It's my turn now! Vija's journal ~*~*Posts and Pixie dust welcome~*~*

[PRINCESS VIJA]

The Past

Growing up, I was always a little heavier than everyone else. Not too bad, but a bit. I was very active when I was younger and enjoyed exercise and activity. That helped keep my eating problems in check. I loved running with my dog the most. I used to be a cheerleader and in waterballet. I do remember my mom coming home from the grocery store and my 2 sisters and I would practicly sprint into the kitchen to see what treats she bought and we would "claim" our junkfood for the week.:rolleyes: Well, I still love junkfood and am working on changing that. McDonalds and potato chips are my weekness. I hope in time I can learn to love wholesome food just as much as McD's.

I can remember specific weights in my life.

The summer fo 1985 ...
I was the most fit in my life. I exercised and ate right! I was away at a camp for 6 weeks and used that time for me. I loved how I felt and I want to get back to that. I weighed 117# and I am 5' 2 1/2"

HS graduation (1986) . 125
college graduation (1990) :eek: 164
....Bad study habbits combined with bad eating habbits
Wedding day (May 25th, 1991) 172
December of 1991: 184
After the birth of my DS 1994: 199
When I got pregnant with DD in 1998: 222
...When DD was born, I cut my hours ar work and my weight up drasticly!!!
Summer of 1999: 244
winter of 2000: 260
Lost a little by November 2000: 242
Since then a steady climb to my highest: 272

That is where I am now. I have a tendancy to Yo-Yo. I do really great for 1 week, and then I am off for 2 and binge daily (hourly?) This cycle has led me to where I am. I have experienced health problems and emotional downs.

But ALL OF THAT IS IN THE PAST....

ON to the present

[PRINCESS VIJA]

THE PRESENT!



My present includes my DH Glenn, he is the love of my life. He is the most amazing, supportive, loving man, and I am so lucky he is in my life. My DS Charlie, he is the joy in my life. He is the sweetest boy with the most caring heart. He told me he loves me just the way I am! My DD Aleks is the sparkle in my life. She has so much energy, and is so sweet and sassy at the same time!

I also have amazing friends and family. I am very lucky for what God has bestowed on me. Jody, is a very special friend I found on WISH and I am so thankful that we have been there for each other. Recently there has been such an outpouring of love, care and concern after a post I made. I have come to consider all of you my close friends and I love you all.

On April 23rd, 2003 I made the commitment to get to where I need to go. I am so excited and proud of myself. It has taken a long time to get here and I know this time it is the real thing!

My starting weight 272
Present weight 269.4
goal weight 130


I have commited to WW and love the program. My mom now comes with me and I love that we are doing this together. I intend to stay on program and not binge ever again.

These are my present goals that I am working on:
#1 On a daily basis I will not eat after 8:00 pm.
#2 stay on program by banking points, and staying within the range.
#3 floss daily

I also have another thing, not weight related that I am working on.... We need to finish climbing out of debt and save the $ for a house. My spending habbits have to stay within budget and work on saving $ for our house.

Also I have many projects and decluttering I have to work on, that will be written about another time!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

THE FUTURE!

My hopes and dreams for the future are many!

My goals include losing 50# before our trip to WDW in Nov/Dec. I am motivated to get on the airplane, now I want to be able to sit comfortably in one!;) We are then going on our first family cruise and I can't wait!

I dream of the day I can skip right past the Plus section of clothing and go right to the mediums. And have MANY choices to choose from, not just what fits.

I dream of the day I can enjoy water parks, and attractions and not worry about breaking chairs when I sit in them.

I dream of the day that I will reach lifetime and I am very proud of myself. That day I imagine my DH, mom and dad and kids are with me so I can celebrate with them. They mean the world to me.

I dream of the day Jody and I get together and celebrate BOTH of our successes and reminisce about our journey and struggle!

When I reach Goal I will sign myself up for a total makeover and let them at me! I can't wait to see what happens. I would love to be on Oprah, Regis and Kelly or in Woman's World. they do amazing makeovers and that is my dream.

I dream of the day when we move into our house.

I dream of the day I decide on a new career and use my new found energy and self confidence and move on!

All of these and more ARE my future, with hard work, perseverence I WILL make it!

[Desiree]

You sound like you are rarin to go!! I wish you the best of luck. I'm going to try to have a physical and financial cleaning as well. We are trying to get out of debt ourselves. We're on teh right path, but it can't come soon enough for me!!!

You WILL reach your goal! We're rooting for you!!!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I did great today! Friday April 25th, 2003.

Total points is 28.5
exercise points 2
Floss: done!
I watched The Energizer spring program and remember when I was there last year. Still same size. I determined that next year I will be so much closer to my goal!!! Somewhere between 75-100# loss would be what I am looking for. It is amazing how fast a year will go by, and I am done sitting on the sidelines. It is time to join the game!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Did great today!

I am finding that given the challenge from Alex, I am making it a no excuses plan. I am finding that I just have to work at figuring out what I really want and then fitting it in. Very exciting for me! This challenge has opened my eyes to the posibilities!!!

Points: 29
Exercise: 0 (working day)
Floss: done!!!

[wovenwonder]

Vija -- do you realize that this is one of the first times that we've BOTH been on track at the same time! Isn't it a very liberating feeling!!!!

I love your attitude! Mine is pretty much the same right now. Sugary/ Carb Laden food is just not even tempting me right now. I know where I want to go, I know what I need to do to get there, and those foods just do not work in to my Journey -- so the heck with them!:teeth:

Keep your head held high Vija -- you are well on your 'weigh'!:)

[PRINCESS VIJA]

For Sat. April 27th, 2003

Again, doing well. I have learned that I will be satisfied with veggies and dip at work when we can stop and have a break in the afternoon. In the past, I was always "starving", but that was all just in my mind, and definetely stress eating. This has been another revelation for me!

points: 29 of 29
Exercise: 0 work day
Floss. :( Have to get back and keep going on that nightly!


*** yes, Jody, I did notice that we are both "on"!!!!! I have been so happy for both of us.

I know what I need to do to get there, and those foods just do not work in to my Journey -- so the heck with them!

That is the way to think! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

[wovenwonder]

Vija -- you keep writing zero for excersize on work days. I bet you get much more movement on work days than your week days. Consider picking up a pedometer and wear it to work. You might be surprised the amount of movement you get during your job. I imagine nurses are quite mobile!:D

[ohMom]

Vija - i just wanted to pat you on the back! Your change in attitude on your new lifestyle is sooo very evident! I'm so happy for you!

I'm impressed that you made it through your weekend at work and maintained your new attitude. My DH and I often say how much harder it is at work! (good reason for me to be stay-at-home Mom;)) Each weekend will be a little easier b/c you know now that you can do it!

I might even suggest taking an allowable WW treat with you one day a weekend at work so you don't feel too deprived. But just one day so you know who's in control!!!

Here's to Alex Challenge thru Friday!!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I have been doing very well. I have kept on track with Alex's challenge and It has been an eyeopener for me. I am journaling in my book, and looking ahead to plan my day.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday all were 29 of 29 points. Monday we went hiking in the woods, and I walked around the area in the morning. I did sneak a peak on the scale and am happy with that progress. Flossing has not been consistent, so that is my one of my goals this week.

Goals as I start MY 2nd week:
Finish Alex challenge
After the challenge stay 2 point under the max, journal everything, and include exercise
Water, water, water!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Wed April 30th was 29 of 29. I am so happy that I have kept it together. it was hard at night, because I was STARVING!!! But I didn't budge.

One more day for Alex challenge.

And I had weigh in today. I am down another 4# for a total of 6.6# HURRAY!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

WEIGH IN.................Weight.................Pounds lost...........total lost
4/17_____________272.0_________(starting point)____(0.0)

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thursday completed. 29 of 29! I claimed my clippie for the Alex challenge. Now I am on to my own challenge. I know I can do this, looking forward to having another loss next week.

[leahannpen]

Just wondering how you are doing? How did your weekend go? Weekends are my major downfall!

Keep up the good work. You sure seem to be doing great. I hope you reach all your goals... Keep up the way you have been and you will! Your dreams will become reality!

[ohMom]

where for art thou Vija?

don't neglect some journaling on your "off" days, that will help you to remember the affect those days have on how you feel? how what you eat affects your moods!

disney cruise.........disney cruise.........disney cruise..........

come back, we need a new challenge tomorrow!!

[wovenwonder]

Vija -- all your WISH friends are here for you! Don't stop journalling sweetie! You will need these days to look back on and learn from. I know how you feel though -- we may need to get more band width to cover one post of all the food a cheat day can hold;) but record it anyway!! It will help you down the road. I'm worried about you -- I hope you'll check in soon!
:D

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Back on track! Feel good to say that.
I am working on not eating McDonalds and chips for 1 month. 1 week almost done with that challenge. This is forcing me to be creative with foods, which I like and I am having fun with it while I search for foods that are "fun" so I don't feel deprived!
1# loss this week!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Ar nakosam sesam nedelam, es sekosu staigasanas programai, un es sekosu punktiem un turesos pie planu kas ir izskaidrots gramata! Tu vari to izdarit, es tev uzticos!!!


Just made a personal commitment to me, I will share this later, for now I am just keeping it as is, sort of a contract with myself.

[ohMom]

the only thing I got out of it was "pie" :confused:

Vija congrats on your loss this week! And your committment to avoid your trigger foods! You are such a success and inspirations!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I am SOOOOO excited! I am doing my own 6 week challenge. this is going to be awesome.

Week 1.
Monday
Exercise: walk 1 mile


Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Points eaten 33.5
Exercise points 1

total of 32.5

= .5 banked

[PRINCESS VIJA]

It's a new day and a new journey!!!!

Breakfast:
1 c cream of wheat
1 c skim milk
1 tbsp butter

Snack
1 string cheese
1 serving potato chips
3/4 snack size MnM's

Lunch:
3 homemade tacos
diet coke

Dinner:
1 serving lasagne
3 garlic bread
1 serving salad with cucumbers, peppers, carrots
2 tsp low fat dressing
1 cup milk
1/2 cup fruit cocktail with dollop of FF coolwhip

Snack
potato chips
3 tbsp sour cream

exercise
20 min aerobics
15 min walk

This isn't by any means a perfect food day, but I am working beyond that. I made some good choices and I am on my way!

[lulu201]

Hello, Princess Vija! Lulu201 here. I read your post on the boards about your departure from WW and your plans to simplify. . .it sounds like you're well on your way, girl!:) I, too, have given so much money to WW over the years, and while I love their program, I've been frustrated over the times that I've spent $300 to lose 2 pounds--and then gain it back on a random Saturday!! :rolleyes: So, in an order to simplify my own life, live within my financial means, and find my strength from within by giving this struggle over on a day to day basis to God, I left. Now, I didn't have the issues with my mom like you've had, but it sounds like you were so kind and sensitive to her needs (it was so sweet of you to agree to walking with her each week), but stood up for your own at the same time.

Don't you think that that's really what it's all about--caring for ourselves? Whether it's flossing our teeth on a regular basis, or creating new exercise or eating routines, we've got to make caring for our physical and emotional needs a priority in our lives, I think. In caring for our families or in our work, sometimes our needs get lost.

I don't want to offer unsolicited advice, but after reading your journal, one thing struck me--in the very beginning you had a lot of things that you were working on all at once. I read an article in Prevention magazine that helped me a lot a year or so ago--it was about the power of ONE. One thing, one improvement that you choose to work on at a time. For example, maybe this week it's drinking your water every day. At the end of the week, see how it's going and then add another challenge. Continue to log all your food and exercise, but give yourself time to make permanent changes in your life. Sometimes we want to make changes so quickly that we don't recognize how significant they all are until we're trying to do all of them at once amidst the daily struggles and stresses of life. Just some food for thought. . .

I've gotten some powerful support on the Journal Board during the last few weeks and I know that you'll find it here again, too.

Blessings on your journey,
Lulu

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks Lulu!!! Your words certainly struck a chord with me. Your right, when I would make a decision to "change" my life, it was an all or nothing approach. I was changing everything NOW. Then 1/2 way into the day, I felt so overwhelmed that nothing got done. This week I will make that commitment to journal. I haven't done that, and that will be the 1 thing that I do! As far as the decluttering goes, I think I will do that as well. Focus on the one thing that I really want done. And the one thing that NEEDS to be done is my bathroom shelf. So that is what my goals are. Thanks for your advice and support!!!!!:D

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Sept. 12
B: 2 fried eggs (Pam spray), 1 slice bread, margarine, 1 cup sk. milk
Sn: chips, 1 string cheese
L: 3 homemade tacos, 1 snack size mnm's
Sn: chips, 2 slice ham
D: 1 serving lasagne, 3 garlic bread

Ex: 30 min walk

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Sept. 13
B: 1cup sk milk, 1 cup rice crispies, 1 banana
L: Homemade taco salad (lettuce, cheese, meat, dorritos, sr cream, salsa, tomatoes), soda, 1/2 cup applesauce
Sn: 3 SMALL squares of pizza
D: Doublecheeseburger, large fry, soda
Sn: 1 serving shortbread cookies, 1 serving chips

I am really proud of myself. I know this doesn't look like a good list to many, but to me, it is amazing. I would still be eating, but I had one serving, and I was DONE!!!!!!!! And, I am journaling.

I am still working on journaling every day, no binges, and watching what I eat. So far so good!

[lulu201]

Wow, Vija, you're doing this journaling thing up right!:) Good for you! I always enjoy reading your posts. . .remember that we're all here rooting for you and wishing you all the bests in your efforts.

One day at a time,
Onward and downward. . .

Lulu

[DoeWDW]

Princess Vija, you're doing great! One change at a time is enough. This is not a race or an all-or-nothing deal. Just keep journaling - I promise it will help!!

We're here with you!!

[CALIFLADY]

I'm so proud of you, PV! I know EXACTLY what you're going through. It's such an accomplishment to cut down from the 1 pound bag of M&M's to the single snack size. I know because I've had to do it. I struggle with the urge to shop and buy the "party size" bag of M&M's (can you tell what my worst vice is?!?), but I know that if I do, I'll eat every last one without thinking!

You can do this! You go, girl! And you do it for yourself, because, darn it, you deserve it!

Every day is a struggle. The way I deal with it is one day at a time. Just one day. If I get a bad urge to cheat, I tell myself that I can cheat tomorrow if I still feel like it. But for today, no cheating. And it get's me through, one day at a time!

Good luck! I'll keep a look out for you on this board. You know, you're a very special person.

[DoeWDW]

Princess Vija, I hope all is well with you!! Keep making small changes, one at a time. Every day it will get easier! And when you make a bad choice, just dust yourself off and get back on the wagon. If you need a helping hand, let us know! We're all cheering you on!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Oh you guys! I am so thankful for the friends and support I find here. Thanks for your encouraging words. I am trying to make the changes, and one is decreasing internet time. so, I hit the trip boards first and work my way down, unfortunately that means I have been neglecting to journal. But that I know is so important, so I am going to make it a priority.

Sept 16
B: scrambled eggs (2 1/2), 1 slice bread with ICBINB, 1 cup milk, 1 banana
L: McDonalds double cheeseburger and supersize fries:eek: (ok, not a good choice there, have to work on that)
D: 1 serving turkey breast with skin, 1 serving corn, 3 rolls with butter, 1 serving mashed potatoes with butter, 1 1/2 cups milk.
EX: 15 min aerobics


That wasn't necessarily a day filled with good choices, BUT I have to tell you of my personal victory.....

At night I was on the computer (the DIS!:D ) and I wanted to snack soooo bad. I had that feeling that needed to be comforted, but I thought it thru and I said no, I didn't need it, I wasn't really "hungry" so I didn't. I am so proud of myself! I haven't snacked at night in several days, and that is one of the biggest changes I have made, and you know what? It is sooo worth it!

[wovenwonder]

Great job for NOT snacking in front of the computer. But, PLEASE watch your carbs Vija!:eek: You need some more REAL veggies in your diet [not corn;) ]. Try to treat corn, peas, limas as carbs and pair them up with some broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc --- your body will thank you. I know it is just baby steps --- but maybe that is something you could work towards. By adding more healthy veggies you will have less room for other things you shouldn't be having anyway. Start your supper off with a big bowl of HM cauliflower soup to fill you up. I'll remind you how to make it.....

Cook one bag of cauliflower in one can of chicken broth until the cauliflower is very soft. Puree the cooked cauliflower with as little of the broth as needed to make it the soup consistancy that you enjoy. Add some cream cheese or velveeta light to make cheesey soup if you prefer that. Cook another bag of cauliflower [or substitute broccoli, asparagus, etc] until just tender and stir it into your soupy cauliflower mixture. Very YUM, YUM, YUM! And so easy to make too. A big bowl of soup will easily get in a couple servings of veggies for the day plus it will FILL YOU UP too!:D

You are making REAL PROGRESS Vija and I am not trying to demean that for you. I am just giving you some other things to look at. [hope you understand].

[lulu201]

Hi, Vija!:) Just want to send some PD and happy thoughts your way for today! You know, you're making real strides here! When I read your journal posting, I was struck by two things. First, your
ability to avoid snacking at the computer--that took a lot of strength! I find that acknowledging (is that spelled right?) that almost overpowering urge to eat and taking a few deep breaths (and saying a prayer or two for relief from the impulse to go stuff my face:p ) helps a lot. It clears my head. Whatever you did at the computer seemed to work for you. Good going! Secondly, you had a bad choice lunch, but THEN you went back to making good choices! I don't know what you think, but I think that is SIGNIFICANT! There have been so many times in my struggles with food that if I made one bad choice it would spiral into a day, a weekend, a week, a month:p of terrible eating! You, though, nipped it in the bud and got right back on track.
GOOD FOR YOU!:)

Take all those positives and build yourself a ladder to success, Vija. You can do it!

Lulu