Treadmill Status Report

I did a wopping 28.08 miles this past week on my trusty treadmill. I really want to get the incline option fixed, though, I think it'd give me a better work-out if I could play with it.

So now I'm down to 450.73 miles to go to get to my dream editor's office. Slow and steady makes the race, both in walking and writing, it would seem.

How about you guys, anyone have any physical activity to report? Something that is increasing your energy, picking your metabolism up off the ground? Would love to hear about it.



Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Status

Well, it appears as though I've lost a pound this week. Hurray!! Though, I always feel as though I ought to have lost more with all the walking I'm doing and sweating on that treadmill and with making a huge effort to eat well, too.

I guess it's going to be slow going to get these last few pounds off and I'll just have to accept that.

Tips from Anne, for those who don't go back in and read the comments:

• Drink warm water to speed digestion.
• Even before snacks, stop and lift a prayer of thanks and asking for God to bless you with the nourishment from the snack. It's hard to chomp on a candy bar when you've just suggested to God that it's nourishing. A couple of the times I've done this this week, I've found myself switching snacks mid prayer.

Thanks, Anne for helping me (us) out with these suggestions! I'm trying the warm water now.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Living the fight

There are days I wonder if I'll ever see a change in the scale in the right direction, and today is one of them. Determination wanes when this happens and I'm tempted to dip into the goodie cupboard designated for everyone but me. But I mustn't!

Instead, I'll refill my water bottle, delve into my writing work, and remind God that He's supposed to be supporting me on this journey to better the physical temple He gave me to carry out His work. Then I'll open the crisper and dig out a handful of carrots, forgo the low-fat dip, and peel off the skin of the chicken piece waiting for me as my needed protein, and if I'm still hungry after that, I'll grab a banana from that bunch that have been ripening by my kitchen sliders. And then, I'll stop. Pray some more for discipline. And drink more water to cleanse my temple for His work.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Getting the miles in...

With a bad knee that likes to do tricks sometimes, I'm confined in my choice of exercise. Walking seems to be one that I can do without knocking my kneecap out, so I'm especially fond of my treadmill laptop table. I'm finding I'm really enjoying this invention and feel so much better about the amount of time I spend blogging and visiting and email catching-up because I do it all while walking my way to New York, NY right in the comfort of my own basement work-out room.

Last week I walked a total of 18.39 miles while interacting online. Now I'm only 478.81 miles from my destination. Sounds far still, I know, but it's not bad for only being at it for two weeks so far.

So, my problem isn't getting the exercise now, it's being disciplined about what I eat on this weight management journey. I'm trying really hard to drink six cups of water a day to ward off the appetite some, but still carbs find there way into my mouth and straight to my stomach when they definitely should not. I'm going to have to diligently start logging every morsel that goes into my mouth again, and pen it in before I actually eat it, to help it hit home.

How many of you are faithful loggers of your food and liquid intake? Do you think it would help if you started logging, if you haven't already?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Stress and Mood--Does that effect you?

With eating, I mean?

With the ACFW writer's conference fast approaching, I'm in the thick of realizing just how much they affect me and my eating habits. I wish I were one of those people who starved themselves while under stress--who couldn't use a fast here and there in their life--but instead I'm one of those who grabs for the sugar and carbs that only add to my stress. The moment I swallow, I dig my mood deeper and deeper into the pit of despair. So why do I eat the stuff in the first place? Why can't I foresee that mood dive a milla-second before I put the stuff in my mouth?

And what's worse, the absolute worst thought crosses my mind once despair is met. For a flash, I actually consider purging. I've never done this in my life. Honest. I haven't. But with such publicity out there, I now have this as an after thought fix. How bad is that!! Thankfully I haven't succumbed to doing it, and I keep praying that I won't. Once, at the thought, I ran to my treadmill and made the wise decision to just walk off the calories I'd just intaken instead of taking the stupid road in the bathroom. Now, I'm an adult, so it terrifies me to think of teenagers who have the same reaction as I do to messing up with what they eat. Lifting prayers especially for them to choose the exercise road to correction instead.

So, I'm starting my day deep in prayer, and asking for guidance, direction, and self-control today. Maybe I'll try and get in the habit of drinking 4 to 8-ounces of water before eating anything. That should give me enough time to reach for the carrot sticks or broccoli instead of the twislers.

Praying for us all to discover peace.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Family Reunions and such...

are not conducive to watching your intake at all. I blew it big time this past weekend celebrating with my family and all their delicious salads and desserts, but today is a new day and I will get back on track. I will!

Will you join me?

On another note, despite my busy week preparing for said family reunion at our house, I did walk a total of 12.31 miles on my handy treadmill while blogging and emailing. I must get a little treadmill tracker for the side bar of this blog to keep track of my progress. Now I only have 497.20 miles to go to get to New York, NY, where my dream publishing house stands. Any one else joining me on the treadmill challenge?

May we all have a successful week of curbing our over-zealous appetites, keeping hydrated, and working off that excess weight!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

How Could You Not Enjoy These?

Vegetables are our friend! Just look at all the wonderful colours for our taking. I'm getting back into making medleys of vegetables for many of my meals. I'll steam a variety together, then eat them plain, or mound my 1/2 cup pasta with steamed veges and a bit of low-fat spaghetti sauce for a very filling and healthy meal.


This is my past Sunday's supper. 3/4 cup whole wheat pasta (I still had two starches left for the day, but couldn't eat a full two, so I went with 1 1/2 starches), 5 oz broiled salmon, 3 cups mixed vegetables, some steamed and others stir fried in a dash of olive oil, and 1/2 cup low-fat primavera sauce. So filling, and so good!

Experiment, you could use chicken or beef as your protein instead. I just happened to have some left-over salmon needing to be eaten. It's buried under the veges.


Try it. You just might like it as much as I do!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen