January 1, 2015

January 1, 2015.  A new day; a new year.  Today is the beginning of many new experiences, only one of which is my journey back to abstinence. Healthy eating, but more so.  Sugar-free, flour-free, wheat-free. More on that later.

I will be making a lot of changes in my pantry and fridge, my lifestyle, and my eating habits, my diet. Not just to lose weight, which has been a life-long battle for me, but to become as healthy as I can for these remaining years of my life.  So, for today, meal No. 1 was 3 hard-boiled eggs, 2 pieces of cheese, and a sliced tomato, with a little salt and pepper (it was much prettier prepared).  What! 3 eggs! Yes, 3 eggs, and I'll explain more later; keep reading and following.  Note that the cheese was processed, and processed foods are being eliminated.  But, frankly, I can't afford to throw out the food that I already have, so I will use it up and then purchase more and different whole foods, carefully, thoughtfully.  

One day, one step, one meal.  Happy New Year.

A Desire Stronger Than Apple Pie

There's a Dutch apple pie in my refrigerator. I bought it for my husband who is a truck driver and doesn't get home much. He was home for New Year's and planned to eat the whole thing by the time he left, this morning. Guess what? He didn't.

I longed for the pie for awhile, but I find I have a desire stronger than Dutch Apple Pie. It is my desire to get healthy and to get to a functional weight (notice I said functional, not "normal," whatever that is). I said good things to myself. I said, "I don't want the pie; I don't need the pie; I won't be sabotaged and I won't sabotage myself." I put my praise and worship music on and I delighted in my Lord today, for He is my food and drink! And His grace is sufficient for me!

I will leave the pie to see if my son eats it tonight. If he does not, I will throw it out. What? Throw out pie? Throw out anything? Yes, I will throw it out. And I won't feel guilty.

In fact, I imagine I will feel pretty good about it all.

Beauty is in the . . . Nose of the Beholder

Jessica Brown, who writes for Fitness, American Baby, and happenmag.com, reports that new research has revealed women can become more alluring or even “smell skinny” just by changing their perfume. It seems women can wear either cinnamon or lavender and be perceived by men as “more attractive, intelligent, successful, and trustworthy.” Both scents rather remind me of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

More interestingly, overweight women were perceived by men to be up to 12 pounds lighter when they wore spicy-floral fragrances. I’m not sure how quantity figures in the equation, but I have to tell you I don’t think I could fool anyone even if I doused myself in the stuff. Anyway, I’m allergic to all forms of perfume and cologne. Maybe that’s why I’ve never been able to lose weight, ya think?

Nothing fooled the women in the study, though. Guys with guts still looked like guys with guts, regardless of what they smelled like. I wonder if one of the scents used to test the attractiveness of men in the study was money.

Have a blessed day!

Not Another Diet...

Although I am not new to "diet" plans, I found a program that I believe will finally work, because it's promotes a healthy lifestyle change. I am so excited, because like so many of us, I have tried everything, including in-patient treatment and every diet out there. I am now well over 300# and only 5'3", but I'm so excited that I found this program. Having just started, I alrady know it's something I can do because it's fits me and it's easy preparation. No complicated recipes and menus to follow (unless I just want to).

I was thrilled to find all the Thanksgiving recipes I needed right here on their site, so my first week won't be sabotaged by "Thanksgiving." I can make the yummy recipes I'm used to, lightened up, which is not only better for me but for my whole family. Whether one needs to lose weight or not, healthier menues and foods are good for all of us! I can fit these recipes right into my meal plan and not have to sacrifice the foods I enjoy on such a special holiday because I'm yet again "on a diet." This is so important to me. And because my meal plan includes snacks and mini-meals, I can eat a little, and then save some for snacks, etc. when I'm ready. I'm counting on success!

I wanted to comment on one thing, that maybe some others have encountered. I have always been one to take care of everyone else "first," me last. So sitting down for a couple of hours today and reading through all the meal plan material, preparing my menus, and making my shopping list was almost excrutiating. I could hardly get through the time it took to do this. Not because it took so much time (because it didn't), but because I was spending that time ON ME! I had to keep telling myself "I deserve two hours," "I deserve to eat healthy," "I deserve to feel good." Suddenly I was out of the "victim" mode and into the "success" mode. What a difference. I will let you know my success, because I thoroughly expect it.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!