Plan for the Summer

School has finished for the 07-08 year! I am so happy to have some time at home with my toddler. He is very active and fun and cute. We like to take walks and play all day. I feel as though I have no free time, which is crazy since I am not working. How is it that I am depressed when I work and I am depressed when I am off work? I think I just don't know what I want or need!

Anyway, I think I need a plan for my days off. Typically, I want to get up when my husband does. This is so that I can exercise outside while there is still someone making sure my son is OK. Also, I get to see my husband in the morning before he goes off to a hard day at work.

Then, I get home and eat breakfast with my husband (usually Cheerios and fruit w/ milk and OJ to drink). He leaves and I shower. My son will be getting up about this time. Then, I feed him.

Now...what? What is next? My goals for the summer include: (1.) Creating my curriculum for next year--literally planning each day so that I don't have as much to do during the school year. (2.) Exercising a lot, using both the gym and the outdoors. (3.) Playing with my son and bonding and teaching him how to swim. (4.) Cleaning the house so that I am not embarrassed to have people over.

So, when my son goes down for his nap (typically, he takes a 2.5 hour long nap in the morning) I will NOT turn on the TV! I will not bake cookies (which is my weakness and obsession). I will create lessons, clean my house, or exercise. Those are the choices.

Oh, I just suck at this kind of stuff! I tell myself: "Your choices for a snack are vegetables or fruit." I still eat other terrible stuff! It's like I want to rebel or something! I just need to focus that creating lessons, cleaning my house and exercising are not punishments! They are ways to obtain goals that I really want to reach. I want an easier school year. I want a clean home. I want to be physically fit.

I am convinced! This is it. No more stalling. I will accomplish these goals this summer!

Ever Heard of Metabolic Research Center?

I am doing well eating healthy foods. I have been eating salads for lunch, and am not miserable at all. I have been planning ahead and making them on Sunday for the five-day work week. Since I use Romaine lettuce, it is not brown by the fifth day. Breakfasts have been Cheerios, milk, juice and berries. I eat snacks of apples twice a day.

Then, I get home from work. I put some butter, sugar, flour and chocolate chips into a bowl and make chocolate chip cookies. I go to so much effort to make c.c.c. that I am too drained to make dinner (and too full from all the cookies). I love the cookies. I can find no fault in them. I love them.

So, my biggest challenge toward being a healthy weight is that period of time between work and dinner. I am starved and craving cookies nearly every day. I thought I would implement a walk now that the weather has turned nicer. Each day, I would take my son for a walk, which is something he loves. Instead, cookies win.

So, that brings me to the title of my post. Has anyone ever heard of Metabolic Research Center? I have heard a lot about it. I go to a trainer once a week and she recommends it. She says it is pricey, though. She also says that people really lose weight on the program. I would like to be healthy so that I can have a less weary pregnancy once we go for our second child.

Staying motivated

I always start my thoughts with "I hope", "I wish", "I feel like", "I need to". I will be replacing these types of intros with words like, "I will", "I have", "I began", "I implimented". I like that better because it is more decisive. It indicates a strong desire for change. I am just too loosey-goosey about things.

I will eat healthy foods! I have really noticed a major dislike for foods deamed "unhealthy". Sometimes, it does not stop me from eating it. For example, I eat the school lunch and feel yucky all day. It's too salty and not filling. If I eat more veggies, and am full longer. If I eat french fries, I burp 4 hours later. Ewww. I am still looking for major faults to chocolate, however!

This has helped me to stay on track, but I still stray. I want to be a "normal" weight, and to do so, I must continue to eat healthy foods that benefit my well-being.

Long time, no blog!

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted an entry! It's amazing how time flies around here. I have been getting up and going to work for months now. I am a teacher, and just really enjoy my job. There are times that I have a hard time with my classroom management, but I always decide that it is a good place to spend my day. The kids are such good people!

My baby is nearly a year old now! I can hardly believe it. We don't think we'll have an extravagant party. It just seems like a lot to plan.

I have not been using WW like I was this summer. It just seemed like it was hard to lose more than 10 pounds for me, which is a a problem that I had in 2005 when I joined the program. I really think it is a great plan, but I don't know why I can't follow it fully.

I have been trying other programs, and I have a personal trainer. It was one of the very best decisions to go to my trainer. However, I have not changed my eating patterns drastically, so my weight has not shed miraculously like some expect it might once you hire a trainer. I am more toned and energetic, though. I look forward to my weekly workouts with her. (Yes, it's pricey!)

Right now, my favorite "diet expert" is Ellie Krieger from the food network. I like her for a few reasons. 1. She has a show on Saturdays and demonstrates how to make healthier foods. 2. She is an educated dietitian with a degree. 3. She is always talking about heart healthy oils. 4. She does not forbid any foods, but describes moderate use. 5. Her dishes are delicious without tons of salt.

I think that journaling helps me to process my thoughts. I hope to continue, and not have months where I do not write!