Too Many Late Nights

I've broken a cardinal rule too many nights in a row. I went to be at 12 am, 12:30 am, and 11 am for several nights. That has messed up my schedule and writing. My eating has been off, but I have eaten less. I'm still at 220ish pounds. I want it gone. I was also emotionally upset last week because of seeing friends struggle and others showing passive-aggressive rudeness.

Today I'm still recovering from staying up too late, but I got in exercise--vacuuming the TV room. There's so much housework to do. Yesterday, I cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed the front room. Really, any cleaning the floor includes putting dozens of toys away, dishes, and trash. I still want to vacuum the couch, office, upstairs bedrooms and mow the lawn. I have to pace myself. Three boys can make such a mess!

So, what has helped you get over emotional stress and eat right?

Day 14, ?: What Day Is It?

I had cheerios and milk for breakfast. Went back to bed. I even went to bed before 10:30 pm. My toddler woke my husband and me at 2 am. When do they stop waking in the middle of the night? Ate an orange and string cheese as a snack. For lunch, I had a peach-berry smoothie from The Formula book. It adds a few almonds and protein powder to it. My toddler likes these smoothies for some reason. My other kids hate it. Had a snack of watermelon and cheddar cheese. I'm tiding over until dinner time. I think I'll eat some leftover chicken and zucchini soup with some bread. I don't know if it will fill me up. I usually eat a snack before bed too.

Um, I don't know what day I'm on anymore, but I do know the actual date, just not the log. Tuesday night I stayed up too late because I was sad over a friend's crisis. I was upset yesterday too after someone made a passive-aggressive put down about me. It doesn't matter if other people are rude, but put it in a socially acceptable way.

I can't remember what I ate yesterday, only that survival was my goal. My house is a mess. Today I went to my parents. I didn't eat any M&Ms or Silvermint ice cream bars at my parents. That's like...a first! I had a flavored apple pop, but so much less than I sometimes pig out at home with. I don't keep treats as a rule in my house. Maybe because I eat it so fast :).

My older boys have been on a whine fest today. We didn't get donuts, didn't get Sour Patch kids candy, the oldest was forced to go to Grandma's. It was a rough day, but going swimming with cousins was fun for them. But if we had stayed home, we never would have gone swimming with cousins. My oldest hates leaving the computer, but has so much fun other places he doesn't want to come home. If only it didn't come with scream fests!

Day 13: To the Movies

"Popcorn" by Cristie Guevara

I kept track of what I ate on My Fitness Pal today. I ate one of the suggested 40-30-30 breakfasts: oatmeal, cottage cheese, almonds, 1 teaspoon of milk and low glycemic sweetener. (The Formula suggests fructose, or fruit sugar, but blue agave is easier to find. My former trainer suggested it.) I got in some upper body toning this morning and walking around running errands.

For lunch, I ate watermelon, string cheese, chicken & barley soup. I still felt hungry after eating, so I probably didn't have enough protein. I don't know. My stomach felt upset. I was at my husband's computer desk when I found a gold nugget--a mini chocolate gold nugget! That seemed to help. I grazed on more watermelon during the afternoon. Watermelon is a high glycemic fruit, so it doesn't keep me full very long.

For dinner, I had three pieces of combo pizza. I feel better because we get it from a local store that makes it healthier than some of the chains--it's not very greasy. Also half of a pizza was left after the whole family ate. Usually I would have eaten that half of the pizza by now. Progress.

We went to see Inside Out at the theater tonight. My preschooler was scared during some of the scenes. It seems to be more of a preteen, teen, and adult movie. Little kids have a much simpler understanding of feelings. My kids screamed at some parts and cheered at others. A movie about emotions brought a lot of emotions to my children...more than normal for a movie.

Of course I had to have popcorn and one candy. Only one candy! I had diet soda, but I've heard that some sugar substitutes actually mess more with metabolism. WebMD discusses artificial sweeteners here. However, I didn't want sugar filled soda. Don't want to drink my calories. I got buttered popcorn because it provides a little more balance with the fat from the high glycemic popcorn.

Day 12 & 13: Yard Sale, Sunburn, and New Glasses!

"Corn, Oats, Rice, Wheat" by Petr Kratochvil

Breakfast: cheerios, milk
Snack: something
Lunch: Mushroom burger, orange soda, avoided the fries :)
Snack: something
Dinner: Orange chicken, lo mein, string cheese, maybe cereal.
Snack: Red vines!!! I gave some to my son to rot his teeth. I saved about a third of the package vs. eating it all in one setting. My husband should never buy me treats, but then I buy him treats. He got me the big package and I wish he'd gotten the smaller package...less to eat.

Saturday I hauled items from my garage to my lawn. After a few things sold and a sunburn later, I heaved the leftovers to my car or garage. Most of the items I donated to a thrift store. I had to get the crap out of my house! Yet I still look in my garage and I kept a bin of holey jeans. One day they'll become a quilt :). I offered them for free! One person took free cutoffs for her son. No one bought the hundreds of jean squares. I had toning exercise hauling heavy boxes!

I crashed for a nap and my husband woke me after only an hour. Mean man. But then he had great news: my new glasses came in! They came a week earlier than I expected. I can now see clearly...better than with the glasses I lost. My husband and I went to bed by 11 pm.

Sunday
Breakfast: The rest of the Red Vines! cheerios, milk
Snack at church: grapes, string cheese. Everyone can see my family chowing down during services.
Lunch: cheerios, milk, cracklin oat bran, milk
Dinner: string cheese, cereal? I don't know. I'm not sure I ate a full dinner. Probably will have more cereal.

Exercise: going up and down the stairs to take a nap.

Proposed bed time: before 11 pm. Should be 10 pm, but today is the longest day of the year! I have to wait so late to stare at the stars. I remember all those times looking at stars when I lived in rural Utah versus suburban Utah as an adult. I miss seeing every star under the Southeastern Utah sky.

I need to rethink my weight loss strategy. My goal is to function during the day. (My toddler is playing with his belly button right now.) Summer and kids out of school upsets my schedule, but then I'm not a schedule person. I looked at the Shakeology stuff, but that's super expensive. I know what I need to do: eat healthy, exercise, and go to sleep on time. Surely it's not that difficult :). I have maintained my weight over the last month instead of gaining. That's good.

Day 10 and 11: Dentist

Breakfast: cheerios, milk
Snack: raspberries, cheese
Lunch: tamale
Dinner: orange, corn bread, chicken zucchini soup, zone bars
Other food I can't remember
Bedtime: Midnight :(

I spent time making a 40-30-30 soup with chicken, barley, zucchini, celery, spices, onions, tomato paste. Should have had mushrooms and other veggies, but I pulled out rotten mushrooms and pepper. Mushrooms get this weird white mold.

My eyeballs hurt all yesterday because I had on fifteen year old glasses. I found eight-yr-old glasses while looking for yard sale stuff today! Maybe I won't get a headache from wearing a weak prescription. Only a week more and I should have my new glasses!

Today

Breakfast: Cheerios, milk, almonds
Snack: zone bars
Lunch: chicken zucchini soup, cornbread
Snack: zone bars
Dinner: 2 chocolate chip cookies, and other crap I'll eat tonight. Probably will eat some tic-tacs, soup, or hot dogs, maybe some cornbread.

Bedtime: should be 10 pm :)

I've worn my contacts all day and had a headache from lack of sleep. My eyes are not hurting like yesterday. So nice. Went to the dentist this afternoon and I have one cavity. Considering I only brush my teeth every once in a while, it's pretty good. I heard a hygienist talking to someone else about periodontal disease in the gums. Yea, I may have had that being pregnant with my last child. I'm just thankful I only have one cavity today. I prepared for a yard sale tonight. Hope it goes well tomorrow.

Day 8 and 9: Goodbye Glasses!

Lost my glasses yesterday. You can read about it here. I spent the whole day getting eyeglasses and frustrated with insurance. I can't remember much of what I ate. I don't think I got in much exercise. I went to bed at almost midnight. It had been a rough day without my regular eyesight and finances. But I have to have eyeglasses to see. No choice about it. I had fruit, maybe one veggie. Just a crazy day on Tuesday.

Yesterday, I ate cheerios, strawberries, string cheese, zone bars, raspberries, cottage cheese, M&Ms, mint chocolate ice cream bar, bacon, tortilla, lettuce, and cheese. I had the candy and ice cream visiting at my parents' house. They tend to have goodies at their house, but I ate far less of what I usually eat at their house! I chased my kids around and hauled yard sale items to my car. That was exercise.

When I got home I ate zone bars, grapes, string cheese. I attended a potluck and ate more fruit than cookies :). I believe I had two veggies and 3+ servings of fruit. I rode my bike to get to the potluck. It was fun because I talked with other neighborhood ladies. I went to bed by 11:30 pm. So I earned 4/10 points. I need to redo my points.

Day 8: Busy Morning

"Ham and Cheese and Fruit" by Petr Kratochvil

I was up early this morning and wanted to go back to bed. A little too nervous with the schedule of the busy week ahead. I ate multi-grain cheerios and milk. While I was running errands, I brought along veggie straws, strawberries, and string cheese. Made for a healthier snack :). I might have gotten a donut like my son did. I saved a dollar!

Fruit and cheese is a good combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in a snack. It's recommended in The Formula. (My snack was not as pretty as the picture.)

Had spaghetti for dinner. Two zone bars (40-30-30) and strawberries and cheese for an evening snack. It was healthier and less than some of my other snacks. I can't remember my afternoon snacks. Had a couple jelly beans left lying around the house. I love when I find candy around the house! It's a treasure hunt. It's almost better than finding money.

I did go to bed before 11 pm last night. Back to more sleep after three nights of going to bed too late. I feel like I need to go to bed by 10 pm instead. Later: I retired at 11 pm. I was reading a book and I didn't stay up late!!!

Day 7: Sore Butt

"Flower Power" by Lode Van de Veld

I went to bed around midnight last night. Not so great, but I've functioned today since I can sleep in. My poor hubby. I rode my new bike around the neighborhood today. Now my butt hurts. We switched my standard seat to a padded seat from my old bike. My gluteus maximus thanks me. My husband attached the bike trailer to my back and I tested it. Of course, the boys had to take turns riding in it. An extra fifty pounds is a lot to drag behind me. My middle child screamed when I stopped giving rides.

Food today has been so-so. I ate pizza for breakfast. Had jelly beans and string cheese for lunch. Dinner was a pear, veggie straws, potato chips, and probably something else. So you could stretch that I've had one vegetable and maybe two fruits (Hawaiian pizza!). One point for exercise!

Day 6: Saturday Is a Special Day at 3 AM

"Baby with Toys" by Piotr Siedlecki

My toddler woke my husband at 3 am. I woke later because I heard loud banging. I went downstairs to find my husband watching a movie and the toddler hitting things. He likes to make noise. I went to bed on time, but was sleep deprived after the banging this morning. Spent much of the day recovering. Now my toddler babbles innocently.

I had cereal and milk for breakfast. Ate some stir-fry for lunch. With my husband and me so tired, we bought candy and pizza and watched a movie. Yea, downhill. My problem is how much I've eaten, not having a little candy. All things in moderation. I haven't stuffed myself on pizza and candy like I have in the past. There's still two half bags of candy and cookies. The candy belongs to my sons, so I need to leave it for them. But they know that Mommy eats whatever is left over. For some reason, they don't trust me to leave them any candy. On the other hand, they eat all the raspberries and strawberries before my husband and I have any. All is fair in love and war.

I got some exercise while I went grocery shopping. Dragged around several kids on a cart. I also bought healthy food. I bought a bike that works! My old one has the brakes stuck while I ride. It's also rusted from being out in Idaho weather the first few years of my marriage. Time to go riding.

So when will I go to sleep tonight? Take a guess. My husband needs to recuperate from 3 am. He rarely can take a nap. This drives me nuts because he'll get cranky but can't fall back asleep. On the other hand, I can nap quite easily. Maybe we're a match made in heaven.

Day 5: Tackling the Lawn

"Lawn with Dandelions Background" by Andrew Schmidt

Breakfast: Cheerios, milk
Lunch: cottage cheese, peach, spinach, mushroom, almonds, ranch, croutons
Snack: olives, jam, bread, cheese
Dinner: box macaroni and cheese
Snack: macaroni and cheese

Exercise: Mowing .21 acre lawn, weed whacking, replanting bulbs, carrying edgers

This is the time I wish that lawns were smaller. I want to build a retaining wall in the backyard to put in a garden area. This way I have less to mow! And put in a sand box underneath the playset. That's a real pain whacking grass under the slide area. I don't like weed whacking, but I like how the yard looks after I'm done :). I've proposed to my husband we put in easier landscaping. Maybe just weeds. Would save on mowing.

I went to bed before 11 pm. Got all my points today with mowing! 10/10.

Day 4: Out and About

"Rice" by Daniele Pellati

Yesterday I did some free exercise. I went walking for about an hour. My kids got some exercise in the process too.

I can't remember much of what I ate yesterday. I should keep track better. I had strawberry awake and turkey sausage for breakfast. I figure the sausage gives me lean protein for the morning and milk with my cereal. (My toddler is dripping juice from his sippy cup around the computer.) Ate a peach on my walk. Can't remember lunch.

I had brown rice with chicken stir-fry for dinner. I substituted white rice with brown rice. Brown rice has more vitamins and protein, is a whole grain, and has a lower glycemic level than rice. It keeps you full longer. I had only white rice when I taught in China and I always felt hungry. I bet brown rice would have made a difference. I made guacamole with an avocado and salsa and had it with chips. I figure homemade guacamole is healthier.

I went to bed before eleven last night! That's always a big accomplishment for me :).

So my points would be 8/10 (no toning). I probably need to revamp my point system. I don't know.

Did you do well yesterday? Did you save money in the process?

Day 3: Much Better!

Yesterday, I ate lots of corn for dinner. I had a salad, strawberries, yogurt, cereal, and more stuff I can't remember. I got in 2 vegetable servings and 2 fruit servings. And I went to bed before 11 pm! I did some toning and jumping on the trampoline. So yesterday I earned 8/10 points.

This morning I woke up at 4:30 and went back to sleep. My body needs to sleep in!

I saved money yesterday because I ate food from home and no take-out. I get take-out too often or go to a fast food restaurant. So I save at least $10 not buying a pizza like the Tuesday night.

Day 2: I am beautiful as me

"Plus Size Model Silhouette" by K Whiteford

A friend reminded me yesterday we are all beautiful in our own way. What we look like is not our true beauty. The world has set patterns of beauty, especially for women. I don't fit the ideal like I used to, but she reminded of the beauty I have. I have red hair that so many people dye for. I am a caring and talented person.

But I still want to lose weight!!! I also am learning I don't need to compare myself with others. I especially can't compare myself to the media's portrayal of a flat stomach, large chest, and wide hips. How many pictures are photo-shopped? Or how much surgery did someone get for that body? We live in reality with imperfections.

God loves me for who I am. He only wants me to be as healthy as I can--not a model. He also wants me to be happy wherever I am in life. Life is a process that takes time. Healthy living is a process that takes time.

So yesterday I ate one vegetable on pizza and two or three servings of watermelon. I also enjoyed Reese's pieces in the morning. I had less candy than I had the day before. I went to bed at almost midnight. Didn't get exercise in. So what positive thing can I do tonight? Go to bed by 10! My points would be 2/10.

Day 1: Good Until Nighttime

"Cat" by Veronica Andre VeronicAndre

I got in three vegetable servings and three fruit servings. I had a craving for sweets in the evening after some stressful tussles with kids. We realized our toddler had ruined the network card on my computer. I went to the store and bought fruit, vegetables, and some candy. I ate some of the candy right before bed. I know that's the worst time to eat sugar. Wait until morning! I don't believe in abstaining from foods, just having it in moderation.

I exercised in the morning and tuckered myself out for the rest of the day. (I was still recovering from a cold. Think I'm finally over it.) I did some toning and hula hooping (?). Went up and down the stairs carrying my toddler. In the evening, I vacuumed and mopped the floor. But this was all before the candy at 11:00 pm.

I have been going to bed before 11 pm for almost two weeks. Unfortunately, I stayed up until almost midnight last night. My head is feeling it today. Staying up too late, I ate more food than usual. Now I want to sleep the day away like a cat. Going to bed on time previously has made today better than multiple late nights in a row.

I need to endorse myself for the progress I have made. I ate my allotted fruits and vegetables and exercised yesterday! That's 8/10 points.

How have you done?

My Challenge for You and Me

I'm struggling losing weight, but I want to keep the cost low. This is a personal challenge and I would like others to join me on this journey. So I have some criteria to keep track of while we strive to be more healthy. The focus will be more on what we can control than what we can't control. We can't control our exact weight, but we can control other aspects of our lives.

What Can We Control?

We can control what we eat. No matter how little or much money we have, most of us can control what food we eat, or at least the portions of what we eat. Grocery bills don't have to be high on special weight loss food. Simple foods work.

We can control how active we are. Almost everyone has the ability to move around and get cardio workouts in. You can get moving anywhere. No need for an expensive gym. Toning is another aspect of activity. We need to strengthen muscles, but we don't need a lot of equipment to do so--maybe a resistance band, a couple weights, chair, and space.

We can control when and how long we sleep. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. It's better to get more sleep during the night than the morning. Lack of sleep can cause weight gain! I'm working on being in bed before 11 pm every night. My goal should be 10 pm. Protect your sleep as much as possible. Sometimes we have to adjust sleeping schedules for various reasons.

What We'll Keep Track Of

We can keep track of what we eat, but the focus will be on number of vegetable and fruit servings. We'll report what we eat each day in the comments. We can eat whatever, but try and keep it balanced. My former trainer suggested the Zone diet 40-30-30. Some of my food will come from that. No calorie tracking! That only stresses me out. 

We will report cardio and toning. The goal will be 20 minutes of cardio three times a week and two sessions of toning. Remember to stretch!

Finally, we will track when we go to bed and how long we sleep. You determine a healthy time for you to go to bed. We want at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

We'll keep track of each other in the comments or you are welcome to email me your report. You may report anonymously--just have some type of pseudonym to keep track of you.

10 Point System

3+ veggies                                     2 points

2+ fruits                                         2 points

20 minutes aerobic exercise          2 points

Toning                                           2 points

Sleep                                              2 points

Anyone up for the challenge?