Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘Weight Loss’

FEELING COCKY

I finally did it. The scale registered my weight three pounds lower. I was so happy, I actually jumped for joy. And I was able to keep that weight for a WHOLE THREE DAYS. Then it happened — the scale rebelled — or was it my body. And once again I was almost three pounds heavier.

I don’t know exactly what happened. It wasn’t as if I was eating ice cream and cake and cookies. I didn’t have a lot of chocolate or any pizza — maybe a little bit more bread — maybe a little bit more sodium. Whatever the little bit was — there is a little bit more of me.

After all, I’m still down three to four pounds. Something to celebrate — RIGHT? I tried on the winter coat that I bought that was just a little tight. IT STILL IS. I pulled out an old belly dancing DVD that I did a couple of years ago. I enjoyed it then — I was huffing and puffing NOW! I didn’t remember it being SO LONG or SO HARD. Okay, so I was at least two years younger — but I have been exercising regularly. Evidently the exercise that I have been doing is gentler on my body. I’m not giving up. I know where my belt is that jingles.

I’m wearing my pedometer every day. I’ve increased the number of steps I take from around 5,000 to close to 10,000 — on a regular basis. Robin is benefiting from the longer walks, I’m not sure my body is. I’m still not giving up but I sure would like to see some progress that would stick.

I just realized that I have celebrated my third anniversary writing this blog. And evidently I’m not done yet. I hope these rambles have helped you connect to your friends or relatives on the other side or at the very least, realize that there is another side. Recently the priest at church asked if we have ever been saved. He was commenting on the apostles hiding in the room because they were frightened. I couldn’t help but remember my mother carrying me out of our burning house and returning for my brother. She rescued me then and I’m sure there are many times when she still comes to my aid. I am extremely grateful!

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GROCERY STORE

We have lived in our neighborhood for many years. We have had as many as five grocery stores within walking distance of our house. We are down to two now. I usually walk over to the closest if I’m out of some item for dinner or in the winter, if I need some exercise. I often receive more from the store than just food and cleaning products.

Since we have lived here for so many years, I often meet friends or acquaintances from church in the store. Recently, talking to an associate from my children’s school days, I learned that a favorite place — The International Market — in Oahu had closed. Hearing that it closed made me sad. My husband, son, and I have spent many happy times there. Looking it up on the internet, I learned that it is being rebuilt and will open in August of 2016.

I usually check out the magazines when I’m in the store. Often they stay in the store but sometimes they wander home with me. Since I’m still trying to lose weight, that is a subject that catches my eye. Recently I saw an article on a drink that is made from dandelion tea, cranberry juice and lemon juice. That magazine actually made it home and I’m happy to report that my weight has gone down a pound or two. I’m sodium sensitive and the ingredients are not only healthy but helpful to my body. In fact, I had to make a run to a store to pick up more dandelion tea.

Although I watch television, I’m rather selective in the programs I watch. I LOVE musical programs and almost missed one of my favorite award shows. Thankfully, the new Woman’s World magazine had an announcement that it was coming.

Since I don’t trust my memory, when I find an article that I find helpful, I cut it out and put it in a binder. Recently I told a friend about a herb that I have found helpful. Looking through my binder I found two articles on the herb, one from 2013 and the second, from 2014. Both were written by well known universities. In fact, One was Swedish.

I seem to be having a Swedish week. First, a friend gave me a lovely Swedish musical doll. Next I found the two articles, one from a Swedish university. Then a cookbook I sent for finally arrived. The chef grew up in Sweden and references many Swedish customs and foods. Of course, since I lived with my Swedish paternal grandmother for a few years, the Swedish food is very familiar to me. It helps to explain some of my love for some foods.

I have to admit, besides my father who is a full blooded Swede — I have many Swedish friends in high places. My paternal grandmother had eleven children.

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SWIM SUIT

I would give up if I wasn’t so stubborn. That is something else I got from the Swedish side. My father received a statue when he was young of a boy pulling a goat. It is one of my prized possessions. Who was more stubborn — the boy or the goat? I don’t know but his daughter comes in close.

I exercise, I walk, I watch what I eat, I write down what I eat and the scale stays STUCK! Recently I pulled out and tried on my bathing suits. Eventually summer is coming. When it does — all of the bathing suits in the stores that I would be able to wear will be gone. I HATE TO TRY ON NEW SUITS! But I love to go in the pool weather permitting. When I had the ulcer on my leg I couldn’t go in the water for over five years. Thankfully, with the help of my sexy socks, my legs are healed. SUMMER — SWIMMING — let the hunt for a suit begin.

I had a 20% off coupon from a store. Their clothes are more expensive but well made. I have purchased swim suits from them before. The coupon was ending that day so I went and I looked at the prices and I looked at the selection and I pulled a few suits to try on — one a two piece.

The two piece didn’t fit right — it would be perfect for sun bathing but I don’t sun bath — I swim or pretend to. I have to admit that my swimming is laughable but I can make it across the pool — I stay were my feet can touch the bottom. Then I remembered that the two piece bubbled up in the hot tub, I love the hot tub if one is available.

I still had three suits to try on. Of course, the one I liked the best was almost $100. I don’t like to spend that much money for a suit. I put them all back and wandered the store but I came back and picked up the best one. When I approached the clerk I told her that I wasn’t sure I was buying it — but she said it was on sale and I had my coupon. I now have a new suit that fits me NOW, that I can swim in. Maybe, with any luck, by the time summer comes, it will fit me better!

I decided to have smoothies for breakfast. Continue on or amp up my exercise. My back still hurts when I’m standing too long. The doctor told me the pain is from a muscle — not my sciatic nerve. It is not my spine nor my hip, if it is a muscle — if I can get rid of some of my belly, maybe I can get rid of the pain.

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SMOOTHIE

SMOOTHIE

I NEED to lose weight. Summer is coming — I’m planning a trip or two and I NEED to fit into the airplane seats. Now I’ll admit that I looked up my weight in my calendar books the last time I flew and THANKFULLY I’m not heavier. BUT when I’m on my feet for too long, standing at a counter or table, my back hurts. It doesn’t seem to bother me when I’ve gone for a long walk, although other body parts protest. I’ve been trying to loser weight since January without much success.

Smoothies have surfaced recently — books, magazines and lets not talk about the many commercials on TV. I decided to make a green kale, spinach, apple smoothie. I had trouble deciding what equipment to use and finally settled on my blender — its bigger. I purchased the supplies only to discover that the kale was starting to wilt. It had five days before the use by day. I was definitely disappointed but salvaged what I could.

I decided to add protein powder and spent time looking in the pantry for its hiding place. (I haven’t used it since last summer.) I found a container of mysterious powdered stuff that had been enjoyed by bugs. Thankfully they didn’t get through the lid. I don’t know how long that container had been hidden. (Some times my life is too busy and things get lost.)

Proceeding on — I cored the apple, sliced and put it into the blender. I added a scoop of protein powder. I measured the kale and spinach , added the water and turned on the blender. I WATCHED this green goo escape from the bottom of the blender and spread all over the counter and drip onto the floor. You would think that I would have turned the blender off but it took a few minutes to register what was happening.

I can truthfully tell you that I’m stubborn and didn’t let this mess stop me. I cleaned up the goo and made another batch — my family says I’m stubborn. I guess they are right.

I don’t know if I was supposed to make a smoothie — or not. Was I just supposed to find the mysterious container of powder? I made another smoothie today without the problems. Learning from my mistakes, I put the blender on a paper towel to make sure it wasn’t leaking.

Still learning, although I can sit quietly with a blank mind for a few minutes, I’m not able to imagine a guided meditation. I sit in a black space. My imagination needs a lot of work.

SHARING — I had another paragraph that I guess is private — not supposed to be shared. When I went to save the ramble — the computer locked. Retrieving the thought ramble — the paragraph is missing! Better now — saved no problem!

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ARCHIEVE

There is a saying that curiosity killed the cat — but I’m not a cat. I wondered what my weight was when I last went to Hawaii. I wondered how long I was able to keep my weight off the last time I was successful. I wondered what my body thought my set weight is. I wondered how much weight I had lost. I wasn’t happy with the numbers.

The last time I went to Hawaii, my weight was were it is right now. That isn’t a bad thing, I fit in the plane seat then. But it isn’t were I want to be. My back was hurting when I spent too much time on my feet baking cookies this Christmas. Looking back at my calendars, I learned that my set weight is were it is right now. Again, that is not what I want. I wondered why I wasn’t able to keep my weight down after I had lost 10 pounds and learned that I had fallen into a deep depression.

So the question is what am I going to do with this knowledge. Some of the information explains why I’m not losing weight right now. I have to get out of the muck, sleep better and get some energy. The strength exercises are helping my sore arm. I’m not slathering it with as much cream — I’m not taking as much pain medicine. I might be getting some strength back in my arm but I have to admit that I’m not testing it.

I decided that I needed to amp up my exercise — then I pulled something in my right leg. It is not too much of a problem when I’m awake, but when I try to sleep it makes its presence known. My favorite positions are now uncomfortable. I’m trying not to make the problem worse which means that I have scaled back my exercise.

I’ll admit that I haven’t gone back to the diet that was so successful last year. I don’t want to give up some of the food that wasn’t allowed. I’m also making more meals that all my family will eat — not cooking separate meals just for me. The bad news is this idea isn’t helping me to lose weight. There will be four birthday celebrations over the next month. The celebrations are always hard for my weight management. I’m not giving up yet, but I haven’t come up with a good solution either.

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WAKING UP

An alarm went off at 6:15 this morning, waking me up. The interesting fact is the alarm was in my head, not an alarm clock or the radio. I’ve been having trouble sleeping all night. Members of our household have been waking me up at 3:00 AM and I have stayed awake for at least two hours before falling back to sleep. Last night I got to sleep off and on until 4:00. At 5:15 I was still awake and must have drifted off to sleep after that. WHY DID I HAVE TO GET UP AT 6:15? We didn’t have plans to go anywhere — no one unexpected or invited was coming to our house. Why did I have to get up?

I’ll admit that I have been receiving “help” from my friends in high places. I’m still trying to lose weight. I have already mentioned “their help” with my plans for breakfast when we were going out. They haven’t stopped there. I suppose it is my age but the weight is not falling off, instead it is giving me hugs and refusing to move. Recently I opened a 1996 Cooking Light book to an article on how strength training is of benefit to older people — 70 years to 90. The day before I read a magazine article on the same subject. I’m getting the message — I join Jane Fonda’s DVD once or twice a week to lift some weights. My weight, on the other hand, is still stuck.

My husband mentioned that when I danced to Richard Simmons I’ve lost weight. In desperation, I put a DVD on the machine and prepared to Party Off The Pounds. My note on that DVD said that I had only made it through the fourth dance the last time. That might have been the same this time except the phone rang and interrupted me for enough minutes that I was able to continue to the end. I still have all my pounds but I did get hungry.

The food that I’m logging and the exercise I’m doing is showing that I’m not eating all my exercise calories. I received an e-mail asking me if I thought I should eat the extra calories I’m working off or save them for an outing. Since I’m not melting the pounds, eating the extra calories doesn’t make too much sense. Something has to move this weight.

On another front — my mind or memory. I have been receiving messages to join Luminosity to help my brain. That probably would be a good thing if I would do it consistently but life gets busy and the best laid plans of mice and men fall by the wayside. I have much experience starting programs — some paid for and others free that have been forgotten within a short period of time. I received a message inviting me to try Fit Brain — it is free, up to a point. I must admit that I’m having fun, but I’m planning to stay at the free site. I won’t feel bad if life gets busy.

I probably should also state that the number of invitations to try various diet programs are increasing. If I could plan just my menus they might work, but including my husband sinks them before I start. I really don’t like preparing two separate meals. I’m stubborn, I’m not giving up — JUST YET.

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STARTING AGAIN

Okay, I give up! I have no choice. I have to get rid of some of the extra weight I’m carrying around. Sitting on the curb at the Blues Fest, I couldn’t get up. I finally made it — but it wasn’t pretty. Thankfully no one made a video of it.

My granddaughter, mate, and child just returned to Florida. While they were here, I didn’t worry about my food choices, but now I have no excuse to put a food plan on hold. Our life will always be busy. There will never be the perfect time to start. Our youngest daughter just asked us to come down and help her in a couple of weeks. So, I’m trying something NEW AGAIN. I was impressed by Dr. Steven Masley’s talk on our public television station. I procrastinated a bit but I went on line and ordered one of his books –TEN YEARS YOUNGER. His premise is that if you follow his plan for ten weeks, your body will be younger. I would like my circulation to improve, I would like to weigh less. I won’t cry if my body is younger. I would like to be able to move more easily.

I haven’t read the whole book yet but I’m starting a new food plan anyway. I dislike cooking two different meals daily so I will have to try to come up with my own plan that takes into account my family’s individual tastes. Dr. Masley has many of the same ideas as Dr. Ornish except it includes chicken and fish. He also emphasizes exercise and relaxation. I liked The Fast Metabolism plan except for some of the food restrictions. Hopefully whatever I come up with will accomplish my objectives. I have nothing to lose except some weight.

I was so pleased when I lost the weight last year. Looking back, I realized that stress and depression are two of the things that did me in. Our winter that lasted forever didn’t help either. Stress is a part of life — sadly exercising doesn’t help me to work the stress off. I have tried to meditate — so far I have not been successful but I’m not giving up.

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FIREWORKS

“Pay ATTENTION! You are missing messages. How can we help you if you don’t pay attention.”

I didn’t hear those words but it wouldn’t surprise me if I did. Messages to that effect have floated in the breeze. I didn’t pay attention or I didn’t understand. Either way, I screwed up.

I was wondering why my weight has risen. Looking back at the past 6 months I can see a couple of reasons: WINTER — stuck inside, snow, cold, and not feeling well; STRESS, followed by depression. I don’t know if those are good reasons but that seems to be one of the causes.

So I’m battling back. Trying to pay attention — fireworks in the night weeks before the fourth. Robin DOESN’T LIKE LOUD NOISES. She was cringing by the side of our bed, trying to get into the closet when the bangs started. I knew we were in for trouble. She DID NOT want to go out for her nighttime walk. She stuck to my husband’s heel like glue.

The fourth was approaching. We would be in town. It would be LOUD! We tried to be prepared. I bought a thunder shirt — supposedly it works in thunderstorms and other stressful times. We got medicine from the vet. I took her for a walk before the sun went down. I fed her an early supper. The medication was strong. We took the thunder shirt off. I cleared a space in my closet with my husband’s shirt on the floor. Since I closed our bedroom door, she didn’t have many options. The medicine affected her back legs and I didn’t want her to get injured. The next night I cut the pill in half, thankfully rain kept the noise down.

Trying to pay attention: I wanted to make a left turn coming out of the mall — to go to the expressway. The traffic from the south didn’t let up — I could easily make a right and take the streets home. I gave in — turned right, and when I passed over the expressway, The cars below were bumper to bumper. Thank You!

I tried to turn off my cell phone. It WOULDN’T! Frustrated I kept trying. Before I succeeded, a phone call came through from my friend’s daughter updating me on her current health challenge. Thank You!

Grandchildren, fourth of July and other reasons dictated that we stay in the city instead of the country, we were home when the heavy rain brought water into our basement. Since we were home, vacuum cleaner, mops and clean water — then fans dried out the basement preventing more problems. Thank you!

My weight and the heat caused a heat rash that lasted for days — very uncomfortable. Nothing I tried really helped. Thankfully it is better now. I got the message — LOUD AND CLEAR — lose weight. I’m trying.

Hopefully I will be able to keep the stress down. Hopefully I will pay attention!

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GOOD IDEA

When I learn something that I think will help others, I don’t keep it a secret — I like to share. I am so happy with the results of my Fast Metabolism diet that I have been like Johnny Apple Seed, sharing the information with friends whom I think would benefit. I’m especially happy since I have tried for many years to lose weight and it just hasn’t happened.

I hadn’t seen our neighbor at the campground all summer. She has had two battles with breast cancer and gained 12 extra pounds over the winter which is not making her happy. I shared the book with her — Fast Metabolism Diet — hopefully she will have the same success I’ve had.  It shouldn’t interfere with the medicine she is taking because the diet is natural food, no pills or powders added. The food is arranged according to a schedule to boost your metabolism.

I planned to share the information with two friends who were experiencing their own health issues. I had copies of the food which is allowed so they could check to see if the food was compatible to their tastes. Even though it would help my husband to lose a couple of pounds, he would not be able to follow the plan. Most of the vegetables allowed he doesn’t eat, nor wants too. The few vegetables that he likes are not on the plan. He is safe from my suggestions.

Often when I have a good idea to share, the people who could benefit from the idea appear in my path. I will admit that I’m not sharing this idea with just anyone, even if they could benefit. I’m not going up to strangers on the street. I have put on my own brakes — I have to already know the person or have been in a long enough conversation to be inspired to share.

Maybe it is my age, but the number of people I have shared with this week is approaching a dozen. I have to admit that I’m not sticking to the food guidelines as strictly as I have in the past. I see corn on the cob in my future — the early corn is ready. Spring rain encouraged good growth, mature kernels. At the same time, I like the food that I have been eating and if I either don’t regain the weight, or stop losing — I might continue to bend the rules a bit while still following most of the plan.

I hoped a Thesaurus was part of the computer program. NOPE! One word was appearing over and over in my thought ramble, there must be something else I can use! I couldn’t think! Putting some books away at the camper, something blocked their path. Investigating I found a Thesaurus hidden at the back of the shelf. THANK YOU! HELP is ALWAYS appreciated!

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TRUST THE PROCESS

Haylie Pomroy, in her book, The Fast Metabolism Diet, writes that the reader should trust the process. Give up the alcohol, the dairy, the caffine, the potatoes, the sugar and allow the body to recover. I’m almost through with the first week and I have to admit, I’M EXTREMELY HAPPY with my weight loss. As I write this, we are at our camper were I do not have access to a scale, but before leaving, our scale at home showed a weight loss of anywhere from three to five pounds. That was two days ago. I’m not sure of the exact amount because when we arrived home from our youngest daughter’s, the pizza and gyros had raised my sodium levels, therefore my weight.

I have been trying for more years than I care to count to lose weight. I eat a healthy diet and exercise. Boosting my exercise didn’t work nor did limiting the food I ate. The SCALE DID NOT MOVE DOWN, just up! Having the weight melt off with no extremes on my part is a gift. To which I say THANK YOU!
I will admit that healing the sore on my left leg held priority. I didn’t go to extremes, limiting food or tough exercise — I did not feel the burn. I’m not feeling the burn now either. The amount of recommended exercise is low: Cardiac – one of the first two days, strength training – one of the second two, and either yoga, massage or a walk on one of the last three.

I told my family that I would give the first week a serious try. I will admit that I have had a cup or two of coffee a couple of days, and a small piece of Italian bread. Other than that, I have followed the eating plan. I miss my chocolate and an occasional cookie. I’m sticking to it for another week or the rest of the 28 days. Who knows, I might continue on until I reach my desired weight. I have no idea at this point what it is. As we were heading for the camper, I noticed that a fashion outlet mall is being built. I mentioned to my husband that I just might have to go shopping there — to replace my wardrobe. For the first time in a long time. I’M EXCITED. I can trust that it will happen as long as I FOLLOW THE PROCESS!

Enough about the process, except I must admit that I see hands working behind the scene to help me find the right food, especially that which is already hidden in our freezer. Eating breakfast 30 minutes after waking is tough, especially preparing the food. Especially since the food changes every few days. That is where I’m getting in trouble the most. I bought a whole watermelon thinking the fruit was legal and our grandchildren would be at the camper to help me eat it. Well, the food is only legal on the first two days and my grandchildren are not coming out. Best laid plans of mice and men —–.

I planned to go swimming in the pool — it rained, more is predicted for each day we are out here. I planted geraniums — they looked lovely, returning to the camper, I saw nubs. ?? Then I saw the reason for the nubs — Momma deer and her twins ran through the park across the street. I guess my flowers were a tasty treat, and just the right size, down on the ground. I’m planting more flowers, I also bought a bottle of deer fence, it is supposed to keep the plants intact and growing. I just need the rain to STOP!

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