Things I learned or Accomplished on Vacation

Posted on 27 July, 2010 by Renée

1) I read an entire book. In Four Days. that may not seem a big deal to some of you but I never read anymore. I try to read whilst communting and I’m generally too tired and I fall asleep. Same for right-before-bed reading. It’s over in like three minutes. (Go ahead, ask me what I read :) )

2) I thoroughly and honestly enjoyed several days at the beach. Just relaxing. I don’t relax well, but this vacation I did!

3) I learned that my body isn’t so “bad” after all.

4) I ate whatever I wanted, including the “good” and the “bad” things. I found myself craving more vegetables and less french fries.

5) I ate ice cream. This is a big deal since I seem to have issues with lactose at times (though not yoghurt, not buttermilk, but some cheeses and I thought ice cream).

6) I laughed with my hubs and stepkids A LOT. This was a fairly stress-free vacation. The kids are getting older and we are all more relaxed with each other now. Took a few years.

7) I gained so much more appreciation for my stepkids, who are extremely well-behaved. I know all parents say this, but I’m telling you, I have seen and heard so many unacceptable (IMHO) things coming from other children around me. Kids who could probably get away with murder and their parents wouldn’t do crap about it.

8 ) I’m lucky too that they will eat just about anything. No picky eaters means we could try several new things and everyone was enthusiastic!

9) Fruit is so tasty and delicious. Better than any junk food!

10) I’ve seen more boobs that I ever really wanted to see. Unfortunately not one nice pair. Not even the fake perky ones. I will never go topless again – I just don’t think it’s necessary and it’s just not really pleasant to look at. Some of you bloggers may disagree with me and that’s ok.

11) Greek salad is the best invention ever.

12) I really, truly LOVE the dry heat. I miss this most of all. Greece is freaking HOT.

13) There really is nothing better than an ice cold beer in a glass that’s been in the freezer on a bloody hot day.

14) I like the beach more than the pool, despite having sand everywhere. I would love the pool if there were not 37 annoying people there and I could actually swim.

15) Pop music works best on the beach – thank you Kylie Minogue and your new album for being there on my holiday! (I’m not ashamed to admit it! I heart Kylie!)

The 30 Day No Scale Challenge

Posted on 26 July, 2010 by Renée

As I mentioned, I’m taking part in Alan’s 30 Day No Scale Challenge.

I weighed in on Sunday, 25th of July, as the challenge indicated at 79.7KG or 175 lbs for you non-metric people. This is, in fact, the same weight as last week, not even one ounce off or on. Earlier in the week I was down almost a pound, but then of course I had my chocolate fest and drank a butt-load of wine this weekend so that didn’t really help me stay on the downward trend.

Let me first say, I’m cool with 79.7KG for several reasons, but the most important reasons are 1) It’s under 80, even if by only 300 grams, it’s under 80, which is a good milestone for me (last time I went to New Mexico, for example, four years ago, I weighed 101KG) and 2) There’s actually nothing wrong with 79.7KG. I feel good, I feel healthy, I feel like I’m getting stronger every day. So. That’s fine.

Alan suggested that we hide our scale or give it to a friend. I’m not going to do that. I want to be able to stop myself from getting on the scale and the only way I can do that is to keep it around. It’s high up so I have to make an effort to take it down and I am sure I’ll be able to stop myself, should the desire be there within the next month.

Alan also suggested that we make a few notes about what worries us most and be mindful and make notes afterwards on how the experience is. He is so right when he said:

Keep in mind this challenge is not about the “number” at the end of the 30 days. Its about learning to live without letting the scale dictate how we feel about ourselves. Its about looking in the mirror and feeling good because you fit into those jeans that were once small on you, or noticing some new muscle definition, or just thinking to yourself WOW I look great today.

I totally believe in this statement! The past several months, I have been working on myself with the idea that the number is NOT the most important thing in all of this. There are so many other important factors. I’m all about my clothes fitting nicely, reaching my fitness goals, setting new goals and pushing the limits.

But I do worry sometimes. Of course I do. I worry that if I don’t keep an eye on it, I can easily let it get out of control. It only took 2 days back at work to send me to the candy jar. What if I don’t weigh myself? What else can I do to make sure that I at the very least maintain this weight that I’ve worked pretty hard to get to in the last year and a half?

I can keep working on my fitness.
I can track my daily intake.
I can be mindful of my stress moments.
I can do everything in my power to make my time work for me (and not give my time away unnecessarily).

I don’t really need the scale to tell me that I am doing some pretty amazing stuff here! So 30-Day Challenge, Bring it On!!!

You Want This Smoothie

Posted on 25 July, 2010 by Renée

Really. It’s so freaking delicious. I’ll even tell you the Weight Watchers ProPoints Values (according to the plan here) and convert it from metric to imperial since you guys in North America ~~have issues and are too lazy to google the conversion~~ have different measurements from us here! ;-)

Frozen Blueberries (I used approx 80g or nearly 3oz.):

they don’t have to be frozen, but it helps give the smoothie a more “milkshake” type effect

One Banana:

(optional) about 80g/ nearly 3oz. of fresh strawberries:
If you have an extremely ripe banana, you don’t really need the strawberries for sweetness

12 almonds. Really. Just 12.

250ml or 8.5oz. of Buttermilk. Yes. Buttermilk. (Karnemelk voor de Nederlanders, zoals je ziet)

Blend it up with a hand blender. Or a normal blender. You choose.

Pour into a handy drinking device:

Drink & Enjoy:

If you have trouble with fruit, *ahem* Mr. Rontastic, maybe you could try this to get a few of your fruits in.And who doesn’t love something that tastes like a milk shake anyway???

Weight Watchers ProPoints value: 4 (plus you get your dairy, some healthy fat/protein and fruit in one go)

Everything is fine. So What’s Wrong?

Posted on 24 July, 2010 by Renée

I’ve officially been home from my Greek vacation for one week now.

It was only Wednesday that I had to go back to work, so I even had a few days to get used to being home again.

Yesterday, quite late in my work day (since I was late anyway) I felt like I could eat my weight in chocolate and then made an attempt to do so.

I thought about Mary’s Post regarding Guilt Over Food, and that I commented that I don’t feel guilty when I make choices that are not exactly on my plan. And this is the truth. I don’t feel guilty. But I couldn’t understand WHY I chose to go a bit crazy at the end of the day with the chocolate.

I mean, what was it?

Was I Hungry? Yes. A bit.
Was I angry? No.
Was I lonely? No.
Was I tired? Yes, most definitely.
Was I stressed? Yes. A bit.

I slept like crap from Tuesday night onwards. I don’t know why – the anticipation of going back to work, the heat and thinking/wondering about the new kitten we picked up on Sunday may have been what was causing me to not be relaxed. This lack of sleep thing really, really kills me and I don’t know what to do about it.

I have mentioned it several times; I live very far away from my job and travel a minimum of 4 hours a day return trip. I have to get up by around 5 – 5.30am on a normal work day to be to work by 9. Normally we leave the house at 6.30. I am one of those people who need that time in the morning to be calm and relaxed or my day is not set up for success. So there is no rushing. Rushing creates stress which creates a bad mood. I know myself well enough now in my nearly 42 years that I need to take it easy in the morning. During the day at work I have fun but I have stress too. I have people pulling me in all different directions. I’m new-ish (2 years) in my role and am still learning how to lead and manage people every day. This takes a lot of energy. I promised myself at the beginning of 2009 that I would not work any overtime anymore because it was just too much. For the most part I’ve really succeeded in that. But this week alone, just Weds – Friday I did nearly 5 extra hours. That’s almost another working day. No wonder I’m tired!

I also have a meloncholic feeling about returning to work. I love traveling and being on vacation but my bank account doesn’t love it for too long. So I have to go back. I half-jokingly asked Hubs if I could stay home and be a housewife while he worked and went to school. Of course he would get the benefits of a clean house, home cooked meals and a wife who wasn’t passing out within two seconds when her head hit the pillow. We know the reality though. I have to work.

I have thought about getting another job, here where I live, but this thought makes me unhappy. I love the company I work for, my job is OK (I’m pretty OK at it for a newbie), I really enjoy the extras I get to participate in, I love my colleagues.

We have wanted to move from here for a long time, but that’s also not in the cards right now.

So this is my reality.

Little sleep, lots of train rides, little time to myself, little time to dedicate to family and friends.

Everything is fine. I’m happy in general. I’m working on my health and I’m feeling good about results. I have a great Hubs, stepkids and friends.

So what’s wrong?

Why did I immediately go back to old, non added-value habits, already yesterday? Why??

I could say that it doesn’t matter why. I could say I learned something from it. I could say I’ve moved on.

But I’m feeling a little bit down. Even after getting back into the swing of things again. After a run this week. After two good sessions at the gym this week. I feel a bit empty.

I would like to feel that excitement again. I am going to think about some things I would like to acheive in the coming month. Something to put a fire under my arse, something to put some structure in my day and week (because structure is VERY important when you have little time). Something to shift my focus away from the things I can NOT change right now.

In the meantime, I AM participating in Alan’s 30 Day No Scale Challenge! I really want to participate in this to really train myself away from measuring success only by what the scale says. I have managed to go a few weeks, but never a month. So let’s see how we do!

Now for your viewing pleasure, some trip highlights:

Knossos

On the coastal Road

Windmill

Stopping off for Frapp’s at Starbucks Heraklion

Practising Pin-Up

Sunny, Sandy, Freckled

T and Me at our favourite Restaurant, on the beach

By the palm tree

The “Four Little Fonzies”

Beautiful Blogger (more awards – better late than never)

Posted on 21 July, 2010 by Pinky @lowfatpie

The lovely River has bestowed upon me the

So sweet considering I happen to think she is quite beautiful herself.

Of course with any award there are rules: As I pass this on to 7 other beautiful bloggers I have to tell you 7 things about myself:

1) My favourite smell in the whole wide world is the smell of the rain hitting the dry New Mexico desert. There is *nothing* better. Really. If someone could bottle it and send it to me, I would be very grateful.

2) Because of my eye “issues” I am cross-eyed fairly often – mostly when I’m tired, stressed or, ahem, under the influence of alcohol. I used to be very sensitive about it when people would say something or make a joke, but now I don’t really care.

3) When I was 10 I saw a movie filmed in Paris in the 1950′s and I decided I would learn French and live in Paris when I was all grown up (my reality was Dutch and the Netherlands; close enough).

4) I shop-lifted once. I stole a calligraphy pen from a stationery shop in Las Cruces, NM. I felt so guilty I took the pen back after about an hour.

5) I played the violin in school (starting from age 10) and did so the first two years by ear only (I could not read music).

6) I am obsessed by my eyebrows. I am constantly plucking them. I was told at my makeover in February that my eyebrows were a little thin. Yes, I am *that* older lady who is now filling in her eyebrows.

7) I can parallel park like nobody’s business.

and to the lovelies I would like to give this award further to:

Feed Me I’m Cranky
Eating Journey
Did I just eat that out loud?
Yum Yucky
Fallon’s Healthy Life
Barefoot Angel
Muffin Fixation

You Go, Girls!!

Sugar Doll Blogger Award

Posted on 20 July, 2010 by Renée

Right before I went on my holiday, the Amazing Trina, at Me So Hongry, presented me with the ever-so-awesome Sugar Doll Blogger Award:

As a newly appointed Sugar Doll, I must do the following:
- Thank the recipient…check (wait, does that mean I thank myself? No. Thanks Trina!)
- Link back to the giver…check.
- Reveal 10 things about me

Whoah.

OK. 10 Things you don’t know about me already. Hmmmm.

1- When I was little I wanted to be either a Doctor or a Waitress. True Story.

2- I can imitate accents and some singers quite well. I have an “ear” for these things which is why I do pretty OK in languages and Karaoke Contests.

3- I wore bifocals as a very small child for several years. I had those “coke-bottle bottom” glasses and was picked on quite badly. When I was just about to go into the 7th Grade I told my mother I *had* to have contact lenses or I would kill myself.

4- I should have been an actress. See above dramatics.

5- I did actually do some music theatre. My biggest role? Poopsie in the Pajama Game. Rock on Alamogordo Music Theatre!

6- I once won a week’s admission free at the Looney Tunes Film Festival in Portland, Oregon. I had to imitate my favourite cartoon character. I did the “Bugs Bunny” Dance on stage.

7- I have eaten frog legs, nails, rattlesnake and even “calf fries” (if you don’t know, you may not want to know) and I liked all of them. Don’t give me brussel sprouts though, please, or I will chuck up on the table.

8- I once sported the Sinead O’Connor bald head look. It actually looked ok on me. Hey. It was 1991, don’t laugh.

9- I used to bite my nails. I still have issues occassionally under severe stress that I pick at my cuticles. It’s a nasty habit that everyone notices.

10- I have a younger brother I am not close with at all. I have always wished I had a sister or at least that my brother and I had a good relationship. Because of this I often feel alone, or like an only-child might feel.

And now, a few people I would like to pass this award on to are:

Brooke – Not on a Diet
The Incredible Shrinking Girl
Fat Girl Slim
Half of Jess
comfy*cozy*crazy
See Glam Diet

Thanks again Trina, I think you are also an amazing Sugar Doll!

Beach Bodies

Posted on 19 July, 2010 by Renée

(written from the Beach in Stalida, Crete)

At the beginning of each year, we are blasted with suggestions to “lose weight” and “get fit” because of course we have to look good for Valentine’s Day or Spring Break. Then around March we are blasted with all kinds of diet and exercise tips so that come summer we have the perfect “beach body”.

What is all this noise about perfection and looking good though? I mean, my opinion of what looks good is clearly different than what others’ opinions are. As I sit here on the beach, with a differently shaped body than the last time I “enjoyed” (I didn’t, in fact) a summer holiday, I see nothing more than normal, imperfect people. Skinny, fat, short, tall, blubby, muscley, white, burnt, over-tanned. I make jokes about guys with their bellies hanging over their speedos (a punishable crime in my book), or ladies with ill-fitting bikini tops (did they not look in the mirror?) But you know what? It doesn’t matter!
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What matters is the time spent with family and friends. The belly guy walking hand in hand with his wife, still loving each other after 30 years together. The father building sandcastles with his son, the almost teenager enjoying her time with her family and
building great memories to look back on. Do we need body perfection for this?
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Yes, it’s important to be healthy. Being fit also helps, especially when it comes to playing with your kids, running for a bus, or walking a lot whilst on holiday. Isn’t THAT closer to perfection?

When I see in front of me that no one is perfect (even the body builder who is so tan he’s nearly black) I realise that there is nothing wrong with my body. Sure I could use some tightening up here and there, and according to health calculators I am still in the “overweight” category. But in this world of imperfection I am sitting in the middle of “perfect” – Sun, sea, sand, watching my husband play in the sand with my stepson and hanging out, relaxing on a beachbed with my stepdaughter. What more could I want right now?

I know I will always need to stay focused on my health but this bliss I’m experiencing is WAY better than a number on the scale!

(by the way, the hatred of my legs stopped this vacation. they are really not so bad after all)
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Whatever You Want To Call It

Posted on 3 July, 2010 by Renée

So, hey guys – who listened to Two Fit Chicks Podcast #14 this week? As I love MizFit and Shauna, I of course was very keen on hearing their episode on Intuitive Eating. There were a lot of things they talked about which made a lot of sense, some things I had heard before and some things which I really could relate to. It really got me thinking about the subject.

I am no expert by any means, and really, the only “expertise” I have is knowing what it’s like to be on and off and on and off and on and off track.

What’s this track of which we speak? Lately my mindset has been (thankfully without legal or illegal substances) altered into thinking much, much differently about the “journey” (ugh, someone please come up with a better word; I hate this one!) I’m on to become more fit and healthy and live the best life that I can, accepting my body, my mind, my spirit, essentially my life.

And maybe this is getting off topic a bit, but on top of being on tracks and wagons and various other things, what about cheating? The word “cheat” in itself indicates something negative, like you are not allowed. I mean I’m pretty sure you are not allowed to “cheat” at poker, sports games, tests at school, etc. Is it horrible that the use of this word really makes me crazy?

Or what about saying that one is “bad” or “good” – since when is eating or drinking what you want “bad”, ever? Did you want it? Did you choose it? Are you responsible for it?

When I think of intuitive eating, especially now, I do think of it as being much more mindful in what I have chosen to put into my body. Yes that may very well be 6 pints of lager and 3 shots of Jaegermeister because I’m out with friends on a Friday night. How did I feel doing it? How did I feel the next day? What will I do differently (no more shots, for example) in the future?

Perhaps this also sounds strange but this is why I turned to Weight Watchers in the first place. I know that Shauna really hated the little food planner forms that WW gives us to fill out (and I agree Shauna, there is never enough room on those damn forms!), which is why – when I DO track – I use the online system. Besides, like a true nerd I love all the graphs and charts and numbers and entering my own food items and recipes. I could be very wrong here, but I’m pretty sure Weight Watchers is meant to teach us a few BASIC, FUNDAMENTAL things:

1) PORTION CONTROL
2) MAKING CHOICES
3) EATING FOODS THAT HAVE MORE VALUE THAN OTHERS

Intuitive eating to me is:
1) Eating when you are hungry. Being in tune with real hunger vs. cravings or THIRST
2) Are you craving something? What is it? What made you crave it? Is it EMOTIONAL or PHYSICAL?
3) Are you enjoying what you are eating? Have you noticed how it smells, tastes, what the texture is?

I think once you learn, Weight Watchers style, how to eat, THEN you can start breaking it all down.

It probably sounds VERY strange, but I very rarely have cravings of any kind. I don’t crave chocolate or other sweets for example. CRAVING and WANTING are two different feelings. I would say 99.9% of the time that I WANT chocolate, it’s because of an emotional trigger. STRESS, ANGER, LONLINESS, BOREDOM.

When I eat “bad” foods, I just eat them. I want it, I choose it, I am responsible for it. What I have found is that I am now ENJOYING it rather than shoving it in, eating in secret or going overboard on it (don’t talk to me yet about beer, because I still tend to go overboard when I go out for drinks). So for example, recently we had a special pre-opening event of a new store near my office and I had some brownie samples (maybe half a brownie worth), two bites of lemon cake (didn’t really enjoy it so didn’t eat more of it) and instead of having a frapuccino like I had original planned in my head, I opted for a one-pump sugar free vanilla latte.

This is an amazing feeling of freedom to just TRUST yourself, choose and enjoy.

This is the definition of intuitive eating for me, or whatever you want to call it.

It’s about learning what works and what doesn’t work and working towards something sustainable. If you can not or are not willing to do (or not do) something for the rest of your life, you will go “off track”.

I’m much more relaxed lately about when I reach my goal. I know now that I have to adapt to what is going on RIGHT NOW and TRUST MYSELF so that in the future I am that Healthy Person I want to be.

I’m going on vacation tomorrow. I’m looking forward to updating you all when I get home!

{run} {laugh} {eat pie}

amazing what changes when you start to run

Monthly Archives: July 2010