When my boys were potty training, the hub and I used a rewards system--on a particularly good poop day, my sons could stick their little hands into the bucket of fun (an empty milk carton full of stickers, action figures and various tchotchkes) and pick whatever prize they wanted. This system worked, more or less. They're older now, and handle potty duty by themselves, thank you very much, but for some reason I've gone and resurrected the old Bucket of Fun. For myself.
I'm trying to shed ten pounds. No biggie, right? My husband could go play a round of golf and lose a dozen. For the ladies, not so easy. So I've taken to power walking (can't believe I just used that phrase) for 45 minutes to an hour, after I drop the boys off at school and before I chain myself to my computer. And this would work IF I could stay away from my personal bucket `o fun (AKA my pantry) after I finish working out. There are no stickers in my bucket, but there are lovely squares of Dove dark chocolate, almond biscotti, fudge brownies and random pop tarts the kids have somehow overlooked. These are my rewards for breaking a sweat. And as a result I've not lost a single pound.
Intrinsic rewards aren't cutting it. The soft, ladylike inner voice telling me it's noble to resist is totally overpowered by the loudmouth shouting "Valrhona is classy chocolate--eat the whole bar!" Self-hypnosis isn't doing the trick either. I could sit the in lotus meditation pose, Ommm-ing until my lips chap and I still want to point the canister of whipped cream directly into my mouth and shoot.
So, do you guys have any tips for me? I really want to lose these pesky ten before the holiday season begins, and the buckets of fun are plentiful. Thanks!
Oh, and since I don't do Teaser Tuesday, I have this gem for your viewing pleasure. Stick around to see my man at the end.
Happy Tuesday!
Love the cameo at the end of the video!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for losing 10 pounds I wish I had some good advice, alas, I have none. I love food, but I also love going to the gym and working out. I wish this meant that everything balanced out, but it doesn't. I think I'd need to work out 8 hours a day to work off all the calories I consume.
So I've settled for cardiovascular health and sort of tight clothes for the moment. Sad, but true.
Amen, Lila. My problem is that I recently realized I could do without the cardio and just live with tight clothes.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've been hearing a lot is to write down everything you eat. I think it's supposed to be this eye-opening experience in which you realize what your trouble foods are and when you eat them, etc. I tried this for about a week and had to quit when, while going through my list of foods for the day, my reaction wasn't: "Wait. FIVE Oreo Cakesters? In one day? Woe is me!"
But.."Hmm. Oreo Cakesters. I should have one now. Thank God for this list."
You know the drill. Nothing but water and veggies and protein. That'll do it. Won't be fun, but it works. I hear a lot about colonics as well......
ReplyDeleteSarah you crack me up. I would also use my food log as a grocery list!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne--I know, I just couldn't tell it to myself! My sis-in-law has done the colonic thing, said her skin looked the best it has ever looked. Maybe I should give it a try...
Oy--if I had the secrets, I'd be as skinny as LiLa by now.
ReplyDeleteYou could try the John Lennon diet: only chocolate cake. In all seriousness, have you ever tried a mild monitor of your carbs? Nothing crazy, just avoid the simple, processed carbs and sugar. Works for me when I feel puffier than I'd like...and I don't feel too deprived when I do it.
ReplyDeleteI think that's the way I'm going to go, Alexa. I loooove carbs, so it's my least favorite thing to do, but I like your use of the word "mild." I think I'll start with baby steps!
ReplyDeleteThis is probably bad advice but a good strong caffiene drink helps me making it past my super hungry times.
ReplyDeleteI'll go along with the caffiene trick. It works for me too. Coffee in the afternoon, almost every afternoon. It also counts as water. (Well, in my book it does!) My toughest time is the evening so I brush my teeth right after dinner. Then I feel like I can't eat or I'll have to brush again before bed. How lazy is that!! Or you could do what Supernanny does with kids that snack too much. Make yourself a real bucket-o-fun and put only the treats that you will allow yourself for that day in it. Then when the bucket is empty, you're done for the day.
ReplyDeleteKathleen that is the best idea ever! I'm going to decorate my bucket and fill it with sunflower seeds!
ReplyDelete