From the Old Country

Sunday, October 16, 2011

This Diet Thing

Okay, it has been 2-3 weeks now and I really can't tell if I have made a lot of progress. I can tell you that I thought I was going to faint when I went on the rowing machine earlier this week. I made it to the gym and actually worked out! I did take my little ones with me and had to get off the machines more than 3 times but I actually sweated!! Now there is something I haven't done on purpose for a long time-sweat on purpose. Sometimes I wonder about people who do that. They do have a purpose for it, but do we really have to sweat to show that we are making progress? Yech!

I can truly see why people take diet pills. They don't want to do the work, but they want the results. I feel that way sometimes. I'd like to eat that half dozen of piping hot, fresh baked, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but I don't want to "pay for my sins". Do you know how many calories that would be? That's 1320 calories!! Hello! That is nearly my whole days worth of food! They look good to me but not that good. I just have to leave the room and come back tomorrow when the heavenly smell of baked goods and melting chocolate has dissipated from the air.

My opinions are changing and so is my appetite. Now if you know me at all, you know that I have an insane love for baked goods- not just any baked good, but fresh out of the oven, made within the hour of my seeing them baked goods! I can contribute this to OSD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have to know it is fresh. Who knows how long things have been sitting on the bakery shelf before you purchase them? And how many hands have touched it? How clean are those shelves? On and on, the questions run through my head like a horse tethered to a rope, running around in circles. SO, now that you've seen how my mind works then you can see why I have an obsession for food freshness and why I tend to make things only a mere hour or two before they need to be served. (It also explains why I am late to things that I have to take food to.)

Next subject: My taste buds have changed since this challenge has begun. I have begun to really crave earthy tasting foods like fresh spinach and especially mushrooms, RAW ones. I eat mushrooms like a chain smoker. A few an hour and my appetite is satisfied. They are low cal and all that good stuff but I really like the fact that they satisfy my constant urge to chew something. (And snuff is out of the question!) I eat a package a day and seem to be fine with it.

My family feels strange about it. Maybe you eat too many of them, they say. They tease me and say things like, "Ehhh, eating those magic mushrooms again?? or Shouldn't you have those with a pizza?"

I'm okay with that. They can say what they like about me, but don't say anything bad about my mushrooms too close to the refrigerator. They might hear those negative thoughts and wont' share their magic with me anymore..............

Monday, October 3, 2011

A Challenge!

It has been a week since I decided to do this. So to make myself accountable, I have to let the world know!!!! .

I, Misty Harris, challenge Malaka Grant to a "Weight Off".

I have seen through this last year (well, I can't remember how long I have read your blogs and known you), that the both of us have put on an unhealthy and unacceptable amount of weight.

We have both borne children in the last year and have suffered with the after effects of a cesarean section. We don't get enough rest, eat too much unhealthy food, and don't move enough to get rid of all that excess. The overhanging belly tells me that it is time to go.

No more fat and fluffy for me!

How about you?

We both lead extremely busy lifestyles, but we deserve better!

If you accept this challenge, you may proceed by any means necessary.

Your family should participate with you by being active with you for at least 1-2 hours a week. This can include such outdoor activities as playing, washing the car, gardening, chasing chilrens, walking, hiking Mt. Killahiker, basketball or some kind of sport.

Soda needs to leave our diets along with fast foods. You may have a free day but only one free day a week. (And you can't roll it over to the next week!) Beware that this day of "free food paradise" may satisfy the craving that only Snickers may fill but may set you back on the scale. You may want to purge your cabinets of any temptations.

Whatever devices you choose to use; becoming a vegetarian, diet supplements, at home liposuction, Dr. Pepper, Dr.Phil, cabbage soup or exercise (oh my gosh-that means sweat!).

Do whatever it takes!

* (I am not liable if you hurt yourself- please do this in a sensible, adult manner.)(Legalities, legalities!)

One of us has to lose at least 15 pounds by Christmas. If you break that down, that gives you 12 weeks to lose it.

We have to check in at least every 2 weeks with news of our progress.

Can you do this?

Will you accept my challenge and defeat me... or crawl away with your tail between your fat thighs???

Get your Spandex ready!

(The Grand Prize will be given to the winner by the loser no later than Dec 31st.)

Malaka replied with this weak message; I, Malaka Grant, hereby ACCEPT your challenge! My goal size is an 8. I am currently an 18. No more fat and fluffy for me either! What's the grand prize? A chocolate cake? Just kiddin', just kiddin'.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

A pickin' we will go! Part 1

Ahhh, fall is upon us and it is time for the traditional apple picking pilgrimage to Sandringham.
This year, we went on a Friday afternoon since the children were released from school early. A new group came with us and we had to caravan it since there are only 8 seats in my van. Needless to say, I hope I have introduced these "newbies" to the addiction.