Here We GO .... again .. How to Lose Weight!

We are at it again. Losing weight that is. Not sure if it is old weight,  or new weight that we gained after we lost the last time  past several times. BUT ...we may be finally getting it right.

.... Maybe...

Darleen is using a modified method after noticing that her main issue (well maybe not main) ... regarding loosing weight at least has been that she has trouble eating breakfast. Or she eats breakfast at about lunch time, and very little except coffee until then. So how to get some vitamins, protein and calories in first thing to get the .. motor running kinda thing. By chance the Charming Prince in residence, happened to find a chocolate mocha drink high in protein and vitamins -
Bolthouse --> Perfectly Protein® Mocha Cappuccino . 
 It is delicious, and I have 8 oz each morning within 1 hour of waking (or getting out of bed -- which ever comes first). I then have 8 oz of water, and then .... my coffee with slop of 1% milk.  
Snack has become cereal - gluten-free or some healthy low sugar that I douse with milk and berries - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries - whatever berries I can find. And more water.  Lunch is light - salad, salmon sandwich on organic seedy bread (lots of grain thingies) .. and raw fruit and veggies. More water. Afternoon snack is an apple of cheese if I feel loss of energy.... and yep more water. Supper/dinner has become lacking in potatoes or pasta and most evenings have salad with grilled chicken and veggies and light on dressing.  More water. PLUS exercise!!
YES!!!   --  Exercise .. and that is more than walking to the fridge or stretching for the ice cream scoop!
Real exercise - and yes the first 2 weeks was brutal and I could barely move in between sessions. If you have never heard of a terrific herbal remedy  Traumeel >  well it works!!
Zumba!!  Yes taking ZUMBA twice a week for 8 weeks got me out of the rut ... and onto the street. I and the Charming Prince walk each night (rarely missing any) at least 4.2km per night. Or 2.61 miles. This has resulted in almost 20 lbs of weight loss and most days feeling better.


SUCCESS REASONS:
1) Breakfast
2) WATER  - at least 2 liters of water per day
3) JUST SAY NO TO :
- potatoes, sugar, white bread, rice, pasta, ice cream, pop, desserts, half portion of meals,
candy, cookies, alcohol (except on weekends - 1beverage followed by a lot of water) ...
4) Exercise - must be the 10,000 steps PLUS something else to let the body know you mean it.


Jan.. is doing the 17 day Dr Mike Diet ... more to come on that.





 ... personally I think they would sell more books 
if they put Dr Mike's photo on the front of the book ... 
and maybe scattered throughout :)






I am taking a rest from Zumba and actually missing it. ...  

Get yourself some water and Zumba ... Ahhh along ..


...darleen & jan

Where did the children go?

The day has come that you have been waiting for
- the children are grown and moved out!

Hoo Ha!!  Right?
Or maybe not.

Jan is feeling the first twinges with the empty nest, or in her case the slowly
emptying nest syndrome.

"It's natural for a parent to feel some sadness when children leave home.
Indeed, it’s normal to have a little weep now and again – or even go into the absent child's bedroom and sit there for a while in an attempt to feel closer to him or her."

Yikes! There is even a help line, in case you by chance go into a serious depression. See what children can do to us? First they wreck our luscious young bodies, and then after it is all over there is chance of drifting into a depression. Maybe it is just a delayed reaction - you know to the positive pregnancy test tests. Let's hope that doesn't happen - onward we charge.

 Daughter #1 is in Australia - seems so far away, even with Skype - hard to go for the usual pedicures other than in person. Yes we could try, but is - just not the same.

Her eldest son has married and left to setup house with his bride now for over a year, and there are 3 other children still at home. The advent of the first 2 has made Jan feel the tug at the apron strings and heart. Yes, she wants them to grow up and be productive and self reliant individuals. And yes, she has been looking forward to having house and home to self and husband again. BUT ... why is there such a heaviness in her heart. It is like missing your best friend, only worse.

Yep, I did experience this as well, and watch as other friends now are starting the empty nest syndrome - and see the forlorn looks, and holding back tears, and constant checking of text messages and Facebook for just in case 'she posts something'. It is similar to going through withdrawal after a love affair breakup. The loneliness feeling and longing - for just one more hug, or one more chance for her to be the little girl again. As yes we hoped for this day, some more than others
- especially through the teenage years
- "Please if there is a god in heaven, let these children grow-up and move out now!"
But ... We didn't really mean it. Just a wee bit longer to have them as children.

We used to add the Baileys to the coffee to bolster our nerves due to the children bouncing off the walls - now we add it to dull our emotions. And we slump.

PING  -- Jan scrambles to find her Blackberry (it slipped into couch during the slump) ... and ...

Darleen: Hey how are you today? Very exciting that E is in Australia!!

Pfft ... yeah sure it is a riot. But better put on the happy face.

Jan: yes very exciting. I am sad about but good for her.

Darleen: Sad? Remember it is not about you - it is her life now. But yes, I recall that feeling.

Ahh she is remembering .. and yes I know I moved far away from my mother at age 21 - who am I to talk. But that was different. Isn't it?

Jan: Yes. Just seems like she might never return.

Darleen: Well... she may not, but I think she will. But it is a good excuse for you to plan a trip to Australia. I know - still hard. Give yourself time - but you gotta release her. xxoo

ahh yes - release. BUT I DON'T WANT TO!!  NOT YET!!

uhuh ... Been there ... and the worst is that they do return. Not the fact that they return is the worst. The worst is that they leave after thrilling us with a short visit, temporary stay while new place is getting in order - and then leave - AGAIN! Just when we were getting used to them being there again ... GONE!

In my case the delight of grandchildren is softening the children having the indecency to growup. It helps - in fact it helps a lot. Not all of us are lucky to have grandchildren, or are often far away - due to the dang children moving away.

So now we have grand-parenting by Skype!
Hoo Ha!!

And they wonder why we mumble a lot as we age .
Pass the Baileys ...please ..


...darleen & jan

Does Your Body Image Suck?

 Credit: Ruling Cats and Dogs

Do you hate how you look?

Do you wish you were:

1. Thinner
2. Prettier
3. Sexier
4. Looked more like you used to look

Hmmm...  I just finished watching What Not To Wear   - you know the TV show that people are nominated by friends and family, that require a makeover as their clothing choices are not promoting them in a good way.

"What Not to Wear draws on the personality and talent of fashion experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly to convert participants from dowdy to dashing. Hair stylist Ted Gibson and makeup artist Carmindy add the finishing touches that complete the change."

 First there was Mindy Cohn 
She is child star from the Facts of Life sitcom in the 80s, today she is 44 years old and although her  personality is  vibrant and upbeat, her clothes were dowdy and attempting to cover her  largeness, and to obtain comfort. She didn't realized that her outside appearance was not displaying her happiness with herself and creating the image of who she really is within. The clothes chosen really made her look better - in fact fabulous, along with basic makeup and spiffed up hair styling.

Ok - so she can look better, and even quite attractive - but she is still not thin. She has never been thin however, so this just a better looking Mindy!

Second I watched Maggie - a very vibrant young mother of 2 young children, and had become frustrated with changes to her body after childbirth. She had never felt attractive, and was now overwhelmed with finding clothes to fit, and her self esteem and confidence was at all time low. The transformation was astounding with simple changes to types of clothes chosen, hair style and just a bit of makeup. The clothes selected to showoff her assets made her look HOT!

This one really hit home to me, as her issue was mostly due to changes that had happened to her body after childbirth. I myself am dealing with changes after later in life, after always being thin for 48 years, and suddenly having a completely different body - so similar, as what the heck is this and how do we deal with our body not being the body we are used to dressing and seeing in the mirror. So we cover it up with baggy clothes, and loose sweaters, and playing into the loss of self esteem and self.

Maggie said she never felt pretty or attractive, and I could relate to that as well - as I was always either too skinny, too flat chested, or too lumpy. Although when I was younger and thinner I did put more time into primping and wearing nice clothes, as was easier to find clothes that fit as they were supposed to fit. Now it is a challenge, and due to wanting to cover up the bulges I have become similar to Maggie - overwhelmed so throw up my arms in disgust and keep my coat on a lot.


BUT WOW - did she look magnificent in all the clothes and with the smallest amount of makeup and hair given a boost! She became absolutely beautiful.  Unfortunately I cannot link to a photo yet, as it just aired last night. Believe me in the black party dress - and as she stated old time movie start dress - it was an amazing transformation!

Is that all it takes? Yes I would and should lose some weight for my health - but at the same time I cannot expect or more I need to accept that I am no longer 20 and never shall be so again. Bodies change, age causes other changes to our appearance. BUT - as this show very well does, it is our image of our self and love of our self - our Body Image and Self Esteem that should see us through.

How the heck do we dress this new body and face? Well getting on a makeover show would be one way - or learning tips that are posted online and even will send to you on your cell phone (wonder how that works? - like can they see me and tell me to stop wearing the baggy fleece hoodie?).

OR  - a do it yourself makeover with girlfriends. Or you can pay for Image Consultants to do a makeover and assist with what to wear, and choosing clothes that suit the 'mature' you or changed you.

This photo was taken about 2 years ago
- and I can still fit into this dress.

I did have a new one for this Christmas,
but did not have a photo taken.

I will do that
- dress up and take a photo, and show I can cleanup good.

Next is to get some style added to every day dressing
with casual clothing as well as if dressing down going to feel down.

What do you think?
Is there a way to accept who we are on the outside?
Or should we even care, but like ourselves regardless?

And as with the examples shown - even without losing weight these women look fabulous and feel completely alive, feminine and pretty as who they are.



Do you look good when you dress up, but are you like me and not presenting yourself in the IMAGE you should be in casual clothes ? Or even to yourself?
Or every day attire to the office - does it matter how you dress? Should it?

Let's make sure our Self Image Is Brilliant! 

...darleen & jan

MOTIVATION Collection #1

Urgent Request!! - SEND MOTIVATION!

So .... it has been awhile since we have posted an update regarding Jan's weight loss, and Darleen - well doing anything. Excuse this time, is that Darleen has been sick and lazing about like Mr Leopard above.

Current Update

Jan's Weight Loss Adventure

Jan has stuck with her Jenny Craig diet, and exercise program with Curves and Yoga!
Total weight loss = 13.5 lbs! Wow! Excellent, and she has done this with several family parties, and get-a-way weekend, and other changes in routine. Exercise is starting to become a habit for her. She enjoys it and feels bad when she has to skip it. This is amazing. Jan and Mr Jan, are off on their celebration weekend, in honor of their 25th anniversary - feeling fine and able to maintain!
I am betting she will soon be at 20 lbs total weight loss.
With new good habits, even Christmas will not sabotage her.
WOO HOO!! Way to go Jan!

Darleen's Adventure in Finding Purpose and Happiness

This is a sad update, as Darleen has been able to guide Jan, with support, motivation and inspiration. BUT - yes there that word is again - she has not been able to motivate herself very well.
Tomorrow is always the answer.
It has now got to point that Jan is regurgitating the motivational, inspiring messags back to Darleen in daily texting conversations.

Darleen: I wish one day I could wake up feeling refreshed, and energy would surge into me

.Jan: Then that is what you have to envision for yourself. Look forward to what an be, rather than back at what was and even what is..

Darleen:  Sounds familiar :)

Jan: Don't you just hate it when your own words come back to bite you :) Was good advice for me so should work for you too!

Darleen: Do as I say, not as I Do syndrome or Are You an Example or Warning?

Jan: I like to think you're an example for me so get your thoughts organized and practice what you preach :)

SO .....  Send  motivation and inspiration

TO GET THINGS STARTED  

- JUST DO IT!!

...darleen & jan

Update re Quit Smoking Project #FAIL

Quit Smoking #Fail

I have not been successful with the Quit Smoking Project - lasted about 3 weeks. Ahh... hmmm..
It is difficult. I am a loser. Why?  If I had the answers - I would be a non-smoker.
However - each time I do actually get much closer.

I will try again. As it is all that I can do, as must do!

That is all.

...darleen

Eat Dog Biscuits to Quit Smoking

Kill the craving

"My cousin smoked for 20 years. She quit in an interesting way—she started eating Milkbone dog biscuits! She chewed on them to kill the craving and she quit." — Chris T., New York, N.Y.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I was asked what nicotine withdrawal, and why it is so difficult to ignore. We all know that it is difficult to quit, and that there are multiple reasons for this. BUT, those that have never smoked, find it difficult to understand why it is SO difficult.

What does it feel like?

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

• Cravings to smoke - 100 times more than craving for chocolate or that food you are not to have.
• Irritable, cranky  - but seems like everyone else is being unreasonable
• Insomnia  - or tired and when sleeping don't think about smoking
• Fatigue  - lack of stimulant
• Inability to Concentrate -- brain does not work > I gave out wrong cell # for myself
• Headache  -- oooh yeah
• Cough   - all that stuff starts to be hacked up
• Sore throat  -  yep more release of garbage
• Constipation, gas, stomach pain  -- lack of nicotine
• Dry mouth  - have no idea why
• Sore tongue and/or gums -- yes mouth hurts, and start to imagine already quit too late
• Postnasal drip  - again body is releasing junk
• Tightness in the chest  - tension I assume ..
• Crave bitter drinks and food - pepsi, coffee, ginger
• Urge to inhale - deep breathing helps a bit

Ways to Manage

The Five D's: DELAY  DISTRACT DRINK water DEEP Breaths  DISCUSS feelings 

 There are a few other techniques:
Visualization has been used successfully for some and others not so good.
Support Groups

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
 EFT


I am still learning about this, and the Tapping required to overcome cravings - for quitting smoking and also can be used for plethora of other issues - very successfully.

I have been trying to find an exciting video to demonstrate, however cannot find the perfect video.
Maybe I shall have to make a video that is EXCITING EFT.





Please review this until I can find or create something more exciting:

Also see: http://www.tapping.com/


...darleen

How to Quit Smoking Without Being Arrested

Darleen has managed to get through the weekend, without smoking 
- just barely. It is not easy.

Steps to Becoming a Non Smoker
I prepared with all the reasons, reading  books, listening to CDs , gathered gum and nicorette.
I did not sign-up to any Quit Sites, as expect that all would come to a sudden halt, and reject me - there must be a limit to how many times you can actually 'try' to quit.
The very first time I tried to quit, was probably the day after I started in 1971 - and the total number of times I have tried must exceed 200. Some tries did not even last 1 hour! The longest to date has been  8 months.

What is different about this time?
One thing.
I know how to quit - just quit.
I know how to prepare - have an official manual.
I know how my body will react - have foods and extra low calorie snacks ready.
I know my mind will try and negotiate - and have exercises and answers ready.
I have done this before.



The One Thing that is Different
I am asking to be RELEASED from the addiction. As that is what is holding me.
I am ADDICTED.
I cannot think of freedom or how will get my life back - as my ADDICTION will convince me that it is fine to have just one puff, just one smoke, just one ...
I chant (in my head), while I breathe deeply - "release, release, release" and calm myself.

Your Support is appreciated.

... darleen