Monthly Archives: September 2009

Lifetime membership!

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At my Wednesday WW weigh-in, I was ecstatic to learn that I hit another milestone…I am now a lifetime member of Weight Watchers! 

Once you reach goal, you have six weeks of maintenance, where you have to maintain your weight – within two pounds either way. After those six weeks, if you are still at your goal weight, you become a lifetime member. What this means, is that I don’t have to pay for my meetings anymore. YIPPEE!!!! 

However, if I go more than two pounds above my goal weight, then I will have to pay. But I don’t even know what that amount is and don’t have any intention of finding out what that fee is! I do, however, have every intention of continuing to go to my meetings. They are a very big part of my healthy eating, healthy living lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoy my meetings and have developed several good friendships because of them. And I treasure those friendships.

So, now what? Now, I just have to keep doing what I have been doing…balancing my eating habits, incorporating exercise and remaining happy. I do have to admit, I have been a little lax and not so strict with my food lately. I have been allowing myself to indulge in some of my favorite treats more than I have in the past few months. But I don’t feel guilty for it. I am still staying within my daily points target.

For instance, the other day, someone at work made a red velvet cake to share with everyone. It looked so yummy, I just had to have some. So I did. And I did so without any guilt. The cake was cut into 20 pieces – four rows by five rows in a 9X13 inch pan. I cut one of the pieces in half and ate just that. And I figured out that the size piece that I ate was worth two points. Not bad.

Normally, I would have had that piece and then, I would have gone back for more and in the end, probably would have eaten a total of two or maybe even three pieces. But I didn’t do that this time. I ate just the half of piece I cut in the first place and I was happy with it. I was satisfied. That is what I call progress.

Now that is not to say I have done that with everything I have eaten lately. Someone else at work has Brach’s candy corn at her desk, which she shares with everyone. The first day the bowl was out, I grabbed a small handful. The next day, it turned into a couple more handfuls…bigger handfuls. Day three, I think I may have eaten the whole bowl with as many times as I walked by her desk…intentionally. And on day four, I didn’t have any. Instead, I had a talk with myself. I also didn’t have any on day five. Again, that is what I call progress. Sort of. I even logged my candy corn points. One ounce of candy corn equals one point. I estimated the amount each day and altogether, I ended up eating about 10 points worth for those three days. 

I know I am going to have ups and downs. But I feel that I am now better prepared for those hills and valleys. I know that I have to eat my fruits and veggies and watch my portions. I know that I have to incorporate exercise. I know it is not always going to be easy, but I like it. I like the new me. Actually, I am starting to love the new me. So far, I am enjoying the ride and hope it continues for a long time.

An unexpected compliment

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This weekend, my husband, sister-in-law and I went out to eat at a Denny’s restaurant in the Twin Cities area. We had a great waitress. 

Because of what I ordered, I think our waitress knew I was health conscious. I decided on the Denny’s Grand Slam, where I got to choose four different items from a select menu. I ordered the oatmeal with no butter or brown sugar. Instead, I used sugar-free maple syrup and skim milk. I ordered the turkey bacon instead of the regular bacon. I also chose the fresh fruit and an English muffin with no butter. Instead, I put a little peanut butter on it. I would have usually used both containers of peanut butter that were brought to me, but this time, I only used one.

I ate everything, except all of my oatmeal. But it wasn’t because it didn’t taste good, I was just so full. Full with a capital F. When the meal was just about done, our waitress came by and asked if we needed anything else or if any of us wanted to order dessert. 

My reply was, "No thanks, not for me!"

Her reply, which I took as a HUGE compliment, was, "Oh, I know YOU didn’t want any dessert!"

For some reason, that made me SO excited. Most often, waitresses just look at me and they know I am going to order some huge chocolatey ooey gooey dessert, even though I just got done woofing down a huge hamburger and side of fries or some huge helping of cheesy pasta. They are often disappointed if I don’t order a dessert.

But not this time and that made me feel oh so good!

The big 5K!

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I can’t believe it, but I actually ran a 5K. My whole family – my husband, my son and I – all ran it. It was awesome! A truly memorable event. One I will treasure forever.

I’ve never been a runner…not even in when I was in school. I was on the track team, but not as a runner or anything. I was actually the boys’ track team manager. I didn’t participate in sports; I’m just not really that coordinated. But, we did it. I did it. It was a huge accomplishment for me and I am proud of myself for doing it.

Before the race started, I was a nervous wreck. My stomach was in knots. I literally felt like puking. It didn’t help that my husband and I were both very tired. The race was on Saturday morning and on Friday, I was up until about midnight waiting for my husband to come home from visiting his mother in the hospital. (She’s going okay, by the way. She’s on a very slow road to recovery.) By the time he got home and we quit talking and decided to get to bed, it was shortly before 1 a.m. My alarm went off at 6 a.m. because we had to be at the race by 7 a.m.

There were quite a few people signed up for the 5K run…I would guess close to a hundred. When the gun went off and we started, I tried to keep a steady pace and not get caught up in all the excitement. I think I did a pretty good job considering I felt this rush of adrenaline and wanted to go with the crowd. But I knew that if I did that, I probably would have walked in at the finish line instead of run. After about 30 seconds, my pace was apparently too slow for my son, however, so I told him he could take off and we would meet him at the finish line. My husband…my awesomely, wonderful husband…stuck by my side the entire race. I was grateful for that. And I was happy that my son was confident enough to run without anyone he knew by him. I wasn’t sure he would be able to run the whole thing because his asthma has been acting up, but he did and he did an awesome job. And I am so proud of him.

Some people walked the entire race. Others ran the entire race. And there were some that walked and ran. I ran most of it, except when I stopped to drink some water along the route. I kept walking while I was drinking at least and it was only for about 10 seconds. Oh, and I walked for about another 10 seconds when we had about a mile left. I just needed to catch my breath for a second.

We, as in my husband and I, finished the race with a time of 40:10. My son finished the race with a time of 32:21. He probably could have done it in 30 minutes, but he said he didn’t know how to pace himself. He’s never ran a race before either. We tried to finish ahead of the guy who literally carried his runt of mutt with him for half of the race, but to no avail. Despite carrying his dog and walking part of the race, he still beat us. Maybe next time.

Regardless of what our times were, I was excited beyond belief that I actually ran in a 5K. And now, I can’t wait to do another one! I think I have been bitten by the running bug. 

When life happens

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Wow, it is amazing to see what happens when a crisis strikes a family. My mother-in-law is still in the hospital and we are waiting for her to have surgery – a brain bypass. It’s a long and complicated story that I will not get into. However, I will ask for everyone thoughts and prayers again. She needs them.

Since this crisis has struck, what has amazed me, is to see how everyone pulls together. Your friends, your family and your WORK family. I have been utterly impressed with how our newspaper family has pulled together and offered their support, their prayers and their help…it has exceeded all expectations and we are forever grateful. And indebted to all of them. Thank you one and all from the bottom of our hearts

So, how’s the eating going? Well, I have actually surprised myself. In times like this, I usually turn to comfort foods…ice cream, chips, cake, candy, pizza. You know, all that stuff that when you first eat it, makes you feel oh-so-much-better. Well, I haven’t. 

I have been eating healthy foods. At home and at the hospital. I have even packed food with me so I know that I have healthy options available if need be. We have gone out to eat twice. The first time, I did well. Actually, really well. The second time, not so much. Well, I guess it wasn’t that bad.

We ate at one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Don Pablos. I think I could eat mexican food every day of my life. I ordered the grilled chicken tacos, which came with two sides. I chose black beans, which are healthy. And then I just had to have my favorite side…the corn bread. I actually call it corn mush because it doesn’t really have the consistency of corn bread; it’s softer and kind of mushier. Hench the corn mush title. 

I ate half my black beans, two of the three tacos and of course, all of my corn mush. Typically, I would have ate all of that and ordered dessert, so I guess I didn’t do too bad. 

For the next few days, I will be taking several trips back and forth to St. Paul. I will continue to pack a lunch or snacks as I need them and I plan to continue doing what I have been. Eating healthy most of the time and splurging every now and then…it helps keep me sane!

Once again, I appreciate everyone’s thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My husband’s family is going to need all they can get in the next few days and coming weeks. Thank you.

Off the topic for a minute

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I am asking for everyone’s prayers. My mother-in-law was taken by ambulance on Saturday to a hospital in St. Paul. She had a couple of mini-strokes and there is a little bit of damage to the left side of her brain. Because we don’t know exactly what is going to happen yet…they found a blockage in an artery in her brain…I am asking for everyone to say a little prayer for Lynn, her husband, her three children and the rest of her family.

Thank you.

Doritos

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How many times have you sat down on the couch with a bag of Doritos and before you realize it, eaten half, if not, the entire bag?

I have been known to do this on occasion. I especially love Doritos – the normal ones – dipped in Frito Lay mild cheddar cheese sauce. Yum-Yum. I have been known to devour an entire can of sauce in one sitting. Really, it’s that good. Sometimes, I have even dipped dill pickles in that same cheese sauce. OMG! That’s what I call heaven.

Since my healthy eating journey began, I have strayed away from Doritos, even though my son eats them on a regular basis. He loves the spicy sweet chili ones in the purple bag. Well, last night, as my husband was grilling burgers and cooking some corn on the cob, I decided that the bag of Doritos sitting on the counter was calling my name. Yes, I have snuck a few here and there, but haven’t really HAD some.

So, I starting crunchy away. God, they were so good. But the one thing I forgot about with that kind – the spicy sweet chili kind – is that when you stop eating them, your mouth starts to feel this little burning sensation. Regardless, I didn’t eat too many of them. One, I didn’t want to and two, my son came and stole them away from me.

I didn’t really count them, but I guessed that I ate roughly 17 chips. I know, like I said, it wasn’t a lot. I immediately went over to my computer to log the intake of chips. Um, yeah, five points later, I was regretting my moment of weakness. I can eat an entire meal for 5 points.

It was 17 lousy chips for five whole points. Ridiculous.

Well, as was complaining about stupidity, my husband thought it would be a good idea to find out how many points it would be for an entire bag of Doritos. I was game. He told me the calories…2,100. He told me the fat grams…105. He told me the fiber count…15. I was actually surprised that there was 15 grams of fiber in an entire bag. By the way, Weight Watchers figures out points based on calories, fat and fiber.

I hit the calculate button and nearly choked on the remaining crumbs that were stuck to my teeth! I burst out in laughter and told my husband and son they had to guess the number of points. Brandon guessed 57 and Al guessed 40.

The total? 50 points! FIFTY POINTS! For some people, that is nearly three DAYS worth of points. 

I determined they are SO NOT WORTH IT!

 

Doing a 5K!

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Well, this afternoon, after my husband joined me in a run, I signed my whole family up for the 5K set for September 19!

I am thrilled beyond thrilled. I have never considered myself an athlete. I didn’t participate in sports when I was younger and am, well, kind of uncoordinated. But for some reason, I have really started to like running. Not that I plan on running a marathon anytime soon, but there is something about it.

When my husband when running with me this afternoon, I was so excited. He hasn’t been running, or really doing anything exercise related, since about March. He amazes me. We took off and he didn’t stop once. I was shocked. He ran the whole 2.6 miles we ran without stopping, which I didn’t stop either, but come on, I have at least been doing some exercising. He just picked up like he had been running for months. So not fair.

But, no matter, I am happy that both my husband and my almost 16-year-old will be running with me. I knew if I told my son that my husband decided to run it with me, that he would change his mind and decide to run it, too. I am so happy.

So, 5K, here we come…ready or not!

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Thinking about a 5K

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So, I am thinking about running a 5K. It is in two and a half weeks. I’ve never been a runner, but for some reason lately, I have thought it’s been kind of fun. Energizing, really. Well, now that I can actually run more than a half a mile without wanting to collapse. Last night I ran 2.5 miles and only walked about one block of it after nearly 2 miles of running straight. I couldn’t believe it. This is truly a big accomplishment for me.

I should clarify that I actually don’t run, it’s more of a jog. My estimates indicate that I am running about a 12-minute or 12.5-minute mile. Not a fast pace by any means. But perfect for me.

I am trying to talk my son into running the 5K Fun Run with me. I know he can do it. To me, he is a true athlete. But, he’s not so sure he wants to run with his mom. But not for reasons you may think. He actually told me that when he’s run with me in the past, he doesn’t like listening to my breathing because it scares him. Apparently, it sounds like I am running out of air or something. Guess I should work on that!

My birthday is at the end of the month, so I plan on telling him that doing this with me can be his present! I also asked my husband to run with me just in case my son says no. My hubby said, "We’ll see!" At least it wasn’t the no answer I expected.

If anyone has any tips they would like to share about running a 5K, please feel free to send them my way either by leaving me a comment or sending an e-mail to me at celbeam@gmail.com.

Thanks much!