The luck arches the closing ozone.

There was a sentence that appeared in a natural medicine website. The luck arches the closing ozone. I really had no idea what it meant. I still don't think I fully understand it.

Any ideas?

Creepy Things

Actually creepy pounds. Just a few...but a few too many for my liking. These creepy pounds, and my struggles, have led me back to this blog....this poor blog which has few visitors (probably because I haven't updated in quite some time). So I decided to change up the template and start fresh.

Welcome me back....both to this blog and to my regular eating regimen.

When I last posted, and previous to that, I had been recounting and regurgitating my visits to my weekly WW sessions. That was fine, but it wasn't really a reflection of what was happening to me. It is an important part of this process, but this time around, I decided to write differently about this continuous weight loss/maintain/gain/loss/maintain/gain/loss/maintain/gain experience.

Because that is what I continually do. I lose. I maintain. I gain. I lose. blah-blah-blah. For some reason, I feel that every time I lose and get back to my 'healthy' weight, I feel that I need to reward myself. That reward could be going for an ice cream (on consecutive nights, having many big dinners that I really don't have points for, or a myriad of other things. Pick one. You probably have a few ideas.

So I finally whacked myself across the head a few too many times. You know...like doh! My workouts were causing me grief and I wasn't always eating the best that I could.

All that to say that I am finally back on track.

I am back to religiously writing down every morsel of food that travels into my mouth....and counting the appropriate points.

I make sure that my activity level is what I am accustomed to doing (I am a workout nut, so this is relatively easy, and I always feel better after I go to the gym and do my thing).

I am making sure that I am drinking the recommended amount of water to flush things out.

I have limited my caffeine intake (not like I was a huge caffeine abuser before).

I have limited my snacks (I still have some but within reason...get a grip eh).

I am doing the majority of my eating during the day.....bigger breakfast (and I don't mean bacon and eggs with extra home fries), medium lunch and smaller dinner....making sure to stop eating after 8pm.

I have removed some known bad foods as well....french fries (though I don't have them on a regular basis, but they are banished from my world).

Mostly I am trying to just be more conscious (instead of unconscious) about the food that floats into my mouth, and striving to eat better quality food.

So, if you decide to come back, you can follow me on my personal struggle...and sometimes it certainly can be a struggle....but it doesn't have to be.

Eating Out

Image courtesy of Fotosearch

Welcome back to me. There were a few moments when I had thought of abandoning this blog either because I was busy or I did not have enough interest in it. But, I threw all of that aside, and decided to return. I am back and accountable once again. Now, please do not misread things. I have been on WW, sort of, but having a heckuva hard time. And after a pay-in last month, I am back on the horse so to speak.

Summer, for me, always poses more challenges than most season. There are more BBQs events, more group gatherings, more opportunities for snack time. Well baby, snack time is over. Time to pay the piper, but hopefully not pay the WW piper this month.

This week's topic at WW was Eating Out, my favourite topic since we seem to do a lot of that.

Did you know that the average household eats out approximately 30% of the time each week?? That's 7 out of 21 meals a week. That is a pretty astonishing number, both in terms of calories and $$$$.

So, when we eat out, there are certain red lights that might come on for us (ie, some of the challenges that we may face). What follows is a list of those challenges, followed by a list of things which may not work for us when eating out, followed by a list of things which might work for us (ie, things which can help us to survive the eating out experience).


CHALLENGES with Eating Out

1. Restaurants tend to put waaaay too much dressing on salads


2. The infamous bread basket and assorted pre-meal goodies like nachos for example


3. Desserts (which seem to pop out of nowhere and land in front of us)


4. Visual sensation of watching other people's meals travel by our table.


5. The olfactory (or aroma) of other people's meals wafting past us.


6. The unknown aspect of food. We may look at a meal and wonder just exactly how many points that is going to end up being (and it's probably going to be waaay more than you actually write down in your beloved journal)


7. How meals are prepared. Did you know that veggies glisten in restaurants because they add oil to make them so? Guess what...that's points!


8. Portion sizes. Restaurants serve meals that are twice the size as what we would cook at home

What works against us when eating out

1. Triple and quadruple cheeses....not good....stay away.


2. The word CREAMY should be an instant turnoff.


3. Drink your water.


4. Avoid deep fried, not just from the caloric standpoint, but also from the health standpoint.


5. The word Alfredo is packed with STUFF.


6. Gravy ...too much is not good.


7. Breaded anything....run away now!.


8. But I had a salad...yes, but don't do Caesar all the time!!!


9. Saute means that food is cooked in oil or butter...

STRATEGIES (or what can work for us when eating out)

1. Take your Dining Out book with you, and actually consult it.


2. Be informed about what you are going to eat. Try to plan.


3. Ask for half of your meal to go home...or not....


4. It's okay to ask for gravy and dressing on the side. That way you control how much you really need, and you might be surprised that you don't really need the whole thing.


5. Look for the Heart Friendly symbol on the menu. This can represent a better choice of food.


6. Always have a glass of water with your meal, then ask for refills. They're free!


7. Enjoy the meal. Take your time eating. Put the fork down every so often and relax and savor what you ordered.

Have a good week, and take time to smell your meal!
Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Easter Challenges

This week's topic at WW was Easter Challenges. We all have challenges of some sort at the various and abundant holidays that are part of our lives. Heck, we can even create a few reasons for challenges....baby birthday etc.

So, with this weekend being Easter, here is a list of some of the challenges that we may face and following that list is a list of possible strategies that you can take to fight those challenges.

CHALLENGES

1. Alcohol


2. Easter chocolate


3. Traditions


4. Strange or new places


5. Travelling


6. Stress

STRATEGIES

1. Bargain for what the points are worth.


2. Eat through the day. Don't go anywhere starving.


3. Drink your water.


4. Plan.


5. Eat slowly.


6. Be choosy about what you eat.


7. Stay moving. Keep busy.

Happy Easter y'all!
Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Woo Hoo!

I am down Point 8 pounds for my March weigh-in. That probably doesn't sound like very much to you, but it is quite normal, and it is a lot for me. It's been a bit of a struggle lately, given that, like you, I enjoy food, and I workout 5 nights a week.

Now, it is said that the average weight loss per week amounts to about Point 6 pounds. This is a healthy way to lose weight and keep it off. That is also the way that I lost my 25 pounds 7 years ago.

So, I feel good, and I am also pumped to continue.

I stayed for the meeting this meek, where we discussed motivators. What are the positive influences that motivate people to lose weight, and what keeps people motivated. In that list, we could have the following:
Weather
People
Health
State of Mind
Positive focus
Self

and my favourite
The Scale (this is always a sure fire motivator for me!)

Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Ladder of Achievement

Ladder of Achievement

100% = I Did / I Do
90% = I Will
80% = I Can
70% = I Think / I Can
60% = I Might
50% = I Think / I Might
40% = What Should I Do?
30% = I Wish I Could
20% = I Don't Know How
10% = I Can't
0% = I Won't

So, what does this mean? Well, at any point in our weight loss journey, we can feel any one of the above at any time, no matter how long we've been doing this program. But what we hope is to be able to be at one of the higher percentages, where we are confident enough to say 'I Can', 'I Will'....the 70% and above.

There are things which affect the way we feel, and affect the way we look at our outlook, our progress:

=> Better health
=> Better mobility
=> Happier clothes shopping
=> Better mindset

Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Bragging Rights

This post should probably go on It's About Time, but I am choosing to post it here. In fact, I am feeling so good that I just might post it in both places.

Today is Bragging Rights day for me. As many of you know, I am a Weight Watcher Lifetime member, and I have been struggling with a couple of unwanted pounds for a little while. This is all due to some bad habits that I have re-acquired and some challenges over the past little while.

Well, I weighed in yesterday, and I am DOWN 1.6 pounds! Yay me!

I felt that I was down anyway. I could tell by the fit of my clothing, and also by my fitness level, which has increased slightly, but noticeably.

You might wonder exactly what I do to accomplish this. Well, it is a bit of work, but nothing unmanageable. There are a few, ahem, rules. I track (write down) what I eat each day, and assign points values to the foods. I also know where I need to be to lose, and I try to stay in that range. I drink water. I don't drink many soda drinks, diet or not. I eat fruits and veggies, and watch the carbs. I drink milk, specifically soy milk. I exercise five nights a week. I limit my caffeine intake.

Even with all of this, I never feel restricted. I never feel like I am cheating myself of anything. If I am having a chocolate day where I crave chocolate, I have 'some', enough for a taste, and then it's done. I don't buy chocolate bars as a rule, but I always make sure that I have 'some' chocolate in the house....just in case.

So, yay me!

I think I need an icon for that, don't you?

I Survived the Holidays

It was an 'up' as we refer to it, but a small up. Point 2 up. It would have been nice if it was a point 2 down, but I'll take what I got. It could have been worse, much much worse.

I enjoyed the wonderful food and the fun, and ate what the season turned out, but I didn't turn into the demon eater. That's a good thing.

I went back to the gym tonight, and did 2 classes (I am already aching and paying for THAT little episode), but again....all worth it.

Cheers (and onward and upward as they say).

Where are we going? Does anybody know?

This was my first meeting for 2007. It was kind of like resuming course after the boats have all gone astray.

Here's the recap:

Where are we going?

1. Balance


2. Healthier


3. Lose the weight and keep it off


4. Mental peace/faith

Think first and eat wisely.

It's okay to make resolutions, but more importantly to make lifestyle changes.

Have a map. Have a plan.

Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Everything I Need to Know About Weight Loss I Learned from Noah's Ark

The following is what I copied from the board at today's WW meeting:

• Don't miss the boat.



• Remember that we're all in the same boat.



• Plan ahead! It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark!



• Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something big.



• Don't listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.



• Build your future on high ground.



• For the sake of safety, travel in pairs.



• Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on the boat with the cheetahs.



• When you're stressed, float for awhile.

Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Christmas Traditions and Holiday Help

Today, we talked about holiday (Christmas) traditions. Everybody has some tradition that is carried on through generations. It might be special decorations, or a special shortbread recipe, or tourtiere. Whatever that tradition is, especially if it is food related, there are ways to handle all of them.

Here is a mini list that resulted from today's group brainstorming.

• When you have your turkey dinner, try to put gravy on only one thing, rather than on everything. Pick the turkey OR the potato.



• For your turkey dinner, choose the potato OR the stuffing. You can have potato anytime of the year, so maybe the stuffing is the choice for celebration.



• Try smaller portions of everything - except the veggies!



• Leave the bread and the rolls. These guys you can have anytime. Now, if it is a homemade bun, then you might want to conceded, but otherwise, skip it.



• Do you really need the cranberry? Think of the points first, then decide.



• Be sure to walk and exercise ahead. After dinner, try to incorporate a family walk after dinner.



• Don't take home leftovers, or, if you really must, be picky about what you take home. Maybe you don't take home too many sweets and bread and potatoes.



• Give yourself a carrot, a reward, for making good choices. Maybe it's a vacation. Maybe it's a new item.



• Try using a smaller plate for dinner. You'll fit less on it. You can always go back for seconds, but you can be sure that the second time around will be smaller than if you had that bigger plate.
  
  
• Stay hydrated (and we don't mean alcohol!). Keep drinking the required water.



• On the day of your dinner, wear figure hugging clothing. Don't wear the spandex pants or the expandable waist pants.

Til next time.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Two Magic Numbers - 18 and 44

This is information that I gleaned from the December 12th meeting. It was written down in my book, and I just got busy with stuff.

Once you have been on the program for awhile, you start to know how many points you can eat to lose weight, how many points to maintain weight, and how many points to GAIN weight.

Here is the recommended range.

Never eat less than 18 points per day.

Never eat more than 44 points per day.

Now, in my journal, I monitor this, especially the greater than 44 points indicator, because without a doubt, the more that we do this, then there is a higher likelihood that we will indeed gain weight.

Til tomorrow.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Helpful Hints for Surviving Christmas

I picked up the lunchtime WW meeting today (actually I went last week and the week before also, but I forgot to blog them).

Last week, the topic was about our Happy Place, a place of escape, where you may find calm and peace.....especially during this possibly frantic and stressful time of year. My Happy Place is always the same....on our sailboat in a quiet bay with no other boats with us. Just us and the quiet and nature. That is My Happy Place.

This week, we talked about a number of helpful hints that maybe will get us through the holidays...and beyond. So, here we go.

@Home Tips

1. Try to eat healthy.


2. Cut down on the amount of baking that you do.


3. Don't take part in the cookie bakeoffs.


4. Put tempting food out of sight.


5. Make sure that you have alternatives.


6. Pick quality food.


7. Vegetable cocktail is a good way to get veggie servings.

@Party Tips

1. Don't go to the party h-u-n-g-r-y.


2. Sample everything only once.


3. Use a napkin instead of a plate (you're more likely to to eat the messier foods, which are usually pointier).


4. Wear tight pants.


5. Look at the selection of food then make choices rather than nosediving and regretting later.

@OutShopping Tips

1. Eat before you go out.


2. Try soups or chili at fast food rather than fries.


3. Bring your treats and snacks with you....brown bag.


4. Be informed...take your Dining Out Companion with you.

@Work Tips

1. Send leftover treats home with others.


2. Move the food if it is near your desk.


3. Avoid the lunchroom if that is where the leftovers are located.

The Bottom Line => M-O-D-E-R-A-T-I-O-N

Til tomorrow.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

How Time Flies

Hmmm, this sounds like my other blog It's About Time, but certainly not the same theme. It appears that I have not been here for about a week. Man, time flies sometimes. It's not that I haven't been good, but I have not been stellar either. Although, I've still been working out a lot, to the tune of 6 classes a week, I am still hungry much of the time. My points are still kind of high, but I am trying to get them down to a manageable number. It just gets difficult sometimes when so many things seem to get in the way.

So I am going to keep hanging in there. I said that I would, at least, update the summary table, and I will do that....once I finally tally up some of the days that didn't get their point numbers figured out. *just got busy* what was that stupid saying again....crazy busy.

So, I am still on track, and still tracking.

Til tomorrow.....
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Just Like Starting Over

A lot of my posts, both on this blog and my other blog It's About Time, start with a theme song. Just Like Starting Over was a John Lennon song.

Of course I am trying to distract myself from what I really wanted to write about. Confession time in Sleepy Hollow. I am not even going to indulge myself in a current journal update, because it was so utterly disgusting. The points that I have racked up over the last few days totally steal away from any activity points that I will earn for the upcoming week. That sucks. The summary table will be updated with the total points. That should suffice.

Needless to say, I am back on track, again, today. My good intentions have once again been reinstated, and I know what I have to do. Even though the wheels fell off the cart....again....it's game on....again.

You know, it's always one of those things. We can do so well and then sabotage the whole thing by having one or two or three bad days. At least I was aware of what I was doing (no excuse), but able to say 'ok, let's get going again'.

My plan for this week is to increase my water intake, go to my gym classes, go to WW meeting, and track ..properly.

Christmas is right around the corner, peeking at us as a matter of fact, and things will get busier and more hectic. Now is the time to try to get a headstart.

Wish me luck. Where is the weightloss fairy when I need her (him?).


Til tomorrow.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Teddy Bear Ticker

Have you looked at my sidebar and seen My Teddy Bear Countdown Ticker?
It says that there are 38 days left til Christmas. Hmmmm. A whole lot can happen between now and then. Lots of parties, munchies, drinkies.

So far, we are going to two planned events, and I plan to, at least, be prepared. After all, it's not a surprise that these events are coming, right?
So I guess, part of my plan of attack is to continue with the good things that I am currently doing - the exercise, the tracking, the water, the good choices.


When it gets closer to the events, I will try to not go too crazy during the day, and sabotage my progress, but will probably drink ,more water, and try to reign in the points, leaving me with some wiggle room (pun again).

The Bottom line ====> TRY!

What I Learned Yesterday

As I mentioned in a previous post Yay Me I have returned to my WW meetings. There is always something to discuss, some of it maybe new, some not. Here is a synopsis of what was covered this week.

It was Buyer Beware week, where we were cautioned to read labels carefully, and watch for troublesome products.

• zero Trans fats


• Sugar free


• Lite


• Serving Size

There is also some info that will go on the sidebar. I just need to find a good way to organize it. It deals with recommended percentages per day for Protein, carbs etc.

My Yesterday

I had to write about my yesterday. It was not quite a WOW day, but it was a rushed day, and in the end I had to take a laughable look at the progression of events.

The day started out with my typical small breakfast and lean lunch. I had my half hour personal training session, and 1 hour NewBody class (and of course I remembered to bring my travel snack).

Then the wheels fell off the cart....well sort of.

I had to rush home, shower, and change to get to an election results reception in support of the fellow for whom we canvassed in the municipal election. We didn't have time for dinner at home, so we grabbed Wendy's chicken fillet (not the smartest grab), but at least I didn't get the fries too! Gobbled down the chicken, and ran off for the reception. There was more food, and here's where I get crazy...

There were various types of pizzas (vegetable food groups right?)
Potato chips (potatoes, right?)
Cheese popcorn (2 food groups there, right?)

The saving grace was that I only had one piece of pizza, and didn't pig out too badly on the chips and popcorn.


Today, I am heading over to take in a meeting which will surely give me a boost for the week.

Til tomorrow.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Good Jeans

All is good in Sleepy Hollow. My typical of late, frenzied and free-eating non-focus has ended. I am still 'on' and in control and focused. I am still journalling, still drinking my water, still managing my points in a smart fashion.

In fact, everything is so good, that I was able to wear my favorite dressy jeans to the Cousin Get-Together yesterday. That was very cool, and I was elated to be able to actually zip the zipper like normal people do, instead of lying on the bed with a coat hanger attached to the zipper loop, pulling the poor thing in vain.

What were some of my smart choices this past weekend?

• Ordered garden salad instead of fries (with dressing on the side)


• Drank copious amounts of water


• Brought my snacks with me for the car trip (less temptation that way)


• Took my time examining the menu before ordering (sometimes I get so hungry that I order then think...not good)


• Had dessert, which My Sweetie and I shared (as usual), and I managed not to scarf more than what I wanted or needed


• Fell asleep during the last leg of the trip home (this was a good thing, because all of the Tim Horton doughnut shops were now silently calling me).

Til tomorrow.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL

Smoothies and Crackers

According to my journal, this week has now ended, and a new one starts. That's a good thing because I am out of any extra points from the '35' group. Now, I might need some of them at some point in the week, since there are a few upcoming challenges. But I think that I have enough control back, and a better attitude, that I shouldn't be in too much danger.... at least that is my hope.

This past week has been quite good. It improved significantly after last Monday, so things are looking up. I also see a small difference in my pants and on my scale (my scale is very accurate to what the WW scale says). So I know that this program does work if I work.

I also switched up a few things. One is a significant change. After I workout, and just as I arrive home, I am so hungry that shoe leather starts to look appealing. I then turn into a foraging bear, scavenging through the cupboards for anything that will fill my hunger. And that usually ends up being a bad thing. So, this past week, I have packed little pick-me-ups to bring with me to the gym, for after my workout......a little package of crispy minis or pretzels or crackers. I don't want an apple or carrots or celery at that point, but I know that I do want something else, and it has to be crunchy. Hence my picks. So far, this is working to my advantage, and I intend to keep that up.

The smoothie bar opened at the gym. Nice bar, with a tropical look and feel. Now, I am waiting for them to produce their nutrition information, so that I can calculate how much one of those tasty little numbers is worth. When I first asked them for this, they looked at me like I was Godzilla. Nutrition labels are appearing on nearly everything these days, and I am the type of person who will not buy an item if it does not have that information. So, the smoothie bar claims to have a 2 point orange smoothie, so I just might try that next week. The smoothies come in a zillion flavors, and are lactose free, cholesterol free, fat free, soy based, and I know what you're thinking....they probably taste awful. BUT THEY DON'T!!! I tried a sample or 2 last spring when the gym had its annual anniversary party. If I recall, it was a pina colada flavour and it was awesome....

So, now that I've worked myself into a nice hungry tummy, I think I am going to bid this post a good night, and dream of smooth yummy smoothies......


Find yourself a little extra something that will keep your control in check, as well as the cravings.

Til tomorrow.....
The DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL - DIETPATROL