I have never featured a man in Sunday's feature before and I realized that is pretty sexist. Every man in my family has struggled with weight at some point, many still today. Plus, I ran into a man the other day who reads this blog frequently (Hello, Alan!).
So here's a story I found on an interesting new site that catalogues weight loss stories. The story itself originally appeared in Men's Health Magazine, the big brother publication to my favorite workout zine, Women's Health.
Here is Andy's story and it is further proof that there isn't one plan for everyone and yet EVERYONE can lose weight.
Yours in health, Kate
Showing posts with label men.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label men.. Show all posts
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
From the beginning...
Today's tip- For god's sake, call someone!
I spent the weekend mindlessly amping up my sugar intake. A cookie here, a cupcake there, a cookie there and there and you get the point. At the end of the weekend I realized I was suffering a bit of depression.
While I try to keep an eye out for signs, I am not always successful until I am a couple of days in and a pattern has emerged. This weekend the weather, combined with a general belief that I must be repulsive to men, created the perfect sugared storm.
It was at the laundry mat yesterday that I was reminded of a good trick, whether depressed or not, to combat mindless eating - call someone. When you are craving the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, pick-up the receiver and phone a friend. If the first friend isn't available, just keep dialing. By the time you finally have a conversation, even if it is of no substance, you will likely have forgotten about or at least lost the craving for whatever demon you wanted to face down.
I did it when I realized I was going to be in the laundry mat longer than I expected. (Everyone was washing their undies yesterday.) I called six people and left messages before stumbling across an out-of-state friend. He's handsome and intellectual and by the end of the conversation I was thinking about many things, but none of them were food.
He even helped dissuade me from the belief that I am revolting, he assured me it was quite the opposite. He also reinforced my mother's belief that perhaps I scare men a bit. Not like jump out in front of them, but apparently my strength scares them. (Wimps.)
So, the next time you are looking at caving to a craving, grab the phone and use your mouth for something other than a garbage disposal. And if you chat up the right person, you may get a bonus ego boost!
Yours in (mental) health, Kate
I spent the weekend mindlessly amping up my sugar intake. A cookie here, a cupcake there, a cookie there and there and you get the point. At the end of the weekend I realized I was suffering a bit of depression.
While I try to keep an eye out for signs, I am not always successful until I am a couple of days in and a pattern has emerged. This weekend the weather, combined with a general belief that I must be repulsive to men, created the perfect sugared storm.
It was at the laundry mat yesterday that I was reminded of a good trick, whether depressed or not, to combat mindless eating - call someone. When you are craving the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, pick-up the receiver and phone a friend. If the first friend isn't available, just keep dialing. By the time you finally have a conversation, even if it is of no substance, you will likely have forgotten about or at least lost the craving for whatever demon you wanted to face down.
I did it when I realized I was going to be in the laundry mat longer than I expected. (Everyone was washing their undies yesterday.) I called six people and left messages before stumbling across an out-of-state friend. He's handsome and intellectual and by the end of the conversation I was thinking about many things, but none of them were food.
He even helped dissuade me from the belief that I am revolting, he assured me it was quite the opposite. He also reinforced my mother's belief that perhaps I scare men a bit. Not like jump out in front of them, but apparently my strength scares them. (Wimps.)
So, the next time you are looking at caving to a craving, grab the phone and use your mouth for something other than a garbage disposal. And if you chat up the right person, you may get a bonus ego boost!
Yours in (mental) health, Kate
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Go with your gut
Women have 'intuition', men 'go with their guts'. Women should be more like men. But wait, women are like men - intuition = guts. The problem, we often do not listen to the truths that our sensational abilities bring us.
1. Being Literal - Listen to your gut, when it comes to your gut -
Far too often we do not listen to what our bodies tell us about what we need from food. No, not the one that goes, "This has been a hell of a day, we need dark chocolate flour-less torte".
I mean, if you feel sluggish, take on some complex carbs in the form of fruits and veggies or whole grains. If you are feeling weak, take in more calcium, protein or iron. And above all know when enough is enough.
Your body itself is actually a lot less demanding than you think when it comes to food. We just let our mind override our gut and take that third piece of pizza anyway. This is a great article from Women's Health Magazine that talks about the reasons and a few ideas on listening to your gut - when it comes to food.
2. Being Instinctual - Listen to your gut, when it comes to romance -
A month ago I knew that Berger (Ron Livingston on "Sex in the City") was right, "He's just not that into you." But I went ahead and let things not move forward and took a coffee or phone call when I could get it.
Finally, after weeks of dancing around the subject it came up today. He mentioned e-mailing me later in the week. I said I didn't think he was really interested in dating me because he was "dealing with a ghost from his past". He acknowledged that was the case, but he still wanted to talk to me. I half-heartedly gave him an o.k. But the truth is, I was saving face.
I did it again. I didn't follow my gut. My gut told me early, 'this guy is emotionally unavailable'. Instead, I wasted two months attempting to move forward with a guy that had no intention of doing so. Again, I have chosen an unavailable man. This time he doesn't have a girlfriend, just a 'ghost'. Ah, yes improvement.
I am way too out of practice. I have spent 20 years wrapped in a cocoon of fat. And while I have attempted a relationship a couple of times during that period, mostly they were great exercises in masochism.
I have to find a way through this. There must be a decent man out there that wants to have fun. No, scratch that, there is a decent man who wants to have fun. Maybe he isn't in Iowa though, I don't know. But from now on, I really have to follow my own advice and Go with my Gut, it talks to me for a reason.
Yours in health, Kate
1. Being Literal - Listen to your gut, when it comes to your gut -
Far too often we do not listen to what our bodies tell us about what we need from food. No, not the one that goes, "This has been a hell of a day, we need dark chocolate flour-less torte".
I mean, if you feel sluggish, take on some complex carbs in the form of fruits and veggies or whole grains. If you are feeling weak, take in more calcium, protein or iron. And above all know when enough is enough.
Your body itself is actually a lot less demanding than you think when it comes to food. We just let our mind override our gut and take that third piece of pizza anyway. This is a great article from Women's Health Magazine that talks about the reasons and a few ideas on listening to your gut - when it comes to food.
2. Being Instinctual - Listen to your gut, when it comes to romance -
A month ago I knew that Berger (Ron Livingston on "Sex in the City") was right, "He's just not that into you." But I went ahead and let things not move forward and took a coffee or phone call when I could get it.
Finally, after weeks of dancing around the subject it came up today. He mentioned e-mailing me later in the week. I said I didn't think he was really interested in dating me because he was "dealing with a ghost from his past". He acknowledged that was the case, but he still wanted to talk to me. I half-heartedly gave him an o.k. But the truth is, I was saving face.
I did it again. I didn't follow my gut. My gut told me early, 'this guy is emotionally unavailable'. Instead, I wasted two months attempting to move forward with a guy that had no intention of doing so. Again, I have chosen an unavailable man. This time he doesn't have a girlfriend, just a 'ghost'. Ah, yes improvement.
I am way too out of practice. I have spent 20 years wrapped in a cocoon of fat. And while I have attempted a relationship a couple of times during that period, mostly they were great exercises in masochism.
I have to find a way through this. There must be a decent man out there that wants to have fun. No, scratch that, there is a decent man who wants to have fun. Maybe he isn't in Iowa though, I don't know. But from now on, I really have to follow my own advice and Go with my Gut, it talks to me for a reason.
Yours in health, Kate
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Lunch with an old friend
I met up with my friend Brendan today. He is one of my all time favorite people. He's one of my guy friends who is happily married, intelligent as hell and of course sexy. I don't specifically want him, but if I could clone him, (or my friend Ben) I would do it in a heart beat.
Brendan always energizes me. We have amazing discussions about life and politics. Today we had one about health, food and fitness. Brendan is very versed in what you should and shouldn't put in your body and why. He's raising his kids to be that way as well, which I really respect.
He and I haven't really talked since I lost the weight. So he was curious, as everyone always is, about how I did it. I told him - slowly making changes that are a lifestyle and forever. I will not go back and no one can make me. (But me.) And I just won't.
Brendan was great and supportive and impressed. I was flattered, appreciative and loved my lunch more than usual. Old friends are the best friends. (Especially for your ego.)
Yours in (mental) health, Kate
Brendan always energizes me. We have amazing discussions about life and politics. Today we had one about health, food and fitness. Brendan is very versed in what you should and shouldn't put in your body and why. He's raising his kids to be that way as well, which I really respect.
He and I haven't really talked since I lost the weight. So he was curious, as everyone always is, about how I did it. I told him - slowly making changes that are a lifestyle and forever. I will not go back and no one can make me. (But me.) And I just won't.
Brendan was great and supportive and impressed. I was flattered, appreciative and loved my lunch more than usual. Old friends are the best friends. (Especially for your ego.)
Yours in (mental) health, Kate
Friday, March 28, 2008
Deep Breathing
Doing a lot of that today. It's supposed to be a stress reliever. Still waiting for that side effect.
Or maybe I should breathe quickly, hyper ventilate and pass out. But just before I lose consciousness I will have an ephinany and I will understand men.
Then, after I spend a week recovering from my concussion caused by my head thunking into the studio console, I will put together a business plan. I will use my newly acquired man knowledge to build an empire by helping other women figure them out.
Think about it, it would be like Mary Kay for the mind. I could share with women, who could train other women. We wouldn't be looking to get rich, our real desire would simply be teaching others. That way women might be able to have a conversation with the males in their life and not feel the need to beat their heads against a wall.
You see what I have determined recently is that men talk a great game about being "what you see is what you get" or "straight talkers" or "I have simple needs". But it's b.s.
I know what you are thinking, "Did it really take her 36 years to realize this?" No, just two months of being back in the dating realm to be reminded of it.
Now at 2 p.m. I am going to go to the place where deep breathing actually works, my gym. Perhaps I will also release all of the stress that is obviously straining against my psyche too.
Yours in (someday I hope to find some) mental health, Kate
Or maybe I should breathe quickly, hyper ventilate and pass out. But just before I lose consciousness I will have an ephinany and I will understand men.
Then, after I spend a week recovering from my concussion caused by my head thunking into the studio console, I will put together a business plan. I will use my newly acquired man knowledge to build an empire by helping other women figure them out.
Think about it, it would be like Mary Kay for the mind. I could share with women, who could train other women. We wouldn't be looking to get rich, our real desire would simply be teaching others. That way women might be able to have a conversation with the males in their life and not feel the need to beat their heads against a wall.
You see what I have determined recently is that men talk a great game about being "what you see is what you get" or "straight talkers" or "I have simple needs". But it's b.s.
I know what you are thinking, "Did it really take her 36 years to realize this?" No, just two months of being back in the dating realm to be reminded of it.
Now at 2 p.m. I am going to go to the place where deep breathing actually works, my gym. Perhaps I will also release all of the stress that is obviously straining against my psyche too.
Yours in (someday I hope to find some) mental health, Kate
Friday, March 21, 2008
Flirtaholic
I am rediscovering my womanliness (yes, it's a real word) and finding that I am lacking practice in certain areas. One of them is flirting. So, I have been practicing on everything in pants.
MAYBE one out of every 10 guys I actually have the thought, "This guy's kind of cool." But mostly they are victims of my burgeoning urges. Luckily, thus far, most of the guys have simply flirted back and not thought anything more of it.
Wait is that lucky or should that tell me something?
Am I bad at it? Am I not attractive enough to try to go beyond a casual flirt with? Is it like my mother says, do I scare men? Ah hell, who knows! Frankly, it doesn't matter.
I am going to just keep practicing and enjoy myself.
Yours in (heart) health, Kate
MAYBE one out of every 10 guys I actually have the thought, "This guy's kind of cool." But mostly they are victims of my burgeoning urges. Luckily, thus far, most of the guys have simply flirted back and not thought anything more of it.
Wait is that lucky or should that tell me something?
Am I bad at it? Am I not attractive enough to try to go beyond a casual flirt with? Is it like my mother says, do I scare men? Ah hell, who knows! Frankly, it doesn't matter.
I am going to just keep practicing and enjoy myself.
Yours in (heart) health, Kate
Friday, February 22, 2008
It's Alive, it's Alive!
WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT (or at least content about adults)
Lori, my roomie, is hilarious or so she thinks. Last night she announced to the check-out line at the Gateway Market that I am in heat. Yes, heat, as in desperate to mate - like a cat. Like I said, hilarious.
However, it does bring something up that I'm not sure I've ever posted about here - hormones. When you lose a lot of weight, you find many physical benefits and a few down sides.
Benefits - Sleep better, breathe better, lots of energy. (That's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.)
Down sides - Cold often, fidgety, maybe a little gassy from the healthier foods. (You know me, honest to a fault.)
Then there's this one in the grey area - hormones. Suddenly, over the last six months, I have found myself attracted to men again. I mean, I never fully lost my interest, they're awful nice to look at, but I wasn't really moved to attempt to date.
There are two reasons for this: A. No self-esteem makes a person ridiculously unattractive. 2. Your body doesn't produce more sexual hormones because you are bigger, so your sex drive can lag or go dormant.
Now, I am down to a reasonable weight (yes, I still have a little way to go) and so my body is balanced and my hormone levels are more than I am used to. I have been reading up on this, some people become sex addicts after a major loss. Not only can they not handle the re-firing of their engines, they use it as a filler for food. I am not an addict or even potential addict, but I am awake now.
So yes, I noticed the cute new guy in the produce section at Gateway and asked the girls at the check-out what his name was. That doesn't mean I am in heat, but by god, for the first time in years I am paying attention. And no, I am not just looking to 'score'.
I am looking to meet a nice guy, have some fun and YES, quite possibly have sex. For the first time in more years than anyone with good sense would admit on a blog, I want a man to touch me. And that's not a crime.
In fact, it's quite literally very natural. I'm Alive!
Yours in health, Kate
Lori, my roomie, is hilarious or so she thinks. Last night she announced to the check-out line at the Gateway Market that I am in heat. Yes, heat, as in desperate to mate - like a cat. Like I said, hilarious.
However, it does bring something up that I'm not sure I've ever posted about here - hormones. When you lose a lot of weight, you find many physical benefits and a few down sides.
Benefits - Sleep better, breathe better, lots of energy. (That's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.)
Down sides - Cold often, fidgety, maybe a little gassy from the healthier foods. (You know me, honest to a fault.)
Then there's this one in the grey area - hormones. Suddenly, over the last six months, I have found myself attracted to men again. I mean, I never fully lost my interest, they're awful nice to look at, but I wasn't really moved to attempt to date.
There are two reasons for this: A. No self-esteem makes a person ridiculously unattractive. 2. Your body doesn't produce more sexual hormones because you are bigger, so your sex drive can lag or go dormant.
Now, I am down to a reasonable weight (yes, I still have a little way to go) and so my body is balanced and my hormone levels are more than I am used to. I have been reading up on this, some people become sex addicts after a major loss. Not only can they not handle the re-firing of their engines, they use it as a filler for food. I am not an addict or even potential addict, but I am awake now.
So yes, I noticed the cute new guy in the produce section at Gateway and asked the girls at the check-out what his name was. That doesn't mean I am in heat, but by god, for the first time in years I am paying attention. And no, I am not just looking to 'score'.
I am looking to meet a nice guy, have some fun and YES, quite possibly have sex. For the first time in more years than anyone with good sense would admit on a blog, I want a man to touch me. And that's not a crime.
In fact, it's quite literally very natural. I'm Alive!
Yours in health, Kate
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