I'm sorry for not posting yesterday, but I watched this movie and it had a pretty big effect on me. I'm sure most everyone's familiar with the movie, but for those few who haven't, an extremely shallow guy gets hypnotized by Tony Roberts, and suddenly sees people as they are on the inside, regardless of what they look like on the outside.
I think overall, it's a pretty good movie, but it left me feeling a little down. I'll have to scan the movie to get the direct quote, but when Gwyneth Paltrow says something like "I'm the girl that gets good grades in school. I'm the girl that has lots of friends that are boys, but no boyfriends ..." it really kinda hit me and brought me back to a period of my life that was pretty miserable.
To some extent I still feel that way, it's something that will always be with me, I guess.
posted by Michelle :: 10:23 pm
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I'm so happy ... I just won a 3 DVD set of Dolphina's bellydance workouts. :) And I got them way cheaper than if I were to buy them in the store!
Have you seen the Weight Watchers commercials? They now supposedly have two different programs .. points or no counting. I can't begin to imagine how the no counting program works. A coworker mentioned that we may have a Weight Watchers at Work program starting, which would be pretty cool, but I still can't afford the weekly meeting fees.
I'm also almost ready to join the YMCA. I have the joining fee taken care of, but still need to get my first three months of dues saved away. I only need to pay the first month at the time I join, but I want to make sure I have enough money saved to continue my membership ... it would be horribly sad if I joined for one month, then had to cancel because I couldn't come up with the next month's dues!
posted by Michelle :: 8:21 pm
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I had a pretty stressful day yesterday, but I'm very happy because I actually had no urge to console myself with delectable delights, and I normally would. Again, I credit this to my hypnosis!
Is there any movie star, sports figure, someone you know in real life that inspires you? Someone you hold as your "ideal"? How can I explain -- this is not meant to be like a teenage girl wanting to be Kate Moss, and being anorexic or bulimic ... just, you know, who do you hold in high, realistic regard, and are wanting to emulate?
For me, it would be someone like Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, or Jennifer Lopez.
I admire their courage, strength, and attitudes! They're all real women, in great shape, and haven't had anything enlarged or stuffed or suctioned *L*
posted by Michelle :: 9:14 pm
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I gained 1.5 lbs last week. I was SOOOOOOOO tempted to lie and post that I maintained my weight, but what good would that do? If I can't be honest here, in my own writing, what kind of person am I?
What's frustrating is that I weighed myself on Christmas Eve and was actually 0.5 lb below last week's weight, so I somehow gained 2 lbs in 3-4 days. I know exactly what it was too, all the eating out at the malls yesterday and Saturday. All that salt has bloated me up! Lesson learned!
Yesterday, two things occured to spur my motivation to lose weight and get healthier:
1. My 4-year old daughter made the following comment "Look momma, my belly's as big as yours!" I'm fortunate that she wants to emulate me and be like me when she grows up, but I don't want her to think that the current me is the norm, or ideal, because it most definitely isn't! I'm fortunate that she doesn't shun me or is embarrassed of me - yet! I definitely need to get my act together and provide her a healthy example to emulate.
2. Retired Green Bay Packer #92 Reggie White passed away yesterday. He was only 43. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, for having to lose him so early in his life. This scares me. A healthy, active man, one you would think is in great shape, has died. The news article said he suffered from a respiratory illness, but regardless of the cause of death, a great, young, man is dead.
I don't want to die. Nobody really does. I've posted before that genetics aren't on my side. I don't want to be another statistic. I will be accountable for my health and well-being, and strive each day to work my hardest to reach my goal!
posted by Michelle :: 6:48 am
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I can't find her DVDs anywhere!! I'm so bummed!! I really wanted to pick up her Veils and Warrior Goddess DVDs. I checked two Targets, and can't find them. Hmmmm ... maybe I'll check eBay!
posted by Michelle :: 9:34 pm
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Merry Christmas everyone!
posted by Michelle :: 12:04 pm
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Merry Christmas Garnie!
I ate chinese food at the mall today - fried rice and orange chicken and a coke. I did share the food and soda with Meghan, and Nick snuck a few pieces of chicken, so I did stay within the correct portion size. Then I had another coke and small popcorn at the movies, again I lucked out because I shared the soda with Meghan, and the popcorn was split among the kids and I. THEN, we drove through Burger King, and I ordered a whopper and yet another coke. Of course, I shared the soda with Meghan, and I ate perhaps 2/3 of the whopper. I skipped dinner because I wasn't hungry at all, so I think despite the naughty food choices, I may have done okay today.
posted by Michelle :: 10:42 pm
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I'm buying myself an X-Box and Dance Dance Revolution for Christmas. I love that game! L and I always play that game whenever we go to Landmark. It's an amazingly good workout, and it's lots of fun.
Another favorite workout, that's tons of fun, is The Goddess Workout. You'd never think bellydancing would be such an intense workout!
If I'm going to workout, I have to have fun doing it, or I won't keep it up. What's your favorite, fun workout?
posted by Michelle :: 8:56 pm
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Hi tuff517 and Big Gay Sam!
I've never smoked or did drugs, I had my first alcoholic drink at 30. I don't gorge myself on cookies, cakes, ice cream, chocolates, candies, etc. But put a bowl of chips and salsa in front of me, and watch out!
Jack and I went to La Fuente's for lunch. I love Mexican food! I would have been happy as a clam with the free chips and salsa, but Jack had to order nachos as an appetizer. I was in heaven!
I ordered a taco salad with chicken - naturally it's a huge portion, big enough for two. I ate about half, which still was a larger portion than what it should be. I also had a Pepsi, my first soda in about 7 weeks.
I overate. Simply put. But I knew that I would overeat at La Fuente's, so I adjusted my eating over the past weekend through today. And I'm still stuffed, so I skipped dinner. I think this is one of the best things I learned from Weight Watchers Points program - saving my points for an event coming up in the week. It's MUCH harder to do if you try to save your points AFTER you've already gorged yourself. You have to do it PRIOR to the actual gorging *L*
posted by Michelle :: 8:11 pm
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I walk 1.5 miles each day on my lunch break at work. With the frigid temperatures outside, I've been walking indoors - my building is connected via skywalks to a mall. Ever since I started walking indoors, I've noticed that by the end of my walk, my hands and fingers are swollen. It frightened me a bit, especially because of the history of heart disease in both of my parent's families.
I just got off the phone with my doctor, and she said that it could be an electrolyte imbalance. She asked if the swelling subsides shortly after my walk, which it does. She said many people suffer from this, and it's nothing to be worried about. To be on the safe side, she advised me to drink a sports drink prior to my walk, to provide a proper electrolyte balance. She also gave me tips on how to swing my arms to prevent the blood pooling in my hands while I walk.
It was a little scary ... but I'm glad it's nothing serious. If anything, it reinforces my desire to get healthy. My father and both of his parents passed away from a heart attack/stroke. My mom's mother passed away from a stroke, related to diabetes. My mom also has diabetes. Genetics is definitely not on my side, and I'm determined to take care of my health and get in shape.
posted by Michelle :: 2:32 pm
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Hi Loki Ho, Garnie, and Martha!
With the motivation of my friend behind me, and a 4 lb weight loss last week, I feel like I'm on fire! :) A new sales manager brought in a HUGE platter of cookies today, and I didn't take a single one. It is so hard, not just at the holidays, but all year-long to stay away from treats and munchies at work. My job is an extremely social place, people are always going out to lunch or bringing in treats, or our clients shower us with treats all year long. For the most part, I've been able to stay away from 95% of the treats, I think it's a combination of my hypnosis (a huge part), and the fact that when I do eat the remaining 5% of treats, I eat so much that whatever it is, chocolate, cookies, pastries, etc, aren't appealing to me anymore. Ever.
I think too, that the longer you stay away from eating foods like that, the easier it becomes to resist them. At least that's the way it is for me. They say it takes 30 days to break or make a habit. Take it one day at a time, and before you know it, you'll be there!
I think I'm just finally "ready" to get this weight off and become healthy. It's taken me 4 years to get "ready". That's a loooong time! I'm fortunate to have the support of my friend and two other really good friends, and also my coworkers, which helps alot. They don't pressure me to come with them to the break room when snacks arrive. They're also proud of me for walking during my lunch hour, and are very vocal about their support. You really do need the support of EVERYONE around you to accomplish this type of a goal, or most any goal, for that matter!
It hasn't always been that way for me though, but I'm very blessed that it's finally the right time! If you need me, I'm here for you, whatever you are trying to accomplish! Just leave me a little comment, and I'll be your personal cheerleader!! Rah Rah Rah!! :)
posted by Michelle :: 10:23 pm
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He's very supportive of me, and won't let me resort to fad diets or pills to lose weight. He's in very good health, in great shape, and is very active in fitness and various sports. He's convinced me to follow a common-sense approach to eating, and is going to help me work out - he's going to pay the joining fee for me to join the Y (a big blessing, as it costs $150 for the family membership), and we're going to start working out together.
He wants me to get in shape so we can start running and bicycling when the weather warms up in a few months. It's a little weird, because I have a schoolgirl crush on him, but am not embarrassed about my weight around him, as I usually am when I'm around guys I find attractive. Heck, the second time we hung out together was at a waterpark with me in a swimming suit :)
He is good for my self-esteem and confidence, and I am very grateful to have him as my friend!
P.S. Forgot to mention that I weighed in today, and am 4 pounds lighter!
posted by Michelle :: 3:12 pm
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I saw an old friend at the mall today. It was great seeing her, and a bit of an ego boost, she noticed I lost a little weight, and noticed that my skin was clearer.
Seeing old friends can be a good motivator. My goal is to wear a size 9/10 again. I figure that means about an overall 60 - 75 pounds of weight loss. Which would be basically "losing" Nicholas and about 1/3 of Meghan. You know what I mean ... their combined weight (Nick + 1/3 of Meghan) would equal about 70 lbs. Amazing!
A lady at work has gastric bypass surgery in the spring, and has already lost 113 lbs. She now weighs what I weigh. Pretty soon, she'll be smaller than I am. It's a little frustrating, and I feel like it's so unfair that she can lose weight so quickly.
But I know that I can't compare myself to her, because we're completely different people and have completely different approaches to a similar goal. I do wish her the best, and she is encouraging me to continue my healthy eating and exercise. She actually advises me NOT to have GBS. Knowing what she does now, she says she wouldn't have gone through with it. Apparently, she's had some medical challenges since GBS, but she's okay now.
My doctor put me on a meal plan in September, and said if I wasn't seeing any results after the holidays, she and I would discuss medication. I'm torn because like everyone else, I want the "magic pill" to make the fat melt away, but I feel guilty because I know that I didn't give the meal plan a fair chance. So, as tempting as it seems, I will not ask my doctor for medication. I will keep up with my healthy eating and step up my exercise program. I am joining the YMCA on Christmas Eve - the perfect Christmas gift of health to myself and my children!
posted by Michelle :: 5:01 pm
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Hi Chris!
The biggest challenge I face is overeating. I've come a LONG way with the help of my hypnosis, but it's still a challenge.
I tend to overeat in private, usually once I get home after work. Again, I don't do it nearly as much as I used to, but it's still a daily challenge to not overeat.
We had our company holiday party at Joey Buona's, an awesome italian pizzeria restaurant. OMG, the food is delicious! Well, the people at work seriously know how to party, and definitely know how to partake in food and drink. The "lunch" was served over 2.5 hours!
Lunch included: Joey's "Soon to be Famous" Italian Nachos (my favorite), Bruschetta, Traditional Caesar Salad, Buona's Chopped Salad (my other favorite), Grilled Chicken Oreganata, Tuscan Whitefish, Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni with Sausage, Chocolate Abbondanza, and Tiramisu.
I didn't overeat as bad as I could have, partially because I generally don't overeat in public, but I did eat quite a bit. Put it this way ... I had everything except the Traditional Caesar Salad, Grilled Chicken Oreganata, Baked Rigatoni with Sausage, and Tiramisu. I skipped dinner last night because I was soooooo full.
Are you an overeater? What other challenges do you face, if any?
posted by Michelle :: 10:12 pm
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Hi Martha, Garnie, Loki Ho, WTeach, S. P. Bragg, and Becki!
*L* So now it's between the Fat Flush Plan and Body for Life.
Funny thing is, about a year and a half ago, I owned both of these books. I eventually sold them to Half Price Books, but I did read them cover to cover. I vaguely remember parts of each, but have requested both titles from my library. I'll read them both this weekend, and hopefully decide on Monday which plan I will follow.
I'd like to do a trial run with the plan, to work out any quirks and to really get some momentum going, and set January 1st as my official start date.
I apologize for the short and uninformative and boring post today, but it's been a looooong day, and I need to get some rest.
posted by Michelle :: 11:48 pm
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I've decided that I need a little more structure regarding my eating habits/meal planning. I've boiled it down to either joining Weight Watchers or following the Fat Flush Plan.
At this exact moment in time, I'm leaning towards the Fat Flush Plan. The reason? Because I don't want to/can't afford to join Weight Watchers and pay the weekly meeting fee. I've read the Fat Flush Plan, and it's recommended by my hypnotherapist. I've also tried Weight Watchers before, but I never stuck it out. Having to write everything down and trying to figure out points got old, fast.
I know I could just do Weight Watchers on my own, and it may be easier because I won't be restricted as to what foods I can and cannot eat, but on the flip side, the food restrictions in the Fat Flush Plan kinda appeal to me right now.
I dunno ... what kind of meal plan are you following?
posted by Michelle :: 9:04 pm
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It's been a good day, I listened to my hypnosis tape again last night before bed, I think it's helping because I've avoided munching all day at work, like I usually do. I took my 1.5 mile walk at lunch, despite the very brisk 22 degree temperatures. My cheeks and ears were frozen by the time I returned, but it felt good to get outside and get active.
If you read today's entry at my other site, you'll know that I had a little flirtation going on today, and it was like a shot in the arm for my self-esteem, and damn if I don't feel beautiful today! :)
The name of Cheryl's blog, Such A Pretty Face, is something I can totally relate to. As a chubby girl, and even as a chubby mom, I'm constantly told that I have "such a pretty face." It's obviously meant as a compliment, and I do thank whomever says it, but it hurts just the same. My mom used to (actually still does) call me her ugly duckling. I figure I've spent 30 years as her ugly duckling, it's about time I start my transformation into a swan! :)
Which in my own weird way, brings me to the subject of cosmetic surgery. Have you watched "The Swan"? You know, I think it was a good idea, but so many of the women undergoing the swan transformation are soooooooo not ready for it emotionally and mentally. The show does provide counselling, but I don't think they're helping these women -- these women, like me, have a low self-esteem, and feel pretty worthless. So they undergo a 3 month transformation of cosmetic surgery, oftentimes from head to toe, and at the end, they are completely different on the outside. But I don't think the inside has changed ... this show only reinforces the belief that only the outside counts. Many of the women confide that they're in troubled marriages. I don't understand why they feel they need to go to the extent of severe cosmetic surgery to make all their problems go away. Their problems are still there, they haven't gone anywhere.
I have nothing against "The Swan" or anyone that undergoes cosmetic surgery. In fact, I myself have had cosmetic surgery (I was born with asian eyes, and had surgery to give me that "crease" in my eyelid). Honestly, if someone were to offer me liposuction, hey, baby I'm yours! But I think a person's self-worth is so much more than what's on the outside. You really need to look inside and start there. You could look like a supermodel, but if you didn't like yourself on the inside, you'd still think you weren't good enough.
Egads, I'm rambling on and on and probably don't make any sense. Let me know what you think about cosmetic surgery ...
posted by Michelle :: 4:15 pm
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I am an "antisocial eater".
If you're shy, a party can be an ordeal. Hanging around the hors d'oeuvres table gives you something to do instead of having to strike up a conversation.
What triggers your eating: making small talk with your boss's spouse, or finding yourself stranded without someone to chat with.
Stay-slim strategies: pick foods that make you work to enjoy them Artichokes, lobster, shrimp, and mussels and other shellfish are not only low-calorie, they're also time-consuming to eat, so they'll slow you down. No fancy foods? Peel an orange or crack some nuts instead.
Hold a glass in your hand at all times. Keep it filled with sparkling water or diet soda, and try never setting it down. Food will be harder to access because you'll be keeping one hand occupied.
Change your perspective: identify your worst fear ('I'll stand there by myself and everyone will stare at me') and hold it up to the light of reason (when you see another person standing alone, you probably just assume she's shy). Once you've defused the fear, it's easier to practise confidence-boosting tricks like playing ambassador (look for others standing by themselves and draw them out).
Enlist a "party buddy". Go with a friend and keep tabs on each other.
What kind of eater are you? Post your results in the comments below.
posted by Michelle :: 3:00 pm
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I have been searching for weight loss/diet blogs and have not found a single one that is up-to-date. That's kinda scary ... none of the blogs I found had a final post about success or having met their goal, so I can only assume they've all fallen off the wagon and are no longer dieting.
If you have a weight loss/diet blog, please leave me a comment. I'm looking for a few good reads to keep me motivated! Thanks!
posted by Michelle :: 2:31 pm
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I listened to my personalized hypnosis tape last night right before bed, and I had the most wonderful night's sleep! I usually wake up 2 - 3 times a night, but I slept right through last night. I even slept in an extra 1/2 hour!
I'm very excited to start the plan today, I'm bringing my down coat with me to work today, so I'll have no excuse to not walk on my lunch break. I walk 1.5 miles - basically from my office to the lakefront and back. The closer we get to the lake, the winder it gets, so my down coat will be perfect!
When you want to lose weight, what type of exercise do you like and works the best for you?
posted by Michelle :: 6:35 am
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Gonna fiddle around here today, getting everything set up for my big debut tomorrow, 12.13.04!
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