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November 30, 2007

Kitchen update

I’ve posted the before and progress photos of my kitchen here:

http://www.i-love-this-house.com/kitchen.html

It’s certainly a no frills site but I just had to get the pictures up. Everything takes me twice as long these days because my mind is a little overwhelmed with managing everything. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel and it feels great. I’ve been feeling great throughout the whole process but my mind is a bit fogged, not unlike when I was pregnant (but I’m not.)

In other good news, I didn’t gain an ounce over Thanksgiving (of course I didn’t lose any) and I went to the second Pilate’s class this past Tuesday.

It’s tough writing a post when not a whole lot has changed other than my kitchen. Of course I’m still trying to make positive changes is my life it’s just going very slowly. I’m very busy each day just living. The thing I’m happiest about is that my moods are certainly more stable and I’ve been feeling overall really happy. That is a huge accomplishment. Now I have to figure out how to move forward or change things up a little bit.

Posted by hopeful @ 2:49 PM • Comments (7)

November 21, 2007

Breaking old habits

Last night I cut out of work early (or on time, which is early for me) and I didn’t know what to do with myself (and my daughter). Surprisingly spending quality time with my most precious loved one wasn’t the first thing to come to mind. It should have been a no-brainer, but it wasn’t. Instead, I found myself pondering what food service place to go to or what mall would my daughter dislike the least. I was looking for a quick fix.

I played tug of war with myself and thank goodness, goodness prevailed. I really had to think hard about an activity that my daughter and I would enjoy doing together that didn’t entail money or eating. It being cold, rainy and dark early didn’t help matters. We belong to the YMCA that has a fantastic indoor playground, but it’s a little further away, more of an ordeal, and I was hoping not to get home so late. We decided to go to the library and it was perfect. We played computer games, read books, and I got to look up a few books of my own.

It’s not like we’ve never been to the library before, we go a lot actually (mostly on weekends though), but those old habits die hard. My first instincts were to involve food and money for thoughtless easy activity.

So while I may not be exercising my body as much as I should, I am exercising behavior changes. It’s all part of the game.

Posted by hopeful @ 1:40 PM • Comments (5)

November 20, 2007

The Wrigley’s gifts have been rewarded

Thanks all for participating! Those receiving the gifts will be contacted via email (probably have already).

My progress has been at a snail’s pace and I’m just happy to be maintaining my sanity (same ole’ story). I’m actually feeling pretty good. I know it doesn’t provide a lot of weight loss excitement but that’s where I’m at.

This morning I went to a Pilate’s class that I promised my back I would attend. I’m so thrilled I went because I came very close to bailing out. It seemed that time was slipping away from me on so many different occasions before actually getting there. I woke up late, my daughter was going nuts, and I caught every red light, and so on. Yet I arrived with minutes to spare.

I really had a lot of anxiety about wearing my yoga pants in public. My side profile is a perfect circle and I felt nearly nude. I haven’t had this level of sensitivity before. Maybe I was a bit anxious about the class and being able to do the moves. My stomach nearly prevents me from bending over, chin to chest is about as far as I can get.

Aside from remembering to shave my legs, it all went pretty well. In regards to my stomach issues I had to modify the poses but still got a great workout and it made my back feel great.

So now I’m good, I’ve broken the ice and should have no excuse to not go next week.

Posted by hopeful @ 4:54 PM • Comments (1)

November 13, 2007

Biggest Loser/Wrigley’s Blog Tour

Wrigley’s and NBC’s The Biggest Loser have teamed up to do a blog tour and today they're stopping here.

Below is our interview with Wrigley nutritionist Molly Gee. Molly Gee is a registered dietitian and communications consultant with more than 25 years experience in health/nutrition communications and the clinical management of obesity. She is Also a dynamic leader in the American Dietetic Association (ADA). In recognition of her dedication and contributions to dietetics, she received the ADA’s Medallion award in 2004.

Thanks Molly!

1) What made you want to become a nutritionist?

Food has always been at the center of my world. As a child growing up in the kitchen of my parent’s Chinese restaurant, I knew that my family’s livelihood depended on selling delicious foods. In high school, I met a Registered Dietitian who inspired me to look into the science of food and how it relates to health and happiness. I’ve never regretted this decision to become a Registered Dietitian.

2) Is it true that your body has a natural body weight that it is comfortable at, and no matter how much dieting/exercise you do, your body will fight to return to that "natural weight" even if that weight is technically considered overweight?

In 1982, the set-point theory suggested that body weight is regulated by a control system as an explanation for the difficulty that chronic dieters had in losing weight. It’s not that simple and does not provide an excuse for not trying to achieve a healthy weight. Scientists continue to explore the complex mechanisms that regulate food intake and energy balance which consequently results in body weight. What we can do now is to control are the calories we eat and the calories we burn through physical activity.

3) Are low-carb diets really safe?

Always let your physician know when you are starting a new diet or exercise program. The National Academy of Science has set the Acceptable Macronutrient Range for carbohydrates in adults at 45 – 65 % of total calories. Following a very low carbohydrate for long term carries some potential health risks like an increase of keto-acids which may result in bone mineral loss, elevated blood cholesterol and increased risk of kidney stones.

4) From your experience what are the most common mistakes people make in their weight loss journey?

-- Most people suffer from “all or nothing” thinking. They have to be “perfect” on a diet or they can’t lose all 50 pounds. In other words, they are simply on or off a diet. Losing weight is a life-long journey.

-- People get in a hurry to lose weight. Start with small steps which will make the biggest difference over time. Substitute a 5 – 10 calorie piece of gum like Extra instead of reaching for a high calorie treat. Check out: http://gumisgood.com/walkandchewgum/ for some more great tips, food and activity journal and even a grocery list.

5) If you're overweight and never ate a lot of refined sugars are you at less risk of diabetes or does that not make a difference?

Sugar does not cause Diabetes. People with a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and are overweight are at higher risk of developing diabetes. Hispanics and African Americans have a higher rate of diabetes.

6) Many diets have the disclaimer regarding "consult a physician if you have or ever had an eating disorder". Are these tendencies ignited or fueled by dieting or is it just a safeguard?

It’s always a good idea to let you primary physician know about any change in diet or activity as a safeguard for your health.

7) What is the single most important change that a person can make on their road to becoming healthy?

First, identify why you want to make a lifestyle change. Are you motivated by your health, the welfare of the family, a milestone birthday? Keep focused on that long-term goal.

Next, keep a journal on food and activity. Write down everything you put in your mouth and the number of steps you take each day. This makes you accountable and increases your chances for behavior change.

****

Wrigley and NBC’s The Biggest Loser are giving away 10 Walk and Chew Gum sets. These include a pedometer, a water bottle, gum, and a bonus Biggest Loser DVD. I'll be giving away some to everyone who helped me come up with the questions and the remainder go to the first commenters on this post. I will email the winners and let you know what you need to do to recieve yours.

Posted by hopeful @ 8:04 AM • Comments (7)

November 12, 2007

Totally too honest

I’m not really sure what’s wrong with me today. I am dying to go out to eat. I’ve wanted to munch all day and I just want to get out. I tried to squelch that desire by having a glass of wine. Now I’m buzzed (it was a very big glass) and want to go out more than ever. It’s been very hard for me to focus at work today (this is before the wine).

I kinda wish I could be knocked out until this passes.

Posted by hopeful @ 5:36 PM

November 6, 2007

Slowly chipping

I’m continuing to do pretty well. Everyday I just try to eat a little less and move around a little more. These are very slight changes so I don’t feel like I’m making any crazy sacrifices or doing anything drastic that won’t work over the long haul. I feel like I’m eating what I want and there’s a little less focus on food. It helps me feel a little more normal (yes Mia, I just want to be normal).

Not having a kitchen might be helping too. I don’t eat so much because I don’t want to wash dishes. I just bought paper plates tonight so hopefully that doesn’t counter the dish washing theory. And having so much to deal with is a nice distraction to keep my mind off of food.

My back is doing much better so I’m not looking at months of immobility like last time. I’m planning on taking a beginner’s Pilates class at my gym (I know, I forgot I was a member also) to strengthen my back and everything else. It should be just enough for me to handle.

I think I've been losing about a half a pound a week or so and I feel good and less yo-yo-ee for longer periods of time, now that's progress! I weighed 195 this morning.

Here are some progress pictures of my kitchen from before to demo. More to come. My husband isn't thrilled by how he looks in these :-).

(Click the jump below to see the pics)

Posted by hopeful @ 11:29 PM • Comments (8)