I’m hungry.
Not only am I hungry, but there are cheetos and oreos in the pantry.
*sigh*
I keep singing this funny lil song I learned a very LONG time ago at youth camp:
On a day like this
(clap, clap)
On a day like this
(clap, clap)
On a DAAAAAAAAY like this
(clap)
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I need the Lord to hep me!
Anybody else starving today? Or all you all too busy following your plans and all that nonsense?
Okay, Tracy posted about challenges, so I thought I’d get some prayer support ahead of time for my weekend. On Friday morning, my sister is dropping her two boys off to spend the weekend. Now, I love my nephews, but since I have four of my own this weekend will be hectic. Our demographics will be: one girl, age 9; 5 boys, ages 8, 6, 4, 4, and 2. And my husband, of course, who sometimes is a big help and sometimes is clueless.
We kept them last year, too, for the annual weekend getaway for my sister and her husband. And it went fine, but I was thoroughly exhausted at the end. And I wasn’t thinking when we planned it for this weekend. See, I’m PMS-ing. Big time. And I’m not actually due to start until Monday - after they’re gone. So this weekend could be potentially hazardous. Stress is a big trigger for me to pig out. After a particularly crazy day, when the kids are all tucked sweetly into bed, I think I deserve a treat. You know, to reward myself for making it through the day.
So, I guess what I’m saying is: HELP! Prayers would be appreciated.
One last thing: someone needs to invent a water bottle with an alarm. See, I get my water all ready the night before, filling the bottle halfway and then popping it in the freezer. In the morning, I just top it off and have very cold water almost all day. But my kids won’t keep their hands off it and next thing I know it’s empty and I have no idea how many ounces I actually drank. Arrgh…
I will definitely pray for you Carrie!! I know how difficult that is! Is there some other way to reward yourself for a long day?
Hope the good ol’ lovely monthly is kind to you.
I did get a good laugh about the water - my husband was drinking mine until I got flustered several times and told him I was trying to track my water. I actually keep cold water in a pitcher and pour it into a marked cup. The kids have their own cups (color coded) so they don’t touch mine. I totally understand your frustration though lol.
Just because this is a weight-loss blog, doesn’t mean we can’t hang with Works For Me Wednesdays, right?!
I’m currently in week two of the South Beach diet and I’m really liking it! One of my favorite snacks are these nuts from Planters.
Nuts are quite good for you! They’re packed with all sorts of nutrients. South Beach recommends, however, no more than ¼ cup of nuts a day due to their high fat content. I’m loving the nuts, but I’ve grown a little tired of counting out my serving and/or dirtying up my measuring cups. So I tried this!
A proper serving of nuts is a little less than half the muffin cup. It’s quick, it’s cute, and it’s easy to hold in your hand while you munch your nuts and browse blogs! (don’t ask me how I know that)
Nuts! They’re working for me!
Cute idea! I use the muffin cups to dress up and divide (the corn must not touch the chicken!) my son’s plate.
I love nuts, too, and have been glad to learn how good they are for you, but oh, that portion control is tough. I may have to take this to heart.
Much better than just reaching into the can and grabbing a handful (and then rationalizing that a few more won’t matter, since the original handful probably wasn’t a full serving).
Ooo. Great idea, Blest!
Comment by lady laura — August 2, 2006 @ 8:09 am
Love nuts. Have to put the can right away after I take out the portions, though!
Great idea, love it. I always eat too much for thoes.
Comment by Laurel Wreath — August 2, 2006 @ 8:59 am
ROTFL while you browse. I love nuts…. sadly the little man can’t have them yet, which means I can’t have them 
.
Comment by Lil Duck Duck — August 2, 2006 @ 9:09 am
I must find that can!! Those are my three favorite nuts! Thanks for the great portion idea.
What a lovely way to serve your nuts lol.
I love nuts, they’re on my snack menu for today - woohoo!
Really good idea!
What a great idea! I love nuts, too. I hear almonds are especially good for you.
I always have trouble with portion control. This is a great idea. I have 30 pounds to lose. Can I jump on board with you girls?
Comment by Joanne Casale Viskup — August 2, 2006 @ 1:34 pm
Hi Joanne! Glad you stopped by! Right now our roster for team members is closed. We had to limit it to twenty to keep the blog from being to hopping to handle! But you are very welcome to hang with us in the comment threads. We are a friendly bunch!!
Comment by blestwithsons — August 2, 2006 @ 2:03 pm
GREAT idea! I’m going to go buy a bunch of muffin cups =)
When I joined this group, I didn’t really have a concrete plan for getting in shape and living healthier beyond “portion control” and paying attention. As given to whims as I am, I need something more structured than that. Something I can measure the day by. Besides, I like to make lists and this was a good excuse reason to make one.
Most of this is taken from various “dietary” sources I have read over the years. Heck, some of it is even from good old Bob Greene (Oprah’s guru).Ya know, stuff I know to do but don’t do.
The Disciplines
~Dwell (live, reside, abide) in Prayer
God is my provider, deliverer, and sustainer. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.
~Defer (suspend, postpone) the Fast
I will eat break the fast everyday with a healthy breakfast that includes a protein (for energy and brain power).
~Desist (cease, abstain, forbear) the Late Night Snack
I will not eat 2-3 hours before bedtime. If I feel that I will die, I will look at my thighs (and the fat stored there) and have a cup of herbal tea or suck a lemon.
~Do (perform, work out) What Needs be Done
I will squat, bend, walk, reach, dance, and play, in other words– move everyday as I manage my home and live this abundant life with Christ.
~Diversify (seek variety) Meals
I will eat as many naturally-colored foods as possible each day (red food dye #9 doesn’t count). No dull or monochomatic plates of food. “Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue. Now you can eat a rainbow, Eat a rainbow, Eat a rainbow too.”
~Discover (find, unearth, realize) New Foods
To seek out new recipes and new ways of cooking food. To boldy go where no LaLa has gone before.
~Drench (soak, wet, saturate) My Insides
I will drink lots and lots of water each day, especially between meals to flush the system and purify.
(However, I will not drink right before my meals or during them so as to absorb as many nutrients as possible from what I am eating.)
~Divert (distract, amuse, turn aside) My Attention
When in the mood for a snackerel and it is not official snack time, I will divert myself for 20 minutes, and then re-evaluate.
~Discourse (talk, discuss) with Others
I will share the Plan and struggles to keep it with others, here and in RL. I will encourage and seek encouragement. I will invite accountability and receive it in the spirit it is given. I will not hate my thin friends.
~Delight (enjoy, take pleasure in) in Eating
I will not eat absent-mindedly or gobble my food, but will enjoy it, pausing over it, savoring it, and thanking God for it. Every meal is a sort of feast of celebration for God’s abundant provision, and I want to use all my senses to enjoy it.
~Deterrant/Defense (got some new D words!–thanks girls and Marine)
I will plan my eating wisely. When I am leaving at 1p and know I won’t be home until 5p, I will take a snack with me to avoid phantom starvation symptoms that lead to a drive-thru window.
I will also eat something filling and healthy before going to a dinner, party, baby shower, or happy hour so as to not want to eat the menu, etc.
Well, that’s the Plan for now. Thanks for readin’ it =)
Excellent List - as a fellow “list maker” I love how you did this!
Looks like a great plan!
Suck a lemon! Ha! I love it!
Hmm another d-word… How about “Directive, Advance” Meh. My hubby would know - I’ll ask him!
Good post!(It took a chunk of my self-control not to peek at it in the drafts folder!)
Comment by blestwithsons — August 1, 2006 @ 10:13 pm
Ha-ha! I thought of that blest. And I knew that such fine Christian women (such as yourself) would not be a’peeking, though they would surely want to.
It’s bedtime…..
Blessings to you ALL!
Comment by lady laura — August 1, 2006 @ 10:32 pm
May I suggest defense?
Thanks for the great list, I am going to print it and stick in in the fridge.
My husband suggested “deterrant”
Comment by blestwithsons — August 1, 2006 @ 10:56 pm
I guess this kind of ties in with the post before. I read a book yesterday that was talking about things that we are addicted to (fast food, sugar, starch, etc.). The suggestion was that if we work on these addictions one at a time, instead of taking them all on at once, there is less of a chance that we fail. The title of the book was
The Vice-Busting Diet: A 12-Week Plan to Break Your Worst Food Habits and Change Your Life Forever by Julia Griggs Havey, J. Patrick Havey, and David L. Katz. I have experienced this often. I make a huge list of all these changes I need to make and then try to do them all at once. It last about, oh, five seconds, and then I’m back where I started defeated, discourage and stuffing my face.
I actually had though about this before, but never really got the ball rolling, but this is where I am going to start. NO COKE, SWEET TEA OR OTHER SUGAR DRINKS! Lots of water. This is my one change, and I am going to get it down before I move on to the next. When I think of all the good this simple step will do, I am encouraged.
So here is my list of vices to bust: (just a start)
1) Sugary drinks (thankfully I don’t like artifical sugar drinks)
2) Fast Food (especially fries)
3) Chips
So what is your worst vice?
Yay Leigh Ann! Drink that water, girl!!
Hmmm. My biggest vice…?
Salty foods in general. Tortilla chips in specific. I love ‘em! They’re junk food that doesn’t taste like junk food. I love ‘em with salsa, lentil tacos, soup, chili, hummus, and just straight out of the bag… So naturally, there are none in the house. When it comes to tortilla chips, there is no such thing as moderation.
Comment by blestwithsons — August 1, 2006 @ 2:52 pm
I don’t know that I have a worst vice … they seem to go in cycles. One day I’ll be craving chocolate, the next something crunchy, the next ice cream.
My one thing for right now is to only buy what I’m going to buy at the store - no last minute chocolate bar or goodie at the checkout line. I survived Walmart last night and Dollar Tree today without a single sugary purchase - now to make it the rest of the week! 
Sometimes I think the vice can be a way we use food. Like you said, Stephanie, wanting to buy something to much on last minute.
I have that too. What is it about sitting down to watch a show that makes me think I have to eat something as well?
Potatoes are a HUGE one for me. I like them fried, french fried, baked, boiled, mashed… you name it. Unfortunately I literally gain 2 pounds instantly, which is probably water gain. Which means I swell up, my rings get tight, and my bursitis in my shoulder acts up. So, that’s my biggest vice.
My second biggest would be fine dessert. Like, creme brule, bananas foster, etc. Oh, and pudding!
Finger foods. And anything I can grab from the pantry as I run after the kids (like snack cakes, fruit snacks, cookies, handfuls of pretzels or chips). Anyone have any ideas of things that are good for you that fit those two definitions?
I would say I am like Stephanie in that my vices are mood-influenced. Lately, it has been ice cream, but next week I could have a freezer full and it would not tempt me. But, something like almond m&ms would be trouble.
Hmm… I think I’m leaving the IC phase and moving into potatoes. I have been craving homemade potato soup for 2 days! In this heat!
Comment by lady laura — August 1, 2006 @ 4:05 pm
Since I started Weight Watchers, my biggest downfall is fatty foods. I can get my sweet fix with a 1-point fudge bar or 1-point WW chocolate. But put some onion rings or a big slice of pepperoni pizza with extra cheese in front of me and watch out!
Hmmm, biggest vice? That’s tough. I’m not sure it’s so much a “food” per say. I do like sweets and fats and just all around “junk”.
I would say distracting myself while I eat is one of my vices. Whether it’s a movie, a conversation, a car ride…etc. In essence, not paying attention to what I’m putting in my mouth.
I also tend to want that junk most when I’m in pain (physically or emotionally), stressed, celebrating…etc.
Carrie - How could I forget PIZZA???!!! I just LOVE pepperoni pizza! It’s a definite no-no food on a low carb diet. I think I need to make some noodleless lasagna! That tastes a lot like pepperoni pizza!
“What is it about sitting down to watch a show that makes me think I have to eat something as well?”
I’m like that when it comes to reading … there needs to be a bag of chex mix right by my hand or something!
And Laura, I did break down and make potato soup on Saturday night because it sounded good. I made it with skim milk so it wasn’t quite as thick and yummy as normal, but it still worked and met my craving. (And for me, I think the key was that I only ate one bowl of it and didn’t add the tons of crackers I like to crumble in it or the 2nd grilled cheese sandwich!)
I’m definitely a mood-eater. Unfortunately, I am rarely in the “mood” to sit down to a big bowl of lightly steamed spinach and grilled salmon. Lovely.
My Vices:
#1 - Diet Drinks - I was up to 2-3 A DAY. This encouraged hunger for me.
#2 - Starchy foods. Potatoes, rice, HOMEMADE BREAD w/ BUTTER.
#3 - Dark Chocolate - not a small piece - but the WHOLE box of Godivas or bar of Dark Chocolate.
#4 - Butter. Weird - but I love it.
one thing at a time is a wonderful philosophy - I have used it for other things, but never thought to apply it to weight loss.
my worst vice? probably fried potatoes or french onion dip with chips or veggies or whatever
Now I found this amoosing…
As a group, we need to lose about 1360 pounds. The average Holstein cow weighs 1500, so I figure we need to lose the weight of a small Holstein!! Ladies, we are going to shrink that cow! We got started yesterday with an aggregate weight loss of 20 pounds! Hip hip Moooo-ray!! Now I don’t wanna milk this, but I just thought it was a way to beef up our group morale. If you find it cows you instead, let me know and you will be herd.
In other moos, I did the drawing for the bracelet out of all of our members who participated in the weigh-in. I am so proud of all of you!! It takes guts to step on that scale and post the numbers here for the world to see. You certainly are no cow-ards!! (okay, okay, I’m done!)
Anyway, the winner was picked by the highly scientific method of counting all the entrants and asking my son to pick a number. He did so and the winner was….
So Kat, the bracelet is yours! Just email me your mailing address. We will have other giveaways in days to come. Two of our other members have already volunteered to supply prizes! (Yay!) Needless to say, if you would like to be the prize-supplier for a drawing just let me know!
Happy Moos- Tuesday!!
How do you think of this stuff? You astound me!
Congrats to Kat!
Comment by lady laura — August 1, 2006 @ 9:29 am
That was so bad. How much caffiene do you drink?? Yeah for Kat!
Very a-moo-sing!
Yay, Kat!
Yeah, stephanie, she must be highly calf-ienated!
LOL - loved it!
And congratulations Kat!!
Oh wow! Thank you SO much. What a wonderful surprise. I think this will be a constant reminder to do what I committed to do and to keep you all in prayer.
Thanks so much blest!
Alright now! It’s too quiet around here! (BWS taps on microphone) Listen up! I want to hear from everyone on this one…
Now that I have your attention… I want to make sure we are all looking for the good in our journeys. Finding the joy - like Angie said so well last night. So I want everyone to report in with at least one thing, no matter how small, that you have done/are doing towards becoming healthier today. Maybe you ate a vegetable! Maybe you took your vitamin. Maybe you exercised. Maybe you said no to a temptation! I know there’s something! And if there isn’t, you still have time to do something today! And whatever it is, make sure you thank God for it!
And comment, of course!
Just got back from grocery shopping. I bought Weight Watchers fudge bars (1 point each) instead of Ben & Jerry’s Fish Food.
Plus I got Baked Cheetos instead of the real thing.
I also bought cherries and nectarines and have a mango ripening on the counter to go with dinner tonight.
I love the summer fruit season!
ok. Not a thing. However, I’m about to head to the grocery store. I just ’started’ and I’m craving chocolate, pudding, ice cream, etc. So, my big PLUS will be if I can get to the store and back without buying a bunch of junk. It’s gonna be a toughie, cuz I am REALLY craving right now.
Um, I went to the Dollar Tree and got out of there without one thing of candy! And had lunch with my Mom and sister - ate a salad. Kimberly, I hope you survived the grocery store! (((hugs)))
Kimberly, Chocolate, pudding and ice cream…you need to get either the WW fudge bars or the Blue Bunny vanilla fudge bars. Not sure how much protien but they are very high in fiber! Just a thought… Also eat an apple before going to the grocery store…unless you need apples from the grocery store..:)
Ok…let’s see. I have followed my meal plan and I’ve had about 50 oz of water so far. I’ve set out dinner to thaw (remember those lovely freezer meals - tee hee). Oh, I did remember to take my vitamin this morning.
Did not eat a cookie even though my daughter offered me one.
Ummm. I ate a green salad and a bit of beef and peppers instead of the sausage and cheese pizza I was making for Nick.
And I almost finished a 30 oz bottle of water before lunch. (For me, that is good.)
But, I am going to “happy hour” with girlfriends tonight and I doubt they have much in the way of salad on the appetizer menu. I’ll check back in later about that.
Comment by lady laura — August 1, 2006 @ 4:10 pm
With God’s help (and I mean literally - I was entreating Him throughout) I rode my bike for the third day in a row. It was harder today because I’m feeling kinda tired - and I did a harder program. (my bike has preset programs)
Comment by blestwithsons — August 1, 2006 @ 4:28 pm
I have had 100oz … okay 96oz (my cup holds 24 oz) of water today — and I worked all day.
I didn’t cave into temptation while out for lunch with a friend today - had a salad with grilled chicken.I was so thankful for the strength God gave in that….
Taking my vitamins - 3 x’s a day. Finally. That is just literally blowimg my husband away - he’s so proud of me.
I parked farther away from the grocery store and post office entrance today and walked farther in the blistering heat! We are having record breaking heat where I live.
Comment by momof3busyboys — August 1, 2006 @ 10:18 pm
well, diet wise, I drank water, and I ordered baked lays at wendy’s instead of fries, and then I didn’t eat them, (they’re in the cupboard now, waiting to be a treat!), and I ordered an omelet instead of pancakes at IHOP. And healthwise I had my annual exam today, and had to step on a scale for a doctor, and I didn’t cry… so that’s all good, right? (We have to go to a nearby city for my ob/gyn appointment, then we went shopping as long as we were there - gas being what it is these days, we don’t need to be doing a second trip there anytime soon. unfortunately, that means eating out for lunch and dinner. ugh.)
I have had several lunch sandwiches of bagel, Laughing Cow cheese, cucumber, green onion, and tomato ~ no meat! And, I’ve walked the last couple mornings. I was going to skip it today, but DD came downstairs and immediately went the door and pointed outside. So we went God even uses 14 month olds to do His work, doesn’t he?
Take Joy In The Journey…this was the topic of our discussion tonight at WW. Our leader tonight talked about how many of us have a kind of “destination mentality”. We are always looking towards the destination (goal) and don’t particularly revel in the here and now of this journey. It is all a state of mind to make positive choices from day to day. We should focus on “enjoying” every step of the way…make sense?
What are some of the benefits of the here and now of weight loss? Well, for one you feel better about yourself (both physically and mentally), healthier, you realize that “hey, I do have muscle under all this”, you get compliments (especially the ones from people who haven’t seen you in a while), and shopping is more fun. These are just a few benefits….there are so many more!
I learned tonight that I need to focus on what I need to do now verses the actual getting there. Enjoy every step of the way. If you don’t and you look at it with a “diet mentality” then you will fail. I am going to take this journey one day at a time. If and when I make it to my goal then great but I am not going to wait til I get to my goal to have fun and I am going to “take joy in the journey”!
Oh, BTW, I lost 2.2 more pounds for a total of 11.4 in five weeks. I got a little sticker to put on my 5 pound bookmark. I am going to do this and I am going to put the fun in the journey now instead of later!
PS…It is OK to be a picky eater, just pick the right stuff instead of the bad! And Moms we really don’t have to clean our plates, when you are full then stop. This is also something that our kids could learn now instead of later, like we did.
(Also posted on my main blog.)
Such a good point! I need to work on taking one day at a time rather than always looking ahead to the “goal”.
One thing that I do to control the portions is when my husband and I go out to eat, we either share a plate, or I consciously choose to eat only half and then take the other half home for lunch the next day. And some meals like Teryaki chicken, I can get 3 meals out of those take out dinners!
Great thoughts, Angie. And congrats on your weight loss=)
Comment by lady laura — August 1, 2006 @ 9:27 am
Your comment about “discovering” a muscle made me laugh. After I’d lost 40 pounds, I asked my husband what this lump was on my hip. He said, “It’s a bone, honey.”
I agree Angie - it’s wishing your life away to always only be focused on the future. The here and now must be lived and enjoyed…here and now 
) We need to be reminded of where we’re headed but we shouldn’t let the end result taint or overshaddow our day to day journey.
You’re doing great btw - keep up the good work. As for cleaning your plate, this is a hard habit to break isn’t it? My mom always required it. We are far more lax with eating than that at our house.
LOL - carrie - that’s hilarious!
…and likely tomorrow also.
I told you guys I don’t enjoy cooking so about once a month (sometimes longer) I spend a couple of days cooking up dinner entrees. So far I already have 5 in the freezer - woohoo. Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know where I’ll be for the next couple of days. I’ll pop in when I can (everyone needs breaks).
You guys rocked on weigh in! I’m excited to see so many coming face to face with that number….not letting it define who we are but seeing the reality of where we are. I see that some newbies have introduced themselves - can’t wait to “meetcha”.
Alright, back to the kitchen for me!
Blair — I love this concept. You will simply have to share some of your recipes. I haven’t ever done this but feel I will be doing so in the near future.
Check out http://www.30daygourmet.com
I use their book mainly )
Quick!! What do you have that’s healthy in your fridge? Raw Veggies? Fruit? Cheese? Grab a glass of water and a healthy snack - NOW!!! Don’t let it get worse and DO NOT TOUCH THE JUNK!! It SO will not be worth it if you do.
Lord, please give AJ the strength to resist temptation - we know that with every temptation you provide a way of escape - help her find it! Amen.
Comment by Blair — August 2, 2006 @ 2:23 pm
DON’T DO IT AJ!!!! It’s yucky!!
Put on some praise music, get out of the kitchen, and BOOGIE!!
Praying for you right now!
Comment by blestwithsons — August 2, 2006 @ 2:30 pm
whew. crisis over.
I had some leftover apple slices on the counter that I forgot about.
And the baby needed a diaper change. That always helps, eh?
Comment by AJ — August 2, 2006 @ 2:32 pm
YAY!!! I salute thee, fair warrior, in your victorious skirmish! The better thou art fit for when next you are flung into the fray!
Comment by blestwithsons — August 2, 2006 @ 2:42 pm
HOORAY FOR AJ!! And she strengthens…it’s a lovely thing!
Comment by Blair — August 2, 2006 @ 3:12 pm
Good job, AJ!
Comment by lady laura — August 2, 2006 @ 3:32 pm
Woohoo! Got in too late to give my advice (which was to tape the cheetos and oreos to your thighs and bottom). The visual alone of doing that with unhealthy food is keeping me “clean” today.
Good JOB AJ - and woohoo to all you ladies for givin’ it up in the support department!
Comment by Kat — August 2, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
ROFL Kat - that’s fantastic!! I’ll remember that one for sure!
Comment by Blair — August 2, 2006 @ 4:01 pm