Healthy Living

Emotional eating is a definite struggle of mine. That feels kind of obvious to me, as if it is clearly a problem or else we would not be here, right? Anyway, recognizing it has been an imperative part of my journey. Stress bingeing has not been as much of an issue since I started, but when I dwell on the desire to binge, I have begun to recognize that something stressful is causing anxiety or frustration. It would be so easy for me to close my tracking app and head for the kitchen. Then I consider the journey that I have been on over the last six months. It has been so encouraging to see my progress. I know that there is no perfection to be attained and that I will (have) slipped up from time to time, but I also know that my choices will affect my mindset. Today, I chose not to thaw a box of chocolate chip cookies after pre-tracking my entire day. I chose to eat my evening snack before dinner after a cup of green grapes and will be content to have my tea on its own this evening. ...

Last week we were visiting my sister-in-law in Ohio. I was determined to maintain while on vacation and enjoying some tasty treats along the way, so, I went to her apartment gym and did a couple of quick morning workouts to set myself up for successful enjoyment of our meal times. I was shocked by my own strength! This may sound a little weird, but it's true. Many of us who choose to do home workouts think that we are not working as hard as those who venture out to the gym. False! If you are working, you are working and that is all that matters! "The best workout is one that you will do!" Thanks, Pastor Rick, for the reminder. When I started on the Elliptical machine, I was not sure that I would last long, but I was on for 18 minutes in the Fat Burner setting with adjusting incline and everything! I couldn't believe it. Then I went to the weight machines (legs and lap pulls). On my legs I was lifting and pressing 70-80 pounds for 3 sets of 10 reps. Same sets and...

Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen an maintenance trend on the scale. At first, I was mildly frustrated, but then I decided to trust my body and the process. Plateaus happen, and I was not gaining, so it still felt great! On top of that, I reflected on my planned indulgences, considered my treats, etc., I also considered the progress I have made over the last six months or so: I was not bingeing and that was huge for me; I was also choosing healthier options and smaller portions. AND I tracked everything.  Or so I thought. After the weekend, I was a little more curious about why there wasn't more progress in the numbers, so yesterday, I took some coaching advice referred to in the Half Size Me show podcast: Whenever in the kitchen wanting to take a bite or grab a small thing from the fridge while constructing a meal or otherwise, stop and put every item on a plate and see what would have been consumed prior to sitting down for the full meal. Mind you, I only took this...