Being In Control

I think feeling that we are "in control" of what we are eating is a big deal to most of us.  I know it is to me and this past week I am feeling much more in control of what I put in my mouth.  I'm remembering to ask myself, "Are you hungry?" and I'm doing MUCH better about not eating for the sake of eating in the evenings.  I actually went to bed feeling a smidge hungry the other night!  Haven't done THAT in a long time.

Oddly enough when I'm in control of what I eat, I also feel in better control of other areas of my life.  So which comes first - control in life or control in eating?  The chicken or the egg?  Perhaps it's just an overall mindset and general feeling, kind of like an internal compass.

I'll have to ponder that one for awhile.  Thoughts anyone?

Filling the Emptiness

Today is Easter Sunday and it was a very good day.  Church, family, friends, a walk in the sunshine.  It was a good day.  Pastor Greg was talking this morning about the empty tomb and that often we try to fill the emptiness in our lives with "stuff".  Alcohol, shopping, drugs, etc.   As he was saying those words, my friend who was sitting next to me and I looked at each other and smiled, because for both of us, it's food.  And we both know it.

I've always said that knowledge is power.  So does knowing that food is my crutch, my so-called drug, my sometime frienemy, make it any easier not to use it as such?  Sometimes.  To be completely honest, sometimes knowing helps and sometimes it doesn't make a smidge of difference.  At least that's been the case in the past.

I'd like to think that recognizing what I'm doing and facing it WILL make a difference in the future.  This is the first that I've been this brutally honest about it, and I think it will make a difference in the future.  I have to face the issues that are really causing the feelings of emptiness and learn to deal with those.  Then the rest should fall into place.

I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime I ran 18 miles yesterday training for the upcoming Cellcom Marathon.  It went better than I anticipated, but I was glad when we finished.  Only a little over a month until the event - it'll be here before I know.  I think we have two 20 mile training runs and a couple scaled back runs between now and then.

Bacher out.

 

Portion Control!

I am no longer leading my own WW meetings due to a conflict at work.  So last night I went to Deb Nockert's meeting just like the old days.  I really needed to go back and listen.  I miss leading a meeting - but more so I miss the weekly reminder that this will always be something I will have to pay attention to.

The topic this week was on portion control.  She did a great job of visually showing us with the scale and the measuring cups how important it is to use them.  Some items the group under guessed and some over.  Underestimated the points/quantities of bagel and wine but found we could have more peas than first expected.  Definitely areas that can get us into trouble when estimated incorrectly.

So this week my friends - pull out the measuring cups and the food scales.  Just for shits and giggles weigh your food.  Measure your food.  Look at the labels on the items and SEE what a portion size is supposed to be and then actually measure it out.  Let me know if you have any eye-openers.  I'll bet you will!

And by the way - if you measure out a portion and it's more than your tummy has room for.  You don't HAVE to eat it all.   I'm just sayin'.

Sufficiently buzzed on caffeine...accountable to others

I had a breakfast meeting at a local coffee shop this morning.  After we finished I stuck around drinking coffee and enjoying working away from the office.  It's fun the number of laptops that are in action here as people work, chat, meet and do business in an alternate setting.

I've been here long enough that the cookies started calling to me across the dining room, however I promised Amy that I'd email her my food diary this week.  So, I started a draft of my food journal and not wanting to add a coffee house cookie to the list, resisted the temptation.  There is definitely something to be said for holding yourself accountable to others at various points in time.

My daughter, Lindsay, had a great post on her blog recently that I found to be just what I needed to help re-charge my resolve.  I like the reference to fuzzy mind when she doesn't work out.  I also get very antsy if I don't exercise.

Well, I think I am sufficiently buzzed on caffeine now that I am ready to attack the rest of the day.

Find someone to hold you accountable.  It works wonders, I promise.

Balance!

Recently the Green Bay Running Club met at House of Speed for an overview of their services and a short informative work out on ways to improve our performance.  It was really educational and we learned a lot.  One of the areas we focused on was balance and strengthening our core.

I have found myself contemplating the topic of balance quite often lately.  While the House of Speed showed us ways we can strengthen and improve our physical balance, my mind cannot ignore that balance is key in many areas including but not limited to mental, spiritual, nutritional, and financial and they ALL impact your daily performance at work, home and in sports.

I'm thinking of ways to challenge myself and grow my knowledge regarding balance in all those areas.  Sounds like a revamping of goals is in order.

Sweets for your Sweet

Hey everyone!  
Valentine's Day coming I'd like to suggest a couple sweets for your sweet.  Here are a few that caught my eye as either "fun" or exceptionally "yummy" looking.  Some came from HungryGirl.com and others I picked up along the way hither and thither.   Enjoy!

Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

8 oz package fat free cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp lemon juice

44 medium strawberries, whole

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

In a small mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice until smooth and creamy, set aside.  Using a paring knife, hollow out the top of each strawberry to a depth or approximately 3/4".  Gently fill each with cream cheese mixture using a pastry bag just slightly above the tops.  Place them on a cookie sheet as you do this.  Once all of the strawberries are filled, dip each top into the graham cracker crumbs and place back onto the cookie sheets.  Place the cookie sheets into the refrigerator and leave them for a few hours or overnight to completely chill.

4 strawberries= 1 point

Lonna's Hot Fudge Sundae

 Edy's 1/2 the Fat Double Churned Vanilla (or Choc) Ice Cream

 Hot Fudge or Chocolate Sugar Free, Fat Free cooked pudding.

Lonna makes the pudding ahead of time and puts it in portion size cups.  Then when she's ready for dessert she reheats one serving (1/2 cup) of the pudding and pours it over a serving of ice cream (1/2 cup) for a yummylicious finish to dinner. 

I don't recall the points right off-hand so you'll need to double check them, but I think it was about 3.

Goo-licious Carmel Goodness!

I selected this next one because my daughter Kari is such a fan of Rice Pudding.  It comes from HungryGirl.com and sounds like a really yummy combo. I plan to give it a go that's for sure!

Kozy Shack No Sugar Added Rice Pudding + Light or Fat Free Caramel Dip = Goo-licious Caramel Goodness

PER SERVING (1 pudding cup + 1/2 tbsp. dip): 97 calories, 1.25g fat, 147mg sodium, 17.5g carbs, 3g fiber, 9g sugars, 4g protein -- POINTS® value 1*

Rice pudding is awesome, sweet, and creamy on its own, but we like to kick things up a notch. Scoop a spoonful of thatcaramel dip we love so much onto one of your pudding cups (um, AFTER you've opened the pudding pack, of course). Swirl in said caramel goo, and eat! A-MAZING!

Butterfinger Delight

4.5 Chocolate Graham Cracker Sheets
1 (8 oz.) Container Fat Free Whipped Topping
1 (2 oz.) Butterfinger Candy Bar, crushed
1/4 Cup Hershey's Light Chocolate Syrup
1/4 Cup Smucker's Sugar Free Caramel Topping

Lay the chocolate graham cracker sheets into the bottom of an 8x8 inch pan. Mix together the whipped topping with half of the Butterfinger. Spread the cool whip mixture over the graham crackers. Drizzle both the chocolate syrup and caramel syrup on top of the whipped topping. Sprinkle the remaining half of the Butterfinger on top. Freeze for at least 4 hours.

Serves: 8
Per Serving: 146 Calories; 2g Fat (14.3% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 29g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 105mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates. WWP: 3

Amish Friendship Bread and Chicken Soup

Last week a friend at church had an extra bag of the starter dough for Amish Friendship Bread.  You know, the kind where you "mush" the bag for a few days, add some flour and sugar, mush it for a few more days and then on the magical day number 9 you add some more stuff, split some out for friends and then bake a couple loaves after adding a lot more stuff to it.

Well I wasn't too sure I wanted the starter bag to begin with, but I took it and did my mushing.   It's not supposed to be refrigerated, so on the way home I even took it into the gym with me so it wouldn't sit in the car during zero degree weather.  I took wonderful care of my bag!  Well today is day #9 and this morning I woke up to a small pool of batter on the kitchen counter.  I had planned to do my baking this evening, but the process was accelerated and the loaves are in the oven as I type.

This morning I put SO much sugar and oil into this bread that I could feel the pounds coming on as I measured them out!  I'm somewhat afraid of the moment that the hot, cinnamon-y bread exits the oven.  I'm going to want some and am afraid I won't be able to stop at just one piece.

I need a plan - that's it!  I'll play it out in my mind what is best for me and what my actions will be.  Okay, I'll eat breakfast while it's baking so when it starts smelling delicious I am not hungry.  Then after it comes out of the oven, I'll immediately leave for work so I'm not tempted to dig in.  I'm leaving tomorrow to go visit my daughters in Minneapolis (Yay!  I love visiting my daughters!) so I'll take it with me and we'll all enjoy it together.  That will help tremendously, I'm sure of it.  And it will be a nice surprise for them.... unless they happen to read my blog before I arrive, then the jig is up.

On a healthier note - last night I made a big pot of chicken vegetable soup.  The flavors have melded all night long and I'm looking forward to a bowl for lunch.  Yummy!  And healthy.

This is my life.  It feels like having an angel and a devil on each shoulder.  Sometimes I confuse the angels.  I guess that makes me human.

Betty Crocker out.

Be Prepared!

I am extremely busy this week and see my good and wonderful eating habits falling to the wayside.  What's with that!?!  Reminder to self:

My body needs excellent fuel and adequate rest right now in order to perform in the manner I need it to.


Okay - I've been reminded.  Now I'm off to eat a healthy breakfast and pack a nutritional lunch so I can do the things efficiently that I need to do.

Bacher out.

Marathon Training time

It's Marathon training time!  I've signed up for another one - and yes, perhaps I'm a tad bonkers.  Rose asked if running a marathon is like giving birth in that you quickly forget the pain.  She said, "weren't you crying last time?"  Yes, I did.  I cried at mile 23.  I was very tired and I wanted to FINISH.  However, I pushed through (with encouragement) and I finished.  Just as I went on and gave birth to two more children after Erich.  Women are tough, a topic for another day.

Today the training runs for the Cellcom Marathon started and over 200 people were there, which is great.   I've signed up to run the full marathon and am excited to get started.  It's nice to have a plan and a goal to work towards.  Today I will print out the training schedule so I can make sure my weekday activity supports my weekend long runs.  I've found that it's all very do-able and attainable over time if you make a plan for success and then work the plan.  Sounds a lot like weight loss now doesn't it?   Hmmmmm - make a plan and then work the plan.

By the way, I'm filling out my food tracker this week.  I need a jumpstart because I'm up 5 pounds since November and it's time to get it in check.  I promised my members I would because it DOES make a difference.  So I'm tracking this week.

Sounds like the key to doing just about anything in life successfully.  Make a plan and then work the plan.  Okay, we've got the plan...now let's work it!

Bacher out.

Biggest Loser comments and thoughts

Comments on tonight's Biggest Loser that I liked.

"I'm tired of being emotional about my weight.  It's time to do something about it."

"It's the gym!  Wow it's the gym.  Oh, dear Lord... it's the gym"

"26.2 miles!  Are you kidding me?"

"Being one of the two teams that goes home is not an option."

Stand up and finish what you started.

If you don't do what you need to do....

Don't let things get the best of you right now.



A drive thru diet at Taco Bell?  This was a commercial that was on during the show...get real!

I don't know about you, but I cannot imagine losing 30 pounds in ONE week!  Keep it in perspective my friends that this is their full-time job while they are there.  That's all they do is live and breathe what they are telling them to.  In real life it comes off slower and that's okay.  Just make sure you have realistic expectations for yourself.  Then stick to it and persevere!

Let's do it!

Tromping through the snow

This afternoon Harry and I bundled up in warm clothes, mittens and sorel boots and went out to Barkhausen to walk the snow covered trails.

Several observations:
Encountered a lady who appeared to be playing out a New Year's resolution as she tackled the cross country ski trails for the first time ever.  She was alone and plugging away at it.  Saw her again in the parking lot and with glowing cheeks she was very happy with her accomplishment.  Yay for her!

The trails are very peaceful and quite enjoyable during the winter despite the brisk, cold wind.

It's easier for men to take a leak in the woods than it is for women.  Good thing it was Harry that had to go and not me.

My fingers got chilly even though I had on a heavy pair of gloves over top of my cheapies.

I didn't let my runny nose get in the way of fun.

I am resolved to check out the Fox River Trail one day this next week and see if it's walkable in this weather.

Harry said it was very enjoyable outside even though this is the time of year we tend to disparage the most.

January 1 is a great day to look forward and not back.

Overall, a crackerjack New Year's day.  We both totally enjoyed it.  

Thoughts on Holiday Eating

A friend of mine posted the following on her Facebook page:

People are concerned about what they eat between Christmas and New Years and really what they should be concerned about is what they eat between New Years and Christmas.

This is so true!  In my mind it follows the same principles as someone who is worried about having the perfect wedding.  When really the marriage isn't about the day.... the marriage is about every day FOLLOWING the wedding day.

When it comes to food and exercise, it's about what you do MOST days that counts in the long run.

Have a great New Year's eve my friends.

Holiday Training Tips From Jeff Galloway

I like Jeff's blog and thought I'd share this entry.  Check his stuff out sometime.  

Here is a recent entry:
It's possible to keep your training on track, even with holiday distractions. Here are some tips that have helped many runners maintain conditioning even with holiday temptations. You'd be surprised, but even very short workouts on maintenance days can maintain your fitness, relieve stress, inject more energy and allow you to feel better during holiday festivities.

Plan Ahead
Write your workouts on a calendar, for the entire holiday period. Just having a plan tends to result in more runs each week. By looking ahead, each day, you will become more focused and are more likely to make time for your scheduled runs or walks.

Pick quiet times
Family members tend to sleep later during the holidays. By getting up and out the door early, you can finish your workout done before others arise. Each day, look at the time periods that would be open for exercise.

Focus on the long ones
Endurance is the key to finishing your race with strength and power. Follow your program, ensuring that you get in the long runs. Depending upon the program, you will only have to run /walk longer every 14-21 days. If you have to go slower or take more walk breaks, do it. Your only mission is to “go the distance."

Release stress with a short run or walk
Practically everyone experiences stress during the holidays. By moving your legs you will improve your attitude, increase vitality, and feel better about yourself. Even a short session of 5-10 minutes can help you focus on priorities, on a busy day

Minimal training will maintain your adaptations
When you don't have much time, and you are scheduled for a “maintenance run or walk”, just go for 5 minutes. If you get out for 5 minutes you will probably continue for 10 or 15, which will maintain the adaptations in your feet and legs between the long runs.

Don't be obsessive about food
If you don't have the perfect diet during the holidays, you won't lose any fitness. While eating a lot of sugar /fat is not the best diet, you can burn it off as you exercise. If you tell yourself that you will never eat another holiday cookie, you'll probably be good until that day when there's no one around—and it's you and the cookies. If you sample and just taste foods that you like, many runners avoid deprivation binges later.

Stage social runs with friends/family
When you have folks gathering from other areas, schedule a walk or run together. This promotes sharing of lives, stories, while bestowing an attitude boost.

When the weather is not ideal
Get to the mall before the stores open and walk (or run if possible). This will give you a preview of the sale items, while you get in some exercise. Treadmills are a suitable substitute if the weather is austere. Some runners will warm up with indoor exercise, then run or walk outside for 5-10 minutes and continue to alternate out and in.

Christmas is around the corner....

With all the excitement going on and preparations that you are making, don't forget to pause and listen for God's presence.

It's there - sometimes we just need to take the time, listen, and look for it.

A Little Snowy Chuckle

Wrong side of the bed?!

Last night I slept on the other side of the bed and it felt very "wrong".  It wasn't right or wrong obviously, but it felt awkward.  So I've been pondering why it felt "awkward".   If I sleep in a hotel bed or at my mother's house or somewhere else and I'm on the other side of the bed, it doesn't feel awkward.  So I've come to the conclusion that it is simply that we are creatures of habit and breaking outside of our habits feels awkward.   And in some cases it can be downright hard.

Take eating and exercising habits for instance.  We get into patterns - whether good or bad - and then it's awkward to break the cycle.  This is a good thing with the good habits, but when we have bad habits that we are trying to break it can be very difficult.  Although sometimes uncontrollable forces have a very definite impact on our habits and can throw them off kilter before we realize it has become a problem.

The change in seasons has done that to me.  I was really enjoying my exercising and running outside through the spring and summer.  Now the weather has turned rainy (cold isn't so bad...but it just seems like it's raining all the time) and I'm finding myself not exercising nearly as much as I used to.   And suddenly it feels awkward - and I don't like it.

I'm going to have to weigh the options and decide a new course of action.  Last year I used my elliptical almost daily.  It was convenient and I really enjoyed it.  This year it doesn't sound quite as appealing, and I'm not sure why, but I think it has to do with the social aspect that I've come to enjoy when I run or bike with friends.  My initial thoughts are to join the YMCA, another gym, or to use the work out room where I live.  In the past I've been quick to join but then find that I don't use the membership and the $$ goes to waste, so I don't want to just jump into that course of action without a strong commitment that I'll go and use it.

I think half the battle is REALIZING that a habit is heading in a "not so good" direction so that corrective action can be taken before a new "bad" habit has been created and accepted.

I'll let you know what I decide.  In the meantime I'm going to go put on my workout clothes, get on my elliptical and contemplate which side of the bed to sleep on tonight.

I Get My Moxy From Fern

As I type this my 91.5 year old Grandma Fern is laying in hospice.  She has been strong in spirit, mind and body until a couple weeks ago when she had a stroke.  Then a week later she had a seizure and another stroke and now there is no hope for her recovery.  They are doing everything they can to make her comfortable and there has been family by her side 24/7 for the past 10+ days.

Grandma Fern is the type of woman everyone wants for a Grandma.  She is kind, intelligent, has a good sense of humor, is a hard worker, gives great back rubs, makes an awesome fish fry, (northern and walleye caught by Gramps from Pelican Lake) always looks like a million bucks, is a devoted Packer fan and has been known to gamble here and there.

By example she has taught her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters how to live and love.  (I'm sure the male types in our family learned a lot too, but this is being written from the female perspective today, sorry guys.)  I was in my early 20's before I realized that not all mothers and daughters got along!  My grandma and her daughters should be the poster family for how to do it right.  I have nothing but deep respect for all of them.

My grandma is not a complainer.  She likes to shock us with a funny "zinger" when least expected and make everyone laugh.  Even now, laying there and fighting for breath for over a week and barely a moan or grumble from her.  She's a fighter.

I'm not sure what her image of heaven is, but Grandma thinks my Grandpa has probably found someone else up there.  We all know better.  They were married for over 60 years and he's waiting with his arms wide open for her to arrive.  The best is yet to come.

She's got MOXY, and I'm proud to say that that's where I get my moxy from.

Changes, changes and a fresh look!

Hi all!

Since a healthy lifestyle is about SO much more than food, I have decided to expand the focus of the blog to include not just the food stuff, but a healthy lifestyle as a whole.  There will still be stuff about food - I love food!  That's a sure bet, but I'll be expanding my posts to include exercise, and the spiritual aspect as well. (Even more than in the past.)  You'll probably find that the posts will be a little more on the personal side as well.

So with the slight shift in content.... a new template was in order as well.

Out with the old and in with the new.  I'm liking it!

Filling Out My Tracker

In the meeting room this week, we challenged everyone to fill out their trackers and bring them in next week.  I'm filling mine out faithfully and do you know how many times I have either not eaten something or really thought about it twice because I know I have to write it down?

As you know, I lost my weight on Weight Watchers CORE program where tracking is not such a big deal.  I'm not a tracker by nature and so this is a real chore for me.  I'm still following the Core (now Simply Filling) technique, but I'm writing it and tracking it.  AND it's making a difference.  I'm sure of it.

The power of tracking should NOT be underestimated!  

The Marathon!

I'll bet you've all been on pins and needles waiting to read about the WhistleStop Marathon.  My deepest apologies that it's taken this long to post.  Life has raced along at a crazy pace ever since the race.

I FINISHED!  Yay!  I did it in 4 hours 39 minutes and 01 second.  Truly if I'd have known they were counting the seconds I'd have run a little faster!  Ha!

I'm so glad I did it.  It was not easy.  In fact mile 23 and 24 were VERY hard and if it wasn't for the support of my "fan", I probably would have walked the rest of the way.  I'd have finished... but it would have taken me a lot longer.  I am happy to say that following a couple days of stiff legs, I was walking normally only a couple days later.

I highly recommend doing a marathon.  If I can do it - you sure can too.

And I got a free t-shirt - whoot, whoot!