Learning process

Well, this past week I have worked on beginning my new weight-loss challenge for myself.  My Mom found an amazing App for tracking calorie input/output (yes, there's an App for that) and I have been using it since last Wednesday.  This App also tracks your weight and so far I have lost between 4-5 pounds.  I figure that's not a bad start in meeting my total weight-loss goal.


Yesterday was the first time I went to the grocery store after I started my weight-loss challenge (other that that, I had just picked up food in a grocery center when running other errands) and I felt very overwhelmed.  I wasn't sure where to begin, I didn't know what to get and all I knew was I didn't want to fall into old eating habits.  I placed a few food items into my cart and then sent a text message to Mom.  She helped talked me through what food items might be good for me to stock up on and things that I might enjoy.  I know that this will be a learning process for me and that I will get better at it; it's just going to take some time.  I know that I may have to also go beyond my comfort zone when it comes to food choices as well and see myself going on "food adventures."


Another learning process that I'm still working on is the idea of saying "no."  I really want to look into pursuing those things that interest me and not that I'm just "good/decent" at doing.  I have found myself feeling overwhelmed lately with the things that I feel like I have to do and therefore not truly allotting time for the things that I want to do.  I know that there are only just so many hours in the day and I have to find a way to spend some of that time on me (and not just the time in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping).  While I am starting to find time for me when thinking about my food choices, I need to find that kind of time in other aspects of my life as well.


I can't remember the last time I spent time walking on the beach or reading a book while sitting in the sand.  I haven't spent nearly the time I have wanted to working on two cross-stitch projects (I'm less than 1/2 way done with one of them and haven't even started the second one).  I have new pieces of music that I would like to start playing around with as potential new belly dance solos.  But all of these take time.  Time that I haven't been able to find for myself.  I think if I can begin to find some sort of balance between the have-to things and the want-to things, I'll find myself with more time.


Maybe these are some of the reasons why I've been overeating.  I know that in the past I have often eaten out of boredom and just because I have no one to sit down and eat with.  I know I have also convinced myself that because I have participated in two-hours of dance class, I can eat whatever I want - no matter what the calorie count.  Neither one of those is a good reason to eat.  Since I have been making some of these food adjustments, I am finding that food tastes different and I am reminding myself of foods that I used to enjoy eating that I haven't eaten in a long time (right now I can't seem to get enough of cut up pieces of fresh celery - either with a little bit of veggie dip or crunchy peanut butter).  I know that I also have to drink more water - - something else that I haven't done enough of in the past.  Not only is it good to stay hydrated it's also good to drink water to help tell myself that I'm full because there is something in my tummy.  We'll see how well I'll be able to meet my goals this upcoming week.


I think I'm going to attempt some "me" time before heading to bed...