The Week 2 Curse

Filed under: by: Fat Girl

I (finally!) watched Episode 2 of this season's Biggest Loser. Good times. I really don't understand why people rip on the show.

As always, I made a list of key take-aways--things that were said that I could identify with or be challeged by:

1. It will be done!
2. Right now, focus on burn.
3. Smile. Be happy. The stress is killing you.
4. [One contestant's hospitalization] brings to light how serious being overweight is.
5. Keep a food journal--it can double your weight loss.
6. 3 meals. 2 snacks. (Healthy snacks level out your blood sugar.)
7. What are you going to do with your last chance?
8. A lot of these pounds are wounds.
9. This is your life. What are you going to do with it?
10. Alright. This is destiny. It's meant to happen.

Here's to the next 376,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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Whole Living

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It's Magazine Monday, and I am excited to bring you my take-aways from my June edition of Body + Soul. (Yes, I am behind on my magazine reading. So be it.)

Here's what I learned:

1. If you're trying to lose weight, pay attention to what you drink. A recent study found that cutting out sugary beverages speeds weight loss, (page 28).

2. Even if you're the healthiest of eaters, a summer getaway can set off a dietary bender that leaves you feeling greasy, lethargic, and a few pounds heavier by vacation's end. The reason? "Many of us eat by routine, and one of the biggest challenges of traveling is the change in that routine," notes Connie Diekman, R.D., director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis. Planning is the name of the game when you're trying to eat right on the road," (page 42).

3. Pace yourself. As life speeds up, it's tempting to run faster, accomplish more. This does little, however, but strip your gears and deplete your resources. This month, try the opposite: Slow down. Breathe. Remember the pleasure of doing--and enjoying--one thing at a time. After all, you don't reach worthwhile goals in a flurry of movement, but through single-minded focus and a quiet, patient resolve, (page 71).

4. The right music can make you look forward to exercising, and it might even help you build stamina. Try up-tempo tunes for best results, (page 75).

5. Missteps and false starts are part of any process. The key to staying on track lies in viewing each one as a minor glitch instead of a system failure, (page 96).

Here's to the next 377,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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Paradise Regained

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How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My glass can fill, when drinking through the night.
For the way you do not take up space.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most thirsty need, by lunch and candlelight.
I drink thee freely, as men strive with thirst.
I love thee purely, as they turn from Coke.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my thin self's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my diet drinks. I love thee with the straw,
Lips, tears, of all my life!
And, if I choose,
I shall but love you better after lunch...



Here's to the next 379,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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Funny Business

Filed under: by: Fat Girl




Today I made good choices, even though it wasn't the greatest of days. I just kept telling myself, "A bad day doesn't need to be compounded by bad choices." Also, I kept thinking, "Just because the people around me want to ruin my day doesn't mean I need to help them out by eating incorrectly."

It worked.

The picture above made me laugh. It's from one of my very favorite blogger's blogs. (Is that redundant?) Anyway. Hope you enjoy it, too.

Here's to the next 382,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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A Hard Road

Filed under: by: Fat Girl

85 minutes and 43 seconds.

I finally had a chance to sit down and watch Episode 1 of this season's Biggest Loser. And I have to say, I enjoyed it. It was motivational. Despite the yelling and "show drama," I like Jillian. She makes me want to crawl to the gym on my knees, (which, by the way, would take me 85 minutes and 43 seconds--and the gym is next door).

I, for one, would rather be yelled at/motivated to change than be sitting on the couch, headed in the wrong direction.

As always, I made a list. I love lists. This one is of key take-aways--things that were said that I could identify with or be challeged by:

1. It's all about second chances.
2. Don't ever say you can't do anything.
3. Now is the start of the new me.
4. I feel like someone has stolen my dream.
5. How can you take these tragedies and turn them into opportunities?
6. All you have to do is change your mind.
7. It's a choice. Make a different choice.
8. This is a mountain I've got to climb.
9. I am changing [my] health from the inside out.
10. You really can go beyond that point of pain.

Here's to the next 383,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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Feeling Good

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I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad it's Monday. Something about routine keeps me on the straight and narrow.

The next best thing? It's Magazine Monday. I've had a Prevention sitting on my desk since May--wrapped in one of those cute little plastic wrappers--and I finally decided today was the day I was tearing into it.

Here's what I learned:

1. Just six 30-second sprints 3 times per week--the equivalent of a few quick games of playground tag--can provide cardiovascular benefits that may be equivalent to jogging or cycling for 45 minutes several times weekly, according to Welsh researchers, (page 32).

2. 4 More Reasons to Lose Weight: fewer headaches, improved oral health, longer and deeper sleep, and brighter outlook, (page 52).

3. Stop Speed Eating: People who eat rapidly until they are full are 3 times more likely to be overweight than slow eaters, (page 54).

4. The Temptation Tipping Point: For some people, a small taste satisfies a craving, but researchers say that for others, it subconsciously clears the way to full-blown indulgence. If you're likely to have extra helpings of something sweet, steer clear of free samples at the supermarket and head directly for the produce aisle, (page 96).

Here's to the next 384,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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You Raise Me Up

Filed under: by: Fat Girl

This afternoon I did something so difficult that I can only compare it to:

solving world peace
climbing Mount Everest
explaining Richard Simmons' candy-striped Dolfin shorts

I went to the gym. Now, before you look down your nose at me and wonder how I could compare something "so trivial" as gym attendence to the aforementioned Dolfin shorts, please understand that I hate going to the gym alone. I am nearly fearful of going alone. I'm convinced I will either get jumped in the parking lot or laughed at on the treadmill. (And I'm not always sure which would be worse.)

Neither happened.

I did it. 30 minutes of working out broke a good sweat and I am home to forever relive the experience in my heart. I really need to make a habit of this.

Did you know Richard Simmons considered becoming a priest?

Here's to the next 386,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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For Once in My Life

Filed under: by: Fat Girl












Yet another epiphany in this weight loss journey.

This afternoon I needed lunch delivered quickly so I could get back to work. I've got a lot going on, yada yada yada. So I picked up a taco salad--perfectly legitimate on my diet--except for that mind-blowing taco shell that's full of everything I need to stay away from.

I got back to my desk, ate the salad contents, and stared down at the empty flour shell with longing in my eyes. I'm stressed. I'm hungry. Stuffing myself full of carbs would have been a great treat. And then I realized something.

There was no way I would ever NOT want to eat the shell. I could tell myself about the carb content. I could warn myself that if I ate it, I would most certainly gain on the scale tomorrow. I could hate myself for even considering it...

OR. I could realize that one of the tricks to this weight loss game is mind over matter. I've spent 20+ years waiting to not want the taco shell. Maybe I'll always want it. But maybe I'll learn that I don't have to eat everything I want/crave/like/"need."


Here's to the next 388,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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Toot Sweets

Filed under: by: Fat Girl









So. Today's "the first big day of the rest of my life," and my boss sends out an e-mail this morning letting us know that he is treating all of us to the candy store this afternoon. "Has he ever done this before?" you ask. NO!

[Clearing my throat and raising my voice a few strategic octaves]

"Doc Sweets’, Michigan's largest retail candy store, is a gigantic candy wonderland with 5,000 square feet of candy and over 3,000 different candy items! Doc Sweets’ has something for everyone: from Abba Zaba to Wonka Bars, Zagnuts to Zotz, New or Old, Sugar Free or Super Sour, by the Pound or by the Piece, Doc Sweets’ will satisfy all of your candy needs. Doc Sweets’ also has a large selection of Nostalgic Candy items, everything from the early 1900’s through today, including Candy Covered and Chocolate Coated Insects!"

I am sitting here, drinking my water.

Here's to the next 391,
(healthy) Fat Girl

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