Friday, November 16, 2012

I haven't been under a rock...

I'm not feeling the blog much at all these days, but I am reading my favorites.  I'm tired of focusing here mainly on weight and food, so I may actually change things up in the coming weeks and reformat.  There is so much more in my life than weight/food/eating, and I don't think there is an original thought to be parsed by me on the subject.  I've analyzed my addictive nature down to the atomic level.  I'm making genuine progress for now.  

That said, I do want to touch base and report that I am still logging my food and exercise on My Fitness Pal daily.  It's a great tool for me - who'd'a'thunk?  And the main thing I want to say is that I've lost 8 pounds since I began logging.  But on MFP, I have only lost 1.5 lbs because after I first entered all my data back in early September, I didn't really begin logging consistently until October sometime, and in that period of time, I managed to gain 6.5 pounds over my recorded weight, and never went back in to change it.  So until I actually lost from my original number, I didn't update my poundage.  That happened this past Sunday, and I was delighted and motivated and have been doing even better since.

I'm absolutely choosing meals and snacks according to calorie content.  For example, I developed a passionate love affair with Edy's Slow Churned Pumpkin Ice Cream that has 90 calories per 1/2 cup this fall.  But I never want that piddly amount - so I'd have 1.5 cups for 270.  But then I discovered that I could have a 6 oz carton of a Chobani flavor (strawberry is my fave) at 140 calories, top it with 2 Tbs. of Trader Joes Low Sugar Apricot Orange Spread for 60 calories - totalling 200, and I love it.  It's positively decadent, and enabled me to stop buying the ice cream.  More protein, more flavor, and 70 calories less.

It seems so simple, and yet I am steadily and slowly coming down the scale.  I'm not being perfect, but I'm doing much better than I have in a long time, and seeing the results and feeling my clothes loosening is motivating me.  I have to be careful not get into the crazy thinking of, "How can I speed this up...?", which is part of my disordered thinking around food.  It can be a fine line between "easy does it" and insanity, and I still harbor doubts as to whether this moderate approach and slow progress can continue.  As I always say,  keep it in today only, because that is the only place I can take action.

How's that for not talking about food and such?  As long as I have this blog - reformatted or not, I will update my progress from time to time.  I always feel such support and kindness from bloggers that I want to stay accountable to my core issue for which I've gotten so much help here!

Last night I saw Denzel Washington's new movie "Flight", and was crying like a baby at the end.  It's hard to watch in places, but well worth it, well done, well cast, and gripping.  A very accurate portrayal of the behaviors and egocentrism that accompany alcoholism.  Highly recommended.

Have a good weekend all - and if I don't post next week, have a Happy and love filled Thanksgiving.

11 comments:

  1. I'm so happy for you, Leslie - what you are doing is working, and you can't ask for better than that! And I like reading whatever subject you write about, so no worries with changing the blog. You could even write about knitting! ;)

    I want to see Flight but I hear it's intense (like you said). Not sure I'm ready for that so soon after seeing Argo - talk about edge of your seat with that one! Maybe I'll just find a comedy.

    Happy weekend and Thanksgiving to you!

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  2. Hubby and I really want to see Flight...good to hear some feedback.
    The slow and steady pace can be difficult mentally, but in the long run you'll be healthier. The slower you lose, the more fat lost (instead of muscle). I often have to remind myself of that.
    I think expanding beyond "weight loss/food" blog is a great :) Have a great day!

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  3. I want to see that movie so bad! I had fully intended to go alone on Sunday then realized that Mr. Helen has Sunday off (he usually works) and he's not a Denzel fan. (How is that even possible?!!!) Not sure even with all the rave reviews about it I can get him to go...

    I totally understand about the scale and the upward weight, etc. I am stepping on tomorrow morning and I can't even remember how long it's been since I weighed. The Zero Scale will tell me that and even though I feel like I must have lost weight this week what with getting back into a more normal routine, it's quite possible it will say maintain or a teeny tiny loss.

    I say write what you want to, it's your blog. Besides you have such a great writing style, I'll be here to read no matter what.

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  4. Congrats on so much success! I always learn something from your posts Leslie and don't mind one bit when you post about food, weight and your struggles. You have so much wisdom to share.

    Happy Holidays!

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  5. Good for you! Guess what I did today. I actually wrote a post title! That's it so far, just a title:) Next month would be my three year blogoversary so I think it is time for me to make a reappearance to at least update my blog friends that I'm still alive and kicking.

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  6. You and I are about in the same mode right now. I just have very little to say about my weight loss process except to say that I'm doing well and slowly coming down the scale. It seems that the less I write about it, the better I do. So glad that things are going well for you. I will continue checking in on my favorite blogs, and yours is certainly one of them! Take care and have a great weekend!

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  7. Hello Leslie! Always good to "see" you! I think you are doing great, and I agree that stepping away from the all food blogging is a good thing every once in a while.

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Hugs!

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  8. Hi Leslie! Isn't it crazy how eating less calories makes a person lose weight?! I used to refuse to count calories, and then, when I did, the weight started coming off. Why is that eureka to me--because I used to have a brick wall of denial. Then one day, I was honest about it, which made it so much easier.

    Just keep doing the same thing that's working for you.

    :-) Marion

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  9. Something works great, and then it changes.. or we do.... this "learning" thing is a life long process! I know I am miffed and mystified when my previous winners - just don't work any more....
    Ride that wave while we have it, eh?
    And Happy Thanks Giving to you and yours!

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  10. Just wanted to stop by and wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving - hugs!

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  11. A nice post for December/end of year would be great.

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