Little Actions Eventually Equal Big Results

Day 27 - No Bingeing


I thought up a new breakfast today that satisfies me. I had been eating yogurt with fruit which is 3 points. I love the low point value but some mornings I just want a carbohydrate. Yesterday I tried a muffin with almond butter and skim milk but that was too many points at 8.  Today I had a Van's Waffle and added some strawberry jelly for .5 points, with fruit on top.  The point total was less than 5, which is workable for me.   


Another new "food find" is pizzelle cookies. I can have 3 cookies for 2 points. Last night I had them with my "banana ice cream". I felt like I was having a substantial and healthy dessert for just 5 points. I think I could make a whoopie cookie by putting cool whip and diced strawberrries between 2 pizzelle cookies.  Yum.


I am still not bingeing. I am staying within my daily WW point total and feeling frustrated with s...l...o...w...progress. I know that slow is the only way to go and the weight stays off better when you lose slowly, but that doesn't make me like it.  I still have the old mentality of wanting to lose 15 pounds before school starts up. I detest the first few weeks of weight loss when you are eating healthy, but still feeling fat. 


Actually I feel good eating this way. I don't feel deprived. I just have to plan conscientiously.  The problems come only when I have to find something to wear for something other than my normal daily summer routine, as my "nicer clothes" are still SNUG.


I am trying to let go of my unrealistic thinking, and just focus on the big picture. If I continue on my path, I can realistically lose 12 more pounds by Thanksgiving, for a total of 15.  I just have to remember that little daily actions, done consistently over time, add up to something powerful.  :)

Woohoo! Down 3 lbs!

Day 24 - No Bingeing

Well my wait is over. I got to weigh myself today - down 3 lbs!  :) Granted it was the 3 lbs I gained just a few days before starting weight watchers, so I think of it as weight that would come off "easier" but STILL. I am relieved. My clothes still are snug and won't feel better for another 3 lbs, but I am happy to know weight watchers is working.

   

As a reward, I promptly ordered The Most Decadent Diet Ever - a healthy cookbook that got good reviews on Amazon. I initially was going to order the new Cook Yourself Thin but then I read a review saying it only had calorie counts and no other nutrition stats for the recipes. The Most Decadent Diet Ever has full nutrition info. I  hope it arrives Saturday so I don't have to wait until Monday. I like instant gratification.  This is probably true of many overweight people.  :)  I plan to try one new recipe this week and post about it.

Don't Complain, Just Work Harder

Day 23 - No Bingeing 


I am still doubting myself. The way I am eating seems livable which makes me question whether it will lead to weight loss. I hope I will feel better when I weigh in tomorrow. I am trying to psych myself up to remain committed regardless of the results the scale shows, though.   


"Too many people go through life complaining about their problems. I've always believed that if you took one-tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you'd be surprised by how well things work out."  -Randy Pausch


I just finished reading Randy Pausch's book - The Last Lecture. It was published a few years ago when Randy was battling aggressive cancer. It if full of advice for how to live your life. The above quote is from that book and I related it to my weight loss situation (in a big way). If I added up all the time I have spent complaining about my weight, it would add up to years! My new philosophy is to talk less and do more. Easier said than done.


Today this advice helped me get started on cleaning / organizing my basement which is something I am always complaining about. 


Some of Randy's other advice that I liked was:


Earnest is better than hip. I'll take an earnest person over a hip person every time, because hip is short-term. Earnest is long-term. Earnestness is highly underestimated. It comes from the core, while hip is trying to impress you with the surface." p. 133


Look for the best in everybody. p. 145


Don't obsess over what people think. If nobody ever worried about what was in other people's heads, we'd all be 33 percent  more effective in our lives and on our jobs. p. 141


Dance with the one who brung you.  p. 147

How Do You Know When You’re at Your Feel Great Weight? - Weight Loss - Health.com

How Do You Know When You’re at Your Feel Great Weight? - Weight Loss - Health.com

Doubting Myself

Day 21 - No Bingeing!


Here I am cruising along on day 6 of Weight Watchers. Things are going great. Just in the past 6 days I have successfully handled going out to dinner, hanging out on our boat, and a mini flood in our upstairs bathroom. I have stayed in my points range EVERY day.  And I don't think I have lost any weight. I haven't weighed myself but I can usually tell. 


I think what is getting to me is that things feel pretty easy.There is certainly extra effort involved (plan, plan, plan, grocery shop, plan some more, prep veggies). It feels easy in that I have been able to find meals that are satisfying to me and remain in my points range.  I haven't run out of points in the evening and been hungry. I have had ice cream twice (measured it and counted the points). I guess it hasn't necessarily been easy, but it has definitely been painless. I can't seem to believe that this will lead to weight loss. It seems too good to be true!


I am trying to have faith. I did weight watchers after graduating from college. I lost about 25 pounds and became a lifetime member. I know I ate everything I was allowed to. At that time it wasn't points, but we had personal selections and optional calories. I ate them all and still lost weight.


Also I looked back at my weigh in book from the last time I did WW. Although I did not lose all the weight, I noticed the first week I only lost 1/2 pound and then the second week I lost 4! So maybe that is just the way my body works.  I am trying to give myself positive messages and remain 100% committed.


However, I do believe that part of weight loss is figuring out what works for you personally. I just hope that what used to work for me, still works for me! This feels livable, so I hope it works.  

The Awkward Phase

Day 20 - No Bingeing

Remember how #4 on the 10 Pitfalls of Implementing Change is being unwilling to go through the awkward phase? Well, I am now in the awkward phase. I am feeling very revved up and super excited about my diet, but I haven't lost any weight yet (probably). So my clothes still feel tight and I feel fat. Ugh. As my daughter would say - Awkward! 


Isn't it funny how when you are enthused and working hard you feel like the pounds should be just melting away?  LOL. I had a freak out moment this morning where I was thinking what if I am positive, and work hard, sticking to WW all week and don't lose a single pound????  Horrors!  


Judith Beck (author of The Beck Diet Solution) calls my freak out "negative fortune telling".  So I ignored that evil little voice inside my head and decided to stick to my plan for a minimum of two weeks before even considering a change. I am telling myself "stick with the plan" and "trust the plan". 


Tonight we went to Massie's - a local restaurant known for its Italian food. I did not want to overeat and did not trust myself to eyeball an appropriate portion of baked ziti or homemade spaghetti. Instead I ordered filet mignon and a baked potato. It was still tricky because the menu didn't state how many ounces the filet was and I couldn't whip out my handy dandy scale and weigh it. My salad also came drowning in dressing. Disgusting!  There was probably 1/2 cup and I forgot to ask for it on the side. Overall, I felt successful since I ate my dinner but definitely didn't overeat. I also skipped my normal evening snack.

Eating Well and Feeling Great

Day 19 - No Bingeing


Today is a beautiful day and we are headed out on the boat with the kids and a friend for each of them. Eating on the boat is challenging, due to there being lots of junk food - chips and chocolate chip cookies. However, I  am on day 3 of WW and feeling STRONG. I am headed out with a plan. Mind you my plan involves a 14 point lunch with potato chips, but the important thing is I have planned for it. I have adjusted the rest of my day accordingly.


My breakfast was cantaloupe from the vegetable stand with blueberries and yogurt.  Yum. I love this breakfast. I can't believe that over the last 4 months I have managed to do without carbs at breakfast (most days). I used to always, always, have a carb at breakfast. It wasn't a habit I thought I could change and remain satisfied. I surprised myself. Good lesson. It pays to try and change habits. Sometimes the change isn't as painful as we anticipate.


Even though I don't know if I have lost any weight yet, I feel better when I eat well. I just feel more strong and healthy and even thinner.  I must remember that on days when healthy eating feels like a prison sentence.  :) 


Last night Emily somehow left her sink water running while she got in the shower. The water overflowed the sink! Of course, Emily didn't notice over the noise of her shower. My husband was in the basement and water came trickling down the wall. He flipped out! The clean up was really stressful because David was overreacting and not acting like himself. Both kids ended up crying. Afterwards, I did get an intense urge to binge. However, I stood strong and ignored it.  

Weight Watchers Day One

Day 17 - No Bingeing


Well whadda ya know? Day one of Weight Watchers hasn't been bad at all. Usually I struggle with hunger for the first 2-3 days.  I had an apple mid morning and I think it held me better than my usual 100cal. nut pack. That just shows that even when I get in a grove and have my go to snacks, it pays to mix it up once in a while.


In the past, I always used ALL my weight watcher points, and I always still lost weight.  I will probably divide my weekly points up - 49 points, so 7 a day.  


Today I am trying to "save" some of my points (12!) for a cup of ice cream tonight . If I can't manage my hunger and still save 12, I will go with an Edy's Fruit Bar for 3 points. I love the coconut ones.  

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to WW I Go...

Day 16 - No Bingeing

No bingeing but definitely too much eating. I gained 2 pounds this week, primarily because last night we took friends out  on the boat to dinner and then Ben and Jerry's. The above photo was taken before we left for dinner.  I ate pretty well at the restaurant but had a waffle cone with heath bar crunch afterwards. Today happened to be weigh in day, so I had to face the bad news. Ugh.


The bad news is I  now weigh 137. I felt mopey all day, although I am sure not getting enough sleep fed into that.  The good news is my misery spurred me to go to my local Weight Watchers Center and pick up the new points plus program.  I had been resisting doing anything structured or involving counting. I think it makes me hyperfocused on food and in the long run, I don't know if that is good. However, I feel gross and I have a trip to NYC in 3 weeks. I don't want to be at my peak weight for that. So, back to diet land I go.  Weight Watchers has worked for me before. Not every time, but one time I achieved lifetime status. I am going to try and trust the program. I went on line today and got all set up.


"Change can be hard, but sometimes if we embrace the opportunity to start over and change our own attitude and mindset, we can create something that is more meaningful." I read this quote on an education blog today. The blog is written by a principal in Canada - George Couros. He was blogging about his move to a new house, not weight loss. However, I do think it applies to weight loss as well.

Two Weeks Binge Free

Day 14 - No Bingeing


I haven't binged in two weeks! I define a binge as eating with an out of control feeling, and eating clearly past the point of being full. Naturally, I don't usually binge on healthy stuff. Last night was pretty challenging though. I had that "want to eat like crazy" feeling. It was after some parenting frustration. I did do some "serial eating" but did not binge. I define a binge as eating with an out of control feeling, and eating clearly past the point of being full. Naturally, I don't usually binge on healthy stuff. I think there is more room for me to slip on the weekends, when I try to do intuitive eating, rather than counting calories.


More Reflection On Implementing Change
#4 on the list of Pitfalls of Implementing Change is not being willing to go through the awkward phase. For some reason, I connect this to pregnancy. I thought it was awkward when I started gaining weight, but didn't have that obvious pregnant shape yet.  I just looked like I had been eating too much ice cream.  :)  I never thought about weight loss as having an awkward phase. I usually get in a groove fairly quickly. Perhaps the awkward phase is when my new behaviors aren't quite solid enough to be considered habits yet.  Or when my new habits haven't started to give me results. In terms of exercise, I would say the awkward phase is longer. It takes me longer to feel competent. Trying new things can feel awkward - especially in the fitness arena, where I feel like an imposter.


At the store today, I paid $9 for Barney's Almond Butter. Outrageous!  But I have really been wanting to try it.  Good thing I like it.  


My goals for this week are to log my food on spark (drudgery but necessary) and to exercise 3 times.

Ice Cream Realizations

I did a little ice cream experiment today. The flavor of the day was peanut butter at Rob and Deb's. I had promised myself for several weeks that I could have it when the day arrived, but I wasn't wholeheartedly wanting it today.  I felt quite ambivalent and indecisive. I went and had it anyway - afraid that I would later resent not indulging.  I ate the whole flurry and I realized a few things:


Ice Cream Realizations
It doesn't taste as good to me as it used to. This particular ice cream isn't "worth it" anymore.


This is not who I am anymore ....someone who drives 15 minutes to Rob and Deb's solely to get ice cream and come back. It just isn't that important to me.


My body speaks to me in fleeting whispers. I have to listen oh so carefully to hear the whispers in time to act.


I need to reflect on fear. In this case I decided to get the ice cream because I was anticipating and fearing feeling deprived. Fear in the moment is one thing, but anticipating fear? How often do I make decisions like that?


I wasn't one in the moment with my body today. I was basing my decision on an unknown future.  No more fortune telling. I need to be hearing my body in the moment and have my "head in the game".

A big part of eating for me is texture. Today it was the way the ice cream got all "melty" and had the chewy little chunks of snickers. I think sometimes texture reels me in more than taste.


When I make my banana ice cream (just frozen banana, milk, and cinnamon) it doesn't cause me to "crash" afterwards.


Fudge Brownie a la Mode is still worth it for me, when I eat it in moderation.  

Back on the Treadmill

I decided today that all the reflection and insight in the world isn't going to take off weight. Action will!  Small actions done consistently over time, add up to big results. So, I stepped back on the treadmill for a 25 min. workout. I alternated running and walking.  Nike does know what they are talking about with the "Just Do It" campaign.  


I like the ad below. I contacted the girls on the run organization today to ask if they have any groups in my school district. I like the idea of empowering girls.  The ad sort of explains what my goal for myself are.....to embrace myself, yet challenge myself, and ultimately celebrate myself.

Reflection on Excuses

Day 13 - No bingeing


I am thinking more today about excuses for not losing weight. I think one of my biggest excuses (even though I don't say it to myself or acknowledge it in a straightforward way) is I'm not that big. Fortunately, my weight does not mean I worry about fitting into a booth or breaking a chair. It does not add any risks to my health. I think subconsciously the price of not changing doesn't always seem so terrible.


However, my weight does make me uncomfortable, more inhibited, less confident, negative, and unmotivated. I am trying to own this and keep it at the forefront of my mind, so I can attack the problem. At the same time, I want to be careful not to harp on myself about my body because we all know that doesn't lead anywhere positive.


"You need to know where your finish line is, and that's not just some number on a scale. It's the way you want to feel physically and emotionally. It's the way you want to relate to the people around you and respond to the situations you encounter."  -Lisa Delaney

If It Wasn't Hard, Everyone Would Do It

It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.   -Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan in "A League of Their Own"

Procrastinating and making excuses is the third pitfall to implementing change in your life, according to M.J. Ryan, author of This Year I Will. (see July 13th entry entitled Ambivalence for complete list)


Weight loss is one of the few areas I procrastinate in. I kid myself by pretending I can just diet sort of halfheartedly.  Making excuses is much more of an issue for me than procrastination. Some of my typical excuses are:


I'm too ___________. (tired, stressed, depressed, overwhelmed, etc.)  So what??


It is too hard!  If it wasn't hard everyone would do it. It is hard, but rewarding.


I just don't feel like it. (usually in regards to exercise)  Oh well! I do lots of other things I don't feel like doing.


Other people are thin without doing what I have choose to do. The choice is mine. This is about me, not others.


I have "adjusted my thinking" and bolded my new messages to myself.


Keeping the blog helps me stay focused and the photos help me face my reality. This is a tough one to face.

Day 12- No Bingeing  :)

Committed to Losing Weight

Day 11 - No Bingeing


Number 2 on the list of Common Pitfalls to Change is "not making a serious commitment".  


I am definitely guilty of this one. I often do this halfhearted dieting thing. I have to remind myself that doing the on and off thing does not work.  Losing weight takes serious commitment. I can continue doing the halfhearted thing or I can get serious and take off the weight.


Serious commitment means I am ready to sometimes be uncomfortable with  my actions. I am ready to make sacrifices in the name of losing weight. For example, it takes more time to shop regularly and prepare my fruits and veggies. Planning ahead takes more time and effort. There will be times it feels pretty easy to eat well and there will be times it feels tough. Having a commitment to my goal means that I continue on my course, regardless of how I feel.


I do not have to be Wonder Woman. I just have to want it enough to make it happen.  


I managed to eat my absolute favorite ice cream (Stewart's Fudge Brownie a La Mode) last night without a binge. Yum.  

Setting Specific Goals

Day 10 - No Bingeing

This is the reality of what I look like at 135 pounds. It may not look too too bad to some folks, but I am only 5"1 and I am uncomfortable at this weight. Many of my clothes do not fit. I am posting a photo to remind myself how I look and feel. Sometimes I tend to fool myself mentally. "I'm not that big. Most people wouldn't consider me fat."  But all the while I neglect to recall that it makes me miserable.

Yesterday I posted a list of 10 Pitfalls of Change. Today I am going to focus on the first pitfall, which is "being vague about what you want". To avoid this pitfall, I will get specific about what I want. 

I want to feel happy about my weight. I want to feel skinny. I want to look my best and feel more confident. I want to enjoy getting dressed in the morning. Most of all, I want to be a healthy role model for my daughter Emily.

I want plan to.....

• completely stop bingeing
• lose 5 pounds by my NYC Trip  8/8/11
• hold weight steady during week in NYC
• lose 8 pounds before school starts  9/6/11
• lose 10 pounds by October 10/1/11
• lose 13 pounds by November 11/1/11
• lose 15 pounds by December 12/1/11
• maintain my weight loss

10 Pitfalls of Implementing Change

Day 9 - No Bingeing


I feel so ambivalent about my eating program. Part of me thinks summer is the time to really "get serious" and work hard at losing weight. The other part of me thinks that always leads to a rebound.  Currently I am just focusing on not bingeing. I don't expect that to bring me much weight loss. That would be fine if I could let go of the idea of losing weight but I can't.  


I really do want to be thinner.  Tiny even. I know if I really want it I have to commit 100% in a much more intense way. I know it will take hard work and sacrifice. Yet part of me thinks tougher isn't the answer.  


Last night I read about ambivalence in one of my books - This Year I Will (by M.J. Ryan) and she states that ambivalence is normal, therefore you should not take ambivalence as a sign you shouldn't move forward.  


Today I found another very helpful page in the book.  It lists the 10 pitfalls of making any change, such as weight loss, getting out of debt, becoming organized, working less, etc.


10 Pitfalls of Implementing Change


1.  Being vague about what you want.


2.  Not making a serious commitment.


3.  Procrastinating and making excuses - no time, wrong time, dog ate my homework.


4.  Being unwilling to go through the awkward phase.


5.  Not setting up a tracking and reminder system.


6.  Expecting perfection, falling into guilt, shame, regret.


7.  Trying to go it alone.


8.  Telling yourself self-limiting rut stories.


9.  Not having backup plans.


10.  Turning slip ups into give ups.


I am guilty of many of these. I think I will try to reflect (in a blog post) on one of these each day.

In a Fruit Rut

Day 8 - No Bingeing


I am being successful with NOT bingeing but I don't know that I can lose any weight on this "plan".  


Tonight Stephanie and Seth are joining us for swimming and dinner (hamburgers, corn, watermelon, etc).


I am getting a little sick of eating the same things, so I need to mix it up next week. Especially my lunches. I eat 2 mini lunches each day - berries and yogurt, then grapes and cheese. It helps me get in my fruits but I don't want to get too bored and then binge. 


I talked to a coworker today and found out her husband has a brain tumor. Scary stuff. Those are the moments that really make you appreciate your life.

Oreos and Milk

Day 7 - No Bingeing


The last 2 or 3 evenings have been a little harder eating wise.  I have had more urges to binge and haven't had that "Hey this is great and I am in a groove" feeling.  Plus, I have been tired. Today I got my period so I wonder if that was the problem. I do not tend to pay much attention to that kind of thing normally. Tonight I "allowed" myself to have 6 Vanilla Oreo cookies and some milk. I stuck to my portion even though I have a loooong history of bingeing on Oreos - especially vanilla and/or mint.  


I feel a little blue. Sometimes at the beginning of summer it takes me a few weeks to adjust. I thought I had skipped over that this year, but maybe not.  


In any case, I have been binge free for one week!  :)

Tough Questions

Day 6 - No Bingeing


I spent 4 hours in the car today without bingeing - a major feat. 


Last night I was looking at photos on facebook and I started thinking about how I want to be thinner, which often leads to me being more restrictive and dieting. I've been trying to focus on sanity, not dieting.  


I am not sure what to think because in reality, I do want to be thinner, but I am not sure it is worth what I have to give up to get there.  I guess I have to ask myself the question, What would I have to give up to be the size I desire? Would it be worth it? What would I gain? It is hard to answer those questions.

Homemade Desserts

Day 5 - No Bingeing


Yesterday evening I had a hard time eating moderately. I did it, but I definitely had the urge to binge.  I am trying to notice these moments and find a pattern. In this case, I believe it was that I felt very tired.  I was feeling worn out from major cleaning and organizing this week and I was lacking sleep, too.


Today was Evan's party, so I was a little stressed but still ate moderately. Evan has Asperger's, so social events are sometimes often challenging. Plus, I did a lot of cleaning, prepping, and errand running prior to the party. What kind of lunatic cleans for a party with 9 year olds I ask you?


I have been eating homemade blueberry muffins this week (in moderation of course). They are so yummy. I really think baked goods must be part of my eating life.  Not every day of course. But maybe once a week I can bake something yummilicious and enjoy it in moderation.  


I think that NOT including baked goods leads to bingeing down the road, due to my all or nothing tendencies.  I include fresh fruit on a regular basis, so why not baked goods?  "Natural Maintainers" do not seem to deny themselves overall. They just limit (naturally) the frequency and portion of indulgences.  If I had a "care tag" it would read - Dose occasionally with small amounts of homemade desserts, for best results.


Although my diets often start with eating everything in moderation (a la Weight Watchers) I always end up behaving restrictively at some point, rather than eating in moderation, and it just doesn't work for me.  In the end, I rebel. Perhaps I do that because I have been dieting since I was about 12! My mom was also a chronic dieter.


I am striving to get the "diet mentality" out of my head. I do want to lose weight, but I am making sanity and consistent moderation my priority. If I don't lose weight, well at least I can become a more "normal" eater and have food consume less of my energy and thinking. 

The Way You Do One Thing

Day 4 - No Bingeing 


I feel good! ( cue music - ba na na na na na nuh)  Eating in moderation feels great, easy even, once I get in a groove.  I feel energetic, balanced, and happy. I have felt this way before.


Yet, something always trips me up and keeps me from making my changes permanent. I guess more specifically "I" trip myself up. I hope blogging and observing carefully will help me figure out what has derailed my progress in the past.


I have a hunch it may be my "perfectionistic tendencies". I took an on line class with Geneen Roth and she said "The way you do one thing is the way you do everything." I had never thought about or applied that statement to my eating. How do I eat? Mostly healthfully. Sometimes I binge (pint of Ben and Jerry's anyone?).  Over time, the implication behind Geneen's words became more clear to me.


I am the kind of person who believes it isn't worth doing if you don't do it well. I feel happiest when I can give something 100%.  


So for example, if I can keep my house super organized and clean I am happy and can relax. If I can only keep it somewhat clean, it bothers me. I feel irritated and unable to relax.


I work too much. (I am a teacher.) I love my job and it is part career / part passion. It is easy for me to get engaged in doing work and not stop to enjoy time with my family. I do work all the time - weeknight, weekends, summer! I do this because I never feel like "good is good enough". I have to make something ( a lesson, an activity, a project) perfect. 


I think I show the same tendencies with my food and exercise. I do it perfectly or I ditch the effort completely. Now I have been through multiple diets in my life (Weight Watchers, Diet Workshop, Diet Center, etc.) and I have heard many times that this type of thinking is not productive. However, I never realized how deeply ingrained it is in me and how many areas of my life it impacts. 


I am trying to learn that "perfection leaves little room for pleasure and joy" and that "sometimes good is good enough".

Finding Nemo

Day 3 - No Bingeing


Adding fruits and veggies into my diet has been pretty easy this week. The fact that it is summer time helps a lot. The produce is amazing, with so much variety. I also am able to make it to the store more often, due to my reduced work schedule.  Additionally, I have more time to fix meals.  


In the movie Finding Nemo, Dory tells herself to "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." This quote applies to where my weight loss is today. I am on a little roll and I need to just keep on going. This is a big one for me, because I always used to do the all or nothing, black or white, on a diet or way off thing.  NOT ANY MORE! My new way of doing things is to be consistent, and enjoy things in moderation.  :)


In addition to getting my eating back on track, this week I am implementing a new behavior plan for Evan, and doing a bunch of cleaning out/organizing, so I feel super productive.  

Day One - Ditching Bingeing and Embracing Moderation

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall."  Vince Lombardi


I am holding this quote in my mind, because yesterday was a classic example of why I struggle with my weight. David and I went boating with the kids and another family we enjoy, to celebrate the Fourth of July. I ate well - sticking to exactly what I had planned all day.


Then, around 9PM I binged on giant Lofthouse molasses cookies (110 cal. each) and milk. I think I ate 6 or 8 and they weren't even that good. I was also not feeling stressed. Sometimes I don't understand myself! Why can't I just have one and be happy? I do sometimes control my eating and just eat one, but it doesn't really satisfy me. I am just overriding my urge to eat more, more,  more.


What is it that makes me not be happy with one cookie? Is it my constant cycle of dieting makes me always feel like tomorrow cookies will be off limits, so I better dig in today???  In reality, I know I can eat all foods in moderation.  Yet psychologically I guess I still feel deprived.


Today I am just focusing on making it through one day eating in moderation - no bingeing. I am going to start a streak of no bingeing.
_________________________________________________________________
PM Update -  I met all my daily goals today and it felt like smooth sailing. I don't understand what makes one day so difficult and another so smooth??

The Power of Two Little Words

One of the challenging aspects of getting healthier is staying the course. The two little words "Oh well" help me do that.


If I don't feel like getting up early to go exercise, I can say "Oh well," and do it anyway.


If I don't feel like making a trip to the grocery store to buy more produce I can say "Oh well," and do it anyway.


If I wish I could be someone who eats endless amounts of food and doesn't gain an ounce, I can say "Oh well," and move on.


Saying "Oh well" helps me remain committed and not get caught up in ambivalence. It helps me not give much weight to negative thoughts that may arise.


I think "Oh well" is the adult version of my daughter's "Whatever" that she uses when she doesn't like my request or answer and needs to move on. :)


I believe it was in the Beck Diet Solution book that I first read about the power of oh well, so credit for this idea goes to Judith Beck. (see resources tab)