Hello all!
This week has been a real test of my devotion and dedication to this whole process. To be honest with all of you, things have been going horribly for the past 4months or so. Nothing lost, blood work not improving as I would have hoped, and my attitude is not helping any. I actually pondered giving up and crawling into a hole. I have lost my focus, apparently, and I am wondering how on earth I am supposed to motivate you, when I just can’t seem to motivate myself. This is a tough one. My audience is growing and my confidence is shrinking. I guess that I just thought that with all the lifestyle changes I made, my blood work and everything else would magically come back into line. I am officially into the “The Thrill is Gone” part of my weight loss journey. I sooooo need to get off of this merry-go-round and get back on the straight and narrow.
I am beginning to think that the move to Irving may be a good change of pace. Not sure, but I am fairly sure that things can’t get any worse than the current state of affairs. The scale hasn’t moved (in the desired direction), and when it does move, it goes the wrong way. I am frustrated to say the least. What right do I have to issue a motivational newsletter??? Urrgghhhh!!!! I guess that at this point, I am soliciting motivation from my readers. I need help. I need to refocus. I think I am officially out of the honeymoon phase of my journey. This is definitely a detour, and not a good one.
I had posted on my Facebook Page yesterday that I was frustrated and basically wanted to crawl into a hole and hide out there for awhile. I was amazed at the outpouring of comments of encouragement. This is one of those weeks where I need my readers probably more than they need me. I was surprised at how many of you actually read this on a weekly basis through this email, AND how many are following me on my blog and on Facebook. That’s something. A very good friend suggested that I should celebrate the successes that I’ve had so far and that I should tell myself that I will be starting Phase 2 of my journey on Monday. Even millionaires have their peaks and valleys (whatever that meant!!!) and we can’t all have great days. I think that was good advice. I am going to breathe deeply and reboot my computer, if you will. I need to start fresh. Need to find the motivation that I had 2 years ago when I started on this voyage.
I did end up having a crazy-good workout yesterday with Dwayne. I find that when I am stressed out, and unhappy, it really does help to have a good workout. Something about release and catharsis. I did a 20 minute warmup on the elliptical, and he followed that up with a very intense circuit. We went through this particular circuit twice. It was good. Especially the part where I hurled the medicine ball at Coach D. Again, sometimes just having that release helps out tremendously. In any case, still ready for this week to be over.
Walking Lunge Press – 7.5lbs @ 10 reps
Bicep Curl – 7.5lbs @ 45 seconds
Push-ups – 30 seconds
Jumping Jacks – 30 seconds
Medicine Ball Throws – 5kg @ 12 reps
Lateral Step-ups – 3 steps @ 10 reps
Sit-ups – 6 reps
Oblique Twists – 30 seconds
I thought this week’s meeting topic was so timely, considering the week I had. I didn’t attend my meeting until this afternoon, and I am so glad I didn’t blow it off. The topic of this week? Wait for it….RECHARGE YOUR PLAN. How amazing is it that on the lowest of lows, there is hope out there. I think that we all need a little something to get us going back in the right direction. I am putting a new photo on my refrigerator and a couple on my bedroom mirror and one on the bathroom mirror to serve as a constant reminder of how far I’ve come and how much of my journey is left to complete. I literally just came up with that on the fly, as I sit here and write to you all.
Here is what I learned:
Getting back in control
Finding yourself overeating again? Nip that unhealthy habit in the bud and keep yourself positively occupied with some simple fixes that are easy to fit in your day.
Take 10 minutes: Make a healthy-foods grocery list
Take 30 minutes: Check out the message boards in WeightWatchers.com/community
Take an hour: Start a new project: touch up paint around the house, take on a gardening task, and so on…it will take your mind off food.
Plan Problems…solved…
Problem #1: Out of Control Snacking – When it becomes harder and harder to limit after-work snacking, try bring a small healthy snack to work and eat it at day’s end so you won’t feel so hungry when you arrive home. Planning a structured activity right after work, such as a class or a workout can also take your mind off food.
Problem #2: No Time to Exercise – Getting to the gym for a formal workout may not be in the cards some days, but living an active lifestyle is always an option, and a very effective one. Choose everyday activities that suit your personality and interests. If you enjoy what you are doing, you will make time for it in your schedule
Problem #3: Trouble tracking – When there is no time to plan, bad choices can result. This can lead to a lapse in tracking, and you lose sight of where your POINTS® Values are for the rest of your week. Anticipatory tracking can help in this situation. Planning ahead and sticking to goals (wow…I should practice what I preach here…LOL…) can keep you moving in the right direction. Plan ahead when going out to dinner. Eat regular meals and a healthy snack before going out can also help ensure that you won’t be famished by the time you get to the restaurant, and that can lead to better choices.
Please have a good weekend, and I do welcome any and all suggestions. I really want OUT OF THIS FUNK…but in the meantime, I leave you with this short (but fitting) quote.
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
RECIPES
Rigatoni with Sausage and Kale
Italian food is always a family favorite. Use kale or broccoli rabe — depending on what’s available. If you are not a fan of either of these, use regular broccoli or spinach.
Yield: 4 servings at POINTS® Value of 7 per serving
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 16 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
2 cup(s) uncooked rigatoni
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste, for cooking pasta
8 oz raw turkey sausage, sweet Italian variety
4 cup(s) kale, roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 cup(s) canned chicken broth
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp table salt
1/2 cup(s) shredded Parmesan cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended
Instructions:
Cook rigatoni in salted water according to package directions.
Lowfat Orange Dream Cheesecake
This quick and easy dessert has become a favorite in my house, especially with the 10 year old. It’s simple to make, and you can make this in any flavor gelatin you happen to have on hand.
Yield: 8 servings at a POINTS® Value of 2 per serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
1 sheet of low-fat graham crackers, crushed
2/3 cup boiling water
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Orange Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin (or any flavor that you like)
1 cup Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1 (8 oz.) brick fat-free cream cheese
2 cups thawed fat free frozen whipped topping
Instructions:
SPRINKLE crumbs onto bottom of 8- or 9-inch springform pan sprayed with cooking spray.
ADD boiling water to gelatin mix; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Cool 5 min.; pour into blender. Add cottage cheese and cream cheese; blend well. Pour into large bowl. Gently stir in whipped topping. Pour into prepared pan; smooth top.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until set. Remove rim of pan before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Total Fat: 2g (Sat: 1.5g); Cholesterol: 10mg; Sodium: 330mg; Carb: 11g; Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 5g; Protein: 8g; Vitamin A: 10%; Vitamin C: 0%; Calcium: 15%; Iron: 0%
