Here is a trick that helps me from gaining too much weight back...
Okay, so I've started losing weight again; and it's already enough that I'm able to gain some weight back from this new "health kick" without gaining it all back. It is also enough where I can mentally reset my maximum weight limit. I hit about 305 again within the past month, up from 278 or so back in... I want to say it was June. But I've started to lose weight again. I went down to just under 293 a few days ago. I went up again to 295 or 296. I'm back down to under 294. I plan to keep going down because I'm resetting my maximum weight limit to 295. I really don't want to hit 295 again. The reason why I was having such a difficult time getting back on track and getting my weight back down was because I had raised my maximum weight limit to 300 and then 305; mentally, I told myself I had to get back on track at around 300 or 305. So I would lose weight, see my weight go down, and figured that I had a license to eat, now. My boyfriend helped me by hiding the scale for a day or two. And I had lost enough weight to lower my maximum weight limit, since I try to go to the nearest 5; but I wasn't able to get down there because I had kept seeing my weight go down and I would gain it back all over again.
In other words, try to mentally change your opinion of what "too big" is for your own body, lowering it to a new number and then at least maintaining that as you look forward to you being able to change your number again after losing even more weight.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Calorie Saver: Starting to Get a Little Chili
I'm no terribly impressed with the department management at my job, but I will say that the vegetarian chili in the cafe is pretty damn good. You can still pretty much get all the spices and the taste of regular chili in less than half the calories! With the recipes that are used a the hospital where I work at, an entire 8 oz. of vegetarian chili is only 104 calories; and I believe that 8 oz. of meat chili is about 250 calories.
When I was younger, I hated beans; especially in my chili! I love meat, don't get my wrong. I actually crave it sometimes, just like people crave something sweet or something salty. But along my journey, I've come to like vegetables when used "properly" (i.e., I still don't like certain raw vegetables); and with my change in likes and dislikes, more vegetables have been added to my "Welcome" list. Because of this, I have been more open-minded about what I eat and have so taken a liking to vegetarian chili. The recipe that I eat at work includes mushrooms, roasted red peppers, pieces of tomato, and of course a couple types of beans. I'm not sure what other ingredients are in the chili, but I know that these are.
When I was younger, I hated beans; especially in my chili! I love meat, don't get my wrong. I actually crave it sometimes, just like people crave something sweet or something salty. But along my journey, I've come to like vegetables when used "properly" (i.e., I still don't like certain raw vegetables); and with my change in likes and dislikes, more vegetables have been added to my "Welcome" list. Because of this, I have been more open-minded about what I eat and have so taken a liking to vegetarian chili. The recipe that I eat at work includes mushrooms, roasted red peppers, pieces of tomato, and of course a couple types of beans. I'm not sure what other ingredients are in the chili, but I know that these are.
Calorie Saver: 'Tis The Season
Edy's.... ice cream? Frozen yogurt? Anyway, Edy's has a limited time flavor- pumpkin! It's amazing! It tastes like pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie. The best part is that it's only 110 calories per serving (half a cup)! It has real pumpkin in it, as well, according to the list of ingredients. This is probably a better alternative to pumpkin pie with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream; it already IS ice cream! So if you think you could get that craving for pumpkin pie with ice cream, get pumpkin ice cream. It'll save you calories.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
TRICK #9: How To Help Keep Yourself From Binging
Over the past few months, I have noticed a trend when I binge. I, personally, have realized that I tend to binge when I am not satisfied. I have gone to the soup kitchen to try to save on money and later that night, I went on a little binging spree.
I now realize that I binge when I cannot eat something that I desire. Sometimes I will crave a certain type of food. Sometimes I will crave some form of protein or meat. When I cannot find any in the house, I start to eat other food, but when I eat the other foods, I'm binging. I will eat my original intended amount many times over because I have a craving that I cannot satisfy.
Realize and acknowledge what your frequent cravings are. Make sure that you have some form of it in the house as often as possible. Better yet, if you can keep a small amount of it in the house as often as possible, you may be able to keep from eating too much. For example, sometimes I may crave a salty carb. but instead of eating an entire "Family Size" bag of potato chips, I might try to keep a smaller bag. Or, if these work for you, buy the 100-calorie packs or buy a box of small bags. This may give you the satisfaction of having eaten enough to satisfy your craving; and in addition, this may give you the satisfaction of looking into the bag and seeing nothing but crumbs, but not consuming as many calories as with a large bag of food. I bring this up because many Americans will eat a meal in such a way that they do not stop eating until there is nothing on the plate. I'm going to guess that the same idea may also apply for snacks; not just meals.
CONCLUSION:
Make sure that you can satisfy your cravings; if you have a difficult time with portion control, try buying smaller containers of the same food, if you think that may be helpful to prevent yourself from overeating.
I now realize that I binge when I cannot eat something that I desire. Sometimes I will crave a certain type of food. Sometimes I will crave some form of protein or meat. When I cannot find any in the house, I start to eat other food, but when I eat the other foods, I'm binging. I will eat my original intended amount many times over because I have a craving that I cannot satisfy.
Realize and acknowledge what your frequent cravings are. Make sure that you have some form of it in the house as often as possible. Better yet, if you can keep a small amount of it in the house as often as possible, you may be able to keep from eating too much. For example, sometimes I may crave a salty carb. but instead of eating an entire "Family Size" bag of potato chips, I might try to keep a smaller bag. Or, if these work for you, buy the 100-calorie packs or buy a box of small bags. This may give you the satisfaction of having eaten enough to satisfy your craving; and in addition, this may give you the satisfaction of looking into the bag and seeing nothing but crumbs, but not consuming as many calories as with a large bag of food. I bring this up because many Americans will eat a meal in such a way that they do not stop eating until there is nothing on the plate. I'm going to guess that the same idea may also apply for snacks; not just meals.
CONCLUSION:
Make sure that you can satisfy your cravings; if you have a difficult time with portion control, try buying smaller containers of the same food, if you think that may be helpful to prevent yourself from overeating.
TRICK #8 - How To Keep Getting Your Lazy Behind To The Gym
I also joined the gym last night.... another expensive decision, but a good investment. I worked out so hard last night! If I told you everything I ate yesterday and last night, you'd s*** yourself! I had cookies, muffins, a slice of pumpkin bread, and about 2 pizzas. I stepped on the scale this morning and I gained maybe two pounds.... normally that would have added about 5-7 pounds to the scale. I realize now that I can never stop going to the gym. With my goals and my desire to eat whatever I want when a party is nearby, I can't stop going. But normal days like today, I can work out more than I eat.
My boyfriend signed up for the membership with me; i.e., it is always good to have someone to work out with! This person can keep you motivated as you can with him/her. Another benefit to this concept, is the fact that you have to someone to hold you accountable; not to mention that if you go to the gym and your gym partner is working out and you decide to be lazy, ask yourself how that is going to make you feel and look as you just sit/stand around the gym and do nothing. If you're like me, it is going to motivate you to work out so you don't look like a loser.
Another thing about joining a gym.... make sure it puts a small dent in your wallet. Don't spend money that you don't have; but if you have a difficult time committing to a gym, don't get a bargain. Seriously. Don't. Because I am an employee at Middlesex Hospital, I only pay $5 a month for a premium membership for the inland WOW! Fitness centers. Now, the inland centers are no long affiliated with the centers along the shoreline; so I had to sign up last night at the one in Groton. I pay $30/month to go to this gym. For $30/month, you think I'm not gonna use that gym? When I'm making so little money at my job? Hell No!! I'm gonna get my ass off the couch and get to the gym. Again, this isn't breaking me financially, so I can do it. But it's a lot more money than $5 every month; and on top of it, $2.50 is taken out of every paycheck to pay for the WOW! Fitness center in Middletown. So I barely even see the money that is being taken out. But I now pay $50/month from my bank account to pay for my and my boyfriend's gym membership (he got a $10 discount 'cause he's a student and am a graduate, now). So now, I need to make sure that for the 1st of the month, I have $50+ in my bank account. Again, it is in my face that nearly a gas tank's worth of money is being taken out of my bank account every month. Believe me, it's a motivator to not waste my money and to get my ass to the gym!
CONCLUSION:
Try to find yourself a gym buddy. He or She can keep you motivated to continue working out and you also have someone to hold you accountable for your actions (or lack thereof). Also, go to a gym where the membership fees are relatively high; not high enough to put you in financial ruin, but enough where you cannot brush it off and not go to the gym for.
My boyfriend signed up for the membership with me; i.e., it is always good to have someone to work out with! This person can keep you motivated as you can with him/her. Another benefit to this concept, is the fact that you have to someone to hold you accountable; not to mention that if you go to the gym and your gym partner is working out and you decide to be lazy, ask yourself how that is going to make you feel and look as you just sit/stand around the gym and do nothing. If you're like me, it is going to motivate you to work out so you don't look like a loser.
Another thing about joining a gym.... make sure it puts a small dent in your wallet. Don't spend money that you don't have; but if you have a difficult time committing to a gym, don't get a bargain. Seriously. Don't. Because I am an employee at Middlesex Hospital, I only pay $5 a month for a premium membership for the inland WOW! Fitness centers. Now, the inland centers are no long affiliated with the centers along the shoreline; so I had to sign up last night at the one in Groton. I pay $30/month to go to this gym. For $30/month, you think I'm not gonna use that gym? When I'm making so little money at my job? Hell No!! I'm gonna get my ass off the couch and get to the gym. Again, this isn't breaking me financially, so I can do it. But it's a lot more money than $5 every month; and on top of it, $2.50 is taken out of every paycheck to pay for the WOW! Fitness center in Middletown. So I barely even see the money that is being taken out. But I now pay $50/month from my bank account to pay for my and my boyfriend's gym membership (he got a $10 discount 'cause he's a student and am a graduate, now). So now, I need to make sure that for the 1st of the month, I have $50+ in my bank account. Again, it is in my face that nearly a gas tank's worth of money is being taken out of my bank account every month. Believe me, it's a motivator to not waste my money and to get my ass to the gym!
CONCLUSION:
Try to find yourself a gym buddy. He or She can keep you motivated to continue working out and you also have someone to hold you accountable for your actions (or lack thereof). Also, go to a gym where the membership fees are relatively high; not high enough to put you in financial ruin, but enough where you cannot brush it off and not go to the gym for.
I'm Baaaaaaaaaaccckkkk!
Wow!! It has been a looonng time since my last post. Why did I decide to come back? Well... I met someone and we moved into our own apartment together. Packing was ridiculous and unpacking... about 50x worse!! Little of our belongings were organized. 'Twas a blessing in disguise, however. I kept myself so busy with unpacking and trying to arrange the apartment that the only time I ate was when I was hungry. I ended up down to 279, a whopping 100-pound weight loss! Unfortunately, we're a little more comfortable with the apartment now and I currently travel 80 miles every day round-trip for work; with the price of gas right now and my relatively low hourly wage and my student loans creeping up on me... let's just say that eating healthy can become expensive very quickly. So I'm back up to about 300 pounds.
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