Betcha Can't Eat Just One!

So, yesterday, I did just that!  Maybe for the first time ever, I had one cookie and one cookie only.....hurray for me!  For me, cookies are a downfall.  Their delightful portable funsize, makes it ever so easy to pop a few into the body one right after another, right?  (I don't mean eating an entire box, just more than one.)

A few years ago, I remember speaking with a friend about portion control and he said, "just try having one".  At the time I looked at him as if he had 2 heads and came from an alien planet!  I knew the advice was sound, but the execution was challenging.  So, yesterday I prevailed!  I must admit, it feels good!

So I am issuing a challenge - if you have a desire for something that may not be "on plan", just eat ONE.  Try it, you will feel good too!

Now, here is a challenge I have issued to myself - over the next 30 days, I amchallening myself to do 3000 "sit ups".  That is on average 100 per day.  By "sit-up" I mean ab exercise, of which there are may challenging variations.  I am sure a few of them will be the standard crunch, but they will also include plank holds with outer rotation, crunches done on a big ball so you can stretch with each one into a reverse extention, balancing on your tail bone with a heavy ball bounce on either side, a shallow v-up with a 25 pound plate, and many more.  I thought it would be fun to set a goal and see if I can reach it.  Between us, I know I will!   I will report each week on my progress to the goal!  Should be fun!

Desire to work towards a new goal.  Dedication to track my progress.  Discipline to eat just one.

Routines Work!

I am writing this on Friday, the end of my first week at my new job.  Things have been going super well.  I am being treated "like a rock star".  Seriously - super nice boss, super nice staff, super nice team members, super nice office and super work to be done......definitely a happy honeymoon period!

I committed to renew my disciplined eating pattern beginning on day one.  There is just something about the symbolism of making a fresh start.  So, on my first day, there was a team celebration dinner.  I was very happy with myself - did not touch the bread basket, had the tiniest splash of wine, no starch with dinner, and did not touch the gooey desert on the table.  Success!

Day two was a team offsite where I was able to continue with the discipline. Plus the meeting was only 1.3 miles from my house so I choose to walk instead of drive followed by spinning in the evening. Success!  I set up my office with a healthy selection of appropriate snacks.  Success! 

The rest of the week has been full of success too. One of the reasons is because of the opportunity to inject fresh discipline into a fresh situation.  The other reason, I believe is because my body and mind like routine and I am establishing a new routine and new rhythm.  This is not to say that I can't manage through change and adapt.  Goodness knows that change is all around us and is the norm, not the excpetion.  Still, it is more supportive to be able to function within a routine and use adaptive skills to manage change. 

Managing and disciplining our eating is, I believe, the most important factor in achieving and  maintaining a healthy weight.  This is so much more achieveable when we can establish a routine to provide the nourishment at regular intervals, with consistent nutrients and with appropriate reinforcement.  So, look at your life.  Can you establish a routine that supports and nourishes your body and mind?  Try it.  You just might like it!

Desire to establish a supportive routine.  Dedication to navigate life's inevitable changes.  Discipline to create support mechanisms for both routine and change.

Transformers; Transforming!

Last Wednesday, I was working with a client, Universal Studios Hollywood (yes, I know, a very cool client!)   AND I got to ride the new Transofrmers ride, which will have it's big opening next week.  It was super awesome cool and completely exceeded my expectations!  The ride lasts for more than 4 minutes, is 3D and is loaded with amazing CGI special effects.  It really is like being right in the middle of a 3D Transformers movie!  I can't recommend it enough!  If you are in the area and looking for something fun and memorable to do, DEFINITELY include it in your plans.  You will love it!

I thought it was particularly  meaningful that I rode a ride called "Transformers" right at the time that I was deciding to "transform" myself.  As I mentioned in my last post, I had been wrestling with some important decisions.  I have made a decision to make another life change.  I am going to leave my consulting practice behind (at least for now) because I have accepted a position with AMN Healthcare.  Starting tomorrow, I am their new Senior Director for Organization and Talent Development. We danced the dance of interviewing each other for the past few months and ultimately I decided to join them. 

Reasons I decided to leave behind my successful consulting practice:  AMN Healthcare contributes to improving people's lives, which is a direct purpose and value I can support.  If it had been another electronics company, I would not have even engaged them in discussion.  AMN is only 9 miles from my house - commuting is a non-issue.  The CEO of AMN was actively involved in my selection and she is a very compelling impressive executive.  My new boss is a highly respected HR exec and someone who I can continue to learn from.  The team I am inheriting is a group of great professionals.  Travel will be minimal.  I will not miss the TSA and hotel beds all that much.  :-)  The AMN campus is beautiful and 1/4 mile from a Whole Foods plus they have a big onsite gym!  All of the people I met with are involved in some kind of fitness pursuit, so I will find many like-minded people there. 

So, please join me in being happy with this latest change.  I am excited to continue my healthy journey at a new location.

Desire to transition with positive intent.  Dedication to supporting the higher corporate purpose.    Discipline to carry my healthy journey forward.

Stress Eating....Yikes!

I am facing some inportant life decisions.  I am very tempted to reach for something to snack on.  Instead I thought I would post a new message instead of snacking.  I am not hungry.  I had a perfectly delicious salad for lunch with a beloved former co-worker.  So, I know my stomach is not lacking.  Still, it is interesting to recognize that on an emotional level, I want to reach for food to divert my attention.

BUT I WILL NOT CAVE IN!!!  Instead, I will enjoy a working meditation by talking with you.  I will sit and allow some quiet time so I can tap into my intuitive self to help me make some important decisions.  I will drink a big glass of water.  And, then I will make the best decisions I can with an open heart and a confident mind.

I have asked myself: will food help me make my decisions?  Will food make the stress go away?  How will I feel after eating surplus food I don't really need?   

I am actually very happy that I am so in touch with myself that I can detect the signs of stress eating, get out in front of it and avoid it.  This is a big success for me on my journey.

Emotional stress eating, I think, accounts for more weight gain than any other factor.  What do you do to combat stress eating?    

Desire to make good life decisions.  Dedication to me and what I need and want.  Discipline to select healthy activities to manage emotional eating.

Too Much Is Just Too Much!

Friday night we joined dear friends to celebrate a birthday.  The selected location was in Laguna Beach, likely the epicenter of healthy living!  The restaurant was Zoolu Cafe, a VERY popular and "hard to get into" hot spot.  The chef is known far and wide for delicious creative cuisine and large portions.

I Yelped the spot and read many reviews about the large portions, even so, I was unprepared for the real size of the servings.  I orderd the cioppino, sans pasta.  Literally a bowl large enough to give a small baby a bath was delivered to my table.  Everyone else was served MASSIVE portions too.  All around me were ooooo's and ahhh's of appreciation and delight.  But, I have to tell you, my reaction was different.

The portions were so large as to make it difficult to enjoy the meal.  Of course, there was no way to finish the meal.  I did take home a doggie bag with enough to feed me and my husband an entire second meal the next day.  But what caused me to be uncomfortable was the amount of waste at our table alone (multiply that by all the people dining there).  Some people took a doggie bag and others simply left a huge quantity of food untouched.  For sure it was thrown away.  It made me sad to think that some would think that such a huge serving was a good thing.  It also made me terribly sad to think of all the people who do not have anything to eat.  It bordered on gluttony.  ICK!

So, in spite of the quality of the food, and what I tasted was delicious, I did not enjoy my meal.  Have you ever experienced anything like that?

Desire to enjoy dining in moderation.  Dedication to helping others who are without.  Discipline to not waste food.

A Fun Slumber Party!

Thursday night we babysat for 3 little neighbor girls.  Their parents were off on the 204 mile Ragnar run, which is a 12 person relay team, 2-day experience.  So, while they were off being CRAZY, we took care of Evie (5), Sophia (7) and Abby (10).  It was super fun, as they are exceptionally adorable and very well behaved children, just like we like 'em!  :-)

On Friday morning, they woke up with smiles, brushed their teeth, let me brush their gorgeous heads of hair and were ready for breakfast.  Since they were up early, I offered breakfast at home or, for what I thought they would regard as a treat, we could go to McDonalds.  Sophia looked up at me with her sweet little eyes and said....."there is nothing good to eat at McDonalds, so let's stay home."  On the inside, I was cracking up but we proceeded to eat a very healthy breakfast together that included Ezekiel whole grain english muffins (many kids say "eeeewwww" to this version), yogurt and whole fruit; all their choices.

Her comment did make me think about the high numbers of unhealthy kids in the U.S. (and the world) that haven't had the benefit of their parent's influence about healthy choices.  It really does start young and have an impact on their future too.

So, next time you are with kids, do them a favor and influence them towards healthy choices, just like we are doing in our grown up world!  I guarantee that is the last time I will offer up McDonalds! (with apologies to McDonald's Corporation because I know they have made great strides to include healthy menu options)  I WAS SCHOOLED BY A 7 YEAR OLD!!!  :-)

Desire to love the little ones.  Dedication to keeping kids safe and healthy.  Discipline to help them learn healthy choices.

Pane, Pizza, Pasta, Pannino, Prosciutto = Pounds!

I do love alliteration and all of the "P's" were fun to play around with in Italy.  We had a wonderful trip, mostly because we visited with our niece, Alex, who is finishing up a semester abroad in Firenze (Florence).  We walked all over Firenze. It was our second time to that city and I liked it much more this time than before.  The summer crowds haven't quite hit yet, so you could actually walk around.  With every turn down a little side street, I kept saying - "this looks like a back lot at Universal Studios!" 

We did the Duomo climb - really fun, about 490 (little narrow skinny) steps to the top.  The view at the top was a nice reward.  We  walked the Arno river.  We took a train to Massa, a small town which is the same as my maiden name and Alex's last name.  We stayed at a Relaix and Chateau property called Il Bottaccio, very luxurious and FABULOUS!  We have been there 2 other times and it does not disappoint.  They are a 5 star dining experience.  We always ask the chef to prepare us a meal and then sit back and be amazed at what comes out of the kitchen.  That 5 course meal (small portions for sure) was worth every calorie!

Then we finihsed up in Venezia (Venice).  It was our first visit there and it was truly beautiful.  People had told us that the water would be dirty and smelly, but it wasn't like that at all.  They have really cleaned up the canals and they are quite pretty.  Again, they look  unreal, like a movie set!  I think Venice is the stairmaster of Italy.  Everywhere you walk you have to go up and down steps to get over bridges.  It was actually fun!

The Italians are known for their cuisine and yet you do not see many overweight people.  The dominant sweet is gelato, which we had a few times.  The crust on their pizza is so thin as to be more like a cracker and they don't glop tons of cheese and toppings on it.  I had pasta a few times, but since we make homemade pasta at home, it is hard to beat our "homemaders".  I did love the pane or breads - yummy!  The biscotti comes with every cafe.  We had delicious wines and I was introduced to a Campari spritz - delicious.  All in all, it was enough yummy food to pick up a few vacation pounds.

So, Allen and I are back on loads of veges and lean proteins.  I hit the gym the day I returned.  My trainer, Kathi, was only to happy to kick my butt after 12 days of no gym!  I love the cycle of indulgence and then discipline.  I am truly impressed by people who can go on vacation and not gain any weight, like Sarah!  I bow to you girl!

Desire to explore and experience.  Dedication to pleasure and fun.   Discipline to jump right back into the gym.