Today I planned out my meals for the week with a renewed sense of purpose. Just because I'm back to including a few more food groups in my diet doesn't mean I sacrifice taste. I chose "Farmers Delight Chili" for my lunch this week, and am making "Greek Bruschetta" for the third time for use as a snack. And I have just happily returned from the kitchen to rest a bit before making an Indian inspired stir fry that I love called "Mellow Yellow". It uses a lot of tumeric, so the chicken turns a golden yellow color.
Now that I have my awesome new apron (a recent birthday gift), I can sit rest-assured that I am not getting flour on the couch. It's a wonderful feeling. Now all I need is one of those tarps like they use at circuses during elephant performances. I am not the neatest cook, and I hate cleaning floors, which is why there may be a small ecosystem forming behind the stove. Or the refrigerator. Probably both. For the last several days, the cat has sat staring intently at one of these two appliances, tail switching in anticipation of....something. I am hoping that whatever it is just stays back there, because soon I will be forced to do something about this. It involves cleaning (deterrent #1), but also involves removing many items which are stacked decoratively on top of the surfaces (deterrent #2). But worst of all, it could involve extermination or exhumation of creepy, crawly, or even furry animals (huge deterrent.)
It could also be a cat toy, or nothing. For now, I am going with that.
Showing posts with label restart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restart. Show all posts
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
New Routes
When Adam and I were commuting from Erie to Baltimore every other weekend, the drive began to get a tad predictable. More than once we found ourselves veering into the other lane or pulling off for scary naps in parking lots in which any random passerby could break the window and commit all sorts of unthinkable crimes (I think I have thought of most of them thanks to my affinity for murder shows and Stephen King novels). I usually opted for pounding caffeine pills so it would be mid week before I could ever sleep again.
The point is, the six hour drive became Boring with a capital B. So we began experimenting with alternate routes. Although some routes took as much as 45 minutes longer, the break in the routine was enough to keep us from (almost literally) dying of boredom.
With this philosophy in mind, I have created a new spreadsheet. This one focuses on servings rather than meals, and will hopefully be more accurate. It does basically the same thing and is just a different means to achieve a smaller rear end. I thought of going cold turkey and scrapping the dang dorky spreadsheet, but I don't think I can handle it. It is simply too easy to lie to myself when it is not spelled out right in front of me. It is not as though I try to forget the brownie I ate on my way to the printer, but I do - or at least I forget to factor in the calories.
I also went back to my old strategy of the mini-goal. This week's goal is to adopt a trick I read in "The Dorm Room Diet": drink a glass of water before every meal. I know I don't drink enough water - unless the kind mixed with malt and hops counts**. As a result, I often feel achy, crampy, and just plain icky. I have also read that many hunger pangs are actually triggered by thirst. Most of us are apparently just ignoring or misinterpreting the thirst, which I have never understood. Why can we not accurately listen to our own brains??
** It doesn't.
The point is, the six hour drive became Boring with a capital B. So we began experimenting with alternate routes. Although some routes took as much as 45 minutes longer, the break in the routine was enough to keep us from (almost literally) dying of boredom.
With this philosophy in mind, I have created a new spreadsheet. This one focuses on servings rather than meals, and will hopefully be more accurate. It does basically the same thing and is just a different means to achieve a smaller rear end. I thought of going cold turkey and scrapping the dang dorky spreadsheet, but I don't think I can handle it. It is simply too easy to lie to myself when it is not spelled out right in front of me. It is not as though I try to forget the brownie I ate on my way to the printer, but I do - or at least I forget to factor in the calories.
I also went back to my old strategy of the mini-goal. This week's goal is to adopt a trick I read in "The Dorm Room Diet": drink a glass of water before every meal. I know I don't drink enough water - unless the kind mixed with malt and hops counts**. As a result, I often feel achy, crampy, and just plain icky. I have also read that many hunger pangs are actually triggered by thirst. Most of us are apparently just ignoring or misinterpreting the thirst, which I have never understood. Why can we not accurately listen to our own brains??
** It doesn't.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Quiz Time
Well, it has finally happened: I officially strayed this week to the point of no return. Was it...
a)...the cake? No exaggeration - I ate chocolate, vanilla, walnut, brownies, burnt, blueberry, lemon, and ice cream cake this week. Burnt? You say? Yes - I unsuccessfully made cupcakes for my upcoming party, but did not throw them out. Instead, Adam and I have been nibbling away at the good parts.
b)...the lack of exercise? Only went to the gym twice this week, and haven't walked since Tuesday.
c)...the margaritas? With extra strong tequila?
d)...all of the above??
I think you know the answer.
However, it is Sunday morning, and I have a renewed sense of purpose in this weight loss thing. I returned to my old habits last week, and I realized that I am not ready yet. For the last few weeks, I have been very happy that I managed to achieve half my goal, but the fact is I still do not fit into the range on those blasted charts which tell me how much I should weigh. I do not ever remember fitting into the range on those charts. Quitting now will only make me have to start ALL OVER again. Again. (I have been attempting to reverse my natural cake consuming character unsuccessfully for years...)
You know, I blame the cake for my plateau, and that certainly has had its affect, but the real reason is that I have been HAPPY with myself. It is an extremely bitter catch-22. (At least in my experience), one must feel BAD about oneself before making a lifestyle change. To achieve motivation, I have to look at my lumpy legs and extended belly, or try on clothes of a size I wish would fit. Now how poopy is that?
Well, I am going to try something new - be happy with myself, and strive to change. Is it possible??? We shall see.
a)...the cake? No exaggeration - I ate chocolate, vanilla, walnut, brownies, burnt, blueberry, lemon, and ice cream cake this week. Burnt? You say? Yes - I unsuccessfully made cupcakes for my upcoming party, but did not throw them out. Instead, Adam and I have been nibbling away at the good parts.
b)...the lack of exercise? Only went to the gym twice this week, and haven't walked since Tuesday.
c)...the margaritas? With extra strong tequila?
d)...all of the above??
I think you know the answer.
However, it is Sunday morning, and I have a renewed sense of purpose in this weight loss thing. I returned to my old habits last week, and I realized that I am not ready yet. For the last few weeks, I have been very happy that I managed to achieve half my goal, but the fact is I still do not fit into the range on those blasted charts which tell me how much I should weigh. I do not ever remember fitting into the range on those charts. Quitting now will only make me have to start ALL OVER again. Again. (I have been attempting to reverse my natural cake consuming character unsuccessfully for years...)
You know, I blame the cake for my plateau, and that certainly has had its affect, but the real reason is that I have been HAPPY with myself. It is an extremely bitter catch-22. (At least in my experience), one must feel BAD about oneself before making a lifestyle change. To achieve motivation, I have to look at my lumpy legs and extended belly, or try on clothes of a size I wish would fit. Now how poopy is that?
Well, I am going to try something new - be happy with myself, and strive to change. Is it possible??? We shall see.
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