Joining the Thin Club

Expert Elimination

Yup, you read it right.  This is about what happens sometimes when you DON'T eat right...and what goes in does NOT come out.  It's a dieter's dilemma.  What I do...

Yes, I really DO keep prunes around (that's a trick my momma taught me) but they are sugary and cause me to have sugar cravings.  I opt for a supplement called Reneu that er...flushes my system out.  That and at least one salad a day - along with protein (and for goodness sake CUT the carbs - bread, potatoes, rice - they all act like intestinal GLUE - don't eat em!).

AND exercise AND Omega 3 fish pills and plenty of water...and detox tea - Celestial Seasonings makes a good one.  Remember - it's all about the fiber - and keeping the stuff in an "uncompacted" state while it's in your system.  Follow this simple advice and hopefully the outcome will be er...satisfactory.

Like Mother Like Daughter: Be an Exercise Expert Role Model

Last night I was feeling particularly bloaty after eating a bit more than I should have.  Instead of vegging out in front of my computer screen and "tweeting" my distress to the masses, I opted to work out in front of my television set with my new toy - called Kettlebell.  The Kettlebell looks like it should be attached to a chain gang - it's a big steel ball with a steel loop on top.  You exercise with it by swinging it (carefully - this thing weighs 12 lbs - some weigh MORE - and has the capacity to do SERIOUS damage) over your head, through your legs, using your core strength to make sure you don't throw your back out or wreck your knees or clock yourself in the process.

My 16-year old daughter walked in and announced, "I feel fat, I think I'll work out too," and she proceeded to devise a cross training type of workout using the treadmill and mat exercises - in intervals. 

I remember when I was her age.  The television (not exercise videos) and a bag full of bagels were my way of detoxing after a tough day!  My mother would agonize over my weight problem - but I never saw her exercise or make an effort to really address her own weight issues.  It's a question of "Do as I do," and it works - it really does!  Go Casey!  I was proud to see her sweating, grunting and working hard along with me.  And I'm even prouder to say that long after I gave up and hit the showers, she was still going strong at her workout.

Personal Roadblocks

I was having an awesome weekend with a group of female friends.  It was a love-fest - a sleepover with great (healthy) food, fun, dishing...you know, girlfriend stuff.  Then one girl overstepped her boundaries, and I felt my claws come out.  I snapped at her.  My fur was just ruffled.  Is it because I'm a Leo?  It was a small transgression - but I felt that she was "moving in" on my territory.  OK, maybe it was compounded by the fact that she had been chattering endlessly about herself ad nauseam for hours and I just didn't want to hear her voice anymore...and one small push on her part to commandeer the conversation was the straw that broke the camel's back.

What made me do it?  I felt instantly bad.  But not bad enough to apologize to her.  Bad enough to cause a whole lot of introspection.  I realize that some button had been pushed in ME.  And I wanted to know what that hot button was.  So I wouldn't do it again.

A part of me hates the fact that I was weak - and that I reacted the way I did.  It was momentary and she and I  got over it fast.  We parted friends.  But I became aware that there was something there that I needed to address in myself.  And Iknow that I will call her tonight to beg forgiveness and to make amends.  Because I had no right to wreck her time at my home.  That was inhospitable of me.

Being a responsible adult is hard.  We have to face tough images sometimes when we look in the mirror.  It's like being overweight.  You can only fool yourself until a certain point when you haven't been "good."  Then you notice the inch that is hanging over your waistband.  And the fullness of your face after a week or two of carb indulgence.  At some point we have to take the rap for who we are.  And fix the problem.  By introspecting.  Apologizingg.  And promising ourselves, and when others are concerned, them too, to do better next time.

Here is a sweet treat from the Splenda website.  Enjoy!  http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dfpf4324_198c8dqdhfh

Diet Sabotage - and Sabotage in General

You have been "good" all day long.  You woke up early and exercised.  You made careful food choices.  You even watched your portion control.  Now it is 8 PM and you find yourself plowing through three bags of microwave popcorn.  "Just one more handful," you promise yourself.  But something's wrong.  One is just not enough.  It's Diet Sabotage!

Why do we engage in self-destructive behavior.  What makes it impossible to pull the plug on ourselves?  What's going on????

The battle raging under the surface goes something like this.  As I reach for the popcorn, a little part of me is saying, "You are not worthy of being thin.  You don't deserve the nice clothes and compliments.  You never did have self-control.  You're a sham!"

Sabotage occurs when subconscious doubts take over our conscious decisions.  It happens all too often.  And usually it is so subtle that we don't realize it's happening.  Sabotage is not confined to the diet arena.  It happens in all aspects of our lives.  Whenever we have underlying doubts about our "worthiness."

Susie, a New York banker, had been dating an infectious disease doctor from Worcester, MA., a man who resembled a short Al Pacino.  He wooed her for six months, then dumped her, accusing her of flirting with other men.  She was sad, but life continued and she started to date again.  One month later she met a woman who told her that the handsome doctor had been living with her the entire time he was dating Susie.  She became furious.  She swallowed her anger, realizing there was no going back and no getting even.  And in the meantime, she met a man who truly loved her and told her so from the get-go.  Slowly, Susie learned to trust again.  Her new love gave her everything she wanted and then some.  It was superior in every way to her former relationship.  And just as she committed to an exclusive relationship with the new love, she found herself consumed with anger for Dr. Doom!  She is obsessed with the idea of confronting him - outing him to the world - letting everyone know what a horrible man he was for two-timing her!

Why is she even THINKING about him now?  The same reason your diet doubts  make you reach for popcorn.  There is an underlying cause.  You are programmed to punish.  You are convinced you are unworthy of the healthy relationship - whether it be with men or with food.

Exercise for the day - repeat to yourself - I AM worth the very best.  I DESERVE the very best.  Believe it.  Then live it.  And put the popcorn/chocolate/or photo of Dr. Two-Timing scuzbag, where it belongs - in the trash!

Dementor Diet Drug Recalled

So the big diet news of the day is that Acomplia, a new diet drug that was being tested in human trials, was recalled today - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27562008/.  The drug was recalled after the European Medicines Agency said its risks — depression, anxiety and stress disorders — outweighed its benefits.

What does this say about the center of the brain that controls appetite?  Think about it...the medication worked because it sucked the pleasure out of eating.  But eating IS a pleasure - we do it not just to fuel our bodies, but to delight ourselves.  When you take that away, depression takes over.

When the Dementor drugs suck the joy out of you - and take away your ability to enjoy the food you eat, maybe it's time to rethink things - find joy in things other than food...Sex is a good outlet - especially if you've got a partner.  And so is kickboxing (also helps to have a partner for that - although a punching bag does me just fine).  Yoga is a wonderful pleasure inducer.  As are good friends - especially when you aren't huddled around a table or in front of a TV chowing down.  So what do YOU do to pleasure your brain when eating is not an option?  I vote for Natural Healing!

Dating and Eating: Food + Attitude

"She sat there and ordered lamb chops," my date recalled about a former date.  "She sucked the bones dry, licked her fingers, and then and there, I knew I'd never go out with her again."

I daintily dabbed at my mouth with the cloth napkin, grateful that I had only ordered a salad.  I would have smiled but I was concerned that some lettuce might have lodged between my two lower front teeth, so I excused myself, mouth fused shut, and went to the ladies room to fix my smile.

So many food issues emerge when you are dating.  From the very first date, the questions are serious and can dictate whether the relationship is workable or a no-go.  One potential date suggested that we meet at a diner for coffee.  "I would take you to dinner but I'm on a fixed budget," he explained.  "Dinner is for a SECOND date."  Ah, but with that attitude there was to be no FIRST date.  Sorry, Mister!

If you do make it to dinner on a first date, the new issue is what to order and how to satisfy yourself without looking piggy.  Should you offer to pay if you're the female and you were asked out (NO!!!) and what level restaurant do you take a first date to, if you are the gentleman.  An expensive restaurant is excessive if you are dating someone you may not like (an online date with a deceptive photo, for instance).  But taking them to a cheapo diner means, "I have no class, just chutzpah."  If I were the inviter, I would just go to a place that I enjoyed - and I would go to enjoy the food.  If the date turns out to be nice - well, that is a wonderful bonus.  But so many men see the date as a quid pro quo, not an opportunity to enjoy good food and break some bread.  A pity!

And subsequent food issues emerge - like the lamb chops story - HOW you enjoy your food says volumes to someone who may be wanting to share your dinner table for the rest of your life.

For the dating dieter, food compatibility becomes a factor in whether or not this relationship has legs (or should I say "pulkas?".  Is this man someone I can eventually share every meal with?  If he is a french fries and is supersize kinda guy, and I am a weight watcher, there are some serious potential problems.  I have a tendency to gain weight when I am dating someone who is not as food conscious as me.  His bad habits tend to influence me.  If he is sedentary, carbo-driven and hates vegetables, chances are, if I want to look and feel my best, chances are we will never be able to share a pantry or refrigerator.  If he's the type of guy who only enjoys going out to eat, and opts out of a nice long walk or kickboxing session, suggesting couch potato activities instead, I may get bored in the long run. 

And if you're wondering how the lamb chops guy fared...alas, he spilled cappucino all over his tie, got angry when I didn't order dessert, and leered at my legs when I got up to go to the bathroom.  Nexxxxxt!

Weather is Changing - GREEN TEA TIME!

Tonight is probably our first really cold night.  I have been biting the bullet about turning on the heat--trying to squeeze a few dollars out of what I know will be an horrific home heating bill.  And with the shrinking economy, I just can't afford the warmth.  But cold weather intuitively drives me to eat as my body tries to go into hibernation mode.  "I am NOT a groundhog!" I tell myself as I eye the carbs.  I don't want to eat the extra portion but a part of me, shivering, screams, "FEED ME!!"

So I fill up my hot water maker and load cup after cup of green tea.  And when I get my body temp back up to semi-normal, I will hop on the treadmill, crank up the music and force myself to work up a sweat.   I will also prepare to go to bed a tad earlier than I have been.  Studies show that  lack of sleep can cause a body to overeat.  Lack of exercise certainly causes the pounds to accumulate.  So hopefully, my formula will, at the very least, stave off winter weight gain.  Even if I do keep the thermostat at record lows!  Stay warm everyone!

Forced Motivation

OK, these Jewish holidays have done me in.  Honey cake, chocolate cookies, breads--red meat--I've relaxed my eating habits and I've indulged in excess of what my body can handle.  I admit it.  And now I am starting to feel the jiggle when I wiggle.  NOT a good feeling.  In fact, it's a downright ICKY feeling!  And in spite of the jiggle, or perhaps BECAUSE of it, I force myself to exercise.

The good news is, that when you've gained a couple of pounds and you exercise, it is like exercising with weights--jiggly weights, but that stuff oozing off your middle as you do jumping jacks--it's like wearing a weight belt.  You burn more calories.  And that only works for you, if you eat right before and after your exercise session.  And don't create still MORE jiggle!

Motivation these days is forced but I'm proud to say I do it anyway.  The last thing I felt like doing today - after having a day full of extra nibbles yesterday, was hit the gym.  But I keep in mind that every effort in a positive direction, keeps me from sliding into the negative.  The body, like the soul, seeks to either forge ahead or backslide.  I choose to forge ahead.

My next order of business will be to address the WHY...why am I backsliding?  Why am I tempted to eat things that I generally eschew?  What is driving me into reverse.  Life is a constant shuffle.  But I know I prefer to stay in forward motion.  It feels better overall.  I have less aches, and my clothing fits better.  And frankly, weight belt or not, jumping jacks feel better when I'm lean and mean, not jiggly Judy!

Trickle Down Economics (Prayer is My Solution)

In spite of all the economic turmoil facing the world, I was doing OK.  Until today, when the trickle down theory was set in motion, and a long-time client informed me that she can no longer afford to keep me as her PR consultant.  Now I suppose the news should have been shattering.  I am a single mom with a home and family to support.  Every client counts.  But here is a bizarre thing—I find myself almost glad and I thank G-d because I see that it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.

 

As an Orthodox Jew, I know that in two days I will be renewing my vows to G-d—pledging to let all my efforts culminate in transforming me into a better person.  I will stand before Him and whisper each word of prayer, pleading not only for myself, but for the world to recognize that every morsel He grants us is a blessing.  I will pray for sustenance, health and happiness.  Now I will pray that much harder.  I will pray for survival.

 

For those of us who believe in a Higher Power, when catastrophic economic turmoil hits, we know it is no coincidence.  It says in the Ethics of Our Fathers (Pirkei Avot) that economic disaster is a direct result of lack of charity and giving—lack of recognition of the hand that feeds us.  It isn’t the banks, the hedge funds and the stock market that fuel the economy.  It’s a confluence of factors that can only come from one supernatural force.

 

The fact that this is happening in the period of time that preceded Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is an omen, and something to be taken very seriously.  Not just by Jews, who will be heading into their respective Houses of Prayer to sing and cry to G-d, but by everyone.  The disaster is global.  The scope is as tragic and frightening as was 9/11 – which also happened in that same Jewish time period.  Are you scared?  You should be.  Now is a time to introspect, to increase charitable donations (even if you feel the pinch), to look beyond ourselves and try to reach out to others.  We emulate G-d when we open our hands and give to others.

 

I’m not a Rabbi and I try not to preach religion to those who don’t believe.  But today, as world events begin to affect MY world and MY life, I have a choice.  I can feel insecure and helpless.  Or I can understand the nature of the message that has been sent to me and share it.  My prayers will be that much more soulful as a result of the crisis which has finally affected me directly.  And for that I am grateful.  THAT is a blessing.  I will pray with vigor that I may not have had otherwise.  And even as I pray—I am confident and secure that G-d will somehow provide for me.  He has always taken care of my needs.  May all our prayers be answered this year, and may the world understand that money is only as powerful as the person who uses it to bring sustenance, health and joy to others.

Choices

Do you CHOOSE to be fat?

Sounds crazy, right?  I mean, in this day and age, with all we know about health and wellness -- and with Hollywood influencing us to look our skinny best, how could ANYONE choose to be fat!

But being fat is as much of a choice as being thin.  Once we acknowledge that, we can no longer blame food, lack of willpower, a wedding, party or occasion, our genes or our jeans for our pudgy appearance.  Step one of any weight loss program is to take a good look in the mirror, check the waistband of our pants or skirt, and take RESPONSIBILITY for the choices we make every day to either lose weight, maintain our weight or GAIN weight.

Once we realize that the choice is really in our own hands, we can take control of our life.  Now, I'm not saying that there are not situations that are out of our control.  Certainly, there are.  But within the parameters of what we can control (and eating right and exercising most definitely falls within those choice parameters), we can't throw up our hands and blame the world.

NO VICTIMS ALLOWED HERE!  Remember, it's Mind Over Milkshakes!  Good luck ALL!