I saw a news clip the other day about SparkPeople, an online community for those of us needing to lose weight but lacking the motivation or plan to do so, so I thought I’d give it a try. So far, I’ve found out that I’m in the obese category for my weight and height – yikes! I knew I was overweight but obese? Being overweight I can deal with mentally but obese – that sounds awful! That sounds like I should join the circus as I side show act! Anyway, SparkPeople is totally free, which works for me, and though I’ve only been on it one day, there’s lots of detailed information tailor fit for each individual’s needs. There’s several meal plans to choose from each day with recipes (thank goodness because I have no idea what to make or how) and workout suggestions.
I was raised in a meat and potato’s house. I’m looking over all these recipes for my plan and I keep seeing these things called “vegetables” and “fruit”. Some look familiar, though I’m not sure I’d recognize them in a grocery store if I saw them. “Hummus?” Isn’t that the funny bone? Cauliflower? Broccoli? Asparagus? Um, I better take an illustrated encyclopedia of vegetables with me!
Actually, I have “attempted” to eat healthier several times. I have a vegetable garden every year and though I talk to the plants, water them and care for them, they’ve always seemed more like pets than food. Last year, I thought I’d grow zucchini, and out of a bumper crop of about 40 zucchini’s, I only ate one. There was one that I especially grew attached to, it looked like a penguin and I set it on my front porch as a Fall decoration! It greeted people throughout Halloween and Thanksgiving!
But it’s time to get serious. I’m fat, I feel like crap and I’m not exactly the picture of health. My blood pressure is borderline high. I had gestational diabetes in the past, so that puts me at a higher risk for developing diabetes later. When I was pregnant with my first child, I had to test my blood sugar three times a day. Seeing those high numbers after eating the wrong thing scared me straight then! I didn’t want to have to give myself insulin shots! But I never felt better in my life. Eating right makes the difference.
So I thought, since I have a blog – writing a little journal would be motivational. So here I go! Actually, the meal plans are going to have to start tomorrow. Tonight it’s cheesy, greasy, delicious brats on the grill with a side order of greasy homemade french fries. If I don’t have a coronary tonight in my sleep, tomorrow I’ll be eating better!
Kris – this really gave me a good laugh! But seriously – I sure need to do this too.
Sue, maybe we can encourage each other!
Yesterday wasn’t a total step backwards, I did exercise and cut down on portions. But taking a serious look at what I regularly eat, it’s amazing that I don’t weigh 500 pounds!
Today I’m going to start off with one piece of whole wheat toast (with butter) and some grapes. I haven’t bought into the dry, butterless toast yet.
My plan tells advises me that my target weight should be 125? 135 sounds more realistic to me and that’s what I’m shooting for. I need to lose 30 pounds to get to that. Ugh!
One thing I know, I can’t deprive myself completely. That never works. If I know there’s a bag of peanut M&M’s in the house, it will be the last thing I think of before going to sleep, and the first thing I think of when waking up!
Yes, I’m that pitiful!
Maybe I should try hypnosis…
30 pounds is about my problem at this time too – but it keeps increasing! It is downright terrifying. I spent my whole life skinny until I gave up nicotine…. I did ride my bike to the hospital (2 long blocks) and then ride afterwards a bit the last couple days. It is the potato chips and the mashed potatoes that call me regularly! I’m fine at home but that blasted job (that I love and need) does me in. The vending machines call me.
Vending machines are the downfall of many. My husband has the same problem, except Caterpillar’s even worse, there’s food, food everywhere! Somebody’s always bringing in something, ordering pizza and then of course they have a cafeteria and other places on site where he can buy food. Not good.
You’re workout routines sound like mine! If I walk for two-blocks I feel like I’ve just ran the Boston Marathon! I have this fear that if I get too ambitious and walk too far, I won’t have the energy to get back home or my heart will go nutso! I have a heart condition that makes it difficult to work out. My heart beats a million miles an hour if I get carried away and that is a scary thing to go through! I’ve wound up in the ER more than once because of it. I take medicine to control it but the medicine makes me dopey and put on the weight.
My parents were both so skinny and didn’t care for food all that much. I must have been adopted!