Giveaway

Shelf Reliance is giving away a set of camping dishes (including pots) and a firestarter. Here's the link.

http://www.shelfreliance.com/blog/index.php/2009/10/26/free-friday-outdoor-cooking/#more-601

Weight Loss Wednesday: Eat When You're Hungry

I weighed in at the same weight this week, so I've lost 13 pounds overall and have 27 left to go.

I met my goal of finding someone to watch my kids so I can run. I sent an e-mail out to friends in my apartment complex who are home during the day (all four of them) and everyone was interested in trading kids on a regular basis! So far I've set up only one connection and found out one of them didn't work with my schedule, but at the very least I've got my running time. I may even have a baby-sitter for grocery shopping to boot. I start running on Saturday.

I've decided to write a little something on each of these about things I've learned about weight loss on my other attempts. One of the hardest things to master (for me at least, but for other people as well I'm sure) is to eat when you are hungry. Sounds easy enough, but it's not.

This is actually a two-fold suggestion. Number one: don't eat simply because you are bored, stressed, sad, or because something just sounds yummy. Find another (non-food) way to deal with your unpleasant emotions and store up as much self-control as you can for those tempting times. Also, plan ahead for times when it is socially expected for you to eat (think office birthday party). Be aware of habits you may have fallen into, like eating a bowl of ice cream before bedtime.

Number two: if you are hungry between meals, find a healthy snack to eat. If you allow yourself to get too hungry, you are more likely to overeat when your mealtime comes around. Eating a snack can help carry you over and keep your blood sugar at a more even level throughout the day, which will make you feel better overall. The key word to remember is "healthy." This takes some planning. Wash and cut vegetables so they are ready for you. Carry small packages of dried fruit and nuts in your purse or store them in your desk (or cupboard if you stay at home). Set a basket of fresh fruit on your counter. Make healthy foods easily accessible and you will be more likely to eat them.

My goal for this week is to eat only one treat per day (hey, small steps get you there eventually). Hot chocolate does not count. I really love hot chocolate.

Weight Loss Wednesday: My Goal

My ultimate weight loss goal is 40 pounds in 40 weeks. That may sound a little arbitrary, but there is actually some logic to it. I was pregnant for 40 weeks and I gained 40 pounds during my pregnancy. I figure if I can gain it during that time frame, I should be able to lose it during that time frame as well. I lost 15 pounds right off the bat just from giving birth and I have gained 2 pounds back, so if you're following along with the math, I lost 13 pounds and have 27 left to lose. My son is now 12 weeks old, so my goal is still quite feasible.

I will attempt to check in every Wednesday and report my progress (hopefully the scales will go down) as well as my weekly goals. If you are also trying to lose weight (because isn't everybody?), feel free to report as well. Or not--believe me, I know it's intimidating to post that kind of thing online.

My goal this week: find somebody to watch my kids twice a week so I can go running.

Hole-y deliciousness

To celebrate my son's decision to take a two-hour nap today, I made homemade bagels. I have never made homemade bagels before.

My conclusions:

• They are a lot of work. It is even trickier holding a baby (who woke up right at the tricky, hands-on part).
• I am not completely convinced that I cooked them the whole way through. Hopefully I do not get salmonella poisoning.
• They are not very pretty. Next time, I will purchase one of those cooking brush things instead of spreading the eggs around with my fingers. Also, the holes need to be smaller.
• Salt bagels are wonderful! Why have I never been introduced to these before? Thank you to whichever of my friends left the box of coarse salt with me before moving.
• In fact, all of them are so stinking delicious that these may not make it until my husband gets home from work.

How I eat my leafy greens

There's a whole cup of spinach in this smoothie. The other ingredients are flax seeds, strawberries, and milk. Oh yeah and there might be a tablespoon or two of chocolate syrup. It is delicious! This time I cooked, pureed, and cooled the spinach myself. I think in the future I'll keep frozen spinach on hand and just cut hunks of it off to add to my smoothies.

Giveaway

Shelf Reliance is giving away a shelf. I assume it is reliable. Here's the link.

http://www.shelfreliance.com/blog/index.php/2009/09/07/free-friday-cansolidator-pantry-2pack/

This site gives stuff away every week. Incidentally, these give aways are a large part of why I started a separate blog. I figured you didn't all need to read my extra entries every week.

My exercise regimen

MWF: Week 1 of Couch Potato to 5k running program
TThS: Whatever I can squeeze in
Sunday: Mooch around as much as possible

I should be ready for the Olympics in no time.

Brilliant People Part 2

These are some of my favorite YouTube videos showcasing people with unusual talents.

The Treadmill Video. I couldn't find an embeddable video, but it's totally worth following the link.


Tell me that's not impressive.


I'm aware that he is not actually singing the song. I think his lip-syncing and video editing skills rock.

If those last couple videos didn't convince you of my nerdiness, I'm pretty sure this next one will.


Well, the kids are calling now, so me time is over. Thanks for reading.