Talisman for Weight Loss

I just laid aside my phone on the nightstand. It was bedtime. My vision stopped at my silvery, shiny, Overeaters Anonymous, 24-hour “coin” reflecting my lamp light. I hadn’t picked it up since my first (and only) 24 hour on program day. I only lasted that 24 hours. This coin says on the front “To thine own self be true.” Also, Unity, Recovery, and Service” were written in the middle. On the back of the coin was the serenity prayer.

I recalled that my good friend, Heather, kept her 24-hour coin nearby every day. It’s important to her to stay abstinent from processed, sugary foods and not to overeat. It should be important to me, as well, but it only represents another time of trying again and not sticking with a diet. I should look at the trinket as the commitment I made for a clean-eating 24 hour period and was successful!

Unity – means this to me: being part of OA fellows and attending meetings regularly. It means I need to listen to recorded or live meetings when needed/possible.

Service- means to me that I could be helping others on this same path I’m walking.

Recovery – means being on a program of controlled eating (not eating compulsively) on a regular, steady basis.

I do think this little silvery disk is important. It reminds me that I CAN work very hard (it’s not easy in the beginning) and be successful at changing my eating and my life!

Thank you, Overeaters Anonymous. Thank you, Heather. Thank you, self.

7 Helps to Lose Weight!

According to the CDC, over 73% of American adults are overweight or obese. Being overweight is linked to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Try to lose weight slowly because fast losses can cause issues like gallstones and even existing muscle loss. You also need to avoid quick weight loss because you likely won’t get the nutritional needs your body requires. So, you would be deficient and lacking energy, as well. Nevermind that your mood will also be affected adversely.

An average female uses about 1200 calories just to maintain her bodily functions, so increase this calorie number by a few hundred, at least, to see losses in fat but to remain healthy.

Don’t forget to get some good sleep each night, too. That is when your body is repairing itself.

1. Add fiber to your daily intake. Fiber helps you have a faster metabolism, so goodbye extra weight. Choose vegetables for this, if possible, because they also contain iron.
2. Eat some protein at each meal. It will keep you full longer, and it boosts your metabolism so you will lost the weight more quickly.
3. If you must have a snack in the afternoon, choose a protein with the snack. Watch the amount of food you choose for your snack. It’s not a meal.
4. Don’t eat after dinner. You want your body to recover and repair itself while you sleep – not to have to digest food you just ate.
5. Journal your eating habits. Include your beverages and snacks. I use the Loseit! app. It’s a calorie counter. Myfitnesspal is also a helpful app.
6. Move your body each day. Do as much as you are able. Walk – it’s easy for most people. If you are bored, walk at a shopping mall or Walmart. Just don’t stop a lot to shop. Walk and look at the same time.
7. Strength train! This keeps your muscles from wasting or your body from using your existing muscle as energy.

Remember, just START. Don’t put off your health. Take it one day at a time. Take it an hour at a time if you need to. You can do this! Lose the extra weight!

Spring is Coming, Oh no!

Why would I say, “oh, no” when spring is coming? Because I’m not ready to put on last year’s swimsuit. It’s serious this time. I now have an inground swimming pool. The kids and grandkids will be coming over to swim, cookout, and have fun in the sun. Will I be the beached whale on the side of things? No!

So, I joined noom.com. It’s a calorie counting app that keeps up with my water intake, physical activity, and food intake. It also offers coaching and education. I like it. I’ve only lost 5 lbs though. I need to get serious about counting the calories!

I’m making homemade chili for dinner. No dessert unless it’s fruit.

Are you spring ready?

Fat Acceptance? Not Me!

 

I need to lose about 100 pounds. So, I am unhappily among those “fats” who are so loudly proclaiming (in my name) that FAT ACCEPTANCE is a must for society. I don’t agree with them. I do think everyone should be respected for who they are, yes. Treat everyone with kindness. However, obesity should not be deemed as “normal” just because half of our population is overweight now.

Obesity causes premature death. In fact the WHO says, “At least 28 million die each year as a result of being obese.” I go by scientific facts and see the cause and effect of being obese.

My being fifty-five years old doesn’t help in my work toward weight loss but I’m still working at it . . . still aiming at good health. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and am pre-diabetic. I get out of breath walking at a quick pace. I have no energy because I carry around so much fat on my small 5’2 frame. Some of my meds might encourage fat storage BUT I gained this weight by eating too much food.

I do think society definitely promotes too-thin frames on models – who have also been airbrushed on magazine covers. However, poor health can be a part of too-thin people, as well. Either end of the spectrum has concerns.

We should try to love our neighbors no matter what their size but when I see so many obese people recently promoting being fat as being normal, I cringe. Being a “Fat Activist” isn’t a role I’ll ever play because I don’t agree that it is a healthful manner of existing. Also, If I, a fat person, can’t speak my mind, then this isn’t a fair argument in the first place.

Take a look at the fat acceptance movement on YouTube. It’s a highly debated topic there.

While you’re there, check out MY weight-loss channel. I’m on WW ( Weight Watchers ), and it’s going very well. I just started and am down 4 pounds in just a few days. Lea James

Question: where do YOU stand on this subject and why? Please share in comments.

I wish all of my subscribers good health and a happy life.

Love y’all,

Lea

 

This blog is a personal outlet for my opinions and should therefore be seen as such.

New Year Changes and Your Frame of Mind While Doing Them

 

Hello, friends! That’s me at Halloween. I post this picture because it’s whimsical and fun. It made me think of my weight loss journey. I’m making changes to my whole life by just changing the way I eat and think of the fuel going into my body.

I may as well enjoy this path because there is no real END to it. I will always have to watch my weight. I’m a 5’2 Cajun woman with curves everywhere; I doubt I will magically transform with a string bean body.

I like to listen to Tony Robbins. In one of his YouTube videos, he says, “We live who we believe we are.” In other words, my body shows my inner standards about who I believe I am. In addition, my actions make my results.

Another interesting thought is this:  Skill comes from repetition.

Whatever I think of myself and whatever I DO each day, becomes “me.”

You may have heard this before. If so, let’s make changes together. I’m losing fat and getting my body in healthy condition. What do you need to change? Surely you have a negative trait or lazy habit you’d like to get rid of.

If I am excited and inspired enough, I will keep my eyes on my goal and behave in a way that will help me get there. Yes, there will be numerous set-backs and oops moments. I had one late last night – my FIRST stupid night on this new plan. But I’m back today, staying on the road to my goal.

Here is what yesterday’s dinner looked like. It was grilled rainbow trout with lemon pepper, turnip greens, and a kale salad. We went to Cracker Barrel. I stayed on plan and had a delish dinner!

 

I’m trying to stay in the zone of “this is a long haul but I WILL make changes!”

Here I am on New Year’s Eve. Partying my fat butt off with friends. I learned a line dance called Rockin’ Cha and was sore all day yesterday. LOL!

Let’s figure out who we want to be and then aim that direction!

My mantra today is ” I choose myself.”

Love y’all, — Lea

My Big Fat Cajun Life. My Journey With Obesity and How I’m Losing Weight

That’s me. I look like I have “attitude,” don’t I? Well, sometimes I do. I need to lose 120 lbs, and that affects my whole life. I’ve started a major life-change diet today. I am using the Weight Watchers plan to “get er done.” I intend to exercise daily and lose approximately 2-5 lbs a week.

I thought I’d take my readers/subscribers on my journey. Hopefully, if you need to make a big change in your life, you might find motivation, encouragement, and acceptance here.

I had scrambled eggs and half a banana for breakfast. Here I go . . . Come with!

Lea

 

Fat, Fat, Fat

When did too much adipose cause us to lose our feminine shape and our healthy bodies? In the 1950s there were many, many fewer overweight women than in 2012.

I want my lean body back. I’ve lived with the rolls, the jiggles, and children’s giggles. I’m tired of the looks, reading self-help books, and hiding in nooks – well, large nooks.

Here I sit brooding ’cause I did too much chewing! I have bad moods ’cause my belly protrudes . . . past my boobs.

This body needs to move, so my mom will approve. I’m an embarrassment.

I don’t like being fat, overweight like my cat, who lives like that? So, I get on a prayer mat with a cocked hat (gotta look cool) and plead.

I long to feel whole, not playing a role. I’m not an actress. I’m setting a goal. I’m now on a roll . . . for now. I’ll need food patrol to slap that eggroll outta my hand.

Wire my mouth shut to shrink my butt? No thanks. I’d only drink chocolate shakes.

Walk the dog, the stinking mutt.      I can’t, I have a cat.

I’ll take laps in the pool and tan . That sounds like a plan!

If I can’t lose, I’ll  surely move to Istanbul. Attend culinary school!

Bathe in a wading pool. Who cares?!