Causerie

What the Doctor Said

Yesterday I had my yearly medical check up with a new doctor because my old one quit to become a SAHM. Doctor Linda is a woman who rocks an afro and likes collards greens.  She seems more like a good friend than my physician.

So, if you remember, I was put on medication for hypertension and cholesterol-lowering  medication at my last doctor's visit.  I was told to lose weight, put down the fork and to get some exercise.  Well, Dr. Linda's nurse took my BP and it was ---- wait for it ---- 108/70.  When the doctor looked at my chart, she peered over at me and said " That's some blood pressure. It's almost like you aren't alive."  She then told me to cut my pills in half.

Oh yeah... one more thing.

I'm 15 pounds lighter than I was last year.

Not So Sweet

I didn't realize I was addicted to sugar until last week.  At the end of my work day, as I mindlessly tossed another candy wrapper into the trash I was faced with the reality that I already had disposed of about 15 individual cellophane wrappers. I had wolfed down 15 pieces of candy and was reaching for more. After that, I began to notice how often I craved sweets.  It was every day.

So, for the next 14 days I'm detoxing from sugar and rice, pasta and bread.

If you'd like to see check in and see how I'm doing, click on the side bar under the Detox Series. 

Curds and Weight

You know how everyone is talking about portion control?  Well, I'm trying to become more aware of how much I'm eating and all I have to say is, "What the heck?!"

On the back of the boxes, cans, bottles and packages are the listings for the serving sizes and what I'm surprised to learn is that most serving portions are just one-half.  That's 1/2 cup. One-half!  So my cottage cheese, which is 110 calories for 1/2 cup and my fruit salad, which is 100 calories for 1/2 cup is pretty much all I can eat for breakfast.  I measured and dished that stuff out and jumped back in shock at how very little food was in my bowl. That was food for a small child.  No wonder I haven't been able to drop these pounds.

A little while ago, Jacqui suggested that in lieu of Friday's Fountain (during the winter months), that we discuss healthy living and an active lifestyle. I love this idea.  So, beginning this Friday, I'll publish the first post in a new series I like to call "Friday's Fight for Fitness".  Please be prepared to share your weekly health tip or physical activity tip.  (I will be contacting some of you to ask if you will be a guest blogger on this topic).

Still Weighting

I'm going to remove the weight tracker.  At least for a while.

What I thought would be incentive for me to get healthy and to lose weight, is actually making me feel bad.  It's a constant reminder of how I have failed  to do what should have been done by now.  And honestly friends, I'm in a place where I can not deal with the reality of knowing that I haven't lost one pound. 

Weighting for Change

I'm going to have to re-set my weight counter back to "0".

A few weeks ago, I shared -- confessed --  that I'm actually in the red and that  those wonderful three pounds (six, per Marie) I had previously lost are gone. gone.  gone.

I know what I need to do ---  it's pretty simple. Eat less ---  actually only when I'm hungry ---  and get back to walking. But, I've been making a lot of  excuses lately and I've try to justify why I can't or won't or don't.  I used to be very impatient with people like me.  I used to wonder why "they" weren't able to stick with something and see it through.  I used to shake my head and suck my teeth at those who were unable to pull it together, man-up and for goodness sakes, exercise some will power and control. 

Well, the longer I live, the more I learn. 

So, I'm starting over. (again)

Weigh Down in Egypt Land

I've been in the wilderness lately.

On this new job I'm sitting more and, unfortunately, eating a lot more.  We have many meetings and for some reason, someone is always bringing food.  Lots of good food.  Donuts, cakes, giant scrumptious sandwiches called "the hook-em up" (seriously), fried fish --- yummy, yummy things.

At first I was strong, I was tough, I was a man because I was still flying high from the "six-pound" weight loss. (Marie told me the first few pounds count as double and I say okay to that).  But then --- I don't know ---something happened and  I sort of lost my mind.  Before I knew what was happening,  I was in line waiting to get seconds of a piece of moist spice cake (and I don't really like spice cake).  It felt like I was on drugs. The good kind.

So at this moment,  I'm ashamed to say, that the three-pound weight loss is actually in the negative now.

I guess I should  re-read the highlighted portions of my now, coffee-stained, dog-eared favorite book, Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth.  Do you think she'll take my call? 

Catching Up

Whew.  Busy, busy, busy. Let's get caught up.

First of all, did you hear how Roswitha (Mama) did in the Boston Marathon?  If you don't know, Mama's daughter, Elizasmom, wrote about it here.  I absolutely adore both of these women.  Talk about inspiration.

Brand new mommy, Marie, was able to stop by this week for a quick hello.  We miss you, Marie, but we all know how busy you are. 

The weight loss update:  As you can see that one pound loss remains unchanged.  That's all I'm gonna say about it.  Well... I will say this, the book I'm reading, Women Food and God by Geneen Roth is phenomenal. There's a lot of new age goobly-gock that I, for some reason, can not understand, but there are many other mind-blowing observations that completely "speak" to me.   (pg. 85) "...You've got to be willing to believe that you were put on this earth for more than your endless attempts to lose the same 30 pounds 300 times for 80 years."  I was like, "Preach it, girl!"

I'm hosting a brunch tomorrow for a group of friends  who are coming over for drinks, conversation, laughs and a little noshing before we all head out to see the new Tyler Perry play at  KC's fancy new venue, The Sprint Center.  I anticipate a really good time.  I wish you all could be here.