It's here. The Candy is bought, it is sitting in our Living Room, and I have already eaten a few.
Our good friends Patty, Naoko and Albert are coming over for Halloween as the always do, and our neighbours will join us as well. Should be a fun night!
Jamie has made Curry Chicken and Salad which is always good.
I'm not really concerned about getting though the night with all the Candy around. I will have some, and I will enjoy it, but I don't need to turn the night into a Candy eating competition.
The biggest concern is left overs. I need to ensure that when the night ends we do not have a single candy left in the house.
Tomorrow it is over...when it is over...it is over.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Alan
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
I Love The Water
Last night was spent visiting a friend at her cottage near Hagersville.
Jamie and I were there along with Joy-Anne who owns the cottage and Cindy and Kevin.
We had a wonderful evening by the water and a spectacular healthy dinner comprised of small slices on meat and veggies cooked on a Hot Stone. Yummy!!!
The only real issue was the copius amounts of wine consumed by all (except Jamie as he doesn't drink) and a slice of Birthday Cake with Ice Cream.
No guilt though. I planned for it, earned it, and went to the gym twice yesterday working out a total of three hours so I could have it.
Sometimes one needs to find a way to permit themselves to indulge a bit while maintsing balance.
Be healthy!
Alan
Jamie and I were there along with Joy-Anne who owns the cottage and Cindy and Kevin.
We had a wonderful evening by the water and a spectacular healthy dinner comprised of small slices on meat and veggies cooked on a Hot Stone. Yummy!!!
The only real issue was the copius amounts of wine consumed by all (except Jamie as he doesn't drink) and a slice of Birthday Cake with Ice Cream.
No guilt though. I planned for it, earned it, and went to the gym twice yesterday working out a total of three hours so I could have it.
Sometimes one needs to find a way to permit themselves to indulge a bit while maintsing balance.
Be healthy!
Alan
Friday, October 29, 2010
Forced Myself To Eat
I had to force myself to eat last night. Not because I wasn't hungry...I was actually quite hungry.
It was because I need to break old habits.
My problem was with the fact that I knew I had to step on the scale this morning. Why would I eat if I have to step on the scale? That would be just be plain silly. Right?
I should starve myself tonight and then go get something deliciously fattening for breakfast after the weigh-in. It is the best of both worlds. I am "down" on the scale, and my subsequent pig-out can't possible still be showing by the time I weigh in next week right?! Do you think like me?
That was the "old" me talking. I wish "old" meant months or years ago....but it is more like weeks ago.
I am finally "getting" that I fool no-one but myself. I am better off being honestly "up" and in control then artificially down because I am starving and binging. Why is that my nature is to binge and starve? Why is it a challenge to eat normal no matter what?
I think it is because I want success...we all do. Is success really success if it isn't come by honestly though? Is being "up" really a failure if you know it is simply because you recently had a valid "indulgence"?
I want REAL success. I want long term success.
I think I am finally getting to know myself.
By the way, I was actually down exactly one pound this morning.
Be healthy!
Alan
It was because I need to break old habits.
My problem was with the fact that I knew I had to step on the scale this morning. Why would I eat if I have to step on the scale? That would be just be plain silly. Right?
I should starve myself tonight and then go get something deliciously fattening for breakfast after the weigh-in. It is the best of both worlds. I am "down" on the scale, and my subsequent pig-out can't possible still be showing by the time I weigh in next week right?! Do you think like me?
That was the "old" me talking. I wish "old" meant months or years ago....but it is more like weeks ago.
I am finally "getting" that I fool no-one but myself. I am better off being honestly "up" and in control then artificially down because I am starving and binging. Why is that my nature is to binge and starve? Why is it a challenge to eat normal no matter what?
I think it is because I want success...we all do. Is success really success if it isn't come by honestly though? Is being "up" really a failure if you know it is simply because you recently had a valid "indulgence"?
I want REAL success. I want long term success.
I think I am finally getting to know myself.
By the way, I was actually down exactly one pound this morning.
Be healthy!
Alan
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Food Snob
Sorry, I am writing this one at the very end of the day instead of the beginning of the day. Things went a little nuts today.
Yesterday evening was interesting for me. I discovered that I might be starting to get a hint of "food snob" syndrome...but not in a bad way. I am learning to appreciate good food.
We went out for dinner with our good friend Sue and her daughter Alex. We decided to go to out old haunt around the corner. Basically an old British Pub. I usually have a Burger and Sweet Potato Fries there, and even though I remembered the last time around that the Sweet Potato Fries are only "so-so" I ordered the same thing again. Not a great choice but it really doesn't bother me too much as I have been eating well and keeping my promises of not eating processed food at home and not eating out when I am alone. It was an allowable exception I think. I also doubled my exercise time today and will do so tomorrow to help "offset" things a bit.
The point though is that this is our favourite hang out and my favourite food. There was a HUGE difference this time though. What was the difference? Instead of simply mowing my way through the food with a pint of Beer, I actually paid attention to what I was eating. It didn't taste bad...it just didn't taste. It was simply.....a burger and fries.The reality is that my own food is better.
I will still go out, and I will still go to this restaurant, but I kind of like that I am becoming a food snob.
My friend Sue is as well. We have gone through similar struggles and I think we are both beginning to appreciate quality....well...I am beginning...I think she is miles ahead of me in terms of recognizing the difference between quality and take out served on a plate. Hope I catch up!
Tomorrow's blog will be later (around lunch I think) as well as I am going to weigh-in at Weight Watchers and will post after I get home. I am thinking I am down a pound which is fine with me. I really want to lose slow this time. By the time I get back to goal I want to have more stable eating habits and slow is the way to do it.
Be healthy!
Alan
Yesterday evening was interesting for me. I discovered that I might be starting to get a hint of "food snob" syndrome...but not in a bad way. I am learning to appreciate good food.
We went out for dinner with our good friend Sue and her daughter Alex. We decided to go to out old haunt around the corner. Basically an old British Pub. I usually have a Burger and Sweet Potato Fries there, and even though I remembered the last time around that the Sweet Potato Fries are only "so-so" I ordered the same thing again. Not a great choice but it really doesn't bother me too much as I have been eating well and keeping my promises of not eating processed food at home and not eating out when I am alone. It was an allowable exception I think. I also doubled my exercise time today and will do so tomorrow to help "offset" things a bit.
The point though is that this is our favourite hang out and my favourite food. There was a HUGE difference this time though. What was the difference? Instead of simply mowing my way through the food with a pint of Beer, I actually paid attention to what I was eating. It didn't taste bad...it just didn't taste. It was simply.....a burger and fries.The reality is that my own food is better.
I will still go out, and I will still go to this restaurant, but I kind of like that I am becoming a food snob.
My friend Sue is as well. We have gone through similar struggles and I think we are both beginning to appreciate quality....well...I am beginning...I think she is miles ahead of me in terms of recognizing the difference between quality and take out served on a plate. Hope I catch up!
Tomorrow's blog will be later (around lunch I think) as well as I am going to weigh-in at Weight Watchers and will post after I get home. I am thinking I am down a pound which is fine with me. I really want to lose slow this time. By the time I get back to goal I want to have more stable eating habits and slow is the way to do it.
Be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I guess hungry days never really go away
I had a hungry day yesterday. I was hoping that now that I am eating more balanced they would go away...I guess not...sigh.
I kept it reasonably under control. I definitely ate more than usual but I kept it healthy and at least within semi-reason.
This hungry day was a bit different thought. Usually when I get attacks like this I just want to eat everything in sight and then at the end I feel like a beached whale.
This time I was definitely hungry, it felt a LITTLE more controllable, but what was really different was that I felt like my metabolism was going a hundred miles an hour. I am not sure if it was happening or not, I hope so, but it felt more like my body needed the food more than I wanted the food...like my body just needed to burn burn burn. Maybe that is yet again another excuse. Hard to know.
Hopefully it did burn and I don't suffer too much on the scale.
I can't go to Weight watcher's tonight as my good friend Sue is coming into the city to see the show "Wicked". We will not see the show ourselves but will be meeting up with her and one of her daughters after the show. I am really looking forward to it. I promise you this is NOT avoiding the scale because of yesterday. As my friend Sue will attest, this was planned a week ago.
My friend Albert and I have committed to going to the Weight Watcher's meeting in Burlington Friday morning at 8:15AM so I will still make sure I weigh in and report back on how I did.
Hoping my friend in Scotland, CDP. hasn't had too bad a week. She was visiting her daughter in Italy last week, but is facing the scale again tomorrow morning. Keeping my fingers crossed for her!
To those at tonight's meeting...I will miss you but will be there next Wednesday with that shirt on I promised to wear. Jamie suggested last night that I take it to a tailor and get it expanded LOL. Even if that was possible (I don't think there is anything to expand) I wouldn't do it. I made my commitment to wear it next Wednesday and that is what I will do. By the way WW people, anyone know what happened to Alexis and her Mom? Haven't seen them at the meetings in a while and miss them. Doing my best to get Albert back to the meetings. At least he has said he will go Friday.
Be healthy!
Alan
I kept it reasonably under control. I definitely ate more than usual but I kept it healthy and at least within semi-reason.
This hungry day was a bit different thought. Usually when I get attacks like this I just want to eat everything in sight and then at the end I feel like a beached whale.
This time I was definitely hungry, it felt a LITTLE more controllable, but what was really different was that I felt like my metabolism was going a hundred miles an hour. I am not sure if it was happening or not, I hope so, but it felt more like my body needed the food more than I wanted the food...like my body just needed to burn burn burn. Maybe that is yet again another excuse. Hard to know.
Hopefully it did burn and I don't suffer too much on the scale.
I can't go to Weight watcher's tonight as my good friend Sue is coming into the city to see the show "Wicked". We will not see the show ourselves but will be meeting up with her and one of her daughters after the show. I am really looking forward to it. I promise you this is NOT avoiding the scale because of yesterday. As my friend Sue will attest, this was planned a week ago.
My friend Albert and I have committed to going to the Weight Watcher's meeting in Burlington Friday morning at 8:15AM so I will still make sure I weigh in and report back on how I did.
Hoping my friend in Scotland, CDP. hasn't had too bad a week. She was visiting her daughter in Italy last week, but is facing the scale again tomorrow morning. Keeping my fingers crossed for her!
To those at tonight's meeting...I will miss you but will be there next Wednesday with that shirt on I promised to wear. Jamie suggested last night that I take it to a tailor and get it expanded LOL. Even if that was possible (I don't think there is anything to expand) I wouldn't do it. I made my commitment to wear it next Wednesday and that is what I will do. By the way WW people, anyone know what happened to Alexis and her Mom? Haven't seen them at the meetings in a while and miss them. Doing my best to get Albert back to the meetings. At least he has said he will go Friday.
Be healthy!
Alan
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
It worked!
Yesterday I had a victory. A small victory but a victory.
Jamie wanted a box of those chocolate digestive biscuits he loved so much, but I gave him two small no fat banana muffins I made and he forgot about the cookies. Yeah!
I wrote a while ago about how I felt that one builds a successful relationship by accepting a person as the person is and not trying to change them.
I really believe this is true, but if better options are presented and they choose them for themselves...then it is a win-win!
I am really happy with the food I am eating right now but I don't seem to be "losing" very fast...mostly maintaining. The most important thing though is that I seem to finally be finding the balance I have been missing.
Allowing myself healthier treats I make at home seems to be giving me the strength to avoid junk outside, and exercise helps balance out those treats.
My hope is that I can lose a pound a week until I am back to where I want to be. It will actually be better for me if I do that then if I lose faster because I am learning to "stabilize", and that will mean new habits really do become lifetime habits.
Yeah!!!!
Be healthy,
Alan
Jamie wanted a box of those chocolate digestive biscuits he loved so much, but I gave him two small no fat banana muffins I made and he forgot about the cookies. Yeah!
I wrote a while ago about how I felt that one builds a successful relationship by accepting a person as the person is and not trying to change them.
I really believe this is true, but if better options are presented and they choose them for themselves...then it is a win-win!
I am really happy with the food I am eating right now but I don't seem to be "losing" very fast...mostly maintaining. The most important thing though is that I seem to finally be finding the balance I have been missing.
Allowing myself healthier treats I make at home seems to be giving me the strength to avoid junk outside, and exercise helps balance out those treats.
My hope is that I can lose a pound a week until I am back to where I want to be. It will actually be better for me if I do that then if I lose faster because I am learning to "stabilize", and that will mean new habits really do become lifetime habits.
Yeah!!!!
Be healthy,
Alan
Monday, October 25, 2010
Getting Your Exercise?
You may have noticed that I haven't spoken about exercise much in the past while. That is because I kind of "lost it" for a bit.
I have been back into it big time for the past week or so. What a difference it makes.
I think I got off track when I was sick and then after that I did it in a half hazard kind of way. The steam room was more appealing then the gym equipment.
To be honest I thought I had the exercise thing down and I would never slip up on it again...but I did slip up...and I corrected it.
I will be honest. I don't love going to the gym. I don't really understand how anyone does. I do, however, love how I feel when I come out of the gym, and even when I am not losing weight I love the fact that my body is becoming more toned.
If you aren't exercising I really recommend that you start....even if it is only a little bit at a time. It will make a world of difference to how you feel...and to your health.
I'm still feeling great!!!
Be healthy,
Alan
I have been back into it big time for the past week or so. What a difference it makes.
I think I got off track when I was sick and then after that I did it in a half hazard kind of way. The steam room was more appealing then the gym equipment.
To be honest I thought I had the exercise thing down and I would never slip up on it again...but I did slip up...and I corrected it.
I will be honest. I don't love going to the gym. I don't really understand how anyone does. I do, however, love how I feel when I come out of the gym, and even when I am not losing weight I love the fact that my body is becoming more toned.
If you aren't exercising I really recommend that you start....even if it is only a little bit at a time. It will make a world of difference to how you feel...and to your health.
I'm still feeling great!!!
Be healthy,
Alan
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Feeling Amazing
Short blog today because it's a busy day and there isn't much to say other than this:
I FEEL GREAT!!!
Man when I don't eat junk for a while my whole body truly feels cleansed and I just "feel" healthy. It is hard to imagine I would ever do anything to undo this feeling.
I have been there before though, and it is amazing how strong temptation can be.
Awareness is everything, so the knowledge of how strong it can be will hopefully empower me to resist.
I have often found that skill power is far more important than will power. One has to know how to keep temptation at bay.
I am going to bury it six feet under.
Off to the gym and then to show properties.
Be healthy!
Alan
I FEEL GREAT!!!
Man when I don't eat junk for a while my whole body truly feels cleansed and I just "feel" healthy. It is hard to imagine I would ever do anything to undo this feeling.
I have been there before though, and it is amazing how strong temptation can be.
Awareness is everything, so the knowledge of how strong it can be will hopefully empower me to resist.
I have often found that skill power is far more important than will power. One has to know how to keep temptation at bay.
I am going to bury it six feet under.
Off to the gym and then to show properties.
Be healthy!
Alan
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Overhealthying
I know..."overhealthying" is not a word but it is the only way to describe my day yesterday...I am such an "excess" person. I was so busy "overhealthying" that I didn't even have time to write my blog.
I took a rare day off from work, and blogging, and prepared and prepared and prepared healthy foods. Well...not really foods, but preparation for foods for the most part. I set beans up for sprouting, I prepared a "culture" for yogurt, I made my own sour cream, I made my own bread (it didn't turn out) , I made my own tortilla chips, and I made Chili and a healthy cheese cake with an almond crust.
Everything required so much work.
I used the cookbook I got in Food Preparation Class, but it is hard to use. You make one recipe but within that recipe they often tell you to add a couple of ingredients that are actually their OWN recipes elsewhere in the book. A lot of these "ingredient/recipes" require 24 hours to make. Even the almonds for the cheese cake crust had to be baked at 150 degrees for 7 hours. The reason behind this is that a lot of nutrients and enzymes get killed above 180 degrees so wherever it is possible to cook slower at a reduced heat it is preferable.
I need to find balance though. This type of cooking is likely not realistic for me for the rest of my life. That does NOT mean I am going back to processed food...but I don't have to make absolutely everything. I probably won't die if I eat an organic probiotic yogurt purchased from a store.
To be fair the cookbook is amazing, and I probably should have read the 100 page introduction before using it. It tells you the basic ingredients you should make and have on hand for use in multiple recipes. Perhaps I just need to spend time making the basic ingredients first. I will evaluate further but it will be a while before I am able to find time to read those 100 pages.
I am definitely on the road to nutrition and health now though. To use Martha's words: "It's A Good Thing".
Be Healthy!
Alan
I took a rare day off from work, and blogging, and prepared and prepared and prepared healthy foods. Well...not really foods, but preparation for foods for the most part. I set beans up for sprouting, I prepared a "culture" for yogurt, I made my own sour cream, I made my own bread (it didn't turn out) , I made my own tortilla chips, and I made Chili and a healthy cheese cake with an almond crust.
Everything required so much work.
I used the cookbook I got in Food Preparation Class, but it is hard to use. You make one recipe but within that recipe they often tell you to add a couple of ingredients that are actually their OWN recipes elsewhere in the book. A lot of these "ingredient/recipes" require 24 hours to make. Even the almonds for the cheese cake crust had to be baked at 150 degrees for 7 hours. The reason behind this is that a lot of nutrients and enzymes get killed above 180 degrees so wherever it is possible to cook slower at a reduced heat it is preferable.
I need to find balance though. This type of cooking is likely not realistic for me for the rest of my life. That does NOT mean I am going back to processed food...but I don't have to make absolutely everything. I probably won't die if I eat an organic probiotic yogurt purchased from a store.
To be fair the cookbook is amazing, and I probably should have read the 100 page introduction before using it. It tells you the basic ingredients you should make and have on hand for use in multiple recipes. Perhaps I just need to spend time making the basic ingredients first. I will evaluate further but it will be a while before I am able to find time to read those 100 pages.
I am definitely on the road to nutrition and health now though. To use Martha's words: "It's A Good Thing".
Be Healthy!
Alan
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Perhaps The Toughest Lesson To Learn
Yesterday I was quite taken aback by a blog post. I wasn't offended at all, I just wasn't sure where it was coming from.
I had done well the past few days and had said in my blog that I was super motivated. The response was from a good friend in the nicest, and most well meaning way possible, telling me to stop making excuses.
At first, I honestly didn't know where it was coming from.
I had been concerned recently about my "success" not being what I wanted it to be, and about losing a few readers because I keep wobbling back and forth, but I also know that at the end of the day, excuses or not, that is part of the journey that 99% of us go through. It isn't as easy as simply deciding to do it and doing it.
So where was the comment coming from? This blogger was personally familiar with this type of journey and the struggles associated with it, so it wasn't from someone who has never had this type of issue simply telling me to "get over it and do it"...although...yes...that is the ultimate message.
The same message from someone who understands and someone who doesn't is very different.
Then I realized what she was saying, or at least I think I did. If I am wrong she can tell me so but I hope I am right because it was one of the most insightful revelations I have had and it has resulted in a great deal of personal reflection.
Like everything else though, the answer is sometimes amazing in it's simplicity.
In my blog yesterday I had briefly mentioned that losing weight in order to wear a shirt I have a goal to fit into November 3rd was going to be tough because I was going away to a cottage and halloween was also just prior.
I think this is what spurred the comment.
You see, I think I have a problem. Actually, I think many of us struggling with weight loss have a problem.
We view our lives, and our success, in terms if what events will make it a good week or a bad week. We think things like: "I can't possibly have a good week this week because I have three functions to attend", or "I am going away this weekend so being good will have to start Monday".
It separates our chosen lifestyle from our life. It gives us permission to do things we would not normally do in the name of "enjoying life" while dismissing the life that we spend the rest of the time telling ourselves is so very important to us.
The real lesson is to figure out how to navigate through these events while staying as close as you can to your NEW true self. I am not the person I was so I should not become the person I was a few times a week, or when I go away for a weekend.
Does it mean I have to be perfect? No.
Does it mean I need to be forever in the "present", know who the "new" me is at all times, and make my decisions accordingly. Yes.
I am not sure if that was the real message behind the blog comment yesterday, but that almost doesn't matter. It is the message I received and it is possibly the most important one I have received to date...so thank you for that.
I was down one pound yesterday.
Be healthy!
Alan
I had done well the past few days and had said in my blog that I was super motivated. The response was from a good friend in the nicest, and most well meaning way possible, telling me to stop making excuses.
At first, I honestly didn't know where it was coming from.
I had been concerned recently about my "success" not being what I wanted it to be, and about losing a few readers because I keep wobbling back and forth, but I also know that at the end of the day, excuses or not, that is part of the journey that 99% of us go through. It isn't as easy as simply deciding to do it and doing it.
So where was the comment coming from? This blogger was personally familiar with this type of journey and the struggles associated with it, so it wasn't from someone who has never had this type of issue simply telling me to "get over it and do it"...although...yes...that is the ultimate message.
The same message from someone who understands and someone who doesn't is very different.
Then I realized what she was saying, or at least I think I did. If I am wrong she can tell me so but I hope I am right because it was one of the most insightful revelations I have had and it has resulted in a great deal of personal reflection.
Like everything else though, the answer is sometimes amazing in it's simplicity.
In my blog yesterday I had briefly mentioned that losing weight in order to wear a shirt I have a goal to fit into November 3rd was going to be tough because I was going away to a cottage and halloween was also just prior.
I think this is what spurred the comment.
You see, I think I have a problem. Actually, I think many of us struggling with weight loss have a problem.
We view our lives, and our success, in terms if what events will make it a good week or a bad week. We think things like: "I can't possibly have a good week this week because I have three functions to attend", or "I am going away this weekend so being good will have to start Monday".
It separates our chosen lifestyle from our life. It gives us permission to do things we would not normally do in the name of "enjoying life" while dismissing the life that we spend the rest of the time telling ourselves is so very important to us.
The real lesson is to figure out how to navigate through these events while staying as close as you can to your NEW true self. I am not the person I was so I should not become the person I was a few times a week, or when I go away for a weekend.
Does it mean I have to be perfect? No.
Does it mean I need to be forever in the "present", know who the "new" me is at all times, and make my decisions accordingly. Yes.
I am not sure if that was the real message behind the blog comment yesterday, but that almost doesn't matter. It is the message I received and it is possibly the most important one I have received to date...so thank you for that.
I was down one pound yesterday.
Be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
That Damn Shirt
I was speaking with Karen yesterday who posts comments here on the blog. She said the following to me during our conversation: "a bunch of us are looking forward to seeing you in your shirt". I am not sure what surprised me most. The shirt reminder, or the fact that it was not only her out there in her community checking in on the blog occasionally.
I hadn't really forgotten about the shirt, but I had conveniently placed the memory of it as far back as I could in the deep canyon of my brain. I think my heart skipped a beat. I looked on the calendar and it is only two weeks away. Yikes!
For those of you who are new to this Blog, I bought a shirt in London last August. It was skin tight and there was no way in hell I could wear it. Well...I guess technically I could put it on, but Jamie took one look at it and told me I could NOT wear it in public. He didn't need to tell me. I already knew.
Determination got the better of me so I bought the shirt and vowed that I would wear it to a Weight Watcher's meeting November 3rd no matter how I looked in it and post a picture of my doing so on this blog.
Well...the weight from the trip to England and Scotland has not been coming off the way I would like. My own fault.
The good news is I am super motivated now. I am going to keep my promise. Goal setting doesn't work unless you do everything you can to succeed. If you make a promise and don't keep it, the next time you make a promise, it won't have meaning. I am not talking about "meaning" to others. I mean meaning to oneself. One has to keep their own personal commitments if they are to achieve self empowerment through personal responsibility.
The bad news is I will be at a cottage just before I have to wear this, and when I set the date, it didn't occur to me that it was right after halloween. I am going to have no choice but to behave through both of these occasions. Maybe that is a good thing.
I have no illusion that I will look amazing in this shirt November 3rd, but if I can wear it without total embarrassment I will be thrilled.
Thanks so much for the timely reminder Karen!
I was excellent food wise yesterday. A totally organic and healthy day. It is weigh-in day today. I am hoping I am down a bit but don't think it will be too much.
Be healthy!
Alan
I hadn't really forgotten about the shirt, but I had conveniently placed the memory of it as far back as I could in the deep canyon of my brain. I think my heart skipped a beat. I looked on the calendar and it is only two weeks away. Yikes!
For those of you who are new to this Blog, I bought a shirt in London last August. It was skin tight and there was no way in hell I could wear it. Well...I guess technically I could put it on, but Jamie took one look at it and told me I could NOT wear it in public. He didn't need to tell me. I already knew.
Determination got the better of me so I bought the shirt and vowed that I would wear it to a Weight Watcher's meeting November 3rd no matter how I looked in it and post a picture of my doing so on this blog.
 |
| The Shirt |
The good news is I am super motivated now. I am going to keep my promise. Goal setting doesn't work unless you do everything you can to succeed. If you make a promise and don't keep it, the next time you make a promise, it won't have meaning. I am not talking about "meaning" to others. I mean meaning to oneself. One has to keep their own personal commitments if they are to achieve self empowerment through personal responsibility.
The bad news is I will be at a cottage just before I have to wear this, and when I set the date, it didn't occur to me that it was right after halloween. I am going to have no choice but to behave through both of these occasions. Maybe that is a good thing.
I have no illusion that I will look amazing in this shirt November 3rd, but if I can wear it without total embarrassment I will be thrilled.
Thanks so much for the timely reminder Karen!
I was excellent food wise yesterday. A totally organic and healthy day. It is weigh-in day today. I am hoping I am down a bit but don't think it will be too much.
Be healthy!
Alan
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Chef Messed Up But All Worked Out
All things considered I did well yesterday.
We had our friends Diane and Maurizio over for lunch and I made a Potato/Bacon/Cheese Soup (not low fat I know but I made it with Skim Milk and Organic Ingredients) as a starter, and then we had boneless skinless Chicken Breasts, Beets, and an Avocado/Spinach/Strawberry salad for lunch along with a drink made in the Viatmix that contained Spinach, Bananas, Oranges, Pineapple, and Strawberries . I think lunch turned out quite well, and it left no need for dinner.
In the evening, just as a treat with tea, I made No Fat Banana Muffins from a recipe my friend Sue gave me. I completely screwed it up. She said to add 1/3 cup apple sauce. I was real proud of myself because I made the applesauce myself in the Vitamix but I didn't have my glasses on or contacts in and read the recipe to say 1 1/3 cups of apple sauce instead of 1/3 cups...oops!. The amazing thing is they turned out! The muffins felt heavier than a normal muffin but tasted delicious. Yeah!!!!!
So I survived day one of the official "make it myself" phase 2 lifestyle.
All I have to do now is do it the rest of my life. God help me LOL
Be healthy!
Alan
Monday, October 18, 2010
PHASE TWO FULL FORCE - YIKES!!!!!!
I blogged the other day about how six months of blogging was approaching. This is the first day of the next six months. Time for a major change.
I must start phase two.
Unless I am out with other people, from now on I will only eat food made from scratch. If I absolutely really really really get stuck, and have to buy something while I am out, it has to be from a health food store.
Dinners out with friends is still "relax the rules a bit" time, but other than that I am determined to finally do this.
I am going to keep this blog short because I don't want to detract from how critical a change in lifestyle this is.
Quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me. I hope I have the strength to do this.
Be healthy,
Alan
I must start phase two.
Unless I am out with other people, from now on I will only eat food made from scratch. If I absolutely really really really get stuck, and have to buy something while I am out, it has to be from a health food store.
Dinners out with friends is still "relax the rules a bit" time, but other than that I am determined to finally do this.
I am going to keep this blog short because I don't want to detract from how critical a change in lifestyle this is.
Quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me. I hope I have the strength to do this.
Be healthy,
Alan
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Healthy Night Out
Last night I went to Hamilton to attend The Hamilton's Player's Guild's closing night production of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
One of the primary reason's for going to see the show was to see Tom Mackan perform. He is a man I admire greatly as an actor, and he is also a contributor to this blog (though usually via postings on my facebook page). As always he was outstanding. Tom, is to Hamilton Theatre, what William Hutt was to The Stratford Festival. A truly gifted actor whose talents I consider myself blessed to have enjoyed.
He told us at the "after party" that he believes this show will be his swan song....at least as far as large roles go. Although I do hope that this will not truly be the case, if it was I am thrilled that I was able to be there to witness his final big performance.
It seems to go without saying, however, that a night out at the theatre isn't complete without a dinner out with a friend....so the food challenge existed yet again.
I was with my good friend Wendy and as I sat at The Gown and Gavel I came sooooo close to convincing myself that because the burger on the menu said "100% Sirloin" it meant that it would be a totally healthy choice. I managed to allow myself to conveniently forget about the bun, the toppings, the cheese, and the Fries that it came with (yes...salad was an option...but you know I would have chosen the fries).
Thank goodness Wendy kept me on track. I had the Vegetable Stir Fry, and it was delicious. Other than a few glasses of wine, I think I did darn well.
I know I keep repeating myself but it still amazes me that I come so close to choosing the wrong thing. One little word of encouragement and I would have been chowing down on that Burger and Fries. Why I am still so tempted? Will it ever go away? I hope so. I doubt it. One of those continual challenges I must live with I suppose.
I did exercise restraint on my own too though. Wendy had a delicious looking Carrot Cake with icing for dessert. It was huge and she couldn't eat it all, but not only did I not order dessert, I didn't even try a bite of hers.
All in all a great night out. Was good to see other people I knew from the past like Margaret Houghton and Pat Howlett too. Memories....light the corners of our minds....
Be healthy!
Alan
One of the primary reason's for going to see the show was to see Tom Mackan perform. He is a man I admire greatly as an actor, and he is also a contributor to this blog (though usually via postings on my facebook page). As always he was outstanding. Tom, is to Hamilton Theatre, what William Hutt was to The Stratford Festival. A truly gifted actor whose talents I consider myself blessed to have enjoyed.
He told us at the "after party" that he believes this show will be his swan song....at least as far as large roles go. Although I do hope that this will not truly be the case, if it was I am thrilled that I was able to be there to witness his final big performance.
It seems to go without saying, however, that a night out at the theatre isn't complete without a dinner out with a friend....so the food challenge existed yet again.
I was with my good friend Wendy and as I sat at The Gown and Gavel I came sooooo close to convincing myself that because the burger on the menu said "100% Sirloin" it meant that it would be a totally healthy choice. I managed to allow myself to conveniently forget about the bun, the toppings, the cheese, and the Fries that it came with (yes...salad was an option...but you know I would have chosen the fries).
Thank goodness Wendy kept me on track. I had the Vegetable Stir Fry, and it was delicious. Other than a few glasses of wine, I think I did darn well.
I know I keep repeating myself but it still amazes me that I come so close to choosing the wrong thing. One little word of encouragement and I would have been chowing down on that Burger and Fries. Why I am still so tempted? Will it ever go away? I hope so. I doubt it. One of those continual challenges I must live with I suppose.
I did exercise restraint on my own too though. Wendy had a delicious looking Carrot Cake with icing for dessert. It was huge and she couldn't eat it all, but not only did I not order dessert, I didn't even try a bite of hers.
All in all a great night out. Was good to see other people I knew from the past like Margaret Houghton and Pat Howlett too. Memories....light the corners of our minds....
Be healthy!
Alan
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Bullying
I have to go off topic today.
I don't jump on the band wagon of whatever is "popular" very often anymore, but sometimes what is popular is also deeply, deeply, important. That is how I feel about the attention that is being paid to teenage bullying recently...or any bullying for that matter.
I don't believe for a second that the recent string of teenage suicides is unique. The only thing unique about it is that the media has picked up on it and finally given it the attention it has always needed so very much. I don't believe it is a "gay" thing either, although any child or teenager who demonstrates even the slightest illusion that they MIGHT be gay will almost definitely be the victim of bullying from someone...yes...even today...and yes...even in urban centres.
The media, and celebrities, have done something so very important. It does not matter whether it is the "in thing" to talk about or not. It is so critically important to talk about.
Ellen DeGenerous made a heartfelt plea to stop bullying. It is obvious when watching her, that for Ellen, this was not about celebrity and attention. Her feelings were, and are, very real.
She can be viewed by clicking the play button on the video on the right hand side of her website:
Ellen
Anderson Cooper has been running a special broadcast on the issue on CNN and the other day a city councillor made the following very real, and very emotional speech reaching out to those who may, at this moment, be thinking of ending their lives. His message was..."It gets better". See clip below:
It Get's Better
I too was bullied and beaten as a teenager. I remember being held down underneath my bicycle on my birthday and having my new birthday shirt ripped off of me as I was punched. I understand that one of the people who did this to me is now in jail for murder. We may think, as adults, that these fights are just "kids being kids". It can be so much more serious. It amazes me how raw these emotions still are after all these years. I am not sure one can ever really "let go".
We may not be able to let go, but we can move on. Just as the city councillor in the video clip above says...it does get better. You find friends, you accomplish things in life, and most importantly, you find happiness.
I think this message needs to be delivered to anyone out there who is feeling bullied right now. Hang in there and it will get better. It can even get great! I hope everyone does all they can do to make sure that this message is delivered.
Celebrities and the media are using their power for a good and very important cause. I cannot reach people on anywhere near the same level, and I would imagine that you cannot either, but by at least trying to reach out, I hope I can reach one person. I hope you can find a way to reach out too.
I know that today's blog doesn't have anything to do with weight loss...aside from perhaps the very real possibility that my love of food stemmed from my lack of belief in myself when I was young. It was a way to escape.
This message is more important than any weight loss or health message can ever be.
Let's pay attention to what is happening around us, and do everything we can to not only stop bullying but protect those who are bullied.
I am throwing myself out there. If anyone knows anyone, or any way, they think I can help someone, let me know and I am there. Life has to be about more than oneself.
Be there for someone. If nothing else, please where purple Wednesday October 20th and show people you care:
Purple Day
Be accepting of the beautiful diversity in all of us.
Alan
I don't jump on the band wagon of whatever is "popular" very often anymore, but sometimes what is popular is also deeply, deeply, important. That is how I feel about the attention that is being paid to teenage bullying recently...or any bullying for that matter.
I don't believe for a second that the recent string of teenage suicides is unique. The only thing unique about it is that the media has picked up on it and finally given it the attention it has always needed so very much. I don't believe it is a "gay" thing either, although any child or teenager who demonstrates even the slightest illusion that they MIGHT be gay will almost definitely be the victim of bullying from someone...yes...even today...and yes...even in urban centres.
The media, and celebrities, have done something so very important. It does not matter whether it is the "in thing" to talk about or not. It is so critically important to talk about.
Ellen DeGenerous made a heartfelt plea to stop bullying. It is obvious when watching her, that for Ellen, this was not about celebrity and attention. Her feelings were, and are, very real.
She can be viewed by clicking the play button on the video on the right hand side of her website:
Ellen
Anderson Cooper has been running a special broadcast on the issue on CNN and the other day a city councillor made the following very real, and very emotional speech reaching out to those who may, at this moment, be thinking of ending their lives. His message was..."It gets better". See clip below:
It Get's Better
I too was bullied and beaten as a teenager. I remember being held down underneath my bicycle on my birthday and having my new birthday shirt ripped off of me as I was punched. I understand that one of the people who did this to me is now in jail for murder. We may think, as adults, that these fights are just "kids being kids". It can be so much more serious. It amazes me how raw these emotions still are after all these years. I am not sure one can ever really "let go".
We may not be able to let go, but we can move on. Just as the city councillor in the video clip above says...it does get better. You find friends, you accomplish things in life, and most importantly, you find happiness.
I think this message needs to be delivered to anyone out there who is feeling bullied right now. Hang in there and it will get better. It can even get great! I hope everyone does all they can do to make sure that this message is delivered.
Celebrities and the media are using their power for a good and very important cause. I cannot reach people on anywhere near the same level, and I would imagine that you cannot either, but by at least trying to reach out, I hope I can reach one person. I hope you can find a way to reach out too.
I know that today's blog doesn't have anything to do with weight loss...aside from perhaps the very real possibility that my love of food stemmed from my lack of belief in myself when I was young. It was a way to escape.
This message is more important than any weight loss or health message can ever be.
Let's pay attention to what is happening around us, and do everything we can to not only stop bullying but protect those who are bullied.
I am throwing myself out there. If anyone knows anyone, or any way, they think I can help someone, let me know and I am there. Life has to be about more than oneself.
Be there for someone. If nothing else, please where purple Wednesday October 20th and show people you care:
Purple Day
Be accepting of the beautiful diversity in all of us.
Alan
Friday, October 15, 2010
Six Months of Blogging Is Approaching
On Sunday I will have been blogging for six months and I am reflecting on how much of a difference it has made.
I have mixed feelings. From a weight perspective I am quite happy. When I started this blog I had gained back 30 of the 50 pounds I had lost. The blog has helped me to take it off and stay pretty much within ten pounds of my goal weight. That means everything to me so whether you like it or not I am going to keep on blogging.
On the health side of things I am a little more frustrated with myself. I really don't feel that much further ahead than I was six months ago. Maybe a little further ahead, but still living the same basic struggle and still caving in to delicious desires.
I have stopped bringing processed foods into the house (at least for myself) and that is definitely a step forward, but I still manage to find reasons to eat junk outside the house. Whether it be a chocolate bar here, or a burger there. There isn't too much benefit from eating well inside if I eat crap outside.
I really want to be able to get to the one year point in this blog and see that I have actually made a significant lifestyle change....soooo....that requires more commitments:
1) No eating out on my own.
2) No more chocolate bars or treats bought in stores.
3) If I really get stuck and am outside the house and starving an exception can be made but only if I buy something healthy from a health store. Even so, this has to be an absolute last resort.
I will still allow myself dinners out with friends, but I have to be out with friends...not on my own. If I am just out for dinner with Jamie I will do my best to encourage a healthy eating establishment, but will also respect the fact that I am not the only person involved in the decision making process.
I think points 1 and 2 above are going to take me a long way in the right direction.
Be healthy!
Alan
I have mixed feelings. From a weight perspective I am quite happy. When I started this blog I had gained back 30 of the 50 pounds I had lost. The blog has helped me to take it off and stay pretty much within ten pounds of my goal weight. That means everything to me so whether you like it or not I am going to keep on blogging.
On the health side of things I am a little more frustrated with myself. I really don't feel that much further ahead than I was six months ago. Maybe a little further ahead, but still living the same basic struggle and still caving in to delicious desires.
I have stopped bringing processed foods into the house (at least for myself) and that is definitely a step forward, but I still manage to find reasons to eat junk outside the house. Whether it be a chocolate bar here, or a burger there. There isn't too much benefit from eating well inside if I eat crap outside.
I really want to be able to get to the one year point in this blog and see that I have actually made a significant lifestyle change....soooo....that requires more commitments:
1) No eating out on my own.
2) No more chocolate bars or treats bought in stores.
3) If I really get stuck and am outside the house and starving an exception can be made but only if I buy something healthy from a health store. Even so, this has to be an absolute last resort.
I will still allow myself dinners out with friends, but I have to be out with friends...not on my own. If I am just out for dinner with Jamie I will do my best to encourage a healthy eating establishment, but will also respect the fact that I am not the only person involved in the decision making process.
I think points 1 and 2 above are going to take me a long way in the right direction.
Be healthy!
Alan
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Losing For Good
Well...it was not a good weigh in last night. Up 4.6 pounds! I don't like it but it doesn't freak me out either. My whole "thing" is that I gain weight SO easily and last weekend we went through a holiday weekend. As long as I stay on track this week, and I will, I will be fine. I also know this is a lifelong change, so a week, even two weeks, is insignificant over the long haul...more starts to get dangerous.
I had a great idea regarding the processed food in my house. I have said all along that I am not going to throw out food I have already bought. I will simply refuse to buy new food that is processed.
The problem with that is I still have a reasonable amount of processed food (canned goods, boxed goods, etc.) in the house.
Weight Watcher's is running a "Lose For Good" campaign where they ask that you donate to charity the equivalent amount of food, in pounds, as the weight you have lost.
I have decided that next Wednesday I am boxing up all this excess food, taking it to the meeting, and donating it to charity.
There will still be a few processed foods in the house. There will be food for the B&B, some pop for mixed drinks if we have guess over etc, but only things I really don't touch much.
We talk about cleaning up our environment in Weight Watchers (which usually means keep the junk out of your house). I am going to make some of my own junk...healthy junk...but in terms of processed foods it is time to clean up my environment and get the processed stuff out of the house.
Be healthy!
Alan
I had a great idea regarding the processed food in my house. I have said all along that I am not going to throw out food I have already bought. I will simply refuse to buy new food that is processed.
The problem with that is I still have a reasonable amount of processed food (canned goods, boxed goods, etc.) in the house.
Weight Watcher's is running a "Lose For Good" campaign where they ask that you donate to charity the equivalent amount of food, in pounds, as the weight you have lost.
I have decided that next Wednesday I am boxing up all this excess food, taking it to the meeting, and donating it to charity.
There will still be a few processed foods in the house. There will be food for the B&B, some pop for mixed drinks if we have guess over etc, but only things I really don't touch much.
We talk about cleaning up our environment in Weight Watchers (which usually means keep the junk out of your house). I am going to make some of my own junk...healthy junk...but in terms of processed foods it is time to clean up my environment and get the processed stuff out of the house.
Be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Value Of Life
The emotions are running pretty high today.
I cannot stop watching the news as miner after miner is pulled from deep below the surface in Chile. I watched last night before bed, I watched as soon as I got up this morning, I watched on the elliptical at the gym, and I am certain I will have the TV on in the background all day today as I get my work done.
Each time a miner rises from below, the tears well up in me. That moment when they hug their loved ones makes me appreciate the difficulty of the journey they have travelled.
I am sure that many of them have a new found appreciation for what life means. This is something most of us take for granted. We tend to do whatever we want with the attitude that "whatever happens, happens". I know I still do that a lot.
I want to live a long life. I hope I will never have to go through anything similar to what these men have gone through, but I also hope that I can learn from them. I hope they reinforce in me how very important life is. It can be gone so quickly.
It can be gone as a result of an accident, and that is very hard to control, but it can also be gone because of a Heart Attack, Cancer, or a myriad of other health issues.
I want to find their determination to live. I want to look at food that can kill me...perhaps slowly...but can still kill me...and be able to say "no" I want to live.
I feel almost guilty relating their extreme circumstance to mine. I likely should feel guilty as it is not the same and never will be the same.
The importance of life is definitely hitting me today though, and whether it is even remotely reasonable to compare or not is irrelevant. It is how I feel and it is very real.
I am going to choose life, and I hope I remember that every time I look at chemically altered foods.
Be healthy,
Alan
I cannot stop watching the news as miner after miner is pulled from deep below the surface in Chile. I watched last night before bed, I watched as soon as I got up this morning, I watched on the elliptical at the gym, and I am certain I will have the TV on in the background all day today as I get my work done.
Each time a miner rises from below, the tears well up in me. That moment when they hug their loved ones makes me appreciate the difficulty of the journey they have travelled.
I am sure that many of them have a new found appreciation for what life means. This is something most of us take for granted. We tend to do whatever we want with the attitude that "whatever happens, happens". I know I still do that a lot.
I want to live a long life. I hope I will never have to go through anything similar to what these men have gone through, but I also hope that I can learn from them. I hope they reinforce in me how very important life is. It can be gone so quickly.
It can be gone as a result of an accident, and that is very hard to control, but it can also be gone because of a Heart Attack, Cancer, or a myriad of other health issues.
I want to find their determination to live. I want to look at food that can kill me...perhaps slowly...but can still kill me...and be able to say "no" I want to live.
I feel almost guilty relating their extreme circumstance to mine. I likely should feel guilty as it is not the same and never will be the same.
The importance of life is definitely hitting me today though, and whether it is even remotely reasonable to compare or not is irrelevant. It is how I feel and it is very real.
I am going to choose life, and I hope I remember that every time I look at chemically altered foods.
Be healthy,
Alan
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Today Is Critical
OK...I know I am not the only one. Today is the REAL danger day.
The long weekend has just passed and it may seem like that was the danger period, but that is not the case at all. The long weekend was a "blip".
Today is the danger day because, if you are like me, the stomach has gotten a little bit used to more food and more carbs. It wants to continue that trend.
So today is the day it has to stop. If we give the body the excess it wants we are on a slippery path to no good.
Lets be strong together and say NO to excess today.
Be healthy,
Alan
The long weekend has just passed and it may seem like that was the danger period, but that is not the case at all. The long weekend was a "blip".
Today is the danger day because, if you are like me, the stomach has gotten a little bit used to more food and more carbs. It wants to continue that trend.
So today is the day it has to stop. If we give the body the excess it wants we are on a slippery path to no good.
Lets be strong together and say NO to excess today.
Be healthy,
Alan
Monday, October 11, 2010
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE
Whether you celebrate it today or not, we here in Canada do so HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We had the traditional dinner at my brother's last night and are having another big and traditional, but healthier, version at our place tonight. Our friends Diane and Maurizio and Albert and Naoko are coming over for dinner.
It will still be a big meal.
I am making
1) A "natural" turkey, which is almost, but not quite as good as an organic one. I wasn't going to pay $75 for an organic turkey
2) Organic Millet and Organic Cauliflower "faux" mashed potatoes
3) Organic mixed vegetable (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower)
4) Regular peas and corn we had in the freezer
5) A can of cranberry sauce we had in the cupboard
6) Turkey Gravy we had in the cupboard.
7) Homemade organic stuffing
8) Maurizio and Diane are brining an organic pie for dessert
9) Homemade Ice Cream
So, by no means low fat, and with a dash of practicality (I won't pay $75 for a turkey and I won't buy organic versions of foods we already have), but definitely healthier overall.
I hope it all turns out ok.
Enjoy Thanksgiving and try to be healthy!
Alan
We had the traditional dinner at my brother's last night and are having another big and traditional, but healthier, version at our place tonight. Our friends Diane and Maurizio and Albert and Naoko are coming over for dinner.
It will still be a big meal.
I am making
1) A "natural" turkey, which is almost, but not quite as good as an organic one. I wasn't going to pay $75 for an organic turkey
2) Organic Millet and Organic Cauliflower "faux" mashed potatoes
3) Organic mixed vegetable (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower)
4) Regular peas and corn we had in the freezer
5) A can of cranberry sauce we had in the cupboard
6) Turkey Gravy we had in the cupboard.
7) Homemade organic stuffing
8) Maurizio and Diane are brining an organic pie for dessert
9) Homemade Ice Cream
So, by no means low fat, and with a dash of practicality (I won't pay $75 for a turkey and I won't buy organic versions of foods we already have), but definitely healthier overall.
I hope it all turns out ok.
Enjoy Thanksgiving and try to be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Who Is Giving You Direction?
Last night we went to see Evita at the Stratford Festival. As I mentioned yesterday, this was the first Broadway show I ever saw and that was many years ago...in High School days.
I love the music to Evita so frankly it could be performed by a kindergarten class and I would probably be happy. So...I was happy. It was great to see my old friends again too.
I had read in play reviews that the actor who plays "Che" was really good. Unfortunately Che was an understudy last night. The understudy was just "ok".
Maybe I am being a bit hard, as I saw "the best" do it on Broadway, but the lady who played Evita...in my opinion...just didn't cut it. She pretty much screamed the role.
Don't get me wrong...there are times when Evita needs to scream the role, but there are times where she needs to show vulnerability too. You have to be able to see why the people loved her so much.
The thing is, however, when I reflect on it, I feel kind of bad for the actress. Every now and then you could hear that she was capable of a softer voice. That, to me, means that she probably had the skill to do it right which points to one thing. Bad direction. Somebody should have told her to find the different levels of Eva.
The director should have seen the need for a softer side. We should have seen her rise from the gutter to the elite and not simply have seen the gutter with the elite. I know Evita had a strong dislike for the elite, but I wanted to feel that she had developed some level of class through her life experiences. She seemed like Sarah Palin from beginning to end. No class.
As we were driving home it occurred to me that on this food journey I need good direction too. I can't do it alone, nor do I want to. It is not a failure, it is recognition of one's self. I need someone to tell me when I am doing a horrible job, and when I am simply pretending I am doing a good job. I often act like I am Weight Watcher's member, when I am not throwing myself into the role...I am simply...well...acting. When I am like this I am not listening to direction and when I don't listen to direction my performance suffers. I do not get the results I want.
Thank god I have a good director and thank god I have you!
My attempt at pre-planning my meal last night didn't work. I was good (aside from the 10 jube jubes I ate in the theatre) but I had spent quite a bit of time figuring out what I was going to order from the on-line menu and recording the likely ingredients and associated WW points. When I got there the food I intended to order was no longer on the menu. I had shrimp and tofu stir fry which was the best I could do under the circumstances. It was real good. This is the second time in two weeks the item I picked to eat on-line in a restaurant was not there when I got to the restaurant so from now on...I have to think about a back-up meal. Otherwise it is to easy to decide that the fact that the healthy choice isn't there means the universe is telling me it is splurge night. I was so close to going that route yesterday...but I held back.
Today is Thanksgiving dinner at my brothers and tomorrow is Thanksgiving dinner with good friends. I am looking forward to both but will really need to watch portion size. I worked out for two hours yesterday to try and offset the food a bit , and will do the same today.
Happy Thanksgiving and Be Healthy!
Alan
I love the music to Evita so frankly it could be performed by a kindergarten class and I would probably be happy. So...I was happy. It was great to see my old friends again too.
I had read in play reviews that the actor who plays "Che" was really good. Unfortunately Che was an understudy last night. The understudy was just "ok".
Maybe I am being a bit hard, as I saw "the best" do it on Broadway, but the lady who played Evita...in my opinion...just didn't cut it. She pretty much screamed the role.
Don't get me wrong...there are times when Evita needs to scream the role, but there are times where she needs to show vulnerability too. You have to be able to see why the people loved her so much.
The thing is, however, when I reflect on it, I feel kind of bad for the actress. Every now and then you could hear that she was capable of a softer voice. That, to me, means that she probably had the skill to do it right which points to one thing. Bad direction. Somebody should have told her to find the different levels of Eva.
The director should have seen the need for a softer side. We should have seen her rise from the gutter to the elite and not simply have seen the gutter with the elite. I know Evita had a strong dislike for the elite, but I wanted to feel that she had developed some level of class through her life experiences. She seemed like Sarah Palin from beginning to end. No class.
As we were driving home it occurred to me that on this food journey I need good direction too. I can't do it alone, nor do I want to. It is not a failure, it is recognition of one's self. I need someone to tell me when I am doing a horrible job, and when I am simply pretending I am doing a good job. I often act like I am Weight Watcher's member, when I am not throwing myself into the role...I am simply...well...acting. When I am like this I am not listening to direction and when I don't listen to direction my performance suffers. I do not get the results I want.
Thank god I have a good director and thank god I have you!
My attempt at pre-planning my meal last night didn't work. I was good (aside from the 10 jube jubes I ate in the theatre) but I had spent quite a bit of time figuring out what I was going to order from the on-line menu and recording the likely ingredients and associated WW points. When I got there the food I intended to order was no longer on the menu. I had shrimp and tofu stir fry which was the best I could do under the circumstances. It was real good. This is the second time in two weeks the item I picked to eat on-line in a restaurant was not there when I got to the restaurant so from now on...I have to think about a back-up meal. Otherwise it is to easy to decide that the fact that the healthy choice isn't there means the universe is telling me it is splurge night. I was so close to going that route yesterday...but I held back.
Today is Thanksgiving dinner at my brothers and tomorrow is Thanksgiving dinner with good friends. I am looking forward to both but will really need to watch portion size. I worked out for two hours yesterday to try and offset the food a bit , and will do the same today.
Happy Thanksgiving and Be Healthy!
Alan
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you...
....but all you have to do...is look at me to know that....ev....ery...word...issssssssssssss....truuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue.
Sometimes I think I do say too much. Sometimes the blogs seem to never end. I can't stop typing. Do we still call it typing? God I'm old.
Old enough to have been in high school the first time I heard those first few words from my blog. They are from the musical Evita and I saw it with my friend Sue, while on a high school trip, when the original production was playing on Broadway starring Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin. Another friend, Lynn Phelan, was on the trip too. She was our teacher/chaperone. It was sooooooo long ago. I still remember that it was my first broadway show....the curtain came up...and it started with the funeral. I was blubbering within sixty seconds and just thought....wow...this is broadway! God I'm gay. LOL
The words do ring true for me. Sometimes I do feel like I say too much...and yes...sometimes there IS nothing more I can think of to say to you. I may end up sounding like a broken record but I do always think of something. Even the "broken record" I sound like is part of real life. Sometimes this journey is like a broken record....we just keep starting over again. We are willing to do it though, because no matter how broken the record may be...when we play the music...we feel fantastic.
Tonight I am going to the Stratford Festival, with Sue and her husband Ivan (who I used to work at Dominion Stores with in High School days) and Jamie, and another good friend John from high school. Guess what we are going to see...Evita! I'm so Frickin Excited! Almost as excited as this guy: Fricken Excited!
We are going to dinner first and I have been real good. Checked out the menu, figured out what I am going to have, and calculated the points. As you know I have been struggling lately. Was NOT good again yesterday. Sometimes it really pisses me off that I am not just "GETTING IT" once and for all.
I am going to get it today though. I am going to be so happy I did when I write my blog tomorrow that I will be "rainbow high...in magical colours" (more Evita).
How gay can I get? LOL
Be healthy!
Alan
Sometimes I think I do say too much. Sometimes the blogs seem to never end. I can't stop typing. Do we still call it typing? God I'm old.
Old enough to have been in high school the first time I heard those first few words from my blog. They are from the musical Evita and I saw it with my friend Sue, while on a high school trip, when the original production was playing on Broadway starring Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin. Another friend, Lynn Phelan, was on the trip too. She was our teacher/chaperone. It was sooooooo long ago. I still remember that it was my first broadway show....the curtain came up...and it started with the funeral. I was blubbering within sixty seconds and just thought....wow...this is broadway! God I'm gay. LOL
The words do ring true for me. Sometimes I do feel like I say too much...and yes...sometimes there IS nothing more I can think of to say to you. I may end up sounding like a broken record but I do always think of something. Even the "broken record" I sound like is part of real life. Sometimes this journey is like a broken record....we just keep starting over again. We are willing to do it though, because no matter how broken the record may be...when we play the music...we feel fantastic.
Tonight I am going to the Stratford Festival, with Sue and her husband Ivan (who I used to work at Dominion Stores with in High School days) and Jamie, and another good friend John from high school. Guess what we are going to see...Evita! I'm so Frickin Excited! Almost as excited as this guy: Fricken Excited!
We are going to dinner first and I have been real good. Checked out the menu, figured out what I am going to have, and calculated the points. As you know I have been struggling lately. Was NOT good again yesterday. Sometimes it really pisses me off that I am not just "GETTING IT" once and for all.
I am going to get it today though. I am going to be so happy I did when I write my blog tomorrow that I will be "rainbow high...in magical colours" (more Evita).
How gay can I get? LOL
Be healthy!
Alan
Friday, October 8, 2010
BLOG TO SELF
This blog is going to be an entirely selfish one because I am slipping.
Workouts are really good but I can't seem to keep the eating under control.
The problem is, when I am a little out of control but something like Thanksgiving weekend lies ahead it is so easy to say. What's the point? I will get back on track next week.
I have worked far too hard to allow myself to do that. I don't want a Holiweek and I don't even want a Holiday. A Holimeal I can handle but JUST a holimeal. Sometimes people respond to my blog and tell me not to be too hard on myself. Generally, they are right.
Sometimes though, one has to give themselves a super huge kick in the ass. I would so much rather be hard on myself for a few days then spend a few weeks trying to undo damage.
So.....Alan.....This blog is for you. EVERYTIME you want to eat unhealthy today you MUST read this blog first. YOU MUST GET BACK ON TRACK!!!! Eating crap will NOT make your day better. You can do this!
Be healthy!
Alan
P.S. A HUGE HAPPY BIRTH....SCRATCH THAT.....A THIN HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CDP TODAY!!!!!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
I think I need treats in the house to lose weight
This is a dangerous topic. I never thought I would write this.
I have said for years that I simply cannot have treats in the house.
I think I was wrong.
Actually, when I think about it, I may have experienced many of my failures in weight loss because of this. It may be why Jamie ends up eating a box of chocolate digestive cookies treats in one shot, and why I end up craving everything in sight.
I think I need to have chocolate chip cookies and ice cream and other delicious options.
There are keys to success with this though:
1) They have to have no preservatives etc, and be healthy (not necessarily low fat).
2) I have to make them myself.
3) I need to figure out the actual point value of everything I make.
4) I need to track my food. If I don't track I am going to eat way too much.
I have no time to make stuff today but I am going to soon. I need to have options so that I make healthy choices and not junk choices.
It really is a scary move for me. I hope it is the right one.
Can you tell I ate Chocolate Bars (yes plural) yesterday?
Be healthy!
Alan
I have said for years that I simply cannot have treats in the house.
I think I was wrong.
Actually, when I think about it, I may have experienced many of my failures in weight loss because of this. It may be why Jamie ends up eating a box of chocolate digestive cookies treats in one shot, and why I end up craving everything in sight.
I think I need to have chocolate chip cookies and ice cream and other delicious options.
There are keys to success with this though:
1) They have to have no preservatives etc, and be healthy (not necessarily low fat).
2) I have to make them myself.
3) I need to figure out the actual point value of everything I make.
4) I need to track my food. If I don't track I am going to eat way too much.
I have no time to make stuff today but I am going to soon. I need to have options so that I make healthy choices and not junk choices.
It really is a scary move for me. I hope it is the right one.
Can you tell I ate Chocolate Bars (yes plural) yesterday?
Be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Getting Nervous
Sometimes this journey can be really hard. Have you ever had times in your life where there was just too much "eating out"?
We have had a lot of that lately. I have been making much better choices than I used to but I am far from perfect and overall I think it is hard to lose weight when you eat out TOO much.
Some former B&B guests from Sweden are in the city and as much as they aren't staying with us this time (some friends are putting them up) we really wanted to see them so we went out for dinner AGAIN last night.
It was a wonderful evening and I enjoyed their company but I can tell I am not going to be "down" this week.
It looks like I will be doing an offer on a property tonight so I may not make it to Weight Watchers, but if I don't get there today I am going to do my best to go tomorrow. I want to know exactly where I stand.
When we were at dinner, my "setting" was missing a bread plate. I figured the universe was giving me a sign and decided to skip the bread...for ten minutes...then I caved and had a roll. For the entree I had something called the "I want it all" pasta. It isn't as bad as it sounds. It is pasta with all kinds of seafood in a red sauce. I also had wine but no dessert.
The ordering wasn't really the problem. The number of times I am ordering lately is.
This Saturday we are going out for dinner again but I am really looking forward to it. I will be seeing good friends from High School days and have already figured out what I will order. I even have it pre-entered in my Weight Watchers tracker.
Sunday we will have Thanksgiving dinner at my brothers. Thanksgiving, for our family, is sort of hit and miss. We don't do it every year and it was looking like it was going to be "miss" this year so I thought I would make a healthy version. It looks like I will be having the traditional version. It will be good to see everyone though and I do know it will be good.
Hope I can behave.
Be healthy!
Alan
We have had a lot of that lately. I have been making much better choices than I used to but I am far from perfect and overall I think it is hard to lose weight when you eat out TOO much.
Some former B&B guests from Sweden are in the city and as much as they aren't staying with us this time (some friends are putting them up) we really wanted to see them so we went out for dinner AGAIN last night.
It was a wonderful evening and I enjoyed their company but I can tell I am not going to be "down" this week.
It looks like I will be doing an offer on a property tonight so I may not make it to Weight Watchers, but if I don't get there today I am going to do my best to go tomorrow. I want to know exactly where I stand.
When we were at dinner, my "setting" was missing a bread plate. I figured the universe was giving me a sign and decided to skip the bread...for ten minutes...then I caved and had a roll. For the entree I had something called the "I want it all" pasta. It isn't as bad as it sounds. It is pasta with all kinds of seafood in a red sauce. I also had wine but no dessert.
The ordering wasn't really the problem. The number of times I am ordering lately is.
This Saturday we are going out for dinner again but I am really looking forward to it. I will be seeing good friends from High School days and have already figured out what I will order. I even have it pre-entered in my Weight Watchers tracker.
Sunday we will have Thanksgiving dinner at my brothers. Thanksgiving, for our family, is sort of hit and miss. We don't do it every year and it was looking like it was going to be "miss" this year so I thought I would make a healthy version. It looks like I will be having the traditional version. It will be good to see everyone though and I do know it will be good.
Hope I can behave.
Be healthy!
Alan
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Great Night Out!
Last night we went to "One Restaurant" in Yorkville with our friend Quade.
It was a special treat for us but just to give you an idea of the type of place this is, a Burger at lunchtime is $29. Fries extra!
One thing I will say though is that the food was spectacular. Whenever we have gone to really nice places before, we have been a little disappointed at the taste of the food vs the money paid. Definitely not the case here. Delicious! Thanks Quade!
I went way over my daily points allowance for Weight Watchers yesterday but stayed well within my weekly allowance. Just used up most of the 35 extra weekly points I am permitted in one shot and all is cool :-)
I realize I am still battling a problem though. We ordered a three dessert platter to share between the three of us. Jamie and Quade stopped eating when they were full but I kept right on trucking. It is all cool in terms of what WW permits, but wish I could get a handle on that habit.
Be healthy!
Alan
It was a special treat for us but just to give you an idea of the type of place this is, a Burger at lunchtime is $29. Fries extra!
One thing I will say though is that the food was spectacular. Whenever we have gone to really nice places before, we have been a little disappointed at the taste of the food vs the money paid. Definitely not the case here. Delicious! Thanks Quade!
I went way over my daily points allowance for Weight Watchers yesterday but stayed well within my weekly allowance. Just used up most of the 35 extra weekly points I am permitted in one shot and all is cool :-)
I realize I am still battling a problem though. We ordered a three dessert platter to share between the three of us. Jamie and Quade stopped eating when they were full but I kept right on trucking. It is all cool in terms of what WW permits, but wish I could get a handle on that habit.
Be healthy!
Alan
Monday, October 4, 2010
Done! Finally!
It is done. Only five minutes ago but it is done. That fricken final take home exam that I have been babbling about all week. I am handing it in three days late so I automatically lose 15% and that sucks but at least it is done.
I am actually glad I am handing it in late as I learned a lot about allergies and about BPH (which is basically an enlarged prostate condition). Perhaps that may not interest you but as an aging man it is "good to know" information. Health is all about preventing things BEFORE they occur right? If I had rushed to do it I wouldn't have learned anything.
I kind of blew it, in a way, yesterday. I stayed within my Weight Watchers allowable "points range", but it wasn't particularly healthy except for my nutrition drink. The biggest mistake I made was going to Tim Hortons at 5:00 in the morning to work on my assignment there. I got hungry and thought I would chose a healthier option of a honey n wheat bagel with peanut butter. It wasn't actually a bad choice but when I got home I realized I spent 9 points on breakfast! It didn't leave much room for the rest of the day.
Anyway, I survived and a new day has begun. We are going to a fancy smancy restaurant in Yorkville tonight as a friend is taking us. She has a $200 gift certificate for the place. We will pay any excess bill. Very excited. I will use my extra weekly points allowance tonight I think.
Be healthy!
Alan
I am actually glad I am handing it in late as I learned a lot about allergies and about BPH (which is basically an enlarged prostate condition). Perhaps that may not interest you but as an aging man it is "good to know" information. Health is all about preventing things BEFORE they occur right? If I had rushed to do it I wouldn't have learned anything.
I kind of blew it, in a way, yesterday. I stayed within my Weight Watchers allowable "points range", but it wasn't particularly healthy except for my nutrition drink. The biggest mistake I made was going to Tim Hortons at 5:00 in the morning to work on my assignment there. I got hungry and thought I would chose a healthier option of a honey n wheat bagel with peanut butter. It wasn't actually a bad choice but when I got home I realized I spent 9 points on breakfast! It didn't leave much room for the rest of the day.
Anyway, I survived and a new day has begun. We are going to a fancy smancy restaurant in Yorkville tonight as a friend is taking us. She has a $200 gift certificate for the place. We will pay any excess bill. Very excited. I will use my extra weekly points allowance tonight I think.
Be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Colonics
Ok...I have been saying I will blog about this because I believe in it for about a week now so today is the day.
I have to preface this by saying that at the time of writing this I am not a Doctor, Health Care Provider, Nutritionist, or anything else that provides validity to my statements. This is just my humble opinion as your average lay person who has been reading about it, and has actually done it.
To begin with, what is it? It is basically a method of cleansing your colon. I am speaking of the type of colonic you would normally get in a professional facility.
It is a very sterile process, and there is no "stink". Essentially you would be asked to undress below the waist and put a robe or towel over you. You will then have a disposable, whatever it is called (I told you I was a layman), attached to a tube and placed up your rectum. Sounds like fun doesn't it? Seriously though, it really doesn't hurt and wasn't uncomfortable at all.
For the next 45 minutes or so you speak with your attendant as he/she periodically massages your stomach and you watch the mess that is in your body go up a little tube and travel off to never never land.
Why I am I sold on it? Because I saw what came out of me.
A year ago I did my first set of colonics. As I understand it people will often buy a package of about six and do one a week until the package is used up. Each time a little more of the hardened crap in your body gets loosened up and released.
I did it a little differently. I did "Extreme Colonics" because, being the personality I am, pretty much everything has to be extreme.
I read a book for my program at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition called "Dr. Jensen's Guide To Better Bowel Care". It recommends a program where you basically have clay water and supplements only for a long period of time and have daily colonics. Pretty much anyone I spoke with who was a nutritionist said that they would never have a client actually do this particular colonic program because it was just too intense to reasonably expect people to do. So I did it.
The week, as it unfolded, convinced me of the importance of doing this, beyond a doubt.
The first couple of days I basically saw the food I had eaten go out the tube and then nothing else came out. According to Stacey at VitaLife Digestive Wellness Clinic this is where most people make the mistake. They don't see much come out so they think they are "clean". The reality is it takes a while to loosen up stuff that has been hardened in you for years.
For me the big "reveal" happened on day 6. At this point I had had five previous colonics and had not eaten for five days. There was no food left in me. Nonetheless, the stuff that came flying out was beyond belief. Stacey actually had trouble ending the session because is wouldn't stop flowing. I have been sold on it from that point forward.
This recent cleanse was not as strict, as I ate raw fruits and vegetables, but only in liquid form, all week. Nonetheless, a lot of "solid" matter still came out.
I won't ask you to do this again but, just this once, think about your colon and what it might look like.
Mine was clearly full of a tar like substance that had hardened to the sides, keeping toxins that could potentially be cancer forming trapped inside of me. It can also keep food from passing through you properly and that can create digestion and weight loss issues. You can read about other benefits here: Colonic Benefits
Although I am not a professional it would still be remiss of me not to say that colonics may not be for everyone. If you have health issues you may wish to have a discussion with a professional before proceeding.
So there you have it...my personal experience and beliefs on the subject :-)
On the personal food front I did remarkably well yesterday. I figured out exactly what I was going to order at the restaurant before I left and I ordered it. Made a delicious new Nutrition Drink too. The food tracker is below (Nutrition Drink contents in the notes section). I was right on track! Remember to click on it once or twice to enlarge it.
I returned to the gym...finally! It felt good to be back but the health isn't 100% yet so it was a pretty pathetic workout. Only 20 minutes cardio and some abs. The real exercise came later in the day and that was simply walking. Jamie and I decided to walk to the restaurant which was not close by. It took us an hour and a half to walk there. We took a subway part way home but got off early and walked around Toronto for a while seeing the light displays of the Nuit Blanche festival that is here. To be honest we were very underwhelmed by it, but the walk was good.
Be healthy!
Alan
I have to preface this by saying that at the time of writing this I am not a Doctor, Health Care Provider, Nutritionist, or anything else that provides validity to my statements. This is just my humble opinion as your average lay person who has been reading about it, and has actually done it.
To begin with, what is it? It is basically a method of cleansing your colon. I am speaking of the type of colonic you would normally get in a professional facility.
It is a very sterile process, and there is no "stink". Essentially you would be asked to undress below the waist and put a robe or towel over you. You will then have a disposable, whatever it is called (I told you I was a layman), attached to a tube and placed up your rectum. Sounds like fun doesn't it? Seriously though, it really doesn't hurt and wasn't uncomfortable at all.
For the next 45 minutes or so you speak with your attendant as he/she periodically massages your stomach and you watch the mess that is in your body go up a little tube and travel off to never never land.
Why I am I sold on it? Because I saw what came out of me.
A year ago I did my first set of colonics. As I understand it people will often buy a package of about six and do one a week until the package is used up. Each time a little more of the hardened crap in your body gets loosened up and released.
I did it a little differently. I did "Extreme Colonics" because, being the personality I am, pretty much everything has to be extreme.
I read a book for my program at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition called "Dr. Jensen's Guide To Better Bowel Care". It recommends a program where you basically have clay water and supplements only for a long period of time and have daily colonics. Pretty much anyone I spoke with who was a nutritionist said that they would never have a client actually do this particular colonic program because it was just too intense to reasonably expect people to do. So I did it.
The week, as it unfolded, convinced me of the importance of doing this, beyond a doubt.
The first couple of days I basically saw the food I had eaten go out the tube and then nothing else came out. According to Stacey at VitaLife Digestive Wellness Clinic this is where most people make the mistake. They don't see much come out so they think they are "clean". The reality is it takes a while to loosen up stuff that has been hardened in you for years.
For me the big "reveal" happened on day 6. At this point I had had five previous colonics and had not eaten for five days. There was no food left in me. Nonetheless, the stuff that came flying out was beyond belief. Stacey actually had trouble ending the session because is wouldn't stop flowing. I have been sold on it from that point forward.
This recent cleanse was not as strict, as I ate raw fruits and vegetables, but only in liquid form, all week. Nonetheless, a lot of "solid" matter still came out.
I won't ask you to do this again but, just this once, think about your colon and what it might look like.
Mine was clearly full of a tar like substance that had hardened to the sides, keeping toxins that could potentially be cancer forming trapped inside of me. It can also keep food from passing through you properly and that can create digestion and weight loss issues. You can read about other benefits here: Colonic Benefits
Although I am not a professional it would still be remiss of me not to say that colonics may not be for everyone. If you have health issues you may wish to have a discussion with a professional before proceeding.
So there you have it...my personal experience and beliefs on the subject :-)
On the personal food front I did remarkably well yesterday. I figured out exactly what I was going to order at the restaurant before I left and I ordered it. Made a delicious new Nutrition Drink too. The food tracker is below (Nutrition Drink contents in the notes section). I was right on track! Remember to click on it once or twice to enlarge it.
I returned to the gym...finally! It felt good to be back but the health isn't 100% yet so it was a pretty pathetic workout. Only 20 minutes cardio and some abs. The real exercise came later in the day and that was simply walking. Jamie and I decided to walk to the restaurant which was not close by. It took us an hour and a half to walk there. We took a subway part way home but got off early and walked around Toronto for a while seeing the light displays of the Nuit Blanche festival that is here. To be honest we were very underwhelmed by it, but the walk was good.
Be healthy!
Alan
Saturday, October 2, 2010
There's Always A Choice
As kids we used to have sort of a "fun" argument with my mother. She would say that everyone always has a "choice" and we would try to think of situations where you wouldn't really have a choice. She always seemed to win.
Granted, the choices were sometimes ludicrous, but they were indeed choices.
The conversation always seemed to start with one of us saying that someone made us mad. Mom used to say that no one can MAKE you mad. That, is a choice. Those simple words said to me repeatedly through my life ended up turning my marriage from bumpy to happy a few years ago. Thank you Mom.
I learned that changing someone else to be what you want them to be is damn near impossible. You can only change the way you react to them. I know I have mentioned this before. This doesn't just apply to significant others, it applies to Mother's, Father's, Children, other family and friends. It applies to everyone who you think "just doesn't get it".
I think when struggling with weight loss there are two types of choices we constantly make. One stems from inside, and it is the way we are "conditioned", and the other stems from outside. The friends and family.
While I won't say that family and friends can't change, I will say that you can't change them. They have to want to change themselves. They have to make that choice and it is THEIR choice...not yours. You can only set an example and hope they either follow along, or at least respect the path you have chosen. If they don't do either then you do have choices:
1) Respect them for who THEY are. After all, your connection to them is based on who they are now and not who you want them to be.
2) Weed the garden. This one is an easier decision with friends, and may be pretty near impossible with family, but a good friend of mine likes to say. "Friends are like gardens...every now and then they need a little weeding".
You ultimately choose who is in your life with you. Sometimes to say it is a "choice" may seem as ludicrous as the arguments my mother would make, but they are still choices.
Make your choices carefully and try to surround yourself with supportive people.
I wouldn't weed anyone out until you have tried changing things from your end though. I sincerely believe that the world changes when you change the way you react to it.
If I stop acting like a "trigger" then guess what? I don't trigger people. Shocker I know. It is so simple and yet it has taken me over four decades to figure it out.
The other major weight loss choice is obviously, the food we put in our mouth on a daily basis. I have been thinking a lot about this one. Especially when it comes to "going out for dinner".
For years I have sat in meetings where people have suggested strategies for dining out. "Order first", "eat salad first", "skip the bun", "have your salad dressing on the side", "share dessert", etc. They are all great and important suggestions, and I have even spouted off a list of my own suggestions, but they often don't work for me because I don't have the desire to eat well when I am dining out in the first place.
The problem is deeper than that. The problem stems from this conditioned belief I seem to have that it is impossible to have a really good time if you are depriving yourself. You can have a good time, but every deprivation decision you make lowers the threshold of fun just a bit, and I like to maximize my fun. So I ignore everything that is "common sense" and become a "pig for a night".
Yes it is great that I get right back on track fairly often now but why I am a pig in the first place? It is a choice.
People also say in meetings that you go out with friends to enjoy their company, and it is not really for the food. Sure it makes sense, but I enjoy people's company more whenever I am eating and drinking whatever the hell I want. I still haven't figured out how to change that. How to make a different choice.
I do know that I want to change and that means that the change is possible. For now I am going to try and stop thinking of this choice as a "weight loss" choice and try thinking of it as a "health choice". I am going to try and imagine my body trying to process everything I order, and imagine what will happen if the choices I make end up stuck in my colon for years (which can happen).
We are going to a Japanese restaurant with friends for dinner tonight. I am not going to focus on low fat but on healthy. Let's hope I succeed and make the RIGHT choices.
My tracker for yesterday is at the end of this blog (click the image to enlarge it). I was only one point over my daily Weight Watcher's point allowance. Real happy with that. You may notice that there is Smart Pop Popcorn and a packaged Smoothie on the list. Both are processed, but I already had them in the house so they are still in keeping with my commitment not to bring any new processed food into the home (food for our Bed and Breakfast guests will be the exception as they still will want their breads and cereals etc., and frankly processed is easier and cheaper from a business perspective and it is what they generally want. We are happy to give guests healthier options when we see they are people would want and appreciate that on their vacation stay with us).
What choices are you making? The right ones?
Be healthy
Alan
Granted, the choices were sometimes ludicrous, but they were indeed choices.
The conversation always seemed to start with one of us saying that someone made us mad. Mom used to say that no one can MAKE you mad. That, is a choice. Those simple words said to me repeatedly through my life ended up turning my marriage from bumpy to happy a few years ago. Thank you Mom.
I learned that changing someone else to be what you want them to be is damn near impossible. You can only change the way you react to them. I know I have mentioned this before. This doesn't just apply to significant others, it applies to Mother's, Father's, Children, other family and friends. It applies to everyone who you think "just doesn't get it".
I think when struggling with weight loss there are two types of choices we constantly make. One stems from inside, and it is the way we are "conditioned", and the other stems from outside. The friends and family.
While I won't say that family and friends can't change, I will say that you can't change them. They have to want to change themselves. They have to make that choice and it is THEIR choice...not yours. You can only set an example and hope they either follow along, or at least respect the path you have chosen. If they don't do either then you do have choices:
1) Respect them for who THEY are. After all, your connection to them is based on who they are now and not who you want them to be.
2) Weed the garden. This one is an easier decision with friends, and may be pretty near impossible with family, but a good friend of mine likes to say. "Friends are like gardens...every now and then they need a little weeding".
You ultimately choose who is in your life with you. Sometimes to say it is a "choice" may seem as ludicrous as the arguments my mother would make, but they are still choices.
Make your choices carefully and try to surround yourself with supportive people.
I wouldn't weed anyone out until you have tried changing things from your end though. I sincerely believe that the world changes when you change the way you react to it.
If I stop acting like a "trigger" then guess what? I don't trigger people. Shocker I know. It is so simple and yet it has taken me over four decades to figure it out.
The other major weight loss choice is obviously, the food we put in our mouth on a daily basis. I have been thinking a lot about this one. Especially when it comes to "going out for dinner".
For years I have sat in meetings where people have suggested strategies for dining out. "Order first", "eat salad first", "skip the bun", "have your salad dressing on the side", "share dessert", etc. They are all great and important suggestions, and I have even spouted off a list of my own suggestions, but they often don't work for me because I don't have the desire to eat well when I am dining out in the first place.
The problem is deeper than that. The problem stems from this conditioned belief I seem to have that it is impossible to have a really good time if you are depriving yourself. You can have a good time, but every deprivation decision you make lowers the threshold of fun just a bit, and I like to maximize my fun. So I ignore everything that is "common sense" and become a "pig for a night".
Yes it is great that I get right back on track fairly often now but why I am a pig in the first place? It is a choice.
People also say in meetings that you go out with friends to enjoy their company, and it is not really for the food. Sure it makes sense, but I enjoy people's company more whenever I am eating and drinking whatever the hell I want. I still haven't figured out how to change that. How to make a different choice.
I do know that I want to change and that means that the change is possible. For now I am going to try and stop thinking of this choice as a "weight loss" choice and try thinking of it as a "health choice". I am going to try and imagine my body trying to process everything I order, and imagine what will happen if the choices I make end up stuck in my colon for years (which can happen).
We are going to a Japanese restaurant with friends for dinner tonight. I am not going to focus on low fat but on healthy. Let's hope I succeed and make the RIGHT choices.
My tracker for yesterday is at the end of this blog (click the image to enlarge it). I was only one point over my daily Weight Watcher's point allowance. Real happy with that. You may notice that there is Smart Pop Popcorn and a packaged Smoothie on the list. Both are processed, but I already had them in the house so they are still in keeping with my commitment not to bring any new processed food into the home (food for our Bed and Breakfast guests will be the exception as they still will want their breads and cereals etc., and frankly processed is easier and cheaper from a business perspective and it is what they generally want. We are happy to give guests healthier options when we see they are people would want and appreciate that on their vacation stay with us).
What choices are you making? The right ones?
Be healthy
Alan
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| Click Image to Enlarge |
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tracking Like A Good Boy
Was feeling a lot better yesterday although by the time I finished showing properties last night I thought I would pass out so clearly I was not 100% yet.
Today feels like I am 90% recovered so I think the worst is behind me.
I had an exceptionally healthy day yesterday and tracked all my foods as per proper "Weight Watcher Plan". I have included my "tracker" for those who are really interested (although I completely understand if you are not...just posting the tracker every day for a week because I made a commitment to track and if I know I am going to have to post it each day I have to actually do it).
I am going to Kale Slaw myself to death. I had it with dinner and blended into three smoothies yesterday. I made so much Kale Slaw (which is coleslaw consistency but made with kale) that I will be eating it for a week I think.
The only place I really fell down is by not eating enough. Going by Weight Watchers points I am supposed to eat 32 points a day and I ate 13 too few. I actually believe it is important to eat all your points to prevent getting hungry and binging the next day but I really felt I ate sufficiently. I was certainly never hungry.
If you look at my tracker, check out the notes for the ingredients of my nutritional drink. You can't get much healthier than that! My Vitamix blender is wonderful!
I keep thinking I have drastically underestimated the points for my Kale Slaw salad because it has a lot of hemp oil in it, but when I break it down per serving it only works out to a couple of points for a cup. I checked it twice but think I will have to check it again. It just doesn't seem right. Healthy for sure...but two points? Seems too low. I have included the recipe for Kale Slaw at the end of this blog if anyone else wants to check it out or make it. It is a recipe from my instructor of our cooking class at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Today will be a busy day but I think...wait...scratch that...I know...I can be healthy. Tonight is dinner at our neighbours. The menu is beyond my control but the quantities aren't so I will focus on portion control and track it.
Did I mention how great "CDP" who comments here is doing? She has been following the blog from Scotland and doing her own health plan and is down twenty pounds now! Way to go CDP!!!!
I know we can all be successful if we do it together. Weight Watchers is not a requirement of participation in this blog. No matter what plan you are doing there is no such thing as too much support.
Jamie says ending my blog "Be Healthy" every day is boring and I should think of a different motivational expression to end each blog. What do you think?
You have to scroll way down to see the tracker. I did actually have a mutli-vitamin but I forgot to check the box on the tracker. I didn't have dairy though (not really convinced of it's health benefits and prefer alternatives) or any whole grains (will have tomorrow). I had soy chicken which is fake chicken for dinner. I will probably have soy chicken or soy beef once a week just because we have tons of it in the freezer so I need to eat it but I am not too big of a fan of soy products other than Tempeh now either. Soy can be quite allergenic unless it is a fermented soy like Tempeh.
I think if you click on the images below you will see an enlarged image, but if want to go back to the blog use the "back" feature to go back one page. Unfortunately when you enlarge it creates a new page so when you leave it you leave the blog (unless you simply us the button to go back a screen). Will try and figure out how to better to do this for tomorrow.
Be healthy!
Alan
Today feels like I am 90% recovered so I think the worst is behind me.
I had an exceptionally healthy day yesterday and tracked all my foods as per proper "Weight Watcher Plan". I have included my "tracker" for those who are really interested (although I completely understand if you are not...just posting the tracker every day for a week because I made a commitment to track and if I know I am going to have to post it each day I have to actually do it).
I am going to Kale Slaw myself to death. I had it with dinner and blended into three smoothies yesterday. I made so much Kale Slaw (which is coleslaw consistency but made with kale) that I will be eating it for a week I think.
The only place I really fell down is by not eating enough. Going by Weight Watchers points I am supposed to eat 32 points a day and I ate 13 too few. I actually believe it is important to eat all your points to prevent getting hungry and binging the next day but I really felt I ate sufficiently. I was certainly never hungry.
If you look at my tracker, check out the notes for the ingredients of my nutritional drink. You can't get much healthier than that! My Vitamix blender is wonderful!
I keep thinking I have drastically underestimated the points for my Kale Slaw salad because it has a lot of hemp oil in it, but when I break it down per serving it only works out to a couple of points for a cup. I checked it twice but think I will have to check it again. It just doesn't seem right. Healthy for sure...but two points? Seems too low. I have included the recipe for Kale Slaw at the end of this blog if anyone else wants to check it out or make it. It is a recipe from my instructor of our cooking class at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Today will be a busy day but I think...wait...scratch that...I know...I can be healthy. Tonight is dinner at our neighbours. The menu is beyond my control but the quantities aren't so I will focus on portion control and track it.
Did I mention how great "CDP" who comments here is doing? She has been following the blog from Scotland and doing her own health plan and is down twenty pounds now! Way to go CDP!!!!
I know we can all be successful if we do it together. Weight Watchers is not a requirement of participation in this blog. No matter what plan you are doing there is no such thing as too much support.
Jamie says ending my blog "Be Healthy" every day is boring and I should think of a different motivational expression to end each blog. What do you think?
You have to scroll way down to see the tracker. I did actually have a mutli-vitamin but I forgot to check the box on the tracker. I didn't have dairy though (not really convinced of it's health benefits and prefer alternatives) or any whole grains (will have tomorrow). I had soy chicken which is fake chicken for dinner. I will probably have soy chicken or soy beef once a week just because we have tons of it in the freezer so I need to eat it but I am not too big of a fan of soy products other than Tempeh now either. Soy can be quite allergenic unless it is a fermented soy like Tempeh.
I think if you click on the images below you will see an enlarged image, but if want to go back to the blog use the "back" feature to go back one page. Unfortunately when you enlarge it creates a new page so when you leave it you leave the blog (unless you simply us the button to go back a screen). Will try and figure out how to better to do this for tomorrow.
Be healthy!
Alan
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