So, way back when I started this blog, one of my very first comments was "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired".
I put that on the side bar of my blog....over there>>>>>>>>> just as a reminder to myself of why I'm doing this.
I'm not to my goal yet, but I'm on my way.
And I feel better. All over.
Going up the steps is easier. Getting up in the morning is easier. Staying on my feet at work is easier.
I'm no longer getting the 2pm sleepies every afternoon while my lunch digests (unlike before, when the hi-carb lunches would make me crash every afternoon)
I'm no longer getting the headrushes and weird dizziness after drinking 32 ounces of McDonald's sweet tea for lunch.
My digestive system has settled down into a fairly normal routine, albeit less often. Which beats the heck out of the wildly swinging pendulum I used to experience, where it went from one extreme to the other.
And "going" is non-eventful, as opposed to "crampy, painful, and urgent", or "crampy, painful, and difficult". (Hubby was beginning to nag me about seeing the doc cuz he kept insisting that my bathroom visits weren't normal. In retrospect, I'd gotten used to having an upset stomach on a fairly regular basis. Now that I am eating healthier food in healthy proportions, I rarely, if ever, have a stomach ache.
I'm getting quite used to eating less. Cravings are getting less frequent. And it feels good.
Monday, January 31, 2011
(163) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: coffee (50 cal), water
Snack: clementine (35 cal)
Lunch: 2 oz turkey sausage (90 cal), 9 crackers (160 cal), one slice of munster (80 cal), water
Snack: banana (70 cal), clementine (35 cal), water
Dinner:
Snack:
totals: 520 cal, 62 oz
Snack: clementine (35 cal)
Lunch: 2 oz turkey sausage (90 cal), 9 crackers (160 cal), one slice of munster (80 cal), water
Snack: banana (70 cal), clementine (35 cal), water
Dinner:
Snack:
totals: 520 cal, 62 oz
(163) Shopping Success
Yesterday I mentioned that I was heading out to do some shopping for some new pants. I needed something for work, as I was constantly pulling up my pants lately. (Wow it feels good to say that!!)
So my best friend and I went shopping and I found a nice pair of Dockers and a pair of Lee's that are a size smaller than I've been wearing, and they fit great!! Except for the length, which is always a problem. I buy the "short" version and they are still too long. I have to hem pretty much anything I buy for the bottom half.
I also bought a cute pair of shoes and some new socks, and everything was on sale. Plus, I had a couple of gift cards, so that made the shopping a whole lot less painful!
While we were shopping, my friend even mentioned that she could see a difference in my face, since I started losing some weight. Woohoo!! My big square jaw doesn't need any extra padding, so that felt really good to hear.
It will be nice to be able to wear some smaller shorts this summer!
So my best friend and I went shopping and I found a nice pair of Dockers and a pair of Lee's that are a size smaller than I've been wearing, and they fit great!! Except for the length, which is always a problem. I buy the "short" version and they are still too long. I have to hem pretty much anything I buy for the bottom half.
I also bought a cute pair of shoes and some new socks, and everything was on sale. Plus, I had a couple of gift cards, so that made the shopping a whole lot less painful!
While we were shopping, my friend even mentioned that she could see a difference in my face, since I started losing some weight. Woohoo!! My big square jaw doesn't need any extra padding, so that felt really good to hear.
It will be nice to be able to wear some smaller shorts this summer!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
(161 & 162) Catching Up
Well, yesterday hubby and I had to make a long drive out of town and back, so I didn't have any time to get online and blog/update.
Food yesterday was 3 cups of coffee, a low-cal English muffin with low-sugar preserves, 2 oz of corned beef on plain bread, 4 bottles of water, 2 clementines, 2 grapefruit, and about 2 cups of microwave popcorn with butter flavored sprinkles.
Didn't add up the calories, but I know I'm within goal.
Today, so far; coffee, english muffin, grapefruit, water.
And I'm off to go shopping with my best friend for some NEW SMALLER PANTS!!! WOOHOO!!!
___________
The rest of yesterday: 2 more cups of coffee, water, 1/4 c of almonds, 1 c of unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 bunch of steamed broccoli with 2 Tbsp shredded mozzarella, more water.
Food yesterday was 3 cups of coffee, a low-cal English muffin with low-sugar preserves, 2 oz of corned beef on plain bread, 4 bottles of water, 2 clementines, 2 grapefruit, and about 2 cups of microwave popcorn with butter flavored sprinkles.
Didn't add up the calories, but I know I'm within goal.
Today, so far; coffee, english muffin, grapefruit, water.
And I'm off to go shopping with my best friend for some NEW SMALLER PANTS!!! WOOHOO!!!
___________
The rest of yesterday: 2 more cups of coffee, water, 1/4 c of almonds, 1 c of unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 bunch of steamed broccoli with 2 Tbsp shredded mozzarella, more water.
Friday, January 28, 2011
(160) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: hard-boiled egg (71) and an 8oz glass of OJ (100 cal), coffee (40 cal)
Snack: banana (70), water
Lunch: chopped iceburg lettuce (15 cal), 2Tbsp balsamic viniagrette (100 cal), one har-boiled egg (71 cal), water
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water X2
Dinner:
Snack:
Totals: 587 cal, 86 ounces
Snack: banana (70), water
Lunch: chopped iceburg lettuce (15 cal), 2Tbsp balsamic viniagrette (100 cal), one har-boiled egg (71 cal), water
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water X2
Dinner:
Snack:
Totals: 587 cal, 86 ounces
(160) Calories? Numbers?
I just read Allan's post over here. Misty, Kristen....and a bunch of comments about Kristen's going off plan.
Is 500 calories a day more dangerous than forgetting the last couple binges and just moving on? Is 900 better than 500? Is 1000 the right number, like they do on biggest loser?
How about 1200?
Ya know what?!
I don't think 500 calories a day for a week is gonna kill anybody. Read Christine's post about consuming 100 calories per day for 70 days. That's right. One hundred calories ( mostly diluted juice ) for seventy days.
She didn't die. Near as I can tell, aside from some initial headaches and blurry thinking, she managed just fine. (I'm not advocating this approach, nor do I think she would either. She chose another route after that, and was much more successful. But that is beside the point.)
So no, eating only 500 calories a day for a week or so probably won't do any harm at all.
Ya know what **does** do harm?
NOT putting the fork down.
Why, why, WHY is it so necessary for some folks to advocate "more food"???
Have a plan, stick to the plan, and have enough patience to let the plan work over the long haul. When you fall down, stand back up, brush yourself off, and get back on the plan. And keep moving.
And feel your own feelings instead of "stuffing" them, or turning them into something else.
Is 500 calories a day more dangerous than forgetting the last couple binges and just moving on? Is 900 better than 500? Is 1000 the right number, like they do on biggest loser?
How about 1200?
Ya know what?!
I don't think 500 calories a day for a week is gonna kill anybody. Read Christine's post about consuming 100 calories per day for 70 days. That's right. One hundred calories ( mostly diluted juice ) for seventy days.
She didn't die. Near as I can tell, aside from some initial headaches and blurry thinking, she managed just fine. (I'm not advocating this approach, nor do I think she would either. She chose another route after that, and was much more successful. But that is beside the point.)
So no, eating only 500 calories a day for a week or so probably won't do any harm at all.
Ya know what **does** do harm?
NOT putting the fork down.
Why, why, WHY is it so necessary for some folks to advocate "more food"???
Have a plan, stick to the plan, and have enough patience to let the plan work over the long haul. When you fall down, stand back up, brush yourself off, and get back on the plan. And keep moving.
And feel your own feelings instead of "stuffing" them, or turning them into something else.
(160) Well I Did It...
I've got one really good thing to feel good about: I did not eat my way to feeling better yesterday in the aftermath of the latest installation on the family drama channel.
Things are calm at least, even if there isn't much talking going on. And I'm just not feeling all that hungry.
Food has been really boring lately, mainly cuz I'm trying not to think about it. So I'm in a sort of autopilot mode, I've got my food narrowed down to some really simple stuff, and I'm sticking to it.
We are cooking up hard boiled eggs periodically and then have them available for a couple days. When we go grovery shopping and get fruit, I'll have 2-4 pieces a day. Breakfast is simple: either oatmeal, and egg, or toast/english muffin. Lunch is often a salad or sandwich.
I've stopped thinking about all the tasty recipes I have, and all the old food I'm used to eating. I'm settling into the idea that I just eat different stuff now, and its kinda boring.
I'm afraid to starting thinking about ways to make my boring stuff more appealing, cuz then I'm just spending time thinking about food in general...not a good idea.
Really in a dull place right now...
Things are calm at least, even if there isn't much talking going on. And I'm just not feeling all that hungry.
Food has been really boring lately, mainly cuz I'm trying not to think about it. So I'm in a sort of autopilot mode, I've got my food narrowed down to some really simple stuff, and I'm sticking to it.
We are cooking up hard boiled eggs periodically and then have them available for a couple days. When we go grovery shopping and get fruit, I'll have 2-4 pieces a day. Breakfast is simple: either oatmeal, and egg, or toast/english muffin. Lunch is often a salad or sandwich.
I've stopped thinking about all the tasty recipes I have, and all the old food I'm used to eating. I'm settling into the idea that I just eat different stuff now, and its kinda boring.
I'm afraid to starting thinking about ways to make my boring stuff more appealing, cuz then I'm just spending time thinking about food in general...not a good idea.
Really in a dull place right now...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
(159) So Angry....
I'm SOOOOOO mad right now...
And so very sick and tired of "family drama".
And so very, very tired of these attitudes:
Oh Holy **CK!! GROW UP!!!!
And its not just one person!!! Can you say 4-way tug of war?
____________________
no food......not gonna think about food.
And so very sick and tired of "family drama".
And so very, very tired of these attitudes:
- I'm not willing to listen to anything you say
- I'm not willing to consider that you might have a valid point
- I'm not willing to learn how to behave myself and act with some decency
- I'm not willing to take responsibility for my actions
- I'm going to continue to take advantage of the people around me becasue they let me.
- If I can't take advantage of one, I'll move on to the next and blame the last
- I'm not willing to let you teach me anything, and then when I fail, I'll be mad at you
- I don't care if I hurt your feelings. I have an opinion and I'm gonna let you know what it is
- If I hurt your feelings, you're too thin skinned. If you tell me I hurt your feelings, then you're saying I'm a horrible person.
- I'm not gonna try. You try.
- Nobody's going to tell ME what I can and cannot do!
- It's not my job
- (I'm ignoring you)
- I'll yell if I want to
- You can't blame me for getting mad! It's your fault!! You MADE me angry! You MADE me lose my temper!
- Oh, poor me!
Oh Holy **CK!! GROW UP!!!!
And its not just one person!!! Can you say 4-way tug of war?
____________________
no food......not gonna think about food.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
(158) Slowly Clawing My Way Out and Food Log
Getting things under control at work, and moderately keeping the "sickies" at bay...not entirely, but I haven't succumbed entirely to being sick....its all very low grade.
But now hubby is getting sick, so we are sleeping at opposite ends of the house, so as not to compound the germies...
Food today:
Brkfst: coffee (40 cal)
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water
Lunch: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toat with low-sugar raspberry preserves (190 cal)
Snack:
Dinner:
Snack:
Still don't have much of an appetite...my head is aching and I just want to take a nap....ugh!
But now hubby is getting sick, so we are sleeping at opposite ends of the house, so as not to compound the germies...
Food today:
Brkfst: coffee (40 cal)
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water
Lunch: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toat with low-sugar raspberry preserves (190 cal)
Snack:
Dinner:
Snack:
Still don't have much of an appetite...my head is aching and I just want to take a nap....ugh!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
(157) Food and not much else today...
Brkfst: coffee (40 cal)
Snack: clementine (35 cal), water
Lunch: turkey sandwich (240 cal), coffee (40 cal), water
Snack: banana (71 cal), water
Dinner: turkey sandwich (240 cal), water, grapefruit (120 cal)
Snack: 1/2 oz of pistachios (80 cal), water
6 cough drops (90 cal)
Totals: 956 cal 94 ounces
_____
Having a crappy day emotionally, kid issues, overloaded at work, just don't have it in me to blog today.
More tomorrow....
Snack: clementine (35 cal), water
Lunch: turkey sandwich (240 cal), coffee (40 cal), water
Snack: banana (71 cal), water
Dinner: turkey sandwich (240 cal), water, grapefruit (120 cal)
Snack: 1/2 oz of pistachios (80 cal), water
6 cough drops (90 cal)
Totals: 956 cal 94 ounces
_____
Having a crappy day emotionally, kid issues, overloaded at work, just don't have it in me to blog today.
More tomorrow....
Monday, January 24, 2011
(156) I'm REALLLLLLY Sick of this Weather!!!
Warning! Just a bit of a rant....
I have this nifty cradle for my cell phone. It charges the phone, but also prompts the phone screen to appear like an alarm clock while its charging.
Very cool.
The added benefit is that it also displays the weather and a few other useful bits. I've started using it as my alarm clock, just cus it's convenient, and because the alarm isn't as obnoxious as my other clock.
_____
Side story...I'm coming out of the bathroom yesterday morning and *severely* stub my left big toe on the marble threshold.....so much so that the end of my toe now has a deep purple bruise, and I ripped 1/3 of the nail up, but only on the right side. OWOWOWOWOW!!!!!
_____
So last night, I'm rolling around trying to get comfortable without irritating this toe. Took me awhile...
And at some point I roll over and look at the clock....you know....the one that displays the weather.
And some time after 1 or 2 am, it says ......( 5 degrees )
Five effing degrees...and its the middle of the night...and my toe hurts...and I know now that I'm really not going to get a good night's sleep....and I have to deal with the *broke thing* as soon as I get to work....
And hubby's car wouldn't start this morning, so he had to drive me to work so he'd have a car.
5 degrees.....
5 effing degrees....
yuck
I have this nifty cradle for my cell phone. It charges the phone, but also prompts the phone screen to appear like an alarm clock while its charging.
Very cool.
The added benefit is that it also displays the weather and a few other useful bits. I've started using it as my alarm clock, just cus it's convenient, and because the alarm isn't as obnoxious as my other clock.
_____
Side story...I'm coming out of the bathroom yesterday morning and *severely* stub my left big toe on the marble threshold.....so much so that the end of my toe now has a deep purple bruise, and I ripped 1/3 of the nail up, but only on the right side. OWOWOWOWOW!!!!!
_____
So last night, I'm rolling around trying to get comfortable without irritating this toe. Took me awhile...
And at some point I roll over and look at the clock....you know....the one that displays the weather.
And some time after 1 or 2 am, it says ......( 5 degrees )
Five effing degrees...and its the middle of the night...and my toe hurts...and I know now that I'm really not going to get a good night's sleep....and I have to deal with the *broke thing* as soon as I get to work....
And hubby's car wouldn't start this morning, so he had to drive me to work so he'd have a car.
5 degrees.....
5 effing degrees....
yuck
(156) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: coffee (40 cal)
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal) coffee (40 cal) water
Lunch: Soup: 1 cup chicken broth, 3oz grilled chicken, 1/2 cup of cannelini beans, seasoning (250 cal) water
Snack: Clementine (35 cal), water, coffee (40 cal)
Dinner: 2 cups of that lame soup (500 cal???...doubtful...)
Snack: coffee (40 cal), tea (45 cal)
Totals: 1110 90
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal) coffee (40 cal) water
Lunch: Soup: 1 cup chicken broth, 3oz grilled chicken, 1/2 cup of cannelini beans, seasoning (250 cal) water
Snack: Clementine (35 cal), water, coffee (40 cal)
Dinner: 2 cups of that lame soup (500 cal???...doubtful...)
Snack: coffee (40 cal), tea (45 cal)
Totals: 1110 90
(156) I'm Off to See the Wizard....
Hopefully there will be no fire and green smoke....
After Friday's....er...mishap, I've been dreading going to work today. Time to fix the mess I made and try to figure out where I went wrong in the robot programming.
yay.
Still feeling a bit under the weather. Not a full-on cold or anything, just some sinus crap, low grade headache and no appetite. I'll update yesterday's food log, but quite frankly, there's nothing much to report. I was way under calories (although I did finally make that salad I'd intended for Saturday), cuz I just haven't had an appetite this weekend. I feel like I'm fighting off what ever is going around...and that's a good thing, cuz a few folks at work are looking a little green around the gills.....need to keep my distance from them.....they've got/had the pukies....
Happy Monday everyone.
After Friday's....er...mishap, I've been dreading going to work today. Time to fix the mess I made and try to figure out where I went wrong in the robot programming.
yay.
Still feeling a bit under the weather. Not a full-on cold or anything, just some sinus crap, low grade headache and no appetite. I'll update yesterday's food log, but quite frankly, there's nothing much to report. I was way under calories (although I did finally make that salad I'd intended for Saturday), cuz I just haven't had an appetite this weekend. I feel like I'm fighting off what ever is going around...and that's a good thing, cuz a few folks at work are looking a little green around the gills.....need to keep my distance from them.....they've got/had the pukies....
Happy Monday everyone.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
(155) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: coffee (40 cal) water
Snack: 2 pieces of toast (110) 2 pats butter (72 cal)
Lunch: banana (71 cal) water
Snack: coffee( 40 cal)
Dinner: Salad of (40 cal): iceburg, spinach, celery, carrot, with 3 oz grilled chicken (150 cal) and 2 Tbsp low fat dressing (44 cal), water
Snack: 1 ounce of low-fat chips (160 cal), water
Totals: 727 92
plus a dozen cough drops ...
Snack: 2 pieces of toast (110) 2 pats butter (72 cal)
Lunch: banana (71 cal) water
Snack: coffee( 40 cal)
Dinner: Salad of (40 cal): iceburg, spinach, celery, carrot, with 3 oz grilled chicken (150 cal) and 2 Tbsp low fat dressing (44 cal), water
Snack: 1 ounce of low-fat chips (160 cal), water
Totals: 727 92
plus a dozen cough drops ...
Saturday, January 22, 2011
(154) Daily Food Round Up
Brunch: 2 poached eggs (142 cal), two slices toast (110 cal), 2 tsp butter (72 cal), 2X coffee (80 cal)
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water
Dinner: Another grapefruit (120 cal) and a banana (71 cal), water
Snack: clementine (35 cal) crackers (160 cal), water, lemonade (90 cal)
Other: 2 Coldeeze (18 cal) and 6 cough drops (96 cal)
Total: 1024 cal, 88 oz
So, apparently some useless calories today. Feeling like I'm fighting off a cold. Not a lot of good food, but not terrible. I'd planned on making a salad topped with grilled chicken, but just wasn't very hungry, and didn't feel like standing in the kitchen to make it. So, I tried to pick some healthy stuff...the fruit. Could have skipped the crackers, but at least I'm not over my calories.
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water
Dinner: Another grapefruit (120 cal) and a banana (71 cal), water
Snack: clementine (35 cal) crackers (160 cal), water, lemonade (90 cal)
Other: 2 Coldeeze (18 cal) and 6 cough drops (96 cal)
Total: 1024 cal, 88 oz
So, apparently some useless calories today. Feeling like I'm fighting off a cold. Not a lot of good food, but not terrible. I'd planned on making a salad topped with grilled chicken, but just wasn't very hungry, and didn't feel like standing in the kitchen to make it. So, I tried to pick some healthy stuff...the fruit. Could have skipped the crackers, but at least I'm not over my calories.
Friday, January 21, 2011
(153) One Foot in Front of the Other
I just visited Pam's blog tonight. She's a new follower to mine, so I thought I'd stop by. Her post sounds like so many I've read, where folks are getting discouraged and depression is setting in.
That's a pretty common theme in weight loss blogs....
And so I shared with her a story that my friend teaches in that course I told all of you about last weekend. (The Living Course).
Say you are driving to the coast (whichever one is furthest from you). It's dark out when you get in the car, you know what your destination is, but you have no idea what the road ahead looks like. You've never driven that far before, and you've never been to the coast, but you know what direction it is. You start the car, turn on the lights, and pull out of the driveway. Your headlights only shine so far, right? But they shine far enough for you to make it to the freeway and pick the right direction.
So you drive for awhile, but still have now idea how to get THAT far....to THAT strange place. But the lights on your car light up enough road for you to keep going. You'll be able to see the signs and follow the road that takes you to your destination. And as long as you know where you are going, all you need to worry about is the next few yards (or steps) in front of you.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Even baby steps can get you where you want to go, as long as you are facing the right direction. Choices....its all about choices.
That's a pretty common theme in weight loss blogs....
And so I shared with her a story that my friend teaches in that course I told all of you about last weekend. (The Living Course).
Say you are driving to the coast (whichever one is furthest from you). It's dark out when you get in the car, you know what your destination is, but you have no idea what the road ahead looks like. You've never driven that far before, and you've never been to the coast, but you know what direction it is. You start the car, turn on the lights, and pull out of the driveway. Your headlights only shine so far, right? But they shine far enough for you to make it to the freeway and pick the right direction.
So you drive for awhile, but still have now idea how to get THAT far....to THAT strange place. But the lights on your car light up enough road for you to keep going. You'll be able to see the signs and follow the road that takes you to your destination. And as long as you know where you are going, all you need to worry about is the next few yards (or steps) in front of you.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Even baby steps can get you where you want to go, as long as you are facing the right direction. Choices....its all about choices.
(153) And It Was All Down Hill From There....
I started the week off with an AWESOME weekend, came back to work on Tuesday, ready to kick some butt (figuratively off course) and then things started going wrong. Too many meetings, not enough time to get my work done, staying late just about every night, and to top it all off, I ruined something at work today. First time in 18 years on my job....and this thing is toast. Ready for the dumpster. And I feel like crap about it. I know I did something wrong, but I don't know what....I'll find out on Monday, when the "expert" comes back from being off sick. Not happy about having to tell him this. Told the boss right away, and of course he was consoling. Not the end of the world.
But I absolutely HATE screwing something up. And I "guilt" over it forever.....
Ugggghhhh......and the worst part is that I don't even know how I did this.
Can you say "robot programming"? .........................damn.
But I absolutely HATE screwing something up. And I "guilt" over it forever.....
Ugggghhhh......and the worst part is that I don't even know how I did this.
Can you say "robot programming"? .........................damn.
(153) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: one slice of bread w/ one Tbsp peanut butter (150 cal) 2X coffee (80 cal) water
Snack: water
Lunch: 7.5 oz lettuce (30 cal), 3.6 oz chicken (grilled on the george foreman grill, no oil/spray, 115 cal), 3 Tbsp Ken's Healthy Choice Italian dressing (67 cal), water
Snack: Cheese stick (71 cal), water
Dinner: clementine (35 cal), grapefruit (120 cal), 5.4 ounces baked fish ( 300 cal), 2 ounces potato w/ butter (88 cal)
Snack: water,
Totals: 1056 cal, 118 ounces
Snack: water
Lunch: 7.5 oz lettuce (30 cal), 3.6 oz chicken (grilled on the george foreman grill, no oil/spray, 115 cal), 3 Tbsp Ken's Healthy Choice Italian dressing (67 cal), water
Snack: Cheese stick (71 cal), water
Dinner: clementine (35 cal), grapefruit (120 cal), 5.4 ounces baked fish ( 300 cal), 2 ounces potato w/ butter (88 cal)
Snack: water,
Totals: 1056 cal, 118 ounces
Thursday, January 20, 2011
(152) BTW...Welcome!
I meant to say this earlier....
I noticed I have some new followers, so I wanted to say Welcome, and thank you for stopping by!
I've been crazy-busy, but I will be stopping by your blogs in the next few days to say hi to you too.
I noticed I have some new followers, so I wanted to say Welcome, and thank you for stopping by!
I've been crazy-busy, but I will be stopping by your blogs in the next few days to say hi to you too.
(152) OMG!! I'm So Effing BUSY!!!!
No time! No time to do a damn thing! I'm so busy at work and home is running a close second!! I'm not getting the snacks in and I'm feeling too hungry at mealtime, and have found myself putting more on my plate. I've caught myself, and dumped things back, got the measuring cups and scale out and did my thing. I'm just losing my edge!!
Gotta get back to attention to detail!!
One good thing I'm doing right is drinking the water. In fact, I'm finding it easier and easier. I have several water bottles at work and always have one with me. Each time I pass one of the water coolers, I refill. I'm actually drinking more than my goal, so yay for me!
Going home tonight to do some meal planning and grocery list making, so I can get some healthy snacks and make dinner easier.
Gotta get back to attention to detail!!
One good thing I'm doing right is drinking the water. In fact, I'm finding it easier and easier. I have several water bottles at work and always have one with me. Each time I pass one of the water coolers, I refill. I'm actually drinking more than my goal, so yay for me!
Going home tonight to do some meal planning and grocery list making, so I can get some healthy snacks and make dinner easier.
(152) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: whole wheat English muffin w/ 1 tsp butter (193 cal), coffee (40 cal), water
Snack: HOLY COW!!!! WHO HAS TIME FOR SNACKS?!?!? water, water, water
Lunch: 3oz broiled steak (leftovers) (190 cal), 1/2 cup cabbage/onions (60 cal), 1/3 cup peas (40 cal), water
Snack: 2 clementines (70 cal
Dinner: oatmeal (160 cal) with 2 tsp maple syrup (32 cal), water, 2 Tbsp almond slices (80 cal)
Snack: Cup of tea with 2 tsp honey (32 cal), 1/2 c of unsweetened applesauce (50 cal)
Totals: 947 cal, 120+ ounces
Snack: HOLY COW!!!! WHO HAS TIME FOR SNACKS?!?!? water, water, water
Lunch: 3oz broiled steak (leftovers) (190 cal), 1/2 cup cabbage/onions (60 cal), 1/3 cup peas (40 cal), water
Snack: 2 clementines (70 cal
Dinner: oatmeal (160 cal) with 2 tsp maple syrup (32 cal), water, 2 Tbsp almond slices (80 cal)
Snack: Cup of tea with 2 tsp honey (32 cal), 1/2 c of unsweetened applesauce (50 cal)
Totals: 947 cal, 120+ ounces
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
(151) Daily Food Round Up
Brkfst: 14oz Coffee (40 cal), water
Snack: water
Lunch: peanut butter & low-sugar rasp. preserves sandwich (230 cal), 16oz water, 14 oz coffee (40 cal)
Snack: 1/2 pkg of ramen noodles (95 cal), water
Dinner: 4 oz broiled round steak, 3/4 cup steamed cabbage & onions
Snack: 1/2 can (drained) of apricots in pear juice (100 cal)
Totals: 833 cal 92 oz
Snack: water
Lunch: peanut butter & low-sugar rasp. preserves sandwich (230 cal), 16oz water, 14 oz coffee (40 cal)
Snack: 1/2 pkg of ramen noodles (95 cal), water
Dinner: 4 oz broiled round steak, 3/4 cup steamed cabbage & onions
Snack: 1/2 can (drained) of apricots in pear juice (100 cal)
Totals: 833 cal 92 oz
(151) Re-Ordering Some Things
So, Allan has been harping on us about getting the water in early, and I must admit that all I can think about in the morning is getting in that first cup of coffee. n.o.t.h.i.n.g.....e.l.s.e.....m.a.t.t.e.r.s.........
Case in point. I woke up this morning, feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Hubby came to bed late last night, then forgot to let the dog in, and got up to take care of that. When I woke up, I had to pee (all that water!!) and then he had trouble sleeping, so he went to the couch somewhere around 3 or 4am. So, sleep was crappy, and then when we did get up, hubby is on the fast train of verbal engagement....something I just can't do. So while he is chattering away, I'm in slow motion, trying to keep focused on getting ready for work, and all the while, all I can think about is getting to the kitchen to get that first cup of coffee.....
But.....BUT!!! This morning, I had my first bottle of water AT the bedside, ready for when I woke up. And that is the first, ok the second thing I put my hand on as I woke up, the alarm clock being the first.
So I am actually on my SECOND bottle of water, and it's not even 9am.
So that's the new plan, water by the bedside.
Case in point. I woke up this morning, feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Hubby came to bed late last night, then forgot to let the dog in, and got up to take care of that. When I woke up, I had to pee (all that water!!) and then he had trouble sleeping, so he went to the couch somewhere around 3 or 4am. So, sleep was crappy, and then when we did get up, hubby is on the fast train of verbal engagement....something I just can't do. So while he is chattering away, I'm in slow motion, trying to keep focused on getting ready for work, and all the while, all I can think about is getting to the kitchen to get that first cup of coffee.....
But.....BUT!!! This morning, I had my first bottle of water AT the bedside, ready for when I woke up. And that is the first, ok the second thing I put my hand on as I woke up, the alarm clock being the first.
So I am actually on my SECOND bottle of water, and it's not even 9am.
So that's the new plan, water by the bedside.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
(146-149) Catch Up
So, as promised, I'm going to list, as best I can, the things I ate this weekend while I was away. Note that the meals (breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, plus dinner Saturday were included in the course, so I was limited on choices)
Friday night was a turkey sandwich in the car, plus water and a fruit smoothie. An Asian pear for snack.
Saturday: 2 (3") pancakes with strawberries on top (unsweetened) (NO syrup), coffee, grapes.
Lunch was a salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, topped with 3 ounces of grilled chicken, plus iced tea and water to drink.
Dinner was 3 ounces of beef brisket with 1Tbsp BBQ sauce, cole slaw, and tossed salad with vinegar and oil dressing. Snack was a fruit smoothie and a banana.
Sunday was a 3" square of veggie baked egg dish thingie, coffee, oj, and grapes. Snack was more grapes. Lunch was another salad topped with chicken, plus raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Dinner was a tiny cup of chili (actually about 3/4 cup)
Monday, back at home.
Breakfast was coffee and water. ( I was so not hungry)
Snack:...
Lunch was a roast beef sandwich, plain, plus water
Snack: coffee
Dinner: a potato
Snack: cup of tea.
Crappy eating on Monday. I'm certain I didn't go over on calories cuz I barely ate anything...but that's not particularly healthy either. I just wasn't hungry.
Friday night was a turkey sandwich in the car, plus water and a fruit smoothie. An Asian pear for snack.
Saturday: 2 (3") pancakes with strawberries on top (unsweetened) (NO syrup), coffee, grapes.
Lunch was a salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, topped with 3 ounces of grilled chicken, plus iced tea and water to drink.
Dinner was 3 ounces of beef brisket with 1Tbsp BBQ sauce, cole slaw, and tossed salad with vinegar and oil dressing. Snack was a fruit smoothie and a banana.
Sunday was a 3" square of veggie baked egg dish thingie, coffee, oj, and grapes. Snack was more grapes. Lunch was another salad topped with chicken, plus raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Dinner was a tiny cup of chili (actually about 3/4 cup)
Monday, back at home.
Breakfast was coffee and water. ( I was so not hungry)
Snack:...
Lunch was a roast beef sandwich, plain, plus water
Snack: coffee
Dinner: a potato
Snack: cup of tea.
Crappy eating on Monday. I'm certain I didn't go over on calories cuz I barely ate anything...but that's not particularly healthy either. I just wasn't hungry.
(150) Daily Food Round-Up
Brkfst: 14oz Coffee (40 cal), toast with 1 tsp butter (91 cal), 16 oz water
Snack: clementine (35 cal), 16oz water
Lunch: peanut butter & low-sugar rasp. preserves sandwich (230 cal), 16oz water, 14 oz coffee (40 cal)
Snack: cheese stick (71 cal)
Dinner: 2 oz spaghetti (200 cal) 1/2 cup sauce (91 cal), 4 oz grilled chicken (200 cal) 16 oz water
Snack: 2 peaches (120 cal)
Totals: 1118 calories, 92 oz
Snack: clementine (35 cal), 16oz water
Lunch: peanut butter & low-sugar rasp. preserves sandwich (230 cal), 16oz water, 14 oz coffee (40 cal)
Snack: cheese stick (71 cal)
Dinner: 2 oz spaghetti (200 cal) 1/2 cup sauce (91 cal), 4 oz grilled chicken (200 cal) 16 oz water
Snack: 2 peaches (120 cal)
Totals: 1118 calories, 92 oz
(150) WowWowWow!!!
I had an absolutely awesome weekend!!! If you read my post from Friday, you know that I attended a workshop as an assistant this weekend. Its a workshop that I originally attended about 5 years ago, and once you've attended, you are encouraged to come back and assist to keep your momentum going and to share your learning experience with the new students. I've done this a number of times, and each time I do, I am amazed at how much I learn and how far I've come since my first class.
This weekend, the piece of the course that really hit home for me was about empowerment. Specifically, that
I am EMPOWERED by my CHOICES!!
Now, before you start thinking about how cliche' that sounds, lets talk a little bit about that. When it comes to weight loss, it is precisely the "choices" that you make that determine your success or failure. The word "choice" implies some kind of action, and action in the right direction is exactly what will get you where you want to go: toward a healthier you. You are not EMPOWERED by your decisions, you are not empowered by you opinions, you are not empowered by what you daydream about, talk about, or bitch about. You are ONLY empowered by your actions, and you cannot act without making a choice.
Alan's email this morning to his Phase 4 participants talked about the tendency to brood over how we got fat, how we bitch about the things in our lives that cause us mental stress with the subsequent "eating to stuff feelings" behavior, and the cheating we do because we "just can't help ourselves". He rounds out his encouragement by simply stating "...move forwar, follow the plan...".
And moving requires making a choice. You're not gonna run that 5k without making the choice to get up off your butt and start putting one foot in front of the other. Go visit Kelly and see all the great things she has accomplished by doing just that! The amazing part about Kelly is that she "just decides". She doesn't always know whether she'll complete the goal, or how she will complete it, but she just makes the decision to get up and get going. And you know what happens? She does it. She chooses. And she has become very empowered!!
You're not gonna lose inches and pants-sizes by eating nachos instead of a low-fat turkey sandwich. You're not going to get to goal weight by "splurging a little bit here and a little bit there". You will lose the inches and the pants sizes by CHOOSING the path to health. By CHOOSING to drink water instead of pop. By CHOOSING to put down the pizza and eat the salad instead.
CHOOSING is the requirement for being empowered. Choosing is an action. You can decide in your mind all day long that you want to be thinner, that you want to be healthier. But its the choices you make that will get you there. CHOICES ARE ACTIONS.
I AM EMPOWERED BY MY CHOICES!!!
Read that line again. And this time, put the emphasis on the word "I".
Now read it again with the emphasis on "empowered".
Now read it again with the emphasis on "my".
Now read it one more time with the emphasis on "choices".
Now, stand up from your computer and yell that last line at the top of your lungs. Seriously. Do it. Yell it 5 or 6 times and move the emphasis around.
Now yell it with your fists raised!
Now yell it with joy and exuberation!
Now yell it one more time, fists in the air, and jumping up and down.
......WHEW!!!.....
Wow!! Didn't that feel great!!! Doesn't that statement alone make you feel more powerful, more capable?
You did do it, didn't you?
Go ahead, try it. Seriously!! If you have to wait until no one is home, then do so. But I really, REALLY think you should do this. What have you got to lose?
And if you try it, send me a comment and tell me how it made you feel.
This weekend, the piece of the course that really hit home for me was about empowerment. Specifically, that
I am EMPOWERED by my CHOICES!!
Now, before you start thinking about how cliche' that sounds, lets talk a little bit about that. When it comes to weight loss, it is precisely the "choices" that you make that determine your success or failure. The word "choice" implies some kind of action, and action in the right direction is exactly what will get you where you want to go: toward a healthier you. You are not EMPOWERED by your decisions, you are not empowered by you opinions, you are not empowered by what you daydream about, talk about, or bitch about. You are ONLY empowered by your actions, and you cannot act without making a choice.
Alan's email this morning to his Phase 4 participants talked about the tendency to brood over how we got fat, how we bitch about the things in our lives that cause us mental stress with the subsequent "eating to stuff feelings" behavior, and the cheating we do because we "just can't help ourselves". He rounds out his encouragement by simply stating "...move forwar, follow the plan...".
And moving requires making a choice. You're not gonna run that 5k without making the choice to get up off your butt and start putting one foot in front of the other. Go visit Kelly and see all the great things she has accomplished by doing just that! The amazing part about Kelly is that she "just decides". She doesn't always know whether she'll complete the goal, or how she will complete it, but she just makes the decision to get up and get going. And you know what happens? She does it. She chooses. And she has become very empowered!!
You're not gonna lose inches and pants-sizes by eating nachos instead of a low-fat turkey sandwich. You're not going to get to goal weight by "splurging a little bit here and a little bit there". You will lose the inches and the pants sizes by CHOOSING the path to health. By CHOOSING to drink water instead of pop. By CHOOSING to put down the pizza and eat the salad instead.
CHOOSING is the requirement for being empowered. Choosing is an action. You can decide in your mind all day long that you want to be thinner, that you want to be healthier. But its the choices you make that will get you there. CHOICES ARE ACTIONS.
I AM EMPOWERED BY MY CHOICES!!!
Read that line again. And this time, put the emphasis on the word "I".
Now read it again with the emphasis on "empowered".
Now read it again with the emphasis on "my".
Now read it one more time with the emphasis on "choices".
Now, stand up from your computer and yell that last line at the top of your lungs. Seriously. Do it. Yell it 5 or 6 times and move the emphasis around.
Now yell it with your fists raised!
Now yell it with joy and exuberation!
Now yell it one more time, fists in the air, and jumping up and down.
......WHEW!!!.....
Wow!! Didn't that feel great!!! Doesn't that statement alone make you feel more powerful, more capable?
You did do it, didn't you?
Go ahead, try it. Seriously!! If you have to wait until no one is home, then do so. But I really, REALLY think you should do this. What have you got to lose?
And if you try it, send me a comment and tell me how it made you feel.
Friday, January 14, 2011
(146) Busy Day and Busier Weekend...at TLC
So, lots to do today. Very busy at work, and shortly thereafter I'll be heading out of town for a couple days. I'll be attending a weekend workshop called The Living Course, on which I'll be an assistant. I've taken the course previously and once taken, you are invited to come back as an assistant, which is a great way to continue the learning process and keep your momentum going.
I originally attended the course about 5 years ago, and it has changed my life!! It's given me the insight to address all kinds of things that have interferred with both my personal life and my work life. I attended with my daughter the first time, because we were experiencing a lot of turmoil in our house sprouting from a rebellious teen, and the whole step-parent situation, and her absent father. Then my son attended, and finally my husband attended. Our youngest attended the Kids Course, because she hasn't been old enough to attend the adult course.
The course is very "experiential" in that you will explore all kinds of ways in which your behavior, choices and feelings cause many of the problems you experience in life, and hold you back from achieving your dreams and best relationships in life. It helps you see how your feelings and reactions keep you locked in a cyclical pattern that prevents real growth and can keep you feeling miserable, frustrated and discouraged.
Throughout the course, there are opportunities to learn new tools, share in other's experiences to which you relate on a very personal level, and work through your own feelings, in order to break old habits and move toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
There are always 2 instructors on the course, one man and one woman, and who those instructors are varies from course to course. There are specifically 6 people that I know that teach this course, and they are all extremely talented, dynamic, and insightful. There are usually between 6 and 16 students, and usually 25-45 assistants. Once at the course, each student will be assigned 2-3 assistants, who have all attended the course previously, and who act as a mini-support system for each student during the weekend. They share their own experiences, give gentle guidance and insight, and ensure that each student always has someone to answer questions, make them comfortable, and accompany them to lunch and dinner throughout the weekend.
I always look forward to assisting on this course, of which there are about 6 per year. I don't make it to all of them, but I try and make it to at least 2 or 3 each year. I learn something new about myself each and every time I attend, and I have the added benefit of reconnecting with some amazing people and meeting new ones each time I go. I know there are other courses like this one in other states, but I've never attended any of them. I believe there are courses in New York, Florida, California and of course, Michigan. There used to be one in Cleveland, but the owner of that center passed away, and I don't know if that course continues with other instructors or not.
This will be a very busy weekend, as it gets started this evening about 6pm and runs till about 10:30. It goes all day tomorrow, and most of the day on Sunday. Student graduation is Sunday evening, about 7:30 or so, and afterward there is usually much socializing. I usually don't get home on Sunday until about 11pm.
I'll not be posting much this weekend, as I'll have very limited access to my blog, and that will only be through my phone. I WILL be staying on plan, I just won't have an easy way of calculating calories. But I'm taking my measuring cups and spoons, and will at least write down what I eat. I'll update when I get back.
I'll be back briefly this afternoon, and then I'll be off....
Meanwhile, I hope everyone has a great day and a great weekend! Keep it healthy and stay on plan!
Allan, I'll be sending you my weight today, cuz I doubt I'll be near one on Sunday.
The course is very "experiential" in that you will explore all kinds of ways in which your behavior, choices and feelings cause many of the problems you experience in life, and hold you back from achieving your dreams and best relationships in life. It helps you see how your feelings and reactions keep you locked in a cyclical pattern that prevents real growth and can keep you feeling miserable, frustrated and discouraged.
Throughout the course, there are opportunities to learn new tools, share in other's experiences to which you relate on a very personal level, and work through your own feelings, in order to break old habits and move toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
There are always 2 instructors on the course, one man and one woman, and who those instructors are varies from course to course. There are specifically 6 people that I know that teach this course, and they are all extremely talented, dynamic, and insightful. There are usually between 6 and 16 students, and usually 25-45 assistants. Once at the course, each student will be assigned 2-3 assistants, who have all attended the course previously, and who act as a mini-support system for each student during the weekend. They share their own experiences, give gentle guidance and insight, and ensure that each student always has someone to answer questions, make them comfortable, and accompany them to lunch and dinner throughout the weekend.
I always look forward to assisting on this course, of which there are about 6 per year. I don't make it to all of them, but I try and make it to at least 2 or 3 each year. I learn something new about myself each and every time I attend, and I have the added benefit of reconnecting with some amazing people and meeting new ones each time I go. I know there are other courses like this one in other states, but I've never attended any of them. I believe there are courses in New York, Florida, California and of course, Michigan. There used to be one in Cleveland, but the owner of that center passed away, and I don't know if that course continues with other instructors or not.
This will be a very busy weekend, as it gets started this evening about 6pm and runs till about 10:30. It goes all day tomorrow, and most of the day on Sunday. Student graduation is Sunday evening, about 7:30 or so, and afterward there is usually much socializing. I usually don't get home on Sunday until about 11pm.
I'll not be posting much this weekend, as I'll have very limited access to my blog, and that will only be through my phone. I WILL be staying on plan, I just won't have an easy way of calculating calories. But I'm taking my measuring cups and spoons, and will at least write down what I eat. I'll update when I get back.
I'll be back briefly this afternoon, and then I'll be off....
Meanwhile, I hope everyone has a great day and a great weekend! Keep it healthy and stay on plan!
Allan, I'll be sending you my weight today, cuz I doubt I'll be near one on Sunday.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
(145) Its All About Patience...and Feeling Better
Right?
K, so as I peruse other blogs, and as others post comments in response to my frustration with the non-moving scale, a few things keep floating to the top:
Be patient.
Be patient...
Stick to the plan
and be patient.
Today, Allan wrote about percent decreases in calorie intake versus percent slow-down in metabolism...and that is all boils down to sticking to the plan and being patient.
OK, ok....I'll be patient.
But, really....as much as I want to get on the stupid scale every frickin day and see some lower number, what I am really doing here is trying to feel better.
Read that >>>>> over there>>>>
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I'm tired of hearing myself complain about it."
That's what I wrote the day I made this blog. And that's what I have to keep reminding myself.
Back then I was feeling like crap. Tired all the time. Going up one flight of steps was uncomfortable and made things hurt, my knees, my back, my lungs. I had no energy. For lack of a better way to put it, everything just felt thick and congested and bloated. Bending over hurt.
And all I kept thinking about was how I used to feel so much better...back when I moved around more, and carried less. Back when I could *run* up a flight of steps. Back when I could jog a mile or two...or more. back when I could jump.
For God's sake!!! I'm not an old woman!! I sound like my mother!!
But....even though the scale is slowing down, and I'm not seeing the numbers change like I did at the beginning, I am eating way less crap. And more importantly, I am feeling better. And I know that each day I stay on target, I am taking better care of myself. I'm not overloading my system with excess fat, I'm not bombarding my pancreas with tons of sugar, and I'm decreasing my chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Thats the real goal.
Screw the scale numbers....I just want to be smaller and healthier, and the smaller pants tell me I'm getting there.
K, so as I peruse other blogs, and as others post comments in response to my frustration with the non-moving scale, a few things keep floating to the top:
Be patient.
Be patient...
Stick to the plan
and be patient.
Today, Allan wrote about percent decreases in calorie intake versus percent slow-down in metabolism...and that is all boils down to sticking to the plan and being patient.
OK, ok....I'll be patient.
But, really....as much as I want to get on the stupid scale every frickin day and see some lower number, what I am really doing here is trying to feel better.
Read that >>>>> over there>>>>
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I'm tired of hearing myself complain about it."
That's what I wrote the day I made this blog. And that's what I have to keep reminding myself.
Back then I was feeling like crap. Tired all the time. Going up one flight of steps was uncomfortable and made things hurt, my knees, my back, my lungs. I had no energy. For lack of a better way to put it, everything just felt thick and congested and bloated. Bending over hurt.
And all I kept thinking about was how I used to feel so much better...back when I moved around more, and carried less. Back when I could *run* up a flight of steps. Back when I could jog a mile or two...or more. back when I could jump.
For God's sake!!! I'm not an old woman!! I sound like my mother!!
But....even though the scale is slowing down, and I'm not seeing the numbers change like I did at the beginning, I am eating way less crap. And more importantly, I am feeling better. And I know that each day I stay on target, I am taking better care of myself. I'm not overloading my system with excess fat, I'm not bombarding my pancreas with tons of sugar, and I'm decreasing my chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Thats the real goal.
Screw the scale numbers....I just want to be smaller and healthier, and the smaller pants tell me I'm getting there.
(145) Passing On the Blog Award!
Ok, back to business. Yesterday, Patrick sent me this blog award....
...with these requirements:
1. Post and link back to the person who awarded you this award;
2. Share 7 things about yourself;
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers (or as many as you can); and
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!
So here goes:
1. (check)
2. Seven things.....
1.) My favorite snow-related activity: making snow angels at midnight
2.) Paula Dean's eyes freak me out.....so does her "Ya'll"
3.) I wish the rest of the world operated on my internal clock schedule (Lets all get up at 9am and stay up til 2 am.)
4.) My favorite book series is currently "A Game of Thrones", by George R.R. Martin, and HBO is making it into a TV series which starts in April. OMGOMGOMG!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
5.) I think Sean Connery looks better as an older man, than he did as a younger man.
6.) If I had to pick one famous person that I could look like, it would be Catherine Zeta Jones.
7.) I have never watched a complete episode of American Idol, and probably never will.
3. 15 bloggers....
Sweet Pea @ Hopes, Dreams, and New Beginnings
Karen @ Sunshines Heart
Allan @ Almost Gastric Bypass
Paula @ PaulaWannaCracker
Debbie @ Becoming an Ex Yo-Yo Dieter
Anne @ Carb Tripper
Jury @ Diet chic on a mission...
Olivia @ But you have such a Pretty Face
Kimberly @ The Woman Inside Me
Kelly @ Kelly is Losing Weight
Journey Beyond Survival
Suzi @ spunkysuzi working towards a healthier me
Lanie @ Healthy Schmealthy
Kristi @ Losing, Loving and Living in Tx
Christina @ I am Sick of Being as Big as a House
Tamzin @ One Inch as a Time
And I'm off to tell them...
(check)
___
Ok, 16 bloggers....
1. Post and link back to the person who awarded you this award;
2. Share 7 things about yourself;
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers (or as many as you can); and
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!
So here goes:
1. (check)
2. Seven things.....
1.) My favorite snow-related activity: making snow angels at midnight
2.) Paula Dean's eyes freak me out.....so does her "Ya'll"
3.) I wish the rest of the world operated on my internal clock schedule (Lets all get up at 9am and stay up til 2 am.)
4.) My favorite book series is currently "A Game of Thrones", by George R.R. Martin, and HBO is making it into a TV series which starts in April. OMGOMGOMG!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
5.) I think Sean Connery looks better as an older man, than he did as a younger man.
6.) If I had to pick one famous person that I could look like, it would be Catherine Zeta Jones.
7.) I have never watched a complete episode of American Idol, and probably never will.
3. 15 bloggers....
Sweet Pea @ Hopes, Dreams, and New Beginnings
Karen @ Sunshines Heart
Allan @ Almost Gastric Bypass
Paula @ PaulaWannaCracker
Debbie @ Becoming an Ex Yo-Yo Dieter
Anne @ Carb Tripper
Jury @ Diet chic on a mission...
Olivia @ But you have such a Pretty Face
Kimberly @ The Woman Inside Me
Kelly @ Kelly is Losing Weight
Journey Beyond Survival
Suzi @ spunkysuzi working towards a healthier me
Lanie @ Healthy Schmealthy
Kristi @ Losing, Loving and Living in Tx
Christina @ I am Sick of Being as Big as a House
Tamzin @ One Inch as a Time
And I'm off to tell them...
(check)
___
Ok, 16 bloggers....
(145) Daily Round Up
Brkfst: Coffee X2 (80 cal), raisin English muffin (160 cal) with 2 tsp butter (66 cal), water
Snack:
Lunch: turkey sandwich (170 cal), 1.2 c unsweetened applesauce (50 cal), cheese stick (71 cal) water
Snack: coffee (40 cal), water
Dinner: 5 ounces chicken (250 cal), 1/2 baked potato (60 cal), 8 oz juice (120 cal)
Snack: One piece of chocolate, (47 cal)
Totals: 1114 cal, 84 ounces
Snack:
Lunch: turkey sandwich (170 cal), 1.2 c unsweetened applesauce (50 cal), cheese stick (71 cal) water
Snack: coffee (40 cal), water
Dinner: 5 ounces chicken (250 cal), 1/2 baked potato (60 cal), 8 oz juice (120 cal)
Snack: One piece of chocolate, (47 cal)
Totals: 1114 cal, 84 ounces
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
(144) A Blog Award!
So, first up: Patrick, over at Responsibility 199 gave me a sweet Stylish Blogger Award...its over there >>>> and down a bit .
And I'm in the process of passing it on to some other awesome bloggers. So, stay tuned while I collect the info and links and stuff....and post more about it.
Also, I have a question: does anyone have experience with kohlrabi? I've only had it once, quite awhile ago, and it was served raw with a dip. I've heard that it can also be cooked, but I have no idea how. (Haven't done any research yet) So I was wondering if any of you have any healthy recipes for it? Really don't want to go the "dip" route.
Thoughts? Ideas?
And I'm in the process of passing it on to some other awesome bloggers. So, stay tuned while I collect the info and links and stuff....and post more about it.
Also, I have a question: does anyone have experience with kohlrabi? I've only had it once, quite awhile ago, and it was served raw with a dip. I've heard that it can also be cooked, but I have no idea how. (Haven't done any research yet) So I was wondering if any of you have any healthy recipes for it? Really don't want to go the "dip" route.
Thoughts? Ideas?
(144) Busy Day Ahead and A NSV
Got lots to do today, both at work and at home. Just sending a quick "Hi" out to you all this morning, and wishing you a healthy day.
I had an NSV this morning. I got into a pair of pants that I haven't been able to wear in probably a year. I slid them on and buttoned them with no effort at all. Not snug, not binding in any way.
Slide, zip, button, WOOHOO!!!
I had an NSV this morning. I got into a pair of pants that I haven't been able to wear in probably a year. I slid them on and buttoned them with no effort at all. Not snug, not binding in any way.
Slide, zip, button, WOOHOO!!!
(144) Daily Round Up
Brkfst: Coffee (40 cal), hard-boiled egg (55 cal), grapefruit (120 cal), water
Snack: 1/2 c of applesauce (50 cal), water
Lunch: turkey sandwich (170 cal), 8 oz oj (110 cal)
Snack: 2 peaches (120 cal), coffee (40 cal)
Dinner: turkey sandwich (170 cal) and a hard boiled egg (55 cal), water
Snack: cheese and crackers (200 cal)
Totals: 1130 cal and 84 oz
Snack: 1/2 c of applesauce (50 cal), water
Lunch: turkey sandwich (170 cal), 8 oz oj (110 cal)
Snack: 2 peaches (120 cal), coffee (40 cal)
Dinner: turkey sandwich (170 cal) and a hard boiled egg (55 cal), water
Snack: cheese and crackers (200 cal)
Totals: 1130 cal and 84 oz
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
(143) My Take on Intuitive Eating
I'm a noob to this term. I got a little feedback from Sweat Pea, Allan, and Karen on this yesterday. Interesting comments, and from what they write, it sounds like its an excuse to excuse your bad behavior....
Over the years, I've had periods of time where I craved one particular kind of food for a limited time. But during that time, that's all I wanted, and couldn't get enough of it. And then it was over.
Ok, well that's not so bad when the food I crave isn't bad for me.
For example, I had a "spell" of craving tomatoes for awhile. Lasted about a month, but I just couldn't get enough tomatoes. Ate them every day, several times a day.
No problem. I would bet that someone might have called that intuitive eating.
One time is was barbecued chicken. Not just any barbecued chicken, but a particular chicken, from a specific restaurant, that made their own sauce. Now, admittedly I couldn't eat that several times a day. It just wasn't practical. I couldn't afford it, and I didn't have the time to drive there that often. But I did make it there nearly every day, for about a month.
Then it was over.
Another time it was bacon. Luckily I was about 16 at the time, and didn't have a weight problem then. But I just couldn't get enough bacon. I'd eat a pound of it at a time. Several times a week. My mom was going nuts! She'd buy a couple packages and freeze them, and then I'd eat them before she knew it. And then it was over.
I think about eating a whole pound of bacon and just the thought makes me nauseous.
People I've mentioned this to over the years have said things like "well, your body must have been needing something in that food", or " maybe you were missing some vitamin or something".
Seriously.
Bacon? Cuz bacon is such a wealth of nutritious goodness......
Maybe, just maybe, something went a little haywire for a short period of time? Eh?
I can see tomatoes....but not bacon, sorry.
My take on intuitive eating is that portion control should become intuitive...SMALL portions.
Over the years, I've had periods of time where I craved one particular kind of food for a limited time. But during that time, that's all I wanted, and couldn't get enough of it. And then it was over.
Ok, well that's not so bad when the food I crave isn't bad for me.
For example, I had a "spell" of craving tomatoes for awhile. Lasted about a month, but I just couldn't get enough tomatoes. Ate them every day, several times a day.
No problem. I would bet that someone might have called that intuitive eating.
One time is was barbecued chicken. Not just any barbecued chicken, but a particular chicken, from a specific restaurant, that made their own sauce. Now, admittedly I couldn't eat that several times a day. It just wasn't practical. I couldn't afford it, and I didn't have the time to drive there that often. But I did make it there nearly every day, for about a month.
Then it was over.
Another time it was bacon. Luckily I was about 16 at the time, and didn't have a weight problem then. But I just couldn't get enough bacon. I'd eat a pound of it at a time. Several times a week. My mom was going nuts! She'd buy a couple packages and freeze them, and then I'd eat them before she knew it. And then it was over.
I think about eating a whole pound of bacon and just the thought makes me nauseous.
People I've mentioned this to over the years have said things like "well, your body must have been needing something in that food", or " maybe you were missing some vitamin or something".
Seriously.
Bacon? Cuz bacon is such a wealth of nutritious goodness......
Maybe, just maybe, something went a little haywire for a short period of time? Eh?
I can see tomatoes....but not bacon, sorry.
My take on intuitive eating is that portion control should become intuitive...SMALL portions.
(143) Sleep is Getting Better & TV
Slowly but surely I am getting my sleep schedule back on track. Still taking the melatonin at about 9pm, so I will be ready to sleep by 11. Did some chores around the house last night, made dinner, and later on we watched Lie To Me and then Hoarders.
Anyone watch Lie to Me? I love that show!!! LOVELOVELOVE it! Tim Roth is awesome in that roll. He's so quirky. And I love how the women in his life will call him on his shit. Maybe not *quite* enough, but they do. I like all the characters on that show!
Anybody else a Lie To Me fan?
How about Hoarders? Last night's episode had a guy on there that had rats. Ugh!!! And lots of them. He started out with 3, and somewhere in there his wife died. 3 rats ended up turning into over 2500. They ran him out of his own home, and took over everything: the furniture, the walls, everything. It took a Semi and a couple dozen people to capture them all and take them away to a shelter. 2500 rats.
OMG!!
It is painful to watch people that have had some kind of trauma in their lives, and have turned that trauma into some kind of excessive behavior. And the hardest part as an on-looker, is knowing that they can't see the situation the way everyone else can. If only they could see...if only they understood...if only it were as simple as telling them that the problem started with "such and such" and that dealing with that original problem will solve this other one....but I'm rambling...and its never simple.
We are always our own worst enemies, aren't we?
Anyone watch Lie to Me? I love that show!!! LOVELOVELOVE it! Tim Roth is awesome in that roll. He's so quirky. And I love how the women in his life will call him on his shit. Maybe not *quite* enough, but they do. I like all the characters on that show!
Anybody else a Lie To Me fan?
How about Hoarders? Last night's episode had a guy on there that had rats. Ugh!!! And lots of them. He started out with 3, and somewhere in there his wife died. 3 rats ended up turning into over 2500. They ran him out of his own home, and took over everything: the furniture, the walls, everything. It took a Semi and a couple dozen people to capture them all and take them away to a shelter. 2500 rats.
OMG!!
It is painful to watch people that have had some kind of trauma in their lives, and have turned that trauma into some kind of excessive behavior. And the hardest part as an on-looker, is knowing that they can't see the situation the way everyone else can. If only they could see...if only they understood...if only it were as simple as telling them that the problem started with "such and such" and that dealing with that original problem will solve this other one....but I'm rambling...and its never simple.
We are always our own worst enemies, aren't we?
(143) Daily Round Up
Brkfst: 16 oz coffee ( 70 cal), oatmeal (110 cal)
Snack: banana (71 cal), water (16 oz)
Lunch: 2 oz Boar's Head Salsalito turkey (60 cal) on bread (110 cal), plus one string cheese (71 cal), orange juice (8 oz, 110 cal)
Snack: water, 16 oz
Dinner: Another turkey sandwich (170 cal), water
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water, hard-boiled egg (77 cal) and a slice of bread (55 cal)
Totals: 1024 cal and 88 oz
Snack: banana (71 cal), water (16 oz)
Lunch: 2 oz Boar's Head Salsalito turkey (60 cal) on bread (110 cal), plus one string cheese (71 cal), orange juice (8 oz, 110 cal)
Snack: water, 16 oz
Dinner: Another turkey sandwich (170 cal), water
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal), water, hard-boiled egg (77 cal) and a slice of bread (55 cal)
Totals: 1024 cal and 88 oz
Monday, January 10, 2011
(142) Can't Stop Thinking About Chickadee...
This is Chickadee.....
And she needs a therapy dog. She struggles with something called Rett Syndrome, that makes it increasingly difficult for her to eat, swallow, walk, talk and move.
Caring for Evalyn is a more-than-full-time job for her momma. Doctor visits take hours and hours. Rarely is there such a thing as a full night's sleep. And her illness is progressive.
A therapy dog would make life easier for momma, easier for Evalyn, and happier for the whole family. A therapy dog would help little Evalyn with hand movement and motor skills. It would help with socialization. And it would alert Evalyn's family if she were experiencing some kind of distress, like aspirating, or seizures. Evalyn can't communicate like other children her age, so having a therapy dog would be like giving her a voice.
Therapy dogs are very expensive, more than many of us could possibly afford. Including Evalyn's family.
I read her momma's blog, Journey Beyond Survival, and since I found out about their need for a therapy dog, and what it would do for little Evalyn, I just can't stop thinking about her.
So, please...consider a donation to little Chickadee and her therapy dog. Doesn't every little girl deserve a puppy? Especially if that puppy could save her life?
And she needs a therapy dog. She struggles with something called Rett Syndrome, that makes it increasingly difficult for her to eat, swallow, walk, talk and move.
Caring for Evalyn is a more-than-full-time job for her momma. Doctor visits take hours and hours. Rarely is there such a thing as a full night's sleep. And her illness is progressive.
A therapy dog would make life easier for momma, easier for Evalyn, and happier for the whole family. A therapy dog would help little Evalyn with hand movement and motor skills. It would help with socialization. And it would alert Evalyn's family if she were experiencing some kind of distress, like aspirating, or seizures. Evalyn can't communicate like other children her age, so having a therapy dog would be like giving her a voice.
Therapy dogs are very expensive, more than many of us could possibly afford. Including Evalyn's family.
I read her momma's blog, Journey Beyond Survival, and since I found out about their need for a therapy dog, and what it would do for little Evalyn, I just can't stop thinking about her.
So, please...consider a donation to little Chickadee and her therapy dog. Doesn't every little girl deserve a puppy? Especially if that puppy could save her life?
(142) WHAA???
Will somebody PLEASE tell me WHAT THE CRAP IS INTUITIVE EATING??!?!?
I often see people comment about their "intuitive eating" or others making scathing remarks about intuitive eating, and still others wish they could eat intuitively....
I must have missed the boat on this one, cuz I have no idea what this is....
A little help please? Comment away.....
I often see people comment about their "intuitive eating" or others making scathing remarks about intuitive eating, and still others wish they could eat intuitively....
I must have missed the boat on this one, cuz I have no idea what this is....
A little help please? Comment away.....
(142) Daily Round-Up
Brkfst: coffee (40 cal), water (30 ounces)
Snack: crackers & peanut butter (190 cal), water (16 ounces)
Lunch: cereal with a banana (259 cal) and coffee (40 cal) (14 ounces)
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal) and water (16 ounces)
Dinner: 2 oz shrimp (56 cal), 1 cup pasta (220 cal), 1/2 c of steamed broccoli (27 cal), 1 c of steamed cabbage/onions/garlic (62 cal), 12 oz oj (165 cal)
Snack: water (16 ounces)
Totals: 1179 & 104 ounces
Snack: crackers & peanut butter (190 cal), water (16 ounces)
Lunch: cereal with a banana (259 cal) and coffee (40 cal) (14 ounces)
Snack: grapefruit (120 cal) and water (16 ounces)
Dinner: 2 oz shrimp (56 cal), 1 cup pasta (220 cal), 1/2 c of steamed broccoli (27 cal), 1 c of steamed cabbage/onions/garlic (62 cal), 12 oz oj (165 cal)
Snack: water (16 ounces)
Totals: 1179 & 104 ounces
(142) The Swinging Pendulum
So...just wondering if anyone is sharing my shifting food-mood swings. I am finding that I'll go from one extreme to the other in wanting to eat a crap load of something, and then not wanting anything at all.
I've really been on track as far as calories are concerned, and I'm eating the right stuff, but I'm having these moments of wanting to eat a ton of junk. And when that happens, I'm grabbing a piece of fruit or a water, so that's ok. But then I'll swing to the other side and not want to eat anything at all. I'll go for half the day and not want anything at all. Then all of a sudden, I'm starving!
As far as breakfast goes, I'm having a hard time getting into the habit of eating at the right time. My meals are getting stretched out....sometimes, instead of having breakfast in the morning, I'll have it at lunchtime, and then the rest of the day is shifted by a couple hours.
I guess my biggest problem is trying to become consistent and scheduled. Anyone else having this problem?
About the most consistent thing in my day is my first cup of coffee every morning. After that, its a toss-up.
I'm back to using the melatonin at night, and it is definitely helping me get to sleep at a more reasonable hour. Last night, however, I woke up numerous times. Hubby was hot/cold/hot, and kept waking up to put the covers on, take them off, open the door, shut the door, go to the bathroom....and then I had to go. So sleep was crappy and I am dragging butt again on a Monday morning.
yay.
I need some sunshine.
So far today, just coffee...I was running behind this morning and didn't have time to get breakfast. I think I'll run down to the lunchroom and see if they have any oatmeal.
Hope everyone has a good day today.
I've really been on track as far as calories are concerned, and I'm eating the right stuff, but I'm having these moments of wanting to eat a ton of junk. And when that happens, I'm grabbing a piece of fruit or a water, so that's ok. But then I'll swing to the other side and not want to eat anything at all. I'll go for half the day and not want anything at all. Then all of a sudden, I'm starving!
As far as breakfast goes, I'm having a hard time getting into the habit of eating at the right time. My meals are getting stretched out....sometimes, instead of having breakfast in the morning, I'll have it at lunchtime, and then the rest of the day is shifted by a couple hours.
I guess my biggest problem is trying to become consistent and scheduled. Anyone else having this problem?
About the most consistent thing in my day is my first cup of coffee every morning. After that, its a toss-up.
I'm back to using the melatonin at night, and it is definitely helping me get to sleep at a more reasonable hour. Last night, however, I woke up numerous times. Hubby was hot/cold/hot, and kept waking up to put the covers on, take them off, open the door, shut the door, go to the bathroom....and then I had to go. So sleep was crappy and I am dragging butt again on a Monday morning.
yay.
I need some sunshine.
So far today, just coffee...I was running behind this morning and didn't have time to get breakfast. I think I'll run down to the lunchroom and see if they have any oatmeal.
Hope everyone has a good day today.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
(141) Jus' Checkin In...(all added up now...)
I need to add up the calories, but here is the run-down for the day:
Oatmeal made with water (110 cal), 2 tsp maple syrup (40 cal) , coffee (sugar free) (40 cal)
A pear (103 cal), a grapefruit (120 cal), a banana (105 cal).
2 cups mixed greens (25 cal) with lo-cal greek dressing (110 cal), tomatoes (15 cal), cucumbers and celery (10 cal).
4 ounces grilled chicken (200 cal).
2 more cups of coffee (1 decaf) (80 cal)
4 bottles of water
And a cup of tea with lemon and one tsp sugar (16 cal)
One Club cracker (110 cal)
Totals: 1084 cal and 120 ounces
Oatmeal made with water (110 cal), 2 tsp maple syrup (40 cal) , coffee (sugar free) (40 cal)
A pear (103 cal), a grapefruit (120 cal), a banana (105 cal).
2 cups mixed greens (25 cal) with lo-cal greek dressing (110 cal), tomatoes (15 cal), cucumbers and celery (10 cal).
4 ounces grilled chicken (200 cal).
2 more cups of coffee (1 decaf) (80 cal)
4 bottles of water
And a cup of tea with lemon and one tsp sugar (16 cal)
One Club cracker (110 cal)
Totals: 1084 cal and 120 ounces
(141) It's Chilly Willy....and the Coffee is Hot
I went to let the dogs out this morning and the window on my back patio door looked like this. Not sure that the beauty really comes through in the photo, but it's very cool.
So one of the things I've been struggling to let go of has been my coffee creamer (sweetened). Allan has given me some crap about using Creamora instead of the stuff I've been using. So I went and bought some...Coffee-mate actually, since that's what i was able to find at the grocery store. And I've been cutting back on the amount of sugar I put in there. And it has been a struggle.
A couple weeks or so ago, my best friend and I went to Starbucks for a coffee, and I ordered a Cinnamon Dolce latte, SUGAR FREE. And you know what? It wasn't bad.
Problem is, I'm not about to drop $3 on a cup of coffee every day. It's a treat every once in awhile, but come on?!? So, I bought a bottle of the syrup instead.
$7.95
That just covered the cost of two cups of coffee, and I can get dozens out of this bottle. And using the coffee mate gets my calories down to about 40 per cup. That's a helluva lot better than the 140 I was drinking with the International Delight stuff. I do miss it. A lot. But this is an acceptable alternative.The syrup is sugar free, so its zero calories. And Coffee-mate is 10 cal per tsp.
YAY!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
(140) Makin Bacon....But not for me
I'm in the kitchen right now, making breakfast....or should I say brunch, for the troupes. Bacon, potatoes, and eggs. But I'll only be having the poached eggs (1 poached egg, 71 cal), not the over-medium that they like. And no bacon for me. I actually "prefer" turkey bacon, but we are out, so that's a good thing (Cuz I'm the only one that **really** likes the turkey bacon, and that means I'll eat waaay too much of it). Likewise, I won't be having potatoes either. Plain toast for me (55 cal). Plus coffee (80 cal) and water.
___________
Later....
Lunch was a grapefruit (120 cal) and a banana (71 cal) and coffee (80 cal) plus water.
___________
Dinner: 4 ounces of left-over roast (200 cal), 1/2 cup potatoes (75 cal), and a string cheese (70 cal). More damn coffee (80 cal) plus water...
totals: 902 cal and 90 ounces.
___________
Later....
Lunch was a grapefruit (120 cal) and a banana (71 cal) and coffee (80 cal) plus water.
___________
Dinner: 4 ounces of left-over roast (200 cal), 1/2 cup potatoes (75 cal), and a string cheese (70 cal). More damn coffee (80 cal) plus water...
totals: 902 cal and 90 ounces.
Friday, January 7, 2011
(139) Final Tally for the Day
Dinner: 3 ounces of lean roast beef (150 cal), 1/2 cup of roasted potatoes (75 cal), 2 Tbsp of corn (50 cal), water, a pear (103 cal), and 1 c. of popcorn (113) for a snack tonight. Water and orange juice (165 cal) to drink
Total: 1203
Fluids: 88
Total: 1203
Fluids: 88
(139) My Boring Lunch
2 poached eggs (142 cal) and one dry piece of toast (55 cal), water bottle number 2.
Totals: 427 cal & 46 ounces
______
And afternoon snack: 1 c. unsweetened apricot halves(120 cal) and 1 bottle of water.
547 cal and 62 ounces
Totals: 427 cal & 46 ounces
______
And afternoon snack: 1 c. unsweetened apricot halves(120 cal) and 1 bottle of water.
547 cal and 62 ounces
(139) TGIF...And the Carpet Man is Coming!
First of all, I am SOOOOO glad it is Friday. This has been a crappy week for my motivation level, specifically with work. I am glad to call it a week and be done. And I have lots to do this weekend, with the carpet guy coming on Monday to install in our bedroom. It has been almost 10 years since I've had carpeting in my bedroom. (Hardwood floors are so friggin cold in the winter!) So, come Monday morning, I'll be squishing my toes in some plushy new wall-to-wall!!
I'm am so happy that I am on track this week with Phase 4 of the DDDC. Every day I have come in on target with calories and water. No binges, no goodies. Lots of fruit, lots of water, decent carbs and small amounts of protein. The only thing I could have done better this week was to increase the amount of veggies. But it's all good otherwise.
So, given that I've been on target all week, I'm not understanding why I don't feel like anything is changing. I feel kinda bloated. Bathroom trips are few and far between, except for the peeing part. I keep reading about all of Allan's explosive bathroom antics and wonder what the hell is wrong with my digestive track?!?
I'm just gonna wait it out, I guess....Everyone hits a plateau, right?
So far this morning: plain oatmeal (110 cal) made with water, 2 tsp maple syrup (35 cal), 14 ounces coffee (80 cal), and water:
230 calories and 30 ounces.
Onward......
I'm am so happy that I am on track this week with Phase 4 of the DDDC. Every day I have come in on target with calories and water. No binges, no goodies. Lots of fruit, lots of water, decent carbs and small amounts of protein. The only thing I could have done better this week was to increase the amount of veggies. But it's all good otherwise.
So, given that I've been on target all week, I'm not understanding why I don't feel like anything is changing. I feel kinda bloated. Bathroom trips are few and far between, except for the peeing part. I keep reading about all of Allan's explosive bathroom antics and wonder what the hell is wrong with my digestive track?!?
I'm just gonna wait it out, I guess....Everyone hits a plateau, right?
So far this morning: plain oatmeal (110 cal) made with water, 2 tsp maple syrup (35 cal), 14 ounces coffee (80 cal), and water:
230 calories and 30 ounces.
Onward......
(139) On A Completely Different Note
We all come here (to our respective blogs and to visit other people's blogs) to talk about our diet, our binges, our calories and water intake, our struggles. We have all eaten more than we should, otherwise we'd be writing some other kind of blog. Eating, for all of us, has been far too easy. Overeating has been far too easy....
But I want to bring your attention to a little girl for whom eating (and pooping and walking and talking) is difficult. For her tiny little body, eating, swallowing and keeping down food are a daily struggle. She struggles with something called Rett Syndrome. Before reading her Mom's blog, Jouney Beyond Survival, I'd never heard of Rett Syndrome. Taking care of Chickadee (Evalyn) is a full time job. No, let me correct that. It's more like 3 times a full time job, what with all the doctor visits, and middle of the night accidents, and digestive problems. Her disease is progressive, and affects her ability to move, communicate, and digest food. Chickadee's momma is amazing, and by reading her momm'a blog, so is her daddy. But it is exhausting, and they need a little help.
Help in the form of a companion for Chickadee. A companion that can help her with socialization. One that can help with keeping her little body moving. One that can alert others when she is experiencing distress. One that is four-legged and furry.
Here is Chickadee (as her Mom calls her!) Also known as Evalyn...
And she could really benefit from a Therapy dog. Problem is, Therapy dogs are very expensive, and Chickadee's family is struggling.
If you could manage just a little donation, it would mean the world to this beautiful little girl...and her momma.
You can visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/evalynwood to make a donation.
A Therapy Dog is not only a companion, but a guardian angel, and doesn't this little angel deserve and angel of her own?
Please help, in whatever way you can.
But I want to bring your attention to a little girl for whom eating (and pooping and walking and talking) is difficult. For her tiny little body, eating, swallowing and keeping down food are a daily struggle. She struggles with something called Rett Syndrome. Before reading her Mom's blog, Jouney Beyond Survival, I'd never heard of Rett Syndrome. Taking care of Chickadee (Evalyn) is a full time job. No, let me correct that. It's more like 3 times a full time job, what with all the doctor visits, and middle of the night accidents, and digestive problems. Her disease is progressive, and affects her ability to move, communicate, and digest food. Chickadee's momma is amazing, and by reading her momm'a blog, so is her daddy. But it is exhausting, and they need a little help.
Help in the form of a companion for Chickadee. A companion that can help her with socialization. One that can help with keeping her little body moving. One that can alert others when she is experiencing distress. One that is four-legged and furry.
Here is Chickadee (as her Mom calls her!) Also known as Evalyn...
And she could really benefit from a Therapy dog. Problem is, Therapy dogs are very expensive, and Chickadee's family is struggling.
If you could manage just a little donation, it would mean the world to this beautiful little girl...and her momma.
You can visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/evalynwood to make a donation.
A Therapy Dog is not only a companion, but a guardian angel, and doesn't this little angel deserve and angel of her own?
Please help, in whatever way you can.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Dinner tonight was 3 ounces of Dearborn Brand Holiday Sausage (165 cal), 3 ounces of plain steamed broccoli (30 cal), 3/4 c unsweetened applesauce (75 cal), and one low-fat string cheese (70 cal). Total: 340 calories.
Also had a banana when I got home from work (105 cal), and coffee (85 cal).
Total today: 1122 calories and so far 64 ounces of water and 28 ounces of coffee. I'll be having one more bottle of water tonight, but probably no snacks, since I am just about at my limit. If I have anything at all, it will be fruit, either a pear or 1/2 a grapefruit.
Also had a banana when I got home from work (105 cal), and coffee (85 cal).
Total today: 1122 calories and so far 64 ounces of water and 28 ounces of coffee. I'll be having one more bottle of water tonight, but probably no snacks, since I am just about at my limit. If I have anything at all, it will be fruit, either a pear or 1/2 a grapefruit.
Lunch today was 3 ounces of plain chicken (150 cal) pan-grilled in a tiny bit of Pam, then diced over broccoli slaw mix (25 cal), topped with 1/2 can of mandarin oranges (packed in mandarin orange juice, about 40 calories), 1/8 c of pomagranate Craisins (about 40 cal), and dressing made from the mandarin orange juice (12 calories), a tsp of olive oil (40 cal), 1 Tbsp of honey (45 cal), 1 Tbsp of white vinegar, salt and pepper.
Most of the dressing settled into the bottom of the bowl...didn't really stick to the salad, so I'm going to guess that only about a tsp of it got consumed....maybe 25 calories.
Total: 280 calories, plus water.
Most of the dressing settled into the bottom of the bowl...didn't really stick to the salad, so I'm going to guess that only about a tsp of it got consumed....maybe 25 calories.
Total: 280 calories, plus water.
(138) Better Sleep = Better Attitude
So I did as planned last night and took some melatonin at about 8:30...a bit earlier than I have in the past. And I actually got in bed by 11, although hubby decided it was time to chat for awhile, but not for too long. Anyway, he had some work to do on the computer and needed to finish before this morning, so I went right to sleep. I got in 7 hours of sleep! And I feel so much better for it today. At least that part of my motivation issue is minimized this morning.
Breakfast was a whole wheat raisin english muffin (160 calories) with 2tsp of butter (67 calories) and 14 oz. coffee (85 cal), 16 ounces of water, total 312 calories and 30 ounces of fluids.
I grabbed a banana for a snack, but apparently I left it on the counter when I left for work, so its looking like no snack this morning.
I am gonna try and "brute-force" myself into some productivity today. I hate being like this....I have to snap out of it.
Breakfast was a whole wheat raisin english muffin (160 calories) with 2tsp of butter (67 calories) and 14 oz. coffee (85 cal), 16 ounces of water, total 312 calories and 30 ounces of fluids.
I grabbed a banana for a snack, but apparently I left it on the counter when I left for work, so its looking like no snack this morning.
I am gonna try and "brute-force" myself into some productivity today. I hate being like this....I have to snap out of it.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dinner was grilled chicken, about 3-4 ounces (150 cal), with 1 Tbsp of shredded mozzarella (35 cal) melted on top. 3/4 cup of pasta (165 cal) with 1/4 cup sauce (35 cal) and 1Tbsp parmesan cheese (13 cal) on top. Coffee to drink.
_______
Also had a 1/2 grapefruit (60 calories) for a snack last night, as well as about 1/4 cup of pistachios (80 calories), and water. Also had a banana right after work that I forgot about.
Total for the day: 435 + 643 = 1078 calories and 86 ounces
_______
Also had a 1/2 grapefruit (60 calories) for a snack last night, as well as about 1/4 cup of pistachios (80 calories), and water. Also had a banana right after work that I forgot about.
Total for the day: 435 + 643 = 1078 calories and 86 ounces
Meal Planning for One Dieter and Two Non-Dieters....
So, I'm guessing that quite a few of you are doing the "I'm on a diet and can't eat what everybody else in the house is eating" shuffle. As the wife and mother, I'm pretty much the one that does the cooking and meal planning...but let me explain....cuz I just HAVE TO explain this one.....
I both love and hate this role....And I am consistently inconsistent about it.... Because I don't want to be stereotypical....anything. I want to be good at it cuz I try to, not because I'm the wife or the mom and its part of the gender.
Now, despite the fact that I have always strived to be as UNconventional a woman as possible....In my lifetime I have, at one point in time or other, done all of the following: tune-ed up cars, overhauled two car engines, installed car brakes, welded, roofed a pole barn, tiled a bathroom, hung and mudded 75 sheets of drywall, remodeled two kitchens, wrenched on airplanes, hunted, shot an M-16, wore combat boots, had babies, flew a small plane, beat every guy in my aircraft mechanics classes, built furniture, and wrecked a motorcycle....there are still things I do that are very conventional...hence the meal planning and cooking.
Now, I've had a chip on my shoulder my entire life. I grew up with the "anything you can do, I can do better" attitude. "You" meaning a guy, and "I" being a girl. I never wanted to be "expected" to do something or be good at something because I was a girl. Likewise, I didn't want to be doubted on other things because I was a girl.
Somewhere along the way I sorta lost the attitude about "showing up" the guys, and realized that I've just learned to do things out of necessity, because, quite frankly, the drywall fairy doesn't come to my house. Neither does the car mechanic fairy. I got divorced when my kids were just getting ready to start school, and there were a lot of things that needed to be done, and no one but me to do them.
But GD-it!! Don't anyone expect me to do or not do something purely because of my plumbing!!
So back to dinner planning. For a long time, I still had this lingering chip on my shoulder about being "expected' to do certain things in the house, merely because I was the mommy or wife. And yet being the mom made me want to be "a great mom" and that was so conflicting for me!
Oi!!!
Well, my hubby and I have been together for 8 years now, and he is about an unconventional as I am. He has no preconceived notions about gender roles, or who's job it is to do dinner or laundry or any other household chore. I am a lucky woman! We have settled into a routine based on a couple of criteria: what are we good at, and what are we willing to take care of. And how it has worked out is this: I cook and plan, he does the grocery shopping. He also does laundry most of the time.
And this works well for us.
Except now that I'm dieting, I have to do things in a whole new way. I am struggling to plan dinners that they will still eat and enjoy, that are healthy and within calorie range for me. (Honestly, I really want to change their diets too, so we are all eating healthier, but I noticed that I have to be slow and careful about it, otherwise they are heading for the snacks very soon after dinner, or whining about wanting some fresh bread with dinner, or tons of mashed potatoes, or fried stuff). In any event, my goal is to make things that are healthy all around, and tasty, and which I can manage calories by controlling portion size. Making radical changes for them isn't going to work very well.
So my questions for all of you: How do you integrate your dieting with family meals? Do you put the whole family on a diet? Do you cook separately for yourself? Do you have new healthy recipes that your family likes as well?
I both love and hate this role....And I am consistently inconsistent about it.... Because I don't want to be stereotypical....anything. I want to be good at it cuz I try to, not because I'm the wife or the mom and its part of the gender.
Now, despite the fact that I have always strived to be as UNconventional a woman as possible....In my lifetime I have, at one point in time or other, done all of the following: tune-ed up cars, overhauled two car engines, installed car brakes, welded, roofed a pole barn, tiled a bathroom, hung and mudded 75 sheets of drywall, remodeled two kitchens, wrenched on airplanes, hunted, shot an M-16, wore combat boots, had babies, flew a small plane, beat every guy in my aircraft mechanics classes, built furniture, and wrecked a motorcycle....there are still things I do that are very conventional...hence the meal planning and cooking.
Now, I've had a chip on my shoulder my entire life. I grew up with the "anything you can do, I can do better" attitude. "You" meaning a guy, and "I" being a girl. I never wanted to be "expected" to do something or be good at something because I was a girl. Likewise, I didn't want to be doubted on other things because I was a girl.
Somewhere along the way I sorta lost the attitude about "showing up" the guys, and realized that I've just learned to do things out of necessity, because, quite frankly, the drywall fairy doesn't come to my house. Neither does the car mechanic fairy. I got divorced when my kids were just getting ready to start school, and there were a lot of things that needed to be done, and no one but me to do them.
But GD-it!! Don't anyone expect me to do or not do something purely because of my plumbing!!
So back to dinner planning. For a long time, I still had this lingering chip on my shoulder about being "expected' to do certain things in the house, merely because I was the mommy or wife. And yet being the mom made me want to be "a great mom" and that was so conflicting for me!
Oi!!!
Well, my hubby and I have been together for 8 years now, and he is about an unconventional as I am. He has no preconceived notions about gender roles, or who's job it is to do dinner or laundry or any other household chore. I am a lucky woman! We have settled into a routine based on a couple of criteria: what are we good at, and what are we willing to take care of. And how it has worked out is this: I cook and plan, he does the grocery shopping. He also does laundry most of the time.
And this works well for us.
Except now that I'm dieting, I have to do things in a whole new way. I am struggling to plan dinners that they will still eat and enjoy, that are healthy and within calorie range for me. (Honestly, I really want to change their diets too, so we are all eating healthier, but I noticed that I have to be slow and careful about it, otherwise they are heading for the snacks very soon after dinner, or whining about wanting some fresh bread with dinner, or tons of mashed potatoes, or fried stuff). In any event, my goal is to make things that are healthy all around, and tasty, and which I can manage calories by controlling portion size. Making radical changes for them isn't going to work very well.
So my questions for all of you: How do you integrate your dieting with family meals? Do you put the whole family on a diet? Do you cook separately for yourself? Do you have new healthy recipes that your family likes as well?
Its So Friggin COLD!!!
I think I've sort figured out my attitude problem...or at least part of it. I really don't like winter. Specifically, I really hate being cold. I can tolerate the heat a whole lot better than the cold. In my mind, there are plenty more things I can do to cool off and get comfortable than I can do to warm up and get comfortable.
And I really shouldn't be complaining too much, cuz this winter so far hasn't been a bad one. We've had very little snow, and it was quite late in the season before it got cold and stayed cold out. And even then, we've had a couple of warm spells that got into the low 50's.
But I just hate being cold!! And I hate having to bundle up to do anything. And when I am cold, I have a very short fuse. Doesn't take much to make me grumpy, and then its hard to snap out of it. So I guess that is where I am right now. I went home for lunch, and it was cold outside, cold in the car, and cold in my house. I had a cold sandwich of one slice of bread, one Tbsp of peanut butter and one (cold) Tbsp of low sugar raspberry preserves. And I had a cold bottle of water right before I ate. And I had a cold clementine. Which adds up to 55+25+95+40 = 215 cold calories for lunch.
So far today: 220 + 215 = 435 calories, 46 ounces of fluid.
I told hubby that we need some serious cuddle time tonight. He just grinned.
:)
There it is! There is my happy thought for the day. Well, on that note, I should get busy before this moment slips away....
And I really shouldn't be complaining too much, cuz this winter so far hasn't been a bad one. We've had very little snow, and it was quite late in the season before it got cold and stayed cold out. And even then, we've had a couple of warm spells that got into the low 50's.
But I just hate being cold!! And I hate having to bundle up to do anything. And when I am cold, I have a very short fuse. Doesn't take much to make me grumpy, and then its hard to snap out of it. So I guess that is where I am right now. I went home for lunch, and it was cold outside, cold in the car, and cold in my house. I had a cold sandwich of one slice of bread, one Tbsp of peanut butter and one (cold) Tbsp of low sugar raspberry preserves. And I had a cold bottle of water right before I ate. And I had a cold clementine. Which adds up to 55+25+95+40 = 215 cold calories for lunch.
So far today: 220 + 215 = 435 calories, 46 ounces of fluid.
I told hubby that we need some serious cuddle time tonight. He just grinned.
:)
There it is! There is my happy thought for the day. Well, on that note, I should get busy before this moment slips away....
December Goals Evaluation
So, I had posted these goals for December on the sidebar. Since December is over, I'm taking it off the sidebar, but I wanted to recap how I did on them.
1.) 4 hours of the Insanity Workout.
Didn't do this. At all...
2.) 25 miles walk/run.
Didn't do this either, at least not the running part. I'm sure I got some miles in walking, but it wasn't "planned", just merely the daily walking I do that is associated with my job, shopping, etc.
3.) 1200 calories & 82 ounces of water/day:
Days I accomplish this XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well, at some point I stopped tracking this on the sidebar, and I know I made this goal for more days than are listed here, so I consider this to be a success.
4.) 7 days of coffee with alternate creamer/sweetener options XXXXXXX
This one I did without fail. Per the prodding from Allan, I got some Coffeemate and managed to significantly reduce the number of calories in my morning coffee. I'm not quite to the point of using Sweet n Low, but I have tried some sugar-free syrup from Starbucks, and am heading that way to buy a bottle for the house. Meanwhile, I've been alternating between using my standard creamer and the coffeemate thing. Definitely accomplished thig goal.
From now on, I think I'll post my other goals on a separate tab here on the site. Makes it easier to find....
1.) 4 hours of the Insanity Workout.
Didn't do this. At all...
2.) 25 miles walk/run.
Didn't do this either, at least not the running part. I'm sure I got some miles in walking, but it wasn't "planned", just merely the daily walking I do that is associated with my job, shopping, etc.
3.) 1200 calories & 82 ounces of water/day:
Days I accomplish this XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well, at some point I stopped tracking this on the sidebar, and I know I made this goal for more days than are listed here, so I consider this to be a success.
4.) 7 days of coffee with alternate creamer/sweetener options XXXXXXX
This one I did without fail. Per the prodding from Allan, I got some Coffeemate and managed to significantly reduce the number of calories in my morning coffee. I'm not quite to the point of using Sweet n Low, but I have tried some sugar-free syrup from Starbucks, and am heading that way to buy a bottle for the house. Meanwhile, I've been alternating between using my standard creamer and the coffeemate thing. Definitely accomplished thig goal.
From now on, I think I'll post my other goals on a separate tab here on the site. Makes it easier to find....
137 Days: It's About Choices, Right?
That's why we do this, right? At least that's one of the reasons....to make better choices and to blog about it. To eat less, to eat healthier, to choose a longer life with less food and illness?
And hopefully being lighter and healthier carries over into the rest of our lives, and helps us feel better in other ways. Last night I got home from work and was "leaning" on hubby, wanting some help in getting my frame of mind straightened out. Couldn't really shake off the crappy feelings...and no, it's not pms.
Honestly, been kinda wondering if it might be some mid-life thing. Asking myself things like "how do I just keep doing this crap I hate? Is this as good as it gets? What do you tell yourself in order to keep moving, when the path you are on is just miserable, but you have to do it anyway?"
Am I choosing this? Am I making myself miserable with the things I focus on? Maybe I'm just spending too much time in my own head, instead of focusing on the things I need to do, and on doing them well.
One of the things hubby said to me last night was to try and think about something else when I'm doing something I don't really want to do. Sounds kinda odd, but I think I know what he meant. Instead of focusing on feeling crappy about the things I have to do, I should try and think about something completely different. Choose a different target to focus on.
Choose.....
There's a song I like to listen to...especially when I get stuck like this. Its called Change Your Mind, by Sister Hazel. Time for me to put this on auto-repeat.....for the rest of the day.
_____
So for breakfast, I had oatmeal and coffee. 220 calories. I have a pear to eat in a little while. 2nd bottle of water is going down now.
TTFN....
And hopefully being lighter and healthier carries over into the rest of our lives, and helps us feel better in other ways. Last night I got home from work and was "leaning" on hubby, wanting some help in getting my frame of mind straightened out. Couldn't really shake off the crappy feelings...and no, it's not pms.
Honestly, been kinda wondering if it might be some mid-life thing. Asking myself things like "how do I just keep doing this crap I hate? Is this as good as it gets? What do you tell yourself in order to keep moving, when the path you are on is just miserable, but you have to do it anyway?"
Am I choosing this? Am I making myself miserable with the things I focus on? Maybe I'm just spending too much time in my own head, instead of focusing on the things I need to do, and on doing them well.
One of the things hubby said to me last night was to try and think about something else when I'm doing something I don't really want to do. Sounds kinda odd, but I think I know what he meant. Instead of focusing on feeling crappy about the things I have to do, I should try and think about something completely different. Choose a different target to focus on.
Choose.....
There's a song I like to listen to...especially when I get stuck like this. Its called Change Your Mind, by Sister Hazel. Time for me to put this on auto-repeat.....for the rest of the day.
_____
So for breakfast, I had oatmeal and coffee. 220 calories. I have a pear to eat in a little while. 2nd bottle of water is going down now.
TTFN....
Ooh headache...
Heading for bed. So not wanting to get up and repeat it all over again tomorrow.
My head is splitting...
Dinner was a bowl of cereal with a banana. Snack was a grapefruit. Coffee when i got home from work. Water for the rest of th evening.
Feeling kinda depressed, tired and miserable.....
The fun-meter is pegged....nite all.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
136 Days
Starting off the day with plain oatmeal, with 2 Tbsp applesauce added, 118 cal. Coffee (60 cal) and water. Snack this morning will be a grapefruit, 120 cal.
Off to work...hope everyone has a good day!
Off to work...hope everyone has a good day!
Monday, January 3, 2011
And the final tally...
Dinner tonight was chicken, spinach & pasta with a light Alfredo sauce, steamed broccoli added. 450 calories. Water and grape juice to drink.
609 + 450 + 85 = 1144
Drinking one more water on my way to bed...Its good to be back to blogging this. Too many irons makes me crazy and absent minded...
609 + 450 + 85 = 1144
Drinking one more water on my way to bed...Its good to be back to blogging this. Too many irons makes me crazy and absent minded...
By the way....
I guess I should mention here for accountability's sake that one of my Christmas presents was a bottle of Bailey's and a box of Bailey's chocolates. They are as yet unopened, except for the piece of candy I gave away.
Aargh.....Out of sight, out of mind. I am putting them away so I won't be tempted.
Aargh.....Out of sight, out of mind. I am putting them away so I won't be tempted.
Day 135
Went home for lunch to take a quick nap, since I hardly had any sleep last night. I was able to catch a quick 30 minutes, and had a moment to grab some crakers (9) & peanut butter (1 Tbsp), a bit of applesause (1/2 c.) and a string cheese snack: 295 calories.
I'm on water number 3. Also had coffee this morning, and oatmeal: 210 calories.
Totals so far: 505 calories, 50 ounces water, 16 ounces coffee
......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....think I need more coffee
I'm on water number 3. Also had coffee this morning, and oatmeal: 210 calories.
Totals so far: 505 calories, 50 ounces water, 16 ounces coffee
......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....think I need more coffee
One Hundred and Thirty Five Days
Good morning and Happy First Monday of 2011. For those of you who are followers of Allan over at AGP, lets get going on Phase 4! Everybody ready?!?
I know I am. I've hit a slow spot despite behaving myself over the holidays. I had no cookies, cakes, pastries, pop, candy....none of it. I drank lots of fluids.....LOTS of water and coffee, to keep me going during the home project business, and many days, I had very little to eat. Yet nothing budged. I'm stuck. No gain, no loss.
But this week we step things up a bit and add some exercise. I started doing the C25K back in October, and then fell on my face. Well, figuratively anyway. We went out of town for 4 days, and I never picked it back up after we returned. Dumb.....But the exercises in Phase 4 start off pretty easy, so I'm sure I can keep up with these.
I am so dragging butt this morning, so I thought I'd jump on here and check in with everyone. I got a whopping 2 hours of sleep last night, and will have to keep moving today just to keep from passing out. I got to bed later than I wanted to, but even when I finally did put my head on the pillow, I tossed and turned for hours. Last time I looked at the clock, it was almost 4:30am. I think some of you are just getting up at that time...yuck!
While on the holiday break, I let myself stay up later and later, and have completely screwed up my sleep schedule. I'm going to get back into the "melatonin at 9pm" routine to remedy that.
Christmas dinner at my house was interesting to say the least. My mom and her two sisters came for dinner, as well as hubby's parents. That made 5 people between the ages of 68 and 80. Plus me, hubby and two of our three kids.
Dinner itself went well, but I was nervous about how the relatives would get along. It was the "visiting" afterward that was a bit "sticky". Hubby's folks rarely ever come to our house. Something about his dad's stroke a few years ago, and having to navigate steps. Steps never seem to hinder his ability to get out to other places.....but that's another story.(Plus we installed a second handrail just for this event, so he'd have one on each side going up and down the steps). Additionally, my mom has been going through a particularly "cranky" period lately....for like the last couple years. Getting her and hubby's folks in the same room hasn't always turned out very well. I think they just don't like each other. Having my aunts there provided a bit of a buffer, in any event. And they were probably the most congenial of the bunch. After dinner, we played a game called Scattergories. It can be fun, except that my mom is rather cut-throat in any game she plays, so the minute we started playing, she was all about critiquing everyone else's answers. Hubby's mom quit playing half-way through the game, stating that her eyes were bothering her. At one point, she rolled her eyes at something my mom said, which did not go unnoticed with my mom....I had to hear about that later. Hubby's mom griped at his dad the rest of the evening. And then everybody left.....and I was relieved. No major issues, just some minor ones.
And I missed my dad so very much.
I sometimes envy people that have really big families. It seems like the more people you have at a get-together, the less problems you have...or at least you have more people to choose from to talk to. I'm any only kid, and hubby only has one sister (she spends all her holidays at her hubby's family). I have this tiny little family of aging adults and they are pretty much all cranky and sickly and set in their ways. oh joy.
Well, on that depressing note, maybe I need to refocus my energy.
Back to business.....
I know I am. I've hit a slow spot despite behaving myself over the holidays. I had no cookies, cakes, pastries, pop, candy....none of it. I drank lots of fluids.....LOTS of water and coffee, to keep me going during the home project business, and many days, I had very little to eat. Yet nothing budged. I'm stuck. No gain, no loss.
But this week we step things up a bit and add some exercise. I started doing the C25K back in October, and then fell on my face. Well, figuratively anyway. We went out of town for 4 days, and I never picked it back up after we returned. Dumb.....But the exercises in Phase 4 start off pretty easy, so I'm sure I can keep up with these.
I am so dragging butt this morning, so I thought I'd jump on here and check in with everyone. I got a whopping 2 hours of sleep last night, and will have to keep moving today just to keep from passing out. I got to bed later than I wanted to, but even when I finally did put my head on the pillow, I tossed and turned for hours. Last time I looked at the clock, it was almost 4:30am. I think some of you are just getting up at that time...yuck!
While on the holiday break, I let myself stay up later and later, and have completely screwed up my sleep schedule. I'm going to get back into the "melatonin at 9pm" routine to remedy that.
Christmas dinner at my house was interesting to say the least. My mom and her two sisters came for dinner, as well as hubby's parents. That made 5 people between the ages of 68 and 80. Plus me, hubby and two of our three kids.
Dinner itself went well, but I was nervous about how the relatives would get along. It was the "visiting" afterward that was a bit "sticky". Hubby's folks rarely ever come to our house. Something about his dad's stroke a few years ago, and having to navigate steps. Steps never seem to hinder his ability to get out to other places.....but that's another story.(Plus we installed a second handrail just for this event, so he'd have one on each side going up and down the steps). Additionally, my mom has been going through a particularly "cranky" period lately....for like the last couple years. Getting her and hubby's folks in the same room hasn't always turned out very well. I think they just don't like each other. Having my aunts there provided a bit of a buffer, in any event. And they were probably the most congenial of the bunch. After dinner, we played a game called Scattergories. It can be fun, except that my mom is rather cut-throat in any game she plays, so the minute we started playing, she was all about critiquing everyone else's answers. Hubby's mom quit playing half-way through the game, stating that her eyes were bothering her. At one point, she rolled her eyes at something my mom said, which did not go unnoticed with my mom....I had to hear about that later. Hubby's mom griped at his dad the rest of the evening. And then everybody left.....and I was relieved. No major issues, just some minor ones.
And I missed my dad so very much.
I sometimes envy people that have really big families. It seems like the more people you have at a get-together, the less problems you have...or at least you have more people to choose from to talk to. I'm any only kid, and hubby only has one sister (she spends all her holidays at her hubby's family). I have this tiny little family of aging adults and they are pretty much all cranky and sickly and set in their ways. oh joy.
Well, on that depressing note, maybe I need to refocus my energy.
Back to business.....
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year! Oops! I'm late!
Hi all, and Happy New Year!
I've been up to my eyeballs in house projects during my break from work. We've been doing some work in our bedroom, as I mentioned a few posts back...painting, crown mould, etc.
This weekend, I've been building a vanity. I have an odd-size space in which I wanted to put a vanity, with a mirror, lights, a few drawers, etc. Its a built-in, attached to the wall, so I can pull up a small chair/stool. I'm just about done with the cabinet, and am just starting on building the drawers. I'm going to stain it a mahogany.
I'm kinda stalled on the weight loss....I've not been eating much lately...I get busy and forget about it, but working makes me thirsty, so I've definitely been getting in the fluids. Not sure why the weight isn't changing, but I ran into this a couple months back, then all of a sudden, it started moving again, so I guess I'll just be patient, stay on plan, and wait for the next surge downward!
Good luck to everyone on phase 4!
Well, back to work....
I've been up to my eyeballs in house projects during my break from work. We've been doing some work in our bedroom, as I mentioned a few posts back...painting, crown mould, etc.
This weekend, I've been building a vanity. I have an odd-size space in which I wanted to put a vanity, with a mirror, lights, a few drawers, etc. Its a built-in, attached to the wall, so I can pull up a small chair/stool. I'm just about done with the cabinet, and am just starting on building the drawers. I'm going to stain it a mahogany.
I'm kinda stalled on the weight loss....I've not been eating much lately...I get busy and forget about it, but working makes me thirsty, so I've definitely been getting in the fluids. Not sure why the weight isn't changing, but I ran into this a couple months back, then all of a sudden, it started moving again, so I guess I'll just be patient, stay on plan, and wait for the next surge downward!
Good luck to everyone on phase 4!
Well, back to work....
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