Life on the Bathroom Scale

Day 4 - Give yourself credit

2007-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

This is important since I usually tell myself how horrible I am to have stepped foot in a Starbucks, not to mention, the physical revenge that a Tall Mocha w/Whip will bring upon me. You'd think I would learn???

So today, I went, and I got....Iced Tea! I really wanted that mocha, but I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry, so for that I give myself a BIG pat on the back!

I also met with a personal trainer today. My first session is on Monday and I'm really looking forward to it. Looks like I'll probably be going twice a week. He said I'd be doing some fine tuning, but I think what I need is an overhaul!!! :)

Tomorrow is Friday!!!!!! Yippee!

-Nicole

Day 3-Eat only while sitting

2007-07-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

At first I thought, well this doesn't apply to me. I'm lazy, so I'm always sitting down when I eat, right?

Well, after further reading, I was reminded of all those times that I walk past the candy jars in the office, popping candy after candy on the way to where ever I'm headed. Or standing in the kitchen making dinner, tasting bites here and there.

Anyways, it's something to think about and something to work on.

-Nicole

Day 2-Choose Two Diets

2007-07-03T21:57:00.001-07:00

It's hard to diet, and even harder when you combine it with having IBS. IBS has certain food limitations in a lot of people, and I am no exception.

Short list of foods I should not eat due to IBS:

Dairy
Whole Wheat Products
Raw veggies (especially salads)
Spicy Foods
Most fruit
The list goes on....

That means pretty much ANY diet is hard, since a lot of them ask you to eat whole grains and lots of fresh fruit and veggies.

So, I've decided to use the EATING FOR LIFE PLAN and my first and main plan.

It breaks down to eating 6 small meals a day that consist of a protein and carb, and some veggies occasionally. You do that for 6 out of 7 days, and on the 7th day you get a FREE day to eat whatever you want, in moderation of course.

I'll will have to alter my plan to exclude wheat and dairy, opting for simple carbs in smaller quantities and rice milk.

My backup or 2nd diet will be Weight Watchers Flex plan. This is a great plan to have as a backup because it allows you to eat whatever you want as long as you stay withing your appropriate points. I would find this useful if attending a dinner party or going out to eat/drinking. I hope not to be doing a whole lot of any of those things, but sometimes you can't always stick to the original plan, so this is great "in case of emergency".

I really didn't feel like writing this post, but I promised I would do this every single day and I didn't want to blow it only the 2nd day. I'm very proud of myself for making the choice to follow thru.

Tomorrow is Fourth of July and I'm headed for the BEACH!!!! We're packing our own lunch (sandwiches) and I'm sure I will be burning major calories chasing the dog up and down the shoreline.

Hope everyone has a great holiday! You WILL hear from me tomorrow. ;)

-Nicole

Day 1- Record the Advantages of Losing Weight

2007-07-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

Today marks the first day following The Beck Diet Solution, by Judith S. Beck, Ph.D.!

I came upon this book accidentally on Amazon and after reading the reviews and doing some further research, I figured, what the heck....I'm doing this!!! I'm very excited to document my journey of transformation! :)

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, has been an interest of mine since I learned it's what helped me move on from paralyzing behavior that was caused as a result of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

You can read more about IBS on my other blog Life in a Bathroom.

So, why am I choosing to document my weight loss transformation?
-It keeps me accountable
-It reminds me daily of my goals
-It may help someone else pursue their own goals
That's just to name a few.

Everyone has their obstacles and I think it's very easy to tell someone what they need to do, but it's much harder to get them to actually do it.

The Beck Diet Solution is not a book about dieting. It's a book designed to help you follow your diet or weight loss plan. Too many times, I've gone on a diet only to go back to the way I was eating because I thought I had everything under control. When I inevitably gained weight I would berate myself, telling myself that I am fat and unattractive.

What I'm learning lately is that which we focus on is what we end up with. If I'm constantly telling myself I'm fat and overweight, then my mind will believe it and my subconscious will make sure I stay that way because that's what I'm training it to do! The same was true of IBS. When I was in a situation where I thought I would get sick, what do you think happened? I'd get anxious and sick!! I had to train my mind to believe that everything was fine so I would stop getting anxious and sick in certain situations. And you know what? It worked!!! I went from never going out with my friend and never traveling, to flying and having a full social calendar again. A complete 180 transformation for me!

Now, I'm tackling another challenge, one that has been ongoing for the last 5 or so years. I'm 25 and I refuse to live out the rest of my Twenties in this body and this life style. I was out with a friend this weekend and I thought that the top I was wearing made me look pregnant! I said, "I'd almost rather everyone think I'm pregnant than realize that I choose to look this way!". And that's just it, a choice. Granted, a lot of people would say I look just fine, and I know in the grand scheme I probably do. But it really isn't just about looks.

Sure, I want to look how I feel I should, and there is motivation for that. But I also want to be a healthy, athletic individual. It's really more about lifestyle for me, and that's what I want to change. I want to be the kind of person who I saw 100 times over when I went to a recent triathlon event. Someone who values their health and moves their body. Someone who focuses on a goal and pursues it with the utmost passion. That is who I want to be and that's why I'm writing this right now.

So what is the first day of the Beck Diet Solution? It's to write down the Advantages of Losing Weight. I will read these every day on purpose to remind myself why I'm doing this. I'll also read them at times when I don't feel like sticking to the plan that will help me achieve my goals. This is a very important step because as I said before, what you focus on is what you get.

Here is my list so far. I'm sure I will add more to it in the future:
Advantages Response Card

• I will look amazing and feel attractive. (Like a FOREST FIRE!)
• I will have so much energy!
• My IBS will be greatly reduced.
• I’ll be and feel healthier
• I will be proud of myself.
• I won’t be so self-conscience.
• I’ll be a more physically active.
• I’ll be and look more athletic. (A LOT better in spandex!)
• I’ll be more confident and assertive.
• I’ll be much happier when I look in the mirror.
• I will like how clothes look on me.
• I’ll be able to wear a sexy swimsuit.
• I will like having my picture taken.
• I will be able to accomplish my athletic goals.
• I’ll finally feel in control of my body and life.
• Shopping for clothes will be FUN and easy!

Just looking at this list, I’m very excited about the future and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for tomorrow!

-Nicole