Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Track and feel

Wow - it's been almost 2 weeks since my last post...time flies when you're busy and having fun.  Things have been going well in my neck of the blogdom...and while I don't have a lot to report, I did want to touch base and let you know I'm okay.

The Sunday before last, which would have been August 28th, my weight was 213.4.  NOT GOOD - shockingly so.  Last Sunday it was 210, so things are moving in the right direction, though I'd love it if they'd move faster.  One thing I'm seeing clearly as I am striving to eat with awareness is the value of a food journal.  I'm really trying to stop and think - or more accurately reflect - on what I'm feeling when the urge to eat comes at a time when I'm clearly NOT empty stomach hungry but rather just want to shove something in.  Usually I have to first parse what I'm thinking in order to discover the feeling below the thought.  This takes time - more than the nano-second it takes to shove the aforementioned something into my mouth.  When I take the time to do this, it helps.  Even if I don't get at the content of the feeling/s, at least I can convince myself to put the eating off for a bit and see what happens.

This is where a food journal can really help me.  My track record (no pun intended) sucks when it comes to consistency and diligence with keeping a journal, but possibly that's because I've always tried to be very anal and specific with writing exact amounts of food ingested, etc.  I'm thinking that just noting the occurence of the food thoughts and a one word description of the feeling (or 2 words, as in "don't know") might serve me better in starting this endeavor.  I have a virtual stationary store at home of cute journals and fancy pens purchased for the 87 times I've set out to keep a food journal in the last 3 years, so I need not purchase another.  Beginning to scratch out some stuff in any one of the cuties would be a good start, and helpful for sure.

Other news off the endless diet front include that hubby and I are going to California for 9 days at the beginning of October to see our older son who's working on an organic farm in the Sacramento Valley.  I'm thrilled to pieces because I've never been to California.  Son and hubby are hoping to play golf at Lake Tahoe - I'm sure I can find plenty to do while they hit the links.  We're also planning to get to San Francisco and Reno, where we have a niece and her family.  I'm so excited about this trip, and it presents yet another reason to keep working to drop some more pounds before we leave in a little over 2 weeks. 

Our younger son, who graduated college this past spring, flew down to the Domincan Republic on Monday to spend 2 weeks with his sister - our oldest, where she continues in the Peace Corps.  I Google chatted with them both today, and it sounds like they're having a great time.  Hubby and I feel so fortunate and grateful that our 3 kids love each other and like to spend time together. 

That's about it from me for today.  I think I'll be back to blogging more often again after my recent hiatus.  And I'll keep you posted on my journaling efforts that I may begin this afternoon when I get home from work.  Happy Hump Day, all!

10 comments:

  1. So glad to hear from you, Leslie. It sounds like thing things are moving in the right direction for you. Great trip that you have planned, and better yet, things are good on the family front.

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  2. You say SF and I immediately think "sour dough bread." Sigh.

    I think I need to track like that. I have, once or twice, actually stopped to think about why I was heading for food. But it was hard to come up with an answer. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

    I know that I eat when I am not hungry. If I changed that one small thing, I think I'd have no food issues. Okay, maybe that's a bit naive. But, really. If I only ate when hungry...

    So, how great if I could figure out why I eat when not hungry or find a way to stop myself from doing that.

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  3. I actually think that journaling is a great idea for you - love that you have so many pens and paper - I could spend so much money in stationary stores - I am especially a pen whore!

    Your trip sounds so exciting! I have never been to California either - the furthest west I've ever been is DesMoines, Iowa - kinda sad, isn't it?

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  4. Hi Leslie! I also so appreciate how your children enjoy each other. Coming from a family in which I do not like my siblings much at all, I really love how my own children have fun with each other.

    Regarding the food journaling, as you may or may not know, I'm listing all of the food I eat each day on my blog, which is probably boring my readers a little, but has been an extremely good practice. I often don't measure, but it has still helped A Lot! After the 9 day trip, it may be something you could try. It helped me problem-solve and maintain consistency that I haven't had for years!<<Just an idea.

    :-) Marion

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  5. We have a saying at WW.....if you bite it write it!
    Thumbs up
    Sounds like a wonderful trip have fun.

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  6. YES! A food journal is an absoulute must!
    I started just today myself. I have to ba accountable for what I eat! I tend to eat without thought!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  7. I bite the big one when it comes to tracking, I just plain suck at it........ :(

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  8. Good to hear from you and glad you are doing well! Enjoy your trip to my home state. I grew up about 50 miles south of SF (Santa Clara).

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  9. Well, Leslie, either my virus guard is broken, or you're blog is okay. I didn't get a warning.

    Deb

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  10. I use a food journal and I find that if I 'm skipping days it's because I'm not doing well. I go back through from time to time, but what really helps me is when I write more than what I eat. what I feel and think. Hope you have a great journey.

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