Well folks, it happened-I officially joined Weight Watchers yesterday. I am totally pumped. There was a bit of a delay there, and I ended up booking a appointment with my MD. Earlier this week, I had a few asthmatic attacks. I have tonnes of allergies, unfortunately none are food allergies lol. I've had a few of these in the past: Wake up from sleep-tightness in chest, difficulties getting a full breath, coughing, and wheezing. So I have a puffer now...woo hoo! Needless to say, I got the note.
Unfortunately I did not know that this note was only for "packages" that you could buy and not for members who pay weekly. They cut me some slack though, and allowed me to pay week by week, and wave the start up fee. I went to the meeting right after working a night shift and went to the first available meeting at 8 a.m. I felt a bit out of place, and a total newbie-but I did it! I chose to go to the same location as I first did a few weeks prior, which helped me feel more comfortable.
So, I plan to go to a few meetings this week to get used to the program, and to try out another location. The speaker is wonderful at the main center on Westmount, tonnes of energy! Well I'll post after my first "official"week, and let you know how it goes!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Book: Shrink Yourself-Break free from emotional eating forever! By Dr. Roger Gould
Emotional Eating
It wasn't until recently that I put 2 and 2 together when it comes to emotional eating. I mean, i've always knew that I would consider myself a "emotional eater" but I never really thought hard on what exactly that meant.
As you all know I have been looking further into this topic, and see my life much more clearer now. I can remember telling close friends"I don't want a quick fix, I just want to loose weight and for it to just CLICK". Think I found my "click".
I am a nurse and work in psychiatry full time. As most nursing jobs are stressful, psychiatry can be quite emotionally stressful for the most part. I wanted to explore emotional vs physical hunger, and was looking for a great book written by a psychologist. After researching (me not research....pshhh!) I found this wonderful book.
I am probably about 25% into the book at this point. I have to say, that right from the start it was like the book was written about me, almost like I had written it myself. This book is quite empowering. Sure a quick fix diet sounds great. I used to love to imagine myself awaking from a dream, and the next morning I would be thin. Go figure, that dream didn't happen!! However, I feel that this is a great tool for me to remain successful in weight loss as well as in maintence.
It is quite a empowering book I must say. It looks at all the psychological blocks that are in our life, that contribute to emotional eating. It addresses the REASONS for eating, specifically figuring out your own reasons why you overeat. With out this awareness, no matter how much you "diet" I don't feel my weight loss attmpts will ever be "cured". I feel awakened I must say, and feel like I truly GET IT!.
Will update when further into the book!
It wasn't until recently that I put 2 and 2 together when it comes to emotional eating. I mean, i've always knew that I would consider myself a "emotional eater" but I never really thought hard on what exactly that meant.
As you all know I have been looking further into this topic, and see my life much more clearer now. I can remember telling close friends"I don't want a quick fix, I just want to loose weight and for it to just CLICK". Think I found my "click".
I am a nurse and work in psychiatry full time. As most nursing jobs are stressful, psychiatry can be quite emotionally stressful for the most part. I wanted to explore emotional vs physical hunger, and was looking for a great book written by a psychologist. After researching (me not research....pshhh!) I found this wonderful book.
I am probably about 25% into the book at this point. I have to say, that right from the start it was like the book was written about me, almost like I had written it myself. This book is quite empowering. Sure a quick fix diet sounds great. I used to love to imagine myself awaking from a dream, and the next morning I would be thin. Go figure, that dream didn't happen!! However, I feel that this is a great tool for me to remain successful in weight loss as well as in maintence.
It is quite a empowering book I must say. It looks at all the psychological blocks that are in our life, that contribute to emotional eating. It addresses the REASONS for eating, specifically figuring out your own reasons why you overeat. With out this awareness, no matter how much you "diet" I don't feel my weight loss attmpts will ever be "cured". I feel awakened I must say, and feel like I truly GET IT!.
Will update when further into the book!
Actually...36lbs gone!
Just thought I'd give myself a e-sticker! How exciting!! The scale has been going up and down all week, I keep telling myself not to check it..BUT i do lol. It was my time of the month last week, i am sure that had some to do with the ups. Guess Ill have to see this week, see what the ACTUAL number is. As for now 36lbs down in total, I feel great!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A New DO!
Yesterday I was on my way to get groceries, and instead I drove further into the plaza and headed right to the hair salon. I cant recall the last time I had my hair cut professionally (I say professionally, because I have cut my hair myself at times lol just the bangs for the most part.)
Needless to say, it's probably been about a year now, or longer! I was lucky enough to get a appointment as soon as I arrived. I must say I was scared initially, as usual! I have had terrible luck in the past finding a good hairdresser, and feel that I have never "connected" to a hairdresser before, until I met France. The moment we met, she spoke of the same ideas I had in mind (many layers, keeping the length long). She even ran to find me the picture that she was thinking of, and I absolutely loved it.
Finally I thought to myself, I actually found "my hairdresser!" France did a great job I must say. I did see at times 8 inches or more in length of layers falling to floor in a frizzy furball of my hair on the floor, which was both freeing and scary as hell!
Point is- I feel better with the haircut, and it lifted my spirits. Often I forget what the acts of self love, and self care feel like. More then too many times, I have forgotten to take care of myself. I must say, it feels DAMN GOOD!. I have told myself not too long ago, that I will seize on buying items for my home, as there is nothing else I truly need. Instead of decorating my home, I am going to decorate something even better-Myself.
Needless to say, it's probably been about a year now, or longer! I was lucky enough to get a appointment as soon as I arrived. I must say I was scared initially, as usual! I have had terrible luck in the past finding a good hairdresser, and feel that I have never "connected" to a hairdresser before, until I met France. The moment we met, she spoke of the same ideas I had in mind (many layers, keeping the length long). She even ran to find me the picture that she was thinking of, and I absolutely loved it.
Finally I thought to myself, I actually found "my hairdresser!" France did a great job I must say. I did see at times 8 inches or more in length of layers falling to floor in a frizzy furball of my hair on the floor, which was both freeing and scary as hell!
Point is- I feel better with the haircut, and it lifted my spirits. Often I forget what the acts of self love, and self care feel like. More then too many times, I have forgotten to take care of myself. I must say, it feels DAMN GOOD!. I have told myself not too long ago, that I will seize on buying items for my home, as there is nothing else I truly need. Instead of decorating my home, I am going to decorate something even better-Myself.
First Weight Watchers Meeting!
I was talking to a good friend of mine Alissa, and we decided that we would go to a Weight Watchers group this morning. We planned this at 1:30 a.m while she was working a night shift, and chose to go to the first meeting at 8:00 a.m. 4 hours of sleep, 6:30 a.m came pretty fast, but I was really looking forward to go to my first meeting, and even better with a friend.
I heard my phone ring clost to 7:00 a.m, and it was Alissa. She was calling to make sure I was up, and was hoping that I didn't want to go lol. Working night shifts for me are very difficult after 3:00 a.m, so I knew she was tired!. No excuses from me, I was up- However i was 4 hours more rested then she was lol.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the meeting. It was better then I expected, and a much better turn out then what I invisioned. There was probably aproximently 30 men and woman there. For some reason I expected to see, much more over weight people like myself. I was quite surprized that there were only a few other people that I could even identify with, even more surprized at several people who have met there goal weight or are almost there.
After the meeting we spoke to the receptionist and were given some information on pricing etc. I have to admit, right from the start I thought that the meetings were quite pricey. However, I know I need to find what is going to work, and I am willing to do it at any price or sacrafice (whether its cash or cookies lol). Alissa had just bought a new home with her husband last month, and for her the best option seems to be to follow the program with me, but not to go to the meetings.
The accountabiliy, support, and tips is what I know I need, and the more the better. Not only that, but my competitive side wants to loose 5lbs to get a sticker! I've never wanted a sticker so bad in my life, and not only 1, I want 30 stickers to be exact. That's insane! lol I just have to keep telling myself, "One sticker at a time Sarah, one sticker!".
So I plan to join on Monday, and luckily one of my best buds mom is a MD. I am going to get a note quickly from her to join and to wave the $25- fee. Hey anything helps! It beats calling my MD for a note, and having to wait a week or two.
I am trying to get the knack of the points system, I know right now I require 39. I havn't put this to test though to see what 39 points of food looks like, but I soon will.
I am happy that I went today, and think this will be another vital component to loosing the weight, and keeping it off!
I heard my phone ring clost to 7:00 a.m, and it was Alissa. She was calling to make sure I was up, and was hoping that I didn't want to go lol. Working night shifts for me are very difficult after 3:00 a.m, so I knew she was tired!. No excuses from me, I was up- However i was 4 hours more rested then she was lol.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the meeting. It was better then I expected, and a much better turn out then what I invisioned. There was probably aproximently 30 men and woman there. For some reason I expected to see, much more over weight people like myself. I was quite surprized that there were only a few other people that I could even identify with, even more surprized at several people who have met there goal weight or are almost there.
After the meeting we spoke to the receptionist and were given some information on pricing etc. I have to admit, right from the start I thought that the meetings were quite pricey. However, I know I need to find what is going to work, and I am willing to do it at any price or sacrafice (whether its cash or cookies lol). Alissa had just bought a new home with her husband last month, and for her the best option seems to be to follow the program with me, but not to go to the meetings.
The accountabiliy, support, and tips is what I know I need, and the more the better. Not only that, but my competitive side wants to loose 5lbs to get a sticker! I've never wanted a sticker so bad in my life, and not only 1, I want 30 stickers to be exact. That's insane! lol I just have to keep telling myself, "One sticker at a time Sarah, one sticker!".
So I plan to join on Monday, and luckily one of my best buds mom is a MD. I am going to get a note quickly from her to join and to wave the $25- fee. Hey anything helps! It beats calling my MD for a note, and having to wait a week or two.
I am trying to get the knack of the points system, I know right now I require 39. I havn't put this to test though to see what 39 points of food looks like, but I soon will.
I am happy that I went today, and think this will be another vital component to loosing the weight, and keeping it off!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Emotionally Hungry
Emotional Hunger VS Physical Hunger:
It was until recently that I have thought about the differences between being emotionally hungry and physically hungry. I want to explore this idea, and work on replacing the emotionally hungry me, and listen to myself when I am physically hungry.
I can remember a long stretch of time when I would feed my emotions, and not feed my body to for nourishment, for fuel. When I think back to the period of time between age 22 and age 26, there were countless times where I would not feel physically hungry. You are probably thinking to yourself, "But everyone FEELS hungry". The problem was is I was ALWAYS full. I would eat, eat and eat some more and would have very little cues from my body that I was actually "hungry".
During these years, I would nourish and fuel my body with unhealthy choices. I would eat through emotions I was feeling such as: Happiness, sadness, anxiety, anger, boredom, fatigue, loneliness. Feeding the emotions, instead of feeling the emotions; I trained myself to stuff myself full of foods, instead of dealing with my feelings.
I had another "eye opener" the other day. My Grandmother passed away last Sunday. I hadn't seen her in the retirement home for some time, and knew that she was declining mentally and physically with dementia. My Mom had called me the day before, and had told me she is not doing well, and that it probably would not be long before she would pass. I had been working nights that weekend, and my kitchen faucet had broken. Needless to say dishes were piling and piling up in a few days. I made the decision to see her Monday to say my goodbyes. Unfortunately, she passed away Sunday night. I went through many emotions this week. Angry at myself for not seeing her the day before. Feelings of guilt, for not visiting her as much as I thought I should have. Sadness, because I missed her.
I remember before I called my mom back Monday morning, I made myself 2 English muffins (whole grain of course! lol) with butter AND peanut butter. For those that don't know me, this is one of my favorite foods. Toasting the toast, almost until it is burnt, and using a little more then lightly buttering a piece of toast, with a thin layer of peanut butter. I toasted my toast, but I couldn't wait for it to get to the darkness that I desired, it wasn't toasting fast enough. I popped the first English muffin out of the toaster too early for my liking and popped the next one in the toaster. I took both of these buttered/peanut butter goodness up to my room. I remember eating the English muffins very vaguely. I did not savor the taste. I ate quicker then normal. I was feeling upset, crying, anxious because I was going to call my mom and "officially" hear that Grandma was no longer with us.
Prior to calling, I said to myself that I wasn't hungry. However, I made the decision to make this food to comfort me, to deal with the emotion, and I stuffed them down in record time!. You may be reading this and be saying "2 English muffins, that's a binge? I eat ___ bags/pieces/servings of___ food, 2 English muffins is nothing". The point here is that it is something. It was a eye opener for me on years of emotional eating. Sure this "binge" was minimal. typically it could be eating a box of cookies during the course of the day, crackers and cheese, pizza, fast food in large quantities. However, I was aware this time. I was awakened by this, that I do feed my emotions.
After I scarfed down the muffins, I didn't feel guilty about it. I felt awakened. I began to run through stressful/emotional times in my life where I would react in this way. I realized that I have to pay more attention to my emotions, and work through those feelings instead of eating through them. I have never really seen that connection.
This awareness is going to be a key component to aid in my weight loss and maintenance. I will have to practice it daily, and recognize it as a habit I have taught myself for years. Listening to my body for hunger cues, and fueling my body to live, instead of feeding emotions will take some work, but I am ready for this! Awareness isn't denial. Awareness is empowering!
It was until recently that I have thought about the differences between being emotionally hungry and physically hungry. I want to explore this idea, and work on replacing the emotionally hungry me, and listen to myself when I am physically hungry.
I can remember a long stretch of time when I would feed my emotions, and not feed my body to for nourishment, for fuel. When I think back to the period of time between age 22 and age 26, there were countless times where I would not feel physically hungry. You are probably thinking to yourself, "But everyone FEELS hungry". The problem was is I was ALWAYS full. I would eat, eat and eat some more and would have very little cues from my body that I was actually "hungry".
During these years, I would nourish and fuel my body with unhealthy choices. I would eat through emotions I was feeling such as: Happiness, sadness, anxiety, anger, boredom, fatigue, loneliness. Feeding the emotions, instead of feeling the emotions; I trained myself to stuff myself full of foods, instead of dealing with my feelings.
I had another "eye opener" the other day. My Grandmother passed away last Sunday. I hadn't seen her in the retirement home for some time, and knew that she was declining mentally and physically with dementia. My Mom had called me the day before, and had told me she is not doing well, and that it probably would not be long before she would pass. I had been working nights that weekend, and my kitchen faucet had broken. Needless to say dishes were piling and piling up in a few days. I made the decision to see her Monday to say my goodbyes. Unfortunately, she passed away Sunday night. I went through many emotions this week. Angry at myself for not seeing her the day before. Feelings of guilt, for not visiting her as much as I thought I should have. Sadness, because I missed her.
I remember before I called my mom back Monday morning, I made myself 2 English muffins (whole grain of course! lol) with butter AND peanut butter. For those that don't know me, this is one of my favorite foods. Toasting the toast, almost until it is burnt, and using a little more then lightly buttering a piece of toast, with a thin layer of peanut butter. I toasted my toast, but I couldn't wait for it to get to the darkness that I desired, it wasn't toasting fast enough. I popped the first English muffin out of the toaster too early for my liking and popped the next one in the toaster. I took both of these buttered/peanut butter goodness up to my room. I remember eating the English muffins very vaguely. I did not savor the taste. I ate quicker then normal. I was feeling upset, crying, anxious because I was going to call my mom and "officially" hear that Grandma was no longer with us.
Prior to calling, I said to myself that I wasn't hungry. However, I made the decision to make this food to comfort me, to deal with the emotion, and I stuffed them down in record time!. You may be reading this and be saying "2 English muffins, that's a binge? I eat ___ bags/pieces/servings of___ food, 2 English muffins is nothing". The point here is that it is something. It was a eye opener for me on years of emotional eating. Sure this "binge" was minimal. typically it could be eating a box of cookies during the course of the day, crackers and cheese, pizza, fast food in large quantities. However, I was aware this time. I was awakened by this, that I do feed my emotions.
After I scarfed down the muffins, I didn't feel guilty about it. I felt awakened. I began to run through stressful/emotional times in my life where I would react in this way. I realized that I have to pay more attention to my emotions, and work through those feelings instead of eating through them. I have never really seen that connection.
This awareness is going to be a key component to aid in my weight loss and maintenance. I will have to practice it daily, and recognize it as a habit I have taught myself for years. Listening to my body for hunger cues, and fueling my body to live, instead of feeding emotions will take some work, but I am ready for this! Awareness isn't denial. Awareness is empowering!
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