Continuing the series on limitations, here's a fun one...
Limitation # 2: POINTS
I don't know what it is about visual aids with me, but I need to "SEE" things in order to understand. I have been needing to get rid of some excess poundage, for some time, and decided that I needed a good motivator. SO, knowing I needed to loose some weight, I bought a large bag of rice at Stater Brothers. I was in shock to feel how heavy it was! REALITY CHECK... I would NEVER voluntarily strap that on my back and go about my business. BUT I had been willingly walking around with it every day for several years! SO, when I got home, I measured 1 pound of rice into multiple ziplock baggies. Well, you guessed it...when a pound is lost, a bag of rice goes from the basket to the jar. When I need motivating or encouragement, I pick up the basket to see how much I have left to loose. The jar is nearly full, I'm happy to say, and the basket is more than half empty.
I have done LOTS of different kinds of diets, but I have really been enjoying the Weight Watchers plan online since January 1st. No foods are off limits, and the point system is calculated for you for just about every possible food. If it's not in their online list, you can fill in the fat, carb, fiber, and protien content, on the website's calculator, and find the point value. You are given a set number of points for each day, based on how much weight you want to loose, and also a weekly amount that can be used anytime you want in one week, so Grandkids birthday parties, can be enjoyed, and an occasional cookie, or bowl of chips. These "treats" are fun to look forward to. I think this kind of a diet is really good because it helps retrain good habits, and choices. If you choose to blow all the points on a hamburger and fries for lunch, you're going to be very hungry at dinner, so best to choose something more nutritious. Now an occasional hamburger IS ok, but only within the points you've been given, so hold the cheese please, and maybe cut it in half, and split the fries with someone. You get the idea. Instead of the big bowl of ice cream, limit it to 1/2 cup.
Of course exercise is encouraged, and so I have been brisk walking 3 times per week, when Gary is at the Adult Day Health Care. 20 minutes earns 2 points, which can be traded for 2 points of food, or not. I like to use that time to pray and enjoy our beautiful Friendly Valley, or Bridgeport Lake in Valencia.
I've been enjoying my food more, the flavors, and the seasonings. I feel more energetic, and am slowly regaining the use of a few items in my closet. 2/3 of the rice bags are already in the jar, and 1/3 are still in the basket, so I'm not done, but I am looking forward to new habits forming. Lifestyle change.
So, along with budgeting TIME,(see last post), I am also budgeting POINTS. I've got a few more limitations I'm going to share with you in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!
"...do you know know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Whether, then you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Limitation # 2: POINTS
I don't know what it is about visual aids with me, but I need to "SEE" things in order to understand. I have been needing to get rid of some excess poundage, for some time, and decided that I needed a good motivator. SO, knowing I needed to loose some weight, I bought a large bag of rice at Stater Brothers. I was in shock to feel how heavy it was! REALITY CHECK... I would NEVER voluntarily strap that on my back and go about my business. BUT I had been willingly walking around with it every day for several years! SO, when I got home, I measured 1 pound of rice into multiple ziplock baggies. Well, you guessed it...when a pound is lost, a bag of rice goes from the basket to the jar. When I need motivating or encouragement, I pick up the basket to see how much I have left to loose. The jar is nearly full, I'm happy to say, and the basket is more than half empty.
I have done LOTS of different kinds of diets, but I have really been enjoying the Weight Watchers plan online since January 1st. No foods are off limits, and the point system is calculated for you for just about every possible food. If it's not in their online list, you can fill in the fat, carb, fiber, and protien content, on the website's calculator, and find the point value. You are given a set number of points for each day, based on how much weight you want to loose, and also a weekly amount that can be used anytime you want in one week, so Grandkids birthday parties, can be enjoyed, and an occasional cookie, or bowl of chips. These "treats" are fun to look forward to. I think this kind of a diet is really good because it helps retrain good habits, and choices. If you choose to blow all the points on a hamburger and fries for lunch, you're going to be very hungry at dinner, so best to choose something more nutritious. Now an occasional hamburger IS ok, but only within the points you've been given, so hold the cheese please, and maybe cut it in half, and split the fries with someone. You get the idea. Instead of the big bowl of ice cream, limit it to 1/2 cup.
Of course exercise is encouraged, and so I have been brisk walking 3 times per week, when Gary is at the Adult Day Health Care. 20 minutes earns 2 points, which can be traded for 2 points of food, or not. I like to use that time to pray and enjoy our beautiful Friendly Valley, or Bridgeport Lake in Valencia.
| Bridgeport Lake |
| Friendly Valley |
I've been enjoying my food more, the flavors, and the seasonings. I feel more energetic, and am slowly regaining the use of a few items in my closet. 2/3 of the rice bags are already in the jar, and 1/3 are still in the basket, so I'm not done, but I am looking forward to new habits forming. Lifestyle change.
So, along with budgeting TIME,(see last post), I am also budgeting POINTS. I've got a few more limitations I'm going to share with you in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!
"...do you know know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Whether, then you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31