The B Metro Magazine article is finally out. Their cover story titled, “Social Animals” is about 13 different people from Birmingham, Alabama that use social media as either their form of communication, expression, and/or profession. I am so thankful to B Metro for including me in the article. I didn’t know who else was in the article, and I think it’s cool and funny that I know four of the folks mentioned. Anyway, check the article out, they did a fantastic job on it. I can’t wait to see it in print. The magazine will be available soon.
Check In
I’ve been doing well lately, and I know that I stopped logging my food online. Honestly, I don’t like the comments about what I’ve been eating. No one said anything terrible. I don’t know, I just don’t like it. So, I will be writing down what I eat in an analog journal and reporting it to Sonthe and Emily. Having just two people review and guide me on my food is helpful. It’s not helpful when everyone is making recommendations, especially when recommendations conflict with each other. I’m learning that people are as passionate about their “diet” philosophy as they are about religion or politics. You might laugh, but it’s true. Some people are pro carbs, anti carbs, vegan, vegetarian, pro protein, etc. etc. If you get all these different people talking about what to eat, it ends up becoming a battle over who is right.
Also, I like to give (and receive) positive reinforcement. Good behavior gets praise and bad behavior is frowned upon, but the individual is not shouted at, belittled, or preached to about their negative behavior. Really, this is Danny Haralson’s philosophy, and he has a great example from his past. Many years ago Danny managed a tire store. They sold tires to consumers. Danny said that he constantly had problems with one individual and he was constantly having to get after him for miscellaneous reasons. However, one day Danny watched the guy sell a set of tires, and he did a great job of selling (make sure the customer got what they needed). So, Danny spoke with the guy, and gave him a lot of praise for the job well done, and after that praise, Danny no longer had to get after him for anything. The guy was motivated to continue with the good behavior. The positive reinforcement was way more effective then the negative reinforcement. — So, there’s food for though.
Also, like I mentioned earlier, no one said anything that offended me. I just prefer to not share my food with the world.
Enough about that, my exercise has been going very well. I am getting a lot of walking in to get ready for the upcoming couch to 10k program from Walk University. I’m very excited about that, and I will be providing more information on Walk University later.
So, lets keep the momentum up, and keep trucking….
Momma Goldbergs
My buddy Hal is part owner of this local restaurant, Momma Goldberg’s, and he asked that I post this, so if you love Momma G’s, please vote:
“Please take 3 minutes and go in to this survey and fill out Momma Goldberg’s for at least these categories:
Best Deli
Best Lunch
Best overall value for lunch
and any others you see fit.
We only have 2 days to do this so I need your help really bad. Please…Please…3 minutes. Thats all it will take.
Thanks guys!
http://bhamweekly.com/birmingham/best-of-17-menu-of-menus-readers-poll.html“
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I was VERY reluctant when I first started posting my food pictures. People are very opinionated about what foods you should or shouldn't eat, I'm always amazed when I read other food blogs. But, really it was about keeping myself accountable. I don't see myself ever adopting a “clean eating” lifestyle but what I do works for me and that's what's important. However, that being said I haven't had any negative comments about what I've eaten. Even if it was a splurge and not exactly healthy. I think it's just about what really works for you. Love your article and picture! I plan to keep on trucking myself!
I think you're right to find something that works for you. And yes, we all have opinions on what constitutes a 'healthy' diet, and other things for that matter, but it makes the most sense that you are sharing your food journal with someone that probably knows a lot more about food than most people posting on here. What matters is that it helps you reach your goals. I also liked what you wrote about positive reinforcement. I'm glad your foot injury is better! I recently had one too = I sprained my plantar fascia. I was going a bit nuts not doing anything high impact but I was able to work on upper body conditioning, which didn't bother my foot. I think Walk University is an awesome idea. There are some days I don't want to exercise, but because I instruct classes, I have to be there to inspire other people, and as soon as I see their faces, I find the energy and the enthusiasm, and they help me want to be my best so that I can help them to want to be their best too. I hope that some of that same kind of energy finds you on those days when you're feeling too tired to walk
I think less confusion, more focus on direction and steering your own diet mainly will help you most in the long run adopting your new lifestyle that works for you. I think you are doing great and your recent revelation about having beer as a special occasion type of treat was outstanding!
I don't like to post my food choices, either, for the exact same reason. Although mostly if I go overboard I do confess “hey, I ate a Panera muffin” today or something of the sort just so people know it's an ongoing struggle.
Quite a contradiction you are. No posting of what you are eating, but we should vote for the place where you eat and get heavy ? Hmmm. I think that is very odd
Actually, the sandwiches that I eat are around 300 calories….
It's all good. I voted for them, because you asked. I am a big fan of yours, you know that !!
I have been reading your blog for a month now and I think you are doing terrific.. for those who are belittling and I have read those comments and thought “what an ass” they are just unhappy and need to belittle people to make themselves feel better. You are doing a tremendous job.. it takes one step at a time to do anything and i believe that even includes weight loss.
-A