Friday, December 3, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: The sun will come out tomorrow
My Life's Biggest Project: The sun will come out tomorrow: "OK so I know that this is gross, but I'll share it with you anyway so that you know a little bit about what I've been dealing with since Mon..."
The sun will come out tomorrow
OK so I know that this is gross, but I'll share it with you anyway so that you know a little bit about what I've been dealing with since Monday. As I said before my car broke down the night before my surgery so that's been a hastle all in its own, turns out it was the timing belt so that put me behind like $800 that I wasn't planning on having to spend. I currently have a tube attached to my hip with a grenaid looking thing hanging on the end it is used as a drain and it is the most uncomfortable embarassing thing ever. I'm scared to move too much because I'm afraid I will rip the stupid thing out. I have to shower with one hand because I have to hold it in the other. What does this have to do with anything you may ask...great I'll tell you.
So today I go pick up my car (I haven't taken any kind of pain pills, because I knew I was going to have to drive and also because they make me throw up and my throat hurts from vomiting so much). I'm driving from the mechanic to my apartment and keep getting something caught on my steering wheel. It was my drain (which I have named my blood grenaid because that's what it looks like). I knew I felt it pulling, but I thought it was because of how I was sitting, turns out nope it was the car. This recovery period sucks.
The note I have from the doctor says that I can't squat or lift anything heavy (so there goes working out), he said that I shouldn't have to eat anything to take my antibiotics (which is a lie, I throw up if I eat and I throw up if I don't). And basically I'm too weak to do much of anything. I keep telling myself that I worked really hard to get the ten pounds off and I refuse to let myself gain, but standing at the stove to cook is almost impossible because I just can't stand for long periods of time. I keep telling myself not to be a Negative Nancy and that if I can stick to eating well then I can just pick right back up where I left off.
Some days are better than others and today so far just isn't a good one. I am ready to not be in recovery. On the plus side however, December graduation is coming up, which really is a lot more like a college alumni get together which really just involves a lot of alcohol. Due to this surgery I will not be able to go to graduation or join in on the festivities of graduation, which means that the pressure is not only off to drink, but now I don't have to have that awkward conversation about why I'm not drinking and I don't have to try to weasel my way out of being the DD (because I just don't have the money to drive drunk people all over town, nor do I have the patience to deal with an overabundance of drunk people). So see there is always a bright side!
So today I go pick up my car (I haven't taken any kind of pain pills, because I knew I was going to have to drive and also because they make me throw up and my throat hurts from vomiting so much). I'm driving from the mechanic to my apartment and keep getting something caught on my steering wheel. It was my drain (which I have named my blood grenaid because that's what it looks like). I knew I felt it pulling, but I thought it was because of how I was sitting, turns out nope it was the car. This recovery period sucks.
The note I have from the doctor says that I can't squat or lift anything heavy (so there goes working out), he said that I shouldn't have to eat anything to take my antibiotics (which is a lie, I throw up if I eat and I throw up if I don't). And basically I'm too weak to do much of anything. I keep telling myself that I worked really hard to get the ten pounds off and I refuse to let myself gain, but standing at the stove to cook is almost impossible because I just can't stand for long periods of time. I keep telling myself not to be a Negative Nancy and that if I can stick to eating well then I can just pick right back up where I left off.
 |
| This picture of Tupac has nothing to do with today's post other than the fact that the title is also the caption and I was really looking for a picture of "Annie", but this made me laugh (lol) and we need to appreciate the little things in life :) |
Thursday, December 2, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: No Quick Fix
My Life's Biggest Project: No Quick Fix: "So today I get online and open up google. My hope is to find something insanely compelling to discuss with you all today so I type in the wo..."
No Quick Fix
So today I get online and open up google. My hope is to find something insanely compelling to discuss with you all today so I type in the words "quick weight loss diets" and then it gives me a list of all different kind of things. It's overwhelming and it's scary. There are lists for pills that promise to give you the washboard abs you've always dreamed of as well as Diet plans that swear you can look just like your favorite celebrities so long as you spend the money on the book that tells you exactly how to do it.
This is what sucks about this industry and why so many people lose so much money. They all promise to do the right thing, but most don't do anything. The first Web site I clicked on after my google search was this site that promises to be the number one resource for quick weight loss, while helping the individual to rid themselves of "nasty harmful fat-without using surgery or dangerous fad diets".
Then it goes on to give the Top 3 Quick Weight Loss Diets. "Fat Burning Furnace" for $39.97, "The Diet Solution" for $47.00, and "The Truth about Abs" for $39.95. Right under the top 3 diets it goes straight into the Top 5 Diet Pills, which are as follows: Clinislim for $59.95, 7 Day Slimming Pill for $19.97, Acai Berry Select for a free trial (but that negates to tell you about how much it will cost for shipping and handling), Phen375 for $69.95 and Proactol for $79.95. All of this is on the homepage and below the diet pills are links to articles about weight loss. Without telling us anything at all other than we need to spend a crap ton of money to be fit this is the first site to pop up in a Google search.
Before you ever leave the homepage of this site it has basically told you that you need to spend a total of $356.74 to become thin quickly. This is how people get scammed so easily. People want to be thin and healthy and if there was a quick fix everyone in the world would know about it, but the fact is that there just isn't. We have to work hard and know that it will be worth it in the end. If I ever find a miracle pill or hear of some kind of amazing shortcut I'll be sure to let you know, but until that day comes looks like we are just going to have to kick it old school and watch what we eat and work out.
This is what sucks about this industry and why so many people lose so much money. They all promise to do the right thing, but most don't do anything. The first Web site I clicked on after my google search was this site that promises to be the number one resource for quick weight loss, while helping the individual to rid themselves of "nasty harmful fat-without using surgery or dangerous fad diets".
Then it goes on to give the Top 3 Quick Weight Loss Diets. "Fat Burning Furnace" for $39.97, "The Diet Solution" for $47.00, and "The Truth about Abs" for $39.95. Right under the top 3 diets it goes straight into the Top 5 Diet Pills, which are as follows: Clinislim for $59.95, 7 Day Slimming Pill for $19.97, Acai Berry Select for a free trial (but that negates to tell you about how much it will cost for shipping and handling), Phen375 for $69.95 and Proactol for $79.95. All of this is on the homepage and below the diet pills are links to articles about weight loss. Without telling us anything at all other than we need to spend a crap ton of money to be fit this is the first site to pop up in a Google search.
Before you ever leave the homepage of this site it has basically told you that you need to spend a total of $356.74 to become thin quickly. This is how people get scammed so easily. People want to be thin and healthy and if there was a quick fix everyone in the world would know about it, but the fact is that there just isn't. We have to work hard and know that it will be worth it in the end. If I ever find a miracle pill or hear of some kind of amazing shortcut I'll be sure to let you know, but until that day comes looks like we are just going to have to kick it old school and watch what we eat and work out.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: New Years isn't the only kind of countdown
My Life's Biggest Project: New Years isn't the only kind of countdown: "Happy December to everyone! The thing about it being December means that it is only a few weeks away from Christmas and New Years. Christmas..."
New Years isn't the only kind of countdown
Happy December to everyone! The thing about it being December means that it is only a few weeks away from Christmas and New Years. Christmas parties cause an overabundance of eating (and normally things that are bad for you) and New Years consists of making resolutions to take off all the extra weight that we've put on in the last few weeks. This seems to be a vicious cycle that so many people go through every year. Steve Edwards, one of the P90X newsletter writers wrote an article entitled "A 10-Point Plan for Holiday Diet Success: Give Your Body Something to Cheer About". Essentially this article consists of 10 tips to help individuals to reach their weight goals as well as having a more positive outlook when ringing in the new year. In the spirit of New Years, lets do a countdown!
10.) Visualize- This doesn't have to take very long and you can actually do it right now. Close your eyes and imagine yourself a year from now, this is your visualization so it can be anywhere and you can get as creative as you want. Now hold onto that visualization.
9.) Create an event for next year- This gives you something to motivate you and look forward to. This can be anything from a high school reunion to an amazing beachside vacation. This gives you something to look forward to and keep you going strong between now and then.
8.) Plan a training program- "Begin by finding a monthly calendar and figure out how much time you have until your event," said Edwards. "Next, make a loose training program. You don't have to decide exactly what to do right now. Maybe start with progress you'd like to make each month leading to the event. Then pick an exercise program (or series of programs) that'll help you achieve your goals over that time.
Be realistic. It might be difficult for you to focus on exercise and diet during the holidays, so you might want to schedule yourself a bit of flexibility for now. At this point, your aim is to plant a seed in your mind to keep you focused on a bigger goal as you go through the holidays. This little extra bit of motivation will be enough to keep your holidays from becoming one long binge."
7.) In the spirit of the holiday's it is important to remember that it is better to give than it is to recieve- Edwards suggests and said, "It's time to get busy. You've planted an image of success in your mind and on paper. Now you've got to get practical. Just how are you supposed to stick with an exercise program when temptation looms around every corner? Start by becoming proactive about the season. Become a giver. Instead of letting the holiday festivities come to you, where you'll have little control over them, plan them yourself. Help out with the company Christmas party, or plan your friends' New Year's get-together. If you're the organizer, you have a lot more control over the relative healthiness of the event. You must be reasonable, of course. You won't get the gig again if you turn Thanksgiving dinner into a tofu-and-broccoli Zen-fest, but being in charge allows you to make healthy options available. Plus you'll be busy, which'll leave you less time for indulging."
6.) Learn to cook- One of the easiest ways to eat healthy is to prepare the food yourself that way you know exactly what is going into it. Once you get in the habit of cooking you will find things that you like better than others. Practice makes perfect you will also learn to cook good healthy meals and if you make them for someone else not only can you show off you can also be proud of yourself.
5.) Snacks are imperative- "Let's face it, over the next month your workplace is going to be filled with temptation. Willpower alone might not be enough. Since the easiest way to avoid these things is to be full, plan to snack throughout your day. Head to the market and fill your cart with healthy snacking options like fruit and raw veggies. OK, this probably sounds boring, but these foods are loaded with fiber and have very few calories, so they'll fill you up without filling you out. A large apple has about the same number of calories as a tiny square of chocolate. By munching on fruits and veggies all day, you'll keep your stomach full, which will make you far less likely to dig into the Christmas cookies. And if or when you do choose to indulge a bit, it'll be far, far easier not to overdo it," said Edwards.
4.) Load up on water- This helps your tummy stay full. This will keep one from being tempted to overindulge in bad for you snack food. When you are at the office be sure to drink one glass of water every hour. This also keeps you hydrated (which is always a plus).
3.) Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy, well maybe not Diddy, but feel good. Rise and Shine!- Start your day with a few minutes devoted solely to yourself. While lying in bed, breathe in your nose and out of your mouth, visualize your goals and create a plan of action. By doing this every morning you are less likely to feel overwhelmed with the day ahead. You will also have a better outlook and overall day by doing this and that will help you to make better decisions.
2.) How to eat the holiday meals according to Edwards is as follows- "You're almost certainly going to overeat, but here are a few rules you can follow to stack the odds in favor of your figure:"
10.) Visualize- This doesn't have to take very long and you can actually do it right now. Close your eyes and imagine yourself a year from now, this is your visualization so it can be anywhere and you can get as creative as you want. Now hold onto that visualization.
9.) Create an event for next year- This gives you something to motivate you and look forward to. This can be anything from a high school reunion to an amazing beachside vacation. This gives you something to look forward to and keep you going strong between now and then.
8.) Plan a training program- "Begin by finding a monthly calendar and figure out how much time you have until your event," said Edwards. "Next, make a loose training program. You don't have to decide exactly what to do right now. Maybe start with progress you'd like to make each month leading to the event. Then pick an exercise program (or series of programs) that'll help you achieve your goals over that time.
Be realistic. It might be difficult for you to focus on exercise and diet during the holidays, so you might want to schedule yourself a bit of flexibility for now. At this point, your aim is to plant a seed in your mind to keep you focused on a bigger goal as you go through the holidays. This little extra bit of motivation will be enough to keep your holidays from becoming one long binge."
7.) In the spirit of the holiday's it is important to remember that it is better to give than it is to recieve- Edwards suggests and said, "It's time to get busy. You've planted an image of success in your mind and on paper. Now you've got to get practical. Just how are you supposed to stick with an exercise program when temptation looms around every corner? Start by becoming proactive about the season. Become a giver. Instead of letting the holiday festivities come to you, where you'll have little control over them, plan them yourself. Help out with the company Christmas party, or plan your friends' New Year's get-together. If you're the organizer, you have a lot more control over the relative healthiness of the event. You must be reasonable, of course. You won't get the gig again if you turn Thanksgiving dinner into a tofu-and-broccoli Zen-fest, but being in charge allows you to make healthy options available. Plus you'll be busy, which'll leave you less time for indulging."
6.) Learn to cook- One of the easiest ways to eat healthy is to prepare the food yourself that way you know exactly what is going into it. Once you get in the habit of cooking you will find things that you like better than others. Practice makes perfect you will also learn to cook good healthy meals and if you make them for someone else not only can you show off you can also be proud of yourself.
5.) Snacks are imperative- "Let's face it, over the next month your workplace is going to be filled with temptation. Willpower alone might not be enough. Since the easiest way to avoid these things is to be full, plan to snack throughout your day. Head to the market and fill your cart with healthy snacking options like fruit and raw veggies. OK, this probably sounds boring, but these foods are loaded with fiber and have very few calories, so they'll fill you up without filling you out. A large apple has about the same number of calories as a tiny square of chocolate. By munching on fruits and veggies all day, you'll keep your stomach full, which will make you far less likely to dig into the Christmas cookies. And if or when you do choose to indulge a bit, it'll be far, far easier not to overdo it," said Edwards.
4.) Load up on water- This helps your tummy stay full. This will keep one from being tempted to overindulge in bad for you snack food. When you are at the office be sure to drink one glass of water every hour. This also keeps you hydrated (which is always a plus).
3.) Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy, well maybe not Diddy, but feel good. Rise and Shine!- Start your day with a few minutes devoted solely to yourself. While lying in bed, breathe in your nose and out of your mouth, visualize your goals and create a plan of action. By doing this every morning you are less likely to feel overwhelmed with the day ahead. You will also have a better outlook and overall day by doing this and that will help you to make better decisions.
2.) How to eat the holiday meals according to Edwards is as follows- "You're almost certainly going to overeat, but here are a few rules you can follow to stack the odds in favor of your figure:"
- Drink a large glass of water 30 minutes prior to the meal.
- Begin with a salad. Go light on the dressing, and eat as much as you can. You probably see a pattern but, again, water and fiber are going to fill space in your stomach and make it much harder to overeat.
- Don't be shy. These meals were meant to be social and the more you talk and listen, the less you'll eat. Have you ever had a meal where you've been so involved in a conversation that you've forgotten to eat? Try making it a goal.
1.) How to bounce back when you've bounced off track- Edwards explains that at some point we all kind of blow it, but he explains that just because you've messed up doesn't mean that you are completely screwed. "It just doesn't matter," said Edwards. "If we were perfect, life would be boring, right? Anyway, one day isn't going to hurt you. What you need to avoid is one day turning into two, then three, and so on. So on those days when you've backslid, try this nighttime ritual that'll have those little gaps in your willpower filled in before you wake up:"
- "Have a cup of herbal tea or drink a glass of water before bed. Herbal tea is great. It's both hydrating and calming. If you've been drinking alcohol and fear a hangover, take vitamins and drink some electrolytes. Don't worry about calories at this point. Offsetting the effects of alcohol is more important. The most common effects of a hangover result from dehydration and lack of sleep. You need nutrients and water to fight these off."
"Stretch. A few minutes of slow and easy stretching will relax you and help you begin the process of recovering from the day's activities. A scant 2 minutes is a million times better than no minutes." - "Relax and reflect. Lie in bed, focus on relaxed breathing, and take a minute to reflect on yourself and your future, and then let it go. Don't think too much. You don't want to get excited, because you might lose your ability to sleep. You just want to center your thoughts and get them away from your negative associations of "blowing it." Tomorrow, as Scarlett O'Hara famously said, is another day."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: Moderation is key
My Life's Biggest Project: Moderation is key: "Many suffer the same problems when it comes to life and that is doing things in moderation. I can tell you from personal experience from my ..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)