Friday, January 15, 2010

Why?

Is there any way to take the eating habits I am claiming are solidified after a massive five days and put them in tomorrow to work their magic like they did today. I love the feeling of NO sugar (other then what occurs naturally in foods) in my body. I also enjoyed the feeling of not being overly hungry after not having consumed food for a full four hours. Just five days ago it would have been four minutes. I ate everything slow and carefully, enjoying my one helping more than I have in a long time.

Day five ditto.

HEAVEN

Went to dinner at Happy Sumo with my friend. Got the Mango Mamma sushi roll. I audibly heard mmmmmm come from my mouth with every bite. It was heavenly. Probably the best sushi roll, in fact, best taste that has ever past my lips.
I better go to bed so I can dream about it.
You can call me a freak now.
Until you try one.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

On my Way

Day four ditto.

Day five planned.

Getting harder.

Getting better.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Day Three

FINALLY! I have had a wonderful day three. I know...it is about time, but something is different about this time.

Sunday night, I put on a really cute dress (I LOVE that dress!) that I will look so good in at my right weight. Now the family is always so complimentary about my looks, saying that I look so good and they are surprised that I am even over goal. Well, when I put on that dress, no one could say anything. I put make up on (lipstick), nylons, fixed my hair, just as I will wear it all the day I make it all the way down. But it is extreemely unflattering. Isaac snapped some pictures and Tammy put them in an easily accessable file for me on the computer. This will be a weekly ritual for as long as it takes.

The next day (my second first day), I was very dedicated to eating well and carefully. I tracked everything, stopped eating when I had eaten a reasonable amount and did not eat again until I was truly hungry. Novel. I started the day by looking at that picture. It is a nice picture, my smile and everything, with the dreadful fit... but I am determined to wear that dress to a Weight Watchers meeting and look smashing.

I exercise with the PACE approach. It has me walking then sprinting, repeating as I can. I do it outside, a little embarrassing at first but now OK. I stretch, then walk about 5 minutes, sprint for about 20-30 seconds (up from 15 seconds last week). Then I walk until I feel like running again. This lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. I can get in about three or four sprints in that time and feel quite exercised! I come home to do my self-developed resistence regimen: bench press (while on my back) about 5 pounds of canned chicken. I'll show you the routine sometime. Good for arms and abs! My goal is at least 3 workouts a week or more for right now. Up to four soon.

Day two ditto.

Day three ditto.

Day four is already planned.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Alright girls. I know, I know...how do I have the nerve to post something only every few months when I get to reap the rewards of you all posting regularly!!! But I just couldn't help myself on this one. Now I realize that this blog is for "Health and Happiness", insinuating that it's mostly about healthful eating, active lifestyle, etc. But I'm going to venture out on this one...I'm going to post about MENTAL (which translates also into EMOTIONAL) health!!! Namely money.

Now, we all know that Rachel's strong point has never been managing her funds well. I've come to the conclusion that this is a combination of forgetfulness, spontaneity, generosity, adventurous-ness, and just plain old lack of skill in doing it. I have a regular job now, and a real car, and I managed to get rid of all my bad debt...and in only a year my credit score increased 60 points! While that alone helped my mental well-being immensely, I know there is something more. The next step is (GASP!!!) making a budget, sticking to it, and saving extra money.

So Brandie (who is uncannily good at money matters such as budgets, investing, and saving) sat down with me last night and we hashed out my money situation. We listed all my income, bills, taxes, goals, wants, needs, and unnecessary spending. We plugged all the leaks with the little things that I spend cash on, made saving goals, and wrote a detailed plan down of what I would do with every penny every month. I actually had way more money to work with than I expected. And it also became painfully obvious how much I was spending on meaningless, needless things...eating out, clothes, treats, etc.

It turns out I can pay ALL my bills, have plenty of money to eat and enjoy things and still save 550 bucks a month straight to my savings!!

So even though I don't weigh less or run faster than I did yesterday, I feel heaps healthier and way more responsible! And the best part is that the "budget police" (Brandie, who by the way could get me in a choke-hold in 2.5 seconds) lives right down the hall and if I deviate from my plan...well let's just say I'd rather just pass up that new pair of boots than have a UFC match in my own living room!!

Love you all and wish me luck!!

Rach