I've been meaning to post the 20 questions from my Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous pamphlet for a while.
"Are you a food addict? To find out, ask yourself the following questions and answer them as honestly as you can:
1. Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't?
2. Do you think about food or your weight constantly?
3. Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success?
4. Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives or other forms of purging?
5. Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people?
6. Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight?
7. Do you eat large quantities of food at one time (binge)?
8. Is your weight problem due to your "nibbling" all day long?
9. Do you eat to escape your feelings?
10. Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve it later?
11. Do you eat when you're not hungry?
12. Do you eat in secret?
13. Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake?
14. Have you ever stolen other people's food?
15. Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have "enough"?
16. Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight?
17. Do you obsessively calculate calories you've eaten?
18. Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you've eaten?
19. Are you waiting for your life to begin "when you lose the weight"?
20. Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you may be a food addict."
I absolutely love these questions. When I first answered the questions for myself, I couldn't believe how many of them resonated with me. Now these questions are just memories for me. I eat the same as I do in front of my boyfriend as I do in front of my parents as I do in front of complete strangers. I know longer feel ashamed of my caloric intake; in fact, I don't even care about my caloric intake. Food no longer dictates whether I had a successful day or if I was a failure. My food is nourishment and nothing more. The biggest thrill F.A. has offered me is the ability to go to bed each night without saying to myself, "Tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, I'll finally get control."
If anyone is interested in attending a meeting, just let me know. I have a list of locations and contacts throughout the state of Maine and New Hampshire. I'd be more than happy to take you along with me! Feel free to send a message to my Facebook inbox or leave a comment below!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Artificial Sweeteners
Around the month of September I bought a package of mints and a pack of Orbit gum (both sugar free, of course). Not too long after this purchase, I developed an oral fixation. I thought I was doing myself a favor by keeping a wad of gum in my mouth or a mint tucked in my cheek instead of stuffing my face with calorie-packed food. While avoiding the food was great, I became mildly obsessed with gum and mints. Whenever a piece lost its flavor, I popped another one right into my mouth. I also started drinking coffee. Over the summer, my mother and I would get the occasional iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts (hazelnut or French vanilla flavored, one Splenda and skim milk). For me this turned into a cup of hot or iced coffee almost everyday. I would stop by the cafeteria before heading to class to grab a cup to go. I couldn't drive anywhere without hitting the drive-up window first.
You might be thinking to yourself, "OK, but you still didn't eat. So what's the problem?" Here's the problem: I've become dependent on gum, mints and flavored coffee keeping me out of the pantry and refrigerator. I should be able to do this on my own! Also, there are companies that sell dessert flavored gum. For instance, I could easily go through a package of mint chocolate chip flavored gum (created by Extra) in about a day. It got to the point where I would have to sleep off headaches I had created myself from chewing gum for hours on end.
Let's look at the ingredients of a stick of gum. The bullets below represent the different sweeteners companies use to create their sugar-free gums.
By using sweeteners, I'm essentially trying to attempt my mind into thinking I still have sugar in my diet. I've realized that when I chew gum, suck on mints or cough drops, drink iced coffee or diet soda drinks, my program becomes unglued. Cravings for sweet goodies begin to creep into my body. On more than one occasion I've given into these cravings. I've never gone for the processed sugar (thank you, God!) but I've reached for a piece of fruit. Again, you're probably thinking, "OK, that's fruit. What's the big deal?" Here's the big deal: currently I'm only allowed one piece of fruit a day. I commit one piece of fruit to my sponsor over the phone each morning. When I take an extra bite, I'm breaking my program and putting my recovery at jeopardy.
If you see me walking down the street with a plastic Dunkin Donuts cup in my hand or you see a minty bubble being blown out of my mouth, drop kick me. It's OK if it's in public.
Avoiding gum and artificial sweeteners is still new for me. Going to the gas station to fill my tank poses problems on occasion. I often find myself standing at the pump of Cumberland Farms thinking, "I'll just grab a cup of iced coffee for the road," or "I'll buy a pack of gum, chew one piece and give the package to someone else." Honestly, I threw a container of mints out of my Saab's window when I was heading down route 2 one evening. These thoughts about gum, gum, are just not normal.
You might be thinking to yourself, "OK, but you still didn't eat. So what's the problem?" Here's the problem: I've become dependent on gum, mints and flavored coffee keeping me out of the pantry and refrigerator. I should be able to do this on my own! Also, there are companies that sell dessert flavored gum. For instance, I could easily go through a package of mint chocolate chip flavored gum (created by Extra) in about a day. It got to the point where I would have to sleep off headaches I had created myself from chewing gum for hours on end.
Let's look at the ingredients of a stick of gum. The bullets below represent the different sweeteners companies use to create their sugar-free gums.
- Acesulfame K
- Aspartame (CANCER CAUSING; most frequently used, not only in gum but in diet sodas and other diet drinks)
- Maltitol
- Sucralose
- Sorbitol
- Xylitol
By using sweeteners, I'm essentially trying to attempt my mind into thinking I still have sugar in my diet. I've realized that when I chew gum, suck on mints or cough drops, drink iced coffee or diet soda drinks, my program becomes unglued. Cravings for sweet goodies begin to creep into my body. On more than one occasion I've given into these cravings. I've never gone for the processed sugar (thank you, God!) but I've reached for a piece of fruit. Again, you're probably thinking, "OK, that's fruit. What's the big deal?" Here's the big deal: currently I'm only allowed one piece of fruit a day. I commit one piece of fruit to my sponsor over the phone each morning. When I take an extra bite, I'm breaking my program and putting my recovery at jeopardy.
If you see me walking down the street with a plastic Dunkin Donuts cup in my hand or you see a minty bubble being blown out of my mouth, drop kick me. It's OK if it's in public.
Avoiding gum and artificial sweeteners is still new for me. Going to the gas station to fill my tank poses problems on occasion. I often find myself standing at the pump of Cumberland Farms thinking, "I'll just grab a cup of iced coffee for the road," or "I'll buy a pack of gum, chew one piece and give the package to someone else." Honestly, I threw a container of mints out of my Saab's window when I was heading down route 2 one evening. These thoughts about gum, gum, are just not normal.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Plateau
I apologize that it's been eleven days since my last post. I mean, I'm sure so many of you are hanging on to every word I type, right? :)
I've been struggling with my program these past couple of days. Thanksgiving day was wonderful. I focused on family and not food. I spent the late morning and early afternoon in Auburn with my boyfriend's family. I packed my pre-weighed and measured meals with me. For lunch I ate: 4 ounces of grilled chicken, 8 ounces of salad, 1 tablespoon of Gorgonzola dressing and 6 ounces of beets. After our meal, I spent time with Rachel and Erika (Sam's cousins by marriage) talking about our eating habits. Rachel is a vegan, so it was wonderful being able to spend the afternoon with someone who understands the difficulty of eating so particularly on a day that is entirely based around the dinner table. I'm extremely blessed to be in a relationship with a man whose family is incredibly supportive, even of a person who isn't officially a member of O'Brien/Gallagher/Mullen clan!
After a cup of coffee, Sam and I headed to Lisbon Falls to spend the rest of Thanksgiving with my family. They had already eaten their meal, but I packed my dinner and ate it there. Spending the evening with the Coutures' was the perfect way to end the first day of the holiday season.
I'm so grateful that I made it through the food festivities without a single bite of flour and sugar. Of course there were temptations aplenty for homemade breads, cookies, rolls and pie to stuffing, wine and seasonal beer. All of it successfully avoided. The only leftover Sam and I packed into the Saab was turkey, and I accidentally left it in the car for a day. Oops.
On another note, I'm only suppose to weigh myself the first of each month. I struggle with staying about from my bathroom scale; I even locked it in the trunk of my car. However, I stayed Thursday night at my parents' house. My mother leaves her scale tucked under the bathroom sink (not exactly food addict-proof). I hopped on it. Big, big mistake! I was so discouraged to see I only lost 3 pounds since the 1st of November. I've now roped myself into a mental tug-of-war. I'm still working my program, but after losing 70 pounds in five months, I'm starting to plateau. It's discouraging, but I need to continue! I have another 40 pounds to go and now is not the time to quit! I definitely have some self-reflecting to do.
I'll keep you posted.
I've been struggling with my program these past couple of days. Thanksgiving day was wonderful. I focused on family and not food. I spent the late morning and early afternoon in Auburn with my boyfriend's family. I packed my pre-weighed and measured meals with me. For lunch I ate: 4 ounces of grilled chicken, 8 ounces of salad, 1 tablespoon of Gorgonzola dressing and 6 ounces of beets. After our meal, I spent time with Rachel and Erika (Sam's cousins by marriage) talking about our eating habits. Rachel is a vegan, so it was wonderful being able to spend the afternoon with someone who understands the difficulty of eating so particularly on a day that is entirely based around the dinner table. I'm extremely blessed to be in a relationship with a man whose family is incredibly supportive, even of a person who isn't officially a member of O'Brien/Gallagher/Mullen clan!
After a cup of coffee, Sam and I headed to Lisbon Falls to spend the rest of Thanksgiving with my family. They had already eaten their meal, but I packed my dinner and ate it there. Spending the evening with the Coutures' was the perfect way to end the first day of the holiday season.
I'm so grateful that I made it through the food festivities without a single bite of flour and sugar. Of course there were temptations aplenty for homemade breads, cookies, rolls and pie to stuffing, wine and seasonal beer. All of it successfully avoided. The only leftover Sam and I packed into the Saab was turkey, and I accidentally left it in the car for a day. Oops.
On another note, I'm only suppose to weigh myself the first of each month. I struggle with staying about from my bathroom scale; I even locked it in the trunk of my car. However, I stayed Thursday night at my parents' house. My mother leaves her scale tucked under the bathroom sink (not exactly food addict-proof). I hopped on it. Big, big mistake! I was so discouraged to see I only lost 3 pounds since the 1st of November. I've now roped myself into a mental tug-of-war. I'm still working my program, but after losing 70 pounds in five months, I'm starting to plateau. It's discouraging, but I need to continue! I have another 40 pounds to go and now is not the time to quit! I definitely have some self-reflecting to do.
I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Pantry
It's 4:23pm. It's not dinner time, but I wish it was. I had lunch at about 12:30 this afternoon, and as soon as I finished I started thinking about dinner. I watched an episode of "Frasier" this afternoon and I had such an intense urge to get a snack. Old habits certainly do die hard. I used to graze throughout the entirety of the day, and I would snack mindlessly in front of the television or computer.
When I wrote my first entry of the day this morning I had mentioned Halloween candy in my pantry. I'm not sure if I jinxed myself, but I definitely want it. I can say confidently that I'm not going to take even one bite. However, thinking about it is definitely mentally exhausting. Because of the food that's in the pantry I can't concentrate on my homework.
Here are a few things I'm going to try to take my mind off the food: 1) paint my nails a festive gold, 2) read An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (it was due Tuesday...oops), 3) watch another episode of "Frasier" (maybe), 4) make a phone call to another FA member (this one is the hardest). It's during times like these that my iPhone feels like it weighs eight-hundred pounds. Making a phone call is one of the "tools of recovery." FA members pick up the phone in times of stress and "before we take the bite." Hopefully someone will answer.
When I wrote my first entry of the day this morning I had mentioned Halloween candy in my pantry. I'm not sure if I jinxed myself, but I definitely want it. I can say confidently that I'm not going to take even one bite. However, thinking about it is definitely mentally exhausting. Because of the food that's in the pantry I can't concentrate on my homework.
Here are a few things I'm going to try to take my mind off the food: 1) paint my nails a festive gold, 2) read An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (it was due Tuesday...oops), 3) watch another episode of "Frasier" (maybe), 4) make a phone call to another FA member (this one is the hardest). It's during times like these that my iPhone feels like it weighs eight-hundred pounds. Making a phone call is one of the "tools of recovery." FA members pick up the phone in times of stress and "before we take the bite." Hopefully someone will answer.
Today's Food!
I forgot to share with you my food for today!
Breakfast:
8 ounces of non-fat, plain Greek yogurt
6 ounces of banana
1 ounce (dry) oatmeal.
Really quickly: I weigh my oatmeal while it's dry and then I add water and microwave it for a minute and thirty seconds. Don't worry, I'm not expected to eat dry oatmeal! :)
Lunch:
4 ounces grilled chicken
8 ounces salad
1 tablespoon dressing
6 ounces of California Blend steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots)
Dinner:
4 ounces grilled chicken
8 ounces of salad
2 tablespoons dressing
6 ounces of carrots
I think I'll upload a picture of my lunch today or sometime soon. Knowing myself, I would have been totally bored by the sounds of my meals listed above. Not only are my meals delicious and healthy, but they're typically beautiful with a lot of colors!
Breakfast:
8 ounces of non-fat, plain Greek yogurt
6 ounces of banana
1 ounce (dry) oatmeal.
Really quickly: I weigh my oatmeal while it's dry and then I add water and microwave it for a minute and thirty seconds. Don't worry, I'm not expected to eat dry oatmeal! :)
Lunch:
4 ounces grilled chicken
8 ounces salad
1 tablespoon dressing
6 ounces of California Blend steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots)
Dinner:
4 ounces grilled chicken
8 ounces of salad
2 tablespoons dressing
6 ounces of carrots
I think I'll upload a picture of my lunch today or sometime soon. Knowing myself, I would have been totally bored by the sounds of my meals listed above. Not only are my meals delicious and healthy, but they're typically beautiful with a lot of colors!
Starting Over
As a member of FA, I'm encouraged to attend three meetings a week. There are plenty of meetings across the state of Maine. Last Wednesday evening I found myself in Topsham. It's not a regular meeting for me (I usually go to Augusta's meetings which are Sunday and Tuesday evenings, and one of the Westbrook meetings, either Monday or Thursday evening or Saturday morning). I'm so glad I found myself in Topsham last Wednesday; each person who spoke said something that either reaffirmed my staying in FA or gave me a new perspective on a particular scenario, issue, etc.
I encounter people daily who are amazed by my transformation, but regardless of how many pounds I've lost and despite my new enthusiasm for life, I also encounter naysayers. I'm never surprised when people become defensive once I've told them about my program of recovery. "You don't eat flour or sugar? That's just unrealistic." "There's no way you can do this forever!" "You can't deprive yourself. You're going to binge eventually." I completely agree! Or, at least I did in the beginning. On the 24th of June, I started this journey. I felt like I has been placed into a drug rehabilitation program, and I suppose I essentially I was. I've had my share of "slips" in this program, but I've learned that it's not about perfection. It's about progress.
Before FA, I would go to bed saying, "Tomorrow will be different," meaning, "Tomorrow, I'm not going to spend the day stuffing my face." Breakfast usually went well, meaning I skipped it entirely. I have a friend who used to say, "It's once I start eating that it gets difficult." I took on that mind set for a while. I struggled even more after I took the first bite of the day. I didn't have an off-switch. As soon as my first class ended, all bets were off. I usually found myself heading straight to the cupboards and pantry as soon as I unlocked my door. I ate while I was looking for something to eat! As soon as I finished my "snack," I was off the couch and back in the refrigerator looking for something else to shovel into my mouth.
This occurred every single day. Every night, once I was under the covers, I would let guilt consume me. How could I continue to do this to myself day after day? Why couldn't I just ignore the food? I thought about food all the time, literally. Where had all my self-control gone? Wait. Had I ever had self-control? Probably not.
Today, thanks to my Higher Power and FA, I no longer go to bed feeling guilty about my food. I take a few minutes before bed to write down my food for the following day. Food doesn't play a role in my life anymore. It's nourishment for my body. I no longer celebrate with it, grieve with it, find comfort in it. I'm learning to put food in its place. Now, this isn't to say that I don't struggle with food. I certainly do. Some days are much harder than others. I have cravings and urges, but they are not nearly as bad as they were in the beginning. There is currently a bag of leftover Halloween candy on a self in my pantry. Do I want it? Not currently, but I might later. Will I eat any? No, because I know I will be consumed with guilt almost immediately. There is nothing worth giving up my recovery for. Not even chocolate.
If there's anything you get from this post today, let it be this: "Don't give up. The beginning is always the hardest."
I encounter people daily who are amazed by my transformation, but regardless of how many pounds I've lost and despite my new enthusiasm for life, I also encounter naysayers. I'm never surprised when people become defensive once I've told them about my program of recovery. "You don't eat flour or sugar? That's just unrealistic." "There's no way you can do this forever!" "You can't deprive yourself. You're going to binge eventually." I completely agree! Or, at least I did in the beginning. On the 24th of June, I started this journey. I felt like I has been placed into a drug rehabilitation program, and I suppose I essentially I was. I've had my share of "slips" in this program, but I've learned that it's not about perfection. It's about progress.
Before FA, I would go to bed saying, "Tomorrow will be different," meaning, "Tomorrow, I'm not going to spend the day stuffing my face." Breakfast usually went well, meaning I skipped it entirely. I have a friend who used to say, "It's once I start eating that it gets difficult." I took on that mind set for a while. I struggled even more after I took the first bite of the day. I didn't have an off-switch. As soon as my first class ended, all bets were off. I usually found myself heading straight to the cupboards and pantry as soon as I unlocked my door. I ate while I was looking for something to eat! As soon as I finished my "snack," I was off the couch and back in the refrigerator looking for something else to shovel into my mouth.
This occurred every single day. Every night, once I was under the covers, I would let guilt consume me. How could I continue to do this to myself day after day? Why couldn't I just ignore the food? I thought about food all the time, literally. Where had all my self-control gone? Wait. Had I ever had self-control? Probably not.
Today, thanks to my Higher Power and FA, I no longer go to bed feeling guilty about my food. I take a few minutes before bed to write down my food for the following day. Food doesn't play a role in my life anymore. It's nourishment for my body. I no longer celebrate with it, grieve with it, find comfort in it. I'm learning to put food in its place. Now, this isn't to say that I don't struggle with food. I certainly do. Some days are much harder than others. I have cravings and urges, but they are not nearly as bad as they were in the beginning. There is currently a bag of leftover Halloween candy on a self in my pantry. Do I want it? Not currently, but I might later. Will I eat any? No, because I know I will be consumed with guilt almost immediately. There is nothing worth giving up my recovery for. Not even chocolate.
If there's anything you get from this post today, let it be this: "Don't give up. The beginning is always the hardest."
Monday, November 14, 2011
Today's Food!
I'll post more later, but for now here's exactly what I'll be eating today.
Breakfast:
1 grapefruit
1 ounce (dry) oatmeal
2 eggs, over medium
Lunch:
4 ounces tuna
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
8 ounces of carrot and cucumber sticks
6 ounces steam green beans
Dinner:
8 ounces salad
2 tablespoons dressing
4 ounces of hamburger
6 ounces steamed carrots
I hope you all have a fabulous day! :)
Breakfast:
1 grapefruit
1 ounce (dry) oatmeal
2 eggs, over medium
Lunch:
4 ounces tuna
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
8 ounces of carrot and cucumber sticks
6 ounces steam green beans
Dinner:
8 ounces salad
2 tablespoons dressing
4 ounces of hamburger
6 ounces steamed carrots
I hope you all have a fabulous day! :)
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Calories
Check this out and keep it in mind just in case you feel like hitting up a McDonald's or Burger King on your next road trip.
Turkey Trot
OK, folks, brace yourselves. I've registered for Farmington's "Turkey Trot" next Saturday morning. It's a 5K run through parts of Farmington, including Granite Heights. I'm by no means a runner and I'm nervous. Wish me luck, but not the "break-a-leg" kind. I need both legs in order for this to be even mildly successful.
On another note, today I spent the morning and afternoon in Auburn with two of my very close friends from college, both of whom have graduated. One of the two was my "food buddy" before I started loosing weight. He claims I've "left him in fat-ville," which is actually a running joke between the two of us. I knew that seeing him this afternoon would involve some sort of food excursion, and I was anxious about it. I haven't been out-to-eat in quite a while. My plan of action: to pack my own weighed and measured food. Once my tupperware was packed into my reusable Hannaford bag, I was ready to go. The three of us headed to a newly opened Thai restaurant (remember I mentioned earlier Thai was my "last meal"). I ordered a side of steamed vegetables and unpacked the rest of my food. True, I did feel a little self-conscious. Not because of my friends; I have their support one-hundred percent. But it's difficult to unload three pieces of tupperware full of food you brought from home. However, I'm thankful I did it. I didn't "break" my plan and I'm still on my way to obtaining a healthy body.
I just got back home and I'm about to cook my dinner, but I wanted to write a quick post about my struggle with food today. A day never goes by that I don't think about the foods I used to love and all the restaurants I'd love to eat them at.
I no longer leave the table saying, "Ugh. I wish I hadn't eaten all that," or "Oh, man. I'm stuffed!" I'm never uncomfortable after a meal and my belt never needs to be loosened. (Actually, I had to add a hole to my belt today!) I need to share that both of my friends said the following, "I'm so full!" and pushed their plates away, only to pick up their forks a few minutes later. I'm hoping they won't mind me sharing; I feel like it will help someone put his or her [a reader's] eating habits into perspective. Five months ago, that would have been me. And then I would have suggested hitting up the local Dairy Queen for a peanut buster parfait. It's not worth it. Shrimp tempura and Thai iced tea (two old favorites) didn't get me into my size 14 pants this morning. Peanut buster parfaits didn't help me sprint during my workout yesterday. And the raspberry muffin that I had a staring contest with this morning didn't help put the extra hole in my belt. These are thoughts I have to think when I'm in a tough situation with food and temptation. It probably sounds harsh, but that's my reality today.
One more thing before I sign off for the night: I was thinking that I should share what I eat on a day-to-day basis. I receive a lot of messages asking me what do I eat exactly, if not flour and sugar? So, here's what I had today:
Breakfast:
1 ounce (dry) oatmeal
8 ounces of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
1 apple
Lunch:
8 ounces salad
1 tablespoon dressing (homemade Gorgonzola)
6 ounces steamed vegetables
2 ounces 75% fat free cheddar cheese
Dinner:
4 ounces grilled chicken
8 ounces salad
2 tablespoons salad dressing (same as "lunch)
6 ounces steamed carrots and green beans
Remember, "nothing tastes as good as healthy feels."
On another note, today I spent the morning and afternoon in Auburn with two of my very close friends from college, both of whom have graduated. One of the two was my "food buddy" before I started loosing weight. He claims I've "left him in fat-ville," which is actually a running joke between the two of us. I knew that seeing him this afternoon would involve some sort of food excursion, and I was anxious about it. I haven't been out-to-eat in quite a while. My plan of action: to pack my own weighed and measured food. Once my tupperware was packed into my reusable Hannaford bag, I was ready to go. The three of us headed to a newly opened Thai restaurant (remember I mentioned earlier Thai was my "last meal"). I ordered a side of steamed vegetables and unpacked the rest of my food. True, I did feel a little self-conscious. Not because of my friends; I have their support one-hundred percent. But it's difficult to unload three pieces of tupperware full of food you brought from home. However, I'm thankful I did it. I didn't "break" my plan and I'm still on my way to obtaining a healthy body.
I just got back home and I'm about to cook my dinner, but I wanted to write a quick post about my struggle with food today. A day never goes by that I don't think about the foods I used to love and all the restaurants I'd love to eat them at.
I no longer leave the table saying, "Ugh. I wish I hadn't eaten all that," or "Oh, man. I'm stuffed!" I'm never uncomfortable after a meal and my belt never needs to be loosened. (Actually, I had to add a hole to my belt today!) I need to share that both of my friends said the following, "I'm so full!" and pushed their plates away, only to pick up their forks a few minutes later. I'm hoping they won't mind me sharing; I feel like it will help someone put his or her [a reader's] eating habits into perspective. Five months ago, that would have been me. And then I would have suggested hitting up the local Dairy Queen for a peanut buster parfait. It's not worth it. Shrimp tempura and Thai iced tea (two old favorites) didn't get me into my size 14 pants this morning. Peanut buster parfaits didn't help me sprint during my workout yesterday. And the raspberry muffin that I had a staring contest with this morning didn't help put the extra hole in my belt. These are thoughts I have to think when I'm in a tough situation with food and temptation. It probably sounds harsh, but that's my reality today.
One more thing before I sign off for the night: I was thinking that I should share what I eat on a day-to-day basis. I receive a lot of messages asking me what do I eat exactly, if not flour and sugar? So, here's what I had today:
Breakfast:
1 ounce (dry) oatmeal
8 ounces of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
1 apple
Lunch:
8 ounces salad
1 tablespoon dressing (homemade Gorgonzola)
6 ounces steamed vegetables
2 ounces 75% fat free cheddar cheese
Dinner:
4 ounces grilled chicken
8 ounces salad
2 tablespoons salad dressing (same as "lunch)
6 ounces steamed carrots and green beans
Remember, "nothing tastes as good as healthy feels."
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Future You!
I recently discovered the following quote: "Do something today that your future self will thank you for." I absolutely adore this quote. This morning I received a text message from one of my friends who works at the fitness center on campus. She wrote, "workout at 1 o'clock?" I'm sure it's needless to say I was not feeling it, especially since I told myself I'd take the weekends off from working out. I responded a reluctant, "Yeah. Sure."
The truth is, I never regret working out, but I do regret not working out. Also, my body doesn't take the weekend off from me. Where would I be if my legs decided to take a mid-afternoon nap on Saturday? Or, what if my kidneys decided to take Sunday morning off? Needless to say I'd be totally screwed. Tomorrow, I'll thank myself for working out today. By working out today, I'm creating a foundation for a healthier tomorrow. I'm sure this sounds altogether completely lame and overly sentimental for a post about sweating at the gym, but think about it. Is your couch going to be there for you when your doctor prescribe high-blood pressure medication? Will Netflix offer you the strength your body needs to fight an infection? Are those oreos on the plate next to your computer helping you fit into that dress you'd love to wear to your boyfriend's family's New Year's Eve party? We all know the answer.
You don't need to join Planet Fitness or higher an trainer. Take your dog for a walk, play with your kids, take ten minutes and stretch. You won't regret it and the future you will thank you for it!
The truth is, I never regret working out, but I do regret not working out. Also, my body doesn't take the weekend off from me. Where would I be if my legs decided to take a mid-afternoon nap on Saturday? Or, what if my kidneys decided to take Sunday morning off? Needless to say I'd be totally screwed. Tomorrow, I'll thank myself for working out today. By working out today, I'm creating a foundation for a healthier tomorrow. I'm sure this sounds altogether completely lame and overly sentimental for a post about sweating at the gym, but think about it. Is your couch going to be there for you when your doctor prescribe high-blood pressure medication? Will Netflix offer you the strength your body needs to fight an infection? Are those oreos on the plate next to your computer helping you fit into that dress you'd love to wear to your boyfriend's family's New Year's Eve party? We all know the answer.
You don't need to join Planet Fitness or higher an trainer. Take your dog for a walk, play with your kids, take ten minutes and stretch. You won't regret it and the future you will thank you for it!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Routine
I started off this semester working out every morning. I'd wake up at 5:10, dig out clean socks from my underwear draw, refill my Nalgene and head to the fitness center on campus. About a month or so into the new school year, I came down with an aggressive chest cold. Needless to say, I used this as a perfect excuse not to work out. By the time I managed to shake the cold my routine had completely fallen by the wayside.
My sponsor frequently says, "We're [food addicts] are sensitive people." I didn't need Theresa to remind me. Just the soundtrack from Titanic make my eyes water. It's taken my nearly two months to figure out that the sensitivity she's referring to is not the same sensitivity I have to crying babies, adorable kittens and The Notebook. As a food addict, I'm sensitive to change. Honestly, I don't deal with it well. When my daily routine changed my productivity ceased. I took outrageously long naps and I frequently skipped classes. Assignments weren't a priority and making my bed seemed like too much of a task.
After about a month of an irregular schedule, I'm ready to commit to my routine again. Yesterday and today I woke up at 5:10 and headed to the fitness center. Tomorrow my day will begin at 5:10AM. It's only been two days, but I've accomplished more than I have in the past month. I paid my semester's tuition yesterday, I deposited my paycheck at the credit union, I opened a box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and cleaned the shower, my laundry is back in its rightful place in the closet and dresser, not stacked in the laundry basket at the end of my bed.
I'd encourage you to take five minutes today and consider your routine. Do you have one? Is there a particular way you like to begin your day? Grab a pen and a piece of scrap paper and create a schedule for yourself. Remember, the word 'schedule' isn't synonymous with the word 'mundane'. Just because you have a routine doesn't mean your life will become menial and bland.
My sponsor frequently says, "We're [food addicts] are sensitive people." I didn't need Theresa to remind me. Just the soundtrack from Titanic make my eyes water. It's taken my nearly two months to figure out that the sensitivity she's referring to is not the same sensitivity I have to crying babies, adorable kittens and The Notebook. As a food addict, I'm sensitive to change. Honestly, I don't deal with it well. When my daily routine changed my productivity ceased. I took outrageously long naps and I frequently skipped classes. Assignments weren't a priority and making my bed seemed like too much of a task.
After about a month of an irregular schedule, I'm ready to commit to my routine again. Yesterday and today I woke up at 5:10 and headed to the fitness center. Tomorrow my day will begin at 5:10AM. It's only been two days, but I've accomplished more than I have in the past month. I paid my semester's tuition yesterday, I deposited my paycheck at the credit union, I opened a box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and cleaned the shower, my laundry is back in its rightful place in the closet and dresser, not stacked in the laundry basket at the end of my bed.
I'd encourage you to take five minutes today and consider your routine. Do you have one? Is there a particular way you like to begin your day? Grab a pen and a piece of scrap paper and create a schedule for yourself. Remember, the word 'schedule' isn't synonymous with the word 'mundane'. Just because you have a routine doesn't mean your life will become menial and bland.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Food Addiction
Weight loss. Nearly everyone who was ever been overweight has sought it. Every person has a different relationship with food. Some relationships, however, are more intimate than others. I'd like to introduce the very real idea of food addiction, that is a person who is addicted to flour, sugar and quantities (binge-eating). Addiction to drugs, alcohol, narcotics, etc. is commonly accepted; these addictions are frequently present in the media. Addiction to food, however, appears to be a too harsh a reality for our culture to accept. I encourage you to watch this video which describes the Period Table of the Intoxicants.
In June I went to my first Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) meeting in Westbrook, Maine. This is a group that addresses the realities of food addiction. It's based off of Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as AA, and the twelves steps established by it. My mother, who had first joined program in 2008, had suggested we go. The entire twenty minutes it took us to arrive at Liza Harmon Drive I was back pedaling. I even convinced my mother to have a "last supper" after the meeting at a local Thai restaurant. Because my mother had tried the program a few years earlier I understood what I was about to give up: flour and sugar. Joining FA meant I was giving up my tools of celebration, of grief, of comfort. I had no idea what I was gaining.
On the 23 of June I weighed in at an even 260 pounds. Four months later, I weigh in at 189 pounds (that's a 71 pound difference)! My weight loss journey extends pass the bathroom scale, even with an additional 40 pounds to lose. I've lost over 30" from my body (that's two and a half feet)!
I'm writing this blog to share my story with anyone who's interested in reading about a weight loss program that is a true blessing, and in most cases, a life-saver. There's rarely a week that passes that someone hasn't asked me how I've done it. The following posts will contain my struggles, my experiences and I sincerely wish the following posts will contain hope and inspiration for someone who needs it.
In June I went to my first Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) meeting in Westbrook, Maine. This is a group that addresses the realities of food addiction. It's based off of Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as AA, and the twelves steps established by it. My mother, who had first joined program in 2008, had suggested we go. The entire twenty minutes it took us to arrive at Liza Harmon Drive I was back pedaling. I even convinced my mother to have a "last supper" after the meeting at a local Thai restaurant. Because my mother had tried the program a few years earlier I understood what I was about to give up: flour and sugar. Joining FA meant I was giving up my tools of celebration, of grief, of comfort. I had no idea what I was gaining.
On the 23 of June I weighed in at an even 260 pounds. Four months later, I weigh in at 189 pounds (that's a 71 pound difference)! My weight loss journey extends pass the bathroom scale, even with an additional 40 pounds to lose. I've lost over 30" from my body (that's two and a half feet)!
I'm writing this blog to share my story with anyone who's interested in reading about a weight loss program that is a true blessing, and in most cases, a life-saver. There's rarely a week that passes that someone hasn't asked me how I've done it. The following posts will contain my struggles, my experiences and I sincerely wish the following posts will contain hope and inspiration for someone who needs it.
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