Thursday, December 31, 2009

I'm in.

I'll have to set my goals later, but I'm in! I've got way too much unpacking and primary organizing to do right now.
Becca
OK sis...here we go. No more talking about it. Lets do this thing!!! (I'm trying to sound really enthusiastic! Is it working?!) No really... postive thoughts here. This was a great idea, thanks Cindy. It will make us accountable! I may even get Dave on here too. Well...maybe, he will probably loose all of his weight in 2 months and make us depressed so on second thought maybe I will not tell him about this! :) So I will send you my goals since I don't know how to post those. I think my main one is to find a nutritionist and make an appointment! I don't think this will happen for me without that! Looking forward to yet another fun journey with you! 2010 here we come!

A Crispy Visitor

Today I found the best diet help...

I was actually going to have a bowl of Cocoa Crispies (I know - my first bad decision), and right as I went to pour the cereal into my bowl, I saw a flash of gray - I stopped and looked into the bag, and there was a mouse. A MOUSE!!!!! I almost ate a mouse. I quickly zipped up the bag and had Alex take it ouside to the garbage can (after he showed everyone). Then, I started thinking about the mouse - what if I hadn't seen it right then?! What if he had finished his meal and skidaddled?! Oh my. Gross. I don't think I'll ever try Cocoa Crispies again!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Start of a Journey

I'm starting this blog for a few reasons...

1. My sister-in-law, Cindy, mentioned that perhaps we should try to get healthy this coming year, and blog about it while we are doing it.
2. I REALLY need to lose a ton of weight - like, 84 pounds, and I need some support.
3. Not only do I need to lose weight, but I also need to work on regaining stength, and exercising more, after a fight with breast cancer.
4. I secretly harbor a fear that perhaps I caused the breast cancer to happen by being unhealthy, and I'd really like to NOT get cancer again.

So, here's the deal - I'd like to track my journey to health, and I'm hoping that someone might want to join me on that journey. Cindy, Becca, Kris, LoriAnne (all of whom are healthier than me) - any takers?

If you want to join me, and become a contributor on this blog, let me know, and I'll set you up.

So, I've got 2 days until the first day of 2010, and then it's on your mark, get set, GO!

I'd love to include ideas about eating right, exercising, and everything that being healthy entails. So, think about what you'd like to see on this blog, and contact me at nafari01@yahoo.com.

Are you with me girls?

Weight Watchers - The ABCs of Weight Loss

I read this in the Weight Watcher magazine July/August 2008, and thought there were some great suggestions here. These were all contributed by successful WW members)...

A - Ask questions (when dining out, don't be afraid to ask your server how a dish is prepared - and request it without sauce or oil).

B - Budget for snacks - you don't have to give up all of your favorite treats, just plan ahead.

C - Cancel the pity party - when you're down about your weight, remind yourself that everyone struggles.

D - Distract yourself - If you're hungry, call a friend, go for a walk, write a letter or email, etc. You'll notice that the hunger usually passes in a matter of minutes.

E - Eat slowly - put the fork down between bites, be more aware of how much you're putting in your mouth.

F - Focus on the presentation - arrange your food creatively, use a larger plate and spread your portions more artfully, it will help you feel more satisfied.

G - Give the new habits time - make a commitment to stick to your new regimen for at least 6 months, it often takes that long for revamped eating or exercise habits to feel natural.

H - Hang out with optimists - The can-do spirit is contagious.

I - Inspire yourself - brainstorm a list of activities you've been putting off because of your weight - it will provide a built-in incentive to slim down.

J - Join up - exercise with others - this often provides a sense of accountibility.

K - Keep your focus - as you lose weight, notice what you're gaining - a healthier diet, slimmer profile, or a new love of exercise.

L - Lighten up your favorite - Use cookbooks that can show you low-fat, healthier versions of your favorite dishes.

M - Make over your kitchen - get rid of trigger foods (those you often overeat) and restock your kitchen with healthy items.

N - Navigate out of your comfort zone - try a new exercise once a week.

O - Opt for the 10-minute rule - Even if you don't feel like it, get moving for at least 10 minutes.

P - Push yourself to try at least one new fruit or vegetable each week - expand your culinary repertoire in a healthy, low-calorie way.

Q - Quit the clean-plate club - stop eating once you're satisfied, and you won't eat tons of extra calories.

R - Reward yourself - if you are looking for a snack after dinner, give yourself a manicure or pedicure instead!

S - Stand up to food pushers - if a host pressures you to eat something you'd rather avoid, tell her you'll try something else on the table - compliment her, and she'll be distracted.

T - Treat your body like a temple - exercise and take care of yourself as if you were an athlete.

U - Use your lunch break wisely - spend half of your lunch break walking.

V - View sweet treats wisely - if you want to shed pounds, you can't eat sweets whenever you like. Find a low - calorie substitute that you can have every day, or limit rich desserts to once a week.

W - Write a gratitude list - each day, jot down 3 to 5 things in your life that you're grateful for.

X - Xerox your exercise moves - find exercise routines you'd like to try in books and magazines, and make copies, then refer to these when you need new moves.

Y - Yearn to accept where you are now - when you fell discouraged by your rate of progress, try to accept and appreciate yourself at your current weight. This might help you hang in there until you start losing weight again.

Z - Zero in on your body - Don't wear big baggy clothes - wearing clothes that fit well to remind yourself of your diet and fitness goals - and the slimmer body your are striving for.

GOOD LUCK!