1st Colorado Birthday for Mom

Okay, it was a couple days ago...but still...

My mom just moved to Colorado this summer. I've been encouraging it for several years now and finally she decided it was the right time. The state gave her a glorious autumn, as we often have, and she marveled at the colors and the warm sunshine and that we were grilling the 3rd week in October (she loves my grilled chicken!)

Then came her birthday and a big winter storm. Fortunately for us, we were all saved from the power outages that resulted from an unusually heavy, wet snow...and many broken branches and trees across town.

So going out to eat to celebrate was taken off the table and instead we opted to eat in. We brought over a big pot of chili, some corn bread and vegetables and pie. See...I really do refuse to diet!

One of the best things about my mom being here, for my eating habits at least, is that she actually needs to gain weight. Sounds funny, right? Well, her appetite is small, so it forces me to slow down. Pretty much if I am finished she'll stop eating. Since I don't want to eat MORE, I have taken to putting my fork (or spoon) down and pausing much more frequently. I still eat more than she does (it would be hard NOT to) but this is a good habit for me to develop. And it allows me to enjoy things like cornbread and pie...all things in moderation, right? Right!

Now I just need to remember to practice it even when I'm not eating with Mom!

Weight Loss Meals

I know a lot of people tell you to avoid all carbohydrates if you are trying to lose weight. I do not believe that is a healthy path to be on...nor is it realistic, even if they mean "starches" rather than true carbohydrates.

Instead, eat foods that provide you a balance of nutrients for optimum health. Give yourself a break--not every meal has to be perfectly balanced...look at what you eat on the whole. So in a given day or week are you eating enough fruits and vegetables, are you getting in healthy fats, etc.

Eat consciously, mindfully, rather than distractedly or unconsciously.

And include some carbs (yes, even "starches") in your menus. They help us to feel satisfied and avoid feelings of deprivation which can lead to binges later.

For example, for our mid-day meal today (it will be our main meal, which is common for us on Sundays these days since Mom has moved to town) we are having pork roast (very lean), baked potatoes and steamed broccoli. Yummm! Yes, there will be butter on the potatoes (I like my broccoli plain, thank you, but others in the family will add butter to their broccoli.) Or I may use EVOO and some Bragg's liquid aminos...I like that combination and it is healthier than butter.

And for dessert we have fresh strawberries...maybe the last of the year. :-(

What are you having to eat? Are you making a healthy choice today? Why or why not...no judgment, just want you to think about it and make the choice on a conscious level. There is nothing inherently wrong with making some unhealthy choices--as long as you recognize what you are doing and are in control.

Weight Loss Affirmations: Cravings

I use affirmations for many aspects of my weight loss success and general health, including helping me to deal with cravings. If you find you are craving foods that maybe aren’t the best, most healthy, choices then try using these weight loss affirmations to help keep YOU in control.

My body craves foods that nourish it.

This is a reminder that our body does know what it needs and that we can listen to it. Our bodies truly will guide us to make healthy choices when we learn to stop and listen and distinguish between what our bodies want and what our emotions are driving us to eat.

I eat foods that nourish my body and my mind.

While not specifically addressing cravings, this affirmation programs our mind about the types of foods we are intending to consume.

The foods I eat nourish my body and my mind.

On the surface this may seem to be saying the same thing as the previous affirmation, but the subtle difference speaks to the intention behind the affirmation. Notice the subject in the earlier affirmation is “I”…so the affirmation is about what I am doing. The subject in this affirmation is “The foods.”

The earlier statement empowers US to eat (only? Mostly?) nourishing foods. The latter affirmation gives the food we eat nourishing power.

Choose affirmations that feel good to you (even if they are a bit awkward to say at first) and that give the message you really want to internalize. Sometimes we have to sit with the affirmation and say it aloud a few times to really hear the difference.

No matter how the affirmations start, be willing to let them evolve over time. What feels right now, may not be what you need in a few months—or even a few minutes.