Fresh Start

 Introduction-

For those of you that don't know, I am currently enrolled at a community college studying Human Services, in pursuit of my Addiction Studies Certificate.  That in and of itself is a story on its own, but not for the immediate post at hand.  However, for the certificate one of my elective classes is "Self Esteem Strategies".  This class is where the idea spurred for starting afresh my "food journey" blog.  In class we are working on goal setting, with the aim of using visualization as one of the techniques to implement in attaining our goals.  I found it interesting and encouraging to learn that visualization is a technique also supported by science, according to one of the speakers of a Ted Talk You Tube video.  However, I myself have not looked at the research to determine how valid or reliable it is. Nevertheless, I am still able to create a goal, and work towards it.

Goal- 

So my goal is to lose 40 pounds safely within a 6 month time frame.  I want a great body!

Reward-

For every ten pounds lost, I have decided to reward myself.  I plan to get a new haircut (oh I may as well add highlights in there too, since I am starting to see more grays).  After 20 pounds lost, I will treat myself to a manicure.  After 30 pounds lost I will treat myself to a pedicure.  Finally when I have lost the 40 pounds I plan to treat myself to a professional muscle massage from the local Korean day spa. If during covid that is not an option, I will still do some kind of celebrating for my accomplishment.  It might be a new outfit, or 5 new outfits.  Anyways the rewards are set.

Every Sunday or once a week I will blog about my fresh start.  I will "discuss" with you the reader about how its going with my food intake.  Right now I am in the planning and preparation stage.  I have allotted some time of a week or two for both the menu planning and the grocery shopping for ingredients to make delicious low calorie low carb foods that I am likely to enjoy.  Lemons are on my mental list, for they are excellent to squeeze into a warm glass of water in the morning to aid digestion when I first wake up.  I say warm water only because its so cold in the mornings.  But cool water is fine if that's your preference I suppose.  

Action Plan-

• I will buy a dozen lemons within one week by Friday 3/12/21.
• I will create a weekly menu plan by same time frame Friday 3/12/21.
• I will go grocery shopping by ASAP Sunday 3/14/21.
• I will count calories, carbs, etc.  I will find the food diary and record it OR just buy a new food journal on or before Sunday 3/21/21.
• I will commit to a daily physical activity, such as strength training resistance, aerobic exercise such as zumba/dance, yoga/pilates, and.or walking neighborhood for 30 minutes daily by Saturday 3/6/21.  (I missed the deadline for starting my exercises yesterday, so my next best way to handle it is to start tomorrow on Monday 3/8/21 with walking at the minimum.)
• I will drink 8 glasses of H2O daily starting Saturday 3/6/21.  (Again I did not meet my quota nor deadline to start yesterday.  Fortunately, tomorrow Monday is a new day for me to start afresh on this aspect of my overall goal.)
• I will create and compile easy veggie recipes of the foods and flavors I like within a 2 weeks time so by 3/19/21.
• I will "blog" my journal ASAP with one or more weekly entries every Sunday starting on 3/7/21.  Yaye!  I did it!  I almost forgot then suddenly I remembered this goal.  So I also added it into my day planner now so to remind me what I've set myself to do each week.  I am planning to commit to blog (writing) each week for the next 6 months duration of "losing 40 pounds safely".  If a weekly blog turns out to be "too much" then I am free to adjust accordingly, and vice versa.  This is just my initial starting point.
• I will find one person to "join me" in weight loss.  I will "offer" to help him or her to lose weight also.  In other words, I am looking for a "study buddy" who will be my weight loss partner in crime.  I am looking for someone who will be my accountability partner and or someone I can teach or coach in weight loss.  The buddy system is such a great tool.  Why do something alone when doing it together is so much more fun and rewarding for all involved?  Yes, if you or someone you know wants to join me in this process feel free to come along!

To be continued-

I am so excited to be starting afresh on this goal.  I lost almost 60 pounds in 2011 and kept it off for 2 years before slowly regaining.  I am using both what has worked in the past before as well as a few new techniques.  I really hope someone will join me.  Last time I lost a large amount of weight my friend was the leader.  She taught me how to do it.  This time I am leading myself and I would be super blessed to help another person along the way also.  So if you are wanting to lose 5 pounds or 50 , I'm not a doctor but I can encourage coach and teach you about what I am doing.  Until next week, be safe and be well.  Always take good care of yourself.  Love yourself.  Accept yourself.  God is so for you and wants to bless you.  How can I say that?  Because that is the nature and character of my God.  Thanks for reading my blog.  God bless you always.

Starting Afresh

Recently I was in a small group, and one of the members shared one of his goals.  After hearing his goal, I became motivated to make my own new goal. 

In 2011 I lost 50 pounds, kept it off for 2 years, and slowly gained it all back.  After hearing my friend's goal, and after looking at my "muffin top" in the mirror (with disgust), I decided that I would once again lose some weight.  I will be healthier.  I will be lighter.  My inner organs will have more room to function properly.  I will look nicer outwardly; I will have a slimmer physique.

Of course, I want to do this safely.  So, I have decided I will lose 50 pounds in 5 months.  That is an average of 10 pounds a month, or 2-3 pounds a week.  I think this is a safe level for me, as well as an achievable goal.

My eating plan consists of a variety of approaches.  I will menu plan in advance, then make a list and go buy the ingredients needed for my meals.  I will include exercise at least 3 times a week, with a goal of fine-tweaking the exercise plan to include more.  I will drink plenty of water, and take some supplements such as a mulit-vitamin, omega 3s, and a calcium one.

I am also a  Zumba instructor, so it would be nice if I modeled what I preach, that is, a healthy lifestyle.  So, I am making a renewed effort towards my physical fitness goals. 

I know if I do what I set out to do, and stick to my plan, I can lose 50 pounds in 5 months!

My Busy Life

I just came back from the gym right now. I asked my roommate if she wouldn't mind if I came home 15 minutes later than usual, or if she wanted me home at the usual 11:00 pm. She said later was fine so I got to use jacuzzi after my workout. The jacuzzi is always my favorite part of working out!!! True!

So, my exercise tonight was using the elliptical machine for 30 minutes. I burned around 250 calories. I really needed to burn calories today, especially after the way I ate today!

Speaking of eating, I did good overall. But, I notice that I am doing "little things" that could be preventing me from progressing further in my weight loss goals. For example, in the afternoon I drank a Caramal Salted Mocha from Starbucks. Granted, I made it a "skinny", meaning made with non fat milk, and asked for the smallest size, which is a tall. I also asked for fewer pumps of the mocha, so they used 2 pumps instead of 3, and I asked for light whip. But, I also had a salted caramal bar, which was delicious! It was like 4 bites of 200 heavenly caloric bliss in my mouth. You would think that was enough, but later I succumbed to a petite vanilla scone from Starbucks too. They are one of my absolute favorites. These sweet treats are okay, but, these little things need to be watched and monitored.

I guess I feel this way for so many reasons. Before this year, I never thought about these things. And, my weight, or lack of a proper weight, reflected this. So, now that I am more aware of the reality that we really are what we eat, I desire to make a concentrated effort in my personal well being. In addition, I have lost 50 pounds this year so far, so why would I want to gainit all back? No, I definately do not want to gain my weight back. So, I do need to be concerned about my weight and think about what I put into my mouth. So, this is where I am coming from.

My lunch was a ham and turkey sandwich from subway with veggies, and mustard no mayo, with the veggies on a wheat roll. But, I didn't get the chips nor a cookie, which I would have easily done a year ago! And, I might have even had 2 bags of chips just because I could. Gross! (But, true!) Anyways, I was tempted to get a cookie, it looked so fresh and delicious. But, I didn't (but, I had 2 sweets from Starbucks instead so, it's a good thing I didn't eat that cookie from Subway).

My dinner was a bowl of fresh vegetable soup. I used a variety of veggies and chopped them up in a tomato broth with a little bit of sage, salt and hot sauce. It was pretty good. I used broccoli, cabbage, zucchinni, onion, potato and peppers. Drank with a cup of nonfat milk, and had some strawberries afterwards.

I think I am not drinking enough water though. So, I should try to improve in this area tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, the game plan is Zumba in the morning and working in the afternoon. Should try to pack something for a lunch.

I notice that I am making positive deposits in my physical life. That is, I am eating right (for the most part), and exercising (as I am able with this new crazy schedule). I miss Zumba so much! But, I realized that I can dance on my own even without a class. I just have to do it! So, that is the next thing I am thinking about these days.

I cannot believe there are people all around the world reading my blog. If you are from another country, why not leave me a pleasant comment? How are you doing? Why do you read my blog? Which parts of my blog do you enjoy or relate to? Anyways, hope you have a nice day, and I'll try to write again soon!! God bless you!

Ugh

Today I don't feel good. I started out eating right for lunch. A salad, a corn tortilla with half of a small avocado, some yogurt, a nectarine and a small handful of nuts. And, then another handful of nuts. I just went crayze with the nuts and I dont know why. Sigh. I don't feel good at all. It's like my stomach and my body just know that I overdid it on the nuts. Next meal I'll do better. What else can I say? Naptime. I love Sunday naps.

A Little Good, A Little Bad

I might eat healthily all day, except once or twice each day (yesterday and today). For example, I ate mostly great the other day; I was truly pleased with myself. But, later I realized that I had eaten one small snack of rice cake (the glutinous kind). Even though it was a really small piece, like 4 or 5 bites, I still had it. And, it was good. It had beans on top of it, which is good for our health. But, it's something I have to definately watch and stay on top of (the eating of snacks).

For example, yesterday I was also pleased with my eating intake overall. But, for my afternoon snack I ate triscuit wheat crackers (about a small handful) and a cup of soy milk. Not a bad snack overall, but, I thought it could be improved if I were to snack on fresh veggies instead. Like carrots! By the way, I have some fresh cucumbers in the fridge now, so, I should remember to eat those. They would be way better for me snack wise, well calorie wise.

Today, this morning for breakfast is another example of a little good and a little bad eating. For the good part I ate one egg scrambled with a cup and a half of fresh chopped veggies and an orange, one cup of non fat milk, and a cup of hot green tea. The "bad" part of my breakfast today was eating one biscuit. And, I must say, it was one tasty and delicious biscuit!! I put a little butter and a little jam (jam has 50 calories for one tablespoon serving), but oh, the taste! And, I have a 2 dozen in my fridge. I can't eat them all. I gave a dozen away to Maria, one of Gerilyn's caregivers. What will I do with the other dozen?

I got up this morning and was planning on going to gym for body works class but after preparing breakfast, cleaning up the kitchen, and doing the laundry, I ran out of time. So, I was planning on going after worship service tonight, but, they're closed! So, sometime this afternoon I might be able to get in. We'll see.

That's it for now. I ate a multi vitamin today and the fish oil supplement. Got some fiber supplements too, so that should help my body's regularity. 45 minutes until morning worship service. Plenty of time!