Monday, April 12, 2010

Style Over Substance



Well I did go scale shopping over the weekend, and had no trouble picking one out. We found them in several stores, and it seems that everyone had them on clearance. I guess the rush of New Year's dieters had passed, and the extra overstock was on sale! I did not go for a fancy scale with any kind of memory or charting or whatever. I just picked one that shows my weight. And I picked it because it was just SO cute! I love the design. This scale shows I've lost a few more pounds over last week, but I don't know if it's really weight loss, or just weighing on a new scale. I'm going to wait until one more weigh-in before I change my ticker to show my progress.

Still going gluten free, although I'm disappointed in the results as far as my skin issues go. No improvements, zero, nothing. Today is just as bad as any other day- itchy, scaly, burning. So I don't think I have a gluten sensitivity as I had suspected, and I'm not sure what the next step will be for my skin. I do admit I am feeling a lot better overall these last two weeks, with a lot more energy. I suspect it has more to do with giving up the junk food. I do still snack, but since I gave up gluten, I rarely have processed foods and try to keep the carbs to a minimum. Now instead of munching on crackers, I am eating nuts and dried fruit. I have been taking at least three fruits to work with me every day- normally an apple, an orange, and grapes. And even though I'm still not crazy for yogurt, I am finding flavors that I like that are marked "gluten free". And now when I get my daily craving for crunchies- instead of hitting the vending machines for cookies or chips- I've been carrying a little bag of dry cereal- rice cereal, of course, since it's gluten free.

And, as always, I am trying very hard right now to watch my portion sizes.

At home we've been making changes as well. Our kitchen counter is loaded down with fresh fruit. No chips in the pantry. No ice cream- not even the low fat Weight Watchers brand- in the freezer. And we are eating fresh vegetables at dinner, instead of boxed potato mixes or frozen concoctions with sauces. I am getting to the point where I really enjoy having a giant salad for dinner instead of meat and starches. Not to say I don't miss mac & cheese, or that I don't crave a hot dog.

I am still trying to find the right balance. I know my gluten free experiment is probably not going to continue after another 2-3 weeks, and while I plan to continue with the way I am eating right now, I also plan to have some whole wheat carbs again- I have really missed my high fiber cereals! But of course they are all whole wheat, and a gluten no-no.

I haven't seen a number on the scale start with a '1' since, oh, maybe 2006. So right now my goal is to get below 200 and if I can do that, it will be monumental for me. I am so close right now, but still have a lot of hard work ahead of me. Of us. Because James and I are a team, and however I cook at home, however I shop at the grocery store, will ultimately improve his health as well.

Sandy


Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Scaling Back

Well, still scaling back on the gluten, that is. And I can't say that so far I've seen any improvements with my skin ailments. However, I did commit to go gluten free for at least one month, and I'm not going to give up so soon, after less than two weeks. It has certainly NOT hurt me at all to give up the processed snacks and junk food, even if I'm still itching and scratching away.

But I will be upgrading my actual scale very soon. The scale we've been using for the last few years met with an unfortunate accident over the weekend- no I didn't get mad at it and drop kick it. So this weekend I will be scale shopping. I have been looking at a few models online. I know that scales now have some really cool features, almost like mini computers, where they can record and save all your weigh-ins and even (supposedly) calculate body fat. I'm not sure I need all of those extras- I don't have a problem with weighing and recording it on my calendar by hand. Well, I have a problem with the results, but no scale on the market is going to just show me what I want it to, without me doing the hard work to earn it.

I am happy to report that before my scale bit the dust, I had already lost the few pesky vacation pounds I brought home with me. I give credit to giving up the snacks, because that's the only thing that has changed with me lately. With my ongoing leg muscle issues, I still struggle to get any exercise in. I look forward to the day when that will no longer be a reason (or excuse) for me to be able to get on the treadmill every single day! The time change and warmer weather lately has encouraged James and I to play basketball in the evenings after work. James more than me, but I stink at it anyhow. But, even so, I get more exercise chasing the ball after all my missed shots than I do standing in one spot shooting!

Catch up with you all soon!

(137.5- right! Not any time soon! And not for the last 20 years!!!)

Sandy