Although we went for "walks" every day, they couldn't really be counted as exercise for me in the traditional sense...we walked so slowly for me that my heart rate certainly didn't rise and I could very, very easily talk.
"Better than a cheese danish" is a phrase we use at home when we are making a choice that may not be the absolute healthiest...that is how I look at these walks with my mom.
Better than sitting around watching the television! We were out moving, getting fresh air and visiting. All these are good things.
Sometimes it is easy to get into the "all or nothing" mentality...we either exercise to the max or not at all...we eat 100% healthy or we binge on junk food.
What was reinforced for me during this visit is the importance of taking little steps towards your goal every day.
My mom is almost 80...she'd like to put some weight on (a problem I have never shared with her)...so by increasing her activity we can build up her muscles, but having her eat just a couple bites more we can give her more calories...by having her snack on good raw nuts during the day we give her more energy, more fats, more protein...all of these little steps help move her towards her goal.
She isn't physically able to eat a lot more at any one sitting, any more than I would want to starve myself at a meal. But by taking one or two bites more (or less) we can affect our body. Pretty amazing.
We went to the pool a couple of times and met friends there. I showed them a couple simple isometric exercises--things that anyone in any physical condition can do. Sometimes they seem like they aren't doing anything, but it was interesting to hear these women comment on how they could feel it.
Mom isn't able to run a mile...she can't walk for an hour...but she can take 3 small walks during the day.
Similarly when I started I couldn't walk very far or fast either. At 300 pounds it hurt too much.
By doing what we can--starting wherever we are--we can and will increase our endurance and become stronger and more fit. Before you know it, you are doing things that a few months ago you only dreamt of doing. That's what these little strolls and trips to the pool with my mom reminded me about!
Thanks Mom! For everything!
Showing posts with label visiting family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label visiting family. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Back Home and In the Nutty Groove
I'm back home after visiting my mom for a few days.
I did really well while there, continued with my lemon in the morning, my 15 minute exercise routine and basically healthy eating.
One of the challenges I had was that my mom has gotten SO skinny she really needs to eat more...and it felt funny to push someone to eat! What is interesting is that I didn't have to modify WHAT I prepared or even HOW I prepared it much. The basic concept is good nutrition. Since she is diabetic--controlled by diet--she really needs to eat frequently and lots of complex carbs and good protein. She also has high cholesterol so it isn't like you can just load on lots of saturated fats. So we ate the same foods, I encouraged her to eat more nuts during the day as snacks, and to increase her portion size just a little bit.
I added a few more carbs than I would normally eat...good healthy whole grains...and a bit more EVOO...and she likes to have a dish of ice cream every night. Ahhh...that was the challenge for me! She chooses the light version because of her cholesterol...the nutritionist told her to have a few raw nuts before hand to get the protein in to help balance her blood sugar and that would be okay...frankly, I just didn't find the light version very satisfying! Anyway, we had "dessert" every night which I'm not used to.
I found ways to sneak more calories, good fats and protein into her meals by upping the amount of feta and nuts in her salads, adding walnuts to her oatmeal, things like that. These are tricks that help those of us who aren't super skinny, too. By getting good fats in our diet on a regular basis we will have fewer cravings, our skin will be softer & smoother and our bodies will be more lubricated overall and function better.
You don't need to add a lot...and try a variety of omega 3 fatty acids--get some flax seed, hemp oil, walnuts...by changing it up and having a variety you avoid boredom while you give your body things it really needs! You'll feel better and have more energy, too!
So I'm back home and getting back into my own groove, (not to be confused with a rut!) Have to run to the store and buy some more veggies to go with my nuts!
I did really well while there, continued with my lemon in the morning, my 15 minute exercise routine and basically healthy eating.
One of the challenges I had was that my mom has gotten SO skinny she really needs to eat more...and it felt funny to push someone to eat! What is interesting is that I didn't have to modify WHAT I prepared or even HOW I prepared it much. The basic concept is good nutrition. Since she is diabetic--controlled by diet--she really needs to eat frequently and lots of complex carbs and good protein. She also has high cholesterol so it isn't like you can just load on lots of saturated fats. So we ate the same foods, I encouraged her to eat more nuts during the day as snacks, and to increase her portion size just a little bit.
I added a few more carbs than I would normally eat...good healthy whole grains...and a bit more EVOO...and she likes to have a dish of ice cream every night. Ahhh...that was the challenge for me! She chooses the light version because of her cholesterol...the nutritionist told her to have a few raw nuts before hand to get the protein in to help balance her blood sugar and that would be okay...frankly, I just didn't find the light version very satisfying! Anyway, we had "dessert" every night which I'm not used to.
I found ways to sneak more calories, good fats and protein into her meals by upping the amount of feta and nuts in her salads, adding walnuts to her oatmeal, things like that. These are tricks that help those of us who aren't super skinny, too. By getting good fats in our diet on a regular basis we will have fewer cravings, our skin will be softer & smoother and our bodies will be more lubricated overall and function better.
You don't need to add a lot...and try a variety of omega 3 fatty acids--get some flax seed, hemp oil, walnuts...by changing it up and having a variety you avoid boredom while you give your body things it really needs! You'll feel better and have more energy, too!
So I'm back home and getting back into my own groove, (not to be confused with a rut!) Have to run to the store and buy some more veggies to go with my nuts!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
You Used To Be Fat?
I'm visiting my mom right now and one of things we do together is go to the pool in her community. There is a small group of women who informally gather and do some water exercises together. It is a really nice group, beautiful location...a lot of fun.
When I was visiting last year Mom mentioned that I used to teach water aerobics, so they asked me if I would teach them a few "new tricks"...so I did.
This visit, for some reason my mom said "You haven't commented on how much weight Laurie has lost"...and I reminded her that it really hasn't been that much since my last visit (the majority of my weight loss was prior to that visit.)
So one of the ladies asked how much weight I've lost. When I replied 125 pounds they were blown away. "I never would have guessed you were fat before," "Your mother is so slender," "You used to be fat?" were the sorts of comments that arose.
I know that some of the reaction was compounded because they knew I used to be a competitive swimmer and coach. It isn't expected that athletes are fat...we see the pictures of Olympic swimmers and they are all so trim. Well, of course I wasn't of that caliber...and I stopped swimming competitively at 18, so there was a lot of years between then and now to gain even more weight. And truth is, you don't have to be slim to teach swimming--or even water aerobics!
Still, the reaction surprised me at first. Then I remembered having that reaction when I met other people who had lost significant amounts of weight. It is as if we expect to see some telltale sign on their forehead "I USED TO BE FAT." I wonder where we get that notion.
Maybe it is because we think of fat as being part of the person...kind of like eye color! When a person loses a lot of weight they look like a different person--but they don't look like a formerly fat person!
When you lose weight gradually then your mind and body are able to keep in sync...so your skin tightens up, your walk adjusts, you become this new person. For most of us there is no physical evidence of our fat past. I actually find it hard to believe that I was that fat person too. It is like another lifetime ago.
I never had that mental experience when I was dieting. Then I would yo-yo 20+ pounds (then 50!) and so I never felt like a healthy person. I always identified as someone who struggled with weight and dieting. I always felt fat...even when I was on the bottom part of the yo-yo.
I believe that is the main reason I was still fat. I never believed I could be otherwise. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is changing your mindset. You have to believe you can do it--that you deserve health. Once you believe those two things then you truly can lose weight and not have to worry about counting calories!
When I was visiting last year Mom mentioned that I used to teach water aerobics, so they asked me if I would teach them a few "new tricks"...so I did.
This visit, for some reason my mom said "You haven't commented on how much weight Laurie has lost"...and I reminded her that it really hasn't been that much since my last visit (the majority of my weight loss was prior to that visit.)
So one of the ladies asked how much weight I've lost. When I replied 125 pounds they were blown away. "I never would have guessed you were fat before," "Your mother is so slender," "You used to be fat?" were the sorts of comments that arose.
I know that some of the reaction was compounded because they knew I used to be a competitive swimmer and coach. It isn't expected that athletes are fat...we see the pictures of Olympic swimmers and they are all so trim. Well, of course I wasn't of that caliber...and I stopped swimming competitively at 18, so there was a lot of years between then and now to gain even more weight. And truth is, you don't have to be slim to teach swimming--or even water aerobics!
Still, the reaction surprised me at first. Then I remembered having that reaction when I met other people who had lost significant amounts of weight. It is as if we expect to see some telltale sign on their forehead "I USED TO BE FAT." I wonder where we get that notion.
Maybe it is because we think of fat as being part of the person...kind of like eye color! When a person loses a lot of weight they look like a different person--but they don't look like a formerly fat person!
When you lose weight gradually then your mind and body are able to keep in sync...so your skin tightens up, your walk adjusts, you become this new person. For most of us there is no physical evidence of our fat past. I actually find it hard to believe that I was that fat person too. It is like another lifetime ago.
I never had that mental experience when I was dieting. Then I would yo-yo 20+ pounds (then 50!) and so I never felt like a healthy person. I always identified as someone who struggled with weight and dieting. I always felt fat...even when I was on the bottom part of the yo-yo.
I believe that is the main reason I was still fat. I never believed I could be otherwise. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is changing your mindset. You have to believe you can do it--that you deserve health. Once you believe those two things then you truly can lose weight and not have to worry about counting calories!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Swamped, Stressed and Successful
Just a quick post--I am super busy right now...lots of business stuff going on and my almost 80 year old mother is visiting. Whew. Between it all I am swamped and stressed.
I am also proud to say that I am being successful! In lots of ways, but in particular I'm thinking about my weight loss / health routine.
In the not-so-distant past I would have easily turned this situation into a feeding frenzy. Let's have more caffeine and sugar to deal with the lack of sleep. Let's have sugar to ease the stress. Let's eat more, more, more to feel less, less, less!
I'm being able to keep in much better touch with my emotions and what my body really wants which is fantastic! So while before I would have packed on the pounds during times like this I am maintaining my weight and actually continuing to drop pounds!
Hurray! Success emotionally & physically is possible! And it isn't even hard! I LOVE IT!
I am also proud to say that I am being successful! In lots of ways, but in particular I'm thinking about my weight loss / health routine.
In the not-so-distant past I would have easily turned this situation into a feeding frenzy. Let's have more caffeine and sugar to deal with the lack of sleep. Let's have sugar to ease the stress. Let's eat more, more, more to feel less, less, less!
I'm being able to keep in much better touch with my emotions and what my body really wants which is fantastic! So while before I would have packed on the pounds during times like this I am maintaining my weight and actually continuing to drop pounds!
Hurray! Success emotionally & physically is possible! And it isn't even hard! I LOVE IT!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
So How Come I Still Feel Fat?
I've lost 100 pounds (Hooray for me!), so how come I still feel fat? And why did I not dance up and down and celebrate and boast about my success? Instead I allowed myself to wallow in feeling fat.
Being with my family recently really made me think about that. I don't know that I have ALL the answers but I have come up with a couple.
First is mental image of self vs PHOTOS! I was feeling really good, trim, etc. Heck I know that I am not at my ideal weight yet--but I am well on my way. But I saw some pictures of myself and I was surprised at my reaction. Instead of seeing my progress I really saw how "big" I still am.
In my mind's eye, I look trimmer than I do in photos. And that has always been the case. I looked at the photos and thought, wow, how can 100 pound weight loss not be more significant in appearance?
Goes to show I still have a lot of work to do on my self image. Looking at myself in the mirror is not the same as seeing a photo. Is it that the camera actually adds 10 pounds? Or is it that because it is a static image and so you don't see the "life" or movement? It is easier to look at a photo critically (or objectively) perhaps than when looking in the mirror. In the mirror it is easier to gloss over some areas and move to some favorites.
Just a theory.
By the way, I decided to look at some photos from about 75 pounds ago...when I compare those to my current photos I can see a huge difference.
Weight loss tool note: when looking at photos, have a progression so you keep the positive attitude.
And maybe, just maybe I'll be willing to put up some photos!
Being with my family recently really made me think about that. I don't know that I have ALL the answers but I have come up with a couple.
First is mental image of self vs PHOTOS! I was feeling really good, trim, etc. Heck I know that I am not at my ideal weight yet--but I am well on my way. But I saw some pictures of myself and I was surprised at my reaction. Instead of seeing my progress I really saw how "big" I still am.
In my mind's eye, I look trimmer than I do in photos. And that has always been the case. I looked at the photos and thought, wow, how can 100 pound weight loss not be more significant in appearance?
Goes to show I still have a lot of work to do on my self image. Looking at myself in the mirror is not the same as seeing a photo. Is it that the camera actually adds 10 pounds? Or is it that because it is a static image and so you don't see the "life" or movement? It is easier to look at a photo critically (or objectively) perhaps than when looking in the mirror. In the mirror it is easier to gloss over some areas and move to some favorites.
Just a theory.
By the way, I decided to look at some photos from about 75 pounds ago...when I compare those to my current photos I can see a huge difference.
Weight loss tool note: when looking at photos, have a progression so you keep the positive attitude.
And maybe, just maybe I'll be willing to put up some photos!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Visiting Family and Maintaining Health Goals
For me, visiting family is a wonderful and stressful time. I love my family, but at the same time a lot of the triggers I have about food involve my family. So visiting family and maintaining my health goads is not always easy.
It helps that they are very proud of the success I have had with my health goals. I've now dropped 100 pounds and am smaller around than I have been in almost 20 years. Woo Hoo!
There is ice cream here in the house--normally my biggest weakness--and plenty of wine, chocolate and other goodies. None of them are appealing to me, which is incredible. The emotional pull is still there. Again, like at the truck stop, I have stopped and listened to how I am feeling about the food and determining if I really want it.
My mother's 79th birthday is coming up and I am sure that I will partake in some birthday treats. And there may be more treats than that. And that is OKAY!!! It is important to celebrate and enjoy life. I don't believe that never having a treat is being in control of it--that is avoidance.
So far I not had any treats. I have been feeling really great and I have even been feeling slender. However, I feel fat today. I am looking at myself and instead of seeing the successful changes I am seeing the fat person. Amazing how the brain works! It is a challenge to remind myself that my clothes are many sizes smaller and that I am doing fantastic.
The good news is that the cravings are not coming back! There have been a few emotional pulls, but because I feel so balanced chemically they have been pretty easy to recognize and not be controlled by them.
It helps that they are very proud of the success I have had with my health goals. I've now dropped 100 pounds and am smaller around than I have been in almost 20 years. Woo Hoo!
There is ice cream here in the house--normally my biggest weakness--and plenty of wine, chocolate and other goodies. None of them are appealing to me, which is incredible. The emotional pull is still there. Again, like at the truck stop, I have stopped and listened to how I am feeling about the food and determining if I really want it.
My mother's 79th birthday is coming up and I am sure that I will partake in some birthday treats. And there may be more treats than that. And that is OKAY!!! It is important to celebrate and enjoy life. I don't believe that never having a treat is being in control of it--that is avoidance.
So far I not had any treats. I have been feeling really great and I have even been feeling slender. However, I feel fat today. I am looking at myself and instead of seeing the successful changes I am seeing the fat person. Amazing how the brain works! It is a challenge to remind myself that my clothes are many sizes smaller and that I am doing fantastic.
The good news is that the cravings are not coming back! There have been a few emotional pulls, but because I feel so balanced chemically they have been pretty easy to recognize and not be controlled by them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
