Month: July 2018

Just because it’s Saturday doesn’t mean my body knows she has to perform. Fortunately today she did:

Now it’s time to play a favorite game. This is when I take my current weight, and subtract my “goal” weight(s) and think about the gap that separates the two. I’m either 17.2 pounds away from goal; or, 12.2 pounds away from goal. It all depends on my Waist to Hip Ratio (click Day 315  for more information). Then I like to picture what those weights represent. That puts those numbers into some kind of context I can understand. I go  to Weight and Things  Here are my favorite results:

17 pounds

12 pounds

That’s how I roll – roses, and Darth Vader! I imagine giving away a dozen roses or unmasking Darth Vader every few weeks. Neat, right?

Being this close to goal is hard to describe. I just hope that when I get there, I feel as good as I do right now. The closest analogy I can think of to describe my feelings is that it’s similar to looking forward to a favorite holiday.  I am filled with anticipation and hope, I think I know what to expect but I’m not really sure and that’s part of the fun of it. Being on the journey now that goal is in sight, feels like I’m making those last minute preparations leading up to Christmas – the shopping, the planning, the fun of getting ready. I feel that same warmth as I do when I know I’ll be around family and loved ones.  It’s strange but that really describes how I am feeling at this point in my journey.  There is nothing but love and gratitude because the gift I gave myself is better health and wellness. I always believed I could do this and now it’s really happening.

It’s not that I think getting to goal and achieving eventual “lifetime” status is a static destination. I know that in order to maintain my weight loss, I will always have to work at this – I’ve made my peace with that reality.  That’s alright. For today, right now, I am just so happy to be where I am at this moment.

If you are feeling discouraged, I understand that pain. Just don’t give up. There will be better days ahead. If you are in a good place, don’t deny your own happiness. It’s not like you’re jinxing yourself by being happy.  Weight loss is complicated because human beings are complex. It’s a journey you are worth every step.

It’s so weird how the night before weigh-in can feel like I’m playing the lottery. As though I’ve bought my ticket and am hoping to win it big. Of course, there is nothing lucky about weight loss, it is 100% effort and dedication. Part of that effort and dedication has to do with learning to manage portion control, healthy food options, and physical fitness. However, it also has to do with learning how to practice self-care.

Ways to Practice Self-Care:

1 – Get yourself organized! Work out a schedule that helps you be more efficient. You’ll be rewarded with less stress and more time.

2 – Figure out how to get some activity into your life! Regular activity improves mood and boosts energy levels.

3 – Appreciate what you already have!  Practicing gratitude gives us permission to experience joy.

4 – Write! Writing helps to reflect and grow.

5 – Practice mindfulness. Being in touch with inner thoughts and feelings or knowing when you’ve eaten enough are both offshoots of being mindful.

There are many different ways to practice self-care. I wanted to share some of the things that I’m doing, that is helping me.  I encourage you to find what works for you.

A commercial came on TV about a weight loss program, and one of the selling points for their program was that there were no meetings to attend. No need to weigh, measure, or track food. All you had to do was to buy their products and you would shed your unwanted pounds. That is crazy to me. Not only does Weight Watchers offer education, but it also provides an opportunity to grow within a community of others.

At my Weight Watchers meeting last Saturday, we had a discussion about why we get stuck on our weight loss journey. A member was sharing her story, and couldn’t name why she was not making progress. Another member pressed her to consider her “why” and she had such a clear honest moment of reflection when she said, “I really don’t know why I want to do this.” That is such an important moment because it’s the answer to that question that makes weight loss possible.

This is a deeply personal journey.  So yes… I really really have to vest myself in the process.  No one else can tell me why I want to lose weight. I am like all of you, magazines, styles, and trends all have the power to make people feel bad, but that is not helpful. Even society as a whole can put on the pressure to lose weight, “fat shaming” is an ugly reality in today’s world. That definitely won’t help, it only makes it worse. Weight loss happens when the person is ready to make a change. Getting ready involves getting real with “why”.

I was walking down the hallway at school, and I felt so light in my step, that I caught myself thinking I’ve got my energy back. I am so grateful.  I believe we write our own narratives every day. I believe that there is power in story because they define us and shape our lives.  The stories we tell about ourselves to ourselves matter.  So be kind to yourself. Build up your reserves with kindness it helps.

The strangest thing happened today. I had to run out to Stop & Shop (wait, that’s not the thing) and while I was paying for my items the cashier (a woman I didn’t I don’t know) said, “You lost a lot of weight. How’d you do it?”  My two-word answer, the one I’m so accustomed to saying, “Weight Watchers.”

If this is something you want, believe that you can do it. Start small but just start. Don’t wait, because you are worth the effort. You are important. You matter.

Wonder and curiosity were my intrepid passengers on my ride home from school today. Traveling west down the Southern State Parkway I watched the weather change before my eyes. The clouds rolled into view. Formidable, dark, and expansive they seemed to fill the entire sky.  Only a thin line of yellow horizon shown beneath their low hanging bellies as if they were pregnant.

I made it home before the heavy rains started. I ran up to my room changed into comfy clothes and jumped in bed and listened to rain pelt against the windows with the deep rumblings of thunder. Two of my children came into my room and climbed into bed with me and we just listened to the sounds of the world.

Later the world changed again… Like pulling gossamer until it starts to unravel the sky came back home. It was a spectacular display:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

You may be wondering what this has to do with weight loss? It’s a fair question. I believe that beauty can fill us, in other words, finding beauty sustains us. Perhaps not in the same way a delicious meal might, but does satisfy a need. Finding beauty connects me and grounds me in ways that are surprising and familiar. Taking a moment to appreciate the world brings me back to childhood that was spent outside from morning till dusk. Beauty reminds me of freedom and it empowers me to persevere through difficult times.

If you feel like you need a boost, go to a beautiful spot. Give yourself permission to be a quiet observer of the world. What do you see? What do you hear? How do you feel? You won’t want to eat mindlessly after doing this because having an appreciation for beauty wakes us up to all kinds of possibilities.

It’s one of those days… Instead of rehashing what made today challenging, I would rather think about all the things I’ve done for myself that I am grateful for:

1. I have put good habits in place (weighing measuring tracking food)
2. I can distinguish the difference from internal hunger versus external hunger
3. I  found physical activities that I enjoy doing that make me feel strong.
4. I am generous with myself – I say yes to little indulgences like a manicure or something special.
5. I find time to write every single day and reflect about my progress.

What is your list? How do you practice self-care? Thinking about what it is you do for yourself makes you stronger. I call this journey because a journey requires fortitude and perseverance if you are really going to see it through to the end. I can do this, I believe you can too.

I’m thinking about a question that my leader, Bonnie, asked us at yesterday’s Weight Watcher meeting: How are we going to handle the summer and our weight loss goals; were we going to be “full throttle” or “loosey goosey”? This is a very good question. I am dedicating myself to reaching my goal and I’m closer than I’ve ever been.  So engines revving, I’m ready to take that last turn to break away and make it across the finish line. What does that mean? It’s the everyday decisions that will get me to goal.

We had pizza for dinner tonight. It had a thin crust which actually makes a big difference because when I weighed my slice, it came up at 11sp (as opposed to 17sp). So, for pizza, that’s a deal. It was really delicious, and it used up all of my remaining points for the day.  As I went into the kitchen to put my plate in the dishwasher, I thought about having another slice. I paused, and thought, I can have another slice… or, I can just stop and get to goal sooner.  I was not hungry anymore; if I had another slice, it would have been for  the taste of it, not the need to eat. These are the day-to-day decisions that are helping me to be successful.

My search for beauty continues. Every season has something to hold dear and right now I am loving summer. For me, summer is all about fragrant breezes, color, and life and the more I look for beauty around me, the more I appreciate it in myself. I think it’s very important to show love and respect for ourselves as we continue on our own journeys.

Not from today’s walk, but it’s lovely.

Delicate and glorious!

Extraordinary color!

I think this beautiful. My nephew Zach has engineered this guitar it’s a masterpiece already!

These remind me of both my mother and my mother-in-law.

I had a great week in terms of weight loss! I am anywhere from 10 – 15 pounds away from goal, dependent on my waist to hip ratio. I’m not there yet, my measurements were .86. My goal weight is going to be set on these measurements. Just doing that, is a huge victory right there because for my entire life the scale has been the ultimate ruler. Shifting the emphasis from an arbitrary number on a scale (what I thought I ought to weigh) as opposed to something rooted in science and fact is tremendous. Moving away from feelings to facts is a game changer:

A Spirited Meeting

Debate and discourse are becoming scarce in public spaces, and I think that is to the detriment of our society. It is critical thinking that pushes us forward, that is what challenges us to think.  I’m happy to report that debate and discourse are alive and well in my Weight Watchers meeting!

Thank you to my sister, Virginia being that voice that says,  “I dissent!” Thank you to my leader, Bonnie who opened up the conversation and keep us talking and thinking! Obviously, anyone who is sitting in a Weight Watchers meeting has issues with food. Some of us have lots of weight to lose, while others have a few extra pounds to lose. Either way, we all share the desire to lose weight.

I'm presenting both sides to help you think. There is no one right answer. There is only the answer that works for you. The point of this is to think about it and make a decision that you believe in. 

Keep it Steady! 

Weight Watchers has suggested using maintenance as another strategy for members to use on the journey.  The rationale for that maintenance can be a tool to allow members to still maintain control and to protect their weight loss. They are positioning this idea that there are times in life when a person needs a break from weight loss and this strategy allows members to do it within a controlled environment. We have a maintenance setting on the app, we can set it and stay there for as long as we need to.

It’s Permission To Fail

Weight Watchers is a business and it’s not in their best interest if everyone gets to goal. So what does it matter to them if it takes longer for people to lose weight?  It’s just ridiculous because you would have to be counting your points already.  Why would you ever want to go on maintenance if you are not at goal. That really isn’t going to help you in the end. Ninety-nine percent of us are here to lose weight. This is a weight loss program and that’s why we are all here. We are here to lose weight that’s the focus.

I am not sharing what I think because I want to know what you think. So, what do you think? Feel free to use the comments box to express your thoughts. No pressure though. Honestly, I’d really love to read what you have to say.

Summertime and the Avett Brothers make perfect sense to me. They were as good as I thought they’d be – just all inspiring, good times were had by all, and it was nothing but fun. These brothers and their bandmates are all so talented and the crowd responded in kind.  Everyone seemed elated, people were dancing, and everywhere I looked I saw smiling happy faces, there were families and friends embracing, and singing along. It’s the lyrics that draw me to this band. A common theme that I take from their music is one that underscores gratitude, love, and an appreciation for the beauty of life.

I sang along and danced and let go and that’s a good thing for me. I tend to be more conservative.  I am grateful for such a fun time – and for the (medium) concert shirt!

Why do I write? I think it’s being a writer that makes me more aware of life and how it’s being lived. Taking a moment to be an observer is a real gift. It makes me connect to a moment that makes me feel alive.  Finding the right words is honoring life – to what end? I don’t know it just feels right. Maybe it’s trying to reach out and be part of it all to share our humanity. I think I am better when I  understand the connected nature of my life to others. Life is temporary, it is beautiful, and it is meant to be lived. I know deep stuff for Friday morning… this blog is a place for the truth and that’s what I’m thinking about.

I’m also thinking about my weigh-in day. I’d be lying (and I did say this blog is a place for the truth) if I said I didn’t care what the scale says. I’m going to buy a measuring tape today to find out my waist to hip ratio.  I did it using my husband’s measuring tape (the kind construction workers use) and I don’t think I did it right. Why bother with this? My health is a driving force for this journey, and while I can stop aging I can make choices that promote a better sense of wellbeing. Typically, health is the kind of thing I don’t think about until it’s a problem. I’m trying to change that mindset by taking positive steps whenever I can. I wonder, why are you interested in making this change?

I’m closing out this week thinking about goals and how they change over time and what that means. I went straight to Google (because who doesn’t these days?) and found an interesting blog post by Chris Guillebeau, @chrisguillebeau How Goals Change Over Time and What to do About it.  He makes a great point about goals and intention in his piece. If a goal is really important to you, nothing can deter you from achieving it. If you find yourself losing interest maybe it’s not the right goal for your right now. Great point!

I know that when I am fixed on a goal, I think about it all the time. That thinking clarifies my intention, it makes me strategic and grounded. Growth is a process, and changing a goal is part of it. I really like this quote:

“Life being short, you might as well spend your time working toward something you truly believe in.” –  Chris Guillebeau

What I believe is the foundation for my goals and future goals:

1. I believe in the transformative power of writing.
2. I believe that happiness is intertwined with learning.
3. I believe that it’s important to always be open to love.
4. I believe life obliges us to find and celebrate beauty.

When I think about it, I have tapped into all of these beliefs when I embarked on this journey. Maybe, these core beliefs and a springboard for other goals once I achieve my weight loss goals. My next goal (when it comes to health and wellbeing) will be “maintenance”.  How will these beliefs inform that goal? I’m not sure, but it’s exciting to think about. I’ll let you know.

Sometimes I feel like my life is a long, long, long “to-do” list…

I woke up at 4:30 am and went to 5:15 Spin. Check! I lingered a while after class to chat with my friend Jen, who is a real gift to me. She is one of those people who is kind, encouraging, inclusive and generous. She is just the person I needed to help me get a jump start on my day.

I came home and made two eggs, toasted one Joseph’s pita, and 2 ounces of Boars Head Ham (fried with a spray of Canola oil in the pan with the eggs), 1/2 cup cherries, and 1 medium banana ( 3sp ). Check! Amazing, right? That’s a lot of food. After breakfast, I went on to hit my next “to do” on my list. I  am a creator and moderator of a weekly Twitter Chat, #G2Great. That means every Thursday night for an hour I host an educational chat. Check! 

Notwithstanding, tonight will be different, I pre-tweeted my answers to the questions that I wrote with our team about Homework.  Check! I won’t be able to be there in person as I have another engagement…

  I am going to see the Avett Brothers tonight! WOO HOO!

It’d be too easy to fool around all day and just have some fun ahead of this show that I’ve been looking forward to for quite a long time.

However, I have a full day of work ahead of me. I’ll be going to the library to check out some new book titles that my good friend and book guru extraordinaire, Jennifer Sniadecki @jdsniadecki  recommended (if you’re a teacher, follow Jen on Twitter, she’s amazing). Then I”m back home to write more lessons. Future Check! 

Obligations. There are so many and maybe that’s why weight loss efforts get pushed to the backburner. There is just so much to check off the list! How in the world do I take the time and energy required to focus on weight loss? To that I say, how do I not? How can I possibly be my best self if I don’t value my health? How do I compete if I don’t feel confident in my body? Gratitude begins with the most basic of things, like the body I live in.

For every “check” there needs to be some “balance”.  Being inspired by friends, creating something new, appreciating art (yes I think the Avett brothers are real artists), heck eating a good homecooked meal, all of this is as important as anything else. After all, it was really never a list – it’s my life. A life well lived begins by looking around and trying to get a sense of it all.

I’ve said, that I turned it all around when I began to write every day. I believe I’m rewriting my life’s story right here on this blog. Writing pushes reflection. So why do so many of us try to avoid it?

When I got serious about changing my life and taking on my issues with weight, I began learning how to self-reflect. I read this great article by Jennifer Porter, Why You Should Make Time for Self-Reflection (Even If You Hate Doing It. Everything I read, rang so true with my experiences. This is a powerful quote to think (and reflect) on:

“Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. This meaning becomes learning, which can then inform future mindsets and actions.” Porter.  I write this blog to think about my journey, make sense of it, and make a plan of action. This is all true!

She goes on to examine all the things that get in our way when it comes to reflection. Then she suggests some open-ended questions that are a great way to get started. I plan to revisit this article because it inspires me. Check it out.