Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

Even though I’ve been eating well for the most part, I’ve noticed that I’ve started making more exceptions than I should have with certain foods, and I’ve also been a little more lax with my work outs. The results have been an extremely slow downward movement on the scales, and the past few weeks, no movement at all.

I want to reach my goal this year, and my choices aren’t working to help me get to that point- so I’m recommitting myself to my program and to the process. Personally, I believe that we have to do that from time to time- remind ourselves why we are doing what we are doing, and check ourselves for lack of better terminology.

I know that statistically 90% of people who lose weight gain it back and then some on the long term, and since I like to be part of the minorty instead of the majority, I plan to fall in the 10% that DOESN’T gain the weight back, which is going to mean understanding this way of life and keeping myself in check.

If you’d like to join me on this continued journey of a new lifestyle, please feel free. The more the merrier, and we can only benefit- each and every one of us.

I’m officially going on a sugar detox starting right now.

I believe that Samantha and I ate our way through the chocolate capital of the world- Belgium, and we had some of the most delicious bon-bon’s in the world. Rich, creamy, and downright sinful.

How I managed to make it through the last two weeks without gaining weight is beyond my comprehension, but I’m not complaining- I’m grateful. We had fun, we shared our chocolates- each taking one bite, so each chocolate was split into three’s (with the exception of the chocolate orange flavors- I didn’t share those- but there were only three in total), but it was so good. We ate chocolate covered strawberries at Godiva and sampled some of the funkiest flavors from The Chocolate Line, plus nibbled our way through everywhere in between.

The downfall- I now officially need a sugar detox. I admit it- I’m addicted, and now I’m craving sugar… So not even a grain of sugar for me- so don’t tempt me!

Sugar is the devil in disguise- trust me.

“They” (they being Mr. Weatherman) say it’s going to be the warmest day of the week today- with temps around 75 degrees.   I know, I know-  it’s nothing compared to what’s happening at my parents place, with the high temp yesterday at the 100 degree mark, and that’s without the heat index by.  I’m sure it was more like 115 or something, which does not make for time well spent outside, unless you’re at the beach, or in the shade with something cool to drink.

Even though our temps aren’t going to be nearly as hot, my poor legs are still killing me from the stair climbing adventure on Monday.  Thankfully, it is getting better, but I’m not there yet.  It still hurts to walk, which means no ellipticals for me today. It also means no biking, no long distance walking. I guess what it does mean, is that I’m going to relax and enjoy myself yet another day.

I do need to hobble to the grocery store for a few things, but I do believe that’s going to be the extent of it.

Tomorrow, Marcel’s graduation. Yeah!

Since I haven’t mentioned it much lately due to lack of time, I wanted to share a little update on my progress with my weight loss.

The scales finally started moving again after a time of stagnation, and I can’t tell you how happy I was about that. I had really started being too hard on myself, stressing about everything, and even though I was making the right choices AND exercising, the weight wasn’t coming off. I finally realized that there’s definitely truth to stress causing a stand still on the scale, or even a possible weight gain.

Eventually, I was able to work through some stress that I’d been going through on many levels, and like magic, the pounds started coming off again. Slowly, but there is a downward movement and that’s what matters to me. I plan to reach my goal this year, and it’s actually in sight. A light at the end of the tunnel, and it isn’t an oncoming train!

I’ve made some decisions for my life this week- things that are really personal, but something I’ll probably share more about later. It’s something I’ve been considering for a while, but a few days ago several things happened that seem to confirm my feelings, so I’ve got to make a plan and set it into action.

More on that at a later date, I think.

One funny thing that happened this week was that I was in the supermarket- one that I use to visit reguarly and haven’t been to in a long time. When I was checking out, I heard someone say, “You’ve lost alot of weight haven’t you?” and I didn’t recognize the cashier so I certainly didn’t think she was talking to me. I looked up, and she was looking right at me, and she repeated her question again.

She WAS talking to me. I know I blushed, but I responded with yes, I had- and she proceeded to say that she recognized my husband, but didn’t recognize me- She said she kept looking to see because she didn’t want to ask me, and it not even be me.

I couldn’t help but laugh. We talked a little while, and off we went. It was a good feeling, but I still feel odd about people stopping me and wanting to know how I’ve done it.

Ironically, not an hour later, we were voting, and one of our old neighbors (who moved and we haven’t seen since) walked in. She was talking to Marcel, and I was voting. When I walked up, she looked up at me, shocked, and practically yelled my name. She followed it with- Oh my gosh, I didn’t know it was you. Look at you. Then her face got serious, and she asked if I was sick.. I laughed, told her I was indeed NOT sick. From there, she asked if I was taking Fenphedra– again, No, I’m not. Are you taking other diet pills? Come on, tell me how you did it. Did you have surgery?? Again, No.

After about five more of those urgent ‘tell me now’ questions, I finally explained to her that I’d lost the weight with diet and exercise-nothing more, nothing less. That different things work for different people, and that’s what works for me. Then she wanted to know if I was going to the gym etc..

Luckily, she received a phone call about that time and I was saved by the bell. Marcel and I made a mad dash out the door before she could get off the phone and ask another question.

Right now, I think I’m going to have breakfast, and head out the door to enjoy the sunshine with my favorite guy. I hear that the strawberry farm is open today, so I want to see about picking our own. Nothing better than fresh strawberries.

When I started this journey that I’m on to a healthier lifestyle- I thought that eating the right foods and getting the right amount of exercise would be all it would take for me to see the pounds fall off. Granted, I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, but those aren’t the only factors that play a part into the weight loss journey AND a healthy lifestyle.

Let’s take stress for example- Did you know that stress could actually cause you to gain weight, or to have you spinning your wheels in spite of all the efforts you are making at the gym and how great you’re doing with your calories? It can.

Sleep- that’s another important factor that plays a huge factor in health and weight loss. Sadly, alot of us suffer from sleep deprivation, but there are actually foods that can help increase your chances of a good nights sleep.

I came across this article today from Quality Health, and I thought it was worth sharing.

Six Foods that Help You Sleep Better

You probably already know that food can give you energy, but can it help you fall asleep, too? Here, six that can help you catch your z’s.

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This morning when I got up, my rings were tight on my fingers, which is how I know if I’m retaining any fluids. I decided that I’d still get on the scales, and have a peek. It’s been a little over two weeks, and I wanted to know if there was any sort of change, even though I knew I was retaining fluids, so didn’t expect much.

I stepped on and noticed a loss. It wasn’t a big loss, but it was a loss, and I would imagine if I wasn’t retaining fluids this morning, that the loss would have been even more. I’m happy about it- because I know I haven’t worked out due to those monthly cramps, but yet I’ve been really careful about staying on track with my food, so I know I’m on the right track to reaching my goal later this year.

It’s a great feeling seeing those numbers continually going down on the scale! Yeah!!!

I find this article to be common sense, considering the amount of calories that are in a serving of Soda, but I do know there are many people who just don’t consider liquids when they consider their calorie consumption.

I thought this article was definitely worth sharing- after all, education IS key.

Soda Drinkers, Beware

Studies now correlate an increase in certain health risks with soda consumption. For four years, researchers tracked the soda drinking habits of 50,000 women. When women went from drinking one regular soda drink a week to at least one a day, they gained an average of 10 pounds during the four year period. An increase in body weight was also seen when consuming fruit drinks, but not with diet soft drinks. In another study of 90,000 women, those who drank soda or fruit drinks daily had about twice the risk of developing diabetes compared with those who drank soda less than once a month.

Currently, the federal government is considering its first-ever warning that soft drinks can cause unhealthy weight gain. While soda sales have nearly doubled during the past 20 years, so has the percentage of obesity. Battle lines are being drawn and the debate is heating up.
Should a warning be issued concerning weight gain and soda consumption?
Should there be a ban on soda commercials during children’s television programs?
Should soda be eliminated at school?  (Currently the sale of soda helps fund many school activities.)

I’d love to know what YOU think-   This article courtesy of Sparkpeople.