Things I don't say out loud (installment 1)

I've decided to instigate a new feature on this blog. From time to time I may blog things that for one reason or another I don't ever actually say out loud. This one is inspired by all the people who seem to have recently figured out that other people with children my son's age are pregnant again.

There are myriad reasons why I am not currently pregnant. None of them is your business. Please do not proceed to ask me how many children I "plan" to have or when I think the next one might show up. I find those questions uncomfortable to discuss with someone I have known for less than two months. Thank you.

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Finally, an update

I had grand plans of writing little updates throughout my first few days as a vegetarian, but I didn't have internet access here at the new place, so that sort of fell through. It's been maybe two months now without meat (with a couple exceptions) and I don't miss it at all. In fact, I've started giving up other animal products like yogurt and even cheese. I'm not gonna lie though--I really, really miss cheese.

Two parts of being a vegetarian have been tricky. Number 1 is figuring out what to feed my omnivorous family. This is a work in progress. I consider cooking a hobby, so I've actually had fun playing around with this. I would write a cookbook with meaty, vegetarian, and vegan options for the same meal, but I'm really not sure anyone would buy it. Okay, I'm not sure anyone other than my mom would buy it. The husband (who is not a vegetarian) has been much less pleased with the process and is disinclined to have fun with it. He does, however, thank me profusely every time I make him meat he finds particularly tasty.

The number 2 tricky part is eating when I am not at home. I have probably failed just over half the time that I have eaten at some social event or restaurant. I think I just need more practice. I like the sound of that.

O Butter, where art thou?

I have lots of things I should be posting on my regular blog about my cute little family, but I lack access to pictures to make it interesting. So I figured I would write on this blog instead since my cute little family doesn't generally make appearances here. Now that my explanation is over, on to the big news.

I get on these obsessive kicks from time to time and, to save my relationships from alienation due to excessive chatter about my excitement, I write about them on this blog. My reasoning is that you don't actually have to read this if you don't want to and I can't see your glazed eyed, plastered smile nod. You'll notice the last kick I was on was weight loss. That didn't go very far. This time, I want to be a vegetarian (maybe even vegan someday). I'm hoping it will last a little longer.

There, I've said it. (Or, actually, I wrote it. . .Whatever.) I plan on writing about my adventures in meat detox from time to time. Or maybe I won't put anything else up here for another nine months. Only time will tell.

I am currently living under someone else's roof, so the set date for commencement of my new obsession is August 1, give or take a week. Here's to hoping that I actually follow through and that I actually write about it as well.

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.