Little Things Mean a Lot

Well folks, I’ve been doing a LOT of thinking over the past couple of weeks.  I got an email from Stacy C. asking me ‘…how strict are you?  How often do you exercise and watch what you’re eating?’  Well let me tell you I whipped my head around and got all ready to write back a terrific response on how strict I was and how I was working the P10. 

But then, I hesitated…because…was I?  Was I really working The Perfect 10 Diet Plan or had I (gulp) fallen by the wayside – sidetracked by other information, circumstances, stress and vacation? 

So I started a list of all the ‘rules’ to follow on P10 as a guideline for Stacy and then realized, I wasn’t being strict AT ALL.  What happened?  Where did I go wrong?  How did I get SO far off course? 

Little things…at first

Using the pre-made salad dressing at the restaurant

Salads with a wholesale ton of yummy things on them

Not keeping track of portions and using portion control

Forgetting that red meat is not a daily food item

Snacking at night before bedtime

Staying up late and not getting good sleep

Eating undesirable foods ‘just this once’ – but actually several times

Not bothering to check labels

Exercising?  Somehow I had convinced myself that extra sleep was better for me than working out each morning…

The list goes on and on and on but ever so slowly and surely I was taking one step forward and three steps back (or would that be one pound lost and three pounds gained?).  But although my weight didn’t fluctuate too much, I could feel the effect that all these little things were making on my health, state of mind and my P10 attitude.

So Stacy, thank you VERY much for a much needed kick in the pants, and I do mean that with all sincerity.  Many times we say “I’m going back to Stage 1 and starting over” but sometimes that lasts all of a day or two.  If this is just me and you guys are all good and working the P10 like gangbusters then I’m proud and you’re doing awesome – but if something I’m saying is making you blush or cover your face and nod then keep reading and thanks for sticking around.

So no more Pity Party – let’s pull up our big girl panties (or boxers for you guys) and get back on track – WHO’S WITH ME?!?!

HOW STRICT ARE YOU? 

Okay, let’s break it down (Hammer Time?)  This is a basic primer, for all the details about why you should do this go back and look at The Perfect 10 Diet Plan book.

Portions - first of all, if you don’t have it – here is the Bonus Chapter from Dr. Aziz’ book and it gives you portion amounts to follow on P10:  Bonus Chapter link

40% carbs; 40% fat; 20% protein:

or about 6 servings vegetables; 3 servings fat and 3 servings of protein daily
(try to not have more than 1 serving of fruit and 1 serving of dairy a day)
no booze

Full fats, lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, nothing processed – read your labels!!

eat a large breakfast, a medium lunch and a light dinner
try to go to bed slightly hungry

Cut waaaaay back on the caffeine, srsly

Rest and Meditation - At least 7-8 hours of sleep – find out what helps you get to sleep and stay there (as long as it’s legal and non habit forming for Pete’s sake).  How many of you sleep with the fan on just to hear the noise?  Yeah, me too. 

Go find a way to relax that works for you and make sure to keep doing that.  If you’re seriously tweaked then go see a counselor and unload.

Exercise – what wets your sweats?  Keep doing that.  Try to do that at least 3-4 times a week.   If you’re bored try something else.  Google information on routines and ideas or join a gym and ask for help.  Swap exercise videos with your friends.  If you think you’re too heavy to exercise then just start walking.  Walk in place while you’re watching TV if that’s all you can do right now.  Ask a friend to exercise with you to keep you accountable and then hide from that friend for a week until she leaves you alone (wait, don’t do that but you know we’ve all been there).

Track it – write it down, keep a journal or do it electronically, it makes all the difference in seeing what works and what doesn’t. 

Set a Goal – we’re all gradually losing weight and making progress – but it might help to have a goal like “170 by month end” or “5 more pounds before my birthday” to help keep you focused.    Go try on some of your fat clothes and see how far you’ve gotten.  Go to the grocery store and pick up bags of potatoes that equal the weight you’ve lost and congratulate yourself!

Support – maybe some of you are lucky enough to have a friend working the P10 with you.  I know Cindy is trying to convert her entire school district one person at a time but some of us are doing this alone.  And people give you funny looks and ask questions and ‘wish they could too but they just couldn’t do that’ and all that jazz.  Well, come on over to the Facebook page and ask your questions or share your great news or ask for help with your problems. 

So now I’m going back to my journal and re-reading the beginning. 

I’m going to track my portions of appropriate food.

I’m going to bed on time tonight

AND I’m going to get up and exercise – and you can ask me about it too!

Thanks for listening to me.  Thanks for learning with me.  I hope that everyone is finding something they can use from this blog.

Give me a hand when I've lost the way

Give me your shoulder to cry on

Whether the day is bright or gray

Give me your heart to rely on

Send me the warmth of a secret smile

To show me you haven't forgot

For now and forever, that's always and ever

Honey, little things mean a lot