Noom Nom

 

          Well, I have the rare weekend off which is quite nice.  My ex-husband is driving in today to take our son out for a visit.  I think they are heading to Saint Augustine, Florida today.  While they are doing their thing, my daughter and I will be entertaining ourselves.  Since we are meeting at a mall, I think she and I will walk around that place for a bit, then possibly Ikea. Only been there once, but we found some fun stuff so might be worth a return visit since we will be in the area. I had wanted to go to a different farmer’s market than the usual one, but ex kind of is putting a damper on that one. Oh well, is probably better. I tend to get yummies that are totally not diet worthy at farmer’s markets LOL  

                I am still staying on my Noom diet. Even with my work schedule all messed up, I did not cheat. So far, I did not lose any more weight, but I also did not gain any weight, so I will call that a win. Perhaps this week I can convince the scale to move.  I am rationalizing it was due to less activity since all I did was work and sleep, no 11,000 steps a day. I also ate a few unhealthy options but stayed within calorie count LOL.

          According to Noom though, that is okay. No food is off limits, I just need make sure I do not overindulge. In case anybody is curious, Noom divides up foods into a color system, hence my rainbow food picture I swiped off the internet LOL (one of these days I will create my own amazing pictures to put on here). The three colors are green, yellow, and red.  The Noom system says about 30 percent of your intake should come from green foods, 45 percent from yellow foods, and 25 percent from red foods. It is just a tool to help teach and guide me in making smart food choices.  I have flexibility in what I wish to eat, there are no restrictions. The main focus I see so far, is staying within my calorie range. I start with 1200 calories a day, and if I exercise, the calories I expend are divided in half, and I get those half calories. For example, I burn 200 calories, I get 100 of those added into my 1200 to equal 1300 for the day.  The more I burn, the more calories I get to spend. Yesterday I burned lots of calories working and mowing, so I got to splurge on a Wendy’s Jalapeno Popper salad. It was delicious.

Wendy's Jalapeno Popper salad

Green foods like blueberries, apples, carrots, peppers, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, berries, bananas, oats, whole-grain bread, quinoa, non-fat dairy products, and egg whites are all great choices and typically do not have a lot of calories.  Yellow foods such as avocado, salmon, chicken, turkey, beans, tofu, whole eggs, tempeh, lean ground beef, black beans, chickpeas, and low-fat dairy are still healthy, but I need to watch the calorie count.  Red foods like olive oil and other oils, nuts and seeds, nut butters, dried fruit, beef, pork, full-fat dairy, bacon, French fries, burgers, potato chips, pizza, and cake are all high calories. 

          Some red foods are still healthy choices like the nuts and dried fruit, and others are not so healthy LOL I so wish those French fries had made it on the green list. I will steer clear of them, but bacon on the other hand is one that this Southern belle will refuse to give up LOL.  Since it is all about moderation, I can add a few pieces of bacon to some whole grain toast, a smear of olive oil mayo, sliced tomato, some lettuce and I have a scrumptious BLT to enjoy.  So red not necessarily bad or forbidden, I just need be careful with foods in that color area.

Noom Over Chocolate

 

          OMG This weekend was a challenge.  I was super busy at work.  I had way too many admissions, trying to keep them all straight in my head was an ordeal.  It really was not fair to me.  Sometimes just because I can do it, does not mean I should do it. Plus, side of being so busy, I did not have time to think about snacks and I got a lot of steps in.  So, I managed to not cheat (so proud of myself). On the last night, when I am at my most vulnerable, I faced an almost impossible challenge: CHOCOLATE.  A patient had left a box of chocolates as a gift for the nurses. Great googamooga I wanted a piece of chocolate. The other staff kept taking pieces and going on and on about how delicious they were, moaning was even involved LOL during those moments I swear they were purposely tormenting me because I am dieting. I am sure they were not, but I was not thinking very rationally with chocolate around.  What did I do to combat it? I opened my Noom app and did my daily lessons. I frantically read through them, desperately searching for skills to get me through temptation. I posted on the support group message stream about my predicament even LOL and you know what? I made it through LOL I did not take even a small piece of chocolate.  I realize one piece would not kill me, but it was what it symbolized.  If I gave in, then all that I had worked for was gone in my mind.  I would have felt like I let myself down.  I have been working extremely hard to maintain control of my appetite and diet. I have my kids involved in helping me get healthier.  If I gave in at the first temptation of chocolate, then I would feel like I let them and myself down.  So, I said no thank you. Even at the end of the shift, nobody around, just me and my conscience, I said no LOL shoot I peaked at the chocolates but restrained myself.  I felt so accomplished and proud of myself for that. Noom says I do not have to say no to any food, just have it in moderation.  Right now, until I am better in control, I am saying no to a lot of foods. Sort of detoxing from them.  I do not think I have had any added sugar in three weeks now. No white bread, only whole grain toast, no pasta, LOTS of romaine lettuce LOL and tuna. Keeping a tight grip on my diet right now until it becomes second nature. I am hoping to eventually get to my son’s level LOL he has not had sugar in years. Plus, he has lost almost 100 lbs.  He is amazing in my mind.

         

          Sundays are my relax and refresh day. I still do adulting stuff but I am also trying to do something fun as well.  I got home and mowed my lawn. Not really fun until I am done, then I feel so accomplished looking at my freshly mowed yard. It makes me feel not so old LOL I see so many people in neighborhood hire people to do their yard, but I manage to do it all by myself. I am a mess to look at afterward LOL it is a great workout. I also did laundry and grocery shopped so I would have all my diet food for the week. Work schedule is off this week so I had to get ready sooner than usual.  My kids and I made tacos for dinner (I didn’t have any, just the fun of cooking with Staci again) and we made a TikTok recipe for the first time. Pickled Red Peppers.  They were super easy. We thinly sliced up one large red onion and put into a mason jar. For pickling juice we combined 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 tbsp salt, ¼ cup sugar, and some cracked pepper. Heated it up on stove to melt the sugar, then poured it over the onions in the jar. Lid on and set it on counter to cool before placing it in fridge. Overnight it turned pink LOL I cannot wait to try some on my salad today. Staci has decided she likes red onions now, so she is looking forward to trying some as well.

Noom is Working!!!

 

    I lost 5 lbs this past week!!!! I know I won’t lose that every week, so this is huge celebration!!! Since started Noom, I am down 7 lbs 😊 That is just incredible to me. My son says soon I will have to worry about my clothes falling off LOL I doubt that, I have drawstrings LOL Honestly I really haven’t noticed the loss in the mirror, but the scale says it is gone, so I will just believe. 

    Noom is working LOL who would have thought it would. I certainly didn’t.  I have been giving it a chance though, and it is paying off.  I have been logging my meals, staying within my calorie allowance, and walking every day with my kids. Well except on the weekend when I work, which starts tonight. What is also helping me stay on track is the support group surprisingly.  I really like being able to look at our message stream for new posts. We all have struggles and successes, and we get to share them there. Today the group coach said we could even share recipes if we wanted. I cannot wait to report my loss 😊 I know co-workers won’t be happy for me, but hopefully the Noom group will.  It was also great to message my personal coach that I lost 5 lbs. I got a big WOOHOOO back from her.

    The latest lesson from Noom is mindful eating. It is just what it sounds like. Being fully aware when you are eating. Not snacking while watching TV or playing on the computer. Making eating an event. Putting away distractions and focusing on what you are putting into your mouth. It really does work.  If I am just focused on what I am eating, I feel full faster, so I eat less.  It also helps to think if I really want those last few bites.  It is so hard unlearning the habit from childhood of finishing everything on my plate. Parents from my generation always said that, but back then the portion sizes were proper. Now portions are at least doubled. That Noom lesson was a couple of days ago LOL my favorite trick for that, is using smaller plates.

    OKAY challenging couple of weeks ahead. My work schedule is all messed up, my son’s dad is visiting, and my son has asked his sister and me to be a buffer while he is here, so we will be going out bunches. There is a food truck festival that we might go to on Sunday as well.  I will be doing my best to stay within calorie allowance and get my walking in. Must protect my 7 lbs now 😊

Water May be the Key to Everything

 

          I have been feeling so tired lately.  I will try and sleep at least for six hours at night, this is a lot for me, and I will wake up wide awake and ready for the day.  I get up, get dressed, drink my glass of lemon water (very refreshing), have a cup of coffee, then sit down at my laptop to do either school stuff for me or my daughter (I home school) or I write a blog (well trying to).  Mornings are my most productive time.  I love waking up before the sun and opening the back door to the patio.  The animals love going out there to lounge in the morning sunshine. I like hearing the birds chirp and the world waking up. Around 10am I will adjourn to the living room and put on whatever show I am currently binge watching, and walk in place to get some steps in, usually for an entire episode. After that I become useless lately.  I will sit down and within moments become so tired I want a nap. Does not matter what time of the day or if I have already had a nap, I want to sleep.  I am wondering if my extreme fatigue is due to me not drinking enough water lately. My goal is eight cups a day. I do great in the morning, I get in about four of them before I hit the living room, but after that I suck LOL.  I keep a bottle of diet sweet tea next to me all the time, but I forget to drink or fall asleep before I can.  I need to work on increasing my water intake.  Maybe that will help.  I looked up all the good reasons for drinking water, so I thought I would share.

    💧  Water increases energy (definitely need this)

    💧  Water removes toxins (healthier insides)

    💧  Water cushions joints (my aches and pains might improve)

    💧  Water fuels muscles (easier to move)

    💧  Water strengthens the immune system (hate being sick)

    💧  Water helps clear skin (also lessens wrinkles)

    💧  Water enhances metabolism (burn them calories)

    💧  Water boosts productivity (feel more accomplished)

    💧  Water promotes weight loss (definitely need)

    💧  Water reduces fatigue (my whole point)

Noom 'ing Along

 

           So, on May 4, 2021 I got an email offering me 90% of Noom.  I had tried it before but did not really like it or give it a shot. They apparently wanted me to try again.  Since the time I first tried it, I met another nurse at the hospital who had used it very successfully and raved about it. I was curious, but not enough to spend all that money. I am cheap that way LOL I do not like to just throw my money away.  But 90% off was an extreme deal, something like $93 and change for the whole year. That I could manage, so I splurged and bought the program.

          The first week was again in my mind silly, they were not telling me anything I did not already know.  The course is laid out in lessons, and the first one was Intro to the Psychology of Weight Loss. I have taken multiple psychology courses and read hundreds of articles on weight loss tips and tricks, none of this was new info. Once again, I felt like I was not going to benefit from the Noom app. But hey, I bought it so might as well keep using it.

          Second week's lesson: Food Fundamentals. Again, nothing new, I did like seeing my streak number grow. I also got a Noom coach. I thought that was a joke, the messages all sounded like bot messages. Nothing personal to them but my name.

          By now the app had me think about what my ultimate goal was.  It was not just to lose weight, but rather why I wanted to lose. Not for love, which is a common reason, mine was for my kids.  Lately I have been moving slow because of pain in my knees and feet. Once I am up, I am fine, but getting up hurts and it takes a few moments for the pain to fade. In an emergency, if my kids needed me, I could not get there fast. That is not acceptable.  Who knew my secret desire was to be a superhero LOL?

          Third week: Mastering Motivation. I figured out my coach was an actual person LOL I called her out for the impersonal messages. She started doing better. I also decided to really start reading what I was reading and not just skimming. I forced myself to think about it. I told myself that so many people are doing well with app because they are trying. So, I decided to try. I looked at the calories they said I was allowed and made a meal plan.  Then I told my kids I was no longer going to cook.  I asked my daughter if she would be my diet buddy, the awesome girl that she is, said yes. My son volunteered to help as well.

          This last week was The Only 7 Habits You Need.  I am learning about the 3rd one. I also got put into a Noom support group. At first, I was "NOPE" but then I told myself to give it a shot, and guess what? I like it LOL It is nice having a support group. They helped motivate me and encouraged me to stick with my meal plan. I did not cheat all week with my kid's and my support groups help, and I got the scale to move a whole 2 lbs.  I was so happy.

          Over the weekend I did not cheat either. I was very protective of those 2 lbs. I told myself I would go easy On Sunday if I made it.  I did it!!! I felt so proud of myself when I got off work yesterday morning. I fully intended to relax and not worry about diet. Something must have changed in my system though, because I still pretty much behaved, I had a few yummy, calorie laden biscuits for dinner, but otherwise I did not go overboard. Yay me!!!

          So now we are into June and I thought I would try and blog about all of this to help keep me accountable, As I mentioned in a previous post, once I put something out there, I follow through or I am a liar. I hate liars. Perhaps others will be curious about Noom and find my little blog.

My Healthy Goals

 

This blog has now, once more, become my primary blog.  For past year I have been talking about my feelings and struggles on SparkPeople, but that site is closing down. Very disappointed there because I had over 100 blogs written.  Nothing special, but they were my thoughts since beginning of 2019.  I wish I could transfer them all here, but they would make no sense seeing as they went with whatever time of year was going on and the events in my life then LOL I tried going through them to see if any stood out to save and this one did, so I am transferring it here.  Back then I thought it might help if I wrote down my healthy goals. I had mine in my head, but if I wanted to truly fallow through with them, I should publish them. Then I am compelled to achieve them (at least that’s the hope). So here goes nothing LOL

 

1. I want to see my kids grow up, especially my daughter. I started late with her, so if I am not careful, I will miss a lot. I am terrified of that.

2. I want to live. My mom died unexpectedly in 2018. She was one of the healthiest people I know. She died while hiking. She was 2 weeks shy of her 70th birthday. I want to live longer than that. Both my parents are gone now, both died early. My grandparents lived lots longer. My grandma will celebrate her 93rd birthday next month. Her mind is swiss cheese, but her body is still kicking.

3. I want to feel attractive. I know finding love will never be in the cards for me. I have been on my own for way too long (20+years). I cannot even fathom how I would fit a relationship into my world LOL would be too inconvenient. I would however like to feel attractive to opposite sex.

4. I want to be able to move with no pain. Those first few steps when I get up hurt. I hate that. I wish I could just hop up and go, not take a few steps gingerly until I can move again.

5. Buying cute clothes might be fun. I would never go for latest fashion LOL I am too much about comfort. I would like to be able to wear summer dresses. Now I feel too big in them, like I am wearing a tent.

6. I want to feel chilly LOL with so much natural insulation, I am rarely chilled. In Florida that is a problem LOL. Work once gave us all scrub jackets for nurse's week. I never wear one because I am already too hot. The skinny nurses are always cold. I want to be one of them LOL

7. I want to be envied LOL I want other people to see me and wish they could lose weight too. Maybe envied is wrong word, I want to inspire others to lose weight. I want to be the one who loses the right way, with proper diet and exercise. I want people to look at me and want to know how I am doing it.

8. I want to feel more confident. All my life I have felt like I was found lacking because of my looks. I know now that this thinking was absurd. No person cares enough about others to pay them much mind. I am not the center of people's universes LOL you know when you are in a room and you feel like people are watching you? Yeah, they aren't unless you are the speaker, and then they just barely registering you. They have too much going on in their own worlds to pay you much attention. Too me a long time to realize that. Still, I am very shy and try to not be noticed.

9. I want to be more adventurous. I want to be able to do things. Example is lots of the rides in the parks are challenging to get into for a pooh sized person. I hate that. I want to be able to go on those rides. Once we went to a park and my daughter wanted to go on this ride. I didn't realize it had a bar to hold riders in. The bar almost did not close on me. I was feeling so ashamed and afraid that I would have to get off and ruin my daughter's fun. It clicked but it was extremely hard to get it to do that. Ruined my day. There are lots of fun things I want to be able to do, but my size stops me from being able to do so. I say it is cause of fear of heights or getting motion sickness, but it is due to size. My daughter is using my made-up excuses now to be unadventurous. I don't want that for her. I do not want her afraid to try new things. My excuses should not hinder her as well.

10. I want to go to a restaurant and not feel judged over what I eat. If I want to order dessert, I don't want in my head to be thinking that the waitress is not surprised that I ordered dessert. Or if I want a salad to not think they are laughing at me in their head, thinking it is about time I started eating salads.

 

OK there are ten goals for losing weight. Those were hard to come up with. Pinpointing reasons is challenging. Most of the time I just want to lose weight not thinking why I want to lose. Maybe if I start thinking of why more it will help.

The Beginning of my Noom Journey

 

          Going to try and get back into blogging regularly.  I have been doing well blogging on Spark People, so I thought I should get back into it here.  I started a new diet app called Noom, and I sort of feel like I should not be posting about it on Spark.  I know when I type things and then post them, I hold myself more accountable for following through. If I do not, I feel like I am lying, and I hate to lie. Truth is so much more fun.  Anyway, my daughter has become my diet buddy and my son my exercise coach (he makes me walk) LOL.  She and I are following a strict 1200-1500 calorie a day diet, well I am strict, she is more relaxed. I do not say no if she wants an extra snack. I did explain to my kids that I will no longer be cooking full meals. If they want that, then they can make it on own.  Yes, I am being selfish, but they understand.  My knees have been hurting, and if I want to avoid future knee surgeries, I need to get some weight off them.  I also am getting older, and I need to be healthier.  I want to live a long time for my kids. I also want to be able to move more freely.  So, this is just a beginning journey post.

          I will add more about the program if somebody finds this blog. I do not plan on publishing it to Facebook.  I think that will help me be a bit more open.  I can handle strangers reading my words with no care about judgement, as opposed to the people who know me.  I might have to censor a few things LOL per Noom I should be at my goal weight in just a year (woohoo).  I truly am hoping it works.  I have been on it for 3 weeks now. The first two I was so skeptical and figured I wasted my money, but then I decided to really commit and do what they say, and this last week I lost 2 lbs. This is big deal for me, as I have been trying on my own to get scale to move and it has refused to for as long as I can remember. Working this weekend, I have been worried I would slip up and cheat, but I am proud to say I have not 😊 I only have one night left to make it through.  Tomorrow will be refresh day. I plan on using Sundays to ease up a bit by making a meal with my kids, grocery shop, and prep for the week’s diet.  I will add more on everything probably tomorrow or Monday. It depends on how awake I am after work LOL brain tends to barely function on Sundays.

          So please if you find this, and want to follow me in my Noom journey, feel free. I will also start posting about my daughter and my activities here in sunny Florida.  Now that quarantine restrictions are easing up, we are getting out more.