Thoughts and Tea

So, I'm still struggling with this whole thing.

See, I hit a wall, and that really stinks. Very demoralizing. I've always thought that in order to lose weight and get really fit, I'd have to take a life vacation and just commit to it completely -- 24/7 for a couple of months or longer, with no interruptions from life, family, etc.

But I can't commit to that -- and I think it would be wrong. I'm not morbidly obese, just obese. I need to lose the weight and want to... it is just requiring much patience and "constant vigilance!"

One of the things that seems to be helping with the whole struggle is herbal tea. Specifically Yogi Aztec (or Mexican) Sweet Chili Tea. I absolutely love it. I enjoy spicy foods, and this tea has a nice little kick, while also maintaining a sweetness. Yum!

I suggest you give it a try.

It's not the "salvation" of my diet, but it is a nice refresher when I'm cold (during these winter months) or when I just need a boost. Also, the spiciness is supposed to help rev up my metabolism.

Next time we will delve into the topic of oxalates and my kidneys.

The Real Struggle

Yes, weight is the symptom, but the real struggle is not the tonnage or even the food.

It is self-control.

Can I follow through with my decision to only eat a certain amount of calories per day?

Am I able to force myself to work out each day -- or at least five times a week?

Can I drink at least nine cups of water a day (preferably 12)?

It has been very hard the last week and a half to only eat 1400 calories a day. I think it has to do with what's available, and the fact that I'm a night owl. I get very hungry at night and want to snack.

I like having something to chew in my mouth. I enjoy the tastes of food.

Self Control.

I have had my biggest struggle with this little bugaboo for years in various areas of my life. For a brief while I had good control over myself, but years ago, I became proud and used my self control to define my relationship with God. When I finally realized that, it caused some brokenness and heartache, because my eyes opened to the fact I had hurt friends and even myself by my rigid thinking. My lack of real compassion made me stumble from my self-righteous perch.

I don't think I consciously used that realization as a crutch or excuse to stop being disciplined, but it happened. I am only just now getting to a place where I not only recognize this -- I've known for a few years -- but I'm getting to that point where I'm stronger and able to operate with more self-control, by the grace of God.

Still.... I am finding it so hard to limit my caloric intake after dinner.

What shall I do? Perhaps more raw vegetables (celery, etc) as a snack or with dinner.

Maybe I should drink more water after dinner.

We'll see.

Later.

So, if you think about it and are so inclined, pray that I will have more self-control and endure the "hunger". Thanks. :)

The Magic Number

So... what is the magic number?

In trying to lose weight, I'm restricting myself to a set number of calories per day. In order to get to the goal I want, I'm supposed to be eating about 1400 calories each day. My doctor said (about a year ago) that I should limit them to 1600. Either way, it's not a whole lot of fun to limit it so.

So, I've decided to shoot for 1400, but not be too concerned if I am able to stay under 1600.

I have a real problem with getting extremely hungry late at night. I can sometimes ignore it, but sometimes it just seems overwhelming, and I have to throw something in the ol' speech hole.

Losing weight is a struggle, because it's taking control over a part of my life which I never really thought needed to be controlled. I don't usually eat more calories in a day than my body requires, but I have been too indulgent over the last several years to the point where I have gained the weight.

I look at weight (or more specifically calories) kind of like money.

If we spend more money than we have (or eat more calories than we need) we create debt (or fat). The only way to get rid of debt is to either make more money (increase our metabolism, i.e. exercise) or force ourselves to live within a budget whereby we can allocate money to pay off the debt (limiting our caloric intake).

It's amazingly simple from that perspective, and I hope I am able to accomplish this goal of losing weight.

I simply must keep meeting my magic number each day, and while doing so, increase my exercise to grow muscle in addition to losing the fat.

C'est la vie maintenant. A bien tot.