Blog#3 September, 7 2009

Instead of writing "Blog #" I think I will just write the date into the title. You know that its a blog. I also found spell check and how to comment on a blog so my mispellings will go away; at least most of them will. To comment, in case you are unsure, you go down to the bottom of the page and click on the word "comment." A window pops up. If it says "try again" click on that and just follow instructions. You will need to know your password. So I'm moving along on the learning to blog aspect of this adventure we're taking together. I call it an adventure because we don't know what exact path we are going to follow, and we don't know the outcome.
I watched a re-run of an Oprah show I had saved on DVR where Kirstey Alley appeared after failing at the diet she had been on and highly publisized with. She apologised to anyone "she may have let down." It must have been hard for her to do that, but I'm willing to bet the one she most profoundly effected or "let down" was herself. The rest of the world was fine. She took on responsibility for people she wantedto help because she's obviously a good person, but I think that was undue pressure. I can see myself doing that. Getting invested in the people I learn to care about and meet on here.
Stress is at the helm of my weight issues. Added to the other factors in my life I have not actually "won" the diet battle. I thought about the kind of stress she put herself under. She didn't mention the thousands she actually helped. That tells me that we have in common the fact that we (perhaps to often) put others first. The first person she publically helped and was very visible on the exact same diet commercial she used to do herself is Valerie Bertinelli. Yes, Valerie succeeded; I mean...she looks amazing! But Kirstey put her in the position. She gave herself no kudos for that and shared the fact that she was unhappy with herself.
I'm sure Valerie is also a good person. I'm sure she wants to help others too. I'm also sure she would credit Kirstey for helping her begin. (Not that I have any inside knowledge...I don't. Just my thoughts.) Good people often see the negative rather than the positive in themselves. Hense being our own worst critic.
Kirstey said that once she wasn't being "watched" anymore, she put all of her excersise equipment in her garage and began the path toward weight gain again. I think I get what may have happened; it's just an opinion as I've said. I think it didn't fit her lifestyle. I think she did it because she was paid to. That's not to say that she didn't really want it- we ALL do, but I think she saw it as work. It was her job and not her lifestyle. I think that part of the reason why she failed is that. Still- she doesn't realize it but she helped many people get themselves on the correct pathway for them. Valerie is still doing that. I think the "correct way" might be an individual thing. That's why this blog is about "lifestyle." Your's and mine might not be the same. This may help you begin and then you veer off on to your own path to success. That's terrific- but put what you are doing on here please! Tell us what you've learned! Help another if you can.
Kirstey said that she believes that there is some kind of "code" to break where weight loss and maintenance are concerned. She said she wanted to break the code. I volunteered to help her! I actually e-mailed Oprah about it. She didn't respond but I still want to do that if I can; break the code I mean. (So, Kirstey if you are out there and reading- feel free to comment! We'd LOVE it!) Anyway, that's why I need your input, ideas and help. Like the two people named here, I too will probably become involved and vested in the people I have rapport with on here. That's where the support system comes in. I do think that is part of breaking the "code" she was referring to.
In my opinion part of the code has to be that its "free." The knowledge I mean. Obviously you have to grocery shop, purchase clothing that fits as you go etc. I will recommend books I've read along the way if I can, you'll do the same... you know the drill. Each day is a new one. Each new one, a new idea, lesson or thought. But free has to be the way to go. Rich or poor, we are all living in a bad economy. We need to put our money in the proper place for it to do the most good. For some, that's putting a roof over your head or food on the table. This should not cost you anything except time. You do have to invest some time. Like I said- it's a long, involved and frustrating process. BUT we're going to do it this time! Together.
I started the day at the mirror. I had literally just crawled out of bed and so my hair was disheveled, my eyes were at half mast...you know the look. I stared at me for a few seconds. I was blank. Just as I was ready to forget it and try again later something stopped me. I looked myself right in the eye and told myself that I was proud of me. I smiled at the girl in the reflection. It was genuine. How about that....
I had one packet of that Weight Control Oatmeal by Quaker for breakfast. I woke up hungry and wanted something to stick to my ribs- so to speak. Hunger and dieting isn't a good thing. At one of the meetings I attended on a past diet they used to say "fill the hole" by using vegetables. My lifestyle will not allow for vegetables to be my breakfast. I'd NEVER stick to that. I ate the cinnamon kind of oatmeal. It was good. At 10am I did not have my snack. I wasn't hungry again until lunch.
At lunch I had a Smart Ones pizza. I will not be continuing to eat the ready made dinners every day but for the holiday weekend they are quick, convienient and tasty. It was lovely. At 3pm I ate a cup of carrots. For dinner I had two lamb chops, green beans and a nice garden salad. I brought the same dinner over to my mother-in-law after my son and his wife left.
My son, his wife, my husband and I all went to the pool. It was a little to cool to swim but we sat out in the fresh air talking and laughing the day away. I wore a sundress. My daughter-in-law (a size 2 if shes that big) wore shorts and a tea shirt. The men wore bathing suits with Tee shirts. No one wore the bathingsuit, but I had full intentions of doing so if we had swam. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed myself.
They brought a huge sandwich from a fast food store and ate it there. I drank my water and stayed clear of the inches-to-my-butt immediate satisfaction the food would have given me, in lieu of the satisfaction I will have later when I slide into an outfit that I love and look great in because I've won the diet battle part of my effort.
At one point my son purchased a chip-wich ice cream out of one of the vending machines. It looked delicious and I am an ice cream fan. I'm not sure why but I didn't even want it. I did remember what the women from my nephews party had said about when you get a sweet tooth attack though. One said to brush your teeth and the craving goes away. I actually knew that and have used it in the past.
The other idea was not one I'd ever heard of. She said to keep cheese cubes or slices available. If you eat cheese, it curbs the sweet tooth craving. She wasn't sure why. I've never tried it but I'll keep it on the back burner. Luckily, I didn't need either one.
One thing I should mention is that I've been writing this blog in the morning. Today is Labor Day, but tomorrow I return to my normal work routine. I will have to blog in the evening. So, if you find a little gap in time, just return the next day and it will be there.
I also wanted to mention that I had a headache as I went to bed last night. That happens to me faithfully, each and every time I begin a diet. It goes away by the next day...and I have to tell you...for me, it's a good sign. Every time I've had it the diet worked.
As you can see I'm not making the diet hard for myself. I'm not measuring, counting calories or any of that. I'm just using the knowledge already contained in my brain, which is free and I'm passing it along to anyone who wants it. I'm going to continue to forge ahead matching some kind of plan to my lifestyle...I hope that by the time we have to "break the code" as Kirstey put it, we will have figured it out together. I'll sign off on that note.
Remember- you look as good as you can for today! Tomorrow will be that much better! Do not let your perception of your body stop you from having a good time. People want to see you, be with you, laugh with you;The package you come in is just a bonus! ;-)