New Beginnings

A physical difference

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:34:00 +0000

OK. So my 0-5 has been up and down a little, and some days I just "forget" about God altogether and get back into old habits, but I *am* making progress. Today I tried on my "tight jeans" - they are the same size as my regular ones, but a tighter fit, and I haven't been able to wear them for the past few months.

On the spur of the moment this morning I tried them on - and they fit!!!! Not even "squeeze-em-in-and-hold-your-breath" type fit, but I could have happily worn them for the day. Amazing!!!

I thought I might have lost, er rather "released", a little weight (I don't have scales at home) as my belt has been loser and I have felt like I need an extra notch on it (as opposed to having a couple to spare!). My sister also asked me if I had lost weight when she saw me a week and a half ago, although that was not long after the 2 day vomiting bug!!!

I am doing my readings pretty consistently and my TW group is small but very supportive. I have felt hunger *multiple times* some days (amazing - LOL!)

Thank you Lord - you are making a difference, especially when I remember to turn to YOU.

A change underway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:54:00 +0000

I feel like there is a change underway inside me. I haven't felt the same urge to turn to food as I have in the past.

We also have a couple of extras joining our group too - yay!

A fresh start... finally

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:57:00 +0000

Well, my new group took a long time to get established, but we finally had our first meeting last night - hooray!! It went well and I am feeling inspired and motivated by the great group of women that want to join me on my journey.

The way I got people interested was standing up in front of the church at the end of our priest's sermon and basically putting myself out there in front of everyone. I was SO nervous, but I have had so much support and encouragement since then. It has been great to feel that the community is behind me. I had put notices in the newsletter that nobody responded too, so I felt I was taking a huge risk putting myself up there and then having no-one who was interested, but the Holy Spirit was obviously behind it all and made it happen.

So today was a fresh start, and although I had times when I subconsciously reached for food, I was able to stop and pray and decide whether I really was hungry. I ate my lunch early, as I was at a 0 earlier than the lunchbreak, and I had a couple of pieces of chocolate at the end of lunch and felt satisfied. I didn't stuff myself full.

This evening I have had a few inklings to head for the pantry, but a call to another person interested in the group distracted me for a while and now I am no longer feeling that urge to eat.

All in all a blessed start to my journey. Thank you Lord.

6 Months Later...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 02:49:00 +0000

Wow. I can't believe it has been six months since I posted. Much has happened in that six months. The holiday was fantastic. I feel like I have made some progress in this last 6 months, but it probably isn't very obvious from the outside.

I have decided that I need the help of the Holy Spirit to progress with this journey, and I am currently evaluating two programs that I am going to start at our church (The Light Weigh and Thin Within). I am excited about having the support of others with this struggle.

Anyway... I will keep on keeping on. Here are some inspirational blogs that I've been checking out lately:

http://mythinwithinjourney.blogspot.com/
http://hisweigh.blogspot.com/

12 Days to Go: So close

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:11:00 +0000

I can't believe it is less than 2 weeks until our holiday.

On the IE/exercise front things haven't gone so well. I got a tummy bug which wiped out a few days, and then this week I have been in Aus for work and it was 39 degrees - way too hot for running. I went out one morning and managed 10 mins total before I was completely deflated.

Hopefully I can get myself out tomorrow.

26 Days to Go: Chocolate binge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:22:00 +0000

I had a chocolate binge this evening... I haven't stuffed myself full, but I feel bad.

I am going to go off and get organised for our camping trip tomorrow... take my mind off food and get away from the tv/computer.

35 days to go: Small victories

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:41:00 +0000

I have huge sugar cravings, but haven't yet "given in" again. I *nearly* did the other day - actually walking down the road to a shop to get something sweet and sugary, but at the last moment bought almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, and prunes.... and felt much better for it.

Someone has eaten the last packet of potato chips, so I am wondering what I can snack on!!!

39 Days to go: Downfall by chocolate chip biscuit

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 08:14:00 +0000

Ugh - I broke my sugar fast today - majorly. Tonight I have eaten about 4 homemade cookies that I baked with my kids today. Hubby is out and I have wasted about 2 hours on the computer surfing randomly, and eaten all the while....

Ugh.

47 days to go: A great run

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:13:00 +0000

This morning for my run I did:

Walk few mins
Slow job 5 min
Stretches
Run (slow) 10 min
Walk 1 min
Run (slow) 10 min
Walk 1 min
Run (slow) 10 min
Walk 5 min

Wow - that is 35 mins of running all together - more than I have done in ages.

Sugar cravings have kicked in a bit again today, but I have avoided them.... eaten a few too many prunes and potato chips tho' LOL

48 days to go: Sugar free and not missing it (much)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:57:00 +0000

I have to admit, at the supermarket tonight, I did think that I could just buy a nice chocolate bar and eat it all up and no one would ever no! But I resisted. I did buy a bag of potato chips (plain because all the others have sugar), but I won't eat the whole bag in one go - LOL!

It was my TOTM today, which must have been why I have been getting a few cravings lately. I nipped them in the bud with some fresh pineapple and prunes - YUM.

53 days to go: My running weapons of choice

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:14:00 +0000

I went for my usual run this morning, but this time, as well as my mp3 player, I took a stopwatch. It made such a difference. The music kept me going, but the watch made me meet my goal. I ended up doing:

- walk few minutes
- run 5 mins warmup
- stretch
- run 10 mins
- walk 1 min
- run 10 min
- walk

I felt like I could have kept on going at the end, and previously I'd felt like my running was going nowhere, or getting worse.

I did have a tiny bit of banana before I left instead of running on an empty stomach, so that might have helped too... Might need to experiment on that one.

My sugar-free is going well. I only had a bit of a headache the first day, but have felt great since then.

Today I even made a chocolate self saucing pudding (a "healthier" version) that I have been wanting to try. Apparently it was very good - but I didn't try it! :-) (Very tempted - it smelt yum)

56 days to go: Sugar free again

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:10:00 +0000

So the holiday is looming closer, and I am getting the exercise in but eating is still a bit fuzzy, so I have taken a "lentern" commitment to avoid sugar for the next 40 days. Sugar is my downfall and I hope by taking this commitment as part of lent I will stick to it.

"I enjoy savoury foods until my hunger is satisfied".

64 days to go: My new affirmations

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:09:00 +0000

I got some books on positive thinking out of the library, and one of them "Head Strong" by Tony Buzan, was interesting. One of the things he talks about is using affirmations, and making sure that they are positive, action-oriented and in the present tense (and not lies! LOL).

So here are my new affirmations:

- I am becoming fitter and healthier.
- Every day in every way I am getting better and better!

I went for a run this morning, but ended up having to walk due to a dodgy hamstring. I am very annoyed as this is the first time i have injured myself in a while, and my body wants to run but I can't!!!

I snacked a bit outside hunger today (had a apple turnover this morning after my daughter's surgery appointment - although that felt like hunger I'm not sure it was; had cheese balls just before lunch from the snack box; and ate m&ms on the way home). I have made some good choices today though.

It is HOT HOT HOT here today - phew!

68 days to go: Starting to book

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:53:00 +0000

I am trying to book our accomodation in Samoa and it is driving me a bit crazy. I *really* want this holiday to be great, but we don't have a huge amount of cash... Some of the cheaper places sound nice and some of the expensive places people have bad comments about - so you just can't tell. I guess whatever happens I just need to continue the positive thoughts! :-)

Exercise has been going pretty well lately. I have been getting out on my bike and/or running or walking on most days. The eating thing hasn't been quite so peachy, so there is focus to set there.

Part of me would really love to go on a diet so that I could lose, say 8-10 kg in time for my holiday, but I know that would really be a bad idea....

75 days to go: I am over this heat

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:29:00 +0000

The weather has been fantastic lately, but I am over this heat in the evenings. I haven't had a very good sleep the last few nights. I am wearing shorts tonight since it is so hot - I NEVER wear shorts - I don't feel very attractive. Ick....

On a positive note, the exercise is still going well, and I am *trying* to be positive. I still come out with nags and negative things out of habit sometimes, but I am conscious of them and try to follow up with something more positive.

I bought a Geneen Roth book "Why Weight" a few weeks ago in the middle of a binge fest, but when i was reading it yesterday I almost felt like I didn't *really* need another book like that to read. However, it is more of a journal/guide, with questions to answer, so I am progressing with it in parallel with my positive focus.

78 days to go: Exercise frenzy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Wow, I have been getting off my butt a bit this week! I've run or walked every second day at least (did run Sat and walk Sun) AND I've ridden my bike to and from work every day this week and several times last week. Wonders... I have also managed to avoid the snackbox for a WHOLE WEEK!

I think the weather has something to do with it. Being in the southern hemisphere it is lovely summer here at the moment, and we have had so many fantastic clear blue sky days... (not so great for the farmers & orchardists tho').

My positive thinking has been going well. Tonight when hubby and I were sorting out our paperwork (a job I managed to get him to help with instead of doing it myself as usual) I made a joke about his involvement rather than nagging or criticising - it felt much better and he helped!

I've overeaten a little tonight - I wanted to do some baking but there was no flour and hardly any sugar, so I roamed about looking for sugar fixes, ate a few lollies and a couple of bits of leftover chocolate, and then hubby offered me some of his christmas choccies. I don't feel stuffed though, but I think my body was really wanting water... I always mistake that for junk food!!! :-)

All in all January 2008 is going well....PMT will kick in soon, hopefully my positivity will help counteract those PMT demons >:-P

80 days to go: Positivity prevails!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:25:00 +0000

Ok, so I have been on this positive thinking kick, and I think it *has* made a difference to my eating too. That wasn't my main aim, but I wondered if it would be a side effect.

I have avoided the snackbox for a WHOLE WEEK at work, and didn't go and buy lollies at lunchtime at all. Yay! I did snack a bit in the evening, and a few times ate way past full, but I have been in a good positive frame of mind.

I read something in my book that I am going to try out this week. I am wearing a rubber band around my wrist and whenever I have negative or unhelpful thoughts I am going to ping the rubber band... Apparently it is supposed to reinforce it!
:-)

I got out for a run walk yesterday and a walk this evening (although the walk was to the supermarket where I bought chocolate for choc dipped strawberries!)

I am aiming to be active for 30 mins a day. So far the weather has been in my favour...

87 days to go

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:56:00 +0000

I have actually been in a positive frame of mind the last few days. My eating hasn't been perfect, but it hasn't been an all out binge either. I am working on my self esteem and being positive, rather than seeing negative in anything as I have a tendancy to do.

I have some thoughts and comments that I am writing, but I will keep those to myself for now.

Addicted to food?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:34:00 +0000

I was just reading this article and realised that I answered yes to pretty much every question!!

"Do I lack self control when I eat?
Does my mind tell me to stop eating but my body disagrees?
Am I ashamed about my eating habits?
Do I hide food and eat it behind closed doors?
Do I feel guilty after I eat?
Do I eat when I’m simply upset about something but not hungry?
Do I eat even though I know it will only lead to negative consequences later?
Do I eat differently in public than I do in private?
When I eat, do I feel pleasure and comfort that I can’t really seem to achieve through other means?
Is my weight adversely affecting my quality of life? "

And the solution?

"If you can learn to recognize what environments and situations set off your cravings, you can then learn to avoid them. "
OK - the situations are - at work when sitting at my desk, at home, especially in the evening in front of the TV or computer

"As well, it’s important to incorporate some kind of exercise or physical activity into your daily routine. Not only will you burn calories and quicken your metabolism by doing this, but exercise is a healthy distraction from your unhealthy preoccupation with food."
OK - so the walking, running, and karate should help if I do them regularly enough

"Other distractions may include meditation or reading or playing the piano – find a hobby that keeps your mind busy and off of food. "
The meditation or maybe prayer or reciting positive affirmations might help, but yes, I do need a hobby - got to dust off those paintbrushes ... I've said it so many times.

"As well, by drinking water every day (about 64 ounces) you can make a big difference in your weight and lessen your food cravings too."
Hmmn - yes in this heat I am guilty of not doing this enough too... although I am pretty good at drinking water.

I think I need to eat more protein too....

96 days to go

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:39:00 +0000

Hubby and I are having a child free holiday in Samoa for our 10th wedding anniversary next year. It is 96 days until we leave and I thought that would be a good motivator, but so far I am still munching out on christmas chocolates and raiding the snack box at work.

My running, at least, has got off the ground again, although it is more of a struggle. It is catch 22 really as I know I would enjoy running more if I wasn't lugging so much weight around, but in order to shift that weight I know I should run more.

Anyway I am going to get off my butt and go for a walk - yay for summer and daylight savings!

Sick

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:13:00 +0000

Ugh. I got a throat bug and it has set me back for more than a week now. I haven't been able to run and it is really frustrating. I've been eating instead!! Ugh ugh ugh.

Hopefully it is on the mend now. I am going to try to go for a run again in the morning.

Small changes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:25:00 +0000

I am focussing on 3 small changes at the moment:
- 5+ fruit and vege per day
- 30 min exercise per day (6 times per week)
- <45 mins on computer per night

I want to get these nailed before I start focussing on some other goals.

Only 130 days until child-free-island-holiday!!!!

Running to music

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:40:00 +0000

Wow - I got an early Christmas present (just couldn't wait!) of an MP3 player, and it has made a HUGE difference to my running. I loaded up some up beat songs that I love, and I have pretty much been getting out there every 2nd day and running (slowly and with a couple of walk breaks) for around 30 mins at a time. It is fantastic!!!!

Have just got back from being away on a course for a few days. It is nice to be home, but I find tonight I have settled back into my old habits munch-wise.... hmmn.

I'm glad I'm not on a diet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:52:00 +0000

The title of this post is true. I'm glad that I'm not counting points, and weighing and feeling guilty.... I eat the foods I like, and I avoid "diet" foods (low fat/no taste/eat more foods). I enjoy exercising for the feeling it gives me, not because it means that I can eat more or weigh less.

But... there is a but, I don't really feel like I have been following the intuitive eating guidelines.

I am a major grazer, and I eat beyond full, and for emotional reasons.

This post gave me food for thought today.. particularly this bit "...carefully listen to your internal cues. If you're not sure whether you're really hungry, you probably aren't. Stop eating when you feel like you’ve had enough to go for a while without eating again. Eating past that point regularly will make you less hungry for subsequent meals, and again, if you’re not proficient in listening to your hunger cues, you may end up overeating. "

My focus for the next 7 days will be eating at defined times - not to restrict me, but just to guide my body into feeling and satisfying that hunger.

They are basic principles, I know what to do... now I just need to become conscious about it, and get off autopilot-excuse-maker.

Eureka!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:18:00 +0000

I've got it!

Well.... I still have a long way to go, but I am getting there. Today was a progress day, after several days of bingeing on sweet stuff and feeling stuffed full.

I took a small piece of leftover brownie with me to work today along with my lunch. I told myself I would have it in the afternoon when I wanted that sugar. I took some fruit and nuts to snack on, but made sure that I was hungry when I snacked.

I installed a little timer program that I have set to count down for 5 minutes on my work computer. When I feel the urge for the snackbox, I hit the timer, promising myself that if I still want it when the timer stops, then I can have it. I did this several times today (lots and lots actually!) but I never actually wanted it at the end of the time. Sometimes I had some nuts or a piece of fruit instead, but mostly I had a drink of water, or just carried on working!

I also am trying to get some spirituality and prayer back into my life. I think that has helped.

For work I am going on a Scrum course soon. Scrum is a project management process for developing software in small "bits" and focussing on the most important things first. I had another Eureka moment this morning and thought that I should apply this approach to the stuff in my life that I want to improve on (healthy eating, exercise, relationships). I'm going to write a list of the things I want to do, prioritise them, and focus on just those that are at the top of the list for a 30 day "sprint".

On a completely different tangent, I have also signed up for Nanowrimo (thanks to Jenn!). I've never written anything in my life, but I'm going to give it a go... Only problem is that it will require even *more* time on the computer! :-)