[CyberTOPS] reFOCUS - Issue 5 - 2009 (Turning Befores into Afters)

Thu Feb 19 07:48:54 CST 2009

Attachments removed for cyberTOPS - email me separately if you want them!
Have a great week!

Marji

BEFORES INTO AFTERS

Turning Befores into Afters - that is the BUSINESS we, as members of TOPS,
are in, isn't it?  Are you taking care of business?  I haven't been.  Last
week I weighed in EXACTLY as I did the first weigh in of 2009.  That means:
no progress!

Two things happened this last week that will help me move forward and turn
my BEFORE into AFTER!  

1.	Exercise Challenge: Debbie Swindall challenged me to do the 1,000
mile trek (see below: oops I am going to stop writing and go get my time in,
right now.I'll be back - whew I'm back.feels great!).
2.	Buddy System: A friend asked me for my opinion about weight loss and
we decided to help each other.  Since that day last week I have been more
conscious about what I have been eating, more determined to exercise, etc.
We are checking in with each other.  I am now walking the walk (literally
and figuratively as I do a lot of it on the treadmill).instead of just
talking the talk.  I have long believed the secret to sustainable, motivated
weight loss is having a buddy or more!  The only time I was at goal (for
almost 4 whole months in 2000) was when I had two amigos that did it with me
and to whom I was accountable.  Anyone else need an amigo or buddy? - you
can find them at TOPS chapters, on cyberTOPS, most anywhere you look - all
the weight-loss boards, etc.  The rules are honest open conversation that
remains private (notice I didn't name my buddy or what we talked about),
support, encouragement and a real effort.  Helping others is really all
about helping ourselves!  Give it a try!

1,000 Mile Trek (it is not too late) - revised chart from Christina Godaire
(thanks!) attached.makes it really easy - contact me with questions!

Being a procrastinator I didn't start Barb Cady's challenge to walk to
Orlando until Saturday.  I have discovered it is not too late - WOOHOO - I
can still make it!  With the way the points are calculated (extra 10 for
doing it 5 days a week, extra 5 for doing at least 45 minutes a day): If I
do 1 hour a day I can make it in less than 9 weeks, if I do 45 minutes a day
I can make it in less than 12 weeks, if I do 30 minutes a day I can't make
it, but think how I would have changed my body and my attitude (I am talking
to you MP, you know who you are!!).    

D-I-E-T (musings from Christina Godaire, VA #606, Centreville)

D-I-E-T stands for "Do I Eat This?"  It's a positive question because it
requires only a yes or no answer.  It makes the choice a simple one.  You
have already made your mind up (you know the answer) before you take the
first bite.  So if the answer is yes... enjoy it.  If you know the answer
should be "no"  then take the positive action and don't.

Is this something I should (do) eat?  

PROGRESS REPORT - REVISION 

A couple of weeks ago I sent out a Progress Report.it isn't working for me.
I revised it to show a weekly report.  Basically it is the same as your
weight chart, the same as your weight book, but with the added benefit of
being a more visible reminder of what you are doing - you could put it on
the refrigerator, on a wall, just make it very visible, because believe me
your weight is visible!

Note: Apologies: Rays of Hope was misnumbered - should have been Issue 4

Have a super, super week!  Hugs to all!

Fortune cookie chronicles: Teach oneself by exploring the old and deducing
the new.  (in other words LEARN from your past mistakes; example if it is a
trigger food, don't buy it or keep it in the house!)

Forbidden Food - White bread, white flour, white rice, etc.  Challenge - try
a new fruit or veggie

You are not alone, 

CULitr, CU at Goal, CU at KOPS, Marji 

Not a TOPS sponsored or sanctioned newsletter.

Books and resources that have helped me:

Body Clutter and Sink Reflections (2 different books - Marla Cilley -
www.flylady.net) - my clutter is related to my weight struggle

The Solution by Laurel Mellin (first read in 1999)

Life is Hard, Food is Easy by Linda Spangle

100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle

Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink, Ph.D

Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell by Debra Waterhouse

 <http://www.pelizza.com/> www.pelizza.com 

Past issues of reFOCUS can be accessed on:   <http://www.topscares.com/>
www.topscares.com and  <http://www.tops123.com/StdTOPS/InspiredFocus.html>
http://www.tops123.com/StdTOPS/InspiredFocus.html 

Visit the Florida TOPS website at:

 <http://mysite.verizon.net/res1vhv6/floridatops/>
http://mysite.verizon.net/res1vhv6/floridatops/ 

Visit the NC TOPS website at:
<http://www.topsbouquet.org/NorthCarolina/index2.htm>
http://www.topsbouquet.org/NorthCarolina/index2.htm (Coach Laura)

Other Websites

 <http://www.topscares.com/> www.topsCARES.com - TOPS site for Delaware,
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland/DC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania - all are
welcome to visit

 <http://www.tops123.com/> www.tops123.com - TOPS site for Illinois,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa - all are welcome to
visit

 <http://www.tops.org/> www.tops.org - Official TOPS website

 <http://www.cybertops.net/> www.cybertops.net - CyberTOPS -- Where Friends
Meet for a "Net Loss"!

www.sparkpeople.com

www.delmonte.com/solutions (has some good ideas and articles)

 <http://www.5aday.gov/> www.5aday.gov

 <http://www.smallsteps.gov/> www.smallsteps.gov

 <http://www.ediets.com/magazine/html/lifestyle>
www.ediets.com/magazine/html/lifestyle

 <http://www.dietbites.com/> www.dietbites.com

 <http://www.eatright.org/> www.eatright.org

 <http://www.hungrygirl.com/> www.hungrygirl.com

 <http://www.walgreens.com/> www.walgreens.com (look under healthy library,
under care guides)