Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Posted on February 15, 2010 - by Mary

First Day of the 200 Squats Challenge and Blogging Contest

Hi ya’all! I just wanted to pop in real fast with a couple of things before I head out to Celebrate Recovery. I began Day 1 of the 200 squats challenge and I was able to manage to squeak out 48 of them! I was pretty impressed with myself. My daughter is home from school today, so she counted for me and I think it motivated me to keep going. I might have been able to squeeze out a couple more, but I was starting to lose form, and I didn’t want to do them incorrectly…that’s cheating anyway…I’d only be cheating myself. So, I’m very pleased with 48. I will do them again tomorrow because Wednesday’s I’m in town all day working on youth ministry stuff, so Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are going to be my squat days. Friday’s I think I’ll do a cardio workout.

Well, you’re probably wondering what the blogging contest is all about. If you look on the sidebar, you’ll see a button called “Plus size bloggers.com”. If you are a plus size blogger, and you keep track of your weight loss efforts and weekly weigh ins on your blog, you’ll be eligible to be entered in a drawing for a Wii Fit Plus!!! I’ve been wanting a Wii Fit Plus for a very long time now and would totally love to win it! So, I added my blog to the tracking contest (which officially starts March 1, 2010) so I can have a chance to win. So, if you’re tracking your weight loss efforts on your blog and blog weekly about it, then head on over to plussizebloggers.com and get in on the contest too One more reason to stay motivated, right?!!?

Posted on February 14, 2010 - by Mary

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh in #4

Here is the weigh in report for week number 4 on Weight Watchers! Enjoy!

Here is the link to the two hundred squats challenge in case you’re interested.

Thanks for watching!

Posted on February 11, 2010 - by Mary

Stepping up the Exercise for Better Fat Burning Results

Hello! How are you all today? I’m doing great! My thighs are slightly burning and sore right now because I just did 31 squats. Why did I do 31 squats you ask? Because I am taking the two hundred squats challenge! If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for the last few weeks and am dedicated and motivated to lose 80 pounds by Sept. 1, 2010. So far my weight loss has been super slow so I’ve decided to step up the progress by adding more exercise. I’ve been doing a dance aerobics video which is 25 minutes and is a good cardio workout, but I need to also tone and strengthen my body…not just lose the fat. Plus, when your body has more muscle, it naturally burns more fat. So, I am doing the 200 squats challenge for a couple of reasons: 1) To help my body burn more fat and 2) to get my legs back in shape. I used to have pretty, thin legs, but since I’ve put on the extra poundage and have gotten older (how did that happen so quickly???) my legs are cellulite ridden and heavier. It would be nice to have decent legs this summer

So, the initial test is to see how many squats you can do, in the proper form of course. For my age, 31 is in the excellent range, so I’m pretty proud that I could do 31 to start with. I did take a 3 second breather after 28, so I should probably only count 28, but I did push myself to 31. After doing them, I was out of breath and my legs felt like jello, but it did feel really good to do them.

It doesn’t cost anything to join the challenge, so I encourage you to join too if you’re looking for a great way to get motivated and give yourself a goal to reach. I’ll keep you posted as to my progress. Leave a comment and let me know if you’re going to take the challenge as well.

Posted on February 7, 2010 - by Mary

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh in #3

This is my 3rd week on Weight Watchers and I’m happy to report a loss this week. I tell ya! Low thyroid is no fun when trying to lose weight! I do find that exercise seems to help a lot, so I’m really going to try to step it up this week. I hope you enjoy the video.

Be sure to check back next week as I journey down the road to a healthier new me! Also, be sure to leave me a link to your blog so we can help hold each other accountable, give each other support and encouragement

Posted on February 1, 2010 - by Mary

Breaking Food Addiction

Since joining Weight Watchers Online (again) I’ve come to realize that I have a food addiction. Truly. Some people may think that’s funny or humorous, but I believe it’s truly a disease, like alcoholism or drug addiction. The only difference is that we need food to survive. So we have to have food in the house and we have to feed our families. So how do you go about breaking a food addiction, something you’ve struggled with your whole life?

What is food addiction?
Food addiction can also be described as compulsive overeating disorder. Some people with compulsive overeating disorder tend to be “binge eaters” as well. But not everyone with compulsive overeating disorder is a binge eater. You’ve probably heard the term “binge and purge”, which describes someone who binges on a large amount of food all at once, then purges the food by forcing themselves to vomit or by taking laxatives. I am not a binge eater. I do, however, think about food often, eat more than is what is necessary for nourishment, and often eat when I’m not hungry. If there’s food around, I will eat it even though I’m not even the slightest bit hungry. The smell or thinking of how it will taste is enough to make me want to eat it even though I’m not hungry or have just eaten something else.

I also associate social functions or gatherings with food, as well as outings and other events. For instance, when we plan a day to shopping, I think about the best places to eat and get excited about it. Or after church on Sunday’s I really look forward to eating out with our friends. It’s fun to spend that time with my friends but it’s also fun to eat with them, see what their having, and even share entrees with one another. Now, I realize that this sort of thing is normal and it’s okay to go out to eat with your friends and enjoy it. But, when you associate almost every activity with food, that’s when it becomes unhealthy. That’s why it’s so important to plan your meals ahead of time, as much as possible. And that’s why you need a strategy when you do go out to eat, so you don’t over indulge, then have to deal with the consequences afterward.

How to overcome food addiction
I believe first of all you have to have the right mind set. God gave us food to enjoy and nurture our bodies with. He created healthy, good tasting food so we can enjoy nourishing our temples He created for us. You must start thinking about food differently. You must start looking at food as nourishment, instead of comfort or some sort of satisfaction. I think the fast food industry has us so brainwashed into believing that if we don’t gorge ourselves, then we aren’t satisfied. I believe we’ve also been brainwashed into believing that we have eat 3 huge meals a day in order to be satisfied. The truth is, however, eating smaller amounts throughout the day is healthier for us and we will feel more satisfied, as opposed to eating large amounts all at once. I really like this concept because I like variety and I find I get a lot more variety when I eat smaller portions, like snacks, throughout the day.

For instance, I like to have a fiber bar with my coffee first thing in the morning. Then about 2 hours later, I like to have an orange or even a small serving of cereal. Then around lunch time I like to have a salad or a sandwich made with whole grain bread, deli meat such as turkey or ham with mustard and lettuce. For a snack I like to have a serving of chips (my downfall), some popcorn or another piece of fruit. A handful of nuts is also a healthy way to snack. And then for dinner I usually have a small piece of meat, a serving of vegetables, and a small potato or serving of rice (these are just some examples, I don’t eat this every single day).

Now notice, I said serving. A serving of cereal is 3/4 cup to 1 cup with 1/2 cup of milk. It’s not a heaping bowl, filled to the rim so that some of it falls out when you walk to the table. Trust me, I used to eat like that. But, learning to stick to the serving size really helps you to understand portions, so read the label and measure! You might be surprised at how “little” a serving size is, especially if you’re used to eating large amounts.

Breaking the addiction
Once you begin to eat true serving sizes, you will probably feel hungry at first. But, as your body gets used to eating smaller portions throughout the day, you’ll begin to notice how satisfied you feel after just eating “a little bit”. I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for almost 2 weeks now, and I can already tell the difference in how little it takes to satisfy my hunger. And when I overeat, I feel sick and bloated and sluggish. Believe me, though, every day I still want to dive into a bag of chips or grab some unhealthy snack just to munch, but slowly I’m learning not to give into those impulses and instead get a glass of water, a piece of fruit or some celery sticks.

I’m also finding I love crunchy veggies to snack on, especially celery and cucumbers. They are so naturally delicious, juicy and crunchy so they’re very satisfying. I think it’s important to find and keep some of those items on hand that are healthy and naturally delicious at all times so you can grab them instead of those potato chips or that candy bar.

I’ve also been trying not to think about or associate food with every occasion. Try to eat before you go out, that way you’re in control, and even if there is food being served, remember you don’t have to indulge in it. Also, drink plenty of water, which will also help to fill you up. I like mine with ice, and then I like to eat the ice cubes afterward

What are some of the things you do to help keep you satisfied in a healthy way?

Posted on January 31, 2010 - by Mary

Weight Watchers Weigh In #2

Today was my weekly weigh in on Weight Watchers. I normally try to have my hubby do the recording, but we had to get up for church early this morning since he was doing sound and I am learning how to do the overheads, so we didn’t have time. I think I like the way I did it this week though. What do you think?

Here’s hoping for a loss next week

Posted on January 27, 2010 - by Mary

Weight Watchers One Week Check In

I just wanted to check in to let you all know how I’m doing. Today I’ve been on WW for exactly one week. For those of you who don’t know, I changed my weigh in day to Sunday, just because it’s the beginning of a new week and I can weigh in right before church. I’m recording my weigh ins on video, so normally someone will be here to do the recording and I will be showered, with hair and make up done…a plus for YOU.

Well, with all the excitement this week (my first grand daughter was born Sunday) and through eating on the run and at the hospital I managed to keep track of my points and to stay within my daily allotment, or at least not use all of my weekly extra points…yet. Ha. No, but now that Remmy’s home, I’ll definitely be able to control what I eat more and stay within my daily allowed without using the extra points.

I have made some healthier choices which I’m quite proud of, like eating apples and oranges instead of chips. Why do I love chips so much? Why oh why?!? I did have some kettle cooked potato chips yesterday, but I did count out the serving (3 points for 18 chips). I am going to have some popcorn tonight as a snack instead and will try to choose popcorn over chips from now on.

I do love eating less. Tonight I made a pot roast in the crock pot, along with some potatoes and corn. Back in the day I would eat a huge heaping chunk of meat, at least 2 potatoes smothered in butter and sour cream and, I don’t know, a ton of corn slathered in butter. Tonight I had 2 ounces of meat, 1 potato with no butter or sour cream, just pepper, and 1/2 cup of corn with 2 tsp butter. It was so good and I am so full! I had a salad for lunch and a fiber bar for breakfast, so I still have 13.5 points to use today.

Uh, need to get back on schedule with the exercise though. Will really work at doing that tomorrow, barring any unforeseen occurrences, like having to run my son to an appointment or something like that.

Well, that’s my weekly check in for this week. I’ll try to stop by periodically as I feel so lead to update and check in.

How are you doing with your weight loss goals?