I was thinking during my shower, that we (our family) needs to shift the mothers day celebrations away from food. So we are going to skip the lunch, go for a walk at the park, then off to see the "Wolverine" movie
Bill~ Big Kudos for being the good hubby and not rolling your eyes or huffing when the Mrs wants it moved 2 inches to the left.
onebyone~ I dont think I can say it any better than Bill did. " You demonstrate that you are part of the family and that you are bigger than their actions."
Tera~ spice cake with coffee flavoured frosting That just sounds sooooooooooooooooooooo good Sending you positive thoughts to get thru the day on plan!
ChinaMaine~ Give yourself credit for attempting to get some exercise. I had no idea folks would get reactions like that to a garlic pill.
Anne~ Yeah for an awesome bike ride! And tackling that hill!
Coaches/Buddies Sorry I didn't make it back last night. DH and I went out for our first date in a couple years. Dinner and a movie. A planned indulgence, and I had fun and enjoyed myself. Up only 0.4 pounds this morning. Looking good.
I ran this morning, and it was very nice. I planned 3.5 miles, but a dog came to chase me at 3.25, so I just called it a day. It's getting hot here! DH has taken the kids to the Desert Museum for the morning so I can enjoy a peaceful Mother's day.
I had a small unplanned indulgence as a result, dipping into DH's Pop Tart stash, but I'm all done with that. I think I'm going to go grocery shopping, alone (happy dance), and then see if I can get my aerobars put on my bike for my race in a couple weeks. But first, coffee. Now done....mmm
Chris I'm so glad to hear you get to get back to work. Must be such a relief to you.
Bill Garlic mustard. Sounds a bit pungent. Glad you enjoyed it!
Biking for apples. I like that. Sounds like you made DW's day on the tree thing. I like that, too!
I'm actually happy with the smaller Kindle, since one of my main reasons for getting it was portability. If it got much bigger, it'd be a thing to deal with on its own, instead of a doodad that fits into a midsize purse or carry on.
Do you find Trader Joe's a danger zone? I almost never go because I have real issues in the chocolate isle. Healthy chocolate is good, right??
onebyone your huge accomplishment! Good job on identifying your sabotaging thoughts about extreme measures. It really, no kidding, is one small, sometimes tough, step at a time. Good luck with decluttering. Also one small step at a time. Sorry about the family drama, while at the same time, I'm happy you are talking to them again.
ChinaMaine Nice work on the lunge-squat combo. Those sound extra extra tough, to quote Tasha from the Backyardigans. Sounds great that you found a trigger/cause for your fatigue and can make some modifications. Hope your NJ trip goes well.
So sorry about the incident with the Garlic pill. Perhaps it used gluten as a stabilizer as well? Another lesson learned the hard way.
Tera Serious on that Saturday pain report! Something's working...
You are going to be SO on plan today. And so am I. At least post-Pop Tarts.
Wendy I'm so sorry about your dog. We lost one last year too, and I'm still sad about it. Do the best you can to take care of yourself, and then you'll pull it together when you are ready.
Robin Cheers for your good day. Deviled eggs are well-named in my opinion. Enjoy your movie today!
Thanks everyone for the Mother's Day wishes! I'll swing by tonight to keep myself accountable, although I'm feeling that this morning's food diversion was just enough, and not the beginning of the fall. A good feeling.
Coaches/Buddies It's been a good day so far today. I'm hungry and will probably eat something else before bed, which puts me a bit over, but as long as I don't go crazy, it's all good. So I won't be going crazy tonight. 100 to 200 calories.
Bill, I was reading one of my inspirational books tonight. Something struck me and I thought I would share it with you, because you and I seem to have the same view on free food.
Free food isnt free.
We pay for it in extra fat and calories.
wendylan So sorry to hear about your dog. I know he had a good life and will be really missed. It's the best we can do for our animal friends is to really love them. You and your dog were lucky to have found each other. Big to you and your family.
angelmomma210 Very glad to read you are off to work in the morning and also that DH's case is being investigated. Boy the wheels turn slowly eh?
I hope you have a great day.
wndranne You sound like you had a great start to your day... I hope it's continued to be great. Thanks for the tip about the maintainers' threads here on 3FC. I found one specifically about Thin For Life including detailed posts about the 12 keys. Very interesting and lots and lots to read. I'm trying to re-program this brain of mine. Speaking of which, what was the name of the book about the brain again? Is it Brain Rules? Thanks for your help.
RobinW Glad to hear about all your recent success and all the shifts and changes you are making in your life. I feel I am traveling backwards these days, but I know it's temporary. You help me realize I can change direction when I put my mind to it. thanks.
twilit tera for being so on-plan! Hope you had a pleasant day today!
BillBlueEyes Thanks so much for the solid comments. Very thoughtful and helpful. I must admit I was totally unaware of how much good stuff there is over in the maintainers section of this board. Very helpful and much to think about with that stuff. And yes you are right commercial=professional. Interesting shift in tone from one word to the next. Kudos for getting the bike out.
ChinaMaine Sorry to hear of your reaction to the garlic capsule and the ensuing fatigue. I hope you had a better day today.
I spent most of the day on the couch. I did get a bit of walk to the mall in and checked out some spring tops but that was the most exciting thing today. My eating was not great. And DH and I both bought too much crap to the cash at the mall and therefore brought it home. Seems I am in the " I'm going to be on a diet soon so I want to have X and X and X before I do that" mood. Oh oh. I think I need to start the Beck book again but I don't feel ready for it. I have been reading The Structure House book and it stresses being ready. I think I'll be ready soon because I can't really tolerate this behaviour in me very long anymore AND the scale is climbing and I can't tolerate it to go up too much more. My body and my jeans are feeling it.
Tomorrow I have a decision to give about working in a summer position as a children's classroom technician at the school. 5 days a week/ 8-5 / $10.50 an hr. I am not keen to do it but the sure thing money part is enticing me. the trade off is I won't be making my own art work those weeks and I won't be selling my own work at the markets. My way, the market way, is an unknown amt of $ coming in. It continues my direction of being a self supporting artist. the other, the tech job, takes me away from that. I'm really not interested in doing that job either. I'd be doing it solely for the money. I think I'll turn it down. I need to stay focused on my own work no matter what. I need to have faith. Ugh. to me with that.
Have a good night folks.
Diet Coaches/Buddies - Kept eating on plan even with both kids and their SO's here for Mother's Day dinner. The kids and I went to Whole Foods to select dinner: herbed chicken, butternut squash with cranberries, green beans with red peppers, broccoli with smoked bacon, and eggplant in tomatoes. Plus a platter of pickled onions, mushrooms, and whatevers. I prepared ahead of time (CREDIT moi) the fresh fruit I'd bought on Saturday (CREDIT moi): pineapple, strawberries, and kiwi. It's a victory to steer the kids away from a traditional gloppy dessert that would be hard for DW to turn down on Mother's Day.
Made my curried zucchini for lunches this week, CREDIT moi. Was tickled when DD asked to take a pint home with her - she was here last time I made it, took some, and made a couple of dinners by adding brown rice. There's just something special about snarfing food from mon and dad's.
onebyone - Ouch for that "I'm going to be on a diet soon" mood. Kudos for recognizing it and its accompanying feelings so you can shift back into on-plan.
Good luck making your decision on the classroom job for the summer - it's easy to see the dilemma.
Robin (RobinW) - Amazing isn't it that all our celebrations focus on food; Kudos for moving Mother's Day away from that.
Thanks for, "Free food isnt free. We pay for it in extra fat and calories." I'll chant that next trip through Whole Foods.
Anne (wndranne) - Yeah for dinner and a movie away from the kids. Once you remember that you know how to do that, perhaps it can happen on a regular basis.
Yep, "Healthy chocolate is good." And Yep, that was my mantra when I'd eat a third of the monster size dark chocolate bars, but I suspect you meant in moderation, LOL.
Trader Jo's isn't a danger zone for me for some reason; I pretty much stick to nuts and dried fruits. Except for their d*rn lunch time FREE sample, which I've long ago accepted into my plan on my infrequent one hour (round trip) walks to get there. It's always new or unusual. Last time was frozen strawberry shortcake - a pretty good bang for the buck in sample size. Once I get over my FREE food issue at Whole Foods, I may choose to tackle this one just to free the mind.
Tera (twilit tera) - Yay for "I am going to be SO on plan today!"
And Kudos for splitting the small onion rings. I used to think those were a vegetable, LOL. Spice cake is my favorite also.
Chris (angelmomma210) - Bus driving day!! Have good trips.
Wendy (Wendylan) - Waving. Thinking about your dog. Sending supportive thoughts. Hope all goes well with your light duty shift at work today.
Readers -
Quote:
resistance technique 5 Read all of your Response Cards - including these additional cards. . . .
Quote:
If I eat this unplanned food, I'll get momentary pleasure, but then I'll definitely feel bad afterward. It's not worth it!
. . .
The Complete Beck Diet for Life, pg 99
Last edited by BillBlueEyes; 05-11-2009 at 04:48 AM.
WI-down .5 lbs to New Low! Beck – Read my cards, made a plan. Food – op, sort-of. Since I wasn’t feeling well on Sat, I moved my extra 300 calories I usually use then to Sunday. We went to see Star Trek – what fun! I had buttered popcorn (half a small bag). I enjoyed it in the moment, made sure it was op, but had second thoughts later when both DH and I felt a bit off afterwards. Oh well… Exercise – off-plan. I was still very tired from the garlic fiasco. I had no mental symptoms, just was physically tired. So my fatigue rating is fairly low. Fatigue: 2.2 (1=Feels great, 5=Extreme Fatigue).
Robin for 100% op! Deviled eggs, yum – do you make those for snacks during the week? And I take it you faced down the baked brie, and emerged triumphant?
Bill at planting tree with the ‘helpful’ comments of DW. I blush knowing I’d probably do exactly the same thing. Sounds like you had a wonderful (and healthy) Mother’s Day. Hooray!
Tera Sorry your pain was back up yesterday. But credit for calorie counting, and for being able to enjoy onion rings op!
Anne Credit for running! Grrr for dog owners who leave their dogs off-leash... Ouch for pop tarts, but kudos for a graceful recovery. Sounds like your hitting on all cylinders this week. I wasn’t able to get Thin for Life on audio book – darn! I need to get back on track mentally. I’m going through the motions, but just am not as motivated as I had been. Since I couldn’t get Thin for Life, I’ve gotten a different one, so No the pills are completely gluten-free, I checked. Something else about the pill really hit me hard. Oh well…
angelmomma Hope your first day back to work was fun!
Credits: counting calories , LOTS of water , hiding mom’s gumdrops in the pantry , limiting portions at breakfast , going heavy on the salad and light on the pasta and bread
Mother’s day was a smashing success. French toast breakfast, followed by romance films, followed by family films when my aunt and uncle came over, with spaghetti dinner and, as mentioned before, cake.
I was totally on plan.
I hope everyone had a wonderful mother’s day!
Robin: for changing your family’s mother’s day focus. My mom says that when she was a child, the day was spent pampering mom in various ways, cleaning the house top to bottom for her, waiting on her hand and foot. That sounds like a lot more trouble than brunch. Maybe food is a shortcut for a lot of us?
Anne: Fantastic that you got both some “me” time and some “us” time for Mother’s day. Just what every mom needs, right?
for bouncing back from poptarts!
Onebyone: for the clarity of vision about the hourly wage vs. mystery $ amount moving you toward your ultimate goal. I was thinking about the financial pressure between you and hubby this morning and was planning to come on here today to say that I think you should avoid the pressure of making more cash now at the expense of cash potential of being a self-supported artist. Reaching that goal is going to take more than you producing your own work; it will take research and a business plan. But it will surely never happen if you are not working on your own art.
Bill: for celebrating Mother’s Day OP.
ChinaMaine: Glad to hear that you’re recovering from the garlic pill. for adjusting your calorie budget to stay OP on Mother’s Day. (IMO, redistributing calorie allowances is perfectly legit.)
Thanks for the pain sympathies. I’m thinking about what was happening yesterday that my pain levels rose briefly. It was mainly the chair I was sitting in at Mom’s. Bruce and I went back home to fetch the dinner ingredients I’d forgotten, and picked up a couple of our big soft sofa pillows. Using them over the same reclining lounger, I felt much better.
I am going to be so on plan today!
Last edited by twilit tera; 05-11-2009 at 10:22 AM.
Im struggling with some hidden issues that flared up the other day.
All sabotaging thoughts, but kinda cuts to the core...kwim?
A whole lot of ...why am I doing this? Whats the point? etc etc etc.
Ultimately I am doing this for "me".
I just need to focus on that. Hubby and I had our first sabotaging event yesterday. Its spilling over to today as well. He has been so supportive! So helpful! Yesterday brought out ...Im not sure? He wants me to succeed, and helps at every turn. Then yesterday we had a showdown over something he thought he was doing "for me". Taking me to a restaurant that doesnt have a lick of healthy choices isn't doing something for me.
I dont know...Im in a bit of a funk today. I'll snap out of it.
I drove from Maine to NJ today – 7.5 hours. I’m not a huge fan of long drives and I really don’t like driving in NJ, but overall was a very good day. No weigh-in today. Beck – Read my cards, made a mental plan and did pretty well. Food – 200 calories below a typical weekday, so I count that as a huge success. I packed cold chicken, and raw green beans for lunch, plus apple plus peanut butter for my snack. That just left me with small fries as my fast food indulgence as well as a Starbucks latte mid-day. I had planned to exercise this AM as I would normally, but I woke really tired again, so just did a slow 20 min walk. Fatigue: 2.0 (1=Feels great, 5=Extreme Fatigue).
I’ve been de-motivated since I went off-plan about 9 days ago. It’s amazing how exercising the giving-in muscle really throws me off my game. I’m also getting to that dangerous 3 – 4 month anniversary when I frequently lose motivation when dieting. I decided to use my long drive to try and re-motivate myself. I hoped to get Thin for Life that Anne recommended, but they don’t have that on audible.com.
Instead I got this book called ‘Rethinking Thin’ by Gina Kolata. It’s definitely not motivating. But it is thought-provoking. It’s basically one person’s literature review of diet research over the last 50-60 years. The first half of the book goes over the history of ideal body image and diet fads from the mid-1800s until now. I found this section of the book fascinating, essentially that ‘everything old is new again’. The same diets we hear about now: calorie counting, low protein, low carb and crazy diets like all-grapefruit, all-liquid etc. have all been around for over 100 years. They surface, become a fad, get replaced by another diet, re-surface, become a fad, and so on through the centuries. Another interesting historical tidbit is that society and the medical profession has felt (for just as long) that people are obese because of mental health issues and/or their lack of will power. Among other things, Kolata argues based on diet research that the diet fads, and the professionals view of the obese, are just plain wrong. Kolata goes into excrutiating detail describing study after study, with name after name of authors and co-authors. I love experimental research and the circuitous path it can take you down. So I'm finding the book fascinating even when I don’t agree with her conclusions. But I’ll need to listen to the research chapters again in order to really internalize it. But she seems to be claiming that the data indicates that long-term weight loss may be out of reach of most dieters. (BTW: I have another chapter to listen to, so the final conclusion may be different.) As I said, not intrinsically motivating. But I’ve really enjoyed it so far anyway.
Anne - I know you follow the research on folks who've lost a lot of weight, and maintained their losses long-term. I don't believe Kolata discusses this research at all. Do you know of any books that cover this research?
one by one You should take the time you need – getting done with school is a big deal. I wish you well in making reasonable choices while you decompress and get ready for your next steps.
Tera for your lower pain level! Totally op and making your Mom’s Mom’s Day wonderful. I agree, I adjust calories pretty flexibly now. If I’m bad, then I adjust my planned maximum down in following days. Conversely, if I use less calories than I'd planned, then I’ll consider adjusting the planned max up on a following day if I have a real desire to do something good or fun. And I really enjoyed having popcorn at the movies like a ‘real’ person. Glad the pillow helped you in your Mom’s chair.
Robin Yikes – it’s so hard to know how to be ‘supportive’ isn’t it? I understand how you each feel… that you get out of your funk soon.
Coaches/Buddies I'm exhausted. The lack of sleeping is catching up with me. I sat down for a minute after DH took the kids away this morning and woke up 2.5 hrs later, pool closed and seriously late for work. Sigh. Other than that, I've been on plan today. I'm hoping to get to bed by 8:30 tonight. I've got 1h20m to do that in.
Run tomorrow and trying to make up a little time/work that I missed out on today.
RobinW Free food is sure expensive isn't it!
Sorry to hear about your sabotaging thoughts and the dinner thing with your hubby. I'm glad you identified it though, so you can work on the issues. Do you have an ARC? Or perhaps the "why are you doing this" thinking could prompt you to revisit and make a new list or add to the old one.
onebyone I think you made the right decision. I love the work you do, and it seems good to put your talents to work for you. The uncertain money is very tough right now, but you'll get there. Make sure you post (or PM) a link to anything you're doing on-line.
Maybe you aren't ready for the whole Beck plan, but can you do one thing? Then when you are comfortable with that do one more. No need to do everything in a day, and small steps will get you there.
Bill I got zucchini at the store Sunday. I may have to curry it. Mmmm.
Sounds like Mother's Day was a big hit all around!
ChinaMaine Hurray for the new low! Love those. DH & I saw Star Trek too, and we also enjoyed it.
What did you pick up instead of TfL? Let us know if it is good.
Tera I'm still so happy your pain levels look good. Glad you identified a trigger for that and could fix it. Wishing you continued success with that! Sounds like you had a great Mother's Day as well with your mom.
Catch you all tomorrow. Send sleepy vibes. Well, if you are reading this tonight--send tomorrow.
ChinaMaine Cross post! Congratulations. You hit one of my triggers, so you score a .
The Maintainers had a lot to say about the Kolata book. Look here. Bear in mind their perspective is that of people who are doing what Kolata says can't "realistically" be done. I did not read the book.
Statistics on maintenance are tough, and the 5% number gets thrown around a lot. Almost weight loss gospel. But the studies I've read, recent ones, don't support it. When you look at a medical definition of maintenance, losing 10% of your weight and keeping it off, the stats are still not great, but are much better. I don't have a reference for you on that anymore, unfortunately, but I did grab the original peer-reviewed paper from the scientific literature at one point because I was intrigued. Again, not the fantasy going from fat to thin, sweats to bikini body or anything, but people who have made a real, measurable difference in their health and their life. I want to say it was like 30%, but memory fails.
So if you accept that people are losing weight and keeping it off, you can choose to take the attitude that, since people are doing it, what can I learn about the successful ones? This is opposed to the attitude that most people don't maintain weight loss, so why bother--the Kolata way? There are things you can do to improve your odds. Look up the National Weight Control Registry. What do the successful Maintainers do? They exercise regularly, they manage what they eat, they weigh themselves regularly, they are committed to a true lifestyle change and not a short-term diet. Thin for Life summarizes what these NWCR people do (and I am one) and another group of "Masters". They do the same things as the NWCR group. They use positive self-talk, like the kinds of things we learn from Beck, and they don't kid themselves about what they are doing, or let sabotaging thoughts derail everything.
So that's my take. Yes, it's hard. Yes, most people don't "succeed" long term. It's not fair. Too bad. I'm going to. I've been to morbid obesity. I am NOT going back. I have NO CHOICE. I am willing to do what is necessary. The alternative is unthinkable.
My short list of must-reads:
Thin for Life by Anne Fletcher (for successful maintainer's strategies). This is the book you are looking for.
Volumetrics by Barbara Roll (for how to eat to stay physically satiated) Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink (for what your environment is doing to you) Break Through Your Set Point by George Blackburn (for a general plan to get your diet/lifestyle together) Beck Diet Solution (or Complete Beck Diet for Life) by Judith Beck (for a plan to get your head together) The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David Kessler (for insights into why your head is telling you to do stupid eating behavior).
This list doesn't include a reference for exercise, but I like New Rules of Lifting for Women by Lou Schuler (more rigorous) or Strong Women Stay Slim by Miriam Nelson (more basic) for strength training. Other than Volumetrics (for simply staying full) I think different ways of eating work for different people, low carb, low fat, low cal, vegetarianism, gluten free and on and on. I personally believe that the style in Eat, Drink and Be Healthy by Walter Willett is a really good way to go for most people. I think the research backs it up for overall health, although I'd never tell anybody to stop doing what works for them.
Good luck with it.
Anne
Last edited by AnneWonders; 05-11-2009 at 10:55 PM.
Diet Coaches/Buddies - At gym I tried to concentrate on the execution of my exercises to preempt the thoughts of feeling the vapors and wishing to quit. That helped. CREDIT moi.
Incremented the number of months on my journey and months in maintenance. CREDIT moi. Since tracking the scale numbers no longer gives that highly motivating feedback of watching the loses, I try to get my feedback from watching those numbers grow. One goal is to make it to five years - the number the Weight Loss Registry seems to use a standard for those who are long term maintainers. Another goal is ten years from a study that showed no difference in mortality rates between forever exercisers and ten year exercisers. It's a reassuring thought that if I make it past ten years that I've recuperated from the years of couch potato-ing. My rational thinking doesn't really believe that, but it's a motivator for me anyway.
Robin (RobinW) - Good morning, er, Cock-a-doodle-do, LOL.
Ouch for the Sabotaging Thoughts; Kudos for recognizing them to bring on the strategies to fight back. And Kudos for remaining sane while helping DH to see which restaurants work for you. It's hard to get it if you're not formerly obese.
Anne (wndranne) - Yay for sleep, however inconveniently it arrives.
Thanks for your soapbox including short list of must reads. It's useful for me to be reminded that the 5% number isn't gospel. Even though it feels special to be in such a small group, it serves as a built in excuse for any drift from the goal. I have Thin for Life by Anne Fletcher on my stack; maybe it needs to be shuffled toward the top.
Tera (twilit tera) - Neat that your pain level was moderate on Mother's Day; Kudos for pulling off such a nice day for your mom. (I'd be suspicious of her memories of the old mother's day, LOL.)
Can't go wrong with these solid strategies, "limiting portions at breakfast, going heavy on the salad and light on the pasta and bread."
Chris (angelmomma210) - Waving. Thought of you driving yesterday.
ChinaMaine - Congrats for surviving the 7.5 hour drive to NJ. Gotta love driving by the Newark airport where the jumbo jets look like they almost hit the car.
Kudos for bringing a head tweaking audio book for the drive and for staying OP in a situation that calls for recreational eating. Thanks for the mini review of ‘Rethinking Thin’ by Gina Kolata; perhaps I don't need to read that one right away.
Readers -
Quote:
resistance technique 5 Read all of your Response Cards - including these additional cards. . . .
Quote:
If I eat this unplanned food, I'll get momentary pleasure, but then I'll definitely feel bad afterward. It's not worth it!
That just sounds sooooooooooooooooooooo good 
Sending you positive thoughts to get thru the day on plan!
your huge accomplishment! Good job on identifying your sabotaging thoughts about extreme measures. It really, no kidding, is one small, sometimes tough, step at a time. Good luck with decluttering. Also one small step at a time. Sorry about the family drama, while at the same time, I'm happy you are talking to them again.
on that Saturday pain report! Something's working...
Sunday
for being so on-plan! Hope you had a pleasant day today!
to me with that.
Monday
for 100% op! Deviled eggs, yum – do you make those for snacks during the week? And I take it you faced down the baked brie, and emerged triumphant?
Sounds like you had a wonderful (and healthy) Mother’s Day. Hooray!
No the pills are completely gluten-free, I checked. Something else about the pill really hit me hard. Oh well…
On the road again!
I agree, I adjust calories pretty flexibly now. If I’m bad, then I adjust my planned maximum down in following days. Conversely, if I use less calories than I'd planned, then I’ll consider adjusting the planned max up on a following day if I have a real desire to do something good or fun. And I really enjoyed having popcorn at the movies like a ‘real’ person. 
. 