Delayed Gratification!

Yesterday was my first day of trying on the Delayed Gratification. It was truly an enlightening experience. I learned that I am able to put off a craving for 24hrs. Now, let me real, for a brief moment I did have to fight the urge to just put some thing in my mouth. Putting food in my mouth has been a long time habit, so it too a little effort. One I made the decision all I needed was a little push to follow through. I did not feel the pressure I normally feel when I go on total restriction plans. I had no craving for any food, nor did I feel like I had to constantly distract myself to keep from eating. I felt energy and peace. Bonus, I walked for half an hour this morning. The walk left me feeling energized, but not rushed. The thirty minute walk is my new baseline for walking and I am making peace with that. It is just enough time to feel like I did something without feeling like it is taking up too much of my time. Thirty minute windows are not difficult to find, compared to entire hours. CLM

July- Aug 2012 Updates!

July- Aug 2012 Updates! Since losing my 10lbs in May 2012 by calorie counting on livestrong.com and walking I began searching for a more sane way to lose. Counting calories became very difficult while I was out of my element, and I decided I needed some thing that would work for me in the long haul. I did not want to regain my weight so I rejoined Weight Watchers. The point system of tracking was even more work for me than the calorie counting! I did enjoy going to the meetings, but I dreaded the scale. I began to realize that a diet was not the answer to my over weight problem. I started going to group therapy for compulsive eaters as well as began going to Overeaters Anonymous meetings. I discovered that I am a compulsive overeater. I also began to read books that inspired me to look beyond the number on the scale and start learning how to truly love and accept myself. As as result of these things I am re-defining the goal of my journey! My journey is no longer about losing weight and getting to a certain number on the scale. My journey is about learning to truly love myself and heal. Part of loving myself is in eating better and taking better care of myself period. My focus for September is as follows: I will continue to learn and work through the OA principles. I will focus on ending my excessive eating and my grazing ( mindless- binge behavior). No food is off limits to me, but the way I eat is definitely changing. I will follow the 3 meal a day structure to help me to stop grazing which is the key for me. I will also be working on delayed gratification as well as portion control. Part of putting an end to excessive eating will be not allowing myself to a variety of treats any more. A typical binge for me would be eating a large amount of a variety of junk such as string cheese, fruit-snacks, crackers or chips and chocolate, topped off with ice cream. Frequently when I would binge I would go from snack type to snack type like one big party! Well I am putting an end to the party. There will be no more snack combo packs for me! Serving size matters. I will also no longer be eating giant bags of anything, nor will I be eating multiple small bags of any thing. One will suffice, one kind and one serving! In terms of my body,I am learning to be happy now! I desire to maintain my current size and then smooth out the rough edges a little so that I am as Queen Latifah say's," A Size Healthier." I am already much happier and more calm. This month I plan to slay the fast food demon as well. Will write all about it at the end of September early October. I am thinking about sharing my thoughts with my youtube family soon! nylorac1984 CLM

Why Victory is Scary!

Why victory is scary. Nothing scares me more than victory. So I had a perfect week of eating, exercise. I managed to lose 10lbs in a month. Ok, I did the work, so now what, how do I move forward? What happens when I make a mistake after I have done so well? I think this is my greatest challenge. I have to learn that this journey to become healthy and love myself is not just about the ten pounds I lost. If I ever hope to move forward I must understand that weight-loss is like playing football. You move forward, but some times you earn and penalty and have to move back to the 50 yard line. Some times you win a big game one week and lose the game the next week. I may not have an undefeated record, but I can make sure that I ultimately when the weight-loss war. I know that just as it is a struggle to lose this is preparation for the greater struggle to maintain and that the lessons I learn now and will give me the strength I need while maintaining my weight-loss. CLM

200lbs by Jan 1st 2013

I will get down to 200lbs by Jan 1st 2013. How I will get there! 1. I will walk 30 min mon-fri, 60 min on sat and sun 2. I will drink only water. 3. I will fast from tv. 4. I will eat three meals per day. 5. I will eat yogurt and nuts for breakfast daily. 6. I will eat a lunchable turkey and cheese for lunch daily. 7. I will eat a salad and a veggie patty for dinner every night. Starting weight 273lbs in June 1st CLM

Month 1 Update!

Where I started: I was 283lbs. Where I am now, 273lbs. What I did: I tracked calories using live strong, stuck to a 1500 cal plan and walked daily. At the end of my first month I went out of town and had a real challenge counting and tracking calories. The experience that I had has caused me to re think my weight-loss journey approach. CLM

What I am doing now that I was not doing before

I wanted to come a document some of the things I have noticed this time around on my weight-loss journey! 1. I truly see my weight-loss as a journey not just a number goal. 2. I see how my weight-loss is connected to my mental health, not just my physical health! 3. I am getting out there and trying no foods and new activities. 4. I am tracking my food intake like it is my religion. 5. I plan my meals for the week and for the day! 6. I no longer beat myself up when I make a mistake. 7. I treat myself with kindness. 8. I believe that I am worth it. 9. I don't let other people side track me. 10. I cook! 11. I drink a ton of water all through out the day! 12. I drink green tea to fight cravings. 13. I buy low-cal snacks. 14. I don't use the movies as an excuse to pig out. 15. I turn down office treats including office cake! 16. I choose sensible foods that are within my calorie budget when I go out. 17. I get up at 5 to 6 am to walk. 18. I ate prunes! 19. I weigh myself weekly. 20. I am determined to live this way for life! CLM

7 Day Shape Up 1st 4wk update!

Ok so I have been monitoring my health progress every 7 days. So here is a brief look at what I have accomplished in my first 4 weeks! Start Date 4-21-12 Weight 283lbs Walk 20 min End Date 5-12-12 Weight 273lbs Walk 1hr daily What I was able to accomplish 1. I earned tons of badges on live strong, the 21 day fitness tracked, the 30 day log in and the 30 day food tracked badges! 2. I walked my first 5k 3. I had an appointment with a nutritionist at Kaiser! 4. I tried scrambled eggs for the first time in like 27 years! 5. I cooked and ate one of my least favorite vegetables peas with Indian seasoning and they tasted great! CLM