It’s Friday! Let’s talk pearls. 🙂
Pearl # 1
Your Three-Day Weekend Survival Kit
If three-day weekends end up being “must consume mass quantities” (SNL, Coneheads), you’re not alone.
Long weekends trip many of us up. The lengthy days take on a vacation-vibe and feel unstructured. And it’s that unstructured feeling that always pulled the rug out from under me until I committed to putting a plan into place.
If – like me — you overeat because of a lack of structure here’s how to take charge of the situation:
- I start with my journal. I plan how each day of the weekend will progress and write in granular detail. I’ll ask myself: which parts of Friday night will be challenging? How will Saturday be tough? What about Sunday and Monday? I includ how I’ll repair each difficult moment (eating out? I’ll pull up the menu online and plan which plate to order). Most importantly I engage with my plan throughout the weekend. (I never just write and forgot it.)
- Before the weekend starts in earnest, I buy my favorite smart foods. I indulge in special, healthy foods I’d normally consider “too expensive” so I won’t feel deprived.
- I create micro-goals. For this weekend mine are: ride my indoor bike for thirty along with my floor workout, and walk River each day. I’m also planning unsalted mixed nuts for breakfast, a large salad for lunch, small snacks and a tiny dinner at 6:00 p.m. Then I’m done for the day.
- I also create micro-rewards. Micro-rewards are a big deal when you’re losing after 50 – I don’t neglect this important step. For me, a micro-reward might be a new fern for the deck. For someone else it might be a pedi or an hour alone to read.
Happy three-day!! And if there’s something I should have included here but didn’t, please comment below or write to me: Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com (I LOVE mail!!). ♥
Pearl # 2
At age 55 I was in my first car accident. (Someone tapped my bumper decades ago, but too tiny to count.)
However, the accident at 55 counted. An 88-year-old woman drove into a brand new car which rammed into my old mom-van. It was 9:15 in the morning. I was fine, but the van was totaled.
Actually, I wasn’t totally fine. The airbag deployed and broke my arm. A doctor later told me to get a bone density test. Turns out, airbags aren’t supposed to break arms.
Since the test wasn’t glowing I started calcium supplements. This pearl is just a nudge to those of us past-meno: we need to take in 1200 milligrams of calcium a day. I get calcium with OJ in the morning and yogurt in the afternoon, but I definitely don’t get enough calcium. So I upped my intake with a supplement. ♥
Pearl # 3
Secret sauce alert: I reduced my chances of goofing (once called “cheating”) by telling everyone in my immediate circle not to give me food products as gifts.
Don’t be embarrassed. Make it clear to everyone in your orbit that you’re not going through a phase or a midlife crisis or whatever. Tell them: flowers, a seed packet, a back-rub all have zero calories and that’s what you’d love to receive. Not donuts, cake, or ice cream.
Prepare yourself. Your family will test you. Life will test you. Even your own brain will test you.
Over and over again, say to them all, “I don’t roll like that anymore. Those days are over and gone. Cr@p-food is not a gift.”
You’ll pass with flying colors. ♥
Pearl # 4
I mentioned in a former post that I love noticing self-sabotaging thoughts, and then doing the opposite of whatever they tell me. I’d like to make this a regular “pearl” each week. I’ll make note of the self-sabotaging thoughts I have and share them with you.
I hope you’ll root out your self-sabotaging thoughts too. Cutting these incredibly unhelpful, no good, really terrible thoughts off at the pass is the whole idea.
The more we can laugh at these nonsense thoughts, the stronger we become.
This is what I heard in the last two days.
Self-sabotaging thought: I have a health issue, nobody would blame me if I stopped working, and read and watched Netflix all day.
I responded: Is that the best you can do? LOL!!
Self-sabotaging thought: A blog about weight loss? Seriously? Have you seen your stomach lately?! (I hear this gem daily.)
I responded: I carried twins. To have a flat tum I’d have to go back in time and not have kids or get a surgical “mommy-tuck.” Both highly unlikely.
Because these non-supportive thoughts are at their worst in the evenings, I’m now on the lookout after dinner. I hear them, laugh and then ignore them completely. Please join me in ignoring your self-sabotaging thoughts. ♥
Pearl # 5
Don’t make a habit out of choosing what feels good over what’s actually good for you.” – Eric Thomas ♥
Have a wonderful three-day weekend! As I mentioned, I love comments and mail! Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com. Also I’m getting my Instagram-chops. I’d love a follow: @TheInspiredEater.
And, trust me, it’s not your imagination. Health is hard!
♥, Wendy
P.S. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!
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I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥
20 Comments
So much friendly wisdom to live by.
Thank you Michele!! Have a great weekend. ♥
Wendy
Such great tips! I love the idea of buying favorite smart foods before the long weekend. That’s a great tactic. And, thanks for the reminder about the calcium. Wow, a broken arm from an airbag! I’ve got a calcium/magnesium supplement on my list right now. Now, just to remember to take it once I have it! Have a great weekend.
Thanks Pam! I’m now following yorkie site on Twitter. OMG. Beyond cute. I just love those little guys. I rescued a mix: half Maltese/half York and he was wonderful.
I think of Sunny every night when I’m massaging River. He’s a shepherd so it’s a little different. lol.
Wendy
Good tip on calcium. Was shocked what pregnancy did to my teeth, and realized there’s some kind of connection there.
I do find long weekends to be a struggle mostly because I am the only one in the house that really wants to keep to my eating schedule/plan! LOL. This weekend was extra hard since we attended a local fair Friday night and had a family party on Saturday– I did end up going way over my WW points both days but I am still happy that I only allowed myself one splurge each day. It could have been so much worse and I figure each baby step is still a step in the right direction.
Baby-steps (or micro-steps) are EVERYTHING. I lost 55 and maintain today because of a gazillion micro-steps.
Be proud of yourself: containing the fun-food is really the whole idea. ♥
Wendy
Love the pearls of wisdom here Wendy!
Last year I lost 16 kilos after an insulin resistant diagnosis! Gulp!
As I didn’t want full blown Type 2 Diabetes added to my list. I was determined to change my life style.
Which I did it took hard work & dogged determination but my new lifestyle is here to stay & the insulin resistance is now gone!
We’re neighbours at Anita’s.
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa at Tea With Jennifer,
Jennifer
Hi Wendy!
I love these pearls of wisdom. I like the journal idea and also thinking about those self-sabotaging thoughts. Replace with something more positive. I also like the idea of purchasing some special items for the long weekend, so it is a treat! I usually hit up Fresh Market, and buy some crab stuffed salmon or something else that I wouldnt usually buy.
I take Centrum Womens 50+ to get the extra calcium in addition to earing cheese and yogurt.
Have a great day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Love you Jess! I hope you’re feeling good!
Kisses to your furs!!
Wendy
Great tips and thoughts. I like this, “Over and over again, say to them all, “I don’t roll like that anymore.” Good way to say that. I had to laugh at the self-sabotaging thoughts and laughing at them. Yes it does make us stronger. It helps us not spiral down or fall for them and their faulty logic.
“Faulty logic” — good words!! 🙂
Wendy
There’s a very good reason why you’ve labelled these as pearls! Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
♥♥♥!!
I adore these weekly pearls. #3 is brilliant.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thank you Rena! And I loved reading and watching your trip!
Wendy
Really excellent hints and tips to help with maintaining a healthy lifestyle over 50! Thank you so much for sharing with Hearth and Soul.
Thank you April!
Wendy, I so admire your commitment to eating healthy foods. I have been trying to implement small changes myself but I do LOVE donuts…even more than flowers! I am in the process of researching and making the necessary changes that are best suited to me. I am always inspired by your posts and your tips in this area! Thanks for sharing and linking with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you so much Shelbee! Your blog is so sophisticated that any good word from you is a real gift.
Truth in blogging: I’m not a big donut eater (once you get out of the habit, you’re really out of the habit), but I ate two donuts last Thursday morning.
Besides learning to rewire our brain (i.e. think differently about food), the next best thing I’ve noticed is the Royal Eating Plan. I’ve been really surprised how helpful it’s been for me.
Wendy