REPORTS, RECIPES, AND REFLECTION

Nearing the end of my first week of ReBoot Camp, and overall, I'd give myself a B+. There's room for improvement but the main goal of doing this is to just get myself firmly back into losing mode, as opposed to more-or-less-maintaining mode.  It's important to be both positive and realistic; accountable and honest without beating oneself up. It's important to recognize that this is an ongoing effort with different stages, many of which must be revisited from time to time. And it's always hard to get started. So, I'll cut myself a little slack. Not a lot, but just a little; and next week, I'll strive to work a little harder.

Friday's ReBoot Camp began with a bout of Yoga X, an hour and a half of Sun Salutations, balance postures, and some pretty intense abs work. If you're one of those folks who thinks yoga isn't a real workout, then try this out ... or take a class. Some forms are extremely active and challenging, while others are more relaxing. But they will not only stretch you out, but work your core. The balance postures are great for all the tendons and ligaments in your ankles, feet, and calves. Many of the asanas hurt my hips or feet while I'm doing them, but after the practice is over they feel SO much better.

I did not get in my extra bout of exercise on Friday,  so it counted as my  day off. Saturday was Legs, Back and Abs, and it was REALLY hard; but I pushed through., and got in another hour twenty minute walk in the evening. My glutes and hips are really feeling all those squats and lunges today! So workout wise, it's been a tough but good couple of days. Today is Kenpo, which isn't one of the harder workouts ... but it is fun!

I'm having a little trouble re-establishing the habit of reading my list, too, so the solution is to write it out on several index cards and leave one by the bed, one on the kitchen table, and one in my wallet. And also, I've failed this week to get my Beck books back from the friend I lent them to, and I just need to pursue that more aggressively.

Also, I've been doing really well with following my food plan up to a point, and that point is until the evening when I'm ready to relax. And then Mama wants a treat, and sometimes goes overboard.  I've been pretty strict with the food plan, maybe too strict, and maybe I need to just go ahead and program some little goodie every day --- but a reasonable amount, and just one. Maybe by giving myself permission to have it, it won't have such power over me.

Yesterday I made date apricot almond protein bars. The recipe comes from Kiwi Magazine, which I sometimes pick up in the President's Club at the airport for the simple, healthy recipes. These are super simple and delicious, and about 170 calories a bar!

Take a cup each of almonds, dates, and dried apricots. Process one by one until the pieces are very finely chopped. Add a half teaspoon each of salt, vanilla, and almond extract. Add 1/4 cup of your favorite protein powder (I used whey) and 1-2 tablespoons of water. Then hand form into 10 bars and refrigerate for a while until they're firm. They should be kept in a closed container in the fridge and are supposed to last about a week in those conditions. If you want them to be a little less sticky, you could roll them in a little almond flour. They are quite good and a satisfying little snack --- great mid-morning pick-me-up.

And now, in the  "Why, Why, Why" category --- this lady popped up on  my FaceBook feed, where some acquaintances were making fun of her (boo). It's not my intention to trash anyone but this makes me so sad.

I applaud anyone who refuses to let society define who she is. I firmly believe that the images of beauty and success presented to us by much of the general media are false and idealized to the point of being damaging and dangerous. They are actively intended to make us feel less than so that we will buy more. They actively promote unhealthy thinking, self-image, spending, and poor self esteem by glorifying attractive but often very shallow and/or stupid people and lifestyles that are unattainable to the average person --- but they present these things as the norm. It's gotten us as a society into a lot of trouble, and specifically in the realm of health and beauty, promotes that quick fix mentality that simply never works, and often leads to a lot of unhappiness.

Being fat does NOT equal being unattractive or lazy or stupid or lacking in discipline; it does not mean you can't find love, run a race, dance all night, go on a cruise, hike a mountain, or have heaps of hot monkey sex.  And I also don't believe that being overweight automatically means you're unhealthy, though it certainly puts you at a higher risk for a host of problems, as I well know. But to actively seek weighing a ton? This is not a healthy application of self-esteem. This is self- destruction.

We can't know what's really going on in anyone else's heart and soul, but I hope this lady finds peace and balance in her life. The lesson I take from her story is that I must - must- find and hold the courage to examine my ideas, desires, emotions, thoughts, and needs in stark honesty, however painful that sometimes may be. That is what will lead me to true and lasting health and balance in all aspects of my life.

 

Comments

[elenita]

I love eating.. I love to cook, I love your site.. so.. so.. good!

[Sandy Hines]

Hi, I'm Sandy from the UK. Just stumpled across your blog and I have to say "hats off" to you for this challenge! Your experience is an inspiration to many people struggling to lose a few pounds, and I am certain many of my members will be very interested to read of your success. Thanks, and good luck.

[Cindy]

Big squish to you, too, Karen. Miss you!

[Karen]

>>Being fat does NOT equal being unattractive or lazy or stupid or lacking in discipline; it does not mean you can't find love, run a race, dance all night, go on a cruise, hike a mountain, or have heaps of hot monkey sex. And I also don't believe that being overweight automatically means you're unhealthy

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for saying that. I really needed to hear that right now.

(Although I absolutely agree with your stance that someone actively seeking to weigh 1600 lb. is not making a wise choice, to say the least)

*bigsquish*