I failed at my cleanse yesterday.
I had good intentions but it just didn't happen. No excuses, it should have happened...it didn't.
On the up side though I stayed totally on track...and I mean the "NEW" on track from a Weight Watcher's prospective. Although I am not supposed to find out the details of the new plan officially until my meeting this Wednesday, it occurred to me that it officially kicks off in Canada today.
So....being the sneaky person I am I went to the online version of Weight Watchers (called e-tools), changed my official weigh-in day on-line from Wednesday to Monday and presto...I got the new plan.
So...given that I wasn't proving to be in a "cleansing" frame of mind I decided to do the new plan.
Points are calculated differently but to be honest I didn't get a chance to calculate much with the new system. I simply entered the non-processed stuff I was eating and it told me how many points things were.
I must say it is a bit freaky seeing how many more points everything is, but you are allowed more points in a day and more weekly points as well so I guess it balances out.
I like the fact that carbs and proteins are now part of the equation. It only makes sense. There is more emphasis on eating fruits and vegetables as well.
I know those of you not on WW won't know what I am talking about and those WW members in the UK have already been on the program for a couple of weeks so it is old news but for me it is new...and new is always good.
I have decided to continue with the new plan on-line until Wednesday and then, even though a full week has not passed, I will reset my weigh-in day to "Wednesday" so that I am back on schedule to track for a full week before the next meeting. Clear as mud?
I think this time I will start my weeks Wednesday morning instead of Thursday morning though. If I do that then I will only be able to splurge after a Wednesday night weigh-in if I have saved enough points to permit it...that's the theory anyway.
My musketeers stay on track today?
Be healthy!
Alan
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Cleanse Time
I haven't done a cleanse in a while and I have had trouble staying on track so I have decided to do a three day cleanse starting today. So I will be having Fruits and Vegetables only for three days.
I am convinced that the only thing that truly gets me back on track when I start to slip is dramatic change, so this will be the week of change.
Monday to Wednesday I will cleanse and then on Wednesday night I will go to my Weight Watchers meeting where they are introducing a brand new program...so I will do the new program for a week. I am really hoping the change in WW program will also revitalize me.
Some of you may be wondering why I will only do the new program for a week. That, my friends, I will tell you on December 16th :-)
My Musketeers doing ok? I had a bit of a slip up after the gym (ate two chinese pork filled buns) but just had chicken vegetable soup for dinner to try and help compensate.
Be healthy!
Alan
I am convinced that the only thing that truly gets me back on track when I start to slip is dramatic change, so this will be the week of change.
Monday to Wednesday I will cleanse and then on Wednesday night I will go to my Weight Watchers meeting where they are introducing a brand new program...so I will do the new program for a week. I am really hoping the change in WW program will also revitalize me.
Some of you may be wondering why I will only do the new program for a week. That, my friends, I will tell you on December 16th :-)
My Musketeers doing ok? I had a bit of a slip up after the gym (ate two chinese pork filled buns) but just had chicken vegetable soup for dinner to try and help compensate.
Be healthy!
Alan
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Friends - Amazing Spirits
I am so lucky. I think I have the best friends in the world.
My friends not only support me, they put up with my food obsessed life. I'm either obsessed with being good or obsessed with being bad. Knowing that people are there to support me as I flip back and forth between the two is amazing.
Last night my friend Tom Mackan stayed over. He is about to turn 80 and is an amazing spirit. He started Weight Watchers 8 weeks ago and is down almost 20 pounds. I am so very proud of him. We went for dinner last night and he not only ate like a perfect WW member, he kept me in control by his example. Awesome guy.
My friends Naoko and Albert are amazing too. When I couldn't have surgery about five years ago because I was too large to qualify for it, Albert told me that if I went back to Weight Watchers he would go with me. He is still going with me, and Naoko keeps me in line. She is not afraid to politely tell me when I look like I am gaining weight. I love that about her. She does it because she cares. She is a good friend.
Then there is my friend Todd, who I know also "gets it" and puts up with my incessant talking about food at Tim Hortons. I value our friendship now more than I ever have. I think we really understand each other.
My friend Wendy would be the first person to tell me to get what I want to eat in the old days. Now she does her best to try and get me to make healthy choices when we go out to eat.
My friend Sue leads by example. She is such an inspiration and shares the same philosophy I have, which is that a little "full fat" is much better for you than chemically created "low fat" products.
Catherine In Scotland and Alf in England are on their own journeys. They share their struggles with me and support me when I slip. Proof that distance is so irrelevant in today's world. Andrew and Kirsten, and cousin Lorraine keep in touch from England and Scotland too....awesome!
Anthony, my trainer/nutritionist friend works out with me and encourages perfect eating. I try, and really appreciate that he still hangs around in spite of my repeated failures.
Maurizio and Diane are on the "organic" band wagon with me. They share ideas, ask questions, and keep me thinking the right thoughts. So encouraging to me and I love them for it.
My one friend, who is more private so I won't say her name, but she knows who she is, has lost significant weight on her own and kept it off for years and years. Great person to share confidences and friendship with.
Quade is so far away now. Another world it seems but still stays in touch. It is awesome to have a naturally thin person as part of the group who adds valuable perspective.
Debbie from the other side of Canada can always be counted on to make me laugh :)
Then there is the whole gang at Weight Watchers, others on this blog, and the fantabulous gang from Nutrition school. So so so so supportive.
I am sure I have forgotten someone and I apologize for that, but the point is, I have such a strong support group. I am surrounding myself with people I love, not the least of which is my husband. How he puts up with my radical swings in mentality I will never know.
Surrounding myself with quality friends has made such a huge difference in my life.
I am a very lucky man.
Wondering how my other two Musketeers for the week are doing? My day was good yesterday. We went out to eat but I was pretty good (except maybe for the garlic mashed potatoes).
Be healthy!
Alan
My friends not only support me, they put up with my food obsessed life. I'm either obsessed with being good or obsessed with being bad. Knowing that people are there to support me as I flip back and forth between the two is amazing.
Last night my friend Tom Mackan stayed over. He is about to turn 80 and is an amazing spirit. He started Weight Watchers 8 weeks ago and is down almost 20 pounds. I am so very proud of him. We went for dinner last night and he not only ate like a perfect WW member, he kept me in control by his example. Awesome guy.
My friends Naoko and Albert are amazing too. When I couldn't have surgery about five years ago because I was too large to qualify for it, Albert told me that if I went back to Weight Watchers he would go with me. He is still going with me, and Naoko keeps me in line. She is not afraid to politely tell me when I look like I am gaining weight. I love that about her. She does it because she cares. She is a good friend.
Then there is my friend Todd, who I know also "gets it" and puts up with my incessant talking about food at Tim Hortons. I value our friendship now more than I ever have. I think we really understand each other.
My friend Wendy would be the first person to tell me to get what I want to eat in the old days. Now she does her best to try and get me to make healthy choices when we go out to eat.
My friend Sue leads by example. She is such an inspiration and shares the same philosophy I have, which is that a little "full fat" is much better for you than chemically created "low fat" products.
Catherine In Scotland and Alf in England are on their own journeys. They share their struggles with me and support me when I slip. Proof that distance is so irrelevant in today's world. Andrew and Kirsten, and cousin Lorraine keep in touch from England and Scotland too....awesome!
Anthony, my trainer/nutritionist friend works out with me and encourages perfect eating. I try, and really appreciate that he still hangs around in spite of my repeated failures.
Maurizio and Diane are on the "organic" band wagon with me. They share ideas, ask questions, and keep me thinking the right thoughts. So encouraging to me and I love them for it.
My one friend, who is more private so I won't say her name, but she knows who she is, has lost significant weight on her own and kept it off for years and years. Great person to share confidences and friendship with.
Cara is always "food supportive" and whenever she asks about getting together to eat she almost always suggests we choose a healthy place. We have been unsuccessfully trying to make our schedules sync for months. We gotta make it happen!
Debbie from the other side of Canada can always be counted on to make me laugh :)
Then there is the whole gang at Weight Watchers, others on this blog, and the fantabulous gang from Nutrition school. So so so so supportive.
I am sure I have forgotten someone and I apologize for that, but the point is, I have such a strong support group. I am surrounding myself with people I love, not the least of which is my husband. How he puts up with my radical swings in mentality I will never know.
Surrounding myself with quality friends has made such a huge difference in my life.
I am a very lucky man.
Wondering how my other two Musketeers for the week are doing? My day was good yesterday. We went out to eat but I was pretty good (except maybe for the garlic mashed potatoes).
Be healthy!
Alan
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Fake It Till You Make it
In response to my blog yesterday someone posted the following comment: "Sometimes we can convince ourselves we are there when we really aren't and it is a tough hill to climb to get back there".
It is indeed tough to pretend you are where you want to be before you are there. I have heard of this concept referred to as "Fake It Till You Make It".
If you convince yourself that are a healthy slim eater, and start acting like you are a healthy, slim, eater, sooner or later you will be a healthy, slim, eater.
It works if you can do it, but make no mistake, it is tough.
It is the road I am going to walk down right now. I have to.
If you are feeling yourself slip a bit, or if you have done a full fledged wipe out in a puddle. Why don't you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and walk down this road with me?
The walk will be easier if I am not alone.
Be healthy,
Alan
It is indeed tough to pretend you are where you want to be before you are there. I have heard of this concept referred to as "Fake It Till You Make It".
If you convince yourself that are a healthy slim eater, and start acting like you are a healthy, slim, eater, sooner or later you will be a healthy, slim, eater.
It works if you can do it, but make no mistake, it is tough.
It is the road I am going to walk down right now. I have to.
If you are feeling yourself slip a bit, or if you have done a full fledged wipe out in a puddle. Why don't you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and walk down this road with me?
The walk will be easier if I am not alone.
Be healthy,
Alan
Friday, December 3, 2010
What Is The Level Of Your Self-Esteem?
The night before last I watched an episode of Oprah where she interviewed Marie Osmond. It was originally broadcast a week or two ago but I had recorded it and only just watched it.
The interview was the first one Marie had given since her son committed suicide eight months ago. It was quite emotional.
At one point, the conversation turned from the loss of her son, to the end of her marriage.
Oprah mentioned that rumours were that her ex husband was abusive and asked if it was true. While Marie didn't answer the question directly she did issue a warning to people. She said. "You marry at the level of your self-esteem....make sure you have good self-esteem". It really struck me as an incredibly profound statement. It made an impact on me.
I believe there is truth to what Marie said.
I also believe that it also applies to what we eat. We eat at the level of our self-esteem.
When self-esteem is high we have confidence, we have power and we feel like we can change everything in our lives that we want to.
When self-esteem is low we eat to console ourselves, we eat because we feel alone, we eat because bad food feels like our friend....and it makes us feel good...but only for a moment.
Sometimes though, we feel like we have good self-esteem but we are still starting to fall off the health wagon anyway. I feel like that now. I feel happy (at least I tell myself that) but I don't feel as motivated as I should.
On the surface it may seem like I have just contradicted myself. If I feel like I have good self-esteem then why do I not have enough control over my food?
My theory is that sometimes your body knows you are slipping...it knows that the self-esteem is sliding before you do. For example, I feel pretty good right now. I feel happy, but I don't feel "HAPPY". I felt "HAPPY" last month.
I no longer feel like the "after" guy in the picture below:
Fortunately I do not feel like the "before" guy either. I feel fat...but not that fat.
So it is time for me to restore the self-confidence of the "after" guy before the sliding continues.
I have the "after" picture on my vision board and I am going to stare at him for inspiration everyday until I feel as good and healthy as him.
Perhaps it is a tad vain to use myself as my inspiration. For better or for worse, I can live with my own vanity...as long as it works. I can get back there...and I will.
Be healthy!
Alan
The interview was the first one Marie had given since her son committed suicide eight months ago. It was quite emotional.
At one point, the conversation turned from the loss of her son, to the end of her marriage.
Oprah mentioned that rumours were that her ex husband was abusive and asked if it was true. While Marie didn't answer the question directly she did issue a warning to people. She said. "You marry at the level of your self-esteem....make sure you have good self-esteem". It really struck me as an incredibly profound statement. It made an impact on me.
I believe there is truth to what Marie said.
I also believe that it also applies to what we eat. We eat at the level of our self-esteem.
When self-esteem is high we have confidence, we have power and we feel like we can change everything in our lives that we want to.
When self-esteem is low we eat to console ourselves, we eat because we feel alone, we eat because bad food feels like our friend....and it makes us feel good...but only for a moment.
Sometimes though, we feel like we have good self-esteem but we are still starting to fall off the health wagon anyway. I feel like that now. I feel happy (at least I tell myself that) but I don't feel as motivated as I should.
On the surface it may seem like I have just contradicted myself. If I feel like I have good self-esteem then why do I not have enough control over my food?
My theory is that sometimes your body knows you are slipping...it knows that the self-esteem is sliding before you do. For example, I feel pretty good right now. I feel happy, but I don't feel "HAPPY". I felt "HAPPY" last month.
I no longer feel like the "after" guy in the picture below:
Fortunately I do not feel like the "before" guy either. I feel fat...but not that fat.
So it is time for me to restore the self-confidence of the "after" guy before the sliding continues.
I have the "after" picture on my vision board and I am going to stare at him for inspiration everyday until I feel as good and healthy as him.
Perhaps it is a tad vain to use myself as my inspiration. For better or for worse, I can live with my own vanity...as long as it works. I can get back there...and I will.
Be healthy!
Alan
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Shoot Me - I Like Cold Red Wine
When did we become afraid to say what we like and what we want?
The other day I had a glass of red wine from a bottle that was accidentally left in the Fridge. When it was put in the Fridge it was only supposed to be there briefly. It is totally acceptable to chill your red wine ever so slightly because, apparently, room temperature today is warmer than room temperature was when the temperature at which red wine is supposed to be served was set. It is, however, an abomination of God to drink it cold.
So...the bottle went in the Fridge and by some freak of nature it was not consumed. It just got cold...real cold.
I will probably never be invited to a social occasion again for saying this, but I drank it cold and I liked it. I am thinking of writing a song about it. Something with the same melody as the song "I kissed a girl...I liked it".
My question is this. When the hell did we become so afraid to make our own decisions about what we like and dislike? What we want and don't want? What we can and cannot have?
I was in a Weight Watchers meeting yesterday and a lady was concerned because she had reached her goal weight, and as a result her friends were encouraging her to eat again. She wanted to know what to tell them. She doesn't of course, want to offend them.
I have to preface my next, rather strong, statement by saying I am not criticizing this lady. I not only understand her I am her. I always want to please and not offend. I want to fit in. I totally get where she is coming from.
So what should we tell these people?
How about the truth? How about "I worked damn hard to get where I am and your well meaning gestures will sabotage all my efforts". How about " I don't want it". How about "I will eat what I choose to eat...thank you very much". [I really want to type "How about "Go to Hell" in here but I am too polite so I won't...or did I?].
My point is this. Too many of us have become obsessed with doing and saying the correct thing. With making sure we fit in. With being careful not to offend.
The sad thing is, it is their suggestions that we should be offended by. They know how hard we have worked so why would they encourage us to sabotage our efforts? That, my friends, is really offensive.
If I make my own decision to sabotage my efforts for a night that is one thing. If someone else encourages me to...that is not a friend.
So I don't think I will be too concerned when someone offers me something unhealthy and keeps pushing it after I have politely said no once or twice. The third response may just start with an "F" and end with an "Off". I know many of you don't think I am capable of that...ask Jamie if you have any doubt. I don't mean I say it to him (not often anyway)...but to other people who push one too many of my buttons. You can't survive in a career like mine (Real Estate) unless you can match the strength of every power tripping agent that crosses your path. I don't believe in power tripping but I totally believe in putting power trippers in their place. It is, I think, an art.
Wow...did I just type that? Uh oh...the militant side of me that few see is coming out.
If you haven't seen it...try offering me a donut three times.
Be healthy!
Alan
The other day I had a glass of red wine from a bottle that was accidentally left in the Fridge. When it was put in the Fridge it was only supposed to be there briefly. It is totally acceptable to chill your red wine ever so slightly because, apparently, room temperature today is warmer than room temperature was when the temperature at which red wine is supposed to be served was set. It is, however, an abomination of God to drink it cold.
So...the bottle went in the Fridge and by some freak of nature it was not consumed. It just got cold...real cold.
I will probably never be invited to a social occasion again for saying this, but I drank it cold and I liked it. I am thinking of writing a song about it. Something with the same melody as the song "I kissed a girl...I liked it".
My question is this. When the hell did we become so afraid to make our own decisions about what we like and dislike? What we want and don't want? What we can and cannot have?
I was in a Weight Watchers meeting yesterday and a lady was concerned because she had reached her goal weight, and as a result her friends were encouraging her to eat again. She wanted to know what to tell them. She doesn't of course, want to offend them.
I have to preface my next, rather strong, statement by saying I am not criticizing this lady. I not only understand her I am her. I always want to please and not offend. I want to fit in. I totally get where she is coming from.
So what should we tell these people?
How about the truth? How about "I worked damn hard to get where I am and your well meaning gestures will sabotage all my efforts". How about " I don't want it". How about "I will eat what I choose to eat...thank you very much". [I really want to type "How about "Go to Hell" in here but I am too polite so I won't...or did I?].
My point is this. Too many of us have become obsessed with doing and saying the correct thing. With making sure we fit in. With being careful not to offend.
The sad thing is, it is their suggestions that we should be offended by. They know how hard we have worked so why would they encourage us to sabotage our efforts? That, my friends, is really offensive.
If I make my own decision to sabotage my efforts for a night that is one thing. If someone else encourages me to...that is not a friend.
So I don't think I will be too concerned when someone offers me something unhealthy and keeps pushing it after I have politely said no once or twice. The third response may just start with an "F" and end with an "Off". I know many of you don't think I am capable of that...ask Jamie if you have any doubt. I don't mean I say it to him (not often anyway)...but to other people who push one too many of my buttons. You can't survive in a career like mine (Real Estate) unless you can match the strength of every power tripping agent that crosses your path. I don't believe in power tripping but I totally believe in putting power trippers in their place. It is, I think, an art.
Wow...did I just type that? Uh oh...the militant side of me that few see is coming out.
If you haven't seen it...try offering me a donut three times.
Be healthy!
Alan
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Holiday Party
You know that the blog is working when you are being watched. I sat down with my plate of dinner (from a buffet) at our company Company Holiday Party last night and someone said "Alan...so many Carbs!". Another person said..."Can't wait to read tomorrow's blog"...kind of like the end of the world was coming.
It didn't bother me at all. For one thing the Caesar Salad that was on the plate of my muscle boy colleague's plates didn't look all that much healthier, and for another, I have learned the difference (at least I hope I have) between a holiday and a holimonth. I had fun, I ate well, and I don't regret it.
I can't just dismiss its occurrence though, so today has to be excessively healthy.
To be honest I am glad my friends made the comment. They know I struggle and there was no malice intended. It was all in good humour. Maybe they were even looking out for me. Naw....just a fun comment....I doubt a deep sense of concern over my meal at the Holiday Party weighed heavily on their minds. LOL
I like the fact that people know I struggle because it keeps me in check.
If I lived in a world where everyone knew I struggled and everyone commented when I ate unhealthy it might be the best thing that happened to me. Sometimes I need people to say something...especially when they are right.
So to my friends at the Holiday Party...thank you for at least making me aware of the food I was putting in my mouth. Next time please also make me aware of the number of glasses of wine going down my throat.
December is officially here today.
Happy Holidays and be healthy!
Alan
It didn't bother me at all. For one thing the Caesar Salad that was on the plate of my muscle boy colleague's plates didn't look all that much healthier, and for another, I have learned the difference (at least I hope I have) between a holiday and a holimonth. I had fun, I ate well, and I don't regret it.
I can't just dismiss its occurrence though, so today has to be excessively healthy.
To be honest I am glad my friends made the comment. They know I struggle and there was no malice intended. It was all in good humour. Maybe they were even looking out for me. Naw....just a fun comment....I doubt a deep sense of concern over my meal at the Holiday Party weighed heavily on their minds. LOL
I like the fact that people know I struggle because it keeps me in check.
If I lived in a world where everyone knew I struggled and everyone commented when I ate unhealthy it might be the best thing that happened to me. Sometimes I need people to say something...especially when they are right.
So to my friends at the Holiday Party...thank you for at least making me aware of the food I was putting in my mouth. Next time please also make me aware of the number of glasses of wine going down my throat.
December is officially here today.
Happy Holidays and be healthy!
Alan
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