by Tish MacWebber | Apr 27, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 10
Today is the day I have picked to start shopping for a new bathing suit. Wish me luck! I need it in terms of my requirements, but I am also looking for a sale and not hours of searching!
The good news this week is that I am hovering within two pounds of that twoville goal, still. The bad news is that I have not crushed that goal yet.
Which means that this is a perfect week to write about another THM concept. I really like this one. It is called NSV. That translates into a Non Scale Victory. So what is an NSV? It is anything you can celebrate OTHER than the successes you fight to see on the scale. The weight on the scale is a number, and it can be depressing if you obsess about it especially if it is not moving in the right direction or moving at the speed you want it to change at.
I wrote about twoville, and it is looming on my horizon again. It is a Scale Victory when you have a happy dance on the floor after you weigh yourself and see a good number. Don’t think too hard about that. Yes, that would be me, first thing in the morning, after a trip to the washroom, in my birthday suit, having a happy dance. Not the thing you want to focus on here.
The NSV is something that doesn’t relate to the scale, directly. I have set my first official NSV as a small one. The blog will help, for sure with this. I want to be able to comfortably wear both my wedding band and engagement ring together on my finger. I have the engagement ring on a lovely gold chain, that I wear from time to time, but it belongs on my ring finger. I have fluid built up in my fingers, and you may think this is funny, but when I had a cashier job in the past, I noticed that my fingers were less puffy when I had that job. I was using my hands a lot when I was a cashier, and it helped my fingers to lose weight. Not that there is a lot of extra weight in my fingers, but it was a really good experience to look at slimmer hands and fingers. As I blog, I am exercising my fingers. It might not seem like a big thing to other people, but it matters to me.
When there is fluid built up in my fingers, wearing my ring causes an indentation. I have short fingers, and the fluid doesn’t stop me from wearing the rings together, but it is painful to wear them both at the same time. I can get them both on, but it does block circulation in the finger, and it is painful to take it back off, because of this. So I am working on my health, and trying the rings on together from time to time.
It doesn’t have to be about the number on the scale only. It can be about fitting back into an old pair of jeans, having to buy new clothes because the ones you have don’t fit, changing the size of clothing you wear, or measuring your inches and seeing that the shape of you…r body (Shout out to Ed Sheeran, love that song!) is changing when the numbers on the scale are not.
As we all struggle with weight together, whatever our issues are, we all have them. It is good to set reasonable goals to go along with making changes to live a healthier lifestyle. I know it helps me to check in from time to time with a measuring tape and my rings. It can even be as simple as the clothing you wear fitting better, or that you can climb that annoying flight of stairs without needing to take a break, or losing your breath.
Pedometers are wonderful because they can help you increase your daily step count by challenging yourself. I will write a Zumba post about this soon, we are talking about steps at Zumba class since I am sharing my steps after each class. I am also involved with a group 100 Coffees, and they are challenging members to start healthier habits. Drinking water is necessary for life. In this group, one of the admins is asking us about how much water we drink each day, as a way to hold those who choose to do this accountable for drinking enough water every day. It is great to have a support system for healthier lifestyles, and encouragement is a wonderful thing. 100 Coffees is a group of women entrepreneurs, so if you fit that description, go check it out!
I am looking forward to the day that I can wear both of my rings comfortably at the same time as my first official NSV. What is your NSV? Any comments might help you figure out what small goal you need to work on, give you a place for your own accountability, or help someone else find a reasonable NSV to start working on. I look forward to seeing what other people are setting as their own goals.
by Tish MacWebber | Apr 20, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 9
Timing is very important. When I started the THM plan, I was shocked at how often they eat meals and snacks. I had heard before that you should eat 4-6 smaller meals a day, instead of 3 large meals. It is incredibly important to make sure that you never get hangry. Yes, I spelled that correctly; it is when you are so hungry that you start to get angry. Just like on the Snickers commercials. Not that they are the healthiest choice, but in a pinch, they can help you to combat low blood sugar and hangry feelings. They are not on plan, though.
So how does this adapt in the real world? I do get breaks at work, and they are not quite at the 3-hour mark, but I make do. I have fruit and protein for my snacks. It is really easy to eat an unsweetened applesauce and some laughing cow cheese. I have also been known to snack on turkey pepperoni sticks. The kind I like is not too spicy. I have a low tolerance for spicy foods and am very sensitive to spices.
Meals vary for my lunches and suppers. I enjoy grabbing a banana on the way out the door, again not on plan, but that is my quick dairy free and iron free start to my day. The thyroid pill requires water and an empty stomach for it to work properly, to avoid these foods for two hours after taking it, so I don’t have side effects. I have tried other things, but the food I can eat in the car when my husband is driving me to work is what I choose. I also have black coffee when I get to work.
When I prep cook, it is the best way for me to stay on plan. I have tried a lot of THM recipes, and I really like them. I have been slacking in the prep cooking department. I have things I can make, but I am not feeling like cooking. Part of that is the effort, part of it is the storage situation, and the other part is that my husband is not on the plan with me. Sometimes that requires making two meals, or different side dishes. Again, more time, energy, and effort. Not to mention that I don’t jump up to do the dishes every day like I should. I know that is a different story, but it all ties in together with a big pretty bow.
If I make my lunch, there is a good chance I will be on plan. When I don’t, I can stay on plan, but it is more difficult to buy lunch and stay on plan. I am getting better at it, but the budget dictates that I need to start prep cooking again.
There are also meals when my husband and I don’t eat the same thing at all. If I am eating on plan, he may have something that he likes instead of joining me. That used to bother me. Now I try and think that if he isn’t having the same thing as me, then there is more for me to eat and stay on track longer with. So it is all about perspective. And timing.
When the time is right for you, the choices will be easier because you are ready. It took me most of my life to feel like I was ready to tackle this plan and become healthier. When I found it, the timing was ripe for me to make a change and try something new. I didn’t know then that it was going to be the answer for me, and that all I have to do is get serious about staying on the plan. It is time to get serious. Are you with me?
by Tish MacWebber | Apr 17, 2017 | Weekend Warrior
Take your chance and try something new!
I have been reflecting today as I am now actively involved in a fourth new group I found on facebook. There are a lot of possible outcomes when one surfs the internet. One click can lead down a dark narrow path to things you never imagined, not even in your worst nightmares. Evil does lurk in the world, and I am certain that there is a way to twist any online search into something most people would never look for.
I have been expanding my horizons and plans for the future. I am careful when I am online, but I choose ads on facebook if they REALLY speak to me. That is how I found the A Bowl Full Of Lemons facebook group. I was looking for guidance and inspiration in my household cleaning struggles. I know how to clean, I just don’t like doing it! So I clicked on the link, joined the group, and worked on one project.
Pantry Shelf Project
Since then, it has been fairly organized, and I had some help to reinforce the shelves (Thanks, Dad!). It needs some TLC this year, but I am still proud of completing this project. The facebook group has SO many good organization ideas, before and after pics, and some amazing decorating ideas. It is something I have worked towards this year, and so far I have been able to share my Coffee Station Complete! project. There will be more pics coming soon from my kitchen, I promise!
I have yet to make it through the whole house with the challenge. I am confident that this will be the year. I shared a picture when I bought a new shelving unit for my Master Bedroom, as I am moving my craft studio out of the Guest Room and relocating it in the larger Master Bedroom.
Craft Studio Relocation Project
The area is still “under construction”. That means I am still in the planning stages of how to reorganize my craft supplies in this room. I have taken step two today, and purchased a second cube bookcase, with 6 squares, not 9. I had already bought the matching plastic bins for it while they were on sale, but again, I felt I was being held back from completing this project because I didn’t have all of the pieces for it ready to go. I still have to assemble the shelf, (and move a dresser to that side of the room to put the new shelf on top of) but I can work on that as soon as I finish my kitchen. I have no regrets about joining this facebook group, at all.
I also found the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) Plan in the same way. THM is a lifestyle change in how you eat food. It is wonderful, they have more than one facebook group, actually, and I am a member of several different THM facebook groups. I have implemented many of their guidelines into my life, and when I am on plan, I feel great! I need to focus on staying on plan more than being off plan because I KNOW IT WORKS WHEN YOU WORK IT. I have seen it for myself. So I start every day trying to stay on plan. Some days I succeed. Others I don’t. One of the best things about the plan is that you work it into your own life, and if you go off plan, well you just pull up your socks and get back on plan. No worries. I realized, when I was looking at this ad two years ago, that what I was doing was not working, so I was ready to try something different. I am still not 100% on plan, but I am more convinced than ever that I can do it because I am. This is another group that came along when I needed it, and I have no regrets about joining this group, either.
The third group I joined in 2016. I was thinking about how to get my lyrics out to the world. I had watched a motivational video, I have written about this before, and I decided it was time. About the same time I started looking into this, I decided that I was also done waiting to write books, and I wanted to make the dream of becoming an author a reality. While this was all being processed in my mind, another facebook group, the Ninja Writers showed up in my ads. Well, this group has been a game changer for me. The Ninja Writers Facebook Page has been an incredible resource. I had no idea how to brand myself as an author, how or why to start a Blog, or what I had to do to make this all effective towards my goal of becoming an author. I even designed my own tartan and logo for it! I have made friends that have really helped me with this blog, and spark a passion in me that I didn’t even know I had the potential for. And if you are reading this, you know that I am blogging frequently, to develop my writing habit and expand my creative horizons. There are no regrets for me in terms of joining this group. Only positive strides towards making a dream into a reality.
The fourth group is a new addition. One of my fellow Ninja Writers shared a new group page on her wall, encouraging people to check it out. I became curious, and trusted my fellow Ninja Writer friend, and joined the group. It is called 100 Coffees. They have a facebook group, 100 Coffees Facebook Group and through that group, you can join their website. It is for women entrepreneurs, and they are based on networking through the group, to meet members through coffee meetings. This has an immense potential for people like me, trying to find their way in this online business world. Membership is free, and eventually, there will be other options for paid subscribers, but I am in the group and hoping to make new friends, get and give support to and from members, and to learn as much as I can from my peers. This is a great concept, and I am glad to be involved with it already.
One thing that is very important to keep in mind when you join a new group online, is to find out the rules. The people that create these groups have their reasons, and sticking to their rules will mean you get to remain in the group, and get all the benefits of belonging. If you choose to just join a bunch of groups to do your own thing, disregarding the rules, expect your time in that group to be limited. The rules keep the group working together towards a common goal, and going your own way will likely result in you getting the boot.
So there you have it. The internet is not just being used for evil. When you are surfing, and something keeps showing up in your feed, and it is a group or a theme that resonates with you, check it out! You might find something wonderful! If you don’t, leave the group and find another one that works for you and helps you in your life. If any of the above groups peak your interest, check them out! I am glad I did, and maybe you will be too!
by Tish MacWebber | Apr 12, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 8
I am following the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) Plan. They have some books on the program, and it is implemented into your life, the best way you can. I am honestly telling you that I am trying. I am also going to admit that I am struggling.
I can’t seem to find my willpower. It is so easy to eat the unhealthy, off plan things. They are all prepared and full of preservatives, and sugar and other junk, but they are literally the no-brainer choice. When you are hungry, and there is a choice of something quick and easy, it is SO easy to fall into that pattern.
I am not an official THM trained coach, I am making my own way, and not on plan 100% of the time. But I do see the value of it. I have seen myself make little changes along the way, and I believe that they will all add up one day. Someday I will realize that the changes I am making added up to enough effort to make a difference.
I keep checking my waistline. Every once in a while I stand straight, with my hands on my waistline, and I think that it is smaller. I just measured it for fun. It isn’t. One day it will be.
I have decided that it is time to start looking for a new bathing suit. The last time I did that I was ready to throw in the beach towel. I tried on all the one piece suits I could find, in all the local stores. The very last one I tried on was the one I bought. It was perfect. The straps have lost their elasticity, and I tied knots in them last summer to hold the bathing suit in place. It does not fit right anymore, so I have decided to start hunting for a new one.
It must be a one piece. I refuse to buy a bathing suit that has a skirt. Support is a must. It has to fit right, be fashionable, comfortable, and practical. I would like to say it will be a size or two smaller than the last one. Maybe next year I can do that.
When I find one I like, I am going to look into swimming more often. I would like to get back into Aquacise classes. I used to go, and I think it is time to get back into a swimming pool on a regular basis. A long time ago, on an island on the East Coast of Canada, I used to teach swimming lessons. I love swimming as much as I love dancing. I think it is time to start adding in new activities to help me want to make smarter choices about what I eat. One small change at a time, I will regain control of my health, my body size, my energy levels, and my life. It all comes down to me. I know the easy way is how I got to be in this predicament. I have to set my mind to working my way back out, one small change at a time. Then it won’t be such a daunting task to get a new bathing suit. Having a choice of several bathing suits instead of the only one that works will be something to look forward to.
by Tish MacWebber | Apr 11, 2017 | Coffee and Stories
This past weekend, I wrote about facing my inner demons. I fight with myself sometimes. Nobody throws punches, and nobody gets hurt. Except maybe my own ego.
I can get stuck in a pattern of doing nothing while having the best intentions of getting through a whole list of things that need to be done. There are days when I literally talk myself out of getting anything done. It is a nasty little place to be in, and it happens when things are bothering me, or in the winter. I am less likely to have the energy to do more than the basics in the winter time, and that is sometimes left too long. In this endless loop of getting nothing done, I can become overwhelmed by how much there IS to do, and that doesn’t help me at all.
Spring is here. I feel the change in the weather, and in my spirit. The blog has started me off in the right direction. I am wanting to get things done, and I FEEL DIFFERENT about life right now. I am trying new things, making small changes, and thinking about what I need to do to make the leap from blogging to writing a book.
A year ago I was recovering from an infection in my knee. It was not a pleasant experience, I would never recommend a knee infection as something for anyone to do. I was away from work for 3 months, and sat around that whole time, as I was told to not be moving around very much. I had nurses visiting me in my home for IV antibiotics once a day for two or three weeks. I was taught how to bandage the wound when the IV was over, and they stopped the home checks. I longed for the day that I could have a shower without medical tape and shopping bags protecting the bandages from getting wet. I was on some strong painkillers, for the first time ever, and I was scared that I might become addicted. I did not.
Spring cleaning didn’t really happen last year. So I am on a mission to get it done properly this year. I am writing about it, and puttering at it, and making a little more progress in that kitchen every time I get in there. I have made a few inexpensive purchases to help me to get this project accomplished. I see the progress, but I am not ready to share it yet.
I needed to stop and just take a breath last weekend. That’s what the title means. When you worry about everyone or everything else and don’t take time for yourself, you can empty your coffee pot before you get yourself a refill. That is a mistake that can build into a disaster if it is not made a priority.
It’s not Ok to neglect your own needs in order to make sure that everyone else’s needs are taken care of first. Sometimes, it is necessary to take care of others first. However, if you don’t stop and take time for you, the coffee at the bottom of the pot is going to have a burnt taste, and it will not be a pleasant thing to drink.
Whatever it is in your life that allows you to feel refreshed and recharged is something that you need to always make time for. If it is the 5 am cup of coffee before anyone else in your home is awake, get up and pour yourself a hot cup of coffee. If it is taking a bath at the end of a long and tiring day, make time to fill the bathtub. Read a book for a chapter a day, at the time you can schedule it in. If you have dogs, they can help you take the time to yourself to think when you have to walk them anyway.
Or, at other times you need to be around other people. Friends and family are important too. Find people that are fun to be around, and bring you up, not down. I am not saying that you should ignore all of your other friends, but when you need to feel good, surround yourself with people, things and activities that help you do just that.
When I think about where I was a year ago, I had no idea I was going to make a leap into becoming a blogger. I was waiting to be told that I could start going back to Zumba classes. I was learning about the Trim Healthy Mama Plan, and trying new recipes. I was already going through the motions of being back to work at my day job. And I was miserable.
Now I have a blossoming new outlook for spring this year. I will be working on my New Year’s Resolutions and branching out with what I am doing with my life. I am chasing my dreams and making them into my reality. One at a time.
Thank you for reading my 60th Blog Post. Still having fun, and Always Thinking…
