- Water. Drinking water, and lots of it, really makes a difference. Especially on those weird days or events in which “sprinkling” (the Sensa) just isn’t kosher or comfortable. I’m surprising myself by drinking about six to eight liters of water a day. The sports water bottle (the screw top kind with the lid that you can drink through) is especially helpful if you have cats about who always think your water tastes better than theirs.
- Weigh in. Weighing in every day, no matter how special that day is, and writing down that dreaded number somewhere or other really helps. I seem to gain more weight when I haven’t kept myself accountable and in the weighing-in habit.
- Measuring. I learned this from someone on the forums (before I was kicked off). There are times when the number on the scale is so vexing. Just remember that the scale doesn’t tell the whole story. All that water makes your skin fresh and lovely! Measuring your waist (or hips or whatever) is also a great idea, if you only do it every few days: the results can be especially rewarding on those days when you’re sure the scale tells lies. Ugly ones.
- Graphing. I’ll admit it: this sounds like the height of nerdiness. Yet it has really paid off for me over time. I’ve been graphing my weight based on three months of statistics (so it includes stuff even before I began using Sensa). I use a 28 day scale on the x-axis, on tick for each day. And for the y-axis, I began at my ideal weight, and just kept going up a little higher than my weight on the day I began with. One tick per pound. Over three months, this has given me great courage in the face of the scales. Over 28 days, my weight always jumps up three times. I also experience three troughs on the graphs, in which the weight is significantly lower. The three graphs have a similar rhythm. And they help me to see that if the scale isn’t saying what I wish it would, if I am mindful of my eating habits, and if I am drinking a whole lot of water, then that weight will come back down again of its own accord in a few days. What peace of mind! By the way, it is also clear on my first graph where I began “sprinkling”. How much of that is self-motivation and how much of it is Sensa is a question up for grabs. I think it’s probably a bit of both. And the Sensa heightens the mindfulness without making you suffer.
- Work out. It’s gotta be fun. And for me, that means that 1.) it has to be a game, and 2.) other people have to depend on my presence; otherwise, I might find something else more pressing or more interesting to do. Right now that means tennis. This doesn’t mean you have to join a country club, you know. Okay, the racquet costs a bit, and you’ll definitely want a good pair of court shoes to avoid long term injury, and some socks and tennis balls. After that, it’s not so expensive. Most cities have tennis leagues, and groups of round ladies who wish to get together for lessons and a workout. Anyway, using that abovementioned graph, I can tell that in two months I played more tennis than in the other one. The best work out I ever had was swimming three to four days a week, 30 to 45 mins per session. But that requires a swimming pool with available lanes. Not a choice where I currently reside.
- Goals. I’m seeing that my short-term goal of getting to eleven stones by Thanksgiving really helped. This goal was a.) reasonably within my reach, b.) short term enough to hold my interest, and c.) very specific. So, I’ve set up a new goal for Valentine’s day, about six weeks away. Maybe I’ll reach it, or maybe not. But it’s now a bit of a game to step back onto those scales: will I reach my mini-goal by February 14th? I don’t know. But I bet I’ll be close. Unless something happens. Meanwhile, I guess I’ll have to keep reminding myself about the bigger picture, too. The mini goals may also serve to do that: they keep me working, on a daily basis, toward the desired bigger picture. I’ll let you know about that!
- Fun foods. I can have fun foods, including wine, cookies, a piece of pie, chocolate. I just can’t have them every day. Nor can I have them in the amounts I used to allow myself. For example, I used to enjoy a glass or two of white wine every night before bed. Now I’m down to one smaller glass of red wine, which I actually savor more and drink more slowly, one or two nights per week. I usually save the wine for a special occasion that week, or for two weekend nights. If I’m really craving sweets, I’ll have a banana or a handful of chocolate kisses. If I have cookies, I’ll cut way, way back on something else later – not on the veggies, but on the breads.
- Chatting. Chatting about all this with you really makes a difference. Especially since I got kicked of the Sensa forums. I really need and enjoy a “safe”, non-judgemental space in which to share the journey and the adventure. It would be so lovely to hear from you! Do comment, if you have a chance; otherwise, just enjoy the site! Cheers to you!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
What I've Learned So Far
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