Night Eating

I am a night eater.  I know many people that are.  Doctors say that's bad, but others say that a calorie is a calorie, and no matter when it is consumed, counts.  Now, I'm not advocating eating a pizza before bed, but a snack is okay.  I eat later in the day, but that's my habit.  It's all habit, and changing it is a mind trip.  Motivation to quit eating at night is all between the ears.

Some tips to counter balance night eating:

1.  Drink a full glass of water before every meal or snack, as this helps fill you up.  It really works!
2.  Do something.  Most of us night eat out of stress or boredom.  Change your habits, and you'll see the results.
3.  Chew gum or hard candy (sugar free) put on some music, stretch and do yoga, read, exercise, do a CRAFT, as it will keep your mind, hands, and mouth busy.
4.  Get on Face Book and play a game.  These things are addictive.  I quit them, but it does work for a few peeps I've talked to.
5.  Save some calories for what you normally eat at night.
6.  Have low calorie snacks available: fruit, sugar free ice cream novelties. (Not a half gallon that you will eat half of...
7.  Call a friend and talk a while.
8.  Clean something.  (This one is my favorite, as time flies.)
9.  If you do eat, don't graze.  Just eat one or two things.
10. Change your mind and throw away the food you just made.  A therapist once told me that you can throw food away (Which we were taught to NEVER do!), or you can throw yourself away.

In essence, stress, boredom, celebrations, holidays and more can be celebrated and handled in many ways, and you don't have to always center it around food.  Enjoy the company of others.

I know I will try harder.  I've gained 6 pounds, and I don't like it.  We are headed into prime eating season, and I should get a grip before I gain more!  Ahhh!

My Exercise Heroine

I have a hero.  I know she is a woman, and it is proper for her to be a heroine, but she is more than a girl hero, she's a super-hero!  Who is this amazing person?

My stepmother, Darlene.  She is in her sixties, (I won't tell her exact age for fear of serious retribution!)  She walks and runs most every day, and if she's not doing that, she is gardening, going to the gym, or working out in her home.

She is my inspiration.  She is now training for her umpteenth marathon.  She hasn't done one in a few years, but on the shady side of her decade in years, she is going for it anyway.  She busts some serious butt.  I never walked with someone so fast!

She wasn't always in shape.  She was overweight and smoked - a lot.  She quit smoking some years ago, and she lost her weight.  Now, she's just keeping it under control.  I want to get there, too.  She never is negative about my weight - like so many have been.  She is encouraging beyond belief, and even gave me a beautiful house dress (I love flowing, long skirts and dresses, and haven't worn one in years.), and color for my hair - just because I mentioned I wanted to go red, and that I wanted to be a bit more bohemian in my outfits.  You know, comfortable and funky.

The thing is, she builds me up and makes me feel beautiful in my skin now, not waiting until I lose all the weight, but celebrating who I am, just because.  No negativity, just a lot of praise, occasional pushing, but it is always with love.

Everyone needs a person like that.  She leads by example. :)

Lacking Motivation

It seems that I'll never get there.  There's just too much weight to lose.  For the summer fun of weight loss, I have been gaining and losing the same ten pounds.  Ugh.  It's awful when all you want is to lose weight, and get caught in a cycle of losing and gaining.  Pity Party, huh?

Well, I haven't exercised like I should, and I have no excuse.  I'm a hermit of sorts, and my jobs keep me pretty isolated, except Thirty-One.  That's when I can chat my little head off.  Love it.  Back to me and whining...

It's not like I'm going to be Miss America or anything.  I'm no Angelina Jolie.  Not close.  I never will be.  BUT, my daughter, and only child, is getting married in November, and I really want to look and feel great.  I've already picked out my dress.  I just won't know the size for a bit...

I'll stop the whining, and try to change tomorrow.  Anyone have some motivation techniques?

Dressing the Package and Treating Yourself!

You must treat yourself for losing weight.

Just because you may be big, like me, doesn't mean that you can't do what my friend, Lou, says, and "dress the package."  Your package may not be what you want it to be right now, but it will be later, so there's no reason to wait until then to dress yourself like a normal person.  I can tell you that I'm in between sizes right now and without a lot of clothes, so I'm doing the best I can to keep the "basics" in the size I'm in.

I'm between an 18/20 and 22/24, depending on the clothes, and I even need to shop for shoes!  Why?  Well, I'm back to narrow feet and not medium to wide!  I also need to get ring guards.  These are all good non-food rewards.  I really feel great getting out of sweats and elastic!  Here's some more:

1.  Massage
2.  Main/Pedi or just one of them.
3.  A trip to Bath and Body Works!
4.  Go to a department store, like Macy's, and let them do a makeover on you!
5.  Throw a party for your friends and have all your new healthy food.
6.  Buy something at www.mythiryone.com/poppies/  (Had to throw that in.)

Some tips for clothes shopping:

1.  NO BLACK! lol
2.  (Basic Black only for mix and match.)
3.  LOOK at yourself in the mirror.  It really isn't as bad as you think it is.  Look around you.  We're like in the fattest country in the world! Everyone is thinking the same thing!
4.  You're too hard on yourself.  Cut it out.  The mirror will show you what looks good.  Really.
5.  Try on things you wouldn't normally try on.
6.  Forget flabby arms.  You wanna sweat with your long sleeves to cover the "swing," or do you want to be cool?
7.  Buy ONLY pants that zip.  Except one or two pairs of yoga pants or shorts, or course.
8.  Buy jeans.  I started wearing jeans again at a size 28, and it made me feel human again after all those years in lycra and cotton elastic pants.  YUCK!
Take someone who will be totally honest AND NOT CRITICAL with you.
9.  Buy cheap while you are losing.  (Walmart, Target, Thrift stores in rich neighborhoods --HA!)
10.  Are your friends and family proud and don't know what to do when you hit your mark --except throw you a party with food you can't eat?  My family and friends have told me for years that once I hit my goal weight, they would get an outfit or two for me.  Ask your friends to take you shopping for an outfit, a girl's day with cocktails or coffee, and celebrate the new you in style.

Losing What I Gained

Ugh.  I gained 8 pounds over a couple of weeks.  I lost 7 of them last week.  That's a good thing.  Every once in a good while, I plateau, get frustrated and eat a handful of pounds on.  I need to remember to exercise it off.  It's ridiculous, really, to keep playing with the same pounds.  I know, it's hard with all the cookouts and summer parties, but there's always something to celebrate.

I went to a party the other night, and ate like I would at home.  I ate half a plate of delicious salad, some meat, and a spoonful of mashed potatoes.  I even passed up the oowie gooey dessert my friend made and her chocolate cake.  It looked so good, and some even had a slice of both, which I have been guilty of myself in the past.  But ...

I've had enough cake in my life.  It's back to my commitment and back on track.  Are you with me?

Let's start with yoga!  Let's all do this 35 min yoga video.  Just push play!  It's Jillian!

My New Business

In an attempt to earn money while writing, getting out to meet people, and having a little fun, too - I started as a Consultant for Thirty-One Gifts, and it is working to keep me occupied enough to cut down eating a lot.  Snacks are gone.  I don't have time for them - not between this awesome company and my own writing.

Why mention this?  Nothing but shameless self-promotion... I have a good reach with this blog, and I thought that some of you will be interested.

FIRST person to make a $60 order of products alone, (plus shipping and tax), will win a free gift!

Here's the link for you to take a look at what I have to offer through the company.   Feel free to put your order under "Kristina's Catalog Party."

https://www.mythirtyone.com/poppies/

Also, if you are interested in selling Thirty-One, message me! :)

One Week On, One Week Off...

And I can really tell the difference.  I did not exercise as much last week, and I really am lethargic and sleepy.  I also ate off schedule.  I must go back to my first week with Jillian.  The pounds melted off.  I hope to continue that.

I am now two sizes smaller than I was.  I'm all over the 22/24s.  I'm so excited that I can buy things in the store now, and not just online.  I've got more confidence, and I'm moving with better flexibility.

Here's one of my favorite recipes from Jillian's first week, that I tweaked a bit:

Turkey Patties

1 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup black bean and corn salsa
1 egg
Touch of cayenne
Dash of cumin
Black Pepper

Mix all, Make four burgers, and either grill or broil till meat is done - about 6 minutes on each side.

I'm eating fish several times a week, and I need to find new sources of protein that are vegetarian.  I get tired of not only fish, but meat in general.  I am starting to feel heavy when I eat it.  Not fish, but other sources of animal meat.  It just sits in my stomach, making me feel heavy.  Don't get me wrong, I love some good steak or roast.  As a butcher's granddaughter, meat was how we survived, and he brought home good cuts for his family.  So, while I never see myself as a total vegetarian, I would like to go that way several days a week.

Weigh Day After My First Week With Jillian!

And ... drumroll ... 11 pounds gone!  I totally skipped the sixties.  I weigh 259 now, and I am starting to feel stronger and happier.  My mood definitely improves with the exercise.  I even missed two days of exercise, due to a procedure at the doc on Monday.  That pissed me off.  I didn't expect it.  Anyway, it's all good.  I will do one more week of this kickstart plan, since I didn't exercise those two days, because that's a lot to miss at an hour and a half a day.

I feel like I'm on the Biggest Loser in my house.  Ha!  It's so hard to say no to so many things, but I am eating more than I was, so I think I really did reset it this week.  The foods will expand next week, and there are some great recipes in Jillian's book.

Eating Yesterday:

Breakfast:    Greek Yogurt with cinnamon and almonds
Lunch:         Chef Salad
Dinner:        Flounder with veggie medley and small amount of pasta.

Yeah, I know - no carbs on the first week.  Another reason I will be restarting it.

Jillian is Kicking My Ass!

I'm not going to lie.  This is a rigourous, tough program.  It is exactly what I needed, but after being sedentary so long, the exercise is killing me.  Luckily, today is my one day off for the week.  Working out 3 times a day is quite a lot, but it is like Hell Week.  Jillian is pushing hard this week to get my metabolism back to a normal level.  I think it's really something.

I have weighed, but Wednesday is official weigh day.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Hope it stays or shows more of a loss.

Yesterday -
Yogurt, almonds, and cinnamon
Salmon
Celery with almond butter
Tilapia with spinach salad

Today:
Eggs, Lox, and Onions
Chef Salad
Yogurt with honey and pecans
Turkey patty with a salad

It's an easy-to-follow meal plan, and the exercise is easy.  Well, putting it in the dvd player is easy.  Doing it is a whole other story!  It was very hard on my third day yesterday.  I came up with a solution to the hardwood floors and my knees - knee pads!  Duh.

I have two things about eating: you must eat early in the day to jump start your energy, and you must eat all your alloted calories, or you'll be starving by nine.

Off to REST!

JJ Day Two

Ha!  I didn't wake up today with the energy I had yesterday.  I was sore, tired, and not into anything.  I had to drag myself out of bed, make myself eat breakfast, as I usually don't, and push myself to exercise.  All day was a struggle - until I did my workouts, and then I had more energy and I wanted to make dinner...

Speaking of food, today I had:
Scrambled eggs, avocado, and tomato
Salmon for lunch
Salsa Turkey patty with carrots, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, and avocado.

I did not get my snack in today, as I needed to make dinner earlier than usual, so if I get really hungry, I can have the snack, although it's supposed to be after lunch.  It's celery and almond butter.  I have done the workouts, and I am full of extra calories for today, so the out-of-place snack won't be too bad.

Workouts:  Secret morning extra activity, Jillian's DVD 2 from Body Revolution and the Cardio.  Tomorrow, I have to do two cardio DVDs, giving my muscles a rest.  Sunday is a rest day.  Only one this week.  I can't wait.

I can report that between yesterday and today, I have more energy, I am happier in general, and I started back on my novel.

Hmm... maybe there is something to living well!

The Jillian Journey

From now on, known as JJ for short.  I began her 90 day Body Revolution today.  Time to amp up the exercise and weight loss.  I have 145 more pounds to lose.  I'll take it 25 at a time.  It's overwhelming otherwise. 

Today's Exercise:  Body Revolution DVD One and Cardio One, with a bike ride.

Food:

Breakfast:  Greek non-fat, plain yogurt with cinnamon and sliced almonds.

Lunch:       (Was not hungry.)

Snack:        Hummus and baby carrots.

Dinner:      Filet Mignon and dark green salad with tomatoes and olives.

Now, I know I have to eat everything, as I am exercising so much, but it's hard to eat regularly after having bad eating/time habits.  I will start earlier in the morning.  I will also start exercising earlier, because I did the DVDs back to back, and I was very weak.  That's from no lunch and not working out in a while.  

Getting back to my life is difficult, but I have a great support group, and one of them is my stepmom.  She is amazing.  She is in her sixties, and she runs!  Such an inspiration.  She has more energy than I do, so I need to get moving.  

I also need to eat that dinner in the kitchen that's waiting for me!

Have You Given Up Your Resolution Already?

Did the Superbowl do you in?  Was it those cute little girls selling cookies?  Are you just tired after a month of exercising and dieting?  Ready to give up?  Already have?

Don't Give Up!

Why?

1,  You promised yourself.  You are the most important.
2.  You'll only panic before swimsuit season, when you start this madness all over again.
3.  You've already made a financial investment:  food plan, exercise, or more - don't waste the money.  4.  You are a role model for everyone you know.
5.  You promised yourself.

Many of you have talked yourself right out of exercising and eating right.  I'm guilty myself.  There's always tomorrow.  What, you say?  Begin today?  Okay!  Only if you do...  Get back on track with me, and forget those January blues.

The Truth - The Christmas Gain

It was the truffle.  I had one, just one, before Christmas, and that's all it took.  I didn't binge, but I ate too much.  I gained 9.5 pounds.  Almost the Holiday 10.  I've lost 5.5 of it so far, and I have a new helper...

Jillian!  I'm back with Jillian, and her "Body Revolution."  She's really good.  The workouts are fun and change frequently, so that you don't get bored.  I completed exercises I've never done before.  Now, the ugly truth is that I only did Jillian once this past week.  The first time.  I was a jellyfish the next day, but I will be back at it, as I know it's the only thing that will get the weight off.  You can't lose 200 pounds without exercising.

The Body Revolution is something I will report on daily in the "Jillian Journey."  It will keep me accountable.  And, I will take new measurements to be posted soon.  I have new sizes as well!

Back at it!   C'mon, I know you all are waning.  Don't give up and don't let the Superbowl ruin your plans and get you off track!  

I'm Not Perfect

It's hard to swallow your pride.  It's hard for me to admit that I have flaws.  I'm human.

From Christmas to New Year's, I gained seven pounds.  Kills me.  However, I know with a good week of water to flush out the salt and toxins and some exercise will fix the problem quickly.  I hope.  I so wanted to make it through the holidays having KEPT IT OFF.  Now, according to the numbers, I did lose more than I gained over the holiday period, which I count from Halloween to Jan 1st.

I have to be happy with that.  However, I have to get back on track.  I know I will keep gaining if I don't get a grip on the food and exercise as well.  We've been eating out lately and not kept a lot of food on hand, as we have both been busy, so I will have to remedy that.  If the food is here, healthy or not, I will eat it.

First Step - Clean out your fridge and pantry and put good food in it, and if you can't do it all at once, then take a few bad things out at a time, switching them for something healthy that you like.

Second Step-  Go on Live Strong and My Pal Tracker (both free), and track your weight on My Pal, and on Live Strong as well, but Live Strong has more content.

So, I'm not perfect.  But, I'm not done yet. :)

Diet is "Die" with a T

Okay, this is controversial.  I detest diets, food plans, and diet products.  Note: They may work for many people, and I'm not about to say if it works, don't change, but these did not work for me:  6 times for Weight Watchers, 3 Redbook Diets, Atkins twice, Gym plans, the South Beach Diet, Richard Simmons Meal-A-Deal twice, liquid diets, and when I was a teen- diet pills.  NONE worked for me.  They only made me more fat.  However, I know people that are on some of the popular programs, and they are doing well.  Can't take that away from them.

Diets just don't work for me.  I had to have a full-blown food overhaul and intervention.  I intervened, and refilled my fridge, freezer, and cabinets.  Hey, even my purse has healthy snacks.  But, once I let go of my favorite junk food, fried food, and other assorted bad habits, all you are left with are healthy choices.  It truly is a change of lifestyle.  People told me that for years, and I didn't believe them, but it's true.  You can't go back to the way you were eating, as that will put the weight back on.

Don't think short-term.  Think long-term, no matter how little or much you have to lose.  The habits you make in your resolutions or goals should be forever.

Resolutions? I think not!

There is a difference between a resolution and a goal.  Everyone makes resolutions, and they don't mean anything.  Why?  Here's the definition of resolution:

1. a firm decision to do or not to do something.

   intent, plan, aim, and decision

   • .

          the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

          "the peaceful resolution of all disputes"

The first word is "intention," and that is not a set goal.  It's simply the intent to do something.  Intent, aim, plan, and a decision don't include ACTION.  You can make all the plans and decisions you want, but they aren't full of movement.  They will sit there like a lead balloon.

Here's the definition for a goal:

"A result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end."

Set goals.  They require more than a plan.  You have to carry them out, or there is no use setting them in the first place.  There is a beginning and an end.  

My goal for this year is to lose 100 pounds.  It's just less than 10 pounds per month, and I know I can do it - if I exercise a lot.  My goal is to exercise 3-5 days per week.  If I maintain the exercise, the pounds will drop.  I don't "plan" to put into action; I am going to do it.  

You set goals every single day.  You always have a "To Do" list.  Put yourself on it first.

Milestone: Over 50 Pounds Gone!

51, to be exact.  I lost four more pounds this week.  I made my goal for the year!  Now, I could take this as a license to eat, particularly the week before Christmas, but I just want to see if I can lose through Christmas.  Wouldn't that be a miracle?  Lol.  I'm a little excited, forgive me.

My weight loss is showing in other ways:  My pants had a hard time staying on yesterday, and that means shopping!  I'm going the day after Christmas.  My fingers are not as chubby.  My feet are even losing!  I don't need a wide anymore!  My face is smaller, and I have cheekbones again.

I have much more energy than when I started, that's for sure.  I get a lot more done, and I feel better.  After getting out the polluted stuff: salt, soda, etc..., then beginning to lose weight, I have a huge appreciation for anyone trying to lose.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done.

But, I'm doing it. :)

New Year's Resolutions

Do they ever work?  I've had a bad habit of not keeping them.  My number one goal is to lose weight, which is why I didn't start losing till last March.  On purpose.  I got through the "Resolution" time, all the ads for losing weight that they put on during the first of the year, and my own guilt for not starting.  You may say that's a bad strategy.

This is the first time I've lost this much weight (March to now) and kept it off.

I have wavered some days, but I'm losing without a resolution.  Don't worry about missing gym membership specials, just join when they put the specials on for "bathing suit" season, or start with just food in January, if you must start in January.  Why not start now?

Okay, maybe that's asking a lot during holiday season.  But, you can start with small changes.  I did that for two years before starting to lose.

1.  Cut out soda.  Don't do it cold turkey; do it over a week, weaning yourself off the caffeine gently,           cutting out those awful headaches.
2.  Drink water between drinks at a party or just before a meal.
3.  Get a scale.
4.  Decide where you are going to begin: starting exercise and food intake is difficult to do at the same time, and really sabotages your "live it," not "diet."  You will have these habits for a long time.
5.  Plan meals.  It helps.

That's where you can start, and forget about losing until you've done these things.  That's all.  No stressing about weight, just beginning with a few alterations.  It can be done.  

Four Pounds in One Week!

I am thrilled.  To maintain over this period of the year would be a miracle, but to lose, well- that's my Christmas present to myself this year!  I am that much closer to my year's goal.  I have to say, I didn't set that goal in the beginning.  It was only to feel better, breathe easier, and move with less pain.  It's working.

In September, I felt good enough to make a personal goal, the catalyst being my step mom, and I set it at 50 for the end of the year.  50 pounds.  Wow.  No wonder I felt so lethargic and did not want to move. I can't imagine it, but I wish for it.

What helped with the weight this week?  No holiday food, no take-out, no soda, and drinking a ton of water.  I drink a glass of water before every meal now, so that it fills me up a bit.  It's a Weight Watchers trick I learned years ago, and it works.  And, it does not hurt you.

I want to pull Biggest Loser numbers by January.  I think I can, if I'm working out.  My step mom fussed after me today for not exercising regularly, and she's right.  I have the flexibility in my day, more than enough opportunity, and no excuses.

P.S.  Check out this artist on Face book.  He's taking orders now.  Carlos Cabaleiro! 

There Was A Loss Last Week

I was looking at the tracker online, My Pal, and I have 277 in there, and I weighed 276 last week!  I did lose a pound over Thanksgiving.  Whew, all that whining for nothing.  However, I'm going to put it on this week, since I will weigh on Wednesday.  That was a nice surprise!

I can report that not much tastes better than losing weight.  Seriously.  After being heavy for so long, it's nice to see the scale cooperating.  If I worked out regularly, which I have let slide, I would lose weight far faster - like Biggest Loser numbers.  At least up to 6-8 pounds a week.  Basketball was taking it off of me really well.  We are having record warm temps, unlike the rest of the country.  Hmm, looks like the court is calling.

As I decide what I will and will not eat over the holidays, I have to keep in mind that it will take that much longer to lose any that I've gained, and also any that I didn't lose by staying the same.  I must keep moving to lose the weight, because it is the goal, and I shouldn't let all the temptation get me - AGAIN, as it has in the past...