Old Dog Learns New Tricks

In the past year, I took a course with Clarian Health to learn how to help people quit smoking. The task of breaking an addiction is very daunting. I learned that the nicotine from tobacco can be flushed from your body in 72 hours, but the habits that you have acquired make the smoker want to smoke for much longer. These habits are called triggers. Triggers are everyday habits you do without thinking that make you think you want a cigarette. Like having a morning cup of coffee.
Dieting is much the same as smoking. We develop habits that make us want to turn to chocolate or cookies or chips. Personally I have always been a stress eater. Of course I don't eat stress, but I am someone who turns to food for comfort in times of stress. "Afterall, I deserve something special..." Does that sound familiar?
Several days ago, I attended a particularly long meeting in Indianapolis. It had been a snowy drive to the conference and I was extremely nervous about the traffic. The day was long and I was feeling overwhelmed at the task before me. When I got in my car to travel home in rush-hour traffic, I had the intense craving for McDonald's French fries. In fact, I thought I was gonna' die without McDonald's French fries. The feeling grew with each passing mile. I HAD TO HAVE SOME FRENCH FRIES!!!
I thought of the advice I so freely give the people who want to quit smoking. I smile and tell them to put off the act for as long as you can.
Taking my own advice, I passed the first exit that boasted of having a Micky D's and decided to try to make it to Pendleton exit. The traffic was slow and it took a while to get to the exit. By the time I got there, I decided to put off my purchase until I got to New Castle. Well, you guessed it. By the time I got to New Castle, I had come to my sences. I drove on by McDonalds and came home to fix an evening meal of Lean Cuisine.
This little episode taught me a good lesson. When I am in a stressful situation, I absolutely can not turn to food. I have to retrain myself to sing or pray or laugh. Anything but eating will do. I guess even this old dog can learn new tricks!

Cowgirl at heart

The weekend has been a great one. My granddaughter and son came to the farm to stay all night. At four years old, Carly still thinks she wants to be a farmer when she grows up. She got to ride a horse this weekend and play on the computer so she was a busy camper. Lots of fun for Valentine's Day. As a little girl, I always wanted a horse. I have continued to want a horse even though I am afraid to learn to ride at my age. Carly begged her grandpa today to buy Grandma and her a horse. She said, "Grandma and I can be cowgirls - we really can, Grandpa."
I only have a fear that I cannot get myself up on a horse any more. They seem much higher off the ground then they used to. Maybe after I get muscle mass in better shape, I can lift myself up on a horse. Who knows?
Today was sunny and bright which made me think that spring was not far away. I can't wait until I can get outside this spring. I love my flowers and need to dosome major work in the garden area.
Well, I lost weight this week despite the fact that I had company for a visit. Little by little I am nearing a halfway point in my goals for myself. I am learning to get back in the "saddle" after I fall off my diet horse. I guess I can be a cowgirl afterall!! Ha!

Going Back In Time

Have you every felt like you are going back in time? This week I did. My big sister, who lives in Georgia, came to visit for a few days. We were both raised as farm girls and spent much of our young lives eating and cooking our favorite recipes. So naturally when we get together, we want to reconstruct "old times." This usually includes noodles, dumplings and all of the fixins. At present, my sister is a borderline diabetic and I am the kid sister who can only see the borderline of obesity in my rear view mirror. In other words, we both need to break some bad habits.
This visit with my sister wasn't spent entirely in the kitchen or nearby restaurants. When I went to my favorite eatery, I made better, more healthy choices. I realized that I still had a great time and can have a wonderful fellowship without the presence of gravy. Ha!
I did indulge in a few chocolate treats and am hoping that I don't have to pay too big of a price on the scales this week. Life is sweet afterall!

Turning Back The Clock

Greatest Thrivers has been an interesting experience for me. At sixty years old, I still have a lot to learn. This is my first blogging experience and I am up for the challenge. Hurray! (I think I am getting younger.)
When I began Greatest Thrivers in September, I really didn't have much hope that I could get myself back in shape. I was very stiff and unable to walk without wobbling to and fro. Greatest Thrivers was not my first time at losing those ugly pounds. I have lost a ton of weight in my lifetime, but never learned how to keep the pounds away.
My trainer, Laurie Stonerock, has been an inspiration to me. She has taught me a lot about exercise. I work out 5-6 times each week and increase my weight training every two weeks. I never dreamed I could find the time to exercise so much, but somehow I have managed to get it done. It almost seems natural to me now.
I have lost 25 pounds and 24 inches so far. This weekend when I went sale shopping I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Ha! What a treat to buy new clothes that actually looked good on me.