking just a little bit longer.
Have a great day everyone and....be healthy!
Alan
Right now there is ZERO doubt in my mind that my weight will be down Wednesday. There is nothing left in me LOL.
That is...unless I feel better BEFORE Wednesday.
The real real risk is when I start to feel better. Man am I going to need your support then.
I know the cycle. I get sick...don't want to eat, lose weight, start to feel better, suddenly get uncontrollably ravenous....eat everything in site.
When I start blogging that I am feeling better PLEASE get on my case about eating healthy. DON'T LET ME FOLLOW MY USUAL PATTERN! It is the road to hell! :-)
Anyway...this has to be s short one as it is still a "work day" for me, and getting everything done is taking just a little bit longer.
Have a great day everyone and....be healthy!
Alan
Saturday, May 8, 2010
BEING HEALTHY WHEN YOUR SICK
Today Sucks. My other half has been sick really bad for about a week and now I think I have caught it.
Jamie is on antibiotics but I really don't want to go down that road. I am pretty anti-medication right now.
Soooo...I am pumping myself full of vitamin C.
Thank goodness my blogger friend Karen reminded me of the importance of water yesterday. It is something I tend to ignore and something I really have to make sure I get enough of.
I am taking so much Vitamin C that it is causing frequent runs to the bathroom which causes dehydration so the water is particularly important (I know I know...too much information)....thanks for the reminder Karen!
Food wise I was good yesterday. Right now I just don't feel like eating so we will see how the day goes.
I still have to show properties this afternoon and early evening though so wish me luck!
I guess the good news is I will probably only eat healthy today. Junk is TOTALLY unappealing right now.
Be healthy!
Alan
Jamie is on antibiotics but I really don't want to go down that road. I am pretty anti-medication right now.
Soooo...I am pumping myself full of vitamin C.
Thank goodness my blogger friend Karen reminded me of the importance of water yesterday. It is something I tend to ignore and something I really have to make sure I get enough of.
I am taking so much Vitamin C that it is causing frequent runs to the bathroom which causes dehydration so the water is particularly important (I know I know...too much information)....thanks for the reminder Karen!
Food wise I was good yesterday. Right now I just don't feel like eating so we will see how the day goes.
I still have to show properties this afternoon and early evening though so wish me luck!
I guess the good news is I will probably only eat healthy today. Junk is TOTALLY unappealing right now.
Be healthy!
Alan
Friday, May 7, 2010
IS KFC On Plan? My Vote: Weight Loss: Yes/Nurtrition: NO!
Hello All!
Yesterday I knew I had a potential "indulgence" in the works. I didn't end up doing what I thought I would be doing but I indulged nonetheless.
Once my original plans fell through I thought...GREAT! I can be healthy tonight!
It didn't happen.
I showed a wonderful client of mine a property in the afternoon and she told me that she had baked some cookies and was going to bring me some but she had been reading my blog and thought she shouldn't, to which I responded..."really?...well... I could have had one or two.". When I dropped her off she was sweet enough to give me three of her cookies. I promised to give one to Jamie and only eat two...but of course after the first bite I ate all three. Sorry Jamie :-).
My exciting evening plans were to go out and help a client of mine, that I just sold a condo to, install a ceiling light fixture and see if I could fix her oven door (hey...I can be butch sometimes!!!).
After accomplishing this (OK...it took about an hour longer than it would have taken a straight man) it was time for dinner.
Before going Jamie had asked me if I could bring home KFC because there was one across the street from the condo I was at.
I agreed but as I was driving to the condo I thought...well...I will pick up KFC for him and stop at Swiss Chalet on my way home and get chicken and salad for me. If I took the skin off the chicken it would still be a really healthy choice from a weight loss perspective.
By the time I was done two things happened.
1) I was really hungry and rational was starting to go out the window.
2) Jamie called to say he was visiting our neighbour Alix next door and her friend Nicole. Could I pick up KFC for all of us?
It was really easy to justify skipping Swiss Chalet because it only made sense to buy the Family Meal if I was getting food for four right?
That is exactly what I did...complete with Fries, Gravy, Macaroni Salad, and Coleslaw (that artificially green kind that you know isn't real food but tastes delicious)!
We had a wonderful meal sitting in the middle of Alix's kitchen floor. For some reason the table just seemed too formal for KFC :-)
I watched and talked as Alix had ONE piece of Chicken and Nicole had two. They ate nothing else. Jamie and I had more (I got a 15 piece bucket). I have NEVER been good with "moderation".
Anyway, after the Cookies and KFC, one would think I would be distraught about my choices, but I am actually still feeling good.
From a weight loss perspective I think it is totally fine. I just can't "indulge" much more this week.
From a Nutrition and Health perspective, however, I probably ate a bunch of food that my body doesn't even know HOW to process. That DOES bother me and makes me think twice about my choices.
At the end of the day I think it will be my understanding of how processed foods can destroy my body that will stop the "fast food" journeys. It is unlikely to be the desire to be thin. Wanting to be thin and having the willpower in times of hunger are completely different things. I can rationalize eating bad at almost anytime, but I can't rationalize eating food of poor quality.
Live, Learn and be heatlhy!
Alan
Yesterday I knew I had a potential "indulgence" in the works. I didn't end up doing what I thought I would be doing but I indulged nonetheless.
Once my original plans fell through I thought...GREAT! I can be healthy tonight!
It didn't happen.
I showed a wonderful client of mine a property in the afternoon and she told me that she had baked some cookies and was going to bring me some but she had been reading my blog and thought she shouldn't, to which I responded..."really?...well... I could have had one or two.". When I dropped her off she was sweet enough to give me three of her cookies. I promised to give one to Jamie and only eat two...but of course after the first bite I ate all three. Sorry Jamie :-).
My exciting evening plans were to go out and help a client of mine, that I just sold a condo to, install a ceiling light fixture and see if I could fix her oven door (hey...I can be butch sometimes!!!).
After accomplishing this (OK...it took about an hour longer than it would have taken a straight man) it was time for dinner.
Before going Jamie had asked me if I could bring home KFC because there was one across the street from the condo I was at.
I agreed but as I was driving to the condo I thought...well...I will pick up KFC for him and stop at Swiss Chalet on my way home and get chicken and salad for me. If I took the skin off the chicken it would still be a really healthy choice from a weight loss perspective.
By the time I was done two things happened.
1) I was really hungry and rational was starting to go out the window.
2) Jamie called to say he was visiting our neighbour Alix next door and her friend Nicole. Could I pick up KFC for all of us?
It was really easy to justify skipping Swiss Chalet because it only made sense to buy the Family Meal if I was getting food for four right?
That is exactly what I did...complete with Fries, Gravy, Macaroni Salad, and Coleslaw (that artificially green kind that you know isn't real food but tastes delicious)!
We had a wonderful meal sitting in the middle of Alix's kitchen floor. For some reason the table just seemed too formal for KFC :-)
I watched and talked as Alix had ONE piece of Chicken and Nicole had two. They ate nothing else. Jamie and I had more (I got a 15 piece bucket). I have NEVER been good with "moderation".
Anyway, after the Cookies and KFC, one would think I would be distraught about my choices, but I am actually still feeling good.
From a weight loss perspective I think it is totally fine. I just can't "indulge" much more this week.
From a Nutrition and Health perspective, however, I probably ate a bunch of food that my body doesn't even know HOW to process. That DOES bother me and makes me think twice about my choices.
At the end of the day I think it will be my understanding of how processed foods can destroy my body that will stop the "fast food" journeys. It is unlikely to be the desire to be thin. Wanting to be thin and having the willpower in times of hunger are completely different things. I can rationalize eating bad at almost anytime, but I can't rationalize eating food of poor quality.
Live, Learn and be heatlhy!
Alan
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Down 3.2 Pounds!
I stepped on the scale with a bit of fear yesterday because I honestly didn't know for sure which way the tides would turn. I "felt" like my weight was down but I wasn't sure if my eating habits had been good enough. I knew I did a lot of good things, but was afraid the few "indulgences" (I refuse to call them "mistakes") might have had an impact.
Boy was I happy to find out I was down 3.2 pounds!
It has given me the willpower to have another good week!
It has also taught me I can indulge occasionally as long as I don't do it all the time.
It is looking like I might be indulging a bit tonight, but if I do it will be a fun night and then back to good. I may get this figured out yet! Ok OK...I know...it is a little early to be soooo optimistic :-)
Remember when I talked about my horrible habit of eating while I study for tests? Well good news! I have no choice but to be good! The course I am taking now (Anatomy and Physiology) is 14 weeks long and there is a test every Thursday Morning.
Figure out my built-in solution? I simply CANNOT eat junk while studying for my tests because the night before the test I have to step on the scale!
I am betting by the end of 14 weeks I will have this horrible habit licked!
Wish me luck and...be healthy!
Alan
Boy was I happy to find out I was down 3.2 pounds!
It has given me the willpower to have another good week!
It has also taught me I can indulge occasionally as long as I don't do it all the time.
It is looking like I might be indulging a bit tonight, but if I do it will be a fun night and then back to good. I may get this figured out yet! Ok OK...I know...it is a little early to be soooo optimistic :-)
Remember when I talked about my horrible habit of eating while I study for tests? Well good news! I have no choice but to be good! The course I am taking now (Anatomy and Physiology) is 14 weeks long and there is a test every Thursday Morning.
Figure out my built-in solution? I simply CANNOT eat junk while studying for my tests because the night before the test I have to step on the scale!
I am betting by the end of 14 weeks I will have this horrible habit licked!
Wish me luck and...be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Weigh-In Day Arrives Again...But Sometimes Friends Are THE Most Important Thing.
Yesterday was a sad day. Our dear friends Diane and Maurizio stayed over at our place the night before last but within minutes of leaving our home yesterday Diane found out that her Father had passed away in South Africa. We had the pleasure of meeting Diane's parents when they stayed at our B&B a few years ago. They were both wonderful people and her father will truly will be missed. Diane & Maurizio...please know our thoughts are with you....we love you!
In terms of the weight loss journey, the thoughts for the day are the following:
It is weigh-in day once again. How did it get here so fast?!
I am usually the type of person who stands on the scale at least twice a day "just to check". Can you say "obsession"? Supposedly this is a bad thing to do, but I have never really found that it stresses me out to much.
For some reason, though, since I started this blog I just stopped weighing myself at home. I'm not sure I like it.
In the past I have always known how I did BEFORE I went for my official "weigh-in". Now I have no idea. It is kind of weird.
I ate really well yesterday and if I manage to do the same today then hopefully all will be good!
Today is one of those "danger days" though where I have to study for a test. I always eat when I study so this is going to be a REAL test for me.
I either cave, and eat while studying, which means the weigh-in is totally shot and I will have my tail between my legs tomorrow, or I bear down and study without food (at least without JUNK food). GOD I HOPE IT IS THE LATTER!
I really HAVE to study though. I have so much to learn and this test is not going to be easy.
I was originally supposed to go out of town today and studying while away would have been real hard so I guess I have the benefit of being "home" on my side.
Wish me lucky and...be healthy!
Alan
In terms of the weight loss journey, the thoughts for the day are the following:
It is weigh-in day once again. How did it get here so fast?!
I am usually the type of person who stands on the scale at least twice a day "just to check". Can you say "obsession"? Supposedly this is a bad thing to do, but I have never really found that it stresses me out to much.
For some reason, though, since I started this blog I just stopped weighing myself at home. I'm not sure I like it.
In the past I have always known how I did BEFORE I went for my official "weigh-in". Now I have no idea. It is kind of weird.
I ate really well yesterday and if I manage to do the same today then hopefully all will be good!
Today is one of those "danger days" though where I have to study for a test. I always eat when I study so this is going to be a REAL test for me.
I either cave, and eat while studying, which means the weigh-in is totally shot and I will have my tail between my legs tomorrow, or I bear down and study without food (at least without JUNK food). GOD I HOPE IT IS THE LATTER!
I really HAVE to study though. I have so much to learn and this test is not going to be easy.
I was originally supposed to go out of town today and studying while away would have been real hard so I guess I have the benefit of being "home" on my side.
Wish me lucky and...be healthy!
Alan
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sometimes Size Matters!
Good day everyone!
As I sit here reflecting on yesterday I am contemplating whether or not it was a "good day" or not. It was definitely a good breakfast, definitely a good lunch, but dinner?...I could have chosen better.
We had friends who came in from out of town because I am listing their incredibly beautiful condo for sale today and some final "cleaning" had to be done prior to going to market.
After all the pre-sale work was done on the condo we decided to get "take out" instead of going out for dinner (no one wanted to cook). We stopped where there was Chinese Take Out on one side of the street and Vietnamese Take Out on the other side of the street with a sign that boasts "Taste Of Health" above its door. Although some of us opted for Chinese Food, I was good, or at least I thought I was, and went Vietnamese.
The problem is I was really hungry and wanted something filling so I ordered Pad Thai with Chicken and Shrimp.
The food was great, I didn't feel stuffed, and I feel great (health-wise) this morning but when I think back on the size of the order of Pad Thai I had and the fat that it probably contained I think I blew it for the day :-(
Tomorrow is weigh-in day for me and as much as I feel like I have been more "aware" of what I am eating, my decisions might not lead to weight loss. There has been a little slip up here, and a little slip up there all week long.
Weight Watchers suggests tracking the food you eat, and I know if I had actually done that I wouldn't be sitting here wondering if I slipped up to much. I would pretty much know for sure. I "track" and then "stop tracking" and then "track" and then "stop tracking". I think I better track everything I put in my mouth next week and see what itemizing my food intake reveals.
I believe one feels great when they eat right, feel horrible when they eat poorly, but feel the worst when they ate pretty good and then blow it with one oversized item.
Why did I do it? I was so good otherwise. I know I need treats occasionally but believe me I have NO trouble making sure I get my treats in.
I am not going to beat myself up though. At this particular moment in time I am a little disappointed in myself but that attitude only leads to a slippery path down hill.
Every day is a new day and a fresh new start!
On a purely selfish and off topic note if you are looking for a beautiful condo downtown check out the listing in the link below. I am kinda sad my friends are selling it as it is such a beauty!
BEAUTIFUL LAKEVIEW CONDO!
Be healthy!
Alan
As I sit here reflecting on yesterday I am contemplating whether or not it was a "good day" or not. It was definitely a good breakfast, definitely a good lunch, but dinner?...I could have chosen better.
We had friends who came in from out of town because I am listing their incredibly beautiful condo for sale today and some final "cleaning" had to be done prior to going to market.
After all the pre-sale work was done on the condo we decided to get "take out" instead of going out for dinner (no one wanted to cook). We stopped where there was Chinese Take Out on one side of the street and Vietnamese Take Out on the other side of the street with a sign that boasts "Taste Of Health" above its door. Although some of us opted for Chinese Food, I was good, or at least I thought I was, and went Vietnamese.
The problem is I was really hungry and wanted something filling so I ordered Pad Thai with Chicken and Shrimp.
The food was great, I didn't feel stuffed, and I feel great (health-wise) this morning but when I think back on the size of the order of Pad Thai I had and the fat that it probably contained I think I blew it for the day :-(
Tomorrow is weigh-in day for me and as much as I feel like I have been more "aware" of what I am eating, my decisions might not lead to weight loss. There has been a little slip up here, and a little slip up there all week long.
Weight Watchers suggests tracking the food you eat, and I know if I had actually done that I wouldn't be sitting here wondering if I slipped up to much. I would pretty much know for sure. I "track" and then "stop tracking" and then "track" and then "stop tracking". I think I better track everything I put in my mouth next week and see what itemizing my food intake reveals.
I believe one feels great when they eat right, feel horrible when they eat poorly, but feel the worst when they ate pretty good and then blow it with one oversized item.
Why did I do it? I was so good otherwise. I know I need treats occasionally but believe me I have NO trouble making sure I get my treats in.
I am not going to beat myself up though. At this particular moment in time I am a little disappointed in myself but that attitude only leads to a slippery path down hill.
Every day is a new day and a fresh new start!
On a purely selfish and off topic note if you are looking for a beautiful condo downtown check out the listing in the link below. I am kinda sad my friends are selling it as it is such a beauty!
BEAUTIFUL LAKEVIEW CONDO!
Be healthy!
Alan
Monday, May 3, 2010
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!
Yes folks. That is what I said. TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!. That is a decision I have to make and I cannot wait a day longer.
You, see, I made a promise to myself at the end of last summer. I spent last summer, as I always do, going to BBQs with friends, meeting people at restaurants, having dinner parties etc., and yes...drinking wine :-) I LOVE the summer!
Throughout the entire period, however, I went to my weekly Weight Watcher's meetings and bitched about how HARD it was to lose weight at this time of year because the summer is full of events and get-togethers are planned so last minute it just makes the whole season so "unpredictable".
Then....at the end of the summer I had this realization. SUMMER IS THE SAME EVERY YEAR! There are always BBQs, there are always restaurants, there are always dinner parties, and yes...there is ALWAYS wine!
Guess what that means? It means that in actual fact summer is the MOST predictable time of the year. I may not know exactly when things are going to happen but I can be pretty damn sure they are indeed going to happen!
When I realized this, I vowed to remember it this summer. I knew that the only way of coping with the perpetual "unknown" is to be prepared for it, and that means being good (and healthy) every single minute of the summer that is not an "event".
It is so easy for me to go out for dinner one night and then not worry about breakfast and lunch the next day because I'm going out again the next night. What's the point right?
This week the warm weather has arrived and with it the socializing. Last Thursday was a night out with our friend Ian, last night we had a very healthy BBQ (and wine) with our friend Cara and then three guests staying at our B&B joined in, and tonight our friends Maurizio and Diane will be coming over. Love it!
That tells me, however, that summer is here! The socializing has begun and so the summer plan must kick into place. I cannot wait one day longer!
So from this second until the end of September I am going to do my best to be smart about my food choices every single time I am on my own or it is just Jamie and I.
Of course I need to try to make healthy choices at social events too...but lets face it...it is going to be more fattening, so planning around these events is critical!
Wish me luck and....be healthy!
Alan
You, see, I made a promise to myself at the end of last summer. I spent last summer, as I always do, going to BBQs with friends, meeting people at restaurants, having dinner parties etc., and yes...drinking wine :-) I LOVE the summer!
Throughout the entire period, however, I went to my weekly Weight Watcher's meetings and bitched about how HARD it was to lose weight at this time of year because the summer is full of events and get-togethers are planned so last minute it just makes the whole season so "unpredictable".
Then....at the end of the summer I had this realization. SUMMER IS THE SAME EVERY YEAR! There are always BBQs, there are always restaurants, there are always dinner parties, and yes...there is ALWAYS wine!
Guess what that means? It means that in actual fact summer is the MOST predictable time of the year. I may not know exactly when things are going to happen but I can be pretty damn sure they are indeed going to happen!
When I realized this, I vowed to remember it this summer. I knew that the only way of coping with the perpetual "unknown" is to be prepared for it, and that means being good (and healthy) every single minute of the summer that is not an "event".
It is so easy for me to go out for dinner one night and then not worry about breakfast and lunch the next day because I'm going out again the next night. What's the point right?
This week the warm weather has arrived and with it the socializing. Last Thursday was a night out with our friend Ian, last night we had a very healthy BBQ (and wine) with our friend Cara and then three guests staying at our B&B joined in, and tonight our friends Maurizio and Diane will be coming over. Love it!
That tells me, however, that summer is here! The socializing has begun and so the summer plan must kick into place. I cannot wait one day longer!
So from this second until the end of September I am going to do my best to be smart about my food choices every single time I am on my own or it is just Jamie and I.
Of course I need to try to make healthy choices at social events too...but lets face it...it is going to be more fattening, so planning around these events is critical!
Wish me luck and....be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, May 2, 2010
What happened To The Health and Nutrition Part?
Ok today is going to have to be a short one because I have an insane day Real Estate wise. Can you believe it is 5:46AM and I am already racing the clock?! LOL
Anyway, I just wanted to say two things today. The first is a big THANK YOU to the people sending private emails and facebook messages with either words of encouragement or their own stories. It is really cool.
It hadn't occurred to me before (although it should have) that this is such a private journey for so many and private is totally cool.
If anyone does want "public" feedback (can't guarantee there would be any this early in the running of this blog but it may be worth a shot), it is also possible to post comments on the blog identifying yourself as "anonymous".
On the more personal note of my own journey I was reflecting on my blog postings and one thing that sort of stood out was that I called my blog the "road to journey and health" but it has become the "journey to weight loss".
If I am being honest with myself weight loss IS my primary goal right now with a view to stabilizing my weight in a healthy and nutritious way once I get there, but that doesn't mean I can't try harder to be as healthy as possible along the way.
I just have to make sure I don't try to do SO much at once that I totally blow it. I have done that too many times already.
So the focus for today will be "natural, healthy eating with a goal to losing weight".
I type this as I drink my extra large coffee....oh man! :-(
Be healthy!
Alan
Anyway, I just wanted to say two things today. The first is a big THANK YOU to the people sending private emails and facebook messages with either words of encouragement or their own stories. It is really cool.
It hadn't occurred to me before (although it should have) that this is such a private journey for so many and private is totally cool.
If anyone does want "public" feedback (can't guarantee there would be any this early in the running of this blog but it may be worth a shot), it is also possible to post comments on the blog identifying yourself as "anonymous".
On the more personal note of my own journey I was reflecting on my blog postings and one thing that sort of stood out was that I called my blog the "road to journey and health" but it has become the "journey to weight loss".
If I am being honest with myself weight loss IS my primary goal right now with a view to stabilizing my weight in a healthy and nutritious way once I get there, but that doesn't mean I can't try harder to be as healthy as possible along the way.
I just have to make sure I don't try to do SO much at once that I totally blow it. I have done that too many times already.
So the focus for today will be "natural, healthy eating with a goal to losing weight".
I type this as I drink my extra large coffee....oh man! :-(
Be healthy!
Alan
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