Confidence

Even though I have only lost a small amount of weight (in the scheme of what I need to lose), it has helped my self-confidence.  I noticed it the other day when pictures were being taken of me and two of my cousins.  I usually try to hide behind someone, pull my chin up, and plaster a grimace on my face - all very unnatural.  This time I stood up straight, smiled with my whole being (I was enjoying the visit immensely), and the picture came out pretty good.


Every time I look at a picture of myself I see this enormous ugly old woman.  This time she was gone.  In her place was a pleasant looking woman who seemed genuinely happy.  I call this progress.  I really like being confident.


I don't think I have lost any weight lately and might have even gained some weight.  Why?  I have had some cookies and some extra helpings of popcorn.  Why?  Because it was there and it tasted good.  I'm still doing fairly well on stopping eating when I am full - at meals.  It is the snacking that needs to be addressed.


Today my treadmill got fixed, so no more excuses in that department.  I went downstairs to try it out and instead got engrossed in a sewing project.  When I finished the project, I headed to the treadmill to give myself some walking time and the phone rang.  The call lasted almost an hour and then it was time to head upstairs for my bedtime routine.


Tomorrow - I promise.  Really.  I mean it.  Absolutely.  

Walking

Exercise and walking are not activities I choose to do on any regular basis.  I enjoy the results and I enjoy how good I feel afterwards, so why don't I get up off my chair and move more?


Today I had some cousins visiting and I suggested we walk uptown for lunch.  It was an easy walk, the weather was cool but pleasant, and it was enjoyable looking at the houses along the way.  Of course I had company and good conversation to occupy my mind.


So why don't I walk uptown more often?  It feels good, I enjoy it, and it is good for me.   What is the problem?  


Could I have agoraphobia?  I thoroughly enjoy walking when I am with someone, but going outside to walk when I am by myself brings out all the ridiculous excuses I can possibly invent:


1.  Too hot.
2.  Too cold.
3.  Too sunny.
4.  I might be far from home and have to use the facilities.
5.  I might fall or twist my leg and not be able to get home.
6.  It might start to rain.
7.  I might not be dressed warmly enough, or lightly enough, depending on the time of year.
8.  If I decided to walk to the grocery, I would have to carry the bags home or use a cart and I don't want to drag anything with me.
9.  If I decided to walk to have lunch, I would have to bring a book or my Kindle along and then I would worry that the restaurants would be crowded and there would be no table for me and I would have to take the meal home and so I might as well eat at home.
10. I need to stay home and spend my time thinking up excuses.


See - it all makes perfect sense.  


(OK, I will try to fit in a short walk tomorrow and leave the excuses at home.)

Scarf

Tonight I finished knitting the scarf to go with my very first knitted sweater.  Now I have a complete ensemble for a very cold day.

When I DON'T think about food.......

Yesterday I listed my food triggers.  Today I am going to list the times when I definitely do not think about food or eating.


1.  When I am sleeping.
2.  When I am in the shower.
3.  When I am doing creative writing.
4.  When I am creating Artist's Trading Cards.
5.  When I am in church on Sunday.
6.  When I am shopping for clothes.
7.  When I am enjoying a concert or play or musical.
8.  When I am playing the piano.
9.  When I am reading my favorite blogs.
10.  When I am working on a jigsaw puzzle - after I had a bowl of popcorn to get me started.


On Tuesdays I do my volunteer job at church.  I bring my lunch.  I noticed today that when things were going along well without any problems, I had no idea what time it was and I was not hungry.  But as soon as I encountered a problem that required me to do some figuring out, I then glanced at the clock, saw that it was after 12:30pm, and decided I was very hungry and had to take a bite of my sandwich.  Had things gone smoothly I might have lasted much longer before being aware of hunger.  Interesting.

Borders on

My blue and white nine-patch quilt top is finished.  The next step is making the backing and binding - and deciding whether to quilt it myself or send it out.  (mmmmmm - me thinking - mmmmmmm)  Who am I kidding?  It will get sent out!

(Too bad the navy blue border does not photograph well - it goes so nicely with the quilt.)

What triggers thoughts of food?

Things that trigger thoughts of food/eating for me:


1.  TV ads - for crackers, or restaurants, or cookies, or grocery stores, etc.
2.  Watching the Food Channel
3.  Remembering things from childhood - Saturday baked beans, Sunday pot roast, my mother's homemade rolls, my step-mother's meatloaf.
4.  Church potluck dinners.
5.  Deciding to go to the movies (popcorn).
6.  Passing a Starbucks (Java chip)
7.  Driving home from my hairdressers as I pass Yen Yens, Panera, Portillos, Jimmy Johns, another Panera, McDonalds, Starbucks, California Pizza Kitchen, and the third Panera.
8.  When I get up, when it is noon, when it is approaching 5:00pm.
9.  When I smell garlic.
10.  Thanksgiving (I love turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing and gravy and sweet potatoes and creamed corn and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie and snacking all day long on crackers and cheese.)


This was a fairly easy list to make.  Tomorrow I am going to concentrate on times when I do NOT think about food/eating.  I wonder if I can come up with 10 things as easily.

Slow, slow progress

Yes, I am making very slow progress on the projects posted recently on this blog.  Today I had a chance to work on the borders for the blue & white nine-patch and hope to get them finished tomorrow.

My sewing time was made easier by the addition of a new bendable light given to me by my cousin.  Every time I threaded my needle today I hit my target the first time - and I'm sure it was because of the good light spotlighting the needle and presser foot.

While watching TV tonight I also worked a little on this Halloween stitchery.  This is a particularly slow project because the 32 count fabric is a real challenge for me to see.  I can only do a little at a time before everything starts to get blurry.  However, I so enjoy stitching, even though it goes so slowly.

Today I am grateful for -
1.  Visiting with friends.
2.  My new bendable light.
3.  Enjoying Dancing With The Stars.
4.  The Down comforter I recently purchased.