Energy, Really?

I have made myself a food journal. I have a notebook filled with pages to log my daily food intake, water intake, my calories and my mood and energy. I have spiffed up my pages and totally got the idea from pinterest!

Well last night I made a terrible dinner choice (Whataburger) and was miserable. Energy level went from 10, being energized and ready to clean house to a 2, a point where all I did was sit on the recliner and order my kid around to bring me things. I know it's terrible! I was irritated, exhausted, and so tired I couldn't relax enough to fall asleep.

So of course, because I am an odd ball, I decided to experiment with tonight's dinner. I had a HUGE broccoli slaw/salad on a dinner plate, cut up a pita bread and bake it as a crunchy topping for my salad and had two grilled boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I was full and I had amazing energy. I didn't feel like going to the recliner. I actually had energy to go water our yard. AMAZING. I didn't know I would feel like that. It's time to take a closer look at dinner time and improve my dinners!

This is what I have figured out so far is that making GREAT choices with food, makes my energy levels jump and lets not forget my amazing mood booster.

I Can and I Will

Exercise has never been so freakin' hard!

WTH? I am so ashamed to admit this, but I could only do a total of 5 minutes. I am so out of shape, it's depressing. This makes me want to throw in the towel and call myself a loser.

But I can't. I just can't. I deserve to cheer myself on. 5 minutes is a start... tomorrow we'll see how long I can go. I'll challenge myself a little more every day. I can do this. I will do this.

Changes

Breakfast, most important meal of the day! At least every article I have read about health as mentioned this and I do believe they have a valued point. It's just so hard waking up a little earlier just to make breakfast when I really want those extra minutes to sleep, but out of my bed and start cooking my oatmeal. I have a productive day when I eat breakfast. Who knew? I can also feel my energy level rise and my mood isn't as grumpy either.

Beside breakfast being a mood booster for me. I have gone "cold turkey" for my laced filled creamer coffee drink. Granted, it's only been a week, but I have to say I am proud of myself. Instead I reach for a 32 ounce glass and fill it with water.

In another positive impact. I have made a huge impact on my water intake. I am drinking more than 8 glasses of water. I tried to add tea just to give me some variety and I realize that my tolerance for tea is terrible. I have caffeine sensitivity to tea. I toss and turn. I feel irritable and my sleep is terrible. I didn't know this about me. Funny thing is I never felt it with soda, but then again I probably did and just thought a bad night sleep was the norm for me.

Three positive things to report. I've impressed myself. I won't let it go to my head, but it's nice to see changes make a difference.

Routines

 

 

I remember when I was a kid and I had routines. Routines made my day flow like clock-work. I knew what, when and how. Simple.

 

Before I ate when I was hungry (beyond starving) and of course this ended with last minute fast food choices and then over indulge to much. Or how about when I was out of clean clothes, laundry had to be done and quickly. Or if company was coming over I would run around like a chicken with it's head cut off, always a disgrace attempt.

 

Routines are heaven sent, trust me!

 

Recently I just got back in the habit and I have added routines to my day. I finally have a to-do list. I don't have to be overwhelmed anymore. Now I have to implement exercise. For now I think 10 to 15 minutes of walking is a safe bet for me to add to my to-do list! Instead of using the hot weather from keeping me going on my walk, I can easily do a DVD workout.

 

What I have learned is that I can do anything for 15 minutes! I wish I could take credit for this, but not so much... Flylady . She and her crew are inspirations and they give you the courage to jump in and take back your home. I know I've change subjects, but once you check her website you'll completely understand after you "shine your sink!" 15 minutes is key, learn from it! I am!

Choices

WE make them everyday! I make choices everyday!

Do you know my choices have been all wrong? YES, wrong choices!

The choices have been to over eat and let's not forget the choice to over indulge! I have made the choice to enjoy fast food over home cooked meals. I have made the choice to sleep in a few minutes more, instead of waking up to eat breakfast every morning.

I make choices everyday; every hour; every minute; every second AND every choice I have made has been wrong and harmful to my body!

Here I am blogging disappointment and upset when I can't drop numbers on the scale.

Ah, HELLO, reality check! Let's look at my everyday choices. I ate at the "Golden Arches". I skipped breakfast and load up on coffee with gallons of creamer or didn't plan or prepare for supper this evening... translation:  let me just go pick up some-over-a-1000-calories at a fast food restaurant that is just 3 blocks away!

It's time to rethink my choices. I make them. I know this is repetitive, it just sucks to know I'm SLOW to understand as a light bulb has gone on in my head!

Time to concentrate on making the best choices for me!

Stand By Me

Ever just feel beaten? Dragged through mud? Pushed to your humiliation limits?

I feel like that!

I went into a store yesterday with my husband and this store had major security cameras at every isle. Not the best secure location to have built this store and I definitely would have not gone in without my husband, but I stray away from the point of the security cameras. I looked fat! I know. I KNOW! I am overweight! I over indulge! I am not a size 6! I have seen myself in the mirror, but I couldn't believe it was me. I was not happy with the person waddling in that security camera. I was fat. I am fat.
The ugly truth is just that... a fat fact!

When I first began this blog, I had high hopes of making a change in my life and in my weight. Motivation was strong and inspiration was amazing. That was TWO YEARS ago and if I look at it like this:    I have WASTED TWO YEARS.

Depressing? Yes.

Quitting? Shamefully it did enter my thoughts just now.

Now what?

I can either be my worst enemy or I can be my own cheerleader and stand by me.

 

I can also look at two years of not learning anything from myself or realizing I have come across "AHA" moments and I will fall off the wagon definitely more than expected, but changes are a comin'. I feel confident. It's going to be slow, but worth the process. I don't expect weight to drop like a fast fix for me. I'm older and I have to find my groove again. It's daunting, but I'm going to view it like a new adventure. Obvious we learn from mistakes and we build and re-route a new direction to move forward in my healthy journey.