174.2

I just came across this really concise, clear list of some of the best tips for weight loss that I think also pertain to weight maintenance. It's from a Canadian report published in the March 10, 2011 Montreal Gazette. Here's just one section of the longer report.

"Think smart.

--Be aware of your inner voice. Think about how the running dialogue inside your head encourages or excuses bad behaviour. As in: "I'll have these french fries now, but just a salad for dinner," or "It's too icy/cold/hot/ humid/late/early to go out for a walk."

--Practise saying "thanks, but no thanks" to colleagues who bring in baked goods or dinner-party hosts who offer yet another glass of wine.

--Learn to recognize true hunger. Before each bite of food, ask: "Am I so hungry that I would eat this even if it were something I didn't like very much?"

--Be especially vigilant around people you love. Research shows that adults tend to eat more in the company of friends and relatives, especially if they are overweight.

--Don't be hard on yourself. It takes about six weeks to form new habits. Be prepared for pitfalls and setbacks. Hitting a plateau is part of the process - the body's way of readjusting to a reduced food supply. If you stick with it, you'll start losing again."

I really like the explanation of the very frustrating plateau issue. I knew that but reading it again was quite comforting. :)

If you want to read more, here's the website.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Maintain+your+balance+when+weighing+diet/4407537/story.html#ixzz1GPCfxXV3

176.6 Stuck In The Mud

I'm not sure why that title came into my mind as I typed in my weight for today. Well, of course I know why, because I am definitely stuck. But usually I title these posts after I write them. Do I have anymore to say about being stuck? Let's see.

I've been here before, not at this weight but definitely stuck. I go through all sorts of mind games when I get stuck, telling myself that this is where my weight is meant to be, I need to up the exercise, I need to cut back on the food, I need to eat different food, do different exercise, etc.... I've written these things so many times I think I could write a song about being stuck. Don't worry, I won't.

But you know, when I keep at it and don't give up, I always start losing again. I remember when I hit the 200 pound mark and several friends thought I looked great and suggested it was time to quit. What if I had given in? I'd still be lugging over 24 more pounds everywhere I went. Now that's a gruesome thought!

And this morning when I picked up Jeff at the airport (yes, thank goodness he is home again!), he said I looked like I had lost more weight. When I said no, I hadn't, he said it sure looked like I had. So there you go. I'm hangin' in there for the short haul. It is so close! No slip slidin' away!

179.6 Like A Broken Record

Today I was talking to a dear friend who has followed this blog since its inception. Recently she became quite ill and was unable to read it for about 2 weeks. She said when she asked her husband how I was doing, he said I was stuck! I admitted that he was so right!

Remember records, scratched records on which the needle would move a little this way and a little that way, but it was stuck in the same place and a few words or just sounds would continually be repeated? I'm like an old scratched LP record!

My leg pain is stuck, too. Ever since my encounter in New Hampshire with the big flying bug, my back has not been right and leg pain is the result. Leg pain makes it hard for me to think about jumping on the elliptical or even taking a long walk. Today we went shopping and after standing and walking through the racks of gorgeous clothes for about 20 minutes, I needed to head home because of the pain. So, in order to move forward, I think I had better check out what's going on with my back doc. Plus, I've got to get it all together for my 50th high school reunion in Palo Alto that's coming up in a week. Go Paly! Go Sue!

194.0 Staying Stuck

I am a little stuck at this weight, but now that I expect to plateau on a fairly regular basis, it doesn't bother me as much. I like this plateau because it is at my lowest weight since being on this program, instead of reaching a low weight and then jumping up a couple of pounds and being stuck there.

So tomorrow is another day. We head home after having breakfast with my sister Barbi and her husband, and guess what? We'll have fish for dinner, with lots of veges and salad. It is amazing how my tastes have changed since I have gotten into this.

196.2 New and Different...For Me

Did you notice the weight drop? Here's what I can tell you that I have changed recently in what I am doing. I have decided that I don't need to eat three meals a day, everyday. (Jennifer has suggested I do this over the course of our work together, but I was always fearful that if I didn't eat three meals a day, I would eat out of control.) What I have learned is that I don't have to eat breakfast as soon as I get up in the morning. And if I am busy and comfortable, I don't need to stop and prepare lunch. What I do have to do is eat with intention, stay very aware of what I eat, and don't let not eating on a regular schedule lead to grazing and/or eating out of control because of feeling so hungry. I am hungry now and it is about 1:30 pm. I haven't eaten yet today, but as soon as I click on publish I am heading into the kitchen to prepare a high protein, high fiber meal the will carry me into the dinner hour. I don't plan on doing this everyday, but I plan to keep this model as something to do that may help me lose when I find myself bogged down, stuck. Try it. I'll be interested in learning if this works for you, too.

Yesterday I wrote about tea without crumpets, or anything else. But since I do strive for honesty in this blog I must tell you that it came to me that I could serve oranges with a little powdered sugar on them and it would not wreak havoc with my intention to lose weight. So I peeled way the skin - I am so good at this that the skin can be removed in one very long narrow piece by turning and slicing the peel away. OK, too much information, but quite a site to behold! Anyway, I sliced them horizontally into about 4 slices-5 slices, added the powdered sugar and voila! My friends truly enjoyed them.

We went to a local, independant bookstore to hear Erica Baumeister talk about her most recent book, The School of Essential Ingredients. Yes, it is about food and I can read about food and not feel sad or wistful. This book is not just about food. It's really about a cooking school, the teacher and the eight participants in the class. After hearing Erica read from her book, I know I am going to love it.

202.2 A Broken Record

Maybe I should say a broken CD, but since I grew up with the term broken record I think it sounds better. My current plateau is feeling like that. Being stuck is no fun, but I am trying to take it in stride. Weight is such a funny thing, or maddening, or frustrating thing! We all have it, but we all handle it differently, and it is very individual. Some folks don't have to deal with it at all, some heavier folks don't seem to deal with it at all (I was one of them for about 20 years), and some have watched their weight continually thereby keeping within about a 2-3 pound range most of their adult lives. I want to be in that third group eventually. Since right now I am proving to be so good at maintaining a certain weight that should be a piece of cake! Ouch! Bad phrase to use right now.

So as I approach the holidays and all that includes (read wonderful food) my goal is to stay steady, to use my inner voice to keep me present and careful, and enjoy my friends and family. That's not too tall an order!

205.4 Get Me Off This Plateau!

Let's just name it! I am stuck, but calling it a plateau gives it a bit of a French connotation, yes? I swam and walked today and was very aware of all I ate, so we will see what happens tomorrow. How do you say in French, "Get me off this plateau!"?

In spite of not liking the scale much lately, I have had some very special things happen. Yesterday when I was out walking I saw two friends who hadn't seen me since last spring and they were blown away by the change in how I look. They said they didn't recognize me at first. And today, a gal whom I hadn't seen in about 2 months said she couldn't believe the change! It was great to hear the praise and delight they shared with me about my success so far. I love the compliments but I am also hearing a small voice saying, "Maybe you don't have to lose any more weight since, according to your friends, you look so good!" But I keep reminding myself that that is not the point, it's just one part of this journey. I want great health, to feel younger, to be able to really play with my grandsons and lift and hold and play with any more grandchildren that I may be blessed with. So lookin' good is good, but reaching my goal is going to be the best.