Sunlight and Wings

I REALLY didn't want to get up and exercise today, but I DID!  I told myself I'd just get up and go to the bathroom.  Then I really wanted to weigh myself.  I took off my pajamas so I could weigh myself.  Then I decided since I took off my pajamas I should just put on my workout clothes.  The next thing I know I'm walking out the door and heading to the gym.

I am always GLAD when I work out.  I can feel my body changing.  My arms feel stronger and firmer.  My stomach is getting flatter (not fast enough, but . . ). I struggle less with being tired.

Today's Tactic is . . .

#6: Get regular exercise, plenty of sunlight, and adequate sleep to reduce sugar cravings.

I have done really well with my exercise this week.  Last week was miserable because the gym was closed two days because of snow.  I've gotten back on track with exercising.  I even enjoyed some wonderful sunlight yesterday.  The adequate sleep could use improvement.  The Olympics aren't helping.  I also have another addition that is keeping me awake.  

I AM ADDICTED TO ANCESTRY.COM!  I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE finding families and getting their names ready for the temple.  I especially LOVE finding babies that died and getting them sealed to their families.  I know those families want their babies back.  

Today while our family read the Book of Mormon we came across this passage.

2 Nephi 25:

13 Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.

We talked awhile about what, "with healing in his wings" means.  To me it means that all the pain, death, disease, sin and suffering will be made ALL RIGHT by the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I know, for many, things are not ALL RIGHT right now.  Actually, I guess you could say they aren't ALL RIGHT for my family even.  BUT just knowing that someday they will be, heals me 85%.  Knowing that I can trust that I will be made whole gives me strength to carry on with joy.  I want that for everyone!

Three, Four and Five

I'm going to combine numbers 3, 4, and 5.

Eat three regular meals a day.  These meals should include, veggies, fruit, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fat.   I had one of some of those today.  But here was my favorite one.

Chimichurri Steak Salad

Grilled, tender beed marinated in parsley, olive oil and garlic thinly sliced and set atop baby spinach with grape tomatoes, mushrooms, curry roasted potatoes and shaved parmesan cheese tossed with a Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette.  From Capital Ale House.  Can you say, YUMMY!

I got to go out with my girl friends today.  It was so fun.  I haven't been out with friends for a very long time.  

#4. Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Chromium picolinate and l-glutamine help to reduce cravings for some people. 

I remember hearing at a Weight Watchers meeting that someone had lost 4 lbs in a week and the only difference they made was taking a daily vitamin.  I don't know if it really helps, but I can get all the help I can get.  I've been taking my vitamins lately, have you?

#5: When you go out, make sure you are not ravenously hungry, especially if sugary sweets will be the only food available. Bring your own healthy snacks with you, or eat before going out.

I take issue with this one.  I hardly ever get to go out and I like for others to feed me.  I think it is better to just look at the menu and make a careful plan of what you'll eat when you go out.  There are so many wonderful and delicious options out there.

Eat Healthy Food

The second tactic for overcoming sugar addiction is to Eat Enough Healthy Food to Satisfy Your Hunger.

There are so many delicious foods out there. Why to we focus so intensely on sugar?  There are all kinds of spices and flavors out there. We really should expand our palates. One of my favorite places to find healthy recipes in Cooking Light.  They really make healthy food super delicious.

In fact, Cooking Light save my marriage.  There was a time when my husband hated my cooking.  I was trying to make healthy dishes and he didn't like a single one.  I wouldn't give up trying to eat healthy and he wouldn't give up on flavor. Then one day, one of my wonderful sisters brought me a copy of a Cooking Light magazine.  I started making recipes from it and my husband LOVED it!  I was happy, he was happy.  Everything was honky dory!  I was even more excited about Cooking Light when I started taking their dishes to pot lucks.  The men at the parties were always pointing to my food and say, "Who made this?"  I decided men really liked Cooking Light.

I've even written to Cooking Light to tell them they should add a subtitle to their magazine.  I think it should read, "Cooking Light: Healthy Food that Men Will Eat".  They never wrote back to me, but I still think it's a great idea.

Here's one of my favorite recipes.

Tomato Pizza with Garlic and Smoked Gouda

I just need to say one other thing.  "American Family Fitness" came out with a commercial about how Weight Watchers (and others) doesn't work because it deprives you.  This simply is not true.  The commercial suggests that you just join their gym and all your troubles will be over.  We all know that diet helps you lose weight more than exercise (although exercise is important).  Weight Watchers couldn't possibly deprive you because most fruits and vegetables are 0 points.  This means you can eat as many of them as you want.

This means you can pig out on fruits and veggies!  So if you're hungry, eat produce.  If you don't want to eat a fruit or a vegetable, perhaps you're not really hungry.

Sisters to the Rescue & Get the Sugar Out

Have I ever told you that I have six AMAZING sisters.  It is one thing to have six sisters, but for all of them to be amazing is unbelievable.  (I also have two amazing brothers).

My post yesterday wasn't that happy, so four of my sisters came to my rescue.  One of them sent me this article.

10 Tactics for Overcoming Sugar Addiction

Then another sister suggested that I just stop worrying about sugar until I get really good at counting my points.

Then two more just told me they were having similar struggles.

After all of that I feel much better.  Thanks ladies.

I loved the article my oldest sister sent me.  It was just what I needed.  I think we should go through each one of the 10 tactics day by day.

#1. Keep sugar and sugar products out of your house!

This is a tough one for me.  I think if I didn't have kids it would be easier.  (it is so easy to blame the kids).  But, seriously, today Bumbles HARASSED me about food all day.  He begged me for ice cream at 10 a.m.  We don't even have any ice cream in our house, but he decided he needed some right then.  Now, does someone with a sugar addiction need to have someone begging them for ice cream at 10 a.m.  I think not.  Then when he realized he wasn't getting ice cream he begged for candy.  I did have a little candy on hand.  I told him he could have some after lunch.  We do have a standing rule that we don't eat junk until after lunch.

He waited patiently for candy.  I got down the bag of candy we had and divided it evenly among the kids.  However, there were two pieces that were left.  I decided to feed them to Tutu, but that meant I had to bite them in half.  Guess where the other half ended up. That's right, in my belly.  That's not that big of a deal because it was within my limit.

So I think that there are times when it is okay to have sugar in your house.  However, there are some sugars that just can't be in the house.  Have you ever (I already know the answer) eaten something sweet that you don't even like just because it was sweet?  Don't let those things hang out in your house.  Throw them in the garbage!

There are some kinds of sugar that if they are in my house I will eat them until they are gone.  Those kinds of sugar are not allowed in my house.  Here is an example of an offender.

Brookside Chocolate - These are the devil (that's what I say about food that I can't resist)

But I can keep sugar and brown sugar in my house.  The trouble comes when I get something to keep the baby happy and it ends up keeping me happy. (if you catch my drift).  I got some of these for the "baby".

Lemon Newton Fruit Thins - BIG MISTAKE

They are tasty, but not so good that they are worth eating.  But I just LOVE cookies so I ate too many.  And, of course, Tutu doesn't even really like them, grrr.

My rule of thumb is that if I pig out on it then it isn't welcome in my home.

BTW, I tracked today!  I also kept to my 20 grams!  This week is looking better already! (Oh, and I got 5 points)

Ups and Downs

Well, it isn't good news.  I weighed in this morning at I had gained 1.8 lbs!!!! My waist is still 32" somehow.  I am not happy with myself.  I had a sugar binge after Winter Celebration.  It took me a whole week to get myself back under control.  I was really upset about it.  I've been brainstorming all day trying to figure out how to motivate myself to get back on track.  I can't decide if I respond better to punishment or reward.  As usual, I'm going to try harder to track my food.  I did a great job today.  I am also going to try to fill in all the boxes for water, dairy, produce, vitamins, oil, and activity.  I did great today.  I still need to drink some more water, but I'll get it done.  I am going to try harder, but I also realized today that there are going to be times in life when we gain a few pounds.  I don't think I could ever expect to get through Christmas or Thanksgiving without gaining a few pounds.  I'm just glad it's behind me and I'm back on track.  I was able keep to 20 grams of sugar today!

I heard something very interesting on the radio on Valentine's Day.  You can read all about it here.

How tell you're in love

Valentine

Today was Valentine's Birthday

She is sitting in front of her Birthday Spiral.  I think it was BD's 4th birthday when I decided we should just make something to put candles in instead of baking a whole cake just for a candle holder.  We didn't even really like cake.  My nephews promptly went out into the woods and made me a birthday log.  We loved it, but outgrew it quickly.  

The Birthday Log

So we upgraded to a birthday spiral.  I was so happy to find they made something like that.  We also use it as an advent spiral for Christmas time (luckily we have no December birthdays).  Now that we have freed ourselves of having to bake a cake the birthday child chooses what dessert they'd like.

Valentine made rice krispie treats topped with Nutella.  She really wanted to make Texas Sheet Cake, but I begged her to pick something with fewer calories.  

We all enjoyed the treat.  I think Tutu and Bumbles enjoyed it the most.

Bumbles with a stache 

Tutu has taste buds on her head

I didn't keep to my 20 grams AGAIN today.  However, the sugar is gone now and I'm getting back on track.  Maybe I can still lose some weight this week.  I got several "words of affirmation" today.  Thank you!  I feel loved.

Words of Affirmation

I'm ready for Valentine's Day are you?

My mother sent these bags to my house so we decided to fill them with 

love and hang them on the fireplace.

For those who know me I'm sure it's no surprise that "words of affirmation" is my love language.  I've been having a hard time only eating 20 grams of sugar a day.  I have thought of giving up or at least just not writing my blog.  However, just when I need it I get a message from someone about how much they enjoy my blog.  Then I feel that I must keep going and I must keep trying for all of you.  Thank you for sending your love to me.  I hope you are successful at sending your love to others tomorrow.  Here are a few pictures of my Valentines.

Super Jack was outside ALL day. 

Tutu has been super fussy since she had a fever last week.  Somehow sitting on the stairs and singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" was the only thing that made her happy.

B.D. working hard when he'd rather be in the snow.  Homeschoolers don't really get snow days.