Caught in the middle...to eat or not to eat

Today, I headed north to a meeting that was scheduled for 1:00.  I thought about my food plan as soon as I woke up, knowing that there would be no food at the meeting.  I chose to eat a late breakfast, at 11:00, and figured that it would hold me together for about four hours.  By all calculations, I would be back home by then and could eat lunch using my own ingredients.

I arrived in Santa Rosa and was pleasantly surprised when I learned the CEO was treating us to lunch in a nearby restaurant.  But…I wasn’t hungry.  All of the thought that went into my original plan was out the window because I was caught right in the middle of “just ate” and “need food.” 

My BWW (before Weight Watchers) solution would have been simple.  Order lunch, in an amount that looked like everyone else’s orders.  But, I have learned a new lesson in my three short weeks in the program.  I wasn’t hungry, and just because the food was “free,” I didn’t need to order a lunch like everybody else’s.

I ordered an appetizer of mixed vegetables...no points, tasted great and was healthy. And when I arrived home, four hours after breakfast, I ate lunch…because I was hungry.

Talk to you soon.

My gold star…it still works like it did in Kindergarten

When I was starting out my school career, I was the teacher’s pet.  I followed the rules and lived for the recognition that doing a good job earned me.  My “chores” were executed flawlessly; I didn’t act up in class, and I was all about getting… the gold stars. 

There was a big poster board on the wall with all of the kids’ names and each activity of the day had the potential for earning a star.  I lived for those stars.  I wanted to have more than my classmates, which most likely was the reason that I was alone at recess.

And now, 52 years later, I got a gold star for losing my first five pounds.  It actually was 5.2 pounds at the end of the third week on the program.  Can you hear me cheering?   I’m going to try to less noisy about it in class, however, so I don’t end up alone at recess again.

Talk to you soon.

What's better than a Weight Watchers friend?

What’s better than going to a Weight Watchers' meeting by yourself?  Going with a friend, or in my case, going with one of my sons.  Tomorrow, he and I will make the three-mile walk together. 

When I first mentioned that I was joining, he said he would like to join, too.  But, I suggested that he take a few weeks to think about it.  And, because he was planning a visit to see his brother, I knew that they would indulge in whatever men in their 20’s and 30’s indulge in, food and drink wise.  Why not have that last "hoorah" before getting serious?

He returned from his trip on Sunday and appeared on my doorstep today, ready to complete his online registration…and to do his laundry.

Some things never change, but hopefully, his weight won’t be one of them.

Talk to you soon.

Oktoberfest...Bavarian pretzels and a great fresh fish

There was advance planning for today’s visit to San Francisco.  The annual Oktoberfest celebration on Pier 48 was the destination, and our plan was to be there all afternoon.  The beer was not an issue for me.  I don’t like it.  But the German cakes and bratwurst could have been calling my name, if I didn’t have a strategy.

I knew from past Oktoberfests that Bavarian pretzels were a feature, and I love pretzels.  So, I ate a late breakfast and looked forward to the pretzel, until I found the booth that featured them.  While the rest of my group enjoyed sausage, sauerkraut and beer, I was perfectly content with my Bavarian pretzel.  I also made a deal with the family that we would stop for an early dinner on the way home.

One really great, grilled halibut later, I’m back from a day filled with German song, dance and a terrific fresh fish.  A fun time was had by all.

Talk to you soon.

Woman eats same meal for 10 years...and likes it

I have spent the past few days figuring out when I am REALLY hungry.  It’s an experiment in using the clock and my growling stomach to determine how long a meal will hold me, until I need another one.  I am emphasizing the word “need” rather than “want” as a way to determine how many hours tick by before the rumblings begin.

My findings have been fascinating…to me.  I eat the same breakfast every morning.  Before you think that I am making a mistake and should be having a variety of items to ward off boredom, let me clarify a family trait.  Everyone in my genetic line can eat the same meal repeatedly, for decades, and not get bored.  My father ate the same tuna plate for 30 years when he was working, and I ate its cousin, Starkist tuna and crackers, all in one pouch, for over 10 years.  Once we find something we like and it’s easy, we stick with it.

So, my breakfast of yogurt, fruit and a granola bar works for me.  And, it holds me for 3.5 hours.  Unfortunately, lunch seems to be a moving target.  Yesterday, I had a shrimp and avocado salad and was hungry one hour later.  That wasn’t a good feeling, and I tried to figure out what went wrong.  I decided that I was missing bread.  The shrimp and avocado seemed to be like eating air, so I popped a 1-point multi-grain Thomas’ English muffin in the toaster.  It was the missing link and bought me two more hours of satisfaction. 

I have charted my findings, showing the true nerd-like behavior of one who likes to see numbers on a page, and now know when I have to eat.  The revelation…every three hours, I’m going to feel hungry, and I will be prepared ahead of that time with appropriate solutions.

Check back with me in another 10 years, and you will probably find me eating the same “appropriate solutions” at every meal.  Oh well, it works for me!

Talk to you soon.

Weight goals...the 90-day way

When you have a plan that lasts 50 weeks, and you are in the third week of it, it can be difficult imagining the finish line.  That’s why I try not to think that far out. 

When I work with clients in my business coaching practice, I tell them that most things need to be thought of in 90-day increments because a lot can be accomplished in three months.  For me, losing this weight is a combination of one day at a time and thinking what things are going to look like in about nine more weeks. 

I believe that I will be about 10 pounds lighter than when I started.  I think that I will be one size smaller in the clothing arena.  And, I have old pictures kicking around at that lighter weight, so I know how I could look.  That’s enough to imagine right now.

Have a great weekend and remember...don’t get hung up on how much weight you have to lose or how long it might take to lose it.  It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon.

Talk to you soon.

Walking...with a purpose

I’m heading out for a walk.  Yes, you read that correctly.  My husband is home today, the weather is beautiful, and I have mapped a route, thanks to my friends at Google, that gives me a destination.  I think that walking, for the sake of walking, is good for many people but not for me.  I need to be going somewhere, even if it is somewhere contrived.

So, today, I mapped the route to the closest shopping center, 1.2 miles each way, and then I can pop in and get a soda at the mid-point.  I will enjoy the scenery en route and the company of my husband,  but the motivator will be that soda. 

Time to get those socks on and head out. 

Talk to you soon.