I'm not immune to it! LOL   Got upset about something this afternoon and self soothed with chocolate.  Granted I was also hungry at the time (that's the big hard pretzel I ate) but I was also upset (and that was the three minature Peppermint Patties and the handful of raw almonds).   The good news is that I also talked to a friend to feel better and I stopped the chocolate and didn't keep on going.  It seems to me this is a perpetual learning process.  Tomorrow Buc and his family come up for cooking lessons, a walk/run and a nice long visit... and the weight training he's got ready for me to start.  Should be a great weekend!!

 

Buc - that's a huge change for you.  I agree that in the past you would not have figured that each day mattered but agree, every day of your life counts.  Whether it's going through with a workout, changing your dinner portions or even taking a purposeful day off working out when your body needs a break - every single day matters.  I think that is a new way of thinking to most of us who have strugged with our weight and body image.  Last night I went for a beautiful twilight run and didn't focus on speed just enjoying the distance and the moment.  But all things can lead us to a better life.  I enjoyed that run immensely and this morning noticed a leg muscle I'd never met before.  Even one three mile run changed me.  All the days ahead will take  us closer to being the people we choose to be, not the people we thought we were stuck with by genetics or circumstance.

I usually work out at night after my kids are in bed. Tonight I fell asleep and slept through the time I usually work out. Before I really committed myself to this, I would have given myself the night off and said one night won't make that much of a difference. Tonight when I started going through the excuse of why I could take a night off, I realized this isn't going to work if I don't stick with it every day because one day leads to 2 days, 2 days leads to 3 and so on and that's another big part of why and how I ended up this way. I have to fight and struggle sometimes to convince myself it's all worth it, but every day it gets a little easier and slowly seeing results and making progress towards a new healthier me will make it all worthwhile!

I'm glad you've found your peace on this issue Bev. I still struggle with it mightily at times. I'm doing much better, but there are always temptations. I learned very bad eating habits growing up. Sweets when I was happy. Salty greasy things when I was sad or upset. They became my friends and my hiding places. I was painfully shy and hiding myself away in a "larger than it needed to be" body. So food filled voids when I didn't have the self confidence to find better healthier choices. Hindsight always being 20/20, it greatly saddens me to look at those old pictures of myself and remember how horribly fat and unattractive I thought I was to anyone and now realize that I was overweight, but far from the size I had projected myself being in my own mind. So I hid away instead of risking rejection and did in time grow bigger and bigger through emotional eating. It's a long walk out of that long cold dark corridor, but slowly, day by day, I'm going to find my way.

 

On the bright side, I did stay within my points again today and spent another 90+ minutes walking, riding my recumbent bike, stretching and a few other exercises.

You've heard of the saying some people "live to eat" whereas other "eat to live"?  Well, somewhere in the last month I switched from living to eat to eating to live.  As I pondered what to have for lunch today, I decided to have to okay tasting leftovers figuring they were't great tasting but had the nutrition I needed to get me through the afternoon.  That's when it hit me that my relationship to food had changed.  I used to spend lots of time thinking about my next meals in terms of taste and satisfaction.  And granted, taste and satisfaction are still important.  But nowadays, I think about the nutritional value of what I'm eating first.  Will it give me enough protein and fiber?  Will it leave me hungry 30 minutes later or will it stay with me until my next meal or snack?  What effect will it have on my blood sugar?  And if I'm running that day, will it give me the fuel I need to run?   It's a major breakthrough for someone who used to eat for comfort, fun, entertainment, etc. - just about any reason other than to live!

Days away from work scare me because as odd as it may seem. I have a set schedule that I eat at at work that I need to work on at home. I did stay on my points and journal, so that helped me mentally. I managed to get in 90 minutes of exercise today through walking, riding my recumbent bike, weight lifting and stretching. The more physically active I am always helps me maintain a better outlook and seeing and feeling improvement is always awesome!

 

I greatly enjoyed our chat too Bev. It was helpful and insightful for me. I'm very much looking forward to trading tips on the things we excel in individually. And yes with some hard work, sweat and dedication, you can definately get those buff arms Bev!

I hit the 55 total loss mark today for my overall loss since Decembeer 2006!  My daughter told me tonight that I'm her role model for healthy eating and exercise and she is proud of me for losing weight and changing my life.   It doesn't get any better than that!

 

Buc and I had a great chat this afternoon about our upcoming visit.  I'm creating a personalized cookbook for him with my favorite healthy recipes, and he is figuring out exercises to help me tone up.  Now I'll confess to something I've always wanted to have, but never imagined I could achieve.  My weight training goal is to have well defined arms like Linda Hamilton's in The  Terminator!  Buc seems to think I could get there so I'm going to go ahead and put it out there as a goal to achieve!!   

Seeing the 5 poound loss on the scales this morning was a thrill. And I'm even more excited about doing this journey. I know I can do more and look forward to the challenges ahead. Ok they still scare me a little, but I'm not as scared! :-) To celebrate I went for a 2 mile walk this evening with my kids. They are a great inspiration to me, as well as my wonderful teammate! I owe myself to do this. I owe them my best efforts for their support and encouragement.

 

Way to go Bev! I'm not sure I'll ever get the thrill out of running that you do, but seeing and hearing your excitement and enthusiasm surrounding it are wonderful! I very much look forward to sharing any kind of weight training tips with you in trade for cooking lessons! You do have fire insurance, right? ;-)

Today the kids and I went for a run and bless them they both ran/walked a mile.  I ran 2 miles before I got super tired and thirsty - I think it was lack of water.  After getting a drink from the car and walking a quarter mile, I was able to finish by running the 3rd mile.  I only just began running in September 2007 and then could only run down a hill.  It is absoutely amazing to me how well my body has responded to slow gentle running.  Now I'm up to 3 miles, 3 times per week.  My goal is to run a Spring 5K and then a Fall 10K.  Tonight we'll go to the movies and I'll enjoy some airpopped popcorn from home.

Buc - It seems to me like you are standing at the crossroads now of making a change that will forever improve and extend your life.  You've got the exercise part down pat - you excel at it!   Learning to cook is what is going to get you where you want to go and keep you there.  You're absolutely right that this is where your key to success lies. 

 

How about we schedule a weekend visit to that will help each of us?  You can teach me some strength training exercises and I will teach you how to make three easy, healthy meals.  In fact, I'll just be the coach - you will do the actual cooking.  I truly believe that if you learn and use new ways of eating healthier you will begin to have a dramatic weight loss that will astound you.  And better still, once you've lost the weight you will keep it off!    I learned to exercise.  You can learn to cook!

I think one of my biggest issue is not having much skill in the kitchen (I wish I had your talents hon!). So unfortunately I tend to go with quick and easy over healthy too often. Too much processed foods in my diet, but I am reading the labels again and trying to do better in that regard. I'm also journaling daily, which does help me keep track.  I had a good day food and exercise wise today, er yesterday! lol Thanks for the tips!

We had a snow day today which meant no school for the kids, no run for me, and temptations to eat more than usual!  I tried a new turkey lasagna crockpot recipe that smelled so delicious it was Very Tempting to overeat at dinner.  I did have two helpings but successfully resisted a third. 
 
Let's hear some of your food choices Buc - where are your trouble spots and what healthier choices have you been making?  I try to eat low GI foods as they keep your blood sugar more level, decrease hunger and satisfy you longer.  One tip that has stuck with me is the the closer a food is to it's original form, the better it will be for you.  An obvious example would be french fries vs. steamed potatos.  Chicken patties vs. baked chicken.  You can do this Buc!!  I hit 192 this morning - time to chase me down the scales!

I continue to do better with my activity level than my diet. I might need that kick in the rear Bev! ;-) I'll be happy to help you with strength training if you can give me tips on the healthier eating! Deal? I journaled again and I'm staying within my points. I just feel I can do better. I look forward to getting back out on the track with you running girl, if that's ok!

Turns out I hadn't run in a week and it felt great to get out there this evening.  Ran 2.5 gentle miles while watching the sun go down - what a glorious way to end the day.  One of the most surprising things to me as a new - and very novice - runner is how great you feel when you are done.  I had no idea it was so relaxing AND invigorating.   Good healthy eating today... between that and the run, maybe I'll see my weight dip tomorrow?

 

Great idea to grill chicken breasts Buc!  Next time we see each other I'm going to need some advice on strength training.  It's my major area that needs improvement right now - especially in my arms.

 Way to go Bev! I'm still struggling with my eating, but I am increasing my activity level. I also started journaling what I ate today. Thanks for the suggestion hon! I've done it before and was  much more successful when I did journal. It's a small, but very important way of holding myself accountable for everything I put into my body. There is no denying it once it's in black and white! As for healthy dinners, I bought us some boneless and skinless chicken breasts to grill to go along with our salads.

 

When will you be out running again?

I lost a pound today!  My weight bounces around a bit as I lose but down it always better.   I ate very carefully yesterday to help balance out from the extra goodies consumed this weekend and it paid off.  Had turkey meatballs for dinner and will enjoy a cup of hot chocolate before bed.  I haven't run in four days but it feels like much longer.  I never used to exercise before last September but now I really miss it if I don't get three runs in a week.  Go figure - people really can change!  

 

Hey Buc - great job getting back on track with your workout.  What healthy thing will you have for dinner this week?

I got back on my regular workout routine tonight after a 2 week vacation and a death in my family. I lost a cousin who was only 40. He had a masive coronary. He was a large man too, so his death hit me very hard. I have to do much more to improve my health for myself and for my kids. They deserve it and so do I. I did walk while on vacation, but let myself go with my eating and regretted it. :-( It felt great working up a good sweat again tonight on my bike and lfting weights.

I had a great weekend with houseguests and we ate out for almost every meal.  I'm working on finding ways to eat healthy while still enjoying myself and eating regular food.  The trick for me seems to be portion control.  Child entrees offer the same yummy pancakes but just two instead of four.  Another tool was sticking to having just one serving... which is not to stay I didn't sneak in an extra bite to Susan's fabulous breakfast pizza.  We took long walks both days and this morning I was delighted to see that I'd maintained my weight. 

He were are - just beginning our Biggest Losers Couples Challenge!  I'm excited about the upcoming changes in our health, attitude and bodies.  I've lost 50 pounds in the last year but I'm excited about seeing some big changes yet to come.  My challenge will be to lose the rest of my weight and gain strength and endurance as a novice runner.  Supporting Buc to succeed and reach his goals is something I whole-heartedly believe in and I look forward to taking this journey together.