There are five weeks left before school lets out and my goal is to lose 10 - 15 lb. in that time period. More than that will be "gravy" (no pun intended) and will help me to be well on my way to 170.
Along with the weight goal, I also will stop by L.L. Bean's to look at kayaks so I can begin to decide which one I will buy as my reward. I hope there is one that I can take Sophie (my Lab) with me, but she weighs sixty pounds so maybe what I need is more like a canoe....
Friday, May 16, 2008
May 16
So much has happened in these past days. Last week I went to Portland to meet with G. Espahbad Dodd, a hypnotherapist who was recommended to me by Dr. Kim Bailey, a friend of mine who happens to be my chiropractor. I was open to the idea of seeing a hypnotist and Kim had said that two of her patients had seen him and each had lost about sixty pounds. Because my goal is to get to 170 - 175 lb. and that would mean I still have about 100 lb. to go, I called Espahbad and asked if he could help me. After a short conversation and affirmation from him, I made the appointment for a Friday afternoon and had my first hypnosis session after an appointment with my dermatologist (also in Portland).
Espahbad's office/home is a delightful third-floor walk-up located across from the park. Shoes are to be taken off before entering and it immediately feels comfortable, relaxing, and like an extension of home. Espahbad's energy and positivity is infectious and I found myself sharing my past history of diets tried and failed, exercise programs that I didn't think I was worth following, and what role food has played over the years. I watched a video by Cal Banyan on hypnosis and what it is and isn't. I had heard some of the information during college while studying for the concentration in psychology that I have.
After about an hour or so of talking over my history and goals with Espahbad, we went into the next room where I would have my hypnosis session. He had me sit in a comfortable chair and he sat, facing me, in a rocking chair next to me. He asked if it was OK if he touch my forehead, shoulder, arm, and hand, to which I consented.
Most of the hypnosis session felt like I was super-relaxed and just listening to Espahbad and suggestions. My eyes were closed and I felt as if I would fall asleep at any minute, but my mind felt active. I was very attentive to every word he said and once in a while, he would ask me a question and ask me to indicate an answer by lifting my finger. Occasionally, he would touch my arm, which seemed to help me re-focus on his words.
I had been concerned before that I would be tired after the session and not be able to drive home; I shouldn't have been worried. Although I yawned a few times, for the most part I was refreshed and energized. It felt good to sing along with the radio the whole trip home and be able to pick out something for dinner at Sam's Italian Shop without obsessing about what to eat. I ate only half of the sandwich and felt satisfied. Instead of a soda, I drank a water I had taken with me. I even saw whoopie pies and thought how great they looked, but they didn't tempt me. It was as if a switch had been thrown from obsession to "normalcy."
The rest of the week was amazing. Even though typical things happened (Willow peed on the floor, the yard needed work, bills arrived), my attitude was much better and food was not linked to solving issues.
I followed the suggestions I have heard before: drink plenty of water, drink a glass of water before a meal, eat at the table, etc. I struggle with eating at the table, so I made this one a priority and swept the clutter off the kitchen table and prettied it up with a single candlestick. Every night (although at first I felt foolish), I light my candle and enjoy what I've called "Quiet Time" while dining. Did I lose weight? Yes and no. I lost three-quarters of a pound to equal my first twenty-pound loss, but then my weight fluctuated and I gained a bit. Yikes! How could that be? My eating for the past week has felt 100% "clean" and appropriate, so I'm assuming that it's because of water weight. When I weighed in this morning, I had lost so that now I'm at 273, a 21 lb. loss!
I have to say that what feels best is how my clothes are feeling. I can take off my jeans without undoing the button or zipper (TMI? LOL), my shirts feel like I need to buy a smaller size again (from 26/28 in January, now at a 22/24, soon to necessitate an 18/20), and pants don't bind at all.
Links to Espahbad's and Kim's websites are included on the main page of this blog.
Espahbad's office/home is a delightful third-floor walk-up located across from the park. Shoes are to be taken off before entering and it immediately feels comfortable, relaxing, and like an extension of home. Espahbad's energy and positivity is infectious and I found myself sharing my past history of diets tried and failed, exercise programs that I didn't think I was worth following, and what role food has played over the years. I watched a video by Cal Banyan on hypnosis and what it is and isn't. I had heard some of the information during college while studying for the concentration in psychology that I have.
After about an hour or so of talking over my history and goals with Espahbad, we went into the next room where I would have my hypnosis session. He had me sit in a comfortable chair and he sat, facing me, in a rocking chair next to me. He asked if it was OK if he touch my forehead, shoulder, arm, and hand, to which I consented.
Most of the hypnosis session felt like I was super-relaxed and just listening to Espahbad and suggestions. My eyes were closed and I felt as if I would fall asleep at any minute, but my mind felt active. I was very attentive to every word he said and once in a while, he would ask me a question and ask me to indicate an answer by lifting my finger. Occasionally, he would touch my arm, which seemed to help me re-focus on his words.
I had been concerned before that I would be tired after the session and not be able to drive home; I shouldn't have been worried. Although I yawned a few times, for the most part I was refreshed and energized. It felt good to sing along with the radio the whole trip home and be able to pick out something for dinner at Sam's Italian Shop without obsessing about what to eat. I ate only half of the sandwich and felt satisfied. Instead of a soda, I drank a water I had taken with me. I even saw whoopie pies and thought how great they looked, but they didn't tempt me. It was as if a switch had been thrown from obsession to "normalcy."
The rest of the week was amazing. Even though typical things happened (Willow peed on the floor, the yard needed work, bills arrived), my attitude was much better and food was not linked to solving issues.
I followed the suggestions I have heard before: drink plenty of water, drink a glass of water before a meal, eat at the table, etc. I struggle with eating at the table, so I made this one a priority and swept the clutter off the kitchen table and prettied it up with a single candlestick. Every night (although at first I felt foolish), I light my candle and enjoy what I've called "Quiet Time" while dining. Did I lose weight? Yes and no. I lost three-quarters of a pound to equal my first twenty-pound loss, but then my weight fluctuated and I gained a bit. Yikes! How could that be? My eating for the past week has felt 100% "clean" and appropriate, so I'm assuming that it's because of water weight. When I weighed in this morning, I had lost so that now I'm at 273, a 21 lb. loss!
I have to say that what feels best is how my clothes are feeling. I can take off my jeans without undoing the button or zipper (TMI? LOL), my shirts feel like I need to buy a smaller size again (from 26/28 in January, now at a 22/24, soon to necessitate an 18/20), and pants don't bind at all.
Links to Espahbad's and Kim's websites are included on the main page of this blog.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sidelined, but not Sidetracked
For someone who is accustomed to getting sinus infections fairly frequently, I would think that I would be able to recognize the symptoms and derail it from becoming bad. I would think so, but it just didn't happen that way and I'm struck down by one yet again. So I have lost two days of work, have zero energy, and feel lousy. I've not exercised since Tuesday night at Littlefield's when I couldn't figure out why I didn't have any steam while doing my workout. Rather than being rejuvenated and feeling the endorphins kick in, I was dragging my butt out of there that night. I had begun to doubt whether I had what it would take to lose weight and keep up the workouts.
Once I woke up on Wednesday to nausea and a pounding sinus headache, I put two and two together and called in. While I am feeling better now that I've had four days of antibiotics, I know that I will need to go easy on walking or going to the gym until my body has more strength. When I try to do too much, I end up feeling worse.
Eating-wise, sinus infections make me feel sick and not many foods appeal to me; however, the ones that do are the "bad"foods: salty, greasy, etc. Sometimes I feel like I'm Snow White and my evil, seven dwarfs, Salty, Greasy, Crunchy, Nutty, Chocolate, Sweetie, and Carb, follow me into the Healthy Forest. I know I've overeaten a bit this weekend, but I haven't succumbed to any of the dwarfs.
I see the dietitian for PCOS help, Debbie Pepper-Dougherty, in Westbrook on May 22. I saw one of her associates a few years ago and felt that I needed a tune-up for my eating plan. While I like a lot of what she had said, I need more practical advice for how to sustain it. I also have not begun a food journal and I know that this is the first thing I will be asked. I know that food journals work because I've used them before and experienced success. I just can't seem to find one that is easy to use and yes, I've tried the online ones. They're too time-consuming.
On May 9, I am headed to Portland to meet with G. Espabad Dodd, a hypnotherapist recommended by my chiropractor, Kim Bailey. She felt he could be helpful to me because she has a couple patients who have lost sixty pounds after seeing him for weight issues. So far I am impressed with his professionalism and demeanor and looking forward to meeting with him. At times I feel like I am chasing mirages that will not truly help me lose weight, but another part of me has to have hope. I feel I have a wonderful "Village" with me on this journey and I appreciate each and every one of you who has supported me.
As Scarlet O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day!"
Once I woke up on Wednesday to nausea and a pounding sinus headache, I put two and two together and called in. While I am feeling better now that I've had four days of antibiotics, I know that I will need to go easy on walking or going to the gym until my body has more strength. When I try to do too much, I end up feeling worse.
Eating-wise, sinus infections make me feel sick and not many foods appeal to me; however, the ones that do are the "bad"foods: salty, greasy, etc. Sometimes I feel like I'm Snow White and my evil, seven dwarfs, Salty, Greasy, Crunchy, Nutty, Chocolate, Sweetie, and Carb, follow me into the Healthy Forest. I know I've overeaten a bit this weekend, but I haven't succumbed to any of the dwarfs.
I see the dietitian for PCOS help, Debbie Pepper-Dougherty, in Westbrook on May 22. I saw one of her associates a few years ago and felt that I needed a tune-up for my eating plan. While I like a lot of what she had said, I need more practical advice for how to sustain it. I also have not begun a food journal and I know that this is the first thing I will be asked. I know that food journals work because I've used them before and experienced success. I just can't seem to find one that is easy to use and yes, I've tried the online ones. They're too time-consuming.
On May 9, I am headed to Portland to meet with G. Espabad Dodd, a hypnotherapist recommended by my chiropractor, Kim Bailey. She felt he could be helpful to me because she has a couple patients who have lost sixty pounds after seeing him for weight issues. So far I am impressed with his professionalism and demeanor and looking forward to meeting with him. At times I feel like I am chasing mirages that will not truly help me lose weight, but another part of me has to have hope. I feel I have a wonderful "Village" with me on this journey and I appreciate each and every one of you who has supported me.
As Scarlet O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day!"
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