Reading the nutrition label

Sometimes I don't think that people realize that you have to really read the whole label. Sure there are 50 calories in that soup, but how many servings are in that bowl? I went out and bought all the measuring instruments needed to help contort myself into a skinnier me. Measuring cups and small scales that tell me how many ounces I am going to be consuming. If my calculations are correct and all those diet magazines that I read know what they are talking about, I should look like a supermodel in 6 weeks with my handy new gadgets. I want a magazine that takes someone that really wants to lose weight, I mean someone really overweight and follows their journey and then I want them to tell me how they did it for that month. They exact diet and exercise routine and when she is building muscle or has to have surgery, I want to know it all. I want someone to take the time to show me. See, magazines tell you to read the label. I want something that will completely break the label down and tell me what is good and bad and, this is the kicker, I want it on one page. That would be my refrigerator art. When people come over they would say, "Wow, where did get that?" I would say,"I got it out of the magazine that has the chick in it that is losing weight.." Just kidding, it is 6 am and I am rambling. It would be nice to pick up a magazine or a book and it really be a cut and dry look at weight loss. I read magazines all of the time and everything is so generic. Don't get me wrong, those before and after pictures reel me in. I would say that over 3/4 of the magazines that I have purchased in the past have been because of the before and after pictures on the front. They give a little explanation and I'm like...they're my hero, if they can do it, I can. I have had that attitude many times and now I am truly going to adopt it here. I may not be able to create a magazine about what I do, but I will post it here so that I can help myself see what I am doing to take the weight off.

Happy Blogging

*Lindsey*

Sometimes I Feel Like My Mouth is a Giant Black Hole

Do you ever feel like your mouth is a giant black hole traveling through the universe and sucking down everything in it's path? Yeah? Me too. There are days when I can't seem to tell myself that too much food is bad. My tongue rolls out like a welcome mat and the feast begins.

Since I have been paying attention, I have noticed triggers. Unfortunately, my office at work is next to the kitchen. While I am working, I can hear everything going on in the kitchen. I hear a chip bag tear open or a soda can pop, it triggers me to eat. I have conditioned myself, over the years to respond to these triggers. Someone gets a snack, I get up and get one as well.

I wonder, if like those rats that play basketball for food, if I could condition myself. Only I would condition myself to respond negatively to these triggers. Maybe when I hear a potato chip bag open or a soda can pop, I could jab one of my insulin needles in my stomach. You would think that would work, wouldn't you?

Seriously, this thought bears considering. If we could condition ourselves to not eat when we get triggered, it would be great. Probably nothing as extreme as jabbing oneself with a needle, but maybe something similar. For example, having a photo of oneself eating or taking an insulin shot to look at when you get the urge to snack. I think I am going to think this one through and come up with various ways to condition myself to not respond to the triggers that cause me to eat when I shouldn't.

I think that noticing our triggers is important. I think I will examine myself and determine if there are any other triggers and I will let you know what I find out.

In the meantime, hope you have a healthy day! ~Melanie~Co-blogger

Hello Blogosphere

I am co-blogger of this blogspot. We are continuing a journey to wellness. I am 43 years old and have diabetes. I currently take five shots of insulin a day. If I don't change my lifestyle habits, I won't live much longer.

I party in my mouth too frequently. However, thanks to support from my co-blogger, Lindsey, I have established some good eating habits. I have my breakfast down perfectly. My lunch isn't too bad and my dinners aren't too bad. It is the snacks in between that are getting my blood sugar levels too high. I am not good with exercise because I have tacycardia which causes my heart to race if I get too tired or exercise too much.

So, I hereby commit myself to establishing more eating habits to support what I have already began. I will walk each day and find ways to exercise. I commit to work hard to get my blood glucose levels between 80 - 110 with insulin and eventually hope to do that without insulin or hopefully meds.

My mantra for this journey is: "Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels."

Good luck Lindsey. ~Melanie, co-blogger