A New Report

Along with many other changing conditions in my life right now, my weight is also changing! My sister's wedding has come and gone and now I look to my other goal of getting into a safe range from which to get pregnant. I am becoming a big fan of this "standard American" diet because it's easy, even though I know it's not healthy. I don't have to read much past the fancy labels claiming that it is "healthy" or "low-fat" or "high-fiber" and I don't ever have to worry about the manufacturing process or the ingredient list. How pathetic! To know what's right and not do it because it is different and difficult is wrong. However, with my current financial situation (that is, rely on my mother for 100% of the grocery bill) really does preclude me from adopting a different lifestyle.

Plus, it's working...I am now at 188.5!!! It's hard to believe because I really haven't been diligent about my exercise routine. I have, however, cut out 99% of my fast food intake and I have severely limited the snacks (mostly because they are not in the house). Having my mother constantly around really is trying at best but I am learning to appreciate the accountability, but don't tell her that... :) I know that I would not have come this far without my mom's help.

So my goal? I am still aiming at 165 to "remove the goalie" so to speak because I think that it is a pretty safe weight. I want to begin taking pre-natal vitamins because of that all-important folic acid. My vitamin really is a good one to take and I like it! Outside of that, I want to start feeling good again. Lately, I have been really low on energy and I think that it is a lack of water, so that is also a goal, I think that 84 ounces of water should be easy to consume and with practice, I'll get there! We have been teaching the kids about nutrition and why they should eat their vegetables and proteins and so on, so that has been entertaining.

Yeah, all in all, I think we are doing well and though I am not losing weight fast enough to set any records, nor am I even losing at a "healthy" rate, I am satisfied when I see progress and lack only the motivation to kick it up a notch (or two).

So how are you doing???

Evening Snacking?

I was on SparkPeople tonight and one of the message boards asked what you do about night-time snacking. Here is my answer:

I have two different strategies. The first is to plan ahead; if I have done this successfully, I will grab one of those (ridiculously expensive but very convenient) 100 calorie packs of my favorite junk food. I eat them very slowly, savoring each flavor in my mouth and I always eat at the table. Drinking a full glass of water before I do that is even better. The other snack I have are the 100 calorie popcorn bags. I always seem to crave junk food at night (which is when I did all my binge eating...kids are in bed and I don't have to share or explain myself) so eating a banana or something so "healthy" doesn't always work. Even still, often times, I don't plan well enough and am left with no free calories for snacking.

In THAT case, I drink a large glass of cold water, brush my teeth (try varying your toothpaste flavors...even including the "sweet" kids versions) and go to bed! I plan to eat my snack in the morning, after breakfast. Most of the time, I have already planned on a sweet breakfast (lots of fruit and yogurt for breakfast) and I forget about the extra snack. This works well during the day too. Just promise yourself to wait an extra hour before snacking, drink a large glass of water and distract yourself with a hobby or some entertainment. Don't make a point of remembering to snack, but allow it if you remember. I always like to keep controlled quantities of snacks, so I don't have to do any thinking.

Being hungry for a short period of time isn't the worst thing in the world- I know I am going to eat the next day, so when I am feeling REALLY low, I begin to pray for the people who are hungry and DON'T KNOW if they will eat in the morning. That usually puts my cravings into perspective.

So, I am using options two and three right now, going to bed hungry praising the Lord that I don't have to hear my kids crying because they are hungry and I have no food, thankful that I can wake up (God-willing) and eat more food to nourish and sustain my body.

What do you do?

That's gotta help!

I had a tooth removed today.

The process was less unpleasant than I expected and though I was completely against the gauze being in my mouth, the actual procedure was okay. Now, however, not so much. It's not the pain though, because I have very little of that. There is swelling (and oozing...gross!) but that is just plain uncomfortable. What is really difficult right now is EATING. 

Of course that's a dieter's dream!!! I anticipate sticking to a relatively liquid diet for the next few days and have purchased a few cans of SlimFast to help get nutrients. Otherwise it's going to be soups, yogurt and crackers. I am actually looking forward to this. I made some good chicken broth the other day and it's sitting in my fridge just waiting to be used. I will add some chicken and veggies to it and call it lunch (probably dinner too)!!!

I am really interested in my thought process right now. A week ago, I was stubbornly refusing any and all "diet" food because I didn't believe in the low-fat diet craze. Well, I still don't feel like eating "franken-food" is healthy for long-term eating...I don't plan on eating it long-term! My goal right now is to find ways to cut out the junk from some of my regular meals. I am contemplating BocaBurgers as an easy to prepare lunch for myself and am intrigued with their Chik'n Patties, though they are actually more calories than the burgers. These are things that I would NOT be purchasing before, but now, I find myself willing to try them. The other thing I am considering (and searching out recipes for) is a grilled vegetable spaghetti sauce. I have heard good things about this type of recipe and think I'm almost ready to try it! Pair that with a large salad and a small serving of pasta and I've converted a "not-so-good" meal into a keeper!

The bottom line is that I can feel the change- I want to change right now. Still having to figure out what to do with working out, but just changing my food habits is a good start.

Weight's been jumping around on me; yesterday I was up to 211 and today I'm down to 209. I like weighing in daily, but I guess I don't take it too seriously. It's the feeling that counts...its just the numbers that can be measured.