Some setbacks

I made my usual mistake of weighing/measuring myself when I went to the gym today.  I thought that I'd gained some weight during the summer and I was right.  I was also wrong.  It wasn't some weight.  It was a lot of weight.  Almost all of the weight I've lost, in fact, has come back.  This is where my laziness has gotten me.  I've spent too many days merely sitting on the computer when I should have been doing laps in the pool.  And now I must attend a wedding this weekend in a dress that will be too tight on me.  I'm more than disappointed in myself.  I lashed out at my husband in the middle of Macy's and screamed at my mother when we got home.  I don't like the person I become when I'm depressed.  I wish I knew a better way to handle these kind of setbacks in my life but I just get downright bitchy.

So, it's back to South Beach as I think Weight Watchers is a load of crap.  I'm sorry to those of you who use it - I don't agree with their plan.  I agree with portion control but I don't like that you have to pay them for their weight loss advice.  They (finally) started selling their cookbook in bookstores but even after flipping through it, I'd rather stick with South Beach.  This is also another big motivator to purchase my own house soon.  I love that my parents are doing my husband and I a HUGE favor by letting us live here rent free but I cannot control the menu and it's driving me bonkers.  What my Mom views as healthy cooking/eating is basically cutting out bread or just not eating until dinner.  I need to have my own kitchen back.  I miss cooking for myself all the time.

Since I haven't been following the South Beach exclusively for over a year, I need to start back in phase one.  Starting tomorrow and for the next two weeks I cannot eat anything on the list below.  It's going to be hard but I've done it before and I can do it again.  Here's to a new start and better luck this time.  I've got 55lbs to lose and I'm not giving up.  I will look the way I used to.  Magick is the power of words as well as power in faith.  Look over me Lord and Lady.  Help me not fail this time.

Foods NOT Allowed and to be Avoided in Phase 1

VEGETABLES Beets Carrots Corn Potatoes, white Potatoes, sweet Yams BEEF Brisket Liver Other fatty cuts Rib steaks POULTRY Chicken, wings and legs Duck Goose Poultry products, processed PORK Honey-baked ham VEAL Breast FRUIT Avoid ALL fruits and fruit juices in Phase 1, including: Apples Apricots Berries Cantaloupe Grapefruit Peaches Pears CHEESE Brie Edam Non-reduced fat

DAIRY 1/2 cup of plain fat-free yogurt (once per day max.) Fat Free 1/2 & 1/2, Nonfat milk, 1% milk, Soy milk allowed with coffee. Otherwise avoid all other dairy products (unless listed under protein choices or sweet treats). Limit to < 2 TBS per cup of coffee. Otherwise, avoid all milk products in Phase 1, including: Yogurt, cup-style and frozen Ice cream Milk, low-fat, fat-free, whole Milk, soy STARCHES AND CARBS Avoid ALL starchy food in Phase 1, including: Bread, all types Cereal Croutons, all types Matzo Oatmeal Rice, all types Pasta, all types Pastry and baked goods, all types MISCELLANEOUS Alcohol of any kind, including beer and wine No regular ketchup or cocktail sauce No pork rinds - too high in saturated fat No jerky - too high in sugar content Limit Caffeine-Containing Beverages to 1-2 servings per day

The Storm Moon and more Spring Cleaning!

I know I've been a bit of a slacker when it has come to posting this week, but now that I'm on vacation from work for a week, I'll be able to post more often and everyday. 

In spring cleaning news, I've been doing ok with my diet.  I've had a little cheating this week, but I'll be back on track starting tomorrow.  Even though my food choices haven't been the most outstanding, I'm not overeating which is good.  I still need to be better about getting to the gym.  I did go twice last week and stayed for over an hour and a half.  This week off is much needed for my trips to the gym to increase.  I'm going tomorrow morning and I'll be there Tuesday night to start.  Then we'll go from there!

Tomorrow night is also March's full moon.  Originally I was planning on joining a coven in the area, but my personal schedule and the coven's meeting distance from my own home was a bit of an issue.  So, one of my friends who helped get me to this point in my path suggested starting our own coven.  Now, she does live in upstate New York, which is considerably further away than the originally coven I was going to join.  However, she is a good friend of mine and I'm always welcome to sleep over.  Plus, I love spending time with her, so the extra driving distance is really worth it for me.

For this full moon ritual, I plan on completing my wand project that I started at her house last month.  I have some beautiful beads that I purchased that are made from natural stones.  I'll be using Tiger's Eye (for personal empowerment and as a grounding stone), Hematite (for dissolving negativity) and Red Garnet (for self confidence and sexuality - hehehe).  The changes in season allow for a lot of creative energy and the full moon is a good opportunity to concentrate the wand.  I'll post some ritual ideas for everyone tomorrow along with my Monday Mutterings. 

Spring Cleaning: Week One Health and Fitness

I had to skip Monday Mutterings this week because I was just so wiped out after work yesterday.  My students are writing their research papers, which are due Friday, and I think I get more stressed out than them.

 

So, this Sunday was the official start of The Domestic Witch's Spring Cleaning event.  Week one focuses on health and fitness/well being.  I've been actively going to the gym for about a year now, but this year I really want to see the results.  I've lost about 30lbs since I started, but to me, I still look the same.  I've only dropped one pant size, which is 4 sizes away from my goal.  My personal trainer gave me this book to help with my eating habits and I've found that it's pretty helpful.  Honestly, I would not buy it for myself because the first 5 chapters talk about general health and I don't really need it.  If you are interested and have been into fitness for a while, I would just check it out from the library.  However, if you are a beginner, I would pick up a copy from the bookstore.  The diet comes from Prevention magazine, so you may also want to flip through a copy of that before doing anything.

The core of the diet is eating four meals a day.  Each meal should be no more than 400 calories and should contain a MUFA.  Meals should be spaced no more than 4 hours apart but no sooner than 2.  It has honetly helped me a lot.  I was never a big breakfast eater, but now that I've been forcing it upon myself, I feel that I'm less hungry and exhausted when I get to work.  I usually make myself a protein shake (I use EAS powder) with skim milk (I hate it with water - yuck!) in the morning and drink it on my drive to work.  I then follow it up with my coffee.  It really helps keep me full until lunch time.

My biggest hurdle to overcome to get myself back into shape is getting to the gym more often.  I see my personal trainer twice a week but I need to be more diligent about going to the classes on the days I don't see her.  It's hard because I'm working as a full time teacher, going to grad school and all of that other life stuff that tends to get in the way.  I'm seeing the trainer again on Thursday this week, so I'm planning to go to a Mixed aerobics class tonight at the gym.  Tomorrow, I'm in grad school and won't be home until 7:30.  If it isn't raining, I may take the bike out with the hubby or walk the dog around the block a few times and end my night on the eliptical my Dad brought home.  Next week will be a much easier time at the gym because I'm off from work (YAY for spring break!).  I will be able to go the gym in the mornings and afternoons.

I'm motivated!  Let's hope it doesn't wear off!