Fasting & 10 Things

Today I am doing a liquid fast, and I have to say I feel pretty awesome. This is something I'm going to start doing twice a week. I have read a lot of things about fasting, for weight loss and health. There are lots of benefits, and I encourage anyone who is skeptical to research it. I'm not 'starving' myself, so no worries there. I want to lose this weight permanently, and I know that has to be through a sustainable life style..that means I have to know how to eat in a healthy way..but even when I reach my goal weight I want to fast periodically. Mainly because fasting reduces acidity in the body, and therefore helps to prevent cancer, etc.
**Warning, the following may be Too Much Info**
One time I fasted for four days, and can you believe it? I still had to go #2 after four days of not eating. That means poo just hangs out for in your body for at least 4 days! crazy and gross!

So....today I'm fasting and I am finding it EXTREMELY easy. I was trying to figure out why, why I've always thought it was easier to just not eat at all...and I think I've narrowed it down to two reasons:

1. There is only 1 choice; not to eat. You don't have to choose to eat just one piece of pizza...or one and a half...or what the heck just eat the whole pizza.....no, you just don't eat.

2. The expectation is to be hungry. Usually when I am eating, I can't help but expect to be full by the end. I don't just mean satisfied, I mean FULL...a bloated feeling almost. But when I'm fasting, I expect to be hungry, so it doesn't really bother me. Sure my stomach grumbles, but I've never felt faint. Did you know that the feeling of hunger is not always an indication that you need to eat? Your brain sends signals to your stomach to start growling a couple of hours after you eat...even if you really don't need any nourishment. Just something to think on.

I've seen where some other people have been posting 10 Things that Make them Happy! I think I'm gonna do the same.

1. My Boxer Rex :)

2. A good book..preferrably some Fantasy, or Twilight, or Jane Austin!


3. Hugging :)

4. Hanging out w/my best friend, Candice.


5. Listening to good music!

MSTRKRFT
BACH
BRAHMS
DEPECHE MODE
SWALLOW THE SUN
KATATONIA
DEICHKIND
ETC

6. Kayaking!


7. Good movies! Like LOTR, Wall-E, and Pride&Prejudice


8. Daydreaming about the future...and planning for it.

9. Driving the mustang....fast :)


10. The Beach...



I hope that everyone has the most wonderful New Years!

Remember...

"Don't pursue happiness -- create it"

"Your future is whatever you make of it, so make it a good one."

"Do not let great ambitions overshadow small success."

We can do this people.
We are the only ones with the power to change anything.
One life, one choice.

Woohoo!
Sassy & Thin in 2010!!
Yeah baby!!!

Perfect 10

Let me rehash yesterday and my plan for today before I get into the Perfect 10 Challenge.

Yesterday I did really well, I think. My calories were just at 1500, because I got REALLY hungry when I got home. I worked out for 15 minutes on the Elliptical (180 calories), 10 minutes run/walking (50 calories) and 10 minutes biking (50 calories). That puts my caloric deficit at 1130. I really want to get it up to 1600, but I'm happy with anything about 1000. 1000 calorie a day deficit would mean about a 2 lb loss per week, and 1600 calories a day deficit would be about a 3 lb loss.

Today I'm going to go to the gym and lift weights for a good 30 minutes, then run...I really need to run at LEAST 2 miles. I know I can do this. Then I really want to push myself to do another 30 minutes on the elliptical. Even if it is a lite workout, that is fine. If I do that I will burn ~700 calories through exercise. Food wise I have had a V8 Splash, a banana, and an orange ((240 cals))...for lunch I brought a microwave dinner that is 280 cals, and for dinner tonight I will have another microwave dinner that will be no more than 300ish cals. I will probably also have some sugar free hot coco in a min, so 60 cals. If I stuck with that plan I would have a 2000 cal deficit today, woot! I'm gonna shoot for that!

Okay, now for something exciting! The Perfect 10 Challenge! You can see the challenge here if you are interested.

So, what are my goals?

1. Have at least a 1000 calorie deficit every day.
2. Run, no matter how short a distance, 5 days a week.
3. Weight train 3 days a week.
4. Drink 6 bottles of water per day.
5. Fast for 24 hours, twice a week (these will be my off days for exercise.)
6. Post my progress every day on my blog.
7. Weigh in every Friday.
8. Do 100 crunches after waking up, and 100 crunches before going to bed at least 5 days a week.
9. Eat a serving of fruits and a serving of vegetables every day.
10. Get 8 hours of sleep every night.

So, there it is! While these goals officially start Friday, I'm trying to implement them now. Wish me luck everybody. I'll be keeping you posted :)

New Name and Inspiration

So, I needed a new name for my blog for 2010. Candy suggested, "Sassy & Thin in 2010" I like it, so I stole it! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha! But really, it is fun. Also stole the calendar idea from Deliberate Life, Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

In case you didn't understand, that is my evil laugh, lol.

Yesterday I stayed within 1500 calories, but I only ran 1/2 a mile as exercise. I'm still happy.

Today I am actually going to come in pretty low on my calories after dinner. Gonna hit around 1100 cals. Candice and I took a 30 minute walk earlier, and in an hour or so I'm gonna go to the gym for a good hard workout of some running and elliptical work. I'm pretty excited. Also going to weigh myself, which is really scary, but whatever.

So, I found the dress I'm aiming for, the dress I'm gonna wear that is gonna knock everyone socks off!

Drum roll please..................................



Here are a couple of websites that have really inspired me to work out today...oh, and they've inspired me to try and save up some money, lol:

http://www.daddyos.com/
http://bettyjane.com.au/index.php?p=home

Have a great day everyone!

More from yesterday..

Okay, so I wanted to type a lot more last night, but my husband was literally staring over my shoulder. Don't get me wrong, he can read anything I write here...but, when I'm writing I get into cheesy Olivia mode, and I would be embarrassed if someone actually watched while I wrote. I asked him if he was gonna read it...he said no, but shortly after he was like, "you drank coffee??" Okay, so yeh...this is kind of an extension of yesterday...

Yesterday I felt so victorious! What a difference one little day can make. I managed to eat well through out the day, and then when I got home I got out of the car, didn't even go inside my house, and went for a run. (It was sunny outside so I didn't want to go on the treadmill, and am avoiding the path at work because I'm scared of the deer, hehe.) I ran 1.95ish miles (sorry, I'm rounding it up to 2 miles)...and on the last 1/8 of a mile I sprinted. I just pushed and pushed and pushed. Was a very good workout!

Why after such a good feeling would I go back to my slovenly ways? It makes no sense, but I know that temptation is always there, so I have to be aware of it.

That brings me to a point I've been meaning to discuss...

A few days ago, when I got to work, a friend of mine left a comment on my instant messanger. He had left it the day before after reading some of my blog, especially the stuff about the 12 step stuff. Hopefully he doesn't mind me posting his comment here.

I just noticed your blog and read some. You are brave for putting that all out there. Yes, men are emotioanl eaters too, I sure am. I also do think that the addiction model works when emotional eating is involved as it does for alcohol. Both are ingested to change the way one feels - a sure indicator of addiction. AA tells new people not to get too wrapped up in the why (emotions), they tell you to just accept it and focus on what Jung called a rearrangement of the mind. Basically, you just need change everything and become something new. Here is a pretty good explanation: http://www.nautis.com/2004/08/node-89

The link he sent me was to an article. The most import part of which, in my mind, was the following;

"When Roland reportedly asked Jung if there was any sure way for an alcoholic to recover — truly recover, Jung is quoted as saying, “Yes, there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me these are phenomena. They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them. In fact, I have been trying to produce some such emotional rearrangement within you. With many individuals the methods which I employed are successful, but I have never been successful with an alcoholic of your description.”

It seems that Jung’s pronouncement that the only hope for Roland was a “spiritual experience” was the final straw in Roland’s treatment. He was deflated to the point of “giving up.” As a result he had the 'rearrangement'..."

A few things stand out to me here...

• AA tells new people not to get too wrapped up in the why (emotions), they tell you to just accept it and focus on what Jung called a rearrangement of the mind.
• They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them.

I wish there was a recipe that would prompt this 'rearrangement', that would change my 'motives'. I read the wiki on Analytical Psychology, Jungian Archetypes and Individuation...and let me tell you, my head is hurting. I need to explore myself.

The part about, "AA tells new people not to get too wrapped up in the why (emotions)," Maybe there is something to this, and I plan to really investigate this thought. It is hard for me to conceive the idea that I can accept the way something is, and still change...no rearrange...it. That means you never really get rid of the temptation...something else just takes priority.

Again, something I just need to think on...I think there is something here. Acceptance and what not. I did find this poem, and somehow it made something click...somehow it helped me understand the kind of acceptance I need in order to choose to give priority to what I want in life...

The Guest House - By Rimi

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

So, today I'm gonna try to do it again! I will be victorious! :) So far I had my Omelet Thinger (a bunch of veggies over egg beaters and some cheese). The good thing is I made it even healthier than usual by using very light butter (25 calories), and fat free cheese (35 calories)....it brought the whole thing to a total of about 150 calories.

Okay, think I'm gonna sneak back into bed for a bit and hug my hubby. I hope you all have a great day.

OH! almost forgot. I really wanted to thank everyone who has been commenting. I feel very flattered and motivated that people I respect, and read their blog almost every day, actually take their time to stop by and comment. Kinda feels like meeting a celebrity or something, hehe.

Victory!

That is right, I feel victorious over one single day....and it feels GREAT!

Food for today:

Cheese Stick - 60 Calories

Coffee w/Creamer - 125 Calories

Salad - 150 Calories

Chips - 130 Calories

Hot Chocolate - 50 Calories

Dinner - 500 Calories

Peanut Butter/Celery - 200 Calories

Total - 1215 Calories

And, I ran 2 miles. :)

So yeh, feel pretty awesome...but very sleepy. Will write more tomorrow.

Waking UP

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wake up? Where you say, 'WTF have I been DOING!?" It is like you were under a fog or something, or even under the influence of drugs. I have a week every month (ladies, you know what I'm talking about) where I seem to get lost, and the day I finally wake up feels soooooo good! It also makes me feel ashamed, but I'm not gonna waist my time dwelling on that.

Talked to Candice today, and she told me it has been 60 days since she binged or overate. Holy COW! SIXTY DAYS! That is such a HUGE accomplishment. She just keeps going, and she is seeing those results. I have to admit I'm jealousy, but here's a little secret...jealousy is great fuel for a fat person like myself :) It really makes me get my butt in gear.

I will write more later today, I PROMISE! But, I just wanted to get that out there.

Don't give up on me world,
but even if you do,
I'm not going to give up on myself.

What should I title this?

Titles are overrated anyway!

Oh Mondays, how I love them! Fresh starts! A new week! Yay!

This week I need to run 2 miles...and I'm setting the bar higher...EVERY DAY!
This week I am going to stay under 1500 calories...EVERY DAY!
This week I am going to take breaks at work and take 30 min walks...EVERYDAY!
This week I am going to do my ab workout...EVERYDAY!
This week I am going to do weight training FOUR times instead of three.
This week I am going to take a 30 min walk in the evening...EVERYDAY!
This week I am going to type a blog entry before bed...EVERYDAY!

That's right people, this week I'm going to push it!!!
I WILL NOT start 2010 weighing more than 200 pounds.
In fact, I'd really like to be closer to 195 by the beginning of the year.

Yesterday we went to Galveston, to the strand, and had lunch. Then we walked around to all the shops. I had so much fun! More fun than I have EVER had walking around the strand...and I realized why! Because whenever I used to walk around the strand I would get tired! And grumpy! I always just thought I hated shopping, lol. But no, I just hated moving at all, because I was too big. These last 15-20 pounds really have made a big difference. :)

Okay, hopefully knowing I have to post later tonight will keep me honest through the day :)

Have a good one!