Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by Dea.

….trying to hop back on to it!!!

I find myself fully embarrassed at this point.  Just completely left this little ol’ blog here to die a slow, sad death.  Meanwhile, my butt has been barely keeping steady, let alone losing, weight.  UGH.

Wake up call #1 - my knees, back, and neck are sick of the extra weight, and are punishing me.  I have osteoarthritis, every disc in my neck is bulging, and my muscles enjoy spasming when stressed.

Wake up call #2 - in May, I rolled my ankle - just a slight, silly little roll of the ankle while walking on flat pavement.  And this tiny, insignificant motion screwed up the ligaments and tendons in my ankle.  Nice.  If I had less weight, I’m sure the injury would have been less severe.

Wake up call #3 - just got some bloodwork done, standard yearly physical kind of thing.  And the results came in today.  They told me I have slightly elevated liver enzymes, which points to being too fat - my LIVER is fat.  Um, ew??

So yeah - now that my ankle is passably healed (longer healing time due to weight, of course), I’m ready to get this mass of jello moving!  I’d like to stop being in pain all the dang time.

Thankfully, the dose on my thyroid meds is keeping me even - so at least I know that now, when I really work at this - I will lose.

I looked up yoga, pilates, and water aerobics at my gym, and I’m ready to start slowly.  Can’t start out gung-ho and have my knees and back rebel, can I?

So here’s me, hobbling after the wagon.  Hope to get a good seat this time.

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Thursday, September 10, 2009 by Dea.

So, in case anyone was doubting the power of the mini-goal (read: me), here’s proof that each mini-goal achievement is priceless!  I just hit my 10 pound goal!  I also feel like a million bucks. 

I set ten pound goals as I lose weight.  I like nice, round numbers, for one thing.  And this feeling, this exuberance and walking-on-air, this is the best reason of all for setting mini-goals.  

I may only be 1/7 th of my way through my weight loss, and I may still have 60 pounds to lose, but reaching this goal makes me feel like I’ve conquered something.  I feel like I look better in my clothes than I did yesterday.  I feel more energetic.  I feel, in short, fabulous.

So here’s to setting those mini-goals.  You’ll be glad you did when you get to have this mini-celebration!

Posted in Encouragement, Body Image, Success, Weight Loss | Print | 1 Comment »

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 by Dea.

I was reading an article Becca sent me that opened my eyes.  I had never really thought about how many extra calories are in those mouthfuls of food that I don’t necessarily keep track of throughout the day.  A little taste here, clean off a plate there - and according to the article, it can really add up!

The author suggests keeping track of just those tastes, bites, and gulps you take when cooking or clearing the table.  It came out to a whole day’s worth of calories extra over the course of a week for the author.  That shocked me.

As other moms know, kids don’t always finish their meals.  It’s tempting to finish it, to clean the plate, in order to not waste food.  Is it really better, though, to allow that food to hit your waist?

So the moral here it try to be more aware.  I think I’m going to keep track of those morsels I pop into my mouth as I prepare dinner and pack lunches.   I also want to pay attention to those moments when hunger strikes - and I’ve only stocked the car or my purse with those treacherous kid snacks.  One whole day’s worth of calories a week - that I do not need!

Posted in Tips and Tricks, Weight Loss, Healthy Eating | Print | No Comments »

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 by Dea.

As everyone can see, it’s been a busy few days around here.  I haven’t been on the internet much at all, and keeping up here was - well, it was nonexistent, right?

There is one thing I noticed during my frenetic schedule this past week.  I ate less.  Not just a little bit less - a whole lot less.  I was shocked when I was finally able to input my foods in my tracking site.  I hadn’t snacked more than I should, I hadn’t wound up eating a huge lunch.

I tried to think about the differences between this week and a normal week.  I was busy helping at the school book fair, which means I was out of the house and didn’t have time to eat.  We had a bonfire and went to an apple orchard, so we were busy carrying wood or driving in the car.

So what do all the things I was doing this week have in common?  I was out of the house, and I was busy doing a lot of physical things.  So the main lesson I need to take away from this is never go home?

Well, that’s not possible.  I think, though, that if I concentrate on doing projects that aren’t near the kitchen, that might help.  I also want to get my workspace set up for my computer.  I sit on the couch right now to use my laptop.  And the couch is awfully close to the refrigerator and pantry.  If I have a designated work space, I think this will help avoid the computer-time snacking!

So here’s to Distraction Dieting.  Eating less through keeping busy means less obsessing.  It seems to work fairly well!

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009 by Dea.

We are all unique, like snowflakes.  So why is it we assume that one weight loss plan will work for everyone?

What works for me is to restrict my portions, rather than any one food group.  I’ve tried going the restriction route.  It does not work for me.  I wind up torturing myself by withholding something like, say, carbs, and then going off the deep end a week later, rolling naked in a pile of Snickers bars.  Ok, maybe not naked, we own quite a few mirrors, but you get the point.  I know I just can’t live like that. 

I respect that carb cutting is ideal for other people.  If something doesn’t work for me, I can’t assume it won’t work for anyone.  Somehow, other people do not offer me the same respect.  I have frequented weight loss boards in the past, and people can get very militant about weight loss programs.  I’ve been called names, had my intelligence questioned, just because I didn’t follow a person’s method of weight loss.

I personally think that whatever you do in a healthy way to get to a better, healthier you, is the right way.  We’re all doing things to improve our quality of life, and if one person finds it easier to cut carbs while another does Weight Watchers, who are any of us to say someone is wrong?  We can all benefit from tips and tricks that work for others.  I’ve incorporated things I learned from other people, even if we aren’t n the same “plan.”  So what is your weight loss identity?

Posted in Encouragement, Success, Weight Loss | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, August 6, 2009 by Dea.

There are days I feel bound to the scale.  A compulsion to step on and off repeatedly, and throughout the day, controls me.  Every blip, every fluctuation, is a reason to think, to do math, and to obsess.  I seem to do calculus to figure out what every item I’ve ingested weighs.  Water is a favorite, since 1 oz. of water in volume weighs 1 oz.  There I stand, thinking, “Well, I drank that big glass of water, so I can subtract three-quarters of a pound, since the glass is bigger than 8 oz.”

Why the urge to know what I weigh at any given moment in the day?  I can’t figure it out.  Does anyone else find themselves doing this?  All I know is that it is causing me to stress about the end result and stop focusing on the journey.

For the next week, I’m going to stay off the scale.  I once read that weight fluctuates every day as a result of daily diet and salt intake, how much exercise you got, and even the pull of the moon.  Maybe that last one is reaching, but it could be a valid point.  I’m going to put the scale away for a week.  I’m only going to weigh in at the same time of the day on the same day of the week.

I think the less I obsess, the less I’ll focus on the weight and the more I’ll focus on the way I feel.  After all, this isn’t just about the numbers.  It’s about how healthy I can become.

Posted in Stress, Weight Loss | Print | No Comments »

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 by Dea.

It is so frustrating being a female trying to stick to a healthy eating plan.  If you’re also trying to lose weight, it can be downright torture.  Every month we get a nice glitch in the works.  The period.  I think we need a new name, because “period” doesn’t sound evil enough.

First, you get the lovely water retention.  I don’t know about everyone else, but I can gain up to 9 pounds of water weight in the course of a day.  Then you get the drive to eat.  And eat.  And eat.  For the first day, I’m completely ravenous.  I can’t figure that part out, because, really, what is the benefit of eating incessantly?  Finally, there’s all of the physical aspects of this time of the month.

It’s hard to drum up the energy to get on exercise equipment, or even to leave the house for fear of embarrassment!   I’m not trying to be gross, but I’m sure a lot of women can relate to that day or two where you don’t want to be further than 20 steps away from a bathroom.

It’s unfair.

I’m trying not to let myself give in to the urge to lay and eat, though.  I have weights, a swiss ball, and a spin bike at home.  I  am going to work out here, where even if the embarrassing does occur, I’m home and no one will be around to witness.  I am also trying to ignore all those nasty cravings.  It helps that I don’t really have much junk in the house right now.  I didn’t plan on that, but I’m glad it happened this way.  I think I will try to remember to set the house up this way for next month.

I guess my advice, then, is to prepare your house for days like these.  Have some hand weights and bands in the house.  Get a video or piece of aerobic equipment.  Be prepared and have some things on hand so that you have no excuses for not getting in even the quickest work out.  You don’t have to go to the gym to burn some calories.  And you’ll feel better after moving, both mentally and physically.  Working out releases endorphins, which help with cramps and headaches.  Getting your blood moving will help with blood flow and make the whole ordeal move along faster and easier.  Burning calories will help offset any cravings that win, and working out helps curb appetite.  So it is a win-win situation.

So with that advice, I should get off the computer and get on my bike.  What are your tips and tricks for dealing with that time of the month?

Posted in Stress, Weight Loss, Exercise | Print | 3 Comments »

Monday, August 3, 2009 by Becca.

Why the heck is it so hard to eat healthy in a restaurant?

I went to Buffalo Wild Wings on Sunday (not my choice) and I couldn’t believe how unhealthy!  Yeah, they have salads on the menu.  I know better than to assume those are actually a good choice, though.  I wound up ordering a grilled chicken wrap, figuring the tortilla had to be a better choice than a bun.  I also wasn’t about to order a grilled chicken sandwich, hold the bun, seeing as I can go get a chicken breast anywhere.  So I asked if, instead of the usual side choices (french fries, coleslaw, etc…), I could have a side salad with lite Italian dressing on the side.  In other words, I was trying to be logical and sensible in my choices.

When my meal came, the salad was piled high with giant croutons and shredded cheese.  And I mean PILED.  Think titanic proportions.  I’m actually scared to think about what their entree salads look like!  So note to anyone going to Buffalo Wild Wings - if you order the side salad, ask for either no cheese and croutons, or get them on the side!

There was a positive to all of this, though.  The salad dressing was actually in a single serve pouch, which I assume is what they use with take-out orders.  That was nice since I actually trust the packaging a little more than a restaurant just telling me it’s lite dressing.  (Dea and I both have worked at restaurants - trust us, NEVER take their word for it!)

Am I the only one frustrated by trying to eat healthy out in the real world??

Posted in Restaurants, Weight Loss, Healthy Eating | Print | 4 Comments »

Monday, August 3, 2009 by Dea.

They aren’t the “bee’s knees,” either.  I had to take a week off from exercising because I sprained my knee.  And unfortunately, the story isn’t exactly exciting.  I was sitting in a chair.  Yeah, that’s right, apparently sitting in a chair is now dangerous activity for me.  People with osteo-arthritis are prone to weird strains and sprains like this.  Lovely.

After a week off from exercise, I’ve been eager to get back into motion.  Eating healthier is only half the plan for me.  I need to move more so that I will be able to move at all, if that makes sense.  Keeping my knees healthy may help me avoid surgery for a nice long while.

Today I tried  some deep water aerobics.  Basically, it’s the same sorts of moves as normal water aerobics, but in the deep end of the pool with a floatie to keep your head above water.  It’s zero impact, which is great news for anyone with joint problems, arthritis, or who want to start exercising but feel clumsy or too heavy to do anything with impact on the joints.  I love it.  If you can find a class, I highly recommend it.  I’ve taught water aerobics, so I was winging this on my own while my five year old played shark beside me.

It felt very, very good.  Moving, tiring out the muscles, and bringing up the heart rate was a nice change.  I don’t hurt either.  I know it’s not as much of a calorie burner as tomorrow morning’s spin class will be, but this is a good change of pace.  It has a lot of benefit for toning, and for core muscles.  It also has the huge plus of being in the pool, and I love the water.

My physical therapist said that was a really good thing to have done.  He worked on my traitorous knees, and I left feeling stronger and more relaxed.

Next up, I’m thinking of trying Pilates.  Stay tuned!

Posted in Weight Loss, Exercise | Print | 1 Comment »

Sunday, August 2, 2009 by admin.

Two women who’ve been up and down the scale get together over coffee and talk about their ideas and tricks and little changes they are using to become healthier.  This is how a blog is born.  So, without further ado, an introduction to us both!

Dea is a 32 year old wife and mother of two boys.  She has osteo-arthritis in her knees, which makes exercise and heck, climbing the stair, interesting.  She is six feet tall, and currently not pleased with her weight, or the junkiness of her diet.  She believes the word “diet” is not about losing weight, but merely means the food you eat.  She is also very, very interested in budgeting and saving money, and how to work the healthier, lighter way of eating into tight budgets.

Becca is a 31 year old single girl.  She has the best beagle ever, named Molly.  She has back problems, so she has to come up with creative ways of getting more exercise.  She, too, has a tight budget, and has had to come up with very creative ways of cooking for one that are both healthy and cheaper.  She is very interested in lowering cholesterol, keeping her back healthy, and watching out for diabetes.

Why the title? We’ll tell you why. Carrots should taste like cheetos. They’re the same color. Why is one healthy, and the other has more calories, fat, etc? Whoever came up with healthy food needs to do a bit more R&D and come out with “New and Improved - Carrots!” Extra strength lettuce would be nice too. Basically, we’re all  in battles with our minds and bodies to get to - and then maintain - good, healthy levels of fitness and weight. So we’re sure a lot of what we post here will wind up referring to our frustrations, or successes, of that struggle. Battle, more like.

So that’s us.  We’re hoping that we’ll have lots of new ideas that can help others to lead healthier, happier lives - while also saving money!

Posted in Money Saving Tips, Saving Money, Weight Loss, Healthy Eating | Print | No Comments »