qtgirl

Well, I’ve been drifting along, doing pretty good lately. Not perfect, but pretty good!

I’ve been doing my workouts, eating well, drinking water like there’s no tomorrow.

My calories are in check (I count them). BUT, there is a change I’d like to make.

MORE fruit and raw veg! I have some, but I think it should be more! Everything I read about weight loss involved upping those things. More fruit, more raw veggies. I have cooked veggies too (which is fine) with dinner. But, I’m talking about SNACKING!

See, my tendency is to go for the “carby” things. Yes, I know fruit and veg are carbs too, but I don’t believe all carbs are created equal. (And there is GI and GL to consider).

Let’s face it, an apple is better for you than 5 whole grain crackers. Both have fibre, which has more nutrients, more water, more vitamins? No contest.

So, it’s time for this girl to STEP IT UP!!! This week. I’m focusing in on my fruit and veg!!

Anyone want to join me?
If you’re good with this, great for you! Here’s my question!!! What are you going to focus in on????

Often when I read blogs, I hear people beating themselves up for having a bad week, or a bit of chocolate or a slice of pizza or missing some workout, etc.

I might be wrong, but I don’t feel this is the best approach to take.

It feels like most of us (me too, guilty) focus on being perfect!

This seems to be like a post I wrote before, but I guess I want to say it again (for myself too).

Yes, some nights I might sit home, watch TV and skip my workout. I should have pushed myself, I should have harnessed that discipline. Sometimes I need to kick my ass (or have someone else kick it for me). It’s true. If were all took great care of ourselves we wouldn’t be on buddyslim, would we?

But, sometimes LIFE happens.

We get sick, have to work late, more, etc. The car breaks down, the kids are sick, etc, etc, etc.

Sure, these can cross the line, these can become excuses. But sometimes, excuses are legitimate. That’s why we make them right? Anyone disagree, I’d love to hear your point of view. Maybe I’m being too gentle on myself?

I guess what I’m trying to say is when we focus SOOOO much on our failures, we tend to overlook our progress.

Am I eating more fruit/veg than I used to?
Am I exercising more?
Did I not buy that donut, Jamaican Patty, McDonalds, (all of the above) on the way home this week, when in the past I would have?

Then great. Yeah, I didn’t do everything perfect this week. But I’m making small changes every day and I’m getting there!

So I guess what I’m saying is if you’re going to beat yourself up…fine, go ahead. But do me a favour, list a few things you did well too! Focus on those things too!

Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a two year old learning to walk! Be encouraging and patient!

I’ve been wanting to write a blog for some time now, but haven’t really felt like I had much to say. Things are going well, I feel pretty good! (Isn’t if funny that I feel like I should only blog when things are bad). I’ve worried in the past the if I post about how great I’m doing, it might upset people who are struggling. Silly I know.

Well, I just wanted to give you my thoughts on GOOD CHOCOLATE.

Chocolate is my thing. Really my thing. I love it, its great. BUT, over the years I’ve become a real snob. I ain’t no snickers bar kind of gal anymore. In fact, I find cheap chocolate pretty gross now.

I like the good stuff. Expensive. Godiva, Lindt (not bad), imported Dutch, Swiss or Norwegian (very good) stuff.

What I do, is buy a box of nice stuff, and hopefully expensive stuff as well. Becuase is it so LUX, I am able to use it as a treat, just every now and then. My mom got me some crappy Valentine’s chocolate and I was able to eat it quicker (boo) because it was just, so-so!

I have RESPECT for good chocolate. I like to woo my chocolate. We go on a date.

First I sit down and just focus on the chocolate. This is an experience.
I slowly lick it, enjoying the taste on my tounge. Mmmmm Heaven.

My husband says he loves watching me eat chocolate.

I eat small pieces (like in a Valentine’s box) and one piece will take me 5 or more minutes. Some times I even put it down, or cleanse my palate with water between licks to get a new, fresh taste.

So, why am I telling you this. Well, I think it that it’s okay to have the things you love. BUT, really appreciate them. Enjoy every second of that chocolate. Don’t just shove some in your mouth. These calories count, so I want to actually enjoy every single one!

What do you love to enjoy?

My husband and I were just talking over dinner. It’s Saturday night and we have a friend coming over for lunch tomorrow.

So, I told him I have to do my lesson and write a paper for a course (which involves watching a film) before bed tonight. He was going to do some tidying.

If I get stuff done early, I told him, we might be able to have sex.

His response: “why don’t we have the sex now, get it out of the way and then you do your stuff?”

I explained to him that as we are entertaining tomorrow I need to get stuff done before Monday (for work). I said, “look if I go to class on Monday without sex done, I’ll be fine. If I don’t have my lesson planned, I won’t be fine”.

His response: “Finish the lesson an hour early and if the class complains (it’s college) tell them you were having sex with your husband”.

Uhm-hum.

Then I made this suggestion: “You know what would really turn me on” I said, “if the floors are all mopped and clean, and if the dishes are all done”

And then he made the following, very insightful statement: He said;

“Men do stuff to get sex, and women have sex to get men to do stuff” (pretty profound eh?)

And so, I’ll have clean floors tonight, fresh sheets and clean dishes. And then….:)

Hope this is not too intimate for you buddies. I thought it was pretty funny.

So, tonight I started teaching a new college course.

I did not want to teach this course, I was kind of bullied into it, and it’s not in my field, so I feel pretty stressed. I’m talking over for someone which has the students on edge a bit.

As I was feeling scared, nervous, I thought about getting a brownie on the way home, as a treat for dealing with this tough situation (notice how I am used to rewarding myself with food….hence being overweight)!

So, I decided to leave my wallet at home. I just took my subway tokens. That’s it. NO money, no bank card, nothing.

I had a protien bar with me and ate that and I was starving (had not eaten enough today). But, I ate a healthy snack when I got home. I’m so glad I did’nt bring money or I’m pretty sure I would have given in!

SO, now you know a good secret. When you go out, don’t bring money if you don’t have to! Then, no treats!!!

I want you to sit back when you’ve finished reading my post. Think back to the person you were a few months (years) ago, before you started this, most recent, journey to lose weight.

How were you different? Did you eat more, exercise less? Did you never exercise?

Did you just eat whatever, not thinking about the calories OR, more importatnly, health benefits of the foods you ate?

Did you feel bad about yourself?

What are you doing now, what is different.

MAYBE YOU”RE NOT PERFECT YET (I know I’m not).

But that’s my point. Think about what you ARE doing. Give yourself some gold stars….you’ve changed so much.

Are you eating breakfast now, when you did not before? Are you eating more fruit? Are you eating smaller portions? Are you educating yourself about food and nutriation? Are you getting fitter, can you walk further or faster?

Make a list. Put it up on the fridge. LOOK AT HOW SUCCUESSFUL you already are! And more to come!

Come on’ buddies, let’s take some time to celebrate our successes and not only focus on how far we have to go!

Just a few weeks ago, I was having a tough time. I was losing motivation and struggling to keep going.

Just a few days ago, I thought about giving up. Maybe it was PMS, maybe emotions or feeling overwhelmed, but that was how I was feeling.

Just a few days later, I’m feeling really good. Back on track, eating right, exercising and losing weight. I feel great!

I think those tough times are going to come. For most of us, we have a fair amount of weight to lose, it won’t happen over night. I think it only makes sense that we will get discouraged sometimes, feel like giving up.

BUT DON’T! Don’t give up on yourself, you are so worth it.

Don’t give up on this process, it’s hard, really bloody hard, but you can do it!

Years from now, we’re all going to look back at how far we have come and smile. And log on here to give inspiration to those who need it!

Come on buddies, don’t give up!

Just a few weeks ago, I was having a tough time. I was losing motivation and struggling to keep going.

Just a few days ago, I thought about giving up. Maybe it was PMS, maybe emotions or feeling overwhelmed, but that was how I was feeling.

Just a few days later, I’m feeling really good. Back on track, eating right, exercising and losing weight. I feel great!

I think those tough times are going to come. For most of us, we have a fair amount of weight to lose, it won’t happen over night. I think it only makes sense that we will get discouraged sometimes, feel like giving up.

BUT DON’T! Don’t give up on yourself, you are so worth it.

Don’t give up on this process, it’s hard, really bloody hard, but you can do it!

Years from now, we’re all going to look back at how far we have come and smile. And log on here to give inspiration to those who need it!

Come on buddies, don’t give up!

Maybe it was PMS, or lack of sleep or just the niggling voice in your head that tells you that you’ll never make it won out for once (I beat him up all the time, but I was tired).

This morning I posted about wanting to give up. I felt so tired and fed up and like no matter what I do, the results are not coming. I’ve had a really tough week work wise and with some emotional things, which didn’t help.

Tonight, I feel way better. IN FACT, I feel on FIRE.

Maybe sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we can rebound back? Not sure. Maybe I just had to SAY out loud that I felt like quitting to get those feelings out.

Or maybe, I just needed to reach out and get some support, which is why were are all here right!

This Web-site is such a gift (THANK YOU DR. MARC)!!!!!!

And thank you to all of you, my buddies who read, posted and encouraged me. I’m not going anywhere!

I’m off to work out now. Thanks buddies and good night. See you tomorrow!

I’m exhausted and it’s only 10 am. I’ve been up for about 1.5 hrs. Who knows, maybe I’ll “wake up” soon, but it doesn’t feel that way.

I feel like I’m in a fog. I feel drained and no matter how much I try to “take it easy” or give myself a break I don’t seem to be pulling it together or bouncing back.

I’ve been busy, but my schedule is in no way insane. In fact, compared to most of you, it’s a walk in the park, which makes me feel like a complete failure.

I’ve done some workouts in the past week, I’ve made it though, calories have been okay, but I’m just so out of it.

I’m also crazy emotional, I feel like crying just writing this post. My TOM started a few days ago.

Honestly, a part of me has seriously been considering throwing in the towel. Quitting my buddyslim groups, and just….well giving up I guess.

I just feel like it’s too much. I mean, I’m doing so much right. I’m eating well, my calories are good, I workout consistently (maybe not everyday) but at least 4 and generally 5 times a week. The weight is not moving, I’m tired and feel like if I can’t somehow manage to do things “perfectly” that it won’t work.

sigh!

I don’t know what else to say.