Get Fit Challenge Vicki's Blog

A Time for Everything

gfcvicki28 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:34:14 +0000

Some 9 months ago the Subway Get Fit Team gathered for the first time. We were all anxious and anticipating elimination from the group. We didn’t know that all of us were the initial Get Fit Team.

The course of this year has been tremendous. I have been taught to learn to eat for nourishment; not because something else is eating me. I know that I have trigger foods that I must be careful to control. I have been twisted and bent in ways that I thought impossible at this time in my life. As a matter of fact a couple of Forum sessions sent us all to an after life, at least for the rest of the weekend.

There have been other times when I have tried to “diet”. It didn’t,t work. And that was the problem, I was dieting.

This has been my time for change. Clearly It was the right time. I was and am in the right place. Weight loss is a wellness program. It can’t be forced. Something has to click. When it does,your time is there and there is no stopping you. (Focus,Rest and Dedication) The rest is testified from the scale.

Turkey success

gfcvicki28 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:03:09 +0000

Well I survived Thanksgiving. After cooking 5 apple pies, 5 potato custards a turkey, hen,ham, potato salad, collard greens, dressing, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, devilled eggs and a cranberry salad for 10 I was no good on Friday. My anticipated workout day ended up being a lazy day. However, since I did remember the last group workout, my consumption was restricted to turkey and ham slices with a few greens and cornbread topped off with Coke Zero and water. Trust me with a Red Velvet and White chocolate cake on display, this was not easy. I know that Red Velvet Cake is a drug to me. All of the cake that was n ot consumed was sent packing with guests. As a matter of fact my daughter had to rush off to work before dinner was finished. She called back Friday asking for Red Velvet Cake. I had to remind her of my journey. There was no way that was going to be left in my house. Coming 1, 2 3 whatever takes were there, spontaneous delivery was made. Maybe by Easter I will be trim and strong enough to handle it–not now.

Our next big event will be our PT test on Saturday. I hope the weather is good. Im amxious to see my comparative results from the original PT test.

The Cookie Monster Attack

gfcvicki28 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:26:56 +0000

After reading many of my teammates blogs, I see they were having the same problem that I experienced last month–sweet cravings. I was determined to maintain my diet regimen. What was the cure? Rice cakes.
They come in all flavors-cheese,chocolate and the ANSWER to the cravings of the cookie monster–caramel drippings. Ummmuh!!! You can buy the bag or the 90 calorie multi bag box. They are so good and SWEET. You can count the calories within your usual 1200 allowance and cure your sweet tooth at the same time.

Pickles for a cure

gfcvicki28 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:15:41 +0000

Okay just as I began to feel better —the present of being a parent-my kid is sick. In the middle of the night as I am getting my good night’s sleep I hear my baby in the bathroom. I stumble awake to tend to her–life has not been the same since. She’s sick and I’m coughing. Okay — the thrills of life. Yesterday I thought she wasn fine. Nope that was wishful thinking. It started over again this morning just as I am once again having a beautiful morning sleep enjoying the first cold of fall.

Now this is when I usually fall apart and reach for things to snack–my means of handling stress (not liquor, not smoking). At that time I remember a tip I saw on a weight loss show last week-PICKLES. They are less than 30 calories. They satisfy the salty craving stress cravings seem to create. You can eat more than one and when eaten with a glass of water it does the trick. I have a weigh in on Wednesday and I am not going to blow it.

The best part of our program lasting over an extended period is that it allows life to happen. Kids, jobs,stress,relationships, car trouble, etc. As we experience these pitfalls, we have our program participants and leaders to guide us through the correct way to handle our situations.

I do have the feeling that Cates,Vlasic,etc will be my best friends this weekend.

This one’s for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(crunch)

New visions

gfcvicki28 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:04:06 +0000

Currently I am home recuperating from pneumonia. My energy level is low. There is only so much TV one can watch. Therefore, it is easy to loose sight and begin to munch. Afterall munching, not our regular meals, is the main factor which created our eligibility in the fat girls club. HOWEVER, that is not an option for me or my team members.

During difficult times of not being able to workout for whatever reason, memories of past days and future beginnings can help you to understand your new life style change MUST apply with life. Life means not being able to workout sometimes due to emergencies of all sorts. However, the towel can’t be thrown in the ring. Versatility is important because life is constantly changing . Okay you might have a week that you don’t lose any pounds or minimum lbs. Maintaining is the key.

Okay, let me revert back to the post heading of visions. Milestones don’t create change. Rather, small stepping stones are the key. So let’s envision the grace of sitting with good posture with your legs crossed. That’s no big task or thought of someone without a weight problem. To someone who is overweight, the first time plays the star spangled banner in our heads. Let’s look in the mirror, how many chins can you count? Is the face smaller? Have you looked at the fall fashions? Belts and boots are very much in. Envision you wearing a wide belt (ha, a skinny one will do) with the belt fully visible (not covered by rolls). Now that’s a real part of being a girl—a defined waistline. Bangle bracelets are very big. If you wear them, with every cling cling, celebrate every day that you have control.

Final vision, go to the Subway Get Fit home page, view the silhouette of the woman standing on stage about to enter the room. Envision that as you about to celebrate your victories. Yes victories, each step is a victory of its own.

Stress in weight loss

gfcvicki28 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:09 +0000

August-October are not good months for me. They mark the months of my parents’ birthday, anniversary and deaths. Last month when I went to my nutrition appointment, I found that I had gained two pounds. I was experincing digestive problems and just felt lousy all around. As I haven’t been the same since I was hospitalized in latge April, I blamed it on the medicines I had received. However, toward the end of the month I realized the nature of the culprit-STRESS!

I had to begin to remember some funny and comforting throughts associated with my parents. With that in place, I began to relax more. I forced myself to set a bedtime and stick to it. Afterall, those nights that I stayed up late working on contracts and prospective clients proved futile as I found myself nodding at the computer . The next morning I would awake and found that I had made little or no progress with my files. A good night sleep has made the difference. I am more productive and lost weight at the 2nd highest rate since beginning the challenge.

My message to you is the same as I was given at my last nutrition appointment. DON’T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF.

You will find much better results in life and health.

Life is good

gfcvicki28 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:19:36 +0000

We are just a few days away from the last holiday of the summer. A nice well deserved weekend filled with barbecues, swimming and good times.

Most of the activities begin with “FOOD.” That’s okay, we’re not dieting, we’re eating healthy. There’s nothing we can’t eat. We have learned to eat it and not hoard it. If you want ribs, eat them, an order of ribs, not a rack of ribs. Or who’s to say that we can’t serve a menu different from the norm. Turkey burgers seasoned with herbs, a rotisserie turkey breast are just nas good. Grilled carrots -oh so naturally sweet.

Our success has been a long journey filled with success laced with some slips and bumps in the road. One weekend, one date is not so important that its worth turning in reverse and feeling like a recovering alcoholic the day after they have “just one drink” with friends.

Let’s Think about our many successes. For me, to walk stairs without standing at the top and waiting before I enter a door because I didn’t want others to know how out of shape I was. I’m proud that I can walk the journey from car to the front door of the building when I deliver contracts to the HUD office. I’m proud that I actually walk up and down the stairs in my own home instead of waiting for someone else to come and retrieve whatever I want from downstairs.

All of us have our small successes that are quite big in that our lives have completely changed for the better. These triumps helped us “live” our lives rather than just be alive.

Cakes, pies, casseroles, cookies all taste good.

Food is good but Life is better!!!!! Choose Life!

Life on the go

gfcvicki28 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:28:56 +0000

Now that school is in, the atmosphere of our lives changes drastically. As a grandparent raising a child is even more challenging. My early day schedule is not as challenging. However, my evening and weekend schedules are steered by my little one’s activities. Therefore, I have developed a life on the go system. Take a couple of days a week and cook in bulk,placing food in containers and freezing it. Rather than buy prepared chicken out or eat frozen dinners, I cook chicken breast, slice it thinly and use for lunch meat for Jazmine and I. Most breasts can be cut into 3-4 pieces from which a panini can be made. Rather than buy chopped seasonings (celery,onions,garlic) buy good plastic containers, chop in food processors thereby creating your seasonings for the week. Of course, there are some foods that are not good frozen (rice, brown of course) buy the microwave bags–takes just a second.

This month after listening to my body I discovered some helpful hints:

1) My body processes food better and maintains a good energy level by eating 5-6 small meals and snacks rather than the traditional breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime snack.

2) A large glass or 16 ounces of bottled water at bedtime cures cravings and allows me to feel full at night.

3) When you get the late night munches–GO TO BED!!!!!!!

I’m excited about my blessing of participating in the full program and will make my 50+(age not number) supporters proud.

Also

Pain is not an excuse

gfcvicki28 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:37:59 +0000

Becoming obese is a process evolved from a combination of excuses. The excuses or problems or stress eat at you. So, you eat at something else “food.”
Let’s talk about one of my previous excuses—pain. At times walking is a chore for me. My left leg and knee hurts quite bad. I had to come to the realization that I was going to hurt whether I was sitting on the couch, exercising at the gym or walking. If it becomes taxing, I take an over the counter pain pill and press on. As I loose weight the pain has lessened
and I have been able to exercise more.
As I progress through the program, I am overjoyed with the desire to eat more healthy. As I do so, I learn more about foods that are healthier and reduce inflammation. The less swelling, less pain.
When I have those days when I wan to use pain as an excuse, I think
of accident vehicles that have to endure severe pain during rehab to return to a “normal life”.
Afterall, we must remember that is just what we are rebounding to do, return to a normal life. We were built with arms and legs use during our daily lives. We weren’t built with tires as legs or remote controls for arms.
As my youngest son says , “Use it or loose it.”

Hunger?

gfcvicki28 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:37:43 +0000

During our monthly visits with the dietician we learn about portion controls, meal varieties and composition. We also learn about setting realistic goals and pacing our lifestyle conversions. We learn not to say that we can’t eat anything.

My new lifestyle has taught me something special about digestion. HUNGER!!!!! No, not going without. Learning when your body is telling you that it is hungry. When you haven’t overeaten, when you awake you truly feel hungry. Your body doesn’t feel anybloating or tastes from previous meals.

This is the master clue that you are eating for the purpose of feeding the body–not because of stress, greed or availability.

Remember the days of youth,those days when you didn’t have a weight problem, you became hungry-you ate. There wasn’t any food left over to gain weight from. The food was used up by the body and the leftovers were kissed off.

When you make it to this point, we can get slim together,rrrrrrrrreal slim!!!!!!