[CHANGES] It's not Christmas

[Sandra Ahten]

Hey Subscribers!

I'm back at Weight Watchers from my "sabbatical."  Let's be sure to NOT call 
it a vacation -- because it was anything but that. I practically had to go 
back to work in order to get a breath from my to-do list.

I'm hearing a lot of agony about the upcoming holiday season when it comes 
to weight loss/ eating healthy/ getting exercise.  You know what? It's not 
the holiday season. Yes, I know the Christmas music is playing in the 
stores. But the reality is that Thanksgiving is still 4 weeks away. Do you 
have a holiday party this week? Do you have fudge at the office today? The 
answer is probably no.  And today, this week, is all you have to deal with.  
Make your plan for today. Get a sheet of paper right now.  Write down 
specifically - what do you need to do today and this week in the following 
areas:
Getting 6 to 8 glasses of water
Consuming 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
Journaling (Being conscious of your eating, counting points, writing down 
what your eat)
Exercise and Activity
Planning (shopping, cooking, looking up point value of menu items, etc.)

Be as specific as you can.
For example:
Journaling: I'm going to buy a new journal. I'm going to write down 
everything I eat. I'm going to at least estimate the points for everything 
and come up with an approximate total every day. During the week I'm going 
to stay in my point range. During the weekend - I'm going to write it down 
and adding up the points even if I don't stay in my range.

Fruits and Vegetables: I'm going to get in two servings each day by 1pm. I'm 
going to make sure that I have plenty of salad fixings at home. I'm going to 
stock up on frozen vegetables.

Don't just tell yourself that you want to eat healthier or lose weight. Be 
specific as to what your plan is. If you wake up on Friday and are resistant 
to it; tell yourself that you are just doing it for one week. If you want to 
change your plan next week you can - but for this week you are already 
committed to THIS plan. Next week you can see how you feel. You'll ask 
yourself: How hard was it? Does my weight loss make it worth the effort? Do 
I deserve a reward? How can I reward myself? How do I feel about myself?  
What would I do differently? Where did I stumble? Do I want to modify the 
plan or be better prepared for those red light areas?

You can do this. You could probably lose five pounds before Thanksgiving if 
that is what you need to do and you put your mind to it.  Quit dwelling on 
what you aren't willing to do and instead ask yourself what you are willing 
to do.

If you need support in your effort: I hope to see you soon.

WW Meeting Schedule : Tuesday 5:15, Wed 9:30, Noon, 5:15, Friday 7:30, 10am, 
noon.
-OR-

I still have a couple of opening in my Women's Body Group that starts this 
Thursday (9-10:30am) and lasts for 5 weeks. Call me tonight if you are 
interested. 217-367-6345

-ALSO-
I am the auctioneer at a fundraising event this weekend. Here are the 
details:

*****More than 50 area artists have donated handmade postcards for the AWARE 
"Postcards for Peace" fundraiser.  Postcards for Peace is an art auction 
with musical interludes  that will take place this Sunday November 10, 2002 
at 3pm. Viewing will being at 2:30.  The venue is Caffe Paradiso, located at 
801 S. Lincoln in Urbana.

Framed original postcard art will be auctioned. Holiday cards, and 
reproduced postcards will be available for purchase.

The event is for the benefit of AWARE -
The Anti War Anti-Racism Effort of Urbana Champaign.

Take good care,
Sandra








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