Found My Way - Day 4

Honestly I am so shocked that I have made it through 3 full days and on my 4th.  It seems so minor but in the past 2 years I have not made it through one full day being honest and accountable, so to me this is huge.

Last night I had dinner with my mother, who is a gourmet cook, and one of my biggest challenges has always been when I am at her house.  So I called her on Wednesday and told her about my recommittment and told her that it might be easier if I just bring my own food or eat before I get there.  She was amazing, she said that she would make whatever I wanted and so I told her lean chicken and salad or vegetables only.  When I got there she had fresh grilled chicken which she diced onto a tossed salad full of veggies, with fat free dressing.  It was wonderful!  And she ate the same thing as I did, which was nice for her too.   It was a pleasant evening and I did not dip into her dishes of chocolate almonds or dry roasted peanuts.  I just sipped my Crystal Light and avoided the food altogether.

This morning I stopped at the grocery store and bought some Fat Free Turkey and Fat Free Cheese for lunch, and a big juicy apple and some rice cakes.  I know rice cakes are some extra carbs, but they are a good filler for me and seem to settle easy in my tummy - not everything does because of my ulcers.  

My plan for the weekend is to go through my pantry and get rid of all the junk that is tempting me. The chips and stuff.   I want to get healthier snacking choices for my children, but kind of stumped on what to get.  They don't like raisins or beef jerkey.  They do like trail mix, but not granola.  They like applesauce and yogurt, fruit, carrots, cucumbers.  I have to think of other ideas so I am not giving them the same thing every day.

Well that is it for me, not sure if I'll post over the weekend or not.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Stay focused.  Stay determined.   Keep your eye on the end result and it makes all this worth it.

Hi Deanna and thanks for inpiring some of us more silent ones. Do they like edamame and jicama, two of my favorite munchies. Freah and Easy has great dried edamame and costco and TJs both have them fresh or frozen, in the pod or out. I also love frozen red grapes and Laughing Cow cheese on fat free crackers. I am a crunch lover and these fill me up.

nancy

Wow Deanna! What an inspiration you are!  Not only are you taking care of you (and doing a Fantabulous job of it!) but you are also incorporating your children into your plan. Believe me, they will reap the rewards later on in their adult lives!  We'll start calling you Super Mom...so proud of you!
Nancy aka Sunray

Hi Nancy,

I look at my children and I worry about them.  My older daughter is 9 and she is overweight, and unhappy, and cannot keep up with her active friends.  I want so much more for her, and I feel her pain, she is a mini version of me.  I know that I need to show her that eating healthy and being active is not a punishment, as it was presented to me when I was young.  My parents would give everyone else normal food, then I would get my "diet" meal and I felt so deprived and so outcast.  This has to be a whole family partnership, eating better, exercising more, and just an overall change of habits.  She is only 9 so I still think there is time to change her view of food and life.  It won't be easy, she loves her junk food, but she also wants to be thinner.  I explain it isn't about being thin, it is about being healthy.  

Thank you for your kind words.  Writing here is very important to me, to get my thoughts out and to be accountable.  I am a hider.  I have the mindset that it doesn't count if nobody witnesses me eat it.  I can hit the drive through on my way home and nobody will know.  That kind of thinking is dangerous and unhealthy, so here I can be accountable, which is motivating, which in turn will hopefully get results - more exercise, better food choices = weight loss!!  (I hope).

 

Congratulations on Day 4.. and on dinner with your Mother!  I too used to get to my parent's house and there would be goodies galore... But, everyone now even at family gatherings are consciously trying to make better choices and this helps not tempt me as much.  But, I get so proud of myself when I resist temptation I realize how much more I like that feeling vs. the guilt when I reach for something I know is not a healthy choice.  I also commend and congratulate you on making healthier choices not only for yourself but for your children too.  You are an inspiration!  Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Hi Deanna,

I have got to say that you are such an inspiration to me.  I love reading what you have to say.  Your words make me realize where I have fallen down, and your words pick me up.  I think it is great that your mom did that for you.  She likes to cook so much, you should have her make some things for you that you really like.  As a cook she should have alot of fun making things that you can eat, and be so weightloss friendly. 

I wish you the best of luck this weekend.  Maybe a suggestion, is to do something with your 9 yr old.  I was just talking to someone yesterday on how horrible it is for kids to grow up overweight.  Other childrens are so cruel to the overweight ones and it scars them for life.  I am one of those that will never forget the pain of grade school.  High school was better, but I was still different that everyone else.  I wasn't that heavy in high school, but back in the 60's there was not any girls 5'9", and weighing 190's.  Even when I lost down to 160, I was still a large girl and just never fit in.  Maybe you can start walking with her, play ball or something, but know that the two of you will be the better for it.  Just keep her involved with you, even cleaning the pantry.  I just feel so bad for her, but you are so strong, just spread that around the family.

Have a great time this weekend no matter what you do

Your biggest fan,

Diane

Deanna,

Congrats on day 4!  I never doubted you for a second!  You are doing an amazing job and are so committed, you've inspired me too.

Hugs,
Barb