As I sit here on December 31st, 2009, with the hours ticking away to the new year, I think about this year, what I did, what I didn't do, what I should have done, what I shouldn't have done....
bottom line is, don't look back, don't have regrets, learn from the past and live in the present!
That brings me to looking ahead.... whether you turn on the tube, or browse the net or read the paper (yes, there are those of us that actually still read the newspaper instead of reading it online :)), today is all about resolutions....
The dictionary defines resolution in several ways, but I have chosen 3 that seem most appropriate to me:
2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
4. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.
While I never have been really good at resolutions (well of course for the first week I am :), I do think they provide a great opportunity to set some goals and strive to attain them... Maybe it should be "what I won't do this year" instead of "what I will do this year". But even better, I like to break it down to 1 day at a time, so if you make a resolution to either do or not do something going forward, tackle it 1 day at a time. Life is so much easier when you break it down into chunks :)
So my resolutions are to get healthier, live in the moment, read more and to live 1 day at a time, embracing this gift called life!
Will you have to remind me about these resolutions from time to time,
OF COURSE!
Will I follow every 1 of them daily,
OF COURSE NOT!
But I will try and that is what counts to me.....
What are you resolving to do or not do in 2010?
Yesterday, I mentioned that I wanted to share some ideas from some individuals who lost more than HALF THEIR WEIGHT this year - YIKES! That is amazing, isn't it?! I listened to 3 individuals who shared some good insights on their journey...
1. Weighed in at 290 and lost 155 pounds - Her secret was to "commit yourself" -
Just 2 little words, which sound so easy, don't they? Her other comments were:
-eat healthy
-Make it happen, YOU have control
-for stress outlets, take a walk or go exercise
She worked out totally at home and has been overweight since 5 years old!
What an amazing story - this could be OUR story in 2010!!!
2. Weighed in at 360 and lost 180 pounds in 15 months!
-Used beachbody.com videos (Hmmm, may check those out - have to shake up your workouts along the way - might be fun!) He did this because he was ashamed to go to the gym :(
-He was a closet eater and he had weak moments (like we all do and will!) but remembered that every day is a challenge and now at his goal weight, allows himself "cheat days".
3. Wieghted in at 326 and lost 178 pounds. Her goal was to "look good in a pair of jeans"!
-She said that when she was heavy, she always felt like everyone was watching her to see what she ate or even what she put in her cart at the grocery store. Now as a thin person, she still can see the rest of the world continues to do that, but just no longer to her.....hmmmm, am I guilty of being on either end?
-She never ate veggies until now! So that tells me, it is never too late for anything! You can change ANYTHING if YOU put your MIND to it!
So, on the last day of 2010, take some time and have a talk with yourself about what you envision for YOU for 2010! Whatever it is, hold yourself accountable! Be kind to yourself as there may be slips and dips on the journey, but that is FINE! Just pick yourself up, enlist a friend for help, and keep moving towards your goal whatever it is! YOU are the only obstacle in reaching your goal - don't let YOU stand in your way to whatever you wish for in 2010!!!
Let's do this together......make a commitment today....
Wishing you all the joy, good health and laughter that you can possibly hold in 2010!
God's blessing to you all!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Day -8 - Call it whatever you want, it's about becoming a healthier you!
When I decided to write this blog, I had no idea what all I wanted to say or call it or what I would write about every day? Who would want to read it anyway?
Well, I came to the conclusion:
-What to write? I will figure out what to write based on what I'm feeling that day, what my struggle is, my latest highs/lows, or what others are sharing with me. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm never at a loss for words, it's a MADDEN thing :).
-Who will read it? Well I hope that this inspires at least 1 person to take the step with me to become healthier in 2010! I know there is at least 1 person reading it, after all I have 2 daughters and a husband and they HAVE to read it :)! This journaling is a big part of this journey for me.
-What to name it? Well, I thought about creating this blog on the drive home from the Christmas weekend in Morton.....I kept trying to think of a "clever, catchy" name, but decided it was more important to move forward than spend 2 weeks thinking up just the right name.. Often in my effort to do things "right" I'm frozen in how to proceed.
The name "The Weight is Over" was inspired by a TV show my sister, Sharon, once starred in. It was an episode of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, an old TV series. She played "Betsy", a recluse trapped in her house, who talked to her plants and ate nonstop. This particular episode was called LOVE HUNGRY. The phone would ring and this eery voice would say "Betsy, your "weight" is over...followed by the deliveryman, dropping off packages at her door. She ended up with a hearing device that made the food speak to her and glasses (that wouldn't come off, once she put them on) that made the food come alive....kind of like the old "twilight zone" episodes for those of us out there that remember that show..... Anyway, it was a wild show that I still have on an old VHS tape :) if anyone wants to borrow it.... So let me clarify, that show did NOT inspire me to lose weight, it was oddly entertaining, simply because my sister was in it; rough ending for sure...... but good choice of words "your weight is over".
So "The weight is over" to me says a lot of things.....
I'm not waiting any longer to:
-get healthier
-lose those extra pounds and keep them off
-take time for myself
-attain my goals
-feel good about who I am and what I'm doing
This is my opportunity and yours too - what the heck are we waiting for? Well, okay, you can wait a few more days, as the official "starting" date is January 7th, but like anything else, big things in your life take some planning.....this is my "planning" stage - trying to think ahead about what is coming, what will I do, how will I handle it, what will keep me going, etc etc etc.... What kind of planning are you doing for 2010?
That is where WE come in....together we can do it. This blog is about sharing successes and challenges, ups and downs, laughs and also when things don't seem so funny....so hope you keep reading and keep sharing.
More great tips to think about......
-Mom always said to not eat between meals or after dinner (Thanks Claudia)
-No carbs in the evening after work (Thanks Joyce)
-An apple a day keeps the doctor away and the weight too (Thanks Becky)
As we say goodbye to 2009, we welcome 2010 full of opportunities ahead to change our lives and be healthier and happier!
More tomorrow...you won't believe some of the "weight loss" secrets or successes you can hear on TV - thank goodness for Christmas vacation - time to catch up on all the good stuff....more tomorrow.
Well, I came to the conclusion:
-What to write? I will figure out what to write based on what I'm feeling that day, what my struggle is, my latest highs/lows, or what others are sharing with me. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm never at a loss for words, it's a MADDEN thing :).
-Who will read it? Well I hope that this inspires at least 1 person to take the step with me to become healthier in 2010! I know there is at least 1 person reading it, after all I have 2 daughters and a husband and they HAVE to read it :)! This journaling is a big part of this journey for me.
-What to name it? Well, I thought about creating this blog on the drive home from the Christmas weekend in Morton.....I kept trying to think of a "clever, catchy" name, but decided it was more important to move forward than spend 2 weeks thinking up just the right name.. Often in my effort to do things "right" I'm frozen in how to proceed.
The name "The Weight is Over" was inspired by a TV show my sister, Sharon, once starred in. It was an episode of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, an old TV series. She played "Betsy", a recluse trapped in her house, who talked to her plants and ate nonstop. This particular episode was called LOVE HUNGRY. The phone would ring and this eery voice would say "Betsy, your "weight" is over...followed by the deliveryman, dropping off packages at her door. She ended up with a hearing device that made the food speak to her and glasses (that wouldn't come off, once she put them on) that made the food come alive....kind of like the old "twilight zone" episodes for those of us out there that remember that show..... Anyway, it was a wild show that I still have on an old VHS tape :) if anyone wants to borrow it.... So let me clarify, that show did NOT inspire me to lose weight, it was oddly entertaining, simply because my sister was in it; rough ending for sure...... but good choice of words "your weight is over".
So "The weight is over" to me says a lot of things.....
I'm not waiting any longer to:
-get healthier
-lose those extra pounds and keep them off
-take time for myself
-attain my goals
-feel good about who I am and what I'm doing
This is my opportunity and yours too - what the heck are we waiting for? Well, okay, you can wait a few more days, as the official "starting" date is January 7th, but like anything else, big things in your life take some planning.....this is my "planning" stage - trying to think ahead about what is coming, what will I do, how will I handle it, what will keep me going, etc etc etc.... What kind of planning are you doing for 2010?
That is where WE come in....together we can do it. This blog is about sharing successes and challenges, ups and downs, laughs and also when things don't seem so funny....so hope you keep reading and keep sharing.
More great tips to think about......
-Mom always said to not eat between meals or after dinner (Thanks Claudia)
-No carbs in the evening after work (Thanks Joyce)
-An apple a day keeps the doctor away and the weight too (Thanks Becky)
As we say goodbye to 2009, we welcome 2010 full of opportunities ahead to change our lives and be healthier and happier!
More tomorrow...you won't believe some of the "weight loss" secrets or successes you can hear on TV - thank goodness for Christmas vacation - time to catch up on all the good stuff....more tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Day -9 ....Tips & Tricks
Well, I asked for it and I got it.....but welcome more advice from you as you think of it....I'm storing these tips up for my big start next Thursday, January 7th - that is my "weigh in" day (and hopefully yours too!)!
For those that want to start their weight loss program in 2010, I hope some of these tips help you as well....here are a few for today...
When you get up in the morning, drink a BIG glass of water before you eat anything. Wait 10 minutes. Then have a piece of fruit. Wait another 10 minutes before you eat anything else to let the fruit digest...
Drink a large glass of water right before every meal, wait 10 minutes before you eat, and then don't drink anything with your meals.
Drink 20 gallons of water every day.....OKAY, maybe not 20 gallons :), but LOTS, as much as you can drink without hooking a hose to your desk.
Workout on an empty stomach in the morning.
Keep a food journal and write down everything that goes in the PIE HOLE! I'm going to have to change that name, brings back too many good memories...
Let's face it, there are thousands of tips out there to help us lose weight......but we have to do more than just read them...YIKES, that was a painful realization for me! It would be so easy to just read it and be successful, wouldn't it? Adding some links/tips below to some interesting but age old reminders on just how to get started and keep it going....
http://chris.pirillo.com/50-weight-loss-tips/
Here's a list from another site: (I've added my comments in (CAPS)
There are hundreds of simple steps you can take to increase your weight loss success. Here are 58 of the best ways to get turn your body from flab to fab without selling your soul to the Gym.
Make sure you're getting your rest days,
Wait 20 minutes before taking a second helping of dinner, (WHY NOT CUT OUT 2NDS?)
Start doing 50 squats, 3 times a day, to increase your fat burning and tighten your booty, (OKAY, START WITH 10, BUT JUST START!)
Train for a reason - try a 5k fun run, (HOW COME THEY CALL IT A "FUN" RUN?)
Reduce your alcohol intake - better yet, don't drink alcohol, (MAY NEED A LITTLE TO GET THROUGH THIS!)
Cut cheese out of your diet , (LAUGHING COW IS A GREAT, LOW FAT SUBSTITUTE!)
Join the gym (and use it), (TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO REALIZE THAT JUST JOINING THE GYM DOESN'T WORK!)
Take a 30 minute walk every day,
Increase your walk by 10 minutes,
Walk up a hill,
Ditch the remote control, (LIKE THE OLDEN DAYS)
Add nuts to your diet,
Drink more water,
Don't over train, (FAT CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING! WAIT, FAT CHANCE, I GET IT NOW! FAT CHANCES HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON'T TRAIN!)
Switch your cardio for weight training,
Work out with a friend,
Add chilli powder to your meals, (NOW THIS IS INTERESTING, WHAT HAPPENS? A BIT SCARY! DO YOU JUST START SWEATING YOUR FOOD AWAY???)
Drink green tea instead of coffee,
Snack on carrots and celery instead of a muesli bar or fruit, (I KNEW IT WOULD COME TO THIS, EAT CARROTS UNTIL YOU TURN ORANGE!)
When eating out, have an entrée instead of a main,
Change from full fat milk to 2% or fat free,
Take up a new sport, (IS DIETING A SPORT?)
Eat with your mouth closed and chew slowly,
Never eat while rushing about or while doing anything else (reading, walking, talking), (THIS ONE IS AN EYE OPENER FOR ME, I HAVE EATEN HALF OF MY MEALS ON THE RUN!)
Make sure you're getting your daily intake or fibre , (WARNING - FIBER IS GOOD, BUT KNOW YOUR LIMITS....NOT SAYING ANYTHING ELSE HERE....)
Get support,
Get educated about your diet,
See your doctor, make sure you are healthy,
Treat yourself kindly, (COME ON, WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO THIS!)
Wean yourself off sugar in your coffee,
Plan your meals in advance,
Stick to your daily calorie allowance,
Eat fish 3 times a week,
Eat more vegetables,
Eat with friends,
Serve your meals on smaller plates,
Choose tomato based sauces over cheese/ cream sauces,
Ask for salad dressing on the side,
Drink coffee & tea without adding milk,
Have avocado instead of butter on sandwiches,
Eat slowly,
Remember to rest - your body needs recovery time,
Switch the TV off when you eat, (NO MORE ICE CREAM WHILE WATCHING BIGGEST LOSER)
Eat wholegrains wherever possible,
Have 2 servings of fruit every day,
Use good quality oils when cooking,
Use an oil spray instead of a free pour,
Swap deep fried potato chips for home made, oven cooked potato chips,
Eat an apple 20 minutes before your lunch or dinner, (THIS ONE REALLY WORKS, MY FRIEND LIZ TOLD ME THIS AND SHE ALSO HAS AN APPLE ON THE DRIVE HOME WHEN YOU ARE REALLY HUNGRY AND CAN'T WAIT TO EAT! TAKES THE EDGE OFF - TRY IT!)
Never hurry to eat a meal,
Join a team, (WE ARE A TEAM HERE!)
Keep a diary of everything you eat, (GRAB A NOTEBOOK TODAY AND START PRACTICING THE DAILY LOGGING!)
Use an online diet program
Write down your goals, (IT REALLY ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE POUNDS LOST, BUT RATHER THE LIFE WE CHANGE!)
Review your goals daily,
Visualise yourself at your ideal weight, (OR FOR ME, JUST GET OUT SOME OLD PIX! I CAN STILL SEE THE THINNER VERSION OF ME, EVEN WITH THE BELL BOTTOMS ON :))
Relax! Take up meditation or yoga to combat daily stresses,
Eat more natural food and avoid processed foods. (SHOP THE PERIMETER OF THE GROCERY STORE)
WHEW! That's a lot of advice.....but just taking 1 of these things and incorporating it into your diet every few days may really get us jumpstarted! That's it for now....more tomorrow... in the meantime, share your ideas and get excited, we are just a little over a week away from starting....let's make this "prep" time work!
And oh yeah, start unloading those holiday goodies......
For those that want to start their weight loss program in 2010, I hope some of these tips help you as well....here are a few for today...
When you get up in the morning, drink a BIG glass of water before you eat anything. Wait 10 minutes. Then have a piece of fruit. Wait another 10 minutes before you eat anything else to let the fruit digest...
Drink a large glass of water right before every meal, wait 10 minutes before you eat, and then don't drink anything with your meals.
Drink 20 gallons of water every day.....OKAY, maybe not 20 gallons :), but LOTS, as much as you can drink without hooking a hose to your desk.
Workout on an empty stomach in the morning.
Keep a food journal and write down everything that goes in the PIE HOLE! I'm going to have to change that name, brings back too many good memories...
Let's face it, there are thousands of tips out there to help us lose weight......but we have to do more than just read them...YIKES, that was a painful realization for me! It would be so easy to just read it and be successful, wouldn't it? Adding some links/tips below to some interesting but age old reminders on just how to get started and keep it going....
http://chris.pirillo.com/50-weight-loss-tips/
Here's a list from another site: (I've added my comments in (CAPS)
There are hundreds of simple steps you can take to increase your weight loss success. Here are 58 of the best ways to get turn your body from flab to fab without selling your soul to the Gym.
Make sure you're getting your rest days,
Wait 20 minutes before taking a second helping of dinner, (WHY NOT CUT OUT 2NDS?)
Start doing 50 squats, 3 times a day, to increase your fat burning and tighten your booty, (OKAY, START WITH 10, BUT JUST START!)
Train for a reason - try a 5k fun run, (HOW COME THEY CALL IT A "FUN" RUN?)
Reduce your alcohol intake - better yet, don't drink alcohol, (MAY NEED A LITTLE TO GET THROUGH THIS!)
Cut cheese out of your diet , (LAUGHING COW IS A GREAT, LOW FAT SUBSTITUTE!)
Join the gym (and use it), (TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO REALIZE THAT JUST JOINING THE GYM DOESN'T WORK!)
Take a 30 minute walk every day,
Increase your walk by 10 minutes,
Walk up a hill,
Ditch the remote control, (LIKE THE OLDEN DAYS)
Add nuts to your diet,
Drink more water,
Don't over train, (FAT CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING! WAIT, FAT CHANCE, I GET IT NOW! FAT CHANCES HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON'T TRAIN!)
Switch your cardio for weight training,
Work out with a friend,
Add chilli powder to your meals, (NOW THIS IS INTERESTING, WHAT HAPPENS? A BIT SCARY! DO YOU JUST START SWEATING YOUR FOOD AWAY???)
Drink green tea instead of coffee,
Snack on carrots and celery instead of a muesli bar or fruit, (I KNEW IT WOULD COME TO THIS, EAT CARROTS UNTIL YOU TURN ORANGE!)
When eating out, have an entrée instead of a main,
Change from full fat milk to 2% or fat free,
Take up a new sport, (IS DIETING A SPORT?)
Eat with your mouth closed and chew slowly,
Never eat while rushing about or while doing anything else (reading, walking, talking), (THIS ONE IS AN EYE OPENER FOR ME, I HAVE EATEN HALF OF MY MEALS ON THE RUN!)
Make sure you're getting your daily intake or fibre , (WARNING - FIBER IS GOOD, BUT KNOW YOUR LIMITS....NOT SAYING ANYTHING ELSE HERE....)
Get support,
Get educated about your diet,
See your doctor, make sure you are healthy,
Treat yourself kindly, (COME ON, WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO THIS!)
Wean yourself off sugar in your coffee,
Plan your meals in advance,
Stick to your daily calorie allowance,
Eat fish 3 times a week,
Eat more vegetables,
Eat with friends,
Serve your meals on smaller plates,
Choose tomato based sauces over cheese/ cream sauces,
Ask for salad dressing on the side,
Drink coffee & tea without adding milk,
Have avocado instead of butter on sandwiches,
Eat slowly,
Remember to rest - your body needs recovery time,
Switch the TV off when you eat, (NO MORE ICE CREAM WHILE WATCHING BIGGEST LOSER)
Eat wholegrains wherever possible,
Have 2 servings of fruit every day,
Use good quality oils when cooking,
Use an oil spray instead of a free pour,
Swap deep fried potato chips for home made, oven cooked potato chips,
Eat an apple 20 minutes before your lunch or dinner, (THIS ONE REALLY WORKS, MY FRIEND LIZ TOLD ME THIS AND SHE ALSO HAS AN APPLE ON THE DRIVE HOME WHEN YOU ARE REALLY HUNGRY AND CAN'T WAIT TO EAT! TAKES THE EDGE OFF - TRY IT!)
Never hurry to eat a meal,
Join a team, (WE ARE A TEAM HERE!)
Keep a diary of everything you eat, (GRAB A NOTEBOOK TODAY AND START PRACTICING THE DAILY LOGGING!)
Use an online diet program
Write down your goals, (IT REALLY ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE POUNDS LOST, BUT RATHER THE LIFE WE CHANGE!)
Review your goals daily,
Visualise yourself at your ideal weight, (OR FOR ME, JUST GET OUT SOME OLD PIX! I CAN STILL SEE THE THINNER VERSION OF ME, EVEN WITH THE BELL BOTTOMS ON :))
Relax! Take up meditation or yoga to combat daily stresses,
Eat more natural food and avoid processed foods. (SHOP THE PERIMETER OF THE GROCERY STORE)
WHEW! That's a lot of advice.....but just taking 1 of these things and incorporating it into your diet every few days may really get us jumpstarted! That's it for now....more tomorrow... in the meantime, share your ideas and get excited, we are just a little over a week away from starting....let's make this "prep" time work!
And oh yeah, start unloading those holiday goodies......
Monday, December 28, 2009
WOW, what an opportunity!
DAY -10 days....
I cannot believe it! Me, 1 of 12, selected out of 300 applicants! It is one of those "meant to be" things, I'm sure................what is this? Well, let me fill you in..........
In early December, I caught a blip on Channel 5, advertising their LOSE A TON challenge. Of course it caught my eye. Weight loss things always do, at least for a few minutes :). I decided to email in why I should be one of the lucky contestants and for some reason, I was selected as a semi-finalist, from 300 down to 20. After an interview down at Channel 5, I got a call the next day and got the exciting news - I MADE IT!
EXCITING....absolutely
SCARY.....absolutely
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY....absolutely .....(especially living with Kelly "Jillian"Roth as she called herself on the poster she hung in the kitchen the same I got home after hearing the good news! (For those that don't watch BIGGEST LOSER, Jillian is one of the TOUGH, MERCILESS trainers on the show! YIKES, look out, Kelly is going to keep me on track, I'm afraid!)
Right now, I need all the best tips I can get, not only on LOSING weight, but STAYING on track and especially KEEPING it off! So please send any ideas my way.....I look at this as not only MY opportunity but YOURS as well. If you (and YOU know who YOU are :)!!!) need to shed a few pounds, please come along on this journey, share your thoughts, successes, challenges......WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER! 2010 is out there just waiting for us to shed some of this excess weight and have it be the healthiest year ever for us!
I cannot believe it! Me, 1 of 12, selected out of 300 applicants! It is one of those "meant to be" things, I'm sure................what is this? Well, let me fill you in..........
In early December, I caught a blip on Channel 5, advertising their LOSE A TON challenge. Of course it caught my eye. Weight loss things always do, at least for a few minutes :). I decided to email in why I should be one of the lucky contestants and for some reason, I was selected as a semi-finalist, from 300 down to 20. After an interview down at Channel 5, I got a call the next day and got the exciting news - I MADE IT!
EXCITING....absolutely
SCARY.....absolutely
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY....absolutely .....(especially living with Kelly "Jillian"Roth as she called herself on the poster she hung in the kitchen the same I got home after hearing the good news! (For those that don't watch BIGGEST LOSER, Jillian is one of the TOUGH, MERCILESS trainers on the show! YIKES, look out, Kelly is going to keep me on track, I'm afraid!)
Right now, I need all the best tips I can get, not only on LOSING weight, but STAYING on track and especially KEEPING it off! So please send any ideas my way.....I look at this as not only MY opportunity but YOURS as well. If you (and YOU know who YOU are :)!!!) need to shed a few pounds, please come along on this journey, share your thoughts, successes, challenges......WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER! 2010 is out there just waiting for us to shed some of this excess weight and have it be the healthiest year ever for us!
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