Lesli's Live Long and Strong WISH Journal

[Lesli54]

I finally announced to everyone (or at least those who read the boards) last night what my actual weight is when I decided to join the WISH challenge. It is 230lbs and I am a little under 5'7". That's alot. All night and all morning I have kept telling myself my actual weight. After all, I have to acknowledge what I want to change in order to change it, correct? I want to drop 80lbs to reach 150!!!

During the course of my life the only time that I have really put on much weight was during my pregnancies. It took time to get it off the first two times, but I did it and looked and felt great. The third time (almost 7 years ago) I never got rid of the extra weight after my youngest DD was born. When I had my DS a couple years ago, I was thrilled that I didn't gain much (I was on a good nutrition program with him), but that was little concellation when I consider that I was already very much overweight when he was thought of.

I know I can maintain a weight. I have done it before. My goals were set in 2003 when I started working out with a friend, who then quit. Needless to say, I have been through a few exercise partners. It doesn't help when you are looking for support and even though I have gone it alone it is hard to stay on track at times when life get really hectic. So if joining a board is going to get me the support I need, then so be it.

The great news is: I actually measured myself and put it all in the spreadsheet that I found online, which will help me track weight loss and BMI. This is a first, because I have never measured myself before. Not great seeing the numbers, but I need to acknowledge it.

This morning I made 1 (only 1) scrambled egg and seasoned with salt, pepper, chives and a sprinkle of cheese. I added a slice of toast (will go with a 1/2 from now on) and some grapefruit juice (wakes you up better than coffee) and there was breakfast. I ALMOST took it to my office to eat and work, but then changed my mind and sat at the table (alone, everyone was gone, but that's okay) and read the WSJ (WAll Street Journal). I ate too quickly, but it was relaxing and a great start to the day.

I have my glass of water with me all the time. That's the easy part for me.

My goals for the day are:
1. Finish spring cleaning my office (that's exercise since I am going to be up and down and moving things around)
2. Walk the treadmill this afternoon during my favorite soap
3. Start an online genealogy course this afternoon while the little one naps (this way I won't lounge and snack)
4. Get out Dr. Phil's cookbook and make a grocery list to start his 3 wk jump start diet.
5. Go to bed by 11pm (good sleep is a must for weight loss)

Enough babbling, time to get working on the plan. I'm so excited!! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

***Added at 10:45pm****
Well, for the most part, I did good today. My office is looking good and all I have is a few paper piles to sort through. I even did some of my DH's "honey do" in the office. Also, I worked on my online course. These things provided a great distraction from thinking about food and kept me going instead of lounging.

I did walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes. It should have been more, but there is something not quite right with the tension, so we'll have to get that looked at ASAP.

For lunch I ate a small taco and half a burrito. They were left over from last night and although it is not the best choice, I did manage to limit how much I ate. I had a small handful of raisins and peanuts about mid afternoon. Supper was quite late for me (we had a reception to attend), but consisted of half a chicken breast seasoned with salt, pepper, and Emeril's, no skin, small portion of long grain rice, and a good serving size of green beans. At the reception I had a small piece of cake. Probably should have let it go, but I don't have cake often and I made sure it was very small. After supper, I had another small handful of raisins.

The food choices can be even better and I need to work on that. I did great on water.

So the only thing I didn't get done because I ran out of time this evening was my grocery list for healthier meals. It's almost 11pm, so I must get ready for bed. Tomorrow will be better and easier. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

*********added on 5/1/05**********
Finally got pictures working. Here I am at my starting weight 230 lbs. As you can see, I am turned slightly and hiding behind DD17 so I look smaller. Trying to get the image blown up so you can see better. I apologize.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/82041230-thumb.jpg

[Lesli54]

Well it is day 2 of my plan of attack. Yesterday, I felt pretty good. I was more motivated than normal and didn't get that run down feeling in the afternoon. So today will be even better.

I didn't make it to bed by 11pm last night since my mother called. Also, I will have to get my exercise in this morning before she arrives. Oh well.

Also, I have broken my weight loss down into smaller goals:
1. 20lbs lost by DD17 HS graduation and trip to England (mid May)
3. 30lbs lost by trip to WDW (early June)
4. 50lbs lost by anniversary (mid Aug)
5. 65lbs lost by trip to Atlanta (early Oct)
6. 80lbs lost by Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hit the goal!!!!!!!!!!!

For breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/ salt, pepper, chives and a smidge of cheese. Half slice of toast (7 grain of course) w/ light spread of jelly, no butter. 4oz grapefruit juice. It was really good.

Plan for am snack: 1 medium apple
Plan for lunch: big salad (various greens) w/ tomato and hint of dressing
Plan for pm snack: Light yougurt
I haven't planned supper yet.

Goals for the day:
1. Exercise with work out tape
2. Finish sorting through the piles on my desk so my office is done
3. Make a healthy grocery list and plan meals
4. Lot's of errands to run

Time to go accomplish something. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo



*****Added at 8:53pm*******

Today has gone pretty well. I have been busy all day and have managed to tie up a few loose ends. So I feel like I have accomplished some things and didn't even realize that I wasn't really eating. Well that is except a few hunger paigns here and there. Now that is a new feeling, but a much better alternative to being overstuffed.

I missed my mid-morning snack becuase I was so busy and the kids got out of school early that I didn't notice it was almost lunch time. My salad at lunch was a little smaller than planned because I had to run out the door to make an appointment. I am so proud of myself because I went and picked up a few items at two stores that had food and didn't even pick up a small candy bar or anything else that I could quickly nibble on. Of course, when I got home, I was hungry so I ate my mid-afternoon snack. Back out the door again for some more errands before the night was over. Supper consisted of a lean hamburger on bun, corn and a few tater tots, all served on a small plate. Not the best choice, but I have done good all day and I didn't go back for seconds. I think I need to prepare a few nutritious meals and freeze them for days that are too hectic.

As for my goals of the day, I got all my errands done and then some, finished going through the stacks in my office (yeah!!), and did some exercise. I did a brisk walk around the house (the downstairs rooms form a circular path) for 15 minutes and did a few step aerobics on the stairs instead of doing the work-out video. I was just very busy, but that is okay, because I was still making an effort at intentional exercise. (Gotta get that treadmill working) I still have to make that grocery list since we will need groceries sooner or later.

Oh yeah, I forgot, I bought the One a Day Weight Smart vitamins and started them today. I compared them to the Women's vitamins and they are very close except the Weight Smart has a few more minerals and vitamins added.

Today I felt great and looking forward to tomorrow being better!!!! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

I just wanted to say Welcome! :wave2:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Welcome to WISH Lesli! :goodvibes Good luck in your journey!!!

Gail

[pearlieq]

Welcome and good luck!

So what happens to all of the other halves of the toast? :teeth:

[Lesli54]

Third day and I am still dedicated to sticking this out. I have gone longer, but I think just the fact that I know there are people reading and understanding what I am doing makes a HUGE difference. Support is a great thing! Also, I want to say thank you to the many who have welcomed me to WISH. *****The other halves of toast? Usually one of the children will eat them, but the other day, I did only toast half a slice. Now if dat dudn't sounds like we is jus so po'. :rotfl2: *****

We all make choices in life and I am making the choice and the DECISION to follow this to the end. I got to bed about 11:30pm last night because my mother and aunt were down for an overnigh visit. But other than that I felt great yesterday and didn't cheat! Yeah! :cheer2:

I am late with the journaling today because I was up early (nice change of pace) to go spend time with my mom. So I took a little time this morning, while getting ready, to pamper myself a little. Very rarely do I get much time to myself in the mornings before the kids have to be up for school or work, so I took advantage. I can say that it at least helped with my spirits and is keeping me positive.

For breakfast: 7 grain slice of toast w/ light spread of Jelly and 6 oz grapefruit juice. Didn't have time for much else because I took the time to pamper. Sometimes, you just have to take time for yourself.

I ate brunch with my mom and aunt. I had an omelet (about 2 eggs since didn't eat it all) with green pepper, onion and a little ham; hashbrowns (were not greasy, but only ate half), and 3 half slices of wheat toast. Plus a cup and a half of hot tea. I almost ate to the point of being too full, but remembered to quit and next time, I think I will make a different selection because it is truly too much food to eat.

Since I ate earlier, I am not going to eat anything more until the mid-afternoon snack which will be light yogurt. That should get me back on track.

Dinner tonight: Broccoli/Chicken Ring (chicken breast, broccoli, peppers, garlic, dill, little cheese, and just enough mayo to bind ingredient, baked inside a thin layer of crescent roll dough). Most of it is veggies and chicken; the breading is actually thin and very little of it. I will serve this with a mixed green salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers.

My goals for the remainder of the day:
1) exercise to a video or stair step
2) sort through pictures to start scrapbooking
3) catch up on email
4) work on online class
5) Sew on GS patches

I am taking a relaxing day today (but still staying busy, so no munching) because I have not really had one for a few months and it just seems so peaceful around here at the moment. Of course, that will change when DS2 wakes up and DH and DD15 come home from work.

Time work on projects. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[luvmydogs]

You can do it, Lesli! :hug: :hug: :hug: I went from 235 to 125-127 using portion control and exercise--it can be done, sweetie!

I wish you all the best as you begin your journey to a healthier, fitter you! We're behind you all the way! :grouphug:

[Lesli54]

To luvmydogs - Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Sharing the weight that you started at and where you have ended (a place I would love to be, but for now 150 is good) is the first time that I have actually FELT like someone else really knows what I am talking about when I say how much I want to lose. Most of the people I know that are my size won't admit it (which is common) so I never felt completely like someone else is where I am at. I know alot people are, including people on this board (who have been GREAT by the way), but sometimes you just have to hear it.

You have touched my heart and have given me more than hope that I will get there. Thank you so much. (Getting weepy now, so better get serious, I almost burnt dinner a minute ago.) ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[luvmydogs]

Oh, Lesli, you're giving me a toothache, you're so sweet! :flower:

Well, woman, if it's inspiration you need from someone who's been where you are, then I'm gonna give it to you! :wizard:

In October of 2002, I was 35 yrs. old and weighed 235--I'm 5'6 with a large frame, and was in a (very!) tight size 24. I was in denial, I should've been a 26. I was so uncomfortable in my own body--always out of breath, constantly sweating, avoided social situations, etc... and had high BP, cholesterol & triglycerides, and was borderline diabetic. My mom had a heart attack at 60, and my father had a stroke at 49--can we say heredity?!!! I knew I had to do something, I was at rock bottom.

I began exercising slowly, 3x a week, using WATP tapes, barely being able to complete one mile without falling over. I worked up to 6x a week, upping my mileage to four miles in a few months. I'm a picky-eater vegetarian, so I decided to use portion control and increased the nutritional value of my meals. I lost @ 20 pounds by January. I then found out I needed surgery for a bleeding ulcer. Well, for the entire month of February, I could only drink fat free, sugar free liquids and pureed food until my stomach healed, so I found myself down 30 pounds. With the 30 pound loss came much greater mobility and stamina, so I decided to increase the intensity of my workouts. I started using The FIRM, and although I couldn't do a lot of the exercises the tape's *beginner* exerciser was doing, I just kept going. I so often felt discouraged because there were so many times I just couldn't keep up, but I forced myself to just do what I could. My eating went fairly well--some weeks I'd stay completely OP, some weeks I'd cheat a lot! I had to learn that if I had a bad day, week, whatever...I just had to start fresh the next day--no reprisals or recriminations! I had several terrible plateaus, two that lasted @ three weeks! I'd have a perfect week exercise and diet-wise, and I gain and lose the same two pounds every few days--it drove me crazy. I had to keep thinking "don't give up, don't give up..." Well, 15 months, many tears, and much hard work later, I had lost 110 pounds and was a size 6. My BP, cholesterol, tri. and sugar are all now normal! I exercise 6 days a week and I feel great! I'll be honest, though--for me, maintaining is more difficult than losing! I had one relapse last summer/fall, when I let myself gain 15 pounds. I had to get it together and lose it again, or I just knew I'd let all the weight come back on. I think we all know about yo yo dieting! I have to be even extra careful now--I never want to go through the lose/gain/lose syndrome again! After (and during) those 15 months, I was often emotionally and physically exhausted--I don't know how many times I cried and wanted to quit. But I will tell you from the bottom of my heart that it was all worth it! I'm 38 and in the best shape of my life. Last year, my then-19 year old neighbor told his mom I was "a hottie!" Who? Me? :hyper:

Don't let anything discourage you, Lesli! WISH is wonderful! You will get so much encouragement and support no matter what program you're on, and if you have any questions, there's usually someone here to answer them! Feel free to join any of the challenges that are here, too. They're great motivators for many people!

I really know where you are, honey, and I know how great you'll look and feel at 150--YOWZA!!! :cool1: I am the cliche' "If I can do this, anyone can!" If you get a chance, have a talk with ZerasPride (her name is Lisa). She's lost over 100 pounds too, and is a true inspiration to all of us--she's a great lady! We're here for you, Lesli, always know this! :hug: :hug: :hug:

*edited to correct a date.

[Lesli54]

To luvmydogs - Thanks for sharing your story. There were alot of similarities in your story as there is in mine. People who understand (gotta love this board)! YEAH!!!! :banana:

I realized that I haven't told everyone too much about me, so here goes everyone.

I will be 38 this year and plan to go into my 40's looking GREAT! I have four children (DD17, DD15, DD7, and DS2). Lucky for me, DH and I own a business where I can work at home and be available for my family. That does have its downsides, but I wouldn't change it. When I was 35 in 2002, I was pregnant with DS and was borderline for gestational diabetes. That was scary and I went on a very well balanced diet with 6 small meals through the day to keep everything level. It worked great and I felt great. In fact I had many weeks that I lost weight, which made the nurses mad, but since I was already overweight the doctor wasn't concerned. I had planned to stay with the diet after DS was born but the blood sugar levels went back to normal and I fell back into some bad habits.

My grandmother (father's side) has been overweight for my whole life and now has problems with walking (been coming on for years; dr told her to lose weight). There are days when my feet hurt alot and it scares me to think I couldn't walk one day. Most of the family on my dad's side has high blood pressure, so I don't want to add to that, especially when mine has always been very good. My mother looks like she is always tired and many times doesn't look good for her age. I don't want that for myself.

Mainly, I am tired of being tired and finding excuses to put off everything. When I think back to the days before this last major weight gain (granted, I wasn't pregnant), I was very active, decisive, didn't procrastinate on much at all, wasn't tired, loved the way I looked and felt. So what is the key?........to stay active or busy and get back to make priorities count!

My BIG wakeup call has been the milestones that are occuring in the next few months to few years. DD17 graduates in 8 weeks, my 20th class reunion is this year, DD15 will be driving (that's 2 down), DH and I will be married 10 years next year, and the BIG 40 is just around the corner. When I visioned all of these things, I did not see the person in the mirror, but the person I was. Then I realized, that only I can make that happen. I want to be the person in their 50's that feels great and has energy, so I need to start now (Oprah is a great example). The really big incentive is that DH hit 50 and if I get to looking really good then everyone will wonder how he picked up such a young thing. :rotfl2:

Well that is a the jist of my story and more reasons why I want to see the weight gone and become a big LOSER (never thought I would say that about myself). ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

You can do this because YOU want it! WE will be here every step of the way! :grouphug:

[Lesli54]

Well, here we go again. Day 4 and the week is half over. I weighed myself today and haven't lost anything, but at least I haven't gained it either. It's funny, because when I look in the mirror I think my face looks thinner. Probably wishful thinking but I will take what I can get.

Yesterday was definitely a "relaxing day". I didn't get my exercise in (not good), but I did stay busy. The food intake went according to plan except the 2 Girl Scout cookies that I ate at 10pm with a small glass of milk. I wasn't hungry, but was very tired and I think that I was trying to find a "pick me up" instead of listening to my body and going to bed. On the plus side, I have had GS cookies sitting all over the house for two weeks, picked up another load Friday, and I have ONLY HAD 3! Now that is progress!

Today, I got up earlier and started Dr. Phil's 14-Day Rapid Start Diet. What diet? It's well balanced meals, only I have to make some reasonable adaptions because our store doesn't carry everything called for in the plan. Go to a different store? Could, but we own it so I try to make do as often as possible. At any rate, everyone in the family was required to sit down for breakfast and of course there were grumblings. DD17 don't eat breakfast, DD15 wanted to sleep more, and DH didn't want to eat before his 2hr drive (like it was much food or too sugary). Also, he was going to sabatoge my menu with BACON! How do you get the family to work with you?

Breakfast was: 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 serving of cream of wheat or oatmeal (we don't have grits in our store, as meal plan wanted), strawberries, 1c of milk and tea (the kids had juice) Doesn't seem like a lot, but it tasted good.

Mid-morning Snack: light yogurt
Lunch: Seared tuna salad and a fresh pear
Mid-afternoon snack: veggies (supposed to have fresh guacamole, but we don't have avacados)
Dinner: Roasted chicken, asparagus, and squash (I think I can do that)

Wow........1200 calories.........my body might go into shock!

Goals for the day:
1) exercise for 1/2 hour to work out tape
2) get some work done
3) work on online class
4) spring clean my bedroom

My biggest battle is going to be DH. He has weight to lose as well and really should since we noticed recently that his BP was too high. Don't get me wrong, he supports me, but only if it doesn't effect him. He wants his sandwich before bed and his ice cream laden with butterscotch. Also, I cannot get him off the diet pepsi which he drinks like water. Got him to switch to diet (big battle) a few years ago and he lost weight, but now has gained it back. My other problem is that he is at the store all the time and will many times grab the chips rather rather than the fruit or veggies and most often when he comes home he is not really hungry for a good meal. Some days it is hard to work around food. What do I do? ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo



*****Added at 9:35am*******
SOMEONE AT THE YOGURT!!!!!! :eek:
I went to grab my snack and someone at the last light yogurt!! Would they say anything so that I could have gotten more yesterday? Nooooooooooo! No matter how hard you try there is always a sabatoger. Guess that's called having children. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Well yesterday turnded out to be a bad day. Things started off great, but after the yogurt came up missing it all went down hill. Just a coincidence, not blaming the yogurt.

I grabbed a small handful of rasins and peanuts in place of the yogurt. DH and DD7 went away for the day and DD17 went to work. All the sudden, I had a meal I was going to prepare for lunch and most were gone. Then unexpected compnay shows so I didn't get lunch on time anyway. Not a big problem, but by the time they were gone I was just ready to grab some leftovers. So I at 1 1/2 servings of the Chicken/Broccoli Ring and a salad. Should have had more salad and less of the other. Next I started getting perturbed that my family wasn't as into my diet plans as I am and it got to me. Couple that with the fact that my mom and aunt are trying to buy a house closer, found one and now they are dealing with unreasonable sellers. I have been waiting for them to move closer for years so it bummed me out. I grabbed 2 GS cookies and about 4 Doritos (I don't even like that kind). Then DS2 wasn't feeling well, DH came home not feeling well and I was kind of "iffy". I am sure that it is the weather because it keeps going to extremes from day to day. Needless to say I just didn't feel up to exercise and didn't really feel like tackling my "goals for the day". So by the time supper came, I didn't care and ordered pizza. I ate 3 slices (better than normal, but still) and had 2 glasses of pepsi (not normal either). To top it off, I forgot to do laundry. How do you do that? So I was up past midnight trying to get laundry done before school this morning. A BAD BAAAAAD Day. :sad2:

I read a post last night by Zeraspride in which she commented that cheating is not about the food you sneak or choose to eat, but rather about the promise you broke to yourself when you chose to commit to losing weight. Funny, I am an intelligent person and I never though of it that way but it is true. So I know that today, I just need to keep plugging away.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS........I LOST 1.5 LBS.........YEAH!!! :cheer2: :cheer2:

Yesterday, I hadn't lost anything and then I have a bad day, yet still manage to lose. Must have been water retention. I didn't eat great yesterday, but I did eat significantly less than on "normal bad days". I won't argue with it because it feels like I am 10lbs lighter. Gotta take what you can get.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/ sprinkle cheese, grapefruit juice, and 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly

Am snack: 1 banana
Lunch: salad and left over slice of Chicken/Broccoli Ring
Pm snack: yogurt
Supper: Roasted Chicken as planned on last nights menu

Tomorrow I will get back to Dr. Phil's plan

Todays goals:
1. Run a few errands
2. Exercise for 30 minutes to work out tape

It's a slightly busy day, so I don't know what else I will be able to fit in and will play by ear. Oh yeah, I made it to Mouseketeer!! :cheer2: Time to go conquer! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pettyone]

Congrats on your loss!!! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

We're all about "baby steps" here...every day that you're committed to "your program" is another day where you will be healthier than the day before...that is an accomplishment!

Thank you so much for your honesty in your journals...there's no denial there!!

:grouphug:

Welcome to WISH!!

[Lesli54]

To Pettyone - Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I think that being truly honest in my journal is what is keeping me honest to myself in weight loss plan. It is definitely helping me become more aware of what I am eating, when and why. No more denying anything, because it just doesn't get you to where you are going. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

It took time for the weight to go on and it is going to take time to get it off.. The thing I love about my journal is even if I goof I have the support to keep moving forward!!! And that is what you have to do... Move forward!!

Congrats on the loss! :cheer2:

[Lesli54]

Another day down and sticking to the plan (mostly). Yesterday was busy trying to tie up loose ends and I almost forgot to eat the afternoon snack. I had to leave town and really contemplated skipping the snack, but I was hungry and afraid that I would pick up something I shouldn't while I was out. So I grabbed a yogurt at the store before leaving town and sat in the parking lot and ate it. Sounds silly, but I stuck with my plan and that is what counts. As it turned out, I wasn't able to get back home in time to make the roasted chicken dinner that I had planned. What to do, what to do? Here's an idea, I stopped at a grocery store and picked up a rotisserie chicken (that's close), then I finished off the meal at home with green beans w/ onion and a very nice mixed salad and veggies. Not quite what was planned, but very similar, low cal, and nutritional. Chalk one up for me, because as I see it, I still stuck with the plan even if I had to adjust a little. Usually on those days I would say lets do hamburgers, tacos, spaghetti, mac & cheese or pick up some take out. But not this time. :flower:

The things I didn't follow through on were: not exercising for as long as planned and last night I had 1c. popcorn (not microwave, no butter or salt) and 2 GS cookies. The popcorn wasn't too bad, but I didn't need the cookies, especially since it wa 10pm when I had those. But I did go to bed at 10:37pm and actually got some decent sleep. Not a bad day, but could tweak it a little.

Today, I woke up earlier than normal and sat down to breakfast with the kids instead of letting them eat cereal as I gathered their stuff for school. I really enjoyed it. Oh yeah, I did do some stretch exercises this morning.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/ onion and sprinkle cheese, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 2 strawberries, and 1c. milk (I really hate milk)

Menu for rest of day
am snack: 1 banana
lunch: 1 slice chicken/broccoli ring and salad (gotta finish the leftovers)
pm snack: 1 oz cheese, 4 crackers, carrots
supper: I don't know.......We have to attend a potluck dinner. But I am making a point to choose wisely when I go through the line and will not overfill my plate. I might have a SMALL piece of dessert, but if it is a table full of chocolate (as it has been lately), then I will pass.

Goals for the day:
1. get some work done for the business
2. exercise this afternoon
3. sew on GS patches late evening
4. work on online class.

By the way, I have been doing really good at taking my vitamins daily. Usually by now, I forget about them and take them every few days then next thing I know, I forget about them all together. However, they sit on my desk next to where I set my water so it is much easier to remember. Time to get the rest of the day started. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

Great job on the "quick" meal! I am proud of you! :cheer2:

[Lesli54]

Sarahsmom73 - Thanks for the support on my meal choice.

I am beginning to lose track of the days, but I think as of tomorrow, I have been working on my program for 1 WEEK. Great news.......I lost another 2.5lbs, which makes a total of 4lbs lost! :cheer2: :cheer2: I told DH today and he said "way to go mom" and gave me a 'High 5'. That is encouragment in itself.

Yesterday went alright, except for a small slip up in the afternoon. I decided to add some leftover green beans to lunch, since I didn't want to be too hungry at the potluck dinner. That was great, but then I ate 4 GS cookies and a couple of Doritos (they are out of the hose now) in the afternoon. There is the slip up. So I didn't eat my healthy snack because I wasn't hungry. I think I fell back towards old habits because I took some time to myself to relax, watch a show, and work on a puzzle book. Looks like I need to reprogram my thinking of food when I relax a bit............. But the good news is that I made it through the potluck dinner and didn't overstuff myself! :cheer2: I stuck to my plan and chose wisely (as best you can when potlucks are always loaded with calories), added a few veggies, had some "white space" on the plate and skipped the desserts altogether. I figured my cookie nibble was enough dessert for one day. There was CHEESECAKE :scared1:.........and I passed it up, didn't even take a bite of hubby's. :banana:

So today is another day and looks like it might be a good one.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 c. hot tea (gotta get more grapefruit juice)

I was so excited about losing the weight that I ALMOST made two scrabled eggs. Why do we want to reward weight loss with more food? But stuck to the plan and ate only one. Who ever thought that you could actually eat just one egg (especially scrambled) and be content?

Am snack: 1 apple
Lunch: taco salad (leftover from potluck, very small portion)
PM snack: carrots and celery
Supper: the family can finish all leftovers, including the pizza, so I'll have roasted chicken and some veggie. (I have to clear out the fridge and quick so I can load it with more healthy stuff.)

Goals for the day:
1. bookwork
2. online class caught up
3. exercise
4. catch up my GS paperwork
5. start that spring cleaning on my bedroom

Gotta go get busy and lose some more! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[lmhall2000]

Girl!!! You can SOOO do this!!! Don't forget to measure weekly...even if the scale isn't moving those inches will! You're right about cheating...it's really breaking a promise to ourselves...sister, let's insert a little pinkie promise in here and help each other stick to that promise!! :)

For me, it is easier to give up a little at a time...if I vowed off all things I love (junk food, chocolate chips, stuff like that) I knew I would binge out of frustration...so I gave up two things - french fries and white bread...that means for 100 days I CAN NOT have a value meal ANYWHERE! :) And it's alot easier to remember 2 things not to eat than 50! :) I give myself semi-sweet chocolate chips when I'm really craving something sweet...only 10 at a time and usually only 3-4 times a week.

After my 100 days of french fries and bread are up then I'll switch to no chips/diet sodas...I've only had about 15 cheetos over the last 6 weeks..but really, did I NEED them???? :)

And we're planning a trip to England/Ireland next April!!! You'll have to tell me where you're staying!!!! I've been there once and know a little bit but never with my children...we're doing 5 days London and 4 days Ireland...would love to hear about it! :)

We're here for you!!! Anytime you think of a cheat....go look at that dream outfit you want to wear at GOAL!!! I have 3 outfits hanging in my closet! :) Can't wait to fit into them! :)

Tara

[luvmydogs]

Oh Lesli! Congratulations on the four pounds gone, and on the *wonderful, responsible choices* you made--that's what it's all about! CHEESECAKE... :scared1: Good for you, sweetie--you're just jammin' and I'm so proud of you! :hug:

:cheer2: GOOOOOOO LESLI!!! :cheer2:

[sarahsmom73]

Great job! :cool1:

[Lesli54]

First of all, thank you guys for your words of encouragement! And I am vowing to stick the plan!! :banana: :banana: I will most definitely report back on our (me and DD17, only) trip to England. We are only doing a week, but it is better than nothing.

I thought that today was my official weekly weigh-in and measurement, but when I looked up my fitness chart, it was yesterday. So I put down yesterday's weight and quickly measured today. Not alot of change, but the BMI index is moving. :cheer2: Obviously, a week went by faster than I realized, which is good. :flower:

Yesterday was a pretty good day. Again, I worked through my AM snack. I really need to watch the clock more, because I was hungry late last night......But I didn't eat anything!!!! I did have carrots for the afternoon snack, but was hungry and grabbed a small handful of raisins and peanuts. I ALMOST went for the cookies........but I have decided that if I want a cookie then it HAS TO BE on my plan for the day or I don't get it. Otherwise, I am afraid I will continue to snitch. After all this weight loss is a decision and decisions are planned. Supper was leftovers and pretty well cleared out the fridge (my family saved me). I had some rotisserie chicken, green beans, and a small amount of corn pudding (has egg, corn bread mix, corn, too much margarine, and sour cream; thank God it's gone). Everything was on a small plate, so I did pretty good. Normally, I would have gone for the pizza but I chose to eat healthier.

Today started out well:
Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/onion (accidentally put in too much salt, ick :crazy: ), 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1c. hot tea.

Am Snack: Apple
Lunch: leftover taco salad (small plate)
Pm Snack: Yogurt and celery
Supper: Homemade Chili (gotta clean out the freezer; I will NOT eat 3 bowls)
Treat before 7:30pm: 1 lc fudge bar (9g carb, 35 cal - maybe planning a treat every now and then will help with the "cookie problem")

Hubby has been working on getting the treadmill going!! :love: Also, the days are getting nicer and I can start walking outside in the morning and maybe bike riding in the evening. Or the other way around. Also, on Monday, I will start back at Curves because I really need that discipline to get back in the exercise routine. I think I will switch to a closer Curves though that have opened since I first started (gas prices, ouch.)

Goals today:
1. Bookwork
2. Errands and meeting (plus prep)
3. 15 minutes doing steps
4. GS Patches to sew (have lots)
5. Stay off the DIS

Since my DVC points are now fully rented, I am going to make a point to only visit the DIS once a day so that I have enough time to get other things done. I love it here, but I want to lose weight more and am tired of being behind on some things.

I feel really good today, so time to take advantage of that. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo



********Added at 10pm*********

Today was a really good day! I had quite a bit more energy and actually felt "awake" for most of the day. Not walking around tired and just existing. It is obviously the fact that I am not overstuffing myself. I tend to dance from room to room now and have been doing little happy dances before I sit back down in my office. Sounds silly, but it sure does keep the spirits up and is more movement then just sauntering from place to place.

I did good on water, but probably could have had another glass, which I might before going to bed. Also, I have noticed that my feet aren't hurting much. I think that has more to do with the right vitamins and drinking enough fluids, because I have noticed that my wrists, ankles, and feet don't swell up anymore. It's not the weight loss, because I have weighed a little less and things hurt then. So I'm leaning towards the vitamins and the extra boost of water beyond my normal intake, which is alot. Whatever it is, I'll take what I can get!

GREAT NEWS! I didn't nibble, I didn't cheat, I didn't feel the need for sugar or any other junk. :banana: :cheer2: :banana: :cheer2:

The food plan went good. I actually got my AM snack, but then I worked through my PM snack. It didn't matter much since I ate a little too much taco salad at lunch (wasn't alot, but I felt full) and really wasn't hungry for a snack. I had supper a little late, due to a meeting that I had to attend, but I only had 1 bowl of chili and too many saltines with butter (can't remember how many, I didn't count). Actually, I ate significantly less for supper but I was full. Guess my stomach is shrinking. ;)

The sad part is, or maybe it is good. Yeah, it's good. I had planned a treat and I didn't even want it. Wasn't hungry and didn't FEEL like eating it. :flower: In fact, let's take that one step further. My DD17 just got into the GS cookies and I told her that I had no craving for them!! Am I cured now? :rolleyes1

Did accomplish most of my goals, but still need to get in more exercise. Although, I have noticed I am bouncing up the stairs now or taking a few minutes to do a little "dance" on the stairs. Mainly it is because I am happier and feel better and might as well get the body moving somehow.

Well, it's almost bedtime. I have finally "caught up" on sleep and have not been staying up late for almost a week. Now I am noticing that I sleep much better and am beginning to wake earlier without any grogginess. Next goal is to get out of bed when I first wake. Talk to you all tomorrow. Good night. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

Great Job !!! :cheer2: If you are cured, please share with me! I know i ma not cured! :rotfl2:

[Lesli54]

Today has started out pretty good, other than the fact that I forgot to send DD7's lunch to school. I didn't get up when I first woke, like I had planned, because DS had crawled in to bed with us early this morning and I took advantage of snuggling. That won't happen much longer, so I thought it was a good excuse. I did however get up ealier than my norm and got quite a few things done before the kids went to school (except for that lunch). :rolleyes1

I didn't get my breakfast right away, because I was busy doing other things and then ran a few errands after I dropped of DD7 at school. I even had my grocery shopping done by 9am. Now that is amazing! I did great in the store, went with list in hand and the couple of things that I did pick up that weren't on the list were either paper products or healthy foods. I am soooooooo proud of myself. :cool1: I even made it down the pasta and cereals aisle and didn't really think twice about NOT grabbing half of the quick foods. Remember this was all before I ate breakfast, so I am starting to rethink things. I spent alot of time in the produce aisle. The last aisle was frozen foods, pop, chips, and bread. I stopped and looked at the freezer cases and then thought to myself "why am I even stopping, there isn't anything here that I need or want". So I moved on to grab the 7 grain bread and got out of that aisle! :moped:

This weight loss plan is going to work this time, I can really feel it.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/ jelly, and 6 oz grapefruit juice (I have my juice back!).
AM snack - yogurt
Lunch - Seared Tuna Salad
PM snack - Guacomole (we had avacados!) and veggies
Supper - Herb Roasted Chicken, Asparagus (we had fresh!), and salad (didn't have fresh squash, as the plan called for)

I am not really going anywhere today, so I should be able to get a good start on Dr. Phil's meal plan. I'm so excited!! :cheer2:

Checking out of the grocery store was great, because you could smell all the fresh fruits and veggies. So much more appealing than boxed anything. I am looking forward to meals that have real flavor!

Goals for the day:
1. Bookwork
2. Catch up on GS paperwork
3. Work out to tape or take a walk when kids get home
4. Do my class work
5. Clean a few rooms

I'm doing good at keeping busy. Also, I measured exactly how much water my glass holds with ice cubes and even though I drink a lot of water all day, it looks like I need to make sure that I get at least 5 1/3 glasses to meet the minimum daily. I usually do about 3-4 and sometimes more, but now I know I need to bump it up.

By the way, why did the Smilies change? I liked the other group better and don't like looking them up. Time to finish the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Okay, I admit, I was REALLY BAD yesterday. Things were going great, then after the AM snack it just fell apart. DH went out of town on a day trip and it threw off my routine a little, but I can't really blame my downfall on that because I usually adjust pretty well to changes. That and we are not so dependent upon each other that we can't do our own thing from time to time. So that wan't really the problem. I had a new cousin find me through my genealogy research!! That was great news, but I stayed on the computer too long exchanging and sharing information. Was that the problem? In some ways yes and some no. I was keeping busy which was good, but I think that the extra INACTIVITY triggered some bad habits. Now, I spend alot of time on the computer for work, research, classes, and non-profit organizations that I am involved in. But, I think the difference since I have started my Plan is that I have been making a point to get up and walk away from the computer every so often for a break, to regroup, and for some added movement. THAT'S IT!! ::yes:: ::yes:: I didn't make the extra effort or take the extra time to dance around the house. Priority one - Get up and MOVE TO THE GROVE! :banana: :banana:

Now that I have that figured that out.....I fell into some bad habits and told myself that I didn't have time to prepare proper meals. Inactivity will do that and you can rationalize anything. So for lunch I polished off the remaining taco salad (wasn't much left at all) and I ate 3 crackers later. Now that's not too bad, but it was off plan and I just got that thought "well, I already strayed so why even bother sticking to the plan today." ..........OH, HOW DANGEROUS.......SUCH A TREACHEROUS PITFALL..........So, I ate 2 GS cookies, then later decided to have that lc fudge bar (they are really disgusting :sick:, so I threw it out), and I had 2 more GS cookies instead. By now, I have lost my way and have told the family that we can scratch tonight's menu and order Pizza Hut. DD17 and her boyfriend were more than willing to go get it. Supper's taken care of, but now I was beginning to feel guilty. Old habits creeping in......Solve it with food. I ate 4 small slices of pizza (could have had more) and two were taco, loaded with Doritos. The food didn't work, I was still feeling guilty. In fact, I have not felt so guilty in a long long time. I cheated on myself! How could I do that? :confused3

The good news is that I didn't drink any pop and had more than the required daily amount of water. :jumping1:

Needless to say, I felt very guilty this morning and was worried about how much weight I had added on. Also, I noticed that I slept later than the last few days and didn't feel energized. Those "off plan" foods can really do a number on you. It's 9:35am and I think I am finally past the guilt. I had to go cheer on a few others and realized that I just need to see this through. If I back down know, it's over. The great news.......I didn't gain anything, but that may be because I kept up my water intake and didn't completely over indulge in the portions yesterday.

So today.......Back to Dr. Phil's plan
Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 c. cream of wheat (don't have any grits), 1c. milk, 1c. cup hot tea, and 8 grapes (forgot to buy strawberries)

The rest of the menu today is the same as yesterday's plan since I didn't follow through. I WILL stay on plan today, oh mighty one! :worship:

Goals of the day:
1. 30 minutes on the treadmill
2. Organize a few things in my office
3. Sort a box of pictures to get that old closet looking better
4. Sew GS patches
5. Stay on plan

To those of you reading, Thanks for listening. The BEST NEWS is that I am still here! :cool1:

Time to tackle the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[luvmydogs]

Hi Lesli! :flower3:

Oh, girl, if I had a nickel for every time I went Off Program, I could *buy* WDW and take all the Dis'ers with me!!! :teeth: It happens to all of us, but you did the most important thing--you put it behind you, got back OP and moved on! Good for you! It can be so easy to allow little slip-ups to derail us from reaching our ultimate goals. I know many times I had to literally talk myself into continuing with my diet and exercise routines after having a bad off program day--I figured, "Why bother? I messed up, I'm a big failure and I'll never get to goal." But like I tell my ds9: Failure is not falling down, but refusing to get back up again. :)

You did a great job handling your off-day, Oh Mighty One! :worship: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: (you've got a great sense of humor, Lesli!)

Have a lovely Sunday! :sunny:

[Lesli54]

Kim - Thanks for the encouragement. You're right, failure is actually giving up all together. Too bad you didn't get enough money to buy WDW and take us all with. That would have been fun! :rotfl2:

Well, I stayed on plan, Oh Mighty One! :worship:

Yesterday was a pretty good day. The PM snack was changed a little because I realized that I didn't pick up all the ingredients for that guacomole. So I ate carrots. Then later I got hungry and realized that supper was after 7pm (DH and DD17 get home from work) so I ALMOST grabbed the GS cookies. Instead I ate about 1oz hard cheese and 4 small crackers, just enough to "tie me over". Is that cheating? I mean, I didn't eat all that I was supposed to for snack. Lunch and dinner went well with most of the family. Little kids just don't know what they are missing. We had corn instead of a salad for supper, it was supposed to be squash, but we didn't have any and I decided to go for a colorful plate (didn't want to overdo the salad at every meal or my family will boycott. Salad at lunch was enough.) And who would have imagined that Asparagus tasted good? Even DD17, was commenting last night how good she felt all day. DH didn't complain, because anytime that I cook a "real" meal and he doesn't have to fix something quick, he is happy. I also noticed that he didn't go for his usual syrup laden ice cream or extra sandwich before bed. Maybe there is hope for him. :rolleyes1

So the food was fine yesterday........Except........about 1 1/2 hours after supper I was hungry and more so than before supper. DD17 had the same problem. Is asparagus like chinese food? Of course she went and had some grapes and a mini pizza and told me she was growing and didn't have to worry about not eating (size 6 dress she is). I said that I was going to waste away and she asked if that isn't what I wanted. Quick, what to do? The GS cookies are calling. So I ate about 1Tbsp of almonds. Not on the list, but I was hungry. It didn't work. I told her I had drank all my water for the day and in order to get past this I would have to drink another glass and a half, but I thought that if I did that I would drown! :rotfl2: She just laughed. Quick, what to do? Found a solution! :idea: A nice cup of hot tea! Actually, that worked really well, had no calories, very little caffeine, and relaxed me through the hunger. Sorry Dr. Phil, I had to have something.

The good news is.......I lost 1 lb.!!!! :banana: :banana:
Got my first 5 lb clippie!! :cheer2: :cheer2:
Signed up for a few challenges to keep me on track!! :dancer:

Losing weight this way is fun!! On to today.
Breakfast - 1 scrambled egg w/ hint of cheese (we don't like Dr. Phil's Tex Mex eggs), 1/2 grapefruit, hot tea, 1/2 slice 7 grain w/jelly (I forgot to look ahead and make the bran muffins)

AM snack - banana smoothie
Lunch - Cauliflower soup, leftover chicken on salad greens
PM snack - yogurt
Dinner - Dijon Roasted Salmon, broccoli, carrots (that is unless DH takes me out to dinner, doesn't happen often)

Goals for day:
1) 45 minute treadmill
2) spring clean another room

DS is very crabby and whiny today, so I may not get much done beyond that. Time to go finish the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[kris1973]

Just wanted to pop in and say hello and thanks for visiting my journal. I read yours and sounds like your doing great. It is understandable to have a rough time....you just need to get back up and start again. Also remember to keep smiling.

Kristin

[sarahsmom73]

Congrats on the Clippie!! :cheer2: That is wonderful!

[Lesli54]

Thanks for the votes of confidence Kristin and Jen. You guys are great! :flower3:

I am now wondering where along the line I "lost" my life, because I got a good glimpse of it yesterday and felt like I wa getting it back. I felt great all day, not tired during the day at all! If fact, DD7 and I took a 3/4 mile walk in about 15 minutes, which I thought was pretty good considering that we stopped at every corner so she could decide which way we should go next. I would have loved to go further, but I slightly pulled the instep on my right foot and thought I better quit before I made it worse. It feels great now. Also, I walked around my yard for a little bit to look at the things trying to come up and cleaned out one of the beds a little. It is still a bit too nippy for me to go clean up everything. But it felt so good to be out and spend time with one of the kids (DS was napping, DD17 w/boyfriend, and DD15 working).

Well DS's crabbiness turned into Mom and Me time as he came down with a fever. He wouldn't let anyone else touch him for a good portion of the morning. So, we snuggled up on the couch and I worked on a puzzle book, just to keep myself busy. He didn't mind, he just wanted to be held. Actually, it was great (even though he was sick), because I didn't feel like falling asleep once we got all covered up with blankets. My mind was very alert, as opposed to days before the plan. It just amazing how eating better foods can change you so quickly. Only got about 10 minutes on the treadmill because of DS, but family comes first. Oh now I remember how I "lost" my life, it's called being MOM! :rotfl2: It's funny (and sad) how we focus so much attention on nuturing our loved ones that we forget to nurture ourselves.

DH has been supportive and told me he loves it when I cook, so right now he is getting very spoiled! :cloud9: :eek: I am enjoying the variety in meals and am having fun being a "gourmet", but it really takes alot of time out of your day. Hopefully, soon, I will see where I can save a little time and still prepare great "no box" dinners everyday (not just some). The cauliflower soup was okay, but bland, even with all the seasonings. I ate it, but won't make it again. The banana smoothie was pretty good, a little light on the banana flavor, but now I know how easy it is to have a snack and get in my milk (remember, I hate milk). Dinner.......well.........let's say, I was really psyched about trying the salmon (not a fish eater), had fun making it, it looked good, but I just didn't like it. You know I am serious about weight loss when I will try to eat fish. But I will find other ways! So, I ate all my veggies and then grabbed 2 slices of leftover pizza (bad, bad, bad :sad2: ) because I had to eat something and there really wasn't alot to choose from that wouldn't take 1/2 hour to prepare. So I drank extra water (80oz for day). DH loved the meal and plans to finish it for lunch. :love:

I am going to stick with the meal plan as much as possible, but will make a few adjustments for fish days and such. The main thing is that following this plan is "forcing" us to eat better and at least building a good habit that I can maintain later.

Breakfast: 1 yogurt, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly (didn't have time to make the granola), 1 c. grapefruit juice, and 2 slices of ham

AM Snack - apple
Lunch - Large salad w/ ceaser dressing. (Not having the chili in the menu because I will be gone part of the morning and no time to make)
PM Snack - 1/2 c. lf cottage cheese, carrots and other veggies
Dinner - Herbed Beef Tenderloin, peas, and cauliflower

Kids are home on break so it will be loud and hectic. I am planning to recruit them for spring cleaning. Only have 8 weeks before graduation, so I need to start now.

Plans for the day:
1. run errands
2. take a walk
3. find the rest of my exercise videos
4. play "catch up" on all my paperwork

Time to go take on the world. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Hi!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to catch up on your journal. I've read it all now and I must say that I love it! You're so open and honest and that's a great way to get through all this.

I'm so proud of you! You've made awesome choices and it sounds like you're learning to navigate through the slip-ups. You're doing so great--don't worry about a few ups and downs along the way. You've got a great plan for success and you can do it! :cheer2:

By the way--aren't the Girl Scout Cookies just evil! I finally had to pawn mine off on other people to get them out of the house!

[Lesli54]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Pearliq! Oh yes, those GS cookies might just be the root of all evil (at least when it comes to throwing off your plan). :rotfl2:

I am really late on journaling today, since I went and got my hair cut so that I could sport a new style and begin feeling like a new person when I look in the mirror. DH loves it :love: , which was a surprise because it hasn't been this short in 7-8 years probably. He loves my long hair (think Ariel, therefore my Avatar). It feels much lighter although it is not short and I think it will make losing more fun because I feel that I look better already. Still trying to get "before" pictures up and not having much luck.

Yesterday went really well in the first part of the day. When I ran my errands I parked way out in the parking lot so that I could walk further. Downtown, I parked right across the street from my destination (only spot available) and was tempted to run across, but instead I walked up to the cross walk and over. It only took an extra minute longer, but it was more exercise and I really felt like I was getting away with something. How dare a mom take an extra minute to enjoy walking to an errand! It's almost sinful. We spend so much time run around in our busy lives these days that I think we forget to enjoy living. So yesterday, I enjoyed it with confidence.

I also picked up a yoga mat to make exercising more comfortable. Almost went with the cheapest, but then remembered that you get what you pay for and if I am going to see this through then comfort would be a great motivator. I also picked up a Yoga and Pilates DVD, since I figured that it would help get things stretched out. Also, I am going to try Taebo. It looks like fun and DD17 said she would do it with me (she likes it). Oh yeah, and some 2lb weights. I'll go back for the others when I decide to increase the weight. Now that I have some "equipment" there is no reason why I can't get in some exercise. By the way, does anyone know what the marketing strategy is for putting big bags of chips on a center aisle display right next to the exercise equipment? I wasn't tempted, but I thought "how cruel that they want to sabatoge people at every turn". :rotfl2:

It was close to lunch when I headed out of town and I didn't stop at any fast food, because I had planned ahead that I would be home to eat a salad. :cool1: But I forgot to bring my water and so for the day I got behind by about 12oz. (note to self: have water in hand when headed out the door) and I forgot to take my apple with so I missed the AM snack. I forgot to buy the cottage cheese for the PM snack. Is this diet throwing my brain into a loop? So I ate less than 1/4c raisins and peanuts for my PM snack. MISTAKE! It set off the old habits and I grabbed 2 GS cookies. I really was thinking of buying more to get through the year, but I think I will be done after I finish feeding them to the kids and deal with their sugar high. :rotfl2:

Supper was good and I substituted the cauliflower (I'm getting tired of it) for stir fry veggies. I was full, but then came the downfall. :sad2: It is going to be the week of craving all the taboo food, if you know what I mean. I ate 2 more GS cookies, then decided to indulge in Bunny Tracks ice cream. I ate alot less than normal, which was good. But, it just doesn't taste as good as it did "before", I slept horribly, and woke up later this morning. It felt like I lost control and I didn't like it. I never noticed how much control I had given up before doing this plan. SO.....No more sweets until Easter where I will allow myself a small treat. I will get through the cravings somehow. :rolleyes1

On the plus side, I sat down with the girls and painted ceramic ornaments (after Christmas special from 2 years ago). It was fun and I forgot how much I enjoyed doing projects with them. DD7 and I walked to the store for groceries. I forgot to mention that I bought a pedometer, so it was almost a mile by the time we got back.

Today is almost over and going well. I have been tempted to scratch everything, but I know that now is the time to stick it out.

Breakfast - Mushroom & Tomato frittata, 1c milk, 2 strawberries, 1/2 c. hot tea
AM snack - 2 strawberries
Lunch - Tuna Salad wrap (it's a keeper)
PM snack - yogurt
Dinner - DH and I are having the healthy leftovers (portion controlled) and the kids? I don't know, but I thought they needed a break. They have been so good in trying everything. Tonight, was supposed to be a pork loin that servese 8 and I just can't keep storing all this leftover food. It doesn't make sense to keep throwing it out Dr. Phil.

Goals for the day:
1) try the new workout tapes
2) work on class project
3) sew more GS patches

Gotta get going. I have rambled more than enough. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

I stuck with the meal plan today. For supper, I had 1 slice beef tenderloin, 1/4 c. corn, and 1/3 c. stir fry veggies/peas and the last half slice of pizza (thin crust). Could have done without the pizza, but I didn't overstuff myself and was actually getting hungry around 9:30pm. So far, I have resisted the temptations and am doing great on water. :flower:

I didn't get around to trying out the workout tapes because I began to feel a little under the weather and took a nap. Now I have a sore throat coming on. It is snowing here and believe it or not the snow is coming from the Southeast. I have not seen it come from the east before. Usually it goes the other direction. So much for getting outside this week to clean up the yard.

I did sit down and paint with the girls again for a little bit. It is so nice to feel relaxed enough to do things with them. :cloud9:

Funny, I haven't seen Dr. Phil in quite a few weeks (too busy) and then finally got to see him today and guess what they were talking about? His weight loss challengers. By the time they were done with the show, I was determined again to keep working through and not to give up now. God must have thought I needed the extra boost. Also, everyone here on the boards has been wonderful and I know it has helped to keep me going now for 2 weeks! Thanks to all who are cheering me on. :rose:

Gotta go get some hot tea and read a little before I go to bed. It's been too long since I took time to do that. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

Lesi

Way to go to take time for yourself! :cool1: We ALL need to do that and don't! I hope you are feeling better today! :flower:

[Lesli54]

I didn't get in that hot tea and book last night because I realized I was just too tired. Learning to listen to your body is what it is all about, right? So I will schedule tea and book time for tonight. Still feel the cold coming on.

Does it tell you what kind of day you are going to have when you get up earlier, all ready to start a new workout tape, put the yoga mat (which is very comfy) on the floor, you start the tape and do a few stretches, then as you lay stetched out on your back (I'm thinking beached whale) waiting to move into the next exercise................THE POWER GOES OUT! pirate: ......It stayed out so I rolled up the mat. The battery backup on the computer didn't work well and had a constant whine. :badpc: Next thing you know DD7 and DS decide to get up earlier to. Then the power returns and I figure I will try exercising again. Roll at the mat, start the DVD.......The power goes out! pirate: pirate: AND the computer is freaking out again. :badpc: Everything comes back on and so briefly did I think about rolling out that mat........when the power went out. pirate: pirate: pirate: So I just decided that it was time to move on with the day and do my workout this afternoon. :rolleyes1

I need to go start breakfast as it seems the day has already slipped away.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/chives and cheese, strawberries, 1 c. hot tea, 1 c. milk, 1/2 bran cereal (didn't make the bran muffins)
AM snack: raw veggies and 1 oz. hard cheese
Lunch: Salad
PM Snack: 1 pear
Supper: Moroccan Chicken w/ veggies

Goals for the day:
1. Workout to my tape from this morning
2. Some house cleaning
3. Catch up on paperwork
4. Anything else that will keep me busy and not eating

Time to go start the day. Hope it goes better than earlier this morning. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[kris1973]

That is so funny with the power going out. I am sure it was a pain but some higher power was at work to keep you from working out lol. Sounds like your doing great with your meal plans. Wanna come to my house and fix mine? Keep up the good work.

Kristin

[pearlieq]

:rotfl2: Hopefully that's not some kind of omen!

You're doing great with your food choices and exercise!

Sending you some :wizard: so that cold doesn't catch you! Have a wonderful Easter!

[Lesli54]

Well, I am glad to know that my life can amuse some people and give them a good laugh for the day. ;) There was something stopping that workout and I best not question why. You guys are great! :banana:

I did pretty well yesterday. The veggies and cheese snack was a great change of pace. For lunch, I had a slightly smaller salad (although still good sized) and added about 1/2 a small bowl of chili. Then I managed to work through my PM snack. I just have to pay more attention to the clock. Supper, however, was changed because DH and most the kids went shopping and ate chicken for lunch. I didn't think they wanted chicken again. So we ordered pizza. I shouldn't have, but I was busy getting things done and couldn't think of something that would be quick and healthy. Mind was just too busy. Does that sound like an excuse? I think it is just being aware of what I really tend to do at times. I ate three small slices and I know I could have easily stopped at 2. That is a lot of progress in itself considering that I used to eat 4 large slices. After the holiday is over, I need to sit down and plan some meals that I can make up and freeze. That way when I am thrown off the plan or just too busy, I can pop them in the oven and still provide a nutritional, well rounded meal.

My water intake was great and I did get a lot of little things done. I also noticed last night that I am not looking for food late in the evening. That is a big plus.

I need to take the next couple of weeks to bump up my exercise and really get serious about it. The last 2 weeks have been spent mainly on portion control, better foods, more food awareness, and a slight increase in my daily water. It's been great! But now the only way that I am going to lose is with a better exercise regimen, so that will now be my main concentration. :cheer2:

DS still has a touch of something. Just now interrupted my breakfast so I could get him cleaned up and taken care of. Soggy cheerios leave a little to be desired.


Breakfast: 3/4 c. cheerios, 1/2 c. milk, banana, 4 oz grapefruit juice. (Didn't have enough eggs to follow the meal plan so I made sure I had fruit and watched the carb exchange 32.5g carb = just over 2 exchanges. Not bad.)

AM snack: yogurt (I will be on an errand, so I don't know how I will do this)
Lunch: broiled lean hamburger (4oz) no bun, salad, grapes
PM snack: 1/2 c. cottage cheese and veggies
Dinner: Thinking about the Moroccan chicken (it's supposed to be Halibut, but I just don't care for fish)

Goals for day:
1. Errands.......& TAKE THE WATER WITH :banana:
2. Map out a weekly exercise plan that I can follow :cheer2:
3. class work
4. try to finish up the spring cleaning so I can paint
5. Stay busy and away from the food. Busy gets things accomplished, food is only fuel to get them accomplished.

Well, I better go get a few more things done today. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[kris1973]

Wow your day made me tired just reading it. Your doing great just take it one day at a time. Once all the puzzle pieces fit your gonna start seeing more results. Thats kinda what I am doing.

Kristin

[pearlieq]

You did a great job handling the pizza last night! Every single step in the right direction is worth celebrating! :cool1:

[Lesli54]

Yesterday was a strange day and busy. Didn't get done all the things that I wanted, but it was busy.

I did remember to take the water with on the errands. :banana: But I found that I had a problem finding a snack on the road. (next time I will grab an apple from home). I looked on the checkouts for something and that was hard. I didn't want any choclate and tried very carefully to find something "decent". So I thought I would try one of those small Slim Jim cheese and sausage packs, knowing it wasn't the best choice, but it was better than nothing (or so I thought). Two bits and it went into the garbage. I would rather starve than eat one of those. :crazy: Amazingly, I found myself in front of aisles of Easter candy and didn't even crave any. I picked up a few small pieces for the children's baskets and I went to pick up a small Dove milk chocolate bunny for DH and I as a treat. Now you know I have been watching the my food intake too long when I turn the bunny over to read the label. :rolleyes1 I went into shock! :earseek: Those things are more evil than the GS cookies! So I compared it to a Dove choclate truffle egg (about the same size) and the truffle was about 1/2 the evil as the bunny. So the bunny bounced on back to the shelf. :Pinkbounc All I am looking for is a little treat not 10 extra pounds of indulgence.

It was close to lunch time when the errands were over and I had a hard time thinking about where to eat. Normally, I would run through McD's or somewhere similar and grab something with very little thought. I am beginning to realize that it is not easy eating on the road. We didn't have time for Applebee's or I would have done that. So DD15 and I were going to stop at Subway (I can get a fresh salad), when I realized that I didn't have but enough cash to feed one person. So we went home. I ate a Lean Cuisine Chicken Lo Mein (or something mein). Only 200 cal and 32 g carb. I was going to pair it with a salad, but the salad mix went bad on me and I didn't have enough fixings. So tried those SunMaid dried mixed fruits......YUCK! spit that out! Squishy dried fruit isn't my cup of tea, I guess.

I wasn't feeling well (normal at this time), so I rested. My PM snack was 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and small handful of raisins. I was going to make my dinner when I read the recipe and found out it called for sweet potatoes (I don't like) and a lot of brussel sprouts. :crazy: SCRATCH supper idea. Can you tell my food day wasn't going well? I settled for a 3oz hamburger (add the bun, becuase I am very hungry now), 1/3 c. corn and 6 tater tots (oven baked). Later I had 1/4 cup Grapenut Flakes (dry, just need some crunch), but could have done without.

I expected to have some cravings as it is that bad week, but I honestly haven't. So, I am thinking that I was just using the fact that I didn't feel up to par once a month as an excuse to eat poorly. Does that make sense? Yesterday would have gone much better in terms of eating if I had just planned better. Something to think about. The GREAT news is that I have not had any sweets for a few days and am waiting until my treat on Easter. :banana:

I did get up earlier to workout to tapes and was really getting going when the little ones woke. I probably got a good 45 minutes in, so it is a start. (note to self: wake up even earlier). Not too sure about the Yoga thing, but the Taebo is fun and in a few weeks I should be able to keep up. :cheer2: :cheer2:

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 c. milk, 3/4 c. grapenut flakes (didn't want cooked oat bran), 1/2 banana, and 1/2 c. hot tea
AM snack: 1 apple
Lunch: Salad w/ ham (thin sliced)
PM snack: yogurt
Dinner: Pot Roast, and mixed veggies

Goals for day:
1. bookwork
2. do 30 minutes on treadmill
3. class work
4. Anything else to keep me busy and away from food.

I almost forgot...........Last night DH looked at me and asked if I was still losing weight! :banana: You know they only ask if things are looking better (or baggier). So far I am maintaining, but things are feeling different.

Sorry about the long story. You guys are great for listening. Hey it is snowing again! Time to finish the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Rachie0507]

Sounds like you are doing great! I laughed about the Easter candy though. I made my DH buy it this year and keep it in his car until Saturday night. We don't buy a much anyway, the kids lose interest much sooner than I do! Keep it up and have a great Easter weekend.

[Lesli54]

The candy I did get is in my car, as well. :cool1:

I felt like I was drowning today and should have come to the boards and either posted more or read more journals.

Things were going well, earlier and I even bought a bunch of fresh fruits and veggies to fill that fridge. Lunch was fine, but then I grabbed a handful of chips. :sad2: I really didn't know what possessed me to buy them. Then in the afternoon, instead of having my snack, I ate 4 GS cookies. :sad2: So much for tha special treat on Sunday. I didn't have a craving for any of it, but yet I ate it. It was like part of me said "who cares", but the other part was saying "me, I do." The "me" part just wasn't loud enough. I thought today was going pretty well and I almost didn't want to post the "bad" becuase of the guilt. :guilty: :guilty: But that would be a downward spiral and I need to make myself accountable.

It took half the day, but I figured out the problem. I didn't think I was an emotional eater, but Yes, I must be. :confused3 My mother and aunt are coming tomorrow to look again at the house they are interested in and they are spending the night. Some would think this is good, but this "house hunt" has been going on for almost 6 years! :earseek: Every single time, they find "the one", my aunt finds every excuse why they need to back out. Needless to say, she has already begun looking for the excuses. I just know that they will back out yet again. How am I supposed to hold my tongue (without biting it off) or eat myself out of house and home when she complains that "it was so close, but........."? My mom has wanted to move so bad, but she just backs my aunt in the decisions (they live together). 6 years is more than anyone should take!! :badpc: :badpc: :badpc: :badpc: :badpc: :badpc:

Then there is Easter dinner, of which I invited them to stay. Well, my aunt is picky about things she eats (health nut to the point of being too picky) and she thinks that they are intruding when I make a big meal. You can't tell her any different, even if I prepare foods that she would eat. So I am expecting that they will leave just before dinner so as not to "intrude". That is just the last thing you need when you are preparing for guests. pirate:

Anyway, I just need to find a way to cope with this and realize that food is not the answer. Dinner by the way was delicious and I practiced good portion control. Thanks for listening. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Well, they did it. Just got the email that said the "house fell thru". This was a very lame excuse. Supposedly, they wanted the seller to pay closing costs and when the realtor said that it wouldn't happen, it was done. Correct me if I am wrong, but what is a couple of thousand dollars in closing costs? And how many sellers actually pay it? Not too many and very, very rarely have I seen the costs even split. pirate:

DH says I let it get to me and let my hopes get too high. That just wasn't the case here, because I knew they wouldn't do it. No hope there. I am just so tired of the same thing over and over. 6 years over and over! :badpc:

I'll get passed this and all will be better. I don't need food, I need relaxation! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Guess what? I lost 1 lb.!!!!!!!!! :banana: :cheer2: Now I have only 74 to go, a much better number than 80. Even better yet, I have only 14 to go till the first mini goal in May! :cool1: Even better yet, it's only 4.5 lbs until the 210's! :goodvibes I am hoping to lose a couple more before the end of the month now that the downer of a week is over. Things can only look up!

I worked out to Taebo this morning for 30 minutes and was building up a pretty good sweat. The first part of the tape is 48 minutes, so I am hoping to increase 5 minutes each day and along with that will come the increased speed to keep up 100%. Some of the moves I kept up pretty well, just low key on the kicks, which will get better. It is so much FUN! DH said he would Taebo with me when his ankle is healed. He messed it up a few weeks ago and it is still on the mend. But he has done martial arts before and this is right up his alley. Even DD7 likes it and she tries to "work out" with me. :cheer2:

Today, I am counting the good that has occured since starting my program and leaving behind the negative feelings and slip ups.
1. I have lost 6 lbs (mainly through better food choices and portion control)
2. I am going to bed earlier
3. I am sleeping much better
4. 98% of the pain in my feet is gone
5. I have made some great friends :grouphug:
6. I am eating healthier
7. I am enjoying the smell and taste of real food
8. I am recognizing when I tend to slip
9. My mood's are better
10. I have made some great friends :grouphug:
11. I have energy to get me through the day
12. I have been consistent with my vitamins
13. I am getting more accomplished
14. I am beginning to enjoy life again
15. I have made some great friends :grouphug:

Breakfast: yogurt, 1c. hot tea, 1/2 grapefruit, 2 thin slices ham (97% lean)
AM snack: cucumber and 1/2 c. cottage cheese
Lunch: Tuna wrap and salad
PM snack: 1 pear
Dinner: Chicken and veggies (maybe try stir-fry.....I need a Wok....hmm)

Goals for day:
1. Errands to prepare for Easter
2. Work on DD17's grad invites
3. 30 minute afternoon exercise
4. Keep busy to get ready for tomorrow and stay positive (no emotional eating)

Everyone have a great Easter! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Look at you!!! You're doing so great!!! :cool1: :Pinkbounc

Congrats on your loss! You're right 74 has a nice ring to it--much nicer than 80! :banana:

You've made so many positive changes--there will always be slip ups, but they're only temporary. It seems like you're becoming very self-aware which is such a great thing to have.

Your food plans look great--hope you have a wonderful Easter! :cheer2: Don't let the family stress you out too much--you have the patience of a saint to deal with the never-ending house hunt!

You had me :rotfl2: at your new complusion to check the food labels on everything. I've got the same disease. :teeth: I bet that bunny was shocker! There are just some things it's best not to know!

[Lesli54]

Thanks Pearlieq for thinking that have the patience of a saint. If sainthood can be that stressful to get into, then one has to wonder. :rotfl2: You always have such positive ways of looking at things. :flower:

Yesterday went pretty well. I didn't get that 30 minutes exercise in the afternoon, but I did do some brisk walking through the mall. It felt great to stand taller with confidence and my feet felt great! I forgot to take my pear with, and found a very small piece of Ghiradelli to "tie me over" since dinner is late on Saturdays (I always forget that). It wasn't worth it. I would have been much better off with the Godiva's that I kept walking by (those are my fav and every bit worth savoring when I do get them, which is rare).

I did have a couple of crackers late afternoon, because I had to see if they were stale or if I needed more for today's dinner. That is not an excuse, it is the truth. :angel: Supper plans changed as DH wanted to see if the grill still worked and try out a new brand of brats. We do cookouts at the store on Saturday's and we can't get our old brand anymore. Our grill took a couple of dives during some heavy storms last fall. I think we need a new one. So I ate a small butterfly porkchop on bun and about two bites of roasted potatoes (frozen kind, didn't like).

I did have a couple of Peanut butter M&M's when the baskets were filled last night. I just tried them and don't care for them. The oldest two DD's did the filling so I didn't have to look at the little bit of candy there was.

Is anyone else noticing what other people are buying when it comes to food? I find that I am watching more and more. It is not a judgement thing, but more an awareness that raises many questions about myself. I see people who are overweight (as I am) buying all the fried foods at the fast food stands and I don't see too many "thinner" people there. When it comes to groceries, I see more pop, frozen and processed foods and junk in the carts of overweight people. The "thinner" people tend to be pickier about their choices. In fact, I watched a cousin (whose whole family is thin) last night pick up a pint of ice cream, not 1/2 a gallon or a whole, as I would have done. When she went to check out, she found a candy bar she wanted and PUT BACK the ice cream. :earseek: Now, I would have been one to keep both and possibly eat both in the same day. As I said, I am not judging or trying to stereotype, because someone else may have watched me at some point. I am realizing that it is about being concious of your food choices and making decisions. Very interesting. :scratchin

Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg (I love these, but make them rarely, so that was hard), 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 yogurt, 1 c. hot tea

I was tempted to eat a few eggs (the norm for Easter) and then skip food until lunch, but I will not sabotage myself, as I know that today will be a little "off" anyway.

AM Snack: veggies (already cut up)
Lunch: PORTION CONTROL EVERYTHING I EAT and ONE TRIP. Ham, deviled egg, lots of fresh fruit and fresh veggies, small amt ea. of baked beans, corn pudding, and potatoes. 1 slice 9 grain bread from Panera. 1 small slice Peach pie with lite cool whip. I will stay in control and if there are leftovers, then they will taste good later. If not, then someone helped me out.

PM Snack: fruit or veggies
Dinner: Usually some combination of leftovers, but I will weigh this carefully, choose wisely, and listen to how hungry I really am.

Probably not much exercise in today, unless I take a walk this afternoon.

Goals for the day:
1. Make an excellent dinner
2. Stay in control of the food situation.
3. Enjoy myself and not get stressed (especially when the house hunt comes up.) :rolleyes1

Everyone have a great day! HAPPY EASTER! Time to finish those deviled eggs. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Easter Lesli!!! :flower: :flower:

[Lesli54]

Well, I made it through Easter dinner and supper fairly well. I am even proud of myself. :cool1: Since I was busy making dinner, I almost skipped the AM snack altogether, but I quickly grabbed some fresh veggies and 2 crackers, 2 small slices of cheese and 2 small slices of summer sausage. I could have stuck with the veggies, but the other looked so good and I thought it was better to have a sampling so that I wasn't tempted to overindulge in it later. It's all about control. :rolleyes1

The snack helped keep lunch in check. I had about 3 oz of ham, 1/4 c. baked beans, 1/4 c. corn pudding, 2 deviled eggs, 1/3 c. potatoes, sizeable amount of fresh fruit and veggies, and 1 piece of 9 grain bread from Panera. My plate was not overflowing and I actually did leave some on the plate and called it quits. EMPOWERING!! :banana: The bread was very tasty, but it was more like a light wheat bread, so I was a little disappointed. For desert, I had one small piece of Peach pie with a little Cool Whip lite. I savored it! Actually, I think because I chose to savor the pie, it was easier to not want more in the evening.

I missed the PM snack, but I wasn't hungry at all. For supper, we did leftovers. I put everything on a small plate and had 1 deviled egg (ok that kick is over now), 1/4 c. baked beans, 1/4 c. corn pudding, less than 1 oz ham, some fresh veggies and 1 slice french bread from Panera. The bread was so good, that I actually went back for another (thin slices though) and it is rare that I will even bring it home. I had one peanut butter M&M and that was enough candy, becuase I just don't like those. The candy is almost gone, because I just didn't buy much. Somehow, I managed to get in the majority of my water (that's hard on a holiday) and I had 1 1/2 cans of Sierra Mist.

All in all, I think I was quite successful as it could have been much worse. But I kept myself in check, still enjoyed a great meal, didn't feel deprived of anything, and never once felt overstuffed. What a great feeling! :cool1:

Also the stress level for the day was way down. My oldest DD's helped out immensely, everyone got along, and I didn't have to hear too much about the excuses on the "house hunt". In fact, my mom and aunt's plans have changed on that a little, they are becoming more reasonable, so the hunt may not go on much longer. YEAH! At any rate, it was a great day and very relaxing. (Or maybe it was always that way and my moods are just better now.) :confused3

Breakfast: 1/2 large cinnamon roll, 1 hard boiled egg, 1 c. hot tea
I had people spending the night and decided to get rid of some more "dangerous foods" that were in the freezer. Eating only 1/2 the roll was very hard, as these are those really, really big kind with frosting.

AM snack: cauliflower, green peppers, 2 sm slices of cheese and 2 sm slices of summer sausage

Lunch: fresh fruit and veggies. Maybe a salad.
PM snack: 1 yogurt
Supper: Probably some leftovers as it will be a rush to get to Brownies

Tomorrow, I will start back up with planning the meals a little better.

Goals for the day (now that everyone has gone home)
1. Get in 30 minutes exercise
2. Play catch up on classwork
3. Play catch up on bookwork
4. Stay positive and know that I can avoid the leftover Peach pie and cinnamon rolls.

Everyone have a great day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pettyone]

Lesli--

I love reading your journal, it's very thorough!! Makes me kinda look a little lazy!! :earboy2:

Glad you made it through the weekend...flying colors!!!

Resisting the pie & cinnamon rolls would be tough...I know what you mean about "dangerous foods"...I do better to just not have them in the house AT ALL!!

[Rachie0507]

Is anyone else noticing what other people are buying when it comes to food? I find that I am watching more and more. It is not a judgement thing, but more an awareness that raises many questions about myself. I see people who are overweight (as I am) buying all the fried foods at the fast food stands and I don't see too many "thinner" people there. When it comes to groceries, I see more pop, frozen and processed foods and junk in the carts of overweight people. The "thinner" people tend to be pickier about their choices. In fact, I watched a cousin (whose whole family is thin) last night pick up a pint of ice cream, not 1/2 a gallon or a whole, as I would have done. When she went to check out, she found a candy bar she wanted and PUT BACK the ice cream. :earseek: Now, I would have been one to keep both and possibly eat both in the same day. As I said, I am not judging or trying to stereotype, because someone else may have watched me at some point. I am realizing that it is about being concious of your food choices and making decisions. Very interesting. :scratchin



I always notice the same thing while out. I always feel a little guilty for it, because I shouldn't be judging others choices, but it makes me wonder. I am also more aware of what is in my cart now. I want people to notice my healthy choices!!

[Lesli54]

Oh yes, resisting the pie was hard and finally it won (but only a small piece). Thank goodness, I don't usually have pie around. ;)

At least I know that I am not the only one who watches what others buy in order to learn. :rolleyes1

Today was a little rough. I was so tired from yesterday's festivities, being up early and staying up late, then waking at 5:30am this morning and not really being able to get back to sleep. So many times today, I just wanted to eat anything and forget about, but then I realized that I was mainly wanting that because I was tired. It is really hard to focus on nutrition when your body needs sleep. But, I kept reminding myself that if cave now, it will be a big mistake. All in all, I did pretty good. Maybe not the best nutrition-wise, but great on portions.

We didn't have lettuce for lunch so skipped the salad and I ate a ham sandwich (thin slices of bread), strawberries and grapes. For snack, I skipped the yogurt and had about 2 1/12 celery stalks, 3 sm pieces of cheese and 2 sm pieces of summer sausage. Later when I was very tired and not thinking, I had 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 dove chocolate egg (at least I wasn't too tired to savor it and enjoy :rotfl2: ). Supper for me was late and I didn't want DH's fried potatoes so I ate 2 oz of ham, 1/4 c. baked beans, 1/4 c. corn pudding, and 1 slice bread. I am now drinking a can of sierra mist, but did get my water in. Just need a different taste now and then, as I mainly live on water.

Tomorrow will be better if I can get some sleep. DD7 came home and had a tummy ache. It got better, but then as we were leaving Brownies she got sick in my Sequoia. Unfortunately, it was all over. Fortunately, our house was blocks away. Unfortunately, I will probably need to air out the vehicle for days. Fortunately, DH was kind enough to clean it up while I took care of her. :love: Then I got everything in the wash, including the shoes. Unfortunately, the shoes got caught in the dryer and snapped the belt. (I just wanted to take out the dampness so they would dry faster). Then we got her to bed. Unfortunately, I am now washing her bedding and don't have a working dryer. Now she is resting and watching cartoons. It's going to be a long night.............and a long day tomorrow. Also, that sore throat finally caught up with me. I have two important meetings tomorrow night to prepare for and one on Wednesday and now is just not a good time to get sick.

Oh well, tomorrow will be another day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

EEEKKK!!! The stoamch bug has hit someone else!!! Hang in there! It does get better, but it is nasty!!! All 3 of us got it at the same time!!! :grouphug: to you!

[Rachie0507]

We have some illness going around our house too. Just when the weather finally is getting warmer, why do they have to get sick??? Hang in there, it will get better!

[kris1973]

Sounds like you probably did enough running around cooking for everyone that I am sure that extra little bit of pie will not even show. hehe. Your doing great keep it up.

Kristin

[Lesli54]

Thanks for all the support guys! I don't think the pie is showing, but the scale isn't moving either, so time to change things up. Of course, lack of sleep doesn't help.

DD7 is feeling much better today, but is staying home from school. It was almost 1am when we fell asleep together. She and I just stayed on one of the guest beds away from the family so she didn't wake anyone. I slept horribly and she kept getting up through the night (or was it morning? ;) ). Anyway, here is hoping that today is better and no one else catches her bug. DS has a cough and runny nose. Will the fluctuation in weather ever end? :confused3 It was almost 70F yesterday, but I think it is going to drop back down in a few days again. I hope not, because I am looking for the :sunny: :sunny: to brighten up these long winter doldrums.

It's a busy day today, so I need to stay focused.

Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg, 1 c. canteloupe, 1 c. hot tea, and 1/2 cinnamon roll (ok......I didn't have to throw that in.........but, I could have eaten it all, I could have skipped the fruit and protein, I don't have them but 2x a year, I will not eat another until Christmas, I........are the excuses working yet?........I didn't think so, but it did taste good!) :rotfl2:

AM snack: 1 apple
Lunch: Salad with all the fresh veggies I have in the fridge (better get some lettuce)
PM snack: yogurt and some All bran (need to get in a little more fiber)
Dinner: Good question. I won't be home so better plan on eating my dinner earlier. There is always alot of candy at these meetings, so I better go in with a full tummy and will not eat anything at the meeting. The family would love to eat some quick fix meal, I am sure. Maybe, I will throw something in the crockpot.

Goals for the day:
1. Stay healthy!!
2. Prepare for meetings
3. Exercise this afternoon
4. Get that classwork done.

Enough for now, I better get going. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood... :sunny: Seriously, isn't it gorgeous out? I know we live pretty close so we must have about the same weather. Isn't this awesome? I can't wait to go out and play!

Sounds like you did great over Easter. Don't feel too bad about the cinnamon rolls--you're staying in control just fine. I was reading an article on msnbc yesterday and they made the very sane point that there is still room in our lives for eating for pleasure. Yes, food can't be the center of our lives, but cinnamon rolls taste darn good. And it's OK to eat them occasionally just because we like them. Most diets tend to ignore the fact that food is pleasureable and focus on it only as fuel. What if we did the same thing in the rest of our lives? We'd never have to go clothes shopping--we could all just wear uniforms. After all, all clothes do is protect your body from the elements and keep you warm, right? Wrong! We like fun clothes the same way we like chocolate chip cookies. And it's OK.

Sorry, I know I'm rambling here, but it was a really good article.

I'm sorry to hear the sickies have gripped your house. I hope everyone makes a speedy recovery!

I noticed that you usually mention classwork in your to do lists. Are you a teacher? Or are you in school yourself?

[Lesli54]

OK, so I don't really want to wear a uniform! :rotfl2: :rotfl2: You really can't deprive yourself of the things you enjoy, you are right about that. I am just learning to enjoy the little pleasures in small portions and it is much better than just eating it and not really tasting. :goodvibes

My husband and I own a grocery store (of all things, is that easy access to the danger zones or what?). I do all the bookwork and misc. at home. The classwork I am doing is a genealogy class. Genealogy is my favorite hobby and I would love to turn it into an occupation, so I am learning as much as possible. Then I am heavily involved in GS which is more time on the computer and lots of meetings (both adult and girl level). Next week, I will be involved in the library board as well (if I am elected). So, I spend a lot of time on the computer and at home "forever organizing" things. :badpc: :rotfl2:

Doing everything from home is great, but it has some downsides socially (although I get that through projects) and food-wise.....although, I am conquering the food part. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

I think I am finally awake. Yesterday was a very long day. DD7 is doing really well so I have sent her back to school. Keeping my fingers crossed that no one else catches her bug. DS is still sniffling and coughing. My throat is better, but yesterday everything moved up to my sinuses and now I am doing the same as DS. This is really driving me nuts! We are usually a very healthy family but this past winter we have had more colds, coughs, aches, pains, you name it than ever before. Could be worse I guess. Enough complaining.

Yesterday, I managed to do fairly well until supper. My head was killing me and I had taken some Benedryl (which helped, but not good when trying to prepare for meetings :confused3 ) and so I just didn't have an appetite for supper. I had to leave by 5:30 and I just couldn't bring myself to eat a meal so close to my snack. Yes, I went to the meetings without eating. :earseek: Actually, I think I did very well even though I did eat two very very small cookies. The were not worth it and I wasn't hungry, so I should have skipped them, but they just sat in front of me. (Plan for next time: pass the cookies to another part of the room.) I finally got supper about 9 o'clock. On my way home I stopped and got some chicken fingers from DQ (not many choices in town). I really wasn't hungry then either, but thought I should eat something and didn't really have much at home that was quick. I ate ONE fry that came with the meal and didn't like it. YEAH!! :banana: So, I just ate the chicken and some bread.

I wanted to workout this morning, but I was so groggy from this cold and lack of sleep the last few days, that I had a hard time functioning. So the workout will be done this afternoon, as I really need to get back in the swing of things. I wanted to go back to Curves this week, but I think that will wait until next week.

Breakfast: 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1/2 c. All Bran, 1/2 c. grapenut flakes, 3/4 c. milk, and 1 banana. (it seems like a lot of cereal, but I mixed them for flavor with the banana and milk. Today, I need to concentrate on getting in some high fiber.)

AM snack: Veggies
Lunch: Salad with a little ham and egg for protein
PM snack: fruit
Supper: Don't know. Again, another meeting night so I need to prepare something ahead.

Goals for the day:
1. prepare for tonights meeting and tomorrow's meeting
2. 45 minute exercise
3. catch up on classwork (getting too far behind)
4. go over DD17's college paperwork

On the plus side DD17 has finally made a decision about which college she wants to attend. YEAH! Not her first choice (she's on a wait list for that), but at least we can now move forward and start getting all the finances taken care of, purchase things for her dorm, etc. It's hard to believe that in 5 months she won't be here everyday. :sad2: But, I am excited that she has a good head on her shoulders and goals, so she will do fine. :love:

Time to finish my day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Hey! Did you get those crazy storms last night? Wow!

Glad to hear your younger DD is on the mend. Here's hoping everyone stays healthy for a while! Congrats to you DD for picking a college! You must be so proud! :cool1: Sure goes by fast, doesn't it?

I hate it when you so somewhere and the cookies/treats sit right in front of you! I've always been envious of the people who could ignore them, because that's never been me! They just sit there mocking you until you have one! But don't get too down about it--they were small and you didn't have much. Plus, you've got a plan for next time.

Hopefully the grogginess has worn off for you today and you can get your exercise in.

Have a great day! :banana:

[Lesli54]

Today is so windy and cold. Big change from yesterday.

I went to bed late, mainly becuase I am feeling overwhelmed with everything and am starting to fall back into that mode that I have to keep working to get things done and don't have time for sleep. I KNOW THAT IS DANGEROUS! So tonight, I am making a point to get to bed by 10:30. My weight loss and energy was so much better when I went to bed earlier. Also, I have found that I have been working past a few snack times and opportunities to exercise. So today, I will make a better effort to take a break and time for me. Fortunately, this is an unusual week, as I don't normally have so many meetings back to back. Unfortunately, I know the next few months are going to be extremely busy so if I am not careful, I will get too wrapped up and forget my plan. I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN, I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN! :earseek: Do you think it works like hypnosis?

Like I said, I missed a snack and some exercise yesterday. But, I did go out and transplant a few things out of an old garden bed that we are getting rid of. It went well, until I realized the previous owner had planted the Hyacinths all the way to China. pirate: Needless to say, I never did dig down far enough to get them out without breaking them off. So, I guess they will come up in the same spot next year! Some new tools might have helped, but it seems my youngest DD has ran off with my good ones. This happens every year. She loves to dig. Maybe one day, I will find all the missing tools. :confused3

Today, is busy but at least I am prepared for my meetings tonight and tomorrow.

My weight loss is going so slow and even though I feel like a rabbit, I just feel like I am not getting enough fiber. I hate taking pills, but am about ready to get some FiberCon. Has anyone else had the same problem? This problem alone is probably keeping 2-3lbs on.

Oh yeah, supper last night was a BLT on 9 grain bread (lots of lettuce and very little mayo, light on the bacon), 1/2 c. potato salad, 1 c. watermelon. The :sunny: was shining like a BLT day!

Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg, 3/4 c. grapenut flakes, 1 banana, 3/4 c. milk, and 1 c. hot tea
AM snack: 1 apple
Lunch: tuna wrap, veggies
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: chicken and stir-fry veggies

Goals for day:
1. Exercise (make the time, I am worth it) :cheer2:
2. Take more breaks to revive myself and dance around the house
3. Get to bed by 10:30

Of course, I have so much more to do for the day, but these are the things that will help me stay on plan and I need to remember that they are just as important as all the deadlines.

Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

You are doing great!!! Keep it up! :cheer2:

[Lesli54]

Thank God it is the end of the week. :banana: This has been my worst week since I started on my plan, but it still was pretty good compared to bad weeks in the "before". I still need to work harder at getting in some exercise, but today is April 1 and I signed up for the April Challenge so hopefully that will be a motivator. Unfortunately, I didn't make my March Challenge of losing 5lbs since beginning the challenge (which I did late). Part of that problem is that I must not be getting enough fiber, but I will work on that. So I only lost 2lbs. since the challenge, BUT I did lose 6 lbs in March, so I still feel successful. :flower:

The best part is, I am recognizing many of my former habits and making changes to keep them from taking over. :flower: In the last 3 1/2 wks, I have had little fried food, few chips and all in all, not many sweets. Except for a slip here and there, I have not been eating after 7pm. I have also noticed that I am not hunting through the cupboards looking for something to munch on. My food choices have, for the most part, been healthy and reasonable portions. Also, I am learning to quit eating before I am full. AMAZING! :cool1:

Done with the self awareness.

Yesterday, was a "best laid plans of mice and men" day. It started in the morning when I had to cancel my meeting becuase one of my chairs has a big family crisis and I had to lend an ear. Unfortunately, I will probably be taking on some of her responsibilities over the next few weeks. Time to delegate! My director's husband is seriously ill and doing surgery today, so she couldn't make the meeting, so I just ran and met one on one with the other chairs, no biggie. Good news.......I had time with the family last night.......Bad news.......DH decided we needed to go to Pizza Hut for the buffet!!!! :scared1:

My lunch was late, so I didn't have time to make my tuna wrap (those are so good). Instead, I had a ham sandwich on 9 grain bread, 6 celery sticks, 6 green pepper slices and 6 chips (DH brought them home and before I knew it my hand was in the bag, I didn't even crave them, but yet I ate without much thought........ pirate: ). The good news, I didn't eat all my lunch, not that it was much, but I realized I wasn't hungry and quit when I was comfortable, not full and not overstuffed. How amazing is that? :banana: I missed my PM snack, but we had supper early. My plan was thrown off, but I managed to salvage things. I had a plate full of salad, then ate the equivelant of 2 slices of pizza and 1/2 breadstick and drank Sierra Mist (1 glass). There again, I stopped before I was full AND I did not eat the dessert pizza! :banana: I consider this a personal success as I could have lost it on the pizza buffet. BTW, the pizza did not make the scale move!! :cheer2: :cheer2:

I did take some breaks yesterday, didn't exercise, and did get to bed earlier, but then I laid there wide awake :earseek: !

Today was up early, but not early enough to exercise before everyone esle was up. I think I need to shoot for 5:30am, seriously!

Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg, 1 slice 7 grain toast/jelly, 6 oz grapefruit juice
AM snack: veggies and a little cheese
Lunch: That tuna wrap is MINE!
PM snack: fruit smoothie
Supper: Another meeting away. This one will include supper, I think pizza, so my plan is maybe 1 (count 1) slice. Usually, there isn't anything healthy at this meeting, so I will take a travel pack of veggies to eat in the car before the meeting (1 hour trip) AND my water, they always have pop.

Goals for today:
1. Start that April challege (it's a new day and a new month!)
2. classwork
3. take breaks and do some cleaning
4. Keep busy

Everyone have a great weekend and remember this is a new month of losing! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Happy Friday!

You did a great job handling the pizza buffet--that would have been an easy place to lose it but you held it together and stayed in control. Way to go! :banana:

Sounds like a good plan for today--hope you have an awesome day!

[Lesli54]

Yes, that pizza buffet can be dangerous. :rolleyes1

So far, I have done great today!! I had a strawberry and banana smoothie for my snack, those are soooo good. It's like a treat, but only has milk and fruit. It sure does cure the sugar blues. :smooth:

Anyway, I have decided on another thing to add to my exercise routine! It also gets me out of my desk chair. Dancing to Billy Joel! DH downloaded 20 songs for me and I just now danced to 4 (about 15 minutes) it was fun and I could feel the calories burnin'! So I think I will add one song a day, in a couple of weeks, I will be dancing for over an hour and having fun!

Don't have time to do more, I have to go get ready for that meeting. Remember, water........check.............Veggies............ check! I am prepared to face whatever food may be there. :banana: :banana: AND I will pass on anything that decides to sit in front of me! :flower: I can do this, I CAN do this, I CAN DO this, I CAN DO THIS! :earseek: (hypnosis you know)

Have a great evening! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Sending you :wizard: to get through tonight!

I LOVE the dancing idea! Dancing your tush off--literally! :teeth:

[Lesli54]

Thanks for the :wizard: to get me through my meeting. WHEW! That could have been really, really bad........but I made it!

I ate 1/2 a small baggie of veggies on my way up to the meeting and drank some water. Then I took the water in with me (had a really big mug :goodvibes ).

There wasn't any pizza (saved!), but there was every pop imaginable (I had my water! :flower: ). The table was loaded with chips, pretzels, dips, cookies, brownies, and chili. I had 2/3 of a small bowl of chili, a handful of tostitos with a small amount of dip, and one small brownie. That's it! I think I did really well. You know, all those bowls of chips and cookies, didn't really look that appealing. "Before", I would have probably loaded up, but not tonight. I DID IT!!! :banana:

The downside is that I am getting very hungry now, because there really wasn't anything that I could really load up on. As it was, I just didn't eat very much. It is better than eating junk, but I don't want to get too hungry either. Maybe I need more water.

The rest of today was pretty good. I had to have bread (9 grain) with my tuna at lunch because the tortillas were pretty dried out, but I didn't eat it all because I just wasn't that hungry. Also I added a side salad and had 4 chips (DH isn't working with me here). :confused3

I did move around the house alot today and am seeing the top of my desk!! It helps to clean it when I get overwhelmed.

Gotta get going to bed before I find something to eat and regret it later. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

Great job getting through your meeting!!! :cheer2: :cheer2: Knew you could do it!

Have a great day! :sunny:

[TigerCheer2009]

Awesome job at your meeting! I would have had to have gum in my mouth to keep me from snacking. Smart move on bringing the veggies and nectar of the gods (water!!) :wizard: and :banana: bringing :sunny: and good things your way on this wonderful (yeah right!) day.

[Lesli54]

Well, I briefly saw 222.5 on the scale. It was hovering between that and 223, but finally settled on 224. Oh well, at least I know in a few days I will see that 222.5, it is so close!

I just know this will be a good week.

I went to bed last night and didn't eat anything more after that meeting. The only problem was I was like this :earseek: and every time I got to the half state, DH would start snoring, so then I was doing this :earseek: again!

Oh well, I woke early this morning and I did manage to Taebo for 23 minutes before everyone started getting up.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 hard boiled egg, 1 c. grapefruit juice
AM Snack: veggies and a little cheese
Lunch: Don't know, my sister is coming out so I will play it by ear and be good :angel:
PM Snack: smoothie
Supper: Haven't gotten that far either, but we need a good healthy dinner

Goals for the day:
1. Dance to 5 Billy Joel songs (about 20 minutes)
2. Stick with my food plans
3. Keep busy after company has left

Gotta go get ready, they should be here soon. Everyone have a great day!! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Good job getting your exercise in this morning! :cool1: :sunny:

Have fun with your family today!

Hope you have an awesome day! :banana:

[Lesli54]

WHEW!! Just finished 25 minutes of dancing to Billy Joel and am I warm! That's good though, right? :dancer:

It sure beats trying to find some munchies because I am getting hungry. I never time my snack right on Saturdays when we eat after 7pm.

Today went pretty well so far, even though my sister didn't make it out. Lunch was tuna on 9 grain bread, 1/4 c. lf cottage cheese, and small bowl of salad. I didn't finish it all, because I stopped when I was "comfortable". Two more bites and I would have been full, any after that and I would have been miserable. PM snack was 5 sesame crackers and 5 thin slices of cheddar. I didn't get to the store for more fruit to make a smoothie.

Supper well be chicken with stir-fry veggies and rice. I am not worried about the rice, because I will watch my portions. I debated on steak and baked potatoes, but DH wanted chicken. Personally, I think he is thrilled at the almost 5 lbs that he has lost, which he mentioned today. :smooth: Looks like my plan is working. :smooth:

I have 60oz of water in already and am hoping for another 20. Tonight we will have movie and make-up (for the girls) night. Maybe, I will consider a slumber party in the living room. Haven't done that in a while. So I told everyone that we could have popcorn since they have been good at working with me. I'll limit the amount I eat and will have to stay up a little later, since I dont' want to go to bed on a full stomach.

Gotta go cook supper. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[sarahsmom73]

Sounds like you had a good day!!! I hepe you have another one today! :cool1:

[TigerCheer2009]

Today, I wish you :wizard:, healthy eating, :sunny:, and LOTS of fun :dancer: :rockband:! Have fun, have an AWESOME day and be good to yourself...tomorrow's Monday!

[Lesli54]

DD7 had fun putting on makeup and doing her nails, but we didn't get a chance to watch the movie. Oh well! I probably had too much popcorn, about 3 good handfuls (and it was very buttery), but at least I didn't eat the whole bowl and could easily stop there. I call it progress! :cool1:

JUST IN SPECIAL REPORT........NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS..........THE SCALE MUST NOT BE BROKEN............I LOST .5 lbs!!! :banana: I was maintaining for awhile, so it is good to see it move. Now I am 13.5 lbs from my mini goal when DD17 graduates in May! I can actually see it happening! This is going to be a good week!! :banana:

I guess, I just needed to get myself moving some more and increase my water just a little more. Last night I was thinking that since I have always drank so much water anyway, maybe making sure that I drank the minimum of 64 oz wasn't really enough for me. So I am increasing to 80 oz and have already noticed a difference in the softness and texture of my skin, so hopefully I have found another key to becoming a healthy me.

Since, I am doing pretty well with food, I have decided to stay with Dr. Phil's plan and am moving on to Stage 2, which again is just a well balanced plan through the day. The recipes however are all my own now, but I have the confidence to dig out my Cooking Light magazines and know I can find recipes to match the plan. YEAH! I got this far!! :cool1:

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/chives, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice (which btw is unsweetened, but I love it), 1 yogurt, 1 c. hot tea
AM Snack: 1 apple
Lunch: leftover chicken stir-fry and salad
PM Snack: veggies and cheese
Supper: Don't know, gotta go look for a new recipe

Goals for day:
1. Stay in good spirits
2. Exercise
3. Catch up on the little things.


DH took everyone away this morning, so it is quiet for now. Time to enjoy it! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[TigerCheer2009]

Go you! :umbrella: You're having a great day...have a Mickey Bar! :mickeybar :) Keep drinking H-two-O! That reminds me...I better get started!

Toodles :cheer2: :cheer2: Congrats on the weight loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .5 closer!

[Lesli54]

Down another .5 lbs! :cool1: My tummy is losing that "cut in half" look. Thank goodness and I am looking forward to getting rid of these jeans for good in a couple weeks. :goodvibes

Yesterday, I did manage to get some stuff done, although I didn't get my dancing done. :sad2: Guess I will have to make up for it today. But I did Taebo.

Here's part of the problem: I began to sabatoge myself without thinking. BAD! I skipped the AM snack, ate lunch late so I skipped the salad part, and that started the downhill slide. It was munchie time! Grabbed a handful of chips, a handful of fritos, and to get rid of the greasy salt taste, I grabbed 2 GS cookies. The chips were not worth it. I am now at the point that they don't even taste good. So why? I ask. :confused3 It wasn't a big slide because I caught myself, but it was just enough to not zap some energy and make me lounge more (I was working at my desk, but not moving alot). Needless to say, the PM planned snack was off. Supper was good though. I had 3 oz pork chop, green beans w/onion, and a nice salad. DH almost put his porkchop on a bun then realized that if he skipped the bun he could have a treat later if he wanted. (It's progress). We don't usually have dessert, but I made chocolate fudge pudding (sugar free w/ 1% milk). I had 1/3 c. w/cool whip lite.

Today is another day, which reminds me I need to start on the water. I am planning on finishing up some projects and with luck I will only have to update some of them 2-3 times max until August, the rest will be finished. What a load off my mind.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/chives & cheese, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 3/4 c. milk
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Salad, maybe a little stir-fry
PM snack: banana and strawberry smoothie
Supper: Don't know, but will look for some ideas while I eat lunch.

Goals for day:
1. 45 minutes exercise
2. Stick with food plan
3. Stay busy and have fun!!

On the plus side, I got in about 84 oz of water yesterday and am planning for the same today. On the bright side, it is :sunny: :sunny: !

Time to tackle the rest of my day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Great job yesterday!!! :cool1: :Pinkbounc

You stopped the slide and regrouped. You should be so proud of yourself! :banana: Awesome job!

Congrats on your loss--your goal is in sight--you can do it!!! :cheer2:

Glad to hear DH is getting with the program! That always makes life easier!

Enjoy this beautiful :sunny: day! Hope it's a good one!!!

[TigerCheer2009]

Sounds like you did a great job! It's never what I would call "WDW level of fun" to go off and struggle but you got right back up! Kudos to you!!!

[Lesli54]

Thanks for the support guys, you are great! :flower:

Today went pretty well. Just finished 25 minutes of Billy Joel and about ready to go for 30 tomorrow. I was hoping to get my Taebo in, but that didn't work out. However, I was moving through the house alot today and went outside with DS. We walked around and I pushed him on the swing, even managed to do some lunges while pushing him. He just laughed for so long, it was great! Then we got up on the trampoline, a big one, and we jumped on that for a few minutes until he was done. It was a good time and really good for the soul. :love: Actually, it was nice to feel like I had the energy to play with him. I am not sure what my neighbors thought, but oh well.

My food plan went well, except I missed the PM snack. I have realized that if I miss the AM snack, then I am more likely to go for munchies later, but missing the PM snack doesn't seem to bother me much. Interesting. For supper, we had taco salad. I made sure I had alot of lettuce and tomatoes an was pretty light on everything else. So far I have drank 84oz of water and because of my dancing am still thirsty. How can a person drink so much? :confused3

I accomplished quite a bit today, even though I still have some projects yet to get too. At least I am not feeling as overwhelmed as last week.

Better get going, I have to prepare my DAR papers for the meeting tomorrow. They are going to a wonderful restaurant before the meeting, but I didn't get signed up in time to go. Maybe that is a good thing. Need to stick with the plan and only go to the meeting.

Hope everyone has a good evening. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

I stayed up too late last night. Haven't done that since starting my plan and boy am I groggy this morning. I was working on my papers for today's meeting, hopefully I can get them done and still make the meeting. Here's a hint: You should never let things wait until the last minute. Oh well.

Good news! Another .5 lbs down! :banana: Next week it is back to weighing 2x a week, but this week, I trying to keep in mind that gettting more exercise is really worth it. :goodvibes

Another busy day, but at least that keeps the munchies at bay.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice toast w/jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 yogurt
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Maybe left over taco salad
PM snack: slice of cake (if I go to meeting, they don't serve healthy) or banana and strawberry smoothie (if I don't go to meeting)
Supper: We will play that be ear for the moment

Goals for day:
1. Get my DAR paperwork done
2. Excercise for at least 30 minutes
3. Work on classwork
4. Finish sewing on those GS patches


Oh yeah, today is voting day here in town. By tomorrow, I will know if I was elected to the library board. Yes, another meeting to add. But I really love working on non-profit organizations, it gives me a chance to "give back".

Gotta go, lots to do. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Awesome loss! That exercise really is paying off! :banana:

Good luck with the election! Sending :wizard: your way!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day!!! :flower:

[TigerCheer2009]

Best of luck! Onward and downward!

Congrats on the loss! "Another half bites the dust...and another one down and another one down...soon another pound'll bite the dust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

:cheer2:s!

[plutosmyfav]

We walked around and I pushed him on the swing, even managed to do some lunges while pushing him. He just laughed for so long, it was great! Then we got up on the trampoline, a big one, and we jumped on that for a few minutes until he was done. It was a good time and really good for the soul. :love: Actually, it was nice to feel like I had the energy to play with him. I am not sure what my neighbors thought, but oh well.



That is soooo great! I am a firm believer that exercise needs to be incorporated into life, not just something we head out to the gym to do in solitaire. My DS is used to seeing me do TaeBo kicks while cooking dinner, etc. Its funny, he doesn't even laugh anymore!!!!

Keep up the great work :)

Sunny

[Lesli54]

Well, haven't heard on the election yet. But, since we are a small town and there was only 2 running and 2 spots to fill..........I think I will get some votes. :rotfl2:

Thanks for the bright attitudes you all bring to my journal. BTW, my DS still doesn't like me to Taebo. It must be a frightening sight. An overweight woman trying to do the same thing as the fitness trainers on the tape. Oh well, as long as he isn't scarred for life, he will be okay.

Today was busier than I thought it would be. I did make it to my meeting and LUCKY ME, they didn't have any refreshments out! :banana: It's probably because most had just left a really good meal. That's okay, because I didn't have to look at any temptations. The downside was that I didn't have a PM snack until almost supper time. Then I ate 4 crackers and 4 small slices of cheese just to 'tie' me over. In the past I would have eaten a lot more than that.

I missed the AM snack, so grabbed 2 crackers and 2 small slices of cheese, because I thought it was better to grab a little even though lunch was so close, just to stave of the evil munchie monster. Lunch ended up being a small bowl of salad. Not enough, but when you are pushed for time you have to do something. Including eating lunch while putting on makeup and getting ready to head out the door. ;) There again, in the past I would have grabbed some munchies and then would have grabbed some McD's after the meeting, even though it was close to supper. I think I am learning.

Supper was quick and easy. We had hamburgers (lean, grilled, no bun), fries (oven baked) and corn. BTW, do you know that tater tots are worse for you than crinkle cut fries? I thought about putting mine on a bun, but when DH chose not too (very rare), I followed suit. It was very tasty and quite filling so the bun would have been too much. I am glad that he is trying. Looks like we will both be going to WDW a little thinner. :love:

So, I know I didn't eat enough, but I did manage to avoid doing the munchie thing. Didn't get to exercise today. Unless you count when I was swinging my hips while making copies.

Didn't get all my projects done yet, but I did reduce the pile! Plus I took care of a few other loose ends. Still so much to do, but I am not feeling overwhelmed. For once in a long time, I am feeling like things are getting accomplished and that I still have time to relax with the family. Isn't it amazing how food can rob you of so much, including your good mood? I have definitely been more even keeled lately.

Yes, this is a good thing and soon I will have an even better life! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Got in 15 minutes Taebo this morning. It's all I had time for, so I almost didn't do it, but I thought I had to try. Something is better than nothing. So I put a little more into it because I am able to keep up with most of the routine now and actually I was amazed at how warm I got in such a short amount of time. Even was short on the breathing a bit. So I guess even a little exercise can make a big difference. :cheer2:

Didn't get to bed too early last night but still got up a little earlier. Tonight I will get back to going to bed earlier. The plan for the morning is get up another 1/2 hr earlier than today. Then I should be able to get in a good workout.

I have a short meeting this morning and I am going to walk. It is only 2 1/2 blocks and hopefully the clouds will hold off. I'll just walk a little quicker.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/chives, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. milk (ick, but I know I need to get it in)
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: maybe a salad with ham (I really want ham)
PM snack: the smoothie that's elluding me
Supper: Gonna check the fridge to see what I need to clear out.

Goals for the day:
1. 45 minutes more exercise of some sort
2. classwork
3. clean up loose ends
4. Finish up those patches

Just in..........DH just congratulated me on my first election.......Yeah! :cheer2: I always wanted to run for president......and maybe this election is the first in reaching that dream. :rotfl2:

Side note: DH is looking good and I told him so. His belly is shrinking (of course men rarely gain elsewhere). He doesn't think so, because he says he isn't feeling alot better and maybe it is age. I wonder if he isn't detoxing from some of the extra carbs and sugar he was doing. Time will tell.

Long day ahead, time to go. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

I remember when I tried Tae bo - my kids were rolling on the floor. I have a rebuilt ankle and it was only a few days before I decided the ankle just couldn't take it. Oh well....


Glad the election went well.. Busy is always good.

Have a great day!

[pearlieq]

:cheer2: :Pinkbounc :cheer2: :Pinkbounc :cheer2: :Pinkbounc

CONGRATS TO YOU!!!!!!

May I hold you a victory parade?

:cool1: :banana: :moped: :bounce: :Pinkbounc :rotfl2: :rotfl: :jumping1: :dancer: :thewave:

That's so awesome that you got elected! You're right--it's just the first step! Today the library board, tomorrow the Oval!!! :teeth:

Awesome job! :banana:

[TigerCheer2009]

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: Go Lesli!! Go Lesli! Pearlieq, I second your recommendation of the victory parade! Nice job today!

:rockband: :cool1: :banana: :dancer: What more do we need?

[Lesli54]

Yes......and at the Oval, I will.......make sure that the public is well educated on health, eating right, and the importance of exercise. Unfortunately, we as a country will lose money when all the big carb makers go out of business, but we will be healthy! :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

You guys are great!

On a serious note, don't you hate it when you have a day planned and it just flies out the door?

I ended up driving to my meeting since afterwards I had to go elsewhere. The "short" meeting actually took 2 hours! Surprisingly, it was a lot more productive than I thought it would be. Since it was long, I missed the AM snack, but don't worry, no munching. When I got home, DH wanted to go for lunch and we went to a Chinese buffet. :earseek: I did eat a little too much, but I did stop before I over did it. DH hadn't eaten all day and so overstuffed himself. He says he thinks he probably consumed 4000 cal, but I am sure it wasn't that much.

The afternoon was busy so I intentionally skipped the PM snack and had 2 crackers. I just wasn't hungry. Dinner ended up being spaghetti (small amount), cheese bread (very small), and salad (good portion). DH didn't snack all day yesterday and at supper he chose salad as his seconds. He is trying. :love: It wasn't the best meal, but everything was in proportion and no seconds, in fact I even left spaghetti on my plate from the first helping. Didn't want to get too full. It also helps to cook a smaller portion to begin with.

Not the best meals, but I gaurantee that I got over 1200 cal., my portions were pretty good, and no munching in between. Also got in a good 84oz. water. The great thing is, that going off my intended plan does not bother me as it did a few weeks ago, because I still stayed in control for the most part.

So back to the plan today.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 2 slices ham (very thin), 1oz cheese, 1 c. grapefruit juice
AM snack: veggies (I really miss them)
Lunch: a nice salad
PM snack: smoothie (let's hope nothing comes up :rolleyes1 )
Supper: It's pizza night, but I might try to get in a better meal

Goals for day:
1. Exercise (I really need to work harder on this) :cheer2:
2. Finish classwork
3. Knock off some of the "to do's" on my ever growing list

Gotta get going and check in on a few others, then it's off to conquer the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[TigerCheer2009]

Nice job with your meals today! And...yes...I hate it when a planned day sails out anything open to the outside world!

[Lesli54]

It's a great morning!!

I reached one of my goals (almost), this morning, when I did 40 MINUTES of Taebo! :cheer2: Unfortunately, I didn't get the last 5 minutes in becuase I had to get kids out the door. That is much better than the 20 minutes I was doing last week and better than the almost zero exercise I was doing over the last few days. Last night I got to bed later than planned, but was determined to get up early this morning. It was so tempting to just wait until after the kids left, but that has been part of my problem lately, so I worked out before they got up and while they were getting ready for school. Tomorrow, I plan to be up a 1/2 hr earlier so that I don't have any interruptions on my workout. I feel so good this morning, so energized!

Yesterday went pretty much according to what was planned, except for the AM snack. I realized that I need to go to the store because we used all the veggies in the salads. So I had 2 crackers and 2 thin slices of turkey. Oh, and I added about 2oz of taco meat to my lunch since the salad wasn't holding me and I was afraid I would find some bad foods. We did have pizza for supper and I ate 3 slices. Much better than before, but I definitely should have stopped at 2. It sure would feel strange to only eat 2 slices of pizza.

The water intake is good. I am at about 84-90oz a day now and I plan on staying with that.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/sprinkle cheese, yogurt, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 slice 7 grain w/jelly (I need to work on a different breakfast for variety)
AM snack: 1 banana
Lunch: 1/2 turkey sandwich on 7 grain, sm salad
PM snack: veggies (gotta buy some)
Supper: ??????

Goals for day:
1. 30 minutes dancing to Billy Joel
2. knock off more "to do's" (I have made deadlines so that I can stay busy and get some things done. Organization will make it easier to keep my lifestyle a healthy one.)
3. slumber party with the kids tonight in the living room (I promised)

Life is good and getting better. I am really enjoying my family more and feeling less stressed every day.

Time to finish the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

40 minutes of Tae-bo! Awesome! You'll be kicking butt and taking names any day now!

I agree that 2 pieces of pizza would be strange. Kind of the way 1 hot dog is strange (at least to me). But, you never know. Maybe it would work?

It's so great to hear you're feeling less stressed these days. You've made so many positive changes--you deserve every bit of the good they bring!

Have fun at your slumber party tonight--I'm jealous, it sounds like fun!

Happy Friday! Enjoy this beautiful weather! :sunny:

[pettyone]

It's a great morning!!

Life is good and getting better. I am really enjoying my family more and feeling less stressed every day.

Time to finish the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

It's all about the attitude!! This new way of living is really agreeing with you!!! :cheer2:

[Rachie0507]

Great job meeting you Tae-Bo exercise goal! 40 minutes is a long time to workout! Keep up the good work!

[Lesli54]

Well, I still feel that my life is better now, but I have been so tired for the last half of the day, that I am not making good choices.

Everything went well through lunch. I even cut the bread diagonally at lunch to make half a sandwich instead of just folding it over. With a lot of lettuce and mustard added to that turkey sandwich it looked very attractive and appetizing. Sometimes, it is all in the presentation. It tasted really good.

But alas, I grew very tired close to 2:30pm and was planning on taking a 15 minute nap when the phone rang, so much for that. The last few nights I have been up later than planned, so I know I am not getting enough sleep. Now, I'm still up waiting for DD17 to come home from a date. Needless to say, I have realized that when I am tired, I do not make good choices even though my mind wants to.

I ate 2 GS cookies, thinking I would just stop there. If I was more alert, I think I could have. Nope. I grabbed a couple tostitos. Not bad, yet. Not great. I should have grabbed those veggies for the PM snack. No, I grabbed a handful of cheetos. The same ones that I avoided at lunch and was so proud for doing so. Then it was 1 slice of ham and about 1 oz of cheese. Well, now I am finally on my second wind.

Unfortunately, I was at a friends house working on some plans and didn't get home for supper until 7:30. Of course, I decide to eat a Marie Calendar's chicken pot pie. They are really good for frozen, but I didn't need all that. I am just so tired and worn out at the moment. Needless to say, dancing didn't happen. But the slumber party is going! (Think I will sneak up to my real bed).

I know for a fact that all of it was because I was tired. Let's hope I didn't do myself in too much. I won't feel guilty about it because I have learned from it and really did want to do better. In the "before", I wouldn't have even associated my poor choices with fatigue. Tomorrow will be another day to keep going. Maybe if I had gotten that power nap it would have made a difference.

Ahhh....she came home! Now I can go to bed! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Rachie0507]

Good morning. I hope you got a good night sleep. I think that is the first requirement for a good day. I am much more likely to make bad choices when I am overtired. Have a good weekend!

[Lesli54]

Two things that I know.
1. Bad choices are made when I am tired.
2. I tend to have quick, more processed meals when not planned well in advance. The "I don't know what to fix for dinner" syndrome.

How to remedy:
1. Get to bed by 10:30. I need to retrain my thinking. The work will still be there in the morning and it will get done faster when I am more alert. Of course, there are times when getting to bed early will be hard, but if I retrain my thinking those times should be rare.
2. During the times that I do find myself a little more tired and feel that I cannot think clearly, then I will take 15 minutes to power nap. No more, no less. That should be enough to get me rested and keep me from making irrational decisions.
3. I need to make time to plan the weeks meals in advance, maybe even two weeks. Use Dr. Phil's plan as a guide. Taking a couple of hours during the weekend to plan would save me alot of time during the week, speed up the grocery shopping, and would be healthier. These hours would be an investment in my family's health.
4. I need to take a couple of hours during the weekend (maybe every other) to prepare some meals that I can freeze. That way, if we are rushed or I just don't feel like cooking, then I know that I still have a healthy choice available that is quick and easy. Less guess work and less stress.


Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain w/ smidge of PB, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 yogurt, 2 thin slices of ham.
AM snack: veggies and maybe a little cheese
Lunch: 1 brat w/bun (we do a cookout at the store on Sat, maybe I will take a small salad along as well).
PM snack: 1 banana (throw in car. will be at a workshop where they will have snacky foods. Don't eat them, eat the banana on the way home.)
Supper: ??????? Here's were that planning will come in handy

Goals for day:
1. Exercise, maybe go on bike ride
2. Get to bed by 10:30 (no dates tonight)
3. Stay away from the snackies at the stamping workshop

Everyone have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Frozen meals are a godsend! I almost always make a double/triple batch (when I cook that is!) and freeze some for extras. They're a lifesaver for those "what's for dinner?" nights!

I can't blame you for staying up late last night--it's always such a nice thing for a mom to stay up until the last chick is back in the nest, so to speak. Still, sounds like you do realize what effect the sleep deprivation has on you. Good job for recognizing the problem and taking steps to correct it!

Enjoy grilling out at the store today! What a great day for it!

Have a happy Saturday! :sunny:

[Lesli54]

Yes, it is amazing what sleep deprivation can do to a person. But most of us go around not even realizing it.

Yesterday went fairly well even though my food wasn't completely according to plan. Again, I worked through the AM snack. You think I would learn. For lunch I had 1 brat w/ bun, but didn't grab a salad before I went. I really thought about eating two brats, but I wasn't overly hungry and I was afraid that if I don't learn to control myself at the cookout then all will be lost for the summer. I can do this, right? I had a couple of Pringles.....I know.....bad......but thank God the Pringles company has saved me! They changed the formula and the chips taste horrible, they are really bad. It wasn't just me, we had other people try them. Now if all chip companys did the same, we would all be thin. :rotfl2:

When I got home, I had 3 sm slices of hard cheese and 6 baby carrots. I needed to save myself from the snacks at the workshop. The stamping workshop was fun, a great get away for a few hours. I did eat 2 crackers with a little cheese spread. Fortunately, I didn't care for the spread. But I did remember to grab the banana and ate it on the way home. So far, so good. Then I was having trouble figuring out supper (gotta make those plans) and it's always late on Sat so I ate 6 crackers with hard cheese & 2 slices ham.....then a handful of cheetos, which are now out of the house. DH decided he wanted to get Subway. I had a 6" chicken tereyaki (yes, with the sweet onion sauce :rolleyes1 ), but loaded cucumbers, green peppers, and tomatoes on, so all was not lost. Did fine after we got home until DH made popcorn that made the whole house smell buttery. pirate: Didn't eat the popcorn, but ate 2 GS cookies, of which my favorite is almost gone, thank you!

Who knew there was so many feelings associated with food? Then to top it off, I have figured out my major problem.......well let's say, it was one of those signs that slap you upside the head. The "okay God, I got the message" signs. The problem? I am a perfectionist (which I knew), sometimes to the point that I procrastinate because I want everything to be just right (didn't know that). Sounds strange. And it's not that lady on Desperate Housewives thing, that would drive me nuts. But I am researching how to get better organized with my genealogy paperwork (so much paper and so much cross referencing that it can be mind boggling). When up pops the signs of procratination caused by perfectionism! Yes, I have always wanted things just right and fortunately do most things really well. I never procrastinated when I was younger, but I find that as I get older and have more to do (taking care of a family, work, etc.), I tend to put more off. Why is that? Well here is my answer:

Signs of perfectionist tendencies:
1. If you don't think you have enough time to finish a project, you won't start it. (I do this alot. Look at the big picture and hopeful end result, amout of time it will take. Don't look at it in small steps.)
2. If you don't have ALL necessarey supplies, you won't start a project. (True. I am now buying stamps so that WHEN I get the chance to scrapbook my many pictures, I have everyting I need. My genealogy filing system needs help, but I think I need to get ALL the supplies before helping it.)
3. You thoroughly research every possible way to accomplish a project before starting. (Oh how true. Guess I am always looking for ways to get the results I want, without trial and error. Looking for ways to cut down the project time. See #1)

All of these things lead to procrastination over time. Of course, the key here is to just get in and break up everything into small steps. Just get the projects started and remember that I don't always have to have it done ASAP. The work will still be there in the morning if I don't finish. Over time the project load will be smaller if I just start working on things a little at a time now.

So I was thinking, this is a big key in my problem with losing weight. I want it to happen quickly, even though I know better. If I am not getting results fast enough, I figure I don't have time to see it to the end. I have read things about losing weight and you would think that I would know they all say the same thing......eat right and exercise. If my kitchen isn't well stocked, I figure it is a license to nibble on other things as long as I don't over do it. I think I need all the equipment to exercise, if there isn't time to exercise I don't........The list goes on. I wonder how many others have this problem?

So today, I am going to begin rethinking and trying to retrain myself. After all, I am building a new lifestyle, one that will support my healthy habits. It is more than time to just start doing and look at everything as a small step in the master plan.

Self awareness sure can be painful ;) .........but this will keep me busy and away from the food. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

I must bore people with what I write. It is always so long. But I started the journal to learn more about my habits so I guess it doesn't matter.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain toast w/ smidge butter (just to soften) & 2 thin slices ham (made a sandwich, very tasty), 1 yogurt, 1/2 c. grapefruit juice (ran out)
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: ? (I will be out and about, but will look for nutrition and sm portion)
PM snack: strawberry & banana smoothie
Supper: ? (I will plan when I get back home, need a good meal, it's DH's incentive not to munch all day at work)

Between DH and I we have lost about 13-14 lbs! I actually feel closer to him when we hug. :love: How great is that?

Goals for day:
1. Exercise for minimum of 45 minutes
2. Shopping for prom shoes & accessories (may be lots of walking)
3. Plan the weeks menu
4. Get to bed by 10:30 (I did last night and I feel much better)

Later I will post my month's accomplishments. I have been at this for 1 month now! :banana: Doesn't seem like it. Anyway, I liked how Pearlieq posted her month's progress and I think I will do something similar to remind myself why I need to keep going. :cool1:

Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

I, for one, don't find your journal boring. It's very interesting and insightful!

I think you've hit upon the perfect solution--let's contact the Girl Scout bakers, the Ruffles people, and the Ho-hos people and have them all reformulate thier products so they taste icky. We'd be supermodels in no time!! :rotfl: The same thing actually happened to me with Cheddar Cheese Chex Mix--it used to be I couldn't get enough of the stuff, but since they "improved" it, I can't stand the taste. Yay for us, I guess!

Very interesting thoughts on perfectionism and procrastinating. I agree that it's really hard to take the long view for weight loss--it's so much easier when our efforts are reinforced with immediate, big losses. Still, despite the "growing pains" it sounds like you're becoming more accepting of yourself and what your new lifestyle is going to be.

Congrats to you and DH on your losses!!! That's awesome! I can't wait to read your reflections and accomplishments for the months!

Yay to you for sticking with it!!! :cool1:

[Lesli54]

Today, it has been one month since I decided to take the WISH challenge and begin journaling. (Actually took the challenge on the 9th, but it was late, so the 10th is when journaling and breaking old habits began.)

There have been times when I thought I wasn't doing so well, but looking back, I have done better than I realized.

What I know now:
1. I need to go to bed by 10:30 to stop the late night eating and keep myself from making poor food choices the next day.
2. I need to eat my AM snack to keep the afternoon munchies away.
3. I need to plan my meals in advance in order to keep the "quick fix, processed, high salt" meals from occuring.
4. I need to exercise in the morning before everyone gets up or I reduce my chance of exercising for the day.
5. I gained most of the weight that I started this program with through pregnancies, but kept it on through procrastination. (Not that I am lazy, but I have ignored alot.)
6. I need a support group to help get me through to the end. (Glad I am here at WISH!) :grouphug:

Things I have learned:
1. I love to eat healthy great tasting food more than I love the taste of the junk foods.
2. I should always take my water with me.
3. I need to move more to get the scale to move.
4. I need to take weight loss and all other pending projects in stages to reduce procrastination and to control the perfectionist tendencies.
5. It really is possible to drink almost 90oz. of water a day, enjoy it, AND NOT FEEL LIKE A CAMEL! :rotfl2:
6. I don't have to feel guilty when I slip, I just have to move on.

Things that changed:
1. I am more rested.
2. I am less overwhelmed and therefore calmer.
3. I take vitamins everyday.
4. My clothes are getting looser. :banana:
5. My feet don't hurt constantly.
6. I eat very little junk, now.
7. I don't eat all day and my portions are well controled.
8. I have some great new friends.
9. I need to keep a positive attitude for this to work well.

Things I still need to work on:
1. EXERCISE. I need more of it, this has been lacking.
2. I need to prepare some meals and freeze for nights when I don't have time to cook (or don't want to). :rolleyes:
3. I need to take time to plan an actual menu.
4. I need to keep my fridge and cupboards better stocked.

So today is the start of my second month. I started at 230lbs. and now weigh 222.5 lbs. for a total of 7.5 lbs gone. It's not a HUGE loss, but it is a good one and I have changed and learned much on the way.

I have revised my original goals to reflect my weight loss (It looks better, now) ;)
1. 12.5lbs lost by DD17 HS graduation and trip to England (mid May)
3. 22.5lbs lost by trip to WDW (early June)
4. 42.5lbs lost by anniversary (mid Aug)
5. 57.5lbs lost by trip to Atlanta (early Oct)
6. 72.5lbs lost by Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hit the goal!!!!!!!!!!!

I have set little "rewards" for each 5 lbs. lost. The first 5 was a new hair cut and the next five is teeth whitening (already scheduled and will happen when I have lost a lot more, but it's still a reward). I am not sure what I will do for the third 5, but I will work on it.

I have had a great time at WISH and am looking forward to writing my revelations again in another month. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Awesome! You've worked so hard and come so far!!! It sounds like you've learned a lot and have really embraced this as your new lifestyle.

Keep up the great work! I know you can do it!!! :cheer2:

[Lesli54]

Another 1 bites the dust! I am down 1 more lb. so you can change all my new goals to 1 lb less! :banana: This week, I just know I will get that 10 lb clippie. It sure does sound much better to say that I want to lose 11.5 lbs by the time DD17 graduates than the original 20. Looking at smaller goals sure does go along way in succeeding. :cheer2:

Yesterday was a good day. Amazingly enough, DD17 and I were able to find shoes and accessories to match her prom dress. Did she go with an easy to find color? No, not her. We had to match to a sheer gold (not bright) laid over a cream color. It is very elegant and definitely Red Carpet. We were in luck (after many stores) to find shoes & a purse that almost match exactly. She modeled last night and it was gorgeous. Ahhhhh, my oldest is growing up. :rolleyes:

Lunch ended up at home since we hadn't left yet. I had a 4" ham sandwich with lettuce and mustard. Needless to say we were gone during the PM snack and I treated us to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Yes, it is not healthy and I did eat two, but I have been so good with candy. It was much better than the ice cream treat I was comtemplating. Supper was salad, grilled veggies (potatoe, carrots, & oninon) and a sm T-bone steak. I ate a little too much steak, but it was so good. After supper DH, the two youngest, and I went on a 25 minute walk. I am hoping we can do this on most nights.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice 7 grain w/ jelly, 1 banana, 1 c. milk, 1 c. tea.
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: salad, 2.5 oz steak (leftovers), 1 serving grilled veggies
PM snack: smoothie
Supper: ? I have to think of something that I can eat before everyone else, as I have 1 meeting and 1 training to check in on. 3 hrs out the door.

Today's Goals:
1. Exercise. I did 10 minutes of a new Taebo session and that was tough, it will take time to get that one done. Am shooting for another 50 minutes today.
2. To do list. I figure if I break up all my projects into small tasks with deadlines, then I will be caught up in no time. A great way to stay busy.
3. Work on tomorrow's menu.

It is a very beautiful morning and I think it is time to go enjoy it! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pettyone]

Another 1 bites the dust! I am down 1 more lb. so you can change all my new goals to 1 lb less! :banana: This week, I just know I will get that 10 lb clippie. It sure does sound much better to say that I want to lose 11.5 lbs by the time DD17 graduates than the original 20. Looking at smaller goals sure does go along way in succeeding. :cheer2:


I'm so tickled for you!! You are on fire!! I think that the 10lb. clippie will be quite happy in it's new home!! :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

I'm glad that you & DD were able to successfully accessorize for the prom! I'm looking forward to those challenges with DD, who is 4...right now, she isn't a clothes shopper (loves to shop for toys)...actually, I have so much fun buying her clothes that I will probably be devastated when she won't allow it anymore...

Have a great week!!

Have a super week!!!

[Lesli54]

Check it out!! I have a new clippie! :banana: :banana: 10 lbs. is gone and I make this solemn oath that I will never weigh over 220 again. :angel:

I can hardly believe it, but it is true. I just want to shout it out to everyone! After I get about 3 more lbs. off, I will pack up these pants and ship them out. I might have to buy another pair, but that's okay, since they will only be temporary and a smaller size. Thankfully, the weather is getting nicer so I should be able to fit back into my shorts......or at least I am close. But that too is temporary.

Yesterday was a good day. I stayed busy all day and got quite a few things done. Everything was according to my food plan except, I missed the PM snack altogether. Just got so busy working on things that I lost track of time. Also, the Cheetos managed to get back in the house (just a small bag that DH brought home for DS) and I had a handful. I mad taco salad for supper, but unfortunately, I had to go check in on a training that I set up so I didn't eat with the family. I didn't get a chance to eat until 9:30pm. That concerned me a little since it was after 7, but given the fact that I was good all day, it obviously didn't hurt me as much as it would have in the "before".

Exercising didn't really happen, but I was on a constant move so hopefully that helped some. I really need to buckle down and get some exercising done. Everything else is coming along, but this still needs work.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slcie 7 grain toast w/jelly, 1 c. milk, 1 c. watermelon, 1 c. hot tea
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: taco salad
PM snack: smoothie (I will try not to work through this snack)
Supper: Rotisserie chicken, asparagus, corn on cob

Goals for day:
1. Exercise (make the time)
2. stay busy and OP
3. See if I can get a jump start on tomorrow's work (would be great)

I can't help being excited today! :cheer2: I only have 10 lbs. until I reach my goal for DD17's graduation. You know what? I already know how to lose 10 lbs. so I think that I will actually reach my goal! My shirts are hanging the way they should and I am not constantly pulling them down. I have a feeling, that I will like being another 10 lighter. Ooh, I better figure out what my reward is for the next 5 gone. Hmmmm.

Well, time to get busy and conquer the day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Oh my goodness! That's awesome!!! Your new clippie looks great on you!!!

Congrats to you! You've worked so hard! Great job! :banana:

Isn't it great to have the "shirt problem" fixed? It is so annoying to constantly be pulling down/fixing/rearranging your shirt! It's so nice when that's done! It will be time for your own packing party so soon!

You should definitely come up with a cool reward for this 5lbs. You earned it!

Enjoy this rainy, rainy day!

[pettyone]

Check it out!! I have a new clippie! :banana: :banana: 10 lbs. is gone and I make this solemn oath that I will never weigh over 220 again. :angel:


I am envious of that clippie...mighty nice, indeed!!!

:banana:

[Lesli54]

Here's to a packing party soon :banana: ...........as long as I don't keep doing what I did yesterday.

It started out good, but low and behold, I missed that AM snack. You think I would learn. It was okay until sometime after lunch when I saw the cinnamon Life cereal and took a handful to see if I liked it. Then I ate 6 crackers and 6 sm slices hard cheese. Not bad, but not better than the smoothie I had planned. Then no one was really hungry for supper so I made breakfast, thinking that it was lighter than chicken and 2 veggies. Now how stupid is that? :sad2: I ate 2 sm pancakes dipped in syrup (I don't like tons of syrup), 1 scrambled egg, and 2 1/2 slices of bacon. Could have been much worse, but this was not at all what I had planned. Then for some reason (must have been all the popcorn DH keeps insisting on making), I had a sm bowl of that Life cereal at 9:30 at night! :sad2: It was fine until the crunch left in 30 seconds and I should have thrown it out, but didn't. Needless to say, I slept horribly last night.........this is why I gave up late night eating. Also, when I went to bed, my stomach was full and I kind of felt sick lying there with a full stomach. That is not happening again.

Part of my problem yesterday, I think, was the fact that I was at the computer for too long. I spent alot of time researching our upcoming trip to London so that I can work out final plans. I did very little of the work I had planned. :sad2: Working on travel plans is not so bad, but I need to remember to get up and away from the computer on those days. I need to remember to throw in some other small tasks in order to break up the monotony. Maybe it was the icky, cold day we had yesterday. Kind of zapped the mood of moving around. :rolleyes1 Of course, I will let this go and move on. However, that means today I have a lot more to get done. Too many year end GS things happening this week, but after Sunday, much of the GS work that I am doing now will slow down a little.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain toast w/jelly, 2 slices lean ham, 1 yogurt, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. hot tea
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: salad
PM snack: smoothie
Suppper: The chicken and veggies I had planned last night

Goals for day:
1. stick with "to do" list and stay focused
2. exercise
3. stick with the food plan, don't let my family derail
4. take scheduled breaks to dance and move and work on other small tasks.

Why do we have to constantly remind ourselves of the things we already know? :confused3

Here's to a better day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like today will be a better day for you. Hopefully for me, too! Once you break the pattern, it's hard to get back.

Have a good day!

London sounds wonderful! My Brother & wife just got back from a long weekend there.

[pearlieq]

At least we have a much more cheerful day today!

Sorry to hear yesterday got off track, but it doesn't sound like it was too bad. Today is another day...

Sounds like that AM snack is really critical for you. Make sure you get a good one today!

Sending :wizard: for a great day!

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Lesli

I am finding that AM snack really helps me, too. I hope today is better :) Your trip to London sounds wonderful :flower:

Sunny

[Lesli54]

Thanks guys for the support. You are all AWESOME! :cool1:

This has to be quick today (everyone is probably thinking, Thank God!).

Yesterday was a great day. I managed to get quite a bit knocked off my list and am almost back on track. Lunch was taco salad, but I didn't finish it all, had that full feeling coming on. Oh yeah, I did get the AM snack and threw in a small piece of cheese with the veggies. I did get my smoothie! :banana: Supper..........well.....the older DD's went out to eat before church youth night and so it was just DH, myself and the two little ones. DH brought home KFC. But I did good. I ate a chicken breast, got rid of most the skin, and had a very small helping of potatoes and gravy. It was enough to fill me so I quit. No munchies, no late nights, nothing overly bad. See it is all in the AM snack. :rolleyes1 Some exercise, not enough.

Lot's to do today. We have a GS ceremony tonight and I have a lot to get ready. DD17 is being recognized for her Gold Award and she is flying up to Adult. DD15 is bridging to her last 3 yrs. and being recognized for her 10 yr award. Then there are all the leaders I have to thank, etc. Busy, Busy, Busy.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice whole wheat toast w/ jelly, 1 c. milk, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1/2 c. hot tea.
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: salad w/ maybe a 1/2 sandwich
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: supposed to be pizza night, but with the other going on, I will have to think about it.

Goals for day:
1. More exercise. Did some this morning.
2. Stay OP and stay moving.
3. Relax after the ceremony and enjoy all that was accomplished. (It's been a long GS year and this is the official end for most in town.)

Gotta go. Have to get DD15 to an ortho appt. Will catch up with everyone later. Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Clare]

Lesli,
I have really enjoyed reading your journal. I am amazed at how detailed you are.....you are really, really dedicated! I'm very impressed. Being as busy as you are makes it even more impressive!

Keep up the good work!

[pearlieq]

Congrats to you DD on her Gold award--that's so impressive! So few girls make it that far! You must be so proud!!! :cool1:

Sounds like you had a great day yesterday--and you finally got your smoothie!

Hope you enjoy the :sunny: today--I hear it's supposed to warm up for the weekend.

[Michelle2]

I had to come and check out your journal Lesli, since you are so kind and post on mine! I think you are doing a great job!
And have a great trip in London, I went there when I was 13, and absolutely fell in love with the place. Hoping someday to be able to take DH maybe even kids there...really educational! And I know what you mean about trip planning mode....I get in those and am at the computer researching and planning ALL day! LOL

[Lesli54]

Just trying to relax and enjoy some peace and quite. :angel: I have been running all day! But you know it really felt good to be busy, although I wouldn't want this busy every day. My house looks like it threw up on itself. Everything was good until about 3:00pm. The kids came home and threw everything in the kitchen which was a bit neglected as I ran out the door early this morning. DD17 took over my office to finish up her display board for the GS ceremony and that was already getting too cluttered this week. I was in the dining room trying to finish sewing on patches when I got a whole carload of GS stuff dropped off. My town chair is quiting and all the stuff she had is now sitting in my foyer. I don't know where to put it. Then I had a leader drop stuff off. Oh yeah! My dining room table is filled with pictures, because I was trying to sort through and pull out some of DD17 over her 13 yrs in GS. DD15 then made a display board out of those (in my office). This wouldn't be so bad if my sister wasn't coming tomorrow. If it rains she won't be here, but I don't think it will. Her DH is doing some roof work for the store.

So can you tell what I am doing tomorrow? At least cleaning is good exercise. :rolleyes:

The ceremony went well and I almost made it through without a problem. I was giving a speech about DD17's 13 yrs in GS and almost made it to the end, but then I choked. I made the other leader's cry. But I recompossed and was able to finish the last two lines. It is hard to be your daughter's leader at times, but I wouldn't have changed it for the world and I am really proud of her. :love:

I did well with my meals until the afternoon. For lunch I had a sm bowl of salad and a 1/2 turkey sandwich. I missed the PM snack, too busy. Kids ate hotdogs before we left and I just didn't get a chance to grab anything to eat. I didn't have any ice cream and really it wasn't all that appealing, but I did eat one cookie. Got home late and had 1 mozzerella stick (fried) and 3 bites of pizza. I just wasn't hungry, but thought I better have something, because I ate very little today, so I had a sm bowl of Kix cereal.

I will probably pay for it with some weight gain that isn't real, but what do you do? At least this isn't a norm.

I better get some sleep. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Wow! What a day! Sounds like you did a good job keeping your head above water and looking out for yourself.

Happy Friday!!! Don't spend the whole day cleaning! Get out and enjoy the :sunny: !!

[Lesli54]

I will try not to clean all day. My sister and family will be here for the weekend along with two extra men to help tear off the roof. So it will be a houseful and I need to open up the RV to air it out (makes a great guest house).

Busy busy day!

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet (of sorts), 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 slice whole wheat toast w/jelly
AM Snack: veggies
Lunch: Salad
PM Snack: strawberry smoothie
Supper: probably grill something since we have so many here or do pizza

Goals for day:
1. Hope to get some exercise, besides cleaning
2. Hope to knock off some "to do's"

Everyone have a great day. I will try to post this weekend. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet (of sorts),


Sorry, that just cracked me up! :rotfl2: That sounds like something I would make--the best intentions to make it an omelet, but it always turns out as a "scramble". Oh well...

[Lesli54]

Ok, quick report.

I can fit back into a solid size 20 (not a stretch 20)! :banana: I am so happy! The 18's can be pulled up but are far from buttoning. Soon though.

Yesterday was good. I was busy all day and almost didn't count my cleaning as exercise, but since I was breaking a sweat with moving so fast, I decided to add it to my total.

I missed the AM snack. Added 1/2 turkey sandwich on whole wheat to my lunch. PM snack was 5 crackers with small slices of hard cheese. Supper was late (about 8:30) and we had pizza. I ate 4 small slices, no pop.

Weight is the same, but I am holding some water, so hopefully if I do well today then tomorrow will be good on the scales. At least I am not adding.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 whole wheat toast w/jelly, 1 c. milk, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1/2 c. hot tea
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: either 1 brat on bun or 1 pork chop on bun (cookout day)
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: My DSis is looking for some good recipes right now.

Sidenote: DSis has lost quite a bit of weight as well and is looking good!

Goals for day:
1. Stay OP
2. Keep moving, busy day

Everyone have a great day. Looks like I will catch up with everyone's journals on Sunday or Monday night. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Congrats on making it into the 20's!!!! Yay for you! :cheer2: Those 18's are just around the corner! :banana:

Hope you had a great day and have fun with your family! It's nice you and DSis can share the weight loss journey!

[Lesli54]

Yesterday was so busy, it was a blur.

With the Saturday cookout and the roofing going on and getting DD17's Senior pictures done and having a full house of guests, it is amazing that I did as well as I did and managed to accomplish anything.

My food plan was pretty good. I did miss the AM snack, had a brat on bun for lunch, and the PM snack became 4 crackers and 3 sm slices hard cheese, as I ran out the door. Supper was rotisserie chicken, salad, green beans w/onions & almonds, and a piece of garlic toast. We ate late again (as usual on Sat) and I at a little more chicken than I needed.

The air here is drier than normal and I felt parched all day, even though I drank 100oz of water. It's odd for this area. Reminds me of being out in SD and WY. I think I better up the water intake today.

I walked all over creation when DD17 was doing senior pics. We were trying to find the perfect locations at a local historical site. It was great and wonderful exercise.

Today is busy. We have to attend a GS annual meeting/dinner. DD15 will recieve her 10 yr award and DD17 will be presented with the Gold Award. Hope I don't get to teary.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/ sprinkle cheese, 1 slice whole wheat toast w/jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 yogurt, 1 very sm slice of breakfast bread w/cream cheese center (had to get it out of the freezer so I wasn't tempted later, company is so unsuspecting, they will save me from myself and it allowed me just a small taste.)
AM Snack: veggies
Lunch: Chicken, new potatoes, veggies (at the meeting, I will skip the cake)
PM Snack: probably will be on the road (maybe should take a banana)
Supper: ??????

Goals for day:
1. stay OP
2. try to fit in some exercise.

Gotta go. Lots to do. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like your weekend is going well. Good luck at the GS awards. I'd cry, and you should too! Pride does that in a mom! She has a tremendous accomplishment and I know that you've had a big hand in it.

Good Luck and Congrats to mom, too!

[pearlieq]

You go ahead and tear right up if you want to! Your DDs have made huge accomplishments! That being said, I hope you all have a really good time.

Have a great day. Stay hydrated!!

[TigerCheer2009]

How awesome, Lesli. What a great acomplishment for your dd's. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for you right now!!! :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes !

Give your daughters a :grouphug: and some :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: from me, okay?

[Lesli54]

Late with posting today. Yesterday was okay, but there were a few slips.

Watching DDs get their awards was great! Yes I did shed a tear when DD17 got the gold and then presented me and DH with a miniature gold pin to show her appreciation. DD15 is proud of her 10 yr award. :goodvibes To top it off, DD17 recieved Outstanding Senior Girl Scout Award in our council. :banana: Ya gotta be pround! Now she wants to be a lifer.

The meal was good, I had 1/2 a baked chicken breast, steamed veggies, new potatoes, lots of salad, and a dinner roll. Could have done without the roll. Also had 1 petit four. As for the cake........I didn't have a slice.......but my kids were commenting on how strange the frosting was that I tried a bite........glad I didn't have the cake. :crazy:

Too busy to grab the AM snack or PM snack. DH was so proud after the dinner (and long meeting) that he decided to get ice cream :sad2: . I didn't want any but was forced to help out DS. Yes, I was forced. We went through McD's and asked for a SMALL cone in a cup. Well the cup was HUGE and overflowing and it had a cone stuck on. Of course, dripping all over. So I think I ate about 1/3 c of ice cream, then let DD17 eat quite a bit (she didn't want any either). Much to much for little DS, oh well. :confused3

Supper was leftovers. I had a salad and a small slice of pizza. It would seem that the day went good for food, but I did grab about 2 handfuls of cheetos and finished the last of the breakfast bread (that lonely small piece was calling me and with the added chaos in the house, I ate it). Of course, these slipups could be related to TOM, but I think it is the chaos more than a craving.

Water was great, probably about 128 oz. That has seemed to help some. I was concentrating on getting in enough water that I didn't take into consideration the effect of the weather.

Can't say that I did much for exercise, but I did keep moving around and sat very little.

Today is a little better, my kids are at school which takes out some of the noise until after 3:00. DSis and family will be here until tomorrow afternoon. The roof is coming along well and looks like they may be back to help with other work we need. Busy summer, I guess.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice whole wheat w/jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 yogurt
AM Snack: was gone and didn't get one. Will watch myself this afternoon. (oh, I did have a small handful of cheetos)
Lunch: Salad and either 1/2 sandwich or 1 small slice pizza
PM Snack: banana
Supper: Still need to work on

Goals for day:
1. Stay OP and keep the afternoon munchies away
2. More exercise (got in 20 min this morning unloading bedding plants, might try some gardening)

DH is concerned that he has strayed form the program and wants to get himself back on. YEA! :cheer2: :cheer2: It will be easier when all is calm, but at least he wants to keep the weight down.

I am sure it will take forever and a day to catch up with everyone else's journals. Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like yesterday was wonderful! Food didn't sound too bad. One day at a time. At least the ice cream was McDonalds - it's not too bad calorie/fat/point wise.

[pearlieq]

Hey! There you are!

Glad to hear the ceremony went well. Sounds like you did very well at the celebration meal.

Don't worry too much about the things you wish you hadn't ate--we can't be perfect 100% of the time. If you step back and look at it, a dinner roll, a little bit of ice cream, a few Cheetos, and a piece of bread are not that much food--a few hundred calories at most! Sounds like you were pretty active yesterday, so I'm sure it didn't derail anything.

Glad to see DH is taking a real interest in your new lifestyle!

Gardening is great exercise--enjoy it!!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

[Lesli54]

Let's see if I can post before things get too hectic again today. Yesterday went fairly well, didn't get that gardening in, but I did stay pretty active.

I decided to go with the 1/2 turkey sandwich and salad for lunch. For the PM snack, I had 6 crackers and 6 slices of hard cheese. Probably should have had the banana, since I am a little light on my fruits lately. Supper was a salad, a small serving of spaghetti, and 1 piece of garlic bread. It is hard to eat healthier meals when you have such a large crowd. My family eats so much lighter than my sisters family, mainly because we don't do the hard physical labor that they do. DBil is in construction and DSis is a CNA in a nursing home. But I was surprised that I kept myself busy enough so the afternoon munchies didn't take hold even though I missed the AM snack. YEAH! :banana: I did excellent on water yesterday!

You know what is great? :flower: These pair of 20's that I put on last week are going on without doing the wiggle dance! :cheer2: I have decided that I am going to hold a packing party before weeks end. Going to get rid of those stretch 20's and all the winter shirts/sweaters that I know will not fit next winter. Having a few clothes used to bother me, but now I am feeling empowered by the fact that those few are very temporary and soon I will have a great wardrobe!

Haven't weighed myself since Sat. so dont' know what the scale says. Tomorrow is my official day to weigh and hoping that TOM hasn't messed things up too much.

Lots to catch up on today. It's hard to get work done with company.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice whole wheat toast w/jelly, 1 yogurt, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. hot tea
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: large salad
PM snack: strawberry smoothie
Supper: ? we will see how many are here then.

Goals for day:
1. Get some exercise as I will be sitting a good portion in order to catch up.
2. Stay OP. So far I have made it through TOM with very little craving, let's keep it up.
3. Bookwork & Bills
4. TRY to get rid of a few more "to-do's" if time allows.

Time to get started with my day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Good Morning!

Sounds like you had a good day yesterday. I can be hard to stay OP with a group of hearty eaters, but it looks like you did great!

Have fun with your packing party!!! I'm sure it will be lots or fun and very empowering! :banana:

Sending :wizard: to keep the TOM monster away--hopefully your weign-in will go well.

Have a great day!!! :flower:

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like you did so well surviving company! Packing up the old too big clothes is almost as fun as getting new ones! I still have a pair of my 20's as a reminder, and a pair of small ones that I'm hoping to get back into. They are my gauge as I felt and looked good when I could wear them.

Have a great day!

[Clare]

It sounds like you are doing sooooo great!!! Congratulations! I love the idea of a packing party......I think I might just have to do that too!

[Lesli54]

Yesterday was a long day! DSis and family left last night and unfortunately her hubby made an issue out of nothing before they left, mainly because he was extremely tired and frustrated, but none the less, it puts a strain on everyone. Having family do some work for you is very touchy. :sad2: He did a great job on the roof, but he wore himself out doing it (it's a very large roof). Financially, it helped them alot and we got a very professional job done on something that we could no longer ignore. But the stress of his frustration got to me so bad that I literally thought I would get sick (very rare), didn't sleep well, and I almost started eating the entire kitchen! :scared1: Luckily, I decided that it I needed to read some more posts and cheer people on. I know it is the only thing that saved me from finishing off all the junk in the house. :angel:

I usually deal with stress fairly well, but rifts in the family stress is another story. DSis and I are okay with each other which is the most important thing. It would take a thousand lifetimes to come between us. :love: Thankfully, BIL called this morning to talk with DH to work things out and did leave an apology for me. I know he was very tired and I am glad that he called as it is some weight off my shoulders, but until I see him again and can FEEL that things are okay, I am still concerned. :sad2: We were going to have him do some work on our house, but I am not sure right now where that stands. Hopefully, it will be okay.

At any rate, I did ok on food, not great. I ate the banana for the AM snack (all the veggies were in the salad for lunch). And for the PM snack I had a summer sausage and hard cheese ( a little too much on each). Supper was 1 pork chop on bun and 1/2 c. potato salad. No exercise, what's new?

Today, I have a lot of catch up work to do and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. But, I will stay focused and try to break up the day for some exercise and activity. I think I will get my bike down.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice whole wheat w/jelly, 1/3 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. hot tea, 1 c. milk (I need a new breakfast)
AM snack: yogurt
Lunch: salad and watermelon
PM snack: strawberry smoothie
Supper: Using the leftovers to make a broccoli chicken ring (I will just watch my portions) and probably a salad of sorts

Goals for day:
1. Catch up bookwork
2. Go on a bike ride
3. Pack those clothes
4. Meeting tonight (the Vietnam Moving Wall is coming to our town this fall and I am on the committee. It's a huge undertaking, but very exciting)
5. Work on graduation invites
6. Work on finishing touches to DD17's Civil War regalia (she has an event this weekend)

I am feeling better now. Time to tackle my mountain of paperwork. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo



******Forgot to add******
I am up 1 lb., but know that it is mainly TOM and this water retention. Both are subsiding so hopefully I will have better results soon. Of course being slightly off with company didn't help either. Starting to get worried about meeting my goal for DD17's graduation. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

I'm so sorry to hear about the family tension and how upsetting it was to you. I am, however, so so so proud of the way you handled it! What an awesome response! You've really grown!

Sounds like your BIL came around, and I'm sure all will be well the next time you see them.

It does sound like you've got a full day today! Hang in there and try to take one thing at a time!!!

[Lesli54]

Just had to post!

I went through the clothing. How exhilirating! :cheer2: The stretch 20's and the 1XL sweaters are in a pile ready to go out the door. Just have a few more things to get out of the wash that need to go and then I am slamming the door on this size! :cool1:

I even went as far as trying on a few more things in my wardrobe. Guess what? The 18W shorts fit! They are stretchable, but I am NOT stretching them, so I think they will be very temporary. Yeah! :cheer2: I am actually fitting in these better than I did last August. I am so happy. It sure has put a bright spot in my day ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

That is SO AWESOME!!!!! You're doing GREAT!! I bet it won't be long til the 18 is gone, too!

Keep smiling!

[Lesli54]

So, yesterday had a few slips. But today the scale still read 219.5! :cheer2:

Wish it was more, but with all the things going on around here, I will take what I can get.

Lunch turned into 1/2 turkey sandwich on whole wheat, 3/4 c. watermelon and 1 sm handful of chips. I wanted the salad, but had to throw it out, as it didn't look to good. Unfortunately, I guess the weekend caught up (stress, tired, etc.) and I managed to find a small handful of cheetos left, ate 3/4 of a dove chocolate egg (DS's leftovers) and then had 2 GS cookies. The PM snack was 4 sm slices hard cheese, 4 thin slices summer sausage and 4 crackers. I tried to make the strawberry smoothie, but it just didn't taste very good, it was almost like the strawberries disintegrated, so I threw it out. For supper, I had two smaller pieces of the broccoli/chicken ring and a large side salad. BTW, I used leftover rotisserie chicken to make the broccoli/chicken ring and didn't care for it as much as when I use chicken breasts only.

Still having a problem with getting motivated to exercise. Don't know why. Maybe it is just that I am not making it a priority. There is so much that needs to be done and I just keep working on those things. I need to figure this out and do something different.

Breakfast: 2 thin slices ham, 1 whole wheat toast w/ jelly, 1 c. watermelon, 1 c. milk, 1 c. hot tea
AM snack: veggies (need to go to the store)
Lunch: salad and maybe 1/2 turkey sandwich
PM snack: banana smoothie
Supper: supposed to be pizza night, but I am not sure.

Goals for day:
1. Try to figure out what to do about exercise
2. Plan some meals for the next few days
3. Tackle the "to-do's"
4. Get some good groceries in this house

It is cold here and looks like it might rain. But time to stay positive because I am under 220! :cheer2: Time to take on the day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Congrats on the loss! Even though yesterday was a struggle, it must lift your spirits to see the south side of 220!!

I hope you can fit in some exercise today--it really makes a heap of difference. You're worth the investment!

Hope you have a great day and the sun comes out!!

[Clare]

I don't know what you normally do for exercise, but I will tell you what works for me. The TV!! Being able to walk on my treadmill while watching something entertaining (& mindless!) on TV really helps me. Mostly because it keeps me from watching the seconds tick by. I don't know if this arrangement is available to you or even appeals to you, but it works for me.

Good luck today :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

[goldcupmom]

Don't worry about yesterday. You still have today! A few slip ups won't hurt.

I have a hard time trying to get motivated to exercise, too. I'm really liking my Walk Away the Pounds, tho. I find I can now read a book during the first 15 min of the 2 mile, which is a treat for me. The 1 mile is too short usually and I haven't gotten brave enough to try the 3 mile. So I ordered a different 2 mile to help stave off boredom.

Try to look at the big picture. I'm learning to have to do that I'm now just slightly below where I was exactly 2 years ago on WW, but that means I'm still over 25 lbs lighter than I was in Jan 2003. I'm trying to convince myself that any move downward is good, AND IT IS!!!

Hang in there!

[Lesli54]

Well, yesterday had one slip and the rest of the day, I took for myself to do what I wanted.

Did I get to the store....No! That is bad when you own one isn't it? Today, I have to go for sure. I added a little cheese to my AM snack and added the 1/2 turkey on whole wheat to my lunch. Then after lunch, I ate 2 Cookies & Snickers Bars. They were sitting on my desk (bad, I know) where they landed last week when someone gave them to me. I should have just thrown them out or put them in the cupboard. Obviously, it wasn't tempting me too much if it had sat for a week, but I should have known better. The only reason that I can come up with for eating them is that I was tired. It gets me every time. :sad2: So, I skipped my planned PM snack, since I indulged, and let me tell you it wasn't worth it. The M&M Cookie Bars are better and even at that they aren't great. Learning lessons the hard way, I guess. Supper was 2 small slices of pizza and a glass of Pepsi. Wasn't in the mood for either and should have found something better.

Exercise? No. Unless you count that I was shivering from the cold weather. :cold: I was chilled to the bone yesterday due to the weather change. :cold: I was tired and just couldn't get myself moving. It would have been so easy to take a nap and sleep most of the day. Instead, I decided that I needed to do something that I WANTED to do and take time to myself. :rolleyes: So I grabbed some pictures out of my picture closet (almost literally full of pictures) and a few empty picture boxes and began sorting. This is a project that I have wanted to do for a long time, but the perfectionist procrastination always keeps me away. Well, I defeated that procrastination (for now)! I sorted for the entire afternoon and evening. It was a great time to relax, not think about food, enjoy the memories, and surprisingly I was reminded of what I want to look like when I reach my goal. I got a lot done and have a lot more to do, but I don't think I will be able to work on it today. That's okay, because I at least started it. I really think I needed some reflection time, especially as DD17 is graduating in 3 weeks.

Today, I feel so much more energized! It's back to the real world and there is lots to do.

Breakfast: 3/4 slice whole wheat w/ jelly, 2 thin slices ham, 3/4 yogurt, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1/2 c. hot tea (just not very hungry today, so I didn't eat everything)
AM snack: Veggies
Lunch: Lean Cuisine (chicken chow mein, I think it's called)
PM snack: banana smoothie
Supper: pork chops, peas, and 1/2 baked potato

Goals for day:
1. Dancing to Billy Joel
2. Situps & some weights during my favorite Soap (which I haven't watched much lately)
3. Bookwork
4. Clean up my office and one other room in house.

I don't have a great plan for exercise, but I know that when I just set aside time for it, I did much better. Just gotta keep trying I guess.

Time to get on with the rest of the day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Hey, everyone needs a day off once in a while. Sounds like you had a very nice time and sorting the pictures was just what you needed.

I've tried those cookie bars too, and they were a big disappointment--they sounds so good, yet taste so ugh! Still, I know it's hard when they're right in front of your face.

Trying to stay warm here. We actually had sun yesterday though it was pretty cool. It started raining at about 11pm last night and it's still going. Plus, it's freezing! I had to switch us back from A/C to the heater--gotta love living in the Midwest! I know what you mean about the icky weather slowing you down. I've been dragging these past few morning as well.

It's definitely time to get you some exercise! I'll start your dancing party for you--who wants to join in?

Come out, Virginia, don't let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late... :rockband:

[goldcupmom]

I bet the day off won't hurt you at all. Graduation in 3 wks. Boy this year is flying by! Have a good weekend!

[Lesli54]

Why are some days harder than others? Why is it that sometimes you just can't motivate yourself and stay with the program? :confused3

A few more slips yesterday. Lunch was the Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Asian beef w/soy & ginger. It was alright, had to try, but not as good as the chicken chow mein. I got one bite of lunch before I had to run DD17 to a friend's house so they could leave for the CW reenactment. So lunch was finished about 2:15, pretty late for me. I did have a handful of chips and about 6 (count them 6) GS cookies! :scared1: Thankfully, they are almost gone. Now to sell off the 25 boxes remaining that no one has sold yet. :rolleyes1 Actually, I have done much better cookie wise than I normally do, but that is still no excuse. Skipped the PM snack, since I had those cookies. Supper, I did great. 1/2 baked potato, 1/3 c. peas, and 3/4 pork chop. Water was probably just at 80ooz, so not bad.

Exercise? No. :sad2: With running around and my late lunch, I threw myself off. I really do need to be more flexible.

The good news is that even though I seem to be trying to sabatoge myself, my weight today was 219! :cheer2: I actually did see 218 and was going to go with it, but stepped back on the scale to double check. No luck. But that must mean it is close by!

I had to rearrange a doctor's appointment for the end of May since I am going to GS camp with DD7 and need a physical. Guess I am just going to get a complete one since I am nearing 40 and am going in for complete bloodwork. Doc said it was a good idea to get a baseline so that if things happen after 40, they have something to compare to. It is a little frightening that something will be found, but I am trying to look at it more as a motivator to keep going with my plan. It would be so great to walk into the doc's office and be under 210, plus have all things in line or looking better because I am eating healthier and exercising.

New mini-goal:
1. Drop 10 more lbs before Dr. appt (will put me at 209)
2. Exercise a min of 30 minutes daily to make a stronger heart before Dr. appt.
3. Stick with food plan, no snacking, to get the best lab results I can get.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain w/smidge of butter (I am so glad to have my bread back, DH has to work so hard with new drivers to get them to leave it), 2 slices ham, 1 yogurt, 1 c. grapefruit juice
AM snack: carrots & hard cheese
Lunch: 1 brat on bun (cookout day, but it is chilly)
PM snack: banana smoothie
Supper: Taco salad (lots of lettuce, little meat; won't eat until about 7:30 so need to keep it light)............Just remembered, I have a GS event to attend tonight, so dinner might be "clean out the fridge and freezer night"......Darn! pirate:

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Work on removing wallpaper
3. Book that hotel for London
4. Pick up paint for the living room

Everyone have a great day! Next week, I want to see less of me! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Congrats on that pound coming off! I see you made your goal for April--yay for you!!! :Pinkbounc :banana:

I hope you enjoy this chilly, windy day! No :sunny: for us yet, but if you've got it, it must be coming, right!

I'm starting to think the slipups - in moderation - are almost a good thing for our bodiest--I think they keep it guessing so it doesn't settle into that depressed metabolism they always warn you about when you start losing weight.

Time to get rid of those GS cookies! I'm sure you'll find many takers. The supply up here has dried up so people are starting to get deperate!

The Dr appt sounds like a great motivator. You've set a good goal for yourself and I know you'll get there. You can do it! :cheer2:

Have a great day!!

[goldcupmom]

You're still on track. I'll bet that 10 lbs by the Dr appt is going to happen.

I'd LOVE (but not need) your GS cookies. No one ever even asked us to buy any, not at any stores we were at or anything. First time ever. I found it interesting that cookies had one name in Kansas and a different name here. In KS they were Caramel Delights, here Samoas (I think - the choc, caramel, coconut ones).

Hope you have a good day. I'm so wanting to do the London trip. Maybe for my 25th anniv in 2 years.

[Lesli54]

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. Even though it seems like it now, I guess the slipups aren't constant and don't happen all day long like they used to. And I will admit that they don't hurt near as much as they used to, but time to minimize them for another month.

Ahhh....GS cookies. Being a leader is great, having the leftover unsold cookies in your house is not. Usually, they are gone by now, but I have been so busy, that I keep forgetting to send them to work with the DD's. They are now on the table so I can hopefully get rid of them this weekend.

There are two different companies that make GS cookies, ABC Cookie Company & Little Brownie Bakers, and that is mainly why the names of some cookies are different. Thin Mints are always the same. Carmel Delights = Samoas, Shortbread = Trefoils, Peanut Butter Sandwich = DoSiDos (my fav), and Peanut Butter Patties = Tagalongs. Those are the top 5 and are amongst the top 10 cookies sold in the USA annually (Oreos beats us out). Most everything else is called by the same name but is more regional, for example, we have Animal Treasures, Lemon Pastries and Pinatas. HI has some great Macadamean cookies and PA has some Double Chocolate cookies. Can't remember the names of either, but really would like to try them.

Think I have been in GS too long? ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

:banana: :banana: 217.5! :banana: :banana:

The rest of the water weight is gone, finally and I am loving this number. Strange to hear. I do know for a fact that I weigh less than I did last fall. That is a good thing.

Only 2.5lbs til the new clippie and 7.5lbs til my first goal. I will be real close to goal at DD17's graduation. It is hard to believe that I am so close! What is harder to believe is that I have lost 12.5. I know I have and my clothing says I have (and the scale), but it seems like so much and is hard to imagine that it is gone. No complaints here, but I guess after thinking for so long that it would never happen it takes time to readjust.

Yesterday was pretty good! No exercise set aside, but I was pretty active and danced around a bit, which is a plus compared to a few days before. My mood is much improved. ;)

Skipped the AM and PM snack, just too busy and not paying attention to time. Went on errands and forgot my water, so I was a little short for the day. I hoped to eat before my GS event, but didn't have time, so figured it would be Lean Cuisine when I got home and was looking forward to it. Alas, I got home and DH was making dinner. Not the greatest choices, but I couldn't disappoint him either. So my late dinner at 8pm consisted of 1/2 chicken patty (I don't really like them), fried potatoes (about 1/3 a potato, don't care for them much either), 1 sm corn on cob, and 1 slice Texas cheese Toast. Probably one of the most unhealthy meals that I have eaten in awhile. What do you do? He wasn't expecting me and he was feeding the children.

Breakfast: Started with 1 c. grapefruit juice then off to the Fireman's pancake breakfast (wasn't so great, they have changed their ingredients) - 2 pancakes (very very little syrup), 3 bites of scrambled eggs (ick), 1 sausage pattie, 1 c. milk - We got to see the new addition to the station and DS loved sitting in the fire trucks.
AM snack: Still full, so maybe just a few slices of hard cheese
Lunch: Lean Cuisine Chicken Chow Mein
PM snack: smoothie, if I am home
Supper: Taco salad

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Buy a new microwave (ours is blowing circuits)
3. Buy that paint - got to the store yesterday and forgot my samples and for the life of me couldn't remember the name of the color
4. Start painting trim in dining room

Busy day and lots to do as always. Time to get going! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[TigerCheer2009]

Congrats on the Water Weight goin' down!!! Great job/keep up the good work. 2.5 pounds more!! I think that 15-lb clippie will look GOOD on you, girl!

[pearlieq]

Look at you go! Congrats on that loss--I can't wait to see your new clippie! :banana:

It's always tough when the DH's cook. It's sweet of them to do, but then you have to figure out how to negotiate around what they made!

Glad to hear your mood has improved and you're feeling more chipper and energetic. :flower:

Sounds like another busy day for you--hope you have fun and get a lot done!

[Lesli54]

You know, it is hard to cook a Lean Cuisine without a microwave. Needless to say, I didn't go get one either, so that is a must do today. Everyone was at work and packing the younger kids along while I get a microwave and 4-5 gallons of paint just didn't seem like a quick trip. So I worked on the London trip plans. :rolleyes: It is really hard to figure out what you want and need in a hotel sometimes. Did we want an apartment, would we really cook in that much to make it worth it, my guess is no. Did we want breakfast included with the price of the stay and if so did we want a full english breakfast or continental? A couple of days we may be up earlier than breakfast is served in order to make it to the coach for a day trip outside of London. Did we need a refrigerator in the room? My guess is, a refrigerator would make things easy for keeping drinks cold and storing some food that we can pick up from the market as light meals or snacks. How far did I really want to be from most sights? How far did I want to be from the tubes? How far did I want to be from the Heathrow Express that can take us directly to the airport and is much quicker than the tube? A great thing on the day we come back home. How much would we really be in the room, so did quaint English or modern make a difference? How.........well you get the picture. Sure, I could have used a travel agent, but it is more fun to do the planning myself.

Now I am just narrowing down which days we will use to take side trips and which is the best way to do those........as a tour.......or just take the train or coach to the destination and look at our leisure. And to think that by the time I am done with this, I will need to make the final itineray for WDW. A person should really lose some weight through the sheer amount of exercise that your brain does to think of all the details. :rotfl2:

Yesterday's lunch was 1/2 turkey on 7 grain and a banana (no microwave), PM snack was skipped since a Milky Way chocolate bunny hopped its way into my mouth. ;) Supper ended up being leftover cookout food since we had quite a bit. I had two bites of a brat that was the worst I had ever tasted. So I got rid of that and ate 1/2 pork chop on bun, 1/2 c. potato salad, 1/4 c. macaroni & pea salad. Later I got the munchies and opted for some chex cereal with no milk, just wanted the crunch. Water was real good for the day.

Breakfast: 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. milk, 2 thin slices ham, 1 slice 7 grain w/jelly
AM snack: carrots (take them with when I go shopping)
Lunch: Lean Cuisine Chicken Chow Mein (gotta check out the new microwave)
PM snack: banana smoothie
Supper: I have a lot of leftover chicken breasts from the cookout, so I need to find something to make with them.

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Buy microwave
3. Buy paint
4. Get some major paperwork done.

Is this de ja vu? It sure seems like almost everything I was doing yesterday? What does that tell you? :rolleyes1 Alright, no trip planning until tonight.

Time to go shopping! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Darn those bunnies! They just hop in whenever they feel like it! :teeth:

I can see how living without a microwave would be very challenging, but I can't imagine a shopping trip with the kiddies would have been much easier. Hopefully things work out today.

Isn't London planning fun? DH and I want to go in the next couple of years. I agree the hotel choices are dizzying! I usually look for a while, then go do some WDW planning, just because it's comforting to look at something I know inside and out!

Hope you have a great day!

[goldcupmom]

Living w/o a microwave is the PITS!! I hope you got one today.

Despite being busy, it sounds like you're doing well.

[Clare]

WooHoo for you...way to go! As an aside, I would DIE without a microwave!! I'd be okay for our meals, but feeding my 1 year old would be tricky!

Keep up the awesome work!

[Lesli54]

It is sure nice to have you guys checking in and encouraging me even when days are not as planned. :cool1:

Yesterday was busy and most of the food plan went out the window. Didn't get my AM snack since I forgot to take my carrots, but I did take my water with. I had DS in tow while shopping for a microwave and paint so I didn't get back in time for lunch. We drove through McD's (I promised him). :guilty: I would have had chicken, but thought I was making chicken for dinner, so I opted for a quarter pounder. Not the best and really it didn't taste all that good either. Had a few of DS's fries and they weren't too good. No pop, had my water. I can safely say that any cravings for McD's food that I may have had in the "before" is gone. Should have made the time to stop by Panera's and share some soup with DS, next time I will. :angel: At least I know I am improving. I did get my smoothie for the PM snack, it was yummy. Supper.........3 slices of pizza and water. :guilty: Then the late night munchies occured and it was dry chex cereal.

I had supper planned, but then DH came home and wanted to get some of the plants moved out of the old garden so we can till it and let it go back to grass. Of course, he said "just tell me what you want to keep". I knew that meant, "I will keep some and I still don't know where you want it." So I went out to help him and we worked until the storms came which meant no dinner prep. The good news is that it was exercise, bending, up and down, trying to strengthen my upper arms while trying to divide massive clumps of daylilies and such. :cheer2: We got quite a bit done and if we can keep it up for the rest of the week, we should be ready to plow under the old and have it looking decent before graduation.

Oh yeah! Bought the microwave and DH calls to tell me the old one is working. pirate: Personally, I don't think it will last, so the new one is still sitting in the car. Murphy's law, I guess? :confused3

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/onion & mozerella, 1 c. milk, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 slice 7 grain w/jelly
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Lean cuisine chicken chow mein
PM snack: banana or other piece of fruit
Supper: ? we are going to an honor's banquet for the oldest DD's and I am not sure what is being served. But I will watch portions and stay in control.

Goals for day:
1. Clean up my office
2. Paperwork
3. Paint
4. Exercise

Everyone have a great day! The :sunny: is shining and I am hoping for some warmer weather. Time to tackle my goals for the day. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

********added********
I forgot to mention that DH's 91 y/o aunt who has probably never been overweight a day in her life (a little unusual for the Lebanese women in this family) and the sweetest, most energetic woman you will ever meet, commented yesterday that she noticed I was losing weight! :banana: She asked if it was on purpose and I was proud to tell her "yes!". It was great! She is the first person outside of our home to actually say anything about my weight loss and it felt good! :goodvibes
::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Glad to hear you're free from the McD's beast! Those quarter pounders are really greasy--once you're out of the habit it's hard to pick them up again. Panera sounds great for next time!

Glad you got some exercise gardening last night--it's a lot of work, but it's good for you!!

Your breakfast sounds so tasty--I may have to try something like that tomorrow!

Hope you enjoy the :sunny: and have a wonderful day!!!

[pearlieq]

Oops! :flower:

[goldcupmom]

Isn't it Wonderful to have someone notice? When I originally joined WW another gym mom and board member and I joined together. I lost at least double what she did and NO ONE noticed, but EVERYONE commented to her how much she lost. It was very discouraging. Still don't know why they couldn't tell.

Murphy's law is well at work here, too. DD had one of her electric Epee's stolen around thanksgiving at the university. I finally broke down and ordered another from England which is now somewhere in the US, and last night hers appeared. Her coach said it appeared after the tournament on Sat. Oh well......

Your meals sound great! And the weight is disappearing.

Your McD experience is GREAT! I remember several years ago when I gave up 'real' hot dogs. I used to eat them a bunch and loved them. After months on the FF kind I bit into one and almost threw up!

Same happened w/ real ice cream, only it was stomach problems.

Keep up the good work.

I vote for keeping the new microwave. m :goodvibes

[Lesli54]

It looks like it could be a beautiful day, but it probably won't get warm enough for me to put on shorts.

Yesterday was busy. I at least managed to clear my desk again and can see the top of it. Worked on getting the rest of the graduation invites finished. Cleaned a little. Washed some woodwork for painting and remembered why I quit the painting projects. :guilty: It takes a lot of time to prepare everything in order to paint. Wouldn't be bad if it was a newer house, but when we bought it everything needed painting and walls needed to be stripped of paper, etc. I am trying to tell myself that if I just get it done, then I won't have to worry about it no more.

Missed the AM snack. I ended up with unexpected company twice during that time and by the time they left it was close to lunch. Lunch was as planned. PM snack was 6 vanilla wafers. (I could go for them over sugar any day). DS ate the last banana. Supper was at the banquet and they had tacos or nachos. What a choice. I choose nachos in a small bowl and took it easy on the chips, added lettuce, a little cheese, chicken meat, and a little sour cream. They also had jello with peaches, so I took that as well. For dessert I had a piece of cake that was 1/2" tall. If it was the height of a real cake it would have been about a 1" square, so not bad.

The banquet was much too long. They changed a few things this year and we didn't get home until after 9pm :earseek: and the school is only a couple of minutes away! Both DD15 & DD17 got awards. Then DD17 honored one of her favorite teachers. Pretty cool.

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet w/cheese, 1 c. milk, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. hot tea, 1 slice 7 grain w/jelly (DH says I won't get my bread any more soon, since not enough people in the area buy it and it costs too much for the driver to carry it. :sad2: )
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: salad or maybe go out w/DH
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: chicken and stir fry veggies w/ rice

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Bills & paperwork
3. Clean a little more
4. Try to finish washing woodwork in dining room to paint

I now fit back into a few spring sweaters that I haven't worn in a long time. DH was really pleased when he saw me this morning in one of the sweaters. It's a shorter style, comes just below the waist and I love the fact that it fits again. In a full length mirror, the front view is pretty good.......the side is much better, still needs work........BUT I am not switching to a baggier shirt, 'cause I feel good!

Gotta go get breakfast, kids are gone. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Great day yesterday! Nachos are my weakness, so I think you did awesome!

Isn't it wonderful when clothes LOOK good on as well as off!

Congrats on the progress!

Have an awesome day!

I'm sure washing woodwork is GREAT exercise!

[pearlieq]

Sounds like a very productive day yesterday! Glad to hear the banquet went well, even if it did run long. Congrats to your DDs on their awards!

Sorry to hear that your bread will be out of stock for a while--that's such a bummer! Hopefully you can find a subsitute until it comes back.

Congrats on getting back into your spring sweaters. It's so much fun when the DHs notice the changes! You're doing great!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day and it gets warm enough for the shorts. Not much chance of that here, but I have hope for you!

[mking624]

Oh I LOVE fitting into old clothes...that's so awesome, I'm SO excited for you!! :cool1: :cheer2: :Pinkbounc

Tacos and nachos...geez it would be so hard for me to restrain myself. Between those and french fries, I go all gluttonous. :rotfl:

[Lesli54]

What did I say about best laid plans of mice and men? Yesterday was very busy, but for the most part I didn't do much that I had planned. But the food intake was decent. Water was way under. :guilty:

While eating breakfast and trying to catch up on journals, DH calls and asks if I want to see the house kitty korner from us. We noticed it for sale the night before and his brother has been looking for a house for a few years since their dad passed away. DH promised to take care of his brother who has epilepsy, although he gets around fine, but he doesn't have any family except us. Well.....the other brother and sister are farther away. Anyway we went to look, the house is great, priced to move and an offer was made by the end of the showing. Needless to say, part of the afternoon was number crunching and counter offers. The evening was agreed upon offers, paper signing and beginning the plans for a move. With luck the house will close in 2-3 wks tops (the older lady went to nursing home last wk). That puts us at helping with moving and painting the week between London and WDW. :scared1: Well I ever rest? At least he'll be closer and the kids will get to see him all the time, they just adore him.

So AM snack was carrots. DH and I ran errands and got a late lunch at Paneras. I had 1/2 ceasar side salad, 1 bowl french onion soup, 1 3" piece french bread, and ice tea. PM snack skipped (number crunching and had to run DD7 for a camp physical). Supper........well we had chicken, but DH wanted pasta instead of rice. So I made a tomato & white wine sauce (roma tomatos, white cooking wine, onion, add sugar, salt and pepper to taste). Not the healthiest, but not bad (I think) and very light. Put down a little angel hair pasta, top with chicken, then top with sauce, mozerella and almonds. So yummy. Also had a small salad and 1 1/2" piece french bread.

Was up late or should I say early morning ;) , trying to finish all the grad invites. They are done! :banana: Needless to say, I am a little tired, so will probably take a 15 min. nap this afternoon.

I think I am going to dig out the 14 day rapid start plan again. I need to get back on track with the right number of fruits and veggies and maybe that will also help get me out of the maintaining mode. Which is probably caused by not enough calories, not eating 5 times daily, not enough veggies and fruit, etc.

But, I can't complain too much, 'cause DH was really happy to see me again this morning. I decided to put on another spring sweater, one that I usually save for going out. It's an XL and designed to fit a little snug, but not tight. I feel so good!

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet w/mozerella, 1 slice 7 grain w/pb, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 c. milk
AM snack: veggies and fruit
Lunch: salad w/ sm slice french bread
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: maybe chicken, stir fry veggies, corn on cob

Goals for day:
1. Try to get done what I didn't do yesterday
2. Exercise
3. Stay busy and OP (except maybe that nap, but no more than 15 min)

Oh yes! Guess what? That old microwave? The one DH says was working again? Threw the circuit when I was heating water for my breakfast tea yesterday. Needless to say, I replaced it with the new one pretty quick.

Gotta go start the morning, running a little behind today. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Wow! That was fast--I bet you never thought when you woke up yesterday that you'd be buying a house! That's awesome that it's so close though--sounds like it will work well for everyone. You're sure going to have a couple of busy months!!

Your pasta sounds so yummy! You're making me hungry now!

Hope you're having a great day. Make sure you get that nap! Sounds like you need it!

[mking624]

Yesterday was very busy, but for the most part I didn't do much that I had planned. But the food intake was decent. Water was way under.
Don't feel bad about your water hon. It's only a food myth that you need to drink "so much water per day"...you only need to drink as much as you are thirsty. Don't forget, you're getting water from the food you eat as well. Even in bread there will be water intake.

Your food sounds awesome, girl...I just finished dinner and it's making me hungry!!

[pearlieq]

Good morning! :cool1:

Hope you're having a good morning and enjoying this Friday!

Hope all is well with you!

[goldcupmom]

Buying that house that fast sounds like something I'd do. When it's right, you know it, so why wait.

Sounds like you're doing a pretty good job of staying on track and dealing with life!

Hang in there!

[Lesli54]

I am very late at posting today. Had to get up early, do some laundry, get my driver's license renewed and do some business. :flower:

Anyway, yesterday was a "tired" day. I used to stay up til the early morning hours before I began my plan, but doing so the other night just about did me in yesterday. I did not accomplish much. :rolleyes1 Did just the bare minimum. My 15 min nap turned into 1 1/2 hours! :earseek: I guess I was really tired. So I made sure I got to bed at 10pm last night and this morning I was up and ready to go at 6:30am. So back on track and feeling great! :cool1:

My veggies didn't look good so I had 5 crackers and 2 thin slices of ham for the AM snack. Lunch was as planned. Slept through the PM snack. Supper......we had a late truck of flowers come in and the family went to unload so we had take out. I had a hamburger w/tomato and mayo and a few fries. Not great, but I was tired and just didn't care. About 9pm, I was munchie (from being tired) so I ate a 2" piece of french bread. Didn't get all my water in. :guilty: But the scales are still good, so it could have been worse.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain w/butter & 1 oz hard cheese (had to run out the door, not much time to eat)
AM snack: small handful of almonds (not much time with the errands, unloading groceries, and close to lunch)
Lunch: Smart Ones Chicken Enchilada Suiza & maybe a sm salad (I stocked up on some Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones, for a few more lunch choices. Haven't tried the SO's and the LC's are for the most part better for you w/ less salt, carbs and fat, but I'll try)
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: Salad and 1/2 sandwich (school carnival tonight where they serve hotdogs and chips, will either eat early or as soon as we get home)

Goals for day: (what's left of it)
1. Exercise (this is still my downfall and I really need to get going on this)
2. Finish up paperwork
3. Do some cleaning and hopefully painting

Going to try to figure out how to post pictures. Have tried before, but it didn't work. I'm going to have one of the DD's take a picture of me today and compare to when I started. 12.5 lbs doesn't seem like a picture goal, but I sure feel different.

Time for lunch, get DS down for nap and catch up on a few journals. Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

*******added to clarify******
BIL is actually purchasing the house, but DH and I are there every step of the way helping him figure everything out and doing part of the negotiating, so it sure seems like we are buying. What do you do, you have to help family at times. Fast? When it is right you have to move or it won't be there later. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

There were times yesterday when I salvaged the day and other times that I didn't pay attention. Something is not working here! :rolleyes1

Maybe it was that SO Chicken Enchilada Suiza. It was alright, but I wouldn't eat it again. There was so much spice on it that I was breathing fire and felt like a dragon. Mild spice I can handle, this was a little more than I like. Also, I figured out that the food didn't really taste so great, but the spice covered that up. Had a few handfuls of DS's Cheetos. I am down to buying very small bags of chips lately, that way no one can over eat.....aka me. Actually, I think I am done with the Cheetos kick as well. They just tasted different. Oh yes, 2 GS cookies instead of the planned PM snack. For supper, I wanted to be lazy and fix a frozen dinner, but was worried about all the salt and the fact that fresh is actually better. So I stuck with the large salad, but had 2" french bread instead of the sandwich. Also had 2 bites of scrambled eggs I prepared for the young ones. I was doing fine until everyone started eating large bowls of ice cream in front of me. About 10:30 I ate a large bowl of Kix w/ milk. Water was almost where it should be. The scale is still good this morning, but I can not keep this up or I am going to go the wrong way.

Did not get everything done on my list, got side tracked by my London trip planning. :rolleyes1

So what is the problem? WHat is different? I was doing fine, but am beginning to feel like I am slipping. Is it that I am happy where I am at? Has this become a lower priority? Am I just making excuses because things are hectic? Dr. Phil!!!!!!!!!!! I can't do this alone! I still need your help!

Structure. That is what I need. I am happier where I am now, but I still want to get down some more. Things are very hectic here, but it doesn't look like that will change for another 4 months. Structure. I know that I want to go back to having all meals planned and take the time to cook those good meals. I am falling back into quick meals and I don't like it. Also, it is essential that I get a very good breakfast in the morning since it sets up my day, but I need some variety. I want to put the focus back on getting up early in order to workout. It seems that if I don't workout early, then chances are it won't happen. I felt more energetic when working out and this month has really been blown on that. I want to take breaks and dance around, get moving, get energized. I did better when I broke up the monotony. I want to put my evening dance w/ Billy Joel back in. I felt better then and had a better attitude. I want to focus more on the tasks that I planned to do for a day. Sure things come up and you can't always do as planned, but when I stayed focused, I got more done and started working on projects that had been sitting.

I have about 11 days before my 2nd mo anniversary w/ WISH. Starting today, I am turning this ship back on course. If I get too far off now, then all will be lost. I know what works so now I have to re-implement (is that a word?).

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/onion & mozzerella, 1/2 banana, 1 yogurt, 1 slice 7 grain w/ jelly, 1 c. hot tea
AM snack: grapes
Lunch: 1 chicken breast (skinless) on bun
PM snack: veggies
Supper: ? (against the above statements, I know, but got a call and we will have company)

Goals for day:
1. Exercise - gonna do some when I get off here
2. Catch up a little paperwork
3. Wash the woodwork for painting
4. Enjoy helping DD17 get ready for her last prom

DSis and family phoned this morning. They are coming down so BIL can finish the roof work at the store. I will definitely know where things stand once they are here. I'm thinking it is better. I hope so.

DD17 is going to her last prom. She is going to be so beautiful! Picture: Blonde barbie doll (she hates that, but it is true), hair up in curls, long strapless dark cream w/ light gold overlay dress, shoes to match. Just enough jewelry to add sparkle. Very red carpet and elegant. Definitely a mature look (not too) that she could wear this again to a friend's wedding or a very nice evening out. Not that typical prom look. Two years and DD15 will be there. Thank God DD7 has a ways to go.

Gotta get going! That exercise awaits! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[mking624]

Lesli, you are doing so awesome with evaluating what you're doing and what you can do...that's AWESOME of you!! How easy it would be to just overlook it and ignore it, but you face it head on!! Knowing what you're doing and what you need to do is such a great key to success and you're tackling it head on!! Awesome work, girlfriend!!!

[pearlieq]

You must post pictures--both you and DD's prom! The folks on the tech board will help you out.

Good for you for recognizing that the ship isn't sailing straight--it's hard to sit down and have a tough talk with yourself, but it sounds like you've given a lot of thought to what's going off-course and where you need to reign it back in.

I agree with you completely--breakfast and exercise are so critical--anything you can do to add those into your life is going to benefit you greatly.

The reality of the situation is that you have a very full life--family, work, the house, etc. There's always going to be juggling between all of your various priorities and it may be hard some days to decide whether sleep, spend time with your friends/family, or cook a full, nutritious meal from scratch. As I know we've both said a million times, it's the getting up in the morning and trying again that makes all the difference.

:wizard: for you! I hope you have a wonderful Saturday!!!

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like you know your plan! Pics are easy, just ask the tech people.

I know what you mean about the Chicken ench things - weird taste, and if you don't like spicy, watch out.

Enjoy the last prom! DS19 never would go to prom, DS15 attends an online school, so no prom, but DD will be ready. Just a couple years to go. I'm not really looking forward to it. Some days they don't grow up fast enough and others WAY too fast!

Hang in there! Have a GREAT weekend!

[Lesli54]

Yesterday turned out to be a good day. Food wasn't quite as expected, water was where it should be, but not quite as much as I usually do, and emotions were good. :flower:

AM snack didn't happen, as I was trying to get things done before I had to go into prom mode. Lunch was good. I added onion to the chicken sandwich for a little flavor and that really helped reduce the need for condiments. Also had a small handful of chips. :guilty: With the company and prom, I didn't get to the store to buy fresh veggies, so I had 2 thin slices of ham and 1 oz hard cheese. I figured at least it was protein. DSis left before supper as BIL was able to finish the roof quickly. My family wasn't very hungry so everyone pretty much fended for themselves. I had a SO Lazagna, sm salad and 2 1/2" piece of french bread. It wasn't a bad meal, but I think I would rather make my own lazagna and freeze it in smaller portions. A lot less sodium that way too, I imagine. Oh yeah, I had 2 GS cookies.......but my favorites are gone now so no more temptation. :rolleyes:

I did some stomach crunches yesterday, so it is a start back in the right direction. :cheer2: Caught up on a little paperwork, but didn't get to the woodwork as prom activities just take up a lot of time. Then add in the company. Everything seems to be fine between me and BIL. He calmed down and realized how silly the whole tiff was. Thank you God! :angel: Looks like he will be doing the roof on our house in the next month, as he took the measurements yesterday. What a relief.

Prom...........what can I say?.........she was the most beautiful girl at the grand march. I'm not partial. :rolleyes1 But her dress and hair suited her well. Many of the girls now-a-days pick dresses with cutouts in places that shouldn't exist or they just pick a dress because they like it, not necessarily that it is flattering on them. So sad, but I guess that is the trend. DD17 and her boyfriend looked very sharp. They did well at picking his tux and he did well with the flowers. Still working on pics and will post soon.

Up at 8:30am today. It was the latest I have slept in a long time. But you have that when waiting for children to come home at 4am. I would have preferred if the after prom lock-in was all night, but it wasn't.

Breakfast: 1c. cream of wheat, 1/2 c. grapefruit juice, 1/2c. hot tea, 1 banana, 2 thin slices of ham - just remembered that I forgot to drink my milk, better get it later.
AM snack: yogurt
Lunch: Seared tuna salad, 1 c. milk (make up from breakfast)
PM snack: veggies
Supper: chicken, asparagus, and corn

Goals for day:
1. Exercise 30 min at least (I will keep up on the May challenge) :cheer2:
2. woodwork - washing and painting (is that exercise?)
3. Bookwork and trip planning later tonight

I better get going, the day is a wasting and I have lots to do. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[TigerCheer2009]

You're doing so well Lesli! Keep up the great work. Movement at all=exercise!

[goldcupmom]

Prom sounds like it was wonderful. Great memories to come!

You are doing so well. Have fun planning that London trip!

[Zela]

It looks like you have a lot going on in your life(looks a little crazy :crazy: ). I am very proud of you. You sure do tough it out working towards your goals to be healthier. You are so detailed with your journaling. Good job and keep up the good work!! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[Lesli54]

Thanks for the support all! :grouphug: And thanks for stopping by my journal Zela.

Hey! Guess what today is? It is my birthday! :cheer2: I love birthdays and today I am 38! The only problem is that it is very cold outside and it is NOT supposed to be cold on my birthday. It did snow on my birthday once, but that was 20 years ago and I was in Denmark.

Yesterday was okay, got some things done, but food wasn't quite where it should be and then........I ate dessert. But it was my birthday dinner, so I didn't mind. :teeth:

Everything for food was fine up to lunch. Everyone was running different places so I decided to make a quick lunch and had a SO Santa Fe Rice & Beans (or whatever the name is). It was alright. Not real spicy, but the rice was chewy and I wasn't real impressed. Guess I won't buy that one again. I am beginnig to think the SO's are not all they are cracked up to be for a good tasting meal. If I had known we were going out for dinner, I would have had a salad for lunch. Oh well. PM snack.......didn't go to the store for veggies......so I ate 2 thin slices ham and 1 oz hard cheese.

Dinner was at Applebee's for my birthday dinner. I had the Sizzling Chicken Skillet on the WW menu. I had it once before and liked it. Last night was different. It was really, really spicy and I didn't care for it much. Ate all the chicken, about 1/2 the veggies, and 1/2 the whole wheat tortilla. Had iced tea to drink. Ate one sm bite of DD7's hamburger. Just wanted that hamburger fix, Applebee's are decent, and it was enough. Amazing. Dessert was an Apple Cheesecake churro thing (can't remember the name) w/ ice cream, shared with DS and DH. Had a few bites of the ice cream and about 1/2 of the churro. Also had 2 bites of DD15's caramel cheese cake and a few bites of the fried shell that was served with her dessert. Did I over do it? Probably, but it was really good and every bit worth it. Good thing it doesn't happen all the time.

Got some painting done, not much paperwork done, and some exercise.

In fact, while painting, I decided I could exercise. :cheer2: I was lying on my back trying to paint inside a built in cabinet and did 60 butt lifts. When I flipped over to my tummy, I did 20 leg lifts (or whatever they are called) on each leg. That should point me in the right direction.

Breakfast: 1/2 slice 7 grain w/ jelly, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 1 scrambled egg w/onion & mozerella

Update: Just got back from taking DD7 to school. Pulled in the driveway and what do I see? SNOW! Very light and fine, but it is snow none the less. So, I guess it can snow on my birthday in America as well. Very strange for IL. The stranger part is the temperature is 40 degrees. Usually, you don't see snow until it gets colder. It won't amount to anything, in fact it's melting on contact, but it is odd. That tsunami must have really thrown us off.

AM snack: banana & 1 c. milk
Lunch: Panera's. I will be out for errands and an appointment, so I will run through here.
PM snack: veggies
Supper: Chicken, stir-fry veggies, maybe rice, and salad

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Paint
3. Clean
4. Catch up on bookwork

Gotta go, need to fill in at the store for a few. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!

Hope you have an AWESOME day!

Snow at this time of year - YUCK!! But it was snowing on the mountain near my house yesterday as well.... that doesn't count, tho as it is about 16,000 ft up. Pretty, but we were in the 70's.

Keep up the great work! You are doing so good!

[mking624]

princess: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLI!!!! princess:

Have a WONDERFUL day sweetie...you most definitely deserve it!! :flower:

[TigerCheer2009]

Happy Birthday, Lesli!!!!!!!!!

:wizard: for you!

[rcyannacci]

Happy Birthday!!! :wizard: Do something fun for yourself today. :flower:

Sending you some :sunny: from TX!

[Lesli54]

Yesterday was a pretty good day! Thanks for the birthday wishes. :flower:

Good news from the eye doctor. My eyesight hasn't changed so it was the cheapest visit I have ever had. Also, she recommended that I take Flax Seed Oil capsules to help my body produce tears so my contacts feel more comfortable and my eyes don't dry as quickly. Either that or a $100/mo prescription. At that price, I will try anything. If this doesn't work, I think I will consider lasix surgery before paying the Rx price. At that price, I would have surgery pd in less than 2 years. The flax seed oil is also good for reducing cholesterol and making a healthier heart.

I did about 108 oz water. Grabbed my AM snack on the way to the eye docs. Ran some errands so lunch was late and ate in stages. I treated myself to Panera. Had a 1/2 turkey sandwich, piece of french bread, and 1 bowl french onion soup. I ate the soup after I got home, closer to the PM snack time, so I skipped the snack. No one was hungry for dinner since they were still full from going out the night before. It was another fend for yourself night. I had a SO Chicken Herb Lemon Picata. It was fine, but probably should have gone for the salad. Not a bad day, until.........I ate 3/4 a bag of popcorn at 9:30pm! :scared1: I convinced myself that it was birthday popcorn so it couldn't be to bad. :rolleyes1 Hadn't had any in a while, should have stuck to 1c. No more of that, time to move on.

Got some painting done and have lots more to do. Exercise? Well........

Breakfast: 1 c. grapefruit juice, 2/3 c. cream of wheat, 1 scrambled egg w/onion & moz, 1 c. milk, 1/2 c. hot tea
AM snack: carrots
Lunch: salad w/ a little ham
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: Gonna try the chicken & stir fry veggies again

Goals for day:
1. Make time for 30 min exercise. Trying some pilates
2. Paint
3. Knock of some to-do's

Gotta go, I have to get my hair cut at 9:00. Everyone have a great day! Will try to catch up with journals later this evening.::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Clare]

I hope your birthday was wonderful. You are doing to GREAT! Hope you get a chance for your Pilates today. Tell us what you think - I've never tried them!

[Lesli54]

Are you ready for this? 216! :cheer2: :cheer2: I am down 1.5 lbs. and am only 1lb. from the new clippie. Now, that is 6lbs away from reaching my goal by DD17's graduation in 11 days. That will be tough, but I should be close AND I know that there is still some water being retained, so hopefully a WOOSH will be coming along.

Yesterday was very busy. No exercise and no painting, but got a lot of other stuff done that wasn't planned for.

I had to run out the door for a DAR meeting, so my lunch plans changed. DH was going to come home for DS, but didn't and so I only had time for 1/2 ham sandwich on whole wheat and a good handful of DS's cheetos. :guilty: Not much lunch, but I knew there would be food at the meeting and these older ladies go to so much trouble preparing it that you kind of feel guilty not taking something (and it is never healthy). Kind of like an afternoon tea and since there are not a lot of people, I would probably get dirty looks if I didn't partake a little. Justification? No. More like I don't want to hurt their feelings. Lucky for me, they had a half slice of cake on a plate and I took that along with less than a Tbsp of mixed nuts. Was late getting home after more errands so I just considered the cake as my PM snack. I almost caved and took the easy way out of supper, but decided that I have to keep trying. We had chicken in a teryaki/honey marinade (actaully not as bad as it could be and just enough to add a little flavor. Mixed that with stir fry veggies and placed on top of 1/2 c. rice. I took as many veggies as I could. Then I filled the other half of the plate with a fresh salad. It was so yummy. However, I did eat another handful of cheetos later and 4 crackers. :guilty: I was relaxing and watching TV, wasn't keeping myself busy, so I guess some old habits crept in. Water was 120oz.! :banana:

Breakfast: 1c. milk, 1 scrambled egg w/onion & moz, 2/3 c. cream of wheat, 1 c. grapefruit juice.
AM snack: carrots & celery
Lunch: Salad w/ a little ham (unless DH and I go out, but don't think we will)
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: Rotisserie chicken, green beans w/ onion, salad, and maybe jello

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Paint

I have a few other things to get done as well, but those are the main things I need to do. Didn't make the rounds to the journals so I think I will do that now while I eat my breakfast. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[mking624]

WAY TO GO, LESLI!!! :cool1: :cool1: :cheer2: :cheer2:
Congratulations on the 1.5 loss...gone FOREVER!!! You're almost at your new clippie...and so close to your GOAL!

[Lesli54]

Yesterday was off to a slow start. I spent too much time catching up on the Dis, :rolleyes1 but really enjoyed it!

I did get a lot of painting done, too bad it takes forever to paint a window with muntons built in. And I really hate it when the woodwork around a window is so dry that it soaks up the paint and discolors it. Now, that means three coats on the windows. It's an older house, but at least it will now look much more updated, and easier to clean the woodwork. DD17 washed woodwork and stripped wallpaper and DD15 washed the glue off. This was in my stairwell and I have been ignoring it for a long time because it takes so much time. Now, I am excited that it is really coming along. It sure helps ease my mind to know that I don't have to do it all myself. DH asks if I am on schedule. :confused3 I have figured the minimum I will have to do if I start running out of time, so we should be fine. He's working on the yard and hopefully the old garden in the middle of the yard will be gone before the weekend.

I painted for a good 6-7 hours and decided to count 1 1/2 as exercise. There were a lot of times that I was sitting on the floor or just standing in place. My arm got a good work out. Painting trim is much lower impact than painting walls and a ceiling. So I figured that the up and down on the ladder amounted to 1 1/2 hours. How else do you figure it? At least I was busy.

Food. AM snack was only carrots. Lunch was great, until.........DH set a bag of Wavy Lays in front of me. They used to be one of my favs, and I ate way too many. It was the salt that kept me going and I didn't even really care for the taste of the chip. I also had 3 heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter, for some reason I just wanted peanut butter. Then I had 4 vanilla wafers. Needless to say, I skipped the PM snack to help make up for what I did eat. Supper was as planned, but didn't make the jello. I managed to steer clear of the cookies offered at the Senior Awards last night. DD17 won 3 sholarships (enough for books the first year) and is an alternate on another. :love: Wasn't hungry when I got home, but wanted something sweet. DH brought me Bunny Tracks ice cream as requested. :rolleyes1 I had 2c. of it. :guilty: Much better than in the "before". Haven't had ice cream in a while and it was good, but next time I will eat it sooner than 9:30pm and a little smaller portion. The good thing is, I don't feel tempted to do it every night.

Old habits kicking in? I think it is that I am trying to ignore and put off the many things that I have to do. So, I need to focus on getting those things done and delegate!

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/onion & cheddar, 1 yogurt, 1 c. grapefruit juice, 2/3 c. cream of wheat (ate late, as a friend stopped by early this morning)
AM snack: carrots
Lunch: Tuna wrap
PM snack: banana and 1 c. milk
Supper: Pizza night, I will do it since we are all busy trying to get the house ready. For me, 1 salad to START then one slice pizza or two very small, but with the salad, I think I can hold to 1.

Goals:
1. Exercise
2. Paint
3. Need to take time to get some paperwork done and clean up my office.

Too long, I know. DH is working on kicking the caffeine addiction and is dragging a little. Hopefully he makes it. Gotta go read journals and paint. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[mking624]

Hi Lesli! :wave:

Wow, sounds like you're really busy fixing things up!! Your amrs are getting quite the toning workout done...awesome awesome! :cool1:

Don't sweat over yesterday's food choicees...just face the new day and keep on going! You can do it! :goodvibes

[Lesli54]

Busy painting yesterday and still have lots more to do. I think I did about 6 hours, but only counted 1/2 hr for exercise since that was when I was trying to be a contortionist while painting a built in cabinet. I think one arm is getting smaller than the other. :rotfl2:

Got all of DD17's graduation pictures printed and cut. We had a friend of ours do them. She freelances and has a great eye. Much cheaper than going to a studio, We got about 56 4x6's (all good), the negatives, and 3 CD's w/ the pics on them, for less than it would have taken to just look at a studio. Much better deal. So yesterday afternoon, I uploaded what I wanted to Walmart's website and was able to pick them up at a local store in 1 hour! Isn't modern technology great! Of course DD17 wanted the corners on the wallets rounded so they looked like everyone else's, so we got a corner punch and did it ourselves. DH just laughed and DD17 couldn't figure out why. I said it was because I was able to make her Senior pics look just as good or better than all the others for a fraction of the cost and it just amazes him sometimes of what I can come up with. He says, I know him too well. Hey, the money saved can be spent in Europe. :cool1:

BTW, DH is still trying to kick the caffeine. He has gone back a little, but still trying to keep it minimal and asked me to help him figure out a plan he can work with. Add one more thing to the list. ;)

I did well through lunch and added some celery to my tuna wrap, which was so good, that I am going to have it today. PM snack was 3 cookies. DD15 made some for school, but returned home with some and before I knew it, I was eating them. It didn't help that I was out of bananas and milk and didn't make it to the store. There is something to be said for a well stocked kitchen. Supper was fine. I had a salad, and 2 slices of pizza, could have stopped at one as I was full. But then AFTER I had already left the table I went back and grabbed another, making that 3 slices! :sad2: The reason? Hmmmm.........not a good one. I let the flavor get to me and didn't use my logic that the pizza will still taste good at another meal. Water was 104oz.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. cream of wheat (all that was left after I blew it up in the new microwave :rolleyes1 ), 1 c. grapefruit juice, 2 oz. hard cheddar, 1 yogurt. I need to get groceries, not much to choose from for breakfast.
AM snack: carrots
Lunch: Tuna wrap and celery
PM snack: banana and milk
Supper: maybe leftovers, we really need to clear out the fridge and start over. If that is the case, I will have a salad and not sure what else. Maybe stir-fry veggies w/ chicken and rice.

Goals for day:
1. Exercise besides painting. DD17 taught me a few dancer's excercises (not complex ones) and I think I will try some.
2. Paint

I signed up for Fitday.com to keep track of my calories and activities, but will journal here. Maybe it will work. Gotta go. Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Where do I begin? Bad, bad food day. :sad2:

Skipped the AM snack so decided to throw the carrots in with lunch. Not bad, but skipping that morning snack always gets me. You think I would learn. Right after lunch, I had 1 spoonful of PB, just craving the taste and it felt like a treat. Not bad, yet. My day was really dragging for me and the more I painted, the more I got tired and things got worse. I spotted the cookies and ate 3! :scared1: Move along, I told myself. Nope, had to get another spoon of PB. :sad2: Getting tired and frustrated now. Frustrated with myself that I am not sticking with my plan, tired of all the work that I have been doing, tired of 2 teens arguing about petty things, etc. By that time, I was getting cranky. Took a break. Of course, I decided that I wouldn't have my PM snack since I ate those cookies. Did that stop me? No. I grabbed some chips and ate them. Not alot, but enough. I just got the attitude of "what's the difference". Dragging some more, crankier, more frustrated. Painting some more. I managed to salvage myself for supper. Ate a salad, 1/2 c rice, chicken and stir-fry veggies. Didn't energize me enough. Painted more, dragging some more. By 10:30pm, I stopped and partially because my eating was blown and partially because I was tired, I ate some Bunny Tracks ice cream. About 1 c., maybe. That was it, I needed sleep. Water was almost 120oz.

The good and bad news? I kept track of everything on Fitday and the calories were about 1600. I burned about 3800. However, the lack of protein, increased carbs and lots of fat made my charts look horrible! :sad2: Not to mention that I felt horrible, eating that way.

I did about 7 hours or more painting and counted 1 hr towards exercise as I was up and down the ladder alot and doing the contortionist thing.

Painting trim is going slow. DD17 and DD15 have helped alot by removing old wallpaper from the stairwell. I will be able to paint the walls (or they well) as high as we can reach without a scaffold, if I had to. Better have DH rig something up soon. I know we will get it done, but I am really looking forward to a break. Good thing London is around the corner. :rolleyes:

Also did about 10 of those dancer exercises. Boy does that make you feel muscles. Will try for more today.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/ onion, 1/2 slice 7 grain w/ jelly, 1 c. milk, 1 c. grapefruit juice
AM Snack: carrots
Lunch: Grilled chicken breast on bun w/onion for flavor (cookout day)
PM Snack: 1 banana and milk
Late PM Snack: 2 thin slices ham & celery (in case I am hungry since supper is so late on Sat.)
Supper: Good question. Maybe some steak, mixed veggies and a salad or fruit.

Goals for day:
1. Exercise besides painting
2. Paint (did you guess?)
3. Help DH w/ a little gardening

Good news and bad! I saw 214.5 flicker on the scale twice and got a glimpse of 213, but it settled on 216. :sad2: Anyway, it seems that every time that happens, I have that number within two days, if I am good. Let's see if it holds true.

I need to be good after the next few days. I know I am dragging because of the bad foods I have eaten and I know that when I am tired, I make poor choices. So today, if I get tired, then I will take a much deserved rest. Maybe not a nap, but time to myself, visit the DIS, or just veg out for a few.

Gotta go, it is almost time for the cookout. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

I want chocolate! I am trying to convince myself that if I stay busy, it will pass. I wanted to get some at the store and considered Milky Way poppables, but I am afraid that I wouldn't stop at a few and DD17 said she doesn't like them so she couldn't finish them for me. Oh well. Maybe, I should make some sugar free chocolate pudding. That wouldn't be so bad.

Time to get busy and STAY AWAY from the Bunny Tracks. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Lesli54]

Yesterday wasn't too bad, although my calories were up a little more than I would have liked, I did burn about 2 1/2 times that. :cool1:

The scale is still holding and I keep telling myself that it will change soon. I know I wasn't going to weigh every day, but it seems to help keep me focused at the moment. At this rate though, I am not going to make my goal by next week. It would be nice to have 4 more lbs off and be close to goal. I think I can do it, but don't know. That means I will have to go back into salad mode and continue moving. Gonna try.

I stayed OP for food the entire day, with the exception of the spoonful of Bunny Tracks that I ate during the afternoon. Actually, it was all I needed to stop the chocolate craving I was having and after that I was fine. Supper didn't happen until almost 9:00. I had a nice size steak which I was craving and it was every bit worh it along with a small salad. Not bad, the steak could have been smaller, but it was too heavy for that time of night. However, I didn't go to bed until midnight so that probably helped some. About 10:30, I did get another spoonful of Bunny Tracks. Just felt snacky and should have gone to bed, but trying to prepare for graduation and was watching a movie with DD15 will putting pictures together. Almost 120 oz water.

Lots of painting and I counted 30 minutes as exercise while I was up and down off the floor alot. I have decided that painting ends today. I will have all the trim in the dining room done and don't want to make myself crazy doing the living room. Although the trim there would go faster since I don't have extra doors and built-in cabinets to contend with. I want to change the color of the living room, so it will all wait until later. Also leaving the stairwell unpainted. It looks so much better just having the old wallpaper off that I don't mind it is not finished. All my guests understand our house is a work in progress and will flip just to see the dining room. The summer's task (when not vacationing) is to finish painting in all the rooms including trim, finish building our basement bathroom and paint the outside of the house. That should keep me moving and losing.

Did 10 of those dancer exercises. They make you feel muscles alright.

Breakfast: 2 thin slices ham, 3/4 banana, 1/2 c. hot tea, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/ jelly, 1 yogurt
AM snack: Probably won't have since I ate late and I am just too full from last night. We all slept in late, must be all the hard work. I know skipping this usually gets me in trouble, but I will try my best, just can't eat right now.
Lunch: salad w/ham
PM snack: 1 c. milk, carrots or apple
Supper: Tacos or taco salad. The warmer it gets the lighter we eat and I am tired of chicken.

Goals for day:
1. Finish painting
2. Put dining room back together
3. Begin deep cleaning rooms used for graduation (mostly DD's)
4. Work on party food plans
5. Work on London trip itinerary (trying to decide if I should do Paris one day or stay one night, there are a few "must sees" that I think DD17 should see and I wouldn't mind seeing again, but don't know if there is enough time with one day.)
6. Exercise

Well, I better get going. Time to move, drink water, and lose. The rest of my week is a salad, veggies, fruit, and light meals.

Oh yeah, you want to know what will make you buy some more of the smaller clothes? Getting paint on the only jeans that fit you decently. I refuse to put on a larger size (not all have made it out of the house, but are packed) and the other jeans I have are too small, yet. Thankfully, I have plenty of shorts, but I do need to shop for London as I think it will be a little cool for shorts.

Have a great day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[rcyannacci]

Sounds like you and I are both fighting with sugar this weekend! It must be hard limiting yourself with sugar in the house- I made my DH take all his snacks to work so I wouldn't see them!

Great work with all the painting. Painting is one of my favorite types of activities because you can really see what you've accomplished. I was a scenic painter for a theatre one summer, and by the fall I had to buy a bunch of new clothes to replace my paint-covered ones. BTW- last week, Lane Bryant had some jeans on sale for $10! Might be worth looking before your London trip.

[Lesli54]

I love to paint, but it sure takes up alot of time in your day. It would be great if I could find time to do some "artistic" painting and not just painting walls or woodwork. ;)

I will definitely check out Lane Bryant. I've never shopped there much, but I want clothes that "look" good as well as fit. Just a few, as this will be temporary, but it should at least get me through London. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Hi!

Thanks for being my window to the world last week! It was nice to hear about what was going on at home.

Sounds like you've had a very busy week--I bet the house looks great!

Glad to hear you've signed up for Fitday--it's such a big help! It's a big reality check--you think you're eating lightly until you see the hard numbers. It's really changed how I eat.

I hope you're having a great Sunday! Your upcoming trip sounds like so much fun--enjoy the planning!

[mking624]

Hi Lesli! :)

I've never gone shopping at Lane Bryant, but they do have some really nice things. You definitely should go there!! Have a fabulous day, my friend!

[Lesli54]

Great news! Drum roll please..........214! I lost another 2 lbs. and have only 4 to go to hit my original goal! :banana: Not to mention the new clippie. :cheer2: It would be great if I could get off another couple before Sunday. I won't be at goal by graduation, but sooooooo close and I am happy with that. It didn't seem possible that I would get this far. I did see the flicker of 211 on the scale so I know that it is not too far away. :flower:

I never did decide on a mini-goal reward. So had to think of one this morning. For the third set of 5 lbs gone (which I just accomplished), I am going to buy myself a very nice hat in London. I love brimmed hats and would like to have a good one. The are so hard to find in the US. This is not considered clothing to me, as I have so few, so it is my reward. And I can wear it in WDW!

Next mini goal: A pedicure and manicure down at SSR when we are in WDW! Only 4 lbs. away from this goal. That leaves me with 12 more mini goals to come up with by the time I make 150. I may run out of ideas.

Yesterday. Alot of painting. Didn't get all the dining room back together, most should be there today. Just a few touch ups left and very little painting. DD15 & DD17 did an awesome job at deep cleaning the kitchen and living room. A couple of things left in those rooms, but they are looking great. Did a little party food planning, didn't get time to think about London. No exercise aside from the painting, of which I only counted 1/2 hour when I was up and down off the floor alot.

Food was as planned with the exception that I missed the PM snack as well. I worked right through and didn't even realize. Supper was a large taco salad w/ 1/2 c. taco meat, 18 sm Tostito chips (less than 1 serving) and 1 Tbsp sour cream. I dipped a couple of chips in some nacho sauce, but just the edges and it was a dip, not a scoop. Calories were about 950 and I burned 4500.

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg w/onion, 1 c. hot tea, 1 c. milk, 1/2 slice 7 grain w/jelly, 2 thin slices ham, 1/2 large banana.
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Salad w/ham or a sprinkle of taco meat
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: Cookout leftovers. I don't now what I will have from this, maybe a grilled chicken on top of a salad.

Goals for day:
1. Finish dining room
2. Exercise
3. Catch up on bookwork
4. London planning
5. Shopping for some new clothes
6. Work on pictures some more for Sunday

Did I tell you what I realized too late? I asked for semi-gloss paint for the trim and satin for the walls. The guy at the store gave me satin for both! pirate: Satin can dry without a sheen if brushed on the wrong direction and it is not as easy to clean as semi-gloss. Too late, I noticed after I opened and the paint and used more than 1/2. Oh well. I have a lot more trim in this house, so I will correct this for next time.

Gotta go finish the dining room. Catch up with all of you later! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Congrats on 2 more lbs down!!! :cool1: :banana: That 15lb clippie looks great on you!!!

Enjoy your new hat and your mani/pedi at SSR. My husband took by bro over there last week and said it was looking really nice. I'm looking forward to staying there myself--with a car, it's a really good location.

Sounds like the house is going to look really spiffy for DD's graduation party! Good luck with the painting--glad you realized the trim paint problem before it was too late!

Have a wonderful Monday!!! :sunny:

[pearlieq]

Oops!

[Lesli54]

Here I am waiting for cupcakes to come out of the oven, of all things! DD17 remembered at 10:45pm that she didn't get a chance to make something for the kids she asst. teaches and tomorrow is her last day with them. Of course, something bought isn't good enough. I wanted to go to bed, but no, I am staying up to make her cupcakes. Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't food in the middle of the night! Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't need to make 40! Wouldn't be so bad if I had more than 1 cupcake pan! pirate: Now I am trying to figure out how I can rest a little without letting the cupcakes burn. You know as good as they smell, I am not really hungry for one.

Now for the news that made my entire day!

I went SHOPPING! :cool1:

............second batch in........more to go............

Since I have very few clothes that fit me know (and most of those are for around the house), I needed to find some things to make it through my London trip without being nakie. That would surely scare the Brits away! :rotfl2: I spent so much more than I had really intended. Okay, for me, let's just say that I went nuts.

............third batch in........first one frosted.............more to go.........

Side note: DH's aunt just went to the hospital with a nose bleed and he has to go get her when she calls and needs a ride home...........It's 30 minutes one way............get the feeling that it's going to be a long night?.......I can't hardly do this late night thing any more.

Back to shopping. I went to Kohl's first and went to the Womens dept. Tons of capris out (which I don't care for) and very few jeans to pick from. Not much on the shirt choices for what I have in mind. At any rate, I picked up a pair of Levis size 18W, just in case I got lucky. Then went and grabbed a pair of Gloria Vanderbuilt 18W Stretch jeans. Found a very cute shirt that was a 1X, but didn't look too big. Time for fitting..........oh how scary! I started with the GV18W Stretch. I could not fit into these in January. Well, I could actually zip, but was poured in, very uncomfortable and my belly and tush stuck out so much that I looked like a ball on two sticks!............Anyway, I know I have lost, so I was going to try. One leg in.......heart pounding.........two legs in..........beating faster............fear strikes :scared1: ...........I got them on...........afraid to look in the mirror..........Actually not looking to bad :rolleyes: ..........then I noticed that there was so much stretch in them that I could pull the front part of the waistband out about 4"! :banana:

Oh this just won't do! If I lose a few more lbs, these jeans will fall off, not to mention that once they relax after about 20 minutes, they will look terribly baggy on me. Do I dare try on the Levis? :confused3 They are not stretch and Levis have a tendency to always be cut wrong.

............fourth batch in, ran out of paper things, but have enough made, so will finish the rest for my little ones tomorrow.......first packed up........second frosted and partially packed..........still haven't licked a finger.

Oh, the Levis. I put one leg in.........and panick was taking hold :scared: .........second leg....fear as I had to wiggle slightly :sad2: ........they zipped! :banana: A little snug, not completely cut in half, and as I opened one eye to look in the mirror, I realized that I looked really good! :earseek: Now, they are snug around the waistband, but everything else fits like a glove! So I bought them. The price? Ouch. But I didn't care because it has been so long since I could put on a pair of jeans that weren't stretch jeans. Not too worried about the snug fit, because that will change real soon and I will be back to baggy. But the greatest news is that once these get to that point, I know I will be out of the Women's section and looking at 16's!

Forgot about the shirt. It fit great! Obviously it is a smaller 1X. Isn't it funny how a 1X can either fit just right, be too small or be too big? It is the most inconsistent size I know. The shirt looks great with the jeans and I just realized that I won't look frumpy, but up to date when I go on DD7's field trip on Thursday. I'm so excited! :cheer2:

Bought a short all weather coat that should protect me from the rain in London. I haven't owned a short spring coat in years.

Of course, one pair of pants and a shirt are not enough, so I went to the mall.

I went in the wrong direction for Lane Bryant, but did find CJ Brooks. Most of the clothes are not my style, but I did find a polo shirt there for $15, so I picked it up. Then on to LB for a quick run through as I had a meeting to attend. Looked through the store and did find a cute shirt that was a cross between a polo and a summer sweater. Of course, I picked up the 14/16 first, but it looked like it was bigger than I thought and hung onto it. Also grabbed an 18/20, more my size. Found another cute shirt that I could wear to DD17's graduation, but it was only in a 14/16. :sad2: Went to the fitting room.

.............everything is out of the oven..........rest of second is frosted and packed..........part of third is frosted and packed......ran out of frosting........she can do the rest in the morning.

Oh yes, LB. For some stupid reason, I tried on the 14/16 first. :worried: I don't know if I just wanted to see how far I needed to go to fit in that or if I just wanted a reason to get frustrated and quit shopping.............You know what? It fit perfectly! I almost cried. I forgot that I had curves going in the right directions. Me, in a 14/16! :faint: I haven't worn that in a long time. Well, you know I just had to get that other shirt off the rack and try it on. Only it didn't have the give that the polo/sweater did...............But it fit! I was doing a happy dance in the fitting room. Now I had something really cool and stylish to wear on Sunday. I wanted a dress or a skirt, but couldn't find one. So I will wear my new pretty shirt with a pair of black pants that are a little baggy, but not bad. Unless, I get some time to look some more before the weekend. I even bought new earrings to go with the shirt. :cloud9:

So, I did a fashion show when I got home and DH was loving it. :love: He was really happy to see that I had spent some money on myself. It was a strange feeling, but so exhilirating. About another 2 months and I may have to shop again, but with summer, I think I have enough shorts to get me a ways and the shirts I bought today, should still fit half way decently for awhile.

Well, off to bed.............I am so tired, but I didn't even get tempted with the cupcakes and didn't lick any fingers. :angel: Going to finish my water and go to bed, dream pleasant dreams and wait for the hospital to call for DH...........long night.

Good night all. Catch up with you in the morning. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Wow! What a night--that's so cool that the cupcakes didn't do anything for you.

Sounds like you had a wonderful shopping trip--what fun! What a great motivator--you're going to look great at all of the parties and in London. Yay for you!!!!

I hope you have a great day and enjoy this :sunny: day!

[Lesli54]

Am I alive? I am so tired this morning and the crabbiness of the children can not end soon enough. It's going to be a long one.

DH's aunt is fine. She just had a nose bleed. It sounds bad, but sometimes I think she blows these things out of proportion just to see if someone will come to the hospital to get her. It's always my DH. She will tell the rest of the family today that she wasn't well. She's a spinster and tries to play "who will do this for me now" amongst the neices and nephews. Nice woman, but sometimes you gotta wonder.

Yesterday was pretty good. Especially shopping. :rolleyes1

Food was OP. I sprinkled a little taco meat on my salad for lunch and had a few tostitos. Forgot about the PM snack. Supper was about 8:30PM. I had a Lean Cuisine Chicken Chow Mein. I wanted to try that strawberry poppyseed salad at Panera's to eat when I got home, but I was running late on time (just too much fun shopping) that didn't have time to stop. Oh yeah. 1 small spoonful of PB. I ate the PB right after I got home and was waiting for the LC to cook. I was so hungry by that time and craved a little PB. My problem came later when I ate way too fast and was so thirsty that I downed almost 24 oz water in a short time. I was feeling so full on such a little dinner. Just have to remember to slow down. Just over 1000 calories and burned about 3200.

I like Fitday, but I don't record all the activity that I do. Some of it seems like day to day stuff. I figured if I recorded the extra things I do, then I am actually burning more than the charts say, plus it keeps me trying to move more.

Did some more work on the dining room, but didn't get it all done. Too many interruptions. It should be finished today with the exception of rehanging the cabinet doors. That might be tomorrow morning. My exercise for yesterday was the power walking I was doing through the stores. I counted 90 minutes. Other than trying on and glancing at a few racks, I was practically running a marathon to get done quickly.

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet w/ sprinkle of cheese (I actually made an omelet!), 2 slices ham, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/ jelly, 1 c. hot tea. 1/2 banana, 1 c. milk
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Salad with ham or maybe tuna
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: can't think, drawing a blank

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Finish up dining room
3. Finish cleaning other rooms that will be used
4. Bookwork
5. SLEEP?

Gotta go get the kiddies to school. Nice of DH to let me know last minute. Oh well. Have a good day! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[calena]

Congrats on the aunt noticing the weight loss. That is a real encouragement to keep going! :flower:

[Lesli54]

Well, it has officially been 2 months since taking the WISH challenge.

Here I had thought that I had blown a good part of the last month, but the weight and clothing sizes tell me different. Also, I noticed that when I looked back, most of my days weren't too bad. Far better than in the "before". However, I did have too many sweets and unhealthy snacks than I would have liked.

What I know now:
1. If I don't get up very early, it is unlikely that I will get much dedicated exercise done.
2. My AM snack is still very important for maintaining a good day.
3. I can plan lunch with little problem, but supper still needs work.
4. I can't stay awake all night like I used to. ;)
5. I do my best on days when I keep myself busy.
6. I need to take a power nap if my body is tired.

Things I have learned:
1. Fast food and junk food doesn't taste so good anymore.
2. It is possible to stick with a weight loss program for more than a week.
3. Continuing on with my program, no matter how much I feel derailed is truly the most important thing in succeeding. :smooth:
4. Having support has made all the difference in the world this time around.
5. I can still find excuses for not exercising.
6. When I am tired, I make very bad decisions.
7. An occasional GREAT treat is much better than a mediocre treat that occurs more frequently.
8. It is possible to take vitamins for more than a couple weeks.
9. It really is possible to eat between 900-1300 calories and feel very full and satisfied.

Things that changed:
1. I am more energetic.
2. I can take most days in stride and have more patience.
3. I can wear 18W pants that are not stretchy. :cool1:
4. I can wear a 14/16 shirt. :cool1:
5. About the only time I notice discomfort in my feet now is when they are retaining some water.
6. I crave fresh "fast food" places (like Panera's) over greasy fast food.
7. For the most part, my meals and snacks are pretty well controlled.
8. I can navigate a social situation with food fairly well. It just takes a plan.
9. Using Fitday to record my food intake and activity level.

Things I still need to work on:
1. EXERCISE. Need I say more? :rolleyes1
2. I still need to prepare some suppers ahead of time.
3. Keeping away from the sweets and junk from time to time.
4. A well stocked kitchen.

This starts my third month. I started this last month at 222.5 lbs. and now weigh 214. That is a total of 8.5 lbs gone. Much better than last month. My total loss since beginning the program is 16lbs.

I have revised my original goals to reflect my weight loss (Looking better all the time.)
1. 4lbs lost by DD17 HS graduation and trip to England (this Sunday & Tuesday, it will be close and that is good enough)
2. 14lbs lost by trip to WDW (early June, this might be doable)
3. 34lbs lost by anniversary (mid Aug)
4. 49lbs lost by trip to Atlanta (early Oct)
5. 64lbs lost by Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hit the goal!!!!!!!!!!!

It is hard to believe that I am so close to making two of my weight goals. I feel great! :banana:

3rd mini goal reward: A nice hat from London (just lost those 5lbs, the hat is mine!)
4th mini goal reward: A pedicure and manicure at SSR in June.

I want to thank all who visit my journal and give me encouragement. Your support has meant so much and I know that it is a HUGE key in the the success I have had on this journey. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[TPCShauna]

I have now officially made it half way through your journal - first 6 pages and page 14. I love how thorough you are when journaling your day. It's amazing how you do everything you do and still manage to raise your family. I can't help thinking I would not be able to do school, work, GS and have kids. Something, somewhere would have to give.

Some of your foods sounded great! I would love to have the recipe for the Dijon roasted salmon and your yummy tuna salad wrap.

How exciting about your clothes sizes!!! Congratulations! What a great feeling knowing what a huge accomplishment you've made. I can't wait to go clothes shopping and see the difference. Your trip to London sounds like so much fun. I adore afternoon tea. You may have already said this and I just haven't read it yet, but is the trip for a special occasion? What are you guys going to do while you are there?

Congratulations on how far you have come in the past 2 months. Like those goofy commercials always say, "You've come a long way baby!!". Great job! :cheer2:

Thanks for all of the wonderfully positive comments you have added to my journal. I appreciate your input. Have a fabulous day!!

Cheers!

[rcyannacci]

Wow! What a great idea to post your progress like this! You have so much to be proud of!!!

I kept nodding my head at your list of things you've learned...I feel the same way on almost all of those points.

Anyway, I'm inspired to do the same on my thread, hopefully before I leave town this weekend.

That hat in London is SO yours!

[Lesli54]

Yes, that shopping trip was a great motivator and it was nice that some people are starting to notice the difference in me.

How do I do it all? I don't know. Funny thing is that I could probably get it done faster and have more time to myself if I could ever get some of these rare occurence things done. I have worked, gone to school, done GS, and been a single mom before. Also, worked at home, gone to school, done GS, raise 4 kids and a DH. ;) You just learn where to cut back or it will be done for you with not so great results.

Looking forward to reading your accomplishments Christin. I borrowed the idea from Pearlieq and I think it really helps keep me focused.

Yesterday. Some good, some not. I was very busy. Didn't get as much done as I would have liked. I did take a 30 min nap though which helped some, but unfortunately it was after midnight when I got to bed and then I was awakened by thunderstorms.

Food was on plan through lunch, which was salad w/ tuna. It lacked a little flavor, so I will have to work on that, but it was good. Unfortunately, because of the little flavor I found myself in the tostitos and nacho cheese. :rolleyes1 A couple was one thing, but then I got tired and ate some more, however it did not amount to more than 1 serving, which is good, but bad enough. Tired some more and I grabbed a handful of chex cereal. That was it! I decided to take a nap before I did too much damage. Slept through the PM snack, but that was okay since I wasn't good. Supper ended up being 2 slices of pizza. We are so busy here and very little time to stop for dinner. I was starving and almost inhaled that first slice so I drank a lot of water and went back to working. It helped alot as I could only eat 1 more slice after that. But then I was getting tired again. Not hungry at all, but I eyed the cupcakes that I finished baking. Yes, I ate a small one. It was alright but not what I was looking for. Then DH had popcorn and I ate about 1 c. :rolleyes1 Still, I was under 1300 calories and I burned probably about 3800.

Today is a tired day as well, so I need to be extra careful. I didn't have any eggs left or ham so no protein for breakfast. This is going to be a long day. I think I better get lots of protein for lunch.

DD17's last day of school was yesterday. Today she is at Six Flags in Chicago and probably freezing. It is still hard for me to imagine that she is done with school. I think I am going into numb mode right now. I am not sure how hard Sunday will be as far as emotions. DD15 is doing basketball cheerleading tryouts this week. It is always something.

Breakfast: 2/3 c. cream of wheat, almost 1 yogurt, 6 oz grapefruit juice (I think I need groceries)
AM Snack: veggies
Lunch: Tuna wrap & small salad
PM snack: fruit and milk
Supper: I don't know, maybe sandwiches.

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Finish as much cleaning as possible (it takes time when everyone is so busy)
3. Play catch up on everything in my office
4. Work on photos for Sunday
5. Go to bed at a decent time.

I am so tired, but I better get moving or I won't get anything done. I will try to catch up with everyone later. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

I, too, wonder how you do it all! I can't imagine how you manage a house, a husband, a job, side interests/project, and 4 kids and all that goes with it! I can see where those 3800 calories go!

We almost got a free trip to OZ last night, didn't we. It didn't really hit here until about 5am, but it let loose--lightning, rain, hail--the works! Luckily it seems to be shaping up to a decent day--hopefully your DD has fun!

Looks like the carb monster is on a rampage and out to get us all--seem to be a theme in everyone's journal today! Glad to hear you got a power nap yesterday--I'm sure you needed it!

I loved reading your list of changes/accomplishments/things you've learned. It's a great way to keep yourself on track. Looking forward to all you accomplish in the months ahead!

Have a great day!!!

[goldcupmom]

Wow! I'm so inspired by your list and so many of the things you've learned I could simply repeat.

You and DD will have such a wonderful time in London. That is what my DD (who's only 13) has already said she wants as a Graduation gift. What a neat thing and memory builder for you both. You'll have to post a pic of your new HAT!!!!! I just know it's coming!!

Hang in there, and if Graduation is emotional, GOOD!!! It should be. You've accomplished as much as she has and she couldn't have done it without you.

Have a great day!

[TPCShauna]

I'm sorry you are so tired. Being tired really sabotages dieting efforts because you just want to grab whatever. Last night I wanted pancakes and bacon like nobody's business because I just felt too tired to make something for myself to eat. Good sense prevailed but I totally see where you are coming from.

My mom cried at my graduation. It's normal for you to want to. Your daughter is the person she is today because of you. This is an accomplishment for both of you and an emotional one to boot since she is entering a new stage of her life. You should feel free to cry as a celebration of where you have been together and where you will go. Enjoy!

And I am so jealous of your English hat! I love nice hats and it really is hard to find them here. Have a wonderful hat shopping experience!

[rcyannacci]

Just wanted to stop by before I leave for Hilton Head to wish you a great trip to London! (I'll enjoy the sun, but I'd rather be with you and your daughter at the London theatres! -BTW- it might not be impossible to get tickets to Mary Poppins. Just show up the day of at the theatre box office and see if there were any cancelations. You never know...it's supposed to be fantastic!)

BTW- I was a basketball cheerleader in high school and had a blast! I still love watching Basketball! Good luck to your DD! And congratulations to the graduate!!!

[Lesli54]

Yes, I am late getting the journaling done. Up early this morning to go on a field trip with DD7 and it is very cold here. Needless to say, we were not told that the playhouse theater we went to did not have heat! :cold: Then we went to a park for lunch and the kids were allowed to play for 1 hour! :cold: :cold: Next, we went to a museum. I was thinking warmth. No, it was an outdoor museum where the kids learn about life in the 1800's! :cold: :cold: :cold: I am still frozen to the bone.

Yesterday was off track with food. After breakfast, DH wanted to go for Chinese lunch. I tried to be good and didn't do too bad, but ate a little too much. PM snack was skipped because I was just too full. I had a meeting to attend so supper was very late. I was going to do a salad, but still wasn't hungry after that lunch, (and recording on Fitday was a little scary) so I had celery and PB. However, I still managed about 1100 calories for the day.

Got somethings on the list done, but not all.

TOM is here which explains some of the sweet cravings and the 1.5lbs up yesterday. Did well on water yesterday which I think accounted for the weight staying the same (at least not increased). At least I won't have to deal with TOM on my trip to London.

Breakfast: 1 slice 7 grain w/ thin spread PB, 1 c. milk (in a hurry and very little groceries)
AM snack: none (on field trip)
Lunch: 1 slice 7 grain w/ 2 slices ham, 1 yogurt, 1 of DD's chips
PM snack: 1 slice ham (no fruit in the house)
Supper: Hoping for Panera's (DD17 and I are going power shopping)

Goals for rest of day:
1. Finish all cleaning (I think we are almost there. My house really isn't that bad, but the major cleaning is happening in shifts as everyone is busy, so it takes longer.)
2. Pick up a few things for graduation
3. Work on pictures tonight

I better get going, the faster I get out the door, the sooner I can get back and relax. Will try to hit some more journals later. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Hey! There you are! The field trip sounds really cool, if a bit frosty! Hope you bundled up!!! Don't you just love living up here? Silly me let the house get down to 62 tonight because I had the thermostat set for AC not heat--I love having to switch from one to the other every day!!!

Hope you had a good time for lunch--it sounds like a fun splurge. It looks like it all balanced out for the day.

That's so awesome you can get TOM out of the way before your trip--you won't have a thing to worry about. I've been curious for a while--how did the trip come about? Is there something special DD will be doing there, or has it always just been a dream of hers to go?

Have fun shopping tonight! Hope you get your Panera!

[goldcupmom]

You sound so in control! GREAT job!

Have fun with graduation weekend. Your trip is almost here!

[Lesli54]

Cold again today. I realized after I got home from the field trip that I had the temp down in the 60's and set on AC as well. No wonder my house wasn't warm. Feel like cranking up the heat some more today. :cold: Is this May? It sure doesn't feel like it.

Did the power shopping with DD17 and managed to find something decent for her to wear for graduation. We would have been home sooner, but I kept getting sidetracked. :rolleyes1 I just am not as concerned about having the house ready as DH is. It always works out and we always try to do a few more things than are necessary so who cares if some of those are left for later, the guests don't know. I have so much bookwork to do before I leave on Tues and just don't know where to fit it in. Plus there is still some pre-trip shopping to do. Today I want to have things ready so that I can set up for graduation tomorrow night and not have to worry about it on Sunday. I have mints to make today and cakes to bake, so I can decorate them tomorrow.

Took off a lb from the TOM weight gain! :banana: Hopefully tomorrow, I will be down to where I started and then some. It may have been down more today, but I didn't eat until 9:30pm last night. There were good intentions, but the focus was the shopping. I did get my Panera's though and since we were running late, I just took it home. I ate half of my Strawberry Poppyseed salad w/o chicken (which was a very nice salad, thanks Pearlieq), had french onion soup, and about a 3" piece of french bread. My calories were light yesterday, so eating the bread didn't bother me. Got in almost 100oz water.

We did a lot of walking in the mall and at one point I commented that the store we needed to go to was clear on the other side (I actually contemplated going back to the car and driving around, as if that would take less time :rolleyes1 ). DD17 quickly reminded me that at least I was getting my walking in. Good point. Changed my attitude quickly and counted 1.5 hrs (not the leisurely browse) towards exercise. :cheer2:

Breakfast: 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/ smidge of PB, 1/2 a sm apple, 1 c. milk, 2 slices ham
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Tuna wrap (Shauna, I will get you the recipe as soon as things calm down)
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: ? Anything that is quick, healthy and well proportioned

Goals for day:
1. Exercise
2. Make sure all rooms are ready to go
3. Bills and bookwork (somewhere, but gotta be done)
4. Begin food prep for party
5. Plus a million and one other things :rotfl2:

Pearlieq - You asked about how the trip came about. I have always wanted to take my children to another country to broaden their horizons and to show them some of the fun that I had when I went. (Although I've never been to London) The best time for anyone to go is when they are young as it gets harder to get away when you are older. Anyway, DD17 and I were going to take a tour to Europe a few yrs ago with a friend and her daughter, but they had a family illness days before the trip and cancelled, so we did too. It was fine, and for them it was good as the illness eventually lead to a funeral. So this year we were going to try again and were going until my friend had a very bad car accident earlier this year that she is still recovering from. So we cancelled the tour, again. DH and I talked about it and decided to make it a mother/daughter trip for graduation and asked DD17 where she really wanted to go. She said London, since she hopes to study there in a few years and this is her chance to check things out. We just didn't think that it was fair to keep cancelling this trip on her, as she has worked so hard over the last few years to earn money to go (she doesn't know yet that we have decided to foot the bill as a grad gift). So, now I have to do it for the rest of my children, but that is ok. ;) DD15 wants to go to Rome (I've been to Italy, but not Rome).

Well, I better check a couple of journals and get going, there is much to do. I will try very hard to journal when I can over the next few days, but probably won't be around much. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like you are way under control. Somehow I don't doubt that you will get everything that needs done, done, and the rest probably really didn't matter anyway.

Are you making those yummy midwest cream cheese mints? How will you ever be able to resist them? It would be my undoing.

I'm glad DD found something to wear for Graduation. It will be such a beautiful, memory making time.

your trip sounds great. Soon you will be able to get on the plane, take a deep breath and RELAX!!! How long will you be gone?

Have a great weekend and, if I don't get here before, have a wonderful and safe trip. I'll be anxious to hear the trip report when you get back!

[pearlieq]

Where, oh where did May go??? It was happy to just be able to ditch my sweater today--forget about shorts!!!

Sounds like you had a great time last night--I bet it was nice to get a few quiets minutes with DD before everything begins. I'm so happy for you--you must be so proud.

I'm sure everything will come together beautifully for the party--you certainly don't strike me as the kind of woman who doesn't know how to get things done!!!

Glad to hear the TOM weight gain is going away! Happy you liked the salad--I think I'm off to go get one now myself.

Your trip sounds so great--what a wonderful gift for your DD, and what a special time you two will always have to look back on. I hope you have a fabulous time!

Enjoy the next couple of days! Congrats to your DD!!!

[Lesli54]

Going to make this quick as it is now time to go into cake mode. I need to get them baked so I can decorate them tonight. No worries about licking fingers, other than to taste the frosting to make sure it is right and doesn't taste too funky.

Yesterday was a whirlwind day. So much done, yet so much to do. All rooms are clean and I can begin set up tonight. It will make it so much easier on me tomorrow. The mints are made (yes, the good cream cheese kind) and cheese is cut, bagged and ready to set out. Although DD15 put all that cheese at the front of the fridge where it can tempt my cheese loving family! :earseek: Luckily I moved it before anyone found it or it would probably be gone before tomorrow. Punch is made and frozen (tastes better slushy). Thinking of making another batch tonight so I don't run out. DH is taking care of the veggie and fruit trays at the store. Less work for me! :love:

I did the bulk of the shopping this morning. So today is cakes, ham rolls, start the taco dip (a layered salad almost a meal in itself, but very fattening) tonight so I can throw it together in the morning. Plus I have to attend a graduation party this afternoon for a friend of mine. Only staying about an hour and I probably won't eat there since I plan on eating before hand. Tonight is Baccalaureate so I need to get as much done now as I can.

Oh yeah, food yesterday. Missed both planned snacks. Lunch was a tuna wrap. Then I had 14 tostito chips dipped in cheese sauce. I started to get tired so I grabbed a handful of chex. You think I would learn that the right foods would not make me tired, but I grab the wrong stuff. Old habits die hard. :confused3 Still tired and almost grabbed the wrong stuff again, but went for 2 ham slices to get some protein. Later I wanted something sweet, so I ate 4 nilla wafers and 1/2 c. milk. Not a bad treat. Supper was about 8:00? Can't remember for sure. It wasn't anything good for me. I had about 1c. of fried mushrooms, although I didn't eat the batter on all of them, just wanted the mushrooms. and about 2 bites of DS's hamburger. Not a great supper, and not enough quality food, but I am lacking time and energy to prepare something. Should have grabbed an LC. The funny (or stupid) thing is, I coulnd't think of anything I wanted for take out since it was all greasy, but told myself I needed something. I was going to make the LC, but somehow convinced myself that it would take too much time (a few minutes in the microwave?) and I wasn't even tempted by the shakes the kids had. Ate about 2 mints, just enough to make sure they had the right flavor. Oh well. New day.

Scale hasn't moved, I assume that it is because my eating isn't disciplined right now even though I am moving alot. Also, I am not getting enough sleep. Will have to fix that tonight. I hope.

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet w/chives & sprinkle cheese, 1 c. milk, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/ smidge PB, 1 sm banana (Late getting this as I had to get the grocery shopping done before everyone else ran out for work.)
AM snack: carrots
Lunch: Chicken breast on bun w/ onion (cookout day)
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: LC if we fend for ourselves (half will be working and won't eat until after the ceremony tonight) Or maybe, I will come up with something good.

Goals for day:
1. A little bookwork that needs to go out
2. Bake cakes and decorate
3. Do rest of food prep
4. Set up for tomorrow
5. Get to bed at a decent time

Notice, I am not trying to fit in exercise. I am still up and moving alot, so I do know that it counts, I just don't know how to count it.

Gotta go. I MIGHT get back before tomorrow morning to check a few more journals. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[pearlieq]

Don't be too hard on yourself for the next few days--there will be a lot going on and I'm sure you'll be in constant motion. It will all even out.

I hope you have a great time tonight and tomorrow! Sending :wizard: your way for everything to go smoothly!

Your party foods sound so yummy--if you catch a tall girl hiding under the buffet table, don't worry--it's just me. :teeth:

[Lesli54]

This will be real breif for me. :rolleyes1

All the food is done except my taco dip. Got most of my pictures ready and have to put awards in sheet protectors, but that will be quick. Didn't get my set up done, so it will be whirlwind to do that.

Yesterday was really off. Got my AM snack, missed the PM. Ate at the party instead of having lunch here. Had a pulled pork sandwich, 1/3 c. baked beans, pineapple and a sm piece of cake. Kind of missed supper, but fed the little ones. :rolleyes: Other things I ate: tastes of frosting, taste of cake tops after leveling, 1 bite of DS's Chicago deep dish pizza (DD17 brought it home the other day when she was up that way. It was delish, never had one, gotta go get one some day.), 2 1/2 slices ham rolled with cream cheese and chives (before they were cut for the party :rolleyes1 ). I can't remember eating anything else.

The weight is the same and I know it is from lack of sleep and a structured eating pattern. After today, I can get back to normal.

Sleep happened at 2AM. :rolleyes1 I guess I have decided that sleep is for the flight over to London. At least I booked a late flight so jet lag will not be a problem.

Breakfast: 1 c. milk, 1 slice 7 grain toast w/smidge PB, 1 sm. banana
AM snack: carrots
Lunch/PM snack: Party food. I will try to stay reasonable about my portions and stick mainly with the fruits and veggies. Light on the fattening food.
Supper: Probably leftovers

Goals for day:
1. Enjoy this moment in time. (gonna cry now)

Gotta get going. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

Enjoy today! Tomorrow will be another day, but she only graduates ONCE!!

Congrats to both of you!

[pearlieq]

I've been thinking about you today! I hope you have a wonderful time and everything goes off without a hitch!

Blessings to all of you! Have a great time today!!!

[contempgal]

Congratulations on surviving your daughter's high school years! As someone mentioned before, her graduation is as much yours as it is hers.

I think your idea of the graduation trips for each child is wonderful. I guarantee it will be something that she will never forget. You sound like a wonderful and supportive parent, broadening your child's horizens. I applaud you. :cool1:

Have fun on your trip! I, for one, can't wait to hear about London upon your return.

[pearlieq]

So? So? So? How'd it go yesterday?

I hope had a great time! Stay warm. At the rate we're going you'll be warmer in London than here! :rotfl:

Hope you ahve a great day!!!

[Lesli54]

One word...........TIRED!

DD17 is officially graduated. It was a very long day yesterday and yet, it wasn't long enough. All went well and we had a lot of people come through for the open house. I had purposefully planned it to start about 1 hour after graduation was done, so that I had time to throw the food on the table and be ready. Of course, I knew family would be here before hand. Well, let's just say by the time my party was ready to start, it looked like it was over because my food table was almost picked clean (and I had a lot out)! We had a lot of family that had traveled a good distance and this was their lunch and supper. So I was rushing to get the table replenished and had to send a few people out for a few more items. I think I went through 2 batches of punch in an hour! Oh well, at least they all enjoyed themselves and if the food is gone then you know you did well. I have lots of leftover fruits and veggies which will be great for me today and tomorrow.

The whole event was surreal. I almost cried when DD17's father was here with his other 2 children. She didn't know for sure that he was coming and she did not know that he was bringing her siblings. It was a good time though and she had fun. My only regret is not enough pictures. I had very little help with serving food, that once I mingled a little, I didn't have time to do pictures. DH was called to the store for business a few times and DD15 was too busy running around and giggling. I really wanted to take a picture of DD17's display table, where she showed off her awards, but she took it down so fast when we were cleaning up. Oh well. I guess I will take more pictures in London.

All in all, she is glad to be done and ready to move on. I am very proud of her and got complemented by many people on the great job I have done in bringing her up. Why does it feel that there is so much I wanted to teach her, but didn't get the chance too?

Food............After breakfast, I don't recall everything I ate. Here is the best that I can remember. 4 ham rolls (equals 1 slice ham, spread cream cheese and chives), about 10-14 sm Tostitos, 1 cup of taco dip (refried beans, hamburger, cream cheese, tomatos, lettuce, cheese), 3 strawberries, 1/2 c. canteloupe, 2 oz hard cheese, 1 piece cake, 2 c. punch, 2 c. tea, no water (I just plain forgot to drink much of anything), about 1 T. of mixed nuts. I can't remember if I had any veggies. Didn't eat alot, but ate in stages. All in all, I think the calories were not too bad, but very fattening.

Exercise? Probably all the running I was doing in heels. Of which, my feet didn't hurt and feel great today. Losing weight and moving alot more has really helped.

Breakfast: 1/2 slice 7 grain w/ smidge butter, 1 c. strawberries, 1 egg omelet w/ fresh chives & sprinkle cheese, 1 c. milk
AM snack: veggies (gonna take them w/ shopping)
Lunch: Ham, fruits and veggies
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: Leftovers. Probably the taco dip/salad

Goals for day:
1. Shop for London trip
2. Bookwork caught up so I can leave
3. Bills pd so I can leave
4. Pack!
5. Get my eating back on schedule (more consistent timing)
6. Get some good sleep

Oh my!!! I am leaving tomorrow! There is so much to do before I can go. Who planned this trip so close to graduation anyway? :rolleyes1

BTW, weight is back to pre-TOM. I better get going. Will check in later. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[Clare]

You are doing so great! It's so hard for me to stay on-plan with all the craziness of getting ready for a trip or big event and you are getting ready for both!!!

[contempgal]

Have fun on your trip! You both deserve it.

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like your graduation day was wonderful!

Have an awesome time in London. Get some rest on the flight and ENJOY every minute!

[pearlieq]

I'm so glad to hear graduation day went well and everyone was able to be there to celebrate!! Sounds like a great party!

I hope you two have a wonderful time in London. I'm so jealous!!! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Take care, enjoy a good snooze on the plane, and have fun!

[Lesli54]

Sleep? Did I mention that I am only taking this trip so that I can catch up on my sleep while on the plane? :rotfl2:

Yesterday was a bad day. I was dragging until after lunch then got energy as the day wore on and was up until 4am! It is not unusual for me to be up so late right before a trip. I just can't sleep and so I use the time to get things done.

So anyway, I realized late last night that I had missed my bloodwork appointment with the doc yesterday morning. I never miss appts, so that must tell you how I was feeling.

DD17 and I did some whirlwind shopping with DS. I bought a few more pairs of jeans. The pants I was going to take with to London just bag so much. :banana: I bought 18's (not Womens, but they are stretch). :cheer2: They fit pretty good, but I can tell I won't be in these long as they are still loose. The 16's MIGHT have fit as a stretch, but it probably wouldn't have looked pretty.

The AM snack went well. Lunch, however was McD's. I promised DS if he was good. So I thought I was going to be healthy and order chicken selects (3 pc). After all, I can't eat a salad on the road. Yes, I ordered the fries. Just too tired and didn't care. Needless to say, I blew almost all my calories on that one meal. The chicken is a no-no. It most definitely was not worth it. Didn't taste great, made me even more tired, the grease made my tummy hurt, and it made me hungry for more junk later. I WILL REMEMBER THIS! :earseek: PM snack was a piece of graduation cake (it's free right? :rolleyes1 ). Supper was a little late and I had some of the taco dip and chips. Well, too much of the taco dip as I was stuffed later. Lots of calories. Then went for another slice of cake, after all I won't have any today. It was a big slice and a big mistake. Needless to say, I have not recorded all on Fitday and I am scared to, but I will when I get back.

I don't like the way I felt yesterday with all that food and junk. This was not as bad as the "before" but pretty close and it does not feel good.

Well most of my goals were met, but I am still packing.

Breakfast: 1 c. strawberries, 1 egg omelet w/chives & cheese, 1/2 slice 7 grain toast w/ smidge PB
AM snack: veggies
Lunch: Fruit and veggies
PM snack: yogurt
Supper: Probably something like Subway

Goals for day:
1. Finish packing
2. Run a few errands
3. Make it to the airport on time

Well, I gotta get going. We have to leave in about 4.5 hours. Flight leaves at 8:15 and I need time to manuever thorough the Chicago traffic. I can't believe that I will be in london in about 18 hours! It's still so surreal.

I will record everything I eat and some of my thoughts in a notebook. If I get a chance to stop at an internet cafe, I may pop on to do a little updating. Otherwise, I will post everything when I get back. Let's see how much weight I can lose in London. ;)

Everyone have a great week and I will talk to you next Wednesday! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[mking624]

Hi Lesli!!!

Have an absolutely fabulous time in London!! I'm so jealous right now... :rotfl: I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

[pearlieq]

Hey!

Hopefully you've landed safely and are getting some rest! Hope you're having a great time!

Same old, same old here. It's overcast and mildly chilly, but hopefully it will shape up into a nice day!

[TPCShauna]

Have an incredible time in London! All that walking is going to melt away those pounds. Congratulations on the graduation!

[pearlieq]

Hope you're having a great time! We got some wild storms in the middle of the night last night! Not quite as bad as that one a few weeks ago, but still pretty good.

Cheers!

[goldcupmom]

I keep thinking about you and DD in London. Hoping and praying you're having a fabulous time!

[pearlieq]

Hope you're having a great time!

We had some wild storms yesterday--thunder, lightning, hail, the works!!!

[goldcupmom]

Thinking about you this morning and hoping you are having a wonderful time!

ENJOY while you can!

[pearlieq]

I've been thinking about you this past week--I hope you guys had a great time! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

Let me be the first to say:

WELCOME HOME!!! :cool1: :teeth: :banana: :cheer2: :Pinkbounc :earsboy:

[Lesli54]

I'M BAAAAAACK!!!!! :banana:

Weight this morning was 213! :cool1: I will probably take off a few more today after I catch back up on water and get rid of some retention.

London was a fun time. Got home about 6pm last night. Had fun catching up with the family. About 9pm, I fell asleep on the couch (up 20 hours will do that to you) and DH told me to bed.

I miss not being in Europe, but I can proudly say that I am glad to be back home. DD17 had a great time as well.

I have to go get ready to do some bloodwork. Did a 12 hr fast, so I will have to get breakfast after I am done. Already started on the water.

I will post more about the trip later today, but just wanted to let everyone know that I am home. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[goldcupmom]

AWESOME!!!!!!! Your trip must have been wonderful and to lose on top of it is GREAT!!!

Can't wait for details, but that jet lag will kick you in the butt!

[pearlieq]

Hi! Good to hear from you! You were missed...

Glad to hear you had a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it!

[TPCShauna]

Glad you're back! Can't wait to hear about the trip.

[Lesli54]

Time to begin posting the days I missed while in London. I did write down everything that I ate, but had to guess on much of the water as I didn't have anything to convert the ml to oz.

Here goes:

Breakfast was recorded earlier. Missed the AM snack. Lunch was 1 1/2 c. of taco dip/salad from graduation. Just too busy trying to finish up errands, work, and finish packing. In fact much of the packing occured 1/2 hr before we left. :confused3 At least I knew what I was taking with me.

Finally, out the door in a rush and of course, I had to get gas. Something that someone could have done earlier, but no. I began to panick a bit about getting to the airport on time. The last time, I took the older DD's up to fly to AZ, I got chewed out by the check-in desk attendant because we were not there 15 minutes earlier. Mind you they were still there in plenty of time for boarding.

No PM snack, so I was beginning to get hungry once we arrived at the airport. Oh yeah, using the I-Pass to get through the tolls was great! :teeth: There is nothing worse than making good time going to Chicago and you lose it all waiting to pay the tolls, much easier to do online. Anyway, I got to the airport in time, but of course had to make my circle around as I tried to find the right parking lot that I wanted. This happens everytime, I guess it is a ritual. However, this time I wanted extended parking and had I really prepared properly, I would have had DD17's boyfriend drive us up and back. $13/day to park. Ouch! Oh well. Made it to British Airways fine and in plenty of tme. The line was moving slow though. I have not figured out why O'Hare, one of the busiest airports in the country always staffs 2-3 attendants to check you in and leaves 5 spots vacant and always has 3 more attendants doing nothing but yakking in the corner. It takes forever! Now I was beginning to panick about missing the check-in time. Finally, up to the desk. After the check-in time of course. But guess what? Those BA people are so nice and pleasant. The guy didn't say a word about being late (we were still there in plenty of time for boarding). :flower:

Things are going good. Then I find out that the tickets I booked, for which I have a confirmation page printed out that says both DD17 and I were booked on the same flight, didn't go through the system that way. According to BA's computers we were booked on seperate flights! :scared1: How can this happen? Needless to say, it took us longer to get checked-in and finally they straightened things out. However, they guy told us that we would be on the later flight. :sad2: I was bummed, but what do you do? :confused3 Had to remove our TSA security locks (ones that you don't have to remove because they can still get them open) and they inspected the bags right in front of everyone before they sent them on. That I didn't care for. Got through security fine, the gate was around the corner, and I decided to call DH to let him know of the flight change since he was going to track it online. Good news! :cool1: While I was double checking the number for him, I realized that the man gave us boarding passes for the flight we wanted, but just told us wrong. :Pinkbounc We were leaving on time!

By now we are hungry and I forgot to ask what type of meal was being served and how long into the flight it would be before we ate. So our grumbly tummies left the secured area and went in search of food. Supper was a small salad, 1/4 of a personal sized Chicago deep dish (not as good as DD17 brought home a few weeks ago), and a medium Sprite. Then it was time to head back to the gate and I didn't make it through security! Why? I had to take off my shoes, which did not contain metal of any kind and went through fine the first time. Taking off the shoes got me through, but I sure do wonder about their sensors now. :scratchin

Oh yeah. I did have 60 oz water before I left home.

Flight time was 8:30pm. We boarded and needless to say, I was a little apprehensive. It has been 16 years since I have flown and 20 since I have flown for at least 8 hours. The security of flying didn't bother me, I knew it was safe, and flying for so long didn't bother me. What bothered me most was that I have so many children and a husband, so it did cross my mind how everyone would fare if something freaky happened. The flight back wasn't a problem and I can say that I am now rid of that little apprehension.

Once in the air and leveled out, the crew began serving supper. I knew I should have waited. Supper, again.......150 ml water, 300 ml sprite (those tiny cans are so cute), 3 oz chicken in a butter sauce (so good), 1/3 c. green beans, 1/3 c. rice w/ mixed veggies, 1 c. salad, 1 roll, 3/4 slice cheesecake w/ chocolate on it. I am guessing as to the serving sizes that I actually ate, because I just couldn't finish it all.

The plane was so hot! So much so that it was very uncomfortable. They also didn't come around enough times to serve water or something to wet your whistle. We were in economy and I had the pleasure of riding behind a girl that decided to throw her seat all the way back leaving me very little room to move or even eat (she didn't put it up when she ate). I never lay my seat all the way back, becuase I want to give people some room. Then she kept pushing back on her seat as she moved around and it conveniently dug into my knees. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Next time, I will consider upgrading my tickets for a little more room. Actually, I think I might even consider getting business class (or club). They had seats that folded out into a bed! 8 hr flights........it would be worth the extra money.

Stay tuned for what I consider the next day..........it gets hard to decipher when crossing time zones. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

****added*****
I will update my exercise totals as soon as I figure out the number of hours we walked and walked and walked and .............. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo

[TPCShauna]

I hate it when the person in front of you puts their seat back!! I never put mine back more than an inch and usually not even that much. I just don't understand why people think that extra 3 inches of room is going to help them soooooo much. Come on! Be courteous!!!

I am also perpetually late for the airport. It drives DH crazy.

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like you did very well on day 1. International flights are always a challenge. I'd be dying from dehydration. Even on 1 hour flights I always ask for the whole can of water + a can or diet soda w/o caffeine. I can't deal w/ being dry. Guess it comes from the desert living.

I hate it when people put seats way back. NOT fun at all!!

[rcyannacci]

You're back!!!!! I can't wait to hear more about London!

Wow- I don't miss O'Hare! We lived in Evanston for 2 years, and flying was such a hassle.

Have a great holiday weekend!

[contempgal]

Welcome back!!! I can't wait to hear more about your trip. So glad you and your daughter had a nice time.

[pearlieq]

Can't wait to hear more about your trip. That flight sounds like quite the adventure. I can definitely see the appeal of business class!

ITA about the seat back! When we went to Vegas last spring we were in the very last row of the plane and the lady in front of us put her seat back down directly on to my husband's kneecap. We both tried to get the woman's attention but she was ignoring us. DH was almost in tears from the pain and wound up shoving her seat back. She then finally sits up and goes off on DH for hitting her seat back! Ahh, the fun of being trapped in a pressurized metal tube...

I hope you're having fun at home and sleeping off any jet lag. Happy Friday!