Which came first?

Two habits to consider when managing weight are avoiding feeling full and being hungry.  When we get to a place where we are full, we have eaten so much that our stomach has expanded and the tissue is feeling pressure.  This level of consumption is clearly beyond our need.  If we do not need it, then it becomes storage.  We will look more at the process of creating storage at a later time.

For now, the question is which came first the buffet or the belly?  Did we create toxic eating environment where food becomes possession, reward, consulation, and pleasure alone?  Or did the size of our collective waist lines grow spontaneously forcing the need for larger portions?  I think that we know.

If we are always creating unhealthy habits and making bad choices, the food choices will continue to change.  If we pay for value (a buffet for little money), then the food and restaruant industries will keep feeding you, us, what we want?  What is it that we want?  Maybe we should be deciding based on what we need?  I need a balance diet.  I need to control my portions. I need to be healthy.  But buffets are really satisfiying...are they really?

Manage Habits not Weight

It has been a very small sample size, but the last week has been great.  I still have my kids so I have stayed busy between them and work.  I haven't had the time (priority) to exercise.  I have been trying to save freetime to hang with the kiddos.  The result is balance.  I have eaten better, been active and lost weight.  Today I weighed in at 225.8.

I work 6 different part time jobs for a total of near 60 hrs per week.  On top of that I am in my car getting to or going home from work another 16 hours a week.  I don't have to be a parent on most days, so I am only worried about the daily events in my life.  I tell you all of this to suggest that habit management is crucial to healthy lifestyles.  If I don't plan well, I get hungry.  If I don't have food with me, I will go find it.  I try not to have to make decisions on the fly, but the night before or the morning of.  I want to plan meals and snacks that are healthful options, low calorie, low fat, low sugar, high fiber, etc.  It can be time consuming, but not more than trying to burn off silly calories on a treadmill :)

Accountability

In research, it is suggested that habit management benefits greatly from accountability.  If you have a goal, instead of just thinking about it...write it down.  Use SMART goals.  Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Action-based, Realistic, and Timely.  This model will increase the likelihood of your success.  The next step is to recruit social support.  If others know that you are trying to change and you know that, it is more likely that you will continue the process of change.  When people ask us about about habit change, we want to tell them some good news.  That motivation helps to deliver success.

In today's world of electronic data and gadgets, you can find a multitude of apps online and through your smart phone to help you.  I have begun using "Loseit".  I manage my profile online, but they do have a phone ap as well.  Regardless of how you keep track, it is very important that we log our food and activity to lose weight.  Considering that it is way easier to consume 1,000 calories (one adult fastfood meal) than to burn 1,000 (10 miles on the treadmill), we must be very congnizant of our eating paterns.  Most people underestimate how much they consume and over estimate how much they burn.  That is in part why we end up adding extra pounds over the years.

I know that many of you don't like counting calories or spend time being specific.  But consider logging an option if you struggle to manage your weight on your own.  "Loseit.com" has a great list of brand name foods and makes it easy to add your own creation.  So far, I have been looking forward to seeing how my choices are helping.

I've Always Wanted to be a Model

I am two weeks into Camp Daddy 2011.  As a part-time single parent, it can be difficult to plan well and be the role model that I need to be for my kids (at least for me).  I want to play and have fun.  And as a society, fun is somewhat tied to eating.  Can you really build memories around broccoli and asparagus?  Pizza and McNuggets put smiles on faces.  Chuck E. Cheese etches smiles forever.

That might be true, but can't I do better?  I need to do better. 

I have reasserted myself and the summer has started well.  Down three pounds, being activity and have my kids asking which is the healthier choice. :) 

If nothing else, the healthier I am..the more memories we can create.

Time to Re-RE-Commit

Summer, just a reminder that I am not in bathing suit season.  June 1st came and goals were set.  For the warmer months, I have decided that I will refocus myself and dedicate my time to planning meals and finding time to exercise.

I would like to lose 10 pounds each each to end up at 200 pounds by August 31.  The first two weeks I will have my kids.  I am a part time single parent.  This could make things tricky.  I want to be the fun time dad, but I also have a responsibility to teach by example.  Here we go!

Vacay Mindset

Yes I deserve it.

It's Spring Break time.  I didn't go anywhere, but I have the vacation mentality.  Experience, drink and be merry.  Eat now, worry later.  That mentality can sabotage all of the good work that you have done.  Experiences can still be had, but be practical about portion sizing and beverage (adult or otherwise) amounts.

I have my kids in town this week.  It has been tough.  I usually don't have a problem planning my meals or skipping the fast foods and sugary items.  But as a part time parent, I want to offer and experience as much fun and excitement as possible.  That usually means more soda, more fast food or restaurant meals, and more concessions (movies, bowling, sporting events). 

But does the food make the experience?  Is it even really apart of it?  I do know this: I am not a good model for my children if I make all of the easy choices.  3 days in I have an upset stomach and a couple extra pounds, as well as an expectation level of what they can expect.  It is time to right the ship.  Make good choices and have conversations that help them understand about the relationship that bad food choices has with our body.

There are always reasons to have a lapse.  My children being near is the worst one.  To make them a scapegoat is horrible parenting.  I also have to be concerned about not being able to flip the switch to be healthy again.  Research suggests that bad food consumption can lead to increased thoughts of needing more of that food.  Yikes.

No Where Fast

Many people are in a rush to make changes.  You must prepare yourself for success.  Without fully thinking the situation and no established plan, weight management can be a very daunting task (not that it is easy to begin with).  When you are ready to change your habits, it should be for the long haul.  Those who look for quick fixes or short term, drastic change are almost always headed for disappointment.

If someone could guarantee you that you could lose 50 pounds by this time next year, would you be willing to sign up.  Under those guidelines, the individual would only need to lose about 1 pound per week.  Don't focus on how fast you can change but instead on the change itself.  Your friends and family will notice.

As for myself, i have found myself in an unbalanced lifestyle.  Juggling contract work at inconvenient hours is troubling my weight.  Secondly, I don't live in my own place right now.  I feel a little confined as to being able to cook and prepare food the way I would like.  Nevertheless, they are excuses.  I need to use that short term focus for my long term goals.  I have gained some weight so far in 2011.  Today, I was 229.6.